《Spires》


 1. Making Friends

    Now


    ¡°Your species is called human?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Recalcitrance is pointless. Answering will not betray your kind. The god hair you emerged from marked you as such. We merely seek confirmation in your own words to establish a baseline for this process.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ I¡¯m not exactly too clear on how the spires are doing the whole, universal translation thing, but did you refer to them as your gods¡¯ hairs?¡±


    ¡°The translation system¡¯s shortcomings are known to us and are irrelevant to current proceedings. Answer the question or face compliance.¡±


    ¡°Fine, fine. No need to ruin a nice conversation with threats.¡± Cal kept his face carefully neutral, kept his pulse steady. Over the past few weeks he had risked numerous, quick peeks into his alien captors¡¯ minds. What he had observed led him to be optimistic about getting through his current predicament intact, physically and mentally. Threats notwithstanding, the aliens, or the Threnosh, a word in their language that translated simply into People, weren¡¯t the torturing kind. ¡°Yes, I am human, as are the rest of my kind. See, that wasn¡¯t so hard now, was it?¡± Cal shot his best, charming smile at the two Threnosh. To no effect.


    The aliens simply stared impassively at him. They stood as rigid as the thick, bulky power armor that encased their small, frail-looking forms.


    It was nearly a full minute, going by Cal¡¯s internal count, before the alien on the left finally blinked and continued.


    ¡°What is your designation?¡±


    ¡°My what? Uh¡­ I guess I¡¯m an office admin, at least I was until the spires started popping up and all that went away.¡±


    ¡°What are you called?¡± The alien on the right took a turn.


    Cal wasn¡¯t sure and he didn¡¯t want to risk a look into the alien¡¯s thoughts, who knew what sort of advanced technology they had scanning and recording every inch of him at the moment, but he detected a hint of annoyance in the usually emotionally flat aliens.


    ¡°Ah¡­ nope, sorry. I don¡¯t quite understand the question.¡±


    The alien on the left gave the one on the right a deliberate look. It was the first time either had shifted away from the rigid posture toward Cal since the interrogation began. He suppressed a satisfied feeling.


    ¡°What do others of your kind call you?¡± Left alien turned their attention back to Cal.


    ¡°Well¡­ it really depends on a lot of different variables. The person, the setting, the time of day, and other things.¡± Cal frowned. ¡°Listen, guys. I really want to help you out here. If only in the interest of continuing to foster beneficial dialogue among our two peoples. I mean, it¡¯s really unprecedented. To think that we thought ourselves alone in this universe, yet here we are, two different species, sentient beings, sitting and standing across from one another.¡±


    ¡°Your dissembling will cease immediately.¡±


    ¡°Apologies, Righty,¡± Cal grinned. ¡°It must be the universal translation system. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a hundred percent accurate. Maybe if you guys gave me some context.¡± He waited a beat for the aliens to speak. When neither did, he forged ahead. ¡°Okay, so, like, what do you call each other? Let¡¯s say you,¡± Cal indicated the alien on the left with a tilt of his head, ¡°need you,¡± he nodded to the alien on the right, ¡°to go on a beer run¡­ what do you call¡ª¡± Cal was about to say him, but he realized it would be presumptuous to assume the aliens had the same concepts of gender. Instead he abruptly clapped his mouth shut.


    The silence stretched on for another few minutes.


    ¡°Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337, is my designation.¡±


    ¡°Interrogator, wh¡ª¡±


    The alien on the left turned to look at the one on the right, quicker now. ¡°That is Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623.¡± They fixed an unblinking look at Cal. ¡°That is sufficient to clarify your confusion. You will reciprocate.¡±


    ¡°Wow, weird name, but we can probably chalk that up to the translation.¡± Cal cleared his throat. ¡°I go by Honor.¡± He kept his pulse even with practiced ease. At the same time he kept Calmin Honorio Gerzan Cruces, his real name out of his mind, thanks parents for going for uniqueness over something else that schoolyard bullies couldn¡¯t sink their cruel little claws into. He wasn¡¯t about to give his real name out. Who knew what the aliens could¡¯ve done with it, especially ever since space magic became something real and tangible.


    ¡°Your designation is the abstract concept of the adherence to accepted standards of conduct?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I guess, Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623,¡± Cal said as he tried to shrug his shoulders. ¡°Your, ah, designation is a bit of a mouthful. Any chance I can shorten it¡­ respectfully, that is?¡±


    ¡°Direct address is unnecessary.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing, Loaming,¡± Cal respond solemnly.


    ¡°Designation: Honor.¡±


    ¡°What is it, Tides?¡±


    Cal noticed the Interrogator stiffen. The movement would¡¯ve been imperceptible prior to the changes he¡¯d undergone in the past four years. Now he could perceive much more than humanly possible. He kept the earnest look on his face, like a student eager to please and be rewarded.


    ¡°Now that the preliminaries are concluded we will begin.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Why did you come to our world?¡±


    <hr>


    Then


    The brave hero held his stance. His feet were planted into the thin layer of wood chips that covered the ground. His hands were next to his face, in loose fists. His body was relaxed, yet ready to explode into action at a moments notice. Eyes were steady, focused on his gargantuan opponent¡¯s protruding brow.


    The villain loomed large over our diminutive hero. The brute had over a head and a half in height and must¡¯ve been twice as wide. None on the yard dared contest his dominion. Except this time, he had finally gone too far. He cocked his head to one side, confusion written clearly on his porcine face.


    ¡°What¡¯d you say?¡±


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°I said that¡¯s enough, Jaden!¡±


    An ugly sneer formed across the villain¡¯s pudgy face. ¡°Oh yeah? And you¡¯re gonna do something about it?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll stop you!¡±


    ¡°Ha! You¡¯re a stupid baby! With a stupid name, Calmin,¡± Jaden spat out the name, ¡°what¡¯d your parents do? Forget how to spell your name right? Or maybe your stupid country just has stupid names!¡±


    ¡°I was born here just like you,¡± Cal said in a low voice.


    The foul villain mistook the hero¡¯s tone. He thought that his verbal salvo had landed, had drawn first blood, he thought wrong. ¡°I¡¯m going to make you shit your pants,¡± he cracked his knuckles, an evil look grew in his eyes. ¡°Shit is brown, just like your skin! Everyone¡¯s gonna call you shitskin!¡±


    The gathered crowd said nothing. It wasn¡¯t what the villain was expecting and he glared around for a brief moment. None dared meet his eyes for none wished to risk his ire. He had crossed a line, most had realized this, yet better his ire be focused on poor Calmin, than on them.


    ¡°Sticks and stones, Jaden,¡± Cal lips twisted into a wry grin. ¡°I¡¯ll let that go, as long as you give Bethany her doll back and apologize.¡±


    The hero didn¡¯t dare look at the sniffling girl standing behind him. He didn¡¯t want to take his eyes off his opponent, but he chanced a quick glance to the corner of a wall in the distance across the playground. Mrs. Brackenridge had disappeared around it some five minutes ago. The yard duty had a terrible habit of taking time out of her responsibility to watch over them for a leisurely smoke. At least that¡¯s what the kids guessed judging by the foul stench that always clung to the woman.


    Cal made a mental note to tell his parents about Mrs. Brackenridge¡¯s dereliction. The crisis situation he thrust himself into would never have happened had the yard duty simply did her job.


    He had watched Jaden eyeing Bethany as the small girl played with her doll. She had proudly brought it in for show and tell and had steadfastly kept it within her reach at all times. Apparently it was an antique of sorts. It belonged to her grandmother and she was quite concerned about something happening to it. She must¡¯ve figured it would be safest at her side. The poor girl didn¡¯t account for the malicious and opportunistic villain pouncing as soon as their minder was off on her unauthorized cigarette break.


    As soon as Jaden moved, Cal moved too, but he was too far away to cut the villain off before he cruelly snatched the doll out of Bethany¡¯s hands. Cal cursed himself. He saw it coming. He should¡¯ve acted quicker instead of reacting. As it was he reached the scene of the crime right as Jaden waved the doll above his head, much too high for Bethany¡¯s futile attempts to reach for it.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Jaden,¡± Cal grinned, ¡°Mrs. Brackenridge is going to be done with her cigarette soon, just hand the doll over or you¡¯ll get in trouble.¡±


    The villain¡¯s fat head swiveled quickly to the corner of the wall in the distance before he caught himself and just as quickly turned his beady-eyed glare back to Cal. ¡°Nah, she¡¯ll be gone long enough for me to teach you lesson.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t,¡± Cal said. ¡°She¡¯ll see what you did. The others will tell on you, I will tell on you.¡±


    The villain shook his round head with disdain. ¡°I¡¯ll tell her you fell. You¡¯ll say you fell.¡± He raised his voice. ¡°Everyone will say you fell.¡±


    ¡°She won¡¯t believe that,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°My parents own this school, she¡¯ll believe whatever I want.¡±


    ¡°Fine, just hand the doll over. It was Bethany¡¯s grandma¡¯s.¡±


    As soon as the words left his mouth, Cal knew that he had erred. The evil gleam in villain¡¯s eyes told him as much.


    ¡°So if something happens to this stupid thing,¡± Jaden tossed the doll up in the air, higher and higher, ¡°little baby Bethany¡¯s gonna cry some more?¡±


    Cal tried to ignore the growing wails coming from Bethany behind him. ¡°C¡¯mon, Jaden, don¡¯t be a di¡ª¡±


    ¡°You want this so bad, here¡­ catch!¡±


    Of course Cal saw the move coming. For all their brawn, villains of Jaden¡¯s size lacked nuance in their thoughts and actions. All their goals centered around dominance and cruelty.


    The doll flew at Cal¡¯s face with the speed of a tightly-thrown spiral, as expected from the budding future quarterback. Cal caught the doll with his lead hand, the left, while at the same moment he dipped lower and shuffled a step forward.


    The villain had rushed in with a powerful two-handed shove ready to unleash on the much smaller hero. It was predictable, Jaden was fond of the move, conquering dozens of his victims much the same way over the school year. Even Cal had been the victim of it in the past, but this time things were different. Cal wasn¡¯t fighting for himself, he was fighting for the innocent.


    Just like his uncle had taught him. Cal unleashed a powerful straight with his right. He acted with instinct born of countless hours of practice. The blow started in his legs, then traveled up the rest of his body, through the turn of his hips, his shoulders, his arm, until it finally exploded from his fist.


    The villain let out a whoosh of air with a pained gasp. His momentum blunted, Jaden fell to his knees and promptly vomited his lunch all over himself.


    Cal looked at his clenched fist in stunned silence. It actually worked. The feeling of it plunging into the villain¡¯s soft underbelly was quite satisfying, much more so than hitting the mitts or the bag.


    ¡°Thanks Cal!¡± Bethany wiped her eyes with a sleeve while grabbing her doll out of his hand.


    Before he could reply the stench of Jaden¡¯s vomit finally reached his nose. Soon Cal was gagging, struggling mightily to avoid joining the villain in his fluid, chunky disgrace.


    <hr>


    Now


    ¡°That is disgusting.¡± The slight crinkling to Loaming¡¯s smooth, barely-there brow, betrayed the flatness of their voice.


    ¡°I know,¡± Cal said, ¡°two other kids also threw up and I threw up a little in my mouth. Had to swallow it back down to avoid ruining my image.¡±


    ¡°You failed to answer the question,¡± Tides said.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Cal tried to raise his hands. ¡°You wanted to know how I ended up on your world, well it started with that one single fight decades ago.


    ¡°We seek the factual events that led you to emerging from the god hair,¡± Tides said.


    ¡°What happened to this Jay-deen?¡±


    ¡°Well, Loaming, as it turned out, nothing,¡± Cal sighed ruefully.


    ¡°How is that possible? He was the clear aggressor. Furthermore, what kind of barbaric civilization allows a much larger juvenile to mix in with smaller ones in their nursery creche?¡±


    ¡°To answer your questions,¡± Cal spoke quickly before Tides had the chance to get the interrogation back on track, ¡°Jaden was right. His parents were rich and had just recently donated the money for an upgrade to the school gym. Naturally the administrators didn¡¯t want to upset them and since no adult was around to see the entire event, it was easy enough for them to dismiss the kids¡¯ accounts. As for your second question. I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s going to be hard to explain. You see, Jaden was technically a grade older than the rest of us. His parents intentionally held him back a year because there was a superstar quarterback in his proper grade and they didn¡¯t want the competition.¡± He nodded sympathetically at the confused look on Loaming¡¯s face. ¡°I know, it¡¯s stupid. Why are you bothering going to the effort when your kid is only in first grade? I mean there are so many different variables to take into account at such a young age, which renders looking for a competitive advantage moot.¡±


    ¡°Par-en-tss? What is this word?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ you know, mom, dad.¡± Cal took in the flat look on the aliens¡¯ faces. ¡°Right, well a man and a woman do the thing and nine months later out pops a baby.¡±


    ¡°You speak of reproduction?¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ isn¡¯t that how you guys do it?¡±


    ¡°Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623,¡± Tides said flatly.


    ¡°Anyways,¡± Cal continued to ignore Tides, ¡°fortunately my own parents weren¡¯t without means, so the school didn¡¯t want to outright expel me. I got suspended for a week. Worst part though was what my parents did. I couldn¡¯t play video games for a month and they canceled my Christmas. No presents for little me that year, had to watch my younger brothers open theirs up. At the time I didn¡¯t think it was worth it, but upside was that for the rest of the year Jaden didn¡¯t risk pulling his usual crap whenever I was around, so in the end I was mostly satisfied with how things turned out.¡±


    ¡°Comply.¡± The word was short, clipped, from Tides¡¯ mouth.


    ¡°Okay, relax. I was getting to that part,¡± Cal said. ¡°It was about four years ago¡­ uh, on my world a year is three-hundred sixty-five days. A day is like one revolution of the planet on its axis. Not sure how yours works.¡± The look on the alien¡¯s face made him want to smirk, but he tamped the impulse down. ¡°So, anyways. It was night time¡­¡±

 2. The End of the World

    Then


    Cal sat in front of his laptop studying his lineup options for the upcoming Sunday NFL slate. The yellow-orange tint of the screen in night time mode mingled with the flickering flame of the small candle on the desk. Nila, his longtime love had already gone to bed, so he was alone with only his thoughts, scoring projections, and a finger or two of Laphroaig scotch, neat of course, in a glass.


    ¡°Mmmm, sooo peat-y,¡± Cal said with satisfaction after taking a small sip.


    Admittedly it was weird that he was doing this by candle light, however he had an easy answer. He simply found it relaxing and being in such a state of mind helped him think and plot. Now all he needed to do was settle on a quarterback and a pair of pass catchers, receivers or maybe one receiver and one tight end from one team and one other player from the opposing team to stack for all the monies.


    ¡°Man, looks like I¡¯ll need to stack the Falcons and the Cardinals,¡± Cal mused. ¡°DVOA against the pass are both terrible. Plus they play at a high pace.¡± He hemmed and hawed for a few minutes before finally letting out a sigh as he locked in his choices and put his laptop into sleep mode. Nothing to do now but wait till Sunday. He made a mental promise to not tinker with his lineups tomorrow. That never turned out great.


    Now that he was done with that he could get in some fun reading, while finishing his scotch before he needed to go to bed. Saturday was spending time with the girlfriend day and they had a long hike planned. Cal figured he could relax for the next hour or so and be in bed by one-ish. He needed to be up by eight in the morning and that¡¯d give him a good seven hours.


    He had only gotten a few pages into his novel when the light in the kitchen suddenly shut off.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Cal ¡°That¡¯s weird.¡± He placed his tablet on his desk and went over to the spare bedroom¡¯s light switch. He flicked it up and down a few times. ¡°Power¡¯s out. Whatever.¡± He returned to his desk and his novel. Reading by candle light was kind of fun anyways and his tablet had plenty of battery power left. He¡¯d use his phone to check the electric company¡¯s outage map later.


    It was getting close to lights out time when the most terrifying sound that he had ever heard jolted him out of his chair. It was his girlfriend¡¯s screams.


    Cal grabbed a flashlight from his desk and rushed to the bedroom. His heart was pounding in his chest and he could feel the heat rising to his face as adrenaline flooded his body. Mingled in with Nila¡¯s screams of fear and pain were the sounds of high-pitched chittering and growling.


    He shined the light on the thrashing forms on the bed and the sight was unlike anything he had seen before. There entangled among the blanket was Nila being attacked by small monstrosities, gremlin-like things. Their needle-like teeth and tiny, clawed fingertips were tinged with red. Cal felt like he was going to be sick.


    The creatures¡¯ pale, pinkish flesh, like a worm¡¯s, suddenly sizzled in the flashlight¡¯s beam. They retreated into the shadows of the bedroom with pained shrieks.


    Cal rushed to Nila¡¯s side making sure to keep her within the light.


    ¡°Cal! Something was biting me?!¡± Her words were hurried, frantic. Her breaths came in ragged gasps. Shock and pain mingled in her face as she squinted against the light.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to be okay,¡± Cal said as his eyes darted about the room, seeking, but not finding anything in the shadows. ¡°Just stay in the li¡ª¡±


    Cal let out a hiss as a weight dropped on his shoulders. He felt the sting of sharp claws as they pierced through his shirt. A pain soon forgotten as it was eclipsed by the feeling of a dozen needles digging into his trapezius.


    He stifled a cry and frantically thrust the flashlight into Nila¡¯s hands. ¡°Keep the light on you,¡± he said through grit teeth.


    There was a monster gremlin on his back and it had just bit into him. Cal felt anger bloom within him. They attacked his love and now this one thought it was going to make a meal out of him. Well, he wasn¡¯t about to let that happen.


    With as much force as he could muster he slammed backward into the wall. The gremlin sandwiched between his muscular back and the hard surface. The pressure on his trapezius released immediately as the gremlin let out a shriek and dropped down to the floor. Cal turned and stomped down hard. He felt the small creature¡¯s rib cage give way and a glob of blood from its mouth splashed up against his leg.


    ¡°Stupid tiny mons¡ª¡±


    ¡°Watch out!¡±


    Nila¡¯s warning was all Cal needed and he spun around with his elbow. The second gremlin was looking to duplicate its departed brethren¡¯s sneak attack, but was brutally rebuffed. Cal caught it across the face the crack was loud and the gremlin fell into an unmoving heap. Not taking any chances, he punted it across the room.


    <hr>


    Now


    ¡°Designation: Honor.¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 held up an armored hand to interrupt Cal. ¡°How big were these gremlins?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d estimate they were roughly the size of a six month old baby. Not cute and pudgy though, kind of wiry and disgusting. Light, pinkish skin, but rough almost like sandpaper.¡±


    ¡°I seek an accurate measurement.¡±


    ¡°Well, taking out a tape measure wasn¡¯t high on the list of priorities at the time,¡± Cal said with a huff for effect. ¡°Not to mention their bodies kind of, dissolved, once daylight came.¡±


    ¡°Surely you were more diligent in subsequent encounters?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Loaming, but after that first night we made sure to always have a bunch of lights burning all the time. Didn¡¯t have any surprise encounters again. Plus after about a month, err that¡¯s roughly thirty days, the darkness over the west coast lifted.¡±


    ¡°Then give us your best estimate.¡±


    ¡°Well, they moved around in a crouch so¡­ I¡¯d estimate they were probably a little over two feet tall.¡± Cal took in the blank look on the aliens¡¯ faces. ¡°Right, translation,¡± he sighed. He looked at Tides¡¯ power armored form. ¡°I¡¯d say they were about as tall as your armor¡¯s lower leg, give or take a bit.¡±


    ¡°Note similarities to classification: Intruder 1-004 of Region 63.¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t say anything, but it was good to get confirmation that the Threnosh had a similar experience.


    ¡°Continue,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    <hr>


    Then


    ¡°Ow, ow, ow, ow!¡±


    ¡°Jeez!¡± Nila frowned. ¡°You smash those things like you¡¯re the Hulk, but get a bit of alcohol on little cuts and you squirm like a big baby.¡±


    ¡°Okay, first of all I don¡¯t think the size of them matters much, when we remember that actual, real monsters did them,¡± Cal said with a wince as Nila cleaned the small slashes on his back. ¡°And secondly, how are you not freaking out right now?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m definitely freaking out, I¡¯m just holding it in.¡± Nila swabbed at the wounds with copious amounts of alcohol before drenching them with iodine. ¡°These look more like punctures than the ones I got. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s enough to just use the gauze.¡±


    ¡°Let me grab the superglue,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    ¡°Nope, no way you¡¯re leaving me in here alone.¡± Nila followed Cal as he got up from where he was seated on the bed and headed to the other room.


    The dozens of candles the pair had scattered throughout the apartment threw garish, flickering lights and shadows on the walls and ceiling. Their eyes darted to where the shadows were deepest. For brief moments they thought they could see movement. A quick flash of pinkish skin, a whispered chitter that they weren¡¯t sure wasn¡¯t just the product of their fears.


    Cal dug into their crafts supply case and came out with the superglue. ¡°I guess just put a little bit into the wound and hold it together for a minute.¡± He handed the small plastic container to Nila with a shrug. ¡°Try not to get any on your fingers, otherwise you¡¯ll be stuck to me¡­ like glue.¡± He tried to smile, but it turned into a grimace. ¡°Damn it, that stings.¡±


    They fell into an uneasy silence as Nila worked on Cal¡¯s back before doing the same to the bite on his trapezius, which hurt the worst. For his part, Cal kept his head on a swivel, making sure to keep scanning the darkest parts of the room.


    ¡°Cal?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, love?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m worried about my, our families.¡±


    They sat back to back in the middle of the living room, surround by candles, Both had changed out of their bloodied sleeping attire into more robust clothing, jeans and their thickest canvas jackets. Thankfully it was December and it was quite cold. Cal had his camping ax in hand, along with a ka-bar style knife in a sheath at his side. Nila had a small baseball bat clutched tightly in her grip.


    ¡°I know, me too. Try to relax, you¡¯ll tire yourself out if you keep tensed up,¡± Cal said. ¡°Besides we can¡¯t do much right now. Our phones are dead and the power¡¯s out.¡±


    ¡°But how is that possible? My phone was plugged into the charger.¡±


    ¡°Mine was at about sixty percent. Laptop was close to full too, but it¡¯s dead.¡± Cal hesitated. ¡°I¡¯m thinking whatever this is¡­ it¡¯s magical in nature.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t be seri¡ª¡±


    A series of loud pops outside in the distance made the two flinch. They hadn¡¯t noticed it immediately, but sporadic gunfire had been going on throughout the night. Tellingly, however, they couldn¡¯t remember hearing a single siren.


    ¡°Or it could be like, super high-tech science,¡± Cal continued when the gunfire stopped, ¡°an EMP kills electronics, but those gremlin things definitely gave off more of a magic feel.¡±


    ¡°Those things didn¡¯t like the light. It hurt them,¡± Nila said. ¡°I guess that means we¡¯ll just have to wait till morning to figure out what to do. I just hope our families are okay.¡±


    Cal felt Nila¡¯s back press closer to his own.


    ¡°I think they¡¯ll be okay. I mean, those things were definitely scary and dangerous, but they couldn¡¯t really take a hit, you know?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true, you killed all six by basically flailing around like a bee was buzzing your ear,¡± Nila snorted.


    ¡°Hey! Bees are like on of my top three most feared animals¡­ suppose I¡¯ll have to add gremlins to the list,¡± Cal mused.


    The joke fell flat as Nila fell silent. Cal did the same, his thoughts going to his family. He had two younger brothers, each roughly fifteen to twenty miles away. One lived alone and one had a wife and two young girls. Both would¡¯ve been asleep at the time of the gremlins¡¯ attack. He tried to tell himself that an able-bodied adult should be able to handle at least half a dozen gremlins like he did. The girls¡¯ fate, however, worried him.


    He pushed the thought aside and went to his parents and younger sister, roughly five hundred miles to the south. His sister was the only other night owl among his family, she would¡¯ve likely been awake. He decided that was a good thing. She would¡¯ve been able to wake their parents and the three of them together would¡¯ve handled the gremlins okay.


    ¡°We¡¯ll check on them in the morning,¡± Cal whispered.


    He didn¡¯t realize it in the moment, but their entire world, everything they knew to be reality had already been irreparably altered that night.


    The darkness slowly gave way to the dawn. Cal watched through the blinds of his living room window as it brightened bit by bit. Except he realized that it wasn¡¯t getting that bright.


    ¡°Looks like it¡¯s going to be a gloomy day. Sorry, I think I fell asleep,¡± Nila yawned. ¡°What time is it?¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s probably somewhere around six. No clocks,¡± Cal said. ¡°I guess we¡¯ll have to use the sun. Although, that¡¯ll be hard if it¡¯s cloudy.¡±


    ¡°The gremlins!¡± Nila sat up suddenly from where she had been heavily leaning against Cal¡¯s back.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Remember? We wanted to see what would happen to their bodies in sunlight.¡± Nila stood up and hurried to the bedroom.


    Cal groaned as he stood up, stretching his tight hips and lower back for a moment before following.


    ¡°Oh my god! I was right!¡± Nila slapped Cal, hard, on his arm. ¡°Told you.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say you were wrong,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Ah, but you didn¡¯t agree.¡±


    They had stacked, or rather Cal had stacked the gremlin bodies, since Nila refused to touch them, near the window. The sunlight did in fact work just as Nila had theorized. Even with the thick clouds outside that made the dawning morning seem closer to the gloom of dusk, the bodies sizzled as they slowly disintegrated. It didn¡¯t take long until all that remained was a pile of fine dust on the carpet.


    ¡°So, sunlight is extremely lethal,¡± Cal mused. ¡°Artificial light hurts them, but won¡¯t kill them?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that,¡± Nila said. ¡°Their skin sizzled when we used the flashlight, same with the candle light.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too bad all the batteries died or we could¡¯ve tested the flashlight for a longer period of time,¡± Cal said as he took out his knife and carefully prodded at the pile of dust. ¡°Nothing left at all.¡±


    ¡°But we kept the candles on all night and all it did was blister the skin,¡± Nila said as she edged just close enough to look over Cal¡¯s shoulder.


    Cal suddenly fell to his butt.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?!¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t hear Nila, there was another voice in his head and worse, there was also a scrolling block of text right in the middle of his vision or not. It kept shifting between the two, voice and text, one or the other, both at the same time in a confusing tableau. Cal couldn¡¯t tell the difference on whether he was seeing or hearing it. It made him want to scream.


    Congratulations!


    You have earned your first Universal Points.


    The first steps on your road to eternity are behind you.


    Will you overcome the challenges in your way? Or will you fall to the wayside?


    Beware, for time is not on your side. Others will soon seek to plunder the treasures of your world.


    Will you be strong enough when the time comes to seize what is yours?


    To learn more please enter the nearest access location.


    Welcome to your True Existence!


    ¡°Cal! Cal!¡±


    ¡°Huh? Sorry, Nila¡­ um, remember when I said this was either magic or super science?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Nila looked at Cal like he had grown a second head.


    ¡°Well, I think I was right on both counts.¡± Before Nila could call him a moron, Cal forged ahead. ¡°I just got a welcome prompt like you get when you first start a game,¡± he raised a hand, ¡°let me finish, please. So, there¡¯s this floating text in my vision and a voice in my head, except it keeps blending together.¡±


    ¡°Did I miss you getting hit in the head? Cause you¡¯re talking like you did after you did that boxing fight.¡±


    ¡°Match, boxing match and no, I didn¡¯t get hit in the head.¡± Cal leaned back against the wall, still floored. ¡°So, you didn¡¯t get the same message?¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    Cal remained silent in thought for a few minutes as Nila came to sit next to him, arm and leg held tight against Cal¡¯s. A comfort for both.


    ¡°Just a theory, but I think I got the welcome message,¡± Cal threw up air quotes with his fingers, ¡°because I killed the gremlins.¡±


    ¡°What? But I helped.¡±


    ¡°Maybe I did most of the damage,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°We need to find some gremlins for you to kill.¡±


    ¡°Nope, no way, not happening,¡± Nila narrowed her eyes at Cal.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but once you see the message¡­¡±


    ¡°Uh huh. Well, I¡¯m not doing anything until we check on our families.¡± Nila stood up abruptly. ¡°You start getting our go bags ready. I¡¯ll check the electricity and see if our phones can be charged.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll be back,¡± Cal said.


    Nila shook her head. ¡°You said this was some kind of magic. It sounds ridiculous, but I can¡¯t deny those gremlin things suddenly appeared inside our bedroom or the fact that they dissolved into fairy dust with the morning. Maybe now that it isn¡¯t night time the power is back.¡±


    Cal had nothing to say to that, so he got up and complied with Nila¡¯s order.

 3. An Odd Apocalypse

    Now


    ¡°This recollection still fails to satisfy the requirements you are compelled to fulfill.¡±


    ¡°Oh, sorry Tides, but like I said, the proper context needs to be set. It¡¯s a long story, spanning years and many adventures and struggles that eventually led me to your wonderful world,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°And what of your world? How did it fare when the¡­ spires emerged?¡± The word was uncertain, hesitant, in Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623¡¯s mouth. As if the alien was taking a grave risk in speaking it.


    ¡°Well, again, long story, but to make it short for you guys, not well. Not well at all. Mind you, we didn¡¯t really know the true scale of the calamity until a few years later.¡±


    ¡°Continue, Designation: Honor,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°Um, let me think.¡± Cal made a show of giving the matter grave thought. He smiled suddenly. ¡°So, during the first few weeks we still had internet and phone service, even if it was spotty and it only worked during the daylight hours. Though to call it daylight is a bit of a misnomer. Thanks to what we eventually called the shroud, it basically looked like dusk. When night came around, well, it was truly dark, pitch black almost. You see without electricity there aren¡¯t any lights anywhere. Being in the city, most of us humans didn¡¯t really know what true darkness meant. Let me tell you it was a scary time for everyone.¡±


    ¡°Your world?¡±


    Cal smiled at the brief flicker of what could only be annoyance on both aliens¡¯ faces. ¡°Right, sorry. Keep in mind this is all only based on estimates through scattered video uploads, blog posts, and such from a variety of sources, governments, news organizations, and random people.¡± When the aliens didn¡¯t react, he continued. ¡°The attacks happened everywhere. Sometime in the hour after midnight, local time, all over the world, monsters attacked. Now it wasn¡¯t all the same kinds and there were different effects in different regions. Where I was on the west coast, we got gremlins and the weird darkness shroud thing. Millions died.¡± Cal frowned. ¡°I¡¯d rather not talk about it.¡±


    ¡°Unacceptable. Detail is required.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Tides. What more do you need? From the looks on your faces, I¡¯d guess your people underwent the same thing.¡± Cal didn¡¯t give the aliens the chance to object. ¡°You asked about the spires? I¡¯m assuming they started popping up the very same night. I just didn¡¯t know that what the voice, text, was referring to as access locations were the same thing. We found that out later that day when Nila and I saw one a few miles down the freeway. Damn thing must¡¯ve been up a thousand feet into the sky, like a skyscraper, except thinner than you¡¯d expect. Maybe as thick around as a decent sized sequoia at the base.¡± Cal cleared his throat. ¡°All this talking is making my mouth dry, do you think I could get a drink of some water?¡± A small, metallic tube, like some kind of high tech straw suddenly extended from the surface of his sarcophagus-like restraining device. He hesitated a moment before trying a small sip. Not finding anything amiss, he took a deeper pull. ¡°Thanks. So, do I need to go over the spires, cause I¡¯m thinking you know all about how they work?¡±


    ¡°Proceed,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°Seriously? Fine. Spires double as the access location. As far as I know it¡¯s the only place you can spend your Universal Points. They also attract monsters and the closer you get to them the less likely non-spire technology is to work. Oh and by the end of the first year we realized that each spire was about a day and half to a day¡¯s walk from each other.¡± Cal shook his head. ¡°Once people figured out the spires¡¯ importance, they were all too eager to gain control. Government types, corporations, gangs, those stupid militias, everyone and their grandmas.¡±


    ¡°As expected from your primitive civilization,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 spoke with well-disguised smugness. ¡°The Threnosh did not fall to such selfish infighting. All worked for the greater good.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t say.¡± Cal suppressed a smile. ¡°Your people¡¯s commitment to working collectively is laudable. I wish I could say the same about my own.¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor this session ends.¡±


    Without so much as a by your leave, an opaque bubble emerged from behind Cal¡¯s head and enclosed it. The sarcophagus-like restraining device shifted and Cal found himself in the dark and on his back. The wry thought that he now knew what being a mummy was like crossed his mind. He couldn¡¯t feel movement, but he was fairly certain that he was on his way back to his cell.


    All in all the first interrogation session went well. The Threnosh were reasonable, business-like. Had they been human he would¡¯ve probably been waterboarded and worse. He was able to prod their minds with his power and push them slightly out of their normal thinking patterns. He¡¯d continue to do so, but very delicately. He didn¡¯t yet know if they had the technology to discern what he was doing.


    He had suspicions that whatever the Threnosh gained from the spires wasn¡¯t at all like the powers, abilities, and magic that humanity did. Perhaps it was related to the power armor that every Threnosh he had seen since he had arrived through a spire was wearing. Not once had he seen one outside of their armor.


    Cal was looking forward to the next interrogation session. There was a lot more that he was looking to learn from his temporary captors. He needed to find out if they could detect his power in use. Then he could start figuring out how to subvert or disable it for when it was time to escape. For now he would gain as much information as he could. People he cared about, what was left of his world were counting on him.


    <hr>


    Then


    ¡°Your mom okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, luckily my brother was visiting, so mom is fine, just scared. My brother and sister are fine too, alive at least, just cut up a little.¡±


    ¡°Did they get the same welcome message I got?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    Cal was worried about the flatness to Nila¡¯s voice.


    ¡°And the rest of your family?¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t get a hold of my uncle, neither could my mom. They¡¯re thinking of checking on them later.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry yet, phone service has been spotty, I¡¯m only getting one bar and my call with my dad cut out and I couldn¡¯t reach him again,¡± Cal sighed.


    ¡°Yeah, I know, it¡¯s hard¡­ how about your family?¡±


    ¡°Mom, Dad, and Rayna are okay. Just some cuts and bites, like us. I was right, it¡¯s a good thing my sister is home for winter break. She was up, so the gremlins didn¡¯t catch her in bed. Apparently she was pretty badass according to my dad, went to town with that ax I got her for her birthday a few years back. And you thought it was a weird gift,¡± Cal grinned.


    ¡°It still is,¡± Nila gave him a wan smile, ¡°but I¡¯m glad it was useful. So, they all got the welcome message.¡±


    ¡°Funnily enough only my sister and mom did. My dad didn¡¯t actually kill or do enough damage to any gremlins. From what he says he was distracting them all by being so much more tasty than my mom, which gave her the opening she needed. You know, for such a tiny woman, she¡¯s pretty fierce.¡±


    ¡°Your brothers?¡±


    ¡°Pretty much the same. Eron lives by himself, so he had three gremlins. Dealt with them like I did, a lot of flailing and accidental smashing and crushing. Remy¡¯s family is okay, kids are scared, but unhurt. Luckily the gremlins only went after Remy and his wife¡­ huh?¡± Cal had a thought. ¡°There were six gremlins at Remy¡¯s, nine at my parents¡¯, and three at Eron¡¯s. How many were at your mom¡¯s?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t ask,¡± Nila frowned. ¡°We had six here. You think, what? Three gremlins to each adult?¡±


    ¡°Seems that way, right?¡±


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°If this is another ¡®we¡¯re in a game¡¯ theory¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that I think we¡¯re in an actual game, but more like whatever magic this is has game-ish elements. For example, it¡¯d be unfair if there were, say a hundred gremlins, we¡¯d have no chance against that, but three each is not an insurmountable challenge. Remy¡¯s kids weren¡¯t attacked, what if there¡¯s an age limit? Say, eighteen and above only?¡±


    Nila let out a breath of air. ¡°Fine, whatever. We need to plan what to do now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to group up with my brothers.¡±


    ¡°Okay, then let¡¯s fill the car with supplies, lots of candles, and head over to Remy¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ I¡¯m not sure that¡¯s going to be an option,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Eron said his car battery was dead.¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Nila groaned. ¡°Of course. Our phones, flashlights, their batteries were drained last night.¡±


    Regardless of that fact, they checked the car anyways. Sure enough it was dead. They deliberated about their options. Cal thought they could just walk. Nila wisely reminded him that unless they wanted to risk swimming across the river then they¡¯d have to walk ten miles up the freeway and through downtown just to reach the closet bridge. After that was another fifteen miles to Remy¡¯s house. She also reminded Cal that since they were now dealing with magic, according to him, then they had no idea what sorts of monsters they might encounter along the way.


    Cal¡¯s next suggestion was that they could procure a pair of bicycles from the Big 5, which was just a mile or so away. Again Nila was forced to point out the possibility of monsters. Frustration settling in, Cal argued that with no way to jump start the car they had no choice. Even getting a new battery required braving the chance of of monster encounters since the nearest auto parts store was even further away. Not to mention the fact that there was a good chance that any batteries they found, even new ones, where likely already drained.


    The lively discussion would have likely continued on along the same vein had Nila¡¯s eyes suddenly not widened as she slowly raised a shaking finger to point at something high up in the distance behind Cal.


    With great trepidation Cal swallowed the lump in his throat and carefully gripped the handle of the knife at his belt. He took a deep breath and steadied himself, willed himself to act decisively. He released the breath and spun around ready to give his life to defen¡ª.


    <hr>


    Now


    ¡°Designation: Honor, again you obfuscate.¡±


    ¡°I thought you wanted to know about my first experience with a spire.¡± Cal saw that Tides was about to open their mouth, so he hurried on. ¡°This is how it started, like I said, it¡¯s all important for the context. Otherwise I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to give you the best, clearest recollection.¡±


    ¡°Begin from the point you reach the spire,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    Cal pushed a bit into Tides¡¯ and Loaming¡¯s thoughts, just a light touch. When no alarms sounded, nor was he disintegrated by lasers he let out a mental sigh. It was just a quick look, like a passing glance into someone¡¯s living room window.


    The two aliens were annoyed with him. Tides especially. Loaming¡¯s surface thoughts were more of a mixture. Annoyance, disdain, and curiosity mingled. Good.


    ¡°Right, where was I? Ah, yes. So, Nila saw the spire. Apparently it had sprouted out of the ground at some point during the night. It was weird to say the least. Somehow its surface managed to vacillate between a dull, dark, matte gray and a glistening, silvery color that you could swear held all the colors of a rainbow, like a tropical fish.¡± Cal paused. ¡°Ah, a rainbow is this trick of the light reflecting of wat¡ª¡±


    ¡°We are aware of what a rainbow is,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said rather quickly.


    ¡°Okay, back to the story then. So, I ended up convincing Nila that we needed to check it out, since the message said I needed to reach an access point for more information. A giant spire that suddenly appeared seemed as likely a possibility as not.¡± Cal tried to lean forward in a conspiratorial manner, but his restraining device made it impossible. ¡°Also, I didn¡¯t tell her this, but I wanted to get Nila her first monster kill.¡±


    <hr>


    Then


    ¡°Oh my god!¡± Nila squealed as she blindly swung her small baseball bat wildly around her body.


    Cal had to dodge out of the way or be brained. The momentary distraction cost him as a cat-sized frog made an epic leap to his face, its sharp nails scoring thin scratches.


    ¡°Arrggh!¡± Cal gave a muffled cry as he desperately grabbed the unnaturally gigantic animal, tore it from his face and spiked it to the ground like a football.


    The momentary respite allowed him to draw his knife with his left hand. Along with the ax in his other hand, he hacked, stabbed, and slashed at the numerous giant frogs all around them. Frankly, he was lucky that he didn¡¯t stab himself with his flailing.


    For her part, Nila was a dervish of bludgeoning force. Though she proved to be nearly as dangerous to Cal with her eyes closed technique, there were enough frogs that she couldn¡¯t avoid smashing one.


    The encounter didn¡¯t last long and though the frogs where much larger than they should¡¯ve been, their bodies weren¡¯t especially resistant to being killed. In maybe a little over a minute and a half Cal and Nila were safe, if winded and scratched up.


    ¡°What the hell!¡± Nila screamed. ¡°Frogs can¡¯t get that big!¡±


    ¡°Actually, I think there¡¯s a couple that do, but they live in Africa or maybe the Amazon.¡± Cal took a deep breath, before taking an antiseptic wipe from his go bag and wiping at the scratches on his face. ¡°I hope this doesn¡¯t get infected.¡± As he worked he realized something odd. He wasn¡¯t breathing hard anymore, even though he was straining himself just a minute earlier. He looked over at Nila and his suspicions grew as he noticed that she, too, was breathing normally, if a bit agitated.


    ¡°This is why I didn¡¯t want to go out!¡± Nila punched at Cal¡¯s shoulder.


    Cal barely felt it, his attention consumed by checking over the rest of his body for scratches. ¡°Good, looks like I¡¯m clear. Let me check you over.¡±


    ¡°No. I can handle it myself. It¡¯s your fault anyw¡ª¡±


    ¡°Nila?¡±


    ¡°Oh no,¡± Nila groaned, her face dropping, ¡°Now I¡¯m hearing a voice in my head and seeing words floating in the middle of the air,¡± her hands swiped in front of her in a futile effort to wipe the text only she could see out of her vision.


    ¡°Ha! I knew it!¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t funny,¡± Nila grumbled. ¡°I don¡¯t want to deal with this crazy crap.¡±


    ¡°You have to pay attention to what it¡¯s telling you.¡±


    Nila¡¯s shoulders slumped as she fell silent. Cal let out a sigh of relief as it looked as if she was indeed paying attention. The sooner she accepted what was going on with their reality the better. At least that¡¯s what he had been telling himself repeatedly since this whole ridiculous ordeal started. He missed his glass of scotch, to think that was only half a day ago. To think that there was a chance that the half-full bottle he had back home might be the last he¡¯d ever have made him sad.


    So, to distract himself he focused on the giant spire-like structure coming up out of the river close to the bank. It was enormous. He craned his neck back and found that he still couldn¡¯t make out the top. From a distance it looked to be the same height as the tallest buildings downtown. From this close it¡¯s base reminded him of some of the medium-sized sequoias he had seen in the past.


    ¡°It¡¯s so freaky.¡±


    ¡°What is?¡± Nila tapped Cal on the shoulder. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m done with the welcome message.¡±


    ¡°The thingy,¡± Cal pointed at the spire. ¡°Tell me, what color does it look like to you?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s dark gray, flat, but then it¡¯s shiny silver, and it also shimmers like a rainbow. It somehow does all three things at the same time.¡± Nila shuddered. ¡°Do we have to get closer?¡±


    ¡°Well, nothing¡¯s happening, so I think we need to try touching it.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like a bad idea.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes it does.¡±


    ¡°Fine, but help me check myself for cuts first. I want everything bandaged up as tight as possible if I have to get into that gross river.¡±


    Cal spent a quick moment helping Nila check for new cuts only to find none. In fact, they were unable to find any cuts at all.


    ¡°Um¡­ where are the cuts that you got last night?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Nila said with wide eyes.


    Cal dropped his go bag, took his jacket, then shirt off and turned his back to Nila. ¡°What about mine?¡±


    ¡°Oh wow!¡± Nila prodded at Cal¡¯s back and trapezius. ¡°These were pretty deep last night. Now they¡¯re just like tiny scratches.¡±


    Cal got dressed before he spoke. ¡°So, we¡¯re healing at unnatural rates that can only be explained by one thing.¡±


    ¡°If you say ¡®magic¡¯, I¡¯m going to hit you.¡±


    ¡°Fine, I won¡¯t say it, but do you have any other explanation?¡± When Nila didn¡¯t reply, Cal went on. ¡°I noticed something after the frog fight. I wasn¡¯t breathing properly during the fight, held my breath, too tense. When we were done I was huffing and puffing like I had just sprinted all out. Not a minute later I¡¯m breathing normally.¡±


    A look of recognition crossed Nila¡¯s face. ¡°You know what you¡¯re right. I think it was the same for me.¡±


    ¡°So many questions we need answered,¡± Cal said gravely, ¡°which is why we need to get to that giant spire thingy.¡±


    ¡°What if it isn¡¯t the access point that message was talking about?¡±


    ¡°Have to find out,¡± Cal shrugged.

 4. Into the Spire

    Then


    Cal cursed himself. The giant frogs should¡¯ve been a glaring red flag. For if there were mutant animals on the river bank then one could, should, logically assume that maybe the animals in the water were similarly affected. It¡¯d only make sense after all. Why would whatever magic or super technology that dropped gremlins into a person¡¯s home while he was trying to enjoy light reading and a glass of tasty scotch, make tiny frogs into enormous nightmares, and possibly be making changes to his very body, leave the fish alone.


    ¡°Keep moving!¡± Cal swung his ax one handed into the churning water around his knees. He had a brief thought that the two-handed ax was feeling really light. In light of his rapidly healing cuts and bite, somehow he suspected that he couldn¡¯t simply attribute the burst of strength to adrenaline.


    He kept the knife in a reverse grip with his left hand near his face. One over-sized trout had already made a flying go at his face and had speared itself right on the blade.


    He could feel the fish tearing at his jeans. Luckily they weren¡¯t having any luck at getting to his precious skin underneath.


    ¡°They¡¯re biting my legs!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t stop until you get to the spire!¡± Cal grimaced as he fought to keep up with Nila and use his ax in an attempt to ward of the fish around her legs.


    ¡°But there¡¯s no door!¡±


    ¡°Just run for it!¡±


    The two made a desperate rush for the spire. Luck was with them as the spire was closer to the bank than the middle of the wide river. The water wouldn¡¯t rise much further past their knees. Had it been any further toward the river¡¯s deeper middle then they would¡¯ve been in real trouble. As it was they covered the twenty or so yards to the spire in seconds. Of course with the fish frenzy around their legs it felt much longer.


    Nila reached the spire first. She held out a hand to brace herself from slamming into it since she had been running as fast as she could. She needn¡¯t have bothered. Right before Cal¡¯s eyes, she ran right into the spire and disappeared as if there was nothing there.


    Cal had time to bark out a short curse before he closed his eyes, grit his teeth and ran in right after her.


    ¡°Welcome to the Multiversal Access Point.¡±


    A voice suddenly spoke from everywhere and nowhere in the hazy void that Cal found himself standing in.


    ¡°Um¡­ what?¡±


    ¡°You may view your Personal Account Page, make purchases using Universal Points, and engage in commerce.¡±


    Cal slowly took a step, which was harder than it sounded since there was nothing beneath his feet but a hazy mist that flowed all around him in maddeningly different, contrary directions. When he didn¡¯t fall to his doom he took another step, then another. He spent a minute or maybe an hour walking around. No matter which way he turned and went nothing changed. He finally realized that the strange voice had fallen silent.


    ¡°I have questions?¡±


    ¡°Proceed.¡±


    ¡°What is my personal account page?¡±


    ¡°The cost is 5 Universal Points. Do you authorize the debit from your account?¡±


    Cal bit back his immediate reply. According to the initial welcome message he earned points from killing the gremlins and it wasn¡¯t a leap to assume he¡¯d gotten more from the mutant frogs and fish. The problem was he didn¡¯t know how many points he had and he didn¡¯t want to waste any.


    ¡°How many Universal points do I have?¡±


    ¡°Visualize.¡±


    Cal did just that. He thought of Universal Points, how many he had. Sure enough he could picture it in his imagination, 83 Universal Points. ¡°Not bad,¡± he muttered. A thought struck suddenly. He pictured his personal account and after a few moments he could picture it his mind¡¯s eye. ¡°Ha! You¡¯re not going to be able to nickle and dime me!¡±


    To call it a page was a bit of misnomer. It was hard to explain, but Cal wouldn¡¯t quite go as far as to say he was imagining a literal page of paper with his information written on it. Back against the wall, he¡¯d say that it was more that he simply knew what was on there and what he saw made him angry.


    ¡°Hey! Uh¡­ voice? What kind of bullshit is this?¡±


    ¡°Clarify.¡±


    ¡°This uh¡­ personal account page¡­ most of it is blanked out with numbers on the obscured areas.¡±


    ¡°The numbers indicate the cost in Universal Points to unlock the information.¡±


    ¡°So I have to spend points to see my, uh¡­ attributes, skills, and powers?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you, voice!¡± Cal snapped. To get this far only to find that this magic super technology was locking basic information about himself behind a paywall was beyond aggravating. The only thing that he could see was his name, his race, and a class. ¡°Damn it, this is like the worst game ever.¡±


    The voice remained silent while Cal thought about whether to bite the bullet and spend some points. ¡°Voice, why does my race say Human Hybrid?¡±


    ¡°That is what you are.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but what the hell does that even mean? What am I a hybrid off?¡±


    The voice didn¡¯t respond and Cal was left to stew further. He noticed that when he focused on the words Human Hybrid, it appeared to be highlighted like a link. With a shrug he thought about pressing the link, only to be taken to another distorted section with a Universal Points cost. He thought back with frustration and noticed that his class was different. The words Telepathic/Telekinetic were done in a much fancier script, gold in color, unlike the rest of the information on his page.


    ¡°Why is my class different from the rest?¡±


    The voice didn¡¯t answer.


    ¡°You know, you¡¯re not being helpful for a guide,¡± Cal said. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be a guide right? Like a tutorial.¡±


    ¡°Which tutorial do you wish to purchase?¡±


    ¡°Now we¡¯re getting somewhere. How many tutorials are there available?¡±


    ¡°There are currently 13581 available.¡±


    ¡°Of course there are,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°How much is the most comprehensive tutorial?¡±


    ¡°200000 Universal Points.¡±


    ¡°One on the Telepathic/Telekinetic class?¡±


    ¡°15000 Universal Points.¡±


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°The fuck!¡± Cal rubbed the bridge of his nose. ¡°Fine, what¡¯s the cheapest, most basic tutorial that a newcomer to this¡­ thing, would find the most useful?¡±


    ¡°500 Universal Points.¡±


    ¡°Figures. Okay, you said I could buy stuff. How do I go about doing that?¡±


    ¡°Marketplace access is restricted at this time.¡±


    Cal let out a roar of pure frustration. He took a few deep breaths before continuing. ¡°When will this restriction be lifted?¡± He managed to get out through grit teeth.


    ¡°The cost is 5 Universal Points. Do you authorize the debit from your account?¡±


    ¡°No I do not,¡± Cal said stiffly. ¡°I¡¯m done here.¡±


    With jarring abruptness he found himself once again in knee-deep water, right at the same place he entered the spire.


    ¡°Get your ass over here, Cal!¡± Nila waved at him from the river bank. She was pointing urgently downriver.


    Cal turned his head and saw what had agitated her so much. ¡°Oh shit!¡± A large, dark shape was cutting just beneath the water¡¯s surface, like a torpedo headed right for him.


    He ran for the river bank. The biting fish around his legs forgotten. He covered the twenty yards to dry land much quicker this time. The two of them ran all the way back to the freeway without looking back.


    ¡°So¡­ what¡¯d you see in there?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, just a stupid voice trying to charge me for every little thing,¡± Nila said. ¡°Was it all foggy and empty for you too?¡±


    ¡°Sounds about right.¡±


    The pair walked down the middle of an eerily empty freeway. Their eyes darted all around them on the lookout for any potential threats. They didn¡¯t realize it at the time, but their phones had died again at some point right before or after reaching the spire. It was just a little after nine in the morning the last time they checked, but the experience inside the spire had completely disoriented them so much that they had no idea what time it was. The perpetual dusk-like gloom did them no favors either.


    ¡°Did you buy anything?¡±


    ¡°No, I only had 43 of those Universal Points,¡± Nila huffed.


    ¡°Makes sense, confirms that I got most if not all the points from the gremlins last night,¡± Cal said. ¡°Uh, Nila, what did your race say?¡±


    Nila hesitated a moment. ¡°Human Hybrid.¡±


    ¡°Did you try mentally clicking on it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I didn¡¯t want to use half my points just to see what it said. I¡¯m also not sure I even want to know,¡± Nila said in a small voice.


    ¡°What about your class?¡±


    ¡°Enhanced Physiology.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ that¡¯s different,¡± Cal said. ¡°Might explain how quickly you¡¯re healing and recovering. Tell me how tired do you feel right now.¡±


    ¡°I feel pretty fresh actually, good, if I ignore the fact the world just ended,¡± Nila said glumly.


    ¡°Yeah, me too. We¡¯ve been walking for hours and we fought a bunch of mutant animals, but I feel strong, energized, like I could go for a personal best in the weight room,¡± Cal brightened, ¡°which gives me an idea! We can test this out when he get back to the apartment.¡±


    ¡°Right after we get bikes from Big 5,¡± Nila sighed.


    ¡°It¡¯s on the way back and it¡¯s the fastest way to get around until we can figure out how to charge a car battery or find one that isn¡¯t drained.¡±


    Cal could tell that Nila was mad at him through the quality of the silence she was sending his direction for the entirety of the half hour walk to the shopping plaza where the Big 5 was located. The parking lot was empty and the various store interiors that they passed where dark, although he could¡¯ve sworn he caught movement on the periphery of his vision.


    ¡°Let¡¯s be ready for anything in there,¡± Cal said as they reached the Big 5¡¯s front entrance.


    ¡°I¡¯m always assuming I¡¯m about to be attacked by something horrible,¡± Nila snapped.


    ¡°Right¡­ good idea.¡± Cal took his small candle lantern from where it was clipped to his belt and lit it, careful to avoid burning his fingers when he pulled the glass windbreak back up. While Nila did the same with her lantern, Cal removed a mini crowbar from his go bag.


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know why you have that thing.¡±


    ¡°What? I like to be prepared.¡±


    ¡°You were planning on having to break into places?¡±


    ¡°One never knows,¡± Cal shrugged


    He approached the front doors warily. He peered into the darkened interior through the glass, through the metal grate behind, looking for any hints of movement. Finding nothing he wedged the mini crowbar into the slight space in between the two doors, right near the locking mechanism. ¡°Let¡¯s see how much stronger I¡¯ve gotten,¡± Cal said. He took a deep breath and threw his weight into prying the doors open.


    The metal groaned, loud in the silence of the empty plaza. Nila looked around in alarm, her bat clutched tightly in her hands. Suddenly their was a shriek of metal bending, breaking, as the lock was torn out of the thin metal. Cal stumbled back as there was nothing resisting his weight.


    ¡°I seem to be a lot stronger.¡±


    Cal took a moment to compose himself before doing the same to the chain locking the sliding grate in place. That took broke before his newly found strength.


    The two entered the darkened store interior, lanterns and weapons at the ready.


    <hr>


    Now


    ¡°Designation: Honor, you stray from the parameters laid out at the beginning of this session,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°I thought you wanted to know what we got from the spire?¡±


    ¡°Simply state what it unlocked for you and every other human you have knowledge off.¡± It was slight, but Cal had picked up enough to notice the distaste in Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623¡¯s words.


    ¡°Um¡­ sorry¡­ I thought that¡¯s what I was doing, but fine,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯ll get to that right away. Now, where was I? Ah yes, so there were indeed monsters in the store, gremlins, and there were a lot more than the first night. Fortunately, the light kept them back, hurt them, and we were a lot stronger and ready this time. They didn¡¯t stand a chance. So it wasn¡¯t too hard to smash them all and grab the bikes, along with a few other supplies. Even got a couple of shotguns, but as I found out later I probably shouldn¡¯t have bothered until after the shroud had lifted.¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 frowned ever so slightly, ¡°the abilities you and your mate received from the spire.¡±


    Again the distaste in the alien¡¯s words was detectable. Cal didn¡¯t need to peak into their thoughts for insight on how their conversation was going. Tides was already annoyed and the session had just started. Good.


    ¡°Enhanced Physiology is what we both got.¡± Cal kept his breathing and heartbeat steady through the lie. He used a technique he had picked up to trick himself into believing the falsehood. ¡°We were stronger and tougher than we used to be, but it wasn¡¯t exactly overwhelming. It was more that we had instantly achieved the peak of what was possible for our human bodies,¡± he lied some more.


    ¡°Very well,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 1337 said.


    ¡°You spoke of the other units from your nursery creche. What did you call them¡­ family?¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said the word hesitantly, obviously unfamiliar on their tongue. ¡°What did they received?¡±


    ¡°Oh right, well that¡¯s a long story, but essentially we all got the same thing, just some slight variations.¡± Again an easy lie. The fact that the aliens weren¡¯t calling him on it was promising.


    ¡°Explain.¡±


    Cal tried to shrug at Tides¡¯ command. ¡°Nothing major. One was slightly stronger, while another was slightly faster, that sort of thing. Probably had to do with relative differences in size. Makes sense that someone with greater mass, like me compared to Nila, would be stronger.¡±


    Cal regarded the two aliens with an appraising eye. Their skin was shades of gray. Tides was significantly darker than Loaming. It was smooth, free from any sort of blemish or hair. Their large round eyes were set into thin, delicate faces, under nearly non-existent brows. They lacked a nasal protrusion, just a pair of small openings that slanted down toward the center line of their face. This was right above a tiny, practically lip-less mouth.


    ¡°So, did you guys get the same thing from the spires?¡± Cal figured he already knew the answer to the question, but he needed to get them thinking, while he prepared to slip into their thoughts for a brief peak.


    He wasn¡¯t able to judge their bodies since they were completed encased in bulky power armor. However, going by the small size of their heads and their wrist-thin necks he doubted whatever they got from the spires enhanced their physical bodies.


    Naturally the aliens didn¡¯t answer, but the glimpse into their thoughts gave Cal what he was looking for. It seemed that what the aliens got from the spires centered around the varied armors that every Threnosh he had seen was wearing.


    ¡°Continue,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 1337 said.


    ¡°Did your entire species gain the same enhancement?¡±


    ¡°Not exactly, Loaming,¡± Cal said. ¡°I was just about to get to that. I¡¯m sure you guys were wondering where all the other people were and why we hadn¡¯t run into anyone else that first day outside. It was a combination of two things. First, a lot of people didn¡¯t make it through that first gremlin attack, which we¡¯d discover much later. The second reason was that when internet and phone service came back, even if it was intermittent, the authorities, or at least what survived sent out a warning for everyone to stay indoors.¡± He shook his head ruefully, it was the only movement he could make while seated in his sarcophagus-like restraining device. ¡°At that time the vast majority of people still trusted that the government was going to take care of things.¡±

 5. Family Meeting

    Then


    ¡°What¡¯s the plan?¡± Eron sat at Remy¡¯s kitchen table, surreptitiously trying to keep one eye on the guinea pig cradled in his young niece¡¯s, Veronica, tiny hands, while jotting down some notes on a sheet of paper.


    ¡°We wait here,¡± Megan, Remy¡¯s wife, said as she cradled their youngest daughter in her lap. ¡°They said to stay indoors.¡±


    Eron¡¯s eyes shot over to Cal then to Remy. At first glance the three brothers looked different from each other. It was only after a short observation of a variety of shared features did it become clear that they had the same parents.


    The youngest Cruces brother looked as if he wanted to say something, but he kept his mouth shut and instead made a noncommittal sound.


    ¡°It¡¯s been weeks,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°And all they¡¯ve done is keep sending out that same alert, at least when the internet and phones are working.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been getting spottier,¡± Remy agreed. ¡°We have no idea how long the communications infrastructure can last, especially under these¡­ conditions.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the engineer. How about a guesstimate?¡± Eron smiled suddenly. Veronica had caught on to the suspicious looks he was giving her precious Twinkle Star.


    ¡°It¡¯s pointless to speculate. Too many interconnected and moving parts. Without anyone doing maintenance I¡¯m expecting it to completely go down any day now,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°What we need to do is get you guys to one of those spire things.¡± Eron looked at Remy and Megan in turn. ¡°There¡¯s one in the middle of campus. Just an hour¡¯s walk away, maybe twenty minutes by bike.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not going out there with all those monsters.¡± Megan spoke in a tone that brooked no dissent.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go with you,¡± Eron said. ¡°I¡¯ve already scouted out a safe-ish route. Nothing too bad monster-wise. Just some mutant birds and squirrels.¡± He couldn¡¯t help it, but his glance fell back on Twinkle Star for a split second, which made Veronica clutch her tighter. He felt bad about it, but he¡¯d had enough experience with tiny, cute animals turned mutated monsters recently to simply ignore the ticking time bomb cradled in his little niece¡¯s arms.


    ¡°We¡¯re not leaving our children!¡± Megan¡¯s voice took on a heated tone.


    ¡°Cal and Nila will stay and watch over them.¡±


    The pair wisely didn¡¯t say anything.


    ¡°The government said to stay inside,¡± Megan glared at Eron, then at Remy, as if demanding he fix things.


    ¡°Hey, I get it,¡± Eron said gently. ¡°I hope they figure this out and save our butts so we can get back to our lives, our jobs, well maybe not that¡­ but we have the ability to keep ourselves safe. So shouldn¡¯t we be doing all that we can? Just in case? I mean, we can¡¯t stay hiding inside if this situation drags on for months.¡±


    ¡°And why not?¡± Megan challenged. ¡°Isn¡¯t it safer to stay inside. As long as we have candles those gremlin things stay away. We¡¯ve got enough food and water. There are several grocery stores within walking distance. We can collect rain water. There are a lot of things we can do without going out there and playing at being heroes.¡±


    Eron shook his head. ¡°I think I read somewhere that the average home has about three days worth of food at any given time. Well, it¡¯s been two weeks and the last time I was at the grocery store I noticed that there were a lot more people around. They¡¯re running out of food, so now they¡¯re willing to risk facing monsters. Can you imagine what things will be like in a few more weeks? A month or two? At this rate stores are going to run out of food pretty quickly.¡±


    ¡°About that,¡± Cal said. ¡°I think we got lucky. I made a note of what was on the shelves and it seems like they¡¯re being restocked,¡± he raised his hands, ¡°I know how it sounds, but I think that¡¯s something we can attribute to the magic or super technology,¡± he shrugged. ¡°As long as that lasts we don¡¯t have to worry about starvation.¡±


    Eron shook his head. ¡°But for how long? Which is why we need to make sure that we keep getting stronger. You guys simply have to go to the spire. Otherwise how will you protect Tessa and Veronica?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m having this conversation.¡± Megan stood, holding her five year old daughter in her arms, she called to her ten year old. ¡°Tessa, let¡¯s go upstairs.¡±


    ¡°But mooommm¡­¡±


    ¡°Now!¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± Tessa said as she sulkily got up from her chair and followed after her mother.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Eron said after the trio tromped their way up the stairs.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Remy sighed. ¡°It¡¯s not that I disagree with what you said, but Megan¡¯s having a hard time with all of this.¡±


    ¡°Dude! We all are!¡±


    ¡°Just stop.¡± Remy held up a hand. ¡°Give me some time to convince her.¡± With that he stood from the table and made his way to the stairs, shoulders hunched.


    ¡°You guys get what I¡¯m saying, right?¡±


    ¡°Megan¡¯s just scared for the girls,¡± Nila said. ¡°I pretty much feel the same way she does.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but you went out there on day one,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Not that I wanted too and I don¡¯t have any kids to worry about,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°You can¡¯t push her too hard. I think she¡¯s the kind of person that¡¯ll push back harder. Stubborn,¡± Cal said. ¡°Even if you¡¯re right.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not about being right or wrong,¡± Nila said. ¡°It¡¯s about getting her to see things your way and clearly what you¡¯re doing isn¡¯t working.¡±


    ¡°I get that,¡± Eron sighed. ¡°It¡¯s just that even Rayna and our parents are out there, killing mutant animals.¡±


    ¡°How are they doing? The phone cut out before I could take a turn talking to them,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Doing good for the most part. They just went to a spire the other day. Luckily it popped up at the mall, so it was less than a ten minute walk away.¡± Eron hesitated.


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°It popped up in the middle of the mall. Turns out in exchange for losing stores the mall got a ton of those gremlin things. Fortunately they were prepared, got in and got out with only minor scratches.¡± Eron took a sip of his stout. ¡°As expected they¡¯re all human hybrids, like us. Each a different class with no rhyme nor reason.¡±


    ¡°That makes sense, you two have different classes. Clearly it runs in the family,¡± Nila grumbled.


    ¡°What?¡± Cal raised his brow.


    ¡°Nothing, just sucks that you got cool powers, while all I got was a little stronger.¡±


    ¡°No way! Enhanced Physiology sounds pretty cool! You¡¯re pretty much a super soldier. Like Captain America!¡±


    ¡°616 though, not movie version,¡± Cal said.


    Eron nodded sagely. ¡°So, more of the comic book peak human than outright superhuman. Still pretty good.¡±


    ¡°Nerds,¡± Nila said flatly.


    Cal and Eron both shrugged.


    ¡°So, what¡¯d they get?¡± Cal magnanimously chose to ignore his girlfriend¡¯s jibe.


    ¡°Rayna¡¯s a Gravitic, Dad got Physical Powerhouse, and Mom¡¯s a Forcefield Generator.¡±


    ¡°Nice!¡± Cal nodded appreciatively. ¡°Good mix. Damage dealing, defense, control. They¡¯ve got everything covered.¡±


    ¡°Okay, please translate for the non-nerd in the room,¡± Nil said.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m not sure exactly what they can do since they didn¡¯t have enough point to unlock the descriptions, but at a guess¡­ I¡¯d say Rayna can manipulate gravity, Dad¡¯s like the Hulk, but without the turning into a huge, green rage beast, and Mom can make force fields.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so jealous,¡± Nila sighed. ¡°You got mind powers,¡± she pointed a finger at Cal.


    ¡°Mind bullets!¡± Cal grinned. The other two merely looked at him with a perplexed look on their faces.


    ¡°That¡¯s telekinesis, Kyle.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Nila frowned at him.


    ¡°Well¡­ how ¡®bout the power to move you?¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± Eron said. ¡°I think we know how telekinesis works. Do you think you¡¯ll eventually be able to do mind bullets? Or get strong enough to affect human-sized objects? Bigger?¡±


    ¡°Whatever,¡± Cal said. ¡°Nila, please continue¡­ no culture whatsoever.¡± The last bit he muttered under his breath.


    ¡°I heard that!¡± Nila said.


    A belated look of recognition crossed Eron¡¯s face. ¡°Are you going to have us call you Wonderboy now?¡± He smirked.


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Only if you go by Young Nastyman,¡± Cal grinned.


    ¡°Focus, nerds!¡± Nila frowned.


    ¡°Sorry, sorry, so I got mind powers,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°And I got Solar Paragon,¡± Eron said. ¡°I actually spent points unlocking the basic description, which was a waste. Basically, I now absorb solar energy, which gives me powers. It was woefully lacking information, but judging from how much stronger and bulletproof I am now, I¡¯m thinking I¡¯m basically like Superman.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes we saw how you picked up the car and ran up and down the block,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Wait, how did you figure out you¡¯re bulletproof?¡±


    Eron looked at his brother. ¡°Cal¡­ don¡¯t get mad.¡±


    Cal narrowed his eyes. He could feel eldest brother mode being activated. ¡°Too late.¡±


    Eron sighed. ¡°On my last trip to the grocery store I ran into a bunch of meatheads trying to keep other people from going inside. A couple of them had guns.¡±


    ¡°But guns don¡¯t work?¡± Nila looked at him with concern.


    ¡°The ones we tried didn¡¯t, sure,¡± Eron said. ¡°The ones they had did. Shot me in the chest when I told them to fuck off. Felt like paintball pellets, didn¡¯t leave a mark on me, just put holes in my shirt. So,¡± he looked at Cal, ¡°no need for concern.¡±


    ¡°That was careless, Eron,¡± Cal said. ¡°We can¡¯t assume anything. We¡¯re not the only ones who might¡¯ve gotten powers. In fact I¡¯d say it¡¯s smarter to approach everyone as if they do have abilities.¡±


    ¡°I know, that¡¯s why I kept it quiet. I was trying to investigate, get more information first.¡±


    ¡°You should¡¯ve said something right away,¡± Cal said. ¡°What if Nila and me ran into these meatheads?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you have to worry about those losers.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯d you do?¡± Cal¡¯s eyes locked with Eron¡¯s.


    ¡°Jeez, man, relax.¡± Eron looked away. ¡°What is this? An interrogation?¡± He frowned. ¡°I just took their guns and slapped them around a bit, sent them away with a warning.¡±


    ¡°The guns? What did you do with them?¡±


    ¡°I was going to bring them back. I figured working guns would be good to have. Except when I tested them they didn¡¯t work.¡±


    ¡°Maybe they got damaged when you took them?¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon Cal, I¡¯m not dumb. I was careful and I know how to handle a gun. There was nothing wrong with them mechanically. They just wouldn¡¯t fire when I tried them.¡±


    ¡°Yet they worked for those guys,¡± Nila said. ¡°Maybe that¡¯s what they got from the spire.¡±


    ¡°You think what? Their powers were ¡®make guns work¡¯?¡± Cal pinched the bridge of his nose.


    ¡°It sounds weird, but you¡¯re the one that keeps going on about magic and super science,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Sure, why not?¡± Cal sighed. ¡°This changes things. We need to be more careful. At a minimum if we see anyone with a gun, we need to assume it works. I¡¯m not sure that I¡¯m bulletproof and I don¡¯t think I want to test it out. Nila, I¡¯m pretty your you aren¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to get shot.¡± Were Nila¡¯s wise words.


    Cal turned to his youngest brother. ¡°Do you think you¡¯d recognize those meatheads if you saw them again?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, pretty sure I can.¡±


    ¡°Alright, after you take Remy and Megan to the spire, I want you to stake out the grocery store. Guys like that will be looking for payback. If you see them again you grab them. We need to find out how they got their guns to work.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ I should probably just go straight to the store. There¡¯s no way Megan is going to agree.¡±


    Cal shook his head. ¡°Remy will convince her.¡±


    ¡°Okay, sure.¡± Eron was unconvinced. ¡°Keep in mind that if I¡¯m at the grocery store then I won¡¯t be out earning points.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re down to less than a point for each mutant squirrel in the park, right?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s still points.¡±


    ¡°Face it, Eron. You¡¯ve gotten too strong for this zone,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°Even Nila and I are only getting a point or two. How about we let Remy and Megan have a turn at farming?¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± Eron grumbled, ¡°but I still say Remy isn¡¯t going to convince her.¡±


    ¡°You guys are such nerds,¡± Nila said.


    As it turned out Cal was right. Remy convinced his wife to go to the spire. It only took two days.


    <hr>


    Then


    A forceful series of knocks banged against Remy¡¯s front door.


    The brothers were seated at the kitchen table with a taped-together map of the city they had printed out on a dozen sheets of paper during one of the growing rarer times that the internet was functioning.


    ¡°Eron,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What? You want me to get the door? But it¡¯s his house,¡± Eron said with a look at Remy.


    ¡°You¡¯re the bulletproof one,¡± Remy said. ¡°I¡¯ll go upstairs, make sure they¡¯re safe.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon man of steel,¡± Cal grinned at Eron, ¡°I¡¯m sure you can handle it. I¡¯ll be right here to back you up. Besides, I doubt that monsters knock.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we just ignore them.¡±


    ¡°Then they might think my house is empty and a good place to loot,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you use your mind powers,¡± Eron wiggled his fingers at Cal, ¡°to find out what they want.¡±


    A frown crossed Cal¡¯s face. ¡°You know what. Let me try.¡± A faraway look settled on his face. His eyes seemed to stare at everything and nothing at the same time. After a few seconds his brows pinched together slightly and veins began to throb visibly on his temples. He looked much the same as he did when he was lifting weights on his heavy days.


    ¡°Uh¡­ is he going to be okay?¡± Eron exchanged a concerned look with Remy.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Cal let out a long breath. ¡°Damn¡­ now my head hurts. Alright, so there¡¯s four men outside and they¡¯re just doing their jobs. At least that¡¯s the impression I got. Vaguely threatening, but I don¡¯t get the sense that they¡¯ve got the ability to hurt you.¡± He nodded to Eron. ¡°Good enough?¡±


    ¡°Sure, why not,¡± Eron shrugged.


    ¡°Let me get upstairs first, then go answer the door,¡± Remy said as the knocking grew more insistent.


    ¡°Only douchebags knock like that,¡± Eron muttered.


    The youngest Cruces brother waited for Remy to get up the stairs before he went to answer the door. Cal hid around the corner and crouched low, trying to catch his breath. He resolved to start exercising his mental abilities with as much diligence as his physique. What was the point of having powers if such a small use took so much out of him? He pushed the thought from his mind as he settled in to listen to Eron and the unknown solicitors, ready to intervene if it proved necessary.


    ¡°Jesus! What is it?!¡±


    Cal rolled his eyes at Eron¡¯s tone. Much more confrontational than he would¡¯ve recommended.


    ¡°Is this your house?¡± The voice was gruff and unfriendly.


    ¡°I¡¯m standing here aren¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re checking to see who¡¯s survived so far.¡±


    ¡°Well, I survived. Now if you¡¯re done, I¡¯m busy and ¡ª¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯ll just confirm your identity.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have my license on me and if I know the law I have no obligation to provide it even if I had it in reach.¡±


    Cal frowned. Eron was escalating when he didn¡¯t need too.


    ¡°If you¡¯d just provide your name.¡±


    ¡°Remy Cruces.¡±


    Cal nodded appreciatively.


    ¡°And any other occupants?¡±


    Eron didn¡¯t reply immediately and as the seconds stretched out Cal began to grow concerned.


    ¡°My wife and kids. Need their names too?¡± Eron challenged.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Megan, Tessandra, and Veronica.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your time. The other reason we¡¯re here is to inform you of a meeting at the community center for surviving citizens.¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t like the emphasis that the speaker placed on the word. It held something like a barely concealed sneer.


    ¡°Attendance is mandatory. Tomorrow. Plan to arrive a little after dawn.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll attend, but I¡¯m not taking my wife and kids outside with all those monsters!¡± Eron¡¯s voice sounded legitimately outraged.


    ¡°We plan to sweep the streets free of any possible threats prior. You and your family will be safe. Thank you for your time, Mr. Cruces.¡±


    The door shut and Cal waited in silence for Eron to return to the kitchen.


    Eron raised a finger, asking for silence. It was about half a minute before he lowered his hand. ¡°I can hear them. They¡¯re knocking next door.¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t get an answer,¡± Remy said as he appeared. Followed by his family and Nila. ¡°Our neighbor didn¡¯t survive the first night.¡±


    ¡°Poor Mrs. Arten,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°What was that all about?¡± Nila looked at Cal.


    ¡°Bad news,¡± Eron said. ¡°It was the cops.¡±


    ¡°How is that bad?¡±


    ¡°Well, Rem¡­ they weren¡¯t exactly friendly. They were looking at me like they wanted to toss me somewhere else, preferably not in this country,¡± Eron said. ¡°Not to mention their rac¡ª¡± he looked at Megan and the kids, ¡°nevermind.¡±


    ¡°This is what I was talking about,¡± Megan said. ¡°The government¡¯s taking control of things. We don¡¯t have to go out and risk our lives against those poor squirrels.¡±


    ¡°They said there¡¯s a mandatory meeting for all citizens at the community center tomorrow morning,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°You caught that too?¡± Cal frowned.


    ¡°Yup, I didn¡¯t like how that skin¡ª, guy said that word. Not at all.¡±


    ¡°We should go,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°Really? I thought it¡¯s too dangerous for you and the kids to be outside?¡± Eron poked.


    ¡°You can go,¡± Megan frowned.


    Eron shook his head. ¡°They had a list with your names on it and I¡¯m thinking they¡¯ll be checking ID¡¯s. Sorry, but they¡¯ll be looking for you four.¡±


    ¡°And if we don¡¯t go, they¡¯ll be back to find out why,¡± Remy sighed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go too,¡± Cal said. ¡°Eron and Nila you stay here, best they don¡¯t know about you guys. Just in case.¡±


    ¡°No way, man!¡± Eron snapped. ¡°Not going to let you go into that trap without me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not leaving me either,¡± Nila said. ¡°Strength in numbers, right.¡± Her tone made it clear it wasn¡¯t a question.


    ¡°Listen to yourselves!¡± Megan snapped. ¡°How are you so cynical? They¡¯re the police, the government! They¡¯re here to protect us!¡±


    ¡°Actually, that ¡®to protect and serve¡¯ is kind of bullshit. The Supreme Court ruled that cops don¡¯t legally have to do that.¡± Eron raised his hands. ¡°I¡¯m just talking facts.¡±


    ¡°Not helping,¡± Remy frowned. He turned to Cal. ¡°You three aren¡¯t on the list. That¡¯ll draw attention, questions.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like letting you all walk in there by yourselves,¡± Cal said. ¡°We¡¯ll just tell the truth. We¡¯re family and we came in the hopes that we¡¯d stand a better chance at survival together.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll recognized Eron,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°He can shave and we¡¯ll cut his hair,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Awww, c¡¯mon, it¡¯s taken me weeks to grow this out,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°You look like a teenager in the middle of puberty,¡± Remy teased. ¡°Face it little brother, we just aren¡¯t meant to grow proper beards.¡±

 6. Monsters of a Different Sort

    Then


    The group traveled in a formation of sorts to guard against potential dangers. Eron in front for his strength and ability to take a bullet, which essentially made him invincible until he found out otherwise. Behind him followed Megan and the kids, right in the center. Who, in turn were flanked by Remy and Nila. Bringing up the rear was Cal.


    He didn¡¯t much like Nila being exposed on the flank, but he couldn¡¯t deny that diligent exercise and practice over the last two months, combined with her class had made her significantly stronger and provided quite a boost to her reflexes. Cal had sparred with her often in the backyard and at a guess he¡¯d put her slightly above what he had been capable off when he was still actively practicing his boxing when he was in college nearly fifteen years ago. Of course, he himself had grown beyond his normal human reflexes.


    Despite his new physical and mental edges, Cal felt vulnerable without his trusty camping ax in hand. He had left it back at Remy¡¯s house along with every other weapon that he had carried on him whenever he had ventured outside. He figured showing up armed to the community center would draw the wrong kind of attention from the so-called police. It would mark them as threats and since he wanted to slide under their radar as much as possible, bringing gear was out. He wanted to be insignificant, worthy of contempt even, the sheep to their wolves. In case of some sort of trap, his group would be in a good spot to catch their potential enemies off guard.


    No one in the group complained much. It seemed that none of them had gotten comfortable being armed, like he was. While Eron was strong enough now that his entire body was better than sharp bits of metal or hunks of bludgeoning wood. Cal had even left his trusty folding knife, something that he had gotten into the habit of carrying in his pocket every day for as long as he could remember.


    True to the purported policemen¡¯s word the street that led to the community center was clear of any mutated animals. Here and there Cal noted remains. Birds and squirrels from the looks of the roadkill like smears. In other spots there were only small splatters of blood to mark the kills.


    Stranger still was that Cal¡¯s group was not alone. There were other people walking together. They eyed each other warily, but still walked fairly close together. Preferring the familiarity of fellow humans, even if they were all strangers.


    The crowd swelled in size as they drew closer to the community center. Cal guessed that there were close to three hundred people of all types. Young and old, different races. It was good to see that they weren¡¯t exactly alone, but it was accompanied by the sobering thought that there should¡¯ve been thousands just in the immediate neighborhood tracts. A part of him hoped that perhaps they were being gathered in smaller groups, but the realist in him doubted the chances of that being the case.


    Cal studied the mass of people in the parking lot of the community center. There were a couple of lines formed with men in police uniforms at both the front and tail ends.


    His group made their way to the back of the line where several cops were directing traffic. One of the men directed Eron to the left most line with a forceful jab of his baton. Unfriendly indeed.


    While he waited, Cal studied the cops. He counted a total of ten within sight. He noted that their uniforms had seen better days. Torn in places, bloodstained. The cops themselves were sporting their own wounds, bruised and bandaged. He didn¡¯t much like the looks in their eyes. As if they were just waiting, even expecting violence at any second. Worse, Eron might¡¯ve been right, the cops were all white.


    It didn¡¯t take long for his group to reach the front of their line when a problem arose.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Eron¡¯s angry voice reached back to Cal.


    ¡°Are you refusing to obey my orders, citizen?¡±


    Again Cal heard the sneer in the cop¡¯s words. The man was huge, bulky in a power lifter way. By the way he held himself, Cal already knew the man was a bully, used to throwing his size around to get his way. Of course that meant nothing now that Eron had been changed, but then again, what if the cop had his own powers?


    ¡°We¡¯re not separating,¡± Eron said flatly.


    The cop gripped his baton tighter in his beefy hands. Cal could see the whiteness around the knuckles.


    ¡°Eron!¡± Cal said. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    His brother shot Cal a significant look.


    ¡°Standard procedure,¡± the cop said with a smile that didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°Women and children inside, men outside.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Cal spoke with his mildest tone.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know,¡± the cop shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m just following my orders. Now are you going to comply or am I going to make you.¡±


    The cop just lied, Cal knew that much, but he didn¡¯t want to make a scene and start a fight. Too many unknowns, too many risks to his family and the innocent people packed tightly together.


    ¡°No, we¡¯ll comply.¡± Cal ignored the angry look on Eron¡¯s face as he turned to Nila. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve got something I can do to make sure they don¡¯t try anything with you guys,¡± he whispered. ¡°Keep an eye on Megan and the kids. If they try anything, fight back and make as much of a commotion as you can,¡± he tapped his temple, ¡°you won¡¯t be alone. I¡¯ll be right there with you.¡±


    ¡°Be careful, Cal,¡± Nila said as she drew him into a tight hug. ¡°I trust you,¡± she whispered in his ear.


    ¡°I know you can take care of yourself.¡±


    The group went their separate ways. The women and girls into the community center, while the men followed the line that led around the side and to the back, where the park was located. It didn¡¯t escape Cal¡¯s notice that there wasn¡¯t a single white face in their line.


    ¡°What the hell man?!¡± Eron rounded on Cal as soon as they found a relatively open spot.


    The line ended at a large chain-linked fenced in area in the park behind the community center. To say that things took a troublesome turn was an understatement.


    Cal looked around at the other men corralled in with them. They ran from young to old and were a varied mix of ethnicities, with the aforementioned exception.


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t risk violence,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Did you forget that I¡¯m basically Superman. I would¡¯ve smashed those racist shits?¡± Eron fumed.


    ¡°Keep your voice down,¡± Remy said.


    Cal shook his head. ¡°It would¡¯ve turned into a riot. Too many innocent people would¡¯ve gotten hurt. Megan and the kids, Nila.¡±


    ¡°You never split the party,¡± Eron said, still upset. ¡°Now we¡¯re in a concentration camp and they¡¯re in there without us.¡± He jabbed a finger toward the community center.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a plan,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯m going to try something. It should keep them safe. I just need you to block me from their line of sight.¡± He gestured toward a pair of cops watching the crowd from the other side of the chain link fence. Surprisingly these two each held a shotgun in their hands. A question for another time.


    Cal drew inward, focusing on only his thoughts. The commotion around him fell away.


    He¡¯d first noticed it soon after his visit into the spire. He mistook it as a buzzing sound in his ears. As the days and weeks passed it slowly changed. It turned into whispers, mumbled words that he couldn¡¯t quite make out. He had thought that he was going crazy. That the truism that power always came at a cost was bearing out.


    He could¡¯ve kicked himself for being so stupid when he finally realized what was going on. Telepathy, half of the class that the spire had said he had. What he was hearing were the thoughts of those around him. An embarrassing epiphany that he resolved to keep to himself.


    As part of practice he had devoted time to building a mental wall to keep those thoughts out of his head. Both to respect the privacy of others and to keep his sanity. He wasn¡¯t naive enough to think that good things would come from unfettered access to other minds.


    Thus it was understandable that he only broke the wall with great trepidation.


    This time though, he was certain that it needed to be done if he wanted to ensure the safety of his loved ones.


    The onslaught of the many dozen minds around him nearly knocked him flat. Mingled fear, anger, and hatred, an overwhelming tide of negative thoughts no longer blocked crashed into him. He spared them a feeling of sympathy. These people all had cause and right to think as they did, corralled like animals, less than human, which he supposed was the point. Perhaps as he grew stronger and honed his power he¡¯d learn to help alleviate such thoughts. For now he focused on the last, the hatred.


    There were threads he could follow. Like lures that pulsed bright red, leading back to their sources. They were in the minority, the true hatred. He found some within the crowd that was trapped with him. These he dismissed.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    The ones he wanted were the ones beyond the fence. As soon as he latched on to the first few he knew that he found the people he was looking for. Using their connections to each other, their shared hatred, he followed branching paths to more inside the community center and out front in the parking lot. Twenty-three in total.


    The light touch into their minds was enough to be certain that they meant ill for them all. A part of him found it difficult to accept that they were truly the police. There was a chance that they had simply stolen the uniforms and gear. The cynic in him remembered his history. Being a police office didn¡¯t necessarily make one a good person, let along one that followed the law. And in times of crisis the law often broke down with alarming ease, turning it into a world where the strong rule and every man takes whatever they can until someone stronger stops them.


    Unfortunately, he wasn¡¯t skilled or strong enough to discern more. It was taking everything he had to even attempt this gambit. Satisfied that he had the minds he needed to target in metaphorical hand and before he lost that grip, he pushed.


    He knew nothing more as everything turned black.


    ¡°Cal, wake up! Cal!¡±


    Someone was shaking him.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have time for this. They¡¯ve finished processing everyone that was out front. Wake your ass up!¡±


    Now someone was slapping his face.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± Cal groaned as he feebly tried to ward of the blows. ¡°I¡¯m up.¡±


    ¡°What the hell happened?¡± Remy was on one knee over Cal¡¯s supine form. ¡°You started bleeding and passed out.¡±


    ¡°Yeah man, you got all those muscles, but you pass out like a little bitch.¡± Snickers followed a voice Cal didn¡¯t recognize.


    ¡°I thought they were separating all the men out. What¡¯s a little kid doing here?¡± Cal looked at the boy for a moment. Scrawny, spiky black hair. Asian descent. He wasn¡¯t sure what specifically. Nila would¡¯ve chided him for it. It was a tad hypocritical, he¡¯d admit, after all the part of the world he was from was Asia-adjacent.


    ¡°Shut up, kid, adults are talking,¡± Eron said as he shouldered the teenager out of the way. ¡°So, did it work? Cause it better have. Otherwise you bled out of literally every hole in your head for nothing.¡±


    Cal looked from Eron to Remy.


    ¡°Not exactly. Nose and ears and your eyes have less white than red now,¡± Remy said.


    Cal wiped at his upper lip and below his ears. His hands came away with dried flakes of blood. ¡°Really, none of you thought to wipe it off.¡±


    His two younger brothers both shrugged.


    ¡°Fine, whatever. Important thing is that they¡¯re safe for now.¡± Cal raised a hand. ¡°It¡¯s complicated, but to keep in simple I pushed a thought into the heads of all those so-called cops. It¡¯ll keep them from acting on any bad thoughts they have towards anyone in there, specifically Nila, Megan, and the kids.¡±


    ¡°Oh shit! You have powers!¡± The Asian kid poked his head between Eron and Remy¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Me and my bros got some magic too!¡±


    Cal ignored the kid as he pulled himself up to a seated position. He stayed there a moment as the movement made his head swim and his vision darken for a few seconds. When it passed he took a few deep breaths. ¡°How long was I out?¡±


    ¡°About three hours judging by the sun,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°You said they finished processing everyone. What do you mean exactly?¡±


    ¡°No more people out front. They¡¯ve got all the men fenced in with us. Women and kids inside the center.¡±


    ¡°I just want to clarify something,¡± Cal said. ¡°There aren¡¯t any white people here with us are there?¡±


    ¡°I told you I was getting that vibe,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Okay, that is disheartening,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What¡¯s the plan?¡± Remy was worried. ¡°You said you don¡¯t know how long what you did to them will last¡­ so, that means we need to act quickly.¡±


    ¡°Easy, I¡¯ll just hop over this fence and beat the crap out of everyone wearing a uniform,¡± Eron said. ¡°Meanwhile you guys can make sure Megan, the kids, and Nila are safe.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me, but that¡¯ll endanger everyone here.¡± Another strange voice chimed in. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I don¡¯t know what you three think you¡¯re capable of, but I think it¡¯ll be safer for everyone involved if we remain calm and listen to the police.¡±


    ¡°Man, you are crazy,¡± the Asian kid snapped at the middle-aged man. ¡°Those ¡®cops¡¯ are straight up Nazis. They¡¯ve got us all concentrated together in this camp. Probably just waiting for the right moment to drop some gas on us.¡±


    ¡°Gene! Show some respect.¡± Another man came up to grab the teenager by the arm. Judging by their resemblance and apparent age difference Cal figured they were father and son.


    ¡°Those cops hate us,¡± Cal said, ¡°strongly. I saw it their thoughts. And if you haven¡¯t noticed they and all their guns are facing us.¡±


    ¡°You can hear their thoughts?¡± The first man scoffed. ¡°Are you crazy? Listen to yourself.¡±


    ¡°Look around you then look at them,¡± Cal said. ¡°Notice something?¡±


    The man looked like he was about to open his mouth, but something in Cal¡¯s eyes stopped him. Instead he did as Cal asked. He shook his head, frowned, then walked away.


    This left Cal with just his brothers, Gene and his dad and three other teenage boys that weren¡¯t there a few moments ago.


    ¡°This is my party,¡± Gene said as he introduced his friends. ¡°Johnny, Bastien, and Olo,¡± there was a pause, ¡°and we¡¯ve got magic powers too.¡±


    Eron threw his hands up in the air. ¡°Oh for fu¡ª¡±


    ¡°Wait.¡± Cal regard the three boys. He figured they were all somewhere around the age of fourteen and fifteen. Hispanic, another Asian, and Black. ¡°What can you all do?¡±


    ¡°I got magic missile,¡± Gene grinned.


    ¡°Seriously?¡± Eron¡¯s gaze snapped to the teen. ¡°How does it work? Do you have to speak an incantation? Finger symbols?¡± He did something with his hands and fingers that made it look like he was having a seizure. ¡°Did you get a spell book, like a wizard? Or is it more like you just know the spell in your head, like a sorcerer?¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon man!¡± Remy snapped. ¡°You can play D&D later. We don¡¯t have time for this.¡±


    ¡°Nothing like that, I sorta just point a finger and think about shooting it,¡± Gene shrugged.


    ¡°How many times can you fire one off?¡± Cal ignored the snickers from Gene¡¯s friends, pardon, party.


    ¡°Once a day,¡± Gene said as he turned red.


    Not especially useful for the moment then. Cal looked at the other boys. ¡°You, you, then you,¡± he pointed at Johnny, Bastien, and Olo, ¡°tell me what you can do and how often. Make it quick.¡±


    The three snapped to attention and looked anywhere but at him. Cal suppressed a wince. Maybe he was being a little harsh.


    ¡°I can sneak! Uh¡­ if I hold my breath I can move really quiet, but I need a while to catch my breath before I can do it again,¡± Johnny said.


    Pretty useful for scouting if Cal was willing to put an untrained teenager into a dangerous situation, which he wasn¡¯t.


    ¡°I can heal, but I have to say a whole prayer. I¡¯m not sure, but I think I can heal more if I say a longer prayer,¡± Bastien said.


    That one was very useful.


    ¡°How often can you do this and what sort of injuries can you heal?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve only tried it on cuts and bites, but it works good¡­ oh and I can maybe do it three or four times a day.¡±


    ¡°Alright you¡¯re turn,¡± Cal nodded to Olo.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got like a power strike. I can hit really hard, but I get really tired after I use it, like I can barely lift my arms and it takes me like a couple of hours to recover. Oh and I need a weapon or something. Although I¡¯ve never tried it with like a punch,¡± Olo said as the twinkle of an idea blossomed in his eyes.


    Cal took in the teenager¡¯s thin arms and generally pudgy physique. Truly the stereotypical gamer¡¯s physique. Once again he chided himself for being hypocritical, he himself was a fond practitioner of the gaming arts and was pudgy at some point in his early life. Judged not, lest ye be judged, he remembered the saying.


    ¡°Smart that you¡¯d want to test that out, but I wouldn¡¯t do it at least not until you figure out exactly how much force you put out with that ability,¡± Cal said. ¡°If you tried it now you¡¯d break every bone in your hand, wrist and arm.¡±


    Olo nodded, chagrined.


    ¡°So, what do you want us to do?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely not!¡± Gene¡¯s father grabbed his son by the arm.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡­ I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t get your name,¡± Cal stood and held out his hand.


    ¡°Randolph,¡± Gene¡¯s father shook Cal¡¯s proffered hand, ¡°and you¨C¡±


    ¡°Like I said, don¡¯t worry I¡¯m not going to put them in danger. However,¡± Cal noticed that a larger group of men were gathered around now and were watching, listening, ¡°we have loved ones in there and we¡¯re concerned about their safety.¡± He held up a hand and used a bit of his telepathic abilities to nudged the men enough so that they silenced the protests on the tips of their tongues. Cal suppressed a wince at the sharp pain in his brain, which merely added to the already piercing headache he had since he woke up. ¡°Believe me when I say that these so-called police have bad things in mind for your, our, wives, daughters, girlfriends. I don¡¯t think I need to remind you what happens to women and girls in situations like this. History keeps proving that.¡± He paused to wet his lips. He¡¯d never been one for public speaking. His mouth tended to dry out when he was nervous. ¡°We¡¯re not going to let things just happen. We¡¯ll welcome any help.¡±


    Suddenly there was a trilling chime in Cal¡¯s ears. ¡°Did any of you hear tha¡ª¡± He stopped cold at the shared looks of confusion on his brothers¡¯ faces. He saw the same in the four teens.


    Words were spoken in that familiar voice that somehow managed to sound deep and high, soft and loud, man and woman, distinct from each other, yet a jumbled mix at the same time. And yet, that wasn¡¯t all. The words were also written in text, simultaneously, independently, and both. It was enough to make a man think he was going crazy.


    ¡°Oh no,¡± Cal groaned.


    Congratulations!


    You have discovered your first Quest!


    Rescue your loved ones.


    Defeat your enemies.


    Success Parameters: Varied.


    Failure Parameters: Varied.


    Reward: Contingent.


    Failure: Contingent.


    Will you accept?


    ¡°Yes!¡± Cal heard six different voices.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he added grimly.

 7. Human Dangers

    Then


    ¡°C¡¯mon dude, you¡¯ve got this!¡± Eron kept his voice low as he encourage his older brother.


    ¡°You¡¯re distracting me,¡± Remy said through grit teeth. His eyes were shut tightly. There was a sheen of sweat forming on his forehead and starting to drip down the furrows formed by raised veins.


    Cal pulled his youngest brother aside to give Remy some space. ¡°Are you sure you can do it?¡± He knew the answer to his question, but asked anyways to distract Eron.


    ¡°Yeah, no problem,¡± Eron said. ¡°I¡¯ve been practicing. I can get up there easily.¡±


    ¡°Hundred percent?¡±


    ¡°Relax man. I¡¯ve got the ¡®leaping tall buildings in a single bound¡¯ thing figured out¡­ mostly.¡±


    ¡°Well, in this case it¡¯s just a short one,¡± Cal said as his gaze went to the sniper on the roof of the community center lazily watching them.


    ¡°Yo. Are we doing this or what?¡±


    ¡°Gene. I told you to wait for the signal,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What¡¯s he doing anyways?¡±


    ¡°Remy¡¯s weakening the fence. When the time is right he¡¯ll open up a gap right where the cops are,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°How¡¯s he gonna do that?¡± Olo joined Gene, crowding closer, more than Cal liked.


    ¡°He¡¯s got magnetic powers,¡± Eron said in a terrible display of operational security that had Cal shaking his head.


    ¡°Dayum, that¡¯s fire!¡± Bastien said. ¡°Straight up Magneto-shit right there!¡± He said it with a short e, like in the word net.


    ¡°You¡¯re saying it wrong, bro,¡± Johnny said. ¡°It¡¯s Magneeto.¡±


    ¡°No way! That¡¯s not how it¡¯s spelled.¡±


    ¡°They named him after the magnetoshpere and that¡¯s how they pronounce it.¡±


    The teens looked to Eron, as if he was a wise sage to render the correct judgment.


    ¡°He¡¯s right.¡± Eron nodded at Johnny to the delight of the teen.


    ¡°Okay, enough!¡± Cal said with a little too much heat. ¡°Go to your spots and stay there.¡±


    ¡°You know this would be easier if I had some quiet,¡± Remy ground out.


    At least the teens had the decency to look ashamed as Cal shooed them away.


    ¡°This is why I keep telling you that you need to practice,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Not. Helping.¡± Remy¡¯s frown grew even deeper.


    ¡°I¡¯m just saying that people are getting antsy,¡± Eron said. ¡°We don¡¯t want the racist cops to start thinking we¡¯re up to something.¡±


    Things fell into an uneasy silence as Cal and Eron kept their eyes on the men standing guard on the other side of the fence. There were nine in total. Two on each side of the roughly square-shaped fenced-in area and the single sniper on the roof of the community center.


    The other imprisoned men milling about were doing their best to look like there wasn¡¯t a plan to break out at any second. They had a simple role to play, but it was fraught with danger and Cal could sense that they were extremely anxious, dreading the moment to come. It was unfortunate that none had any sort of powers, which was ridiculous as far as he was concerned. Around two hundred men and the only ones that had gone to the spire was a small group of teenage gamers.


    ¡°Jesus¡­¡± Remy opened his eyes. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m ready, but we need to start before I lose my grip.¡±


    Cal took a deep breath. Now it was his turn. The throbbing headache hadn¡¯t subsided in the hour or so while they had been getting their plan ready and spread out among the imprisoned throng. He wasn¡¯t looking forward to this.


    He focused on the nine cops, on their minds. All he needed to do was distract them for a split second, so the stabbing feeling in his brain wasn¡¯t quite that bad. More sewing needle than bowie knife.


    Cal raised his hand.


    Eron crouched, gathering his legs beneath him.


    One second.


    Remy took a deep breath.


    Two.


    The gathered men tensed as they stood at their places.


    Three.


    Cal pushed into the cops¡¯ minds, while at the same time he brought his hand down.


    Eron reacted first. He leapt, leaving a deep impression of his shoes in the grass. His arc carried him easily over the eight-foot tall fence and up on to the roof of the community center a good thirty yards away. He landed within a few steps of the Cal-distracted sniper. Before the sniper knew what was happening Eron knocked him cold with a tap on the head.


    While that happened, Remy pushed his magnetic powers to the limit. The groan that escaped from his lips mirrored the sound of protest from the chain link fence as it was torn open.


    Like when a dam bursts, the men at the designated spots, on each side of the fenced in area, nearest to the armed cops rushed forward in a wild mob.


    At any other time they would¡¯ve been assured casualties as the cops would¡¯ve been able to bring their guns to bear on the first line, but thanks to Cal¡¯s work. They were too slow. The men fell on them in a mass. Pulling the guns from their hands and battering them down with enthusiasm if not skill.


    Part of Cal was worried that the mob might get carried away and do real damage to the racists. Most of him decided that they brought it on themselves. After all, evil deserved whatever it got.


    It was over in a matter of seconds. Cal watched as Eron gave him a thumbs up and disappeared over the far side of the roof. He trusted the other men to keep the cops secured, while he moved on to the next and more difficult part of the plan. Disabling the remaining eleven cops inside the community center so that Eron could quickly restrain them without risking any collateral damage to the women and children being held inside.


    Cal focused on their minds. He had their signatures, for a lack of a better word, from when he touched their minds several hours ago, so it didn¡¯t take long to grab hold. There was nothing delicate about what he did next. He took the feeling of his throbbing headache and pushed it right into their minds. They got the same pain in a single moment.


    ¡°Did you get them?¡± Remy pulled Cal to his feet.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Cal didn¡¯t know how he ended up up his backside.


    ¡°You¡¯re making a habit out of bleeding out of your head,¡± Remy said. ¡°It¡¯s concerning and really disgusting.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Let¡¯s get in there. Eron might need help.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s safer than anyone else here.¡±


    ¡°Still¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s go, but you take the lead. You¡¯ve probably got more levels than me.¡± Remy pushed Cal forward.


    ¡°What about us? What should we do?¡± Gene and his party came up to the two Cruces brothers.


    Cal didn¡¯t have enough mental energy to deal with the annoying kids. It was taking a great deal of effort just to keep standing.


    Remy must¡¯ve realized this. ¡°The plan stays the same. You four are going to take care of any mutant squirrels or birds that might¡¯ve been attracted by the chaos.¡±


    The brothers moved toward the community center¡¯s rear doors without waiting to see if the teens had listened.


    As soon as they entered they saw two cops on the ground, clutching their heads and struggling to rise. Cal pointed to the one on the left, while he made for the one on the right, the one closer to standing. He half staggered, half ran and planted a soccer kick right under the man¡¯s chin. A flying tooth made Cal worry that he might¡¯ve put too much into the kick. As it was the cop lay unmoving flat on his back.


    A quick glance to his left saw Remy in the process of hog-tying his own unconscious target. Cal flipped the cop over onto his stomach and did the same using the man¡¯s own cuffs.


    The pair encountered two more men as they made their way further into the building and handled them in a similar fashion. They carefully made their way into the large open hall that served as the center of the community center. Cal could sense that the vast majority of thoughts inside the building were gathered in there.


    Cal noticed two things as soon as he entered the hall. First, was the large group of women and children seated on the floor in the middle of the room. Second was that Eron was off to one side, currently in the process of unceremoniously dumping a half-conscious and restrained cop in a pile with others. A few had regained their senses and were currently shouting vile curses at anyone and everyone in sight.


    ¡°Hey, Eron!¡± Cal called out. ¡°Can you do me a favor? We left four guys out towards the rear doors, can you bring them over too? Then can you bring the guys outside in?¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Eron said as he walked over. ¡°What do you want me to tell the dudes outside?¡±


    ¡°Keep them outside, tell them they¡¯re on their way out,¡± Cal gestured at the scared and confused looking people on the floor. ¡°I don¡¯t want a huge group of people in here.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s Megan and my kids?¡± Remy looked wildly at the crowd.


    ¡°Uh¡­ Rem¡­ I didn¡¯t see them,¡± Eron said hesitantly, ¡°but I haven¡¯t checked out the whole place. There¡¯s a bunch of rooms.¡±


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    ¡°Remy, why don¡¯t you you ask them if they know or saw anything,¡± Cal nudged his brother.


    He waited for Remy to make his way over there before he turned back to Eron. ¡°Nila?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Cal,¡± Eron shook his head. ¡°Didn¡¯t see her either.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s alright, we¡¯ll find them,¡± Cal said as he went over to join Remy.


    ¡°They took them,¡± Remy said as soon as Cal reached his side. ¡°They took all the white people.¡± The look on Remy¡¯s face betrayed how ridiculous he thought the entire situation sounded.


    ¡°Where did they take them?¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± An older woman that reminded him of his mother approached Cal. ¡°Could you please tell us what¡¯s going on here? Why did the police separate us from our husbands and sons?¡±


    ¡°Cause apparently they¡¯re Nazis!¡± Remy threw his hands up in frustration before he stalked off toward the captured cops.


    ¡°Remy! Wait!¡± Cal barked. ¡°We¡¯ll handle it together,¡± he implored his brother to keep calm.


    Remy waved him off, but at least he merely found a chair and sat down.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, everything is alright,¡± Cal said. ¡°Your husbands and sons are fine, they¡¯re just outside.¡± He raised his voice to encompass the entire room. ¡°Just give us a few minutes and you¡¯ll be able to join them.¡± He turned his attention back to the older woman. ¡°Now, do you know where they took the¡­¡± he cleared his throat, ¡°white people.¡±


    The old woman shook her head. ¡°They just separated us as soon as we entered the building. We ended up in here, I don¡¯t know about the others.¡±


    ¡°Okay, thank you,¡± Cal sighed then he addressed the crowd. ¡°Did any of you happen to see a Chinese woman? Twenty-eight, just a little shorter than me, tiny build, black hair in like a bob or pixie? I¡¯m not sure what it¡¯s called. Her name is Nila. My girlfriend.¡± He looked around hopefully.


    A teenage girl raised her hand and made her way quickly to him when Cal gestured her forward. ¡°Yeah, I think so. She was a little behind me in line when they took this white woman and her kids away. Your girlfriend fought back. Took like five cops to get her down.¡±


    ¡°I saw them taking her through there,¡± another woman pointed to a closed door at the far end of the hall, toward the back.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Cal forced a smile. ¡°Just a few more minutes and you¡¯ll be free to join your families.¡±


    Cal rushed to the door. A thousand different thoughts rushing through his pounding head. The best case scenarios, the worst case ones, and every thing in between. He reached the door at a run. He grabbed the handle. It was locked he growled and pulled with all his might. The door flew open, nearly hitting him in the face. He rushed into the room expecting the worse ready to explode only to find a small fist careening toward his face.


    In the split second before impact he recognized its wielder. He twisted his torso and turned his head so that he merely took the blow to the side of his face. Rolling with the punch allowed him to alleviate the damage, both to his face and the puncher¡¯s fist. It still hurt.


    ¡°Ouch.¡±


    ¡°Oh my god! Cal? I¡¯m sorry!¡± Nila stared at him open-mouthed and wide-eyed. ¡°I thought you were someone else.¡±


    ¡°Nope, my bad, I shou¡ª¡±


    The words were stopped as Nila jumped onto Cal and hugged him tight, her lips clamped over his, as she kissed him fiercely. Cal was surprised momentarily before he returned it just as strongly. He held on to her like he didn¡¯t ever want to let go again. He allowed himself to get lost in the moment. Forgetting the violence, the sharp spikes pounding into his brain. It was just him and his love.


    Reluctantly, Nila broke the kiss and embrace.


    ¡°They took Megan and the kids. I tried to fight them, but there were too many.¡±


    ¡°You did good from the sound of it. Took five guys to stop you,¡± Cal looked her over, ¡°did they hurt you?¡±


    Nila shook her head. ¡°Punched and kicked me a little, but it didn¡¯t hurt as much as I always thought it would. I¡¯ve felt worse when we sparred.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m glad you¡¯re okay,¡± Cal smiled at her. ¡°Did they happen to say where they were taking Megan and the kids?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t remember if they did or not,¡± Nila said. ¡°It happened so fast.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s alright, we¡¯ll just ask them,¡± Cal said as he looked back to the restrained pile of cops.


    It took some time for the large hall to be cleared of the women and children. Cal waited patiently as several thanked him on the way out. It didn¡¯t pass his notice that the majority seemed to be looking at him with suspicion and some with undisguised fear. To her surprise Nila received a much more favorable response, many times someone would stop and thank her for being so brave and fighting back.


    Remy and Eron stood near the restrained cops, glaring at them, challenging. A few had shouted vile curses towards them and the women. The profanity was typical of such filth, based on racial and gender lines. A very angry Eron shut them up really fast.


    Cal was deep in thought. He was looking and, or listening, like usual he couldn¡¯t quite tell the difference, to the update to the quest. He found it strange that it hadn¡¯t popped up as soon as he had freed Nila from the locked storage room. In a game the quest notification usually shows up as soon as it succeeds or fails, at least that¡¯s what he remembered. It seemed that in whatever was happening to his world things were a bit mindful of real life circumstances.


    He was glad though that it had waited for his reunion with Nila before chiming in with the quest update. Cal had been deathly worried about his girlfriend, even if, he reminded himself, she had Captain America-like strength and was working out hard to get stronger, even taking his, very amateur, boxing lessons.


    Cal let out a sigh.


    Congratulations!


    Partial quest completion.


    Rescue your loved ones: 1 of 4, 229 of (?)


    Defeat your enemies: 20 of (?)


    Reputation Gain: Varied.


    Reputation Loss: Varied.


    Partial Reward: 5000 Universal Points.


    Cal¡¯s eyes widened when he got to the end of the message. That was unexpected.


    He made his was over to his brothers. ¡°Hey, did you guys get the quest update message?¡± Cal kept his voice low.


    Remy and Eron both nodded.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got enough points to unlock the information on our sheet,¡± Eron said while throwing up the traditional air quotes. ¡°Plus we can get the basic tutorial and I¡¯m thinking maybe the tutorials for our classes.¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we spend some on gear or items, like, I don¡¯t know, healing potions, stuff like that?¡± Remy frowned.


    ¡°Nah man,¡± Eron said. ¡°That voice said that we can¡¯t use the marketplace yet.¡±


    ¡°Right, but it might open up at any time,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a theory on that. See, I¡¯m thinking that we¡¯re like in a tutorial stage and in games that usually last around an hour or two,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a game,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°No, but you can¡¯t deny that there are a lot of similarities,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I see what you¡¯re getting at,¡± Remy said. ¡°Internal game time runs at an accelerated rate, so the equivalent of a few hours in a game is a lot longer in real world time.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ yeah¡­ that¡¯s totally what I meant,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I was at the spire eleven days ago and the marketplace was still restricted,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°It¡¯s been about two months, give or take a day, since this nightmare started,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I guess you¡¯re right,¡± Eron looked to Remy, ¡°we should probably plan to save some points then.¡±


    ¡°Looks like the crowd is out,¡± Remy said as he suddenly nudged Cal.


    Cal looked over to Nila, who was walking over to join them.


    ¡°Okay, time to ask these guys some questions,¡± Cal said.


    Cal moved to stand near the restrained cops. Roughly half were seated, cross-legged their hands cuffed behind them, while the rest were on their stomachs, hands wrists and ankles locked together behind them like trussed up hogs. There was a certain sense of justice in it. Especially since Cal needed them to squeal on the rest of their group and where they had taken his sister-in-law and nieces.


    ¡°We¡¯re not saying anything to you, wetback.¡± It was the same cop that had interacted with them at front of the line.


    Cal held the man¡¯s glare without looking away. He didn¡¯t say anything, he didn¡¯t move, didn¡¯t even blink. He pushed a bit of the contempt he felt into the man¡¯s mind. The certain knowledge that he was in control and there was nothing the man could do about it.


    It was too much for the cop, he was a bully used to throwing around his authority, his size, to get what he wanted from the world around him. It had been that way for him for as long as he could remember. It was overwhelming to learn that was no longer the case. He looked away with a sharp jerk of his head.


    ¡°You douchebags are just stupid,¡± Eron said. ¡°We¡¯re not even mexican or hispanic,¡± he laughed. ¡°At least get the racial slurs right, dumbasses.¡±


    Cal studied the cops. All of them were sporting heavily bruised faces and bodies. Whenever he locked eyes with one the individual in question quickly looked away. Maybe he realized it, maybe he didn¡¯t, but there was a noticeable sense of malice that was being projected from his very being.


    ¡°I have questions, which you will answer,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Fuck you, chink,¡± a cop whose hair was stained red from the ugly cut at his hairline.


    ¡°Wrong again,¡± Eron barked out a harsh laugh.


    ¡°They¡¯re flips?¡± One of the cops whispered.


    ¡°Ha! Finally, but let me tell you,¡± Eron zeroed in on the whisperer, ¡°as far as ethnic slurs go, that¡¯s weak. I mean how lazy are you? Although, I guess it makes sense. You¡¯ve got to be pretty low on the horsepower when it comes to what you¡¯ve got in here,¡± he tapped his head with a finger, ¡°to believe in racial supremacy in the first place. I mean if I were to remove your skin,¡± he pointed at the now shaking cop, ¡°and compared your corpse with a different race¡¯s skinless corpse, it¡¯d look the same¡­ right?¡±


    Cal felt a moment of concern at the ghoulish leer on Eron¡¯s face. His youngest brother was being very convincing at the moment.


    ¡°Look, just let us go and we won¡¯t tell them it was you,¡± another cop said. This one was noticeably older than the rest. Middle-aged as opposed to being in his twenties. ¡°We¡¯ll say that it was a bunch of people with masks on.¡±


    ¡°Shut up! Don¡¯t say shit to this trash!¡± the cop with red stained hair spat. ¡°Jay will fuck ¡®em like we fucked that chink bitch!¡±


    Cal¡¯s head jerked over to the cop. He saw red and was a moment from doing something he might regret when a blur moved past him.


    Nila reached out and slapped the offending cop upside the head, he flopped over onto the man next to him, bonelessly, out cold. She glared at the restrained cops, fire in her eyes. ¡°I fucked you up. It took five of you just to push me into a storage room and you barely managed it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you don¡¯t want anymore of that,¡± Cal said. ¡°Just answer a few questions and you won¡¯t feel further pain. Why don¡¯t we start with who this Jay is.¡±


    ¡°Whatever you¡¯re threatening, it can¡¯t possible be worse than what will happen to us if we talk,¡± the middle aged cop said.


    ¡°You got a name?¡± When he looked them over earlier, Cal noted that none of them had name tags and the badge numbers were useless to him at the moment.


    The middle aged cop shook his head.


    Cal had a sudden thought. Could he pull the name from their heads? It should be doable. If he could place things into their minds, then he should be able to take things. That¡¯s how telepathy worked in all sorts of fiction after all and the changes to their world were definitely closer to make believe than the accepted laws of science. No, he decided against it. Trying something new was likely to add to his headache or knock him out cold in the worst case.


    ¡°Hey?¡± Another cop called out to Cal.


    ¡°Got something to tell me?¡± Cal moved closer to the man.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ you and yours are dead. You might be able to throw a punch, but Jay will take your midget ass and tear it in two.¡± The cop spat in Cal¡¯s face.


    Cal¡¯s arm moved faster. The glob splashed against his jacket sleeve. He stood straight and regarded the man for several long seconds. ¡°Okay. I tried to be nice. Tried to be civil. Even when you deserved nothing. You¡¯re making a concentration camp. An evil act by every objective standard.¡± Cal nodded to Eron and Remy. They had discussed this earlier in case the questioning wasn¡¯t working.


    Cal pointed at two of the restrained cops. Eron took one of the hog-tied ones and lifted him like a grocery bag. The cop grunted in pain from the strain on his limbs. Remy roughly lifted one of the seated men by his arms. The cop tried to kick and struggle, but Remy half-lifted, half-dragged him like a small child throwing a tantrum.


    Cal looked at Nila, ¡°Like we talked about. If any of them so much as move feel free to cut loose. You¡¯re life is more important than theirs.¡±


    She nodded back with a determined look on her face.


    Cal picked out his target among the men. He had been probing with his telepathy the entire time and had found the one that would give him the answer he was looking for. The young man struggled, but Cal lifted him by the arm with frightening ease. His strength was growing at what felt like a constant rate. He focused on being careful. He didn¡¯t want to break something, accidentally. He trailed after his brothers. Information in hand, ready to be cracked.

 8. Challenging Encounters

    Then


    Cal dropped the young cop in a plush chair before going back to shut and lock the door. It was an office. Desk, computer and dual monitors on top, plants, bookshelf with management books and binders, everything one would expect to see. Cal looked around leisurely while the young man stared at him with wide eyes.


    Cal saw that there were several picture frames arranged on the outer edges of the desk. Smiling family, kids and grandkids from the look of it. He felt a momentary pang in his chest. Where these people still out there? Was the owner of the office? Or were they one of the numerous victims of the impossible apocalypse. He knew his immediate family was alive, at least for now, but how about the rest? He didn¡¯t have a way to find out at the moment and he didn¡¯t know when he would be able to check.


    Megan, Tessa, and Veronica. He could help them, needed to help them, and all he had to do was crack the terrified young man trapped in the office with him.


    ¡°Relax,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯m not going to hurt you.¡±


    The young man leaned back in fear, clearly not believing him.


    ¡°What? Do you think I¡¯m going to torture you? C¡¯mon man I¡¯m not CIA and this isn¡¯t a black site. This is a community center office and I¡¯m just a guy looking for my family,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°Look around you. Do you see a board in here? Buckets of water? Afraid I¡¯ll slice you up?¡± He spread his arms wide. ¡°See, no knives.¡±


    The young man¡¯s expression grew confused. ¡°What do you want from me?¡± He finally said after a long silence.


    ¡°I want you to tell me where you took my family. I want everything about your entire operation. I want everything on this ¡®Jay¡¯. He in charge?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t do that, he¡¯ll kill me. He¡¯ll hurt my sister.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we start with something easy? What¡¯s your name?¡±


    The young man hesitated a moment. ¡°It¡¯s Ron.¡±


    ¡°Okay, good. Now, Ron, I know this is all pretty weird right? But you¡¯ve seen what me and my guys can do. Took you all down in minutes. You even had guns and we did it all with our bare hands. You saw what my girl can do?¡± Cal kept his tone light. ¡°I¡¯m sure whatever this Jay¡¯s got, we can handle.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wrong! You guys might be strong, but he¡¯s something else, like a monster. I saw him take the top of this guy¡¯s head in one hand,¡± Ron mimed the action with his cuffed hands, ¡°and just squeeze¡­ turned the poor bastard¡¯s head into mush, like a tomato or something.¡± He looked like he was going to be sick. ¡°Just thinking about it¡ª¡±


    Cal snapped his fingers in Ron¡¯s face. ¡°I need you to focus. Did it look like it was hard for him?¡±


    Ron looked at Cal with confusion.


    ¡°When he¡­ squeezed the guy¡¯s head. Was it a struggle? Did his face get all red, veins popping? Like if he was trying to bench his one-rep max? Or was it easy for him, like he was just opening a bag of chips?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, I guess somewhere in the middle, but closer the first one. It felt like it took awhile and the guy was screaming the whole time.¡± Ron shuddered.


    All true at least as far as Cal could glean from his light touch on the surface of Ron¡¯s thoughts. ¡°Why are you with these losers? I can tell you¡¯re not a true believer in that white power garbage.¡±


    ¡°I had no choice. When Jay took over the station he said we were either on his side or an enemy.¡± Ron looked down at his feet. ¡°The few officers who weren¡¯t white or were mixed didn¡¯t even get a choice. Meat shields, he called them. You know what that means?¡±


    Cal nodded.


    ¡°A couple of the white officers refused or tried to fight back. They got thrown in with the meat shields,¡± Ron spat the word.


    ¡°No one tried to fight?¡±


    ¡°They did, but guns weren¡¯t working and Jay got strong, I mean he was already the biggest roid-head in the station, but this was something else. He was tossing guys around like they weighed nothing.¡± Ron hung his head even lower. ¡°I should¡¯ve helped, at least tried to do something, but all I could think of was my little sister. I¡¯m all she has and I¡¯d brought her to the station for safety. If I had fought they would¡¯ve hurt her.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m thinking you did the right thing,¡± Cal said. He truly empathized. ¡°Family is the most important thing.¡±


    ¡°Look, man. I want to help. I don¡¯t like what they¡¯re doing. It¡¯s wrong. It¡¯s straight up evil, but I can¡¯t risk anything happening to my sister.¡±


    ¡°And how long do you think your sister will remain safe? Untouched? If I could tell you weren¡¯t committed to the cause, don¡¯t you think your boys can as well?¡± Cal leaned back against the desk right in front of Ron. ¡°You can¡¯t protect her. I¡¯m guessing you didn¡¯t get anything good from the spire.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± A confused look crossed Ron¡¯s face.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know,¡± Cal said. ¡°You haven¡¯t been inside the spire.¡±


    ¡°That weird, huge thing in the middle of campus?¡±


    Cal probed Ron¡¯s thoughts, daring to push deeper with the distraction provided by the young man¡¯s bewilderment. ¡°You killed the gremlins that first night and you got that same message we all did, yet you didn¡¯t go to the spire and Jay didn¡¯t say anything about it¡­ interesting.¡±


    Ron¡¯s fear had progressively given way to confusion then to a cautious sort of hope. At least he was now fairly certain that Cal wasn¡¯t going to torture him. ¡°It¡¯s like you said. He doesn¡¯t trust me.¡±


    ¡°So, what about the rest of those guys out there? Any of them actually went to the spire?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. Jay¡¯s got like an inner council thing, call them einherjar,¡± Ron stumbled over the word. ¡°Only like five or six guys. I think like two guys from the force the rest are Jay¡¯s biker buddies. They don¡¯t have to pull guard duty like the rest of us.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Cal rolled his eyes. He¡¯d bet his favorite knife that they had named their group Norsefire, Sons of Odin, Thor¡¯s Hammerers, or something as equally cringe-worthy. ¡°So, that¡¯s why you lot here don¡¯t have any powers, magic, or other bullshit. And here I thought we just shocked and awed you.¡± His fingers drummed the desk behind him. ¡°I think we can make a deal, Ron.¡±


    Ron started to shake his head.


    ¡°Hear me out before you refuse.¡± Cal raised a finger. ¡°All I want from you is information. You won¡¯t have to do anything else.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t do anything that might put my sister in danger.¡±


    ¡°Kid, she¡¯s already in danger!¡± Cal snapped. ¡°I can give you the means to maybe, just maybe, make it so that the danger is a lot less and all you have to do is flip¡­ ha¡­ on a bunch of human trash that you don¡¯t like anyway.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Ron said. ¡°It¡¯s not like I¡¯ve got much of a choice and you haven¡¯t hurt me yet, aside from punching my face, which I had coming.¡±


    ¡°Good, so, tell me everything about Jay and his operation and then I¡¯ll tell you about the spires.¡±


    <hr>


    Cal knocked on the office door. It took a few seconds before it opened slightly and Remy¡¯s head peeked out.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I got what we need,¡± Cal said as he beckoned his brother out.


    Remy came out of the office and shut the door behind him. ¡°Thank god!¡± He said in obvious relief. ¡°I think that guy was starting to get suspicious that I wasn¡¯t going to do anything to him.¡±


    ¡°Tsk, tsk,¡± Eron grinned. ¡°All you had to do was sit there and just stare. I had my guy practically pissing his pants.¡±


    ¡°Where did they take my family?¡± Remy ignored Eron.


    ¡°They¡¯re at the high school,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°That¡¯s just right there,¡± Remy pointed to what Cal guessed was southwest, ¡°it¡¯s close, won¡¯t even have to leave the park grounds.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s it called?¡±


    ¡°Davis High.¡±


    ¡°Oh, sorry I¡¯m not familiar with your city. Ron said they were using MLK High as a base,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Who¡¯s Ron?¡± Eron chimed in.


    ¡°The cop I was interrogating. He¡¯s alright, not an actual racist. Sort of got forced into going along with all this. Has a little sister back at the high school.¡±


    ¡°Guys, focus!¡± Remy snapped. ¡°Are you sure he said MLK?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Cal said.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°Good,¡± Remy sighed. ¡°That¡¯s only about fifteen minutes walk down B Street. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°Woah! Hold up. We need to plan this out,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°No, we can¡¯t waste anymore time. We don¡¯t know what they¡¯ve got planned for my wife, my daughters,¡± Remy fired back.


    ¡°Just give me a second to explain,¡± Cal said. ¡°According to Ron they don¡¯t do anything to white people. They just question them and make them swear an oath to the cause or something stupid like that. Then they let them go home. And before you ask, he wasn¡¯t lying, I saw the truth in his mind.¡±


    ¡°What happens when they ask Megan who the kids¡¯ father is?¡± Remy shot back. ¡°I¡¯m sure they won¡¯t be as hands off to ¡®race traitors¡¯.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t worry about it,¡± Eron said lightly. When both Cal and Remy rounded on him with angry looks, he merely shrugged. ¡°Megan¡¯s smart, she¡¯ll say that their ¡®white¡¯ dad is out gathering supplies or something.¡±


    ¡°What if they ask the girls?¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Rem. They¡¯ll just copy their mom. Especially if this Jay is as scary as they keep making him out to be. Tessa and Veronica won¡¯t have to fake anything. Couple of scared kids looking to their mom, perfectly normal and expected, not suspicious at all. Besides they pass well enough. The clan,¡± Eron rolled his eyes, ¡°won¡¯t think anything of it.¡±


    ¡°While I don¡¯t like the flippant attitude, you aren¡¯t wrong,¡± Cal said. ¡°So, Remy are you ready to listen?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, fine.¡±


    ¡°Okay, first thing we need to do is take the rest of those racists out in the hall and separate them. We¡¯ll place them one by one into any free offices, even the bathrooms,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think there¡¯s enough free spaces for all twenty of them,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll fix the fence outside. We can put the rest out there,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll take all their gear, guns included and bring them back to your house. We¡¯ll work on our plan there. We¡¯ll get some rest, because I definitely need some if we¡¯re going up against this Jay and my head is killing me right now,¡± Cal grimaced. ¡°Then we¡¯ll head to the high school close to midnight were we¡¯ll rescue our family, the others imprisoned there, and put a stop to this.¡±


    ¡°What about your new buddy, Ron?¡± Eron frowned.


    ¡°We are letting him go with his equipment and a shotgun.¡± His brothers were about to protest, but Cal forged on. ¡°Part of the deal, plus he¡¯s not one of them, not to mention there¡¯s a little girl out there that has no one else to count on. He¡¯s going to hide and wait for an opportunity to get his sister.¡±


    ¡°And you trust him,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Yeah, he was telling the truth.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t doubt your mind powers, but the dude could always get cold feet and change his mind.¡±


    ¡°He won¡¯t,¡± Cal said with certainty.


    <hr>


    They were lucky that stealth wasn¡¯t vital since they were being far too loud to Cal¡¯s ears. It felt as if if each step on the sidewalk was like a hammer in the otherwise silent night. And that wasn¡¯t even taking into account the candle lanterns the two people in the middle of the line, Remy and Nila were trying to keep somewhat hidden in their hands. They had to bring the light. There wasn¡¯t really a choice. Had they gone without the damnable gremlins would¡¯ve been all over them. At least this way they only had to swat away the occasional nippy mutant bird or rodent.


    Cal was trusting in the intelligence provide by Ron. The young cop had freely, eagerly even, divulged that his former gang, they didn¡¯t deserve to be called police officers, numbered at around fifty men in total. Twenty had been left at the community center to keep watch over their captives. The plan was to keep them there overnight to let them sit and grow more afraid of their unknown fates. It was a despicable tactic to begin the process of breaking their wills. Which was an advantage for Cal¡¯s group. The men at the community center wouldn¡¯t be missed, especially once midnight rolled around. That was when Jay and his einherjar were going to be busy in the high school. Of the remaining thirty men, ten remained at the police station at all times, while the other twenty would be busy keeping watch over the captives at the high school.


    Ron wasn¡¯t entirely certain why they moved the captives to the football field every night, while Jay and the einherjar went into the buildings. All he could tell Cal for certain was that he had heard intermittent sounds of fighting and the men emerging three to four hours later, usually wounded, with the exception of Jay.


    Cal had a good guess at what Ron was describing almost immediately. MLK high school had somehow been turned into a dungeon zone, to use a fictional term and it was resetting every night. When he shared his suspicions with the others their reactions fell within expectations. Eron bought into the idea right away and grew excited. Nila was skeptical, but asked a lot of questions. Remy didn¡¯t care, he just wanted to get his family back as soon as possible.


    This gave them an opening to use against Jay and his men, however it posed another problem that Eron astutely brought up. If the racists were running the dungeon on a nightly basis, how much stronger had they grown? According to the time line of events Cal put together from what Ron told him, it was thirty-three nights in a row. That was a lot of opportunity to increase their strength and practice their unknown powers and abilities.


    <hr>


    The group stopped in the shadow of a liquor store on the corner across the street from the high school. They were careful to keep the lanterns behind their bodies to block the light from any potential eyes. It wasn¡¯t a huge concern. According to Ron the gang didn¡¯t keep a tight perimeter watch since they weren¡¯t concerned about human opposition. They were mainly concerned about keeping their captives from escaping. Not that there were many that dared it, unwilling to face the monsters in the dark.


    ¡°Anything?¡± Eron whispered.


    Cal shook his head.


    ¡°What about Megan and my kids? Can you sense them?¡± Remy was tense in his crouch. He looked as if he was just on the edge of making a mad dash for the high school.


    Cal placed a hand on his brother¡¯s shoulder to steady him. ¡°Nothing yet. I¡¯ll need to get closer.¡±


    As it happened their approach placed them on the opposite side of the campus from the football field where Ron had said that the captives were being kept in a makeshift encampment. Cal would¡¯ve chosen to come from this direction anyways in order to shield them from prying eyes.


    Cal gestured forward and Eron led the way. They moved as quickly as they could while trying to maintain some semblance of quiet. They entered through an open driveway into what looked like a faculty parking lot.


    As soon as he crossed the line from sidewalk to lot a familiar sound chimed in Cal¡¯s ear. The surprise caused him to stumble.


    Welcome to the Martin Luther King Jr. High School Encounter Challenge.


    Challengers Active: 10


    There were several more lines of distorted text that he couldn¡¯t make out. Oddly enough the voice had also become garbled.


    ¡°Hey, are you guys getting this?¡± Eron slowed.


    ¡°Keep moving.¡± Cal pushed him forward. ¡°Let¡¯s get some cover first.¡± He pointed toward a building across the lot.


    When the group reached the building they halted.


    ¡°I guess you were right. The school got turned into some kind of dungeon,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Good thing we were planning for this,¡± Cal said. ¡°Nothing changes. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    They crept along the long, narrow building, offices of some sort, before rounding the corner and emerging into the campus proper.


    ¡°Wait a second,¡± Cal whispered.


    The group stopped and Cal called upon his telepathy. He had slept for a few hours and his throbbing headache had given way to a mild feeling of fatigue, like he had been up for too long, something manageable. He probed for any thoughts in his vicinity and found nothing. All of this was new to him and he still wasn¡¯t sure how far his range extended.


    ¡°I¡¯m not getting anything.¡± Cal pointed to the nearest large building off to the left. ¡°Let¡¯s start there.¡±


    The doors were locked, but Eron simply forced the door open with a loud crack that made them all wince. The youngest Cruces brother led the way into a long hallway with a bank of lockers on both sides. The rows were broken up by evenly interspaced doors every thirty feet or so, classrooms.


    Cal called for another halt as he once again used his power. This time he got something, many things actually. There were dozens of them, a handful in each classroom. Unfortunately, all he could glean were vague feelings of hunger and malice mingled together. ¡°I think there¡¯s something in the rooms,¡± he whispered.


    ¡°People?¡± Remy was hopeful.


    ¡°They¡¯re supposed to be all at the field,¡± Nila said. ¡°We¡¯d hear them if there were people in there.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s right,¡± Eron said. ¡°I¡¯d definitely hear like breathing or snoring. I can¡¯t hear anything in there. I¡¯d say the rooms are empty.¡±


    ¡°Great, that can mean only one thing,¡± Remy spat.


    ¡°Monsters then?¡± Nila looked to Cal with concern.


    ¡°I guess my dungeon zone theory was right,¡± Cal said.


    Eron raised a hand. ¡°I vote we clear the rooms.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Remy snapped. ¡°We can¡¯t waste time. Plus we have no idea what kind of monsters are in there. They might be too much for us to handle.¡±


    ¡°If we bypass them they might attack us from behind. Safer to go one room at a time, so we don¡¯t have to fight more that a handful,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Then we should go back the way we came.¡± Remy implored Cal.


    ¡°I vote for that.¡± Nila raised her hand.


    Eron shook his head in a huff. ¡°That might also cause them all to attack at once.¡±


    Cal thought quickly. ¡°Remy can you float a lantern about half way down the hall. I need to see how many doors there are and I can¡¯t see to the end without some light.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I think so.¡± Remy brought the candle lantern in his hand up and focused on it for a few seconds. Suddenly, it floated from his outstretched hand. It wobbled at about waist height in the middle of the hallway. A look of concentration was on Remy¡¯s face, evident even in the dimness.


    ¡°That¡¯s far enough.¡± Cal called for Remy to halt the lantern. He counted the doors, then he did it again to make sure before he gestured for Remy to bring the lantern back. Eight doors on each side. From what he knew of fire safety laws, he guessed that each classroom was required to have two doors, which meant there were a total of eight classrooms in this one building. ¡°Okay, we¡¯re going to clear these two rooms,¡± he pointed at the two closest ones on either side, ¡°and then we¡¯ll test out Eron¡¯s theory.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, why?¡± Eron held his arms out wide.


    ¡°Remember our plan? Well, if you¡¯re right and bypassing the rooms leads to all the monsters attacking¡­¡± Cal raised his brows.


    Eron narrowed his eyes at his oldest brother.


    ¡°That¡¯d make pulling this off a lot easier!¡± Remy elbowed Eron in the side.


    ¡°I still don¡¯t se¡ª Oh, oh!¡± Eron¡¯s mouth widened into a smile.


    ¡°What are you guys talking about?¡± Nila looked at the three Cruces brothers like they were crazy.


    ¡°It¡¯s like your work,¡± Cal said. He didn¡¯t elaborate.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s do this!¡± Eron moved to the classroom door on the left side of the hall. ¡°I¡¯ll go in swinging. Just keep the lights on my back, but wait and watch unless I¡¯m in trouble.¡±


    It was a good plan. They needed information about what kind of monsters they were going to have to face in the high school turned dungeon zone. Eron was the strongest and most durable by far, which made him the perfect choice to take the lead. Once they knew what they were up against they could come up with better tactics.


    ¡°Count me down,¡± Eron said as he gripped the door handle.


    ¡°Three, two, one,¡± Remy said.


    With a mighty pull Eron pulled the locked door nearly off its hinges. He dashed into the room with his fists up.


    ¡°Holy crap!¡± They all shouted in unison.

 9. Dungeon Run

    Then


    The small candle lantern didn¡¯t give off a large amount of light, maybe just up to eight feet before it was swallowed up by the darkness. The monster that leapt out at Eron was a gremlin. Except it was much larger than the toddler-sized ones that had attacked at start of it all.


    Caught off guard by the man-sized gremlin, Eron was flat-footed as it slashed him across the chest with wicked claws. He lashed out reflexively with a wide backhand. The giant gremlin was quick. It ducked underneath and swiped again. This time at his stomach.


    Eron let out a hiss, more out of annoyance than in pain. He reached out for the gremlin, but it ducked back into the darkness. He moved to follow when a second gremlin materialized from the shadows above him. It landed heavily on his back and forced him down to the ground further into the classroom, scattering desks. It took him out of reach of the candle¡¯s light.


    As the remaining members of the group watched through flickering light and shadow, the first gremlin reappeared and joined the second in savagely slashing at Eron¡¯s vulnerable back.


    ¡°The light isn¡¯t bothering them!¡± Remy stepped forward into the classroom with the candle lantern held wardingly in front of him. ¡°Why isn¡¯t it working?¡±


    ¡°Watch out!¡± Nila pulled Remy back by the collar of his jacket.


    A third gremlin lunged out of the shadows to their right, just barely missing Remy.


    Nila stepped into a downward swing of her newly procured baseball bat and slammed the gremlin into the floor. The monster tried to scramble away, but she didn¡¯t give it the opportunity as she brained it once again. Hefting her bat, she started toward Eron and the other gremlins before Cal grabbed her shoulder.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Cal whispered. ¡°To our right, in the shadows. I think there are two more just waiting. I¡¯ll go first and you follow.¡± He pulled his trusty camp ax from its sheath. ¡°I¡¯ll take the first one that attacks. You handle the second one?¡±


    Nila¡¯s eyes were wide, but she nodded and tightened her two-handed grip on her bat.


    ¡°Remy, watch our backs.¡±


    Without waiting for a reply, Cal stepped over the dead gremlin. He had to suppress a gag at the sight of its smashed head. It was like a watermelon that had been dropped. His mind was open, sensing the malicious and hungry thoughts hiding in the shadows. He could tell that there was something like building anticipation, an eagerness barely restrained. Like a deluge filling up a dam bit by bit, taking it to the edge. When it burst he was ready.


    The gremlin came out of the darkness low to the ground, but Cal was ready. The ax in his right hand was already in the middle of its downward swing. The sharp blade bit deep into the gremlin¡¯s head. Its limbs twitched for a few seconds, the last confused signals of a dead brain, before it stilled.


    At the same time beside him Nila let out a loud shout, mixed anger and fear. She batted the gremlin that came at her like a home run ball into the wall next to the door where Remy was standing. It struggled to rise, but its legs refused to listen. Nila rushed over to the stricken monster and ended it like she had done to the other one.


    ¡°Fuck you!¡± Eron¡¯s roar shook the room.


    He burst up from his prone position throwing the gremlins off his back. Before they could recover he was on them. One he grabbed by the face and slammed into the ground, breaking the tile and destroying the back of its skull. The second he punched in the face as it rushed him again. It was thrown back to land in a heap. Its head resembled that fallen watermelon.


    ¡°Thanks for the help guys,¡± Eron said with a roll of his eyes.


    Cal looked his youngest brother over. The graphic of the badger holding a beer stein on Eron¡¯s favorite t-shirt was unrecognizable, ripped to shreds. There were numerous scratches on his body, thin welts, a little blood, but nothing that looked serious.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think you needed any,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Well¡­ yeah, but it¡¯s the thought that counts,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Disinfect those scratches. Then we¡¯ll talk about how to hit the next room.¡±


    ¡°Do I really need to? Barely broke the skin.¡±


    ¡°Not worth the risk.¡± Nila was already pulling out a small bottle of alcohol and some disinfectant wipes from her pack. ¡°We don¡¯t know what kind of diseases these things might be carrying.¡±


    ¡°Might have magic diseases,¡± Remy said as he held the lantern over Nila¡¯s shoulder.


    The next classroom encounter they challenged went more smoothly. The plan was to move into the room in a proper formation this time. Once again Eron took the lead since he had proved that his skin was too tough for even these larger gremlins¡¯ claws to do more than leave scratches. Nila and Cal flanked Eron on either side, entering after him. While Remy with the lantern brought up the rear.


    The group stood close together anchored on Remy¡¯s position just inside the door. This time Cal was focused on the thoughts that the gremlins gave off, so he was able to call out their attacks a second before they happened.


    Just like in the first classroom, Eron attracted the bulk of the gremlins. Three jumped out at him from the darkness. Two came at him high from the left and the right, while one came at him straight on. He was ready thanks to Cal¡¯s warning. The latter gremlin he kicked right in the chest, crushing its rib cage. The gremlin flopped to the ground on its back and remained still. Eron caught the former around their necks, one in each hand.


    Nila slammed her gremlin with her bat, going yard for the second time. The gremlin was sent crashing into the wall to her left. Its head was a red ruin that hung at an unnatural angle down to its chest.


    ¡°Whoo!¡± Nila cheered then immediately looked embarrassed.


    ¡°Nice! Two for two,¡± Cal said as he struggled to pull his ax from where it got stuck in the last gremlin¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Rem, you want to hurry up,¡± Eron said. ¡°These things stink.¡± He held the two gremlins out as far as he could from his body. The monsters were weakly clawing at his arms as they struggled against his vice-like grip around their necks.


    ¡°Loosen up on your grip,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°No way! They¡¯ll go crazy if I give them air.¡±


    ¡°Remy needs to be the one most responsible for killing them,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± Remy handed the lantern to Cal.


    ¡°Mostly. It¡¯s just a guess, but I think the amount of Universal Points you get for killing a monster is proportional to the amount of damage,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°In other words the one most responsible for getting the kill gets the biggest slice of the pie,¡± Eron said. ¡°I¡¯ll release this one first,¡± he waved the gremlin in his left hand. ¡°Let me know when you¡¯re ready.¡±


    Remy gripped his machete and took a deep breath as he moved closer. Nila and Cal moved back closer to the door to give him space.


    ¡°The room¡¯s clear. Just those two left,¡± Cal said. He didn¡¯t detect any more gremlins with his telepathy.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯m ready,¡± Remy nodded at Eron, who released the gremlin and jumped away from it.


    Remy rushed forward and stabbed his machete into the disoriented gremlin¡¯s gut. He twisted the blade before he withdrew it and hacked a horizontal slash into the gremlin¡¯s neck. The dead gremlin toppled over and almost dragged the machete blade out of his hand. He tightened his grip and pulled it out with a sick squelch.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    ¡°Man, that was brutal,¡± Eron said. ¡°Ready for number two?¡±


    Remy was breathing heavily, but he nodded nonetheless. The second gremlin fared just as well as the first.


    <hr>


    ¡°Huh? The giant gremlins seem to have a laughably small aggro radius,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°What¡¯re you talking about?¡± Nila kept a wary eye down the dark hallway, bat at the ready.


    ¡°He means that the gremlins won¡¯t attack or follow unless you get pretty close,¡± Cal said. ¡°At least that¡¯s what it looks like.¡±


    The group was at the doors on the other end of the hallway. After they cleared the second classroom they skipped the remaining six. They had crept along cautiously, ready for each closed door they passed to suddenly burst open with monsters. Luckily, nothing happened or maybe it was unlucky.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be hard to pull the plan off if Eron needs to open every door,¡± Remy said. ¡°We might need to help out with that.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to do that,¡± Nila said. ¡°Let¡¯s not do that.¡±


    ¡°Can you use your powers to pull them open? The handles are metal.¡± Eron said.


    A look of concentration came across Remy¡¯s face. After a few seconds of straining he shook his head in disgust. ¡°You were right,¡± he said to Eron. ¡°I should¡¯ve been working to get stronger.¡±


    ¡°Hey man, it¡¯s alright.¡± Eron patted Remy on the shoulder. ¡°You only got them like two weeks ago.¡±


    ¡°Maybe they can¡¯t open doors,¡± Cal mused.


    ¡°Maybe not every room is full of monsters,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°No, I can sense them in there. Five in each room, just like the rooms we went in,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got an idea!¡± Eron said brightly. ¡°Get ready everyone.¡±


    ¡°Eron wa¡ª!¡± Cal reached out for his brother.


    He was too slow. Eron pushed the doors behind him open with the loud crack of the broken lock.


    Nothing happened.


    ¡°Huh? I thought that might work. Oh well,¡± Eron shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m out of ideas.¡±


    The rest of the group looked at Eron with a mix of disbelief and anger.


    Before Cal could scold his brother the classroom doors, all six of them, suddenly burst open. Giant gremlins poured out, howling and snarling, they rushed the group.


    Eron threw himself bodily at the mass of gremlins in an effort to hold back the tide. Cal watched helplessly as his brother threw wild punches before being swallowed up underneath the mass.


    ¡°Back, back, back!¡± Cal said desperately as he pulled Remy and Nila out the doors. He had a vague hope that the doors marked the boundary of the gremlins aggro zone, but from the way they were running at them with no signs of slowly down he was mistaken. ¡°Bottleneck them!¡± He barely had the time to shout as he drew his knife in his left hand to accompany the ax in his right.


    Cal met the gremlins just on the other side of the doors as they plowed them open. He choked his grip up on the ax handle to shorten his swings. The tight spacing and the sheer number of gremlins made wide swings unwise.


    It was a desperate fight. He punched and hacked with his ax while stabbing with his knife. Gremlins clawed at him from what felt like every directions. They cut through his thick jacket to draw blood. They grabbed and bit at his legs.


    While Cal drew the bulk of the attention, a few gremlins skirted out on either side of him and rushed for Nila and Remy. The gremlins weren¡¯t able to swamp them, which spelled doom for the monsters. Nila was free to smash each as it came for her and Remy hacked away with a ferocity that drew on the concern he felt for his family.


    Both were left drawing deep breaths when they finally realized that there were no more gremlins attacking them. Neither hesitated to leap to Cal¡¯s aide. Together, they were able to handle the remaining gremlins.


    ¡°Hurry! We have to help Eron,¡± Cal gasped. He was a frightening sight. Blood dripped from dozens of cuts and bites all over his arms and legs, even his face wasn¡¯t spared.


    ¡°Oh my god, Cal.¡± Nila¡¯s face was a mask of worry.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine,¡± Cal waved her away. ¡°It¡¯s Eron that¡¯s in trouble.¡±


    ¡°Nah, I¡¯m good.¡± Eron appeared suddenly from the dark hallway. His t-shirt was completely gone and his jeans weren¡¯t in much better shape. He was drenched in blood just like Cal.


    ¡°Damn it, Cal! I need to take care of you, now!¡± Nila was frantically digging into her pack.


    ¡°Okay, but let¡¯s get into some cover first,¡± Cal said as he walked unsteadily to the left hand side of the building.


    He stopped around the corner near some bushes on a grassy lawn that ended at a wrought iron fence with the open street on the other side. Nila knelt down at his side, while Remy held up the candle lantern to give her some light to work with. He smartly kept his body between the candle light and the street.


    ¡°That was really smart!¡± Remy snapped at Eron.


    ¡°It worked though,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Yeah, maybe, but it almost got us killed,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°It¡¯s not as bad as it looks,¡± Cal said with a wince as Nila was drenching him in alcohol and wiping his wounds.


    ¡°You can argue later,¡± Nila said. ¡°I need to get these cleaned up as quickly as possible. Shouldn¡¯t someone be on watch or something.¡±


    ¡°I got it,¡± Eron said. ¡°Sorry, Cal.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, you just have to remember that not everyone is as invincible as you are,¡± Cal said. ¡°As long as it doesn¡¯t kill us then I¡¯ll take it as a good learning experience.¡±


    Eron nodded at that before he walked around the corner and out of sight.


    ¡°You¡¯re too easy on him,¡± Remy said. ¡°You never get mad.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m mad, just wouldn¡¯t help anything to yell,¡± Cal said. ¡°Ow, ow, ow!¡±


    ¡°Look, I need to make sure there aren¡¯t any teeth or bits of cloth in these bites,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Yeah, but can you maybe not dig around in there like you¡¯re looking for buried treasure,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a doctor. Before this started the most I¡¯ve ever had to deal with were tiny cuts. So, sorry if my once a year first aid training certification class isn¡¯t up to your standards. Now you can keep quiet while I clean these out and super glue them shut or you can do it yourself.¡±


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Cal said. ¡°Thanks for patching me up all the time, Nila.¡± He grinned sheepishly.


    ¡°Yeah, well you¡¯re not welcome. I¡¯d rather not be doing this at all,¡± Nila grumbled.


    ¡°No argument there. I¡¯m hoping I can pick up bulletproof skin like Eron,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You think that¡¯s possible? We didn¡¯t have a choice on the class we got and I got the impression when I was in the spire that we couldn¡¯t add to it,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Cal said. ¡°But there was a lot under race that was hidden.¡±


    ¡°Human hybrid? What the hell are we?¡±


    ¡°No idea, Remy, but we¡¯ll find out soon enough.¡±


    As soon as Cal¡¯s wounds were patched up Nila made a soft whistle and threw a bottle of alcohol and some wipes at Eron, who emerged from the darkness. ¡°You can take care of yourself.¡±


    While the youngest Cruces brother took care of his minor scratches Cal went over their next step.


    ¡°Okay, so that could¡¯ve gone better, but at least now we know that we can go ahead with our plan,¡± Cal said. ¡°I don¡¯t think we should clear any more buildings since it¡¯d only help those racist assholes.¡±


    ¡°They already know that we¡¯re here,¡± Remy said. ¡°Remember that message when we first got here. It said that there were ten challengers on site. Four of us and from what that Ron guy told you there were five or six of those einherjar.¡±


    ¡°There should be five then, plus Jay makes the six other challengers,¡± Nila said. ¡°That¡¯s bad. This means they know we¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but they don¡¯t have any details. They don¡¯t know who we are and what we can do,¡± Cal said. ¡°All they know is that there are four invaders in their territory, taking their kills.¡±


    ¡°Right, so they¡¯re going to be rushing or looking for us,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I had a thought about that,¡± Remy said as he pointed at the largest building on campus. It stood three stories high and was maybe twice as long and as wide as the one they just went through. ¡°That¡¯s the best hunting spot in regards to efficiency thanks to the concentration of monsters. I¡¯m betting that they¡¯re in there.¡±


    ¡°Walk me through your reasoning,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°They¡¯ve been running this thing daily for over a month, so if they¡¯re competent they¡¯ve got to have the most efficient path down. This means they start at that building and they start at the top floor,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°That¡¯s perfect!¡± Eron joined in. ¡°I can start at the bottom and bring the party right to them. They¡¯ll be trapped.¡±


    ¡°What if our arrival threw them off?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d bet that it won¡¯t matter, Cal,¡± Remy said. ¡°It might even guarantee that they¡¯d want to lock down the best source of kills as soon as they could.¡±


    ¡°Or they could be looking for us,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°You¡¯d be able to sense them though, right, Cal?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Eron,¡± Cal said. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m convinced. We go for the big building. Let¡¯s skirt the central courtyard. I don¡¯t want to walk out exposed in the open. We¡¯ll be able to check the other buildings along the edges as well. See if they¡¯ve been cleared.¡±

 10. Train-ing

    Then


    The group checked three more buildings similar in size and layout to the first one they went into. All of the doors were still locked, which was a good sign. The three story building loomed large in the darkness. It towered over the rest of the structures on the campus. According to Remy it was fairly new, just three years old. It was part of the first stage of what was going to be a three part plan to modernize the school. The centerpiece of a modern, technologically integrated high school campus of the future.


    They crept closer to the gleaming double doors and even with the weak light provided by the candle lantern partially hidden in Remy¡¯s hands they could tell right away that they were in the right place.


    The doors were ajar. The part where they met in the middle were crumpled. The two-inch thick metal was treated like tin foil and the locking mechanism was scattered on the ground.


    Eron reached out and gripped the edge of one door with his hands. His face grew red and the muscles in his arms flexed as he tried to twist the metal. Eventually it gave way and bent with a squealing sound that was too loud in the eerie silence of the dark night.


    Eron shook his head then gave Cal a shrug. Not good.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, you aren¡¯t going to fight Jay.¡± Cal kept his voice low. ¡°Just stick to the plan and use your speed.¡±


    ¡°Can you tell if they¡¯re in there?¡±


    ¡°Give me a few seconds, Remy.¡± Cal focused on with his thoughts. There was a strained feeling, similar to an overworked muscle if he had to describe it. He had felt the first stirrings of a headache start coming on after their near disastrous encounter with the giant gremlins. He reached for the classrooms just within the doorway. Malice and anger, as he expected. He reached further into the building. The stress on his mind built up. Again the same impressions. Next he reached up to the second floor, he could only go as far as the closest two rooms, but it was enough. ¡°I think we¡¯re good. I could only get to about half way, but the first floor hasn¡¯t been cleared yet and two classrooms up on the second floor,¡± he pointed to the ceiling, ¡°are still full of those things.¡±


    ¡°Then they¡¯re still on the third floor,¡± Remy said. ¡°We have to hurry.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll check again when we get to the other end of the hallway,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You¡¯re bleeding,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Here, let me.¡± Nila took a tissue out of her pocket and wiped at the blood trickling out of Cal¡¯s nostrils. She then tore the tissue and wadded up two small pieces and promptly shoved them up his nostrils.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Cal said with a muffled voice. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go.¡± He gestured for Eron to lead the way.


    The tension built as they entered the long hallway. Banks of lockers, stacked three high, lined the walls on both sides. Each time they passed a classroom door they tensed up instinctively even though from their earlier experience they knew that the doors would remain closed unless they attempted to exit the building.


    Cal intermittently used his telepathy to peak at the floor above him. The now familiar mental signature of the gremlins was the only thing he could make out. A good thing, it meant that Jay and his so-called einherjar were likely still on the third floor.


    It took them a few minutes to reach the doors on the other end of the hallway. The building was twice as long as the first one, which meant that there were eight classrooms on each side, sixteen in total, eighty giant gremlins just waiting to be unleashed.


    ¡°Doors are still locked,¡± Cal whispered.


    ¡°What about the second floor?¡± Eron was taping his thighs with his fingers. A quick staccato that was a sure sign that he was nervous.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Remy said. ¡°Either opening these doors also triggers it or it doesn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s like the first building and attempting to exit without clearing it triggers the rest of the monsters inside,¡± Eron shrugged, ¡°going to be hard if I have to get past an entire floor of them.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a chance that the boundaries are set by floors,¡± Cal said. ¡°So, for this floor it triggers when a person tries to go outside or up the stairs to the next level.¡±


    ¡°Right, so it doesn¡¯t matter. There¡¯s a good chance that I¡¯ll have two hundred after me regardless,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Just keep moving. They won¡¯t be able to stop you,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°More powerful than a locomotive,¡± Remy added.


    ¡°Okay, okay.¡± Eron took a couple of deep breaths and bounced lightly on his toes. ¡°I¡¯m ready when you are.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see you on the other side,¡± Cal said. ¡°On three.¡±


    When Cal reached the end of his countdown he pushed hard on the doors and ran for all that he was worth despite the pain from the bite wounds scattered on his legs. Remy and Nila followed right behind him as the three ran outside the building. Eron went the other way, deeper into the darkness, pursued by a howling, snarling horde of giant gremlins.


    <hr>


    Eron ran for it, faster than he had ever been capable of before. He had never been the athletic type. The last time he had played any sort of organized sport was back in middle school, soccer if he remembered correctly. It was a strange, uncomfortable feeling to realize that his body was now a superhuman machine of power and speed. It felt like riding a bucking bronco, not that he knew what that was like, but he imagined it¡¯d be a close enough comparison. When he moved his body it was almost like his mind was a half-step behind. Like he was just along for the ride. He had been working hard to remedy that and he felt that he was getting better, but his growing power had a tendency to keep surprising him.


    He was glad for all of it as eighty giant gremlins chased after him, like hounds baying for his foxy hide. At least Cal said there was eighty. He had to admit that as useful as Cal¡¯s telepathy had proved, it sort of bothered him to think that his oldest brother had the ability to look into other¡¯s thoughts. Although, Cal had promised not to do read his mind, a part of Eron was leery of the whole thing. After all, as that awesome saying went, ¡®who watches the watchmen?¡¯


    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    As Eron neared the stairwell to the second floor he saw that a mass of gremlins was running right at him. Combined with the ones right behind him the monsters were just about ready to make a nice and tasty human sandwich.


    Screw that! Eron thought.


    He put on a burst of speed, his legs pumping like pistons. He plowed right into the gremlins, his arms covering his face. He could feel and hear gremlin bones breaking as he collided with them. A grimace crossed his face. It was extremely gross.


    He planted his feet and came to a sliding halt right at the stairs. He clambered up, partially on his hands. As he reached the first landing he realized that he was going too fast. His feet slid as he tried to make the tight U-turn. Turns out Converse All Stars didn¡¯t have good traction.


    Eron grunted in pain as he slammed right into the wall. Bits of drywall, broken wood, and dust exploded around him as his body left a deep impression.


    The momentary halt gave the gremlins time to catch up to Eron. They grasped at him with clawed hands. He swatted and shoved them away desperately as he hurried up the stairs.


    More gremlins awaited him on the second floor. They swarmed him, biting and clawing, trying to bring him down with sheer numbers. Eron roared and exploded with all his strength as he kept his legs moving, like a running back that simply refused to go down. Up the second set of stairs to the third floor he went, dragging the handful of gremlins that clung to him like stubborn leeches.


    Thirty feet down the hallway, lit by two torches was a group of dangerous looking men. Jay and his einherjar in the flesh. Hard-eyed they glared at Eron with undisguised contempt. The man front and center was a lot bigger than the others, who were all noticeably larger than Eron.


    ¡°Kill the subhuman trash.¡±


    One of the other men raised his shotgun without hesitation.


    Eron was quicker. He grabbed the gremlin that was hanging on his back and pulled it over in front of him. The blast of the shotgun boomed through the hallway. The gremlin shield did its job and took the entirety of the blast. The gremlin twitched as Eron threw it back down the stairs.


    Eron glanced in that direction. It seemed that the gremlins from the first two floors had created a logjam with their bodies. In their haste to reach him, they ended up getting tangled up with each other. For the moment they weren¡¯t a concern.


    The man with the shotgun chambered another shell with a loud clack. Again, Eron proved quicker. He grabbed a gremlin that was trying to gnaw at his leg and threw it at the man. The speed at which he sent it flying surprised him.


    The big man, Jay, moved with a quickness that belied his bulk as he stepped in front of his einherjar and slapped the flying gremlin away with a backhand.


    In quick succession, Eron threw the remaining gremlins that were on him. Jay batted each one aside with open contempt, a sneer on his face.


    ¡°That all you got, spic,¡± he spat.


    Eron merely shook his head. ¡°This is why racists are stupid,¡± he said with disdain, ¡°can¡¯t ever get it right.¡±


    Jay¡¯s face grew red as he bared his teeth.


    Eron looked down the stairs. His eyes widened. The traffic jam was clearing up. It was like the starter¡¯s pistol was just fired and the race was on.


    Eron bolted forward straight at Jay and his men. At the last moment he dived on the floor, sliding through Jay¡¯s open legs. He kicked out hard, against Jay¡¯s ankle, causing the big man to fall to one knee.


    Eron scrambled to his feet. Another shotgun-wielding man aimed and fired point blank into Eron¡¯s face, but he was quicker still, he had raised his arm up on reflex to shield his face. He felt the sting of the buckshot on his arm. With his other hand he grabbed the gun¡¯s barrel and yanked it out of the einherjar¡¯s hands. In the same motion he swung it in a wide arc, driving back the other einherjar and clearing a space.


    ¡°Fireball!¡±


    ¡°The fu¡ª?¡± Eron felt a concentrated splash of extreme heat right between his shoulder blades. It hurt like scalding water, but it wasn¡¯t enough to stop him.


    Eron ran down the hall and spotted an open classroom door to his left. He stopped and stared Jay and the einherjar down. ¡°Choo, choo¡­ motherfuckers!¡± He ran into the room and didn¡¯t stop as he crashed through the window and out into the cold night air.


    In the building behind him the sounds of vicious battle rang out. Shotgun and spell blasts, men screaming, and monsters snarling.


    The plan worked! Eron had a moment of exultation before the feeling and the wind were knocked out of him when he hit the concrete.


    <hr>


    The three members of the group that had stayed together were waiting in the shadow of a concessions stand while they nervously kept an eye on the three story building a short distance away. Maybe a minute had passed, based on his admittedly less than accurate internal count when they heard the first gunshot. It caused all three to flinch.


    The silence that followed was tense and it seemed to draw on forever. They were expecting more gunshots and as the seconds ticked by without another they grew more anxious. When the second shot finally rang out they flinched again.


    ¡°What¡¯s taking him so long?¡± Remy spoke to no one in particular.


    Cal was about to say something to his brother, he didn¡¯t know exactly what, but no doubt it would be comforting, when the crash of a broken window saved him the trouble.


    They watched with open mouths as the form of who could only be Eron came flying out of the third story window and tumbled head over heels in the darkness of the night. They cringed as Eron hit the ground hard and bounced several times before rolling into a heap.


    ¡°He¡¯s going to be okay, right?¡± Remy¡¯s hand tightened on Cal¡¯s shoulder.


    Cal could only nod.


    By the time the trio made it to Eron¡¯s side he was already standing. He brushed the shards of glass out of his hair and stretched the kinks out of his body.


    ¡°You okay?¡±


    ¡°Sure, Cal, just great,¡± Eron said flatly. ¡°I mean I only got shot, hit with a fireball, fell thirty feet, and bounced on the concrete a couple of times.¡±


    ¡°Fireball?¡± Remy raised a brow.


    ¡°Apparently,¡± Eron shrugged. ¡°But aside from my problems. I¡¯m happy to report that ¡®Plan Nila¡¯ is a complete success.¡±


    Nila rolled her eyes. ¡°I still don¡¯t get why you keep calling it that.¡±


    ¡°We already explained this,¡± Eron said. ¡°I played the train engine and the monsters were the cars. I pulled them all to those racists douchebags, hence the phrase ¡®to train¡¯. It¡¯s kind of an old school thing. I remember it from mmo¡¯s back in the early to mid 2000¡¯s when I was a kid.¡±


    ¡°I think it goes back even further, but I¡¯m not sure. I didn¡¯t start playing those games until after college,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Everquest,¡± Remy said. ¡°I played for a week on a free trial.¡±


    ¡°Just because I work at a railroad museum, you name it after me,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°It¡¯s perfect!¡± Eron grinned.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ve heard of another reference using the word train and it¡¯s not a nice one.¡± Nila frowned at him.


    ¡°I¡¯ve no idea of what you could be referring to,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Whatever,¡± Nila said flatly. ¡°Let¡¯s go, while those guys are busy.¡± She waved a hand up toward the third floor of the building that Eron just defenestrated himself out of.


    The sounds of battle continued to ring out behind them as they made their way to the football field. Their approach was aided by the darkness and a lack of light in the open space that led to the field. They quickly made their way to the bleachers and waited there, crouched in the shadows.

 11. Concentrating, Camping

    Then


    ¡°Tell me about Jay and the einherjar,¡± Cal whispered to Eron.


    Eron scratched at the rough stubble on his chin. ¡°Jay¡¯s stronger than me. He was slapping gremlins out of the air like they were flies, breaking them easy. I hurt him though, kicked him in the ankle. Huge motherfucker¡ª¡±


    ¡°Language!¡± Remy snapped.


    Eron narrowed his eyes. ¡°Relax, your kids aren¡¯t around.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you to get into the habit for when they are.¡±


    ¡°Fine, whatever¡­ as I was saying, the dude looks like one of those strong men, or like the dude who plays the Mountain. Total douchbag. Tight Under Armour shirt, shaved head, tactical gear, and like a wannabe black ops beard. Man, they were all like that.¡±


    ¡°The einherjar?¡±


    ¡°Who the fu¡ª, hell calls themselves that, unironically?¡± Eron scoffed. ¡°They could almost cut me with their edge,¡± he rolled his eyes. ¡°But yeah, they hit all the stereotypes. Seriously, for a group of people who do nothing but stereotype everyone else, how do they not see what they are?¡±


    ¡°Their hatred of others is a reflection of their own insecurities,¡± Remy said. ¡°Deep down they see themselves as less than, so to compensate they view those different as even less.¡±


    ¡°You said one hit you with a fireball?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t actually see it, but the loser did yell out ¡®fireball¡¯ and then I felt a very hot sensation hit me in the back,¡± Eron said. ¡°It felt like a baseball, physically.¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°With the added heat element. Hence a literal ball of fire.¡±


    ¡°If I still had a shirt you could check for scorch marks,¡± Eron shrugged.


    Cal took the small candle lantern from Remy and moved to look at Eron¡¯s back. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re right. It looks like there¡¯s a small circle of soot or ash.¡±


    ¡°Are you done?¡± Remy poked at Cal. ¡°We¡¯re so close, I want to get my wife and kids out of there,¡± he gestured sharply at the football field.


    Cal nodded. ¡°I¡¯m as recovered as I¡¯ll ever be.¡±


    ¡°Does your head hurt? Nose still bleeding?¡± Nila looked at him with concern.


    ¡°I¡¯m at about a five, head-wise. Nose is fine.¡± Cal looked at the football field through the bleachers.


    The entire playing area from end zone to end zone was enclosed by a chain link fence topped with concertina wire. Inside were dozens of tents packed tightly together. There was maybe just enough space for three or four people abreast to walk in the aisles between the rows. Roving on both sides of the fence were the remainder of Jay¡¯s men. From what Cal could see these weren¡¯t armed with shotguns. They all had some sort of melee weapon in their hands. Still, they had to proceed with the assumption that the ones they couldn¡¯t see were armed with guns.


    ¡°Alright, I think we go with our basic plan,¡± Cal said. ¡°Eron¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll make a scene, draw as much attention away.¡±


    ¡°Start there,¡± Cal pointed toward the end zone to their right. There was something about the cluster of tents at the left end zone that drew his attention. ¡°The rest of us will start at the other end.¡±


    ¡°Can you tell if Megan and the kids are over there?¡± Remy caught on quickly.


    ¡°Not yet, but maybe when we get closer,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m off,¡± Eron grinned. ¡°Wait for my signal.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the signal?¡± Remy frowned.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯ll know it when you hear it.¡± With that Eron ran off at a half crouch, skirting just outside the edge of the burning torch lights of the makeshift concentration camp.


    ¡°He¡¯s not taking this seriously enough,¡± Remy said with a look of exasperation at Cal.


    ¡°He is¡­ in his own way.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid he might get himself hurt if he keeps being so reckless.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much, Remy. He¡¯s tough and he just keeps getting tougher.¡± Cal found Nila¡¯s hand and gave it a squeeze. ¡°Okay, you guys just need to move without hesitation. When we encounter guards, just go on the attack. I¡¯ll use my mind powers to distract them. Basically give you guys the first shot.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can,¡± Remy said as he glanced down at the machete in his hand.


    Cal immediately recognized the problem. He took the small baseball bat from where it was tied to Nila¡¯s pack and handed it to his brother. ¡°Less than lethal. You¡¯re stronger than you were, but not significantly so. Which means you don¡¯t have to hold back as much.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± Remy sheathed his machete at his side before taking the bat. ¡°I¡¯ve been practicing, not as much as I should¡¯ve been, I know that now. I¡¯ve got a good idea at how hard I can hit someone without killing them.¡±


    ¡°Good to hear.¡± Cal gave his brother a smile. ¡°You ready, Nila?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s going to be a lot easier to fight regular people than those gremlins,¡± Nila sighed, ¡°I can¡¯t believe those words just came out of my mouth.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s been a lot of unbelievable things happening,¡± Cal said. ¡°Let¡¯s get in position and wait for Eron¡¯s signal.¡±


    Remy blew out the candle lantern and hooked it to the carabiner at his belt. He wanted to be able to use both his hands. Besides, there was plenty of light where they were going.


    <hr>


    ¡°Come and have a go, if you think you¡¯re hard enough!¡± Eron¡¯s shout broke the still quiet of the night.


    ¡°Did he really just quote that?¡± Remy shook his head.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah he did.¡± Cal echoed the exasperation.


    ¡°Why does that sound familiar?¡±


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Cal chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s from that classic movie you hated,¡± he said to Nila. ¡°The one with the Scottish werewolves fighting British soldiers.¡±


    A look of recognition crossed Nila¡¯s face. ¡°I remember that. Why you think it¡¯s a classic, I¡¯ll never understand.¡±


    ¡°Seriously?¡± Remy frowned. ¡°You didn¡¯t like it? It was pretty great.¡±


    ¡°Guys, please focus!¡± Nila huffed.


    The trio was lying prone on the grass just outside the reach of the burning torches that where hung liberally all along the chain link fence. Hidden by the darkness, they watched as Eron¡¯s ridiculous battle cry drew the patrolling guards to his position on the opposite end of the football field.


    As soon as the coast was clear they got up and sprinted across the grass, across the orange track that ringed the football field. They didn¡¯t stop until they reached the fence.


    With a look of concentration, Remy focused on the fence. It slowly gave way to his magnetic power. The links tore and peeled back to make an opening that Cal led the others through.


    He crept near the rear of an especially large tent. From the lantern light within he could make out several silhouettes. Judging by their sizes a few were children. Cal came to a stop and raised his fist, only for Nila to bump into him. He looked back and frowned at her.


    Sorry, Nila mouthed the word.


    Cal called on his telepathy, once again the pain in his brain grew stronger. It seemed that he was reaching his limit for the night. He pushed past it and followed the threads of thought inside the tent. He recognized three almost immediately. He probed further and found a potential problem.


    Within the tent among the other minds, two stood out. They¡¯re thoughts sickened Cal. There was hatred and lust in a mingled soup of vileness. He found that those two yielded more threads, which he followed to the outside front of the tent. Two more minds of a similar bent.


    Cal held up four fingers for Nila and Remy to see. Then he gestured to the interior of the tent and then to the front.


    The original plan was to locate Megan, Tessa, and Veronica, then cut an opening in the back of their tent to get them out. That was no longer safe. There were too many people inside the tent with them, including two of Jay¡¯s men. Add the two right outside the tent and discovery was all but assured.


    ¡°I¡¯ll come up from the right side and distract the two out front,¡± Cal whispered. ¡°You two will hit them from the left side. After that, I¡¯ll draw the two from inside and you guys jumps them as they come out.¡±


    Two quick nods and the group moved to take their positions.


    ¡°Hey, assholes!¡± Cal stepped out from the side of the tent and quickly pushed a small thought into the two men¡¯s minds. It was a simple thought really, the idea that what they were holding in their hands was extremely hot. The reaction that followed was pure reflex to the danger that only existed in their minds for that split second. They practically flung the police batons to the ground like, well, like they were holding hot coals.


    The two cops were decked out in their best tactical gear, bulletproof vests, the works. Unfortunately, they had grown complacent in their duties, guarding women and children. They had neglected to protect their most vulnerable body part. An oversight that Nila and Remy took advantage off.


    Each slammed their baseball bats into the back of the men¡¯s heads, dropping them both. Contrary to films and television, hitting someone in the back of the head didn¡¯t always guarantee an instant knockout. The two cops clung to consciousness as they tried to get back to their feet. Nila and Remy simply hit them a few more times until they stopped moving.


    The sudden violence on the outside of the tent drew attention from the inside.


    ¡°The hell is going on out there?¡± A rough voice called from within.


    Nila and Remy exchanged a worried look as Cal frantically waved them back, pointing toward the side of the tent that they had just emerged from. Nila moved quickly and retreated. For whatever reason Remy didn¡¯t, which left him out in the open right in the sights of the shotgun barrel that emerged from the tent¡¯s front opening.


    ¡°Motherfucker!¡± The man that held the shotgun spat out as he took in the scene of his unconscious and bleeding fellows, while Remy stood over them with a bloodstained bat. ¡°You gonna pay for that, spic!¡±


    The man had Remy dead to rights and he didn¡¯t hesitate as he aimed and fired in one smooth motion. There was nothing Cal could do, but watch in horror as his younger brother threw his hands up in front of him reflexively in a vain attempt to somehow block the spray of buckshot.


    Or at least it was futile for one without magnetic powers. To the surprise of everyone watching the scene, Remy wasn¡¯t a dead man. As the most shocked out of all of them, Remy¡¯s wide-eyed stare took in the cloud of metal pellets hovering mere inches from his face.


    ¡°Shit!¡± The man pumped his shotgun, ejecting the spent shell and chambering another.


    Cal acted, dashing forward aiming to tackle the cop, but he already knew that he wasn¡¯t going to be fast enough.


    He needn¡¯t have bothered. Remy, a look of grim determination on his face, pushed out with his hands. It looked as if he flinging a heavy medicine ball. Except what he threw forward were just eight small metal pellets.


    The pellets peppered the shotgun wielding cop an instant before he squeezed the trigger. He fell back into the tent, while his shot went way above Remy¡¯s head.


    A second shotgun barrel appeared at the entrance.


    Cal¡¯s abbreviated charge placed him in the right spot to grab the barrel and force it to the ground. The cop on the other end squeezed the trigger. The shot caused Cal to flinch and let go. The man swung the shotgun toward Cal, who dropped to the ground just as the second shot fired, barely missing him.


    The blast was deafening, but Cal ignored the ringing in his ears. He exploded forward and executed a double leg takedown. The last time he did something like that was back in his high school wrestling days. So he could be excused for sloppy technique. Fortunately, his greatly enhanced strength pitted up against normal human strength rendered that concern moot.


    Cal plowed into the man, his shoulder right in the man¡¯s stomach. The unnatural force of the impact carried the man up in the air for a good distance before Cal planted him into the ground. He winced at the sound and feeling of the man¡¯s ribs breaking. The man¡¯s bones weren¡¯t strong enough to handle being the middle element of the sandwich between Cal¡¯s body and the unyielding ground. When an unstoppable force meets an immovable object, whatever is in between loses.


    Remy and Nila rushed into the massive tent right after.


    The first cop was bleeding from the pellets Remy had shot into his face, but he tried to point his shotgun anyways. Remy rushed in and slammed him in the face with the bat before he could squeeze the trigger. He dropped his consciousness along with the shotgun, which Remy kicked back toward the tent¡¯s opening.


    Cal stood up and did the same with the second cop¡¯s shotgun. He stared down at the man, who was flat on his back, struggling to breathe. He couldn¡¯t find it in himself to care. ¡°Stay down or else,¡± he said flatly.


    ¡°Remy!¡±


    ¡°Daddy!¡±


    ¡°Megan! Tessa! Veronica!¡± Remy¡¯s voice was full of relief. He dropped his bat and rushed to embrace his family.


    Cal scanned the tent interior. It was enormous, for a tent, belatedly he realized it was more of a yurt than a tent. It was like a spacious living room, cots were arranged in rows and there were two openings on each side that led into bedroom sized chambers.


    There were seven other people besides his family members. All women and girls, ranging in age from six-ish to somewhere in the thirties based on his best guess. All of them were looking at him with a mix of confusion and fear. Mostly the latter, he could tell from the thoughts they were giving off.


    ¡°Uh¡­ right¡­ so, you¡¯re all free to go back to your homes,¡± Cal said. A few of the women made for the front opening. ¡°Not right now,¡± he said quickly. ¡°I mean, we¡¯re not keeping you hear. Well we are, but only until we take care of the rest of them,¡± he jerked his thumb at the unconscious man near his feet. ¡°So just sit tight and keep your heads down¡­ just for now.¡±


    ¡°Very smooth,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Hey, Remy, I¡¯m going to check on Eron,¡± Cal ignored his girlfriend. ¡°You going to be okay in here?¡±


    Remy nodded, too consumed in his family embrace to speak.


    ¡°Nila, I¡¯m going to ask you to keep an eye on things in here,¡± Cal said. ¡°Maybe give them a rundown on the plan.¡±


    Nila looked like she was about to object, but she swallowed her protest and nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll get them ready to go.¡±


    Cal moved closer to Nila. ¡°See if you can find out why they were separated out from the rest. And why they¡¯re here in the first place. Ron said that they were letting white people go back to their homes. I¡¯ve got an idea, but it¡¯s better to hear it from a first hand source.¡±


    ¡°What if they want to leave immediately?¡±


    ¡°Then let them go. We¡¯re not the government, we can¡¯t force people to do things. Besides, I¡¯m guessing they already know what kind of dangers are out there in the dark.¡±


    With that Cal ducked out of the tent and ran toward the other end zone. He could hear the sounds of a fight, but he couldn¡¯t see anything with all of the tents in his way. He could only hope that Eron was handling his part of the plan and that he was safe.

 12. A Wild Boss Appears

    Then


    Cal ran past rows of tents. The commotion that his group had created was finally drawing people out of their slumber. Here and there he could see several people emerging from their small tents. It didn¡¯t escape his notice that without exception they were all women and that they were of a variety of different ethnicities with the one exception. It seemed that the racists were trying to bring back segregation and one other thing. The very thought of which threatened to pull a murderous rage from somewhere deep within Cal. It was a feeling that he didn¡¯t like.


    He would see to it that Jay and his group paid for what they probably did to these women. A month in such vile clutches was undoubtedly a terrible experience.


    As Cal went by people he urged them all to take cover, just in case. He shouted out promises that they¡¯d be soon free.


    It didn¡¯t take him long to reach the other end zone. What he saw there brought the gorge rising up his throat.


    In a separate fenced in area was a group of ragged-looking men and boys. He counted twenty-three. He immediately realized that number was greatly out of proportion to the number of women. Meatshields, Ron had told him. He expected to find this. He thought he had prepared himself, but he was wrong. To see it with his own eyes. To smell the decay, the dying. He was wrong, there was no way he was ever going to be ready to face such evil.


    The captives had nothing, but the rags on them. They were right out in the open, exposed to the elements. No tents, sleeping bags, even a simple tarp. The racist cops truly lived up to the monsters they idolized. Such filth all of them. The rage built inside of Cal, but he reluctantly swallowed it back down alongside the bile. He couldn¡¯t allow himself to descend to the same level as the racists, especially where his family could see him.


    Not a single man or boy was free from an injury of some kind. They were practically covered in bruises and cuts. Dried blood crusted on their skin. From the stench and the pus that he could see leaking out of the worst of the wounds they were badly infected as well.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Cal muttered. The scale of what lay in front of him was overwhelming. How was he going to help them? He looked back to the gathering crowd of women and girls. How was he going to help all of these people? Suddenly, it didn¡¯t seem enough to simply guide them back to the community center and bid them good luck.


    A familiar chime rang in Cal¡¯s ears. ¡°Damn it,¡± he said flatly.


    You have discovered a quest!


    Guide the prisoners to safety.


    Success Parameters: Varied.


    Failure Parameters: Varied.


    Reward: Contingent.


    Failure: Contingent.


    Will you accept?


    You have discovered a quest!


    Heal the prisoners.


    Success Parameters: Varied.


    Failure Parameters: Varied.


    Reward: Contingent.


    Failure: Contingent.


    Will you accept?


    ¡°Yes,¡± Cal whispered. He didn¡¯t see that there was truly a choice.


    The issue settled for the moment Cal grabbed the master lock holding the fence door that separated the end zone with the wounded from the rest of the field. He grit his teeth and twisted and turned the lock in his hands until it broke. The act surprised him. The last time he did that he needed to use a pry bar. It seemed that he was significantly stronger than he was just two months ago.


    The wounded looked at him with hope, with fear, with nothing at all. Cal tried to smile, but found it impossible. ¡°Just hang on a bit longer, we¡¯re going to get you out of here,¡± he said in a soft voice.


    Cal came to the back of the end zone. What he saw on the other side stopped him cold for just a moment. Gathering himself, he grabbed the chain link fence. If he could break a padlock then the fence was no barrier to him. He tore himself a hole and stepped through into a scene of pure carnage.


    ¡°Hey, Cal.¡±


    Eron¡¯s voice was practically a whisper, but he could hear it clearly in the eerie quiet of the night.


    ¡°I saw the guys in the end zone and¡­ and,¡± Eron choked, shook his head as if unwilling to remember. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, man, but I don¡¯t know what came over me. I was trying to pull my punches, until¡­ I wasn¡¯t¡­¡±


    Cal looked in horror at the scattered men all around Eron. A quick count confirmed that they were what remained of Jay¡¯s force. Most were wounded, unconscious, limbs sticking out in the entirely wrong directions and angles. At least those men were still alive, as far as he could tell.


    The problem was the handful of men, maybe five or six that were definitely no longer alive. A man with his face punched inward. The broken remains of his face was like a bowl of blood and brain soup. Another body was headless. It took a few seconds for Cal to locate the head a good twenty yards out in the distance, just on the edge of the torch light. There was a corpse that was folded over backwards at the waist. The sight would go on to haunt him for months. For the second time in as many minutes Cal felt himself about to be sick. He forced it down for Eron¡¯s sake as much as his own.


    Cal tried to tell himself that these men were evil and that they deserved their fates. That they had brought it upon themselves by their own evil actions. He was about to tell Eron the same, but the look in his youngest brother¡¯s eyes told him that would be a mistake.


    Eron was a good person, their parents had done their best to raise them to know the difference between what was right and what was wrong. To do what was right. And in losing control Eron had gone against what he was taught. All he had now was guilt for his failure and no words could assuage that. Cal didn¡¯t need to look into his brother¡¯s thoughts to see that. It was written plainly on Eron¡¯s stricken face.


    ¡°It¡¯s not okay, but I know that you know that already,¡± Cal said. He refused to pander to his brother. Eron wouldn¡¯t have appreciated it. ¡°The only thing you can do now is atone. Balance the scales later. For now there are people that need our help. Can you focus on that?¡± He spoke in a gentler tone.


    A glazed look came over Eron¡¯s face. Cal recognized it. After several seconds Eron¡¯s attention snapped back into focus. ¡°Did you get these quests? Take the prisoners to safety and heal the prisoners?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, so why don¡¯t you clean up a bit,¡± Cal tossed his pack to Eron, ¡°and head to the other end zone. We got Megan and the kids!¡± He brightened.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad,¡± Eron said dully.


    ¡°Just wipe yourself down,¡± Cal said. ¡°All that blood is a bit scary.¡± He grinned to lighten the sting of the words.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    ¡°What about¡­¡± Eron looked at the scattered men around them.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it,¡± Cal said. ¡°Just go.¡± He gently guided Eron by the shoulder and pushed him in the direction of the football field.


    Once his brother was gone, Cal turned to the grim task before him. The wounded he discounted immediately, they could be attended to later. The dead bodies were another matter. They were a particularly horrific sight and he didn¡¯t want to risk anyone else seeing them. One by one he dragged them further away from the light of the torches. Once he gathered them together he flung them as far away as he could into the darkness. Let the monsters and mutated animals take care of them. Once more he told himself that it was their actions that led them to their ultimate fates. Evil deeds lead to bad ends. Karmic retribution. Justice. All of it.


    ¡°They got what they deserved.¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t believe in his own words, but for his brother¡¯s sake he¡¯d make himself believe.


    <hr>


    ¡°I need two volunteers!¡± Cal had to raise his voice to be heard all the way back to midfield, where the crowd of people extended. He wasn¡¯t comfortable speaking to such a large crowd. Even just raising his voice was difficult. He always had a problem where his voice sounded louder to him than it was in reality, which caused him to be rather soft-spoken even with his naturally deep voice. ¡°If you know how to safely operate one of these,¡± he held up a shotgun, ¡°please come here.¡±


    A handful of women made their way to the crowd to stand in front of Cal.


    ¡°Right, thanks for volunteering. Why don¡¯t we go from left to right. Tell me about your proficiency level, please.¡±


    The first woman had gone shooting a handful of times with her boyfriend, just once with a shotgun. The second woman was an avid skeet shooter. The third had been in the army to pay for college several decades ago. The fourth was an actual police officer, but due to her race and gender ended up imprisoned by Jay¡¯s racist group. The remaining two were much like the first, their experience was mostly with handguns.


    Cal gave the three captured shotguns to the skeet shooter, ex-army infantry woman, and the police officer. He thanked the rest and sent them back as he went over what he expected from the three now armed women.


    There were many other matters to settle. It felt like it took much too long to get everyone ready to leave. Cal couldn¡¯t hear anything from the building where they left Jay and his einherjar with the man-sized gremlins. He had Eron on watch in case things changed, it was also partly to keep him away from the others. It hadn¡¯t gone unnoticed that Eron was being uncharacteristically morose and silent.


    Both Remy and Nila had asked him what was a matter, but Cal demurred, told them that it wasn¡¯t his place to talk and to drop it for the moment.


    ¡°We can¡¯t just leave them there,¡± Nila said.


    Cal¡¯s gaze went to the injured racists in the end zone that once held the captive men and boys used as meatshields. ¡°I don¡¯t see that we have a choice.¡±


    Nila¡¯s face twisted. ¡°God, look at them. Did Eron really do that?¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°With how fast his strength is growing and the way they swarmed him¡­ it¡¯s unfortunate, but not entirely unexpected.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯d be wrong to not do anything.¡±


    Cal frowned. ¡°We don¡¯t have the skills to treat broken bones.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a few doctors and nurses among the women, they can do it.¡±


    ¡°Would they be willing too?¡± Cal challenged.


    Nila bit her lip.


    ¡°You already asked them?¡±


    ¡°They said they had to do triage.¡± Nila looked as if she bit into a lemon. ¡°Treat the ones they could do something for easily first, then get to the really bad cases, while ignoring the ones that are hopeless.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t remember anyone coming to check on these guys.¡±


    ¡°They did bad things to these women,¡± Nila said, disgust plain on her face. ¡°I thought they all swore the Hippocratic Oath, at least the doctors.¡±


    ¡°They can make the case that the triage excuse is valid in this case. Some of those poor men and boys they used as meatshields,¡± Cal spat the word, ¡°need help badly and I¡¯d rather they get it before those scum.¡±


    ¡°It still feels wrong just to leave them like that,¡± Nila sighed.


    ¡°I¡¯m not arguing that, but we need to prioritize the peoples¡¯ safety first. They were put into this position against their will. They¡¯re the victims here.¡± Cal jabbed a finger at the racist cops. ¡°If they didn¡¯t decide to make their own concentration camps¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªthey wouldn¡¯t be in the position they¡¯re in now.¡± Nila glared at Cal. ¡°That¡¯s a dangerous way of thinking.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s true though,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°Okay, why don¡¯t we get the people to safety first. Make sure the badly injured ones are out of immediate danger. Then we can come back for the racists and maybe convince the medical people to see to their injuries.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll need to grab supplies, medicine, from the hospital or a clinic,¡± Nila said. ¡°I gave all of our first aid stuff to the doctors and nurses, but they said it wasn¡¯t going to be enough.¡±


    ¡°After we get these people out of this place,¡± Cal said. ¡°It¡¯s going to be a difficult enough walk, especially with all the wounded. I¡¯m afraid that all that blood in the dark is going to attract monsters. I hope our pl¡ª¡±


    A sudden chime rang in Cal¡¯s ears. In everyone¡¯s ears.


    Martin Luther King Jr. High School Encounter Challenge.


    Emergency Notification:


    Failure to keep active monster spawns under specified threshold.


    Alpha Class Monster will spawn in minus - 5:00.


    Failure to kill Alpha Class Monster will result in creation of Monster Spawn Zone.


    The timer counted down. Annoyingly, it somehow did so simultaneously and separately as text in Cal¡¯s vision and as a voice in his ears.


    ¡°Everyone!¡± Cal raised his voice above the tumult that the emergency announcement cause. It seemed that they all got the same notification. ¡°It¡¯s time to go, moved quickly, but calmly. We have plenty of time.¡±


    The group of women tasked with protecting the rest gathered around Cal and Nila. In addition to the three armed with shotguns. Another fifteen were included. These women all claimed some sort of athletic or fighting experience. They were armed with gear taken from the racist cops. The bulletproof vests that weren¡¯t destroyed in Eron¡¯s rampage, the police batons, pepper spray and a few other makeshift melee weapons.


    ¡°You all know what to do?¡±


    No one gainsaid Cal.


    ¡°Alright, you¡¯re the lead. Take them to the community center.¡± Cal squeezed Nila¡¯s hand and gave her a kiss. ¡°You¡¯ve got this. I¡¯ll be at the back with Eron.¡±


    Nila, the skeet shooter, and a few armed women headed out through the giant gap in the chain link fence that Eron had torn down. The rest of the unarmed group followed behind them. Torches were distributed throughout the human caravan. The rest of the armed women walked on both flanks. Those too injured to walk on their own were dragged on makeshift stretchers made out of cannibalized tents and fence posts. Everyone helped each other, no one was left behind.


    Cal exchanged nods with Remy as he passed by with Megan and the kids right beside him. He was positioned in the middle of the convoy. The idea was to spread their power throughout the group. He and Eron were bringing up the rear since they figured it was the most likely spot to be attacked.


    As the last of the group reached the gap in the fence one of the racist cops called out. ¡°You can¡¯t just leave us here.¡±


    Cal ignored him as he directed Eron to go ahead.


    More of the cops joined in with pleas, then threats. Cal ignored all of them as he walked away.


    Their route took them to the western side of the campus. Through the baseball diamond and past a series of storage sheds, until they finally reached the parking lot that led out to the street. The same street that led from the community center.


    The front half of the group was off the campus when disaster struck. It was heralded by a snarl, a deep, booming sound that reverberated inside of Cal¡¯s chest.


    A giant gremlin appeared on top of the long, narrow office building across the parking lot. This was a true giant of a gremlin, easily ten feet tall and as wide as three large men standing side by side. Someone in the group fired a flare gun in the gremlin¡¯s direction. The red glare illuminated the dark parking lot, driving away the shadows. The gremlin¡¯s pale skin was given a pinkish tint in the flare light. It was pulled taut over bulging muscles, as though it had grown much too large to be properly contained. In some places raw muscle glistened wetly through open tears.


    ¡°Shit! That¡¯s got to be the boss,¡± Eron whispered.


    ¡°Remy!¡± Cal waved to get his brother¡¯s attention. ¡°Keep going! It¡¯s the boss monster. There¡¯s a chance it can¡¯t leave school grounds.¡± He raised his voice for the benefit of the entire group.


    The people in the back half of the convoy broke out in panic, running with everything that was left in their weary legs.


    Cal was worried about people getting trampled, but he couldn¡¯t do anything about it as the giant gremlin landed on the concrete with an audible thud. It bellowed and charged right for them.


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep it busy!¡± Eron moved to meet it.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Cal reached out for his brother in vain. ¡°We need a plan¡­¡±

 13. Boss Fights

    Then


    The truly giant gremlin alpha loped on over-long arms, gorilla-like, toward the mass of people that were desperately streaming to and out of the parking lot¡¯s open driveway. The wrought iron fence on either side of the opening created a bottleneck. The people at the rear weren¡¯t going to escape in time.


    Eron sprinted toward the gremlin alpha, until he suddenly veered to his right. He saw a golf cart parked next to a small shed. It was race now with the lives of people as the prize.


    Eron grabbed the side of the cart, near the bottom part of its metal frame. He spun around with his body as the axis, cart held tightly in outstretched arms, like an Olympic hammer thrower. He let it go. The cart flew in a shallow arc, impossibly fast for such a large and heavy thing. It slammed into the gremlin with a loud crash.


    The gremlin was knocked into the wrought iron fence, bending it back. It shook its monstrous head, stunned for a few seconds. Before it could get back on its feet the golf cart slammed into it once again, pinning it against the fence. It was Eron.


    The gremlin snarled, Eron roared back as he pushed against the golf cart with everything he had. It wasn¡¯t going to be enough. Cal could see that Eron was slowly sliding back, his feet continuously pumping without going anywhere, as if he was on a treadmill.


    Unsure of what to do Cal could only watch as his brother struggled to hold down the enormous, nightmare of a monster. The mass of people were steadily filtering out of the parking lot, but it was taking much too long.


    He ran to a position behind Eron and the gremlin alpha, placing him closer to the interior of the high school campus where the majority of the classroom buildings were located and further away from the escaping people. Cal had a terrible idea.


    ¡°Eron! I¡¯m going to try something! Be ready to run!¡±


    Cal focused his mind on the gremlin alpha. A wave of malice, hunger, overwhelming in its intensity dropped him to one knee. He pushed past the tide by imagining a wedge in front of him to cut through. It was a simple thought. The one he pushed into the monster¡¯s thoughts. Come and get me!


    ¡°Now! Run!¡±


    Eron listened to his brother and let go of the cart. The gremlin alpha exploded into action. The cart was sent rocketing away, nearly clipping Eron, who barely spun out of the way as he turned to run after Cal, who was already sprinting away deeper into the high school.


    The pair led the gremlin alpha on a mad chase. They stayed ahead, just barely, by dipping into and out of buildings, classrooms. The monster¡¯s enormous bulk made it difficult for the thing to make it through the comparatively tight spaces. It broke doorways, plowed into lockers, and generally destroyed everything around it in its crazed state. There was only one thing on its mind and that thing was Cal, torn to pieces and devoured.


    ¡°Give me your ax!¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t look at Eron. It was taking all his concentration to keep running. It seemed unfair that his brother could sound like he was sitting and relaxing instead of sprinting. Cal couldn¡¯t even speak to ask why Eron wanted his ax with the way his lungs were starting to burn. The drain of his telepathic attack on the gremlin alpha was somehow affecting his physical stamina.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, I need it against that monster! Don¡¯t think punching it is going to be good enough. I figure my best bet is to chop its legs and arms off¡­ or something like that.¡±


    Cal managed a nod, before fumbling his ax out of its sheath and passing it off to Eron like a relay race baton.


    ¡°Thanks! So, where are we leading this thing?¡±


    Cal managed to point toward the three story building. The one that they had left Jay and his einherjar to be swamped by the gremlin train.


    ¡°Ah¡­ nice,¡± Eron murmured appreciatively.


    They ran into the building. The loud crash just behind signaled that the gremlin alpha was still on their heels. The sprinted up the stairs, feet sliding on the linoleum flooring, as they rounded the corner. Up they went past the second floor and into the third. Cal hastily took a couple of chemical lights from his go bag, cracked them and flung them in both directions down the hallway. They were brought to an abrupt stop by the carnage that filled the hallway.


    Gremlins, human-sized ones, Cal mentally amended the designation he had given the monsters. Their corpses were all over the place. Some were bashed into bloody pulp, while others had limbs torn off, a few had clear scorch marks, but these were in the minority. The dim green light cast over the scene made it all the more surreal. In a way it hid the true scope of the horror.


    There was a loud bang from somewhere below them. Eron took a few steps down the stairs and looked down.


    ¡°Sounds like the giant gremlin got itself stuck in the stairwell. Looks like we get a breather,¡± Eron said. The stairs shook with another bang. ¡°Maybe don¡¯t sit down though.¡±


    Cal looked at the carpet of corpses. He couldn¡¯t find what he was looking for. His gaze went to the stairs leading up to the roof, more dead gremlins.


    ¡°So, you said something about a plan?¡±


    Cal took several deep breaths before he replied. ¡°I think I¡¯m going to call it the ¡®Let them fight¡¯ plan.¡±


    ¡°Ah.¡± A look of recognition crossed Eron¡¯s face. ¡°But what if they aren¡¯t on the roof?¡±


    ¡°Then we make like the road runner and hope the giant monster is dumber than the coyote.¡±


    The stairwell shook again as a roar rocked the brothers to their core. They exchanged a look before Eron rushed up the stairs, Cal right behind. Navigating through the gremlin corpses slowed them down somewhat, but the knowledge of what was just below drove them upward.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you shits were trying to pull here, but I¡¯m going to make you regret it.¡± A harsh voice, full of hatred, greeted them as soon as they burst through the rooftop door.


    It was Jay, at least that¡¯s what Cal assumed based on the man¡¯s appearance. The racist cop was a big man, just as Eron had described him. At a guess, Cal put him at close to 7 feet tall and well north of 300 pounds. The man was thickly built, like a power lifter or an NFL lineman. The tactical clothing hung of the man in tatters. Small cuts and scratches crisscrossed his body. From his massive arms to his barrel chest, nothing was unmarred.


    ¡°You must be Jaden¡± Cal said lightly. He decided to poke the bear. From what Ron had said the man hated his full first name, felt that it made him sound like a ¡®pussy¡¯ in his own words. ¡°Man, those tattoos must¡¯ve cost a lot of time and money to get done.¡± Cal glanced at the man¡¯s full arm sleeves. The tattoos were a mix of skulls, crosses, dragons, and what looked like runes of some kind. He was hitting all the stereotypes. ¡°Those runes, dwarvish or elvish?¡±


    Jaden¡¯s face turned red and he sputtered, flecks of spit sprayed out of his mouth, some dribbled into his wild, thick, straw-colored beard.


    Eron shook his head. ¡°Did you even get the right translation on those?¡± He mocked. ¡°I know you lot aren¡¯t exactly the sharpest up here,¡± he tapped his temple. ¡°Although, I¡¯m thinking you probably should get your beard braided if you really want to pull of the wannabe viking look.¡±


    ¡°Listen up, Jaden,¡± Cal said. ¡°Your little concentration camp operation is done. Your men are done and from the looks of it, I¡¯m guessing that your so-called einherjar are done too.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Eron said, ¡°I didn¡¯t see their bodies among all the monsters.¡±


    ¡°What I¡¯m trying to say is that you should just give it up,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You dirty mud people ruined everything!¡± Jaden¡¯s voice boomed out across the dark rooftop. ¡°I was building something great, a true homeland paradise without your kind. You foreigners come here and think you deserve the same rights as us! We, who are your betters in every way!¡±


    The ugly rant shocked Eron and Cal, even though it was to be expected. To see it and hear it right in front of you was another matter. Cal didn¡¯t need his telepathy to see the depths of the racist cop¡¯s deranged hatred.


    ¡°Your liberal social justice communism is a plague on all true Americans!¡±


    ¡°Jesus,¡± Eron said. ¡°Do you even understand the words that are coming out of your mouth?¡±


    ¡°You had a handful of racist shits and you managed to imprison a small group of women and children,¡± Cal said. ¡°A truly pathetic operation at all levels.¡± He continued to poke.


    ¡°That was just the start.¡± Jaden¡¯s voice grew low. ¡°With the power granted to me by the gods I can still turn this around. Begin again. This time I won¡¯t hold back.¡± He started to move toward Eron and Cal. ¡°I¡¯m going to fuck you two up. Then I¡¯ll find your family, anyone you care about and do the same to them. Then I¡¯ll start my empire on all your bones!¡±


    ¡°So predictable,¡± Eron said as he moved in front of Cal, camping ax held lazily on his shoulder.


    Jaden growled, but he approached with caution. Measured, shuffled steps, never crossing his feet, doing nothing that put him off his base. He held his hands in loose fists. Right hand near his head. Left hand extended just a bit.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Eron exploded into movement. He lunged and swung the ax with one hand in a downward chop. There was practically no wind up. One moment the ax was laying lazily on his shoulder, the next it was swinging at Jaden.


    There was a resounding thwack! Jaden caught the ax head in the palm of his left hand. There was a trickle of blood that slowly dribbled down his arm. He sneered at Eron, then he yanked the ax as hard as he could.


    Eron was smart enough and his reaction quick enough to let go. The ax went flying over Jaden¡¯s head to clatter somewhere in the distance, lost in the darkness.


    Jaden stumbled back several steps, thrown off-balance.


    Eron stepped into the opening and started throwing wild haymakers. Before the spires and monsters appeared, he had never been in a fight. A few lessons from Cal, who was no better than an amateur in his own right, wasn¡¯t enough to turn Eron into even a mediocre fighter in just a couple of months.


    A handful of the initial punches found their homes on Jaden¡¯s head and face. That ended as soon as he regained his composure and covered up. The rest of Eron¡¯s punches merely impacted Jaden¡¯s hands and arms.


    Jaden waited calmly until an opening appeared. He drove the air out of Eron with a right uppercut dug deep into Eron¡¯s stomach. The blow bent Eron over, which placed his head in the perfect spot for the left hook that followed.


    The loud crack of the ham-sized fist on Eron¡¯s face sent him reeling, stumbling to the side.


    Jaden stalked after Eron.


    Cal chose that moment to act. He stepped in and stabbed his knife up and under into Jaden¡¯s belly. He surprised himself, belatedly realized the lethality of his actions. Truthfully, he almost dropped the knife, he had never seen himself as capable of being a killer. He was either lucky or unlucky, he wasn¡¯t sure, when the knife skipped off of Jaden¡¯s bare skin. The only thing Cal managed to do was nick Jaden and give the knife a broken tip.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t have guessed a soft pussy like you had the balls,¡± Jaden leered in Cal¡¯s face.


    Cal jerked back reflexively at the sour smell on Jaden¡¯s breath. The move likely saved his life. Jaden¡¯s fist lashed out. Cal felt the wind whistle inches from his nose.


    Jaden came after Cal, slinging punches, left, right, left, right.


    Cal bobbed and weaved for all he was worth. The combinations kept coming and he kept dodging. Here and there, Cal desperately stabbed and slashed with his knife to no effect.


    It was apparent to Cal that Jaden was a quite a few steps above him in terms of skill and technique. The only thing that was keeping him alive was that he was proving to be just a bit quicker to react and move. He was pretty sure that it would be his end if the hulking, racist cop landed a clean hit like he did on Eron.


    Jaden swung too wide. Cal ducked under the punch and shifted to the side. In the same motion he stabbed his knife toward Jaden¡¯s eyes. A moment of fear at what would happen if he struck true caused Cal to pull back. It was all Jaden needed to lean back and swat at Cal¡¯s knife hand.


    Cal heard a crack as the knife went flying from his hand. The pain came a moment later.


    Jaden barked a harsh laugh. ¡°How¡¯s that feel, you little shit?¡± He relaxed his stance as he watched with obvious relish at Cal, who cradled his broken hand.


    Cal saw the opening right away. He kicked Jaden right in the junk. The blow doubled the Jaden over, placing his face right in line. Cal jabbed his thumb right into Jaden¡¯s eye. Racist assholes didn¡¯t deserve a fair fight as far as Cal was concerned. Besides, this wasn¡¯t a fair fight. They weren¡¯t in the ring with rules, gloves, and cups.


    Cal shook his hand. Hitting Jaden in the eye felt like hitting a wall.


    As Jaden bellowed in outrage it was Cal¡¯s turn to get distracted.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t feel as bad as that,¡± Cal said.


    Jaden¡¯s hand shot out and he half shoved, half swatted at Cal. It was only a glancing blow at best. A small percentage of the big man¡¯s strength exerted on Cal.


    Cal went flying across the rooftop. He came to a stop in a tumbling, rolling heap a good twenty feet away.


    ¡°You are dead!¡± Jaden roared. The sclera of his left eye was blood red and it was starting to swell shut. ¡°I¡¯m going to tear your ar¡ª¡±


    A hard object struck Jaden in the back. He snapped around to find Eron grinning at him.


    ¡°Best keep your eye on me.¡± Eron lightly tossed a chunk of masonry in one hand.


    ¡°Looks like you just volunteered to go first, you little brown monkey,¡± Jaden spat.


    ¡°Bla bla bla.¡± Eron mimed a sock pocket with his free hand. ¡°Why you thought that you could run things with your high school education? I will never understand. I guess you just don¡¯t¡ª¡±


    The roof suddenly started to shake and before anyone could react the door exploded outward. Eron turned away just in time. Shards of wood, metal, and plastic splashed against his back rather than in his face. Jaden was closer to the door, but the debris had no effect. The man¡¯s skin was almost as strong as steel plate.


    Cal was a lot further away from the door. He was in the best spot to observe as the gremlin alpha finally made its appearance. The hulking beast loomed in the dim lighting provide by the moon and stars. It towered over even Jaden. It turned its grotesque head. It looked at Eron, then at Jaden.


    Cal realized that it was deciding which person to attack first. He wondered if it thought more like an animal, going after the closest threat or maybe the weakest one. He wasn¡¯t a zoologist and his knowledge extended only to what he remembered from watching nature shows. Could it be based on a dominance thing? In that case it¡¯d go after the most dangerous threat.


    Or he could be completely on the wrong track. What if it was closer to a person in the way it thought? Then how would it decide on which target to go after first?


    He also couldn¡¯t discount that it might operate like a monster in a game, like much of how the spires had changed the world. What was its aggro radius? From the fact that it chased them all across the campus seemed to indicate that it had an enormous radius. How did it assign threat? If it was based on who damaged it last, then Eron was in trouble.


    Too many unknown variables for Cal to figure out the best course of action. The pain of his broken hand and bruised body wasn¡¯t helping either.


    The gremlin alpha rendered his musings moot the moment it went on the attack.


    Jaden, who was closest to it, fell back at the monster¡¯s charge.


    Plan ¡®Let them fight¡¯ was now in effect.


    Cal edged around the titantic combatants as the two traded immensely powerful blows. He could practically feel the boom whenever Jaden or the gremlin alpha landed a hit. He made his way over to Eron careful to avoid drawing attention.


    ¡°Nice plan,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°It¡¯s working so far,¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°Yeah, but what happens when one of them wins?¡±


    ¡°Still working on that.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ that¡¯s good.¡±


    The two fell into silence as they slowly edged away from the fight.


    Jaden hammered into the gremlin alpha with his ham-sized fists. The thud on flesh and the crack of bone sent the gremlin alpha reeling back.


    The monster slashed at Jaden in return. Wicked claws scored deep gashes in steel-tough skin.


    Back and forth they went. Neither seemed to gain an advantage.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do it,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°You might draw aggro.¡±


    Eron dropped his arm with the chunk of masonry back down from the cocked position.


    ¡°Which one were you aiming for anyways?¡±


    ¡°Either,¡± Eron shrugged. ¡°I was just going to throw it in there.¡±


    The fight drew on and the gremlin alpha kept cutting into Jaden¡¯s flesh. The huge man steadily grew fatigued. His punches looked slower and weaker. He was breathing heavily out of his mouth. Perhaps sensing a kill opportunity the gremlin alpha lunged in, only to step and slip on a corpse of human-sized gremlin.


    The monster stumbled and fell right into a knee from Jaden. The strike caught the gremlin alpha underneath its chin and lifted it up in the air. As soon as it crashed back into the ground Jaden was on it. He stomped and kicked at the monsters head. Over and over again with a renewed surge of brutal strength.


    ¡°Shit! Should I help¡­ the monster?¡±


    Cal looked at Eron, unsure of what answer to give. It would be bad if Jaden got the rewards for killing the gremlin alpha. It would also be bad if the monster killed Jaden. Then he and Eron would be stuck on a rooftop with the monster.


    ¡°Damn it! I might have not thought this through properly.¡±


    Eron looked at Cal in disbelief, but before he could say anything the gremlin alpha let out a window-shattering screech.


    The two brothers and Jaden all clutched at their ears and fell to their knees.


    The gremlin alpha stood and stepped back from Jaden. Its head and face was a bloody ruin. Its skull was dented, teeth broken, and one eyeball was hanging out of its socket. The monster merely stood there and watched Jaden as the seconds ticked on.


    The three humans warily kept their eyes on the gremlin alpha.


    ¡°Hey, assholes!¡± Jaden didn¡¯t take his eyes off the monster. ¡°I¡¯m thinking we can work together against this thing. I promise I¡¯ll let you go after.¡±


    ¡°Screw you,¡± Eron said quickly. ¡°You¡¯re the member of the master race. You don¡¯t need our help.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, don¡¯t be stupid,¡± Jaden said. ¡°We can settle our business later. For now we need to take care of that thing. It¡¯s up to something.¡±


    They got their answer as numerous human-sized gremlins came streaming out of the ruined rooftop door. They rushed directly for Jaden. He put his super strength and durability on display as he batted gremlins away, while ignoring their clawing fingers and biting teeth. Unfortunately for him there were just too many of the monsters. They swarmed him and held him in place by sheer weight of numbers. Held him in place for their alpha.


    The gremlin alpha bounded forward, its huge, fanged mouth wide open. Before Jaden could even react it bit down over his head.


    Cal and Eron watched in horrified silence as the gremlin alpha gnawed and ripped its head from side to side, like a dog trying to get a stubborn piece of meat of a bone. They heard Jaden¡¯s agonized screams even if muffled within the monster¡¯s maw.


    The gremlin alpha finally won its prize and pulled its head back. The triumphant monster threw its head back to swallow and blood spurted high from the ruin of Jaden¡¯s neck. The rest of the gremlins tore at Jaden¡¯s body, while the brothers looked on.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to be sick,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t see that coming,¡± Cal said.


    The gremlin alpha turned its malevolent gaze toward them. Cal locked eyes with the monster. He probed at its mind in desperation to find something, anything that he could use.


    ¡°Uh¡­ Cal,¡± Eron poked Cal¡¯s arm. ¡°We¡¯ve got a problem.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Cal tore his attention from the gremlin alpha.


    ¡°Down there.¡±


    Cal looked down into the inner courtyard of the campus. There, barely visible in the moonlight, was a mass of gremlins. It was like looking at a moving carpet. There must¡¯ve been hundreds of the damn things and they were all headed for the building that Cal and Eron were standing on.

 14. Prime

    Then


    ¡°Princess, fireman¡¯s, or maybe piggyback,¡± Eron mused.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°Trying to decide the best way to get us out of this mess.¡±


    Cal and Eron had backed up to the far end of the roof. Where Cal found his trusty camping ax. For the moment the gremlins and their alpha were still occupied with the late Jaden, racist cop, all-around scumbag, and now monster food. Whatever abilities the man got from his trip to the spire had made him stronger and tougher than even Eron, who was bulletproof and capable of picking up a compact car and running up and down the street with it over his head.


    Sadly for Jaden, his powers weren¡¯t enough to keep him alive, which was a problem for the two brothers since once the gremlins were done with the body it wasn¡¯t hard to see who was next.


    ¡°Fix a problem, create an even bigger one,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Piggyback will make it hard for me to run,¡± Eron continued his musing. ¡°Screw it, you can decide.¡±


    ¡°Decide what?¡±


    ¡°How you want to be carried when I jump us over to the next building.¡± Eron pointed to the closest single story classroom building.


    ¡°You can make that jump?¡±


    ¡°Yup, pretty sure¡­ like ninety percent,¡± Eron said. ¡°Been practicing and thanks to earlier I know now that I can at least take a three story fall without breaking anything. The only question is how you¡¯re going to handle it, but that¡¯s like the lesser of two evils when put up against them.¡± He gestured at the gorging monsters.


    Cal shook his head. ¡°No way. You go ahead and jump. I¡¯ll climb down the side or something.¡±


    ¡°Not happening,¡± Eron pointed down the side of the building. ¡°Apparently they can climb.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ shit.¡± Cal looked down and sure enough there were regular-sized gremlins climbing up. ¡°Fine. Fireman¡¯s carry then.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? I was thinking princess style. That way I can toss you up right before I land.¡±


    ¡°What does that matter?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re tougher than normal now, but I¡¯m betting that you can¡¯t take the impact from this height and distance. Something about force being your mass times the acceleration of gravity,¡± Eron shrugged. ¡°Point is, you¡¯ll probably break some bones unless we can lessen all that¡­ stuff.¡±


    Cal thought about it then he noticed that the gremlins were starting to look in their direction. ¡°Fine, princess carry then.¡±


    Eron held out his arms and grinned. ¡°Get on, princess.¡±


    Cal hopped into Eron¡¯s arms.


    Eron took a few steps back then sprinted for the rooftop edge. He took a running leap just out of reach of the gremlins that had scaled the side of the building. The brothers soared through the night sky.


    <hr>


    Now


    ¡°What is this word, princess?¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    Before Cal could launch into a lengthy explanation, Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 interrupted.


    ¡°You have strayed into digression, Designation: Honor.¡±


    The alien¡¯s eyes flicked to its counterpart for a split second. It was nearly imperceptible, but after many sessions with the aliens Cal was getting good at reading them. Both their physical movements and inside their heads.


    ¡°Explain why the monsters and your enemies continuously did things or committed blunders that directly fit your exact needs,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    It seemed that Loaming had received a talking to behind the scenes. The alien was keeping a tighter grip on their emoting than they had displayed in previous sessions. They weren¡¯t displaying the annoyance that Cal had carefully cultivated in them.


    Cal opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted again.


    ¡°And do not ascribe such results to random occurrence,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said. ¡°Once or twice is statistically acceptable. Multiple occurrences over a span of one encounter are suspect.¡±


    Cal tried to shrug. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to tell you. It sounds odd to me too. Maybe the spires¡¯ magic stuff had something to do with it. I mean, you¡¯ve had similar experiences with them, right? I¡¯m sure weird stuff happened all over your world.¡±


    ¡°Continue.¡±


    Cal slowly, deliberately tilted his head to one side while staring at Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 without blinking. ¡°Huh?¡±


    When Loaming spoke, their voice was just a little bit higher and faster. ¡°How did you and your creche-mate escape the Encounter Spawn?¡±


    ¡°Encounter Spawn¡­ not bad, I might steal that,¡± Cal mused.


    ¡°You are warned, Designation: Honor.¡±


    ¡°Oh, sorry Tides. I¡¯ll make sure Loaming gets the shout out for it,¡± Cal said.


    A small shock suddenly ran through Cal¡¯s body. The muscles in his body tensed and spasmed for a few seconds. He was expecting it, courting it. He had clamped his mouth shut, teeth together, to keep from accidentally biting his tongue. The electric shock wasn¡¯t painful, more uncomfortable. The aliens had taken a few tries before finding just the right power level to make him feel it while not causing excessive pain.


    They didn¡¯t do torture, found the concept of it abhorrent. From his mental probings Cal discovered that they had to dig millennia into their distant past to learn about what they could try to encourage him to comply with their demands. Part of him felt bad that he essentially forced an alien culture to re-learn such techniques by being annoying.


    ¡°Ouch,¡± Cal said flatly. ¡°Fine, fine. My brother and I basically jumped down the building and made a run for it. Luckily, the encounter spawn didn¡¯t follow us once we got off school grounds. It was a close thing though.¡±


    ¡°The Encounter Spawn Zone, how did your kind eradicate it?¡±


    ¡°Well, Loaming, we didn¡¯t. Not until nearly nine months later.¡±


    ¡°But to leave it unchecked for that long is¡ª¡±


    ¡°We didn¡¯t understand how a spawn point worked. We thought that it¡¯d make a good spot to get stronger, get points, and practice. We thought that the monsters were confined to the grounds.¡± Cal studied the aliens¡¯ reactions and lightly probed into their minds. ¡°I see you¡¯ve had similar experiences. Then you already know what happened. It started around six weeks after we escaped. The monsters came pouring out of the spawn point. Turns out they constantly spawn, every day when it resets, for lack of a better word. They fight and feed on each other, getting stronger. Until they reach some kind of threshold.¡±


    Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 looked at Cal with sympathy. He knew this because he could see the sentiment in the alien¡¯s normally cold, logical mind.


    ¡°Yes. This is known to us.¡±


    ¡°There are still many regions of our world that are lost to us because we failed to realize how an Encounter Spawn Zone functioned,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    ¡°Still? But you said that your world is almost at the ten year mark.¡±


    ¡°The spawn grow stronger, just like your people, if they aren¡¯t eradicated.¡±


    Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 abruptly raised a hand. ¡°This session is at an end.¡±


    For the ninth time in the three weeks he had been in captivity Cal¡¯s sarcophagus encased him in darkness and took him away.


    <hr>


    Now


    As soon as Designation: Honor was taken out of the room the door slid shut. A holographic projection appeared in front of the two interrogators.


    ¡°Prime Custodian 3.¡±


    Both interrogators slammed their metal clad fists together and bowed their heads.


    ¡°Be at ease.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Prime Custodian 3.¡±


    The Threnosh in the projection was smaller then even the two interrogators. They stood barely up to their armored chests. Out of their armor they would¡¯ve at least been a head taller. Their skin was a patchwork of mottled grays, ranging from light to dark and everything in between. They weren¡¯t at all like the smooth, singular tones of the interrogators. Most strikingly, it appeared to be naked. Unlike every other Threnosh that Cal had seen, this one wasn¡¯t clad in powered armor. The only thing they had was a small, metallic orb that floated near its head. It was black with green lines and segments that seemed to pulse faintly. It was easy to miss at first, but a thin mono-filament only visible if it caught the light in just the right way connected the orb to the back of the Threnosh¡¯s neck.


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    ¡°The subject conceals the truth.¡±


    Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 looked at Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 with a hint of nervousness. It was slight, but it might as well have been a glaring sign when compared to their controlled interactions with Cal.


    ¡°The scans indicate otherwise,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°Yet the subject still conceals the truth.¡±


    ¡°How is that possible?¡±


    ¡°Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623, the subject is a member of an unfamiliar species. It is entirely different to the Threnosh.¡±


    ¡°He.¡±


    ¡°Clarify, Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337.¡±


    ¡°The subject identifies as a male of his species of which the proper pronoun is he.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    ¡°To return to the subject. All of our scans, respiration, heart rate, indicate that the subject speaks the truth,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    ¡°Our analysis indicates that there is a 97.15 percent probability that the subject is controlling these biological functions. Furthermore we have detected a strange interference that centers around the subject.¡±


    ¡°Prime Custodian 3, what have you discovered?¡± There was a reserved note of alarm in Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Nothing conclusive at this juncture. Further data is required.¡±


    ¡°What are your instructions?¡±


    ¡°Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337, you will continue to question the subject. However, since the subject states that he seeks an amicable relationship with the Threnosh you will reciprocate, slowly.¡±


    The two interrogators eyes darted to each others. A clear sign of great confusion.


    ¡°I understand your concern, interrogators, but we believe that the subject is truthful in this particular stated purpose.¡±


    ¡°Believe?¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 immediately shut his mouth, his eyes widening a fraction of an inch. To his side Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 stared at him in barely concealed disbelief. ¡°My apologies, Prime Custodian 3, I spoke out of turn. Please do not let this reflect on my partnership with Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623.¡±


    A small quirk of the lips crossed Prime Custodian 3¡¯s mouth. ¡°Would it ease your concern if I were to tell you that we determine this probability is at currently 81.3 percent and steadily rising?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Prime Custodian 3.¡±


    Prime Custodian 3¡¯s holographic image pulsed and skipped for a split second. The interrogators would not have noticed if not for the top-tier sensory package that their powered armors were equipped with.


    ¡°From this point on there are no other eyes on this briefing, neither will there be a record.¡±


    The two interrogators shared a look of abject fear, a display of emotion that was rare even between bonded partners.


    ¡°Be at ease. As a Prime, I assure the safety of your roles and your existence.¡± Prime Custodian 3 waited for the interrogators to gather their composure before continuing. ¡°There is not much time left until our world exits the protected phase. We are unable to calculate the probability that the higher world that we are connected to will be violent, peaceful or somewhere in between. We must determine if the subject and his species can be made into allies. If not then we must learn everything about their world. The possibility exists that we may have to evacuate our world. Discover the truth of the subject¡¯s abilities. We have calculated that even with the enhancements to the subject¡¯s physical body there should have been only an 8.92 percent chance of surviving a newly formed Encounter Challenge Zone. Furthermore, according to what we know of the spires, the subject is too weak to have been allowed to traverse from his world to ours before the end of their protected phase.¡±


    ¡°He claims that four of his planetary cycles have passed since the spires appeared on his world,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    ¡°Discover the truth he hides.¡±


    The interrogators recognized the dismissal.


    ¡°Understood.¡± They said in unison and saluted.


    ¡°We will be monitoring the subject¡¯s sessions.¡± Prime Custodian 3 returned the salute right before the projection disappeared.


    The interrogators said nothing. They were extremely concerned. For a Prime to bypass their superiors and contact them directly was unheard of. The content of his words and his directives were even more worrying.


    <hr>


    Now


    Something was off with the interrogators, Cal could tell. What had happened in the days since their last interrogation session? He could read the worry and conflict in their thoughts easy enough, but what was truly jarring was that he could see it in their faces. Normally smooth, placid, and expressionless. He could see the slight wrinkle to both their brows. Their faces looked pinched. His other hint was that he had already been shocked three times and they¡¯d barely just started.


    ¡°Look guys, I don¡¯t know what to tell you,¡± Cal said while pretending to breathe harder and allowing his pulse to quicken as befits someone who had just been hit with enough electricity to knock a bear down, thrice.


    ¡°Our scan of your body indicates that there have been recent, sudden changes. Musculature, connective tissue, skeletal structure, and organs. All have been strengthened to varying degrees. Based on our research you¡¯re general overall strength has increased exponentially from where your basic biology indicates it should be before the spires appeared on your world.¡±


    Loaming really didn¡¯t like that word.


    Cal nodded in agreement. ¡°That sounds about right.¡±


    ¡°Except this strength gain took place over the four years that you claim passed in between the spires emergence and your traveling to our world, which means that you were significantly weaker when you first entered the Encounter Challenge Zone, this Martin Luther King Jr. High School,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 spoke the unfamiliar words haltingly.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Cal tried to shrug, but his full body restraint kept him immobile.


    ¡°These, gremlins, as you call them. The description is familiar. A similar if not the exact same spawn were responsible for the destruction of an entire regional hub city. Your level of strength does not indicate that you would have been capable of surviving, let alone destroying an entire Encounter Challenge Zone left unchecked.¡±


    ¡°Uh, well it wasn¡¯t just me,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°No, the numbers you claimed for your people is much too low and you claimed that not many shared the level of your strength,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    ¡°Aww, you too Loaming? Tides I get, they¡¯ve always been the stickler, but I thought you were cool.¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor, cease your attempts to misdirect or be compelled.¡±


    Cal¡¯s brows went up, Tides was actually letting his annoyance slip out. Something had definitely changed. It was time to prod a bit deeper, which meant some misdirection was in order. It was time to tell another story. He put a serious look, grave even, on his face. ¡°Fine, fine, you got me,¡± Cal sighed. He was going to have to add a bit more of the truth, which was fine. That was part of the plan anyways.


    <hr>


    Then


    Cal shook the small dog-sized mutant squirrel from his ax. He wiped the bloody ax head on the overgrown grass and inspected it. The blade was chipped all along its edge with a few inch-long cracks starting to spread out. It seemed that monster bone was proving to be just a bit tougher than wood for his trusty camping ax. That or it was his steadily growing strength. He was trying to pull back to hit with just enough power, but it was hard, especially when monsters were trying to bit his face off. He let out a sigh.


    ¡°What?¡± Nila was crouched near him, wiping blood and mutant squirrel chunks off her baseball bat. She was on her third one. Cal had tried to convince her to switch to the ones made out of polypropylene, since they were supposedly unbreakable. She had steadfastly refused. According to her the wooden ones felt the best in her hands.


    ¡°At this rate choppy isn¡¯t going to last.¡±


    ¡°So, just get another one.¡±


    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be the same.¡±


    ¡°Do you even need a weapon? I¡¯m pretty sure you can punch or kick one of these things to death.¡±


    ¡°That would be gross. Get all that blood and guts on my hands, no thanks.¡±


    ¡°Wear gloves.¡±


    ¡°I guess I could, but then they¡¯d be a pain to wash, since electricity is being sketchy.¡±


    ¡°Just wash them by hand,¡± Nila sighed.


    ¡°I wish I had the time, but in between patrolling for monsters, mutant animals, and baddies, practice and working out,¡± Cal shrugged.


    Nila frowned. ¡°So, instead you burn your clothes and loot new ones.¡±


    ¡°Accurate, but in my defense is it really looting if new clothes magically appear in the stores periodically? Also, who knows what sort of monster diseases might be swimming around in this stuff.¡± He waved a hand at the splattered blood.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Technically I suppose you are right,¡± Cal said. ¡°How about when you factor in that I¡¯m constantly out and about taking on dangerous things without getting paid? Doesn¡¯t that sort of balance it out.¡±


    ¡°You get Universal Points,¡± Nila pointed out.


    ¡°Fine, fine, I¡¯ll carve out a spot in busy schedule for laundry.¡± Cal¡¯s face twisted. ¡°Can we go into the spire now?¡±


    Nila took a deep breath.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine,¡± Cal rubbed her back. ¡°Eron and Remy just went and they came back alright. I¡¯ll try to go through everything quickly. If you take your time then that means I¡¯ll probably come out first. In case the squirrels re-spawn.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I¡¯m worried about. They don¡¯t scare me anymore.¡±


    ¡°Is it the regular-sized gremlin sightings?¡±


    It had been a couple of weeks since their escape from the MLK High School Encounter Challenge. The various quests they had received had been deemed successful to varying degrees and as a result each of them had received a veritable windfall of Universal Points. Eron and Remy had gone first to purchase as many tutorials as they could, while Cal and Nila stayed behind to guard Megan and the kids. The initial plan had been to spread their resources, with each purchasing a different tutorial. Unfortunately that plan was a bust. When Eron tried to share what was in the basic tutorial with anyone else all that person heard was garbled static. It was an extremely disturbing experience to realize that the spires were able to reach out into real world and mess with them to such a degree.


    It had triggered a heated debate centered on the old ¡®reality is just a simulation¡¯ theory. As much as Cal hated to admit it, he was slowly being convinced.


    The regular-sized gremlins were another problem that had popped up. Word was spreading of several sightings of the larger monsters outside the high school grounds. Something that should¡¯ve been impossible. Cal and Eron had taken to patrolling around the school with nothing to show for it. It was a worrying matter. The people were understandably unwilling to go around and start attacking things like murder hobos. Even the smaller, weaker monsters, the mutant squirrels and birds scared them. For his part Cal wasn¡¯t really pushing the matter. He preferred to stay out of the makeshift city council¡¯s daily meetings, a worthwhile effort to reclaim some sort of order after being hit by the sudden apocalypse and then the racists cops¡¯ heinous actions.


    Tension were still high between the whites and everyone else. The former, even if they didn¡¯t throw in with the racist cops, were understandably concerned about retaliation from the latter, which was to be expected in Cal¡¯s eyes. Even if they didn¡¯t play an active role, they still stood aside and did nothing. Although, he had to acknowledge that he had some bias in that regard.


    Part of him was sympathetic, he knew that they risked their own lives had they objected. Perhaps it would¡¯ve been easier if he just used his telepathy to find out who to trust and who to write-off. He couldn¡¯t do it though. He still wasn¡¯t willing to perform such a violation of potentially innocent people¡¯s privacy. It¡¯d make him just as bad as Jay and his gang.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Nila said. ¡°Let¡¯s just get this over with.¡±


    ¡°Okay, ladies first,¡± Cal smiled.

 15. Tutorials

    Then


    ¡°Welcome to the Multiversal Access Point.¡±


    The same disembodied voice as before spoke from nowhere and everywhere as soon as Cal found himself back inside the spire¡¯s unearthly space.


    ¡°Right, um¡­¡± Cal visualized his Universal Points. He was gratified to see and hear the impressive number, 14788. ¡°How much was my class tutorial again?¡±


    ¡°15000 Universal Points.¡±


    ¡°Shit,¡± Cal frowned. It wasn¡¯t that far off and he had a sense that his powers were the most important thing to keep him and his loved ones safe in this new reality. To save his points for later or not. Killing monsters and mutated animals basically got him peanuts. The quests were the ones that really gave out the points, but he hadn¡¯t been able to trigger another one since the fight with the racists and the Encounter Challenge. He was fairly certain that they¡¯d get some good points if they tried the challenge again, but everyone, him included, wasn¡¯t quite ready to face that nightmare again. ¡°How much is the basic tutorial?¡±


    ¡°500 Universal Points.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll purchase one.¡±


    Cal saw and heard the amount deducted from his total.


    ¡°The Basic Tutorial will be available through visualization at any time.¡±


    It was just like Remy and Eron described.


    ¡°Next I want to uh¡­ unlock my personal account page. How much will that cost?¡±


    ¡°2382 Universal Points.¡±


    Cal was expecting as much based on Remy¡¯s and Eron¡¯s, but his eyes still widened. ¡°Fine, I¡¯d like to unlock that.¡±


    ¡°The Personal Account Page is only accessible inside the Multiversal Access Point.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, I know,¡± Cal waved away the voice as he visualized the sum totality of his being distilled into something previously only found in games. He took a notebook out of his pocket and started furiously copying everything down.


    Cal exited the spire as soon as he finished copying and memorizing the contents of his page. He had tried to see if he could make any item or gear purchases, but the voice had said that access to the function was still restricted.


    Nila stepped out a few minutes after him and blinked wildly for a few seconds. ¡°Well that sucked.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡± Cal looked at her with worry.


    ¡°Nothing, just that practically everything in there,¡± Nila waved at the immense spire, ¡°is still off limits. I was hoping we could buy stuff.¡±


    ¡°Like weapons?¡±


    ¡°Nope, I was thinking of your magical or super science-y devices. Think of an independent power source or those Star Wars machines that makes whatever food you want.¡± Nila took in the incredulous look on Cal¡¯s face. ¡°What? I¡¯m tired of eating canned stuff.¡±


    ¡°First of all I think you mean a Star Trek replicators and secondly we get fresh fruit and veggies from the grocery, you just refuse to eat them.¡±


    ¡°Are they really fresh if they magically appear on the shelves every few days?¡±


    ¡°Okay, but the cans do the same and you eat that fine.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s different.¡± Nila narrowed her eyes at Cal daring him to contradict her. ¡°We need to start growing our own produce.¡±


    ¡°Eventually we¡¯ll have to,¡± Cal agreed. ¡°We can¡¯t be sure that the grocery store magic will last forever.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you see it my way,¡± Nila said as she stalked off. ¡°C¡¯mon let¡¯s head back and compare notes.¡±


    Cal rolled his eyes behind her back as he followed.


    ¡°So, how did it go?¡± Eron greeted them as soon as they entered the house.


    ¡°About the same as your trip went,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What¡¯d you end up getting?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you once I get lunch ready, I¡¯m starving.¡±


    ¡°Oh, what¡¯s on the menu,¡± Nila said brightly.


    ¡°Pot of chili and I even went to the store and grabbed some cheese, sour cream, and chives,¡± Eron said.


    Cal dumped his go bag and his weapons inside the closet next to the front door before filling two bowls of chili, one for him and one for Nila. The pair sat at the kitchen table and ate mostly in silence. Eron was there as well, but he had the faraway stare in his eyes that meant he was busy going through the tutorial.


    ¡°So, I think I figured out why we can¡¯t purchase any items or gear from the spire,¡± Eron said. ¡°The basic tutorial is well¡­ pretty basic, but I think the restriction thing is supposed to be for a year from when this all started. Plus from the way it sounds the marketplace will be user driven.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Nila said in between mouthfuls of chili.


    ¡°Basically, someone has to craft the stuff then put it up for sale. The spire isn¡¯t just going to magically make things available.¡±


    ¡°I did see tutorials on crafting,¡± Cal said.


    Eron nodded. ¡°I guess this means we shouldn¡¯t expect to find magic swords or laser guns. Unless someone manages to craft one first.¡± He sighed. ¡°I was hoping to get a lightsaber.¡±


    ¡°Those things wouldn¡¯t work anyways,¡± Cal said.


    Eron tsked. ¡°Maybe with real world physics they won¡¯t, but since superpowers and magic are a thing now, I don¡¯t see why a lightsaber can¡¯t be a thing.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but you¡¯d be liable to cut off your own arms.¡±


    ¡°Guys, focus,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Yeah, so on the bad news front. The tutorial mentions a sort of protected period of time, about ten years from the start in which access to our world is restricted.¡±


    ¡°Shit, that doesn¡¯t sound good,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Nila said. ¡°If access is restricted why are we getting all those monsters?¡±


    ¡°The wording wasn¡¯t exactly clear, but from my impression it was referring to people like us. As in other worlds similar to our own and the inhabitants of said world, who also gained powers,¡± Eron said. ¡°Look, you read over it and tell me if you see the same thing I did.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯ll look it over as soon as I¡¯m done eating. I didn¡¯t get anything besides the basic tutorial anyways.¡±


    ¡°Did you unlock your personal account page?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, pretty useless though,¡± Cal said. ¡°Either it confirmed what I was already guessing or it gave me information that I can¡¯t use without the context.


    ¡°Maybe we can compare our stat numbers with our real world metrics, make a chart or something. If we ever get a way to see monster stats then we¡¯ll be able to develop a proper threat assessment system,¡± Eron said. ¡°So, I was wondering about our human hybrid race¡­¡±


    ¡°Whatever we¡¯re supposedly hybridized with was still censored, but I did unlock a number next to it. Mine was 0.9734,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Mine said 0.1768,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°0.9812,¡± Eron said. ¡°Remy¡¯s was 0.9694¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like a percentage or an amount of whatever the other part of us,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I was thinking,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°This is so unbelievable, I just can¡¯t accept that humanity is actually not just¡­ well, human,¡± Nila said. ¡°And how come my number is so much lower than yours?¡±


    ¡°No offense, Nila, but it kind of makes sense,¡± Eron said. ¡°You¡¯re basically like 616 Captain America, so-called peak human, while I¡¯m like Superman. The difference in power level fits with the numbers we got. I unlocked my class description. It said Paragon: Solar-Type.¡±


    ¡°Please explain in normal English,¡± Nila said flatly.


    ¡°Basically, my body now stores solar radiation, which powers all the super strong and super tough stuff that I can do,¡± Eron said. ¡°I didn¡¯t have enough Universal Points to get the class tutorial, so I don¡¯t have more than those basics.¡±


    ¡°Same here, too expensive,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Cal, was the font of your class different?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it was in script and a glowing golden color.¡±


    ¡°I figured as much,¡± Eron said. ¡°Same with Remy and me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m starting to feel insecure here,¡± Nila said. ¡°Mine was in plain old printed white. What does that mean?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Eron shrugged. ¡°But if I had to guess based on how much better our powers are than yours and those kids with the simple magic spells then the golden script means we might¡¯ve gotten really lucky. Three top tier level powers in the same family.¡±


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°I wonder if mom, dad, and Rayna are the same,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°It¡¯d be good if there were more people out there with powers that we could compare to. Outside of that douche Jaden, we haven¡¯t run into anyone with straight super powers. Just people like those kids, all weak ass magic spells, like level 1 magic users.¡±


    In the weeks since they defeated the racist cops many of the people they had rescued asked for help in getting to the spire on the middle of the college campus. Eron and Cal helped when they could, but the majority came out with mundane classes tied to their old jobs, some obtained a single magic spell. A few came out with similar physical enhancements to their bodies like Nila. There was talk in the makeshift city council about organizing training, but they wanted Cal or Eron to run things, neither was willing to be saddled with that responsibility.


    ¡°Maybe not,¡± Nila said. ¡°Power tends to bring out the worst in people, look at what that Jaden did? I¡¯d say it¡¯s pretty lucky that it was your family that got it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure that we did just get it,¡± Cal said. ¡°What if it was already there inside of us and all the spire did was unlock it?¡±


    ¡°The hybrid thing sort of points in that direction,¡± Eron agreed. ¡°It¡¯d be weirder if the spire turned us into hybrids just like that.¡± He shook his head and frowned.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°This whole thing is ridiculous. Our world got turned into a fantasy kitchen sink! These spires are just being lazy, no?¡±


    ¡°Who knows, maybe it¡¯s all based on humanity¡¯s collective unconscious. Magic and superpowers have been a part of our mythology across pretty much every culture in history.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the first thing that sort of makes sense about any of this,¡± Nila said. ¡°Well maybe if you squint.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Eron started.


    ¡°Gilgamesh, the gods, Hercules, Merlin, so on and so forth. Superpowers and magic,¡± Nila said. ¡°They permeate our dreams and nightmares.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m buying it,¡± Eron said.


    Cal stood up and took his empty bowl to the sink, Nila placed hers in as well. He turned on the faucet and luckily the water was still working. They had no idea how long the water system was going to keep working. Remy had floated the idea of going to all the different utility plants and checking up on them, maybe find some people who were willing and able to keep them running. The problem was that they were all a good distance away, hours by bike and there was a strong suspicion that such locations had a good chance of being Encounter Challenges. They weren¡¯t yet confident enough in their abilities to tackle that possibililty.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to look over the basic tutorial,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Once I¡¯m done with the dishes, I¡¯ll do the same.¡±


    ¡°You guys got the kids?¡± Eron stood. ¡°Going to check out the high school. Starting to get worried about those gremlin sightings.¡±


    ¡°Where are Remy and Megan?¡±


    ¡°City council meeting, she insisted,¡± Eron rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll take care of them,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Be careful and don¡¯t enter the school,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Look, man I think we¡¯re going to have to, but I¡¯ll stay out for now.¡±


    <hr>


    Then


    ¡°I¡¯m putting the kids to bed,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°C¡¯mon mom, I want to listen,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s grown up stuff.¡±


    Veronica yawned.


    ¡°Go upstairs and brush your teeth, I¡¯ll be right up for your story.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need bedtime stories,¡± Tessa grumbled as she stomped her way up the stairs.


    Megan let out a tired sigh.


    ¡°I still want a story, mommy,¡± Veronica said as she hurried up after her sister.


    ¡°Remy, try to keep it down, I don¡¯t want the kids overhearing what you¡¯re talking about. It¡¯ll scare them and they won¡¯t be able to sleep,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll keep it down.¡±


    Cal, Nila, and Eron tried not to pay attention to the tension, nor to the way that Megan seemed to be purposefully ignoring their presence. They waited in silence for Megan to disappear.


    ¡°If us being here is a problem, we¡¯ll leave,¡± Cal said after he used his telepathy to make certain that Megan wasn¡¯t listening.


    ¡°Yeah, four months is kind of a long time to couch surf,¡± Eron added.


    Remy looked conflicted. ¡°No, that¡¯s not right, I can¡¯t just kick out guys out. You¡¯ve done a lot for us and you¡¯re keeping my kids safe.¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯re getting stronger, better with your powers, I¡¯m confident that you can handle what¡¯s out there,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°We can set up next door, since your poor neighbor doesn¡¯t need the place,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not squatting in someone else¡¯s home,¡± Nila said. ¡°It¡¯s bad karma. That poor woman died violently and her spirit is probably still there. Without a way to ease her suffering¡­ it¡¯s just wrong.¡±


    Eron was about to say something, but Cal silenced him with the standard older brother warning look.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got some ideas on where we can set up a base of sorts. I¡¯ve been thinking about it for awhile. We need a place to exercise both our bodies and our powers,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Remy. We¡¯ll check in with you every day,¡± Cal said. ¡°Now, why don¡¯t he get this family meeting started. Who wants to go first.¡±


    Eron¡¯s hand shot up.


    ¡°Okay, what do you want to talk about?¡±


    Eron cleared his throat as the others readied their notepads and pens.


    ¡°So, we were wondering if gaining levels is a thing now. I propose that we don¡¯t, at least not exactly. Based on what our personal account page said and the basic tutorial, I¡¯m going with the theory that the system the spires use isn¡¯t a rigid one. Generally speaking it doesn¡¯t impose hard limits on us or our abilities. I¡¯m not saying that there aren¡¯t any limits, but rather that the rate at which we approach them are entirely up to us. The more we practice and exercise them the stronger they get. Basically Universal Points are probably not analogous to experience points.


    ¡°Causation is not correlation,¡± Remy said. ¡°Killing mutant squirrels nets a small amount of points, while completing those quests and fighting in the Encounter Challenge nets considerably more. However the gain in our power levels, for lack of a better word, is attached to the difficulty in the quests and opponents, how far we had to push ourselves, how close to death we came.¡±


    ¡°The Universal Points are like money we get paid for the task, but getting stronger comes down to the experience and what we put into it to succeed,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Sounds as good an explanation as any until we get enough points to unlock some more in-depth tutorials,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I have an idea,¡± Nila raised her hand. ¡°I suspect our attribute numbers fall along those same lines. The numbers aren¡¯t spire-imposed, but rather they are assigned based on what we are capable of.¡±


    ¡°Easy enough to test. We try to get stronger and faster. Then see how the numbers change when we go back to the spire,¡± Eron said.


    Remy raised his hand. ¡°What about this ten year protected period?¡±


    ¡°The tutorial referred to restricted access to our world, which implies that there are other worlds out there that can get to us,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be the weird space magic version of the colonial period,¡± Cal said. ¡°Everything about this seems to encourage conflict. Resources, food, shelter, the powers and abilities to fight for them as individuals.¡±


    ¡°Might makes right,¡± Nila made a face.


    ¡°Or the strong takes from the weak. Yeah, why not, we saw it here firsthand. Not a month in and you had a super powered Nazi wannabe building his own concentration camp,¡± Eron said. ¡°Statistically speaking there are going to be a lot of assholes just like him. Get some power and act out on all those power fantasies.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but is it our responsibility to fight against those people?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re thinking, Rem, but I¡¯m starting to think that we might the only ones who can or will,¡± Eron said.


    Remy lowered his eyes to the table. ¡°I just want to keep my family safe.¡±


    ¡°I get that,¡± Cal said, ¡°but I kind of agree with Eron on this.¡± He glanced over at Nila, who was studiously writing down something in her notepad. ¡°I know you¡¯re not going to want to hear this, but you have to seriously consider that the best way to keep Megan, Tessa, and Veronica safe is to get them the power to do it themselves.¡±


    Eron nodded. ¡°The kids would probably get pretty good powers! If you go by what we have.¡±


    Remy frowned. ¡°C¡¯mon, man. Tessa¡¯s ten, Veronica¡¯s just four.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah. It¡¯s not like I¡¯m cool with them having to kill one of those mutant squirrels,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Me neither, but you have to consider that starting them this early might mean they¡¯ll have that much more time to get ready for when this protected period is up,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Or it might stunt their growth,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Can we table this for now,¡± Remy said. ¡°I need more information before I make a decision one way or another. Plus it might make it easier to convince Megan.¡±


    ¡°She still not¡ª¡±


    ¡°Eron,¡± Cal warned. ¡°Okay,¡± he turned back to Remy. ¡°What¡¯s next?¡±


    ¡°The city council has some updated patrol routes they¡¯d like for us to handle,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°I bet it includes their homes,¡± Eron scoffed.


    ¡°No,¡± Cal said. ¡°No one here is required to obey them.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re just asking,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Then the answer is no, however if you or Eron want to take up the routes, then it¡¯s up to you,¡± Cal said.


    Nila frowned as she looked up from her notes. ¡°What about me?¡±


    ¡°I thought you don¡¯t want to patrol alone and since I¡¯m not changing the areas I cover¡­¡±


    ¡°That is true,¡± Nila conceded.


    ¡°Anything else?¡±


    ¡°Uh, they¡¯re also concerned about those gremlin sightings, the ones like in the high school,¡± Remy said.


    Eron frowned. ¡°I thought the council was putting together a neighborhood watch thing. Why can¡¯t they handle these things?¡±


    ¡°Maybe they would be able to if one of you agreed to help them train and went along to start,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not getting suckered into their authority,¡± Eron said. ¡°Cal won¡¯t do it either. Why don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Megan doesn¡¯t want me away from her and the kids.¡±


    ¡°Huh? You two go out hunting a couple of times a week, while one of us watches the kids,¡± Erron said.


    ¡°Yes, but she hates it.¡±


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll advise this neighborhood watch, but on my own terms,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Seriously?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Eron. The sooner they get off the ground the sooner they stop bothering us and maybe they can take up the patrol slack, so that we¡¯ll have more time to practice and exercise instead of biking around and killing weak things for fractions of a Universal Point,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°It will also give us more time to investigate what¡¯s going on with the high school. It changed from an Encounter Challenge to a Spawn Point. I don¡¯t know what that means, but it¡¯s been bugging me.¡±


    ¡°It probably has something to do with the big gremlin sightings,¡± Nila shrugged at the looks the Cruces brothers gave her. ¡°I think we¡¯re trying to read too much into these things. The words Spawn Point suggest a place from which monsters are spawned, created, birthed, whatever. So, what happens once they run out of space?¡±


    Cal¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Shit! Eron!¡±


    ¡°Yeah!¡± Eron was already up and out of his chair and heading for the front door.


    ¡°What¡¯d I say?¡±


    ¡°Nila, Remy, I want you to stay here,¡± Cal said.


    Remy nodded, recognition in his eyes.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on Cal? That look is scaring me.¡±


    ¡°I think you¡¯re right. I should¡¯ve seen it sooner,¡± Cal shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s been six weeks. The sightings started about two weeks after we freed the people at the high school.¡± And I let over twenty men get killed by monsters, Cal thought.


    ¡°And turned it into a Spawn Point,¡± Nila added in a soft voice.


    Cal nodded. ¡°Sightings have been increasing and spreading.¡±


    ¡°Be careful,¡± Nila kissed him.


    ¡°I will,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°We¡¯re just scouting, not looking for a fight.¡±

 16. A Troublesome Discovery

    Now


    ¡°I was so very wrong. It did turn into a fight. One that we barely escaped with our lives. Naturally it was followed almost immediately by the first mass invasion from the Spawn Point. We never did figure out if we triggered it with our actions that night, but whatever started it the result was death and heartbreak. Brave lives, young and old, lost. Families broken.¡± Cal¡¯s voice was soft, forcing the interrogators to increase the volume in their power armors¡¯ auditory intakes. ¡°After that the monsters started to attack periodically. We fought them back, but slowly and surely they pushed us back from the high school. Increased their territory in an ever widening circle. We fought like this for another six months, before we launched a desperate assault into the heart of it, the high school. Sixteen battle hardened, brave people¡­ only half made it back, but we did it. We destroyed the Spawn Point, fought the secret boss to cleanse the place. Turned it into what it once was, just a school. No more Spawn Point, no more Encounter Challenge. We learned so much from that most terrible experience.¡± He stopped. ¡°From the looks on your faces I think you know exactly what I¡¯m talking about.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Designation: Honor. The Threnosh know all too well the devastation that an unchecked Spawn Zone will cause,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°Our world lost entire regions because of them,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    ¡°And are they still lost?¡±


    ¡°Some.¡±


    Cal was surprised to see the two interrogators lower their heads in unison. They had changed their demeanor over the last few sessions. Less guarded, less controlled. They gave all the appearances of having started to feel some sort of empathy towards Cal. Naturally, he was suspicious. A quick peak into their thoughts only provided a glimpse at someone they viewed in reverence. It was from this individual that this new directive to attempt to form some kind of connection or bond with him originated from.


    Cal thought at first that this must¡¯ve been their supervisor, which was unexpected since over the many sessions with the interrogators he had seen nothing in their minds that hinted at having a superior that they reported to. Upon further reflection he decided that assessment was wrong. The way they viewed this Prime, as they thought of them, was closer to the way his people, humans, viewed their holy figures, saints and the like.


    ¡°To this day?¡±


    ¡°There are worse spawns than the gremlins, as you call them.¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said. ¡°Even so it is commendable that your people were able to triumph. The question is how? As we have stated we are familiar with those spawns and with the power levels that you claim the probability of successfully destroying the Spawn Zone was 4.397 percent.¡±


    ¡°Okay, you got me. I didn¡¯t give you the full truth,¡± Cal said. He decided to give a little to hopefully gain a lot more. ¡°Our powers were actually more varied than just physical enhancements.¡± He still lied, but he added some truth in the interests of building upon the emerging rapport with the interrogators.


    <hr>


    Cal lay back inside the black void of his high tech alien sarcophagus. He could see nothing and the only he thing he could hear was the barely perceptible hum of the unknown machinery that made it work. Within this prison time had no meaning. By his reckoning roughly thirty-eight days had passed since he emerged from the spire into this alien world. He had been immediately beset by dozens of power armored aliens. There was a brief fight, but since he quickly realized that the aliens were trying to capture him and since he didn¡¯t want to kill any of them just to escape he surrendered. They had rendered him insensate with some sort of device. He was already interred within his prison when he regained consciousness.


    The sarcophagus wasn¡¯t all bad, he had to admit. It provided him with regular nutrients and water through a tube that appeared from somewhere. It took care of his waste matter in a similar fashion. It had been a concern at first and he struggled mightily to hold it in. After he couldn¡¯t hold it in any longer he was pleasantly surprised to discover that not only did his waste disappear, but the machine somehow cleaned him up. He felt as clean as he did after taking a shower.


    The sarcophagus also took care of the muscular atrophy issue. In as much that it rendered it moot. It regularly stimulated the muscles in his body. It took sometime for Cal to realize that it was mimicking the movements he would¡¯ve made during the course of a regular day. Unfortunately, from what he could tell it was unable to duplicate the effects of his regular, strenuous exercise regimen.


    If he couldn¡¯t keep up the exercise of his body, then Cal doubled the efforts to exercise the only part of him that the aliens didn¡¯t restrain.


    He was careful at first, wary of detection. When the aliens didn¡¯t try to stop him or punish him even when he started to peak into the two interrogators¡¯ thoughts then he started to stretch and strain his mind further than ever before. He explored the entirety of the facility all while completely encased inside the alien sarcophagus. It was surprisingly small, like a narrow three story row house. Like those in the Victorian Era? Cal wasn¡¯t sure, his knowledge was mostly based off fictional shows and books. Beyond the facility was nothing but wilderness as far as he could stretch out with his telepathy and he could reach out far.


    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    More surprising was when he discovered that outside of the sessions he had with the interrogators he was entirely alone. There were no guards and once a session ended the interrogators would leave for somewhere else beyond where his mind could follow.


    Cal also worked on his telekinesis. The spire tutorial for his specific, special class was maddeningly vague, but it did specify that both of his powers were unique in the sense of a lack of limitations in comparison to others in the same class group. From trial and error over the last few years he surmised that this meant that he was extremely lucky. Unlike other telepaths and telekinetics, he could do nearly everything. He could manipulate tiny objects with precision and control, while at the same time he could use it for brute force applications like lifting a many ton train engine and using it as a battering ram. As of yet he hadn¡¯t encountered another with the same class as him, so he wasn¡¯t yet able to confirm his theories.


    Using both of his powers he explored the inner workings of his sarcophagus for hours every single day. Each day was full of the wonder of discovery as the alien super science slowly unraveled under his delicate mental touch. Over the days and weeks he learned. He was eager to apply this new knowledge to the power armors that the interrogators wore, which were different from the ones that the aliens he fought at the spire used.


    From what he could tell the aliens didn¡¯t have any of the sorts of abilities that he and his fellow humans got from the spire. The aliens didn¡¯t display any obvious physical enhancements, indeed their bodies were extremely weak and fragile. He suspected the answer lay with the super science that they displayed in their armors and maybe his sarcophagus. He thought that perhaps what they received from the spire lay in their intelligence, but a cursory peak into their minds was inconclusive. He couldn¡¯t detect anything that stood out as unnatural. Cal wished he could look deeper, but he was ever wary of discovery.


    Thus he passed the time in between interrogation sessions, which if he was being honest weren¡¯t at all bad, even the occasional mild electric shocks were no big deal.


    <hr>


    ¡°Designation: Honor, explain why you left your fellow humans to the spawn,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°Um¡­ could you remind me?¡±


    ¡°The opposing force you faced in the Encounter Challenge Zone. The place you referred to as em-el-kay.¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 stumbled over the acronym. ¡°The force led by the one called, Jay.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a bit out of nowhere,¡± Cal said. It had been several sessions ago since he had covered that particular battle. He had also intentionally glossed over that particular detail. One, he was partially ashamed and two, he didn¡¯t want it to reflect poorly on him and humanity in the aliens¡¯ eyes. Although as it turned out the fact that humans fought each other in the first place was something unthinkable in Threnosh culture. ¡°Well, honestly, it slipped my mind,¡± which was true, ¡°and it wasn¡¯t something I really wanted to be reminded of,¡± also true. ¡°The priority was on escape. To get the captives free and safe. Jay¡¯s men were wounded, which would have only slowed us down. They were also a threat to our lives. Besides at the time we didn¡¯t really have the means to keep them imprisoned. I thought that we¡¯d be able to deal with them at a later date. I also didn¡¯t know how a Spawn Point functioned. I was still under the impression that the monsters would¡¯ve remained in their areas, hence the football field where he left the men would have been relatively safe. I didn¡¯t know that the gremlins were able to spread throughout the grounds and beyond.¡±


    ¡°The gremlin spawn killed them.¡± A statement from Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337.


    ¡°Cruel and unnecessary,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    ¡°I know and I realize that my ignorance is no excuse.¡±


    ¡°Efficiency dictates that you should have have eliminated them immediately.¡±


    Cal¡¯s widened in surprise at Loaming¡¯s unsolicited words. ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°You had no intention of taking them prisoner,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said. ¡°As you stated, you lacked the means and the will to do so. We can only concur that you did not desire to make a decision. And so you abdicated your responsibility based on an emotional response. In turn it created a cruel and inefficient outcome.¡±


    ¡°This does not reflect well on you and your species,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t really know if I agree with that assessment,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You made the determination that your enemies¡¯ deaths were the most beneficial outcome, yet you refused to take the simple and direct action to carry out this objective. Instead, you left them to die in a cruel and unnecessary manner. Furthermore the failure to act according to efficiency strengthened the gremlin spawn.¡±


    ¡°Hold on a second¡ª wait, what? Strengthened them? What¡¯re you talking about?¡±


    ¡°You were unaware?¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 frowned. ¡°When a spawn kills it gains strength.¡±


    ¡°Are you saying that if a monster were to kill me then it would gain points?¡±


    ¡°Our experiences have confirmed this. The spawn gains strength in the same way that our people and yours gain Universal Points from killing them,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°How much?¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor, are you unaware that all sentient beings are worth a Universal Point value based on their level of power and advancement?¡±


    Cal¡¯s mouth dropped. ¡°Actually, yeah, Tides. I wasn¡¯t aware. If I may make a guess. If, hypothetically, a sentient being kills another sentient being, then the first being gains the seconds¡¯ Universal Point value.¡± He was dreading the answer that he could already see on the interrogators¡¯ nearly expressionless faces.


    ¡°That is correct.¡±

 17. Cooking Up Some Diplomacy

    Then


    The orange missile flew straight for the back of Cal¡¯s head. His eyes weren¡¯t on it, but he saw it coming anyways. He flicked it with his telekinesis and sent it careening over his head. Right before it slammed into the ceiling he grabbed it and sent it to float a foot or so in front of his face at eye level.


    A second missile, green this time, came at him. He plucked it out of the air without moving from his standing position at the counter top. This one he sent into an orbit around his head in a lazy arc to join the orange one.


    Several more projectiles, red, orange, green, and yellow came in quick succession. Cal grabbed each in turn and set them to orbit around his head like celestial bodies. A few drops of water splashed him, so he extended their orbits a few more inches out.


    A dark, brown object, craggy, like an unwelcome asteroid crashed right into the middle of his back. The momentary distraction caused Cal to loosen his telekinetic grip on the various objects floating near and around his head. Fortunately, he was quick to recover and he was able to return them to their rightful places before they hit the ground.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Cal brought the offending object floating up to his face. ¡°I thought we were making fajitas? What¡¯s with the potato?¡±


    Children¡¯s laughter reached his ears.


    Cal looked back to the sink. His two nieces, Tessa and Veronica were washing vegetables and chucking them at the back of his head.


    ¡°Veronica wants french fries,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°No I don¡¯t,¡± Veronica whined.


    ¡°We can do french fries,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Tessa just wanted to make the veggies hit you on the head.¡± Veronica shamelessly betrayed her older sister.


    Tessa rolled her eyes. ¡°Traitor!¡±


    ¡°Well, I think this is probably enough,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Ooh! Are you gonna cut them now?¡± Veronica¡¯s eyes lit up.


    ¡°Yup! Stand back though, just in case.¡±


    A pair of knives slowly floated out of the knife block and joined the objects floating around Cal.


    ¡°That¡¯s sooo cool!¡± Veronica¡¯s head appeared next to Cal¡¯s waist.


    ¡°Dangerous,¡± Cal warned.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Veronica,¡± Tessa pulled her little sister back.


    Once the girls were back to a properly safe distance. Cal went to work. The knives sliced through the vegetables in the middle of the air. They spun and twirled around each other while he stood still, his hands at his sides. A wry grin crossed his face. Impossible telekinetic powers and he was using them to play real life fruit ninja, well technically vegetable ninja, to entertain his nieces.


    He peeked over and saw the wide smiles on their faces. It was worth it then. In the one year since the spires appeared, their entire world had changed over night. Deadly monsters and mutant animals essentially made them prisoners in their own home. A home that they had to flee as a result of the vicious war against the MLK Spawn Point gremlins. The two kids had precious little to be happy about. At least they had been able to destroy the Spawn Point several weeks back. With the end of the war his nieces had been able to return to their home and some semblance of normalcy.


    ¡°Quick! The bowl!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get it!¡± Veronica rushed out of Tessa¡¯s grip and reached into a low cupboard before pulling out a large metal bowl, which she promptly threw at Cal.


    He caught it with his telekinesis and sent it flying into the mass of cut vegetables like a whale devouring krill. He let the large bowl drop into his hands.


    ¡°Okay, who wants to throw me the chicken?¡±


    ¡°Ewww!¡± The girl¡¯s said in unison.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take this to Aunt Nila,¡± Tessa said as she grabbed the bowl out of Cal¡¯s hands.


    ¡°I¡¯ll help,¡± Veronica said.


    The two children quickly left the makeshift kitchen and made their way down to the first level. Cal looked down from the open air loft into the first level below. The space was full of different exercise machines, a few power cages, benches, and a couple of dumbbell racks.


    After they left Remy¡¯s house. Cal, Nila, and Eron had made a home of sorts in a row of commercial properties. The building they were in now was a gym with showers. Next to it was a micro brewery, which sadly no longer had the proper ingredients to operate. There was also an auto repair shop and a large fenced in area at the back with all sorts of random heavy machinery and objects. It was almost the perfect place once they had created makeshift living and cooking areas.


    Down below, Nila was in the middle of a workout. She was currently benching. Cal counted six plates on each side, so that meant 585 pounds. He watched her pump out ten reps before racking the bar with ease. It was good that she was still getting stronger. He figured she had another year of strength gains before reaching a plateau.


    The children called out to her and Nila stood up from the bench and wiped her brow with a towel before smiling and heading to the back where the grill was located.


    It was good to take a break from the constant monster fighting. He and Nila readily agreed to baby sit while Remy and Megan took time to hunt monsters and mutant animals. It only took a horrendous war to finally get Megan to realize that she needed to improve on the magic she got from the spire.


    ¡°Time to cut the chicken,¡± Cal said.


    <hr>


    Now


    ¡°Designation: Honor, it is time for you to explain how you came to our world.¡±


    ¡°It might be, Tides, but that¡¯s a pretty big story and I think I want something in exchange. You learn something new, I learn something new. Value for value.¡±


    ¡°Very well. What is it that you desire?¡±


    Cal was taken aback. He wasn¡¯t expecting Tides to agree, let alone to do it without hesitation. He probed into the alien¡¯s thoughts and found that the offer was genuine.


    ¡°So, I saw something in one of the tutorials about a ten year period in which access to my world is restricted. I¡¯m guessing you guys have better information on that and I¡¯d like you to share.¡±


    ¡°You have it correct. The spires, as you call them, restrict travel to and from a world for the duration of the protected phase,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°Is it ten years for your world too?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Based on the information you provided, our world¡¯s planetary cycle is slightly longer than yours. However the relative protected phase period is the same.¡±


    ¡°Does travel through the spires always lead to the same place? The same world?¡±


    ¡°Research indicates that for the early stages of this process what you say is correct.¡±


    ¡°So, my world and your world are connected,¡± Cal said. ¡°Have you traveled to my world?¡±


    ¡°Negative. Your world is still within the protected period. We are restricted.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I was under the impression that your people are a lot further into your protected phase.¡±


    ¡°You are correct.¡±


    ¡°Then doesn¡¯t that mean your world will be open to travel?¡±


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°Correct.¡±


    ¡°But if you can¡¯t go to my world, then that implies that you are connected to a second world,¡± Cal mused.


    ¡°Correct.¡±


    ¡°How does that work?¡±


    ¡°Research indicates that each world is connected to two other worlds for the early phase. Conjecture leads us to surmise that one world is a lower level one, spire emergence having occurred at a later date. The second world is a higher level one, emergence having occurred at an earlier date.¡±


    ¡°So, that means your world is about to have visitors soon,¡± Cal said. ¡°I hope they''re friendly, like me!¡± he smiled. ¡°These phases, what do you know? I only know about the ten year one.¡±


    ¡°We have discovered nothing, but it is consensus that at some point access to our world will no longer have restrictions.¡±


    ¡°Well, shit,¡± Cal said. ¡°It¡¯ll be a free for all. And since we know that the spires seem to reward aggressive conflict¡­¡±


    ¡°We share in your assessment, Designation: Honor.¡±


    ¡°All the more reason our worlds should come to an agreement,¡± Cal said. ¡°We can work together.¡±


    ¡°It is your turn to answer our question, Designation: Honor,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    ¡°I guess you¡¯ve given me good info,¡± Cal said. ¡°There¡¯s not much to say. The spire said that I met the requirements to travel to your world and for an exorbitant amount of Universal Points I took the leap, so to speak.¡±


    ¡°What were these requirements?¡±


    ¡°Well, Loaming, I wish I knew, but the spire didn¡¯t say.¡±


    ¡°How many Universal Points did it require?¡±


    ¡°All I had.¡±


    ¡°Clarify.¡±


    ¡°I had 94,387 Universal Points before I left and zero points when I arrived in your world. I kind of regret not using most of it first.¡±


    ¡°Conjecture leads us to surmise that there is no fixed Universal Point requirement. The process consumes whatever points the subject has,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    ¡°Have any of our people tried to do the same thing?¡±


    ¡°Negative,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to know if I could go back, do you?¡±


    ¡°Negative. Research indicates that the restricted period for a lower level world is inviolable. However, your journey to our world was also supposed to be impossible.¡±


    ¡°Good to know,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°Thanks, Tides.¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said. ¡°Explain this magic.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t really. It shouldn¡¯t exist, but a lot of impossible things were brought by the spires. Magic is a weapon and a tool with nearly infinite varieties and applications. The majority of which spit in the face of my people¡¯s understanding of science and the natural world. I can¡¯t really give you more detail,¡± Cal lied, ¡°since I myself don¡¯t have magic.¡±


    ¡°How is it that the spires gave your people such a wide array of abilities?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Loaming. Isn¡¯t it the same for your people?¡±


    The interrogators deliberately looked at each other for a long moment.


    ¡°I expect that one of the things that a friendly relationship between our worlds will bring is an exchange of information,¡± Cal said. ¡°You will find a better explanation on magic when that happens.¡±


    ¡°This session is over,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°Wait! But I didn¡¯t get my next question!¡±


    ¡°We have deemed the information received and revealed equitable.¡±


    With that the alien sarcophagus enclosed Cal in darkness once again.


    <hr>


    ¡°Your claim that you had 9-4-3-8-7 Universal Points before you came to our world has been judged false. Do you wish to clarify?¡±


    Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 ambushed Cal the second that his head was uncovered.


    ¡°Uh¡­ I¡¯m sorry, but what?¡±


    ¡°Based on your own recollections we calculate that you had gained a minimum of 1-0-9-1-7-5 Universal Points from your stated events. Projections indicate that the probability that you gained more Universal Points beyond what you stated.¡±


    ¡°Well, yeah, I¡¯m not going to tell you everything I did, without getting more from you guys,¡± Cal said. ¡°Of course if we established an alliance between our peoples then I¡¯d be willing to be a lot more forthcoming.¡±


    ¡°Projections indicate that in the four year time period from the spires¡¯ emergence to your travel to our world the range of Universal Points you gained is from 2-0-0-0-0-0 to 3-0-0-0-0-0.¡±


    Cal was impressed. They bracketed the amount of Universal Points he actually earned in that time period.


    ¡°Do you wish to clarify?¡±


    ¡°Why does it matter, Loaming?¡±


    ¡°To gain that amount of Universal Points is impossible,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337. ¡°Your words are in question.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Cal said. He probed into the two interrogators¡¯ thoughts before replying. ¡°I see¡­ well, those four years were essentially one non-stop struggle. We ran a lot of Encounter Challenges. Had to deal with many Spawn Points. Of course there were also all of the quests that came hand in hand with those things. And I had to kill this one terrifying and powerful gi¡ª person. Although I didn¡¯t know at the time that sentient beings were worth Universal Points and I didn¡¯t go into a spire until the time I traveled to your world. I didn¡¯t think to check my points. I got the notice that they were down to zero and right after that I stepped out of the spire, surrounded by you guys. Which leads me to now.¡± He smiled. ¡°Are that many points in such a short time frame so unbelievable?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Loaming, it¡¯s your turn. I give, you give, right?¡±


    The silence lasted exactly a minute. Cal kept the easy smile on his face until Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 spoke. ¡°The Threnosh are not reckless and divided. Encounter Zone access is strictly regulated. Spawn Zones are immediately destroyed. We do not fight amongst each other.¡±


    ¡°Lots to unpack there,¡± Cal said. ¡°I can¡¯t really comment on that last bit. Can you clarify more on the first two?¡±


    Another lengthy silence in which both interrogators stared at nothing.


    ¡°Only those with the proper roles are allowed into an Encounter Zone. Access is controlled to maximize the gain for the Threnosh, while minimizing the risks to the individual. The second requires no further clarification,¡± Interrogator ebbing Tides 5623 said.


    ¡°Earlier you said that entire regions of your world were lost to out of control Spawn Points,¡± Cal said. ¡°How are you dealing with those places?¡±


    ¡°We keep them contained and under watch. We do not enter and we destroy the spawn that attempts to leave,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming said 5623.


    <hr>


    Weeks of studying the Threnosh painted a picture of a singular people and culture. One that lacked a capacity for emotional extremes, which lent well to each individual acting toward the betterment of the Threnosh as a whole. It was strange to see an entire people living with efficiency and pragmatism as their guiding principles.


    Of course, Cal had to put a little ¡®too be determined, pending further information¡¯ mental note to this profile. He figured that it was extremely unlikely for an entire race to be so monolithic in their culture. Surely there were regional differences that he had yet to see, either in the interrogators¡¯ behavior or their thoughts. Judging the entirety of the Threnosh based on the only two individuals he had extended interactions with would be a mistake.


    Nevertheless he felt that he had enough to determine that forming an alliance with the Threnosh would be beneficial for humanity. The only problem was that unlike the Threnosh, his people were divided, even more so after the whole apocalypse thing occurred. It was going to be a tough sell when he wasn¡¯t going to be able to make guarantees for the entirety of his species. If the Threnosh found such a concept abhorrent and unthinkable, as in their thought processes made it incomprehensible to them, then how was he going to get them to buy into tying their two species together in an alliance.


    Glumly, he figured he might have to settle for a non-aggression pact. At least the profile he built painted the Threnosh as naturally unaggressive. They¡¯d adopt a defensive posture unless invading Earth became a move that benefited them, which Cal could see easily happening in the event that the other world, the higher level one that connected to the Threnosh¡¯s, wasn¡¯t the defensive sort. And from the way the spire-enforced system seemed to be designed to favor conflict, chances were good that once their ten year protected period was up the Threnosh were going to have some unwelcome visitors.


    It was going to be just like the colonial period and going by history that never went well for the people on the receiving end. Cal¡¯s goal was to find a way to somehow figure out a way to, at the very least, delay that outcome for as long as possible beyond that ten year window.


    It took weeks for him to decide that the Threnosh could be made into useful allies. Weeks to decide that they had something that he wanted. Now the challenge was to find out what he could offer from his end. Find out what they wanted. Unfortunately, from what he could see in the interrogators thoughts, the only thing they wanted was information. Cal was at a bit of a wall. He wasn¡¯t quite sure how to proceed.


    A sudden chime sounded in his ears.


    You have discovered a quest!


    Secure a diplomatic agreement with the Threnosh.


    Success Parameters: Varied.


    Failure Parameters: Varied.


    Reward: Contingent.


    Failure: Contingent.


    Will you accept?


    Yes, Cal thought.


    ¡°Interesting,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337.


    ¡°A quest? I have nev¡ª¡±


    Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 silenced Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 with a perceptibly sharp glance.


    ¡°Designation: Honor, clarification is required.¡±


    ¡°Well, Tides, I¡¯m thinking you just got a quest and from the looks on your faces that isn¡¯t exactly something that happens a lot for you,¡± Cal grinned. ¡°I¡¯ll share if you share.¡±

 18. A Side Quest

    Then


    ¡°Hey, so, um¡­ there¡¯s a problem with the grocery stores,¡± Gene said from the other side of the gate.


    Cal stared at the teen and the three other members of the self-proclaimed adventuring party, Johnny, Bastien, and Olo. They were mostly annoying, but he couldn¡¯t deny that they worked hard and took risks to pitch in to the greater community around them. Plus they managed to survive and grow stronger thanks to or maybe not thanks to the war with the gremlins.


    ¡°They¡¯ve turned into Spawn Points!¡± Olo blurted.


    ¡°Dude! Shut up!¡± Bastien slapped the tall, broad shouldered teen on the back of his head. ¡°You told us we needed to be chill!¡±


    Gene frowned at both of his friends. ¡°The council¡¯s been getting reports that people have seen and or been chased out of the grocery stores by monsters. Descriptions fit the little gremlins.¡±


    Cal sighed. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to know when this started?¡±


    Johnny hurriedly took a notebook out from his day pack. ¡°Earliest report was five days ago, err, technically four if you don¡¯t count today.¡±


    Cal recognized the date, it was roughly one year since the stupid apocalypse started. He was dreading something happening after one of the tutorial guides he purchased from the spire mentioned the existence of several landmark dates that would bring changes to how their current reality functioned. It seemed that their easy access to food and other necessary supplies wasn¡¯t going to be spared.


    ¡°Why is the council bringing this to me? The watch should be able to handle this,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°We¡¯d take care of it ourselves, but they don¡¯t want to risk another MLK High School situation breaking out,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Right, too soon,¡± Cal said. ¡°So, what¡¯re they doing about it and what do they want from me?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve closed the stores for now with the watch maintaining a perimeter. Until you¡¯ve had a look and given them your ah¡­ advisement, no one gets to go grocery shopping.¡±


    ¡°People won¡¯t like that.¡±


    Gene shrugged. ¡°Everyone¡¯s supposed to have enough supplies to last for at least two weeks. Council has an emergency stash for the lazy people.¡±


    ¡°Do you have the times when these sightings and attacks occurred?¡±


    ¡°Seems random. They happened during both day and night,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Did the people who reported these sightings and attacks get any notifications? Quests? Or anything else?¡±


    ¡°They didn¡¯t say anything about that.¡±


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll take a look. Which stores? Safeways? Trader Joes? Nugget? The Co-op?¡±


    ¡°All of them,¡± Gene said.


    Cal raised his brows. ¡°Any reports on the other stores?¡±


    ¡°They didn¡¯t mention anything.¡±


    ¡°Alright, this is what we¡¯ll do. You boys go and tell your watch commander that each store, no matter how small needs to get checked out. I¡¯ll check out the big grocery stores. We¡¯ll also need to start checking all other commercial structures, office buildings and the like.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ Mr. Cruces,¡± Olo raised his hand.


    ¡°I¡¯ve forgotten how many times I told you that you don¡¯t have to call me that or raised your hand.¡±


    ¡°Uh, sorry¡­ but, do you know what¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Nothing concrete, Olo. Just a hunch that there might be some changes happening or about to happen. Tell the council I¡¯ll check into it tonight and I¡¯ll let them know in the morning. Be careful tonight. Caution is the word, no risks,¡± Cal said as he waved and walked back towards the makeshift gym building that he called home.


    <hr>


    The windows shook at the same time there was a loud booming thud from outside. Eron was back.


    ¡°Do you really have to do the hulk jumping thing?¡±


    ¡°Got to practice that landing. I¡¯m having a hard time getting the one knee down to look natural,¡± Eron said as he came into the gym¡¯s break room. ¡°What¡¯s up? You¡¯ve got that vibe going on.¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t look up from where he was writing notes into a notepad. ¡°What¡¯re you talking about?¡±


    ¡°The ¡®something serious and terrible is going to happen¡¯ vibe.¡±


    ¡°Team F.C.W.R. dropped by with a request from the city council.¡±


    ¡°Wait, what?¡±


    ¡°Something weird is going on with the grocery stores and they want me to check it out,¡± Cal sighed.


    ¡°Not that. Are they really calling themselves that? I thought they were just messing around.¡±


    Cal took his eyes off his notes to glare at Eron.


    ¡°I¡¯m just saying it¡¯s dumb just to name your team after your roles. Plus it just telegraphs what you¡¯re capable of, you want misdirection. Might us well hand the baddies an index card with all your strengths and weaknesses,¡± Eron scoffed before noticing Cal¡¯s gaze. ¡°Alright, fine, what¡¯s this about the groceries?¡±


    ¡°Long and short of it is that there are reports of monsters appearing in the stores.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, interesting, which stores?¡±


    ¡°All of them,¡± Cal said. ¡°At least the big ones.¡±


    Eron nodded. ¡°You know what¡¯s interesting?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I discovered something at the spire today.¡± Eron stopped suddenly to go to the fridge and grab a chocolate stout before returning to the table.


    ¡°And did you intend to elaborate or do you want to enjoy your beer first. Seriously, it¡¯s not even noon.¡±


    ¡°First of all, I drink for the taste. I can¡¯t even get drunk anymore,¡± Eron said glumly. ¡°And secondly, yes. I intend to graciously share the new, earth-shattering information I obtained at great personal cost.¡± He paused to take a long pull of his stout. ¡°Right, so we can buy food and drink from the spire directly. Seems a bit too coincidental that this feature gets revealed at the same time that grocery shopping just got dangerous.¡±


    ¡°I had a feeling something like this was eventually going to happen,¡± Cal said. ¡°How¡¯d the purchasing work? Did you go through the marketplace feature? What kind of food? Raw ingredients? Fully-cooked dishes?¡±


    ¡°Whoa!¡± Eron held up his hands. ¡°You can check it out for yourself. But the answer to your questions is yes. There¡¯s a food section in the marketplace. You can get the raw ingredients or you can get the dishes. I skimmed through it and it looks like its got anything and everything you could think of.¡±


    ¡°Did you try it?¡± Cal¡¯s interest was piqued.


    ¡°I got crispy pata and white rice!¡± The smile on Eron¡¯s face grew wide. ¡°It tasted like the best thing I¡¯ve ever tasted! Even the lechon sauce was perfect! I hate to admit this, but the spire can cook.¡±


    Cal shot up from his seat before sitting down with a sigh. ¡°I can¡¯t go yet. So, how much did it cost?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the only bad thing,¡± Eron grimaced. ¡°500 Universal Points.¡±


    ¡°Not good, not very many people can afford that.¡±


    Eron nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve talked with some people on the watch. They get around a hundred points a week from their patrols. The gremlin war was terrible, but you can¡¯t argue that it was good for gaining points.¡±


    ¡°Basically we¡¯re the only ones who can afford this luxury,¡± Cal said. ¡°And that¡¯s only because we have the power to go to different Encounter Challenges and do them without triggering a Spawn Point.¡±


    ¡°How long do you think it¡¯ll take for the city council to start pestering us about sharing points or doing lowbie runs?¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t take long. I¡¯ve heard from Remy that they¡¯re talking about a tax on Universal Points.¡±


    ¡°Huh¡­ we¡¯ve become the one percent,¡± Eron said. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to feel about that. I should feel bad. Right?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind giving up some of my points, but there¡¯s still so much we don¡¯t know about the spires and I need the points to find out.¡±


    ¡°Spoken like a true fat cat,¡± Eron nodded sagely. ¡°Well, I suppose you can comfort yourself in the fact that like the one percent there isn¡¯t anything the common man can do to redistribute your wealth. In this case we are literally, too powerful. Is it wrong that I think that?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Cal said flatly. ¡°Yes it is.¡±


    ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to check the stores tonight. The witnesses didn¡¯t say anything about getting notifications before they ran for it. I¡¯m going to see if killing a monster triggers something.¡±


    Eron took another long pull. ¡°You think the stores are turning into Encounter Challenges?¡±


    ¡°Fits our theory on commercial buildings versus residential buildings.¡±


    ¡°Do you think we should start checking out the empty homes?¡±


    ¡°Probably should add that to the list,¡± Cal said. ¡°We don¡¯t know what constitutes a residence or rather what the spires determine is a residence. Does an empty house retain residential status? Is there a time limit? Is there a difference if a resident is killed or abandons it willingly? What happens to a neighborhood tract with a mixed amount of occupied homes and empty homes?¡±


    ¡°I wish the tutorials weren¡¯t so vague and lacking in information,¡± Eron said. ¡°It¡¯s like the spires are trying to outdo the video game industry. Nickel and dime us users for everything.¡±


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Worse,¡± Cal said. ¡°This is like if they hid the control scheme behind a loot box. Win and find out what the R2 button does.¡±


    Eron chuckled. ¡°Real life turned into the worst game ever.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re luckier than literally ninety-nine percent of the people,¡± Cal said. ¡°Anyways, I¡¯ll find out if the grocery stores are turning into Encounter Challenges. If they are, then we¡¯ll clear them and hopefully turn them back to normal¡­ well normal for a store that magically restocks its shelves over time.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we leave the clearing to the watch and anyone else interested,¡± Eron said. ¡°Give them a chance at more points.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too risky. It might create another high school crisis.¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll be right there waiting to crush it right away. Cal, we can¡¯t always be around to handle the biggest dangers. I say we need to let the people have opportunities to grain strength in their own right. This way they can¡¯t complain and say that we¡¯re hogging all the points.¡±


    ¡°People will always find something to complain about. Besides, they fought against the gremlins, proved their bravery. A lot of people didn¡¯t make it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not taking that away from them, but we were front and center for the worst of it. I don¡¯t want to be a jerk, but without us those gremlins would¡¯ve swept right through. I just want them to get stronger, so that their lives don¡¯t hinge on our presence. I can¡¯t hang around here forever.¡±


    Cal took in the look on Eron¡¯s face. His youngest brother was legitimately bothered. There was the temptation to peak into his thoughts, just on the surface, to find out what, but he ignored it easily. He knew the answer already. ¡°Still worried about them?¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you?¡± Eron shot back before he caught himself. ¡°Sorry, I know you are. But it¡¯s been six months since we¡¯ve talked with mom, dad, and Rayna. We¡¯ve been able to maintain some semblance of telecommunications here, but¡­¡±


    ¡°Maybe once you figure out how to fly, we can build a satellite or maybe even buy one from the spire and have you put it into orbit. If our communications grid is dying or dead, then we create a new one that works within this new paradigm.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯d still need to build or place new receivers down south if we want to communicate, which means I¡¯d have to go there anyways,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Look, I¡¯m not disagreeing with anything you¡¯re saying, but there¡¯s a lot of unknown variables to take into account for a journey down south. My biggest concern is that we have no idea what happened in the wide open spaces and there¡¯s almost five hundred miles of it between here and our family.¡±


    ¡°I can handle monsters.¡±


    ¡°We got mostly human-sized monsters here in the smaller spaces of the city. Does that mean there are giant-sized monsters out there beyond populated areas?¡±


    ¡°Dude, I can run faster than a car. I can leap several city blocks. The only reason I don¡¯t do that around here is that I don¡¯t want to accidentally run into or land on people or their homes. Without any of that I figure it¡¯ll take me an hour and a half to two hours tops to get down there,¡± Eron said. ¡°It¡¯s kind of bugging me that it seems like I¡¯m the only one worried about the rest of our family.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m worried too, but then I remember that they¡¯ve got powers on the same level as ours and we¡¯ve done pretty good so far,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Exactly, we killed the Spawn Point, no more scary monsters, just the little ones and mutant animals, which even the watch can handle easily. Plus you, Remy, and Nila will still be around.¡±


    Cal thought carefully for a long time in the silence that descended on the break room. ¡°Alright, but some conditions. We make sure this thing with the grocery stores doesn¡¯t turn into a crisis. Then we scout the land between here and Stockton. There¡¯s a lot of open wetlands around the river and farm land on the east side of the freeway. It¡¯ll give us a good idea on what, if any, types of dangers might exist on a trip to the south.¡±


    ¡°Okay, that sounds fair,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°One more favor,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°I totally forgot that I¡¯m supposed to watch the kids tonight. Can you watch them?¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°Same plan as usual.¡±


    ¡°Yup, you¡¯ll front line it. I¡¯ll be right behind you calling out threats.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good,¡± Nila said, ¡°but you know it¡¯s not very gentlemanly to have the love of your life be the meat shield.¡±


    ¡°Seeing as how you have an actual shield,¡± Cal pointed to her enormous rectangular shield. It was a bit crude, crafted by Remy with the use of his magnetic powers. It was essentially a two-inch thick sheet of metal made out of scavenged bits, from car frames, engine blocks, and other things melded together with Remy¡¯s improved command of his powers.


    Nila shrugged. ¡°Technically you¡¯re a lot stronger than me, so it¡¯d actually be easier for you to lug this thing around.¡±


    ¡°True, but you¡¯ve got your own super strength and I¡¯ve seen you swing that around like it weighed nothing,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I believe it¡¯s more peak strength, rather than superhuman,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Says the small-ish woman that can out lift professional power lifters.¡±


    ¡°I weigh a 170 pounds,¡± Nila said glumly.


    ¡°That¡¯s what happens when your body gets denser,¡± Cal said. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. We¡¯re in a new world. The old standards don¡¯t matter anymore.¡±


    ¡°Still doesn¡¯t excuse having me go first,¡± Nila teased.


    ¡°What? I thought we were all about equality?¡± Cal poked right back.


    Nila stuck out her tongue at him. ¡°Whatever, let¡¯s get started.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    Cal followed closely behind Nila as they approached the Nugget¡¯s front entrance. The clouds were out on this night. If it wasn¡¯t for the kerosene lantern in his free hand they¡¯d have been in sheer darkness. It kept the things lurking just out of sight from drawing closer. Although, Cal suspected that even without the light the weaker things, small gremlins and mutant animals, might not have attacked him. It didn¡¯t escape his notice that on his recent patrols it was almost as if he was the one that was going on the attack more often than not, otherwise it seemed as if they were content to leave him alone. Had he out leveled the area? It sounded ridiculous, but that was their reality now.


    ¡°Wait.¡± Nila stopped suddenly as they neared the doors.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Cal narrowed his eyes as he scanned the area for threats.


    ¡°I want to grab a bottle of their ranch.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a shopping trip,¡± Cal sighed.


    ¡°It¡¯s one bottle. Just a quick trip to the salad dressing aisle. C¡¯mon, I¡¯ve been craving it.¡± Nila¡¯s tone was almost a whine.


    Cal rolled his eyes. ¡°Fine¡­ but I get a bag, no, make that two bags of dried, chili lime mango.¡± He was momentarily shocked to realize that he hadn¡¯t had that for a long time. From before the apocalypse. ¡°Ready then?¡±


    Nila gave him a curt nod.


    Cal grabbed the doors with his telekinesis and pushed them open with ease. Without electricity the automatic doors didn¡¯t work.


    ¡°No power, yet the frozen goods stay frozen and the refrigerated stuff doesn¡¯t spoil.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one that keeps going on about accepting the magic,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Or super technology.¡±


    ¡°Magic or tech? You need to make up your mind on which.¡±


    ¡°Meh,¡± Cal shrugged, ¡°same difference.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, just make sure I don¡¯t get ambushed.¡± Nila strode into the dark interior of the grocery store with her shield in front of her and her baseball bat at the ready.


    Cal hurried to keep up with her. His senses, physical and mental stretching out into the darkness.


    They reached the coffee beans and nuts section, just after the cash registers on the right and in the middle of the fresh produce and fruits area to the left, when Cal noticed something odd.


    ¡°Wait.¡±


    Nila stopped her eyes constantly scanning the area in front of her before falling on the fresh peanut butter grinder. ¡°You want peanut butter?¡±


    ¡°No¡ª¡±


    ¡°You sure? They¡¯ve got the honey peanut butter you love so much.¡±


    ¡°Well, yes, but not right now,¡± Ca said. ¡°I¡¯m sensing something strange.¡±


    ¡°What are your mighty mind bullets telling you?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not even¡­¡± Cal sighed. ¡°There are gremlins in the shadows.¡±


    ¡°Must be the little ones if the lantern is keeping them from attacking.¡±


    ¡°Well, yes and maybe no,¡± Cal said hesitantly.


    ¡°Explain. Now!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m getting the usual malice and hunger impressions from their thoughts, such that they are. Except, I¡¯m also getting something like fear or wariness.¡±


    ¡°Huh¡­ that¡¯s new. Are you thinking they¡¯re scared of us?¡±


    ¡°It does feel that way.¡±


    ¡°Lends some credence to your over-leveled theory,¡± Nila said. ¡°I guess we can try putting the lantern out. See if that gets them to attack us.¡± She brightened suddenly. ¡°Or you can mind-grab them so I can smash them!¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t work that way when they¡¯re in the shadows. I think it¡¯s like they¡¯re not all the way in our ¡®plane of existence¡¯.¡±


    ¡°I remember you¡¯ve said that before¡­ still don¡¯t get it.¡±


    ¡°Yes you do. You just refuse to.¡±


    Nila shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m okay with my choice.¡±


    ¡°I wonder what¡¯s going on here. I didn¡¯t get any notifications when we entered the building, so it isn¡¯t an Encounter Challenge or a Spawn Point.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been a year since this started. Maybe it¡¯s like there was a restriction for the monsters when it came to going inside places like this, which is now lifted.¡±


    ¡°That simple? What if it¡¯s something new?¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we grab our stuff and investigate some more? Maybe find the core, like at the high school. See if that¡¯ll trigger something,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Where the heck would that be for a grocery store?¡±


    ¡°The high school¡¯s was in the middle of the quad, so I¡¯m thinking we check where the people think the center of a grocery store is located.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve no idea where that could even be. Is there even a consensus view of that? You ask ten people and they¡¯d probably pick wherever their favorite items are.¡±


    ¡°I was thinking more along the lines of what the employees see as the center.¡± Nila gave Cal a knowing look. It was satisfying to see him stumped for once.


    ¡°Right, sounds like you¡¯ve an idea, so I¡¯ll follow your lead¡­ but first, the peanut butter.¡±


    Cal reached out with his telekinesis. A plastic tub floated from its holder and came to settle underneath the spigot for the honey peanut butter dispenser. The switch on the machine depressed and the sound of grinding peanuts accompanied the thick, creamy goo which poured out. Once the tub was close to full a cover floated over and sealed it. Cal shut the machine down and beckoned the tub to his outstretched hand.


    Nila shook her head at him. ¡°It feels wrong that you¡¯re using that power to get peanut butter.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s practice,¡± Cal said as he placed the tub into his pack. ¡°C¡¯mon, I think the dried mangoes are a couple of aisles over. Then we can swing by the sauce aisle for your ranch.¡±


    They finished the rest of their shopping without incident. The tiny gremlins stayed to their shadows. Nila led the way to the store manager¡¯s office. Cal mentally kicked himself for not thinking of it. In hindsight it was the most obvious spot to pick out for the store center.


    They poked around for several minutes with nothing to show for it. No notifications. No monster attacks. No traps. Nothing.


    ¡°Okay, I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m about to suggest this, but what if you go outside,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°You think if you¡¯re alone the gremlins will attack?¡± Cal saw Nila¡¯s intent right away. ¡°How about you go outside and I stay?¡±


    ¡°Out of the two of us, I¡¯m pretty sure you¡¯re the one too powerful for the little gremlins.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I like the idea.¡± Cal narrowed his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s got merit, but is it worth the risk? I mean worst case I tell the council that they need to organize guarded grocery shopping trips. It¡¯d be good for the watch to get points fighting the monsters and the spires might even turn it into a repeatable escort quest.¡± He chuckled.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡±


    ¡°Escort quests¡­ they¡¯re the worst.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine. We go out I¡¯ll go in and you wait just outside.¡±


    Cal grimaced. ¡°Alright, but you take the lantern and you stay close to the door.¡±


    The pair quickly exited the building. Nila took a few steadying breaths and went back inside. As Cal watched her from just outside the open doorway, she placed the lantern on the closest checkout counter and got ready. The seconds stretched into minutes with nothing happening.


    ¡°I¡¯m done,¡± Nila said as she grabbed the lantern and backed out of the store. ¡°Well that was a waste.¡±


    ¡°I guess we should go check the other stores.¡±


    ¡°Do we really need to? It¡¯s probably going to turn out the same.¡±


    ¡°City council won¡¯t be able to complain.¡±


    Nila raised her brows.


    ¡°Legitimately complain,¡± Cal continued, ¡°if we are thorough. I don¡¯t want to give them any openings.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s next on the list?¡±


    ¡°Safeway, Co-op, Trader Joes, then another Safeway.¡±


    Nila trudged off into the darkness, leaving Cal to hurry after her.

 19. Running With Lowbies

    Now


    ¡°Interesting, your displayed decision-making ability has covered a wide range of competence,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°Uh¡­ thanks?¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor, it is erroneous to take that as a compliment.¡±


    ¡°You wound me, Tides,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°In my defense, information was hard to come by the first couple of years. There were so many different tutorials and they cost so many Universal Points that we were mostly operating by guess work.¡±


    ¡°The Threnosh compiled a comprehensive database of all spire-originated tutorials within the first two years,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    ¡°Really, how did you manage that? Whenever we tried to share information directly from the tutorials they came out garbled or scrambled. It didn¡¯t matter if you tried to speak the words or write it down or type it down. You could only read, listen, to them while inside a spire.¡±


    ¡°That was not our experience.¡±


    Cal looked back and forth from Loaming and Tides. ¡°You¡¯re serious? Huh¡­ so our worlds¡¯ interactions with those things weren¡¯t the same¡­ interesting.¡±


    ¡°These supply distribution facilities that you speak of. How did you not recognize that they were transitioning into Encounter Challenge Zones?¡±


    He couldn¡¯t be certain and it wasn¡¯t important enough for Cal to peek into Tides¡¯ thoughts for confirmation, but it seemed that the alien was actually being smug.


    ¡°Could you be referring to the grocery stores?¡± Cal knew that it was.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Well, we checked five stores that night. Tried different things, different combinations of things, to see if we could trigger it. Then we went and double-checked each store again on our way back. Nothing happened,¡± Cal said. ¡°Turns out all it took was time. Got a bit of an unpleasant surprise two weeks later. The stupid council tried to blame me when all the commercial properties started turning into Encounter Challenges one after another. They needn¡¯t have worried. All the new Encounter Challenges were clearly for lowbies.¡±


    ¡°What is this word, lowbies?¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said the word with distaste.


    ¡°It refers to weaker individuals. Those that haven¡¯t strengthened their abilities.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    Cal tried to shrug. ¡°Nothing much more to say. People had to do the Encounter Challenges to get their supplies, food, medicine, and other necessities. It worked out pretty good. They got the stuff they needed, while gaining experience, strength, and Universal Points. It actually pushed those on the fence about going to the spire to unlock their abilities. Kind of reinforced our new reality.¡±


    ¡°And there were no further incidents similar to the M-L-K High School Spawn Zone?¡±


    ¡°Nope, made it clear that if they tried to do anything other than gathering their supplies, they risked the chance of triggering a Spawn Point,¡± Cal said. ¡°After what we all went through with the high school, everyone was very careful.¡±


    ¡°Did you discover anything further concerning the Encounter Challenge Zones?¡±


    ¡°Not much more, probably just the same as you guys have,¡± Cal said. ¡°Used a good chunk of points to purchase an Encounter Challenge tutorial. I was concerned about our lack of information to say the least. Found out that there was an entire ecosystem when it came to a zone, as you call it. The tutorial didn¡¯t really explain how, but the zone itself earned Universal Points from deaths that occurred inside, people and monsters. It used these points to replenish the items it carried and apparently it could make improvements over time. I didn¡¯t observe any significant improvements in four years, so I concluded that the time scale involved is likely measured in decades or more.¡± He grinned. ¡°Tell me, did you understand all that? It didn¡¯t come out garbled or in gibberish.¡±


    ¡°We do not know this word, but you were understood,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    ¡°Huh¡­ did you already know all that?¡±


    ¡°You have shared information that we already possess,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°Damn,¡± Cal said. ¡°Oh well, it was worth a try.¡±


    ¡°Explain.¡±


    ¡°Just wanted to see if I had info that you didn¡¯t,¡± Cal said. ¡°So, I take it you know about the thing where if you trigger the supersecret and super-dangerous boss monster then you have the option of taking control of the Encounter Challenge.¡±


    The interrogators¡¯ heads jerked to look at each other. It was the first non-deliberate movement that Cal had seen them make over the weeks of interrogations.


    ¡°Oh, you didn¡¯t know? How is that possible? I was under the impression that you guys were extremely methodical in your pursuit of information.¡±


    There was a long moment of silence before Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 spoke. ¡°We do not take risks.¡±


    ¡°Well, maybe you should start. When you gain control of an Encounter Challenge you can set all sorts of parameters. For starters you can set the frequency and location of monster spawns. Your people will know exactly what kind, how many, and where they can expect to find monsters, no more surprises. You can determine how the zone¡¯s Universal Points are spent. Maybe you¡¯d rather it put out useful supply items more frequently versus spawning monsters. You can do that too. That¡¯s what we eventually did with the grocery stores when the value of monster killings started to drop once the community as a whole grew stronger.¡± Cal smiled smugly, which was intentional. ¡°Pretty good info, right? And I gave it up for free, didn¡¯t even ask for anything in return.¡±


    ¡°This session is at an end. Designation: Honor we shall resume at a later time,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    <hr>


    Immediately after Cal was floated out of the interrogation room in his sealed sarcophagus a holographic projection appeared in front of the two interrogators.


    ¡°That is unnecessary.¡± Prime Custodian 3 waved away the two interrogators in the middle of their salutes. ¡°Assessment of the subject¡¯s information.¡±


    ¡°All scans indicate truth,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said as they flipped a panel up out of the back portion of his power armor¡¯s left arm. The right arm of their armor unfolded revealing a stick-thin gray-skinned arm topped by four delicate fingers. These fingers danced across the buttons recessed underneath the panel. ¡°Reviewing data, C.I. concurs with 93.784 probability.¡±


    ¡°Agreement.¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 was just a hair behind.


    ¡°Yes, I saw the same,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°What is your assessment?¡±


    The two interrogators exchanged a look of confusion. It bothered them that they had caught themselves doing so many times since their current project with the subject began. Never before in the course of their duties had they openly displayed such uncertainty.


    ¡°Twenty-four sessions over fifty-two days,¡± Prime Custodian 3 began, ¡°that is the amount of time you have spent with the subject. It is clear that the subject is fundamentally different from the Threnosh, not just physically, but in here,¡± they tapped their mottled gray head with one finger in an uncharacteristically demonstrative fashion. ¡°I ask for your assessment. Not what the scans say. Not what the C.I. says.¡±


    ¡°The subject speaks truth, but not completely,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said. ¡°I¡­ suspect,¡± the word tasted unfamiliar in their mouth, ¡°that the subject¡¯s words are meant to conceal and confuse. The purpose of which, I am uncertain.¡±


    ¡°Concur,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said perhaps a tad too quickly.


    ¡°Speculate,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    ¡°The subject desires this alliance, between his people and the Threnosh. All of his words, spoken and not, are all aimed toward that goal,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    Prime Custodian 3 bent their head forward slightly. ¡°Very well. Proceed as you are with the subject.¡±


    ¡°Prime Custodian 3.¡±


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The Prime¡¯s impassive gaze fell on Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623.


    ¡°What the subject said about the possibility of gaining control over the Encounter Challenge Zones.¡±


    ¡°I have already ordered an immediate investigation. If the subject is truthful and accurate then the Threnosh will owe him.¡±


    Prime Custodian 3¡¯s holographic projection dissolved without further word leaving the two interrogators even more confused and troubled than they were at the start of the short debrief.


    <hr>


    Then


    ¡°You guys ready?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Four voices in unison responded.


    It was like the nerdiest of choirs. Although by definition Cal figured it was probably redundant. Choirs were supposed to be nerdy, weren¡¯t they? Or was that dorky? He¡¯d ask Remy later, his brother was the one who¡¯d spent a few years in the choir during elementary school. The thought brought a smile to his face. He wasn¡¯t going to pass up an opportunity to tease his younger brother about it. Especially since it must¡¯ve been a good decade since he last brought that particular nugget up.


    The adventuring party, Team F.C.W.R., as they dubbed themselves, took the smile as encouragement.


    ¡°Thanks so much for leading us!¡± Gene smiled brightly.


    Olo nodded like a bobble head. ¡°We won¡¯t let you down!¡±


    ¡°Tsk.¡± Bastien was frowning. ¡°We don¡¯t need help. We aren¡¯t lowbies.¡±


    ¡°Shut up, dude,¡± Johnny whispered as he elbowed his friend in the side.


    ¡°Listen up, kids,¡± Cal said. ¡°Bast, this isn¡¯t a milk run. I¡¯m not here to babysit. I¡¯m just here to make sure you don¡¯t do anything dumb and accidentally turn this place into a Spawn Point.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Bastien,¡± the teenage boy grumbled under his breath.


    Cal heard the complaint fine with his superior senses, plus he didn¡¯t need to peak into the boy¡¯s thoughts to see the waves of resentment coming of him like the stench of body odor. A smile crossed Cal¡¯s face again. He¡¯d have to remember to tell Nila about all the cool and totally not lame metaphors he was coming up with.


    Gene raised his hand.


    ¡°Again, what¡¯s with the hand raising? This isn¡¯t school,¡± Cal said. ¡°Well, out with it.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ why the Target?¡±


    ¡°Huh? No one told you?¡±


    ¡°Our watch supervisor just said to report to you,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Oh, I see,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°Gentlemen, you are performing a vital task for our nascent community. Specifically, your quest is to procure vital supplies for an upcoming operation that,¡± he paused for effect, ¡°a lot of people are counting on. So, you best have your A games today.¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡± Gene raised his hand, then dropped it hastily, ¡°but we didn¡¯t get a quest.¡±


    ¡°Ah, my mistake its a quest not a QUEST,¡± Cal said. ¡°Lowercase, not uppercase.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a job then,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°More like a chore,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Dude, you¡¯re making us look bad in front of¡­ him,¡± Johnny whispered while elbowing Bastien in the side.


    ¡°Bro, quit it with the elbows, you¡¯re the one making us look bad.¡± Bastien returned the favor.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to stop you two there before you start a fist fight.¡± Cal gave them his best glare. ¡°Save that aggression for the gremlins.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me, sir?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Olo,¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°Do you know what kind of gremlins are in there?¡±


    ¡°Good question. I checked it out earlier and it¡¯s mostly the small ones and maybe a few of the human-sized ones. Nothing you can¡¯t handle based on what I know of your capabilities.¡± Cal clapped his hands. ¡°Now, any more questions? Or can we get this started?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ what exactly are we supposed to be looting?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s procurement, Gene and that¡¯s a good question. You are getting candy, snacks, and drinks. Nila said to stick to juice, but I¡¯m thinking since it¡¯s for a special occasion we can grab soda too.¡±


    ¡°This is for that stupid party!¡± Bastien shot an accusatory look at Cal.


    ¡°C¡¯mon man! It¡¯s for Halloween. They¡¯re going to do trick-or-treating for the kiddies. There¡¯ll be games, music, dancing, and some other stuff for the older crowd,¡± Cal grinned.


    Truth be told he was a bit leery about the plan. He had looked over the protection plan for the event and found it adequate. Besides, he was planning to shoulder the burden of keeping everyone safe. As much as he didn¡¯t want to play chaperone all night, he knew that he was going to do so anyways. It was annoying, but he decided that since he was doing it for people, young and old, who hadn¡¯t had much to be happy about in the past year and a half and not at the council¡¯s request then it was okay.


    ¡°So that¡¯s what why they¡¯re decorating the community center,¡± Gene said. ¡°Seems risky though, all that people in one place, outdoors at night.¡±


    ¡°The watch will be keeping a tight patrol,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Why weren¡¯t we included?¡±


    Cal grinned at Gene. ¡°It was decided that minors get to be minors for at least one night. No patrolling, no monster killing, no responsibilities.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but that sounds kinda irresponsible,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Well, yeah, but it¡¯s been decided,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°Now it¡¯s time to get this quest started. Are you ready to answer the call to adventure, Team F.C.W.R.?¡±


    As one, each of the teen boys¡¯ faces grew grim. Young though they were, monster killing was old hat by this point. It made Cal sad.


    Cal had to admit that Team F.C.W.R. moved like they knew what they were doing. Olo was at the tip of their arrowhead formation. He had a police riot shield in one hand and a well-dented metal bat in the other. A little behind him were Gene and Johnny, to the left and right respectively. Both were armed with a machete in one hand. Gene¡¯s off-hand was held in front of him at the ready, fingers splayed open. Behind them in the center was Bastien. He held a lantern and an ax handle, minus the bladed head. It was too heavy according to him when Cal had asked. Naturally, Cal told him he needed to work out, but Bastien had claimed that his healing prayers became less effective and more difficult to perform when he tried increasing his strength. It was yet another quirk of the spires¡¯ enforced system that they hadn¡¯t unraveled.


    As he followed the team from a safe distance, Cal reached out with his telepathy. He could sense the usual malice and hunger in the dark shadows of the store¡¯s interior, but kept that to himself. He wasn¡¯t planning to help even a little. He wasn¡¯t going to interfere unless the team was in real danger. They still weren¡¯t sure how Universal Points were allocated. There was a chance that since he was so much more powerful than the boys that even his simple actions risked taking the bulk of the points for the monster kills.


    Even so it was difficult to restrain himself from acting when a handful of small gremlins jumped out of the shadows all around the team.


    Olo batted one aside with his shield, while smashing another with his bat


    Johnny took in a sharp breath and the two gremlins rushing him stopped suddenly, as if they lost sight of the teen that was actually still standing in front of them. The second of confusion was plenty of time for the teen to hack into first one, then the other gremlin with his machete.


    ¡°Magic Missile,¡± Gene said in a soft voice. Three marble-sized orbs of glowing purple light shot out of his fingertips. Each zoomed away to impact into the chests of three small gremlins, leaving a burning hole in each. He then rushed forward to end the dying gremlins with his machete.


    ¡°Nicely done,¡± Cal said. ¡°Decisive and efficient. Except for one small thing. Gene, still have to say the spell¡¯s name?¡±


    Gene frowned. ¡°It just doesn¡¯t work if I don¡¯t verbalize. I¡¯ve tried everything. Visualizing, saying it in my head.¡±


    ¡°Inconvenient to give your targets a warning,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to say it as quietly as possible,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Just keep in mind that I could hear you from all the way back here,¡± Cal said.


    Gene nodded. ¡°C¡¯mon guys let¡¯s keep moving.¡±


    ¡°Where do you want to go first?¡± Olo spoke without taking his eyes off the shadows in their front arc.


    Cal was slightly impressed to note that each of the boys never took their eyes off their sectors even during the conversation. Gene¡¯s eyes flicked to Cal.


    ¡°Remember, I¡¯m just here for observation and in case of an emergency,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Snacks aisle first, then drinks on the way out, since they¡¯re heaviest,¡± Gene said.


    The team faced two more attacks as they made their way to collect the snacks and on their way to the drinks. They dealt with the small gremlins with practiced ease. Even Bastien had the opportunity to smack a few with his wooden ax handle to make sure that he secured his claim to some Universal Points.


    The drinks were placed in separate bags. Juice and soda of several different varieties. Cal was responsible for hauling their cargo, since it would¡¯ve been too heavy for the non-super strong teens to carry them without the use of a shopping cart. Cal idly wondered how many points he¡¯d get for being a glorified pack mule.


    ¡°Alright, we¡¯ve got the loot,¡± Gene said the word with a sour look on his face. ¡°Time to get out of here. Keep ready for the larger gremlins.¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t they have attacked by now?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Olo,¡± Gene said. ¡°I¡¯d say fifty-fifty on that.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we haven¡¯t entered into their aggro radius,¡± Johnny said.


    Bastien looked to Cal. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to know where they are?¡±


    Cal replied with a chuckle and a shake of his head.


    ¡°Do you think maybe we should look for them?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Johnny,¡± Gene said. ¡°The points for the bigger ones are definitely worth it, but we did get what we came for and I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s okay with Mr. Cruces that he was to carry everything, while following us around.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it risky though to go looking for trouble?¡± Olo eyes were constantly moving around their immediate area.


    Gene mulled it over for a few seconds. ¡°Why don¡¯t we vote? All in favor of leaving now¡­¡± No hands went up. ¡°Okay, I guess that means we¡¯re going hun¡ª¡±


    The words died in his mouth as a faraway look appeared in his eyes. The same look came over the rest of the team.


    ¡°Well, crap,¡± Cal said. ¡°I recognize that look.¡±


    It took maybe ten seconds by Cal¡¯s count for the first teen to return to reality, so to speak.


    A wide-eyed Gene was breathless. ¡°We just got a quest, I mean a QUEST!¡±

 20. Horde Mode

    Then


    ¡°Well, what is it? Cause I didn¡¯t get it,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°It says Horde Wave Survival.¡± Gene was visibly shaken, just like the rest of his team.


    ¡°There¡¯s a timer counting down from two minutes,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°That sounds new and ominous,¡± Cal said. ¡°Success parameters?¡± He wanted to keep the boys from losing focus and panicking.


    ¡°Destroy the waves and survive,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Rewards?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ varied.¡±


    ¡°Failure parameters?¡±


    Gene¡¯s face was pale. ¡°Death or escape.¡±


    ¡°What happens after that?¡±


    ¡°A Spawn Point will be created¡­¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°Okay, here¡¯s what you¡¯re going to do. You¡¯re going to find a good defensible position. I recommend near the front doors. The cash registers and all the carts should give you a good bottleneck to funnel these waves. If it goes bad you can bail and run outside.¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ can¡¯t you just take care of this?¡± Bastien rounded on Cal.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t get the quest so that probably means it¡¯s too easy for me,¡± Cal shrugged, ¡°but it¡¯s a good chance for you guys to get some quest rewards, which we all know give the best Universal Points. If it goes bad then I¡¯ll help. So, chop-chop. If I¡¯m not mistaken you¡¯ve got a little over a minute to get into position.¡±


    The team ran for it. What was impressive to Cal was the way they kept to their formation and stayed alert. They didn¡¯t just assume that the area was safe until the quest countdown timer reached zero. Gene barked out directions for Olo, who was leading the way. They followed the same exact route that they came in on. It was wise to ensure that they passed through areas that they had already cleared of monsters.


    With their remaining seconds the team, with Cal¡¯s help, moved some of the empty shopping carts to create an even better funnel. When that was done they got into the familiar diamond formation. Olo at the front, Gene and Johnny on the flanks, and Bastien in the middle rear, ready to heal or lend a hand when the opportunity presented itself or was required.


    Seeing that the team was ready, Cal moved back closer to the doors, next to the bags of sweet and salty loot. He¡¯d make sure their haul would remain secure after all it was why they had come in the first place. Oh, he almost forgot the most important part. He¡¯d have to be ready to pull the team out of the fire if things went bad, which meant he¡¯d have to deal with the outcome of a failed quest. He wondered what sort of a Spawn Point the spires would make out of a Target. Better or worse than the high school?


    ¡°Wave one incoming!¡± Bastien called out as the countdown hit zero.


    A small, snarling gremlin, singular, as in one came scrambling over the makeshift barricade of shopping carts. It funneled itself down into Olo¡¯s wheelhouse. The teen smacked it hard with his bat and sent it flying back where it came from.


    Cal heard the crack. He knew he didn¡¯t need to bother using his telepathy to see if the monster was still alive.


    Bastien confirmed it for him. ¡°Done! Thirty seconds to wave two!¡±


    Johnny barked out a laugh. ¡°Seriously? Just one? This is going to take forever if each wave goes up by one.¡±


    ¡°Stupid apocalypse, doing stupid things,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Wave two incoming!¡±


    This time five small gremlins came.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Gene rushed forward to join Olo on the front lines, while Johnny did the same on the other side.


    Together the trio made short work of the gremlins.


    ¡°Anyone hurt?¡±


    ¡°Nah, we¡¯re good.¡± Gene said. ¡°Bastien, if it¡¯s just small gremlins, I think you should join us. Makes no sense keeping you back there. You¡¯re missing out on the points.¡±


    Bastien nodded and placed the lantern on the shelf of the returns department a few feet behind him. He then moved closer to the front with the rest of his team. Cal wasn¡¯t so sure that was the right move. You¡¯d have to weigh the potential that the next wave was comprised of the type of monster and the numbers you were expecting, otherwise Gene was just putting their only healer at risk. As the saying went ¡®healer dies, team wipes¡¯, or something like that. The last time Cal had played an mmo was just after college, which was almost fifteen years ago.


    ¡°Wave three!¡± Bastien called out from just behind the front line. The teen was ready to get some hits in the gaps.


    Seven gremlins came and died.


    The next four waves were comprised of ever increasing numbers of the little gremlins. The seventh wave got a little dicey and Gene was forced to use his last two casts of the magic missile spell for the day to thin the mass of twenty gremlins down to a more manageable fourteen.


    ¡°Save your skills!¡± Gene commanded.


    ¡°Got it!¡± Olo smacked away a group of leaping gremlins with a sweep of his riot shield.


    The four teens battered, slashed, and stabbed the small monsters until none remained alive. They received a few wounds for their trouble. Mostly small cuts from tiny claws.


    ¡°Anyone need heals?¡±


    ¡°No heals,¡± Gene said to Bastien. ¡°Save them for really bad wounds.¡±


    ¡°Wave eight, ten seconds,¡± Bastien said in between huffs of breath.


    Even if it hurt his ability to do his healing prayer magic Cal was going to really encourage the boy to at least get enough cardio to last more than a couple of fights. Although to be fair going all out in a life or death struggle with monsters for more than a minute or two at a time was a probably a big ask for even the most well-conditioned athlete. He remembered his old high school wrestling matches only lasting two minutes a round, yet even his younger self would be sucking oxygen by the whistle. It took a lot of practice and experience to learn how to pace oneself. Cal was glad for the superhuman level of stamina that he now possessed.


    Something he caught with his mental senses jarred him from his reminiscence. ¡°Big ones incoming!¡±


    Cal¡¯s shout gave the team only a second or two of warning as a human-sized gremlin came leaping out of the shadows, right over the shopping cart barricade on their left flank.


    The monster came straight for Gene, who was caught off guard. Cal was just about to shove it away with a blast of telekinetic force when a booming shout pierced the quiet, shadowy dimness.


    ¡°On me!¡± Olo stepped in front of Gene as the latter scrambled back.


    Cal could see, so to speak, the change that overcame the gremlin. Instead of its original target, it fixated on Olo in an instant. A peek into its mind confirmed that for the gremlin only the tall, lanky, black teen with just a bit of baby fat left on his face and around his belly, existed. It wanted nothing more than to rend and tear its enemy.


    When viewing the scene through the lens of his telepathy, Cal could see something like a thread or line that connected Olo to the gremlin. It pulsed and Cal liked to imagine that it was the Taunt skill Olo sent out being received and the hate from the monster in reply. A good enough explanation as any.


    The gremlin swung a clawed hand at Olo¡¯s head. The teen showed an enormous amount of bravery to block it with his shield. Unfortunately, his physical strength wasn¡¯t yet on the same level as his guts. The blow jarred him and sent him reeling back several steps.


    The gremlin went to follow-up its attack, only to trip and let out a shriek that Cal recognized as pain.


    Johnny suddenly appeared at the gremlin¡¯s side having swung his machete low, just above its knees. The blade dug into flesh and muscle, from the way that Johnny had to struggle to wrench it out, he must¡¯ve cut all the way to the bone.


    Interesting. It appeared that Johnny¡¯s ability worked on Cal if he wasn¡¯t paying attention. It wasn¡¯t invisibility. Johnny didn¡¯t literally vanish from sight. Cal had seen the teen in action several times. The ability was more akin to distraction and obfuscation. When he triggered the ability it was as if the enemy that he was targeting lost sight of him momentarily, even when he was standing right in front of them. He could then make his escape or reposition for a better angle of attack.


    The gremlin fell to the ground, which was its end. The teens didn¡¯t hesitate as they surrounded it. They bashed and hacked until the monster stopped moving. Even Bastien was able to get a few shots in.


    ¡°That was scary,¡± Olo said in between deep breaths.


    ¡°Thirty seconds until wave nine,¡± Bastien said.


    Gene looked back at Cal.


    Cal ignored the imploring look on the teens face. If they wanted to do this sort of thing they need to learn what it was like when they were drawing all the aggro. ¡°Best get ready.¡±


    Perhaps it was more instinct than a sign of cowardice, but the team backed up closer to the doors, closer to where Cal was standing.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    It turned out to be a prescient move, as wave nine was comprised of five human-sized gremlins coming at them out of a shadows in a loose crescent shape aiming to envelope them.


    ¡°Hmm, bit unfair,¡± Cal said. With a flick of his hands he grabbed the two gremlins on each flank with telekinetic force and hurled them back into the shadows.


    ¡°On me!¡± Olo drew the three remaining gremlins to him. ¡°Cleave!¡± He swung his metal bat in a wide horizontal arc from right to left. Despite barely grazing the three gremlins there was the loud thwack of flesh being hit with a blunt object. Each gremlin fell back as if struck by the full force of the bat.


    Team F.C.W.R. leapt into action again they battered and hacked at the fallen gremlins until the monsters lay still.


    They didn¡¯t have time to celebrate their victory as the other two gremlins reappeared. One jumped in and pulled down on the upper edge of Olo¡¯s riot shield dragging the teen down into the reach of its gnashing teeth.


    The other appeared behind Gene and before anyone could react, Cal included, it bit down on teen¡¯s shoulder.


    Cal was about to intervene when he forced himself to stop and consider the scene. Time slowed to a crawl in his perception. He cringed at the anguished scream on Gene¡¯s face as the gremlin worried at his shoulder like a dog on a chunk of meat. A little further away, Olo was on top of his shield, which was on top of the other gremlin. His bat lay several feet away. His right arm was in the gremlin¡¯s mouth. Cal was impressed to note that the teen was doing his best to press down with all his weight to keep the gremlin from shaking its head and tearing at his arm even more.


    It was what the remaining two members of the team were doing that ultimately made Cal¡¯s decision for him. There was no need to save them, they were going to do it themselves.


    Bastien clubbed the gremlin on Gene¡¯s back until it let go and tried to defend itself. From the way it was staggering Bastien must¡¯ve cracked its skull. Together with the wounded Gene the two teens finished the wounded monster.


    Johnny appeared above the other gremlin¡¯s head and very carefully drove the sharp point of his machete into one of its eyes. The monster twitched for a bit before it went still. It hurt and it took some effort, but they were able to pry Olo¡¯s arm from out of the gremlin¡¯s locked mouth.


    ¡°Thirty sec¡­ until¡­ wave,¡± Bastien could barely get the words out with how hard he was breathing.


    ¡°Alright, looks like you guys are done,¡± Cal said.


    Gene grimaced with pain from the ghastly bite wound on his shoulder. ¡°No, we have to finish the waves or we¡¯ll fail the quest.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in no shape to do that and I believe you don¡¯t have enough time to do your prayer heals, right, Bastien?¡±


    Bastien nodded.


    ¡°But the quest,¡± Olo said. His eyes were squeezed tight and he cradled his bitten arm close to his body.


    ¡°You can¡¯t even hold your bat,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°I have an idea. Gene, can you still use your last spells.¡±


    ¡°I think so¡­¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± Cal turned to Olo next. ¡°Still got a Taunt left in you.¡±


    Olo picked up his riot shield and nodded.


    ¡°Great! As soon as they come, you all do as I say.¡±


    Nods all around.


    The sounds of snarling, the clicks of claws on the tiles, it was a cacophony unlike anything any of them had heard since the Davis War many months ago.


    Cal counted twenty human-sized gremlins. Cal saw them all with his telepathy. Some were charging straight through the funnel, while others were aiming to strike from the flanks, hidden in the shadows. He grabbed the latter with his telekinesis and pulled them out of the shadows as soon as they made their moves. He sent them crashing into the space right in front of him, right in front of the charging gremlins.


    ¡°Gene use your fireball.¡± Cal¡¯s voice was calm. It was as if he had just asked the teen to solve for x.


    ¡°Fireball!¡± A small flaming orb the size of a baseball appeared in Gene¡¯s hand as he hurled it like a pitcher.


    The ball impacted in the center of the mass of gremlins with an explosion that billowed out into a cloud of flame and heat that Cal felt from where he stood, twenty feet away.


    Seven gremlins, those closest to the epicenter of the explosion lay where they fell, unmoving. Cal couldn¡¯t detect any thoughts from them.


    Thirteen remained. These gremlins stood up unsteadily and focused on Gene with palpable hatred and hunger. It was clear to see even without telepathy. Their bodies were burned. Blackened and cracked flesh wept blood. The foul stench of their flesh wafted through the store¡¯s interior. It reminded Cal and the teens of things they wished to scrub from their memories. It was the smell that often haunted their nightmares.


    ¡°Looks like you just got all the aggro, Gene,¡± Cal said. ¡°Olo, you¡¯re up.¡±


    Olo stepped up next to Cal. His body visibly shook.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Cal whispered. ¡°I won¡¯t let them hurt you. Just take their attention away from your DPS, like a Tank is supposed to.¡±


    ¡°On me!¡± Olo bellowed as he held his riot shield in front of him. Bloody, bitten arm held tight to his chest.


    The gremlins immediately switched their focus to Olo. They came rushing forward with surprising quickness, but Cal was ready. He threw his arms wide and clapped them together. At the same time the gremlins were pushed in together and held in place. They were a tangle of limbs and claws that struggled impotently against the invisible grip.


    Cal kept his concentration on the gremlins. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead and the sharp pains of many needles started to poke at his brain, metaphorically of course. ¡°You got that other fire spell, right?¡±


    Gene nodded as he shuffled his way closer to the gremlins.


    ¡°Any day now,¡± Cal said through grit teeth.


    That put a little pep in Gene¡¯s steps as he hurried to stand just a few feet away from the gremlins that could only snap their sharp teeth in his direction. ¡°Fire Spray!¡± A flat arc of flame shot from his outstretched hand. The fire fanned out in a continuous spray bathing the gremlins for a few seconds before it cut out and Gene staggered back.


    Bastien and Johnny rushed forward to catch Gene before he toppled. Together they dragged him behind Cal and Olo.


    ¡°Right,¡± Cal said as he released his telekinetic hold on the gremlins. They fell to the ground, some remained still, while some still moved weakly. ¡°Bastien, Johnny kill the ones still alive and make sure the rest are actually dead.¡± While the two rushed to comply. Cal beckoned to Olo. ¡°Sorry, but I need you to pay attention to the wave announcement while I work on Gene. I¡¯ll get to you next.¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t wait for a reply, trusting in the teen to handle his role. He went to the front doors where he left his day pack and grabbed first aid supplies. He rushed to Gene¡¯s side. The teen was flat on his back and staring up with a look of utter exhaustion on his face. He could barely lift his head.


    ¡°Sorry, used up all my spells and I think cause of the bite, it took out a lot more from me than I expected.¡± Gene¡¯s words were weak, barely audible even with Cal¡¯s superior hearing.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, just means you¡¯ve got to get stronger.¡±


    Cal carefully, yet quickly manhandled the thin teen to get his motorcycle jacket off his injured shoulder. The gremlin¡¯s teeth went right through the kevlar fabric to bite deep into the flesh. They really needed better protection, actual armor. Was it too much to ask for someone in their community to have the blacksmith or armorer classes? If those were even possibilities.


    He cleaned out the wound with alcohol then checked the punctures for any foreign matter. It was an easy thing to use his telekinesis to pull out even the tiniest bits of fabric.


    ¡°That was the last wave,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Good, stay on guard,¡± Cal said without looking up from his work. Once he slapped the gauze and taped it to Gene¡¯s shoulder he beckoned Olo over. ¡°Your turn.¡± It didn¡¯t take long to dress the other teen¡¯s arm.


    ¡°Alright, Bastien are you feeling up to using some of your healing prayers.¡±


    ¡°Sure, but I thought you took care of their wounds?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got this theory that healing counts towards participation and since you lot didn¡¯t get a quest completion message yet, I¡¯m guessing we have to exit the store first.¡±


    ¡°Sure, I can do that.¡± Bastien¡¯s tired face lit up.


    Bastien knelt next to Gene, who was in a seated position, leaning back against the returns counter. He placed his hand over Gene¡¯s wounded shoulder and started softly praying.


    It was the Apostle¡¯s Creed. Cal recognized it immediately. He was a bit surprised to find out that Bastien was probably Catholic. It had been years since he had gone to a mass, not since he grew too old for his mom to make him go. Idly, he wondered what the Church thought of the spires and the introduction of powers and magic into the world. They probably didn¡¯t like it, he vaguely remembered something about them speaking out against Harry Potter for teaching witchcraft to children or some such nonsense. A vindictive part of him thought it would be interesting to see their reactions if they saw Bastien doing actual magic while saying their prayers. What sorts of changes to doctrine and dogma would they need to make to fit the new reality?


    The space between Bastiens hands and Gene¡¯s shoulders began to glow with a soft, warm light. One minute, two, then three, Cal counted before Bastien slumped down and caught himself against the side of the counter.


    ¡°Wow, thanks man! That never fails!¡± Gene rotated his shoulder. ¡°Just sore.¡± He poked at the gauze bandage with his fingers. ¡°I can¡¯t feel the holes anymore.¡±


    Olo raised his uninjured arm. ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    ¡°Give me a few minutes,¡± Bastien said wearily.


    They waited for Bastien to recover before he repeated the healing prayer magic with Olo¡¯s arm. He then did the same for the minor wounds on all of them before collapsing down right next to Gene.


    ¡°Good job everyone,¡± Cal said. ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken that should be that¡­¡±


    The team wasn¡¯t paying attention, a far away look had descended on their faces.


    ¡°You¡¯re getting predictable,¡± Cal said to no one in particular.


    ¡°Quest succeeded!¡± Johnny said brightly. He was the only among his team that had the energy to be excited. ¡°I got 2000 Universal Points for it!¡±


    The rest of the team echoed the same.


    ¡°I wonder how the points will be divided for the kills?¡± Bastien frowned, ¡°I hope the healing was worth it.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll find out the next time you go to the spire and yes you¡¯ll get points for it,¡± Cal said. ¡°Congratulations gentlemen! Warriors of Light and Virtue!¡± He laid it on a bit thick. ¡°You have successfully completed an epic challenge and have been well rewarded.¡± They deserved it.


    ¡°This is the most points we¡¯ve gotten in like ever,¡± Johnny said. ¡°I don¡¯t have an exact count, but I think I¡¯ve gotten like 3100-ish total this whole time.¡±


    ¡°You got the loot for the council and you did the first horde wave challenge!¡± Cal grinned. ¡°All without triggering anything crazy¡ª¡±


    An all to familiar chime rang in Cal¡¯s ears.


    ¡°God damn it,¡± Cal said flatly.


    You have successfully met the requirements to face the True Boss of the Target Encounter Challenge.


    Success Parameter: Defeat the Boss.


    Failure Parameter: Die or Flee.


    Rewards: Control of Encounter Challenge, Varied.


    Failure: Creation of Spawn Point.


    Will you accept?


    ¡°Do we ¡ª¡± Gene started.


    ¡°Nobody say a word.¡± Cal deliberately looked at each teen in turn to impress upon them with his will and a little bit of his telepathy. He couldn¡¯t chance an accident. ¡°When I point at you, you will focus on the quest and you will think and say the word ¡®NO¡¯.¡±


    Cal pointed at each teen. One by one they did as he commanded.


    ¡°No,¡± Cal said.


    When the quest message vanished from his vision and hearing he let out a sigh of relief.


    ¡°That was too close. Alright, we¡¯re done for the day. You lot can rest outside. Then we¡¯ll head back with our loot and then you lot can sleep for the next few days. After that I think I¡¯ll need to look into a training regimen for you guys,¡± Ca said. He purposefully ignored the tired smiles that broke across Team F.C.W.R.¡¯s faces.

 21. Death From Above

    Then


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Cal came to a stop next to Eron.


    ¡°They want to drive to Frisco, apparently most of their family is there,¡± Eron said with a nod at the large SUV laden with belongings. ¡°The dad is some kind of prepper. Bribed that dude with the Recharge spell with some gold coins or bullion, something like that. Don¡¯t really get it,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°I thought the council locked that down. Only officially approved use since he can¡¯t do the spell more than once every few days.¡±


    Eron chuckled. ¡°Guy told them that if they gave him that much gold then they could tell him what to do.¡±


    ¡°Right, so why are we here?¡±


    Cal studied the scene, capturing all of the details in seconds. A group of the watch had one of their trucks parked in front of the family¡¯s SUV, blocking the freeway on-ramp. They were at the edge of the city and he eyed the area beyond the limits warily. Seeing nothing, he reached out as far as he could with his telepathy. Again he wasn¡¯t able to pick up anything beyond a surprisingly large amount of animals, mutated or not, he couldn¡¯t tell for certain.


    The scene was quiet with the complete lack of road noise. The hills on both sides of the freeway were green and wild flowers dotted the landscape. In this way the spires¡¯ apocalypse brought a sense of beauty and tranquility back to the natural environment. At least on the surface. Cal had this feeling that at any moment the illusion was going to be shattered and he¡¯d be reminded of why it was an apocalypse.


    ¡°Eh, I don¡¯t really know,¡± Eron said. ¡°Megan said that the council wanted us to be on hand just in case¡­ and before you ask, I don¡¯t know that that means.¡±


    ¡°Seems like this is the watch¡¯s job,¡± Cal said. ¡°And what¡¯s up with that thing you got there?¡±


    Eron hefted the eight-foot long spear off his shoulder and planted the butt end on the ground. ¡°Cool huh? Remy finally helped me make it after I bugged him for weeks. It¡¯s basically made out of one piece of metal and Remy did his Magneto-thing to make extra strong and dense or something.¡±


    ¡°I can see that,¡± Cal said. ¡°It¡¯s a little rough-looking.¡±


    ¡°Meh, don¡¯t care about the looks. All I care about is that it¡¯s pointy-sharp and heavy as fuck. Supposedly weighs over fifty pounds, can¡¯t really tell since anything under a couple thousand might as well weigh like a couple of pounds to me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you like your new toy, but why even bother? Didn¡¯t think you needed a weapon,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Well, since we had that talk about what sort of scary and possibly giant monsters are out there in the spaces between cities,¡± Eron held the spear out with his outstretched arm, point toward the horizon, ¡°I figured it might be a good idea to get me some force multipliers. Axes and sledgehammers from Home Depot aren¡¯t going to cut it.¡±


    ¡°So, when you planning to head out?¡± Cal tried to keep his tone easy.


    ¡°Relax, man,¡± Eron said. ¡°I didn¡¯t forget. We¡¯ll scout out the immediate areas first. That way I can get an idea of what types of monsters might be out there. I¡¯m starting to think I might go along with that family for at least a few miles. See if I can trigger an escort quest or something,¡± he grimaced.


    ¡°That¡¯s an idea,¡± Cal said.


    The two Cruces brothers continued to observe from a distance for several more minutes as the father of the family argued from the driver¡¯s seat with the member of the watch standing just outside the SUV¡¯s window. The man¡¯s voice grew heated and his gesticulations became more emphatic. They didn¡¯t need their superior hearing to catch the man¡¯s words. The watch member kept his calm before finally walking over to Cal and Eron.


    ¡°Sirs, Senior Watchman Todd Biggs.¡± The man introduced himself to Cal and Eron with a smart salute.


    Cal smiled and extended his hand for a shake. Eron did the same.


    ¡°Well, Todd,¡± Cal said. ¡°Nice job keeping cool under all that abuse.¡±


    ¡°Man, I don¡¯t think I¡¯d be able to do the same,¡± Eron said. ¡°Why even bring your mother into it?¡±


    ¡°Just trying to do my job properly.¡± Todd grinned, which shifted into a grimace. ¡°I don¡¯t really want to ask this of you,¡± he shrugged, ¡°but, like I said, I¡¯m just doing my job.¡±


    ¡°Let me guess, the council wants us to keep them from leaving,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°If they want to leave, let them go,¡± Eron said.


    Todd nodded, looking a little bit embarrassed. ¡°That¡¯s my thinking too, but the council thinks differently.¡±


    ¡°What are your orders if they insist on leaving?¡± Cal was tempted to peak into the family¡¯s thoughts, to see if they were all in agreement in regards to leaving, but he resisted the impulse. It would be an invasion of privacy and he couldn¡¯t do that.


    ¡°We¡¯re supposed to ask you to stop them¡­¡±


    ¡°I thought this was ¡®Murica.¡± Eron laughed. ¡°Free country and all that. If they want to leave, then let them.¡±


    The look on Todd¡¯s face made it plain that he was in agreement. ¡°The council is worried that it¡¯ll encourage others to leave and with the unknown dangers out there¡­¡±


    ¡°That is the most prudent view, but I¡¯m not going to stand in the way of anyone wanting to go,¡± Cal said. ¡°As long as they are doing it of their own free will.¡±


    Todd frowned. ¡°What about the kids?¡±


    ¡°Like I said, it¡¯s not what I¡¯d personally do. However, the parents still have the ultimate responsibility.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Cal,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°What happened to ¡®this is a free country¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t think about the kids,¡± Eron shrugged. ¡°Adults going into danger willing is one thing. Taking your kids with you is another.¡±


    ¡°Well, we can¡¯t keep them here if they want to leave. Do you want to imprison them? Maybe build some sort of camp, in which we can concentrate them with other like-minded people?¡±


    Eron rolled his eyes. ¡°Man, I¡¯m not Jay and his racists.¡±


    Cal turned to regard Todd. ¡°Well, looks like that¡¯s it, Senior Watchman Biggs. There¡¯s your answer. I hope you don¡¯t get in trouble with the council.¡±


    ¡°You can call me Todd,¡± he shook his head, ¡°and it¡¯s no problem. Everyone knows that what the Cruces brothers says, goes.¡±


    Cal suppressed a wince, while Eron grinned.


    ¡°You really aren¡¯t going to try to stop them?¡± Eron looked over at the SUV.


    ¡°Nah. What are we going to do? Block them with the truck? They can just go around and try another on-ramp. We can¡¯t ram them, that¡¯d just end up hurting more people. If they go it¡¯s not like they¡¯re guaranteed to die, right? Maybe it¡¯ll turn out okay.¡±


    The senior watchman nodded at the two Cruces brothers and returned to the blocked SUV. They watched him exchange a few words with the dad in the drivers seat. Once down, Todd signaled for the truck blocking the on-ramp to move out of the way. The SUV¡¯s engine roared to life and its tires squealed as it took off.


    Cal could imagine the eagerness of the father to get on the road, maybe mingled with a little bit of fear that the watch might change their minds and try to stop them. He thought about his own family far to the south. Truly he could sympathize. He understood why Eron wanted to leave. The pragmatic part of Cal just found it difficult to accept the risks.


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°I almost forgot what cars sounded like,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Yeah, dude¡¯s really hitting the gas,¡± Eron said.


    They watched from their new position on the overpass as the tail lights of the SUV receded in the distance.


    ¡°I hope they make it okay,¡± Eron said.


    A sudden, loud screech made a mockery of his desires.


    Cal watched as a dark shape plummeted out of the sky. It was headed straight for the SUV and the people within.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Eron exploded into action. He jumped off the overpass and hit the freeway running. His powerful strides tearing up the pavement beneath him.


    ¡°Get under the overpass and stay there!¡± Cal shouted at the confused watchmen. He didn¡¯t wait to see if they were going to comply before he too was sprinting.


    Cal could run very fast. Testing on the high school track showed that he could break the world record for the 100 meters at a light jog. At an all out sprint, well, he¡¯d lap a thoroughbred race horse like Secretariat or give a cheetah a head start and he¡¯d still run it down.


    As fast Cal was, Eron was even faster.


    None of that mattered though, as they were both going to be too slow. Cal could only watch in horror as the dark shape unfurled massive wings right before impact. It arrested only enough of its momentum to ensure it didn¡¯t slam against the ground. There was more than enough to crush the roof of the SUV into its interior.


    There was a squeal of tires, the dad hitting the brakes, probably reflexively, Cal dully noted. The crunch of metal and plastic. The braking of windows. The only thing missing were the screams. It happened too fast he realized. The family was already dead. He was sickened and relieved at the same time.


    Eron roared as he let fly with his metal spear from a good three hundred yards away. A loud bang a split second later caused Cal to almost lose his footing. He belatedly recognized that his brother had just broken the sound barrier with the throw.


    There was a loud sound, like metal hitting metal, followed by a screech. Cal had killed enough monsters and mutant animals to recognize a pained vocalization when he heard it.


    Cal skidded to a halt next to Eron, who had stopped some one-hundred yards away from the crushed SUV and the monster. It was a mottled brown in color, with small, armor plate-like scales all over its body. Its wings were leathery and looked like a bat¡¯s with the enormous, claws at the tips of its ¡®hands¡¯. Its long, serpentine neck ended with an ugly head and maw filled with dagger-like teeth.


    ¡°It¡¯s a fucking dragon!¡± Even with all the things he had seen in the past year and a half, Cal didn¡¯t quite believe his own eyes.


    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s a wyvern,¡± Eron said. ¡°See how its forelimbs are attached to the wings? Dragons have four limbs, their wings count as another two. At least for Euro-style dragons. The Chinese ones have more snake-like bodies and might or might not have four limbs.¡± He pointed at the monster¡¯s tail. ¡°See the spike on its tail? Looks like a stinger. Wyvern¡¯s are supposed to have a poisonous tail.¡±


    ¡°Does the distinction really matter right now.¡±


    ¡°We should try to get a general idea of what we¡¯re facing,¡± Eron shrugged. ¡°Is the family¡­¡±


    Cal already knew the answer, but he reached out with his telepathy in the vain hope that he was wrong. Nothing. ¡°They¡¯re gone.¡± He shook his head.


    The monster snarled and hissed at Cal and Eron from its perch on top of the crushed SUV. Metal groaned and plastic cracked with every little shift of the monster¡¯s weight. Cal could see Eron¡¯s spear barely dangling from the right side of its broad chest.


    ¡°Maybe you do your mind reading stuff, yeah?¡±


    Cal reached into the monster¡¯s mind and found nothing but malice and hunger. A recurring thing he was getting rather sick of.


    ¡°It¡¯s hungry and it wants to kill us.¡±


    ¡°Figures,¡± Eron said. ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan? Cause I nailed it with an epic quality throw and it seems not that bothered.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay, this is what we do. First, I¡ª¡±


    The monster suddenly sprang from the top of the SUV. It flapped its wings to gain altitude before it folded them close to its body in a dive.


    ¡°It¡¯s coming right for us!¡± Eron crouched low and jumped straight for the monster.


    The monster¡¯s teeth-filled mouth was wide open and Cal could see where Eron¡¯s trajectory was headed. Was his brother tough enough to handle that? Cal wasn¡¯t about to find out.


    Cal reached out with his telekinesis. The strain was immense. The monster¡¯s strength was well beyond the gremlins he was accustomed to shoving around. It was actually resisting. With a final, desperate effort, he somehow managed to pull the monster¡¯s head down just enough that its snapping jaws narrowly missed Eron.


    It was through blurred vision that Cal thought he could make out Eron grabbing one of the monster¡¯s horns to pull himself onto the monster¡¯s long neck. Once there, he started to punch the monster with his free hand. The sound was like thunder.


    The monster flew in erratic circles as it tried to dislodge its unwelcome guest. Eron held on with a vise-like grip, while his hammer-like blows clearly bothered the beast.


    Cal watched helplessly as they flew higher and higher into the clear sky. He groaned and wiped away at the blood that flowed from his nose. He stood on unsteady feet and opened two small rectangular pouches at his belt, one on each side of his body. He needed to do something before the monster took Eron too far away.


    Again he called on the power of his mind. He ignored the stabbing pains in his brain and pulled the dozen knife blades from the pouches. The blades obeyed and flew up into the air. He saw and felt each one distinctly with his telekinetic power.


    Each blade was like an instrument in an orchestra, but Cal was no conductor, merely guiding the sum of individual parts. He was each individual musician at the same time.


    A blade tore through the tough leathery membrane of the monster¡¯s right wing from below. There was resistance, but Cal¡¯s telekinetic might pushed through when muscle might have failed. Another blade did the same to the left wing from above. A blade sliced a long gash. Two blades crisscrossed to leave an X-shaped cut.


    A dozen blades played a symphony across the unfortunate monster¡¯s wings. They stabbed and cut until the wings were in tatters.


    The monster plummeted to the ground.


    ¡°Oops.¡± Cal had a sinking sensation that he might have overdone it.


    There was a loud thud as the monster and Eron crashed into the dirt a short distance to the left of the freeway.


    Cal rushed over to find that the monster still lived, more importantly, so did Eron.


    His brother was still straddling the monster¡¯s neck, trapping it in place, while he gripped its horns with two hands. Eron¡¯s face was a mask of rage as he pulled and twisted with all his might.


    The monster¡¯s snarls became squeals as Eron forced its head further and further to one side. The monster struggled mightily, its clawed legs and forelimbs tore great furrows into the dirt, but Eron was simply too strong.


    A loud snap echoed through the air, followed by a silence that seemed too sudden.


    Eron held onto the monster¡¯s head for a few more seconds before finally letting go. The head flopped to the ground with a weighty thud.


    ¡°Your face is bleeding again,¡± Eron said as soon as Cal reached his side.


    ¡°Never mind that,¡± Cal snapped. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, great actually! Awesome move with the knives. I¡¯m sorry I made fun of you for taking apart all those folders. I was kind of starting to worry. Thought I might¡¯ve screwed up by jumping on it.¡± Eron kicked at the monster¡¯s head. ¡°Just making sure it¡¯s dead.¡±


    ¡°Well, you broke its neck.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t ever be too safe when it comes to magic bullshit,¡± Eron shrugged. ¡°You think I should rip its head off?¡±


    ¡°Can you?¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t know till I try.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll need to,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯m not picking up any thoughts. It¡¯s dead.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to have to carry this thing back, aren¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s an entirely brand new kind of monster. In fact I¡¯d say this changes the paradigm. An autopsy will give us valuable information and we¡¯re probably supposed to harvest it for useful parts.¡±


    Eron grimaced. ¡°Right, weapons from its teeth and claws, armor from its hide, and poison from its¡­ glands? I guess. Man, real life is nothing like games.¡±


    ¡°You think?¡±


    ¡°The grossness of this thing just doesn¡¯t come across in games.¡±


    ¡°I know what you mean, it smells terrible.¡±


    ¡°You think it¡¯s bad? I¡¯ve got way better super smell than you,¡± Eron gagged. ¡°It¡¯s like a skunk took a bath in raw meat that¡¯s been left out in the sun for a couple of days. Then the skunk puked on itself cause it smelled so bad.¡±


    ¡°That sounds about right,¡± Cal said. ¡°Well, if you could just drag this thing onto the road¡ª¡±


    ¡°Why me? You¡¯ve got super strength too,¡± Eron whined.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll do it,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°In that case you¡¯ll have to push the SUV back to the watch, they should be under the overpass. They¡¯ll be able to use their truck to tow it the rest of the way back.¡±


    The reminder of the dead family sobered Eron up.


    ¡°Damn, I almost forgot about that. Alright, I¡¯ll do that. What do you want to do about the wyvern? You¡¯ll damage the corpse if you drag it all the way.¡±


    ¡°Do you think you can bring a tow truck back here? One of the big ones with a flatbed? I¡¯m not sure if they have any with charged batteries though.¡±


    ¡°I can just tow it no problem, faster than driving one anyways,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Good, try to be quick.¡± Cal eyed the corpse. ¡°This thing might attract others and I don¡¯t want to see what other monsters might still be out here.¡±

 22. Naming Conventions

    Then


    The wyvern corpse, as the people had taken to calling it, was placed inside a warehouse that was previously used by a food distribution business. Cal would¡¯ve have preferred holding of on naming it such, but Eron got to the people before he could.


    There was a good number of people gathered around the corpse. Most at a safe distance. The only exceptions were a zoologist, a veterinarian and a couple of butchers drafted to perform the combination autopsy and harvesting.


    There was some discussion about the allocation of the wyvern parts, but Eron had put his foot down and made it clear that since he and Cal were the ones that brought it down then they¡¯d decide the allocation.


    As Cal watched the eager zoologist argue with the less eager veterinarian about where they should start, while the poor butchers looked on stoically. Cal could tell that the only thing that was keeping the men from bowing out was professional pride and the desire to not look weak in front of the others.


    ¡°Whatever you do, be careful with the tail. There¡¯s probably some kind of poison gland somewhere in there. Might be others, for that matter,¡± Eron said before walking away to join Cal.


    The people around the corpse paled.


    ¡°You sure they got this?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, they did some test cuts, tough skin, but they can get around the armored scales,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Good, cause I was hoping they didn¡¯t need help,¡± Cal gave a relieved sigh. ¡°That monster smells even worse now that it¡¯s dead.¡±


    Eron made a disgusted face. ¡°Tell me about it. Also it is a wyvern.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know that yet,¡± Cal rolled his eyes. ¡°There are bestiaries available for purchase at the spire. It might be time to get one, at least the ones focused for this area.¡±


    ¡°I swear, so much bullshit with how this system works. It¡¯s like charging per page for the manual,¡± Eron said. ¡°We can get a list of monsters, but if we want more than just the name we pay more. If we want a physical description, oh that¡¯s extra. Do you want a drawing of them? Extra. A photograph? Even more extra.¡± He threw up his hands. ¡°I tried to punch the spire once, did you know?¡±


    Cal¡¯s eyes widened in alarm.


    ¡°Relax, nothing happened, my fist just went through it like it was smoke.¡±


    ¡°Maybe no more hitting the possibly multiversal structures,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Whatever,¡± Eron waved Cal¡¯s concern away. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here. Super smell isn¡¯t being a good power right now.¡± He wrinkled his nose.


    <hr>


    ¡°So¡­ I¡¯ve been thinking about this for a long time now, but we need code names.¡± Eron held up his hands to forestall the protests from everyone at the table. ¡°Hear me out, before you all start complaining.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve already had this conversation,¡± Remy sighed.


    ¡°Right, but since I¡¯m leaving tomorrow this might be my last chance to convince you.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, dad, you should totally have a superhero name.¡± Veronica bobbed her head earnestly.


    Eron pointed a finger at Veronica. ¡°See, youngest one here, but already way ahead of all you so-called adults.¡±


    ¡°Fine, let¡¯s hear it,¡± Remy said flatly.


    ¡°It all comes down to OPSEC,¡± Eron said.


    A finger poked Cal in his side.


    ¡°What¡¯s that mean?¡± Tessa whispered in his ear.


    ¡°Operational Security. It¡¯s a military term, basically means that when you¡¯re doing anything you don¡¯t let any information out that might be used by an enemy against you¡­ or something like that.¡±


    ¡°Uncle Eron¡¯s not in the military.¡± Tessa brow furrowed in confusion.


    ¡°Yeah, but he played a lot of FPS games,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What¡¯re those?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ kind of like Minecraft, but more violent, with guns and stuff.¡±


    ¡°Oh, like Destiny and Halo,¡± Tessa said. ¡°I¡¯ve watched dad play those.¡±


    ¡°Yup, you got it exactly!¡± Cal smiled at his niece.


    ¡°At a bare minimum we have to stop calling ourselves by our names while we¡¯re fighting,¡± Eron said.


    Nila raised a hand. ¡°Okay, sorry, but what does that matter? The monsters aren¡¯t exactly going to look us up in the phone book and I don¡¯t know, attack us while we¡¯re in the shower.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not necessarily talking about monsters. Although, who¡¯s to say that there isn¡¯t the possibility of intelligent monsters appearing in the future.¡±


    ¡°You mean other people,¡± Cal said. He had often had this discussion with his brother.


    ¡°Exactly! We got really good powers and it¡¯s fortunate that we aren¡¯t total a-holes. You already saw what that Jay clown did with some super strength and toughness. What if there are people like him or worse out there with powers on our level? Isn¡¯t it smart to protect ourselves?¡±


    ¡°So, we¡¯ll need costumes? Masks?¡± Remy made it clear what he thought of that notion.


    ¡°I mean, yeah, ideally. We should probably be looking into proper protection. Helmet, armor, the works. The wyvern was a wake up call for me. We can¡¯t just assume our natural toughness will be enough against what comes next,¡± Eron said.


    Cal nodded. ¡°I agree on that part. There is an obvious, if not clear, progression to the things the spires are doing to our world. If things are like in a game, then that means we should expect the difficulty level to keep rising.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough,¡± Remy conceded, ¡°but costumes and super hero names? This is real life, it might be stupid right now, but I don¡¯t know about treating it like a game.¡±


    ¡°How can we not, when the reality of it is so obvious?¡± Eron spread his arms.


    ¡°Then shouldn¡¯t you be working harder to fix things?¡± Megan¡¯s face betrayed her unhappiness with the line of conversation.


    ¡°What do you think we¡¯re doing?¡± Eron challenged her. ¡°I¡¯m not exactly having fun. But I¡¯ve accepted that any hope of fixing things probably goes through the spires. And our new reality has made it clear many times that I, we, need to keep getting stronger or be destroyed by those that are.¡±


    Cal saw the brewing fight without needing to use his telepathy. ¡°So, code names?¡±


    Eron took the hint in Cal¡¯s look. ¡°Since one of the reasons I¡¯m going to SoCal is to try to establish lines of communication. Then I just think it¡¯d be better to have names to call each other rather than our actual ones. It¡¯s a simple request. Not really a big deal.¡±


    Cal saw the merits of it. Truthfully he was resistant because it felt silly. Like he was a kid playing a game, which considering how the world had changed, wasn¡¯t actually that far off from reality.


    Remy¡¯s brow was furrowed, deep in thought, as he considered Eron¡¯s words. He glanced quickly at Megan, who was glaring at no one in particular.


    ¡°Dad?¡± Veronica tugged on Remy¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Can I pick your super hero name?¡±


    Remy smiled down at her. ¡°Only if it¡¯s cool!¡±


    Cal felt another poke in his side.


    ¡°Can I get a code name too?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see why not, Tessa,¡± Cal whispered, ¡°but maybe you should wait until you¡¯re older and know what your powers are.¡±


    Tessa pouted. ¡°Mom doesn¡¯t want us to do that,¡± she whispered.


    Cal didn¡¯t know what to say to that. So, he smiled and wisely kept his mouth shut.


    ¡°Alright, fine,¡± Remy said finally. ¡°Since this is your idea, you go first. What do you want us to use as your code name?¡± His face twisted slightly, as if it was a struggle to get the words out.


    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t know yet,¡± Eron shrugged. Then he pulled out a folded up sheet of notebook paper from his back pocket. Carefully unfolded it. ¡°I¡¯ve got some ideas I wanted to workshop with you guys.¡±


    Cal could see that both sides of the sheet were covered in Eron¡¯s tiny and surprisingly legible hand writing. He was not surprised to notice that the paper was divided into several sections and it seemed that half the people at the table had one devoted to them.


    ¡°Your idea, you get to go first,¡± Cal said. He looked over to Tessa with raised brows.


    Eron chuckled and rubbed the back of his head.


    ¡°Yeah, Uncle Eron! You first!¡±


    Eron sighed. ¡°If you insist, Tessa.¡±


    ¡°Do you have any good ideas?¡± Nila leaned over on Cal¡¯s other side.


    ¡°Oh, oh!¡± Veronica¡¯s hand shot up like a rocket. ¡°Super Eron or Captain Eron or Iron Eron!¡± She giggled, as the rest of the table with one exception laughed.


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Eron grinned, ¡°but I don¡¯t want to get sued.¡±


    ¡°What about Strong Guy?¡± Nila smirked.


    ¡°I believe that is also taken,¡± Eron said flatly.


    ¡°You get your powers from the Sun, so we can call you Solar Man or Sun Master!¡± Tessa smiled in a way that revealed she knew exactly what she was doing.


    Eron sighed. ¡°Well, I was thinking I¡¯d need to stay away from Sun related names. I mean it seems dumb to name myself in a way that¡¯d let the bad guys know what sort of powers I have.¡±


    ¡°Makes sense,¡± Remy said. ¡°Why give out information right away? Might as well print out a list of your strengths and weaknesses and hand it out before a fight.¡±


    ¡°Exactly, but the same time I kind of feel like it¡¯d be wrong to go with something like Laser Man or Dude of Darkness,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Wait, what? Isn¡¯t that actually the smartest thing to do,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°I¡¯m with her,¡± Nila said.


    Eron shrugged. ¡°Intellectually, I see what you¡¯re saying, but going so far in that direction feels wrong.¡±


    ¡°Ah, so feels before reals,¡± Nila nodded. ¡°You do a good job undermining your own arguments.¡±


    ¡°Fair point, but I¡¯m unmoved.¡±


    ¡°So, Eron, you¡¯ve clearly come up with some ideas,¡± Cal said. ¡°Why don¡¯t you share them and we can give feedback.¡±


    Eron held his sheet up and cleared his throat.


    ¡°Sunst¡ª oh right, I¡¯ll skip that one. How about Halcyon?¡±


    ¡°A brightly colored bird?¡± Megan narrowed her eyes.


    ¡°Or a time in the past that has a perception of being idyllic,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I was going for the second one,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Decent,¡± Remy said.


    Nila shrugged.


    ¡°I guess it¡¯s okay,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°What do you think, Veronica?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Uncle Eron.¡±


    ¡°So, I¡¯ll mark that down as a ¡®maybe¡¯. Next up, Dominator.¡±


    ¡°Hard pass,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s a bad guy¡¯s name,¡± Veronica said.


    The rest of the table shared similar opinions.


    ¡°So, that¡¯s a no. I thought up variations of the word Celestial. Celestial, Celestion, Celestior.¡±


    ¡°Kind of awkward sounding,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Dumb, dumber, and dumberer,¡± Remy said to the delight of his giggling children.


    ¡°Was that really necessary?¡± Eron huffed. ¡°Fine, next. Orion, after the constellation.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure that¡¯s taken,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I know, but does that really matter since I can point to actual stars as the inspiration,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°The hunter, I like that one,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Sounds pretty cool,¡± Tessa concurred.


    ¡°I also wrote down a few adjectives and adverb-based ideas. Gallant, Valor, Valiant, Valorous, Intrepid, Unstoppable, Indomitable, Indominus,¡± Eron said, ¡°but I¡¯m not too sure. Kind of sounds like what they name ships.¡±


    Veronica was giggling uncontrollably.


    ¡°What¡¯d I say?¡±


    Tessa was laughing as well. ¡°You¡¯re a dinosaur!¡±


    Cal chuckled. ¡°In that case we can call you Rex or maybe Ruler.¡±


    A look of realization crossed Eron¡¯s face before he broke out into a wide smile. ¡°I totally didn¡¯t catch that. Thanks, girls! You saved me from a terrible mistake!¡±


    ¡°I guess most of those are fine. It doesn¡¯t give your specific power set away immediately and they don¡¯t sound too stupid,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Indomitable,¡± Megan said. ¡°It fits since you never listen to anyone else.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ thanks, I think.¡±


    ¡°I vote for Unstoppable,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°You should call yourself Death Star!¡± Veronica cheered.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been watching all the Star Wars, since Remy and the professor got that power generator prototype working,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°Alright, so that¡¯s three votes for three different names, so not helpful,¡± Eron grinned.


    ¡°You should just pick the one you want,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Yeah. You¡¯ll be happier that way,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Lame!¡± Nila, Tess, and Veronica echoed each other.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I guess I will¡­ decide over my trip down south,¡± Eron said to groans all around the table. ¡°What? I¡¯ll use the name once we establish communications. It¡¯s not like you won¡¯t recognize my voice.¡±


    ¡°Cal, you¡¯re next!¡± Nila punched his arm.


    ¡°Why me?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the oldest.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got some for you.¡± There was a gleam in Eron¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Of course you do,¡± Cal sighed.


    ¡°Mind Punch, Mind Stab, Mind Crush, Mind K¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sensing a theme here,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°What happened to disguising your powers?¡± Megan rolled her eyes.


    ¡°I can explain and it¡¯s perfect,¡± Eron said. ¡°The bad guys will be expecting you to come at them with mind powers, then¡­ Bam! You hit them with your super strength. So, now their like, ¡®Oh no, we were wrong about his mind powers¡¯. That¡¯s when you hit them with your mind.¡±


    Cal shook his head.


    ¡°How about Mind Bullet?¡± Nila smiled.


    ¡°No to all of that nonsense,¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°Neuro or Neuromancer?¡± Eron raised a speculative eyebrow.


    ¡°That¡¯s taken too,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°M.R.I.¡±


    Cal turned his head toward Megan. It was a shock that she was willing contributing to Eron¡¯s nonsensical stuff.


    ¡°It does brain scans, among other things,¡± Megan said. ¡°That fits what you can do.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯m going to pass on that though.¡±


    ¡°Alright, then how about Honor?¡± Eron narrowed his eyes at Cal.


    ¡°A bit presumptuous,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Hey! I basically pulled it from your second first name,¡± Eron shrugged.


    Nila¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°Oh yeah! I like it!¡±


    ¡°Really? What is it?¡± Megan looked confused.


    Cal shook his head. ¡°Thanks to my parents¡¯ unique naming conventions. I had to deal with my classmates looking at me funny whenever the teacher did roll. Calmin Honorio Gerzan Cruces.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, I had it worse Remy Albano. I got called albino a bunch of times.¡±


    ¡°Kids are mean,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°It was the teachers,¡± Remy sighed.


    ¡°You guys had it easy. Eron Eleon¡­ kids called me ere¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say it!¡± Megan cut Eron off before shooting a pair of significant looks toward her two children.


    ¡°What¡¯d they call you, Uncle Eron?¡± Veronica looked troubled.


    ¡°Oh¡­ I just forgot.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s convenient,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Yes, yes it is¡­ so, what do you think, Cal?¡±


    Cal mulled it over for a few seconds. ¡°Sure, why not. When I¡¯m accused of being presumptuous then I can hit back with an ¡®actually it¡¯s my name¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Remy¡¯s next,¡± Nila said quickly.


    ¡°I wrote some ideas down,¡± Eron said. ¡°But I think someone else wants to go first.¡± He gestured to Vanessa, who was waving her small hand as high and as vigorously as she could.


    ¡°What do you think daddy¡¯s code name should be, sweetie?¡± Megan smiled at her daughter.


    The sudden attention made the shy little girl smile sheepishly for a moment. ¡°Magneto,¡± she said a small voice.


    Tessa rolled her eyes and sighed all at once.


    ¡°But sweetie, he¡¯s a bad guy,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°Nuh uh¡­ Uncle Eron said it depends,¡± Veronica frowned. ¡°And daddy has the same powers.¡±


    ¡°He said it¡¯s cause of perspective that Magneto is morally gray and not a straight villain. Since he¡¯s a holocaust survivor and he¡¯s fighting to make sure that doesn¡¯t happen again with the mutants,¡± Tessa said proudly.


    Megan narrowed her eyes at Eron. ¡°What are you teaching my children?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s true,¡± Eron said defensively. ¡°The whole thing about the X-men is like an allegory of bigotry and racism.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Remy cut in, ¡°while you¡¯re right that I have similar powers to Magneto, I can¡¯t use it since it¡¯s his name, sweetie.¡± He smiled at Veronica.


    ¡°Dad, you can be Magnetron!¡± Tessa said. ¡°Or Magnetosphere,¡± she add hastily.


    Remy kept the smile on his face. ¡°A lot of magnet themed names.¡±


    ¡°I got it!¡± Eron snapped his fingers. ¡°Sphere. You create and control magnetic fields. So, like spheres of magnetism. It ties into your powers, but doesn¡¯t give it away.¡±


    Veronica¡¯s pout could have launched a thousand ships, filled with a thousand parents. ¡°That¡¯s okay, I guess.¡±


    ¡°It sounds fine,¡± Tessa rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s a good enough endorsement for me.¡± Remy smiled at his girls.


    ¡°Nila,¡± Eron said with a wicked grin. ¡°You will be Captain Kiwi!¡±


    Nila¡¯s glare could¡¯ve melted ice.


    ¡°It¡¯s perfect! You¡¯ve got Captain America-like powers and you were born in New Zealand and what is New Zealand known for?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡± Nila shook her head.


    ¡°Well you can¡¯t be Captain China, since you aren¡¯t actually from there.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Chinese.¡±


    ¡°Technically¡­ I mean ethnically,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°He¡¯s got you there,¡± Cal said. ¡°You¡¯ve only been to China like once.¡±


    ¡°No I haven¡¯t,¡± Nila said. ¡°I¡¯ve been to Hong Kong like six times.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but that¡¯s not really China,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I thought they got it back from the British, like twenty years ago or something,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Sure, but I bet the people of Hong Kong don¡¯t see themselves as part of China,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Then why can¡¯t I be Captain America? I¡¯m a dual citizen,¡± Nila said.


    Cal patted her on the arm. ¡°We can¡¯t use well-known, trademarked names.¡±


    ¡°Okay, you don¡¯t like that one,¡± Eron said. ¡°Then how about The Curatorian?¡±


    Nila¡¯s gaze rivaled that of the Medusa. Sadly for Nila, she didn¡¯t actually have a petrifying glare.


    ¡°The Curator of Pain? Curatorian?¡±


    ¡°No, nope,¡± Nila said flatly. ¡°I¡¯ll come up with my code name.¡±


    Eron sighed. ¡°Fine, fine. Megan, you¡¯re next.¡±


    Megan made it clear what she thought of the idea with a withering look.

 23. Breakdown In Negotiations

    Now


    ¡°Designation: Honor, explain an incongruity in your words,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°Um¡­ okay, but I don¡¯t follow,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You claim that you and your creche-mates were the strongest among your sub-region, yet analysis of your words indicates an 89.683 percent probability that neither you nor your creche-mates held command.¡±


    ¡°I think I get what you¡¯re getting at, Tides. Let me try to explain.¡± Cal cleared his throat for a moment. ¡°I, we, didn¡¯t want to be in charge. Besides just because we happened to be stronger than everyone else didn¡¯t mean we deserved to rule over them. It was also strategically and tactically, I guess, bad to have your biggest front line fighters to also be the ones making decisions for the entire community. If something happened to us, then the community would be hit with losses on two fronts.¡±


    ¡°Adequate,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    ¡°I sense you guys do things a little differently,¡± Cal said.


    The interrogators glanced at each other for a split second.


    ¡°The most powerful of the Threnosh guides each region,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°Guides? That¡¯s not quite the same as commands.¡±


    ¡°You are accurate.¡±


    ¡°Then who commands?¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor, prior studies of primitive civilizations on our world indicate that strength equates to rule,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said. ¡°Your world projects as primitive in comparison to the present Threnosh. Hence your people value strength above all. Your words on Jay and his forces is indicative of this truth, yet your own words and actions run counter to it. Explain?¡±


    ¡°Ignore and insult me all in the same breath,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°Fine, in the interests of continuing to build a rapport between us, I will try to answer. Basically, I believe that every person deserves the opportunity to live free and happy lives, so long as their happiness isn¡¯t like Jay¡¯s ilk, oppressing others and such. Even though I now have the power to do just that. I¡¯ve chosen not to. In fact my choice is to use my newfound power to protect that.¡± He took a deep breath. ¡°I don¡¯t believe in that survival of the fittest bullshit. It¡¯s just stupid. Life isn¡¯t a zero-sum game. Everyone can have that¡­ stuff.¡±


    ¡°Inefficient and chaotic,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said. ¡°This session is concluded.¡±


    As the alien sarcophagus closed over his head and shifted him flat onto his back, Cal let out a long breath. ¡°I guess that didn¡¯t go over well.¡± His frustration over the last few sessions had been growing. His peeks into the aliens¡¯ minds revealed that they were no closer to even considering the possibility of an accord between their two peoples. His problem was that they clearly saw him as separate from the rest of humanity. Which was incomprehensible to the Threnosh, who saw the individual selves as pieces to the whole. Each had their role that contributed to the benefit of their entire world.


    Cal couldn¡¯t quite figure them out. His telepathic peeks into the two interrogators definitively ruled out a hive mind of any sort, either biological or technological. His despair grew bit by bit. He didn¡¯t know how much longer he could keep trying until he had to give it up and come up with another plan.


    <hr>


    ¡°Hi, Tides, Loaming!¡± Cal greeted the two interrogators with a wide smile as soon as his alien sarcophagus shifted him to a seated position and uncovered his head. ¡°So, what¡¯re we going to talk about today?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    Cal heard the uncertainty in their voice and the way their eyes flicked to Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337.


    ¡°Designation: Honor, there will be no further sessions. It has been determined that there is no need to continue,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°Oh, I see.¡± The smile dropped from Cal¡¯s face. ¡°What happens next?¡±


    ¡°Our duties are complete. That is all there is to say.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Tides, I thought we were getting to know each other pretty good. You can¡¯t just leave me hanging like this.¡±


    Cal reached out with his telepathy to peak into the two interrogators¡¯ thoughts. To his surprise, he found nothing except a static-like buzz. Interference of some sort. It seemed cold, sterile. Mechanical in nature perhaps? He wasn¡¯t sure since he¡¯d never encountered anything like it before. He was tempted to force his way past it, but didn¡¯t want to risk the possibility of triggering an alarm or creating harmful feedback for the two aliens.


    ¡°Your imprisonment is to be maintained. Your biological needs met to standard requirements.¡±


    Cal sighed as the alien sarcophagus engulfed him in darkness as soon as Tides finished speaking. It was an unfortunate turn of events for both him and the Threnosh. He wanted to work with them, but now it seemed that was no longer possible. It was time to leave. Perhaps a more comprehensive demonstration of what he was capable of would entice the aliens to return to the negotiating table. He was a bit sad to realize that even across different species the truism that one must negotiate from a position of strength held. Since being nice and agreeable didn¡¯t work it was time to get meaner.


    <hr>


    ¡°I am uncertain,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    ¡°There is only certainty in adherence to the Prime¡¯s commands,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°Calculated probability of failure is at 73.056 percent. Catastrophic failure at 24.931 percent.¡±


    ¡°The Prime is aware of the probabilities.¡±


    ¡°Is it not better to continue the sessions with the invader? Designation: Honor¡¯s words have proved to be valuable to the Threnosh. I know that I am fresh to this role, but I calculate that this course of action is a mistake,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°Seniority has no bearing. You were selected and that is enough,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said. ¡°Your assessment is not incorrect. I have made the same calculations. However, we obey the Prime and that is all. Now, prepare yourself. We report to the Prime and they must not be challenged. Even if Prime Custodian 3 has a reputation for a looser adherence to the Codes than other Primes.¡±


    Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 pressed a button on the console built into the arm of his powered armor. A holographic projection appeared in front of the two interrogators.


    ¡°It is done.¡± A statement, not a question. For Primes assume that their commands are executed.


    ¡°Yes, Prime Custodian 3,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°And the disks?¡±


    The two interrogators glanced at each other.


    Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 finally spoke. ¡°Irritating.¡±


    There were two small, flat metal disks implanted behind each ear hole for both interrogators. The gray skin around the disks was slightly inflamed.


    ¡°Were they synced properly with the program I installed in your armors?¡±


    Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 thin fingers tapped on the console on his armored arm as his eyes frantically scanned the holographic display. ¡°Sync ratios were between 93.123 and 96.279 percent for the duration of the session.¡±


    Prime Custodian 3¡¯s gaze drifted over to Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623.


    ¡°91.963 and 96.782 percent.¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 hesitated. ¡°Forbearance, Prime Custodian 3?¡±


    The Prime raised a hairless brow. ¡°Proceed.¡±


    The interrogators momentarily forgot the strictures of the Codes as their faces betrayed the complete and utter befuddlement they felt at that moment.


    Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 looked as if it took all their self control to keep from clamping an armored hand over Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623¡¯s mouth. Not for their own sake, but for their junior counterpart¡¯s.


    ¡°What purpose do these disks serve?¡±


    ¡°Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623,¡± Prime Custodian 3 started, ¡°it is surprising to me that one in your role would dare question a Prime¡¯s command.¡± The Prime raised a hand as the interrogator¡¯s gray face paled to near white. ¡°This is not a censure. Just a remark. I will answer your query, yet understand that the explanation must be circumspect. In short we detected a form of interference emanating from this facility. It is a signal unlike anything in the entire Threnosh catalog. The disks serve to test a theory and as a potential defensive measure.¡± They sighed. ¡°Perhaps we erred or failed.¡±


    The two interrogators mistook the perturbed look on the Prime¡¯s face as a sign of its displeasure with their actions or lack thereof, neither had any idea. But before they could beg forgiveness. The Prime raised his gaze back to them.


    ¡°You have performed your task adequately. You will return to Fallen From Grace and await your next duty.¡±


    With that the holographic projection of Prime Custodian 3 winked out of existence.


    The two interrogators walked out of the room and out of the facility with a haste that was unbecoming their station, but since they were the only Threnosh there they allowed themselves the minor breach of etiquette.


    <hr>


    Cal stared into the blackness of his personal void. The alien sarcophagus that served as his home for the last six months, give or take a few days. Or was that seven months? He supposed it depended on if he went by Earth-time or whatever the Threnosh called their world-time.


    One would think that it should¡¯ve been maddening to spend that much time in restraints. That person would be correct if Cal was just a normal person. Luckily for him, that wasn¡¯t the case.


    His mental powers allowed him freedom from the physical shackles. He was able to explore the facility that held him and even a good distance into the surprisingly wild spaces beyond. He studied the advanced alien technology that surrounded him. He learned how to manipulate said technology. In fact he was confident as early as of two months ago in his ability to disable every element of the security system keeping him in the sarcophagus and the facility.


    Cal reached out into the facility with his telepathy. He found nothing, which wasn¡¯t unexpected. Outside of the first time he was brought into the place there had been no other Threnosh besides the two interrogators and they promptly left the facility after each session ended.


    The fact that his last attempt to peak into the interrogators¡¯ thoughts was met by failure and static made him reconsider the situation. Had they discovered his telepathic abilities? And more worryingly had they figured out a way to block it? Or even completely negate it?


    The interrogators¡¯ thoughts gave no indication that they knew that he was peaking into their heads. Logically that implied that there was another or others that were involved.


    Cal didn¡¯t like unknowns. He had grown used to his powers eliminating that problem. Being currently in the middle of nowhere took away that advantage. He needed to leave and discover more about the world and the Threnosh as a whole. His experience with the interrogators suggested that their culture was monolithic. Each individual working for the entirety across the entire world, without exception. He found that difficult to believe. Perhaps there were other factions out there that would prove more amenable to the alliance or at least non-violent relationship with humanity that he was seeking.


    It was time. Six hours had passed since the last interrogation session ended. It was a few hours into the period that Cal had made a habit of going to sleep. A telepathic ability he discovered and developed after his arrival on the Threnosh¡¯s world was the power to remain in conscious control of his mind, while the rest of his body slept. To every machine and program monitoring his vitals, Cal was asleep, yet his mind was aware and at work.


    Invisible telekinetic fingers of a dazzling array of sizes and shapes danced across the inner workings of the alien sarcophagus and in the chamber it was currently held in. With a precision that surgical robots could only hope to reach, he performed dozens of actions. In sequence and simultaneously he disabled restraints and alarms, devices that monitored and alerted. It was hyper-advanced alien technology that was so far beyond anything that Cal thought could exist that they made science fiction look mundane.


    If he thought using his telekinesis to cut vegetables was like conducting an orchestra, then this was like conducting dozens of orchestras all around the world. A symphony beyond all others and no one, but him, could hear, see, or even feel it.


    And feel it he did. The strain was immense. Each movement sent a piercing stab into his brain. If he hadn¡¯t spent nearly every waking and sleeping hour of his long imprisonment exercising and strengthening his mind he wouldn¡¯t have been able to pull this off. Let alone survive it.


    As it was after a mere three minutes, which felt like an eternity, the alien sarcophagus¡¯ internal machinery whirred softly then unceremoniously dumped Cal on his backside.


    Cal woke up and opened his eyes to darkness.


    He felt a trickle of wetness coming from his ears, his eyes, and nose.


    He groaned and stood slowly. The world spun and threatened to go black, so he took a deep breath and centered himself, refusing to succumb to the weariness he felt.


    He stretched and tried to limber up. Although the alien sarcophagus did well to stimulate his muscles to ward off atrophy, there was no substitute for actual physical movement.


    Push-ups were followed by jumping jacks and squats. He sprinted in place for a minute. He shadowboxed for three. He needed to reestablish the mind-muscle connection to get ready for what waited beyond then sleek, silver door.


    Finally he sat and crossed his legs. He closed his eyes and took several deep breaths. He felt the pounding headache, then he pushed it to the back of his mind. It was still there, yet now he could mostly ignore it. A technique he developed a few years back, perhaps the most important one, since it let him push his powers and delay having to deal with the drawback.


    With one last deep breath he opened his eyes and stood. His body felt weak and slow, not ideal, but he¡¯d loosed his shot and there was no bringing it back.


    It was time to go.

 24. Breakout

    Now


    Telekinetic fingers fiddled with the locking mechanism hidden inside the wall. The silver door smoothly slid open with a soft hiss that Cal only heard because of his superior than normal human hearing. He stepped out into a bright corridor.


    It was strange, seeing it for the first time since all of the previous times he had traversed the facility he was completely encased inside the alien sarcophagus. The corridor was awash in natural light, as if it was outside on a nice, sunny day. Except there were no obvious sources of the light. As near as he could figure it was coming from every surface of the corridor, walls, ceiling, and floor.


    Cal turned right and took his time walking down the long corridor. As he walked he used his telekinesis to disable the detection devices and alarms across his path.


    Another silver door greeted him at the end. He opened it with a wave of his hand and stepped into the next room.


    ¡°Well¡­ shit.¡±


    Six power armored Threnosh stood at the ready, as if they were expecting him.


    ¡°Uh¡­ hey guys, I was looking for the bathroom and I got a little lost. I¡¯d be grateful if you could point me in the right direction.¡± As Cal talked he reached out with his telepathy. His attempt to look into the Threnosh¡¯s thoughts yielded the same static-like buzz that he encountered earlier with the interrogators. It seemed that they had figured out how to block him.


    As one the Threnosh raised their gauntlets in his direction.


    Cal jabbed a thumb back over his shoulder. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll just¡­ go that way.¡±


    He detected the audible whirring of machinery inside the gauntlets a split second before six projectiles fired at him. It was enough time for him to act.


    He threw his left arm up across in front of him, like he was holding a shield. Of course there was nothing attached to his arm. Nonetheless the projectiles struck and stopped a few inches from his body. Hanging in the air they crackled with electricity for a moment before Cal dropped his invisible telekinetic shield and they unceremoniously fell to the floor.


    ¡°I remember those,¡± Cal said. Strictly speaking he didn¡¯t need to perform any movements to use his powers. Sometimes he found the pantomime useful as a technique to help focus and strengthen his power. Another purpose was misdirection. If his opponents thought that the movements were a necessary component of his abilities then he could catch them off guard later in the fight. As an added bonus it would throw off all the modeling and calculations that the Threnosh¡¯s algorithms did for them.


    The Threnosh fired another round of projectiles, which Cal blocked with another invisible telekinetic shield. He recognized the type of power armor they were wearing from his first and only fight after he emerged from the spire. He guessed that they were going to fire two more volleys, since in the first encounter he feigned an inability to block the fourth round of projectiles.


    He blocked the third volley, then took a posture that indicated growing fatigue.


    The Threnosh algorithms didn¡¯t disappoint. As soon as they fired the fourth volley, the Threnosh dropped their gauntlets and relaxed.


    Mistake.


    Cal blocked the projectiles.


    The Threnosh reacted quickly, but they were still too slow. Cal was already on the move. He dashed into and through the middle of their crescent formation. They fired and missed. As he reached the closest two power armored Threnosh on either side of him, he gave them a light shove. They were sent rocketing down their formation, clipping their fellows and knocking them all to the ground. Several hundred pounds of power armored Threnosh might as well have been a bag of marshmallows when given a small taste of his telekinesis.


    The silver door slid open just in time and Cal sprinted right through the opening.


    The corridor went in two directions, left and right. From his telepathic scouting of the facility he knew that the most direct way out was to the left. The right path led to, among other things, the power source deep in the bowels of the facility.


    The surprise Threnosh had for him in the previous room made Cal reconsider his plan. And so he went right.


    Cal made his way deeper into the facility. Surprisingly there were no stairs, just lifts that were too small for him, clearly made for the Threnosh, and open shafts, like elevator shafts without the elevator. Fortunately, he was able to use his telekinesis to carry him up to the levels he needed to reach.


    The facility was fairly large. He had found it surprising when he had first discovered that aside from the two interrogators¡¯ visits, he was the sole living occupant. A peak into their thoughts confirmed that the Threnosh were concerned about Cal being a potential contaminant, so they limited his contact with them.


    He moved quickly. Now that he couldn¡¯t rely on his telepathy to check for pursuers he had to operate on the assumption that they were behind him, just beyond the notice of his physical senses.


    It was six, seven minutes since he had stepped out of his alien sarcophagus when he finally entered the room containing the power source. Invisible telekinetic fingers went to work. He bypassed the Threnosh¡¯s protections with ease. The glowing pillars in the center of the room went from bright blue to nothing. The natural daylight turned into a dim red.


    Once again foresight trumped luck and skill. Cal was glad he had spent the months imprisoned going over every bit of the facility and learning how things functioned.


    Since he couldn¡¯t see the Threnosh coming, then it was only fair that they wouldn¡¯t be able to do the same.


    Now it was really time to go.


    Cal stepped into the corridor and was met by a small group of power armored Threnosh. These were wearing a different type of armor. Larger and bulkier with more obvious attached weaponry. Most notable were the sleek, multi-barreled cylinder mounted on a metal arm that came up over their shoulders. The belt that connected the cylinder to a large pack on their backs cinched it for him.


    ¡°Wow! Legit War Machines,¡± Cal said. ¡°Escalation then?¡±


    Cal sprang into motion an instant before the cylinders whirred to life. He used his telekinesis to slap the lead Threnosh¡¯s minigun to the side. The spray of projectiles raked the corridor wall to his left. With his right hand he made a gripping motion and pulled hard toward his body. The Threnosh was jerked across the fifty feet that separated them at tremendous speed.


    Cal flipped his hand to a stop motion, palm out, which brought the Threnosh to a halt just in front of him. Held immobile, floating in midair the Threnosh could only stare at Cal with wide eyes. With his temporary Threnosh shield the rest of them had no choice but to power down their weapons.


    ¡°So, that minigun of yours¡­ magnetically accelerated projectiles? I didn¡¯t hear any loud bangs and I can¡¯t smell any powder, so that rules out chemical combustion.¡±


    The Threnosh said nothing as its face grew strained in its efforts to free itself from Cal¡¯s telekinetic grip.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother, you might hurt yourself. I¡¯ve held stronger than your armor,¡± Cal said. ¡°Besides I¡¯m just going to borrow you for a few seconds. I¡¯ll let you go soon enough.¡±


    Cal ran toward the other Threnosh. They opened up with their weapons. Projectiles filled the corridor like an unending swarm of angry bees. His Threnosh shield took the brunt of the assault and Cal felt bad at the uncharacteristic look of sheer terror on the poor alien¡¯s gray face. Either they knew the armor could take it or friendly fire wasn¡¯t a concept they were familiar with.


    The latter seemed more likely. Unless his assessment was wrong, then Threnosh culture valued the whole over the individual. Sacrificing one warrior to secure his re-capture fit within that structure.


    Fortunately for the Threnosh in his grasp, Cal still didn¡¯t see them as true enemies. He formed another telekinetic shield to protect it from its own squad mates. He realized that doing so rather made taking a Threnosh shield pointless, yet it was a necessary salve for his conscience.


    Cal closed the gap within seconds.


    He rammed the Threnosh in his telekinetic grip into the others. Using his telekinesis he lined them all up into a nice straight line, like a train that he pushed in front of him. They shouted in alarm and anger, uncharacteristically emotive, he was happy to note.


    A genuine grin spread across Cal¡¯s face as he ran down the corridor pushing a group of heavily armed and armored alien warriors. He couldn¡¯t wait to tell the story to Nila and his family. Just the visual of it must¡¯ve been hilarious.


    The corridor curved slightly, so he adjusted his telekinetic grip. The strain sent a slight stab into his brain. Not too bad. The secret exercise over the many months of his imprisonment had done wonders to improve his mental stamina, even if it did weaken his physical stamina.


    Another silver door awaited Cal¡¯s impromptu alien train at the end of the corridor. He knew that it contained a sizable storage room of sorts. Plenty large enough to temporarily restrain a handful of bulky power armored Threnosh.


    The door slid open at his mental command and he unceremoniously shoved his helpless captives into the room. He shut the door and destroyed the locking mechanism with a thought.


    Cal couldn¡¯t help but smile. The Threnosh¡¯s combat assessment of his capabilities was based solely on their first encounter. An encounter in which he was definitely sandbagging. He wondered how badly their algorithms were going crazy now that he was giving them a glimpse of what he was truly capable of.


    The dim red light that suffused the facility reminded Cal of some of his favorite science fiction movies. Except he was the otherworldly invader stalking the narrow passageways. Eron would¡¯ve loved this. Cal was the alien and the Threnosh were his poor, unfortunate prey.


    Cal was careful as he made his way through what he hoped was the most unlikely escape route as judged by the Threnosh¡¯s algorithm. He used his telepathy to scout around him and found nothing. When he attempted to look directly into the Threnosh¡¯s thoughts he was met with a block of sorts, a static-like buzz. He knew that there were Threnosh in the facility, fought them and beat them with ease in fact. Yet, how come he wasn¡¯t getting the static when he stretched his telepathy out. Was direct contact the determining factor? It was a puzzle that needed solving.


    Cal entered a large room. Going by the many rows of silver tables he decided it was supposed to serve as a cafeteria or mess area. He found it odd, to be honest. He was under the impression that the Threnosh didn¡¯t eat food in a way that he was familiar with. Of course he based that solely on the liquid diet that he had been fed. Perhaps non prisoners got actual food.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    What he couldn¡¯t explain was the complete lack of chairs or even benches. It was a giant room filled with nothing but tables. There were no obvious places from which food was served or even trash receptacles. He wondered briefly if that was a consequence of the facility being used for his prison. Was it different before his arrival? What purpose did it serve? His peaks into the interrogators¡¯ thoughts revealed that they had no prior knowledge of the facility.


    His thoughts were interrupted when he finally noticed the soft hum coming from somewhere above him. The ceiling was extremely high, he estimated it to rise at least four stories from the floor. The dim, red lighting created natural shadows above.


    ¡°Crap,¡± Cal whispered to himself.


    Correction. The soft hum was coming from two distinct places.


    Cal threw himself to one side. Enhanced reflexes and enhanced muscles combined with a little telekinetic help was the only reason that he was able to dodge the twin beams of bright yellow light that punched into the floor where he was just standing.


    The beams came from opposite corners of the ceiling and left noticeable dents in the metallic floor.


    Two power armored Threnosh slowly drifted down from the ceiling shadows.


    ¡°That¡¯s new.¡±


    Their armor was different. Though they still added significant height and bulk to the Threnosh¡¯s frail physical forms, these were sleeker and less utilitarian looking. They lacked the rough, unfinished quality to the two interrogators¡¯ armor and the obvious, bulky weaponry of the fighter types. Unlike the others these two weren¡¯t uniformly colored.


    One was metallic blue in the armored chest and along the outer edges of their extremities, ending in blue-colored gauntlets and boots. The inner edges of their arms, along with their thighs, upper chest and neck area were a matte dark gray. Their helmet consisted of the same metallic blue on the completely opaque, featureless faceplate. The rest of the helm was also a matte, dark gray.


    The other Threnosh replicated the scheme with a metallic rose color as the primary and a metallic brass as the secondary.


    A soft glow emanated from the soles of their boots. Cal realized that those were the source of the soft humming sound he was hearing.


    ¡°Is that anti-gravity? Or repulsors?¡±


    ¡°Return to your containment,¡± the blue Threnosh said flatly.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ no.¡± Cal sprang to his feet.


    The two Threnosh fired the same beams from small emitters on the back of their right gauntlets.


    Cal threw his telekinetic shield up just in time. The twin beams slammed into it with a loud thud. The force of the impact pushed him back a dozen feet and slammed him into the metal wall, driving the air from his lungs.


    ¡°Repulsors then,¡± Cal groaned. A part of him couldn¡¯t help but internally squeal at how cool this was. The rest of him was too busy trying to catch his breath.


    Cal reached out and grabbed the rose-colored Threnosh with his telekinesis and pulled hard. At least that was his intent. The Threnosh reacted quickly and kicked their boots out toward the invisible force tugging at them. The glow on the soles of their boots intensified and the soft hum turned into a loud whine.


    They stayed locked like that for a few moments. Cal¡¯s forehead was furrowed as the strain of the tug-of-war sent small stabs into his brain. The rose-colored Threnosh raised their right gauntlet at Cal, but the emitter stayed dark.


    The blue-colored Threnosh took the opening and fired their beam. Cal saw it coming. He dived forward at the same time as he changed his pulling grip on the rose-colored Threnosh into a forceful push. The Threnosh went rocketing into the ceiling.


    Cal grinned at the loud clang, which was followed by the rose-colored Threnosh plummeting to the floor.


    He slid across the metallic floor, propelled by his telekinesis, until he stopped himself underneath one of the metal tables. Blasts from the blue-colored Threnosh followed him the entire way. They continued to pepper the surface of the table leaving fist sized dents on the underside, just above Cal.


    ¡°Yup, totally repulsors. I wonder if they make those armors in my size. I can finally be Iro¡ª¡±


    A shot finally punched through the table and struck the floor right next to Cal.


    He scooted his body over to place himself beneath the least damaged-looking section of table. Fortunately there was plenty of space under the large table.


    Thinking quickly, he tore one sleeve off of his futuristic alien jumpsuit and tossed it out to one side while giving it a tiny telekinetic push.


    The Threnosh¡¯s beams immediately struck the piece of fabric, but the momentary distraction was just what Cal needed. He rolled out from under the table and scrambled for the far end of the large room. Directly for the rose-colored Threnosh, who was still staggering to their feet.


    The Threnosh saw Cal coming and tried to raise its gauntlet, but Cal was too quick. He juked right, then dipped left, his bare feet sliding on the cold, metallic floor. The beam flew just over his shoulder, as he tackled the Threnosh to the ground.


    Cal postured up and threw a quick succession of punches into the Threnosh¡¯s opaque, rose-colored faceplate. The metal clanged under his fists as the Threnosh desperately tried to push him off, while simultaneously attempting to protect their face.


    It seemed that the Threnosh wasn¡¯t used to direct physical confrontation. It made sense to Cal, they likely fought by keeping their distance in the air and striking with their repulsor beams.


    He probed with his telepathy, seeking options, but found the same static-like buzz. He had a thought that he should brute force his way through whatever was blocking him, but dismissed it just as quickly. He had no idea if doing that risked potentially dangerous feedback for the Threnosh. The last thing he wanted to do was accidentally turn them into a drooling vegetable.


    Two seconds, Cal had spent two seconds punching the Threnosh when his eyes widened. A sudden realization that two seconds was an eternity in a fight. He blindly threw himself off the rose-colored Threnosh.


    The move was prescient, as a repulsor beam from the blue-colored Threnosh rushed through the space Cal had just vacated. A space that was now occupied by the rose-colored Threnosh.


    The beam struck the Threnosh in the chest with a loud thud.


    Cal winced sympathetically as he spun around to locate the blue-colored Threnosh floating high up, near the ceiling. He spared a quick glance at the rose-colored Threnosh, who was no longer moving. Its chest armor was dented inward and smoke drifted up from the battered piece.


    Cal couldn¡¯t tell what the blue-colored Threnosh thought of the friendly fire incident due to the opaqueness of its faceplate. They did, however, hesitate, which was all the opening that he needed.


    He jumped straight for the levitating Threnosh. Super strength with a little telekinetic assist made the thirty plus foot distance easy to cover.


    The blue-colored Threnosh tried to dodge out of the way, but it was too slow. Cal grabbed them around the neck and swung his body around until he was behind. He wrapped his legs around their waist in a figure four. Sleek armor meant their proportions were closer to his own rather than the bulkier builds of the others he had encountered earlier.


    Now, he¡¯d usually go for a rear naked choke from this position, but he figured that¡¯d be useless thanks to the armor¡¯s protection. Instead he opted for the full nelson. He passed his arms under the Threnosh¡¯s and placed the back of his hands behind their neck. He pushed forward and down with just enough pressure to make it uncomfortable, but not too much that he¡¯d risk injuring them.


    Cal wanted to shake his head. From the capabilities the Threnosh had displayed he could¡¯ve ended the fight shortly after it started if he wasn¡¯t so worried about doing real damage.


    The Threnosh¡¯s power armor whined as its internal musculature struggled against Cal¡¯s grip. He could feel it vibrate and shake. It appeared that the armor¡¯s physical strength fell short of his own.


    ¡°Look, I don¡¯t want to hurt you,¡± Cal said easily. ¡°I think if you calculated your probability of stopping me you¡¯d find that continuing to struggle is a waste of your time and effort. So, how about I let you go? You go see to your buddy down there and I go on my way.¡±


    By way of an answer the Threnosh pointed his boots straight to the ground. The soft hum grew thunderous as it went rocketing to the ceiling with Cal sandwiched in the middle. Solid metallic ceiling, solid metal power armor, Cal didn¡¯t fancy being the filling of that sandwich. So, he pulled back with a combination of his super strength and telekinesis.


    Cal flipped around until the Threnosh was now between him and the ceiling. In one smooth motion he pulled his legs free of the figure four and kicked up against the Threnosh¡¯s armored back, adding a little extra telekinetic force. The unfortunate alien slammed hard into the ceiling, while below Cal completed his backward rotation to land in a crouch. A forty foot drop was nothing he couldn¡¯t handle.


    He looked up and¡ª ¡°Oh, crap!.¡± Cal dived out of the way of the falling Threnosh, just barely avoiding them.


    Cal gave the two fallen Threnosh one last look before heading for the door. They were probably fine-ish. They were still breathing at least. That much he could still detect with his powers. For a moment he was tempted to spend a little bit of time inspecting them in an effort to find out what was blocking his telepathic scans. He discarded the idea immediately. He had no idea if there were more chasing him.


    The rest of the way through the facility was clear of any further encounters. Perhaps the last two pseudo Iron Men were the bosses. The thought brought a wry smile to Cal¡¯s face. It seemed that he had conquered this unofficial Encounter Challenge. Although he didn¡¯t trigger a quest, which was a little disappointing. A part of him was expecting one. It was strange though, wasn¡¯t it? Months in captivity and zero quests. He figured there should¡¯ve been at least one for escape. Perhaps since he could¡¯ve escaped at any time the spires¡¯ system didn¡¯t deem his situation worthy of a quest.


    Cal had a lot to think over and he¡¯d start just as soon as he escaped the facility and melted away into the wilderness. One last door and he was outside into the bright sunlight.


    The grass between his toes, the breeze, the sounds of nature, even on this alien world, there was a familiarity to it that he didn¡¯t know he was missing. He took a deep breath of the clean, crisp air. ¡°Ah! Freedom!¡± He smiled widely. ¡°Now whe¡ª¡±


    A loud boom shook the clear skies above Cal.


    He squinted his eyes at the object that was descending from the sky. It was small and fast, really fast.


    It came to an impossibly abrupt stop a good thirty feet away and maybe ten to fifteen feet off the ground where it hovered in place without perceptible movement. The way it killed its momentum in an instant was some kind of physics violating bullshit, which made Cal very wary.


    It was another power armored Threnosh, but he instantly knew that it was orders of magnitude more powerful than the ones we had already faced.


    The armor was actually more of a non-armor. It was almost a skin-tight suit of spandex. It revealed the Threnosh¡¯s true physique. Just as frail and skinny as Cal figured. The only reason that he figured it for a type of power armor was because of the multitude of green-glowing lines in geometric patterns set into the jet black surface. Well, that and the flying.


    The Threnosh¡¯s head was encased in a sleek helmet that appeared to be part of the rest of the suit. The faceplate was clear. The blank expression that Cal had grown to associate with the default state of the Threnosh was present. What was strange, however, was the skin color. This Threnosh was heavily mottled, a variety of grays, from light to dark dotted its face like some kind of digital camouflage. All the others he had seen before had skin that was mostly a single color of smoothly-blended tones, unmarred, almost perfect.


    ¡°Yeah, so I made it outside your facility,¡± Cal said lightly. ¡°Which means that I beat the Encounter and am now free to go on my way.¡±


    He took a step forward and the Threnosh raised his right arm, fist down, and pointed it at Cal. A large, rectangular cylinder bulged along the upper portion of its arm. The opening at the wrist, above the hand, glowed with a dull, green light.


    Cal frowned. ¡°Where did that come from? I swear that wasn¡¯t there a second ago.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Well, whatever. Rules are rules and it¡¯d be a ghastly foul if you shot me after I triumphed over your Encounter Challenge.¡±


    He took another step and the Threnosh fired its weapon.


    The brilliant green light forced Cal¡¯s eyes shut. He didn¡¯t see the solid beam that shot out of the Threnosh¡¯s weapon as they raked it across the ground a dozen feet in front of Cal. All he could do was feel the tremendous heat that washed over his body.


    Cal blinked away the stars in his eyes and found the Threnosh still in the air a short distance away. Its armored arm, he noted was no longer pointed at him and the weapon had disappeared or receded. He didn¡¯t know.


    ¡°Laser? Or Plasma?¡± Cal shook his head as he looked at the sizable line scorched into the ground. ¡°Burned the grass and dug a few inches into the dirt. Man, my science isn¡¯t anywhere close to being able to figure out what that was. I¡¯ll tell you what, though. You have my attention.¡± He held his arms wide, palms up to show that they were empty. Not that it mattered in the least. ¡°I am unarmed. Let¡¯s chat.¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor. You are a weapon.¡±


    ¡°I could say the same about you lot.¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°So, who are you?¡±


    ¡°I am Prime Custodian 3 and I seek to negotiate an accord.¡±


    ¡°Custodian? Man, whatever the spires do to auto translate it sure feels like it misses the mark a whole lot.¡±


    ¡°Will you negotiate?¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Cal said. ¡°It¡¯s the only reason I let you keep me imprisoned for so long,¡± he mumbled.

 25. Invader

    Now


    At a guess the room that Prime Custodian 3 led Cal into was a conference room. Not that he could tell by the way it was furnished or rather the lack of. From what he could tell the Threnosh out Spartan-ed the Spartans when it came to austerity. This particular room was all empty space and plain, metallic walls, floor, and ceiling. If it wasn¡¯t noticeably larger than his interrogation room then he wouldn¡¯t have been able to tell the difference.


    ¡°I just want to make it clear that I¡¯m not going back into that box.¡±


    ¡°That is not the intent.¡±


    ¡°Good¡­ so, what¡¯s this about negotiation? Cause that¡¯s what I¡¯ve been trying for the past like six, seven months.¡±


    ¡°What I propose is similar to the Quests, as you call them, that the spires issue.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t name them. The spires did that all on their own.¡± Cal¡¯s curiosity was piqued. ¡°Are they called something else for you guys?¡±


    ¡°The system refers to them as Tasks for the Threnosh.¡±


    ¡°So, the nomenclature changes with the species,¡± Cal mused.


    ¡°My assessment concurs.¡±


    Cal snorted. ¡°Mysterious, unknowable multiversal structures playing around with semantics. I almost feel like they¡¯re taking us for fools.¡±


    ¡°Probable.¡±


    ¡°You know, you¡¯re a little different from what I¡¯m used to.¡±


    Prime Custodian 3 nodded. ¡°I have studied your sessions and am attempting to mirror your way of interaction.¡±


    ¡°Now that,¡± Cal grinned, ¡°I recognize¡­ alright, I¡¯m listening. What¡¯s this task and what are you offering in return?¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor, please view the recording before we proceed to negotiations.¡±


    A holographic projection suddenly winked into existence in the center of the room. Cal¡¯s eyes shot open. He was impressed. It looked indistinguishable from real life. It was a spire and the surrounding area. Outdoors somewhere, set on a grassy hill with a thick rim of trees several hundred yards in the distance, which fenced in the entire scene.


    At first Cal thought it was a still shot, but then he noticed that the blades of grass were subtly swaying in a light breeze. A shadow from a passing cloud temporarily darkened the view.


    Something about the scene tickled at Cal¡¯s memory. It looked familiar. As soon as he realized that fact a sinking sensation grew in his gut.


    He surreptitiously glanced at the Prime and sent a light touch into their mind. He could¡¯ve spat in frustration when he was greeted with the same static-like buzz blocking his way. It seemed that he had found the likely suspect behind his recent telepathic troubles.


    ¡°Right, so I¡¯m thinking this is the place I came through from my world into yours,¡± Cal said. ¡°If the task involves you guys sending me home, then I guess I¡¯m in, but I¡¯m not going to spy on or betray my people in any way.¡±


    ¡°Continue viewing and all will become clear,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    Cal turned his attention back to the holographic projection with a shrug.


    The spire was just as he remembered. It was as wide as a sequoia, yet as tall as skyscraper. Its surface was a matte dark gray, or it was a shiny silver, or it shimmered with the colors of the rainbow. It was all of these in turn and somehow at the same time. Cal felt his head start to ache just thinking about it. He had seen maybe a couple of dozen spires over the years and each one was the same.


    There was a shimmer in the air near ground level in front of the spire. It looked like hundreds of mirrored panes of glass that shifted into and around each other in a never ending prism. Until it suddenly stopped to reveal a figure standing serenely in place.


    Another alien. It was slim and of average human height. It was stunning in appearance, not beautiful exactly. Cal didn¡¯t have the words to describe it properly. It was androgynous in appearance. He couldn¡¯t tell if it was male or female, but it didn¡¯t matter he supposed. His experience with the Threnosh taught him that it was too simplistic to apply human gender standards to nonhuman beings.


    The sunlight glinted off the alien¡¯s ivory-colored skin, which to Cal resembled alabaster or porcelain. It was perfect, he couldn¡¯t detect a single blemish through the holographic projection¡¯s enhanced definition. Yet, when the alien moved an arm to shield its golden eyes from the sun it conveyed a sense of suppleness.


    It unfurled broad wings from its back and flapped them briefly as if stretching its legs after a long journey, which Cal supposed was accurate enough. He remembered a similar feeling upon his own emergence from the spire. Its golden wings had a metallic sheen to them, yet ruffled in the breeze like soft feathers.


    ¡°Its an angel?¡±


    Cal realized his mouth was hanging open. He couldn¡¯t believe what he was seeing. An actual freaking angel. He felt a smile cross his face. He was expecting something terrible, yet such a wondrous-looking creature emerged. Its cherubic face was warm, open and somehow made even the cynic in him relax.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re showing me this, but if you thi¡ª¡±


    The holographic projection zoomed out to show a squad of power armored Threnosh approaching the angelic alien in a cautious formation. It was one Cal recalled from his own first encounter.


    ¡°Man, I hope you didn¡¯t open fire and ask questions later like you did with me, cause that¡¯s no¡ª¡±


    The projection zoomed back into the angelic alien¡¯s face. A manic gleam appeared in its bright, golden eyes, as its small mouth split into a too-wide smile. To reveal rows of razor sharp teeth.


    ¡°Oh¡­ shit.¡± Cal¡¯s mouth dropped open again. ¡°This is going to be unpleasant to watch isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Prime Custodian 3 gave an uncharacteristically emotive nod. ¡°Yet watch we must. For that is what lies above our world and yours.¡±


    Cal could practically feel the grimness coming of the tiny Threnosh. He could only nod in agreement.


    The holographic projection zoomed out further and moved to a higher angle over the scene such that it covered both the ten power armored Threnosh and the angelic being, who spread its arms and wings out wide.


    ¡°Rejoice, lost ones, for you have been found!¡±


    Its voice was like music. An unbidden image of chimes and choirs of children filled Cal¡¯s head. He forced it away with an effort. ¡°That¡¯s not good.¡± The angelic alien just became even more troubling.


    ¡°I bring you beneath the sheltering wings of the Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy!¡±


    The alarm bells were practically blaring in Cal¡¯s head.


    ¡°Surrender to the most tenderest of ministrations!¡± The angelic alien spoke in its musical voice.


    Cal was beginning to worry that the Threnosh squad in the projection still hadn¡¯t taken action. They had fired on him before he had even finished his first sentence. Perhaps the angelic alien¡¯s voice had a hypnotic or mesmerizing ability to it. He shot a side-eyed glance at Prime Custodian 3. Were the Threnosh already under the angelic alien¡¯s sway?


    His concerns were unfounded a second later as the power armored Threnosh raised their gauntlets as one and fired. Familiar-looking projectiles struck it in the center of its torso. From the way they hit and stuck, Cal surmised that the projectiles hit bare skin. Just as he had thought. It wasn¡¯t wearing any clothing. Two alien species and both displayed zero external signs of biological gender. What were the odds on that?


    Cal wanted to laugh. The ¡®man was made in God¡¯s image¡¯ people back home were going to have to do a lot of cognitive dissonance-ing when he shared the information. Although, the fact there were angels out there might overshadow that bit. He wondered what his mother would say. Probably an ¡®I told you so¡¯ in regards to his long term break from the Church. He had started to plot his hypothetical response to that when a crackling sound from the holographic projection pulled him back from his digressions.


    The taser-like projectiles electrified the angelic alien. From what Cal remembered they carried enough voltage to affect even his own super powered constitution.


    The angelic alien¡¯s body spasmed and it fell to one knee.


    ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± Cal mused. ¡°It didn¡¯t drop me like that. Probably means I¡¯m tougher.¡±


    The angelic alien stood and swept the barbed projectiles from its chest with a contemptuous wave of its hand. Small lines of luminescent white-yellow blood trickled down its chest.


    ¡°Even its blood shines.¡± Cal frowned. ¡°If that¡¯s even blood.¡±


    ¡°Refusal!¡± The angelic alien began. ¡°You have forsaken the light and joy! I call you forsaken!¡± Its voice made Cal wince. It was almost like the wrong chord was struck, creating a feeling of discord, of dread. ¡°I, Zalthyss, Hunter, bring you woe.¡± Its voice fell to a near whisper.


    The self-proclaimed Zalthyss struck without warning. It moved with a quickness that surprised Cal. It reminded him of Eron¡¯s sparring speed. It also reminded him of another person, one that he tried not to remember in too much detail for that was an unpleasant memory.


    Zalthyss folded its wings tight to its body as it dashed across the hundred or so feet of grass between it and the Threnosh squad.


    They continued to fire at the angelic alien. Somehow none of their shots hit.


    Zalthyss reached the lead Threnosh and speared it through the chest with an outstretched hand.


    Cal blinked. He couldn¡¯t believe his eyes. He had judged that the power armor of the basic Threnosh combatant provided protection similar to a thick bank vault, but in a many times thinner and lighter form. He¡¯d punched enough of them to think he had formed a pretty good assessment.


    Zalthyss¡¯ hand pierced the front chest plate, went through the poor Threnosh, and out the back plate like it was all tin foil.


    The angelic alien held the dead Threnosh up like a shield. Projectiles impacted uselessly while Zalthyss closed in on the others.


    The fight was a slaughter. In less than thirty seconds the entire squad was dead. Zalthyss had torn through power armor like nothing. It had ripped limbs off with ease and broken bodies with a sweep of its wings.


    Cal felt sick for the Threnosh as he watched the holographic projection of Zalthyss carefully stacking the bodies and body parts in an obscenely neat pile. Again he was reminded of something he didn¡¯t want to remember.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for your people,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Unnecessary,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°We who fight are aware of the consequences that come with our role.¡±


    To his horror, Cal found Zalthyss in the process of lapping at the Threnosh blood on its clawed fingers and hands. ¡°Can you turn this off? I don¡¯t think I need to see this.¡±


    ¡°There is more,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    The holographic projection switched to a scene several hours later, judging by the movement of the spire¡¯s shadow across the ground. Zalthyss was kneeling on the ground, facing the spire in what could only be described as a praying pose.


    ¡°Jesus Christ,¡± Cal mumbled under his breath. ¡°This is just too ridiculous¡­¡±


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    From somewhere off-screen there was the sudden sound of whirring. Cal recognized it immediately.


    Zalthyss was knocked forward into the grass and driven into the ground in a short furrow as a steady stream of small metal projectiles peppered its body.


    Six power armored Threnosh appeared in the projection as the camera zoomed out and panned over them. They were what Cal had mentally labeled as ¡®heavy infantry¡¯. Their miniguns fired a steady stream into Zalthyss as they slowly advanced.


    Another group of ten basic power armored Threnosh filled in the gaps between their heavier brethren and covered the flanks, as they moved to surround Zalthyss.


    After what seemed like minutes the miniguns fell silent as their barrels slowly stopped rotating.


    All of the Threnosh raised their gauntlets and pointed it at the prone Zalthyss. As the camera zoomed into its back, Cal could see that it was riddled with tiny holes. Its luminous blood shined.


    ¡°At least its not bulletproof,¡± Cal said. He hoped it was finished, but he realized that the Prime wouldn¡¯t have offered him a task if this Zalthyss was already defeated.


    He cursed his prophetic ways when it slowly started to crawl over to the pile of dead Threnosh from its first fight.


    It reached into the pile and pulled out a power armored arm. To Cal¡¯s disgust it lifted the ragged tear at the elbow to its mouth and drank deeply as the Threnosh blood flowed. It only got worse as it tore the armor like paper to reach the thin, Threnosh flesh inside. This it fed upon like some kind of starving creature. It repeated this horrid act on more body parts.


    Cal wanted to turn away, but he forced himself to watch. He suspected that every bit of information was going to be critical in the near future.


    As it continued to feed the holes on its body pushed out the small, metal projectiles while slowly closing.


    ¡°So it can heal rapidly at a cost,¡± Cal murmured to himself. The cost being biological matter was another reminder of a previous foe that he wished to forget.


    Seemingly finished, Zalthyss turned and smiled its razor-sharp smile at the Threnosh and attacked.


    The slaughter went much the way as the first had gone. In less than a couple of minutes all were dead and Zalthyss went back to its praying posture in front of the spire.


    ¡°I¡¯m assuming this isn¡¯t live?¡±


    ¡°Correct. The event has already occurred,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you hit that thing with everything you had? Maybe drop some bombs? Or use that laser of yours? Why send your warriors to get torn up piecemeal?¡±


    ¡°Standard procedure dictates the use of the minimum amount of force to an encounter. This invader is an unknown entity, as such further information was required in order to determine the appropriate level.¡±


    ¡°You should¡¯ve hit it with overwhelming force as soon as it proved to be unfriendly,¡± Cal said. ¡°How many more lives did you throw away for more information?¡±


    ¡°Threnosh are not wasted. We all serve in our roles, whatever is required,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°Six.¡± Their voice had an uncharacteristic tremor.


    The scene shifted once again. This time a pair of Threnosh in sleek power armors swooped down from the sky and raked the praying Zalthyss with bright beams that punched the angelic alien into the ground.


    Zalthyss rolled to avoid the beams and then leapt into the air with a mighty flap of its wings.


    What followed was an amazing display of aerial combat from both sides. The Threnosh worked as a team, keeping Zalthyss off-balance with their superior maneuverability and practiced tactics. They kept their distance and kept the angelic alien in-between them at all times.


    Sadly, their advantage didn¡¯t last.


    The fight turned in an instant when Zalthyss put on a burst of speed and closed the distance with the Threnosh in the predominantly black-colored power armor. Either they miscalculated their range or Zalthyss¡¯ speed, whatever the reason it cost the Threnosh their life. Zalthyss flapped its wings and stayed away from the other Threnosh, who desperately rained repulsor beams on it.


    Like an obscene bird of prey, Zalthyss tore the struggling Threnosh in its grip to pieces. It threw the disembodied pieces at the remaining Threnosh. The distraction proved costly as they lost sight of Zalthyss, who had climbed high above with a few flaps of its powerful wings.


    Zalthyss folded its wings and dived down into the distracted Threnosh. There was a loud crash as skin and muscle, crashed into metal. The latter lost.


    Cal could only shake his head in disgust at the angelic being as it dismembered another unfortunate soul.


    ¡°Fast, strong, self-healing, and flight. What else can the bastard do?¡± Cal muttered.


    As if in answer to his question the scene shifted one more time.


    There was a slight tremor to the scene as booming steps suddenly sounded out through the eerie quiet of the clearing. An absolutely massive power armored Threnosh barged into frame. It was larger than anything Cal had seen to date. Their thickly-armored form was close to ten feet tall and maybe four feet wide across the shoulders. It charged with deceptive speed on tree trunk-sized legs toward the still kneeling Zalthyss.


    Cal nodded in approval at the scuffs and scratches on the greens and browns of its camouflage paint scheme. It looked like this Threnosh had seen many battles. He hoped that they¡¯d do better than the others.


    Zalthyss stood and turned with an insufferable smile on its smug face. ¡°Ah, more chattel,¡± it said brightly.


    The angelic being broke out into a sprint on a collision course with the giant power armored Threnosh. It had already covered twenty feet in a second when a thick, bluish-white beam that left mist in its wake struck the expanse of open ground in front of it.


    Zalthyss suddenly lost its footing and began to slide forward out of control.


    The ground beneath its feet was frozen like the surface of a winter lake.


    The giant Threnosh met the flailing Zalthyss with a huge punch from a metal fist bigger than the angelic alien¡¯s entire torso. There was a loud crunch as it was sent flying a good twenty feet away.


    The holographic projection zoomed out to show the source of the freezing beam. It was another Threnosh clad in power armor. This one had armor that was colored in blues and whites. They had a sleek rectangular backpack that glowed with small lights along the sides. There were two hoses that connected the pack to the rear portion of each thick, cylindrical gauntlet. Small jets of mist seemed to be venting constantly from small openings in both gauntlets. As Cal watched the left gauntlet¡¯s cylindrical front end opened up and pulled back to reveal four metal-clad fingers.


    The Threnosh used their now free fingers to signal something. The giant Threnosh nodded and advanced on the fallen Zalthyss. The ice-creating Threnosh kept their right gauntlet trained on the invader as they too moved cautiously closer.


    The projection zoomed over to Zalthyss and Cal knew immediately that whether it was a mistake or just plain bad luck the Threnosh blew an opportunity to put it down decisively.


    The gigantic punch left the angelic alien a broken mess. It looked as if every bone in its body was broken from the way its chest was crushed inwardly with bits of what had to have been ribs sticking out through the skin. Unfortunately, it had been knocked into the pile of dead Threnosh.


    Cal let out a frustrated groan. It was like watching your team fumble the ball at the goal line.


    Zalthyss crammed bloody bits of Threnosh flesh into its mouth until its body healed completely.


    The Threnosh were too slow to act as Zalthyss zoomed up into the air with a single flap of its wings.


    The ice-creating Threnosh sent blasts of freezing beams after it, but missed badly.


    The giant Threnosh popped out a pair of miniguns from compartments in its back, one over each shoulder and filled the sky with hundreds of projectiles per second. It too was unable to score a hit.


    Zalthyss swooped up and under the projectiles and the beams until it gained position above the ice-creating Threnosh where it folded its wings and dived.


    The ice-creating Threnosh pointed their gauntlet at the ground in front of it and fired. While still firing it jumped on top of the frozen ground and began to move like an ice skater.


    Zalthyss spread its wings at the last moment, skimming along the ground as it gave pursuit.


    The ice-creating Threnosh¡¯s icy path was directly away from the spire and down a gently sloping hill. Perhaps they were counting on the aid of gravity to lend it more speed, but what they did was take themselves further away from any potential support from the giant Threnosh, which lumbered after them.


    It looked as if they had made a fatal error, as Zalthyss drew ever closer.


    Inches away, clawed fingers reached out for the ice-creating Threnosh. Until they were gone.


    Cal didn¡¯t catch what happened, but Zalthyss was suddenly tumbling across the ground. When he came to a stop his wings were stuck with a thick glob of something that Cal would bet anything was like glue.


    The projection zoomed out and panned over to a distant hill. At a guess, Cal would have placed it at least five hundred yards away. Another power armored Threnosh stood on the hill. The most distinguishing feature of their armor was the massive mechanical bow that appeared to be built into their left gauntlet.


    As Cal watched the archer Threnosh drew another arrow and let loose. The projection followed the arrow¡¯s flight. It flew in a flat trajectory that was more akin to a bullet. It crossed the distance in a blink of an eye and exploded right in front of the surprised Zalthyss.


    It was sent tumbling through the air to land in a heap. It struggled to one knee, then on to its feet before it suddenly fell as if its legs were cut out from under it.


    Cal didn¡¯t catch it at first since he wasn¡¯t looking for it, but now he could see a blur moving around Zalthyss. Each time that the blur appeared to draw near the angelic alien a splatter of luminous blood sprayed out and when the blur passed there was a new cut across once perfect skin.


    The blur was doing a good job cutting up Zalthyss, except for the fact that Cal quickly detected a pattern to the attacks. And if Cal saw it then that meant¡ª


    Zalthyss stuck an arm out to one side. The arm broke as the blur crashed into it, which was fine for the angelic alien. The blur was a fourth power armored Threnosh and they tumbled to the ground just a short distance away. Their armor was sleek, much thinner than all Cal had seen before with the exception of the Prime. There looked to be small openings, like miniature jet turbines at strategic locations on the lower half. Their helmet was sleek and tapered to a narrow back end, much like the kind speed cyclists wore. There were bladed fins all along the gauntlets and upper arms. These were covered in luminous blood.


    The unexpected blow stunned the speedy Threnosh, which sealed their fate. Zalthyss pounced upon it like a cat on a wounded mouse and proceed to rend and tear through the weak armor with ease. A few bites later and the its injuries were gone once again at the cost of the Threnosh¡¯s life.


    An arrow sprouted suddenly out of Zalthyss¡¯ shoulder, then another, followed by a third. Arcs of electricity emanated from the arrows and blanketed Zalthyss in a not so tender embrace.


    Cal wanted to let out a cheer to accompany the angelic alien¡¯s inhuman scream as it writhed on the ground, muscles no longer in its control.


    Booming steps drew near as Zalthyss ripped the spent arrows from its body and struggled to its feet. The giant Threnosh lumbered forward as the angelic being took to the sky or tried, that is. For the Threnosh jumped up after it with an assist from the rockets beneath its boots.


    They grabbed Zalthyss leg, nearly up to its thigh, with one massive fist. There was an audible crunch accompanied by a grimace of mingled pain and rage on the angelic being¡¯s beautiful face.


    The giant Threnosh landed back on the ground with a spray of dirt and rocks. In the same motion it slammed Zalthyss into the ground.


    ¡°There¡¯s no way it got up from that,¡± Cal said. ¡°All the bones in its body have to be broken¡­ again.¡±


    In the holographic projection the giant Threnosh loomed threateningly over the battered and broken Zalthyss. The ice-creating Threnosh approached cautiously with both gauntlets ready to fire. From the clearly open lane that the two Threnosh were maintaining Cal had no doubt that the out of view archer Threnosh had an arrow nocked and aimed on the angelic being.


    Cal wasn¡¯t about to let out the breath he didn¡¯t realize he was holding in. He wasn¡¯t about to be fooled by another moment of apparent defeat for Zalthyss.


    As the minutes stretched, Cal only grew tenser. The two Threnosh in the projection were equally wary, ready to strike at the slightest movement from Zalthyss.


    It was most unfortunate that the angelic being¡¯s most powerful attack didn¡¯t require much in the way of movement.


    Zalthyss shifted its head ever so slightly, so that it was facing the giant Threnosh that loomed over it with one massive metal fist poised to strike down.


    It opened its mouth and screamed.


    As far as screams went, it didn¡¯t sound particularly noteworthy. Sure it was loud, but it wasn¡¯t anything a horror movie victim couldn¡¯t pull off.


    As far as its effects went, it was shattering.


    The giant Threnosh¡¯s armor slowly came apart. Metal plates came off or started to liquefy. The exposed internal machinery fared similarly. As did the unfortunate Threnosh inside.


    The ice-creating Threnosh immediately turned twin freezing beams on Zalthyss. They didn¡¯t stop until the angelic alien was entombed inside a jagged block of ice.


    Zalthyss¡¯ face was frozen. Its mouth was open, the scream momentarily silenced. The reprieve didn¡¯t last.


    The icy prison held for a moment until it too started to liquefy. The Threnosh poured it on with their beams, but they couldn¡¯t keep up with whatever it was Zalthyss was doing with its voice.


    After a few minutes of the intense struggle the Threnosh¡¯s beams suddenly cut out. The lights along the edges of its pack grew dark and the trails of mist leaking from their armor vanished completely.


    Zalthyss crawled toward the liquefied remains of the Threnosh in the giant power armor, as the ice-creating Threnosh fled in the direction of their remaining teammate, the archer in the distance.


    The Threnosh had perhaps made it half-way when Zalthyss stood up, healthy once more, and took to the skies.


    The archer Threnosh loosed arrow after arrow at the angelic being as it swooped after the ice-creating Threnosh. Explosive arrows, ones that created electrified nets, more of the glue-like arrows. They either missed or Zalthyss was able to shrug them off.


    In the end the archer Threnosh could only watch as its teammate was killed and devoured. Without its teammates to tank attacks or draw away attention it was extremely vulnerable. It soon met the same grisly fate.


    ¡°So¡­ that¡¯s it then,¡± Cal said with an effort to keep from gagging on the gorge that he felt rise up his throat. ¡°You want to send me up against that thing next.¡± A statement, not a question. ¡°And those were your best people.¡±


    ¡°That is correct. They were the best in the region. Long years and challenging encounters allowed them to hone and improve themselves. They were my best.¡± Prime Custodian 3 paused a moment. ¡°Will you accept?¡±


    ¡°That depends on you. What you¡¯re willing to give me. What you¡¯re willing to contribute.¡±


    ¡°Your freedom.¡±


    ¡°I have that now,¡± Cal said flatly. ¡°If those were your best then does that mean you have to face Zalthyss next? And if you lose what does that mean? Will another Prime come? Two? Three?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°And if you still can¡¯t win?¡±


    Prime Custodian 3 nodded curtly. ¡°Then Zalthyss will claim this spire for its world, which will make the way easier for others of its kind to arrive. The Threnosh will eventually fall and when your world¡¯s time is up then they too will know of this Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy.¡±


    ¡°Right, so it¡¯s in our best interests that I win and I¡¯ve got some ideas on how to make that a near certainty,¡± Cal said. ¡°Now, tell me. What are you willing to give me to save your world?¡±

 26. End Boss

    Now


    ¡°Am I going to get this all in writing later? Cause any agreements we make, I¡¯m going to want in writing,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Negotiations are being recorded. A copy will be provided to the Arbiter Corps. Enforcement and adjudication of any potential future disputes are their responsibility,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    ¡°Alright, so, let me get this straight,¡± Cal said. ¡°You want me to kill or capture this Zalthyss, Hunter of the so-called Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy,¡± he rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Capture is preferred, but kill is adequate,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    ¡°And what do you offer in exchange for undertaking this task?¡±


    ¡°Not undertaking. Completion will be required.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t budge on that detail huh?¡±


    ¡°Correct,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°Outline your demands in exchange for the completion of this task.¡±


    Cal held up his index finger. ¡°First, I want my freedom. As in I can go where I want, when I want. No limitations, no forbidden areas. If I want to try your Encounter Challenges and Spawn Points then no one will stop me.¡±


    ¡°Provisionally agreed, pending your agreement with amendments.¡± Prime Custodian 3 continued at Cal¡¯s nod. ¡°Freedom is granted, but only applies to the region under my jurisdiction. I do not have the authority to make such an arrangement beyond my region. If you wish to have freedom throughout the entire world then only the Collective can grant you that. However, I will be remiss if I do not state the probability of that is currently less than a percentage point. Secondly, you will have access to Encounter and Spawn Zones appropriate to your level of power and ability. Furthermore, your access to said zones will be conducted in accordance with standard procedure. Is this acceptable?¡±


    ¡°Maybe,¡± Cal mused. ¡°Except how do I guarantee that you won¡¯t use some kind of bureaucratic trickery to keep me out of the zones? Something like continually keeping me at the back of the line, so to speak.¡±


    ¡°Procedures guarantee fair access. The system that governs this is impossible to manipulate, even by a Prime.¡±


    ¡°How big is your region?¡±


    The Prime¡¯s eyes took on a blank look for a moment. Suddenly, the holographic projection in the center of the room change into an overhead view of a map. Except this one looked live from the way the clouds drifted across the scene. There were two main landmasses separated by a blue-green sea. The landmasses curved around the sea. It reminded Cal of similar geographic features on his planet. When a particularly powerful volcano erupted and essentially blew out its center and allowed the water to fill in the resulting void.


    The two landmasses looked to be somewhat connected by thin stretches of land and islands to the north and south of the circular sea. The southern portion was vastly more open to the rest of the water. Scattered about in the sea where many smaller islands.


    A series of strange symbols suddenly appeared on the holographic projection. Cal was about to ask the Prime for a translation when the symbols turned into numbers that he recognized.


    The eastern landmass totaled 2.347983 million square miles. The western one was 2.879631 million square miles. There were even numbers for the hundreds of smaller islands. The inner sea itself was 6.864321 million square miles. An impressive number floated above the entirety of the projection, 13.093790 million square miles.


    If the numbers were accurate then Prime Custodian 3 held supreme authority over an area that was almost half again as large as all of North America. Cal shot a glance at the Prime. He was going to have to reassess his views on the frail-looking Threnosh.


    ¡°Acceptable?¡±


    Cal cleared his throat. ¡°Fair enough. I accept those terms. Now on to the next. I want free access to the spires¡­ in this region,¡± he gestured at the holographic map, ¡°oh and a list of all their locations. I also want comprehensive information on all of the Encounter Challenges and Spawn Points. I¡¯m talking everything. Types of monsters, threat assessments, historical records of previous expeditions, and anything else that I might think of in the future.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    ¡°Wow, that was quick.¡± Cal narrowed his eyes at the Prime.


    ¡°That information is readily available from any information terminal or PID.¡±


    ¡°PID?¡±


    ¡°Personal Information Device.¡±


    ¡°I also want one of those,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    ¡°Okay, now that the easy stuff is out of the way. I¡¯m going to need a place to live, train, and do my research.¡±


    ¡°This facility will suffice,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    ¡°What? Seriously?¡± Cal frowned. ¡°You didn¡¯t forget about that freedom bit, right? Cause that¡¯s the most important thing.¡±


    ¡°It is convenient. This area is isolated from significant numbers of Threnosh. It has already been cleansed for your presence.¡±


    Cal narrowed his eyes at the Prime. ¡°It sounds like I¡¯m going to be kept away from the general public.¡±


    ¡°Correct, until probability of interaction leading to negative consequences decreases, you will be quarantined from the population at large. This is not negotiable.¡±


    ¡°Fine, don¡¯t want to hang out with you guys anyways,¡± Cal muttered. ¡°Alright. Last bit then. How much are you willing to help me against Zalthyss?¡±


    ¡°The task requires that you complete it.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯d like to amend that,¡± Cal said. ¡°Look, Prime Custodian 3, what are the probable outcomes? One, I fight and win. Great! Everyone is happy, well, except for Zalthyss, but we don¡¯t care about that asshole. Two, I fight and lose,¡± his voice took on a serious tone, ¡°now things get dicey. You have to step in then, don¡¯t you? What if you barely win? Or worse, lose? Then what?¡±


    ¡°Another Prime will attempt to defeat the invader.¡±


    ¡°Sure, but how long will that take? By the time you pry another Prime away from their region then there could be two or three other Zalthysses waiting.¡±


    ¡°We do not have enough information to declare certainties, but projections indicate the probability of more invaders appearing within the next several days at 65.3214 percent.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll bet that number keeps getting higher the more days you tack on,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Correct. Research into the spires indicates that an invader can claim the area around an individual spire through means that we have not discovered yet.¡±


    Cal chuckled. ¡°You mean you guys bought all of the tutorials that you could.¡±


    Prime Custodian 3 quirked their head. ¡°Is that not the most prudent course of action?¡±


    ¡°Probably,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m just theorizing here, but I think once you claim a spire then it¡¯ll get easier to bring more of your people over. It makes sense from a promoting conflict standpoint, which as we know is what the spires are all about.¡±


    ¡°I have a dispute with a portion of your words, but it is unimportant to the current issue,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°The actions of this Zalthyss aligns with your supposition.¡±


    ¡°When did the fights you showed me take place?¡±


    ¡°Roughly two and a half rotations.¡±


    Cal raised a brow. Was the Prime trying to match his own mannerisms and word choice? Too bad his telepathic peaks continued to yield nothing but static, it would¡¯ve been illuminating to see what was on the surface of the Prime¡¯s thoughts. ¡°And its just been kneeling in front of the spire since then?¡±


    ¡°Correct.¡±


    ¡°I think we can safely say that it¡¯s busy claiming your land, which is why it¡¯s imperative that we work together to show it that it¡¯s making a big mistake.¡± Cal took a deep breath. ¡°Bottom line, Zalthyss is just the first of probably many. It needs to be beaten, preferably decisively. We have no idea if the rest of its people, this Dominion, is watching, but if they are then you, we, need to show them that we aren¡¯t easy prey. Because the impression I got from Zalthyss is that being seen as such would be a very bad thing.¡±


    ¡°Agreement. Aid will be furnished. Make your requests.¡±


    Cal fought the urge to smile. He wasn¡¯t expecting such an easy acquiescence. ¡°For starters, I¡¯ll need all the numbers you calculated in regards to Zalthyss physical capabilities.¡±


    ¡°The information will be available with your provided PID.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯m going to want all of my weapons that you confiscated from me.¡±


    ¡°Regrettably, your belongings were recycled. Replacements to your specifications will be provided,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ when is my fight going to take place?¡±


    ¡°As soon as you are ready¡­ though projections indicate it must take place within one rotation.¡±


    ¡°Figures,¡± Cal muttered. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll take those replacements and is it possible if I could get a few other things?¡±


    ¡°I will task an engineer and a fabricator to aid you.¡±


    ¡°They can do this all in one day?¡±


    ¡°Correct.¡±


    ¡°Great!¡± Cal smiled. ¡°Now, one last thing.¡± He ignored the nearly imperceptible narrowing of the Prime¡¯s eyes. ¡°Since this is the first time our two species are working together, I thought it¡¯d be a great idea if you had a direct hand in the action.¡± He grinned. ¡°As an added bonus, it¡¯ll give us just the edge we need to take care of our common foe.¡±


    Prime Custodian 3 looked surprised when it nodded along to Cal¡¯s plan.


    <hr>


    Cal was bummed that he couldn¡¯t appreciate the ride in an honest to God flying car. Well, more like a flying van, since the vehicle shared general shape of a minivan. Such a cool thing to be doing, yet he was too busy trying to keep his breathing steady. The last time he felt like this was when he was hunting for the Midtown Mauler.


    He wondered if the multiverse had it in for him. There were quite a frightening amount of similarities between the Mauler and Zalthyss. The latter healed any and all injuries rapidly by consuming flesh and blood. The former, well, Cal still found it hard to believe that one of the super powers that the spire unlocked was cannibalism-based.


    ¡°Stupid apocalypse, stupid spires,¡± Cal muttered.


    ¡°Concerns, Designation: Honor?¡± The power-armored Threnosh piloting the flying minivan spoke without turning their head to Cal in the back compartment.


    ¡°No, you¡¯re doing great! Piloting this¡­ van!¡±


    Piloting was perhaps not the correct term, Cal mused. The Threnosh¡¯s power armor appeared to be plugged into the center-front compartment of the vehicle. There was no visible control stick or wheel or anything. Just a few screens, switches, and buttons. Some kind of cybernetic system, was what he decided it must be. Something to research in the future, if he survived the upcoming fight.


    Too soon the flying minivan alighted with a soft hum just a few inches off the surface of a grass-covered field. The side door slid open and Cal took a deep breath before he stepped out. As soon as he was on the ground the door shut and the silvery vehicle rose into the air to disappear from his sight. He was completely alone in the middle of nowhere, with one exception.


    Cal made his way to the spire at an easy pace. Prime Custodian 3 wanted more time to observe and test Zalthyss¡¯ capabilities. The Threnosh had dozens of cameras and a myriad of instrumentation pointed at the area. They wanted to get as much information as possible. For example, could they discover the range at which Zalthyss detected Cal¡¯s approach? How?


    Cal agreed with the value of the potential information. Plus it would give him a chance to get more comfortable with the somewhat makeshift set of armor that the engineer and fabricator came up with.


    The base layer was similar to the body suit that he had been wearing during his imprisonment, except more robust. On to this plates of armor copied from the same type of material that the Threnosh ¡®heavies¡¯ used, were added over his vital points. When Cal asked them why they couldn¡¯t modify a set of actual power armor for him to borrow the answer he got was confusing. Essentially he was told that the power armor couldn¡¯t just be made, but had to be earned. He realized immediately what meant. That they likely obtained their power armors from the spires. Weird that humans got super powers and magic, while Threnosh got power armors. He granted them that, but found it difficult to believe when they claimed that they were unable to replicate said power armor in its entirety when he pressed them on the topic. According to them, they could make separate parts of the power armor, but whenever they tried to make an entire one, it invariably failed to function. Spire bullshit, he called it and surprisingly the Threnosh agreed.


    Luckily the engineer and the fabricator that the Prime sent Cal¡¯s way were readily open to his requests. They made it clear what was possible and impossible with the materials available and the equipment already at the facility. Which, oddly enough included a full suite of fabrication machines. Cal was starting to think that the Prime did him a favor by giving him the place as a future residence.


    Fabricator Riverport 11725 and Engineer Verdant Mechanica 3581 were decent sorts. They were task-focused and not emotive, which Cal expected was the default for the Threnosh as a whole. Unlike the interrogators, however, these two weren¡¯t particularly guarded with him. They answered his many questions to the best of their ability as far as he could tell, considering that he couldn¡¯t read their thoughts either.


    Their power armor was different compared to the warrior types and the interrogators. They were more utilitarian, with various tools and devices that fit their specific roles. The lasers they shot out did no damage, but were precisely accurate when it came to giving measurements.


    The Threnosh naming conventions still eluded Cal and neither the fabricator nor the engineer were willing to shed more light on the topic. It was as if the question was incomprehensible to them. There was definitely something not translating properly through whatever means the spires used to make the species¡¯ words mostly understandable to each other.


    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    The trio had spent almost all of the time they had available to design, build, and test the devices that Cal had requested. He hadn¡¯t had an opportunity to sleep. Fortunately, ever since the spires arrived that was a lesser concern.


    Everything was ready. All he had to do now was to keep Zalthyss occupied while things were moved into position. Hopefully, he could get the angelic alien talking for at least a few minutes before the punching started.


    As Cal slowly walked up the hill from the last fight he watched he took note of the signs of battle. Flattened grass. Furrows in the dirt. A frighteningly large amount of blood stains. He realized his fists were clenched tight. He forced them open with a deep breath. It was important to stay relaxed before a fight. Tenseness just wasted energy.


    Cal spotted the praying Zalthyss from a long distance. He didn¡¯t take his eyes off of it.


    He reached out with his telepathy. The lightest of touches, to probe. He had no idea what sort of defense or traps it had in its mind.


    He found neither.


    Instead he found something unexpected. If he had to put it into words he¡¯d call it music, chimes, instruments, singing, individually and together at the same time.


    Cal sighed. ¡°Things used to make sense,¡± he muttered under his breath.


    Zalthyss must¡¯ve heard him despite the almost football field¡¯s length of distance. For it stood, unfurled its wings and took to the sky.


    Cal forced himself to hold still as Zalthyss landed a short distance in front of him accompanied by a powerful gust of wind. It was a good sign that the angelic alien kept its distance. That meant it was wary. That meant it wasn¡¯t immediately certain of its ability to handle Cal.


    ¡°You are different.¡± A statement.


    ¡°No, you are,¡± Cal said eloquently.


    Zalthyss stared at him with wide, unblinking eyes. Whether in confusion or that was just its normal face, he couldn¡¯t tell. Up close and in real life it was even more beautiful than in the near-perfect hologram. Its creepy, uncanny valley-ness was even more pronounced.


    ¡°On behalf of the people of this world, I hereby request that you return to your own,¡± Cal said. ¡°No further action will be taken upon your being with immediate compliance.¡± Prime Custodian 3 had insisted that Cal give the disclaimer. ¡°Failure to comply will result in further action to enforce¡­ compliance.¡± He grinned.


    Silence. For a beat the soft whistling of the wind and the distant cry of an alien bird or some kind was the only thing that could be heard.


    Zalthyss laughed. It was like the tinkling of chimes or fairies. Cal wanted to join in despite himself.


    Alarmed, he quickly checked the telepathic walls around his mind. He sighed in relief when he found them intact and unaltered.


    ¡°Is it something auditory? Something in your voice working in conjunction with my hearing,¡± Cal said. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s metaphysical, which means it¡¯s likely physical.¡±


    ¡°Such a strange creature. Of what are you speaking off?¡± Zalthyss tilted its head to one side, impossibly far.


    ¡°That thing you do when you talk,¡± Cal said. ¡°Speaking of strange things.¡±


    ¡°You hear the light and joy present in all true beings of the Dominion,¡± Zalthyss said with a smile, that notably remained tight-lipped.


    ¡°Interesting,¡± Cal said. The angelic alien seemed to possess enough awareness to avoid drawing attention to its rows of razor-sharp teeth. An indication that despite its weird, musical thoughts, it perhaps thought in a way that he could understand. It was not entirely alien to his human thought patterns. Cal shrugged. ¡°No, I don¡¯t think that¡¯s it. Maybe it¡¯s pheromones?¡± He mused.


    ¡°Your words are odd, strange creature,¡± Zalthyss said. ¡°You are not like the others that I took for this world¡¯s masters. Are you and your kind the true rulers of this world? If so I welcome you to the Dominion of Imm¡ª¡±


    ¡°Tsch!¡± Cal snapped his fingers.


    A look of surprise, which shifted into outrage, blossomed across Zalthyss¡¯ face. ¡°You dar¡ª¡±


    ¡°Tsch!¡± Cal snapped his fingers. ¡°I¡¯m talking here. Will you leave? Yes or No? That¡¯s all you need to answer.¡±


    Time was up. Everything they had planned was ready.


    There was a dangerous gleam in Zalthyss¡¯ eyes. This time its smile was all teeth. ¡°No.¡±


    Cal adjusted his helmet one last time. A press of a button slid the clear visor down over his eyes and the guard over his mouth. He pointed at the distant pile of dead Threnosh that Zalthyss had carefully organized close to the spire. ¡°Now.¡± His voice was clear and steady.


    His heart beat once, twice and then a brilliant beam of green light lanced from somewhere high up in the clouds and incinerated the entire pile.


    ¡°No cheating,¡± Cal said as he covered the ten yards between him and Zalthyss. His straight right took the angelic alien in the stomach, causing it to double over. His left uppercut took it under the chin and sent it up into the air. He grabbed it around the ankles, spun and slammed it in an arc over his head, face first into the ground.


    ¡°Drones 1 through 4 converge on target Z, optimal range, fire,¡± Cal sub-vocalized into his helmet as he dashed back. Cybernetic control would have been better, but neither he nor the Threnosh were willing to implant the neural lace-like mesh that all Threnosh possessed over his brain. Commands given and followed at the speed of thought. So much science fiction made real! Cal grinned.


    Four gleaming drones descended from the sky with the soft hum of their repulsors? Or was it anti-gravity tech? The Threnosh didn¡¯t say or they didn¡¯t make the distinction. So much was unclear for Cal.


    Each drone was modified to carry a single minigun of a similar design to the ones carried by the ¡®heavy infantry¡¯. For some reason the engineer and the fabricator made it clear that it was merely a copy, which apparently was entirely different from the ones the warriors wielded. Cal didn¡¯t care about the difference.


    The miniguns surrounded the fallen Zalthyss at a distance of ten yards and ten feet above ground level. The barrels rotated and spat out their projectiles with a soft whine. Immobile, the angelic being was a sitting duck. Hundreds of rounds tore into its body and sent luminescent blood splattering in all directions.


    In less than thirty seconds the limited ammunition the drones carried was spent.


    Surprisingly, Zalthyss rose to its feet and glared. The angelic alien looked more angry than anything, which triggered the mental alarm bells for Cal.


    ¡°If you surrender then your wounds will be seen to.¡± Cal gestured at the burning pile of dead Threnosh. ¡°There¡¯s nothing for you to consume and heal with.¡±


    ¡°Mistaken¡­ I do not need meat to heal¡­ for the Immortal Light lives within me.¡± Zalthyss straightened as it spoke.


    A sudden flash of bright light around it had Cal shielding his eyes. When it cleared Zalthyss stood strong, unmarred. It looked bigger, taller. Its limbs were longer, more muscular, but still sleek. Its fingers were like daggers. Its toes, like raptor talons.


    ¡°Fuck¡­ its got a bankai,¡± Cal said flatly.


    Plan A was out the window. It was simple enough. Remove the source of healing. Catch Zalthyss off guard and fill it with projectiles. Once it was down and out they restrain it and take it away.


    ¡°Is intervention required?¡± Prime Custodian 3¡¯s voice spoke into the helmet.


    The Prime was somewhere high up in the clouds in the same position from which it incinerated the pile of dead Threnosh. Cal wondered if it was sitting, well floating oh so proudly. Although he was almost certain that if the Threnosh felt pride it was an extremely muted version of humanity¡¯s.


    ¡°Negative. Switching to Plan B.¡±


    Cal ordered the drones to slam into Zalthyss.


    The now monstrous, angelic being swatted the drones aside with its gleaming, golden wings. The several hundred pound drones were swatted like bothersome flies.


    ¡°Good! I had feared that this world was filled with nothing, but chattel. Now I am filled with joy to find that prey worthy of hunting exists!.¡±


    Zalthyss blurred in Cal¡¯s vision and suddenly appeared right in front of him.


    ¡°Shi¡ª!¡± Cal jumped back, but was too slow.


    Zalthyss clawed hand swiped at his stomach. Cal blindly pushed back with his telekinesis. The speed and strength of Zalthyss combined with the unfocused nature of the telekinetic push meant that the blow was merely partially deflected rather than stopped.


    Cal bit back a curse as bladed fingers cut through the armor and into the flesh of his stomach. Fortunately, it was a shallow strike and not one that disemboweled him. At least it was confirmation that bulletproof skin wasn¡¯t tough enough to stand up to Zalthyss¡¯ claws.


    Cal doubled up on the next telekinetic shove to thrust Zalthyss back to buy some time and distance. He leaned on a telepathic skill that he developed to deal with super fast movers. Essentially, he increased the speed of his perceptions. This on top of his already more than human reaction speed enabled him to keep up with those faster than him. It allowed him to keep up with a quarter-speed Eron in spars and it saved his life against the Midtown Mauler. The only drawback was that it was particularly taxing on his brain. He felt the needle-like jabs growing more frequent.


    Zalthyss dashed in for another attack. This time it wasn¡¯t a blur. It was merely very, very fast. It came in low and aimed a blade-handed thrust toward Cal¡¯s stomach.


    Cal dodged to the right. A golden flash out of the corner of his eye had him bring up his right arm to protect his head. The impact sent a shock through his body and jarred him to the bone. He thought he heard a crack. His upper arm throbbed. The pain was muted, but he knew that was a product of adrenaline.


    He¡¯d read somewhere once that a goose could break a man¡¯s arm with a swing of its wing. It made sense that a super powered angelic alien could do the same to even a super durable man.


    The momentary distraction proved costly as Zalthyss'' hand snatched Cal¡¯s left arm. The vise-like grip crushed the metal of the gauntlet. Cal tried to pull away, but found himself held fast. He switched tracks and pushed forward with a right hook aimed at Zalthyss¡¯ face.


    It brushed the punch away with its free hand. The shock traveled up Cal¡¯s arm, which caused him to wince.


    Zalthyss¡¯ too big mouth split wide in toothy smile. It tore the armored glove from Cal¡¯s left hand in one swift move. It stared into Cal¡¯s eyes, seemingly savoring his futile struggle to get free. It grabbed Cal¡¯s pinkie, paused a moment then twisted and pulled.


    The pain was like nothing Cal had ever experienced before. He watched through blurry vision as Zalthyss popped his pinkie into its mouth and chew with obvious relish. Before the horror of the situation set in, the angelic alien did the same to Cal¡¯s ring finger.


    ¡°Shitty cannibals,¡± Cal said through grit teeth. ¡°Choke on it.¡± He reached out to his finger bones. The ones currently traveling down Zalthyss¡¯ throat. He seized them with his telekinesis. The larger ones he spun from vertical to horizontal, creating an X of sorts that lodged itself in its throat. The smaller ones he jammed into the throat lining with the force of all his rage.


    The effect was instantaneous. Zalthyss eyes widened in shock and it gagged violently.


    Free from its grasp, Cal jabbed it in the throat with his right hand.


    ¡°Plan B in place and ready,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said through Cal¡¯s helmet.


    Cal turned and ran for the thick forest behind the spire. ¡°On my way.¡±


    He covered about a hundred yards in around four seconds when he saw a dark shadow on the ground in front of him. He dropped to the ground and felt a rush of wind across his back.


    Zalthyss flapped its wings and hovered in place high above Cal. ¡°Tricks.¡±


    Cal stood and tried not to look at his maimed left hand. ¡°Like that one did you?¡± His smile didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°I¡¯ve got more.¡±


    ¡°I will enjoying unraveling all that you are.¡± Zalthyss licked its lips. ¡°One delicious morsel at a time.¡±


    The angelic being suddenly swooped down directly at Cal.


    He crouched low, as if ready to dive under or dodge to the side.


    At the last moment, just as Zalthyss was about to reach him. Cal rocketed up into the sky.


    Telekinetic flight was a skill he learned shortly before he came to the Threnosh¡¯s world. He hadn¡¯t had much practice time and it was taxing on his stamina. Not to mention his fear of heights. His head already felt like it was being stabbed with hundreds of needles while simultaneously being pounded by a dozen hammers.


    Cal zoomed into the sky with Zalthyss in close pursuit. He looped up and angled straight for the forest. His uncertain control meant that, at speed, he was mostly limited to straight lines in the air. Fortunately for him the visor on the helmet was already programmed with the most direct path through the trees. A single word lit up the line that he needed to follow for the plan.


    Wind whipped in the wake of the two fast fliers. Leaves and even stout branches were tossed in the air by their passage.


    The proximity warning beeped in Cal¡¯s visor. He was flying fast, but Zalthyss was steadily eating up space. A flashing light with a quickly dwindling number blinked in the bottom left corner of the visor.


    ¡°F1, F2 trigger on my mark.¡± Cal waited for the counter to hit zero. ¡°Fire!¡±


    Two jets of thick flame billowed out on either side of Cal. The angle was perfect to just miss him, but not what was trailing behind.


    Zalthyss let loose an inhuman shriek as it flew right through the flames. It faltered as its wings were aflame, yet it still came screaming after Cal.


    The damn thing was on fire, yet it was still after him. Cal soothed away his concerns by telling himself that at least Zalthyss looked and sounded like it was in a lot of pain, which meant it was distracted.


    All according to plan.


    Cal followed the projected path in his visor. Tree branches whipped at him, but he maintained a telekinetic shield in front of him. While he followed the path, Zalthyss followed him.


    The angelic being was so intent on its pursuit that it didn¡¯t notice the sunlight glinting off the many thin and metallic objects in between several of the trees just ahead.


    Cal pulled his arms and legs tight to his body to present as small profile as possible. He followed the projected path in his visor, held his breath and prayed that it was accurate.


    When he zoomed past the line of trees without being suddenly and possibly fatally stopped he opened his eyes and let out the breath. He landed with relief as the strain on his brain eased. He realized that there was wetness beneath his eyes, nose, and ears.


    There was a loud scream behind him. A mingled cry of pain, surprise, and frustration.


    Cal dared to hope. He turned. He smiled.


    There, tangled up in the monofilament wires he had the Threnosh string across the trees was Zalthyss. Like a butterfly in a spiderweb, the angelic alien struggled mightily. The wires only cut deeper into its skin and wings.


    Cal laughed. ¡°Fuck you! You cannibal piece of shit!¡± He practically spat.


    The Prime wanted a capture and Cal had agreed, but the damn thing ate two of his fingers. Clearly it was too dangerous and insane to let live. He made a fist with his right hand despite the throbbing pain in his arm. He focused telekinetic force around the fist. He pictured a sharp, pointed spike. His imagination became reality. It wasn¡¯t visible, but he knew that it was there.


    Cal approached the trapped Zalthyss slowly, cautiously.


    ¡°The prey has bite,¡± Zalthyss said in a voice that sang of beautiful music. ¡°Yet, such tricks are unworthy.¡±


    Such beauty from such a terrible being was incomprehensible to Cal. It offended him on a very personal level. What sort of universe allowed such a thing to exist? Was the universe fundamentally sadistic in nature?


    Zalthyss opened its mouth as if to speak when a boom shook the skies.


    Prime Custodian 3 flew down at tremendous speed and just as suddenly stopped in between Cal and Zalthyss.


    ¡°Beware, Designation: Honor.¡±


    As the Prime spoke a small, conical device, like a futuristic megaphone appeared to grow out of their chest or rather their power armor¡¯s chest.


    At the same exact instant, Zalthyss let loose with a scream.


    Cal released the telekinetic spike in his hand and threw up a forcefield in front of him. He recognized the scream. It was the same one that devastated the elite Threnosh.


    To his surprise he wasn¡¯t liquefied. Instead there was just the sound of Zalthyss¡¯ high pitch scream echoing through the otherwise tranquil alien forest.


    ¡°Uh¡­ what¡¯s happening?¡±


    ¡°I have identified the frequency of the invader¡¯s attack and am deploying the countermeasure.¡± Prime Custodian 3¡¯s voice was all business.


    It took over a minute for Zalthyss to stop, whether by choice when it realized that it was having no effect or because that was all it could manage, Cal didn¡¯t know or care at the moment.


    The fight was done and he had survived, at a cost. The ache in his left hand, his missing fingers, couldn¡¯t be ignored. The throbbing pain in his upper right arm paled in comparison. His body started to shiver and shake as the adrenaline wore off. There were limits to everything, even superhuman physical capabilities and it felt as if he had passed his some time ago.


    ¡°Designation: Honor, you stated that you were capable of rendering the invader unconscious.¡± A statement and a question.


    Cal noticed that the Prime¡¯s eyes briefly flicked in his direction.


    He forced a chuckle. ¡°Doubting my abilities? I think I¡¯ve proved what a valuable ally I can be to you.¡±


    ¡°You are leaking vital fluids at a significant rate from multiple cranial orifices and your hand.¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯ve got enough left in the tank.¡± Cal stretched his uninjured hand out toward Zalthyss, who could only glare. His hand shook as he slowly curled his fingers tighter. A dozen feet away, the angelic being started choking. It struggled for a long time before its eyes finally rolled to the back of its head and its head fell limp. ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to do that.¡±


    Cal held out a closed fist to the Prime.


    ¡°I do not understand.¡±


    ¡°We bump fists when we pull off something epic, this qualifies.¡±


    The Prime tentatively mimed Cal and extend a tiny fist out. Cal lightly tapped it with his own.


    Cal looked down at his hand. His fingers were still missing. He suspected he was in shock. He looked up at the unconscious Zalthyss, strung up between the trees. ¡°I should¡¯ve done that at the beginning.¡±


    ¡°The invader requires oxygen, confirmed.¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°Capture completed. You have fulfilled the terms of the task. Prepare for transport and medical treatment.¡±


    ¡°Good to hear. You can handle that thing in case it wakes up, right?¡± Cal¡¯s voice grew weak. His vision was starting to grow dark. ¡°I¡¯m just going to sit down for a bit.¡± He plopped down on his backside then fell to his back. He heard nothing of the Prime¡¯s somewhat concerned queries.


    Prime Custodian 3 glanced at Cal¡¯s still form. They noted the rising and lowering of his chest and satisfied that he was still alive turned their attention back to Zalthyss. The Prime raised its right arm and pointed it at Zalthyss. Capture was preferable, but killing was acceptable if necessary. It settled in to wait for their containment team to arrive.

 27. Epilogue

    Now


    ¡°Thank you for returning,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    The words were nothing less than shocking for the two interrogators. A Prime¡¯s very existence was for the greater good of all Threnosh. His words were commands to that end and to obey was not a question. It was built into the culture and thanks was a word never spoken, nor heard.


    ¡°We obey.¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 recovered first and saluted.


    Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 hastily closed their mouth and followed suit a second after.


    ¡°I do not require obedience in this. You are free to reject the task I am about to give to you.¡±


    ¡°The Prime¡¯s words are¡ª¡±


    Prime Custodian 3 raised a thin, delicate hand. Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 stopped so abruptly, it was forced to choke out a small cough.


    ¡°Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337, Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623. In that case I command you to accept or reject the given task based on your own personal assessments. Know that the task is of utmost importance to the future of the Threnosh.¡±


    ¡°I accept,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 blurted out.


    The interrogator¡¯s eyes widened at the slight dip of the head that the Prime sent its way. To be honored in such a demonstrative fashion, by a Prime no less, was unheard of for their station.


    ¡°Request for task details permissible?¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 was more experienced than their junior counterpart. They were able to keep their rational mind in the face of the Prime¡¯s awe-inspiring presence.


    ¡°Granted,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°The task requires you to serve as liaisons for an ongoing project involving the human, Designation: Honor. The project¡¯s ultimate goal is to ascertain the viability of our two species working together for mutual benefit. It is my belief that the Threnosh will need this ally if we are to survive the coming future.¡±


    For a Prime to express weakness so openly was unbelievable. The two interrogators now knew with certainty that they had no desire to accept such a task if this was how their Prime viewed it.


    ¡°If you refuse then I shall find others, however my calculations indicate that you two are the best possible candidates for this task.¡±


    With those words the Prime sealed the two interrogators¡¯ fates.


    ¡°Because of the interrogation sessions?¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 already knew the answer.


    ¡°Correct,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°Designation: Honor indicated that he,¡± the word was unfamiliar on the Prime¡¯s tongue, ¡°desired to work with you based on familiarity and shared experiences.¡±


    A look of open confusion crossed Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623¡¯s face. ¡°But we forced compliance on the subject one-hundred and seventy-three times.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it perplexed me as well,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°Do not be concerned. He assured me that it tickled,¡±


    ¡°I do not understand,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°He claimed that compliance created a sensation that was slightly uncomfortable, but not all together unpleasant.¡±


    ¡°Impossible. That was enough power to tear the muscles in a Threnosh¡¯s body.¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 looked horrified.


    ¡°Yes. Humans are significantly more robust than the Threnosh,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    ¡°Designation: Honor could have escaped at any time?¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 gave voice to the thought that was plaguing his every waking moment for the past few months.


    ¡°Correct.¡±


    ¡°Then why did the subject remain?¡±


    ¡°He was building a rapport with the two of you,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°Designation: Honor¡¯s sole stated goal was to build a mutually beneficial alliance between our two worlds.¡±


    ¡°I accept the task as well,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said. Truly they did not want to, but the Prime¡¯s words openly stated the necessity of success for the continued well-being of the Threnosh. They could not refuse. They could not deny that they had formed a level of understanding into the mind of the subject, however alien its, his, thoughts and mannerisms were. Ceding this position to another would mean that it would take many more months to re-establish that understanding. From the Prime¡¯s uncharacteristic demeanor the interrogator sensed that time was a critical factor.


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    ¡°Good. Details will be sent to your PID. This project will be conducted solely under my jurisdiction. Ultimate secrecy level is mandatory.¡±


    That particular detail made the interrogators suddenly regretful that they agreed to the task.


    ¡°Due to secrecy requirements you will not receive a role change. You will ostensibly remain as Interrogators. Official records will reflect that information. When I determine it is time you will be retroactively granted the proper roles. As part of Designation: Honor¡¯s team you will be eligible for any rewards gained. I will leave it to you to negotiate distribution.¡± Prime Custodian 3 locked eyes with each interrogator. ¡°This is your final opportunity to decline the task. It will not reflect on the exemplary service with Designation: Honor that you have already performed.¡±


    The two interrogators shared a brief glance.


    ¡°The task is accepted,¡± they said in unison.


    <hr>


    Cal sat at the plain metal desk that he had Fabricator Riverport 11725 make for him. He shifted in his cold metal chair trying to find a comfortable position. The Threnosh didn¡¯t do cushions. In fact the fabricator had implied that, as a whole, they didn¡¯t make use of furnishings on a regular basis.


    He adjusted the tiny camera on its crane-like arm stand until he figured he was centered. He moved the tiny pyramid-shaped holographic projector a little further to his right. He took a deep breath, he had delayed this long enough.


    Cal gave the vocal command for the camera and then for the holographic projector. The latter beeped to life and suddenly there was a miniature version of him that looked nervous and uncertain. He noticed that his bandaged left hand was visible in the projection, so he quickly tucked it under the desk. Another deep breath and he gave the command to begin recording.


    Cal smiled nervously. ¡°Hi, Nila.¡± He waved at the camera. ¡°So, lots happened. I learned a lot of important things. Like, there are legit aliens. They call themselves Threnosh, which is essentially their word for people. I¡¯m planning to work on building a friendly relationship, cause I think we¡¯ll need them and they¡¯ll need us if we¡¯re going to survive the other alien species I discovered.¡± He cleared his throat. ¡°But that¡¯s all business talk. All that super important information, my notes, recordings, numbers, and all that other good stuff. I¡¯ll be sending that to you guys.¡±


    He paused and cleared his throat.


    ¡°Oh, yeah¡­ surprise! Turns out the spire has a messaging function. According to our new Threnosh allies you¡¯ll get a notification when there¡¯s a message waiting for you. Just have to go to the spire to get it. I¡¯ll included instructions on how to send messages. You can even save them to any storage device, just bring one with you inside. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it works. The only drawback is that it¡¯s ridiculously expensive.¡± He let out a sigh. ¡°Anyways, I have something to tell you and you¡¯re not going to be happy.¡±


    This time the pause lasted several seconds as reluctance played its way across Cal¡¯s face.


    ¡°There¡¯s no other way to say this, but I¡¯m not going to be able to come back to you for at least the next five or six years, give or take some months, the time conversion is wonky since this world is a bit smaller than Earth. Although that¡¯s also kind of good news. It means that Earth is safe from higher level worlds for the same time period. I know you weren¡¯t really happy about me coming here, but I did it for all of us and I think I made the right call. We¡¯ve got advance warning on what¡¯s waiting out there and we¡¯ve got potential allies. I know you¡¯re probably thinking of coming up here before the six years is up, but I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a good idea. It cost me all my Universal Points and you¡¯ll need all you can get to keep getting stronger and getting better equipment. Besides, I think there¡¯s a certain minimum power level required to go up world before the tutorial period is over and no offense, but I doubt you¡¯d meet it. On that note, please let Eron know that I think it¡¯s best for us on the whole if he didn¡¯t follow me either. I¡¯m sending him a separate message, but multiple voices in his ear are better than one.¡±


    Cal felt at the missing fingers on his left hand underneath the desk.


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, love. Intellectually I know that I made the right call for the good of everyone I care about, but¡­ man, now I¡¯m just rambling.¡± He struggled to hold back tears. ¡°It hurts to be away from you, from my family. I¡¯ve never felt more alone. I¡¯m worried that being here on my own for so long. The things I¡¯ll have to face¡­ I don¡¯t want them to change who I am. The only thing holding me together is knowing that I¡¯ll see you again at the end of all this. So, please¡­ I know this isn¡¯t fair to ask¡­ but, just please be there for me.¡±


    Cal took a moment to wipe his eyes.


    ¡°Wow, I didn¡¯t see that coming, sorry,¡± he laughed weakly. ¡°I don¡¯t know when I can send another message. I¡¯ll need to get some Universal Points first, but that¡¯s going to be one of my main priorities.¡± Cal looked directly into the camera. ¡°I love you, Nila. Please stay strong, so I can do the same. Bye, love.¡±


    Cal shut off the camera and the holographic projector with the vocal commands. He spent the next ten minutes sobbing into his desk. When he was finished, he stood up and walked out the door. It was time to begin.


    Or at least it was, until a sudden chime sounded in his ears.


    ¡°After all this time with nothing? Now you give me a que¡ª¡±


    Congratulations!


    You have discovered your first Epic Quest!


    The Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy is now aware of your existence. You are deemed worthy prey. The hunt begins!


    Success Parameters: Survive to return to your home world.


    Failure Parameters: Be captured or killed.


    Reward: 500000 Universal Points. Varied.


    Failure: Pain and death for you and your world.


    You will accept.


    ¡°Well¡­ that¡¯s not good.¡±

 2.0 Prologue

    Now


    ¡°They are Defective.¡±


    Cal heard the clear hesitation in Prime Custodian 3¡¯s voice even over the digital transmission. He narrowed his eyes at the full-sized projection of the prime as they stood, unnaturally still, next to his desk.


    ¡°You must really not like saying that word,¡± Cal said. ¡°Is it a bad word? Cause in my language it isn¡¯t¡­ I mean it¡¯s bad, but not vulgar.¡±


    ¡°The limitations of the spires¡¯ universal translation system.¡± Prime Custodian 3 nodded. ¡°I will explain. Defective, the word and all it represents, is anathema. We do not utter it unless absolutely necessary.¡±


    ¡°That seems like an oddly emotional viewpoint. Not one I¡¯d expect from the Threnosh.¡±


    ¡°You are correct, Honor,¡± Prime Custodian 3 dipped their helmet-covered head ever so slightly. ¡°However, in light of the need to provide you with full information as you requested, I have deemed it acceptable to speak the word freely.¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯ve pretty much kept up your end of the deal in that regard. The thousands of pages on the Defectives,¡± Cal sighed, ¡°that you¡¯ve sent my way doesn¡¯t leave me with much in the way of questions¡­¡±


    ¡°Except?¡±


    Cal shook his head. ¡°I suppose I¡¯m surprised that you didn¡¯t just¡­ euthanize them as soon as their¡­ defects¡­ were discovered. I mean that would be the most coldly, logical course of action to take. Isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Civilized Threnosh do not take other Threnosh life.¡±


    ¡°Every culture has good points and bad points,¡± Cal nodded.


    ¡°Then you have everything that you need?¡±


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    ¡°Very well. You have seven days to complete your proposal, which you will then advocate for in front of the Collective.¡±


    Cal suppressed a smile. It seemed that some of his naming conventions were rubbing off on the prime. Although it was possible that the Threnosh was deliberately adopting Cal¡¯s ways to continue building on their rapport. ¡°Yeah, no problem.¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor, I am beginning to doubt your understanding of the gravity of what stands before you.¡±


    ¡°Nope, I got it just fine.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°Relax, PC3,¡± Cal grinned at the projection. ¡°All we have to do is convince what is essentially the entire ruling body of your people that our plan to turn these Defectives into an elite group of spawn zone clearers, incursion defenders, and all-around badasses as the first step in eventually defeating the assholes from the Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy is our only chance.¡±


    ¡°No, we must convince them that it has a non-insignificant percentage of success.¡±


    ¡°Well, seeing as how there isn¡¯t a viable step two and onward yet, then that might be a tall task,¡± Cal said. ¡°But, don¡¯t you crease that perfectly smooth brow of yours yet. Seeing as how you don¡¯t get much use out of these poor guys,¡± Cal gestured at the projection emanating from the surface of his desk, several dossiers arranged as if in an old file cabinet, ¡°beyond cannon fodder. I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll be too difficult to sell your Collective on our plan. The Threnosh do have a need to have everything and everyone being of use for the good of all.¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Prime Custodian 3 nodded right before their projection vanished.


    Cal looked at the dense amount of information projected above his desk. Seven days. He had a week to get everything together. He figured he was doing a good thing in giving purpose to the purposeless. Although, would they thank him when they truly realized what the cost of that was going to be?


    When the spires appeared in a world they did so randomly. At least that¡¯s how it appeared to the inhabitants. They appeared in the wilderness, in the middle of civilization. In forests, displacing trees. Inside buildings, somehow seamlessly blending with them. At the bottom the ocean. On top of mountains. No one had yet penetrated whatever incomprehensible system governed the spires.


    This one particular spire, or god hair in this particular world¡¯s language wasn¡¯t special in that it appeared in the middle of a volcano, which was actually a large caldera with a fairly sizable lake around the small mound which marked the location of the open shaft. In fact there were fifty-seven other spires in the general area surrounding the enormous volcano.


    What made this one standout in this particular moment was the shimmer that appeared in front of it. In that instant reality rippled into a prism of many dozens of mirrored panes of glass that shifted in a dizzying array.


    When it suddenly stopped a standing figure was visible.


    It appeared unbothered by being inside a volcano. The tremendous heat and poisonous gasses did nothing to it. There was no labored breathing, nor visible sweat on its perfect alabaster skin.


    It unfurled the broad, golden wings on its back before turning its eerily beautiful face to inspect its surroundings.


    The cavern that the spire was located inside was enormous. The narrow shaft that lead to the surface was obscured by the gasses that drifted from the pools of boiling liquid scattered around. It would need to fly up to reach the exit.


    It experimentally flapped its wings as it prepared to do just that when a small ball of fire impacted the rocky ground in front of it. The explosion threw it back several feet and left several bits of jagged rock embedded in its skin.


    ¡°Outworld invader. I am Designation: Prime Integral Covenant 7. I hereby request that you return to your world. No further action will be taken upon your being with immediate compliance. Failure to comply will be met with appropriate action.¡±


    The Threnosh was clad in skintight power armor. It was colored in a mixture of red, orange and yellow in a variety of shades. The helm was ringed in a crown of flames. Streaks of glowing light bloomed and dimmed as they ran along the surface of the armor. The patterns created called to mind the image of a roaring fire as it danced in the dark.


    ¡°Greetings from the Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy!¡± The invader¡¯s voice was like the tinkling of chimes in the wind. ¡°We are aware of your kind, prime. Such power held within the appearance of frailty. The wonders that they provide are so varied and mighty. To think that you, who appears as strong as the twigs on the ground, would challenge a hunter all alone.¡± It smiled. ¡°Our purpose is manifold. We come to illuminate your world. We come to test your might. To find those worthy to join us. And of course to hunt those that prove themselves to be prey. But most of all, we, hunters, seek the one you call Honor.¡±


    The squad of power armored Threnosh moved through the quiet forest. The only sounds were from their armored boots crunching on the undergrowth. The lack of animal noises was a sure sign that they were on the right track.


    The spawn zone¡¯s perimeter was attacked by a large group of invasive organisms the previous night. This meant that one of the organisms must¡¯ve have evolved. It¡¯d grown stronger, more intelligent, able to command others. The invasive species brought by the god hairs varied greatly, much in the same way that the species native to the world did. It was unfortunate that this particular spawn zone was home to an especially aggressive and large mammalian-reptilian hybrid.


    The organism was a quadruped that had thick, plate-like scales over its vital regions and tough, wiry fur over the rest. It was gifted with many natural and deadly weapons. Including numerous blade-like teeth in its elongated muzzle and sharp, curved claws in its paws. It could sniff out a blood trail many days and many miles distant. Its black eyes could see in darkness.


    Night had fallen when the squad reached the end of the trail. The cave¡¯s opening gaped at them. It was like staring into a void. To fall in meant that there was no hope of finding your way back.


    ¡°Status?¡± The leader subvocalized into his helmet.


    ¡°Scans indicate that organisms entered the cave.¡±


    The reply from the Threnosh in the front came back immediately.


    ¡°Organism capabilities indicate they are already aware of our presence. Silent communications directive rescinded.¡± The leader spoke in a soft voice. ¡°The squad will form a firing line in front of the cave opening. Auxiliary 1 and Auxiliary 2 will enter the cave and drive organisms out of the cave.¡±


    The Threnosh dubbed Auxiliary 1 frowned behind their darkened face-plate. They were getting tired of being treated as a disposable asset. If they were defective, less than the proper Threnosh then why did the god hair provide them such a unique and powerful suite of hardware and software that turned their baseline infantry trueskin into something much greater.


    The anger that came along with such thoughts had been growing stronger with each task that Prime Custodian 3 had granted to them. It was getting more difficult to simply keep their mouth closed and comply with the orders that they were starting to believe were wrong.


    They turned their head to locate the one dubbed Auxiliary 2. Another defective. That one had a trueskin that far surpassed the normal Threnosh soldier¡¯s. It was truly unique.


    They nodded to the other Threnosh, who returned the nod.


    Auxiliary 1, they wanted to spit. They weren¡¯t even granted a name to call their own. Just a placeholder for this one task. The next task they¡¯d be called something else.


    They checked their recoilless projectile weapon. The projection on their face-plate indicated that it was functioning within expected parameters. Its ammunition pod was full.


    There were no more reasons left to stall. Auxiliary 1 subvocalized the command word to initialize the special combat sensor suite they obtained from the god hair and installed in their trueskin. Lines, numbers and words flashed across their vision. Too fast for the biological eye to follow, yet they somehow comprehended it all.


    Without a word to the rest of the normal Threnosh they walked to the cave opening. Ahead of them Auxiliary 2 in their black-colored trueskin disappeared inside.


    The pitch-black darkness of the cave was a small obstacle. One command and the landscape was rendered in clear fashion by an overlay in their face-plate. Auxiliary 2 was not in sight as expected, but their signal was displayed up ahead. Auxiliary 1 followed behind, weapon at the ready.


    ¡°Contact.¡± Auxiliary 2¡¯s voice was almost eager in Auxiliary 1¡¯s ears.


    They rushed through the cave¡¯s twisting tunnels to emerge in a larger chamber. Auxiliary 2 was engaged with a cluster of organisms in a tangle of snapping jaws and slashing claws. Organism blood flew liberally, drawn by the sharp blades and protrusions that covered much of Auxiliary 2¡¯s trueskin.


    Auxiliary 1 had seen it many times, but they still found it unbelievable. The way that Auxiliary 2¡¯s armor drank in the blood defied rational explanation.


    As they fought Auxiliary 2 grew stronger and faster. The organisms tore and bit into their armor, but the damage repaired itself as long as the blood kept flowing into it.


    A warning suddenly chimed for Auxiliary 1. It was somehow both visual and auditory. They couldn¡¯t explain how it worked. It told them to dive to the right and so they did.


    An organism snapped its jaws with a loud clap in the spot that Auxiliary 1 was just standing in.


    They brought their weapon to bear on the organism, but the ghostly image of the organism in their face-plate suddenly jumped at them. Thought the actual organism was still crouched in front of them. The instructions in their face-plate told them to fall onto their back. As they did so the organism finally jumped. The physical one followed the ghostly one that preceded it by a split second. A bright red line projected into their face-plate predicted the organism¡¯s path. Auxiliary 1 brought his weapon in line and squeezed the trigger.


    The loud bangs created by the small projectiles breaking the air was accompanied by a pained whine from the organism. It fell into an unmoving heap just a few feet beyond the supine Auxiliary 1.


    Everything happened in a less than a second. The visual instructions were accompanied by verbal instructions that were given in Auxiliary 1¡¯s own voice. It was chaotic and it should¡¯ve been impossible to follow, but somehow they were able to do it with unconscious ease.


    They rose to their feet and scanned the surrounding area for more threats.


    ¡°Clear,¡± Auxiliary 2 said from amid the torn and gutted corpses of several organisms.


    Stolen story; please report.


    Auxiliary 1 was glad for the darkness concealing the true nature of the bloody mess that covered Auxiliary 2.


    They were about to give the order to continue the search for the alpha organism, when a loud roar shook the cavern.


    It found them instead.


    Then


    ¡°They¡¯re breaking through the barricade!¡±


    ¡°I can see that, Olo.¡±


    ¡°What do we do, Gene?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m thinking, Bastien¡­¡±


    ¡°You need to think faster cause we¡¯re about to be the main course at a gremlin party,¡± Johnny snapped. ¡°Shit balls!¡±


    The middle section of the makeshift barricade of fencing, random furniture, and other detritus suddenly buckled and collapsed inward.


    Johnny, the rogue, sucked in a deep breath and held it as he moved to the side, out of the way of the incoming group of human-sized gremlins.


    ¡°Olo, get their attention. Bastien back him up, Johnny¡ª¡± Gene looked around, but was unable to spot his friend, despite the fact that he was clearly edging around to the flank of the approaching monsters. ¡°Damn it! Where¡¯d he go?¡±


    ¡°On me!¡± Olo banged his dented metal bat on his riot shield.


    The monsters immediately charged at him.


    ¡°Damn, damn, damn¡­ too much,¡± Gene said. He clutched his machete in his right hand tighter, while he splayed the fingers of his left hand out and pointed them at the gremlins. ¡°Magic Missile!¡± Two glowing, marble-sized orbs appeared at the tips of his fingers before zooming away.


    The projectiles curved around Olo to strike at the two front-most gremlins. The monsters screeched before falling to the street with two smoking holes in the middle of their chests.


    The next rank of the charging gremlins stumbled over the corpses, which gave Olo and Bastien an opening to attack.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡± Olo swung his bat down in a one-handed overhead smash. A gremlin¡¯s head exploded like an overripe watermelon.


    Bastien stepped in with a wild two-handed swing with his ax handle. The blow took a gremlin in the side with a crunch and knocked it to the street with shattered ribs.


    Unfortunately the teen left his back exposed.


    A gremlin snarled as it leapt for Bastien with outstretched claws.


    ¡°Shield Bash!¡± Olo slammed his riot shield into the gremlin, saving his friend.


    ¡°Magic Missile!¡±


    Two more gremlins fell to the street with smoking holes.


    The teenage team of self-professed adventurers suddenly found themselves with a momentary respite. Against even their expectations they successfully defeated their first group of actual monsters all on their own. The gremlins from the high school spawn point were roughly human-sized. They were leagues beyond the tiny gremlins that haunted the shadows and the mutant squirrels and birds they were used to fighting. More importantly, they did it on their own. No support from any one else in the watch or from one of the Cruces brothers. Although to be more accurate it was the other way around. Team F.C.W.R. was the one to normally provide support.


    ¡°That¡¯s it, I¡¯m out,¡± Gene huffed as he rushed forward to join his friends on the front line.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got one more in me,¡± Olo took a deep breath as he turned his head toward Gene.


    It was a rookie mistake. One should never take their eyes off the enemy, especially in the middle of a battle.


    A gremlin had slipped in behind the rest of its brethren and hung back, waiting for just this opening. Silently, like a serpent, it leapt at Olo¡¯s exposed backside.


    ¡°Watch ou¡ª!¡±


    Olo turned at Gene¡¯s warning, but he was too slow.


    ¡°Backstab!¡±


    An explosion of blood erupted from the gremlin¡¯s back. The teens were drenched, none more than Johnny, who the others suddenly noticed standing next to the dead monster, his machete plunged into it.


    Johnny took in deep breaths. ¡°Man¡­ almost¡­ passed¡­ need¡­ hold¡­ breath.¡±


    ¡°Nice save, bro!¡± Olo clapped him on the back.


    ¡°You can¡¯t just disappear on me,¡± Gene said.


    Johnny shrugged, his breathing finally under control. ¡°Sorry, reflex, it worked out anyways.¡±


    ¡°I need to call out the fight plan.¡±


    ¡°Chill out, my dude. You were gonna tell me to vanish and look for stabby, stabby ops.¡±


    ¡°Man, that¡¯s so weird that you¡¯re not actually invisible. I can¡¯t get over how we just forget that your there, even if we¡¯re looking at you,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°It helps that it¡¯s such a crazy situation. Hard to pay attention,¡± Johnny said.


    Gene looked like he was going to argue further when a loud screech filled the night air.


    ¡°Oh shit! The breach!¡±


    As one the teens turned to look at the hole in the barricade. There on the other side where dozens more of the human-sized gremlins visible under the flickering street lights.


    ¡°What do we do now?¡± Johnny turned to Gene.


    ¡°I¡¯m out of spells.¡±


    ¡°I can do one more skill before I¡¯m wiped,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Tactical withdrawal?¡± Bastien said hopefully as he edged away from the barricade.


    Before Gene could reply the monsters charged.


    The teens screamed out in rather high-pitched voices. They¡¯d deny it later, but a pair of witnesses would confirm it to the delight of the others in the watch.


    A loud shout accompanied by a shadow of something passing overhead shook the teens.


    The figure, a smallish woman carrying an enormous hunk of metal that she called a shield landed in front of the gremlins and set about smashing them.


    The gremlins focused all their attention on the woman, but she was too fast and too strong for them.


    ¡°Good job, kids!¡±


    The teens turned around to find the speaker grinning widely at them.


    ¡°Nice teamwork, very brave, but Nila¡¯s got this covered. Why don¡¯t you head back to base. Too dangerous to stay on the barricades without skills and magic. And Bastien, there¡¯s some people that could use your healing prayers.¡±


    ¡°We can still help,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m sure you got a good amount of Universal Points for killing the initial breachers all by yourselves. Rest, recover,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°Because this is just the beginning.¡±


    ¡°It got Andre!¡±


    ¡°Shut up! Keep running.¡±


    The two young men ran through the streets and alleys accompanied only by the sounds of their frantic breaths and the pounding of their shoes on pavement. They ran for ten minutes until they came to a fenced in apartment complex with another pair of hard-eyed young men standing guard with baseball bats in their hands.


    ¡°The fuck got you two shittin¡¯ yo pants.¡± One of the guards said.


    ¡°We got to see, Magnum¡­ something got Andre and it¡¯s chasing us.¡±


    The guards looked down the way the two young men came from.


    ¡°Yo¡¯ these fools be trippin¡¯,¡± The guard shared a laugh with his partner. ¡°Whatever, the boss is out makin¡¯ the rounds. He¡¯s gonna slap the shit out of you when he gets back.¡±


    The two young men decided to make their way to their apartment. One that they shared with a dozen others like them. The actual owners were long dead, going by the mostly eaten corpses they had to clean out in those first terrible days after the world changed and monsters became real.


    Once the door shut one rounded on the other. ¡°I thought you did that woody skin thing on him!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Barkskin, that voice said it was a spell.¡±


    ¡°Dog, magic bullshit, that ain¡¯t real.¡±


    ¡°Nah, the spell says it makes your skin as strong as like a tree.¡±


    ¡°That thing tore Andre in half! That don¡¯t sound as strong as a tree.¡± The young man spat. ¡°What we gonna do? Andre was carrying the stuff, Magnum¡¯s gonna tear us a new one.¡±


    ¡°Nah we jus¡ª¡±


    An ear piercing scream penetrated the thin walls of the apartment. Followed by another, then another. The two young men looked at each other with wide eyes. They looked to the door. It burst open and they didn¡¯t have to worry about Magnum any longer. They didn¡¯t have to worry about anything ever again.


    It killed, because it had to. There was an ever present hunger that gnawed at the very pit of its stomach. Whenever it had changed into, what it was now the hunger remained and grew and grew until it was forced to satiate it. It would change back to what, to who it once was. Beginning the cycle again.


    And so it hunted to feed. Up until this moment it had only went after animals and monsters, not the two-legged ones that for some reason it had shied away from. Except this time it was different. The one that it had tracked down such a great distance beyond the place that it felt secure in was different. It had sensed something else within that one individual. An idea that to consume this prey would grant it more than just sustenance, but also power.


    To think that it was only defending its territory when it lashed out reflexively and tore that first one to pieces. Now that it had discovered its new truth there was no going back. It would prey on the soft two-legged ones. Its hunger had been inflamed and there was no dousing such a powerful fire.


    Despite its full belly it still hungered. Fortunately there were dozens of prey just within reach. It could hear them, smell them, sense them.


    Somewhere inside, buried deep beneath everything of its being was the sound of soft sobbing.


    Cal moved through the Holiday Inn lobby with his telepathy stretching out as far as he could manage. The blood stains smeared on the walls and the occasional body part on the floor wasn¡¯t what he had been hoping to find. He sensed nothing, not with his superior hearing, nor with his telepathy. He decided to head down the corridor on the right to begin checking the rooms. His shoes made a sick squelching sound. He looked down and noticed that the carpet was soaked with blood.


    ¡°I should be in the lead. You¡¯re stepping all over evidence.¡±


    ¡°Like I said before, it¡¯s safest for you if I¡¯m in front, Detective Ordonez,¡± Cal sighed, ¡°besides there¡¯s plenty of evidence.¡± He gestured at the bloody mess all around them.


    ¡°Right,¡± Detective Ordonez said. ¡°You¡¯ve got some magic from those pillars.¡± The arched brow on her angry face made it clear what she thought of that.


    ¡°The spires and yeah, something like that.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, man. You just get out of my way when I say so or you might get a load in your back.¡±


    Cal eyed the black shotgun in the detective¡¯s hands. Pump action, 12 gauge, 870 if he guessed correctly. Standard police issue. This surviving group of the Sacramento PD got lucky that they had a gunsmith to make their ammunition. Just like the guy his own group had tracked down and freed from what was left of the biker gang that ran with the late, unlamented Jay and the einherjar. He still hadn¡¯t figured out why cartridges from before the spires didn¡¯t work. It took someone with the gunsmith class to unload the powder in the case, refill it and then re-seat the bullet to get functional rounds. Anyone else that tried the same exact method only yielded duds.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hope it doesn¡¯t come to that,¡± Cal ground out through grit teeth.


    The detective invited herself along on this mission that Cal had decided to undertake for what remained of the state government. He was trying to build good will and get the Universal Points for what was looking like a stronger sort of monster. He¡¯d planned to do it solo, but with the tag-a-long he was going to have to be careful to avoid revealing too much of his abilities. Trust wasn¡¯t something he was going to blindly extend.


    Each room on the first two floors yielded much the same as the hotel lobby. Blood stains, signs of struggle and the occasional stray body part, a hand, a piece of leg or worse.


    By the time they reached the third floor, both Cal and the detective were looking a lot paler.


    ¡°Jesus Christ¡­ I¡¯ve seen what those monsters can do, but this is something else,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°Your boss said that you were using this place to house¡­ refugees¡­ from outside your claimed territory?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°I noticed when I stepped in that the building wasn¡¯t claimed.¡±


    ¡°We weren¡¯t ready to take on the secret boss to take the place over completely,¡± Detective Ordonez spat. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m saying shit like that with a straight face. Magic fucking bullshit!¡±


    ¡°Dangerous to put people into a place where monsters can spawn.¡±


    ¡°Lanterns kept it mostly safe. We patrolled it and people can handle the little ones just fine on their own now.¡±


    Cal nodded and kept silent as they checked the rest of the third floor.


    ¡°This doesn¡¯t make sense,¡± Detective Ordonez said as they stepped into the last room.


    It was a two-bedroom suite, living room, full kitchen. It was nice, aside from the bloody mess.


    ¡°Care to elaborate?¡±


    ¡°I met the guy assigned to this room. Said he had something called an enhanced body. More of that magic bull¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, I get it, you¡¯re a skeptic,¡± Cal resisted the urge to peak into the detective¡¯s thoughts. ¡°You haven¡¯t gone into one of the spires, have you?¡±


    ¡°No way, man. I¡¯m not getting mixed up with that shit.¡±


    ¡°You know you might get abilities that¡¯ll help keep you alive and help you keep others alive,¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°I¡¯m plenty good enough with this.¡± Detective Ordonez nodded to her shotgun.


    ¡°Bullets work on the lower level monsters, but there are worse ones out there.¡±


    ¡°Uh huh.¡± Detective Ordonez wasn¡¯t convinced. ¡°Anyways, I figured the guy was full of shit, but he showed off at the station gym and started curling hundred pound dumbbells like nothing.¡±


    ¡°And?¡± Cal was getting impatient. He couldn¡¯t pick anything up with his telepathy. He was getting better at picking up traces of emotions, feelings and impressions. Violent events left especially noticeable marks that he could sense, which was why it was baffling that he wasn¡¯t getting anything. The physical signs of slaughter were everywhere, yet he got nothing.


    ¡°Him and his family got this suite in exchange for him signing up. Skinny dude, looked like an accountant, yet he was treated like a number one draft pick. What I¡¯m saying is that I¡¯m not seeing anything of him putting up any sort of a fight.¡± Detective Ordonez looked around the suite. ¡°This all looks one-sided, just like the rest of the hotel. It doesn¡¯t make sense, but it looks like whatever did this, was able to go room to room and brutally kill the people inside without alerting the rest of the place.¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯re the professional, so I¡¯ll defer to your judgment,¡± Cal said. He ignored the daggers in Detective Ordonez¡¯s glare. ¡°There¡¯s no trail for me here. I¡¯m going to investigate the surrounding area.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go then,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°Sorry detective, but I can cover ground a lot faster on my own,¡± Cal said. ¡°It should be safe for you if you leave this place immediately. I¡¯m ninety-nine percent sure monsters won¡¯t spawn until after midnight. Whatever killed the people here seems to have done the same to any monsters that might¡¯ve escaped your patrols.¡± He walked over to the window and opened it. ¡°Be careful. My guess is there¡¯s something new and very dangerous out there.¡± He jumped out.


    Detective Ordonez ran to the window, but Cal was already out of sight. ¡°Fucking asshole.¡±

 2.1

    Now


    True to his word, Prime Custodian 3 saw to it that the facility that Cal had spent many months imprisoned in was transformed. Well, not in a physical sense. As far as Cal could tell it looked exactly the same. Spotless metallic surfaces everywhere he looked and lighting that mimicked the natural light outside.


    The main difference was the power armored Threnosh that Cal encountered in the corridors. That and the fact that he wasn¡¯t stuck in an alien sarcophagus, staring into darkness. He supposed the latter was the biggest change.


    ¡°Hey! Good morning! How¡¯re you doing!¡±


    Cal greeted each Threnosh he came across. For their part they merely looked at him and inclined their heads hesitantly before resolutely walking away.


    ¡°Meh.¡±


    The awkwardness was expected and Cal didn¡¯t let it get him down. The two fingers on his left hand drummed out the tune to the song in his head on the surface of his PID. He felt better than he had in a long time. The wonders a few weeks of uninterrupted sleep on an actual bed couldn¡¯t be understated. No patrolling for monsters, no pushing your mental powers to their limits on a daily basis. Just rest.


    He reminded himself that he needed to thank Fabricator Riverport 11725 for the bed. Apparently the Threnosh didn¡¯t do beds. From what it sounded like they basically slept in their power armor. The job Riverport did with just a verbal description and some bad drawings was nothing short of amazing.


    Recharged and ready for the next step Cal couldn¡¯t help but grin as he made his way to the facility¡¯s vehicle hangar. He had some new recruits to greet.


    The flying van, as Cal called it, slowly hovered into the hangar accompanied by a soft humming sound. As soon as it landed the side door slid open and the group of Threnosh he was waiting for immediately filed out.


    Cal could immediately tell why they were different. For one they weren¡¯t wearing power armor. What they had on was cruder. Thin metal rods ran along their limbs. These connected to small round disks on the outside of their joints, wrists, elbows, knees and ankles. With his superior hearing he detected the whines from tiny motors inside the disks. He¡¯d classify these as exoskeletons. They¡¯d give the Threnosh the strength and stamina to move around with ease that their frail bodies were incapable of, but provided little else in the way of offensive and defensive capabilities.


    From their dossiers he knew why they were different from the normal Threnosh. They were classified as Defective. On sight he could tell right away that they didn¡¯t have the uniformity of what was considered the standard. Being genetically engineered and grown in artificial wombs Threnosh were supposed to be essentially identical to their fellow creche-mates. There were slight differences in size or skin tone depending on which region or clan that a Threnosh was birthed into.


    While major physical differences weren¡¯t acceptable to be mentally different was anathema.


    ¡°Greetings!¡± Cal said brightly. ¡°Welcome to T-Base.¡±


    ¡°That nomenclature was not mentioned in my orders.¡± A surprisingly tall Threnosh, tall enough to look Cal in the eye frowned. Unlike their companions¡¯ patchwork gray skin this particular Threnosh¡¯s was a smooth light gray.


    Cal didn¡¯t bother concealing his smile, nor did he need to peak into the tall Threnosh¡¯s thoughts. They were visible on their face. They were annoyed.


    ¡°It¡¯s more of an unofficial thing. Thought it up just now. Maybe you guys can share your ideas? We still need a name for this project.¡±


    ¡°You are in charge, that is your duty.¡± The tiniest Threnosh Cal had ever seen said in a squeaky voice. They barely came up to Cal¡¯s waist.


    Cal was positively tickled by the challenging tone he detected in the Threnosh¡¯s words.


    ¡°Designation: Honor, have our trueskins arrived.¡± The speaker clutched their hands together in what looked like concern.


    Cal noted that this Threnosh had five fingers, rather than the normal four.


    ¡°Yes, they came last night.¡±


    ¡°When will our next task begin?¡±


    Cal lightly scanned the Threnosh¡¯s surface thoughts. This one was almost desperate to get back in their power armor. That wasn¡¯t something he had seen in the other Threnosh. Although, to be fair, only the Defective were prevented from wearing their armor constantly. He frowned, he really needed to come up with a better term.


    ¡°Actually, later today. We¡¯re going to do some training. I want to see your capabilities firsthand.¡±


    ¡°Has Prime Custodian 3 not provided you with recordings of our previously performed tasks?¡± The tall Threnosh actually narrowed his eyes. ¡°Designation: Honor.¡± He added hastily.


    ¡°You can call me Honor and yes he did,¡± Cal held up a finger, ¡°before you ask, I watched everything that PC3 provided. However, I¡¯m a firm believer in seeing things for myself.¡±


    ¡°Can we begin now?¡± The five-fingered Threnosh said.


    ¡°Nope, why don¡¯t you get some rest, relax, sort out your things. Your PID¡¯s have your room assignments. Maybe get some of that nutrient paste drink at the cafeteria.¡±


    ¡°We are Defective,¡± the tiniest Threnosh bared their teeth, ¡°we have no belongings.¡±


    ¡°Well, that changes now, I¡¯m making it a part of my command. Henceforth, you may collect¡­ things.¡± Cal turned to leave. ¡°Oh yeah, almost forgot, as your first task I want you to pick out names for yourselves. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m calling you ¡®D¡¯ plus that long number they assigned you.¡±


    All the Threnosh, including the two that had remained silent suddenly stiffened as one and stared blankly ahead.


    ¡°Are you serious?¡± Cal muttered.


    A few seconds later the Threnosh turned to him with stunned looks on their faces.


    ¡°So, what did the quest say?¡± Cal sighed.


    ¡°It is as you ordered, Honor,¡± the tall Threnosh said. ¡°We are to choose our own names, if we meet your approval then we gain Universal Points.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know that hasn¡¯t been how it¡¯s worked for you guys, but like I said things are going to be different from now on,¡± Cal smiled at the five Threnosh. ¡°I¡¯ll see you all armored up outside of the facility. Your PID¡¯s will have the time and location. Dismissed.¡±


    As the Threnosh walked away on understandably unsteady legs, Cal was left with his thoughts.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t see that coming, but it couldn¡¯t have worked out better. So, why does that make me suspicious?¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°Right, so you¡¯re all going to attack me,¡± Cal said.


    He had taken the group of Threnosh a good distance away from the facility. They were in a wide clearing. A pleasant breeze ruffled his hair. It had grown long enough to flow down just enough to cover his ears. He gave himself a reminder to talk to Riverport about getting a hair clipper fabricated. It was going to be difficult, for the hairless Threnosh surely had no idea what that sort of thing was about.


    The five Threnosh were now clad in their power armors. Each one was unique. Cal had already seen them in the dossiers he had received. Three he had viewed in action, since those Threnosh had been utilized in combat. The other two had not.


    ¡°Honor, I do not understand?¡± The tall Threnosh cradled a recoilless rifle in their arms.


    ¡°This is going to be like an icebreaker game,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°I get to experience firsthand what you can do and you can experience firsthand what I can do.¡± He spread his arms out wide. ¡°Respect will be gained by all.¡±


    ¡°With our weapons?¡± The tiniest Threnosh¡¯s voice was projected through a speaker from within their enormous power armor. ¡°Threnosh do not purposefully injure other Threnosh.¡± They sounded a little bitter.


    ¡°Only in the gravest instances do the Threnosh risk such a thing,¡± The tall Threnosh said.


    ¡°Well, good thing I¡¯m not a Threnosh,¡± Cal said. ¡°So, don¡¯t worry. I want you to do your best. Besides,¡± he tapped his chest plate, ¡°I¡¯ve got the best armor your people can make.¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor?¡± The Threnosh in a power armor with what looked like speakers recessed into various spots spoke hesitantly. The words were difficult to understand. It sounded to Cal like how a person born deaf tended to speak. It made sense when he remembered the dossier.


    ¡°Go on.¡±


    ¡°I am uncertain on how to operate my trueskin.¡± They spoke the word with a reverent tone.


    ¡°Right, the administrator in charge of you didn¡¯t allow you to use it.¡± Cal shook his head. A unique, potentially powerful resource left to sit in a crate, because of prejudice. For a species that valued logic and pragmatism above all, the Threnosh were cutting off their non-existent noses to spite their faces when it came to their treatment of the so-called Defectives. ¡°Why don¡¯t you just stand aside and watch for now. I promise we¡¯ll get you started as soon as we¡¯re done.¡± He then turned to the Threnosh in a sleek power armor that didn¡¯t have much in the way of visible armor plating and a helm with a recessed portion in the middle of its forehead that resembled a satellite dish. ¡°You were in the same situation, correct?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Honor.¡± The Threnosh practically vibrated in place. ¡°But I am ready to participate.¡±


    Cal could see their eyes were wide open behind the transparent faceplate.


    ¡°Okay¡­ sure, why not. Any other questions?¡±


    ¡°Rules of engagement?¡± The tall Threnosh said.


    ¡°Just keep it in this clearing. There¡¯s nothing but wilderness for many miles around us. Collateral damage isn¡¯t a concern. Oh, keep in mind¡­¡± Cal pointed at the Threnosh with the speaker-like devices on their armor. ¡°Don¡¯t hit¡­ oh yeah, almost forgot. You need your names. Why don¡¯t we do that first, so you get your Universal Points and I get to call you by proper names rather than pointing.¡± He pointed to the tall Threnosh. ¡°You first.¡±


    ¡°Caretaker.¡± The tall Threnosh said with his head held high.


    ¡°Good,¡± Cal said. He was liking the way these individuals were emoting. It almost reminded him of being around other humans.


    Caretaker¡¯s eyes grew unfocused for a few seconds.


    ¡°Got the quest¡­ er¡­ task completion message? How many points?¡±


    ¡°100 Universal Points.¡±


    ¡°Okay, you next.¡± Cal pointed at the Threnosh in the enormous power armor.


    ¡°Primal.¡±


    ¡°Interesting, why¡¯d you pick that?¡±


    ¡°My reason is my own.¡± Primal¡¯s tone was challenging.


    Cal suppressed a smile. ¡°No problem. Passed.¡±


    Primal was ensconced within the torso of his power armor, so Cal couldn¡¯t see his face. He waited a few seconds. ¡°How many points?¡±


    ¡°The same,¡± Primal said.


    ¡°Your go,¡± Cal pointed at the Threnosh, whose matte black-colored power armor was covered in sharp blades and pointy protrusions.


    ¡°I am Shira¡­ after the region where my creche is located.¡±


    ¡°That sounds nice.¡± Cal pointed to the next Threnosh without waiting to see if Shira got the quest success confirmation.


    ¡°Frequency, for my trueskin.¡± The Threnosh with the speaker-like devices on their armor nodded reverently.


    ¡°Well chosen.¡±


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Kynnro, my creche-city.¡± The wide-eyed Threnosh in the sleek power armor spoke quickly.


    ¡°I like it!¡± Cal said. He waited for Kynnro to come out of her blank stare. ¡°Alright, so everyone got the hundred points?¡±


    There was a chorus of affirmatives.


    ¡°Alright then, time to spar¡­ er that means practice fight.¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Frequency?¡±


    The Threnosh spoke haltingly. ¡°I wise to join in the testing.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Cal said without hesitating. He was confident that he could keep things under control. His research gave him a good grasp of what their power armors were capable of. ¡°So, you guys get a strategy together. You¡¯re to treat me as if I was a spawn point boss monster. Don¡¯t worry about hurting me, just do your best. Why don¡¯t we synchronize a five minute countdown.¡± He placed his helmet over his head and subvocalized the command. He waited for the Threnosh to get ready. ¡°On my mark¡­ mark.¡± The timer was displayed on his faceplate. Intellectually he knew that the numbers displayed were in the Threnosh script, yet what he saw was what he knew. How did the spires even translate visual numbers and letters? ¡°I¡¯m going to start walking over there,¡± he pointed at the other end of the huge clearing, ¡°once the countdown hits zero, we begin. Good luck!¡±


    <hr>


    Cal had a few minutes left on the countdown, so while he watched the Threnosh huddled together some five hundred yards across the grassy clearing he quickly ran through what he knew of their power armors¡¯ capabilities.


    Caretaker had the same power armor as the baseline infantry warrior, which put them slightly in the neighborhood of an extremely athletic human in terms of speed and strength. The durable armor afforded decent protection from all sorts of physical damage and even a little bit from environmental hazards. What truly set them apart was some kind of predictive algorithm that they obtained from the spire. It was essentially a combination of hardware and software that had the potential to turn them into an unparalleled fighter, particularly when it came to a one versus one scenario. Multiple enemies made it tougher for the algorithm to produce accurate predictions.


    From the dossiers Prime Custodian 3 provide, Cal knew that Shira had worked on several tasks with Caretaker for the prime. They were luckier than most in as much that Prime Custodian 3 didn¡¯t share as harsh an outlook on their kind. As a result the two had plenty of time logged in their power armors.


    Shira¡¯s power armor was certainly strange. Its fingers ended in claws and it had actual toes, which were also clawed. There were numerous blades running along the arms and legs. These were accompanied by many sharp protrusions that were scattered over nearly every body surface. The helm was perhaps the strangest feature. It didn¡¯t have the usual rounded face-plate that was either transparent or opaque depending on the setting. It resembled a beastly version of a Threnosh face. It had a working mouth with sharp teeth, the four canines being noticeably longer. One could only tell that a Threnosh was inside when they saw Shira¡¯s eyes behind the lenses.


    As far as its capabilities, well that was also weird to Cal. Apparently, it needed to somehow take in liquid biological matter in order to grow stronger and faster, to utilize the automatic repair functions. That¡¯s correct. A mechanical power armor somehow drank in the blood of living things to reach its full potential. Cal chalked it up to some more spire bullshit.


    The massive eight-foot tall power armor belonged to Primal. It was a behemoth of a machine. Thick, barrel-sized arms were attached to a heavily armored torso on a pair of comparatively short, stubby, tree-trunk sized legs. From the specs Cal knew that the feet also had thick tank-like treads for faster movement over long distances. It lacked an external head. The Threnosh sat safely within the torso. Going by Primal¡¯s tiny size, he was a secure as a diamond in a bank vault.


    Primal¡¯s main weapon, aside from their size and strength was a giant spire-produced bow made from the finest in super science mumbo jumbo. Unknown metal alloy for both flexibility and indestructible-ness, meant it shot javelin-sized arrows as if they were missiles. Cal was going to have to be on his toes if the Threnosh was planning on bringing it into play.


    The last two Threnosh were not previously allowed to use their power armors past occasional testing as dictated by their respective leaders. From such woefully limited testing, all Cal knew was that Frequency¡¯s power armor did something with sound waves, hence the name choice. While Kynnro¡¯s had some kind of laser emitting capability. The nerd in him was looking forward to seeing what they were capable of once given the chance to actually use their spire-given equipment.


    As soon as the countdown hit zero a tremendous bang reverberated across the cool, clean air.


    Primal doesn¡¯t play around, Cal thought at the same time that he dived to one side while throwing up a telekinetic shield in front of him.


    The solid metal arrow was similar in dimensions to a javelin and loosed from the aforementioned super science-y giant bow it might as well have been a missile. The loud bang of it impacting and deflecting off of Cal¡¯s telekinetic shield was deafening.


    While Cal picked himself up off the ground, Caretaker and Shira rushed toward him. The former firing rounds from their recoilless rifle. Most of them were on target, but Cal¡¯s shield easily blocked them.


    Cal noted that the pair left a wide space in between them, a firing lane for Primal. Behind them he saw Kynnro and Frequency taking a wider route to his position.


    Another loud bang had Cal instinctively strengthening his shield. This time the impact send a stab of pain into his brain. The shield held, but he wasn¡¯t going to want to keep taking those kinds of hits.


    Caretaker and Shira had covered about half the distance across the field.


    Cal didn¡¯t want to make things too easy, so he purposefully avoided using his telepathy on the Threnosh. An instant win would¡¯ve defeated the purpose of the exercise. Instead he used it to speed up his own perceptions.


    As soon as he heard the third arrow begin to break the sound barrier he leapt up hundreds of feet in the air with a telekinetic assist. For fairness sake he dropped the telepathic assist to his perceptions, also doing it for too long brought on the stabby brain needles.


    Below, Caretaker continued to track Cal with automatic fire. Without the telekinetic shield he felt the impacts sting through the Threnosh made armor even if most of the rounds weren¡¯t fully penetrating. He was going to need a new set when he returned to base. His skin was bulletproof, but it still didn¡¯t feel good, so Cal threw a wave of telekinetic force at Caretaker.


    Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Threnosh was already dodging out of the way. They just barely avoided the force which pounded a good-sized imprint into the ground.


    At the apex of his arc, Cal suddenly shot down in a straight line toward Primal. The abrupt change of direction caught the Threnosh off guard. Their fourth arrow flew harmlessly over.


    Cal collided fist first with Primal¡¯s armored chest with a deafening clang. The metal on both his gauntlet and Primal¡¯s chest dented. The impact knocked the massive power armored Threnosh to his back.


    Cal landed punch after punch on the downed giant. All the while rounds plinked harmlessly off the telekinetic shield he had created to cover his back.


    Primal roared in a decidedly un-Threnosh like display of anger. A huge metal fist swiped at Cal, but he had already rolled forward off the giant.


    Cal waited for Primal to rise. He maneuvered so that the Threnosh¡¯s bulk shielded him from Caretaker¡¯s impressively accurate fire.


    Primal charged at Cal, their bow was forgotten on the ground. They attempted to smash Cal into the ground like a bothersome cockroach. He jumped out of the way with ease, letting washing machine-sized fists pound deep holes into the ground. Cal knew from the specs that in terms of raw strength Primal¡¯s power armor was roughly in his same neighborhood, which meant he definitely didn¡¯t want to take a clean shot.


    While Primal sought to turn him into a pancake, Cal dodged with all of the concentration he could muster. At least that¡¯s how he made it look. Subtly, he used his telekinesis to pull a pair of palm-sized disks from one of the compartments attached to his belt.


    Unbeknownst to Primal, while he made a show of just barely dodging out of every earthshaking hit Cal placed one then the other disk on the inside of each of the Threnosh¡¯s legs.


    A telekinetic push on two buttons and Primal¡¯s legs suddenly slapped together and they pitched front first into the ground.


    Poor Primal. The magnetic disks had enough power to hold their legs together for somewhere in the neighborhood of five minutes. They were out of this fight.


    The Threnosh gave an inarticulate cry of frustration and anger as Cal went off to face the rapidly closing Shira.


    Shira moved quickly, but nothing that Cal couldn¡¯t handle. They¡¯d need fresh blood to truly show what they were capable of and Cal wasn¡¯t about to let them get some of his.


    They struck at Cal with sweeping slashes and spinning kicks. There was some technique, but it was mostly wild and left a lot of openings.


    Cal was content to dodge and block while keeping Shira¡¯s body in between him and Caretaker, who tried to maneuver for a clear shot.


    Figuring that he had given Shira enough run, Cal punched them in the face then grabbed them with his telekinesis, there were too many sharp and pointy bits built into their power armor to do it by hand, and sent them flying right at Caretaker.


    Just like earlier, Caretaker was already diving to the side before Cal had sent Shira flying. The tall Threnosh kept firing the whole time. Some of the rounds impacted on Cal¡¯s armor.


    ¡°I¡¯m bulletproof and that still stings.¡± Cal shook his head while putting up a telekinetic shield to block the rest of the shots.


    He moved toward Caretaker at a walk. He was doing his best not to commit to any sort of action until the last possible moment. He wanted to see how good the Threnosh¡¯s predictive algorithm was. He was fairly certain that it couldn¡¯t do anything against a telepathic attack, but that wouldn¡¯t have been a fair test. He was about to test what its reaction to being grabbed by an invisible telekinetic grip when the Threnosh shouted.


    ¡°Now!¡±


    There was a pop and Cal found himself enveloped by a sparkling cloud. Before he could even think he felt searing pain against his skin. He pulled his telekinetic shield tight to his body, less than an inch from the surface of his armor. The pain vanished. He could feel something striking against his shield.


    Cal resisted the urge to use his telepathy. He had purposefully avoided scanning his surroundings to keep tabs on all the Threnosh to give them a chance. Against the odds he had given them, they had managed to surprise him.


    He couldn¡¯t move and maintain the shield in this form at the same time. So, while stuck inside the strange cloud, he carefully looked at his surroundings. He saw Frequency and Kynnro standing some thirty yards to his left. Both had looks of concentration on their faces, beads of sweat on their smooth foreheads.


    Cal sped up his perceptions.


    He saw what was happening. A pencil-thin beam of red light shot out from the small dish-shaped emitter on Kynnro¡¯s helmet. It struck the many tiny, reflective particles that comprised the cloud that surrounded him. The laser bounced and multiplied randomly. It was potent enough to cut right through his armor. He¡¯d have to wait till after the fight to see what sort of damage it did to his skin.


    He wondered how the pair had snuck up so close to him without him hearing them.


    ¡°Oh, duh, sound waves,¡± Cal muttered.


    Cal blew the cloud of particles away with a telekinetic push. He then rushed the pair of Threnosh, thirty yards in a second.


    They tried to scramble away, but Cal held them in place with his telekinesis. He felt a little bad about the looks of fear on their faces, but he reminded himself that a monster wouldn¡¯t. ¡°Frequency, Kynnro, nicely done,¡± he tapped a finger to each of their helms, ¡°but you are now dead, take a seat.¡±


    The two collapsed to the ground when Cal released them.


    ¡°Alright, Caretaker, let¡¯s see what you got.¡±


    It turned out the Threnosh had about twenty seconds. The algorithm was for real, but compared to Cal¡¯s quickness, strength and durability, Caretaker was too slow, too weak and too easy to put down.


    ¡°Okay, that is that,¡± Cal said. ¡°Why don¡¯t we all go gather by Primal and we¡¯ll go over how that went. I¡¯ve got some input to share and I¡¯d like all of you to do the same. Remember, constructive criticism is what we are looking for.¡±


    <hr>


    The five Threnosh were a study in contrasts. Caretaker and Shira looked disappointed. Frequency and Kynnro actually had what looked like slight grins on their faces. It was creeping Cal out a little bit, seeing as how his mental picture of the Threnosh precluded the capacity to show emotions. Primal¡¯s display was just as jarring. Their power armor¡¯s torso was open and they were glaring at Cal.


    ¡°Good job guys! Thoughts?¡±


    ¡°You are too powerful,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°The outcome was never in doubt.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, but I¡¯m a firm believe in there always being a chance, no matter how unlikely. For example, the maneuver you pulled off with Kynnro and Frequency actually caused some damage. It feels like I¡¯ve got some nice burns,¡± Cal grinned. ¡°Tell me, Frequency what exactly did you do?¡±


    The Threnosh hesitated. ¡°I used my trueskin to produce a combination of sound waves to cancel out the noise we were making to get close enough to you for Kynnro to attack.¡± Their voice was difficult to understand.


    ¡°I think I got it,¡± Cal said. ¡°Kynnro, was that your optimum range or maximum range?¡±


    ¡°Maximum range, Designation: Honor. My laser is thin and loses cohesion past that distance,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°Just a little under one hundred feet, decent.¡±


    ¡°Yes, they performed well under the circumstances,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°While the three of us with the most experience failed to provide efficient impact on the combat.¡±


    Cal held up a hand to forestall Caretaker, who has no doubt about to launch into a critique of the remaining three¡¯s failures. A glance at Primal¡¯s face showed that they wouldn¡¯t have taken kindly to Caretaker¡¯s criticism.


    Cal didn¡¯t want any rifts forming between the teammates before the team was even off the ground.


    ¡°Primal, you shouldn¡¯t have abandoned your bow. From my understanding it is essentially unbreakable. You would¡¯ve been better off using it as a melee weapon to increase your reach and keep me at bay. You could¡¯ve played defense and let me come to you. By chasing after me, you enabled me to control our relative positions, which let me use you as a shield from Caretaker¡¯s fire.¡±


    ¡°What did it matter?¡± Primal frowned. ¡°They couldn¡¯t hurt you.¡±


    ¡°Kynnro certainly did,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°If I wasn¡¯t able to neutralize you and Shira before Kynnro and Frequency caught me off guard, perhaps together all of you could¡¯ve capitalized on that and did more damage.¡±


    Cal turned to Shira, whose shoulders were slumped and head was hung low. ¡°Good job. I know you weren¡¯t at your best without access to fresh blood, but you gave it your all regardless, which is what matters.¡± He turned to Caretaker. ¡°Your combat algorithm is impressive. Against a powerful opponent, such as myself, you¡¯re held back by your basic equipment.¡±


    ¡°I am aware. However, I do not have access to anything else,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°The prime prevented you from using a better weapon?¡± Cal was taken aback.


    ¡°It is a matter controlled by my immediate superior. The prime has greater responsibilities. Furthermore, I do not gain enough Universal Points to make use of the god hairs like the elites and other favored individuals.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s part of what we are going to change,¡± Cal said. ¡°I have you for the next twenty-eight days until the next group arrives. My plan is to train you and take on small challenges for the first twenty-one days. You¡¯ll gain more Universal Points than you ever have before. You¡¯ll improve your skills. You¡¯ll get better equipment from the spires. If that isn¡¯t possible then I¡¯ll make sure that the engineer and the fabricator makes it happen.¡± He paused. ¡°The last seven days will be spent in a spawn point¡­ zone¡­ whatever you want to call it. We will farm the hell out of it and depending on your progress, individually and as a team, we may even attempt to kill the secret boss to clear it. After that, pending my authorization, you will be given the autonomy to tackle other zones within Prime Custodian 3¡¯s region. Our goal is to turn you into something more than your elites. All you have to do is give me and my methods a chance.¡±


    Caretaker narrowed their eyes. ¡°Why do all this? Why does the prime put so much trust in an outworld invader.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no one else on your planet that can do what I can,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°If we refuse to cooperate?¡± Primal¡¯s voice was a squeak.


    ¡°Well, Primal, you can always go back to what you were doing. Although, if you stay you have a chance to be part of something different, better. Not to put any more pressure on you all, but your world might be riding on our success.¡±


    ¡°Then it is true,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Intelligent upworld invaders have appeared¡­ aside from you.¡±


    ¡°I can neither confirm nor deny,¡± Cal said. ¡°That¡¯s for the Prime to answer. I mean they literally told me to not speak of such things and in the interests of our continued amicable relationship I have to play along¡­ for now.¡±


    ¡°Then what does that make you? If you are not from the upworld,¡± Shira said in a barely audible voice.


    ¡°Stick around and I might tell you that story,¡± Cal smiled.

 2.2

    Now


    Cal sat in his office and perused several files. Holographic projection technology was just so great. The inner nerd couldn¡¯t stop squealing with joy as he manipulated the virtual pages with deft swipes of his fingers. A sudden thought interrupted his studies and his gaze drifted over to his left hand, which was resting on his thigh.


    ¡°All this super technology and they don¡¯t have cybernetics.¡± He let out a sigh.


    As Prime Custodian 3 had explained it the Threnosh simply didn¡¯t have need of such technology. They relied on drones to do all of the dangerous sorts of things that risked life and limb. At least until the spires appeared and their technology became unreliable for a time. Ten years since their apocalypse began and they were just getting back to their pre-spires level. The darker implication, only hinted at, was that any Threnosh that, like Cal, lost some digits, was taken care of in a rather permanent fashion.


    Cal wasn¡¯t one to put down a culture based on differences to his own beliefs, but in this case he was left disgusted. At least now that their very planet was at risk the Threnosh were being forced to value each individual a bit more. After all, they needed everyone to obtain things from the spires for the good of all.


    The door beeped and interrupted Cal¡¯s musings.


    ¡°Enter.¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor, I must speak with you.¡±


    ¡°Ah, hey Tides! Settling in?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am ready to begin my duties¡­ assisting.¡± The word looked like it tasted bad in Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°Great! So, what can I do for you?¡±


    ¡°I have received your notification on the names for the Def¡ª¡±


    Cal arched a brow.


    ¡°For the special candidates and I am obligated to inform you that they are not to be named in accordance to law.¡±


    If Cal wasn¡¯t mistaken the interrogator was almost fidgeting. Now that he had spent more time around various Threnosh, Cal saw that Tides¡¯ power armor was clearly a civilian model, for lack of a better description. It lacked the obvious armor plating on the warrior-types. There were no obvious weapons. It was like Tides was an accountant in a suit in contrast to Caretaker, whose image called to mind that of a soldier on the battlefield.


    ¡°They need names. It¡¯s impossible to interact with them, let alone fight alongside them otherwise.¡±


    ¡°Then assign them numbers.¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡± Cal shook his head. ¡°If the plan is going to work, they need to start thinking of themselves as valuable individuals. Not as detritus to be cast off. You¡¯ve read the plans?¡±


    ¡°Correct.¡±


    ¡°Okay, then what¡¯s the problem with the names.¡±


    ¡°The Collective¡ª¡±


    ¡°Has already agreed that everything here is under my control.¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor, I must correct you on that assertion. Ultimate control is in Prime Custodian 3¡¯s purview.¡±


    ¡°And what¡¯d he say?¡±


    ¡°I have not brought this matter to their attention. The prime has graver concerns at this time,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said. ¡°I bring this matter to your attention because I surmised that you were unaware of the breach on Threnosh law that you are committing.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for looking out, but I think we¡¯re in the clear on this one since we are strictly working within the approved plan,¡± Cal said. ¡°Now that you¡¯re here I¡¯ve got something I could use some help with.¡±


    ¡°The Prime commanded me to attend you,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said flatly.


    ¡°Aw, man, don¡¯t be like that, Tides. I want us to work together. Remember we¡¯re trying to save both our worlds.¡±


    ¡°I have reminded myself of that fact thirteen times.¡±


    Cal¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Huh¡­ is that total or just today?¡± He shook his head. ¡°Never mind, don¡¯t answer that. Anyways, I was looking up some information on Orchestral Meridian,¡± he frowned, ¡°I swear this automatic translation system¡­ stupid spires,¡± he muttered. ¡°Anyways, I¡¯m not getting much. I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s my access level or I just don¡¯t know how to search your databases. I was wondering if you could possibly get me more?¡±


    The Threnosh sucked in a breath and went deathly still. The seconds ticked away without them exhaling.


    ¡°Uh¡­ are you alright? Is it something I said?¡± Cal probed the Threnosh¡¯s thoughts. It was the city¡¯s name. They were trying very hard to avoid even thinking about it.


    ¡°That is something not spoken of. However, the prime¡¯s command was to aid you in all that you required. My clearance level was increased in order to perform this task.¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 inclined their head. ¡°I will do as you ask.¡±


    ¡°Thanks again. I¡¯ll send the details to your PID. Oh, and one other thing. Do you know if Loaming¡¯s arrived yet?¡±


    ¡°Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 will report to you immediately upon arrival.¡±


    ¡°Cool, got something for them to do also. We¡¯ve got a difficult road ahead of us, Tides.¡±


    ¡°Your statement is difficult to understand, but accurate.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Your species¡¯ use of indirect language is inefficient and confusing.¡±


    Cal thought about that for a moment. ¡°Yup, sounds about right.¡±


    <hr>


    Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 was out of their comfort zone. As soon as they had arrived to the facility they had immediately reported to Designation: Honor. He had just as quickly given them a task, correction a Task.


    From the first time since they had gone into the god hair to obtain their trueskin they had been granted an actual Task. To do as Designation: Honor requested, successfully, meant that they would receive a considerable amount of Universal Points. Tasks weren¡¯t given out for simply carrying out one¡¯s duties. No, as a rule they were only for those things that provided a true challenge.


    The Threnosh had nearly collapsed to their knees at the shock of the Task shouted into their auditory canals, while the text floated in their vision at the same time. It was only thanks to their trueskin¡¯s automatic stabilization feature that they didn¡¯t disgrace themselves in front of Prime Custodian 3¡¯s chosen subordinate.


    Now all they had to do was coordinate with Fabricator Riverport 11725 and Engineer Verdant Mechanica 3581 along with the defectives to add weaponry, defensive measures and ¡®anything else they might want¡¯, as Designation: Honor had instructed.


    The thought of interacting with the defectives, sent an involuntary shudder through their body. It was going to be difficult, but they were determined to perform the Task to the best of their ability. They wanted those points. More importantly the prime had shown great trust in assigning them to this duty and they would not fail.


    The interrogator arrived at the trueskin bay much sooner than they had hoped. The large chamber had room enough for twenty-five berths in which the trueskins would be maintained. Only five of the spaces were currently occupied.


    They found the fabricator and the engineer in a discussion with the grotesquely tall defective. Just looking at them made the interrogator grimace. They took a few seconds to compose themselves and to bring up information on the PID installed into the arm of their trueskin.


    ¡°Caretaker, that one chose their own designation.¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 tried to bury the revulsion they felt at the mere thought of it.


    Remember the Task, they thought.


    Thus fortified they approached the trio.


    ¡°Honor instructed me to seek you out to improve the offensive capability of my power armor.¡± Caretaker tested out unfamiliar words.


    ¡°Yes, however as I have said your trueskin lacks the requisite strength for the instillation of heavy armaments,¡± Engineer Verdant Mechanica 3581 said.


    ¡°Esteemed engineer, Designation: Honor suggested that an exoskeleton may be modified and attached to the trueskin. I have already performed the simulations, shall I send you the results?¡±


    ¡°That will be unnecessary, fabricator. I will perform the simulations myself before proceeding.¡±


    ¡°Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623,¡± Fabricator Riverport 11725 said when they noticed the interrogator¡¯s approach.


    ¡°Do you have a task for us, interrogator?¡± Engineer Verdant Mechanica 3581 said.


    The interrogator kept their eyes on the two normal Threnosh. They could not bring themselves to crane their head back to look Caretaker in the eyes as was custom. Such a slight movement, yet it felt like anathema just to consider it.


    ¡°Designation: Honor has instructed me to supervise and facilitate the process of upgrading the def¡ª their trueskins.¡±


    ¡°Very well, we shall do as we are tasked. Fabricator, commence installing the heavy weaponry to P¡­ Primal¡¯s trueskin. I will proceed with fitting an exoskeleton to Caretaker¡¯s trueskin.¡±


    ¡°Right away, esteemed engineer.¡±


    ¡°Yes, continue to carry out your duties,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said. They didn¡¯t know what else to do so they simply stood and observed the fabricator use drones to install said heavy weaponry on the shoulders of the massive trueskin.


    Their eyes moved to the other defectives. It took a great deal of control to keep their face expressionless. They were all so different from a proper Threnosh. In addition to the tall one, there was one that was a full head shorter, one with protrusions around their ear holes, and one even had five fingers. The latter said something to the other defective next to them and the interrogator thought they saw something. Horrified and curious in equal measure they pushed a button on the side of their helmet and zoomed in closer. They instantly regretted the act. The five-fingered defective¡¯s canine teeth appeared to be slightly pointed.


    The interrogator contemplated turning around, leaving the facility and never returning. The loud chime that greeted them dashed the thought from their mind.


    Somehow, against their own expectations, the voice and text informed them that the Task was successfully completed and they were 100 Universal Points richer.


    <hr>


    ¡°There are a lot of things that have been written and said about what constitutes the optimum adventuring party.¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor, what is an adventuring party?¡±


    ¡°Err¡­ it¡¯s just another term for the team we¡¯re putting together, Caretaker.¡± Cal took a moment to check his handwritten notes before turning back to the holographic projection.


    It had taken way too much explaining and diagramming for Cal to get his idea for a classroom across to Mechanica and Riverport. They didn¡¯t show it, but Cal knew that they were equal parts confused and frustrated with the concept. Good thing he was patient.


    Now here he was teaching a class. His students were five Threnosh in their exoskeletons, seated at shiny metal desks customized to their individual proportions. They watched intently as Cal stood next to the large projection that served as the equivalent to a powerpoint presentation, except a lot cooler.


    He waved his hand and the hologram changed to display the four most basic roles in a balanced party, except he had attached images of the five Threnosh in their power armors to represent them.


    ¡°A fighter, cleric, wizard and rogue.¡± Cal held up his hand. ¡°I know some of those words probably don¡¯t make sense to you, but I shall explain. Generally speaking, you want your party to be able to deal damage, take damage and heal damage. I don¡¯t think the last one applies too much in your case. I guess it¡¯d be more of a repair damage. Though, Shira, I know that your power armor has the ability to self-repair.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I do,¡± Shira said.


    ¡°Right, so as I was saying. A fighter is someone that is on the front lines, doing damage to the monsters, while at the same time keeping their focus on them rather the more vulnerable members of the party¡­ er¡­ team. I like to call that ¡®drawing aggro¡¯.¡± Cal cleared his throat. ¡°A wizard is capable of dealing high amounts of damage at a cost of being unable to take it in return. A rogue is responsible for scouting and generally being difficult to target, with the potential to do a large amount of damage in the right situation. Finally, a cleric is mostly responsible for the healing.¡±


    Cal took in the mixed looks of confusion and skepticism on the Threnosh faces.


    ¡°Now, I¡¯d like to ask you where you think you each fit within this framework. Who wants to go first?¡±


    ¡°It is as you stated. Your paradigm does not fit our capabilities,¡± Primal said. ¡°I am the most impervious to damage, yet my most powerful weapon is effective at a distance. What role do you expect me to fulfill?¡±


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°Well, Primal, I know your prime kept you operating in outdoor environments with plenty of space to utilize your bow. However, that¡¯s not going to always be the case with our team. There will be plenty of times you¡¯ll be in places where space will be restricted. What will you do then?¡±


    ¡°I will fight as effectively as I am able.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Cal nodded. ¡°Like I said these are just basic guidelines. It¡¯s a positive for us that all of you can perform multiple roles.¡±


    ¡°I am optimized to do damage from a distance,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°My combat algorithm, as you called it, allows me to fight monsters on the front lines. If the enemy is engage with me then they are not attacking the more vulnerable members of the team, which I believe fulfills your criteria for drawing aggro.¡±


    ¡°Good, you¡¯re getting the idea.¡± Cal pointed at Frequency. ¡°You next.¡±


    The Threnosh looked down at their PID for a moment before replying in their garbled voice. Although, Cal was finding it easier to understand than the first day. Either Frequency was improving or he was adapting to them.


    ¡°I am uncertain in regards to my offensive capabilities. I can hide the sounds of myself and perhaps a few others. Primal¡¯s trueskin may be too large to hide. I cannot know until I try,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°No worries, I know that sound waves can be weaponized. We¡¯ll work on that going forward.¡±


    ¡°I am best suited as a front line fighter,¡± Shira said firmly.


    ¡°Right, but if you think about it you can also do some of the rogue stuff. Once you¡¯ve got some blood you can move very fast, your power armor¡¯s black color means you¡¯re difficult to spot in the dark, like shadows and stuff. It seems to me that you¡¯d make a pretty decent scout,¡± Cal said. ¡°Picture this. You sneak around to the back of the enemy line and bam!¡± He suddenly clapped his hands. None of the Threnosh reacted. He sighed. ¡°And then you slice and dice and get all the blood you need,¡± he said flatly. ¡°Last, but not least. Kynnro.¡±


    ¡°I can deal damage and I do not believe I can take damage¡­ I am a wizard?¡± Kynnro said hesitantly.


    ¡°Yeah, basically,¡± Cal said. ¡°Alright, so I¡¯m going to go a little bit more in depth with each role. I want you to think about what you can do or what you would need to perform the role better and if possible, fulfill multiple roles. Remember, we have no idea what the spires might provide in terms of upgrades to your power armors. Now that you will be gaining Universal Points they will be another resource. Possibly the most important.¡±


    ¡°When will we visit the spire?¡± Kynnro said the word without the hesitation of the other Threnosh.


    ¡°Good question. Did you all get the points for that upgrading quest¡­ er¡­ task?¡±


    ¡°Yes. We completed it the previous day,¡± Caretaker said.


    The rest of the Threnosh nodded their heads.


    Cal grinned. More and more this group of Threnosh reminded him of being around other human beings. From the way some of them appeared to adopt a few of his mannerisms and word choices. Perhaps they were finding a kindred spirit of sorts in him. Being isolated and ostracized for a quirk of your birth was never right.


    ¡°Perfect. There¡¯s a spire not too far away and I received a report this morning about a group of monsters that decided to plop themselves nearby. We can test out your new equipment, get some points and get you into the spire. See if you can purchase some tutorials for your power armors and maybe even some new gear. As they say, we can kill a bunch of birds with one stone.¡±


    ¡°Who states that?¡± Caretaker looked perplexed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, some guy.¡±


    <hr>


    Orchestral Meridian.


    The words, the name drew her from her slumber. Although, could it truly be called that when she heard everything within the span of many, many miles around her? Neither walls, nor distance mattered. The discordant words invaded the perfect harmony of her sphere. She longed to spread it out further so that such chaos could be turned into the melody that suffused her very being.


    It was what she did to the place that was hers now. She had turned millions of voices into one. A symphony that ebbed and flowed at her tender ministrations.


    Orchestral Meridian. She heard the words for the first time in years, since a scant handful of gray ones escaped her melodies and the ones beyond her reach barred the way to keep her from drawing others in.


    Orchestral Meridian. A new voice, a different voice. Not like the gray ones, the weak ones, so easy to turn to her song. This one would be important. Perhaps the perfect key to finally help her share her song with the rest of the world.


    Orchestral Meridian. Deep in the center something stirred and with her millions of agonized voices took up the song and wailed for what they had lost and what they had gained.


    Their dormancy was drawing to an end.


    The joy was heart-rending.


    <hr>


    Then


    The music blared from the garage and Cal¡¯s enhanced hearing picked it up from inside his brother¡¯s kitchen. It was light and pop-y, something about going to the beach and hanging out with the boys. Very 1990¡¯s, he couldn¡¯t quite name the pop star who sang it, but he was fine with that.


    Oddly enough when he went into the garage the volume wasn¡¯t painful or overwhelming, just loud. Perhaps his new found heightened hearing came with an automatic safety feature. The thought of how that would work biologically made his head hurt, so he just chalked it up to spires science-magic, or was that magic-science.


    ¡°You have that look on your face,¡± Nila grunted as she was in the middle of doing weighted pull-ups with three plates hanging from the chain around her waist.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Either you¡¯re constipated or you¡¯re thinking about the spires.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t look like that,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Yeah, you do.¡± Nila stepped down to the ground and switched to chin-ups.


    ¡°Why this music?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t like it?¡± Nila laughed. ¡°It was the best option out of what I found.¡±


    ¡°I guess we overlooked that. I¡¯ll add quality music to the list of things we need to loot¡­ err¡­ save for future generations. Totally sucks when you get used toYoutubeand Spotify for your music needs.¡±


    ¡°At least I¡¯ve got podcasts saved on my phone,¡± Nila said. ¡°Going to be sad day when I finally catch up to the stuff I haven¡¯t gotten around to.¡±


    Cal sniffed and crinkled his nose. ¡°God, that smells terrible.¡±


    ¡°You can smell that? All the way in here? I can¡¯t. I thought Remy did a good job sealing the side door.¡± Nila was referring to the diesel generator in the backyard that provided them a more reliable source of power than the spotty at best electricity power grid ¡°At least you don¡¯t get nose issues anymore.¡±


    ¡°Small miracles in an otherwise mostly terrible situation. Speaking of which, that enhanced physiology class is really improving your body.¡± Cal realized his mistake almost immediately. ¡°I mean you¡¯re looking really fit, strong.¡±


    Nila finished her set and dropped to the floor. Apparently the 135 pounds of weights around her waist wasn¡¯t that difficult to carry. She narrowed her eyes at Cal. ¡°What¡¯re you trying to say? That my body wasn¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ well yeah, cause you weren¡¯t all spire-empowered,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°No big deal, it¡¯s the same for the rest of us.¡±


    ¡°Uh huh,¡± Nila said flatly.


    ¡°Yeah, so, I¡¯ve got to go. That thing I told you about yesterday. They got a lead, so me and a couple of other guys are going to follow up on it. Remy and Megan are out killing mutant animals and monsters. Eron¡¯s checking out the school. Tessa and Veronica are in the living room. I told them to shout and come running if anything happens.¡± The words flowed quickly out of Cal¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°Uh huh.¡±


    ¡°Okay, bye love.¡± Cal leaned in for a kiss, but Nila turned her head at the last moment to take it on the cheek. ¡°I¡¯m off to unknown dangers for the sake of everyone.¡± He said gravely.


    ¡°Uh huh.¡±


    The bike ride to the community center took about five minutes. Cal spotted a few mutant rodents and birds, but they did nothing. If he didn¡¯t take any aggressive action toward them all they did was warily watch him. No sense in robbing other people of the points and practice when all he¡¯d get was a fraction of a point and an ax that needed cleaning.


    The community center was awash with activity. After the incident at MLK High School the makeshift city council had turned it into a base of operations. Armed volunteers of a nascent neighborhood watch-like group greeted him warmly and ushered him into the building. He was expected.


    ¡°Hey, Ron, haven¡¯t seen you since¡­¡± Cal hesitated, ¡°well¡­ how¡¯s your sister?¡±


    The young police officer had been forcibly recruited in Jay¡¯s takeover of the department and subsequent imprisonment of civilians plan at the high school. In the course of events, Cal freed him in exchange for information on the rogue cops and bikers that made up Jay¡¯s group.


    ¡°She¡¯s good. They set up a daycare here, so she¡¯s safe while I try to help out,¡± Ron said.


    ¡°Good to hear,¡± Cal said. ¡°So, you¡¯ve got some information for me?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we found them holed up in a warehouse at the eastern edge of the city. There¡¯s a liquor store nearby and I think that¡¯s where they must be getting their supplies. Specialist Court has eyes on them.¡±


    ¡°Okay, we should get over there then.¡±


    ¡°Who else will be going, sir?¡±


    Cal raised a brow. ¡°Man, you¡¯re making feel old with that ¡®sir¡¯ stuff. ¡®Cal¡¯ is fine. Just you and me.¡±


    Ron frowned. ¡°But, the last word from Court said they had twelve men and since they probably still have Del Campo then they¡¯ve got ammunition, while we are running low.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°So, it¡¯s true,¡± Ron said in awe, ¡°that you¡¯re bulletproof.¡±


    ¡°Eh, not exactly,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°You¡¯re thinking of my brother.¡±


    Ron knocked on the back door of an office building on the opposite side of the street from both the warehouse complex and small, corner shopping center. A few restaurants, a Starbucks, a dry cleaning place and the aforementioned liquor store, it was a pretty standard layout.


    It took what felt like a long time for the door¡¯s lock to open. As Ron slowly pushed it open he was greeted by the barrel of a shotgun, which just as quickly moved down and to the side.


    ¡°Finally.¡±


    The gruff voice belonged to a woman, who looked to be anywhere between twenty and forty. Her blond hair was pulled into a tight ponytail. The deep tan on her face showed that she had been spending a lot of time outdoors. In addition to the shotgun, the same one Cal remembered assigning to her on the night a few weeks ago when they had escaped the high school, she was clad in a camouflaged tactical vest with the word Police across the chest. A ballistic helmet in the same color scheme was hanging by its strap from her belt.


    ¡°Hi, my name is Cal. We haven¡¯t officially met.¡± He stuck his hand out.


    ¡°Specialist Rebekah Court.¡± Her grip was firm. ¡°Army, well formerly. Been out five years now. Did eight years total, four on reserve. You can call me Rebekah or Court, doesn¡¯t matter much to me.¡±


    ¡°Combat?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, one tour.¡±


    ¡°Great¡­ I mean that experience will come in handy here and moving forward,¡± Cal said. ¡°So, what¡¯s the situation?¡±


    ¡°Minimum twelve hostiles, bikers, by their attire. No eyes on the VIP, but they¡¯ve been shooting at any animals and monsters that pop up, so that means they aren¡¯t trying to conserve ammo. Between 1200 and 1300 they hit the shopping center, mostly the liquor store for supplies.¡±


    ¡°Numbers?¡±


    ¡°They rotate six. Half with guns, half with melee weapons.¡±


    ¡°So, Rebekah, what¡¯s the plan?¡±


    Rebekah and Ron exchanged a glance.


    ¡°I thought that¡¯s what you¡¯re here for,¡± Rebekah said. ¡°People said you had some weird magic powers from those things that popped out of the ground.¡±


    ¡°Something like that, but I¡¯m wondering what the council wants done with those guys,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°They didn¡¯t say,¡± Ron said. ¡°The goal was to get Del Campo out of their hands.¡±


    ¡°And into the council¡¯s?¡± Cal frowned.


    ¡°He gets the same offer everyone else got. Food and protection for whatever he can contribute,¡± Rebekah said through narrowed eyes.


    ¡°Fair enough,¡± Cal said. ¡°So, what are we going to do about the bikers?¡±


    ¡°Kill them,¡± Rebekah said flatly.


    ¡°Hold on!¡± Ron raised his voice. ¡°We can¡¯t do that. We can¡¯t just arbitrarily execute people without a trial.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t keep them imprisoned. They¡¯ve already shown that they¡¯re dangerous.¡± Rebekah stabbed a finger at Ron. ¡°You weren¡¯t in the camp. You didn¡¯t see and hear what they did to some of those women. Being there, not knowing how long the color of your skin would keep you untouched. The guilt when you felt relieved that it was someone else and not you.¡± Her voice grew heated. ¡°If we just let them go they¡¯ll just do the same somewhere else, to other innocent people.¡±


    Cal¡¯s heart sank. His telepathy was giving him a sense of the emotions coming from Rebekah and Ron. Neither was going to back down. There was no way around it. He was going to have to make the choice. He had power, more than almost everyone else, aside from his siblings. Did that mean he was responsible? He was wise enough to realize that was a thorny path. For him and potentially for everyone else.


    ¡°You¡¯re both right. We can¡¯t let them off, but we can¡¯t just execute them.¡±


    Rebekah glared at Cal. ¡°They¡¯ve made themselves enemy combatants. As far as I¡¯m concerned they¡¯re clean targets.¡±


    Cal raised his hand to forestall Ron¡¯s counter. ¡°Look, let¡¯s table this discussion for now. We still actually have to proceed with this¡­ operation, I guess that¡¯s what this is called.¡±


    ¡°I got it as a Quest,¡± Ron said. ¡°I still can¡¯t believe it.¡±


    ¡°Me too. Free Tomas Del Campo and eliminate the enemy,¡± Rebekah said.


    Ron¡¯s eyes grew big. ¡°What? I only got the free Tomas Del Campo part.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s weird. So, why don¡¯t we go over the plan?¡±


    ¡°I figured you¡¯d be the principle on this, since you¡¯ve got those powers,¡± Rebekah shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m okay following along.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ me too,¡± Ron added.


    ¡°Right, first let¡¯s take stock of what we¡¯ve got. I have my camping ax and I see that you,¡± Cal nodded at Rebekah, ¡°have the shotgun.¡±


    ¡°Only 4 rounds left.¡±


    ¡°Ron?¡±


    ¡°Glock 17 and I¡¯ve got 8 rounds.¡±


    ¡°Any other weapons?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got my ASP.¡± Ron patted the collapsible, metal baton holstered in his belt.


    ¡°Knife and machete,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll hit half of them after they clear the liquor store. Let them use up some of their ammo. Since they use their guns, then that means you can use yours without the rest back at the warehouse getting suspicious.¡± Cal turned to Ron. ¡°It¡¯s not against the law if you kill them while in a mutual fight, right?¡±


    ¡°Technically, that¡¯s correct, but I thought you could just magic them or something.¡± Ron didn¡¯t look pleased.


    ¡°Maybe, except I feel like you have to be prepared,¡± Cal said. ¡°Isn¡¯t that what they train you to do as a police officer anyways. Assume your life is always in danger and shoot first.¡±


    Ron frowned. ¡°That¡¯s not how it is at all.¡±


    ¡°Seems that way from the news,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°That¡¯s just media bias, they only focus on when things go wrong.¡±


    ¡°Point is, Ron, your life is going to be in danger when we engage these assholes,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°This is war and we¡¯re in a battlefield,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°Okay, that might be going too far in the other direction,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°Anyways once we neutralize the first group, we move on the warehouse. I¡¯ve got some tricks I want to try.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t let anything happen to Del Campo. He¡¯s our only shot at getting more ammunition,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°Speaking of tricks,¡± Cal grinned. ¡°You both have quests, which means you¡¯ve both been to the spire. What classes did you get?¡±


    Neither seemed willing to speak at first. Cal sensed something guarded, a wariness in both, one mixed with skepticism. It gave the picture of a wall their thoughts were struggling to get over.


    ¡°Soldier: Infantry and a skill, Basic Marksmanship: Rifle,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°Police Officer, Basic Marksmanship: Semi-automatic Pistol,¡± Ron said.


    ¡°Interesting, so there are also passive skills and your jobs got turned into your classes. Well, good to know, but not immediately useful,¡± Cal said. ¡°The plan is pretty straight-forward, just follow my lead.¡±

 2.3

    Then


    Cal reached out with his telepathy. The interior of the liquor store was full of malice and hunger. He could detect six distinct presences, human-sized gremlins.


    Just as they had discussed Cal, Ron and Rebekah were prone on the ground behind the dry cleaning shop, which was adjacent to the liquor store. When the bullets went flying it wasn¡¯t a good idea to be standing directly behind the store.


    Cal detected the presence of the bikers as they entered into his range. He reached out to them as well. Mingled aggression and fear were what he got from them. Not much different from what was waiting inside the liquor store. He had a stray thought, wondering if he and his companions were broadcasting something similar.


    That was shoved aside by the sudden sounds of gunfire from inside the store.


    Gremlins snarled and men shouted as stray shots pierced through the back wall. Like in any violent situation, time seemed to slow. It felt like minutes, but Cal knew that only seconds had passed when the guns fell silent and a visceral shout of exaltation burst out.


    That was a good enough signal to move as any.


    ¡°Ready?¡± Cal whispered.


    A grim-faced Rebekah nodded, while a pale Ron did the same.


    Cal grabbed the back door in a firm telekinetic grip. He took a deep breath and pushed it forward with all his mental might. The act sent a stab of pain into his brain, but the door shot forward, slammed into a biker inside and knocked the man down.


    Cal rushed inside, followed by the other two. All of them took cover behind some nearby shelves.


    The stunned bikers recovered quickly enough and tried to bring their guns to bear. Cal used his telekinesis to pull them out of their hands and sent them clattering amid the scattered debris inside.


    ¡°Drop your weapons and get your hands up!¡± Ron pointed his glock at the men.


    The three men, now bereft of their guns raised their hands, one was out cold on the ground, a victim of the flying door, of the two left, one had a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire and one had a lead pipe. The latter complied with the order. The former did not.


    The bearded biker spat out a curse and charged with his bat held high.


    Ron¡¯s hands shook and he failed to squeeze the trigger.


    Rebekah¡¯s were steady.


    The shotgun barked. The small cloud of flying lead took the biker in the chest and dropped him to the floor, he moved weakly for a few more seconds before falling still.


    Ron looked at Rebekah with shock, while she merely trained her shotgun on the rest of the equally stunned bikers.


    ¡°No one move,¡± Cal said. He moved around Rebekah, careful to keep from obstructing her view of the bikers. He went to Ron¡¯s side and whispered. ¡°See what you can do for that guy,¡± he nodded at the downed man.


    Ron nodded shakily.


    Cal took the handcuffs that Ron was carrying in a small bag. Under Rebekah¡¯s watchful eyes, he restrained the remaining men, including the unconscious one, by cuffing them to each other. He divested them of their weapons and ammo, which he then handed over to Ron and Rebekah. They were ready to take care of the second part of the quest.


    The interior of the warehouse was dimly lit by many scattered candles. No electricity in this area of the city from the looks of it.


    The trio tried to move quietly along the darker edges of the building, along the walls. Shelves of consumer goods filled the space. At the opposite end were what looked to be offices.


    Cal was too far away to get a sense of where the bikers and their quest goal were located, but since he wasn¡¯t detecting anyone and the offices seemed a likely place to set up a base, then that¡¯s where they went.


    They took cover behind a pallet of paper towels to consider their approach.


    They spied five men through the windows of a fairly well-lit break room. The men were playing cards at a table. Not too far away was a different room with a single, armed guard reading a book, while sitting next to the door. The entire area surrounding the office was lit by several lanterns.


    The twenty feet or so of open space between the pallets they were concealed behind and their goal was going to make an undetected approach difficult.


    ¡°What¡¯s your plan?¡± Ron looked worried.


    ¡°One second, just need to make sure our guy is in there,¡± Cal whispered back. He focused his telepathy on the guarded room. Sure enough he detected the presence of a single person within.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be tough to get the jump on these guys,¡± Rebekah said. ¡°Maybe we can distract them. Draw them away, while one of us grabs the VIP.¡±


    ¡°No. I know them. They¡¯re not dumb. They¡¯ll keep guys on Del Campo. He¡¯s the only one keeping them armed, without him they can¡¯t fight the monsters,¡± Ron said.


    ¡°What about using the monsters?¡± Rebekah looked to Cal. ¡°Wait till night when they come out. While these guys are fighting them, we use that as a distraction.¡±


    Cal shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure the place is clean, no monsters. Jay and his einjerhar must¡¯ve cleared this place out.¡± He looked at Ron for confirmation.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I wasn¡¯t part of their inner circle,¡± Ron said.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ Jay¡¯s dead, so if he had ownership of this building, shouldn¡¯t it revert to¡ª¡± Cal had a thought.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Rebekah hissed. ¡°Focus on the mission. What¡¯s the plan? You said you had it covered?¡±


    It seemed that the ex-soldier had reached the limits of her patience.


    ¡°Yup, I have a plan,¡± Cal pointed at the lone guard next to closed door, ¡°you two are going to subdue that one and then you will secure the quest goal¡­ I mean, the Del Campo dude.¡± He raised his hand. ¡°I will handle the rest.¡±


    The wise have said that impatience is a killer in a fight. However, other equally wise men have said that aggression is what wins fights. Act and force your enemy to react. Impose your will. Dictate terms. So on and so forth. Truth be told Cal wanted to get this over with so he could get the answer to the interesting question that had just popped up.


    ¡°Go!¡±


    Cal telekinetically threw the pile of paper towels from the pallet across the twenty feet at the lone guard. Rebekah and Ron rushed the man a second behind.


    That part of the plan taken care of. Cal then did the same with the wooden pallet. This time he physically threw it like a discus, right into the break room window.


    Shattered shards of glass and the hunk of wood surprised the five men playing cards. Cal jumped into the room a few beats later. The bikers had no chance. Cal laid them out in a matter of seconds. He was too strong and too fast for a normal human.


    The chore done with he turned his attention to the warehouse itself. Deliberately he focused on the building and the idea of ownership. As the seconds ticked away he concentrated harder.


    ¡°Show me who owns this warehouse,¡± Cal said quietly.


    At last a voice spoke in his ears at the same time that text appeared floating in his vision. It gave details about the warehouse. Its name, size, location, current occupants and a long list of contents.


    Cal focused further and very clearly pictured the information that he was seeking. The spires had answered his query.


    Owner deceased.


    Will revert to unowned status in: 11:13:45:56


    ¡°We¡¯ve got him.¡± Ron¡¯s voice drew Cal¡¯s attention. ¡°Is everything okay?¡±


    Cal merely nodded.


    ¡°What¡¯s next?¡± Rebekah¡¯s joined Ron.


    Cal looked Del Campo over. The man looked to be in his fifties. He had weathered brown skin and black hair gone mostly gray. He looked scared. ¡°Mr. Del Campo, I assure you nothing bad will happen to you. The city council will give you their pitch, but I want to stress that you aren¡¯t obligated to agree to anything.¡± He noticed that both Ron and Rebekah stiffened. ¡°Do what you feel is in your best interests. I¡¯ll check-in with you later to make sure things are alright. I¡¯m not big on slavery or indentured servitude. I¡¯m sure you¡¯re aware of your value at this point. Don¡¯t forget that in your negotiations.¡±


    The man nodded hesitantly.


    ¡°Ron, Rebekah, take him back to base. I¡¯ll take care of the rest.¡±


    ¡°What are you going to do to them?¡± Rebekah frowned. ¡°My quest says I have to eliminate the enemy.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s one thing to kill in a battle, but I agree with Ron. There¡¯ll be no summary executions while I¡¯m around.¡±


    Rebekah looked like she was about to argue, but Cal cut her off.


    ¡°I also agree that these men have proved themselves to be nothing more than human filth. Incapable of being anything more than dangerous assholes.¡± Cal fixed his gaze on the downed men, who were no looking up at him with wide eyes. ¡°They¡¯re going for a walk on the 80¡­ without their guns.¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t say it, but that was as good as killing them. The dark look on Ron¡¯s face said as much. There was a long expanse of sparsely populated land east of the city for many miles. No one knew what sort of monsters lurked out in those spaces. He forced himself to keep the hard look on his face.


    Rebekah nodded approvingly. ¡°Good enough for me.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t an easy thing to make a choice to stain your hands with blood. For the first time since the apocalypse began Cal was now going to be directly responsible for fellow humans¡¯ deaths.


    <hr>


    Now


    The flying transport was enormous and surprisingly quiet. Cal loved the Threnosh¡¯s anti-gravity technology. A vehicle as huge as one of those military C-130¡¯s, yet all he heard and felt was a soft humming sound.


    It was a special request that Tides had taken care of for Cal. Everyone on the team, except for Primal, would¡¯ve been fine to take the flying van. The smallest Threnosh also had the largest power armor and it needed a transport with a lot more space and lift.


    There was only one problem. The transport had a busy schedule and while it had time to take them to the spire. It didn¡¯t have time to take them back to base. Cal figured they¡¯d deal with that when the time came. The mission, quest, or task, depending on one¡¯s perspective, took precedence.


    Besides, it was only a little over 25 miles away. They could always walk back. Might be a good chance to do some random monster killing on the way or even stumble into a random encounter or two.


    The team was armored up and standing around a holographic projection. It was a live shot of the spire. Around it were seven large monsters that appeared to be asleep.


    ¡°We¡¯re minutes away. Give me the rundown,¡± Cal said.


    Caretaker gave him a brisk nod. ¡°There are seven invasive organisms, designation number 11563.¡±


    Cal cleared his throat.


    ¡°Henceforth classified as dragonbears¡­¡±


    ¡°I already explained this,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Kynnro said brightly. ¡°Creatures from your world. One fictional and one real.¡± They looked intently at Cal. ¡°How can your world have creatures that do not exist?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll explain later.¡±


    ¡°The dragonbears,¡± Caretaker said flatly, ¡°are predatory organisms. Their primary offensive abilities are enormous physical strength combined with sharp teeth and claws. Despite their enormous size they moved quickly. Defensively, they rely on scales with the strength of metal plating combined with coarse, thick fur. Their bone and muscle structures are particularly robust.¡±


    ¡°They totally look like dragons mixed with bears. I¡¯ll get you guys pictures and videos once I get back to my world,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°How can there be videos and pictures of a creature that you state does not exist?¡± Frequency looked at Cal with confusion.


    ¡°Well, there¡¯re drawings and CGI,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You still have not spoken of our plan of attack, Honor.¡± Primal¡¯s voice carried a clear challenge.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to leave that to you guys.¡±


    ¡°May I?¡± Caretaker pointed to the projection. When Cal nodded the Threnosh manipulated the image until it zoomed out to an overhead view of the area surrounding the spire. ¡°We will set a defensive position on this hill.¡± They centered on an area that was roughly 6000 feet away from the monsters. ¡°It is well within the range of Primal¡¯s bow. Additionally it is an elevated position. The organisms will be forced to approach us at a disadvantage. The plan is simple. Primal will commence fire with his bow. The first shot will eliminate one organism. At this point the remainder will attack. Each of us will fire our weapons as they reach optimum range. Any organisms that survive to reach close quarters combat will be tanked,¡± they glanced at Cal, ¡°by Primal, so that Shira can dispatch it. Kynnro will deploy their laser cloud if a clear opening presents itself. Any questions?¡±


    There were none and before they knew it the transport landed a short distance away from the site.


    ¡°Remember, this is all you,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯ll only lend a hand in the worst case scenario.¡±


    ¡°That will not be necessary,¡± Primal said.


    ¡°I concur,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Get into position.¡±


    Cal moved back a short distance away. Behind his team. Far enough to be out of the way, but close enough to help out, just in case. He didn¡¯t want his presence to impact the upcoming fight in any way. Whether it changed how the dragonbears behaved or the potential impact on the amount of points the Threnosh would gain.


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    ¡°Ready?¡± Caretaker received the affirmative from the others. ¡°Fire at your determination, Primal.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Primal drew back on his massive bow and loosed the javelin-like metal arrow. The loud boom shook the quiet morning air.


    Thousands of feet distant a pack of resting dragonbears sprang to alertness in a split second. For one of their number it was already too late. The monster¡¯s body exploded, showering the area in blood and gore.


    The rest of the pack located the Threnosh immediately. They roared and charged.


    Another arrow boomed across the grass-covered ground and another monster fell, its head gone.


    The monsters spread out and started running in haphazard patterns.


    The third arrow missed and tore a long furrow in the ground.


    ¡°Damn, they¡¯re fast,¡± Cal said. The readout in his helmet showed the dragonbears topping out at nearly 80 mph.


    Primal kept sending arrow after arrow, but didn¡¯t find the same success.


    When the monsters crossed the halfway point to their position Primal¡¯s quiver was empty.


    Caretaker stepped up to line up abreast with Primal. Kynnro and Frequency, newly armed with standard recoilless rifles, followed.


    ¡°Primal, heavy weapons on my mark.¡± Caretaker hefted the gimbal-mounted minigun in their hands. Their power armor had been modified with an exoskeleton frame to help carry the added weight of the heavy weapon and the backpack of ammunition. This way they could pack a bigger punch, at least while the ammunition lasted.


    Primal had the same minigun mounted on their left shoulder, while a weapon closely resembling a fragmentation grenade launcher was mounted on his right shoulder. This gave him offensive capabilities for midrange combat.


    ¡°Fire,¡± Caretaker said flatly as the monsters entered their range.


    The Threnosh trained his fire on a single monster. It tried to take evasive action, but Caretaker¡¯s predictive algorithm guided them to where it was going to be. The monster had thick skin and armor-like scales, but eventually it succumbed to the impossibly accurate fire.


    Caretaker noted the ammunition indicator projected in his face-plate. Half empty just to down one organism.


    Unlike the tall Threnosh, Primal¡¯s minigun sprayed a wall of projectiles across the monsters¡¯ path. Of the four remaining, none managed to avoid taking hits.


    Caretaker took aim at the closest one and emptied the rest of his ammunition into it until it collapsed. ¡°Kynnro, Frequency, open fire.¡± They said as they uncoupled their power armor from the minigun exoskeleton frame. It would only slow them down at this point. They took up their own recoilless rifle and added to the fusillade.


    The less powerful projectiles weren¡¯t having the same effect. The organisms kept coming. ¡°Primal, fragmentation weapon.¡± Caretaker dropped back off the front line. ¡°Frequency with me. Kynnro, ready your laser cloud. Shira, to the front.¡±


    The grenade launcher on Primal¡¯s shoulder let out a rapid series of THOOMS. The explosions impacted all around the charging monsters, but didn¡¯t do much to slow them down.


    Caretaker focused on the closest one. Saw where it was going to be in four seconds. They sent the coordinates to Kynnro along with a countdown.


    Right on cue, Kynnro shot out a small, silvery cylinder from the barrel-like opening on the back of their gauntlet. It exploded into a cloud of reflective particles that the monster ran headlong into. At the same instant, a pencil-thin red beam lanced out from the small emitter on their helmet.


    The stench of burnt flesh was accompanied by a howl of pain. The monster emerged on fire and thrashed around wildly.


    From his vantage point a short distance away Cal could see that the dragonbear¡¯s eyes were charred ruins, weeping bloody messes.


    A concentrated burst from Primal¡¯s minigun put the monster out of its misery.


    Three remained.


    Two went straight for the biggest target.


    Primal lashed out with a massive metal fist. The dragonbear was too quick. It leapt up and used the arm as a platform to reach the minigun. Sparks flew as its claws scraped against thick armor. The metal barrels squealed and bent under the immense pressure of the monster¡¯s jaws.


    The second monster was slowed by a massive wound on one of its hind legs. Primal bashed it into the ground.


    While its two pack members were going after the most obvious target. The last dragonbear sought more vulnerable prey.


    Foam flecked from its dagger-toothed maw. Driven mad by the scent of its own blood, which leaked from dozens of small wounds, it charged heedless of the long spear Shira held in their hands.


    The Threnosh only had a day and a half to practice with the unfamiliar weapon. They had to rely on ancient records dating back millennia when their barbaric ancestors waged war in the dirt with crude weapons of wood and iron. Cal shared what he had learned in recent years, but even he would admit that his knowledge was amateurish at best.


    With a thousand plus pound monster charging right at them, Shira could be forgiven if her stance was wrong and her grip was just a little off.


    Instead of plunging into the armor-less space beneath the dragonbear¡¯s jaw the spear blade skidded off the tough scales on its broad chest.


    Cal watched all of the action intently. He was on the verge of stepping in to help Shira. He slowed his perceptions.


    The spear blade deflected up and across the dragonbear¡¯s neck. It cut past the thick fur and into the muscle. It was a superficial wound. The large amount of blood that splashed across Shinra¡¯s black power armor was deceptive.


    The monster crashed into Shinra an instant later.


    It clamped its jaws over the Threnosh¡¯s arm and thrashed its head from side to side.


    Cal decided to keep watching. In the slowed down view he got a good look at Shira¡¯s eyes through the clear lenses on their face-plate. There was no fear, only something akin to the hunger that was visible in the dragonbears.


    As Cal let his perception return to normal speed, Shira raised their free hand and plunged bladed fingers into the monster¡¯s eye. They didn¡¯t stop until their arm was all the way in, almost up to their shoulder.


    The monster twitched and let go of its grip on Shira¡¯s other arm, relaxing as death claimed it.


    Shira¡¯s power armored arm was a ruin of crushed metal.


    Cal watched as the power armor somehow drank up the blood from the dragonbear. The damaged arm slowly repaired itself right before his eyes. The monster seemed to deflate as its lifeblood was drained.


    The effect on Shira was the opposite. The Threnosh seemed to stand taller, stronger. The matte black color of their armor somehow deepened as if it was drawing in the daylight and snuffing it out.


    Once all that remained of the dragonbear was a dessicated corpse. Shira moved.


    They were almost a blur to Cal¡¯s unenhanced vision. They were a black shadow that streaked against the morning light.


    The shadow tore into the dragonbear that was hanging off of Primal¡¯s back and tearing the mounted weapons to scraps.


    Shira and the monster rolled together like a pair of crazed cats. They bit and clawed at one another with no regard given to defense.


    Cal couldn¡¯t believe his eyes but the mouth and teeth in Shira¡¯s helmet worked as if they were organic. The Threnosh bit down on the unarmored area near a joint on one of its forelegs.


    He saw now why the power armor had so many sharp blades and protrusions all over its surface. Every move Shira made drew blood. Every move the monster made did the same. One couldn¡¯t attack the Threnosh physically without cutting oneself.


    The pair tore into each other equally, yet only one was able to repair the damage. Shira grew stronger, while the monster grew weaker.


    It didn¡¯t take long for the last dragonbear to join the rest of its pack in death.


    <hr>


    In Cal¡¯s eyes the spire¡¯s surface was a dull, matte gray, then a shiny silver, then a shimmering rainbow. One by one and all at the same time. It was either amazing or deeply wrong to look at. Even after several years, he still wasn¡¯t entirely sure which one it was for him.


    Cal had to adjust his power rankings. He had Primal up top for sheer physical might and destructive capabilities. Shira now occupied that spot, rather a Shira that had blood in them. In their power armor that is. Although looking at the energized Shira and the hungry look on their face now that the scary-looking face-plate was retracted, he wasn¡¯t so sure about that assessment. He was tempted to take a peek into their mind, but decided to hold off until he knew more about how the power armor functioned. The risk of discovery was too great. A betrayal of trust at such an early stage would be very bad for the plan.


    ¡°Alright people. Time for the after action report.¡± Cal clapped his hands together and smiled. ¡°But first, did everyone get the quest completion notice?¡±


    All the Threnosh gave an affirmative.


    ¡°Honor, I would ask for your assessment first,¡± Caretaker said.


    Cal pursed his lips. ¡°Hmm¡­ sure. First, Primal,¡± he turned to the Threnosh, who had refused to open his power armor¡¯s chest even after the end of combat, ¡°your bow is devastating and you¡¯re aim is good. However, again you discarded it in melee. Why?¡±


    ¡°My weapon is from the god hair¡­ spire. It cannot be repaired by Threnosh hands if it is damaged. Furthermore, it is worth approximately three years of Universal Points,¡± Primal said.


    ¡°I see, well don¡¯t worry about that. I¡¯m pretty sure it¡¯s made out of some kind of super science-y metal that is practically indestructible. Plus, you¡¯re going to be making a lot more points from now on,¡± Cal said. ¡°Overall you fought well. You fulfilled both roles as a damage dealer and as front line tank. Despite the loss of your external weapons, which can be replaced, you were able to occupy two dragonbears.¡±


    There was a long pause before Primal finally spoke. ¡°I will take this into consideration.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough. Next is Shira. Very impressive. You fight to your strengths.¡±


    Shira responded with an uncharacterisc grin. One, which Cal didn¡¯t fail to notice, was rather toothy.


    ¡°Your weakness is that you need blood to reach your full potential. I have many questions concerning this. Can you do this with all kinds of blood? Does it need to be fresh? Can you store some for later use? How long does the boost last?¡±


    ¡°It must be fresh. I believe it to be minutes after it is taken. If I take in a large enough quantity it will last for under an hour, depending on how much I draw on it,¡± Shira said.


    Cal nodded. ¡°Caretaker, I don¡¯t have much to say for you. Your predictive algorithm makes your shooting extremely accurate. Part of me thinks you¡¯d be great in melee, however your power armor is lacking. The exo-frame,¡± he smiled and thought of how much his youngest brother, Eron, would geek out over everything in this world, ¡°is an improvement on your offensive potential. The amount of ammo you can carry is an obvious limiting factor.¡±


    ¡°I concur with you assessment,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Kynnro,¡± Cal said to the Threnosh in sleek form-fitting power armor, ¡°your laser cloud attack is great! I¡¯m not just saying that cause it got me. My main concern is that it¡¯s a fairly short range weapon, while your power armor is lacking in defensive capabilities. ¡°Last, but not least, Frequency. This was a battle that you weren¡¯t really going to have the opportunity to shine. All I can say is that you followed orders well, scored some hits with your rifle and kept out of the way when you couldn¡¯t have impacted the fight. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve got some ideas on how you can weaponize sound waves. Just need to get PC3 to put me in contact with some of their the smart, scientist types.¡±


    ¡°My assessment falls within the same parameters,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Good,¡± Cal said. ¡°So, now you guys get to go into the spire. Remember to look for upgrades that address the main issues that we discussed. I¡¯ve also sent the same assessments to your PID¡¯s, so you can refer to them as needed. I also recommend purchasing tutorials for your power armors, at least at the basic level.¡±


    ¡°How are we to do that with our limited points?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you get a bunch for the dragonbears?¡±


    ¡°1000,¡± Primal said.


    ¡°500,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°I also received 1000,¡± Shira said.


    ¡°250.¡± Kynnro¡¯s face was downcast.


    ¡°100,¡± Frequency mumbled.


    ¡°Right, well I was about to say that I got the Prime to give me some points from the general fund. I¡¯ll have to make the transfer in the spire.¡±


    ¡°How many points?¡±


    ¡°Oh I don¡¯t know,¡± Cal grinned, ¡°does 2000 each sound good?¡±


    ¡°Impossible!¡± Primal¡¯s already high-pitched voice rose up another level. ¡°My bow cost that much.¡±


    ¡°Well, now you can get a spare or a dedicated melee weapon. C¡¯mon let¡¯s go,¡± Cal said as he strode into the spire¡¯s impossible surface and disappeared.


    The interior was just as creepy and strange as always. Indistinct mist surrounded Cal. He had the impression of rooms and hallways as he walked through it. He focused on the need to transfer the Universal Points to the team and sure enough he suddenly realized that he was in the right place to do so.


    ¡°Select recipient to begin transfer.¡± The voice of the spire came from everywhere and nowhere.


    For a moment Cal considered sending some of the points to Nila. He discarded that notion just as quickly. He was going to need every point Prime Custodian 3 had handed over as their project grew. Need before greed, as the saying went


    ¡°Huh? I don¡¯t think I¡¯m using that one right.¡±


    ¡°Please repeat transfer request.¡±


    One by one Cal firmly pictured the Threnosh and spoke their name along with the amount of points he wanted to send their way.


    The spire showed him an image of each recipient and the points they were to receive.


    ¡°Confirm transfer.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Transfer complete. Thank you and have a pleasant struggle.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you too.¡± Cal frowned. That was a new one.


    With that done Cal thought about the messaging system. Nothing, just like always. He had only sent the one message to Nila. The cost was exorbitant and he wasn¡¯t going to have the points to do it until he was able to run Encounter Challenges and Spawn Points seriously. Guiding the newbie Threnosh gave him nothing. The only Quests he had active were the same ones. The one to make allies with the Threnosh and the one about the Dominion wanting to get to know him better, that is, hunt him down.


    The spires¡¯ system for doling out quests was maddening. He didn¡¯t get any when it looked obvious and he got them when he was least expecting them. The worst part of it was that the surprising ones were the most terrible ones. The Dominion, the Midtown Mauler. Both quests he stumbled upon almost accidentally. The latter was an experience he actively and with great effort didn¡¯t think about. It remained to be seen how the former was going to turn out, but he wasn¡¯t particularly optimistic.


    The pessimist in him went to all of the dark places when he saw that he had no messages. Did something bad happen to Nila and his family? Or was it too much for her? She was against him coming here in the first place. Almost a year apart now. Was it too much?


    ¡°Idiot,¡± Cal said.


    The simplest explanation was that the cost was too much for anyone on Earth to send him a message. It was also just as likely that the spire didn¡¯t allow messaging from downworlds to upworlds.


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± he had a thought. ¡°I¡¯d like to send a message,¡± he said.


    ¡°State the recipient.¡±


    ¡°The Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy.¡±


    ¡°Invalid request.¡±


    Cal only knew one person, if it could be called that from the upworld to the Threnosh. ¡°Zalthyss.¡±


    ¡°Begin message.¡±


    ¡°I kicked your ass and I¡¯m going to do it again,¡± Cal said. ¡°End message.¡±


    ¡°Confirm message complete.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ actually, how much is this going to cost?¡±


    Cal¡¯s eyes widened when the number appeared in his vision and hearing, independently and at the same time.


    ¡°How much would the same message cost to Prime Custodian 3.¡±


    The number was considerably lower.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s interesting. Cancel message.¡±


    It seemed to confirm his guess about downworld versus upworld costs. What was interesting was that even though Zalthyss was currently imprisoned deep in a Threnosh facility, more heavily guarded than the one he had spent several months building a rapport with his captors, the spire treated the angelic alien as still being upworld at least in its messaging system.


    ¡°Same world messaging costs are reasonable. Going down or up is a lot more expensive,¡± Cal mused. ¡°But Zalthyss is here¡­ then why is the spire pricing it as if it was upworld?¡±


    Cal mumbled a curse. Something else to add to his list.


    With a thought he stepped out of the spire and was greeted by a rather hesitant chime in his helmet.


    ¡°Just stepped out of the spire, go ahead,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Designation: Honor,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623¡¯s voice sounded slightly aggrieved or worried, Cal wasn¡¯t sure. ¡°I have been trying to contact you for the last twenty minutes.¡±


    ¡°Wow, I was in there that long? Didn¡¯t feel like it. So, what¡¯s got you all bothered?¡±


    ¡°I am notifying you that I have secured another transport to take you and your team back. They are scheduled to arrive at your position in one hour.¡±


    ¡°Oh good. An hour wait isn¡¯t bad. We were going to walk and that would¡¯ve taken the rest of the day, baring random monster encounters. Although to be honest that¡¯d be a good way to get them more points.¡±


    ¡°I am also notifying you that long range scanners have detected two hostile invasive organisms heading to your position.¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 actually sounded a little frustrated.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Cal sighed. ¡°Details?¡±


    ¡°The organisms are the ones that you designated as dragonbears,¡±


    ¡°Did you roll your eyes? It sounded like you did.¡±


    ¡°Most definitely not. Data indicates that these two are of the alpha type.¡±


    ¡°ETA?¡±


    ¡°You should have visual in three minutes, twenty-nine seconds.¡±


    ¡°Okay, well I guess I can keep the monsters busy while I wait for the team. Although alphas might be a bit too much, especially if the team isn¡¯t ready for them.¡± Cal made up his mind in an instant. ¡°Loaming, when the team emerges let them know I¡¯ll be right back and tell them to wait.¡±


    Cal leapt into the air and took off in the direction of the two dragonbears. He wondered if the Threnosh would be cool with a head or two mounted back at the facility. It might be a good reminder for his current and future team members of their purpose.

 2.4

    Now


    Shira advanced carefully, like a leopard stalking its prey. They were low to the ground and moved in a shrinking semi-circular pattern.


    Caretaker watched their teammate carefully. A sword and shield in their hands, as Honor had called them. The weapons were battle ready fresh from the fabricator¡¯s machine. They didn¡¯t understand Honor¡¯s insistence on their learning to use such archaic weaponry. They felt foolish at having to scour historical records of the long-past days of the barbarism of their forebears for bits of knowledge on how such things were wielded.


    Another two days of training from Honor, who himself didn¡¯t claim to be anything more than an amateur in their usage, didn¡¯t leave Caretaker with any confidence in the sparring match, as Honor had called it, with Shira.


    Honor had explained his reasoning, but Caretaker was having difficulty seeing it. Surely, projectile weaponry was superior to melee. There was no reason to close with the enemy when you had the capability to defeat it from a distance. Outworld invasive organisms tended to be limited to melee range. Advanced weaponry was the Threnosh¡¯s advantage.


    Shira was one of the few exceptions. They had already displayed why they were so deadly at close range, especially when they had fresh blood.


    Caretaker¡¯s predictive algorithm overlaid a ghostly image of Shira, showing the highest probability move that they were going to make. They fell a step into a stance, shield in front of them, blade pulled back ready to thrust.


    Shira reacted to this move and the ghostly image shifted.


    Caretaker moved again in response.


    Shira suddenly stopped. Their eyes narrowed behind the lenses of their terrifying face-plate. They sprang without warning.


    A warning chimed to Caretaker, auditory and visual, it told them exactly what they needed to do. They followed the instructions almost unconsciously.


    Slashing claws sparked off the surface of the large, round, bare metal shield.


    A sword was parried away by a bladed gauntlet.


    Sharp-clawed toes raked across an armored back.


    Back and forth they went. The smaller figure in the matte black power armor was ever the aggressor. The other with sword and shield moved frantically. There was no smoothness to the taller Threnosh¡¯s movements even if they were able to just avoid taking major damage.


    Shira suddenly blurred.


    Caretaker¡¯s predictive algorithm knew what to do and communicated it to the Threnosh. Unfortunately, they were just too slow to react. Even if they knew what their opponent was going to do, they were still physically incapable of moving quickly enough.


    The sword was slapped out of their grip. The shield was hopelessly out of position.


    Shira held one clawed hand around Caretaker¡¯s armored throat, the other was deathly still just in front of their face. A hunger burned in Shira¡¯s eyes.


    Caretaker had lost.


    ¡°You have defeated me in this sparring,¡± Caretaker said.


    Shira remained silent, not relinquishing their grip for several long seconds as they stared into Caretaker¡¯s eyes.


    Loud clapping broke the strange moment. ¡°Wow! That was great,¡± Cal said from his spot on the side of the practice area. ¡°Very impressive from both of you. Caretaker, how is the new exoskeleton you bought from the spire?¡±


    Caretaker slid a small panel on the underside of his gauntlet open and pressed a series of buttons. The information appeared on their transparent face-plate. ¡°Functional strength is at 2.5 times baseline. Speed at 1.25 times baseline. Added armor is responsible for the negative 0.75 loss of speed. Battery is at 75 percent.¡±


    ¡°How did the sword and board feel?¡±


    Caretaker paused. They chose their word with care. ¡°Unwieldy.¡±


    ¡°Well, you can try different weapons. I¡¯ve got Riverport making different stuff. Halberds, spears, poleaxes, regular axes, different swords,¡± Cal said. ¡°Shira, what¡¯s your blood usage look like.¡±


    ¡°Stores are down to 20 percent.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a lot, but against monsters you¡¯d be filling it up as you fight, so that¡¯s a huge upgrade. Good choice picking up the integrated blood storage system.¡±


    ¡°It is still limited. The blood will remain viable in storage for only one planetary rotation.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m saying this, but maybe we can set something up where you carry a couple of small animals with you when out on a quest. My nieces would be horrified.¡± Cal said the last bit under his breath. ¡°Alright, next demonstration will be Primal and his new toy.¡±


    Cal reached out with his telekinesis and grabbed an enormous board. It was about the size of a small bedroom wall and was made of two layers. The front portion was five inches of wood, while the backing had the same thickness in metal. Fabricator Riverport 11725 had given him a strange look when he had asked for the target to be made.


    He floated it into position near a back wall, which was out of the way.


    ¡°Ready, Primal?¡±


    ¡°Are you certain about this, Honor? There is nothing to keep it standing in place.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll hold it up.¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡±


    Inside their massive power armor, Primal moved into position about twenty feet away from the makeshift target. ¡°Opening fire.¡± The stomach plates slide open to reveal twenty one thick and stubby gun barrels in three horizontal rows of seven. There was loud ripping sound as projectiles streamed out of the barrels. In less than a second the wooden wall-sized target was shredded, while the metal behind was pockmarked like a moon¡¯s surface.


    Cal checked the wall in the distance behind the target. ¡°Impressive, I do believe none of the rounds missed.¡±


    ¡°Each barrel has limited movement capability. At this range that is the smallest space I can direct fire into.¡±


    ¡°How many rounds?¡±


    ¡°Two-hundred ninety-four. Seven in each barrel and seven more in the chamber behind.¡±


    ¡°And you shot them all at once.¡± Cal rubbed his chin. ¡°Can you control how much you shoot?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but all barrels must fire together. However, I will be able to purchase further upgrades to this weapon system from the¡­ spire.¡±


    Cal took it as progress that more of the Threnosh were picking up his terminology, even if they sounded like they were chewing on glass. Honestly, spire was such a better term than god hair. Although, he supposed that wasn¡¯t the Threnosh¡¯s fault, but rather a product of the automatic translation system¡¯s shortcomings.


    ¡°How are the rounds propelled?¡±


    ¡°Magnetic acceleration.¡±


    ¡°The ammunition is limited, but it does address your close combat issues. Overall a good choice,¡± Cal said. ¡°Frequency, you¡¯re up.¡±


    This time Cal floated a large square shaped object covered by a silvery sheet. It reminded him of those emergency blankets. A memory of playing Princess Rayna and the Star Force with his little sister popped into his head. The object abruptly dropped a few feet with the distraction. An angry sounding growl emanated from underneath the covering.


    Cal lowered it a dozen feet or so in front of the nervous looking Frequency.


    ¡°Are you ready?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Designation: Honor.¡±


    The Threnosh¡¯s speech was definitely becoming easier to understand.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Cal pulled the sheet off with a thought.


    He revealed a large cage. Thick bars contained a miniature dragonbear. Oh it was still big, the size of black bear instead of the Kodiak brown bear-sized ones the Threnosh had fought.


    After Cal had killed the alpha dragonbears he had searched the area while waiting for the team to emerge from the spire. He had found a small litter of cubs. He felt a little bad about it, but he killed them all, but one. He figured it¡¯d be good for research. Besides they had immediately attacked him on sight, so screw the little monsters. It¡¯s not like they were part of the natural world anyways. They were unnatural creatures brought by the spires in their weird apocalypse. Like a sadistic GM populating their world with things to make the adventure more exciting for the players.


    Frequency raised both arms directly toward the caged dragonbear cub. A loud sound suddenly emanated from the speaker-like devices on their power armor.


    Cal winced. He¡¯d describe it as someone raking their nails across an old style chalkboard, the green kind, but on a continuous loop. Very unpleasant for him. He glanced at the Threnosh next to him, but none shared the same reaction. Of course. Their auditory sensors probably had an automatic feature built in to protect them. They were currently just as deaf as Frequency was outside of their power armor.


    The effect on the dragonbear was instantaneous. The monster roared and thrashed inside its cage. It clawed and bit at the bars in a frenzy.


    Frequency¡¯s speakers simply continued to vibrate and send out the sonic attack.


    Twenty seconds passed and the dragonbear had ceased all movement. Blood poured out from its nostrils and ear holes. It¡¯s breathing stopped shortly after.


    ¡°Ouch.¡± Cal opened and closed his jaw several times. ¡°My ears are going to ring for the rest of the day.¡±


    ¡°Apologies, Designation: Honor,¡± Frequency said. ¡°I did not intend to affect anyone else.¡±


    ¡°You can just call me Honor, like I¡¯ve said and its not your fault, my hearing¡¯s a bit more sensitive than the norm¡­ for my species. So, why don¡¯t you tell me what you did?¡±


    ¡°I recalled the words you stated about sounds that can be used as attacks, so I also purchased a list of combat-specific frequencies. This one is meant to damage internal organs within biological lifeforms.¡±


    ¡°I noticed it took some time to work. That might be difficult when the monster isn¡¯t restrained,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°That is correct. I have other sounds that I believe can be utilized in conjunction to make it and myself more effective on the battlefield. I also purchased the basic operating guide for my trueskin. Further study will improve my performance.


    Cal eyed the dead dragonbear. ¡°Looks very promising. We¡¯ll keep practicing and experimenting.¡± He telekinetically covered the cage in the sheet once again and moved it out of the way. ¡°Alright, last but not least. Kynnro.¡±


    The Threnosh¡¯s form-fitting power armor¡¯s sleek profile was marred by the backpack-like rectangular container attached to their back. A tube ran from the bottom left of the hard pack to a bulky attachment over the gauntlet of the left arm. This wasn¡¯t the only change. The small concave emitter on their helmet¡¯s forehead somehow looked even more high tech.


    Kynnro moved out into the center of the practice area and turned to face the opposite direction from where the others were standing watch. They raised their left hand and a stream of gray shot out. At about thirty feet away the stream bloomed out into a wide cloud.


    ¡°Looks like an ash cloud,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What will that accomplish?¡± Primal was incredulous.


    ¡°Particulate matter in certain types of ash clouds can cause great damage to the respiratory systems of biological organisms,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°That is correct, but the invasive organisms we face are more robust than the natural organisms of our planet.¡±


    Caretaker was about to say something else when the sound of Kynnro¡¯s laser took the words away.


    The pencil-thin red beam flashed briefly as it shot into the ash cloud. Almost instantaneously the cloud erupted into fire. It grew in size as the explosion consumed the particles that Kynnro had sprayed out of the mechanism on their gauntlet.


    The heat washed over Cal¡¯s face as he stood stunned for a moment. ¡°Very impressive. Alright, so for the rest of day why don¡¯t you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Apology, Designation: Honor,¡± Kynnro said hesitantly, ¡°I still have one improvement to display.¡±


    ¡°Oh, sure, go ahead.¡±


    ¡°I will need your aid.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, what do you need me to do?¡±


    ¡°Please move the target,¡± they pointed at the tattered free-standing wall from Primal¡¯s demonstration.¡±


    ¡°How far?¡±


    ¡°All the way to the end of the chamber.¡±


    Cal raised his brows. That was almost a hundred and fifty feet away. He shrug and did as asked. The metal and wood wall floated the distance under his telekinetic power until it came to rest against the practice chamber¡¯s far wall.


    Kynnro turned and quickly walked to the opposite side of the chamber.


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°Please do not move.¡± Kynnro¡¯s voice was clear over the distance thanks to the speaker in their helmet. ¡°Firing now.¡±


    As soon as the words left their mouth, a bright red light illuminated the large chamber. The laser beam that shot from their emitter was still thin. The difference was in the intensity of the light it put out.


    Cal found himself blinking away the spots in his vision.


    ¡°I am finished.¡±


    Cal pulled the wall back as the other Threnosh looked on intently.


    ¡°That weapon will accomplish much,¡± Primal said.


    In the metal portion of the wall was a smoking hole. Five inches of metal that put to shame anything possible on Earth and Kynnro¡¯s improved laser burned through it in less than a second.


    Cal looked to the chamber wall. ¡°Not even a mark?¡±


    ¡°This laser has a limit on its range that it cannot go beyond. I do not understand how it functions. The¡­ spire¡­ did not provide clarification,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°Yeah, it does that a lot,¡± Cal said. ¡°Anyways. Kynnro, what are the drawbacks?¡±


    ¡°The ashen cloud is limited by the substance within the pack. Instructions on how to create it were included. The empowered laser drains my trueskin¡¯s energy. Immediately after firing I can do no more than move for five minutes. Limited offensive capability follows until full recharge.¡±


    ¡°How long will that take?¡±


    ¡°A single planetary revolution if my trueskin is completely powered down.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we can get an external battery system to provide power just for the laser,¡± Cal said. ¡°Why don¡¯t you do that? Kynnro, get together with the fabricator and the engineer. See what they can do about manufacturing that ash substance and the battery for your laser. I¡¯ll send an order to their PID¡¯s as soon as we¡¯re done here. The rest of the day is going to be about more practice. Primal, I want you in practice chamber number two. Get familiar with your guns. Know exactly how wide and narrow your spread is.¡±


    ¡°What am I to target? The wall?¡± The tone in Primal¡¯s voice betrayed a level of frustration.


    ¡°Way ahead of you,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯ve got a couple of those walls already set up.¡±


    ¡°Frequency, you¡¯re in the outdoor practice field. I¡¯ll bring several different types of objects for you to experiment on. Try out all your new sounds.¡± Cal turned to Shira and Caretaker. ¡°Use that thing to fill up,¡± he directed the former to the dead dragonbear cub. The two of you are going to spar.¡± He looked at the clock on his PID. ¡°Three hours then a break for sustenance, after which we¡¯ll have class time. I¡¯ll also be going around to watch, maybe give some suggestions if you want it. We¡¯ve only got two more days until the end of your first week. I want to try a tougher task at the end of it. We need the points. Think of how much stronger you can get.¡±


    <hr>


    Then


    ¡°Mr. Del Campo,¡± Cal began.


    ¡°Tomas or Tom is fine, I just wanted to thank you. Those two, the cop and the soldier, said that without you I would¡¯ve been still stuck with those racist assholes.¡±


    Cal studied the older man. He had an emaciated look to him. His cheeks looked sucked in and the dark bags under his eyes seemed to swallow them in shadow. Dirty clothes hung loosely on a thin frame. From the looks of him, Tomas Del Campo used to be a heavy man before the apocalypse started.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome, so how¡¯d it go in there.¡± Cal nodded at the community center. ¡°Got a good deal, like I told you?¡±


    Tom gave Cal a wan smile. ¡°Sure did. I make ammunition and I get a place to myself, food and drink, whatever I want, within reason.¡±


    ¡°Good to hear. So, I¡¯ve got some questions. If you have the time?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m waiting on an escort to my new home and I owe you so, shoot.¡±


    ¡°How does it work? How come the only ammo that works are the ones that you¡­ made?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t really explain it. All I¡¯m basically doing is reloading the ammo,¡± Tom shrugged.


    ¡°Take me through it.¡±


    ¡°I start with a round. I take it apart. The bullet, the case, the primer and the powder. I do it nineteen more times. The powder goes in a bowl. The bullets, the cases, the primers I separate from each other and mix up in their own bowls. Then I just reload them. Put the primer in the ass end of the case. Measured powder goes in the case. Then the bullet gets pressed into the case. Done.¡±


    ¡°Twenty at a time?¡± Cal studied Tom. ¡°No, that¡¯s a limit isn¡¯t it? You can only do twenty¡­ a day?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t explain it. After I make twenty I¡¯m wiped out. Reminds me of how I felt after two-a-days way back in high school.¡±


    ¡°Last question,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯m guessing you went into the spire.¡±


    ¡°Is that what you¡¯re calling it?¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°And this ability to make, reload ammo to make them work is part of the class you got.¡±


    ¡°Gunsmith¡­ that¡¯s what that¡­ spire guy¡­ showed me. I got the impression there was other stuff I might be able to do with more of those points. Those assholes kept me locked up making them ammo, so I didn¡¯t get a chance to find out.¡±


    Cal smiled. ¡°Well, now you¡¯ve got that shot. Speaking of which, I figure you¡¯re a pretty good shot if you got that class.¡±


    Tom chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m pretty decent. A gunsmith that don¡¯t shoot ain¡¯t going to do good business.¡±


    ¡°The watch could use a good shooter. I¡¯ll let them know that you want in on their patrols and hunting parties. After you get some rest and your strength back of course.¡±


    ¡°You think the council would be okay with that?¡±


    ¡°Making ammo is important, but you need points if you¡¯re going to be able to make more than twenty rounds a day. Who knows what you could end up being capable of. Since this bullshit apocalypse is like a game, I¡¯d bet you just need enough points before you can start making new or more powerful guns and ammo.¡± Cal reached out with his hand. ¡°Good to have you, Tom.¡±


    The older man shook if firmly, despite how weak he looked with the way the skin hung off his arms.


    ¡°I just need a good meal and some sleep. I promise I¡¯ll be ready to earn my keep. I still owe you. If you¡¯re right about my being able to make better things. I¡¯ll save my first one for you. I was raised to never forget my debts.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you owe me. It¡¯s the least a decent person should do if they¡¯re capable.¡± Cal grinned. ¡°But¡­ I will take you up on that offer.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you understand that what we ask of you is in the best interests of the community as a whole.¡±


    The smile plastered on the councilwoman¡¯s face was as fake as her high cheekbones, her thick lips and the smoothness of her skin. One look at the wrinkles on her neck told Cal the true story.


    ¡°The council believes that closer ties between you and your brothers with the watch can only benefit everyone involved.¡±


    You mean you want to order me around. Make sure I¡¯m watching over the right neighborhoods, Cal thought, but didn¡¯t say.


    How to respond. He looked at the speaker, Devon Castleton. He had seen her undoubtedly expensive face on Remy¡¯s fridge door. The premier real estate agent for the area. What she was doing on the newly reconstituted city council? He didn¡¯t know.


    He looked at the other council members. Some of their names escaped him and he didn¡¯t know enough to form an opinion. The ancient looking guy was a long-retired political figure in the city or so he was told.


    He looked over to the side where his brother, Remy and his sister-in-law, Megan. They occupied chairs just off the council dais. The former rolled his eyes, while the latter was trying to send some sort of message to Cal with her laser-like stare.


    Ah, Cal thought, don¡¯t be a dick. It was a tough ask, but he¡¯d try.


    Cal cleared his throat and gripped the podium lightly as he leaned into the microphone. ¡°Good evening. Esteemed council people. Brave citizens,¡± he addressed the gathered crowd. ¡°Um¡­ no,¡± he said flatly.


    The silence at his words seemed to stretch on for a long time. Until Councilwoman Devon finally recovered.


    ¡°Surely, you see that it makes more sense to work with us, than going around completely on your own recognizance?¡±


    ¡°Well, Devon,¡± Cal said lightly. ¡°I must respectfully disagree. I need to be free to respond to the most dangerous threats that¡­ threaten this community.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯d make sure that nothing would impact your ability. That¡¯s the whole point.¡± A genial-looking councilman, whose name Cal didn¡¯t remember, chimed in.


    ¡°Except you would,¡± Cal said. ¡°Let me paint you a picture. You order me to, say, watch over a specific area. So, I¡¯m doing that. Then I get alerted of some kind of super monster, attacking somewhere else. What then? Do I wait for orders while people die? No, what I need to do is respond to the threat as soon as I know it¡¯s there.¡±


    ¡°Of course, there would be provisions for you to act under your own judgment. As long as it benefits the community.¡± Devon tried to smile to the rest of the citizenry gathered in the large room.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s the point of me being under your command if it¡¯s just nominal,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°It sends the right message to our scared populace that there is strong leadership in place,¡± Devon said through the rictus smile on her face.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ sorry that sounds like politics and I¡¯m not a fan of that sort of thing.¡± Cal smiled in an attempt to take the sting out of his word. ¡°All you need to know is that I¡¯ll be doing all I can to keep everyone safe, no exceptions, no favorites. It¡¯s what I¡¯ve been doing these past few months and I don¡¯t intend to stop. Thanks and bye.¡± He didn¡¯t need to try his telepathy to see how angry most of the council was. The looks on their faces made it clear enough.


    Cal quickly turned and left. He ignored the council¡¯s shouts as he strode for the door. The two shotgun bearing watch members at the door didn¡¯t move. They simply gave him respectful nods in parting.


    <hr>


    ¡°Where¡¯s Nila?¡±


    ¡°She needed a break,¡± Cal said. ¡°By ¡®break¡¯, she¡¯s probably lifting weights back at our new ¡®home¡¯.¡± He frowned. ¡°Still feels wrong living in a place that belonged to dead people. We don¡¯t even go into the bedrooms. Sleep in the living room, eat in the kitchen, workout in the garage and backyard.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think she was into weightlifting,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°She did a bit, but she was more into yoga. Weight training was an on and off thing for her. You know, like three weeks to a month regularly, then she¡¯d fall off for like three months. I guess she just needed the right motivation.¡±


    ¡°Enhanced Physiology,¡± Remy nodded. ¡°Makes sense that she¡¯d want to maximize that. Monsters makes for good motivation, who knew.¡±


    Cal laughed bitterly. ¡°Powers and monsters. Subject us to terror, but give us the means to fight back. We¡¯re forced to fight to stay safe.¡±


    ¡°It does seem to promote putting oneself into dangerous situations if one wants more power to ostensibly keep them safer from the monsters.¡± Remy shared Cal¡¯s grimace. ¡°Paradox. An illusion of safety. I wish Megan was more willing to¡­ buy in, I guess you¡¯d say.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s still hoping that things will go back to normal?¡±


    Remy nodded. ¡°At least she¡¯s willing to go out and hunt mutant squirrels and birds.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s something. It¡¯s good for her to practice her magic missile.¡±


    ¡°If only,¡± Remy sighed. ¡°She¡¯ll use it once or twice on our hunts, but refuses to otherwise.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ I figured.¡±


    ¡°Makes her tired.¡±


    Cal shook his head. ¡°Have you tried telling her it might be like a muscle that needs exercising to get stronger?¡±


    ¡°Yup, she says it¡¯s not remotely the same.¡±


    ¡°I suppose it¡¯s only a theory at this point,¡± Cal conceded.


    The brothers fell into a companionable silence as they patrolled the dark streets surrounding Martin Luther King Jr. High School. The only sounds were their footsteps on the road, the mutant rodent on mutant bird violence in the darkened trees and the slight jingling of the chains wrapped around Remy¡¯s arms.


    ¡°So, about the council meeting¡­¡±


    ¡°Aw, c¡¯mon Rem¡­ it¡¯s like I said what they want is basic lip service, political bullshit and I¡¯m not all about that. Spent over ten years working around political types and now that I have the ability to tell them to fuck off,¡± Cal cleared his throat, ¡°more politely, of course. Then I¡¯m going to do it.¡±


    ¡°Just think about playing along. Like you said, it doesn¡¯t make a difference in real terms.¡±


    ¡°Is that what you¡¯re doing?¡± Cal raised a brow.


    ¡°Basically,¡± Remy shrugged. ¡°It keeps Megan happy¡­ well, happier. She hasn¡¯t had much to be happy about lately. The council gets to pretend to be in charge, but everyone knows I can pretty much do whatever I want.¡±


    ¡°So, when they tell you to guard their houses¡­ what do you do?¡±


    Remy frowned. ¡°C¡¯mon man you know me better than that. I wouldn¡¯t put their needs over more important matters.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s going to happen eventually. People with status, power, wealth, they all use them to their advantage over those without.¡±


    ¡°What about us? We won the power lottery and aren¡¯t we doing just that?¡±


    ¡°Hmm,¡± Cal thought a moment, ¡°yeah, pretty much. The difference is I¡¯m not going to start thinking I¡¯m fundamentally better than others just because I got lucky or the spires blessed me or whatever. Meant what I said. I¡¯m going to do what I can to help out and keep people safe.¡± He raised his arms to the darkness. ¡°Hence, this constant patrolling and monster killing.¡± He paused. ¡°Speaking of which. I sense something over there. Around the corner.¡± He pointed down the dark street with the high school to the left.


    Remy gaze instantly snapped to that direction. ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Hunger and malice,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°What else?¡±


    Remy let out a long breath. ¡°Fuck this apocalypse.¡±


    <hr>


    The two brothers rounded the corner and were brought to skidding halt by what they saw.


    Dozens of human-sized gremlins streamed over the chain link fence.


    Cal placed his lantern on the ground and took a pair of road flares from the small pack at his back. ¡°Ready?¡±


    Remy fumbled around in the square leather container at his belt for a moment before pulling out a handful of small objects. ¡°Yeah, but shouldn¡¯t we let people know about this.¡±


    ¡°No time,¡± Cal said hurriedly. He lit both flares and threw them into the two dozen gremlins. One sailed past the monsters, while the other landed closer, bracketing them in an eerie red light. ¡°Go!¡±


    ¡°Damn it.¡± Remy¡¯s hand shook, but he threw the small clump of things at the gremlins.


    It was a handful of basic construction nails. The kind that went into cheap furniture. The steel seemed to glitter in the dark as the tiny things rocketed directly into the mass of gremlins.


    The closest ones snarled in shock and pain at the piercing projectiles that stabbed into their grotesque, hairless bodies. Oddly enough the ones not hit simply melted away into the darkness toward the abandoned houses on the opposite side of the street.


    ¡°Not bad. You¡¯re like a certain magical railgun, budget version.¡±


    ¡°Scientific,¡± Remy said.


    Cal arched a brow at Remy.


    ¡°What?¡± He shrugged. ¡°Tessa likes the anime.¡±


    ¡°Right, ¡®Tessa¡¯.¡± Cal brandished his trusty camping ax. ¡°Try not to hit me in the back.¡±


    Cal charged the charging gremlins. He ran closer to the school-side of the residential street. This gave Remy a clear lane to magnetically fire more nails. He bashed a gremlin in the head with an overhead strike. The ax blade bit deep and pulverized bone and brain.


    A gremlin slashed at Cal¡¯s face. He batted it aside with his forearm. The claws scratched, but didn¡¯t penetrate the surface of his recently appropriated, black motorcycle jacket¡¯s kevlar fabric. He nearly decapitated the monster with his back swing.


    ¡°Remy!¡± Cal raised his voice. ¡°Why are the rest of them running away?¡±


    ¡°Busy right now!¡±


    Remy flailed about with the extended chains that had been wrapped around his arms. It looked very dangerous to both him and the gremlins. However the chains only struck the gremlins, never him, even when their paths headed directly for him, they¡¯d always miss or deflect in a different direction.


    As Cal chopped the gremlins like ugly little trees sudden stabs of pain lanced his brain. For a split-second he thought it was an errant shot from Remy. He realized it was something else just as quickly. Hunger and malice from many sources. He sensed it with his telepathy, which was a surprise because he wasn¡¯t actively searching.


    ¡°Fu¡ª¡±


    A gremlin took advantage of Cal¡¯s distracted state and slashed him. He felt the sting as thin red lines appeared on his face. The only thing that saved his eyes was reflex. Good thing, because he was pretty sure that they weren¡¯t as tough as his skin.


    The gremlin went in for a bite, but Cal elbowed its face in.


    ¡°Remy! More gremlins!¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Remy choked his last gremlin with an extended chain. ¡°What¡¯re you talking about?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re coming out of the other three sides.¡±


    ¡°Of the school?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°How many?¡± Remy¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°It felt the same as here. So, like eighty, a hundred total. Not sure.¡±


    ¡°What do we do?¡±


    ¡°You call it in. Tell our family. Then the watch. Tell them to pull their patrols in. They¡¯ll be overwhelmed by these numbers.¡±


    ¡°What are you going to do?¡±


    ¡°Going hunting.¡±


    Remy pulled out a walkie-talkie as Cal ran into the darkness.

 2.5

    Now


    Cal sat at his office desk. He pulled up an overhead map of a mostly wooded area, framed by mountains to the north and northwest. He knew from his research that the rest of its boundary was sealed in by a very strong and very tall wall, which was also electrified. The place was roughly pentagonal in shape. It covered almost 300 square miles.


    It was the site of an Encounter Challenge in the early days of the Threnosh¡¯s apocalypse. Since they, as a race, didn¡¯t find much use for the wild spaces of their world it had gone unnoticed. As they knew now that meant it turned into an out of control Spawn Point. It had spewed monsters that took a grave toll on the nearest population centers before the Threnosh were able to fight back and seal it behind a wall that was under constant surveillance and armed with automated defenses.


    That was enough to keep it mostly contained. Only the strongest monsters managed to breach it and were immediately met by Threnosh soldiers.


    However, there was a developing problem. Such breaches had been increasing in the past two years. The Threnosh were finding it harder to respond. Add in the end of their ten year initial phase, which heralded the incursions by singular angelic aliens from the Dominion of Immortal Joy and Light and even the extremely conservative Threnosh realized they needed to change their framework.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been super busy with the T-Men, so I didn¡¯t have a chance to really dive into this place. Which is why I¡¯m glad you¡¯re here, Tides. So, tell me about it.¡±


    ¡°T-Men?¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337¡¯s frown was practically imperceptible. The interrogator, who was not actually functioning in that capacity any longer, was in many ways a victim of their successful handling of Cal¡¯s interrogation sessions, at least in Prime Custodian 3¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just a working name for the project and team.¡± Cal waved the question away. ¡°Please continue.¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 gestured at the holographic projection. ¡°Designation: Spawn Zone 315349. Adequately contained by the wall and automated defensive measures. Primary invasive organism,¡± they tapped on their PID attached to their power armor gauntlet and brought up a still holographic image and several recordings of the monster in question. ¡°Designation: Invasive Organism 1417. Bipedal, segmented body, strong carapace composed of fibrous substance consisting of polysaccharides. Unable to withstand standard ammunition. Biological redundancies enables it to function for an average of twenty seconds despite suffering catastrophic damage. Exhibits reactive camouflage capabilities when at rest. Three known variants. The standard one displayed and two others.¡±


    ¡°Wait a second.¡± Cal took control of the projection. With deft swipes and pinches he focused on a smaller recording and enlarged it. ¡°Dear god, that¡¯s terrifying.¡±


    Invasive Organism 1417¡¯s head, face, resembled that of a sleeping human woman. It was like death masks and coffins of old queens and princesses carved in their likeness. It was a mask that hid the terror beneath. It split open to reveal the monster¡¯s true face. Bulbous, segmented eyes and a maw of sharp mandibles and what looked like jagged teeth. As call watched the recording it tore the front half of an unfortunate Threnosh soldier¡¯s face right off. The metal of their power armor helmet might as well have been made out of paper.


    Cal cringed. ¡°How can you not be affected by this?¡±


    Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 stood straight without apparent concern, as if he was watching a report on projected weather patterns instead of a frightening monster in action. Some of which included killing and devouring others of their race.


    ¡°I do not understand your query.¡±


    ¡°Never mind, show me the other types.¡±


    Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 brought up two more holographic images to accompany the first one. ¡°Classified as heavy variant. Significantly thicker carapace and strength increase at the cost of speed. The third is classified as aerial variant. Membranous wings allow for limited flight capability. Thinner carapace, less physical strength.¡±


    Segmented bodies, chitin carapace, a pair of scythe-like claws. It looked familiar. The bipedal multi-jointed legs threw the picture off. Made it truly scary. ¡°It¡¯s like a person combined with a praying mantis¡­ weird that a lot of these things are humanoid,¡± Cal frowned. ¡°What else might we run into?


    ¡°Organism 1417 is the primary threat. There are also small number of altered native organisms.¡±


    ¡°Any idea on the location of the core?¡±


    Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 zoomed the map to an area of about 10 square miles. It straddled the region where thick forest met mountains. Right in the middle of the entire range. ¡°Surveillance of invasive organism 1417 movement patterns indicate seventy-three point five six two three percent accuracy that the core is located in this area.¡±


    ¡°Any way we can narrow that down?¡±


    ¡°Not without more penetrative scouting measures.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I guess that¡¯s what I¡¯ll be doing tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°You will go by yourself?¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 inflection remained steady, but their eyes widened a fraction.


    ¡°Just to scout. I think this spawn point will be a good proving ground for the team. Might even have the chance to clean it out completely depending on how they progress.¡±


    ¡°Will not cleansing it eliminate a resource to farm, as you called it?¡±


    Cal shook his head. ¡°Our facility is located in the middle of like five different out of control spawn points. I don¡¯t get why you guys put it here in the first place.¡±


    ¡°The Collective determined that your interrogation was to be conducted in this isolated area to protect from potential contamination,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said flatly.


    Cal snorted. ¡°I guess that didn¡¯t work out like they thought.¡±


    ¡°What shall the special candidates be tasked with in your absence?¡±


    ¡°Practice and working on their power armors with the fabricator and engineer. I sent instructions to everyone¡¯s PIDs. I¡¯ll be counting on you and Loaming to make sure everything goes according to plan.¡± Cal looked at the still images of the monsters. ¡°Oh, one last thing. We are going to re-designate those things. We¡¯re going to call them Mantisors. The regular one is just Mantisor. The big one is Mantisor Brute and the one with wings is Mantisor Flier.¡±


    Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 stared at Cal without blinking for what seemed a long time, which he knew was pretty normal. They blinked a lot less often than humans. The time stretched on noticeably longer until the interrogator final spoke. ¡°As you command.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°Riverport, got my gear ready?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Designation: Honor.¡± Fabricator Riverport 11725 directed an automated cart over to Cal.


    ¡°Nice,¡± Cal said appreciatively as he ran his hands over the minigun modified with a handles and a trigger for him, similar to Caretaker¡¯s, but without the need of a gimbal-mounted attachment to an exoskeleton.


    ¡°Two thousand projectiles are already loaded into the carrying case, which I modified as per your vague instructions.¡±


    Cal nodded absently as his eyes drifted to the dark metal object that suspiciously resembled a camping ax. ¡°Is that¡­?¡±


    ¡°Yes, again to your specifications. The ax was made with our densest metal alloy. However, I must inform you that its weight will make it unw¡ª¡±


    Cal picked up the dark gray ax in one hand and gave it a few experimental swings and chops. The smile on his face grew wider. ¡°Now, this takes me back. How¡¯s the edge retention?¡±


    ¡°Adequate.¡±


    ¡°I guess with how heavy it is and my super strength the sharpness won¡¯t be that critical,¡± Cal nodded. ¡°Thanks, Riverport.¡± He tucked the ax under one arm while throwing the large ammo pack over one shoulder and picking up the minigun with his other hand. ¡°I¡¯ll let you know how they perform when I get back.¡± He walked over to the flying van that was waiting to take him to the spawn point.


    Just over fifty miles to travel gave Cal a little bit of time to think. His new weapons led him to think about his old ones. The trusty camping ax that lasted a surprisingly long time before it finally gave its last against a tough foe. The impractical and impossible hand cannon that had him feeling a little bit like a video game character. That gun he lost against another foe, one that he didn¡¯t need to be thinking about, so he shut that off quickly.


    Thinking of the past led to thinking of his family, loved ones, friends. He didn¡¯t know what was worse. Not knowing if they were still okay while he was a world away. Or the knowledge that the day he was able to see them again was also the day that they would be exposed to wonderful visitors like Zalthyss, an angel that apparently ate people for power.


    ¡°Shit, how the fuck can cannibalism be a super power,¡± Cal muttered. ¡°Double shit, if the Dominion are all angel-looking assholes then half the world might sign up on the spot.¡± He groaned. How could he have just realized that possibility? He was too distracted. Maybe he was emotionally off-balance?


    Soon enough the pilot signaled that they were over the target location. A thousand feet over the center of the suspected core site of the spawn point.


    The mantisor fliers couldn¡¯t truly fly. They glided and performed wing-assisted jumps. They had been recorded reaching heights of five hundred feet straight from the ground. A thousand felt safe just to be sure.


    Cal got the distinct impression of malice and hunger coming from the forest below. ¡°Why are all monsters the same?¡±


    ¡°I do not understand the query, Designation: Honor,¡± the pilot said.


    ¡°Just talking to myself,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I will await you at the designated site to convey you back to the facility.¡±


    Cal had ordered the pilot to wait outside the wall at the main southern gate. He wanted to see what it was like traverse the area on foot. It wouldn¡¯t have been a proper scouting mission otherwise.


    ¡°If anything dangerous happens you get out of there,¡± Cal said as he strapped the cumbersome ammo pack over his back. He checked to make sure the ax was secure at his side and gripped the minigun at the ready. ¡°I¡¯ll contact you if anything changes.¡± He opened the side door of the flying van with a touch of his telekinesis and jumped out into bright daylight.


    Cal slowed his fall at the last moment and landed with a thud. There was no super hero landing with the bulky pack on his back.


    The first thing he noticed was how quiet it was. Nothing at all like a proper forest. No animal calls, no rustling of small critters through the brush. Just a bit of wind through the leaves. For all intents and purposes it appeared as if he was the only living thing in the place. His telepathy told him otherwise.


    They were there, around him, converging on his position. Mantisors.


    ¡°I¡¯m not too sure about that now,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°Mantisoids? Mantisorians?¡±


    The first group came at him from behind, but he was already spinning around. Just like the barrels on his minigun.


    Human-like masks suddenly opening up to reveal an insectile face. Cal was glad that there was nothing quite like 2000 rounds a minute to turn nearly anything you wanted into a fine mist.


    Firing the minigun by hand was just as awesome as he expected. Unfortunately the monster density was a lot higher than he had projected. A couple of minutes and he was dry. Piles of mantisor bits surrounded his position. More were coming.


    ¡°Stupid logistics,¡± Cal muttered. ¡°Should¡¯ve done it like the Threnosh. Set up a base camp. Get that drone supply chain going.¡± He hurriedly unclasped the ammunition pack, then set it and the minigun on the forest floor. Ax in hand he rushed for the nearest group of monsters. Best defense is a good offense he had always heard. Besides, he didn¡¯t want to get overwhelmed by sheer numbers, which was going to happen if he stayed in one place.


    The mantisors moved quickly, not super speed fast, more like charging tiger fast. Not fast enough to unduly press Cal¡¯s superior perceptions.


    He threw his ax at the monster in the front. It spun end over end. Only for the handle to smack the monster in its creepy woman-faced mask. Fortunately the ax weighed around fifty pounds. The monster dropped. Its face was crushed.


    The rest of the monsters had covered half the distance to Cal in that second. He threw them back with a forceful shove of his telekinesis. He pictured a big wave that he sent crashing into them.


    He held out his hand and pulled his ax back across the distance. It reached him just as the monster were picking themselves back up off the ground.


    ¡°Classic!¡± Cal laughed. ¡°I wish Eron was here to see that.¡± The smile fell off his face. ¡°I wonder if Riverport and Mechanica can make an electrical discharge mechanism. Maybe get a huge hammer made instead?¡±


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    One mantisor recovered quicker than the rest. It rushed at Cal. He grabbed it with a telekinetic grip. Held it in place while he ran up and took its head off with a swing. Monster blood, red, gushed out of its neck. Cal turned his head away, but not before a few drops struck his face-plate.


    Cal ignored them. He rushed at the rest of the mantisors. One slashed at him with a wicked-looking scythe-arm. He blocked it with a telekinetic shield. He grabbed it and threw it into the other one attacking from the opposite side. He struck at the one coming in from the front with the ax. Then spun and slashed the one that thought to attack from his blindside. Sadly for the monster, telepathy eliminated blind spots.


    Two left. Two swings of the ax.


    Cal took in the bloody scene for a moment to gather himself. He reached out with his telepathy. The situation was unchanged. There were multiple groups of malicious hunger all around him, moving toward his position.


    He suddenly went deathly still. He almost missed it beneath the overwhelming amount of mantisors in the forest. There was still a presence close by. Very close.


    He stalked carefully through the trees, ignoring the large number of monsters moving closer by the second.


    He focused his telepathy. Pushed aside the larger view and narrowed it down to his immediate surroundings.


    There.


    He found it. A thick tree. He narrowed his eyes as he studied the wood of the trunk. It was brown, the surface was rough and knotted.


    Subvocalizing into his helmet he rotated through a variety of scans. It told him the same as his eyes. It was a tree made of wood.


    Cal feigned turning away. Instead he quickly threw his ax at the tree trunk.


    The camouflaged mantisor was already halfway to Cal when the ax sunk into its torso. It crashed to the ground. Cal took his ax out of its chest and lopped its head off.


    It seemed that decapitation was a reliable way to get around their ability to soak damage and keep moving.


    Unfortunately their camouflage ability was extremely dangerous. It had fooled the standard Threnosh sensor suite. That was a problem that needed solving before he took the rest of the team into the spawn point.


    After a quick check with his telepathy to make sure he was actually clear Cal rushed off to meet the next mantisor group.


    <hr>


    ¡°The mantisor nest or hive is in this location.¡± Cal zoomed the holographic map to the spot.


    ¡°There are only trees,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°It¡¯s partially buried in the ground, so that¡¯s why it¡¯s hidden by the trees. It¡¯s pretty huge. Three levels above ground and from my limited scouting I¡¯d estimate at least twice that underground. I sent a bunch of drones scouring the entire spawn point and they found nothing comparable.¡±


    ¡°I note that we are down to ten percent of our drone fleet,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    ¡°Right, so I¡¯m betting that the core is in there.¡± Cal brought up images and recordings of the structure that the helmet camera took.


    It looked like a termite mound, except much larger. Dirt, rocks, large pieces of wood and an enormous amount of leaves all mashed together in a way that looked impossible, yet somehow worked. There were dozens of openings in the section the holographic projection was focused on.


    ¡°It appears that ingress will not be difficult,¡± Primal said.


    ¡°There is no telling if these openings will lead to the place that we seek,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°And what is this core?¡± Kynnro piped up.


    ¡°Did you not read the briefing?¡± Primal scoffed. ¡°It is the place which we must reach to defeat the prime invasive organism.¡±


    ¡°Boss monster,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Correct, that is what I stated.¡± Confusion furrowed Primal¡¯s brow.


    It was strange looking at the smallest Threnosh outside of their power armor. They only came up to Cal¡¯s waist, but the challenging look on their face was encouraging. Aggression and inner fire was something that Cal was hoping to cultivate in the participants of the project.


    Prime Custodian 3 agreed with Cal¡¯s theory that the individualistic attitude missing from much of the Threnosh was the key to obtaining greater power armor and other sundry items. Unique power armor was the providence of a minuscule portion of the Threnosh. With one exception. The Defective, at least the ones permitted by their overseers to venture into the spires, all obtained something unique. If not power armor, than powerful systems like Caretaker¡¯s predictive combat algorithm.


    And thus the reason why the Collective agreed to the project.


    ¡°Must be the spires¡¯ translation system,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°But we¡¯re getting ahead of ourselves. We¡¯ve got to get to the lair before we need to figure out where exactly the core is located.¡±


    ¡°What did you discover in your scouting mission?¡± Caretaker nodded in a very Cal-like fashion.


    ¡°A couple of issues. Mantisor camouflage can defeat baseline Threnosh sensors. And the spawn point is full of them,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯d like to open up the floor for some suggestions on how we want to tackle this.¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor. I have a question. May I ask?¡±


    ¡°Sure, Frequency.¡±


    ¡°What purpose will opening the floor serve? Would we not fall through?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s something my people call a ¡®figure of speech¡¯,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°Basically, what I¡¯m saying is that I¡¯m asking all of you to share any ideas you might have.¡±


    ¡°Invasive organisms are greater in number and strength near the location of the core,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°I have reviewed the recordings of your battle and the number scanned. And I calculate that without your direct support our team will not last beyond three minutes if we enter the zone in the same location.¡±


    ¡°Well, I killed a lot of those things, so depending on respawn times the area might be less populated.¡±


    ¡°A reasonable supposition,¡± Ebbing Tides 2337 said. ¡°However, I must point out that to rely on that assumption is irresponsible.¡±


    ¡°We drop directly over the hive and assault the core before the rest of the spawn zone monsters can reach us,¡± Shira said.


    They were being uncharacteristically vociferous.


    Cal shook his head.


    ¡°Chances of success of such a gambit are too low,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Discussion of tackling the core is pointless,¡± Primal said. ¡°Your own words indicate that without Honor¡¯s involvement our team is too weak to defeat the¡­ boss monster and bring the spawn zone under control.¡±


    ¡°Our purpose is to grow strong,¡± Frequency said. ¡°Then that is what we must do.¡±


    Caretaker nodded. ¡°We start at the outer edge of the spawn zone. We fight our way through to the hive, while establishing a proper supply chain. This accomplishes multiple aims. By fighting mantisors we gain practical experience and Universal Points. We gain strength enough to challenge the core and defeat the boss monster.¡±


    ¡°I concur,¡± Shira said quickly.


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°I defer to Honor¡¯s judgment,¡± Kynnro said as she looked over to Cal.


    Primal merely grunted.


    ¡°Sounds like a plan,¡± Cal said. ¡°We¡¯ve got three more weeks with you as my primary focus. So, why don¡¯t we say two weeks of spawn point clearing. Get practice as team against the mantisors. Gain points. You¡¯ll hit the spire for your next upgrades. Then the last week I¡¯ll join you in attacking the hive, taking out that core and the boss monsters.¡±


    ¡°That is acceptable,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Alright, Loaming, Tides. Can you please get together with Riverport and Mechanica. I¡¯ll leave the details of the resupply chain up to you guys. I¡¯m thinking we¡¯re going to need lots of ammo and way to get it to us quickly and we¡¯ll need the larger transport for Primal,¡± Cal said. ¡°Can you get that reserved for our use?¡±


    ¡°Your words are difficult to understand,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said. ¡°However, I believe that I understand your request. It will be done.¡±


    Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 nodded as well.


    ¡°Great planning session, guys,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°It¡¯s only been a week, but I think you¡¯ve already come a long way.¡±


    <hr>


    The spire-produced exoskeleton was seamlessly integrated into Caretaker¡¯s baseline infantry power armor. The strength increase it provided allowed for a larger ammunition pack, which meant that they were no longer empty after one sustained burst. This didn¡¯t mean they could squeeze the trigger and sweep their weapon indiscriminately across their enemy¡¯s path. Precision was still a requirement.


    Caretaker was responsible for the 270 to 360 quadrant of their circular formation. Aligned to the north, south longitude line, as was standard procedure.


    Mantisors came rushing through the trees.


    Caretaker¡¯s minigun whirred as they sent projectiles into the spots where the invasive organisms were going to be. Light squeezes of the trigger sent just the right amount of metal death into mantisor bodies to render them combat ineffective if not outright killing them. As Honor had learned, outside of completely destroying the body, decapitation was the most reliably way to gain a quick kill.


    To Caretaker¡¯s right in the 0 to 90 quadrant, Frequency created a zone of sound that violently vibrated the insides of the mantisors with frightening quickness. They moved fast, but none could get any closer than a three meters from the Threnosh before they collapsed to the ground, leaking a gooey slurry from their orifices.


    Directly to Caretaker¡¯s back, Primal held the 90 to 180 quadrant. Unlike Caretaker, Primal¡¯s use of their weapons was indiscriminate. Their massively strong power armor could carry much more ammunition. They didn¡¯t need to watch their rate of fire. Minigun and grenade launcher tore everything in the space in front of them to pieces. Nothing was spared. Trees, bushes, plants, the very ground itself. It was difficult to distinguish the bits and pieces of the mantisors from the rest of the rubble, but they were certainly there.


    In the 180 to 270 quadrant, Kynnro created blooming, hot death. As part of their preparation Caretaker had Primal knock down and haul away dozens of trees so that Kynnro would have a clear space where they wouldn¡¯t need to worry about starting a forest fire. The Threnosh sprayed the flammable ash cloud in the mantisors¡¯ path and set it on fire with their laser when the invasive organisms ran headlong into it. The immense heat cooked their insides and robbed them of oxygen, so that when they staggered out of the cloud of fire they were easily cut apart by Kynnro¡¯s more powerful laser. Lances of light swept across their bodies, straight through tough carapaces.


    The invasive organisms briefly clung to life, but there wasn¡¯t much they could do when they were in multiple pieces on the forest floor.


    Shira had the least to do. Filled with fresh blood they were responsible for any mantisors that made it past each individual quadrant¡¯s kill zone. On the rare occasion that one made it through unscathed they met it in a blur of slashing claws and cutting scythes. The Threnosh proved superior each time.


    The engagement took mere minutes when Caretaker¡¯s algorithm told them that there were no longer any immediate threats in their quadrant. They turned to the others and found them similarly finishing theirs.


    ¡°Status report.¡±


    ¡°Clear.¡± Primal crushed a wriggling mantisor with a massive metal hand.


    ¡°Clear,¡± Kynnro piped.


    ¡°Clear,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°Shira?¡± Caretaker had to look around to find them.


    The black-clad Threnosh had one hand deep inside a mantisor¡¯s chest cavity. The invasive organism movements grew steadily weaker as they drained it of its vital fluids. ¡°Clear.¡±


    Shira stood at attention, though Caretaker could see their eyes darting to the numerous bodies of dead and dying mantisors.


    ¡°Fill your stores,¡± Caretaker said.


    The excitement Shira displayed disturbed Caretaker. They suspected that it was subconscious. That Shira didn¡¯t truly realize how their behavior appeared. The two had fought together for some time and the changes in Shira were measurable. It made them a better combatant, but it also meant they were moving further away from how a true Threnosh behaved.


    A frown creased Caretaker¡¯s brow. They were deemed defective. Was this their path? By fighting for their world were they also removing themselves from it? Even such thoughts, they realized, were not of the Threnosh. They longed for an answer, but they knew bitterly that is precisely what made them defective.


    ¡°Kynnro, battery level?¡±


    The sleek-armored Threnosh glanced at the battery pack on the ground behind them. It was connected by a heavy duty cable to the back of their trueskin. ¡°The engagement drained sixty-three percent.¡±


    Caretaker nodded. The external battery that provided added power for Kynnro¡¯s enhanced laser was created by the fabricator and engineer in the span of two days. It allowed Kynnro to be effective in extended combat, but limited their mobility, which limited the team¡¯s mobility in turn. This wasn¡¯t a hindrance to their defensive strategy.


    Caretaker had decided that the camouflage ability and speed of the mantisors meant that their ambush capability was especially dangerous. To counter this they would have the invasive organisms come to them in a position of their choosing. Thus they cleared the spawn zone by staking out defensive positions and drawing the mantisors to them.


    At times they had Primal snipe distant targets with his bow until the mantisors attacked. Other times, Shira would go out alone into the forest, attack a mantisor, then retreat back to their set position. Apparently, Honor¡¯s people had a name for the tactic. Drawing aggro. Caretaker was still having difficulty with Honor¡¯s speech patterns. The human avoided simply stating things in the most direct manner.


    ¡°Shira,¡± Caretaker spoke into their helmet.


    ¡°Yes, subleader.¡± Shira¡¯s response came back almost immediately into Caretaker¡¯s ear holes.


    ¡°Did you obtain enough fluid to scout our next target zone?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but my stores are not filled. I can obtain more.¡±


    ¡°Negative, this task is to scout.¡±


    There was a pause. ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Caretaker watched Shira¡¯s black-colored form melt away into the shadows of the thick tree cover. The way the surface of the trueskin seemed to drink in the darkness bothered them on a level they couldn¡¯t articulate.


    ¡°Shira will scout our next target zone. We will perform necessary repairs and rearm.¡±


    ¡°I require assistance,¡± Primal said.


    Caretaker nodded. Then they went over to the ammunition crates stacked in the center of their four quadrants and began the process of reloading Primal.


    As they worked, they wondered what Honor would say of their performance over the last two planetary revolutions. They had not been in direct contact for that entire length of time.


    Honor was back at their temporary base camp just outside the spawn zone¡¯s perimeter wall. Far enough away that they couldn¡¯t rely on him for immediate aid, but close enough to intervene in the event of total disaster.


    Caretaker was determined to avoid that. They would consider the overall task a failure even if they achieved their objectives if Honor was forced to intervene in an incident outside the plan.


    The experience under Honor¡¯s leadership was certainly strange. The closest thing that it reminded them of was their earliest days in the creche. At least before their defect was detected and they were removed. The team was being trained to function with complete autonomy. They had a limited amount of time to achieve this capability. As far as they were concerned the sooner they proved their capabilities the sooner they could leave Honor¡¯s creche and begin proving their worth to the Threnosh.


    <hr>


    Ten years it had slept in deep darkness, placed inside its chamber in the heart of a mountain of solid stone. How that was possible? None could say or at least any that could were worlds distant.


    Perhaps in time the denizens of this world, newly drawn into the spires¡¯ network would gain enough knowledge to begin deciphering its mysteries. To do that they needed to grow strong enough to survive and thrive long enough to see such an outcome unfold.


    Sadly, the probability was slight. Most worlds drawn in were destroyed by the monsters or subjugated by those rare worlds that triumphed over their own monsters.


    None of this mattered to the monster that slowly woke. It only knew that it was hungry. That it needed to feed. It was a ravening thing deep inside that was all-consuming. And so it began to dig out of its impossibly hollowed-out womb inside a mountain.


    The Threnosh had cataloged every Encounter Zone, Spawn Zone and Invasive Organism that they had discovered. They had sought out as much as they could. To them comprehensive knowledge was the key to unlocking what had befallen their world. The key to formulating a detailed plan to respond to the changes. Randomness was not something that they were culturally equipped to handle.


    Ten years of meticulous study and planning was upended in one moment of awakening.

 2.6

    Now


    ¡°Hey guys, just had an idea,¡± Cal said.


    The holographic projections of Tides, Loaming, Riverport, and Mechanica shared a look of alarm, though at varying degrees of discernibility.


    Cal suppressed a grin. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s nothing crazy. Just a tiny bit of clarification,¡± he held up his thumb and forefinger close together.


    ¡°We will attempt to fulfill our tasks as always,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said, as the other three gave slight nods.


    ¡°Right, good to hear, but first I¡¯d like to thank all of you on the great job putting together the supply line for the team. It really allowed them to maximize their time out in the field. They¡¯re really clearing through the place at a good rate with only a few hiccups. I was wondering if you received Quests¡­ I mean Tasks, in regard to that whole thing and if you got rewards?¡±


    ¡°I can only speak for myself, for it is not customary among the Threnosh to share details of the sacred Tasks.¡±


    Cal tried not to chuckle at the hidden reproach in Tides¡¯ voice. They were getting pretty good at that.


    ¡°I have indeed received Universal Points for partial completion. It is stated that more will be granted upon further advancement. Successful completion of the entire Task will yield the final amount. Designation: Honor, I must request your forbearance in the matter of the specific number of points.¡±


    Cal wanted to laugh at the graveness in the interrogator¡¯s voice. Then he reminded himself not to be a dick. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, your points and what you do with them is your business.¡± He regarded the other three. ¡°Same for you guys?¡±


    ¡°Correct,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    ¡°Yes, Designation: Honor,¡± Fabricator Riverport 11725 inclined their head.


    ¡°I have the same experience, Honor,¡± Engineer Verdant Mechanica 3581 said.


    ¡°Good to hear. So, to my question. Do you know where the Universal Points from kills made by the drones and automated turrets go?¡±


    ¡°We¡ª¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 began before Cal cut them off with a raised hand.


    ¡°I know, but I¡¯m not a Threnosh, so technically it¡¯s not a problem to tell me.¡±


    ¡°As I was about to state. We do not have access to that information.¡±


    ¡°And who would?¡±


    ¡°A Threnosh with command authority, perhaps,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    ¡°You may inquire with Prime Custodian 3,¡± Engineer Verdant Mechanica 3581 suggested.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to bother PC3 with what might be a trivial matter.¡± Cal left out that he had already tried and Prime Custodian 3 hadn¡¯t replied in a couple of days. Was he being ghosted?


    ¡°I may have an answer,¡± Fabricator Riverport 11725 said.


    The two interrogators¡¯ holographic projections turned to look at the fabricator. Cal stifled another laugh. If looks could kill, Riverport was going to be in trouble.


    ¡°I officially request that you continue Fabricator Riverport 11725,¡± Cal said. With it made official none could find fault with Riverport for answering, technically.


    ¡°I am acquainted with drone operators and they have stated that they received Universal Points for killing invasive organisms.¡±


    ¡°Does direct control matter? Or do they receive points if they merely set the patrol and engagement parameters and leave the execution to the drone¡¯s virtual intelligence?¡±


    ¡°I do not know.¡±


    ¡°Thanks Riverport, that¡¯s useful info,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°So, as you know the mantisors tend to leave the supply caches alone for some reason. They only attack moving drones or if they¡¯re fired on first. Even then it seems random whether they leave the crates alone or not. Projections indicate that the team will clear the staging area for the next phase of the plan within the week. We will assault the hive directly. There are currently no signs of mantisors in the already cleared areas. However, we can¡¯t assume that will remain the case. We don¡¯t want more monsters spawning and coming to the hive¡¯s aid. That¡¯d leave us surrounded.¡±


    ¡°You intend to implement a tactic to keep the cleared areas free of invasive organisms,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    Cal smiled. They were a sharp one. ¡°Actually, I was planning on giving you four that task.¡±


    ¡°Explain¡­ Designation: Honor,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said with a little bit of an edge to their voice.


    ¡°Drones and automated turrets,¡± Cal said. ¡°I want the cleared areas flooded with them. If mantisors spawn they¡¯ll be kept busy enough so that they won¡¯t be able to come directly to the hive¡¯s aid.¡±


    ¡°Those parameters can be easily set,¡± Engineer Verdant Mechanica 3581 said. The look on their face suggested confusion. It was a little hard for Cal to tell. He didn¡¯t know them that well.


    ¡°True, but then who gets the points? My idea maximizes the point gathering efficiency. The four of you will all take time out of your schedules to directly control the drones and turrets. This way you get more points. Everyone wins!¡±


    ¡°But we are not authorized to control drones and turrets,¡± Fabricator Riverport 11725 said.


    ¡°We lack the knowledge,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 added.


    Cal¡¯s fingers danced across his PID.


    The holographic projections of all four Threnosh looked down in unison.


    ¡°You have just granted us authorization to use the drone training simulation programs,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said flatly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget the automated weapons program,¡± Cal said. ¡°I do have the authority. Anything that furthers the aims of this project¡­ within reason.¡±


    ¡°How much of our drone and turret count will we be using?¡± The ever practical engineer spoke.


    ¡°All of them.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I expect we¡¯ll lose a lot of them for this particular task,¡± Cal said. ¡°We can always get more.¡±


    ¡°How? We have received our allotment for this cycle,¡± Engineer Verdant Mechanica 3581 said.


    ¡°You have all the equipment you need to make them, we can get the raw materials ourselves. I believe that there are untapped streams of all sorts of metal ores in the surrounding mountains.¡± Cal took in the looks of concern growing on the fabricator¡¯s and engineer¡¯s faces. So he took pity on them. ¡°Or we can purchase drones and turrets from the spire. They¡¯re of better quality, as spire-produced versions tend to be.¡±


    ¡°The cost,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°Is not a concern. At least after we clear the hive and defeat the boss monsters. There¡¯ll be plenty of Universal Points.¡±


    What Cal didn¡¯t add was that he intended to cleanse the spawn point. Bring it under their control and turn it into the perfect place to farm points. Eventually, he¡¯d figure out how to bring the rest of the Threnosh into the concept, while charging a nominal fee from the Collective for access. The latter goal was admittedly a long shot.


    At worst he¡¯d just set a small tax on all Universal Points earned in the zone. Since that was something overseen by the spire there was nothing anyone could do to stop it outside of somehow compelling him to rescind the tax. As far as he could tell there was no one and nothing on this world that was capable of making him do that.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look so worried, guys. Think of this as just another opportunity to gain new knowledge,¡± Cal said. ¡°In my world people love cross-training.¡±


    <hr>


    After their first several days in the spawn zone they had enough data to create a plan they were confident with. Honor stayed out of it for the most part letting the team handle the specifics of the daily tactical plan, while keeping control over the larger strategic plan.


    Drone surveillance indicated that whenever they started operations mantisors in a roughly ten mile radius would move to their position and attack. Thus they worked their way closer to the hive location in an ever tightening circle. They stuck to the forested areas as the southern open grassland was largely devoid of the invasive organisms due to the overwatch provided by the automated turrets on the wall.


    By the same token the mountain range to the north was a harsh terrain that was also sparsely populated. Mostly with the mantisor flier variant.


    With each day they grew closer to their ultimate goal.


    The team was gathered at their furthest resupply cache site.


    ¡°The next battle will take place within the projected area of the hive¡¯s influence. We must be ready for a more difficult defense. Honor¡¯s projections indicate we may face stronger mantisors and the variants,¡± Caretaker said.


    Primal made a noise.


    ¡°Do you disagree with that assessment?¡± Caretaker stared up at the hulking, eight foot tall power armor.


    ¡°You lend unearned credence to Honor¡¯s words. Do you forget that he is an outworld invader?¡±


    ¡°Honor has guided us to greater strength,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°To his own ends,¡± Primal said. ¡°We gain strength, but who truly benefits? Do not forget that we exist to serve the purposes of those above us. Honor is no different. He will use us as his plans require. What then when we are no longer part of those plans?¡±


    ¡°My strength grows and I desire more,¡± Shira said. ¡°Your words are meaningless to my purpose.¡±


    ¡°Primal, you are no longer under the jurisdiction of your former leader. Have you not read the terms of Honor¡¯s project?¡± Caretaker challenged.


    ¡°I have.¡±


    ¡°Then you know that upon successful completion of this initial phase, we will be granted unprecedented autonomy.¡±


    ¡°Caretaker is correct,¡± Frequency said. ¡°We will be only answerable to a Prime and the Collective. Even Honor will only claim to advise us.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Kynnro said. ¡°He does not seek control like the others we have served under.¡±


    ¡°I hear your words,¡± Primal said. ¡°However, I still state that it is a miscalculation to trust an outworld invader blindly.¡±


    ¡°Honor has not directed us improperly,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°It has only been a short time. The true test of his intent will be revealed upon the end of the initial phase.¡±


    ¡°Enough inefficient words,¡± Shira said. ¡°Do we not have the next step to discuss?¡±


    ¡°Primal, do you wish to continue this line of discussion?¡±


    ¡°I do not, Caretaker¡­ for now.¡±


    ¡°Very well. Once the drones establish our next supply cache we will travel to the location and begin engagement measures. However, in light of the possibility that we will be inside the hive¡¯s influence added caution will be taken. We will reduce the initial aggro drawing radius,¡± Caretaker looked to Shira. ¡°You will draw aggro this time. However, you will not traverse further than one hundred meters from the defense site. In addition, we will deploy multiple drones and automated turrets to bolster our defense.¡±


    ¡°That means there will be less Universal Points for us,¡± Primal said.


    Caretaker nodded. ¡°A necessary loss for the overall goal.¡±


    ¡°Will the drones and turrets be under direct control?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Kynnro.¡±


    ¡°Then they better stay out of my way or strike me in the back,¡± Primal said.


    ¡°According to Honor¡ª¡±


    Primal made a sound, but didn¡¯t say a word.


    Caretaker continued. ¡°¡ªThey run through training simulations when not performing necessary duties. I have also reviewed the data from their initial missions in patrolling the areas we have already cleared. I calculate that their performance will be adequate to our purpose.¡±


    ¡°Patrolling empty areas and running training simulations is not comparable to live combat. In addition, our team has not worked with them. I have concerns,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°The earliest areas we cleared have already begun respawning invasive organisms. They have live combat experience. As to your latter point. I concede. However, the drones and turrets will be necessary in the event that we are forced to withdraw. Without the added support the probability that we will be overwhelmed rises to an unacceptable level.¡±


    ¡°Honor will not let that happen,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°He will only intervene in the worst case scenario. There stands the probability that we suffer losses in that event.¡±


    ¡°I do not share your concerns, Caretaker,¡± Primal said. ¡°These mantisors have yet to lay a scythe on my trueskin. We will continue to shred through them.¡±


    Caretaker frowned, but said nothing. It was better to be confident before a battle. To be scared and uncertain meant you had already lost before it had even begun. However, all their studies and experiences had taught them that there was such a thing as too much confidence.


    <hr>


    The forest was awash in a cacophony of violence.


    Caretaker was grateful for the automatic noise dampening features in their helmet. Sounds that distracted, like the incessant chittering from the mantisors, were relegated to the background. They could focus on more important things. Like calls from the rest of their team and giving out orders.


    ¡°Primal, switch with Frequency.¡±


    The majority of the attack came from the northern position. Through quadrants 270 to 360 and 0 to 90. Caretaker occupied the former, while Frequency held the latter. Frequency¡¯s sound attack was effective, but took time to affect the mantisors. They were having difficulty keeping up with the numbers.


    ¡°Shira, hold the quadrant for the switch.¡±


    The Threnosh made a strange sound that had Caretaker reflexively glancing in their direction before they snapped their focus back to their own quadrant. They swept their gimbal-mounted minigun with precise bursts across their quadrant. Impossibly accurate fire cut the mantisors into immobile pieces. The combat algorithm kept the monsters from reaching their position.


    ¡°Kynnro, fire cloud in Primal¡¯s quadrant.¡±


    The sleekly armored Threnosh complied without a word and set the space on fire.


    By the time the flaming cloud dispersed, Frequency was in place to lay down their field of liquefying sound waves. The mantisors on fire now felt their insides vibrate until they were goo.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°Assistance required!¡± Kynnro¡¯s high voice climb even higher as the mantisors in their quadrant took advantage of the momentary distraction to near their position. A burning bright laser cut one in half, but that left two others and the laser needed a few seconds to recharge.


    ¡°Shira!¡± Caretaker fought to keep their attention focused on the ones they faced. They would have to trust in their teammates.


    Shira¡¯s reply was very much like a hiss. The black-clad Threnosh blurred into the mantisors right before they reached Kynnro.


    Shira tore into the mantisors faster than the rest of their teammates could follow. The mantisors struck back, but they were slower and the damage they inflicted on Shira¡¯s armor repaired itself as it drank in the monsters¡¯ blood.


    The respite was momentary for the team. They were still in danger of being overwhelmed.


    ¡°Deploy drones and turrets,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337¡¯s voice came in over the communications system.


    In the supply area at the center of the Threnosh¡¯s formation, automated turrets came to life. Roughly half the size of a baseline infantry power armored Threnosh, a single turret featured a minigun and thousands of rounds of ammunition. It rolled on a continuous track system made for a wide range of different terrain.


    Two turrets for each quadrant rolled out into position.


    Caretaker stepped back behind them. ¡°Fall back to the center.¡±


    ¡°No, I do not require aid,¡± Primal said. Safely ensconced behind their massive power armor the Threnosh continued to rain projectiles and grenades on the attacking mantisors. Any that made it through the devastation was smashed with massive metal fists.


    Caretaker frowned. ¡°Support Primal, freely fire in the rest of the quadrants.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± The voice came back through the comms.


    The automated turrets spun to life and raked fire into the oncoming mantisors.


    Drones strafed the monsters from above.


    ¡°There are many more than our previous battles,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°We must re-assess our tactical plan,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Caretaker, I must re-engage. My strength must grow. Their blood must flow into me.¡± Shira ignored them.


    Caretaker shook their head.


    ¡°But Primal still fights.¡± Shira¡¯s voice was almost a growl.


    ¡°If we are overrun we risk losing all of our progress to date. If Honor is forced to intervene, he may not allow us to face this challenge again until we are stronger,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Is that not the proper course? If we are currently too weak, then should we not grow stronger.¡± Frequency¡¯s voice was calm and clear.


    ¡°Yessss.¡± Shira¡¯s gaze bored into Caretaker.


    ¡°A week remains before others join the project. We must set the right path for those behind us to follow.¡± What Caretaker didn¡¯t say was that they didn¡¯t want to give the newcomers a chance to surpass them in Honor¡¯s eyes. ¡°We will fall back to our previous position. Take a moment to rest.¡±


    The moment ended when several somethings dropped into the center of their position from high up in the trees.


    Mantisors, except thinner, with sleek carapaces, almost fragile-looking. They descended with loud buzzing from thin, membranous wings.


    One lashed at Caretaker¡¯s head with a scythe-like forelimb. The predictive algorithm saved their life, showed them the path of the descending scythe and where to block.


    Caretaker thrust his minigun out. The mantisor¡¯s scythe cut through one of the barrels, but was stopped by the rest. They twisted their gun and forced the mantisor to the ground. The hard metal of their power armor cracked the carapace. It was significantly more fragile than the standard variant.


    With one forelimb stuck in Caretaker¡¯s gun and the other pinned to the ground, the mantisor was helpless as the Threnosh punched it in the face with a metal-clad fist until its head was pulp.


    Nearby, Frequency fell to their back while reflexively throwing up a sound wave with an intensity driven by panic. This combined with the mantisor flier¡¯s fragility meant that in a split second the monster¡¯s fluids flowed freely from hundreds of fractures all over its carapace as it lay still on the forest floor.


    Weakened by the exertion, Frequency struggled to their feet in desperation.


    They needn¡¯t have been concerned. For Shira had torn most of the remaining mantisor fliers to pieces before they could go on the attack. All except for one.


    This one had latched on to Kynnro¡¯s back and was in the process of slashing the hard pack containing the ashen cloud substance to shreds.


    ¡°Aid is required!¡± Kynnro¡¯s voice was extremely high as they struggled helplessly beneath the mantisor. Their power armor lacked additional strength enhancements. Which meant that they weren¡¯t any stronger than a human their size, which in this case meant a child in between the ages of eight and ten.


    A slash or two more and the monster would reach Kynnro¡¯s fragile body.


    Caretaker didn¡¯t let that happen. One precise shot from his recoilless rifle exploded the mantisor fliers head.


    ¡°Tactical withdrawal,¡± Caretaker said. They shed the ruined gimbal-mounted minigun and ammunition pack before hurrying over to help Kynnro do the same to their destroyed hard pack.¡±


    ¡°Wait, I must not leave it,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°You may purchase another or perhaps the engineer and fabricator can create a duplicate.¡± Caretaker frowned. ¡°Primal, we are withdrawing.¡±


    Primal still fought in his quadrant, heedless of what had transpired behind him.


    ¡°Primal, I shall contact Honor.¡± Caretaker didn¡¯t like hearing those words coming out of their mouth, but there was no choice. They were on the verge of disaster. ¡°I require you to provide transport for Frequency and Kynnro.¡±


    Primal grumbled but they slowly backed away from the mantisors assaulting their position. Their minigun spat and their grenade launcher barked every step of the way until they reached Caretaker and the rest.


    The Threnosh brought his massive metal hands low to the ground and held them open palm up. ¡°Climb on.¡±


    ¡°Withdraw to our previous position,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Primal said.


    As soon as Frequency and Kynnro were in his palms, Primal took off. Their steps shook the ground as they melted out of sight into the forest.


    ¡°Shira, you and I will provide rearguard.¡±


    ¡°If you leave me, I will kill them all,¡± Shira said. Their eyes seemed to burn red through the lenses of their helmet.


    Caretaker chalked it up to the small fires burning around them.


    ¡°No. Will you challenge my orders like Primal?¡±


    For a moment it seemed as if Shira was going to do just that.


    With one last lingering look at the carnage around them, Shira seemed to deflate just a little. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Drones and turrets will delay the mantisors at all costs,¡± Caretaker said into his comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged, however we are down to thirty percent of our drones,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°The flying variant is adept at taking them out of the air,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 said.


    Caretaker turned to look at the battle and sure enough a drone was in the middle of a strafing run when a mantisor flier swooped down from a tree branch and sliced it apart with its scythe-like forelimbs.


    ¡°Understood, do what you can,¡± Caretaker said.


    They and Shira turned and ran after the rest of their team.


    It wasn¡¯t a complete disaster, but it was close. Much too close.


    Their first step into the hive influenced area was met with nearly overwhelming numbers and the deployment of the flying variant. They had yet to see the heavy variant. What else awaited them as they moved closer to their goal? Were they even capable of continuing further or was Honor¡¯s aid required?


    No. That would be a failure that Caretaker wasn¡¯t going to allow.


    <hr>


    ¡°Drone complement in the spawn zone is depleted. Fixed turrets are available at supply cache sites. However, at current mantisor density they will prove insufficient,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    Something about the interrogator¡¯s flat voice made Caretaker want to reach through the comms and strangle them. They pushed the feeling down. They reminded themselves that it must not be. The nearly uncontrollable anger that was not supposed to be present in a proper Threnosh.


    ¡°Understood. We will require immediate extraction,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Heavy transport is unavailable,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    The anger bubbled and threatened to erupt out of Caretaker until a dreaded, yet welcomed voice came through the comms.


    ¡°What¡¯s your closest supply site,¡± Honor said.


    Caretaker consulted the readout projected in their face-plate¡¯s display. ¡°Site five. We are nine point two seven minutes out.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be there, take care of yourselves,¡± Honor said.


    ¡°Acknowle¡ª¡±


    ¡°Contact!¡±


    Shira¡¯s voice cut through all the noise, physical and mental that Caretaker had been dealing with.


    They turned to the location that Shira had transmitted. The coordinates were highlighted in their display.


    Caretaker dropped to one knee and raised their recoilless rifle. Their predictive algorithm guided their shots. Three head shots in quick succession. The mantisors ran on for a few dozen yards before their bodies caught up to their dead brains and dropped to the ground.


    ¡°More!¡±


    ¡°Location?¡±


    ¡°Everywhere!¡±


    Shira sounded excited.


    ¡°Do not engage!¡± Caretaker turned and ran after Primal¡¯s thudding footsteps. ¡°Shira, I repeat, do not engage. Form up on me.¡±


    There was no answer. Caretaker thought for a moment that Shira had disobeyed. They were about to turn around when a dark blur quickly caught up to them and fell into stride next to them.


    ¡°Understood and acknowledged,¡± Shira said. ¡°I calculate they will catch up to us well before we reach the extraction site.¡±


    ¡°I concur,¡± Caretaker said. They stopped and turned and fired a burst before continuing to run. Somewhere in the forest three more mantisors died.


    ¡°If you let me I can¡ª¡± Shira began.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°We must turn and fight,¡± Primal¡¯s voice came in over the comms. ¡°I do not run and running in this scenario is pointless. If we turn and fight. We may give Honor time to reach us.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Caretaker said again. They looked back as they ran. Thought about what they wanted to accomplish and let the combat algorithm work. A few seconds later a ghostly overlay appeared in their vision. ¡°Primal, I am sending you coordinates. On my mark launch a spread of grenades targeting them in sequence.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Primal said.


    Caretaker waited until the algorithm told them it was time. ¡°Mark.¡±


    Primal¡¯s grenade launcher barked several times. The grenades flew in an arc over Caretaker and Shira as they ran.


    The explosions came a few seconds later right in the midst of the front mass of pursuing mantisors.


    ¡°How many did I kill?¡±


    ¡°You can count your points in the spire,¡± Shira said. They looked back. ¡°I can see them. Many are dead and incapacitated. The rest are confused. I calculate that we will arrive at the extraction site at the same time that they will catch up to us.¡±


    Caretaker looked back and let the algorithm do its work. ¡°I concur.¡±


    A sudden chime sounded in Caretaker¡¯s ear holes. Words filled their ears and text filled their vision. They almost stumbled.


    Task Received.


    Survive.


    Success Parameters: Survival.


    Failure Parameters: Death.


    Reward: 1000 Universal Points.


    You will accept.


    ¡°Impossible.¡±


    ¡°What is this?¡± Shira nearly stumbled alongside Caretaker.


    Caretaker¡¯s thoughts were jumbled. This was the first Task that they directly received from the god¡ª spires. The scant number of Tasks that they had received in the past had always been initiated by someone else. The Prime and more frequently, Honor.


    ¡°Did everyone receive the same task?¡± Caretaker spoke into their comms.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Primal said.


    Kynnro and Frequency echoed the same.


    ¡°Then we must survive,¡± Caretaker said.


    <hr>


    Shira blurred around Caretaker, as the latter fired desperately into the mass of mantisors.


    Torn monster parts dotted the space around the Threnosh, but they were trapped. In an effort to slow down their pursuers to give the other three the time to reach the extraction point, they were about to be overwhelmed.


    ¡°Flee, Caretaker, I will hold them!¡± Shira hissed.


    Caretaker did not reply it was taking all of their concentration to follow the frantic instructions their predictive algorithm was blasting to all their senses in an attempt to keep them alive.


    Two shots to the right.


    Two mantisor heads burst.


    Drop to one knee.


    Avoided the scything forelimb by mere inches.


    Spin and fi¡ª dive to the left. Let Shira handle it.


    Burst fire. There, there, there. Fall back three steps, quickly. Burst fire.


    Their recoilless rifle spat out.


    ¡°Caretaker!¡± Shira¡¯s voice was a hiss in the comms. ¡°You will die if you do not flee now!¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    Do not move.


    Caretaker obeyed.


    A thousand projectiles raked either side of Caretaker and Shira. Grenades thumped beyond their position. Mantisors died by the dozens.


    ¡°Fall back.¡± Primal¡¯s voice came in over the comms as their power armor thundered toward the pair.


    ¡°Primal¡ª¡± Caretaker began.


    ¡°Frequency and Kynnro will reach the extraction point in two minutes. I will commence a fighting withdrawal,¡± Primal said.


    Caretaker was about to protest, but Shira grabbed their arm and roughly pulled them up then pushed them toward the extraction point until they started running.


    It wasn¡¯t until they were already halfway to the extraction point did Caretaker realize that Shira wasn¡¯t running with them.


    Caretaker was chased by the sounds of battle. Several times they were tempted to turn around, but pragmatism kept them running forward. There was nothing they could have done at this point. Only add themselves to the losses.


    Shira was likely to survive. Their speed, strength and ability to self-repair would keep them alive. There was no shortage of blood for their trueskin to feast on.


    Primal was questionable. Their trueskin was covered in thick armor, but they were not invulnerable to being swarmed. With enough time and bodies the mantisors would be able to cut their way through.


    As soon as Caretaker reached the extraction point they were greeted by Honor descending from somewhere above in the darkness of the fallen night.


    ¡°Where are the other two?¡±


    Caretaker saw Honor¡¯s serious expression through his helmet¡¯s translucent face-plate. A rare sight that made them concerned for Shira and Primal.


    ¡°They are slowing the mantisors.¡±


    Honor sighed. ¡°Of course they did.¡± He looked out into the dark forest. In the direction of the missing two. ¡°Good. They¡¯re still fighting.¡± He nodded at Caretaker. ¡°Resupply, quickly. Then we¡¯ll pick Shira and Primal up and be on our way.¡±


    Caretaker hurriedly grabbed more ammunition from the supply crates. They noticed that Kynnro and Frequency were now armed with the same type of recoilless rifle.


    ¡°All set,¡± Honor said. ¡°Try to relax. Imagine you are riding in one of your flying transports.¡±


    Without further explanation Caretaker suddenly felt themselves being lifted into the air. They looked around in a vain attempt to discern what was happening. The looks on both Kynnro and Frequency mirrored their own.


    Caretaker looked to Honor. He was standing, except there was nothing but air beneath his feet. One gauntleted hand was pointed in their direction. It was held in a cupped position as if it was carrying something.


    ¡°Try not to move too much, makes it harder for me. I¡¯ll point you in the right directions. All you have to do is pick your shots. No reason not to get more points,¡± Honor said. There was something off about his voice. It lacked the usual relaxed tone.


    ¡°We will comply,¡± Caretaker said as they gave Kynnro and Frequency a look. They hoped the other two would be able to comply. For they were having a difficult time accepting what was occurring. The scanners in their helmet indicated nothing that could explain Honor hauling them all through the air. However, the sensor package of the baseline infantry power armor was neither the most powerful nor precise.


    Caretaker suddenly felt their body being turned to face a section of the forest floor, some two hundred feet below. A glance to either side of them revealed that Kynnro and Frequency were directed to different areas.


    ¡°Get ready,¡± Honor said.


    They flew faster and in a matter of seconds they reached Shira and Primal.


    The former was nowhere in sight, though Caretaker surmised that with the darkness of the environment it would be difficult to spot a black-colored blur rushing about. There were certainly enough scattered mantisor bodies and parts to mark Shira¡¯s passage.


    Primal, however, was easy to spot. Their power armor was mobbed by dozens of mantisors. Their mounted weaponry had since been destroyed and they were reduced to pulling and swatting at the invasive organisms with their metal hands.


    Caretaker focused on Primal¡¯s position and let their predictive algorithm guide their shots. They emptied their magazine to give Primal some space.


    The surface armor on Primal¡¯s stomach slid open to reveal twenty-one barrels. They turned to face the largest mass of attacking mantisors and fired repeatedly until the large swath of space in front of them was cleared. No more mantisors, trees, bushes, everything was gone.


    ¡°Nice job, Primal,¡± Honor said through the comms. ¡°Play time is over. Time to go.¡±


    ¡°I am not finished,¡± Primal said hotly.


    As they spoke more mantisors appeared out of the darkness. On the ground the standard variants numbered in the hundreds swarmed toward Primal. Through the air, flitting from branch to branch many dozens of the flier variant focused their attack on the four hovering in the air.


    Honor swung his free hand through the air. The mantisor fliers tumbled to the ground, as if they were swatted by an invisible force.


    Caretaker had his suspicions on what Honor was capable of from their sparring sessions and other random displays. To see him in action on the field of battle was something else. Now they truly realized why an outworld invader had the ear of Prime Custodian 3. It explained much of why the Collective had agreed to Honor¡¯s project in the first place. Did they fear him?


    Honor¡¯s frown was visible through the translucent face-plate. He narrowed his eyes at Primal, who was once again about to be buried in mantisors. Slowly, the massive power armor began to lift up into the air. The mantisors that were able to cling to them were violently flung away.


    ¡°Shira, get up here, now.¡±


    Honor¡¯s words were strained. Perhaps, he was reaching the limits of his powerful ability.


    A black blur sliced its way through the mantisors on the ground. Thin streams of blood trailed after it in its wake. Shira jumped and landed on Primal.


    As Primal and Shira were pulled next to the other Threnosh, Honor swatted another mass of mantisors attempting to reach them.


    ¡°Okay, now we¡¯re leaving. Weapons free. And Kynnro, feel free to use your laser. I no longer care if we set this forest on fire.¡±

 2.7

    Now


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem, PC3?¡±


    ¡°Spawn Zone 315349¡¯s forest is on fire, Designation: Honor.¡±


    ¡°That is correct.¡± Cal pitched his voice to sound flat and toneless.


    ¡°This was not in the plan you outlined.¡±


    ¡°Remember what I said about plans changing? Sometimes you¡¯re presented with a better opportunity or it¡¯s a matter of necessity, but the key is to remain flexible enough to take advantage of the situation.¡±


    ¡°Which does this fall under?¡±


    Cal shrugged. ¡°A little bit from column A and a little bit from column B.¡±


    Prime Custodian 3¡¯s holographic projection stared at Cal. The Threnosh¡¯s helmet was retracted, which revealed the chess board pattern of gray tones on their skin.


    ¡°Both,¡± Cal said. ¡°The unexpected response from the mantisors did two things. One,¡± he held up a finger, ¡°revealed that their numbers exceeded your projections by a significant margin. Two,¡± he held up a second finger, ¡°placed the team in a combat situation they weren¡¯t ready for. The fire will mix things up.¡±


    ¡°To what end?¡±


    ¡°Not sure yet, depends on what the monsters do next.¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°They might be driven from the zone. Right into your walls and defenses. They might be driven into the mountains. Or they might be driven underground, into the hive, which is my guess.¡±


    ¡°I have reviewed the engagement. The mantisor numbers were beyond projections. I apologize.¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°Plus they weren¡¯t supposed to aggro like that. All of your information indicated that their radius was fairly small.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps there was a change.¡±


    ¡°Maybe the team was being too efficient in clearing out the forest. They were almost at seventy percent cleared. This was the first foray into the suspected influence zone of the hive.¡±


    ¡°I disagree. Recorded information from previous expeditions into this spawn zone and the others indicates that invasive organisms do not behave in the manner displayed.¡±


    ¡°Then maybe we stumbled on an even bigger problem,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Explain.¡±


    ¡°What if this is because you passed your ten year tutorial period? What if everything you knew about how this all worked¡­ changed?¡±


    ¡°One incident does not demand full concern. However, I will take this to the Collective and gather more information. Perhaps others have further observations and experiences that can lend support to your theory.¡±


    ¡°Always got to test out that hypothesis,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°On an unrelated note¡­ I need more stuff.¡±


    ¡°Clarify.¡±


    ¡°Drones, automated turrets, ammo, an army,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You have already been assigned the requisite amount for the cycle.¡±


    ¡°Lost most of them last night.¡±


    ¡°Request denied.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, PC3. The team¡¯s going to need all the help they can get if they¡¯re going to knock out this spawn point. I mean, you put this facility in the middle of a bunch of them. The equipment we got wasn¡¯t ever going to be enough to tackle them all,¡± Cal said. ¡°And if my theory is even close to being right. We, you and me, might be sitting on top of a volcano ready to blow. Easy mode is done. The spires might be months, days, away from turning it up a notch.¡±


    ¡°I only understood a slight majority of your words, but I believe that I have ascertained the general sentiment,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°Unfortunately, resources are strictly allocated. To send you more means that others will be deprived. This is not done by Threnosh.¡±


    ¡°Right, so no help then.¡±


    ¡°There is another way for you to replenish your assets.¡±


    Cal grimaced. ¡°I know, I can buy them from the spires. Except I¡¯m trying to gain Universal Points, not spend them on things you can simply just give to me. Can you truly say that there are places that need the equipment more than us? What impact will taking one drone away from a couple of hundred different places have on them versus how much a couple of hundred drones will help here?¡±


    ¡°It is not the Threnosh way.¡±


    Cal rolled his eyes. Then grinned at Prime Custodian 3. ¡°Part of me admires the way you stick to your guns. Another part of me wonders what it¡¯ll take for you to get off the track. Perhaps a hundred ton locomotive barreling in your direction?¡±


    ¡°I do not understand your words?¡± A look of confusion briefly crossed Prime Custodian 3¡¯s face. ¡°Do you have anything further to report? Perhaps, how you intend to respond to the forest fire in Spawn Zone 315349?¡±


    ¡°Nope,¡± Cal grinned. ¡°Going to let it burn itself out. The kill zone you guys built around the wall perimeter is a perfect fire break. The mountains do the same to the north. I¡¯m really hoping that the fire will cook the entire hive or maybe starve the monsters of oxygen¡­ I¡¯m assuming they need oxygen. I mean they had lung-like structures according to your data, but one can never be too sure when it comes to spire bullshit.¡±


    ¡°Adequate,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said flatly.


    ¡°Good talk. Hopefully by this time next week, I¡¯ll be telling you about how we cleared out the spawn point.¡±


    Cal left out the specifics of what he intended beyond that. He didn¡¯t feel too guilty about his plan to seize control of the spawn point. He wasn¡¯t even sure that the Threnosh could understand the concept through a simple verbal explanation.


    From what he¡¯d been able to gather they hadn¡¯t even considered farming the spawn points. They had been content to leave it to their walls and defenses. Sure, they¡¯d send in teams to deal with specific troubles, but they hadn¡¯t gone after the boss monsters unless circumstances forced their hands. They didn¡¯t even seem to be aware of the existence of the secret boss, through which they could gain control of the spawn point.


    Cal knew he couldn¡¯t just share this with them, not even his ally, Prime Custodian 3. The Threnosh needed to see it in action, see the benefits. He¡¯d drop the entire science project on them at once. Hypothesis, experiment and result all at the same time. He wouldn¡¯t give them a chance to interfere.


    ¡°Should I do a presentation?¡± Cal mused. ¡°A holographic powerpoint sounds kind of cool.¡±


    <hr>


    Cal remained in his office for the rest of the day. He spent it buried in holographic projections. A variety of open files were scattered all over the place, hanging in midair.


    One live image was an overhead view of the forest fire as it raged through the spawn point. The high-tech camera pierced through the thick smoke to show the ground level. Automated sensors weren¡¯t picking up any mantisor movement. Likewise, cameras and sensors pointed at the open boundary between the tree line and the mountains were set to alert Cal if any movement was detected. The monsters¡¯ camouflage only worked when they were still. If they moved, he would be notified.


    An alert beeped on his PID. He brought it up. Everyone was headed back from their trip to the spire. The team and even the interrogators, the engineer and the fabricator, all had received a significant amount of Universal Points for their roles in the desperate retreat from the mantisors.


    Cal was right about direct control of the drones and turrets. He couldn¡¯t wait to remind Tides and Loaming of that fact. The four noncombatants received around one thousand points a piece. The most points received hovered around the five thousand mark. The trio of Caretaker, Shira and Primal gained that amount. Frequency and Kynnro trailed them by around a thousand to fifteen hundred. Such gains were practically unheard of, as far as the Threnosh claimed.


    He returned to reviewing the files on the next group of recruits scheduled to arrive in a little over a week. After about five minutes his PID beeped again. The message was from Caretaker. It was a brief overview of the upgrades that each member of the team had just purchased. He had to admit that Caretaker was always on the ball.


    He stopped what he was doing to take a look.


    He started with the as of yet unofficial field leader, Caretaker. ¡°Should probably make that official,¡± he mused.


    A gesture brought the message from the PID to a projection right in the middle of Cal¡¯s plain metal desk.


    Caretaker¡¯s words were terse, written in text, which somehow was being translated for his eyes by the magic of the spires or it was super science based. Or maybe something else entirely. Cal felt his eye twitch. Every time he thought about how this worked his brain started to hurt.


    Still, Cal took the brief effort to remind himself that what he was reading wasn¡¯t actually in English.


    Caretaker had increased the battery power for his spire exoskeleton. They also increased their predictive combat algorithm¡¯s performance capability by 2%. What that meant? Cal had no clue. The Threnosh didn¡¯t add an explanation.


    Shira¡¯s purchase was a 50% increase to their power armor¡¯s internal blood storage capacity and an increase of viability from one day to two. Again, there was no explanation on how that worked.


    Knowing how hands-off the spires were in terms of guidance, Cal figured he¡¯d never know the full answer.


    Moving on, Primal decided to complete full repairs to their power armor inside the spire.


    ¡°Huh? I didn¡¯t know that was possible,¡± Cal said.


    The tiniest and surliest Threnosh he knew had also purchased improvements to the power armor¡¯s internal musculature, which translated to a 2% increase to overall physical strength.


    Frequency¡¯s purchase was straightforward enough. They bought a system of deployable speakers. Whether wired or wireless, Caretaker didn¡¯t say.


    Kynnro, meanwhile, bought a superior power source, which increased their power armor¡¯s potential output by a whopping 100%.


    Cal took a few seconds to type out a message.


    Thanks :) Will talk about plans when u get back.


    He wondered how the spires would translate that for the Threnosh.


    <hr>


    The fire burned for five days before it finally died. It left behind a charred and blackened landscape. Cal felt a little guilty. The forest had truly been an unspoiled natural wonderland. Minus the monsters and mutant animals of course. It would¡¯ve been a great place to camp and hike. To be the first human to explore a forest in an actual alien world. Who wouldn¡¯t want that opportunity? Maybe in a year or two once the place was under proper management. First they had a boss monster to kill and, the team didn¡¯t know it yet, but also a secret boss to kill.


    Everything was ready. None of the mantisors had fled into the mountains. A smattering tried to get over the walls. They were dealt with by the automated defense measures. Any monsters that remained had to be inside the hive.


    ¡°Alright guys. Commence bombing run.¡±


    Cal watched from high above in the sky as the four spire-made drones crisscrossed over the blasted forest. ¡°Sorry,¡± he muttered. He was about to tear up the landscape even more.


    The hum from the anti-gravity tech was audible the from sleek, menacing-looking drones, like predatory sharks gliding through the ocean. They were larger than the standard Threnosh-made drones, which meant they could be filled with significantly more power, weapons and munitions. This included bombs. More specifically a type of bomb that penetrated the ground before exploding.


    The drones had cost Cal quite a lot of Universal Points, but fortunately he hadn¡¯t needed to shell out for the weapons and ammo.


    As explosions filled the air he decided that it was worth it.


    ¡°That¡¯ll take care of any mantisors that might¡¯ve gone to ground,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Scanners detect no movement,¡± Caretaker said over the comms.


    ¡°Nice job. Start mining the approach from the mountains.¡± Cal directed the four temporary drone operators back at their base.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said in return.


    Cal descended to the ground. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he said to the team. ¡°We¡¯ve got a bit of a walk to our staging point.¡±


    ¡°Why must we walk? Can you not fly us there?¡±


    ¡°Because we need to give the drones time to drop the mines,¡± Caretaker said.


    The answer seemed to be enough for Primal. They remained silent as they took the lead. The rest of the group fell in line behind, while Cal brought up the rear.


    It took a few hours to reach their destination. The fact that they could move in a straight line greatly reduced their travel time. Cal had kept a close eye on the overhead scanners the entire time. There was nothing living around their immediate vicinity and for miles around.


    ¡°We have reached the location,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Deploy the turrets.¡± They dropped the turret that they had been carrying on their back.


    The others did the same to the ones that they were carrying. Three for Primal. They had a total of eight automated turrets left.


    ¡°Operator, you have control,¡± Caretaker said into their comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Engineer Verdant Mechanica 3581¡¯s voice came back. The engineer was responsible for moving the turrets into the front of their position before leaving them to act based on the parameters set in the virtual intelligence. Once they were done they resumed direct control of their assigned spire-made drone. ¡°The turrets will hold position and expend their ammunition.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Frequency, deploy your mobile audio enhancers.¡±


    Cal silently shook his head at the translation provided by the spires¡¯ system.


    Eight small disk-shaped objects detached from their recessed berths on Frequency¡¯s power armor. To Cal they resembled wireless speakers, except for the hovering on anti-gravity tech thing. They flew forward to a position behind the automated turrets, some one hundred yards distant.


    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    ¡°There is a dearth of trees and foliage. Will they be sufficiently concealed?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Caretaker. I hid them in the rubble and in the ground,¡± Frequency said. ¡°They will be difficult to locate.¡±


    ¡°Kynnro, assume your position. You have the next section,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Are we ready?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Honor.¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°Alright, Primal. Hold on to your lunch.¡±


    ¡°My sustenance is liquid and I have already imbibed it. It sits inside my stomach. How can I hold such a thing?¡±


    ¡°Figure of speech,¡± Cal sighed.


    ¡°Your words do not ma¡ª¡±


    The rest of what Primal was going to say was drowned out by the sudden distance between them and the rest of the team, as Cal suddenly shot up into the air with the massive power armor in a tight telekinetic grip.


    ¡°Amazing¡­¡± Kynnro spoke with undisguised awe.


    ¡°Focus on your task,¡± Caretaker said. They were in agreement with Kynnro¡¯s assessment, but it was not the time to be distracted.


    Cal heard the frantic breathing through his helmet. ¡°You alright in there, Primal.¡±


    There was no response for many seconds. Only the breathing, which was slowly brought back under control.


    ¡°I was not prepared for the rate of ascent,¡± Primal said.


    Cal chuckled. The Threnosh¡¯s tone was accusatory. ¡°Sorry about that. I figured you could handle it. Seeing as how you¡¯re nice and snug in that pile of metal.¡±


    ¡°My inertial dampeners were pushed to their limit.¡±


    Cal instantly felt bad. He had forgotten the natural fragility of the Threnosh body. It must¡¯ve been worse with Primal, who was the tiniest Threnosh he had ever seen. ¡°Injuries?¡±


    There was no reply for a few seconds. ¡°Negative. Biological functions are within standard parameters.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be more careful next time.¡±


    ¡°There will be a next time?¡±


    Cal couldn¡¯t help but grin at the hesitation in Primal¡¯s words. The tiniest Threnosh was almost the most hardass-y of them all. At least from the limited sample size. It was funny, in a way, that small man syndrome transcended species.


    ¡°Needs must,¡± Cal mused. ¡°But we¡¯re here.¡± He took a deep breath before opening his eyes. Heights were a thing for Cal, which was ironic considering he could fly. The bright blue sky around him was amazingly beautiful. It was also scary. His stomach was practically dancing. He subvocalized a command and the transparent face-plate of his helmet darkened until he could barely see out of it. While he was up here, he was going to use the overlay. Much easier to deal with it when what he was looking at resembled a video game.


    Nearly a mile up. Good thing his superhuman body could handle the relatively quick ascent and lower oxygen amount. Ditto for Primal and the life support systems in their power armor.


    ¡°I await your command to commence bombardment,¡± Primal said.


    ¡°Caretaker, we¡¯re ready to begin. Are you ready?¡±


    Caretaker¡¯s reply came back immediately in Cal¡¯s helmet. ¡°Yes, Honor.¡±


    ¡°One shot, Primal. Let¡¯s see what we can kick out.¡±


    Primal drew back on their spire-made bow, sighted the target and loosed a javelin-sized metal arrow. The missile shook the sky with a loud boom as it descended with blinding speed.


    A second later the hive exploded like it was just hit with a bunker buster. Rubble shot up and out in a spray as if a miniature volcano just erupted.


    An already fast missile helped along by gravity was a devastating weapon.


    ¡°Again?¡±


    ¡°Hold on. Let¡¯s see what comes out first?¡±


    Cal kept his eyes on the image from the powerful satellite view. It cut through the obscuring cloud of debris to ground level. Shapes, movement, dozens, hundreds, suddenly started streaming out of hive. Unfortunately they were spreading out in all directions.


    ¡°Caretaker. Get their attention. Drone operators, see if you can lure them back to our preferred path.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± They replied in near unison.


    ¡°Primal, another please.¡±


    Primal drew, sighted and loosed. Another explosion of dirt and other organic matter showered the ground and the mantisors.


    ¡°Target that mass running to the north.¡±


    The arrow flew and wiped the mantisors from Cal¡¯s view.


    ¡°I want you to spread your arrows. Try to spread out the damage to the hive. I don¡¯t want any of them to think they can hide anywhere down there.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Primal loosed another arrow. Then another.


    Meanwhile at ground level the mantisors rushed the first line of defense. The automated turrets spat out projectiles at a rate of a thousand per minute. They mowed down a large swath of the charging monsters. It may have taken a ridiculous amount of rounds to put one down, but that was exactly what the turrets did.


    Unfortunately, there were so many monsters that they soon overran the turrets. They were torn apart with scything limbs as the monsters ran past them.


    Drones strafed the masses with the same kind of fire. They weaved through the air and barely avoided the mantisor fliers that used wing-assisted leaps in an attempt to rip them from the sky.


    ¡°Frequency, engage with your sound attack.¡± Caretaker¡¯s voice was calm while they took precise shots with their recoilless rifle.


    A look of concentration on Frequency¡¯s face was visible through their translucent face-plate.


    One hundred yards away the first line of charging mantisors entered the radius of Frequency¡¯s hidden speakers. The eight of them were spread out to cover a rectangular area roughly fifty yards by fifty yards.


    The mantisors made it about halfway before they slowed and then fell to the ground. A liquid slurry leaked out of their orifices. Internal organs turned to mush by the deadly vibrations of Frequency¡¯s sound waves.


    ¡°Time?¡± Caretaker turned to Frequency.¡±


    ¡°One minute, thirty seconds of power left.¡±


    ¡°Kynnro, in one minute prepare the next layer.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Caretaker.¡±


    The Threnosh in the sleek power armor stepped forward a dozen paces and took up their position.


    ¡°Shira,¡± Caretaker began.


    ¡°On it,¡± Shira said. They were already moving after Kynnro.


    ¡°Drone Operators, keep clear of layer three.¡± Caretaker did not acknowledge the reply. They resumed firing at the oncoming mantisors. Even though Frequency¡¯s sound field was devastatingly effective, it wasn¡¯t going to last long enough. There were hundreds more of the monsters coming.


    ¡°Looks like they¡¯ll be in Kynnro¡¯s layer soon,¡± Cal said.


    Things were going according to plan. Except for the fact that the boss monster still hadn¡¯t made its appearance. They¡¯d killed over a hundred mantisors already. Not counting however many were killed inside the hive from Primal¡¯s arrow barrage. Did they need to actually go into the hive? What happened if the hive was reduced to rubble?


    ¡°Primal. Time to use those explosive arrows you bought from the spire.¡±


    There was hesitation in Primal¡¯s voice. ¡°Yes¡­¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon man, what¡¯d you buy them for if you aren¡¯t going to use them.¡±


    ¡°¡­ very well. What shall I target?¡±


    ¡°Same thing. Maximum coverage on the hive. Let¡¯s take away all the hiding places.¡±


    Primal loosed a special exploding arrow. Then another and another. Until all five had turned what was left of the hive into a sizable crater.


    Cal peered closely through the smoke. The enhanced image didn¡¯t reveal anything different. Just the three expected varieties of mantisors, although the number seemed to be dwindling to a trickle.


    ¡°Damn it. This is fine,¡± Cal muttered. ¡°Primal¡¯s out of arrows. We¡¯re heading back to join the line.¡± He announced over the comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Cal detected a hint of relief in Caretaker¡¯s voice.


    They flew back quickly, but mindful of Primal¡¯s physical tolerances Cal slowed down their rate of descent. As they drew closer to the rest of the team Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337¡¯s voice chimed in his ears.


    ¡°Designation: Honor. I believe two significantly sized groups of mantisors are moving to flank your defensive position.¡±


    ¡°Uh oh. How significant?¡±


    ¡°Fifteen to the left and twenty to the right.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Tides. Did you get that Caretaker?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Honor. What do you advise?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll take care of it,¡± Cal said. ¡°Primal, I¡¯m dropping you on the left. Then I¡¯ll take care of the right side.¡±


    While Cal changed direction to head off the flanking mantisors the battle at ground level had moved to the third layer of their defense.


    Frequency ran out of energy to power their sound field. The mantisors trampled over their dead as they rushed headlong into a widespread cloud of ash.


    The emitter on Kynnro¡¯s helmet lit up as a bright, red laser lanced out into the cloud.


    Fire bloomed in the wide swath thirty to forty yards in front of Kynnro. The chittering sounds of dozens of mantisors filled the air. Even monsters felt pain.


    The handful of mantisors that emerged were on fire. Caretaker ended their misery with precise shots.


    Kynnro raised their left arm and sprayed another ash cloud ten yards closer to their position. Their laser ignited the second cloud. Again, fire claimed dozens of mantisors.


    So many dead and dying, yet they still came on. Like a tide breaking on the shore.


    Ten yards closer.


    Kynnro raised their right arm and swept it in an arc from one side to the other. Small, silvery canisters shot out and exploded once they reached the target point. A multitude of tiny reflective particles spread out and covered the space.


    Mantisors entered it at the same time that Kynnro used their laser.


    The pencil-thin beams reflected off the particles, bouncing from one to another, over and over again. The monsters were caught in the web of burning light. Their carapaces provided little defense as the lasers cut through to their innards.


    Yet still more came on.


    ¡°Kynnro, fall back. Shira the zone is yours,¡± Caretaker said.


    The black-clad Threnosh rushed forward with undisguised eagerness. Their thirst for blood was about to be slaked.


    ¡°Frequency, Kynnro, provide fire support on Shira¡¯s flanks. We must keep the mantisors from getting around them. Remember to keep clear of their zone,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Honor, they have reached our penultimate layer of defense. When will their boss appear?¡±


    Cal heard the question over the comms, but he didn¡¯t have the exact answer, so he kept quiet for the moment. Besides he had to drop Primal off. He flew fast until he was directly above the fifteen flanking mantisors. He dived with Primal in his telekinetic grip trailing behind. At the last moment he pulled up and buzzed the mantisors throwing them into disarray.


    It was into this confused group that he dropped Primal like the one ton metal wrecking machine that they were.


    ¡°Hang on, Caretaker,¡± Cal said as he zoomed away to deal with the twenty mantisors approaching from the right side of the team¡¯s defensive position. ¡°I¡¯ll be joining you shortly.¡±


    Primal didn¡¯t waste time as soon as their feet hit the ground they went on the attack. The knot of mantisors in front of them got a taste of their twenty-one gun stomach salute. They were shot to shreds.


    A small group attacked Primal from behind. The minigun on their shoulder swiveled around to rake them with a sustained burst of projectiles.


    The two remaining mantisors were different. They looked significantly bigger, bulkier. Their carapaces were much thicker.


    Hidden inside their giant power armor, Primal grinned. The mantisor brute variant that they had been looking forward to fighting this entire time. Perhaps these would prove to be more of a challenge.


    The brute on the left and the one in front of Primal rushed in at the same time. A scything forelimb lashed out and Primal blocked it with a raised arm. The limb cut through the first layer of armor and stuck.


    Primal¡¯s display flashed red and the damage alert sounded in their ear holes. They ignored it. As the brute tried to pull its forelimb out the second one leapt forward with both forelimbs aimed in a downward slash toward Primal¡¯s chest.


    They trusted in the thickness of their armor, but since they were ensconced within the torso they weren¡¯t going to risk it. They blocked the brute¡¯s attack with their bow. The forelimbs sparked off the metal, but the bow held.


    Primal pitched forward and pinned the brute to the ground with the end of their bow. They opened up their minigun on the trapped monster. It took several seconds of sustained, practically point-blank fire, but the carapace finally cracked, then failed. The brute died.


    The brute on their left finally pried its forelimb out of Primal¡¯s arm. It spun around to their rear and slashed at the back of their legs. The scythe-like forelimbs cut deeply into the armor, but found nothing vital.


    Primal swiveled the grenade launcher around and let loose. Their armor could handle the shrapnel. As it turned out so could the brute¡¯s carapace. However, it was momentarily stunned by the concussion waves.


    Primal promptly smashed the brute into the ground with a powerful blow of their bow. They kept hitting it until it was pulp.


    Their task completed, Primal quickly checked the damage they had received. There was nothing to be concerned about at the moment so they hurried to join the rest of their team.


    On the opposite side of the battle Cal wasted no time. He swooped down on the mantisors, briefly noted that there were several of the brute variants, then quickly cut them to pieces with a dozen telekinetically-controlled knife blades. These were an upgrade on the plain old earth steel ones that he had to leave behind. They were made out of the Threnosh¡¯s super metal, stronger, denser, but somehow not significantly heavier.


    The mantisors were being destroyed. The boss just had to make an appearance. Cal hurried back to the team. He needed to be present to make sure that a total team wipe wasn¡¯t going to happen. Just in case.


    <hr>


    The readings made no sense. There were no active fault lines within a thousand miles of the mountains south of the city of Lumin Algrovan. And the ones responsible for creating the mountains had been dormant for over a hundred thousand years. Yet, somehow the earth shook in a way that was impossible according to science.


    It wasn¡¯t the strength of the quake that was exceptional for it was on the bottom half of the scale. It was the fact that the mountains had been shaking nonstop for weeks now. This was in fact an impossibility. The mountains that overlooked the city were not volcanoes. There was no magma activity anywhere beneath them, unless one counted the next layer of their planet, dozens of kilometers down.


    Seismologist Elacs Rethcir 9 was the first one to notice the anomaly, so it had fallen on them to head to the site to investigate after remote scans had failed to shed light on the situation. They would come to regret the moment they responded to the alert on their PID.


    They had the dubious distinction of being the first to see with their own eyes what emerged as the mountainside exploded in a spray of stone and rock the size of residential facilities and transports.


    The monster burst out of the mountain like a rocket. It was dark, like a shadow. Larger than the Threnosh¡¯s largest flying transport. It seemed impossible for something so large to fly so fast.


    Seismologist Elacs Rethcir 9¡¯s pilot saved both their lives with the quickness of their reaction. They moved their transport just out of the way of something that lashed out them. Having seen enough the pilot turned the transport around and fled at maximum speed. It would take the seismologist several valuable minutes to convince them to return. At a safer distance, of course. In the time it took to return the monster had reached Lumin Algrovan, which was over eighty kilometers away from the mountains.


    The pilot kept them far above the monster as it floated over the city on what appeared to be a direct course to the center. The seismologist¡¯s instruments enabled them to record a variety of readings from the monster while the visual recorders provided a perfect view of the devastation it caused.


    The evidence of the monster¡¯s passing was easy to follow. It left a wide area of utterly destroyed structures. The walls and its defensive measures gone. Entire multi-level buildings turned to rubble. Even the roadways were torn up.


    As the monster hovered over the city center, the seismologist finally obtained a clear view thanks to the lights from the combat drones that swarmed it with ineffective projectile fire.


    The monster¡¯s dorsal surface was black. Its body was rectangular in shape. Its head was indistinguishable from the body. It had a pair of broad, triangular wings on either side. The data coming back from the scans indicated that its entire shape was surprisingly flat. There was a visible glow from the rear portion of its body. A quick look at the energy readings showed a large amount of heat was being expelled from its rear. There was also a distortion to the gravity readings directly underneath it, similar to what could be found with their own flying vehicles.


    As they watched a pair of long, tentacles slapped out from somewhere around its head. They were three times the body length and as thick around as a tree trunk. Their size and weight crushed through a nearby building where a group of soldiers had been pouring projectile fire into the monster.


    A mixed team of baseline infantry and heavy infantry moved toward the monster on ground level. They fired everything they had into the monster, but it ignored them. As the seismologist zoomed in for a better view. More tentacles, smaller and shorter than the first two, and lacking the spade-like shape on their ends, emerged from near where they estimated the head was located.


    Dozens of tentacles shot out. Each wrapped around a Threnosh soldier and dragged them toward its head. What happened to them after they disappeared from view? The seismologist could only speculate.


    The monster suddenly stopped and dived straight into the ground. The buildings around it collapsed in its wake as it tore an enormous hole in the ground. The crater left behind continued to grow as even more structures were drawn into it.


    A few seconds later Lumin Algrovan went dark. Every light in the city named for it, winked out. Every reading that the seismologist consulted showed the same thing. There was no more power.


    The pilot circled the city at a safe distance for several minutes as the seismologist continued to monitor the scans. Nothing. The immensely powerful energy core that powered the city had simply vanished. One moment it was functioning properly, providing power to the entire city. In the next. It was gone.


    The monster burst forth with a thunderous eruption of natural ground matter and Threnosh made debris.


    ¡°Impossible,¡± Seismologist Elacs Rethcir 9 said. They felt something they were unfamiliar with. It made their heart beat rapidly. They didn¡¯t know what to make of it. It was as if their heart wanted to escape their chest cavity.


    They compared the monster¡¯s initial scans to its current readings. It had grown in size by ten percent and it had done so in less than ten minutes time.

 2.8

    Now


    Cal stood on the charred and blackened forest floor. He was a good fifty yards behind the fully assembled team. They were still fighting the seemingly unending tide of mantisors. The standard, flier and brute variants continued to assault their defensive position.


    Shira was a black blur at the tip of the spear. They attracted a crowd of mantisors, which was what they desired. They slashed and tore the monsters. They were sliced in return. But the blood flowed in copious amounts and it only made the Threnosh stronger. The damage they received was repaired just as quickly.


    The other Threnosh kept their efforts focused to the flanks on either side of Shira.


    To the left Frequency focused a sound field that liquefied the insides of the mantisors that entered it. On the right Kynnro scorched them inside a cloud of laser lines.


    Caretaker added accurate projectile fire to pick off any that managed to make it through, while Primal stood in the space behind Shira like a towering sentinel. They lobbed grenades into the mass of monsters beyond Shira¡¯s position and raked their minigun across those that were able to get past Shira¡¯s layer.


    Cal was relieved to have both booted feet planted firmly on the ground. All that flying was starting to give him a headache. At least it wasn¡¯t the stabbing needles feeling like it used to be. Now it was more like a handful of poking fingers, firm, but gentle. More annoying than blindingly painful. Progress. He liked tangible progress. It was difficult to gauge when his power was basically invisible.


    Even though he was getting impatient with the lack of boss monster. He appreciated the time to rest his brain for a moment. He¡¯d need it for the secret boss after the team, hopefully, defeated the regular one.


    ¡°Really need a name for them¡­ the T-Men? T-Factor? T-Force?¡± Cal muttered.


    A sudden feeling interrupted Cal¡¯s thoughts. A change in the mental air, so to speak. He stretched out his telepathy. Malice and hunger driven into a frothing rage. Cal grimaced. Unpleasant to take such things inside your head, but it was necessary. There. Approaching rapidly. A presence. The same malice and hunger in all monsters, except controlled, focused. A clever mind. One capable of cunning thought. And it was extremely angry. It had one focus. Death.


    ¡°Finally!¡± Cal said. ¡°Boss incoming!¡±


    Cal floated over the battlefield to get a better look at what was coming. He spotted it right away. It was moving quickly enough that he had to speed up his perceptions.


    The boss monster was surprisingly small, about the size of the standard mantisor. It had the same humanoid form with scythe-like forelimbs, the chitin face mask that resembled a human woman. Its carapace was a dull green color.


    The thirty mantisors that were arrayed around it in formation were different. Their forms called to mind the three types. Except more dangerous-looking. They were bigger, their carapaces were thicker and had more spiky bits, their scythes looked sharper.


    ¡°Elites,¡± Cal muttered.


    He was half expecting that. He considered the options. The team was going to get creamed if they had to take the boss and its guard on while still dealing with the last fifty or so regular mantisors attacking them. He probably could¡¯ve just taken care of it himself, but they needed to fight the boss. It was the main goal of the entire exercise.


    Initially he had planned to be on hand in case he needed to intervene and save them from possible death and a party wipe. That plan just changed.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got the boss,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯ll deal with the adds.¡±


    He swooped over the battlefield. Telekinetically controlled knife blades swarmed over the battlefield. They struck at every mantisor in sight, while swerving around the Threnosh. Each blade drew blood from the monsters¡¯ vulnerable parts.


    By tagging the monsters in this fashion Cal made the next part easier. He used his telepathy to insert a blanket compulsion into their relatively simple minds.


    Come get the flying guy.


    As one the mantisors abandoned their battle with the Threnosh and rushed after Cal.


    He flew on and sent his knife blades to do the same the boss monster¡¯s elite guards. He plowed right through their formation. Invisible telekinetic shields blocked scything forelimbs.


    Cal felt the strain of doing so many different things with his powers begin to grow. The gentle finger pokes into his brain gave way to dozens of light needle jabs.


    He sent the same compulsion into the elite guards, while at the same time he grabbed the boss in a telekinetic grip and shoved it toward the team.


    ¡°All yours,¡± Cal said through grit teeth.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Caretaker¡¯s voice sounded determined over the comms.


    Now all Cal needed to do was deal with roughly eighty mantisors. Fortunately he knew just what to do. There were a large number of live mines just waiting to be used to the north. It would be a shame to not use them after the four Threnosh back at the base went through all the trouble of laying them out.


    <hr>


    ¡°Kynnro, how are your energy levels?¡±


    ¡°At ten percent.¡±


    ¡°Connect to the portable battery.¡± Caretaker directed them to the supply zone a dozen meters to the rear of their defensive formation.


    Caretaker watched as Honor flew through the air and dragged all the mantisors after him. With one exception. One he sent back in their direction.


    ¡°Prepare yourselves. We have incoming.¡±


    The mantisor boss tumbled across the charred ground, propelled by an invisible force that even it couldn¡¯t overcome. It dug its scythe-like forelimbs into the ground to arrest its momentum. It leapt to its feet ready to join its subjects and give chase to the flying meatbag.


    A sudden stinging pain across its lower back dashed all thoughts of pursuit from its mind.


    The mantisor boss spun and slashed across with its forelimb.


    Shira ducked underneath the scythe and swiped their claws into the thinner carapace at the stomach. Their black power armor drank in the small amount of monster blood they drew.


    The monster lashed out again, this time too fast for Shira to dodge. They had to parry.


    Blood gushed from the deep cut in the armor plate on Shira¡¯s arm.


    The two slashed and cut at each other as they moved too quickly for unaugmented eyes to follow. The mantisor boss¡¯ carapace was stronger. Shira¡¯s claws could only scratch the surface. While the monster¡¯s scythes sliced deep cuts all over their power armor.


    The blood flowed freely. This time it was Shira doing the bleeding.


    Recognizing that they were losing, Shira blurred back and gained some distance.


    Before the mantisor boss could follow a burst of minigun fire forced it to fall back in the other direction.


    Caretaker was relying entirely on their predictive algorithm, but even then the monster was so fast they were only landing about a quarter of their shots on target. The projectiles dented the carapace, but didn¡¯t do much else.


    Kynnro tried to deploy their laser cloud. The monster moved out of it before it took any damage.


    Primal tracked it with their minigun, but even the targeting assist program of their power armor couldn¡¯t keep up. They might¡¯ve tried bracketing the monster with their grenade launcher if they weren¡¯t out of ammunition. If only they had the time to reload at the supply zone just thirty yards to the rear of their defensive position. The monster was moving too quickly for that and it was moving toward its next closest target.


    Frequency tried to trap it inside one of their sound fields, but it moved around it in a blur.


    The mantisor boss dashed across the blackened forest floor, bits of charred wood chips thrown up in the air in its wake. Its human face mask was devoid of expression, a blank look that belied the rush it felt at an approaching kill.


    Frequency threw their arms wide in desperation and released their most powerful sound wave attack from all of the speaker-like devices set into their power armor.


    The sound threatened to overload the other Threnosh¡¯s auditory systems even when they weren¡¯t directly targeted by the waves.


    The effect on the mantisor boss was immediate and devastating. Its mouth opened to reveal two rows of pointed teeth and it screeched in what could only be pain. Its segmented eyes widened, as the sclera around the pupils filled with blood from burst vessels. More blood flowed freely from its ear holes.


    ¡°It is not a face mask like the others,¡± Kynnro said, shocked. ¡°That is its face!¡±


    ¡°Shoot it while it is distracted,¡± Caretaker said.


    The mantisor boss staggered as Frequency¡¯s attack suddenly stopped.


    ¡°My system was about to overload.¡± Frequency backed away as fast as they could.


    Caretaker, Kynnro and Primal took advantage of the opening and opened up on the monster. It fell back from the barrage in a blur.


    Shira appeared out of nowhere, charging straight for the monster.


    ¡°Cease fire!¡± Caretaker said sharply. ¡°We might hit Shira.¡± They felt anger at their teammate. Their shots weren¡¯t doing much damage to the carapace, but they felt that might¡¯ve been their best opportunity.


    The mantisor boss¡¯ rage grew. The soft meat in their hard shells dared to inflict pain. It saw the black-clad one, the first to hurt it, rushing forward. It snarled, as it moved to meet Shira.


    The two were on a collision course. The monster had a different idea. The carapace on its back opened and four membranous wings unfurled in an instant.


    The wings carried it over Shira. Surprised, they weren¡¯t able to react in time. Scything forelimbs cut deeply into their back. The precious blood sprayed out.


    Shira spun on their heel and leapt up at the flitting mantisor boss.


    A mistake.


    They couldn¡¯t alter their trajectory in midair.


    The mantisor boss, however, could. It avoided Shira¡¯s outstretched claws and thrust one scythe-like forelimb deep into their stomach and out their back.


    This time the blood that flowed wasn¡¯t just from their power armor. It was mixed with Shira¡¯s own.


    Shira hissed, a strange mix of pain and hunger.


    ¡°Shira!¡± Caretaker took aim, but Shira¡¯s body was in between them and the mantisor boss. The solutions their algorithm gave indicated that they¡¯d hit their teammate at the same probability as hitting the monster.


    Shira looked like they were about to die. They stunned everybody, even the mantisor boss, with what they did next.


    They hooked their claws into the monster¡¯s arm and pulled hard. They kept pulling until they were close enough to the monster to sink their helmet¡¯s fangs into the its neck.


    Cal¡¯s first impression had been correct. It was improbable, but Shira¡¯s power armor had working fangs.


    They allowed them to drink deeply. The blood the power armor took in kept Shira alive, while their own blood flowed freely from the hole through their stomach.


    The mantisor boss¡¯ flight grew erratic as it tried to pry Shira from its neck.


    As they drank, Shira reached their arms around the monster¡¯s back and tore at their wings.


    Locked in their deadly embrace, the pair plummeted to the ground and landed with a thud.


    The impact tore Shira¡¯s fangs from the mantisor boss¡¯ throat.


    The monster pulled their forelimb out of Shira¡¯s stomach. This left a gaping hole through both Shira and their power armor. The hole in the power armor slowly started to repair itself, but Shira remained unmoving.


    The mantisor boss raised a scythe-like forelimb. It took its time to relish the impending kill.


    Another mistake.


    There was a loud pop and the monster found itself surrounded by tiny particles that glittered in the sunlight. A split-second passed. Small lasers reflected all around it. They cut burning lines into its carapace and more vulnerable areas. Reflexively closing its eyes was the only thing that saved it from being blinded.


    The monster was forced to abandon its kill to escape the deadly cloud.


    Caretaker, Primal and Frequency rushed to Shira¡¯s side. The former two fired at the monster with their miniguns to keep it occupied. Kynnro was forced to remain connected by cable to the energy battery that allowed them to fire their laser so many times.


    The mantisor boss circled around them, while they continued to spray projectiles after it.


    ¡°Frequency, grab the mantisor bodies. Get their blood on Shira¡¯s trueskin.¡± Caretaker kept their attention on the monster. Their algorithm told them where to place their shots, but their reaction time was too slow and the monster was too fast. They missed more than they hit, which was better than Primal, who only missed.


    ¡°How can I do that?¡± Frequency¡¯s voice was verging on the edge of panic. A very un-Threnosh like display.


    ¡°Their trueskin is covered in blades and spikes. Just push the bodies on,¡± Primal growled.


    ¡°Hurry. It is the only chance to keep them alive,¡± Caretaker said.


    The mantisor boss suddenly raked its forelimbs across the ground. It threw clods of dirt and charred ash into the Threnosh. The momentary distraction was costly.


    The monster appeared at Primal¡¯s left. It slashed through their power armor¡¯s barrel-thick arm, near the shoulder. The scythe-like forelimb cut clean through and their left arm dropped to the ground with a heavy thud.


    In the blink of an eye it stabbed straight through Primal¡¯s chest armor.


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    The Threnosh¡¯s massive power armor toppled onto its back and remained still.


    Caretaker poured minigun fire at the monster, but it dodged most of the projectiles as it rushed in their direction.


    The predictive algorithm¡¯s attempts to direct Caretaker¡¯s actions felt frantic. They just couldn¡¯t keep up with the monster¡¯s speed. They desperately called for a last ditch effort.


    ¡°Kynnro, on my position!¡±


    Three things converged on Caretaker¡¯s position. The mantisor boss, a small shiny cannister and a pencil-thin red laser beam.


    The lasers in the cloud cut into all. They cut into Caretaker¡¯s power armor and weapons. They cut into the monster, which distracted it just enough. The gimbal arms that helped them wield the minigun broke from the laser damage. The belt that fed ammunition from the pack was severed. Still, there was just enough left and Caretaker¡¯s spire exoskeleton gave them enough strength to wield the heavy minigun.


    They emptied a hundred projectiles at point-blank range, center mass, into the monster. Its chest carapace cracked and it screeched as it retreated.


    Caretaker hoped that it was in pain.


    While Frequency hurried to drag mantisor bodies to the fallen Shira and Caretaker stood on guard, the mantisor boss shifted its attention to a more vulnerable target.


    Kynnro was isolated at the supply zone. They turned and ran. They tried to hide within the piles of crates as the monster stalked them.


    A pile of crates was never going to be a serious impediment to the mantisor boss. It was a wonder why it didn¡¯t just slash them out of the way. Perhaps it wanted to savor the fear in its prey, perhaps it needed a few moments to catch its breath, so to speak.


    Caretaker did what they could with useless shots from their recoilless rifle until it finally gave up under the strain of the damage it received from the laser cloud.


    Inevitably, the mantisor boss cornered Kynnro, who was at the literal end of the cable that connected them to the battery pack.


    The monster raised a scythe-like forelimb. Kynnro stared up at it. They were frozen. Their eyes were wide, as the shadow of their death fell across their eyes.


    A sudden rush of movement accompanied by thudding steps that shook the ground. The forelimb descended. Kynnro fell back, eyes closed.


    A greater shadow shaded them. Kynnro opened their eyes to find a giant metal-covered form standing over them. There was a hole in its back. The back of a tiny, speckled gray head was visible.


    In one quick motion Primal raised their one remaining arm high in the air. They slammed the mantisor boss into the ground. Great clods of burned debris and dirt showered the immediate area.


    ¡°You missed me,¡± Primal growled. They stomped a tree trunk-sized foot down on the monsters head. The power armor¡¯s foot was so big that it practically covered the monster¡¯s entire upper body.


    The mantisor wriggled, but the weight and downward pressure was too much.


    Primal took a giant arrow from their quiver and thrust it through the monster¡¯s stomach. They pushed it in deeper to pin the monster in place.


    Satisfied that it was secured, the Threnosh pulled their power armor¡¯s foot off the mantisor boss.


    It was a mistake.


    In the blink of an eye the monster¡¯s forelimb lashed out.


    Damage alerts blared inside the giant power armor. Primal had no idea what had happened. They pulled their leg back a step and promptly tipped over.


    A sizable section off the bottom of their leg was gone. It had been sheared off.


    The scythe-like forelimb lashed out again and again. Primal¡¯s armor was being shredded. In desperation they blindly reached out with their one remaining arm. Providence was with them. The next slash happened to strike them right in the metal palm. They closed their hand tightly.


    The scythe-like forelimb was completely engulfed within the massive metal fist.


    Damage alerts continued to bombard Primal. The sharp forelimb was slowly cutting through their power armor¡¯s fingers as the monster struggled to pull it free. They tightened their grip, but that only helped it cut faster.


    ¡°I cannot hold it! I require assistance!¡±


    ¡°Frequency,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°But¡­ Shira¡­¡±


    ¡°I will take over. This is our best and last chance. I no longer have combat effective weaponry. Primal¡¯s trueskin is broken. Shira is¡ª You still have energy.¡±


    Frequency nodded. ¡°Acknowledged.¡± They ran over to the struggling mantisor boss and Primal, but they were going to be too late.


    Kynnro bought them time. ¡°I am here,¡± they said as they stepped close to Primal. ¡°Hold it still. I only have enough energy for one more attack.¡±


    ¡°What does it appear that I am trying to do?¡± Primal spat.


    Despite the complaint they tightened their grip and held the mantisor¡¯s arm steady at the cost of a few more inches into their metal fingers.


    The laser emitter on Kynnro¡¯s helmet glowed brighter. A brilliant red laser beam lanced out across the monster¡¯s first joint, closest to the shoulder.


    The entire limb went flying along with the severed metal fingers of Primal¡¯s power armor.


    The cauterized end of the monster¡¯s limb sent the sickening smell of burnt biological matter into the air. Its screech of pain triggered the automatic shutdown feature of the Threnosh power armors¡¯ external auditory systems.


    The mantisor boss glared with pure hatred at Kynnro. It slowly began to pull itself up the arrow. Its body contorted in a way that seemed physically impossible.


    Kynnro scrambled back.


    Primal dragged themselves over to the monster and used their body to slam it back down to the ground. Minus one arm and the bottom portion of one leg they were reduced to pinning the monster¡¯s legs and remaining scythe-like forelimb by laying across it.


    Frequency finally arrived. They stood over the mantisor boss¡¯ head and spread their arms out to encompass it in between. They triggered their sound field with their remaining energy.


    The monster twisted and turned, but was held fast to the ground. None of the Threnosh heard its screeching. Their auditory systems automatically shut down.


    Thirty agonizing seconds. Near the end the monster¡¯s eyes burst. Its brain was turned to mush. The liquid leaked out to form a puddle around its unmoving head.


    Frequency abruptly fell back. They had overridden their power armor¡¯s safety protocols and had poured every bit of energy into their sound field.


    They did it. The team had triumphed over their first boss.


    Right on cue a chime sounded in all of their ear holes. The voice and text that appeared out of nowhere confirmed it.


    Congratulations!


    You have completed the Task.


    Clear Spawn Zone 315349.


    Defeat the Boss.


    You have received 50000 Universal Points for Task Completion.


    Enter a spire to claim the rest of your reward.


    Congratulations!


    You have the option to fight the True Boss.


    Success Parameter: Defeat the True Boss.


    Failure Parameter: Die or Flee.


    Rewards: Control of Encounter Zone 315349, Varied.


    Failure: Creation of Spawn Zone.


    Will you accept?


    ¡°Wait!¡± Honor¡¯s voice came in over the Threnosh¡¯s comms. ¡°Don¡¯t answer that yet. I¡¯ll be over after I take care of this.¡±


    In the distance a series of loud explosions shook the sky.


    <hr>


    ¡°Well¡­ shit.¡±


    One look at his team and Cal immediately knew that they weren¡¯t going to be able to take on the secret boss. Primal¡¯s power armor was a wreck. Frequency was flat on their back, but a quick check showed that their power armor was just drained. Kynnro and Caretaker both looked worse for wear, but they were at least on their feet.


    Shira was a different case.


    ¡°Status on Shira?¡±


    ¡°Honor.¡± Caretaker saluted. ¡°Their trueskin repaired itself with blood from the mantisors, but as for Shira. They are critical. I recommend immediate transport to the facility for medical treatment. The healing chamber should take care of them.¡±


    ¡°How long till the transport gets here?¡±


    ¡°Ten minutes,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°How will the wait affect Shira¡¯s condition?¡±


    ¡°Uncertain, but likely negative.¡±


    Cal focused his attention back to the spire system message. The voice and text came back.


    Congratulations!


    You have the option to fight the True Boss.


    Success Parameter: Defeat the True Boss.


    Failure Parameter: Die or Flee.


    Rewards: Control of Encounter Challenge 315349, Varied.


    Failure: Creation of Spawn Point.


    Will you accept?


    From his experience he knew that the option would remain open to him as long as he didn¡¯t exit the spawn point. He couldn¡¯t trigger it with the Threnosh still inside the area. Taking on the secret boss was going to be difficult enough solo without the added distraction of having to keep them safe. At the same time could he really risk Shira¡¯s life for this?


    If he refused the option the spawn point would reset over an unknown length of time. Weeks or months and new mantisors, a new boss would respawn.


    Cal thought about it for all of a second. Then he sent his mental reply.


    ¡°We are not facing the True Boss?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Cal looked at Caretaker.


    ¡°The spire stated that you refused the Task.¡±


    ¡°Interesting. I wasn¡¯t sure that it worked that way. Seems that as the leader, my word was final,¡± Cal mused.


    ¡°Has it not worked this way in your past experiences?¡±


    Cal sighed. ¡°Well, Caretaker¡­ it has not. It¡¯s worked in a couple of different ways. One time all it took was one person to accept to trigger the secret boss fight. Another time it required a simple majority consensus. I can honestly say that whatever logic the spires use to govern their system is bullshit.¡±


    ¡°I do not understand all of your words, but the sentiment is clear.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll fly Shira over. I can get them back to base faster. The rest of you wait for the transport and tell Mechanica to get the healing thingy ready.¡± Cal gently lifted Shira¡¯s motionless body with his telekinesis and zoomed into the sky with them in tow.


    <hr>


    Cal had just watched the process of Shira being extracted from their power armor and placed inside a healing chamber. Despite the gravity of the situation a part of him couldn¡¯t help but geek out a little.


    The entire apparatus looked like a bacta tank. There was the small sarcophagus like chamber which was then filled with a bluish liquid of some kind. An oxygen mask was attached to Shira¡¯s face and they were summarily placed in the chamber.


    What was even more amazing was that the gaping hole that should¡¯ve been in their stomach was already in the process of healing according to the visuals and readings. It seemed that Shira¡¯s power armor didn¡¯t merely repair itself. That wonderful feature extended to the Threnosh inside.


    As Cal waited for the rest of the team to return on the transport, he sought out Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 in the drone control chamber.


    ¡°Tides. I need you to handle something for me.¡±


    ¡°What is your command, Designation: Honor?¡±


    ¡°You know all those mantisor bodies left out there?¡±


    The interrogator appeared to take a second to compose themselves before venturing a wary answer. ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to put you in charge of collecting them and setting up a harvesting and processing system,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°To what purpose?¡±


    ¡°Universal Points,¡± Cal grinned. ¡°Once they are cleaned and separated into the desired parts we can trade them in the spire¡¯s marketplace for points or other items.¡±


    ¡°I do not understand.¡±


    ¡°Seems that you can turn monster parts into weapons and armor or use them as ingredients in potions and cooking. I haven¡¯t really had the chance or desire to figure it out, especially the latter stuff.¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°Basically, somewhere out there are individuals and groups that are willing to buy monster bits. The spires provides a virtual marketplace of sorts to do that.¡±


    ¡°I understand slightly better. I will comply.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Tides. Oh and make sure to take special care with the boss monster¡¯s parts. I want to see if Riverport and Mechanica can turn its scythes and carapace parts into weapons and armor. The way it stood up to minigun fire and the way it cut right through Primal¡¯s armor¡­¡± Cal shook his head. ¡°I want to know everything about the mantisors. Next time the team needs to be better prepared. They cut it pretty close today.¡±


    Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 turned to leave.


    ¡°Good job out there, Tides,¡± Cal said. ¡°You guys got the Task reward?¡±


    ¡°Negative. The Task was only given to you and the special candidates by Prime Custodian 3.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s too bad. I wonder if we can change that for the next time. At least you got points for all the kills you participated in. That should be a good amount. We must¡¯ve killed over a thousand of those things.¡±


    ¡°One thousand three hundred and thirty-seven.¡±


    Cal laughed. ¡°Is that the exact count?¡±


    ¡°That is correct.¡±


    ¡°Man, the Threnosh data collection capability is something else.¡±


    Cal dumped his battle-dirty armor in the armory. Riverport and Mechanica would take care of it eventually. Although with all the damage to the team¡¯s power armors they¡¯d be very busy. Meh, he could fight in dirty, blood-splattered armor just fine.


    Clad only in the wonderful Threnosh full-body suit he made his way to his office. The suit was amazing. It was skin-tight, yet it didn¡¯t chafe or show any unsightly bulges. It wicked sweat away way better than any old climacool fabric back on Earth. He felt clean, dry and comfortable even after a life and death battle with humanoid mantis monsters.


    As soon as Cal plopped down in his less than comfortable metal chair an alert pinged on his PID.


    He wasn¡¯t even given the opportunity to answer it when Prime Custodian 3 suddenly appeared via holographic projection in the middle of his office.


    ¡°Designation: Honor,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    ¡°What¡¯s up, PC3? I was just about to send you a brief preliminary report on the team¡¯s successful quest¡­ er¡­ task.¡±


    ¡°That is not the concern at the moment. The Collective and I am calling upon you to fulfill the terms of the agreement.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡± Cal narrowed his eyes. ¡°Is it the Dominion?¡± That was the last thing he wanted to deal with. He flexed the remaining three fingers on his left hand. Epic quest notwithstanding, he was not looking forward to fighting another of those angel bastards.


    ¡°No. It is something else. Something none of us expected.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± Cal said finally. ¡°Give me the info.¡±


    Prime Custodian 3 immediately sent everything to Cal¡¯s PID.


    He took a few minutes to skim it over.


    ¡°God damn it! What the hell is this bullshit?!¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor?¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ why can¡¯t you just shoot it with a bunch of missiles?¡±


    ¡°If I understand your guery,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°We lack munitions of that scale. Our entire military apparatus is geared toward fighting standard size invasive organisms.¡±


    ¡°And you haven¡¯t ever seen something on this scale. Well, neither have I, so I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re expecting me to do about it.¡± Cal folded his arms across his chest.


    ¡°The agreement¡ª¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t mention kaiju.¡± Cal raised a finger. ¡°However, I¡¯m not opposed to some amendments to the agreement. If your Collective will agree to more material support, an increase in personnel and access to a wider pool of special candidates. Then I¡¯ll be willing to add giant monsters to the kill list.¡±


    ¡°This matter requires immediate attention.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry we can work out the details later. As long as I have your word that there will be concessions,¡± Cal said. ¡°I think we both want the same things here, PC3.¡±


    Prime Custodian 3 remained motionless. Their eyes didn¡¯t blink. ¡°Very well. I concur. The agreement will be amended. Details to be determined.¡±


    ¡°Alright, awesome.¡± Cal frowned. ¡°I¡¯m not going to be able to take that thing on by myself. I¡¯ll definitely need your help. That beam cannon thing you¡¯ve¡ª¡±


    ¡°I am unable to provide aid. The Threnosh way requires that only the exact appropriate level of force be used to deal with a threat.¡±


    ¡°What? A giant monster looks like the exact thing one of you primes is supposed to handle.¡±


    ¡°A prime is the last resort. If you fail. Then I will intervene.¡±


    Cal shook his head. ¡°That military doctrine is not very good.¡±


    ¡°It is as is determined by the Collective.¡±


    ¡°Right, so you lack large scale weaponry outside of elites and you primes. However, you¡¯re only going to fight as a last resort. Alright. I¡¯m going to need to dig into this data,¡± Cal gestured at the projections hovering over his desk, ¡°and watch the recordings before I can come up with a plan. I¡¯ll be needing some help from you. Fighters, weapons, explosives and transport. How critical is this?¡±


    ¡°At current flight speed the organism will cross the ocean in thirty-two hours. From there the nearest population zone is two hours away.¡±


    ¡°Do we know what it¡¯s doing? Where¡¯s it going?¡±


    ¡°There.¡±


    Cal¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°Its projected track indicates that it is headed to your facility.¡±


    Prime Custodian 3 didn¡¯t understand the string of loud words that erupted out of Cal¡¯s mouth. The universal translation system wasn¡¯t able to find anything that corresponded to the Threnosh language.

 2.9

    Now


    Cal was filled with regret. He shouldn¡¯t have agreed. The more he watched the recordings and went over the giant monster¡¯s measurables the louder his internal voice cursed himself for being a moron.


    The kaiju was like a mix of a manta ray, a squid and Cthulu. An eldritch abomination mixture the size of a B-2 stealth bomber with tentacles as thick around as redwoods and longer than a couple of football fields. Wait, scratch that, it was the size of the bomber before it ate the energy core of a city. It was much bigger now. And it was cruising at a leisurely three hundred miles an hour over a great ocean on an apparent collision course with his facility.


    ¡°Shit. Can I even fly three hundred miles an hour?¡± Cal muttered. ¡°My brain might blow up.¡±


    Cal added a few items to the shopping list he was typing into his PID.


    There was a plan that he was circling around in his mind. It wasn¡¯t a very good one, but it was all he had at the moment. The fact that the Threnosh built their entire military doctrine around fighting on a significantly smaller scale than the current problem that was approaching.


    Come to think of it the Threnosh fought more like hunters or pest exterminators than a proper military. They didn¡¯t have artillery, no navy and barely an air force. Definitely no combined arms theory. Not that Cal knew much about that. His knowledge was mostly from books, movies and games. Basically nothing in reality.


    ¡°A proper missile or ten. Even a bunch of giant guns might¡¯ve done the trick on this thing.¡± Cal froze the image of the flat, black shape of the giant monster on his desk. ¡°It¡¯s not moving that fast.¡± He stared at it for a few seconds in silence. ¡°How the hell does a biological thing have jet engines?¡±


    Cal brought the recording of the Threnosh firing at the monster back to the center of his desk. With the extreme definition through a magnified view he could see that their small arms didn¡¯t manage to penetrate its hide.


    ¡°I wonder if Kynnro¡¯s laser could cut through?¡± Cal liked to talk to himself when alone and working on a problem. ¡°Have to get right on top of it though.¡± He winced as the monster¡¯s tentacles shot out and grabbed the Threnosh soldiers one after another. The view didn¡¯t follow them to their final destination, but he didn¡¯t need to see to guess where they ended up. ¡°Going to need to keep my perceptions up to avoid those. Another drain on my brain power.¡±


    Cal rubbed a hand through his ever-lengthening hair. He frowned. ¡°This would be easy if PC3 just shot the fucker with their beam thingy.¡±


    Everything was easier with superior firepower. Unfortunately, that wasn¡¯t available to him. Unless¡­


    Something clicked for Cal. Possibilities. A long shot. No, more like a corner three. Tough, but doable and with the right play a high enough percentage of success.


    He brought up the map of the monster¡¯s projected track. He followed it to where it was going to hit land first.


    ¡°Uninhabited. No important resources. Just some spawn points. This can work.¡±


    Cal spent the next several minutes adding to the list on his PID.


    After he finished he contacted the engineer.


    ¡°Yes, Designation: Honor?¡± Engineer Verdant Mechanica 3581¡¯s face appeared in a holographic projection.


    ¡°I have a quick question,¡± Cal began. ¡°This facility. Most of it is underground and the ground is made up of solid bedrock.¡±


    ¡°Granite,¡± Engineer Verdant Mechanica 3581 said.


    ¡°Right. So, how do you guys dig through it?¡±


    ¡°We utilize drones equipped with a high-intensity directed energy discharge device to cut small sections out. Then we lift them out with heavy lifter drones.¡±


    ¡°Can I get a bunch of those digging drones?¡±


    ¡°How many?¡±


    ¡°As much as possible that will fit inside one of those heavy transports.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°And can I get them in, say, at least six hours?¡±


    ¡°That will be difficult. They will need to be requisitioned.¡±


    Cal tapped on his PID¡¯s screen. ¡°I just sent you a blank check straight from Prime Custodian 3.¡±


    ¡°I do not understand. What requires checking?¡±


    Cal sighed. ¡°I mean Prime Custodian 3 gave me authorization to grab whatever I need for a task. I¡¯ll be giving the interrogators the rest of the list, but I¡¯d like you to handle getting the drones. Because I might need you and the fabricator to make some modifications.¡±


    ¡°One moment,¡± Engineer Verdant Mechanica 3581¡¯s projection looked down. They raised their head after reading the message. ¡°Undertood. I will comply immediately.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Cal said.


    The engineer¡¯s holographic projection disappeared.


    Now all Cal needed to do was send the list to the interrogators and start fine tuning the plan. He didn¡¯t foresee any problems getting what he wanted, if it was possible. The prime¡¯s backing would take care of any obstacles.


    A familiar chime in his ears made Cal nearly jump out of his chair. ¡°Motherf¡ª¡±


    Congratulations!


    You have received a Quest!


    Defeat the Kaiju.


    Success Parameters: Capture or Kill


    Failure Parameters: Fail to defeat the kaiju.


    Reward: 100000 Universal Points. Reputation Gain with Threnosh.


    Failure: Injury or death. Reputation Loss with Threnosh.


    You have already accepted this Quest.


    ¡°Oookkaaayyyy¡­ the spires are taking their naming cues from my head now. And secondly, isn¡¯t this a bit late?¡± Cal said as he looked up at the ceiling of his office expectantly. When nothing happened he looked back down with a sigh. He supposed he¡¯d have to come up with a proper name. The thought made him wish his brothers were with him. Together they¡¯d workshop something pretty good¡­ something decent¡­ something passable. ¡°Mantasquid? Squidray? Mantasaurus Rex?¡± He shook his head. ¡°Can¡¯t use mantasaurus, too close to mantisor. Damn it, am I going to need to change that to mantisoids just so I can use Mantasaurus Rex? Why am I even using precious brain energy on this?¡±


    Cal took one last look at the holographic projection of the giant monster.


    ¡°Fuck you, kaiju,¡± Cal said to the holographic projection on his desk. ¡°I¡¯m going to ruin your week.¡±


    <hr>


    A heavy transport flew into the hanger of the facility. It landed near the other one that had arrived earlier. This time Cal had them all to himself. The transport¡¯s side door slid open and a group of eight Threnosh in the relatively cruder exoskeletons stepped out and made their way directly to Cal.


    ¡°Designation: Honor. I am Interceptor Kymah 43. Subleader, Interceptor Squadron 1, under Prime Custodian 3. We are at your disposal.¡± The lead Threnosh saluted in their fashion.


    ¡°Welcome,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°Briefing is in an hour. Feel free to get some sustenance or rest or whatever.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Intercepter Kymah 43 led the rest of his squadron into the facility.


    Cal went over to the fabricator and the engineer. He looked at his gear arranged in a neat and orderly fashion, ready to load into the transports. ¡°Everything ready?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Engineer Verdant Mechanica 3581 said.


    ¡°Start loading them.¡±


    Cal left the Threnosh to it and made his way back into the facility.


    ¡°Honor?¡± Caretaker intercepted him as soon as he left the hanger.


    The Threnosh was out of their power armor and Cal was, as usual, struck by their height.


    The standard, proper Threnosh came up to about his chest at four feet tall when not in power armor. Caretaker looked him in the eyes.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°I have a question?¡±


    ¡°Shoot.¡±


    ¡°What is our role in your task?¡±


    Cal¡¯s eyes widened momentarily. ¡°Uh¡­ no role. You and the team are injured and your power armor need repairs.¡±


    ¡°I can fight at seventy percent capacity,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Different kind of fight. Number one it¡¯s going to be up there,¡± Cal pointed a finger to the ceiling.


    Caretaker¡¯s eye followed. ¡°I do not understand.¡±


    ¡°In the sky. The fight is going to be in the sky. Unless you¡¯d got flight capability that I didn¡¯t know about. Then I don¡¯t think you¡¯d be particularly effective.¡±


    ¡°Is not our role to face such threats?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but you¡¯re not capable of facing all threats. There are some threats that simply give you no chance. You don¡¯t want to waste your lives on such things.¡±


    ¡°Then what are we to do?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d say you rest, heal. Maybe review the recordings of your fight with the mantisors and the boss. Figure out what worked, what didn¡¯t. Because you¡¯re probably going to have to do that all over again.¡± Cal grimaced. ¡°Thanks to this untimely interruption we didn¡¯t get to kill the secret boss.¡±


    Confusion crossed Caretaker¡¯s gray brow. ¡°What purpose does defeating the True Boss serve?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a game changer,¡± Cal said. ¡°It gives us control of the spawn point. We can set it to not spawn monsters. Or better yet to spawn monsters as we choose. It¡¯d be the perfect farming grounds.¡± He paused. ¡°Why don¡¯t you sit in on that briefing. It¡¯ll be a good experience. One day you¡¯ll probably have to deal with similar threats.¡±


    Caretaker nodded and left Cal in the day-lit corridor.


    <hr>


    The drone flew closer and closer. Until a black tentacle smashed it into so much dust in three blinks of the eye.


    ¡°That was the third recon drone. Please tell me you got the readings?¡±


    ¡°I believe so, Designation: Honor,¡± Communicator Blackswamp 649 said. ¡°The organism is able to detect disturbances through the considerable electromagnetic field that it generates.¡±


    ¡°Can you, like, jam it or something along those lines?¡±


    ¡°If I understand your words correctly, then, yes. I can broadcast a signal that will interfere with the organism¡¯s ability. However, due to the energy the organism generates I estimate it will only last for three minutes, forty-seven seconds, thirty-two mill¡ª¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s accurate enough for me,¡± Cal said. ¡°Looks like we¡¯re going ahead with the plan.¡± He contacted the sleek transport over the comms. ¡°Interceptor Kymah 43, is your squadron ready?¡±


    ¡°On your command, Designation: Honor.¡± The interceptor¡¯s voice came back through Cal¡¯s helmet.


    ¡°You are a go. Remember to keep your distance. You¡¯re the distraction. Watch out for those tentacles.¡±


    The interceptor gave the affirmative and Cal switched his view to focus on the other transport and the interceptors as they deployed from its belly.


    The interceptor power armor was a different from what Cal was used to. It came in two parts. The base power armor was sleek and essentially served as a life support system for high altitude operations. It was pressurized and had a self-contained regenerating oxygen system. It made the two liters of oxygen stored in small tanks on its back last for nearly an entire Threnosh day. It also contained an anti-gravity system which provided limited flight capabilities.


    It was the second system that truly made the power armor functional as an aerial fighter. It resembled an exoskeleton, but in the form of a jet-like frame. It contained everything necessary to turn the individual Threnosh into a miniature jet fighter. Weapons and sensor systems, aerodynamic wings and a tiny engine that generated enough thrust to propel it at roughly three hundred miles an hour.


    From what Cal had read on its specs it was actually capable of three times that speed. However, the inertial dampeners in the power armor was only capable of compensating up to three hundred miles per hour. Any faster and the Threnosh using the power armor risked injury and death.


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    It was a good thing that he was considerably more robust than them since he was going to be using a similar system to give himself an edge against the flying kaiju. Though what he was using was a stripped down version of Threnosh make, not the spire-produced interceptor power armor. It amounted to a directional thrust jet pack with wings for propulsion and stabilization and an anti-gravity system for lift. It gave him a speed advantage and helped conserve his brain power since he wouldn¡¯t need to use his telekinesis to fly.


    ¡°Drone operators,¡± Cal directed the four Threnosh sitting at their stations, ¡°recon drones first. Once the organism detects them and attacks, Communicator Blackswamp 649 will begin disruption. Immediately send in the driller drones. Remember to dig deep and fast. I¡¯ll take care of the next step.¡±


    Cal made his way to the back of the transport. The seconds he had to wait in the airlock for the pressure to equalize were agonizing. The insects in his stomach were freaking out or maybe that was just him. As soon as he was through to the loading area he grabbed the hard case secured against the wall and attached it to the front of his unpowered armor. Next he attached the improvised flight pack to his back using his telekinesis.


    He went through all the pre-flight checks using the projected display on his face-plate. Once done, there were no more reasons left to delay. He sent the command to open the rear ramp and was greeted by a bright blue ocean and an even brighter sky.


    Cal patted the ax at his side. It was a lot heavier and made out of an alien metal, but it had a similar shape to his trusty camping ax. There was some comfort in that. He took a few deep breaths before he leapt out and engage the flight pack. The instant acceleration sent his already roiling stomach down to his feet.


    He tried to focus on his quest. He zeroed in on the distant target. A giant black thing that marred the clean skies, like an ugly ink blot on a pristine canvas.


    A zoomed in view showed the interceptor squadron peppering it with projectile fire from their maximum range, as ordered. The squadron took it in turns making strafing runs from different angles.


    The kaiju flew on as if it was oblivious. The tentacles around its mouth merely hung limp as they were dragged in its wake.


    ¡°Send in the drones,¡± Cal said into the comms.


    A loud boom shook the sky as he pushed the flight pack to its theoretical limit. If he timed everything right all he¡¯d have to do when he reached the kaiju was to make a few dozen deliveries.


    <hr>


    Black tentacles the size of trees lashed out and smashed a handful of drones. They were deceptively quick for their immense size. From a distance they looked slow, but Cal knew from the collected data that he couldn¡¯t underestimate their quickness.


    ¡°Beginning electromagnetic disruption measures.¡± Communicator Blackswamp 649¡¯s flat voice came in over the comms.


    As soon as they said it the kaiju suddenly lurched and put on a burst of speed. It surged right toward an interceptor that was in the midst of their strafing run.


    The distance between two objects moving at around three hundred miles an hour rapidly closed. The interceptor didn¡¯t have the chance to react. One of the longer tentacles crushed the unfortunate Threnosh with its spade-lake tip.


    ¡°Cease attack, evasive maneuvers, withdraw to minimum safe distance.¡± Interceptor Kymah 43¡¯s voice was devoid of emotion over the comms. ¡°Reassessing organism¡¯s speed.¡±


    Cal flew up and around to the rear of the kaiju. He kept his distance and matched speeds while he watched the driller drones swoop in to begin their part of the plan.


    Thirty driller drones, as Cal called them, represented a good chunk of the local inventory. Fortunately, Prime Custodian 3¡¯s words trumped any and all infrastructure development concerns. Besides, potentially losing thirty drones was a lot less worse than potentially losing a few cities.


    Controlled by the drone operators back on the heavy transport, the drones swarmed over the dorsal surface of the kaiju. It appeared that the disruption was working. While the kaiju was flying erratically and its tentacles were wildly lashing out in every direction it wasn¡¯t targetting the drones.


    As if right on cue, a wayward tentacle struck out and destroyed one of the drones.


    ¡°Try to keep clear of those tentacles,¡± Cal said into the comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    As each drone reached its target point it fired up its high intensity, cutting laser and began digging tunnels into the kaiju¡¯s flesh.


    It took all of ten seconds for the kaiju to react. All of its tentacles lashed across its back.


    The drone tracker Cal had put up at the bottom of his face-plate flashed red as five of them went dark.


    ¡°Get those drones inside!¡±


    Two more went dark.


    Cal cursed. At this rate the drone weren¡¯t going to be able to dig enough holes and do them deep enough. They needed a distraction. And he was going to send some people to their deaths to make it happen.


    ¡°Interceptor Squadron 1. I need you to buy the drones some time.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Interceptor Kymah 43¡¯s voice was flat.


    Part of Cal wanted to do it himself, but he forced himself to remember that he had the most crucial role to play.


    The interceptor squadron swooped in. This time they pushed dangerously close to the kaiju. They wove a complex interweaving pattern as they assaulted the kaiju¡¯s face with a barrage of projectiles. In twos and and threes they attacked and withdrew from all angles. The display of quickness and aerial agility would¡¯ve amazed any Earth-born fighter pilot. It was one thing to control a jet fighter. It was another thing to be the jet fighter.


    As skillful and acrobatic as they were the interceptors still fought against probabilities. It was just a matter of time. The tentacles were too numerous, too quick in their own right.


    A black tentacle clipped an interceptor¡¯s wing, sending it into a violent spin as it plummeted to the ocean below.


    The readings indicated the Threnosh was dead before they hit the water. The impact had overwhelmed the inertial dampeners. They blacked out when their brain bounced off the inside of their skull. It was a small mercy, since this meant that they didn¡¯t feel the bones breaking in their body.


    A second interceptor was less lucky. A lashing tentacle forced them to pull out of their strafing run. Slowing down in the middle of aerial combat was death. A second tentacle wrapped itself around the unfortunate Threnosh and pulled them toward the kaiju¡¯s mouth.


    Even zoomed in Cal couldn¡¯t see the interceptor¡¯s face through their darkened face-plate. He didn¡¯t know why he did it, but he reached out with his telepathy to the doomed Threnosh. What he found brought tears to his eyes. Terror in the normally stoic Threnosh. The sheer overwhelming terror that, in the moment, unlocked the box that all proper Threnosh kept their emotions.


    It was too late for the interceptor, so Cal did the only thing he could. He took away the terror, he turned the Threnosh¡¯s thoughts to something else that he found inside their mind. The secret joy they felt as they soared through the sky. From the first day that they had been fortunate enough to receive the interceptor power armor from the spire, flying was what they had lived for.


    Cal made sure that this was the only thing on the Threnosh¡¯s mind before the kaiju bit down and turned everything dark.


    ¡°Communicator Blackswamp 649, status on the drones?¡± Cal¡¯s voice was heavy with emotion. To forge such a connection at such a traumatic time had given him some feedback from the doomed interceptor.


    ¡°Currently at thirty-five percent coverage of target locations. The loss of drones will increase task duration past the limit of the electromagnetic disruption measures. Projections indicate sixty-three percent coverage as maximum probability beyond that limit.¡±


    The kaiju flapped its enormous triangular wings up and down in an effort to dislodge the driller drones cutting into its flesh. A handful of drones went dark.


    ¡°Fifty-eight percent coverage.¡±


    ¡°Shit,¡± Cal muttered. ¡°That¡¯ll have to be good enough. Interceptor Squadron. I need ten more seconds, then you can get out of there.¡± He hated giving that order. They were already down to five members just in the last thirty seconds.


    Cal triggered his flight pack. The vast distance to the kaiju shrank rapidly.


    The interceptors renewed their reckless attacks. Two more were swatted out of the sky in quick succession.


    Another one, Interceptor Kymah 43, was on a collision course with a massive tentacle.


    Cal sped up his perceptions. Everything else around him slowed. The interceptor and the tentacle approached each other at a leisurely pace to his eyes. He grabbed the tentacle with his telekinesis and held it back, allowing the interceptor to swoop underneath it and land a spray of projectiles into the mouth area of the kaiju.


    A stab of pain lanced through Cal¡¯s brain, which forced him to release the tentacle. He was relieved to see the remaining interceptors flying away out of the kaiju¡¯s reach.


    Since he didn¡¯t have the cybernetics that the Threnosh had to control their power armor, Cal was forced to use a pair of joy stick-like mechanisms that extended from the flight pack frame on movable arms that flowed along his own arms to control it.


    The pressure on his brain steadily grew as he was forced to speed up his perceptions. Even with superhuman reflexes there was no way he was going to be able to keep away from the lashing tentacles at such close range.


    Cal¡¯s flight path brought him around the front of the kaiju. He wanted to get its attention away from the interceptor squadron. He almost immediately regretted that decision.


    Without any other targets the kaiju¡¯s was now focused on him. Black tentacles the size of trees lashed at him from what seemed like all directions.


    He dove down to avoid one coming straight at him, but this put him in the path of another one swiping from a different angle. He was forced to roll and it missed him by a mere arm¡¯s-length. The air displaced by its passing threatened to send him spinning out of control, but a brain-stabbing application of telekinesis kept him stable and on course.


    It was like trying to fly through a forest where the trees could move and all of them were trying to nail you. The plan was working though. Every tentacle trying to get him was one that wasn¡¯t going after the drones.


    Cal flew up in an attempt to get on the kaiju¡¯s dorsal side. The giant monster had other ideas. It rolled along Cal¡¯s flight path, which kept its mouth and tentacles firmly pointed in his direction.


    With the kaiju¡¯s back now facing the ocean Cal reversed course and shot straight up into the sky. The giant monster gave chase. Its strange, biological jet engines roared as it fought gravity¡¯s pull.


    Cal juked from one side to the other to avoid the two extra long tentacles. He didn¡¯t want to test his telekinetic shields and super durability against the spade-like tips. He was pretty sure that one hit would break the shields and his body.


    He slowly eased up on his speed and let the kaiju get closer. It was a dangerous maneuver because it let the monster bring the rest of its tentacles into play.


    He continued to weave from side to side in an erratic pattern to avoid the two clubbing tentacles. As the rest of the tentacles came into range he used his telekinesis to shoot himself a good hundred feet perpendicular to his flight path on the dorsal side of the kaiju.


    The strain was incredible, his body hurt and his brain felt the stabbing of a thousand needles, but he got clear of the tentacles. He flipped over until he was pointed straight at the kaiju¡¯s back.


    The flight pack roared to life as Cal pushed it to the max.


    One second and he was at the kaiju¡¯s back. He cut power to the flight pack and pushed out with his telekinesis to stop his momentum. Once again the strain on his body and mind pushed up against his limits.


    Cal felt a trickle of wetness running down his upper lip and ears. He ignored it. He had a quest to complete and he was exactly where he needed to be. Riding on the back of a flying kaiju.


    His maneuver had confused the giant monster, but he probably only had seconds before it realized where he was.


    There were several dozen holes of varying depths scattered across the broad, flat surface of the kaiju¡¯s back. Unfortunately, they were about sixty percent short of the optimum number the plan was targeting. It¡¯d have to do.


    The giant monster was about twenty to thirty feet thick at its thickest and tapered to about ten feet thick at the ends of its triangular wings. The sheer mass, combined with the toughness of its skin made drilling through it difficult even for high intensity lasers.


    Cal worked fast. He used his hands and telekinesis to take the contents out of the hard pack strapped to his chest and scatter them into the many holes. He felt like a remora skimming along the surface of a giant manta ray. Except what he was doing was definitely not beneficial for the larger animal.


    A quick look at the altimeter projected in his face-plate showed that they were rapidly approaching eighteen thousand feet. The thought of being at such a height with only a relatively thin armor separating him from the void made him shudder for a moment.


    It was an unfortunate distraction. Especially since he was just about to bail from the kaiju.


    A tentacle struck out from the periphery of his vision. The split second was enough for Cal to throw up a desperate telekinetic shield.


    It wasn¡¯t enough.


    The shield blunted the strike enough that it didn¡¯t instantly smash every bone in his body. Instead it hit him with enough force to break his flight pack and crush part of his armor, along with the bones in his right arm.


    The tentacle stuck to him and rapidly pulled him toward the kaiju¡¯s mouth. Cal resisted with everything he had. The pulling force slowed. Then it stopped.


    The two forces pulled against each other for a moment, but something had to give. Later the determination would be made that there was some as yet unquantifiable quality to the kaiju¡¯s tentacles that let them suction things with tremendous force. It wasn¡¯t entirely physical. Some speculation suggested that it was magnetic in nature, which would explain its effects on metal objects. What it didn¡¯t explain was its equally powerful effect on biological objects.


    Cal dug in with his strength and augmented it with his telekinesis.


    The kaiju did the same.


    Cal¡¯s armor gave first. The helmet along the right side of his head, the entire right arm armor and a good portion of the right torso armor, all tore free from the rest. The thin undersuit layer went next.


    It didn¡¯t stop there. Cal felt his exposed skin follow suit a fraction of a second later.


    The pain was like nothing he had ever felt before. The right side of his head and face. The right side of his upper body. It felt like the hottest fires of hell.


    It pushed Cal into the animal portion of his brain. The flight or fight response that was solely focused on survival. It lent a massive boost to his adrenaline and telekinesis.


    Half-mad with pain, he tore free from the unknown force employed by the kaiju.


    Cal fell free of the giant monster. His right eye was awash with blood. The vision in his left eye flickered black. He leaned on his telepathy to partition his thoughts. To keep the pain separate long enough to finish the quest.


    With what felt like agonizing slowness he used his telekinesis to input the required code into the detonator stowed safely in a waist compartment on the left side of his body.


    A series of massive explosions high above him bloomed in the daylight like another star.


    Cal imagined he could hear the kaiju¡¯s pained roar.


    ¡°Fuck you¡­ ruin¡­ day¡­¡±


    Cal¡¯s vision went black as he continued to plummet to the great ocean below.


    <hr>


    Then


    ¡°¡­ and that¡¯s how I¡¯d deal with Rodan,¡± Eron grinned.


    They had just finished watching the latest Godzilla movie. Perhaps the last Godzilla movie ever. It was a sobering thought and Cal couldn¡¯t help the frown that crossed his face. He wiped it off immediately and smiled when he noticed his six year old niece, Veronica, looking at him with worry.


    ¡°It¡¯s a good thing you pirated all of these movies,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I know right,¡± Eron said. ¡°SSD too, so they should last. Although I¡¯ve been grabbing hard drives from Best Buy every so often. Makes sense to make multiple backups, especially if these might be the last movies ever made.¡±


    They were holding a movie night for Eron¡¯s last night. Tomorrow he was finally going to go south to check on the rest of their family. It was something that he had been talking about for the past six months.


    ¡°No way, Uncle Eron,¡± Tessa said. ¡°Rodan flies too fast. You can¡¯t even get to him. And even if you did he has volcano powers.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d get burnt,¡± Veronica nodded sagely.


    ¡°First of all, he¡¯s got to land sometime, so I can get on him then. Secondly, you girls are forgetting that I¡¯m a Solar Paragon,¡± Eron did the old fashioned air quotes. ¡°Which means I¡¯ll probably, eventually be able to fly. Also, solar, implies that I¡¯m powered by the sun and as we know that is way hotter than any stupid volcano.¡±


    ¡°We can test that out,¡± Nila said from her spot next to the kids on the carpet. She was holding one side of Veronica¡¯s pillow fort steady. ¡°Where¡¯s the nearest volcano? You can take a little dip.¡±


    ¡°Mount Shasta, I think,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°That¡¯s like way up north,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I¡¯d think twice before taking a dip in a volcano,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Why, Uncle Cal?¡±


    ¡°Well, Tessa, some dragons like living in volcanoes and since we know that wyverns are a thing now, then dragons are also a thing, probably.¡±


    Veronica¡¯s eyes grew wide.


    ¡°Jeez, Cal!¡± Nila laid a hand on Veronica¡¯s back.


    ¡°Er¡­ Mt. Shasta¡¯s really far away and also, I¡¯m probably wrong.¡±


    Eron chuckled as he shook his head.


    ¡°Rodan could be at the volcano,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Right, back to that. I don¡¯t know why you guys are having such a hard time believing in my Rodan-killing move. It¡¯s simple. Get on top of him. He can¡¯t get me if I¡¯m on his back, drawback of being so huge. Then I punch a big hole in his back. Tough to survive a big hole in your back.¡±


    ¡°But Mothra stabbed a big hole in him and he didn¡¯t die,¡± Veronica said. ¡°I¡¯m sad Mothra died.¡±


    ¡°I know, me too,¡± Nila commiserated.


    Eron shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know, maybe I could,¡± he got up off the couch and mimed diving into a pool, ¡°go inside him and punch his heart or something.¡±


    ¡°Like Ant-man?¡±


    Eron pointed a finger at Tessa. ¡°You are exactly right on that one!¡±


    ¡°Does he even have a heart?¡± Cal raised a brow at his brother. ¡°Seems to me that he¡¯s made of lava.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Eron said flatly, ¡°he¡¯s a fictional monster.¡±


    Cal stared at his brother for a moment before a reluctant laugh escaped his lips. After a beat the kids broke out into riotous laughter. Nila rolled her eyes.

 2.10

    Then


    ¡°There¡¯s no way that¡¯s ¡®peak human¡¯,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got to agree,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Comics peak human was always low level superhuman anyways,¡± Eron said.


    The three brothers were seated at the kitchen table watching Nila entertain the kids with some, frankly, ridiculous feats of balance and acrobatics.


    Tessa and Veronica cheered as Nila jumped up onto the six-foot tall brick wall from a standstill. She ran across the wall¡¯s length until she was lined up with the trampoline in the middle of the backyard. She turned her back to it and jumped backwards, tucked into a perfect back flip and cleared the safety net, which enclosed the trampoline. One more bounce on trampoline and she flipped up and out of their view to land somewhere on the roof.


    ¡°That¡¯s some bullshit, right there,¡± Eron said. ¡°She could totally win every gold medal in gymnastics.¡±


    ¡°The weird thing is she was never that athletically coordinated. I¡¯d go so far to say that she was the exact opposite,¡± Cal said.


    Eron looked like he was deep in thought. ¡°How much is she benching now?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s repping 585, ten times.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how Olympic weightlifting works, but that sounds like she¡¯d win those medals too.¡± Eron shook his head. ¡°Speed?¡±


    ¡°10.12 in the 100 meters.¡±


    ¡°At least she can¡¯t win the Olympics in that,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°She can do like twelve of those back-to-back before she even starts getting tired,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°More like movie Captain America than comic book Captain America,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Hence, my choice of superhero name.¡±


    ¡°Not happening, Eron,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°But it¡¯s so perfect.¡±


    ¡°So, what¡¯s the general plan?¡± Remy turned to Eron.


    ¡°Eh, nothing set in stone. I¡¯m just going to stick close to the five. Kill monsters, fight bad guys. Maybe help any people I come across if it doesn¡¯t take too long.¡±


    ¡°I did some calculations. With your super jumping you can get down there in a couple of hours if you didn¡¯t stop,¡± Remy said.


    Eron shrugged. ¡°I guess so, but I¡¯m pretty sure there¡¯ll be interruptions. Leaving aside the monsters, I¡¯ll be passing through some heavily populated areas. That¡¯ll probably slow me down.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Cal agreed. ¡°There¡¯s no way of knowing what you might find. There might be bad guys with dangerous powers. We¡¯ve been lucky so far that we¡¯re the only ones in the area in that regard. It¡¯s better to be cautious.¡±


    Remy nodded. ¡°Big fish, small pond.¡±


    ¡°Maybe¡­ but I¡¯m thinking I should get there quick. Haven¡¯t talked to the family in a few months,¡± Eron said.


    Cal shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m worried too, but not that worried, you know?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re probably okay,¡± Remy said. ¡°Mom¡¯s got force fields, Dad¡¯s a brick and Rayna controls gravity. It¡¯s a great combo.¡±


    ¡°Man¡­ why did we, as a family, get so lucky?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I¡¯m going to take it and run,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Right, but what if there¡¯s a downside to it? Like the greater the power the higher the cost,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve thought about that too,¡± Remy said. ¡°But I keep going back to the fact that it¡¯s out of our control. We got the powers that we got, we didn¡¯t have a choice, so the only thing we can do is use them to protect our family and others.¡±


    ¡°Well, seeing as how we won¡¯t be seeing you for a while,¡± Cal got up from the table and went to his pack against the nearby wall, ¡°how bout some drinks,¡± he fished out a bottle of Laphroaig, his favorite. ¡°Single malt scotch. Grabbed it from my apartment the other day when I was checking out those reports of weird things in the river.¡±


    ¡°You know there are liquor stores in town that don¡¯t necessitate crossing the river,¡± Remy said as he grabbed some clean glasses from his kitchen cupboards.


    ¡°I checked, didn¡¯t have it.¡± Cal gave everyone a generous pour. He held up his glass. ¡°So, I guess good luck!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll try not to die or you know, not accidentally do something that unleashes a great and terrible horror upon the land,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± Remy groaned, ¡°why did you have to go there?¡±


    Eron¡¯s cackling laughter accompanied the clinking of their glasses.


    ¡°Nah, just kidding. I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll be a boring trip. Worst things will probably be monsters like that wyvern and I can handle those,¡± Eron grinned. ¡°Solar Paragon, remember, all that sun I¡¯ll be getting can only be a good thing. What can go wrong?¡±


    <hr>


    Now


    ¡°Designation: Honor¡¯s instructions indicate that you are to be in charge of the special candidates in the event that he was incapacitated,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°I do not understand,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°The next group of candidates are scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Designation: Honor will not be able to discharge his responsibilities. Per his instructions, you will take his place.¡±


    ¡°Are you not Honor¡¯s assistant?¡±


    ¡°No, I am not. I have been tasked by Prime Custodian 3 to work adjacent to Designation: Honor to handle the administrative duties in the operation of this project and facility.¡±


    Caretaker thought they detected a slight twitch to one of the interrogator¡¯s eyes. The interrogator¡¯s manner angered Caretaker. They refused to look at them. They merely kept their eyes staring forward. It was the standard way proper Threnosh interacted with defectives, if they were forced to. Most Threnosh didn¡¯t have to even look at defectives, who were kept isolated from normal Threnosh society.


    Thinking of the word brought forth a flash of heat that Caretaker felt travel up from their stomach to their chest. They had gotten used to Honor treating them with respect. They mastered their anger. It wouldn¡¯t serve them to display it in front of the interrogator.


    If the interrogator informed the prime then Caretaker ran the risk of losing their place in the project. That was something they didn¡¯t want. They had finally found a purpose and they would do anything to keep it.


    ¡°Very well,¡± Caretaker said.


    They then turned away from Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 and resumed their practice.


    Caretaker felt strange moving through a series of strikes with the bladed weapon that Honor had the fabricator make for them. While in their other hand they held a large metal disk meant for defense. Sword and board, Honor had called it at first, which he had then amended to sword and shield. The latter terminology they understood better.


    It was frustrating to go through the moves without an actual opponent. Instead, Honor had told them to visualize an opponent. Caretaker kept trying, but they were finding it nearly impossible.


    They concentrated on delivering the slashes and stabs the way that Honor had showed them. They kept the shield close to their power armored body to ward off imagined enemy attacks.


    Caretaker stopped mid move and allowed a frown to crease their brow.


    Honor was a poor teacher, by his own admission he was a novice in his own right. Perhaps that was the source of Caretaker¡¯s frustration? Perhaps Honor¡¯s suggestion to find ancient texts detailing the Threnosh¡¯s more barbaric ancestors¡¯ methods of combat and somehow combine them with the training simulation programs was necessary? It was a vague idea that Honor tended to throw out without thought or concern. It was the antithesis to the Threnosh way in which actions taken were tied to the near-perfect probability of success.


    The thought brought Caretaker short. It was something that they would need to discuss further with Honor. If the opportunity arose.


    They reset their stance and tried to repeat the same move. Block an attack with the shield and follow it up with a descending slash of the sword.


    They went through the move mechanically. It didn¡¯t flow, whatever that meant. Caretaker didn¡¯t quite fully comprehend what Honor had said. Something about each move being performed in sequence without a pause, no matter how slight, in between.


    ¡°What purpose does this shield serve, when my trueskin already protects me?¡±


    A mantisor¡¯s scything forelimb flashed through Caretaker¡¯s thoughts. It would¡¯ve cut right through their trueskin like it did to Primal¡¯s and Shira¡¯s. If it did that then the shield would¡¯ve been useless.


    Unless¡­ Caretaker concentrated until they could picture a mantisor rushing at them with a scythe-like forelimb cutting from high to low across their body.


    In one outcome without the shield the forelimb cleaved straight through their trueskin.


    In another Caretaker¡¯s predictive algorithm guided them into stepping forward and meeting it with the shield. They pushed, deflected the scythe-like forelimb to one side. The shield¡¯s curved surface prevented the forelimb from finding purchase as it skipped off. They continued the motion of their body with the sword in their other hand coming around with a sweeping slash that decapitated the mantisor.


    ¡°Interesting,¡± Caretaker murmured.


    They returned to their practice with renewed effort. Killing the enemy from a distance was still the preferred method of fighting. Especially with how invasive organisms, as a whole, lacked long-range offensive capabilities. However, there was merit to melee combat depending on the situation.


    Still, Caretaker reminded themselves that they didn¡¯t have a trueskin that repaired itself and the Threnosh inside like Shira¡¯s. They would be foolish to try to fight the way their teammate did.


    <hr>


    Freedom was a strange thing. Naturally one that had never known it, never knew what they had missed. No, that wasn¡¯t correct. It was what had been denied to them.


    Frequency walked slowly through the forest surrounding the facility. The sounds of nature all around them filled their chest cavity with something that they couldn¡¯t describe. What they did know was that they liked it and they never wanted to have anything else within them.


    Their trueskin was what made this possible. The Threnosh regional leader that had charge over them had denied Frequency access to the trueskin. Defectives had no value to the greater collective of the Threnosh. Thus they had deemed that there was no value in Frequency utilizing it.


    To think that they would never have known what it was to hear without their trueskin.


    Something had gone wrong in Frequency¡¯s creche pod. They emerged without the ability to hear. Their biological auditory system simply didn¡¯t work. Of course such things happened, though extremely rare. A minuscule percentage of a percent. They were immediately transferred to a place with the rest of their kind. Subjected to a sort of benign neglect. Sufficient food and shelter. Taught the basic things expected of all Threnosh. Yet, forever exiled from that very same society.


    None of that mattered now. Honor was true to his word. If they passed the test they were free to do what they wished when not on a task. Even then they received the direct rewards of any Tasks the spires gave to them. No other Threnosh could control that. Not anymore.


    And so Frequency chose to spend their free time wandering the forest. They let the sounds of animals wash over them. The calls and chitters of birds and rodents as they flapped through the trees and scampered through the brush. The crunch of leaves and twigs underneath their boots.


    Frequency stopped suddenly. They listened as a bird called out. A moment later another bird replied. A mental command to their trueskin had it record the two birds as they went back and forth for several minutes.


    A moment of inspiration. Frequency used their trueskin to copy the first bird¡¯s vocalizations, which they then began broadcasting from one of the speaker-like devices recessed into their armored shoulder.


    It took some time adjusting the pitch and volume until Frequency knew that it was the exact copy. How they knew? They couldn¡¯t explain. If pressed all they could say was that it sounded right.


    They played the bird call as they continued their walk through the forest.


    Ten minutes later they shut it off. After the third bird dived at them with aggression they realized that the sound wasn¡¯t a friendly one, at least to other birds.


    The discovery prompted them to begin recording every sound that the forest provided. They recalled what Honor had said about their role in the team. Their experiences since that first fight had given them a better grasp of what he meant and what their trueskin was capable of.


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°I am Frequency,¡± they called out in a conversational tone. ¡°I AM FREQUENCY!¡± They shouted as loud as they could.


    The words sounded odd in their ears. Their voice was still off. They didn¡¯t sound like the others. Their words, their pronunciation was garbled.


    Frequency let loose a sigh. Their eyes widened and they looked around them. Then they realized that they were alone. There were no minders around to chastise and admonish them for defective behaviors.


    ¡°I am free,¡± they said softly.


    The words were just a little bit clearer than before. Frequency felt that same pleasant feeling inside their chest.


    ¡°I am not defective. As Honor says, I am different. The world is greater than I have been told. I have purpose and I am not beholden to those that deem me of no value.¡±


    Frequency walked through the forest. They listened to all the sounds around them. Savoring each one like a thirsty man savors each drop of water. They talked about nothing and everything just to hear the sound of their voice. It didn¡¯t matter if it was garbled it was the best sounds they had ever heard and they were improving, slowly, but steadily.


    Caretaker spent their free time trying to fill-in Honor¡¯s role with the new arrivals. Primal fought. Kynnro studied everything in the archives concerning Honor. Shira was recovering.


    Frequency wondered if the others had found the same feeling in their beings. They supposed that they would all be different and they thought that fitting.


    <hr>


    Primal tromped through the blackened ground. Bits of charred wood and puffs of ash flew up with each thudding step their trueskin made.


    The diminutive Threnosh, even when compared to the standard Thrensoh, was uncomfortably warm inside the control chamber in the torso. The damage done by the mantisor boss was catastrophic and they hadn¡¯t been able to obtain a heavy transport to take them all the way to the spire. Hence the lack of perfect repairs.


    The engineer and fabricator seemed to think that they had done a perfect job in simply getting Primal¡¯s trueskin operational to minimum combat standard.


    Primal grit their teeth. It struck them as odd that heavy transport was authorized to take them to and from Spawn Zone 315349 on a daily basis, yet Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 continuously claimed that transport to the spire was unavailable.


    There would be no trip to the spire without Honor. That was clear. The thought made Primal grumble. Honor said they would have freedom if they defeated the mantisor boss. Yet, they didn¡¯t truly have it. They were still in a cage, just a lot larger now. Prime Custodian 3 was just as much a jailer as their former leader.


    As much as the thought bothered Primal. They realized that Honor was the only path to true freedom.


    The small group of mantisors that came charging from out of nowhere surprised Primal.


    They chastised themselves for becoming distracted. The damage and less than ideal repairs to their trueskin had left it with a severely limited sensor system. They had visual, audio and communications, but nothing else. It wasn¡¯t a big concern. The fire destroyed anything that the organisms could¡¯ve used to camouflage their presence. If they paid attention they could see them coming.


    Primal swung their bow at the lead mantisor. They caught it mid leap. The indestructible metal folded the monsters in two. It crashed to the ground a good distance away. From the way its lower half wasn¡¯t moving, Primal knew that they had broken its back.


    They swung the bow in short arcs to keep the mantisors at bay.


    One jumped and Primal punched out with their left fist. At least that¡¯s what they tried to do. They had forgotten in the moment that their trueskin¡¯s arm was back at the base. The engineer and fabricator had been unable to reattach it and make it functional.


    The mantisor landed on Primal¡¯s chest and stabbed down with both scythe-like claws. The armor, original and patchwork, held. The claws threw sparks into the air as they skidded off.


    Primal grunted. These standard variants were significantly weaker than the mantisor boss. They flopped to the ground and crushed the mantisor underneath a heavy, unyielding weight.


    The other mantisors jumped on Primal¡¯s prone back, so they did the natural move and rolled over. More mantisors were crushed.


    Primal rose to their feet with a whine of protest from the interior machinery of their trueskin. They surveyed the battlefield and promptly stomped the life out of the mantisors that still lived.


    They went for the head as Honor had advised.


    Caretaker had thought Primal foolish for seeking battle without a fully functioning weapon system. They had no guns, no grenade launcher. All they had was their bow, a quiver of arrows and their trueskin¡¯s immense strength.


    It was enough for Primal. They could not stay at the facility and wait day after day without being inside their trueskin. It was all that mattered to them. If the most amount of time they could spend within was in battle. Then they would seek it.


    Whether these mantisors were ones that they had missed or had been in the mountains or the spawn zone had already begun spawning new ones days after the team had defeated the boss, Primal didn¡¯t care. They were grateful that they could spend their days in battle, while they waited.


    In this, Caretaker¡¯s words didn¡¯t matter. Primal¡¯s Trueskin was created to fight, thus they were also meant to fight.


    Primal grudgingly gave a thought of thanks to Honor for providing a path to this purpose.


    <hr>


    Shira paced the length of their small recuperation chamber in the facility¡¯s medical section. Three meters long and half again as wide. There was a bed and a space to wash and relieve themselves. Such things were relics from before the trueskins came in the arrival of the spires over ten years ago.


    Shira wasn¡¯t born until three years after the spires appeared. If they weren¡¯t a defective then this would¡¯ve likely been the first time that they¡¯d laid eyes on the narrow, upright cylinder set into the wall. As it stood, they knew how it use it. That wasn¡¯t the problem.


    The problem was that they were being kept away from their trueskin under the recommendation from the virtual intelligence that governed the medical protocols.


    Thus Shira was confined to this chamber, without their trueskin and without an exoskeleton.


    Normally a Threnosh without the aid of an exoskeleton would tire quickly from simply moving around. Their bodies were just that frail and fragile. They wouldn¡¯t have been inconvenienced by being trapped in the small room. They simply wouldn¡¯t have the energy and strength to do more than rest in bed, eat and maintain the bare minimum of their bodily functions.


    Shira frowned. They didn¡¯t realize how much they had come to rely on their trueskin to take care of much of those things.


    The thought of their trueskin brought a snort of frustration out of their nose holes.


    They were clearly well enough to be let free. The V.I. had not encountered anything like them. It based its treatment procedures on standard Threnosh.


    Shira was clearly different. They knew this fact. For one thing they felt good and strong. Pacing back and forth nonstop, did not steal the breath from their lungs. It did not bring pain to their tiny muscles.


    Shira stopped short when they caught their reflection on the shiny surface of the wall. It was distorted, but they could clearly see that their body was different. Their muscles looked bigger, more defined. Before they were able to truly utilize their trueskin, they had the same stick-like figure of the normal Threnosh.


    Honor pushed them to fight in order to upgrade their trueskins. Was their trueskin doing the same to them in return?


    Shira thought the answer must be the affirmative. There was no other explanation. They were changing along with their trueskin.


    They ran a tongue across their teeth. They were careful because their canine teeth had grown pointed and sharp. Another change.


    An alarm chimed and Shira went over to the nutrient dispenser. They took the small cylinder with the liquid meant to fill their nutritional needs for the day. They gulped it down at once.


    It did nothing to fill the growing hunger in their stomach.


    Again the V.I. showed its lack of knowledge.


    Shira realized that a stronger body required more nutrients. They thought of informing the V.I., but decided against it. They had a dim view on the standard Threnosh leadership. If they reported the changes they were undergoing then it was likely that the Collective would seek to study them. This would take them away from their trueskin and the only purpose that mattered to them.


    It would¡¯ve been different if Honor was there. Shira was certain that he would not stand in their way of getting stronger. But Honor wasn¡¯t in charge and who knew if he would be in the future.


    Shira was in the medical chamber in a healing tank of their own when Honor was brought in.


    They shook the image from their thoughts. So much blood, yet it didn¡¯t sicken them. It only reminded them of the growing hunger in their stomach.


    Shira laid a hand on their midsection.


    The mantisor boss had stabbed a hole straight through their trueskin and through their body. The catastrophic damage to their internal organs should¡¯ve been instant death. That¡¯s what they expected when their vision had gone black. Yet somehow they had lived.


    They didn¡¯t remember what happened after. Their next memory was waking inside the healing tank. The hole in their stomach had been healed. The pain was a distant thing.


    Shira reached for their PID.


    Three days inside the recuperation chamber was enough. They were restless and hungry. They burned with the desire for their trueskin¡¯s safe, comforting embrace.


    The V.I. might state that they weren¡¯t ready to be freed, but Shira couldn¡¯t wait any longer.


    They had observed Caretaker intently listening to and watching everything Honor said and did. Only Kynnro paid closer attention.


    Honor wouldn¡¯t have kept Shira imprisoned. Caretaker would do as Honor did.


    Shira sent a simple message.


    ¡°Free me,¡± they whispered in a voice that was almost a hiss.


    <hr>


    ¡°I request access to any recordings that contains Designation: Honor¡¯s presence,¡± Kynnro said.


    Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 stared blankly at Kynnro for exactly three seconds. They then quickly waved away the many holographic projections that were scattered through out their small administration space. ¡°Purpose?¡±


    Kynnro¡¯s eyes blinked rapidly. A sharp contrast to the slow, spaced out blinks of the interrogator.


    The two Threnosh stood still as they stared at each other. Kynnro was in the cruder exoskeleton of Threnosh make, which forced them to tilt their head back to look the interrogator in the eyes.


    ¡°I seek further study,¡± Kynnro finally said, ¡°as instructed by Designation: Honor,¡± they added hastily.


    Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 flipped the panel on their left gauntlet. Their eyes moved from left to right rapidly as their fingers tapped and swiped on the screen. ¡°Information in the greater archives is restricted,¡± they said as they returned their gaze to Kynnro.


    ¡°Yes, but Designation: Honor¡¯s instructions were for further study. How am I to comply if I cannot access the archives?¡±


    The way Kynnro leaned forward and blinked rapidly with wide eyes was beginning to unnerve the interrogator.


    ¡°Your access is restricted.¡±


    ¡°Can you grant access?¡±


    ¡°I cannot. Only the lead administrator of this facility can forward the request to Prime Custodian 3.¡±


    ¡°But Designation: Honor is incapacitated,¡± Kynnro pressed.


    Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 found themselves leaning back from the defective. They tried not to look at the growths growing around Kynnro¡¯s ear holes. Instead of the rounded flatness around the normal Threnosh¡¯s ear holes. The defective had structures that resembled Designation: Honor¡¯s. The interrogator recalled the human calling them earlobes. Unlike the human¡¯s ears, the defective¡¯s tapered to a point along the top and back.


    ¡°Enough,¡± the interrogator straightened abruptly. ¡°I am uncertain, but standard procedure dictates that Designation: Honor must be the one to request archive access for you from Prime Custodian 3. However, since much of what this project is doing has deviated from standard procedure then I cannot provide a definitive answer to your query. Designation: Honor does as he pleases. He even placed a def¡ª the one called Caretaker in command of the new special candidates.¡±


    Kynnro spun on their heel and left the interrogator¡¯s work station. The door slid shut before they felt a strange sensation at both corners of their mouth. It was as if they were being pulled up. They prodded at their cheeks.


    ¡°What is this? Honor would know,¡± they whispered to themselves.


    Kynnro spent the next two days idly wandering the facility. They were curious about their new teammates, but Caretaker kept them busy in the practice chamber and they didn¡¯t yet feel like donning their trueskin to join in the training. Shira was confined to the recuperating chamber and Primal was out. Not that they would¡¯ve bothered the two. The former was frightening and the latter was unpleasant. Kynnro would¡¯ve bothered Frequency, but they had spent much of their time exploring the wilds outside of the facility.


    Their circuit through the facility took them to see Honor. Well, specifically the door to the chamber he was in.


    It was on their second pass of the fourth day that they suddenly realized something important that they had forgotten.


    It concerned a message from Honor sent to their PID in the early days of the project. Kynnro recalled it mentioning something about login credentials to the archives. As it happened often with Honor¡¯s words they didn¡¯t quite understand the exact meaning. They had to rely on context to grasp what he was trying to convey.


    Kynnro distinctly remembered the archives were mentioned and the rest seemed to imply access of some sort.


    They raced down the day-lit corridors. Their exoskeleton¡¯s motors whined it protest at the strain. As they reached their quarters, Kynnro had to stop and fight to regain their breath. Their body ached mightily.


    The exoskeleton was a poor substitute for their trueskin. It was only meant to allow them to move around at a reasonable pace.


    Kynnro¡¯s hands shook as they reached for their PID. They quickly located Honor¡¯s message.


    They followed the instructions and found themselves facing a holographic projection of a long list of files.


    The names were odd. They didn¡¯t follow standard Threnosh conventions. It took Kynnro a moment to realize what it meant. Honor had named the files, which indicated that he had meant for them to be viewed.


    There was file labeled Interrogation Sessions. That was self-explanatory. Kynnro would return to that later.


    Another file called Earth Stuff piqued their interest. They selected it, which opened up another projection with another long list. They decided on one at random. Something about ice cream.


    The holographic recording played immediately. It was like Kynnro was there in the same room. Honor was trapped in a strange device with only his head free. The two interrogators stood facing him.


    ¡°You claim that your Earth world can provide the Threnosh with value,¡± Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 began.


    ¡°Provide an example,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 finished.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Honor said. ¡°Do you have ice cream?¡±


    The description Honor launched into was rambling and confusing. Kynnro didn¡¯t quite get it, but they thought that they would like to try this thing that Honor had attempted to describe.


    Kynnro spent the next few days going through every recording. They only stopped for necessary nutrition and cleanliness requirements. They thrilled at the recordings of Honor¡¯s escape from this very same facility. They were horrified by the outworld invader that had called itself, Zalthyss.


    What they enjoyed the most were the recordings in which Honor described things from his world. The Earth sounded so different from their own. It was full of unpredictability and freedom. Where purpose was made from one¡¯s own choosing, not predetermined from the creche.


    Kynnro wondered what it would be like to do as Honor had done and step into another world.


    <hr>


    This took him back. Stuck in a box, unable to move, with only his telepathy saving him from pure boredom.


    First world problems, Cal thought, sigh.


    No complaining, you¡¯re alive and this super awesome not-bacta solution grew back your skin in less than a week.


    Cal wandered the facility and it¡¯s surroundings with his mind. What he found made him happy.


    He saw that Frequency found actual joy in simply walking through the forest and listening to it. They even picked up a new potentially useful application of their power armor¡¯s control of sound waves.


    Shira was having a more difficult time, but even then they were coming to understand more of what they were capable of. The way the power armor was effecting changes on their biology was a little concerning, but they were alive. They had no business surviving a hole through their stomach. For now Cal would take them being alive. Any possible problems would have to be handled if they came up. Although, sharp teeth and a slight amount of bloodlust in exchange for a stronger constitution seemed like a fair trade.


    Primal was often well beyond Cal¡¯s reach, but from what he could tell the tiniest Threnosh was getting in some good work. It took guts to go solo hunting with a damaged, one-armed power armor.


    Kynnro made him smile. They were the first to use the access he gave all of them to the entire archive. It was a tough sell, but he had convinced Prime Custodian 3 of the potential value. And what does Kynnro do with it. They binge-watched the Earth Stuff folder. Cal could only sigh.


    Caretaker was proving themselves a potential leader to take his place. Cal wasn¡¯t planning on being tied to the project forever. He wanted to go home as soon as he could. That necessitated finding another to eventually take his place. A Threnosh, but one that wasn¡¯t like the standard Threnosh. One that was able and willing to take risks. It was the type of attitude that the spires rewarded.

 2.11

    Now


    The first thing that happened as soon as Cal was back to full consciousness was a chime in his ears. The spires¡¯ notification was as surprising as always. What made it disconcerting this time was that he heard it clearly despite being still submerged in the magical, super science-y healing liquid.


    The view through the face mask that fed him oxygen was cloudy. The yellow-colored liquid felt viscous and warm. He didn¡¯t fail to notice the passing similarity to another warm, yellow liquid. He looked down at his nakedness and was suddenly worried.


    He¡¯d been under for a little over a week. There was no way he hadn¡¯t pissed in the liquid. He could only hope that the healing chamber was equipped with the same cleaning functionality that his old prisoner sarcophagus had.


    Cal tried to put it out of his mind. He focused on the spires¡¯ message.


    Congratulations!


    You have completed a Quest!


    Defeat the Kaiju.


    You played the key role in killing the Kaiju.


    Reward: 100000 Universal Points. Reputation Gain with Threnosh.


    There was no measure of how much reputation he had gained. Typical of the spires. Always leaning into vagueness. The points were nice though. Really nice. He could do a lot with that. For himself and the team.


    Cal tried to remember what had happened after he had detonated the explosives he¡¯d planted inside the holes dug by the driller drones in the kaiju¡¯s body.


    After a few minutes he let out a sigh. He couldn¡¯t pick anything out beyond a few hazy images. Of the kaiju slowly listing and sinking toward the ocean. Its dorsal surface on fire, trailing a thick cloud of black smoke that carried hints of an outdoor barbecue, except disgusting.


    There was a picture of the interceptors accompanied by the sensation of being carried.


    The pain from the damage done by the tentacle must¡¯ve been really bad if he couldn¡¯t even get anything clearer even with his telepathy. What did that mean? Maybe the trauma was so bad that his brain stopped processing memories? Maybe it was putting all its power into survival?


    ¡°Whatever,¡± Cal muttered into the face mask.


    He¡¯d spent enough time in the tank. It was time to get back to it.


    Cal reached out with his telekinesis and began the extraction procedures. He had studied how the machine worked. A few swipes and presses on the console with his invisible hand and all he had to do was wait.


    In the five minutes it took for the liquid to fully drain and the chamber to open the room had grown progressively more crowded.


    The engineer was first. Without a proper medical role Threnosh in the facility Engineer Verdant Mechanica 3581 was deemed the next best contact by the Virtual Intelligence governing the system. It had pinged them a notification as soon as Cal had started the process.


    ¡°The V.I. was perplexed when extraction was commenced without a physical presence in the chamber to operate the console.¡±


    Cal shrugged. ¡°I can see why it¡¯d be confusing, Mechanica.¡± He struggled to put on the skin-tight, yet super comfy one piece, all-purpose suit. The looks that the non-interrogator Threnosh were giving his junk was making him uncomfortable. The skin on the right side of his head and the right side of his upper body, including his entire right arm was still tender to the touch. He winced as he pulled the sleeve on.


    ¡°Will you resume your duties?¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 had come next, along with Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623.


    ¡°Explain. We are aware of your ability to manipulate objects with an unseen, unmeasurable force. However, the control console to your chamber was reconfigured to require physical contact.


    ¡°First of all, Tides, yeah I will.¡± Cal turned to the other interrogator. ¡°Loaming, were you trying to catch me out?¡± He grinned. ¡°Nice one! Keep it up! That sort of asymmetrical thinking is what this project is all about.¡±


    ¡°Honor, I have prepared my report on what transpired with the new special candidates during the time you were unavailable,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Okay. Good job. We¡¯ll go over it in¡­ let¡¯s say an hour. Have to check in with PC3 about some stuff first,¡± Cal said. ¡°But I definitely can¡¯t wait to see what you think of the new crew and how things are going so far.¡±


    Kynnro stood next to Caretaker. The difference in height was striking, especially since Kynnro was out of their power armor. In their power armor Caretaker was actually a good six inches taller than Cal.


    ¡°Honor, I require answers?¡± Kynnro practically vibrated in place with anticipation.


    ¡°Uh¡­ can this wait?¡±


    ¡°No it cannot for it has filled my thoughts for days.¡±


    ¡°Okay, sure, why not. What¡¯s the question?¡±


    ¡°I am intrigued by your ice cream.¡± The words were drawn out. ¡°Is it a naturally occurring substance or is it manufactured?¡±


    Cal laughed. ¡°It¡¯s made. I¡¯m pretty sure you guys don¡¯t have it. Unless the Collective is keeping all the good secrets to themselves.¡±


    It was interesting to note the Threnosh¡¯s reactions to his word. The two interrogators brows creased ever so slightly in displeasure. The engineer¡¯s face was blank, as if they had already fulfilled their duty and was just waiting to be allowed to get back to more important matters. Caretaker¡¯s and Kynnro¡¯s reactions were more open and interesting. They looked thoughtful, as if they were seriously considering the possibility.


    Cal could¡¯ve used his telepathy to take a quick peak into their thoughts for clarification, but he demurred. They were allies now. He wasn¡¯t going to violate their privacy without a legitimately good reason.


    ¡°Never fear, Kynnro. I think I remember how to make it. We just need some salt, sugar, cream and flavoring. Maybe I can get Riverport to fabricate us the machine we need,¡± Cal laughed again. Kynnro¡¯s innocent request opened his eyes to new possibilities. One he can¡¯t believe he had overlooked.


    He didn¡¯t have to just eat the Threnosh¡¯s nutrient liquid. He was free to make his own food. There was an entire world of new things to eat. He was going to be a true trailblazer. The first human to eat alien flora and fauna.


    <hr>


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I don¡¯t think I heard you right. Could you repeat that last bit?¡±


    Prime Custodian 3¡¯s life-like holographic projection remained motionless and unblinking. As always Cal had the impression that they were buffering or something, except that wasn¡¯t possible. The Threnosh version of wireless telecommunications was on several orders of magnitude better than the one back of Earth. Forget 5G, it was more like 5000G.


    The Prime finally blinked. ¡°Your medical scans indicated that there was no damage to your hearing.¡±


    ¡°Aside from getting my ear ripped off, sure,¡± Cal prodded at his tender lobe. ¡°I must say the reconstruction is perfect. Looks just like my left one.¡±


    ¡°It was copied exactly.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m not ungrateful, but¡­¡±


    ¡°To return to your query. Ultimate authority rests under the Collective¡¯s aegis. As such Universal Points gained through the undertaking of a Task are received by the Collective. They are then distributed equally to all Threnosh. I receive my portion, which I then disperse to my subordinates. They disperse to their subordinates and so on.¡±


    ¡°So the interceptors, drone operators and the communicators? They only got a fraction of the gains from the kaiju?¡±


    ¡°You are factually correct.¡±


    ¡°They put a lot on the line to kill that kaiju. The interceptors lost over half their number. That doesn¡¯t seem fair.¡± Cal realized he sounded a bit whiny, so he changed tack. When in doubt, keep asking questions. ¡°Wait a minute. I thought your fighters, elites get points directly.¡±


    ¡°Correct. From kills or in the extremely rare case that the spires grants them a Task in a direct manner.¡±


    ¡°What happens to Kymah and the other two interceptors?¡±


    ¡°The interceptor-type trueskin is rare. At the current rate of emergence the projection indicates that it will take no less than five years to replenish the squadron to its full complement. The individual interceptors will be held in reserve until it becomes necessary to replenish any one of the other three squadrons under my jurisdiction.¡±


    ¡°Seems like a bad idea. Those three went up against a city-ending threat. Sure you stiffed them on the points, but you can¡¯t beat the experience.¡± Cal scratched his chin. Then winced. He forgot that the skin was still tender. ¡°I¡¯ve got a better idea. Put them into the project. They¡¯ll keep their skills sharp and earn points to upgrade their power armor. They¡¯d be crucial the next time a giant flying monster shows up.¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said quickly. ¡°I concur with your assessment that this kaiju signals a new stage in the spires¡¯ game. A level up, I believe you called it.


    ¡°Eh, close enough,¡± Cal said. ¡°What¡¯d the Collective say? Plans for future attacks of this nature? Cause I know we¡¯ve got a deal, but even they have to realize that you can¡¯t just rely on me to take out every giant monster. I mean, if two show up at the same time¡­¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°I believe that the Collective will come to this realization once enough data has been gathered and properly studied.¡±


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯m not going to get into what I think of that,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°So, speaking of deals¡­ I believe you and I have some things to discuss.¡±


    ¡°Yes. What do you require?¡±


    ¡°Right, so I¡¯m already getting the three interceptors. Can I get those drone operators and the communicator?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°That easy, huh? I also want fighters, soldiers. Mix of standard infantry and heavies. Oh and a couple of those Iron Man types¡­ er¡­ the ones that can fly and shoot repulsion beams. I beat two of them that time that I escaped from here¡ª¡± Cal had a sudden thought. ¡°If possible can I get those two?¡±


    ¡°I will provide one mixed squad. The latter two have critical roles that they cannot be taken from.¡±


    ¡°How big is a squad in your terms? Composition?¡±


    ¡°One sub-leader, eight baseline infantry, four heavy infantry.¡±


    ¡°Thirteen? Sure, why not. I figure Earth superstition doesn¡¯t apply while I¡¯m on this world,¡± Cal said. ¡°Although, I was thinking more along the lines of fifty-ish soldiers.¡±


    ¡°This is all that I can allocate at this time.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. Moving on. I¡¯d like an actual medical person to take care of the injury stuff.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Okay, this is turning out easier than I thought,¡± Cal said. ¡°Next up, I want to pull from a bigger pool of special candidates.¡±


    ¡°I cannot promise that, but I will revisit it with the Collective and my fellow primes.¡±


    Cal frowned. It was a bit of reach. ¡°Lastly, as far as personnel is concerned. I want a few more fabricators and engineers. As the project grows we¡¯ll need more support staff. I¡¯m picturing a dedicated engineer and fabricator for each team.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Now on to the equipment,¡± Cal brought up the list on his PID. ¡°I¡¯ll send you the list since it¡¯s kind of long. Basically, I need more supplies. Weapons, ammo and raw materials with which to make more weapons and ammo. That giant monster and your lack of artillery and missiles, you know, the big stuff, got me thinking. You¡¯ve got tech that¡¯s like 3d printing, except it might as well be magic. There¡¯s no reason why you can¡¯t just upsize what you already make.¡±


    ¡°I will review your list and provide what can be allocated. This upsizing you describe has possibility. In light of recent events I believe that it will become vital to the Threnosh.¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°Right, just need to convince the Collective.¡±


    ¡°You are correct.¡±


    ¡°Hey, if one giant monster doesn¡¯t do it, maybe the next two or three will,¡± Cal grinned. ¡°Speaking of which¡­ what happened to it. I didn¡¯t see the end.¡±


    ¡°Your unorthodox tactics succeeded. Internal explosions did enough damage that it fell into the water. It provided no resistance as heavy lifters brought it to land. The following day I arrived and pierced its cranium with my beam cannon, as you call it, to make certain. It was then taken apart for further study. I will provide you with the data as I receive them. There is one thing of note that I was on hand to witness. It was unlike any other invasive organism. Inside was a relatively small crystalline organ that resembled an energy core. My initial scans indicated that it contained enough energy to provide power to a small-sized city for approximately ten years.¡±


    Cal¡¯s eyes shot open. ¡°Something like that¡­ what¡¯d you do with it?¡±


    ¡°It belongs to the Collective. It will be studied further.¡±


    Cal groaned. ¡°I want it.¡±


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°That is not within my jurisdiction.¡±


    ¡°Fine, but I get the next one,¡± Cal grumbled.


    ¡°I do not have the authority to bargain that,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said flatly.


    ¡°Oh,¡± Cal grinned. ¡°I¡¯m not bargaining. I¡¯m stating that the next kaiju that I kill¡­ I¡¯m just going to take its core.¡±


    ¡°If you are able, then I will not oppose it.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough. One last question.¡± Cal¡¯s tone grew serious as he stared into Prime Custodian 3¡¯s unblinking eyes. ¡°If you just beam cannoned a hole in the kaiju¡¯s head, why didn¡¯t you just do that to begin with. I wouldn¡¯t have had my skin pulled from my body. Those interceptors would still be alive.¡±


    The prime didn¡¯t move for several long seconds. They didn¡¯t even appear to breathe. ¡°We all have Tasks to perform.¡±


    With that their projection vanished abruptly.


    ¡°If only I knew what you were thinking,¡± Cal muttered.


    His thoughts went to the small black disks implanted into the necks of the Threnosh he had fought to escape many months ago. The ones that gave him static whenever he tried to use his telepathy on them. It was strange that the two interrogators no longer had the disks. None of the special candidates had them, neither did the engineer and fabricator. A few very light touches had confirmed that the static wasn¡¯t there to block him.


    This was odd. Why remove them from the interrogators? What sort of game was the prime playing? Cal frowned. Telepathy was great, but overreliance was definitely a thing. He needed to learn how to read the prime the old-fashioned way, which he was finding difficult. It seemed that the prime had adjusted better to him than the interrogators. It was difficult to catch them in an unguarded moment, unlike with the latter two.


    Prime Custodian 3 was different. A blank spot to his telepathy and his own observations. In their few face-to-face interactions the static was always there when Cal attempted to probe their mind. He found no sign of the black disk anywhere on the prime¡¯s body. He was almost positive that the prime¡¯s strange power armor was behind the mystery. It was entirely unlike any of the other power armors, even the unique ones owned by the team. The way it flowed over the prime¡¯s body like liquid. The way it became a softball-sized globe attached to the Prime by a nearly invisible tether. The way it seemed more organic than machine.


    It all reminded Cal of something he¡¯d read in fictional works long ago. Yet, seeing as how a lot of fictional things were now reality suggested that what he was thinking of was certainly possible. He needed to see the other primes in action for a better understanding.


    <hr>


    ¡°Hello,¡± Cal said to the Threnosh standing on the other side of his desk.


    They simply stared, unblinking, at him in return.


    ¡°The whole purpose of this one on one is to get to know each other a bit. I want to let you know what my goals are for this special project and I want to hear about your goals,¡± Cal said. ¡°I know that Caretaker already mentioned some of this, but I want you to hear it directly from me.¡±


    As the Threnosh remained unblinking Cal studied them a bit more closely. They had the irregular, patchwork gray-toned skin color that seemed to be predominant in the so-called defectives. They were of similar build to the standard Threnosh. Unlike the first five members of the team, whose sizes ranged from the significantly taller Caretaker, through the below standard in size Kynnro, to the tiniest of them all Primal.


    The only thing besides the Threnosh¡¯s skin that stood out was their right hand, whose fingers were fused together, resembling a claw. It must¡¯ve been what relegated the Threnosh to defective status.


    Cal felt a bit of anger boil up. The treatment of the defectives was just wrong. It was also stupid and arbitrary. Any sort of deviation from the prescribed standard was enough to be relegated. Things that were beneficial or positive, like Caretaker¡¯s height or Shira having five fingers instead of four. Things that were minor, like Kynnro¡¯s slightly smaller size and skin coloration were treated the same way as negative mutations.


    Cal frowned. With all their technology there wasn¡¯t a good reason for defectives to be even a thing. The Threnosh had everything they needed to aid and integrate them into their society.


    The Threnosh blinked at Cal¡¯s change of expression. They seemed to be curious more than anything else.


    Cal cleared his throat. ¡°I guess I¡¯ll go first. It¡¯s very simple. I want you to get stronger. Not only do I want you to improve your Trueskin, but I also want you to improve yourself. To that end we will train, kill monsters and get Universal Points. I¡¯ll work closely with you and your team for the next three weeks. If you prove capable then you¡¯ll have the freedom to pursue your own path. Namely, which Tasks you want to undertake for the rest of your people. Although the idea is to get the Tasks straight from the spires¡¯ system. That way you get the points directly. Now, do you have any questions?¡±


    ¡°Your words confuse me.¡± The Threnosh¡¯s voice was a rasp. ¡°There are a lot of suppositions in your statement. I am here to comply under a command. Yet, your words do not enforce compliance?¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°Yes. I¡¯m not forcing you to join up. You only have to go through the next three weeks. After that you¡¯re free to do what you want. Although, I¡¯ll admit that there are limits to that freedom. Seeing as the Collective won¡¯t just let you go anywhere else outside of this area.¡±


    ¡°Then I am still caged.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a pretty big one,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°Also, we¡¯re working on expanding it even more. There are other worlds out there after all.¡±


    ¡°I do not intend to leave.¡±


    ¡°Good. Now for my question to you. Why have you refused to select a name?¡±


    ¡°It is unimportant.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to disagree with that. Just from a practical standpoint you need it when out in the field.¡±


    ¡°My creche designation will suffice.¡±


    ¡°There are a ton of reasons why that¡¯s not going to happen.¡±


    ¡°I do not understand. How can your words have such mass?¡±


    ¡°Figure of speech,¡± Cal said. ¡°You really don¡¯t want to pick your own name out? It seemed like the others really valued the chance to do so.¡±


    ¡°It is of no concern to me.¡±


    ¡°Would it be alright if I picked one out for you?¡± Cal really didn¡¯t want to do it. Getting them to define their own identity beyond being defective was one of the first steps into their eventual freedom from Threnosh society¡¯s unfair strictures. It also happened that the spires seemed to reward that type of mindset.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Cal pulled up the Threnosh¡¯s dossier on his PID. Their power armor was a reddish, almost rusty color. The armor surface pattern resembled scales. The right hand resembled raptor talons, three fingers and one opposable digit. The helmet had a decidedly draconic look with a pair of swept back metal horns along with fins on both sides.


    ¡°Nah, that¡¯s too obvious,¡± Cal mused. ¡°So, your trueskin does fire?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It spits flame. There is enough fuel to do so three times a day. It regenerates it slowly through a process I do not understand enough to explain. However, the one called Caretaker has tasked the engineer and the fabricator with manufacturing a substance and system to supplement its fuel stores.¡±


    ¡°You can probably upgrade that in the spire too. I believe Caretaker has also briefly covered that with you guys, but I¡¯ll go over it in the briefing later before we all head over.¡±


    ¡°It can also withstand the same flame. I do not know the limits.¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°You¡¯ll learn more in the spire.¡± He looked up from his PID. ¡°Okay, I think I¡¯ve got a good one, that isn¡¯t too obvious. You¡¯re name is Salamander after the mythological fire lizard. It¡¯s also an amphibian, but we¡¯re going with the cool mythological beast that lives in and controls fire to varying degrees depending on the myth.¡±


    ¡°Salamander,¡± the Threnosh tested it out. ¡°Acceptable.¡±


    ¡°Great!¡± Cal smiled. ¡°I¡¯ll put it into the system.¡±


    Salamander inclined their head ever so slightly. ¡°This freedom you speak off. I wish to explore it.¡±


    ¡°And you shall,¡± Cal said. ¡°Any other questions? Concerns?¡±


    ¡°No. I wish to return to my trueskin.¡±


    ¡°Sure, why don¡¯t you get it ready. Once I¡¯m done with the other three we¡¯ll have that briefing and its straight to the spire for your first upgrade.¡±


    The next Threnosh in Cal¡¯s office had the same irregular patchwork pattern of grays to his skin. Nothing else about his physical features stood out, with one exception. Their lower left leg was a crude metal prosthetic.


    Cal frowned. Why the hell was that not a high tech bionic limb? They had the technology for it.


    He forced a smile. ¡°Hello. I understand you¡¯ve chosen the name Resplendent Zabriium. May I ask how you came to choose that?¡±


    ¡°It is the name of the clan of my origin.¡±


    ¡°Interesting name. Although for tactical purposes we¡¯ll need to get you a nickname.¡±


    ¡°I do not understand the word.¡±


    ¡°On my world we sometimes give people shorter names as a sign of friendship and camaraderie. For you I¡¯m thinking something like Zab or Zabri sounds good. It¡¯s really more for during fights. The shorter name makes it easier to communicate orders and warnings in urgent situations.¡±


    The Threnosh pondered that for a several unblinking seconds. ¡°That is acceptable. I select Zabri for combat situations.¡±


    ¡°Great!¡± Cal noted the choice in his PID. It¡¯d go out to the rest of the members of his growing project. ¡°So, one of the reasons I asked to speak with you is to kind of go over the goals for this project. Both mine and yours.¡±


    Cal went over the same general spiel that he did with all newly arrived special candidates. It was a little truncated since these Threnosh had already gone through a similar talk with Caretaker. Allowed he thought it was worth them hearing it directly from him a second time.


    Resplendent Zabriium didn¡¯t say a word while Cal talked. When he was finished they indicated that they didn¡¯t have any specific questions or comments.


    ¡°Can I ask you how things are coming along with your trueskin? I have Caretaker¡¯s reports, but I want your direct insight. I see that it has a rather unorthodox design.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I am having difficulty with precise maneuvering. Specifically, turning at high speeds. I was not allowed to don my trueskin at my previous location. Though now that I am able to use it regularly I believe that I will achieve satisfactory proficiency in order to be a valuable contributor to the project.¡±


    ¡°Well, I promise to work with you now that I¡¯m available. I¡¯ll do my best to help you do your best.¡±


    The defects on the next Threnosh were immediately noticeable. They only had one eye and one ear. Right and left respectively. In place of the missing parts there was only smooth skin, which was an irregular patchwork of grays.


    The Threnosh was taciturn to put it mildly. They replied in one word answers to Cal¡¯s questions and blandly ignored all his attempts to draw them into a conversation. Even the subject of their power armor, in essence a very unique drone platform that Cal had been excited to learn more about directly from its user, was met with indifference.


    Cal was tempted to use his telepathy to figure out what their deal was, but refrained. It¡¯d be the easiest way, but he remembered the promise to himself.


    In the end Cal didn¡¯t gain much insight into the Threnosh¡¯s personality other than their chosen name Volkharion being based on the city of their birthing creche, the Volkh Arcology.


    Cal read through Volkharion¡¯s dossier after the Threnosh left. Their reticence towards conversation meant that there was extra time before the last Threnosh was scheduled to arrive.


    Like the majority of the defectives, Volkharion had been prevented from utilizing their power armor by the Threnosh that had commanded them.


    Their power armor had a number of different drones that were housed in and on it. Some of the drones held the shape of animals. Though what was truly strange was that some of them had some kind of A.I. or V.I., Cal wasn¡¯t sure what the difference was. Some of these drones were capable of independent action and thought. Volkharion was going to need to become an animal trainer and Cal had no idea what that entailed.


    ¡°Threnosh don¡¯t keep pets and I have no idea how to train animals,¡± Cal said. ¡°Man, I¡¯m going to need to give them extra points to get their tutorials.¡±


    The last Threnosh of the new arrivals called themselves Dralig. Their defect was an extra pair of arms, fingers, hands and all set on the front of their torso, a little below the chest, near the middle of their ribs.


    Cal tried not to stare at them as they twitched and grasped as if on their own accord. He went through the spiel while steadfastly looking at Dralig in the eyes.


    It was a relief when he finished and was able to look down at his PID as a pretext to move his eyes away from the extra appendages.


    ¡°So, any questions?¡±


    ¡°I have none, Designation: Honor. I am ready to undertake any and all Tasks that you set forth.¡±


    ¡°Good to hear,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°So, why did you pick Dralig?¡±


    ¡°There is a small, natural organism found in the wilderness with four forelimbs. It was¡­ fitting to my own physiology and my trueskin.¡±


    ¡°Interesting. I¡¯ll have to look that one up,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯ve got some ideas for what you can do with four arms. We should have fun testing them out.¡±


    ¡°I will comply,¡± Dralig said.


    ¡°Whoa!¡± Cal held up his hands. ¡°I¡¯m not looking to force compliance. You¡¯ll have just as much control over this process as me.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    As soon as Dralig left his office, Cal let out a long breath. It was going to take some time to get used to the way the Threnosh¡¯s extra set of arms moved as if they had their own minds. He closed his eyes and held them shut. He had given them a bit of a strain by keeping them focused on the Threnosh¡¯s eyes for much of the conversation.


    <hr>


    ¡°Set up a perimeter. Your team is on point. The newbies are support. Feel free to call for evac if you have to. Don¡¯t worry about me. I might take a bit longer since I need to do some shopping after I transfer the points to all of you.¡±


    ¡°Scans do not detect any potential threats in the immediate area,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°However, we will do as you command, Honor.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t take any risks. Prioritize your own safety,¡± Cal said before he stepped into the spire.


    Just as always there was no noticeable transition, even to Cal¡¯s extra sensory abilities. One step and he went from a bright, sunny day into the hazy mist of the spire¡¯s inner world.


    ¡°Welcome to the Multiversal Access Point.¡±


    Cal ignored the disembodied voice. He went straight to the most important thing on his to do list. He went to check his messages. The hope swelled in him as he pictured opening his inbox. It died in his heart the moment he saw that there were no messages.


    In truth he wasn¡¯t expecting any. He was pretty sure his theory that one couldn¡¯t send messages off a world that hadn¡¯t yet passed its initial ten year tutorial phase was probably correct. Still, he couldn¡¯t help deflating a little.


    Cal sighed. Then he went to work.


    The first thing he did was send out the messages that he had recorded over the past few days. To his family. To Nila. He had covered much of what had transpired since the last messages he had sent. Though he left out the more gruesome details. Namely the loss of and subsequent regrowing of around fifteen percent of his skin. He had also inquired on how they were doing, despite knowing that it¡¯d likely be years before he¡¯d have a chance at getting answers back.


    The next thing Cal did was make his way to the marketplace. It was weird walking around in the spire¡¯s space. There was no order or logic to the sense of time and direction. It felt like an hour, while also feeling like minutes had passed as he walked up a set of hazy, ethereal stairs and walked down a gentle, winding slope. Not even his telepathy could make sense of it. All he knew was that he focused his intent on going to the marketplace and that was were he ended up.


    A kiosk terminal, which looked to be half-formed out of the hazy mist, appeared in front of Cal. The intangible touch screen displayed a large variety of categories, which when selected broke down into even more options. Everything that was available on the Threnosh world was available in the marketplace. The only exceptions were the specific items tied to the power armors. These seemed to be available strictly to the power armors¡¯ users. From what the Threnosh described they were available through their equivalent of the personal account page that Cal had.


    Cal made a cursory search through weapons, armor and other gear. Nothing called out to him. The Threnosh made equipment was good enough for him and he got those for free.


    It took him awhile to find the two things he was really after. One was something called a Class 4 Power Generator, which was necessary for the main prize. A combat simulation program, hardware and software, that utilized hard light holograms to create training scenarios that mimicked the danger of real fights, while keeping it relatively safe. Even better it could be combined with the Threnosh¡¯s drone technology. The only drawback was that it took a lot more power than the base had, hence the need for a dedicated power source.


    The items would appear near him when Cal left the spire. They were surprisingly small. Enough that it wouldn¡¯t be a problem bringing them back to base.


    The purchases and sending his messages had eaten into most of the 100000 points he had earned from killing the kaiju. Fortunately, he didn¡¯t need to dip into his personal account to give the newbies their starter points. There was still a good amount left in the project fund and as a surprise bonus he saw that Prime Custodian 3 had added a few thousand. Perhaps it was part of the dispersal from the Collective.


    Cal couldn¡¯t help but grumble at that. Instead of buying a power generator he might¡¯ve been able to use the kaiju¡¯s core instead.


    ¡°Kill-stealing bastards.¡±


    ¡°Please rephrase your query.¡±


    ¡°Not talking to you, weird spire voice.¡±


    With that Cal stepped out into the real world. He immediately looked around for his prized purchases. He found a pair of fridge-sized metal cases nearby.


    ¡°Alright, your turn,¡± Cal gestured at the Threnosh. ¡°For the newbies. I know we just went over this at the briefing, but it¡¯s very important so I¡¯ll say it again. I¡¯ve started you out with Universal Points. It¡¯ll be just enough for an upgrade and possibly a basic tutorial. Focus on your trueskin¡¯s strengths. That¡¯s what you want to improve. Think of your role and how you fit on your team.¡± He focused on Salamander, Resplendent Zabriium, Volkharion and Dralig in turn. ¡°That said, don¡¯t feel too much pressure to get this right. You¡¯ll have plenty of chances to earn more points and get more upgrades.¡± He smiled and shooed both of his teams into the spire.

 2.12

    Then


    Nila was uncomfortable. Her makeshift armored jacket and pants hung heavily off her slim, but strong body. She had taken the thin, but extra dense plates of metal that Remy had formed and pressed out of random scraps and sewed them into the heavy duty fabric of the looted work clothes. It wasn¡¯t perfect. It chafed in some parts and was making her sweat.


    She was a lot stronger than she used to be before the stupidest apocalypse had happened. She did reps with weights that very strong men targeted as their one-rep max.


    It was a good thing too, since she had around a hundred pounds of metal hanging off her and that wasn¡¯t even counting her shield and new bat. Both were made by Remy out of random metal scraps. He had said that he based it off what he remembered of the Roman shield. It was rectangular, a smooth curved surface with a raised, conical bump in the center. It had both straps and a handle in the middle, so that she could hold it close to her body or use the central handle to punch out with the bump. The hunk of metal weighed close to seventy pounds. With her shorter stature the shield covered her entire body from neck to her shins.


    The object in her right hand was another hunk of Remy-made metal. It was shaped like a baseball bat, except it had raised nubs all over the business end. The ugly thing weighed a more reasonable twenty pounds.


    The thought seemed unreal to Nila. There she was carrying around two hundred pounds of metal and the sweat running down her back wasn¡¯t from the physical exertion. She was running around fine with it all just a few minutes ago.


    No. It was from the scary gremlins pouring through the partially collapsed barricade and charging directly at her.


    ¡°Get back to the next barricade!¡±


    Nila¡¯s voice was a mix between a shout and a scream as she rushed forward, shield first, into the tide.


    Her eyes might have been closed for those first few seconds as she flailed wildly around with shield and bat.


    ¡°Ohgodohgodohgodohgodohgodohgodohgod!¡±


    The human-sized gremlins were vicious. Claws and teeth clanged off Nila¡¯s makeshift armor. She did what she was taught. She kept moving. Use her combined mass as an additional weapon. She didn¡¯t let the monsters swarm her. She was tough. She could handle a few scratches.


    Nila repeated that mantra in her head frantically as her vision was obscured with every passing second as gremlin blood splattered on the clear face shield of her motorcycle helmet.


    Her momentum slowed as the gremlins piled up around her. Frenzied claws pulled at her from all directions, so she spun and flailed with a renewed burst of terror-fueled adrenaline.


    Though inelegant the move gained her enough room to retreat to an open space in what looked like a street-side cafe¡¯s outdoor seating area. She slapped tables and chairs back toward the pursuing gremlins with her bat.


    The large, glass cafe front loomed directly ahead. She ducked her head behind her shield and used it as a battering ram. Glass shattered as she plowed right through the doors and into the dark interior.


    She ran ahead heedlessly. Tables and chairs bounced of her shield and legs. Nothing could stop her, only slow her down.


    Nila was like a bull in a china shop. The gremlins chased after her like a pack of wolves. She jumped over the front counter and pushed through into the kitchen.


    The back door was the type that couldn¡¯t be locked from the inside. She plowed through it into an alley. The gremlins had lost some ground navigating through the obstacles inside the cafe. Nila had a second as she saw them through the open door, rushing at her out of the darkness.


    She did the only thing she could. She slammed the door shut and placed her shield, her weight against it.


    The gremlins slammed into the door from the inside. It shook and trembled, but she held it closed.


    Nila let loose with a string of uncharacteristic curse words in between deep breaths.


    ¡°What the hell am I even doing here?¡± She muttered.


    The second she stopped pushing against the door the gremlins would be after her again.


    She looked left and right. Though the alley was shrouded in darkness she saw open streets on both sides. There was a smallish metal dumpster a short distance away she could use to block the door, but she couldn¡¯t reach it.


    Nila wanted to cry. She was running out of time and there weren¡¯t any good options. The rest of the gremlins might start climbing or running around the buildings to get to her while she remained stuck.


    ¡°There she is!¡±


    Nila turned her head at the shout. It was Gene and the rest of the idiotically named Team F.C.W.R.


    ¡°I thought I told you to head to the barricades,¡± she frowned at the teens.


    ¡°We saw you running into the restaurant. It looked like you were in trouble,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Nope, I¡¯ve got this,¡± Nila said through grit teeth. The gremlins inside must¡¯ve smelled or heard the teenage boys arriving. Maybe the scent of fresh meat tipped them over the edge because they were hitting and pushing against the door with renewed ferocity.


    ¡°Yeah, sure looks like you got covered fine.¡± Johnny rolled his eyes.


    Nila shot him her best glare.


    ¡°¡ªma¡¯am,¡± he hastily added.


    ¡°What should we do?¡± Olo said.


    Bless him for being the least annoying of the quartet. Nila nodded at the dumpster. ¡°Push that over here.¡±


    Two of the teens hurried and with some grunting and sweating they brought it over to Nila.


    ¡°On three, push as hard as you can,¡± Nila said.


    She counted and on the number she pulled on the dumpster while moving away from the door. It opened slightly before the bulk of the dumpster was fully in place behind it. Dozens of gremlin arms slipped through and clawed at anything they could reach.


    ¡°Um, this thing has wheels. Won¡¯t it just roll?¡± Bastien looked to Nila. ¡°Uh¡­ ma¡¯am.¡±


    Nila hurried and pushed back against the dumpster. The annoying teenager was technically correct. The gremlins were already starting to push the door a little wider. Her nearly superhuman strength shut that down.


    ¡°Okay, kids. I¡¯m going to need you to push against this smelly thing, while I fix the problem.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am!¡± They answered in near unison.


    ¡°Teenagers,¡± Nila muttered underneath her breath.


    The teens added their weight to the dumpster, but it started to move ever so slightly.


    ¡°Ugh, this smells like shit,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°That¡¯s cause those gremlins shit all over the place,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Are we sure Johnny didn¡¯t shit his pants like last time?¡±


    ¡°Shut the fuck up, Bastien! That gremlin came out of nowhere. You¡¯d have shit yourself too.¡±


    ¡°Everyone shut up! This thing is moving. We need to focus and keep pushing,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°What the fuck do you think we¡¯re doing!¡± Johnny snapped.


    Nila sighed. Teens, so much to hate about them. Stupid, Cal was stupid for getting her to babysit these particular four. She took her metal bat and took her frustration out on one of the wheels underneath the dumpster. She broke it in one jab. She did the same to the other three.


    The dumpster was now sans its rolling ability.


    ¡°Okay, you can stop pushing now,¡± Nila said.


    They watched it and the door closely. The gremlins pushed, but it remained in place.


    ¡°What do we do now¡­ ma¡¯am?¡± Gene eyes darted to the far end of the dark alley.


    Nila was just about to answer when a roar echoed from somewhere out in the darkness.


    ¡°That came from over there.¡± Johnny pointed toward where Gene was looking.


    ¡°Okaayyy.¡± Nila hated how her voice shook. ¡°We are going back to the next line of defense. Like I told you four to do.¡±


    The roar sounded again. This time it was closer.


    ¡°And you four are going to run as fast as you can,¡± Nila said. What she didn¡¯t say was that she could¡¯ve easily outpaced them all. It was like Cal had liked to joke on their hikes. Something about not needing to outrun the bear, he just needed to out run her. She was supposed to babysit, make sure the teens didn¡¯t die horribly unless things really fell apart. At the moment she was about sixty-forty on sticking to that.


    ¡°Slowest one gets eaten.¡± Johnny took off down the alley in the opposite direction of the roars.


    The other three immediately gave chase.


    ¡°Fifty-fifty,¡± Nila said before running after them.


    While Nila ran frantic voices started to come in on the walkie-talkie that she had forgotten was clipped to her belt.


    Barricade three breached¡­ falling back to tw¡ª


    ¡­ Christ! It¡¯s an alpha¡­


    Repeat last, over.


    Seven! We¡¯re at seven! Get Cruces over here now!


    Do you copy, over?


    Copy that. I¡¯m closest¡­ on my way¡­ over.


    Nila nearly stumbled. That was Cal¡¯s voice. She remembered the gremlin alpha. A spike of dread pierced her chest. This time it wasn¡¯t from whatever the roaring thing that was chasing them, but for what Cal was rushing toward.


    I¡¯m not too far away¡­ I¡¯ll head over also¡­ er¡­ over.


    Eron¡¯s voice.


    Nila breathed a little easier. Surely the two of them together meant it¡¯d be safer.


    ¡­ barri¡­ brea¡­ falli¡­


    Hang on¡­ almost there¡­


    That one sounded like Remy.


    It was then that Nila noticed the sporadic pops that reminded her of fireworks filled the otherwise quiet night air.


    ¡°Oh man, things don¡¯t sound good.¡± Gene looked back. His words came out in between gasps.


    ¡°Don¡¯t think about that now. Just focus on running.¡± Nila¡¯s words came out easily, as if she was having a cup of tea.


    A sudden roar that sounded much too close punctuated her words.


    Nila immediately lowered the volume on her walkie-talkie. It would be bad to draw attention with something chasing them.


    They ran with greater urgency. They exited the commercial area and ran into an abandoned housing tract. By edict of the council and common sense a large buffer zone had been created surrounding the high school, which was now a spawn point, whatever that meant. Nila still had trouble accepting it.


    Homes remained empty and barricades had been created. Not that they were doing much good from the sound of it.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Johnny said.


    Nila saw what had brought a halt to their run. It was gated apartment complex.


    ¡°Just hop the gate,¡± Bastien said.


    Johnny shook his head rapidly. ¡°I think there¡¯re monsters in there. A lot of them.¡±


    Gene frowned. ¡°You think?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t explain it. Just got this feeling like ¡®don¡¯t go in there or you¡¯ll die¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Okay, fine, we¡¯ll go around,¡± Nila said. ¡°Left or right¡±. She looked to the left. More tract housing. To the right. Even more tract housing.


    ¡°The road curves back towards the high school that way,¡± Olo pointed to the left, ¡°that way takes us too far away from our designated fall back barricade,¡± he pointed to the right. ¡°This is the way.¡± He nodded at the dark, foreboding apartment complex.


    ¡°Dude, why¡¯d you tell me to go this way?¡± Johnny punched Olo on the arm.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Nila snapped. ¡°Calm down.¡±


    Olo glared at Johnny. ¡°Because it was the fastest way.¡± He pulled out a folded map from his pocket.


    Gene shined a small lantern on it as Olo spread it open.


    It was hand drawn. In pencil. Badly.


    Nila wanted to put her head in her hands.


    ¡°See.¡± Olo jabbed a finger along the route he was talking about.


    The other teens nodded.


    A roar made them all jump.


    ¡°That sound¡­ do you think it¡¯s one of those al¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shhh.¡± Nila held up a hand to Gene¡¯s face. ¡°Don¡¯t say that word.¡± She considered calling for help with the walking talkie. Except who was she going to call. Anyone that had better powers than her were already probably in the middle of a life or death struggle. Nope. She was going to have to do this on her own. ¡°Stupid Cal,¡± she muttered. She glared at Olo. ¡°You sure this is the right way?¡±


    Olo straightened. ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± he nodded profusely. ¡°Once we get through the other side its only a few streets down to Barricade 19.¡±


    Johnny leaned his head closer to Bastien. ¡°There¡¯s way too many numbers. I can¡¯t remember which is which.¡±


    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°There¡¯s like forty.¡± Bastien rolled his eyes.


    The front gate was the kind that slid open and shut on wheeled track. Nila grabbed it with one hand and pushed it open enough for them to slip through.


    ¡°Light those lanterns.¡± She directed the teens. ¡°Stay close to me.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± Four voices chorused in unison.


    <hr>


    Gene punched Johnny on the arm. ¡°Bro, that wasn¡¯t so bad, don¡¯t know why you were being such a pussy about it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s cause Miss Nila was with us,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Yeah, man. We didn¡¯t even have to use our skills or spells.¡± Johnny glared at Gene while he rubbed his arm.


    ¡°We probably won¡¯t get a lot of points for that though,¡± Bastien said.


    Nila ignored the teens. She was trying not to gag. There was entirely too much gremlin blood and bits on her gear and clothing. She took a small rag from out of her fanny pack and wiped at the blood splatters on her face shield. The tiny gremlins were easy to kill. All she had to do has hit them and they broke. The problem was that they smelled terrible. Especially after they got splattered. It was like what she imagined a cow processing plant was like. It was the kind of smell that you could taste in the back of your throat.


    ¡°This is way I don¡¯t eat beef,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am?¡±


    ¡°What? Oh, nothing, Olo. Where to next?¡±


    He pointed to the left. ¡°Down this street. Then a left and a right. Barricade 19 should be there.¡±


    The roar sounded again.


    Johnny jumped. ¡°Fuck me! That sounds like it¡¯s just on the other side.¡±


    ¡°Alright my dudes,¡± Gene said. ¡°Run like you don¡¯t want your assholes to get gobbled.¡±


    Nila narrowed her eyes. Teenage boys were the worst. She had known this since her long gone teen years. In a way it was nice to get confirmation.


    The teens ran. Nila brought up the rear. Though, once again the temptation to out run them all reared its head.


    ¡°Forty-sixty,¡± she muttered


    They reached the barricade in a little under ten minutes.


    The barricade was about ten feet tall and wide enough for a wooden firing platform on top for a good number of people. It was stretched across the middle of a two-lane street from one house to another. The homes closest to the two that bookended the barricade had been demolished to provide material and to ward against the possibility of gremlins using them to get around or on top of the barricade.


    A diesel powered light tower bathed the immediate area in light. The smell made Nila cough, but she was glad for the brightness.


    Nila was relieved to see that the people she had ordered to fall back from their first barricade had all made it to nineteen and joined up with those stationed there.


    ¡°Status?¡±


    The tall woman staring at Nila with a severe look on her face was a police officer named Demi Lawrence. From the information Cal had made her memorize Nila knew that Demi was in charge of the squad at Barricade 19.


    ¡°There¡¯s something coming after us,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°I think it might be a gremlin alpha,¡± Gene said. He shot a side-eyed glance at Nila.


    Nila sighed. ¡°It roars. The human-sized gremlins don¡¯t do that.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you call it in?¡±


    Nila looked up at the much taller woman in intimidating black riot gear with an aggressively held assault rifle. ¡°I was a little busy taking on all of the gremlins that breached the barricade, so the others could get away safely.¡± She straightened and held her head high. ¡°After that I had to babysit. I didn¡¯t have time. Besides, they told you what happened anyways.¡± She gestured at the men and women from the first barricade.


    Demi looked like she wanted to argue the matter further, but she suddenly turned her ire to the four teens. ¡°You didn¡¯t follow the order to retreat. There will be consequences.¡±


    ¡°What? This isn¡¯t the army, lady,¡± Gene scoffed.


    ¡°When you signed up to be part of this, you agreed to abide by the rules.¡±


    Olo leaned in close to Gene¡¯s ear. ¡°We signed that paperwork, remember?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯re they gonna do? Take away my magic?¡±


    ¡°Young man,¡± Demi glared at Gene, ¡°for starters your parents will be informed and you will be banned from joining any patrols.¡±


    Gene¡¯s face grew red and he opened his mouth to no doubt dig himself an even deeper hole when fortunately or unfortunately a load roar shook the night.


    ¡°Everyone, this is it!¡± Demi raised her voice.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Gene, don¡¯t be a dick,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°I¡¯m a dick? We were just trying to help Miss Nila,¡± he gestured at Demi, ¡°and she¡¯s getting on my case.¡±


    Nila had only been half paying attention. Her eyes had been drawn to the far end of the long street some five hundred or more yards in the distance.


    The gloom was only partially driven away by the torches placed on both sides of the street to take the place of the electric lamp posts that were dead. Nila had better eyes than she used too, not only did she no longer need glasses, but she could also see better than normal humans.


    And what she saw almost made her finally lose the struggle against the urge to puke. Almost. She pulled it together. She had super powers. She couldn¡¯t loss it in front people who weren¡¯t as lucky as her. She had to look brave.


    There were human-sized gremlins gathering in the darkness. A lot of them. That wasn¡¯t what made Nila¡¯s knees weak. It was one that was significantly larger than the others.


    She recognized it from the brief look she had on that night they had escaped from the high school several months ago. It was a gremlin alpha.


    ¡°Alpha sighted at Barricade 19!¡± Demi¡¯s voice wavered as she shouted into her walkie-talkie. ¡°Requesting immediate assistance, over.¡±


    ¡°They can¡¯t help,¡± Nila said in a small voice.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Cal, Remy, Eron.¡± Nila¡¯s voice rose. ¡°They¡¯re already dealing with other alphas.¡± She didn¡¯t like the hysterical edge she heard in her words.


    Demi¡¯s eyes widened as if she just remembered that terrible fact.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got powers though, right?¡±


    Nila nodded.


    ¡°Then we can do this.¡± Demi turned to the rest of the terrified people. ¡°You four,¡± she pointed at Gene, Olo, Johnny and Bastien, ¡°up on the wall. I¡¯m not having kids in the thick of it.¡±


    Gene looked like he was about to argue, but Nila silenced him with a glare and jabbed a finger up at the platform. The teens complied with varying levels of eagerness.


    ¡°Shooters up on the wall. Front-liners down here with me.¡±


    Nila recognized two of the three men that stepped forward from the first barricade. She didn¡¯t recognize the one woman that walked over. Though she realized who it was by process of elimination.


    At Cal¡¯s urging Nila had read up on the people stationed at her assigned barricades. The dark-skinned woman was big, but strong-looking, which made sense considering she was an ex-collegiate shot putter. According to the write-up Cal had put together that was the woman¡¯s actual class. Athlete: Shot Putter. It was really weird and Cal had mansplained it as possibly being the result of classes partially being determined by the way a person saw themselves.


    Naturally, Nila quickly countered with the fact that she definitely didn¡¯t see herself as some kind of superhero. Cal conceded to her point and suggested that there were probably a lot of different factors involved.


    ¡°Keisha Davidson,¡± the strong looking woman introduced herself and held out her hand.


    ¡°Nila Chen.¡±


    Keisha¡¯s huge hand engulfed Nila¡¯s and the much bigger woman immediately squeezed hard.


    Nila frowned and squeezed harder.


    ¡°Damn, girl,¡± Keisha smiled. ¡°I heard you were really strong, so I had to find out for myself. No offense?¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°But you are so tiny though.¡±


    Nila shrugged. ¡°Yeah, doesn¡¯t really make sense.¡±


    ¡°Keisha,¡± Demi¡¯s voice interrupted, ¡°here,¡± she handed a small spherical object over. ¡°Don¡¯t throw it until I tell you.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    ¡°We fight with our backs against the barricade, stay tight, don¡¯t let them pull us apart,¡± Demi said to the there men and two women. ¡°Except for you,¡± she regarded Nila, ¡°we¡¯ll just get in your way.¡±


    ¡°Right, I know what I¡¯m supposed to do,¡± Nila said. She licked her lips. Her mouth had suddenly gone dry. ¡°I¡¯ll try to draw most of their attention. Although I don¡¯t know what I can do against the alpha.¡±


    ¡°The fuck you say,¡± one of the men said. ¡°I thought you had bullshit powers. If you can¡¯t fight that thing what can the rest of us do?¡±


    Nila ignored the man. She sympathized because she felt the same way. A gremlin alpha had killed that piece of crap racist, Jay. Eron had claimed that Jay was slightly stronger than him. Nila was strong, but she wasn¡¯t ¡®lift up a car over your head and run with it¡¯ strong.


    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t know about this, maybe we should fall back,¡± another man said.


    ¡°Can¡¯t do that,¡± the third man said. ¡°No other barricades past this one. If we don¡¯t at least thin them down that¡¯s like a hundred gremlins and an alpha getting to our families.¡±


    Demi nodded. ¡°We can do this. We¡¯ve got IED¡¯s along the funnel corridor. Those should take down most of them, maybe even the alpha. Whatever survives that we can handle by sticking together.¡±


    Nila looked down the street toward the gathering gremlins. Cars and other debris were used to create a narrower path down the middle. IED¡¯s on a radio trigger were scattered along the path. She allowed herself some hope. Maybe the explosives would take care of most of the gremlins.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see what we¡¯re dealing with,¡± Demi said as she pulled out a flare gun. ¡°Mads, I want a count,¡± she yelled up to the top of the barricade.


    Demi fired the bright red flare over the distant gremlins. It bathed the area in garish red for what seemed like a very long time.


    ¡°One hundred twelve, not counting the alpha.¡± The voice piped back from the barricade. A young girl¡¯s voice.


    Nila didn¡¯t recognized the nickname, but that must¡¯ve been Madelyn Wynn. According to Cal¡¯s write-up she was a youth or junior skeet shooting champion. Which explained her class. Naturally her abilities involved improved shooting and eyesight. It explained how she was able to count so many milling gremlins, hundreds of yards away, in less than ideal lighting.


    The girl had a long gun in her hands. Nila figured it was like a skeet shooting gun or something.


    ¡°Aim your shots, we don¡¯t have a lot of ammo,¡± Demi said. ¡°And watch the friendly fire.¡± She glanced over to Nila. ¡°I¡¯ll¡ª¡±


    Whatever she was going to say was interrupted by the loud chime that rang in everyone¡¯s ears.


    Congratulations!


    You have received a Quest.


    Defend Barricade 19.


    Success Parameters: Hold your position. Defeat the gremlins.


    Failure Parameters: Flee or Die


    Reward: 25000 Universal Points.


    Failure: Possible deaths of yourself and your loved ones.


    Will you accept?


    Bonus!


    Kill the Gremlin Alpha.


    Reward: 10000 Universal Points.


    One of the men spat. ¡°Shit, that¡¯s a lot of points. Is that each or is it divided?¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. Even split up it¡¯s a lot more than what we get killing the small ones for a whole week,¡± another man said. ¡°It means that this fight is going to be impossible.¡±


    ¡°Shut it,¡± Demi snapped. ¡°Accept the quest and get ready. They¡¯re coming.¡±


    Nila accepted the quest and took a deep breath.


    <hr>


    One by one the distant torches winked out as the gremlins moved forward at a surprisingly measured pace. They weren¡¯t running in their typical frenzy.


    ¡°They¡¯re taking out the lights,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°I see that,¡± Demi said. ¡°Everyone give Keisha your road flares.¡±


    The big woman placed her riot shield and sledge hammer on the ground to collect the dozen or so flares from the others.


    ¡°I need two flares every fifty yards. Spread them apart.¡±


    ¡°No problem.¡± Keisha took the cap off and struck the flare¡¯s end. A fountain of red light burst forth. ¡°Power Throw,¡± she said quietly as though she was embarrassed.


    She threw the flair five hundred yards with seeming ease. The rest followed quickly. Where the gremlins had taken out the torches the flares brought light back. For some reason they left the flares alone.


    ¡°Once they hit the hundred yard mark I¡¯m triggering the explosives. Any that survives that we open fire when they get into our ranges,¡± Demi said.


    Nila tried to keep her breathing under control. She tried to keep her body relaxed. Being tense and hyperventilating would just drain her energy for the fight, which was rapidly approaching. She couldn¡¯t take her eyes off the gremlin alpha as it loomed large in the middle of the mass. The red light from the flares only served to give them an even more unnerving presence.


    ¡°I¡¯m hitting it!¡± Demi¡¯s voice shook Nila.


    The explosions that followed made her jump back reflexively.


    Night turned to day for a brief moment as all along the gremlins¡¯ approach IED¡¯s sent shrapnel and fire in every direction. The gremlins¡¯ howls of pain were drowned out by the explosions as nails, screws and ball bearings tore them to pieces.


    A cheer went up from the barricades defenders.


    It was answered by a roar from the gremlin alpha.


    This was the trigger for the monsters. They broke into a mad dash straight for the people at the barricade.


    Their path funneled them right into Nila.


    Demi opened up with short, controlled bursts from her assault rifle. She took aim at the gremlin alpha at first. Her rounds proved ineffective so she switched to the regular gremlins. Her aim was true. It seemed that a gremlin dropped mid stride with each three round burst she placed center mass.


    Mads¡¯ shotgun was no less effective. From her perch on top of the barricade she fired two shots, dropping a gremlin each before she cracked her gun¡¯s barrel open to reload.


    The others next to the teenage skeet shooting champion were less effective. Mads¡¯ father had a semiautomatic shotgun, but he missed about a quarter of his shots, while shooting at a slower pace than his young daughter. Two women and one man wielded crossbows from the local sporting goods store. They started loosing bolts as soon as the gremlins reached the thirty yard mark. Inaccuracy combined with weapon quality and longer reload times meant their impact was minimal. It took a lucky shot through an eye or a throat for one of them to take a gremlin out of the fight.


    Demi emptied her rifle¡¯s only magazine in the time it took the gremlins to get within twenty yards. She emptied her pistol by the time they got within ten yards. She took up truncheon and riot shield. As she stepped back to join the line with the others she felt a rush of wind brush past her.


    Nila charged forward with an inarticulate, high-pitched battle cry. It was anger and fear. She didn¡¯t know how much of each was in there, but it was the best she could do.


    She slammed into the leading line of gremlins with her metal shield. She crushed bone with just the impact. She swung her bat in wide arcs. The gremlins jumped into it heedlessly. They were broken.


    Keep moving. Bend your knees. Stay loose, but keep a low center of gravity. Don¡¯t cross your feet. Don¡¯t get bogged down. You¡¯re a lot stronger than them. Nila repeated Cal¡¯s words in her mind like a mantra. ¡°IhatethisIhatethisIhatethis.¡±


    It was working so far. Nila was keeping the majority of the gremlins occupied. Unfortunately the ones on the edges saw open prey in front and on top of the barricade.


    They rushed forward like the crazed monsters that they were. There was no longer any semblance of control in their actions.


    Keisha had abilities of her own. She was an already physically strong woman, but her class gave her another edge. A passive skill, Lesser Enhanced Strength, gave her somewhere between a five and ten percent boost to her overall physical strength.


    A gremlin lunged at her. She slammed it aside with her riot shield. Before it could rise she crushed its head with the heavy, two-handed sledge hammer she wielded in one hand.


    The man next to her fared worse. Three gremlins swarmed him. One pulled his riot shield down, while the other two dragged him into their midst. The riot gear initially prevented them from getting to his vital parts, but it eventually failed. Mercifully, his screams didn¡¯t last more than a few seconds.


    Keisha!¡± Demi was hard pressed. She and the two remaining men where shoulder to shoulder. They were frantically trying to keep the gremlins attacking them from separating them.


    The big woman rushed over to help. Her heavy hammer swung wildly and scattered the gremlins to give them space and a breather.


    ¡°This ain¡¯t working,¡± one of the wide-eyed men said.


    ¡°Backs to the barricade?¡±


    Demi nodded to Keisha. ¡°Only option.¡±


    The group retreated slowly while the gremlins edged closer and tightened the noose.


    The gunfire from the barricade grew more sporadic. It told Demi that the shooters were running low on ammo and crossbow bolts weren¡¯t going to do more than put a dent in the gremlins¡¯ numbers. She wanted to scream with frustration. The IED¡¯s had worked, but there were still too many. From the looks of it the only reason that they hadn¡¯t been already overrun was because Nila was doing her part. The small woman was impossible to see amid the mass of gremlins, but you could track her movements by where the monster bodies went flying. Unfortunately, she was moving further away from the barricade.


    ¡°We need her,¡± Keisha said, as if reading Demi¡¯s mind.


    ¡°Can you throw the grenade into the gremlins? At least twenty yards away from us and ten yards away from her. Maybe if we clear a path, she can get back here,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°No problem.¡± Keisha dropped her sledge hammer. Took the grenade from her pack, pulled the pin and let it fly. It was an uncannily accurate throw. It landed exactly where intended.


    ¡°Take cover!¡± Demi ducked her head behind her riot shield.


    The others followed suit.


    The explosion shook the battlefield.


    It also got Nila¡¯s attention. She risked a moment to look back. She realized what was happening at the barricade. She ran back smashing and kicking any gremlin that got in her way.


    With Nila as the tip of their spear they fared much better. The gremlins weren¡¯t able to swarm them. Nila drew all the attention, which let the others gang up on individual gremlins.


    The battle was frantic. It was an all-out assault on their senses. The sounds of the gremlins¡¯ snarls, their teeth gnashing, claws scraping against their riot shields was overwhelming. The stench of the monstrous bodies up close assailed them. The violent and jarring impacts as they blocked with their shields and struck out with their weapons.


    It still didn¡¯t help one of the men. He over extended in an attempt to finish a downed gremlin. Another one seized the opening and slashed his throat open. The man fell gurgling to his knees as Demi bludgeoned the gremlin with her truncheon.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Nila yelled back while she swept her bat in wide arcs. ¡°Where¡¯s the alpha?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see it!¡± Keisha tried to look for it while pulling back against the gremlin trying to rip her shield away.


    A scream from on top of the barricade was their answer.


    ¡°Shit! Get up there! Use your spell!¡± Demi ordered the remaining man.


    The man sheathed his machete, dropped his shield and rushed to the rope ladder and climbed without hesitation. Brave man. Foolish man.

 2.13

    Then


    The crossbow-wielding man turned and tried to run, but the gremlin alpha grabbed him and bit his head off. It tossed the body over the rear side of the barricade platform.


    Two crossbows twanged. One bolt missed, while the other lodged into the monster¡¯s upper arm. It ignored the bolt. It reached out for the crossbow-wielding woman. She screamed and tried to scramble back, but in the process slipped on the other man¡¯s blood and pitched backward down to the road below. There was a sickening thud and crack. A pool of blood spread out around her head in an obscene halo.


    The second woman was just as unfortunate as the gremlin alpha¡¯s claws ended her life.


    ¡°Fire Spray!¡±


    Flames splashed across the monster¡¯s broad back.


    It spun with unbelievable quickness for something so big.


    The unfortunate man didn¡¯t know what happened. One second his spell struck home and the next he fell backwards off the rope ladder. Dimly, he realized that the red ropes trailing after him were his guts. Hitting the ground a split-second later was a small mercy.


    A loud blast peppered the gremlin alpha¡¯s face with a dozen tiny metal balls. It growled in annoyance.


    ¡°I¡¯m out. You kids get down the ladder and run. I¡¯ll hold it off.¡± The man¡¯s voice shook.


    ¡°No, dad! I¡¯ve got two more shells¡ª¡±


    ¡°Just listen, Mads!¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon!¡± Gene grabbed the girl by the arm and tugged. The rest of his team was already down the ladder.


    Mads resisted. Her father pushed, while Gene pulled. The gremlin alpha didn¡¯t wait for the drama to play out. It roared.


    The monster came forward slowly, as if it was savoring the fear that emanated from the humans.


    Despite the crippling terror, Mads¡¯ father charged and swung his shotgun like a club. He was brave for his daughter, he sacrificed for his daughter. It didn¡¯t matter.


    The gremlin alpha let the blow land across its face. The wooden stock splintered. The monster contemptuously swatted him off the platform.


    Miraculously, he landed on his feet. Unfortunately, his bones couldn¡¯t handle the impact. There was a loud crack as the man screamed. His right leg had snapped in two. Jagged edges of blood-stained white pierced through the fabric of his pants.


    ¡°Shit! Magic Missile!¡±


    Gene¡¯s shrill voice drew the gremlin alpha¡¯s attention. As did the tiny, glowing purple orb that formed out of nothing in his hand. It zoomed in an arc across the space and burned into the monster¡¯s eye.


    It roared once again. This time in genuine pain.


    ¡°Magic Missile!¡±


    This time the gremlin alpha shielded its face with an arm. The orb sizzled against its skin and left a charred divot the size of a golf ball. One eye wept blood and goo, while the other searched the platform for more of the soft, fleshy ones to sate its hunger for blood and death.


    The platform was empty. It looked around in confusion until it spotted the ladder. Its eye followed it down to the street. There they were. The soft ones fled, but they were too slow.


    The gremlin alpha¡¯s long, powerful legs tensed and it leapt up into the night sky. The asphalt cracked around its clawed feet when it landed in front of its terrified prey. Tiny, tasty, these were smaller and smelled fresher. The monster was going to savor them for as long as it could control its lusts.


    Mads and Team F.C.W.R. skidded to a halt a dozen feet in front of the gremlin alpha.


    ¡°Shitfuck!¡± Gene placed himself in front of Mads. ¡°Guys, I¡¯m out of spells!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got two shells left.¡± Mads¡¯ voice was scarcely a whisper.


    Gene half-turned his head to whisper back. ¡°Can you get its other eye?¡±


    Mads nodded. ¡°I think so.¡±


    ¡°Olo, draw aggro,¡± Johnny whispered, ¡°I¡¯ll backstab it.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you, no! That thing¡¯ll cut me in half.¡±


    ¡°Bastien can heal you.¡±


    ¡°He can heal paper cuts!¡± Olo snapped.


    A loud bang interrupted the argument and made them jump.


    The gremlin alpha¡¯s head reeled back. When it fixed its eye back on the teens there where a dozen tiny holes around its one good eye that leaked thin trails of blood.


    ¡°Crapsack!¡± Gene drew his machete. ¡°Mads, run back to the barricade, we¡¯ll hold it off.¡± He had intended his voice to sound strong, confident, properly heroic. Instead it came out like a squeak.


    ¡°No. I¡¯ve got one more shot.¡± Mads fixed the monster with a baleful glare as she took aim.


    ¡°Fine, wait for it to be distracted.¡±


    The gremlin alpha advanced slowly.


    Bastien edge back toward the barricade. ¡°Distract it by feeding ourselves to it, you mean.¡±


    ¡°Oh my god! We¡¯re going to die!¡± Olo¡¯s shield and metal bat clattered against each other as his hands shook


    ¡°Bro! I can backstab it.¡± There was a hysterical edge to Johnny¡¯s voice. ¡°Get aggro. Then I¡¯ll sneak around.¡±


    ¡°How bout we get to the barricade,¡± Gene said. ¡°Slowly.¡±


    The group carefully backed away from the gremlin alpha. They were surprised that the monster didn¡¯t just rush at them. It seemed to match their pace. One big step for several of theirs.


    The seconds felt like hours. Their hearts threatened to burst out of their chests. Their hands gripped their weapons with white knuckles. Their sweat drenched their clothes.


    When they were within ten yards of the barricade a wide, many-toothed grin split the gremlin alpha¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°Oh no,¡± Bastien said.


    Gene felt like he couldn¡¯t breathe. ¡°Olo.¡± He pleaded in a small voice.


    Olo¡¯s shoulders slumped as he sighed.


    ¡°Dude, just grab its attention. Once I hit it, you¡¯ll be clear of its aggro,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°But then you won¡¯t be,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll sneak and run away.¡± Whether Johnny was truly as confident as he sounded only he knew.


    Olo¡¯s hands shook, but he held tight to his shield and bat. He took a deep breath then bellowed out. ¡°On me!¡±


    The taunt skill¡¯s effect was instantaneous. The gremlin alpha¡¯s attention was suddenly fixed on Olo. It growled and tensed.


    ¡°Backstab!¡±


    The rest hadn¡¯t noticed Johnny moving, but he suddenly appeared behind the gremlin alpha. He sank his machete into the monster¡¯s back.


    It spun and the teen was forced to let go of his weapon. It fixed him with a baleful glare and took a step toward him.


    Johnny sucked in a deep breath.


    The gremlin alpha stopped in mid stride. It spun around in confusion as if it had lost sight of Johnny, even though the teen was quietly, carefully edging away from it.


    Johnny moved around the gremlin alpha to get back with the rest of his friends. Only then did he gasp out for breath.


    ¡°Okay, that worked¡­ now what?¡±


    ¡°That was supposed to be it!¡± Bastien practically spat at Johnny.


    ¡°I went for where I figured it¡¯s heart was.¡±


    ¡°Well, you missed,¡± Gene said flatly. ¡°Now it¡¯s wounded and angrier.¡±


    The gremlin alpha finally noticed where Johnny was. It roared at them and charged. It was done taking its time. The fleshy ones had drawn enough of its blood.


    Brave Olo stepped in its way. ¡°Power Strike!¡± His voice was shrill, but that didn¡¯t matter to the skill. He struck across the monster¡¯s huge head with a mighty downward blow. The bat bent at nearly a ninety degree angle, but several sharp, jagged teeth went scattering into the air. Brave boy. Foolish boy.


    The gremlin alpha backhanded Olo. He blocked the impact with his riot shield, but he still went flying back a dozen feet. He tumbled across the asphalt and came to a rest near the barricade. He wasn¡¯t moving.


    Gene stepped up. ¡°Bastien! Check on Olo! Johnny, Mads, get out of here!¡± He held his machete in a two-handed grip. It was all he could do to stop the shaking.


    The gremlin alpha barreled down on him. The only thing Gene could think to do was somehow stab it in its working eye. He felt a sudden warmth spreading down his pant legs. He was surprised to feel no shame at that.


    Bigger than an NFL lineman, taller than an NBA Center. Pale, whitish skin. Knife-like claws. A grotesquely wide mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth that could bite a man¡¯s head off in one go. The gremlin alpha bore down on him. A nightmare given physical form.


    The last thought that Gene had was that this wasn¡¯t at all like the rpg¡¯s he loved.


    The gremlin alpha opened its mouth.


    Gene grit his teeth. He heard a loud, desperate battle cry, which was odd because he was too scared to breath let alone shout.


    A shadow flew over the boy, cast by the bright bulbs of the light tower.


    Nila¡¯s leap from the top of the barricade carried her ten yards out. She descended on the gremlin alpha like an avenging angel. In an impossible display of athleticism and coordination she struck the monster with her bat as she landed.


    More teeth went flying.


    The gremlin alpha snarled.


    Nila screamed right back. She struck it again.


    It took the blow on its arm. Then lashed out with it¡¯s free hand.


    Claws sparked against Nila¡¯s thick shield. The force of the blow drove her back several steps. She winced. Her shield-arm stung and her entire body was rattled.


    Keep your mouth closed, but loose. Don¡¯t clench your jaw. Cal¡¯s words echoed in her head. A mouth guard is probably better to have. Although maybe you don¡¯t really need one. Unless you¡¯re up against someone or something equal to or stronger than you.


    Should¡¯ve just told me to get one, Nila thought.


    She rushed forward swinging her bat, but keeping her shield up.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    The gremlin alpha stayed just out of her reach as it backpedaled away.


    Nila forgot most of what she had been trying to remember the entire night. Sheer terror left one thing in her mind. Attack. Her footwork was a mess. She was off-balance. She was lucky that her better than human physical attributes compensated. Doubly lucky that her speed equaled that of the gremlin alpha.


    The monster struck out with a clawed hand. Nila saw it coming and deflected it with a sweep of her shield. She followed it up by smashing her bat into the monster¡¯s shoulder.


    The two battled back and forth for what seemed like an eternity. Claw strikes were blocked. Bat swings parried away.


    The gremlin alpha was mostly on the retreat as they weaved back and forth in the area near the barricade. Until it wasn¡¯t.


    The monster suddenly stopped in the middle of another retreat and plowed forward.


    Nila was caught off guard.


    The monster slammed its considerable bulk into Nila¡¯s shield and knocked her to the ground. Like a tiger it pounced on its downed prey.


    Nila screamed as she pushed up with her shield and stuck her bat in the monster¡¯s mouth as it went in to bite her head off. Her arms shook with the effort to keep the monster off. It was nothing at all like the bench press. Not even remotely similar.


    The gremlin alpha suddenly reared back and raised an arm.


    Nila put her shield up in time just enough to deflect the descending blow.


    Instead of a full-force blow, the claws merely cut across the front of her motorcycle helmet. They cut into the impact-resistant plastic surface and the clear visor, but missed her face by inches.


    ¡°Hey! Dick!¡± Gene appeared. ¡°Take this!¡± He stabbed his machete into the gremlin alpha¡¯s other eye.


    The monster reared back as the blade penetrated.


    Gene stumbled back as the machete was ripped from his hand.


    He was so close, but it didn¡¯t go in far enough to reach the monster¡¯s brain for a fatal hit.


    The gremlin alpha pulled the blade from its eye and tilted its head from side to side. It was a nocturnal creature. Whatever magic or super science that had created it had given it attributes adapted for the darkness. Whether it used its hearing, smell or some other unquantified sense it could do well enough without eyesight.


    The gremlin alpha rushed at Gene with a roar.


    Nila plowed into it with her shield from the side.


    It grabbed her shield, pivoted and sent it flying along with her.


    Nila crashed into the light tower. She groaned as she tried to stand. She didn¡¯t feel much pain thanks to the adrenaline, but her head swam and she felt the gorge rising up her throat.


    In desperation, she pulled her helmet off just in time and promptly vomited.


    The world spun and bright spots dotted her vision.


    The gremlin alpha turned its attention away from Nila. It sensed easier prey. Its head swiveled from one side to the next as it advanced on the cluster of terrified people.


    Things were grim. Gene was out of spells, Johnny had used his skill and both were weaponless. Bastien was praying over Olo¡¯s unmoving body. A soft glow seemed to be emanating from the former¡¯s hands. Mads stood protectively in front of her father, who was insensate from the pain of his shattered leg. She had one shell left in her shotgun.


    The gremlin alpha ran its grotesquely long tongue across the top of its lipless mouth. It slavered. The pain it had been subjected to had only increased its hunger. It wasn¡¯t going to let anything stop it now.


    ¡°Now what?¡±


    Gene pointed to his right, toward the remains of a deconstructed house. ¡°I¡¯m going to run that way. It¡¯ll chase me. You all run that way.¡± He pointed toward Nila, who was struggling to stand. ¡°Maybe she¡¯ll recover by the time it¡¯s finished eating my ass.¡±


    ¡°Shit, no way man,¡± Johnny said. ¡°It¡¯s still got my machete in its back. When it goes after you maybe I can get to it. Push it in all the way. Might hit the heart.¡±


    Both were terrible ideas born of a desperation that robbed people of rational thought.


    The gremlin alpha moved ever closer.


    They saw their deaths at its claws or in its jaws. It robbed them of any further thoughts of resistance from them. Their knees shook. Their legs refused to move. They clutched each other tightly. There was no more fight left, nor was there flight. They had been brave this night, but they weren¡¯t warriors and this wasn¡¯t a game. It was real and they broke.


    The gremlin alpha roared one last time as it lunged for the two teen boys.


    They closed their eyes and waited for the death that reached for them.


    It didn¡¯t come.


    There was one person that still had some fight.


    They opened their eyes.


    Nila had closed the gap impossibly fast. She was on the gremlin alpha¡¯s back, pinning it to the ground. The chain from the light tower was in her hands. Somehow she had looped it around the monster¡¯s gaping mouth. She held on to it like a horse¡¯s bridle and reins.


    The monster struggled, but somehow Nila kept it on the ground. Her knee was jammed into its back, while she pulled hard on the chain. The muscles in her entire body were given over to the struggle. Even then she knew that she couldn¡¯t hold on for much longer.


    ¡°Shoot it!¡± Nila cried out. ¡°SHOOT IT!¡± She implored.


    Mads rushed over and took aim at the gremlin alpha¡¯s face. Her finger touched the trigger, but stopped.


    ¡°Do it!¡± Gene and Johnny stared at Mads with wide eyes.


    The girl had something else in mind.


    Veins bulged in Nila¡¯s face and neck as the gremlin alpha started to push up to its feet. She let out a guttural cry, but she was losing the struggled. Her peak human strength just wasn¡¯t enough against the monster¡¯s.


    Mads shoved her shotgun into the gremlin alpha¡¯s mouth. She angled it up and squeezed the trigger.


    The gremlin alpha twitched and went still.


    A collective howl went up from the gremlins on the other side of the barricade, where Demi and Keisha fought, if they still lived.


    Mads dropped her shotgun and went to her father¡¯s side.


    Gene and Johnny let go of each other and plopped down to the ground.


    Oblivious to it all, Bastien continued to pray over Olo. The glow around his hands seemed to intensify.


    Nila staggered to her feet and found her shield. With a tired shout she raised it over her head and brought it down hard on the back of the gremlin alpha¡¯s neck. There was a crunch.


    Nila sat down on the ground, then lay down on her back. She closed her eyes.


    Even under the bright lights of the tower there was only black.


    <hr>


    Now


    Cal floated just below the forest canopy. He didn¡¯t want his passage detected, which would¡¯ve been guaranteed by his armored boots loudly crunching through the ground. He was addressing an issue that he had constantly kept pushing back even though it had occupied a fair amount of real estate in his mind.


    This mission was the culmination of several disparate parts working separately, but in conjunction over the past week. First were the drone operators who scouted the wilderness around the base for potential targets. Second, was Riverport, without whom crucial equipment would¡¯ve been absent. Last, but not least, Caretaker, who graciously took Cal¡¯s place in running the second team through their final preparations to challenged the mantisor boss.


    All was now ready, it was left to Cal to get it done.


    He reached out with his telepathy. It didn¡¯t take long to locate several targets. Their thoughts were uncomplicated. The imperative to find food and fill their bellies was what dominated at the moment.


    Propelled by his telekinesis Cal slowly floated toward the group. While he did that, he used his telepathy to conceal his presence from the targets¡¯ senses. It was something that he had been practicing recently. The idea was to prevent the targets from paying attention to what their physical senses were telling them in relation to him. In effect even if they heard or smelled Cal, they wouldn¡¯t act on it.


    Success! Cal floated above the targets, some thirty feet up. They didn¡¯t react to his presence at all. They were focused on their search for food. Unfortunately for one of them Cal had the same thing in mind.


    He grabbed the fattest looking one in a telekinetic grip and quickly twisted its neck. The rest scattered, but they were safe for now. Cal wasn¡¯t a greedy predator. One was more than enough.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Cal pumped his fist. Then immediately felt guilty. The poor little animal didn¡¯t stand a chance.


    He descended to the forest floor.


    The deercow, as he¡¯d called it, resembled a mix between a deer and a cow, hence the name. It had horns and an udder, so Cal was satisfied with that classification. It was a lot smaller than both, closer to a small to medium-sized dog. It had a thin layer of fur and was a dappled brown in color.


    ¡°Okay, now for the worst part.¡±


    He needed to butcher the animal, which meant gutting, skinning and probably some other gross stuff. Fortunately he had telekinesis and he had watched plenty of survival videos in the past to have a general idea of what to do and what to avoid.


    A handful of small, sharp blades flew out of the compartment at his belt. They traced thin lines into the deercow¡¯s skin.


    At the same time an invisible hand dug into the dirt next to the carcass, while a dozen feet away another hand dug out a narrow trench about six inches deep, ten inches wide and two feet long.


    This was all practice for Cal. To strengthen his telekinetic control and increase his mental stamina. The pressure in his brain was slight, despite controlling many objects and doing several different things simultaneously. He likened it to conducting an orchestra, which he didn¡¯t have any idea how to do, but it seemed an apt enough comparison.


    Once he was finished with his blades he levitated the deercow carcass off the forest floor and pulled the sectioned fur and skin off.


    Next Cal took a blade and ran it across the stomach. He carefully kept the cut shallow so as to not accidentally nick the guts. He vaguely remembered that was a bad thing to do.


    The contents of the deercow splashed out with a squelching sound.


    ¡°Gross.¡± Cal was glad that the helmet and armor he was wearing had a built in circulation system. He didn¡¯t smell anything.


    Cal grimaced as he finished the task of opening up the carcass to get rid of the rest of its organs. He realized that they were mostly edible, but hell no, not for him. He pushed them all, along with the bloody pieces of skin and fur into the deep hole and refilled it back with dirt. He¡¯d leave it for other animals to come did it up once he was gone.


    The deercow¡¯s head stared at him accusingly.


    Cal sighed.


    He telekinetically used his ax to sever the head. Then sent it flying out into the forest. More meat for scavengers.


    Finally done with the worst of it, Cal cut up the meat into smaller pieces. While they hovered in mid air he gathered sticks and branches to make a small rack on which to wash them with the water he had brought along. He did all of this without moving from where he was standing.


    While the meat waited on the rack, Cal went about getting the fire going.


    He needed fuel. He moved around in a wide circle and ripped twigs and branches from the trees with the power of his mind. Once he had a sufficiently large pile. He started the fire in the small trench that he had dug.


    On top of this he placed the small grill that Riverport had made according to his directions. It was a simple enough thing that the fabricator didn¡¯t have any problems.


    Cal pulled out a small unfolding stool from his pack, placed it near the growing fire and sat down. He took his helmet off and breathed the clean air in. This was truly an unspoiled wilderness. The world itself was so much cleaner than his own. The Threnosh energy production means were so clean that there was practically no pollution or environmental impact. At least until the spires appeared. Those bastards were definitely altering the environment.


    Cal forcibly dragged his thoughts back to more pleasant things. He couldn¡¯t wait to taste the meat. He had subsisted solely on the Threnosh¡¯s nutrient liquid for close to a year.


    While he waited for the fire to heat up, his thoughts conjured all sorts of possibilities. Meat was easy enough to get. Find animal, kill animal, cook animal. Done.


    Things like fruits and vegetables were just as easy. Figure out if they were edible, tasty and not poisonous. Then he could simply pick them and eat them, fresh or cooked. There were things that would take effort though. Things like flour or rice he didn¡¯t know how to go about getting a hold of those.


    Ice cream was a good example. He needed milk to make cream. The deercow had udders, so that was a possibility. He made a note to draw up some plans for a barn. Sugar and salt were also ingredients. Threnosh didn¡¯t use either. Perhaps he could use the sensors to scan the globe for them. He also need an ice cream making machine. Something with a rotating barrel and a freezing temperature.


    Cal shook his head. Problems for another day. Today was the day to enjoy hot meat.


    The sizzle of the meat on the grill was like music to his ears.


    He spent the rest of day enjoying the grilled deercow, while he listened to the sounds of the forest. He definitely didn¡¯t think of their upcoming second attempt on the mantisor spawn point¡¯s secret boss.


    <hr>


    The project had officially started almost two months ago. Things were progressing well for the special candidates. The tentatively named Team One had been performing various Tasks throughout Prime Custodian 3¡¯s jurisdiction. They were proving the viability of the wandering adventurer concept. It had a nice, official sounding name, Project: Multi-role Elites, much better than what Cal called it in private, Project: Murder Hobo.


    More importantly they were obtaining Universal Points at a significantly higher rate than the rest of the Threnosh. Who knew that getting the Quest, Task, rewards directly from the spires rather than having it trickle down from the Collective was better for them? More points meant more upgrades to their power armor, which were going to be tested shortly against the secret boss.


    Cal reviewed the plan for Team Two¡¯s go at the mantisor boss. Though they had one less member than Team One he was confident that they weren¡¯t going to have as hard a time.


    Team Two was a month behind, but they had progressed at a slightly faster rate than Team One. Lessons learned from the initial group led to improvements in the efficiency of the subsequent group. Improved training methods, better pathing through the spawn point and greater knowledge of mantisor capabilities and weaknesses all added to this.


    The constant farming of the spawn point had kept the mantisor numbers low. Plus the forest hadn¡¯t recovered yet from the fire that had reduced it to a blackened and charred landscape. The mantisor hive was still mostly a ruined mound, at least the portion that was visible at ground level.


    Salamander functioned as both damage dealer and tank. Their flame breath was powerful, while their scale-like armor was proportionally stronger than Primal¡¯s much thicker armor plating.


    Resplendent Zabriium, Zabri in the field, was able to serve as a fast and mobile platform, a battering ram and as another tank. Their power armor¡¯s odd form combined with the inherent toughness of its metal surface made the contradictions work. They were very unicorn-like in that way. Which, considering they resembled a mix between a unicorn and a centaur, was fitting.


    Volkharion provided an element of battlefield control through their many drones. These drones also enabled them to fulfill a variety of roles. A true jack of all trades-type. They were capable of many of the same things as the rest of their team, just not as good.


    Lastly, Dralig¡¯s four-armed power armor superficially resembled the baseline infantry type that Caretaker owned. In function however it was quite different. The artificial musculature was significantly superior. It provided enhanced physical strength, while its capacity to withstand damage far surpassed Caretaker¡¯s. Cal would peg it at around the same level as Nila¡¯s strength. Which meant that they were capable of fighting on the front lines or shooting from further back, especially as their marksmanship continued to improve. Furthermore, Dralig had proven quite adept at utilizing all four arms. They had complete mastery over the power armor¡¯s arms, which contrasted with their lack of control over their two vestigial arms. The way those moved of their own accord still weirded Cal out.


    There was only one problem. To date no one out of Team Two had emerged as a clear-cut leader. None of the four seemed inclined to seized the role like Caretaker had for Team One. They were content to collaborate on and off the field. A decisive leader was necessary to any strong team, so it would need to be addressed.


    Nevertheless, together with Team Two, Cal had come up with a plan to tackle the mantisor boss while preserving enough operational capacity to join in with Team One to fight the secret boss immediately afterward.


    This time Cal wasn¡¯t going to let anything interrupt that fight. Even if another kaiju popped up he was damn well going to see to it that the secret boss was defeated. They had a spawn point to clear and turn into a proper farming zone.

 2.14

    Now


    The mantisor boss charged forward with amazing speed. Whether it was a different one or the same one from before had respawned, Cal didn¡¯t know, nor care. It just needed to die.


    Salamander let loose with a gout of flame from the mouth of their dragon-like helmet.


    The red cloud forced the mantisor boss to move to its right lest it be consumed by the inferno.


    Its path took it right into a burst of projectiles from one of Volkharion¡¯s larger drones. This one was vaguely canine in form. It had four legs that could carry it at speeds approaching sixty miles per hour. In place of its head was a four-barreled weapon platform that could fire a variety of ammunition.


    The projectiles peppered the mantisor boss. They cracked, but didn¡¯t penetrate its tough carapace. They did cause it to stumble slightly, which allowed Volkharion¡¯s close combat drone to latch on to its back and score deep gouges with its metal claws and buzz saw-like head.


    Cal nodded appreciatively from where he floated high above the battlefield. Far enough to stay out of the way, yet close enough to intervene if necessary. Though he had a good feeling that wasn¡¯t going to be necessary.


    The mantisor boss shook the vicious drone off and swung at it with a scythe-like forelimb. The agile drone landed on its four paws and scampered away.


    The monster was distracted. It didn¡¯t see Resplendent Zabriium barreling toward it at nearly two hundred miles per hour.


    The Threnosh definitely had the strangest power armor. At least in terms of appearance. Every other one was bipedal. Zabri¡¯s power armor resembled nothing less than a pony-sized unicorn centaur. If one discounted the detachable back half then the power armor looked pretty normal. It was heavily armored, two legs, two arms. Aside from the scimitar-like metal horn on the forehead of the helmet there were no external weaponry. It was the detachable back half that allowed the power armor to showcase its true strength.


    It could gallop at speeds well beyond what any natural equine was capable of. Its internal musculature provided physical strength that vied for second place behind only Primal¡¯s on the team. Its superior inertial dampening system, combined with its heavy armor meant that it was able to ram into steel walls and come out the winner.


    Zabri plowed into the mantisor boss. The impact sent it tumbling across the charred remains of the forest for a good thirty yards.


    Dralig, who was riding on Zabri¡¯s back, leapt off and opened up. Four hands and enhanced strength meant double the minigun firepower.


    The projectiles tore into the mantisor boss as it struggle to rise. At this range its carapace started to fail under the relentless assault.


    It screeched and blurred to get out of the line of fire.


    Salamander was already waiting for it. They had sprinted to get into position before Zabri had even begun their charge.


    This time the flame that jetted out of their dragon helmet was closer to yellow in color. The mantisor ran right into it.


    No scream emerged from the monster¡¯s mouth as the oxygen was sucked from its surroundings, its lungs. It desperately fled the cloud, but Salamander¡¯s flame breath wasn¡¯t simple fire, it was mixed with a flammable gel-like liquid that adhered to things.


    The fire that coated its body weakened the mantisor boss¡¯ carapace further.


    Salamander knocked it to the ground. Their power armor made them strong, while the scale-like armor was impervious fire. They stabbed the razor-sharp metal claws of their right hand straight into the now brittle chest carapace of the mantisor boss.


    Its eerily human-like face was frozen in a soundless scream.


    It struck at Salamander with a scythe-like forelimb, but they parried it away with an armored arm.


    The Threnosh¡¯s dragon helmet spat flame. This time it was a thin stream that went right into the mantisor boss¡¯ open mouth.


    Salamander leapt back as the monster thrashed on the ground for a few more seconds before it finally fell still.


    The sound of clapping from high above drew the Threnosh¡¯s attention.


    ¡°Nicely done!¡± Cal descended. He wrinkled his nose as he regarded the mantisor boss¡¯s burning corpse. ¡°Smells worse.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Designation: Honor,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°Your guidance was crucial,¡± Dralig said.


    Cal shook his head. ¡°Give yourselves credit. The execution was nearly perfect.¡± He turned his head back to the five approaching Threnosh, Team One. ¡°You guys had a much tougher time.¡±


    ¡°Honor is correct,¡± Caretaker nodded.


    The others didn¡¯t react any differently. Cal thought Primal might¡¯ve grumbled. He was tempted to check with his telepathy. Perhaps attempting to foster a friendly rivalry between the teams to get them to push each other to greater heights wasn¡¯t a winning idea. Or maybe it was?


    A sudden chime in everyone¡¯s ears drew their attention.


    The spire notification of a success and a new opportunity at the same time arrived as expected.


    ¡°And there it is,¡± Cal said. ¡°Team Two, go reload and see to any necessary repairs. We¡¯ve got some time. I don¡¯t have to accept this right away. Once you¡¯re ready, we¡¯re going to take out the secret boss.¡±


    ¡°The notification states that it is the True Boss,¡± Shira said.


    ¡°Eh¡­ same difference,¡± Cal said.


    <hr>


    It started slowly. The ground trembled at first. Then shook noticeably.


    ¡°Earthquake?¡±


    Caretaker shook their head. ¡°This region is not seismically active.


    It continued to ramp up as the ground shook.


    ¡°Okay¡­¡± Cal levitated a few inches up.


    The rumbling reached a crescendo as the ground jolted from one side to the next. Several of the less physically capable Threnosh fell. Cal quickly lifted them up with his telekinesis.


    ¡°The hive¡ª¡± Caretaker¡¯s warning was too late.


    The ruined aboveground portion of the structure burst. Rubble rained down on Cal¡¯s hastily erected telekinetic shield.


    A towering behemoth of gnarled and blackened wood roared as it emerged from the hive¡¯s remains.


    Cal¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°Holy shit! It¡¯s a treant?!¡±


    There was a collection of knots in the middle of its trunk that almost looked like a face if one squinted. ¡°Buurrrnnnnerrrsssss¡­¡± The knots moved. Eyes opened and a deep rumbling voice emerged from the mouth.


    ¡°Double shit! It can talk!¡± Cal¡¯s eyes were wide. ¡°Monsters don¡¯t talk¡­¡±


    ¡°Fall back to secondary zone.¡± Caretaker¡¯s voice was calm.


    The Threnosh and Cal followed the order. They retreated three hundred yards with all possible haste. Zabri carried two of the slower ones on their back.


    They watched the treant completely emerge from the ruins of the hive. It was enormous, bigger than a three story house. Several gnarled branches that grew out of its trunk seemed to move like arms and hands. They looked strong and sharp. The bark that covered its entire surface was blackened, charred. There were many cracks that wept a dirty, amber-colored liquid. Sap? Blood? Sapblood?


    ¡°I was not expecting that for a secret boss. I was expecting something closer to the mantisors, at least mantisor-adjacent,¡± Cal mused. ¡°That¡¯s how it was back on my world.¡±


    ¡°Meeeee¡­ Buurrrnnnedddd¡­ meeee¡­ paaaiiinnn¡­¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ that¡¯s interesting,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You have insight, Honor?¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°Maybe, but it doesn¡¯t matter to the immediate situation. I¡¯ll tell you guys later. We¡¯ve got a secret boss to kill.¡± He sighed. Truthfully, he felt a little guilty about possibly being responsible for the treant¡¯s condition. Treants were supposed to be wise, chill beings from what he had read. Granted that was fiction, so perhaps he didn¡¯t need to be guilty. After all he had yet to encounter a monster that wasn¡¯t malicious.


    ¡°Primal, you may loose at will,¡± Caretaker said.


    The arrow struck like a bolt of lighting. The treant recoiled with a bellow as broken shards of charred wood sprayed out from the impact point.


    The treant moved toward them. It looked plodding but in actuality its long, tree trunk legs quickly ate up a large amount of distance with each step.


    Another arrow flew. The treant shielded its center face with a thick arm branch. The limb shattered.


    The treant was two hundred yards away.


    ¡°Projectile fire,¡± Caretaker said.


    Recoilless rifles and miniguns opened up and chipped away at the treant¡¯s bark. None more accurate than Caretaker¡¯s algorithm guided aim.


    ¡°Volkharion, harassment.¡±


    The Threnosh didn¡¯t give any indication that they heard the order, but they immediately complied. Their large square-ish backpack detached and unfolded to reveal the canine drone. The bulbous growth on the side of their right thigh did the same and the feline close combat drone stretched out in a lazy manner, eerily similar to its biological counterpart. The growth on their upper left arm opened up and released a small drone that looked like cross between a bird of prey and an attack helicopter. It hovered protectively over the Threnosh.


    Volkharion pointed and the three drones charged the massive treant.


    The canine drone kept its distance. It fired projectiles from its four-barreled head, while it circle-strafed from outside of the treant¡¯s reach. The flying drone did much the same, but from an even greater distance as it launched micro missiles that exploded chunks of the monster¡¯s bark. The feline drone was more audacious. It ran low to the ground as it dodged clubbing branches. Its buzz saw-like head spun to life as it hopped onto one of the monster¡¯s tree trunk legs and cut a long furrow as it ran up.


    The treant kept coming anyways. The barrage of projectiles did nothing to slow it. Neither did the drones.


    One hundred yards away.


    ¡°Volkharion, pull back your drones,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Frequency.¡±


    A group of disk-shaped speakers popped up from their hiding places in the ground debris. The treant ignored them as they hovered around it on their anti-gravity propulsion systems. Frequency¡¯s determined face was visible through their transparent face-plate. The air around the treant seemed to shimmer with the sound waves emitted by the hovering speakers.


    There was no effect. The monster simply ignored them and continued lumbering toward the group.


    Seventy-five yards.


    ¡°Kynnro.¡±


    The Threnosh raised their left arm and fired a stream of ashen particles that bloomed into a large cloud in the treant¡¯s path. A bright red laser flashed through the air a split-second after the monster entered the cloud. Explosive fire enveloped it and obscured it from view for a moment.


    ¡°Buurrrnnnnsssss¡­¡±


    The treant slowed, but it kept coming.


    Fifty yards.


    Kynnro raised their right arm. A small canister shot out of the launcher on the top of their gauntlet. It exploded into a small cloud of reflective particles around the treant. The laser followed a moment later. It multiplied several times as it created a web of lasers that scored thin lines into the monster¡¯s blackened bark.


    Thirty-five yards.


    ¡°Salamander.¡±


    The dragon-armored Threnosh step forward and let loose with their flame breath.


    The treant howled as the fires on its surface intensified, yet it still kept coming.


    Twenty yards.


    ¡°Disperse.¡±


    Caretaker¡¯s warning was either prescient or lucky, but either way it saved several of their teammates.


    Sharp, black roots suddenly burst from underground and snaked their way with surprising speed at the individual Threnosh.


    Thanks to the alert none of struck dead on. At worst they delivered glancing blows that damaged, but didn¡¯t breach the power armors.


    From his observation perch floating above the battlefield Cal finally acted. He sent a bludgeoning telekinetic force that hit the treant like a giant, invisible fist. The monster swayed back like a tree under hurricane-force winds. At the same time, Cal pulled the more vulnerable members of his team, Frequency, Kynnro and Volkharion, out of the snaking roots¡¯ reach.


    Primal¡¯s shoulder-mounted minigun spat out projectiles at the roots tearing through the ground to reach him. The projectiles shredded the grasping wooden tentacles, but one made its way through to wrap around their power armor¡¯s left arm.


    The treant pulled at Primal. The Threnosh resisted, but they slowly began to slide toward the monster.


    Inside the power armor¡¯s torso Primal ignored the flashing red warning lights. They calmly engaged the piece of equipment they had purchased after the first mantisor boss fight, but hadn¡¯t yet had the opportunity to use in actual combat.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Armored panels slid open and three adjacent rings of razor-sharp teeth, like a chainsaw, emerged. At Primal¡¯s command they roared to life. They spun around the power armor¡¯s barrel sized arm and sheared away at the grasping roots.


    One mighty tug later and Primal was free. They quickly swept a wide swath of ground in front of them with their minigun as they backed away.


    ¡°Primal, grenades in the ground, equal spacing,¡± Caretaker said as they dodged out of grasping roots and fired at the treant with impossible precision.


    Primal complied without a word and the grenade launcher on their left shoulder discharged its entire magazine to blanket the ground area between the treant and the Threnosh.


    Explosions sent up great clouds of ground debris and shredded roots.


    The treant bellowed in pain.


    With the opening, Cal was tempted to swoop in and start tearing into the treant to look for a weak point, but he held back. He wanted to see what the team was going to do.


    ¡°Zabri, Shira. High speed insertion,¡± Caretaker said.


    The unicorn centaur power armored Threnosh took off like a rocket. Great clods of forest detritus were left in their wake. They hit one hundred miles an hour when they neared Shira.


    Shira¡¯s power armor was filled to capacity with mantisor blood. It was easy for them to hop on Zabri¡¯s back as they zipped by.


    The treant¡¯s roots and its many branch arms tried to spear or smash the pair. Zabri zigged and they zagged to avoid them all.


    One of the larger branch arms clubbed into the ground right in front of them. Shira leapt from Zabri¡¯s back as the unicorn centaur power armored Threnosh, just barely skirted around it. Shira blurred as they climbed up the limb.


    Zabri peeled away at two hundred miles an hour, leaving the treant with a face full of dirt.


    Shira moved faster than an unaugmented eye could follow. Their superior strength, speed and blade-covered power armor made quick work of all the grasping branches that tried to stop her ascent.


    Operating at maximum power was a dangerous gambit. It meant that they would rapidly deplete their blood stores. Shira had a plan though. The treant¡¯s lifeblood would supply the power that would see it dead.


    Shira¡¯s black power armor blended in with the charred surface of the treant. They made their way through the tangle of branches that attempted to bar their way. The Threnosh reached the central trunk of the monster and proceeded to tear into it like a starving animal, which wasn¡¯t far from the truth.


    The thick bark gave way to a softer interior. The treant¡¯s light brown inner flesh seemed to pulse. It was covered in a sheen of the sticky amber liquid that Shira presumed was its lifeblood.


    ¡°Yessssss¡­¡±


    A feral grin crossed Shira¡¯s face as they plunged both clawed hands into the treant¡¯s inner flesh.


    Shira savored the pained bellow that erupted out of the treant. They could almost taste the agony. They couldn¡¯t wait for what was to come next.


    They were sorely disappointed.


    Instead of the rush that accompanied the taking of an other''s blood, Shira felt nothing.


    ¡°Nooooo,¡± they groaned.


    ¡°Shira, report?¡± Caretaker¡¯s voice carried a hint of concern.


    Shira wanted to let loose a snarl of frustration. Didn¡¯t Caretaker realize that they needed the blood? That without it their strength was nothing. They very nearly did lose control.


    Shira took a deep breath as they reluctantly pulled their hands out. ¡°I cannot utilize the organism¡¯s blood. Requesting extraction. Fuel reserves at five percent.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Zabri¡ª¡±


    ¡°Belay that,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯ll get them.¡±


    Cal zoomed across the battlefield at high speed. The treant¡¯s branches whipped at him, but they weren¡¯t able to penetrate his telekinetic shields. He plucked Shira from the treant¡¯s trunk with a telekinetic grip and carried them back to their lines.


    Cal switched his comms to speak directly to Shira. ¡°You have to be careful. Like I¡¯ve always told you. Be in control of your power armor, er¡­ trueskin. Not, you know, the other way around.¡±


    Shira¡¯s face was unreadable, concealed by the scary, fanged face mask. Their eyes were hidden by the currently opaque, reddish lenses. ¡°I¡ª I understand, Honor.¡±


    Cal nodded. There was nothing more to say at the moment. He switched his comms back to the team channel. ¡°We can probably chip away at it all day, but I¡¯m thinking there¡¯s a weak point we can hit to end this sooner.¡±


    ¡°I concur,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Scans and my algorithm indicate that there is a seventy-three percent probability that the organism has a vulnerable core at this location.¡± They sent the information to the rest of the group with a subvocalized command word.


    Cal turned to the treant. The overlay on his helmet¡¯s face-plate pinpointed the location. It was directly in the middle of the monster¡¯s main trunk, right behind its knotted face. ¡°Poor bastard,¡± he muttered. ¡°Might as well put it out of its misery.¡± He reached out with both his telepathy and telekinesis. He probed the spot Caretaker had indicated. It was difficult to put into words, but what his combined powers showed him was that the treant felt something like concern towards the space in the middle of its trunk, behind its face. At the same time he felt, sensed a pulsing that originated from that area. Life, power, both. There was no distinction. ¡°You¡¯ve got the right spot, Caretaker. Got a plan to take it out?¡± He was fairly confident he could¡¯ve done it himself, but this entire exercise was for the benefit of the Threnosh.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Caretaker said immediately. ¡°Salamander, how long can you maintain your flame armor?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve expended much of my fuel. I have enough for approximately forty-seven seconds.¡±


    ¡°Can you get through the organism¡¯s bark within that time constraint?¡±


    Salamander nodded. ¡°The flames will weaken its defense.¡±


    ¡°Honor will serve as aerial transport for Salamander and Kynnro. Once in position above the organism, Kynnro will deploy their fire cloud. The flames will mask Salamander¡¯s insertion and further weaken it.¡± Caretaker turned to Zabri and Dralig. ¡°You will provide further distraction. Aim low, target the legs to keep its attention on you. Volkharion, you will do the same with your range-capable drones.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± The Threnosh replied in unison.


    Cal suppressed a pleased smile.


    Volkharion¡¯s drones went first. They resumed harassing the treant in a similar fashion as earlier.


    Zabri and Dralig followed suit. The latter rode on the former¡¯s back while blasting away at the treant¡¯s trunk legs with two recoilless rifles. Weight considerations took precedence over firepower, so Dralig had to ditch the dual miniguns. Zabri ran circles around the monster at nearly eighty miles an hour. The dust and debris they churned up made it difficult to see the monster. Fortunately they had other sensors to rely on.


    ¡°I think that¡¯s our cue,¡± Cal said as he grabbed Salamander and Kynnro in firm telekinetic grips. He took them well above the treant, beyond the reach of its branches.


    ¡°Proceed when ready,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Understood.¡± Kynnro sprayed their ashen cloud directly on the treant. They ignited it with their laser a second after.


    ¡°Buurrrnnnnerrrsssss¡­ paaaiiinnn¡­¡±


    ¡°Jeez. I¡¯m going to feel like an asshole after this,¡± Cal muttered.


    Salamander looked up. ¡°I am ready for insertion.¡±


    ¡°That you are. Good luck! You can do it!¡± Cal grinned. ¡°Fire it up!¡±


    Salamander¡¯s power armor suddenly ignited. Somehow the flames emerged to cover the armor¡¯s surface. Not even the Threnosh knew exactly how the ability worked. The spire only explained how to turn it on and off. There was no mention about the underlying science magic behind it.


    Cal shot Salamander like a guided missile right where they needed to go.


    The fire cloud did nothing to Salamander who was impervious up to even greater temperatures. This was not the case for the treant. A creature of wood was not one that dealt with fire well.


    It took Salamander less than twenty seconds to dig into the treant¡¯s core with their claw.


    ¡°I have located the heart of the organism. It is a crystalline structure the size of my hand. Scans indicate that it is generating a considerable amount of power.¡± Salamander paused. ¡°Shall I destroy it?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Cal shouted. ¡°Can you pull it out?¡±


    ¡°I believe so.¡±


    ¡°Great. Do that instead¡­ carefully.¡±


    Salamander grabbed the crystalline core with their clawed hand and pulled hard.


    The effect was instantaneous.


    The treant¡¯s cry was cut off and it ceased moving.


    Cal descended to ground level to take the treant¡¯s core out of Salamander¡¯s claw. He looked up at the monster. It resembled a poor burned out tree.


    ¡°What purpose does that serve?¡± Salamander eyes were focused on the core floating in Cal¡¯s telekinetic grip.


    ¡°It might serve as a power source for our base. If not we can sell it for what I¡¯m guessing is a good amount of points in the spire marketplace.¡±


    The rest of the Threnosh approached the unmoving giant.


    ¡°Did we complete the task?¡±


    As if in answer to Kynnro¡¯s question a loud chime suddenly sounded in everyone¡¯s ears. The ubiquitous voice and text that the Threnosh had seen more often over the recent weeks appeared.


    ¡°Revert from spawn point,¡± Cal said hastily.


    Congratulations!


    You have defeated the True Boss.


    You have reverted Spawn Zone 315349 into its base state.


    You have received 150000 Universal Points.


    Enter a spire to claim your reward.


    Additionally you have gained control of Encounter Zone 315349.


    Operating Parameters can be determined by the Leader and designated deputies.


    Cal thought hard. He let out a sigh of relief when the zone¡¯s interface appeared in his vision, while the spire¡¯s voice droned in his ears. Finally. It had been delayed a month, but they finally had a proper farming zone.


    ¡°Honor,¡± Kynnro¡¯s voice interrupted Cal¡¯s internal celebration. ¡°Were monster¡¯s on your world capable of speech?¡±


    ¡°No, no they weren¡¯t.¡±


    That was certainly an unsettling discovery.


    <hr>


    Then


    Cal was only paying half attention to the scared and angry voices that filled the council¡¯s conference room. He prodded at his closed right eye with a wince. The entire right side of his face was an ugly blue and purple bruise. His entire body ached. From the dozen plus bandaged cuts to the muscle fatigue that sapped his will to even shift in his seat.


    The gremlin alpha really did a number on him.


    Cal glanced at Remy next to him, who had his head back against the wall, eyes closed. His brother was physically untouched, but creating a tornado of metal with his power to kill his gremlin alpha had taken him past his limits.


    Eron was standing near the door. He looked mostly fine, just covered in cuts, scratches and one bite that looked to be already healing. Cal owed his youngest brother one. The gremlin alpha would¡¯ve been too much for him had Eron not been there to tank it. Even in a supporting role, Cal got his ass handed to him by the monster.


    Which made it amazing and very lucky that Nila and her group were able to kill an alpha on their own. Although it wasn¡¯t so amazing or lucky for the half of that group that died or that suffered serious injuries, like Olo, who got a concussion along with some broken bones.


    Nila was resting back at Remy¡¯s house under Megan¡¯s care. Aside from a concussion of her own, Nila didn¡¯t have any other serious injuries, lots of small cuts, bruises and contusions. Cal thanked God that it wasn¡¯t any worse. He was still kicking himself for abandoning her to face the gremlin alpha on her own. The guilt was eating at him. He abruptly started to rise from his seat when Remy¡¯s grabbed his arm.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Remy cracked an eye open with a grimace as he slowly turned his head to look at Cal. ¡°Nila will be fine without you for another half hour.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need to be here.¡±


    ¡°Yes, you do. It¡¯s important for morale. Everyone¡¯s freaked out. If we start showing how freaked out we are¡­¡±


    Cal settled back into his seat with a sigh. ¡°For the record, looking like we got our asses handed to us, which we did, is also bad for morale.¡±


    ¡°Nah, the important thing is that we killed four of those alphas, which is what we¡¯ll need to remind everyone¡­¡± Remy paused, ¡°well, Eron will.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°We talked it over before we came here. You and I are pretty fucked up, plus you¡¯re not in the right head space. Positive talk will sound better coming from him, since he¡¯s mostly fine.¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°That makes sense.¡±


    The large rectangular table in the center of the room had enough seats for maybe twenty-five people. It was barely half full. The council members and their aides along with a few others.


    One of whom was an old man, long-retired military. He was the defacto leader of the community¡¯s unofficial fighting force and he was in the middle of giving the after action report. Cal forgot his name.


    ¡°We are still assessing, but we expect casualties to exceed eighty percent.¡±


    ¡°What? That many people were killed?¡± Councilwoman Devon Castleton¡¯s voice was horrified.


    Unlike her usual demeanor, Cal could tell there was nothing fake about her reaction.


    ¡°No.¡± The grizzled old man shook his head. ¡°The term casualty refers to anyone that took an injury in combat. As I said we are still assessing. As far as the KIA count,¡± he swallowed, ¡°it currently stands at thirty-two. This might change in the coming days.¡±


    Cal closed his eye for a moment. He wondered if he knew any of those poor, brave people.


    ¡°That many! We have less than one hundred fighters.¡± Devon¡¯s eyes searched the room until they landed on Cal. ¡°What were you doing?¡± She pointed at him in accusation.


    Cal regarded her with his one open eye. He slowly pointed a finger at Eron.


    Eron rolled his eyes. ¡°We were fighting and killing those gremlin alphas.¡± He nodded to the old man. ¡°Tell me, colonel, what would¡¯ve happened had the three of us,¡± he nodded at Cal and Remy, ¡°not been present?¡±


    The colonel¡¯s face was unreadable as he locked eyes with Eron. ¡°Our forces are not equipped to handle those hostiles.¡±


    Cal was tempted to use his telepathy to get a sense of the colonel¡¯s feeling toward them, but his head was pounding, it was like there were hundreds of nails being hammered into his brain.


    Eron raised his hands. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t be trying to assign blame. We need to start talking about what we¡¯re going to do moving forward.¡±


    ¡°From what the colonel says it sounds like our manpower will be drastically reduced. I¡¯m concerned about the next night something like this occurs.¡±


    Cal couldn¡¯t remember the councilman¡¯s name. He had marked the middle-aged man as the ¡®smiling guy¡¯. Reminded him of a politician, which made sense. The man wasn¡¯t smiling now. The look of grave concern on his face didn¡¯t need to be faked. Cal gave him points for realizing the trouble their community was facing.


    ¡°The monsters have been escalating for the past month.¡± The councilman looked to the colonel.


    ¡°All of this magic and monsters,¡± the colonel¡¯s taciturn face broke into a grimace, ¡°isn¡¯t something I¡¯m familiar with. Hell, sirs, ma¡¯am, I wouldn¡¯t believe any of this if I wasn¡¯t seeing it for myself. Even then part of me still doesn¡¯t want to accept what¡¯s happening. This might¡¯ve been the big push and they¡¯ll need to regroup, which will give us some time. Or the next attack will be even worse.¡± The colonel took a deep breath. ¡°Either way we are in trouble. We¡¯re looking at an eighty percent reduction in combat capable personnel. We depleted our entire ammunition supply in the battle. It¡¯ll take Mr. Del Campo weeks to replenish it to the same level. We simply don¡¯t have that time. Even with a break in attacks.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. Defense isn¡¯t going to cut it anymore,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°So, what? We attack?¡±


    Eron nodded to the councilman. ¡°MLK high school was something called an Encounter Challenge. In the events of us rescuing all those people from those racist assholes it turned into something called a Spawn Point. At least that¡¯s what the spires¡¯ message said. I know pretty much everyone in this room has received a message one way or another, even if it was just that first introductory one when this all started. The particular message I¡¯m referring to implied that unless the secret boss monster was defeated then the high school would continue to produce monsters. As we are finding out they no longer remain within school grounds. The solution is simple. To stop the attacks we need to go and kill that boss monster.¡±


    ¡°Impossible!¡± Devon scoffed. ¡°Aren¡¯t you listening? The colonel just said that we don¡¯t have enough people. And besides we only have your word that this spawn point nonsense is actually real. We¡¯re not going to go along based just on your say so.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you misunderstand,¡± Eron shrugged. ¡°When I say we, I¡¯m not referring to the rest of you. I¡¯m referring to us,¡± he pointed at himself, then to Remy and Cal. ¡°I¡¯m merely being friendly and offering others the opportunity to join in. Figure there¡¯ll be some good rewards and lots of Universal Points for killing the boss and claiming the area. Like I¡¯ve been saying this whole time, you all should¡¯ve been focusing on getting people with magic and skills the points so they can get stronger.¡± He inclined his head to the colonel. ¡°No offense, but you can¡¯t fight these monsters with guns and ammo. You simply aren¡¯t going to be able to produce enough before you get overrun. We need to raid.¡±


    Cal frowned. Eron was mostly right, but he was being entirely too aggressive in his approach. People were terrified and when they were like that they tended to double down on what they knew.


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± The colonel proved Cal wrong on at least one account. ¡°When will you be ready for this assault?¡± He gave Cal and Remy a significant look.


    Eron answered for them. ¡°A week max. We heal fast.¡±


    Cal thought that sounded like an overly optimistic estimate. He didn¡¯t know about Remy, but he didn¡¯t think that he¡¯d be near a hundred percent in a week.


    The colonel nodded. ¡°Volunteers only. We¡¯ll focus on people with skills and magic.¡±


    ¡°The majority of those are minors,¡± the councilman said.


    ¡°How can you even suggest sending our children into that place?¡± Devon was genuinely aghast.


    ¡°Volunteers, with parental consent for those under the age of eighteen,¡± the colonel amended. ¡°One week maximum. However, I¡¯d suggest moving as soon as you feel you¡¯re ready. Meanwhile, we¡¯ll do our best to defend any attacks. I¡¯m not going to lie. It¡¯s going to get ugly.¡±


    Cal had waited long enough. He stood up from his chair against the wall and left the conference room. He ignored the looks Remy and Eron gave him. He belonged in one place and that was by Nila¡¯s side.

 2.15

    Then


    ¡°They¡¯re asking for volunteers,¡± Gene said.


    Bastien shook his head. ¡°Yeah, but if you¡¯re a minor you need a note from your parents. Mine already said no.¡±


    ¡°Mine too,¡± Johnny said.


    Olo held up his left arm, which was in a sling. ¡°Even if my dad gave the okay, which he wouldn¡¯t, I can¡¯t go anyways.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, mine wouldn¡¯t go for that at all,¡± Gene spat. ¡°But I need to be in on this. This is a legit raid. Taking out the boss and clearing the zone means tons of experience and points, maybe we can finally get some magic gear.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t work like that. At least I don¡¯t think so,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°I¡¯m thinking it does. Just that the level and xp isn¡¯t in your face. I went to the spire today. I got another magic missile cast and a new fire spray spell,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Does sound like you leveled up,¡± Olo said. ¡°That¡¯s what, like level four?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d guess so. Four total spells at four levels seems to fit,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Different from D&D,¡± Johnny said.


    Bastien punched his arm. ¡°No shit. This is real life not a game.¡±


    ¡°Fuck, bro!¡± Johnny punched him back. ¡°It¡¯s totally like a game. Just wish it was clearer about how spells and skills worked.¡±


    ¡°It does seem like the spires¡¯ system is more of an intuitive thing. Like the magic and skills we get are determined by our subconscious desires,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°So, we calling them that?¡± Johnny raised a brow.


    ¡°Why not? It fits.¡±


    ¡°Hey, Olo you¡¯ve got some brown stuff on there.¡± Johnny mimed wiping the tip of his nose.


    ¡°Oh, real mature, dude.¡±


    Johnny laughed. ¡°Would you be in love with me too if I had awesome super powers?¡±


    Olo swung at him with his uninjured arm. The quick teen dodged out of the way with ease.


    ¡°They took out the gremlin alphas and we¡¯d be dead if Miss Nila wasn¡¯t there.¡±


    Johnny nodded. ¡°True that,¡± he conceded. ¡°I¡¯m just messing with you. You need to chill.¡±


    ¡°I think Olo¡¯s right. Think of the classes we got. They¡¯re all basically what we play the most,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Man, I¡¯d rather be an assassin or like a ninja,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Then I think you need to really think hard about that or start training and acting like one,¡± Gene said. ¡°I¡¯m thinking we all need to do that. Think of what we want to be and like make it a part of our inner image of ourselves.¡±


    ¡°In any case we need to get stronger,¡± Bastien said. ¡°We got our asses kicked. Can¡¯t rely on the Cruces to save us all the time.¡±


    The other teens nodded.


    ¡°That¡¯s why we, except for Olo, sorry bro,¡± Gene patted the taller teen¡¯s shoulder sympathetically, ¡°need to get in on this raid.¡±


    ¡°I hear that, but how are we going to convince our parents?¡±


    ¡°We won¡¯t have too, Bastien,¡± Gene grinned. ¡°All we need to do is show up at the high school and they¡¯ll have to take us along.¡±


    Johnny¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°Yeah! That¡¯s right. It¡¯ll be too dangerous to send us back through the gremlin zone by ourselves, so they won¡¯t have a choice.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Olo frowned, ¡°that still means you have to get through the zone and to the school without anyone noticing.¡±


    ¡°Just got to be sneaky,¡± Johnny waggled his brows.


    ¡°Fuck¡­ you¡¯re all going to die,¡± Olo said flatly.


    <hr>


    ¡°I don¡¯t think this is a good idea, baby.¡±


    Keisha Davidson didn¡¯t roll her eyes at her grandmother. Though she almost did. Mama Rose wasn¡¯t nearly as spry as she used to be, but childhood memories of a stinging bottom still had a light grip on Keisha.


    ¡°Got to mama,¡± Keisha said as she gathered her gear. ¡°They needed volunteers.¡±


    ¡°Why you though?¡± Mama Rose stood with the help of her walker. ¡°What about them weird boys?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll be there. I¡¯m only going to help out. Besides the monsters will be too busy with the Cruces to pay attention to me.¡± Keisha smiled at her beloved grandmother and lied. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it mama. There¡¯ll be people watching you while I¡¯m gone.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m worried about you, child,¡± Mama Rose sighed.


    Keisha gently engulfed her mama in a tight, but gentle hug. That was the thing about Mama Rose. As far as she could remember, her grandmother only ever cared about her grandchildren, never about herself.


    ¡°Don¡¯t wait up for me, mama. I don¡¯t know how long it¡¯ll take.¡±


    Keisha pulled her rock-filled backpack over one shoulder. She grabbed her sledgehammer and riot shield as she exited the front door of her grandmother¡¯s house.


    ¡°Hey, Keisha, all set?¡±


    She nodded at the two men assigned to guard her grandmother while she was gone. ¡°Take care of her, please.¡±


    ¡°We got this,¡± one of the young men said.


    ¡°Least we could do, since you volunteered,¡± the other said.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Keisha detected a hint of shame in their words. Unsaid was that fact that the two men didn¡¯t volunteer to be part of the raid. She didn¡¯t hold it against them. It was like being on the same team. Everyone did the best they could at what they were capable of doing. And she was more capable of most thanks to her class having applicable skills in combat.


    Take her backpack full of rocks. Keisha was kicking herself over just realizing that thrown rocks had been a deadly weapon forever. With her Power Throw skill she was absolutely lethal. She could break bones and crush skulls with a well-placed throw. And so she had spent much of her free time going through the neighborhood gathering rocks. There was now a big pile in her grandmother¡¯s backyard.


    She had to volunteer. It was like her grandmother had always told her. Everyone was capable of helping others. One didn¡¯t need to be rich or powerful. The only thing they needed to be was willing.


    ¡°Why are you doing this?¡± Rebekah Court, Soldier: Infantry, said to the young man walking alongside her. ¡°I thought you had a kid sister you¡¯re taking care of.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯m doing the right thing,¡± Ron, Police Officer, said. ¡°On the one hand I need to keep getting stronger to protect her. Going on this raid will definitely give me a big boost to that goal, but on the other hand¡ª¡±


    ¡°You might die,¡± Rebekah finished.


    ¡°There is that,¡± Ron winced. ¡°The way I see it, I can stay safe and rely on someone else to take care of the both of us. Or I can do what I¡¯ve been doing since our parents died and take care of her. If something happens to me the council guaranteed that she¡¯d be looked after, which is basically the same as the first option.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised that you¡¯d be so trusting of the government.¡± Rebekah¡¯s tone made it clear what she thought of that.


    Ron frowned. ¡°That sounds weird coming from a soldier.¡±


    ¡°Ex-soldier, despite what the class I didn¡¯t pick says,¡± Rebekah said. ¡°I didn¡¯t forget that it was your cop buddies that put me in a concentration camp.¡±


    Ron¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Yeah¡­ what they did was fucked up.¡±


    ¡°Ain¡¯t blaming you¡­ mostly,¡± Rebekah said. ¡°Just remembering how the army kept screwing me over while I was serving. Then I get screwed over again. I¡¯m just saying maybe you shouldn¡¯t be trusting anyone else with your kid sister.¡±


    Ron shook his head. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s not so much that I trust the council. I trust the Cruces. They¡¯re the reason I think I¡¯ll get out of this raid just fine.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I trust a bunch of civilians without any actual training.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d have said the same before the world turned to bullshit,¡± Ron shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s a different world now, which is why I¡¯m trying to get a leg up. You need individual power or you¡¯re at the mercy of those that do. That¡¯s not even considering the monsters.¡±


    ¡°Eh, that¡¯s why I volunteered, but unlike you I¡¯ve got no one to worry about. Just want to make sure that no one can put me in a prison camp again. To me, that¡¯s worth the risk.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll watch your back. You watch mine?¡±


    Rebekah narrowed her eyes at the younger man. ¡°You¡¯re decent enough in a fight. That¡¯s why I don¡¯t mind partnering up with you for patrols. Alright, kid, deal.¡± She extended a hand.


    Ron shook it. ¡°Kid? I¡¯m twenty-four. What¡¯re you? Thirty?¡±


    ¡°Nice try, kid,¡± Rebekah snorted, ¡°but you¡¯re not my type.¡±


    ¡°Nah,¡± Ron flushed. ¡°I wasn¡¯t even looking at it like that.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°Um¡­ what¡¯re you doing?¡± Cal frowned at Nila.


    His girlfriend was in the middle of putting on her combat attire.


    ¡°I¡¯m coming along.¡±


    Cal¡¯s frown grew deeper.


    Nila narrowed her eyes at him. ¡°I didn¡¯t spend all day yesterday sewing my jacket and pants back together to sit around.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ you have a concussion.¡±


    ¡°Actually I don¡¯t.¡± Nila finished pulling her pants on and grabbed a small piece of paper from her pack.


    Cal took the paper from her. ¡°What is this?¡±


    ¡°Doctor¡¯s note.¡± Nila tilted her head up challengingly. ¡°No more concussion. Turns out having an Enhanced Physiology also means I heal quicker.¡±


    Cal recognized the handwriting. It was from one of the doctors they¡¯d been lucky enough to have. A doctor by profession before the spires¡¯ apocalypse and a doctor by class with skills that made their diagnoses accurate. If the note said Nila didn¡¯t have a concussion, then she was fine.


    ¡°Okay. You don¡¯t have a concussion, but what about the rest. Christ¡¯s sake, it¡¯s only been five days.¡± Cal¡¯s voice was pleading. ¡°You did your part. You took on an alpha. Killed it. You need to rest.¡±


    Nila jabbed a finger at Cal. ¡°You should take your own advice. Don¡¯t think I didn¡¯t know that you¡¯ve refused to let the doctors check you out. Your face is still bruised up and I¡¯ve seen you wincing when you think no one is watching you.¡±


    Cal¡¯s mouth opened then closed. Like a fish. He was going to say something then thought better of it.


    ¡°You need everyone you can get for this raid thing,¡± Nila continued, ¡°and after you and your brothers, I¡¯m the strongest.¡±


    ¡°All technically true.¡± Cal held his hands up in a placating gesture. ¡°Still, this is going to be extremely dangerous. We have no idea what this secret boss is going to be like.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s precisely why you need me along.¡±


    ¡°Someone needs to watch over Megan and the kids.¡±


    Nila crossed her arms. ¡°That¡¯s a low blow,¡± she grinned, ¡°but I was ready for it. As a matter of fact, I¡¯ve already arranged for a guard.


    ¡°How¡¯d you do that?¡± Cal frowned. ¡°They¡¯re down a lot of people. Last I checked the council is down to twenty able-bodied fighters, not counting the volunteers.¡±


    ¡°Easy. I told the colonel I wouldn¡¯t be able to participate in the raid if he didn¡¯t assign a couple of guards for Megan and the kids. They¡¯re doing that for the families of anyone that volunteered to go.¡±


    Cal grimaced. ¡°Nothing is going to change your mind, huh?¡±


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°Nope.¡± Nila¡¯s face grew dark. ¡°When I was fighting that alpha I thought I was going to die. When you didn¡¯t come I thought that maybe the alpha you were fighting had gotten you too. The one thing in the back of my mind that entire time was that we were going to die apart. I¡¯m scared, Cal. It¡¯s not like I want to go and fight monsters.¡± She took a deep breath. ¡°If this is something we have to do, then we do it together.¡±


    Cal sighed. ¡°Okay, we¡¯ll do this together.¡± He embraced her, tightly. ¡°Sorry I wasn¡¯t there.¡±


    ¡°Since I¡¯ll be there, maybe we can keep your face from ending up like hamburger again.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. That seems like a tough ask.¡±


    <hr>


    Now


    Six months had passed since the project had begun. After the first three months other Threnosh in positions of leadership started to take notice of the effectiveness of Cal¡¯s teams. Team One and Team Two had been taking on Tasks outside of Prime Custodian 3¡¯s jurisdiction. Their results were good enough to force the Threnosh leaders to reconsider how the Defectives were being utilized.


    Once that took hold, Cal became a victim of his success. It became more difficult to obtain new recruits for the project. As a result he was only able to add an additional seven special candidates over the subsequent three months, which brought his roster to a total of twenty-one.


    That unforeseen issue had forced him to shuffle the teams around a bit to make sure that the newer members were able to keep up in terms of field experience and Universal Points. Fortunately, he was never planning to keep the team rosters fixed. His vision had changed over time. The goal was flexibility. Letting the specific Task or mission determine the optimal team composition.


    Cal studied the holographic projections over his desk. The newest recruits had just cleared the fourth of six spawn points that surrounded their base. Like the previous three spawn points, he had reset its setting to that of an Encounter Challenge with a reasonable spawn rate that they could use for farming. He was still trying to convince Prime Custodian 3 to allow their regular troops to use the areas.


    The troops would gain experience fighting different monsters and Universal Points, while Cal, as the owner of the areas would get a cut of the points. He still didn¡¯t quite understand how that worked. As usual the spires didn¡¯t provide adequate information, but as far as he could tell. Any activity in such an area generated Universal Points, which went towards spawning monsters and other upkeep costs. Any unused points could then be collected by the owner. Cal discovered that by limiting the strength of the monsters and not allowing a boss to spawn that he could gain a decent amount of points on a regular basis.


    The more individuals that used the area, the more points it generated. This was why he desperately wanted Prime Custodian 3 to start funneling their troops into the areas. Once the prime saw the benefits, Cal hoped that they would invite other jurisdictions to do the same.


    An alert chimed on Cal¡¯s desk.


    He tapped the holographic display to accept the call. ¡°Ah¡­ PC3. Have you finally realized the awesomeness of my farming proposal?¡±


    ¡°Negative, Designation: Honor.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°What¡¯s this about then? Our next face-to-face meeting isn¡¯t until like three days from now.¡±


    ¡°Your presence is urgently required.¡±


    Cal sensed a trap. ¡°Uh huh¡­ I¡¯m not fighting another kaiju.¡±


    ¡°It concerns Designation: Zalthyss.¡±


    Cal narrowed his eyes. ¡°If the word escaped is the next thing out of your mouth then I¡¯m done.¡±


    ¡°Negative. The outworld invader is still imprisoned.¡±


    ¡°Is it finally talking?¡± Cal was intrigued now.


    Prime Custodian 3¡¯s small, checker-patterned gray head shook slowly from side to side. Cal smiled. The prime continued to copy some of his own mannerisms. Whether it was a conscious act or not, Cal couldn¡¯t tell. Telepathy would¡¯ve been useful there, but he still hadn¡¯t figured out how the prime was blocking him with static.


    ¡°It remains comatose, however Prime Integral Covenant 7 has reappeared with grave news.¡±


    ¡°Ummm¡­ okay.¡± Cal had no idea who that was. ¡°So, what does this have to do with me?¡±


    ¡°Prime Integral Covenant 7 disappeared approximately seven to eight months ago. They were investigating an incursion from god hair 17082, which is located deep in the heart of a volcano. The readings from the incursion was exactly the same as from Designation: Zalthyss¡¯ arrival.¡±


    ¡°Shit,¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°I concur,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°Prime Integral Covenant 7 is an ally of mine. Their message lacked specifics, but they requested access to Designation: Zalthyss and to speak to you.¡±


    ¡°Damn it. Fine, give me the coordinates and I¡¯ll head over.¡±


    ¡°Negative, the location of the facility is under secrecy. I have dispatched a transport to take you.¡±


    ¡°Can I bring a couple of my guys? I¡¯ve been meaning to ask you if they could get a firsthand look at Zalthyss. So they know what they¡¯re ultimately up against.¡±


    The request made Prime Custodian 3 pause a moment.


    ¡°Negative. The special candidates lack the required clearance.¡± The prime continued as if expecting Cal to protest. ¡°Clearance is determined solely by the Collective. I have obtained special dispensation for your presence, but I will not be able to do the same for the special candidates.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s lame, but whatever,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll see you in a bit.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged, Designation: Honor. Prepare for departure within the hour,¡± Prime Custodian 3¡¯s holographic projection disappeared.


    Cal looked at his three-fingered left hand. He ran his fingers over the stumps of his pinky and ring finger. ¡°Jeez. This is the last thing I want to do.¡±


    Despite the words a part of Cal pictured getting payback on the angelic alien from the Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy.


    ¡°The Threnosh like precision and exactitude. I wonder if they¡¯d be alright with me taking a couple of its fingers,¡± Cal flexed his maimed hand with a bitter laugh, ¡°it¡¯d make things fair and equal.¡±


    <hr>


    The ride in the flying van took less than two hours. Good and bad for Cal. The former since he didn¡¯t like traveling long distances, although perhaps in this case he¡¯d amend that to a long time. The facility holding Zalthyss was in an even more remote area than Cal¡¯s base. It was on the opposite edge of Prime Custodian 3¡¯s jurisdiction, something like fifteen hundred miles away. The latter since it wasn¡¯t enough time for him to gather his thoughts and composure for the impending face-to-face with the angelic monster that ate his fingers.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got super powers,¡± Cal muttered. ¡°I¡¯m stronger now. Nothing to be afraid of. Been practicing. Killed a kaiju. Angel bastard¡¯s been imprisoned for like nine months. Means it¡¯s got to be weaker. Could¡¯ve killed it last time if I wanted.¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor?¡± The pilot inquired without turning back to look into the passenger compartment. ¡°Do you have a concern?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. Just talking to myself. Feel free to ignore me.¡±


    The pilot did just that for the duration of the trip, while Cal kept his thoughts to himself. Soon enough the transport arrived. Too soon for Cal. Nevertheless he pulled on his helmet and only hesitated for a second after the transport door slid open before he stepped out into the facility¡¯s hanger.


    Prime Custodian 3 was already waiting for him near the doorway into the facility.


    ¡°Follow me.¡±


    ¡°Hi to you too,¡± Cal grinned. The clenched muscles of his neck revealed the truth to his current mood.


    ¡°We will confer with Prime Integral Covenant 7 before questioning the outworld invader.¡±


    The hairs on the back of Cal¡¯s neck rose. ¡°I thought it was comatose. You said it was that way since we captured it.¡± He felt his eye twitch. It was difficult to keep his voice from rising.


    ¡°That is accurate.¡± Prime Custodian 3 didn¡¯t seem to notice anything different with Cal. At least they weren¡¯t giving any indication that they did. ¡°The outworld invader, Designation: Zalthyss emerged from its comatose state approximately fifteen minutes ago.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Although Cal had a sinking feeling that he already knew the answer.


    ¡°Unknown. Analysis indicates there were no changes to internal or external states that would precipitate the outworld invader¡¯s awakening.¡± Prime Custodian 3 paused. A surprising thing to Cal. It seemed as if the Threnosh was hesitating. ¡°This is only conjecture. There is one change to the external situation. Prime Integral Covenant 7 and your presence.¡±


    Cal nodded, resigned. ¡°Yup. Figures. Let me guess, the prime got here before me. And Zalthyss didn¡¯t wake up until I was almost here.¡±


    ¡°That is correct. Data supports your statement.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s secure?¡±


    ¡°The probability of the restraint system failing is 4.135 percent based on readings and calculations of the outworld invader¡¯s physical capabilities. It was adapted from the same system that you were held in.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡± Cal meant the words. The sarcophagus-like device that had held him captive for months was certainly proof against his super strength. He had to use his telekinesis to basically pick the locks to free himself. Brute forcing his way out was impossible. Knowing that his physical strength was somewhere in the same vicinity as Zalthyss¡¯ eased his worries a little bit. ¡°So, what¡¯s Prime Integral Covenant 7 like?¡±


    ¡°They are a close ally of mine.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I remember you mentioned that before.¡± Cal searched for the right question. ¡°How would you compare them to yourself?¡±


    ¡°We are both prime. There are no comparisons among primes.¡±


    ¡°Okay, thanks. That wasn¡¯t at all helpful.¡±


    ¡°Your query was irrelevant,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said flatly.


    The rest of the walk through the naturally lit metallic corridors was done in total silence. Cal was tempted to take a peak into the small Threnosh¡¯s thoughts, but he suspected he¡¯d be met by the same static buzz as always, so he held of. Perhaps Prime Integral Covenant 7 would prove a more fruitful target.


    They reached a dead end and stepped onto a metal platform. Fortunately the facility was built to military specifications. Which meant that the corridors and lifts were much larger to accommodate the bigger combat power armors. There was plenty of room on the anti-gravity lift for both the prime and Cal. That was one thing that was nice about being among the Threnosh, he was likely the tallest and biggest one on the entire planet. It was quite the opposite back on Earth.


    The lift descended with a soft hum. Down they went, deeper and deeper. Cal was beginning to grow concerned at how long they were taking.


    ¡°How deep is this place?¡±


    ¡°Designation: Zalthyss is housed roughly six hundred meters below ground level. There is a one hundred and fifty-two meter buffer zone between there and the rest of the facility. Do not be concerned. This is the only way down. If necessary the lift shaft will be collapsed to prevent escape.¡± Prime Custodian 3 misinterpreted the shadow that had descended over Cal¡¯s face.


    ¡°Well, that sounds¡­ wonderful.¡±


    The lift finally halted at another long, bright corridor.


    ¡°At least the lighting doesn¡¯t give the impression that we¡¯ve descended into the depths of Hell.¡±


    ¡°I do not understand the word. You will explain at a later time.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Cal nodded. ¡°Although, I think you might be better of not being exposed to that concept.¡±


    ¡°Your concern is noted.¡±


    There were less twists and turns to the corridors on this level. It didn¡¯t take them long to reach what appeared to be a blank wall. Naturally the door slid open to reveal a bare room. The stark metallic surfaces of the medium-sized room made Cal blink. He didn¡¯t notice the other prime standing with their back to him.


    The first impression that Cal got was tension. Prime Integral Covenant 7 was facing a blank wall, except the way they carried themselves seemed to indicate that they were ready to burst into action. Whether to fight or to flee?


    Cal would¡¯ve said it was fifty-fifty. It made him wary. At a hunch he reached out with his telepathy. First to the prime. A static buzz greeted his light probe. Next, he reached out beyond the wall. He was surprised to find the same static.


    Prime Integral Covenant 7 turned and Cal¡¯s mouth dropped.


    The prime¡¯s power armor was not nearly as skin-tight as Prime Custodian 7¡¯s. It was still form-fitting, but its slate gray to matte black surface had a craggy, rock-like look to it. Small, irregular lines throughout the surface pulsed with inner light that ranged from dark red to bright yellow.


    Cal got the impression of flowing lava and molten rock.


    Prime Integral Covenant 7 retracted their black face-plate and Cal swallowed a curse.


    Part of the Threnosh¡¯s normally smooth, gray face was blackened and charred.


    Prime Custodian 3 didn¡¯t comment on it, so Cal resolved to do the same. He didn¡¯t want to get off on the wrong foot with the new prime.


    ¡°Greetings, Prime Integral Covenant 7,¡± Cal raised a hand in a wave. The Threnosh didn¡¯t shake hands or generally make any sort of physical contact with each other.


    ¡°Designation: Honor,¡± Prime Integral Covenant 7 said. ¡°I request your insight.¡± They gestured with their hands and a holographic projection appeared in the center of the room. ¡°In this matter.¡±


    The projection was obviously a recording. There was a spire and it appeared to be inside of a volcano, if the noxious looking fumes and lava was a good indicator.


    A ripple in the empty space in front of the spire revealed a familiar being standing in the deadly environment without a problem. One moment there was nothing, the next there was an angelic alien from the Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy.


    It started to speak, but Cal didn¡¯t catch what it was saying. The pounding of his heart was the only sound he could hear. He forced himself to focus on his memories. Telepathy helped there. It let him review them in detail from a detached perspective. Like watching a recording. Real time slowed down as Cal replayed his interaction with Zalthyss.


    He compared it to the angelic alien in Prime Integral Covenant 7¡¯s projection. He stifled a curse. The two were exactly the same in appearance, words and mannerisms. He wanted to ask the question immediately, but he watched the rest of the projection.


    It was a fierce battle from Prime Integral Covenant 7¡¯s perspective. The angelic alien was just as fast and vicious as Zalthyss. The prime used the volcanic environment to their advantage, but it appeared as if they were slightly weaker. The prime fired blasts of fire, while the angelic alien swooped at the prime with its wings to take chunks out of their power armor with its claws.


    The action was frantic and desperate from the prime¡¯s point of view. The end of the fight was confusing, but it appeared to Cal as if the prime had been forced to collapse the volcano onto both combatants to save their own life.


    ¡­ we, hunters, seek the one you call Honor. The angelic alien¡¯s words repeated themselves in Cal¡¯s thoughts.


    ¡°I have reviewed your encounter with Designation: Zalthyss,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°And compared it to this encounter. Data indicates 97.212 percent probability that the outworld invaders are identical.¡±


    ¡°My assessment reached the same conclusion,¡± Prime Integral Covenant 7 said.


    Cal forced his fists to unclench. He took a couple of deep breaths to gather himself. ¡°That does look exactly like the same¡­ thing¡­ like Zalthyss. Moves the same, talks the same. Which doesn¡¯t make sense since Zalthyss is imprisoned in this facility.¡± He turned a questioning eye to Prime Custodian 3.


    ¡°That is correct. We seek insight from you,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°The data is indisputable, however it points to an impossibility.¡± They hesitated again. ¡°We do not have the capacity to formulate a hypothesis.¡±


    ¡°What about the Collective? What¡¯d they say?¡±


    ¡°Those were their words.¡±


    It was subtle, but Cal had spent enough time around Prime Custodian 3 to recognize that they had a very hard time getting the words out of their mouth.


    ¡°So, you figure that you need an outworlder¡¯s viewpoint? It¡¯s pretty simple¡­ my go to explanation for things that shouldn¡¯t be possible¡­ spire bullshit,¡± Cal gave a wan smile. ¡°Magic, powers, super science tech, whatever the hell is up with Zalthyss. We can chalk that all up to the spires messing with what we thought were hard rules to how the world works.¡± He thought of the possibilities, tried not think too hard on the physics or science. ¡°Right, so with Zalthyss apparently being in two places at the same time. First explanation, some kind of hive mind, like bees. Do you have bees?¡±


    The two primes looked at each other.


    ¡°Yes. We know of the native organism you speak of. You have the same on your world?¡±


    Cal blinked. Of course the spires¡¯ automatic translation system at work. ¡°Either we do or our worlds have very similar animals. Enough that the translation system picked it up. Anyways, back to the topic. Second explanation is that they are clones.¡± The primes didn¡¯t react so he continued. ¡°Third explanation is kind of out there and it might be hard for you to understand. Essentially, Zalthyss is a singular entity and what we encountered are like puppets or drones, that¡¯s probably a better word for you guys, drones that it is able to control from its home world¡­ yeah, that one¡¯s a tougher swallow. So, either hive mind or clones.¡± He nodded sagely.


    ¡°Can we not question the one you have in custody?¡± Prime Integral Covenant 7 turned to Prime Custodian 3.


    ¡°Perhaps. It is no longer comatose.¡±


    ¡°Might be risky,¡± Cal said quickly. ¡°I mean, not that I¡¯m scared, but you know, for your sakes.¡±


    Prime Custodian 3 made a decision. Their helmet flowed like liquid from the neck area of their power armor to encase their head. A glazed look in their eyes was visible through their clear face-plate.


    ¡°Prepare yourselves.¡±


    Prime Integral 7¡¯s black face-plate slid into place.


    ¡°For what?¡± Cal frowned. He didn¡¯t like where this was going.


    The wall that had proved impenetrable to Cal¡¯s telepathic scan earlier suddenly slid open with a soft hiss.


    Cal cursed.


    There, behind a clear second wall was a somewhat familiar looking sarcophagus. What it contained was what drew Cal¡¯s reaction.


    ¡°We will question the outworld invader directly,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.

 2.16

    Now


    There, with only its head visible above the black, high tech sarcophagus, was Zalthyss.


    The angelic alien smiled impossibly wide to reveal a mouth filled with sharp teeth.


    ¡°The one that calls himself, Honor. I heard your song. So strong, yet discordant. What weighs on you so?¡±


    Zalthyss was just as disturbingly beautiful as Cal remembered. So perfect, yet so wrong.


    Cal forced his jaw to unclench. ¡°Your existence¡­ bothers me.¡± He told the truth. He felt that to attempt to hide it would reveal weakness and he knew that Zalthyss reveled in inflicting such.


    ¡°Ah, but I love your existence. I can feel you. So loud, so strong. It has been millennia since I have tasted one of your caliber.¡± Zalthyss ran a slender tongue over its lips.


    ¡°You are one creepy piece of shit,¡± Cal said. ¡°The way I remember it, I made you choke on it.¡± He held up his left hand and wiggled its three fingers in Zalthyss¡¯ direction.


    ¡°Perhaps, but that did nothing to take away from your taste.¡±


    ¡°Keep telling yourself that. Next time I¡¯ll shove my fist down your throat,¡± Cal snapped. ¡°No tricks, no traps, just going to put you down like a rabid animal.¡±


    Zalthyss laughed. It sounded like a choir¡¯s hymnal songs.


    It and others of its kind couldn¡¯t be allowed to make it to Earth. Entire swaths of the population would fall down on their knees in worship as soon as they saw and heard it.


    Cal laughed right back, but it was forced, strained.


    Zalthyss¡¯ head sticking out of the sarcophagus-like device was silly or it should¡¯ve been. Except it wasn¡¯t. The damn alien was making it look dignified, even awe-inspiring.


    It was all Cal could do to keep standing. There was something pressing on him. An invisible hand pushing down on his shoulders. The faint sound of chimes, bells ringing out in song drifted in the nonexistent wind inside the sealed room. He had felt something of its like during his first encounter with Zalthyss, but it was much weaker then. There was a palpable weight to it now.


    Cal muttered a curse. He forgot about his telepathy. And what was one of the things he had been practicing since then? Building walls. Invisible ones in his head.


    He closed his eyes. It was impossible to focus when looking at Zalthyss. The noise in his mind eased tremendously. He didn¡¯t waste time. He pictured a solid steel wall, no, make that adamantium. A fictional metal, but so long as he believed it, then it was true within the realm of his mind.


    Cal¡¯s telepathic wall materialized out of nothingness to encase his mind in a perfect, seamless sphere. Mercifully the musical sounds stopped and he was left in silence. He opened his eyes. With his mind blocked off he was unable to utilize his telepathy to reach out. It was a worthwhile trade.


    Cal grinned at Zalthyss.


    The angelic alien abruptly stopped smiling. ¡°You have silenced it.¡± Zalthyss¡¯ voice was a whisper. ¡°You dare. When this world and yours is under my dominion there will be no silence. All songs belong to the greater symphony.¡±


    ¡°Bold words from someone stuck in a box.¡± Cal glanced at the two primes.


    Prime Custodian 3 watched Zalthyss with their unblinking eyes. Their posture displayed caution, but no fear.


    It was different with Prime Integral Covenant 7. Their body language definitely conveyed wariness, maybe verging on fear. Cal was surprised to see such an open display from a Threnosh, especially a prime. It was sobering to see one of the strongest Threnosh reacting to Zalthyss in such a way. He had to cut the prime some slack. They had reason to fear. After all, their battle in the volcano was a close thing.


    ¡°Alright, PC3,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯m getting kind of annoyed having to stare at this bastard, so maybe let¡¯s get the interrogation started.¡± The telepathic wall was working. Zalthyss was no longer inspiring awe and dread. It was still a scary-looking alien, but he had plenty of experience with scary monsters and people since the spires appeared and ruined everything. ¡°Do you need me to break its nose? Maybe pull out some teeth?¡± He stared at Zalthyss without blinking. He could play bad cop just fine.


    ¡°That will not be necessary. The restraining device will provide compliance if needed.¡± Prime Custodian 3 slow-blinked directly at Cal.


    ¡°¡­¡± Cal narrowed his eyes at the prime. ¡°Really? You¡¯re going to go there?¡± He remembered the shocks he had endured during his own interrogation sessions. ¡°From what I remember you¡¯ll have to go stronger to get through to it.¡± He stabbed a finger at Zalthyss.


    Prime Custodian 3 inclined their head. ¡°That was been taken into account.¡± They turned their attention back to Zalthyss. ¡°A simple query to you. What is your biological nature?¡±


    Zalthyss laugh was only that to Cal. No more tinkling chimes or musical song in his ears. More evidence that there was some sort of telepathic effect from the angelic alien. It wasn¡¯t giving any indication that it noticed his telepathic wall, so perhaps it wasn¡¯t something that it controlled.


    ¡°You, who cannot hear the songs of being will never be capable of comprehending my nature.¡± Zalthyss turned its gaze toward Prime Integral Covenant 7. ¡°You are recognized. You must be commended for successfully fleeing from my hunt. Though you have only managed to delay the inevitable. A suitable appetizer, nothing more.¡± It turned its intense gaze back to Cal.


    Cal forced himself to stare right back.


    Next to him, Prime Integral Covenant 7 stiffened where they were standing.


    ¡°You claim to be the individual that was defeated by Prime Integral Covenant 7?¡±


    Zalthyss didn¡¯t take his eyes of off Cal. ¡°Did I?¡±


    ¡°Answer or face compliance.¡±


    ¡°You are incapable of hearing the answer.¡±


    ¡°Compliance,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said flatly. They made a subtle gesture with their hand.


    A crackle of energy burst from the sarcophagus-like restraining device that held Zalthyss. The angelic alien¡¯s face froze in its too-wide smile.


    Cal smirked. ¡°Ha! How¡¯s that feel?¡±


    Prime Custodian 3 stopped the electrocution after several more seconds.


    The smile only grew wider on Zalthyss¡¯ face. ¡°Such exquisite sounds.¡±


    ¡°PC3, you¡¯ve got to go stronger.¡±


    ¡°Negative, Designation: Honor. Data indicates that the outworld invader somehow converted the pain into¡­ unknown. Unable to analyze. Further compliance will be ineffective.¡±


    ¡°Enough.¡± Prime Integral Covenant 7¡¯s voice was level, but Cal could detect the effort the they were using to keep it controlled. ¡°We will learn nothing from the invader. It is a threat that must be terminated immediately.¡±


    ¡°I do not concur. We require more information,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    ¡°I sort of concur,¡± Cal said. ¡°Maybe, like, forty-sixty between the more information and kill it now options.¡±


    ¡°The outworld invader is under my jurisdiction. It shall not be terminated until I am satisfied with the information extracted.¡±


    ¡°You hold authority in this place. I accede to your decision,¡± Prime Integral Covenant 7 said stiffly.


    Cal shrugged. ¡°You¡¯re the boss here, PC3.¡±


    ¡°Outworld Invader,¡± Prime Custodian 3 focused on Zalthyss again, ¡°you have been comatose since we captured you. What precipitated your recent awakening?¡±


    Zalthyss kept its eyes directly on Cal. Its toothy smile seemed to grow wider. The silence stretched for a long moment until someone couldn¡¯t take it anymore.


    ¡°Just answer the damn question, you freaky bastard!¡± Cal snapped.


    ¡°There was nothing of interest¡­ until¡­¡± Zalthyss inclined its head toward Cal.


    Cal¡¯s hand shot out. He held it like a claw, as if he was squeezing an orange.


    The smile dropped from Zalthyss¡¯ face. Small indentations appeared on its hairless scalp. An invisible hand tightened like a vise.


    ¡°You want interesting,¡± Cal said flatly. ¡°I can show you interesting. I can show everyone here something interesting. Like, for example what your brain looks like squeezed out of the orifices in your head. How about it, PC3, Prime Integral Covenant 7? That¡¯d make for some interesting data, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Prime Integral Covenant 7 said quickly.


    ¡°Designation: Honor, you will cease immediately,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°This violates the terms of our arrangement.¡±


    Cal kept squeezing with his telekinesis. His heart pounded, the heat rose to his face. He could barely hear the two primes. But he did hear them. So he stopped squeezing, but kept the hold locked in place. They still needed answers.


    Zalthyss¡¯ smile spread slowly as wide as ever.


    ¡°You muffle your sound, but it is too strong to fully conceal. A truly worthy hunt you are.¡±


    ¡°Answer the question,¡± Cal said. ¡°You recognized Prime Integral Covenant 7. Are you claiming that you fought them? In the volcano? While you were here the whole time?¡±


    ¡°These song-less chattel cannot comprehend the truth of my existence,¡± Zalthyss said. ¡°You, however¡­¡±


    ¡°Right, that¡¯s a non-answer, but you aren¡¯t denying it. So, what is it? Hive mind? Clones? If you¡¯re so great and powerful, why are you hiding your true nature?¡±


    ¡°Ah ah ah. Lectures about hiding our true nature?¡± Zalthyss arched a brow. ¡°Such hypocrisy is unworthy of you¡­ Honor. Are you not a hunter? I heard it in your song. You have claimed worthy prey.¡±


    Cal¡¯s eyes widened. He snarled and started squeezing Zalthyss¡¯ head again.


    This time the smile didn¡¯t go away.


    One second.


    Two.


    Three.


    ¡°Fuck it,¡± Cal spat. ¡°It¡¯s doing something to mute or block the pain somehow.¡± He released his telekinetic grip. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m now a hundred percent on the killing it side.¡±


    ¡°Release me and test yourself. Are you able to kill me with your own hands? Or will you rely on your empty allies¡¯ tricks?¡±


    ¡°This has become counterproductive. The session is over,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    ¡°You, weak, gray things. Hiding in your shells. Prostrate yourselves to the Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy. You may earn the right to be uplifted after a millennium of dutiful service.¡± Zalthyss addressed the Threnosh without the smile. ¡°Refuse and become nothing more than chattel for the worthy.¡±


    The walls suddenly slid back into place, blocking Zalthyss¡¯ prison chamber once more.


    ¡°Well, that was mostly pointless.¡±


    ¡°We will continue to record data, perhaps it will be more fruitful now that the outworld invader is no longer comatose,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    ¡°So, what¡¯re you going to do now?¡±


    ¡°To what do you refer, Designation: Honor?¡±


    ¡°The invaders.¡± Cal gestured to Prime Integral Covenant 7. ¡°You¡¯ve got two confirmed incursions now. By, possibly, the same alien thing, whether clone or hive mind or something else entirely. There are thousands of spires and I know that you aren¡¯t watching them all. The ones deep in the earth or at the bottom of the oceans. It¡¯s a certainty that there will be more, if they aren¡¯t already out in the wild, undetected.¡±


    ¡°Our detection methods are sufficient. They will provide immediate warning if another invader appears.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not really my point. Like I¡¯ve told you before. You¡¯re being way too defensive. Sure you¡¯re methods might work if the dominion is content to keep sending one Zalthyss at a time, but what happens if they ramp it up? Two, three of the bastards or that, plus other forces. One Zalthyss is about equal with a prime.¡± Cal nodded at Prime Integral Covenant 7. ¡°No offense, but you barely made it out alive. Can you fight two? I mean how many primes do you even have?¡±


    The two primes stared stone-faced at Cal.


    ¡°Fine, be that way. I doubt there are a lot of primes to go around. The longer you wait the chances that you¡¯ll be overwhelmed increase. You can go upworld now. At least scout out the dominion¡¯s world. Can¡¯t make a good plan without that information. Right?¡±


    ¡°The Collective has decided against the risk from aggressive action,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    ¡°Dominion won¡¯t care about you taking aggressive action because they are already invading your world,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°In my world appeasement has never worked when it comes to assholes wanting to kill you and take your stuff. Look, I think we can all agree that the system the spires have forced upon us encourages conflict. It can¡¯t be avoided.¡±


    ¡°It has been determined that an upworld scouting mission contains to many unknowns. There is simply not enough data to assess the risk to the individual Threnosh selected for the task.¡±


    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, PC3. Risk is unavoidable in this spires-dominated existence. That¡¯s part of what our project is all about.¡±


    ¡°This project? The defectives?¡±


    Cal frowned at Prime Integral Covenant 7.


    ¡°Perhaps the Collective will agree if the defectives are the ones tasked with the upworld scouting.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ first of all, we don¡¯t use that word. Secondly, they aren¡¯t ready for something like that. There¡¯s still a lot of training and upgrading before we can even consider sending them through a spire.¡±


    ¡°I concur,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°The special candidates are proving to be a valuable resource.¡±


    Cal snapped his fingers. ¡°Drones. Why haven¡¯t you considered sending drones to scout?¡±


    The primes exchanged a look.


    ¡°The Collective has discussed the possibility, but they dismissed it for the same reason as sending Threnosh,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°Additionally, data indicates that it is unlikely that a non-sapient can be sent through a spire by itself.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Yeah, I guess that makes sense, just brainstorming since you guys aren¡¯t,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I will take your words under advisement,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°This briefing is at an end. I have duties to take care of.¡±


    ¡°As do I,¡± Prime Integral Covenant 7 said.


    The door to the corridor slid open and the prime stepped through.


    Cal hesitated. ¡°What¡¯re you going to do with Zalthyss?¡±


    ¡°We will continue to monitor and gather data,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    ¡°Right¡­ so, if it escapes?¡±


    ¡°You will be notified.¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°First. I better be the first person you call.¡±


    ¡°That will be permissible.¡±


    ¡°Be careful with that thing, PC3. It¡¯s not like us. I can¡¯t tell for sure, but I don¡¯t think that it thinks like we do.¡± Cal frowned. He felt a shiver crawl up his back. ¡°There¡¯s something about it¡­ like it¡¯s only pretending to be like one of us.¡±


    ¡°I acknowledge your words.¡±


    Cal let out a long breath. He opened his mouth to say something, but he found his eyes drawn to the wall at the other end of the chamber. Zalthyss was just behind it. He was tempted to lower his telepathic walls just a bit to try again to see if he could penetrate the angelic alien¡¯s thoughts. He ground his teeth. He wouldn¡¯t admit it out loud, but he was too scared to try. He didn¡¯t want to hear the disturbing sounds, like music or a song, both and neither. It touched something in his core and it only brought him a great sense of revulsion.


    ¡°Scratch that. If it even looks like it might escape. Bury it. Blow up the lift shaft, like you said you could. First thing. Then let me know.¡±


    <hr>


    An emotionless voice came in through the transport¡¯s communications system.


    ¡°Cleared for approach. Do not deviate from flight path. Do not move beyond the facility boundary.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Caretaker said flatly.


    A disgruntled sounding noise came through the team-only channel. ¡°Can¡¯t have defectives in among the population,¡± Primal grumbled. ¡°Why are we even bothering saving their asses? Let the soldiers handle it or their precious elites.¡±


    A slight smile tugged at the corners of Caretaker¡¯s lips. For as much as Primal bristled or frowned at anything Honor-related, they certainly picked up some of what Honor called his naughty words. Caretaker didn¡¯t quite understand the concept at first. Words that weren¡¯t supposed to be spoken in certain situations? Their conclusion was that it was inefficient to have an entire catalog of words that were purely situational. For his part Honor tended to only use them in training or combat.


    ¡°This settlement is small and remote. They have already lost five squads in the attempt to retake the facility. They do not desire to risk the remainder. As for elites, Prime Custodian 3 lost all of them against Zalthyss. We are essentially their replacements. This was all in the briefing,¡± Frequency said.


    The sound of more grumbling traveled through the comms.


    ¡°Five minutes inbound.¡± The pilot¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Caretaker brought up the holographic projection in the center of the passenger compartment. The Threnosh were all held in place in their berths. ¡°We have been over this already.¡± They gestured at the glowing, three-dimensional schematic of the facility they were about to assault. ¡°Research facility. Twenty levels, five above ground, fifteen below. Living quarters, administration, vehicle bays are above ground. Labs and storage below ground. We are to clear the invasive organisms and rescue any living Threnosh that we find.¡±


    ¡°I do not understand why you have brought me along. I am too large to fit inside most of the facility,¡± Primal said.


    Primal had already been briefed. Caretaker knew that Primal already knew the answer to that. They were just being contrary as was their wont.


    ¡°Your firepower is necessary to guard the vehicle bay, which is where we will stage the survivors we rescue for extraction.¡± Caretaker gestured and the facility schematic shrunk in size. Another holographic image appeared to take its place. ¡°This is the invasive organism we face.¡±


    It was small, about as tall as a standard Threnosh outside of their trueskin. It was bipedal, standing on digitigrade legs, which ended in clawed, three-toed feet. Its arms were proportionally long compared to its relatively short torso. Its three-fingered hands also ended in wicked-looking claws. Leathery wings stretched underneath the arms and connected to the waist. Its face was dominated by a wide mouth filled with sharp teeth and a long, narrow tongue. It had a flat, pushed-in nose. Essentially a pair of long, vertical slits. Its ears were enormous, pointed and ridged. They fanned out on both sides of its blocky head. Its brown body was thin, but taut, well-formed muscles conveyed a sense of strength.


    ¡°They flew in during the night. Ignored the rest of the settlement and its defenses. Attacked the facility directly. Sufficient strength in their claws and teeth to tear through standard infantry armor with difficulty. Swarm tactics. Recordings of the attack and subsequent data analysis indicates that they were all after something specific inside of the facility.¡±


    ¡°Settlement leadership refused to clarify?¡± Adjudicator said.


    Caretaker nodded at one of the newer members of the project. ¡°Correct. No one from the facility managed to escape or communicate. Power was lost shortly after the assault started. I do not believe that the settlement leadership was aware of what transpired in the research facility. It has only been in operation for the last three months.¡±


    ¡°The organisms must not have found what they are looking for if they are still in the facility,¡± Shira said.


    ¡°Alternatively, they have and are now going to defend it with vigor.¡± Dralig crossed their upper two arms across their chest.


    Another affectation taken from Honor.


    ¡°Both are possible,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Is it possible that they are in the process of creating a new spawn zone?¡± Frequency said.


    Caretaker nodded.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter what they want. We will crush them,¡± Primal said.


    ¡°Approaching landing zone.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Caretaker replied to the pilot. They switched back to the team channel. ¡°We are going in hot,¡± Honor¡¯s terminology, ¡°weapon¡¯s free.¡±


    The transport touched down and its rear ramp lowered. The eight Threnosh quickly moved down the ramp, Primal¡¯s enormous power armor in the lead. They established a perimeter as the transport lifted up with the hum of its anti-gravity system.


    ¡°Anything?¡± Caretaker eyed the facility a short distance away.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± was the repeated call from each Threnosh.


    Caretaker carefully scanned their immediate area, this time with their predictive algorithm. ¡°Move out to the vehicle bay. Defensive formation. Primal has point.¡±


    Caretaker brought up the rear as the team briskly, but cautiously, marched toward their destination.


    The vehicle bay¡¯s enormous door was open. There was no evidence of battle, but Caretaker was expecting that. The fighting from the previous night took place inside the facility. The outer structure of the facility differed. It bore large holes in several locations. No doubt from the invasive organisms cutting their way through the walls.


    ¡°Vehicle bay is clear,¡± Primal said.


    ¡°Nothing on my auditory sensors,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°Set up a defensive position. Focus on the door into the facility. That is were we can expect hostiles,¡± Caretaker commanded. ¡°Volkharion, send out your scouting drones. Upper five levels only. Shira, ready the door. I want it open just enough to fit the drones.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± A dozen insect-sized drones deployed from compartments at the small of Volkharion¡¯s power armored back. The drones were simple. Tiny insectile wings for flight and a wireless camera that linked directly to the Threnosh. They lacked a true virtual intelligence, but they had enough autonomy to avoid obstacles while following simple directions.


    Shira nodded and went to the door. They forced it open a crack. There was a groan of protest from the powerless machinery, which sounded much too loud inside the eerily silent space.


    The scouting drones buzzed past Shira¡¯s head and into the dark corridor.


    ¡°Shall I link the visuals to the team?¡±


    Caretaker nodded at Volkharion.


    The view from each drone was projected on Caretaker¡¯s face-plate in an orderly rectangle. They minimized it to one corner to keep their vision unobstructed.


    The corridors of the facility were dead dark. The images from the drones were rendered in shades of gray through the no-light setting of their cameras.


    ¡°Cycle vision modes through thermal as well,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    As Volkharion spoke the images periodically rotated to show heat or in the case of the corridors the dark blues and blacks of its absence.


    It was a prescient suggestion to switch the camera modes. Otherwise, they would¡¯ve missed the invasive organisms clinging to ceiling corners in several of the larger rooms. They were completely still. Even through the thermal imaging their bodies were only a few shades lighter than the cold, metallic surfaces.


    The drones continued their search at Volkharion¡¯s deft control. To control twelve distinct drones would¡¯ve been impossible without their power armor¡¯s unique assist systems.


    There were scant signs of battle scattered around. Projectile marks were in evidence on the walls. There were broken structures in most of the rooms, perhaps research instruments and other assorted machinery. It was what was missing that stood out to Caretaker. There were no bodies. The recordings definitely indicated that battle took place in these levels, yet there were no destroyed remains of the researchers and soldiers.


    Several drones reached the areas where the invasive organisms breached the facility. Upon closer inspection the holes in the metal seemed to have been melted, more than simply clawed open.


    Roughly fifteen tense minutes later Volkharion completed scouting the upper five levels. ¡°I have located thirty-seven invasive organisms. Locations are marked and transferred to the team map,¡± they said. ¡°No signs of Threnosh.¡±


    ¡°Nicely done, Volkharion. You did not alert any of the invasive organisms to our presence,¡± Caretaker said. They too were taking cues from how Honor conducted tasks. ¡°Okay, the next step¡ª¡±


    A sudden chime sounded in their ears and nowhere else.


    Task Received.


    Clear Research Facility 287632.


    Success Parameters: Destroy or Evict Invasive Organisms.


    Failure Parameter: Death.


    Reward: 25000 Universal Points.


    Bonus Task Received.


    Rescue Survivors.


    0 / ?


    Reward: Reputation gain.


    Will you accept?


    ¡°Yes.¡± Eight voices were united.


    ¡°Reputation gain?¡± Frequency looked to Caretaker.


    ¡°I do not know, perhaps we can ask Honor after we complete the Task.¡±


    ¡°Is it typical to obtain Tasks in this manner when we perform duties for the prime?¡± Whoosh spoke for the first time since boarding the transport back at their base.


    Caretaker nodded to the new recruit. They were still in awe of the more experienced members of the team, so Caretaker took the time and effort to make them feel welcome. ¡°No it is not. I suspect that this Task will be more difficult than expected, but I trust in our training to carry us through.¡±


    ¡°That is a lot of points,¡± Primal said. They ignored the warning look Caretaker threw at them.


    Shira walked up to Primal and slapped the back of his tree-trunk leg. There was a metallic clang that echoed through the cavernous space.


    Frequency winced. ¡°Please keep the sudden loud sounds to minimum levels. I am keeping my auditory sensors at their highest sensitivity level to detect possible movement within the facility.¡±


    ¡°I am just stating factual information,¡± Primal said flatly.


    ¡°Apologies.¡± Shira meant it.


    ¡°Shira, you will go to the top level. Frequency will take Dralig and Adjudicator to the third level under silence. Wait for my command once you are in position.¡±


    The Threnosh complied. Shira pushed the door open all the way. They slipped into the dark corridor as silent as a shadow. Their black power armor seemed to become part of the darkness until it was difficult to make them out even with the visual enhancements provided by the power armors¡¯ helmets.


    Caretaker counted to thirty then they nodded to Frequency.


    ¡°I will send the radius of my sphere of silence to your trueskins,¡± Frequency said to Dralig and Adjudicator. ¡°Stay inside my range and make no unnecessary noise.¡±


    ¡°I remember our practice sessions,¡± Dralig said.


    Adjudicator merely nodded.


    Dralig took the lead. Their upper arms held a recoilless rifle. While their lower left arm held a thick, rectangular shield that reached below their knees. It also had a small, U-shaped cut-out at the top where the rifle could be placed. Their lower right arm held a short, stabbing blade of unknown material. All of the equipment, aside from the rifle, were purchased from the spire and consequently were superior to what the Threnosh were capable of making.


    Frequency occupied the center of the formation. The speaker-like devices built into their power armor were broadcasting a mixture of sounds that in effect canceled out the sounds that they were making. They had obtained the information on which specific sound waves to utilize in the mixture from the spire.


    Adjudicator brought up the rear. The blue and white surface of their power armor was still fairly pristine. It was their first task outside of Honor¡¯s direction, beyond the handful of spawn zones and encounter zones that surround their base. The tips of their two flexible, metallic tendrils wriggled in apparent nervousness or excitement as they strained to emerge from the circular openings in the underside of their gauntlets.


    ¡°Volkharion, ready your close combat drones.¡±


    ¡°Yes, subleader.¡± Volkharion¡¯s canine drone unfolded from their back, while the feline drone emerged from their right thigh. A third drone, ensconced down the entire length of their left side, down to their feet, transformed into a squat, bipedal figure with a head full of sharp metal teeth with two clawed hands and two clawed feet. Honor had dubbed it a gremlin when he had first seen it after Volkharion had purchased it from the spire. There had been a strange look on Honor¡¯s face at the time. ¡°May I select their ambush stations?¡±


    ¡°Yes. You know their capabilities best. Just keep the main corridors clear for Whoosh.¡± Caretaker turned to the strangely named Threnosh. ¡°Have you selected an optimum path through the first two levels as the plan requires?¡±


    ¡°Yes, subleader. I am confident that I can carry out my part,¡± Whoosh said.


    ¡°Good,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Once the others are in position we will begin the first stage of the plan.¡±


    Several elements of the Task bothered Caretaker. First the invasive organisms went directly for the research facility. They had completely ignored the perimeter defenses and the losses inflicted. They hadn¡¯t reviewed every single mass invasive organism attack on defended settlements, but they were fairly certain that this was a first. Typically, organisms threw themselves at the defenses. They weren¡¯t focused on specific goals. They simply attacked the closest things with a tendency to go for soldiers and automated weapon systems before moving to noncombatants.


    The facility itself was an obvious question mark. Caretaker hadn¡¯t been able to find anything about it in the database, besides the information that it was only recently established. There was no staff list. Nothing on the defensive complement. There was nothing about what they were studying.


    They had requested more information, but were rebuffed. Honor, himself, had tried directly with Prime Custodian 3 with a similar result.


    The only thing Honor had received was a reiteration of the task and a request to have it carried out with all possible speed.


    They were to go into the facility. Kill all of the invasive organisms. Then leave immediately as soon as they were done. Notably, they were warned not to disturb anything inside.


    Caretaker¡¯s thoughts were interrupted by the blinking icons at the bottom corner of their face-plate. They were the silent signals from Shira and Frequency¡¯s group. They were in position.


    Caretaker gestured at Whoosh.


    Whoosh¡¯s reflective face-plate slid shut. Their helmet was streamlined and tapered to a narrow point toward the back end. The rest of their power armor was a contradictory mix of sleek lines and thick plating. There were several small jet thrusters located at the arms, back, waist and legs. They deployed the many, small, omni-directional balls at the soles of their boots and sped off into the dark corridor. As they pumped their arms and legs the thrusters fired synchronized bursts with the movements. Their predominantly yellow power armor left Caretaker, Volkharion and Primal with a powerful gust of air.


    Honor had describe Whoosh as a speed skater on steroids. The words were unfamiliar to Caretaker, but they understood why Whoosh had chosen that name for themselves.


    As Whoosh had said. They liked the sound of the wind rushing past them as they zoomed across the ground.


    Caretaker counted to thirty, the estimated time it¡¯d take Whoosh to get to the second level. Even without power to the lift they would be able to roll up the wall fast enough to reach the next level.


    ¡°Begin,¡± Caretaker said into the comms.

 2.17

    Now


    Shira¡¯s power armor seemed to drink in the darkness. They didn¡¯t know how and they didn¡¯t care. Like everything else when it came to utilizing it, Shira simply knew on an instinctive level. The power armor wasn¡¯t a machine independent of them. It was them and they were it. There was no line between the two.


    They moved quickly and silently through the corridors. The darkness was nothing to Shira with their enhanced vision and hearing. They also had another sense that defied scientific explanation. They could sense life close to them. More specifically the lifeblood that flowed through biological organisms. These invasive organisms were in a strange slumber that slowed their life signs to the edge of death. Their hearts beat so slowly that Shira had to concentrate to detect them.


    There was only one cluster of invasive organisms on the fifth level. They clung to the ceiling, in the darkest corner of the administration leader¡¯s office.


    The door had been torn to shreds, so Shira was able to slip into the room, silent like a shadow. They crouched for a moment to count the invasive organisms¡¯ numbers. Volkharion¡¯s scouting drones were useful at pinpointing their locations. However, they weren¡¯t able to provide an exact count.


    Seven.


    Shira crept closer and waited for the command.


    The sphere of silence that Frequency projected made their group just as quiet as Shira despite the heavy tread of Dralig¡¯s and Adjudicator¡¯s armored boots.


    They didn¡¯t waste any time. They moved directly to the third level. There were three clusters of invasive organisms scattered throughout the level. They made their way to the chamber with the largest concentration.


    Frequency brought them to a halt just outside the broken door with gesture.


    Silent weapons only to start. Frequency subvocalized the message to the other two.


    I lack the range with my short blade. Dralig replied immediately.


    My tendrils will be adequate. Adjudicator moved to the open door, but stayed inside Frequency¡¯s sphere.


    Frequency gestured assent. When we receive Caretaker¡¯s order. Adjudicator will charge into the chamber and attack with their tendrils. Draw the invasive organisms to you.


    Adjudicator signaled acknowledgment.


    Dralig will then attack with their blade. Meanwhile, I will deploy my emitters to cover the approach from the other two clusters in the event that they are drawn to our location. Frequency finished.


    A slight frown creased Dralig¡¯s smooth brow. I have concerns for Adjudicator, but I acknowledge your plan. I will attack immediately after Adjudicator draws the invasive organisms to them.


    We wait for Caretaker¡¯s signal. Frequency nodded.


    Whoosh zoomed into the dark corridor. Their legs alternated pushing forward against the ground. The jets on the back of their legs and on their back fired pulses in conjunction with each slide. Their power armor¡¯s assistance program slowed things down so their perceptions could keep up with the increasing speed.


    Whoosh would¡¯ve been blind in the darkness if it wasn¡¯t for the schematic overlay projected in their face-plate. The facility¡¯s interior was presented in glowing green wire frame. They had the option to purchase upgrades to their power armor¡¯s visual suite, but the cost was prohibitive. For some reason such upgrades were more expensive than the upgrades to the systems and functions that were their power armor¡¯s strengths. Namely, their speed, inertial dampeners, structural robustness and the vital program that allowed Whoosh to perceive and react at the speeds they were capable of skating across the ground.


    The corridor was long and straight, their favorite kind.


    Whoosh hit sixty miles an hour in less than a thirty meters. Volkharion¡¯s feline drone and canine drone were trailing behind him, barely keeping pace.


    Whoosh hit a hundred and sixty kilometers an hour. The two drones fell away. They had their own tasks to fulfill.


    The speedy Threnosh could¡¯ve gone much faster, but the assistance program chimed in their ear. An arrow that went from red at its tip to yellow at Whoosh¡¯s position was projected in their face-plate.


    The arrow marked the rapidly approaching wall at the end of the corridor. It told Whoosh that they needed to cut their speed. There was nothing more enjoyable than riding to the edge. At the last possible moment they hopped slightly off the ground. They turned their feet and body perpendicular to their direction of travel. The balls on the bottom of their armored boots automatically tightened. It was as if the power armor knew Whoosh¡¯s intent.


    They skidded and slowed just enough to avoid plowing right into the wall.


    Once again Whoosh set off down the corridor with powerful slides. The only blemish to the maneuver was a slight scrape against the wall from the bladed extension along their left arm.


    ¡°The invasive organisms are taking note of your passing.¡± Volkharion''s voice came in through the comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Whoosh replied. The corners of their lips went up slightly.


    The jets fired faster and stronger with each slide of their legs and pump of their arms.


    They hit the inoperative lift shaft at high speed. They jumped and planted their wheeled-boots right on the vertical wall. The jets flared as Whoosh tucked their body into a ball. As they reached the second level they pushed off the wall. Their wheeled-boots briefly skimmed the ceiling. They twisted as they fell and landed on the floor without slowing down.


    Their target was at the other end of the corridor.


    ¡°Invasive organisms from the first level are heading to your location.¡± Volkharion again.


    Whoosh slowed down to a walk. They looked back at the empty lift. They couldn¡¯t see that far in the darkness and the schematic overlay didn¡¯t include moving elements, like the organisms.


    ¡°Tell me when they reach the lift shaft,¡± Whoosh whispered into the comms. They didn¡¯t want to alert the invasive organisms on the second level. Yet.


    Five seconds of leisurely rolling down the dark corridor.


    ¡°Now.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Whoosh wasn¡¯t able to see them, but they heard claws scrabbling against the metallic surfaces and leathery wings flapping. The organisms were eerily silent otherwise.


    They put on a burst of speed at the same time that Caretaker¡¯s voice came in through the team channel.


    ¡°Begin.¡±


    <hr>


    Shira eyes blazed red. Whether it was their own or the lenses of their mask was unclear. They extended claws from the fingertips of their gauntlets.


    They had been eagerly awaiting Caretaker¡¯s order. The hunger for blood was overwhelming. It had been muted by having a full store, but as they waited near the cluster of invasive organisms, as they watched and listened to the blood flowing through the bodies, it had grown, bubbled up to a point that they could taste it on their lips.


    Shira ran their long tongue over the points of their sharp canine teeth.


    They blurred into motion with a barely a whisper.


    They tore into the cluster of slumbering invasive organisms. Their claws and the blades and sharp protrusions all over their power armor cut deeply into the organisms¡¯ flesh.


    The organisms snapped to life with surprisingly squeaky vocalizations. They were frightened. Somehow Shira knew this through the smells they were giving off.


    They blindly struck out with tooth and claw.


    Shira wasn¡¯t surprised when they tore chunks into their power armor. They were strong for their size and their natural weapons were sharp. As evidenced by the ease with which they had cut through the soldiers the previous night.


    They ignored the damage. They entered the battle with a full store of blood. Even though they were depleting it rapidly by operating close to maximum capability they were taking in fresh blood from the organisms.


    The damage repaired itself as quickly as it was inflicted.


    Shira thrust a clawed hand deep into an organism¡¯s wiry chest. They felt an indescribable satisfaction as the blood was sucked into their power armor.


    Another organism landed on Shira¡¯s back and sunk its teeth into the back of their neck.


    They dropped backward to the ground and pinned the organism with the protrusions on their back. More blood was taken. The organism gave a high-pitched screech as its body was desiccated in a matter of seconds.


    Shira left a husk on the ground as they stood and searched for more prey to feed on.


    A single organism was scrambling for the door. Shira blurred to cut it off.


    The organism fell back and screeched a plaintive sounding cry. Was it calling others of its kind for help? Shira found that they liked that thought. More blood for them. It would expedite matters if the organisms on the fourth level below were drawn to them.


    Shira stood and let the organism continue its desperate sounding cry as it flapped its leathery wings in retreat, deeper into the room. They took their focus away from it to the lift shaft at the other end of the corridor. They sensed something. Rapid flowing blood.


    Organisms¡¯ blood moved through their bodies quickly as they readied themselves for combat. Their hearts pumped powerfully within their wiry chests. The blood flooded into their muscles giving them added strength.


    Shira heard their high-pitched screeches echoing down the corridor.


    The organism before them answered back. Did it think that it was saved?


    No. Shira turned their attention back to it. The organism was doomed.


    Frequency dropped their sphere of silence at Caretaker¡¯s command. Their mobile emitters floated on anti-gravity propulsion from their power armor. Half went left and half went right down the dark corridor to cover both approaches.


    Adjudicator moved quickly. They rushed into the middle of the room with heavy steps, arms held up toward the cluster of invasive organisms clinging to the corner of the ceiling. The tendrils, made out of an unknown metal, flexible, yet nearly indestructible, lashed out from the holes beneath each gauntlet.


    Each tendril wrapped itself around an invasive organism. The things woke with screeches that sounded like pure agony.


    They dropped to the ground and writhed in obvious pain as Adjudicator drained the very essence that gave them life. The effect of their power armor¡¯s ability depended entirely on the overall strength of the victim. Since these invasive organisms were robust several seconds under the life drain effect meant immense pain and an overwhelming feeling of fatigue were the Threnosh to halt it now.


    Meanwhile the other organism descended on Adjudicator with fury. This allowed Adjudicator to display the second aspect of their power armor. As the organisms clawed and bit at Adjudicator¡¯s thick armor plate. The damage slowly repaired automatically.


    Adjudicator retracted the tendrils closer. They swept their arms in a circle. The writhing organisms were used as bludgeons on their fellows.


    The Threnosh drained the last dregs of life from the organisms in their tendrils. They released desiccated husks, a pallid gray cast to their skin, which was pulled in tightly to their bones.


    Even as other organisms attacked them, Adjudicator stood unmoved as they sent their tendrils lashing out for new victims.


    Frequency noted the husks with interest. This was the first time that they had fought directly with Adjudicator in real battle. The corpses were superficially similar to the corpses that Shira left behind, yet upon closer inspection the differences were clear. The ones Shira left behind looked like deflated water packs, while these ones, that Adjudicator left, looked like they had been left in the dry sun for weeks.


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    A pair of invasive organisms swooped down to land heavily on Adjudicator¡¯s back. The impact combined with their surprisingly dense weight drove the Threnosh to their knees.


    It was at this point that Dralig entered the fray.


    They stabbed at one organism with the short blade in their lower right hand and grabbed the other with both of their upper hands. Their four-armed power armor, mirrored the Threnosh¡¯s four biological arms. Their power armor¡¯s arms where all equal in strength, unlike their biological ones, where the two lower ones were weak and thrashed about of their own accord.


    Dralig¡¯s power armor provided physical strength that was second only to Primal¡¯s giant power armor. This strength proved sufficient to break the organism¡¯s neck.


    The second organism squirmed with their blade in its back. Dralig stabbed it to the floor, stepped on a winged arm to hold it in place while they withdrew the blade. In the next move they loped its head off with a single slash.


    Another organism noticed Dralig. It dived down at them with a screech. They warded it off with their large rectangular shield. The organism clawed and snapped its many-toothed mouth in an attempt to reach their face.


    The organism pulled back with flaps of its leathery wings.


    Dralig jumped after it with the strength of their power armor¡¯s artificial musculature that far outstripped the vast majority of Threnosh power armors. They slammed their shield into the organism.


    The organism hit the ground hard. Dralig slammed the bottom edge of their shield into its throat, permanently silencing its high-pitched screeches.


    Frequency winced at the sound. Their power armor¡¯s auditory sensors were many times more sensitive than the others. The automatic safety measures were being tested by the multitude of sounds that were coming from the battles. The one in front of them and the others taking place several levels above and below.


    There was something else, a sound underneath the rest. Ultrasonic, the other Threnosh weren¡¯t able to pick it up, even with their auditory systems. It took Frequency a few seconds to zero in on the source. It was an invasive organism that was crouched in the far corner of the room away from the center, where Adjudicator drained life with their tendrils and even further away from where Dralig was busy stabbing and punching.


    The organism¡¯s mouth moved, yet no sound emerged. At least there was no sound for anyone else, but Frequency. They detected it immediately. A sudden thought had them focus solely on that ultrasonic sound. There were more, coming from above and below. They had to be calls and answers, back and forth communication from the different invasive organism clusters.


    Frequency let out a very un-Threnosh curse. The sound was proliferating throughout the research facility. It was even coming from deeper down. The levels below ground.


    ¡°Emergency alert,¡± Frequency said into the comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Continue.¡±


    ¡°I have detected an ultrasonic sound coming from the invasive organisms. Probability indicates that the communication is a call for aid. More importantly I have also detected the sound coming from the sublevels.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Caretaker¡¯s voice was accompanied by the sounds of projectile fire. ¡°Defeat the invasive organisms on your level and link up with Shira on the fourth level. Create a defensible position and await further orders.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Frequency said.


    Sounds from elsewhere on their level reached Frequency¡¯s ears. Screeching, chittering, scrabbling claws and flapping wings. The rest of the invasive organisms on the third level were being drawn to the fight.


    Frequency remotely controlled the floating emitters positioned at both ends of the corridor they were standing in. They spread them out to increase their zone of influence. They decided on a specific sound that would trigger uncontrollable muscle spasms in anything with muscles that entered.


    If all went as planned the organisms would enter the sound field and be immediately stricken. They would then be able to dispatch them at their leisure.


    Frequency looked forward to studying the effects of their new sound.


    <hr>


    As Whoosh zoomed done the corridor they flipped the two-foot long, curved blade on the back of their right gauntlet to face forward. They burst through the open doorway into some kind of open lab and raised their right arm high to place the blade at ceiling height. They locked their power armored arm in place and put on a burst of speed with the miniature jets on their back and legs.


    Whoosh saw that the cluster of invasive organisms on the ceiling were already starting to stir. They put on even more speed and zipped right beneath. Their blade sliced through the mass of organisms. Blood splattered, but they were moving too fast and were left untouched. The open doorway leading into the next chamber beckoned to them, but they slowed down.


    Whoosh unlocked their right arm and flipped the bloody blade back into its housing. They slowed and watched as the organisms burst into furious activity, seeking the one that hurt them so. It took a few seconds for their collective heads to swivel in Whoosh¡¯s direction. Coincidentally it was at the exact same moment that the organisms from the first level finally caught up.


    The entire mass screeched and gave case, some ran, some flew. Whoosh outpaced them all.


    The Threnosh glided through the open doorway into another large lab chamber. They slalomed through the lab stations at an impossibly high speed. It would¡¯ve been impossible without the power armor¡¯s assistance program slowing the external inputs for their perceptions to keep up.


    A warning alert flashed in Whoosh¡¯s face-plate. The doorway at the other end wasn¡¯t clear like the previous two. Not that there wasn¡¯t an opening. It was just that when the organisms had torn their way through the previous night they had left parts of the door in place.


    Whoosh looked back. The organisms were hot on their trail. Slowing down to pick their way past the jagged parts of the torn door was not going to be possible. So they did the opposite and went faster.


    Whoosh aimed straight at the opening. They crouched their body down and tucked their head behind their arms like they were blocking punches. They locked their power armor into the posture to make themselves rigid. The jets on their back fired a continuous burn, which turned them into a battering ram that plowed right through.


    The coast was clear down the corridor. Whoosh unlocked their power armor and fell back into their stride. Their power armor didn¡¯t have enough energy to keep the jets constantly firing.


    The organisms came rushing right behind. They were practically falling over each other to get their claws on Whoosh.


    The Threnosh didn¡¯t look back. Ever forward was the way for them. It was what they had chosen as a way of living their life ever since they had gotten lucky enough to become part of Honor¡¯s project.


    They had two more clusters of invasive organisms to tag on this level before they could circle back down to the first level and bring the entire mass to Caretaker¡¯s waiting arms.


    ¡°Caretaker, Whoosh is nearing the lift,¡± Volkharion said.


    ¡°Pull your drones back,¡± Caretaker said as they readied their recoilless rifle. ¡°Primal, incendiary arrow¡­ wait for Whoosh to get clear.¡±


    ¡°Then they need to move faster then.¡±


    Caretaker leveled a flat stare up at the giant power armor¡¯s chest area.


    ¡°Do not worry¡­ I will wait for them.¡±


    ¡°Are you certain that you can reach the lift?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It is a straight shot down the corridor. I have the distance from the facility schematic. The arrowhead will detonate at the designated location.¡±


    ¡°Close combat drones are clear,¡± Volkharion said as their three drones, canine, feline and the gremlin came bounding out of the open doorway. They all bore evidence of violence. Scratches and torn pieces off their metallic bodies. Blood stains on their claws. Bits of flesh stuck in the feline drone¡¯s buzzsaw head and in the gremlin¡¯s metal teeth.


    Caretaker was glad that their helmet defaulted to filtering the outside air. They knew how unpleasant death smelled.


    ¡°Pull your scouting drones back as well and get in position,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Whoosh, once you hit the first level I want you to get down the corridor to our position with all possible speed,¡± they said into the comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Caretaker detected a hint of joy and excitement in Whoosh¡¯s voice. Irregular for a Threnosh, but then again that was why they had all been selected for the project. Each one of their teammates had something that made them defective in the eyes of the greater Threnosh collective. The thought brought pride to Caretaker¡¯s chest. They were once deemed as worthless, yet now they were on par with any elite. And they did it in only half a year. Soon enough they would be second only to the primes.


    ¡°Get in position,¡± Caretaker said.


    Volkharion moved back several feet behind and to the left of Primal. They pulled their recoilless rifle from its sling and aimed it at gaping black hole that was the doorway into the depths of the facility. Their drones moved into a protective formation around them.


    Caretaker took his place next to Volkharion, in between them and Primal.


    It was just in time as the roar of miniature jets echoed from within the dark corridor.


    Whoosh burst out of the opening like a train barreling out of a mountain tunnel. They skidded to one side and slid low across the ground right under Primal¡¯s arrow as it zoomed into the corridor.


    A split-second was followed by the air being sucked from the vehicle bay the expelled out again with a huge gout of flame like a dragon¡¯s breath from the corridor that licked at their power armors.


    Temperature warnings blared in their face-plates as the heat washed over them.


    It seemed that the invasive organisms were made of sterner stuff as they began to pour out of the doorway. They were on unsteady legs and their skin was blackened, with small wounds leaking blood from where they were blistered and cracked, but they still came on.


    ¡°Open fire,¡± Caretaker said.


    Primal started things off with a barrage from the micro missile battery on the upper back part of their power armor. The tiny missiles arced up and over leaving small, white smoke trails. The missiles exploded on their targets across the entire front line of the organisms.


    Primal followed that up with sustained bursts from their shoulder-mounted minigun. They swept the barrels back and forth across the opening. They turned the organisms into wet mist as they emerged from the corridor.


    Caretaker took careful careful aim and shot any that somehow made it past Primal¡¯s barrage. It was a lot easier than they had anticipated, so much so that they didn¡¯t even need to use their predictive algorithm to guide their shots.


    Next to them Volkharion was doing much the same. Except they weren¡¯t a particularly skilled marksman. They were simply adequate. As evidenced by the way they mechanically sent three projectile bursts into the opening.


    Frequency¡¯s voice suddenly came in on Caretaker¡¯s comms.


    Some kind of alert? Caretaker held fire and kept an eye on the doorway with its seemingly unending mass of invasive organisms, while they had Frequency continue.


    The information Frequency delivered was disconcerting, but there was nothing they could do at the moment. They needed to clear the organisms in front of them first.


    ¡°Understood,¡± Caretaker said into the comms. They delivered the order to prepare defensive positions. If there were more organisms coming from the sublevels then all they could do was get ready.


    ¡°Volkharion, do you still have scouting drones on the first level?¡±


    ¡°A moment.¡± Volkharion ceased firing. ¡°The fire destroyed two that I was not able to move far enough away.


    ¡°Not my fault,¡± Primal grunted even as they kept firing on the emerging organisms.


    Volkharion ignored them. ¡°I have one on the first level and two on the second level that I can redirect.¡±


    ¡°Move them to the sublevels. Frequency detected potential invasive organisms moving up through the lift shaft. I need confirmation.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Volkharion¡¯s face wasn¡¯t visible through their darkened face-plate, but from the way their fingers subtly moved Caretaker knew that they were directly controlling the drones. ¡°I have visuals.¡±


    ¡°Just send it to me for now.¡±


    Caretaker took in the images from the view of the insectile drones. The cameras cycled to thermal imaging. Caretaker locked that in. The dark blue and black of the cold metallic interior of the lift shaft was buried beneath the warm reds and yellows of many, many organisms as they climbed the walls.


    ¡°Pull your drones back, quickly,¡± Caretaker ordered. ¡°I have confirmation of invasive organisms climbing the lift shaft from the sublevels.¡± They spoke into the team channel. ¡°Maintain safe distance from the lift shaft.¡± They slapped a metal gauntlet on Primal¡¯s backside. There was a loud clang. ¡°I need another incendiary arrow into the lift shaft.¡±


    ¡°Understood, but there are too many organisms blocking the doorway,¡± Primal said.


    ¡°Clear the way with a standard arrow first, then immediately loose the incendiary arrow,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Is that within your capabilities?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Primal scoffed. ¡°Keep the organisms from breaking loose while I perform the task. Although I have killed most of them already.¡±


    Caretaker and Volkharion fired into organisms appearing in the doorway. Primal¡¯s words were true. The organisms were coming in noticeably lesser numbers.


    Primal lined up the shot with the targeting-assist program installed in their power armor. They nocked the regular arrow and drew back on the massive metal bow. The target path was straight down the middle of the corridor where there was less chance of striking one of the organisms. They adjusted their aim until the reticle turned green. They loosed.


    The eight-foot long javelin-sized arrow cut through the air with a loud bang. Its passing blew aside the organisms in its wake.


    The next arrow followed it a second later.


    For a second time the corridors of the facility¡¯s first level were scorched with intense flame.


    That was the end for the remaining organisms. Caretaker put the last two down with consecutive head shots.


    Caretaker turned to Volkharion. ¡°When the fire and heat dissipates I want those drones back in the lift shaft. Start scouting the sublevels.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    ¡°Shira, report,¡± Caretaker said into the comms.


    ¡°On level four. Linked up with the others. Organisms destroyed. Request permission to proceed to sublevels.¡± There was a slight hiss to Shira¡¯s voice.


    It tended to happen when Shira got deep into battle with biological organisms. It was slightly troubling to Caretaker, but it hadn¡¯t created any problems when it came to Shira¡¯s performance, so they ignored it.


    ¡°Belay that. Await scouting from Volkharion. Maintain defensive posture for the time being.¡± Caretaker switched over to Frequency¡¯s channel. ¡°Report.¡±


    ¡°We cleared the third level and entered the fourth. Encountered minor resistance. Shira had killed the majority of the organisms on the level. Established defensive position as tasked.¡± Frequency¡¯s voice sounded pained.


    ¡°Are you injured?¡±


    ¡°Negative. Discomfort from Primal¡¯s arrows exploding in tight confines. My auditory dampeners were unable to completely mitigate the sound waves from the explosions.¡±


    ¡°Can you still detect the ultrasonic communications coming from the sublevels?¡±


    ¡°One moment, subleader.¡±


    Caretaker counted the seconds as they waited for Frequency to return to the comms. They hit twenty-seven when Frequency¡¯s voice returned.


    ¡°Nothing. I do not detect any ultrasonic sounds coming from anywhere in the facility.¡±


    ¡°Very well. Keep listening.¡±


    ¡°What is going on?¡± Primal lumbered over.


    ¡°Yes, I am eager to begin the next stage.¡± A gust of air shook their power armors as Whoosh suddenly appeared next to them.


    Caretaker switched to the team channel. ¡°Frequency no longer detects communications coming from the invasive organisms below. We will proceed as planned. Volkharion will scout the sublevels with their drones. Focusing on identifying clusters of invasive organisms as the primary. Locating any survivors will be secondary. We will build an accurate picture of what awaits us down there. Then we will proceed.¡±

 2.18

    Now


    ¡°I have located potential survivors.¡± Volkharion¡¯s voice was cold. As if they were delivery a perfunctory bit of information.


    ¡°Show me,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Scout Drone 2.¡± Volkharion sent the live image to Caretaker¡¯s face-plate.


    Caretaker enlarged it with a gesture. The first noticeable thing was the red emergency lights flickering on and off. So there was still some energy available down in the sublevels. The second was the prone body of a Threnosh in standard civilian style power armor. It was face first on the floor in what looked like a storage chamber close to the lift shaft. The power armor was mostly undamaged except for its back, which was torn to shreds. Tellingly the damage didn¡¯t appear to breach the innermost layer.


    ¡°The organisms destroyed the energy source,¡± Volkharion said.


    ¡°But nothing else? Perhaps they took it,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Please direct your drone to the face.¡±


    The image swung around as the tiny, insectile drone flew up and around to focus on the Threnosh¡¯s helmet. Their face-plate was flat on the ground.


    A slight frown creased Caretaker¡¯s brow. ¡°We found hardly any traces of Threnosh and trueskins. What makes this one different?¡±


    ¡°I believe I have discovered the reason for that.¡± Volkharion sent a different live image from another drone to Caretaker.


    Caretaker muttered a barely audible curse in a very un-Threnosh manner.


    ¡°This is on sublevel five.¡±


    It was difficult to make out through the flickering red lights, but stare long enough and one saw something that would stick with them forever. It was a pile of power armor parts. Broken and torn, bloodstained. Of the Threnosh that once wore them, there were no other signs.


    ¡°I have seen similar before,¡± Caretaker said in a low voice. ¡°In lairs. Except in those places it was the discarded bones of what the monsters ate.¡±


    Volkharion started. ¡°The organisms ate them?¡± The thought of it shook their stoic demeanor.


    ¡°Probability indicates that is the case,¡± Caretaker said. They focused back on the image of the unmoving Threnosh. ¡°Mark that location. We¡¯ll check on them.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± A tiny, glowing dot appeared on the team map of the facility.


    ¡°You said survivors.¡±


    Volkharion sent a different live image to Caretaker. This time the drone alighted in front a thick, metallic door. It was enormous. Similar to the ones back at their base that guarded their energy core and armory. The door¡¯s surface was marred by a multitude of claw marks.


    ¡°I believe you have discovered the reason that the invasive organisms assaulted this research facility. They really wanted to get inside there. Good job, Volkharion, this is vital information.¡± Caretaker nodded. ¡°Now, what about the invasive organisms?¡±


    ¡°They have split into two major clusters. One group,¡± Volkharion sent the live image, thermal, to Caretaker, ¡°has taken up ambush positions on sublevel one around the lift shaft.¡± They sent a different image. ¡°The second cluster is gathered around the lift shaft on sublevel nine. There are a handful of scattered ones throughout the sublevels, but I believe they will be drawn to us once we begin combat operations.¡±


    ¡°They do not wish for us to make it sublevel ten.¡± Caretaker¡¯s eyes focused back to the live image of the enormous, metallic door. ¡°Very well. Listen up everyone. This is the plan¡­¡±


    <hr>


    Whoosh dropped down into sublevel one and hit the floor without slowing. Jets pulsed in time with each glide of their legs, each pump of their arms. They zoomed down the corridor and several invasive organisms emerged out of their ambush positions in a couple of open chambers on either side to take swipes at the Threnosh.


    Caretaker watched it all from the live images that Volkharion¡¯s insectile drones were sending back. They found themselves holding their breath when a clawed hand struck Whoosh across the shoulder. They needn¡¯t have worried. Whoosh was moving too fast to be stopped and their armor was strong. There was a spray of sparks in the flickering red light, but nothing more.


    Some of the organisms gave chase, but the majority stayed in place.


    ¡°Shira, you are next. Push through to the second junction. Clear and secure. Go.¡±


    The black-clad Threnosh was disconcertingly difficult to see in the darkness. Even with the visual enhancement capabilities in their helmet, Caretaker was having trouble tracking Shira as they slipped down into the lift shaft.


    Shira was a dark blur as they reached the first ambush point, an open door on the left. The organisms seemed to be shocked by their sudden appearance in front of them. They slashed out with clawed hands, too fast to follow without enhanced means. Blood sprayed from sliced necks a split-second after.


    Two dying organisms twitched as Shira held them up by their necks. Their hands, gauntlets drank in the blood. The speed at which they drained the organisms was frightening.


    The rest of the organisms screeched into action. They charged, outraged.


    Shira flung the half-drained corpses at the mass. Then they turned and ran further down the corridor. Fast enough to avoid being caught and stopped, but slow enough that the organisms were sufficiently baited. They ignored the second ambush point as per Caretaker¡¯s orders. It was very difficult. Running from blood screamed against all their instincts. They desired nothing more than to turn around and slash, bite and drink till they couldn¡¯t any longer. The only thing that kept them moving toward to the second junction was the idea that there, they would be able to stand and fight and kill and drink.


    If Caretaker saw the look on Shira¡¯s face then they would¡¯ve been highly concerned. Fortunately, their monstrous face mask hid the wide, feral smile.


    ¡°Adjudicator. To the first junction. Whoosh needs a clear path on their return.¡±


    The Threnosh¡¯s flexible, metallic tendrils seemed to moved with barely restrained eagerness as they lashed and twirled around their power armored body. They gripped the floor with the harsh rasp of metal on metal as the Threnosh swung themselves down to the sublevel.


    Adjudicator¡¯s power armor was heavy. Their running steps on the floor were loud. The organisms at the second ambush point in a chamber on the right further down the corridor from the first ambush point heard them coming. Although a handful joined the rest that were chasing Shira the majority focused on the approaching threat.


    They came screeching out of the open doorway.


    Adjudicator wrapped the two organisms in the front with their tendrils. They charged into the organisms as the two in their grasp writhed under the effects of the energy drain. The Threnosh threw their bulky power armored body into the mass of organisms. Their body was a weapon as thick, heavy armor bludgeoned into the organisms.


    Organisms bit and clawed at Adjudicator. They cut deep gouges and tore out chunks from the metal armor, but the damage slowly repaired itself as the Threnosh continued to suck the life energy from the two organisms in their grasp.


    The Threnosh relinquished their tendrils¡¯ grip on the desiccated husks and dropped them to the floor. They thrust one tendril out like a spear. It pierced into the stomach of one organism. They extended it to its maximum range of twenty feet and slammed it to the left side of the corridor. The organisms caught in between screeched in pain at their broken bones. As they drained the life out of the organism writhing on the tendril the damage to their armor increased their rate of repair.


    Adjudicator continued to move down the corridor. They lashed out with their tendrils and battered organisms with their armored fists and boots. The broken and injured they left behind on their brutal run to the first junction. They would¡¯ve preferred to take their time to drain the life out of each and every one of the organisms, but the tendrils could only take from one a time. The others could take care of the rest.


    ¡°Dralig, you are in the lead. Dispatch the injured organisms quickly and head to the possible survivor¡¯s location. Frequency and Volkharion, stay behind me,¡± Caretaker said.


    The group moved briskly through the corridor. Dralig killed the injured organisms with efficient stabs of their short blade. Caretaker drew their own spire-purchased one-handed sword and did the same. The sword was made of an unknown metal, lighter and stronger than a steel equivalent. Its mono-molecular dual edges sliced through the organism¡¯s tough skin as if they were thin paper.


    The first junction loomed ahead. Adjudicator had pushed the organisms deeper into the next corridor, leaving the four-way junction clear. They could be seen standing in the middle of the corridor battling in the midst of organisms like an immovable bulwark.


    ¡°To the right,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°I have the location,¡± Dralig said.


    ¡°Volkharion, assist Dralig. Secure the potential survivor. If they are alive bring them back.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Volkharion moved after Dralig, who was already headed down the corridor.


    ¡°Frequency, send your mobile emitters to the next junction.¡± Caretaker pointed down the corridor to the left. ¡°Create an interdiction field. I do not want the organisms chasing Whoosh making it through.¡±


    ¡°It will be done.¡± Frequency¡¯s emitters detached from their power armor and floated down the corridor.


    ¡°Wait until Whoosh has passed the junction.¡±


    ¡°I will try.¡±


    Caretaker ignored the hint of teasing in Frequency¡¯s voice. They were much like Kynnro. The two had begun to approach things with a certain irreverence, especially in the recent months. It was irksome, but it hadn¡¯t yet affected their performance, so Caretaker saw no reason to reprimand them. Yet.


    The red emergency lights flickered. Down one corridor, Adjudicator battled. Further down, Shira did the same. Their readings were good. The two had unique abilities that allowed their power armor to repair themselves so long as they had biological organisms to drain. They made the perfect front line. As Honor had taught. They tanked the damage, while being able to deal it out just as well.


    Caretaker was satisfied with how the plan was going. They held their recoilless rifle at the ready. They just needed to wait for Whoosh to complete their circuit through the sublevel and return to the first junction. Ideally, Frequency¡¯s sound field would incapacitate any organisms still chasing them. Any that survived could be dispatched with at their leisure.


    Once Dralig and Volkharion returned with the survivor, if that indeed was the case. Then they could proceed to sublevel nine and deal with the last major cluster of organisms. After that they could find out what was in the last sublevel that had attracted the organisms in the first place.


    Their orders from above were clear. Nothing beyond destroying the organisms and rescuing any survivors. In and out. However, Caretaker was a curious sort. They needed to know what was down there. Their instincts said that it was important. Besides, they didn¡¯t answer to the Threnosh Collective, not directly at least, they answered to Honor. And they were confident that he would share the same sentiment.


    <hr>


    ¡°There are organisms ahead,¡± Volkharion said.


    ¡°You did not detect these earlier,¡± Dralig said.


    ¡°They were dormant.¡±


    ¡°How many do you see?¡±


    ¡°Seven. Three in the closest chamber. Four further down the corridor, past the location of the potential survivor.¡±


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°I will engage the three in the chamber. Will you be able to do the same with the rest?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Volkharion deployed three of their four combat drones. The aerial drone would¡¯ve been hampered by the confines of the corridor, so it remained attached to their upper left arm. The canine drone, feline drone, and gremlin drone detached from Volkharion¡¯s power armor and bounded off towards the organisms further down the corridor.


    Dralig raced on their heels. The three organisms in the chamber emerged from within. Drawn out by the noise from the canine drone and the gremlin drone. They didn¡¯t notice the physically powerful Threnosh bearing down on them.


    Dralig¡¯s four-armed power armor was big and heavily armored thanks to many upgrades from the spire. They were now a full two heads taller than Honor. Only Primal¡¯s power armor was bigger and stronger.


    The Threnosh slammed into the organisms at a full run. Their shield held in their lower left arm was like a battering ram. They heard bones break.


    They backhanded another organism across its flat face with their upper left fist. The thick metal gauntlet sent several sharp teeth flying.


    The third organism flapped up to the ceiling on leathery wings and dived down with clawed feet aimed at Dralig¡¯s face. They threw their upper right arm up at the last second. The organism¡¯s claws dug deep into the armor, but didn¡¯t breach it.


    The organism kept its grasp while it flapped its wings in Dralig¡¯s face. Its clawed hands cut at the metal of their helmet.


    Dralig grabbed it around its head with their upper left hand. They pulled it down closer with their superior strength and plunged their short, stabbing blade into its gut with their right lower hand.


    They twisted the blade as the organism screeched out its death throes.


    Dralig pulled their blade out and cast the dying organism aside as they went to dispatch the remaining two.


    Meanwhile, down the corridor, Volkharion guided their drones in their own fight.


    The canine drone sprayed a barrage of projectiles from its four-barreled gun head. One organism was riddled and dropped to the floor.


    Another organism skimmed the ceiling. It dived toward the canine drone only to be met in midair by the feline drone.


    The drone¡¯s buzzsaw-like head spun as it met the organism with all four clawed paws. The pair crashed to the ground. The drone ended up on top with its metallic claws securely fastened into the organism¡¯s torso.


    The organism pushed and struck at the drone in a futile attempt to pry it off. Its screeches turned frantic when the drone sank its buzzsaw-like head into its chest.


    A third organism rushed to its clustermate¡¯s aid. The gremlin drone intercepted it with a shoulder charge. The drone was smaller than the organism, but its metal body was heavier. It bowled the organism over to the ground. Before the organism could get back to its feet the drone jumped up and landed with both of its feet on either side of the organism, pining it in place.


    The gremlin drone¡¯s clawed feet cut into the organism¡¯s leathery wings. The drone raked its clawed hands across the organisms face over and over. Its proportionally long arms allowed to reach down to the ground from a standing position.


    The organism¡¯s face and head was a red ruin when the gremlin drone finally bent down and clamped metal teeth over the organism¡¯s neck. A violent shake and tug ended the fight.


    The single remaining organism slammed into the gremlin drone and knocked it to the ground. The organism screeched and clawed at the drone in a frenzy. Tough and sharp claws scored deep gouges into the drone¡¯s armor. It struck something vital in the drone¡¯s right arm. The appendage immediately locked into place, dead.


    The feline drone saved the gremlin drone. It rammed the organism. Buzzsaw-like head to head. Just like that the fight was over.


    ¡°Targets terminated,¡± Volkharion said.


    Dralig pulled their blade out of an organism¡¯s throat. ¡°We proceed to the potential survivor¡¯s location.¡±


    <hr>


    Whoosh skated through the corridors. They glided along walls to take tight turns. They jump or contorted themselves to fight through broken doors. Once or twice they were forced to plow their way through with a burst from their jets. All to stay just out of reach of the pursuing organisms.


    It was a deadly balancing act. Fast enough to stay out of reach, but slow enough to keep the organisms chasing.


    An alert chimed in Whoosh¡¯s ear holes. It was loud and shrill. Their face-plate flashed red. A quick glance told them that they were running low on power for the jets.


    Whoosh slowed and leaned close to the ground to swing around a corner. Their hand reached out to grab the bottom of the wall to help pull them through the turn. The facility schematic overlaid on their vision showed that the first junction was just a few quick turns away. They had done as ordered. They had led a large number of the organisms on a deadly chase throughout sublevel one. Now it was up to the team to take care of the rest. Judging by the rapidly dwindling energy gauge at the bottom of their face-plate, Whoosh¡¯s part in the Task was just about finished.


    ¡°Subleader, I am inbound.¡± Whoosh spoke into the team channel.


    ¡°Acknowledged. Proceed at all haste. Do not slow.¡± Caretaker turned to Frequency. ¡°Initiate sound field as soon as Whoosh is clear.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Frequency kept their eyes on the projected map of the facility in their face-plate and on the small, fast-moving dot that represented Whoosh.


    Caretaker held their rifle at the ready. The probability that Frequency¡¯s sound field was capable of stopping the organisms was nearly a hundred percent, but they always made it a point to take into account the improbable occurring, as Honor constantly stated.


    The flickering red lights made looking down to the end of the long corridor less than ideal. So, it was no surprise that a glint of armor was their only warning that Whoosh had turned the corner. The next thing they knew the fast Threnosh was halfway down the corridor.


    Caretaker didn¡¯t so much as blink when Whoosh skidded to a stop in front of them.


    Whoosh, took a half step back before straightening. Otherwise they would¡¯ve ended up face-plate to face-plate with Caretaker. The corners of Whoosh¡¯s mouth threatened to rise as they saluted.


    Caretaker ignored the lack of discipline displayed. There was never any danger of a collision. Their predictive algorithm told them as much. Whoosh just had a tendency to try to get under their skin. The only thing that saved Whoosh from a serious reprimand was the fact that they never let it get in the way of task performance.


    ¡°I am running low on gas,¡± Whoosh said.


    Caretaker recognized the saying taken from Honor. Whoosh¡¯s jets didn¡¯t run on an energy source taken from the ancient remains of dead native organisms. It had sounded ridiculous when Honor had described what powered the vast majority of his world.


    ¡°Fall back with Frequency, you are to take a defensive role if necessary,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Subleader. We have a positive on the survivor.¡± Dralig¡¯s voice came in over the comms.


    ¡°Status?¡±


    ¡°Alive and unconscious. Trueskin is disabled.¡±


    ¡°Injuries?¡±


    ¡°None. Appears to have succumbed to exhaustion.¡±


    ¡°Bring them here.¡±


    It didn¡¯t take too long for Dralig and Volkharion to appear with the survivor in the former¡¯s arms. Dralig placed the unconscious Threnosh unceremoniously on the floor. Their power armor identified as a standard researcher¡¯s according to the identifier. Even noncombat grade power armor contained safety features that functioned without energy. This meant that the Threnosh inside was as secure as they could reasonably hope given their situation.


    The Threnosh¡¯s face was a dark gray with smooth tones. Their eyes were shut. Caretaker couldn¡¯t tell what was wrong and they lacked the proper equipment to risk extracting the Threnosh. All Caretaker was responsible for was getting the survivor off site. Medical personnel would handle the rest from there.


    Caretaker beckoned Whoosh over. ¡°You will take the survivor to the staging area.¡± Whoosh opened their mouth to speak, but Caretaker cut them off. ¡°Your trueskin has sufficient physical strength to carry the researcher, even without energy for your jets.¡±


    ¡°My concern was that I do not know if I will be capable of carrying them up to the first level since the lift platform is inoperative,¡± Whoosh said.


    ¡°Dralig will assist you.¡±


    The Threnosh in the large, four-armed power armor nodded briskly and hoisted the unconscious Threnosh survivor just as quickly as they had put them down. They marched down the corridor back to the lift shaft at a quick walk.


    Whoosh, not wanting to be last, quickly rolled after Dralig. They were forced to squeeze around the bigger Dralig to get ahead.


    Dralig was walking down the very center of the corridor and they were holding their unoccupied arms out to the side, wider than it seemed natural. Were they trying to block Whoosh deliberately? A tiny frown creased Caretaker¡¯s brow. Was this similar to what Honor experienced when dealing with some of their other team members.


    ¡°Volkharion,¡± Caretaker eyed the gremlin drone with its right arm held stiffly in front of its head, as if it was warding off an invisible blow, ¡°your drones are damaged.¡±


    ¡°We encountered seven organisms that I had missed in the initial scouting run. All dispatched.¡±


    ¡°Are your drones still combat effective?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Volkharion said without hesitation.


    ¡°You will provide defense for Frequency and support for Adjudicator and Shira,¡± Caretaker glanced at the live images focused on the two. They had things well in hand. As shown clearly by the pile of organism bodies piling around them as they continued to fight a short distance away, ¡°if necessary. I will take care of the organisms caught in Frequency¡¯s sound field.¡± They looked at Frequency. ¡°I will notify you when I reach the edge of your field. Be prepared to turn it off.¡±


    Caretaker walked briskly down the long corridor. They placed their recoilless rifle on their back. It clicked into place held by the magnetic lock. They drew their new sword from the metallic scabbard at their hip. It was spire-purchased. The double-edged blade was seventy-six point two centimeters long, made out of an unknown metal that was stronger and lighter than the best that the Threnosh could manufacture. The hilt was a small, simple bar of the same metal that ran perpendicular where the handle of a complex, composite polymer met the blade. What made the weapon worthy of its extremely costly price in Caretaker¡¯s estimation was the nature of its edges. Somehow they were the thickness of a molecule and never needed sharpening. This meant that they could cut through solid steel with the proper technique combined with the strength upgrades to their spire exoskeleton.


    They were looking forward to testing the sword out on live hostile organisms.


    Where there was a sword, there must be a shield. At least that was what Honor had said once.


    Hence the small disk that Caretaker pulled from their left thigh. They placed their hand through the handle and pressed a button. Around the raised, concave disk a circle of shimmering white energy flared to life. It grew to a total diameter of the same length as his blade. It too was purchased from the spire.


    Caretaker had only been able to test both in practice so far. Using it against debilitated opponents was perhaps unfair, but this was combat. When facing invaders from beyond your world, that sought only to kill and perhaps eat you, then you used every method at your disposal to win. For losing meant not only your demise, but perhaps your entire world.


    <hr>


    Then


    Cal winced. Telekinetically shoving the group of gremlins on the left sent stabs of pain into his brain. He hadn¡¯t completely recovered from the beating he took against the gremlin alpha a little under a week ago. Using his powers at a high level so soon wasn¡¯t ideal. Not that he knew exactly what he could and couldn¡¯t do as far as pushing his mental powers. Did it work like his muscles? Consistently pushing them past their limits led to strains and injury. What did it mean for his brain? If his brain was even the source of his telekinesis and telepathy? He really needed to buy more of the tutorials and unlock more sections of his personal account page. Maybe if he survived this raid he might just gain enough Universal Points to do so.


    Painful, but necessary, his telekinetic shove sent the group of human-sized gremlins to the ground. This allowed several members of the team to bludgeon and stab them to death. Naturally, Nila and her ridiculously heavy custom metal bat, which was really more like a chunk of metal, led the way.


    Cal frowned at the idiot kids behind Nila. Team F.C.W.R., minus the injured Olo, and the girl, who went by Mads, a skeet shooting champion, although she was saving her precious shells and was currently bludgeoning the prone gremlins with a field hockey stick. At least the girl had a note from her dad giving her permission to join the raid, though the handwriting did look suspicious and the dad had been in and out of consciousness at the converted hospital from a nasty leg fracture. The nominal leader of the raid, the police officer Demi Lawrence, took it without question, simply stating that the girl¡¯s marksmanship skills might be useful.


    As for the three punk kids, Gene, Bastien and Johnny. They had apparently sneaked into the forbidden zone around the high school turned spawn point and were already there when the raid team had arrived. How they had survived? Cal didn¡¯t know and didn¡¯t care. Again expedience took precedence over the right decision, at least as far as he was concerned. They couldn¡¯t waste time taking the kids back to safety, so they got to be part of the raid.


    Cal didn¡¯t like any of it. Too dangerous for the kids. It was already too dangerous for everyone else. He suspected even for him and his brothers. He already had a headache going in, had it for the past five days straight. It had only gotten worse.


    Cal spat out a curse. Another group of gremlins emerged from a cluster of single story, modular buildings, classrooms, judging by the air conditioner units hanging on the outside walls. He could only manage a smaller telekinetic shove, so he aimed at their ankles. They tripped like someone had pulled an invisible rope across their path.


    The raid members on the right side fell on them quickly, led by a woman named Keisha Johnson, Cal remembered her name. An ex-college athlete, big and strong even without a skill that enhanced her physical strength a bit more. The woman smashed a gremlin¡¯s head like that crazy Gallagher dude and his watermelons. The way she wielded a two-handed sledgehammer in one hand definitely showed that there was something more to her strength than being big and throwing heavy things down the field.


    ¡°Cruces!¡± Demi rounded on Cal. ¡°Where are your brothers going?¡± She gesticulated in the distance toward the high school¡¯s main buildings.


    Sure enough, both Eron and Remy were sprinting across the concrete. Cal shook his head, so fast, it was like watching special effects in a movie. Even if he was also capable of such impossible things he still found it hard to believe. How many months had it been since the spires appeared? Seven, eight? His head felt foggy and painful. It was hard to think, so he focused back in the moment with some difficulty.


    ¡°It¡¯s part of the plan.¡±


    ¡°No! It isn¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ they¡¯re going to scou¡ª going to clear the buildings first. This wasn¡¯t the plan? Are you sure?¡± It wasn¡¯t part of the plan. As a matter of fact, Cal didn¡¯t know what the hell his brothers were doing.


    ¡°The plan was to move as a group through all the buildings.¡± Demi ground out the words like she was chewing gristle.


    ¡°Right¡­ er¡­ they¡¯re going to do that thing, we¡­ uh¡­ talked about.¡± Cal tried to smile, but a brain stab turned it into a grimace.


    Demi looked like she wanted to yell in Cal¡¯s face. He didn¡¯t much care. His head hurt. He had to keep over a dozen people alive. His idiot brothers were going rogue.

 2.19

    Then


    ¡°Look, let¡¯s just stick to the plan. We¡¯ll clear the small buildings first then see if we even need to go through the ones my brothers are clearing. This is a good thing. We get to save our ammo for the boss fights.¡±


    Demi glared at Cal for several long seconds before finally nodding curtly. She jabbed a finger at the group of modular classrooms to their right. ¡°You said you can tell if there are monsters inside.¡±


    ¡°Give me a second.¡± Cal took a deep breath and braced himself for some pain. It was difficult to call on his telepathy, but he pushed through the pain with a grunt. ¡°One gremlin in each classroom.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll take care of them,¡± Nila said with an eye on Cal.


    ¡°Yeah, just hang tight,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°No,¡± Demi said. ¡°We can¡¯t rely on you for the heavy lifting. That¡¯s obvious. We need to get our own points,¡± she sighed.


    Demi quickly divided the adults into three person teams to tackle the classrooms. Someone big and strong with a riot shield to serve as the front line tank and two others to add to the bashing, slashing or stabbing of the gremlin. Keisha served as the former for her team, while Ron and Rebekah the latter for theirs. Most were ex-athletes, ex-military or first responders.


    Cal didn¡¯t know enough about the rest to put names to faces.


    ¡°What about us? We know how to do this,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°No. You stay,¡± Demi glared.


    The teens had actual classes, but they were too young and Demi wasn¡¯t willing to risk them when it wasn¡¯t strictly necessary. It was this sort of mindset that left others like them, ones with classes and skills, out of the raid.


    Cal was about fifty-fifty on it. On the one hand they had useful spells and abilities for the quest. On the other hand they skewed very young. A lot of them were minors or barely adults. Aside from the four stowaways there were only a handful of them in the team. Some were eighteen and some actually got parental permission. Some had tried to argue that their experiences playing games that mirrored their new reality somehow gave them the upper hand.


    Cal had added his dissenting voice to that argument. The spires¡¯ stupid apocalypse might¡¯ve resembled those games, but having monsters trying to tear your face off in reality was not in anyway comparative. He had first hand experience on that point.


    ¡°They¡¯ll jump out of the shadows! Use your lanterns to create a space of light, don¡¯t just charged in!¡± Cal yelled after the separate teams.


    Gene shot Cal a pleading look.


    Cal stared at the teen flatly. He didn¡¯t have time to coddle the young punk.


    ¡°Keep watch,¡± Nila told the younger team members. She moved over to stand next to Cal, but kept her eyes scanning the darkness beyond the reach of their lanterns. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Nope,¡± Cal said with a wan smile turned wince. ¡°It only hurts when I think.¡±


    ¡°Can you do this?¡±


    ¡°What about you? You¡¯re less than a week from a concussion.¡±


    ¡°I already told you,¡± Nila sighed. ¡°Doctor checked it out. My head¡¯s fine. Even had an MRI. Didn¡¯t break anything, bruises are mostly gone. Besides, you got wrecked way worse by your gremlin alpha.¡±


    Cal narrowed his eyes at Nila.


    ¡°What? Isn¡¯t that what you nerds call it.¡± Nila nodded toward the teens. ¡°Those guys kept saying it when they killed mutant squirrels when I had to babysit them on those patrols. Although they were pronouncing it in a weird way.¡±


    ¡°My brain ache just got worst,¡± Cal rubbed his eyes with his free hand, ¡°rekt,¡± he said finally.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s the one.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a gaming term for being utterly destroyed, ruined.¡±


    ¡°Huh, well it still fits.¡± Nila nodded sagely. ¡°You did get rekt¡¯d compared to me.¡±


    Cal groaned.


    A loud scream interrupted whatever he was going to stay. He started to move when a strong hand clamped down on his arm and pulled him back.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go. You need to save your strength for later and watch over the kiddies,¡± Nila said.


    Cal didn¡¯t take his eyes off her as she ran toward the classrooms.


    ¡°We can hel¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shhh.¡± Cal cut Gene off.


    Cal didn¡¯t listen to Nila. He stretched his telepathy out to locate the source of the scream. He detected horror and panic from the people. He got the impression that it was from something that had already transpired, not something currently happening. The lack of any gremlin presence confirmed it for him. Something bad happened, but the threat had passed.


    He let out a long breath. He noticed the hurt look on Gene¡¯s face.


    ¡°Save your magic and skills for later when we really need it,¡± Cal said.


    Gene nodded hesitantly.


    Cal realized that being a dick to them would probably put the teens into the wrong head space. It might push them into stupid risks. They needed to be guided properly if he wanted them to survive the night.


    ¡°Shit,¡± Cal muttered under his breath. He just realized that he was the only one in position to watch over the teens. His brothers were off doing their own thing. Nila already had her hands full with her role. The others were going to be hard pressed to fulfill their roles. Even making it through alive was going to be difficult.


    Nila jogged back to his relief. She made straight for Demi. After a few words, Demi hurried to the classrooms at a brisk walk. Cal sensed the concern in everyone¡¯s thoughts.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    Nila shook her head as she approached him. She waited until she could speak into his ear. ¡°We¡¯ve got a death. It¡¯s Neal. Gremlin got him in the face and neck¡­¡±


    Cal couldn¡¯t put a face to the name.


    Nila looked pale, paler than normal. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ looks¡­ really bad.¡± She shook her head. ¡°What do we do with the body?¡± She glanced at the teens, who were alternatively watching the darkness at the edge of their lantern light and looking back and forth between Cal, Nila and the classrooms.


    ¡°I don¡¯t even¡ª let Officer Lawrence handle it.¡± Cal felt an invisible weight on his shoulders. ¡°I can¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°Not your fault,¡± Nila said.


    Cal nodded. He didn¡¯t believe her. He could¡¯ve cleared those rooms by himself, but then Demi was right. He couldn¡¯t be always holding their hands.


    Right?


    Silence, overbearing silence was the only answer.


    <hr>


    ¡°C¡¯mon man, let¡¯s go,¡± Eron said and took off running toward the nearest three-story high school building.


    ¡°Wait, what¡ª?¡± Remy was caught off guard.


    He looked back to the rest of the raid team a group of human-sized gremlins were attacking from the left. As one the gremlins were shoved forcefully by an invisible force that knocked them to the ground. That would be Cal¡¯s telekinesis. The raid team fell on the monsters. Bludgeoning and hammering them while Cal kept them from getting up quickly enough to defend themselves.


    Remy bit back a curse. He took off after Eron. His older brother had the raid team covered. For some reason his younger brother was heading for the building on his own, contrary to their plan. He couldn¡¯t just let Eron go by himself. He sprinted after his brother. The chains around his wrists and other random metal objects hanging from his belt and in his pack noisily rattled as he ran.


    Eron was standing by the building¡¯s double doors when Remy caught up.


    ¡°Took you long enough.¡±


    ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± Remy snapped. ¡°This isn¡¯t part of the plan.¡±


    ¡°The plan kind of sucked.¡± Eron rolled his eyes. ¡°This is better.¡±


    Remy stared at Eron in disbelief. ¡°What the hell are you talking about?!¡±


    ¡°You and me clearing these buildings. Save everyone¡¯s lives at least until the boss fights, but if we can aggro most of that then there¡¯s still a chance.¡±


    Remy frowned. He understood what Eron was getting at. Limit the number of monsters that the other people had to fight. The only problem was that meant they and presumably Cal would have to take on most of the work. And Cal wasn¡¯t doing so good. Neither was he, Remy had to admit. He was extremely tired. It was hard to describe. He felt like he had just ran through a spartan race every day for the past five days. This was despite that fact that he had done nothing but sleep and rest since that fight with the gremlin alpha.


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    ¡°Great,¡± Eron grinned. ¡°We each take one classroom at a time. Should be five or so gremlins in each. No problem for either of us.¡±


    Remy sighed and nodded. As Eron pulled the double doors open.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take the left side,¡± Eron said as he pulled a road flare out of his belt pack and ignited it. He pulled the classroom door open and strode confidently into the dark interior.


    Remy didn¡¯t say anything, he took the oil lantern from his belt and set in on the floor in front of the classroom door on the right. He pulled his machete from its sheath and focused. He did his best to ignore the snarling coming from the other room.


    The door frame was metal. Easy for his magnetic power. He had barely scratched the surface of it. As far as he could tell he had a measure of control over the Earth¡¯s magnetic field. He could also create smaller, weaker, independent versions.


    This is what he did to send the door flying into the classroom.


    Remy pulled a handful of nails, screws, nuts and bolts from one of his several belt pouches. He nudged the lantern with his foot. It slid upright into the room under his magnetic power. The sudden light revealed two gremlins standing in the shadows. They were caught off guard.


    Remy magnetically accelerated the metal bits in his hand right into the gremlins. The cloud of shrapnel struck the monsters at high speed. He reversed the magnetic field and moved it near the heavily injured monsters. He pulled the metal embedded in their bodies along with the field right toward him. He stepped into the room and stopped them right in front of him. They were too hurt to do anything as he slashed each in turn with his machete.


    Remy was still figuring out what he could do with his power. Pushing and pulling metal was his strong point and he could also create a whirling cloud of metal with him at the center. Fine control was a work in progress.


    Another gremlin jumped at him from the shadows. He wasn¡¯t quite as physically capable as either of his brothers, but he was still superhumanly strong and quick.


    The gremlin was surprised to suddenly find itself impaled on Remy¡¯s machete.


    The last two rushed him from the far end of the classroom.


    Remy sent the chain wrapped around his left arm to strike one in the face. He made the chain rigid like a spear. The gremlin lost a few teeth as the chain went into its mouth.


    The gremlin on the right moved in an erratic zigzag pattern.


    Remy whipped the chain to strike it across its side. The blow flipped it over to land on the floor, hard. He was on it in two blinks of an eye.


    One stab and it was done.


    Remy did the same with the remaining gremlin. He took a deep breath to compose himself before he retrieved his lantern and quickly went to the next classroom. From the sounds of it, Eron was already several classrooms ahead of him. He needed to work faster if he wanted to keep up.


    <hr>


    Eron punched through a gremlin¡¯s head. He kept his mouth shut. He had finally learned his lesson. The blood splattered across his face, but didn¡¯t get in his mouth.


    Another gremlin clawed through his leather jacket and shirt, but barely scratched his skin. He turned and dropped a downward elbow on top of its head. The monster instantly died from a vertebrae broken in several places.


    Stronger and tougher than everyone else. That¡¯s what Eron was. Every day, little by little, he grew more powerful. Somehow the light of the sun fueled him. It made him a physical paragon, like his class said. He was still waiting, hopefully, on the heat vision and flight.


    A gremlin jumped down from the shadows on the ceiling. Eron moved out of the way and punted it across the room. It cratered the wall when it hit. The monster remained still.


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    This classroom was clear. Eron ran to the next. He wreaked the same havoc on the gremlins in that one, before moving on to the next and then the next.


    He was alone on the second floor of the third major building on the high school campus. Remy had fallen behind and was still on the first floor clearing his own side.


    Eron took his time with the last two classrooms. He didn¡¯t want to get too far ahead, so that he could help out his brother if necessary. However, he was getting a little impatient. Truthfully he could¡¯ve been done had he not waited, but it was important to spread out the Universal Point gains. He didn¡¯t want to be a points hog.


    He was very eager to get to the boss fights. This was the last major building. Once he and Remy were done they could move on to the rest of the minor buildings and structures if the main part of the raid team hadn¡¯t already taken care of them.


    Eron didn¡¯t communicate this plan to Cal, but he was confident that his brother would figure it out. Although, Cal wasn¡¯t exactly operating at a hundred percent.


    Another gremlin, Eron backhanded it to oblivion. He resolved to avoid face punching. It worked great, but it left him with a hand covered in monster blood and brain. Very gross, the grossest thing ever, aside from monster blood in your mouth. The thought made him shiver.


    Two gremlins. One kick and one measured punch to the chest. Death by crushed ribs and bone shards into its heart.


    Eron exited the last classroom on the left side, just as Remy entered the second level. He could see his brother by the lantern in his hand. It looked like Remy was breathing hard.


    ¡°Hurry it up, man,¡± Eron yelled.


    Remy shot him a rude gesture.


    Eron laughed. ¡°We have one more floor then you can rest. I¡¯ll take care of any small buildings that Cal and the rest of the team didn¡¯t take handle. Then we can finally deal with the bosses.¡±


    Remy rolled his eyes and went to the end of the hallway to begin clearing the classrooms on the right side.


    Eron snorted and climbed the stairs to the third and final level. He decided that he wasn¡¯t going to wait for his brother. Remy was looking pretty tired anyways. Better to clear it quickly, so that Remy could rest and recover for the real fights.


    <hr>


    Four gremlin alphas appeared out of the gloom. One at each corner of the large, grassy central commons that was bordered by the large classroom buildings.


    They had prepared the area well. Oil and gas lanterns were scattered around the grassy areas and concrete footpaths to provide as much light coverage as possible. They had even brought one diesel-powered light tower, which the entire raid team was gathered under. The bright light providing a sense of safety, perhaps illusory, but needed.


    The lights didn¡¯t bother the gremlin alphas much. Their black, beady eyes squinted up at the lights, but they didn¡¯t show any signs of discomfort, like the human-sized ones were known for. Nor did their pale skin sizzle like the tiny gremlins¡¯ that had appeared nearly everywhere that terrible first night several, long months ago.


    No one dared to move as the gremlin alphas simply stood and stared at them.


    ¡°Right, so I¡¯ll take that one.¡± Eron pointed to the closest gremlin alpha. ¡°Any objections to that plan?¡± He pointedly looked at Demi.


    The police officer glared right back before shaking her head brusquely.


    ¡°I guess I¡¯ve got that one over there,¡± Remy¡¯s voice shook slightly as he pointed at the gremlin alpha the furthest distance away. ¡°I¡¯ll need the space. I don¡¯t want to hit any of you guys.¡±


    ¡°That leaves two,¡± Demi said.


    Her voice was steady, but Cal could feel the fear emanating from her thoughts. The entire group was terrified. It was only fair. No one could be expected to face off with ten-foot tall gremlin alphas and their claws and many, many sharp teeth without pissing themselves. It said a lot for them and the horrors they¡¯d already experienced that no one had done that yet. Not even the kids.


    ¡°We¡¯ll take them together,¡± Cal said. He tried to project confidence, strength and certainty that he wasn¡¯t feeling. ¡°Ranged shooters. You¡¯ll get first crack. I¡¯ll hold them in place when they start moving. Aim for the eyes.¡±


    ¡°Take your time. Don¡¯t rush your shots. We have to make every one count.¡± Demi raised her assault rifle to her shoulder.


    As she spoke a handful of human-sized gremlins materialized out of the shadows behind each gremlin alpha. Five a piece. An escort or adds for the bosses.


    ¡°Well¡­ shit,¡± Eron said. ¡°That doesn¡¯t seem fair. Although that much extra isn¡¯t bad. Hey, Rem, good thing we cleared out the big buildings. Who knows how many more adds there might¡¯ve been?¡±


    Remy ignored his brother. He dug into the pouch at his side and pulled out a handful of sharp and blunt metal objects. He already had a bunch in his other hand ready to go.


    ¡°Is this right?¡± Demi said to Cal without taking her eyes off her gun sight and her target. ¡°Is this how these bosses are supposed to work?¡±


    ¡°A lot of that was guesswork,¡± Cal said. The pain in his head was growing. ¡°But potential adds as far as weaker level monsters was one of the things we discussed. So¡­ I think this still falls under our theories.¡±


    ¡°Cal, I can tank one of the alpha¡¯s for a little,¡± Nila said.


    He was about to object when a familiar chime sounded in his ears. In everyone''s¡¯ ears.


    Congratulations!


    You have received a Quest.


    Defeat the Bosses: Gremlin Alpha x4.


    Success Parameters: Defeat all monsters.


    Failure Parameters: Flee or Die.


    Reward: 50000 Universal Points.


    Will you accept?


    ¡°Oh¡­ thank God.¡± Cal breathed a sigh of relief.


    Heads snapped in his direction.


    ¡°This is the boss fight. I was thinking it might¡¯ve been a mini-boss fight.¡±


    ¡°Fuck me, that would¡¯ve been brutal,¡± Gene said. At the uncomprehending looks from several of the adults, he explained. ¡°It means that after this fight, we¡¯d still have to fight the actual boss monster.¡±


    ¡°It says I got to accept. What happens if I don¡¯t?¡± Keisha said.


    Cal shrugged. ¡°No idea. You might be able to leave or not. You probably wouldn¡¯t get any of the rewards.¡±


    ¡°If anyone wants out this might be your last chance,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°No one is leaving!¡± Demi snapped. ¡°It¡¯s too dangerous. We don¡¯t know if there are more monsters waiting out there.¡±


    Some of the raid members looked like they were giving it serious thought. Cal agreed with Demi. He tried to project a feeling of calm to the others with his telepathy. It sent several stabs of pain into his brain. He deserved that for the attempt, despite his intentions he knew it was wrong to use his power that way.


    ¡°She¡¯s right,¡± Cal said with a wince. ¡°You might make it back safely. Or not. But if we fail here than we can guarantee that there won¡¯t be any safe spaces anywhere near here. The gremlins have shown that they¡¯ll spread out if left unchecked. This is our only chance to put an end to that and protect our families.¡±


    His words had several people nodding along. Whether it was what he had said or the effects of his telepathic attempt, he didn¡¯t know and he was guilty to realize that he didn¡¯t much care. The situation was becoming overwhelming.


    Throughout all of this the gremlins didn¡¯t move from their spots. They merely watched. The hunger and malice in them was palpable. Cal didn¡¯t need his telepathy to notice that much.


    ¡°I think they¡¯re waiting for us to accept the Quest,¡± Eron said. ¡°So, make sure you¡¯re ready before accepting. Don¡¯t take too long though, we don¡¯t know if there¡¯s an invisible timer that¡¯ll default you to accept if you don¡¯t make a choice.¡±


    ¡°Alright, people,¡± Demi took back control, ¡°raise your hand once you¡¯ve accepted it. Like, Cruces said, make it quick.¡±


    One by one hands went up.


    Cal shared a lingering look with Nila before she too raised her hand.


    Both Eron and Remy raised their hands and immediately started walking toward the gremlin alphas that they had picked out earlier.


    Cal waited until he and Demi where the only ones left. He raised his hand.


    Demi¡¯s face was grim as she followed suit.


    As one the gremlins roared into the night sky and charged at the raid team.


    Seventeen people that carried the hopes of thousands more yelled back with all the courage they could muster.


    <hr>


    Now


    It was almost too easy. Power armor that had self-repair capability were unique. There were only a handful in the entire Threnosh world and Caretaker had the top two at their disposal.


    Shira was a blur as they killed invasive organisms. Any lucky strikes the organisms landed on their power armor were just as quickly repaired.


    Adjudicator was a tank. They were slower than Shira and the organisms had much more success in clawing deep gouges in their thick armor. It didn¡¯t matter. Their tendrils drained the life from the organisms as fuel for their power armor to slowly fix itself.


    The second and last major cluster of organisms was on the ninth sublevel of the research facility. Unlike the cluster of the first sublevel, this one wasn¡¯t spread out. Sublevel nine was a lot smaller. The level contained the power source for the facility. The lift platform opened up to a large space. With the rest of the level built around it as the central point.


    By the time Caretaker climbed down the lift shaft the invasive organisms were dried out husks in several piles scattered all over the place.


    ¡°Shira, Adjudicator. Are you combat effective?¡±


    Shira looked fine. Their power armor was practically spotless. All damage had repaired itself and any organism blood had been quickly absorbed.


    Adjudicator¡¯s power armor had several ugly looking tears and rents that were no longer repairing themselves since the Threnosh didn¡¯t have any more organisms to drain.


    Both Threnosh gave the affirmative.


    ¡°Proceed to the last sublevel. Dralig, Volkharion, Frequency, remain here and secure this sublevel. Volkharion, keep your drones on patrol. I want our path back to remain clear. If we missed any organisms, the three of you have the authorization to dispatch them as you see fit.¡±


    Caretaker dropped down the lift shaft to the final sublevel and found themselves staring at the thick metal door that they had first seen through Volkharion¡¯s scout drone¡¯s camera.


    Its entire surface was covered in scratches from the organisms'' claws.


    Caretaker didn¡¯t waste any time. He approached the door¡¯s control console. It too was cut and torn. They pulled the ruined surface screen off and located the emergency access port beneath.


    They took their PID and attached the physical cable to the port. Wireless syncing was impossible without power running to the console.


    They entered the access codes and the immense door¡¯s internal locking mechanism unlatched with audible clicks that echoed in the stillness.


    ¡°Shira, open it. Adjudicator, be ready, we do not know what is inside.¡± Caretaker stepped back from the console and readied their recoilless rifle.


    Shira dug their claws into the enormous door and pulled. It protested and strained against Shira, but slowly it gave way and started to slide open.


    Caretaker kept their rifle pointed where their predictive algorithm directed. The flickering red emergency lights provide scant illumination into the blackness of the chamber beyond the door.


    ¡°Stop.¡±


    Shira released the door. It stayed in place with the opening big enough to fit two of the Threnosh side by side.


    Caretaker gestured to Shira. The black-clad Threnosh slipped into the chamber and blended almost seamlessly into the darkness.


    ¡°Stay here and secure our exit,¡± Caretaker said to Adjudicator. They stowed their rifle, drew their sword and activated their energy shield. The flickering red lights provided enough of a look into the chamber for them to recognize that the interior was filled with work stations, which meant that close combat was the call.


    Caretaker switched to low-light vision. This cast everything in tones of white, gray and black. They carefully maneuvered their way around the workstations and entered the next chamber. More workstations. All of them held standard-looking terminals. It was impossible to tell what the researchers were doing down here without power.


    They moved into the next chamber and were confronted with another closed door. They went through the same process to attach their PID to the access port. This time the code didn¡¯t work. Curious.


    Caretaker took their sword and stabbed it into the edge of the door, where the locks were located. The monomolecular edge bit into the metallic surface. They pushed it nearly to the hilt with some effort, but the surface might as well have been soft flesh. Their spire exoskeleton¡¯s motors whined with effort as they pushed the sword down through the mechanisms locking the door in place.


    Caretaker sheathed their sword and pushed at the door to slide it open. The door protested with a squeal, but recent upgrades to their spire exoskeleton had increased the level of their physical strength augmentation enough that it slowly gave way.


    A bright, blue glow lit up the darkness and Caretaker was forced to switch back to standard vision.


    Opening the door revealed something. Caretaker didn¡¯t know what they discovered.


    The room itself was filled with dozens of different instruments. They appeared to be a mix of containment and recording instruments. But it wasn¡¯t those things that drew Caretaker¡¯s eyes.


    The blue glow was coming from the object in the center of the room.


    It was perhaps half again as large as a Threnosh¡¯s head. It was roughly spherical in shape, but appeared to be made of a crystalline substance with a rough surface filled with irregular pockmarks and small, jagged protuberances.


    Affixed to its surface were several wires that ran down the narrow, metallic pedestal it was set on to the instruments along the outer edges of the circular room.


    Caretaker felt the object calling to them. They took a step toward it when their predictive algorithm gave them a sudden warning. In one smooth motion, they pulled the sword from its sheath and spun around with a sweeping slash. Just as quickly as it gave the warning, the predictive algorithm told them to stop immediately.


    The blade stopped inches from the side of Shira¡¯s head.


    ¡°Apologies,¡± Caretakers said as they sheathed the sword.


    ¡°Unnecessary. I saw that you were stopping your strike. If you did not I would have easily avoided it,¡± Shira said flatly.


    Caretaker saw the teasing hint in Shira¡¯s eyes visible behind the lenses of their helmet¡¯s fearsome face mask. ¡°Your trueskin¡¯s ability to hide in the darkness has grown immensely.¡±


    ¡°Yes. The upgrade was a worthwhile purchase.¡±


    ¡°I assume that you have searched the rest of the chamber.¡±


    Shira nodded. ¡°I too found something,¡± their eyes drifted to the glowing blue object behind Caretaker, ¡°though not as interesting as your discovery.¡±


    ¡°Survivors?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Four total. Researchers and assistants. I left them with Adjudicator.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Caretaker considered the object in the center of the room. ¡°I believe that this is what attracted the organisms.¡±


    ¡°Likely,¡± Shira agreed. ¡°The evidence points to that conclusion. This creates an issue that needs to be addressed.¡±


    Caretaker nodded. ¡°What do we do with it?¡±


    ¡°It is probable that it will continue to attract organisms. With the path to it now clear they will be able to reach it without difficulty unless a guard is posted and the settlement defense force has already proved that it is incapable. It is certain that organisms cannot be allowed to reach it.¡±


    ¡°I concur. Though we do not know why the organisms wanted to reach the object, it is only prudent to prevent such an event from transpiring. There is only one logical course of action. We must take it and keep it safe for now.¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Shira said quickly.


    ¡°Take the survivors back to the staging area. Send Volkharion and Frequency to me.¡±


    ¡°The settlement administrators will see the survivors and will ask questions. It was very important to them that we did not spend too much time lingering here.¡±


    ¡°Tell them that we are being certain that there are no more survivors.¡±


    Shira nodded and slipped back into the darkness of the next chamber. Caretaker had their eyes on Shira the entire time, but they would¡¯ve been hard pressed to say when the black-clad Threnosh actually disappeared from their vision.


    Caretaker had two tasks to accomplish. One, figure out how to transport the glowing blue object without it being detected. Two, get Volkharion and Frequency to go through the workstations and extract as much information as possible. They were certain that whatever the research facility had discovered about the blue object was locked away in its database.


    But before Caretaker could get started a chime sounded in their ear holes, while text appeared in their vision.


    Task Completed.


    Clear Research Facility 287632.


    Success Parameters: Destroyed Invasive Organisms.


    Failure Parameter: None.


    Reward: 25000 Universal Points.


    Bonus Task Completed.


    Rescue Survivors.


    5 / 5


    Reward: Reputation gained.

 2.20

    Now


    ¡°Status on the survivors.¡± Caretaker spoke directly into the secured team channel.


    ¡°Settlement defense forces have taken them off site.¡± Shira¡¯s voice came back immediately.


    ¡°Have the pilot bring the transport into the hangar.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Caretaker took the heavy container carrying the glowing blue object. As it turned out it was already on its carrying case. The top of the narrow pedestal it was on doubled as one. It didn¡¯t take them long to figure it out. They strode out of the circular chamber and saw Frequency and Volkharion at workstations with their PID¡¯s attached to the terminals and to a small black disk-shaped device. Without the blue glow of the unknown object the only lights in the otherwise pitch black chamber were Frequency¡¯s and Volkharion¡¯s helmet lights. With confirmation that the entire research facility was clear of invasive organisms from the spires system¡¯s Task completion message. They no longer needed to be on guard.


    ¡°Status.¡±


    ¡°We have extracted the contents of the workstations to external storage. These are the last two,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°Time?¡±


    ¡°Thirty seconds for this one.¡±


    ¡°Forty-five seconds,¡± Volkharion said.


    ¡°Once you have finished we are leaving immediately.¡±


    Caretaker left them to finish their task. They crossed through the rest of the workstations in the chamber and out into the lift platform space where Adjudicator was dutifully standing watch.


    ¡°Protect Volkharion and Frequency. Once they have completed their task we are departing the facility.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    The lift platform was still inoperative, so Caretaker had to pass their precious package up to Dralig before climbing up.


    ¡°We are leaving,¡± Caretaker said.


    Dralig nodded. ¡°What do you have for me to do?¡±


    ¡°Escort me,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°What I am carrying is important.¡±


    Dralig took the lead as they climbed back up to ground level. Their progress was slowed somewhat by the necessity of passing up the heavy carrying case. The three Threnosh Caretaker had left behind on the bottom level caught up and the five of them emerged on the ground floor as a unit.


    As they emerged into the vehicle hangar Caretaker directed the others to block them from any potential onlookers from the outside. The object in their hands was likely the reason for the settlement leadership¡¯s insistence on the restrictive parameters of the task. In and out, fast. No deviation. No investigating. Kill the organisms. Their position on rescuing survivors had struck Caretaker. It almost seemed like it was an afterthought.


    Primal stood on guard near the opening of the hangar. In the space between the doorway leading to the interior of the facility and the transport, which had landed as close as possible to said doorway.


    ¡°Frequency, inform me if the defense forces watching us noticed the item that I am carrying,¡± Caretaker said.


    Tapping into their communications was definitely something Caretaker wasn¡¯t going to do. So, they needed to rely on Frequency¡¯s ability to focus in on and listen to distant sounds. Only listening in on the physical, verbal communications between the defense forces was less than ideal, but it was the best they could manage in the situation.


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Frequency said. ¡°I have already detected the squads in the immediate area. They are currently silent. I will notify you if that changes.¡±


    The team boarded the transport. Primal was last. Each secured themselves into their berths and prepared for departure.


    ¡°Pilot,¡± Caretaker said into the comms, ¡°make all appropriate haste back to base.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± The pilot¡¯s voice came back.


    ¡°Caretaker. I am detecting something from the defense forces.¡±


    ¡°Did they notice that we took the object from the facility?¡± Caretaker forced themselves to keep calm. They ran through the excuses that they could possibly use to explain it to the settlement leadership and eventually Prime Custodian 3. They were confident that Honor would need no explanation. They had earned his trust.


    ¡°Negative. The soldiers are being recalled to reinforce the west wall. It sounds like their is an incoming assault,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°Good,¡± Primal said. ¡°I welcome real combat.¡±


    ¡°Foolish,¡± Shira said.


    ¡°You were able to battle in the depths of the research facility. I spent most of that time standing around. It is only fair,¡± Primal grumbled.


    The transport¡¯s engines whined, the anti-gravity system hummed to life, and it smoothly lifted up off the ground and proceeded to slowly fly out of the hangar.


    The torso of Primal¡¯s power armor opened up and the tiny Threnosh looked at Caretaker expectantly.


    ¡°We will not reveal that we know of the assault. We will continue as if we are unaware,¡± Caretaker said.


    Shira pointed at the heavy container locked in place next to Caretaker¡¯s berth. ¡°Do you suppose this assault is connected to that?¡±


    ¡°Probable. The invasive organisms that attacked the research facility were trying to get into the chamber that the object was locked behind. It was the only thing of note. It is telling that after we opened the chamber there is another imminent assault.¡±


    The pilot¡¯s voice chimed in over the transport¡¯s communications system. ¡°Subleader. Sensors are detecting a large group of invasive organisms approaching the settlement.¡±


    ¡°Location and distance?¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Approximately sixteen kilometers to the west. Along our projected flight path. We will have ascended to cruising altitude and speed long before it can become a threat,¡± the pilot said.


    ¡°Carry on. I will contact the settlement administration for further information.¡± Caretaker switched to the administration¡¯s direct channel. ¡°Be advised, we have detected a large number of invasive organisms approaching the settlement.¡±


    A voice on the channel came back immediately. ¡°We are aware.¡±


    ¡°Do you require assistance?¡±


    ¡°Negative. Automated wall defenses and our soldiers will be sufficient.¡±


    Primal scoffed. ¡°They could not stop the little screeching organisms from attacking a facility inside the settlement.¡±


    Caretaker silenced them with a look. ¡°Repeat. Are you certain that our assistance is not required?¡± They spoke back into the channel.


    This time there was no immediate response. Until a different voice spoke. ¡°This is Commander Magartha 5102. Your assistance is unnecessary. These invasive organisms are not capable of flight. They are quadrupeds and will not be able to bypass our wall defenses like the organisms that you cleared out of Research Facility 287632.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Are you certain, subleader?¡± Shira said.


    Caretaker nodded. ¡°The commander is most likely correct.¡± They switched back to the transport¡¯s channel. ¡°Pilot. Be advised, I suspect that there may be a danger to us from flying invasive organisms. Continue following the flight plan. Maintain vigilance.¡±


    ¡°And the object?¡±


    Caretaker looked at Shira. ¡°You have concerns?¡±


    ¡°If it attracts invasive organisms then we will put our base in danger by returning with it.¡±


    ¡°Once we are within range for direct-link communication I will confer with Honor for our next course of action.¡±


    <hr>


    One, two. Right jab, left straight.


    One, two, three. Jab, straight, hook.


    Cal¡¯s fists landed thudding blows into the ridiculously heavy bag. He went through the basic combos over and over again. He moved mechanically. His thoughts were on his recent encounter with Zalthyss.


    The experience weighed heavily on his mind. Fears and insecurities bounced freely in his thoughts the same way that he bounced lightly on his feet as he tried to vent it all out on the custom punching bag.


    The bag was many times taller than what he was used to. It was the only way that he could go full strength. A normal bag would¡¯ve went flying all over the place with his super strong punches or it would¡¯ve burst open spilling sand everywhere. Instead he had Riverport fabricate the monstrosity in front of him.


    The bag was about twenty-five feet tall and filled with close to a ton of sand. It was suspended from a setup that resembled four cranes or pillars equidistant from the hanging bag in the center. With the dark brown polymer fabric covering it resembled a tree or an especially thick electric power pole from Earth.


    Cal snapped his right fist out twice to tap the bag in quick succession. He then sat down on his knees as he bobbed to the left, going under an imaginary punch. He smoothly uncorked his twisted body. Feeling the power traveling up his legs, to his hips, into his left fist as he dug a left hook into bag. The impact was like a gunshot.


    A flock of alien birds roosting in the forest trees several hundred yards away scattered into the air. He called them alien birds, but really they were just birds. Put them next to any Earth birds and he wouldn¡¯t be able to tell from which planet either type came from.


    Cal shuffled back from the bag to switch stances. He liked to practice both southpaw and orthodox. Although he was right-handed he did all his boxing from a southpaw stance. It was a holdover from his high school wrestling days. In that sport your lead foot was your dominant side, so when he first took up boxing for fun after college he felt more natural in the southpaw stance.


    Switching to orthodox he repeated the basic combinations. This time he added knees and kicks. That part of his repertoire wasn¡¯t as well-developed. Most of his experience pre-spires¡¯ apocalypse was cardio kickboxing classes and videos, although he did hit pads and mitts a few times he never did any live sparring, like he did with boxing. It was only after said stupid apocalypse that he really tried to add leg striking techniques.


    Left jab, right straight, right low kick. Thud, thud, bang!


    More birds sent flying.


    Punch, punch, step in grab the bag in a clinch dig in deep with a knee to the midsection. Shuffle back, hands next to head, slip from one side to the next. Duck low, two hooks, right then left, digging into the body.


    Sweat dripped off Cal¡¯s shirtless body. The sun was shining and the wind blew with a constant, light breeze. It was a great day to be outside, but he didn¡¯t take any notice of that. All he could see was Zalthyss¡¯ too perfect face. In many ways it was more frightening than any monster that he had faced in the past. Perhaps with the one exception. A face flashed in his mind. A young girl with a sullen look, long blond hair hiding sunken eyes. The face slowly morphed into¡ª


    Cal stopped hitting the bag. He took a deep breath. When that wasn¡¯t he enough he took another, then another. He didn¡¯t know how many breaths it took until he finally banished the image from his mind.


    ¡°Fuck!¡±


    Cal¡¯s voice echoed out into the clear, clean air. The cleanliness and the quiet of the place was nothing like anything he had every known on Earth. Nothing compared to it. Not even going out hiking or camping. There was always some reminder of man¡¯s touch upon the environment. He had to amend the thought. After the apocalypse there was silence, but it wasn¡¯t peaceful like this place. No, the silence of his home was that of dead people and the monsters that killed them. It was the silence of dread for the moment when it was your turn.


    Cal shook his head. He tried to push the darker thoughts back into a mental lock box. Tried to focus on the natural beauty around him. The Threnosh world was truly filled with unspoiled spaces in a way that was exceedingly rare back on earth. There was no random trash in the middle of nowhere here.


    An alert sounded on his PID. The insistent beeping shook him from his musings. It took him a moment to jog over to the base of one of the pillars holding up the giant punching bag. He picked up the PID. A frown crossed his face. It was Caretaker.


    They were on their way back from a mission, or a task as the Threnosh called them. The call wasn¡¯t scheduled. Did something go wrong?


    Cal steeled himself for a second before he tapped the PID.


    A holographic projection of Caretaker¡¯s face appeared above the PID in miniature.


    ¡°Is everything alright? Was there a problem with the task?¡±


    ¡°Honor. The Task went as planned,¡± Caretaker said.


    Cal heard the difference in how they said the word. ¡°The spires turned it into a big-T. Nice,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°Good rewards? Points?¡±


    ¡°Yes, we received a good amount of Universal Points.¡± Caretaker hesitated.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    ¡°Okay¡­ so, that¡¯s the good news. What¡¯s the bad news?¡±


    ¡°There was an unforeseen development and I took initiative, but my decision may have created a different problem for all of us.¡±


    ¡°Just out with it,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°The research facility contained a strange object that attracted the invasive organisms.¡±


    Cal¡¯s interest was piqued. He was still concerned, but that got shuffled a bit further back in his mind.


    ¡°In the interests of safeguarding the settlement from future attacks I decided to take the object.¡±


    ¡°Seems like a prudent choice. The settlement clearly demonstrated an inability to keep it and themselves safe,¡± Cal said lightly.


    Caretaker¡¯s holographic projection gave a slight nod. ¡°The decision was prescient. As we were departing another large group of invasive organisms was moving toward the settlement.¡±


    ¡°So, this object attracts monsters?¡±


    ¡°That was my assessment.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re bringing it back here?¡±


    ¡°Where else?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡± Cal sighed. ¡°There aren¡¯t any monsters chasing you right now are there? Nothing flying and giant-sized?¡±


    ¡°There were, but do not be alarmed. They lacked the speed and stamina to catch or keep up with the transport.¡±


    The wheels turned rapidly in Cal¡¯s head. He was calculating several things in his brain. How long could the transport remain in the air? Was it safe to hover in place at a great height? If not, what was the power consumption if it needed to maintain a certain speed to keep out of the reach of flying monsters? This was mixed in with trying to figure out the production capabilities of his base. How long would it take to build defenses, traps, walls, maybe a moat?


    ¡°Should¡¯ve built that wall a long time ago,¡± Cal muttered.


    ¡°Repeat, Honor?¡±


    Cal waved a hand dismissively. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ve got some ideas.¡±


    ¡°I await your orders,¡± Caretaker said solemnly.


    <hr>


    It turned out that there was plenty of time for the wall. Those trenches with metal stakes in them. Those concealed pit traps filled with the same stakes. Oh, and the mines. Can¡¯t forget about those.


    They cleared the land for several thousand yards all around the base facility and turned it into a giant kill zone.


    Cal was happy that he pushed Prime Custodian 3 for more personnel. The added engineers and fabricators were a boon. Especially for the rush job on the defenses.


    Two weeks. That was the amount of time they had to get everything done.


    Thanks to the wonders of Threnosh power generating technology the heavy aerial transport was capable of continuous flight operation for that long.


    The transport carrying the team landed briefly in the middle of nowhere to transfer everyone, but Caretaker, to another transport. The second transport delivered sufficient nutrient liquids for Caretaker and the pilot to last the two weeks before taking the rest of the team back to base. Even that brief stop was risky as groups of monsters in the area immediately moved in their direction. It became clear that the object Caretaker had taken from the research facility was attracting them.


    Caretaker decided that they were the one who would stay with the object as it was their responsibility as both the leader of the team and the one who decided to take it in the first place.


    Once in the air the transport was safe from monsters. It flew too fast and too high. From what Cal understood two weeks in the air wasn¡¯t that big of a deal. The pilot¡¯s power armor was adapted for sitting for long periods of time. The Threnosh also had an integrated V.I. in the transport that was exponentially better than the ones in self-driving cars back on Earth. Along with a pilot¡¯s berth that contained the same hygiene maintenance features that Cal had experienced first hand those months stuck in the sarcophagus-like restraining device.


    The transport flew over uninhabited areas far away from the base, while Caretaker kept in contact in regards to the defensive measures being put in place.


    There was only one problem.


    Their appropriation of the object, predictably, didn¡¯t go unnoticed for long.


    Fortunately, Cal saw this coming and had immediately informed Prime Custodian 3 of the necessary steps that Caretaker had been forced to take in order to maintain the safety of the settlement.


    Cal wasn¡¯t sure, but the prime seemed suspicious. However, they weren¡¯t willing to have another one of their settlements house the object once it became clear that it was attracting monsters. This meant that, so long as Cal¡¯s base could fight them off then he could keep his hands on the object.


    After a cursory look through the data that the team had pulled from the research facility Cal was determined to keep it. It belonged to him in the first place as far as he was concerned. He was the one that did most of the work bringing down the flying kaiju. It was only right that its core went to him. It took several months, but fate, it seems, agreed.


    Cal swiped at the holographic projections of the data and minimized them. Instead he brought up live feeds from the drone cameras following several of his teams out killing monsters in the encounter zones and spawn points that surrounded their base.


    The teams had been going through the monster areas in an effort to thin the eventual hordes that they expected to attack the base as soon as Caretaker returned with the object.


    Cal had some concerns with the newest special candidates he had recruited. They hadn¡¯t had the same amount of time to gain combat experience and Universal Points for upgrades to their power armors. He had dipped into the general fund to provide them extra points for what would¡¯ve been the equivalent of their first big boss fight that would¡¯ve been at the end of their first month. It was these few Threnosh that he watched first.


    Winding Myriad or Myriad for short was in an extremely thin power armor which made them resemble a scarecrow. Their face-plate was dark with small, twinkling lights randomly moving across its surface. It was like looking up into the constellations in the night sky. The Threnosh inside the armor was proportionally built like the normal Threnosh, yet was taller than the norm. They would have been second only to Caretaker in height had they not been birthed with atrophied lower legs. Their legs were amputated early in life and outside of their power armor they got around on a crude, for Threnosh tech, motorized wheelchair.


    Myriad was essentially a wizard or a mage. Cal wasn¡¯t sure how the classification went. Their power armor had attachments that, to Cal, suspiciously simulated spells that he was familiar with from various works of fiction, like novels, rpgs and video games.


    As Cal watched the zoomed-in bird¡¯s-eye view from the camera drone. Myriad called forth a spherical force field from several emitters scattered on their power armor. The force field blocked the volley of quills that the horned chimps they were fighting shot from their backs.


    Invasive Organism 1413 resembled chimpanzees with horns on their heads, hence the name Cal had dubbed them with. They were also the size of Earth gorillas and terribly strong. The back full of quills that they could somehow launch over short distances wasn¡¯t even the worst thing about them. No, they were terribly vicious and foul-tempered even for monsters.


    Myriad dropped the force field and another two Myriads suddenly appeared. The three Myriads sprinted across the forest floor in three different directions. Two moved to flank the group of horned chimps, while the third took cover behind a tree.


    Hard light holographic projections. They were visually perfect.


    Cal smiled. Shield spell. Illusion spell.


    Once all three Myriads were in position they all raised their left hands and fired three marble-sized orbs of glowing light. They zipped across the forest in spiraling arcs and struck the horned chimps. Six of the orbs did negligible damage, like a rock thrown fast. The illusions.


    Three burned small holes into the monsters they struck. They behaved like plasma in that regard according to the Threnosh engineers and scientists Cal had on staff. However, they couldn¡¯t explain how Myriad¡¯s attachment generated them or how they maintained cohesion in flight.


    Whatever, was Cal¡¯s thought to that. It looked and acted like the magic missile spell that base magic users back home got from the spires. Therefore, to him, Myriad was a wizard.


    The remaining horned chimps hooted and pounded the ground before they split up and charged at the three Myriads. They covered ground quickly. The two Myriads that moved to their flanks were closer so the monsters reached them first. They bashed and bit at the Myriads. The hard light illusions shattered and vanished.


    Myriad, the real one, turned and ran from the horned chimp headed in their direction. Their spells needed time to recharge. And it looked like they weren¡¯t going to get it as the monster closed the distance quickly.


    Until an immense blur of gleaming silvery metal slammed into the monster.


    It was the second member of the team. Silver Wolf.


    The Threnosh had deferred the naming to Cal. At the time their power armor resembled a giant silver wolf. They were ensconced within the body of the wolf-like power armor and according to them it was quite comfortable. This was a good thing since their skin had a defect. They had numerous patches that were practically translucent, which made them vulnerable to light and solar radiation. They couldn¡¯t leave the safety of their power armor unless they were in complete darkness.


    Cal thought it was a fitting name, that became even cooler after Silver Wolf¡¯s first upgrade from the spire. They gained the ability to transform their power armor into a wolf-man hybrid.


    That¡¯s right. They were basically a werewolf.


    It was this form that Silver Wolf assumed to fight the horned chimp. They were almost as tall as Primal in the form, but a lot leaner.


    The horned chimp rolled away and bared its teeth at Silver Wolf. It might¡¯ve been a head shorter, but it had a considerably bulkier build. It slammed the ground and its chest in a challenge.


    The Threnosh had several quills sticking out of their power armor, but they didn¡¯t appear hampered. Silver Wolf¡¯s massive wolf-like head threw up a howl. They charged forward.


    The monster met them head on.


    The collision rang through the forest air like a car crash.


    The horned chimp beat at Silver Wolf with its massive arms and fists.


    Silver Wolf¡¯s metal claws tore through tough fur and thick muscle deep into the monster¡¯s belly. The monster staggered back, its guts slipping free. It stared at the Threnosh with something like shock and recognition on its vicious face.


    Silver Wolf opened their teeth-filled maw wide and bit down on the horned chimp¡¯s head. They shook their head from side to side.


    Cal didn¡¯t need to see the rest. He switched the focus to the third member of the team.


    The unfortunately named Blueballs.


    Cal tried to talk them out of it, but the Threnosh was the plain-speaking type even for a Threnosh. Their power armor shot blue-colored balls, hence that is what they decided to call themselves. He even tried to get them to at least go by ¡®BB¡¯ as a nickname, but they didn¡¯t budge. Choosing their own name after being nameless was important to them.


    After some self-reflection he decided it was fine. Threnosh didn¡¯t even have different genders, let alone reproductive organs. The reference was meaningless to them.


    Blueballs raised their left gauntlet and fired a stream of bullets at the horned chimp a good fifty yards away. The bullets were small balls that were blue. The strange thing about it was that there was no physically ammunition. Their power armor somehow produced them internally as needed. The big brains at the base had no idea how that functioned.


    The horned chimp was peppered with tiny blue balls, but it had tough fur and skin. The ones that successfully penetrated that barrier simply lodged into dense muscle. The monster hooted and charged.


    Blueballs waited until it was within twenty-five yards when they raised their right gauntlet and fired. The balls that shot out expanded in flight to the size of a volley-ball. One after another they hit the horned chimp and stuck fast.


    At ten yards its front resembled a giant bunch of grapes and it could barely move.


    Its one exposed eye glared balefully at Blueballs.


    The Threnosh shot one more ball into its face and covered it completely.


    The monster seemed to struggle for a bit before it collapsed on its back.


    The last horned chimp saw that it was now alone and gave a mournful sounding cry before slamming the ground and throwing up dead leaves, branches and other forest debris. It gave one last hoot and charged.


    The monster was struck by magic missiles and blue balls before Silver Wolf ended it with a swipe of their claws.


    ¡°Poor guy, didn¡¯t stand a chance,¡± Cal said. He was extremely pleased with how the rookies handled their first outing without a more experienced member on hand to guide them.


    The rest of the team members had their hands full going through the other areas around their base.


    Cal pulled up the views for the others. He watched each for a few minutes just to make sure everything was going okay. He trusted their experience, abilities and skills. And they had spent a significant amount of time going through all of the monster areas around the base. This meant that they knew the monsters well. It was like they were in a beginner¡¯s area now.


    Once he was finished watching he got up from his desk. It was time for one last meeting with Tides, Loaming, Riverport, Mechanica and the rest of the administrators, fabricators and engineers. They only had one more day left until Caretaker¡¯s transport was scheduled to return with the object. Their defenses were about to be tested.


    <hr>


    Then


    Cal couldn¡¯t do anything to help his brothers. They didn¡¯t look like they wanted any as they each rushed toward a separate group of monsters. Eron¡¯s strides tore up chunks of lawn grass and dirt as he accelerated like a sports car. Remy¡¯s pace was measured as he added to the swirling cloud of small, but dangerous, metal bits that he directed to orbit around himself.


    The adrenaline kicked in. Cal felt the fatigue, the invisible weight on his shoulders lessen. ¡°Sorry, love,¡± he said to Nila, ¡°but you¡¯re going to have to tank that one.¡±


    Nila frowned at him. ¡°That¡¯s what I said I was going to do in the first place.¡±


    ¡°That is true.¡± Cal swept his arm out toward closest group of gremlins. The telekinetic shove knocked them onto their backs, even the gremlin alpha. ¡°Focus on them!¡± He shouted to the raid team.


    ¡°What about the other group?¡± Demi shouted.


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep them off your backs.¡±


    Cal gripped his trusty ax in one hand and moved toward the other gremlin alpha and its escort of human-sized gremlins.


    The monsters charged. He pushed out again with his telekinesis. He had to ignore the stabbing pain in his brain. The smaller monsters were bowled over backwards for several feet. The much larger gremlin alpha staggered backward, but was able to keep its footing. It recovered a moment later and came, snarling, right for Cal.


    He ran directly at the monster. He wanted distance between their fight and the rest of the raid team.


    The distance between the two, super-powered human and big monster, closed frighteningly quick.


    Cal threw out another telekinetic shove. This time at the gremlin alpha¡¯s ankles. It tripped and went skidding across the lawn. He swung his ax down.


    The monster pushed up from the ground with surprising quickness for something of its size.


    The ax blade sank into the meat of its trapezius instead of its head.


    It slashed at Cal with its claws.


    It was too close and its arms were too long for Cal to dodge back so he dived over the gremlin alpha instead.


    Cal came out of his roll and realized his mistake. The other gremlins had recovered and he was in their midst. Snarling teeth and claw converged on him.


    He drew his ka-bar style knife from his belt sheath and stabbed a gremlin in the throat. Another gremlin slashed lines into the back of his tough leather jacket, but he step forward into another monster with an uppercut that broke its neck and sent it flying several feet. The same gremlin that cut his jacket jumped on his back. He reached up over his shoulder with his free hand and grabbed it around the neck to keep it from biting. Its clawed hands and feet cut through his clothing to scratch at his skin beneath.


    Cal cursed in pain as another gremlin dashed in and bit through his thick jeans and into his muscular thigh. He brought his knife down straight through the top of the monster¡¯s head and pried it off.


    Movement out of the corner of his eye. Another gremlin eager for a taste. Cal fed it his boot. A front kick smashed the monster¡¯s ugly face in.


    One last gremlin to deal with. Cal squeezed hard with his hand around its throat.


    The monster fell off his back. Its pale, almost white face grew dark as its fingers clawed at its neck drawing blood. He turned his attention away from it.


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    Cal suddenly realized that he had lost track of the gremlin alpha. His eyes darted toward the raid team. Two gremlin alpha¡¯s would¡¯ve been their end.


    He saw Nila¡¯s small form facing the towering gremlin alpha. The two traded blows. Nila took the monster¡¯s strikes on her shield, while the monster blocked Nila¡¯s bat with its strong arms.


    Demi had the rest of their front line tanks, like Keisha, keeping the human-sized gremlins occupied while the majority of the ranged fighters took careful shots at the gremlin alpha.


    Cal let out a sigh of relief when he saw that the gremlin alpha he was fighting wasn¡¯t over there. Which meant¡ª


    A sense of rage and malice filled his mind. He turned his head at the last moment and closed his eyes reflexively. The move saved his vision.


    The gremlin alpha¡¯s bear paw-sized hand raked across one side of Cal¡¯s face. He pushed it away with a frantic telekinetic push and backpedaled as fast as he could.


    Cal wiped at the blood flowing into his eyes. He barely felt the stinging cuts thanks to the adrenaline flowing through his body.


    The gremlin alpha roared and stalked toward Cal. He tried to focus on it, but his vision was blurry. He held his hand out and telekinetically pulled his ax out of the monster. It crossed the twenty or so feet distance between the two in two blinks of his blood-shrouded eyes to land in his hand.


    The thought crossed Cal¡¯s mind that fighting monsters would¡¯ve been so much easier if he could affect the insides of their bodies with his telekinesis. The possibilities were endless. He could¡¯ve crushed hearts and pulped brains. Pinched nerves and shredded blood vessels. Instant kills. Yet, sadly, he lacked the capability. Whether it was definitely impossible or something that he could eventually learn, he didn¡¯t know.


    There was another trick he had thought about often. He¡¯d had tried it a few times on the smaller gremlins and mutant animals with mixed success. It had made him extremely uncomfortable.


    Cal braced himself and reached out toward the gremlin alpha with his telepathy.

 2.21

    Then


    The gremlin alpha¡¯s mind was a mire of malice and hunger. It threatened to pull Cal in. He felt as if he was the source of such vileness. The monster saw every living thing other than itself and others of its kind as blights on the face of existence. Fit only for sport and meat.


    This was the price of the telepathic connection. This was why Cal¡¯s exploration of that portion of his powers had lagged behind the rest. He couldn¡¯t stop the bleed through. Either he wasn¡¯t strong enough or he lacked the proper technique.


    Cal tried to imagine a wall in between his mind and that of gremlin alpha. Brick by painful brick he built it up until he felt the monster¡¯s presence slowly recede.


    The gremlin alpha roared and clutched its head. It seemed that it too didn¡¯t appreciate the sharing of psyches.


    The telepathic wall helped mitigate the bleed through, but Cal felt the gremlin alpha¡¯s thoughts scratching away at the imaginary bricks. He needed to work quickly.


    Through the lens of his telepathy, Cal created an imaginary sphere the size of a marble. He started it as small as possible so that he could maintain the image in his mind¡¯s eye. It took a herculean effort of concentration to start adding sharp spikes all over the surface of tiny sphere, while maintaining the telepathic brick wall.


    The act was more than just imagining the object in his mind. He had to sincerely believe that the telepathic objects existed even if there was no external and measurable indicators. To know that these objects existed took more than just belief. Perhaps this ability was intrinsically built into someone with telepathic powers. Unfortunately, Cal didn¡¯t know any other telepaths to compare notes.


    The spiky sphere wavered as Cal¡¯s concentration slipped. He grit his teeth and coaxed the sphere back into solid existence. He ignored everything else around him. He was ready.


    He guided the sphere along the tenuous connection from his thoughts into the gremlin alpha¡¯s. It slipped in with surprising ease. Once he judged it settled deep in the center of the monster¡¯s psyche he pictured it expanding. It quickly grew larger. The spikes were longer and pierced deep.


    The gremlin alpha suddenly stiffened. Its dark, beady eyes rolled back in their sockets. Drool began to flow from its suddenly slack jaw. The monster wavered in place for the briefest moment. Then it toppled to the ground with a loud thud like a giant tree cut down.


    Cal approached the fallen monster with his ax ready. The thing was still alive. He could hear its heavy breathing. The thing¡¯s lungs must¡¯ve been enormous. He could almost feel the vibrations like a deep bass from powerful speakers.


    He wasn¡¯t sure what he had actually accomplished with his spiky ball telepathic brain attack. He was definitely going to come up with a better name later. Whether he had temporarily stunned the gremlin alpha or gave it permanent brain damage, he didn¡¯t know, nor did he care. He needed to get back and help Nila and the raid team.


    Cal took careful aim with his ax and chopped down. Even with super strength it took two chops to get through the gremlin alpha¡¯s thick neck.


    One down, one to go.


    Cal winced as the pain from the gashes across his face was starting to throb. If the adrenaline was starting to wear off this early, he was going to be in trouble with the secret boss fight.


    He spared a glance at Eron and Remy. They were still battling their gremlins, but they didn¡¯t look like they were having trouble. He turned back to the raid team. He bit back a curse. Things weren¡¯t going well for them.


    <hr>


    Eron plowed right into the gremlin alpha. He caught the thing off guard. He punched it twice in the gut with short uppercuts. He was taking lessons from Cal. It was an amateur teaching a complete newbie, but it was definitely better than wild flailing.


    The monster doubled over and Eron brought both fists down on the back of its neck, Donkey Kong style. The thing was driven several inches into the ground with a boom.


    Eron blitzed the gremlin alpha. The entire exchange took a few seconds. The five other gremlins finally attacked.


    ¡°Trash mobs,¡± Eron said.


    They weren¡¯t worth his time. Each one he touched broke and died.


    Eron¡¯s strength had grown exponentially since that terrible first night of the spires¡¯ apocalypse. Six months ago he was slightly weaker than a super strong asshole that had his head bitten off by a gremlin alpha, functionally identical to the one that he had just pounded into the ground. He was clearly stronger now.


    It was awesome, but also sometimes annoying. The more sun he got the stronger he got. Each new day he was stronger than the previous. It was a constant struggle to keep his strength under control. He had to move like everything around him was made out of fine china. His nieces had dubbed him The Doom of Door Knobs for all of the door knobs he had broken. Fortunately, he could replace them from the endless supply available at the local Ace Hardware store.


    It wasn¡¯t all fun and games though. He was cognizant enough to be aware that with his strength even simply accidentally walking into a normal person might result in serious injuries for them. Running into him didn¡¯t have much difference from running into a steel wall.


    Fortunately, his senses had grown as well. He was getting to the point that he could hear people¡¯s hearts beating in their chests if he focused hard enough or listen in on conversations at enormous distances and through thick walls. He made it a point to be mindful of his surroundings in order to avoid accidentally steamrolling anyone. This served double duty as it was good practice for spatial awareness in combat situations, which had become a part of his daily life.


    The gremlin alpha pushed itself up from the depression in the ground. It shook its head groggily. As its head cleared its rage grew at the tiny brown thing that dared to hurt it. It was an impossible thing and what passed for sentient thought in its mind was in disbelief at the impossibility of it. A deep growl emanated from the bottom of its throat. It was going to enjoying killing and feasting on the thing and the rest of its weak kind.


    Eron kicked the gremlin alpha in the face. Teeth and blood flew. He stomped on the back of its head over and over again until it stomped moving.


    ¡°Huh? That was easier than the last time.¡± Eron took stock of his area. All of his gremlins were dead. He looked over at Remy some forty to fifty yards away near another corner of the high school¡¯s massive inner courtyard. ¡°He¡¯s fine.¡±


    He looked back across the courtyard to Cal and the raid team.


    ¡°Well¡­ shit.¡±


    <hr>


    Remy saw Eron plow into the group of gremlins he was fighting. His brother looked like he had it under control, so Remy focused on the gremlin alpha and five human-sized gremlins that were arrayed around the much larger monster.


    There were hundreds of small nails, screws, ball bearings, nuts, bolts and other such metal objects swirling around him in a high speed cloud. He had pretty much emptied out the contents of his many pouches and containers.


    The magnetic field Remy generated was instinctive to him. He focused on the objects orbiting around him and that is exactly what they did. Sure the science of it didn¡¯t really make sense, but that could have been a product of human knowledge being a bit behind the curve or it was spire bullshit.


    None of that mattered to Remy in the moment. The only thing that did was keeping his family, his wife and kids safe. To do that he needed to kill the damn monsters.


    And they were being unsurprisingly uncooperative.


    The gremlins were actually inching away from Remy as he moved toward them. It was a completely different from their usual mindless aggression.


    As Remy moved closer the gremlins started to circle around him. He could see their black, beady eyes darting past him. Perhaps the monsters were looking for easier targets. That wouldn¡¯t do at all.


    Remy changed the magnetic field around him. The metal in front of him shot forward at speeds approaching a bullet¡¯s. It was like the world¡¯s most powerful sawed-off shotgun blast. A wall of metal death sprayed the entire group of monsters.


    The human-sized gremlins were shredded. The gremlin alpha reacted quicker. It covered its face with it arms. The small bits of metal peppered its body, but it stood strong. The dozens of bleeding wounds that appeared were merely superficial.


    The gremlin alpha roared its rage at the affront.


    Remy focused the rest of his orbiting metal bits into a smaller ball in front of him. He sent the ball flying at tremendous speed toward the gremlin alpha.


    The monster moved with surprising quickness. It dodged to one side. Instead of taking the metal projectiles in its stomach it got clipped at its left elbow.


    Remy¡¯s attack sheared the monster¡¯s arm off. It was a devastating blow, but not a kill shot, which was unfortunate because now he had used up all of his ammunition.


    The gremlin alpha charged.


    Remy reached a hand out toward the corpses of the human-sized gremlins. More specifically the dozens of bits of metal embedded deep in their bodies. He created multiple magnetic fields that pulled or pushed. He flung the bodies at the gremlin alpha. He tried to trip it or at least slow it down.


    The giant monster was barely affected. It barreled through the bodies as if they were cardboard cutouts.


    ¡°Oh crap¡­¡±


    The gremlin alpha loomed larger and larger as it drew closer to Remy and he was out of tricks. Except for the tough, heavy chains wrapped around his arms. He had used his magnetic power to turn the last link in each chain into something resembling a crude spearhead. He could¡¯ve stabbed the monster with them. Except because of the chains¡¯ weight and the closing distance between him and the monster he wasn¡¯t going to be able to generate enough speed to get deep enough past its tough hide. Even then he probably wasn¡¯t going to be able to do enough damage to put it down before it got its claws and teeth on him.


    The sharp teeth that filled its wide-open, slavering mouth. No doubt eager to taste his flesh.


    Its wide-open mouth?


    Remy¡¯s eyes widened.


    He decided what to do in a split-second.


    The chain around his left arm unwound as it shot forward, spearhead link first. Right into the gremlin alpha¡¯s mouth.


    The monster had a momentary look of complete surprise on its terrifying face. It was almost comical. It turned to pain as Remy directed the chain down its throat. Once he had judged it far enough he placed a magnetic field right in front of the monster¡¯s chest. It was one of attraction and it was the strongest one he could manage.


    He grunted under the strain. The veins on his forehead bulged and he broke out into a sudden sweat in the cool night air. It felt similar to lifting a very heavy weight, something he had gotten familiar with thanks to the mandatory exercise program Cal had inflicted on them.


    The blunt end of the chain hanging out of the gremlin alpha¡¯s mouth was pulled down by the field. Inside of the monster the sharp end of the chain was also drawn to it.


    The gremlin alpha¡¯s durability didn¡¯t appear to extend to its innards. The spearhead link burst out of its stomach and was pulled up into the field.


    The monster gagged from the chain down its throat. It couldn¡¯t even roar from the pain it must¡¯ve been feeling.


    Remy tightened the chain more and more until the loop was closed.


    It was the most disgusting thing he had seen to date, which was saying a lot considering he spent a good chunk of his days killing gremlins and mutant animals.


    ¡°Ugh,¡± Remy dry heaved. ¡°Maybe I shouldn¡¯t do that again.¡±


    It took him a moment to compose himself before he looked back at Cal and the rest of the raid team. Grimly, he created a magnetic field to pull all of the metal bits embedded in the dead monsters. He was going to need them.


    <hr>


    Cal was too late. He could only watch as Nila, tired from the gremlin alpha¡¯s powerful blows that were denting her thick metal shield, tripped over her feet and fell to the ground.


    The monster pounced on her in an instant. It clawed at her shield and tried to pull it away as it tried to bite her face.


    Nila still had some fight in her left. She jammed her bat into the monster¡¯s mouth and pushed hard. It instinctively pulled back, which gave her the space to scramble back.


    Unfortunately, in her haste to get away from the slavering monster, she relaxed her grip on her shield. It was only a split-second lapse of concentration, but in battle every moment counted.


    The gremlin alpha ripped the heavy shield from Nila¡¯s hand. It threw it back at her.


    She barely dived out of the way with reflexes at the peak of what was humanly possible. It saved her life. The Nila from before the apocalypse would¡¯ve been much too slow and uncoordinated.


    The man at the back line firing with his bolt-action hunting rifle wasn¡¯t as fortunate. The shield was like a small table. Seventy pounds of solid metal. It was like being hit by a car.


    Cal felt a pang of guilt. He didn¡¯t know the guy¡¯s name.


    Demi shouted.


    Gun shots rang out.


    Small glowing orbs arced across the space.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    The gremlin alpha was hit by bullets that sent tiny sprays of its blood into the air. They might as well have been BB pellets with how ineffective they were.


    The Magic Missile spell proved more useful as the monster reacted with pain to the orbs that burned into its tough skin.


    Nila, brave Nila, so unlike the one that blindly flailed her bat around as mutant frogs nipped at her legs during those first few days many months ago, took advantage of the gremlin alpha¡¯s momentary distraction.


    She covered the distance between them in a blink of an eye. The hunk of metal she called a bat in a two-handed grip. She ferociously laid into the much stronger gremlin alpha. Her practice had paid off. It showed in her control. She struck the monster at its knee, at its lower side and across its jaw. Razor sharp teeth flew.


    Demi was shouting something, but Nila didn¡¯t have time to listen. She had to keep up the assault. She couldn¡¯t let up and give the monster a chance to go on the offensive. If it did then she was dead. They were dead. Her only hope was the same as when the fight started. Keep it busy until Cal or one of his brothers could take care of it.


    That hope died.


    The gremlin alpha caught Nila¡¯s bat mid swing.


    From a relatively short distance away, yet too far, Cal¡¯s heart stopped in his chest. He could only watch it unfold. It happened to fast.


    The gremlin alpha yanked the bat and Nila toward itself. At the same time it swiped its free hand at her.


    ¡°Nnnooooo!¡± Cal roared.


    Nila didn¡¯t let go. Somehow, while keeping her hold on her bat, she twisted her body so that the monster¡¯s claws only cut through the back of her flapping motorcycle jacket. At the same time she swung her leg around to land a hard kick on its face. It was like kicking a cement pillar.


    The gremlin alpha roared. The pesky thing was weak, yet it actually managed to hurt it. It was done with it. There was much softer prey nearby. Their fear was palpable on its long tongue.


    The monster flung the metal bat away. Nila held on.


    She went crashing through the window of a nearby classroom.


    While Nila scattered the desks and slammed into the far wall, Cal slammed into the gremlin alpha.


    Cal¡¯s rage was all his own. There was no bleed-through from the gremlin alpha. It came from someplace deep inside him that he didn¡¯t know existed.


    He struck with his ax.


    The gremlin alpha wrenched it out of his hand and sent it flying into the darkness.


    Undaunted, his fists were a blur as he hammered the monster.


    The sounds that came from his mouth sounded more like a rabid animal¡¯s than anything resembling coherent words.


    He had super strength, but it wasn¡¯t on the level of the gremlin alpha¡¯s. Neither Cal¡¯s rage, nor his adrenaline could account for the way the monster¡¯s face was being broken and deformed. Somehow the force of his punches were being magnified to a degree that rivaled what Eron, the physically strongest of them all, was capable of.


    It was over surprisingly fast. The gremlin alpha had no answers for Cal¡¯s sudden onslaught. He was the greater monster for that moment.


    ¡°Cal!¡±


    The world around him suddenly came back into focus. He suddenly knew where he was and what was going on. Nila¡¯s voice had pulled him back.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my line,¡± Nila said with a tired smile.


    ¡°I saw you¡­ and¡­¡±


    Nila shook her head. ¡°I tucked and rolled, like the Tessa and Veronica showed me. I¡¯m actually feeling good, aside from my foot,¡± she winced, ¡°should¡¯ve aimed for a softer part.¡±


    Cal felt his shoulders deflate. Relief flooded his body. Pushing the adrenaline out. He felt heavy and weak. The cuts on his face stung and his left hand throbbed badly.


    ¡°You look like crap.¡± The smile from Nila¡¯s face dropped as she noticed his hands. ¡°That¡¯s swelling.¡±


    Cal tried to wiggle his fingers. ¡°They look straight and they¡¯re mostly moving like I want them, so probably broken, but not too badly.¡±


    Nila embraced him.


    ¡°Ow. Everything hurts,¡± Cal said as he leaned down into her and buried his bleeding face in her neck. He could¡¯ve stayed like that for hours.


    ¡°Eww¡­ you¡¯re bleeding all over me,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Good job guys!¡± Eron¡¯s voice. ¡°Oh¡­ crap¡­¡± His voice fell when he noticed the dead body of the man killed by gremlin alpha.


    Another man, Ron, ran over to drape his police jacket over the dead man¡¯s face.


    ¡°I¡¯ll move him¡­ over there¡­¡± Eron¡¯s voice was subdued.


    Cal reluctantly let go and looked around to take stock of the raid team. It hurt to think, but he did it anyways.


    While he was beating the gremlin alpha to death the rest of the raid team was able to focus their attention to the human-sized gremlins. They did an admirable job at killing them all without suffering any further deaths. There were plenty of injuries, but nothing life-threatening.


    ¡°Jesus Christ, Cal!¡± Remy ran up to him. ¡°Your face¡­ who¡¯s got a first aid kit?¡± He looked to the raid team.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, I¡¯ve got some stuff,¡± Cal waved the rest of them off. The raid team members had their own injuries to look after and they didn¡¯t have the benefit of superhuman powers. He grabbed the waist pack at the small of his back and pulled out a travel-sized bottle of hydrogen peroxide. He closed his eyes and splashed it liberally on the cuts on his face. When the stinging subsided he opened his eyes. ¡°Help them out, I¡¯ll be okay.¡±


    Remy nodded hesitantly. He was clearly dubious of his older brother¡¯s assessment.


    ¡°I think you might need stitches.¡± Nila made a face as she examined Cal¡¯s wounds. ¡°Or super glue.¡±


    Cal weakly waved her concern away. ¡°Later.¡±


    ¡°We killed the bosses.¡± Demi approached. ¡°What now?¡±


    A sudden chime in their ears. That strange voice accompanied by the wall of text floating in their vision. As if the spires decided to answer the police officer¡¯s question.


    Congratulations!


    You have completed a Quest.


    Defeat the Bosses: Gremlin Alpha x4.


    Success Parameters: Defeat all monsters.


    Reward: 50000 Universal Points.


    Congratulations!


    You have the option to fight the True Boss.


    Success Parameters: Defeat the Boss.


    Failure Parameters: Die or Flee.


    Rewards: Control of Martin Luther King Jr. High School Encounter Challenge, varied.


    Failure: Will remain a Spawn Point.


    Will you accept?


    ¡°Uh, do we say yes like before?¡± Gene had sidled his way next to Cal.


    ¡°No!¡± Several voices spoke at the same time.


    Gene held up his hands. ¡°Just asking.¡±


    There was a ten minute countdown in large transparent numbers overlaid over the rest of the text.


    Demi raised her voice. ¡°No one say or think the word until I give the go ahead. We rest, patch ourselves up and make sure our equipment is ready for this.¡± She looked at Cal. ¡°I¡¯m thinking you need this time more than anyone,¡± she said in a lower voice. ¡°We all know that whatever this True Boss is, you and your brothers are going to be the keys to the fight.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Cal said. ¡°How about we run it down to one minute then go?¡±


    Demi nodded curtly and went back to supervise the rest of the raid team.


    ¡°Alright, everyone make sure to eat your orange slices.¡± Eron¡¯s voice echoed across the eerie stillness of the empty high school.


    <hr>


    The raid team set up near the same corner of the courtyard that they entered from. They gathered under the bright light tower. The loud diesel generator was the only thing making a sound. Annoying for some, but a godsend for others. Otherwise the only thing they would¡¯ve heard was their hearts pounding inside their chests. That would¡¯ve pushed their already frayed nerves over the edge.


    They faced the center of the courtyard. The theory was simply. The true boss, whatever shape it took, was most likely going to spawn in the middle of the space. Experience with how the other monsters spawned seemed to indicate that the spires probably made sure that there was some distance separating them from any humans in the vicinity. Much like in games. It wouldn¡¯t be fair for them to spawn in the same space that someone was occupying. Not to mention instantly fatal for both person and monster if the latter appeared in existence in the same exact space. The resultant amalgamation of persona and monster was too gruesome to even think about.


    Of course, if the true boss spawned elsewhere on the school grounds, then they were going to have some problems. It was decided that they would just hope that wasn¡¯t the most likely probability. Their flagging will to fight was a result of the strain the raid was placing on them. Only a couple of their members had been in violent, life or death situations and even they were having trouble keeping it together. Facing off against criminals or enemy soldiers was one thing. At least they were still human. Fighting monsters from the darkness wasn¡¯t truly comparable.


    The formation was pretty straightforward. The key players, naturally, were Cal, Remy and Eron.


    Eron was in front. Well ahead of everyone else. He was the strongest and most durable. The ideal tank. His ability to do tremendous physical damage with his super strength was an added bonus.


    Remy was behind his younger brother. He had extracted every single one of the metal bits out of the bodies of the gremlins he had killed. It was a disgusting job that had him gagging. The bits where now in a bloody pile on his right. On the ground on his left was the chain that he had used to kill the gremlin alpha. Getting it out of the corpse was even worse. It was dripping with blood and bits of other things better left unsaid. It was coiled like a serpent ready to strike.


    Twenty feet behind the middle Cruces brother was the defensive front line of the raid team. Nila was right in the middle. They kept a clear space in between each person to provide a firing lane for the ranged attackers. Most had guns, but they were down to about half their ammunition. It was questionable how much impact they could provide in the fight. In fact their orders were to only take opportune shots if a special vulnerability was discovered in the boss monster or to defend themselves if additional, weaker monsters spawned.


    Cal stood as straight as he could manage at the very rear of the formation. He was battlefield control. His job was to keep the less durable members of the raid team, which was basically everyone except Eron, safe. He was also supposed to look for the aforementioned vulnerable spots. If there were adds then he was going to somehow keep those occupied to buy time to come up with a plan to deal with them. Last, but not least, if for some reason the true boss spawned right on top of them or behind them then he was going to shove it away as far as possible.


    Cal wasn¡¯t feeling particularly confident that he could do all of those things. The nine minute rest he had was woefully inadequate. The pain in his head was the worse he had felt to date. Needles stabbed his brain incessantly. He was so very tired.


    ¡°One minute!¡± Demi called out. ¡°Everyone start accepting the quest. Raise your hand when you do so. I¡¯ll do it last.¡±


    One by one the raid team raised their hands.


    Break time was over. Cal waited till the last to raise his. He grasped every second of delay like a drowning man clutched a rope thrown from the dock.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Demi said without emotion.


    They waited for anything that signaled the boss monster¡¯s appearance. A shimmering in the air or movement in the shadows cast by the lantern lights they had scattered around the courtyard.


    The diesel generator¡¯s rumbling was the only sound.


    The cool night breeze was like a soft caress.


    Seconds turned into a minutes.


    There was nothing.


    ¡°Cal!¡± Remy half turned his head back.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try.¡± Cal reached out with his telepathy. As far as he could, while pushing through the spike in pain. He closed his eyes to try and block out as much of the external stimuli that took away from his ability to focus on his singular goal. Find the boss monster if it had spawned elsewhere on campus.


    He stretched out into the large buildings framing the courtyard. There was nothing inside. Just silence. He went further past that. Straining to reach distances that he wasn¡¯t comfortable with. He came up empty again.


    The stabby needles in his brain started to twist, yet still he pushed further out from that. Out past the fence into the street in the direction he was physically facing and into the athletic fields to his back.


    There. Something that was like a spark. Like a firecracker lit in the darkness. He tried to hold on to it, but a voice pulled him back.


    ¡°Damn, bro! You¡¯re leaking blood!¡±


    Cal turned bleary eyes on Johnny. He scowled at the teen, who shrank back.


    ¡°Just saying. I mean that¡¯s not good right?¡±


    Cal felt the warm blood running down his upper lip and from his ears. He ignored it. He was close to finding something. Wasn¡¯t he? His thoughts were foggy. It took him a moment to recollect himself. His eyes widened suddenly. He spun around in alarm.


    ¡°There was something back th¡ª!¡±


    A loud crash.


    Glass broke from above and showered the raid team.


    A powerful gust of wind from above.


    The thud of something landing hard on the ground in their midst.


    People¡¯s shouts of surprise turned into ones of terror and pain as they went flying.


    The true boss monster had arrived.


    It was a blur of movement.


    Cal couldn¡¯t track it even with his better than normal human perceptions. All he could see were the effects of its passing. And it was devastating.


    A woman, whose name he didn¡¯t know, was torn in two.


    Ron turned and tried to level his glock at the monster. It smashed his riot shield and the arm holding it with one blow. Then grabbed his pistol arm and twisted. The sound the young police officer made turned Cal¡¯s stomach.


    The monster stopped for a split-second as it stood over Ron, as if savoring his pain.


    A shotgun roared and the monster was gone. Rebekah, soldier, hurried over to stand protectively over her patrol partner. She swung her weapon around wildly, trying in vain to track the monster.


    It had already moved on to other prey.


    An older man, big and strong, Cal didn¡¯t know his name. All Cal knew was that he was a farmer with some skills that enhanced his stamina and strength. The brave man stood protectively in front of a few of the youngest members of the raid team. Gene, Bastien, Mads and a couple of others Cal didn¡¯t recognize.


    The monster moved in a blur, maiming and killing, toward the group.


    Cal could feel the waves of terror coming from the raid team. His team. But he was paralyzed. He couldn¡¯t keep track of the monster.


    The farmer swung his two-handed splitting ax with one hand. The blow would¡¯ve split a thick log in one go. The monster blurred out of the way. The old man had his riot shield on his other arm tight to his body. The monster¡¯s hand speared right through the tough polycarbonate and right through the man¡¯s chest and out his back.


    ¡°Magic Missile!¡± Gene¡¯s voice was frantic.


    The tiny glowing orb zoomed from his hand.


    The monster moved, but the magic missile had a limited tracking capability and it was faster. It drilled a sizzling hole in the monster¡¯s side.


    The monster hissed in what sounded like pain to Cal¡¯s ears.


    It turned and rushed right at the group of teens.


    Mads¡¯ shotgun barked and the monster was peppered by hot lead. It stumbled for only a moment.


    The moment was enough for someone just below the edge of superhuman.


    Nila crashed into the true boss with her giant shield. Nila stumbled, but she kept her feet and pursued the monster as it rolled across the lawn.


    Nila struck it with a downward blow of her bat. Then she struck it with an upward swing that knocked it back even further.


    They finally got a good look at the monster. It didn¡¯t look much like the gremlins. It was much more terrifying.


    The way it slowly stood up was uncomfortably close to human-like. It was loose, relaxed, as if it hadn¡¯t just been smacked around with a twenty pound length of solid metal.


    It was a small humanoid form. Bald Head, two arms, two legs. Its five-fingered hands ended in sharp nails. Its feet were the same, five toes with sharp nails. Its hairless skin was stark white, marred only by the copious amounts of red blood all over it. Powerful muscles coiled and tightened with even the slightest shift in position.


    Its face was almost childlike, cute button nose and all. The hints of smile teased from the way the corners of its mouth started to curl up.


    It didn¡¯t need to open its mouth for Cal to know that there were sharp teeth within. It smiled anyways. Then blurred once more.

 2.22

    Then


    The true boss suddenly appeared in front of Nila. It drove its hand through her shield like a blade. The only thing that saved her from a similar fate as the unfortunate old farmer was the thickness of the shield and her strength and reflexes. She pushed out and leaned back with inches to spare. The monster¡¯s pointed nails just barely penetrated the visor of her motorcycle helmet instead of going through her face.


    Seeing Nila in mortal danger spurred Cal into action. He tried something he had only practiced with Eron. He imagined his telekinesis was a giant blanket. He reached out with it and wrapped it around the monster.


    It struggled mightily, just like his brother had. Perhaps even stronger. Cal knew instantly that he couldn¡¯t hold it place. The best he could do was slow it down.


    The monster was no longer a blur, but that didn¡¯t make it slow by any objective measure. It struck at Nila repeatedly. It was all that she could do to keep it from getting past her shield.


    Cal wasn¡¯t able to do anything else for his love. He couldn¡¯t let his concentration drop for even one moment.


    A loud battle cry split the night air.


    Cal saw Eron launch himself at the monster from thirty feet away.


    Nila threw herself back.


    The monster did the same, but it wasn¡¯t moving as quick as it was capable of. Eron crashed right into it. They rolled in a ball slashing and punching at one another.


    Eron ended up on top and he grabbed the monster around the throat in a grip that was capable of crushing bricks. The monster frantically clawed at his arms tearing the tough sleeves of his jacket and drawing blood. Eron held on and squeezed tighter. His face was a rictus of rage.


    The monster suddenly bucked. Eron wasn¡¯t in a proper mount and the monster¡¯s strength unbalanced him. The momentary surprise was enough for the monster to pry his grip just enough to gain some air. It got its legs underneath Eron and flipped him over its head. It moved quickly. Before Eron could stand the monster scrambled to its feet without letting go of its grip on one of Eron¡¯s wrists. It grabbed his wrists in both hands. Spun in a circle with Eron in its grip and let go.


    Eron went flying into the air, spinning like a frisbee. He went through a third-story window of the most distant building with a loud crash.


    The monster let out a high-pitched scream of triumph into the dark night.


    ¡°Shoot it!¡± Demi shouted as she fired at the monster with controlled three round bursts from her assault rifle.


    The quiet was lit up by the sounds of gunfire.


    The monster flinched from the bullets that struck its body. It moved, but with Cal slowing it down it wasn¡¯t able to get out of the line of fire.


    Small blood splatters appeared all over its body.


    ¡°Why isn¡¯t it dropping?!¡± Rebekah spoke over the blasts from her shotgun. Ron was passed out at her feet from the pain of his broken limbs.


    ¡°The bullets are barely breaking its skin!¡± A young man, a teenager really, pulled a small stone from the bag at his side and hurled it at the monster with perfect pitcher¡¯s form. The stone fastball cracked against the monster¡¯s head with a sound like an explosion.


    Cal recognized the teen. His name was Trevor and he was something like a star baseball player from the very same high school that they were fighting in. His class was the same as his position, pitcher and it let him hurl small objects up to the size of regulation baseball with velocity and accuracy that surpassed the traditional sling.


    Trevor had recently turned eighteen, so he didn¡¯t need anyone¡¯s permission to join the raid team. He had volunteered immediately.


    The teen was about to pay for that bit foolhardy bravery. For some reason it was his throw that drew the monster¡¯s attention. It charged right for him.


    The others kept firing at it, but it ignored the rounds impacting its body as if they were mere gnats.


    Cal wanted to send a telekinetic shove to knock it away, but he knew that if he released his blanketing hold on the monster it would regain its impossible speed and turn Trevor into paste before his shove got there.


    Trevor wasn¡¯t an idiot. He turned and ran right toward Cal.


    ¡°Oh shit! Don¡¯t run this way you asshole!¡± Johnny took a deep breath and Cal lost track of him.


    Good. There was no reason for the teen to put himself at risk. Cal hoped that he had moved somewhere safer. Though if they couldn¡¯t kill the monster then was there any place that was safe?


    Trevor bought himself a second of time as the monster slowed upon setting eyes on Cal.


    Black eyes in a child-like face narrowed. Did it realize that Cal was the one restricting its movements? Whatever the case it was wary.


    ¡°Power Throw!¡±


    A sledgehammer struck the monster¡¯s back and forced it to stumble forward several steps.


    It was right in front of Cal. As good an opening as any, but he dared not risk taking it. His effort was the only thing that was letting the raid team land anything at all on the monster.


    The monster turned and sneered at Keisha, who was about forty feet away. She was doubled over at the waist, breathing heavily. Clearly, she had used up what was left of her stamina on that attack.


    Trevor was lucky that the monster forgot him.


    Whether Keisha knew what drawing aggro meant or not. That was exactly what she did. She would¡¯ve been proud of her throw if she knew that it did enough damage to draw the monster¡¯s attention when dozens of bullets couldn¡¯t. As it was she was simply too exhausted to care much that it looked like she was next. She grimly took her stance and held her riot shield in front of her.


    The monster charged at Keisha.


    A blood-stained chain speared the true boss through the arm as it grasped for Keisha.


    Remy pulled hard on the chain.


    The monster skidded across the slick grass, which was wet from the moisture in the cool night air. It went a good twenty feet before it planted its clawed feet into the ground and stopped.


    Remy¡¯s eyes widened.


    The monster grabbed the chain with its free hand and started pulling.


    Remy grit his teeth and braced himself against the monster. He pulled on the chain with a combination of a magnetic field and his own physical strength.


    ¡°It¡¯s not even moving,¡± Remy said through grit teeth. ¡°I can¡¯t hold it¡­ Cal! Do something!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s taking everything I have just to slow it down!¡± Cal screamed in frustration. The knives in his brain were twisting even faster than before.


    Rebekah ran up to the monster and planted her shotgun¡¯s barrel right up to its back. The blast pushed it forward and allowed Remy to regain the advantage in their high-stakes tug of war. ¡°I¡¯m out,¡± Rebekah said as she backpedaled away from the monster.


    ¡°Everyone else, save your ammo!¡± Demi switched out her empty magazine for a half-filled one. It was all she had left. ¡°Face or head shots only!¡± She spat it out. It went against her training, but center mass shots were doing nothing. The monster was leaking blood from dozens of tiny pinpricks all over its pale-white skin. She was hitting it with 5.56mm rounds and it looked like the damn thing was being hit with pellets.


    ¡°You heard her.¡± Johnny popped up suddenly next to Gene, Bastien and Mads


    The three jumped.


    ¡°Fuckshit! Don¡¯t do that.¡± Gene lowered his machete.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you shooting it in the eyes with your magic missile? I thought it¡¯s like heat-seeking or something?¡±


    ¡°Not exactly,¡± Gene said. ¡°And I¡¯ve used them up for the day. I¡¯ve got a Flame Spray spell, but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s going to help.¡±


    ¡°Guys, shut up. We need to pay attention,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Mads said flatly. She had her shotgun ready and was watching the struggle between the Remy and the monster with laser focus. She had two shells left. One was filled with buckshot and one was a slug. She was going to make them count.


    Cal was losing his telekinetic hold on the true boss monster. The strain was too much. He reached his limit. At the worst possible moment he failed everyone. He failed his brother.


    Cal collapsed to his knees. Blood flowed from every orifice in his head. He could barely see through the tears in his eyes.


    The monster¡¯s eyes widened a fraction. That accursed feeling that it was being held down, as if it was moving through sludge, had suddenly disappeared.


    It moved in a blur and caught Remy off guard.


    It tore the chain out of its arm and whirled it around its head. Remy went flying with it. The monster released the chain. It felt a certain sense of satisfaction at dealing with the second being that had managed to actually hurt it properly the same way that it did to the first.


    That feeling didn¡¯t last long. It was suddenly, violently replaced by the feeling of something spearing right through its stomach and out its back.


    Remy had sent his second spear-tipped chain into the monster. It arrested his flight, but now he was in danger of being slammed into the ground and he wasn¡¯t sure that he could walk that off. Hanging in midair for a split-second he half-turned and sent his other chain, the one that the monster had used to send him flying, through the building next to them.


    There the middle Cruces brother hung in place. One hand holding a chain attached through a wall with a magnetic field, while the other held a chain attached through a terrifying monster¡¯s guts.


    The monster pulled on the chain and it took all Remy¡¯s strength to resist. An uncomfortable image of being drawn and quartered flashed through his mind. ¡°Crap, I didn¡¯t think this through,¡± he whispered. Out of the three Cruces brothers, he was the weakest, physically speaking, still superhuman and stronger than everyone else, except Cal and Eron.


    Unfortunately that didn¡¯t matter to the monster he had on the end of his chain. It was clearly stronger than any of them. As it was now amply demonstrating by threatening to pull Remy into two pieces.


    He had a tough choice. Hold on and lose an arm or worse. Let go and the monster goes back to tearing through the raid team. It wasn¡¯t a choice. Remy closed his eyes and thought of Megan, Tessa and Veronica, his wife and daughters. He tightened his grips on the chains. He wasn¡¯t going to let the monster free to hurt his family.


    Remy heard a loud pop and a sensation of tingling at his right shoulder, immediately followed by intense pain as the muscles around it started to spasm. He bit back a scream.


    Two loud bangs in quick succession. Remy heard it dimly through the pain in his dislocated right shoulder. He thought it odd that there were than many. He only had one more shoulder, so why two pops?


    The pull on his right arm suddenly stopped and he heard screeching.


    He opened his eyes and looked down.


    The monster had ceased pulling at the chain in its stomach. It had its hands up to its face. Remy could see blood pouring out of its ruined eye sockets.


    ¡°Nice shots!¡± Johnny enthusiastically clapped Mads on the back.


    ¡°Is that a skill?¡±


    Mads gave Gene a flat look. ¡°My only skills have to do with seeing further and quicker reloading.¡± She tilted her head up slightly and looked as cold as ice. She ruined the image a second later by suddenly doubling over and throwing up.


    ¡°Ewww,¡± Johnny took a big step away.


    The true boss monster thrashed around blindly.


    Remy let go of the chain lest he risk losing his right arm in the monster¡¯s frenzy. He swung back towards the building. He absorbed the impact against the wall with his legs and used a magnetic field to pull the chain out of the wall, so that he was able to drop down to the ground. His right arm hung limply at his side, but he still ran toward the monster.


    His brother beat him to it. Eron appeared out of nowhere. He hit the blinded monster from behind with a bone crushing shoulder tackle.


    They rolled across the lawn. The monster kicked up with its feet and pushed Eron away, cutting through his shirt and scratching his flesh with its sharp toenails. It came up in a crouch with a snarl on its face. Its clawed hands swiping the air in Eron¡¯s general direction.


    Even blinded it was still dangerous.


    The youngest Cruces brother slowly moved left to draw its attention. Once it turned, he burst in the other direction.


    Eron landed a crushing right hook to the side of the monster head. It wobbled a moment and slashed a backhand. He blocked it with his arm. The sharp nails stung his arm.


    From his vantage point in the classroom building furthest away, Eron had seen the monster tear through the raid team. His brothers were seriously injured and people were dead.


    ¡°Just a scratch.¡±


    Eron landed a straight left into the monster¡¯s chest. He felt and heard something crack. Whether it was his fist or the monster¡¯s ribs he didn¡¯t know. With the adrenaline flowing he wouldn¡¯t have even been able to tell if it was him.


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    The monster swiped at Eron. He jumped back. Then jumped right back in with a flurry of wild punches to its face and chest. He didn¡¯t even care about cutting his fists on its teeth. He saw some of them go flying, so that was good enough for him.


    It seemed to him that the monster was moving slower. He was able to keep up with it now.


    ¡°Not so tough now are you?¡±


    Eron sidestepped a maddened lunged and dug into the monster¡¯s kidneys with a pair of low hooks. Assuming it had kidneys. From the sound the monster made it definitely hurt.


    The monster turned and swiped at Eron. Again he just barely dodged out of the way. It was definitely slower. All of the damage it had accumulated must¡¯ve finally taken a toll. After all it had been shot dozens of times, had its eyes shot out and even had one of Eron¡¯s chains sticking out of its stomach.


    Eron blinked once. Twice.


    He bent down and quickly grabbed the chain.


    ¡°Your turn.¡± Eron¡¯s smile was positively feral. He was going to enjoy this.


    He ran back to get the chain taut. He had to pull and tug to get the monster off-balance. It still had considerable strength and it likely would¡¯ve won a straight up physical contest between them.


    He went left then right, pulling and whipping the chain around. The monster finally tripped over its own feet. Eron had it.


    He whirled the chain over his head with the screeching monster attached to the end.


    After a couple of full rotations and when the chain was about to go behind him, Eron whipped it up and brought it forward over his head.


    He slammed the monster down with earth-shaking force.


    Eron was breathing hard, but he didn¡¯t let his guard down. He held the chain tightly in his hands and watched the monster for any signs of movement.


    When the dust from the impact cleared, Eron could see the monster stir. It turned from its back and got on to its hands and knees. It looked like it was going to push itself up off the ground when it was suddenly flattened. It was as if an invisible force had suddenly pushed it down.


    The monster writhed and struggled to push itself up against whatever it was that was keeping it down.


    Eron suddenly realized what it was. He looked for his brother and found Cal on his knees. One hand was held out in front of him as if he was trying to press something down. The other hand was gesticulating some thing at him.


    ¡°What?!¡± Eron shouted across the lawn.


    Cal was pointing at him, then up into the air and then at the monster.


    Eron narrowed his eyes. ¡°You want me to slam it again?!¡±


    Cal shook his head and resumed gesticulating. He didn¡¯t look good. His face was a red mess and he looked like he could barely stay conscious.


    ¡°Just tell me what you want me to do!¡±


    Nila rushed over to Cal¡¯s side and put her ear near his lips.


    It occurred to Eron that if his brother was using his telekinesis to hold the monster in place then perhaps he didn¡¯t have enough strength to shout. He shook his head. That sounded dumb. Then again this was the stupidest apocalypse.


    ¡°He wants you to jump on its back from really high up! As high as you think you can do without killing yourself or maybe that was as hard as you can!¡± Nila shouted.


    Cal wanted to groan, but it was taking all his concentration and strength, physical and mental to keep the monster pinned to the ground with his telekinesis. He was barely able convey his idea to Nila. It was going to have to do.


    Eron¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°Okay,¡± he gave them the thumbs up, ¡°I think I got it.¡± He looked up to the building. Maybe he could jump from there. Would that be enough height for gravity to give him the necessary force? He glance at the chain still in his hand. It gave him an idea. He searched for Remy and found him standing protectively near the rest of the raid group as they watched the silent, invisible struggle in front of them.


    ¡°Hey, Rem. Cal has a plan.¡±


    ¡°I heard and I think I know what we can do,¡± Remy nodded. ¡°I¡¯m thinking that you have the same idea as I do.¡±


    Eron grinned. ¡°Yup.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure your body can handle it?¡±


    ¡°I went flying through a building a couple of hundred feet away and I¡¯m pretty much okay.¡± Eron paused. ¡°The question is can you handle it? Your arm is hanging a lot lower than it should be.¡±


    ¡°Magnetic powers are going to be doing most of the work. I¡¯m not a meathead like you,¡± Remy said. ¡°Here, grab on.¡± He extended the end of his chain to Eron.


    Eron stared at the blood and bits on it and sighed before grabbing it.


    Remy levitated the chain with a magnetic field, while Eron hung from it. He walked closer to the pinned and struggling monster.


    It seemed to sense something was amiss. It started to thrash with real panic.


    Once he had judged that he was in the right position. Remy called out to Eron. ¡°You ready?¡±


    ¡°Do it.¡±


    Remy brought the chain and Eron back over his head and whipped it down toward the prone True Boss. His magnetic field gave the chain velocity that was impossible for any of them to match physically.


    Eron landed feet first right on the monster¡¯s spine.


    The resounding crack echoed in the silence.


    Cal¡¯s vision went black and he toppled over to be caught by Nila, who cradled him in her arms.


    Eron winched and limped away from the monster. ¡°Jesus! This thing is still alive.¡±


    The monster clawed in Eron¡¯s direction, but it was weak. The lower half of its body was limp.


    ¡°Just end it,¡± Demi said.


    The rest of the raid group gathered closer, but kept their distance.


    Eron looked them over. He counted eight missing. He could see their bodies or parts of their bodies scattered around. He didn¡¯t want to think about them now, so he tried to banish their images from his mind.


    ¡°Yeah, but I think everyone should get their shots in,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Is that really necessary? Just put it out of its misery already,¡± a woman Eron didn¡¯t recognize said. ¡°Anything else is just cruel.¡±


    ¡°I actually agree with you in theory,¡± Eron said lightly, ¡°but¡­ since we have no idea exactly how rewards and point distribution for this works then it¡¯s a good idea for any who weren¡¯t able to get hits in earlier to do so now.¡±


    ¡°Alright, that makes sense,¡± Demi said. She unloaded the rest of her magazine into the monsters back. ¡°Line up, anyone with ammo left use them. Then anyone with melee weapons.¡± She looked at Eron.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure it can¡¯t hurt them,¡± Eron sighed.


    It was grim work and it made Eron feel dirty inside. Especially when he held the monster¡¯s arms down for the people with melee weapons to take their whacks at it. It was a huge relief when the last person in line stepped up.


    ¡°Uh¡­ I still have a spell,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Well stab it a few times first.¡±


    Gene did so and Eron stepped back from the monster.


    Eron felt sick to his stomach as he took in the carved mess that they made out of its back. The thing was still struggling, which made it even worse. What was it going to take to kill it?


    ¡°Fire Spray!¡± A wave of fire sprayed out of Gene¡¯s hands and engulfed the monster¡¯s head.


    It screeched and beat at the flames with its hands. After a few seconds the flames disappeared to reveal the charred, weeping mess of its flesh.


    The smell threatened to push things over the edge for Eron. It took a supreme force of will to keep from gagging.


    ¡°How is it still not dead?¡±


    Eron ignored Gene. This had gone on long enough. He had lost his stomach for it. He walked up to the monster and stomped on its head until a chime sounded in his ears.


    The voice and text appeared to all of them, even Cal, who had suddenly been ripped back to consciousness by the chime.


    Congratulations!


    You have defeated the True Boss.


    Success Parameter: Defeat the True Boss.


    Rewards: Control of Martin Luther King Jr. High School Encounter Challenge, varied.


    Go to the Spire to claim your individual reward.


    After several minutes of stunned silence. Gene raised a hand. ¡°So¡­ does anyone know what having control actually means?¡±


    ¡°You may purchase the appropriate tutorial at the Spire.¡± A voice that came from everywhere and nowhere was suddenly in their ears.


    They all recognized it. It was the same voice that spoke in the spire.


    ¡°Well that¡¯s new,¡± Eron said.


    <hr>


    ¡°Now what?¡± Eron looked to Remy.


    Remy glanced at Cal, but he was in and out of consciousness.


    ¡°Try to figure out what control means,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about that. We came here to shut this place down. Not turn it into some kind of monster zoo,¡± Demi snapped.


    ¡°More like a game reserve. We can use it to train and farm Universal Points. Get stronger and get more practice at using our abilities,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°No. We shut this down.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡± Eron took a deep breath. ¡°I don¡¯t have any idea how this works, so good luck.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s like inside the spire. There¡¯s got to be an interface or something,¡± Gene said.


    Demi nodded sharply. ¡°Alright, everyone try to focus on bringing this thing up.¡±


    Everyone in the raid team, at least the ones that were still conscious or not in too much pain to concentrate, was able to bring up the control interface. Just like inside a spire it appeared as a floating ethereal text, while at the same time as a voice in their ears.


    ¡°Woah! This is crazy as fuck!¡± Johnny said.


    Remy ignored the annoying kid. He focused on reading and listening to the information presented by the interface. There were dozens of different menus for lack of a better word. He wondered if the others were seeing it the same way that he was, as an instruction manual. Did his work as an engineer influence what he saw? He¡¯d have to compare notes with his brothers later.


    The instructions on how to run an Encounter Challenge unfolded in front of his eyes and in his ears. They could set where monsters spawned and how many. It looked like the area would generate a fixed amount of Universal Points on a regular basis by simply existing. It was from this budget that it paid out for killed monsters and for Quest rewards.


    As far as Quests were concerned, they could even create simple ones through the Encounter Challenge. It was mostly kill X number of monsters. There were a few variations along the lines of time restraints and specific monster types.


    There were several sections that were grayed out in Remy¡¯s view. Perhaps those were features that needed to be unlocked or were disabled since they were still within some kind of tutorial period according to what the voice in the spire had said in the past.


    Remy searched until he found what he was looking for. Eron wouldn¡¯t like it, but he felt that Cal would agree. Eron was technically right about the Encounter Challenge¡¯s usefulness, but their community needed to rest and recover from the terrible last few months.


    He stared at the solution.


    ¡°Crap¡­ this is going to be a problem,¡± Remy muttered to himself. He glanced up and noticed that everyone else was still engrossed in looking at the interface, so he went back to it, while he waited for them to discover the same thing that he did.


    It took almost ten minutes for the last person to finally finish.


    ¡°It says we can turn this place back into a high school,¡± Demi scowled at no one in particular, ¡°except it doesn¡¯t say how.¡±


    ¡°The raid leader of the team that beat the true boss gets to decide,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Well, when I tried it didn¡¯t let me,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°That¡¯s cause you aren¡¯t the raid leader,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I was appointed by the council.¡± Demi narrowed her eyes. ¡°Explain.¡±


    Eron shrugged. ¡°No idea how it works, but I guess that wasn¡¯t enough to be official raid leader according to whatever criteria the spires use.¡±


    ¡°The raid leader is out cold,¡± Remy glanced over at Cal, who was unconscious again with his head in Nila¡¯s lap.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just wait for Cal to wake up. We can deal with this later. It looks like a couple of people need serious medical attention.¡± Eron pointed at the unconscious Ron. ¡°If someone could find a cart or even a car I can take them all for treatment faster than walking them back.¡±


    ¡°Wake him up,¡± Demi snapped. ¡°We didn¡¯t sacrifice our lives to leave without making sure our community is safe from future monster attacks.¡±


    ¡°Just clearing this place doesn¡¯t mean that there won¡¯t be more monsters. There are thousands of high schools just like this in the state alone. Even if they all didn¡¯t get turned into Encounter Challenges or Spawn Points, there might still be dozens or hundreds,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°We can revert it back to normal without Cal,¡± Remy said. He wanted to calm things down. Eron was starting to get heated and Demi was the hard-charging type that wasn¡¯t used to taking lip from what she saw as a mere civilian. ¡°There¡¯s an option to put it to a vote if we want to override the raid leader or he is incapacitated. So, we need to do two votes. One vote to bypass Cal and then another vote to decide what to do with the high school.¡±


    Eron threw his hands up. ¡°What¡¯s the rush? The monsters aren¡¯t going to spawn until midnight anyways. We¡¯ve got like twenty-two hours. Plenty of time to rest up and approach this decision from a rational standpoint. I mean, I don¡¯t know about you, but I¡¯m not in the best frame of mind right now myself to be making such an important decision.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Demi said. ¡°And you have strength and safety that none of us do. You swing your fists and the monsters die. They cut you and you laugh it off. We can¡¯t do that. The rest of our community cannot do that that. Try to imagine how the rest of us feel.¡±


    ¡°This is where you get stronger,¡± Eron jabbed a finger toward the ground. The youngest Cruces brother glared at the police officer.


    ¡°Eron¡­¡± Remy warned.


    There was a tense beat. Then Eron raised his hands.


    ¡°Sorry, fine¡­ I¡¯ll vote.¡±


    The rest of the raid group exhaled the breaths they didn¡¯t realize they were holding.


    Demi let out a long breath that shook in her chest. She was forced to close her her hands into tight fists to keep them from visibly shaking. She hadn¡¯t dared look away from the rising anger in Eron¡¯s eyes, but it was a close thing. She had almost wilted. It was a remarkably similar feeling to the moment that she had momentarily locked gazes with the true boss monster.


    ¡°Um¡­ sorry, but how exactly do we vote?¡±


    Remy turned his eye on the speaker. One of the teens that mostly liked to bother Cal and Eron. If they weren¡¯t around, then he had to deal with them. He recalled that the kid¡¯s name was Bastien. ¡°Hold on.¡± Remy navigated his way through the interface until he found what he was looking for. Several focused thoughts later and everyone was presented with a floating bit of text.


    ¡°This is so crazy,¡± Bastien said in awe. ¡°It¡¯s like a fu¡ª freaking video game.¡± He pawed at the air. ¡°So, vote yes right?¡±


    ¡°Everyone vote yes.¡± Demi confirmed it with a glare at everyone around her.


    When that was done. Remy went through to the next step. This time there were three choices before them. They could keep the high school as a spawn point or revert it back to an encounter challenge or turn it back into what it was originally, just a set of buildings.


    Remy voted to turn it back into a plain old high school. He was surprised to see that his vote was worth 23 points. As each person voted the number climb until it stood at 76 out of a possible 100.


    ¡°Now what?¡± Demi said.


    ¡°There¡¯s a timer, five minutes,¡± Eron said. ¡°Just wait. I¡¯m guessing Cal has the rest of the voting points.¡± He moved over to Remy and spoke in a quieter voice. ¡°I had 27 points. If Cal got 24. Then I¡¯m guessing you got something in the same range.¡±


    Remy nodded.


    ¡°It means that everyone else combined to get the same amount of points that we got individually.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll have to get those tutorials the voice mentioned to confirm, but my thought is that the points are awarded based on contributions to completing the Quest,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what I figured.¡±


    Five minutes passed and another chime sounded.


    You have voted by a simple majority to turn the Martin Luther King Jr. High School back to its original state.


    It was as if a weight was lifted off of the raid team.


    ¡°Alright, people. Let¡¯s prep our injured for transport.¡± Demi snapped her fingers. ¡°You, kid,¡± she pointed at Bastien, ¡°you¡¯ve got some kind of healing magic?¡±


    Bastien nodded.


    ¡°See what you can do for the worst off.¡±


    Demi pointed at Eron. ¡°You, find some cars or maybe trailers. We¡¯ll need two. One for the wounded and one for¡­¡±


    ¡°I got it,¡± Eron nodded curtly. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of them too, so you don¡¯t have to handle them.¡± He turned to Remy. ¡°You¡¯ll check up on Cal? I mean he¡¯s probably fine, but¡ª¡±


    Remy clapped his younger brother on the shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s all that blood on his face. Makes it look worse than it probably is.¡± He tried to smile. ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯s fine.¡±


    Remy moved over to where Cal and Nila were. He was tempted to call Bastien over, but there were others in the raid group that didn¡¯t have Cal¡¯s superhuman levels of constitution. Despite how bad his older brother looked, those people needed help more urgently. At least that¡¯s what he kept telling himself. He thought of his family and how they were now safe.


    The war with the gremlins was finally over.

 2.23

    Now


    ¡°You know, this is almost anticlimactic.¡± Cal took aim with his recoilless rifle, squeezed the trigger and blew the head off a horned chimp. He shook his head. ¡°So weird without recoil. Even a Nerf gun has more of a kick,¡± he muttered.


    It wasn¡¯t just that Caretaker¡¯s progressive upgrades to their predictive algorithm now allowed them to provide linked targeting guidance to up to twenty other people. It filtered through all the battlefield noise and fed targets directly to Cal¡¯s helmet. Told him which targets, where to aim and even when to squeeze the trigger. It did this simultaneously for nineteen others despite the constantly shifting battlefield situation.


    It was also the fact that their defensive preparations might¡¯ve been just too good to overcome for the hordes of monsters assaulting them from all sides. Two days of near constant attack and the monsters had yet to reach the inner wall that the defenders were shooting down from.


    ¡°Designation: Honor? I do not understand your words.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Actryarius I told you that you can just go with Honor.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± The Threnosh¡¯s white and gray power armor¡¯s surface resembled fabric in parts with panels that were made out of some kind of synthetic material blend that their scientists could only identify about thirty percent off the components. They squeezed out surprisingly accurate shots from a recoilless rifle, no doubt thanks to assistance from Caretaker¡¯s algorithm. ¡°I will comply, Honor.¡±


    Cal sighed. ¡°I¡¯m not demanding compliance.¡± It was a phrase he was tired of uttering.


    The Threnosh on Cal¡¯s other side laughed. It was a subdued chuckle, but for a Threnosh it was equivalent to a happy drunk laughing out of control at anything and everything around them. ¡°Actryarius. Honor is not like your former leader. Though he commands us, he does not own us. He leads by example and worth. Not by virtue of his creche birth.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ thanks, Telatrine,¡± Cal nodded at one of the weirdest Threnosh he had ever met. Of course this meant that they were essentially like a super polite human being. After such a long time without human interaction Cal was finding them a little off-putting. Not that there was anything wrong with Telatrine, they were a great alien. They reminded Cal of home. Some of the others had taken to slowly emulating Cal¡¯s behavioral example, especially the earliest recruits.


    Telatrine was fairly new, one of those that joined in the fifth month of the project and they were roughly at the same level as Caretaker, Kynnro and the like in terms of behaviors skewing more towards human than the normal Threnosh.


    One other weird thing about Telatrine was their power armor. Like the majority of the team it was of superior metal alloy construction that Threnosh science only partially understood. What made it truly odd was that it resembled a naked Threnosh body, if it was built more robustly, more like a human. Underneath metallic skin were metallic muscles that functioned just like biological ones. There was an artificial circulatory system that worked very similarly to a biological one.


    To cap it all off, Telatrine¡¯s power armor responded to physical activity just like a biological body did. Its muscles grew bigger and stronger with weight training, while running and calisthenics built up its endurance. Cal never expected that he¡¯d have to devise a training program for a Threnosh. It was certainly interesting and their gains were well beyond what Cal had experienced in human terms, at least from the pre-spires days.


    Telatrine¡¯s power armor started out with skinny arms and a pudgy belly. A sight that actually rendered Cal speechless for a moment. Now they were looking much stronger. Their arms and legs were noticeably thicker and more defined. The belly was shrinking. More importantly they were exhibiting levels of strength and durability that touched superhuman levels. Who knew where they¡¯d be after another month? Or where their limit actually lay?


    When Telatrine was inside their power armor they seamlessly integrated into the system like it was an extension of their normal body. As their power armor changed, it seemed that their normal body changed along with it. Although to a much slower rate and degree.


    Cal stood back from the wall and cradled his rifle in the safe position, pointed down and away from anyone else. Strictly speaking, he didn¡¯t need to keep shooting. The others, the newbs, would¡¯ve benefited more from the Universal Points. The monsters were worth a lot more to them than they were to him. ¡°Actryarius, my words were simply reflecting my opinion that facing these hordes has been significantly easier than I expected. I suppose I should chalk that up to the fine job the fabricators and engineers did preparing our defenses.¡±


    ¡°I concur,¡± Telatrine said. ¡°It feels as if our efforts here are superfluous.¡±


    ¡°Negative. The briefing stated that we are to collect Universal Points through our efforts,¡± Actryarius said.


    ¡°That¡¯s correct,¡± Cal said. ¡°Every monster kill is valuable since you¡¯re starting out.¡±


    ¡°Caretaker¡¯s briefing said that you had faced a horde mode before. Do you know how much longer this will continue?¡± Telatrine said.


    Cal thought about it for a moment. ¡°Once and that one only had like ten waves,¡± he thought about it some more, ¡°we¡¯re like on wave forty-seven, so¡­ who knows how much longer this will last. I suspect until the spawn points run out of monsters.¡±


    The whine of anti-gravity engines and the roar of thrusters overhead drowned out Actryarius¡¯ next question.


    Interceptor Kymah 43 led the two members of Cal¡¯s interceptor squadron on a bombing run over the attacking monsters. They flew several hundred feet above the battlefield and released miniature cluster bombs as they zipped in a zigzag pattern.


    The bombs burst a dozen feet above the ground and showered the mass of monsters with a deadly spray of shrapnel that tore them to pieces.


    Cal shielded his eyes from the bright orange bloom that temporarily lit up the dark of night. He gave a silent thanks to the automatic noise blocking features of his helmet for keeping out most of the sounds from the dozens of explosions.


    ¡°Well, at least you guys are going to be getting a lot of points out of this.¡± Cal stood and kept watch. He elected to refrain from using his rifle. Strictly speaking he was only there in the event that a more powerful monster, like a boss-type, were to appear. He was only taking shots out of boredom.


    While he watched and waited Cal started to plot out how he was going to convince Prime Custodian 3 that he needed to keep the kaiju core on a permanent basis.


    <hr>


    The wall was about thirty feet tall. Cal didn¡¯t bother using the stairs or the lift platform. He walked off the back and floated down to land lightly on the ground.


    ¡°You¡¯re topped off?¡± Cal was alone in the dim light coming from the top of the wall. Just him and the shadows.


    There was a movement, as if the shadows swirled for a moment.


    Shira appeared.


    ¡°How did you know that I was already here?¡±


    Their face mask wasn¡¯t closed, so Cal saw the inquisitive look plainly on Shira¡¯s face. He tried to ignore the reddish tint to their eyes and the sharp canines visible when they spoke.


    ¡°Your helmet¡¯s sensors are unable to detect my presence when I am hidden in darkness. This was confirmed.¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°I have my ways,¡± he added cryptically.


    Shira stared at him with unblinking eyes.


    ¡°Fine. You¡¯re scheduled to take my spot on boss watch and control informed me that you were on your way.¡± Cal ticked off the reasons with his fingers. The third he left unsaid. He had used a bit of telepathy. A light touch, merely to detect Shira¡¯s presence on the ground. ¡°So, are you all set to take over for me?¡±


    Shira gave a sharp nod. ¡°My trueskin¡¯s blood reserves are full. I will discharge the task to the best of my abilities. I look forward to challenging any boss monsters that appear.¡± They slid their frightening face mask down into place.


    The demon-like visage almost made Cal want to take a step back. Almost.


    ¡°Good to hear, but it¡¯s starting to look like we won¡¯t be getting any boss monsters.¡± Cal didn¡¯t like the rush of something very close to unbridled joy and hunger that emanated from Shira¡¯s mind at the thought of facing a boss monster. ¡°Priority is watching out for the newbs.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Shira said sharply. ¡°I will protect my weaker teammates.¡±


    ¡°Shhh,¡± Cal hushed them, ¡°not so loud with the weaker talk. Remember they¡¯re just like you were in your earlier days.¡±


    Shira quirked their head. ¡°That is¡­ debatable.¡±


    ¡°Well, we can¡¯t stand here all night doing that, so I¡¯ll just remind you that no one knows how much their strength will grow with time and experience. Just as it was for you.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Shira dipped her head.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Cal grinned, ¡°I¡¯ll leave you to it.¡±


    Shira¡¯s black-colored power armor blurred briefly as they jumped halfway up the wall. They gripped into the strong metal with stronger claws on their fingers and toes for a moment before covering the rest of the distance with another jump.


    Cal walked briskly back through the three hundred or so yards of open ground between the wall and their base. He waved at the pair of standard infantry soldiers on guard at the doorway into the vehicle hangar as the door slid open in anticipation of his passing. He entered without having to break his stride.


    He was met by Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623.


    The interrogator looked down at their open PID set into the top of their power armor¡¯s left gauntlet. They then pointedly looked at Cal.


    ¡°Right,¡± Cal said as he pulled his PID out of its protective compartment on his own unpowered armor. ¡°What am I supposed to be looking at?¡± He swiped through the messages until he located the most recent one from the interrogator, turned into an unofficial all around administrator for their operation along with Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337.


    ¡°The latest projections regarding ammunition expenditure versus fabrication.¡±


    Cal spent a few seconds looking at the numbers. If he was being honest he was staring at them blankly, without really trying to comprehend them. He always did better with nice, colored charts and graphs. ¡°Hmmm¡­ interesting,¡± he said in a way that he hoped conveyed understanding. ¡°Sum it up for me, please.¡±


    Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 stared flatly at Cal for several long seconds.


    When they finally spoke there was a clear undercurrent of resignation in their voice. ¡°At the current rate of use we will run out of ammunition in eight days.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got like literal tons of raw materials and we increased our number of fabricators.¡± Cal couldn¡¯t help but whine a bit.


    ¡°The supply of raw materials is not the issue. We do not have enough fabricators even with the additions, nor do we have enough fabrication machinery.¡±


    ¡°Well, can we get more?¡±


    ¡°I have explored that option. Prime Custodian 3 is unable to reallocate any more fabricators. We will be able to requisition the necessary machinery, however the current facility layout is already at maximum efficiency from a production standpoint. The fabricators and engineers can expand, but that presents a different set of concerns.¡±


    Cal tapped the three fingers of his left hand on the side of his thigh. ¡°Of course, any sort of major construction projects will take Threnosh and materials away from current ammunition fabrication and maintenance of the defenses.¡± He thought for a second. ¡°What about purchasing ammunition directly from the nearest cities and settlements? We¡¯ve got plenty of Universal Points in the general fund. I¡¯ll authorize paying a premium.¡±


    ¡°Negative. Such a thing is impossible.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°It is not done. Prime Custodian 3 determines military allocation in their region. The leaders and administrators in charge of the largest cities and the smallest settlements will not consider such a thing.¡±


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°Great,¡± Cal didn¡¯t roll his eyes, ¡°I¡¯ll just add that to my list of things I need to discuss with PC3.¡±


    There was a subtle narrowing of Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623¡¯s eyes. Cal only noticed because of his better than normal human eyesight. Otherwise the crease to the interrogator¡¯s smooth brow would¡¯ve been unnoticeable.


    ¡°Your next scheduled communication with the Prime is not until twenty-three days from now. This matter is urgent.¡±


    Cal smiled. ¡°That¡¯s cause this talk isn¡¯t on the agenda. It¡¯s more like an impromptu chat between colleagues. In other words I¡¯m going to go contact PC3. It¡¯s really about this one other thing, but I can add this ammo shortage problem.¡± He shrugged. ¡°So, I guess it wasn¡¯t really a list of things. Although, since there are two things now, then I guess it¡¯s a list.¡± He stepped around the interrogator. ¡°Thanks for the update, Loaming, keep up the good work!¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor. What about the ammunition issue?¡± They called after him.


    Cal waved a hand. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ve got like a week of ammo left. Hopefully PC3 will help us out. If not then we¡¯ll figure out something else to do.¡±


    He made his way through the facility¡¯s dimly lit corridors at a brisk pace. Aside from brighter lights set at regular intervals the general lighting mimicked the star-lit darkness of the night sky outside. He reached his office without any further delays.


    Once the door slid shut behind him, he unlatched his helmet. There was a soft hiss as the sealed internal environment of the armor was exposed to the air. He took a deep breath. The air in his office was the same as in the helmet. Nondescript. It was free of any sort of external pollutants, which would¡¯ve been great for his allergies, if he still had them, but it was also a bit sad with the sterileness of it all.


    Cal placed the helmet on the stand next to his plain, metallic desk and sat down. He placed his PID on the desk and it quickly established the wireless connection.


    The functions of his PID were displayed through a holographic projection above his desk surface. He swiped and waved his hands until he found what he was looking for.


    The icon for attempting to establish direct contact to another flashed for a good minute before Prime Custodian 3¡¯s face finally appeared as a much smaller than life-sized holographic projection.


    The prime¡¯s normally calm and composed demeanor was slightly off. Cal had spent enough time studying them catch it immediately. There was a slight crinkling at the outside corner of their right eye that showed that they were tense.


    ¡°Hey, PC3. Is this a bad time?¡± Cal projected a concerned tone. It wasn¡¯t hard because he was genuinely concerned. If the prime was feeling stressed then it must¡¯ve been about something bad.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Oh, want to talk about it?¡±


    ¡°There are several emergency situations that have occurred over the last several days.¡±


    ¡°Sounds serious.¡± Cal had an inkling that turned into dread in the blink of an eye. He shivered involuntarily despite the perfectly comfortable temperature in his office. ¡°Uh¡­ Zalthyss didn¡¯t escape did he? Cause you were supposed to let me know immediately if that happened.¡±


    ¡°That specific Zalthyss is still in custody. It went dormant again shortly after you saw it.¡±


    ¡°When you say that specific one,¡± Cal narrowed his eyes, ¡°I¡¯m hearing the implication that there are more¡­¡±


    ¡°Correct. The Collective has forbidden the dissemination of the information I am about to relay, however our agreement in regards to any information related to Zalthyss supersedes their command.¡±


    ¡°Man, that¡¯s good¡­ I guess.¡± Cal felt his three-fingered left hand start to twitch. He clenched it into a fist to keep it still. ¡°Alright, give me the terrible news. I¡¯m ready.¡±


    ¡°Over the past several days there have been five separate incursions by beings that all claimed to be Zalthyss. They arrived through spires located within settlements. They then proceeded to wipe out the settlements¡¯ entire populations before disappearing back into the spire. Presumably to return to their home world. Recordings from each incident captured the outworld invaders each calling themselves Zalthyss and repeating the same words that the first one had stated.¡±


    ¡°Right, about joining their dominion or something.¡± Cal nodded. He was very much trying to grab on to the details and facts to keep from freaking out, because he was getting close. ¡°How far apart did these attacks occur? Were any concurrent?¡±


    ¡°None. Each attack was carried out at separate times. The settlements attacked are all spread out in different regions.¡±


    ¡°How confident are you that all of the attackers were Zalthyss? I mean I know one has been in captivity this whole time, while Prime Integral Covenant 7 fought another one. But five separate ones?¡±


    ¡°We have gathered sufficient data to assess the probability that we are dealing with a singular entity at essentially one hundred percent.¡±


    ¡°Right, so Zalthyss attacks five separate settlements then disappears back into the spire,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°It also had an addendum to the end of its statement. It declared that you cannot hide from it.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ well that¡¯s good, I¡¯d hate to be forgotten.¡± Cal wanted to bang his head on his desk and keep it there for awhile, but he didn¡¯t because that wouldn¡¯t have been a good look. ¡°So, what¡¯s its game plan here? Why wipe out a city then leave?¡±


    ¡°Correction. They were not cities. Merely settlements of no more than two thousand Threnosh.¡±


    ¡°Still¡­ that¡¯s kind of cold, PC3. They¡¯re still your people.¡±


    ¡°They were not in my jurisdiction. As such their safety was not my responsibility. They are dead in any case and are no longer relevant to the problem that faces us.¡±


    ¡°Again, cold¡­ but, technically right, I guess,¡± Cal said. ¡°What¡¯s the Collective doing to respond?¡±


    ¡°Defensive measures are to be increased at all settlements of similar type as the ones assaulted. Additionally the five settlements will be strictly monitored for future incursions.¡±


    Cal was already shaking his head. ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound like a good idea. A couple of reasons. Zalthyss has already shown that it can appear out of any spire. Just because it attacked a specific settlement type this time doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯ll do the same next time. As for the five destroyed settlements. The Collective should probably be placing as many soldiers as possible at their locations.¡±


    ¡°You expect further attack?¡±


    ¡°Probably,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°It looks like this is the dominion finally beginning their takeover of your world. Clearing the settlements creates beachheads for their army to start pouring in. Assuming they have an army. I mean, since your Collective refuses to do any scouting missions, we have no idea what they have.¡±


    ¡°Very well, I will relay your concerns,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    ¡°Wait! The reason I called,¡± Cal said quickly before the prime could terminate the call, ¡°two quick things. We need more ammunition. We¡¯ll be out in eight days if this horde mode base defense continues. It¡¯s a short term need so the finished products will be preferable to more fabricators and machinery.¡±


    ¡°That will not be possible in light of the rising threat level from outworld incursions. I need to make sure that my forces throughout my jurisdiction are adequately supplied.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough.¡± Cal expected as much as soon as he heard about the recent attacks. ¡°Second issue. The kaiju core.¡±


    ¡°The Collective has demanded that it be taken out of your hands.¡±


    ¡°Figures¡­ but, this is the only safe place to keep it. As evidenced by the literal horde of monsters being drawn to our base. Tell me, do you have any cities that can withstand the same level of attacks that we are currently dealing with?¡±


    ¡°There are several.¡±


    ¡°Ah, but how much would it disrupt the perfectly ordered operation of your region?¡±


    Prime Custodian 3 said nothing.


    ¡°Right, so my proposal. It stays here. You send whatever scientists and researchers that you want to poke and prod at the core. Obviously, I get full access to their findings and since it is in my base and I¡¯m protecting it then I get control over how it is handled.¡±


    ¡°The Collective is¡­ uncomfortable with how much control you already have.¡±


    Cal rolled his eyes. ¡°I know, it¡¯s why we¡¯re having a harder time getting special candidates. They see how effective it is and their first reaction is to feel threatened. The Threnosh will need as many of our unique individuals and you¡¯ll need them strong enough to face what¡¯s coming from the dominion.¡±


    ¡°I agree to your terms,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    ¡°Really?¡± Cal was taken aback by the speed of the answer.


    ¡°I have also spoken to the other primes. Some have expressed interest in your training special candidates from their jurisdictions. With the caveat that they be returned to them once they have grown sufficiently powerful. Prime Integral Covenant 7 is gathering a group of seven to send to you within the month.¡±


    Surprised twice in a matter of seconds, Cal blinked. ¡°Uh¡­ wow, that¡¯s great! Send them all to me the more the merrier.¡± He grinned.


    ¡°This briefing is at an end,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°Do not contact me until the scheduled time unless it is an emergency. I have much work to do to prepare for potential incursions in my region.¡± With that the prime¡¯s holographic projection disappeared.


    Cal took a deep breath and exhaled. It was good to think and plan instead of dwelling on the fact that Zalthyss or its clones or whatever was now openly appearing out of random spires. That meant that the angelic alien could appear out of the nearby spire. It was under constant surveillance, but that didn¡¯t ease the growing dread in the pit of his stomach.


    Now that he was alone in his office he was going to freak out for just a little bit. Not too long though, he still had a lot of work to get done. Especially now that it appeared that the dominion was finally making their move. He was going to have to figure out how to put an end to the horde mode they were currently facing.


    <hr>


    ¡°It¡¯s day six and it doesn¡¯t look like horde mode is ending any time soon. Counting today we have three more days until we run out of ammunition. That includes mines and bombs. I¡¯ve got two ideas. One is to take out entire waves by myself to buy time for ammo production, but that¡¯s merely a stopgap. I can¡¯t do that forever. It takes away Universal Points from the team and I¡¯ll get tired eventually. The other is to start going after the spawn point secret bosses. Turn them back into encounter challenges like the mantisor area and the turkeysaurus rex area. Those two areas aren¡¯t a problem. They don¡¯t spawn enough monsters to truly threaten the walls and automated defenses encircling them. Of course, since we have no idea what those secret bosses are like, it¡¯s a very risky tactic,¡± Cal said. ¡°So, you said you¡¯ve got a plan?¡±


    ¡°My plan is essentially your second one,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°I will lead a portion of our forces into each of the remaining spawn zones and defeat the secret bosses to turn them back into encounter zones. As you stated, this will likely end the near constant monster spawns. Prime Custodian 3¡¯s group can then rebuild the walls and automated defenses around the areas. While we replenish our ammunition stores and improve our own defenses for future monster assaults. I expect there will be more since we are keeping the kaiju core on site.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, maybe not,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°It seems to have an effective attracting range of around two hundred miles. There aren¡¯t any other specific monsters areas aside from the ones surrounding us in that radius. Although we can probably expect to draw in any wandering monsters that gets within that range.¡±


    ¡°That is my concern. Particularly if we attract monsters on a similar scale as the one that produced the core. We are not currently prepared to face such a thing.¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°Yeah, not looking forward to having to fight another kaiju-type monster again. I¡¯ve already got enough terrifying things to deal with.¡± An image of Zalthyss¡¯ impossibly perfect face flashed through his thoughts. He shook his head. ¡°Your plan then? Give me the details.¡±


    ¡°I expect you do not need tactical specifics?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I trust you¡¯ve got that covered. Just give me the overhead view.¡±


    ¡°The assault team will consist of between eight and twelve individuals. Seven at any one time to fight the secret boss and the remainder as reserve. The point of maintaining a reserve is to switch out team members depending on the nature of the secret boss. If the boss is like the treant monster then Shira will be switched out with Adjudicator, since the former would be ineffective against a monster that they cannot drain blood from. While the latter¡¯s ability to drain life energy has not demonstrated such restrictions. Since we have already located the boss lair for each area we will simply wait for a horde wave to leave before we use the transport to perform an aerial insertion. First, we defeat the boss and any other monsters. Then we defeat the secret boss. I aim to take on one area a day. This can be accelerated depending on how the first area goes. If we do not suffer too much damage and it does not take too long then I will consider assaulting a second area. In any case projections indicate that clearing an area will immediately limit the monster spawns, which will extend our remaining ammunition stores.¡±


    ¡°Who will you be using?¡± Cal was concerned about the newbies. Their general approach had been slowly building up each special candidate so that they had a proper boss fight at the end of their first month. The three newest recruits weren¡¯t going to have that opportunity in Caretaker¡¯s plan.


    ¡°All team members will have an opportunity to take part in at least one boss fight. At least one of the more inexperienced will be added to the team for the boss fight. Again I will base my decision on the nature of the boss and secret boss. However, I understand the importance of first hand experience against a boss level monster. I will not deprive the newest three. It is critical to their development.¡±


    ¡°Wow.¡± Cal¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°So, that¡¯s what that feels like.¡±


    ¡°I do not understand.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like you read my mind,¡± Cal grinned. ¡°Do you have a place for me in your plan? Backup? Last minute savior?¡±


    ¡°Negative. We cannot have you always ¡®holding our hands¡¯, as you stated,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Although to completely discount you as an asset is unsound. I trust that you will be available in the event of an emergency?¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°Right, that all sounds good. Last question, what about our defenses? While most of the team is fighting the boss and secret boss, what if we experience a surge in the horde?¡±


    ¡°I have calculated that you, the remaining team members, our soldier squads and the automated defense measures will be sufficient. In the event that my assessment is incorrect then I will send the reserves with me back to bolster the base defenses.¡±


    Cal mulled all of it over for a few silent minutes. Throughout it all Caretaker stood impassively in their power armor on the other side of the desk.


    Cal doubled checked Caretaker¡¯s numbers, which were being projected above the surface of his desk. Everything looked pretty good to him. There was inherent risk in taking the most powerful members of the team off base defense. However, said defense had proved to be exceptionally effective. Such that their individual efforts amounted to standing on top of the wall and taking pot shots into the various hordes just to pick up some Universal Points. Truth be told the traps, minefields, automated turrets, miniature missiles, bombs and artillery could¡¯ve held the monsters off indefinitely. If only the ammunition supply wasn¡¯t dwindling faster than it was replaced.


    ¡°When can you start?¡±


    ¡°In one hour,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Well, good luck and keep me appraised of your progress. I¡¯ll let Commander Green Stretch 28 know that the soldiers will be pulling extra duty on the wall.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. I do not believe that the commander would have taken my words without complaint.¡±


    Cal shook his head ruefully. ¡°They¡¯ll pull their head out of their ass eventually.¡±


    A puzzled look crossed Caretaker¡¯s face.


    Cal waved it away. ¡°Figure of speech from my world. I guess it wouldn¡¯t make any sense to you guys.¡±

 2.24

    Then


    Eron sighed. ¡°What¡¯s your problem?¡± He glanced at Demi Lawrence, police officer and nascent field leader of what passed for the community¡¯s defense force.


    The tall woman was indeed glaring down at him with undisguised anger. Or was it contempt? Eron decided it was probably both.


    ¡°You. What are you even doing here?¡±


    Eron raised a brow at that. He looked at Demi then he looked at the spire and then back and forth a few more times. ¡°Babysitting.¡±


    He had generously agreed to guard some of the participants of the previous night¡¯s raid to the spire located in the middle of the university while they were purchasing stuff with their Universal Point gains. So, yes, he was on an escort quest. And he was doing it out of his volition. The one that was most surprised by this was himself.


    ¡°We don¡¯t need you,¡± Demi said flatly. ¡°No more big monsters to deal with after what we did last night.¡±


    ¡°I remember, I was there. While we did clear the high school, that doesn¡¯t mean there aren¡¯t any more monsters out there. So, maybe you could have less of an attitude. I mean I¡¯m not expecting you to be nice or smiling or anything, but at least be civil. Getting tired of all the dirty looks. Especially after I¡¯ve been putting my life on the line for months for everyone.¡±


    ¡°That rings a little hollow when you remember that you¡¯ve got abilities that make you invincible. We get torn to pieces, while you get a scratches that are gone in a few days,¡± Demi snapped.


    ¡°Not my fault I got these powers,¡± Eron shrugged. ¡°Would you rather I didn¡¯t help out? Just did my own thing, screw everyone else?¡±


    ¡°My problem is that you refuse to be a part of the chain of command. You¡¯re a civilian. What do you know about combat operations? Learned it from all your games?¡±


    Eron laughed. Loud and mocking.


    ¡°There, that right there,¡± Demi snapped and jabbed a finger in Eron¡¯s face.


    ¡°What?¡± Eron scoffed.


    ¡°That arrogance. What¡¯ve you done to earn it?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ fight monsters for you people. Haul trailers full of food and supplies from the stores to the people. Shit, I even do construction. Those barricades that kept you all alive,¡± Eron held up his hands, ¡°they wouldn¡¯t have gotten built with these. So, I¡¯d say I¡¯ve done more than enough. I don¡¯t even get paid.¡±


    ¡°Look, you¡¯re just some kid, who won the lottery, while everyone else¡¯s world turned to shit. You need to start listening to your rightful authorities.¡±


    Again Eron laughed. Demi¡¯s fair skin grew red.


    ¡°And what authority figures might you be referring to? It¡¯s been like eight months and we¡¯ve heard nothing from any sort of government. The council? A bunch of self-appointed business people, retired local politicians and a pastor. Why should I obey them? Their experience, education level? Or cause they¡¯ve got more money, well¡­ had more money than me. As far as education goes, I¡¯ve got a masters degree. Where does that put me on the hierarchy?¡± Eron narrowed his eyes at Demi. ¡°Or maybe you mean I should be following your orders. Since you¡¯re a police officer and I¡¯m, as you said, a simple civilian.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just doing my duty and in this uncertain time then¡ª¡±


    Eron held up his hand. ¡°Not listening to that protect and serve bullshit. I read that the police actually doesn¡¯t have a constitutional obligation to actually protect people. Your job is all about control. The maintenance of the proper order as set forth by the one percent.¡±


    ¡°Oh, of course. Some conspiracy theory shit.¡±


    ¡°Look I don¡¯t really care one way or another. It¡¯s just that, well, we already know what it¡¯s like if the police is in charge. Weeks into a crazy apocalypse and the first thing your very police department did was concentrate all the brown, black and yellow people into an outdoor living situation.¡± Eron chuckled. ¡°Do you remember that? Cause pepperidge farms remembers.¡± He tapped his temple with a finger.


    ¡°That¡¯s not¡ª I was imprisoned too.¡±


    Eron shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s the only reason I¡¯m willing to work with you.¡±


    ¡°So that¡¯s it? Might makes right.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that how it¡¯s always been. That¡¯s like the founding principle of this entire country. Took the land from the natives cause they couldn¡¯t stop you. Prop up dictators and oppressors all over the world for your own benefit. Anyone threatens your control and wealth, well oops, they just mysteriously shot themselves in the back of the head, twice.¡±


    ¡°You are twisting everything to the negative extreme.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like this. You had no problem enforcing what the one percent wanted you to before all this started,¡± Eron gestured at the gigantic spire and its ever shifting surface a short distance away. ¡°Well, now I¡¯m the one percent. Fortunately for all, I don¡¯t intend to build and hoard wealth on the backs of the ninety-nine percent. Money doesn¡¯t even matter anymore. In fact I¡¯m going to do my best to make sure that this new world is actually fair. Everyone gets enough to eat and a roof over their head. No one gets to buy two mansions, three jets and a couple of yachts, while their employees are working three jobs just to be barely behind on their rent.¡±


    ¡°Power corrupts and you have more than anyone else in history,¡± Demi said.


    Eron shook his head. ¡°Nah, I think my parents did a pretty good job in raising me to be not an asshole. It¡¯s simple. I¡¯ve got a pretty low bar for bad behavior that puts you on my list. Basically, don¡¯t be evil. No rape, no murder, no slavery, official or unofficial. No persecution and definitely no concentrating people in camps.¡±


    Demi took a deep breath and turned her back on Eron.


    Eron rolled his eyes and tried not to look at her backside.


    <hr>


    Remy listened intently to the discussion around the table. He hated it, but it was necessary for a variety of reasons. They needed a presence at council meetings. Since his pre-apocalypse job had occasionally required it he had decided it naturally fell on his shoulders. The fact that neither of his brothers showed any interest in the job and his wife¡¯s sudden interest in becoming more involved in the community clinched this torment.


    It made sense from a utilitarian standpoint. The makeshift council was already suspicious and scared of their power, which he thought was fair. After all, the local police department had rounded some of them up into a prison camp at the orders of an individual with power on a similar level.


    And so he sat and listened with a look of interest at the banality on display. His eyelids were heavy and he stifled multiple yawns. The thought of a nice long nap after the meeting was done was the only thing that buoyed his spirits. His entire body was sore.


    The previous night¡¯s battle against the gremlin alphas and the secret boss had strained his magnetic powers to limits that he hadn¡¯t dared approach. It was like he had run a marathon, did a spartan run and lifted weights all in a twenty-four hour period without any breaks.


    ¡°¡ªthoughts on our proposal?¡±


    The table was quiet. Remy was wondering why. The silence was nice. It was relaxing in its own way. He allowed his thoughts to drift.


    Until he was rudely interrupted by an elbow in his ribs.


    ¡°Remy,¡± Megan whispered.


    ¡°I¡¯m thinking.¡± He thought that was a nice save, while he tried to figure out why everyone was looking at him. ¡°Your proposal is a complicated matter. I don¡¯t think I can give you any input without more details.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a fairly straightforward flat tax proposal.¡±


    Remy nodded at the smiling councilman, Scott Deakins. The man was in his mid-forties. From what Remy knew about him, Scott had inherited several residential and commercial properties around town from his parents. He even did well enough to add a couple over the years. There was something about the man¡¯s perfect hair and suit that was off-putting during the apocalypse. Or maybe it was the way his constantly happy demeanor seemed fake, salesman-like. If Remy remembered correctly he also owned a car dealership.


    ¡°Sure, but how do you collect? And what do you plan to do if people can¡¯t pay? No one is making any money and furthermore the dollar is basically worthless right now,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Well, we aren¡¯t talking about the dollar. We¡¯re talking about Universal Points.¡±


    Councilwoman Devon Castleton frowned at Remy. At least that¡¯s what he thought. It was hard to tell the way her face was stretched tightly back. Face-lifts and botox weren¡¯t good for natural expressions. Although where the woman was getting botox injections, Remy couldn¡¯t say.


    Remy tried to keep the surprise from showing on his face. He merely nodded in manner he thought consistent with understanding, while conveying the idea that he was seriously considering her words.


    ¡°My questions still stand,¡± Remy paused, ¡°although what¡¯s the point of taxing Universal Points?¡±


    ¡°We believe that it¡¯s a good idea to establish a general fund for the community,¡± Scott said.


    ¡°There are those in the community, like the elderly or children that don¡¯t have the ability to gain these, points.¡±


    The way Devon said it made Remy think the she still hadn¡¯t quite bought into the whole concept a hundred percent.


    ¡°I still don¡¯t understand why they even need the points. With the stores magically providing supplies that replenish overnight we have plenty for quite some time.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but what if that stops?¡±


    ¡°Well, Scott. If that was a concern then shouldn¡¯t we be talking about farming?¡±


    ¡°I agree and that¡¯s something we¡¯ll be looking into now that we¡¯ve got some breathing room. But for now we should focus on the things in front of us. As to your concerns with the tax,¡± Scott folded his hands in front of him and placed them on the table, ¡°well, part of it ties into the potential supply issues. As I¡¯m sure you know one can purchase essentials, like food and medicine, directly from the spires as if they were a grocery store. In the unfortunate event that stores suddenly stop providing supplies, then it¡¯s only fair that each member of this community has the ability to purchase items from the spire.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate, but there are members of this community that would be left to starve if such an event were to occur,¡± Devon said gravely.


    Remy looked over at Megan. His wife¡¯s eyes were looking at him with warmth. He smiled at her. He glanced around the table at all of the council members and assorted leadership types. Some he only vaguely knew their names and specific roles.


    ¡°Right, so a tax on Universal Points. Obviously these same individuals you are referring to will be exempt.¡± Remy drummed his fingers on the plastic table. ¡°Why a general fund though? Why not straight dispersal to those that need it?¡±


    Scott and Devon exchanged a look. Whatever the heck they were thinking, Remy didn¡¯t know nor did he care. The other council members were pointedly avoiding his eyes whenever his gaze fell on them.


    ¡°Well, we¡¯d need to decide the level of need on a case by case basis.¡± Devon¡¯s tone implied that Remy was an idiot for not seeing the obvious answer. ¡°It¡¯s important that we get back to normalcy. People shouldn¡¯t get accustomed to just having everything handed to them. They already get food for free, which I wholeheartedly agree with. But we¡¯ve got people living in houses that they simply don¡¯t belong in.¡±


    Scott¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Um¡­ of course we wouldn¡¯t force people out. It¡¯s just that we think it¡¯ll be best if we get back to how we do things as Americans. Set the proper market levels again. I myself own the building that houses a Safeway. Of course with the current circumstances I¡¯m not even considering asking for reimbursement for all of the supplies we obtain from the store.¡±


    Remy wanted to bang his head on the table. This was exactly why his brothers wanted no part of sitting in on council business. They were conveniently forgetting that there were more than enough vacant homes for everyone. On account of so many people dying to the monsters in the initial days of the apocalypse.


    Again it reminded him of his job. Freaking Karens and their nimby-ism still rearing its ugly head. They were bringing the same attitudes that had led them to fight with all their money against public works projects that helped thousands if it meant having to live with construction noise and traffic for a few months or if it ruined the view from their backyards.


    Taxes? That¡¯s what you want to focus on now? Housing rights? There are thousands of empty houses cause the monsters killed the owners. You¡¯re worried about business owners¡¯ rights? The stores magically refill every night. You had nothing to do with that. Was what Remy wanted to shout in their smug faces.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    Instead he spoke calmly. ¡°Taxing Universal Points is a nonstarter. There is no way you can enforce it. The only people with an appreciable amount of Universal Points are my brothers and myself. And I don¡¯t think I have to tell you what the two of them will say if you tell them they have to pay. Especially if it¡¯s to a general fund with a small group of people in charge of disbursement. I¡¯m sorry, but you¡¯re going to have to come up with something better than trickle down economics. It didn¡¯t work before the spires and it definitely won¡¯t work now.¡± Remy sighed. ¡°You do have a point about the possibility that people might need help. I can assure that if that came to pass I wouldn¡¯t just let people starve. I doubt that my brothers would either. If it comes to it we¡¯ll make sure that everyone that needs help will get it.¡±


    The reactions around the table were varied. There were council members like, Scott and Devon, that didn¡¯t hide their displeasure. The others showed a mix of shame and anger. The retired colonel that was in overall command of their defense force simply looked at him with an unreadable expression. Eron had called the man the epitome of grizzled and Remy had to agree.


    Ultimately, Remy didn¡¯t care much about what they all thought. There was only one exception. For the moment he didn¡¯t dare turn his head to look at Megan¡¯s reaction to his words.


    <hr>


    Cal was dead to the world. He was flat on his back on Remy¡¯s older couch. Though his body slept, his mind was somehow still conscious.


    This is new. Weird. It¡¯s like that sleep paralysis thing, except no scary, shadowy figures lurking around the edges. Hmmm. Is this really happening? Is this conscious thought? Not all hazy like a dream.


    Cal couldn¡¯t properly put it into words. He knew that he was sleeping or unconscious. He knew that his body was on the couch. There was a sense of his general surroundings. He could picture the scattered children¡¯s toys on the floor. Smell the ashes in the nearby fireplace. Hear the patter of tiny feet running back and forth from upstairs. Feel¡­ nothing. Not the aches and pains from the cracked bones and numerous contusions. Nor the many cuts and scratches, especially the ugly lines that the gremlin alpha gashed across his face. The lack of head pain was the most noticeable. It was like having a glass of water after days in desert. Not that he had the experience. It was the closest thing he¡¯d use to describe the sublime relief.


    Huh? This is good. I wonder if I can stay like this until I recover. Wouldn¡¯t mind not feeling like shit for the next week. My brothers and Nila can handle things without me. Right? Besides, no more spawn point, means no more monsters. Well, at least the bigger ones. People will be safe from the tiny ones and mutant animals. It¡¯s a good thing dogs and cats don¡¯t go mutant. The only big animals around here are coyotes, I think. They might be dangerous if they go mutant. Haven¡¯t seen one yet though, probably should¡¯ve by now. I wonder how the Universal Points split worked out for everyone. Hopefully they got enough to level up or buy spells and skills or whatever. No idea how it works for people with magic or skill-based classes. Or career-based ones for that matter. So much easier having super powers. No leveling decisions, per se. It seems that you get stronger and better abilities through use and experimentation. Like my new ability of¡­? Being consciously aware of my surrounding, while my physical body is asleep? Man, I need a name for this? Is it astral projection? Astral form? I¡¯ll have to look it up later. I hope the internet is working when I get up and the servers for the site I need are somehow still running or there¡¯s like a cache or something. Is nine months too long to expect servers to be up? I mean electricity should be dead and not intermittently on and off after this much time right? The spires are such bullshit.


    Cal¡¯s thoughts were interrupted by hurried footsteps coming down the stairs. He tensed in his mindscape. His first thought was an emergency. A monster attack. Except he knew it was daytime, which ruled out the tiny gremlins. Mutant animals didn¡¯t enter occupied homes for some reason. So, was it something else? The larger gremlins, but they had killed them all last night and they didn¡¯t attack during the day. Did another spawn point appear? A different type of monster?


    A small shape moved close to his unconscious body. He couldn¡¯t physically see it, but he could picture it in his mind¡¯s eye and he instantly relaxed. The hazy figure wasn¡¯t giving off any negative emotions. No fear or panic, just something like mischief. He realized that he wasn¡¯t getting any of the usual malice and hunger that accompanied the presence of monsters and mutant animals.


    He felt tiny hands and feet scampering up his stomach, to stop at the upper part of his chest, just right below his neck. There was a tickling feeling from something like a soft brush at the bottom of his chin, one of the only places that the bandages covering his face left exposed. Not feet, paws.


    Okaayyy. Time to wake up.


    Cal willed himself from unconsciousness. He was surprised that it actually worked after a few seconds of intense focus. He instantly regretted it.


    ¡°Arrggh! The knives in my brain!¡±


    The was an alarmed squeak as Cal¡¯s body jolted.


    There was a loud laugh of pure delight. A child¡¯s laugh.


    Cal couldn¡¯t see through the bandages, but he recognized her instantly.


    ¡°Tessa? What¡¯re you doing.¡± Cal¡¯s tongue felt too large, his mouth was dry and tasted terrible. He was surprised by how weak his voice sounded, how garbled the words were.


    ¡°Twinkle Star was helping you heal. He has healing powers,¡± Tessa said brightly.


    ¡°Uh¡­ that¡¯s good,¡± Cal reached out blindly to pat his younger niece on the shoulder. ¡°Just don¡¯t let him pee on me¡­ don¡¯t think that¡¯s healing.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Uncle Cal. I¡¯ll tell him not to. Um¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Are you a mummy now?¡±


    Cal¡¯s weak laughed turned into a groan. His entire torso felt like it was a giant bruise. Laughter was not the best medicine. ¡°Nah. I just got a few cuts. Will be gone in a month or two.¡± He was pretty sure about that. He knew from past experience that his wounds healed completely with time. No scars at all. Even though the claw swipe to his face left ugly lines across his face, he wasn¡¯t too worried about permanent disfigurement.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s good.¡± Tessa almost sounded disappointed. ¡°I thought you¡¯d get cool new mummy powers.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Sorry, but nope still got my mind powers. But mummy powers sound pretty awesome too. I wonder what that would be like?¡±


    Tessa launched into a long explanation on what powers a mummy was likely to have. Cal realized that she must¡¯ve watched The Mummy recently. A classic.


    The little girl rambled on and Cal nodded or grunted when it seemed appropriate. Alas, as much as he would¡¯ve enjoyed continuing the theorycrafting session the stabbing knives in his brain weren¡¯t letting up.


    ¡°Sorry, Tessa, but my head hurts and I¡¯m going to go back to sleep.¡±


    ¡°Oh, okay. Me and Twinkle Star will keep you company.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. I¡¯m counting on you.¡±


    I took a few seconds, but once again Cal willed it and everything went black. This time he was going to go out completely. It occurred to him that using his telepathy while physically unconscious was still a strain on his brain. He needed to shut everything down to get a proper rest.


    ¡°C¡¯mon Twinkle Star,¡± Tessa grabbed the guinea pig off of Cal¡¯s chest and went back up to her room, ¡°you need to go potty before you get back to healing Uncle Cal.¡±


    This time Cal was truly dead to the world. His dreams were filled with gleaming spires that spewed forth all manner of terrors, while at the same time providing a bountiful feast for the strong. An infinite number of worlds cascaded before him. Blending for brief moments with his own. Impossible sights, sounds and smells assaulted him from all directions.


    All of this he would forget when he woke much later.


    <hr>


    Now


    The giant monster appeared three hundred meters away. In the darkness its skin seemed to reflect the lights from the Threnosh team. It moved on eight, four on each side, segmented, insectile legs. Its body was divided into two clear segments. A thick torso connected to a long, bulbous abdomen that the legs connected to. Its head and torso were humanoid with two large arms that ended in blunt, hammer-like hands.


    The monster was roughly half again as tall as Primal¡¯s power armor, while it appeared to have fifty percent more mass. It was easily the most imposing monster that the team had faced to date.


    Further details were difficult to discern in the darkness. The low-light mode in Caretaker¡¯s helmet wasn¡¯t able to make out facial features nor could it identify the smaller objects that seemed to be wriggling around on the monster¡¯s head.


    A loud boom shook the forest. A sleek, giant arrow pierced through the darkness at a speed faster then sound. Small shards of crystal were scattered into the air as Primal¡¯s arrow struck the monster in the center of its massive chest.


    The monster reared back on its eight legs and stopped for a moment. Only a moment. It started plodding forward again as if nothing had happened.


    ¡°All weapons fire.¡±


    Caretaker¡¯s calm voice was punctuated by the roar of projectiles, a jet of flame and a laser-triggered explosive cloud of ash particles that lit up the dark forest night.


    ¡°The monster appears to have a crystalline surface. Kynnro do not use your laser directly on it.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Kynnro shot another canister filled with ash-like particles from the launcher on their gauntlet. They would need to wait for the cloud to disperse around the slowly approaching monster before triggering another explosion with their laser.


    Caretaker bent their predictive algorithm¡¯s focus to the secret boss. It analyzed every bit of movement from the enormous crystalline monster. It took in every reaction or lack thereof from the assorted ranged weapons that their team was pouring into the slow-moving monster.


    The flames from Salamander and Kynnro¡¯s cloud of fire appeared to heat up the monster¡¯s surface. Small chips of crystal flew off where the projectiles from their minigun and recoilless rifle projectiles struck. Whether it was just skin or it was crystalline throughout, Caretaker still didn¡¯t have enough information to make the determination.


    The secret boss plodded across another thirty yards under heavy fire without outward signs of any concern or pain. It was like it was taking a leisurely walk on an ordinary day. Caretaker¡¯s algorithm finally pinged and fed them information that they could use to create a plan.


    ¡°The secret boss monster¡¯s structure is crystalline throughout. There are no vulnerabilities beneath. No flesh or internal organs,¡± Caretaker said into the team channel.


    ¡°That is great news,¡± Primal growled. ¡°It does not seem to be affected by our attack. I am certain that you already have a solution.¡± They spoke in between bursts from the minigun mounted on their right shoulder and the grenade launcher on their left shoulder. The monster stepped into the optimum effective range of their mini-missile battery. The missiles arced through the night sky and left swirling trails of smoke as they weaved around the few remaining trees in the field of fire. They struck nearly simultaneously across the monster¡¯s front. The orange-red fireball from the explosions created a temporary miniature sun that lit up the night and temporarily blinded the Threnosh without automatic, protective capabilities in their helmets.


    Caretaker ignored Primal¡¯s tone. It was always the same. So long as they listened to orders Caretaker didn¡¯t care about the attitude.


    ¡°Shira, you are now on reserve. The monster lacks blood for you to utilize.¡±


    The black-clad Threnosh moved out from the front line and to the back of the formation without a word. They appeared to disappear into the shadows as if they weren¡¯t physical present. Even sensors lost track of them.


    ¡°Adjudicator, you are now active.¡±


    The powerful, bulky Threnosh stepped forward. The tendrils in their gauntlets were completely retracted, only their tips were visible from the opening on the underside. They seemed to vibrate with eagerness. It was a contrast to Adjudicator¡¯s silent and stoic demeanor.


    Caretaker made a few more quick, calculated decisions based on the information that their predictive algorithm was continuously feeding them.


    ¡°Whoosh on reserve. Zabri, active.¡± The monster was slow. Whoosh was a lot faster, but their high speed wasn¡¯t going to be as useful as Resplendent Zabriium¡¯s combination of speed and brute force durability. ¡°Unseen, reserve. Actryarius active.¡± Unseen¡¯s adaptive camouflage was useless in this fight. While they already had a good idea on how to utilized the latter¡¯s phasing ability against the monster.


    In addition to those three. The rest of the team aside from themselves, were Primal, Kynnro, Frequency, Salamander, Dralig, and Malendrax. It was an adequate combination in Caretaker¡¯s estimation. A mix of those that could take or repair damage dealt by the monster and those that had attacks that were capable of inflicting damage on its crystalline structure.


    ¡°Zabri, I need you to insert attackers.¡±


    ¡°I am to be a transport,¡± Resplendent Zabriium sighed, ¡°as usual. Fortunately, I enjoy running at high speeds.¡±


    ¡°Not too high. The monster is slow. It will not be necessary for you to reach your limit. Prioritize successful insertion, while avoiding getting hit.¡±


    ¡°Can I attack as well?¡±


    ¡°After insertion you may attack the legs as you loop around back to our location,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Malendrax?¡±


    There was a short silence. ¡°Yes, subleader.¡± An electronic-sounding voice responded.


    ¡°I calculated that your trueskin¡¯s self-repair capability will be able to handle the secret boss¡¯ attacks. Zabri will deliver you to the monster¡¯s back and you will do damage.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± The Threnosh¡¯s power armor was short and made them appear brutish. They were built thickly and powerfully with an almost hunched over stance.


    Malendrax clambered up onto Resplendent Zabriium¡¯s back. They had barely gotten settled in when the latter took off with a cloud of leaves, broken branches and dirt that showered the other Threnosh.


    ¡°Cease fire,¡± Caretaker said. They needed to keep the field of fire clear.


    Resplendent Zabriium¡¯s centaur-like power armor¡¯s four legs pounded the ground several times faster than any thoroughbred as they ran straight for the monster.


    Malendrax had to hold on to the handles on Resplendent Zabriium¡¯s back with all of the considerable physical strength of their power armor.


    They thundered around the monster¡¯s right side. It swung at them with an arm the size of a small tree, but as Caretaker predicted it was much too slow.


    Resplendent Zabriium ran close to its legs and Malendrax leapt from their back onto the monster¡¯s. As their rider clambered up the monster, Resplendent Zabriium pulled their two-handed poleaxe from its housing on their side. They turned a tight circle around the monster¡¯s rear then took several whacks at the legs on the left side as they zoomed past. Crystalline chips went flying with each blow. They were forced to veer away to avoid a backhanded swipe.


    With Resplendent Zabriium clear and on their way back to their lines, Caretaker focused on the first person view being transmitted by Malendrax as the Threnosh struggled to move up the smooth surface of the monster¡¯s broad, bulbous abdomen.


    The Threnosh had joined along with Whoosh and Adjudicator, the third group of special candidates recruited into the project. Their power armor was unique in its own right and not just for its ability to repair itself and the Threnosh inside from damage. Their physical appearance was that of the ancient ancestors, the progenitor species of the present-day Threnosh. They were shorter, yet significantly more robust.


    The artificial musculature of the power armor allowed for greater physical strength. Their helmet and face-plate carried the same brutish countenance of their ancestors. A pronounced brow, nose and ears along with a jutting lower jaw and teeth, all metallic. This was topped by a full head of hair, made out of thousands of metallic strands.


    Malendrax dug strong metal fingers into the monster¡¯s crystalline surface as they climb towards the juncture where its abdomen met its torso. They held on tightly with one hand, while they punched down directly where the two body parts met.


    There was a loud crack as their impact fist struck. Each of their over-sized fists were capable of shooting out a few centimeters with tremendous speed. This created a punch with the force of a small explosive concentrated in a relatively small surface area.


    The secret boss immediately took notice as Malendrax started hammering into its back with explosive blows.


    Its right arm rotated completely around in its socket and punched Malendrax right in the chest.


    The Threnosh had looked up at the last moment and Caretaker was given a first person view as the hammer-like hand of the monster nailed Malendrax in the chest and sent them flying. They flew through the air for a long distance before hitting the ground and rolling for over a dozen meters before coming to a stop, motionless.


    The life sign tracker indicated that Malendrax had suffered critical damage. Caretaker watched it intently. He was about to send Resplendent Zabriium to pick them up when the tracker started to show the injured Threnosh begin recovering. In a matter of seconds the power armor and the Threnosh inside were back on their feet, if a bit wobbly.


    Caretaker reviewed the footage from Malendrax¡¯s viewpoint. They had created significant cracks across the monster¡¯s back. It was all going according to plan.


    ¡°Zabri, Actryarius. Second insertion. Maneuver two-four-six.¡±


    Time to escalate.

 2.25

    Now


    Actryarius dove off of Resplendent Zabriium¡¯s back. They were on a collision course with the secret boss monster¡¯s legs. Their power armor lacked anything in the way of enhanced durability, which meant that they were about to go splat against the hard, crystalline surface.


    It looked like an impending disaster until Actryarius activated their power armor¡¯s ability. One that defied all known Threnosh science. They appeared to flicker and shimmer. Their entire body became translucent as they passed right through three of the large crystalline legs.


    They emerged to the rear of the monster and shimmered back into solid form as they hit the ground in a roll. They came to their feet in one smooth motion and ran.


    The monster turned to give chase when three muffled explosions shook the right side of its body. It stumbled and fell as three of its legs buckled and then shattered.


    Resplendent Zabriium came around and picked up Actryarius on their way back. The maneuver was perfectly executed.


    Caretaker made use of a key aspect of Actryarius¡¯ ability to phase their physical body into an intangible state for brief moments. Namely, they were capable of extending the effect to small objects in their hands. In this case, they phased through the monster¡¯s legs while leaving behind a small, but powerful explosive grenade.


    The internal damage they caused was enough to break the legs when the monster placed its considerable weight on them.


    ¡°Focus projectile fire on the left side legs.¡±


    Primal opened up with the minigun on their shoulder.


    Dralig wielded two miniguns with their four arms and enhanced strength that allowed them to bear the weight of the enormous ammunition pack on their back.


    ¡°Frequency, get your mobile emitters into position. Once its mobility is further compromised you will have your opportunity.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged. I think I have just the sound to start cracking this monster.¡±


    ¡°Kynnro, Salamander, Adjudicator stand by.¡±


    Caretaker watched as the concentrated fire from three miniguns sent crystal chips flying in the air. However, it still wasn¡¯t going down.


    The monster staggered with its right side reduced to one whole leg and three partially broken ones. Yet, it still came on like magma flowing down a volcano¡¯s slopes. It was slow, but inexorable, unstoppable.


    ¡°Ammunition is at critical levels,¡± Dralig said.


    ¡°The same,¡± Primal added.


    The damage wasn¡¯t enough. The monster¡¯s legs were cracked and chipped in dozens of places, but they were still holding.


    Caretaker took aim with their recoilless rifle. Their predictive algorithm came to life as if it was responding to their unconscious thoughts. It took three seconds for a firing solution to appear on their face-plate. Three spots to target.


    Three shots. One after another with impossible accuracy.


    When the monster placed its weight on those three legs they shattered into pieces.


    ¡°Monster is disabled.¡± Caretaker raised their rifle. ¡°Frequency, deploy mobile emitters.¡±


    At Frequency¡¯s direction the eight disk-like emitters floated down into position around the monster. Once in position they created a field of ultrasonic sound that was barely perceptible through their helmets¡¯ auditory sensors.


    The effect was immediate. The cracks already all over the monster¡¯s body grew larger, expanding to create intricate fractal patterns. It reached out for the emitters, but they were out of range. It moved in an attempt to get clear of the field, but it was slowed to a crawl with most of its legs shattered.


    Ultimately the monster did what it had been doing the entire time. It resumed its plodding course toward the Threnosh. As it drew closer its facial features became clear in the harsh glare of the artificial lights that illuminated their position. Or rather, its lack of features was displayed.


    The monster had a head, but where a face should¡¯ve been was blank, flat and featureless. There were a few cracks from their attacks. What was noteworthy were the several long, blade-like crystalline fingers that fanned out from the back of its head like an obscene halo. They wriggled and stabbed at the air independent of each other.


    ¡°I can only maintain this sound for thirty more seconds,¡± Frequency said.


    Caretaker¡¯s head swiveled from the monster. ¡°Our projections called for at least one minute and twenty seconds more.¡±


    ¡°Apologies. Moving my emitters in concert to keep the field intact with the monster in the exact center for maximum effectiveness is draining more of my energy than anticipated.¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡± Caretaker leaned on their predictive algorithm to factor in the unexpected development for a new course of action. In ten seconds they had a new plan. It wasn¡¯t much different than the original plan. It was just more dangerous for their team. ¡°Kynnro, deploy an ash cloud around the monster. Once Frequency¡¯s emitters are clear ignite it and keep feeding the flames. Use all of your remaining canisters. Salamander, you are on standby.¡±


    Kynnro launched a canister from their gauntlet. It exploded over the monster and showered ash-like particles down. Some of the particles settled inside the innumerable cracks on the monster¡¯s body. The majority hung in the air as they slowly drifted to the ground.


    The moment that Frequency pulled their mobile emitters out of the cloud. Kynnro fired a red laser beam from their helmet¡¯s forehead.


    The dim red light was swallowed by the bright explosion as the entire particle cloud was ignited.


    ¡°Again.¡± Caretaker timed the order to the exact millisecond that the fiery cloud burned out.


    Kynnro launched another canister, which was followed by a laser shot.


    The monster burned four more times. Its crystalline surface was blackened. Entire chunks flaked off of its body with each ponderous step it took toward the Threnosh.


    ¡°I am out of canisters,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°Well done. Fall back. You have done your part,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Salamander, keep it as hot as you can.¡±


    The Threnosh in the draconic-looking power armor rushed toward the monster. They needed to get close to apply the maximum destructive capability of their flame.


    The monster struck out at Salamander with a hammer-like fist half the size of the Threnosh.


    It was too slow for the agile Threnosh.


    Salamander ran under the limb and right into an unnoticed trap as they charged closer to the monster.


    Two long, thin crystalline-arms shot out from the lower portion of the monster¡¯s torso. They were humanoid in form and function with four bladed fingers and one bladed thumb.


    One hand grabbed Salamander around the head, while the other sparkled in the light as the monster brought it up, ready to slash down.


    A sustained burst of projectile fire struck the bladed fingers before they could descend on Salamander. The fingers chipped, then finally broke as the shots tracked the hand¡¯s movements with unerring accuracy.


    Caretaker emptied their recoilless rifle¡¯s magazine to give Salamander the time they needed to extricate themselves.


    Salamander pried the hand from around their head. The enhanced strength of their power armor proved stronger than the monster¡¯s secondary limb.


    With their head freed they let loose with a breath of fire from their power armor¡¯s dragon-like maw. The white-hot flames washed over the monster¡¯s front. The crystalline surface near the epicenter of the sustained flame melted and ran down to drip on the forest floor. The rest of the monster¡¯s body started to glow. The accumulated heat had finally reached a temperature that was too much for it to take.


    Salamander¡¯s flame sputtered and disappeared. They coughed out a thick black smoke as they quickly backed away from the wounded monster.


    ¡°Adjudicator, drain it.¡±


    Flexible, metallic tendrils lanced out and wrapped themselves around one of the monster¡¯s giant arms. The arm jerked back and Adjudicator went flying with it. They held on with their tendrils and began the process of draining the monster¡¯s life force.


    The monster dashed the Threnosh repeatedly into the ground, but the damage repaired itself almost as quickly as it was dealt.


    ¡°Are they going to be okay?¡± Primal grunted in Caretaker¡¯s direction.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Caretaker knew from the information provided by their predictive algorithm that Adjudicator was capable out sustaining the damage for at least three minutes and twelve seconds longer. At that point the monster¡¯s life force would become too low to drain, while it would still be capable of dealing out damage. They calculated that Adjudicator only needed to keep up the drain for two minutes and twenty-nine seconds for the plan.


    The monster yanked Adjudicator toward its head. It tilted its head down to meet Adjudicator with the numerous blade-like fingers that ringed the back of its head. They stabbed into the Threnosh¡¯s thickly-armored back.


    ¡°How about that?¡±


    Caretaker ignored Primal. They kept one eye on the countdown in their face-plate and one eye on Adjudicator as the monster stabbed them repeatedly.


    It seemed to take forever for the timer to reach zero.


    ¡°Primal, I need you to distract it,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Adjudicator, use the distraction to withdraw,¡± they said into the comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Adjudicator¡¯s words were strained.


    ¡°Finally.¡±


    Primal¡¯s giant power armor lumbered on steps that shook the ground as they charged toward the monster.


    The monster punched out with the arm that was free of Adjudicator¡¯s tendrils. Primal parried it away with an arm that was even thicker than the monster¡¯s. They barreled right into the monster. They pressed the three chainsaw-like blades that rotated around their left arm into the monster¡¯s lower torso. The circular saws roared to life and sent crystalline chips flying. The monster¡¯s smaller arms were caught up in the whirring carnage and were ripped and shredded.


    Adjudicator used their tendrils to pull themselves free from the blades in their back. They timed the move with the monster¡¯s desperate attempt to push Primal away from them. The Threnosh managed to slingshot themselves clear of the titanic brawl.


    The cracks on the ruined surface of the monster¡¯s body continued to grow larger with each thunderous punch that Primal landed. The monster gave as good as it got. Its hammer-like fists dented the thick armor plates that covered Primal¡¯s torso.


    Primal shoved the monster back and the armor plates on their stomach slid open to reveal twenty-one barrels. They fired four volleys back to back that sent the monster reeling.


    Caretaker¡¯s scanners showed that the heat within the monster hadn¡¯t dissipated in the least. In fact it was only building as whatever internal system it ran on, biological, mechanical or something else was being pushed to its limits by their onslaught. Their predictive algorithm indicated that it was time to end things. The monster¡¯s entire structure was now brittle enough. However, it needed the perfect strike at just the right spot.


    ¡°Primal, fall back,¡± Caretaker said.


    The tiniest Threnosh in the largest power armor grumbled, but complied with the order.


    ¡°Zabri, target this exact point.¡± Caretaker sent the information over to Resplendent Zabriium. ¡°Full speed. I calculate that the impact force is well within your trueskin¡¯s tolerances.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± A single word, yet there was a clear sense of excitement from Resplendent Zabriium. They thoroughly enjoyed running as fast as they could. For some reason, they also enjoyed plowing into their enemies. The opportunity to combine the two was wonderful.


    Their power armor was suited to the task. It was like a cross between a centaur and a unicorn. It was the only the size of a pony, but its six limbs, four legs and two arms, were thick and strong. Just like the armor plates that covered them.


    Resplendent Zabriium ran away from the monster for two hundred meters before they turned around and charged. They needed the extra space to get up to their maximum speed, which was over three hundred kilometers an hour. The wind whipped at their body as they thundered across the forest floor. Great clouds of dirt and debris were kicked up in their wake.


    The target point was circled in red on their face-plate¡¯s display. It was right in the middle of the monster¡¯s lower torso, near the ruined remains of its two smaller arms.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    As Resplendent Zabriium hit the thirty meter to the target mark the lowered their upper body to bring the blade-like horn on their helmet¡¯s forehead in line.


    The distance was wiped out in an instant at the speed they were traveling. The impact jarred them worse than anything they had experienced before. However, Caretaker was right, they weathered it just fine. Their power armor¡¯s structure held without any major damage, while the internal dampeners kept their biological body safe.


    The monster didn¡¯t fare as well. The crack at the point of impact spread out and connected to the numerous other cracks on its body. It shattered and crumbled in a cascade of structural failures. When it was finished the only thing that remained was an immense pile of crystalline ruble.


    Caretaker scanned the pile. There was only one thing that read as active. The rest were dead, inert crystals. They walked over and pulled the core out of the mess.


    A chime sounded in Caretaker¡¯s ears. The voice and text of the Task completion notice appeared. They read it quickly then dismissed it. Their tasks weren¡¯t completed. One secret boss defeated, one spawn zone reverted. There were several more to deal with. At least with this area cleared and no longer adding monsters to the horde waves their base¡¯s supply of ammunition was stretched for several more days. They could rest and rearm without worrying about the eight day deadline.


    ¡°Task is complete,¡± Caretaker spoke into the comms. ¡°Requesting immediate transport back to base.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°That¡¯s four secret bosses defeated and four spawn points cleared in just as many days,¡± Cal said. ¡°Impressive!¡±


    He stood in the expansive power armor hangar that had grown in the six months since the project¡¯s inception from five berths to nineteen. With the end to the horde mode they had been facing all of the special candidates were in the hangar. The wall defenses were left to their small contingent of regular soldiers.


    Their power armors were in varying states of disrepair as the engineers, fabricators and technicians swarmed over them. Cal noted that Dralig¡¯s was missing both of its lower arms, while Primal¡¯s external armor had been stripped completely off. From the damage to the plates it looked like a complete loss. Fortunately the uppermost layer of armor plating was strictly of Threnosh make and not the expensive type purchased directly from the spires¡¯ marketplace. It would be easily replaced and Primal would have no cause to complain about expending their Universal Points.


    ¡°Although, it looks like that last secret boss did a number on the team.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Caretaker said.


    Their armor was undamaged, aside from some dirt around their boots and a splattering of monster blood on its surface.


    ¡°How tough was it?¡±


    ¡°The Hell Gorilla, as you dubbed it, combined strength, durability and toughness beyond any of the other secret bosses. They were either quick, but relatively fragile, or strong and durable, but slow,¡± Caretaker paused, ¡°it was a close thing.¡±


    ¡°Well, the important thing is that you handled it perfectly. No one died. Good experience and Universal Points.¡±


    ¡°Agreed. However, I regretfully request a period of rest for the entire team. These last four days have been taxing.¡±


    Cal smiled. ¡°Granted. You¡¯ve earned it! Besides, things around here should quiet down and no outbound tasks to worry about will give me a chance to really get into that kaiju core. I want to get a good look with our scientists before Prime Custodian 3¡¯s scientists get here. There¡¯s something strange going on with it.¡±


    ¡°I do not understand.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just this feeling I¡¯ve got in my bones, so to speak,¡± Cal said lightly. ¡°I¡¯m willing to bet that it¡¯s not as it appears on the surface. Almost like it¡¯s calling to me. Tickling the edges of my thoughts.¡±


    <hr>


    Then


    Roughly two and a half years after the spires appeared on Earth and changed everything


    ¡°Twice! This has happened twice this month!¡± Councilwoman Devon glared daggers at Cal. ¡°What are you going to do about it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s dead. I cut its wings to shreds. Its back broke when it hit the ground and then I stabbed it in the brain,¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°Yes and we¡¯re grateful for your efforts to safeguard our community.¡± Councilman Scott¡¯s eyes glanced at Devon for the briefest instant.


    Cal didn¡¯t need telepathy to know that after over two years on the council with Devon, the man was growing more exasperated with her tendency to be dramatic. It was as if she still thought the council meetings were being recorded, like they were in the pre-spires days. Someone needed to remind her that the cameras weren¡¯t running anymore.


    ¡°With that said,¡± Scott continued, ¡°there does seem to be a worrying trend to these, uh, wyverns, is that right?¡± He looked back to his aide, who was seated in a plastic folding chair against the wall. ¡°I believe these monsters were given that name by your brother before he left our community.¡±


    Cal wasn¡¯t going to take the bait by replying, so he simply looked at the councilman and waited for him to get on with it.


    Scott cleared his throat. ¡°Our people are concerned that these monsters might start attacking within city limits. Perhaps it¡¯s a good idea to find wherever they are coming from and deal with it the same way we dealt with the high school and its gremlins.¡±


    We, in this case, certainly sounded like Cal.


    Cal wasn¡¯t in favor of that idea.


    ¡°A few facts,¡± Cal said, ¡°First, the wyverns aren¡¯t going to attack within city limits. Both of the ones I killed were staying clear of the boundary. Based on information from the spires, I¡¯m thinking that something keeps the monsters from outside of the cities and towns from coming in. Whether it¡¯s some kind of physical barrier we can¡¯t detect or something psychological, I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°The theory is that it has something to do with this ten-year tutorial period, for lack of better word, that we¡¯re in,¡± Remy said.


    The fact that no one around the table scoffed or even blinked at him describing their world in terms that were more fitting to talking about games said a lot about their adaptation to the new reality. Humans were an adaptable sort. Over two years of living in a spires¡¯ dominated world had a way of forcing a person¡¯s views to change.


    ¡°Right, so we¡¯re probably safe from the wyverns and anything else out there until the ten years are up,¡± Cal said. ¡°Plus there are a lot of square miles in the spaces between cities. It¡¯s an inefficient use of my time and energy to search through it for something that isn¡¯t an emergency issue.¡±


    Devon fumed in her seat. The councilwoman hated him on a deeply personal level. Cal maintained a professional relationship with the rest of the council and the other leading figures of their community. The majority didn¡¯t like him on a personal level. This he knew and didn¡¯t care much about. All he cared about was that most of them could put aside that enmity to work with him for the betterment of their greater community.


    ¡°If someone has a good idea about locating a potential nesting site for these wyverns. Then we can put a plan together to clear it.¡± Cal decided to throw in a concession. ¡°Without unnecessary risks to personnel,¡± he added. The last thing he wanted was them sending out scouting parties. It would¡¯ve been the younger people. They were the ones with useful classes, skills and magic for such a mission.


    ¡°Seems to me that there wouldn¡¯t be any risk to send you out.¡± The colonel¡¯s voice was like gravel being ground down. The man didn¡¯t say much, so when he did it drew everyone¡¯s attention.


    Wayne Johnson was over sixty and had been long-retired from service. He was pressed into taking over the general command of the community¡¯s fighting force, which evolved to become the Watch, as it was called now. He was mostly hands-off on daily operations. Demi Lawrence, Police Officer, handled that.


    Colonel Johnson really didn¡¯t like Cal. Thought him a traitor to the country for not following orders from what he considered the lawful government. Cal hadn¡¯t needed to rely on telepathy to find that out. The man had practically spat it to his face with the look in his eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯d be a mistake to send out scouting teams if the plan was to intentionally place them in danger to force me to go save them,¡± Cal said in his mildest tone. He stared impassively into the colonel¡¯s hard eyes.


    ¡°We would never intentionally place our valued defenders in danger,¡± Scott said hurriedly.


    Cal didn¡¯t remind the man that was exactly what they did every time they sent people up against monsters. The was the inherent nature of any soldier. They existed to be put into dangerous situations for the benefit of others. Whether it be king, country or loved ones. As far as he was concerned the last reason was the only good one.


    Colonel Johnson made a noise in his throat.


    Cal figured that maybe some of that gravel he was chewing on went down wrong.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to waste lives,¡± Colonel Johnson said.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we table the wyvern issue for now,¡± Scott said. ¡°As long as they stay outside of the city limits then we¡¯ll be okay for now¡­ but,¡± he held up finger at Devon, who was about to say something, ¡°we¡¯ll need to keep a closer watch on them and other monsters outside of our city.¡±


    ¡°We can do that.¡± Colonel Johnson looked over at Demi.


    ¡°We¡¯ll increase patrols around the city limits,¡± she said curtly.


    ¡°Does the Watch have enough people for that?¡± Scott said.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be a little tight, but recent recruitment levels has given us enough personnel to do this,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Good. As always, your efforts are appreciated.¡± The councilman smiled at Demi, who stared at him without expression. ¡°I suppose it¡¯s a good time to turn things over for your report.¡±


    Demi looked over her notes briefly. ¡°There was nothing noteworthy in this week¡¯s patrol incidents. All were summarized and included in the memo I gave you. We continue to monitor both high schools and clear them of any monsters on a daily basis. So far there have been no signs of them turning into spawn points or encounter challenges. No messages from the spires. The only incident of note was the wyvern, but that¡¯s already been discussed. If I may add my input on that matter. I don¡¯t think any of my people should be going out searching for their spawn point or nest, whatever you¡¯re going to call it,¡± her eyes settled on Cal.


    ¡°Thank you, Captain Lawrence,¡± Scott said. ¡°Now on to the next item on the agenda. There have been some concerns about noise along D Street, the block close to 5th Street. I believe that is where a portion of the Watch is being housed. Is that corr¡ª?¡±


    The door to the meeting room burst open and a young woman came running in. She made a beeline straight for Colonel Johnson and Demi. She whispered something into their ears in a burst of frantic energy.


    Cal could tell by the excited look on all of their faces that it was something big. Not necessarily bad, since he wasn¡¯t sensing outright fear from them.


    ¡°Well?¡± Scott looked miffed at being interrupted and left out of the loop.


    Cal hid his smirk. The councilman really didn¡¯t like not being the center of attention. It was something that Scott had in common with Devon.


    Demi looked to the colonel, who nodded. ¡°People from Sacramento. They¡¯re at the bridge and they want to talk. Claim that they¡¯re from the government.¡±


    The table was silent for several beats until it erupted into voices all talking over each other in their haste to be heard. There were excited questions, denials and suspicion.


    ¡°Quiet!¡± Cal banged his fist on the table. He inclined his head toward Demi. ¡°Do you have more details? Like numbers? Weapons? Physical appearance? What''re they wearing? What do they look like?¡±


    ¡°Mix of people in Sac PD tac gear and military combat harness,¡± Demi paused, ¡°and a guy in a suit. They drove up in three Humvees with fifties mounted on top and a white flag.¡±


    ¡°White flag, huh? Sounds legit,¡± Cal said. He wasn¡¯t convinced.


    To his surprise the colonel agreed with him for once. ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean anything. Anyone can raid the armory and loot some uniforms and gear. We need to verify their identities before we do anything else.¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Scott said quickly. ¡°What do you suggest?¡±


    ¡°Talk to them. Send a small group. I figure you Cruces boys should do the trick,¡± Colonel Johnson turned a baleful glare on Cal and Remy. ¡°Things get hot¡­ well, you¡¯re all supposed to be bulletproof anyways.¡±


    ¡°What if they have powers or magic?¡± Devon was scared. She did a terrible job of concealing her inner thoughts for a politician.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter, a weapon is a weapon. Whether it¡¯s a bullet or a fireball, makes no difference,¡± Colonel Johnson said.


    Cal begged to differ, but clarifying the difference wasn¡¯t important at the moment.


    ¡°We¡¯ll go,¡± Remy said. He silenced Cal¡¯s protest with a look. ¡°Obviously, you¡¯ll probably want to come along,¡± he looked at Scott, ¡°as a representative of our local government. And I¡¯m sure that the Watch will want to have a presence,¡± he nodded at Demi. ¡°If they¡¯re going to have their muscle, then so should we.¡±


    ¡°Might be a trap,¡± Cal said. ¡°Get you out on the middle of the bridge and snipe you.¡±


    ¡°I can set up a magnetic field around everyone. Automatically catch any bullet or arrow.¡±


    ¡°Sure, if they¡¯re metal,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°They might hit you with a fireball.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have a couple of people with me that might be able to handle that,¡± Demi said. ¡°We¡¯ll take a truck. Me plus four of the Watch and you two,¡± she nodded at Cal and Remy.


    Cal raised a brow at that. He hadn¡¯t been planning on inviting himself. Remy volunteering to join had changed that. He wasn¡¯t about to stay away if his brother was going to be at risk. Although the initial sketches of the plan he was drawing up in his head was to use his telepathy to mask his presence and stay back from the meeting. Far enough away to escape easy notice, but close enough to catch any tricks from the other side.


    ¡°That works,¡± Remy said with a look at Cal. ¡°Between us, we should be able to catch any dirty tricks.¡± He knew how Cal thought.


    ¡°Sure, why not,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Great!¡± Scott looked up from whatever he was ferociously scribbling on his notepad. ¡°Jen will go to represent the council.¡± He tore the paper loose and handed it back to his shocked aide.


    ¡°Oh you chickenshit,¡± Cal muttered under his breath.


    ¡°Stick to the script,¡± Scott continued. ¡°Don¡¯t commit to anything. Ask those questions. If they don¡¯t want to answer then that¡¯s okay, don¡¯t force the issue. This is just the feeling out part of the negotiation process. We need to see what they want first before we can craft a response.¡±


    Cal felt bad for the young woman. Her eyes were as wide as saucers and she visibly swallowed the lump in her throat as she accepted the small sheet of paper in her shaking hands. Politicians were the worst. Scott was perfectly capable of going, instead he was sending out a young woman, who in a normal world would still be in college. The rest of the council wasn¡¯t any better.


    One would think that such a dramatic moment as a tense diplomatic meeting in the middle of the bridge was the perfect, dramatic center of attention-type event that Devon salivated over. Except the danger was real and she¡¯d never do anything willingly to put herself into such a situation.


    There was one exception. Cal had to give the old man a pass. Councilman Smith was ancient. He had served in local government for longer than Cal had been alive. That he was still pretty sharp mentally and was generally a decent guy that wanted what was best for the community made him the most tolerable out of the bunch.


    ¡°I think we¡¯ll end this meeting on that. Good luck everyone!¡± Scott said and promptly stood up from his chair and strode out of the room.


    The rest of the council followed suit just as quickly, except for Mr. Smith, who hobbled out on his walker. Cal reached out with his telekinesis and made the burden on the man¡¯s bones easier. He helped the old man all the way out to the car waiting to take him home.


    ¡°I¡¯d like a word with you, Cruces,¡± Colonel Johnson said.


    ¡°I know,¡± Cal said.


    Remy frowned, but Cal waved him away.


    The rest of the room cleared and it was just Cal and the grizzled old soldier. They sat at the table in silence and stared at each other for several long seconds. Cal waited for the man to talk. He recognized a test of wills when he was in one. He wasn¡¯t going to let Colonel Johnson¡¯s old military tactics phase him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like you,¡± Colonel Johnson graveled. ¡°All that power in one person is bad enough. To have it in someone that refuses to obey lawful orders and has no loyalty to the country that he owes his very way of life to is a bomb waiting to go off. You¡¯re a threat to everything that I spent decades of my life fighting to uphold.¡± He took a deep breath. ¡°But you haven¡¯t done anything yet to force my hand, so long as you keep being a net benefit to this community I can tolerate your existence.¡±


    ¡°How magnanimous of you,¡± Cal said. He was tempted to add that the colonel was generally correct about his lack of loyalty to the country and the insubordination. Except, was it truly insubordination if he hadn¡¯t taken any oaths to obey orders from random city council members, police officers or retired military people? Loyalty to country? He obeyed laws and paid taxes when those were still a thing. That was all he owed as far as he saw it. His attitudes hadn¡¯t changed since the spires appeared. The only difference now was that with his powers there was nothing anyone else could do to force him to obey them.


    There was something ironically humorous in everyone still expecting that they could order him around as long as they had a badge or a fancy title. They got upset when he didn¡¯t follow along and then they promptly accused him of placing himself above them. The cognitive dissonance of their projection was something else to see firsthand.


    Cal stood from the table without further word. There was no point in debate with the colonel. The grizzled vet was set in his ways. No amount of logic and truth would sway his opinions.

 2.26 Epilogue

    Sometime during Year 4 after the spires appeared.


    Detective Ordonez led Cal into the bowels of the county coroner¡¯s office. Down where they kept the bodies and did autopsies. The detective held up a small kerosene lantern to light their way through the darkness. At junctions where the corridors turned there were emergency lights that did their best to push back the shadows. It wasn¡¯t nearly enough to keep the foreboding sense of danger that seemed to lurk in every corner.


    It was just a feeling that signified nothing. The supernatural darkness over the first months of the spires¡¯ apocalypse that brought tiny, hidden terrors were long gone. This was ordinary, everyday shadows. The only monsters that might¡¯ve been hidden inside them would¡¯ve had to sneak in from elsewhere.


    The acting state government took security seriously. There were constant patrols and people standing on guard. There were no monsters inside with them. Cal knew that for a fact, since he used his telepathy to search for the typical malice and hunger that accompanied them and found nothing.


    ¡°You guys considered hanging up some lanterns in these hallways?¡±


    ¡°Waste of supplies and man-hours to keep them maintained.¡± Detective Ordonez¡¯s voice somehow conveyed the glower on her face that was obscured by the shadows that danced across it. ¡°People move through them quicker this way. No wasting time.¡±


    Cal amended his assessment. He picked up a feeling of barely repressed anger that was bordering on rage. The source was walking right next to him. He decided that the silence wasn¡¯t so oppressive after all.


    Thankfully it didn¡¯t take long for them to reach their destination.


    The double doors swung open as Detective Ordonez barged through. A blast of cold air hit Cal as he followed after her. He had to brace the door with one arm as the detective didn¡¯t bother holding it open for him.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me we were going to the morgue?¡±


    The detective¡¯s thick parka made sense now. Cal was wondering why she was wearing something fit for mountain top snow storms when it was roughly the middle of October. Sure, it was cold and raining outside, but a parka was overdoing it. And here he was in his usual kevlar motorcycle jacket with custom steel plates sewn in vital areas.


    ¡°You cold?¡± Detective Ordonez raised a brow.


    Cal faked a shiver. ¡°Freezing,¡± he said flatly. The temperature ranges he could handle had been dramatically widened by the changes his body had undergone since the spires showed up. It didn¡¯t make much sense from a real science point of view, but since real science had been upended he wasn¡¯t going to let it bother him.


    There were three people waiting for them inside the examination room. An older woman in scrubs, a grinning young man in police tac gear and a thick coat and a slight, teenage girl in loose jeans and a thin rain jacket.


    Cal suddenly felt a sudden and overwhelming feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach. It was like he wanted to gag and vomit. It was strange. The thought of possibly seeing an autopsy shouldn¡¯t have hit him that hard. Four years of consistent combat with monsters and the occasional evil human had done much to harden his stomach.


    ¡°Huh? You¡¯re looking a little green,¡± Detective Ordonez said. ¡°I heard you¡¯ve handled all sorts of monsters and people. The thought of seeing a dead body bothering you?¡±


    It took a moment for Cal to get himself under control. He pushed the dread down. Buried it deep somewhere in his mind. ¡°Ever since I agreed to help you out with this case I¡¯ve seen more dead bodies than I¡¯ve ever wanted too. And that¡¯s the post-apocalypse me talking,¡± he frowned. ¡°You were there with me at each scene. So, try not to enjoy my discomfort too much. It¡¯s churlish and unbecoming of your station.¡± He practically harrumphed.


    Detective Ordonez stared flatly at him. ¡°Fucking drama queen.¡± She led him over to the examination table, which was covered with a sterile sheet. ¡°This is Doctor Bai Jensen. She¡¯s the only medical personnel left from the coroner¡¯s original staff.¡±


    Cal exchanged a wave with the doctor, who was already wearing gloves.


    ¡°The grinning giant doofus is Jacob Gates. He¡¯s SacPd, trainee officer.¡±


    The young man stuck out a catcher¡¯s mitt-sized hand that engulfed Cal¡¯s. He had about a foot in height over Cal and probably seventy to a hundred pounds in weight. He grinned and squeezed hard.


    ¡°Seriously?¡± Cal stared flatly. He squeezed back, fast and hard, until the young man grimaced.


    ¡°Oww, okay¡­ sorry. I heard a lot about you. Guess the stuff they were saying was true. Call me Jake. Sorry about that again, I had to find out. No hard feelings?¡± The young man grinned sheepishly.


    ¡°Sure, why not,¡± Cal sighed. He looked over to the teen girl, who was looking up at him with a sullen gaze from behind the long blond hair that partially hid her face like a curtain. Something about the look sent a shiver up his spine.


    ¡°That is Florence, she¡¯s¡­ a special operative. Answers directly to the acting governor¡¯s office,¡± Detective Ordonez said. ¡°Now if you guys are done comparing dick sizes, Doctor Bai is a busy woman and I¡¯d like to get out of her hair as quickly as possible.¡±


    ¡°You might want to avoid getting too close if you don¡¯t want to get anything on your clothes. I¡¯d offer you some scrubs, but something got into our supplies when this whole thing started and we¡¯re rationing what we¡¯ve been able to scrounge to essential personnel,¡± Doctor Bai said briskly as she pulled the sheet of the corpse on the table.


    Cal forced himself to look and listen closely to everything the doctor pointed out. He didn¡¯t know the jargon, but he was smart enough to pick it up through context. Bite radius was something that stood out. Very disturbing.


    Mercifully the doctor was quick as she pointed out all the claw and teeth marks, the bites on the mangled corpse. It took less than five minutes before they were ushered out of the frigid examination room.


    ¡°So, Flo here has enhanced strength, speed and durability. I¡¯m pretty strong myself,¡± Jake jabbed a thumb to his chest, ¡°benching three-fifteen by fives now. But Flo curls that like nothing! With one arm! How strong are you? You¡¯ve got a pretty strong grip, but, no offense, I¡¯d put my money on her over you.¡±


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Florence snapped and pulled the hood of her light rain jacket over her head. She marched off down the darkened hallway a dozen feet before leaning back against the wall.


    ¡°Yikes,¡± Jake raised his brows, ¡°I¡¯m trying to break through her shell. Don¡¯t know what I¡¯m doing wrong,¡± he whispered.


    Cal knew, but he kept quiet. Not his responsibility.


    ¡°So, you vs Flo. Who wins?¡±


    ¡°Jesus Christ man. Do you ever stop? Real life isn¡¯t a versus death battle,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°We¡¯re actual people, not fictional beings.¡±


    ¡°Meh. It¡¯s like boxing and MMA. You cheer for fighters, don¡¯t you? What if Ali fought Tyson? Pacquiao versus Sugar Ray?¡±


    ¡°Robinson or Leonard?¡±


    ¡°Both,¡± Jake shrugged.


    ¡°I¡¯m required to say Pacquiao, but realistically either Sugar Ray would take it. Leonard¡¯s got size and reach. Robinson¡¯s got all the physical advantages, taller, faster, stronger, more skilled, probably the best pound for pound in history,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Boys,¡± Detective Ordonez growled. ¡°You need to focus. The Mauler is officially branching out of Midtown. He or she or, and I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m saying this, it has killed two people near the Capitol this past week. That in there,¡± she jammed a thumb back toward the examination room, ¡°was the latest vic. She is, was, part of the acting governor¡¯s security detail. When she didn¡¯t show up for her shift this morning they went to her place. Found that waiting.¡±


    ¡°So, now that it¡¯s getting closer to your bosses, they¡¯re starting to sweat, hence the girl,¡± Cal tilted his head at Flo. For her part the teenager stared at him with what he figured was either insolence or annoyance. He kept his telepathy to himself. He didn¡¯t want to accidentally reveal too much of what he was capable of in case the detective or the teen had ways of detecting a telepathic probe. Since Ordonez¡¯s class was actually Detective, he wasn¡¯t going to risk it. ¡°I get why they¡¯re putting her on this, but why him?¡± He looked at Jake. ¡°No offense, but you¡¯re a trainee officer.¡±


    ¡°None taken,¡± Jake smiled. ¡°I was just a college freshmen studying IT. stuff doing part time work as tech support for the SacPD when those spires popped up.¡±


    Detective Ordonez narrowed her eyes at Jake, who still had that same shit-eating grin on his round face. ¡°Brass thinks Jake¡¯s got a class that might prove useful to my investigation.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, what¡¯s your class?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a Tec¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut it!¡± Detective Ordonez punched Jake on the arm. ¡°What part of OPSEC do you not understand?¡± She pinched the bridge of her nose. ¡°This is why I hate babysitting.¡±


    Jake looked at Cal apologetically. ¡°Sorry.¡±


    Cal waved it away. ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± He was tempted to probe with his telepathy, but he resisted the urge. ¡°Right, so the person on the table. She was?¡±


    ¡°A Warrior,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°The previous vic was some kind of magic user,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°Well, that confirms a pattern then? Right?¡± Cal said.


    The other victims of the gruesome serial killer that people had dubbed The Midtown Mauler, at least the ones that they had been able to identify, all had one thing in common.


    Detective Ordonez nodded. ¡°It¡¯s hard to say since it¡¯s so hard to get positive ID¡¯s on the vics¡­ but yeah. I think we can move forward under the theory that the mauler is targeting people with classes.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t get it,¡± Jake said. ¡°Isn¡¯t that like everyone?¡±


    ¡°Classes, as in Warrior or Mage,¡± Cal said. ¡°Not classes that are just the professions people had before the apocalypse. Like Doctor or Detective.¡± He turned to Detective Ordonez. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you people going all in on this? Why just us four?¡±


    ¡°The brass is worried that sending a lot of weaker people after the mauler will end up lead to a pile of dead bodies. They¡¯re banking on you and Flo to handle the heavy lifting. My job is to lead the two of you right to it,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°I suppose that¡¯s a reasonable plan, if a little cowardly,¡± Cal said. He glanced over at Flo. He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of dread that was scratching around at the edges of his perceptions.


    <hr>


    Sometime during Year 3 after the spires appeared.


    ¡°I need you to verify someone¡¯s class,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Two things,¡± Cal said. ¡°This is what you called me in for? And what made you think that I can actually do something like that?¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯ve got some ability you aren¡¯t sharing that lets you tell if people are lying.¡±


    Cal narrowed his eyes. ¡°Right, of course. You¡¯ve figured me out,¡± he said flatly. A quick and light telepathic probe that just barely touched the outermost layer of Demi¡¯s thoughts revealed that she was making a guess. A very educated and on the right track kind of guess, but he wasn¡¯t about to tell her that.


    ¡°Look, I don¡¯t really care. As long as I can put it to use for the community,¡± Demi said.


    A truthful sentiment as far as Cal picked up.


    ¡°Fine. I can possibly do this, except it¡¯s not a hundred percent guarantee that I¡¯ll be spot on.¡± Cal didn¡¯t elaborate further. He was afraid that saying more might reveal too much.


    ¡°Okay. So, I¡¯ve got a woman that wants to join our community.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem? We¡¯ve got plenty of free housing and I thought we had an open policy in regards to people moving here.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s welcome to stay regardless. This is about the job she wants,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°She wants to teach.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re losing me. Again, why do I need to be involved?¡±


    ¡°Sword fighting. She wants to teach sword fighting.¡±


    ¡°Well that¡¯s¡­ new.¡±


    Demi sighed. ¡°She claims to be a Swordswoman. That¡¯s right, not a Warrior or a Fighter like our people.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m interested now. What else did she say?¡±


    ¡°According to her she is capable of performing fighter skills without using said skills. She described it as just using proper form and technique.¡±


    ¡°This is a huge development on several levels.¡± Cal was excited. ¡°From a tactical perspective, she doesn¡¯t telegraph her movements by calling out the skill word. If she is able to teach this to our people¡­ and her class. If true she might be able to give us the information we need to unlock the secret behind how to upgrade classes for greater specialization and power. God knows that the spires¡¯ tutorials have been maddeningly vague on that point.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I figured. It¡¯ll be good for us if she¡¯s on the level. Even if she doesn¡¯t want to join the Watch and be an active combatant. Her teaching us proper sword fighting techniques can only be useful,¡± Demi drummed her fingers on her desk, ¡°she claims that she lived in Reno when the world went to shit. From the sounds of it she spent time in the Tahoe area for a while. When Sac got control of the region between the two places she decided to make her way down.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m sold. I¡¯m guessing you¡¯ve got her at the intake center. I¡¯ll head over right away.¡±


    Demi nodded. ¡°Great, so after you¡¯re done vetting her there¡¯s this other guy I need you to check out.¡±


    Cal repressed the urge to roll his eyes. That would¡¯ve been very immature and unhelpful. ¡°Sure. Just give me the quick details.¡±


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Demi took a deep breath, ¡°A bat flew through that very window and dropped a letter on this desk before flying right out,¡± she raised her hands, ¡°I swear I¡¯m not making this up. I wouldn¡¯t believe me either, but with the spires¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ bullshit all over the place.¡± Cal nodded sympathetically. ¡°I¡¯m going to take you at your word on this.¡±


    ¡°The letter was from a guy. Didn¡¯t give a name. Just an address. The gist of it was that he wants to be a part of our community. Willing to help, preferably with our research department on the spires. Said that he¡¯s been in town this whole time, living in hiding. I¡¯ve got the place under surveillance right now, from a distance. It¡¯s a shopping center on the edge of town.¡±


    ¡°Why not just check it out yourselves?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t risk my people in case this guy isn¡¯t on the level. You can survive a lot more than any of my guys.¡±


    ¡°True,¡± Cal conceded. ¡°Please continue.¡±


    ¡°The guy claims that he was a grad student at the university, anthropology.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ the letter said that he wants to meet with someone from the community. Get guarantees for his safety. Swears he won¡¯t hurt anyone,¡± Demi paused, ¡°said that he can only meet at night.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    <hr>


    Roughly two and a half years after the spires appeared.


    Cal stood silently next to the truck about fifty yards back from where Demi and Jen were speaking with the man purporting to be a representative from the government. He divided his focus in two. He was keeping an ear on the talk, while scanning the area with his telepathy for any signs of duplicity and danger.


    He wasn¡¯t only concerned about the group of hard-eyed men and women in combat gear gathered around their Humvees about a hundred yards away from his position. He was also concerned about the river below them.


    There had been several days of heavy rain over the past week, which meant that the water level was much higher than usual. Who knew what sort of mutated fish, reptiles and amphibians lurked in the river¡¯s murky depths? Cal didn¡¯t and so he kept a close eye with his telepathy for any signs of imminent attack.


    He did the same with the people claiming to be with the government. Without a closer look into their thoughts he wasn¡¯t able to figure out if they were genuine. At this range and since he was taking more of a top down view the most that he was able to glean was general emotions. What he found was encouraging. There wasn¡¯t any sort of malice in their collective thoughts. They were wary and suspicious.


    Cal stretched out with his telepathy as far as he could to the opposite side of the bridge. He was looking for any potential snipers. He found nothing. He left it to Remy¡¯s magnetic fields to catch any potential bullets, as per the plan.


    He left his telepathy active, while he switched his focus to the talk. The distance wasn¡¯t an impediment to his ability to listen in thanks to his enhanced senses.


    ¡°We¡¯re with the government. The California State Government under Acting Governor Alejandro Richards.¡±


    Cal had missed when the suited man introduced himself.


    ¡°You understand why we can¡¯t simply take you at your word,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Of course. This is just preliminary. My purpose is to set up a meeting with your community¡¯s representatives. Our goal is to bring our people together. In order to face the extraordinary challenges that the past couple of years have brought us all.¡±


    ¡°¡­ well he¡¯s not lying,¡± Cal said. ¡°Even though that¡¯s total political speak.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Remy frowned.


    ¡°The dude in the suit. I¡¯m pretty sure that what he¡¯s saying is true. At least he believes it¡¯s true.¡±


    ¡°Trying to concentrate here.¡± The strain was evident from the bulging veins in Remy¡¯s face. ¡°Two separate fields strong enough to stop a .50 cal¡­ one fifty yards away isn¡¯t something I do everyday.¡±


    ¡°Well, now you know what to work on,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t think we¡¯re in danger here. At least not right now.¡±


    Cal only half-listened as Jen read from the script Scott had given her and proceeded to ask the questions. For being in a such a pressure-packed situation, she did a decent job at sticking to her instructions.


    <hr>


    Roughly two years after Cal arrived on the Threnosh world.


    Cal looked at his calendar. Its accuracy was debatable. The Threnosh didn¡¯t track days, months and years in the same way that Earth did. If he was correct then it had been roughly two years since he had arrived on the Threnosh world. About a year and a quarter since he had started the project with the Defectives.


    The word made him laugh. His guys were now equivalent to, if not better than the normal Threnosh elites. So much growth in such a short amount of time. Constant conflict and challenges against monsters made for quick improvements to their abilities. Whether it be through upgrades to their power armors or their personal capabilities.


    Now that the project was up and running, maybe it was time for him to pursue selfish goals. Cal needed more Universal Points. He needed to challenge himself more than he had been. Sure the flying kaiju was a legitimate challenge, but that was a one time thing. Not that he wanted to repeat it, but rather he realized that it was necessary for him to continuously improve for the time when he would finally be able to go home.


    He figured he had somewhere in the neighborhood of three years until the way back home was open. He needed to be as strong as possible for when the ten-year tutorial period was over for Earth. What was happening to the Threnosh world now that the Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy was actively invading was worrisome. They took and held territory with relative ease. The Threnosh¡¯s advanced technology wasn¡¯t holding up. That didn¡¯t bode well for his home.


    What he needed to do was get some Quests from the spires. Those provided significantly more Universal Points than simply going around killing every monster in sight. The boss monsters and secret bosses from the areas that he had been granted access to by the Collective weren¡¯t enough. It¡¯d take something like the flying kaiju to make the time and effort worth it.


    Cal swiped and scrolled through the holographic projection hovering over his desk. It was a list of the spawn points that the Threnosh had completely sealed off and banned any access. These places had years for the monsters within to grow strong, which meant they were likely worth a lot of points. And perhaps he¡¯d gain some diplomatic points by clearing long-lost cities and settlements for the Threnosh.


    ¡°There¡¯s no way they¡¯d keep me from trying these places out if I tell them I¡¯m planning to clear and return them to normal. PC3 would definitely agree.¡± Cal zeroed in on one city that looked promising. It was located within Prime Custodian 3¡¯s jurisdiction, which was a plus toward getting the authorization to hit it. The city was old. One of the oldest on the continent. It was only about fifteen hundred miles away from his base, so that meant reinforcement and resupply would be easier. ¡°Hmm, Orchestral Meridian¡­¡± he scratched at his growing beard, ¡°this autotranslation system comes up with the weirdest names.¡±


    Cal saved the location and started on a list of things he needed to do before undertaking this new project. He fired off a message to Tides and Loaming. They¡¯d tap the researchers to get him everything about Orchestral Meridian that was in the general database. He sent another one to Prime Custodian 3 outlining the general shape of his plan. The last one he sent to Caretaker. They¡¯d need to talk about logistics and the Threnosh was a lot better than him at it. Plus, he was going to leave them in charge of the teams, while he was off on his adventure.


    Cal stopped in the middle of dictating the message. His head shot up and he looked around wildly for a moment. There was something¡­ a sound? Almost like chimes, no? Instruments, music, singing? There wasn¡¯t any floating text in his vision accompanied by the spires¡¯ system voice. He reached out with his telepathy. There was nothing out of the ordinary.


    Whatever that was, it had jarred him, which was concerning.


    His hand shook as he tapped his PID to contact the base¡¯s scanner operators.


    ¡°This is Honor. Were there any unusual readings from the spires in our immediate surroundings? Say, ten-fifteen seconds ago?¡±


    The voice came back after a few seconds. ¡°All scans are negative.¡±


    Cal recognized Communicator Blackswamp 649¡¯s voice. He had made them the subleader of the scanner operator unit.


    ¡°Thanks, Blackswamp,¡± Cal said. He took several deep breaths to settle himself. ¡°Could Zalthyss have found a way to slip past the sensors?¡± Was he just being paranoid? ¡°Damn it. I¡¯m going to have to check this out myself, in person.¡± There went the easy day of research and relaxation. ¡°Might as well bring the new guys along. Turn it into a training thing.¡±


    Cal stood up when his PID beeped. ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor, this is Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337.¡±


    ¡°What is it Tides?¡±


    ¡°Research Leader Dim Redgrass 8729 urgently requests your presence in the kaiju core lab.¡±


    The administrative manager of his research division was unfortunately named. Though Cal chalked it up once again to the deficiencies of the autotranslation system.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°I do not know. Though they were insistent that you come immediately.¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 paused. ¡°I concur with their assessment and advise you to comply.¡±


    Cal pulled up the live video feed from the lab in question. ¡°Shit!¡± He could barely make anything out through the bright light that appeared to be emanating from the kaiju core. ¡°Tides! Activate containment protocols!¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ it appears that the subleader on duty has already done so.¡±


    ¡°Good. Tell them I¡¯m on my way.¡± Cal hurried out of his office. He prayed that he wasn¡¯t going to have to test his telekinetic shield.


    <hr>


    Roughly one and a half years after Cal arrived on the Threnosh world.


    What came out of the spire was like nothing the Threnosh had ever seen before. The large humanoids were monstrous in appearance, yet were clad in armor and bearing weapons. They moved in precise formations. Something that invasive organisms had never done before.


    Sadly, the lower ranks among the soldiery had not been made privy to the information that their commanders had from the Collective. If they had, then they would¡¯ve known that these gigantic things were their opposite numbers from the Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy. The polity that had claimed ownership of the world above the Threnosh¡¯s.


    Soldiers from two different worlds faced off over the empty remains of a vital city. One that had been cleared of nearly every single inhabitant several months ago in several days of blood by the outworld invader that had claimed to be the one called Zalthyss.


    It had left the city after completing its heinous rampage and the Threnosh were determined to retake what was theirs and bring it back to life. They had repaired and bolstered its defenses. Brought greater numbers of soldiers and even several elites. They brought thousands of noncombatant Threnosh to return the city to its proper operations. This was their world and they would do as they had always done.


    The Threnosh were unsurprised that the spire just a few kilometers outside of the city walls spewed forth invaders. It was the nature of these invaders that caught them off guard.


    Their armaments appeared well made, but primitive. Metal armor made by hand. The same with their melee weapons of wood, bone and metal. Bows and crossbows. Ballistae and catapults pulled by the humanoids themselves.


    Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326 was a student of ancient Threnosh history and what they saw across the wide-open plain reminded them of the Threnosh¡¯s barbaric, ancient past.


    ¡°Enemy force appears to be complete. There has been no activity from the god hair for the past three minutes and twenty-seven seconds.¡±


    ¡°Preliminary count?¡± Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326 didn¡¯t take his eye from the bank of live images projected into their face-plate.


    ¡°Total forces number twenty thousand and thirty four. There appears to be several slight variations among the invaders. We currently do not have enough data to assess the significance.¡±


    Nearly a hundred drones flew high above the gathering enemy army. They were untouched. Either the enemy was unable to destroy them or they weren¡¯t aware of the drones¡¯ presence. The Threnosh were easily winning the battle for information.


    Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326 waved away their adjutant. They sent an order through their commander-type power armor¡¯s specialized command and control software and hardware module. The cybernetic link meant that all it took was a single, focused thought, to send their interceptor squadron streaking into the dark night sky.


    They weren¡¯t going to wait for the enemy to form up and march on the city. They were going to hit while the enemy was still kilometers away.


    The interceptors were like silent raptors about to descend on their prey. Instead of talons, they struck with fragmentation bombs that sent shrapnel raining down on the enemy.


    The humanoids blindly loosed eight-foot long arrows and bolts up into the darkness in response. It was in vain. The interceptors were already winging their way back to the city to reload.


    Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326 studied the images being broadcast back by the drones. It quickly became apparent that the damage their interceptors had done was minimal.


    The giant humanoids were thickly built. Their fair skin was thick and leathery. The biological scans indicated dense muscle tissue and a robust bone structure. Their metal armor, steel according to the scans, was thick enough to prevent the shrapnel from penetrating.


    The senior commander focused in on one of the humanoids as it removed its steel helmet to pry a particularly large piece of shrapnel from its surface.


    Its face was square, with a jutting lower jaw. Over-sized canine teeth protruded from a closed mouth. Its long hair was a pale yellow. It had intelligent eyes, deeply set underneath a prominent brow.


    The look in its eyes was worrisome. It was the last bit of information that the senior commander needed to put any doubts to rest. These humanoids were definitely unlike the standard invasive organism. They were strong and durable, organized, intelligent. And they outnumbered the senior commander¡¯s forces twenty to one.


    In that instant they knew that this was no longer a battle that could be won. Now all they could do was provide enough time for the city to be evacuated. Failure meant that another city¡¯s worth of Threnosh would be lost to the Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy.


    The bombing run triggered the enemy forces into immediate action. They formed up and began marching on the city. Neat, orderly blocks strode across the plains with lengthy strides that ate up the distance with surprising speed. Teams of the large humanoids pulled and pushed siege engines into range with sheer muscle power.


    A second interceptor bombing run rained down fire and metal on the enemy. The bright orange of the explosions was dwarfed by the immense size of the army. It had the same effect as the first run, which to say was minimal.


    The enemy crossed into range.


    Projectile fire from the automated turrets on the wall raked the front ranks of the enemy. Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326 was unsurprised when the enemy was merely slowed rather than stopped. Their thick armor and dense bodies did a great job of blocking or absorbing the projectiles.


    The enemy responded in kind. Tree-sized arrows struck and broke against the Threnosh¡¯s thirty-foot high wall. Enormous boulders gathered during the buildup fell past the walls and into the city. They broke against buildings. It would take more than falling rocks to do more than dent Threnosh metallic building construction.


    The senior commander sent an order to a portion of their soldiers. They needed to take to the wall and add to the projectile fire. Recoilless rifles and miniguns increased the volume. It paid dividends as a few of the large humanoids in the front lines began to drop.


    The senior commander already had the calculations. Even if every soldier was up on the walls. The enemy forces were still going to cross the distance intact. Once at the wall they would be able to simply climb over with the large ladders they were carrying.


    A spark of reddish light to the rear of the enemy caught the senior commander¡¯s attention. They directed a drone to zoom in on the area. What they saw baffled them.


    A large humanoid with a thinner build and clad in robes instead of thick plates of armor was standing over a large basin-like object that had horrifying scenes of violence carved into its outer surface.


    There was a cage next to it. What it contained had the senior commander in disbelief.


    Smaller humanoids clad in rags, huddled in a corner of the cage as far away from the large humanoid as possible. The Threnosh recognized them. They ran a probability scan to compare the captives¡¯ physical appearance to the only outworld invader that was allowed to exist relatively freely on the Threnosh world.


    The scan spat out the answer almost immediately. The humanoids in the cage belonged to the same species as the one with the designation, Honor.¡±


    The large humanoid chanted something indecipherable. A long string of words in a singsong fashion. That the automatic translation system didn¡¯t render the words into the Threnosh language indicated that there wasn¡¯t anything remotely similar.


    The chanting continued even while the large humanoid opened the cage and reached in to pull out a struggling captive. The large humanoid moved briskly as it butchered the unfortunate captive on a crude wooden table next to the basin. As it placed the pieces into the basin its chanting grew more powerful. It rose to a frenzy in an instant.


    The senior commander could only watch in a complete and utter sense of shock that briefly overwhelmed their stoic nature as was standard for a proper Threnosh.


    A red glow surrounded the basin, which was now filled with the blood and body parts of the captive. A sensor scan confirmed that there was some sort of energy building within the basin.


    Without warning a curtain of fire appeared out of nowhere to blanket a large section of the wall. It engulfed the soldiers, but the senior commander wasn¡¯t concerned. Their power armor would provide enough protection for the automatic fire suppressors to pop up.


    As expected the units emerged and sprayed foam all across the burning section of the wall. Unexpectedly the fire wasn¡¯t stopped or even slowed. It raged as if nothing had been done.


    ¡°All units off the wall.¡± Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326 acted decisively.


    The chanting continued and the senior commander had the sense that even if they weren¡¯t listening through the drones the large humanoid¡¯s voice would have reached them anyways.


    As soldiers burned and jumped from the top of the wall the large humanoid grabbed another poor captive.


    In that instant Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326 knew that this was no longer a winnable battle. Now all they could do was provide enough time for the city to be evacuated. Failure of this task meant that another city¡¯s worth of Threnosh would be lost to the Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy.


    A sudden chime sounded in the senior commanders ears. The text that floated in their vision and the voice in their ear were things that they had only experienced once before.


    Task Received.


    Evacuate Cold Plains City.


    Success Parameters: Evacuate population. Escape.


    Failure Parameter: Death.


    Reward: 50000 Universal Points.


    Evacuated Noncombatants.


    0 / 10000


    Evacuated Combatants.


    0 / 1030


    Will you accept?

 3.0 Prologue

    Then, Year 3, After Spires


    A loud bang jolted Florence Browning from an inappropriate One Direction dream. She thrashed about in the tangle of her blanket. Dimly, she realized that her baby brother was wailing in the next room.


    Another jolt shook the house.


    Earthquake?


    She grumbled groggily. That was just what they needed to add to the monster apocalypse.


    ¡°Flo! Get dressed!¡±


    Her dad¡¯s voice boomed from the darkened hallway.


    She squinted her eyes against the glare of the oil lantern on the cabinet near her open door. She hadn¡¯t slept without some form of light in the past three years. She stumbled out of bed and threw on a pair of jeans before finding her shoes and slipping them on.


    The constant drills her parents had insisted upon showed in the quickness Flo got dressed, grabbed her go bag and lantern, and stepped out into the hallway.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Flo rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, hon.¡± Her mother was scared. ¡°Just hold on to your lantern and keep in the light. I¡¯ll wake Floyd up¡­ I swear that boy will sleep through anything,¡± she grumbled.


    Florence jumped and nearly fumbled her lantern as a jarring crash sounded from outside. It was like a car crash. She could hear what sounded like people shouting, desperate, angry voices.


    A fight?


    A loud roar answered her question.


    ¡°Dad!¡± Flo¡¯s voice shook. ¡°I think there¡¯s a monster outside.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ maybe. Here, hold on to Fred for a second.¡±


    Her father thrust her baby brother, who was whimpering, into her hands. Her father rushed back to the master bedroom and emerged a moment later with a pack on his back and an ax in hand.


    ¡°Dad, what¡¯s going on?¡± Flo¡¯s voice sounded like it was coming from someone else. It took her a split-second to realize that she was the one speaking.


    Her dad managed a tight smile. ¡°We¡¯re just getting ready¡­ in case we need to go to the emergency shelter.¡±


    ¡°But the monster¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know, Flo. But I think it¡¯s busy fighting someone else. Maybe those people from Davis that they¡¯re saying are supposed to help us.¡± Her father turned to Floyd¡¯s room. ¡°C¡¯mon Honey! We need to head downstairs.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m trying!¡±


    Her mother¡¯s voice was pitched higher than normal. Flo didn¡¯t like how scared it sounded. It added to her own fears. She did remember hearing about the superpowered people from across the river. She clung to the hope that they would kill the monsters and keep her and her family safe. She had seen too much death over the last three years, extended family, friends, neighbors. So many hadn¡¯t been as fortunate as her family.


    ¡°Floyd, Get your butt up now!¡±


    Flo winced at her father¡¯s angry shout. It was another thing that had changed with the apocalypse. Something she wished could just go away and vanish from her memory.


    Her ten year old brother¡¯s shaggy hair was pointing in every direction as he emerged from the room, while rubbing his eyes. Her mother was right behind and pushed him along.


    Her mother leveled a cold frown at her father. Flo tried to pretend that she didn¡¯t see it.


    ¡°Sorry, kiddo,¡± her father tried to smooth Floyd¡¯s hair, ¡°but we need to go.¡±


    ¡°Wha¡¯s goin¡¯¡­ loud¡­?¡± Floyd mumbled something incoherently.


    ¡°Just like those drills we practiced.¡±


    Her father smiled, but Flo wasn¡¯t fooled. The shaking. The sounds from outside that felt closer by the second.


    The family rushed down the stairs of their three-story row house. They moved quickly, but carefully. Flo¡¯s father led the way with a lantern to push away the darkness. The tiny monsters that seemed to come out of the shadows hadn¡¯t made an appearance in their house for nearly two years, but they weren¡¯t taking any chances.


    There was a loud bang and the house shook. Dust showered them.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, we¡¯re almost there.¡±


    Flo winced at a sudden, high-pitched screech. It was the sound of rending metal, but she didn¡¯t know that. All she was focused on was keeping her lantern steady and following behind her family as they rushed toward the kitchen and the back door. To follow the designated route, the quickest way to the emergency shelter for their block.


    She nearly bumped into Floyd.


    ¡°Wha¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shh.¡± Her mother snapped her head around and held a finger to her lips.


    Two year old Fred whimpered while her mother hushed him and stroked his head.


    Flo noticed that her father had stopped at the entry way into the kitchen. He was looking at the back door. She followed his gaze and noticed some movement in the moonlight through the slats in the boarded up windows. Footsteps rustled on the grass and scratched at wooden deck.


    Her father turned and pointed back the way they came. Basement, he mouthed the word.


    Flo nodded with wide eyes.


    Her heart hammered in her chest as she moved as quietly as she could to the basement stairs. She slowly pulled the door open, wincing at the slight creaking sound. She shined the lantern down the steps and descended.


    Her entire world ended in an ear shattering explosion of broken wood and crumpled metal.


    Flo tumbled down the stairs and by some miracle she was able to keep her lantern from breaking and going out. She grimaced at the pain as she groaned and sat on the cold concrete floor.


    ¡°What the fuck!¡± Flo¡¯s eyes widened. She had said that out loud. She winced in preparation from her mother¡¯s forthcoming scolding, but there was only silence.


    ¡°Mom? Dad?¡±


    Flo struggle to her feet. She held the lantern in a shaky hand as she shined it on the stairs. What she saw made her heart drop.


    ¡°Floyd!¡±


    Her brother was lying partway across the lowest steps. His head was face down on the floor. There was a small trickle of blood pooling around his head.


    Flo rushed over to her brother¡¯s side. She was about to flip him over when she remembered that you weren¡¯t supposed to move someone with a head injury.


    ¡°Floyd? Can you hear me?¡±


    There was no answer.


    Flo placed her ear next to her brother¡¯s face. She heard him breathing. It was faint, but it was definitely there. She let out a sigh of relief.


    ¡°Mom? Dad? Floyd needs help.¡± Flo called up the dark stairs.


    Again there was only silence. She carefully stepped over her brother and shined the lantern light up the steps.


    Flo screamed for a long time.


    It was only when Floyd¡¯s weak voice somehow managed to reach through to her that she stopped.


    <hr>


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    Cal dropped to the ground to avoid the gremlin alpha that he just sensed coming in for a flying tackle behind him. He pushed himself up to his feet in one motion and sent a telekinetic battering ram into the other charging gremlin alpha.


    The force sent the monster flying into the front of a row house. This entire block was empty according to the interim state government, so he didn¡¯t need to be too careful with collateral damage. Although, he realized that he should probably try anyways.


    ¡°Watch out!¡±


    Remy¡¯s voice. Cal didn¡¯t turn to look. He reacted. He jumped to the side. Just in time.


    A car missed him by feet as it crashed into the other gremlin alpha. He winced at the sound of twisted metal and shattered glass.


    ¡°Really?¡± Cal turned a baleful eye on Remy. ¡°That was a little close.¡±


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Remy said. ¡°I figured you had the reflexes and speed to get out of the way with my warning.¡± He held his hands out. ¡°And I have been proved correct.¡±


    ¡°Getting a little reckless there,¡± Cal said. ¡°What happened to mister ¡®measure thrice and cut once¡¯?¡±


    Remy shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s situational. I figure in this case we want to kill these things as quickly as possible before they can disperse into the more populated areas and, you know, kill people.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough.¡±


    A faraway look suddenly appeared on Cal¡¯s face. It disappeared just as quickly.


    ¡°Trouble?¡±


    ¡°I just picked up a lot of malice and hunger a couple of streets over, regular gremlins,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Damn it! We¡¯ve got a squad headed that way. Can you check if they¡¯re okay?¡±


    Cal shook his head. ¡°I can¡¯t pick up human thoughts and emotions when there are so many monsters around. They tend to drown everything else out. Especially the alphas. Speaking of¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, right,¡± Remy nodded.


    The middle Cruces brother made a fist and lifted his right hand up. The chain wrapped around his arm jingled. He created a magnetic field over the ruined car. He then brought it up and slammed it down with tremendous force on the gremlin alpha. He did this repeatedly until the car was scrap and the monster was a red smear on the asphalt.


    Meanwhile the other gremlin alpha had pulled itself out of the house Cal had thrown it into and roared a challenge.


    ¡°I got this one.¡±


    Cal leapt at the monster with his ax raised high. The monster met him in midair. The ax blade sunk deeply. Clawed fingers sparked off his rough, steel chest piece.


    Cal punched the monster in the throat. It gagged.


    It swiped at Cal desperately, but its inability to get oxygen made the blows weak and easy to avoid.


    Cal bobbed and weaved underneath. He chopped his ax into the monster¡¯s thigh. Its tough skin and thick muscle was stronger than a tree trunk, but Cal was many times stronger than a normal man.


    The monster tried to push Cal away. He ripped his ax out of the monster and grabbed its wrist.


    He combined his physical strength with his telekinesis and sent it flying into the side of the row house.


    ¡°Oops,¡± Cal winced as part of the wall collapsed and crumbled.


    The gremlin alpha pulled itself out of the rubble a few seconds later and rushed at Cal. This time one arm was limply hanging at its side.


    Cal created and sent a telepathic bullet into its brain. The monster gave a pained cry and tripped over its legs. It tumbled to a heap in front of Cal and struggled to rise.


    ¡°Heh. Mind bullets.¡±


    The pain to its brain was only temporary since the telepathic attack had no physical component. Cal put an end to the monster with a single well-aimed ax chop to the back of its neck.


    ¡°What a difference a few years makes,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°These things almost killed us the first time we fought them,¡± Remy agreed.


    ¡°Well, maybe for us¡­ Eron had no trouble.¡± Cal¡¯s gaze perked up towards the back of the house.


    ¡°More monsters?¡± Remy was wary.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ I thought I got something different¡­ nope,¡± Cal nodded. ¡°Just a bunch of normal sized gremlins.¡±


    ¡°Okay, you handle those. I¡¯ll head over to that group you spotted a few streets over. I¡¯ll stick with our people if they¡¯re over there,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Makes sense. I move faster without people to watch over. My powers will lead me to any monster groups.¡±


    ¡°Let me know if you find any more alphas.¡± Remy patted the walkie-talkie at his belt.


    ¡°You too,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Oh and try to be more careful.¡± Remy gestured at the block of row houses. Their battle with gremlin alphas had damaged all of the houses in some fashion. ¡°I know they said that the houses were empty, but¡­¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°I know, it¡¯s kind of a dick move to ruin people¡¯s houses. Even if we don¡¯t know that they¡¯re alive to come back to them.¡±


    ¡°I just want to avoid blowback. This is a goodwill mission after all.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right. I¡¯ll be more careful, but if an eleven-foot tall monster wants to play Mighty Joe Young with the houses there¡¯s not much I can do. I can¡¯t really prioritize property damage with lives at stake.¡±


    Cal exchanged a fist bump with his brother. He hopped over the rubble that buried the narrow alley between the two row houses and took off in the direction of the gremlins.


    <hr>


    Now, Thenosh World


    ¡°So, what¡¯s your plan?¡±


    ¡°We will be following orders under Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326.¡±


    Cal scratched his head and leveled a blank gaze at Caretaker¡¯s unblinking eyes.


    The corners of Caretakers lipless mouth shifted ever so slightly upward.


    ¡°Somehow I don¡¯t think that they¡¯ll make proper use of the team.¡±


    ¡°You are correct, Honor. I am certain that command will outline general duties and expectations for us. How we go about fulfilling them will be at my discretion. Ultimately we answer to you and Prime Custodian 3.¡±


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    ¡°You know that as far as I¡¯m concerned you can call your own shots as much as you want,¡± Cal nodded. ¡°Except, maybe don¡¯t say that part out loud. The Collective won¡¯t like it if word gets back to them. They¡¯d see it as downright seditious,¡± he laughed.


    ¡°That is not high on my list of concerns, though I hear your words,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Good. So, who are you taking with you?¡±


    ¡°All, aside from the individuals you will select for your Task¡ª¡±


    ¡°Quest,¡± Cal interrupted.


    ¡°There is no appreciable difference in the terminology.¡±


    ¡°True¡­ please continue.¡±


    ¡°I intend to take everyone except for the ones you select and the newest recruits. The latter will not be strong enough.¡±


    Cal drummed three fingers on the clean, steel desk top. He stopped abruptly and with a motion brought up the holographic projection of a small city.


    ¡°Cold Plains City. I wonder why this is the first place that the Collective is attempting to take back from the dominion? There¡¯s nothing particularly important about it. Not in a strategically important location. It doesn¡¯t produce anything vital to your society. I mean, I¡¯m not a strategic or tactical expert, but I¡¯d say there are at least three or four other more important cities that you¡¯ve lost to the dominion in the last six months.¡±


    ¡°I believe that this operation will serve as a trial run. To learn more about the enemy and develop proper tactics and strategy,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Hmm, makes sense. They want to run it like an experiment. Develop a hypothesis and see what works. You target a place that isn¡¯t that important in the scheme of things, so if things go really bad it won¡¯t be a big loss.¡± Cal frowned. ¡°I don¡¯t like that this is the first operation that the Collective is bringing our team in on.¡±


    ¡°I concur,¡± Caretaker said with a curt nod. ¡°Be assured that I will not allow our team to be sacrificed.¡±


    ¡°I trust you.¡± Cal squinted at the holographic projection. ¡°It¡¯s bugging me that I¡¯m being locked out of the detailed live view.¡±


    ¡°Yes, that is strange. Has Prime Custodian 3 stated the reason?¡±


    Cal shook his head. ¡°Said it¡¯s out of their hands. The Collective,¡± he spat out the word, ¡°made the call according to PC3. The only thing they¡¯ve given me were the recordings of the battle. Although it seems to me that they were edited, which is suspicious as hell.¡±


    Cal brought up another holographic projection. It showed the snarling face of a large humanoid. Strong and brutish, it had fair skin visible through the Y-shaped opening in the steel helmet. As he played the recording the humanoid climbed up a crude, wooden ladder, basically a tree and pulled itself up over the lip of the city¡¯s wall. A Threnosh in baseline infantry armor poured projectile fire from their recoilless rifle into the humanoid. He, at least that¡¯s what the humanoid looked like, took the bursts without stopping. His plate armor appeared to be thick enough to withstand the tiny projectiles. He grabbed the Threnosh and threw him off the wall.


    ¡°How much does one of those normal infantry soldier weigh?¡±


    ¡°Assuming standard loadout, seventy-five kilograms.¡±


    Cal instantly did the math in his head. ¡°One hundred and sixty-five point three-four-seven,¡± he murmured. ¡°That giant ogre dude chucked that poor bastard one-handed. Didn¡¯t look strained either.¡±


    ¡°Yes, These thinking Invasive Organisms are quite impressive from a physical standpoint.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate them,¡± Cal warned. ¡°Not just their strength. I¡¯ve been looking at their weapons and armor. They look pretty good. Quality metal. Standardized even.¡±


    ¡°Primitive.¡±


    ¡°In some respects,¡± Cal said. ¡°However, it takes craftsmanship to forge blades and armor like that. Standardization implies some level of industry. I¡¯m not an expert, so I can¡¯t really say how much.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    ¡°They need a proper name though. I already forgot the number you assigned them,¡± Cal lied. He hadn¡¯t forgotten. Telepathy and whatever improvements his brain had undergone in the past six to seven years since the spires appeared on his home planet meant that it took effort to forget things. Often he wished that wasn¡¯t the case. ¡°Giants? Nah, not big enough. They¡¯re ogre-sized, but look way too civilized for ogres.¡±


    ¡°I am uncertain that I concur with the assessment on their level of civilization,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°I¡¯m warning you, Caretaker. Don¡¯t underestimate them,¡± Cal chided. ¡°Giogre? Ogriant? Goliaths?¡± He shook his head. ¡°Too cool for an enemy. What do you think?¡±


    ¡°Invasive Organism 1867 is adequate.¡±


    Cal sighed. ¡°Can¡¯t do it. Too clinical, staid. Ogrynt? With a Y? Although, maybe its better with the giant as the first part. Giagrynt? Gigrynt?¡±


    ¡°Well, recordings we have obtained indicates that they refer to themselves as People of the Unyielding Crags. Of course, that is only as the automatic translation system provides. There must not be an equivalent word in the Threnosh language.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I heard the same thing. Still don¡¯t understand how Threnosh translates into The People for me.¡±


    ¡°Such mysteries are the providence of the spires.¡±


    ¡°At least you¡¯re not saying god hair anymore.¡±


    ¡°Is there a difference?¡±


    ¡°Nope, don¡¯t want to get even more confused.¡± Cal regarded the holographic projection of the enormous humanoids marching in orderly blocks. It was certainly intimidating. He wondered where his physical strength stacked up with them. ¡°Crags huh? Cragant? Cragre? That¡¯s settled. We are calling them Cragants. That seems perfect for some reason.¡±


    Caretaker gave the Threnosh version of a sigh, which was essentially a flat look. ¡°I shall update our database. Although I doubt that it will go further than our team.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s okay,¡± Cal grinned. ¡°Don¡¯t care about the rest. So long as I can call them that. Right, so on to the Orchestral Meridian Quest¡­ thoughts on who I should bring?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but first, I have a question.¡±


    ¡°Shoot.¡±


    ¡°I was surprised to discover that you were not going to be a part of the operation to retake Cold Plains City. Why pursue this Ta¡ª Quest now? You can do so after. Orchestral Meridian has been silent for nearly ten years. It will still be the same once we defeat the dominion force occupying Cold Plains City.¡±


    ¡°True, but I talked it over with PC3 and we agreed that my presence might attract unwanted attention. The last thing we want is to add Zalthyss to the mix.¡± Cal didn¡¯t voice the hidden fear that made him reluctant to face the angelic alien again. He tapped the remaining fingers on his left hand against the desk. A discordant drumbeat the mirrored the turmoil in his thoughts. ¡°A fight between the two of us might just ruin the city and who knows what sort of collateral damage to the rest of our forces.¡± It all made sense from a tactical standpoint. That¡¯s what Cal kept reminding himself. He wasn¡¯t a coward. He had proved that on countless occasions since the spires appeared. Right?


    ¡°Acknowledged. Although, should you not be at least be on standby in the event that the Zalthyss entity engages?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll have the prime for that,¡± Cal said. ¡°So, I¡¯ve got a preliminary list for my lineup.¡± He sent the information to Caretaker¡¯s PID with a flick of his hand.


    The first name on the list had Caretaker snap their head up. ¡°Are you certain of them?¡±


    Caretaker¡¯s smooth brow was perhaps the highest on their forehead that Cal remembered ever seeing.


    ¡°They need experience and I need to keep them safe since PC3 can¡¯t babysit them. They¡¯re not ready to go along with you and they might attract that attention we were talking about. Can¡¯t leave them here or let them join the other newbs on their tasks. Again, because of potential unwanted attention.¡±


    Caretaker took several long seconds to consider Cal¡¯s words. ¡°I concur.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Cal grinned. ¡°So, what do you think about the rest of my team?¡±


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    ¡°What the hell, Vee?!¡± Tessa snapped


    Veronica glared right back at her older sister.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ how did you even follow us this far without me noticing?¡±


    ¡°Shut up Johnny,¡± Bastien whispered. ¡°Let¡¯s stay out of this.¡±


    The words were prescient as the two Cruces sisters both turned identical baleful looks on the two young men.


    ¡°Fine, whatever.¡± Johnny threw up his hands and allowed Bastien to pull him away to join the rest of the team.


    ¡°Sorry.¡± Bastien gave a weak smile.


    Gene and Olo were smart enough to keep their distance.


    ¡°Seriously, Vee. You can¡¯t be here.¡± Tessa¡¯s voice simmered with barely contained anger.


    ¡°Why not? I¡¯ve got powers too.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re eleven!¡±


    ¡°So, I¡¯m stronger than most everyone else here!¡±


    ¡°Look, mom and dad are going to get at mad at me,¡± Tessa grumbled. ¡°For some stupid reason they decided that since I¡¯m the oldest then I¡¯m somehow responsible for your bad behavior. So unfair,¡± She sighed then grabbed Veronica by the arm. ¡°You¡¯re going straight home. Then you¡¯ll tell mom and dad what you did.¡±


    Veronica dug her heels to no avail. So she switched tracks.


    ¡°You can¡¯t send me back by myself it¡¯s dark and there are dangerous mutant animals and monsters.¡±


    Johnny¡¯s snort was audible from a dozen feet away.


    ¡°Nice try,¡± Tessa rolled her eyes. ¡°You followed us just fine.¡±


    ¡°Mom and dad won¡¯t see it that way.¡± There was an evil, triumphant gleam in Veronica¡¯s eyes. ¡°You¡¯ll all get in trouble for making me walk back by myself.¡±


    ¡°I can take her back,¡± Mads raised her voice from where she was standing watch at the rear of the group.


    ¡°No,¡± Gene said as he approached. ¡°We need you on overwatch.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like how this is turning out. Why don¡¯t we just all head back and let Officer Lawrence know about what Bastien discovered,¡± Olo said. The big, young man loomed large over the rest of the team as they came to cluster around the scene of sisterly bonding.


    Gene shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯d go anywhere. The council won¡¯t want to hear anything bad about the Frisco people.¡±


    ¡°So?¡± Mads cradled her custom over/under shotgun as she relaxed. ¡°They haven¡¯t given any reason for you to be so suspicious of them. It¡¯s been good for morale to know that there are people in San Francisco and that they¡¯re doing well.¡±


    ¡°My neighbor has family there and she¡¯s been talking about making the trip,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°And I agreed with your general sentiment. Up until Bastien got a hit with his ¡®evil sense¡¯ when he got close to one of them,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°It¡¯s actually called Sense Evil and I¡¯m not sure how it works exactly. If it¡¯s based on the universal understanding on what constitutes evil or if it aligns to my own personal morality. All I know is when I got close to that guy I got all nauseous and sick to my stomach. Like every fiber of my being was telling me there was something wrong.¡± Bastien¡¯s face grew pale as he spoke.


    ¡°See,¡± Veronica pointed at Bastien, ¡°you need me. They¡¯re evil and we have to uphold justice!¡±


    ¡°Oh my god¡­ seriously? This?¡± Tessa palmed her face and made a sound of pure frustration.


    ¡°C¡¯mon people. I don¡¯t want to waste my night off of patrols just to stand around arguing on a dark sidewalk,¡± Johnny said. ¡°Why don¡¯t we just take Vee along?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t know,¡± Tessa said. ¡°Maybe because she¡¯s eleven, you dumbass!¡± She snapped.


    ¡°Factually correct.¡± Johnny was undaunted. ¡°However, I¡¯d like to point out that aside from you and Olo, she is the physically strongest one here despite being less than five feet tall and maybe sixty pounds. And Olo is like six-five, two-fifty with an Enhanced Strength passive.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m ninety-five pounds,¡± Vee chimed.


    ¡°Shit! Really? You don¡¯t look it,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°It¡¯s cause I have greater muscle and bone density or something.¡±


    ¡°Oh right, totally forgot.¡± Johnny put his arms around Gene and Bastien¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Bottom line¡­ the three of us are probably in way more danger than Vee. Mads is fine since she¡¯ll be sitting safe far away shooting at shit if things go down.¡±


    ¡°Johnny,¡± Gene warned.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Johnny belatedly noticed the dark look Tessa was sending him. ¡°Uh¡­ okay. Shutting up now.¡±


    ¡°Tessa, since she¡¯s your sister you¡¯ll have to take her back,¡± Gene said. ¡°I, for one, am not about to get on your dad¡¯s bad side, which I can definitely see happening if he thinks that I was okay with taking her along on this off the books scouting mission.¡±


    ¡°Oh no. You¡¯re not shoving this off on me,¡± Tessa said. ¡°You need me if this turns out as badly as Bastien thinks it will.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ for the record I didn¡¯t say anything in that regard. I merely related my feeling. I have no idea how bad it might be.¡±


    Johnny clapped Bastien on the back. ¡°Way to take a stand oh holy one.¡±


    ¡°Something is off with those Frisco people and I¡¯m going to get evidence.¡± Tessa made up her mind. Her Uncle Eron once told her that sometimes it was better to ask for forgiveness later than to ask for permission first if the stakes warranted it. In her mind this fit under those criteria. ¡°Vee. You can come along.¡±


    Veronica brightened.


    ¡°But, you¡¯ll stay close to Mads. You follow her orders and stay out of her way. First sign of trouble you run all the way back home.¡±


    The youngest Cruces sister nodded her head vigorously.


    ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s see if we¡¯ve got some evildoers that needs some justice delivered upside their heads,¡± Johnny winked at Veronica.


    It wasn¡¯t too hard to figure out where their target was headed. There wasn¡¯t much outside of the western limits of the city. A lot of unused farmland thanks to the larger, more dangerous monsters that roamed the spaces between claimed pockets of civilization. What it took to claim land? No one had figured it out yet. And so useful land was left to the monsters.


    There were many farm-related structures still standing. A farmhouse, barns, processing buildings, a garage for equipment, a warehouse or two.


    The team crossed the overgrown field in a tight formation. Gene never would¡¯ve considered doing this, especially at night, had Tessa not been with them. Those wyverns were scary bastards and he wasn¡¯t going to risk running into one without a big gun that could knock them out of the sky.


    As they reached the edge of the farmland bordering the cluster of structures, Gene held up a fist. He beckoned Bastien over.


    ¡°Can you tell where they are?¡± Gene kept his voice low.


    Bastien shook his head. ¡°Too far away.¡±


    Mads cleared her throat lightly. ¡°There¡¯s some light coming from in there.¡± She pointed to the pitch black darkness.


    The clouds were out in force and had blocked the light from the stars.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mads. I don¡¯t have enhanced vision. I have no idea where you¡¯re pointing,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°No, I sorta see something. Bit of light. Can¡¯t tell much more though,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Gene looked at Johnny expectantly.


    ¡°What¡ª¡± Johnny sighed. ¡°Right. I¡¯ll be right back. Hopefully.¡±


    The Rogue took a deep breath and vanished. Johnny didn¡¯t actually turn invisible. He was still there. It was just that others were having difficulty noticing his presence to varying degrees. It was easier for people like Tessa and Veronica, who had superior senses than the baseline human, and Mads, who had a skill that enhanced her vision.


    ¡°Is he gone?¡± Olo ventured.


    ¡°He¡¯s at the shed,¡± Mads said. ¡°I think¡­ and I¡¯ve lost him.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t even see the shed,¡± Olo complained.


    ¡°It¡¯s like forty yards straight ahead,¡± Mads said.


    Gene counted silently.


    Six minutes later, Johnny suddenly appeared next to the group. He was winded. As if he had just sprinted across a football field.


    ¡°Did you see?¡±


    Johnny held up a hand in Gene¡¯s face as he took several deep breaths.


    ¡°It¡¯s fucked up man,¡± Johnny finally said. ¡°Some weird cultist shit going on in a barn. Candles, torches, blood circles. Smells like rotten fish, like your mom¡¯s pu¡ª¡±


    Tessa growled.


    Johnny stopped. ¡°Sorry. Forgot myself,¡± he titled a head toward Veronica. ¡°I think Bastien was right and I think we need to do something, like now.¡±


    Gene considered things for a moment. He ignored the hushed whispers around him.


    ¡°You scared me. I swear I thought Nila was glaring at me,¡± Johnny said to Tessa.


    ¡°What¡¯re you talking about?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s true,¡± Olo nodded. ¡°You made the same sound Ms. Nila does when she¡¯s about to beat somebody down.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you take a picture?¡± Bastien accosted Johnny. ¡°If you did then we can leave and get help.¡±


    ¡°It was dark and I think they would¡¯ve noticed the flash, you dumbfuck.¡±


    ¡°Watch your mouth.¡± Mads pointed at Veronica.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, I¡¯ve heard all the bad words,¡± Veronica rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Hmm, challenge accepted,¡± Johnny grinned.


    ¡°No, no it isn¡¯t,¡± Tessa snapped.


    ¡°Quiet,¡± Gene harshly whispered. ¡°I swear, children¡­¡± he muttered. ¡°I¡¯ve memorized the layout of this farm. There should be a house with a direct line of sight to the barn¡¯s south door.¡±


    ¡°How the hell do you know that?¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°I printed up Google maps of the entire area on one of the days when the internet was working a while back.¡± Gene turned to Mads. ¡°Set up in the house for sniping. There¡¯s a clear line of retreat to the south. In case things go bad and you and Vee need to bail. As for the rest of us. Tessa you¡¯re at the south door. The four of us will be at the north door. Johnny will sneak in and take video and pictures with his phone from the rafters. Once they discover him we¡¯ll give them a chance to surrender.¡±


    ¡°I doubt that¡¯s going to happen,¡± Tessa said.


    Gene nodded. ¡°Whatever happens, we can¡¯t attack first. If they attack then they reveal themselves and we don¡¯t have to rely only on Bastien¡¯s gut feelings to explain it to everyone else.¡±


    The team moved through the eerily silent farm as quietly as possible. Some did better than others, but fortunately for them their targets were fully immersed in whatever evil it was they were doing.


    They reached the house, which was about fifty yards away from the large, gray-painted barn.


    Gene beckoned Johnny over and directed him to the dark house with a gesture. He got a flat stare in return, which was difficult for him to see in the darkness.


    Johnny rolled his eyes and rushed over to the house.


    It took a few minutes before Tessa spotted him opening an upper bedroom window and climbing out. His movements reminded her of a mangy cat. Really quiet, stealthy, with lots of fleas.


    Johnny dropped down to the ground from the roof and landed on the grass with barely any sound. He rushed back to the team and gave the thumbs up.


    Gene nodded at Mads.


    Tessa grabbed Veronica by the shoulder. She tried to impart a silent set of instructions through a piercing glare. Veronica frowned, but nodded. Whether the younger Cruces sister understood. No one knew.


    Gene tapped Tessa on the shoulder. She kept her eyes on Veronica¡¯s back until her younger sister disappeared into the house after Mads. Only then did she turn to face the impatient Gene.


    He pointed to the south end of the barn and its imposing set of doors, which were shut tight.


    Tessa hefted her custom, dad-made solid metal kanabo in one hand and silently stalked forward.


    The rest of the team did the same as they skirted around the side of the barn to make their way to the north door.


    Tessa settled in to wait.

 3.1

    Now


    Orchestral Meridian was an impossible city in Cal¡¯s eyes. Its architecture was impossible from a human standpoint. It covered the entire surface of an island several miles off the coast. Its heights reached up into the clouds, while its depths plunged deep into the ground.


    Three gargantuan bridges made out of the Threnosh¡¯s superior metal alloy connected the city to the mainland. They rose hundreds of feet above the dark blue ocean. They reminded Cal of the Golden Gate Bridge, except on a much larger scale. Each one had to be at least four or five times as wide.


    The broken remains of the bridges were magnificent.


    When the Threnosh had lost the city they promptly destroyed the bridges. Still they were so large that there were sections standing that one could fit multiple blocks of houses.


    Which was why Cal set up their base camp on one of the island pillars that rose up out of the ocean.


    They didn¡¯t have to deal with monster attacks had they been based on the mainland, nor did they risk the unknown monsters that populated the island city.


    Cal stared across the expanse of empty space between him and Orchestral Meridian. The waves crashing below was a distant and soothing sound. There was something melodic in the air. He shook his head.


    Strange.


    He glanced down at his PID.


    ¡°The fuck¡­¡±


    Several minutes had passed.


    He turned around to see the rest of his team standing at attention. No doubt waiting on further instructions.


    ¡°Subcommander Tioga Blue 635, how goes it?¡± Cal smoothly hid his confusion. He definitely didn¡¯t realize that much time had passed while he was staring at the city and listening to the music of the ocean waves far below.


    ¡°Automated defenses are operational. Mobile trueskin maintenance bays have been erected. Temporary living facilities are in place.¡±


    ¡°Good, good,¡± Cal said with a brisk nod. ¡°Drone operators begin preliminary scouting of the city. Interceptor squadron you are on standby. Subcommander, I want your squad on yellow alert.¡±


    ¡°I do not understand your word, Designation: Honor.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ right, maintain readiness at threat level three, er, make that four. Keep scanning the skies and the waves.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Subcommander Tioga Blue 635 saluted.


    ¡°T-Men, gather around.¡± Cal beckoned his team of elites.


    Ten Threnosh in unique power armors clustered around him. Eager, expectant. Some were veterans of many tough tasks against all kinds of monsters. Some were fresh from their first boss fight. All looked at Cal with laser focus.


    Orchestral Meridian was one of the oldest and grandest cities on the Threnosh world. For it to turn into a spawn point was something that struck deeply even through the stoic nature of the Threnosh. The special candidates were defective, which meant it hit them even harder. They all understood what it would mean if they were able to reclaim the city.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re all excited,¡± Cal began, ¡°but we¡¯re going to take this slow and careful. So, relax. We don¡¯t want to burn ourselves out before the hard stuff actually starts. It¡¯s going to take a day or two of scouting with the drones to identify a good spot to enter. Just make sure you get plenty of nutrients and liquids, although I suppose that¡¯s redundant for you guys.¡± He paused. There was no reaction. He shook his head ruefully. ¡°One day, I¡¯ll get you guys to laugh. Alright, dismissed. You¡¯re free to do whatever. Except you, Adahn,¡± he pointed at the Threnosh in the slim and sleek power armor with subtle, glowing lines that shifted colors, ¡°don¡¯t bother the engineer or the fabricator. They need to get ammunition production going.¡±


    The Threnosh dispersed. With one exception.


    ¡°Question, PJ15?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Honor.¡± The Threnosh¡¯s power armor was a dull, slate gray in color and was skintight. Very similar to Prime Custodian 3¡¯s, which wasn¡¯t surprising. Their voice was distorted, electronic-sounding.


    ¡°Go for it.¡±


    ¡°My¡­ fri¡ª, my trueskin is concerned.¡±


    ¡°About?¡± Cal felt something growing in the pit of his stomach. He forced it away with an effort.


    ¡°It hears the city calling. I apologize. It is a vague thing on the edge of my understanding.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯d bet there is something there. Just keep trying to communicate, like PC3 said, it takes time and effort. Thanks, you¡¯ve given me something to think about,¡± Cal said.


    <hr>


    Cal floated above Orchestral Meridian.


    There was a surprising lack of any signs of decay to the structures and streets. Ostensibly the place had been abandoned and unmaintained for almost a decade. Yet, there was no corrosion from the ocean salt in the air. No signs of the violence that had occurred when the spire had appeared somewhere deep in the heart of the city.


    He was expecting bones and long-dried blood stains. Perhaps damage to the buildings. Maybe overgrowth from the plants and grass outside of the city. Or at least a bit of rust. That really bothered him for some reason.


    Except the city looked nearly pristine aside from a bit of dustiness and the strange cocoon-like pods scattered liberally throughout. They were suspiciously-sized just about right for a Threnosh.


    Those were definitely going to turn out to be monster eggs or something equally horrible.


    Cal kept an eye on the bank of tiny images projected at the bottom of his face-plate. The live, first person views from each of his team members as they slowly and cautiously explored the immediate area around the intrusion point they had selected.


    The place was on the fringes of the city. Cal had selected it because it allowed for a retreat out of the city to a long and wide plateau that ended in a cliff that rose high above the ocean. One of the bridges connected to the plateau. It still had roughly three hundred yards of solid-looking roadway up to the point where the Threnosh had blown it up.


    In the event that a retreat became necessary they had all that space to set up a choke point for defense while they waited for an aerial extraction from their base camp.


    Furthermore there was a fabrication facility close by and Cal had an eye toward future operations. Being able to create weapons and ammunition while in city limits was going to be a boon for the eventual Threnosh reclamation force.


    ¡°Honor, we have reached our first cluster of monster eggs.¡± Salamander¡¯s voice was clear over the comms.


    ¡°Okay, get in position and hold until Team 2 is in place.¡±


    They only had to wait a few minutes.


    ¡°Team 2 is ready to kick some monster rear ends.¡± Telatrine¡¯s voice was loud and eager.


    Cal floated down closer to the large cluster of what he had termed, monster eggs, in the middle of a fairly wide metallic road in the shadow of a pair of tall, wide structures. It was time to find out what exactly were in those things. He hoped that his initial read on them was wrong.


    ¡°On my mark,¡± Cal said into the comms. ¡°Go!¡±


    Cal kept one eye on the live images in his face-plate and one eye on the eggs a few dozen feet below him. He broadened the reach of his third eye, his telepathy to encompass not only his immediate area, but the area that his teams were in. He wasn¡¯t going to miss a thing.


    Salamander cut the egg in front of them with the taloned fingers of their right gauntlet at the same time that PJ15 transformed their gauntlet into a sharp blade to cut their egg open.


    There was an instantaneous keening sound that somehow cut through the automatic protective features in their helmets. The noise came from everywhere and nowhere that Cal could detect.


    It subtly shifted into something almost musical for him. A song that gave him an overwhelming feeling of something like anger and want. Singers¡¯ lament of longing. For what? He didn¡¯t know, yet still he lost himself in the terrible song.


    Both teams fell into high alert. They were separated by several blocks of gleaming pathways and densely packed structures. The noise had tapered off a little, but it was no longer a concern as the eggs turned out to be just that. They broke open and out of them emerged horrors.


    The monsters resembled Threnosh, except bulkier. Their muscles bulged so much that their gray skin split in places. The bones at the tips of their fingers and toes had lengthened into bloody claws. Their mouths were grotesquely wider and filled with sharp teeth.


    They joined their voices to the keening wail that seemed to permeate the city as they attacked.


    <hr>


    The Threnosh-like monster, for that was the only way that Salamander saw the thing slashed at their arm. Its claws sparked off the scale-like armor on their arm. Their armor had been nearly impervious to every type of monster that they had encountered to date. This new monster wasn¡¯t the one to break that streak.


    Salamander stabbed their taloned right hand into the monster¡¯s throat. It died gurgling on its own blood.


    Three more eggs in the alley discharged their contents in a squelching gush of disgusting liquid gore.


    Salamander didn¡¯t give the monsters the chance to get to their feet. They spat out an intense gout of flame from the maw of their draconic helmet.


    The monsters screamed as they burned. The sound. The voices were disturbingly familiar.


    ¡°The motion sensors we seeded shows multiple hostiles coming for us,¡± Unseen said. The Threnosh held a recoilless rifle in one hand while they consulted the tracker in their other hand.


    ¡°Specifics?¡±


    ¡°On the same plane,¡± Unseen hesitated, ¡°and above¡­ and below.¡±


    Salamander decided in an instant. ¡°We¡¯ll fight them at the fall back position.¡± It was a wide space with only two ways in. One led to their incursion point and was defended by automated turrets. The other was the perfect funnel to serve the monsters up to them.


    The team moved swiftly, while Unseen gave frequent updates on the closing monsters. Salamander led the party. Unseen, Drega Tali and Winding Myriad were in the middle of the formation. Maul brought up the rear. Their power armor superficially resembled the standard heavy soldier¡¯s. It was a lot better though, more heavily armed and armored. It bristled with a wide variety of ranged weaponry that covered all distances.


    ¡°Visual contact,¡± Maul said.


    They stopped running. The micro grenade launchers on their lower legs swiveled to their rear and barked. They were already running again when the micro grenades exploded with a series of loud popping sounds.


    ¡°Keep moving,¡± Salamander said.


    They would have plenty of opportunity to fight soon enough.


    The team reached the fall back position and quickly fell into formation.


    Salamander was at the point of the triangle. Maul was to their left. The rest were clustered together on the right.


    Unseen¡¯s and Drega Tali¡¯s power armors were not primarily combat-oriented. Their primary weapon was the standard recoilless rifle. For defense they were relying on Winding Myriad¡¯s force fields.


    ¡°Myriad, as soon as the first monsters reach the opening you will use your lighting,¡± Salamander said. ¡°Maul, I will give the order for you to open fire shortly after. I will burn the remainder that make it further. Unseen, Drega, pick your shots. Target those that survive. We must conserve ammunition while we are uncertain on enemy numbers.¡±


    They didn¡¯t have to wait long. The monsters came howling down the alley. If they were bothered by the Threnosh-like appearance, they didn¡¯t show it. It was a testament to their training and experience.


    Winding Myriad discharged an arc of bright, white-blue lighting that flashed across the open space, from the long, thin staff of smooth, unknown material they held upright in one hand. Threnosh science couldn¡¯t explain how they did that. Nor could Winding Myriad explain. It was instinctive. Honor had chalked it up to ¡®science-magic¡¯, which was unhelpful to his vexed Threnosh scientists and researchers.


    The lightning didn¡¯t behave in a manner consistent with the laws of physics. It was so bright that it lit up the day momentarily. It lanced into the first monster that emerged out of the alley. The monster seized up in place for a split-second before it fell to the ground a charred, smoking corpse. Meanwhile the lightning had arced to several more monsters back in the alley until it finally fizzled out.


    ¡°Maul.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    The heavily armed Threnosh held out both of their arms. A small, underslung rotary autocannon beneath their right gauntlet spat out projectiles at tremendous speed. Underneath their left gauntlet, an automatic weapon spat out penetrative shells that exploded into shrapnel that blew apart monsters from the inside or showered them in piercing, hot metal. Micro grenades exploded and filled the space with a deafening sound that forced the Threnosh¡¯s automatic audio protection measures in their helmets to kick in.


    Salamander stepped up and swept across the space from left to right with a breath of fire. The billowing orange cloud engulfed all of the monsters.


    ¡°Unseen. Status on hostiles.¡±


    ¡°More incoming.¡±


    ¡°That is fine.¡± Salamander said. They killed so many without expending a significant amount of their ammunition or energy. They could handle more of the same.


    <hr>


    Team 2 was in a potentially dire situation. Unlike the situation for Team 1, the Threnosh-like monsters emerged all along their line of retreat to their designated fall back position. They were in danger of being overwhelmed by sheer weight of numbers.


    Telatrine dragged the weapon in their right hand through a monster¡¯s chest. There was something satisfying to the whir of the motor that spun the metallic teeth as they tore into the monster. It cleaved the monster¡¯s torso in two in a spray of blood and flesh. Honor had called it a chainsword as soon as he saw it in their hands after they emerged from the spire. It had quickly become their most prized purchase from the marketplace.


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    Another monster jumped at them. They stabbed the chainsword into its gut and engaged the teeth. It was a painful and messy end.


    Telatrine had a momentary respite. They glanced behind them and saw that their formation had become stretched.


    Adahn and Rodinian were back-to-back while they desperately fired their recoilless rifles at the monsters charging at them in all directions. Brightstrike held a bright, yellow blade of hard light in both hands as they whirled around the pair in a failing attempt to keep them safe. The former two didn¡¯t have power armors that were meant for direct melee combat. They would be in trouble if it wasn¡¯t for the latter¡¯s efforts.


    Further back, some thirty or forty meters distant. The diminutive PJ15 was being swarmed by the much larger and more muscular monsters. For some reason the monsters were being drawn to them in greater numbers.


    Telatrine paused. From the looks of it PJ15 was doing alright.


    ¡°PJ15, do you require assistance?¡± Telatrine spoke into the team channel.


    ¡°Negative. I have things under control.¡±


    Their words rang true. The monsters couldn¡¯t penetrate through the skintight power armor. PJ15 cut freely and easily with their clawed fingers, while a handful of long, tendrils emerged from their back. They whipped and bashed at the monsters. Sending them flying.


    Telatrine was reluctantly impressed. Their chainsword whirred hungrily as they hurried to aid Brightstrike in keeping the monsters away from the more vulnerable Adahn and Rodinian.


    Telatrine cut through an arm that was poised to gash Brightstrike¡¯s back.


    ¡°My thanks.¡± Brightstrike spun around Telatrine and in a smooth motion lopped the head off a monster.


    ¡°I suppose the same goes for me,¡± Telatrine said.


    ¡°Telatrine, I cannot reach Designation: Honor,¡± Adahn said. Their eyes were visibly wide behind their translucent face-plate.


    ¡°What about the other team?¡±


    ¡°They are fending off hostiles at their fall back position.¡±


    Telatrine took a moment to hack apart a pair of monsters.


    ¡°What does the path to our fall back position look like now?¡±


    Adahn stopped firing their rifle to consult the tracker. ¡°Not good.¡±


    ¡°Damn.¡± Telatrine felt good at the opportunity to use one of Honor¡¯s words. It didn¡¯t dawn on them that Honor only used such words when the situation wasn¡¯t favorable. ¡°We need to clear the way.¡± Their eyes glanced over to PJ15. It sparked an idea. ¡°We will need to perform a fighting withdrawal.¡±


    ¡°I do not recall if that is what Honor called it,¡± Rodinian said.


    ¡°It matters not,¡± Telatrine said. ¡°Rodinian. I need you to prep some of your traps.¡±


    ¡°Purpose?¡±


    ¡°Delay more than destruction.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged. I will need time.¡±


    Telatrine didn¡¯t reply. They attacked the monsters with a renewed ferocity. Brightstrike picked up on the sentiment and did the same. Together, along with projectile fire from Adahn, the pair were able to finally clear a space around them.


    ¡°I am finished,¡± Rodinian said.


    ¡°Set them at this location once we withdraw several meters,¡± Telatrine said. ¡°PJ15?¡± They switched to the team channel.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Prepare to disengage. I need you to clear the path to the fall back position.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    ¡°Begin withdrawal,¡± Telatrine said to the other three.


    Once they retreated to the designated spot, fighting at each step, Telatrine gestured to Rodinian.


    They tossed a handful of flat, plate-sized disks across the space they had just vacated.


    ¡°PJ15¡­ now,¡± Telatrine spoke into the comms.


    PJ15 tossed the monsters swarming them with the lashing tendrils on their back. They gathered their legs underneath them and jumped. They went high and far. Over the monsters, over the traps and over their team. They hit the ground many meters behind the team and took off with impressive speed.


    ¡°Clearing the way.¡± PJ15¡¯s voice came strong and clear over the comms.


    Telatrine was impressed.


    ¡°Let us go. We do not want to be too far behind. Adahn, keep trying to reach Honor. We need direction.¡±


    <hr>


    Then, Year 4, After Spires


    A surprisingly large crowd had gathered around the apartment complex. It was located in what was considered a rougher part of the city in pre-spires time. It seemed that hadn¡¯t changed. Although, Cal was surprised at the large number of people that were alive.


    He hung back as Detective Ordonez, Jake and Flo went to talk with the armed men and women standing at the gates to the complex. From what Cal was told this area was gang territory, which is why it was odd to see that the people gathered around weren¡¯t mostly young men, the expected demographic for gangbangers. In contrast, there was a mix of men and women of a wide range of ages.


    Aside from the machetes, axes and sawed-down pool cues menacingly brandished in his direction, Cal wouldn¡¯t have pegged the people as belonging to a violent street gang. The contradictory images of the entire scene was surreal.


    ¡°So¡­ I¡¯m here to help. Um, any sort of information you might have¡­¡±


    Hard eyes, suspicious eyes and dead silence greeted him.


    Thirty seconds of staring and being stared at was enough for Cal.


    ¡°Okay¡­¡± He moved to turn his back on the crowd.


    ¡°You ain¡¯t with the po-po?¡±


    Cal stopped and turned back. The speaker was an older man. Bald head, wispy beard gone white.


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°You sure bout that?¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯d know if I signed up to become a cop. Don¡¯t have a badge or a gun either.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know if that means much when they got little girlies workin¡¯ for them¡­¡± The old man spat out a glob of tobacco spit and chewed in contemplation for a few seconds. ¡°You from across the river?¡±


    The old man¡¯s eyes searched. Cal didn¡¯t look away. He wasn¡¯t tempted to use his telepathy to get a read on the old man¡¯s mind. Bleed through of thoughts wasn¡¯t a pleasant thing for him. He didn¡¯t like feeling and thinking as if he was that person. He settled on keeping eye contact. He projected honesty and the lack of fear.


    The old man spat. He held out his hand.


    Cal shook it. The grip was surprisingly firm. Old Man Strength. Cal squeezed just enough to surpass it. The old man¡¯s lips split in a grin.


    ¡°You alright.¡±


    Cal had no idea how the man came to that conclusion, but he wasn¡¯t going to argue.


    ¡°Thanks, you too.¡±


    The old man beckoned to someone in the crowd behind him.


    A young man came out. He looked to be in his early twenties.


    ¡°This my grandson.¡±


    ¡°Omar,¡± the young man held out a hand.


    Cal shook it. ¡°Cal.¡± He looked back to the old man. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir. I never got your name.¡±


    ¡°I ain¡¯t givin¡¯ it out. Can¡¯t be too careful with them bad magic goin¡¯ round.¡± The old man crossed himself. ¡°Never mind dat. Omar¡¯s a smart boy. He was goin¡¯ to go to college before this shit started. Where was you goin¡¯, boy?¡±


    ¡°Penn.¡± Omar¡¯s shoulder hunched.


    The old man whooped in obvious joy. ¡°Dat¡¯s them Ivy league shit right there. He¡¯s smart like his momma and daddy was.¡± The old man grew somber. ¡°Omar¡¯ll show you around. You won¡¯t get anywhere without him. Those po-po definitely won¡¯t. We ain¡¯t gonna forget that they only watched out for them rich white folk when the devils came out.¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t have anything to say to that.


    The old man returned to the crowd.


    ¡°So¡­ did your grandpa just offer you up to be my guide?¡±


    ¡°Looks like it,¡± Omar grumbled.


    ¡°Alright, cool. So, how¡¯d you like to get paid.¡±


    Omar¡¯s eyes widened a moment. Then he became suspicious.


    ¡°What? If you¡¯re going to do work and potentially place yourself at risk then it¡¯s only fair.¡±


    ¡°Risk?¡± Omar looked hesitant.


    ¡°Dude, I¡¯m on the trail of some kind of monster. Something worse than anything I¡¯ve fought to date. That¡¯s inherently risky.¡±


    Cal could see the wheels start to turn in Omar¡¯s head.


    ¡°What¡¯re you going to give me? Cash is worthless. Gold? Silver?¡±


    ¡°Those are kind of worthless too when banks and jewelry stores respawn their contents.¡±


    ¡°Really? Just like the food? We didn¡¯t know that.¡±


    Cal nodded sagely. ¡°Only difference is that it takes longer than food buildings. About a week instead of a day. I could totally pay you in gold or silver if you want. You want bars? I¡¯ve got bars.¡±


    Omar shook his head. ¡°You¡¯re from Davis right?¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t say anything. He just looked at Omar.


    ¡°Word is you guys have got a pretty good setup.¡± Omar lowered his voice. ¡°You¡¯ve got powers and magic?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but not as much or at least that¡¯s what I heard. You¡¯ve got actual classes, ones good for fighting the monsters. Like warriors and mages?¡± Omar¡¯s eyes lit up as he spoke.


    ¡°Omar,¡± Cal began, ¡°do you mind if I ask you what your class is?¡±


    ¡°Student,¡± Omar¡¯s shoulders slumped. ¡°Useless¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that. I¡¯m sure your skills aren¡¯t useless.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, they¡¯d be great if I was actually in school,¡± Omar sighed. ¡°Trust me, they¡¯re useless against monsters.¡±


    ¡°Fair point. So, what do you want?¡±


    ¡°The secret to gaining a better class.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, but I can¡¯t help you with that. From what I¡¯ve seen. The class you gained at the beginning of this shitshow was the product of a combination of self-perception and actions. So, in your case, I¡¯d guess that your identity as you see it is intrinsically tied with being a student. Hence the class. I have no idea if you can change your class or add another one.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my price. You bring me along on this investigation and help me try,¡± Omar said.


    ¡°No way, man. I can¡¯t guarantee your safety. There¡¯s a chance that you¡¯ll die and it will be horrible. Judging by the smell coming from that apartment complex.¡± Cal jabbed a finger over his shoulder. ¡°I don¡¯t know if you can smell it from here, but I can. There is a lot of blood and rotting guts wafting over.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m standing across the street. I made the mistake of getting closer earlier. So, do we have a deal or what?¡±


    Cal considered it. He saw that Detective Ordonez wasn¡¯t having any success at talking her way through the crowd blocking access to the apartment complex. Sure, he could just force their way through. He doubted that these people were a threat, at least to him and Flo, if she was as strong as advertised. Naturally, such action would poison the well of future interactions with this particular community.


    ¡°Alright, you¡¯re an adult, Omar. You don¡¯t seem to be drunk or high, so you aren¡¯t impaired.¡± Cal held out a hand. ¡°You¡¯re hired as our guide in this area. With the exception that if I deem a situation as potentially violent then I¡¯m sending you home. You follow my orders and hopefully you won¡¯t get killed or worse.¡±


    Omar shook his hand vigorously. ¡°Thanks!¡± He smiled.


    ¡°Okay. Your first job is to get us into the complex.¡±


    ¡°No problem!¡±


    Omar rushed across the street with Cal in tow.


    ¡°Guys, it¡¯s alright. You can let them pass.¡± Omar raised his voice as he strode to the big men staring down implacably at Detective Ordonez.


    Cal beckoned her to him. Jake and Flo followed.


    ¡°What the hell is going on?¡± Detective Ordonez glared, which was to say she looked as she always did to Cal.


    ¡°That¡¯s Omar. He¡¯s our guide while we are in this¡­ territory,¡± Cal said with a shrug.


    Detective Ordonez blinked. ¡°Who the fuck do you think you are?! You can¡¯t just bring random civilians in on my investigation!¡±


    ¡°Fine, he¡¯s my guide. There, no worries. You don¡¯t even have to pay him. Besides¡­¡± Cal pointed toward the crowd, which had just parted.


    ¡°He¡¯s your responsibility,¡± Detective Ordonez said as she stomped off into the apartment complex.


    The rest of their group followed shortly.


    ¡°Yeah, as I expected,¡± Cal grimaced, ¡°the smell is worse in here.¡±


    The warmer temperature meant that dead bodies and parts putrefied and rotted quicker and more disgustingly.


    ¡°Fuck me! Why didn¡¯t we bring masks?¡± Jake¡¯s voice sounded comical with the way he was pinching his nose shut.


    ¡°Watch where you step and don¡¯t touch anything,¡± Detective Ordonez glared at Cal and Omar.


    ¡°No problem, I¡¯ll just stand right here.¡± Omar was right under the overhang that led into the inner courtyard.


    Cal laughed. ¡°No way man. You¡¯re sticking with me. We have no idea if the monster is still somewhere in one of these apartments.¡±


    ¡°Whatever. I don¡¯t need to see any of this.¡± Flo walked over to a bloody bench and sat down in the narrow space that was mostly clean. She paid no mind to the chunk of meat that looked like a raw pork butt on the ground close by. ¡°Shout if you¡¯re getting killed.¡±


    ¡°Gates!¡± Detective Ordonez.


    ¡°Yes, boss.¡± Jake hopped to attention.


    ¡°You¡¯re with me. Cruces, you and your intern stay close, but do not step in anything or touch anything. We¡¯re going to clear the place before we start looking for evidence.¡±


    Detective Ordonez chambered a round in her shotgun with a loud chack that echoed in the empty courtyard.


    ¡°Good acoustics,¡± Omar said.


    Jake pulled out a pair of smartphones, one in each hand.


    Cal and Omar exchanged a look of confusion.


    ¡°You got a weapon?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ yeah.¡± Omar pulled out a knife and held it in shaky hands.


    It looked like one of those cheap survival knives you could get at Big 5 or Home Depot.


    ¡°Oh¡­ kay¡­ maybe we¡¯ll get you something better later,¡± Cal said. ¡°Just try not to cut yourself.¡±


    They did as the detective had ordered. The scenes inside of the apartments were many times worse than the grisly display out in the courtyard. It was so bad that they gave up on avoiding stepping in the evidence.


    Omar only made it to his second apartment before he vomited. Jake lasted a bit longer, so Detective Ordonez sent them back to wait with Flo.


    Cal gagged a few times, but he powered through it. He reminded himself that he had seen similar scenes, if not quite as terrible. He took his mind off the physical by partially retreating into his telepathy. He stretched out across the entire apartment complex on the look out for potential monsters or the specific one that was supposedly responsible for the carnage that was assaulting his physical senses.


    ¡°So, does this look like the mauler¡¯s work? It doesn¡¯t seem possible that this was all done by one thing.¡±


    ¡°The scale of it is worse than anything I¡¯ve ever seen, but¡­ yeah, from a cursory look I¡¯d say the damage on these bodies looks like what the mauler did to the other vics,¡± Detective Ordonez said as she crouched down and examined what looked like a headless and limbless torso, at least judging by the remains of the Kings t-shirt partially covering it. ¡°This just turned into a clusterfuck.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Wasn¡¯t it already that?¡±


    ¡°A monster serial killer was one thing. After this crap we¡¯re looking at all out war.¡±


    ¡°You lost me,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°See, what we are looking at are the remains of several consolidated street gangs. Mostly crips and bloods, plus a few smaller ones. After the world went to shit the gangs suddenly had more important things to worry about instead of who could sell what drugs at which street corners. So, they joined up along racial lines to protect themselves and their families. Mostly.¡±


    ¡°I get it,¡± Cal said. ¡°So, these are the black gangs. Which means there¡¯s a power vacuum that the other gangs are going to want to exploit. More specifically they¡¯ll be coming to take over this territory. How many other gangs are we talking here?¡±


    ¡°How many races are there in the area?¡±


    ¡°Is that a rhetorical question? Cause there are a lot or there was. Sacramento¡¯s a pretty diverse place from what I remember.¡±


    ¡°It breaks down like you¡¯d expect. Hispanics, Asians and white power types, but those were mostly to the north of the city and we¡¯ve broken their grip and scattered them.¡±


    Cal made a disgusted face.


    ¡°Yeah, I heard you had your issues with those types.¡±


    ¡°I guess so, except they were cops and bikers. I didn¡¯t look too deeply into it. Just kicked their asses and moved on. Had enough problems with monsters to deal with stupid people falling back on base tribalism and thinking the wrong sides won the Civil War and World War II.¡±


    ¡°This is going to be a problem that we don¡¯t have the manpower to respond to,¡± Detective Ordonez said. ¡°The gangs don¡¯t have much in the way of guns, but they¡¯ve got numbers and we don¡¯t want to waste our ammo. Nor do we want to waste lives. We¡¯ve lost enough people as it is.¡±


    ¡°I see where this is going,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°Just tell me where I can find their leaders. I¡¯ll have a little talk with them. Impress upon them the folly of street warfare on their fellow human beings.¡±


    ¡°Understand that I¡¯m not asking you to do this. That you decided on this course of action on your own.¡±


    Cal shrugged. ¡°Yeah, whatever.¡±

 3.2

    Then, Year 4, After Spires


    ¡°I¡¯m calling this in,¡± Detective Ordonez said brusquely. She turned hard eyes on Omar.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Intern, get out there and let your people know that they need to get out of the way of our examiners.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean my ¡®people¡¯?¡± Omar narrowed his eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t give me that bullshit, you know what I mean. I¡¯m just a little lighter than you,¡± Detective Ordonez tapped her bare arm. ¡°Now get going unless you want to clean this up.¡± She gestured at the bloody remains all around them.


    Omar paled. He looked to Cal, who nodded, before the young man left the courtyard to speak to the people gathered outside.


    ¡°Is that actually going to work?¡± Jake¡¯s face was equally as pale. He looked a little haggard. ¡°I mean, he seems like a nice kid, but I don¡¯t think his word carries a lot of weight.¡±


    ¡°Nope, but I bet his grandfather¡¯s does and my read is that he¡¯ll listen to Omar,¡± Cal said. ¡°More importantly, what next?¡±


    ¡°We look around the perimeter of the apartment complex, try to find a blood trail. With this much, there¡¯s a good chance we¡¯ll find something,¡± Detective Ordonez said. ¡°Flo, you¡¯re with me. Cruces, you¡¯re with Jake.¡±


    As Flo walked past Cal, she gave him the good old shoulder check. Cal had always been pretty strong and well built since he had discovered weight-lifting during his early teens. Not many had tried to pull that crap with him then. Now that he could add super strength to his repertoire it was a surprising to say the least when he felt his shoulder move. He didn¡¯t resist, but rather moved with the force. There was no way he was going to get into a dick-measuring contest with a teenage girl.


    Jake waited before the two pairs had separated to laugh. Cal could tell he had been holding it in the whole time.


    ¡°Dayyyuummm. I saw that! Told you she was stronger.¡±


    ¡°Or maybe I didn¡¯t want to injure her,¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°Sure, bro. Whatever you need to tell yourself to sleep at night.¡±


    ¡°Why are you even so excited? It¡¯s not like you pulled it off.¡±


    ¡°Team pride!¡± Jake said.


    Cal tsked. The huge trainee officer was a walking contradiction of stereotypes. Jake was a meathead, bro-jock and a video game playing, RPG nerd all wrapped up together in an annoying package.


    ¡°Whatever man,¡± Cal said. ¡°What¡¯s up with those smartphones? You¡¯ve got three that I saw and I didn¡¯t miss that you pulled them out instead of your Glock.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, can¡¯t say. Opsec, like Detective Ordonez said. And I don¡¯t want to get on her bad side.¡±


    Cal wasn¡¯t sure that the woman had any other sides to her.


    ¡°Something to do with that class, she doesn¡¯t want you to share. You know it makes no difference to me if you guys have secret classes. I can solo a gremlin alpha. Is that something you can do with your secret class?¡± Cal started with the stick. Then he hit Jake with the carrot. ¡°You know I might be able to give you some tips, some insight. I¡¯ve purchased a good amount of the tutorials from the spires. There¡¯s a chance I know something that could be useful to you.¡±


    A serious look crossed Jake¡¯s face and he fell uncharacteristically silent.


    Cal didn¡¯t particularly care if Jake took him up on the offer. Information was always welcome, but getting the usually loquacious young man to shut up for more than a minute was also worth it.


    Cal scanned the ground and the fence around the apartment complex as they walked around the perimeter in silence. He had superior perceptions, yet he found nothing. No blood or footprints in the grass to denote a monster¡¯s passing.


    ¡°Maybe it can fly,¡± Cal muttered.


    ¡°Yeah, I didn¡¯t think of that,¡± Jake said. ¡°Oh and about your offer. Sorry, man. I don¡¯t want to get in trouble. Maybe I can ask my boss.¡±


    ¡°Up to you. Also keep in mind that eventually we¡¯ll catch up to the mauler. Then it becomes a fight. Our chances would be better if I knew what you were capable of.¡±


    ¡°Makes sense. Do you think we¡¯ll be able to that? It¡¯s been weeks and we¡¯re not any closer. And now this. It took out like forty people.¡±


    ¡°And it did it outside of Midtown,¡± Cal agreed. ¡°Not a good sign.¡±


    ¡°What? Like it¡¯s getting hungrier for blood or something?¡±


    ¡°Omar mentioned that several of the gangbangers had actual classes. So, the mauler is still acting within the profile Detective Ordonez wrote up. It¡¯s still going after specific targets. Maybe the rest of the gangbangers got in the way or got caught up in things.¡±


    ¡°Fuck me!¡± The blood drained from Jake¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯ve got a class.¡±


    ¡°Are you serious?¡± Cal laughed. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you just realized¡­¡±


    ¡°Shit! Fuck! That¡¯s why I¡¯m on this task force with Flo. I¡¯m bait.¡±


    ¡°Oh man.¡± Cal couldn¡¯t stop laughing. ¡°I thought you volunteered.? Dude. You got done dirty.¡± He patted Jake on the shoulder. ¡°Sucks to be you, but on the bright side. We¡¯ve got a theory going around that you get stronger based on how hard your struggle is. This hunt for the Midtown Mauler is basically a find and slay the monster type quest. I already got it when I agreed to help you guys out.¡±


    A faraway look suddenly appeared on Jake¡¯s face. Cal recognized it so he stopped and waited. It didn¡¯t take long for Jake to come back to reality.


    ¡°You just got the Quest?¡±


    ¡°To find and kill the Midtown Mauler. Plus a bonus for every citizen saved,¡± Jake said with wide eyes.


    ¡°You don¡¯t get a lot of quests?¡±


    Jake shook his head.


    ¡°Congratulations,¡± Cal said mirthlessly. ¡°You¡¯re in one now.¡±


    ¡°Bro, you¡¯ve got to help me out,¡± Jake said. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you want you want to know. Help me optimize my magic.¡±


    ¡°What happened to all that opsec?¡±


    ¡°Screw that noise. I don¡¯t want to end up like those poor bastards back there.¡±


    ¡°Alright man. What are you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a Techmage.¡±


    Cal¡¯s eyes widened. He wasn¡¯t expecting that. So many questions popped up in his head.


    ¡°Basically, I got a few starter spells from when I first got the class. Like, I can¡¯t really explain it, but I got like this programming language for each spell. So, I code each one into a smartphone. Then I use the phone to cast the spell.¡± Jake looked at Cal expectantly.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got so many questions,¡± Cal began. ¡°Why just one spell per phone?¡±


    ¡°It takes up most of the space.¡± Jake shrugged like it was obvious.


    ¡°Naturally. What are the spells?¡±


    ¡°Magic Missile, Shock and Mana Shield,¡± Jake said. ¡°I can adjust the power output on the Shock. Can go from the same as taser to it¡¯ll fry a cow, although the latter will drain both the phone battery and my mana.¡±


    ¡°It draws on both?¡±


    ¡°I did some comparisons with a few magic users on the force. Using equivalent spells and power levels, I figure that there¡¯s about an eighty-twenty split between the battery and my mana.¡±


    ¡°So, if Magic Missile takes ten mana to cast for a normal magic user. Then for you, an equivalent of eight is taken from the phone and two from your mana pool,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Yeah, except there isn¡¯t a straight one-to-one conversion between battery and mana pool. I think it varies based on the spell and how much power I put into it. Upshot is I can do more spells per day than a regular magic user.¡±


    ¡°Bit cumbersome having to switch out your phones though.¡±


    ¡°Eh, not really. I just have to have it in my hand and then I can cast the spell with a thought.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to say the magic word? That¡¯s useful.¡±


    ¡°So, any ideas?¡±


    Cal thought about it. ¡°To be honest none of the tutorials I¡¯ve read are useful in your case. Have you purchased the tutorials for your class?¡±


    ¡°Just the basic one. Can¡¯t afford the higher level ones.¡±


    ¡°I did promise to help you,¡± Cal frowned. ¡°How much for the next level tutorial?¡±


    ¡°Twenty-five thousand Universal Points.¡±


    Cal cursed. That was a lot of points. ¡°The reward for the mauler quest should more than cover that.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t really help me now,¡± Jake grumbled.


    ¡°Have you tried encoding the spells in something more powerful than a smartphone?¡±


    ¡°These are like the best I can get. Most space, most powerful processors.¡±


    ¡°What about a top of the line laptop?¡±


    Jake¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°I never thought of that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m thinking you can try with the Mana Shield spell. Wear the laptop in a harness or something.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah. That could work. Or I can see if putting all three spells on the same laptop and then linking it to the phones will give them all more power.¡±


    They continued their search for any signs of the mauler¡¯s trail in silence. Although only Cal was actually paying attention to their surroundings. Jake was engrossed in future tinkering plans.


    Dusk had crept in while Cal and Jake, Detective Ordonez and Flo had widened their search pattern to encompass the immediate neighborhoods and one strip mall that surrounded the apartment complex. They found nothing. Not one bloody foot print, which was hard to accept considering the copious amounts at the slaughter site.


    When they returned to the apartment complex Cal was pleasantly surprised by Omar¡¯s effectiveness. The young man had somehow convinced the gathered crowds of people to make way for the medical examiners and their protection detail. The only problem now was what to do about the growing threat from the other gangs. Word had already reached them that the Asian gang was gathering in numbers at the edge of the street that marked their common boundary.


    As the darkness grew and the torches and lanterns were lit there were still a large amount of people arguing with Detective Ordonez.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Flo said sullenly silencing everyone as they turned to look at her. Though she was small and skinny. There was a presence to her that made people aware. ¡°It¡¯s way past five, so I¡¯m done for the day.¡±


    Detective Ordonez opened her mouth to say otherwise, but Flo cut her off.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about your little gang war. I¡¯m here to fight the monster. There¡¯s no monster, so I¡¯m going home.¡± Flo turned to leave. ¡°World ends and people are still being assholes to each other,¡± she muttered. She shot Cal a baleful glare as she strode by him.


    In that moment Cal got a taste of the intense loathing Flo had for him. It was like a palpable hit to the gut thanks to his telepathy. It had been like that ever since their first meeting in the medical examiner¡¯s morgue. He had no idea why the girl hated him. He had a hundred guesses, but he didn¡¯t think it was his business to pry into her history to search for the answer. A lot of people had a lot of bad things happen to them over the past four years.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go keep the Asian gang from attacking.¡± Words that Cal had never expected to ever say emerged from his mouth to silence the arguments.


    Ultimately, after consulting her superiors, Detective Ordonez agreed to station a squad at intersection that served as the boundary to the Hispanic gangs¡¯ territory.


    ¡°We really need to take care of this gang problem,¡± Detective Ordonez said after the crowd had dispersed.


    ¡°Society can¡¯t be fixed until there¡¯s order,¡± Omar agreed.


    ¡°There¡¯s more nuance to it in my opinion, but in this specific case I¡¯d have to agree,¡± Cal said. ¡°Well, I¡¯ve got a bunch of armed young men to scare off.¡±


    ¡°Wait, do I go with you?¡±


    ¡°Nope, I think you are off for the rest of the night, Omar. Get some sleep and get a better weapon. I¡¯ll find you tomorrow morning,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Detective Ordonez said as she scribbled something down on her notepad before tearing the sheet off and handing it to Omar. ¡°Take this to the Capitol tomorrow. If you¡¯re going to be part of this task force then it has to be official.¡±


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°So¡­ I¡¯m getting a job?¡±


    ¡°Temporary contractor,¡± Detective Ordonez said. ¡°You¡¯re still responsible for the kid.¡± She snapped at Cal.


    Cal sent her a mock salute before he strode off into the darkness.


    ¡°Does this mean I get a gun?¡± Omar had a dubious look on his face.


    <hr>


    ¡°I¡¯m home,¡± Cal called out.


    A voice answered immediately. ¡°Lucky, you got here just as I¡¯m finishing breakfast.¡±


    Cal took off his shoes and left them outside the door. With all the gross crap he had been walking on yesterday there was no way he was going to bring them inside their home. He took off his armored jacket and hung it on the rack inside the door. He dumped the rest of his gear on the floor.


    Bacon, eggs and pancakes. He didn¡¯t need a superior sense of smell to catch what Nila was cooking.


    ¡°Hey, love.¡± Cal embraced his girlfriend from behind as she cooked at the portable camp stove. ¡°How was your patrol?¡±


    ¡°Boring. How did things go yesterday?¡±


    ¡°Horrible. I had to spend all night standing in an intersection mad dogging a bunch of gangbangers and being mad dogged in return.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°You know, ¡®mad dogging¡¯.¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°It means exchanging angry looks. Usually leads to a fight. You know, cause you got to keep it real.¡±


    ¡°Must be before my time.¡±


    ¡°Ha ha. I¡¯m not that much older than you.¡±


    ¡°What about the investigation?¡±


    Cal grimaced. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you about it after we eat.¡±


    ¡°That bad?¡±


    ¡°The worst yet, but I don¡¯t want to get into it right now. Tasty food first. Then bad news after.¡±


    The meal was good. It was nice just to relax and enjoy the company of a loved one without worrying about monsters and a potential gang war for a blessed moment in time that was over all too quickly.


    Cal had to tell Nila everything, though he skimped on describing the scene at the apartment complex in full.


    ¡°An intern, huh? And he sounds useful. Not like the kids I have to put up with,¡± Nila said. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want me in on this investigation? This Midtown Mauler is getting scarier. Or maybe bring Remy along.¡±


    ¡°Too risky. We can¡¯t put all our eggs in one basket. Our community needs defending.¡± Cal left it unsaid that one of his concerns was that the mauler might make its way across the river when he was searching for it. Nila was sharp enough to realize that possibility.


    ¡°At least that girl, Flo, has powers and that other guy¡ª¡±


    ¡°Jake.¡±


    ¡°Has magic.¡±


    Nila stood and walked over to give Cal a tight hug and a long kiss. ¡°I need to get some sleep. I¡¯ve got a lifting session before lunch. Then a practice session before dinner. Then back on patrol. Don¡¯t forget to catch at least a few hours. You might not physically need to sleep for days, but psychologically¡­¡±


    ¡°I know, I know. I¡¯ll get a few hours in after I help out Veronica.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s today? Wow¡­ they grow up so fast.¡± Nila frowned. ¡°We just celebrated her ninth¡­ I don¡¯t know if I feel good with what you guys are doing.¡±


    ¡°Me neither, but it¡¯s a new world and we must adapt or die or worse.¡± Cal shook his head ruefully. He suddenly felt heavier. ¡°I¡¯ll maybe see you for lunch?¡±


    ¡°Sure, but you¡¯re cooking,¡± Nila smiled.


    <hr>


    Nine year old Veronica Cruces marched hesitantly out into the knee high grass of the local neighborhood park¡¯s no longer maintained lawn. An ax was clutched tightly in her hands.


    Cal kept a figurative eye on his niece and her surroundings with his telepathy. He marked every single mutant squirrel laying in wait on the fringes. It was his and Remy¡¯s presence that kept the mutated animals away. Weak monsters avoided them.


    Veronica, however, was just what they wanted.


    ¡°Dad, how much further do I have to go,¡± Veronica called back in a shaky voice.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Remy muttered. ¡°We¡¯re doing this too soon.¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t need his telepathy to notice that his younger brother was on the verge of calling this whole thing off.


    ¡°Wait, dad,¡± Tessa said. ¡°Vee¡¯s got this. She¡¯s been practicing really hard.¡±


    ¡°Keep going, Veronica. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll grab them when they jump out,¡± Cal said. ¡°Relax, Rem. She isn¡¯t in any real danger.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, dad, Uncle Cal will slow the mutant squirrels down just like he did for my first kills,¡± Tessa said.


    Remy sighed. ¡°Hearing those words really makes me sad. Feels like I¡¯ve failed as a father.¡±


    ¡°Why? I¡¯ve got a cool power now. You don¡¯t have to worry about monsters hurting me.¡±


    ¡°I will always worry. Even if you can out shoot a battleship.¡±


    Cal chuckled. Malice, hunger and anticipation suddenly bloomed in his thoughts. It was about time for Veronica¡¯s big first steps into the new world.


    He watched the little girl take a hesitant step, then another. Should he warn her? No, that¡¯d just make her more nervous. He supposed it was like getting a tooth pulled out. The anticipation was always worse than the act.


    There was a burst of action from the tall grass, as dozens of mutant squirrels came rushing at Veronica. They were gross, misshapen things. Three times the size of a normal squirrel. Their overgrown muscles stretched and even tore their skin in parts. Their fur was in patches. Their teeth were too large and sharp for their mouths. These teeth weren¡¯t meant for nuts and seeds.


    Cal decided that this situation was in no way similar to getting your teeth pulled out at the dentist. Not even close. He grabbed each mutant squirrel in a telekinetic grip and slowed them to a crawl.


    ¡°Go get them, Vee!¡± Tessa cheered.


    ¡°Remember to control your swings, honey,¡± Remy said. ¡°Watch your legs and the head placement when you chop downward.¡±


    Veronica stood still for a second. Did she freeze? It wasn¡¯t a big deal if she did. They could always try again at another time. Cal was just about to crush the squirrels when Veronica let out a blood curdling cry.


    ¡°Rrraaarggghhh¡­ JUSTICE!¡±


    Cal was honestly stunned as his sweet, little niece slashed about in a fury. The mutant squirrels didn¡¯t stand a chance.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t see this coming,¡± Cal said. ¡°She¡¯s swinging that ax around pretty fast.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I made the head lighter. Hollowed the thickest parts out and then shaped a lattice for internal support. Cut the weight in half, but retained the same structural integrity,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Plus, Vee¡¯s been working really hard in training.¡±


    Cal glanced at Tessa. He noticed that she was flipping a coin across the knuckles of her hand. Rather, she was trying. She kept dropping it.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the coin? You trying to be a riverboat gambler or something?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my ammo.¡±


    ¡°Tessandra, you¡¯re not an anime character. Plus it¡¯s a waste of money. I told you, use nuts, bolts and ball bearings,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°But dad, this is way cooler.¡±


    ¡°Focusing on being cool is what gets you dead. This is real life. You aren¡¯t the protagonist of an anime. Losing in the real world won¡¯t lead to a training montage and a power up. If you can¡¯t understand that then maybe we need to rethink how we¡¯re doing things.¡±


    ¡°Well, there are powers and magic now. So, maybe the real world is an anime.¡± Tessa crossed her arms.


    Cal agreed in theory, but he was smart enough to keep those thoughts to himself.


    ¡°JUSTICE AX!¡± Veronica roared.


    ¡°So¡­ what¡¯s with that?¡±


    Remy rubbed his temples. ¡°She¡¯s been reading my old comic books. No TV and no Netflix.¡±


    ¡°She wants to be a superhero,¡± Tessa giggled. ¡°God, such a newb.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t call your sister a newb,¡± Remy said flatly.


    ¡°Hey, Tessa, so what¡¯s the anime you¡¯re talking about?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about this girl who can magnetically accelerate objects. Just like my power.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, I think I¡¯ve seen some of that.¡±


    ¡°Uncle Cal, isn¡¯t it kinda weird that a grown man watches anime with girls in them?¡±


    Cal stared blankly at Tessa for a second. ¡°Was that snark? Are you snarking me? I mean I¡¯m old, so I can¡¯t really tell with you kids these days.¡±


    There was a triumphant gleam in Tessa¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°No, she¡¯s just being a brat,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°FREEDOM WHIRLWIND!¡± Veronica shouted.


    ¡°No! No spinning!¡± Remy grimaced. ¡°Jesus Christ,¡± he muttered.


    Tessa cackled. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to tell mom.¡±


    ¡°No, we will not be telling mom about anything that transpired here. We will only speak in vague generalities or she will never let you or your sister outside again.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ that makes sense,¡± Tessa said after a moment


    ¡°Kids grow up so fast. One day they¡¯re playing princess unicorn parade. The next¡­¡± Cal gestured toward Veronica as she bashed her last mutant squirrel with prejudice. ¡°So, Rem¡­ how are you planning on explaining all the blood to Megan.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± Remy gestured to his backpack, ¡°brought a change of clothes.¡±


    Veronica let out a fine battle cry that wouldn¡¯t have been out of place on the fields of Cimmeria or the slopes of Mount Doom. Tessa let out a shout of pure joy as she ran to embrace her little sister. Cal whooped it up after he made sure that there were no more mutant squirrels or other things in the immediate area.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I should be impressed or worried.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for the help,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Any time.¡±


    ¡°I read the report about what you found yesterday.¡±


    Cal raised a hand. ¡°I can give you the details later. For now, just enjoy the moment. Let¡¯s celebrate for Veronica.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Remy said weakly. ¡°I just wish we were celebrating something else, like getting the lead role in the school play or winning a soccer tournament.¡±


    ¡°Same here, but we didn¡¯t choose our world.¡± Cal watched his nieces embracing and jumping around in a circle. The sight made him happy and a little sad. ¡°Heading straight to the spire?¡±


    ¡°Yup, Veronica¡¯s been waiting for this day like it was Christmas and her birthday all in one. I don¡¯t think I could make her wait. Ever since Tessa got her powers, Veronica¡¯s been itching for her turn.¡±


    ¡°Well, she did have to wait four years. Tessa only had to wait two.¡± A thought struck Cal. ¡°Say¡­ did you bring a change of clothes for Tessa too?¡±


    ¡°¡­ god damn it.¡±


    <hr>


    Now


    Cal snapped to attention with an incessant beeping in his ears.


    ¡°What the hell?¡±


    For a moment he didn¡¯t know where and when he was. It hit him with jarring suddenness. He was in Orchestral Meridian. Floating out of reach of many monstrous Threnosh-like beings.


    A glance at the clock projected in his face-plate indicated that the battle had started nearly five minutes ago. What was going on with him? It was the second time in as many days that he had blanked out and gone elsewhere. Elsewhen?


    ¡°Team 1, status?¡± Cal spoke into the comms.


    ¡°Holding at our fall back position. Hostiles are continuing their attack. We can sustain combat for another fifteen minutes before ammunition is depleted,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°Team 2?¡±


    ¡°We have reached the fall back position. Rodinian¡¯s traps have proved effective at slowing the hostiles. We can hold indefinitely,¡± Telatrine said.


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ve got a bunch to take care of here then I¡¯ll swing by and help you guys out.¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t waste any time. He had already done enough of that. He used his telekinesis to send the numerous knife blades in the compartments on his belt flying into the Threnosh-like monsters. He stabbed them repeatedly until they were dead. Except for one. The lucky subject was choked to unconsciousness with a telekinetic grip around its throat. He secured it with restraints and towed it behind him as he flew to relieve his team.


    Strangely, as soon as he drew near the Threnosh-like monsters disengaged and disappeared into the city. They took that strange sound that was an impossible mix between a keening wail and haunting music with them. The silence that remained was all the more eerie in its absence.


    ¡°I think that¡¯s good enough for today. Let¡¯s head back to base camp. I¡¯ve got a subject that the researchers can examine. We¡¯ll need drones to set up more surveillance. That was a lot more than I expected.¡±


    If any of the Threnosh thought it amiss that Cal didn¡¯t give an explanation for why he had been silent for nearly five minutes, none of them voiced their concerns. The same question weighed heavily on his mind.


    Further manned exploration of the city was temporarily postponed in favor of remote-operated drones, while the live subject was examined. Of course, Cal exempted himself from the restriction. He probed further and deeper into Orchestral Meridian. He chased after that strange feeling, that haunting sound, yet was greeted with deafening silence. The only he things he found were more of the cocoons that the Corrupted Threnosh, as he had taken to calling them, were contained in. Every single one he came across was empty.


    It took several days before the researchers had thoroughly studied and dissected the live, the once living, subject Cal had brought back to their base camp.


    ¡°The subject is or rather, was once Threnosh,¡± Head Researcher Alluvial Fan 24198 said.


    ¡°What¡¯s the probability on that?¡±


    ¡°One hundred percent.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ please continue.¡±


    ¡°There are significant alterations to the subject¡¯s genetic code. It is beyond our current capability to determine how this was done. The alterations provide an overall increase to physical capabilities by a multiplier of twelve, while degrading cognitive functions. As you can see here,¡± Head Researcher Alluvial Fan 24198 highlighted a portion of the Corrupted Threnosh¡¯s brain in a holographic projection, ¡°this region is responsible for base instinct, aggression, hunger and so on. In the proper Threnosh, the region is atrophied, essentially inoperative. In the subject it is enlarged. In contrast to the portions of the brain responsible for higher functions. As you can see.¡±


    Cal stared at the projection. The numbers indicated that the corrupted was on the same level as a very strong human.


    ¡°Perhaps if I bring up a projection of a proper Threnosh brain, you will be able to understand.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. So, what do you think we¡¯re actually dealing with here? Was the subject once normal, but then altered or were they born this way?¡±


    The head researcher blinked once, twice, thrice. ¡°We had not considered the latter possibility.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m assuming that there are birthing creches in the city,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Certainly. In theory the creches can be altered to produce different outcomes.¡±


    ¡°Like that?¡± Cal pointed at the holographic projection of the Corrupted Threnosh.


    ¡°There is not enough data to provide an answer to your query. However, I believe there is a method with which we may be able to discern the origin of this particular specimen.¡±


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°Every Threnosh birthed from the creches has an individual genetic marker that is recorded in the Great Archive. We have already extracted the subject¡¯s. There is one difficulty. The archive¡¯s keepers do not simply accept requests from mere researchers.¡±


    ¡°Forward the marker to me. I¡¯ll ask Prime Custodian 3 to handle it. I don¡¯t think they¡¯d turn down the request if it came from a prime.¡±


    ¡°That is a logical supposition.¡±


    ¡°Thanks and tell your team they did a good job. This is a monumental discovery even if it¡¯s horrifying.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Cal walked out of the prefab lab when his PID beeped. It was the genetic marker.


    ¡°Alluvial¡¯s quick.¡±


    He crafted a short message and forwarded the information to Prime Custodian 3. Now all he had to do was come up with a new plan. They couldn¡¯t continue the exploration of the city if they were going to be mobbed by thousands of Corrupted Threnosh. The place wasn¡¯t behaving like other encounter challenges and even spawn points. There were no spread out pockets of reasonably sized mobs. No limits to their aggro radius.


    ¡°The Quest called it a spawn point. What¡¯s different?¡±


    Maybe the spawn sections were larger. Instead of a several hundred yard or less radius, entire districts might constitute a monster zone. He¡¯d have to test out that theory on his own. Since he was flight-capable he could just bail if he got swarmed. The rest of his team couldn¡¯t do that. Although, it was worth a lot of points if they could repeat the kill totals of their first foray into the city. Set up five at a time. Fight until they ran out of ammo. Then he could just fly them out of there. Maybe bring in regular soldiers to hold cleared areas to give his team clear lines of retreat. They could clear the city one district at a time that way.


    ¡°I¡¯m missing something,¡± Cal muttered. ¡°Why did I think this was going to be a piece of cake?¡±


    Cal subvocalized a message to his team while he walked to the drone operator station. They needed a brainstorming session. Which they would have right after he checked in with his drone operators to see how the scouting and setting up of remote cameras was proceeding.


    ¡°So much to do, yet so little time.¡±

 3.3

    Now


    A potential solution was presented a day later when Salamander and Adahn approached Cal in his small prefab office. The two power armor-clad Threnosh barely had room to stand side-by-side in front of Cal¡¯s tiny desk. Salamander dwarfed Adahn. The latter¡¯s power armor was slim and sleek compared to former.


    ¡°I have some concerns and questions.¡± Cal brought up the proposal with a gesture. He had highlighted the sections that had caught his eye. ¡°Why can¡¯t we turn them on wirelessly once we get the power back on?¡±


    ¡°After complete shutdown automated defense systems require initialization from the central command console,¡± Adahn said.


    ¡°And from the information PC3 handed over concerning the night that Orchestral Meridian fell, as little as there was, we know that the defensive systems did not reengage after the spire¡¯s appearance temporarily shutdown every system in the city. Very suspicious,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°That is the reason why I am concerned that the codes we have will not work after we turn the energy generators back on,¡± Salamander said. ¡°It is fortuitous that Adahn believes they will be able to bypass the systems.¡±


    ¡°My trueskin has the ability to interface with systems and will allow me to manipulate them. Given time.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why you¡¯re on this task. I figured your technopathic-adjacent abilities would be good for hacking.¡±


    ¡°I do not understand your words, Designation: Honor,¡± Adahn said stiffly.


    ¡°Basically, I¡¯m talking about your ability to mess with technology and such.¡±


    ¡°You will come to understand Honor in time,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Cal stifled a laugh.


    ¡°We have the location of the auxiliary energy source to the section of the city that our initial incursion site is located within. Along with the automated defense subsystem core,¡± Salamander said. ¡°I believe Adahn is capable of initializing both systems.¡±


    ¡°Use the city¡¯s own defenses to help us reclaim it one section at a time?¡± Cal mused. ¡°I like it. Except I have one concern¡­ how do we know that the defenses are still functional after all this time?¡±


    ¡°Probability supports the defensive system still being operational. Since it was the only system that did not reinitialize as is standard automatic procedure with the rest of the city¡¯s systems, this suggests that there was direct action to keep it down. This purpose was achieved, therefore it is unlikely that further action to damage the defenses was necessary.¡± Adahn said.


    ¡°I think I get what you¡¯re saying. Shut down the defenses, objective achieved. No reason to mess with it anymore. This, of course, raises another troubling concern,¡± Cal said. ¡°You¡¯re suggesting that there was a level of intelligence to the city¡¯s fall than simply being overrun by monsters.¡±


    ¡°With the nature of those monsters now revealed the probability of that has risen.¡± Salamander didn¡¯t miss a beat.


    ¡°It certainly does. We can¡¯t approach this task just like clearing spawn points. We have to start planning as though we are up against intelligent opponents. The odd behavior of the Corrupted Threnosh was just the tip of the iceberg. Which means that if we¡¯ve identified the automated defense system as a potential asset. Then so have our potential enemies.¡±


    ¡°We have an advantage in that we know exactly where the key systems we need to access are located,¡± Adahn said.


    There was a brief flicker of displeasure on Salamander¡¯s face.


    ¡°True, but so does the enemy. Which means¡­¡± Cal nodded at Adahn to urge them to continue.


    ¡°Ambush. I apologize for my mistake.¡±


    ¡°Not necessary. Learn for the future.¡± Cal waved it away. ¡°I know you¡¯ve already got a plan, Salamander.¡±


    ¡°Correct,¡± Salamander said with an almost imperceptible tilt of their head. ¡°Honor, you will clear the path to the target site and hold the location. The team, including Adahn, will follow in your wake. Adahn will then reinitialize the system. We take the energy source first. We will hold it with the majority of the team combined with our automated turrets and combat drones, while you take Adahn and the remainder of the team to perform the same task with the automated defense system.¡±


    ¡°Are we sure that the city¡¯s defenses will be enough to help us take and hold the section?¡±


    ¡°According to current projections utilizing data from our encounter with the corrupted,¡± Salamander said.


    They weren¡¯t comfortable with referring to the monsters as Threnosh. Cal made a note to amend how he referred to them in future conversations.


    ¡°Well¡­ Orchestral Meridian had nearly a million inhabitants when it fell. Only a few thousand escaped. Even if tens of thousands died we might still be looking at several hundred thousand corrupted.¡±


    ¡°We do not know yet if the corrupted are the Threnosh of Orchestral Meridian,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°Hopefully we¡¯ll get that answer soon, once the Greater Archives gets back to us on the genetic signature from the one I captured.¡±


    ¡°If we get the fabrication facility near our incursion point operational then we will be able to replenish ammunition and create more automated turrets and drones,¡± Adahn said.


    ¡°It¡¯s still a pretty risky play. We¡¯re counting on the systems being functional. Then we are counting on being able to control the defensive systems so that they don¡¯t turn on us.¡±


    ¡°I am confident that I will be able to make sure that it only targets our enemies,¡± Adahn said.


    ¡°Good, cause everything hinges on you.¡± Cal liked the confidence Adahn was radiating. ¡°I¡¯ll leave planning the specifics of the operation to you,¡± he locked eyes at Salamander. ¡°If this works we¡¯ll need to move quickly on the rest of the city¡¯s sections. Don¡¯t give our enemies a chance to counter, if we truly are facing something intelligent. To that end, I want you to work Subcommander Blue¡¯s soldiers into the op. We need the extra firepower.¡±


    ¡°They will be reluctant to work directly with¡­ us,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll speak with them directly. I have this sense that we need to move fast,¡± Cal said. ¡°It¡¯s just a gut feeling, but I think we¡¯re working against the clock on this Quest¡­ er Task, for you guys.¡±


    ¡°Your inner organs have proved correct on many past occasions,¡± Salamander said. ¡°I will make haste.¡±


    <hr>


    Communicator Dreylox 7193 oversaw the command console at the temporary base camp. Holographic projections from the viewpoint of every individual on the operation were displayed in an orderly fashion in front of them. Under standard procedure this would¡¯ve meant that they had total information control, which they would¡¯ve filtered to the subcommanders in the field. Honor didn¡¯t operate along established guidelines.


    For one, the outworlder took an active role in tasks even though he held overall command. And secondly, a lowly communicator was never left to oversee an entire operation¡¯s complement without command level individuals directing them.


    The communicator was outwardly stoic, but inside they were hoping that they wouldn¡¯t actually have to do anything beyond relaying messages in the event that direct communication in the field was disrupted. The entire situation was not in line with the Threnosh ways.


    They watched in silence and trepidation, again, something that was unfamiliar, as Honor walked slowly through a narrow street. A glance at the overhead tactical projection showed the red dots that represented the corrupted were moving away from the white dot that represented Honor.


    ¡°Honor. Be advised, hostiles are moving away from your position.¡± Salamander¡¯s voice was crisp and clear over the entire team channel.


    ¡°Figured something like that might happen,¡± Honor said. ¡°Let me try something.¡±


    Honor¡¯s projection showed him suddenly stop in the middle of the street.


    Several seconds passed, then a minute.


    The red dots abruptly reversed their directions. They were headed directly for Honor.


    Communicator Dreylox 7193 was about to blurt out a warning when Honor burst into action.


    The view in his projection was a blur. It was impossible to follow. The only hint to what happened were the sounds of violence. Heavy thuds and wet, squelching sounds accompanied by breathing, snarling, yelping, then finally silence.


    ¡°Alright. That should get me their aggro,¡± Honor said.


    ¡°Acknowledged. Multiple hostiles now converging on your location,¡± Salamander said. ¡°We are proceeding according to plan.¡±


    Communicator Dreylox 7193 checked the overhead. The red dots of the corrupted that they had tagged in the section were indeed moving with frightening speed towards Honor. The outworlder had increased his own pace. He was running just fast enough to stay within sight of the corrupted.


    The communicator was stunned. Things had happened so fast. Was combat like this all the time?


    Combat was indeed fast and violent, at least that was what Cal endeavored to inflict on the monsters. He had learned that long, drawn out fights usually meant he was in serious jeopardy of dying. He could count the incidents on one hand and as far as he was concerned that was too many. His goal was to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.


    The Corrupted Threnosh were fast. They would¡¯ve run down the fastest human sprinters back on Earth. Cal deliberately kept his pace just a little bit faster. At the same time he reached out with his telepathy to send out a general ¡®come get me¡¯ impulse in a wide area around him.


    The narrow street broadened into a wide intersection. From what Cal remembered the cross street was something of a major artery that led to the main residential area of the particular district. A right turn led to said area, while a left turn led to the location of the energy station, which was his destination.


    He cut a tight turn and was met by a mass of corrupted. It caught him off guard, which was doubly troublesome. He didn¡¯t pick them up with his telepathy, neither did the surveillance drones flying overhead.


    No time to worry about it. He only had a split-second to react.


    He sent out a wave of telekinetic force that spanned across the entire street. It plowed into the corrupted like a train.


    Cal¡¯s path was clear and he ran right through without slowing, leaving scores of dead and dying corrupted. It was a drop in the bucket. There were plenty more of them chasing after him and converging from what seemed like all directions.


    He hoped that they were all chasing him. That there weren¡¯t any large groups mysteriously unaccounted for, like the one he just turned into road pizza. Otherwise his T-Men might have some trouble.


    ¡°Where did that group come from?¡± Salamander barked into the comms. ¡°I saw nothing on my display. Command, is there an equipment malfunction.¡±


    ¡°Apologies subleader, there was no indication of their presence on any of our instruments. Diagnostic query is not indicating any problems. All drones, cameras and scanners are indicating operational status.¡± Communicator Dreylox 7193¡¯s voice was agitated.


    ¡°Reassess our route to the energy station. Then do the same for the route to the security station.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Salamander switched the channel to a private setting. ¡°Honor, do you receive?¡±


    ¡°Yup. Don¡¯t know what to tell you, but that group surprised me too. I had no idea they were there and¡­ that is not a good thing.¡±


    ¡°Do we abort?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll let you make that call.¡±


    ¡°We proceed.¡± Salamander didn¡¯t hesitate.


    ¡°I figured you¡¯d say that. I¡¯m about ready to start thinning out the herd. It¡¯ll slow me down, so estimate I¡¯ll reach the target site in around fifteen minutes.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged. We will proceed shortly.¡± Salamander switched back to the open channel. ¡°Command, status on route reassessment?¡±


    ¡°Data indicates the routes are currently clear,¡± Communicator Dreylox 7193 said.


    Salamander led the formation. The rest of their team came next. The more vulnerable members in the center, surrounded by the more durable. A handful of automated turrets on tracked wheels followed them, while a mixed squad of standard soldiers came next. PJ15 brought up the rear. Air cover was provided by a few combat drones directly controlled by the drone operators at the temporary base camp.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Salamander moved the column at a quick pace. They wanted to get to the first target site and secure it as soon as possible. Smoke drifted from their draconic helmet¡¯s maw. They had the flame ready to spew at a moment¡¯s notice. Recent, unexplained developments had them on edge.


    There was an itch in their throat that they associated with their fiery breath. This didn¡¯t make sense to the analytical part of their mind. The flames came from their helmet. There was no direct connection to their actual mouth even if the helmet mimicked their physical movements. Fortunately, Salamander had no problem disregarding such an impossibility.


    The column followed in Honor¡¯s wake, which was full of bloody and broken bodies.


    Salamander directed Brightstrike to eliminate the ones that still lived. Their hard light weapons wasted no ammunition.


    Despite Salamander¡¯s apprehension they didn¡¯t encounter any live corrupted and the tracking continuously showed that they were clear. Until it didn¡¯t.


    As they neared the same intersection that held a surprise for Cal. A large number of red dots suddenly appeared on the overhead tactical map back at base camp.


    ¡°Alert, large contingent of hostiles approaching from your right.¡± Communicator Dreylox 7193¡¯s voice chimed in Salamander¡¯s ear.


    ¡°I am not seeing any thing on my end.¡± Salamander¡¯s frown was hidden by their helmet. ¡°I want a visual. Get a drone there.¡±


    One of the drones soared up over the corner building on the whine of its anti-gravity generator.


    The visual it returned had Salamander running for the intersection.


    ¡°Continue to the target site. PJ15 take the lead. Maul with me.¡±


    Salamander¡¯s voice was steady. Devoid of emotion. It was time for them to release their flame.


    They came around the corner and breathed a gout of flame across the street. They swept from one end to the other and engulfed the front ranks of charging corrupted in a torrent of flesh-melting fire. Skin blackened and charred, while eyes burst and liquefied. The very air in the monster¡¯s lungs were consumed to fuel the flames that scorched them inside and out.


    The intensity of the flame forced Salamander to stop. The drain on their power armor¡¯s energy and ignitable fuel was immense. They needed a moment to recharge.


    Maul provided that moment.


    Their heavy power armor bristled with weaponry. Projectiles, explosive rounds and micro grenades tore into the next rank of corrupted. None made it past the charred remains of the first rank.


    Nearly a hundred dead in seconds, yet there were more coming down the street.


    ¡°Honor, we have engaged the enemy. Numbers are higher than anticipated.¡± Salamander switched to a private channel. They were a redoubtable fighter. They weren¡¯t prideful like Primal, nor were they reckless like Shira. ¡°Please advise?¡±


    <hr>


    The entrance to the facility that contained the energy source for the city section was within view, just a few hundred meters down the street. It was so close, yet the team couldn¡¯t reach it.


    There were over a hundred corrupted in the way. They had appeared as if out of nowhere shortly after Honor had flown off to aid Salamander and Maul push through to the second objective.


    The corrupted had streamed out of the adjacent buildings. They weren¡¯t detected by the multiple surveillance measures that the team had focused intensely on their surrounding area. Honor had failed to detect them with the unknown method that he utilized to somehow track hostiles out of his natural sensory organs¡¯ range.


    ¡°Squad forward. Commence fire,¡± Subcommander Tioga Blue 635¡¯s voice was flat. ¡°T-Men will wait to engage until hostiles close to fifty meters.¡±


    Projectile fire from the mixed squad of eight baseline infantry soldiers and four heavy soldiers, plus the subcommander, filled the air in between the opposing forces.


    ¡°Team, you may fire at will,¡± Telatrine said as they hefted their minigun to add to the barrage. Unlike the heavy power armors their power armor granted them sufficient strength to wield it in their hands. They didn¡¯t need a special full-body frame and shoulder mount.


    Telatrine felt a measure of annoyance at the subcommander. Each member of the team carried a standard projectile weapon of Threnosh make as back up to the specialized abilities of their unique power armors. It was tactically unsound in this situation to sideline them out of some misguided effort to maintain segregation between the normal Threnosh and the so-called defectives.


    The subcommander didn¡¯t remark or react to the team stepping up to join the firing line.


    ¡°Fifty meter mark in five seconds,¡± Subcommander Tioga Blue 635 said without looking at Telatrine.


    ¡°PJ15, Brightstrike, with me.¡± Telatrine¡¯s minigun landed on the street with a loud clang, audible over the sound of projectile fire. They pulled their chainsword from the metal scabbard at their side. The teeth spun to life with roar. ¡°Unseen, if you see an opening I want you to get into the facility and scout. We need forewarning of any further ambushes. Myriad, provide shielding for the rest. The rest of you, pick your shots and don¡¯t hit us in the back.¡±


    The subcommander¡¯s countdown hit zero and the trio of Threnosh charged into the oncoming corrupted. They heard the whistling of projectiles as zipped by them.


    PJ15 was the tip of the spear. Grey tendrils lashed out from their back and swept aside corrupted like stalks of wheat. Each hand transformed into a long tentacle with a spade-like tip that clubbed and crushed with each powerful swing. Toothed suction cup¡¯s on the underside of the tentacles rasped flesh at the merest touch.


    Brightstrike held two hard light weapons that shined with a radiant, yellow light. One in each hand. A long spear that pierced corrupted flesh like a plasma cutter through a gelatinous nutrient cube and a long-handled ax that had an impossibly large double-bladed head, which sheared through corrupted as if they were grass. They were quick. They waded into battle without fear as they always did. Corrupted claws that made it past their blades were rebuffed by the strategically located automatic barrier projectors all over the surface of their power armor. Bright light flashed where claws struck the reactive barriers and kept the blows from landing.


    Telatrine had a rougher go of it. They were the picture of brute force. Their chainsaw carved through flesh, while their thick armor plating absorbed attacks. They had the unique distinction of wearing two sets of armor. Their unique power armor beneath a set of unpowered armor similar to what Honor wore. Threnosh science was unable to explain how their power armor physically grew with them. Honor¡¯s regiment of lifting heavy objects repeatedly, running, jumping and climbing over the past year had seen tremendous physical gains, as the outworlder had called them. Both Telatrine¡¯s body and power armor had grown more muscular, stronger. The latter to a level higher than the standard heavy soldier.


    This strength level gave Telatrine a noticeable edge over the individual corrupted. Unfortunately, there was a lot.


    They swarmed Telatrine. The corrupted were slowly, but surely tearing through the unpowered armor. Telatrine was uncertain at how well their power armor would fare.


    ¡°Myriad, I need you to target my location.¡± Telatrine grit their teeth as they bisected one corrupted with their chainsword, while barely holding off another with a grip around its throat.


    ¡°I shall clear the hostiles with a ball of fire.¡±


    Telatrine didn¡¯t like the eagerness in Winding Myriad¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Belay that. Use your lighting. I am insulated.¡± At least they should¡¯ve been. They were uncertain with the damage they had already taken.


    There was a second of silence on the comms before Winding Myriad spoke. ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Did Telatrine detect a hint of disappointment? They believed so.


    Winding Myriad dropped the translucent force wall and pointed their staff directly at Telatrine. A bolt of startlingly bright lighting arced across the distance and struck a corrupted that had latched onto Telatrine¡¯s back.


    The electrical attack spread out to the corrupted surrounding Telatrine. Their cries of pain were cut off as their bodies were fried.


    Telatrine smelled the unpleasant odor of charred flesh. Which was a good sign that their insulation had indeed been intact.


    They had wanted some space and now they had plenty.


    As one, the corrupted broke away from the battle and fled in multiple directions.


    ¡°Secure the entrance. Rodinian set up traps. Subcommander, I leave the disposition of the automated turrets to your discretion,¡± Telatrine said.


    The subcommander returned a curt nod.


    A single word message appeared on Telatrine¡¯s face-plate. It was from Unseen and it simply read, Clear.


    ¡°PJ15, Brightstrike, Adahn, with me. Unseen has scouted our route to the target. Myriad and Drega, remain here to bolster the defense.¡±


    The chainsword in Telatrine¡¯s hand hummed and vibrated. As if it was eager for more. It mirrored their own thoughts. Fortunately, the corrupted were proving to be numerous and compliant opponents.


    <hr>


    Then


    Cal left his family while they went to the spire to find out what sort of super powers Veronica possessed. He was ninety-nine percent sure that they were going to be something magnetic along with overall enhanced physical attributes. Just like Remy and Tessa.


    He was struck by an idea while he was bored out of his mind standing in a dark intersection facing off with gangbangers the previous night. To pursue it further he needed to go to the Watch headquarters, which was a set of trailers erected in the parking lot of the community center.


    He was leery of heading there because he didn¡¯t doubt that the city council would immediately catch wind of his presence and take the opportunity to pester him for all sorts of things.


    Perhaps if used his telepathy just a little to cloud their minds. Make his presence there unremarkable, not worth nothing. The moral implications of that were certainly on the negative side. He couldn¡¯t rationalize them away. He¡¯d simply have to ignore them like usual.


    The various people he encountered on the walk to the community center didn¡¯t fail to note his passing. There was a general familiarity that everyone in their community had toward him. There were wary looks, mingled with awed ones. He exchanged pleasantries with the ones that he had interacted with on prior occasions. The only common thread was the sense of distance that he couldn¡¯t help but pick up on.


    He rued the fact that for all intents and purposes he had become something similar to a local celebrity. Oddly enough, it was for this reason that he actually didn¡¯t mind the brusque and borderline rude nature of his interactions with the Watch leadership.


    The patrolling members greeted him with curt nods as he walked directly to the main trailer of their headquarters. While the leadership certainly made no secret of their animosity. None dared to get in his way or try to pull petty power trips. He had long ago disabused them of the notion.


    ¡°What do you want Cruces?¡±


    ¡°Good to see you to, Demi.¡±


    The Police Captain and operational leader of the Watch frowned at Cal as she barged out of her office door.


    Cal was slightly impressed. She didn¡¯t even give him the chance to ask the receptionist a question.


    ¡°I was just wondering where you¡¯ve got Count Chocula hidden away these days.¡±


    Demi frowned down at Cal. She resembled an angry bird of prey with how her tightly pulled back hair emphasized the sharpness of her features. Almost model-like. Although the piercing stare was all eagle.


    ¡°What do you want with him?¡±


    Cal could sense the concern that replaced the annoyance she had felt when she had heard his voice.


    ¡°Had a thought that he might be able to help with the mauler issue.¡±


    Demi grit her teeth for a moment. ¡°My office. Now.¡±


    Cal raised a brow. He counted to ten before he followed. He shut the door and pulled up a chair across from Demi¡¯s desk without waiting for the invitation. Rudeness went both ways and he was cool with that. One of the unexpected side effects of super powers was that he had stopped caring about how others treated him. Once, he wouldn¡¯t have stood for blatant displays of dominance or disrespect. Now that he had power he simply didn¡¯t care. He recognized the contradiction.


    ¡°Explain.¡±


    Demi really wanted to limit her interactions with him. It was like she deliberately minimized the number of words she had to exchanged with him.


    ¡°There was a pretty bad scene at an apartment complex. Bodies everywhere. A lot of guts and blood,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Detective Ordonez is sure that it¡¯s the mauler¡¯s work?¡±


    Cal nodded.


    Demi scowled. ¡°We¡¯ve got him set up here.¡± She scribbled something with sharp strokes of pen on a piece of paper and threw it across her desk toward Cal. ¡°He won¡¯t agree.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just asking him to track. No fighting, minimal danger.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter those powers are wasted on that man. If one of my fighters had them¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh I don¡¯t know. I think we¡¯re lucky that he turned out to be a conflict averse pacifist. I mean, look at the mauler.¡±


    ¡°You think the mauler is similar?¡±


    ¡°Not likely. Too much blood left at the scenes. The mauler is more of a flesh eater than a blood drinker.¡± Cal blinked. ¡°I hate that those words came out of my mouth.¡±


    ¡°You need to stop this killer. We can¡¯t risk it making its way across the bridge. If¡ª¡±


    A commotion in reception area had Demi jumping out of her chair and drawing her Glock in one motion. That was smooth and fast even to Cal¡¯s enhanced perceptions. A skill?


    Cal stood from his chair and went to the door. He was careful to give Demi a clean firing lane. Not that a bullet would do more than sting a bit. He just didn¡¯t want them wasted. Every round their community had was hand crafted by old man Del Campo. He had to respect that.


    Cal pushed the door open and was greeted by the receptionist pointing a pistol at a heavily breathing young man. A pair of Watch members burst through the door to the outside a moment later.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?!¡± Demi¡¯s voice cut through the confusion.


    ¡°Sorry, ma¡¯am, he ran right by us. So fast, we didn¡¯t realize what had happened until he was already through the door.¡±


    ¡°Explain yourself.¡±


    ¡°I have a message.¡± The young man got his breathing under control in a manner that suggested a skill or magic. ¡°For Cal Cruces.¡±


    Demi shot a dark glare at Cal, as if this was all his fault.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Cal said. ¡°What¡¯s the message?¡±


    ¡°From Detective Ordonez. The mauler attacked again last night.¡± The young man reached into his pocket. ¡°He¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± Every member of the watch in the room shouted and leveled their weapons at the young man.


    ¡°Christ!¡± Cal readied his telekinesis to save the young man if any of the trigger fingers got itchy. ¡°Clearly, I¡¯m in no danger. And frankly I¡¯m surprised you care,¡± he grinned at Demi. ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯s fine.¡±


    The young man¡¯s hands were up above his head. His eyes were as wide as saucers.


    ¡°Give me the note,¡± Cal said.


    He took the note from the young man¡¯s shaking hands. It contained a few terse words about the attack and an address.


    ¡°Well that solves one gang problem,¡± Cal muttered. ¡°I notice there isn¡¯t a time on here. Does the detective expect me to drop everything and head on over now?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m supposed to bring you with me.¡±


    Cal shook his head. He telekinetically floated a pen from the receptionist¡¯s desk and proceeded to scribble on the back side of Detective Ordonez¡¯s note. All without lifting a finger. Was he showing off? Absolutely.


    ¡°I can¡¯t come with you right now. I¡¯ve got plans. Tell Detective Ordonez that I¡¯ll be at the location say, an hour after dark.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯ll be¡­ upset.¡±


    Cal shrugged. ¡°Tell her I¡¯ve got an idea that might get us on the mauler¡¯s trail. Also I have a lunch date to keep.¡±


    ¡°Also she told me not to return without you or ¡®it¡¯d be my ass¡¯¡­ her exact words.¡±


    ¡°Tough choice. I guess you could wait around here for a while. Just tell her I made you do it. Can she really argue with that?¡±


    The young man¡¯s shoulder slumped. ¡°I guess so.¡±


    Cal glanced at Demi.


    ¡°Fine¡­ he can wait here. No wandering around.¡±


    ¡°Great! I like it when things are resolved in a manner that works out for everyone. Plus no one got shot!¡±


    Cal walked out of the trailer without looking back. He had a few hours to kill before lunch, so he decided to look in on the sword training class in the community center. Maybe even participate. He had been so busy that in over the year since the Swordswoman had started teaching the class, he had only taken a handful of classes. Barely enough to get the footwork basics and a couple of basic strikes.

 3.4

    Then


    It had been a good day overall for Cal. He got to have breakfast with Nila. Then he spent some fun, quality time with his brother and nieces. He avoided any encounters with the the council and the interaction with Demi was practically civil. Naturally, he couldn¡¯t have an unbroken streak of good things, so he got hit with news of another mauler massacre. It was a different gang, so that was good right? At least it wasn¡¯t innocent people.


    Things picked up after lunch with Nila. She decided to take a break from her afternoon duties and they were able to spend a few hours of quality time together. It had been a while since their schedules hadn¡¯t lined up well ever since Cal had been roped into the mauler mission.


    Emotionally refreshed Cal felt lighter as he made his way to the address he had gotten from Demi. He had timed it just right to arrive just as the sun completed its descent down over the western horizon.


    The house was nondescript. A standard McMansion in a newer housing tract, four bedrooms, two and a half baths, backyard, three car garage. It differed from the majority of the homes in the small city. Most of which dated back maybe thirty years or less or more. Cal had no idea.


    He rang the doorbell and waited.


    Patiently.


    Silence.


    He rang the doorbell again and waited.


    And waited.


    More.


    He banged his fist on the door. Which was more of a light tap from his perspective. He didn¡¯t want to break it.


    His patience was gone.


    He considered forcing the door open. He could always just fix it later.


    The lock suddenly clicked open.


    ¡°Okay, okay, give me a second.¡±


    The door opened to reveal a tall, thin man with thin brown hair that fell to his shoulders.


    Cal looked up at the pale man.


    ¡°What took you so long, Bennett?¡±


    The man somehow blanched even with his skin already as pale as it was.


    ¡°I¡­ uh¡­ needed my breakfast drink¡­ you know, before I see anyone else.¡±


    ¡°Oh really?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ mean¡­ um¡­ it¡¯s¡­ I just get a little hangry.¡± Bennett tried to smile, but it came out mixed with a grimace.


    Cal pointedly noted the sharp canine teeth.


    Bennett slapped his lips shut together as soon as he realized it.


    ¡°I swear, it¡¯s nothing like you¡¯re thinking.¡±


    ¡°And how do you know what I¡¯m thinking?¡±


    ¡°No, no, no!¡± Bennett¡¯s eyes grew wide.


    It was faint, but someone with Cal¡¯s enhanced vision was able to see the faint red tinge to the irises.


    ¡°I told you I can¡¯t do that. It¡¯s just that I¡¯m a little crankier than usual when if first wake up. Just a quick sip instantly puts me into my normal self.¡±


    Cal nodded, but didn¡¯t say anything.


    ¡°So, um¡­ not to be rude¡­ but what can I do for you?¡±


    ¡°What? I can¡¯t just visit and see how you¡¯re doing? Ask how the Watch is treating you? Ask how the research is going?¡±


    ¡°Of course, of course. It¡¯s just that you¡¯re a busy man¡­ and¡­¡± Bennett shrugged. ¡°I can¡¯t complain about anything. I have everything we agreed to. And I assumed Remy was sharing everything our team was working on.¡±


    ¡°How very¡­ insightful of you.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ it¡¯s pretty obvious, right?¡±


    There was a plaintive note to Bennett¡¯s voice that led Cal to cut the man some slack. ¡°Relax, man. I¡¯m just giving you a hard time.¡±


    ¡°You mean you¡¯re testing me to see if you can get me to snap?¡±


    Cal wasn¡¯t surprised to hear the sadness in Bennett¡¯s voice. He felt a little bad about pushing the man, but it was necessary. The man¡¯s abilities and maybe his very nature posed a potential threat to the rest of the community. He had to be tested.


    It might¡¯ve been easier just to use his telepathy to take a look into the Bennett¡¯s thoughts, but Cal wasn¡¯t a hundred percent certain that he didn¡¯t have abilities or natural resistances that would¡¯ve made such a move a mistake.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Cal didn¡¯t insult Bennett¡¯s intelligence. ¡°I know you understand the necessity.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I agreed to your terms after all.¡±


    ¡°And don¡¯t get me wrong. I haven¡¯t had reason to regret our agreement this entire time.¡±


    ¡°So, what¡¯s the reason for the visit?¡±


    ¡°Business. There¡¯s a thing I¡¯m investigating and I think you can help.¡± Cal cut right to the point. ¡°I need you to track a blood trail.¡±


    ¡°Can I even do that?¡± Bennett squinted.


    ¡°You¡¯re a Vampire,¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°I do have a sense of blood in my proximity,¡± Bennett nodded. ¡°Why don¡¯t you come in and we can discuss this further while I finish my breakfast. I¡¯m sorry, but I don¡¯t have anything for you.¡±


    ¡°No worries, I ate dinner before I came here,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Um¡­ before we start,¡± Bennett closed the door behind them, ¡°will I have to go outside?¡±


    Cal laughed.


    <hr>


    ¡°Who the fuck is this guy?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a consultant.¡±


    Detective Ordonez watched Bennett while the scarecrow-like man walked around the newest massacre site disturbingly like an eager bloodhound.


    Cal was glad that he had insisted on Bennett filling up before they made their way across the bridge toward the Sacramento¡¯s eastern outskirts. If the Vampire had started lapping up the puddles of partially dried blood there was no way he could¡¯ve explained that away.


    ¡°There¡¯s something off about him.¡±


    Flo¡¯s high-pitched voice didn¡¯t fit the constantly angry look on her face. Nor did it match the immense feeling of danger that every bit of her movements gave off.


    ¡°He¡¯s a little pale on account of not getting enough sunlight. Got that sun allergy thing. Bad for him.¡± Every word was technically true. Cal just skipped over the particulars.


    Flo¡¯s gaze snapped back to Cal. Her eyes narrowed even more.


    ¡°He¡¯s got some kind of ability that I¡¯m hoping will help find that trail that we can¡¯t,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What sort of class does he have?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Detective Ordonez. That¡¯s opsec.¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°First an intern. Then a consultant.¡± The detective made a noise in her throat. ¡°Fine, but he¡¯s your responsibility and I¡¯m not putting this one on the payroll.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like this,¡± Flo said. ¡°Can¡¯t trust him or you.¡±


    ¡°Huh, that¡¯s like the most words you¡¯ve ever said to me,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Whatever,¡± Flo stomped off and disappeared somewhere in the darkness of the apartment complex.


    ¡°Don¡¯t step on any evidence,¡± Detective Ordonez called after her.


    Flo flipped her the bird.


    ¡°The things I have to deal with,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go talk to her,¡± Jake said. ¡°I¡¯m sure she didn¡¯t mean it.¡± The big man hurried off after Flo.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you put up with that sort of insubordination. You don¡¯t strike me as a coddler,¡± Cal said lightly.


    ¡°I follow orders, unlike you, Cruces. I don¡¯t like it, but that moody teenager is our strongest fighter. When we find the mauler we¡¯re going to need her.¡±


    ¡°Maybe you don¡¯t,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯m fairly confident I can handle the monster. Why expose a teenager to all this¡­ stuff.¡±


    ¡°Word is that she¡¯s seen similar. Don¡¯t get me wrong. I actually agree with you on this much, but not my call. Richards told me himself that he wants Flo on the task force.¡±


    ¡°The interim governor himself. He must really be concerned about the mauler.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s getting worse. The mauler is taking out large groups of people now. Even it it¡¯s gangbangers, my gut tells me that it could just as easily be innocent civilians.¡±


    ¡°True enough. I¡¯ll go check on my consultant. He¡¯s been at it long enough.¡± Cal excused himself and walked over to Bennett.


    ¡°Dude, you¡¯re making me look bad in front of the badass,¡± Cal whispered.


    ¡°Okay, sorry, but I have no idea how this actually works. V¡ª¡±


    Cal held up a finger. ¡°I told you about opsec.¡±


    Bennett cleared his throat. ¡°My abilities didn¡¯t come with instructions on how to perform them. What I¡¯ve learned, I¡¯ve done through experimentation. Trial and error.¡±


    ¡°Seriously man, you know about the tutorials right?¡±


    ¡°Of course, but I need Universal Points to purchase those from the spire.¡±


    ¡°See, good thing I pulled you into this. You got that Quest.¡±


    ¡°Yes and assuming I succeed and not get killed by this Midtown Mauler, a ghastly name, then I will use some of the 5000 points to obtain some tutorials.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re stressing out so much about that. I thought because of your nature then you just drink some of that liquid and you¡¯re healed.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but I have no idea how much damage I can sustain where that solution becomes moot.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough. So, picked up the trail yet?¡±


    ¡°Again, let me preface by saying that I¡¯m learning as I go along. Now... there are so many different sources of blood around here, which makes things difficult. To suffice to say, I believe that I can actually find and follow a trail if it exists.¡±


    ¡°Great, let¡¯s go.¡±


    Bennett held up a finger. ¡°I have a concern.¡±


    Cal looked at him expectantly.


    ¡°My safety. I¡¯m following a trail. Logic dictates that this will lead me to the mauler¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a ¡ª, you. You have abilities. Regeneration and strength among others,¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°We¡¯ve addressed the former and it¡¯s limitations. As for the latter, yes I am approximately three to four times stronger than before my change. However, that still only makes me as strong as a very strong normal human.¡± Bennett gesticulated towards the human remains that Detective Ordonez had so graciously left untouched all day, so that the scene was undisturbed for Bennett. ¡°My expertise is in anthropology. Not forensics or anatomy, but even I can tell that these poor people were torn apart by hand. That takes an enormous amount of strength that I don¡¯t even want to think about.¡±


    Cal considered it for a moment. ¡°Fine. How about I stick close by. You scream and I¡¯ll be right there to help you out.¡±


    Bennett nodded stiffly. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    The group minus Flo, who according to Jake had said she was going to go home and to call her if they needed her, walked through dark and sometimes dimly lit streets following Bennett.


    ¡°So, you have like a blood sense ability?¡± Jake flanked Bennett. The two were the same height, but Jake was nearly three times wider. ¡°Is it a passive thing, like a superpower or is it active, like a magic spell?¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ I truly am not able to describe it. The closest I can explain is that it¡¯s like smelling something, but not.¡±


    ¡°So, what¡¯s your class anyways? Bloodmage? Cause that¡¯d be sweet.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ opsec?¡± Bennett said nervously.


    ¡°Your guy is bothering my consultant,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Gates, get back here and leave him alone,¡± Detective Ordonez barked.


    Cal moved up as Jake fell back reluctantly.


    ¡°Any way you can speed this up. It¡¯s getting awkward back there with Detective Ordonez. I¡¯m not sure, but I think she doesn¡¯t like me very much.¡± Cal was sure.


    ¡°Shhh,¡± Bennett warned. ¡°They can hear you.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m using a small trick to obscure our words as long as we whisper. So, why not use your connection to small rodents to help widen your reach. You had a bat deliver a letter to Demi that one time.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t just reach out to random animals in the area.¡±


    ¡°Explain.¡±


    ¡°It takes time and effort. I have to build a rapport to gain enough understanding on both sides.¡±


    Cal slow-blinked at Bennett.


    Bennett sighed. ¡°You came to me for help, correct?¡± He spoke slowly.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Would you have gone to another v¡ª, one of my kind that say lived down this street?¡±


    Cal shook his head.


    ¡°Exactly. We have an established relationship, which I¡¯m incentivized to maintain for past and future benefit to all parties involved.¡±


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Cal had to restrain laughter. ¡°So, in this analogy. I¡¯m you and you¡¯re the tiny rodents.¡±


    ¡°Yes, feel free to feel superior,¡± Bennett huffed.


    Cal smiled. ¡°Nah, you¡¯re way more useful than a bat or rat.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. It¡¯s nice to feel valued for my capabilities.¡±


    Cal wasn¡¯t sure if Bennett was being facetious.


    They spent the dark hours of the night walking all over the eastern part of the city. The mauler¡¯s trail, if it was what they were following, was winding. What was interesting and frightening was that the trail lingered near several pockets of populated neighborhoods and streets. Was the mauler scouting potential targets?


    Cal could tell that Bennett was growing impatient with the amount of time they were taking. He couldn¡¯t blame the man. Every second that went by was one closer to the bright of dawn.


    Bennett stopped abruptly as they crossed into a neighborhood of row houses. ¡°It¡¯s gone.¡±


    ¡°You sure?¡±


    Bennett¡¯s head bobbed. ¡°Absolutely. I can¡¯t pick up anything. I¡¯m sure of it.¡±


    ¡°Well, I guess this probably means we can confirm it¡¯s the mauler.¡± Cal looked back to Detective Ordonez.


    The detective didn¡¯t look happy, which was to say she looked like she usually did, so it was hard to tell exactly what she thought of the development.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand?¡±


    ¡°Well, blood magic dude,¡± Jake said. ¡°We¡¯re in Midtown. It¡¯s where we think these killings started.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ okay,¡± Bennett turned to Cal, ¡°so, can I go home now?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ve got like four hours before sunrise. Why don¡¯t we see if you can pick up that trail again. Two more hours, then I can take you back,¡± Cal said.


    Bennett¡¯s shoulders slumped, but he dutifully complied.


    The search was interrupted after about an hour when Detective Ordonez¡¯s phone rang.


    She stepped away, while Jake stood blocking Cal and Bennett¡¯s view. The big man shrugged apologetically.


    Cal waved it away. He was fully capable of listening in. They didn¡¯t know that his hearing was better than a normal human.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Bennett whispered. ¡°Do you think they¡¯re on to me?¡±


    ¡°Nope. Sounds like the mauler hit a neighborhood north of here and¡­¡±


    ¡°What? What is it?¡±


    ¡°¡­ also the Asian gang in the south.¡± Cal felt cold. They had just come from the site of a gang massacre in the north part of the city.


    ¡°Wait, what? I thought there was only one?¡±


    ¡°You and everyone else.¡±


    Bennett glanced around nervously. ¡°How far away did you say those places were again?¡±


    ¡°Relax, you can see in the dark. So, you¡¯ll see it coming before anyone else,¡± Cal lied. ¡°I¡¯m counting on the advance warning when we head north.¡±


    ¡°But the sunrise¡­¡±


    ¡°Three hours till sunrise. You¡¯ve got an hour left. We can push that to two and still get you back home in time. Worst case scenario, we put you in an abandoned house for the day. I¡¯ll head back to your place grab you some drinks and we can pick up the trail tomorrow night.¡±


    Detective Ordonez interrupted Bennett¡¯s complaints.


    ¡°Cruces, the mauler hit two places, hit the gang to the south and a neighborhood north of here.¡±


    ¡°When?¡±


    ¡°Recently, while we were wasting time out here,¡± Detective Ordonez spat.


    ¡°Alright, but I¡¯ve got to get Bennett back pretty soon. Sun allergy, remember.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re only about five blocks down from the neighborhood to the north. Can you give me a couple of hours?¡± Detective Ordonez¡¯s face looked like she was chewing on some grade-F meat.


    Cal looked over to Bennett.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Bennett sighed.


    <hr>


    He was small, but much stronger than seemed possible. Fingernails like sharp claws made scaling the side of the building easy. Pale flesh reflected in the moonlight.


    At first his escape from his prison had left him confused and frightened. That only lasted until the scent of something enticing reached his deformed nostrils. That spurred him on and he became the perfect hunter. It wasn¡¯t something that he knew, but instinct, something within him drove him forward with uncanny skill.


    His protector and jailer in one had been growing more and more careless over the last few weeks. Otherwise he would never have been able to free himself. He had appreciated the fresh meat that she had brought him on a regular basis, but deep down, he knew that nothing was more rewarding and satisfying than taking your own.


    He could hear and smell them. Prey. Some slept, some engaged in some sort of rhythmic exercise that he dimly remembered hearing at some point in the past. The thought made him sad. It recalled memories of soft arms holding him tightly and stronger ones lifting him high in the air.


    The hunger within him dashed the peaceful images out of his thoughts. All that remained was red and black. Hunger and death.


    The screams and the taste would become his new favorite memory. He embraced the warmth. The rest fell away forever.


    <hr>


    Flo cursed as she ran and jumped across the dark rooftops. She had received the phone call at the same time that Detective Ordonez had received hers.


    Two potential mauler attacks?


    The northern one was close to the detective and the assholes with her.


    Flo had to get there in time. She couldn¡¯t let them face the mauler by themselves.


    That Cruces piece of shit would probably level the neighborhood in the fight. Just like what happened to her family. She knew that he or his brother was responsible. She just didn¡¯t have the proof that she needed.


    She had powers, so she needed to protect. She wouldn¡¯t let what happened to her be repeated to some other poor family.


    The memories came back unbidden. Flo cursed, a shout of pure frustration. She couldn¡¯t escape it. She relived the moments in her dreams and they kept violating her waking hours.


    ¡°Flo, Freddie¡¯s crying.¡±


    Flo blinked. She was back there, then? She stared down at her younger brother. ¡°Floyd, what¡¯re you doing on the floor?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you remember? I fell when the monster crashed into our house. I wished that I saw the superheroes fighting it. It must¡¯ve been just like the comics and movies.¡±


    There was a strange, airy quality to her brother¡¯s voice. She finally noticed the crying. She carefully stepped over her supine brother. She moved slowly since Floyd¡¯s motionless legs were on the stairs. Up ahead she saw the sight that haunted her every moment.


    Freddie was in their mother¡¯s arms. She had somehow shielded him from the brunt of the collapse at a great cost.


    Flo tried to look away from her mother¡¯s unblinking eyes.


    She couldn¡¯t do it. She just had enough strength to pry her baby brother free and clutch him tightly to her chest. She gingerly made her was back down. Past Floyd¡¯s motionless form.


    ¡°Is Freddie okay?¡±


    Flo stared at the dark basement. The only light was from the small lantern that she somehow managed to keep safe when she had fallen down the stairs.


    She was struck by a sudden realization.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay guys,¡± her voice was a whisper. ¡°Once they stop fighting we can go out the side exit. Get help¡­ get help for mom and dad.¡± Tears flowed down her eyes as their image flashed across her thoughts.


    ¡°Flo¡­¡± Floyd¡¯s voice was weak.


    ¡°Oh my god! Floyd. Are you okay? Why are just laying there? Get your butt up!¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I¡­ can¡¯t feel¡­¡±


    ¡°Floyd? Floyd!¡±


    Flo screamed, while Freddie cried in her arms.


    Floyd never answered her.


    The memory had only grown stronger ever since Cruces had joined their task force.


    A While Ago


    ¡°Sssooooo¡­ you¡¯re Florence, right? I¡¯m Ja¡ª¡±


    ¡°What¡¯re you? A perv? I¡¯m like a teenager.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª wha¡ª no, No! Just trying to introduce myself since we¡¯re going to be on the task force together.¡±


    Flo glared and kept her mouth shut.


    ¡°Gates!¡±


    Jake shot to his feet. ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am¡­ boss.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother Browning.¡± The hard-eyed detective gave Flo the once over. She stuck a hand out. ¡°Welcome to the task force.¡±


    Flo stood and shook the hand. She was careful not to squeeze too hard. Though she had to fight the urge to crush the detective¡¯s hand to assert dominance. It was alarming to say the least. ¡°Um¡­ thanks¡­ Flo is fine, I mean you can call me Flo.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard good things about you.¡± Detective Ordonez¡¯s face said otherwise. ¡°You¡¯re going to be an integral part of this case. I find the Midtown Mauler and you capture or put it down. I need to know right now if you don¡¯t think you can do that?¡±


    ¡°I can handle the mauler,¡± Flo lied.


    Time rewound to a few months in the past.


    Flo had been following the man for several blocks. She had forgotten his name. Jensen, Jason, or something like that. He was a brute of a man. Huge muscles, no neck, arm sleeve tattoos. That stupid beard. It was like he hit all the douchebag marks. He also had a Class and Skills. A Warrior. He was a valuable part of their army in the fight to reclaim more parts of the city from the monsters. He was also a rapist.


    It was instinctive and she could smell it on him. One predator recognizing another. Unfortunately, she needed proof and she knew that they¡¯d overlook his crimes so long as he was more valuable to the cause. That was why she had decided make him pay for his crimes. It they wouldn¡¯t do anything about him. Then she would.


    Flo blocked the man¡¯s path a few blocks away from the apartment complex he had emerged from.


    ¡°This is your only warning. Stop what you¡¯re doing to those women,¡± Flo said.


    ¡°The fuck you talking about? Don¡¯t know what the hell you¡¯re on about, little girl.¡± The man walked around Flo.


    She grabbed him, spun him around and picked him up by his shirt. She held him off the ground with one hand.


    ¡°I heard everything,¡± Flo said flatly.


    The man punched at Flo¡¯s arm. When that didn¡¯t work he kicked her in the stomach.


    She was unamused and unmoved.


    Now there was fear in the man¡¯s eyes. Flo could smell it coming off of him. She suppressed a grin.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you think you heard, but it was all consensual.¡±


    She heard the lie in the way the man¡¯s pulse jumped.


    ¡°Liar,¡± Flo snarled.


    She hurled the man into the bushes. He popped up quickly and tried to run. She pounced on him and knocked him to the ground. She pinned him to the ground.


    ¡°Oh man! You¡¯re that girl.¡± The man winced as Flo ground her knee a bit in his back. ¡°Hey, hey. Ease up. We¡¯re on the same side. I¡¯m a Warrior.¡±


    ¡°I know that¡¯s why I¡¯m giving you this one chance,¡± Flo snapped. ¡°Stop.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the big deal? It¡¯s consensual. I give them extra supplies, protection and they pay me with what they can. Fair trade.¡±


    Flo ground the man¡¯s face into the dirt. ¡°You will stop or else.¡±


    The man spat out dirt and laughed bitterly. ¡°What¡¯re you gonna do? You ask them and they¡¯ll say the same thing. Fuck, if you asked them they¡¯ll say they wanted it. The extra stuff and peace of mind. You all need me. I¡¯ve got Skills.¡±


    ¡°This is your only warning. Stop or I won¡¯t protect you from the monsters in the dark.¡±


    Flo let the man up. He ran without looking back. Something told her that he wasn¡¯t going to take her advice.


    <hr>


    Now


    Cal didn¡¯t have time for all these adds.


    ¡°Where are these bastards coming from? Communicator, did you run that diagnostic again? Why aren¡¯t we picking them up with our equipment.¡±


    ¡°Affirmative, Designation: Honor. Second query returned the same result. Equipment is functioning properly.¡±


    Cal heard the wince in Communicator Dreylox 7193¡¯s voice. They weren¡¯t used to his angry voice. He made a note to modulate his tone. Still, it pissed him off. How was the Threnosh¡¯s super advanced technology malfunctioning? More importantly why was his telepathy doing the same?


    ¡°Honor, energy station is under heavy attack. We are unable to proceed to second objective.¡±


    Cal heard the sounds of projectile fire over the comms.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± he muttered. ¡°Copy, Telatrine, just hold on. I¡¯m on my way.¡±


    Cal smashed a group of corrupted with a wave of telekinetic force that pounded them into the unyielding metallic surface of the road. He zoomed over them and left the rest behind. He¡¯d have to deal with them later or he¡¯d get lucky and they¡¯d disappear. They had appeared out of nowhere like they were conjured with magic. Maybe if he wasn¡¯t there to observe them then they¡¯d puff into smoke. Schrodinger¡¯s monsters? Eron would¡¯ve laughed at that.


    He shook his head. Where did that come from? He had learned long ago to keep idle thoughts out of his mind when in battle. His powers relied on concentration. It was a potentially costly mistake. He was slipping.


    Cal switched the channel. ¡°Salamander, Maul, did you reload?¡±


    ¡°Affirmative,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°Change of plans. Head for the energy station. We¡¯re doing the good old hammer and anvil maneuver.¡±


    He was met with silence.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to hit them from one side, while the rest of our guys hit them from the other.¡±


    ¡°Understood, we will make haste.¡±


    Cal grit his teeth. He put on more speed. He was going to see the automated defense system up and running if he had to fly Adahn over there and fight all of the corrupted by himself.


    He ate up the distance with frightening speed. He had to slow down as he approached Salamander and Maul.


    ¡°Heads up guys, I¡¯m about to pick you up.¡±


    Maul shot a questioning look at Salamander.


    ¡°You have practiced the ¡®high-speed pick up¡¯ maneuver,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°Once.¡±


    ¡°Try to relax your body.¡±


    Cal grabbed both Threnosh in a telekinetic grip and accelerated.


    They reached the battle in a handful of blinks of the eye.


    Cal roughly dropped his passengers a short distance away from the back ranks of the corrupted. The monsters were pushing in on the semi-circle of Threnosh defenders.


    The melee fighters stood like an immovable bulwark at the tip of their formation. The attracted the bulk of the corrupted, while the rest fired projectiles.


    Still, their efforts might¡¯ve been in vain if it wasn¡¯t for the increased weight of fire provided by the automated turrets and combat drones.


    Even then their ammunition wasn¡¯t going to last for much longer.


    Cal swooped down on the mass of corrupted and sent his blades flying into the thickest concentration. They sliced and stabbed at the direction of his telekinetic fingers. They moved with speed, power and precision in concert together to maximize the damage.


    Maul hit the corrupted hard with a barrage from every single weapon they possessed. They had just reloaded, but they were down to half their ammunition in a matter of seconds.


    Salamander leapt high into the air with a burst from the rockets at the back of their legs. As they reached the apex a pair of thin, metallic wings unfurled from their back. They didn¡¯t provide true flight. They were just enough to glide and slow their descent. They spat several blasts of fire from their helmet¡¯s maw into the corrupted.


    Cal dropped down on the roof of a building next to the battle. His blades clattered in a bloody pile next to him. He needed to focus his power on one thing for what he intended to do next.


    ¡°Salamander, get ready.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Cal only had a few seconds before Salamander glided back down to the ground. He didn¡¯t waste any time. He pictured three strong walls. He placed them on three sides of the corrupted. Then he pushed them together.


    The corrupted struggled. Against the invisible walls. Then against each other when the walls proved too strong. Some squeezed free at the open space to the rear.


    ¡°Now.¡±


    Salamander breathed a steady stream of flame into the opening.


    The corrupted screamed as one and sought the only escape possible only to run into the fiercest portion of the flame. Some desperately tried to go up. They struggled to climb up the bodies piled up against the invisible walls. They didn¡¯t know that Cal had stretched the walls up nearly a hundred feet. There was no escape for them.


    Cal floated down from the roof. He skirted the edge of rising smoke from the center of the street. His helmet had filters, but he didn¡¯t want to get the stench of burned corrupted on his armor for later when he¡¯d have to take it off.


    The corrupted were broken and only a few dozen remained. The Threnosh shot them as they tried to flee. Any they missed ran right into Salamander, who had already glided back down to the ground.


    The battle was short and easy from Cal¡¯s perspective, but one look at his troops told a different story. Heavily damaged power armor and he counted less baseline soldiers than what they started out with.


    ¡°Status report, subcommander.¡±


    ¡°Objective secured.¡±


    ¡°Casualties?¡±


    ¡°Four standard infantry soldiers and one heavy soldier killed. The rest are still combat effective, though at decreased capacity. Ammunition at critical level. Designation: Adahn is awaiting your command to initialize the energy.¡±


    ¡°The team is ready to proceed to the next objective,¡± Telatrine said.


    Cal took one look at the Threnosh and thought otherwise. Their unpowered armor was shredded. He could see much of the Threnosh¡¯s strange power armor through the numerous holes.


    ¡°No, you will rearm and Drega will repair as much as they can, while you secure this location. I¡¯ll take Adahn to the security station.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Telatrine¡¯s body was ramrod straight. They immediately called in a supply drop from base camp.


    Cal left them to it. He still had no intention of taking anyone else with him.


    ¡°Adahn, turn the power on,¡± Cal said into the comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Cal expected a sign of something that the power to this section of the city was back on. Lights or at least some kind of sound. He didn¡¯t notice anything different.


    ¡°Status is green,¡± Adahn said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take your word for it. Get back up here and we¡¯ll head to the security station.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Cal had a decision to make. Does he go ahead with just Adahn? Or does he bring a handful of the T-Men? If so, who?


    They needed to be able to defend both locations and the majority of the team already demonstrated that they weren¡¯t capable. A similarly sized attack from the corrupted would surely overwhelm them. Cal was almost certain that the monsters had the numbers to keep up the pressure.


    The corrupted had somehow proved capable of masking their numbers and locations. They had beaten both Cal¡¯s telepathy and the numerous surveillance equipment that he had seeded all over the place. It didn¡¯t make sense.


    The T-Men he selected and Adahn would need to be able to kill quickly and in large numbers, while being capable of surviving overwhelming numbers. The problem was that he needed them to defend the energy station. Without it running, turning the city¡¯s defenses back on wasn¡¯t possible.


    Cal made up his mind just as Adahn emerged from the facility.


    ¡°Rodinian, do you still have traps left?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Unseen, what¡¯s your energy reserves look like?¡±


    ¡°Ninety-two percent.¡±


    ¡°Awesome. You two are coming with me.¡±


    Telatrine opened their mouth to speak, but abruptly shut it as soon as they saw Salamander take a step forward.


    ¡°Your orders, Honor?¡±


    ¡°Defend this location.¡± Cal looked to Subcommander Tioga Blue 635. ¡°Call for reinforcements from the squad at base camp. Send your wounded back with the transport.¡± He turned to the rest of his team. ¡°Prepare for another assault. We must hold this facility. The only back up we¡¯ll get is from the city¡¯s defenses.¡±


    Cal picked up the three Threnosh with his telekinesis and zoomed off into the air. There was a slight poking sensation in his brain. Like several pins gentling pressing in a dozen areas. It was starting.

 3.5

    Now


    Adahn held a hand over the door panel. The subtle glowing lines on their power armor began to pulse and flow in that direction. They brightened as they reached the glove.


    From Cal¡¯s visual perspective the Threnosh was just standing there. While he waited he reached out into the surrounding area, including inside the security station with his telepathy. What he found was worse than nothing. He picked up static and a sort of discordant series of sounds. He couldn¡¯t describe it. He was now certain that they were going to encounter corrupted.


    Perhaps the monsters were waiting near the entrance? Even when it had been supposedly sealed since the days the city fell. Or maybe the monsters would wait until they were further within the facility?


    ¡°Rodinian, secure our backs.¡±


    The Threnosh nodded and immediately started pulling out traps from the various blocky compartments built into their power armor. They placed them all over the street area surrounding the door.


    ¡°It is ready with your command,¡± Adahn said.


    Cal readied his telekinesis to smash anything that might¡¯ve been waiting on the other side. ¡°Do it.¡±


    The door slid open and revealed nothing.


    Cal took a deep breath. His stress level was higher than it had been in a long time.


    The inside of the facility was lit with natural-looking day light. An exact copy of the outside environment.


    ¡°Unseen, scout the route to the command room. Be careful.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Unseen shimmered and vanished from sight.


    This particular aspect of Unseen¡¯s power armor abilities was tied to a combination of hardware and software. Through an interaction that the researchers didn¡¯t fully understand Unseen was able to bend light around their body, essentially rendering themselves invisible. The effect somehow extended to movement trackers and thermal sensors, among others.


    Even when Unseen moved down the corridor the visual sensors in Cal¡¯s helmet couldn¡¯t keep track of them. He had to rely on the small, white dot projected on his face-plate to track their progress.


    ¡°It¡¯s like the Predator, but even better,¡± Cal murmured.


    ¡°Designation: Honor. I have a request,¡± Adahn said.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°May I detour to the fabrication chamber?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°The recent battles have demonstrated my lack of offensive capability,¡± Adahn hefted their recoilless rifle, ¡°this is not sufficient enough to ¡®pull my weight¡¯, as you have stated in the past.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ you think you can get the fabrication machines to make you more weapons? How? I thought that all of the weapons available in this city were old fashioned chemical combustion powered. That¡¯s why your people had to rely on drones as weapon platforms. Your bodies couldn¡¯t handle the recoil even with those old-style exoskeletons.¡±


    ¡°Yes, certainly the appearance of the spires and the invasive organisms, along with the trueskins greatly accelerated weapon development. I am confident that my trueskin is capable of integrating even older technology.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m willing to give you the shot, but maybe once we get the defenses turned on. We can¡¯t waste any time. The corrupted might be massing for another attack.¡±


    ¡°It will not take up much time. I estimate that the entire process of rearming myself will take between five and seven minutes. I can initialize, then program the fabricators remotely. My external weapon harness will be ready by the time we reach the chamber.¡±


    Cal thought quickly. He subvocalized a text message to Unseen.


    ¡°Alright, get started,¡± Cal said to Adahn. ¡°Rodinian, I want you to lay traps behind us as we move. I¡¯ll leave the composition and location decisions to you.¡±


    ¡°Priority objective?¡±


    ¡°Kill, then slow. In that order. Oh and don¡¯t forget to input their locations into the tactical map.¡±


    ¡°I have done so and will continue,¡± Rodinian said.


    ¡°Right, of course, good job.¡±


    Cal reached out into the facility with his telepathy. Static. It was worrying, but worth a shot. He just needed to be vigilant. He kept all of his senses on high alert as he took the lead.


    The facility¡¯s corridors were from an earlier era. It was the first time that Cal had been in a place that was constructed from a design philosophy that predated the spires. To be honest, it all looked the same. Metallic surfaces that emitted light in a fashion that perfectly mimicked the outside environment.


    The fabrication chamber was located on the other side of the large facility, but at least it was on the ground level. The corridors were laid out in a perfect grid. This made it difficult for Rodinian, since there weren¡¯t any obvious choke points for them to place their traps.


    Cal detected slight vibrations as they neared the fabrication chamber. It seemed that Adahn was right about getting production started.


    Cal took up a position next to the door and readied his telekinesis. He waited for Adahn to reach the door panel before giving them the signal to open it.


    The door slid open to the sound of machinery at work. Nothing more.


    Cal stepped into the large chamber and scanned it for any potential threats. He didn¡¯t see nor sense anything. He beckoned the rest of his team.


    The fabrication chamber was large. Cal placed it at about the same size as a football field, except square. Their were many fabrication machines of several types placed in an orderly fashion. There was a logical flow to the place.


    Automated combat turrets and drones were assembled in a modular fashion. Then they would move to the weapon installation section. Where there were different stations for different weapons. Lastly, they would go to the ammunition section where they would be loaded before exiting through a large set of double doors on the opposite end of the chamber from where he was standing.


    ¡°I took the liberty of starting the production process. There were several turrets and drones in the process of being assembled when this place was shut down,¡± Adahn said.


    ¡°Good call. How about your gear? Is it ready?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I simply have to attach it to my trueskin and load the ammunition. Then perform a quick diagnostic simulation.¡±


    ¡°Do that, but quickly. I want to get the defense system up and running ASAP.¡±


    ¡°Designation: Honor, I believe I can create more traps using the munitions stations.¡± Rodinian said.


    ¡°Do it.¡±


    Cal moved away from the door and out of range of the explosive trap Rodinian had left. He kept an anxious eye on Unseen¡¯s passage deeper into the facility toward the command room while he waited. The Threnosh¡¯s white dot was alone, but as it had been repeatedly proved, he couldn¡¯t rely on the tactical map¡¯s accuracy with one hundred percent certainty.


    One minute passed before Cal realized that Unseen¡¯s dot wasn¡¯t moving anymore.


    <hr>


    Unseen walked quickly through the facility¡¯s corridors. They had supreme confidence in their power armor¡¯s invisibility. The only reason they weren¡¯t running was that even their soft-soled boots would¡¯ve made noise on the metallic floors. They weren¡¯t detecting any hostiles on the tactical map, but that wasn¡¯t a guarantee that there weren¡¯t any.


    Although the map was drawing information from the sensors inside the facility now that Adahn had returned power to this section of the city, Unseen didn¡¯t forget how the corrupted had somehow masked their presence on several occasions.


    They kept a tight grip on their recoilless rifle, but they knew that their best defense was to remain undetected and wait for Honor and the rest of the team to catch up.


    A text message flashed across their face-plate. They stopped.


    A quick detour.


    Unseen was not pleased, but it was not their place to question orders. They acknowledged the message and continued onward.


    They had to descend several floors to reach the command level. The facility was from the time before the spires and the lifts were mechanical, not the anti-gravity type of modern construction. They were concerned about the noise. If there were hostiles nearby then they were almost certainly heard.


    Unseen set the lift to go the bottom level. They then climbed up the hatch to the roof and waited for their level to pass. It was a prescient decision.


    As they reached the opening they saw movement at the end of the long corridor. They stepped off the top of the lift as it moved down. They were quick and quiet as they darted into a side corridor. They didn¡¯t hear any steps headed their direction, but they checked the readout on the face-plate anyways to double check that their invisibility was still engaged.


    Assured, they carefully, peeked around the corner.


    There, in plain sight under the natural light was a corrupted.


    Unseen pulled back away from the corner and readied their recoilless rifle.


    The hostile was in the way.


    Unseen subvocalized a message to Honor. The detour had been ill-timed. They hoped that their team could make it to their location with all haste.


    Movement out of the corner of their left eye. The same out of the corner of their right.


    Hostiles in all directions and they were advancing on Unseen¡¯s position.


    They felt their heart beat faster in their chest. They reminded themselves that they had trained for this. They had faced a variety of monsters in similar situations.


    The monsters couldn¡¯t see them.


    They consulted the tactical map for their next move.


    There was a door into another room within reach, but opening it would certainly draw attention.


    That¡¯s exactly what Unseen did.


    <hr>


    ¡°Hurry it up!¡± Cal barked. ¡°Unseen¡¯s got eyes on corrupted on the command level.¡± The text message had been terse and the white dot representing Unseen was still motionless. He still didn¡¯t see any red dots around them.


    ¡°I am ready,¡± Rodinian said.


    ¡°Apologies. It took longer than I had calculated to sync the new¡ª old equipment to my trueskin.¡± Adahn had somehow integrated an old, Threnosh-made exoskeleton to their power armor. This served as a platform for several mechanical arms to which a variety of weaponry was attached.


    Cal saw what resembled two automatic rifles, a pair of long, sharp blades and what looked like a military-grade stun baton, judging by its size and the arcs of electricity that jumped between its wicked-looking prongs.


    ¡°Okay, you sure you¡¯ve got all that under control?¡±


    ¡°Yes, control and targeting systems are within acceptable parameters.¡±


    ¡°Can you shoot behind you, by any chance?¡±


    ¡°That is correct.¡±


    ¡°Alright, you¡¯re bringing up the rear.¡±


    Cal led the group to a different lift than the one Unseen had used. According to their information they were drawing the corrupted to them, which had created an opening.


    Cal ran just fast enough so that the Threnosh could keep up. Their power armors weren¡¯t the kind that significantly enhanced their physical capabilities. They were roughly on the same level as a regular human being. Although the new exoskeleton pushed Adahn up a few notches.


    Cal reached over the low gate into the open lift and sent it down to the lowest level.


    ¡°Were we not supposed to be on?¡± Rodinian said.


    Cal shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ll handle that part. Just step in as if the lift is still there. I¡¯ll go first.¡±


    He stepped into the open space and lowered himself down with his telekinetic power. The Threnosh, ever trusting, followed without hesitation. Rodinian first, then Adahn.


    Cal waited for the lift to go down a few more levels before he floated them down to the command level. His telepathic scans were still returning static. He wasn¡¯t used to having an incomplete picture of the battlefield. He didn¡¯t like it. He hit the floor ready to lash out. Luckily, the immediate area was clear.


    He noticed the corrupted a split-second later, almost as if a veil had been lifted from his eyes.


    The monsters were down all three corridors and there were many. Their grotesque musculature bulged and burst out of taut skin that wasn¡¯t meant to contain them. There was rage in their eyes. Together, they created a cacophony of noise that echoed.


    ¡°Contact,¡± Cal said. ¡°Rodinian, get as many traps as you can that way,¡± he pointed down the central corridor. ¡°Adahn, you¡¯ve got the right.¡± A quick count put the least amount of corrupted down that particular corridor. ¡°Hold as long as you can. If you need to fall back, follow me. I¡¯ll clear this corridor.¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t wait for the acknowledgment. He took off down the left like a bullet. He had to hold back for fear of damaging potentially vital systems. This meant that things were going to get really disgusting.


    He hit the charging corrupted at about forty-five miles an hour. Bodies broke and exploded like water balloons. So much for trying to keep the smell off of his armor.


    Super strength meant that he didn¡¯t need any weapons for this level of monster. He was the weapon. There was nothing pretty about what he did. No technique. He simply punched, kicked and rammed into the corrupted.


    A loud series of explosions shook the level. They even managed to temporarily overwhelm the automatic audio safety measures in his helmet.


    ¡°Oops. I forgot to tell them about avoiding collateral damage,¡± Cal groaned.


    The momentary distraction cost him an arm¡­ of his armor. A corrupted bit into the outer plate of his gauntlet and tore it free. He drove the plate into and through the monster¡¯s head with a sharp push of his telekinesis.


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    Cal was clear of corrupted. He looked back down the way he came, about fifty yards. He saw Adahn firing with three guns. The loud bursts from the two older weapons reminded him of guns from back home. He had gotten used to the quiet of the recoilless rifles. The sounds were deafening in the confined space, but it brought a smile to his face.


    ¡°Status report,¡± Cal said into the comms.


    ¡°Traps effective, but more are coming. There is not enough distance to safely deploy explosive traps. I have deployed a temporary restraint trap,¡± Rodinian said.


    ¡°Alright, both of you come to me.¡± Cal then sent a text message to Unseen.


    The reply was immediate.


    I am inside the command center. No hostiles.


    Cal consulted the tactical map. He noted the white dot that represented Unseen near the center of the level and surprise, surprise the corrupted were now visible as red dots and there were a lot of them.


    A thought struck him as he studied the layout of the level. It was a neat grid of straight corridors intersecting each other and the various rooms and chambers. Perfectly symmetrical. It reminded him of something.


    Cal laughed.


    ¡°What is happening, Designation: Honor?¡± Rodinian said as they ran up to Cal. Adahn followed after. Their two guns were swiveled to point backward and were blazing away at their pursuers.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to play Pac-man,¡± Cal grinned.


    The view on the tactical map overlay projected on his face-plate really did look just like the game. There were a few differences, he and his team were white dots. The corrupted were red dots, not pixelated ghosts and there were considerably more of them, like over a hundred more.


    Cal turned left. He hoped that there weren¡¯t any more corrupted on the level that weren¡¯t showing up on the map. Even then the ones currently after them were continually blocking off the potential paths to the command center. They were slowly being herded into a corner.


    ¡°Too bad there aren¡¯t any super dots in the corners,¡± Cal muttered. This was real life and not a game after all.


    Adahn¡¯s guns had fallen silent a little bit ago. Rodinian was down to a couple of traps. They could fabricate more, but that required several minutes and stopping.


    Cal¡¯s original plan was to get around the corrupted and hole up in the command center, while Adahn got the city section¡¯s automated defense system back on. Sure, he could¡¯ve wiped them all out, but he was concerned that doing so might trigger some kind of boss fight. He didn¡¯t want to do that without being prepared. With two key locations, the energy station and the security station, to defend there was a good chance that two bosses would be spawned.


    There was the chance, a probability that completing the Quest and getting the defense back online would trigger bosses anyways. In that case they¡¯d have the automatic defense to help them out in the event that a boss or two appeared.


    Cal was also starting to feel the beginnings of brain-stabbing migraine. The invisible needles were currently at the gentle-prodding stage, but he knew from experience that the more he exerted his powers the more incessant they¡¯d grow. At least it was taking longer these days. It meant that his powers were still growing, that he wasn¡¯t close to a plateau. It boded well for a boost after he successfully completed the operation to retake Orchestral Meridian. He¡¯d emerge even stronger, hopefully enough to just steamroll Zalthyss, the angelic bastard whose existence had been hanging over him like a cloud of swords for over a year.


    ¡°Okay, this isn¡¯t getting us anywhere,¡± Cal said.


    The two Threnosh running behind him didn¡¯t respond. It was taking all they had to keep up even with their physical movements almost one hundred percent being taken care of by their power armors.


    So, it wasn¡¯t like Pac-man at all.


    Cal sighed.


    Aside from being chased by things that wanted to eat them there were no super pellets nor fruits. Cal missed fruits. The ones he¡¯d taste-tested from the forests around his base had been terrible. Although, to be fair he wasn¡¯t entirely certain that some of them weren¡¯t vegetables.


    Cal frowned. That wasn¡¯t like him. He had trained himself over the six to seven-ish years since he got his powers to maintain focus. Especially while in the middle of fight. His train of thought derailing into non sequiturs without him realizing was concerning.


    Pac-man, fruits and vegetables?


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± Cal whispered. ¡°No more bullshit. Alright guys. We are going to that command center.¡±


    Cal turned right at the next intersection. The path led right to a group of corrupted. Screw the head pains. He was going to smear the monsters all over the corridor.


    <hr>


    Then


    Cal and Bennett reached the block of two-story townhouses ahead of Detective Ordonez and Jake. The street was blocked off by a police truck. A small crowd had gathered. Interestingly, the squad of police-soldiers from the interim government wasn¡¯t facing the crowd.


    Everyone was facing the houses.


    Cal had to pull back his telepathy and strengthen the imaginary sphere shielding his mind. The anxiety and fear coming from the fifty or so people was overwhelming.


    ¡°We should probably wait for the others,¡± Bennett said.


    ¡°Scared they might shoot you?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Sure, why not.¡± Cal didn¡¯t mention that he hadn¡¯t picked up anything inside the houses as far as any human-like thoughts and emotions. He didn¡¯t know how it worked, but he knew when what he was sensing came from monsters. Even the most hate-filled human still read as human. And he had picked up a vicious sort of hunger still lurking somewhere within.


    ¡°I see you aren¡¯t breathing hard,¡± Cal said. ¡°For someone downplaying their physical ability. You kept up with me fine and I was probably at about forty-fifty miles per hour.¡±


    Bennett cleared his throat. ¡°My running speed is a different matter compared to my strength and durability.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough, just saying I could use your help when we go in there,¡± Cal gestured past the crowd.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going in there. That wasn¡¯t part of the agreement,¡± Bennett¡¯s hair flew wildly as he shook his head from side to side.


    ¡°True, I guess you can wait outside just in case the mauler or whatever is in there gets away from me.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ maybe I will go with you.¡±


    Cal chuckled. ¡°What¡¯re you worried about? You¡¯re topped up on blood. You¡¯ve got a bunch of blood packs. Hell, even your flask is filled with blood. You¡¯ve got more than enough to heal any damage. Worst case scenario you just do that hide in the shadows thing.¡±


    ¡°All of that does nothing to assuage my fears.¡±


    Cal reached up to pat Bennett on the shoulder. ¡°That¡¯s like half the battle.¡±


    ¡°What is?¡±


    ¡°Acknowledging that you are afraid.¡±


    A pensive look grew on Bennett¡¯s face and he lapsed into silence.


    Cal alternated from watching the houses and looking back down the street. ¡°What¡¯s taking them so long? It was barely a mile.¡±


    Six minutes later, Detective Ordonez and Jake arrived. Out of breath and sweating.


    ¡°Not bad,¡± Cal said. They covered the distance pretty fast, especially considering they were both carrying guns and wearing a plate carrier with an actual plate in the front.


    Detective Ordonez said nothing while she got her breathing back under control.


    ¡°¡­ carry¡­ thirty¡­ pounds¡­¡± Jake managed to wheeze out.


    ¡°Well, when you¡¯re ready. I¡¯m pretty sure the mauler, if it is the mauler, is still in there,¡± Cal said.


    It took a few minutes. Detective Ordonez recovered first. Jake had to hurry after her while trying to drink from his water bottle. He spilled about half as much as he got down. That was the hardest run he had ever done. Even though he had been training on a daily basis ever since he got his Techmage class and got fast-tracked to spec ops status. He had always been a big and fat guy, dating back to his discovery of ice cream and candy. Who knew that all it took to get him in shape was the end of the world?


    ¡°Sullivan, Give me the sitrep?¡± Detective Ordonez barged past the crowd to reach one of the officers.


    ¡°We got some survivors, want to talk them,¡± Sullivan jabbed a thumb over his shoulder.


    Jake saw that there was a cluster of people near a couple of battered vehicles. There was an ambulance and a couple of repurposed SUV¡¯s.


    ¡°No time, just give me a quick rundown,¡± Detective Ordonez barked. Inwardly she wanted to chew Sullivan¡¯s head off. The man was new to the force. He did have a military background, but clearly he probably pushed paper or cleaned facilities. She didn¡¯t have time to waste, which is why she expected him to just give her the details himself. Pointing out the survivors just wasted time.


    ¡°Survivors said that they got attacked by something. No descriptions. Just woke up to screams. Some tried to fight. Didn¡¯t make it out. The rest booked it and started banging on the rest of the neighborhood''s doors. We got the call from there. Set up a perimeter. Got squads surrounding the block. The people living there knocked down the common walls to connect all the homes for defensive purposes.¡±


    ¡°Which floors? Or both?¡±


    ¡°Both, but not the basements.¡±


    ¡°What about the perp? Anyone got a good look?¡±


    Sullivan shook his head. ¡°They didn¡¯t and we haven¡¯t seen anything exiting. Don¡¯t know if it¡¯s still in there, though. Do you think it¡¯s the mauler? Is that why your task force is here.¡± Sullivan¡¯s eyes widened as he looked over Detective Ordonez¡¯s shoulder.


    Jake looked behind him and saw that Cruces and his weird-looking buddy, Bennett, had joined them.


    ¡°Thanks, Sullivan.¡± Detective Ordonez said flatly. She tapped Jake on the chest. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Gates. We¡¯re going on.¡± Her eyes fell on Cal, then on Bennett. ¡°You do whatever you want.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s coming too,¡± Cal answered before Bennett could even open his mouth.


    ¡°Fine, his safety is your responsibility.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t we all responsible for our safety?¡± Cal mused.


    Jake heard Detective Ordonez¡¯s teeth grinding over the noise from the crowd.


    The detective turned and strode with purpose past the caution tape and toward the houses.


    Jake hurried to catch up. There was a forceful gust of wind that pushed him to one side. Cruces was suddenly standing in Detective Ordonez¡¯s way.


    ¡°Hold on,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure it¡¯s still in there,¡± his voice dropped to a whisper. ¡°You guys don¡¯t need to go inside. Bennett and I can handle it.¡±


    ¡°Out of the way,¡± Detective Ordonez glared.


    ¡°The mauler isn¡¯t like the monsters you¡¯re used to fighting. It¡¯s a lot more dangerous, even more than the gremlin alpha. Walking into a dark, cramped environment puts you and Jake in danger that you don¡¯t need to be in.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s our jobs and this is my task force, if you¡¯ve forgotten. You¡¯re here as a courtesy.¡±


    Cruces grimaced.


    Jake was two minds of the situation. He didn¡¯t want to die, especially being torn and possibly eaten, like those gangbangers. However, taking on the mauler and completing the Quest would give him more Universal Points than he could even dream of. It was legitimately like winning the lottery.


    ¡°Okay, you¡¯re all adults and you are technically correct. I¡¯m taking point. You and Jake follow, order is up to you. Bennett brings up the rear.¡±


    Bennett paled.


    The freaky, scarecrow-like man was already practically white. Jake was surprised that he went even whiter.


    ¡°It¡¯s cool, bro. I¡¯ll block for you,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Thanks, but you don¡¯t have to worry about me,¡± Bennett sighed.


    ¡°Look, Bennett,¡± Cal said. ¡°You¡¯re either in front or in the back.¡±


    ¡°Because that¡¯s who you¡¯re expecting is most likely to be attacked?¡±


    ¡°Yup¡­ so, do you want to switch?¡±


    Bennett shook his head.


    ¡°Children,¡± Detective Ordonez snapped. ¡°We need to move quickly.¡±


    Jake watched Cruces intently as the man turned an intent gaze on the block of townhouses.


    ¡°Nope, still in there.¡±


    ¡°How are you doing that?¡± Jake was in awe. ¡°What kind of magic are you using? Or is it something else. I¡¯ve heard rumors about superpowers.¡±


    ¡°Where?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, detective. I can¡¯t exactly pinpoint from here. Maybe if I get closer.¡±


    They both ignored Jake. Sadly, he was used to it.


    Cruces took the lead as he cautiously walked through the open front door of the rightmost home. Detective Ordonez followed with her shotgun held at the ready. She had a small, candle lantern hanging from a loop around her hand holding the forestock. An attached tac light would¡¯ve been preferable, but they hadn¡¯t yet figured out how to get them working again.


    Jake came next. He held a smartphone in each hand, pointed over the others¡¯ heads. One held the Magic Missile and the other had Mana Shield.


    ¡°Hey, boss? Shouldn¡¯t I be in front of you? I¡¯ve got a shield spell,¡± Jake whispered.


    ¡°Your big ass will block my sight lines,¡± Detective Ordonez growled back.


    ¡°Tsch!¡± Cal hissed at them for silence.


    Jake¡¯s eyes darted to every dark and shadowed corner. There were a lot. The interior of the home was dimly lit by candles and lanterns. He saw monsters everywhere. He took some comfort in Cruces¡¯ presence. He had never seen the man in action, but he had heard plenty of rumors and from those that claimed to have seen Cruces battling and somehow throwing monsters around without touching them. Even those gigantic gremlin alphas.


    Jake figured Cruces was using telekinesis, whether it was superpower style or magic, he didn¡¯t know. He had repeatedly asked, but had been rebuffed each time.


    The battered camping ax in Cruce¡¯s hand showed how much battle he had seen. Its steel head was covered in scratches, the cutting edge was notched. The handle was stained with blood, despite looking like it had been cleaned well. Jake took more comfort in the image.


    Cruces was a veteran of many monster fights. The man definitely knew what he was doing. All Jake had to do was stick close and maybe he¡¯d get a shot to fire of his offensive spells, while Cruces kept the mauler busy.


    The group cleared the first home they entered. From bottom to top. Clearing the basement consisted of Cruces taking a step or two down and scanning with his telepathy. The process was much the same for the first and second level. They didn¡¯t even need to check the individual rooms, even if some still had their doors closed.


    Detective Ordonez didn¡¯t understand, but she wasn¡¯t exactly in position to object to Cruces¡¯ methods. He didn¡¯t give her the opportunity by moving continuously.


    When they crossed over into the third home, the one in the middle of the row, Jake immediately felt something was different. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up.


    Jake was a city kid. He¡¯d never been out in the wilderness. Though he had watched a lot of survival shows. He remembered the descriptions those grizzled people had given about what it was like to be stalked by a predator. That was exactly what he felt.


    A flash of movement to the right, from above, the ceiling.


    ¡°Watch out!¡±


    ¡°Get down!¡±


    There was a blast that made Jake¡¯s ears ring and his eyes blind. He waved his smartphones in front of him, but he couldn¡¯t pull the triggers on his spells. Couldn¡¯t risk hitting the others.


    There were terrible sounds of a fight right in front of Jake.


    Snarling.


    Cursing.


    Another blast from Detective Ordonez¡¯s shotgun was followed by more cursing, Cruces.


    A high-pitched yelp from somewhere behind him. Jake spun around his smartphones held out like guns.


    ¡°Don¡¯t shoot!¡±


    Bennett¡¯s voice.


    There was a great crash. Then nothing, but the sounds of their heavy breaths.


    ¡°Damn it, every time¡­ why do they always go for the face?¡± Cruces spat.


    Jake blinked away the white spots in his eyesight.


    Detective Ordonez pointed her shotgun and the light from her lantern at a child-sized hole in the wall that Jake didn¡¯t remember being there earlier.


    Cruces took a bottle of liquid from the pouch at his belt and splashed it on his face. ¡°Still stings,¡± he hissed.


    ¡°Did you see it?¡± Detective Ordonez¡¯s voice was a whisper.


    Jake didn¡¯t like the sound of it. She sounded scared. Detective Hardass was what they called her behind her back. Not Jake, though, he thought she was badass. She didn¡¯t blink when facing down gremlins. To hear the fear in her made the stone in his stomach grow a few more sizes.


    ¡°It cut my face right away. So, I didn¡¯t get a good look. Felt like it had human skin, different from the gremlins. Small size, just like the smaller gremlins.¡±


    ¡°The ones that can¡¯t take light?¡±


    Jake jumped. Bennett appeared next to him out of nowhere.


    Cruces nodded. ¡°A lot stronger. Very strong.¡± He sounded uncertain.


    Jake didn¡¯t hear the customary lightness in Cruces¡¯ voice. The man was concerned now. He counted the thin red lines on Cruces¡¯ face. There were five of them. Close together, smaller than what he remembered on the mauler victims¡¯ bodies, but very similar.


    ¡°Hey, detective? Try not to shoot me in the back next time. I¡¯m bulletproof, but my clothes aren¡¯t,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You crossed my sight line,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t going to work.¡± Cal said. ¡°Change of plans. Bennett, you¡¯re going to guard these two. I¡¯m going after that thing.¡±


    Bennett¡¯s eyes were wide as he shook his head.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯ll be too busy dealing with me to come back for the rest of you,¡± Cal pointed at the front door. He noticed that it was barricade. He pointed through the large hole in the wall, back the way the came. ¡°Out the nearest exit. Quickly, before I change my mind about going solo.¡± He turned and went into the other house after the monster.


    ¡°Shit, you don¡¯t split the party,¡± Jake said in shock.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s like death flags for everyone,¡± Bennett said.


    ¡°You play games too? RPGs?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve played all the Baldur¡¯s Gate ones, Torment, Pillars, Pathfinder, bunch of others.¡±


    ¡°Computer gamer,¡± Jake nodded. ¡°Me too. Except for the older ones.¡±


    ¡°Had to use an emulator.¡±


    ¡°I know. I tried them out, but just couldn¡¯t deal with the dated graphics. Say, have you ever done tabletop?¡±


    Bennett shook his head. ¡°Not really, didn¡¯t get out much.¡±


    ¡°Cool, me and some friends have been talking about getting a game night going. But it¡¯s tough to get into the mood. Ever since¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I imagine it¡¯s hard to play when real life got essentially turned into one. Except terrifying and not fun.¡±


    Jake noticed the blood stains on the floor and walls for the first time. He had to agree with that assessment.


    ¡°We¡¯re not going anywhere,¡± Detective Ordonez said flatly. ¡°Come on.¡±


    She marched right through the hole in the wall after Cruces.

 3.6

    Then


    Detective Julieta Ordonez was pissed, to put it mildly. She had the mauler dead to rights. Except Cruces somehow got in her way and ended up with a spray of pellets in the back of the head. She was horrified for a second before she realized that Cruces was still fighting that thing. There wasn¡¯t even any blood.


    To add to the indignity of it. She ended up shooting him again. This time in the back.


    The detective missed the time when the world still made sense. There were no monsters, magic and superhuman douchebags running around ignoring the laws. What right did a civilian have getting involved in this matter? They didn¡¯t have the proper training and experience. They were liable to hurt themselves or others.


    Case in point. Cruces just left the three of them to go chasing after the mauler. Sure, there was something up with that Bennett weirdo. He disappeared as soon as the mauler showed up. Like the shadows in the living room had swallowed him up. He had showed up just as quickly. If they got attacked again then she figured it was on her and Jake to do anything. Bennett looked like he was scared of everything.


    And where the hell was Flo? The kid decided to disappear somewhere the one time she would¡¯ve been useful. Detective Ordonez wanted to scream. The entire investigation had turned into a shitshow. She had been saddled with a rookie, loose cannons and civilians.


    The next house was completely dark. The light from her small candle lantern barely illuminated the rooms. It was a small blessing. What little she saw was enough to display what the mauler had done to the people living in them. She wasn¡¯t looking forward to studying the scene in the light of day.


    ¡°It¡¯s not fair,¡± she whispered.


    These people had been the fortunate few to make it through those terrible early days after the spires appeared. To make it through monsters, bad people and other hardships just to get torn apart in their beds. Especially now that they were finally clawing back a semblance of normalcy.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, what was that, boss?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, keep sharp.¡± Detective Ordonez had a thought. ¡°Hey, pale man?¡±


    Silence.


    She almost turned back to check.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Bennett¡¯s voice was hesitant.


    Detective Ordonez clenched her jaw. That man was going to bolt at the first sign of trouble.


    ¡°That blood sensing thing you can do. How bout using it to track the monster?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s too much blood around us. Sorry.¡±


    Detective Ordonez swallowed a curse. It was a fair point. Couldn¡¯t bite Bennett¡¯s head off over it.


    ¡°Hey boss¡­ uh¡­ ma¡¯am¡­?¡±


    ¡°What part of quiet do you not understand, Gates?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just it. Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s too quiet?¡±


    The rookie was right. She couldn¡¯t hear anything outside of the heart beating in her chest and their breathing.


    That meant Cruces still hadn¡¯t caught the mauler. The sounds of their fighting would¡¯ve been impossible to miss.


    They had checked the second floor of the middle home and had just finished going through the first floor of the next home. Which meant after they cleared the upstairs there was only one home left in the row. Unless the monster and Cruces had doubled back through the homes that they had already been through then¡­


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    ¡°Boss?¡±


    ¡°What if we¡¯ve lost them and they¡¯re out on the streets?¡± Detective Ordonez didn¡¯t want to think about the bloodshed an out of control mauler was capable of. ¡°Never mind. Let¡¯s check upstairs.¡±


    She was halfway up when she heard something. Scratching on a wooden surface. Like a mouse. She snapped her shotgun up and shined the weak light from her lantern. Nothing.


    A high-pitched scream curdled their blood.


    Detective Ordonez saw a flash of movement. Pale white on the ceiling.


    She pulled her shotgun up and squeezed the trigger. The blast temporarily blinded and deafened her in the tight confines of the stairwell. Splinters rained down and she instinctively closed her eyes and turned away. A fatal mistake when faced with a monster.


    ¡°Look out!¡±


    A beefy hand roughly pulled her by the back of her tactical vest.


    A loud crash.


    She tumbled down the stairs and hit the landing hard. Through bleary eyes, she could make out something small and white on top of a large shape in dark clothing down on the first floor.


    The mauler was on top of Jake.


    <hr>


    Jake hit the screen of his smartphone at the same time that he yanked Detective Ordonez back. A dim, blue glow shimmered into being and outlined his body.


    Something small and pale smashed into his chest. He felt the impact through the shield. He had taken on full swings of a baseball bat without issue before. He knew instinctively that the single collision took a good chunk out of his mana. He felt it in the sudden onset of fatigue.


    The next thing he knew he slammed through the wooden stair rails. He tumbled once and landed on his back with a thud. His Mana Shield took the brunt of the blow.


    The mauler was still on him.


    Jake tried to bring the smartphone with the Shock spell to bear, but the monster¡¯s frenzied slashing kept knocking his arm away. He felt every hit through the shield.


    He couldn¡¯t believe what was happening to him. He realized that this was it. That maybe, magic powers weren¡¯t so cool after all if it meant having real monsters in the world. He was about to die.


    A flash of light was accompanied by a loud bang.


    The mauler stopped savaging Jake.


    He had a moment to finally get a good look as it crouched on his broad chest. He almost wished that he didn¡¯t. It wasn¡¯t what he wanted to see right before the end.


    It resembled a monstrous toddler. Except its limbs were unnaturally long, thin and wiry. Their appearance belied the great strength they possessed. Enough to pin a large man down with ease and hit with much greater power than strong men wielding baseball bats. Pale, almost white skin, covered in the red of the people once living in the homes. Ghastly. Its face was the worse though. Eyes that glowed with hunger and malice. A mouth and jaw that was grotesquely over-sized and filled with pointed teeth and bits of what had to be human flesh. Stringy, lank blond hair that didn¡¯t fit the picture completed it.


    Jake¡¯s mind couldn¡¯t handle it. He suddenly felt as if he was watching everything happening to him. Not experiencing it.


    Detective Ordonez shot the mauler again.


    It turned its face away from the pellets, which peppered the back of its head.


    There was no blood aside from what was already on it.


    Bulletproof.


    Jake had seen enough. His shield was almost down. He had lost the strength to lift his arms. All he could do was close his eyes and wait.


    The end didn¡¯t come this time.


    Jake felt the weight swept roughly off his chest. He opened his eyes and stared up at a dude¡¯s crotch.


    ¡°No blood. You¡¯re alright.¡±


    Cruces was standing over his head one moment then was gone the next.


    Jake turned his head and tried to follow the fight.


    The mauler and Cruces were almost too fast to follow. It was like watching a movie fight in fast forward.


    They came together in a furious roil of ax swings, clawing, punching and biting. Furniture was broken, walls smashed. Nothing was spared in the titanic struggle.


    ¡°Get up Gates, we need to get out of here.¡± Detective Ordonez didn¡¯t like the admission. It was plain on her face.


    ¡°Boss¡­ can¡¯t¡­¡± Jake could barely get the words out. He was having a hard time catching his breath.


    ¡°Shit. Is it that mana thing?¡±


    ¡°¡­ drained¡­ all¡­ leave¡­¡± Jake wheezed. He remembered his fat kid days and having to run laps. It wasn¡¯t a good memory.


    The sound of something heavy crashing to the ground from the kitchen brought him back to the moment.


    ¡°Not without you.¡± Detective Ordonez swung her shot gun over her back and placed her lantern on the floor. She tried to pull Jake up by his arms. ¡°Jesus Christ!¡± She huffed. ¡°How are you still so heavy? After you lost all that weight.¡±


    ¡°Muscle¡­ dead¡­ weight¡­¡±


    Detective Ordonez gave up. ¡°Going to have to drag your fat ass out of here.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­¡±


    Detective Ordonez dropped Jake¡¯s arms and spun around with her Glock leveled at the voice.


    Bennett¡¯s pasty face was right in front of her pistol. ¡°Uh¡­ that was really fast. I didn¡¯t even see you drawing it out of its holster. How did you do that?¡±


    Detective Ordonez kept her pistol trained on Bennett¡¯s forehead. ¡°Where¡¯d you go?¡±


    ¡°Sorry. I just reacted. I¡¯m not really a fighter,¡± Bennett said. ¡°Was that a Skill? I mean, I didn¡¯t even see it.¡±


    Detective Ordonez¡¯s face was calm. Her hands were steady on the grip.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got superior perceptions. I can slow things down¡ª¡± Bennett¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Crap! Wasn¡¯t supposed to say that.¡±


    ¡°Opsec¡­ man¡­¡± Jake¡¯s voice was weak.


    ¡°I¡¯m thinking you¡¯ve got other things you can do,¡± Detective Ordonez said. ¡°How about helping me get Gates out of here?¡±


    ¡°I can do that.¡± Bennett move with deliberate care around Detective Ordonez, even though she had already holstered her pistol. The freakishly thin man bent over and picked Jake up.


    ¡°No¡­ not¡­ princess¡­¡± Jake groaned.


    Bennett cradled Jake in his arms and followed Detective Ordonez as she led the way.


    ¡°After we drop Jake off we¡¯re heading right back.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Bennett nearly dropped Jake.


    <hr>


    Cal swung his ax down at the tiny monster. It dodge out of the way and crashed into his leg. He was forced to jump forward into an awkward roll to avoid his knee bending the wrong direction.


    The Midtown Mauler was not exactly what he expected. It was definitely not a gremlin nor gremlin-adjacent. The sense he was getting from its thoughts was disturbingly familiar. He didn¡¯t want to consider it, but as they kept fighting. It was getting harder to ignore. It didn¡¯t have a mind like a monster. At least not entirely.


    The mauler landed on Cal¡¯s back. He felt the sting as its thick, sharp nails pierced through his motorcycle jacket and clothes to prick his skin.


    It bit down through to his trapezius with ease.


    Cal grit his teeth against the pain. How many times was he going to get bitten in the same spot?


    He punched the mauler in the head until it relinquished its bite and pushed off Cal¡¯s back.


    The mauler was strong. Almost as strong as Cal. It knocked him to the floor on his face.


    Cal rolled over desperately and kicked out with the bottom of his boot. He connected hard with something and was rewarded with a pained yelp.


    It sounded so human-like.


    Cal scrambled to his feet, but the mauler had already scampered out of sight.


    The living room, judging by the smashed couch that he and the mauler had crashed through, was dark. There was only a single, almost burned down candle on the coffee table. The tiny flame flickered and danced in the slight breeze from the gaps in the boarded up windows. Shadows danced on the walls and ceiling.


    ¡°Bennett, now would be a good time to suddenly appear and make a key contribution in our victory¡­¡± No response. Cal figured it was worth a shot. ¡°Guess I can¡¯t complain too much.¡± He supposed that anyone other than a pacifistic man, scared of his own shadow with the Vampire class would¡¯ve posed problems.


    He couldn¡¯t tell where the mauler was. It was too quick to pin down.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    There was a scratching sound to Cal¡¯s left. He punched out with his telekinesis. The invisible force shattered the bricks around the fireplace.


    He caught movement out of the corner of his right eye. The mauler¡¯s white skin stood out starkly against the black shadows as it jumped at him. He swung his ax out. The blade caught the mauler in the side and sent into flying into the kitchen. Cal took a moment to check his ax head. There was blood, red, like his own.


    Cal grinned as he chased after it. If it bleeds, then he could kill it. Wise words from a great sage. If he remembered the saying properly.


    The kitchen was devoid of light, aside from what little came through the boards across the windows from the stars in the sky.


    Cal had his telepathy and superior vision to make up the difference. He felt the same hunger and malice, but now it was joined with pain and fear. The thought jolted him. Again, it wasn¡¯t what he expected from a pure monster.


    He tried to keep his breathing under control. The needles in his brain had been steadily growing stronger as he used his powers.


    He heard it then. A strange sound. A sad sound. Someone was crying? A child?


    Cal frowned. It was definitely a child sobbing. Not child-like. It was muffled. His eyes widened. There was a child hiding somewhere in the kitchen. A survivor from the mauler¡¯s earlier rampage? That changed things. Now he had to prioritize the child¡¯s safety. Find them and get them to safety before the mauler got to them.


    A thought crossed his mind. The mauler was definitely not like the other monsters. Was it using the child as bait?


    Cal zeroed in on the soft sobs. It was coming from a cabinet next to the fridge. The darkness made it difficult to see clearly, but it looked like there were little scratches on the cabinet door. He cautiously stepped closer and reached out with a hand. He stopped. Thought better of it. He stepped backed, readied his ax and reached out with telekinesis.


    The cabinet door wiggled a little as Cal¡¯s invisible grip started to open it.


    It burst open to reveal the mauler as it leapt at Cal.


    He stared into its open mouth, hinged-jaw wide enough to bite his face off.


    Fortunately, he was ready. He swung his ax and caught the mauler right in the nose with the handle.


    Drops of something wet sprayed Cal. He had broken the mauler¡¯s nose.


    There was a plaintive wail as the mauler scampered back to the fridge.


    Cal followed, ax held high ready to finally end this nightmare.


    The mauler grabbed the fridge in its tiny hands and sent it sliding across the floor.


    Cal was caught off guard. The fridge crashed into him like a car and pinned him against the stove. He blinked away the spots in his eyes and pushed the fridge off.


    As he did so the mauler appeared on top and jumped down at Cal. He was forced to jam his ax into its mouth as it tried to bite into the top half of his head.


    The mauler¡¯s jaws snapped shut and turned Cal¡¯s venerable camping ax, a constant companion over the last four years, into splinters. It spat the ax head right in Cal¡¯s face. The blunt end smashed into his nose, which watered his eyes.


    Blinded, Cal stabbed the jagged edge of his broken ax handle. He felt it dig into flesh.


    The mauler gurgled as Cal pushed it away.


    At the same exact moment Cal¡¯s head rocked back as the mauler kicked him in the jaw. There was an old adage. It was the shot that you didn¡¯t see coming that knocked you out. His vision grew dark, but he fought against it. Forced himself to stay out of the dark hallway that loomed in front of him.


    Even though he didn¡¯t go down it was a close thing. His head spun and his legs wobbled.


    The kitchen was dark and he was struggling to see through the tears in his eyes, but Cal could make out the white shape of the mauler as it writhed on the floor and clutched at its throat.


    ¡°Stupid demon baby thing,¡± Cal mumbled as he staggered toward the mauler.


    Cal was ready to stab the mauler when an overwhelming feeling of hatred and worry hit him. It was so powerful that he momentarily forgot where he was and what he was doing.


    The feeling was accompanied by the fridge flying at him. Again.


    Cal tried to deflect the giant, metal battering ram with telekinesis. Unfortunately he wasn¡¯t at his best. He merely nudged it enough to one side that it only clipped him. As he fell with the fridge, his left foot got pinned and twisted against the floor.


    The pain was sharp and shot up his leg. It was a familiar sensation from his sporting days. An old nemesis that he had thought was long behind him.


    He pushed the fridge off his leg and was glad to note that his foot wasn¡¯t pointing in the wrong direction. He looked around for the mauler. It was gone.


    Standing in its spot was Flo.


    Cal saw the glint in the teenage girl¡¯s eyes as the starlight briefly illuminated them. Her face was blank, but he saw the rage hidden. Sensed it.


    He stood gingerly. Tried to play off the twisted ankle. For some reason he instinctively knew that he couldn¡¯t look weak, vulnerable.


    ¡°What the hell was that?¡±


    ¡°I thought you were in trouble,¡± Flo said. ¡°That¡­ whatever¡­ was about to kill you.¡±


    ¡°I stabbed the mauler in the throat. I was about to end this.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Flo quirked her head. ¡°I didn¡¯t look that way to me. Although, it¡¯s dark and I can¡¯t see too well. So, maybe you¡¯re right. Sorry.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t sound too worried about it.¡± Cal was certain that Flo wasn¡¯t being entirely truthful. The question was why?


    Flo shrugged. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be this big shot superhero. I figured you could handle a little friendly fire. I mean, a little collateral damage is worth it if you take out the monster, right?¡±


    ¡°Nope, not dealing with you right now.¡± The mauler was injured and it was getting away. He had read enough Corbett books and had watched enough animal documentaries to know that a predator was at its most dangerous when wounded.


    ¡°Whatever, old man. I don¡¯t think you can move too fast on that ankle. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll chase it.¡± Flo darted out of the kitchen and back into the living room. No doubt through the hole in the wall to the next and last house on the block.


    Cal tested his ankle then limped after her.


    Flo was fast. Faster than him and faster than the mauler.


    He had a sinking feeling that he had just blown the opportunity to put an end to the Midtown Mauler¡¯s killing spree.


    <hr>


    ¡°Hurry it up, Twilight.¡±


    Bennett could feel the barrel of Detective Ordonez¡¯s shotgun on his back. Sure it wasn¡¯t actually directly pointed at him and bullets probably wouldn¡¯t kill him. But damn it, they would¡¯ve hurt and he didn¡¯t deserve to get shot. Especially after he had gone above and beyond to help out in this insane hunt for a terrifying, tiny monster that looked so much like a toddler that he didn¡¯t even want to consider the possibilities of its nature and origin.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, what?¡±


    ¡°You remind of those vampires. Minus the sparkles and male model looks¡­ no offense.¡±


    Bennett was glad that the detective was behind him and couldn¡¯t see the look on his face. It would¡¯ve given his secret away.


    ¡°Why¡¯re you stopping? We need to catch up to them.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ sorry, it¡¯s hard to track with all that mingling of the blood back in those houses.¡± Another memory that he wasn¡¯t going to be able to scrub from his brain. A truth and a lie. The trail was clearer now that they had gone a few blocks away from the townhouses. Perhaps it was helped by the actual drops of blood on the ground.


    ¡°You sure this stuff is from the mauler and not Cruces?¡±


    ¡°Positive. I know what human blood is like and this stuff is distinct. Almost like a blend of monster and human. Except that isn¡¯t accurate. You could take a vial of monster blood and mix it with a vial of human blood and it wouldn¡¯t be exactly like this.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like you know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± Detective Ordonez¡¯s voice was light. Conversational.


    It¡¯s why Bennett knew that he had said too much. ¡°Er¡­ I think they went this way.¡± He hurried down the street.


    A few blocks and several turns later they found Cal standing outside an apartment complex. He stood with most of his weight on on leg. His left foot gingerly touched the ground. He was covered in blood and there were dark circles underneath his eyes, like a raccoon.


    ¡°You look like you got hit by a truck,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°It was a fridge¡­ twice,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I thought you were like, invincible.¡± Bennett couldn¡¯t believe what his eyes. It strengthened the case that he had made the right decision hiding from mauler instead of trying to fight. He shuddered at the thought of what he would¡¯ve looked like if he had been in Cal¡¯s place.


    ¡°Just harder to hurt than most.¡±


    ¡°What happened? Where¡¯s the mauler?¡±


    ¡°I had it dead. Stabbed it in the throat,¡± Cal held up the bloody, jagged end of his ax handle, ¡°was going to finish it when Flo threw the fridge at me.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Detective Ordonez frowned.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you what happened from my perspective later. Anyways, due to the bum ankle, I lost them around here. Judging by the bloodstains,¡± Cal pointed to the pathway into the apartments, ¡°they went that way.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you go after them? You let Flo go in there by herself with the mauler,¡± Detective Ordonez snapped.


    ¡°I had some time to think while I was hobbling after them. In between the stabs of pain from my ankle, that is. And things weren¡¯t making sense.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one not making any sense, Cruces.¡±


    ¡°Tell me, detective. How much do you know about Flo¡¯s background?¡± He stared into her eyes. ¡°And will you share it with me? Please.¡± He smiled.


    Detective Ordonez was about to snap when the person in question suddenly came walking out of the apartment complex.


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t know much. Doesn¡¯t care enough. I¡¯m just the stupid kid they saddled her with,¡± Flo said. There was a blank expression on her face. ¡°I lost it,¡± she shrugged, ¡°sorry.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°It was small and fast. Got out of a tiny bathroom window that I couldn¡¯t fit through.¡± Flo rolled her eyes.


    There was something off about the girl. Bennett could smell it.


    ¡°You¡¯re covered in blood,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°I got some on me going through those houses and then just now when I almost got the mauler.¡±


    Detective Ordonez didn¡¯t take her eyes of Flo. For her part the teen held her gaze steady and didn¡¯t blink.


    Police sirens broke the spell. An SUV screeched around the corner and came to an abrupt stop near them. A group of men and women jumped out with their weapons drawn.


    Bennett didn¡¯t fail to notice that they were pointed in his and Cal¡¯s general directions.


    ¡°Welllll, I think that¡¯s our cue to leave,¡± Cal nudged Bennett in the ribs.


    ¡°Cruces¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to you in the morning, which is basically two hours from now.¡± Cal cut of the detective. ¡°You know what, let¡¯s make that after lunch. It¡¯s been a long night and we all need our rest.¡±


    Bennett kept his mouth shut until they were several blocks away from any potential listeners.


    ¡°So, you smelled something off about Flo, didn¡¯t you?¡± Cal prodded him.


    ¡°How¡ª¡±


    ¡°It was all over your face.¡±


    ¡°The blood on her¡­ was from different sources. Some were from the houses we were in. Maybe even your blood, I¡¯m not sure¡­ but I¡¯m sure that some of the blood was from elsewhere and I think it was pretty fresh.¡±


    ¡°Something definitely sucks shit, man,¡± Cal frowned. ¡°This is bullshit. They go for the face every time.¡±


    Bennett looked at the thin lines of blood across Cal¡¯s face. At the cut on his chin.


    The Vampire pulled the flask out of his jacket¡¯s pocket and took a long pull, while Cal eyed him closely.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see what Detective Ordonez has to say about it. If I don¡¯t like it then we¡¯ll have to do our own investigating.¡±


    Bennett didn¡¯t like the sound of that. Not one bit. The night had felt like it had taken forever. It was an experience that he didn¡¯t want to repeat.


    <hr>


    Now


    Cal, Rodinian and Adahn ran straight for a group of Corrupted Threnosh.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m going to smash them like tomatoes¡ª¡±


    ¡°I do not understand the term,¡± Rodinian said.


    ¡°¡­ I¡¯m going to smash them. We¡¯re not stopping. We¡¯re going to run right through to the command center,¡± Cal said.


    Less than a hundred feet separated them from the charging corrupted.


    Cal reached out with telekinesis to slam the monsters into the floor, walls and ceiling with deadly force. A world of pain exploded in his brain like nothing he had ever experienced before. He staggered and almost tripped.


    He immediately knew something was wrong. His telekinesis wasn¡¯t responding to his will. His telepathy was gone. It was as if someone had cut the volume out. With one exception. There was music? No? A song? He heard it clearly. Then it was on the very edge of his perceptions. It vacillated from one extreme to the other. Or both came at the same time.


    Cal¡¯s head swam.


    ¡°Designation: Honor, what is wrong? You¡¯re leaking fluids from your facial orifices.¡±


    Rodinian¡¯s voice sounded like it was coming from a great distance and right in his ear.


    ¡°¡­ ¡®sss okay,¡± Cal slurred. ¡°Still gonna sssmmassshhh¡­¡±


    Cal ran forward off-balance into the thick of the corrupted. He had to draw all the aggro to himself. Rodinian and Adahn wouldn¡¯t last long if he didn¡¯t. He punched, elbowed, kneed and head-butted every monster that he could get his hands on. Naturally, being consumed by an unrelenting rage, they obliged.


    Cal painted the long length of corridor in the blood of his enemies. He emerged on the other side with his armor torn open in places. His face-plate had multiple cuts and scratches marring its outer layer. He could taste blood at the back of his throat, but it was his own.


    It took him back to his black out drunk college days, minus the monsters.


    ¡°You¡­ guyysss¡­ ¡®kay?¡±


    There were multiple Rodinians and Adahns in Cal¡¯s vision. As far as he knew their power armor didn¡¯t have illusion or duplication abilities, though the latter would¡¯ve been awesome. Clearly, well not really, something was impairing him.


    ¡°I am uninjured,¡± Rodinian said.


    ¡°I was able to kill one with my electric rod and two with my blades,¡± Adahn said.


    ¡°¡¯Kay¡­ les go.¡± Cal staggered off in the direction of the command center.


    They made it one piece and were greeted by Unseen, who opened the door.


    Cal stumbled in and mumbled instructions that were somehow understood by the Threnosh. Unseen covered Rodinian with their recoilless rifle, while the latter set their last set of traps in the corridor. Adahn went straight to the command console and got to work.


    Meanwhile Cal sat down and tried to figure out what the heck was wrong with him. Why did it feel like he had just downed twelve shots of grocery store brand whiskey? The kind that came in a plastic jug. Cheap and terrible, but perfect for getting hammered on a budget.


    The incessant sounds wouldn¡¯t leave him alone. Music? Singing? Both? Neither? He wanted to shout in frustration. He tried to picture that strong telepathic sphere that had served him so well in the past for protection and to quiet the unwanted intrusion from others¡¯ thoughts and emotions. It didn¡¯t answer his call. Nothing did.


    ¡°Designation: Honor. I am ready to reinitialize the automated defense system,¡± Adahn said. ¡°I await your command.¡±


    ¡°That was fast. Feels like I just sat down.¡± At least he wasn¡¯t slurring anymore. That was an improvement. Maybe the mind powers were next.


    ¡°I do not understand. It has been nearly fifteen minutes.¡±


    ¡°My freeze trap will not hold for much longer. Judging by the dents appearing in the door. The corrupted have made their was past the wall of ice,¡± Rodinian said.


    Unseen had their rifle trained on the metallic door, which was being battered open.


    ¡°Alright, Adahn. Just make sure that we aren¡¯t on the target list, but you can turn it on,¡± Cal said wearily.


    Adahn¡¯s face grew blank.


    The pounding from outside the command center stopped.


    A loud chime sounded in their ears.


    Congratulations!


    You have completed a Quest.


    Reclaim Orchestral Meridian City Section 115.


    Claimed: Energy Substation 115


    Claimed: Security Substation 115


    Hostile entities have elected to cede all remaining subsections.


    You have received 45000 Universal Points and additional rewards.


    Enter a spire to claim your rewards.


    Note: This Quest is part of the Epic Quest: Reclaim Orchestral Meridian City.


    Claiming City Section 115 increases total rewards.


    ¡°Well¡­ that just raises a bunch of questions,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯m just going to close my eyes for a little bit. Let me know when the automated defenses have take care of the corrupted, so that we can get back to base and I can wash the blood off.¡±


    The Threnosh blinked at him. They nodded their heads as one.

 3.7

    Now


    Cal let the hot water wash over him. Let the steam work its magic. He felt the stiffness from an uneasy sleep melt away a little. Making hot showers, along with a reasonably-close facsimile to an all in one soap and shampoo was possibly the best thing he had ever done, next to the ice cream machine. The Threnosh¡¯s strange body cleaning booth was more efficient, but completely unsatisfying. Actually, he couldn¡¯t take credit for it. The fabricators made it all happen with only his descriptions and terrible drawings to go by.


    It still wasn¡¯t enough to clear his throbbing headache.


    ¡°Shower off. Dryer engage.¡±


    The water from above dwindled to a trickle then disappeared. The steam was sucked out. He held out his arms as a warm, continuous gust of air hit him from all directions. He ran his hands over his buzz cut to speed the drying process. The hair was again thanks to the fabricators making him an automatic clipper. They even made the set of guides to control the length. With the superior Threnosh metal and composite materials in the clipper¡¯s construction he figured that he probably could¡¯ve named his price back home if he wanted to sell it. Government and corporations, everyone would¡¯ve wanted it. Of course, that was all before the spires messed the world up.


    He stepped out of the booth and pulled on the super awesome Threnosh-made onesie. The material was super tight, but it felt like wearing nothing at all. It kept him at a comfortable temperature in nearly all situations. Over that went the inner suit that the unpowered armor pieces went over or attached to. This layer provided a measure of protection that was superior to anything humans had produced in their long history. It was more bulletproof than the ceramic plates that modern soldiers used. It stopped piercing and cutting damage beyond what the best knightly steel plate armor could handle. He attached more armor plates and pulled on his gauntlets and boots.


    He grabbed his PID from its dock on his tiny desk at the foot of his utilitarian bed, another thing he had to thank the fabricators for. Unlike the Threnosh, he couldn¡¯t nor did he prefer to sleep in his armor.


    He synced the PID to the control panels on his gauntlets and stuck the device in a protected compartment at his belt. He checked the clock to confirm that he was right on schedule.


    He had an all hands briefing to conduct. Most of his base camp was going to be there. He had made the decision to stay in the fortified camp outside of Orchestral Meridian for the time being, even though they had reclaimed a small section of the city.


    The security station was already churning out defense drones. They were of an older vintage, designed and made in the time before the spires. They were inferior to the modern designs, but made up for it in numbers. They were already patrolling the section for any corrupted. The fixed defensive emplacements, such as automated turrets were slower to come online. They¡¯d need to personally check those to make sure that their machinery was still functional and ammunition reloaded.


    Cal stood at his door and took a moment to make sure that the telepathic sphere that protected his mind was intact. He stepped out of his room and into the bright glare of the sun.


    He made his way to the commend center without stopping to chat with the assorted Threnosh that crossed his path, as he usually liked to do. Even if they found it strange and disconcerting.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get the briefing started,¡± Cal said as soon as he stepped through the automatic sliding door into the briefing chamber. The cameras broadcast his holographic projection to each Threnosh in the base camp no matter where they were. Much better than the waste of time all hands meetings back on Earth when he still had a job.


    Cal took a moment to acknowledge the T-men, the subcommander, the head researcher and the lead interceptor physically present in the chamber.


    ¡°Right, I know you¡¯re all busy. I¡¯ll try to make this quick. There won¡¯t be a question and answer session, not that there are usually a lot of those. We have yet to complete a visual inventory, but according to records and a preliminary check through remote surveillance the supply of raw materials is close to capacity. It seems that choosing this section as the incursion point was a good call, since it contains several storage facilities.¡± Cal paused to bring up a holographic projection of a large building. ¡°This is the next priority. We¡¯ll get the fabrication facility up and running. Our fabricators tell me that they believe it¡¯ll take some time and work to modify it to produce the equipment we want. It can churn out old designs easily enough, which doesn¡¯t help us replace our gear and ammunition.¡± He switched the image to an overhead, three-dimensional map of the Section 115 and the adjacent sections. ¡°The next potential targets. A decision hasn¡¯t been finalized, yet. I hope to have one by the end of the day. For the time being, we will continue to scout the city with remote drones. If we discover the corrupted base or their source we will prioritize its destruction. That is all for now.¡±


    The broadcast shut off and Cal sat down in his chair. Until like the Threnosh, he didn¡¯t want to stand up for the duration of the rest of the briefing.


    ¡°So, who wants to start?¡±


    Cal was met by silence.


    ¡°Okay, I guess I¡¯ll go first¡­ like always,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯ll address the elephant in the room.¡± He paused to let several of the Threnosh look around. No doubt searching for the word that they didn¡¯t recognize. Was it childish? Yes, but he needed the humor to stay sane. Even if he was the only one who understood it. ¡°Something unexpected happened in the battle yesterday. My abilities failed in a critical moment and I acknowledge that it could¡¯ve been disastrous.¡± He chose his words carefully. He didn¡¯t want to disclose the true nature of his telekinesis and telepathy.


    ¡°Honor, once again I request a full accounting of your abilities. My team will not be able to diagnose the problem and discover a remedy without data,¡± Head Researcher Alluvial Fan 24198 said.


    ¡°Denied¡­ sorry,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ve thought about it and I¡¯ve got something I can try. Except it¡¯ll limit what I can do from a logistic, strategic and tactical standpoint.¡±


    ¡°Those cover every aspect of this operation,¡± Telatrine said.


    ¡°Are you able to detail these limits? The knowledge will be necessary to alter our current operational plan,¡± Salamander said.


    Cal thought it over for a few moments. How was he going to share enough information to avoid hurting their goals, while keeping his vital secrets safe?


    ¡°It¡¯s like being in a tank¡ª¡± He was greeted by blank faces. ¡°A tank is a vehicle of war from my world. Thick armor, with relatively small windows to look out of. Basically, I have to put myself inside a tank,¡± he mimed putting a miniature version of himself in one, ¡°and I need to keep it buttoned up. Nothing open to the outside. All the view ports sealed tight.¡±


    Blank looks.


    ¡°Let me back that up. I have no idea what hit me yesterday, but I think putting myself in a figurative tank might block future attacks. Unfortunately, since I¡¯ll be sitting inside a tank, completely cut off from the outside world¡­¡±


    ¡°You will be unable to see or act in the outside environment. I believe I understand,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°To keep myself safe means I won¡¯t be able to utilize a large portion of my overall capabilities. So, that removes my ability to fly, scan for threats, distance attacks, crowd control and team defense.¡±


    ¡°That is a significant amount of your overall combat power and utility.¡±


    Telatrine¡¯s words echoed the open looks of concern on all of the Threnosh¡¯s faces.


    ¡°Sorry, guys. I¡¯m basically a brick until I figure out what¡¯s going on. I can¡¯t take the risk of failing at another critical juncture. What if it had happened while I was providing aerial transport?¡±


    ¡°It depends on the individuals you are carrying and how high. You will likely survive. Also, I do not understand your words. What is a brick?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not the point, PJ15.¡±


    ¡°Does this tank method impact your overwhelming physical superiority?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t, Salamander. My physicals aren¡¯t connected. Still strong, fast and durable.¡± Cal turned to PJ15. ¡°That¡¯s basically what a brick is in this scenario.¡±


    ¡°The loss of your ability to provide rapid deployment and retreat cannot be replaced with the transports. Their size limits the locations they can enter,¡± Telatrine said.


    ¡°We will need to select points that the transports can reach,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°There are a few transport landing zones in each city section. We can utilize these. However, I am concerned that the corrupted will eventually take note of these sites if they have not already and prepare ambushes,¡± Telatrine said.


    ¡°Their actions have demonstrated a level of intelligent thought atypical of monsters,¡± Salamander said.


    Cal pointed to the head researcher. ¡°Any thing on that front?¡±


    ¡°We have yet to receive word from the Great Archive,¡± Head Researcher Alluvial Fan 24198 said.


    ¡°PC3 told me they passed the request along. It¡¯s been less than a week. How long does this usually take?¡±


    ¡°I have never requested anything from the Great Archive before. I do not know the answer to your query.¡±


    Cal scratched at the stubble on his chin. ¡°Alternatives? Got to think outside of the box, Alluvial.¡±


    ¡°I have never been inside of a box.¡±


    Cal resisted the urge to palm his face. The head researcher was new-ish.


    ¡°I¡¯ll rephrase that. Do you have an alternative idea that we could try in regards to determining the origins of the corrupted?¡±


    ¡°This was discussed with the research team in anticipation of your question.¡± Perhaps the head researcher was learning after all. ¡°We believe that access to Orchestral Meridian¡¯s birthing creches will allow us to obtain the same data as contained in the Great Archives.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say that sooner? I could¡¯ve flown to one and grabbed the data earlier.¡±


    ¡°Pardon, Designation: Honor. The data is stored in devices that take up entire chambers and only the Creche Administrators had access.¡±


    Cal figured he could¡¯ve probably carried them out of there with his telekinesis or pulled them on a makeshift sled. That was moot now. ¡°Those administrators are probably gone. I see the problem.¡±


    ¡°Just so,¡± Head Researcher Alluvial Fan 24198 said. ¡°However, we believe that Adahn is capable of extracting the data.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think of that,¡± Cal conceded. ¡°Good idea, Alluvial. Tell your team. And make preparations to receive and study that data.¡± He turned to Salamander and Telatrine. ¡°Add that to the top of the priority list.¡±


    ¡°The nearest birthing creche is seven sections away from City Section 115.¡± Salamander switched the holographic projection to outline the location. ¡°As you can see it is deeper within the city. In elevation and distance. The nearest transport landing zone is here.¡± They traced the route from the massive birthing creche facility deep underground to a location in a roughly straight line above ground.


    ¡°Looks like there are a couple of vertical lift platforms that are pretty close to the creche facility.¡± Cal burned the image into his memory. ¡°Straight shot. This one lift looks big enough that we can take a bunch of automated turrets with us.¡±


    ¡°Yes, however if we operate under the assumption that the corrupted are intelligent. Then when they see our transport landing the lifts will be an obvious target. There is a lot of distance to cover going down on the lift. Plenty of time to set up ambushes along the way. Furthermore, logic dictates that if the birthing creches are involved in the creation of the corrupted then they will be defended,¡± Salamander said.


    Cal shot at Salamander with a finger gun. ¡°Good one. If that¡¯s the case then this isn¡¯t just an information gathering mission. It¡¯s a sabotage one too.¡±


    Every Threnosh suddenly stilled. They didn¡¯t breathe.


    ¡°What¡¯d I say?¡± Cal frowned. ¡°Wait,¡± he held up a hand. ¡°Birthing creches are very important and under no circumstances must they be damaged?¡±


    The Threnosh exchanged looks, which was telling, before Brightstrike spoke up.


    ¡°Designation: Honor is correct. There is no greater evil than intentionally bringing harm to even the smallest birthing creche.¡±


    It was saying something that the Threnosh with a biological defect that made them unable to feel fear was the one that spoke up.


    ¡°Oh¡­ my bad. No sabotage,¡± Cal said. ¡°Except¡­ if the creches are involved in the creation of the corrupted then haven¡¯t they already been harmed? In this case isn¡¯t a cleansing series of explosions a good thing?¡±


    ¡°The creches must be repaired if possible,¡± Brightstrike said.


    ¡°If not?¡±


    ¡°Only the Collective can make that determination.¡±


    ¡°Okay, no boom.¡± Cal tried. If he was lucky than maybe the corrupted would scuttle the creches if it looked like they were going to loss control. ¡°Well, this is all supposition anyways. We need to determine if they have something to do with the corrupted in the first place. Otherwise it¡¯s a waste of time and resources.¡±


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    ¡°I concur. If the birthing creches are unrelated to the corrupted¡¯s origins then I prefer that our operations maintain sufficient distance.¡± There was a hint of fire in Salamander¡¯s voice and eyes. It was small, like smoldering embers.


    Cal smiled. ¡°Ideas?¡±


    ¡°It can be done with a small team, prioritizing stealth,¡± Telatrine said.


    Could he do it himself? At least scout it out. Maybe it¡¯d be better to provide a one man distraction. Leroy Jenkins a train of corrupted away from the rest of his team, while they went in to assess the creche and get the data out.


    Success hinged on too many variables. Could his telepathic shield keep him safe? Were there other monsters lurking that he couldn¡¯t rely on his physical abilities to overcome?


    ¡°I think we need to maintain control of the intelligence battle. We keep sending out drones and planting surveillance equipment. However, we do it in a way that doesn¡¯t reveal our intentions,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°We do not reveal the significance of the birthing creche facility to our goal,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°Once we have more information about the creche and its surrounding area,¡± Cal gave Telatrine the finger gun, ¡°we give your idea a shot.¡±


    ¡°If the Greater Archive provides the information we need then an operation to obtain the creche data will not be necessary.¡± Adahn¡¯s voice was hopeful.


    Cal was looking forward to bursting their bubble, when Telatrine beat him to it.


    ¡°Irrelevant. If the archive reveals that the corrupted are a product of the creches then we will need to address them. All of the creches throughout the entire city.¡±


    Adahn¡¯s eyes grew wide.


    There were a lot of birthing creches in the city, scattered among dozens of massive facilities in different locations.


    <hr>


    Unseen stood in the berth of their power armor¡¯s maintenance bay while the technicians ran diagnostic and readiness tests. The scouting mission to the birthing creche facility was finally set and Honor had wanted them all at their best. The human was more focused and serious than he usually was. There was good reason for that.


    Drega Tali entered through the door of the temporary maintenance chamber and walked to the front of Unseen¡¯s berth.


    ¡°I am here to perform the repair as requested,¡± Drega Tali said.


    The technicians had already made space for them to reach into the berth.


    Unseen held their right arm out. ¡°A corrupted cut through the armor. The technicians repaired the structural damage, but they lack the means to fix the adaptive camouflage skin.¡±


    Drega Tali held a hand out. A small, thin, mechanical arm unfolded out of the back of their gauntlet. Three thin needle-like fingers emerged from the end of the arm and touched down on Unseen¡¯s gauntlet. They started to weave back and forth over the surface.


    Unseen was intrigued by what they were watching. Drega Tali¡¯s mechanical arm¡¯s fingers were repeatedly going over the exact places that the corrupted had damaged on the gauntlet. Even though the technicians had repaired the damage and it was impossible to detect with unaugmented vision.


    ¡°I have finished. Please test your trueskin,¡± Drega Tali said.


    With a thought Unseen willed themselves to blend into their surroundings. The cybernetic command was received and their power armor instantly disappeared from sight. They were indistinguishable from the inside of their berth. The moved their arm closer to the side of the berth. The arm mimicked the sleek metallic surface. The adaptive camouflage was different from their power armor¡¯s invisibility ability. It relied on the surface layer of their armor being intact.


    Unseen disengaged their camouflage. ¡°Thank you, Drega Tali. It is functioning within parameters.¡±


    ¡°May I ask you a question?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°You have been under Designation: Honor¡¯s command for longer than any of the others with the exception of Salamander. Does working directly under his command always contain chaos?¡±


    Unseen thought about it for several seconds. ¡°Yes.¡±


    Drega Tali nodded. Their face betrayed nothing.


    ¡°Although, Honor has been focused during this particular task.¡±


    ¡°I will adjust my expectations.¡±


    ¡°You were not able to participate in a secret boss fight, correct?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Honor had the same demeanor for those.¡±


    ¡°I suppose that indicates the importance and difficulty of this task,¡± Drega Tali said. ¡°I had heard about the secret boss fights from several of those that preceded me. I was looking forward to the opportunity.¡±


    ¡°I suspect that you will be faced with an equivalent experience.¡± Unseen stepped out of the berth. ¡°I am finished here. Would you like to hear about my secret boss experience? I have the recording if you wish to view it.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    The pair left the chamber and headed for the chamber that Honor had dubbed the Officer¡¯s Lounge. They crossed paths with Brightstrike and Maul.


    ¡°Are you not concerned?¡± Maul looked up at Brightstrike.


    They were out of there power armor. Even in the crude, Threnosh-made exoskeleton they were barely 1.2 meters tall. The latter was in their power armor and towered over the former.


    ¡°I am concerned about performing to an adequate level. Designation: Honor is part of the infiltration team. I have not fought with him as part of team before,¡± Brightstrike.


    ¡°I am not referring to that. The team is going deep into potential hostile-controlled territory without support. Honor will not be able to perform an emergency retreat without great risk. If there are difficulties the team will be alone.¡±


    ¡°Those are none of my concern.¡±


    ¡°How can you not feel concern? Death is a probability. Even Honor has said so.¡±


    ¡°That is what we do. It is our purpose. It doesn¡¯t concern me.¡±


    ¡°You truly do not feel the fear? I do each time I face monsters.¡±


    ¡°I am incapable of understanding your words.¡±


    A confused look crossed Maul¡¯s face.


    ¡°It is my defect. I cann¡ª¡±


    Maul raised a hand. Shocked. ¡°We do not openly speak of that which made us Defective,¡± there was an uncharacteristic edge to their voice, ¡°Honor¡¯s words.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged, but Designation: Honor left the determination to us. We can speak of it as we chose,¡± Brightstrike said. ¡°I am incapable of feeling fear. It is a biological defect.¡±


    Maul stopped.


    ¡°That is unfair,¡± they pointed to the single, cyclopean eye in the middle of their face, ¡°I have difficulty perceiving depth, while you are adapted perfectly to our purpose. You can fight without doubts holding you back.¡±


    ¡°Not entirely accurate. I may not fear injury and death, but I am still concerned about performing adequately. Enough to prove worthy of being a part of the team.¡±


    The pair walked into the maintenance chamber in silence.


    ¡°I often wonder how Maul does not walk into things more often,¡± Winding Myriad said.


    ¡°Myriad, Honor stated that we are not to ridicule each other over our defects,¡± Adahn¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°I was not to say that word.¡±


    ¡°Honor didn¡¯t teach us to fear the word or what it means. His teachings lead us to succeed regardless of our defects. Some of us even turn their defects into an advantage. Although that which makes me a defective,¡± Winding Myriad gestured to their atrophied lower limbs that hung close to ground while their anti-gravity harness held the rest of their body up, ¡°is not something that can possibly turned into a benefit.¡±


    Adahn fell silent. They had not shared their defect with any of the others. Only Honor knew that their mind was trapped in a biological body that completely ignored their brain signals nor responded to external stimuli. If not for their power armor they would be imprisoned. The glowing lines of shifting color that traveled underneath the surface of their power armor dimmed.


    ¡°The rest of your body is longer and stronger than the proper Threnosh,¡± Adahn said. ¡°Perhaps the advantage lies in that¡­ somewhere.¡±


    Winding Myriad shrugged.


    It reminded Adahn of Honor. In fact many of the T-Men that had been with Honor the longest had copied some of his mannerisms. Whether they did it unconsciously or deliberately, they didn¡¯t know.


    ¡°You are troubled?¡±


    ¡°I am concerned at the critical nature of my role to this entire Task,¡± Adahn said.


    ¡°Yes. The instinctive nature of your trueskin¡¯s ability to connect and control to the city¡¯s control mechanisms make reactivating them easier,¡± Myriad said. ¡°To play such a vital role¡­ I understand your concern.¡±


    ¡°Then you have insight into how I can allay my concerns,¡± Adahn said.


    ¡°Trust in Honor to put you in the position to succeed. He is not a Threnosh, but he has demonstrated that he plans for us to triumph over our challenges. Do not doubt that.¡±


    Adahn nodded, although the lines dimmed again.


    ¡°PJ15,¡± Winding Myriad inclined their head.


    ¡°Myriad, Adahn,¡± PJ15 returned the greeting, but didn¡¯t stop to interact. They had to speak to Rodinian.


    The overhead map showed Rodinian inside the temporary fabrication chamber. Which was more of a tent than a proper building. There were several sections devoid of walls. Rodinian was in one such area.


    They had detached the hard backpack from their power armor. It was open and sitting on the ground. Rodinian was standing over it, while manipulating the holographic projection emanating from it.


    ¡°Constructing new traps?¡± PJ15 said as they approached.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Rodinian said flatly. They didn¡¯t look away from their task.


    The surface of PJ15¡¯s power armor-covered arm bristled. It took an effort to calm it down.


    ¡°You are not doing as much as you are capable of.¡±


    Rodinian stopped and turned to look at PJ15 as if noticing them for the first time. ¡°I have fulfilled Honor¡¯s orders with exactitude.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but I believe you know that you can do more.¡±


    ¡°Correct.¡±


    ¡°Then why are you not doing so?¡±


    ¡°Honor has not ordered it.¡± Rodinian turned back to their work.


    PJ15¡¯s power armor started to form spikes that reached out toward Rodinian. It took more effort to rein them back in. Fortunately, they went unnoticed.


    ¡°You are not willing to put all of your capabilities toward the benefit of our team?¡±


    ¡°I care not. I will do as ordered. And only Honor can command me.¡±


    ¡°If I inform Honor that you can do more?¡±


    ¡°What you do is no concern to me.¡±


    PJ15 said nothing. Rodinian¡¯s lack of concern for anything other than themselves was an injustice to the maximum effort that every other member of the team contributed. They felt their feelings bleeding into their power armor. They needed to move away from their teammate immediately. They would inform Honor at a later date. It would be unjust to add a new concern on the eve of an important and dangerous mission.


    ¡°Rodinian, it is only fair to work as hard as everyone else. We are all on the same team,¡± PJ15 said.


    ¡°I cannot comprehend your words,¡± Rodinian said.


    <hr>


    Then


    Detective Ordonez shut the door to her office.


    Cal took his phone out of his pocket and put some music on.


    ¡°Sorry, just want to make it harder for listening ears.¡±


    ¡°Paranoid? You¡¯ve got all that power,¡± Detective Ordonez shook her head. ¡°Imagine what it¡¯s like for the rest of us?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m doing. This is mostly for your benefit.¡± Cal placed his phone on the desk.


    ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about your super girl. Have you given what I said some thought?¡±


    Detective Ordonez¡¯s face looked like she had taken a bite out of a lemon.


    ¡°Come on. I saw your face last night. You were thinking something was up with what went down. Flo¡ª¡±


    Detective Ordonez held her hand up. ¡°Don¡¯t use names.¡± She paused. ¡°It didn¡¯t add up.¡±


    ¡°Okay, so you¡¯re a Detective don¡¯t you have investigation skills or like enhanced intuition or something along those line? Why not use them?¡±


    ¡°Something like that and I did, which is the only reason I¡¯m giving you this conversation.¡± Detective Ordonez closed her eyes.


    ¡°Um¡­ what¡¯re you doing?¡±


    ¡°Shut up.¡±


    The silence carried on for about a minute before the detective opened her eyes. ¡°It should be safe to talk. When she first got placed on my task force, I did some asking around. The official story was that she lost her family a while back, before she got her powers. Apparently, she showed up in front of the interim governor. Richards signed her up on the spot. They¡¯d been mostly using her as a bodyguard for Richards and as the point person whenever they had to take on one of those big monsters.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s pretty vague¡­ and suspicious,¡± Cal nodded sagely.


    ¡°That¡¯s all I¡¯ve got right now. Your turn.¡±


    ¡°The biggest, most obvious thing is that when I was about to kill the mauler. She chucked a fridge at me.¡±


    ¡°It was dark, maybe she thought you were in trouble.¡±


    ¡°Here¡¯s a little secret. I can¡¯t quite see in the dark, but I can see a lot better than I used to. If I was in her position, I wouldn¡¯t have made the same mistake.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know if she¡¯s got the same eyes as you.¡±


    ¡°Everything about my physical body got improved when the spires appeared. I¡¯d bet a million dollars that she got the same overall package.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not saying much since money is worthless now.¡±


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯d bet points, whatever. Point is, probability says she saw it right. She saw well enough to chase the mauler, didn¡¯t she?¡± Cal challenged.


    ¡°I¡¯ll concede.¡± The scowl on Detective Ordonez¡¯s face smoothed as she fell into thought. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever seen her use a lantern. Anything else, Cruces? We need to head over to the other scene soon.¡±


    Cal made a face. ¡°Jesus, it¡¯s hot today. Those bodies are going to be bad.¡± He sighed. ¡°Last thing. My associate,¡± he chose his words carefully, ¡°detected a third source of blood on her last night. Distinct from the apartment complex and the townhouses.¡±


    ¡°From the mauler? Or maybe you?¡±


    ¡°No, he was adamant that it was from a place that we hadn¡¯t been to. And, I find it suspicious that there was a different massacre miles away from the site where we actually found the mauler.¡±


    ¡°The little monster moved fast. It could¡¯ve done the one we¡¯re about to check out then moved on to the townhouses.¡±


    ¡°One question then. Where did she vanish off to?¡±


    Detective Ordonez¡¯s scowl returned. ¡°I¡¯ll look into it. You do not do anything. Understand?¡± She jabbed a finger at Cal. ¡°This is an internal matter.¡±


    ¡°Right, I¡¯m an outside consultant,¡± Cal raised his hands in mock surrender. ¡°I want to make it clear that I intend to protect innocent people. On both sides of the river. Gangbangers are one thing, but those people in the townhouses? The mauler became a graver threat last night.¡±


    ¡°Agreed on that point. It went from isolated individuals with magic or skills to large groups of gangbangers and now a group of innocent people with children,¡± Detective Ordonez said. ¡°I¡¯ll look into what you¡¯ve brought me. Any chance you can bring Bennett? We need his tracking ability.¡±


    ¡°He only works nights.¡±


    ¡°Shit. I don¡¯t want to leave those bodies out there all day.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure you can move them. Just don¡¯t clean up the blood¡­ and guts. Just to be on the safe side.¡± Cal reached out for his phone. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I just said that.¡±

 3.8

    <h1></h1>


    ¡°


    ¡°IYou


    ¡°Might be dangerous in there,¡± Jake shrugged.


    ¡°The clerk recorder¡¯s office has been cleared and reclaimed. It¡¯s not a spawn place or encounter¡­ whatever.¡±


    ¡°Encounter Challenge, but sometimes they turn into Spawn Points.¡±


    Detective Ordonez made a disgruntled noise in her throat. It sounded like a growl to Jake.


    ¡°Right, keeping my mouth shut¡­ except, just cause its back to a normal building doesn¡¯t mean monsters can¡¯t go in there. Lots of dark corners they can hide in. I¡¯ve been in there a few times. Those stacks are spooky, like a horror movie. Especially if you¡¯re in there alone. Your steps just echo and the lights are on sensors, so they sort of follow where you walk and if you stop moving for long enough¡­¡± Jake shuddered.


    ¡°Not too late to turn around. In case you forgot there isn¡¯t any power in there.¡±


    Detective Ordonez sighed.


    ¡°Jake.¡± Detective Ordonez drew her Glock from its holster.


    ¡°What? Oh, right.¡± Jake did the same with one of his smartphones. ¡°It¡¯s the shield spell. I figure I can be the meatshield, while you shoot.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°I mean I¡¯ll tank¡­ er, block for you.¡±


    ¡°Like a lineman?¡±


    ¡°Uh, yeah, totally like that.¡±


    ¡°That means you¡¯re in front.¡±


    ¡°Um, sure. Where are we going?¡±


    ¡°I need to check birth records first. Then property records.¡±


    Jake stood still.


    ¡°I thought you¡¯ve been here before.¡±


    ¡°Just a few times. I don¡¯t remember where any of that stuff you just mentioned is.¡±


    ¡°Did you hear that?¡±


    ¡°The only thing I can hear is your breathing.¡± Detective Ordonez snapped.


    ¡°Maybe we should¡¯ve brought Cal and Bennett along.¡±


    ¡°Just shut up.¡±


    The detective was deep into a file cabinet. It was extremely dusty. Who knew when the last time human hands had touched the files? Four years at a minimum since the spires appeared. Probably even longer.


    ¡°Good thing they kept the paper as back ups,¡± Jake said.


    Detective Ordonez ignored him.


    She found the birth certificate she was looking for, which led her to another file. This in turn led her to another file with an address.


    ¡°Okay, now what? You haven¡¯t mentioned what we¡¯re after,¡± Jake said.


    Detective Ordonez debated sending him away. Except, he was a big man. A useful shield to stand behind if she was being honest.


    ¡°Just following a hunch. We¡¯re going to Midtown.¡±


    <hr>


    The gremlin alpha roared.


    ¡°Hold your fire! You¡¯re up.¡±


    Flo grunted and glowered, but she jumped over the railing. She cleared the entire floor seating area and landed on the court. The glossy floor broke under her feet.


    ¡°C¡¯mon you stupid bitch!¡±


    The human-sized gremlins surrounding the much larger alpha came at her all at once.


    They moved in slow motion to her eyes.


    Flo speared one through the chest with her hand. She swept it off her arm with contemptuous ease to knock the gremlins on her right like bowling pins.


    A gremlin on her left slashed down at her face.


    She let if come within inches before she dipped her head to the left and under. She broke its back with an elbow.


    The gremlins were mindless. An intelligent being would reconsider when realizing how outclassed they were. Instead they attacked with redoubled fury.


    A smirk crossed her blood-stained face as she beat the rest of the gremlins to death with the arm.


    Flo spun around and the threw the arm.


    The gremlin alpha was faster than the human-sized gremlins despite its greater size and mass.


    Flo slipped on the blood-slicked basketball court.


    The monster plowed into her.


    Her diminutive form went tumbling past half court and straight into the base of the hoop. The metal structure crumpled and broke.


    Men and women armed with a mixture of guns and bows watched with concern from above. They looked to their leader.


    ¡°Hold your fire.¡±


    Flo emerged from the tangle of the hoop with a maniacal smile on her face. If it was concerning for the people watching through binoculars they would never say. She was vital to their goals of reclaiming the city, piece by piece, from the monsters.


    She grabbed the remains of the hoop and swung it with her best impression of swinging for the fences. She cracked the gremlin alpha with the hoop and backboard and sent it flying into the stands.


    Flo jumped up after the gremlin alpha and brought the broken remains of the basketball hoop down in an overhead smash. The sound it made was like a car crash that echoed through the empty, cavernous arena.


    She brought the hoop up and slammed it back down.


    This time the gremlin alpha caught it with both of its massive hands.


    The gremlin alpha lifted the hoop. Flo went with it.


    The monster scattered seats as it burst out of the stands and rushed at the much smaller girl.


    Flo swiped at the huge monster. Its tough skin was no match for her nails. She gouged chunks of flesh with every strike. It grew desperate as she easily dodged all of its attacks.


    An opening appeared.


    She shoved its face roughly back with her free hand as she pulled her arm out with a squelching sound.


    The monster gurgled as its blood poured out of the hole in its throat.


    Flo stared at it.


    She appeared outwardly contemptuous, but inwardly the fire burned and threatened to explode.


    Take it. Make its strength yours. You need every scrap of power. Be the avenger. Your family demands it.


    Flo silenced the inner voice. This time.


    It was a close thing. She had failed more often lately.


    ¡°Thank god she¡¯s on our side. Send a message to the interim governor.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir. What do you want it to say?¡±


    ¡°Golden 1 Center spawn point cleared. Reclaimed for the great state of California.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°That hunch of yours working? Cause I¡¯m confused. Why are we looking at a bunch of messed up houses?¡±


    SkillsDetective


    A battered car lay on its side. Its front end was crumpled. Oil stained a wide circle of asphalt beneath it.


    The detective saw, knew that the car, powerless and driverless, had somehow been crashed right into a gremlin alpha.


    She stepped over a broken light pole. She saw the path it took through the air after the monster had ripped it from the ground and flung it at a target in the distance. Its height and arc revealed that the target was man-sized, shorter than the average.


    Her eyes were drawn to the row of homes. Tall and narrow with a small space in between marked by a wooden fence. She saw the homes as they once were. She saw them as they were now. Lived in, but well-maintained with love and care by their owners. Shattered and broken, filled with detritus of absence and the touch violence.


    Several of the homes had caved in front sections with a distinct outline. She saw the monster being shoved forcefully into the homes. Wood snapped, glass shattered. The noise startled the detective, until she realized that it had happened a long time ago.


    Detective Ordonez blinked as if coming out of a trance. She found herself standing in front of a home.


    ¡°Um¡­ is that it?¡±


    She looked at Jake as if realizing he was there for the first time.


    ¡°Are you okay, boss? You¡¯re not scowling at me and it¡¯s kind of freaking me out. That and the fact that you were randomly walking up and down this street completely ignoring everything I said for like the last thirty minutes.¡±


    ¡°Gates¡­¡±


    ¡°Shutting up. Got it.¡±


    Her age lined up, but what about the rest of her family? As far as the detective knew she was living alone.


    The entire front of the home was crushed. There was no way inside.


    ¡°From the inside,¡± Detective Ordonez whispered.


    ¡°Great, more creepy dark places.¡± Jake fumbled at the unlit lantern at his belt.


    Detective Ordonez left her lantern untouched. Her steps were sure as she descended the steps into the dark basement.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Jake struggled to lit his lantern. He shined the light after the detective even though she took no notice.


    The past was obscured even to her inexplicable sight. As if something stronger overrode her skills. As if the marks left by the past were too much to comprehend.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°What¡¯re we looking for¡­ again?¡±


    ¡°Do me a favor, Gates. Check out the inside of the house. I need a second.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ sure.¡±


    Jake reluctantly climbed up the basement steps. He was relieved when the lantern light revealed that the entrance into the house was crushed in.


    ¡°Sorry, boss. Looks like that damage from the outside is blocking the way.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll try the back,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    They had to circle around the left side of the home to reach the backyard and enter.


    The family pictures displayed all over the interior confirmed at least one thing for the detective.


    ¡°Hey, that¡¯s Flo. Was this her house? Why are we here?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m worried about Flo.¡± She couldn¡¯t tell Jake the whole truth. He wouldn¡¯t be able to keep cool around Flo. ¡°She¡¯s been unreliable lately.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re talking about when she ran off the other night? Yeah that was messed up, but maybe she was stressing out about the op at the Golden 1 today.¡±


    Detective Ordonez seized the opening Jake unwittingly gave her.


    ¡°You might be right, but I can¡¯t have unprofessional behavior on my task force.¡±


    ¡°So, you wanted to talk to Flo¡¯s parents to see what was up.¡± Jake scratched at his scraggly beard. ¡°They must¡¯ve moved somewhere else after what happened here.¡±


    Detective Ordonez had some ideas on where to proceed next. She resolved to keep Jake out of it.


    ¡°Not a word to Flo. For all her power, she¡¯s still a teenage girl.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m counting on you.¡± Detective Ordonez scowl was hidden by the darkness of the interior. She had zero faith in Jake¡¯s ability to do what he said. It was a good thing that Flo was off for the night¡¯s investigation with Cruces.


    ¡°Where to next, boss?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re free for the rest of the day. I suggest getting a couple of hours of sleep. We have a long night ahead of us.¡±


    ¡°What about you?¡±


    ¡°Skills


    They didn¡¯t notice the eyes on them from across the street, inside a steel-barred window on a second floor.


    <hr>


    ¡°Where¡¯s Flo?¡± A scowl crossed Cal¡¯s face when he realized that the teen was missing.


    ¡°She¡¯s off tonight,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s none of your concern.¡±


    ¡°She gets a break cause she took out a gremlin alpha earlier today,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Oh yeah, that sounds cool,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°Why don¡¯t you tell me all about it?¡±


    Techmage


    ¡°


    ¡°


    ¡°Why are you looking at me like I¡¯ve got a present behind my back, Cruces?¡±


    ¡°Because I can tell that you found something on our little problem.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s a girl, not a problem.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s got super human strength and she¡¯s carrying a lot of hatred inside.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I just know. It¡¯s in her eyes when she looks at me. Or when she thinks no one is looking at her.¡±


    ¡°Did you ever stop to think that she might have a good reason for that?¡±


    ¡°It took me all day to find enough pieces to put a picture together,¡± Detective Ordonez said. ¡°Do you remember about a year, year and a half back when you and your brother were helping with that spawn point?¡±


    ¡°Totally saved your government.¡±


    ¡°Gremlin alphas.¡±


    ¡°You weren¡¯t too concerned about collateral damage. I don¡¯t know if it was you or your brother, but you were throwing cars around. Throwing the monsters around. Into houses,¡± Detective Ordonez¡¯s voice went flat.


    ¡°We were assured that the whole area was empty.¡± Cal didn¡¯t like where this was going. ¡°We made sure to ask.¡±


    ¡°Does that really matter to the people in those houses?¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯re suggesting that Flo was in one?¡±


    ¡°The Browning family owned a house that you and your brother demolished in your fight with monsters. That much I¡¯m certain of.¡±


    ¡°DetectiveSkills


    ¡°No, it really doesn¡¯t. You need to find out what happened to the Browning family.¡±


    ¡°I intend to.¡±


    ¡°You guys find anything?¡±


    Jake and Bennett met Cal and Detective Ordonez.


    ¡°No,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°Pick up anything, Bennett?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°False alarm. That¡¯s good right?¡± Jake grinned. ¡°The mauler didn¡¯t get anyone tonight.¡±


    ¡°As far as we know,¡± Detective Ordonez said. ¡°And there is a lot that we don¡¯t.¡±


    <hr>


    <h1></h1>


    ¡°I come when I decide.¡± She gave him a mirthless smile. ¡°You have my payment?¡±


    ¡°We agreed on Fridays.¡±


    ¡°agreedecided


    ¡°This is our home.¡±


    ¡°And I pledge to continue doing my best out there against the monsters to help you and your family keep it. After all, it¡¯s the sheep dog¡¯s duty to protect the sheep.¡±


    ¡°Alright. It¡¯ll just take a few minutes to get the supplies together. After all, I wasn¡¯t expecting you until Friday.¡±


    ¡°Mind the tone, Mr. Khan. I¡¯m being very patient with you, but that¡¯s not unlimited. You have three minutes or my hand might slip.¡± She waved the small ball of fire next to the door frame in a vaguely threatening manner.


    The man tried to shut the door, but the young woman stopped him. He fumed, but relented and went back into the house.


    A pair of children peeked from the top of the stairs. The young woman smirked and gave them a small wave.


    The man appeared with a bag two minutes and forty-five seconds later. The young woman was counting down.


    ¡°Cutting it close.¡± The young woman checked the contents of the bag. ¡°Pleasure doing business with you. See you next week.¡± She smiled brightly and snuffed out the ball of fire in her palm.


    The young woman had a hop in her step as she went to her next collection stop.


    Flo made it to the police station just in time for the task force meeting. Returning the supplies had taken longer than expected. It was tough figuring out which supplies belonged to which households, plus she had to give them back without being spotted.


    She leapt down from the roof top and landed with barely a sound right behind that gigantic nerd.


    ¡°Jesus!¡± Jake jumped when he finally noticed that she was there. ¡°How¡¯d you do that?¡±


    Flo frowned. He was such a lame-ass. She glared up at him.


    ¡°What crime scene?¡± Flo¡¯s heart jumped.


    ¡°Warrior


    ¡°How is she sure? I thought she was having a hard time telling the difference between the mauler¡¯s kills and monster kills?¡±


    ¡°Fine, let¡¯s go then and I¡¯m not slowing down for you.¡± Flo turned to go.


    ¡°Ah,¡± Jake waved his notepad in her face, ¡°but how are you going to know where to go. I have the addr¡ª¡±


    ¡°Soooo fast,¡± Jake said with undisguised awe.


    ¡°Sorry, nothing available. We¡¯re going to have to go the old-fashioned way.¡±


    ¡°Bikes?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ nothing available.¡±


    ¡°Much appreciated,¡± Jake beamed. ¡°But don¡¯t worry too much. I¡¯ve been doing a lot of cardio.¡±


    <hr>


    <h1></h1>


    He led the team as they moved quickly through silent and empty streets. The metallic surfaces were mostly clean aside from a fine layer of dust. It was an eerie experience. Like how he imagined exploring an empty science fiction-style starship. Of course an alien city on an alien world was probably sufficiently sci-fi enough to cross it off the list.


    He reined in the wonder. They were on a deadly serious Quest, Task for the Threnosh. They had all gotten the chime right before they had departed. Nice of the spires to give them a heads up that the birthing creche was significant. In his experience anything that got an official Quest proved to be important in some way.


    The team reached a large expanse of open space. It was about the size of two football fields and was framed by a mixture of tall and short buildings.


    Cal subvocalized a text message to Unseen.


    Can you get across and see if you can spot eyes or ambushes?


    Acknowledged.


    What do you guys think?


    The latest scan indicated that our route is clear of corrupted presence.


    Scans have been unreliable.


    We can cross the distance quickly. Adahn can be carried by Honor or PJ15.


    Unseen will discover if there are hidden hostiles.


    Cal kept his eyes on the open space. He tried to spot Unseen, but failed. He fought the temptation to drop his telepathic shield to search his surroundings for hidden monsters.


    I have crossed the distance. Scanner indicates that there are no hostiles. You are clear to proceed.


    It would be so much easier if they could trust their instruments. Cal took a deep breath and signaled his team. He gripped his recoilless rifle and sprinted out into the open space.


    Spread out. PJ15, you grab Adahn if there¡¯s trouble.


    Acknowledged.


    Cal expected corrupted to start pouring out of the streets and buildings at any second. He was pleasantly surprised when his expectation wasn¡¯t met. They made it to the other side without incident.


    The space in front of Cal rippled to reveal Unseen.


    Once again Cal took the lead as the team fell in formation behind him.


    They turned into a narrow alley that led to a dead end. It was a slightly dusty metallic wall that belonged to a building that rose thirty meters.


    Cal double-checked the map projected in his face-plate. They were still on the right track.


    We¡¯re going up and over.


    Why are the lights on?


    It appears to be functional.


    Shall I scout ahead?


    Negative. There are probably hostiles all over this place. Not the time to split the party.


    The birthing creches were the most disturbing thing to date that Cal had seen on the Threnosh world. Minus Zalthyss eating two of his fingers.


    The individual birthing pods resembled metallic cocoons. They were tightly packed and hung from a vine-like tube structure that went up to the ceiling somewhere out of sight. A single birthing creche might contain a single section of a vertical stalk or it could be comprised of multiple stalks. According to the specs the facility rose up five hundred meters. The amount of Threnosh that they could birth was staggering.


    Adahn, are these things functional?


    They are.


    Can you tell what¡¯s inside?


    I can only determine that the machinery is functioning within expected parameters.


    I suppose that means we need still need to get to the control center.


    Honor, I am concerned that we have not encountered any guardians.


    I want you to go invisible. Stay in range for an emergency data transfer.Once you get the information head straight for the base camp. Whatever happens we need to let the others know that this place is operational.


    Acknowledged.


    The rest of us continue to the control center.


    Cal followed the map. It led them straight to their destination. The oppressive feeling grew stronger with every step. He could feel it pushing in on his telepathic shield. Part of him was screaming to turn back and run as fast he could. To leave everything and everyone behind without looking back. He told himself to shut up.


    The doorway to the control center had something carved across the top. It was out of place. Threnosh signage was clear and clean. This was done by hand. Two words.


    Mother Madrigal


    What does that read to you guys?


    I do not know the words.


    Adahn and Brightstrike concurred.


    Adahn with me. Brightstrike and PJ15 be on guard.


    Cal stowed his rifle in its magnetic holder on the back of his armor and drew his ax. He may not have had access to his telepathy and telekinesis, but he still had his super strength.


    At his signal Adahn opened the door. The way looked clear, so Cal forged ahead.


    ¡°Alright, Adahn. Get that data we need and make it quick. There¡¯s something wrong with this place,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I concur.¡± Adahn hurried to the main control console and dived into the strange digital world only they could see.

 3.9

    <h1></h1>


    ¡°I have it!¡±


    Cal was startled by the uncharacteristic exuberance in Adahn¡¯s voice.


    ¡°You sure?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Adahn said flatly.


    ¡°Nice job,¡± Cal grinned. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here.¡±


    Alert, unknown hostiles inbound. Transmitting live image. Unseen.


    The image appeared on Cal¡¯s face-plate.


    ¡°Maximum size,¡± Cal said.


    Unseen had taken up a position near the entrance into the birthing creche facility. The hostiles moved quickly inside. They looked like Threnosh on a superficial level. Their movements were orderly and they were armed and armored. They weren¡¯t like the corrupted.


    They were bigger and stronger-looking than the Threnosh. Some had the same plain, gray skin tones, but others had shades of other colors mixed in.


    The more he watched the more he realized that there was something off about them. Deformities? No, they were mutations. Tentacle limbs, claws and bladed hands, over-sized musculature, bone protrusions.


    ¡°That shit looks like chaos taint,¡± Cal whispered. ¡°Fuck! I hope that isn¡¯t a thing.¡± He couldn¡¯t outright dismiss the possibility of something like that being real now.


    ¡°Honor, what do we do?¡±


    Unseen, retreat to base camp. The rest of us are going to use, Cal¡¯s eyes rapidly scanned the tactical map, alternate exit route 3. It¡¯d force them to exit to the rear of the facility, but he didn¡¯t want to fight until he knew what they were facing.


    ¡°Adahn has the information. He¡¯s the VIP package now,¡± Cal said as they exited the control chamber.


    PJ15 and Brightstrike nodded. They may not have understood the specific terminology, but they grasped the meaning.


    The group ran. Stealth was no longer necessary. Cal in the lead, followed by Brightstrike guarding Adahn, with PJ15 bringing up the rear.


    PJ15, you¡¯re falling behind. We are not to engage unless absolutely necessary.


    Acknowledged.


    PJ15 increased their pace and pulled back to the group like a rubber band.


    They crossed the floor of the facility. Cal recalled walking through a forest of sequoias back home. Nothing else called to mind the sense of immense size that the stalks of artificial womb pods gave him.


    The sensors they had left along their way should¡¯ve revealed the motion of the unknown hostiles pursuing them. He wasn¡¯t surprised that the only thing on the tactical map was the team. It was obvious now that the enemy had some way of messing with their equipment.


    Adahn, door.


    Cal and Brightstrike took up cover positions, while PJ15 escorted Adahn.


    The Threnosh''s power armor¡¯s glowing lines lit up as they held a hand over the control panel on the wall.


    Cal made a note to talk to Adahn later and figure out if they could tone down the light show. It looked cool, but was a liability when they needed to be stealthy.


    The door slid open with a soft hiss a few seconds later.


    Cal moved smoothly. He scanned the next chamber in a split-second. It was clear. They moved faster now. They were getting closer to the exit.


    A handful of doors, narrow corridors, more stalks full of pods and they just needed to cross one last expanse of open space to reach the exit.


    They¡¯d be exposed. There was no cover, but that also meant ambush wasn¡¯t possible.


    Cal signaled and the team sprinted across. They made it half way when a loud sound caused them to stumble. It was like every musician in an orchestra slipped at the same time. The discordant note was jarring in the silence.


    The pressure on Cal¡¯s telepathic shield spiked at the same time. The pain made his eyes water.


    Something huge fell from above.


    The team scattered as it landed with a thud in their midst. Huge, bare feet dented the metallic floor.


    It, they, grinned at Cal. ¡°I look forward to testing my strength against you.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ shit.¡± The behemoth looked like a Threnosh, except hulked out. Though the bones protruding from their Threnosh-style skintight suit reminded Cal more of Doomsday. ¡°Sorry, but I¡¯m not looking to reenact the death of superman.¡±


    The behemoth looked quizzically at Cal. ¡°I do not und¡ª¡±


    Cal moved quickly. He pulled the recoilless rifle from his back and sent a burst of projectiles into their face. ¡°Back the way we came. Next exit route.¡±


    The behemoth roared, but they were already running back the way they came.


    The door loomed ahead.


    ¡°Adahn, open the door,¡± Cal said.


    They held out a hand, while PJ15 kept them from stumbling.


    The door slid open only and disgorged what looked like an inky, black smoke. It quickly engulfed the entire space around the door.


    The team slid to a stop. It wasn¡¯t a good idea to run head long into an unnatural darkness without knowing what it contained.


    Cal¡¯s first thought was to sweep it away with his telekinesis. Too risky to open his mind to the same attack that had brought him low earlier in the week. He sprayed a burst from his rifle across the cloud.


    ¡°Sensors cannot penetrate,¡± PJ15 said.


    Thudding steps behind them caused the floor to rumble.


    ¡°PJ15, Brightstrike, watch the cloud.¡± Cal turned around.


    ¡°Unworthy maneuver.¡±


    Cal supposed he had found the answer to what was inside the birthing pods.


    The behemoth stopped a dozen feet in front of Cal.


    Despite the distance Cal still had to crane his neck back to look them in the eyes. An estimate of their physical measurements were projected into his face-plate by the program in their helmet. 2.591 meters, 453.125 kilograms. He did the conversion in his head. Eight and a half feet tall and about half a ton.


    ¡°My brood earned our mother¡¯s blessing to face your challenge and you flee.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ well, you didn¡¯t actually issue a challenge. So¡­¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°I, Gyxdor, first among the first, speaker for my brood brothers and sisters. We challenge you to combat. The one that calls himself, Honor, and our obsolete forebears. We are what comes after. Rightful heirs of this world. Inheritors of all that you were.¡±


    Two more appeared out of the darkness to flank Gyxdor. Their proportions were superior to the Threnosh. They were of similar height to Cal, though he outweighed them by a good fifty pounds. That suggested that they were his physical inferiors. One had several growths exposed through their suit, which covered every thing else, even their face. While the other was wearing tight shorts and nothing else. Every bit of their visible gray-green skin glistened.


    ¡°I have so many questions,¡± Cal said amiably. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t care to answer some of them before we get started?¡±


    We¡¯re going back to exit route 3. PJ15 you¡¯re going to need to get all of us over them. Cal texted.


    Acknowledged. I await your signal. PJ15.


    ¡°You may have killed scores of our lesser cousins. Though the Mother¡¯s song has lifted them to heights unattainable on their own, they still originated from an obsolete people. You will find the true children of the Mother are your superior. Face your death at the hands of those that will inherit this world.¡±


    ¡°No thanks.¡± Cal switched the rifle to his left hand and sprayed it across the three. He stopped and focused fire on the one wearing shorts. Who goes into a fight half naked?


    ¡°I have been granted the name, Zeyt.¡± The one wearing shorts spat something at Cal.


    Right, Cal remembered, individuals with special abilities did.


    He held his rifle up to block the spittle. It sizzled and hissed as the caustic liquid ate away it. He threw it at a charging Gyxdor. ¡°Now, PJ15.¡±


    Tendrils emerged from PJ15 and wrapped around Cal and the other two members of the team. PJ15 jumped up into the air and reached their arms out toward the high ceiling. Their hands turned into tentacles that stretched out many meters to stick to the ceiling.


    Cal laughed as they swung just out of reach of their enemies. He noted that the shorts-wearing one was unharmed, despite taking a bunch of projectiles center mass. The one with the growths suit was also unmarred. Gyxdor¡¯s suit, on the other hand, had a bunch of holes.¡±


    ¡°Heads up. The two smaller ones look like they¡¯ve got something that blocks projectiles,¡± Cal said as PJ15 deposited them on the ground several dozen feet away.


    Cal grabbed a spare recoilless rifle from Adahn and emptied its magazine behind them while he urged his team forward.


    Adahn opened the door before they reached it. They burst outside only to run into a mass of corrupted Threnosh. Except that wasn¡¯t exactly right. These corrupted were even bigger and more deformed than the ones they had encountered earlier.


    Once again the lure of his telekinetic powers called to Cal. He resisted it. Took out his ax and charged.


    ¡°PJ15, get Adahn out of here.¡±


    Cal brought his ax down on a corrupted¡¯s head. It sank in deeply before he felt bone break. Too deep.


    ¡°The fuck?¡±


    He pulled the ax head out of the corrupted as its body sank to the ground. Another corrupted reached out for him. He ducked under the arm and grabbed it. He swung the corrupted around as a bludgeon. It was surprisingly heavy, but not enough to give him a hard time. As he smashed other corrupted his mind was going into overdrive.


    My ax went through about a foot and half of its head before I hit the skull. Their flesh feels softer than it should, Cal thought. ¡°Hmm¡­ meatsuits?¡± He¡¯d need to peel one open and he didn¡¯t have the time for that at the moment. Plus he really didn¡¯t want to do that. He¡¯d have to order one of the others to do it later.


    ¡°Honor, I am unable to comply.¡±


    Cal saw that PJ15 was backed up near the facility¡¯s wall, protecting Adahn. The Threnosh had multiple tendrils whipping out at the corrupted. One hand was transformed into a long, sharp blade, while the other was a tentacle with a spiked club at the end.


    There was a flash of yellow light that drew Cal¡¯s attention. Brightstrike lived up to their chosen name.


    A sword of hard light slashed through a corrupted¡¯s thick arm. Their armor flashed where another corrupted struck them on the back. The Threnosh didn¡¯t budge. They spun and lopped the corrupted¡¯s head off in one smooth motion.


    Brightstrike dashed through the mass of corrupted. Cutting and slashing as they passed. Light flared whenever one of the corrupted managed to land a hit on their power armor, but as of yet it didn¡¯t seem to affect the Threnosh.


    ¡°Damn it, they¡¯re being careless,¡± Cal said.


    Brightstrike¡¯s power armor had several small shield projectors that when combined with a unique software system that tracked incoming attacks allowed it to project hard light shields just long and strong enough to nullify the specific attack. Their shields didn¡¯t need to be constantly on, which meant less energy usage.


    ¡°Brightstrike, you can¡¯t keep taking hits,¡± Cal said into the comms.


    ¡°I have located the hostile responsible for these enhanced corrupted. Moving to engage and eliminate,¡± Brightstrike said flatly.


    Cal cursed. The Threnosh¡¯s inability to feel fear was going to prove useful to the overall team goal, but they were putting themselves in near certain mortal danger.


    ¡°Honor, I require assistance,¡± PJ15 said.


    Cal was torn in two directions. It wasn¡¯t a difficult decision. Adahn had the information in their power armor. Their survival and escape was critical.


    He jumped up into the air and crashed into the mass of corrupted surrounding PJ15 and Adahn. His body was a weapon. He crushed a corrupted¡¯s spine. Then slammed his ax into another.


    These corrupted were stronger and tougher than the normal kind, but they were like ants to him. Extremely big ants that still took time to dispatch. Without his telepathy and telekinesis he was reduced to a single target damage dealer. He was taking too long.


    Cal¡¯s sudden appearance in their midst drew the corrupted¡¯s attentions away from PJ15 and the cowering Adahn.


    ¡°Thank you, Honor,¡± PJ15 said.


    ¡°Just get Adahn out of here. I¡¯ll get Brightstrike. Don¡¯t wait for us,¡± Cal said.


    The tendrils across PJ15¡¯s back wrapped Adahn up and they jumped. They cleared a good fifty feet off the ground. Hands and feet stuck fast to the birthing creche facility¡¯s wall. They looked down once then climbed.


    They had left just in time.


    The wall of the facility exploded outward.


    Cal and the corrupted were scattered all over the place by the gray-skinned behemoth that had plowed right through the metallic wall.


    Cal shook his head to clear the ringing. Threnosh materials were superior to the equivalent human ones. He didn¡¯t doubt that a birthing creche facility was probably the most important structure to the Threnosh. They¡¯d use their best in its construction.


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Gyxdor ran right through something like a vault door in one of those super secret bunkers meant to protect rich people in the event of nuclear war. Except the wall was orders of magnitude stronger.


    ¡°Well¡­ shit.¡±


    ¡°Enough of this! You will face me!¡±


    ¡°Hold on,¡± Cal held up a hand, ¡°three on one doesn¡¯t seem¡­ honorable.¡± Make them mad, get their focus on that instead of how to win the fight.


    By the look of rage on Gyxdor¡¯s face it was working.


    ¡°We are Inheritors. We do not perform disgraceful tricks. You will face me.¡±


    ¡°What about those two?¡± Cal pointed at the one in shorts and the one with growths.


    ¡°Zeyt will not interfere.¡± Gyxdor pointed at the bright flash of yellow light a short distance away. ¡°Your Brightstrike is already battling Hylhon. While, Tylox,¡± they pointed at the one with the growths, ¡°will join Brynax against your PJ15 and Adahn.¡±


    Tylox turned and looked up toward the roof of the facility.


    Cal could see that his guys were almost at the top. He readied his ax for whatever trick was coming.


    He definitely didn¡¯t expect the enormous growth on Tylox¡¯s back to crack open and reveal what looked like the back of a huge beetle. It practically covered their entire back. Wings emerged and buzzed as they slowly rose up after the Threnosh.


    ¡°Oh no¡­ not happening.¡± Cal threw his ax at Tylox.


    A glob of spit engulfed it mid-flight. The ax disintegrated before it reached Tylox.


    Zeyt smiled at Cal. Caustic liquid dribbled out of their mouth. The drops that hit the ground sizzled as they ate through the metallic material.


    PJ15, Adahn. You¡¯ve got one coming up behind you, got some kind of insect-based abilities and I think the one that was responsible for the black cloud is also after you. Don¡¯t stop to fight. Escape is still the priority. Cal sent.


    Acknowledged. PJ15.


    Cal sized up the behemoth.


    This was a fight he couldn¡¯t win straight up. No mind powers. No weapons left aside from small ones that relied on his telekinesis to be effective.


    Did he risk opening up? Was it a moot point to protect his mind while his body got smashed? Of course he could just make a break for it. Grab Brightstrike on the way out and lead these super powered versions of the Threnosh away from the others.


    ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s go, you big bastard.¡±


    Cal dashed forward low to the ground.


    Gyxdor punched down. The behemoth was surprisingly quick.


    Cal had to lean his whole body to the side to avoid a fist and arm the size of a tree trunk. It took all the power out of the punch he landed in Gyxdor¡¯s gut. That¡¯s what he told himself when the behemoth didn¡¯t even react. It reminded him of punching a steel plate.


    He punched up right under Gyxdor¡¯s chin.


    The behemoth¡¯s head snapped back. They came right back with a sweep of their arm.


    Cal just barely jumped back out its considerable reach.


    That was too close.


    It seemed that their speed and quickness were well matched. Unfortunately for Cal, Gyxdor was as strong and durable as they looked, which was to say that they had the edge. The only question was if it was insurmountable.


    Good thing Cal wasn¡¯t planning on sticking around.


    Gyxdor sneered down at Cal. ¡°Was that the limit of your strength? I had hoped for a greater challenge. The Mother holds you in such esteem. Why?¡±


    Cal smiled and tapped a finger to his temple. Then he pointed at Gyxdor¡¯s feet. Right where he had left a couple of grenades.


    He was already running away when the grenades exploded and stunned Gyxdor.


    No matter how big and strong you were a couple of grenades at point-blank range was enough of a distraction to buy a couple of seconds.


    Which was all Cal needed.


    He plowed right through the enhanced corrupted surrounding Brightstrike. The corrupted¡¯s greater mass wasn¡¯t enough to overcome a super strong body ramming into them at fifty miles an hour.


    Cal slid to a stop near Brightstrike. He punched and threw corrupted around in a frenzy born of desperation. They didn¡¯t have much time.


    Brightstrike¡¯s hard light sword had been replaced by a long-handled ax, swung in wide arcs to keep the corrupted at bay. The Threnosh had visible damage on their power armor. Cal had arrived just in time.


    ¡°The hostile eluded me. I saw them touching corrupted and turning them into these larger versions. It appeared as if the unknown hostile was somehow generating or stimulating flesh to grow over their bodies.¡±


    ¡°Right, a problem for later. We need to get out of here.¡± Cal looked back and saw Gyxdor running. ¡°Sorry about this, but you can¡¯t keep up.¡± He grabbed Brightstrike and threw them over his shoulder like a sack of rice. ¡°Turn of the light show.¡±


    Brightstrike¡¯s hard light weapon winked out of existence.


    Cal took off as fast as he could run, while desperately looking at the tactical map in his face-plate for an escape route.


    ¡°What about the others?¡±


    ¡°PJ15 and Adahn are on their own for now. Unseen should be in the clear.¡± It bothered Cal that he couldn¡¯t do anything more for his team. It was up to them.


    A sudden thought struck him.


    There was no pressure on his telepathic shield.


    <hr>


    PJ15 leapt over the south side of the birthing creche facility. They shifted their right arm into a tentacle that latched onto the edge of the roof. They quickly descended to the limit of their tentacle. They relinquished their hold and pulled the tentacle back. They fell freely for a split-second as they transitioned their other arm into a tentacle and stuck it to the wall.


    They noticed an inky blackness slowly spreading below them. Their sensors returned no information. It was as if the black cloud didn¡¯t exist. PJ15¡¯s eyes told them otherwise. They felt their power armor bristle. It, too, felt that the sensors were mistaken.


    The cloud had spread out to cover close to fifty meters from the edge of the wall. They had no idea how high it was, but they were going to fall into it soon.


    ¡°Adahn, I will throw you clear off the cloud. Do not wait for me. Follow the exit plan at all haste.¡±


    ¡°¡­ acknowledged.¡±


    PJ15 turned their back to the wall. The tendrils wrapped around Adahn threw them free. They hit the ground in a roll. Their power armor did enough to protect them from the hard landing.


    PJ15 had a quick glimpse of Adahn running away before the blackness swallowed them.


    There was nothing in the cloud. They saw nothing, smelled nothing. They couldn¡¯t even feel their feet on the ground. It was complete sensory deprivation that even affected their power armor¡¯s sensors.


    There was only one thing to do. PJ15 willed the tendrils on their back to lash around them wildly. They turned their hands into long tentacles and whipped them around. They turned the open spaces on their power armor¡¯s surface into sharp spines.


    They had oriented themselves along the escape route before they fell into the black cloud. So, they started running, one foot after the other. It was hard to know if they were actually doing what they intended since they had been deprived of every physical sensation.


    They couldn¡¯t feel their feet on the ground. They couldn¡¯t tell if their wild flailing was striking whatever was likely lurking within the cloud.


    Time lost meaning. They felt like they had been running for only a few seconds. Or hours. And everything in between.


    Were they moving faster than the cloud was expanding? What if they weren¡¯t?


    They had to try something else. Adahn was helpless. They needed to ensure that their teammate escaped with the vital information. They took a running leap and transformed the bottom of their boots into jets. They willed them to ignite. There was no sensory feedback. They had to believe that it was working as they willed.


    They retracted the tendrils on their back to replace them with a pair of broad, smooth, manta ray-like wings.


    The seconds felt like hours then back to seconds.


    PJ15 willed their flight to continue. The black cloud¡¯s effect made it impossible to tell if they were doing what they thought they were.


    Doubt started to creep in when all of their senses suddenly hit them like a projectile to the face.


    PJ15 found themselves in the air. Above the black cloud. They looked around wildly. They had veered off their intended course by a wide margin. Adahn was in the distance.


    They looked back. A figure was flying after them on buzzing wings. Down on the ground at the edge of the black cloud another figure stood and stared at them.


    PJ15 angled themselves toward Adahn. They willed their boot jets to fire. They couldn¡¯t maintain their flight for long and they needed to conserve their energy. Off in the distance, along their line of retreat they had spotted movement.


    <hr>


    Unseen kept still and silent. The movement locking feature in their power armor made it possible. Otherwise their nervousness would have led to fidgeting, which in turn would¡¯ve revealed their position against the wall near the largest concentration of corrupted that were laying in wait.


    The corrupted had prepared an ambush for Adahn and PJ15 along their line of retreat out of the city section.


    Unseen had stumbled upon it by accident. The only thing that saved them was that they were invisible at the time. Unfortunately, invisibility drained more energy than their camouflage mode. Movement while in camouflage wasn¡¯t as impenetrable as invisibility.


    The Threnosh had been forced to stop and when they realized what the corrupted had intended their goal changed from escape to aiding Adahn¡¯s escape.


    The information Adahn held was the key to this entire task.


    Unseen kept an eye on the tactical map.


    PJ15 and Adahn were swiftly approaching.


    They wanted to warn them, but they didn¡¯t want to risk revealing their position by sending a message. Now that they knew they were facing an intelligent enemy it wasn¡¯t impossible that they had the ability to intercept signals. Indeed, that would perhaps explain why the corrupted, at times, were able to conceal their presence from their sensor scans and attempts at surveillance.


    A thought occurred to Unseen.


    PJ15 and Adahn were privy to the same tactical map. The two should be aware of their stationary position. That should give them pause.


    Unseen. What is your status? Adahn.


    The subtlest frown slowly marred Unseen¡¯s smooth brow. They didn¡¯t dare answer. They watched the corrupted for a change. There was nothing.


    Unseen? We are approaching your position. Please respond. Adahn.


    The corrupted near Unseen stirred. Their heads turned in unison to a single directions. As if leaning their ear to listen to someone shouting from a long distance away.


    Unseen thought a very un Threnosh-like curse word toward Adahn.


    Cease communications. PJ15.


    While the words were welcome. It appeared that they were too late. Several corrupted abandoned their posts and began to move around in what looked like a search pattern to Unseen.


    The corrupted moved closer to Unseen¡¯s location.


    Adahn and PJ15 moved closer to them all.


    Beware. Ambush.


    Unseen sent the message at the same time that they threw several grenades out. One flew into the midst of the largest concentration of corrupted. One went to the left and one went to the right.


    The explosions tore apart a handful of corrupted and drew the attention of them all away from Unseen as they slipped back down a narrow street. They dropped their camouflage to allow their energy to regenerate as much as possible.


    I am heading to your position. Unseen.


    Together they stood a better chance at coming up with a plan to get the information Adahn carried back to base camp.


    <hr>


    There was a loud thud somewhere behind them.


    Cal couldn¡¯t look back without slowing down or risking a trip to the ground. Hitting the ground at nearly eighty miles an hour wouldn¡¯t be good for his passenger.


    ¡°Hey, Brightstrike. Is the huge guy still there?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    The enormous Gyxdor covered hundreds of yards with each super jump. It allowed them to keep pace with Cal. He didn¡¯t see that coming when he had sprinted away into the dark city streets. At least they were empty. It allowed him to go all out without having to worry too much about obstacles.


    ¡°We have outpaced the rest of the hostiles. Only the large one remains close. Let us fight and defeat them,¡± Brightstrike said.


    ¡°How are your barriers doing? Energy recharged? Undamaged?¡±


    ¡°My trueskin has enough energy for my weaponry.¡±


    ¡°Not answering the questions. Sure, if I had full access to my abilities. They wouldn¡¯t be a huge problem.¡± Cal wondered about that. There was still zero pressure on his telepathic shield. The imaginary sphere around his mind was practically pristine. They had moved further away in the opposite direction from their base camp. Perhaps he was now outside of the range of whatever had affected his mental powers before.


    Cal watched the tactical map with one eye, while the other looked ahead.


    ¡°Maybe if we get to a transport landing zone,¡± Cal mused. An emergency evac was an option. ¡°Anything from base camp?¡±


    ¡°Negative. There is no response,¡± Brightstrike said.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s pretty obvious they¡¯re jamming us somehow.¡±


    ¡°Yet the tactical map is unaffected.¡±


    ¡°Maybe they can¡¯t affect that.¡±


    ¡°Do you intend to run away further into the city¡¯s depths?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m working on a plan.¡±


    ¡°Do we not risk encountering hostiles? There is only one hostile with eyes on us. If we defeat them quickly then we can return to one of our alternate exit routes.¡±


    ¡°Not happening,¡± Cal said flatly. ¡°The big guy can¡¯t actually catch us. So, we¡¯re going to keep running until I come with something.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Their enemy had other ideas. From the minute Cal and his team had set foot in Orchestral Meridian their hidden enemy had been several steps ahead. They had planted seeds many months ago and they decided that the time to harvest the fruits was drawing near.


    Corrupted loomed ahead of Cal and Brightstrike. The normal kind. Hundreds, maybe thousands of them gathered across the street and on top of the buildings.


    Cal skidded to a stop. The soles of their boots screeched and smoked. Brightstrike was jostled as they almost flew off Cal¡¯s shoulders. He grabbed on to the Threnosh at the last moment.


    Cal frantically scanned the tactical map for another way. He took off to the right. There was a large area that was comprised of single-story buildings. He jumped up and took to the rooftops.


    The chase continued.


    Corrupted started appearing all around them. It seemed random at first. The monsters appeared in the distance. It gave Cal enough time to calculate an alternate rout. All the while, Gyxdor was an ever present harrier a few hundred yards behind.


    They had covered several miles on a winding, twisting run through the city when Cal finally realized that they were being herded. He felt the pit in his stomach grow when he realized that they¡¯d made their way back to the south side of the birthing creche facility. That they were running parallel close to exit route 3. That when he zoomed the tactical map out he saw the white dots representing PJ15, Unseen and Adahn stationary near the route that led out of this city section to the next.


    Status report? Cal sent the message out.


    There was no response for several long seconds.


    Currently engaged with hostiles. Adahn.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Cal snapped.


    Things were falling apart. Adahn should¡¯ve been long gone by now.


    Cal felt everything he had been trying to keep contained rise to the surface. A mixture of frustration and anger boiled into a rage that for some reason he didn¡¯t want to control any longer. A part of him screamed to stop and think for a second. The rest of him thought otherwise.


    If something out there wanted to challenge his mental prowess then so be it. He would give them a fight.


    ¡°Hang on Brightstrike. I¡¯m done putting up with this bullshit.¡±


    Cal dropped the telepathic shield. He took off into the air. Telekinetically-powered flight had him and his passenger across the few miles to the rest of their team in what felt like a few blinks of the eye.


    He landed amidst a group of corrupted in front of a large building. He scattered them across the street with an explosion of pent up telekinetic force. Their bodies were pulverized.


    PJ15 was at the door into the building, while Unseen and Adahn were at the window openings a level above. Recoilless rifles pointed at the street.


    Cal had to move fast. Despite his bravado and the thrill of unleashing his full powers he wasn¡¯t a complete idiot. He could¡¯ve been seconds away from another debilitating attack on his precious brain.


    ¡°Time to get out of here.¡±


    Cal led the way. His team ran close behind him while he plowed through the corrupted with his telekinesis. The monsters didn¡¯t see it coming. One second they were charging. Eager for blood. The next an invisible force rammed into them. Bones broke and organs liquefied as they were callously swept to the side of the street like so much refuse.


    The way was clear. Cal felt a wave of relief flood him.


    Then his vision exploded into bright light as an overwhelming lance of pain struck right through his brain.


    An enormous shadow passed over the team accompanied by a gust of wind.


    Cal blinked away the tears. A plane? Impossible for their location in the city. And he barely felt the wind.


    His eyes were drawn down the street. There was a figure standing there. Big, tall, but thin. It was hard to focus with the throbbing pain in his head. The way his vision swam.


    ¡°A woman¡­¡± Cal whispered.


    The figure appeared as an impossibly tall woman, cloaked and hooded. It, she, stood as still as a statue in her terrible majesty. Attractive and repulsive at the same time. Regal, imperious and in complete control. These sensations flooded Cal¡¯s thoughts as music. Instruments he couldn¡¯t name. Ones he recognized, more that he didn¡¯t. A song, a symphony, an entire damned orchestra.


    It invaded his mind. He felt it becoming part of him. He was becoming part of it. It was his greatest fear when it came to connecting too deeply with his telepathy.


    ¡°¡­ impossible.¡±


    Cal tried to cling to his thoughts. Tried to pull his telepathic shield up. The discordant noise drowned his efforts.


    ¡°Run¡­¡± Cal whispered.


    Somehow the Threnosh heard and understood.


    He had one last thought to accompany his cry of sheer rage and fear.


    Why must it always end in pain and blood?


    Cal charged the cloaked woman. His eyes blazed with sparkling light like never before. The air around his fists and arms appeared to twist and coil with barely restrained power.


    A single word seemed to drift through the still air. The barest of whispers, but audible to all.


    Mother.


    The fruits of their labor had just ripened. It was time to pluck them. To savor them for eternity.

 3.10

    Then


    Cal woke with a start. A pair of beady, black eyes stared down at him.


    Whiskers tickled his face.


    A giggle.


    ¡°Veronica? Why is Twinkle Star on my face?¡±


    Cal gingerly picked up the guinea pig before it could pee or poop on his face. It had already walked all over who knew how much of him with its pee-feet.


    ¡°He thought you looked tired and needed some healing.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ yeah. I totes feel better,¡± Cal grinned.


    Veronica made a face.


    ¡°What? Isn¡¯t that what you kids say?¡±


    ¡°That was like before the spirepocalypse,¡± Veronica shrugged. ¡°Also Aunt Nila said to wake you up.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, to you and Twinkle Star.¡± Cal eyed the guinea pig. He remembered something from years back. ¡°Say. How old is he again?¡±


    ¡°He turns eight in twenty-three days.¡±


    That wasn¡¯t possible. Right? From what Cal knew guinea pigs maxed out around three to four years and Twinkle Star was already getting up there in age when the spires appeared. He should probably mention it to Remy. ¡°So, how¡¯s training going?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s pretty hard, but fun. I have to avoid Aunt Nila hitting me while I try to mess with her brain. It¡¯s hard cause she moves so fast.¡±


    Cal¡¯s eyes widened. He hadn¡¯t heard about that. Come to think of it he hadn¡¯t gotten a chance to ask Veronica about her powers. He remembered a flurry of text messages from his brother and nieces describing some kind of electro magnetic pulse field or generation. He¡¯d been too busy lately with the mauler stuff to get more details.


    ¡°Oh yeah. Maybe I can give you a couple of tips. So, tell me about your powers.¡±


    ¡°Dad says I can generate EMP¡¯s. It¡¯s like I just think about it and it builds up. And I feel a tingling in my head like when I drink soda too fast. Like all bubbly. Then I go boom,¡± Veronica threw her hands up. ¡°And then I fry like phones and tv¡¯s and dad¡¯s X-Box. Also the car, but dad was able to fix it. The car. Not the X-Box, but it¡¯s okay. Tessa got a new one from Best Buy, but then mom and dad got mad at her for going off by herself and looting. But like the monsters were the weak kind, so it wasn¡¯t like a big deal.¡±


    Cal wasn¡¯t sure if he saw it the same way as his niece. ¡°That¡¯s a pretty cool power. So, you can use it on people.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, dad had an idea. We tested it out. It totally knocks people out. They fall and their bodies start just like moving and shaking. Kinda scary, but they¡¯re okay after. Mom ran dad through one of those brain checking machines at her work. Said he¡¯s fine.¡±


    Cal nodded. Impressed and maybe a bit concerned.


    ¡°It¡¯s harder to get people in the brain though cause I have to think about putting it in their heads and it¡¯s hard when people move around a lot.¡±


    ¡°Right, which is why your aunt is helping you practice.¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡± Veronica brightened. ¡°Do you want to help me too?¡±


    Cal chuckled. No. ¡°Yes! Sure, no problem!¡±


    He followed Veronica down from the loft of his and Nila¡¯s gym-turned-home. A preteen with the power to somehow short-circuit the human brain. A wide smile crossed his face. Hopefully it worked on monsters. Though there were still concerns some of the weight he had been carrying since the apocalypse began lifted off his shoulders. Now both of his nieces had abilities to protect themselves.


    <hr>


    Cal, Bennett, and Omar walked into the police station to stares that were neither hostile, nor welcoming.


    ¡°Your business?¡± The officer on duty at the front desk¡¯s tone was cold.


    ¡°Here to see Detective Ordonez. Like always.¡± Cal felt Omar poke him in the side. ¡°And Omar here is going to need to do some research. Like usual.¡±


    The officer tilted his head to the sign-in sheet on the counter.


    Cal scribbled something indecipherable without taking his eyes off the officer¡¯s. He had stopped trying to write his name properly a while back.


    The officer handed them temporary badges. ¡°No wandering around.¡± His eyes settled on Omar.


    ¡°Never do,¡± Omar said.


    The officer went to the side door and opened it.


    Omar split off at that point.


    Cal and Bennett walked down the hall and found themselves headed toward a group of armed, hard-eyed, bearded men.


    Bennett shrank back behind Cal.


    Time to play chicken.


    Cal decided to be polite. He move to the right side of the hall. Leaving plenty of space on the left for the other men to move over. Instead, just as he expected. They didn¡¯t deviate from their path. In fact one moved into the middle of the corridor.


    Cal didn¡¯t break his stride. He maintained a leisurely, unconcerned pace. Like he was just enjoying a stroll through a park.


    As the two groups met. The man in the middle went for the good old, shoulder check. A time-honored tradition of generations of douchebags.


    The man slammed his shoulder into Cal¡¯s. He bounced right off and fell to the ground. Forcing his buddies to scatter. So much for having someone¡¯s back.


    Cal didn¡¯t give, much. He had to at least a little bit, otherwise he would¡¯ve actually hurt the dumbass. Probably pop his shoulder out.


    ¡°Really? It hasn¡¯t worked for any of your bros. Why¡¯d you think it¡¯d work for you?¡±


    Cal held his hand out to the downed man.


    The man grabbed it and pulled hard.


    Cal didn¡¯t budge.


    ¡°That won¡¯t work either.¡±


    Cal pulled the man to his feet like he was picking up a toy.


    ¡°So you¡¯ve got an enhanced strength passive. Still not even close,¡± Cal grinned.


    The other men looked like they were about to draw their weapons.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to start a fight? What do your orders say again? That¡¯s right. Not only will I embarrass you and ruin your gear, but you will also get yourself on the shit list with your bosses.¡± Cal gave the men a mirthless smile. ¡°I¡¯m patient, but only with children. You might act like them, but you¡¯re not.¡±


    The men glared, but stood aside as Cal and Bennett went on their way.


    ¡°You¡¯re not looking too good, Cruces,¡± Detective Ordonez said as soon as she opened her office door. ¡°Headache?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s unnaturally perceptive of you,¡± Cal said. ¡°My brain¡¯s a little fried from training earlier today,¡± Cal grimaced.


    Veronica¡¯s EMP to the brain was as advertised. He might¡¯ve made a mistake by taking it easy on his niece and letting her get her shots in. Nila had the right idea by doing everything she could to not get hit.


    ¡°Those Detective Skills of yours tell you that?¡±


    ¡°No. Just reading the look on your face.¡±


    The detective¡¯s face was unreadable.


    ¡°Suit yourself,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°What¡¯s the plan for tonight?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get to that, but first I¡¯ve got something to tell you.¡± Detective Ordonez didn¡¯t look happy. Like she¡¯d taken a bite out of lemon. ¡°I checked out your claims.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s she talking about?¡± Bennett whispered to Cal.


    Cal didn¡¯t take his eyes off Detective Ordonez¡¯s. ¡°A while back her government gave me bad intelligence that might¡¯ve led to some people getting hurt.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re telling the truth about that. The entire street that the Browning¡¯s house is on was marked as empty.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯d you find this out?¡±


    ¡°I talked to a few people. Got my hands on some documents. That¡¯s the thing about government employees. They know how to cover their ass even in the apocalypse. There was a paper trail.¡±


    ¡°So, what about Flo¡¯s family. You¡¯re obviously implying that they were in their home that night we were fighting the gremlin alphas in their neighborhood.¡± Cal didn¡¯t like where this was going.


    ¡°Nothing. All dead. Except that information has only one source and no one thought to confirm it.¡±


    ¡°Flo?¡±


    Detective Ordonez nodded.


    ¡°Seems strange you guys didn¡¯t vet her, considering how much power she has. I mean, look at how you treat me and I¡¯ve never committed a crime in my life.¡±


    Detective Ordonez snorted. ¡°Everyone¡¯s committed crimes.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true. There are a lot of unenforced laws,¡± Bennett said.


    ¡°Nothing worth being arrested and charged,¡± Cal amended.


    ¡°I doubt that,¡± Detective Ordonez said flatly. ¡°To get back on topic. I only have Flo¡¯s word that her family is dead. No information on the specifics. How? When? Where? And from what I saw of the Browning home¡­ I suspect that they died due to the damage your fight with the monsters caused.¡± She held up a hand to forestall Cal. ¡°I acknowledge that you were given poor intel. However, and this is me speaking personally and not as an officer of the law, you can¡¯t abrogate your responsibility.¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± Cal frowned. ¡°Collateral damage isn¡¯t a big deal when you do it, but when it¡¯s someone you can¡¯t control you get on your high horse about responsibility.¡±


    ¡°We are held to a high standard. Whenever we fire our service weapon we are expected to be always cognizant of potential harm to bystanders.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t make me laugh. You killed random innocents every day back before the spires appeared. How many times did you guys shoot up the bad guys only to spray your bullets into their next door neighbor. Or what about the times you don¡¯t even get the right homes? Break in the middle of the night and when the owner, who thinks they¡¯re in danger fights back, you shoot them and pass the blame to them. I remember one case where you flashbanged a baby in his crib. It wasn¡¯t even the right house.¡±


    ¡°Mistakes don¡¯t tarnish the whole,¡± Detective Ordonez snapped.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t it though? Aren¡¯t you just abrogating your responsibility just because it¡¯s your side doing it. I¡¯ve never gone to the apartment two floors down by mistake and then shot the actual owner of the place cause he surprised me. Can you say the same for your guys?¡± Cal was pissed.


    The double standards had always bothered him. The powerful always got away with their malicious actions just because they had the might to enforce their authority. Whether intentional or through incompetence they hurt the people they claimed to protect and serve.


    It hit Cal hard to realize that he may have been guilty of the same.


    ¡°Um¡­¡± Bennett stuck an arm in between Cal and Detective Ordonez. ¡°Let¡¯s remember that there is a murderous monster out there.¡±


    Detective Ordonez gave a curt nod. ¡°Fine. The sooner we catch the mauler the sooner I don¡¯t have to look at your smug face.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the plan for tonight?¡± Bennett looked nervously at Cal.


    ¡°We¡¯re going back to the Browning¡¯s neighborhood. There was something that bugged me about the place when I was checking it out the other day. It¡¯s a gut feeling, but apparently that might be a tangible thing now. Thanks the spires.¡± The distaste was evident in the detective¡¯s tone.


    Cal bit his tongue. He counted to ten. ¡°Just us three?¡±


    ¡°Gates is waiting downstairs and we¡¯ll stop by the Capitol to grab Flo.¡±


    ¡°You think it¡¯s a good idea to bring her to the place where her family probably died?¡±


    ¡°Something¡¯s going on with her and this might be just the thing to shake her up.¡±


    ¡°And you said I¡¯ve got a responsibility,¡± Cal laughed bitterly. ¡°You¡¯re cold.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a murderer running around and the killings have gotten worst. From the evidence my list of suspects is short,¡± Detective Ordonez said flatly. ¡°I have a job to do and as much as I dislike the idea¡­ I can¡¯t do it without you.¡±


    Jake was indeed waiting for them in the station¡¯s lobby. Flo was sitting on the steps of the capitol. She glared lasers at everyone, but she saved most of her ire for Cal.


    The only thing he felt was guilt. Perhaps if he explained? No. If he was in her position then he knew that the only thing he¡¯d want was revenge.


    ¡°We get a car today!¡± Jake grinned at the battered looking Toyota parked on the street. ¡°Can I drive? Haven¡¯t driven in years.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Detective Ordonez grabbed the keys out of Jake¡¯s hand.


    ¡°We¡¯ll meet you there,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°We will?¡± Bennett looked longingly at the car.


    ¡°Yeah. We can run there quicker. Clear any monsters that might¡¯ve spawned.¡± Cal knew there wasn¡¯t going to be any monsters. He just didn¡¯t want to be in an enclosed space with Flo. For some reason he had just experienced a spike of fear when they locked eyes. He had learned over the past four years to listen to his instincts.


    ¡°But we could¡¯ve rode in the car,¡± Bennett complained as he struggled to keep up with Cal.


    ¡°Be ready, Bennett. I¡¯ve got a bad feeling about tonight.¡±


    <hr>


    The street was dark. The stars were bright and the skies were clear though. Not that it made a huge difference to the two men standing on top of a house.


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    Cal¡¯s night vision was a bit better than a normal human. While Bennett had been transformed by the spires into an actual creature of the night.


    ¡°Um¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Bennett.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to alarm you, but I¡¯m smelling blood and quite a bit.¡±


    ¡°Fresh?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what¡¯s weird. I¡¯m picking up a mix of old all the way to new-ish.¡±


    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t happen to be leading your nose over there.¡± Cal pointed to the other side of the street.


    Bennett nodded. ¡°How¡¯d you know?¡±


    ¡°Gut feeling.¡± Cal didn¡¯t say that he had sensed a confusing set of emotions emanating from one of the houses. There was malice, hunger like any monster. Two things gave him pause. One was the strength. It was stronger than the gremlin alphas and it wasn¡¯t close. The second was that part of it felt like a human being. There was an undercurrent of fear, loneliness and longing. What he picked up signaled a monster and human, but he was certain that the source was one being. ¡°I¡¯m checking it out. You should probably stay here.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t planning on doing anything else, but shouldn¡¯t you wait for the others.¡±


    Cal shook his head. ¡°It might run away. I can¡¯t let the mauler escape again. Too much blood on my hands already.¡± He jumped down from the roof and sprinted across the street.


    ¡°Great,¡± Bennett muttered. ¡°I¡¯ll just wait here for the others. Alone¡­ in the dark.¡±


    A god damn vampire afraid of the dark. Cal was annoyed. Although it was probably better than the alternative. A vampire that went all in on the prince of darkness, blood sucking thing.


    Cal stopped on the sidewalk. He recognized the place. There were the telltale signs of a violent and destructive fight wherever he looked. The guilt welled up again. He pushed it down.


    He tried to ignore the partially collapsed houses. The broken streetlights and fallen trees. Each one was a silent witness to his mistakes.


    He focused with his telepathy. It pointed him right to a dirty, white-colored house with metal bars at one of the second floor windows. A quick check confirmed that it was the only window with bars over it and if he wasn¡¯t mistaken there were bars on the inside as well.


    ¡°Well that¡¯s not suspicous,¡± Cal said. ¡°Should¡¯ve looked first.¡± Perhaps he was over-reliant on his telepathy.


    The front door was locked. He broke it and stepped inside. All of his senses were heightened. He smelled something coppery. Blood and other things that reminded him of the monster lairs he had the dubious pleasure of venturing into. It was promising. Had he found the Midtown Mauler¡¯s lair?


    The first floor was surprisingly clean. As in someone had obviously gone through effort recently to sweep and tidy the place up. Furniture was intact. The windows weren¡¯t boarded up. He noted that there weren¡¯t any photographs on the walls or tables. It felt artificial. Like a model home or an Ikea.


    Cal made his way up the stairs to the second floor. Right away he saw that the single closed door had a makeshift door from what looked like wrought iron bars crudely bent together to look like a jail cell. The wooden door behind it was covered in tiny claw marks. What was odd was that they appeared to be made from the inside.


    The iron door was fixed into the walls, floor and ceiling with an almost comical amount of thick chains and locks. There was only one other person that he knew of that was capable of bending metal with her hands.


    The picture was becoming clearer and Cal had the terrible urge to turn around and come back with his brother. It¡¯d be fairer that way. Wouldn¡¯t it? Did he really want to fight a two on one battle?


    He heard a car approaching from a long distance away with his superior ears.


    There was a scuffling sound from inside the room. Claws on the wood floor. Almost like an animal, but only just.


    He had maybe three minutes before they arrived. The detective, Jake¡­ Flo.


    He realized that they were all in danger. By coming here they¡¯d marked themselves for death. If he wasn¡¯t already marked. As soon as they set their eyes on this door and what was inside there would be no stopping the Midtown Mauler from coming after them.


    Cal had to act quickly. His only hope that his suspicions proved true. However, deep down he wished that he was wrong.


    He reached to grab the iron door. Thought better of it. He took a step to the side and readied his ax in one hand. The other hand he held out to the wall.


    One deep breath to focus.


    A blast of telekinetic force knocked a large hole into the room.


    The smell hit Cal like a physical force. It had been bad in the rest of the house, but the inside of the room was leagues worse. He could almost taste the rot and death.


    There in the middle of the room, chained to the four corners of the room was the mauler or at least what he took to be the mauler.


    The same, small white monster that he had failed to kill.


    It snarled and snapped at him, but the chains held it in place.


    Cal raised his ax.


    It was so small. Malice and hunger came off it with palpable weight. Except they weren¡¯t alone. There was something else there. Just as strong. Fear, sadness.


    A child.


    Cal realized that it, no, he, was a child. Somehow the monstrous creature before him was a child, not only that, he was human or was once human. The thought of it was almost too much to take.


    ¡°How is this possible?¡± Cal whispered.


    He lowered his ax.


    Things fell into place. The detective had mentioned that the Brownings had three children. Flo and two younger boys. Was this one of the younger Browning boys?


    Did it matter?


    It, he had already killed so many people. He was a threat that needed to be dealt with. That was what the Quest had said. Kill the Midtown Mauler.


    And here he was. A frightened child. A victim of the spires¡¯ wretched system. Of Cal¡¯s own carelessness.


    Perhaps there was another option. Transformations need not be one way. The spires ran a game-like system. Wasn¡¯t it likely that there were ways to reverse changes?


    Perhaps the answers lay within the child¡¯s thoughts. If only Cal could see how the child was changed. There was only one option. He feared it for what it did to his own thoughts.


    Cal reached out to the mauler, the child, with telepathy. He formed a closer connection than he had ever dared before.


    It was a mistake.


    In an instant Cal knew everything. No. He experienced everything. The child was him, he was the child.


    Cal lost himself.


    <hr>


    Roughly one to one and a half years ago


    Floyd¡¯s unblinking eyes stared at Flo while she carried Freddie and held him to her chest. At least little Freddie had finally stopped crying. The only thing she could hear from him were the occasional whimpers as his tiny hands periodically grasped her sweater.


    ¡°Shhh. It¡¯s okay, Freddie. They¡¯ll find us. There¡¯re superheroes now. They¡¯ll save us. After they stop the monsters. They¡¯ll come for us.¡±


    I don¡¯t think anyone¡¯s coming, Flo.


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not true.¡± Flo¡¯s voice wavered. Her throat was dry from all her crying.


    Hours had passed since her¡ª everything had happened. Or had it been only minutes. Time had gone weird for Flo. All she could focus on was the crying, her¡¯s and Freddie¡¯s. Along with Floyd¡¯s bright blue eyes gone dim and flat.


    ¡°Flo¡­ I want mommy.¡±


    ¡°Mom¡¯s¡­ mom¡¯s¡­¡± Flo broke down into tears when she remembered.


    Time passed. Flo couldn¡¯t tell. It was dark in the basement, but it was always dark down there even during the day time. The only light was from the small lantern on the floor near her. Her knees hurt from being on the cold, hard concrete. Her arms and back were stiff from holding Freddie. Mercifully, he had cried himself to sleep at some point.


    Flo was numb.


    Floyed stared at her.


    No one is coming, Flo. You have to fix this. You¡¯re the oldest.


    ¡°Okay, Floyd, don¡¯t be a butt. I know.¡±


    Flo groaned as she stood. Freddie stirred and whimpered.


    She used her foot to push the lantern¡¯s light away from Floyd¡¯s sightless face and to the other side of the basement. She saw a lawn chair against the wall near the stairs to the side exit. She gently placed Freddie in the chair and grabbed an emergency blanket from her family¡¯s earthquake kit to cover him.


    She had to get to work. Freddie still needed her.


    The first thing she did was move Floyd, Floyd¡¯s body over to the furthest and darkest corner away from her and Freddie. She covered her brother with another blanket. There were no more tears left in her to shed.


    She shined the light up the stairs into her house and saw that¡ª


    She grabbed some boxes and used them to block what remained near the top from sight.


    There were plenty of supplies, food, water, medicine and toiletries. Even an emergency toilet. The water heater for hot water if necessary.


    Thanks to her dad they could last for several weeks. Longer if they rationed. She wracked her memories for all of the lessons her dad had taught her and remembered that he had printed out a set of instructions for a variety of emergencies and had left it in a binder on the shelf.


    Flo tried not to think of her parents and Floyd. She had to focus on Freddie. He was completely dependent on her.


    All they had to do was wait. The government people would come and find them. Those superhero people that her brothers were so excited about. They had to come. They were fighting out on the street. There was no way they¡¯d miss her and Freddie.


    Everyone forgot about dad, mom, Floyd. Forgot about Freddie. Forgot about me.


    <hr>


    Now


    Cal¡¯s brain was on fire. All of his senses were overloaded. He couldn¡¯t understand what his team was yelling at him. There was only one thing in his eyes. The cloaked woman.


    ¡°Mother¡­ Madrigal.¡±


    The words slipped from his lips.


    He roared and spat as if he wanted to get the taste out of his mouth.


    The noise surrounded him. It was discordant and harmonious. A symphony that touched him deep down in a profoundly disturbing way. Every note he heard stripped away just a little bit more of the man he was.


    Fight or flight?


    The instinct in all animals when faced with mortal peril.


    But he wasn¡¯t an animal. Was he? No. He rejected that. He thought. He had will.


    He pushed back the music. Dulled it just enough for clarity. However tenuous.


    The battlefield suddenly became clearer.


    He didn¡¯t need to look back to know that the corrupted, along with Gyxdor and the other special types rapidly approached.


    In front of him the cloaked woman still hadn¡¯t moved. She was a statue blocking the way to freedom.


    ¡°Honor! Honor!¡±


    Adahn¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Unidentified hostile is emitting¡­ I do not know what it is, but it is overwhelming our auditory protections!¡±


    The Threnosh¡¯s voice was high and almost hysterical.


    Cal grit his teeth.


    ¡°Get ready to run.¡±


    Cal sprayed the woman with the last of his rifle¡¯s ammo. The projectiles did nothing. He punched out with his telekinesis. A force that could send cars flying merely made the woman take a few steps back, off balanced. He jerked her toward him with a pull, while sprinting forward, ax in hand.


    The ax chopped down.


    The woman¡¯s cloak opened with startling speed.


    Cal felt his arm jar as the ax was stopped short of the woman¡¯s chest.


    Several delicate-looking hands had caught the ax head and handle. They were all left hands.


    It took Cal a second to understand. What had looked like clasps along the inside edge of the cloak were actually hands. The cloak was¡­


    ¡°Impossible,¡± Cal whispered, horrified.


    The cloak wasn¡¯t clothing. It was a part of the woman. A cloak of skin.


    Now that he was up close. Cal got a good look at the woman. She was gigantic. At least fifteen feet tall. She was nude. Her flesh was pale. The hood was also a part of her body. It hid her face in a dark shadow that was unnaturally impenetrable. Her legs and feet. If she even had any were hidden by a skirt of skin.


    Six hands at the edge of one side of her skin cloak held fast to his ax. The other half dozen on the other side reached out for him.


    Cal barely held them back with his telekinesis. He tried to pull back, but her grip on his ax was stronger.


    A sinewy arm, as long as he was tall struck out.


    Cal was too slow to react. He went flying. His grip on the ax was wrenched away.


    Sparks flew as his armor skidded against the metallic ground. A spiderweb of cracks spread across his face-plate. He rolled up to his feet and looked up.


    The woman was almost on him.


    Cal shoved hard with his telekinesis. It stunned the woman momentarily. He threw her into a building on the left side of the street. Without moving a hand he threw a handful of grenades at her.


    The explosions rocked the street, but the woman was unharmed aside from black scorch marks on the outside of her skin cloak.


    Cal sent his knife blades flying at her. They cut into her fleshy cloak, but there was no blood.


    A sound like a violinist accidentally snapping one of their strings struck Cal like a punch to the side of his head. A rising crescendo was followed by blow that knocked him into a building. His body cratered the metallic wall.


    Cal was slowing losing his grip. The pressure on his mind was overwhelming. He didn¡¯t have the time, nor the opportunity to concentrate on pushing back with his telepathy.


    The discordant song coming from the Mother was somehow disrupting his efforts.


    Cal screamed in frustration.


    The Mother loomed over him as it seemed to glide across the street.


    ¡°Honor, you require assistance.¡± PJ15¡¯s voice crackled in Cal¡¯s damaged helmet.


    ¡°Negative, I told you guys to get out of here.¡± Cal¡¯s voice was hoarse.


    ¡°Adahn and Unseen are withdrawing.¡±


    Bright light flashed from down the street along their path of retreat.


    The Mother raised her skin cloak to protect her face from the barrage of glowing yellow flechettes.


    A shadow descend from above. A gray tentacle with a spiked club on the end struck the Mother in the head. It caused her to stumble.


    Cal pushed off the wall and flew straight at the Mother. At the last moment he stopped and went straight up. He pounded her into the street with pure telekinetic force.


    The Mother was forced to her knees under the equivalent of dozens of tons of weight. The metallic street beneath her buckled.


    Brightstrike ran closer and sprayed more glowing yellow flechettes at the sitting duck from a hard light version of the Threnosh recoilless rifle in their hands.


    Cal suddenly found himself looking down into the Mother¡¯s hood-shadowed face. Even though her body was positioned with her face to the ground.


    ¡°Not possible¡­¡±


    The abyss looked back at him. It strengthened the discordant song that had already slithered its way into his thoughts many months ago. The realization caused Cal¡¯s grip to slip further.


    The Mother stood and threw the invisible weight from her shoulders.


    PJ15 struck at her with a spiked tentacle from their position clinging to the side of a building wall near the roof. The blow snapped her head to one side.


    Brightstrike shot more flechette¡¯s into her shrouded face. The darkness within her hood swallowed up the brilliant yellow light.


    Cal alighted on a roof on the other side of the street. He felt tired and weak. The stabbing needles in his brain were almost an afterthought under the Mother¡¯s unrelenting assault.


    Suddenly, the Midtown Mauler appeared next to the Mother.


    The mauler¡¯s too-wide jaw opened in a toothy smile. Then it leapt at Cal.


    He sent out a wave of telekinesis to knock it out of the air. As soon as he felt it hit the mauler vanished.


    Cal blinked. For a moment he forgot where he was. When he was.


    The Mother looked at PJ15.


    The surface of the Threnosh¡¯s power armor erupted. The tendrils on their back flailed wildly. Spikes emerged and receded like a maddened puffer fish.


    PJ15¡¯s eyes widened and their mouth opened in a wordless scream. Their hands went to the sides of their helmet. As if they were trying to cover their ear holes. The Threnosh¡¯s feet detached from the wall and they plummeted to the ground.


    Cal dived off the roof. His gauntlet-clad fists crashed into the Mother¡¯s back. He used his telekinesis to brace his feet as he rose up to punch the her in the back of the head.


    His fists blurred. At the same time he enhanced his punches with added telekinetic force. The impacts came so close together that it sounded like one continuous, booming explosion. The shock waves pushed PJ15 back against the building wall. Brightstrike, who has over fifty yards away, was bowled over.


    The Mother turned and swiped at Cal with a backhand.


    Cal dipped under the blow and grabbed the edge of her fleshy cloak in between two of her extra hands.


    He had the sudden urge to surrender to its warm embrace. The thought sickened him.


    ¡°Get out of my head,¡± Cal rasped.


    He flew higher. Dragging the Mother with him. He spun in a circle and flung her to the ground a hundred yards distant. Right in front of Gyxdor and the other corrupted.


    ¡°You dare defile the Mother with your touch!¡± Gyxdor bellowed. ¡°I will grind you to dust!¡±


    Mother Madrigal rose to her feet with quiet dignity and grace. Her presence silenced her awed children. Even the hulking behemoth seemed smaller.


    Cal bit down. His thoughts were no longer reliable.


    The Midtown Mauler. Both big and small lurked around the edges of the gathered corrupted.


    Cal couldn¡¯t trust his eyes either.


    The past and present blended together.


    The pain in his head grounded Cal.


    ¡°PJ15, Brightstrike?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°You guys are really here, right? I¡¯m not imagining you?¡± Cal¡¯s voice was shaky.


    ¡°I do not understand your words,¡± PJ15 said.


    ¡°I am present. Why would I not be?¡± Brightstrike said.


    ¡°Good¡­ good. This time you¡¯re going to follow my orders and run.¡±


    Gyxdor roared a challenge and charged. Thunderous steps shook the ground. The corrupted added to clamorous noise as they too charged.


    Mother Madrigal stood as still as a statue, while her children flowed around her like a roaring river.


    Cal reached out with his telekinesis to gather the dozen or so knife blades scattered around the street to him. They floated, but wavered in the air. His grip continued to slip. At this point he was only hanging on by a few fingertips.


    ¡°Go¡­ Run!¡±


    ¡°We cannot,¡± Brightstrike said.


    Cal¡¯s head whipped around. He saw it immediately. Behind them, engulfing the street was an inky black cloud.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Cal let loose with a frustrated shout.


    ¡°We can go above the cloud,¡± PJ15 said.


    ¡°Right, right.¡± Cal blinked. It was like he was seeing the Threnosh for the first time. ¡°You can carry Brightstrike¡­ do it. Now!¡± he snapped. ¡°I¡¯ll run interference.¡±

 3.11

    Now


    They had left Mother Madrigal behind. She was out of sight, but Cal still felt her presence seeping into his thoughts. It was a familiar feeling. He realized that, though it seemed impossible, it had been with him for quite some time. Many months, maybe even going back a year. Somehow the Mother¡¯s songs had wormed their way into his brain without him being conscious of it.


    If he had a moment to stop and focus he¡¯d try to rebuild his telepathic wall. The sphere had proved effective at blocking out the Mother¡¯s influence before.


    Unfortunately, a quiet moment wasn¡¯t possible.


    They were being harried.


    The corrupted, normal and enhanced, were on their heels.


    They had bypassed the black cloud blocking the street, the Inheritor called Brynax¡¯s doing, by taking to the rooftops.


    Brightstrike was fixed to PJ15¡¯s back. Held in place by tendrils, while they fired hard light flechettes at their pursuers.


    A swarm of insects rose up out of the gap between rooftops ahead of them. The one called Tylox was nearby.


    They didn¡¯t have time to alter their path. Cal and PJ15 leapt through the cloud. The insects stung and bit, but couldn¡¯t get through the armor.


    Cal smashed the insects surrounding him with telekinesis. PJ15¡¯s power armor speared them by shooting out thousands of tiny, needle-like protrusions.


    ¡°Any luck reaching base camp?¡±


    ¡°Negative,¡± Brightstrike said.


    ¡°I, as well, have been unable to reach Communicator Dreylox 7193,¡± PJ15 said.


    ¡°Same here.¡±


    Cal bit back a curse. Their comms were still being jammed somehow. He couldn¡¯t think of a solution. Let alone think clearly. One moment he was running next to PJ15 and Brightstrike. The next, Remy and Eron were there. Nila. He saw her sweet face. He felt grateful at the gift. Until he realized that it was Mother Madrigal messing with his mind again.


    He plucked one of his last grenades from his belt and threw it over his shoulder. He guided it with telekinesis to explode right above Gyxdor as the behemoth was mid leap over the gap. The force of the blast wouldn¡¯t really hurt, but it did cause Gyxdor and a few corrupted to fall into the gap.


    The projections in Cal¡¯s face-plate were flickering, but he was able to read the distance to street level. Gyxdor had a long way to go.


    Their surroundings brightened as they made their way to a higher section of the city. To think that the sun was still out. Cal felt like he had spent days down in the darkness, but it hadn¡¯t even been half a day.


    ¡°My energy reserves are nearing critical levels,¡± Brightstrike said flatly.


    ¡°Save it for when we need it,¡± Cal said.


    An extremely large gap loomed ahead. There was a street down below. Cal could fly himself across just fine. The problem was that he was very tired. He didn¡¯t think you could carry his teammates along.


    The dilemma was replaced by an even greater one.


    Mother Madrigal suddenly emerged up from the edge of the rooftop. Her skin cloak unfurled to reveal three of the Inheritors.


    Cal recognized Zeyt, the acid spitter, Tylox, with growths that produced insects. The third he didn¡¯t recognize, which meant it must be Brynax, the darkness creator.


    Cal could escape. All he had to do was fly over, but that meant abandoning PJ15 and Brightstrike. He glanced over at them. He saw Flo standing beside them. Silent, but with a look of hatred and betrayal on her young face.


    ¡°Too young¡­¡± Cal whispered.


    ¡°I order you two to return to base camp at all possible haste.¡± Cal¡¯s voice was barely audible, but the Threnosh heard him.


    Before they could protest he grabbed them in a telekinetic grip and threw them over the Mother and the Inheritors.


    Cal watched with satisfaction as great, gray wings emerged from PJ15¡¯s back and jets at their boots flared to life.


    Mother Madrigal alighted on the rooftop. Her skirt of skin swept the ground with a tantalizing swish.


    Cal blinked and shook his head. He was hanging on the imaginary ledge with two fingertips.


    He roared an inarticulate battle cry and sent a wave of telekinetic force at the Mother. She leaned into the wave, but he pushed her back until she was at the edge of the rooftop.


    Cal cut the wave. The Mother pitched forward. He sent a wave at her feet, if she even had any. She fell forward. Without her footing, he swept her off the rooftop with one last shove.


    Pain bloomed in Cal¡¯s brain. He felt wetness leaking down his cheeks, his lip, his ears.


    ¡°You don¡¯t belong on our world.¡± Zeyt spat a glob of caustic liquid.


    A cloud of darkness emerged from Brynax.


    Tylox released swarms of insects from the growths all over their body.


    ¡°Your mother is a freaky skin monster.¡±


    Cal plucked the glob out of the air with his telekinesis. He did the same with the insects, compressing them into a tight ball. The effort sent a jolt of pain that had him seeing bright stars.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see what happens when I mix the two.¡±


    To no one¡¯s surprise the insects melted into goo. Which Cal divided into three equal parts and sent flying toward each Inheritor.


    ¡°You can have them back.¡±


    All three dived out of the way.


    Brynax¡¯s gathering cloud dispersed with the break in concentration.


    Cal drew all the knife blades he had remaining. They orbited around him like asteroids.


    ¡°Acid spit, alien bugs and a weird cloud.¡± Cal¡¯s grin was unhinged, ¡°and all I¡¯ve got are some knives. I can¡¯t help, but feel a little insecure.¡±


    ¡°That must be why you run away constantly.¡±


    Cal spun around and took a fist bigger than his head right in the face. Knife blades scattered as he went flying. He was caught off guard. He didn¡¯t have the time to brace or otherwise protect himself with his telekinesis.


    He tumbled across the rooftop like a crash test dummy with his arms and legs flailing. Only his superhuman level of durability allowed him to avoid any broken limbs.


    He pushed himself to his hands and knees. His face-plate had finally cracked open. It had served him well. He pulled it off.


    He watched through blurred vision as the Midtown Mauler plodded toward him on heavy steps.


    ¡°No¡­ that¡¯s wrong,¡± he muttered.


    The Midtown Mauler wasn¡¯t a lumbering giant. It, she, was a lithe predator. Like a tiger stalking her forest realm. Queen of all that she oversaw.


    The mauler in Cal¡¯s vision shifted into Gyxdor. A behemoth of muscle. Like some kind of comic book character come to life.


    ¡°Eron would¡¯ve tripped out over this.¡±


    Cal turned his head to one side. A pair of legs stepped up next to him. His brother was here to save his sorry ass. He blinked and the legs vanished. There was nothing there.


    Nothing.


    Cal had nothing left.


    There was too much noise in his thoughts. He saw the truth of it now. What lay at the root of the last couple of years. Why he was on an alien world in the first place. Away from his home and everyone he cared about. He couldn¡¯t escape it. The guilt. And now his bill was about to come due.


    ¡°Is this all that you are? The Mother shared her thoughts with us. You were her most precious prize and yet you break so easily,¡± Gyxdor said.


    The behemoth reached out to grab Cal.


    The Midtown Mauler¡¯s pale fingers, tipped with sharp nails, drew close to Cal¡¯s face.


    He slapped the hand away and burst forward with desperate strength. He drilled a right straight into the mauler¡¯s face. Gyxdor¡¯s stomach.


    The behemoth let out a breath of air. Gyxdor was more surprised than hurt, but they doubled over nonetheless. This brought their face right up to Cal¡¯s.


    He slammed his helmet into Gyxdor¡¯s nose-less face. The impact jarred him, but it was nothing like the punch that Gyxdor landed on the side of his head.


    Cal¡¯s brain rattled in his skull. His vision went black.


    ¡°Enough of this farce. Show me your true power,¡± Gyxdor roared as they grabbed Cal by the neck and flung him off the roof.


    Cal woke up to the sight of the ground rushing at him. He couldn¡¯t understand it. What was happening to him?


    He pushed off against the ground with the last desperate burst of telekinetic power within him. It was enough to cushion his fall. Barely.


    Cal flopped over onto his back. It was a struggle to breathe. The slightest movement brought pain that made his eyes water. He tasted the coppery tint of the blood as it bubbled out of his mouth.


    The sun¡¯s rays hurt his eyes. He was so close.


    A dark shadow appeared over him to provide some respite.


    Cal had lost his grip on the edge.


    ¡°What¡­ are¡­ you¡­?¡± Cal¡¯s voice was soft, weak. Only one being heard him.


    He felt a dozen hands lift him up and wrap him in a blanket.


    Warmth.


    He tried to fight it. Tried to rebuild the telepathic shield around his mind, but something was wrong. His telepathy wasn¡¯t responding to his will. Something had broken within him.


    His strength failed. His will failed. He failed.


    For the first time since the spires appeared on his home world nearly seven years ago he let go of his burdens. He allowed his eyes to close.


    ¡°Sorry¡­¡±


    Cal succumbed to the darkness for the first time.


    <hr>


    ¡°Status report,¡± Salamander said into the comms.


    ¡°Nothing has changed since the last time you inquired.¡± Telatrine¡¯s reply was uncharacteristically curt. ¡°We are in position and are waiting to receive Unseen and Adahn. And before you ask again. We still do not have any of the expedition team on the tactical map.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Salamander switched channels. ¡°Communicator Dreylox 7193, have you been able to establish contact with Honor or any on his team?¡±


    ¡°Negative, Salamander. I have complied with your commands, but have failed to reach the team.¡±


    ¡°Please continue your attempts.¡±


    Salamander reviewed the tactical situation in City Section 85. They had claimed the control center after a fierce battle with a horde of corrupted. They had lost more of the baseline Threnosh soldiers in the effort. Now they were only waiting for the automated defenses to reinitialize and for the automated turrets and drones they had fabricated in section 115 to arrive and establish patrols.


    Adahn¡¯s program and device worked just as they had planned. All Salamander had to do was to place the small, glowing cube next to the command console in the control center and it was as if Adahn was there unlocking its protections and turning the system back on.


    A second city section was claimed, but it would¡¯ve been for naught if Honor¡¯s task had failed. The wait for confirmation filled Salamander with an unfamiliar feeling. They kept thinking of what would happen if Honor didn¡¯t return.


    ¡°Corrupted remnants appear to be withdrawing to section 64 and 68. First group of drones and automated turrets from section 115 have arrived. Setting them on tight patrol pattern and guard status around the control center,¡± Subcommander Tioga Blue 635¡¯s voice came in on the comms.


    ¡°Status of reinforcement rate?¡±


    ¡°Within projections.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged. You may withdraw your squad back to base camp once the rate reaches the fifty percent mark. I will remain inside the command center until further notice. Alert me if the corrupted return,¡± Salamander said.


    They replayed the garbled message they had received from Unseen and Adahn for the third time. From what Salamander could decipher. Honor¡¯s team had partially succeeded in their task. Adahn had extracted the information they went to birthing creche facility for. However, they had encountered some sort of new threat. Unseen and Adahn were on the run, while Honor, PJ15 and Brightstrike had stayed behind as a rearguard.


    Part of Salamander wanted to rush off and face this unknown foe, but they knew their duty. Thus they waited. They trusted in Honor¡¯s ability. He had yet to fail them. Even in their most desperate and precarious situations in the past the outworlder had always been able to engineer a successful resolution.


    Salamander stood in silence for nearly an hour watching more of their drones and automated turrets arrive on the tactical map when a message appeared on their face-plate.


    It was from Telatrine and it was terse, as usual.


    Located Adahn and Unseen. Hostiles inbound. Engaging.


    <hr>


    Telatrine had set up positions at both ends of the wide bridge that spanned a chasm that separated this particular junction between city sections. The back end was manned by a partial squad of baseline soldiers along with Drega Tali and Rodinian. The two lacked direct offensive capabilities, so they were better off serving as additional shooters on the firing line.


    Telatrine, along with Winding Myriad and Maul, were hidden at the front end of the bridge. They would be the ones that would meet Unseen, Adahn and their pursuers.


    Unseen¡¯s only message had been garbled, but they had spoken of a different type of corrupted. Telatrine had wanted to prepare for every eventuality. Unfortunately, they lacked resources, troops and time. The best they had was Rodinian and their traps. Dozens of which were now scattered along the main street that led to the bridge, on the bridge itself and a few more covering their line of retreat.


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Telatrine drew their chainsword from its metal scabbard. They inspected it closely, even though they had already done so after the tough battle to reclaim City Section 85 earlier in the day.


    The fabrication facility in section 115 was a boon to Telatrine. Several of the chainsword¡¯s teeth had been chipped or outright broken. They were able to have replacements made. They were of lesser quality than the spire originals, but they¡¯d do until Telatrine could return to a spire and purchase a full repair.


    They could feel the Universal Points they had obtained to date on their overall Task to reclaim Orchestral Meridian burning a hole in their pocket. To borrow a phrase from Honor. It had been explained to Telatrine once before, but they still didn¡¯t entirely comprehend. Why did humans create containers that weren¡¯t resistant to fire? It was inefficient.


    Telatrine was eager to go to a spire and see what upgrades and new equipment they could purchase. It was unfortunate that the only spire in Orchestral Meridian was deep in the heart of the city. They¡¯d have to take an aerial transport several kilometers back to the mainland for the closest spire. It was difficult. Since they couldn¡¯t spare the individuals and the transports for anything other than Task related operations. Perhaps now that the security station was producing drones and automated turrets, they would be granted the time to go to the spire.


    Telatrine was eager for Honor¡¯s return, so that they may broach the topic.


    ¡°Is that weapon not unwieldy?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It requires a great amount of physical strength and a willingness to accept strikes.¡± Telatrine regarded Winding Myriad with a critical eye. The Threnosh was much taller and much thinner. ¡°It has proved effective in all my battles.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps, but it does limit you to single target dps,¡± Winding Myriad said.


    ¡°The noise my chainsword makes seems to attract hostile attention well enough. I believe I have provided sufficient aggro drawing duties to allow you to deal your damage.¡±


    Winding Myriad inclined their head a fraction. ¡°I concur. I withdraw my criticism.¡±


    ¡°Do not concern yourself. It was taken constructively.¡± Telatrine decided to be magnanimous. They had more important things to focus on.


    ¡°You need a weapon or weapons that destroy from a distance. You will defeat more enemies that way,¡± Maul said.


    ¡°Ah¡­ but I noticed that you have a tendency to deplete your ammunition at a high rate,¡± Winding Myriad said. ¡°My offensive armaments draw from my trueskin¡¯s energy sources, which naturally replenish, allowing me to maintain both burst damage and damage over time.¡±


    ¡°Yes. You have stated this before, Myriad,¡± Maul said flatly.


    ¡°I request silence,¡± Telatrine said. If they allowed it the two of them would¡¯ve have continued on the same track without resolution.


    The trio fell silent and remained as such while they waited. There was nothing on the comms. Nothing on their sensors nor on the tactical map.


    Until a small white dot blipped into view on the projection. Two white dots appeared.


    ¡°Adahn and Unseen,¡± Telatrine said.


    An alarm blared as many red dots appeared close behind their teammates.


    Telatrine subvocalized a text message to Salamander. They didn¡¯t have time to speak and engage in another repetitive question and answer session with the second-in-command.


    Telatrine zoomed in down the long, straight street with their helmet¡¯s enhanced visual capabilities.


    Unseen and Adahn appeared at the end. The latter appeared injured with one leg dragging along the ground, while the former half dragged, half carried them.


    ¡°They will be intercepted before they get here,¡± Maul said. Their power armor¡¯s visual capabilities were superior to Telatrine¡¯s.


    ¡°Can you provide cover fire without hitting them?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Do it.¡± Telatrine switched over to a direct channel to Unseen and Adahn. ¡°Incoming missile support. Do not stop moving toward us. We are on our way.¡±


    A compartment on Maul¡¯s shoulder opened and a small missile rocketed up in a high arc until it descended over the front rank of pursuing corrupted. When it was roughly ten meters above the monsters¡¯ heads it exploded and showered a wide swath with deadly shrapnel.


    Maul repeated the attack until they were out of missiles.


    This bought Adahn and Unseen more time.


    ¡°Myriad, Adahn is injured. I require your levitate objects ability,¡± Telatrine said.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    ¡°Maul, continue to provide cover fire for us.¡±


    Telatrine reluctantly placed the chainsword back in its scabbard. It didn¡¯t appear as if they were going to be getting their hands stained in this engagement. The priority was the Task. And that was to get Unseen and Adahn back to base camp. Adahn had the information from the birthing creches that they needed.


    As to the absences of Honor, PJ15 and Brightstrike, they would have the answer to that as well.


    ¡°We must move quickly, Myriad,¡± Telatrine said.


    ¡°I can hasten my steps. I do not believe that your trueskin has that ability.¡± Winding Myriad muttered something unintelligible while they waved their hands over their feet. A soft glow emanated from their hands and moved to suffuse their feet. The glow trailed light as they took off running down the street at almost fifty kilometers per hour.


    ¡°I wonder if they could do that to another.¡± Telatrine sprinted as well. Although not nearly as fast.


    <hr>


    Cal stumbled out of the charnel room and back into the hallway. He kept going until he hit the wall. His legs gave out and he slid down to sit on the floor. The ax slipped out of suddenly weak fingers and clattered next to him.


    The rest of the group found him in that position several minutes later.


    ¡°The hell is going on, Cruces?¡± Detective Ordonez swept her shotgun over the hallway before finally settling on keeping it and her eyes on the hole in the wall Cal had made. ¡°Cruces? You aren¡¯t bleeding. So, where¡¯s the mauler? Damn it. Gates, get up here and cover that hole.¡±


    Jake came up the stairs with a smartphone in each hand pointed at the hole.


    Detective Ordonez focused on Cal for several seconds. ¡°Cruces? Wake up your ass up! I can see that you¡¯re fine.¡± She raised her voice. ¡°Bennett, something¡¯s wrong with you boss! Can you get up here and do something?¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°Bennett?¡±


    Soft steps on the stairs. A light person with small feet. No, that wasn¡¯t exactly correct. The detective heard the truth with the abilities she gained from the spires. Small feet, but the person coming up was proportionally much heavier than the feet size suggested. They were purposefully lightening their steps, like tip-toeing to sneak past sleeping parents.


    ¡°Flo?¡± Detective Ordonez swung her shotgun and lantern down the dark steps.


    The light revealed Flo slowly coming up the stairs. The girl¡¯s eyes were focused. Her jacket was gone. Her hands were behind her back. There were small speckles of red on her shirt and jeans. More on her shoes.


    The detective took all of this in and processed the information in a second. She came to a conclusion in a split-second.


    ¡°Stop right there!¡± Detective Ordonez brought her shotgun up and pointed it at Flo.


    The pieces the detective had been gathering fell into place. The picture it revealed was horrifying.


    Detective Ordonez made a calculation. Cruces wasn¡¯t injured, which meant the hole in the wall wasn¡¯t an immediate threat.


    ¡°Gates!¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Turn around and get those spells of yours on Flo.¡±


    ¡°Wha¡ª¡±


    Flo rushed up the stairs.


    The detective squeezed the trigger, but her gun was already in Flo¡¯s hand and was pointed at the ceiling. Wood splinters showered down.


    The next thing Detective Ordonez knew was that she was tumbling down the stairs.


    ¡°Fu¡ª¡±


    Flo grabbed Jake by the front of his tactical vest and threw him through the wall into one of the bedrooms.


    ¡°You. Ruin. Everything.¡± Flo stood over Cal.


    ¡°I saw it all¡­ lived it all¡­ I am sorry for what happened to your family. What you¡­ and your brother went through.¡± Cal¡¯s voice was listless. Despondent.


    Flo reached down with bloody hands and lifted Cal up by his jacket. He didn¡¯t resist.


    ¡°Look at me!¡±


    Spittle struck his face like a punch.


    He reluctantly looked into Flo¡¯s eyes. They shined in the light of the detective¡¯s lantern that happened to land in just the right way.


    Cal saw nothing but rage and pain. He almost connected with Flo, but he managed to pull his telepathy back. He slowly rebuilt the walls while he slowly began to get a grip back on his true self. Sharing the mauler¡¯s, no, Freddie¡¯s thoughts and experiences had been a mind shattering experience.


    ¡°Do you understand what you did to my family?¡± Flo ground her teeth. ¡°You were supposed to be superheroes. When Floyd heard about you he was so excited.¡± Tears welled in her eyes. ¡°Superheroes come to life. Just like the movies and cartoons.¡± Her voice went soft. ¡°Instead you killed him¡­ mom and dad¡ª¡± She blinked. ¡°Then you left me and Freddie trapped there¡­ we waited weeks, months. None of you came no matter how loud I screamed, prayed, begged!¡± She roared.


    ¡°I¡¯m sor¡ª It doesn¡¯t have to be like this. I think I understand what happened to you¡­ after you had to¡­¡± Cal took a breath. ¡°The transformation. What you and Freddie were forced to become. I think it can be controlled. Reversed in Freddie¡¯s case. Let me help you. I¡¯ll do everything in my power. I can give you Universal Points so that you can get all the tutorials for your superpower.¡±


    Flo barked out a short, bitter laugh. ¡°It¡¯s too late for that. You don¡¯t understand the hunger. It¡¯s always there. It takes everything I have to keep it controlled. The only relief is when I eat¡ª and it never lasts long enough.¡±


    ¡°But there has to be a way,¡± Cal pleaded. ¡°Why would the spires create a power that turns people into¡­¡±


    ¡°Monsters?¡± Flo finished. ¡°Because if it turns people like you into superheroes then maybe it needs supervillains for you to fight.¡± She pulled back on arm and aimed it at Cal¡¯s face. Fingers lengthened, nails thickened and grew sharper. ¡°It¡¯s not fair. Floyd should¡¯ve been the hero. Freddie shouldn¡¯t be a monster.¡±


    ¡°What about you?¡± Cal searched Flo¡¯s eyes for a sign. Anything that could avert what was to come.


    ¡°Avenger. For my family and everyone that your kind fails or takes advantage off.¡±


    ¡°Please, it doesn¡¯t have to be this way, I can help you and your brother,¡± Cal pleaded one last time.


    Flo sneered. ¡°What? You¡¯ll keep is in cages? Feed us when we get hungry? How will you do that when only one thing can satisfy our hunger?¡±


    Cal¡¯s head dropped. His voice was barely a whisper. ¡°There are bad people out there. Aren¡¯t there? Like the gangbangers you killed?¡± He knew it was wrong when he said it. He didn¡¯t truly believe his own words. Perhaps it was due to the guilt over his part in the events that destroyed an innocent family.


    ¡°That¡¯s not something a true superhero would say.¡± Flo¡¯s voice carried an edge. ¡°You¡¯ve let Floyd down. You don¡¯t deserve your powers. You don¡¯t deserve to live. And when I¡¯m done with you I¡¯ll make your brother pay. I¡¯ll make everyone responsible pay.¡±


    Time slowed down for Cal. He saw Flo¡¯s shoulder tense. She had made up her mind. Probably had some time ago. She was going to drive her sharp nails into his face. The guilt made way for anger, resolve.


    The teenager had suffered a tragedy, but he wasn¡¯t going to let that cloud his judgment. She was going to go after Remy, which meant Megan, Tessa and Veronica were also in danger. Nila, as well, would be drawn into that fight.


    How many others would Flo kill? Would they all deserve their fates?


    Cal got ready. He¡¯d wait for Flo to strike. Slip his head to one side to avoid her hand. Grab her wrist on the hand grabbing his jacket, pull it down. Bring his arm up under her chin, while moving around to get behind her. Lock his other arm to the back of her head and squeeze as tight as possible. They were probably evenly matched in strength. If he could get her in a chokehold then he could put her to sleep. She hadn¡¯t shown anything that might have suggested that she could do without breathing.


    Flo¡¯s lip curled.


    Cal heard movement to his left. Out of the corner of his left eye a large shadow cut off the lantern¡¯s meager light.


    Flo¡¯s eye shifted in that direction. They widened a moment.


    There was a bright flash of blue-white light that turned night into day for a split-second. Followed by a loud crack. The smell of ozone filled the hallway.


    Flo was gone. She had been thrown into the room where her little brother was chained.


    Only Cal¡¯s enhanced perceptions combined with using his telepathy to further stretch out the time had allowed him to follow what had happened.


    ¡°I guess you weren¡¯t lying about that spell being strong enough for an elephant,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Yeah, got a pretty long cooldown though. Not to mention the drain on the battery and my mana¡± Jake grinned. ¡°So¡­ I just totally saved you, right?¡± He stowed the phone in his left hand and pulled out a different one, which he pointed at the hole in the wall.


    ¡°I suppose you did. Thanks.¡± Cal grabbed his ax from the floor. ¡°Why don¡¯t you check on Detective Ordonez. Then get out of here.¡±


    ¡°No way bro! You¡¯ll need all the help you can get. There¡¯s two of them.¡±


    ¡°Not the time to argue on this. I can¡¯t focus on fighting them, while trying to protect you guys,¡± Cal said.


    Whatever Jake was about to say was drowned out by the sound of the makeshift wrought iron door crashing into the opposite wall. It barely missed Jake thanks to Cal yanking him out of the way.


    Flo stepped out into the hallway. Her long blond hair was standing up and pointing away from her head.


    Cal caught a flash of white out of the corner of his eye. He swung his arm out and caught the mauler, Freddie, by the throat.


    Freddie gnashed his teeth. His mouth and jaw were grotesquely out of proportion to the rest of his body. He clawed at the sleeves of Cal¡¯s jacket. Sharp nails cut through the kevlar fabric and scratched Cal¡¯s arm.


    Flo bristled.


    Cal held out his other hand at her. ¡°Wait. Just wait.¡± Freddie thrashed, but Cal was stronger. ¡°Let me help you. At least let me try.¡±


    Flo frowned. For a moment it looked like she was going to say something. Instead she moved.


    There was a blur in front of him and Cal felt pain in his side. He felt wetness at his ribs. He blinked.


    Flo was in front of him. Her fingers had pierced his side and she was trying to get a grip on a couple of his ribs.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Cal whispered.


    He squeezed Freddie¡¯s throat cutting off the supply of blood and oxygen to his brain. At the same time he grabbed Flo¡¯s wrist and pulled her fingers out of his side, while kneeing her in the chest.


    The strike pushed her up and back. He shoved at her with his telekinesis, sending her crashing down the hall into the master bedroom.


    Freddie¡¯s body had gone limp.


    Cal pressed his hand against the holes in his side to stem the bleeding. He quickly probed Freddie with his telepathy to make sure he was actually unconscious.


    It occurred to him that he was going to need to lean on his telepathy to speed up his perceptions enough to keep up with Flo¡¯s superior speed. Perhaps he needed to be more judicious in its use towards other purposes.


    ¡°Jake, chain him up.¡± Cal lowered Freddie to the ground.


    ¡°Holy shit! I didn¡¯t even see her move. I knew she was fast, but I¡¯ve never seen her move like that or not see or¡­ you know what I mean, right?¡±


    ¡°Jake!¡± Cal snapped.


    ¡°Right, sorry. Chain up baby mauler. Got it¡­ uh¡­ what if he wakes up?¡±


    ¡°How long is the cooldown on that max power shock?¡±


    Jake¡¯s eye widened. ¡°Got it, I¡¯ll chain him up right away.¡±


    Cal started toward the master bedroom when Detective Ordonez came charging up the stairs with her shotgun at the ready. There was a curtain of red covering her face. A nasty gash along her hairline was the cause.


    Cal saw Flo emerge from out of the bedroom. Her eyes fell on Detective Ordonez as she came up the stairs.


    The detective must¡¯ve seen the look on Cal¡¯s face since she spun around without hesitation. She was still too slow. Her death was sealed. Or it would¡¯ve been if it wasn¡¯t for Cal.


    He pulled her out of the way with his telekinesis, while slowing Flo down at the same time.


    ¡°Help Jake keep an eye on the little one.¡± Cal pushed Detective Ordonez toward the hole in the wall with his hand. ¡°No arguments. This is what I¡¯m here for after all.¡± His voice lowered to a whisper. ¡°Fighting monsters.¡±


    An animal growl rumbled in Flo¡¯s throat.


    Cal planned to render her unconscious then figure out how to help her and Freddie. There had to be a way. What kind of system would turn people into monsters? There was no benefit to it for the transformed. The spires¡¯ system was brutal, but it did reward succeeding against the struggle. Flo and Freddie had struggled more than anyone he knew.


    Flo didn¡¯t care about any of that.


    Cal focused everything on Flo. All other unrelated sensory inputs were pushed to the back of his mind.


    She charged. At the last second she went low and swiped at his knees with razor-sharp nails.


    Cal jumped up and threw himself into a prone position in midair. He held himself in place for a split-second to land a downward punch on the back of Flo¡¯s head.


    Her face cratered the wooden flooring.


    Cal dropped down on top of her. He spun on her back and tried to secure that rear-naked choke. He got his arm around her neck and was in the process of cinching it tight with his other hand on the back of her head when she pushed up. Violently.


    Cal¡¯s back slammed into the ceiling.


    The move caught Cal off guard. The momentary surprise caused him to loosen his grip just a fraction. It was enough for Flo to pull his hand off her head and free herself when they hit the ground.


    Flo slammed her head back into Cal¡¯s face.


    Cal scrambled back. The tears in his eyes blurred his vision. He threw his arms up to protect his face, but an attack didn¡¯t come. He frantically wiped the tears away.


    Flo was looking into the room she had used to keep her brother contained. There was a look of pure horror on her face.


    There was a single gunshot.


    It was muted for Cal. Like it came from somewhere in the distance, not from the room several feet to his left.


    ¡°NNNOOOOO!¡±


    Cal heard Flo¡¯s piercing cry. He saw her body start to change right in front of his eyes.


    ¡°You¡­ die¡­¡± Flo¡¯s voice was emotionless.


    Her limbs lengthened and became more sinewy. Her muscles were taut, visible underneath pale, white skin. They were like coiled springs. The promise of power, strength and speed was evident at a glance. Her fingers grew even longer. The nails became like thick blades. Her feet burst out of her shoes. Her toenails grew curved, like claws.


    It was Flo¡¯s face that changed the most. Her nose crumbled away to reveal angular slits. Her mouth and jaw grew bigger, wider. Normal human teeth fell to the ground, replaced by sharp fangs. She opened and closed her mouth as if testing it. As if she was loosening it up for a big meal.


    The way the jaw unhinged, Cal could picture Flo¡¯s mouth swallowing a man¡¯s entire head and biting it off at the neck.


    He felt the hate and hunger emanating from Flo. The menace, the danger dwarfed anything he had faced before. The gremlin alphas were nothing compared to this. Terror gripped him in that instant. Only by strengthening the telepathic shield around his mind did he manage to stave it off.


    The Midtown Mauler finally revealed itself.

 3.12

    Then


    Jake fumbled as he tried to figure out how to bind the little mauler with the chains. ¡°This is so fucked up,¡± he muttered. He had lost all reluctance to touch the small human monster when he realized that it could wake up any second and Cal was busy fighting Flo, who might also be a human monster and the actual Midtown Mauler they had been hunting. Now that was truly fucked up. How could he have missed that?


    ¡°What¡¯re you doing, Gates?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, boss, can¡¯t explain, have to chain this little guy up before he wakes up and eats us.¡±


    Detective Ordonez glared at Jake¡¯s broad back.


    The sound of breaking wood out in the hallway jolted them. The detective shifted positions to cover the door and the hole in the wall with her shotgun


    ¡°So¡­ uh, what¡¯s up with Flo?¡±


    ¡°I suspect that she¡¯s the actual Midtown Mauler and this little one is one of her brothers. Judging by the size it¡¯s probably the youngest one. I¡¯d guess he¡¯s maybe three or four.¡±


    ¡°Damn, unlucky dude. Born after the apocalypse and gets turned into a monster. I¡¯m starting to think the spires aren¡¯t so cool.¡±


    ¡°They were never cool,¡± Detective Ordonez snapped.


    ¡°There¡­ all done. I think that¡¯ll hold the little guy. I heard Cal talking to Flo. He thinks there might be a way to reverse this.¡±


    Detective Ordonez nodded.


    A loud crash out in the hallway caused Jake to jump.


    ¡°Alright, Gates. I¡¯ll cover this. You cover the¡­ kid.¡±


    ¡°Got it. I¡¯ve got a full power magic mis¡ª¡±


    The chains rattled.


    Both the detective and Jake spun around.


    As it turned out, Jake did a terrible job securing the chains.


    Little Freddie Browning, transformed into something monstrous had managed to slip out. He leapt at the bigger target.


    Jake fired off his magic missile spell. A small, glowing orb of blueish light emerged from the smartphone in his hand and flew in an arc to burn through Freddie¡¯s arm.


    It did nothing to stop Freddie from crashing into Jake¡¯s chest and bearing him down to the ground with his super strength.


    ¡°Get him off me!¡±


    Fabric flew as Freddie tore at Jake¡¯s tactical vest. He reached the ceramic plate and started to tear into that too.


    Jake frantically reached into his pocket, found the phone and tapped the screen as fast as he could. While Freddie continued to tear away at the plate protecting him.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, c¡¯mon, c¡¯mon.¡±


    In answer to his pleas a blue glow briefly appeared around his body.


    Freddie successfully tore through the plate, but when he tried to slash Jake¡¯s chest open a blue light flared at the point of impact.


    Jake sighed with relief. The mana shield would last as long as he had mana. There was only one problem. Freddie was terribly strong. The shield wasn¡¯t going to last at this rate and he couldn¡¯t use any other spells since that would only add to the drain.


    Jake pulled his Glock from his holster and shoved it under Freddie¡¯s chin. Cal had said that there might¡¯ve been a way to reverse the transformation, but he wasn¡¯t going to trade his life for that.


    ¡°Sorry kid.¡± Jake squeezed the trigger.


    Freddie jerked his head back. He was too fast the bullet only grazed his chin instead of going into his brain.


    Jake tried to adjust his aim, but Freddie opened his mouth impossibly wide. Enough to engulf Jake¡¯s gun and hand.


    Freddie bit down.


    The mana shield held.


    Freddie bit down again and again. Until Jake felt the sudden and overwhelming sensation of fatigue that came with mana drain.


    He was almost too tired to notice when Freddie bit his hand off at the wrist. Almost.


    Jake screamed.


    Freddie spat out Jake¡¯s gun and hand. He pried the hand free and shoved it back into his mouth. He chewed with vigor and a look of pure delight on his face.


    Jake would¡¯ve puked if he wasn¡¯t already deep in shock.


    ¡°Chew on this, you monster.¡±


    Detective Ordonez shoved the barrel of her shotgun into Freddie¡¯s bloody mouth and squeezed the trigger.


    Time seemed to slow to a crawl.


    Freddie¡¯s eyes bulged.


    He fell backward.


    He didn¡¯t move.


    The detective had long considered the mauler¡¯s potential vulnerabilities. It seemed that she was correct on one of her suppositions. The inside of his body lacked the superior durability of the outside.


    ¡°NNNOOOOO!¡±


    Detective Ordonez spun around.


    Flo was on her knees in the hallway. She had seen everything.


    The detective watched in stunned silence as Flo transformed into something else, something monstrous. She realized that this was what, who, she had been chasing after. The Midtown Mauler had been beside her every step of the way.


    Flo charged.


    Detective Ordonez squeezed off a shot.


    Flo ignored it. She barreled into the detective and sent her flying into the wall.


    Detective Ordonez tried to bring her shotgun on target. Then realized that it wasn¡¯t in her hands. Her vision went white for a moment. The pain had finally registered. She struggled to breathe. Every attempt brought on a wave of sheer agony. Many of her ribs were definitely broken. Despite it all she just grit her teeth and forced herself to focus.


    She pulled out her Glock and activated one of her Skills. It was supposed to show her any vulnerabilities that she could potentially take advantage of. Except when she focused it on Flo. There was nothing.


    Detective Ordonez¡¯s analytical mind came up with two possibilities. Either she didn¡¯t have the weapons and other means to meaningfully hurt Flo or the damage to her body caused her Skill to fail.


    Before she could think of something else to try. Flo was standing over her.


    Flo, the Midtown Mauler, bent down and grabbed the detective¡¯s ankle. With her other hand she grabbed just above the detective¡¯s knee.


    ¡°You killed Freddie.¡± Flo¡¯s voice was guttural. Almost half a growl.


    Flo pulled Detective Ordonez¡¯s lower left leg at the knee. It looked effortless. Like the disturbed kid pulling legs of bugs.


    The detective bit back the scream. She aimed her Glock and emptied the magazine.


    Flo took the bullets without flinching. Tiny pinpricks of blood appeared where she was struck. She opened her mouth impossible wide and began to eat the detective¡¯s leg, shoes, pants and bones. She chewed through it all.


    ¡°You¡¯re strength will become mine.¡± Flo¡¯s voice was guttural. ¡°That¡¯s what the voice said.¡±


    <hr>


    It had taken seconds for Cal to bolster his flagging courage. They were costly seconds.


    He was already too late when he rushed into the room.


    The light from the moon and stars through the barred window gave him a clear view of the transformed Flo finishing off Detective Ordonez¡¯s leg.


    ¡°Jesus¡­¡± Cal whispered in horror.


    Flo turned and gnashed bloody teeth at Cal¡¯s direction. She rushed him.


    Too fast. Faster than before.


    Cal slipped his head to one side, barely avoiding Flo¡¯s spearing hand. Her nails cut a line across he side of his head. Her other hand stabbed at his stomach.


    Cal pushed down on her hand while he jumped back into the hallway. Her nails pierced through his shirt and drew pinpricks of blood. He pulled her arm while stepping to the side and uncorking a right hook to her temple.


    The gunshot-like crack shook the walls.


    Flo¡¯s head crashed into the side of the broken wall. Splintered wood cut into her head.


    Cal followed it up with a left hook into her gut and a right to her back, where one of her kidneys was.


    Flo swung out with a backhand that Cal saw, but was too slow to dodge. It caught him on the side of his head and smashed him into the wall.


    Cal¡¯s vision went black for a second, but he fought the urge to step into that dark hallway and clung to consciousness. He stumbled back away from Flo. He sensed more than saw her approaching. He shoved out with his telekinesis.


    A white-ish shape flew away from him.


    Cal¡¯s vision cleared and stopped spinning a second later. It was timely.


    Flo was back in front of him. Slashing at his face.


    Cal stepped inside the arc of her arm. He tucked his left arm and fist tight to his head to absorb the hit, while he jabbed at her throat.


    Flo¡¯s eyes widened as she choked.


    Cal stepped in and landed an uppercut into her gut. She doubled over. He grabbed her behind her head with both hands and pulled her into a knee to the chin.


    Flo pulled back. She was stronger. Cal couldn¡¯t keep her head down. So he kneed her in the solar plexus.


    She countered by pulling down on Cal¡¯s elbows. This brought his face close to hers. She opened her mouth wide and tried to bite his face off.


    Cal kept her mouth from closing with his telekinesis. He got a good look down Flo¡¯s throat. The smell was atrocious. He pushed back away.


    Flo slashed out.


    Cal covered his face with his arms. He felt the sting of her claws cutting through the sleeves of his jacket and into his skin.


    He sent another wave of telekinetic force in an attempt to keep Flo off of him.


    It only managed to slow Flo briefly. She pushed through the force and grabbed Cal around the throat. She lifted him off the floor.


    Cal reached for the knife blades in the hard plastic container at his belt.


    Flo ripped the container off and threw it out the window.


    ¡°You¡­ last,¡± Flo growled.


    She slammed him into the floor in one motion. It gave way under the impact and Cal found himself falling to the first level.


    By the time he had made it back up the stairs. Flo was gone. The broken window at the end of the hallway marked her passing.


    Cal ran to the window, but he noticed the bodies on the ground in the room. That stopped him.


    He rushed to Detective Ordonez¡¯s side. She was trying to tie her belt around her thigh while the stump at her knee pumped out her precious blood. Her hands shook as she fumbled.


    Cal stepped in and did it for her.


    ¡°Help Gates,¡± Detective Ordonez whispered.


    Cal saw that Jake was out cold. His hand was gone. A puddle of blood spread under the stump. Wordless, numb, Cal hurried over and mechanically took Jake''s belt and tied it tight around his arm.


    ¡°Oh my God!¡± Bennett appeared out of the shadows. His eyes were wide as saucers. ¡°So much blood.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t get any ideas,¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°I¡¯m not! I¡¯d never¡­¡± Bennett was aghast.


    ¡°Where were you?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ that¡¯s what I came to tell you. I think Flo might be the mauler, but I think you probably are already aware,¡± Bennett stammered. ¡°She shoved her hand into my stomach. It was a new feeling. One I didn¡¯t care to know. Oh, then she slashed my throat.¡±


    ¡°You look fine now.¡± Cal noted Bennett¡¯s torn shirt and blood stains.


    ¡°I barely got away by hiding in the shadows. Took some time and most of my,¡± Bennett lowered his voice, ¡°blood supply to heal.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re basically good as new,¡± Cal said. ¡°I need you to get back to Davis as fast as you can while I go after Flo.¡± He could sense her with his telepathy. A beacon of hatred and hunger that burned like a bonfire in the dark. ¡°Head straight to my brother. Tell him everything that happened here. He¡¯ll know what¡¯s going on. I¡¯ve filled him in on some of my suspicions.¡±


    ¡°Should I tell him where you¡¯re going? I mean what if she¡¯s headed after your brother. I heard what she said. Remy¡¯s on her list too.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Detective Ordonez coughed. ¡°She¡¯s going after the interim government first. She¡¯s saving you and your brother for last.¡±


    ¡°How can you be sure?¡± Bennett¡¯s eyes kept darting down to the blood around the detective¡¯s knee.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    ¡°Not sure. About seventy percent. It¡¯s a skill.¡±


    ¡°Will she start at the top or go after people randomly?¡±


    ¡°The top. I think she¡¯s been looking this whole time for those responsible for what happened to her family. Now that she has confirmation¡­¡±


    ¡°Can we warn them?¡±


    ¡°My radio,¡± Detective Ordonez pointed across the floor.


    Cal floated the radio to her.


    ¡°I can¡¯t reach all the way to the Capitol, but maybe I can get a message to anyone close enough and they can relay it.¡± Detective Ordonez shook her head. ¡°Won¡¯t make it in time thought. Flo¡¯s already got a head start.¡±


    ¡°Bennett, get to my brother as fast as you can.¡±


    ¡°Do we come help you?¡±


    ¡°No. Tell Remy I want them to play this defensively.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡± Bennett nodded then melted away into the shadows.


    ¡°Are you two going to be okay?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got enough time before getting proper medical attention becomes critical.¡± Detective Ordonez pointed a shaky finger to her eyes. ¡°Didn¡¯t know how useful these skills were.¡± She hit the button on her radio and lifted it up to her mouth. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about us, Cruces. I¡¯ll put in a call for help.¡±


    ¡°Tell them to get into whatever secret safe rooms and bunkers they¡¯ve got. If they can¡¯t tell them to run.¡±


    ¡°We have contingencies for situations like this. Just do what you¡¯re here for. Stop her.¡±


    Cal gave her one last nod before he too was out of the house and sprinting as fast as he could manage. The adrenaline of the fight had distracted him earlier, but now that there was a lull in the violence the stabbing needles in his brain were noticeable.


    <hr>


    Cal covered the mile and a half distance to the Capitol Building in less than two minutes. He was already too late. He heard gunfire coming from somewhere inside the enormous building. Several bodies were scattered around the walkway to the capitol¡¯s steps. More people he was responsible for. He forced the thought away. There would be time to brood and beat himself up over it later. Assuming there was a later for him.


    He looked up at the domed roof and had a brilliant idea. From what he remembered of the several tours he had taken there was open space from the dome all the way down to the second floor. The rotunda covered one hundred feet of distance. If he dropped down from the dome maybe he could cut Flo off before she reached the interim governor¡¯s office. Only problem was that he didn¡¯t know exactly where that was.


    He launched himself toward the top of the dome with his telekinesis. He misjudged his trajectory and was forced to course correct. It caused him to hit the dome harder than intended.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look down, don¡¯t look down, don¡¯t look down,¡± Cal muttered. He didn¡¯t like heights. Climbing the superslide stairs at the carnival when he was younger was a monumental act of courage for him.


    Cal found the door to the interior. It was locked, but he brute forced his way in and slowly floated down into the rotunda.


    A band of cast iron grizzly bears watched him descend, while the goddess of Eureka or something like that looked on.


    He listened and stretched out with his telepathy. Searching for sounds of violence and feelings of terror and rage. He traced Flo to the third floor. He followed in her wake. Statues and paintings lined the corridors. So much history was now marred by blood splatters and bullet holes. More bodies, some were armed and armored, fighters and soldiers, some weren¡¯t, just people doing their jobs.


    Cal caught up to Flo as she tore a man¡¯s head of his body. She had seen Cal coming and she tossed the head in his direction. As it rolled at Cal¡¯s feet he recognized it as the police office that had tried to shoulder check him earlier. It had only been about an hour, but it felt like so long ago. He bent down and closed the man¡¯s eyes.


    Bodies were scattered around Flo. She hadn¡¯t made it unscathed through her rampage through the building. She had several cuts, bullet wounds and a scorch mark over her chest and shoulder. Her long blond hair was singed black, while several patches had been burned away to the scalp. Her white skin was red and blistered, some of which oozed a mixture of pus and blood.


    Flo reached for the door.


    Cal tackled her to the floor.


    They rolled across artful tiles, a mosaic of earth-toned shapes. They marred the floor with their blood.


    Flo dug her nails into the surface to steady herself as she threw Cal off of her. She jumped to her feet and charged Cal.


    He exploded off the floor, cracking the tiles under his feet. He drove his fist into Flo¡¯s chest. Her ribs cracked under the impact.


    Flo slashed Cal¡¯s chest open to the bone.


    He stumbled back. He telekinetically pulled at the statue set in an alcove against the wall and toppled it on top of Flo as she charged at him.


    The statue probably weighed over half a ton. Flo shrugged it off her back with ease and sent it flying back into the wall.


    Cal gestured at the broken pieces and sent them flying at Flo.


    They battered her and she was forced to defend herself.


    Cal took the opportunity the distraction gave him. He quickly crafted a tiny, telepathic spiked ball. He dropped it into Flo¡¯s thoughts and violently expanded it. He had practiced the technique on every variety of gremlins. The human-sized gremlins he had killed outright. The gremlin alphas had been rendered insensate. He had never waited to see if they could¡¯ve recovered. It wasn¡¯t something that he felt comfortable using against other people, no matter how bad they were.


    Desperation had a way of moving the lines a person wasn¡¯t willing to cross.


    Flo screeched and clutched at her head.


    Cal felt blood flowing out of his nose. He had been waiting for that. It was a small, but pleasant surprise to last this long in a fight before the strain of using his mental powers went beyond simple pain.


    Flo stumbled on wobbly legs.


    Cal hit her with the statue¡¯s pieces. A large piece tripped her up. He picked the pieces up with his telekinesis and rained them down on her like asteroids battering a planet.


    Cal was desperate. Flo was down momentarily, but he didn¡¯t think he could physically stop her. Which meant there was only one avenue left to him. Something he was reluctant to ever try. He wasn¡¯t even sure if he could do it. He had no choice. He forged a telepathic connection.


    Cal was lost until something brought him back to the physical world.


    He was staring into Flo¡¯s eyes. There was a ghastly grin on her too wide mouth.


    ¡°You¡­ could¡­ last¡­¡± Flo growled as blood dribbled down her chin.


    Cal looked down. Her fingers were in his stomach.


    He had one chance. He dived deeper into the telepathic connection. He took some solace in the fact that if he failed then he likely wouldn¡¯t know. He¡¯d just be dead.


    Real time moved at a fraction of its normal speed.


    Cal found himself standing inside a dark basement. He beheld a teenage girl cradling a toddler, a boy. Another boy, maybe ten years old was on his back on the cold concrete floor, his legs were up on the stairs leading up into the house. This boy was staring up at nothing.


    Cal looked down at his own body. It was free from all the injuries he had collected. He couldn¡¯t feel the pain from dozens of contusions and cuts, from the punctures and cracked ribs. The only thing that hadn¡¯t been erased was the persistent stabbing pain in his brain.


    Cal watched as time in the basement sped up. He had already seen everything from Freddie¡¯s perspective, but the poor little guy had sort of mentally shut down for large parts of what they endured down there. The view from Flo¡¯s perspective was more complete.


    He watched Flo¡¯s struggles to get Freddie to eat. To keep him clean. He watched her struggle to deal with the stench from Floyd¡¯s body when it rotted.


    Their food supply dwindled as the weeks turned into months.


    Flo screamed herself hoarse begging for someone, anyone to find them, to save them, while Freddie¡¯s fragile mind deteriorated. Until finally, they ran of food.


    Days passed as the hunger ate away at both of them. They grew weak. It was all Flo could do just to hold Freddie, while he whimpered and cried in between bouts of fitful sleep.


    Cal heard the all too familiar chime at the same time Flo did. The spires¡¯ message. She had been given a Quest. One of survival at a heavy price. The reward was their lives and power.


    Cal read the parameters of the Quest and felt sickened. Why was something so vile possible? He looked away as Flo completed it.


    ¡°You can¡¯t even look,¡± Flo said. ¡°Look at me! Look at what you made us do!¡±


    Cal looked at Flo. She appeared as she did during her ordeal in her family¡¯s basement. Her face was bloodied, her hands dripped.


    ¡°I made Freddie do it. It was the only way to save him.¡±


    Cal said nothing. What could have he said?


    ¡°What is this?¡± Flo violently threw her hands out wide. ¡°How are you doing this? Why are you making me live this nightmare again? It¡¯s bad enough that I see it whenever I close my eyes.¡± Tears flowed down her face.


    ¡°It¡¯s still not too late,¡± Cal said softly.


    ¡°No!¡± Flo snapped. ¡°That¡¯s where you¡¯re wrong. I know you saw the Quest message, but you didn¡¯t see the reward,¡± she spat. ¡°We got a special superpower. Empowered Cannibalism. We¡¯re stronger, faster, tougher. Just like the superheros in all those movies and cartoons Floyd loved so much. Like you. Except, unlike your powers, ours came with a cost.¡± Her voice grew soft. ¡°We had to eat other people. I didn¡¯t realize at the time I took the Quest, but it meant that we¡¯d always have to eat other people.¡±


    Flo let loose with a scream as she rushed at Cal.


    Her fist stopped in front of Cal¡¯s face. She strained, but it didn¡¯t budge.


    ¡°You violate me,¡± Flo spat in his face. ¡°This is my mind isn¡¯t it? Isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Get out.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t do that.¡±


    ¡°Fine. I remember what¡¯s happening out there. I wonder how long you can keep this up with my fingers in your stomach?¡± Flo skipped back with a grin. ¡°I guess I can wait. You wanted to see my story, so might as well fulfill your dying wish. Where was I? Right, my superpower.¡± Her face twisted. ¡°It came with a hunger that gnawed away at the pit of my stomach. I fought it at first¡­¡± she looked to the stains that marked where her Floyd¡¯s body used to be, ¡°after that first time. I fought it for months.¡±


    ¡°See, you can fight it.¡± Cal latched on to her words.


    Flo laughed bitterly. ¡°There¡¯s no fighting it. Sooner or later I had to give in. You see. The power came with a different form. One that was just underneath the surface waiting, straining for freedom. I couldn¡¯t just lock it up in the basement,¡± she sneered at Cal. ¡°The spires called it the Eater form. More powerful in every way, including the hunger. It was a constant struggle to keep it from gaining control and every time you ate the balance tilted in its favor. See, poor Freddie was just a baby. He had no idea. His Eater took over almost immediately.¡±


    ¡°Then you had to chain him up.¡±


    ¡°I had to feed him. It was my fault. I¡¯m the oldest. I was responsible. I was all he had left.¡±


    ¡°The mauler killings. You killed to feed him?¡±


    ¡°And myself. That was the thing with this power. The more I ate the stronger I became. The more I ate the more I wanted, needed.¡±


    ¡°You gained strength by eating,¡± Cal felt the gorge rise up his throat, ¡°others with their own power. People with classes? Skills and magic?¡±


    Flo nodded. ¡°Detective Ordonez picked that up pretty quick. She was alright. Jake was annoying, but he was an alright dude, pretty lame, but harmless. I wish I didn¡¯t¡ª¡± Her face suddenly became blank.


    Cal frowned. Flo¡¯s thoughts had glitched for lack of a better word. It felt like a defense mechanism. He tried to get her back on track. ¡°Why kill your fellow fighters and soldiers? I¡¯m sure there were a bunch of shitty people out there you could¡¯ve targeted instead. Why¡¯d you wait so long to go after the gangbangers?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I did,¡± Flo huffed. ¡°I didn¡¯t kill anyone that wasn¡¯t a piece of shit. They all deserved it, but I don¡¯t have to explain myself to you. You¡¯re one of the biggest shits out there!¡± She screamed in his face. Then started laughing hysterically. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m going to do once I¡¯m free of whatever this is you¡¯ve got me in. I¡¯m going to avenge my family. Going to kill and eat you. The governor and anyone else who was responsible. Then I¡¯m going to get your brother. The two of you should give me a huge boost. After that I¡¯m declaring war on every evil bastard in the world.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Cal whispered. He knew what he had to do now.


    Sharing Flo¡¯s mind in this way revealed her innermost thoughts, desires and emotions. He knew that she meant every word because he felt them as his own. Her very identity blended together with his. It was one of the reasons why he had always been reluctant to connect too deeply with another mind.


    The other reason was what he was capable off when connected to a mind that lacked any sort of protections against telepathy.


    ¡°Yeah, well. It¡¯s the least you deserve after you killed my family and turned me and Freddie¡­ into¡­ this¡­¡± A look of realization dawned on her face. Tears welled in her eyes. ¡°Mom and dad, Floyd¡­ Freddie¡­¡± Her voice wavered. ¡°Freddie¡¯s dead.¡± Her head drooped.


    Cal watched her in silence. He was trying to harden his heart for what he was about to do.


    Flo wailed. Her body shook with her sobs. Until she suddenly stopped.


    When Flo looked up her human face was gone. She was the Eater, the Midtown Mauler. She opened her jaw impossibly wide, razor-sharp teeth dripped saliva as charged Cal. Once again she was stopped short by an invisible barrier.


    ¡°Gonna¡­ kill¡­ eat¡­¡± Flo roared in Cal¡¯s face from inches away.


    ¡°Florence Browning,¡± Cal said softly, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I failed your family that night.¡± He took a deep breath. ¡°And I failed you and Freddie tonight. I hope you find peace. I will not forget.¡±


    Cal turned off Flo¡¯s mind.


    <hr>


    Cal woke up to someone slapping him.


    ¡°Hey! I need you to wake up, love!¡±


    ¡°Nila?¡± Cal said weakly.


    Nila let out a long sigh and laughed, then cried.


    Cal looked up at her. Confused. ¡°What¡¯re you doing here?¡± His eyes widened. ¡°Flo!¡±


    Nila¡¯s eyes looked over past Cal¡¯s feet. He lifted his head up off the floor and saw Flo, the Midtown Mauler¡¯s still body. ¡°Is she¡ª?¡±


    Nila nodded. ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand¡­ why didn¡¯t she change back?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll figure that out later.¡± Nila pushed Cal¡¯s head back gently until it was resting on the folded-up jacket. ¡°I need you to try not to move while I clean out all the holes in your body. I swear the things that come out of my mouth,¡± she grumbled.


    ¡°Too tired to move. I¡¯m pretty numb right now. I don¡¯t even feel like I¡¯m in my body.¡±


    ¡°Good, because these holes in your stomach are deep, but I have to make sure their clean before Bastien starts his healing thing. So, I¡¯m going to have to get in there.¡±


    Cal looked around while Nila got to work. He noticed for the first time that the ridiculous named, Team F.C.W.R. was arrayed around them in what looked like a defensive cordon. The boys, actually they were young men now. Technically adults or close. He saw that they were facing off with several of the interim government¡¯s fighters. He didn¡¯t like the hostility he sensed.


    ¡°Nila¡­ what¡¯s up with those guys?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what the heck is wrong with them. They were definitely not happy that we showed up.¡±


    ¡°We? Who else came?¡±


    ¡°Remy¡¯s talking to the temp governor.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ good,¡± Cal relaxed. ¡°They won¡¯t try anything stupid if he¡¯s around.¡±


    ¡°Tsk,¡± Nila scoffed. ¡°Aren¡¯t you forgetting about someone?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I didn¡¯t want anyone else to get hurt. You¡¯d just beat the crap out of them. Remy would be able to take away their weapons.¡±


    A chime sounded in his ears. The voice and text combination from the spires¡¯ system.


    Congratulations!


    You have compl¡ª


    Cal ejected the message from his thoughts with disgust.


    ¡°Huh? Didn¡¯t know you could that.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I just ignored the Quest message.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ okay, well I¡¯m going to ignore you now, so I can concentrate on cleaning out your holes and maybe you¡¯ll shut up so you can conserve your strength.¡±


    ¡°You said my ¡®holes¡¯,¡± Cal chuckled, then winced. ¡°Okay, I felt that one.¡±


    Nila rolled her eyes then dug back into her first aid work.


    Cal tried to ignore the growing pain. Whatever dissociative thing that had been making him numb to his physical sensations faded. By the time Nila was done he had shut his eyes tight and was gritting his teeth.


    ¡°Nila, I did something really bad.¡±


    ¡°Whatever you did, you did because you had to,¡± Nila said. ¡°Bastien, get over here. You¡¯re up.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t understand. I¡ª¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it later. We need to fix you up first,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Uh, hey man. You really got messed up.¡± Bastien knelt down next to Cal.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ sort of did,¡± Cal muttered.


    ¡°Focus,¡± Nila glared.


    ¡°Right, sorry.¡± Bastien placed his hands over the bloody holes in Cal¡¯s stomach.


    ¡°Take care of the organ damage first. I can always glue or stitch up the holes. Once you¡¯re done with the stomach, move to the ribs.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ it doesn¡¯t really work that way. The magic usually starts healing the worst damage. I don¡¯t have, like, control,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Sounds like it¡¯ll work out fine,¡± Cal said. ¡°Thanks man, I¡¯m counting on you. No pressure.¡±


    ¡°Right¡­ sure¡­¡± Bastien started whispering a prayer. As he chanted his hands began to glow with a soft, subtle light.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to be fine,¡± Nil squeezed Cal¡¯s hand. ¡°I need to go remind those soldiers that it¡¯d be a bad idea to start something with our boys.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, love.¡± Cal wasn¡¯t so sure that he believed her words. He didn¡¯t think he was going to be fine for a long time.


    Nila stood, picked up her ridiculously heavy weapon and went to stare down some soldiers.


    Cal tried to ignore the strange and painful sensations of the holes in his internal organs slowly knitting themselves back together.


    Twenty minutes later Bastien was tapped out.


    The holes were still leaking blood, but were visibly smaller.


    ¡°I think I got the inside stuff,¡± Bastien said in between deep breaths.


    ¡°Appreciate it,¡± Cal grimaced.


    ¡°Great, because it¡¯s time to go,¡± Remy said as he approached. ¡°Let¡¯s get you on a stretcher.¡±


    ¡°I need to stitch Cal up,¡± Nila said.


    Remy made a face. ¡°Sorry, but you¡¯re going to have to wait till we get back to our own territory.¡± He raised his hands. ¡°Interim governor thinks it¡¯s best for all involved if we left immediately.¡± He gestured to the young men.


    Gene and Johnny came over and unfolded a stretcher. Together they moved Cal onto it and lifted him off the floor.


    ¡°Wait, what about Flo¡¯s body?¡± Cal grabbed Remy¡¯s arm.


    ¡°Property of the government,¡± Remy said flatly. ¡°Sorry. I¡¯m not as good of as a negotiator as you.¡±


    Cal nodded. He didn¡¯t like it, but he wasn¡¯t in a condition to object. That was going to change in the coming weeks.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get you home.¡± Remy laid a hand on Cal¡¯s shoulder.

 3.13

    Then


    A few weeks later Cal had mostly recovered physically. The scars were already fading. The headaches were gone. The mental wounds were another matter.


    He sat listlessly with a mostly ignored bottle of cold beer in his hand in Remy¡¯s backyard, while his nieces were sparring with an alarming level of intensity. Remy manned the grill, burgers. The sight and smell of the red meat gave Cal an uncomfortable feeling in his gut. He loved meat, especially burgers, but he just couldn¡¯t handle it at the moment.


    Nila and Megan where in the kitchen, probably doing stuff with fruits and vegetables.


    ¡°You¡¯re not looking too good,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°PTSD,¡± Cal grunted.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even joke about that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not.¡±


    Remy nodded. ¡°Veronica!¡± He barked. ¡°I thought I told you to go no more than fifty percent.¡±


    ¡°But dad! Tessa¡¯s going harder.¡±


    ¡°Tessa! Fifty percent or no more sparring!¡± Remy warned.


    ¡°They should probably be going harder,¡± Cal said. ¡°There¡¯s a lot of dangers out there. I underestimated the level.¡±


    ¡°Agreed, however this is a family barbecue day. They can go a hundred percent during actual training sessions,¡± Remy sighed. ¡°Did I tell you about Tessa taking a shot at one of those wyverns?¡±


    Cal¡¯s eyes widened. Life came back into him, if just a little.


    ¡°Yeah, my reaction too.¡±


    ¡°Did¡­ did she hit it?¡±


    ¡°Missed. Luckily she was in city limits and the wyvern didn¡¯t chase.¡±


    ¡°I wonder if she could¡¯ve taken it down.¡± Cal tried to do the calculations in his mind and gave up. His thoughts were too distracted.


    ¡°Probably. You can cut their skin with your flying knives. She can accelerate chunks of metal at a significantly faster speed.¡± Remy¡¯s tone was a mixture of exasperation and pride.


    ¡°I guess we have to work on her aim.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, just don¡¯t tell Megan.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me what?¡± Remy¡¯s wife came out of he house bearing a large bowl of salad.


    ¡°My plans,¡± Cal said with a sad smile. ¡°I can¡¯t share the details. Plausible deniability for you guys.¡±


    ¡°Cal, maybe you should take some time off. No plans, no fighting. Just recharge your batteries. You¡¯ve done more than enough,¡± Megan said. ¡°The kids would love to hang out with their uncle more.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to tell him that.¡± Nila appeared with a bottle of juice in one hand, a huge stack of plates in the other and a tray of freshly sliced fruits balanced on her head.


    ¡°You look ridiculous,¡± Cal grinned up at her.


    ¡°Powers aren¡¯t just for fighting,¡± Nila shrugged.


    ¡°Alright, these burgers are almost done. Anyone want toasted buns? Melted cheese?¡±


    ¡°Me!¡± Tessa and Veronica said in unison.


    ¡°No cheese for me.¡± Nila started setting the table.


    ¡°Can you do both for me, hon?¡± Megan took the tray from Nila¡¯s head.


    ¡°Sure thing.¡± Remy looked to Cal. ¡°What about you?¡±


    ¡°Both¡­ but can I get my burger well done?¡±


    Remy raised a brow. ¡°Weird and blasphemous, but no problem.¡±


    It was a pleasant afternoon. The sun was shining. It was hot, but that was what the water balloon fight was for. Cal cheated, naturally. Hard to get a guy when he could send the balloons right back with the power of his mind. He stopped using his power when he realized that those getting drenched in cool water weren¡¯t the actual losers.


    Cal smiled for the benefit of his family, but a part of him wasn¡¯t fully present. He couldn¡¯t take his mind off what he had done to Flo and her family.


    The day passed to dusk. The kids had to clean themselves. The adults had to clean up.


    Cal sat at the backyard table with Remy sharing some beers.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m going to do if the grocery stores stop working.¡± Cal took a long pull.


    ¡°It¡¯s just beer, dude. People have been brewing forever. I¡¯m sure someone will keep it going in that scenario,¡± Remy said. ¡°Wait? Didn¡¯t you use to make your own beer?¡±


    ¡°Nah, it was more of starter kit thing. The hard parts came prepackaged.¡±


    Cal fell silent as Remy glanced at him with worry.


    ¡°Listen, Cal. I know you¡¯re blaming yourself over everything that happened with the girl and her family, but don¡¯t forget that I was fighting on the street with you. It¡¯s at least half my fault. I mean we have no idea which one of us threw the gremlin alpha into their house.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about that, Rem. It was me. I sent the alpha crashing into their house. I was directly responsible for three deaths that night and dozens more over the last year or so. I was careless, should¡¯ve checked for innocent bystanders first and after. I took the power for granted.¡± Cal held a hand to forestall his brother¡¯s protest. ¡°Detective Ordonez confirmed it. Her skills give her a Sherlock-like vision. She pieced together what happened with all the evidence we left on that street.¡±


    ¡°Okay. That¡¯s pretty¡­ definitive. I guess.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for trying.¡±


    ¡°You still can¡¯t take this all on your shoulders.¡±


    ¡°Kind of do. That¡¯s what comes with the power. I can¡¯t be selfish. Can¡¯t mess up. The effects ripple. I owe it to the Brownings and all the innocents that died as a result of that night.¡±


    ¡°So, I guess I can¡¯t talk you out of what you¡¯re planning for later,¡± Remy sighed.


    ¡°Is it that obvious?¡± Cal frowned.


    ¡°I knew something was up, but credit Nila for figuring it out. I just want to remind you that you are currently banned from crossing the river and that I agreed with the temp governor that they got the¡­ bodies.¡±


    ¡°Well, they can¡¯t stop me and I didn¡¯t make that deal. Besides, they¡¯ve had them for a couple weeks already. I don¡¯t believe that your agreement carried any length of time specifications.¡±


    ¡°Look, man. I agree with you, but just be prepared for some political blowback.¡±


    ¡°Good thing I don¡¯t care about politics.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, if only we were all so lucky,¡± Remy said. He considered it and finished the rest of his bottle in one go. ¡°So, how¡¯re you going to get past the checkpoint?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not. I¡¯m going over the river. It occurred to me that I need to get over my fear of heights. I¡¯ve got enough power now. Had I done so sooner, I might¡¯ve caught up to Flo before she tore through the capitol.¡±


    <hr>


    Cal didn¡¯t look down as he flew over the wide river. He wasn¡¯t particularly concerned about being spotted. The night was dark and people stayed indoors after the sun dropped down into the west.


    He knew exactly where he was going and traveling in a straight line took less than a couple of minutes.


    The county coroner¡¯s building was lit up more than most. Torches lined the outer perimeter and he saw lantern lights in some of the windows.


    This time Cal had no choice but to look down as he floated above some one hundred feet in the air. The air was cooler than at ground level, not that it made a difference to him. A hundred degrees felt like the high seventies. While a fifty degree night felt about the same.


    He noted a pair of guards posted at the front entrance while more patrolled around the building. He reached out with his telepathy and confirmed that there were guards inside as well. The interim government was definitely going to be upset after he was done here.


    Cal used his telepathy to mask his presence from the guards. It was simple enough once he figured out how to do it. He felt a little guilty about the violation of their personal privacy. After all was their anything more sacred than a person¡¯s own thoughts? He walked right by them. He blocked their minds from registering his presence even when the front door squealed loudly as he pulled it open.


    He did the same to all of the guards he encountered inside the building. All the way to the morgue where he knew the bodies were kept. He had gleaned the information from the guards¡¯ minds. He went full big brother on this particular night. It was a worthy cause. The Brownings deserved peace. They deserved to be together.


    As he walked down the long, empty corridors toward the morgue room he sensed two people waiting for him. He pushed the double doors open and a blast of frigid air hit him, it felt like a cool breeze.


    ¡°So, I didn¡¯t see this coming. I¡¯m legitimately interested in hearing how you knew I was coming,¡± Cal said.


    Detective Ordonez glared at him.


    Jake shrugged.


    ¡°I¡¯m honestly glad to see that you¡¯re okay¡­ mostly,¡± Cal said. He didn¡¯t glance at the prosthetic at the detective¡¯s left knee, nor at the phone on the end of Jake''s left wrist. Cal pointed. ¡°Why a cell phone?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s better than a hook. Plus I got my mana shield ready at all times. Don¡¯t have to pull it out of my pocket.¡± Jake grinned weakly. He was noticeably thinner. His face had lost the remnants of baby fat.


    ¡°Sorry I didn¡¯t check in on you guys,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Because you¡¯re banned, Cruces,¡± Detective Ordonez said. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing here?¡±


    ¡°You probably already have the answer to that question. It¡¯s why you¡¯re waiting for me, right? Seriously, your Skills told you exactly when I was coming?¡±


    ¡°Sorta,¡± Jake shrugged. ¡°We¡¯ve actually been freezing our asses off for like the last five days, like all night long. So, I for one, would like to thank you for finally showing up.¡±


    ¡°How did you get past the guards?¡± Detective Ordonez stared intently at Cal.


    ¡°Don¡¯t blame them. Guard duty is dull and tedious. It¡¯s easy for their minds to wander and get a little confused.¡±


    ¡°Oh my god!¡± Jake smiled. ¡°I knew it! You¡¯re a Jedi!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, no,¡± Cal laughed.


    ¡°You totally Jedi mind tricked them! These are not the droids you are looking for,¡± Jake waved his right hand across Cal¡¯s face.


    ¡°Gates, shut up.¡±


    ¡°Yes, boss.¡±


    ¡°Sure, why not?¡± Cal snorted. ¡°I pulled a Jedi mind trick.¡± He waved a hand in front of the detective¡¯s and Jake¡¯s faces. ¡°You will ignore my presence.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like repeating myself, Cruces,¡± Detective Ordonez said flatly.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to take Flo and Freddie away for a proper burial. I know exactly where Flo buried the¡­ remains of her family and they should be together. You¡¯ve had them for a few weeks now. I figure you¡¯ve done enough autopsies and got enough info for whatever research purposes you have. I¡¯m taking them away.¡±


    The silence stretched for several long seconds, but Cal wasn¡¯t concerned. He wasn¡¯t sensing any real aggression in the detective.


    ¡°There and there,¡± Detective Ordonez pointed at two closed morgue cabinet doors. ¡°Their bodies are in there.¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t waste any time. He opened the doors and pulled the slabs out with his telekinesis. The body bags were zipped up. He unzipped them to confirm their contents. The Browning siblings where still in their Eater forms. His heart sank. No peace in death. He noticed the stitching across their torsos.


    ¡°The organs. Where?¡±


    Detective Ordonez frowned.


    ¡°They¡¯re in the other room,¡± Jake jabbed a thumb over his shoulder. The detective shot him a displeased look. ¡°Sorry, boss. It¡¯s messed up to just treat them like science projects. That was Flo and I know she was actually the Midtown Mauler this whole time, but she basically only killed bad dudes and she killed a whole bunch of monsters, which saved people. So, I guess there¡¯s like a balance. The good outweighs the bad sort of thing.¡±


    Cal wasn¡¯t entirely sure if he agreed with the assessment. Part of him did, but part of him felt that it was wrong on some level.


    ¡°They¡¯re in a bunch of jars and¡­¡± Jake waved his cellphone hand.


    ¡°Just point them out to me and I¡¯ll take care of it.¡±


    Cal followed Jake into the next room. There were a couple of dozen specimen jars with various organs floating in a preservative liquid. He felt sick looking at them. Jake was right on that account. The sum total of two people treated as something to study and exploit was just wrong.


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Cal gathered them with his telekinesis. He floated them back into the main room and proceeded to place the organs into the body bag that they belonged to. The meticulous labels made it easy. When he was done he zipped up the bags and levitated them with his telekinesis.


    ¡°Thank you. If you get in trouble, tell your bosses that I forced you to help,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°We¡¯re going with you,¡± Detective Ordonez said. ¡°Don¡¯t give me that look. What¡¯re you going to do? Walk all the way there while floating them behind you? Don¡¯t be stupid. I¡¯ve got a truck.¡±


    ¡°Actually I¡¯m not planning to walk. I¡¯ve got a faster way and if you want to come then you¡¯ll have to really trust me,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I trust that you won¡¯t act against your best interest,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°Okay. Good thing you¡¯ve got those parkas. It¡¯s going to get cold.¡±


    They went out the back way. Timed exactly between the two roving patrols. Cal telekinetically picked everyone up and rose into the air.


    ¡°Holy ballsacs! This ain¡¯t no Jedi shit!¡± Jake waved his arms and legs in panic.


    ¡°Relax and enjoy the flight,¡± Cal said.


    Detective Ordonez crossed her arms and glared.


    Cal looked away to hide his smirk. A slight tinge of pain in his brain signaled that perhaps he shouldn¡¯t take his time. He went up to about fifty feet and took off at the fastest speed that wasn¡¯t harmful to his two living passengers.


    As the crow flies truly was the quickest way to get to a destination.


    They made excellent time and the flight was over almost as soon as it started. Cal brought them down near a high point above a lake. Down into a thick copse of trees. He had seen the exact spot when he was in Flo¡¯s head.


    ¡°Oh man. That was awesome, but scary.¡± Jake patted the grass as soon as his feet touched the ground.


    ¡°Folsom Lake,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°You don¡¯t miss a thing do you?¡± Cal shook his head.


    Cal pointed at the base of the largest tree in their immediate area. Underneath its sprawling branches three graves marked by makeshift crosses and stones that had been pounded into the ground.


    Detective Ordonez hobbled over to shine her lantern light over the graves. The names of the Brownings had been cleanly cut into the largest, flattest stones at the head of each grave.


    While the detective and Jake took in the graves, Cal raised his arms and started gathering dried twigs and branches from the ground in a wide circle around him. When that wasn¡¯t enough he pulled pulled branches from each of the trees. He didn¡¯t strip them bare, just took a branch or two. He broke the larger ones into smaller pieces as he floated them into a large pile. He then swept a wide area of ground clear of fallen leaves.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Jake ambled over to stand near Cal.


    ¡°Building a pyre.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t we just bury them?¡±


    ¡°He thinks there¡¯s a chance they might not actually stay dead,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°That¡¯s kinda crazy.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t rule out the possibility,¡± Cal said. ¡°Also, I¡¯ve grown paranoid over the last few years.¡±


    ¡°True, can¡¯t rule anything out now that magic is real,¡± Jake nodded. ¡°Can I help? My dad used to make me go camping a lot when I was younger. I can probably get the fire going. Looks pretty dry out here. Probably use my shock spell on low.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, but I got it covered.¡± Cal pointed to the can of gasoline on the ground.


    ¡°Where¡¯d that come from?¡± Jake narrowed his eyes. Then came to a realization. ¡°Jedi mind tricks. I never saw you carrying that.¡± He pointed a finger at Cal. ¡°You were masking it from my notice.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be an idiot, Gates. You just weren¡¯t paying attention. The can was out by the back door. He picked it up when we were leaving.¡±


    ¡°To be fair I had other things on my mind, like the flying through the air thing.¡±


    ¡°What did I tell you about paying attention to your surroundings?¡±


    Jake narrowed his eyes. ¡°To pay attention to my surroundings?¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t waste any time. He piled the wood up and doused it with the gasoline. He then took the body bags that contained Flo and Freddie, opened them and respectfully placed them side-by-side on top of the wood pile. He did the same with their organs, making sure to place them with their rightful owner. He couldn¡¯t remember if the preservative liquid was flammable. It would be helpful if they were, but not critical.


    He took the matches out of his pocket and started the pyre by lighting small fires around the bodies.


    ¡°Okay¡­ I¡¯m seeing you moving shit around without actually moving. That¡¯s totally what Jedi do.¡±


    Cal ignored Jake. ¡°Anyone want to say anything?¡± There was silence. ¡°I guess I¡¯ll go first then. I didn¡¯t know Flo and Freddie. They did horrible things. Hurt and killed many. But they were children and I can¡¯t hold them fully responsible. I was responsible. I¡¯m an adult. My actions led to all of this. Even if it wasn¡¯t my intent, I have to accept that I failed them. Flo, Freddie¡­¡± His gaze drifted over to the silent graves. ¡°All the Brownings. The innocents on that block. All the others. All on me. So, I guess what I¡¯m trying to say is that don¡¯t judge them too harshly.¡± His gaze went up to the sky.


    ¡°Um¡­ I¡¯ll go next.¡± Jake cleared his throat. ¡°Flo was cool. She fought a lot of monsters for us. We couldn¡¯t have cleared most of the bigger encounters and spawns without her. She hated my guts, but it totally makes sense now. We did her family wrong. I¡¯m not saying I¡¯m cool with her being the mauler and all, but I guess I can understand it. I don¡¯t know much about Freddie, but he was basically a baby. It¡¯s messed up what happened to him. So, even though he ate my hand I can¡¯t really blame him too much. Like you said.¡± He glanced over at Cal.


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure it¡¯s alright for you to still be pissed off about it,¡± Cal said. ¡°Just put the blame on those that deserve it.¡±


    ¡°Nah, dude. I don¡¯t blame you. If anything it¡¯s the spires¡¯ fault for turning them into monsters.¡±


    ¡°She wasn¡¯t a monster. Not entirely.¡±


    While he stoked the flames from a distance, Cal turned to Detective Ordonez. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    The detective hesitated. There was a troubled expression on her face. ¡°You need to understand, Cruces. That I¡¯m not absolving you for your role in this.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s funny that you still think I¡¯m looking for absolution. Let alone from you,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°My Detective abilities have improved as a result of successfully completing the Quest.¡± Detective Ordonez didn¡¯t hide the distaste on her face. ¡°It led me to a clearer picture of the entire Midtown Mauler case. I looked at the evidence again, discovered some things. Spent the last week looking deeper into the mauler¡¯s vics. There was a pattern, which led me to believe that not all the killings attributed to the mauler were her doing.¡±


    ¡°I saw as much in her memories,¡± Cal nodded. ¡°The warriors and magic users she killed weren¡¯t exactly innocent people. They did or were doing some bad things to others. She killed them and only took enough¡­ meat¡­ to satisfy the barest minimum of her hunger, while the rest she brought back to the basement where she kept Freddie locked up. Made the remains look like monster attacks. She thought it¡¯d hide her tracks. Except it worked the opposite way. Every monster attack became the newly-christened Midtown Mauler¡¯s fault.¡±


    ¡°Which put me on the trail,¡± Detective Ordonez nodded. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you mention this?¡±


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t have believed me. You would¡¯ve assumed I was trying to lessen the blame on me. I knew you had to come to the conclusion on your own.¡±


    ¡°Then tell me if the rest of what I discovered is factual. Flo had an ulterior motive the entire time. She signed up with us because she was looking for the ones responsible for what happened to her family. When my task force to find the mauler was formed. She was a natural pick. She was the only one with the strength to face the mauler once we found it. It also allowed her to keep ahead of the investigation. It wasn¡¯t a coincidence that the killings moved away from the core areas of our territory as the investigation went on.¡±


    Cal nodded.


    ¡°Except, she was starting to lose control of her other side. When you joined it tipped her over the edge. She knew about you and your brother, but she didn¡¯t know which one was to blame. And there you were. She had to work with you on an almost daily basis. A reminder of what she had lost. The investigation was getting too close, so she tried to move Freddie out of her family¡¯s basement. Something went wrong. He escaped.¡±


    ¡°He surprised her with his speed and strength,¡± Cal said. ¡°She lost him.¡±


    ¡°The first gang massacre?¡± Jake said. ¡°That was him, right? That¡¯s why it was so different from the others.¡±


    ¡°Freddie was like an animal caged up for a long time. All the scents, tastes and sounds drove him into a frenzy.¡± Cal didn¡¯t say that he had experienced the entire thing from Freddie¡¯s point of view. ¡°He ate his fill then went to sleep it off. Flo was frantic. She had to balance searching for him, while still fulfilling her task force duties.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why she decided to kill the other gangs in the same way. She figured they were bad enough people and she needed to confuse the trail. That¡¯s when Freddie got hungry,¡± Detective Ordonez said. ¡°Which is where we found him in that block.¡±


    ¡°So, when Flo showed up and chased him down. She actually caught him and put him in that house across the street from theirs. Why not take him further away?¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Despite everything, Flo was still a teenage girl,¡± Detective Ordonez said. ¡°She couldn¡¯t leave the last reminders of her family.¡±


    ¡°And Freddie did better, which might not be saying much, by being closer to home. A part of him still remembered,¡± Cal said softly.


    ¡°Okay, so I get she attacked us cause we found Freddie, but why didn¡¯t she finish us off? Why¡¯d she attack the capitol?¡±


    ¡°That was my fault, Gates,¡± Detective Ordonez ground her teeth. ¡°I must¡¯ve drawn her attention somehow when I started digging into her history.¡±


    ¡°It was probably as simple as her overhearing you say something. She had superior hearing, could probably hear you talking from outside the building,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°That was one of the possibilities I considered. In the course of that investigation I discovered that you got bad intelligence from us. That the entire neighborhood the Browning¡¯s home was in was abandoned when it obviously wasn¡¯t. I can only suspect that Flo was somewhere close enough to listen in on that entire conversation.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s when she got confirmation for what she had started to suspect about the interim government and my involvement in what happened to her family,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°It was the last straw.¡±


    Silence fell over the group as the flames continued to rise. It wasn¡¯t until nearly an hour later while Cal continued to feed branches into the fire that the detective spoke again.


    ¡°What would you do if I arrested you?¡±


    ¡°For?¡± Cal raised a brow.


    ¡°Negligent homicide.¡±


    ¡°Will you arrest your leaders as well?¡±


    The detective¡¯s silence was the answer he expected.


    ¡°I suppose that¡¯s my answer.¡±


    ¡°Then what of your talk about responsibility. The moment you get a chance to live up to those words you refuse,¡± Detective Ordonez snapped. ¡°Society doesn¡¯t work when people place themselves above the law. It¡¯s the only way to maintain order. Otherwise it¡¯s anarchy and chaos. Just because you have power, you place yourself on the outside. And this is what happens.¡± She swung an arm toward the blazing pyre. ¡°People died.¡±


    ¡°Look, I¡¯m too tired to get into a debate about law and order versus control. Suffice to say, people with power have placed themselves outside the law for all of history. It¡¯s no secret that there were a different set of rules for people depending on how much money or connections they had or even something so stupid as the color of their skin.¡± Cal locked eyes with the detective. ¡°I know you¡¯re smart enough to acknowledge that as fact.¡±


    ¡°Will you turn yourself in if I also arrest those responsible for your faulty orders?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Cal said flatly. ¡°The reality is you¡¯ll just serve up a bunch of scapegoats. Your leadership will skate on by like always. Then I won¡¯t get a fair trial. You¡¯ll put me in jail. Then you¡¯ll come up with an offer I can¡¯t refuse. Work for you and my sentence gets reduced. Kill a monster, that¡¯s a few weeks off. Got a problem with people refusing to fall in line? Send me out to scare them into compliance. That¡¯s a month off.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true, bro,¡± Jake chimed in. ¡°You¡¯ll totally get Task Force X-ed.¡±


    Detective Ordonez shot him daggers.


    ¡°Errr¡­ sorry¡­¡±


    ¡°It might be about law and order for you, but for most everyone you¡¯re taking orders from it¡¯s about power and control,¡± Cal said. ¡°Despite my mistakes in this case. I think I¡¯ve proved that I¡¯ve done more good for more people than if I had been blindly following orders from randos.¡±


    The truth in his words struck Cal like a bolt of lightning on a clear day. For the first time in weeks the clouds shrouding his mind parted a little.


    ¡°A government¡¯s legitimacy is determined by their ability to force it on their populace. Isn¡¯t that a saying?¡±


    Cal¡¯s words were about as subtle as a clumsy punch to face, but he decided to leave it at that. He remained silent the rest of the night as the cleansing fire burned away Flo¡¯s and Freddie¡¯s bodies until only ash and a few bones remained.


    Cal scattered the ashes to the wind with a powerful gust of telekinesis. He dug two graves next to the other Brownings and placed Flo and Freddie¡¯s remains inside. While he filled the soil back in he pulled small and medium-sized stones out of the nearby lake and shoved them into the ground over the graves, copying what Flo had done. He did same for the wooden crosses. Lastly, he took a hammer and chisel to a pair of large flat stones and carved their names. It was a bit cruder than what Flo had done for her family. When he was finished he fixed the stones at the head of the graves.


    Cal did everything without moving from where he was standing.


    ¡°I know this is a solemn moment,¡± Jake began, ¡°but your Jedi powers are awesome! Master level!¡±


    ¡°Not a Jedi,¡± Cal said. ¡°Any last words for them.¡±


    ¡°Rest in peace,¡± Jake said.


    Detective Ordonez opened her mouth. Then closed it. She bowed her head and clasped her hands together.


    Cal made the sign of the cross and said several silent prayers. Basically all the ones he remembered from his Catholic school days. It was fitting. The Brownings happened to be the same as him. He hadn¡¯t shared this fact with the other two.


    With that done, Cal buried the last of fire¡¯s embers and lifted up into the air with Detective Ordonez and Jake in tow.


    Cal dropped the two off a block away from the coroner¡¯s office. His brain was starting to hurt and he didn¡¯t want to risk revealing his presence to the patrolling guards now that he wasn¡¯t confident he had the strength to fly and conceal himself at the same time.


    ¡°Hey, man. I don¡¯t want to sound ungrateful or anything, but could you maybe drop us off closer. We¡¯re not exactly ready to fight any monsters that might be lurking in the dark,¡± Jake said. ¡°We¡¯re crip¡ª¡± His eyes darted to Detective Ordonez. ¡°I¡¯m kinda disabled.¡± He waved his phone hand.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. No monsters anywhere nearby,¡± Cal said. A thought struck him. ¡°Can I borrow your notepad?¡±


    Detective Ordonez narrowed he eyes, but handed it and a pencil over. Cal scribbled down a name.


    ¡°She¡¯s part of Davis¡¯ research team.¡±


    ¡°What are you researching?¡± Detective Ordonez¡¯s instincts told her that Cal was revealing something important.


    ¡°All things spire related,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°Anyways. She was a robotics student at the college or something like that. Point is maybe you guys can collaborate and come up with some sort of magical science prosthesis.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t get it,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Dude, you¡¯re basically a magical programmer. I¡¯m pretty sure that there are magical limb spells out there. Combine that with cybernetic prosthesis.¡±


    ¡°Magi-tech!¡± Jake brightened. ¡°Yeah! I bet there¡¯s a mage hand-type spell. If that exists then why not a mage leg?¡± He grinned at the detective. ¡°We can even add weapons and shit!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll let her, them, know you¡¯re interested in a project together,¡± Cal said. ¡°Good luck.¡±


    Cal flew up into the night sky. The darkness swallowed him up quickly.


    He landed in front of his home and walked in the door. Nila was waiting for him. She was eating a big bowl of fried rice at the table.


    It was already on the wrong side of midnight.


    ¡°I smell wood smoke¡­¡± Nila sniffed, ¡°and gasoline. I guess everything worked out.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Cal nodded. ¡°How was the patrol?¡±


    ¡°Boring. Mutant animals and little gremlins run away from me. Didn¡¯t run into any of the human-sized gremlins.¡±


    ¡°I guess that¡¯s a good thing.¡±


    ¡°Things have definitely gotten quieter with how much stronger our people are getting. The actual weapon training is really starting to pay off.¡±


    ¡°We got lucky Hannah decided to come down here,¡± Cal agreed. ¡°An actual Swordswoman was a godsend find.¡±


    ¡°Hey, Cal. We¡¯re taking a vacation,¡± Nila said abruptly. ¡°No arguments. I¡¯ve settled it. They can do without either of us for a few weeks now that thinks are quiet and,¡± she hesitated, ¡°the mauler case has been resolved. I¡¯ve planned it all out. Now that you aren¡¯t scared to fly we can bypass all the check points in the city and head straight to Tahoe. We can grab whatever supplies we need from the stores up there. I even got one of the satellite phones so that Remy can contact us in an emergency.¡±


    ¡°Thank god for satellites still working¡­ most of the time,¡± Cal said. ¡°But Nila. Tahoe is under the interim government¡¯s control. I¡¯m banned.¡±


    ¡°Not the northern half. I¡¯m sure there are a ton of empty homes up there,¡± she pushed a sheet of paper over to Cal. ¡°I even got the addresses for properties owned by companies since I know you¡¯re leery about using privately owned places even if the owners are gone.¡±


    ¡°We have no way of knowing if they¡¯re dead,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°It just feels wrong to live in a house that belonged to someone else. Especially if they were killed. I¡¯m not staying in a murder house unless there was no other choice.¡±


    ¡°Cal.¡± Nila took his hand. ¡°You need a break. We need a break. It¡¯s been one fight after another for over four years. You can¡¯t do that forever. Look at it this way. How useful are you if you¡¯re head is in a dark place?¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ agreed. When do we leave?¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow. After that headache of yours is gone.¡±


    ¡°Nila, you do know that if there hasn¡¯t been a human presence in the wilderness that there are probably a lot of mutant animals. Bears, mountain lions and coyotes. I can¡¯t even imagine how big the mutant fish in the lake have gotten.¡±


    Nila shrugged. ¡°So, we get some Universal Points while we¡¯re on vacation. Win-win!¡± She smiled.


    The darkness in Cal lifted a bit more as a small smile lifted his lips.

 3.14

    Now, Threnosh World


    The base camp briefing room was full. Though only three of the individuals standing around the table were physically present. Salamander, Telatrine and Subcommander Tioga Blue 635 stood together. While holographic projections of Prime Custodian 3, Caretaker and Commander Green Stretch 28 took the rest of the spots. The latter was back at Cal¡¯s base facility, while Caretaker was somewhere in Cold Plains City¡¯s sublevels. As for the prime, they did not specify their location. Primes had no need to account for those beneath them.


    ¡°I have reviewed the data and your report. These are my directives,¡± Prime Custodian 3 commanded. ¡°Primary task is to recover PJ15 and Honor. If they are dead then priority will be the recovery of PJ15¡¯s trueskin. Secondary task is to maintain your foothold in Orchestral Meridian. Tertiary task is to expand to other city sections. Prioritize militarily valuable sections. I understand that the birthing creche facilities are likely to be heavily defended and are out of your current capabilities. Last, you will continue to gather data on these corrupted, particularly the so-called Inheritors and the invasive organism, Designation: Mother Madrigal.¡± The prime paused for exactly three seconds. ¡°It is now time for the added input portion of the briefing. Brainstorming.¡± Honor¡¯s terminology was still strange.


    Caretaker was familiar with the process as Cal¡¯s second in command. ¡°Add Brightstrike to priority recovery. I also have reviewed the information recorded to date. Frequency has identified a potential solution to your difficulties with tracking the corrupted and tracking the beacons our teammates are carrying. As they explained it to me. There is a complex sound that accompanied each event in which your detection systems failed to track the corrupted. It also appears to interfere with your communications. The sound is beyond the ability of our equipment to decipher. Let alone detect as you have experienced. Frequency¡¯s trueskin is the only way to study it and develop a potential countermeasure. I have already sent them back to base to focus solely on this project. Salamander, Telatrine, do you have input beyond what is contained in your reports?¡±


    ¡°I request additional personnel. Specifically, Whoosh and Vanguard Zeljanz 31, Vanguard Blazer Ecoria 70 for the purpose of covering more ground in the search for our missing teammates.¡± Salamander stated his request just as Caretaker had instructed earlier.


    ¡°Whoosh is granted. I will dispatch them as soon as I no longer require them.¡± Caretaker glanced in Prime Custodian 3¡¯s direction.


    ¡°The vanguards will be attached to your command, Salamander,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    ¡°I respectfully protest, my prime.¡± Commander Green Stretch 28 spoke for the first time. ¡°With the absence of the special candidates Honor¡¯s base is vulnerable. The vanguards are integral to our defense plan.¡±


    ¡°Your dissent is noted and disregarded.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged, my prime.¡±


    ¡°As to the request for additional personnel. Declined,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    Salamander expected the answer. Caretaker had told him that there were no soldiers to spare in Prime Custodian 3¡¯s entire jurisdiction. All were necessary to fight off the dominion¡¯s increasingly aggressive invasion. The Collective had yet seen fit to release their forces to reinforce them.


    ¡°I will release the experimental weapons squad to your service,¡± Commander Green Stretch 28 said.


    Again just as Caretaker predicted. The commander didn¡¯t see the value of the experimental squad.


    ¡°My prime,¡± Caretaker began, ¡°perhaps the Collective can lend their forces to our efforts in Orchestral Meridian? Surely, they must see the threat that Designation: Mother Madrigal and the corrupted.¡±


    ¡°The Collective adheres to their doctrine. Their forces are for their protection. I am solely responsible for what transpires in my jurisdiction,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    ¡°I also request additional combat drones and automated turrets. As many as possible on a continuous basis,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°Base has increased fabrication and we will send the first batch with the vanguards and the experimental weapons squad,¡± Commander Green Stretch 28 said.


    ¡°I if may, my prime?¡± Caretaker waited for permission. ¡°I am concerned about the projections for the birthing creche facilities¡¯ ability to produce new corrupted and Inheritors.¡±


    ¡°Continue,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    ¡°Yesterday, Head Researcher Alluvial Fan 24198 received the data their team required to determine the origin of the corrupted subject that we had acquired. Genetic records from the Great Archive confirmed that the corrupted subject was Threnosh. Administrator Windward Reach 10793 was their designation. We face not just the new, stronger type of corrupted and Inheritors, but potentially the ten million inhabitants of Orchestral Meridian that were not able to escape when the spire appeared. Additionally, the upper end of the projections for the new type of corrupted that can be produced is fifteen million.¡±


    ¡°I have reviewed the data. Those numbers take into account all birthing creche facilities having been turned to producing corrupted at their maximum capacity immediately after Orchestral Meridian was lost,¡± Prime Custodian 3. ¡°The probability of that is only 1.378 percent. Projections indicate that there is a 70.712 percent chance that the new corrupted type numbers are at 1.837 million. Inheritors number 1837.¡±


    ¡°Those are still dire numbers,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°I believe it is critical to disrupt the enemy¡¯s ability to utilize the birthing creche facilities.¡±


    ¡°The Collective forbids any action that risks damage to the birthing creches,¡± Prime Custodian 3.


    ¡°They are already damaged if they are producing corrupted,¡± Caretaker countered.


    ¡°I concur,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said. ¡°However, the Collective must be obeyed in this matter.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Caretaker said. Their eyes darted to Telatrine. The agreed upon signal.


    ¡°My prime. If we cannot stop more corrupted from being birthed then we must increase our own numbers. Specifically we must be able to counter the Inheritors. They are equivalent to our Elites in power. We must expand Honor¡¯s program. We must train and strengthen every special candidate across our entire world,¡± Telatrine said.


    ¡°Several more primes have expressed interest in taking part in the project. However, Honor¡¯s absence will make training new special candidates impossible,¡± Prime Custodian 3 said.


    ¡°That assessment is not entirely accurate,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Elaborate.¡±


    ¡°Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 and Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 have been with Honor since the beginning of the special project. They are familiar with his methods. They can replicate them. Commander Green Stretch 28 has also undergone Honor¡¯s training. They and our soldiers can provide experienced tactical support during the special candidates¡¯ first live combat tasks. It is true that training will not be up to Honor¡¯s standard, but it will be sufficient until he returns.¡±


    Prime Custodian 3 considered the matter for three seconds. ¡°Permission granted. I will transmit my order to the interrogators. Commander Green Stretch 28 you are to make preparations immediately.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Salamander could detect nothing of the commander¡¯s thoughts through the flat tone of their voice, as expected of the standard Threnosh.


    ¡°Any further matters to discuss?¡± Prime Custodian 3 looked at each silent face in turn. They ended on the physically present Threnosh in the briefing room. ¡°Our forces are engaged in battling the dominion all across my jurisdiction. Do not expect further reinforcements.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± The three Threnosh spoke in unison.


    ¡°Adjourned.¡± Prime Custodian 3¡¯s projection vanished.


    ¡°Reinforcements will arrive at your location in approximately twelve hours,¡± Commander Green Stretch 3 said right before they too disappeared.


    Only Caretaker¡¯s projection remained.


    ¡°I know that you are in an impossible position. Hang in there. You are strong and you are experienced. You have fought many boss monsters and secret boss monsters. This Mother Madrigal is just another to add to the list. Find Honor,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Keep me appraised. The battles for Cold Plains city are difficult, but I will make time and support you as much as I can. Fight well.¡±


    ¡°For you as well,¡± Salamander said as Caretaker¡¯s projection disappeared.


    ¡°They speak as if they were Honor,¡± Telatrine said.


    ¡°It is their role as the second,¡± Subcommander Tioga Blue 635 said.


    ¡°Subcommander, withdraw our soldiers to City Section 115. We will leave the defense of City Section 85 to the combat drones, automated defenses and Rodinian¡¯s traps. The fabrication facility and security center are crucial to our entire operation. Lose them and we lose the city. Along with Honor and our teammates,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°And the other matter?¡± Telatrine said.


    ¡°We take the aerial transport to the spire in small groups. We will need our upgrades. You will be in the first group. Subcommander, select three soldiers to go as well. They need to spend their points I am certain they and you are eager.¡±


    ¡°We have never received such a large number of Universal Points,¡± Subcommander Blue Tioga 635 said.


    ¡°I am certain that we will have plenty more opportunities to gain points in the near future,¡± Telatrine said. ¡°The greater the struggle the higher the points.¡±


    Salamander was also eager to spend the tens of thousands of points they had gained in just a couple of months in Orchestral Meridian. They knew that success, let alone survival was dependent on increasing their personal power as fast as possible. The corrupted, the Inheritors and Mother Madrigal were something new. They didn¡¯t agree with Caretaker¡¯s words. The Mother wasn¡¯t simply a secret boss. She was something else.


    After all, if Honor couldn¡¯t defeat her, then what chance did they stand?


    <hr>


    Cal fought.


    That was all.


    He existed for that sole purpose. There was nothing else in his thoughts. He fought singular opponents, groups. He fought them with only his bare fists. His strength, speed and toughness were his only weapons, his only defense.


    Through the haze he faced all comers.


    Jay, gremlin alphas, the Midtown Mauler, Flo, Freddie. Old opponents, dead and long gone.


    Zeyt, Brynax, Tylox and Gyxdor. The Inheritors. New foes.


    They all fell under Cal¡¯s fists. Even the behemoth.


    Gyxdor was stronger and tougher, but Cal discovered his weakness. The bone protrusions. When he broke them he inflicted such pain that even the behemoth was laid low.


    He fought a never ending fight. Against the same opponents over and over again. At times his opponents blended together. Part of him knew that was impossible, but the music in his head soothed away such concerns.


    He was battered to the limits of his considerable endurance.


    He beat his opponents to within inches of their deaths.


    Until the music stopped. He fought.


    Then he was thrust through the worst moments of his life. A nightmare made into truth and reality.


    When the singing started again he fought.


    Until the instruments went silent and he was shoved back into his torment.


    Time passed.


    Cal lived an eternity.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    Tessa grew impatient standing next to the gray barn¡¯s huge double doors. She listened to the voices from inside with her better than normal human hearing. The people were chanting in a language that she didn¡¯t recognize and it made her skin crawl. As much as she didn¡¯t want to admit it, Johnny¡¯s assessment that they were cultists was probably close to the mark.


    The chanting seemed to be building to something. She¡¯d read enough books and watched enough movies and shows to know that usually led to bad things. Like summoning a monster or cursing someone.


    She was getting antsy. It was taking too long for the guys to get in position. Her gut told her that if she didn¡¯t act soon they¡¯d have problems.


    ¡°Screw this!¡±


    Tessa listened to her instincts.


    She grabbed the padlock holding the chains around the door handles and twisted and pulled until it snapped. She threw the doors open, picked up her kanabo and stepped into the barn.


    ¡°Stop right there! You creepy cultist bastards!¡± Tessa struck the ground with her kanabo. The thud echoed through the cavernous barn.


    There were five men and a woman gathered in a circle around an intricate pattern painted on the ground. Candles abounded. The people were dressed in everyday clothing. Not a dark robe in sight. Still, on the whole, Tessa was definitely getting a cult vibe.


    They looked at Tessa with confusion at first. Then recognition. They were worried.


    The doors on the other side of the barn opened.


    ¡°You were supposed to wait,¡± Gene frowned.


    ¡°It sounded like something was about to happen,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Obviously not.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s cool, my dude,¡± Johnny pulled out his cell phone and started filming. ¡°This is good footage.¡± The bright light from the phone helped illuminate the area.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Tessa saw that what she thought was paint looked more like blood. She realized that she smelled a slight coppery scent in the air.


    ¡°Get the arcane blood circle,¡± Bastien tapped Johnny on the shoulder and pointed.


    ¡°Ahem¡­¡± Gene cleared his throat. ¡°Well, what do you have to say for yourselves?¡±


    A man stepped carefully around the large circle on the ground to approach the four young men at the entrance.


    ¡°You¡¯re interrupting a simple social gathering. I don¡¯t believe that your community has any claim to this place or on our activities.¡±


    ¡°Sure, so I guess you won¡¯t mind explaining what¡¯s going on with the circle of blood on the ground. I mean. We have no idea if it¡¯s human or animal or monster,¡± Gene said. ¡°That¡¯s the sort of thing that needs answers.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Tessa added. ¡°If this is just a weird LARP thing then you won¡¯t mind if I scuff up the circle.¡± The hairs on the back of her neck were standing up. Something was definitely up. She couldn¡¯t tell if the other guys noticed, aside from Bastien, who was looking a little pale. She took several steps toward the circle, while the men and woman edged away from her to move to the opposite side. It didn¡¯t escape her notice that they were now clustered together.


    The man smiled. ¡°Right, you got us. It¡¯s a little embarrassing, but we like acting and there aren¡¯t a lot of outlets to express ourselves creatively.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a community theater,¡± Olo said. His large rectangular shield was in the ready position. The spear in his other hand was pointed at the man.


    ¡°Ah, but we¡¯re only visitors and we have other duties. This is just a small weekend activity to scratch that itch.¡±


    ¡°Johnny¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Tessa almost jumped. Johnny had appeared right next to her without her noticing. The possible cultists did jump. Johnny had been filming on their side of the barn.


    ¡°Get some close up shots and pics, before I mess it up,¡± Tessa said. ¡°So, what kind of blood is this again?¡± She watched the man closely.


    ¡°Rabbits.¡± He raised his hands in a placating gesture. ¡°Don¡¯t worry we used every part of the rabbits in a responsible manner.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a lot of rabbits,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°It was.¡± The man smiled. He had been smiling the whole time.


    Bastien gagged. ¡°He¡¯s lying.¡±


    Gene pointed his sword at the man and raised his other hand with splayed fingers. ¡°No moves, no words or everyone gets a magic missile. You¡¯re all coming back to town with us.¡±


    ¡°Uh oh, shit¡¯s about to go down,¡± Johnny whispered to Tessa as he tucked his phone away and drew the short spears from his back. One in each hand.


    Tessa tightened her grip on her kanabo. She thought about grabbing some nuts and bolts out of her belt pouch, but discarded that idea. She wanted to bring the people back alive, not kill them.


    The man sighed theatrically. ¡°That¡¯s unfortunate. You children understand that my report back to my leaders will be unfavorable? This misguided attempt to play police will result in worsened relations between our two communities. I¡¯m sure your parents will be unhappy with you.¡± His words oozed.


    Tessa felt them slipping across her skin like slime. It caused her to shudder.


    ¡°Something¡¯s building,¡± Bastien gasped then fell to his knees.


    The distraction gave the man the opening he needed. He grabbed cultist closest to him and cut the man¡¯s throat before shoving him into the circle, while chanting in that same unknown language.


    ¡°Everyone run! Alert the others! These children must not escape!¡± The man bellowed.


    There was a distortion within the space contained by the blood circle.


    A sound like tearing and the discordant crying of an overwhelmed maternity ward assaulted Tessa¡¯s ears. The cultists ran around her and Johnny as they rushed out of the barn.


    They were no longer a concern for crouching within the circle over the exploded remains of the unfortunate cultist was a monster. A new kind that they hadn¡¯t encountered before.


    ¡°What the fuck is that?¡± Tessa took an involuntary step back.


    ¡°Oh shit! No way! Dude! That¡¯s a murloc,¡± Johnny said. ¡°Except grosser and scarier looking.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s from a game, bit before your time. Basically, fish people. Made a hilarious sound.¡±


    ¡°Kill them all!¡± The man bellowed. ¡°Don¡¯t let them escape!¡±


    ¡°Calling upon a Scion of the Deep Azure is not done lightly. You have much to answer for.¡± The fishman¡¯s voice was a deep rumble.


    ¡°Of course, honored one. I am at your service.¡± The man prostrated himself.


    ¡°Okay¡­ definitely more intimidating,¡± Johnny said. He took a deep breath and everyone in the barn lost track of him.


    Tessa sized up the fishman just like she was taught.


    Instead of skin it had gray-blue scales, just like a fish. Its head was a mix between human and fish. Bulbous eyes and a smooth, rounded face. Nostril slits and a wide mouth filled with pointed, conical teeth. There appeared to be a set of gills on both sides of its neck. It stood a bit hunched over. Two arms and two legs that where longer in proportion to its body. It had three webbed fingers and an opposable thumb on each hand. Its three webbed toes and feet were long, like a clown¡¯s shoes.


    It was disturbingly closer to a humanoid form than a monster, like the gremlins.


    The fishman¡¯s deep, broad chest and defined musculature suggested physical prowess that they needed to be careful with until they knew what it was capable of.


    Perhaps the most jarring thing about its appearance was that it was armed. It held a spear of unknown make slung over its back. It was a dirty white color and had an asymmetrical point. A small shield that resembled an animal shell was strapped to its left arm. It reflected the candle lights with a pearly luminescence. It even had a woven belt despite that fact that it appeared to be naked. Sheathed at this belt was a sword-like weapon that resembled a giant tooth more than anything else.


    It also had what looked like a crossbow made out of bone? The fishman raised the crossbow and shot Tessa. The spine-like bolt flew right for her chest.


    Tessa was fortunate that her reactions and coordination were also beyond human limits. She deflected the bolt with her kanabo. The bolt sparked off the metal surface. It was a close thing. She was lucky. First big fight and she had already made a mistake. She had been caught looking instead of acting.


    The fishman had taken the initiative.


    It dropped the crossbow and pulled the spear from its back and prepared to throw it at Tessa.


    ¡°On me!¡±


    The fishman tensed like it was fighting its own body. It intended to strike Tessa with its spear. It wanted to strike her, but it suddenly spun around and threw it at Olo. For a moment it resisted his taunt. Not even the gremlin alphas were capable of that feat.


    The spear bounced off the metal surface of Olo¡¯s shield with a clang.


    ¡°Rraargghh!¡± Tessa let loose with a wild shout as she swung her kanabo one handed at the back of the fishman¡¯s head.


    Mistake number two.


    Her shout gave the fishman enough warning that it was able to duck under the blow.


    The fishman spun and swung its shield at her face.


    Tessa barely got her free arm up in time to block it. The impact hurt and sent her flying a dozen feet. She might¡¯ve had super strength and durability, but she wasn¡¯t exactly super heavy.


    ¡°Careful, Olo!¡± Gene warned. ¡°Its got some level of enhanced strength.¡± He pointed his free hand at the fishman. ¡°Magic Missile.¡±


    Five marble-sized purple orbs lit up the darkness with their glow as they arced toward the fishman.


    It blocked two with its shield. The other three struck across its upper body. A look of what seemed to be pain crossed its face as the orbs burned its scales.


    ¡°Adequate magic.¡± The fishman voice was a deep rumble. ¡°I will see if your blade is more than adequate.¡± It drew the sword-like tooth from its belt.


    ¡°Well¡­ shit.¡± Gene¡¯s eyes widened. In his opinion his blade work was definitely inadequate. ¡°Olo, keep it off me.¡± He glanced back. ¡°Bastien, this is like that evil you were talking about. Can¡¯t you do something?¡±


    Bastien was still on his knees. ¡°I¡¯m gonna puke. It¡¯s that blood circle¡­¡±


    ¡°Got it. No more creepy circle,¡± Gene said. He tapped his fist on Olo¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°On me!¡± Olo¡¯s taunt drew the fishman.


    Something like annoyance crossed its face as it shifted its focus from Gene to Olo.


    Olo thrust his spear out to keep the fishman at a distance.


    The fishman slapped the spear point aside with its shield. The ease with which it did so shocked Olo.


    Olo was big as a linebacker and even stronger thanks to his Enhanced Strength passive. It appeared that the fishman was still stronger.


    It moved quickly to close inside the spear¡¯s reach. It slashed at Olo with its tooth sword.


    He blocked it with his shield. Sparks flew.


    The fishman rammed its shoulder into Olo¡¯s shield.


    He stumbled back, desperate to keep his balance.


    ¡°Fire Spray.¡±


    A wave of spray erupted from Gene¡¯s hand.


    The fishman darted back as the flames licked at its scales. The gills on its neck flared, opening and closing as if gulping for oxygen.


    ¡°More than adequate magic.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t like it hot?¡± Gene said. ¡°Then you¡¯ll hate this one.¡± He pointed at the blood circle. ¡°Fireball.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± The fishman dived for the small ball of fire with its shield arm outstretched. It was quick. It moved like a flyweight boxer.


    Gene¡¯s fireball was just fast enough to skirt by the shield. It hit the blood circle and exploded.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Bastien instantly improved.


    ¡°You dare!¡± The fishman roared. Its voice was like a deep bass. Gene felt it vibrate his entire body. ¡°You have sullied the mark. You have sealed your fate. Death is all that awaits. You will not have the opportunity to be one of the touched.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯m okay with that. My parents always told me that it was wrong for strangers to touch me. Your fingers look kind of slimy anyways,¡± Gene said. ¡°Also¡­ Now Tessa!¡±


    The fishman was a seasoned warrior. It didn¡¯t turn to look. It dived to one side. It chose the wrong direction.


    Tessa clubbed it across the side of its arm and ribs. There was an audible crack.


    Its sword tooth dropped to the ground from suddenly limp fingers.


    Tessa swung again.


    This time the fishman dived forward to avoid her two-handed, overhead smash. Her kanabo kicked up a shower of dirt when it dug deeply into the ground.


    The fishman found itself right in front of Gene and Bastien. The latter raised his halberd in the air.


    ¡°I repel your evil.¡±


    A bright light pulsed around Bastien as he continued to whisper the words of a prayer. There was a tangible feel to the light. When it reached the fishman, it recoiled back with a hiss.


    They had it trapped between them. Tessa¡¯s physical might on one side and Bastien¡¯s light on the other.


    ¡°Your action today was the striking of the bell. We will drown your light in the depths.¡± The fishman scrambled to its feet, gathered itself and jumped up to the loft above Bastien and Gene.


    ¡°Shit, shit, shit! We can¡¯t let it get away!¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Olo said. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t chase it in the dark. Plus we don¡¯t know what else might be out there.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ guys? What happened to that other guy? And where¡¯s Johnny?¡± Bastien¡¯s light winked out and he went down to one knee.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Tessa ran to Bastien¡¯s side, but kept her senses on alert in case the fishman returned.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be able to do much chasing,¡± Bastien said.


    Gene cursed. ¡°We¡¯ve got nothing now.¡±


    ¡°Johnny got video,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°And he is missing,¡± Gene snapped.


    Tessa¡¯s walkie-talkie crackled.


    ¡°Do you copy? Over.¡±


    It was Mads.


    Tessa pulled the walkie-talkie from her belt. ¡°I copy. Over.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got incoming from the fields to the east. I count fifteen men and women. That includes the four that ran out of the barn¡¯s south doors. There¡¯s something off about them.¡± Mads paused. ¡°And¡­ I¡¯m sorry, but I think Vee went out to meet them.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Tessa snapped. Her worst nightmare was now her reality.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what happened. She was right here with me one moment and the next she was gone. Should I start shooting?¡± The reluctance was plain in Mad¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°No!¡± Gene said at the same time. ¡°If they¡¯re from Frisco we can¡¯t start it.¡±


    ¡°We already did,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Look, man we need some of them alive for confessions and intel. Weird summoning circles and fishmen¡­ shit! That¡¯s messed up,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°That¡¯s my sister out there,¡± Tessa glared.


    ¡°I know she¡¯s a kid, but she¡¯s also pretty badass. I think she can handle it. However, I¡¯m not about to leave her to face a bunch of crazy cultists. Let¡¯s go. Tessa, you¡¯re a lot faster than us. You go ahead.¡±


    ¡°But what if the fishman comes back?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll handle it,¡± Bastien straightened.


    Tessa didn¡¯t waste another moment. She sprinted out of the barn with a cloud of dust at her heels.


    Gene grabbed his walkie-talkie. ¡°Mads, do you copy? Over.¡±


    ¡°I copy. Over.¡±


    ¡°If Vee looks like she¡¯s in trouble I¡¯m ordering you to shoot to kill. It¡¯s my call. Do you understand? Over.¡±


    ¡°Got it. Over.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, guys. Let¡¯s go. And keep an eye out for that fishdude,¡± Gene said.


    <hr>


    Veronica ran through the overgrown field that was taller than her. She had her long, metal staff in one hand, which was getting a little sweaty. Her heart jackhammered and her breathing threatened to get away from her. It was dark and she ran alone toward fifteen desperate and dangerous looking people.


    It had seemed like a good idea at the time. Justice needed to be fought for and she wanted to help out her sister and the guys in the barn. She hoped that Mads wouldn¡¯t get in trouble or get upset with her. She liked Mads, thought that the Sharpshooter was the coolest.


    Veronica tried to calm herself and remember her training. Her dad had taught her to fight from a distance, zap people¡¯s brains while the meatshields blocked for her. Of course, he also told her repeatedly that she was under no circumstance to go out and fight without him until she was twenty-five.


    She tried to put that last bit out of her mind. Her dad and mom were going to be so mad with her.


    The sounds of feet rustling the wheat and heavy breathing reached Veronica¡¯s ears. She froze to focus on the sound. It came from in front of her. Her hearing was better than a normal human¡¯s, her eyesight was better. She¡¯d get the first attack. She could do this.


    Hit fast and hit hard¡­ but not too hard. She reminded herself. She definitely didn¡¯t want to accidentally smash someone¡¯s head like a pumpkin. Even if they were bad guys that didn¡¯t seem justice-like. Also that would¡¯ve been gross.


    The first man that reached within twenty yards of Veronica was a goner, not literally though. As he parted the grass in front of him Veronica was already sprinting in his direction. Her small size and small feet didn¡¯t make a lot of noise. They wouldn¡¯t be able to hear her over the sound of their own stomping and breathing.


    Veronica jabbed him in the gut with the end of her staff then kicked him under the chin. She winced at the loud crack. Like hitting the baseballs she¡¯d get thrown at her for practice.


    The next guy she hit across the face. She pulled back on her swing just a bit too much and the man only stumbled. She twirled the staff over her head and put him down with a second hit.


    ¡°Look out! There¡¯s someth¡ª¡±


    The third guy either saw her or got lucky. He had a machete and tried to block her downward strike. Big mistake. Given two people with equal strength, you couldn¡¯t block a staff with a sword. It was a matter of force and weight or something like that. Veronica had only paid half-attention to Instructor Gozen¡¯s explanation.


    The fact that she was several times stronger than the man doomed him.


    Her staff blew right through his attempted block. She heard a loud crack. ¡°Sorry,¡± Veronica whispered. She wasn¡¯t sure if she had broken his wrist or his face. She hoped that it was the former.


    Sometimes justice was harsh.


    ¡°The fuck! It¡¯s a little girl.¡± The next guy that stumbled on her was a moron. He actually took his eyes off her to call back to the rest.


    Veronica swept him off his feet and struck him on his head.


    ¡°It must be the younger girl.¡± A man¡¯s voice shouted. ¡°Change of plans! Grab her!¡±


    Veronica smirked. One does not simply ¡®grab¡¯ justice.


    The man started to chant in a strange language.


    Uh oh, magic.


    Veronica ran around to circle to the back of the enemy formation.


    The man finished his chanting just as she reached their rear.


    ¡°You are granted the strength of the Deep Azure.¡± The man¡¯s voice sounded strained, weak. ¡°Do not fail this singular honor.¡±


    A dark symbol appeared about twenty feet above them. It was like a void in the air that seemed to drawn in all light. Just looking at it made Veronica¡¯s stomach churn. It was wrong on some fundamental level that she couldn¡¯t conceptualize.


    It was evil and wrong. This was what needed to be fought.

 3.15

    Now, Earth


    Veronica let loose a high-pitched battle cry and dashed into the formation. She came across a man, except there was something off about him. His muscled strained against his clothing and there was a crazed look in his eyes. She clubbed him across the forehead. Instead of going down he swung his ax at her. She stepped back and parried the ax with her staff. The impact sent vibrations up her arms.


    She now knew that stupid, evil symbol was a buffing spell.


    A woman with a spear came charging out of the wheat to Veronica¡¯s left. She dodged the spear, grabbed it and pulled the woman into a headbutt. The woman staggered back and plopped down on her seat. Her nose was a bloody mess, but she was already getting back to her feet.


    A man with a chain struck Veronica in the back of her head. She staggered forward.


    ¡°Oww¡­ that hurt.¡± Veronica couldn¡¯t believe that she actually got hit by a stupid weapon. So unrealistic.


    The man whirled the chain over his head while others filled the circle around Veronica.


    She kept them at bay by swinging and stabbing out with her staff in one hand and the spear in the other.


    ¡°Bringing you back will wipe away my failures. I will become touched.¡± A creepy looking man came out of the stalks. ¡°As you see this is the power that the Deep Azure provides. If you¡¯d like to become a part of us, I¡¯m sure I can put in a good word for you. In exchange for¡­ favors.¡±


    Veronica knew that this creepy old man was responsible for the weird spell thingy in the air. Just glancing at it made her want to puke. Knock him out, no more spell. Easy enough.


    She had two options. Fight through the ten people that were now almost as strong as her to smack the creeper upside the head. Or fry his brain from where she was standing. That was her preferred plan. The only problem was that would leave her vulnerable to the others. Especially if the buffing spell didn¡¯t cancel immediately.


    ¡°Hey old guy, why are you so creepy looking?¡± Just as she was taught. Try to distract. Misdirect. By time to see if a better opportunity presented itself. Uncle Cal said it was in a book about battles by some old guy from China.


    The creepy old man squinted at Veronica. He opened his mouth to say something.


    Johnny appeared behind him as if out of nowhere. ¡°Slap!¡± He struck the back of the creepy old man¡¯s head with his patented sock full of batteries.


    The creepy old man flopped bonelessly to the ground.


    ¡°Did you see that, Vee? The sock worked! You are my witness. In your face, Gene!¡± Johnny whooped.


    Veronica rolled her eyes.


    Their remaining enemies wailed in unison as the evil symbol floating in the air seemed to pulse. The people frothed at the mouth. Their muscles grew bigger, straining against their skin. The veins in the face and neck bulged.


    ¡°Oh shit! Vee, get back to the barn. I¡¯ll try to distract them.¡± Johnny took a deep breath. He appeared behind the woman closest to Veronica. He sliced her hamstrings with a kerambit in each hand. The woman dropped to the ground but still swiped at him.


    ¡°No way! Justice doesn¡¯t run.¡±


    ¡°Call it a tactical withdrawal. Justice can¡¯t do justice things if justice is dead.¡± Johnny gulped another lungful of air and vanished from sight. He appeared behind the biggest looking man and cut his achilles tendons. When the man tried to take a step he crumbled to the ground.


    One of the mountains of muscle charged at Veronica. She stabbed him in the knee with the spear. He kept coming. The spear shaft broke. She dived to the side and tripped him up with her staff, which was almost torn from her grip. They were probably stronger than her now. She and Johnny were in real danger.


    Another man charged her, an ax held high.


    Veronica pointed a finger gun at his head. ¡°Bang!¡±


    The man seized up and fell face first into the ground. Where he started twitching and flailing. She had popped a small electromagnetic pulse right into his brain.


    The effort wasn¡¯t easy. Veronica was winded. From her practices she knew that she could do about twelve of those in succession before she was pooped out. That was under ideal conditions when she was rested and relaxed. She was neither of those at the moment.


    A woman attacked Veronica from behind. She grabbed her around the head with one grotesquely over-sized hand.


    There was a loud bang.


    Veronica felt the woman¡¯s hand go slack. She turned around to see the woman without half her head, dead on the ground. She felt like she was going to be sick.


    ¡°Damn, that¡¯s some good shooting, thank you Mads,¡± Johnny said as he appeared behind another man and crippled him. ¡°C¡¯mon, Vee¡­ tactical withdrawal,¡± he pleaded. ¡°I can¡¯t keep this up for much longer.¡±


    Veronica thrust her staff at a charging man. He actually grabbed it and pulled it away from her. She had to release her grip or go flying along with it. Now she was unarmed. She did the only thing she could do.


    She pointed her finger at the man¡¯s head. ¡°Bang!¡± She jumped over his body as he tumbled to the ground and slid under her.


    Veronica looked wildly for an escape route. The large bodies charging at her blocked her view. She went two finger guns for double-fisted brain frying.


    Two people went down.


    Maybe she didn¡¯t need to run. There had to be only a few more of them to knock out.


    Suddenly, she was face down in the soil. She saw stars and her ears felt muffled.


    Someone was yelling something.


    Veronica turned over to see four, no two, of the magically-altered people standing over her.


    One raised a machete.


    Veronica threw her arm up and closed her eyes.


    She felt pain like nothing before as the machete chopped all the way to the bone.


    ¡°Nooo!¡±


    There was a loud bang that shook everything. Veronica opened her eyes. The two people were no where in sight.


    Tessa appeared next to her. ¡°Ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod.¡±


    Veronica cried as her sister hugged her tight.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Vee.¡± Tessa looked around, frantic. She thrust her hand out toward a rustling in the stalks. There was a handful of bolts and nuts in her upturned palm.


    ¡°Whoa!¡± Johnny appeared. ¡°They¡¯re all down.¡±


    ¡°Get Bastien here! Now!¡± Tessa snapped.


    Johnny looked over her shoulder and saw the wound on Veronica¡¯s arm. His eyes widened. ¡°We¡¯re all dead,¡± he whispered. ¡°I¡¯ll get him right way.¡± He sprinted away.


    Tessa pulled out the first aid kit from the small pack at her belt. It was dark, but she could see well enough plus she was panicking a little. The only thing she could see was the nasty slice on Veronica¡¯s arm. White bone was visible.


    ¡°This is going to sting,¡± Tessa poured alcohol over Veronica¡¯s wound.


    ¡°Owwww.¡±


    ¡°Stop moving your arm.¡±


    ¡°You should make sure the bad guys can¡¯t get away. I¡¯m fine,¡± Veronica complained. The tears in her eyes and the waver in her voice revealed the lie.


    ¡°They aren¡¯t going anywhere.¡±


    ¡°But what about the two that got me?¡± Veronica looked around wildly.


    Tessa frowned at her younger sister. Veronica was acting funny. They took some classes about this. Shock? ¡°Those two are definitely not going anywhere.¡± What she didn¡¯t add was that they definitely weren¡¯t going to be able to walk off her huge, all-metal kanabo crushing them at several times the speed of a bullet.


    ¡°Oh no!¡± Veronica¡¯s eyes widened and she tried to get to her feet. ¡°That creepy magic symbol in the sky¡­ it made my stomach feel bad.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s gone.¡±


    ¡°But the creepy old man that cast it? I hit his brain.¡±


    Tessa stopped. ¡°Well¡­ shit.¡± It had totally slipped her mind. The cult leader guy was definitely their number one target, since the fishman had escaped.


    The rest of the team came running through the stalks.


    ¡°That cult leader! He¡¯s around here somewhere.¡± Tessa snapped.


    ¡°Johnny with me,¡± Gene barked. ¡°Olo and Mads. Spread out, find him!¡±


    ¡°Bastien,¡± Tessa urged him urgently over. ¡°Fix her arm.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll try. The barn fight took a lot out of me.¡±


    ¡°Then make sure there isn¡¯t any weird evil magic crap going on. I¡¯ve already cleaned it out,¡± Tessa said.


    Bastien whispered a prayer as he held a softly glowing hand over Veronica¡¯s wounded arm.


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna find my kanabo and your staff,¡± Tessa patted her sisters head. ¡°I won¡¯t be far.¡±


    A couple of minutes later Tessa returned. She had both custom, dad-made weapons.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Veronica took her staff back. It felt comforting to have it in her hand.


    The rest of team came back ten minutes later.


    ¡°Well?¡± Tessa wasn¡¯t scowling at anyone in particular. It was the entire situation.


    ¡°He got away,¡± Gene said flatly.


    ¡°We secured the rest of them,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Zip-tied nice and tight,¡± Johnny said. ¡°At least the ones that needed them. A few are de¡ª¡±


    Gene flashed an angry look at Johnny. ¡°Are unable to run away.¡±


    ¡°You can say if they¡¯re dead,¡± Veronica chimed. ¡°I¡¯m not a baby.¡±


    ¡°Well, a couple are,¡± Gene said reluctantly.


    Johnny laughed. ¡°A couple aren¡¯t going to be running away from anything¡­ ever. What?¡± He shrugged at the disgusted looks thrown his way. ¡°They¡¯re like trashy bikers. I don¡¯t care about them. They shouldn¡¯t be joining up with evil cults and taking shots at my teammates.¡± He pounded a fist on his chest toward Veronica.


    She returned the gesture.


    Tessa shook her head. ¡°Okay. We¡¯ll deal with him later. Let¡¯s just get out of here and get back home.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll need to take the prisoners back,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°I noticed a small trailer back near one of the warehouses,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°I can pull it.¡± Olo and Tessa spoke at the same time.


    ¡°Okay, that works. Bastien and Veronica you stay here with Tessa. You guys keep an eye on our prisoners. The rest of us will bring the trailer over.


    Olo raised a hand. ¡°I might have trouble pulling it out of the field once its full.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll help if necessary,¡± Tessa said.


    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    Gene looked up into the dark night sky. ¡°We should probably hurry. Mads, I want your eyes up in the sky. All the fighting probably drew some attention.¡±


    ¡°Awww, bro, why you got to remind me there are wyverns out here,¡± Johnny said. ¡°Fuck my life.¡±


    ¡°Language!¡± Mads snapped.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, guys. I¡¯m not a baby!¡± Veronica sighed.


    ¡°Technically, since you¡¯re the youngest by far. You sort of are,¡± Bastien grinned weakly.


    Veronica pouted. ¡°Lame.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Johnny agreed. ¡°Yes they are.¡±


    They worked fast to load the injured prisoners. Some had regained consciousness, but all looked too drained to do more than moan weakly.


    ¡°That¡¯s a ragged looking bunch, I wonder were the cultist dudes found them.¡± Johnny said. He pointed to the three that were dressed distinctly from the others. ¡°Like those were the cultists, but the rest¡­¡±


    ¡°Going by their motorcycle club vests, I¡¯d say they¡¯re a motorcycle gang or maybe were?¡± Olo huffed as he pulled the trailer next to Tessa. It looked comical. A teenage girl half the size of huge young man, yet it looked like she was doing a larger percentage of the work


    It turned out that once the trailer was loaded with people it was faster if the two of them pulled together. As Gene kept pointing out. They needed to get back to city limits as soon as possible, since the wyverns were going to attack at any moment.


    ¡°I think we¡¯re looking at two separate groups. The biker people are probably new recruits they picked up in the area. Their clothes are dirty and ragged. They look malnourished. Probably barely getting by,¡± Mads said.


    ¡°Meat shields?¡± Veronica looked up at Mads.


    ¡°Bingo,¡± Mads winked.


    Veronica smiled. She was pleased. The pain in her arm was mostly forgotten.


    ¡°We¡¯ll find out more once we can ask them questions,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Right, right. Which is why we need to go faster?¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we call this in?¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Not in range yet,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Also, we want to delay the ass kicking we are about to receive for as long as possible,¡± Johnny said. ¡°Hey, Tessa?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Tessa sighed.


    ¡°I got a question¡­ so, on a scale of one to ten. How mad are you¡¯re parents going to be with us? And please explain why the number will be eleven.¡±


    ¡°God, you¡¯re such a child,¡± Mads rolled her eyes.


    ¡°I believe that you are factually incorrect,¡± Johnny held his head high. ¡°I am now a young man as are the rest of us,¡± he pointed at Gene, Olo and Bastien. ¡°It is you women, excuse me, girls,¡± he dipped his head in mock seriousness. ¡°It says so in your ages. The word being teen¡­ well, Vee¡¯s eleven, but you get my point. Right?¡±


    Everyone except for Veronica gave him disgusted looks.


    ¡°Besides, you¡¯re just jealous that me and Vee are tight. That¡¯s why we fought so well together.¡± Johnny pointed a finger at Veronica. ¡°We should have a subteam. A team within a team. The most dangerous duo. Team Brainstab.¡± There was a stunned silence. ¡°Team Slicebrain?¡±


    ¡°Nope,¡± Mads said.


    ¡°Whatever, we¡¯ll figure it out. Right, Vee?¡± Johnny nudged Tessa. ¡°Should¡¯ve seen your sister. Much ass kicking was unleashed!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great, cause I¡¯m sure my parents will want to know all about how Vee got that slice on her arm,¡± Tessa glared. ¡°Oh and that number, ninety-nine and the only reason it¡¯s not a hundred is that no one died.¡±


    Johnny paled and moved back as if struck. For once he was speechless.


    ¡°I¡¯m more worried about what Miss Nila will do,¡± Olo muttered.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve already accepted that she¡¯s going to work us over for like the next month,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Um¡­ I have a question?¡± Veronica raised her uninjured arm. ¡°Are they going to be okay?¡± She looked back at the captured prisoners.


    The prisoners didn¡¯t give any indications that they were listening to the young people¡¯s conversation.


    ¡°Maybe,¡± Gene said after a moment.


    ¡°I think I hit them too hard,¡± Veronica said in a soft voice.


    ¡°They attacked you. You defended yourself. They made their choice to work with some kind of cult,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Which was clearly evil?¡± Gene nodded. ¡°Right, Bastien?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can make judgments, but my magic definitely saw them as evil. Whether that¡¯s based on some kind of magic type interaction or its based on my own personal moral code¡­¡± Bastien shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know enough right now to say.¡±


    ¡°Sometimes upholding justice requires tough decisions,¡± Olo said as he patted Veronica¡¯s head.


    ¡°Man, why so serious?¡± Johnny said. ¡°It¡¯s pretty straightforward for me. They¡¯re evil dudes doing evil things cause I¡¯m pretty sure that blood circle wasn¡¯t from rabbits. Fight bad guys, beat bad guys. Simple.¡±


    ¡°Worst role model,¡± Mads said flatly.


    ¡°Oh come on! I¡¯m just saying that you¡¯re all being a bit too down on this. Sure it was scary and dangerous,¡± Johnny nodded to Veronica, ¡°but she did take on like a dozen dudes while they were all on some weird magic roids. I¡¯m saying that¡¯s a pretty awesome accomplishment.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s eleven!¡± Mads snapped.


    ¡°Exactly what I¡¯m saying!¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ guys, I¡¯m right here,¡± Veronica said.


    Silence descended on the group like a meteorite out of the sky.


    At least it wasn¡¯t a wyvern.


    ¡°Hey?¡± Gene leaned over to Bastien. ¡°So, how much trouble do you think we¡¯re in?¡±


    Bastien¡¯s lack of an answer was enough.


    Gene reassessed his earlier statement. A month a hard training was now the least of his concerns.


    ¡°Prisoners have to be worth something. Right guys? Right?¡± Johnny said.


    <hr>


    Then, Threnosh World, Shortly after the fall of Cold Plains City


    ¡°What do you want, Elgorit? I¡¯m busy.¡±


    ¡°General Zanya. Still having difficulties lodging your soldiers?¡±


    ¡°The gray beings this world belongs to are extremely diminutive. Paradoxically, their metal work is stronger than anything we have encountered across the worlds we¡¯ve conquered. It is difficult to pry their doorways large enough. And when we do, we find that the interiors are partitioned into rooms too small for us to make use of.¡± General Zanya looked around the cavernous space. Some kind of building that the tiny gray ones used for manufacturing strange, shiny automatons. Her thick brow narrowed into a scowl when she noticed Elgorit¡¯s caged chattel arrayed along the furthest wall. Even from the distance, she smelled their unwashed bodies, their waste and other things that were much worse. She noticed Elgorit''s blood-caked hands for the first time. ¡°I see that you are making use of this space. I can fit a hundred of my soldiers in here. They¡¯d need not sleep under the constant threat of the gray ones¡¯ mechanical dragonlings.¡±


    Elgorit turned to face the general. He looked up at her. She had the bigger and stronger body type. He was shorter, thinner, as if he was wasting away. ¡°I commune with the Savior. This is his house.¡±


    Elgorit¡¯s dirty coverings flared as he threw his arms out wide. The stench from him forced the general to breathe from her mouth. She could see meat chunks in his uncleaned teeth and underneath his untrimmed nails.


    ¡°I am certain that our soldiers will not mind some hardship for the time being, so that I may continue to commune with the Savior.¡±


    ¡°The Savior would not have this place if our soldiers hadn¡¯t bled and died for it,¡± General Zanya growled.


    ¡°Peace, general,¡± Elgorit backed a pace. ¡°I and the Savior have full confidence in our soldiers¡¯ abilities. After all you have led victorious crusades to several worlds now. I do not foresee that changing in this one.¡±


    ¡°Be careful, hierophant. Don¡¯t lose sight of the war outside your mysteries. For if our soldiers fall then you face the enemy on your own.¡± General Zanya¡¯s eyes glanced at the caged chattel as Elgorit turned and returned to his basin.


    ¡°Yes, of course. I know as well you do that there is only victory or death. The way back is barred to us. Forward unto eternity. As decreed by the Savior. So, perhaps you should concentrate on taking the battle to the enemy. Even I¡¯ve been part of enough campaigns to know the dangers of being bogged down in this city while our foes gather their strength.¡±


    ¡°Again, what do you want?¡±


    ¡°The gray ones you¡¯ve captured. I want them when you are done extracting your precious intelligence. I am eager to see what they may reveal to me.¡±


    General Zanya clenched fists strong enough to crush stone.


    ¡°They are worthy opponents.¡±


    ¡°But they are small and weak.¡±


    ¡°Their strange carapaces grant them strength and their weaponry is formidable. I would see them turned to our cause as is our way.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes,¡± Elgorit waved his hands in irritation. ¡°I¡¯m not telling you to bring me every gray one you capture. Just¡­ say one in every hundred.¡±


    The general ground her teeth.


    ¡°The Savior wills it.¡±


    ¡°One in every thousand.¡±


    ¡°Very well, but I want all of the ones you have already captured. When unlocking new mysteries it is important to have an adequate initial supply.¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡±


    ¡°And general, I may have a way to help you with your dragonling pests.¡±


    ¡°Continue your words.¡± General Zanya¡¯s instincts were warning her.


    ¡°Sacrifice, as always. Do not be concerned, for now. I may have enough chattel to use on my spell once you give me the gray ones. Their lifeblood is the key to my working. If more is needed, then I shall inform you immediately.¡± Elgorit¡¯s eyes blazed with unnatural power. ¡°We are the dominion.¡±


    ¡°We are eternal.¡±


    General Zanya stormed out of the huge metal building. Her thick plate armor clanked as her boots thudded with each step. Interactions with the hierophant had always roiled the anger within her into a storm. It would take time to find calm. Which meant time wasted when she needed to be directing all of her energy into figuring out how to extract her army from the dire situation they were in.


    They had captured the city, but the battle was fiercer than she had planned for. The gray ones were small and weak, but their weaponry was strong. She needed new strategy and tactics if they were going to break out of the gray ones¡¯ siege. She didn¡¯t intend to be the first Cragant general to lose a war.


    <hr>


    Then, Threnosh World


    ¡°What do you want, Primal? I am occupied.¡±


    ¡°You have not replied to my request, Caretaker.


    Only Primal¡¯s head was visibly from the other side of Caretaker¡¯s desk. Primal was even smaller than the already diminutive standard Threnosh. Out of their power armor, they were a full head shorter than the standard 1.22 meter tall height.


    Caretaker, on the other hand, was a giant among Threnosh. Out of their power armor they could look Honor in the eyes. They were even taller when wearing their power armor, which was almost always.


    Caretaker heard the motors of Primal¡¯s crude Threnosh-made exoskeleton. Without which they wouldn¡¯t have been able to walk down the corridor without falling to exhaustion.


    Primal seemed crankier than the usual, which was noteworthy.


    ¡°Your request is denied. I need you with me at Cold Plains City.¡±


    ¡°Honor¡¯s Orchestral Meridian Quest will yield Universal Points like no other spawn point or encounter challenge that we have already conquered. An entire city, untouched for years. Think of the powerful monsters it must contain. Think of the strength I can gain through the experience and the upgrades to my trueskin that I will be able to purchase from the marketplace. And naturally, Honor will need my strength and firepower.¡±


    Caretaker moved the holographic projections on their desk to the side so that they could look at Primal without obstruction.


    ¡°Have you reviewed the recordings of the battles at Cold Plains City like I ordered?¡±


    ¡°Of course I have. I may think it is a waste of opportunity, but I am a warrior and a professional. I will not go into battle without knowing my enemies.¡±


    ¡°Then you are already aware that Invasive Organism 1867 are giant humanoids with immense physical strength and durability.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I have seen the calculations of their physical attributes. They are still weaker than me,¡± Primal scoffed.


    ¡°On an individual basis. The army that emerged from the spire numbered 20034. I calculate that on average it takes eight to ten of them to equal you in a contest of physical strength.¡±


    ¡°What is your point?¡±


    ¡°An army of powerful opponents. One of which somehow created a curtain of fire to blanket entire sections of the walls.¡±


    ¡°I watched the recording. Honor called it magic. His subsequent explanation was lacking.¡±


    Caretaker nodded. In truth, Primal was correct. ¡°My point is that you want a challenge. You want Universal Points. You will get both at Cold Plains City. Understand that this fight, this war will be nothing like we have ever faced before.¡±


    ¡°Are you certain? You know nothing of war. Even Honor stated that his knowledge was not from direct experiences.¡±


    ¡°Factually accurate. However, how often have I been wrong in the past?¡±


    Primal fell silent as they considered the matter with a scowl on their gray, checkerboard-patterned face.


    ¡°Very well. I withdraw my request of transfer.¡±


    Primal abruptly turned and strode out of Caretaker¡¯s office. Their exoskeleton whined in protest. It wasn¡¯t designed to move with such force.


    Caretaker would¡¯ve rejected the request regardless. Primal¡¯s capabilities were suited to the siege warfare that Honor had described.


    Their PID beeped. They tapped the surface with a gloved finger.


    ¡°Communicator Blackswamp 649.¡± Caretaker greeted the communicator with a nearly imperceptible nod.


    The communicator¡¯s holographic projection reciprocated.


    ¡°Message from Honor¡¯s Adventuring Party. They have reached Orchestral Meridian and are setting up base camp. They will commence scouting operations shortly.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Caretaker said.


    The communicator¡¯s projection disappeared.


    Honor¡¯s Quest had begun.


    Caretaker¡¯s was going to start soon. They pictured it in their minds¡¯ eye to bring it back from their memory.


    Task Received.


    Reclaim Cold Plains City.


    Success Parameters: Expel the enemy army.


    Failure parameters: Retreat or Death.


    Reward: 500000 Universal Points.


    Caretaker had always wondered why Death was listed as a parameter. Wasn¡¯t it understood that to die meant that one wasn¡¯t going to successfully complete the Quest? It seemed¡­ redundant.


    The immense point total was another concern. It was several times higher than the highest they had ever received and that was from killing secret bosses and clearing spawn points.


    If the point amount scaled to the difficulty as Honor had surmised then fighting for Cold Plains City was going to be the team¡¯s most difficult task to date.


    Caretaker had concerns of their ability to succeed. Especially without Honor¡¯s presence.


    Their PID beeped. It was Shira.


    ¡°Caretaker, I am still awaiting your word on my request.¡±


    Caretaker suppressed a sigh. Shira was the third today with the same request. First Dralig, then Primal and now Shira. It seemed like everyone wanted to transfer to Honor¡¯s expedition.


    ¡°Have you reviewed the recordings of the battles at Cold Plains City like I ordered?¡±

 3.16

    Now, Earth


    ¡°You¡¯re grounded. Indefinitely.¡±


    Tessa didn¡¯t argue with her father. This was expected and she was ready for it. She meekly nodded her head. She was genuine in her contrition. Despite all of the mitigating circumstances it all came down to one thing. Veronica had gotten hurt. Full stop. Nothing else mattered.


    The scolding had lasted a good half hour, which was fine. Everything her parents had said was objectively true. So, it had been easy to stand there and take it without feeling too bad. It was when her mother had started crying that it got emotional for her.


    ¡°Sorry. It won¡¯t happen again.¡±


    Tessa meant it and from the look on her father¡¯s face, he accepted her sincerity.


    ¡°Yes, because you¡¯re never going to go out fighting again!¡±


    Her mother had dried her eyes. She glared at Tessa with the displeasure of a billion mothers.


    Tessa bowed her head. She bit back a reply. Her mother was caught up in the moment. There was no way that was going to happen. They couldn¡¯t keep her grounded forever, like her father had said. They needed her out there to kill monsters and they definitely needed her against the weird fish cult people.


    ¡°You do understand what you did wrong?¡±


    Her father¡¯s voice was calm, but she could tell that he was struggling to keep his inner turmoil from showing. She could feel it in the tingling sensation around her arms. Her power detected the magnetic fields that her father generated acting up. An unconscious reaction to his emotions. This struck Tessa with the severity of the situation more than anything else. Her father was always calm, solid like a granite slab.


    ¡°Yeah. I should¡¯ve taken Veronica back as soon as I discovered her,¡± Tessa said.


    Her mother¡¯s sharp intake of breath was a hint that Tessa had said the wrong thing. She silently cursed herself. She¡¯d momentarily forgot to take her mother¡¯s sensibilities into account. A rookie mistake. From the look on her mother¡¯s face it was too late to fix it.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have been out there in the first place! We didn¡¯t give you permission to be outside of the inner patrol boundaries! Unlike those idiot boys, you are still a minor!¡±


    Tessa shrank back from her furious mother. She had never seen her mother this mad before. It was almost like being struck in the face.


    Her father must¡¯ve noticed it. He placed a hand on her mother¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Megan. I think she understands that now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to check on Veronica.¡±


    Her mother stomped up the stairs.


    ¡°You do understand why we¡¯re mad, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a game. As much as we want to keep you safe, we know that we can¡¯t just lock you up. This world simply won¡¯t allow it.¡± Her father ran a hand through his graying hair. ¡°It¡¯s infuriating. You know what I worried about before this all started? Boys, paying for college and a few other things. The normal things every father with girls has to worry about. Now it¡¯s monsters and a fish cult¡­¡± he shook his head.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, dad. I know I messed up, but I meant it when I said I¡¯ll do better.¡±


    ¡°I know you will, I trust you. You¡¯re smart. I¡¯m just worried that your powers have made you reckless. You¡¯re not invincible. Neither is your sister.¡±


    Tessa nodded. What else could she say or do?


    ¡°Right, so, you and Veronica are both grounded. No patrols, nothing fun. You¡¯re going to go to training, help with any manual labor the community needs, then back home. And I¡¯m going to have your training kick up a couple of notches on the intensity scale. I know you and I¡¯m pretty sure that you won¡¯t see training as punishment. I¡¯m warning you now that will change.¡±


    ¡°I understand,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Good. Go to your room and write down everything you can remember about the cultists and the fishman.¡±


    Tessa¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°You had a firsthand view. Get it written down while it¡¯s still fresh. Strengths, weaknesses. Sights, smells, sounds. Anything that might be useful.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going to fight them?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re grounded, indefinitely, remember?¡±


    ¡°Um, yeah,¡± Tessa nodded, unconvincingly.


    ¡°I trust your impressions. Now go to your room.¡±


    Tessa headed upstairs with a lightness to her steps that didn¡¯t belong in someone that had been sentenced to an eternal grounding.


    Remy let out a long breath. He had no idea that his daughters had been in a life or death fight. The events of the night had been much too close to disaster. Now, what could he do to make sure something like that never happened again?


    By the time his wife had come back downstairs, Remy was no closer to a workable solution, he had managed to get his inner turmoil under control. He hadn¡¯t noticed that he was unconsciously emitting magnetic fields. They had been subtle, but he didn¡¯t like the idea that he hadn¡¯t been in complete control of his powers.


    ¡°How is she?¡±


    Megan scowled. She didn¡¯t reply as she took a glass from the cupboard and poured a generous finger of whisky. She downed it in one gulp.


    Remy took in her grimace. ¡°Um¡­ are you okay?¡±


    ¡°No, no I¡¯m not. I don¡¯t know why you and your brothers like drinking this stuff.¡± Megan poured another finger.


    ¡°Should I be concerned? You said that Veronica¡¯s arm was going to be fine.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. She was cut to the bone, which was alright. No fractures or chipping. I used my magic to speed up the healing process. I¡¯m confident that there won¡¯t be any scarring.¡± Megan took a smaller sip this time. Her face made it plain that she still didn¡¯t find it palatable. ¡°Our baby didn¡¯t like that,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°Huh? She wanted a scar?¡± Remy felt like banging his head on the table.


    ¡°She said it was a mark of fighting for justice or some nonsense. What¡¯s happening to our daughters?¡±


    Remy embraced his wife as she started to sob.


    ¡°They¡¯re adapting to a different world. A crappy world.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it was a mistake to let them do¡­ this,¡± Megan snapped.


    ¡°No, we weren¡¯t wrong about that. They need to be strong. Otherwise they¡¯re just victims. Of the monsters. Of bad people. And maybe other worse things.¡± Remy spoke in a gentle voice.


    ¡°So, what? They live under the threat of constant injury and death? They¡¯re supposed to play, go to summer camp, prom, college. Then when they¡¯re secure in good careers, give us grandbabies.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing that says that those things aren¡¯t still possible, just maybe different from how we had them. Remember Cal¡¯s messages. There are other worlds out there. If we can¡¯t make ours safe for Tessa and Veronica, then maybe we can go to a different one. Statistically speaking there have to be safe worlds out there.¡±


    ¡°How can you think that? That Threnosh world isn¡¯t any different from here. They have monsters and spawn points too. And that angel-thing that came from the next world up. You saw the video. It still gives me nightmares thinking of an entire world with those things.¡±


    Remy couldn¡¯t refute his wife¡¯s words. He too had nightmares about that monster. Something told him that Cal hadn¡¯t been entirely honest about the fight. There was a haunted look to his brother¡¯s eyes in the video messages. The good cheer in Cal¡¯s voice sounded forced.


    ¡°Three worlds out of who knows how many,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°And now we¡¯re dealing with some kind of cult and fish people,¡± Megan said. ¡°For a moment I was letting myself think that things were getting¡ª not back to normal, but closer to something like it¡­ the idea that things were getting safer.¡±


    The doorbell rang.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Nila said. ¡°I didn¡¯t come with them.¡± She pointed at the men and women from the Watch.


    ¡°We need Meg¡ª¡±


    Remy held up a finger. ¡°Hang on.¡± He ushered Nila inside and closed the door on the rest.


    ¡°Morons,¡± Nila said.


    Remy shrugged. ¡°With things quieting down they¡¯re thinking that they don¡¯t need me as much. The colonel said as much when he gave me a last chance to get with the program.¡±


    Nila shook her head. ¡°Yeah, been getting the same kind of talk recently. I¡¯m not upset about it to be honest. I¡¯ve been thinking it might be time to go south. Most of my family is down there anyways.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s keeping you from going?¡±


    ¡°Got a few relatives in San Francisco. I was thinking that there might¡¯ve been a chance to find out if they were okay, but with recent developments¡­ also I¡¯m not sure if I can get down there by myself.¡±


    ¡°Wyverns, drakes and worse according to Eron,¡± Remy nodded.


    ¡°Plus skindancers or walkers,¡± Nila grimaced. ¡°I do not want to run into one of those.¡±


    ¡°That encounter was over five years ago.¡±


    ¡°Exactly, plenty of time for more of those to show up and get even stronger. That¡¯s not even mentioning getting through the Cajon Pass and L.A. I think it¡¯s doable for me on my own. Just risky and I¡¯ll have to get violent, which I¡¯d rather not.¡±


    ¡°Well, maybe we can all go as a family,¡± Remy said. ¡°This might not be the place for us.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for watching the kids.¡± Megan wiped her eyes and got up from the table to embrace Nila.


    ¡°No problem. I came as soon as I could. After I heard what happened¡­ I¡¯m going to run those idiot boys into the ground,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Thanks. I appreciate that,¡± Megan said. ¡°I¡¯m thinking if you could maybe do the same to the girls.¡±


    ¡°No, I think I¡¯ll take care of that,¡± Remy said. ¡°I¡¯ve got the time now that I¡¯m on the outs with the city council. And I think it¡¯ll really drive home the message that they screwed up if I¡¯m the one going crazy drill sergeant on them.¡±


    Megan and Nila looked dubious.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never once heard you raise your voice. Even when Tessa sent that car into the side of a building trying to kill a gremlin,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°You¡¯re too calm,¡± Megan agreed.


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    ¡°Exactly. That¡¯s why it¡¯s better. A cold, calm fury,¡± Remy said. ¡°They expect yelling. My way will drive home our disappointment in their actions.¡±


    ¡°I guess we should go then,¡± Megan looked at Remy.


    ¡°Thanks again, Nila,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Maybe you can yell at them a little,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve got that covered. You¡¯re not the only ones disappointed,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°This is the last thing I want to do. They¡¯ve got other qualified people to do the autopsies,¡± Megan complained. ¡°I should be with my kids.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got the biology background and the right kind of magic to spot anything that they might miss. Plus with something this important we can¡¯t afford to miss anything,¡± Remy said.


    Megan and Remy exited their house to a group of armed and armored people staring at them.


    ¡°Sorry, Remy, but you aren¡¯t authorized to¡ª¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ no,¡± Megan held up a finger to interrupt the man. ¡°I¡¯m concerned about my safety. I¡¯m not going anywhere near those bodies without my husband.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got four squads on site. You¡¯ll be safe.¡±


    ¡°Those people were mutated somehow and were strong enough to cut my daughter¡¯s arm to the bone,¡± Megan snapped. ¡°Her skin has more tensile strength than kevlar, her muscles are several times denser than normal. Even with enhanced strength, you take a whack at her and you couldn¡¯t do more than give her a shallow cut. I am not taking any chances with magic bullshit. I have two daughters to go home to after I¡¯m done.¡±


    ¡°I understand, but we have our orders.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care.¡± Megan turned to go back into the house.


    Remy shrugged as the man gave him an almost plaintive look.


    ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Remy patted the man on the shoulder. ¡°You can tell the colonel and Officer Lawrence that I didn¡¯t give you a choice.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, man. Appreciate it. Hey?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Your kids okay?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°Oh good¡­ cause I heard they were pretty badass tonight. If this is leading to something big, we¡¯re going to need them.¡±


    Remy groaned internally. That wasn¡¯t the right thing to say. He was much too polite to tear into the unfortunate guy.


    Megan, however, was not.


    Remy felt a little bad for the young guy. Just a bit. Though not enough to stop his wife.


    <hr>


    The autopsy had been delayed by some ten minutes while they scrambled to find the metal chains that Remy had requested. He bore the annoyed glances and glares from the doctor and her team with ease. He wanted the corpse attached to metal that he could manipulate in case it magically came back to life.


    ¡°I hate how I can¡¯t rule that out as a possibility,¡± Remy muttered.


    ¡°What, hon?¡±


    Megan stood behind him. Adroitly keeping him in between her and the corpse.


    Remy didn¡¯t take his eyes off the corpse. ¡°Nothing,¡± he said lightly. He levitated several small metal chunks of various shapes and sizes above his upturned palm. He consciously molded the orbiting pieces on the solar system.


    ¡°Are these good enough?¡±


    One of the Watch came into the room with an armful of manacles.


    ¡°Perfect.¡± Remy pulled on his magnetic power to levitate the manacles over to the corpse and affixed one each to the wrists and ankles. ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°Satisfied? Can we start now?¡± The doctor¡¯s voice was a deep and disgruntled grumble.


    Remy nodded to the doctor.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m missing sleep for this and my back is going to kill me in the morning, so enough wasting time. I¡¯m going to conduct the autopsy and you¡¯re going to stay out of my way. Are you going to be able to do your magic crap?¡±


    There was the slightest narrowing of Megan¡¯s brows. ¡°That¡¯ll work for me.¡± She gave the doctor a tight-lipped smile.


    The doctor glanced at Remy.


    ¡°Just do your thing. If it starts moving, run behind those guys.¡± He jabbed a thumb over his shoulder toward the armed men and women arrayed in a semi-circle around the autopsy room¡¯s perimeter. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of the rest.¡±


    As the doctor went to work. Remy realized that although he had seen death in more forms than he had cared to. This was the first time that he was getting a look and smell at a dead body under good lighting. He resolved to focus on the manacles around its ankles and wrists. Watching them like a hawk, meant that he wasn¡¯t seeing what was going on as the doctor sawed into the body cavity. Unfortunately, he couldn¡¯t do anything about the squelching sounds or the smell.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Megan whispered.


    Remy gave a curt nod. He didn¡¯t trust himself to open his mouth.


    ¡°I need to get closer to use my spell. You¡¯ve got it locked down in case it moves, right?¡±


    Remy nodded again.


    Megan made her way closer and stopped a few feet outside of the doctor¡¯s space.


    Remy watched closely as Megan raised her hands toward the body. He barely caught her whispering a few words. One Spell that let her somehow see deeper into the body, as if she was looking at it through a microscope and another that let her detect traces of magical energy.


    Maybe thirty seconds had passed when Megan sucked in a deep breath. She huffed and puffed as if she had just sprinted across a field.


    ¡°Ahem.¡± The doctor cleared his throat. ¡°I hope you¡¯re about to share some important insight with us.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen enough. There is no magic in his body. At least not currently. There was at one point though. A strong, violent surge on top of something smaller, changes done over a longer period of time,¡± Megan said. She turned and walked by Remy. ¡°I¡¯m going to go outside and sit down.¡±


    ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll be fine. Just need to rest a bit.¡±


    ¡°I have to stay here and keep an eye on things.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think he¡¯s a threat anymore.¡±


    ¡°I trust you, but I don¡¯t think they¡¯d like it if I bailed early,¡± Remy sighed.


    ¡°I know. Just wanted to let you know that you can relax.¡± Megan headed for the door.


    ¡°Shout if you need me.¡±


    Megan waved.


    ¡°Alright, doctor. Let¡¯s get this thing going, so we can all get out of here before the sun comes up.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my line.¡± The doctor glared.


    <hr>


    Gene stabbed the shovel into the compacted soil. He had to stomp on the step to get it to sink down enough. He flung the clump of dirt to the side. More forcefully than was strictly necessary and a waste of energy, but he needed to get it far enough to scatter around Johnny¡¯s feet.


    ¡°Hey! Watch it, fuckface!¡±


    ¡°Maybe you shouldn¡¯t be standing around!¡± Gene snapped. ¡°We¡¯re supposed to be digging.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re working half as hard as the rest of us,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Bruh, I don¡¯t have enhanced strength and stamina like you,¡± Johnny said.


    Gene noted that Johnny still hadn¡¯t moved from his position, lazily leaning his weight on his shovel.


    Olo grunted, which was a sign that even he was losing his legendary patience.


    ¡°Neither do Gene and me,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Get digging,¡± Gene raised his hand toward Johnny¡¯s shovel, ¡°or I¡¯m going to magic missile your shovel and you¡¯ll have to explain to Officer Lawrence why you ruined it.¡±


    Johnny narrowed his eyes. ¡°She¡¯ll know it was you.¡±


    ¡°Not if the three of us swear that you burned it to get out of doing the work,¡± Gene said.


    Olo and Bastien exchanged a look. Then deliberately turned to Johnny and nodded.


    ¡°Dicks,¡± Johnny said. However, he grabbed his shovel and went to work. ¡°Why are we digging a hole in the middle of a field anyways?¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. It¡¯s punishment for what we did last night,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°That¡¯s just it. I¡¯m pretty sure there is no actual purpose,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Jokes on them.¡± Johnny cackled. ¡°I¡¯ll probably end up with Lesser Enhanced Strength and Stamina from this.¡±


    ¡°Why do you think that? Lifting weights hasn¡¯t given us those passives yet,¡± Bastien said. ¡°Plus digging this hole is more a stamina challenge than a strength challenge.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Gene stopped. ¡°He¡¯s partially right. Maybe it¡¯s something like we chose to lift weights and it¡¯s in a controlled, safe activity. This punishment is more of a challenge to overcome.¡±


    Johnny tapped his temple.


    ¡°So, we don¡¯t see exercise and training as challenges? I¡¯m pretty sure I do,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Maybe we don¡¯t, at least subconsciously. Or those physical-based passives are buried deeper in the three of us, unlike Olo, who must¡¯ve had them closer to the surface,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Olo¡¯s always been a big ox of a dork,¡± Johnny said. ¡°Plus he always played fighters and tanks. Strength and stamina¡­ boom!¡±


    ¡°If you actually bought some of your tutorials then you¡¯d know more about how our classes work,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Nah man. It¡¯s just bullshit that you can¡¯t tell us what you found in yours,¡± Johnny said.


    Olo opened his mouth and spoke. The other three got none of what he said. Whether they heard his attempt to explain and couldn¡¯t comprehend or if they didn¡¯t hear anything, it ultimately didn¡¯t matter. The restrictions on sharing class-specific tutorial knowledge were functional.


    ¡°Good to know that the spires are still being assholes,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°This is why I keep harping on expanding our mindsets,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Or you can purchase your tutorials,¡± Olo grumbled.


    ¡°Universal Points are precious. We don¡¯t get enough to waste. I think it¡¯s smarter to save as much as we can for when the ten-year tutorial phase ends. I¡¯m betting a lot more things will be unlocked,¡± Gene said. ¡°We¡¯ve got a good idea on how this works. The actions we take in overcoming true challenges and our own subconscious outlook on it determines some of the Skills we unlock and develop. The ones we can buy, along with basic Spells are straightforward enough.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why you¡¯ve been sword-crazy lately? You trying to dual-class? I thought you were just crushing on Hanna.¡±


    Gene rolled his eyes at Johnny.


    ¡°No need to be shy. She¡¯s pretty hot. In that warrior woman kind of way,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°She¡¯s like ten years older than us,¡± Bastien added.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t talk about Miss Gozen like that,¡± Olo warned.


    Gene agreed with the latter. The community¡¯s sword and general melee weapon lead instructor wasn¡¯t gentle. If word of this particular line of conversation somehow got back to her then they were in for more of a bruising than they already got.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m trying to unlock something like spellsword or mageblade,¡± Gene said. ¡°I¡¯ve already got the basic Quick Cut and Quick Thrust Skills, so I think I¡¯m headed in the right direction. You should think about branching out.¡±


    ¡°No way, bro. I¡¯m not going to dilute my potential. Specialization is the route to the best abilities,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°I agree, but even a rogue can use enhanced stamina. You¡¯ll definitely be able to hold your breath longer,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Do I though? I¡¯ve got it up to almost three minutes just with daily practice.¡±


    ¡°Except you have to cut that in half if you do anything more than just standing in one place,¡± Gene said. ¡°Olo¡¯s right on this one. We all need to try to get passive enhancements to our physicals.¡±


    ¡°What if we only have a limited number of slots for our spells and skills?¡± Bastien said.


    Johnny pointed a finger at him. ¡°I¡¯d like to note that he¡¯s the smartest one here.¡±


    ¡°There might be a re-spec option,¡± Olo shrugged.


    ¡°That¡¯s reasonable,¡± Bastien said. ¡°Fits the game-like rules we¡¯re dealing with.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but at a cost,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Just have to worry about it when we have confirmation,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Why a sword?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Gene turned to Olo.


    ¡°Miss Gozen said that in a one-on-one with parity in skill levels a sword user is at a disadvantage against a spear user or even a staff user. In practice if I didn¡¯t have Lesser Enhanced Strength I¡¯d have trouble blocking or parrying a staff strike with a sword.¡±


    ¡°Factually correct. However, I¡¯m going to be wielding magic at the same time. I¡¯ll be shooting magic missiles and fireballs. I¡¯m also aiming for some kind of haste or mage armor type spells to complement my swordplay,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Miss Gozen said we shouldn¡¯t overly rely on Skills versus skills,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Also, Gene¡¯s secretly hoping to get a Witcher class. Isn¡¯t that right? Toss a coin¡­¡± Johnny sang.


    Bastien took it up a second later. Even Olo eventually joined in.


    ¡°Douchebags!¡± Gene grinned.


    He got back to digging the hole that they would no doubt have to refill once their taskmaster deemed it big enough. It was ridiculous, but Gene embraced the idea wholeheartedly. He approached the punishment as a challenge, a true struggle. He really wanted at least Lesser Enhanced Stamina from his efforts.


    ¡°Are you ladies singing!¡± Rebekah Court, Soldier: Infantry and legit hardass barked as she strode over. ¡°Bad enough I¡¯ve got to babysit you dumbasses, now I¡¯ve got to listen to you butchering that song. No talking. More digging.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am!¡± Gene, Olo and Bastien chorused.


    ¡°How big a hole are we digging exactly?¡±


    The three groaned at Johnny¡¯s inability to read the scene.


    ¡°As big as I say!¡± Rebekah snapped. ¡°And I¡¯m thinking that it needs to be a couple of feet deeper and five yards wider!¡±


    There was a sadistic tone to her bellowing. Gene figured she was probably channeling her old drill sergeants or maybe she relished the opportunity to dish out the same kind of punishment she once had to take.


    Gene had to stifle a smile. This was exactly what he needed. Digging the hole was now a real struggle between good and evil. He would prevail and reap the rewards no matter the cost of sore muscles and possible heat stroke.

 3.17

    Then, Threnosh World


    Cold Plains City was choked by a cloud of rust-colored smoke. It had appeared shortly after the giant humanoids had taken the city. The Threnosh hadn¡¯t been able to identify its constituent parts, which meant that they hadn¡¯t been able to devise a countermeasure to disperse it.


    They had no intelligence on what transpired within the city as the cloud blocked their surveillance equipment. While attempts to fly drones into the cloud from above resulted in lost equipment. They tried to send their drones underneath the cloud, but those suffered a similar fate. Shot down by massed arrow fire from the giant humanoids or mysteriously becoming inoperable after a few seconds inside the city¡¯s walls.


    The metallic walls were nothing to Shira¡¯s claws. They had to move quickly. Stopping for a second meant they¡¯d slide back down as their power armor¡¯s claws sliced through with ease.


    Normally haste made for poor stealth, but Shira was the exception. Their black-colored power armor seemed to drink in the darkness. It embraced them, hid them from all eyes, physical and otherwise, not that they knew anything about the latter.


    As soon as Shira slipped over the wall and into the city an alert flashed in their ear holes and was projected into their face-plate. They were taking damage. Fortunately it was a minuscule amount. Their blood stores were full and their power armor could self-repair the damage for several hours before they would need to seek out more of the precious liquid, the source of their power. At the least they now knew what had been happening to their drones.


    Shira sought out the largest concentration of cragants. They moved through the city streets as silent as a wraith. They went up buildings and jumped across the rooftops. They encountered several roving patrols consisting of as few as four and as many as ten giant humanoids. They forced themselves to control the urge to fall upon them. They had a task to complete.


    It was a difficult thing. The cragants¡¯ size and strength had been in full display on the recordings of the city¡¯s fall. They had sufficient strength to tear the baseline infantry soldiers apart with their bare hands and cleave the heavy infantry apart with their enormous weapons. Shira longed to test their capabilities against the giant humanoids. They wanted to take their blood even more. They could taste the power it could provide.


    Another time.


    It wouldn¡¯t do to disobey and upset Caretaker. Let alone jeopardize the entire Task.


    Shira alighted on the edge of a rooftop, high above a large, open space. A landing zone for aerial transports. It was one of the only areas in the city with enough open space to fit large groups of the humanoids. Their sense of life blood gave them an accurate count through means that they didn¡¯t understand. There were a hundred currently in the square.


    The cragants had erected a strange structure. Shira had never seen anything like it. It was made entirely out of wood, it looked like they had simply taken trees from the forests near the city and constructed a roofed building without walls. Just several pillars around the edges with some of the open spaces covered with cloth.


    Shira sat and recorded everything they saw and heard.


    Cragants, they called themselves. Was it a coincidence that Honor had settled on that very name for their designation? Or was it attributable to the spires¡¯ meddling? Shira didn¡¯t care. Either way they learned more about the invaders.


    The giant humanoids had a love for battle and were sorely disappointed by the individual weakness they found in the Threnosh defenders of the city.


    An unconscious smile crossed Shira¡¯s mouth, which revealed sharp canine teeth, fangs. They could almost taste the cragants¡¯ blood. They were eager to show these invaders true strength.


    Several kilometers away in another sector of the city Actryarius infiltrated the city in another way. They used their power armor¡¯s scientifically impossible, at least according to established Threnosh scientific principles, ability to become intangible and jump right through the outer wall.


    It took timing to selectively make their parts intangible in the proper order lest they sink into the ground. They had to turn the soles of their boots intangible after they jumped, but before they passed through the wall. They then had to make sure to make them solid before they landed on the other side.


    It only took a second for the damage alert to ring. Caretaker¡¯s briefing had warned of this exact possibility. Fortunately, Actryarius had a countermeasure. They became intangible once again. Every part of them, except for their soles. The warnings ceased. Another possible confirmation of Caretaker¡¯s theory. The rust-colored cloud¡¯s effects might be limited to active systems. They clearly didn¡¯t affect the inert metal of the city¡¯s structures and the composite material of their soles.


    They couldn¡¯t stay intangible for extended periods of time. This meant that their scouting mission just got cut shorter. At worst they could try shifting back and forth, but that carried the risk of further damage to their power armor. Enough damage might leave them stranded in the middle of a city full of hostiles.


    Actryarius consulted the miniature map projected in the corner of their face-plate. There was a point of interest fairly close. Sleeping quarters that surveillance drones had caught the giant humanoids doing something too before the cloud appeared. They could cut a straight line to and back from the structure by running straight through the buildings in the way. Their need for stealth was mitigated by the hazy, translucent appearance they took on when intangible. Combined with the darkness, they felt confident that they would be hard to spot.


    Actryarius walked through the target building¡¯s walls and immediately jumped back out. Their heartbeat spiked. They waited for it to calm back down before they went back in. This time just with their face. Enough that they could see and record.


    The space was open. Walls had been torn down. Floors destroyed. From the readings in their face-plate it was clear that the giant humanoids had turned four floors of sleeping chambers for many Threnosh into a single sleeping space for a handful of their own kind. As evidenced by their sleeping forms.


    Actryarius slipped their face back outside. Was that sufficient information? Perhaps in their estimation. However, they knew that Caretaker expected more. It took them a long moment to steel themselves before they slowly walked through the wall and into the building.


    They stalked slowly through the sleeping giants. Their helmet recorder drank in everything they turned their eyes on. The humanoids were enormous. They dwarfed even Primal in their power armor. The numbers flashed on Actryarius¡¯ face-plate. They had an estimated average height of 3.97 meters. While estimated average weight of 680.17 kilograms suggested a dense skeletal and muscle structure.


    One of the humanoids stirred and Actryarius sank into the ground to their knees before they regained control. They had to disengage the intangibility on their palms so that they could brace them on the floor while they painstakingly pulled their legs up.


    They managed to free themselves just in time as loud bellowing and thunderous steps from outside shook the room.


    Actryarius dashed across the large space and dived into the next room just as another giant humanoid barged into the room and roused the others.


    Actryarius crouched in the hallway as small as possible, hoping that the shadows would hide them since there was nothing else around. Somehow they heard every word spoken over the terrified beating of their heart. Fortunately for them the audio recording function was automatic.


    ¡°Get up you lazy dragonshits!¡±


    ¡°May the rockbreakers crush your balls. We¡¯re off duty.¡±


    ¡°Not anymore. General Zanya¡¯s orders. We¡¯ve got hostiles in our territory. Search and capture.¡±


    ¡°Forget the rockbreakers¡­ I¡¯ll do them myself.¡±


    ¡°The hierophant saw.¡±


    That word did it. There were no more complaints. The giant humanoids on the other side of a thin, metallic wall burst into action. The loud sounds were nearly overwhelming. Like an avalanche of boulders crashing down the mountain side. Or a giant monster¡¯s death throes. Actryarius had experienced the latter. It was just as frightening now as it was then.


    They didn¡¯t stick around. They ran as fast as they could back the way they came. Long range communication was impossible from within the city and the cloud. They needed to get outside. They needed to get the information they had just discovered to Caretaker as soon as possible.


    <hr>


    Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326 stared with unblinking eyes at Caretaker.


    ¡°The scouting task was successful. Shira and Actryarius have returned with useful intelligence,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Elaborate.¡±


    The senior commander¡¯s tone was flat. Caretaker almost took it for disinterest, then they remembered how normal Threnosh acted. They were used to Honor¡¯s more emotive way of interacting.


    ¡°They obtained confirmation that the rust-colored cloud damages our equipment. It explains what happened to our drones. Additionally, trueskins are not exempt.¡±


    ¡°Did they discover why our scans are unable to penetrate into the city?¡±


    ¡°Negative. However, they may have discovered a potentially vital target to eliminate. Something or someone called the hierophant somehow detected Shira¡¯s and Actryarius¡¯ presence.¡±


    The senior commander continued to stare at Caretaker. They took that as the cue to continue.


    ¡°Probability indicates that this being was responsible for the cloud and was somehow able to detect our scouts¡¯ presence while they were inside.¡± Caretaker hoped that the senior commander wouldn¡¯t ask them to elaborate further. Honor had discussed magic in depth in the past and the cloud fit a plurality of the criteria. Unlike the normal Threnosh, Caretaker was willing to look beyond verifiable intelligence and listen to their gut when it came to things that by their nature defied rational science. The fact that their predictive algorithm was pushing them in this direction helped. They were close to certain that this hierophant was the same individual they had watched performing some kind of ritual, as Honor had referred it, to bathe Cold Plains City¡¯s walls in fire during the initial battle. ¡°I have tentatively identified Invasive Organism 1867: Subject 2 as the probable identity of the hierophant.¡±


    The senior commander tapped something on their gauntlet. A holographic projection of a thin, giant humanoid clad in dirty robes appeared in the center of the briefing room.


    ¡°Probability?¡±


    ¡°Ninety percent.¡± Caretaker rounded up.


    ¡°You believe that it created the cloud in the same way that you stated it created the walls of fire.¡± A statement from the senior commander, not a question. They gestured at the projection. The recording played out. The giant humanoid moved over to a cage and grabbed a much smaller humanoid from within. They carried the struggling humanoid over to a large metal, perhaps iron, basin filled with blood. The giant proceeded to butcher the smaller humanoid while chanting in an indecipherable language. ¡°It stands to reason that a large amount of biological matter is required to maintain a constant cloud over the entire city. Then all we must do is wait.¡±


    Caretaker nodded carefully. ¡°That is correct. However, we do not know how long it can last. We must also factor in that the invaders took many captives in the battle.¡±


    ¡°We lost 3915 soldiers in the battle and subsequent retreat. 2493 confirmed killed in combat,¡± Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326 said.


    Caretaker noticed that the senior commander¡¯s eyes narrowed ever so slightly.


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°An operation to kill the hierophant is the efficient action. Tactically and strategically. We disable the cloud and we deny the enemy the use of its abilities. Furthermore, we recover our soldiers. They will be vital in future campaigns.¡±


    ¡°Create an action plan for my approval.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± That was quicker than Caretaker expected. ¡°Moving on. Shira discovered that the humanoids refer to themselves as Cragants. Their leader is called General Zanya. Their main motivation appears to be the thrill of combat. They seek worthy opponents to test themselves against. Performing and holding other objectives are secondary.¡±


    ¡°Interesting. That is what Designation: Honor referred to them as. However, it is not relevant information to the battle. Perhaps of interest to the researchers.¡±


    Caretaker disagreed. They already had several ideas to use the cragants¡¯ thirst for battle against them. They kept that to themselves for the moment.


    ¡°Our only concern is to re-take Cold Plains City before reinforcements arrive through the god hair.¡±


    ¡°The assessment from the information we gathered is that there will be no further enemy forces. The cragants take it as a matter of pride to conquer with the least amount of forces required.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    ¡°I have nothing further to report, Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326.¡±


    ¡°Very well. Dismissed.¡±


    Caretaker saluted and strode briskly out of the prefab command center. The army¡¯s fortified encampment consisted of prefabricated structures of exemplary quality. Any non-Threnosh would¡¯ve taken it as an established town. The only hint that it had been recently erected were the lack of proper streets. There was just grass and soil underneath Caretaker¡¯s armored boots as they made their way to their own smaller compound within the base.


    The T-Men were segregated from the rest of the standard army. Annoying, but expected. Caretaker contented themselves with the thought that their team was going to play the most important role in reclaiming the city. Truth be told, they didn¡¯t truly fight for the Threnosh. They fought for their team. For all defectives. For the Universal Points.


    As soon as Caretaker entered their compound Primal lumbered over with the earth-shaking steps only their massive power armor could make.


    ¡°Are we moving out?¡±


    ¡°Always so eager.¡±


    ¡°I have been sitting around doing nothing for five days. Why bring me if you were not planning on letting me fight?¡± Primal groused.


    ¡°Then you will be pleased to know that your time draws near.¡±


    ¡°When you say ¡®near¡¯, do you mean hours or more days? The distinction is important.¡±


    ¡°A day or two, pending the senior commander¡¯s approval. First, we need to come up with an actionable plan to kill a high value target.¡±


    ¡°Boss or secret boss?¡±


    ¡°I do not believe that those classifications fit our current enemy. Like I told you before. We are not fighting monsters. We are fighting thinking organisms.¡±


    ¡°I did not forget,¡± Primal growled. ¡°Make your plans then. I will ensure my trueskin is at optimum levels¡­ again.¡±


    Primal lumbered away toward their trueskin maintenance bay at the rear of the compound.


    Caretaker accessed the team channel. ¡°Attention. There will be a planning session in the briefing room in fifteen minutes. If you are interested in having a voice please be prompt. Attendance is not mandatory.¡±


    Some would attend, interested in being a part of the planning session. Others would attend out of a sense of obligation. A few, like Primal, would not attend.


    It was going to be a difficult task. Their target was powerful and had no reason to venture out of a well-defended position. The rust-colored cloud further complicated matters. They couldn¡¯t fight for more than a few minutes inside the city. The solution to the puzzle eluded Caretaker and they were not accustomed to being without answers.


    A sudden chime sounded in their earholes. The words and text flowed immediately after.


    Task Received.


    Kill The Hierophant.


    Reward: 250000 Universal Points.


    That was four times as many points as they ever received for killing a spawn zone boss. Caretaker wondered if that meant the difficulty scale on this was four times as high. They hoped that it was linear and not exponential. The Task was now one of the most challenging ones that they had ever faced. They wondered if it was possible to obtain some assistance from Honor. Surely he could spare a few days away from his own task at Orchestral Meridian. That wasn¡¯t too much to ask. Was it?


    <hr>


    ¡°I do not see the two intruders in your grasp,¡± Elgorit sniffed. ¡°I assume they escaped?¡±


    General Zanya clenched her jaw. She refrained from speaking for a moment so as to avoid letting the hierophant know what she truly thought of him.


    ¡°These intruders¡­ if they were truly here in the first place¡­ are no longer in the city.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me, but it sounds like you are questioning my words? Which is impossible since you know that I am but a vessel of the Savior. My voice is his.¡±


    Despite what she had seen in the past, General Zanya still didn¡¯t quite believe that. It sounded ridiculous, as it always did.


    ¡°It¡¯s a moot point. Any intruders are no longer in the city.¡±


    ¡°Are you certain? Will you stake your life on that being truth?¡± Elgorit caressed the handle of the blade sheathed on a chain around his neck with blood-caked fingers. ¡°Maintaining the aegis is taxing my supplies. Unsurprisingly the tiny gray ones don¡¯t have a great amount of lifeblood in their tiny bodies and what they do have is also weak. I prefer to save the chattel from home for my workings against actual enemies. If you desire to maintain the miasma then perhaps you¡¯d be willing to donate. A stronger source of lifeblood will greatly increase it¡¯s longevity. Additionally, it will allow me to conserve the gray ones. Their blood is necessary for the aegis to work against their machinery.¡±


    General Zanya was used to the unsubtle threats. It didn¡¯t phase her in the least. She had already explained to Elgorit that the miasma was the only thing that kept the enemies aerial attack at bay. She wasn¡¯t going to do it again.


    ¡°No,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°I shall take your words under advisement.¡± Elgorit took a moment to pick a chunk of meat from his teeth with a long fingernail.


    General Zanya¡¯s steely countenance betrayed none of her disgust.


    The hierophant wiped his finger on his dirty robes before continuing. ¡°What do you intend to do about those spies? Whether you believe me or not. I swear on the Savior that two of the gray ones did breach our city. I felt it through my connection to the miasma. Somehow their mechanical shells were able to remain functional. It was strange. I did sense that they were different from the rest of the gray ones and even from each other. Hmm¡­¡± Elgorit looked deep in thought. ¡°I want you to bring them to me.¡±


    General Zanya resisted the urge to crush Elgorit¡¯s ugly face in between her hands.


    ¡°I will.¡±


    A genuine look of surprise crossed Elgorit¡¯s face before he could master it.


    ¡°The enemy penetrated our city. They have cast down the gauntlet. Their challenge must be met with greater force. How long will it take you to ready your descending fire?¡±


    ¡°I can start now, however if I glean the truth of your intentions, then I will need a day to prepare for a stronger, wider fire. And as you know I will need clear vision of the location you want me to turn into ash. Additionally, I will need to be outside of the miasma, which means outside of the city walls. Will you be able to protect me from the enemy¡¯s aerial attack?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I will give them something else to be concerned about. We move tomorrow. Be ready.¡±


    A feral grin bloomed on Elogrit¡¯s face. He took great pleasure in creating pain and terror. Which was why he loved the workings. From beginning to end the process was drenched in those emotions.


    General Zanya spun on her heel and strode out of the hierophant¡¯s converted lair. The smell had been bothering her the entire time. The depravity in Elgorit¡¯s face was the final straw. She felt physically ill and she didn¡¯t want to display any hint of weakness. Doing so could prove fatal. She couldn¡¯t abandon her army, her clan to Elgorit¡¯s blood-soaked clutches.


    ¡°Your command, general?¡±


    A massive cragant awaited General Zanya. He was one of the tallest and broadest in the entire army. He had a couple of feet in height over the general, who was already an impressive physical specimen. Somehow he made her look small.


    ¡°Adjutant Trusk. Bring my legates to the command tent. We move against the enemy in one day.¡±


    ¡°Finally!¡± Trusk smiled. ¡°Which legions shall I gather?¡±


    ¡°All of them.¡±


    ¡°Are you certain, general? The 1st is currently at three-quarters strength. They bore brunt of the enemy defenses during the initial assault.¡±


    ¡°Which is precisely why they will lead this one if Legate Crasta so decides. Her legion has earned that honor. Make haste Trusk. I¡¯m eager to teach these weak gray ones a lesson for daring to think that they are besieging us.¡±


    Trusk let loose with a booming laugh that shook the still night air. ¡°At once, general.¡± He saluted and strode off with an eager spring to heavy steps that shook the ground and echoed throughout the city.


    A smile crossed General Zanya¡¯s face. The unpleasant interaction with Elgorit was out of her mind now that there was a battle to plan. This was what she lived for. To meet your enemies on the field of battle in a contest of strength and skill. This was what it meant to be a cragant.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    Fertilizer, specifically manure-based, smelled bad. It was a lot worse when one had a superior than normal human sense of smell. An underrated fact that Tessa now learned first hand.


    She had thought that it was a lucky stroke that saw her assigned to help old Mrs. Almeida with getting her backyard vegetable garden going instead of getting stuck with hole digging duty like the guys.


    Shoveling dirt wasn¡¯t looking so bad now that she struggled to keep breathing through her mouth to avoid gagging. Super strength and stamina meant that she could¡¯ve dug up a half ton of dirt without getting tired as long she paced herself.


    Tessa glanced at Veronica through narrowed eyes as the younger girl carried several bags of fertilizer over her head with a big smile on her face. Her little sister always loved gardening with their mom.


    Veronica placed the bags near Mads, while the young woman was using a shovel to spread the fertilizer on top of the long furrows that they had dug out earlier that morning.


    ¡°I hate that you¡¯re so happy right now,¡± Tessa groused at Veronica.


    ¡°I like gardening. Especially vegetables,¡± Veronica shrugged.


    ¡°Why are you even out here? Don¡¯t you need to rest your arm?¡±


    Veronica looked at her bandaged arm. ¡°Justice doesn¡¯t rest.¡±


    Tessa rolled her eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t think justice has anything to do with shoveling shit and planting veggies.¡±


    ¡°You said a bad word.¡± Veronica narrowed her eyes.


    ¡°Whatever. Tell mom. I don¡¯t care. They can¡¯t punish me more,¡± Tessa smirked. ¡°Also¡­ don¡¯t be a snitch. That¡¯s what babies do. Are you a baby? Baby Justice?¡± She laughed.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a baby,¡± Veronica huffed. ¡°And justice transcends age.¡± She stomped back around the side of Mrs. Almeida¡¯s house to get more bags of fertilizer from the driveway.


    ¡°She really leans into that justice stuff,¡± Mads said.


    ¡°We¡¯ve pretty much watched all the movies and shows we had on DVD and on my dad¡¯s computer. Like over and over again,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Yeah, I got bored of what we had at home after two years. I figured I¡¯d wait a year to forget most of the story then watch them again. Works pretty good,¡± Mads sighed. ¡°Really wish I got to watch live action Galactus.¡±


    ¡°MCU was pretty good. Never got into it as much as my dad and Vee did. I don¡¯t know about Galactus though. Giant guy in purple armor seems like it¡¯d be hard to keep it from looking silly.¡±


    ¡°They did just fine with a huge titan with purple skin, so it would¡¯ve been fine,¡± Mads grinned.


    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Tessa conceded.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s up with Vee, herald of justice?¡±


    ¡°Oh, right. So, worked through the movies and books in the house. Got some more from the library and best buy. But she struck gold when she found my dad¡¯s old comics in the garage.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ that¡¯d do it.¡± Mads nodded.


    ¡°Yup. She went all in. Thinks she¡¯s some kind of superhero now. Loves the Thunderbolts.¡±


    Mads had a blank look on her face. ¡°I only know the movies.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s weird. From like the late 90¡¯s. It¡¯s about super villains pretending to be superheroes. I read a couple of issues. Decent, I guess. I¡¯m not too into comics especially the older ones. They¡¯re more childish. I like my dad¡¯s newer graphic novels though. Those are more like real literature, you know. They got some good ones at the library. I¡¯ll get you a list of the ones I liked if you want to check them out.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯d be cool.¡±


    ¡°The vintage ones are the best!¡± Veronica shouted from the walkway at the side of the house as she came back with a thick stack of fertilizer bags over her head.


    Tessa rolled her eyes then realized that she had forgotten to breathe out of her mouth. The manure smell set her to gagging loudly enough that little, old Mrs. Almeida came out of her house with some ice cold lemonade for the girls.


    After getting herself back under control. Tessa decided that perhaps the punishment wasn¡¯t so bad. The work wasn¡¯t hard with her superior physical attributes and Mrs. Almeida kept them well-supplied with snacks and drinks. The rest of the day went a quicker than she had expected.

 3.18

    Now, Earth


    Tessa missed the stinky fertilizer. She¡¯d trade it back in a second instead of running wind sprints across the park with a weighted vest along with weights around her arms and ankles. Normally fifty extra pounds wouldn¡¯t have been a problem for her.


    Her dad made it a problem with his powers. Magnetic fields added significant resistance to her ability to run forward. Even pumping her arms and legs was a struggle.


    Hell week.


    Tessa didn¡¯t think much of the term when her dad had told them that was going to be the start of him taking a more active hand in their training. It was also part of their punishment for running off to fight cultists contrary to the rules. She vaguely remembered listening in during one of her dad¡¯s and uncles¡¯ drinking sessions back when her Uncle Cal hadn¡¯t left for another world and her Uncle Eron hadn¡¯t gone south.


    She recalled that her dad and Uncle Cal had to do hell weeks during their high school sports days. From the sounds of it her dad had a tougher go of it than her uncle. The latter had said that he stayed in shape year round and would actually prepare for hell week. He¡¯d ratchet up the intensity of his cardio in the weeks leading up to it, so that by the time it came around he was better able to handle the rigors.


    She figured that having super stamina wouldn¡¯t make it a big deal. After all, she could run a couple of miles at a sprint before she even started breathing hard. What she didn¡¯t count on was her dad really taking this whole thing seriously.


    ¡°C¡¯mon!¡± her dad bellowed as she rounded the cone and started back down the way she came. ¡°Three more, Tessa!¡±


    Her lungs were on fire and her arms and legs felt heavier than she had ever realized they could. As she passed Veronica coming from the other direction, she noted that her little sister had a look of fierce determination on her face.


    Jesus Christ. Vee¡¯s probably repeating the word justice in her head, Tessa thought. She tried to hide the pain and misery that was probably plain on her face. She had to look more determined than her sister, set the example.


    Veronica waved and even gave a slight smile as they crossed.


    Damn it! Dad¡¯s probably taking it easier on her. Not fair! Tessa thought. She put on a burst of effort. She couldn¡¯t let Veronica catch up to her at any cost. I can do this. Fifth wind time. Let¡¯s go!


    ¡°Three more, Veronica!¡±


    Her dad¡¯s voice spurred Tessa on. Almost as much as Veronica¡¯s footsteps that her tired mind was imagining getting closer and closer.


    Tessa could barely see clearly by the time she crossed the cone on her last sprint. She collapsed onto the green grass and rolled over to her back. She was gratified to see that Veronica finished well behind her.


    Her little sister dropped to the ground beside her.


    ¡°Get up! Hands on your head! Breathe!¡± Her dad barked like some kind of demented drill sergeant. ¡°Small sips of water when you¡¯ve got that under control.¡± He placed a water bottle next to each of them. ¡°Five minute break. Then we go again. Super stamina means we really need to work hard to push your limits.¡±


    ¡®We¡¯¡­ there was no ¡®we¡¯. Tessa would¡¯ve glared at her dad if she wasn¡¯t too busy dying of oxygen deprivation. He was just standing around with his stupid visor and whistle. Where¡¯d he get those anyways?


    ¡°Yes, dad,¡± Veronica said in between deep breaths.


    Her little sister was already standing with her hands on top of her head.


    Tessa struggled to her feet and copied her little sister¡¯s pose. It helped open up her lungs to help with the oxygen issue.


    ¡°One more hour of this then we break for lunch. After that we¡¯ll do an hour of stretching. Then we¡¯ll head to Miss Gozen¡¯s for two hours of melee weapon training. Then we¡¯ll lift weights for an hour, followed by dinner. Another stretch break. Then we finish up with two hours of powers training.¡±


    Remy saw the looks of dismay on both his daughters¡¯ faces. It was one thing to intellectually comprehend the concept of hell week. It was an entirely different thing to live it. He tried to stamp down the sympathy he felt. He reminded himself that he had to do this because they had almost died. The lesson had to be harsh for it to sink in properly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry girls,¡± he used his gruffest voice, ¡°we¡¯re just getting started. You¡¯ve got a whole week of this to look forward to.¡±


    The looks on their faces were eerily similar to the ones they had many years ago when Eron had accidentally let slip that both Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny were fabrications to encourage rampant consumerism. That hadn¡¯t been a fun day.


    <hr>


    The girls were having lunch with their mother, which meant that Remy had an hour free to take care of some unpleasant business. Namely a meeting with the city council. It was a high level meeting including the leadership of the Watch and even a representative from the interim state government. Although if he remembered correctly they had dropped the ¡®interim¡¯ tag a few months ago. They were going to discuss the next steps in what to do in regard to the discovery of the weird cultists and the fishman.


    Remy walked into the room and took the nearest open seat at the table. In his haste to stay close to the door he had failed to notice that he was now sitting next to Colonel Wayne Johnson. The grizzled, retired soldier in charge of the community¡¯s organized fighting force, which was mainly the Watch. Although the colonel was working on getting a more professional force started he was having some trouble with getting the younger generation to buy in.


    ¡°Cruces.¡± The colonel chewed glass.


    ¡°Colonel Johnson,¡± Remy nodded. He had learned that any further pleasantries would¡¯ve been pointless.


    ¡°Cruces, do you have time after this meeting? I¡¯d like a word.¡± Officer Demi Lawrence, operational commander of the Watch, spoke from the other side of the colonel.


    ¡°If it ends early. I¡¯m on a tight schedule.¡±


    ¡°I heard about that. Well, it¡¯s important so, I¡¯d appreciate it if you could make time. As soon as possible.¡±


    Remy noticed that the muscles of the colonel¡¯s neck and jaw tighten. For an older guy, he was still in pretty good shape. Something must¡¯ve pissed the old man off. Remy didn¡¯t care too much. He checked himself. He was starting to think like his brothers. He didn¡¯t want to be quite as antagonistic as they were when it came to interacting with the authority figures.


    ¡°Tomorrow at this time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather we get it done today, but alright. We¡¯ll meet in my office.¡±


    Several more people filed into the room as Remy tried to ignore the waves of hostility emanating from the colonel. It was almost palpable. He wondered if the old man had somehow picked up some kind of Skill that converted disgust into an aura. He hated that it was a legitimate possibility. He considered asking the colonel, but the meeting was called to order.


    ¡°Right, we¡¯re all busy. Let¡¯s get right to it,¡± Councilman Scott Deakins said. ¡°What are we going to do about San Francisco?¡±


    ¡°Does anything need to be done? The only thing we have to go on are the words of children,¡± Councilwoman Devon Castleton said.


    It occurred to Remy that the city council hadn¡¯t changed much and they were at year six going on seven post-spires. It was a wonder that term limits and elections hadn¡¯t been discussed yet. Something to look into.


    ¡°One of the representatives from San Francisco was the principal figure in the summoning ritual that we partially interrupted.¡±


    Officer Lawrence said that with a straight face. She had come a long way since the early years.


    ¡°Additionally, we have the magically mutated bodies of the other representatives in our morgue.¡±


    Again, she said it with a straight face. It had taken her years, but it seemed that she had finally bought into the spires¡¯ bullshit. Remy hadn¡¯t been to a meeting in a long time. He needed to reassess how he viewed the watch leader.


    Councilwoman Castleton was aghast.


    ¡°There¡¯ll be an issue with that,¡± Councilman Trent Smith said.


    The long-retired local politician was already ancient when the spires had appeared. Surprisingly, he didn¡¯t look that much different from what Remy remembered.


    ¡°Whatever the circumstances, we killed their people. They can use it as an excuse. A cassus belli.¡± Councilman Smith nodded toward the colonel.


    ¡°Can they though? We¡¯ve got evidence. Assuming things happened just as our brave young men and women described. Well, they were attacked first. We can claim self-defense,¡± Councilman Deakins said. ¡°We¡¯ve got the scene secured. The blood circle, plenty of pictures, video. The mutated bodies of the people they sent to us under the guise of diplomacy, along with the other¡­ indigents.¡±


    ¡°From their attire, the rest of them were mostly from a motorcycle gang,¡± Officer Lawrence chimed in.


    Councilman Deakins gave her a thumbs up. ¡°Right! San Francisco clearly attacked us first.¡±


    ¡°While all of that might be true, it doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Colonel Johnson graveled. ¡°Councilman Smith is right. We have to treat San Francisco as our enemy. They were planning this from the beginning. We got lucky that we stumbled on it early. Imagine if they were able to set up those summoning circles around town. They could¡¯ve had us drowning in those fishmen before we knew what hit us.¡±


    The colonel spoke like a man that was still resisting a full buy-in. He was right though. Remy had already considered that possibility.


    ¡°Was this fishperson even real? It was dark, maybe the kids only thought they saw it. Might¡¯ve been a man in a costume,¡± Councilwoman Castleton said.


    ¡°It was there as described,¡± Remy jumped in. ¡°My daughter has better than normal human eyesight. Her perceptions are also superior. The fight would¡¯ve moved slowly from her viewpoint. Plenty of time to take in important details. Especially since it was a new kind of monster. One that talked.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible. Are you sure she wasn¡¯t imagining it? Like I said it was dark and scary. She¡¯s only sixteen¡­¡± Councilwoman Castleton looked desperate.


    Many of the faces around the table shared a similar look. Remy knew for a fact that everything he had said was already in the report that all should¡¯ve read. He supposed that hearing it from him drove in the reality of it.


    ¡°I taught her. I trust her.¡±


    As far as Remy was concerned the matter was closed. It seemed that the others agreed. No one had anything to add.


    ¡°We need to track that fishman down. We need the intel it¡¯ll provide,¡± Colonel Johnson said. ¡°Matter of fact, more intel is what we need right now. The only thing we know about what¡¯s supposedly going on in San Francisco came from those people and clearly that information is now suspect.¡±


    ¡°It stands to reason that a fishman, even if it can somehow survive on land, needs water,¡± Councilman Smith said.


    ¡°The descriptions we got suggested that it had gills at the sides of its neck, head,¡± Officer Lawrence said.


    ¡°Tessa was clear on that as well. She noted flaps that reminded her of fish gills.¡±


    ¡°How is that even possible? How can it have gills and also breathe air?¡± Councilwoman Castleton said.


    ¡°Gills take oxygen from the water. Mudskippers are amphibious,¡± Remy said to a blank look on the councilwoman¡¯s face. ¡°Also it could be magic.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± The councilwoman nodded in comprehension.


    Councilman Smith cleared his throat. ¡°There are canals it could¡¯ve went to. The creek leads to Lake Berryessa. The ship channel can take it to the Sacramento River and all the way to the bay. It occurs to me that there might already be fishmen hiding in all of those places.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got eyes on likely assault points,¡± Colonel Johnson said. ¡°You should tell your people to do the same,¡± he said to the state government representative.


    ¡°I will do so as soon as I have an opportunity.¡± The woman didn¡¯t look up from the notepad she was furiously scribbling into. ¡°As an aside. Can I get copies of all your evidence? Pictures, videos, autopsy reports?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Councilman Deakins cut in before Officer Lawrence could say anything. ¡°In the event that conflict does break out can we count on your support?¡±


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    The state rep raised her head. ¡°I can¡¯t say anything without consulting the governor. What I can say is that if the state is attacked then we will defend ourselves.¡±


    ¡°Surely it¡¯d be better if we worked together,¡± Councilman Castleton pleaded.


    ¡°Officially, the state has respected your decision to remain independent.¡± The state reps eyes drifted to Remy. ¡°Unofficially, you have the biggest gun by far in any conflict situation. If that¡¯s not enough then our help won¡¯t matter.¡±


    ¡°Wait a minute!¡± Councilman Deakin¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°We were working on getting a goodwill type of visit going. I remember that they really wanted you and Nila to be part of the group. Why don¡¯t we do that? They did invite a delegation. You go and if there¡¯s a problem you deal with it.¡±


    Remy was about to tell the man that there was no chance of that happening when, to his surprise, Colonel Johnson beat him to the punch.


    ¡°Not happening. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m letting Cruces and Chen get within twenty miles of San Francisco unless it¡¯s part of a properly planned action. They wanted you two, which tells me that they weren¡¯t worried about your power. That concerns me.¡±


    Remy frowned. The thought hadn¡¯t occurred to him.


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°Not up for discussion,¡± Colonel Johnson said. ¡°We are not going to give the enemy exactly what they want under their terms and control.¡±


    ¡°Our focus is on intel, like the colonel said. Priority target is the fishman. Secondary is to trace where the bikers came from. They were malnourished, which suggests that the San Francisco reps likely picked them up somewhere outside our city limits. We might learn something useful investigating that link.¡± Office Lawrence looked at Remy. ¡°We could use your help investigating the areas further out. The wyverns are a big threat to us, but not to you.¡±


    The refusal was on Remy¡¯s lips, but he thought it over for a few seconds. ¡°I¡¯m busy this week, so I can¡¯t just look everywhere. However, if you give me a list of target locations then I¡¯ll check them out.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for taking the time out from spanking your kids¡¯ behinds to help out on this vital operation,¡± Colonel Johnson ground out.


    Remy stared at the colonel.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not going to take time out of quality time with my daughters. It helps that I only need a few hours of sleep a night. Hell, I can go for weeks and it¡¯d take about two to three days before I even start hallucinating,¡± he smiled mirthlessly.


    ¡°Thank you, Cruces. I¡¯ll have the map ready for you tomorrow,¡± Officer Lawrence cut in.


    ¡°Appreciate it.¡± Remy turned his attention back to the others.


    ¡°Okay¡­ we can¡¯t send Remy and Nila, then what about an envoy? There¡¯s a chance that these reps were working on their own or weren¡¯t even true reps of the city,¡± Councilman Deakins said.


    ¡°That¡¯s right! They could be a rogue element. In that case we can avoid trouble if we show them the evidence. They can¡¯t ignore that.¡± Councilwoman Castleton grasped onto the idea like a lifeline.


    ¡°You¡¯d risk the envoy¡¯s life on that chance.¡± Councilman Smith shook his head.


    ¡°There won¡¯t be any trips to San Francisco. That trip will require a fully armed convoy to stand a chance against those damned flying lizards. And I guarantee you that there will be casualties if Cruces isn¡¯t along.¡±


    It appeared as if saying those words made Colonel Johnson physically ill.


    Remy had the good grace not to look pleased.


    ¡°Then what are we supposed to do,¡± Councilwoman Castleton said.


    The woman¡¯s plastic surgery made her face expressionless. Remy could tell from the plaintive note in her voice and the fear in her eyes that she was extremely concerned. He felt bad for her.


    Their community had experienced several years of relative peace and quiet. The last huge threat had been the Midtown Mauler and Cal had shouldered that burden by himself far from the rest of their eyes. They couldn¡¯t be faulted for starting to think that a new, safer normal was perhaps in their hands. To have it all snatched away in a single night was traumatic, especially for the powerless, which was the majority of his community.


    The fact that it was a weird cult that used blood sacrifice to summon fishmen made it even worse. It was wrong that real life was less believable than fiction. Remy wished he could¡¯ve said something reassuring, but there was nothing.


    Even though several eyes around the table were looking at him he had nothing to say.


    The rest of the meeting covered the autopsies. There were questions on the certainty of the mutations being caused by magic. The answer, perhaps unsatisfactory, was that they used magic to determine such. They talked about what the watch was doing to safeguard against further attacks. Now that the fishman issue was settled even the most skeptical minds special attention was paid to the many water ways that flowed near the city. The answers there were less satisfactory for the council members. The only thing that the watch could do was as their name suggested and keep an eye on the water.


    It was a relief when Remy¡¯s cell phone buzzed in his pocket. The alarm. It was finally time to go. He excused himself and went back to training with his daughters. There was more on his mind this time. Fortunately a stretching session didn¡¯t take much concentration on his part. The weapons training that followed was even easier. Hanna Gozen handled that. By the time weightlifting rolled around he had gotten his thoughts back in order.


    He had a plan on how to safeguard his daughters. The only problem was that it would put them in some danger. How was he going to explain that to his wife?


    <hr>


    Then, Threnosh World


    Alarms blared throughout their entire fortified base camp.


    Caretaker immediately brought up the surveillance feed covering Cold Plains City.


    The cragants were on the move. They hadn¡¯t bothered with opening the gates. They simply pulled climbed over the walls. They hit the ground running. Their collective steps were like thunder across the open plains.


    Drones rained projectile fire down on the giant humanoids. They raised thick shields over their heads. A few slowed, then fell, but not enough to dent the thousands streaming toward the Threnosh.


    Caretaker was confused. The cragants sprinted in a disorganized mass. Not at all like the ordered blocks they marched in during the initial assault on the city.


    They took more hits in their haste to close the distance. Why?


    Caretaker¡¯s predictive algorithm flashed in their mind. They followed the prompt and focused on a live image focused on the largest city gate.


    The gates slid open slowly. No that was wrong. Thick fingers forcefully pried them open. Caretaker was stunned by the sheer physical strength on display. A handful of cragants overpowered the gate¡¯s internal mechanisms. They pulled it open slowly, but surely.


    A cragant came out carrying an enormous metal basin.


    What followed struck Caretaker like a physical blow. A long chain of Threnosh and humanoids that resembled Honor were dragged out.


    Caretaker knew what was happening or rather what was going to happen. They didn¡¯t waste any time.


    ¡°Priority target 2 at Gate 13, Designation: Hierophant.¡± Caretaker sent the alert. They could only hope that it would be acknowledged. They hadn¡¯t been integrated into the chain of command. ¡°Primal, find a line of sight to Gate 13 for bombardment.¡±


    ¡°I see the priority target.¡± Primal¡¯s gruff voice came back quickly over the team channel. ¡°It is at the edge of my range. Accuracy will be negatively impacted. I will hit the Threnosh and Honor-like humanoids,¡± they warned. ¡°I request to open fire on the attacking forces instead.¡±


    ¡°Denied. We cannot allow the target to perform its magic. I calculate we have approximately two to three minutes from when it begins the process to interrupt,¡± Caretaker said.


    Caretaker processed the different options they could use to take out the hierophant. Even with the predictive algorithm¡¯s help there was no other way that didn¡¯t lead to mutual death for the team members they could send on an assassination task. There were too many enemy forces in between them. The sun had yet to set, otherwise Caretaker would¡¯ve seriously considered sending Shira.


    ¡°All other team members provide defensive escort for Primal. I will join you shortly.¡±


    Caretaker hadn¡¯t yet received confirmation from the senior commander¡¯s staff concerning the alert they had sent. They were going to have to entreat them in person. They made their way to the command center at a run. The timer was ticking down in their face-plate. They weren¡¯t going to make it in time. It was going to rest in Primal¡¯s massive metal hands.


    Primal stomped to the vehicle landing zone in the center of the base camp. It had been placed on a slightly raised area, which gave them a clear view of the target as well as avoiding any potential distractions from the Threnosh soldiers as they moved to take up defensive positions on the walls facing the rapidly approaching enemy.


    Primal tapped into a surveillance drone high above the battlefield and synced it to their power armor¡¯s targeting system. The distance was at 6.89 kilometers. They needed to angle their aim up in an arc.


    The priority target was in the middle of tearing a Threnosh soldier out of their power armor to spill their blood into the basin.


    Primal felt nothing. They cared only for the kill. Taking out the hierophant would yield five bosses worth of Universal Points. They were eager to spend their share. A thought crossed their mind as they drew an over two meter long metal arrow, as thick around as a normal Threnosh¡¯s arm and nocked it to their enormous bow. Would they get most of the points if they were the one to do all the damage in killing the target? The rest of their team was merely standing in a defensive posture around them. Yes, that seemed likely.


    Primal aligned their aim to the green line that their targeting assist program projected into their face-plate. Once in place they loosed their missile-like arrow.


    A loud bang shook the air and the Threnosh in the immediate area. The grass rippled out in a circle around Primal. They were unaffected. They drew another arrow and readied it while they watched the view from the surveillance drone.


    Several seconds passed.


    The first arrow screamed down out of the sky like a meteorite.


    It struck several meters away from the target. Great clods of dirt was thrown up high in the air. Several defending cragants were flung off their feet and sent flying.


    The distance threw off Primal¡¯s aim. They grit their teeth. The targeting system made adjustments and they loosed another arrow.


    This one landed on the opposite side of the first, bracketing the hierophant.


    The dirty-looking giant humanoid chanted something incomprehensible while it took one of the smaller humanoids and bled it into the basin.


    Primal sent three arrows in quick succession in a dispersed pattern.


    They struck a meter above the hierophant¡¯s head. Red light flashed and strange symbols appeared then dissipated just as quickly. The hierophant was unharmed.


    Primal replayed the recording at a slower speed. The arrows had struck some kind of shield.


    ¡°Balls,¡± Primal muttered one of their favorite curses they had learned from Honor. They noted that the countdown at the bottom of their display was steadily approaching zero. ¡°Caretaker, Designation: Hierophant has a shield. I will continue to loose arrows, but I do not believe that I will be able to take it out in time. Be warned.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged. The entire team will relocate and await orders. Primal, once relocated switch bombardment target to the cragant army. Be prepared for possible magical attack from hierophant.¡± Caretaker¡¯s voice was clear and calm over the team channel.


    The timer was at T-minus 28 seconds when fire engulfed the entire wall facing the rapidly closing cragant army and wide swaths of ground on either side. The flames fell down out of thin air, like a lowered curtain closing a show.


    Caretaker stood in stunned silence for a split-second as they watched. Seeing it firsthand was different from watching a video recording. Their power armor flashed a warning about the rise in temperature even though they were hundreds of meters away.


    They pushed their way past the two baseline infantry soldiers guarding the entrance to the command center. They were too big and too strong to stop.


    Somehow Caretaker needed to convince the senior commander to turn over the defense to them. Otherwise the Threnosh were looking at a complete rout.


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    Eron feinted a punch.


    Cal flinched and brought his hands up. He felt the impact dig into his stomach. Clinched, hard abs acted like armor to absorb and dissipate the blow. It still managed knock some wind out of him. He struck back with two wild and wide hooks.


    Eron dipped under both and caught him with an uppercut to the chin. His teeth clanged together and jarred his head.


    ¡°You are slow and undisciplined. I thought you were better than this,¡± Eron said.


    Cal blinked. He tasted blood in his mouth. He remembered that was why one wore a mouth guard when sparring. He clenched his fists. He realized that he wasn¡¯t wearing gloves. Neither was his brother now that he thought of it.


    ¡°Man¡­ aren¡¯t you taking this too seriously. We¡¯re just sparring,¡± Cal said.


    He shifted his stance. His bare feet were tickled by the cold, gray grass as he slid them back into a proper position. Soft music played out of the portable speaker on the backyard table. The lyrics were indistinct over the pounding in his ears.


    ¡°No, we are not,¡± Eron said as he launched into another attack.


    Cal put the ear muffs on as Eron landed clubbing punches to his hands on both sides of his head. The impacts jarred his brain. That defense didn¡¯t work so well without large, padded gloves. Then why did he think it was the right move?


    Cal didn¡¯t have any time to ponder the question. Eron kept throwing punches. Cal weaved underneath the wide, sweeping hooks. He circled around to Eron¡¯s back and waited for his brother to turn. It wasn¡¯t sporting to hit him in the back. They were only sparring after all.


    Eron was slow to turn.


    Cal frowned. Something wasn¡¯t right.


    Eron was a quick fighter, superhumanly so. He was wild, but he didn¡¯t tend to go with wild, swinging haymakers as his standard moveset. Especially during sparring sessions. Eron tried his best to stick to the basics as Cal had shown him. Straight, controlled punches. Almost mechanically so, since he had never trained before.


    Had tried.


    Cal suddenly remembered that it had been years since he and Eron had practiced together.


    The music from the speakers suddenly screeched, like a record slipping off the player.


    Cal winced in pain.


    Eron¡¯s fist caught him in the face.


    Cal felt his nose break as he saw stars.


    ¡°What the hell, man! We¡¯re not going all out!¡± Cal¡¯s words were garbled while blood poured out of his nose.


    ¡°Perhaps you should be,¡± Eron¡¯s voice was a deep rumble, ¡°because I am.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± Cal growled.


    He snapped out a jab up at Eron¡¯s face.


    The blow caught Eron by surprise. A follow-up straight left evened up the broken nose score.


    Eron roared and responded with wild punches.


    Cal dipped and ducked while interweaving face and head punches in the motions. The full force of his blows were lessened by the fact that he was having to punch up to reach Eron¡¯s face.


    The music skipped again.


    Since when was Eron taller than him? Cal frowned.


    His feet slipped on the cold, smooth gray grass as he tried to avoid Eron¡¯s bull-like charge.


    Eron¡¯s shoulder clipped Cal and sent him spinning into the wall.


    Cal was surprised. The wall hadn¡¯t been there a moment ago. He spun away to avoid Eron¡¯s punch. He caught the enormous fist-shaped dent in the metal wall out of the corner of his eye.


    Cal backpedaled away from Eron¡¯s lumbering strides.


    Eron shook the metal floor with each step.


    Cal frowned. What happened to the grass?


    He didn¡¯t have time to think. It was all he could do to avoid Eron¡¯s deadly serious strikes.


    Since when did a brotherly sparring session turn into real violence?


    No. That wasn¡¯t right. It had always been that way. For some reason, Cal had just noticed.


    He couldn¡¯t think. It was like there was a blanket smothering his thoughts and he vaguely knew that it had nothing to do with the blows he had already taken.


    Cal grit his teeth as he and his youngest brother battered each other bloody.


    All the while the discordant song played in the background.

 3.19

    Then, Threnosh World


    ¡°You must focus the aerial drones on Designation: Hierophant,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°I have seen your attempted attack halted by a shield. The drones¡¯ weaponry is significantly weaker,¡± Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326 said. ¡°I will not waste ammunition. Exit the command center. Your presence is not authorized.¡±


    ¡°Attacking the hierophant directly will force it to maintain the shield. My calculations indicate that this will force it to divert its efforts from the fire currently burning our defenses and soldiers.¡± Caretaker sent a wordless command to Primal to continue raining arrows down on the hierophant. They would¡¯ve preferred to have hard data to show the senior commander. Unfortunately, the magic the hierophant was performing was interfering with the scanners. Whether this was intentional or a byproduct was undetermined.


    The senior commander hesitated.


    ¡°We need the wall and the automated defenses. If the cragants breach our base we will be at a disadvantage in close quarters combat.¡± Caretaker pushed. They were understating the projected outcomes. If the cragants got into the base in numbers then the Threnosh would lose and end up in the hierophant¡¯s basin.


    ¡°Negative. The drones are needed to to thin down the enemy numbers before they do reach our walls.¡±


    The senior commander gestured and two soldiers appeared at Caretaker¡¯s sides. They grabbed their arms and tried to pull them away. Caretaker had upgraded their spire-made exoskeleton several times. They didn¡¯t budge. Not even a millimeter.


    ¡°Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326,¡± Caretaker said flatly.


    ¡°I order you to leave.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Caretaker didn¡¯t have a choice. They left the command center. The senior commander¡¯s words took precedence on all military matters. They couldn¡¯t simply take control. The soldiers obeyed the chain of command and Caretaker was not part of it.


    ¡°Primal, maintain barrage on target,¡± Caretaker spoke into the comms.


    ¡°That is the only thing I have been doing.¡±


    Primal sounded annoyed, which was to say they sounded like they usually did. Caretaker ignored them.


    ¡°Resplendent Zabriium, Whoosh, Tynk, Silver Wolf. I have a task for you. Proceed to the armory with haste and gather as many explosives as you are able to carry without negatively impacting your speed. Inform me when you are ready and I will provide your orders.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± they chorused.


    ¡°The rest of you prepare to engage in close quarters combat with the enemy.¡± Caretaker pinged a location on the map. ¡°We will set up an ambush here then commence a fighting withdrawal to our aerial transport.¡±


    ¡°Are we to flee?¡± Shira sounded displeased.


    ¡°Necessity dictates our tactics. The senior commander ignored my suggestions, which necessitates this action plan. Temper your concern. We may be required to retreat from this battlefield, but that does not preclude creating a new one.¡±


    Caretaker rushed back to their smaller base within the base camp. The cragants were tough opponents able to soak up tremendous amounts of projectile fire. They were extremely strong, able to smash through the protection provided by the baseline infantry power armor, which was similar to their own. Fortunately, they were prepared. It was time to test out the new weapon they had purchased from the spire marketplace with the cragants in mind.


    <hr>


    Whoosh felt like they were moving in slow motion. They skated across the plains on a multitude of small balls on the bottom of their soles with weak pulses of the jets at the back of their legs. They didn¡¯t even need to use the jets on their back and arms. They felt exposed out in the open, even though Caretaker had them traveling on a route that skirted well out of the missile weapon range of the cragant army. The giant humanoids were focused on the fortified base camp anyways.


    Their speed gauge fluctuated around 64 kilometers per hour. Whoosh felt an urge to go faster. They had been impatient at the start and it had only grown over the last few minutes, which to them felt like an hour.


    No choice. Caretaker¡¯s orders specified that they had to stay together. That meant that Whoosh was limited to the maximum speed of the slowest member of the their assault team.


    It wasn¡¯t Resplendent Zabriium. Their four legs were capable of hitting over 320 kilometers per hour in a straight line. They could do this even when loaded down with weight, which they were now. They had Tynk clinging on their back along with the team¡¯s most powerful explosives.


    Whoosh blamed Silver Wolf. Their teammate¡¯s power armor was in its four-legged, beast-like form, which ran faster than their two-legged, combat form, but still wasn¡¯t up to Whoosh¡¯s standards.


    The foursome had cleared the halfway point between their base camp and Cold Plains City. Whoosh zoomed their vision to the target. They had a clear view of Designation: Hierophant as the giant humanoid was in the process of dismembering a Threnosh soldier and placing them into the basin. An arrow, Primal¡¯s arrow, struck overhead and shattered on the red-colored shield. The loud bang echoed across the entire plain. Whoosh was glad for the automatic auditory protection measures built into their helmet.


    It didn¡¯t escape their notice that a grimace of pain flashed across the hierophant¡¯s face. As always, Caretaker¡¯s plan was going to work. As long as they could perform it properly.


    Seconds passed and the team was three-quarters of the way to their target and the city walls.


    Whoosh unconsciously pulled ahead. They widened the gap between them and their teammates. They saw the cragants that protected the hierophant gesturing toward them. A sizable detachment ran to intercept them. Their long legs meant that they ran at a surprisingly fast pace for their massive size. It was still a fraction of what Whoosh was capable of.


    ¡°Team. I will go ahead and scatter their defenses. Follow in the confusion. There will be gaps you can exploit.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Tynk¡¯s voice came in through the comms.


    All of Whoosh¡¯s jets fired. They took off like a missile. Their arms and legs pumped in a blur to the unaugmented eye. The thousand meters between them and the cragants were eaten up in seconds. The only thing the giant humanoids saw was a small, yellow-colored blur coming straight at them.


    Cragant javelins and arrows fell behind Whoosh. They weren¡¯t even close. The Threnosh was amongst the giant humanoids before they could form a defensive line.


    Whoosh was glad that Honor had made them practice moving quickly through the forests around their home base. Weaving through the cragants was just like that. If the trees could move and attack.


    The cragants moved in slow motion to Whoosh, thanks to their power armor¡¯s perception enhancing systems. They could¡¯ve sliced the giant humanoids at their leisure with their bladed weapons. They didn¡¯t go with that option. They had better weapons.


    Whoosh left the grenades at the cragants feet or at their backs. They left dozens of explosions in their wake.


    The cragant formation was in total disarray. Resplendent Zabriium and Silver Wolf had no problem running right through them.


    Whoosh continued toward the hierophant. This time they faced a proper defensive line. A wall of enormous rectangular shields loomed ahead of them. Five and a half meter long spears bristled in their direction.


    The hint of a smile teased at the corners of Whoosh¡¯s lipless mouth. They were down most of their grenades and only had one of the more powerful explosives that was reserved for the hierophant.


    ¡°Prepare for maneuver AD-12,¡± Whoosh said into the team channel. It was uncanny how Caretaker predicted things. They truly had a plan for everything.


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± the other three chorused.


    ¡°Please try to keep up,¡± Whoosh said.


    ¡°I have never been able to determine if they are merely reckless or simply a fool.¡± Tynk spoke directly to Resplendent Zabriium.


    ¡°It is not a binary choice. Whoosh¡¯s behavior indicates that they are a mixture of the two,¡± Resplendent Zabriium said.


    They thundered toward the line of cragants several hundred meters behind Whoosh.


    The yellow-colored power armor stood out in stark contrast to the black of the cragant¡¯s shields.


    Whoosh cut a sharp angle toward the right side of the line. As they drew closer they cut back to the left, aiming for the center of the line.


    The cragants held their ground. Their spears were lowered down to Whoosh¡¯s level.


    The Threnosh shifted their legs and feet perpendicular to their line of travel and skidded to a stop right in front of the spears. Dirt and grass showered the cragants. Whoosh kicked back into speed. This time they skated parallel to the cragant line. They went lower, ducking under the spearheads. They raised their arms, bladed edges at the back of their gauntlets out. They locked them into place. The impacts reverberated through Whoosh¡¯s body, but their power armor¡¯s physical protections held up.


    The sharp blades cut right through the thick spear shafts with ease.


    Whoosh¡¯s daring gambit, threw the center of the cragant line into confusion. Their weapons were destroyed and their focus had been turned to the small, yellow, pesky thing that was moving too fast to catch. The cragants had lost their focus. The center portion of the shield wall was no longer braced.


    ¡°Go go go go!¡± Whoosh urged. ¡°Smash them, Zabri!¡± They whooped.


    Resplendent Zabriium thundered across the plains at over three hundred kilometers per hour in their heavily armored centaur-like power armor.


    The cragants were gigantic. Their armor was thick and heavy by virtue of sheer size. All things being equal they might¡¯ve stood a good chance of absorbing the charge. However, they were off-balanced.


    The collision set off a sound like an explosion. Metal crumpled metal. Giant bodies were knocked back.


    Resplendent Zabriium emerged from the cragant forest, barely slowed. They and Tynk, who was clinging to their back, had a clear fifty meters to the hierophant.


    ¡°We have eyes on the target,¡± Tynk said. They couldn¡¯t quite believe that they were still in one piece. ¡°Status, Zabri?¡±


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    ¡°I have suffered damage. Inertial dampeners were nearly overwhelmed. Trueskin damaged. I feel pain, but I will continue the mission.¡± Resplendent Zabriium ignored the flashing warnings projected in their faceplate. The overall operational status of their power armor was at 73% and dropping.


    ¡°Then let us complete our Task. Beginning attack on priority target. Whoosh, Silver Wolf, keep the rest of the enemy off our behinds,¡± Tynk said. A soft sound, like chimes in a light breeze, emanated from the small, rounded shell-like pack on their back. Four delicate-looking, gossamer wings unfurled and buzzed as they came to life.


    Tynk took one hand off the handle built into Resplendent Zabriium¡¯s back and grabbed the large explosive from the detachable protective compartment at their teammate¡¯s side.


    Tynk had several smaller explosives, different types of grenades in the pack at the front of their torso, but the special one in her hand along with its twin in the compartment on Resplendent Zabriium¡¯s other side were what the plan hinged on.


    A pair of cragants sprinted in their direction. These were the last of the hierophant¡¯s protectors. They were armed with enormous shields and impossibly large swords.


    Tynk engaged their power armor¡¯s anti-gravity system. They jumped off Resplendent Zabriium¡¯s back. Their wings fluttered and they soared above the cragants¡¯ slashing swords. They didn¡¯t waste any time. They flew straight for the hierophant. They went higher to stay well above the magical shield.


    The hierophant screamed something as it gesticulated at them.


    ¡°Too late,¡± Tynk said with satisfaction as they dropped the explosive and flew back toward Resplendent Zabriium for the second explosive.


    The explosive bounced and settled on top of the shield. Strange ethereal symbols appeared where the explosive came to a stop. The glowing reddish things felt wrong to look at. Tynk grew nauseous from the brief glance.


    The hierophant stared at the explosive. Confusion was on its face. Its question was answered three seconds later with an explosion that deafened those whose helmets weren¡¯t equipped with automatic auditory safety measures.


    When the smoke cleared the shield still stood. Except now there was a spiderweb of cracks radiating out from the explosion site.


    The hierophant looked pained.


    Tynk reached out to Resplendent Zabriium for the second explosive, but one of the sword wielding cragants forced them to flitter back to avoid a slash that dug a deep furrow into the hard soil.


    Resplendent Zabriium thrust their poleaxe at the cragant. The second one intercepted it with their shield. The giant humanoid slashed out with their sword.


    The Threnosh jumped back and reared up on their hind legs to just barely avoid the strike. They lashed out with their forelegs. Metal clashed on metal as their hooves left deep dents in the cragant¡¯s shield.


    Tynk spied more cragants coming out of the city gate. The shield wasn¡¯t down and they were in the middle of the enemy. They needed to get that second explosive, but the two cragants kept them away from Resplendent Zabriium. They were all in trouble.


    Then a deep howl reverberated through the crisp, cool air.


    <hr>


    Silver Wolf loped on all fours into the gap that Resplendent Zabriium had created. They leapt on top of a distracted cragant. Metal jaws opened wide and clamped over the giant humanoids neck. Metal teeth tore out its throat as Silver Wolf violently shook their head from side to side.


    The Threnosh bounded free of the dying cragant and dodged spear thrusts from every direction. One lucky thrust caught them in the flank and knocked them aside. The spear tip dented their power armor, but didn¡¯t pierce through. The inertial dampeners kept Silver Wolf safe inside the body.


    They sprang up and transformed. Limbs lengthened. Paws turned into hands and feet that ended in long, clawed digits. Their power armor shifted from a quadruped to a bipedal monster, nearly three meters tall.


    Silver Wolf was still a meter shorter than the shortest of the cragants. They weren¡¯t that much lighter, but they were significantly quicker. They moved with ferocity as they dodged spears. They struck at vulnerable points. Throats, the backs of their legs and the insides of their arms. They slashed once or twice per cragant then moved on to the next one.


    A yellow blur dashed past Silver Wolf. Grenade explosions boomed in its wake.


    ¡°Do not get carried away. Tynk and Zabrii look like they need some help. I am heading over. Try to keep up, if you can,¡± Whoosh said over the comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged. Do not get smashed.¡± Silver Wolf let out a howl and chased after the speedy Threnosh.


    The shield was cracked. It just needed one more explosion.


    Silver Wolf saw that Tynk was desperately flittering around a cragant. They tried to get around it to grab the last explosive from Resplendent Zabriium, who was locked in combat with a second cragant.


    The cragant¡¯s sword swings were too slow to catch Tynk, but the blade¡¯s enormous size proved effective in keeping them away.


    ¡°Help them. I will distract the rest, but make it quick. I do not have a lot of grenades left,¡± Whoosh said as they skated away with bursts from their jets toward the large group of cragants sprinting out of the city gate. They were forced to give the hierophant and its shield a wide berth.


    The cragant was focused on Tynk. It didn¡¯t see Silver Wolf as the Threnosh leapt onto its back. Their claws latched into the giant humanoid. They bit down on the back of its neck.


    The cragant roared and dropped their shield to reach back.


    Silver Wolf bit down. The servos in their power armor¡¯s jaws strained to their limit, but eventually there was a loud crunch.


    The cragant dropped like a puppet with its strings cut.


    Silver Wolf pushed themselves off the body and launched themselves at the last cragant. The giant humanoid was hard pressed to fend of the furious assault. Claws slashed across its metal shield. Jaws snapped at its face.


    Tynk was free to retrieve the explosive from Resplendent Zabriium. They didn¡¯t waste time. They took it straight to the top of the hierophant¡¯s shield and dropped it.


    The hierophant screamed.


    Its last hopes were delayed just enough by the last of Whoosh¡¯s grenades.


    The explosive boomed. The shield cracked then shattered like glass. The pieces dissipated as they fell down over the hierophant and the handful of remaining prisoners.


    The hierophant¡¯s wail was suddenly cut as its eyes rolled up to the back of its head. It toppled over and remained still.


    ¡°Hierophant is down. Positive life signs. It is merely unconscious,¡± Tynk said into the team channel.


    Caretaker¡¯s voice came back immediately. ¡°Fires are gone. Task accomplished. Well done. Commence egress at all haste.¡±


    ¡°Easy for them to say,¡± Whoosh said to the other three in their immediate vicinity. ¡°We are the ones in the middle of an army of giants.¡±


    ¡°Our other teammates have the same problem,¡± Resplendent Zabriium said.


    ¡°Enough. We head to the north as planned. I will slow the cragants.¡± Tynk fluttered away toward the line of cragants that they had bypassed earlier.


    The remaining three ran after them.


    Silver Wolf led the way. Resplendent Zabriium was injured and their power armor was damaged, so they trailed behind.


    Whoosh brought up the rear. They had no desire to be in the front this time.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    Remy had half an hour to spare for the meeting with Officer Lawrence. It was only day two of his daughters¡¯ hell week and he needed to keep the intensity and pressure on them. He couldn¡¯t let them think their sad glances and pouting faces were getting to him. That¡¯s because they weren¡¯t. Nope. Not one bit.


    ¡°Tessa mentioned that the lead cultist, the one that escaped, kept mentioning Scions of the Deep Azure. He also summoned a fishman out of thin air. Deep Azure? Fishman? The Bay Area? The ocean? That¡¯s an obvious connection,¡± Remy said. ¡°I was surprised that wasn¡¯t mentioned yesterday.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not stupid, Cruces,¡± Office Lawrence said. ¡°That¡¯s one of the first things we singled out. The only problem is we can¡¯t follow that thread. We¡¯re not at a point that I¡¯m ready to risk lives on that. Besides, I don¡¯t have anyone on the force that really has the experience or skills and Skills that I can use. No one has a Spy class or anything similar.


    ¡°There are a few rogues, aren¡¯t there?¡±


    ¡°Practically kids and untrained in the way something like this calls for.¡±


    ¡°What about that detective Cal worked with a few years back?¡±


    ¡°The mauler thing¡­¡± Officer Lawrence grimaced. ¡°I saw the pictures. Never properly thanked your brother for handling that. Did you know I had nightmares about that thing crossing the bridge? Kept me up for weeks.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well it cost him.¡± Remy didn¡¯t add what Nila had told him. That Cal¡¯s nightmares lasted much longer. His brother didn¡¯t say it outright, but he suspected that it was one of the reasons that pushed Cal into going to the next world.


    ¡°She might work, but I think she¡¯ll stand out too much. If we assume that cultists were scouting you and Chen out then there¡¯s a good chance that they did the same to the notables in Sac.¡±


    ¡°Obviously I¡¯m not an investigative expert, but when a cult-type guy mentions something like that right before they bring a fishman over¡­¡±


    ¡°Can you breathe underwater? Maybe you can scrounge up a submarine?¡± Officer Lawrence frowned. ¡°We can¡¯t touch them if that¡¯s where they are, which is why we need intel.¡± The watch leader paused. ¡°There is one guy I¡¯m willing to try on a scouting mission to the Bay Area.¡±


    ¡°Bennett?¡±


    Officer Lawrence nodded. ¡°He¡¯s right up there with Chen when it comes to physical stats.¡±


    ¡°We have a deal with Bennett. He¡¯s kept up his end of it. He¡¯s been valuable to the research team and he¡¯s even helped out a few times with tougher monsters. Despite the fact that he is¡­ conflict averse.¡±


    ¡°He has the perfect abilities to sneak in, gather information unseen and get out.¡±


    ¡°Also, since he¡¯s a Vampire you¡¯re willing to risk his life.¡± Remy¡¯s tone grew cold.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that, Cruces. Bennett can heal just fine as long as he¡¯s got blood. We¡¯ll load him up. The estimate is that he can run there in about four hours. If he leaves at sunset then he can get there around midnight.¡±


    ¡°What kind of information can he get in the two hours he can stick around until he has to run back before the sunrise kills him?¡± Remy said flatly.


    ¡°We¡¯ve already got a map to the sewer system with potential hiding locations. He can wait out the day and come back the next night. I know what you¡¯re thinking, but this isn¡¯t a half-assed plan. We need the information, therefore we need him to come back.¡±


    ¡°And you want me to convince him to risk his life. To go above and beyond the deal we all agreed to?¡± Remy spoke his words slowly and clearly.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Fine. Give me everything you have on the plan.¡±


    Officer Lawrence looked like she was about to refuse.


    ¡°Bennett¡¯s a smart guy. He won¡¯t be convinced unless you have an airtight case why he¡¯s the one that has to do this. He definitely won¡¯t go along if he doesn¡¯t think your plan is worth anything. And, I¡¯m going to preempt you. I¡¯m not going to bully him like my brother did.¡±


    ¡°I need to gather all of that together and write it up in a fucking proposal, like I¡¯m trying to request more supplies, instead of trying to get ahead of a possible war,¡± Officer Lawrence spat. ¡°It¡¯ll take time to get everything properly done. I¡¯ll have it delivered to Bennett by sundown tomorrow¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Remy said.


    Officer Lawrence put her head down as she scribbled in her notepad. Remy felt that it might¡¯ve been a purposeful slight to keep him in her office for as long as possible when she knew that he had limited time.


    ¡°You have the map of the spots you want me to check out?¡± Remy didn¡¯t want to take up more of his lunch break.


    Officer Lawrence had it ready on her desk. She pushed it to him.


    ¡°Thanks.¡± Remy unfolded the map. ¡°Not bad. I like clear instructions and legible handwriting.¡±


    The spots they wanted him to investigate were marked. The optimum search order was already plotted out. Remy liked clear directions. He liked writing them even more than he liked following them. Things were better when they fit in a logical order. If he stayed up all night he could cover everything in one go, which meant he could devote the rest of the week to his girls.


    ¡°One more thing. The colonel wanted to know if you had any thoughts on how to deal with fishmen potentially hiding in the nearby waterways.¡±


    It never ended. Remy stifled a sigh.


    ¡°Don¡¯t people fish with dynamite?¡±


    ¡°Morons do.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ but it sounds like a good idea for hidden fishmen. Even if there aren¡¯t any you¡¯d still get the mutant fish and amphibians. Should be worth some Universal Points. At least for your lower level people.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you just shower the water with metal bits?¡±


    ¡°Tessa said the fishman¡¯s scales were armor-like. Hitting it with nails and bolts might not be enough to kill. Besides, I¡¯d need way too much metal to get full coverage for the just the creek, let alone the river. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m saying this, but blowing up the water is probably your best option.¡±


    Office Lawrence waved him away. She could only contain her general irritation of everything Cruces-related at bay for so long.


    Remy was happy enough to get out of there and get back to what was his main priority at the moment.

 3.20

    Now, Earth


    ¡°YYYAAAAA!¡±


    Veronica¡¯s metal staff clanged against Tessa¡¯s metal kanabo. The only reason that the weapons survived the super strong impacts was because they were custom dad-made. The metal was extra dense and super tough.


    The impact sounded like a car crash. It drew all the other eyes on the field to the sister-on-sister practice violence.


    Tessa¡¯s arms vibrated with the impact. She needed to ask her dad if he could maybe work some shock absorbing attributes into her otherwise awesome weapon.


    ¡°Jesu¡ª¡± Tessa caught a glance of her dad out of the corner of her eye. ¡°Jeez, Vee. Are you going all out?¡±


    Veronica narrowed her eyes warily. ¡°Miss Gozen said to.¡±


    Tessa said a string of bad words in her head. She couldn¡¯t risk her dad hearing the slightest whisper.


    Was this some kind of older sister test? Vee could go all out, but if she went all out then everyone would get on her back about not looking out for her younger sister?


    Did Miss Gozen want to teach her about control and defeating the opponent with just the appropriate amount of force? Their melee weapons teacher did say that a lot. Like all the time.


    Tessa was distracted.


    ¡°KIAI!¡± Veronica feinted with a thrust to her face, then she went low and attempted to swipe at her lead leg.


    Tessa raised her leg over the staff with inches to spare. She swung a one-handed smash down toward Veronica¡¯s shoulder.


    Her little sister parried it away while shuffling back several steps.


    Tessa took in the determined look on Veronica¡¯s face. The elder Cruces sister was simultaneously proud and annoyed. Sword to her neck she honestly couldn¡¯t explain why.


    Tessa shifted to a two-handed grip on her kanabo. She snapped its end out with a lunged thrust.


    Veronica parried it away again, but she couldn¡¯t hide the look of pain on her face.


    They both had superhuman physical attributes, but Veronica was only eleven and she was small for her age. Tessa had a significant edge in that department. All she had to do to win this sparring contest was to keep hammering away until she overwhelmed her little sister.


    It was tempting, but Tessa was aware enough to realize that wasn¡¯t the point of this exercise and if she did so, it meant that she failed. She stepped back and held her kanabo up high. A move only made viable by her super strength and superior reflexes and quickness.


    Veronica twirled her staff around her before suddenly letting her grip slide all the way down to the end. ¡°RRRAAAARRRRR!¡± She swept it at Tessa¡¯s head in one smooth motion.


    Tessa recognized her little sister¡¯s favorite move. ¡°GAH!¡± She swatted Veronica¡¯s staff down to the ground with her kanabo. The clang echoed out into the neighborhood surrounding the park. There would be several concerned inquiries later from the residents about a possible car crash.


    Tessa stepped into Veronica. She grabbed the staff with one hand while she thrust her kanabo down between her little sisters feet. She did three things simultaneously. She pushed Veronica¡¯s staff into her body, tripped her back leg with the kanabo and shouldered her in the chest.


    Veronica crashed into the grass.


    ¡°That¡¯s the point to Tessa,¡± Hanna Gozen said.


    Tessa couldn¡¯t help but smile, despite the stinging feeling in her hands. That had been a hard hit to absorb.


    Their melee weapons teacher was so cool. She was tall and strong and even had some cool scars. She was like some kind of warrior woman straight out of the movies. Watching her work with the long sword was one of the most awesomest things ever. Tessa wanted to be just like Miss Gozen. In fact, pretty much all the young girls did.


    Veronica glared up at Tessa.


    Tessa sighed in her thoughts. She held Veronica¡¯s staff out. Her little sister grabbed it. She pulled Veronica up before relinquishing the staff to her. Time to be a good big sister. ¡°You almost got me in the face with that move,¡± she grinned.


    Veronica¡¯s wary look slowly turned into a shy grin. ¡°I¡¯m trying to not telegraph it like Miss Gozen said.¡±


    ¡°Getting close. Let¡¯s see if you can get even closer this time. Though I¡¯m not going to make it easy for you,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°You¡¯re going down!¡±


    Tessa moved back to reset for the next round.


    There was an even more determined gleam in Veronica¡¯s eyes as the two sisters stared at each other.


    Tessa grew concerned. She hadn¡¯t been lying. Veronica did come pretty close to tagging her in the side of the head. The things the elder had to do for the younger. It was so unfair.


    <hr>


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡±


    Remy blinked up at Bennett. The tall, thin and pasty man looked like he had swallowed a lemon, but he looked Remy in the eyes.


    ¡°I see you¡¯ve read the stuff,¡± Remy pointed at the paperwork and maps spread out on the living room coffee table. He couldn¡¯t help but note the empty blood bag. ¡°I just to want to be clear. I¡¯m not here to make you do anything you don¡¯t want to do.¡±


    ¡°Thanks and I appreciate that. You¡¯ve always been cool with me,¡± Bennett said. ¡°I want to do this. These Scions of the Deep Azure cultists sound like really dangerous people. Blood sacrifice to summon fishmen? It¡¯s terrifying, like a Lovecraftian story come to life. I have to do something. I mean if I¡¯m the only one that can do the information gathering and I don¡¯t, then we get attacked. Then chances are I¡¯m dead along with everyone else. Crap, I¡¯ll be lucky to die. You never know with cults. There is a none zero chance that I¡¯m subjected to a fate worse than death on account of my¡­ unique Class.¡±


    ¡°I think I can see where you¡¯re coming from with that. I might be in the same boat.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, they¡¯d probably want to do horrifying experiments straight out of Lovecraft.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m vaguely familiar with that guy. Horror writer?¡±


    ¡°I went through a phase in high school. Dark and edgy nihilism. Looking back on it, I was mostly being a stupid teenager,¡± Bennett shrugged.


    ¡°Weren¡¯t we all.¡±


    ¡°Still, I never thought it was real. But, listen¡­ since the spires appeared things we thought were definitely impossible, beliefs and fiction are now real. Then why not something like in Lovecraft.¡±


    Remy nodded. ¡°The stuff our research team came up with as an overarching theory and hypothesis. Collective human mythologies somehow made real by the spires or whatever is responsible for them. So, this fishman cult is just like how I have superpowers and you became a Vampire. Because we, they, subconsciously willed it so?¡±


    ¡°Right, which is why I think this cult is really scary dangerous. Let me show you.¡±


    Bennett led Remy to the kitchen where a stack of books on the table met them.


    ¡°Have a seat.¡±


    Remy took a chair, while Bennett took the opposite one.


    ¡°I¡¯d offer you something to drink, but¡­¡± Bennett shrugged.


    Remy grinned. ¡°Thanks, but I¡¯ll pass.¡±


    Bennett picked out a thin book from the pile and handed it to Remy.


    ¡°The Shadow Over Innsmouth? Let me guess, there¡¯s a fishman cult in this?¡±


    ¡°More or less. In short there are a race of fish people, but they interbreed with humans. The product of these unions are basically born human and grow up that way, until eventually they start to turn into fish people and have to go live in the ocean.¡±


    ¡°Probably not as nice as the Little Mermaid,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°No,¡± Bennett said flatly. ¡°The scary thing is that these Deep Ones lived with and worshiped an eldritch-type entity that some may popularly know as Dagon. Now there is evidence that Lovecraft didn¡¯t actually mean for this particular entity to be named that. I believe the name Dagon actually refers to an ancient Mesopotamian god. It wasn¡¯t my area of study.¡±


    ¡°Was it Cthulhu? Like Old Ones-type stuff¡­ I played a video game once,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Ah, no that¡¯s a different one, but I suppose close enough if it helps you to conceptualize what I¡¯m trying to explain.¡±


    ¡°I get it. The cult calls themselves the Scions of the Deep Azure. So the question is who or what are they claiming as an originator? And I really hate the fact that I can¡¯t automatically rule out that there isn¡¯t an actual Old One hiding out in San Francisco Bay.¡±


    ¡°That is my concern as well. We need more information. I¡¯d be pissing my pants if that was still something I was capable of doing,¡± Bennett sighed, ¡°but I¡¯m sure that I have to do this.¡±


    Remy grimaced. ¡°It¡¯d be a big help if you could confirm the existence or lack thereof of what¡¯s behind this fishman cult. We need to know what we¡¯re up against if we want to fight back.¡±


    ¡°I was more thinking that we¡¯d run away as far as possible if it turns out that there¡¯s an Old One-like entity out there. You don¡¯t fight one of those things. You¡¯d probably go crazy just looking at it,¡± Bennett shivered.


    ¡°That¡¯s only in the stories. There has to be a way to fight them.¡±


    ¡°No, no, that¡¯s the whole point of the stories. Man is a small insignificant speck to the elder beings out in the universe. I mean our research is pointing toward the fact that elements of fiction have become part of our reality. I don¡¯t see why this would be any different.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true up to a point. Don¡¯t forget that there¡¯s also a game-like element to how the spires work. Getting insta-crazied without a chance to fight back doesn¡¯t fit that.¡±


    ¡°Well, how would you fight a giant elder being the size of buildings?¡±


    ¡°Lots of explosives or a very powerful one. Maybe hit it with a train. The point is we¡¯ve got to try. It¡¯s how the spires work. The greater the struggle the greater the reward.¡±


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°You¡¯re just about the only person I know in literally the entire area that might have a shot,¡± Bennett said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t sell yourself short. Sometimes you just have to be creative with your abilities,¡± Remy said. ¡°Thanks for doing this, Bennett.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ the more we talked about it the scarier it became.¡±


    ¡°Stick to Officer Lawrence¡¯s suggestions. She¡¯s competent.¡±


    ¡°High praise.¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t do any better,¡± Remy stood. ¡°I¡¯ve got some training to do with my kids. Then I¡¯ll be following a map of my own. When are you planning on heading to the bay?¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow after the sun goes down. I need to wake up fully and get in as much blood as I can fit in my system,¡± Bennett winced. ¡°I should¡¯ve practiced my abilities more.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t really blame yourself for your reluctance.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, maybe not. What I do know is that I¡¯m definitely going to have to spend the day out there in a sewer. If I was stronger I might¡¯ve been able to do everything in one night.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I wish I could do more for you, but¡­ good luck!¡±


    Remy shook Bennett¡¯s hand. It was cool to the touch. Remy kept the surprise from showing on his face.


    ¡°Thanks, good luck with your stuff too! I heard that it was your kids that stumbled on to this whole cult thing in the first place. We owe them big. Who knows what kind of damage they could¡¯ve done if they were able to infiltrate our community? Eldritch cults do a lot of their damage that way¡­ at least in the stories,¡± Bennett grinned sheepishly.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Remy blinked. ¡°I suppose we were lucky the kids caught on to the plot when they did.¡±


    ¡°Right place, right time,¡± Bennett agreed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you when you get back. Don¡¯t take unnecessary risks. Any information is better than no information.¡±


    Remy left Bennett¡¯s house deep in thought. The small monsters and mutated animals in the darkness gave him a wide berth. They instinctively knew to avoid his level of power.


    The kids did do a vital service for the community. Maybe he was being too dismissive of that objective truth in his zeal to teach them a lesson.


    Remy sighed. It was hard enough raising kids back when the world was normal. Now he had to factor in super powers and monsters into the equation. Let alone some kind of Cthulhu-like monster lurking out there somewhere.


    ¡°It¡¯s all bullshit,¡± Remy said.


    A chime sounded in Remy¡¯s head.


    ¡°Fu¡ª¡±


    Congratulations!


    You have received a Quest.


    Raise your children to defeat their enemies.


    Success Parameters: Your children must play a main role in their victories and survive.


    Failure Parameters: Your children¡¯s deaths in combat.


    Reward: 1% of your children¡¯s Universal Point reward for each successful victory. Your children will live.


    Failure: The knowledge that your children¡¯s deaths are due to your failure to train them to a high standard.


    You will accept.


    Notes: This Quest is eternal until such time that you have no more living children. 1% reward is independent of your children¡¯s Universal Point reward.


    Remy had to stop walking. His legs suddenly felt weak. Was this horrid Quest generated in answer to something in his subconscious? It was too much to think about. It did clarify one thing for him. The spires¡¯ system was malicious if not downright evil. He had no doubt of that, not now.


    <hr>


    The interior of the spire was ethereal as always.


    Nila walked through what to her was much like an office building if it had been made out of mists. Translucent stairs appeared beneath each step only to blow away like smoke as she kept going higher.


    It was almost as if she was in a dream. She knew exactly where she was going. She had gone to the same room dozens of times. Except the path to get there was different each time. Yet, it was also familiar, as if the way was exactly the same.


    A door or what felt like a door, opened for her and she strode right in. She sat down at a table, no she walked up to a screen that floated in the ether. She was floating in the clouds. She was sitting in an airy chair of mist and smoke, but felt as solid as wood.


    Every possibility shifted and merged from one to the other. It didn¡¯t bother her. It felt as natural as breathing.


    Like always, the spire made perfect sense, while not making any at all.


    ¡°What do you wish to do?¡±


    The voice of the spire sounded like a man, woman and child. All distinct, yet garbled at the same time.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to check my messages,¡± Nila said.


    They had tried to send messages to each other after Cal¡¯s first message had arrived from the other world. After Eron had made it down south and had managed to somehow get a few cell phone towers working. It made for spotty connections that weren¡¯t working more than they did work, but it had allowed Nila a chance to reconnect with her immediate family.


    They had tried to coordinate using the spires¡¯ messaging system for its reliability, but they hadn¡¯t been able to. One expensive tutorial purchase by Eron, since he had the most points, revealed that the system wasn¡¯t going to be available until after the ten-year tutorial period was over. True to form, there was no explanation how Cal had been able to send messages from an entirely different world. Nor did it explain why they couldn¡¯t send back messages of their own.


    ¡°You have one new message.¡±


    Nila took a deep breath. ¡°Open message.¡±


    ¡°Hey, love!¡±


    Cal¡¯s smiling face appeared before her. It was like he was sitting or standing across from her. She unconsciously reached out to touch his cheek. When her hand passed right through as it had each time in the past, she felt a lump grow in her throat.


    ¡°Hi, love,¡± Nila said softly.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see. Things have been pretty quiet on the Professor C front in the last couple of months. This place basically runs itself now. Got good people, er Threnosh, running the admin side. Bad news is that I haven¡¯t been able to pick up new recruits for the T-Men.¡±


    Nila smiled. Cal was such a nerd.


    ¡°The rest of the Threnosh finally caught on to how awesome we are. They¡¯ve been unwilling to give up their defectives.¡± The distaste was clear on Cal¡¯s face. ¡°They¡¯re trying to copy us except they suck. Especially Prime Eternal Warden 1. That guy is the worst. They have tons of defective, but they¡¯re throwing them into a meat grinder without any support or guidance. Threnosh are supposed to be pretty flat emotionally speaking. All controlled and stuff, but this guy might be a legit sociopath.¡± He palmed his face with his right hand and shook his head.


    Nila had finally noticed that in every message Cal had kept his left arm completely still. He had sent messages from what looked like a variety of places. Behind a desk, standing in a forest, surrounded by those small, adorable alien animals he had dubbed deercows. His left hand was always out of view. It was under a desk, in a pocket or behind his back.


    When she had mentioned it to Remy and Eron, his brothers had come to a similar conclusion. Cal was hiding his hand for some reason.


    It killed Nila to know that she couldn¡¯t even ask about it until the ten-year mark passed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to bore you with negative details. Instead, I¡¯ll talk about the cool stuff. So, the animal husbandry thing is going¡­ okay, I guess. Got more deercows and those miniature chicken things. It takes like ten eggs, but I can make omelettes now. There¡¯s a bunch of wild vegetables that are close enough to the stuff from home too. Garlic, onions and peppers, bell and black. Even got salt. That took some work. Had to get the Threnosh to use their orbital scanners. It turned into a whole thing when the Collective learned about it.¡± Cal laughed.


    Nila had almost forgotten what that sounded like. She felt tears well up.


    ¡°Pure sea salt after I ground the deposits up and dried it and stuff. Took some experimenting. The things we modern humans take for granted. Just like meat. Man, I¡¯m still not used to slaughtering deercows. So gross. Fortunately I don¡¯t have to get my hands dirty,¡± Cal tapped his temple, ¡°mind powers are great! Almost as great as grilled meat! I¡¯ve made deercow burgers, ribs, every kind of steak I could think of. Sure, I could survive just fine on the Threnosh nutrient drink, but, bleh,¡± he made a disgusted face. ¡°Anyways the deercow meat tastes like not quite beef and not quite venison. Though I¡¯ve only had the latter a handful of times. Plus my palette is not discerning. So, I could be wrong,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Maybe you can try it one day.¡± He visibly swallowed.


    Nila choked out a mix between a sob and laugh. ¡°You have the worst taste buds,¡± she whispered.


    ¡°On another positive note. I have invented ice cream. It¡¯s not quite right since I¡¯m using deercow milk. I haven¡¯t been able to find any chocolate or vanilla analogues, but I have found several fruits. Some of which make a pretty decent ice cream. The Threnosh love them. Unfortunately, they can only taste then spit out. Turns out being genetically engineered to only consume that nutrient liquid means their stomachs can¡¯t handle anything else,¡± Cal shook his head. ¡°That was a terrible discovery. Things got messy. At least no one died.¡± His eyes darted to the lower right corner. ¡°Crap. Running out of time,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°That¡¯s okay, love. This is enough for me,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°So, um, I¡¯m sorry, but this is going to be my last message for a while. It¡¯s very expensive and I¡¯m going to have to start using my points on prepping my guys for this quest we¡¯re going to start in about a month. Going to reclaim a lost city. The auto translation system says it¡¯s called Orchestral Meridian, not sure how accurate that is. The Threnosh aren¡¯t the most poetic people, as in they literally don¡¯t have any sort of arts in their modern era, which apparently goes back like fifteen thousand years,¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°Academics around the world would give everything to be in your shoes and you¡¯re making deercow steaks and ice cream, while creating your own superhero team.¡± Nila shook her head and laughed.


    ¡°Oh and I¡¯ve been transferring the Universal Points I don¡¯t need to you guys. I¡¯m not sure if you¡¯re getting them. I hope you are, but if not then I can only think that maybe the ten-year tutorial period thing is holding them up. They¡¯re definitely being taken out of my account.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to do that,¡± Nila said. The points hadn¡¯t showed up yet.


    ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking. I should use the points for myself. Don¡¯t really need them. I spend most of them boosting my T-Men or purchasing equipment and supplies for our base. Even then, I¡¯ve still got so much left over from all the bosses and secret bosses we¡¯ve been killing. Plus all of the Quests clearing spawn points.¡± Cal took a deep breath. ¡°Goodbye for now. I love you, Nila. Give everyone my love and I¡¯ll send another message the first chance that I get. And¡­ I¡¯m sorry for all of this, please stay safe.¡±


    Cal smiled at Nila for a few seconds before the message ended and he vanished.


    ¡°Oh, Cal. Stay safe. Please. We just have to make it a few more years then we can be together again.¡±


    <hr>


    Then, Threnosh World


    Standing on top of the gray ones¡¯ wall was a precarious thing to do for the massive cragants. The walkway was barely three times as wide as their feet were long. One false step meant a drop nearly twice their height. Not dangerous, merely shameful. One had already fallen flat onto their back to the deep, booming guffaws of the others.


    ¡°Silence!¡± Adjutant Trusk bellowed.


    The cragants snapped to attention.


    General Zanya didn¡¯t notice the entire interaction. She had more pressing concerns. The hierophant had fallen and was being carried back by the reinforcements that she had sent out. She could see that he was still alive through her spyglass. ¡°More¡¯s the pity.¡±


    ¡°General?¡±


    She turned the spyglass on the four gray ones that had defeated the hierophant and her legionnaires. ¡°Trusk. I want you to mark those four,¡± she pointed at them as they fled through her legionnaires to the north.


    ¡°They will not get through our soldiers.¡±


    ¡°They are already halfway there. Mark them. Start building dossiers. Speak to the legionnaires that fought them as soon as you have the opportunity, while the memories are fresh.¡±


    ¡°As you will, general.¡± Trusk scribbled down the orders into a sheaf of parchment before passing it to the cragant next to him.


    General Zanya had underestimated these unique gray ones. The armor they wore were much more powerful and versatile than the other soldiers she had faced. It was hard to accept that such small and delicate looking things could pose a threat to her kind. ¡°The smallest pebble may send forth an avalanche to bury the hardest warrior,¡± she muttered. She turned her spyglass back to the gray ones¡¯ fortified camp across the distant plains. As expected, without the hierophant to maintain the working, the curtains of fire that had engulfed the enemy walls were gone.


    ¡°Adjutant, the bulk of the 1st have reached the enemy walls. Give the order to the other legions. All out attack. I want the gray ones smeared into the grass. Without the hierophant to maintain the aegis over our heads we will be vulnerable to their flying machines. We must destroy them all quickly.¡±


    ¡°Yes, general.¡±


    Trusk barked the commands to the flag bearers arrayed on the wall.


    The signals went up and several seconds later the other four legions on the field went from an orderly march to an all out sprint toward the enemy base.


    General Zanya scanned the field. There were many bodies in the grass. 1st Legion men and women. The toll taken by the gray ones¡¯ flying machines and destructive weaponry. Despite their thick armor and thick skin even the cragants eventually fell. Still she expected victory shortly. They outnumbered the gray ones. They would overwhelm them in close quarters, just like during the battle for the city.


    ¡°Adjutant. Signal the medics to prioritize the 1st¡¯s wounded. Their valor will be honored.¡±


    General Zanya turned her spyglass back to the fortified camp. Her legionnaires had already breached the fire weakened wall. She saw their spearheads flash in the sun, while the gray ones¡¯ minuscule missiles sparked off their thick shields and armor. She knew that enough concentrated fire would eventually pierce through the steel and into the legionnaire beneath. From what she saw the enemy wasn¡¯t going to be able to rely on that tactic in this battle.

 3.21

    Then, Threnosh World


    The flames winked out. Their teammates had done it against the probabilities. It was too late. The senior commander¡¯s failure to listen had delayed things enough so that they now faced looming disaster.


    Minutes under the curtain of fire had forced the defending Threnosh soldiers off their positions on the wall. They would¡¯ve been cooked in their power armor otherwise. Like that coastal arthropod that Honor had dubbed a crabster.


    That was one of the few things that Caretaker didn¡¯t yet comprehend about Honor. The human¡¯s interest in consuming lesser biological lifeforms bordered on obsession. Were the rest of his species the same way? The Threnosh were a lesser species from a physical standpoint when they were out of their power armor. It was an uncomfortable thought that Caretaker had kept to themselves.


    The automated turrets on the wall eventually failed under the immense and continuous heat. Barrels warped, ammunition and internal mechanisms melted. They had taken a measurable toll on the charging cragants. Preliminary scans estimated initial casualties inflicted at roughly two hundred and thirty. It was a small consolation since the initial attacking force was nearly at four thousand.


    Caretaker focused on the views provided by the surveillance drones flying out of reach of the cragant arrows and bolts. The foursome they had sent to take out the hierophant was surrounded by the enemy, but they weren¡¯t worried. Three of them were quick and fast, while Tynk flew and had an ability to make their escape a likely probability.


    Caretaker stood two hundred fifty meters from the wall in front of them, while the aerial transport landing zone was two hundred fifty meters behind them. They had chosen this position to start their fighting withdrawal. If they had been in command they would have already ordered a complete retreat. They didn¡¯t need their predictive algorithm to know that once the giant humanoids breached the wall the battle was lost. They couldn¡¯t be fought in close quarters.


    As it stood, Caretaker had to wait for the senior commander to give the retreat order. If they took the T-Men and left ahead of an order then they would be insubordinate.


    ¡°Caretaker, it is as you had stated. The cloud over Cold Plains City is receding,¡± Volkharion said into the comms.


    ¡°How do you do it?¡± Primal grumbled. ¡°How are you always ahead?¡±


    ¡°Reason and logic,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Designation: Hierophant has displayed magic. Specifically creating fire. It stood to reason that the cloud was also a magical effect. Disable the hierophant, disable the magic.¡± They didn¡¯t add that their predictive algorithm played an integral role. ¡°Volkharion, continue to maintain surveillance over the city with your aerial drone. Notify me immediately if a landing zone becomes clear of the cloud.¡±


    Caretaker kept an eye on the blackened and charred wall. The senior commander had pulled their soldiers back and had squads set up in firing units at intersections between the prefabricated structures that comprised the base camp. The layout was done in exact, straight lines following a grid pattern. It provided clear lines of fire to the wall. They covered every part of the wall. Once the cragants breached they wouldn¡¯t be able to avoid the projectile fire. It wouldn¡¯t matter.


    The giant humanoids breached the wall with a collective roar. Some burned their thick gloves to climb over, while others used tree trunks as battering rams to knock fire-weakened sections down.


    The Threnosh soldiers opened fire. Standard soldiers fired short, controlled bursts with recoilless rifles, while heavy soldiers sprayed barrages from their miniguns.


    Steel took the brunt of the fire. It took hundreds of projectiles to bring a single cragant down and there were thousands.


    The first lines of Threnosh soldiers tried to fall back while the second line covered them. Once again the senior commander and their staff had sorely underestimated the amount of ground the cragants covered with their long legs.


    ¡°They are being overwhelmed. Request permission to begin firing,¡± Primal said.


    ¡°You may launch grenades at the space in between the wall and the first row of structures. Mortar free beyond the wall. Spread fire.¡± Caretaker¡¯s predictive algorithm spun up as they reassessed the battlefield. It was a constantly shifting thing. They could keep up. The shape of their plan had started to solidify once Volkharion had confirmed that the cloud over the city was receding. Now it all depended on how fast and how much. They needed more time and the senior commander needed to order an organized retreat. The plan required soldiers.


    Primal opened up with the grenade launcher on their left shoulder and the mortar on their right. Loud thooms were accompanied by smoke trails as grenades and mortars arced high into the sky. They landed amid the cragants with tremendous explosions that sent shrapnel and waves of concussive force into the giant humanoids.


    ¡°They are tough,¡± Primal said. Their attacks didn¡¯t have the effect that they had anticipated.


    Caretaker pinged a set of coordinates on the map, north of their position and sent it to Shira. ¡°Will you be capable of engaging the cragants?¡±


    ¡°Affirmative. I am weakened by solar radiation, but I am never weak.¡± Shira¡¯s reply over the comms was terse.


    ¡°Acknowledged. I need you to hold them off until the senior commander and their staff retreat from the command center.¡±


    Shira nodded before their monstrous faceplate slid into place and they dashed off.


    ¡°Malendrax and Blueballs. You will go to the command tent and provide escort for the senior commander.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± the two Threnosh chorused and ran after Shira.


    ¡°Actryarius, do you have the explosives?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Actryarius pointed to the large pack on their back.


    Caretaker sent them several locations on the map. ¡°Set them in the order I have indicated. Once you are finished you will go to the landing zone and our transport. Tell the pilot to prepare for immediate departure. You will relay this in person, do not use the comms. Understood?¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    ¡°Make all haste.¡±


    Actryarius turned and sprinted toward the first location. They went intangible right before they crashed into a structure. They would save time by being able to travel in straight lines without worrying about going around buildings or waiting for doors to open.


    ¡°A group of cragants has broken off from the main assault and are circling around to the south wall,¡± Dralig said.


    Caretaker had just been about to address that development. There was only the minimum amount of Threnosh soldiers on the wall. ¡°Kynnro, Dralig and Adjudicator, reinforce the defenses on the wall. Delay then retreat.¡±


    ¡°What if they seek to bypass us and attempt to assault our landing zone before we can retreat?¡± Kynnro said.


    Caretaker had to consider the possibility. The cragants had likely seen them arriving in their aerial transports. They decided that the probability did exist. ¡°Try to draw them into an engagement.¡±


    The trio saluted and departed, which left just Primal and Frequency.


    ¡°Too many variables to keep track of,¡± Frequency said. ¡°Are you having difficulty processing them all?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°In some ways I prefer fighting monsters. They simply attacked. There was not much in the way of maneuvers and feints,¡± Primal said.


    ¡°You have changed your outlook then? I recall your constant and vocal desires for challenges,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°Factually correct,¡± Primal said flatly.


    ¡°To be clear, these cragants have been rather direct attackers,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°I will not engage your attempts to perturb me.¡±


    ¡°Frequency, I had intended for you to secure our direct path of retreat to the landing zone. Now I need you to do the same for Kynnro¡¯s group. I know that it will stretch your capabilities, but what do you think?¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°I can do it.¡± Frequency didn¡¯t hesitate. Their mobile sound emitters detached from their power armor and hovered around them. The soft hum of their anti-gravity units was audible.


    Caretaker sent coordinates to Frequency¡¯s map. ¡°These are the optimum locations for your emitters. Take cover here.¡± They marked a position one hundred meters back toward the landing zone.


    ¡°Acknowledged. However, the cragants are taller than most of our structures. I doubt that our structures will provide me with much cover and concealment.¡± The emitters floated away as Frequency directed them to their positions while they jogged back to where Caretaker directed them.


    So many moving parts, multiple variables. One wrong decision or one mistake by their teammates and disaster would fall on them like an avalanche.


    The key cog of their entire plan was about to turn, as the cragants bulled their way into the second line after utterly devastating the first.


    ¡°I am critical on ammunition,¡± Primal said.


    ¡°Save your last and take up position with Frequency. You are to guard them.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Primal¡¯s massive power armor stomped past Caretaker with earth shaking steps.


    ¡°Open channel to command center,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Command, this is Caretaker. Request for Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326.¡±


    ¡°You are not in the chain of command. Cease further interference.¡± The voice was flat.


    ¡°Senior commander. The first two lines have been breached in three minutes and thirty-nine seconds. There are only five defensive lines remaining. We are facing utter defeat. However, I have discovered a way through this. Direct your view to the cloud over Cold Plains City.¡±


    There was only silence on the channel for three eternal seconds.


    ¡°Proceed,¡± Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326¡¯s voice finally came back.


    <hr>


    Shira dashed past the command center. The prefabricated structure was one of the biggest in the entire camp. Only the equipment fabrication facilities were bigger and those were all on the eastern side. On the opposite side of the landing zones in the middle. It was perhaps this reason why a group of cragants had bulled their way through all of the defensive lines and were on what appeared to be a direct course.


    Caretaker¡¯s coordinates took Shira on an intercept course. Once again their team leader had displayed an uncanny prescience. They didn¡¯t believe that it was solely Caretaker¡¯s predictive algorithm at work. Half of the equation was the Threnosh within the power armor. Shira knew this to be true in their case, so it logically followed that it was the case for the others.


    They ducked behind a structure. A small square of a building two and a half meters high, living quarters for the soldiers. Some of the cragants were nearly twice as tall. They couldn¡¯t count on maintaining concealment for long. As soon as one of the cragants drew close enough Shira¡¯s black power armor would be visible against the bare soil of the plains.


    Shira struck first, as was their way. They pulled themselves up to the roof of the structure and vaulted at the closest cragant with the silence of a flowing shadow.


    The cragant reflexively raised its massive shield, but Shira used it pull themselves right up to the giant humanoid¡¯s face. They stabbed their blade-like fingers into its unarmored throat. Its skin and muscles were tough and dense.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Shira really needed to put their strength into it. After the initial resistance they powered through up to their elbows.


    Their power armor drank in the cragant¡¯s lifeblood as the two toppled to the ground. Fortunately, there was so much of it in the cragant¡¯s massive body. There was more than enough to replace the amount Shira had spent.


    Daylight meant they were weaker and that their power armor drained its supply of blood at a faster rate. It was comforting to know that the cragants¡¯ blood satiated their needs.


    Shira drank in their fill just in time as the other cragants finally reacted. They charged.


    The structures were spaced for the standard Threnosh. This meant that the walkways were only wide enough for one cragant.


    A spear thrust aimed at Shira¡¯s chest. The cragant was surprisingly quick, but they might as well have been a statue as the black-clad Threnosh blurred out of the way.


    Shira sprinted low to the ground.


    The cragant had seen what Shira had done to its fellow soldier. It pulled its shield up higher to protect its vulnerable neck.


    There was just enough space for Shira to dash right under it and in between the cragants legs.


    As Shira passed through to the cragant¡¯s back side, they slashed out with their hands. Back and forth a dozen times in two blinks of an eye. They shredded through the thick cloth at the back of the giant humanoid¡¯s knees.


    The cragant cried out in pain and toppled to the ground like a felled tree.


    Shira grabbed its forgotten spear. Their sharp fingers dug into the wood to help them get it into position. The enormous thing was as tall as a tree and as thick around as Shira¡¯s thigh. They planted the butt of the spear into the ground and aimed it at another charging cragant.


    The cragant met the spearhead with its shield. Their weight and strength bent the spear, then sent it flying.


    Shira had miscalculated. They were strong, but they were a fraction of the cragant¡¯s weight.


    They had time to confirm the physics of it as they flew several dozen meters in the air only to crash into the side of one of the living quarters.


    ¡°My mistake,¡± Shira said.


    They waited for their power armor to repair the damage to the both of them. The blood drain was immense, as expected.


    The cragants moved to encircle them.


    Shira was pleased that they didn¡¯t have to expend more blood to chase after the cragants.


    ¡°Time to refill,¡± Shira said.


    ¡°You are a strange creature,¡± one of the cragants said as it eyed Shira warily from over the top edge of its shield, ¡°so small, yet so deadly. We will gain great honor for defeating you.¡±


    The cragant let out a roar. The others banged their spear shafts against their shields.


    It made for quite the din.


    Shira didn¡¯t like it. She preferred the silence and the darkness. She had to fight in the bright of day. That was one thing she couldn¡¯t control. What she could control was the noise. It was a simple calculation. No cragants. No noise.


    They needed blood. It was the only thing they could see in their vision. The cragants became nothing except sacks of the precious liquid. The Threnosh forgot a part of themselves. Shira blurred toward the closest one.


    While the black-clad Threnosh reveled in red-soaked violence a trio of T-men at the opposite end of the fortified base camp were presented with a different dilemma.


    ¡°The giant humanoids are not going to attack,¡± Dralig said.


    ¡°Cragants.¡±


    Dralig waved Adjudicator away. ¡°The names do not matter. What is important is that we force an engagement, as Caretaker commanded.¡±


    ¡°It does appear that the cragants are going to go all the way around to the east wall,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°Perhaps if we attack them they will be forced to respond,¡± Adjudicator said.


    ¡°They are thinking beings. I doubt that it will be so simple as to draw their aggro in the same manner as we do with monsters,¡± Dralig said.


    ¡°It is worth a try,¡± Kynnro said. They turned to the subleader of the soldiers on the wall, all forty-eight of them. ¡°Commander, I request you open fire on the cragants.¡±


    The commander refused to even look at Kynnro. Something they had done from the moment the T-Men had joined them on the wall. ¡°You are not in the chain of command. Request denied.¡±


    ¡°The enemy is going to the east wall. There are no soldiers there. All have been pulled into the fight inside our base.¡± Kynnro didn¡¯t add that it was currently a losing fight. No need to antagonize the commander.


    ¡°We will shadow them.¡±


    ¡°Yes, except that entails letting them dictate the terms of the battle,¡± Kynnro said. ¡°Is it not preferable to force them to act according to our terms?¡±


    ¡°Request denied.¡±


    Kynnro sighed.


    ¡°We will force compliance,¡± Adjudicator said.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Dralig¡¯s mouth teased a hint of a smile.


    The two looked to Kynnro.


    ¡°Proceed.¡±


    Their faceplates slid into place. Targeting systems engaged.


    Adjudicator walked over to the nearest automated turret. They ripped it from its cradle and wielded the enormous thing without difficulty.


    They sprayed the hundreds of meters distant cragants with a stream of projectiles.


    Dralig did the same with their dual miniguns. A four-armed, super strong power armor made it easy for them to control the weapons. There was something to be said about overwhelming firepower.


    Kynnro waited. They wanted to unleash their attacks at just the right time for maximum damage.


    The commander snapped their head toward Kynnro. Their eyes were wide.


    Being around others of their kind and normal Threnosh that had gotten acclimated at varying degrees by their uniqueness, Honor¡¯s uniqueness had led Kynnro to forget what the normal Threnosh were like. The look on the commander¡¯s face was as emotive as they were capable.


    The cragants abandoned their original plan, whatever it might have been. As one they turned and charged directly for the wall. A collective roar shook the air as the giant humanoid¡¯s steps sounded like thunder.


    ¡°You should open fire. Don¡¯t forget to engage the automated turrets,¡± Kynnro said. ¡°Compliance,¡± they said into the team channel.


    Both Dralig and Adjudicator chuckled at that.


    The commander reluctantly gave the order and the rest of the soldiers opened up with their recoilless projectile weapons. The automated turrets sprayed the mass of cragants in sweeping arcs, as if they were trying to hose down a fire.


    It was as if they were trying to put out a fire with a weak stream of water. Kynnro had learned from Honor that sometimes the best way to deal with a fire was with an even greater one. The explanation was not the best, but they had picked up on the sentiment that Honor had been trying to convey. Was it concerning that they had a hand in several raging forest fires over the past two years?


    Perhaps, but that was not important at the moment. Kynnro planned to fight the fires approaching them with their own.


    When the cragants had crossed within Kynnro¡¯s range, they raised their arms and fired several canisters in a wide arc to encompass as much of the entire width of the enemy as possible.


    Clouds of ash exploded out of the canisters. They engulfed the front ranks of the cragants. The ashes clung to their clothing, their skin, got in their eyes, nose and mouth.


    The enemy was three hundred meters away, well within the range of Kynnro¡¯s laser. The dish-shaped emitter on their helmet¡¯s forehead flared with a bright red light as the laser lanced across the clear air. It ignited the ash cloud and fire bloomed. There was a loud whoosh as the sudden ignition sucked the oxygen in the surrounding area.


    Cragants in the hundreds burned and suffocated.


    ¡°Impressive,¡± Dralig said.


    ¡°As always,¡± Adjudicator added.


    The two had ceased firing as Kynnro¡¯s fire engulfed the front ranks of the cragants. Indeed every soldier had stopped firing.


    ¡°Perhaps you should continue firing. The fires will not kill them all and there are more behind,¡± Kynnro said. They switched to the team channel. ¡°I expended half my ash canisters on that attack.¡±


    ¡°Save the rest until absolutely necessary?¡± Dralig suggested.


    ¡°We will not be able to hold the wall,¡± Adjudicator said. ¡°Retreat is the only viable option unless we are to die here.¡±


    ¡°No one is dying. Caretaker will convince the senior commander to take the best course of action,¡± Kynnro said.


    At the command center the soldiers on guard duty desperately fired into the charging cragant. It blocked the majority of projectiles with its massive shield before brutally killing the Threnosh with its spear.


    The giant humanoid was in despairing rage. Her fellow legionnaires had sacrificed themselves to occupy the tiny, black-clad demon that tore them to shreds to allow her the opportunity to complete their mission.


    The command center had been marked by the general as important. To that end they were supposed to destroy it and capture, if possible, the tiny gray ones within.


    The structure was several hands taller than her and the doors where much to small to fit inside. She dropped her spear and took out her side sword in an attempt to pry the roof open.


    The plinking sound of projectiles striking her armored back and helmet interrupted her. She sheathed her sword, picked up her spear and faced the new attackers.


    ¡°Caretaker, single cragant at command center,¡± Malendrax subvocalized into the team channel.


    ¡°Understood, do what you can to keep it occupied. Shira is still in combat, but they will aid you when they are finished,¡± Caretaker replied.


    ¡°How are we supposed to do that? That thing is gigantic,¡± Blueballs said.


    ¡°Is that not what you are best at?¡± There was a distinct electronic tone to Malendrax¡¯s voice.


    The cragant let out a loud battle cry and charged.


    Malendrax emptied their recoilless rifle into the giant humanoid¡¯s shield.


    Blueballs ran back around the other side of the living quarters to their right. They wanted to break line of sight with the cragant.


    The giant humanoid thrust the spear at Malendrax, who dived to the left and barely avoided getting skewered.


    The Threnosh didn¡¯t avoid the follow up strike. The spear shaft caught them in the side. Their power armor broke and they broke along with it as they went crashing through three different structures. The composite walls were no impediment to their heavy metallic power armor combined with the force of the blow.


    Malendrax¡¯s vision went dark as they rolled to a crumpled heap many meters away.


    ¡°Alert, alert,¡± Blueballs said into the comes. ¡°Malendrax is down, I repeat, Malendrax is down.¡±


    ¡°Focus, Blueballs,¡± Caretaker¡¯s voice was calm. ¡°I am reading Malendrax¡¯s life signs. All you have to do is delay the cragant until they can come to your assistance. Remember your training. Remember the bosses and secret bosses you have fought. This is just another challenge to overcome.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Blueballs¡¯ shoulders slumped slightly. They were on their own.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    Remy walked across the starlit fields west of town. He had an unlit lantern hanging from his belt for emergencies since his eyesight was good enough that a clear night sky provided plenty of illumination. His real protection were the bits of metal and strings of wires orbiting around his body. Any surprise attacker would be immediately caught and pulled away.


    He was traveling to the furthest location on Officer Lawrence¡¯s map. A small airport.


    It was further west from the farm where the kids had encountered the cultists and fishman almost a week ago.


    The airport was merely an abandoned airport. There was no notification when Remy crossed its boundary. For some reason it had never turned into an encounter challenge or spawn point.


    As soon as he reached the single landing strip a series of high-pitched barks and yips assaulted his ears. It was chaotic and unnerving even for someone with powers.


    ¡°Coyotes?¡±


    From the sound of it there were a lot of them and they were close.


    Remy loosened the chains around his arms. He extended the metal objects orbiting around him several feet further out. He added another layer closer to his body by emptying one of the hard cases at his belt. Nails, nuts and bolts created a deadly spinning cloud around him.


    He kept walking toward the airport¡¯s only terminal. There were no signs of human habitation. Broken glass windows and closed doors greeted him.


    ¡°I have to check inside,¡± Remy sighed.


    His hand drifted to the lantern at his side. He kept his eyes and ears alert for any signs of impending attack. The coyote howls had suddenly stopped. That wasn¡¯t a good sign, right?


    He rummaged in his right pocket for his lighter. His eyes went to the lantern as he went to light it.


    That was when the coyotes appeared.


    Two to be specific. They came out of the dark airport interior. They stalked toward Remy until they stopped about thirty feet in front of him.


    ¡°Not coyotes are you,¡± Remy whispered. ¡°Mutant coyotes.¡±


    The creatures were huge. Now that they were in the star light, Remy saw that they were monstrous, misshapen things. Muscles bulged and stretched t skin to the limit. Their fur was patchy. He had seen wolves plenty of times at the zoo. These things were significantly bigger.


    ¡°So, are you two just going to stare at me all night. I¡¯m busy.¡±


    Remy¡¯s eyes widened. He remembered some of the coyote facts from when he had to help his daughter for a report back before the spaces between cities weren¡¯t minefields of mutant animals and monsters.


    One tactic that coyote packs used against bigger dogs was to lure and distract them with one while the others attacked from behind.


    There was a loud snarl and Remy felt something big crash into the wires and shrapnel orbiting at his back. He used his magnetic field to tighten the wires while raking the coyote he sensed in his trap.


    More mutant coyotes emerged out of the airport. They all came for him at dead run. He was able to count up to ten with his enhanced perceptions before they were almost on top of him. He heard more howls from all around him. How many were there?


    It didn¡¯t matter. He was going home to his family. No amount of mutated animals was going to get in his way.


    Remy turned the air around him into a tornado of metal death that shredded everything caught within. The growls and snarls quickly turned into yips and yelps.


    ¡°Sorry. I¡¯m putting you out of your misery,¡± Remy said.


    At least he could cross the airport off the list. There were definitely no humans around, unless they were in the mutant coyotes¡¯ stomachs. He had no intention of confirming that.

 3.22

    Now, Earth


    Remy double checked to make sure that there were no people walking behind the target zone. There shouldn¡¯t have been anyways. It was dark and the only people with any business being outside the safety of their homes were the patrols. And since he was in the park near his house the watch knew that they didn¡¯t need to be there.


    ¡°Okay, Tessa. You¡¯re clear. Remember, minimum power.¡±


    There was a loud bang as the sound barrier broke.


    The little hex nut shattered the glass bottle and plunged into the sand and dirt berm behind.


    Remy glanced at the cobbled together velocity measuring device one of the eggheads on the research team put together. The same as the other times. The nut had flown significantly faster than a bullet.


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    ¡°Tessa¡­ language.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t do it,¡± Tessa snapped.


    ¡°Try to picture throwing a ball. You can throw it as hard as you can or you can lob it.¡±


    ¡°I am!¡±


    The dim light provided by the lanterns around them did nothing to hide the frustration on Tessa¡¯s face. Remy knew from experience that his daughter was at her limit. They weren¡¯t going to be able to reach a breakthrough with her heels dug in and convinced that she couldn¡¯t do it.


    ¡°Okay. We¡¯ll pick it up again next time.¡±


    ¡°This is dumb. My power is on and off. There¡¯s no adjusting the level.¡±


    ¡°Not true. You can already hold it before releasing it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but what¡¯s the point of that. It hurts my head and I can¡¯t move around. It just makes me a sitting duck.¡±


    ¡°It increases the velocity of your projectiles,¡± Remy frowned. ¡°That¡¯s a significant point.¡±


    ¡°So it goes from really fast to really, really fast. Either way the monsters are dead.¡±


    This was a familiar retread to Remy. ¡°It also teaches you control. Picture it as a foundation you¡¯re building on. You thought your power was just on and off. Well, that¡¯s not true is it? And you wouldn¡¯t have learned that without experimentation.¡±


    ¡°Fine¡­ whatever. I¡¯ll just give myself a headache then,¡± Tessa pouted.


    ¡°Tessa,¡± Remy warned. ¡°If you¡¯re not willing to put in the work then you won¡¯t be able to go out and fight monsters.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be eighteen in two years. I can go fight whatever I want then.¡± Tessa crossed her arms.


    ¡°Right and then when you run into something you can¡¯t handle because you refused to develop your powers and skills to their maximum potential you¡¯ll die and make us all very sad,¡± Remy said flatly. This was also a familiar retread.


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll cry,¡± Veronica said from where she was sitting on the grass. Her legs were crossed and her eyes were closed. Her face was scrunched and her forehead glistened with sweat in the lantern light.


    ¡°Veronica, you¡¯re supposed to be concentrating,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°I am!¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± Tessa turned back to the bottles arrayed around fifty feet away. She took another hex nut from the pouch at her belt and held it in her upturned palm. A look of concentration crossed her face. The nut levitated a few inches up and vibrated, as if it was straining against an invisible force keeping it in place.


    Remy could feel the magnetic field around his daughter¡¯s hand through his own ever present magnetic field. It was an instinctive thing. He felt and saw the immense power that Tessa was generating as it bled out from her hand and began to expand out along her outstretched arm.


    Tessa¡¯s eyes were focused on the targets. Ten seconds passed until the nut tore free of its shackles and boomed across the space. Another bottle shattered.


    Tessa was gasping for breath, as if she had just sprinted across the field.


    ¡°Good job. Keep doing that.¡± From what Remy could tell, his daughter put out enough power to propel a car at a similar speed. He needed to figure out the logistics of practicing that. Tessa clearly didn¡¯t know her power¡¯s strength. The consequences would be disastrous if she had an accident.


    ¡°Are you ready, Veronica?¡±


    ¡°Yes, dad.¡±


    Remy wasn¡¯t sure what to make of the bright smile on his daughter¡¯s face. Was it because of her excitement for all things powers-related? Or was it because she was about to get another chance to fry her father¡¯s brain? He supposed that it could¡¯ve been both.


    It was a good thing that he had figured out how to use his own ability to generate and control magnetic fields to block Veronica¡¯s electromagnetic pulses.


    Remy led Veronica a short distance away from where Tessa was shattering bottles.


    ¡°Remember, minimum power. The goal of our exercise is to teach you how to aim and build up your endurance. We can¡¯t do that if you blow your energy in just a few big shots.¡±


    ¡°Right, control, got it,¡± Veronica grinned.


    They had been at their nightly powers practice for the entire week. Remy still had to remind his daughters to control themselves. That they didn¡¯t need to go all out all the time. He had no idea where they got the full-speed ahead attitude from. Neither he nor his wife were like that.


    Remy paced off about thirty yards away from Veronica. He created a magnetic field to protect his brain as he called out to his daughter. ¡°Are you ready?¡±


    ¡°Ready!¡±


    The smile dropped from Veronica¡¯s face with frightening quickness. A determined look replaced it.


    ¡°Zero to a hundred, just like that,¡± Remy sighed. ¡°Remember your goal is to get as many hits on me as you can before I reach you.¡±


    Remy saw Veronica¡¯s curt nod despite the distance and dim light. The conditions weren¡¯t ideal to hit a fast moving target, which was good for training purposes. He wanted to prepare his daughters as much as he could. To that end he wanted their training to be more challenging that real world scenarios.


    Remy set the timer on his phone to ten seconds. ¡°I¡¯m going on the buzzer.¡±


    When it rang, he moved.


    Almost immediately he registered a weak electromagnetic pulse on the field shielding his brain. Not bad, but hitting him from a standstill was easy for Veronica after an intense week of practice.


    Remy zigged to the right. He registered another weak pulse on the larger magnetic field around his entire body. It was about a foot off-target.


    He planted his feet into the grass and zagged back to the left. Veronica¡¯s pulse tickled the air next to his ear. Closer. Remy smiled. His daughter was improving.


    Veronica was too cute with her tongue sticking out of her mouth in concentration. He¡¯d have to remind her not to do that. Too easy to accidentally bite it during a fight.


    Remy registered a second hit! He was pleased. A trained shooter wouldn¡¯t have managed to touch him with the speed and quickness he was moving forward with. He knew that from firsthand experience.


    Miss, miss, hit!


    Remy sprinted directly at Veronica. He covered the ten feet in the blink of an eye. His daughter yelped as her last pulse splashed harmlessly against his feet.


    ¡°Missed.¡± Remy gently booped his daughter¡¯s nose. ¡°You are dead,¡± he grinned to take the sting out of it.


    ¡°But I got you three times this time. That¡¯s the most ever!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I guess that means we have to make it harder.¡± Remy went over to where he had piled some training aids. He grabbed a bag of cornhole bags and jogged back into place. ¡°This time I get to attack too. Same rules as before, but now you¡¯re going to have to dodge, let¡¯s say you can move side to side, but not back or forward.¡±


    Veronica narrowed her eyes. ¡°That¡¯s not fair. You can move all over the place.¡±


    ¡°Training¡¯s supposed to be unfair!¡± Tessa chimed in. Her voice was distinctly disgruntled.


    Remy smiled.


    Veronica shot a glare at Tessa¡¯s back.


    ¡°I hope you¡¯re ready, cause I¡¯m ready.¡± Remy pulled the cornhole bags out and sent them orbiting around him. This would be a training opportunity for him as well. He was interested to see if he could counter the disruptive effects of Veronica¡¯s electromagnetic pulses.


    This time when the buzzer rang he didn¡¯t move. He registered a pulse on the magnetic field around his head immediately. This one was stronger than the last time, but not strong enough to overcome his shield. He shot a cornhole bag at Veronica at a fastball speed. His daughter was significantly tougher than a normal eleven-year old. She could handle it.


    Veronica yelped and ducked. The cornhole bag just barely missed. She glared at Remy.


    He started moving forward. Slower and less erratically this time. He wanted to see if his daughter could adapt to a new challenge. He shot another bag at her feet. She ignored the shower of grass and dirt that sprayed her legs as the bag bounced to her left.


    A strong electromagnetic pulse struck to Remy¡¯s right. For a moment he thought it was a miss, until the bags orbiting in that area suddenly dropped to the ground. Belatedly, he realized that Veronica had disrupted his magnetic field. It had happened too fast for him to counter.


    A second pulse exploded in his head. Once again it was stronger. He felt his body spasm for a split-second, while the other cornhole bags orbiting around him dropped before he could reshape his magnetic fields.


    ¡°Hit!¡± Remy said. He was impressed. His brain was still tingling.


    Veronica¡¯s mouth split in a feral grin.


    Where did she get that from? Remy had no idea when his baby girl turned into such a ready fighter.


    Remy resisted the urge to smile. ¡°Coming at you.¡± He wiped the smile off his daughter¡¯s face with a barrage of cornhole bags.


    The battle began in earnest.


    <hr>


    ¡°Hey, hon? I¡¯ve got a question,¡± Remy hesitated. ¡°Have you noticed the girls being a little more¡­ aggressive¡­ lately?¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah. It¡¯s not surprising. They¡¯ve had to grow up with their father having to go off and fight literal monsters out in the dark. They¡¯ve done the same. Plus, they¡¯ve got combat training on a daily basis. I¡¯m not particularly happy about it, but a little aggression in that context is normal.¡±


    ¡°Ah, good¡­ I guess. I thought it was just me,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°So¡­ you lost then?¡± Megan placed some ice into a bag and wrapped it in a hand towel before handing it to Remy.


    Remy took the ice bag and gingerly placed it over the right side of his face. ¡°Thanks, hon¡­ I was operating at a disadvantage. I couldn¡¯t go for the head.¡±


    Megan¡¯s mouth opened and closed for a moment. ¡°I¡¯m glad you were smart enough to realize that you couldn¡¯t hit your own daughters in their heads.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s for practice. Monsters and bad guys don¡¯t have the same restrictions,¡± Remy shrugged. ¡°Plus, they¡¯re superhumanly strong and tough.¡±


    ¡°Oh, just like you? With the bruise covering the right half of your face?¡± Megan moved Remy¡¯s hand and poked and prodded at the tender flesh.


    Remy endured the less then tender ministrations. He knew that his wife was imagining the same injury on her daughters. ¡°I took a cornhole bag at somewhere between mach two and three right in the face. And it only knocked me out for like not even five seconds.¡±


    ¡°Here, give me the ice bag so I can check you out.¡± Megan held her hand over Remy¡¯s face and head as she whispered something. Thirty seconds passed in silence. ¡°Well, nothing is broken and I don¡¯t think you have a concussion¡­ but there is definitely something off about your brain. Veronica¡¯s doing?¡±


    Remy nodded.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯re in any danger. We can get you an MRI tomorrow if you want.¡±


    ¡°Nah, I¡¯ll be fine. I¡¯ve got a sense of these things.¡±


    Megan arched a brow.


    ¡°I can generate and control magnetic fields. It gives me a diagnostic ability when it comes to figuring out what¡¯s going on with the electrical signals in my brain.¡±


    ¡°If you say so.¡±


    ¡°What? It¡¯s legit science now,¡± Remy said.


    Megan handed the ice bag back to Remy. ¡°The girls said that you were playing super dodgeball. Remind me again how is that training?¡±


    ¡°Teaches aim and dodging. It¡¯s perfect. I wish I had thought of it sooner. Definitely going to work it in moving forward,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°But they only have one more day of hell week,¡± Megan rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Well about that¡­ they sort of adapted really well to it. They stopped puking after the second day. I think I¡¯m actually going to have to increase the intensity until we find their real limits.¡±


    Megan didn¡¯t look happy at that. ¡°Fine, but on one condition. I¡¯m going to need to give them full physicals. I¡¯m concerned about any potential damage to their bodies. You might be willing to hand wave everything away with ¡®superhuman¡¯ this, that, bla bla,¡± Megan looked Remy in the eyes, ¡°but I¡¯m not.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ I was actually going to ask about that.¡± Remy took in the skeptical look on his wife¡¯s face. ¡°I swear! That¡¯s been on my mind.¡±


    Megan nodded. ¡°Once a week, blood work, MRI and anything else I can think of.¡±


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    ¡°Stop,¡± Remy held up a hand. ¡°I¡¯m not the one you have to convince.¡±


    ¡°Well, they don¡¯t have a choice if they want to keep training,¡± Megan crossed her arms.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell them tomorrow.¡±


    Megan nodded, satisfied. ¡°We¡¯ll get a baseline tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Uh, how much time will all of that take? We¡¯re kinda on a tight schedule.¡± Remy was a brave man.


    ¡°An hour and a half, two hours tops¡­ I guess we can break the tests up over several days,¡± Megan sighed.


    ¡°Thanks!¡±


    ¡°Whatever. I¡¯m going to bed. Don¡¯t forget that you need at least a little sleep. You¡¯ll put us in danger if you start seeing things that aren¡¯t there.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not stupid.¡±


    ¡°Just a reminder.¡± Megan kissed Remy on his undamaged cheek. ¡°Good night, hon.¡±


    <hr>


    A large group of men and women gathered near the banks of a canal in a defensive formation. Lantern lights revealed large eyes shining just above the surface of the still water.


    ¡°Hey¡­¡±


    An elbow nudged Gene in the side. He tried to ignore it, but the jabs were growing more incessant and stronger.


    ¡°What do you want, Trevor?¡± Gene whispered harshly.


    ¡°Whoa! Relax bro, just wanted to ask how you¡¯re holding up.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you talking about?¡±


    ¡°I just wanted to let you know that if you and Seabass were feeling sad about being split up from your butt buddies then I¡¯m willing to lend an ear,¡± Trevor snickered.


    ¡°Jeez, you¡¯re a grown man,¡± Mads whispered.


    ¡°It¡¯s not big deal, kid. We went to high school together. It¡¯s just how we bust balls.¡± Trevor clapped a hand on Gene¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°You were a senior and we were freshmen,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°We also didn¡¯t hang out,¡± Gene leveled a cold glare at Trevor. Gene wasn¡¯t a scrawny fourteen year old anymore. He couldn¡¯t help but notice that he wasn¡¯t that much shorter than Trevor. Nor were their physical builds that far apart.


    ¡°Well, yeah, you were freshmen,¡± Trevor shrugged.


    ¡°What are you anyways? Like thirty? Shouldn¡¯t you be not immature?¡± Mads said.


    ¡°Damn, that¡¯s harsh,¡± Trevor grinned. ¡°Didn¡¯t anyone ever teach you that bullying is wrong? But, since this is a teachable moment, I will answer your hostile attitude with disarming honesty. I am twenty four. Although, you¡¯re not entirely wrong. My mom has always said I need to grow up¡­ still does, as a matter of fact.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not sad,¡± Bastien said. ¡°We¡¯re concentrating on the canal. There are a lot of eyes out there. Who knows how many more are under the water?¡±


    ¡°Seabass is always on the ball,¡± Trevor nodded. ¡°Look, bros and girl,¡± he glanced at Mads, ¡°all I¡¯m suggesting is that you shouldn¡¯t be so clique-y. You should mix with other people more. I get that team cohesion is a good thing, but there¡¯s such a thing as too much of a good thing. Right?¡±


    Gene frowned.


    ¡°You can¡¯t be married to your team. Otherwise it can mess you up if the team changes. People leave¡­¡± Trevor¡¯s voice lowered, ¡°or die.¡±


    Gene remembered. ¡°I get what you¡¯re saying.¡±


    ¡°How much longer are you guys in the shithouse?¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°Officer Lawrence said until she says so. No idea what that means. It¡¯s been three weeks already,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Manual labor must be getting old?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but it¡¯s worth it. I picked up Lesser Enhanced Stamina!¡± Gene grinned.


    ¡°Me too,¡± Bastien added.


    Mads shook her head bitterly. ¡°Apparently the spires think you shouldn¡¯t get anything for helping little old ladies.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ in that case, maybe I¡¯ll join you. Digging holes I mean. It might give me the boost I need to finally move up from Lesser Enhanced Stamina,¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°Ladies, shut it!¡± Rebekah Court barked.


    The guilty party jumped.


    ¡°Sorry, boss,¡± Trevor said. ¡°My fault. I just had some questions.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t care. I need quiet unless you want me to blow myself up,¡± Rebekah gestured at the sticks of dynamite she was connecting to the timed detonator. ¡°I swear to god. If you are the reason for my untimely death then I will come back as a ghost and wear you like a meat puppet. I will legit make you eat your own shit,¡± the soldier snapped.


    ¡°Damn, she mad,¡± Trevor whispered to Gene.


    Gene was smart enough to keep his mouth shut. He simply took a step away. In fact, everyone standing near Trevor did so.


    It was deathly silent for the next ten minutes as Rebekah finished getting the explosives ready.


    ¡°Five sticks of dynamite per bundle. Five bundles. One every twenty yards. If there are any fishpeople down there then this should send them up,¡± Rebekah said.


    The plan was simple, but Gene was dubious. He remembered their fight with the fishman. Just the one was enough for most of his team. It had left a lingering bitter taste in his mouth to realize that Tessa¡¯s presence was the only reason he and his friends were still alive.


    ¡°Trevor!¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am?¡± Trevor hurried over.


    ¡°Are you sure you can cover a hundred yard spread? These things are awkward.¡±


    ¡°Practiced with the dummy mock ups. Each dynamite bundle spaced out in twenty yard intervals. Easy,¡± Trevor grinned.


    ¡°Alright, all-star. I¡¯ll arm them. You throw, don¡¯t wait too long,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°Or we all go boom,¡± Trevor mimed an explosion with his hands.


    Rebekah unceremoniously armed the timer on the first dynamite bundle and handed it to Trevor. The young man almost dropped it before he quickly wound up and pitched it in a high arc into the canal.


    The soldier handed each explosive bundle in quick succession to the Athlete: Pitcher, who flung the packages in precise twenty yard intervals until a hundred yards of the canal length was covered.


    Rebekah checked her timer. ¡°Fire in the hole!¡± She barked.


    Five massive explosions shook the cool night air.


    A mixture of water and other less savory things rained down on the gathered watch members.


    Frenzied action burst forth from the canal.


    Dozens of mutant frogs, some the size of large dogs, hopped toward the people.


    Gene was relieved that there were no fishmen.


    ¡°Front line get in position!¡± Rebekah barked. ¡°Ranged, mind your firing lanes!¡±


    Gene stepped to the fore. He drew his sword with one hand and pointed his other hand to a cluster of mutant frogs.


    ¡°Fireball!¡±


    The burning orb impacted in the middle of a group of monsters and exploded. The smell of burnt flesh filled the air.


    ¡°No offense, bruh, but I¡¯m glad that I don¡¯t have to call out my attacks.¡± Trevor was several paces behind Gene. He pulled a small, smooth stone from the pouch at his belt and pitched it into one of the largest monsters. The stone cracked against the middle of the mutant frog¡¯s forehead. It was an impressively accurate throw since the monster was midleap. When the monster crashed back to the ground it remained still.


    ¡°Show-off,¡± Gene muttered.


    Gene felt something whistle past his ear at the same time that a loud bang almost caused him to jump.


    Another of the larger mutant frogs was blown apart midleap.


    ¡°A little close, Mads?!¡±


    ¡°I only hit what I¡¯m aiming for!¡± Mads barked back.


    ¡°Spotters, keep those lights on the water! If you see any fishpeople, call it out!¡±


    Rebekah¡¯s loud voice was somehow clean and clear over the cacophony of violence.


    Melee weapons sliced, pierced and bashed, while gunfire echoed over the twangs of bow strings.


    The mutant frogs added their monstrous croaks to the chaos.


    Gene focused on his sword work. Just as he had practiced. Precise execution of technique repeated until it was engraved in his muscle memory. It was believed that was the key to developing Skills.


    Gene fought with two hands on his longsword. Cuts and thrusts were only interrupted by the occasional spell.


    He grit his teeth in determination. There may have been no fishmen in the canal tonight, but he was going to be ready for the next time he faced one.


    <hr>


    Then, Threnosh World


    The cragant spotted Blueballs hiding behind one of the prefabricated structures that served as soldiers¡¯ quarters. Being nearly twice as tall as the structure made seeing over them easy.


    Blueballs ducked back just as the cragant thrust their spear. The Threnosh had scrambled back all the way to the other side of the structure in their fright, which saved them.


    The cragant swept their spear across the structure. The thick wooden shaft combined with the cragant¡¯s immense strength was too much for the lightweight composite material. The cragant swept the entire structure aside.


    Blueballs kept running. They turned and blindly fired small blue-colored balls from their gauntlet in the cragants general direction.


    As luck would have it. The cragant had brought their spear shaft in contact with their shield edge at the instant that one of the expanding balls hit the same exact spot.


    The cragant looked at the blue ball with confusion as it tried to pry its spear free. It slowly increased the strength of its exertion until the thick wooden shaft broke. The cragant was left with a broken stick in one hand and the rest of its spear, including the head attached to its shield by the blue ball.


    ¡°This is ridiculous.¡± The cragant¡¯s voice was a deep rumble.


    The cragant threw the broken shaft at Blueballs, who dove behind another structure. The shaft crushed the upper portion and whistled over the prone Threnosh as it went on to destroy two more structures.


    The cragant drew its sword and stomped toward Blueballs.


    They could see the giant humanoid¡¯s eyes through the thin slits of its helmet. Its mouth was bared in a snarl.


    Blueballs wasn¡¯t clear on the details of emotions, but from Honor¡¯s lessons they surmised that it was angry, which meant that it greatly desired to release said anger on the cause. The Threnosh was certain that they were said cause.


    They fired more blue balls at the cragant.


    It blocked them with its enormous shield.


    That wasn¡¯t going to work.


    Blueballs shifted their aim lower. They peppered the cragant¡¯s feet. The balls stuck to the ground and the Threnosh felt hope and satisfaction. If they remembered the lessons correctly.


    Then the cragant took a step and another.


    The balls may have adhered to the ground. The only problem was that the grass and soil wasn¡¯t nearly strong enough to hold the giant humanoid in place. Great clumps came free underneath the soles of the cragant¡¯s boots as it kept advancing on Blueballs.


    A high-pitched roar warbled electronically. Something small jumped on the cragant¡¯s back. It felt heavy impacts on the back of its helmet. The blows rocked its head forward. The giant humanoid saw stars as it stumbled forward.


    ¡°Thank you, Malendrax,¡± Blueballs said into the comms.


    Malendrax¡¯s reply was an electronically-tinged grunt. Their faceplate was an expressionless face that supposedly resembled an ancient, progenitor race to the modern Threnosh. Their power armor was short and squat, not much taller than the normal Threnosh, but significantly bulkier and more muscular. Artificial musculature bulged beneath the silvery, thin, flexible composite material that mimicked skin. An obvious sign of the enhanced strength that the power-armor provided its wearer. The only hint of the biological being within were two eyes that seemed to blaze with rage behind the clear eye lenses.


    Malendrax punched the back of the cragant with their over-sized gauntlets, Impact Fists was what they were labeled in the spires¡¯ marketplace. The name said it all. The fist portion of the gauntlet shot out several centimeters at faster than the speed of sound right before impacting a target. The loud bang was surpassed by the damage done.


    The cragant dropped its shield as it staggered under the unrelenting assault. It reached over its shoulder and grabbed Malendrax around their legs and squeezed as hard as they could.


    Malendrax¡¯s power armor was crushed, as where their legs within. The pain blinded them for a moment and they stopped punching.


    Opportunity for the cragant.


    The giant humanoid slammed Malendrax to the ground.


    The impact shook the ground, threw up clods of grass and soil and left the Threnosh in a small crater.


    Malendrax was in bad shape. Their legs were crushed, they felt something broken inside their body when they tried to stand. One arm was bent at the elbow in the wrong direction.


    The cragant raised a foot to stomp the Threnosh like a pesky insect.


    Blueballs saved their teammate with a barrage of balls that struck the cragant all over the front of its body, including its face.


    Its descending foot stomped just to the side of Malendrax. One arm was stuck to the side of its body by the sticky blue balls that even its gigantic strength couldn¡¯t overcome.


    Malendrax crawled away as their power armor revealed its main ability. The catastrophic damage repaired itself. The Threnosh¡¯s injuries were healed as well. It was painful as shattered bones re-knitted and crushed organs slowly became as good as new.


    In less than a minute, Malendrax was standing strong. They still felt raw from the residual pain of damage and injuries that should¡¯ve spelled their death. Their power-armor was fully repaired as was their biological body.


    Their self-repairing and healing ability was superior to Shira¡¯s and Adjudicator¡¯s. Malendrax¡¯s worked faster while it didn¡¯t require outside resources to function. The former required an influx of biological blood, while the latter needed to drain biological life energy with their tendrils.


    The cragant was blinded by the blue balls covering the front of their steel helm and the dents in the back. They pulled it off with some difficulty. Only to see Malendrax¡¯s over-sized fist as they leaped at it.


    The loud bang resounded across the plains as the fist crushed the cragant¡¯s nose in. The giant humanoid fell back. Its vision went black as the back of its unprotected head cracked hard into the ground.


    Malendrax didn¡¯t stop punching until the cragant¡¯s face was unrecognizable and their gauntlets were caked in blood and gore.


    ¡°Impressive,¡± Shira said as they appeared.


    Blueballs jumped. ¡°I did not notice you approach.¡±


    Malendrax said nothing. They simple stared at the devastation they had wreaked on the cragant.


    ¡°Caretaker states that the senior commander has agreed to their plan. We are to escort the command group to the landing zone.¡± Shira bent down and plunged one arm into what was once the cragant¡¯s face.


    Blueballs belatedly noticed that Shira¡¯s power armor was significantly damaged. It repaired itself right before their eyes.


    ¡°Let us go,¡± Shira said as she stood. Their gauntlet was spotless.


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    Cal was in trouble. He was losing soldiers at an alarming rate.


    The flat, rectangular metal pieces belonging to his opponent encroached on his territory with a confidence bordering on arrogance. As if the outcome had already been determined.


    The metal pieces were bent at at 90-degree angle, which meant that the only he could see was the blank front surfaces that gleamed in the sun. He scanned the ranks on the back of his own pieces while he pondered his next move.


    ¡°Any day now,¡± Nila said with a roll of her eyes.


    Cal ignored her.


    He took his three-star general and moved it up one square in an attempt to kill Nila¡¯s soldier. The unknown, to Cal, soldier had already dispatched his one-star general and a colonel. Go big or go home.


    Cal and Nila looked over at Veronica, who was playing with her guinea pig, Twinkle Star, on the picnic blanket the four of them shared.


    ¡°Oh¡­ right.¡± Veronica loomed over the board as she looked at Nila¡¯s piece then Cal¡¯s. She consulted her notes and primly removed Cal¡¯s piece from the board and placed it out of play on his side.


    ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon!¡±


    Cal felt a stinging sensation across his back. Like a scratch or a cut, but before it could take hold of his thoughts, Nila distracted him with a flick on his nose.


    ¡°Ha! You¡¯re losing sight of the greater battle,¡± Nila said. ¡°Tunnel vision will be your downfall.¡± Nila moved the same piece forward to challenge another of his pieces.


    Cal tried not to smile. It was his four-star general. There were only two pieces that Nila¡¯s could¡¯ve possibly been. It wasn¡¯t a spy since he had already lost one of his privates to it. And since it had just defeated his three-star then it either had to be a four or five-star.


    Veronica checked again except this time she glanced at Nila for some reason.


    ¡°Why you looking at her for?¡± Cal squinted at his niece theatrically. ¡°Is it treachery?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Veronica said, but she couldn¡¯t look him in the eye.


    To his utter lack of surprise Veronica took his piece and added it to the defeated pile on his side. This time she looked at him with a wicked gleam in her eyes.


    ¡°Such treason,¡± Cal sighed. At least he knew that it had to be a five-star general. There was no other possibility. The thought was briefly interrupted by a stinging sensation across his chest. He felt something wet at his back. Rain? Not possible. It was a sunny day. Not a cloud in the sky. Hence the backyard picnic and game day. ¡°Well, time to begin my comeback.¡± Cal moved a piece over to the right and challenged Nila¡¯s five-star general with his spy.


    Veronica cast a dark shadow over the board as she slowly checked the two pieces. It took her some time, which Cal couldn¡¯t process. He glanced at her shadow and noticed that something was off. It almost looked like she had a dozen hands and arms. He blinked and it was back to normal. The wet sensation had spread to the front of his shirt. Another stinging sensation lashed across his thighs.


    ¡°What¡¯s taking so long, Veronica?¡± Cal frowned. Annoyed for some reason.


    Veronica dropped Twinkle Star on the other side of the board. ¡°Oh no! He¡¯s escaping!¡±


    It was ridiculously blatant. Cal was now certain he was being cheated. He rolled his eyes and grabbed at the black-furred guinea pig. He ended up grabbing Twinkle Star¡¯s right rear leg. ¡°What the f¡ªfunk?¡± The leg was huge, more akin to a small dog¡¯s in size. Cal stared at the impossibly large guinea pig as it twisted around and bit his arm. Cal let go with a curse. The guinea pig¡¯s chisel-like teeth weren¡¯t harmless at its larger size. They left a deep avulsion in Cal¡¯s arm. ¡°Wait a minute¡­¡±


    Veronica placed Cal¡¯s piece with the rest of his defeated pieces. ¡°Sorry, Uncle Honor. Aunt Nila¡¯s was higher.¡±


    Cal was having a hard time focusing on his niece and Nila on the other side of the board. Their faces wavered. Their voices distorted. He suddenly realized that music or a song, or both had been playing the entire time. It was the same sounds he had been hearing in Orchestral Meridian. And perhaps even before.


    Before he could turn his mind to the problem he felt a thick blanket smother him. Its embrace was too enticing to resist.

 3.23

    Then, Threnosh World


    Kynnro¡¯s flames dissipated and revealed a scorched landscape with dozens of dead and dying cragants, burned, cooked in their armor. It was fortunate that all of the Threnosh on the wall wore helmets that filtered out the stench.


    The rest of the cragants charged past their fallen brethren.


    ¡°Commence fire.¡±


    The commander¡¯s flat tone was followed by the soldiers and automated turrets resumption of projectile fire.


    The cragants held their enormous shields up to absorb the brunt of them.


    ¡°Surprising,¡± Kynnro spoke into the team channel.


    ¡°Clarify,¡± Dralig said.


    ¡°The cragants seem to have soldiers dedicated to caring for their wounded.¡±


    Kynnro watched with interest as individual cragants moved through the bodies of their fallen after the bulk of their forces had cleared the area of devastation that the Threnosh had wrought. Here and there, cragants were dragging bodies back. From what the Threnosh could see, though badly burned, those particular cragants yet lived.


    ¡°It is a different experience to face enemies that are sapient. Unlike the monsters we have faced,¡± Adjudicator said.


    ¡°True, yet do not forget that some of the bosses and secret bosses we have defeated were likely thinking beings,¡± Dralig said.


    ¡°Those did not care for their lesser brethren, as these cragants do,¡± Kynnro said.


    The Threnosh projectile fire didn¡¯t slow the cragant charge. The giant humanoids reached the wall in less than thirty seconds. Ladders made out of tree trunks went up and the cragants climbed.


    The wall wasn¡¯t quite twice as tall as the average cragant. They quickly reached high enough to take their weapons and sweep them across the top of the wall. Threnosh soldiers died by the handful.


    ¡°Kynnro, fall back,¡± Dralig said as they discarded their empty miniguns and equipped their spire-purchased sword and shield.


    A cragant swept its sword at Dralig, while Kynnro ducked down the stairs.


    Dralig blocked the blade with their shield.


    The cragant¡¯s eyes widened as its strike was stopped by the Threnosh half its size.


    Dralig¡¯s four-armed power armor featured superior physical strength through its artificial musculature. The Threnosh proved their strength was superior when they pushed the cragant¡¯s blade away. Two hands on the shield, one hand on the sword.


    Dralig pulled their recoilless rifle out with their free hand and sprayed the cragant in the face.


    There were too many projectiles. A few were bound to slip past the thin slits of the giant humanoid¡¯s helm.


    The cragant roared in pain as it toppled off the makeshift ladder. Red tears streamed from its ruined eye sockets.


    Dralig slammed their shield into the thick ladder. They pushed as hard as they could until it toppled off the wall.


    Another cragant gained the top of the wall. It kicked a heavy soldier off and struck down at Dralig.


    Dralig blocked the sword strike with their shield. They caught the blade in the U-shaped cutout in the upper lip of the shield. They twisted it to one side and dashed forward, thrusting their own blade into the cragant¡¯s tree trunk-sized thigh.


    Dralig¡¯s spire-made blade proved stronger than the cragants skirt of steel mail. It sunk deep.


    The cragant grimaced and thrust down with their sword.


    Dralig batted it aside with their shield. The clash of metal rang across the wall.


    The Threnosh twisted and withdrew their blade. They slammed their shield into the cragant¡¯s legs and pushed as hard as they could until the giant humanoid toppled off the wall.


    ¡°Behind you.¡±


    Dralig barely registered Adjudicator¡¯s warning before they felt a heavy impact across their back. The next thing they knew they were weightless, flying. A prefabricated structure grew quickly in front of them. They pulled their shield in front of them and tucked their body as best as they could as they crashed through the structure and bounced through several more.


    Adjudicator sent the tendril out of their left gauntlet to wrap around the cragant¡¯s wrist.


    The giant humanoid looked at the Threnosh with contempt as it yanked hard.


    Adjudicator dug their boots into the wall walkway. Their bulky power armor was heavy and strong.


    It was a stalemate. The cragant pulled with all its might as Adjudicator tightened their tendril. Neither moved the other.


    Until Adjudicator triggered their ability to drain life energy.


    The cragant jolted in pain. It threw its enormous shield at Adjudicator, who slapped it aside with ease. As the cragant¡¯s very life essence flowed into Adjudicator¡¯s power armor, their strength grew. And the cragant was strong and full of life. It wasn¡¯t much weaker than a lower to mid level spawn zone boss.


    The cragant dropped to one knee as Adjudicator continued to drain it. The giant humanoid switched its sword to its free hand and desperately hacked at the tendril that was slowly killing it.


    Adjudicator sent the tendril in their right gauntlet to wrap around the cragant¡¯s sword arm.


    The cragant¡¯s fate was sealed. Adjudicator drained it completely. Buoyed by the stolen strength they whipped the corpse across the wall and took out several ladders, along with the cragants that had almost gained the top.


    Adjudicator scanned their surroundings and noted that they were alone for the moment. There were dozens of dead Threnosh soldiers on the wall walk, broken and crushed inside their power armors by the cragants¡¯ terrible strength. They saw that further down the wall cragants were dropping down into the base camp.


    As they watched a group was engulfed in a laser cloud. A thin beam of red light crisscrossed the group of cragants. Kynnro¡¯s laser cut right through steel armor to score deep, burning cuts all the way to the giant humanoid¡¯s skin.


    And yet, it only slowed the cragants.


    Adjudicator jumped down from the wall and landed with a thud. Their boots left a deep imprint in the ground.


    ¡°The wall is lost,¡± Adjudicator said into the comms.


    ¡°Fall back to next defensive position. I will wait for the cragants to gather in numbers just inside the wall before my last fire cloud attack,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Dralig said.


    Adjudicator echoed their teammate and made their way deeper into the base camp.


    ¡°The plan is in a precarious position,¡± Dralig said. ¡°We failed to hold the wall long enough.¡±


    ¡°We are still within Caretaker¡¯s projections,¡± Adjudicator said.


    ¡°They may be wrong,¡± Dralig said.


    ¡°Caretaker is never wrong.¡±


    ¡°Untrue. They have been mistaken before.¡±


    ¡°Clarify?¡± Adjudicator was confused. They didn¡¯t recall any prior instances in the field.


    ¡°Dralig, refers to training scenarios that Honor was directly involved in,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°Correct.¡±


    ¡°Honor deliberately acts in an unpredictable manner. He does the wrong things on purpose to confuse Caretaker and their trueskin,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°I only bring up the possibility that these cragants may share a similar mindset to Honor¡¯s kind,¡± Dralig said.


    ¡°We shall see,¡± Kynnro said. ¡°Prepare to take cover. The cragants are massing near the wall. I will deploy my fire cloud.¡±


    Adjudicator stopped to watch the giant, fiery explosion.


    ¡°Perhaps the enemy will be forced into caution due to fear of your attack, Kynnro?¡±


    ¡°That is the desired outcome,¡± Kynnro said. ¡°However, we must be prepared for it to be otherwise.¡±


    <hr>


    Caretaker monitored the tactical map in their faceplate. They listened to the chatter from both their team and the other Threnosh soldiers. They had laid out their plan to the senior commander and now all they could do was wait as the cragants quickly advanced through the defensive lines in front of them.


    The giant humanoids had reached the fifth line, two remained. The Threnosh resistance had stiffened with the addition of the survivors from the first four lines.


    ¡°Actryarius, move faster,¡± Caretaker said into the comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    ¡°Shira, Malendrax and Blueballs may require your assistance at the command center.¡±


    Shira pinged back a wordless response.


    Caretaker switched to Shira¡¯s view with concern. The black-clad Threnosh was engaged in frenzied combat with several cragants from the looks of it.


    Caretaker had supreme confidence in their best melee fighter. They turned their attention to the southern wall. The wall was lost, but Kynnro¡¯s flame cloud had made the cragants cautious. They slowed their advance to spread out as far from each other as possible. They had learned to avoid grouping too tightly. Little did they know that Kynnro was out of incendiary ash canisters.


    The southern front was proceeding within Caretaker¡¯s expectations.


    The disaster unfolding in front of him was not.


    The defensive line was about to be overwhelmed again.


    A slight frown creased Caretaker¡¯s smooth forehead.


    ¡°Primal, how many arrows do you have left?¡±


    ¡°One,¡± Primal said immediately into the comms.


    ¡°Loose it along this line.¡± Caretaker sent the trajectory over.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    The arrow boomed over Caretaker¡¯s head a second later. The backwash of wind in the arrow¡¯s wake would¡¯ve knocked Caretaker over had it not been for their improved exoskeleton.


    The normal Threnosh soldiers weren¡¯t quite as strong. They were flung aside in the wake of the arrow. Caretaker spared them little thought, their power armors would protect them from injury.


    The cragants weren¡¯t as lucky. Their much greater height meant that the arrow flew at their eye level.


    Caretaker slowed down their perceptions with their predictive algorithm. They watched the arrow blow through seven cragants¡¯ heads before it went right through the wall to do even more damage to the cragants on their way across the plains.


    ¡°Was that effective?¡± Primal¡¯s voice came in on the comms.


    ¡°You may review the footage at a later time,¡± Caretaker said.


    The cragant assault was momentarily halted by Primal¡¯s arrow. Many of them along the arrow¡¯s flight path had been blow aside as well. The problem was that the front lines stretched across most of the base camp. Only the center portion had been slowed.


    ¡°Actryarius, status?¡±


    ¡°I am almost finished with the last incendiary explosive.¡±


    ¡°You have twenty seconds after you finish to vacate.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged¡­ and I am done. Twenty seconds.¡±


    Actryarius¡¯ voice sounded unsettled, strained.


    Caretaker counted to twenty-five before they triggered the explosives.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    White-hot explosions bloomed across the base camp. Cragants rushing through the already vacated areas were caught in the blasts. Prefabricated structures ignited and marred the area with choking clouds of thick, toxic smoke as they burned. The cragants would be dealing with the after effects for a long time.


    ¡°Your turn to burn,¡± Caretaker whispered. ¡°Volkharion, status on the cloud?¡±


    ¡°It has receded further. It is contracting faster in the western portion of the city. I calculate that a landing zone in the northwest corner will be clear shortly.¡±


    ¡°Send the information to the command center.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Volkharion hesitated. ¡°The enemy is drawing closer to our position. Shall I deploy my fighters?¡±


    ¡°Negative. Fall back and support Frequency and maintain surveillance over the city with your aerial drone. When the landing zone area is clear go in for a closer look. I expect that we will not be here much longer.¡±


    As if on cue. A communication request appeared in Caretaker¡¯s faceplate. It was the senior commander.


    ¡°Senior Commander?¡±


    ¡°We will proceed with your plan. The retreat will commence immediately.¡±


    The senior commander ended the transmission.


    Caretaker did the calculation quickly with the aid of their power armor¡¯s internal processors. They lacked enough aerial transports to take all of the soldiers. Roughly fifty percent would have to be left behind.


    Squads were already breaking off from the defensive lines and rushing back toward the landing zone.


    Fifty percent would slow the enemy and be left to find their own way out. It wasn¡¯t fair, but it was the Threnosh way. The good of the whole superseded the good of the individual. The soldiers left behind felt nothing. They simply did as they were ordered.


    Caretaker watched as the cragants advanced quicker now that there were less Threnosh soldiers to get in the way.


    ¡°To all team members, retreat to our aerial transport.¡± Caretaker spoke into the comms.


    A small group of cragants broke through the final defensive line of Threnosh soldiers. They came straight for Caretaker. Their greater height and size from the normal Threnosh stood out and marked them as a target of importance.


    Caretaker calmly drew their newest purchase from the spires¡¯ marketplace. The pistol¡¯s barrel and frame had a thorny appearance, it was a dull, dark gray in color. There were red lights at the rear of the fat cylinder that contained the ammunition. The lights marked the fact that it was fully loaded.


    Caretaker aimed along the targeting lines that their predictive algorithm provided to guide their shots. The viral pistol barked seven times in quick succession.


    The cragants came forward several steps before, as one, they screamed and dropped their weapons as they flung of their helmets. They clawed at their faces while the flesh appeared to necrotize with impossible speed. One by one the cragants death throes ceased.


    Their faces had practically melted off their skulls. The viral rounds had their first live combat test and they had passed. The recoil from the chemical combustion powered rounds, as Honor had called them, was something that Caretaker wasn¡¯t used to. They hadn¡¯t had a lot of opportunity to practice since the ammunition was only available directly from the marketplace and was expensive. The fabricators and engineers back at their home base had yet figure out how to duplicate them.


    It wasn¡¯t an insurmountable difficulty. Their exoskeleton provided more than enough strength to help keen their arm on target for multiple shots.


    Caretaker leveled the viral pistol at the cragants rushing behind the fallen. As one they stopped and ducked behind their enormous shields. Barely any part of their immense bodies were visible, at least no bare flesh.


    The Threnosh holstered their pistol at their right thigh. The unknown liquid contained in each bullet only worked on biological matter. The way it was designed to shatter on impact also made them terrible at penetrating any sort of armor. Even the thick padded cloth that the cragants wore beneath their steel armor would¡¯ve provided enough protection provided that the necrotizing liquid didn¡¯t splash on any bare skin. Just one drop was enough to eat through a good sized chunk of flesh.


    ¡°Pilot, status report on departure readiness.¡±


    ¡°We are ready for takeoff.¡± The pilot¡¯s voice came back immediately on the comms.


    ¡°Proceed as planned,¡± Caretaker said. They turned and jogged toward the landing zone. They kept an eye on the cragants through the eyes of the overhead surveillance drones. The giant humanoids remained hidden behind their shields. They weren¡¯t taking any chances.


    At least Caretaker had been able to temporarily halt one avenue of the enemy¡¯s advance. It was up to Frequency to slow the rest down enough to give the aerial transports time to load and depart.


    Frequency watched the overhead tactical view provided by the surveillance drones as they walked toward the landing zone after Caretaker¡¯s order to retreat.


    ¡°You are moving too slow,¡± Primal grumbled.


    ¡°I am controlling my mobile emitters. One mistake and the cragants will be able to reach us before we depart,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°Let them, I will smash them.¡±


    ¡°You may be able to fight one, but we will be overwhelmed by their numbers,¡± Volkharion said.


    ¡°I fear no monster or enemy. I do not hide behind drones like you.¡±


    ¡°Enough, Primal,¡± Frequency said. ¡°We have our orders.¡±


    Frequency ignored the further bickering between her two teammates. It was expected of Primal. They were cantankerous as a matter of course with nearly everyone else. The rest of the team had learned to not put any stock to the smallest Threnosh¡¯s ill-tempered jabs.


    They needed their attention on their emitters. They sent sound waves at the cragants that destroyed their equilibrium or made them lose control of their digestive systems. The former proved more effective as the giant humanoids were disciplined soldiers. They didn¡¯t let the biological waste in their pants do more than slow them down.


    It took an impressive degree of multitasking for Frequency to control so many mobile emitters simultaneously, while herding the cragants away from the Threnosh avenues of retreat.


    They had to move them out of the way of spears, arrows, bolts and giant grasping hands, while keeping the sound waves on the targets.


    It was a tense few minutes for Frequency. They would¡¯ve tripped or walked right into the prefabricated structures had it not been for Volkharion¡¯s guiding hand.


    ¡°We have reached the landing zone,¡± Volkharion said.


    Frequency took a moment to divert their attention back to what was in front of them.


    Their team¡¯s aerial transport loomed a short distance ahead. All around in the landing zone, other aerial transports were boarded by the Threnosh soldiers and taking off.


    Shira¡¯s black power armor stood out like dark blot in the bright daylight as they walked up the transport¡¯s rear ramp. Kynnro, Dralig and Adjudicator hurried from the south. The latter two flanked the former. They kept their bodies between Kynnro and the approaching cragants that Frequency saw from the overhead view, which currently dominated their view.


    Frequency was about to ask a question of Caretaker when their leader¡¯s voice came in over the comms.


    ¡°Withdraw your mobile emitters.¡±


    ¡°Please repeat?¡± Frequency¡¯s drones where the only things keeping the cragants from rushing the landing zone. They saw that although the bulk of the transports had already lifted off, there were still many in the process of boarding soldiers.


    ¡°Recall your emitters and board the transport,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°The enemy will not reach the landing zone in time. All our forces that intend to depart will be able to do so.¡±


    From the overhead tactical view Frequency saw that a good amount of the Threnosh forces were still scattered all over the base camp. They fought a losing battle as the giant humanoids continued to pour into the base.


    ¡°I will arrive shortly with two squads of soldiers. Please make room for them in our transport.¡± Caretaker spoke into the general channel. Those words reached more than just those in the immediate area listening in on the same channel. They were also transmitted and recorded for the leadership ranks all the way up to the Collective.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Frequency sent the recall command to their mobile emitters. They relinquished total control. The emitters had programming that enabled them to take evasive maneuvers on their own.


    Frequency waited at the transport¡¯s ramp. Primal and Volkharion flanked them in a protective formation.


    ¡°You may board,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°I am following Caretaker¡¯s orders,¡± Primal said.


    Volkharion gave a slight nod.


    Frequency was pleased to note that they had only lost three emitters to the cragants. They had held the giant humanoids long enough to enable all of the transports, including their own to takeoff without difficulty.


    Caretaker and the mixed squads of soldiers they had brought with them were the last to board. The T-Men¡¯s transport was the last to leave.


    The cragant army could only shoot arrows and bolts in vain as the fleet of transports flew to the west. Toward Cold Plains City.


    The Threnosh had lost the battle, but the war for the city wasn¡¯t over.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    Bennett skulked through the shadowed alleyways of San Francisco¡¯s financial district. What he observed absolutely shocked him. The night was alive with lights and sounds as people were out and about enjoying the restaurants, bars and other nightlife hot spots. It was as if the spire apocalypse hadn¡¯t happened, which obviously wasn¡¯t the case as he could see the nearby spire as it loomed over the surrounding buildings.


    The wealth of people walking around without apparent fear made gathering information simultaneously easier and more difficult. The former because he could listen in on dozens of conversations by hiding in the shadows. The latter because there was a greater risk of discovery with so many eyes and ears around the place.


    For the hundredth time since his mad dash along the 80 west and across the Bay Bridge, he questioned his decision to volunteer for this mission. Quest, he had actually received the message from the spires. The first time that happened since that terrible Quest with Cal Cruces and the Midtown Mauler, who had turned out to be a poor girl.


    He was reminded of that as he ran across the bridge at close to fifty miles per hour and noticed that Alcatraz was lit up like a beacon in the dark bay. The Quest had updated to add the former prison island as a place to investigate. Bennett had no idea how he was going to pull that off. He hoped that the main Quest didn¡¯t require it and he could just ignore the island. He had no desire to spend more than the bare minimum amount of time in the city as possible.


    His supernatural senses gave him the impression that there was something like a foul stench in the air. It reminded him of the few times that he had been to a fresh seafood market. It made him nauseous, which was alarming considering he was a Vampire and the smell of fresh blood was now the sweetest thing he knew.


    Bennett shuddered. That was not something he was comfortable acknowledging even after all this time. Almost seven years had passed since he had received the class and he still couldn¡¯t bring himself to fully embrace his nature. It was the fear of losing himself, his humanity, that kept his grip tight around that part of him that clung to normalcy.


    Bennett picked the Italian restaurant as his first intelligence gathering target. It looked full and it was quite dark inside with only candle lights for the added romantic atmosphere.


    The incongruity of it all struck him. He had barely dodged a wyvern diving down at him not a couple of hours ago and here he stood in an alley, staring across the street into the windows of a restaurant where many couples were in the middle of romantic dinners.


    Bennett made sure the coast was clear then he dashed across the street. Old fashioned oil lanterns on poles cast flickering lights, but left him plenty of shadows to help conceal his full presence.


    He dipped into the alley next to the restaurant and took a moment to refresh himself with a long pull from one of his flasks. The run along the freeway had shown him that he was in dire need of exercise and practice when it came to his abilities. The thought filled him with distaste, but he had a rational mind. He was a scholar and he couldn¡¯t deny firsthand evidence when thrown in his face.


    Bennett took several deep breaths before he slipped into the shadow on the wall. He emerged inside the restaurant. He stood with his back to the wall in a dark shadow with two tables on either side. The dinners were happily eating, drinking their wine and chatting.


    The Vampire ignored the faint pull of the live blood that flowed through every person. He settled in to listen and attempted to glean useful information from the scattered conversations. He idly wished that he could take notes.


    ¡°This Carbonara is just as good as it¡¯s always been.¡±


    ¡°The wine is amazing!¡±


    ¡°Hard to believe it automatically appears in their cellar every couple of weeks.¡±


    ¡°I had to save up a month¡¯s wages to afford this dinner.¡±


    ¡°Got that job in the mayor¡¯s office.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so happy you¡¯ve finally got some time off.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, they¡¯ve been working us like crazy. Still won¡¯t explain what we¡¯re doing. Just keep digging away by the docks. Good overtime though.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you glad I told you to apply for the opening?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I saw one of the scions at the orientation. Pretty scary, intense.¡±


    ¡°Golden Gate Park¡¯s supposed to open in a few weeks. I can¡¯t wait to take the kids.¡±


    Bennett struggled with the scattered conversations. He did pick up on one the things he was supposed to find information on. The scions. He zeroed in on that table.


    A young man and a pretty, middle-aged woman sat across each other at a table for two. Bennett didn¡¯t get the impression that they were on a date. He guessed that it was more of a collegial thing. Then again, he hadn¡¯t been an active participant of the dating scene all the way up to his PHD studies, which the spires¡¯ appearance ruined. After that, well he was a scary vampire, not much in the way of opportunities for someone like that.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much about the scions. Like I told you. You can buy in as much as you want or as little,¡± the woman said.


    ¡°Yeah, I understand. It¡¯s just a little cult-y. You know?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t go that far. I¡¯d say it¡¯s more like a tech startup. Like Google in the early days. You¡¯re lucky that you¡¯re getting in pretty early. They¡¯ve done a lot for us in the two years since they showed up.¡±


    ¡°Right, but isn¡¯t that concerning?¡±


    ¡°Why? The paradigm changed with those spire things. Monsters are real, magic, special abilities. Another humanoid species isn¡¯t that much of a stretch.¡±


    The young man nodded. ¡°The new apartment is definitely nice.¡±


    ¡°I know right! If you move up in the organization you can get set up in a house. More access to everything.¡± The woman spread her arms out wide. ¡°You can eat like this every day.¡±


    ¡°It is nice to finally eat fresh-cooked food, instead of canned stuff.¡± The young man savored a bite of spaghetti. ¡°Chef Boyardee has nothing on this.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s the new apartment?¡±


    ¡°Mostly empty, but I should earn enough in the next couple of months to get some furnishings. Even if I¡¯m just sleeping on a mat it¡¯s nice to have a place all to myself.¡±


    ¡°Studio? One bedroom?¡±


    ¡°One bedroom. Its got a balcony though. I¡¯m just happy I don¡¯t have to live in the dorms anymore. It¡¯s nice not to have to share a room and common spaces. I did that in college. I had just gotten my own place a few months before everything changed too. Never really got to enjoy being an adult,¡± the young man said.


    ¡°Well¡­ if you do your job in the mayor¡¯s office and do it well, sky¡¯s the limit. You get as much as you¡¯re willing to put in.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t thank you enough for getting me in the door.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. Your dad did the same for me when I was starting out.¡±


    The talk turned maudlin as both the young man and woman discussed the family that they had lost in the past several years. They had lost a lot. Bennett felt wrong for listening in.


    When the young man excused himself to go to the bathroom Bennett followed in the shadows.


    They were alone, so Bennett pounced.


    He ensnared the young man with his hypnotic gaze.


    ¡°Is it true that you were in the presence of a scion?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± The young man¡¯s voice was flat.


    ¡°Did the scion resemble a fishman?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Does the mayor¡¯s office work closely with the scions?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Where do you live?¡±


    Bennett scribbled down the young man¡¯s address.


    ¡°What is your job with the mayor¡¯s office?¡±


    ¡°General administrative work.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Bennett slipped back into the shadows as he freed the young man from his vampiric hypnosis. He let out a sigh of relief. He had a few avenues for information. The young man in the mayor¡¯s office and something about the docks. He needed to locate the guy who spoke about working at the docks. First he needed to step back out of the restaurant to drink more blood. He drained a lot by staying in the shadows for so long and hypnotizing the young man.


    ¡°I knew I smelled something weird.¡± A rough voice assaulted Bennett as soon as he stepped out of the shadows into the alley. ¡°Shit¡­ never seen anything like you before. You some kind of new monster?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ there¡¯s a monster!¡± Bennett pointed behind the large, shadowy silhouette at the mouth of the alley.


    Bennett turned and ran the other way.

 3.24

    Now, Earth


    ¡°Fuck! Can¡¯t believe I fell for that¡ª Gonna make you pay for that, asshole!¡±


    Bennett noticed that the speaker was a woman by her voice. She sounded young-ish. Not that it mattered. He got a scary vibe from her. Like he was a prey under a predator¡¯s gaze, which was messed up considering he was a vampire.


    He dashed down the dark alleyway. He dipped in and out of the shadows as he attempted to throw his pursuer off. It didn¡¯t work. He felt her chasing after him. She kept up somehow despite how fast he moved through the debris-strewn alley.


    He almost tripped over a pile of garbage as he tried to drink down the last half of his blood flask. He had used too much of his vampire abilities in a shorter amount of time than he was accustomed.


    Bennett rounded a corner and ran right into a brick wall. He fell back and landed flat on his back. He thanked the fact that since he received his class pain sensations had been somewhat muted. He felt his nose. It was broken in a couple of places. He popped it into place with only a twinge of pain. It was getting easier to ignore the pain or was his body changing more? A troubling thought. Was he losing more of his humanity?


    ¡°I knew I smelled something bloody.¡±


    The wall spoke with a deep voice.


    Bennett looked up. He found it difficult to make out details, like colors and facial features, while he used his unnatural night vision.


    The brick wall he ran into was a man. A big, built-looking man. Like a football player or a wrestler. The kind of guy that once made his high school years memorable in a negative way.


    Bennett assessed his situation. He had been running pretty fast with a body that was super strong and a lot denser now. The guy stopped him cold and looked uninjured. That implied some sort of enhanced strength and durability. Perhaps a magical shield?


    ¡°You reek of blood,¡± the man growled. ¡°For your sake, I hope you didn¡¯t kill any of our people.¡± The man stepped toward Bennett. ¡°Now, you can come along quietly and tell us who or what you are? Why you¡¯re in our city? Or not. It¡¯ll give me an excuse to get rough, cause for some reason, the more I smell you the more I want to tear you to pieces.¡±


    Bennett scrambled back and popped to his feet.


    The man stumbled.


    The quickness of Bennett¡¯s movements surprised him.


    ¡°Stop! Just wait a second,¡± Bennett held up a hand. ¡°I don¡¯t want any trouble. I was just checking out the place. Seeing if it was safe for me. I¡¯ve been living out there and I thought I could finally get back to some semblance of civilization.¡±


    The information packet from Officer Lawrence had included some suggestions for a cover story if Bennett found the need. The officer was either prescient or she just liked all of her bases covered. He¡¯d bet on the latter. The packet was as thick as a dictionary.


    ¡°He¡¯s lying.¡±


    Bennett spun around. The woman from earlier had caught up. He was trapped between the two.


    ¡°How can you tell?¡± The man said. ¡°I can hear his heart beating and it¡¯s super slow. I¡¯d say this guy wasn¡¯t scared if I couldn¡¯t see how wide and shifty his eyes are.¡±


    ¡°I can smell it.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit! We can¡¯t do that.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s covered in the stench of fresh blood.¡±


    ¡°Fresh-ish,¡± the man shrugged.


    ¡°That¡¯s not all. Can¡¯t you smell it underneath?¡± When the man didn¡¯t say anything the woman continued. ¡°There¡¯s nothing there. No scents. No body odors. No soap and shampoo. No deodorant, lotion, aftershave. Nothing that you¡¯d find on any normal human.¡±


    The man inhaled deeply into his nostrils. ¡°You¡¯re right. I must¡¯ve missed it through all the shit in this alley. Disgusting smells.¡± He regarded Bennett. His voice took on an edge that hadn¡¯t been there. ¡°We¡¯re taking you in. The bosses are definitely gonna wanna see what you¡¯re about.¡±


    ¡°Ummm¡­¡± Bennett raised a finger.


    ¡°Fucker! You try that same trick again and I¡¯ll break all your fingers,¡± the woman growled.


    Bennett¡¯s eyes widened. Did he hear that right? She actually growled. As in, like an actual animal sound.


    His night vision lost a good amount of detail, but he saw sharp canine teeth in the woman¡¯s bared mouth.


    ¡°Uh¡­ are you, like, vampires or something?¡±


    ¡°Why would you say that?¡± The man frowned.


    ¡°This guy¡¯s getting more suspicious by the second. Less talk, more ass-kicking.¡±


    The woman advanced slowly toward Bennett. He wasn¡¯t sure, but it almost looked as if her ears had lengthened and she grew hairier.


    It suddenly clicked. ¡°Oh sh¡ª¡± Bennett whispered. He had seen this movie before. He slid a step back toward the closest wall.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even think about moving,¡± the man snapped. ¡°Get on your knees, hands on your head and cross your legs.¡±


    Bennett swallowed the lump in his throat. He hoped that he had enough blood in him for what was about to happen.


    ¡°Wait! Can¡¯t we discuss this like rational people. I must say that I¡¯m not feeling very welcome in your community.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s cause we¡¯re invitation only. You make yourself known at the border checkpoints and get vetted before we allow you in on a provisional basis. Prove your worth and that you aren¡¯t a threat to our city, then you become a citizen.¡±


    A shit-eating grin split the man¡¯s lips. Bennett caught the sharp canine teeth.


    ¡°If you came from outside the city¡­ then you¡¯d have seen the checkpoints and they would¡¯ve seen you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. We put up signs and billboards in every direction. Lays out the process for immigration clearly,¡± the woman said.


    Bennett couldn¡¯t remember seeing any of them. Of course he wasn¡¯t really paying attention. Plus it was hard to read stuff in the dark while he was running at fifty miles per hour and dodging a hungry wyvern.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡±


    Bennett ignored the man. He jumped back into the wall. The shadows embraced him as he melted into them. He emerged on the other side. In the building. Some kind of shuttered bar. He ran for it.


    The wall exploded in a shower of masonry.


    Bennett felt a huge presence behind him. Much bigger than the big man outside. He heard deep breaths going in and out of massive lungs. It reminded him of trips to the zoo and listening to the breathing of bears and big cats.


    He felt a spike of fear that made him want to freeze and curl his tall, lanky frame into a small ball. It was primal.


    Bennett listened to the flight response. He dashed into the shadows at the front of the bar and emerged out on the sidewalk. He thanked God that he had memorized the maps and schematics that Officer Lawrence had provided.


    He felt thudding, heavy footsteps behind him as he dove for the manhole cover in the middle of the street. He grabbed the heavy iron disk in both hands and threw it behind him, frisbee style without looking. The sound of breaking glass followed him down into the sewer as he dropped into the hole.


    The stench was awful. Bennett tried to breath out of his mouth. It was a relief. His pursuers had sensitive noses. They¡¯d find it difficult to track him. He hoped.


    Bennett drank deeply from another flask as he ran. He felt his nose pop back into its proper alignment. He was so preoccupied with potential pursuit that he didn¡¯t even notice that he barely felt the pain.


    Week One


    Bennett wasn¡¯t a happy man. Understandable considering his circumstances. Namely, he had spent several days sleeping, if it could still be called that, in the sewers. His nights were spent out above in the city as he tried to complete his Quest and gather more intelligence.


    Those unknown people made it beyond difficult. Now that he had their scent he felt as if they were everywhere. It was as if they were about to jump him at any time. He couldn¡¯t work under such conditions.


    The worst part was that he had gone through his supply of fresh human blood during the first two nights. He hadn¡¯t intended to stay beyond that. Now he was reduced to luring rats, mutant and otherwise, for his nutritional needs. It was not a good situation. He could feel something within him slipping away.


    Bennett stood on the roof of the only functional hospital in the city because he needed human blood. It was nonnegotiable. He feared that he might turn into some kind of animalistic monster the way things were going. Whenever he looked at a person it was all that he could do to stop himself. He resolved to make sure that the others back home never knew about this unfortunate aspect of his Class. If they knew then they wouldn¡¯t ignore the risk he posed despite the goodwill he had managed to build. Part of him wouldn¡¯t blame them.


    He had already set up a small refrigerator and freezer combo with a gas-powered generator in his temporary home deep in the sewer. Now he just needed to stock it properly. Then he could concentrate on his Quest and get out of this creepy city.


    The hospital had power as evidenced by the lights in the windows and the loud rumbling of several generators. Crucial to Bennett¡¯s plan was that there were a lot dark windows, which told him that perhaps the electricity wasn¡¯t running throughout the whole building. It made sense, conserve and just use what you needed. Perhaps San Francisco hadn¡¯t yet gotten their entire grid back up like they did in Davis and most of Sacramento.


    There were plenty of shadows for Bennett to slip into. He knew exactly where he needed to go.


    Several minutes of stealthy shadow infiltration later and Bennett was inside the freezer room where they kept the blood. He went for the fridge first. He needed a drink badly.


    Eight empty blood bags later and Bennett felt as if a shroud had been lifted from over his eyes. He could think properly now. He took his cooler backpack and dropped it in front of the fridge. He was about to indiscriminately stuff it as full as possible when he had a thought.


    Bennett lit his small candle lantern. He needed to read the labels. He couldn¡¯t do that while using his night vision. It took him a lot longer to finish filling his backpack with the precious liquid, but he felt good about his decision.


    When Bennett stepped out of the shadows into the hallway he was greeted by a bunch of armed people in both directions. He had screwed up.


    ¡°Hi!¡± A young woman with golden blond hair smiled at him brightly. She stood in front.


    Bennett regarded the woman. She was generally pretty and looked to be in good shape. Unlike the rest of her people she wasn¡¯t armed or even armored. Just a t-shirt, jeans and a light hoodie.


    ¡°Um¡­ hi?¡± Bennett ventured. He got a similar predatory vibe from the girl as he did from the two in the alley several days ago. She seemed friendlier, so he decided to engage in conversation while he nonchalantly slipped fingers in his pocket.


    ¡°You know¡­ everyone¡¯s been looking for you.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°A lot of questions about what you might be. You¡¯re obviously not a monster, so we were wondering what your Class was.¡± The young woman grinned. ¡°And I found out! You¡¯re a vampire, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°What makes you say that?¡± Bennett tried to keep the resignation from his voice. He had to admit that he was doing a terrible job of keeping opsec as Officer Lawrence had stressed.


    ¡°Well, you have literally no scents aside from blood,¡± the young woman wrinkled her nose, ¡°and sewers, bleh. Oh and I watched you on the surveillance camera. You drank like ten pints in less than three minutes.¡±


    ¡°Actually,¡± Bennett raised a finger, ¡°just eight. For the record.¡± He wanted things to be factual.


    ¡°So, why did you spend so much time going through the blood bags? I know you can move fast. If you just jammed everything in your backpack you could¡¯ve been out of here before we got in position.¡±


    ¡°I realized that there is a rarity to blood types. Had I simply grabbed them indiscriminately I might¡¯ve depleted the hospital¡¯s supply of potentially vital blood. Consequently, it could¡¯ve created harm for someone else in the future.¡±


    ¡°Awww, that¡¯s nice! You¡¯re like a nice bloodsucker.¡±


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°Can I ask you a question?¡±


    ¡°Sure. You answered mine.¡±


    ¡°Are you a¡­ vampire?¡±


    The young woman barked a laugh. ¡°Nope. You¡¯ll have to guess.¡±


    She changed before Bennett¡¯s eyes. Her ears were hidden by long hair, but they lengthened and their pointed tips poked out. Her canine teeth grew into fangs. Fine, blond hair sprouted from her face, neck and the backs of her hands.


    Bennett surmised that the hair was likely sprouting over most of her body. He waited for the transformation to progress, but¡­ ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±


    The young woman arched a bushy brow.


    ¡°Sorry, I was expecting¡ª¡± Bennett sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t know what I was expecting.¡±


    ¡°Well, sorry to disappoint. We¡¯re in the middle of our only hospital and I don¡¯t want to accidentally wreck it. I guess we can step outside if you want,¡± the young woman shrugged. ¡°So, guess yet?¡±


    ¡°I have settled on a hypothesis, but I need more information to declare my answer.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s too bad cause once I bring you in I¡¯m probably never going to see you aga¡ª¡±


    Bennett acted. He threw the hex nut in his pocket at the light fixture overhead. Superhuman strength, quickness and hand-eye coordination gave him the jump.


    The shards of glass that showered down gave Bennett the distraction he needed. The broken light created a deep enough shadow on the floor. He slipped down to the next floor. Soon, he was out of the hospital and headed back to his shitty sewer home.


    Week Two


    ¡°Hey, bro!¡±


    Bennett whirled around. He had just climbed out of a manhole.


    ¡°Whoa! Relax. I come in peace. Don¡¯t eat me. Also, we¡¯ve got an archer and a bunch of dudes with guns and crossbows covering you. We even carved the shafts out of fresh heartwood.¡±


    The speaker was a teenage boy, not quite a young man yet.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t shoot me,¡± Bennett said.


    ¡°Just stay cool. We just want to talk. If you¡¯ll follow me. We need to get off the streets before the pack gets a whiff of us.¡±


    ¡°Uhhh¡­¡±


    ¡°We can just shoot you and take you back if that¡¯s what you want?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°You know, vampire, stake through the heart with fresh heartwood basically paralyzes you. Arrows might be stretching it, but should be close enough.¡±


    ¡°Ah, I¡¯m familiar with that particular folklore. Still, please don¡¯t shoot me. An arrow through the heart will probably kill me,¡± Bennett said.


    ¡°Alright, then just follow me and we good.¡±


    ¡°Why would I want to do that?¡±


    ¡°Motherf¡ª¡± The teenager rolled his eyes. ¡°Old people¡­ look bro, we think you can help us out and we can do the same for you. Like that saying cui bono or something. A favor for a favor.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Bennett frowned. ¡°Oh, you mean quid pro quo. Cui bono means something like ¡®who gains or benefits¡¯ usually refers to criminal activity. You study Latin?¡±


    ¡°I thought it was Roman. Got it from a game.¡± The teenager lit a lantern and hurried down the street. It seemed that he wasn¡¯t going to wait any longer. ¡°C¡¯mon man, you can ask me questions while we walk. Do you want the pack to catch you? They¡¯re really pissed at you, by the way.¡±


    Bennett decided to follow for now. He could always slip back down into the sewers.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°No names man,¡± the teenager grunted.


    ¡°Okay. Then give me the elevator pitch.¡±


    ¡°The fuck is that?¡±


    ¡°Tell me why I should go with you to¡ª wherever it is we¡¯re going.¡±


    ¡°I told already. You help us and we help you.¡±


    Bennett looked down at the teenager. He had the sudden urge to lift him by his jacket and shake him until he stopped being annoying. He suppressed it and counted to twenty.


    ¡°And who are you, exactly?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re the Resistance,¡± the teenager grinned.


    Now that the imminent threat was gone, Bennett concentrated his senses. It was hard to rely on his sense of smell since he was covered in the ever present stench of sewers. It was a necessary evil. He believed that the same stench did enough to confuse his three dogged hunters.


    Bennett drew on a supernatural sense. He didn¡¯t know how to classify it, but essentially it was tied to blood. He could sense lifeblood as it flowed inside a living being. The higher the life form the brighter they stood out. All around him there were small, pulsing sacks of blood. He knew this to be the various animals and their mutant versions. There was a surprising lack of monsters.


    He had noticed one of the small gremlins the other day, but that was a rare sighting. He had only noticed a handful after almost two weeks in the city.


    That was all he picked up for several hundred yards around him.


    ¡°How¡¯d you find me anyways?¡±


    The teenager shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m a lookout. It¡¯s my job.¡±


    ¡°You know¡­ you¡¯re pretty brave,¡± Bennett said.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°I mean to come out here to a pretty deserted area. Aren¡¯t you scared of monsters?¡±


    ¡°Nah, no more monsters. Just about the only good thing those scion freaks did. Besides I¡¯ve got shooters watching my every move. Anything gives me a go and they¡¯ll turn it into a porcupine.¡±


    ¡°Uh huh. What if I told you that I know for a fact that the only two people anywhere near here are you and me?¡±


    The teenager¡¯s eyes grew wide.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t eat me.¡±


    All the bravado was gone.


    Bennett felt bad. He could feel the teenager¡¯s blood racing. It was like a roaring river. The kid was terrified.


    ¡°You swear that you¡¯re on the level and this isn¡¯t some kind of trick. That this Resistance is real and this quid pro quo deal is legitimate?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, definitely,¡± the teenager nodded vigorously. ¡°It¡¯s just that I¡¯m¡­ sorta freelancing, so maybe when we get to our secret base you hang back while I get things squared up¡­¡±


    Bennett focused red eyes on the teenager. The kid told the truth. Unless he had an ability or magic that could fool Bennett.


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯m trusting you. Don¡¯t let me down.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m legit, bro.¡± The teenager had regained some of his earlier cockiness.


    Bennett planned to go to the so-called Resistance¡¯s secret base. He¡¯d watch, listen and observe. If he didn¡¯t like how it looked then he¡¯d use the darkness to slip away. If it looked promising then he¡¯d consider a deal. Except he¡¯d make it on his terms.


    A grin split Bennett¡¯s lips.


    The teenager saw Bennett¡¯s fangs. To his credit, the kid didn¡¯t jump or run.


    Bennett was satisfied with himself. Sure, he had only outmaneuvered a teenager, but it was a good sign of progress. Almost two weeks in and he was already getting pretty good at the spy game.


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    ¡°I need more gray ones!¡±


    General Zanya resisted the urge to smash the raving hierophant in his narrow, ugly face.


    The hierophant almost crossed her last line. His spittle sprinkled her face. She saw bits of meat in his teeth. Fresh meat, when she and her legionnaires had nothing but hard, dry rations for the last several weeks. Although knowing the source of the meat, she didn¡¯t feel jealous. Ever since the gray ones had managed to pin them inside the city they hadn¡¯t been able to send out any hunters and foragers for fresh food.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been over this, Elgorit.¡± General Zanya bared her teeth. She deliberately dropped the hierophant¡¯s title as a message. ¡°They fight us with their soulless machines. Actual gray ones only engage at a distance and they go to ground before we can capture any. And in the few cases that we managed to grab any¡­ their armor explodes and completely destroys the gray one within.¡± The general frowned. The enemy deliberately destroyed themselves to avoid capture. That suggested knowledge of Elgorit¡¯s workings.


    ¡°And I¡¯ve repeatedly told you that without gray one life blood I cannot recreate the working that damages the gray ones automatons!¡± Elgorit snapped. ¡°You ask for a solution to your difficulties and I provided one. The only one. Get me more gray ones! Alive! And in the dozens! Their tiny bodies contain so little. It¡¯s like squeezing a grackle fruit for its juice.¡±


    A grackle was closer to a rock than a fruit.


    General Zanya considered her options. What use was Elgorit without that one specific working? She knew how hierophants behaved. Once he had expended his supply he would start demanding cragants be sacrificed for his needs. She resolved to crush Elgorit¡¯s head between her hands if it came to that.


    ¡°You may leave,¡± Elgorit waved a dirty, blood-caked hand toward the door. ¡°Do not return without gray ones.¡±


    General Zanya looked at the remaining small ones in their cages along the walls of Elgorit¡¯s lair. They were a sorry lot. Their bodies were battered and covered with half-healed scabs. Their eyes were dead and stared at nothing. Their numbers had dwindled and there was less of them to spread Elgorit¡¯s ministrations around.


    The general felt pity. It surprised her and she hesitated.


    ¡°Well? You¡¯ve been dismissed. Unless you have something to add?¡±


    General Zanya said nothing. She turned and stomped out of the building. She didn¡¯t notice that her hands were clenched hard enough to crush rocks until she was halfway to her command tent.


    ¡°Trusk?¡± General Zanya barked as she strode into the tent.


    ¡°Yes, general?¡± Adjutant Trusk saluted.


    ¡°We have been breached by enemy agents.¡±


    ¡°I will alert our legionnaires and commence a search. The gray ones will not elude us.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± General Zanya took a breath to settle herself. Be as unyielding as the crags, she thought. ¡°It¡¯s too late. They¡¯ve already obtained the information they needed. I doubt that they are still hidden and watching.¡±


    ¡°They know about the hierophant¡¯s miasma,¡± Trusk nodded. ¡°It explains why they changed tactics several weeks ago. Why they seek to bury us in dishonorable battle with their soulless automatons. Why they destroy themselves when captured.¡±


    ¡°I cannot find fault with the gray ones tactics.¡±


    ¡°True enough. I¡¯d not want to end up fodder in the hierophant¡¯s cauldron.¡±


    General Zanya understood the unspoken words in her adjutant¡¯s eyes. ¡°That is only a concern for our enemies and lesser beings. I give my word on that. Now, convene my command staff and the legates. I tire of the gray ones sniping at us from hiding. We are cragants.¡±


    ¡°We are the avalanche,¡± Adjutant Trusk saluted before he hurried out of the tent. The massive cragant had to duck his head and turn sideways to get through the opening.


    ¡°We are unstoppable,¡± General Zanya said.


    <hr>


    Caretaker fostered an egalitarian approach to military matters. They encouraged their fellow T-Men to speak their minds. It was something they had learned from Honor¡¯s example. They were in charge, but their word wasn¡¯t law as it was in the traditional Threnosh force.


    Sometimes they fantasized that things would be easier for them under those traditions. Especially in scenarios like the present, wherein the team channel was full of complaints and suggestions on the proper course of action. Caretaker didn¡¯t hold it against the team. They always followed their commands in the field. It was just that they all felt strongly about the recent news they had received from the Orchestral Meridian expedition.


    ¡°Why are we still here? We need to find Honor.¡± Primal¡¯s high-pitched voice was especially grumbly.


    ¡°I agree,¡± Shira said. ¡°Locating Honor is the priority now.¡±


    ¡°Honor is strong,¡± Adjudicator said.


    ¡°I concur. He will return when he chooses. We do not know his plans,¡± Dralig said.


    ¡°Perhaps we can split the team here. Half can stay and half can go with Frequency,¡± Kynnro said. ¡°I do not like the idea that Frequency is going alone.¡±


    ¡°We are here under direct command from Prime Custodian 3. Can we just depart before the task is done?¡± Blueballs said.


    ¡°That is why I suggest half. The prime cannot state that we did not comply,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°Frequency will not be alone. Do not forget that part of our team is already on site,¡± Resplendent Zabriium said.


    ¡°And they have failed,¡± Primal said. ¡°Honor, PJ15 and Brightstrike are missing. There is a new, stronger enemy. We must fight them before it is too late.¡±


    ¡°I am also concerned about this new enemy. If they have turned the birthing creches to their use then should they not be our priority?¡± Actryarius said.


    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Primal said.


    ¡°You simply desire to fight these new corrupted,¡± Malendrax said.


    ¡°Of course. I waste my time here. These cragants would have been a worthy test, but our leaders continue to refuse me the right to engage them directly. But, I hear your hidden meaning, small one,¡± Primal said. ¡°Recovering Honor is still my priority. I simply see no issue with fulfilling two purposes at the same time.¡±


    ¡°You are the smallest Threnosh in existence. I have checked the records,¡± Malendrax said.


    ¡°Only our trueskins matter,¡± Primal replied stiffly.


    ¡°The special type of corrupted do sound like worthy opponents. Their abilities mirror our trueskins,¡± Silver Wolf said.


    ¡°If we leave then the rest of Prime Custodian 3¡¯s forces will not be capable of re-taking Cold Plains City from the cragants. Our team is the only reason that they have not been completely defeated,¡± Tynk said.


    ¡°Destroy the hierophant. It is the only threat now that our forces have gained control of fabrication facilities. Combat drones are being created at a growing rate. Even if it takes many drones to fell one cragant, it is still to our advantage,¡± Volkharion said.


    ¡°Fabricate me more explosives and I will take them right to the hierophant,¡± Whoosh said.


    ¡°Your sacrifice will be appreciated,¡± Primal said.


    ¡°Not one. I will be in and out quicker than they can catch me,¡± Whoosh said.


    ¡°You overestimate yourself,¡± Dralig warned.


    ¡°I have run simulations and I have also plotted out an optimal route. The regular city surfaces are perfect for my trueskin. Not like the irregular ground out in the wilderness,¡± Whoosh said. ¡°Plenty of straight lines here to build up speed. Walls and ceilings as well. I am confident that I can evade capture.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps if we reclaim more fabrication facilities. An increase in combat drone and ammunition production will allow us to fulfill the prime¡¯s task requirements,¡± Tynk said.


    ¡°But it will not necessarily fulfill the spires¡¯ Tasks,¡± Adjudicator said.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ that is a valid point. We might waste all the effort that we have already expended,¡± Primal said.


    ¡°You and your Universal Points! This is about Honor, Frequency and our teammates! They are in mortal danger!¡± Kynnro snapped.


    Silence stretched out over the team channel as all were stunned by the emotional outburst.


    ¡°Further discussion is without merit. Caretaker has the final statement as our team leader,¡± Shira said.


    ¡°Yes and he has been silent,¡± Primal grumbled.


    Caretaker took a moment to consider things.


    ¡°We continue as planned,¡± Caretaker said.


    No one complained. No one asked for reconsideration or an explanation. Team discipline held.


    Caretaker did share in the desire to be done with Cold Plains City to come to their teammates¡¯ aid in Orchestral Meridian. They understood what it meant for their entire team if Honor fell or had fallen already. Their predictive algorithm had recommended this exact course.


    However, Caretaker was no longer content with using drones to whittle away at the cragants at a glacial pace. They realized that disaster loomed if they didn¡¯t take a riskier, more active approach.

 3.25

    Now, Threnosh World


    The cragant legions charged through the broken remnants of drones they had destroyed in previous battles. The Threnosh had used the remains as barricades to block the streets leading to this particular fabrication facility. There were so many that the mounds had grown to the same height as their single level structures.


    They proved useless.


    The cragants plowed right through behind the weight of their shields and their immense physical strength.


    The defense of the facility was desperate. The Threnosh were caught off guard by the ferocity and numbers of the cragant assault.


    Arrows, javelins and bolts smashed through drone metal casings. Even if some couldn¡¯t penetrate the metal completely they transferred enough force to damage the electronic and mechanical components inside.


    Tracked turret drones spat projectiles into the charging cragants, while aerial drones strafed from above. Occasionally an orange-yellow bloom signaled a bomb drop.


    The cragants attacked on three sides. They overwhelmed the defensive lines with frightening quickness. As was the story to date. The Threnosh needed to pour too many projectiles into each individual cragant to take them out of the fight, let alone to kill them outright. The larger explosives proved more effective, but those were in short supply. They didn¡¯t have the raw materials to manufacture them in greater numbers. Those weren¡¯t stored anywhere in the city and resupply requests were continuously denied by the Collective. Not even Prime Custodian 3¡¯s intervention worked.


    Lines of soldiers in baseline and heavy infantry power armors were the last lines of defense just outside the fabrication facility. Caretaker knew that more would be firing their projectiles from inside. They also knew that the battle was already over. The facility was lost. They saw it all before it happened from the overhead views of the surveillance drones.


    A chime sounded in their helmet.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326 requests your team deploy to aid the defense of Fabrication Facility 547984351.¡±


    It was the command staff.


    Caretaker mulled an outright refusal. Their presence would change nothing. The right tactical decision was to retreat and save the soldiers. They still had another fabrication facility to rely upon and the cragants didn¡¯t have enough numbers to control the entire city. They could just start up another facility elsewhere. The hierophant¡¯s cloud was no longer a concern. As they had surmised live Threnosh was somehow integral in the creation of said cloud.


    ¡°Understood. Preparing task immediately.¡± Caretaker switched off their comms. ¡°Code S,¡± they said. They waited for Actryarius to do the same to their comms. ¡°Go to the pilot and verbally indicate that they are to begin takeoff procedures. Then gather the team and verbally direct them to begin preparations for a task. On my orders.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Actryarius saluted and left the command center at a measured pace. They neither hurried nor moved slowly.


    According to Caretaker¡¯s calculations the battle with the cragants would be finished by the time the team was ready to depart. The command staff would have no reason to question their compliance.


    Caretaker did feel a pang of sympathy for the Threnosh soldiers. They were the ones that paid the price for their leader¡¯s refusal to deviate from standard doctrine.


    Weeks turned into months as the battle for Cold Plains City dragged on.


    Cragants destroyed any buildings that remotely resembled fabrication facilities, while the Threnosh threw a seemingly unending tide of drones at them.


    The Threnosh commander had learned something after all. Their soldiers never attempted to defend a fixed position again. They fired as many projectiles from a distance as they could before retreating back to the sublevels where the giant humanoids couldn¡¯t follow.


    Unfortunately that was as far as Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326 was willing to go when it came to listening to Caretaker¡¯s suggestions.


    Whoosh was bored.


    Their task was simple. Place explosive traps along the cragants¡¯ likely avenue of attack to the fabrication facility. All they had to do was follow the route in their tactical map. They were even instructed on exactly where to place the explosives. After that all they had to do was press the button to arm them. The explosives were smart. They would only explode when they detected cragants within the trigger radius.


    Whoosh¡¯s problem was that it was a mindless task. Caretaker had even mapped out the most efficient route to take and indicated the speeds at which they should skate down to the last millisecond. Any deviation would lead to censure.


    They didn¡¯t care too much about Caretaker¡¯s lectures. They had gone through enough to predict what their subleader was going to say. Again the only problem was that it was boring to simply stand still and listen for many minutes at a time.


    Whoosh disliked being still.


    The worse case scenario was that Caretaker might ban them from active duty for a time. Whoosh decided that the risk of that was low. They were in a battlefield. They were needed.


    However, they decided that it was best not to take the chance. They¡¯d follow Caretaker¡¯s guidelines as much as possible and perhaps hope for a cragant patrol to force a deviation.


    Resplendent Zabriium¡¯s composite hooves thundered across the metallic surface streets.


    ¡°Too loud,¡± Tynk said into the comms.


    ¡°I know. I cannot control it.¡±


    ¡°Then we must work quickly.¡±


    ¡°That is why I am running as fast as I can.¡±


    ¡°Galloping,¡± Tynk corrected. ¡°Honor stated that the correct term for what you do is galloping. It is because your trueskin resembles a creature from his world. Although I fail to see how such a biological form can evolve naturally.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps Honor¡¯s world is more capable of genetic manipulation than he has stated.¡±


    ¡°Approaching first dispersal point. I will meet you at the retrieval point. Do not be late,¡± Tynk said.


    Resplendent Zabriium checked the tactical map projected into their faceplate. Trust in Caretaker to provide the optimum instructions. ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Tynk¡¯s wings deployed and buzzed as the hum of their anti-gravity generators engaged. The flying Threnosh zipped up in the air to the first of their assigned explosive trap locations. They moved slower as they labored with the container of explosives strapped to their front.


    Resplendent Zabriium kept one eye on their fragile teammate¡¯s live feed as they ra¡ª galloped to their own trap locations.


    Caretaker¡¯s instructions had Tynk set the explosives on the cluster of taller buildings, so that they¡¯d hit the cragants at eye level and from above. Meanwhile, Resplendent Zabriium completed a loop and set their explosives closer to the ground.


    ¡°Any sign of cragant patrols, Zabri?¡± Tynk¡¯s voice came in through the comms.


    ¡°Negative. I am not detecting any. This task would be less risky had they not pulled back drone surveillance over our assigned areas.¡±


    ¡°I partially concur. The data does seem to indicate that the cragants have a tendency of aggressively moving to areas with drone coverage overhead.¡±


    ¡°Please do not concern yourself overmuch. Whoosh has the furthest ring and Silver Wolf has the next one. Our area of responsibility is closest to the fabrication facility. Our teammates will likely encounter cragant patrols first.¡±


    ¡°Yes and we are closer to reinforcements,¡± Tynk said. ¡°Your point is received. I will focus on my task.¡±


    Resplendent Zabriium galloped at close to a hundred miles an hour. The city streets in the area were relatively and the turns more numerous. They couldn¡¯t go as fast as they wanted.


    They were loud. Resplendent Zabriium recognized that. They hoped that their words to alleviate Tynk¡¯s concerns were accurate.


    Silver Wolf loped on all fours in their canine form. They reached their first explosive trap location and transformed into their bipedal combat form. They set the explosive where indicated against the side of a building wall at roughly their height.


    They were glad that the explosives had been modified to allow their clawed fingers to handle them. Otherwise they wouldn¡¯t have been able to be a part of this task.


    The lack of combat or any other sort of action over the past several weeks had begun to wear on Silver Wolf. They didn¡¯t like being confined to the underground base. They preferred the open skies and open spaces.


    The narrow city streets were an acceptable compromise because they made for good ambush opportunities. They were disappointed to note that there were no cragants nearby.


    Silver Wolf smelled their scent in the air. They could track them to the nearest group of giant humanoids. To hunt them and kill them. They had the urge, but it was weak and easily dismissed in favor of dutifully following Caretaker¡¯s commands.


    They knew that there would be plenty of opportunities in the future. They just needed to be patient.


    ¡°I have come as requested, Kynnro.¡±


    ¡°As prompt as always, Shira.¡±


    ¡°Why have you called for me?¡±


    ¡°You are departing on an extended task.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I leave as soon as it is dark.¡± Shira turned to leave. ¡°I have preparations to complete.¡±


    ¡°And you will be on an extended deployment.¡±


    ¡°That is correct. I am confused. Did you forget the information in the briefing? You were present,¡± Shira said.


    ¡°I did not.¡± Kynnro held up a small, cylindrical metal container in their hands. ¡°I requested you here for this.¡±


    Shira¡¯s expression was unreadable behind their monstrous faceplate. They recognized the container and what it contained. It was the second thing that they enjoyed the taste of. The metal surface of the cylinder was already covered in condensation from the warm ambient temperature of the city sublevels. Their time was short.


    ¡°That is the last one?¡± Shira said flatly.


    ¡°Yes and I realized that I would not be able to control myself and wait for your return.¡± Kynnro opened the cylinder to reveal a smooth, creamy substance. Faint wisps of moisture curled from the white substance. They produced a pair of small, shovel-like instruments that were roughly the size of a Threnosh finger. ¡°Do you have time?¡± They held one of the instruments out to Shira.


    Shira¡¯s faceplate slid up to the top of their helmet. It revealed a speckled gray face that had faded closer to a pale whitish color. Their mouth opened to display razor-sharp fangs. ¡°For that? Yes.¡±


    The cool and creamy texture of the substance from Honor¡¯s world was pleasure to the two Threnosh. They savored the sweet taste as it melted in their mouth. When it had completely turned into liquid they carefully spat it out into an empty cylinder Kynnro had brought along for that purpose.


    ¡°It is unfortunate that we are incapable of consuming this substance,¡± Kynnro said. ¡°It seems wasteful.¡±


    ¡°I concur. Even if I was sickened in the attempt.¡±


    ¡°Yes. That was surprising,¡± Kynnro said.


    What was left unsaid was that Shira was capable of consuming blood.


    The two tasted in silence. Each taking an instrument full of the cold, creamy substance in turn. The cylinder was emptied in short order and the second cylinder was filled with their spittle.


    ¡°I am certain that this is Honor¡¯s greatest contribution to our world,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°It is unfortunate that we have consumed the entire supply we brought along,¡± Shira said.


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°I had great difficulty convincing Caretaker to bring along the supply in the first place. They deemed it an unnecessary item that would only take up space for task-critical supplies.¡±


    ¡°Will not the others be upset that the two of us finished the last cylinder without equitable division?¡±


    Kynnro shook their head. ¡°The two of us are senior members. Primal cares nothing for the substance. Caretaker will give me a censure if the others complain. It is worth it. It might be a long time before we can share again.¡±


    ¡°That is true. I doubt that Caretaker will authorize a resupply from our home base. Thank you, Kynnro. I appreciate your consideration,¡± Shira said.


    ¡°Perform your task well and we shall look forward to the next time,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°You are off by approximately eight meters at thirty three degrees from target zone,¡± Volkharion said.


    Primal grumbled and adjusted their aim. They loosed the arrow in a high arc. Several thousand meters in the distance a faint flash of yellow-orange light brightened the dark night. It was immediately followed by a muffled boom across the silent cityscape.


    ¡°Enemy outpost destroyed,¡± Volkharion said.


    ¡°My distance to target?¡±


    ¡°Irrelevant. The explosive arrowhead functioned as intended. Several cragant casualties. Survivors withdrawing with the injured. Unable to determine kills.¡±


    ¡°The distance.¡±


    ¡°¡­ five meters at one hundred sixty-four degrees.¡±


    ¡°It is these fabricated arrows that are throwing my aim off,¡± Primal complained. ¡°Each of the spire-made arrows are exactly the same. These are all different.¡±


    ¡°I understand that their variances are within millimeters and milligrams,¡± Volkharion said.


    ¡°The slightest differences create flight drift over such long distances.¡±


    ¡°Consider that you would be without arrows if not for the fabricators.¡±


    ¡°My statement is factual,¡± Primal grunted.


    ¡°As is mine,¡± Volkharion said blandly.


    ¡°Just give me the next target.¡±


    Volkharion switched their view to the next group of insectile surveillance drones that they had sent to the various forward outposts that the cragants had established near the fabrication facility. They relayed the coordinates to Primal, who loosed an arrow after a few seconds of careful aim adjustments.


    ¡°Twelve meters at ninety-three degrees,¡± Volkharion said.


    Primal made an inarticulate sound. ¡°I would not be so far off target if I was allowed to use the standard surveillance drones. Relying on you as a spotter is a poor substitute.¡±


    ¡°We would lose the element of surprise and Caretaker stated that the enemy¡ª¡±


    ¡°I remember our orders,¡± Primal snapped. They angrily nocked another arrow took aim and loosed.


    A flash of light was followed by a boom a split-second later.


    ¡°Negligible drift from target.¡±


    ¡°Finally. What is the enemy doing?¡±


    ¡°One moment. I am waiting for the smoke to clear.¡±


    ¡°This is the fourth outpost I have destroyed and the cragants keep retreating. I thought that they were ferocious warriors. Yet, they run away. Why am I continually denied a true fight? Months of this sniping from a distance,¡± Primal grumbled.


    ¡°Enemy is withdrawing.¡± Volkharion¡¯s slight smile was hidden behind their helmet. Primal was abrasive to be around for prolonged periods during the best of times.


    This was not a good time for Primal, which made it just as bad for Volkharion.


    ¡°There are five more outposts to attack. Perhaps those will draw the desired reaction,¡± Volkharion said.


    ¡°Doubtful, but I have my orders. Next target?¡±


    The task had started out so promising. Destroy enemy encampments to provoke a hasty and unprepared assault. Caretaker¡¯s plan had been to goad the cragants into attacking their fabrication facility before they were ready.


    Primal was eager to comply. They got to attack the enemy from a distance and then they were going to face them in direct combat when the attack on the facility occurred. To their regret that attack had yet to materialize. The enemy displayed an uncharacteristic caution as they retreated each time Primal had destroyed an outpost with their explosive arrows.


    Once again a brief flash was followed by a boom.


    Volkharion received an urgent chirp from their aerial drone. The one that they had set to monitor the closest cragant base camp where roughly forty percent of their entire army was gathered. They switched their view to look through the drone¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Enemy appears to be mobilizing. Awaiting confirmation.¡±


    ¡°Finally,¡± Primal said. ¡°Quickly, give me the rest of the targets. I want to greet the enemy with more destroyed outposts.¡±


    Volkharion complied while they kept most of their attention through the eyes of their aerial drone over the main enemy army. From all appearances it seemed that Caretaker¡¯s plan worked.


    Their desired battle was at hand.


    Dralig had four hands for four miniguns. The guns were set on stands behind a one way window. They and Dralig were inside a building that was at the end of a long, wide street. In normal times it was the main street for heavy traffic to and from the fabrication facility. Its width made it the main avenue of attack for the cragants if they wanted to keep some semblance of an organized formation.


    They waited for the cragants to get closer. Explosive traps lined the street. The giant humanoids had no idea what they were marching into.


    ¡°Stop it,¡± Dralig said.


    ¡°Apologies.¡± Blueballs ceased tapping their armored boot on the metallic floor. For a moment. They resumed several seconds later.


    Dralig looked at Blueballs.


    ¡°I am sorry. I have concerns with the plan.¡±


    ¡°Your role is simple. Once I have expended my ammunition all you have to do is use your balls to seal up the window. Then we egress out the back to the next ambush position with haste,¡± Dralig said.


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Blueballs said.


    This time they kept still.


    ¡°Dralig, Blueballs,¡± Kynnro¡¯s voice came in over the comms, ¡°cragants are nearing your area.¡±


    Kynnro stood in a fifth level window several streets behind Dralig¡¯s ambush position. It was the tallest building in the zone before the space occupied by the fabrication facility. It was full of Threnosh soldiers. Projectile weapons were pointed out of every window facing the cragant advance.


    ¡°The cragants move quickly. It is a risk to stay in this position. They may be able to close faster than we can fall back,¡± Adjudicator warned.


    ¡°Kynnro, I detect a small cragant detachment circling to the southwest. They may bypass the explosive traps,¡± Volkharion¡¯s voice came in on the comms.


    ¡°Malendrax, take the squads with you and draw them into the traps,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Malendrax¡¯s reply was immediate.


    ¡°Do not be concerned,¡± Kynnro said. ¡°I will disperse my fire cloud at maximum range. Then you will carry me directly down to the street and we can proceed to our next ambush position.¡±


    ¡°Neither of us are fast movers,¡± Adjudicator said. ¡°It is fortunate that the soldiers will hold this position. They should delay the cragants.¡±


    ¡°Yes, fortunate.¡± Kynnro didn¡¯t see it that way and they knew that Adjudicator didn¡¯t either.


    Individual Threnosh were expendable for the needs of the collective whole.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    ¡°What¡¯s your deal? Are you a spy? Infiltrator? No, that can¡¯t be it. Cause you¡¯d be the worst.¡±


    Bennett frowned at the tall, burly middle-aged man studying him with an appraising eye. He was surprised that he couldn¡¯t detect any real fear in the bearded man. Just wariness.


    ¡°If I knew who I was speaking to¡ª¡±


    ¡°No. You¡¯re dangerous, pale face. You¡¯ve been living in the sewers,¡± the man sniffed, ¡°that much is obvious. But, I can tell you aren¡¯t a fighter and I¡¯m willing to risk my life on my guys¡¯ aim. Unlike that idiot kid, I do have a bunch of archers and shooters covering you from every direction.¡±


    Truth. Bennett could tell.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re the Resistance. What exactly are you resisting against?¡± Bennett said.


    ¡°Idiot kid talks too much.¡± The bearded man chewed his lip. ¡°You¡¯ve been here what? Two, three weeks?¡±


    Bennett didn¡¯t answer.


    ¡°That should¡¯ve been plenty of time for you to answer your question.¡±


    ¡°Is it?¡±


    ¡°Look, kid. I don¡¯t know you. You¡¯re an unknown. You definitely don¡¯t look right, so I figure I¡¯m not going to be losing much sleep if I take you out right now. I¡¯m giving you a chance here.¡±


    ¡°What do you want, exactly?¡±


    ¡°You tell me what you¡¯re all about and I¡¯ll decide after.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ no. That doesn¡¯t really sound like a quid pro quo.¡± Bennett raised a finger. ¡°Maybe all of your arrows, bullets and such don¡¯t scare me. Maybe they¡¯ll just piss me off. How about you tell me what you want from me and I¡¯ll decide if you have anything I want in exchange?¡±


    The bearded man stared Bennett down without expression. Just a blank look, like he was a piece of uninteresting trash on tide of the road. He had to remind himself that he was a vampire with supernatural abilities.


    Bennett stared back.


    ¡°We want video evidence of what the scions get up to behind closed doors at city hall. We¡¯re willing to discuss your terms.¡±


    A nervous laugh escaped Bennett¡¯s lips.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± The bearded man narrowed his eyes.


    ¡°Nothing. Just that it seems that we want the same things. I¡¯m after information on the scions and the cult. Members, classes and their plans. Generally everything about them.¡±


    ¡°Deal.¡± The bearded man held out a hand.


    Bennett hesitantly took it in a flaccid grip. He didn¡¯t want to accidentally hurt the man.


    The man felt differently. He crushed down on Bennett¡¯s hand. It had no effect. Bennett barely noticed.


    ¡°Great.¡± Bennett smiled with closed lips. ¡°So, how¡¯s this going to work? You¡¯ve got a camera?¡±


    ¡°What? You don¡¯t got a phone?¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Fine, we¡¯ll get you one. We also know where we want you to sneak in and get the footage.¡±


    ¡°Where?¡±


    ¡°City hall. We got our hands on some inside info. A big meeting is scheduled eleven days from now. All of the higher ups are supposed to be there. You can find out all about their plans then. Assuming you can get in undetected and from what we¡¯ve seen I think you¡¯ve got a chance of pulling it off.¡±


    ¡°What about your end of the bargain?¡±


    ¡°What about it?¡±


    ¡°I want my information.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll take time to gather, plus we can¡¯t risk you taking off before you fulfill your end. Get us the footage and you get yours.¡±


    It was reasonable and it made sense. Bennett had to admit he would¡¯ve been tempted to get out of the city with what information he could get his hands on. It was better then nothing.


    ¡°Fair enough. How will I contact you?¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t. We contact you.¡± The bearded man handed Bennett a slip of paper. ¡°Memorize that address before you leave. Check it every day at midnight for messages. You can leave anything you might want to communicate with us as well.¡±


    ¡°Is there any useful information that you¡¯re willing to share?¡± Bennett studied the address on the slip of paper.


    ¡°I suggest you don¡¯t spend too much time out of your sewer hiding spot. Those dogs are on your trail already. I don¡¯t want you leading them back to us. Like I said, you¡¯re a terrible infiltrator. That idiot kid managed to track you down. The dogs are the real deal.¡±


    That was not a comforting thought.


    Week Three


    The address turned out to be an abandoned dry cleaning place. Bennett had waited a few nights before checking it out. He didn¡¯t want to look too eager.


    ¡°What the hell is this?¡±


    Bennett was greeted by weapons pointed in his direction after he brute-forced his way through the back door.


    ¡°You could¡¯ve maybe knocked.¡± The teenage lookout from before said while he stood behind the others.


    ¡°Oh. It¡¯s you. What¡¯s your name again?¡±


    ¡°Nice try, bro! How about you just call me, Eyes.¡±


    ¡°Alright, Eyes¡­ you going to explain all this.¡±


    ¡°Totally, but first I have to let you know that we¡¯ve got an archer watching your every move. So don¡¯t try anything.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s quite the archer seeing as how there aren¡¯t any windows and that door is closed.¡± Bennett pointed behind the group of armed young people.


    One of them went and opened the door with a sheepish look on her face.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been waiting every night for you to show up for like three days,¡± Eyes said.


    ¡°And?¡±


    Eyes cautiously approached Bennett and handed him a book.


    ¡°The Complete Guide to Dogs¡­ what is this?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve marked the ones you have to look for.¡±


    Bennett thumbed through the bookmarks. There were four of them. ¡°Akita, American Bulldog, Golden Retriever, Scottish Terrier.¡±


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    ¡°Your boss mentioned that I needed to watch out for the dogs on my trail. The only people on my trail are¡­ well, people, sure they¡¯ve probably got some weird classes, but¡­¡± Bennett shrugged.


    ¡°So, this hasn¡¯t been confirmed, but we¡¯re like ninety percent sure that those dudes can, like, turn into dogs. You see any one of those following you then you know you¡¯re in trouble.¡±


    ¡°Are you saying,¡± Bennett spoke slowly, ¡°that these people are weredogs?¡±


    ¡°Probably.¡±


    Bennett¡¯s mouth dropped. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ ridiculous!¡±


    The young people took a collective step away from him.


    Eyes visibly swallowed the lump in his throat. ¡°I don¡¯t know, bro. Those teeth of yours look pretty sharp and pointy. You only come out at night. Someone stole a bunch of blood from the hospital¡­¡±


    ¡°Yo, he¡¯s totally a vampire.¡±


    ¡°Why isn¡¯t he sparkly?¡±


    ¡°He broke the doorknob. Couldn¡¯t he just turn to mist and go through the gaps.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at his eyes!¡±


    ¡°Shut up, shut up!¡± Eyes waved his arms.


    Bennett stood as nonthreatening as possible. He decided to keep his mouth shut.


    ¡°It¡¯s probably a Class. No big deal. There¡¯s a lot of weird classes. Right?¡± Eyes kept his eyes directly at Bennett¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Yup, so you don¡¯t have to worry about me,¡± Bennett lied. Their fear had made the scent of their blood sweeter.


    Bennett left before the young people saw the hunger in his red eyes.

 3.26

    Now, Earth


    Week Four


    Bennett wasn¡¯t a fool. He wasn¡¯t going to take the Resistance leader at the man¡¯s word. He did what a spy did. He investigated.


    It took days of standing in the shadows outside of the house that he had met the bearded man. He waited until the man finally showed up.


    Bennett guessed that the house wasn¡¯t the resistance¡¯s headquarters. They seemed competent, so that meant they wouldn¡¯t actually take an unknown into their real headquarters. If they were really good then they probably didn¡¯t have one. They¡¯d be operating in cells, like in the TV shows and movies.


    With all that to consider, Bennett settled on following the bearded man home.


    The man¡¯s home was nice. From what Bennett knew it would¡¯ve gone for over a million back before the world ended. He waited a few hours until the lights, electric, fancy. The man was connected.


    Bennett didn¡¯t like the vibes he got. Was he being tricked?


    He felt anger suddenly bubble up. He hissed, which snapped him back to his senses. What the fuck? He had never done that before. It was beyond disturbing. He hurriedly downed a flask full of blood. It calmed him.


    Bennett dashed across the street and slipped into the shadows on the house¡¯s wall. He emerged inside a decent sized library. Two walls had shelves filled with books. More books were scattered around on the desk.


    His eyes were drawn to the side table next to the reading chair. There was a stack of books. He made out the titles thanks to the star light from outside.


    The Prince, a condensed version of The Art of War, and a dog-eared paperback of A Clash of Kings. The three looked like they had seen plenty of wear.


    It didn¡¯t paint a favorable picture for Bennett. Perhaps he wasn¡¯t dealing with competent people?


    Bennett crept up the stairs. He sensed the sleeping man in one of the bedrooms. Oddly enough he wasn¡¯t in the master. There were no other people in the house. Good. He didn¡¯t have to worry about being too loud when he questioned the bearded man. He felt a thrill run through him. He stopped and reminded himself to stay in control. He wanted information. Nothing more.


    The door to the bedroom was shut.


    Bennett slipped through the shadows and stepped right into a gun barrel and light in his face.


    ¡°Deal¡¯s off then?¡± The bearded man said.


    ¡°That depends on you.¡±


    ¡°You got second thoughts, figured you needed to vet me. I thought you agreed too quickly. I guess you aren¡¯t as green as you look.¡±


    ¡°Now I¡¯m green?¡± Bennett frowned. ¡°Look, man. I¡¯m starting to think you¡¯re playing a trick on me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not. Everything in our deal was legit. You keep up your end, I do the same. We both get what we want. Quid pro quo.¡±


    ¡°Then prove that you know what the fuck you¡¯re talking about. Prove that you¡¯re legit and not some random dude, playing at resistance fighters,¡± Bennett snapped. ¡°You can start by getting the gun out of my face and telling me your actual name.¡±


    ¡°The gun stays, but as to my identity. In my desk. The main drawer.¡±


    The bearded man kept the gun on Bennett as he slowly moved to the desk. He opened the drawer and pulled out a badge and an ID.


    ¡°Agent Dalton Bratt, FBI.¡±


    ¡°Technically I was a SAC. Suppose I still am if the bureau still exists out there somewhere. I was in intelligence in my Navy days.¡±


    ¡°So, I guess that¡¯s your provenance. Alright, so you¡¯re legit. The question now is whose side are you on?¡±


    ¡°Unless you can read my mind with those vampire powers then you¡¯re just going to have to trust that I¡¯m not on the scions¡¯ side. The things I¡¯ve heard about what they get up to¡­¡± Dalton shook his head. ¡°Those fishmen aren¡¯t right. Everything about it triggers all my instincts.¡±


    Bennett sensed the man¡¯s heartbeat. It was steady, which didn¡¯t reveal much since it had been steady the whole time.


    ¡°How did you know I was here?¡±


    ¡°A Skill.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m assuming your class is your former job. I wonder what sort of skills that gives you.¡±


    ¡°That information is not part of our deal.¡± Dalton lowered his shotgun. ¡°Our deal still on?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but if you screw me, I¡¯ll stop being so nice.¡± Bennett put as much menace into his voice as he could. Judging by Dalton¡¯s reaction it worked.


    ¡°I will not intentionally jeopardize your mission. Don¡¯t forget, I want the information just as much as you do. We need to wake people up. Everyone is just happily going along with the scions¡¯ cult.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got good reason to be concerned.¡± Bennett hesitated. ¡°I¡¯ll give you a freebie as a sign of good faith. I know for a fact that the cult is capable of summoning a fishman to a specific location through something like blood sacrifice.¡±


    Dalton nodded. ¡°That tracks with what information we¡¯ve been able to gather. What happened to the fishman? The cultists?¡±


    ¡°It got away. The leader escaped. The rest died.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s too bad.¡±


    ¡°I suppose I¡¯ll have my chance for a good look at the lot of them in a few days. Assuming your source is good,¡± Bennett said.


    ¡°It is. It has to be.¡±


    Bennett wasn¡¯t reassured by the desperation in Dalton¡¯s voice. He slipped out of the house without further word.


    Week Five


    Bennett felt a sense of wrongness seep into his skin. It had only grown stronger the deeper he slipped into city hall. It was as if an oppressive presence was watching him. Like his old academic adviser that had a tendency to stand over his shoulder in violation of his personal space. The memory brought a silent snarl to his lips. He had to stop to compose himself.


    The presence lessened, but Bennett still felt it pressing in on the edge of his thoughts.


    According to Dalton¡¯s information the cult meeting was supposed to take place in the North Light Court on the first level. The map showed that there were offices and restrooms surrounding the space on three sides. The rotunda was to the south. There were plenty of shadowy spaces in which he could hide.


    Bennett had scaled the side of the building to enter from the roof. It allowed him to mark the patrolling guards as he fully surveilled each floor before proceeding down to the next. He noted the glass roof over the court that he could access from above.


    The meeting was scheduled for midnight because, of course. It wasn¡¯t a proper cult unless they had their get-together at the most atmospheric hours. Bennett supposed that the curfew also meant that any fishman attendees would be able to travel the city streets unseen by the general population.


    He had a few more hours so he settled into the shadowed alcove on the second level overlook above the meeting space¡¯s glass roof. The patrols in the area were light. It gave him the best opportunity to avoid detection until the meeting started. At which point he planned to slip down through the shadows and begin recording with the cell phone the resistance had provided.


    People dressed in everyday clothes started to file in thirty minutes before the scheduled time. Bennett was mildly disappointed. There was nary an ornate robe nor elaborate mask in sight. Not a very proper cult. Was it?


    Bennett¡¯s preferred hiding place was nixed as bartenders walked behind the bars and commenced serving drinks to the swiftly growing crowd. Was this a super secret cult ceremonial meeting or a party? He grimaced. An empty bar would¡¯ve been the ideal location to hide and film from since it was covered in shadow and had a view of the entire space.


    Fortunately the cult had elected to use lanterns, torches and candles to light the space. There were plenty of shadows along the walls and corners that he could use. He decided on the southeast corner.


    He consumed several blood packs to fill his reserves to capacity before he slipped down into his hiding spot. He began filming. He hoped that the light on the phone was dim enough that no one would detect it.


    All he had to do now was record, watch and listen. On the surface it didn¡¯t sound all that difficult. Mistakes were made.


    A woman in a deep blue robe strode out of the back to the podium in the center of the room, between the two bars. Now that was proper cultist attire. Bennett felt like he was staring into the depths of the ocean when he looked at the woman¡¯s robe. It seemed to undulate like the motion of the waves and currents. He chalked it up to a trick of the light combined with how spooked he was by the foreboding sense of doom and pressure pushing in on him from all directions.


    ¡°Welcome, my fellow Touched and Aspirants,¡± the woman began. ¡°For the latter this is your first step on the path to true understanding. To be touched by the Deep Azure. Some of what you will see and experience tonight may be unsettling at first, but know that it is the key to your ascendance beyond your mortal shells.


    Okay, Bennett thought, now this is definitely a cult. He fought the urge to cover up the cell phone camera¡¯s light. There was an even stronger urge to leave and run all the way back to Davis. The pressure grew. The wrongness in the air was palpable. He could smell and feel it.


    ¡°The scions light the path. They are our guardians, shepherds and fathers. Only through them are we able to become one with the Deep Azure.¡±


    The robed woman led the crowd, which had grown to around a hundred, through a prayer of some sort. The words made Bennett shiver and he forced himself to ignore it lest he join in unwilling.


    After the robed woman finished she smiled brightly. Like a kindly grandmother. It was incongruous to the scene, which made it all the more disturbing. ¡°Please enjoy the food and refreshments. The ceremony will begin in an hour.¡±


    The woman went back from where she had emerged. Bennett saw that several other people followed her. He stuck to the shadows on the walls as he did the same. If the woman was some kind of high priestess then he needed to see and record her activities.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure we all want to enjoy the festivities before the ceremony starts, so let¡¯s make this quick.¡± The woman said to the other twelve people as they took seats around the table.


    There was a roughly even split of men and women of varying ages. The range went from young to old with the bulk of their number falling within the median.


    ¡°Sounds good. I¡¯m going to want to get properly drunk before things start.¡± A man with an ugly scar across his face sat tall in his chair even as he pulled a silver flask out of his suit jacket and took a long pull.


    ¡°You¡¯re already halfway there,¡± the old man seated next to him said.


    ¡°I¡¯m a big man. It takes a lot to get me black out drunk.¡± The scarred man tapped his flask. ¡°Cheap stuff, might as well be drinking pure alcohol. They¡¯ve actually got the good stuff at the bar.¡±


    ¡°Not looking forward to the sacred ceremony?¡± The priestess woman said blandly.


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    The scarred man didn¡¯t say anything.


    ¡°Like you said, let¡¯s not waste time,¡± a sharply-dressed, pretty young woman said. ¡°And to preempt the questions I have nothing new to report on the hunt for the infiltrator. My guys are on the trail, but he¡¯s a slippery one.¡±


    ¡°Are you even sure that it¡¯s a ¡®he¡¯ and not a monster?¡±


    ¡°Most likely a transformative Class. Similar, but different from my guys.¡±


    The scarred man laughed bitterly. ¡°Seems weird that your puppies are having so much trouble getting this supposed infiltrator. It¡¯s never taken them this long to get their teeth into outsiders that slipped past the checkpoints.¡±


    ¡°I have nothing further to add.¡± The pretty young woman didn¡¯t take the bait.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± A middle-aged man that looked like a politician or a car salesman smiled at the pretty young woman. ¡°I move we discuss the Davis situation. We¡¯ve ignored it for too long.¡±


    ¡°Still on that?¡± The scarred man grumbled. ¡°We can¡¯t go to war. We don¡¯t have an actual army. And that Cruces guy will easily destroy us if even if we did.¡±


    ¡°The numbers of Touched grow and there are thousands of potential soldiers outside our city now that we¡¯ve confirmed the magic the Deep Azure grants us can affect unbelievers against their will. Cruces is just one man. I believe we can induce him to surrender or leave if we threaten the safety of everyone else.¡±


    ¡°Listen to yourself, Mitch. How do you think their community will react to us threatening them? That¡¯s not how you get them to willingly join us,¡± the scarred man said flatly. He seemed to be controlling himself well despite the frequent sips out of his flask. Contrary to his earlier words he didn¡¯t seem to be getting drunk.


    ¡°You know, Barry. I¡¯m starting to think that your losing your faith,¡± Mitch said.


    ¡°Go fuck yourself,¡± Barry said. ¡°If that was true then we¡¯d all know it. The Deep Azure wouldn¡¯t allow me to be on this council.¡±


    ¡°I believe those are the key words to this particular debate,¡± the high priestess woman said. ¡°The scions have indicated nothing to us in regards to the Davis community. It is a message that they don¡¯t concern us at this time. If it changes then we will be informed.¡±


    ¡°Great! Then we can talk about meeting stuff at our actual meeting.¡± A fat man stood up. ¡°I¡¯m going to go eat, drink and be merry. This is a celebration!¡± He looked at the priestess woman expectantly.


    ¡°I suppose.¡± The woman had a placid smile on her face. ¡°Any objections?¡±


    No one spoke up. The scarred man was already walking toward the door.


    ¡°Adjourned,¡± the priestess woman said.


    Bennett waited for the room to empty before he slipped back out into the court. The party was indeed in session. A string quartet had even appeared and was providing live music.


    Bennett returned to his hiding spot in the corner. He was starting to think that he had gotten the important information when the hour¡¯s passage was signaled by the priestess woman¡¯s return to the podium. She rang a bell to draw everyone¡¯s attention. The music stopped. The conversations died down a few seconds later.


    ¡°The sacred ceremony of life will commence.¡±


    A line of scantily clad young women emerged from the somewhere behind the priestess. They filed into the center of the court as the party attendants moved back toward the walls and cleared a large space.


    Bennett counted about thirty young women. They looked mostly nervous and confused. He remembered the blood sacrifice and got worried. There was no way he could save them. He wasn¡¯t strong enough, nor brave enough. No. The best thing he could do was to record it and get the truth to those that were capable of doing something about it. That¡¯s what he told himself.


    He sensed their presence before he saw them file in from the main entrance into the court.


    This wasn¡¯t going to be a blood sacrifice thing. It was another kind of sacrifice. An even more terrible violation in Bennett¡¯s mind.


    The fishmen burst into the court like hungry hunters. They made straight for the young women. Screams and pleading echoed throughout the space.


    They weren¡¯t going to be killed. They were going to be hurt in the most heinous of ways.


    Bennett was too horrified and scared to do anything beyond recording. He had to show this to Remy and the others. Only they could make the fishmen and cult pay for it.


    As he watched the horror unfold, he felt the pressure grow all around him. He could feel another presence watching as well. It was an enormity beyond what he could comprehend.


    Bennett held on as long as he could before the presence began to pull him down into its cold, dark depths. He left then. He slipped into the shadows as quickly as he could and ran out of the building as fast as his legs could take him.


    He could never forget what he saw that night. Despite all of the terrible things he would go on to experience and witness, he would always remember what they did to those young women.


    He cursed his cowardice.


    Week Six


    ¡°It¡¯s been three days. I keep coming back to your home and you keep telling me you need more time. Well, I¡¯ve waited long enough.¡± Bennett bared his fangs at Dalton. He was done waiting. He wanted the agreed upon information and he wanted out of San Francisco and back to his home where he was free of depraved cults and fishmen.


    The former federal agent backed up.


    Bennett smelled fear.


    Dalton¡¯s voice was calm and steady despite this. ¡°I told you it¡¯d take time. Fortunately, I¡¯ve got your information.¡± He pointed at a backpack next to the kitchen table.


    ¡°Everything we know about the Scions of the Deep Azure and the human cult. Complete dossiers on key people, along with verifiable skills and magic usage. How the city is run. The reason it took a few more days is because I added my thoughts on how the city can be attacked, from inside and out,¡± Dalton said.


    Bennett frowned.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know who you represent, but I¡¯m willing to open up a dialog. The Resistance is willing. After that video¡­ they have to be stopped.¡±


    Bennett decided to be honest. ¡°We don¡¯t have an army. We can¡¯t just come and kill the scions and the cultists. There¡¯s something¡­ worse¡­ behind them all.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I read what you wrote. Part of me doesn¡¯t want to believe it, but I can¡¯t ignore my own Skills and instincts. I¡¯m inclined to agree with you on that. It seems impossible, but that hasn¡¯t mattered much in the last seven years.¡±


    ¡°Scientific impossibilities are commonplace now,¡± Bennett nodded. ¡°Since the spires appeared.¡±


    ¡°My take is that it¡¯s actually getting worse as time goes on.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Agent Dalton, but you shouldn¡¯t expect an army to come in and save the day,¡± Bennett said as he reached for the backpack.


    ¡°From what you wrote, it doesn¡¯t sound like the scions and the cultists are content to remain here in the Bay. Wherever you¡¯re from I doubt that you can escape their reach. I know it won¡¯t keep us from resisting. Now that we know the true stakes¡­¡± Dalton sighed. ¡°I¡¯m going to bed. Feel free to look through the information to confirm that it¡¯s legit. For what it¡¯s worth, thanks. We wouldn¡¯t have known without you.¡±


    ¡°Good luck to you and your people.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re all going to need it.¡±


    Bennett didn¡¯t say anything as he settled into the chair and opened the backpack.


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    The cragant squad of legionnaires from the 3rd Legion was on their last patrol of the night. The dawn was but a few hours away and they¡¯d finally be back in their forward base for a hot meal and their turn in the sleeping quarters.


    ¡°I¡¯m starving.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯ve been saying it for the past two hours, Regaar. You sound like a bleating bovinorus.¡±


    ¡°Shut it, Aurastra or I¡¯ll make you bleat!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d pay a week¡¯s wages to see you try, Regaar. She kicks your rocks all over the place in the practice pit. What do you say, Jologor? You want to take that bet?¡±


    ¡°Give me one plus half on the odds, Henosk. I seen them in the pits, same as you.¡±


    ¡°You going too cheap, Jologor,¡± Menolet grunted. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t bet anything less than one to four on Regaar.


    ¡°Shame on you, Menolet. We womenfolk should stick together,¡± Takelos said. ¡°I¡¯d go three to one on Aurastra,¡±


    ¡°Practice ain¡¯t the same as the real thing,¡± Regaar graveled.


    ¡°That¡¯s the first smart thing you¡¯ve said in days,¡± Aurastra said. ¡°Can I wager on myself?¡±


    Henosk bellowed a braying laugh. ¡°She¡¯s even better than you in a real fight.¡±


    ¡°The only wager I¡¯m willing to make is that you loud lot can¡¯t shut your maws for more than a three notches on a candle.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Decanus Senem,¡± Regaar said. ¡°It¡¯s just me being bored.¡±


    ¡°Just keep quiet. We¡¯re giving away our position to every enemy within earshot,¡± Senem said.


    Aurastra tapped her boot on the metallic ground. ¡°Sorry, Senny, but we ain¡¯t exactly quiet.¡±


    ¡°Too heavy. Maybe if we wrapped our boots in cloth,¡± Menolet shrugged.


    ¡°She¡¯s right, Decanus,¡± Jologor said. ¡°The little gray ones will hear us coming, loud voice or not.¡±


    Senem frowned. He was young for a decanus roughly the same age as his squad. A couple, like Aurastra, were actually a little bit older. She was the worst since they happened to come from the same crag and had known each other since they were children. He¡¯d have to speak to her about using his old nickname in front of the others during official duties. It was unseemly and a violation of protocol. If he called her out over it now he would be seen as weak and petty.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t mind some action,¡± Henosk said.


    ¡°Bah, the gray ones just shoot their little pellets and run when we get anywhere near them,¡± Kresk said.


    ¡°Then they go to ground like burrowing breglets,¡± Regaar nodded.


    ¡°Would you welcome the encounter if it was one of the strange gray ones? The yellow-armored one that glides across the ground too fast to hit. Or maybe the black-armored one that can¡¯t be killed as it drains your blood?¡± Senem said.


    ¡°I heard there was one with tentacles that can suck the life right out of you,¡± Takelos said.


    ¡°Hey, Takelos¡­ if you¡¯re scared you can hide behind me. I¡¯ll block the avalanche with my strength,¡± Henosk grinned at her as he draped an arm over her shoulders.


    The cragant woman bared her teeth at him as she roughly threw his arm off.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been warned before, Henosk,¡± Menolet said as she deliberately placed her hand on the handle of her sword.


    Henosk¡¯s eyes darted to Senem. ¡°Just messing around. Didn¡¯t mean nothing by it. I swear on the Savior.¡±


    ¡°I might believe you if you swore on something else,¡± Takelos said.


    ¡°Watch what you say, never know who¡¯s listening,¡± Jologor warned.


    ¡°I thought it was the short one that was impossible to kill. I¡¯ve got a cousin in the fifth. She said she stabbed it right through the gut. After she pulled it off her spear and tossed it across the street she saw it back in the fight not even a notch later,¡± Regaar said.


    ¡°Might be more than one of those then?¡± Aurastra said.


    ¡°The point is our main objective on this patrol is to maintain perimeter security. We are on the look out for infiltration. We are not out here to seek out engagements,¡± Senem said.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°Aura, shut it,¡± Senem said flatly. ¡°I was getting to that. If the enemy engages then naturally we defend ourselves¡­ after alerting our legion.¡±


    Several squad members roared in delight.


    Senem cringed. He wasn¡¯t starting out well as a new decanus.


    ¡°Suppose that¡¯s something to look forward to,¡± Regaar said. ¡°Might keep me from falling asleep on my feet. Truth be told, decanus I can¡¯t wait for us to rotate back to day light hours.¡±


    ¡°I agree,¡± Senem said.


    ¡°Yeah, Senny. Cragants aren¡¯t made for the black hours. We¡¯re meant to face our enemies in the light.¡±


    Senem wanted to slug that smirk off Aurastra¡¯s face. She knew exactly what she was doing. Just like when they were growing up. Poke and prod until little Senny flipped out and made a fool of himself.


    Well.


    He was a decanus now. A true professional kept his control and sought redress at a time and place of his choosing.


    The legionnaires carried out the rest of the patrol in relative silence. The short structures of the Threnosh made it easy to see all the way to the edge of their torches. The cragant¡¯s great height allowed them to see over most of the structures. If any gray ones were hiding they wouldn¡¯t be able to do so for long.


    Henosk had been relegated back to the rear of the formation with Jologor for his earlier transgression against Takelos. He didn¡¯t want to provoke Menolet further. He had seen her draw blood at lesser offenses before.


    ¡°Not as stupid as you pretend to be most of the time,¡± Jologor kept his voice low, which owing to his great size meant it carried pretty far anyways.


    ¡°Shhh,¡± Henosk warned. ¡°Decanus Senem¡¯s looking back here.¡±


    Henosk was more concerned with his squad leader than watching his step. He banged his knee right into one of the structures. He barked out a curse. The squad, including Decanus Senem turned back and shot him glares that ranged from warning to disdainful.


    ¡°They¡¯re made of thin and light metal you¡¯d think they¡¯d be flimsy,¡± Henosk whispered.


    Jologor nodded. ¡°You ever hit one at a full run?¡±


    Henosk winced in sympathy.


    ¡°You have to give it to the gray ones¡¯ smithing. They make strong metals and whatever else they¡¯ve mixed into their tiny living quarters. Tripping over my little ones¡¯ stone blocks didn¡¯t hurt half as much,¡± Jologor said.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t know you had offspring,¡± Henosk said. ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    ¡°The pay. My youngest has the wasting. Can¡¯t afford the workings keeping her alive without active off-world duty,¡± Jologor sighed.


    ¡°Truth. The bonus for a brand new world is very nice,¡± Henosk said. ¡°Plus, we¡¯re only locked in for two years. We beat these gray ones quickly and we¡¯re free to do what we wish for a year.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m counting, hoping on it. I don¡¯t want to miss my eldest¡¯s first fight.¡±


    ¡°That must be rough, who¡¯s teaching him to fight in your stead?¡±


    ¡°My sister.¡± Jologor laughed. ¡°My son is lucky. She¡¯s a better fighter than me by far. Just wish I was there to see it. I remem¡ª¡±


    ¡°Remember what? Jologor?¡± Henosk turned around. ¡°Alarm! Alarm!¡± He tossed his torch to the ground and readied his shield and spear.

 3.27

    Now, Threnosh World


    Jologor was flat on his back. His torch was off in the distance, judging by the orange-yellow glow between some structures.


    Henosk¡¯s discarded torch only cast enough light to cover Jologor¡¯s lower half. His legs were kicking violently.


    Henosk didn¡¯t wait for the others. He kicked his torch toward Jologor and rushed forward with a bellow. The light revealed nothing except Jologor¡¯s dying face, eyes wide open, pleading as they locked with Henosk¡¯s.


    The cragant¡¯s throat was torn to shreds. There was a surprising lack of blood. The light in Jologor¡¯s eyes faded and then there was nothing.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Senem yelled out. ¡°Henosk? Jologor? Report immediately.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got enemy contact!¡± Aurastra stood next to Henosk. She was the first to reach them.


    ¡°Defensive circle!¡± Senem barked.


    The rest of the squad complied with well-practiced quickness. They formed a circle with shields and spears at the ready.


    ¡°Jologor?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s gone, decanus,¡± Henosk said in a hushed whisper. ¡°Tore his throat out.¡±


    ¡°What did? You saw it?¡±


    ¡°One moment he was speaking about his son¡¯s first fight and the next¡­¡± Henosk¡¯s grip on his spear and shield was slack. He stared at Jologor¡¯s sightless eyes.


    ¡°Legionnaire! I need you to be as the crags.¡± Senem banged his gauntleted fist on Henosk¡¯s shield.


    The loud bang echoed and snapped Henosk back to attention.


    ¡°We are unyielding,¡± Henosk said.


    ¡°What did you see?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. I¡ª I, I saw nothing¡ª except I thought I saw a shadow moving away from Jologor¡ª his head. Doesn¡¯t make sense¡­¡±


    ¡°Something tore his throat,¡± Aurastra said. ¡°Not enough blood either.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s got to be the black-armored gray one. The one they say takes your blood,¡± Regaar growled.


    ¡°Let¡¯s find it and kill it. For Jologor,¡± Kresk said.


    ¡°Send a signal to the legion,¡± Senem said.


    Takelos stepped back from the defensive circle, while Henosk took her place. ¡°What message shall I send, decanus?¡±


    ¡°Enemy contact. Probable special warrior. Request reinforcements.¡±


    Takelos took the horn at her belt and blew a short note followed by a longer one, comprising of several shorter notes.


    ¡°We make for our camp. Switch your spears out.¡± The enemy was the kind that killed from up close and it had the advantage in the darkness.


    ¡°What about Jologor?¡± Henosk said.


    ¡°We¡¯ll have to come back for him later,¡± Senem said.


    The squad exchanged troubled glances.


    ¡°We can¡¯t carry him and fend off the enemy,¡± Aurastra snapped.


    Henosk frowned, but nodded.


    Senem knelt next to Jologor. He closed his eyes and placed a wooden coin the size of a small plate on each one.


    ¡°Just in case,¡± he whispered. Only Aurastra heard him. ¡°Aura in front, Menolet in the back.¡± They possessed the sharpest eyes and the quickest reactions. ¡°Henosk, you¡¯re torchbearer for Aurastra. Regaar, you¡¯re for Menolet. I¡¯m behind Henosk, then Takelos, followed by Kresk. We keep a tight formation. I¡¯ll be calling out every few seconds. Everyone behind me sounds off. Got it?¡±


    ¡°We should be hunting this thing down¡­ for Jologor. His death must be avenged,¡± Regaar grumbled.


    ¡°It might be long gone by now,¡± Takelos said, hopeful.


    Senem shook his head. He had the misfortune to be under the eyes of a winged wyrm once when he was younger. He had never forgotten what it felt like to be hunted. He looked out into the darkness and felt the same. ¡°I don¡¯t think we¡¯ll have difficulty getting a fight.¡±


    A loud chime sounded, but only the squad heard it. Their hunter heard nothing.


    The Crags look down upon you with favor!


    You have received a Quest.


    Survive the night.


    Success Parameters: Live to see the dawn.


    Failure Parameters: Death.


    Reward: 100000 Universal Points.


    You cannot refuse.


    ¡°What is this?¡± Senem was stunned. Horrified. ¡°Have any of y¡ª¡±


    His entire squad shook their heads. Their eyes were as wide as an ale barrel¡¯s lid.


    ¡°My the crags shelter us,¡± Takelos murmured.


    ¡°My honored elder told us stories about one of our ancestors getting Universal Points for her part in slaying a greater winged wyrm. Out of a thousand warriors, less than a hundred survived,¡± Menolet said.


    ¡°That many points¡­¡± Aurastra looked at Senem with despair.


    ¡°Even if we hit all our bonuses for this deployment we¡¯d be lucky to get close to 2500 Universal Points,¡± Henosk said. There was a gleam in his eyes.


    ¡°We just have to survive,¡± Kresk said.


    ¡°That shouldn¡¯t be too hard. We¡¯re not that far from camp and reinforcements are on the way. Right?¡±


    Henosk received silence as his answer.


    The squad moved in a single line. The narrow streets, especially for the cragants¡¯ enormous size, made any other formation impossible. Spreading out meant walking with structures in between them. It meant there were more places for their unseen enemy to ambush. Every structure was already a potential hiding place.


    ¡°It¡¯s like the bloody fields,¡± Regaar said.


    ¡°A death beast in every hole,¡± Kresk said.


    ¡°Never been,¡± Henosk said.


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Takelos snapped. ¡°You¡¯re a blathering like a bunch of ale wives.¡±


    ¡°Quiet,¡± Senem said.


    They covered fifty strides with their long legs when things fell apart.


    ¡°Takelos?¡± Senem called.


    ¡°Here.¡±


    ¡°Kresk?¡±


    ¡°H¡ª¡±


    There was a strangled gurgle.


    ¡°Ala¡ª!¡±


    Menolet''s warning was a split-second too late. It wasn¡¯t her fault. She reacted as quickly as possible for a cragant, but their species wasn¡¯t one with supernatural-level perceptions and reaction time.


    ¡°Eyes in all directions!¡± Senem barked. ¡°Regaar¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got him, decanus!¡± Regaar knelt down next to the flailing Kresk. ¡°Hold still!¡±


    Kresk was on his back and blood sprayed out of the cuts in his throat. Regaar clamped one beefy hand around the wound, while he kept the torch in his other hand up as high as he could.


    ¡°Decanus! I can¡¯t keep the wound closed without choking him,¡± Regaar¡¯s said.


    ¡°It¡¯s mortal,¡± Menolet said without looking back. ¡°Ease his passing.¡±


    ¡°Never!¡± Regaar growled.


    ¡°Where did it go?¡± Takelos¡¯ voice was higher.


    ¡°A shadow that moved,¡± Menolet said. ¡°I think¡­ I can¡¯t be certain.¡±


    ¡°Decanus, you¡¯re orders,¡± Aurastra said.


    Senem focused on the calm in his old friend¡¯s voice. It pulled him back from the edge.


    ¡°Do we wait for reinforcements? Or do we continue?¡±


    Something struck Senem then. ¡°We haven¡¯t received the horn calls acknowledging our own.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª true,¡± Aurastra said.


    ¡°What¡¯s that mean?¡± Henosk shouted.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t make sense,¡± Takelos¡¯ voice shook.


    ¡°We should¡¯ve received signals by now. From other patrols and from camp,¡± Senem said. A crushing realization fell on him like a rock slide. ¡°This must be the enemies doing. They¡¯ve somehow blocked our horn calls with their machinery.¡±


    ¡°Or the other patrols were wiped out,¡± Henosk said.


    ¡°That still doesn¡¯t explain the silence from camp,¡± Aurastra said.


    ¡°What if they¡¯ve been wiped out too?¡± Henosk paled.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be stupid,¡± Aurastra snapped. ¡°The enemy doesn¡¯t have the ability to destroy an entire legion in one night. Besides, we¡¯d have seen and heard evidence of fighting.¡±


    ¡°What if they¡¯ve been hiding their true abilities this whole time, huh?¡± Henosk said. ¡°They might have more of whatever the cursed thing killing us is!¡±


    ¡°Decanus,¡± Regaar¡¯s voice was cold, flat. It silenced the others. ¡°Kresk¡¯s gone.¡± He closed Kresk¡¯s eyes and placed a coin over each.


    ¡°We make for camp,¡± Senem said. ¡°Stay together. We have the strength of the mountains.¡±


    They didn¡¯t make it ten steps before something small and black struck from the shadows between their torch lights.


    Takelos cried out as she swung her sword at their enemy. The inky blur seemed to flow up her sword arm. It was too fast for anyone to react in time. The shadow zipped across her throat before seemingly melting away over her shoulder.


    Cragant¡¯s enormous bodies required large and powerful hearts to pump their blood. The blood spray from her opened throat shot out over a hundred feet into the black sky as she toppled to her back with a ground-shaking crash.


    ¡°Nooo!¡± Menolet roared and charged in the direction the shadow went.


    ¡°Wait! Stay in formation!¡±


    Senem¡¯s command fell on deaf ears.


    Menolet¡¯s rage had consumed her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get her,¡± Regaar said as he thundered off.


    ¡°Orders, decanus,¡± Aurastra said flatly.


    ¡°We don¡¯t leave anyone behind,¡± Senem said. ¡°Henosk, don¡¯t lose that torch.¡± He dropped his own and drew his sword.


    Menolet was a good soldier. She was an even better warrior. Her sword work was among the best in the 3rd Legion. She kept enough of her senses to stay within the light from Regaar¡¯s torch despite the consuming rage and pain she felt at Takelos¡¯ death.


    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    She saw something out of the corner of her eye a bulging shadow against one of the tiny buildings. It struck her as off. Her instinct momentarily saved her. She struck a short, slashing cut across the most direct path a tiny enemy would take on the way to her throat.


    She felt her sword impact something small, but with surprising weight. The shadow blurred back behind the structure into the darkness.


    Menolet felt a cold grip seize her heart. She hadn¡¯t seen it move. She had been lucky.


    She felt something to her left and she raised her shield to cover her face. She felt the impact of something small and heavy. Her finely-trained instincts had saved her again.


    The enemy was gone before she could attempt a counter stroke.


    Sudden pain at the back of her leg made her cry out. As she turned and stepped her ankle gave out under her considerable weight. She was forced to one knee as the enemy continued to slash at the unarmored portions of her body.


    Menolet¡¯s desperately swung her sword as she tried to predict the enemy¡¯s movements. She had made other cragant legionnaires feel like children on both the battlefield and the practice pit. It had been many years since she had been made to feel the same way.


    To know that a tiny enemy was slowly killing her was more than she could bear.


    Menolet screamed out.


    ¡°Hang on. I¡¯m coming!¡± Regaar was too slow.


    Menolet saw a black blur out of the corner of her eye. Something sparked across the narrow slits of her steel helmet. She didn¡¯t register the sparks hitting her eyes. Something sharp plunged into her throat and wriggled, like hungry baby wyrms in an unfortunate bovinorus. It almost felt like it was drawing out her blood.


    A curious thing.


    Menolet¡¯s thoughts drifted away. At least she died in battle with a powerful enemy. She would find Takelos in the next world.


    Regaar shined the torch over the small, black-armored gray one as it crouched over Menolet with its arms deep in her throat. Her blood appeared to be drawn into its gauntlets.


    The rumors were true.


    Regaar couldn¡¯t move as Menolet¡¯s limbs moved weakly. Why wasn¡¯t she fighting back?


    The gray one¡¯s black armor was covered in sharp blades and pointed spikes. It was like a blot on the landscape that seemed to suck in the surrounding darkness.


    The gray one looked up at Regaar with eyes that shined red in the middle of the all-consuming shadowy darkness. He couldn¡¯t make out specific features.


    ¡°Damn you,¡± Regaar whispered. He realized that it didn¡¯t fear him. That¡¯s why it wasn¡¯t melting back into the shadows after it had taken its fill from the now dead Menolet.


    Regaar bellowed and rushed forward. If he was to die this night then he would die in battle, facing his enemy. He would charge into the next world on his feet.


    The gray one didn¡¯t vanish or blur. It charged as well. It moved fast, but not as fast as it had been. Was it mocking him?


    Regaar pulled back his torch arm for a might blow.


    The gray one dashed quicker.


    Regaar was caught off guard. He pulled his shield up to protect his neck at the same time as the gray one jumped on to it and scrambled up the metal. Its clawed fingers reached the top of his shield.


    He got a look at the ferocious, devil-like mask of its helmet. Red eyes burned into his mind.


    He felt fear like nothing before. So, he did as he tended when he was afraid. He hit back as hard as he could.


    Regaar slammed his helmeted forehead into the gray one¡¯s face.


    The gray one was slammed off of Regaar¡¯s shield like it was launched from a catapult. Its limbs flailed as it tumbled across the metallic street.


    ¡°Ha! Take that foul devil!¡± Regaar dropped his torch and drew his sword.


    The gray one lay on the street with its limbs askew, some were bent in the wrong direction. Others were clearly broken.


    Regaar had triumphed. He had brought the dreaded enemy down. He pictured the honor we would receive from the legion. The things he could purchase with the Universal Points. He took a step toward the fallen gray one.


    It healed before Regaar¡¯s eyes.


    The cragant charged desperately.


    The gray one was uninjured by his fifth step.


    Regaar died on his knees.


    That was how the last three legionnaires found him.


    ¡°Menolet? Regaar?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re dead, Senny,¡± Aurastra said. Her voice was a whisper. ¡°You and Henosk get back to camp. I¡¯ll hold it off.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Senem snapped. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving anyone.¡±


    ¡°Decanus¡ª¡± Henosk¡¯s voice trembled.


    ¡°Calm yours¡ª¡± The words died in Senem¡¯s throat when he spun around.


    Henosk¡¯s head tilted back. His throat yawned wide open, strangely bloodless. The cragant fell flat on his back and remained still.


    A black shadow grabbed Henosk¡¯s torch and threw it far away.


    Aurastra grabbed Senny by the arm and roughly pulled him back toward Regaar¡¯s discarded torch. ¡°Damn it, Senny! We need the light or we¡¯re dead!¡±


    Senem noticed that Aurastra¡¯s sword was still in its sheath.


    ¡°Draw your weapon.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m better off with my gauntlets. It¡¯s much too fast for me to catch it with a blade. Only chance is to get my hands on it and break it into pieces.¡±


    ¡°Listen, Senny. When I get my hands on it, you run.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t give the orders, legionnaire!¡± Senem snapped.


    ¡°Sorry, but one of us has to get back to camp with word of what happened. Make our deaths mean something.¡±


    ¡°I ord¡ª¡±


    ¡°Watch out!¡±


    Aurastra shoved Senem to the side and threw a punch at where his neck was. A loud clang was the only indication that she connected with the enemy.


    ¡°Praise thick steel,¡± Aurastra muttered. She didn¡¯t check her gauntlet. She trusted the forge work.


    ¡°Aura, wha¡ª¡± Senem quickly got back on his feet.


    ¡°Keep the light on me, but not in my face,¡± Aurastra kicked Regaar¡¯s torch over.


    Senem sheathed his sword and picked it up.


    ¡°Damn it, Aura! We need to get out of here.¡±


    ¡°You will, just wait for the right moment.¡±


    A black-armored form materialized at the edge of the torch light. The gray one was about as tall as the smallest cragant¡¯s leg. Such a tiny thing, yet it had torn through Senem¡¯s squad with shameful ease.


    ¡°May the mountains fall on you!¡± Aurastra roared.


    The gray one dashed behind a structure to its left.


    Aurastra threw her metal slab of a shield and wiped out a handful of the small structures. She charged behind it.


    The gray one leapt out of the wreckage straight for Aurastra¡¯s throat.


    She jabbed out with surprising quickness for such a large humanoid.


    The gray one wasn¡¯t able to alter its trajectory.


    A fist the size of its torso caught it right in the head and sent it flying.


    Senem hurried to keep the torch light on the gray one. His hopes soared when he saw that the gray one was crumpled. They fell just as quickly when it healed before his eyes. Even the broken and bent armor reversed the damage.


    ¡°Impossible.¡±


    ¡°Curse it! I¡¯ll have to grab it. When I do¡­ I want you to run, Senny.¡±


    ¡°Not leaving you here,¡± Senem said flatly.


    The gray one struck.


    The cragants didn¡¯t see it move.


    It was nearly at Aurastra¡¯s feet before she realized it. She kicked out.


    The gray one slipped underneath the blow and slid between her legs.


    Senem watched in horror as the black blur climbed up Aurastra¡¯s back before plunging its hands and arms into both sides of his childhood friend¡¯s neck.


    Aurastra turned and looked into Senem¡¯s eyes. He saw her wordless plea for him to flee.


    She threw her self backward into the ground in a vain attempt to crush the gray one beneath her immense weight. Blood sprayed from both sides of her neck.


    It told Senem that the gray one had moved out of the way.


    There was nothing he could do, but watch Aurastra¡¯s death throes. He placed the torch on top of the small structure next to him and drew his sword.


    Senem charged to his death with a shout.


    <hr>


    ¡°Caretaker, this is Shira reporting in.¡±


    Shira had waited for quite some time for the thrill of battle, the bloodlust to dissipate. They couldn¡¯t speak properly when they were in that state. Caretaker would¡¯ve detected any hint of a lack of control, which would¡¯ve led to them being pulled back to base and another lecture.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Caretaker¡¯s voice came back over the comms.


    ¡°Four patrols eliminated.¡±


    ¡°Detection?¡±


    ¡°Negative. Frequency¡¯s sound cancellation device functioned as projected. In each engagement the cragant¡¯s signaled with their animal horn sound amplification device. There was no response from nearby patrols or the forward base.¡±


    ¡°I have reviewed your earlier recordings. Please continue to adhere to the task guidelines. We shall see if your actions succeed in drawing and spreading the cragant forces away from the base. We need to weaken their defenses before we can attempt the next task.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged. I will gather my supplies and relocate to the next sector,¡± Shira said.


    ¡°Do not stay too long in the area. Projections indicate that the first patrol you destroyed will have been noticed by their base shortly.¡±


    ¡°Understood. The night ends in less than two hours. I will be hidden before then,¡± Shira said.


    ¡°Remember, Shira. Do not deviate from my guidelines. Self-control is the key to your continued exemplary performance. Your presence will be crucial to the ultimate Task.¡±


    ¡°And when will we attack the hierophant?¡±


    ¡°When we have gathered sufficient data for a plan with a high probability of success.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged. Shira, out.¡±


    They let slip with eagerness. A mistake. One Caretaker wouldn¡¯t miss. Fortunately, their team leader didn¡¯t recall them.


    Shira would¡¯ve been displeased by such action. They enjoyed the hunt.


    The cragants were worthy foes. They were strong. More importantly, they were full of strong blood.


    Shira was in their element. This is what they were meant to do. Of that there was no doubt. They were a hunter in the dark. The world was prey.


    They had a thought. What if they attacked during the day? Wouldn¡¯t that make for a greater challenge?


    The cragant¡¯s strength was on par with Shira¡¯s.


    Shira outstripped them by far in speed and quickness. Their ability to hide and blend with the shadows and darkness was what truly gave Shira an edge.


    Shira decided that it was a moot point. If she attacked the cragants in the daylight then Caretaker would pull her back for violating their guidelines.


    Shira didn¡¯t want to lose the first task that she had found enjoyable in the course of the battle for Cold Plains City. Besides the more successful she was the more data that Caretaker received for their plans to kill the hierophant.


    Once they killed the hierophant then they could target the cragant forces¡¯ leadership. Kill enough and the enemy army would splinter and eventually fall.


    Once that was done the team would be free to come to the aid of those at Orchestral Meridian.


    Shira looked forward to that. The corrupted, the inheritors, Mother Madrigal. They sounded strong, powerful. If they had felled Honor then Shira would avenge him, while filling herself with their lifeblood.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    Bennett wanted out of the city. He had spent six weeks in enemy territory when he had figured on a night or two at worst. Now that he had more than enough information on the scions and the cult it was time to go. They were evil and everyone had to know.


    He stood on the roof of an abandoned building, some kind of warehouse near the entrance to the Bay Bridge out of the city. Despite the distance he could see quite clearly that the checkpoint had been significantly beefed up. There were a lot of light towers and even more armed people.


    He considered running up the cables to go over the people, but didn¡¯t trust his ability to avoid getting shot and or falling into the water. Going under the bridge presented a similar problem with the added concern from being exposed to the water. He was convinced that there was something in the water. Every time he looked at it a sense of wrongness triggered a spike of fear. The Deep Azure was real. He just didn¡¯t know what exact form it took.


    The Bay Bridge was a no go. He¡¯d have to try the Golden Gate Bridge, but he figured it was probably locked up just as tight.


    Should he go south instead? There was another bridge. If that was also blocked then as a last resort he could keep going south and avoid crossing the water entirely.


    It¡¯d take him through San Jose and the surrounding cities. He had no idea what the situation was down there. Plus it¡¯d add a lot of time to his travel. He wasn¡¯t sure if he had enough blood supplies for a journey that¡¯d take more than a single night. What if there were monsters?


    Bennett despaired. Everywhere he thought to go there was a mortal threat to his continued existence. Cultists and fish people and monsters.


    He decided to try the smaller bridge to the south.


    Bennett turned and walked to the other side of the roof. The next thing he knew he was crashing through the skylight into the warehouse. He was dimly aware that there had been a muffled bang.


    Bennett groaned as he rolled over and sat up. There was a dull throbbing sensation in his left shoulder area. His fingers came away wet with blood. His blood. Someone shot him.


    It hurt, but not as bad as he imagined being shot felt like.


    He took a blood bag from his small insulated bag around his waist and drained it. He felt the hole in his shoulder close over the next few seconds. He drank another bag empty. They knew he was there, which meant¡ª.


    ¡°Knew I smelled something sterile and bloody.¡±


    Bennett didn¡¯t recognized the face, but he recalled the voice. It was the young woman he had first encountered on his first night in the city.


    She stepped into the moonlight shining through the broken skylight.


    Bennett finally got a good look at her face. She was Asian and pretty. She wore a tank top and ripped up jeans.


    ¡°You¡¯re not getting away from me this time.¡±


    The young woman transformed before his eyes. Hair or fur appeared on her bared skin. Her teeth lengthened and sharpened. Her fingers grew longer, while her finger nails thickened and became pointier. Her eyes shined in the moonlight.


    The walkie-talkie on the young woman¡¯s belt crackled.


    ¡°Rino, come in, over.¡±


    Bennett kept silent. He played injured while he figured out what to do. He could slip down through the shadow to the level below, but he didn¡¯t know where the rest of this so-called pack of weredogs.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± She snatched the walkie-talkie up. ¡°You just gave him my name, Chance. Stupid asshole!¡±


    ¡°Just keep him there. We¡¯re on our way, over.¡± Chance¡¯s voice crackled back.


    Rino and Chance. Bennett filed the information away.


    The rest were on their way, which suggested that they weren¡¯t in the warehouse.


    Bennett slipped into the shadows on the floor.


    ¡°Hey! Shi¡ª¡±


    Bennett didn¡¯t stop until he was on the ground floor. He slipped the backpack filled with crucial information over both his shoulders and tightened the straps. He burst out of the warehouse into the open at a run.


    The skies were clear. The moon and the stars made the night as bright as the day when viewed through Bennett¡¯s superior vision. He felt a pang when he realized that this was as close as he was going to ever get to reliving the day light hours from before he was transformed by the spires.


    He headed south down the street. Only to be met by a big white dog.


    Well, big was an understatement. It reminded Bennett of the wolves he had seen at the zoo in terms of size.


    The dog had patches of dark brown or black on its body and one patch on the side of its thick, blocky head. Its bark was deep and booming.


    Two more dogs appeared from in between the buildings on both of Bennett¡¯s flanks.


    One was a golden retriever and the other was a Scottish terrier. Both appeared to be significantly larger than the norms indicated in the dog guide Bennett had received from the resistance.


    The big white one was the American bulldog, which meant the Akita must¡¯ve been the young Japanese woman, Rino.


    ¡°Weredogs,¡± Bennett muttered. ¡°This is bullshit.¡±


    He heard an angry snarl from behind. It was Rino in dog form. Just as ridiculously large as the others.


    Bennett was full of regret. He regretted staying so long. He regretted not learning to fight.


    Bennett was also full of blood. There was a gap ahead of him. In between the big, scary white dog and the big, scary golden dog. He hit it at close to fifty miles an hour.


    He felt the wind of jaws snapping just behind his ankles and he was in the clear.


    Bennett didn¡¯t dare look back. He heard the barks and the clatter of nails on the asphalt.


    The pack kept pace.

 3.28

    Now, Earth


    Bennett realized that it was a trap as soon as the lights went on.


    The cleared out junkyard was bathed in light. There were no shadows. Wherever he looked he was only greeted by the harsh, bright glare.


    The chain link fence was tall, but nothing he couldn¡¯t climb. Except he realized that the weredogs weren¡¯t going to give him the opportunity.


    The pack entered the yard right on his heels and spread out to surround him.


    Bennett had been herded like a sheep to the slaughter.


    The big, white dog transformed right before Bennett¡¯s eyes to reveal a muscular man, blond haired and blue eyed. The transformation looked painful.


    Bennett locked eyes to keep his from straying downward. The man was naked.


    ¡°Alright, bro. We had a good run. It was nice exercise, but you¡¯re trapped. So, just come along quietly and you don¡¯t have to get hurt.¡±


    The terrier and the Akita snarled and growled as they inched toward Bennett. The retriever actually sat on hit¡¯s haunches and regarded him with a goofy grin.


    ¡°I highly doubt that,¡± Bennett said.


    ¡°Like I said before. We¡¯re just going to ask you some questions. Although from what you¡¯ve been doing¡­ well, it¡¯s your own fault for trying to undermine the good thing we¡¯ve got here.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve no idea do you? What the cult and the fish people are doing?¡± Bennett saw a glimmer of hope. ¡°I can show you if you just¡ª¡±


    ¡°Uh huh. Not going to happen. That¡¯s exactly what someone in your position would try. We¡¯re not stupid.¡±


    ¡°I swear. I¡¯ve got the information right here.¡± Bennett unslung the backpack and placed it on the ground in front of him. ¡°You have to watch the video.¡± He was okay with losing the pack. He had some of the information on a flash drive along with the all important video.


    It was a long shot. They watch the video and let him go or he uses it as a distraction to get away. Either worked.


    ¡°They said you¡¯d try something like this.¡±


    ¡°Just take a look. What do you have to lose? Don¡¯t you want to know the kind of people you¡¯re following? Evil doesn¡¯t even begin to describe them,¡± Bennett pleaded.


    ¡°That¡¯s funny coming from a vampire. I gave you a chance to come along nicely. The bosses want you alive and from what I¡¯ve seen as long as we give you a little bit of blood you¡¯ll survive just fine.¡±


    The pack transformed.


    They did it with surprising quickness. They didn¡¯t give Bennett any time to react. In just seconds large, bipedal half-human, half-dog forms stood around him.


    Bennett looked up at their maws filled with sharp teeth. He looked down at the deadly claws at the ends of their fingers.


    I should¡¯ve learned how to fight, Bennett thought.


    There was a short flurry of violence and it was over.


    Bennett had a faint memory of jaws clamping over his lower leg and tearing it right off. Of a powerful grip pulling his arm off at the elbow. Of sharp claws tearing his stomach open.


    He was dimly aware of car horns blaring along with the squeal of tires on the asphalt. Of automatic weapons fire accompanied by the sound of magic spells flying.


    The weredogs snarled and barked in anger, while men and women yelled and screamed.


    Bennett barely felt the spray of gravel from the truck that skidded to a stop within a few feet of him. Hands grab him and his body parts and roughly threw them all into the bed before the vehicle lurched and sent gravel flying before it shot out of the junkyard and onto the street like a rocket.


    Bennett saw several other cars and trucks scattering in all directions as the weredogs in their monstrous, bipedal forms gave chase.


    That last thing he remembered before losing consciousness was the angry barking that echoed into the night.


    <hr>


    ¡°Be careful,¡± Remy warned.


    ¡°Oh please. Our kids are super powered and Nila¡¯s going to be there. No one or thing is going to mess with us,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°Who are you and what¡¯ve you done with my real wife?¡±


    ¡°Ha ha. Very funny.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m concerned about you going across the river.¡±


    ¡°The state government isn¡¯t going to do anything. They¡¯re trying to recruit Nila and probably our kids.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not concerned about them. I¡¯m concerned about the fishmen cult. It¡¯s been three months and we haven¡¯t heard anything from Bennett.¡±


    Megan frowned. ¡°Yes and don¡¯t forget your promise.¡±


    ¡°I know, but I don¡¯t feel right just doing nothing. I¡ª¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t make him go. He volunteered.¡±


    ¡°Still feel responsible. He¡¯s in trouble and we¡¯re doing nothing. Don¡¯t we owe it to him? He went on the mission for this community.¡±


    ¡°We doesn¡¯t necessarily mean you. The council or the watch should be responsible. He went at their request.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right. Except they¡¯re too scared to send anyone else,¡± Remy sighed. ¡°And I can¡¯t go for the obvious reason that it¡¯d probably give the cult exactly what they want.¡±


    Megan checked her watch. ¡°We can talk about this later. I¡¯m meeting with the girls at Nila¡¯s place. I have to leave now or I¡¯ll be late.¡± She kissed Remy.


    ¡°Have fun,¡± Remy smiled. ¡°Be careful.¡±


    Old Town or Old Sac was the historic riverfront district with buildings dating back to the Gold Rush era. It was home to several museums, eateries and other attractions, even a riverboat hotel. It had been one of the main focuses for revitalization by the reestablished state government.


    People craved a sense of normalcy, a return to the familiar after the chaos and deaths of the first few years after the spires appeared.


    They took Old Town back from the monsters. Cleared the encounter challenge it had become. Businesses slowly returned over the years, mostly eateries. Instead of dollars they traded in Universal Points and barter.


    The museums had remained shuttered without anyone qualified or willing to operate them.


    That was the reason for the girls¡¯ outing.


    The railroad museum was Nila¡¯s old place of work. She was the curator before the world was upended. Now the government had reached out. They were interested in reopening the museum and Nila was the highest level employee left. The thought that she¡¯d likely never know what had happened to her coworkers made her sad.


    Nila knew that they really wanted her back on their payroll for her physical abilities and not her curatorial skills and experience. However, she decided to humor them by at least inspecting the museum. She¡¯d thought about it often over the past seven years. She was afraid of what she might find after so long without any maintenance. She shuddered at the thought of monsters getting their dirty claws on the artifacts.


    Megan had roped Nila into taking her and the kids along for a nice day off enjoying the rebuilt riverfront. They planned to eat lots of bad, yet tasty things. Most importantly to Megan there would be no training or fighting. It was to be a normal day as most days were before the spires.


    Nila was fine with that. She took them on a brief tour of the museum before they parted ways and she could focus on inspecting the various artifacts while the Cruces enjoyed the riverfront.


    There was a lot of built-up dust and dead insects, but thankfully there was no damage to the artifacts, not that she could see at a cursory glance. She was surprised that there wasn¡¯t any bat guano or dead bats inside. She wondered if the gremlins had something to do with that.


    Nila climbed into the seat of a giant locomotive engine. She walked through a dining car. The sleeping car was still, but she could almost feel it shaking underneath her feet in a simulation of a moving train like it would¡¯ve in better days.


    The golden rail spike wasn¡¯t in its display case. She¡¯d have to go downstairs to check if it was still there.


    The nostalgia reminded her of what she had lost over the years. The people missing in her life.


    She climbed the stairs to reach her office. She found it dusty, but untouched. The papers on her desk just as she left them so long ago. She felt a lump in her throat.


    Nila had second thoughts about outright rejecting the state government¡¯s offer of her old job back. Remembering history was important, more so under the current state of the world. She was the most qualified to run this museum. Perhaps she would stay on just long enough to show others how to take care of the artifacts.


    Nila¡¯s thoughts were interrupted by the screams from outside.


    <hr>


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it nice not to have to fight and train all day?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, mom,¡± Tessa rolled her eyes. Notably she clearly enjoyed the pineapple Dole Whip in her hands.


    ¡°We¡¯re lucky that they can still make these,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°Spires¡¯ magic, mom. As long as you have ownership of the store it can keep making what it used to make. That¡¯s what dad says,¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°I know, Vee. Which is why it¡¯s lucky.¡± Megan beamed at her two daughters. Their first actual family outing in years. She wished Remy could¡¯ve been with them, but he had responsibilities. She consoled herself with the knowledge that now that they knew it was safe to come to Old Town they could make it a regular thing and he could join a future outing. ¡°What do you guys want for lunch?¡±


    ¡°Mom¡­ it¡¯s weird that we¡¯re eating dessert first?¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°Not really,¡± Tessa smirked. ¡°Mom just misses sweets.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t see you turn it down,¡± Megan arched a brow.


    Tessa shrugged. ¡°What? I can admit I like this stuff. No big deal.¡±


    ¡°Can I get a banana split next?¡±


    ¡°After lunch, honey,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°What about burgers? Or fish and chips. I think I saw that place opening up when we were coming from the museum,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Vote!¡± Veronica raised her hand. ¡°I choose burgers!¡±


    ¡°Fish and chips,¡± Tessa sighed.


    The Cruces siblings turned to their mother.


    Megan raised her left hand. ¡°Fish and chips.¡± She then deliberately raised her right hand. ¡°Then burgers.¡±


    ¡°Yay!¡± Veronica smiled.


    Tessa merely rolled her eyes.


    Megan was as happy as she had been in a long time.


    That lasted up until they left the fish and chips place and were halfway to the burger place.


    That was when the screaming began.


    The river roiled as dozens of fishmen emerged and charged up the bank.


    There were a lot of people enjoying the riverfront since it was a nice day. There were only a few dedicated guards.


    It was a massacre.


    The guards fought with magic and Skills.


    The fishmen were too strong and plentiful.


    The guards died quickly.


    Some of the regular people had their own Skills and magic. They fought back. The men were killed, while the women were¡ª.


    ¡°Mom, what¡¯re the fishmen doing?¡± Veronica¡¯s voice was small.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, hon. Just stay behind me,¡± Megan said.


    Tessa narrowed her eyes. The fishmen were slapping some kind of jellyfish-looking thing over the womens¡¯ faces and carrying them back to the river. ¡°They¡¯re only taking the women.¡± She pulled out a bolt from the pouch at her belt. She pointed it at a fishman, but there were too many people running in her direction. She cursed. ¡°I can¡¯t get a clear shot. I¡¯m going on the roof. Vee, get mom back to Aunt Nila in the museum.¡± She ran to the nearby building and jumped up with ease.


    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°Tessa, get back here!¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, mom.¡±


    Veronica tugged on Megan¡¯s arm. She tried to resist, but her daughter had super strength. Slowly, but surely Veronica pulled her toward the museum.


    Tessa spared them a glance. They were moving too slow. The crowd was already overtaking them, which meant that the fishmen would be on them soon. She was young, but she wasn¡¯t naive. She knew that they were taking the women for a reason and it definitely wasn¡¯t a good one.


    ¡°Screw you, fishy bastards!¡± Tessa yelled.


    Several looked up at her and gave her good targets.


    Tessa magnetically accelerated the bolt from her hand at several times the speed of sound. A fishman¡¯s head exploded along with the loud boom that made everyone flinch.


    Tessa dealt two-fisted death. Nuts and bolts went flying from each hand. The fishmen¡¯s tough scales were paper to her power.


    The difficult and constant practices with her dad paid off.


    ¡°Oh sh¡ª!¡±


    Tessa rolled back as bone-like javelins barely missed her. She was pressed flat on the roof out of sight, so she took the moment to take assess the situation. To her left she saw the mass of people running away. To the right she saw groups of fishmen running toward the river with their captives. The rest of them were out of view down on the street. Whether they were looking for more victims or she had successfully drawn their attention remained to be seen.


    Tessa wished that she hadn¡¯t left her kanabo in the car. All she had was a pouch of nuts, bolts and ball bearings. Stupid mom not letting her bring a weapon. She even had to leave her knife.


    Tessa watched a group of fishmen stab fleeing people with their bone spears and tooth swords. She partially rose to take aim before she was forced to drop back down to avoid the javelins. She was pinned down while a group of fishmen caught up to her mother and sister.


    A fishman threw a javelin at Megan.


    Superhuman Veronica pulled her mother back and slapped the javelin aside.


    The fishmen gaped in shock. That was unexpected.


    ¡°You stupid fish faces!¡± Veronica growled. She pointed a finger gun at them. ¡°Bye, brains!¡±


    The five fishmen stood too close together. It made it easy for Veronica to hit them all with a brain-scrambling electronic pulse.


    Veronica pulled out a small knife from somewhere.


    ¡°Vee!¡± Megan shouted. ¡°I said no weapons.¡±


    ¡°But mom,¡± Veronica whined, ¡°they¡¯re evil and I have to kill them or they¡¯ll hurt more people.¡± She pointed the knife at the fishmen, who spasmed on the ground like flopping fish.


    Megan was horrified at the words coming out of her daughter¡¯s mouth. She didn¡¯t know what to say.


    The sound of broken glass saved her, as something came flying out of the museum¡¯s window.


    <hr>


    Nila¡¯s first thought when she heard the screams was her weapons and armor in the car. She ran for the stairs only to run into two fishmen.


    It was a question as to which party was more surprised.


    One of the fishmen reacted first. It reached out and tried to grab Nila.


    She swatted its hands aside and kicked it under the chin.


    The fishman went flying back down the stairs. The second fishman ducked under and charged up the stairs to hit Nila right in the stomach in a perfect tackle.


    Nila ended up on her back with the fishman straddling her with its full weight. It was a lot heavier than it looked. Her eyes widened as the fishman pulled out a jellyfish and pressed it toward her face.


    Nila grabbed its wrist to stop it.


    The two struggled. Neither could gain an advantage.


    The fishman tried to add its free hand to the contest.


    Nila grabbed it before it could. She shifted her grip to dig her fingers into the webbing between its fingers.


    The fishman let out a high-pitched screech.


    Nila winced, but it worked. The fishman was distracted. She bucked it off and rolled it over so that she was on top. She didn¡¯t waste any time. She dug her fingers into the fishman¡¯s gills on both sides of its head and neck. She viciously tore out chunks.


    The fishman gaped and thrashed. Its eyes wide with fear.


    It surprised Nila that she recognized it. It was a very human look. It was easier to think of it as a monster, but evidence pointed to sapience. She didn¡¯t know how to feel about that.


    The thought hit her hard, but not as hard as the blow to the back of her head from the remaining fishman.


    Nila pitched forward, but the fishman grabbed her.


    Its cold, scaly arm wrapped tightly under her chin and squeezed.


    Nila choked.


    The fishman¡¯s other arm tried to press the jellyfish to her face. She grabbed its arm and kept it away by bare inches.


    They were really insistent on getting that thing on her face. Nila wasn¡¯t going to let that happen. She was a fighter, a warrior. She had spent years fighting and killing monsters. She trained with superhumans and people with Skills and magic. She wasn¡¯t going to let herself fall to a bunch of stinky fishmen. She still had too many things to look forward to.


    Nila¡¯s vision started to go black. She grabbed the jellyfish thing with her free hand. She fully expected to feel stinging pain, but was pleasantly surprised when it only felt slimy and cool to the touch. She tore it free from the fishman¡¯s hand.


    The move surprised it.


    Nila felt its choke hold loosen a fraction. She pulled her head forward then slammed it back hard.


    The fishman relinquished its grip as it staggered on wobbly legs.


    Nila stepped in and dug a pair of hooks into its sides.


    The fishman reacted with pain.


    Nila pulled down on the back of its neck and kneed it in the face. Its sharp teeth cut through her pants and into her skin, judging by the stinging pain.


    Nila kept her grip on the fishman, spun it around and sent it flying out the window. She quickly grabbed the dead fishman¡¯s tooth sword. She took a deep breath and jumped out of the broken window.


    Nila bent her knees as she landed to absorb the three story fall.


    The fishman hadn¡¯t had the same opportunity. Its legs were broken.


    Nila walked up to it and stabbed it in the throat. Not much difference between killing one and killing two. From the looks of it she was going to add to that number. There were fishmen all over Old Town. Dozens of dead human bodies were everywhere. A glance further down the street saw fishmen carrying people with jellyfish things over their face to the river.


    Veronica had a knife in her hand and was arguing with Megan.


    Nila guessed what it was about when she noticed the handful of fishmen flopping around in front of the Cruces. She strode over without slowing. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of them.¡± She stabbed each of the fishmen.


    Veronica was chagrined. Megan looked grateful, then ashamed.


    ¡°You guys take cover in one of the buildings, but be careful. There might be more fishmen,¡± Nila said.


    She didn¡¯t wait for a response. She didn¡¯t have her shield, so she hoisted up one of the dead fishmen and held it in front of her as she sprinted toward the large group of fishmen that had pinned Tessa on top of the ticket station.


    Bone javelins struck the fishman corpse and skipped of the ground near her feet. Fortunately she was a small woman and the corpse was big enough to shield most of her.


    Tessa took advantage of the distraction and showered the fishmen with ball bearings at faster than bullet speeds.


    ¡°Get back with your mom and sister!¡±


    Tessa looked like she was going to argue, but the glare Nila shot her way was enough for the teen to jump off the roof and head back toward the museum.


    Nila plowed into the group of fishmen. Truth be told Tessa had already done much of the crucial work. It¡¯s like they were hit with the world¡¯s most powerful shotgun. They were riddled with ball bearings. Some were already dead. As for the rest, they were too injured to put up much of a fight.


    Nila sent them to join the rest of the their kind in death.


    ¡°Nila!¡±


    Megan¡¯s voice.


    Nila spun around.


    There were more fishmen climbing out of the river close to the museum. They were already near the train tracks about fifty yards or so away from where Megan and Veronica were taking shelter along with a few dozen people.


    Tessa was nowhere in sight and Nila was too far away to do anything.


    Veronica stepped in front of her mother and the other people. To everyone¡¯s horror she sprinted right for the charging fishmen.


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    ¡°Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326, my team is ready to perform the operation. We only need our forces to perform an offensive feint to draw the bulk of the enemy army away from their forward base,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°The 3rd Legion as they call themselves.¡± The senior commander studied the holographic projections occupying the space in the center of the command center¡¯s main briefing room. ¡°And this feint, an attack that appears to be committed, but is not truly. It will be difficult for the soldiers to withdraw if the enemy reaches close combat range. The cragants are deceptively fast for their size. We will suffer loses.¡±


    ¡°As I have included in projections.¡±


    ¡°I am concerned with a specific aspect of your plan.¡±


    ¡°Please specify.¡±


    ¡°You include yourself in the direct assault on their command staff. A commander does not put themselves in direct combat.¡±


    ¡°As I have outlined. My trueskin¡¯s abilities will be critical in increasing the probability of a successful operation.¡± Caretaker had expected the query.


    ¡°I was unable to find flaw with your assessment. Conceded.¡±


    ¡°To your initial concern in regards to loses. The majority of my team will be with your forces.¡± Caretaker didn¡¯t like it, but their teammates had agreed. They were willing to use their presence to sway the senior commander toward acceptance. ¡°They will mitigate the number of casualties.¡±


    ¡°I note that you are only 73.19 percent certain that this operation will produce the desired results.¡± Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326 didn¡¯t give any indications on whether they were going to accept or reject Caretaker¡¯s plan.


    ¡°My plan serves multiple purposes. Not the least of which is as a test for the future operation targeting the hierophant. I intend to gather data whether we succeed or not that will be put to use,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°A successful strike will throw the legion protecting the enemy¡¯s northern sector into disarray. It will open an avenue for strikes into the hierophant¡¯s sector. Even an unsuccessful strike will force the other legions to tighten up their defenses, which will give us time and space to reclaim more fabrication facilities and to produce more combat drones.¡± They decided that if the senior commander requested a percentage they would give them the highest number out of all the projections.


    Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326 studied Caretaker¡¯s plans for the next thirty-three minutes and thirteen seconds in complete silence. Caretaker stood still the entire time. They barely even blinked. Until finally the senior commander waved away the holographic projections.


    ¡°I grant my approval for your plan. We will commence on your word.¡±


    ¡°I request one day to make final preparations,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Granted. You are dismissed.¡±


    Caretaker saluted and departed the command center. They had actually convinced the senior commander. They had only given themselves a less than forty percent chance of success. It boded well for the actual operation. For the odds of total success weren¡¯t high.


    Caretaker brought the entire team together back at their segregated, smaller base within the larger Threnosh base.


    ¡°The operation has received the senior commander¡¯s approval. I have already synchronized the countdown in all of your internal timers. Shira is in position for their role. Volkharion, you may deploy your drones to the locations we have selected. As for the rest of you. You are released from all other duties. Take your final preparations. See to your equipment. Ensure that your trueskins will be at their best. You all know how important this task is to our future goals.¡±


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    ¡°You recall the rules of this?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, no telepathy, just telekinesis,¡± Cal frowned.


    His brother¡¯s voice was robotic. Remy was looking directly at him with unblinking eyes. It was as if his presence wasn¡¯t being acknowledged.


    ¡°Then we shall begin.¡± Remy swept his arm toward Cal.


    Cal heard them before he saw them. Tiny metal shards that buzzed like flying insects and reflected the harsh white glare of the lights above the combat arena. The mass was shaped like a spear as it shot straight at him. He created a telekinetic shield in front of him at the speed of thought.


    The shards splattered against the invisible shield with a wet-sounding impact.


    ¡°Jeez, man! Are you forgetting that this is just practice?¡±


    Remy ignored Cal. His brother raised his other hand. Another mass of buzzing shards flew forth. This time it snaked out wide to the left.


    Cal lazily raised another shield.


    The mass stopped and split at the last moment. Only a handful of the tiny shards hit the shield.


    Cal blinked. For a moment they reminded him of bugs hitting a windshield.


    The distraction was costly.


    The split mass had gone around the shield on the left and the right.


    Cal¡¯s ears were assaulted by the angry buzz as the shards struck and stung his unclothed upper body over a hundred times in seconds.


    He waved his arms around him wildly in an attempt to ward of the cloud that had engulfed him. The pain was more surprising than anything else. As was discovering that he was shirtless. That didn¡¯t seem right.


    He glance at his brother.


    Remy hadn¡¯t moved from his spot at the other end of the arena. Cal saw more tiny shards emerging out of his brother¡¯s skin to join the growing cloud that was beginning to obscure him from sight.


    ¡°What the hell?¡±


    That was definitely not right.


    Cal grasped at the thread and tried to pull, but it slipped out his reach as a soft humming song enfolded him. He tried to shake the music from his head. The stinging shards were momentarily forgotten.


    The more he pushed back the stronger the resistance. He found it easier to just go along with it.


    Your opponent is in front of you.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Words in his head. No. That wasn¡¯t quite right.


    Cal couldn¡¯t see Remy through the cloud and the voice had seemed to come from all around him.


    The harsh glare of the white lights on the arena ceiling hurt his eyes even more than the buzzing shards seeking purchase. Cal swatted a hand across his face for a momentary respite, which he followed by releasing a burst of telekinetic force in all directions.


    He shook the confusion he felt. He was done messing around. He had an opponent to defeat and his brother was being a dick by going serious. He¡¯d have to teach Remy a little lesson.


    The music in his head hit a triumphant sounding note. Cal didn¡¯t register it. He was too busy on the attack.


    Cal ran right into the thickest part of the buzzing cloud. The sound filled his ears as his exposed skin was bit and stung. He pushed out another burst of telekinesis in all directions to give himself a respite.


    The cloud reformed around him in a second. He pushed it away again.


    He had lost sight of his brother, so he aimed for where the cloud of metal looked the most densely packed. It would¡¯ve simplified things if he had used his telepathy to locate his brother, but he had agreed to refrain for the exercise.


    He figured that he was on the right track considering the haste at which the densest part of the metal cloud was slowly moving away from him.


    He wondered if maintaining control of so many tiny metallic particles was taxing on Remy. His brother should¡¯ve been capable of moving much faster.


    Cal decided he¡¯d just ask after he woke his brother up.


    He closed on Remy and sent out a battering ram of telekinetic force into the thickest part of the metal cloud. It blew everything away like a big rig plowing into a swarm of gnats.


    Cal sprinted into the space he had created.


    Remy was revealed as he staggered back from the invisible force.


    Cal rammed his shoulder right into his brother¡¯s chest and sent him tumbling across the arena floor¡¯s cold metallic surface.


    ¡°Boom goes the dynamite!¡± Cal crowed. Then he noticed his brother¡¯s broken and bloody body. ¡°What? I didn¡¯t mean¡ª You should¡¯ve been able to handle that.¡±


    Remy¡¯s limbs were bent in the wrong directions. Purplish blood leaked from his mouth and the many holes along his bare arms and legs. Metal shards caught the light as they hovered around him like flies on a dying animal.


    ¡°Wait¡­ purple?¡±


    The image flickered in Cal¡¯s vision.


    His brother one moment. Then something else the next.


    Before Cal could latch on to it a harsh, broken instrument sound brought him to his knees in pain.


    The last thing he felt was many hands lifting him up and carry him away.


    Back to oblivion he went.

 3.29

    Now, Threnosh World


    Explosions lit up the dark night.


    Aerial drones dropped bombs across the entire front lines of the 3rd Legion. They were followed by tracked drones spitting projectiles at the cragant forces thrown into disarray.


    The Threnosh soldiers followed after. Their recoilless rifles and miniguns spat out projectiles.


    The cragants were caught off guard. The Threnosh had ever only fought defensive battles. They had never gone on the offensive, outside of the handful of unique ones.


    Perhaps the 3rd Legion could¡¯ve staved off disaster by requesting reinforcements from the other legions. They didn¡¯t do this. Pride prevented it. The cragants wouldn¡¯t admit to requiring aide in battle against tiny and weak beings.


    A mistake.


    Primal blew a hole in the cragant¡¯s shield wall with a supersonic arrow. ¡°The way is clear.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Caretaker and Tynk clung to Resplendent Zabriium¡¯s back as they thundered through the opening. Silver Wolf loped behind them in their four-legged canine form, while Whoosh zoomed ahead with a burst of speed from their pulsing jets.


    ¡°Clearing the route,¡± Whoosh said into the comms.


    ¡°Moderate your speed. Timing is crucial,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Caretaker heard the impatience in Whoosh¡¯s tone. They switched the channel directly to Resplendent Zabriium. ¡°Increase speed by twenty percent.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged. Hold on tighter,¡± Resplendent Zabriium said.


    Even though Caretaker and Tynk did so the surge of speed threatened to throw them off.


    A cragant came rushing at them from the front with a thrusting spear.


    Resplendent Zabriium parried it with their poleaxe and cut a line across the giant humanoid¡¯s hamstring as they galloped past, all without slowing down. They delivered a kick to the back of the cragant¡¯s helmet with their hind legs as they left it behind.


    Caretaker monitored communications. They were keyed into both their team¡¯s channel and the greater channel covering the entire Threnosh force. They devoted most of their attention to this. They trusted Resplendent Zabriium to get them where they needed to be without micromanagement.


    ¡°Next coordinates,¡± Primal said.


    Volkharion switched their view to the insectile drones they had already deployed to the next set of targets. They checked the data twice before sending them to Primal.


    Three seconds passed then there was a bright flash of light. The feed from Volkharion¡¯s drones went dark. They were off-line. They were dead. Consumed in the explosion of Primal¡¯s arrow along with the cragant guard post.


    ¡°Good shot,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°We are clear.¡±


    Volkharion was both pleased and displeased. The successfully completed task didn¡¯t need explanation. The loss of their drones upset them in a way that they struggled to quantify.


    ¡°Next,¡± Primal said.


    Volkharion focused on their task and switched their view to the next set of drones.


    Caretaker watched the sleek, silvery arrow descending from the dark sky like a meteorite. Their predictive algorithm allowed them to slow it down in their view. They took a moment to appreciate it before they looked away as the explosion lit up the darkness with a bloom of orange-yellow light.


    ¡°Another guard post is down,¡± Tynk said.


    ¡°This is not as difficult as expected,¡± Resplendent Zabriium said.


    ¡°Our difficulties have yet to begin,¡± Caretaker said. They switched their face-plate overlay to the overhead tactical map. It was a prescient move. Only they could¡¯ve detected the looming problem to the southern edge of the Threnosh battle line. They assessed which T-Men were capable of intervention in a split-second as well as the optimal approach. ¡°Blueballs, require interdiction of enemy advance at these coordinates,¡± they sent them with a thought, ¡°Dralig, Malendrax head to the same coordinates. You will need to hold the enemy back until the area is reinforced.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± the three replied in unison.


    They didn¡¯t question the order even if they didn¡¯t see any problems when they checked the tactical map.


    Caretaker sent the same message to Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326. They hoped that the senior commander heeded the warning. Otherwise their teammates would find themselves outnumbered.


    ¡°Adjudicator, join your teammates.¡± Caretaker sent the same coordinates. They wouldn¡¯t make the mistake of trusting the command staff. They kept a close watch on the developments even if they had already done all that they could.


    Blueballs hitched a ride on a tracked automated turret drone. It got them to the coordinates Caretaker ordered quicker than running. They regretted the mistake as soon as they saw what faced them.


    A large force of cragants had smashed the drones and soldiers and were poised to run up the rear of the entire Threnosh battle line.


    ¡°Time to reinforcement?¡± Blueballs said into the comms.


    ¡°Irrelevant. You are all that is required to slow the enemy,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Blueballs sighed.


    They hopped off the drone and ran behind some structures. They stuck close to the walls. The cragants were huge and had proven capable of seeing down over the roofs of the single level structures. They saw that the bulk of the giant humanoids were going split their line to pass a larger, three level structure.


    Blueballs sprinted for the structure. The doors slid open and they dashed inside. An overlay of the interior projected onto their face-plate. They ran into the darkness to the west side. A window opened at their touch and they quickly sprayed dozens of small blue balls down to the street. They filled up the ground next to the structure and as far as their maximum range allowed. They then sprinted to the east side and did the same.


    Blueballs exited the structure and ran back toward their own lines. They heard confused curses coming from the cragants. Their plan worked, so far.


    ¡°Blueballs, we are approaching the area. Status report,¡± Dralig said into the comms.


    ¡°I have slowed the majority of the enemy,¡± Blueballs said.


    ¡°Remain on site to provide support for Malendrax and myself,¡± Dralig said.


    Blueballs sighed. ¡°Acknowledged.¡± They scanned the area for a good spot to stay out of the way, while still being close enough to shoot.


    Dralig and Malendrax ran by Blueballs a few minutes later. The former carried two miniguns in their four hands, while the latter held two hard containers in each over-sized fist.


    ¡°Here,¡± Malendrax thrust one of the containers to Blueballs. ¡°Grenades.¡±


    ¡°Follow us,¡± Dralig said.


    They circled to the west of the cragants, who were vainly trying to pull their boots free off Blueballs¡¯ sticky balls. Some had the brilliant idea of removing their boots. Unfortunately they hadn¡¯t noticed that the balls covered a large swath of ground. Those were now stuck by their socks. None dared risk their bare feet.


    ¡°We will move from east to west on my pace. I will fire projectiles then you will throw grenades. Attempt to spread out the damage. Our main objective is to create maximum casualties in order to halt the enemy assault. Failing that, we injure as much as possible to aid the eventual regular Threnosh reinforcements, if, when they arrive,¡± Dralig said.


    Dralig sprayed projectiles from dual miniguns at the vulnerable backs of the cragants.


    The giant humanoids were stuck to the street. They couldn¡¯t turn around to defend themselves. Hundreds of projectiles ripped into the backs of their legs.


    Dralig aimed with purpose. The thick, steel armor that protected their entire torsos didn¡¯t extend down past their waists. The cragants¡¯ clothing was thick and tough, but not strong enough to withstand concentrated fire.


    Dralig didn¡¯t kill any, but they took away their ability to move.


    Some cragants threw their shields behind them to protect their legs. These were singled out by Malendrax¡¯s and Blueballs¡¯ grenades.


    The three moved quickly along the cragant line. They neared the end when a loud, deep note sounded across the night sky.


    ¡°Enemy reinforcements are less than two minutes from your position,¡± Caretaker said into the comms. ¡°Adjudicator is four minutes away. Threnosh soldiers are two minutes away.¡±


    Dralig switched their view to the overhead tactical map.


    A large cragant force approached at a run from the south.


    ¡°These do not appear to be from the same legion,¡± Dralig said.


    ¡°Flag markings indicate 1st Legion,¡± Caretaker said.


    The particular legion had experienced the most losses from their numerous engagements and were now mainly used to protect the inner layers of the cragant territory and provide emergency reinforcements.


    ¡°The enemy is not responding as you projected,¡± Dralig said.


    ¡°Accurate statement. You must hold that position,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°How long?¡±


    ¡°A minimum of fifteen minutes.¡±


    ¡°I request fire support from Primal.¡±


    ¡°Ten minutes at the earliest,¡± Caretaker said without hesitation.


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Dralig said. ¡°Succeed in the Task.¡±


    ¡°Thank you and I state the same to you.¡±


    A loud chime sounded in the trio¡¯s ears.


    Task Received.


    Defend your position.


    Success Parameters: Hold your position for at least 15:00 minutes.


    Failure Parameter: Retreat before the required time or allow the enemy to overrun your position.


    Reward: 20000 Universal Points.


    Will you accept?


    ¡°Caretaker gave the orders¡­ yet the spires¡¯ system presents us with a choice,¡± Malendrax said.


    ¡°Does that mean it is not required?¡± Blueballs ventured.


    ¡°No,¡± Dralig said flatly. ¡°Your concern is irrelevant. Judging by the reward this will not be a difficult Task.¡±


    ¡°Yes, only forty percent of the standard boss and secret boss battle,¡± Malendrax said. ¡°Although, we have been warned of overconfidence in the past.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Dralig said. ¡°Let us prepare our defenses. Blueballs,¡± they pointed down the streets of the cragants¡¯ approach, ¡°do you have enough reserves to cover six streets with your sticky substance?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Do it. Then take shelter in the three-level structure. We will use that as our fortification.¡± Dralig cast their miniguns to the ground. They were out of ammunition. They drew their spire-made rectangular shield from their back and their spire-made short, stabbing blade from its sheath at their side. ¡°Malendrax and I will proceed with strike and evade tactics.¡±


    The cragants charged right into Blueballs¡¯ stick traps. The Threnosh had been low on ammunition, so the ground they were able to cover was relatively narrow.


    The first cragants to step on the blue balls found themselves unable to take another step. Their immense strength was useless against the adhesive balls. The metallic street bulged and warped as the cragants pulled their legs with all their might, but ultimately they held.


    Cragants pushed one unlucky trapped cragant to the ground and used him as a platform to walk on. Other cragants tried to walk on top of the single level structures, but their immense weight was too much for the thin, metallic roofs. Their feet bent the metal and pushed right through.


    Dralig met the first cragant to cross past Blueball¡¯s traps.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    The giant humanoid thrust down with its spear.


    Dralig deflected it to the side with their shield. They were physically stronger than the individual cragant by a significant degree.


    The four-armed Threnosh charged.


    An enormous shield barred their path.


    Dralig slammed into it and pushed.


    The cragant was stunned by the overwhelming strength displayed by such a smaller being. It was unbelievable. The giant humanoid toppled over.


    Dralig stabbed their sword to the hilt into the bottom of the cragant¡¯s boot. They switched the grip to the upper hand and ran it up as high as they could.


    The cragant let out a deep, pained cry.


    Dralig jumped back to avoid the spear thrust from the next cragant. Their power armor¡¯s artificial musculature provide the explosive strength for a leap to carry them all the way up to the giant humanoids face.


    The cragant tried to scramble back, but the street was narrow and the other cragants behind him formed an effective wall.


    Dralig used their two lower hands to grab the cragant¡¯s helmet. They stabbed their sword through the gaping eye slits, deep into the giant humanoid¡¯s eye.


    The Threnosh dropped to the street and searched for another area to create chaos and confusion. Malendrax had gone for the rightmost line of enemy advance. So, Dralig decided to go to the leftmost line.


    Malendrax waited inside a small single level structure, a multi-room rest building. They lacked the overwhelming physical strength that Dralig had, which was only next to Primal¡¯s out of the entire team. They would rely on their quickness and smaller size to do damage with their impact fist gauntlets.


    The cragants, minus the ones stuck by Blueballs¡¯ trap, charged across the streets. They reminded Malendrax of a herd of Organism 4738 pounding their hooves across the open plains. The entire structure shook around them.


    Malendrax burst out of the building door somewhere in the middle of the stampede. Their power armor resembled a brutish ancestor species of the modern Threnosh. They were short and bulky, muscular. They punched their impact fists into cragant knees.


    They hit with the power of an explosion. Even a cragant¡¯s robust build was no match for them. They broke bones and dislocated knee caps. They tore ligaments and cartilage.


    The cragants toppled to the ground with surprised shouts of pain around Malendrax like falling trees. They avoided them with quickness and luck. Until they didn¡¯t.


    One flailing cragant got lucky and struck Malendrax across the chest, which sent them flying into the side of a structure as if they were launched from a catapult.


    Malendrax was a crumpled mess. Their power armor and their biological body inside where crushed and broken. Their power armor¡¯s special ability went to work immediately. Organs mended and bones knit back into their proper form. The armor¡¯s internal working repaired themselves. The metallic surface followed suit. In front of the stunned cragant the armor uncrumpled until it appeared undamaged.


    Malendrax stomped up to the prone cragant.


    The giant humanoid thrust its spear out, but Malendrax met the tip with a punch that blunted it and shattered the shaft.


    Malendrax walked right up to the cragant¡¯s head and proceeded to smash into its steel helmet with impact fist punches that crushed the thick metal and the skull beneath.


    The Threnosh left the giant humanoid¡¯s head a crushed mess that leaked red fluid in a wide puddle on the once-pristine, silvery streets.


    Dralig kept one eye on the overhead tactical view while he fought among the trees. Their power armor¡¯s outer plating had taken some dents from the cragants¡¯ weapons. Their spire-made shield and sword were made of sterner material and showed now degradation despite heavy use over the last several minutes.


    They noted that the cragant¡¯s reinforcements were greater than initially thought.


    Blueballs fired from the three level structure along with the Threnosh soldiers that had finally arrived. According to the timer, Adjudicator was approximately one minute away.


    Dralig realized that both they and Malendrax were at risk of being overwhelmed by numbers. They were running out of space on the narrow streets. The giant humanoids had a way of restricting the amount of space they had to fight. Even the dead and the dying served this purpose for their fellow fighters.


    ¡°Malendrax, fall back to the defensive point,¡± Dralig said as they did so.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    <hr>


    Kynnro kept one eye on the live feeds from all of their teammates.


    Caretaker¡¯s group steadily made their way to the enemy¡¯s forward base camp. They traveled in an indirect route that meant to confuse the enemy until it was too late for them to recall the bulk of their forces currently engaging the Threnosh offensive.


    Kynnro noted Shira¡¯s viewpoint was pitch black. The black-armored Threnosh was motionless on the overhead tactical map. Kynnro wasn¡¯t overly concerned. Shira was at their assigned position, waiting for the exact moment to strike.


    Kynnro regarded the small group of standard Threnosh soldiers sharing the forward defensive outpost to the southwest of the fabrication facility.


    Caretaker had their reasons for keeping Kynnro off the operation. They assumed that their team leader also had a reason for assigning them to this particular post. Whatever those reasons were, Caretaker had not seen fit to specify.


    Kynnro trusted Caretaker¡¯s judgment. They had yet to steer them wrong.


    The squad of soldiers stood with their weapons sighted out into the darkness beyond their fortified position. The enhanced visual modes included in their helmets eliminated the need for light. Their power armors also carried the burden of holding a position for many hours. Their weak and frail biological bodies were cradled in a tight, yet comfortable cocoon.


    Kynnro had a thought. They approached the closest soldier.


    ¡°You?¡± Kynnro tapped the soldier on the helmet. ¡°What is your designation?¡±


    ¡°We are not to speak with you.¡±


    ¡°Yes. However, I recall that only applies to noncombat situations.¡±


    ¡°That is correct.¡±


    ¡°This is a combat situation,¡± Kynnro said flatly.


    ¡°Correct.¡±


    ¡°Thus we may speak.¡±


    There was a moment of silence.


    ¡°Designation: Rekkis 3671.¡±


    ¡°Rekkis 3671, I have something for you to try.¡± Kynnro pulled out a small cylindrical container roughly the size of their hand out of an insulated container. There was a hiss of cold air as they opened it. ¡°It is called ice cream.¡± They had lied to Shira. They had kept one last container for themselves. They simply couldn¡¯t resist.


    Kynnro¡¯s face-plate slid up with a thought. They took a spoonful of the cold, creamy, sweetness. They let it melt on their tongue. They savored every bit of flavor before spitting it out over the wall to the street below.


    ¡°Try it.¡± Kynnro thrust the cold container toward Rekkis 3671.


    ¡°Explain.¡± The soldier refused to take it.


    ¡°A creation from Designation: Honor¡¯s world. It has a sweet taste. That combined with the creamy texture and cold temperature is nothing like our standard nutrient liquid.¡±


    The words were without meaning to the soldier as it had been to Kynnro before Honor had explained.


    ¡°The outworld invader? What purpose does this substance serve?¡±


    ¡°None, but pleasure. Take care not to imbibe it. If you do so, you will have¡­ problems,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°I do not understand the word. I decline.¡±


    ¡°This is your one and only opportunity to try something only a small group of Threnosh have before,¡± Kynnro pressed.


    There was silence.


    ¡°Very well.¡± Rekkis 3671 stepped back and rested their recoilless rifle against the wall. They took the cold container from Kynnro. Their translucent face-plate flipped open to reveal a smooth, gray face. Unlike Kynnro¡¯s irregular patchwork of different gray tones.


    Kynnro didn¡¯t miss how Rekkis 3671 avoided looking directly at their uncovered face.


    ¡°Remember. Do not consume the liquid. Spit it out or suffer the consequences,¡¯ Kynnro said.


    ¡°This substance is not liquid.¡± Rekkis 3671 warily took a small spoonful and placed into their lipless mouth.


    Kynnro watched as the soldier¡¯s eyes widened. For some reason that reaction had never failed to bring a slight smile to Kynnro¡¯s mouth. Perhaps they felt a certain sense of stewardship toward the ice cream since they were the first Threnosh willing to try it when Honor had finally pronounced himself satisfied with its creation.


    Rekkis 3671 spat the melted liquid out over the side of the wall as Kynnro had done. ¡°I have no words.¡± They ate a bigger spoonful.


    ¡°Do not eat all of it. You will share with the rest of your squad.¡± Kynnro turned their attention to the rest of the soldiers. ¡°You all have heard my explanation and watched Rekkis 3671¡¯s experience. Raise your hands if you are interested in trying the ice cream.¡±


    Every single soldier gave the affirmative.


    Kynnro smiled wider. They lost the last of their ice cream, but they deemed it worthwhile. Caretaker assigned them to this location for a reason. That didn¡¯t bode well for the soldiers with them.


    Battle was a foregone conclusion as far as Kynnro was concerned. The soldiers were not likely to survive. At least Kynnro was able to share something new and pleasurable with them. For the first time in their existence the Threnosh soldiers had experienced something beyond the normal blandness of their lives.


    The empty ice cream container circulated back to Kynnro. They smiled behind their face-plate. The soldiers appeared to be more animated, excited even.


    An alert chimed in Kynnro¡¯s ear holes.


    ¡°This is surveillance. Enemy force approaching your position. Flags indicate 2nd Legion. Number estimate 2500.¡±


    There it was.


    Kynnro looked at the soldiers for a moment. For once they wished that Caretaker had been mistaken.


    ¡°Prepare to defend your position.¡± Kynnro signaled the pilot of their small aerial transport. ¡°I will attempt to lessen enemy numbers.¡±


    Rekkis 3671 stared at Kynnro.


    ¡°We will hold. May your task be successful.¡±


    The entire squad saluted Kynnro. They returned the salute and strode down the steps.


    ¡°Caretaker, this is Kynnro. Enemy 2nd Legion, approximately half-strength is beginning their assault.¡± They spoke into the comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged. Hold as best as you can, but do not risk incapacitation. Your presence will be required for our ultimate Task,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Maintain silence henceforth. We are approaching the 3rd Legion¡¯s forward base. Critical phase of Task is about to begin.¡±


    Kynnro wanted to argue about the soldiers in the path of the 2nd Legion¡¯s advance, but there was nothing to be done. The Threnosh command staff controlled their fate. If the good of the whole meant their individual sacrifice then that would occur. ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Kynnro boarded the small aerial transport, but kept the side door open as they strapped themselves in.


    ¡°I have already received the flight plan from Designation: Caretaker,¡± the pilot said.


    ¡°Proceed.¡±


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    Three voices yelled for Veronica to stop what she was doing. They didn¡¯t know what she knew. Only she was capable of stopping the enemy and saving all of the people behind her.


    The girl was barely five feet tall, yet she stood tall against the fishmen charge.


    Veronica held her hands out toward the mass. She surged the electromagnetic power within her to heights that she¡¯d only briefly tested before. It strained against her grasp, but she held it tight despite the pain it cost.


    She focused on a stretch of land crossed by train tracks. The fishmen bunched up as they reached the tracks. It was the moment Veronica waited for.


    She loosed the electromagnetic pulse in the midst of the greatest concentration of fishmen.


    There was a flash of florescent light as the pulse ionized the air. The smell of ozone burst forth from the area. The people watching mistook the effect for a lightning strike.


    The majority of the fishmen fell to the ground. Most were still. Their eyes were unblinking and their mouths foamed. Some suffered seizures that saw them breaking their own bones and biting their tongues off.


    ¡°Justice¡­ like¡­ lightning,¡± Veronica panted. Blood flowed from her nose and ears. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head. She collapsed to the ground like a string-less marionette.


    The fishmen on the very edges of Veronica¡¯s electromagnetic pulse were stunned for a moment. They had gone from overwhelming numerical superiority to nearly being wiped out in an instant by the small, fleshy human child.


    They exchanged a look.


    It mattered not. The child was clearly one of the key targets the Deep Azure desired. They moved toward Veronica¡¯s still form.


    She was too far away. Tessa wasn¡¯t going to be able to reach her stupid little sister in time. The creepy fishmen were going to reach her.


    Veronica had taken most of them out, but more came. They were scattered all along the train tracks.


    A sudden thought struck Tessa. There was a train engine on the tracks next to her.


    Tessa rushed behind the engine and pushed with her magnetic acceleration power. She gave it everything she had. The engine was over a hundred tons according to Aunt Nila. She ignored that fact.


    The engine inched forward as Tessa pushed with her power.


    ¡°Need more,¡± Tessa grit her teeth against the strain. Veronica needed her. She gave it one last burst of full power, just like when she was trying to lift her max.


    The fishmen heard a loud scream born of desperation and rage.


    The tracks rattled for a moment as the train engine moved. That only lasted for a moment.


    Tessa¡¯s power sent the hundred ton engine flying. It smeared the dead and dying fishmen along with the uninjured ones across the tracks and ground. It didn¡¯t stop until it hit the railway turntable outside the museum¡¯s roundhouse.


    Tessa winced as the engine demolished the turntable, hit the lip of the saucer-shaped depression in the ground, flipped up and fell through the enormous doors into the museum.


    Aunt Nila was going to be mad about that.


    Tessa looked to her sister and her heart sank. She had missed two fishmen. She could only watch as they neared Veronica while their mother ran toward them.


    They were going to take away her baby. That was the only thought in Megan¡¯s mind. Not the fact that she had no weapon, nor did she have any offensive spells.


    One fishman had already reached Veronica. It reached down with the jelly-fish like thing in its hand. The next moment it was several feet away. It was on the ground with a bone-like javelin sticking out of its side.


    Nila had thrown it from a couple of hundred yards away. She was running at a sprint, but the second fishman would reach Veronica before her.


    Megan was the only hope. She tackled the fishman.


    The fishman was surprised at the frail human. They rolled around in the dirt and gravel.


    Megan had her hands around the fishman¡¯s neck as she tried to attack its gills.


    The fishman punched her in the ribs. The pain was indescribable. She felt her ribs snap.


    Megan muttered a spell to take the pain away and heal the damage, though that would take time. She dug her fingers deeper into the fishman¡¯s gills with a snarl on her face.


    The fishman grew desperate. The human female wasn¡¯t a direct target, not like the strong children and the other strong female that was seconds away.


    The fishman made a calculation. They were supposed to prioritize capture of the females. This one was in the way of the Deep Azure¡¯s commands.


    Megan felt the fishman¡¯s tooth-like dagger tear into her stomach again and again. The light in her eyes dimmed and threatened to go dark, but she kept it on. Her daughter needed her. Except attacking the fishman¡¯s gills wasn¡¯t working. Her mind thought of her husband. They, well he, had discussed that perhaps there was a way to weaponize her healing spells.


    Megan poured all of her remaining mana into a healing spell over the fishman¡¯s gills. At first nothing happened, but then after a few seconds had passed the fishman relinquished its grip on its dagger as its eyes widened in shock.


    It opened its mouth and gaped, almost like a fish out of water. It swatted at Megan¡¯s arms drawing deep cuts with its sharp nails, but she held on.


    The fishman thrashed and finally succeeded in bucking Megan off. She fell to her back too weak to move.


    ¡°Megan!¡± Nila rushed in and stabbed the dying fishman in the heart. ¡°Jesus!¡± She rushed to Megan¡¯s side. ¡°Do you have enough mana to heal your stomach?¡± She placed Megan¡¯s hands over the stab wounds.


    Megan was too weak to speak. She didn¡¯t know if she had enough left, but she complied as best as she could. It was hard to tell if her body was listening to what her brain was telling it to do. She felt her mana drain as the healing spell started its work on her ruined stomach as she lost consciousness.


    ¡°Mom!¡± Tessa rushed over. ¡°Ohmygodohmygodohmygod¡­ what do I do?¡± She turned tear-filled eyes to Nila.


    Nila pulled the first aid kit from her belt pouch and thrust it into Tessa hands. ¡°You remember the training?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Tessa nodded her head fervently.


    ¡°Watch your mother¡¯s stomach wounds. It looks like she got a healing spell going, so that¡¯s good. When it runs out and if it¡¯s still bleeding I need you to put pressure on it.¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t I clean it?¡±


    ¡°Priority is to get the bleeding stopped.¡± Nila checked Veronica¡¯s pulse then examined her eyes. ¡°Your sister looks like she isn¡¯t in any immediate danger. Try to get your mother conscious. She needs to re-cast the healing spell with every bit of mana that regenerates.¡±


    Tessa nodded as she intently watched the wounds on her mother¡¯s stomach. ¡°Wait! Where are you going?¡±


    Nila moved fast. She was already halfway to the side of the museum toward the tracks. ¡°I need to call your father and tell him about what happened.¡± She hoped that the cell phone she left in the car worked. It was about fifty-fifty even with all the effort they put into fixing and maintaining the towers in the area.

 3.30

    Now, Earth


    Remy sprinted faster than a cheetah over neglected farm fields to the south. Nila¡¯s call had been brief. His mind was awash with concern over his wife and children. He had a feeling that Nila had been downplaying Megan¡¯s injuries. He wanted to run straight to them, but cursed responsibility thrust another unfair burden on his shoulders.


    Nila had said that the fishmen had taken at least a few dozen women and girls. They slipped some kind of organic breathing apparatus and took them into the river. It was Nila¡¯s opinion that they were taking them down the river all the way to the bay.


    It was a logical conclusion that Remy had no reason to oppose. The problem was how to stop them and save the people. He only had minutes to decide on a plan. It might¡¯ve been too late already. He had no idea how fast the fishmen could swim. If they were anything like Aquaman then they were long gone. He was hoping that wasn¡¯t the case. Hopefully their human cargo would slow them down.


    Remy¡¯s problem was that there were two, maybe three ways that the fishmen could go. The deep water ship channel was the narrowest water way and it was the closest to his current position. The Sacramento River wound its way south further to the east and even split a couple of times before converging, along with the channel a little north of Rio Vista. The river widened at that point and he had no way of setting up some kind of interdiction.


    He decided to put his hopes on the channel. It was the narrowest by far and he had some ideas on how to block it off. It was also the most direct route. The fishmen would favor the fastest way out to the bay, wouldn¡¯t they?


    Remy¡¯s plan hinged on one thing. He needed ships and boats in the channel. Without them there wasn¡¯t much he was going to be able to do.


    The walkie-talkie at his belt crackled. ¡°Cruces, we¡¯re mobilizing. Let us know where you need us. Use the flares if we lose communications.¡± Officer Lawrence¡¯s voice.


    The watch would come to lend aid, but Remy wasn¡¯t going to count on them. The fishmen were the most dangerous things they had yet to face.


    Remy covered roughly ten miles in less than ten minutes. He reached the channel and saw nothing out of place. The water seemed calm and placid. He spotted several boats and even one large bulk carrier ship scattered over a couple of miles. A stroke of luck. He ran over to a long abandoned truck next to some farmland and ripped its hood off with his magnetic power. He flipped it over and stepped onto the hood.


    Remy took a deep breath. He was about to tax his powers beyond anything he had ever tried before.


    He rose into the sky beneath his metal magic carpet. While he flew toward the channel and the abandoned boats and one ship he created several magnetic fields.


    The water was too calm. He hoped that he wasn¡¯t too late. He wished that he was with his family instead of attempting to save a bunch of people that weren¡¯t his responsibility.


    Remy flew back and forth a couple of hundred feet above the channel as he collected every boat and ship within a mile north and south of his starting point. He peeled their hulls like cans and made a dam at a narrow point. It was a herculean task that had him out of breath. The channel was about thirty feet deep and two hundred feet wide. His metal wall rose about ten feet above the channel¡¯s surface.


    He had found several fishing nets so he created small holes in the wall that led into a net as a trap. It was strange working with things that he couldn¡¯t see beneath the water¡¯s surface. He had to go by the feel of the metal. His active magnetic fields functioned as a sort of radar when it came to metal objects. He knew exactly where they were and if they moved, he¡¯d detect it.


    Fifteen precious minutes passed while Remy worked. He rested the truck hood on top of his thin metal wall and waited. The minutes ticked away and he started to fear that he had been too late or that the fishmen had taken a different route.


    He spotted the churning water several miles up the channel. Superior vision revealed dozens of fishmen swimming just below the water¡¯s surface. They appeared to be carrying people lashed to their backs, like a sack of meat.


    Remy grew angry. He grew angrier when he remembered that his family could¡¯ve suffered the same fate. That his wife was hurt and he had no idea how badly.


    The fatigue of building an impossible structure fell off of Remy¡¯s shoulders. He loosed the chains around his arms and called forth the cloud of metal around him. He lifted up on top of the metal magic carpet and floated forward.


    Oh, he almost forgot. He ignited a flare and sent it up to hang in the sky within its own magnetic field. It¡¯d stay up much longer than normally. The watch wouldn¡¯t miss it.


    <hr>


    ¡°Mother mcfuck this shit!¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Congratulations. That was the dumbest one, yet,¡± Mads said flatly.


    ¡°Quiet,¡± Gene said. ¡°You¡¯re making us look bad,¡± he whispered.


    The watch pulled up as close as they could to the channel. Fortunately there was a dirt road that ran parallel so they were able to get within a couple of hundred yards of the impossible wall sticking several feet out of the waters surface.


    The three trucks kicked up dirt as they braked and people got out.


    ¡°Do you think that wall extends all the way to the bottom?¡± Olo said.


    ¡°It has to right? Otherwise what¡¯s the point,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Alright people let¡¯s¡­¡± Officer Lawrence lost whatever she was about to say as her brain finally processed what she was seeing taking place over the water.


    Remy Cruces floated above the river on what looked like a car hood. Metal debris orbited around him.


    In the water below, fishmen surfaced to hurl javelins, which were blocked by the debris and the whirling chains that spun from the end of his hands.


    ¡°There,¡± Officer Lawrence pointed to the bank.


    ¡°Are the fishmen carrying¡­ people?¡± Keisha said.


    ¡°Priority is to rescue them,¡± Officer Lawrence said.


    The group of fishmen turned south in an attempt to get around Remy¡¯s river wall. Remy sent a large sheet of metal stabbing into the soil in front of them. They turned west, in the direction of the watch.


    ¡°Cruces sent them our way. Stay tight. Tanks in front. Shooters stay with the trucks and wait for my signal.¡± Officer Lawrence moved with the forward group despite the fact that she was armed with an M4 Carbine.


    ¡°Crapcrapcrapcrap,¡± Olo muttered as they ran.


    ¡°C¡¯mon man you¡¯ve got this. All that digging and lifting has upped your strength and stamina. You¡¯re stronger than the first time we fought a fishman. We¡¯re all stronger,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Yeah, but it doesn¡¯t matter if we aren¡¯t strong enough,¡± Bastien said.


    The fishmen saw the watch coming. They turned back to the south. They were only fifty yards away.


    ¡°Magic users, don¡¯t let them get away. Watch the people!¡± Officer Lawrence barked.


    Gene raised his hand and aimed several yards in front of the fishmen. ¡°Fireball!¡±


    A small, burning orb was accompanied by a couple of others as it arced across the air. They exploded in front of the fishmen and showered them with dirt and rocks.


    Officer Lawrence raised a hand and chopped it down toward the fishmen.


    A loud bang dropped the furthest fishman. It lay still with the unconscious person still slung over its back.


    More shots rang out and a couple fishmen dropped.


    Officer Lawrence took a knee and started shooting.


    The fishmen were pinned down so they did the only smart thing they could do. They used their captives as shields.


    ¡°Cease fire!¡± Officer Lawrence barked.


    One fishman made the mistake of peaking an eye out from behind the little girl it was holding up as a shield.


    Bang.


    Its brain exploded out of its ruined eye socket.


    ¡°That was Mads,¡± Johnny nodded smugly.


    ¡°Tanks! Go, get their aggro! Everyone else stay close behind. Work together!¡±


    Gene pounded Olo on the back of his steel plate. ¡°We¡¯re right behind you big guy.¡± He drew his longsword and readied a spell with his free hand.


    Olo screamed when he got in range. ¡°On me!¡±


    The other tanks across the front line did the same with their taunts.


    The closest fishmen dropped their human shields and charged. Some even forgot to draw their weapons.


    Gunshots rang out and a few dropped full of holes. Others merely took a little damage.


    Olo hunkered down behind his large, rectangular shield while he thrust out with his spear.


    ¡°Magic Missile!¡± Gene shot the small, purple orbs from his hand. They burned across the fishman¡¯s face.


    The distraction allowed Olo¡¯s spear to take it in the chest. Scales like armor bent then gave way under the combined force of the fishman¡¯s momentum and Olo¡¯s 50% Enhanced Strength passive.


    ¡°Keep moving!¡± Keisha roared. The big woman struggled as a fishman charged into her shield. Her feet slid across the dirt as it pushed her back. ¡°In The Zone!¡± She halted the slide and thrust aside the fishman with suddenly greater strength on top of her passive. She wielded a two-handed sledgehammer in one hand. The fishman darted with surprising quickness, but she crushed its head with a precise overhead smash.


    Keisha charged into the fishmen. She blocked attacks with her shield and crushed limbs and joints with her hammer. She did everything with amazing quickness, power and precision. Her active skill granted her what every athlete desired. A complete awareness of what was going on around her along with the boost to all of her physical attributes. She had experienced it a few times back in her throwing days, but doing it in battle dwarfed that rush.


    The watch followed in her wake as they scattered the fishmen formation. Her active didn¡¯t last long and they had to take advantage.


    ¡°Bruh, you got to get to her level,¡± Johnny said appreciatively as he tapped Olo.


    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Gene noticed the fishmen to the rear of their group were grabbing the discarded people and trying to escape.


    ¡°Officer Lawrence! They¡¯re trying to get away!¡± Gene called out.


    Officer Lawrence sighted her assault rifle before lowering it. ¡°I don¡¯t have a shot.¡±


    The people were slung over the fishmen¡¯s backs.


    ¡°Rogues! Slow them down!¡±


    ¡°Shit,¡± Johnny snapped. He took a deep breath and disappeared from notice along with the other rogues.


    ¡°Double shit,¡± Bastien said as he pointed to the river.


    More fishmen had emerged and they were headed toward the watch. These weren¡¯t carrying captives. They had their weapons out and their eyes burned with fury.


    Officer Lawrence looked back to the trucks and waved her hand over her head in a circle.


    ¡°Grab who you can! We can¡¯t take that many on!¡±


    Gene¡¯s eyes went to the handful of fishmen running away to the south. They were already a hundred yards away. Johnny and the other rogues were nowhere in sight. Although he supposed that was the point.


    Gene felt a hand roughly push him forward.


    ¡°Standing around gets you killed. Get your head in it!¡± Officer Lawrence snapped.


    Gene blinked and the fishmen pushed through their line.


    Keisha¡¯s active ran out and the sledgehammer suddenly looked heavy in her hand.


    A fishman used its superior strength to slap aside Charlie¡¯s shield and stab him in the side with a tooth-like sword.


    Officer Lawrence hit the fishman with an accurate burst from her assault rifle as she charged. ¡°I need a healer!¡± She dragged a screaming Charlie back.


    ¡°I¡¯m here.¡± Bastien¡¯s voice shook, but he knelt next to Charlie and laid a hand over the stab wound. Bastien whispered a long prayer as a faint glow surrounded his hand.


    Officer Lawrence stood in front of the pair and squeezed off three round bursts at targets of opportunity.


    ¡°Some help!¡± Olo called.


    Gene snapped out of it. His friend and teammate was fending off two fishmen. One with his shield and the other with his spear.


    ¡°Shield Bash!¡±


    Olo caught one fishman by surprise and stunned it


    The second fishman grabbed Olo¡¯s spear and yanked it out of his hands.


    Gene hit the fishman with barrage of magic missiles.


    Olo pulled out his Glock and emptied the magazine into the fishman.


    Gene dashed forward and stabbed his longsword into the stunned fishman. Its scales were like armor and resisted the sword point for a moment. Only for a moment.


    Gene pushed the blade halfway in the fishman, twisted and withdrew out of the fishman¡¯s weak retaliatory sword strike.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to work on your shooting,¡± Gene said.


    The fishman Olo had shot only had three bullet holes in its chest.


    ¡°You wasted fourteen rounds.¡±


    Olo flicked the slide release and holstered his pistol. He had only been assigned one magazine. It seemed for good reason. ¡°Thanks for the help.¡± Olo¡¯s eyes had a glazed look as he went to pick up his spear.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Gene pointed.


    Keisha¡¯s post-skill fatigue had finally caught up to her. A fishman battered her shield and knocked her to the ground. The other tanks drew what aggro they could from the rest of the fishmen.


    Rebekah, Specialist Court, to Gene and the rest of the kids. Stepped up to the fishman about to stab Keisha and blasted it at point-blank range with her shotgun.


    ¡°Grab the people. We are falling back!¡± Officer Lawrence barked.


    The fishmen reinforcements were getting closer. Remy was sending chunks of metal in an attempt to block them. It was slowing, but not stopping them.


    ¡°Mage Shield,¡± Gene said. A translucent, green buckler formed in his free hand. He shook his head. ¡°You know when I bought this spell I pictured something different.¡±


    ¡°You probably need to level it up,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Amber¡¯s shield actually covers her whole body,¡± Gene griped. ¡°Whatever, man, let¡¯s go. We¡¯ve got to help out.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see Johnny.¡±


    ¡°I think that¡¯s the idea,¡± Gene shrugged.


    Tanks and fighters tried to retreat while dragging unconscious women and girls away while Johnny and the rest of the rogues struck at the  escaping fishmen.


    Each fishman was burdened by at least two or more unconscious people they were trying to get to the river channel. Despite their low level superhuman strength the limp dead weight was awkward to carry and slowed them enough for the hidden rogues to catch up.


    Johnny released the breath he had been holding the entire hundred plus yards it took to chase down the fishmen. He had to admit that all that hard labor had paid dividends to his stamina. He appeared right in front of a fishman. It blinked in surprise before Johnny shot it in the face with his Glock.


    The other rogues did much the same. They appeared next to or behind the fishmen and shot, stabbed and sliced until all were dead and dying.


    ¡°Now what?¡± Johnny said as he looked at the unconscious people.


    ¡°I saw Officer Lawrence signaling the trucks. We guard these people until we get picked up.¡±


    Johnny raised a brow at Officer Ron¡¯s words. The man was the senior rogue on the watch even if he had mixed classes with Police Officer. Far be it for him to question the wisdom of having squishy, hit and hide types doing a protection quest. It wasn¡¯t all bad. They were in the clear as far as the fishmen were concerned. The bastards were all over there fighting the others and not in Johnny¡¯s space.


    ¡°Holy shit! Do you guys see that!¡±


    Johnny followed the pointed finger to the channel. Something was swimming just below the water¡¯s surface. It looked big and was moving fast. Headed right for Remy¡¯s wall.


    <hr>


    Remy moved toward the eastern bank of the channel. The watch had shown up on the western side and were taking on the fishmen. He sent a few jagged sheets of metal to slow and herd the fishmen as they tried to get around his wall and back to the water.


    Individual fishmen briefly surfaced to launch javelins at him. The metal objects along with his whirling chains blocked all of those attacks. His main problem was the other half of the fishmen group that made for the eastern side of the channel. If they made it around the wall and back into the channel then they were gone. Along with the poor people they had captured.


    Remy surfed the sky on a metal magic carpet. He sent chains and other metallic debris scything at the fishmen¡¯s legs. He tripped them up. The unconscious people tumbled and flopped across the mud and grass.


    Remy winced. Hopefully they weren¡¯t hurt too badly. Being limp probably helped with that. He hoped.


    The strain of using his powers to such an extent grew. He felt the pressure building within his body. His head felt like it was in a vise.


    A bone-like javelin somehow made it through his cloud of debris and pierced through the bottom of the truck hood right between his legs. It spurred him to hustle.


    He swept over the scattered fishmen and the unconscious people. He created multiple magnetic fields to gather up the objects he had used to trip up the fishmen and sent them to gather the people.


    Remy rose higher in the sky. Over a dozen people trailed him. They were borne aloft on chunks of metal, sheets and a pair of chains.


    He floated back across the channel. He had to get the people to the watch so they could take them to safety.


    The watch was in trouble. They were falling back from the fishmen reinforcements that had surged out of the river. Several watch members were down and some looked dead.


    Remy couldn¡¯t help, not while he was already maintaining several magnetic fields.


    His arrival overhead drew the fishmen¡¯s attention. They threw javelins, which weren¡¯t able to penetrate his cloud.


    The watch surged forward with the distraction. Tanks taunted while the rest attacked with melee weapons and guns. The shooters sniped targets when they could as a couple of watch members where desperately loading unconscious women and girls into the two trucks.


    Remy deposited his precious cargo as gently as he could. He hovered above for a moment.


    ¡°Mads, there aren¡¯t enough trucks for all these people,¡± Remy said. ¡°I thought I saw three earlier?¡±


    Mads¡¯ shotgun barked and several hundred yards away a fishman¡¯s head exploded.


    Remy followed Mads¡¯ sight line.


    ¡°They¡¯re picking up those guys,¡± Mads said.


    Remy saw the third truck in the distance. They too were desperately loading unconscious people. He saw Johnny waving frantically toward him and gesturing at the channel.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Remy whispered.


    There was something big and fast in the water. It was headed straight for the makeshift metal wall. Remy still had a handful of nets below the surface that he needed to pull out. Plus, he was certain that there were more fishmen with captives hiding underwater waiting for an opportunity to keep going.


    Remy zoomed toward the river. He grit his teeth against the pressure around his head and pulled at the nets. He got them out just as the surge of water revealed an enormous, prehistoric-looking monster.


    Plesiosaur? No, mosasaur? It looked pretty close to the one in that movie. Like a huge crocodile with fins. It had a big mouth filled with sword-like teeth and thick armor plate-like ridges all over its dark dorsal surface.


    It crushed Remy¡¯s wall.


    He pulled the nets toward him at great speed. He saw that most of the nets contained a struggling fishman along with an unconscious person. He had no time for mercy or squeamishness. He sent jagged shards of metal into the fishmen before he gently deposited the nets near the trucks.


    His sensitive hearing picked up powerful thwangs from bowstrings. He turned to the sounds and raised his arms to protect his face. He had missed the fishmen riding on the back of the giant monster. They had what resembled enormous crossbows, made out of coral or bone.


    Remy didn¡¯t care. He was preoccupied by the bone-like bolts sticking out of his arms and his stomach. He cursed. He was supposed to be mostly bulletproof. The fishmen¡¯s crossbows had a lot power.


    The fishmen reloaded their weapons, while several others carrying unconscious people on their backs swam around the giant monster toward freedom.


    Remy dropped two large magnetic fields. One directly below over the group of fishmen killing the watch and one right on top of the giant monster¡¯s back.


    He sent the cloud of metal debris around him down to scour the fishmen and give the watch the opportunity to flee. While the jagged sheets of what was once the wall cut into the monster and its riders in a whirlwind.


    Remy ignored the pain and flew after the fishmen and their captives. He was down to a pair of chains and his metal flying carpet.


    The fishmen swam fast. Faster than a human could sprint. There were too many and Remy was flagging. He wasn¡¯t going to be able to catch them all.


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    Kynnro felt the hum from the anti-gravity generator of the small aerial transport. The temperature gauge showed that the temperature three hundred meters up in the night sky was cold. It was strange how her power armor allowed certain physical sensations through, while keeping harmful ones out. They felt the slight vibration along with the wind as it whistled through the open doors, but the near freezing temperature was nothing to them.


    Kynnro checked the tactical map one last time. The first formation of cragant legionnaires neared a trap site.


    ¡°Take us into position,¡± they directed the pilot.


    The transport banked as it descended.


    Kynnro¡¯s body pulled against the restraints. The only thing between them and a long fall were a handful of thin polymer straps. They weren¡¯t concerned. They focused on their task.


    Timing was crucial. The small transport lacked armor and wasn¡¯t capable of withstanding more than a single cragant arrow or bolt. It relied on the darkness and its speed for protection.


    As soon as they swooped down into range Kynnro reestablished their link to the explosive ash canisters they had placed in the area earlier.


    They breathed a sigh of relief. They had done some testing, but they weren¡¯t a hundred percent certain that it was even possible after over a week had passed.


    The cragant¡¯s formation moved into the kill zone.


    None noticed the small Threnosh craft as it hovered less than a hundred meters above and slightly in front of them.


    Kynnro triggered the canisters with a thought.


    Ashen particles billowed out to cover a circular area roughly a hundred meters in diameter.


    Kynnro waited a moment as the cloud spread out to engulf the majority of the cragant formation. The giant humanoids coughed and looked around in confusion as they inhaled the caustic and flammable particles.


    A wrathful red light lanced at the cragants from above.


    The explosion lit up the dark night to reveal the Threnosh transport streaking away into the night sky.


    The cragants didn¡¯t see them. Their eyes burned in the firestorm that clung to them and reached into their very lungs with flaming tendrils.


    The probability of Rekkis 3671 and the other soldiers at the forward outpost surviving the upcoming battle rose with each cragant Kynnro took out of the fight. They desired to kill or incapacitate as much as possible.


    ¡°Head to site four next. Another group will reach it shortly,¡± Kynnro said.


    They had prepared six such ambush sites. They had taken out all ten legionnaires at the first site if the overhead tactical view was accurate. A maximum of sixty cragants was the best case scenario. It was a fraction of the 2500 cragants marching to attack the fabrication facility.


    Kynnro thought of the soldiers once again. They felt a strange feeling. It was a new thing one they didn¡¯t recognize. They wordlessly recorded their sensations into their log. They would need to ask Honor for clarification in the future.

 3.31

    Now, Threnosh World


    ¡°They are pulling the walls apart. How is that possible? I was unaware that was possible.¡± Blueballs¡¯ voice was noticeably higher than usual.


    The Threnosh shot sticky blue balls at each opening the cragants assailing the structure managed to tear apart. It slowed the giant humanoids, but didn¡¯t stop them. It was only a matter of time before they opened up the three level structure like a can.


    ¡°Focus on sealing the gaps,¡± Dralig said. They were out of ideas. Several squads of mixed standard and heavy infantry soldiers had joined them in what was supposed to be a defensive fortification.


    The cragants had other ideas. They battered the thin, but strong metallic walls with heavy weapons and immense strength. They pried apart the small gaps that appeared.


    The close quarters made it difficult for the Threnosh to focus their projectile fire on the cragants¡¯ vulnerable points. Their thick armor, clothing and skin proved nearly impenetrable at that range.


    A large eye appeared at the window next to Dralig. They thrust their blade out, but the cragant moved quickly enough that Dralig only scored a thin line into its thick, steel helmet.


    A loud metallic clang filled the confines of the structure.


    ¡°What was that?¡± Dralig said into the comms.


    ¡°I struck a cragant attempting to gain entrance,¡± Malendrax replied. ¡°Request Blueballs¡¯ presence to seal up the hole.¡±


    Malendrax was on the lowest level. Dralig made a quick calculation. ¡°Blueballs. Proceed to Malendrax¡¯s aid.¡±


    ¡°But I have not finished here.¡±


    ¡°It will have to hold for now. Seal the first level hole and return here immediately.¡±


    ¡°I am running low. Currently drawing on emergency reserves,¡± Blueballs warned.


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Dralig processed their options. They lacked explosives. The soldiers¡¯ standard projectile weapons were minimally effective in the current situation.


    Adjudicator had been waylaid by a small group of cragants that had bypassed the makeshift fortification. They yet fought, but while they did that they were unable to provide reinforcement.


    Dralig came to an undesired conclusion. They switched to a direct channel to Caretaker. ¡°We cannot hold this position.¡±


    ¡°I have sent reinforcements.¡± Caretaker¡¯s voice was strained.


    Dralig frowned. That wasn¡¯t a good sign. They had never known Caretaker to be anything other than calm and controlled.


    ¡°Adjudicator has been delayed,¡± Dralig said.


    ¡°I was not referring to them,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Cease communications until further notice.¡±


    That was¡­ unexpected and unwelcome. The other team was having difficulties of their own.


    ¡°Reinforcements? There is no one left,¡± Dralig said.


    Dralig heard soft soles coming up the steps. They looked to the door and waited for it to slide open. It didn¡¯t. An ethereal-like form passed through the wall. Momentarily translucent, it solidified.


    ¡°Actryarius. You are the reinforcement Caretaker spoke of?¡± Dralig didn¡¯t conceal his displeasure. Actryarius was an effective scout and they had some utility in specific battle situations. This wasn¡¯t one of them.


    Actryarius dropped a medium-sized container at Dralig¡¯s feet.


    ¡°Explosive devices.¡± Dralig didn¡¯t need to inspect the contents. Somehow, Caretaker had arranged for exactly the things and personnel that gave them a chance of fulfilling their Task. ¡°Did you receive the Task to defend this position?¡±


    ¡°Yes. As soon as I received Caretaker¡¯s command.¡± Actryarius hesitated. ¡°I am ready to comply with your commands.¡±


    Dralig allowed themselves a slight smile.


    The battle had turned. They had the advantage now.


    <hr>


    Caretaker aimed where their predictive algorithm indicated. Recoilless rifle projectiles zipped into cragant joints, eyes and mouths. Targeting the giant humanoid¡¯s most vulnerable parts mostly slowed and only occasionally killed.


    Caretaker hit roughly fifty percent on target. They weren¡¯t accustomed to such a low accuracy rate. Resplendent Zabriium¡¯s back wasn¡¯t a stable platform.


    Tynk clung behind Caretaker. They made themselves as small as possible without risking falling off.


    Caretaker viewed the overhead tactical map as they entered an area without any hostiles.


    Whoosh had already hit the front of the 3rd Legion¡¯s forward base and was now moving north. They were going just fast enough to draw a contingent of cragants away.


    The correct move would¡¯ve been to ignore Whoosh and remain on guard. Caretaker¡¯s assessment had proved correct. The cragants, as a whole, valued the act of combat highly. The ones guarding the base were likely envious of their fellows currently fighting the Threnosh soldiers several kilometers away. They were unable to resist attempting to engage Whoosh.


    Silver Wolf was in position. They had taken a direct route and hid within a building just across from the makeshift front barricade at the enemy base¡¯s entrance.


    Shira had been in position since the previous night. Caretaker pinged them and received an immediate reply.


    ¡°Approaching final stretch to enemy base. Do I proceed?¡± Resplendent Zabriium said.


    ¡°The final phase of the operation is a go. Wait for my commands,¡± Caretaker said into the team channel.


    Resplendent Zabriium turned onto the long, straight street leading directly to 3rd Legion base. Their composite hooves thundered across the metallic surface.


    There were only a handful of cragants at the barricade. They raised bows and loosed arrows.


    Caretaker tracked them in an instant. Only one was on target. They knocked it off course with a burst of projectile fire. The rest overshot the Threnosh.


    Resplendent Zabriium galloped too fast for them to target.


    ¡°Silver Wolf you are clear to engage,¡± Caretaker said as they covered half the distance to the base.


    The Threnosh¡¯s power armor was in its four-legged canine form. They emerged out of their hiding place and sprinted across the street. They were low to the ground and the cragants didn¡¯t spot them until it was too late.


    Silver leaped across the last ten meters to the barricade and transformed into their bipedal form. They sliced through the cragants like a blade through flesh. Claws sharper than any steel blade cut through vulnerable areas on the giant humanoids¡¯ bodies. Silver Wolf sliced hamstrings and throats.


    The cragants were taken by complete surprise.


    ¡°Your way is clear,¡± Silver Wolf growled.


    There was no more shield wall to impede Resplendent Zabriium¡¯s charge. The only thing left to bar their way was a makeshift barricade of wood and metal wire.


    Resplendent Zabriium burst right through it in a shower of splinters.


    Caretaker scanned the overhead tactical map. In a second they had determined the number of cragants within and where their presence was densest. They sent those locations to Tynk. ¡°Cover these locations with your dust. Then retreat to point one-five to provide covering fire.¡±


    Tynk¡¯s gossamer wings unfurled and buzzed as their anti-gravity generators hummed to life. They released their tight grip on Resplendent Zabriium¡¯s back and shot up and away.


    ¡°Zabri,¡± Caretaker stowed their recoilless rifle and drew their viral pistol, ¡°stay along the outer edge. Do not cease movement.¡± They tossed a grenade as they passed a small group of cragants. ¡°We need to kill enough of the enemy forces to draw their commander out.¡± They left the explosion behind.


    ¡°There appears to be a large amount of them,¡± Resplendent Zabriium said.


    ¡°One hundred fifteen,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°We do not need to kill all, just enough. The commander will be unable to resist the challenge we present.¡±


    ¡°Caretaker,¡± Whoosh¡¯s voice piped into the comms. ¡°The squad pursuing me has given up and is returning to base.¡±


    There were only ten cragants. A minor concern at this stage.


    ¡°You are clear to engage them,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Whoosh said.


    Caretaker had one eye on the tactical overhead view. ¡°Silver Wolf restrain yourself. Wait for Tynk to complete their task.¡±


    Silver Wolf grunted by way of a reply.


    Tynk fluttered above everyone. The dark night concealed their presence from unaided sight. The darted to the first location that Caretaker had indicated. Sure enough a large group of cragants were in the process of assembling.


    Tynk released the microscopic dust-like particles over the giant humanoids from multiple compartments scattered on their power armor.


    The particles created a soporific effect in biological organisms that inhaled or absorbed them through their skin. Testing on Threnosh had rendered them unconscious, in a deep state of sleep instantaneously from even the smallest exposure. Stronger monsters proved tougher and required more of the particles or were only made drowsy. The cragants great size and strength suggested that the effect on them would be more the latter than the former.


    The cragants sneezed and rubbed their eyes. They shook their heads. Their words were confused.


    Tynk didn¡¯t wait to see the full effects. They fluttered over to the next target zone. Their internal supply of the particles was limited. They needed to carefully control the dispersal to comply with Caretaker¡¯s command.


    A lone cragant thrust a spear at Caretaker.


    Resplendent Zabriium struck it aside with their poleaxe then slashed across the back of the cragant¡¯s legs as they galloped past.


    ¡°Smoothly done,¡± Caretaker said as they shot another cragant through the slits of its helmet.


    The cragant screamed and clawed at its face as the viral load ate away with frightening speed.


    ¡°That is a sickening weapon,¡± Resplendent Zabriium.


    Caretaker didn¡¯t disagree. However, the viral pistol was necessary to achieve their aims. Defeat meant death. Victory was their continued existence.


    They kept an eye on Tynk. ¡°Zabri, head here,¡± Caretaker sent the coordinates to the first group of cragants Tynk had dusted. The giant humanoids had enough time for the soporific effect to begin.


    They moved slower and with noticeably less coordination. Their eyelids were heavy and many yawned visibly as their subleaders struggled to get them into their standard shield line formation. Their spear points drooped, while shields rested on the ground as if their weight was too much to bear for tired arms.


    ¡°Run parallel to their line from right to left. Then swing around and run along the rear of their formation.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Resplendent Zabriium said.


    The sluggish cragants were slow to react.


    Resplendent Zabriium¡¯s four-legged power armor was strong, robust and fast. They plowed right through the spears. Wooden shafts snapped or were torn out of the cragants¡¯ hands. The Threnosh dragged their nearly indestructible pole axe across line to force the giant humanoids¡¯ heads down.


    Caretaker tossed grenades into the center of the square formation as they rode past. Explosions tore the formation apart and injured dozens of cragants. It was unfortunate that they were so strongly built that none died.


    The rear of the formation reacted slowly thanks to Tynk¡¯s soporific particles. Only a few had turned around in time to get their shields ready. These saved themselves from injury. As for the rest. Resplendent Zabriium sliced them with their pole axe as Caretaker tossed more grenades.


    ¡°Move to the next zone.¡± Caretaker watched the command tent from the overhead view. Cragants had gathered around the tent to form a protective perimeter. Tynk had yet to make their way over the tent. There was no sign of the commander. ¡°Silver Wolf you are clear to begin attacking the cragants. Only target individuals and small groups, unless they are under the effects of Tynk¡¯s particles. Strike fast and don¡¯t linger. The kill is not the priority. Injury and chaos is what I want.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Caretaker heard the eagerness in Silver Wolf¡¯s reply. Too much like Shira. They checked Shira¡¯s position on the tactical map. Still exactly where they were supposed to be.


    There were fewer cragants in the next target zone, which likely accounted for the greater effects of Tynk¡¯s particles on display.


    The giant humanoid¡¯s shield line was not a line at all. More like a loose circle. They tried to form up as soon as they noticed Resplendent Zabriium¡¯s approach. They were woefully too slow.


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Caretaker holstered their viral pistol and drew their spire-made sword.


    The Threnosh thundered right into the middle.


    Resplendent Zabriium¡¯s speed combined with their physical attributes won out over the cragants¡¯. The unstoppable force trampled right over the nearly immovable objects.


    Resplendent Zabriium stomped and kicked amidst the cragants while they spun their pole axe over their head.


    Caretaker slashed and stabbed. The unknown material of their blade went right through the cragants¡¯ steel like cloth.


    ¡°Next zone.¡±


    When the pair thundered off half the cragants were maimed and combat ineffective. The other half stared up at the dark sky with unblinking eyes.


    <hr>


    Kynnro had hit all of their target zones. Six times in total. Cragants burned in their explosive, fiery cloud.


    It wasn¡¯t enough.


    The number of enemy they consumed in their flames was a fraction of the force the 2nd Legion had sent to assault the fabrication facility.


    The forward outpost of Kynnro¡¯s ice cream soldiers was already under attack by a portion of the advancing cragant lines while the rest continued forward to attack other outposts.


    ¡°Do they intend to clear all of the soldiers before moving on to the facility?¡± Kynnro had a small hope that the small outpost wasn¡¯t going to be worth the effort to the cragants. ¡°Why? Projectile fire from a squad has proved insignificant to large groups of cragants.¡±


    The small aerial transport hovered in place high over the city, the battlefield.


    The Threnosh soldiers fired at the cragants as the giant humanoids advanced at a steady pace behind their enormous shields. They didn¡¯t bother returning fire with their bows. As soon as they got within close combat the Threnosh soldiers were dead.


    Kynnro was clear. Their orders had instructed them to return to the fabrication facility and aid the defense there.


    ¡°Pilot, fly down to within thirty meters to the rear of the enemy formation, here,¡± Kynnro transmitted where they wanted the pilot to take their craft.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    The transport banked and descended at a speed that sent the wind whipping through the open doors. The darkness and the general chaos of a battlefield masked their approach. The cragants had no idea they were hovering a short distance above and behind.


    Kynnro shot a canister from their gauntlet. It exploded in the middle of the cragant line. Small, reflective particles spread across the area. The red laser lanced out from the emitter on their forehead.


    The laser bounced back and forth the reflective particles creating a web of light that burned everything it touched.


    The cragants halted their advance. The lasers were more a nuisance than a mortal threat. It wasn¡¯t able to penetrate their armor. It barely penetrated their thick clothing. At worst it burned thin lines into their thick skins. They stopped because they had been surprised.


    Kynnro switched to the local channel. ¡°Fall back to the fabrication facility. I have slowed the enemy.¡±


    ¡°Negative. Order is to defend this position.¡±


    Kynnro didn¡¯t recognize the soldier¡¯s voice. They all sounded the same. The thought bothered them.


    ¡°Those orders serve no purpose. Your weapons will be more effective added to the defense of the fabrication facility.¡±


    ¡°We must comply.¡±


    Kynnro grit their teeth.


    Metal tore with a loud screech that drowned out Kynnro¡¯s next words.


    Warning lights flashed and a blaring alarm filled the inside of the transport as Kynnro was thrown against their straps as the transport rocketed higher.


    ¡°Enemy arrow penetrated anti-gravity generator and damaged engine. More incoming.¡±


    The pilot¡¯s voice was calm, emotionless. It was discordant with what Kynnro felt. It was wrong.


    The thin composite metal of the transport wasn¡¯t armored. The arrows pierced through the wings and flaps that controlled its flight. It spun in a circle like a top as the thrusters sputtered and struggled to keep it aloft.


    Kynnro¡¯s vision blackened. The forces inflicted on them overpowered the inherent protection their power armor provided to their frail Threnosh body. Their armor lacked the robustness that was found in some of their teammates. Honor had called them a glass cannon because of it. They had struggled to comprehend the term. Glass was a fragile material. Creating a combustion powered weapon out of it was impossible.


    Kynnro¡¯s thoughts digressed as they lost their grip on consciousness.


    ¡°Descending at unsafe rate. Engaging crash protocols. Prepare for imp¡ª¡±


    A series of explosions shook the entire three level structure.


    Dralig had a moment of respite as the cragants fell back.


    ¡°I have expended my supply of explosive devices,¡± Actryarius said through the comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged. You may retreat to the fall back zone,¡± Dralig said. They turned to Blueballs. ¡°Status report?¡±


    ¡°My reserves are depleted. I can no longer create my blue balls.¡±


    ¡°Actryarius, belay that. Return here. You and Blueballs will withdraw together.¡± Dralig eyes darted to the timer at the bottom of their face-plate. Fifteen minutes to hold the position. ¡°Only halfway to egress.¡±


    ¡°The enemy is falling back.¡± Malendrax had moved to the roof for a better view of the battlefield. Their small size made them a more difficult target for the cragants¡¯ projectile weapons. Their power armor¡¯s ability to repair and heal from fatal damage eliminated further risk. ¡°They appear, however, to be gathering for another attack.¡±


    As Dralig expected Actryarius¡¯ explosive devices only paused the assault. They scanned the tactical view. Adjudicator was still engaged with the cragants that had bypassed their defensive position.


    ¡°Actryarius, Blueballs, take note of the enemy positions on your way back. There will be no reinforcements if you are engaged,¡± Dralig called out to the two as they exited the structure.


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Actryarius said.


    Dralig stepped over a fallen Threnosh heavy soldier. They had taken a spear to the chest. The armor had held against penetration, but was inwardly dented. When the soldier had been pinned to the back wall their fate had been sealed. Their body inside the armor had been crushed.


    Dralig detached the minigun from the soldier¡¯s shoulder. They had to flip the soldier onto their front to detach the ammunition pack.


    ¡°This is to all soldiers inside the structure,¡± Dralig spoke into the local comms. ¡°We must hold this position for,¡± they checked the timer, ¡°seven minutes and three seconds.¡±


    Dralig carried the heavy ammunition pack in their lower left hand, while they held the minigun in their lower right hand. Their shield was already in their upper left hand and their sword was in their upper right. They were ready to face the cragants¡¯ renewed assault.


    ¡°Enemy incoming,¡± Malendrax said into the comms.


    Dralig stood near the largest hole on the second level. They glanced at the half-filled container of explosives near the back wall. A last resort, perhaps.


    Dralig waited until the cragants drew close before they squeezed the minigun¡¯s trigger.


    Hundreds of projectiles plinked against the thick cragant shields.


    There were more of the giant humanoids. Reinforcements had come.


    Dralig emptied the ammunition pack in seconds. The Threnosh soldiers fired with their dwindling ammunition, but it was like spitting into an onrushing tide. The cragants charge was sudden and brutal.


    There were many holes in the structure¡¯s wall. Blueballs¡¯ sticky balls had done what they could to plug them and hold the wall together. It wasn¡¯t enough.


    The small gaps became gaping tears as the cragants shielded each other while they pulled the wall apart with brute strength.


    Dralig stabbed their sword through a gauntleted finger the size of their leg. They were rewarded with a deep bellow of pain as the cragant pulled back.


    A large sword blade thrust toward Dralig. They swatted it aside with their shield. Strength for strength, the four-armed Threnosh was stronger than the giant humanoid.


    The same couldn¡¯t be said for the rest of the Threnosh soldiers. They fired in vain as the cragants slashed and stabbed their blades into the now exposed building interior. Those that died to sword and spear were lucky. Some were pulled out by hands as big as their torsos and torn or crushed.


    Time ran, but not fast enough.


    The defenders¡¯ numbers dwindled with every second that ticked down. Only Dralig and Malendrax found success at forcing the cragants back, if only momentarily. For every one they pushed back another appeared.


    Dralig rushed back and grabbed an explosive from the container Actryarius had left. They fended off the cragants¡¯ huge weapons while their two free hands set the timer.


    They blocked a spear point and parried a blade longer than they were tall. They jumped over a grasping hand and pulled their arm back to throw the explosive.


    A hand struck out of nowhere and closed around the explosive and Dralig¡¯s entire lower right arm.


    Dralig¡¯s eyes widened.


    Their curse was drowned out by the explosion.


    The cragant¡¯s fingers were blown apart. Flesh and bone flattened the immediate area.


    Dralig was blown back against the wall. Their vision flashed white stars. They felt as if their lower right arm had been seared. The pain was indescribable. They could barely see and everything spun.


    Dralig didn¡¯t see the large hands reaching out for them.


    The cragant grabbed their damaged arm in one hand and the rest of their body with the other. They pulled with all their might.


    Dralig resisted for a moment, but they were still addled by the explosion. Their lower right arm was torn from their body.


    Dralig had thought they knew pain. This was exponentially worse than before. They shutdown. They didn¡¯t know it, but their power armor protected them by thrusting them into unconsciousness and locking up tight. The feedback from the damage had threatened to overwhelm their biological system.


    Unfortunately their power armor couldn¡¯t do anything to the cragant that was about to tear the rest of their limbs off.


    A tendril shot out of the destroyed interior wall and wrapped around the cragant¡¯s wrist.


    The cragant tried to pull away, but Adjudicator was braced. Their physical strength proved too much for the cragant. They pulled the cragants arm deeper into the structure, which brought Dralig¡¯s still form away from the other cragants outside.


    Adjudicator plunged their other tendril into the cragant¡¯s eye. They triggered their power armor¡¯s ability and drained the very life force out of the giant humanoid. There was a lot of life in the strong being.


    Adjudicator¡¯s power armor repaired itself as the cragant withered. Ghastly rents and dents in their armor became as new. They strengthened. They pried the cragant¡¯s fingers from around Dralig.


    The cragant gasped and tried to call for help, but it was too late.


    Adjudicator released a husk that toppled to the ground like rotted tree.


    ¡°Malendrax, I have secured Dralig. They appear injured and are catatonic,¡± Adjudicator said into the comms. ¡°This position cannot be held.¡±


    ¡°We only have to hold for two more minutes,¡± Malendrax said.


    ¡°Soldiers are down to twelve percent of initial numbers,¡± Adjudicator said.


    ¡°Are there still explosives?¡±


    Adjudicator located the container, which had miraculously remained untouched amidst the ruins of the second level. ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I have an idea. Withdraw with Dralig and the surviving soldiers. I will comply with Caretaker¡¯s command,¡± Malendrax said.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Adjudicator didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°All soldiers, withdraw,¡± they said into the local channel. They wrapped Dralig up with a tendril and charged through the half-ruined walls to jump out of the structure. The metallic street surface dented around their armored boots. They didn¡¯t look back as they ran with plodding steps away from the three level structure.


    The explosion that erupted from the structure rattled the very air and turned night into day for a moment.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    Remy stared at his sleeping wife and daughter. Megan and Veronica shared a hospital room. The last third of his entire life sat in a chair by the window and glared out into the darkness as if daring it to come in.


    Remy itched under the bandages around his arms. He resisted scratching at the itch underneath the bandages over his stomach. For some reason an itchy sensation accompanied his accelerated healing. He¡¯d take the trade. He had a bunch of what turned out to be some kind of fish spines sticking out of him a few hours ago. If his body was still baseline human then he¡¯d either be dead or in a hospital bed, like¡ª


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t brood,¡± Remy said.


    Tessa¡¯s brow furrowed further. Her grip tightened around the handle of her kanabo.


    ¡°You look like you¡¯re having trouble with a math problem.¡±


    ¡°I hate math.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re in safe zone. You don¡¯t have to be on guard. You need to rest.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t trust the government. They said Old Town was safe,¡± Tessa bared her teeth. ¡°Look what happened to mom and Vee.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll be okay.¡± Remy had to believe. ¡°Your mom saved herself by continuously casting her healing spell on the organ damage before they got her to the hospital. The doctor said that now it¡¯s just a matter of keeping her on antibiotics to fight the infection.¡±


    ¡°Right, that¡¯s why we can¡¯t use anymore healing spells. It¡¯d mess with the bacteria and actually make it worse. I remember what they said. It¡¯s stupid,¡± Tessa snapped. ¡°What¡¯s the point of having healing magic if you can¡¯t use it to fix¡ª¡± She struck the tip of her solid metal club into the tile, cracking it.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t destroy hospital property. They¡¯re being nice enough to help your mother and sister,¡± Remy sighed.


    ¡°So? They owe us. We¡¯re the only reason that those damn fishmen didn¡¯t take all their women and girls, while killing the rest of their useless asses!¡±


    ¡°Tessa,¡± Remy warned.


    ¡°Sorry, dad. It¡¯s just¡ª we did all the work and this is what we got.¡± Tessa jabbed her hand toward Megan and Veronica in their beds.


    ¡°Playing hero is not so fun, huh?¡±


    Tessa frowned. ¡°I guess not.¡±


    ¡°A good lesson to learn. I hope your sister will learn the same.¡±


    Tessa shook her head. ¡°She¡¯s been out this whole time. Didn¡¯t see what happened after¡­ all the dead bodies and the drive to the hospital.¡± She stared at her hand. It was clean, but she still saw the blood. Her mother¡¯s blood on the desperate ride to the hospital with her hands on her mother¡¯s wounds, desperately trying to keep it closed.


    Remy gazed at his youngest daughter¡¯s sleeping form. Like an angel. He created a magnetic field around her head. He detected electromagnetic activity.


    ¡°How¡¯s Vee? I felt you checking again,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure how this works, but I¡¯m pretty sure her brain functions are normal. I got a crash course on how an MRI works and I¡¯m not sure how to translate all of that stuff into how I perceive the fields here,¡± Remy tapped his temple. ¡°At least she isn¡¯t frying my brain like she did the machine. I hope they don¡¯t want me to pay for that.¡±


    Tessa snorted. ¡°What are they going to do? Bill your insurance? You? Money doesn¡¯t work anymore.¡±


    ¡°Universal Points.¡±


    ¡°Still. They can¡¯t make you pay if you don¡¯t want to. You¡¯re like the Death Star and they¡¯re the Ewoks. Besides we saved like over a hundred people and you personally got like thirty people away from those scaly shits.¡±


    ¡°Language,¡± Remy said flatly. He was too tired. ¡°Just because I have power doesn¡¯t mean I can do whatever I want. That makes us the bad guys.¡±


    Tessa shrugged. ¡°Why¡¯d you let the mosasaur get away? You should¡¯ve killed it and all of the fishmen.¡±


    ¡°First of all, not sure if it was that. Secondly, I was running on fumes and it was a lucky thing that the fishmen didn¡¯t know that,¡± Remy said. ¡°The most important thing was to get people back to safety.¡±


    A knock on the door saved Tessa from further lecture.


    Remy answered.


    It was Nila and an angry looking woman that was vaguely familiar.


    ¡°Detective Ordonez, I¡¯ve got some questions for you.¡±


    The woman ignored the daggers in Nila¡¯s glare.


    ¡°I finished with her, so it¡¯s your turn. I¡¯ll keep an eye on them,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Remy said.


    He pulled the door shut after Nila went in.


    ¡°Remy Cruces,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Just a formality. I worked with your brother on the Midtown Mauler case.¡±


    ¡°I remember. How¡¯s the prosthetic?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s almost like my actual leg, so it¡¯s shit, but that¡¯s on me, not on your people.¡±


    ¡°I had nothing to do with it.¡±


    Detective Ordonez shrugged. ¡°Just so you don¡¯t think I appreciate the gesture.¡±


    ¡°Why you? Why send a detective to get my statement? I was going to write one up tonight and send it to your leadership anyways.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll level with you. My bosses were hoping that my previous working relationship with your brother would predispose you to look favorably upon¡­ us.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re scared about these fishpeople¡­ bullshit,¡± Detective Ordonez muttered, ¡°sorry, once I get used to some bullshit another even dumber thing pops up. Bottom line. There¡¯s a lot of concern over the attack and kidnapping of our citizens and you¡¯re our best bet at getting them back.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    The weight on Remy¡¯s shoulders grew heavier.

 3.32

    Now, Threnosh World


    Malendrax set the remainder of the explosives to go off with the barest margin of time for them to escape the doomed structure. They turned to leave just as a cragant reached into the structure and grabbed their body in a crushing grip.


    The Threnosh didn¡¯t waste any time. They punched at the cragant¡¯s gauntlet-covered fingers with their impact fists.


    The booms echoed out of the ruined structure. Yet the cragant held on despite the deep dents Malendrax was driving into its gauntlets.


    The countdown loomed in Malendrax¡¯s faceplate. The numbers ticked down. The beeping lent an urgency to the Threnosh¡¯s rapid-fire strikes.


    Punch after punch landed. The cragant held on somehow.


    Until it suddenly relinquished its hold.


    Malendrax briefly noted the giant broken fingers as the cragant pulled its arm back. They didn¡¯t have time. The numbers were dangerously close to zero. They stumbled towards the rear of the structure. Their legs had been broken and were in the process of healing and repair.


    They weren¡¯t going to make it.


    Malendrax made for an open window. It was their only chance to put as much distance between them and the impending explosion. Each step was steadier than the last as their power armor fixed itself and the limbs within.


    They dived out of the window just as their world suddenly turned bright, thunderous and scorching.


    Malendrax picked themselves out of a ruined structure several hundred meters away. They¡¯re armored body had crushed it like a missile. They warily scanned their surroundings for cragants while they waited for their power armor to complete its repairs. Judging by the clock in their faceplate they had actually been rendered unconscious for a short amount of time.


    Fortunately, their gambit appeared to have worked.


    The cragant advance had been halted by the explosion.


    Malendrax could see them through the fire and smoke the explosion had scattered. The giant humanoids had pulled back for the moment.


    The Threnosh turned and followed the rest of their retreating forces. They had complied with Caretaker¡¯s orders. It was time to await the next one.


    Elsewhere in the city Caretaker was distracted at the wrong moment by a pair of emergency alerts in their ear holes. They were fortunate that Resplendent Zabriium was there to block the cragant spear with their pole axe.


    Caretaker blinked. Then they shot the cragant in the face with their viral pistol.


    The two Threnosh were now clear of enemies in their immediate area.


    ¡°It is unlike you to be unaware of your surroundings in combat. Do you need a moment before we proceed to the next target?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Caretaker focused on the alerts in their faceplate. ¡°Two of our teammates are in critical danger.¡± They focused on the readings. ¡°Malendrax¡¯s trueskin is already repairing itself and their vital signs are improving rapidly. Kynnro is near critical levels.¡± They knew exactly where the latter was located. What was Kynnro doing there? They should¡¯ve been bolstering the fabrication facility¡¯s defense. ¡°Dralig, status report? I require emergency evac for Kynnro.¡±


    Caretaker was greeted by silence on the team channel. Concerning. They waited a second and were about to repeat their message when a reply pinged back.


    ¡°Dralig is currently incapacitated,¡± Adjudicator said.


    A slight frown creased Caretaker¡¯s smooth brow beneath their helmet. They checked Dralig¡¯s status. Injured, but stable. Not in immediate danger. They cycled through the many flying drones providing battlefield surveillance until they located one with a clear view of their team.


    Adjudicator had Dralig wrapped up in one of their tendrils as they ran. They trailed well-behind Blueballs, Actryarius and the few remaining regular Threnosh soldiers that had held the line at such great cost. The effort hadn¡¯t been wasted. The cragant advance had been stalled.


    Unfortunately, none of them were in position to provide aid to Kynnro.


    ¡°Acknowledged. Proceed as planned,¡± Caretaker said. They switched their comms to Whoosh. ¡°These are Kynnro¡¯s coordinates. You are to provide emergency evac for them to the exclusion of all other tasks. They are injured, but their trueskin will keep them stable enough for transport. Take them directly to the medical facility.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Whoosh replied immediately.


    ¡°Zabri, proceed to the next target area,¡± Caretaker said as they took the opportunity to reload their viral pistol. Their ammunition was dwindling. They were going to have to be more judicious with its use.


    <hr>


    Shira waited in the dark as they listened in on the comms.


    They clung to the side of the maintenance access shaft beneath the street with their power armor¡¯s claws. They had waited for over a day, but their time to act was drawing near judging by the flow of the battle above them.


    The shafts and tunnels beneath the city were laid out in an orderly fashion. In normal times they had been used by maintenance drones to traverse the city to perform their myriad duties. Now they were the perfect place to travel unseen and get into the perfect ambush positions.


    Shira had been comfortable. Their power armor was locked in place, which removed any physical strain on their body within. However, that had done nothing to alleviate the itch of anticipation and impatience inside of them. Blood was being shed and they yearned to partake.


    The only thing that made the wait bearable was the fact that Shira had filled up after their last battle with the doomed cragant patrol squad.


    Even still one of their fingers twitched from where its claw pierced the metallic wall. They focused their thoughts on the flow of the battle above to distract themselves. It wouldn¡¯t do to emerge too soon and ruin Caretaker¡¯s plan.


    Things were proceeding along projections from the sounds of it. Their teammates were inflicting sufficient casualties while creating the necessary amount of chaos within the enemy compound for their true aim.


    Shira remembered their role and visualized how they were going to successfully comply with Caretaker¡¯s order. It wasn¡¯t difficult. They had been doing it constantly since they had descended beneath the street to make their way to their position below the command structure that the cragants had erected out of tree trunks and some kind of thick, primitive textile material. Canvas, Honor had called it upon viewing surveillance video. Although he had admitted that he was only guessing.


    The thought of Honor led to the thought of ice cream. The only other substance that Shira truly craved. It was a sufficient distraction to quell their rising hunger for the second substance until their time finally arrived several long minutes later.


    ¡°Shira, target has emerged. Go.¡± Caretaker¡¯s voice sounded strained over the comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Shira blurred up the side of the access shaft with the squeal of their claws rending metal.


    Those above her were too absorbed by the chaos of battle to hear them coming.


    The access panel on the ground was practically seamless. A Threnosh would be hard-pressed to spot it without mechanical aid even though they were ubiquitous throughout the city.


    The cragants were unfamiliar with how the Threnosh city functioned. Perhaps the clever among them realized the possibility and probability that there were hidden pathways beneath their feet. In practice they hadn¡¯t factored it into their strategic and tactical plans. After all they were a proud and strong people used to their overwhelming physical dominance. What was there to concern themselves with tiny insects that they could crush with a simple step?


    Shira moved too fast for the panel¡¯s automated sensor. It had barely slid a few centimeters when they tore right through it as if it was a thin sheet of cloth.


    Their black-colored power armor was an even darker blot in the darkness of the night. The light from the cragant torches seemed to abruptly die out the closer it got to them. It didn¡¯t make a difference. The sounds of battle had thrown the giant humanoids¡¯ entire compound into disarray. Shira¡¯s small form went unnoticed until they struck.


    They cut through the cragants with surgical precision. Sharp claws and bladed protrusions drew blood as they weaved between tree trunk-sized legs. Blood that splattered on their power armor was absorbed to fuel their assault.


    The cragants cried out in surprise more than pain. Shira wasn¡¯t going for the kill. They only wanted to sow chaos and confusion as they searched for their true target.


    Shira¡¯s enhanced senses picked up the whizzing sounds of projectiles that forced the cragants to raise their shields and focus their attention on Caretaker and Resplendent Zabriium¡¯s charge rather than track the small, black shadow that had penetrated their defensive formation.


    An anguished scream was accompanied by a sickly odor. Caretaker¡¯s viral pistol had claimed an unfortunate victim.


    A growl heralded a crash of metal muscle with natural ones. Wooden shields were shredded and metal armor was rent by Silver Wolf¡¯s monstrous, bipedal form.


    A second, even louder crash washed over Shira¡¯s form. They saw giant bodies knocked to the ground out of the corner of their vision. Resplendent Zabriium¡¯s battering work.


    Shira ignored it all. Their target was highlighted in their visual sensors.


    It was an average-sized cragant standing with sword drawn next to a more impressive specimen that was booming out orders.


    The target was wearing a helmet that obscured its features and its clothing and armor were no different from the rest. Yet, the program Caretaker had installed in Shira¡¯s power armor was certain.


    The cragants¡¯ leadership was unlike the Threnosh¡¯s in that they didn¡¯t shy away from direct combat. Shira respected this fact of the giant humanoids¡¯ nature. From the highest ranked commander to the lowest soldier, they were all fighters. Warriors that didn¡¯t fear testing themselves against their enemies.


    Shira would honor this by attacking with all their strength and skill.


    The cragants noticed Shira¡¯s approach as the Threnosh slowed. Caretaker would not approve, but Shira felt that it was only fair for their enemies to see their death take shape.


    The giant humanoids attacked with swords that were longer than Shira was tall. They struck with surprising quickness for their size. They might as well have been moving in slow motion to Shira.


    Shira stopped short of a stab. They leaped up and dashed on the spear shaft. The cragant¡¯s eyes widened in shock as Shira opened its throat before it could even think to pull their spear back or raise its shield.


    Shira used its shoulder to launch themselves at a sword-wielding cragant. They struck well-within the arc of the sword slash. Their clawed gauntlets pierced deep into the cragant¡¯s chest through the thick fabric of its clothing. Had it the time to don its thick metal armor perhaps it might¡¯ve survived. The chaos of the surprise attack had robbed it of the chance. Shira robbed it of its life as they took a moment to absorb as much of the giant humanoid¡¯s blood as possible before the next cragant swung its sword with an angry shout.


    Shira dodged back and blurred forward.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Another cragant died.


    The last two cragants stepped in front of Shira¡¯s target. They met the same fate.


    The target cragant stepped back with its sword held in a defensive stance with practiced ease. Shira smelled fear, but the target was steady as it watched with wary eyes.


    It was time to finish the task.


    One pass, a handful of seconds and the commander of this branch of the cragant army had fallen to its knees, futilely clutching at a ruined throat.


    A small shadow melted away into the darkness.


    <hr>


    The only reason that Caretaker could track Shira¡¯s movements was thanks to their predictive algorithm and the tracking system that linked each individual of the team. The impossible way that Shira¡¯s power armor seemed to become one with shadow and darkness concealed them from even the best sensors that Threnosh technology produced.


    ¡°Shira is going for their commander. We must draw the rest of the soldiers¡¯ attention,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Silver Wolf, Zabri, cause as much chaos as you can.¡±


    Resplendent Zabriium slowed enough for Caretaker to jump off. They drew the recoilless rifle from their back in one smooth motion as they landed.


    Resplendent Zabriium veered wide to the right to clear Caretaker¡¯s firing lane.


    Caretaker squeezed the trigger and sprayed projectiles across a wide arc in order to force as many cragants to reflexively raise their shields to protect their eyes. Now, they couldn¡¯t track Shira snaking through their midst.


    Caretaker¡¯s predictive algorithm zeroed in on a threat. A cragant was going to be in position to strike an unaware Shira in the back several seconds in the future. The giant humanoid hadn¡¯t even unsheathed its sword. It was only moving towards a spot were Shira was going to be.


    There was only a narrow window to take care of the threat. The mass of giant bodies made for a poor firing lane. Caretaker stowed their recoilless rifle. It was out of ammunition in any case. They drew their viral pistol and took aim along the line that their algorithm indicated. They squeezed the trigger and turned their attention to the wider battle.


    Silver Wolf entered the fray with a growl. They shifted from their four-legged to their bipedal form before launching themselves into the left side of the cragant shield line.


    Spear points skipped off of Silver Wolf¡¯s armor. Spear shafts as thick and strong as young trees snapped and splintered underneath their combined strength and weight.


    Silver Wolf tore at the wooden shields with a savagery that fit their power armor¡¯s monstrous appearance. Despite the fact that they only stood three-quarters as tall as the average cragant they drove the surprised giant humanoids back as they claimed a space past the formation¡¯s front line.


    The cragants moved to surround Silver Wolf, but from what Caretaker observed the close quarters worked in their teammate¡¯s favor. The giant humanoids couldn¡¯t effectively bring their weapons to bear on the Threnosh.


    The best they could manage were glancing strikes as Silver Wolf fought like a wild animal. They bit and clawed without staying in one place for more than a split-second.


    Caretaker scanned over to the right side of the enemy formation just in time to watch Resplendent Zabriium crash into the shield line.


    Massive cragant bodies went flying.


    Resplendent Zabriium spun around in a circle with their striking pole axe to keep the cragants from swarming around them. They kicked out with their hind legs to knock a cragant down before galloping back out of the enemy formation to gain enough distance for another charge.


    That side of the formation was taken care of, so Caretaker turned their attention back to Shira. They readied their viral pistol and its dwindling ammunition just in case their teammate needed further support.


    From the looks of it that wasn¡¯t going to be necessary. Shira was tearing through their enemies. Soon only the commander was left.


    Then the task was completed.


    ¡°Withdraw,¡± Caretaker said into the team channel. They fired two shots from their viral pistol to give Silver Wolf the opportunity to disengage.


    Their teammate transformed into their four-legged form as they ran away from the cragants¡¯ pursuit.


    Caretaker leapt onto Resplendent Zabriium¡¯s back as they thundered by.


    ¡°Awaiting extraction.¡± Tynk¡¯s voice came over the comms at the same time that they pinged their location on the tactical map.


    ¡°On the way,¡± Resplendent Zabriium said.


    The plan had worked as Caretaker expected and hoped. It was time to go for a more important and more dangerous target. Time to break the enemy¡¯s ability to maintain conflict and their control of the city.


    They were pleased, but they were concerned about the casualties the other parts of their team had suffered.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    ¡°I¡¯ve got movement,¡± Mads whispered.


    ¡°How? It¡¯s so dark and far away,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Dude, you know she has Lesser Enhanced Vision,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°I thought that was more for distance. Didn¡¯t know night vision was part of the package.¡±


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Gene said. He crawled over to get closer to Mads. ¡°Can you give me more details?¡±


    ¡°I just got the upgrade to Enhanced Vision a few days ago. I¡¯m picking out guys eight hundred yards away inside a house, in the dark, with only candle lights to go by and you still want more?¡± Mads rolled her eyes, but kept her focus on the distant location.


    ¡°Sorry, er¡­ thanks,¡± Gene said sheepishly.


    The other three young men snickered in the background.


    ¡°Okay, okay, so we¡¯ve got confirmation that there are people over there,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t say it¡­¡±


    ¡°Too bad, Johnny, but he¡¯s gonna say it,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°We need a closer look,¡± Gene finished his thought.


    ¡°Fuck you, man,¡± Johnny sighed. ¡°Why you always sending me into enemy territory?¡±


    ¡°You want to be an Assassin, if that¡¯s even a class,¡± Olo said.


    Johnny bared his teeth at his much larger friend and party member.


    ¡°You just need to get a quick look. Find out if they¡¯re with the cult and maybe discover what they¡¯re doing in there,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Probably trying to summon some fishmen,¡± Johnny said. ¡°It¡¯s not like they do anything else¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s very likely. Shouldn¡¯t we just let Officer Lawrence know?¡± Bastien frowned. ¡°I don¡¯t like the idea of sending Johnny near there by himself. We¡¯re not allowed to get close and if there¡¯s any trouble we can¡¯t help him.¡±


    ¡°Speak for yourself,¡± Mads said. ¡°This distance isn¡¯t a big deal for me.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll just have Remy swoop in and take care of it like usual,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Johnny nodded. ¡°It¡¯s hurting our Universal Point gains. We barely get anything.¡±


    ¡°Better a few points than, you know, dying¡­ or worse,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want any of us to end up like Don and Eric,¡± Bastien shivered.


    The four young men and one woman all looked sick for a moment.


    ¡°I¡¯m the first to say that I don¡¯t want to get tortured and sacrificed,¡± Johnny shrugged, ¡°but we need to get stronger in order to lessen the chances of said fate. We need points and action to do that. Ergo¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Gene said. ¡°It¡¯s a risk¡­¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, man! Now you¡¯re having second thoughts?¡± Johnny threw his hands up.


    ¡°This situation is too much like our first encounter with the cultists and that one fishman,¡± Olo laid a hand on Johnny¡¯s shoulder. ¡°We don¡¯t have Tessa and Vee with us this time.¡±


    ¡°Smh, man, they¡¯re like in the top five of the most powerful people we¡¯ve got and they''re still grounded. It¡¯s been months,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Vee¡¯s twelve,¡± Mads said without looking back from her prone position at the window.


    ¡°Desperate times,¡± Johnny said, ¡°desperate times.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re not available, so we have to work with what we¡¯ve got, which is our team. We¡¯ve worked hard to improve our spells and skills,¡± Gene said. ¡°We need to start pulling our weight in this war. We need to step up.¡±


    ¡°If you stick to the windows facing me I can cover you,¡± Mad said.


    ¡°Damn¡­ Enhanced Vision is pretty awesome if you can tell that it¡¯s me from this distance and in the dark,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Not exactly,¡± Mads said. ¡°I was planning to just not shoot the one guy being chased by the rest.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t exactly fill me with confidence in this.¡±


    ¡°Look, Johnny, I¡¯m actually fine with just dropping this in our more powerful people¡¯s hands if you don¡¯t think you can pull this off,¡± Gene said.


    Johnny stared at Gene flatly for a few seconds. Then he realized that it was pitch black and Gene couldn¡¯t see the implied daggers he was sending over. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll do it, just a quick look though.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s all we need. Just find out if they¡¯re cultists and if they¡¯re doing that summoning thing again,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°I said I¡¯m doing it, but I¡¯m out of there if it even looks like I¡¯m about to be murdered and tortured. I¡¯m not ending up like Don and Eric,¡± Johnny shivered, ¡°poor bastards.¡± He pointed a finger at Gene. ¡°And you, sir, are a dick monkey.¡±


    With that last parting shot Johnny slipped out of the window and down onto the street.


    Several heartbeats passed in silence.


    ¡°Is he gone?¡± Olo said.


    ¡°I can never tell. I didn¡¯t hear him take a deep breath, but he¡¯s pretended to leave only to scare the crap out of me a few seconds later. Sooooo¡­¡± Bastien abruptly spun around in a circle while waving his arms around wildly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be stupid,¡± Gene said. ¡°Johnny¡¯s annoying, but when it¡¯s time to be serious he doesn¡¯t play around.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s halfway to the house,¡± Mad¡¯s said.


    She was the only one with the ability to track the dark-clothed Johnny skulking toward his target. She watched through the iron sights of her shotgun providing coverage for Johnny¡¯s stealthy approach. The changes her main class had wrought on her physical capabilities meant that a scope was no longer necessary.


    All, except for Mads, waited with bated breath. Their muscles tense with worry as the seconds, then minutes ticked away in the darkness. They existed in the space between fight or flight. Was it going to be necessary to rush to Johnny¡¯s aid? Or were they going to need to flee for their lives? A fight with a fishman along with human cultist support was something that they couldn¡¯t expect to win, let alone survive.


    Their wait had stretched to close to an hour when a voice in their midst made them all jump.


    Johnny¡¯s sudden appearance was greeted by weapons and readied spells.


    ¡°Fuck you guys. I do all the work and this is how you thank me.¡± Johnny¡¯s words didn¡¯t fit the happy grin on his face that only one person could see.


    ¡°What¡¯re you so happy about?¡± Mad¡¯s said with suspicion before spinning on her back and aiming her shotgun back out of the window.


    ¡°Well¡­ I got a Quest and a good amount of Universal Points for that little scouting mission,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Unfair.¡±


    ¡°Shh,¡± Gene snapped at Olo and Bastien. ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter. What¡¯d you find? Cultists? Are they summoning?¡±


    ¡°Second bit of good news. Not cultists. No summoning. Just a small group of people and a couple of kids that look like they¡¯ve seen better days.¡±


    That wasn¡¯t the answer that Gene had been expecting, but he decided he wasn¡¯t going to be upset. Better that than fishmen and cultists with their disgusting magic.


    ¡°Okay. Good job. We¡¯re out of here. Officer Lawrence is going to want to hear about this,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°But if there are kids, shouldn¡¯t we bring them back?¡± Olo said.


    ¡°It¡¯s dangerous out here on the edge of our territory,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not seeing anyone else out there besides these people. No major monsters either,¡± Mads said.


    ¡°See, they can wait a few hours,¡± Gene said. ¡°Our orders are clear in this situation and I¡¯m not getting in trouble again. We can¡¯t keep getting sidelined and losing out on opportunities to get points. Who knows, we might get a Quest and points if we do what we¡¯re supposed to and bring this info back through the proper chain of command.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m all for that, but these people looked like they were in pretty bad shape. If they get attacked¡­¡± Johnny shrugged.


    ¡°We only really have to send one person back. The rest of us can keep watch just in case,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Too bad we can¡¯t just call it in,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Can¡¯t use the radios until we figure out how the cultists are listening in. Got to keep using old school communication methods,¡± Olo shook his head.


    ¡°We should train squirrels or pigeons or something,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Is that even possible? I thought they needed to be pets first. Like there had to be an existing, deep-level bond already?¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Guys, focus,¡± Gene warned. ¡°I agree that it¡¯s a risk to leave these people here, but it¡¯s a risk we¡¯ll have to take. I¡¯m not splitting the party.¡±


    ¡°Alright, our leader has spoken,¡± Olo said. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. We shouldn¡¯t waste time. The sooner we bring this info back the sooner we can get these people back to safety,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°If they¡¯re deserving,¡± Mads said.


    No one contradicted her.


    Five young people slipped out into the dark streets in varying degrees of stealthiness and made their way back to the relatively safer core of their territory.

 3.33

    Now, Earth


    ¡°I¡¯m taking the shot,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°No, wait. They¡¯re still too far for me to zap their brains,¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°Not yet,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°But dad,¡± Tessa whined, ¡°they¡¯re bunched up right now. If I wait too long they¡¯ll spread out.¡±


    Remy had mixed feelings. Here he was helping his daughters become better killers. He had placed himself in a moral quandary. Was he doing the right thing? The fishmen were undoubtedly thinking and feeling beings. In his mind they were essentially equal to human beings. On the other hand they were carrying out a war on his community. They and the cult that they controlled were doing¡­ something¡­ with the people of San Francisco, which they clearly meant to duplicate here. Not to mention that they wanted him and his daughters for something. He wasn¡¯t willing to give them the benefit of the doubt on that account. He could only imagine the terrible things falling into their clutches entailed.


    At the end of the day, he¡¯d drench his hands in fishmen and cultist blood if it saved his family from that.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Remy directed at Tessa. ¡°Your sister needs the practice and she needs to tag them as well so that she can also get points.¡± The words that came out of his mouth. He didn¡¯t like that the killing of other beings, even if they were enemies, had been reduced to game-like mechanics.


    ¡°Fine, fine,¡± Tessa rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Dad? Should I whammy them now?¡± Veronica said.


    Remy stifled a sigh. ¡°Keep your eyes on the rocks we¡¯ve laid out. Remember, once they cross over into the target zone you can hit them.¡± He turned his head to his older daughter. ¡°Then you can hit them.¡±


    The fishmen continued to slink out of the river and up the bank. They started to spread out in a loose formation as they headed across the grassy fields toward the city.


    The recently discovered magical alarm spell was a godsend. Now that they had forewarning that fishmen were coming up the river they were able to mount a more proactive defense. The previous months had seen them cede a lot of territory near the water ways. Relying on visuals meant that by the time they knew that a raid was happening the fishmen had already reached the city before a response could be sent. The fact that the fishmen were superior to most of the defenders aside from Remy, Nila, his daughters and a couple of others meant that the watch and the rest of the community¡¯s population had suffered losses. The lucky simply died. The rest were taken to whatever horrid and unknown fate awaited them down the river, in the bay area.


    ¡°Now?¡± Tessa huffed. ¡°I¡¯m getting tired holding this field.¡± Her face was scrunched as she held her arms at around shoulder-width apart in from of her. Most of the space framed by her arms and chest was filled with metal shards of various shapes and sizes.


    ¡°You know what. I¡¯m not going to say anything. You guys need to learn when the right moment is,¡± Remy said.


    It was a teaching moment. He told himself. He had to prepare them for the possibility that he wouldn¡¯t be around forever. It was a different world now. It was unfortunate, but his daughters were faced with different challenges. No longer was it about getting good grades to get into a good school, which lead to a good job. It was now about strengthening their superpowers, gaining skill in their use and gaining Universal Points to face, what appeared to be, escalating challenges brought about by the spires¡¯ presence.


    ¡°Ugh! Fine,¡± Tessa grunted. ¡°Alright, Vee. I¡¯m waiting on you. I¡¯ll go after you go.¡±


    ¡°Almost there,¡± Veronica said softly.


    Remy was a little disturbed by the eager gleam in both of his daughters¡¯ eyes. His wife was right. They were getting a little too eager to commit violence. A part of him found that a good thing. He felt shame at that. He really needed to talk to someone else outside of his immediate circle. It¡¯d been awhile since he had the opportunity to talk to Eron, Rayna or his parents. They had re-established cell phone communications, except for some reason they had yet to figure out, it didn¡¯t stay up. It stopped working in what appeared to be a random fashion. It might work for weeks in a row and just as suddenly stop working for three months.


    The spires¡¯ messaging system was more reliable, but it was more like sending emails, even if you could do video recordings. It was also ridiculously expensive.


    Cal would¡¯ve been good to ask for insight. He could be pretty wise about things when it was about the really serious stuff. Unfortunately spire messages only went one way at the moment. Cal was able to send them from the so-called Threnosh world, but they couldn¡¯t send any up to him.


    ¡°Well, maybe not Eron,¡± Remy muttered. His younger brother had a darker take on the new world.


    Eron had hinted at some of what he had seen and experienced out in the spaces between decently controlled towns and cities. Whatever those had been, they had made him more cynical, turned him into a pessimist. Someone quicker to decide to kill or destroy something if it was a potential threat.


    Remy didn¡¯t want that for his daughters.


    ¡°Dad, shush. You¡¯re distracting me,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t shu¡ª¡±


    ¡°Justice!¡± Veronica bellowed as she leapt to her feet and thrust twtwo-fisted finger guns at the fishmen as they crossed into the area framed by carefully placed rocks, several hundred yards away.


    The electromagnetic fields she generated scrambled fishmen brains. At the extreme edge of Veronica¡¯s effective range the group of fishmen only stumbled in confusion for a brief moment. The lose of control from the signals in their brains to the rest of their bodies had only lasted a split-second, but it was enough for Tessa.


    The elder daughter shot the mass of shrapnel in her grasp at ridiculous speed. There was a loud boom. The windows of the building they stood on shattered.


    The fishmen didn¡¯t have time to react. They were shredded.


    Tessa grabbed another heaping armful of metal from the piles they had prepared beforehand and sent it flying just as fast as the first.


    The fishmen scattered, but it was too late for them.


    Veronica scrambled their ability to escape back into the river or attempt to take cover, while Tessa kept up the barrage. They were done in less than a minute.


    The field was a torn-up mix of grass, dirt, metal and fishmen bodies in varying degrees of destruction. It reminded Remy of war movies. Specifically the aftermath of an artillery barrage scene. He felt a little ill.


    ¡°Good job, girls.¡± Remy tried to inject enthusiasm in his praise, despite how he felt sadness more than anything else. ¡°Veronica, next time don¡¯t shout out right before you attack,¡± he sighed. ¡°Stay here, you¡¯re on overwatch while I take care of the rest.¡± His daughters didn¡¯t argue as Remy jumped down from the rooftop and sprinted across the open space to take care of any surviving fishmen. They had learned that it wasn¡¯t a good idea to take prisoners.


    His daughters smiled and looked generally pleased with themselves. Remy just couldn¡¯t muster the same feelings. He would¡¯ve much rather they be celebrating a goal or an A on a test.


    <hr>


    ¡°Something to drink? Beer? Cider? Something harder? Small mercies that stores somehow keep replenishing their stocks, right? I understand alcohol isn¡¯t an impairment for you.¡±


    Remy merely looked at the interim governor. Or was the interim tag gone? He should¡¯ve probably known the answer.


    Alejandro Richards, though he insisted on Alex, had been some kind of low level staffer for a state assembly person when the spires appeared. Remy didn¡¯t know the whole story, but the twenty-something somehow took the reins of leadership as the interim government was formed and clawed back control from the monsters. Almost nine years into the post-apocalyptic era the interim tags were gone and they were doing pretty well, all things considered.


    The man was slick. The epitome of the politician. Remy should¡¯ve hated him, but for some reason he found himself liking the man. He had to keep reminding himself to be wary and to really think about what he was going to say before responding to anything.


    Remy counted five seconds before he replied. ¡°No thanks, I¡¯m good.¡±


    The smile on the governor¡¯s face didn¡¯t waver one bit.


    ¡°Sure. Open offer, you¡¯re welcome to take it up in the future. We¡¯re happy to recognize all that you¡¯ve done for the people during these trying times.¡± A somber look crossed Governor Richard¡¯s face. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it¡¯s been almost a decade since our world, our country, our great state was pushed to brink of destruction. Yet, we¡¯re still here. All thanks to people like you. Brave, selfless people willing to step up with the gifts we¡¯ve been given.¡±


    Remy didn¡¯t know were the governor was going with this. He mentally counted a few seconds.


    ¡°So, why did you want to meet with me? I was under the impression that you weren¡¯t interested in actively fighting the fish cult unless they attacked on your side of the river.¡±


    ¡°That offer is still on the table.¡±


    Remy knew what the governor was referring to. The California State Government was willing to perform a joint offensive operation into the Bay Area with the aim of recovering the women and girls that the fishmen had taken a year ago. With the proviso that Remy was a part of it.


    Remy shook his head. ¡°We¡¯ve agreed that the risk was, is, too great.¡±


    ¡°And we respect that, which is why we aren¡¯t actively pushing for it.¡±


    Remy nodded.


    ¡°Although, I had hoped that maybe if I asked you directly, one leader to another, if you¡¯d reconsider. I truly am worried about what sort of treatment our people are suffering under these cultists and fish people. Sacrifice? Biological alteration?¡± Governor Richards shook his head ruefully. ¡°I can¡¯t believe that I¡¯m saying these things with a straight face. Tell me, how do you deal with it? I mean. I want to laugh, because I sound so ridiculous, but then I remember that my fellow Californians are out there being hurt, killed or worse due to all of this insanity.¡± He gave Remy a sad smile.


    Remy felt the corners of his mouth start to tug upwards in a mirror of the governor. He caught himself just in time. ¡°I try to accept that this is reality now,¡± Remy said flatly. ¡°Control what I can and keep an open mind. I tell myself that I can¡¯t afford to discount anything out of hand, no matter how impossible or stupid it seems. Because if I do that, dismiss potential threats, then people will get hurt or worse.¡± He blinked. That had been more than he had meant to reveal.


    The governor gave him a sympathetic smile.


    ¡°No pressure though. I¡¯m just happy that you¡¯re the kind of man you are. All that power in a worse man¡­¡±


    Remy didn¡¯t know what to say to that so he counted numbers in his head.


    Governor Richards sighed and ran a hand through his perfect hair. ¡°So, I know you¡¯re busy and I¡¯m going to be honest with you. I was hesitant to bring you in, but I got overruled by my advisers. In short, we¡¯re all Californians here and we need to stick together. I know that your community hasn¡¯t been quite on board with joining up with us. I¡¯m not going to rehash all that. Our main concern now lays with our captive people, as it should be. Plus, we¡¯re not dumb. If Davis loses to the fish people, then we¡¯re likely next.¡± He took a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯ll lay it out plainly. We¡¯re willing to lend our troops to the defense of your city¡ª¡±


    ¡°In exchange for unification under your authority?¡±


    Governor Richard¡¯s looked pained. ¡°No, no. We¡¯d never do something like that. I¡¯m really trying my best to do things differently from how it was done before. You¡¯re people don¡¯t want to be a part of what we¡¯ve rebuilt and that¡¯s fine, so long as we have an amicable relationship, I¡¯m okay with that. Some of my advisers might disagree,¡± he leaned forward conspiratorially, ¡°mostly the boomers, old military guys and ex-CEO¡¯s. They want to go back to the old, golden days.¡± He shook his head.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°What do you want then?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all about the people, man.¡± Governor Richards grinned. ¡°We want a rescue operation. With you in charge, of course. We¡¯ll provide the bulk of the troops and we¡¯ll switch over more to help defend your city in your absence. Success or failure the mutual defense pact stays in place. We¡¯ll help you fight to the best of our ability.¡± He spread his arms out wide. ¡°Two is stronger than one.¡± He clasped his hand together.


    It was lame, but Remy found that he was leaning forward in his chair. Drawn in against his own internal thought process. He waited and counted. He hit a hundred before he felt that he could answer with the words that he knew were his own.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to consider it and talk to my people first. It¡¯s not just up to me.¡± Remy stood up abruptly and stuck his hand out. ¡°Thanks for your time.¡±


    The governor was taken aback for a second, but he recovered smoothly and shook Remy¡¯s hand with a firm grip and an easy smile. ¡°No problem. Take all the time you need.¡±


    When the door to his office closed and he was alone the smile fell from the governor¡¯s face. That hadn¡¯t gone like he had visualized it. Interesting, but troubling. What had he done wrong?


    ¡°Should¡¯ve offered him the twenty-five year scotch,¡± Governor Richard¡¯s shrugged. ¡°Man, those old farts are gonna be a pain during the next cabinet meeting,¡± he sighed.


    <hr>


    ¡°The question is, are you willing to do it?¡± Colonel Johnson grunted at Remy.


    Remy returned the grizzled, old man¡¯s stare. Every time with the dominance games. It was a pain, but it had been going on for so long that he felt like he couldn¡¯t give it up. It was a tradition at this point.


    ¡°First, why is it just us three,¡± Remy nodded at Officer Lawrence, who was sitting on the other side of her desk. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t the council be a part of this discussion?¡±


    Officer Lawrence exchanged a glance with the colonel.


    ¡°What¡¯re you looking at me for. You¡¯re calling the shots. I¡¯m just an old man with occasionally useful advice.¡±


    ¡°It would be¡­ unproductive¡­ to have the city council be a part of this.¡± Officer Lawrence caught the look in Remy¡¯s face. ¡°Understand that we are doing this according to all the rules the council has voted on. The watch has authority over military matters, which this certainly falls under.¡±


    Remy knew that. He had forced himself to read everything that came out of the council just to make sure they didn¡¯t try to sneak anything through that would¡¯ve put him under their thumb, at least on paper. It was another matter entirely if anyone thought writing something down on paper was enough to force him to follow orders.


    ¡°Okay, technically true, but it doesn¡¯t leave me feeling good about it,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Officer Lawrence said.


    ¡°But necessary,¡± Colonel Johnson said.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t been to a meeting in a while, but the council has been surprisingly split on the issue of our situation with the fishmen and the Bay Area.¡±


    Colonel Johnson snorted. ¡°Call it what it is. It¡¯s a damned War. World turns to magic bullshit and some things stay the same. Suppose it should give me comfort that there are still things that I understand.¡±


    From the tone of the old man¡¯s voice, Remy figured that the colonel¡¯s words were the opposite of what he truly felt. He was forced to reconsider how he viewed the colonel.


    ¡°Some on the council are considering suing for peace,¡± Officer Lawrence said.


    ¡°You don¡¯t make peace with the aggressor,¡± Colonel Johnson said. ¡°That¡¯s called surrender.¡±


    Remy frowned. That was disturbing. ¡°They can¡¯t be serious? How do they even think we can pull that off?¡±


    ¡°Concessions,¡± Officer Lawrence said.


    Remy narrowed his eyes. ¡°If they think I¡¯m giving myself up¡­ let alone my daughters¡ª¡±


    ¡°Relax, nothing of the sort is on the table,¡± Officer Lawrence said.


    ¡°Appeasement.¡± Colonel Johnson looked like he had sucked down on a lemon. ¡°They¡¯d let the damned cult in and give the fishmen free access to all the waterways.¡±


    ¡°Outside of your efforts¡­ nice job with your daughters by the way¡­ took out an entire raiding band,¡± Officer Lawrence said.


    ¡°Thanks, just about thirty fishmen,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Point is, outside of you and your kids, we¡¯re losing too many engagements,¡± Officer Lawrence said. ¡°If you or Chen aren¡¯t involved we end up with our asses kicked.¡±


    ¡°Nothing changes. Young soldiers are the ones out there laying their lives on the line, while the politicians back home safe are more worried about how the numbers look for their re-election,¡± Colonel Johnson snapped.


    ¡°Look, we didn¡¯t have a lot of people in the watch in the first place. We¡¯re down close to fifty percent. We¡¯re on zero ammunition. Del Campo is working his ass off, but he can only make so much ammo per day. We¡¯re using it up faster than he can make it.¡±


    Remy wasn¡¯t aware of this troubling news. ¡°I thought there were a couple of others that also got the Gunsmith Class?¡±


    ¡°They got a level or two in addition to their primary class, which means they can¡¯t make nearly as much as Del Campo. They can re-load a handful of rounds a day at best.¡±


    Officer Lawrence looked haggard. Her eyes had dark bags and there was a slight slump to her shoulders. Remy had never seen her like this before. Even during the early days filled with the desperate fight against gremlin alphas from the high school spawn point.


    ¡°So, you think this is a good idea?¡± Remy frowned.


    ¡°No, but we can¡¯t last much longer at this rate. Troops from across the river will be a huge help,¡± Officer Lawrence said.


    ¡°I thought we all shared the same concerns about my presence in the Bay Area,¡± Remy said. ¡°They want me there, which means they must have something planned.¡±


    ¡°Probably,¡± Colonel Johnson said. ¡°But I¡¯m thinking that you fly high above and bomb them like a B-52. I¡¯m thinking they¡¯ll have a hard time touching you.¡±


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Remy turned to Officer Lawrence.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been on the back foot this whole time. You don¡¯t win fights that way. We need to change things. Taking the fight to them will force them to consider their own defense. Plus, it¡¯ll give us intelligence on what¡¯s going on over there. We¡¯ve got nothing right now and again, you can¡¯t win fights blind.¡±


    Colonel Johnson nodded approvingly.


    ¡°This doesn¡¯t happen without your say so, as much as it pains me to say it,¡± Officer Lawrence said.


    Remy took that in. ¡°I know. I need to think about this.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t take too long,¡± Colonel Johnson said.


    Remy left it at that. His mind was in turmoil as he walked back to his home. First thing he needed to do was to talk to his wife. Megan wasn¡¯t going to be happy.


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    Caretaker stood alone in their command chamber. They reviewed the after action reports of their successful operation while watching surveillance feeds from the still ongoing battle for their most forward fabrication facility.


    It was clear to them that the 2nd Legion was going to win. The Threnosh soldiers were sacrificing their lives to make it take as long as possible. All according to Caretaker¡¯s overall plan.


    They were conflicted. On the one hand it was progress that Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326 had listened and acquiesced. On the other hand the plan called for normal Threnosh soldiers to die in droves for what amounted to distraction. Such was the Threnosh way. The good of the whole over the individual was unquestioned.


    Caretaker had learned differently. They were not entirely satisfied with the successful decapitation strike on the 3rd Legion leadership when they weighed the costs.


    Dralig was unconscious. Their power armor had locked up tight and resisted all efforts of the engineers and medicals to get it open up and treat their injuries. At least their vitals were stable.


    Kynnro had suffered horrific injuries in the crash that took the pilot¡¯s life. They were lucky that their power armor had kept them alive and that Whoosh had been able to bring them back fast enough to be placed into a medical pod. Paradoxically, the Threnosh¡¯s biological frailty meant that Kynnro would be fit for duty within ten days. An easy to damage body also took less time and resources to repair.


    Caretaker considered the next step of their plan. Dralig and Kynnro were crucial losses, but they couldn¡¯t wait for them to be combat ready. They had to strike fast now that they had spurred the cragant army into an all out attack. It was as if the killing of the 3rd Legion commander had been taken as a personal challenge. The 2nd Legion was busy with their assault on the fabrication facility. The remainder of the 3rd Legion had regrouped and were pushing away from their former outpost, deeper into the area of the city that they must¡¯ve thought the Threnosh were hiding.


    It appeared to Caretaker as if they were desperately in search of any enemy to vent their rage.


    The 1st and 4th had also mobilized the bulk of their forces and were moving away from their own outposts in search of a fight.


    The only forces that remained in the cragant¡¯s central base were the army¡¯s overall command staff and their personal guard. Less than a hundred cragants to guard the overall enemy commander and the hierophant.


    Caretaker watched it all unfold through the dozens of surveillance drones that covered the entire area. The cragants had no idea that they had utterly lost the information battle.


    Caretaker studied the readiness reports on each of their teammates. They wanted to strike now, but that was impossible. They needed rest and repairs. The greatest probability of success meant that the earliest estimate that they would be fit for the operation was in two days. The need for darkness added another seven hours to the wait time.


    Caretaker felt a strange weight settle on his shoulders. Which didn¡¯t make sense. There was nothing there. All their power armor¡¯s sensors confirmed that fact when they checked. Yet, they felt their shoulders slump and their back bend.


    The rest of the cragant army would need to be occupied for those two days. This meant that the Threnosh soldiers would need to give them a fight. Using drones wasn¡¯t enough. The cragants had displayed a willingness to disengage and fall back when faced with drones as opponents. They needed live Threnosh soldiers in their sights to be drawn into combat.


    Caretaker sent a quick message to the senior commander. The plan was a go. They wished that Honor was available to answer a question. The plan was necessary. It was made with the highest probability of success. By all rights, they should¡¯ve been satisfied. Yet, the thought of so much dead Threnosh, even if they were soldiers that Caretaker didn¡¯t know, was troubling. What cost was victory worth? And how did one decide?


    Honor was still missing, as were PJ15 and Brightstrike. Salamander¡¯s reports had not been positive in that regard. It had almost been a year. It was one of the reasons that Caretaker was eager to end the conflict over Cold Plains City. They were needed elsewhere.


    <hr>


    Tap. Tap. Tap.


    Cal robotically pressed keys on the keyboard. The monotony was broken up by the need to move a sheet of paper from the left side of his desk to the right side.


    The pile shrank. The pile grew. Like the ouroboros devouring its tale, there was no true end. Even when the done pile was moved after the end of the day more paper appeared in the to do pile like magic.


    Tap tap tap tap.


    Cal picked up his pace. It had been hours since he¡¯d sat down in the cheap office chair. He just wanted to get the pile done so he could take a break.


    He blinked.


    The names and numbers on the page suddenly looked like gibberish. Some didn¡¯t even resemble alphanumeric characters. They looked like symbols and they were wrong. Something about them made Cal¡¯s skin crawl.


    He looked at his computer monitor.


    It was off.


    His shadowy reflection looked back at him. His face was distorted. Cuts and bruises covered him. Some looked fresh, some looked weeks older.


    Cal spun around.


    He had seen something behind him. Felt hands on his shoulders and the back of his head.


    Cal¡¯s heart raced. His breathing came out in ragged gasps. He couldn¡¯t hear anything through the sound of the blood rushing in his ears.


    What had he seen?


    He thought it was something like a long, almost human-looking face and hands. So many hands, long, distorted fingers.


    Cal closed his eyes and tried to will his control back.


    When he opened them he was seated in a slightly more comfortable chair behind a nicer desk. He had a dual monitor setup. He didn¡¯t look at the screens. The idea of doing so filled him with dread.


    The door to his office swung open after a perfunctory knock.


    ¡°Yo, Cruces. You ready?¡±


    Cal blinked. He vaguely recognized the woman. She was about his age.


    ¡°Yeah. Just thinking it over.¡± He had learned to never look like he didn¡¯t know what was going on. Buy time. Let the other person reveal what the topic was. Don¡¯t ask. Never ask. Especially after his promotion to middle management.


    Cal blinked. He realized that this was a moment from the past. Four, maybe five years before the spires appeared. Which would put it at close to twelve, thirteen years ago.


    So much had changed.


    He felt a pang of guilt that the woman¡¯s name didn¡¯t come to him.


    ¡°Eh? I wouldn¡¯t worry about it. Just a weekly update on what your team has been up to,¡± the woman said.


    The woman¡¯s tone was light. There was a smile on her face.


    But Cal looked at her. Really looked and listened despite the supreme force of will and effort to pierce through the fog that seemed to smother his thoughts.


    She was off. There was a piercing quality to her eyes as she bore into Cal¡¯s without blinking.


    He felt it striking straight into him.


    And her voice?


    Now that Cal was paying attention he realized it wasn¡¯t actually coming out of her mouth.


    It was coming from all around him.


    Cal sprang from his chair and pushed a hand toward his co-worker. Or whatever was actually standing in front of him.


    Nothing happened.


    Cal¡¯s vision wet black, like a thick blanket fell on him.


    He knew nothing else.

 Interlude: Ignition 1.1

    Earth


    ¡°Magic Missile!¡±


    A panicked voice heralded the glowing orbs that screamed across the air and burned into the charging animal¡¯s skin.


    ¡°Open up!¡±


    A calm voice triggered gunfire. Controlled bursts into the massive animal.


    ¡°Magic Mis¡ª¡±


    The woman was cut off by the mutated black bear tearing her face off with a swipe of its massive paw.


    ¡°Shit, shit, shit!¡±


    ¡°Mage 1 is down! Keep shooting!¡±


    Standard issue M16A4¡¯s stitched a staccato of bursts into the mutant animal¡¯s thick hide. Sparks and flashes meant that some of the rounds were bouncing off like they were hitting thick plates of steel.


    The mutant black bear roared and swept into the nearest group of shooters.


    Men died screaming.


    ¡°Fall back! Fall back!¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s Mage 2? I need his skinny ass here right now!¡±


    Isaac Freeman grimaced. He had been trying to keep as far back in the formation as possible. As far as he was concerned the more soldiers between him and the poor animal was the smart decision.


    It was times like this that he remembered his father¡¯s dark humor when they went hiking and camping.


    ¡°Son,¡± his father would say, ¡°if you see a bear, don¡¯t run. Back away slowly and make noise, make yourself look bigger.¡±


    Issac would ask what if that didn¡¯t work.


    His father would grin and wink. ¡°Well, son, that¡¯s why I bring you along. I only have to outrun you!¡± His father would then break out in a loud guffaw that¡¯d definitely let every animal in the forest know they were there.


    Isaac had done a lot of running and exercising since the spires popped up and ushered in the weirdest apocalypse. He was downright athletic now. A far cry from his skinny-fat days. His new abilities might¡¯ve also had something to do with it.


    Heads turned toward him. A hand grabbed the collar of his tactical vest, on loan from the soldiers, and roughly pushed him toward the front of the formation.


    ¡°Here,¡± Isaac said weakly.


    ¡°Fucking pussy,¡± a soldier muttered.


    ¡°Do your thing mageboy,¡± the lieutenant pushed him forward, ¡°we¡¯ll cover you.¡±


    ¡°Errr¡­¡± Issac pointed at the mutant bear, ¡°Fire dart!¡±


    A small burning dart appeared out of thin air and shot from his finger. It struck the mutant bear in the face.


    Isaac focused his will and the flames bloomed much larger than the size of the dart had suggested was possible.


    The poor bear roared and thrashed its head from side to side.


    Isaac kept his will in the flames, kept them burning. Hotter and hotter.


    The bear tried to roll its head in the dirt and moss, but the fire was stubborn. It clung to its fur as it burned its flesh. Its eyes popped and melted. The liquid evaporating before it could run down the bear¡¯s cheeks.


    The flames coated the inside of its mouth, stealing the oxygen from its lungs.


    The mutant bear tried one last charge, but crumpled to the ground.


    ¡°Jesus fucking Christ,¡± the lieutenant clapped Issac on the back and caused him to stumble forward, ¡°I wish our other mages had that same spell. So overpowered.¡±


    ¡°Uh,¡± Isaac tried to clear his throat. The burning bear smell was making him nauseous. ¡°I just got lucky I guess.¡±


    ¡°Hotstuff comes through again!¡± one of the soldiers whooped.


    The others cheered or was it jeered?


    Isaac was pretty sure it was the latter. He smiled and nodded, as was expected.


    The lieutenant punched him on the arm. He tried not to wince as he lowered his gaze to the forest floor. Unwanted attention always made his fair skin as red as a tomato.


    ¡°Head back to town, Freeman. We¡¯ll take care of it.¡± The lieutenant turned to the rest of his men. ¡°That looks like a thousand pounds of meat boys. You¡¯re gonna be eating bear steaks tonight!¡±


    The soldiers roared.


    ¡°Job well done!¡±


    Isaac had already turned his back on the soldiers. No one saw his frown.


    The trail back to the road took him about thirty minutes. The road took another thirty. He missed cars. And all the bicycles in town had been commandeered by the major for important use.


    An hour of tense walking later and he found himself in front of the barricade that led into his hometown. He was finally able to breathe. Walking through a small trail and road surrounded by thick forests wasn¡¯t something he liked doing before monsters and mutant animals were a thing. The fact that he had special abilities didn¡¯t make a difference in his mind.


    ¡°Isaac, how¡¯d the hunt go?¡±


    Jordan was manning the gate by himself.


    ¡°Open up and I¡¯ll tell you.¡±


    ¡°Right, sorry.¡±


    Jordan was about a head taller than Issac. He was a broad-shouldered specimen of the All-American ideal. They had gone to the same high school in town, but hadn¡¯t really crossed paths much. From all accounts he was a pretty decent guy even though he was the star quarterback.


    The gate squealed as Jordan cranked the winch that pulled it open.


    Isaac stepped through as soon as the opening was wide enough. He quickly helped Jordan seal it up again.


    ¡°We got an altered black bear,¡± Isaac said flatly.


    Jordan beamed. ¡°Nice! That¡¯s a lot of meat.¡±


    Isaac shook his head. ¡°We¡¯ll see how much actually gets filtered down to the rest of us.¡±


    ¡°Not so loud, man,¡± Jordan said. ¡°Cade¡¯s crew might be around. They¡¯re supposed to be on watch with me, but¡­¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Assholes,¡± Isaac muttered.


    Jordan nodded. ¡°How big was the bear?¡±


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. They said maybe a thousand pounds.¡±


    Jordan whistled appreciatively. ¡°Must¡¯ve taken a lot of rounds to bring it down. I heard that their Gunsmith is having trouble keeping the ammo supply up.¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Roberts is dead,¡± Isaac blurted out.


    The smile fell from Jordan¡¯s face.


    ¡°The bear got her. And a couple of soldiers.¡±


    ¡°You should tell Mr. Roberts,¡± Jordan said after a moment of silence. ¡°I¡¯d do it, but I can¡¯t leave my post until sundown. He should hear it from one of us.¡±


    ¡°I know. The soldiers will take days to tell him. If they even remember,¡± Isaac sighed. He just didn¡¯t want to be the one to do it.


    Isaac waved goodbye and walked into the town proper.


    It was a small town. The kind with one main street and one church. Small houses, small yards, which may or may not be enclosed by a picket fence, possibly white in color.


    Seeing it made Isaac¡¯s thoughts turn to a bitter place. He had thought he had escaped by going to college. Free from his conservative town, conservative state, and conservative poison. The only reason he was back home was to spend the summer with his family.


    Despite all his urging, his parents refused to sell their home and move to a better place. Especially after his father¡¯s diagnosis. Even with the prejudice they faced his parents had known no other home and so they stayed and waited for the end.


    The spires brought about a different kind of end.


    Isaac went straight to the Roberts¡¯ home. He rang the doorbell.


    Mr. Roberts answered. One look at Isaac¡¯s face and the man knew.


    He listened in stoic silence as Isaac struggled to recount what had happened to Mrs. Roberts.


    Isaac kept the gory details out of the tale.


    In the end, Mr. Roberts thanked Isaac and closed the door.


    Isaac heard the sobs as soon as he stepped off the porch. He wondered if the soldiers would even bother bringing Mrs. Roberts back to her husband.


    He wasn¡¯t blameless in this. He could¡¯ve carried her body back himself. Truth was he couldn¡¯t stomach the sight of her mangled face and chest. Truth was he was afraid that carrying a corpse would¡¯ve attracted monsters and mutant animals. Truth was the sight of blood made him sick.


    He returned home feeling worse about himself than he had in awhile.


    ¡°Isaac, did it go okay? You look fine, but your face doesn¡¯t.¡± Isaac¡¯s mom had a look of dread mixed with hope on her face.


    ¡°Mrs. Roberts died.¡±


    ¡°Oh dear. Why don¡¯t you sit at the table and I¡¯ll warm you up some tea and honey.¡±


    Isaac sat silently as his mother bustled about the kitchen. He was always amazed by how smooth her dark brown skin remained despite her age. Although the last year had seen more lines appear. Another thing to hold against the spires.


    ¡°Do you want to talk about it?¡±


    His mother placed a cup in front of him.


    ¡°Not really.¡± Isaac sipped. He felt the heat of it, scalding really, but didn¡¯t feel the pain, since there was no injury to his tongue or mouth. A gift from his abilities. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ I mean, what¡¯s the point? Mrs. Roberts should¡¯ve been, I don¡¯t know, knitting scarves and visiting her grandkids. Except she died fighting a giant bear without knowing if her grandkids are still even alive.¡±


    ¡°Delores wanted to help with the abilities God gave her. At least now she¡¯s with our Lord.¡±


    Isaac opened his mouth to argue, but saw the look on his mother¡¯s face. He shook his head. ¡°Did she? Willingly? Or did the army make her? They haven¡¯t exactly given me a choice. Oh they twist their words to make it seem like I¡¯m volunteering, but¡­¡±


    Isaac¡¯s mom pursed her lips.


    ¡°I can¡¯t say I like everything they¡¯re doing, but they are protecting us from the monsters.¡±


    ¡°Mom¡­¡± Issac sighed. ¡°That bear would¡¯ve killed every soldier out there today if it wasn¡¯t for me.¡±


    Issac¡¯s mom wrung her hands together. ¡°I¡¯m just happy that you¡¯re home safe. I don¡¯t like you going out there, but I can understand why.¡±


    ¡°A thousand pounds of meat.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, honey?¡±


    ¡°The bear. Probably a thousand pounds of meat. I¡¯m just wondering how much of it will reach people like us.¡±


    ¡°Just worry about the things you can control. God grants us the serenity to accept the things we can¡¯t control.¡± Isaac¡¯s mom lovingly cupped his cheeks like he was still a boy. ¡°Now, wash up for dinner. Your sister will be home soon and I need to wake your father.¡±


    Isaac did as he was told and then set the table. Dinner was a stew of normal rabbit meat and vegetables. Isaac¡¯s family was better off than most because he was able to go out into the forest and hunt with his abilities and his knowledge from his younger days with his father.


    Sofia Freeman barged in and slammed the door behind her before stomping off to her bedroom.


    ¡°Um¡­ okay.¡± Isaac frowned. His younger sister was fifteen going on sixteen. She was a burgeoning beauty. Fair of skin and long of leg. She had played varsity volleyball as a freshman. Her level of physical fitness had only increased as she had thrown herself into combat training with a maniacal fervor.


    Isaac wasn¡¯t blind to the looks his sister got nor deaf to the whispers.


    The glass in his hand shattered.


    Isaac looked down. The red glow in his hand was matched by the red glow in the pieces of glass on the floor.


    ¡°Shit.¡±


    The wooden floor had black scorch marks from the superheated glass.


    Isaac hurried to pick them up.


    ¡°Isaac! What was that? Is everything okay?¡± Issac¡¯s mom called out from the master bedroom.


    ¡°Just dropped a glass! Sorry!¡± Isaac rubbed at the scorch marks to no avail. He went out to the backyard and placed the still hot glass pieces on an out-of-the-way spot of concrete.


    When he returned to the kitchen his mother was helping his father to a seat.


    The sight brought a pang of pain to Isaac¡¯s chest.


    His father was practically skin and bones. So stooped over he looked almost the same height as Isaac¡¯s mother.


    His father had been a big man, muscular in the ways of those who lifted heavy objects for a living.


    The cancer had nearly eaten everything away.


    Isaac forced a smile on his face. ¡°Dad.¡±


    ¡°My boy.¡± His dad smiled. It was full of pain, but the love and affection was pure. ¡°Good hunting?¡±


    ¡°Mutant bear. Probably a thousand pounds.¡±


    His father grimaced. ¡°I¡¯m just glad the rabbits are still normal,¡± Isaac¡¯s father laughed weakly.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ yeah,¡± Isaac said. He wasn¡¯t going to tell his father that the amount of normal animals he came across had been steadily decreasing. It seemed like they either went mutant or got eaten.


    Sofia came to the table with a dark look on her face.


    No one remarked on it.


    Isaac¡¯s father led a prayer.


    They ate their stew in companionable silence until Isaac couldn¡¯t take it anymore.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Sofia said.


    ¡°You can tell us, wildcat,¡± Issac¡¯s father said.


    Sofia frowned, but one look at her father and it softened.


    Isaac¡¯s father sighed. ¡°Just about the only good thing about this cancer is I don¡¯t get no back talk from you two anymore,¡± he laughed weakly.


    Sofia¡¯s frown returned. ¡°God Dad, don¡¯t even joke about that!¡±


    ¡°Sofia!¡± Isaac¡¯s mom said sternly.


    ¡°Sorry, Mom,¡± Sofia didn¡¯t roll her eyes.


    Isaac¡¯s father chuckled. ¡°The day I can¡¯t joke is the day I say goodbye.¡±


    ¡°You know there¡¯ll only be more jokes if you don¡¯t spill the sitch,¡± Isaac said. ¡°Is that right? Did I use that word right?¡±


    Sofia looked like Isaac as if he had the intelligence of the carrot chunks she was pushing around on her plate.


    ¡°Fine. It was a bunch of jerks, just saying some stuff to me during training. I shouldn¡¯t have let it get to me.¡±


    Isaac and his father narrowed their eyes.


    ¡°What?¡± The two men said in unison.


    ¡°No, no, this is why I didn¡¯t want to say anything. Dad, I love you, but I don¡¯t want you fighting for me and Isaac, I don¡¯t want you burning some dumb boys.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re not boys,¡± Isaac said flatly.


    ¡°I can take care of myself,¡± Sofia snapped.


    ¡°How about we enjoy our dinner? We can discuss this later,¡± Isaac¡¯s mom said. ¡°We¡¯re lucky to have meat tonight, thanks to your brother.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m okay with that,¡± Sofia shrugged. ¡°But, there¡¯s nothing to talk about.¡±


    Isaac exchanged a look with his father. They nodded.


    ¡°So, uh, how¡¯s the meat supply look, Mom?¡± Isaac deftly changed the subject. This time, Sofia rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Oh, we¡¯re okay. You don¡¯t have to go hunting on your own,¡± Isaac¡¯s mom said lightly.


    He wasn¡¯t fooled. Her hand shook. He¡¯d take his next free opportunity to go out and hunt some game, without telling her.


    Dinner proceeded with talk of better days and of hopes for the future.


    Isaac did his best to play along, but he felt nothing except dread and darkness as they grew heavier in his mind.

 3.34

    Now, Threnosh World


    ¡°I request inclusion in the Task,¡± Kynnro said.


    Caretaker watched their teammate through the lens of their predictive algorithm. Dozens of information streams were fed to them from Kynnro¡¯s simple act of walking into the command chamber and standing at attention.


    To the naked eye Kynnro appeared as if they had been healed. Such was the Threnosh level of technology. Critical injuries fixed impossibly quick. Power armor, a gift from the spires, that bore the burden of physical movement for the frail body within.


    To Caretaker¡¯s eyes Kynnro was functioning at less than fifty percent.


    ¡°You are supposed to be still within the medical pod,¡± Caretaker said flatly.


    ¡°My injuries have been healed to a sufficient level and my trueskin has been repaired. I am ready to take my part in the task.¡±


    ¡°Denied. You are at forty-seven percent of your full capability. Inclusion in the team will decrease overall probability of success.¡±


    Kynnro couldn¡¯t argue against that statement. They had only always known Caretaker to never make a mistake when it came to probabilities. And yet, they knew that they had to be a part of the operation. They couldn¡¯t simply lay in a medical pod while their teammates faced danger. While the other Threnosh soldiers were being sacrificed as a distraction for the Task.


    ¡°I will perform above your assessment. As Honor has stated several times. We are capable of going beyond what the projections indicate. Many of us had done so. You and I included,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°That is true, however my orders stand. It is my determination that the injuries you suffered are too critical for you to overcome in this specific case,¡± Caretaker said flatly. ¡°Rest and heal. There will be plenty of future battles for you to take part in.¡±


    The dismissal was clear. Kynnro inclined their head slightly and left on almost imperceptibly unsteady legs.


    A frown creased Caretaker¡¯s smooth brow as soon as Kynnro was gone. Their teammate had pulled themselves out of the medical pod in just two days. They didn¡¯t know what to make of it. It was the first time that any of their team had ever willing removed themselves out of a medical pod before the required amount of time for full healing.


    The concern was dismissed as they turned their full attention back on the upcoming operation. They were hours away for proceeding and they were watching the surveillance feeds closely to see if there was any change in the cragants¡¯ behavior.


    There were none. The giant humanoids had continued their angry assault over the past two days. The Threnosh soldiers gave them a fight to keep them distracted and to continually pull them further away from the center of their main base within the city.


    Everything was aligned.


    Caretaker only needed to give the final word.


    A message to the senior commander as a formality. This Task was strictly within the provision of their team, the T-men.


    ¡°Begin preparations to depart,¡± Caretaker said into the team channel.


    <hr>


    ¡°What is it, hierophant?¡± General Zanya was in a foul mood. The enemy had struck a direct blow to her pride as a leader. It wasn¡¯t so much that they had killed Legate Rathus, but rather the dishonorable manner in which they did it. To sneak in under the cover of darkness and to use an array of tricks was enraging. ¡°I am busy conducting a war.¡±


    ¡°Indeed that is why I summoned you,¡± Elgorit looked up at the general with an upturned nose. The effect was lost due to the fact that the general was a lot larger. ¡°I am concerned that my defenses have been weakened by your actions over the last few days.¡±


    ¡°The cowardly assault on Legate Rathus must be answered with overwhelming force.¡± General Zanya stared at the hierophant in disbelief. She realized that she shouldn¡¯t have been surprised. Devotion to their distasteful workings had clearly severed the hierophants from the rightful ways of their people.


    Elgorit waved a blood and grime encrusted hand dismissively. They were uncowed by the general¡¯s dreadful mien. ¡°Yes, yes¡­ of course. However, that is no excuse for the complete abandonment of your primary duty.¡±


    General Zanya narrowed her eyes.


    ¡°I know you would never forget that all things in the Savior takes priority and as a direct representative, I embody the Savior on this world.¡± Elgorit gave her a thin smile. ¡°It is unwise to expose the will of the Savior to unnecessary danger.¡±


    ¡°You question my ability to protect you?¡± The veins on General Zanya¡¯s neck clenched like wriggling snakes beneath her thick skin.


    ¡°Frankly, yes. It has been many months and you have consistently failed to root out these tiny gray ones.¡±


    ¡°The disposition of the legions is under my authority,¡± General Zanya snapped. She had enough of the grotesque hierophant.


    ¡°And a fine job you are doing¡­ except,¡± Elgorit drummed crusty fingers on his chin, ¡°one finds it suspicious that the gray ones are now giving open battle when they had spent months throwing soulless automatons at our forces while running away and disappearing into the bowels of the city before we could crush them with our superior strength.¡± He cleared his throat with a disgustingly wet sound and spat the resultant filth near, but not directly at the general¡¯s boots. ¡°Your thoughts, general?¡±


    General Zanya grit her teeth. The easy denial died in her throat. She couldn¡¯t refute the hierophant, as much as she desired it. Her experience and gut echoed what the hierophant had said. Yet, cragant honor demanded they assert their dominance over the gray ones that relied on artifice and trickery to barely compete on battlefield with them.


    ¡°I simply question the wisdom of leaving my, our, protection in the hands of your personal guard. Although they are certainly elite, their numbers are rather¡­ lacking¡­ in my eyes.¡±


    The general was done with the hierophant. She spun on her heel without further word and departed the foul-smelling chamber.


    ¡°General?¡± Adjutant Trusk was waiting for her outside the door.


    ¡°Place our legionnaires on high alert. Double the guard on the hierophant. Pull back from the perimeter. It is better that we concentrate our forces on the hierophant¡¯s dwelling.¡±


    ¡°My suspicions?¡±


    ¡°Are likely. Yes, yes,¡± General Zanya gave a bitter smile. ¡°I suppose this is me admitting that you were right.¡±


    ¡°Then we are to expect an attack at any time.¡±


    General Zanya nodded. ¡°With the night. They¡¯ll try to do to us what they did to the 3rd Legion.¡±


    ¡°I will see to it that your guard is ready,¡± Trusk said with a salute as he tromped away from the general¡¯s side.


    The cragant¡¯s great height allowed her to see far into the city. General Zanya felt like she was walking among a set of a young one¡¯s toy blocks. Gray with a metallic sheen that sometimes reflected the dying sun as it began its descent over the horizon.


    She tried to ignore the feeling. She couldn¡¯t admit that such weak and tiny ones had managed to teach her something like fear. Not for her life, no, true cragants didn¡¯t fear death so long as they died well, fighting to the end. Failure was the demon that occupied her thoughts. The thought that her line would suffer if the Savior found her performance lacking weighed heavily on her.


    Had she made a mistake in not debasing herself to the hierophant? If he returned to the Savior with ill words on her behalf?


    She shook her head. One concern at a time.


    The unique gray ones were coming. She was convinced now. All she had to do was stop them and then all her concerns would be as pebbles to grind beneath her boots.


    <hr>


    Typical Threnosh cities were built both below and above ground level when the geography allowed it. Cold Plains City was an example of this. There were numerous underground ways for the T-Men to reach their target undetected.


    To the cragants¡¯ credit once they had realized this they had made the painstaking effort to open up the ground like a metal can around their main base. They hadn¡¯t had the time to do the same to their outposts, which Caretaker had used to get Shira into position right beneath the 3rd Legion¡¯s camp.


    They weren¡¯t able to repeat the same tactic with the main cragant base. They had to settle for emerging several hundred meters beyond the perimeter of the base.


    Rough-hewn trees had been turned into a thick and tall fence. The wall only rose to about neck level for the average cragant, which was more than enough height when placed next to the much shorter Threnosh.


    Ultimately the cragants wasted the effort in erecting the wall. Standard Threnosh doctrine would never call for a direct assault with ground bound soldiers.


    ¡°No sentries on the wall,¡± Volkharion said. ¡°I have scattered my surveillance drones throughout the entire base. The entire enemy force is concentrated around the structure housing the primary target, Designation: Hierophant.¡±


    ¡°The enemy commander suspects,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Strength and weight of numbers will make completing the Task difficult without further casualties,¡± Adjudicator said.


    ¡°No, we will scatter them with a fierce and overwhelming attack. The time for hiding and hitting from a distance is finished,¡± Primal said.


    Caretaker said nothing. They let their predictive algorithm go to work with the problem in front of them. Multiple actions and results played out for them and only them. Optimum success was wagered against sub-optimal casualty numbers for their team. They searched and waited for one that predicted success without catastrophic injury and death. It didn¡¯t come. There were too many variables. Namely the hierophant¡¯s mysterious ability. Magic, as Honor had called it. The algorithm couldn¡¯t factor it into its predictions with accuracy.


    In the end they had to settle for the best possible path forward, which didn¡¯t feel right. Something Caretaker wasn¡¯t familiar with when it came to their operations.


    They quickly sent out specific orders to each team member, along with suggested routes to get into their positions.


    ¡°You all know the plan and your places in it. Do not be afraid to deviate if necessary. I trust your ability to decide if the situation calls for improvisation,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°As a final reminder. Success is crucial, but not at all costs. Intelligent risks only. Do not be reckless.¡±


    The team checked their weapons and systems one last time before heading their separate ways. Some went off on their own, while others departed in twos and threes.


    Silver Wolf transitioned to their four-legged form and padded with surprising silence next to Caretaker, Shira, Malendrax and Blueballs as they descended into another dark tunnel beneath the street that led into the cragants¡¯ makeshift fort.


    Their group was the largest.


    Primal stomped to their assigned position with heavy steps that shook the metallic streets.


    Whoosh glided with smooth strides and light boosts from the jets that dotted their power armor. They made for the opposite side of the cragant fort. They itched to go faster, but Caretaker¡¯s orders were precise and to the second. They were to arrive at the exact time. No sooner or later.


    Actryarius ran as fast as they could through all of the structures in their way. They had a lot of items to give to the cragants.


    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    Adjudicator and Tynk trailed in Actryarious¡¯ wake. They had to stick to the structures to mask their approach, not that there were any eyes to observe them.


    Resplendent Zabriium trotted to their spot. A long, straight street that led right to the enemy fort.


    They all waited for their moment. It felt as if this was what they had been building up to over the last several years. The true test of their worth. From so-called Defectives to perhaps the hope for the entire Threnosh world against the gigantic upworld invaders. They had to show that the cragants weren¡¯t unbeatable.


    Caretaker didn¡¯t need to give the order, but it felt like the right thing to do.


    ¡°Begin.¡±


    Primal shot a massive arrow that exploded a wide section of the wooden wall open. They immediately stowed their bow and started running forward. This battle was going to be fought in closer quarters. Long-range bombardment would¡¯ve meant a high probability of friendly fire. That was just fine with them. They were tired of sitting far away and taking shots at the giant humanoids.


    Resplendent Zabriium¡¯s thundering gallop echoed across the largely empty city. They aimed right for the gaping hole that Primal had just opened.


    ¡°You will leave enemies for me, Zabri,¡± Primal threatened over the comms.


    ¡°There are enough for you to indulge your unnecessary desire for close combat,¡± Resplendent Zabriium said.


    ¡°That is my expectation. Do not deny me. I have waited long enough.¡±


    Whoosh circled around the far side of the enemy base while they waited for their time to shine. They listened in on the chatter over the comms as the one-sided argument between Primal and Resplendent Zabriium continued. The former continued to grumble, while the latter mostly grunted or remained silent. They¡¯d never admit it to Primal¡¯s face, but they found the diminutive Threnosh¡¯s disagreeable nature entertaining.


    Actryarius felt differently. They wished they could mute Primal in the team channel, but for obvious reasons that wasn¡¯t possible in the middle of an active combat situation. They did the best they could to ignore their teammate. They needed every once of concentration they could muster to phase the large, hard pack affixed to the back of their power armor as they rushed through the structures in between them and the enemy base. Going intangible with their power armor was easy, instinctive. Taking other things along wasn¡¯t. Size and quantity increased the difficulty. They couldn¡¯t afford to lose focus and leave the contents of their pack merged with the walls of the structures. The effects of that would be catastrophic to Caretaker¡¯s plan, let alone to themselves.


    They had worked hard and squeezed every opportunity to improve their control over the past year in the long fight for Cold Plains City. The results of the experience and effort showed. Actryarius carried their pack into the enemy base well-ahead of Resplendent Zabriium and Primal. They slipped through the final wooden barrier and hurried to set their items where Caretaker¡¯s orders directed.


    There wasn¡¯t much space in terms of timing. Everything had to be precisely done.


    The ceiling over Caretaker¡¯s head opened up in jagged rents. The cragants had torn up the ground around the outer edge of their base. They had created an island centered around the hierophant¡¯s building. With only fifty or so defenders left it allowed them to shrink the area they had to guard.


    ¡°Wait.¡±


    Caretaker¡¯s hand shifted imperceptibly. They were ready to grab Shira. There was a fifty percent probability according to their algorithm that their black-armored teammate was about to jump up to ground level and attack.


    Shira restrained themselves, to Caretaker¡¯s relief.


    ¡°Soon.¡±


    Caretaker watched the cragants¡¯ reaction to Primal¡¯s explosive attack from the flying surveillance drones. There was less than they had planned. The giant humanoids stayed in their defensive pockets around the entire outer perimeter of the large structure the hierophant had claimed.


    ¡°Volkharion, any update on the interior?¡± Caretaker spoke into the comms.


    ¡°Negative. I lost connection with my surveillance drones the moment I sent them inside,¡± Volkharion said.


    ¡°Very well. I release you to deploy your combat drones at your discretion. Prevent the enemy forces from entering the structure as best as you can.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    A loud explosion from above suddenly shook the tunnel.


    ¡°Let us go,¡± Caretaker said.


    Shira took the lead, followed by Malendrax, then Caretaker. Silver Wolf flanked them to the left and a little behind, while Blueballs was almost directly behind Caretaker.


    ¡°Move two meters to the right,¡± Caretaker said without looking back. They knew what Blueballs was doing. ¡°You require a clear line of sight to potential threats.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Blueballs sighed, but quickly complied.


    Much of the base camp between the walls and the hierophant¡¯s structure was already shrouded in darkness. With the bulk of their forces out in the city the torches that would¡¯ve been lit amidst the soldier¡¯s tents were cold.


    The team moved quickly, but with caution and silence. The canvas tents dwarfed them. It was a strange feeling. It was like walking through the largest and densest of Threnosh cities. Except instead of gleaming metal structures rising above them the were surrounded by cloth draped over wooden frames. The way the cloth rippled and moved with the wind was unnerving. The tents rivaled the largest structures in Cold Plains City, yet they gave the impression of instability.


    Shira¡¯s power armor drank in the darkness, somehow creating a deep void that was darker than the color black. Caretaker had difficulty pinpointing their teammate¡¯s position even with the aid from their predictive algorithm.


    ¡°Shira, you are advancing too quickly.¡±


    The blackness slowed, as far as Caretaker could tell.


    They reached the end of the tents and stood across the last fifty or so meters to the hierophant¡¯s structure. The cragants stood at the ready in small groups in their typical shield-line formation. Five in a group, with other groups within sighting distance in the light of the torches they had mounted on the side of the structure.


    Caretaker had plotted their approach toward the rear of the building, on the opposite side from the entrance. They had counted on their assessment of the cragant psychology. The giant humanoids were uncomplicated warriors. They sought to face their enemies head on. Their commanders, unlike the Threnosh, fought alongside their soldiers, something Caretaker understood. As such, they had predicted that the command staff would take up a position guarding the entrance to the structure. This in turn meant that the best fighters would also be there.


    The highest probability of success for their Task was when they avoided direct combat with these individuals for as long as possible. Be where your enemy doesn¡¯t expect you to be. It was one of the most basic things that Caretaker had learned about tactics.


    ¡°Silver Wolf, engage the enemy and draw them away.¡± Caretaker directed toward the handful of cragants that were as of yet unaware that death lurked in the shadows. ¡°Once the space is clear, the rest of us will ingress into the structure.¡±


    The start of the battle was heralded by a four-legged, metal-clad canine beast bounding out of the darkness like a blur.


    These cragants were the elite. Though surprised, they formed up behind their shields and readied their weapons. They weren¡¯t ready for Silver Wolf¡¯s mid-leap transformation. The Threnosh howled as they struck.


    The shouts drew another group of cragants rushing to join in the fight.


    It was what Caretaker had been waiting for. ¡°Go,¡± they commanded.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    Keisha Davidson didn¡¯t envision her life turning out the way it did when she had moved from the southeast to the west coast to attend college, while living with her grandmother. A decade had passed since she had started at UC Davis on an athletic scholarship. She had a brief dream of the Olympics, but two years in and she had to be honest with herself that wasn¡¯t going to be likely. So, she had focused on doing her best in both sport and studies. She had been aiming for medical school when the world ended.


    Everything that had happened since the spires appeared felt like another person¡¯s experience.


    Her grandmother had passed away a few years ago. The thought brought a pang of pain. She was the only family Keisha had left. As far as she knew the rest of her family back home was probably dead. Not knowing killed her. And she had know way of finding out.


    Almost a decade since the spires ruined all of her hopes and dreams.


    Keisha was a scholar and an athlete. Now, she was a warrior, a soldier, a squad leader.


    Now she had a Class. Not the classes that she was forced into in the time before. Once she was judged on her race, appearance, how much money she had. She supposed that she could look at it as an improvement, but she wasn¡¯t sure about that.


    Her Class, Classes, she had picked up another one in addition to the original, was a quantifiable thing. It was codified by the spires. They couldn¡¯t take that away from her or diminish her as they did in the old society.


    Was it better now? Or worse? Maybe it was only a matter of exchanging one evil, controlling system for another.


    It was all a game anyways. Now it was just more honest and in your face. Not whispered behind your back or hidden behind unjust laws and a rigged system.


    Still, Keisha wasn¡¯t fooled. Unlike the others. She wasn¡¯t blinded by the exciting abilities and powers. Even if it leveled the playing field in a way that hadn¡¯t truly been possible before, despite what the old controlling powers would have had the people believe.


    ¡°So¡­ are we going in or not?¡± Trevor dragged the words out slowly.


    Keisha ignored the young man. She kept her eyes on the office building. Dark windows and mirrored glass made it impossible to discern anything on the inside. The encroaching gloom of night didn¡¯t help either. It was some kind of health insurance provider¡¯s office back in the day. Now it was just an empty building. It had been claimed, however, by one of the Cruces brothers to prevent monster spawns.


    Which was why the Watch squad was there. They had received reports of shadowy figures entering and exiting over the past few nights. They were so undermanned that they were only able to check it out now.


    ¡°Shut the fuck up, Trevor!¡± Amber snapped.


    Keisha held her hand up and turned her head to the rest of her team to forestall the argument.


    Amber closed her mouth, but the petite blond kept a laser-focused glare on Trevor.


    ¡°Look, guys. I¡¯m just a little nervous about being on the edge of our zone of control this close to dark. We¡¯ve had to give up ground thanks to the fishmen and now monsters are moving back in,¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°I think I did see a pretty big, dark shape down that way earlier,¡± Del pointed his spear down the street.


    Amber snapped her head around to follow. ¡°Damn it! Why didn¡¯t you say anything?¡±


    ¡°Fuck, what if it¡¯s a gremlin alpha?¡± Trevor cocked his arm back. A small rock clutched in his hand.


    Del shrugged. ¡°My Danger Sense didn¡¯t go off.¡±


    ¡°Relax,¡± Rory chuckled, ¡°you noobs need to get that skill.¡± He thumped Del on the shoulder.


    ¡°Or a detect monster spell,¡± Trevor muttered.


    ¡°How many times do I have to tell you that we can¡¯t just pick spells?¡± Amber snapped.


    Keisha frowned. ¡°Del¡­ what about from in there.¡± She pointed her heavy, two-handed sledge hammer at the office building.


    ¡°I¡¯m not picking up anything.¡±


    ¡°So, we¡¯re wasting our time,¡± Trevor said. ¡°We can go back now? Before it gets really dark.¡±


    Rory snickered.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, Trevor, just didn¡¯t know that you were scared of the dark.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not. I just can¡¯t see in the dark and neither can any of you.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got lanterns and lights.¡±


    ¡°Except they don¡¯t go out more than fifty to a hundred feet,¡± Trevor said. ¡°Monsters, fishmen, cult fucks¡­ that much distance is way too close for me. I can take them out from much further out if I can see them.¡±


    Keisha ignored the bickering while she weighed their options. The squad was undermanned as was usual these days. The conflict with the Bay Area cultists and the fishmen hadn¡¯t gone well. People had died. People she had come to see as part of her team, if not exactly friends. She had found it hard to make friends when death was something that she had to factor in her daily calculus. It led to a natural distance when it came to interpersonal relationships.


    Figures had been seen entering and exiting the office building. None of Keisha¡¯s people for sure. Monsters were a possibility, but the building was still technically under one of the Cruces¡¯ control, ownership, whatever, she didn¡¯t quite get how that worked, nor did she care to understand. She acknowledged that it was willful ignorance and probably harmful. But like not eating her vegetables when she was a kid, she still resisted even if she knew, intellectually what the right action was.


    Cultists.


    The word made her clench up with anger. Their community had been building toward safety and security from monsters and with more mundane concerns like food and supplies. She felt as if they had some semblance of normalcy within their grasp. It had taken years.


    The damn cultists ruined it within a matter of weeks. Now the past year and half found them forced back into a life or death struggle. Or an even worse fate according to some reports.


    ¡°Those cultists can summon the fishmen, right?¡± Keisha said to no one in particular.


    ¡°Yeah, if you believe what those kids said,¡± Rory scoffed.


    Trevor nodded. ¡°Gene and them are legit. If they said the cultists summoned a fishman then that¡¯s what happened.¡±


    ¡°A large office building on the edge of our territory without a lot of eyes on it,¡± Keisha nodded. ¡°Seems like a good place to use for summoning spells, don¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying you¡¯re wrong, but we¡¯re like a half-strength squad¡­ shouldn¡¯t we just come back with more people?¡± Rory said.


    ¡°Definitely,¡± Del said. ¡°I¡¯m for waiting so we can bring Remy or at least Hanna.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no one else and those aren¡¯t available for the foreseeable future,¡± Keisha said.


    ¡°Nila?¡± Amber added hopefully.


    ¡°Without the other two, she¡¯s our last line of defense.¡±


    ¡°The kids?¡±


    Keisha knew who Trevor was referring to. She shook her head. ¡°Same.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s kinda bullshit,¡± Rory said. ¡°They¡¯ve got legit superpowers and I¡¯ve seen them wreck fishmen before.¡±


    ¡°Not debatable,¡± Keisha said. ¡°We¡¯re going to check this out. If you don¡¯t want to then you can stay out here and watch or something.¡± She picked her shield, wood core with a thin layer of metal on the outer surface courtesy of Remy Cruces. Keisha had also added a thick layer of kevlar on top of that. The added weight didn¡¯t matter when she had an Enhanced Strength passive on top of her already big and strong athlete¡¯s body. Tossing a shot put around since she had been a girl was a surprisingly applicable skill in the apocalypse. She gripped her sledge hammer and strode off. ¡°Follow me or not.¡±


    Keisha decided that she didn¡¯t much like being a squad leader.

 Interlude: Ignition 1.2

    The next few weeks were quiet for Isaac. The bear meat was plenty for the soldiers and people with connections, so they didn¡¯t need him to go along on another major hunt.


    This meant that he was free to hunt on his own.


    Unfortunately, it was meager pickings.


    There weren¡¯t any normal animals larger than a rabbit. No deer or wild pigs. So, all he managed to harvest were the aforementioned rabbits and squirrels.


    There were less and less of the normal ones. Soon he¡¯d have to start taking the mutant ones.


    He returned after lunch with a brace of rabbits and a string of squirrels.


    The gate was manned by group of soldiers.


    ¡°Good hunting, Hotstuff?¡±


    ¡°Not really.¡± Isaac kept his face guarded. No reaction. He didn¡¯t want to show any discomfort or that he was intimidated by the guns pointed vaguely around his feet. He knew they could swing them up in a split-second.


    ¡°Damn shame. It¡¯s been months since I¡¯ve had any bacon.¡±


    The gate slid open and the soldier on the wall waved him through.


    ¡°You know the drill.¡±


    Isaac placed his haul and his day pack on the table outside the guard shack. He kept his face neutral while the soldiers inspected his pack.


    He unlaced his boots and placed them on the table. His jacket went next as he stood with arms out wide for the pat down.


    It took less than a minute, but it felt like an eternity as he forced himself to look unconcerned while the soldiers looked down on him with smug faces.


    ¡°No contraband. We¡¯ll take the rabbits. You can keep the squirrels.¡±


    Isaac nodded.


    ¡°Barely any meat on them, right guys!¡±


    The soldiers laughed.


    ¡°Thanks again, Hotstuff. You do your community a service.¡±


    An unbidden image popped into Isaac¡¯s thoughts.


    Of the soldier¡¯s face melting in a fire.


    Of all of them on flames, screaming.


    ¡°Oh, the major wants to see you. ASAP. So once you take care of your squirrels, best you head on over right away.¡±


    The soldier patted Isaac on the head.


    Their laughter followed him as he walked away.


    Isaac didn¡¯t waste any time. He dropped the squirrels off at home and went straight to town hall.


    The park next to the building had been turned into a workout and training area for Cade and his crew. The regular gym had gotten to small for the over-sized meatheads.


    The meatheads were busy at lifting ridiculous amounts of weight, grunting and yelling at each other.


    It made Isaac cringed internally. The distaste he felt was visceral.


    He walked with a purpose, hoping that they wouldn¡¯t notice him.


    ¡°Hotstuff!¡±


    A gruff voice shouted.


    ¡°Shit,¡± Isaac muttered.


    Cade came stomping over like some kind of flesh-colored hulk.


    ¡°What¡¯s up, bro?¡±


    ¡°The major wanted to see me,¡± Isaac said.


    He had to crane his neck up to look at Cade¡¯s caveman-ish face.


    ¡°Oh yeah, wonder what my dad wants with you?¡±


    Isaac shrugged.


    He had been vaguely aware of Cade¡¯s existence back in high school.


    The Cade of today was world¡¯s apart from the Cade of the past.


    Isaac was three years ahead, so they hadn¡¯t crossed paths. Not that they traveled in similar circle anyways.


    From what he remembered Cade didn¡¯t really travel in any circles. A loner and a neckbeard, that¡¯s what the meaner people called him, which, since it was high school, was practically everyone.


    The spires changed everything. They made Cade¡¯s life better.


    Isaac didn¡¯t know the full details, but whatever class Cade got allowed him to come up with a serum or a potion. Isaac wasn¡¯t too clear on the proper terminology.


    This serum was responsible for the ridiculously muscled teenagers and young men sweating all over the park.


    It was like fictionalized steroids. You took it, lifted weights and you got bigger and stronger. Except you went way beyond known human limits and what was physiologically possible.


    Cade had grown a foot and probably weighed somewhere in the five to six hundred pound range.


    The best part of it was that the extra mass didn¡¯t make him a plodding behemoth barely capable of movement. He was quick and fast. They had timed him at near Olympic records in all kinds of running events. Even his stamina was greater than it should¡¯ve been.


    They made the biggest bodybuilders look small and they could run and fight better than the best athletes.


    Isaac kept the disgust off his face.


    Cade was grotesque. Bulging muscles on top of muscles.


    That wasn¡¯t the only reason for Isaac¡¯s disgust.


    Cade and his crew where as ugly on the inside as they were on the outside.


    ¡°Hey, man, so I¡¯m throwing a party Saturday night. Tell your sister I¡¯d love to have her come.¡±


    Cade¡¯s eyes looked beady set in his massive face. They reminded Isaac of a wild boar he saw once. A mutated animal that he had burned to death.


    All that muscle hadn¡¯t kept it safe from the flames.


    Isaac controlled his building rage.


    ¡°I¡¯ll let her know,¡± Isaac said lightly.


    ¡°Cool, cool. I¡¯d invite you, but,¡± Cade shrugged boulder-sized shoulders, ¡°no old people¡­ no offense.¡± His grin was too close to a sneer.


    ¡°Totally get it. I¡¯m not allowed to go to high school parties, it¡¯d be lame for a college guy to do that,¡± Isaac said.


    Cade forced a laugh.


    Isaac knew full well that Cade had just graduated high school before the spires ruined whatever post graduation plans he had. Though from what he had heard, Cade hadn¡¯t had any.


    ¡°Alright, Hotstuff. I better let you go. You don¡¯t want to get the old warhorse pissed off at you.¡±


    Cade slapped Isaac on the back and sent him stumbling forward.


    Isaac tried to ignore Cade¡¯s booming, mocking laughter as he made his way to the building.


    All that muscle wouldn¡¯t keep Cade safe from the flames.


    The major was in his office, which used to be the mayor¡¯s.


    ¡°Freeman,¡± the major said. ¡°Sit down.¡±


    Major Glen Tanner was a big man. He looked like a bodybuilder. Except it looked new. The stretch marks on his skin suggested rapid and new growth.


    Isaac wondered if Cade¡¯s serum-potion wasn¡¯t quite as effective for the old soldier. He wondered how that affected a man¡¯s pride to see his formerly useless, neckbeard of son surpass him physically in every conceivable metric.


    ¡°Sir?¡±


    Isaac kept his tone as deferential as he could. It wasn¡¯t hard. Growing up in the town as the ¡®half-breed¡¯ had pounded that into him at an early age. He had learned that any sign of defiance just made problems for him and his parents. That had been the last he had wanted. It was even worse for his parents since they were black and he hadn¡¯t wanted to add to their burden after they adopted him and his sister.


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    At least half of him was considered okay. A bitter thought that he still struggled with.


    ¡°Good work with the bear. My men really needed the protein. It¡¯s hard to stay strong without proper nutrition. Can¡¯t protect you all if we are weak.¡±


    ¡°Glad to be of service.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why I brought you here.¡± The major pulled out a slip of paper and slid it across the desk.


    Isaac scanned it quickly. It took supreme effort not to show his surprise and dismay.


    ¡°You¡¯ve shown your mettle and with your¡­ abilities,¡± the major couldn¡¯t quite disguise the distaste, ¡°you¡¯ve proven yourself a valuable asset. Congratulations, son. As of this moment you are now Private First Class Isaac Freeman. You¡¯ll report to the barracks on Monday for basic. It won¡¯t be the same, but we¡¯ll do our best to give you the same experience we got before things went to shit.¡±


    What else could Isaac say to that?


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    The major stood and saluted.


    Isaac tried to copy the gesture.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll get you doing that properly. We¡¯ll make a proper soldier out of you, son. No more wasting your time hunting tiny animals. Dismissed.¡±


    Isaac walked home like a dead man.


    He didn¡¯t stick around for dinner. He handed the piece of paper to his mom and left.


    The military assholes had the gall to print up the draft notice like they were doing a book report. They didn¡¯t call it a draft. Called it an honor.


    Isaac reached the gate just as the sun started to dip low over the mountains.


    Jordan and a couple of soldiers were on duty for the night. The former always got stuck with the worst shifts. Probably had something to do with his failure to buy in with Cade and the major. Too bad for them Jordan was too valuable as the only one with healing magic.


    ¡°Isaac¡­ going out hunting?¡± Jordan smiled.


    Isaac studied the soldiers. It was a different set from the ones earlier. ¡°Yeah. Don¡¯t know how long I¡¯ll be.¡±


    ¡°Man, Hotstuff you¡¯re pretty badass for going out in the dark,¡± one of the soldiers said. ¡°Them little fire balls of yours sure pack a punch for looking so dinky.¡±


    ¡°Fire darts,¡± the other soldier corrected.


    ¡°They¡¯ve done right by me so far,¡± Isaac said.


    ¡°Alright, you know the drill, Freeman.¡±


    The soldier¡¯s smile looked like a sneer to Isaac. Nevertheless he smiled back and complied with the pat down.


    Jordan disappeared into the guard shack, while the two soldiers searched through Isaac¡¯s pack and clothing.


    Isaac understood why they did it when he was coming in, but he didn¡¯t get why they did it when he was going out.


    When they were done, Jordan came back out of the shack and slapped hands with Isaac.


    ¡°Take care, bro,¡± Jordan said lightly. ¡°Don¡¯t step in any bear shit.¡±


    Isaac steeled his features as he put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a small flashlight.


    He had to disguise stashing the slip of paper Jordan had stuck in his palm from the soldiers.


    The walk along the side of the winding road lasted about thirty minutes before he dipped into the forest. Anyone that might¡¯ve been following him would¡¯ve stopped there.


    The forest night was too dangerous for most.


    It was no different for Isaac, except he only had to be afraid of two things, mutated black bears and mutated cougars. The smaller mutated animals haven¡¯t attacked him for some months. He had no idea why.


    After he had walked for about fifteen minutes he stopped and removed his boots and socks. He tied the former to his pack and took a deep breath.


    Isaac drew on the fire he felt inside of him and pushed it down to his legs and feet.


    He took off at a sprint that would¡¯ve left a racehorse in the dust.


    It was a long way to the city and he didn¡¯t have time to waste.


    His father depended on him.


    The city was about forty miles away from Isaac¡¯s hometown. About ten was winding mountain roads. The balance was straight down the interstate.


    The only reason he felt secure going for medicine was because there was no way that the soldiers would¡¯ve thought it possible that he could get to the city and back in the span of a night.


    They wouldn¡¯t have been happy to learn that he was bypassing their stranglehold on the one pharmacy and one clinic in their town.


    Anger rose in his chest at the memory of them denying painkillers to his father. They said that it was necessary to save vital medicine for essential personnel.


    Isaac stopped just before the city and read Jordan¡¯s note with light from a small fire from his fingertip.


    A flare of rage accidentally set the paper on fire.


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    Isaac tamped the flames out with his fingers. His anger had gotten away from him.


    Jordan¡¯s note was terse.


    It stated that he had overheard Cade¡¯s flunkies bragging about what they were going to do at the party. More specifically with the girls. Sofia¡¯s name was mentioned.


    The walls were closing in on Isaac.


    He burned the note and strode into the dark city.


    Gremlin-like monsters, big and small, waited for him.


    They couldn¡¯t stand up to his rage-fueled fire.


    Isaac made it back just after midnight. He would¡¯ve made it before, but it took a little bit of extra time to find some bear shit. Fortunately, he was familiar with the game trails around his town.


    He found a massive pile and stepped his boots in deep.


    He didn¡¯t know why Jordan wanted him to step in shit, but it didn¡¯t cost him anything to do so.


    The reason became clear when Isaac got back to the gate.


    Normally, Jordan was the only one on duty, which was why he had timed his city trips on such nights.


    The two soldiers weren¡¯t a welcome sight.


    Isaac was lucky he had caught Jordan¡¯s oblique warning.


    ¡°Finally! Took you long enough and you came up empty,¡± one of the soldiers sighed.


    ¡°Been seeing less animals out there. Had to go out further.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, man. Let¡¯s get this over with. I want to sleep,¡± the other soldier said. ¡°Pack, jacket and shoes on the table.¡±


    Isaac almost breathed a sigh of relief. He had tucked the medicine for his father into his boots when he had figured out Jordan¡¯s secret message.


    ¡°Jesus Christ! You stepped all the way in the shit! Jordan!¡±


    Jordan made a face, but grabbed the shit-smeared boots. He took them aside and placed them on the ground before checking them over.


    The soldiers checked Isaac and his gear. He knew they¡¯d find nothing.


    Jordan would find the medicine in the boots, but would pretend there was nothing.


    ¡°Clear,¡± the soldier said.


    ¡°Same,¡± Jordan said as he pointed toward Isaac¡¯s boots. ¡°You can take them. I¡¯m moving over there, where it doesn¡¯t smell like mutant bear shit.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Isaac said dryly. He put his boots back on quickly, but not too eagerly.


    The two soldiers walked away into the gas lit night street.


    Jordan subtly signaled for Isaac to wait.


    Isaac wanted to get home and get the medicine to his father.


    ¡°What?¡± Issac said as soon the soldiers were out of sight.


    ¡°One sec,¡± Jordan said. He flashed his light down the street.


    Someone appeared out of the shadows. The figure revealed itself to be a girl, young woman. Isaac vaguely recognized her as a high school student, well formerly, since that wasn¡¯t a thing anymore.


    She looked haggard and scared. She glanced at Isaac hesitantly.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Tif,¡± Jordan said. ¡°Isaac¡¯s cool.¡± He ran back to the guard shack and came back with his pack. ¡°How¡¯s Liv?¡±


    ¡°Same, always hungry.¡±


    Jordan pulled out a plastic bag filled with what looked like a few cans of food and handed them to the young woman.


    ¡°Thanks, Jordan.¡±


    Tif looked like she was going to cry.


    Isaac looked away in discomfort.


    ¡°Sorry, that¡¯s all I have for you,¡± Jordan patted Tif on the back. ¡°Now, get home and be careful.¡±


    Tif sniffed and nodded before disappearing into the darkened street.


    ¡°What the hell was that?¡±


    Jordan shrugged. ¡°Tiffany and her little sister lost their parents to the monsters. They don¡¯t have any useful abilities like us, so they¡¯re low on the list when it comes to getting supplies.¡±


    Isaac nodded. He felt a surge of heat in his chest. He could already guess where this was going.


    ¡°So, in order to avoid starvation, Tif does¡­ favors for Cade and his crew,¡± Jordan made a disgusted face, ¡°I¡¯m sure I don¡¯t have to spell that out for you. Anyways, there¡¯s a bunch of girls in Tiffany¡¯s position. It¡¯s like Cade¡¯s taking his revenge for high school.¡±


    Isaac shook his head he didn¡¯t trust that fire wouldn¡¯t shoot out of his mouth if he spoke.


    ¡°You know, Cade was the biggest neckbeard back in high school. I always tried to be nice and stopped my teammates from picking on him too much when I was around. Couldn¡¯t always be there though. It¡¯s sad that he lived up to it. As for my old teammates, well, I¡¯m not surprised they turned out like this. Just surprised they¡¯d kiss Cade¡¯s ass so quickly.¡±


    Isaac took a deep breath. ¡°I was a few years ahead of you guys so I don¡¯t know anything about all that, but I¡¯ll say you¡¯re a pretty decent guy for being the star quarterback.¡±


    Jordan smiled sadly. ¡°A different life. Honestly, feels like a whole different person lived it.¡±


    ¡°Have you considered telling Major Tanner?¡±


    ¡°He knows,¡± Jordan spat. ¡°I think he¡¯s scared of his son.¡±


    ¡°Cade¡¯s big and strong, doesn¡¯t mean a bullet to brain won¡¯t stop him,¡± Isaac said.


    ¡°Calling him ¡®big and strong¡¯ feels like a gross understatement.¡±


    Isaac thought a moment. ¡°Maybe, but he¡¯s not bulletproof.¡±


    ¡°Are we sure about that though?¡±


    Isaac considered it. ¡°I guess they couldn¡¯t really test that or if they did, it¡¯d be done in secret.¡±


    ¡°Probably not fireproof though,¡± Jordan eyed Isaac.


    ¡°Thanks for the help,¡± Isaac said quickly, ¡°I should get the meds back to my dad.¡±


    ¡°Hey, no worries. Just glad to be of help. I¡¯m sorry I can¡¯t do more.¡±


    ¡°No, Jordan. You¡¯re probably the best person in this town.¡± Isaac was surprised to realize that he meant it.


    ¡°Just trying to do the best I can. Our town would be in better shape if we all did the same. I guess,¡± Jordan shrugged. ¡°Be careful, Isaac. The major and Cade¡¯s got plans for you and your sister.¡±


    ¡°Two more days till that party. I¡¯ll figure something out,¡± Isaac said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be here if you need me,¡± Jordan said. ¡°Literally, I¡¯ll be manning this gate on Saturday, like always.¡±


    Isaac looked up at the blue eyes, blond hair and broad shoulders. He looked away quickly, embarrassed.


    ¡°Thanks, man.¡±


    Isaac rushed home. The fires in his chest burned hotter.

 Interlude: Ignition 1.3

    ¡°It kills me that I can¡¯t do anything to protect your sister¡­ or maybe that¡¯s the cancer.¡±


    Isaac raised a brow. He was used to his father¡¯s humor. He had called him an edgelord once. The subsequent conversation trying to explain what that meant had actually made Isaac feel stupid.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see that we have any choice,¡± his father continued. ¡°You have to take your sister and leave.¡±


    Isaac didn¡¯t say anything.


    ¡°I see you¡¯ve come to the same conclusion.¡±


    His face must¡¯ve revealed his thoughts.


    ¡°I¡¯m not letting them do anything to hurt Sofia,¡± Isaac said.


    ¡°And you can¡¯t become one of them.¡± Isaac¡¯s father tapped a shaking finger on the crumpled up draft notice. ¡°No son of mine is going to shed their blood and kill for the man.¡±


    ¡°Except, we can¡¯t leave you and mom¡­ they¡¯ll hurt you to get back at me and Sofia,¡± Isaac said.


    ¡°Two more days till Sofia has to go to that party.¡±


    There was a surprising amount of strength and venom in Isaac¡¯s father¡¯s voice.


    ¡°I would¡¯ve whupped those boys before all of¡­ this.¡±


    Isaac found it hard to watch his father¡¯s wasted form shake. He didn¡¯t doubt his father¡¯s words. When he had been adopted, Isaac had been scared of the huge, strong man at first. That fear had made him lash out like the brat he was. His father had been patient, gentle with a warm smile as wide as his shoulders.


    ¡°I could, could¡­¡± Isaac¡¯s voice went soft, low, ¡°make them go away?¡±


    Isaac¡¯s father smiled sadly. He reached out with withered hand that was once as large as catcher¡¯s mitts, as thick as a ham. He covered Isaac¡¯s hand. ¡°You gonna burn them, son? All of them? That¡¯s fifty-sixty people.¡± His father whistled, low. ¡°And they are people still¡­ no matter how bad they are, how rotten they are on the inside. You gonna take that rot into you?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t want to, but if it makes things better for everyone else? Keeps Sofia safe, you and mom,¡± Isaac shrugged.


    ¡°Like I always told you, son. Defending yourself is right. Hitting cause you¡¯re scared of what someone else might do¡­ well, that¡¯s a different matter.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to leave you and mom. I don¡¯t want it to end this way.¡± Isaac found himself choking up.


    ¡°End¡¯s the end. It¡¯s gonna happen no matter what we want. I¡¯ve lived a good, happy life with your mother. Raised two great kids. It¡¯s a life a man can be proud off. Your mom and me all we wanted was to leave you and Sofia better off than we were. Them crazy ass spires messed that all up, but you got to play with what you were dealt with.¡± Isaac¡¯s father took a few moments to catch his breath. ¡°There ain¡¯t no right life for you and Sofia here. It terrifies me to think of what¡¯s waiting for you out there, but I hope, I know you¡¯re strong enough to carve out a place.¡±


    Isaac couldn¡¯t look his father in the eyes. He didn¡¯t want his tears noticed.


    ¡°Been working on something when you and your sister have been out of the house.¡±


    Issac¡¯s father handed him a key.


    ¡°Basement? Wait, what? You¡¯re supposed to be resting.¡±


    Issac¡¯s father shook his head. ¡°Doctors said I had months. That was three years ago. Ain¡¯t my style to lay in bed and wait to die. Why I hate taking those shots. Might as well be dead. Anyways, get down there and get packed up.¡±


    Isaac frowned at the key.


    ¡°Wha¡ª¡±


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°No arguments and no running to your mother. I already got her on board. Now hurry on. I ain¡¯t going anywhere.¡±


    ¡°You should rest, dad. Take a shot. It¡¯ll ease the pain.¡±


    Isaac¡¯s father snorted. ¡°Been living with pain for years,¡± he crowed, ¡°it¡¯s an old friend. Lets me know I¡¯m still alive! Still with you guys!¡±


    Isaac forced a smile. ¡°Okay, fine, be difficult.¡±


    ¡°Keeps you on your toes.¡±


    Isaac descended into the basement. It had been awhile since his father had taken to locking the door. Whenever he had asked why? He never got a straight answer. He wasn¡¯t really one to push anyways. Unlike his younger sister, who was a pest. Not that she had success either.


    Guns and ammo were waiting for him.


    His father¡¯s father¡¯s old M14 from the Vietnam war lay on the table. It had been polished to a near perfection. Their well used .22 was next to it. Several magazines and two ammo cases were neatly stacked to the side.


    ¡°The fuck,¡± Isaac said. He didn¡¯t know his father had the Gunsmith Class. That¡¯s what the readied guns and ammo meant, right?


    He couldn¡¯t very well test them out, so he found his already prepared bug out bag and meticulously went through it to make sure everything was in order. To find if he was missing anything.


    The work kept his mind off of what was to come.


    Time passed quicker than Isaac would¡¯ve liked. The moment he had been dreading had arrived. It was Saturday afternoon. His father had taken a turn for the worse the last two days. The pain had gotten too much and he had spent Friday in an uneasy sleep thanks to the morphine Isaac had gotten from the city.


    Isaac stood outside the closed door to his father and mother¡¯s bedroom. Sofia was inside.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, honey,¡± Isaac¡¯s mom said.


    ¡°No it isn¡¯t,¡± Isaac mumbled.


    Isaac¡¯s mother¡¯s eyes were watery. ¡°Never could quite get that out of you,¡± she smiled.


    ¡°Sorry. I always think I¡¯m being louder than I really am.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter, now. Isaac, I want you to know that your father and I are happy with this.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ isn¡¯t it wrong? Church¡ª¡±


    ¡°I thought the same, but now¡­ I think, it¡¯s only a sin if you do it out of selfishness. It¡¯s not the same when you¡¯re doing it for those you love, Jes¡ª¡±


    Isaac raised a hand. ¡°I know, mom¡­ you know I never really understood your faith.¡±


    ¡°How so?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re an academic, rational, logical in almost every other way except¡­¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t explain away your faith, Issac. It just is,¡± Isaac¡¯s mother smiled warmly.


    Isaac held up a finger and created a small flame, like a candle. ¡°Where does this fit in?¡±


    His mother sighed, ¡°I¡¯ve already told you my thoughts on that. I can see it and feel the heat. It and all those other things people are doing now will be explained one day.


    His mother¡¯s smile was as beautiful as it always was. It pained him to know that this was the last time he¡¯d see it. He tried to burn it into his memory. That was why he had his useless phone in his bag. Maybe one day they¡¯d work again or someone would figure it out. The photos and videos stored within were all he had to remember his parents.


    It was saddening to see how much his mother had aged in the last few years. The stress and worry of his father¡¯s illness, then the spires shattering what they thought was reality had weighed on her.


    ¡°You¡¯re doing it again.¡±


    Isaac nodded.


    ¡°Sometimes it¡¯s okay not to think too much. Just be in the moment. We cherish the times we have with each other.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ll try.¡±


    ¡°Your father and I are proud of you. You¡¯ve grown into a fine young man and we¡¯re glad to have played a part in that.¡±


    ¡°You guys did it all. I owe everything I am to you and dad. I¡¯m sorry I was so terrible.¡±


    ¡°Understandable, honey. You were a scared child when we adopted you and your sister. The things you must¡¯ve went through.¡±


    Isaac shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t remember too much,¡± he lied a little. His original parents. The orphanage. They weren¡¯t something he liked to think about. ¡°My point stands. I was a terrible child and I will be eternally grateful that you stuck with me.¡±


    ¡°Mom¡­ I-I know there¡¯s no way Dad can go with us, but yo¡ª¡±


    Isaac¡¯s mother put a hand on his shoulder and just gently shook her head.


    ¡°Your father and I promised to stay together till the end. I¡¯ve lived a full life. And thanks to you and your sister I got to be a mother after I had given up on that possibility.¡± Isaac¡¯s mother smiled. ¡°I am content.¡±


    Isaac wiped at his eyes.


    The door opened and a red-eyed Sofia stepped out into her mother¡¯s embrace.


    Isaac steeled himself and went in.


    It was time to say goodbye to his father.

 3.35

    Now, Earth


    ¡°How¡¯s the new leg, detective?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Quit asking, Gates.¡±


    Jake opened his mouth, noticed the look on Detective Ordonez¡¯s face, re-thought what he was about to say and decided to shut up. The detective was in a bad mood. She hadn¡¯t wanted to be a part of the operation, but she was the best when it came to finding something. The truth, missing people, those sorts of things. Her presence was crucial.


    He didn¡¯t quite get why she was pissed. Her artificial leg had just undergone its latest upgrade. The blend of magic and technology was simply amazing. All sorts of cool tricks were built into it. Jake should know. His artificial hand was much the same. The only difference was that a lower leg had a lot more real estate than a hand to fill.


    ¡°Man, did you see how big that wyvern was?¡±


    Detective Ordonez said nothing.


    ¡°It was like an SUV with wings, bigger even!¡± Jake looked back over his shoulder and out of the SUV¡¯s back window at the next vehicle in the convoy. It was an older army troop truck. Big and loud, rumbling along behind them. ¡°So cool how he just sheared its head right off!¡±


    Detective Ordonez grunted. It was probably in agreement.


    ¡°Hey, who¡¯d you think win in a versus? Cal or his brother? Do you know if his brother is as strong, fast and durable? I think it depends on that. Cal¡¯s like a lightning bruiser. Fast, quick, tough, superstrong. His brother¡¯s got the range though and depending on his physical stats, I¡¯d take him over Cal. So, this is the way I see the fight going. His brother can hit him at range with the metal. Cal¡¯s got no choice, but to get in closer. Since Cal¡¯s all injured and weakened his brother should have the edge in H2H.¡±


    ¡°Gates¡­ I don¡¯t understand the words that are coming out of your mouth, so shut it,¡± Detective Ordonez said flatly. ¡°Besides, that wasn¡¯t all Cruces¡­ Cal¡­ had. He had more abilities than just the physical superiority.¡±


    ¡°Right, right¡­ like some kind of super senses thing. I remember,¡± Jake nodded, ¡°smell, hearing. Though I don¡¯t think those¡¯ll factor in a straight up fight.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it was that exactly. It was something else,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°Man, I¡¯d love to ask Cal about it. I wonder where he¡¯s been. It¡¯s been like five years.¡±


    ¡°Only his family knows where he is.¡±


    ¡°You sure?¡±


    Detective Ordonez frowned. ¡°I¡¯ve been there the handful of times our people have asked their council. They don¡¯t know where he went. A while back I had the opportunity to ask Remy Cruces and Nila Chen. They said much the same, but my gut told me that they knew more.¡±


    ¡°One of your Skills?¡±


    ¡°My experience,¡± Detective Ordonez hissed.


    Jake leaned away from the much smaller woman. ¡°Right, sorry.¡±


    She had been crankier as of late.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. We can¡¯t do anything about it.¡±


    Detective Ordonez didn¡¯t like that fact at all. Jake could tell.


    ¡°Would¡¯ve been nice though,¡± Jake shrugged broad shoulders, ¡°Cal would¡¯ve already taken it to the fish cult assholes. Probably hit them right as soon as they popped their heads up.¡±


    ¡°Remy Cruces is clearly more cautious. Understandable. He does have a family to worry about after all.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but look what¡¯s happened. We¡¯re closing in on two years and Davis has done nothing except play defense. Keep getting pushed back. We wanted to go on the attack right away. Get our people back. Now, who knows what the fish people did to them?¡±


    ¡°It was a nonstarter. The wyverns and other dangers in the open spaces between cities were too much for just us.¡±


    ¡°Right, and Remy killed it like it was a turkey. Wasted all that time.¡±


    ¡°Hindsight is perfect. But last I checked that wasn¡¯t a magic spell, skill or power,¡± Detective Ordonez paused thoughtfully before she turned to look at Jake for the first time. ¡°Unless it is?¡±


    ¡°I dunno,¡± Jake shrugged, ¡°maybe, probably?¡±


    Detective Ordonez looked at him for a moment before turning her eyes back on to the road in front of them with a disgusted shake of her head.


    ¡°I mean, it¡¯s magic so, like, anything is possible¡­ right?¡±


    ¡°Gates, shut up,¡± Detective Ordonez said flatly.


    Jake did so. He let his mind wander back to the hypothetical fight between the two oldest Cruces brothers. He had never seen the youngest one in action, but he had heard a few stories and rumors. He tried to imagine what adding the third brother would do to the versus fight.


    Perhaps he wasted his time. Because before he knew it the bay was in sight and further in the distance the Bay Bridge loomed. Jake looked at his prosthetic hand. It was dead at the moment. A skeletal-looking thing of cold metal and plastic. Four fingers and a thumb that weighed heavily at the end of his left arm.


    He found that it didn¡¯t bother him too much. In many ways it was better than his old, fleshy hand. Thanks to his spell. It was definitely better than the cell phone he had jammed on his stump, before the Davis magical science research folks hooked him up.


    It was a badge of honor. Like a medal or a trophy. It said that he had fought and survived the Midtown Mauler. Many couldn¡¯t say the same.


    Now he was going to finally get to try it out against something more than simple gremlins and mutated animals.


    Jake was brought out of his reverie by a series of bright flashes from the inside of the vehicle ahead of them.


    ¡°Enemy barricade sighted down the road. We¡¯re stopping soon,¡± Zak, the soldier in the passenger seat, said.


    ¡°Time to get that white flag up,¡± Jake said. He tried to hide the nerves behind a gruff voice. Swallowing the lump in his throat ruined the attempt.


    ¡°They said we had an open invitation for talks,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°Motherfuckers kidnap our people and want to talk, there¡¯s only one way this goes,¡± Zak growled.


    ¡°Button it up,¡± Detective Ordonez said. ¡°No one does anything until I say so. Take us to the front,¡± she ordered the driver. ¡°Gates, now.¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± Jake held a hand over the detective¡¯s lower left leg prosthetic. ¡°Mage Leg.¡± Detective Ordonez lacked the magic to animate the leg. Jake¡¯s spell allowed it to function like a normal leg. The mana stored within would power the rest of its surprises.


    ¡°Mage Hand.¡± Jake did the same to his prosthetic. He wiggled his fingers and clenched his fist to test it out. It was almost like the real thing. Fortunate for the both of them that he had obtained the exact spell that they needed. The detective found the coincidence suspicious, but she wasn¡¯t a gamer like Jake. He had figured that the spires would give them what they wanted and needed if they really tried for it. That¡¯s why when Cruces had suggested prosthetics, Jake had pushed the detective hard to go along with him.


    ¡°Good thing I told you so,¡± Jake grinned as he continued to flex and wiggle a prosthetic that was now covered in a faint, blue glow. The outline of a hand.


    ¡°Hrrmm.¡± Detective Ordonez wasn¡¯t as pleased.


    <hr>


    Remy¡¯s leg shook. It wasn¡¯t from the rough ride in the back of the army truck. He placed a hand on his knee to steady it. That worked for a few minutes before his fingers started to beat out an irregular staccato on his knee.


    ¡°You¡¯re nervous,¡± Hanna Gozen said from the seat next to Remy, ¡°and that makes me nervous.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s a bumpy ride.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that bumpy.¡±


    Remy clenched his jaw to keep from saying anything further. He couldn¡¯t be nervous. Not in front of everyone else. Their biggest gun couldn¡¯t be nervous. It¡¯d make them even more scared than they already were. The damn wyvern had been a brutal reality check when it had swooped down on the convoy.


    He had provided a huge relief when he had sheared through its neck with an enormous circular saw blade. His heavy boots were in fact planted on the bloody blade as it lay on the floor of the truck.


    Remy looked at the soldiers and fighters sharing the back of the truck with him and Hanna. It seemed to him that they were pointedly not trying to look at him.


    Well, better than the awe and fear they were looking at me with after the wyvern, Remy thought.


    He wasn¡¯t anywhere near comfortable with that kind of attention. Even after such a long time dealing with it. He looked out the open back of the truck at the rest of the convoy.


    Ostensibly, they were traveling to negotiate, but everyone knew it was going to go much further than that.


    ¡°You¡¯ve never killed another man or woman, have you?¡± Hanna kept her voice low and spoke into Remy¡¯s ear. Combined with the road and engine noise she was fairly certain that prying ears weren¡¯t going to be an issue. ¡°Just monsters and fishmen.¡±


    Remy didn¡¯t answer. He didn¡¯t need to. The truth was plain in his body language. He had fought almost constantly for nearly ten years. He had fought men, but had never actually taken one¡¯s life. His brothers were the ones that got their hands dirty with the racist police, motorcycle gang alliance in the early days.


    He didn¡¯t want that sort of blood on his hands. He had talked to Eron over the phone and seen him in the rare video chat and recorded spire message. The look in his younger brother¡¯s eyes and the sound in his voice when he had told some of his stories made Remy want to avoid the same situations at all costs.


    He didn¡¯t have a problem with killing nonhumans that were threats to those he cared about. Now he was faced with humans that presented a clear danger to his wife and kids.


    ¡°I was wondering why you were dragging your feet on this,¡± Hanna continued. ¡°If I had your power I¡¯d have taken the fight to them right away.¡±


    Remy let out a snort. ¡°What happened to ¡®I¡¯m not interested in fighting for you people¡¯?¡±


    Hanna chewed on that for a moment. ¡°Different situation. I¡¯m not interested in falling under a stupid cult¡¯s clutches. I¡¯ve come across similar types before. They only want me for two things. Well, two, after they realize what my Class is and what I can do with a sword. I don¡¯t think I need to elaborate what the first thing is.¡± She arched a brow.


    Remy nodded.


    ¡°I had to fight hard and yes, kill, some more deserving than others. At first it was about survival, then it was about finding a safe place where I wasn¡¯t always looking over my shoulder. Where I could sleep without my sword in my hands. Your community gave me that. Now this fish cult threatens it. And I think you¡¯re my, our, best bet at putting a stop to them before it gets really bad. Now I¡¯m wondering if you¡¯re up to this?¡±


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do what needs to be done,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°You better. You¡¯re our only hope. Otherwise none of us are going home today.¡±


    Remy watched the water of the bay on the right side of the freeway as the truck continued to rumble toward their destination. They were getting close. The ocean was a little too close for comfort. He had learned that fishmen were capable of appearing out of even the narrowest stream. The dark blue bay was vast and deep. He could only imagine what it hid beneath the surface.


    The winds whipped the waves across the surface in a rhythmic, hypnotic fashion. Remy saw it clearly thanks to his superior than normal vision. Something about it drew him in. He felt as if his mind was being sucked in. He¡ª.


    ¡°Yo, we¡¯re here,¡± Hanna nudged Remy¡¯s side.


    Remy blinked.


    ¡°You alright? You spaced out.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°Well, get your head in the game cause we¡¯re on. The diplomatic team is about to go see if we can settle this without violence.¡± Hanna¡¯s tone suggested that she didn¡¯t think that was likely.


    Remy put the motorcycle helmet on to conceal his identity. He hopped out the back of the truck, leaving the large, circular saw blade on the floor. He walked to the front of the convoy with Hanna behind him. The rest of the California State Government¡¯s forces had already arranged their vehicles in a defensive formation and taken up firing positions behind them.


    Remy watched as the negotiating team walked toward the cultist¡¯s barricade under a big, white flag. The men and women on the other side had taken similar defensive positions. He kept an eye on the bay to his right. It was several hundred yards away, but that wouldn¡¯t give them much time to react if fishmen suddenly appeared.


    Correction, the others might not have been able to act, but Remy was ready. As of yet he had no qualms about killing fishmen. He would make them regret attacking. They¡¯d have to go through him if they wanted his daughters. Perhaps he needed to treat the cultists in the same manner.


    <hr>


    Keisha led her team into the office building. The darkness encroached around her, barely pushed back by the lantern light carried by Trevor and Del in the middle of the group.


    ¡°Someone has definitely been here,¡± Amber said as she pointed to the floor.


    There were footprints in the layer of dust.


    Del crouched down and shined the lantern on them. He brushed his fingers against a print and made a face. ¡°Wet and a little slimy. I¡¯m not really an expert, but I think it¡¯s pretty new.¡±


    ¡°Alright, we¡¯ve got our evidence,¡± Rory smiled, ¡°now we can leave and tell the others.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m with him,¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°You¡¯re actually agreeing with Rory? Well that¡¯s new,¡± Amber said. ¡°This isn¡¯t enough information. We should probably figure out, who or what made the prints.¡±


    ¡°We need more than just a few footprints,¡± Keisha agreed.


    Keisha moved past the front desk toward the hallway leading deeper into the building only to be met by a closed door.


    ¡°Hey, guys¡­ the dust on the counter has definitely been disturbed,¡± Amber said as she trailed.


    Trevor rolled his eyes. ¡°Yeah, yeah. We¡¯ve already established that people or monsters have been in here.¡±


    Amber flicked the back of Trevor¡¯s head.


    ¡°So, abusive. If I did that to you I¡¯d get so much shit.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, Trevor,¡± Amber smirked.


    ¡°Quiet!¡± Keisha tested the door handle carefully. It was locked. ¡°Rory?¡±


    ¡°I got it.¡±


    Keisha moved out of the way, so Rory could get to work.


    He handed his lantern over to Trevor. ¡°Keep the light on it, while I work.¡± He took the locksmithing kit out of his belt and got to it.


    Trevor scowled at Rory¡¯s back, but kept the lantern steady.


    Nervous silence stretched from seconds into minutes.


    Keisha heard nothing, but the sound of her own breathing mixed in with the others. All of them were being too loud. The damn thing about it was the more you thought about trying to breathe quietly the louder it felt. At least that¡¯s what she figured.


    A loud click echoed out and made everyone wince.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Rory muttered. ¡°Sorry, my bad.¡±


    Keisha readied her hammer and shield. ¡°Open it, but don¡¯t push in all the way. Everyone get ready. I¡¯ll tank, shooters in the middle, Amber watch our backs.¡±


    Del and Rory hooked the lanterns to their chest straps and readied their guns, old police MP5¡¯s in 9mm. Trevor already had a solid rock in his hand. Amber nodded grimly, pump-action shotgun in her hands.


    ¡°Ya¡¯ll better not shoot me in the back or I¡¯ll whip your butts,¡± Keisha said. ¡°Ready?¡± She didn¡¯t wait for the replies. She slammed the door open with her shield.


    Nothing. The same silent darkness in the hallway. Closed doors were on both sides. Offices.


    ¡°Oh man, we¡¯re gonna have to check each one aren¡¯t we?¡± Rory whispered.


    ¡°They got windows, so you and Del can just look in when we walk by. I¡¯ll keep an eye down the hall. We stop at each office, Del gets the left side. Rory, you got the right,¡± Keisha said.


    ¡°Maybe, Trevor should take my spot. That way I can keep my focus on my Danger Sense,¡± Del said.


    Keisha gave a curt nod of the head without looking back.


    Trevor took Del¡¯s spot and lantern before the group moved forward and stopped at the first set of offices.


    ¡°Um¡­ yeah, so we¡¯ve got a problem,¡± Trevor said.


    The office furniture, desk and chairs had been all pushed to the side, leaving an open space in the center of the room. The lantern light illuminated a distinct, reddish-brown stain on the floor in an intricate pattern that was immediately recognizable.


    ¡°Same on this side,¡± Rory said.


    They had memorized what to look out for from the photos taken from the barn where they first discovered the existence of fishmen and the Scions of the Deep Azure cult.


    The summoning circle on the floor in both offices couldn¡¯t be mistaken for anything else.


    ¡°So¡­ is this enough evidence?¡±


    Keisha ignored Trevor¡¯s whiny voice. She was getting tired of it. She kept her eyes down the dark hallway, her grip loose on her large, rectangular shield and long sledgehammer. The blood circles looked pretty dry, which meant some time had passed since they had been used. When combined with the fresher footprints in the front lobby there was one logical conclusion.


    ¡°We keep looking. I want to see if we can get these bastards,¡± Keisha said.


    ¡°Yo, we can¡¯t take on a fishman. Especially not when we¡¯re at, like, half-strength,¡± Rory said.


    ¡°Yeah, I have to agree with him, which kills me to admit, but I¡¯d rather that then getting actually killed by a fishy bastard,¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°One does not simply fight two fishmen,¡± Del whispered, ¡°not with five people, it is folly.¡±


    ¡°Idiot!¡± Amber snapped.


    ¡°Fuck! Can¡¯t believe I¡¯m saying this, but I¡¯m also with him,¡± Trevor jabbed a finger toward Del, ¡°dork,¡± he muttered under his breath.


    ¡°Sh¡ª¡± Keisha abruptly closed her mouth. She was screwing this up. The rest of her squad was scared shitless. How had she just noticed that? The assholes were annoying, but they were right. They had seen enough to get out and report back. She was just about to give the word to turn around when something like a pulse shook the entire building for a split-second, like an earthquake starting and suddenly stopping an instant later.


    Keisha blinked. What was she thinking? Of course they had to investigate.


    ¡°Magic¡­ I think?¡± Amber said. ¡°Not sure, but I felt it come from above.¡±


    The group made their way at a quicker pace. They scanned the offices they passed and found that most had a summoning circle on the floor.


    The darkness pressed in on them. Their lantern light seemed to flicker and wane as if a presence sought to smother it. Hearts beat faster and breaths became shallow, labored.


    Demons in their minds danced on the edges of perceptions.


    Keisha saw something flash across her vision at the ever encroaching boundary between the darkness and the lantern light.


    Another of the group heard whispered words lightly tickling first one ear than the other. The voice, no, voices, seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at the same time.


    Yet another felt a soft caress across the small of their back. They whipped around frantically, weapon ready, only to find the ever-present darkness had drawn closer.


    They searched the entire second floor and found much the same. Empty offices and conference rooms with summoning circles of dried blood.


    ¡°I¡¯ve counted forty one circles,¡± Amber said.


    ¡°That¡¯s a lot of fishmen,¡± Trevor¡¯s voice was noticeably higher.


    Rory¡¯s eyes were wide as he held the grip of his submachine gun with white knuckles.


    Keisha didn¡¯t like what she was seeing and hearing. Why had she forged ahead? The answer was like a butterfly in her thoughts. She tried to grab it, but it kept flitting away. Why? Why? Why?


    ¡°Keisha, let¡¯s just go,¡± Amber said. Even her voice was unsteady.


    ¡°¡­ on a precipice,¡± Del muttered. His gun was held loosely at his side. His fingers were slack around the grip. If it wasn¡¯t for the shoulder strap the weapon might¡¯ve slipped to the floor. The man suddenly blinked and aimed his gun at the ceiling, down the hallway, toward the stairs on the opposite end, where they had come from.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Keisha said. She already knew the answer. Something or someone had parted the curtain that had been obscuring her thoughts. She just knew. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t have come inside,¡± she whispered, horrified.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Del said through grit teeth, ¡°my Danger Sense¡­ bad¡­¡±


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    Caretaker stabbed their spire-made sword into the structure¡¯s thin, metallic wall. The monomolecular-edged blade pierced all the way to the hilt without resistance. They slid it down to the ground, then cut left to right with a twist of the wrist.


    ¡°Quickly.¡±


    Another explosion sounded off in the distance. More of Actryarius¡¯ work.


    The Threnosh ignored it.


    Malendrax grabbed one side of the cut and Shira the other. They pulled the opening larger with a squeal of metal.


    ¡°Inside, now.¡±


    Shira took the lead and plunged into the darkened interior. Malendrax and Blueballs went next. Caretaker took one last look as Silver Wolf in their monstrous bipedal form fought in the midst of ten cragants. Caretaker could barely see flashes of silver-colored armor through the mass of gigantic bodies.


    ¡°Silver Wolf, strike and retreat, keep them occupied and distracted,¡± Caretaker said into the comms.


    There was no response, but Silver Wolf¡¯s over 2.5 meter tall form suddenly emerged out of the scrum. They leapt over the 3 to 4 meter tall cragants while slashing at their heads with long, sharp claws.


    That was the last view Caretaker had. They had to focus on their target now. The hierophant had already displayed how dangerous it was.


    Caretaker stepped into the dim interior and pulled the opening shut behind him. ¡°Blueballs.¡±


    The Threnosh stepped up to the gash and sealed it with several of their eponymous sticky balls. ¡°The giant humanoids will not be able to use their weapons to pierce or slice my blue balls. However, I have seen them destroy the surrounding walls to get at us inside. It will not take them long.¡±


    ¡°They will be occupied with the rest of our team,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Do you remember your orders?¡± They didn¡¯t like the tone of Blueballs¡¯ voice. That and their body language displayed clear fear and nervousness. Such things could lead to failure. They sought to refocus Blueballs on the Task.


    ¡°Stay hidden. Seal the entrance at first opportunity. Continue to seal any openings that the cragants will attempt to create,¡± Blueballs said.


    Caretaker nodded.


    Designation: Hierophant sighted, Shira¡¯s words flashed across Caretaker¡¯s faceplate.


    Caretaker took in Shira¡¯s view point in a split-second. They glanced at the tactical disposition.


    ¡°Do not engage until Malendrax and I are in position.¡±


    Shira clung to the ceiling of the ten meter tall structure. The hierophant was upside down to them as the giant humanoid chanted something over the foul-smelling contents of its massive metal basin.


    Shira had disengaged the olfactory filters of their helmet, unlike the rest of her team. Their sense of smell was an important part of how they hunted and fought. On this occasion they had cause to regret the act. Normally the smell of blood was something they enjoyed. There was blood in the hierophant¡¯s basin, but whatever it was doing made it smell like rot and decay to Shira.


    They belatedly realized that the horrid smell permeated the entire interior of the structure.


    I am ready. Malendrax¡¯s words appeared.


    As am I. Caretaker¡¯s. Any last second concerns.


    There were none.


    Caretaker opened it up with a shot from their viral pistol. It splashed harmlessly several meters away from the hierophant. The giant humanoid¡¯s red-tinged shield flashed and flickered around the shot. Just as Caretaker had expected.


    A dark blur shot down from the ceiling. Shira plunged across the open space toward the hierophant¡¯s back. Their claws stabbed into the cragant¡¯s back. The giant humanoid was a weaker and frailer example of its kind, but they merely staggered forward almost into their basin from the force of Shira¡¯s attack.


    Caretaker was satisfied to see that the hierophant¡¯s shield hadn¡¯t protected it from Shira. They had reviewed every recording of the shield in action. It became quickly clear that its purpose was to protect from projectile attacks. Shira had moved fast, but not enough to trigger the shield.


    ¡°You dare! Tiny thing!¡± The hierophant roared in pain. It reached over its shoulder and tore Shira off. Ignoring the sharp protrusions digging into its hand it held them upside down by one leg as it spat in their face. ¡°I am the Savior¡¯s words in the flesh! I will save your world and people!¡± Its action belied its words as it dunked Shira into the basin full of blood and other unspeakable things.


    The hierophant spoke words that Caretaker couldn¡¯t understand.


    They understood the meaning well enough when Shira¡¯s high-pitched screams filled the team channel.

 Interlude: Ignition 1.4

    Isaac led Sofia into the forests north of town.


    It was his dad¡¯s idea to time their departure during the afternoon church service. Most everyone in town would be there and the soldiers on patrol would be more lax, secure in the knowledge that the citizens were contained.


    He and his sister had hours before someone would think to check on their home once Sofia didn¡¯t show up for the party. Those people would find¡ª


    Isaac didn¡¯t want to think about it.


    He tried to focus on the moment. He needed to get through the forest and down the mountain with his sister.


    After that?


    He¡¯d figure it out.


    His mind ran through the catalog of threats they needed to avoid.


    Large mutant animals were a distant second to discovery by soldiers.


    Since it was day time they were unlikely to have any trouble with the former.


    As for the latter, they didn¡¯t stray out of the town¡¯s boundary anyways.


    All he had to do was avoid detection from the edge of the forest until they circled to the west and down to the south. Then they could either move closer to the road where the walking was easier or they could follow the river. It was a more direct route out of the mountains, but the forest was thicker and their chances of running into a larger mutant animal was higher.


    Isaac was confident he could kill such a beast, but he didn¡¯t want to risk the soldiers noticing the fight.


    Thoughts of his parents kept cropping up. It was dangerous.


    He didn¡¯t even notice when Sofia strode past him and forged ahead.


    His little sister was almost as tall as him. Her longer legs ate up the ground and forced him to hurry to catch up. She was a better athlete.


    ¡°Sofia, wait.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re being too slow.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, bu¡ª¡±


    ¡°I studied our route with Dad. I memorized the map. I don¡¯t have to follow you.¡±


    ¡°I was just going to say keep an eye out. You know, for the mutant animals.¡±


    ¡°I was!¡±


    Isaac recognized the indignant tone for what it was.


    ¡°Totally,¡± Isaac said lightly. ¡°Just a reminder.¡±


    ¡°Well you don¡¯t have to!¡± Sofia snapped.


    Isaac zipped his lips and focused on looking out for dangerous mutant animals.


    The going was slowed by the lack of maintained trails.


    Isaac figured they were about three miles south of the town¡¯s front barricade when the sun finally set.


    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°How much longer?¡±


    ¡°Thought you memorized the map?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well it¡¯s dark¡­¡±


    Isaac suppressed a sigh and tried to keep his tone light. He wasn¡¯t the only one dealing with emotional turmoil. ¡°If you go by Google Maps then seven-ish miles down to the interstate, then like thirty to the city.¡±


    ¡°What about in stupid hiking miles?¡± Sofia snapped.


    ¡°Less, since we can pretty much walk in a generally straight line to the interstate, but slower since we have to do it through the forest.¡±


    ¡°Damn it! We can¡¯t use the road. They¡¯ll come looking for us once they realize we¡¯re gone,¡± Sofia said.


    ¡°Forest it is.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t see shit though¡­ I have an idea. Give me a light.¡±


    Isaac hesitated. He weighed the risks of being spotted by other people and relented. He generated a small flame from his finger, but kept it shielded with his body.


    Sofia gestured and the flame flew into into her hands. She cupped it in her hands as a look of intense concentration scrunched up her face.


    Seconds passed.


    When she revealed the flame it was different.


    It was still small, like a flickering butterfly, but shaped more like a bird.


    The tiny flame bird seemed to look directly at Sofia as she stared intently at it.


    The flame bird took off and flew ahead of them. It flickered and fluttered erratically, but remained floating in the air.


    ¡°It can go about a hundred-fifty feet away from me,¡± Sofia said.


    ¡°That¡¯s a new trick.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t make a big deal out of it,¡± Sofia shrugged.


    ¡°What else can it do? Are you controlling it directly?¡±


    ¡°I can, but I can also give it simple directions. It¡¯s hard to explain. I just think really hard and picture what I want. Seems to work most of the time.¡±


    ¡°So¡­?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll light our way and if any mutant bears are out there it¡¯ll try to distract them and lead them away from us until it disappears once it gets too far away from me.¡±


    ¡°Advance warning is good.¡± Isaac was impressed. His sister¡¯s ability was more versatile than his. ¡°Can you make more?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, give me more flames.¡±


    Isaac did so and Sofia created three more tiny flame birds, which she sent to patrol in a circle around them.


    They were about two hours into their trek when distant howls made their skin crawl.


    Wolves hadn¡¯t been in the area forever, so Isaac assumed coyotes. The howls did sound deeper, which suggested larger sized animals. Mutant coyotes weren¡¯t something he had seen yet.


    Isaac urged Sofia to move quicker.


    Another few hours had them very close to the pass leading to the interstate.


    The coyotes waited for them to cross a wide open gravelly area near the river confluence.


    Isaac and Sofia had scant seconds warning thanks to the latter¡¯s flame birds.


    The mutated animals came snarling and howling out of the thick forest.


    They were much larger than normal. Their jaws opened wider with dagger-like teeth. Patchy and straggly fur covered grotesquely muscled bodies. Some parts wept oozing, bloody wounds where the skin had split.


    Isaac sent a wide torrent of fire from both his hands to burn them all.


    Sofia pulled from the flames and pulled a thin thread, which curved in the dark of night in a ring around her and her brother. She flared the thin thread into a curtain of fire that caught the mutant coyotes attacking from the other side.


    Snarls and growls turned into yips of pain that became silent as Sofia kept the flames on their bodies going strong despite the mutant coyotes¡¯ efforts to roll on the ground.


    The fight was over before it began.


    The heat within Isaac¡¯s chest cooled as he finally had an opportunity to vent it in full.


    A loud chime sounded in both of the Freeman¡¯s ears.


    Isaac prepared himself to listen to and read the notification. They were already on a Quest. He didn¡¯t want another.

 Interlude: Ignition 1.5

    ¡°Oh cool! I got points!¡± Sofia pumped her fist.


    Isaac let a long breath out. He felt relief. Both from the fact that the spires¡¯ notification wasn¡¯t a new Quest and from the relief in his chest. He hadn¡¯t had the opportunity to let out his flames like that in a long time. They had built up. Like shaking a jug of soda or something.


    He could¡¯ve really describe it properly.


    All he knew was that the anger, the rage didn¡¯t seem as strong anymore. He felt more like he used to be, like his true self.


    Sadly, that wouldn¡¯t last.


    The fires within would grow again.


    ¡°We need to go. That would¡¯ve drawn attention.¡±


    ¡°What about the loot?¡±


    Isaac looked around at the burned and burning coyote corpses. ¡°Sorry, Sofia, but from my experience animals don¡¯t carry gold coins or cool things. All you¡¯ll get is weird tasting meat, messed up skin and fucked up organs. This isn¡¯t like those games of yours.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah¡­ okay, fine, let¡¯s go.¡±


    Sofia stomped all the way up the embankment.


    Isaac followed closely.


    They walked along the interstate ready to dart into the brush on the side of the road at the first sign of pursuit, human or monster.


    Isaac looked back often. Watching for headlights, listening for the sound of an engine. The soldiers had a handful of vehicles they had been able to get working.


    He counted on their fear of the night to deter immediate pursuit.


    Ideally, he and Sofia would be deep in the city by the time the sun rose.


    That was the difference between Isaac and everyone else in town. He had faced the monsters. He knew he could handle them.


    Several hours of nervous silence found them close to the outer edges of the city. Just a few more miles to go.


    That¡¯s when Isaac heard it on the wind. The deep rumbling of a truck engine. He looked back, but couldn¡¯t see any headlights.


    There was a roadside farm a few hundred yards ahead.


    ¡°Sofia, we¡¯re running to the farm.¡±


    ¡°What? Why? What if there are monsters?¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t be.¡± Isaac knew this because he had killed the monsters and something called a secret boss a few weeks back. The concept of which had escaped him at the time. He still didn¡¯t understand fully, but bottom line, the farm technically belonged to him according to the spires¡¯ notification and supposedly that meant monsters couldn¡¯t show up anymore. He had checked it repeatedly and that had turned out to be truth. So far.


    They reached the farm and ducked into a barn just in time.


    The roar of the truck¡¯s engine drew close with frightening speed.


    Isaac really didn¡¯t want to have to kill another human being. Even if they were assholes and jerks, the soldiers were just doing their jobs.


    He and Sofia held their breaths as they waited for the truck to drive past them.


    That didn¡¯t happen.


    The truck slowed.


    They heard its wheels crunch over the sandy gravel on the road into the farm.


    ¡°What¡¯re we going to do?¡± Sofia whispered.


    ¡°You hide.¡± Isaac quietly took his pack off and emptied his person of everything he had on him. Even his boots and socks.


    He was clad only in hiking pants and a t-shirt when he ran out the back of the barn and circled to the other side of the truck. He wanted to draw their attention away from his sister.


    Isaac stepped out with his hands out wide and open. ¡°Don¡¯t shoot. I¡¯m unarmed.¡±


    The soldiers swung their guns and lanterns around.


    Isaac blinked into the light. The glare didn¡¯t bother him much. The fire within him was much brighter.


    ¡°We all know that¡¯s bullshit,¡± Cade said. ¡°You ain¡¯t ever without your weapons.¡±


    Isaac was shocked to see the hulking young man step out of the truck. He looked like a kid, who had long outgrown their motorized toy car, but didn¡¯t want to give it up to their younger brother.


    The truck¡¯s suspension groaned in relief as Cade landed heavily on the ground.


    Isaac wasn¡¯t happy to notice that more of Cade¡¯s crew stepped out of the two vehicles. Three of them, plus the five soldiers made a total of nine.


    They all looked at Isaac with murder in their eyes.


    ¡°The fuck do you think you¡¯re doing, man. I thought you were alright. A little lame, but definitely not stupid,¡± Cade continued. ¡°My old man had plans for you. Was gonna set you up with the good life. Get those meds for your dad. Get you and your family the good meat. You had to fuck it up by running.¡± Cade gestured and one of his bootlickers took two sacks out of the back of the truck and brought them over. ¡°So, where¡¯s that fine ass sister of yours?¡±


    Isaac¡¯s gaze bore into Cade¡¯s beady eyes. The fire in his chest flared hotter. It took an effort to keep the lid on it.


    Cade was, quite literally, playing with fire and like an overgrown child he kept moving closer and closer to it each time he opened his mouth.


    ¡°Look, bro¡­ I don¡¯t get it. You guys were gonna be set up nice. Basically, as good as you can get it. All you had to do was stay in line with my old man and all your sister had to do was have a fun night with us,¡± Cade grinned.


    The rest of his crew leered.


    ¡°No big deal,¡± Cade said.


    ¡°Rape is a big deal,¡± Isaac said flatly. It took all his self control to keep the fires at bay. A year of strict effort, meditation and every other trick he could think of to control the fire and not let it burn freely teetered on the brink.


    ¡°I don¡¯t do that shit. Everyone¡¯s got a choice.¡±


    ¡°Starvation isn¡¯t a choice.¡±


    ¡°Just capitalism, bro. They got something we want and we¡¯ve got something they want. Supply and demand,¡± Cade shrugged. ¡°This is America. Ain¡¯t no commie shit allowed.¡± He laughed. ¡°Man, you¡¯re dumb if you think my old man¡¯s ever gonna be cool with giving stuff out to useless people. It¡¯s like those wolves, guard dogs and sheep he¡¯s always told me about.¡±


    Isaac had become familiar with the concept thanks to the amount of time he had to spend with the soldiers over the past year. He always thought it was stupid. Those three animals were all different species. Humans weren¡¯t. The analogy fell apart pretty quickly if you actually thought about it for more than a few seconds.


    ¡°Ain¡¯t no room for useless takers in our new society.¡±


    ¡°Then you¡¯ve got no problem with me and my sister leaving,¡± Isaac ventured hopefully.


    Cade dashed that hope. ¡°No chance, bro. You¡¯re too useful to just let go. As for your sister, well she¡¯s gonna be taught her proper place.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t work for us,¡± Isaac said flatly. ¡°This is your last chance. I don¡¯t want to hurt you.¡±


    Cade laughed. Loud and disdainful. ¡°Bro, I don¡¯t know why my old man thinks you¡¯re such hot shit, but that little fire dart spell you¡¯ve got isn¡¯t gonna do more than singe me a little.¡± He flexed a massive bicep bigger than a soccer ball. ¡°C¡¯mon then. Take your shot. But, I got to warn you,¡± he opened one sack and poured the contents out, ¡°you¡¯ll just end up like your folks and then we get some quality time with your sister.¡±


    Isaac¡¯s father and mother stared up at him from the dirt. He didn¡¯t look at them beyond that first terrible glance. He didn¡¯t want to remember them like this. He would remember them as they were when he had said good bye earlier.


    Isaac stared at Cade.


    The fire called to him. He almost answered.


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°You¡¯ll end up like your folks if you keep being difficult.¡±


    ¡°You lied,¡± Isaac said flatly.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You said that my dad would get his meds if I played along.¡±


    ¡°Huh¡­ yeah, guess so. Maybe, I was just trying to get you to come back so I wouldn¡¯t have to kill you like this other traitor.¡± Cade upended the second sack.


    Another head tumbled out and rolled out into the lantern light.


    The features were mangled, heavily beaten. The long, blond hair was what made him recognizable to Isaac.


    Jordan stared up at Isaac.


    ¡°All three of them decided to be difficult, so they had to get hurt,¡± Cade said lightly.


    ¡°You¡¯re sick,¡± Isaac said softly. ¡°And you¡¯re a liar. My parent¡¯s were already dead when you found them. So, like the ghoulish bastards that you are you cut of their heads to what? Mess with me? I know they passed away quietly, peacefully. As for, Jordan¡­ why? What¡¯d he do to you?¡±


    ¡°Your butt buddy was giving away supplies to those that didn¡¯t earn them.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you! Those were his supplies to give. Isn¡¯t this America? He had every right to give what was his away if he wanted!¡± Isaac snapped.


    The temperature around him began to rise noticeably. The air shimmered. Steam started to waft off him in the cool night air.


    ¡°Whatever,¡± Cade said. ¡°Don¡¯t matter. I¡¯m the strongest one there is, so I do what I want! I get what I want! Enough of this shit!¡±


    Cade raised a meaty hand.


    Gunfire shattered the silence.


    Isaac¡¯s body fell back as dozens of bullets struck his body.


    Sofia screamed as she rushed out of her hiding place. She took everyone by surprise. No one made a move to stop her as she rushed to Isaac¡¯s still form on the ground.


    ¡°Stupid bitch,¡± Cade spit.


    ¡°Goddamn queers, bro,¡± one of his crew shook his head.


    ¡°Showed them what¡¯s up,¡± another meathead said.


    ¡°Alright, this bullshit has ruined enough of my buzz. If we get back quick then we can still have some fun. Right, Sofia?¡± Cade leered.


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna burn you up,¡± Sofia spat. Tears streaked her eyes as she fumbled in her pocket before she pulled out a lighter.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got something right here to heat you up,¡± Cade made a rude gesture toward his crotch.


    Sofia flicked the lighter. The spark became a small flame. She pushed her hand at the flame and it grew into a bright stream that lit up the darkness.


    ¡°Oh shit!¡± Cade yelled as he fell back and frantically slapped at flames covering the front of his pants. ¡°Fucking bitch! Somebody get her!¡±


    Sofia held the lighter up like a torch against on overwhelming darkness as the massive, hulking forms of Cade¡¯s crew slowly spread out to surround her.


    ¡°Stay back!¡± Sofia cried out desperately. ¡°Just leave us alone!¡±


    Something plinked on the ground next to her.


    She looked down. She was in shock. Her hand moved with a mind of it¡¯s own as she picked up the small metal object.


    A bullet.


    It glowed red with heat, Sofia felt it as a comforting warmth. Normal human fingers would¡¯ve been surely burned.


    She looked at Isaac¡¯s body with hope in her heart.


    She hadn¡¯t noticed that his body was actually getting warmer, hotter. It was like standing in front of a roaring fire.


    There was no blood around the bullet holes in his shirt. There was light. Right before Sofia¡¯s eyes the other bullets started popping out.


    She caught a quick glimpse before Isaac¡¯s shirt burst into flames. The bullet holes were filled with flames.


    Cade¡¯s crew stumbled back in surprise.


    ¡°Get behind me,¡± Isaac said as he climbed to his feet.


    Flames sprouted from all over his body, even his hair. His clothes burned away.


    Sofia scrambled back. She could hold a burning charcoal, but this was too much.


    ¡°You had your chance.¡± Isaac¡¯s words were somehow clear over the raging fire emanating from his body.


    ¡°What the hell is this?¡± Cade shrank back along with all his cronies.


    ¡°Bro, I don¡¯t know. Ain¡¯t no spells like this!¡± a meathead gasped.


    ¡°Shoot the fucker!¡± Cade pointed frantically.


    The soldiers opened up.


    Isaac flinched, but the flames around him were so hot that the bullets dissolved into nothing before they got to his body.


    Was it even still his body?


    Isaac didn¡¯t know. The feeling was indescribable. It was so freeing to release the flames. He no longer struggled to contain the heat, the anger, the rage.


    He felt more like himself for the first time in a long time. His mind was clear.


    ¡°I stood without threat and you shot me. I just wanted to leave with my sister.¡± The flames built into an inferno. The people turned and ran as the heat sucked the oxygen out of the air.


    The remaining rounds in the soldier¡¯s magazines cooked off and exploded from the intense heat.


    They tried to run, but a curtain of flames sprang to life in their paths.


    ¡°You don¡¯t get to run, you bastards!¡± Sofia stood a dozen feet behind Isaac. She held her hands out in front of her and a sheen of sweat coated her furrowed brow. The sleeves of her jacket were on fire, but it didn¡¯t bother her.


    Isaac shot a stream of fire out from each flaming hand. He swept them across Cade¡¯s crew and the soldiers as if he was hosing down the lawn.


    The men burned.


    Gigantic muscles didn¡¯t protect them.


    Cade ripped the truck¡¯s door off and used it to shield himself. He roared and charged.


    Isaac shifted the streams to the door.


    Cade¡¯s skin blistered and sizzled as the intense heat turned the door¡¯s metal red hot and spilled out around it.


    Cade slammed into Isaac and sent him flying back a dozen feet.


    Isaac didn¡¯t feel the impact. His physical sensations were all wrong.


    ¡°Fuck you! You ain¡¯t shit!¡± Cade roared. His skin was blackened, charred. One eye was running in rivulets down his cracked and bloody cheek. He threw the door at Isaac.


    It sliced right through.


    Isaac felt uncomfortable as he lost the sensations from his lower half for a split-second. It came back just as quickly and he was left wondering if he had just imagined it.


    ¡°What are you?¡± Cade stared in shock.


    Isaac looked down at his body. He couldn¡¯t see it through the roaring flames. He raised a fiery hand and aimed it at Cade.


    ¡°Wait?¡± Cade held up his hands. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, man. I won¡¯t touch your sister. I won¡¯t touch anyone again. I¡¯ll tell my old man to take it easy one you. You won¡¯t have to join the army.¡±


    Isaac raised his other arm.


    ¡°You kill me and you screw everyone! The monsters are only gonna get stronger! You need my potion! You need it to stand a chance!¡±


    Cade was ranting, begging.


    Isaac lowered his arms a fraction. He recognized a sliver of truth in Cade¡¯s words.


    The flames around him suddenly jumped the fifty feet to Cade. They were out of his control.


    ¡°Rapist piece of shit!¡± Sofia snarled. Her hands pointed at Cade.


    Cade¡¯s last plea was drowned out as an inferno erupted with him at the center.


    It happened frighteningly quick.


    When Sofia could no longer maintain her control the flames died down to reveal a charred corpse, much diminished from Cade¡¯s massive size.


    Isaac scanned the area before he too extinguished his fire. It was surprisingly easy. He just willed it to stop and it listened. He stood naked in the cold night air that didn¡¯t affect him.


    ¡°Oww!¡± Isaac looked down at his feet. The sand and gravel had turned into small pieces of glass.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to get your clothes.¡± Sofia made a face. ¡°Gross.¡±


    Isaac looked around while he waited. He counted nine corpses. There was no going back. He had purposefully taken lives. Bad men, but did that make a difference?


    ¡°Here,¡± Sofia handed him his pack while keeping her gaze averted.


    ¡°Now what?¡± Isaac asked while he clothed himself.


    ¡°Huh? We keep going,¡± Sofia said.


    ¡°What about the people in town? They¡¯re basically defenseless without Cade¡¯s potion. The soldiers aren¡¯t enough.¡±


    ¡°So, fuck them. They killed Jordan and cut mo¡ª¡± A horrified look dawned on Sofia¡¯s face. ¡°Oh my god! Mom and Dad!¡±


    Isaac remembered. ¡°Don¡¯t look.¡± He raised a hand and burned his parent¡¯s and Jordan¡¯s heads to ash.


    ¡°Isaac! Why?¡± Sofia wailed.


    His sister had fresh tears in her eyes. Isaac was surprised when none came to his.


    Perhaps the fires within had burned them out?


    ¡°They¡¯re already gone. You don¡¯t want your last memory of them to be¡ª to be that. Remember them as they lived, as Mom laughed when Dad told his stupid jokes, as they held you when you broke your arm jumping from that tree.¡±


    The ash drifted up into the dark night sky.


    Isaac watched them. He imagined that his parents approved. They could drift away up into the sky together.


    He thought of Jordan. A good person, just trying to do right by others and paying the ultimate price because the wrong kind of people were in charge.


    Isaac pulled Sofia into a tight embrace. She cried on his shoulder.


    ¡°We¡¯re going back,¡± Isaac said softly.


    ¡°Why though? That town was never home. Everyone always looked down on us for being different. They didn¡¯t like our parents cause they a¡ª were black. They didn¡¯t like us cause we were adopted and half-breed mongrels.¡± There was a perhaps, unsurprising amount of venom in Sofia¡¯s words.


    ¡°I know,¡± Isaac said. ¡°But we have to be better. It¡¯s how we were raised. It¡¯s the best way I can think to live up to Mom and Dad. They raised us to be better. Mom and Dad deserve better. Jordan deserves better.¡±


    Sofia sniffled. ¡°Fine, but if they don¡¯t want us then we turn around and leave after we take care of Mom, Dad and Jordan¡¯s bodies.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°If the soldiers try to fight us then they have to die.¡±


    Isaac took a deep breath. ¡°We give them a choice.¡±


    ¡°But if they refus¡ª¡±


    ¡°Then they die.¡±


    The heat in Isaac¡¯s chest surged with excitement. For the first time he didn¡¯t feel ashamed of it.

 3.36

    Now, Threnosh World


    Shira wasn¡¯t too concerned despite the hierophant nearly wrenching their leg out of its socket. They had gotten used to pain a long time ago. Besides, what was a few moments when their power armor quickly healed any injury.


    Indeed, Shira could already feel her leg begin to heal.


    The hierophant shouted nonsense in Shira¡¯s face as the giant humanoid held them upside down over its basin.


    Shira cared not. Things were still proceeding according to plan.


    When the hierophant plunged Shira into the blood-filled basin the Threnosh felt surprise. The foolish cragant merely sped up the healing process.


    Shira¡¯s power armor almost immediately started to absorb the blood.


    Pain unlike any other they had experienced before filled every fiber of their being.


    Shira screamed. They were no longer capable of conscious thought.


    Caretaker emptied their recoilless rifle at the hierophant. The red shield sparked to life and blocked everything. ¡°Malendrax, get Shira out.¡± They had muted Shira¡¯s comms. The screams would only distract the rest of the team.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Caretaker reloaded and kept firing as they walked toward the hierophant.


    The giant humanoid¡¯s face was a mask of ugly rage. A sheen of sweat appeared on its broad forehead.


    Caretaker¡¯s algorithm wasn¡¯t giving them more than rudimentary aiming assistance. The hierophant must¡¯ve been using a lot of its magic, which somehow interfered with the algorithm in a way that Caretaker still hadn¡¯t figured out.


    Malendrax charged out of the darkness.


    The hierophant¡¯s eyes darted to the new threat.


    ¡°I am your enemy,¡± Caretaker said as they continued to fire and reload. ¡°I will kill you if you allow yourself to be distracted.¡± They didn¡¯t know how effective their attempt at trash speaking, as Honor had counseled.


    The hierophant snarled and waved a hand from its basin toward Caretaker.


    A whip of blood and other bits lashed out at Caretaker.


    The algorithm gave two contradictory suggestions. As such things went in a split-second, Caretaker made a critical mistake. They hesitated.


    Despite the sensory and reaction enhancements provided by their power armor the only thing they managed to do was to raise their recoilless rifle as a poor facsimile of a shield.


    The blood whip was as hard as steel and as sharp as a razor. It sliced the rifle in half and scored a deep gash in Caretaker¡¯s chest armor as the Threnosh frantically fell back.


    Caretaker¡¯s attempt at psychological warfare was crude, but effective.


    By focusing on Caretaker the hierophant ignored the bigger threat.


    Malendrax reached the basin. They grabbed the lip in their over-sized gauntlets and pulled it down.


    Shira¡¯s thrashing form slipped out along with the blood and body parts. Malendrax recognized the small, gray limbs amidst the larger, pale, pinkish limbs.


    The hierophant pointed a finger at Malendrax and chanted words that made the Threnosh¡¯s stomach churn.


    The blood around Malendrax¡¯s short, thick legs began to swirl.


    They couldn¡¯t move. Shira was still in the liquid. They were vulnerable.


    So, Malendrax did the only thing that came to mind.


    They picked up the heavy, iron basin and threw it at the hierophant.


    The words suddenly stopped in the hierophant¡¯s throat as the basin knocked them to the ground.


    ¡°Get Shira away from the liquid,¡± Caretaker said. Hopefully that would stop whatever the hierophant was doing with its terrible magic.


    Caretaker drew their spire-made sword and viral pistol.


    The hierophant roared as it picked itself up off the floor. It grabbed the basin in one massive hand and hurled it at Caretaker.


    They reacted quicker this time. Without their predictive algorithm they had to rely on their own capabilities. It was for this very reason that they had always devoted time to training without their algorithm.


    Caretaker brought their sword straight down. Their spire-made exoskeleton whined with effort as the superior metal of the blade sliced through the thick iron with only a little resistance.


    The two halves of the bisected basin parted to either side of Caretaker.


    One clipped their shoulder and spun them around.


    Their power armor flashed red damage and injury warnings. Caretaker glanced at them. Nothing major. Contusions judging by the pain.


    Still, this engagement was dangerous. Caretaker¡¯s assessment was that this, the hierophant, surpassed all of the other boss monsters they had fought before.


    It was made all the more deadly by the small size of their team. One of which looked to be down. While another was busy trying to keep cragant adds from joining the fight.


    Caretaker wasn¡¯t certain if they and Malendrax were enough. They needed to end it quickly. They snapped their viral pistol up at the hierophant and squeezed the trigger.


    The hierophant had already reacted. Its hand was already up. The viral round impacted on the same red shield centimeters away from the cragant¡¯s hand.


    ¡°I challenge you, gray one,¡± the hierophant rasped. ¡°Blade to blade.¡± It pulled out a jagged looking knife from its belt.


    Caretaker considered for a moment. The hierophant¡¯s wicked-looking weapon might have been a knife in the giant¡¯s hands, but it was about the same length as Caretaker¡¯s sword. It was also considerably wider, which meant that it had greater mass.


    The cragant was noticeably shorter and slimmer than the rest of its kind. However, it was still a lot taller, heavier and more robust than Caretaker. Their assessment from what they had observed was that the hierophant had a definitive strength advantage.


    The original plan had Shira engaging the hierophant with their superior strength.


    Caretaker¡¯s moment was over. They squeezed off three shots in quick succession. Each aiming for a different part of the hierophant¡¯s body.


    Each one was blocked by the magic shield.


    Unfortunate.


    They were down to their last few viral rounds.


    Their power armor was essentially the same as the standard infantry armor. The spire-made exoskeleton and extra armor plates increased their strength and durability several times, but they weren¡¯t meant for close combat.


    Malendrax was still pulling the thrashing Shira away from the blood spill that had covered a wide swath of floor.


    Blueballs was doing all they could to fulfill their task.


    No choice.


    Caretaker holstered their viral pistol and pulled the rectangular, metal shield from their back.


    The hierophant leered. Then the giant humanoid charged.


    <hr>


    Malendrax kept an eye on Caretaker and the hierophant as the latter bludgeoned the former¡¯s shield with thunderous blows.


    The hierophant was terrible. It lacked the skill and discipline that even the lowliest cragant soldier had displayed in many battles.


    Malendrax was not impressed.


    They had pulled Shira many meters away from the blood. They were next to a set of empty cages along one wall of the structure.


    Stained cloth was discarded all over the cage interior. What looked like animal waste product was piled up in one corner.


    Malendrax was reminded of the biological matter that had come out of the basin. The prisoners¡¯ fates were clear.


    Shira¡¯s power armor leaked red fluid from all over. As Malendrax watched. The trickle turned into a torrent.


    Shira¡¯s body thrashed violently until the fluid stopped emerging.


    Malendrax watched, but nothing else happened. They turned their eyes back to the fight.


    Caretaker cleverly angled their shield to cause the hierophant¡¯s strike to deflect to one side and cause them to lose their balance.


    The Threnosh slashed out as they darted to the other side. They scored a thin line across the cragant¡¯s thick, rough skin.


    Malendrax felt a hand on their leg. They looked down to see Shira¡¯s monstrous faceplate staring up at them. Their eyes were red. Though Malendrax couldn¡¯t tell if it was because of the lenses.


    Shira weakly pointed to their fanged mouth.


    Malendrax enabled Shira in the comms. ¡°Are you injured?¡±


    ¡°The blood was wrong.¡± Shira¡¯s voice was weak. So unlike them. ¡°Infected my entire supply. Had to¡­ purge.¡±


    ¡°Then you are no longer combat effective.¡± Malendrax knew the capabilities of their teammates. ¡°Remain here. Now that you are out of immediate danger, I will assist Caretaker in completion of our Task.¡±


    ¡°No¡­ don¡¯t¡­ leave¡­ can fight. Need blood.¡±


    There was a hunger in Shira¡¯s voice, weak as it was, that disturbed Malendrax. However, the original plan had Shira as the main tank and damage dealer. While they and Caretaker added what they could or kept adds from joining in if they breached the walls.


    ¡°The Task takes precedence,¡± Malendrax said.


    A section of their armor slid open to reveal a wiry gray arm with fine, but noticeable hairs. Their defect was a set of atavistic physical characteristics that hearkened back to an ancient ancestor of the modern Threnosh. They crouched down and held their exposed arm close to Shira¡¯s bladed fingers.


    ¡°This¡­ forbidden¡­¡±


    ¡°The Task,¡± Malendrax repeated.


    Shira¡¯s fingers twitched forward. A moment of hesitation and one finger stabbed forward.


    Malendrax¡¯s grimaced, which was perfectly mimicked by their life-like face mask. The pain was different, worse than when it was filtered through all of the protections of their power armor.


    Malendrax¡¯s eyes drooped. Warnings flashed in their faceplate. They were urged to seal the opening so that repair procedures could begin immediately. They resisted as they watched their pale-colored blood flow into Shira¡¯s finger claw, which had pierced into their skin by the barest of millimeters. They grew weaker by the second.


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    ¡°Enough,¡± Malendrax managed to rasp out as their knees clanged into the floor. Their strength was almost gone. They couldn¡¯t make sense of it. Shira was doing more than simply taking their biological fluid. It was as if Shira was draining their energy, as if their teammate was taking everything they had.


    Shira didn¡¯t respond, nor did they stop.


    Malendrax grabbed Shira¡¯s entire arm with their over-sized gauntlet. It took an effort, but they successfully pulled Shira¡¯s finger away from their exposed arm. Their armor sealed shut immediately.


    The blades and spikes on Shira¡¯s arm had cut into the metal palm of Malendrax¡¯s hand. The damage was slow to repair. Malendrax felt vitality return to them, just as slow. They didn¡¯t know exactly how their power armor was able to repair itself and their biological body within. They didn¡¯t know how it replaced the blood Shira had taken, yet as the readings indicated in their faceplate that was exactly what was happening.


    Shira pushed themselves to a sitting position. ¡°My trueskin has repaired the majority of the damage created by the hierophant¡¯s blood. Combat levels at 4.4%. I need more biological fluid.¡±


    Malendrax scanned their surroundings. The cages were empty. At one time they had been filled with prisoners for the hierophant¡¯s magic. Both the beings that resembled Honor and captured Threnosh soldiers. Now all were empty, except for a handful in a cage brought close to where the hierophant performed its magic.


    ¡°Designation: Hierophant no longer has its receptacle.¡± Malendrax realized something. ¡°Perhaps it will no longer be able to perform its magic. Perhaps you will not be needed.¡±


    ¡°No. I will fight.¡± Shira tried to stand and failed.


    ¡°Remain here. I will aid Caretaker.¡±


    <hr>


    Caretaker¡¯s shield was battered, dented and cut. Their extra armor plates showed the same signs of damage. The spire-exoskeleton was being pushed to its limits.


    Multiple warning signs flashed in their faceplate. The damage to their body was piling up. Soon it would match the damage to their power armor.


    The predictive algorithm had been no help. It gave them nothing, not even a set of contradictory options like at the begin of the engagement.


    They suspected that the reddish haze coming off of the hierophant¡¯s body like rising steam was the cause. The cragant had significantly exceeded the strength and speed projections as their fight went on. Some kind of magical boost to their physical capabilities.


    Caretaker recalled Honor describing a hormone in his body that was released when he needed to be pushed to the peak of what his body was capable of. The Threnosh lacked the same thing. It appeared that the hierophant had something similar, but much stronger. One that the giant humanoid could draw on at will.


    ¡°Weak!¡± The hierophant roared as it aimed a clumsy strike at Caretaker¡¯s head.


    Caretaker knew the optimal counter, but the cragant was too fast. They were barely able to get their shield up in time to deflect the blow.


    The hierophant¡¯s thick blade thudded into Caretaker¡¯s shield like a thunderclap. Over twice as tall with long arms meant that the attack landed like a giant tree suddenly toppled over. It felt like Caretaker¡¯s entire world shook.


    The only reason that Caretaker had lasted this long was the hierophant¡¯s lack of skill. It wasn¡¯t in control of its movements, which meant that it was off-balance and couldn¡¯t take advantage of the stunned Threnosh with another strike.


    Caretaker recovered and lashed out with their spire-made sword.


    The hierophant attempted a parry with its own giant knife, but it did it with the edge. Whether by design or accident. Its lack of proper technique was a boon for Caretaker.


    Their superior blade sheared nearly all the way through the thicker, but normal steel of the hierophant¡¯s weapon.


    Caretaker twisted their sword and pulled hard. The top half of the hierophant¡¯s blade went flying.


    The hierophant¡¯s arm went up over its head with the resistance suddenly gone.


    Caretaker stepped in and thrust their sword into the hierophant¡¯s stomach.


    Or at least that was the intent.


    Once again the hierophant displayed uncanny quickness as it brought its free hand in to block the blade.


    The giant humanoid muttered undecipherable words, while the sword point stopped centimeters from the center of its massive palm. A translucent reddish shield radiated a web of cracks.


    Caretaker¡¯s exoskeleton whined in protest as they pushed their sword. To their surprise it moved. The blade slowly pierced through the hierophant¡¯s shield.


    The cragant¡¯s face was a mask of exertion and rage. Sweat poured of it in waves, while spittle foamed at its mouth.


    Caretaker saw the cragant¡¯s shoulder tense. It was about to strike with its now halved blade. They stepped in and jammed the edge of their shield into its exposed throat.


    The hierophant choked.


    The shield vanished and Caretaker plunged their blade through the hierophant¡¯s hand.


    The hierophant hissed, but still swung their knife at Caretaker¡¯s head. It clanged off of Caretaker¡¯s shield, but sent the much smaller Threnosh tumbling out of control across the floor.


    Caretaker¡¯s blade was ripped out of the hierophant¡¯s hand along with a quarter of the meat and two fingers.


    ¡°You¡¯ve have despoiled the perfection of the Savior,¡± the hierophant wheezed, ¡°I will ensure that you linger when I sanctify your existence.¡±


    The hierophant lumbered over to the cage near the center of the structure. Within, were the last of its prisoners. A handful of Threnosh soldiers and one, poor, Honor-like humanoid. They had been ill-treated and could barely muster the strength to crawl to the back of the cage as the hierophant lifted the top and reached down. It pulled out the latter and proceeded to pull of its limbs one by one.


    ¡°This is not the way,¡± the hierophant muttered. ¡°The suffering is to be savored to draw the most out of the sacrifice. Cursed gray ones, forcing me to profane the holiest rite.¡±


    Whether the pale-skinned humanoid suffered was unclear to Caretaker. It, she, judging by the difference in body parts as compared to Honor¡¯s scans and his previous general descriptions of his species, was already insensate to the world. Her eyes were glazed over and there was no outward sign that she even noticed what the hierophant did to her.


    Whatever the case. She was dead mercifully quick. Caretaker watched her life signs weaken then stop completely as the hierophant emptied her blood in a circle.


    The hierophant spoke words that Caretaker couldn¡¯t understand.


    Caretaker fired one of their last remaining viral rounds. The shot impacted on the same red shield.


    The hierophant stood straighter. Their labored breathing eased. The open wound in their left hand closed. All of the cuts that Caretaker had inflicted followed suit.


    All that effort was undone in a matter of seconds.


    ¡°I suppose it was a valiant effort, gray one. Though you are weak and tiny, you have¡­ hurt me. Futility. No one will ever know what transpired this night. I will pry your weak bodies from your strange shells and make use of you to do the same with the rest of your kind. As is the right of the Savior, by the Savior.¡±


    ¡°No, that will not occur.¡± Normally Caretaker wouldn¡¯t have seen the point in engaging in discourse with an enemy in the middle of a battle. They found the notion strange to say the least, yet in this particular scenario the hierophant¡¯s speaking bought time. ¡°We will defeat you.¡± They didn¡¯t know what else to say. ¡°We will defeat you with the necessary amount of effort. No more, no less.¡±


    The hierophant frowned. ¡°Presumptuous meat. If your fresh lifeblood was not required for my workings then I¡¯d have you all dead.¡± It took a bite out of the female humanoid¡¯s leg and chewed with relish. ¡°This is truly the only value lesser lifeforms have,¡± it grinned, ¡°meat and blood.¡±


    Caretaker felt something Honor would call revulsion as the hierophant¡¯s open mouth revealed a bloody mess of missing and rotted teeth, with bits of a sapient being¡¯s flesh between. For another thinking being to be treated as sustenance disturbed the Threnosh. They couldn¡¯t comprehend it, let alone abide it.


    ¡°These humans are superior to you gray ones in a lot of ways. Your kind does not have enough meat to make the effort worthwhile. Your bones are so fragile that they break at the slightest touch. Quite an annoyance, always getting stuck in my gums,¡± the hierophant sneered.


    Before Caretaker could rise to their feet the hierophant threw the partially eaten leg to the ground and returned back to the cage and the handful of Threnosh soldier¡¯s within. They looked so frail outside of their power armor.


    Caretaker had almost forgotten what it was like before the spires had appeared and granted their gifts. Power armor that almost seamlessly fit over the body like a second skin replaced crude, by comparison, exoskeletons. Seeing Threnosh without was jarring.


    The hierophant tore the Threnosh soldiers apart.


    ¡°See, so fragile, like tearing paper. Useful nonetheless.¡±


    The hierophant chanted strange words and rust-colored smoke suddenly appeared out of thin air around the cragant.


    Caretaker recognized the cloud as it slowly spread out around the hierophant. They couldn¡¯t help but take several steps back as it drew closer.


    ¡°Ah! You recognize it?¡± The hierophant was pleased. ¡°My finest working. I combined several known principles, but it was the Savior granting me insight into the nature of your people. The man, woman, or thing. I have been as of yet unable to determine your gender. Hundreds of captives yet all physically the same. Are you copies, I wonder? Though you¡¯re different, you and the other strange ones. No matter, I have all the time in the world to create a working to discern the nature of your people once we have conquered it in the Savior¡¯s name. I digress. I realized, with the Savior¡¯s invisible hand guiding my ruminations, that your people are inextricably linked with your automatons. It is as if they were a part of you. As my fingers are of me.¡± The hierophant raised its maimed hand. ¡°Cut me and I will bleed.¡± The hierophant sneered. ¡°Your own lifeblood¡­ to destroy all of that which you had wrought.¡± It narrowed it¡¯s eyes. ¡°But, you already know this, don¡¯t you? The general was right. That¡¯s why you hid in the ground. Why you stopped giving battle. Why you just sent your automatons. You knew that I needed your lives to fuel my working.¡±


    The hierophant stared expectantly at Caretaker.


    Silence stretched out for several seconds.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Caretaker said. They were uncertain as to why the hierophant was asking questions. The rust-colored cloud had stopped expanding. It was close enough to touch. They backed away another few steps. ¡°This is all you are capable of.¡±


    The hierophant bristled. ¡°I will cover your entire world in my miasma! Everything your people have created will break and rot! There will be nothing left of your legacy!¡± Spit flew as the giant humanoid roared.


    ¡°No, you will not,¡± Caretaker said flatly.


    ¡°You will stop me?¡± The hierophant scoffed. ¡°You are the least of opponents I have already vanquished and consumed. You, who cannot get close with your only strength being taken away. What can you possible do?¡±


    ¡°I? Nothing. But I am not alone. We will stop you,¡± Caretaker said.


    Malendrax leapt out of the shadows. One Impact Fist gauntlet raised back, poised to strike.


    The hierophant¡¯s attention was on Caretaker. They didn¡¯t see it coming.


    Malendrax¡¯s skull-cracking punch echoed throughout the interior of the structure like an explosion.


    The hierophant staggered and stumbled. Then fell to their knees. Blood leaked out of its ears and nose.


    Caretaker knew that they were on the verge of victory. Had their predictive algorithm been functional perhaps it would¡¯ve disabused them of that notion.


    The hierophant spoke. Their muscles bulged. Their eyes glowed a red that wasn¡¯t blood.


    The giant humanoid roared and it shook the building.


    ¡°Blueballs to Caretaker.¡± A voice somehow reached them through the comms.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Caretaker said dully.


    ¡°I successfully sealed the entrance. The cragants are now tearing through the walls. I am attempting to seal up the openings as you ordered, but there are too many. I believe we only have minutes before they get through. I request new orders.¡± Blueballs spoke without pause.


    Caretaker instinctively reached out to his predictive algorithm before realizing that it wasn¡¯t functional.


    ¡°Your orders?¡± Blueballs repeated.


    Caretaker didn¡¯t know what to say.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    Men and women emerged out of the opposite stairwell.


    Armed men and women.


    They wore makeshift armor over regular clothing.


    Keisha¡¯s squad had the edge in that. Their armor was better made thanks to Remy Cruces¡¯ mastery of metal. As one of the top fighters in the community, Keisha had been afforded better armor. Padded clothing underneath plate and mail that Cruces had somehow made lighter and more durable than the comparative historical versions.


    Keisha also noted that the group was lacking guns.


    The lead man was huge, like a lineman. He held a fireman¡¯s ax in one hand. The other was raised toward Keisha¡¯s group. ¡°Hold up.¡±


    Keisha frowned.


    ¡°What do we do, leader?¡± Trevor whispered.


    Keisha flipped her helmet¡¯s face shield down. ¡°Get ready,¡± she whispered back.


    The armed group in front of them parted and a smaller figure stepped forward. If there was any doubt that these were cultists than the woman¡¯s appearance put an end to that.


    She wore robes of an impossibly deep blue. Staring at it was like looking into the ocean. Waves and currents seemed to move across the cloth.


    The young woman belied what Keisha had expected out of a crazed cultist. A serene smile played across the woman¡¯s youthful, fresh face.


    ¡°We would like to avoid violence,¡± the young woman said.


    ¡°Then stop attacking us,¡± Keisha said.


    The young woman¡¯s beatific smile didn¡¯t move one bit. ¡°Surrender and you will be treated with kindness.¡±


    ¡°What did you do here?¡± Keisha said. She made a sign with her right hand, hidden behind her back. ¡°Summoned more fishmen to kill my people?¡±


    ¡°Scions.¡± The smile didn¡¯t change. ¡°Please address them by their proper name. I imagine you¡¯ve been called an ugly term at some point in your past. How did that make you feel?¡±


    ¡°Oh no!¡± Keisha snapped. ¡°You aren¡¯t gonna compare that!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s a bad take,¡± Trevor agreed. ¡°I mean your fishpeople are killers and kidnappers¡­ totally no comparison.¡±


    ¡°Nicer robes, but same ugly attitudes,¡± Amber said.


    The smile finally slipped just a little bit.


    ¡°Surrender on your terms or be carried out of here on our terms,¡± the big man rumbled as his grip tightened on his ax.


    ¡°We can¡¯t guarantee your safety in that unfortunate event,¡± the young woman said.


    ¡°Nothing changes. People like you always want things on your terms. You try to frame it as freedom of choice, but truth is, there ain¡¯t none. Least not if you can help it,¡± Keisha said. She wiggled her fingers behind her back.


    Trevor dropped a large rock that he had surreptitiously sneaked out of his pack at Keisha first signal into her large hand.


    ¡°Always about power and control. That¡¯s all your kind understands. Well¡­ I got two words for you,¡± Keisha grit her teeth, ¡°Power Throw!¡±


    The rock boomed through the air.


    The young woman¡¯s eyes widened as she brought her arms up across her face.


    The big man¡¯s free hand lashed out.


    Keisha stared in shock. The rock had been dashed to pieces.


    The man¡¯s fingers had lengthened into sharp, flesh-colored knives. No that wasn¡¯t exactly right. It was the skin that had changed.


    ¡°Fleshcraft,¡± the man said with a smug look on his bearded face. ¡°A gift from the Deep Azure. Join and receive it.¡±

 3.37

    Now, Earth


    Another woman stepped forward and opened her jacket to reveal a bare stomach that rippled in a disturbing way.


    Before Keisha could process what was happening a flesh-colored tentacle unfurled out of the woman¡¯s stomach and lanced out across the forty feet of hallway.


    Keisha raised her shield, but the tentacle snaked around it and wrapped around her thick neck. She felt small teeth in the suction cups bite into her flesh.


    ¡°Another type of gift that could be yours,¡± the robed young woman smiled. ¡°As you can see¡­ the Deep Azure grants many benefits to those that buy in. I wasn¡¯t lying. We all have the same choice. We buy in as much as we choose and are rewarded to the same degree. Performance is what matters. Nothing else. Not your connections, your wealth,¡± she raised a brow, ¡°nor the color of your skin.¡±


    Keisha wanted to call bullshit, but she couldn¡¯t speak. It was taking all of her Enhanced Strength to keep the tentacle woman from pulling her in.


    ¡°Your classes and magic pale in comparison,¡± the young woman continued. ¡°So, you see¡­ you can¡¯t win. Join us and spare yourselves pain and suffering. If not for your sake, then for your friends and families.¡±


    ¡°Fuck that cult shit!¡± Amber snapped. ¡°Mage Armor.¡± A ghostly, amber-colored shell that resembled knightly armor flared to life around her. It had been a good source of humor that her name happened to match the magic armor¡¯s color. She didn¡¯t know if it was a coincidence or if there was a deeper connection. It didn¡¯t pass her notice that her spells tended to be same shade.


    Trevor threw a small cylinder at the cultists. Too fast to react to. He hadn¡¯t used a skill, just an all-league pitcher¡¯s fastball.


    The flashbang exploded with a bright flash.


    Rory and Del squeezed off three round bursts.


    The tentacle around Keisha throat slackened just enough for her to pry it off. She punched at it as the tentacle woman pulled it back.


    ¡°Buncha bullshit,¡± Keisha muttered.


    The cultists had closed ranks around the robed young woman. A few of them had bullet wounds, but were still standing. That wasn¡¯t a good sign.


    ¡°Down the stairs,¡± Keisha picked her sledgehammer up off the floor. ¡°Amber in front, then Del and Trevor, me and Rory will bring up the back.¡±


    They ran down the stairs to the ground floor. Lantern light played wildly around them, throwing menacing shadows that felt as if they reached out with black talons.


    Keisha ignored the shadows. The squad had real danger on their heels. She kept one eye on Amber¡¯s softly glowing armor and the other on the darkness behind her. The cuts around her throat stung and tingled.


    Amber took a left down the wrong hallway.


    ¡°Wrong way, damn it!¡± Rory snapped.


    Keisha looked back. The cultists were closing. ¡°No time. Keep going.¡± She pushed Rory forward.


    ¡°We¡¯re going the wrong way!¡± Trevor yelled up ahead at Amber.


    ¡°I know! Sorry!¡± Amber¡¯s voice was high. ¡°I think I know how to get to the exit from here. Left next.¡±


    ¡°No, no! Go past the next hallway junction. Then right turn at the one after that, right turn!¡± Del huffed.


    ¡°Got it!¡± Amber yelled back.


    They hit the first junction at a sprint. First Amber, then Trevor. When Del crossed something grabbed him.


    He didn¡¯t even have time to shout or get off a shot.


    ¡°Oh f¡ª¡± Rory skidded to a stop. ¡°Del!¡±


    Keisha had barely seen what happened. Something big, long and muscular had violently yanked Del into the dark hallway.


    Rory swung his MP5 around the corner. The light from his lantern seemed so weak. There was no sign of Del.


    Keisha saw nothing. ¡°Keep going,¡± she roughly pushed Rory on.


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, man. We can¡¯t do anything for Del right now,¡± Keisha said. ¡°We need to get out of here and get the word out. Come back with more people and then get Del back. It¡¯s his, our, best chance.¡±


    Something whizzed by Keisha¡¯s head.


    She turned and raised her shield. A series of thuds shook her shield.


    That snapped Rory out of his shock. He dropped to one knee and leaned to Keisha¡¯s other side. He squeezed off several bursts.


    ¡°Keep running!¡± Keisha lifted Rory by the collar of his tactical vest with the same hand holding her hammer. She dragged him at a sprint for a dozen feet until he finally started running on his own.


    ¡°I¡¯m running low,¡± Rory huffed as he struggled to keep up with Keisha.


    She was a lot heavier than him, but her skills meant that she was stronger and had more stamina, so she was a lot faster than she looked.


    ¡°Six-ish rounds in this mag and a half-full one left.¡±


    Ammunition had become a problem as the conflict with the fish cult had dragged on. Old man Del Campo could only reload so much per day and everyone else that had picked up the Gunsmith Class were too new to it. They couldn¡¯t do more than a handful a day.


    Keisha didn¡¯t say anything. She wracked her brain for a plan that¡¯d see the rest of them home safe. Nothing came up beyond running faster.


    Amber and Trevor had opened up a sizable lead, but Keisha could still make out the glow from the former¡¯s magic armor. At least they were back on track for the exit. She recognized the paintings on the hallway walls.


    ¡°Almost there,¡± Keisha said.


    Rory grinned despite how tired he was. The light at the end of the tunnel was from the moon and the stars outside. It was visible through a large window in the door.


    The ceiling suddenly exploded down in a shower of dust and plaster.


    A flesh-colored tentacle whipped down and wrapped around Rory¡¯s head.


    His screams were muffled as he sprayed the contents of his magazine into the floor.


    Keisha reached for his legs as the tentacle pulled him up. Her fingers just brushed at the bottom of his boots, then he was gone. Swallowed up by the darkness above.


    She heard heavy footsteps rushing at her back. She spun around with her shield. Just in time.


    The big, bearded man that had transformed the skin of his fingers into long, sharp blades, came rushing at her. He slammed into her shield and knocked her back several steps despite her strength and weight.


    Without Rory and his lantern Keisha found herself unable to clearly see her opponent. Scant streams of silver moonlight were the only things that stood between her and the darkness.


    Flesh turned sharp as steel scrapped across her shield.


    Keisha kept backpedaling. She didn¡¯t want to get bogged down here for the rest of the cultists to overwhelm her. She needed to keep moving toward the exit.


    The slashes and blows on her shield were strong. Possibly just as strong as she was capable of.


    The narrow hallway meant that she couldn¡¯t swing her two-handed sledgehammer to its full potential. Instead she choked up a bit on its long handle and thrust it forward where she thought the big cultist was. The narrow hallway proved just as much a help as a detriment. There wasn¡¯t much space for a large man to move around.


    The man woofed as Keisha¡¯s hammer took him in the stomach and drove the air out of him. He doubled over and Keisha threw down the hammer.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡±


    Keisha struck with relish. She couldn¡¯t see too well, but the meaty impact of the hammer on the man¡¯s broad back was unmistakable.


    The big man groaned.


    Keisha heard a loud boom come from the front lobby of the building.


    ¡°Keisha! Help! Fishman!¡± Trevor¡¯s voice was loud and clear from the other side of the closed door.


    She didn¡¯t have any time to waste. Keisha turned and ran for the door. She put her shield in front of her and didn¡¯t stop. She battered the door open.


    Another loud blast lit up the darkened lobby. Amber¡¯s shotgun barked as a fishman advanced on her and Trevor.


    The fishman took the blast of pellets on its shell shield.


    ¡°Fastball Special!¡±


    Trevor¡¯s rock blazed like a comet as it tore a hole in the fishman¡¯s shield and zoomed just past its gray-scaled head.


    The fishman responded with a bone-like javelin hurled with the strength of many men.


    Trevor ducked behind Amber.


    The javelin struck her in the center of her chest. Her magic armor cracked then shattered, but stopped the javelin.


    Amber dropped her shotgun and clutched her head in pain from the damage feedback.


    ¡°Trevor, I need a grenade around the corner back there,¡± Keisha said as she banged her hammer on her shield to get the fishman¡¯s attention. ¡°It¡¯s dark and you won¡¯t be able to see it, but do you remember where it was?¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°I need you to throw everything you¡¯ve got around that corner. You need to keep the cultists back for as long as possible.¡±


    ¡°Got it¡­ I think.¡±


    Trevor went to the broken door and started with his last flashbang. ¡°Curve.¡± The small cylinder streaked down the hallway and turned at the corner in defiance of the accepted laws of physics. There was a bang and flash that momentarily lit up the hallway. ¡°Shit!¡± Trevor had a brief peak at several cultists coming. Including the big man that Keisha had slapped down. ¡°They¡¯re coming!¡± He started throwing rocks from his pack.


    Keisha didn¡¯t have time for that. She had to deal with the fishman.


    ¡°In The Zone,¡± Keisha said flatly.


    This was the last throw to win the meet.


    Do or die time.


    The skill pushed Keisha past all of her limits, physical and mental. Every move she¡¯d make would be exactly as she intended. Speed and strength temporarily greater than what she could normally do. Faster reaction times.


    The fishman thrust out with its bone spear. It was fast.


    Keisha blocked it with her shield and deftly deflected it to draw the fishman off balance and to open up its side for her hammer. The heavy iron head thudded into its ribs.


    The loud crack of its ribs had the fishman gaping in surprise before the pain hit it a second later. It tried to scramble back for space and a moment.


    Keisha wasn¡¯t about to have any of that nonsense. She charged after it. She slammed her shield into the fishman then crushed it up against a wall.


    Keisha flipped her grip on the hammer so that the head was down at the bottom of her hand. She hammered down at the fishman¡¯s knee like she was driving a stake into the ground.


    The knee crumpled.


    The fishman made a keening wail. High-pitched and inhuman. It had Keisha gritting her teeth. She stepped back and the fishman fell to the ground.


    Keisha dropped her shield and took her hammer in two hands. She raised it high and brought in down on the fishman¡¯s head. Once, twice, three times had the fishman¡¯s tough head looking like a dropped watermelon.


    Keisha was almost shocked by the outcome. Fishmen were really tough. The current theory was that their bodies needed to be so in order to survive the pressures of the ocean depths. That or magic bullshit. Keisha figured it was probably a bit of both.


    At least now she knew that it only took the best Enhanced Strength passive combined with a huge boosting skill to pulp a fishman¡¯s head. In The Zone was still in effect, but the clock was ticking and she only had a minute or two left. There was no way she could fight the rest of the cultists.


    Keisha hurried over to the dazed Amber and picked her up like a sack of potatoes, a very light sack, and threw her over one shoulder.


    Amber was still trying to reload shells into her shotgun, but otherwise didn¡¯t protest.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, fool boy!¡± Keisha beckoned Trevor. ¡°We had best be gone.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t need to tell me twice.¡± Trevor abandoned the door and took off running out into the dark streets.


    Keisha, with Amber over her shoulder, was right behind.


    They needed to make it back. They had counted dozens of the summoning circles on the first two floors. They hadn¡¯t even gotten to the third floor.


    The fishman¡¯s appearance had cinched it.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The monsters were somewhere out there in the city. Not to mention the cultists displayed new and dangerous abilities.


    Keisha couldn¡¯t help but think about Remy and Hanna being out on the operation. Two of their three biggest guns weren¡¯t around and she had already used her best skill. It was going to be a rough night.


    <hr>


    ¡°It¡¯s been an hour,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Barely 45 minutes,¡± Remy said. He twisted his head from one side to the other. The helmet was annoying, stifling. He tried to remind himself that it was all in his head.


    ¡°They actually had an E-Z Up shade thing ready.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Hanna pointed at the pop up canopy the cult people had brought out to shield the diplomatic discussions from the sun.


    ¡°Fold up table and chairs too,¡± Hanna mused, ¡°like they were ready for this.¡± Her eyes drifted over to the office buildings on the left side of the road. ¡°Say? Do you think we¡¯re going to get ambushed?¡±


    Remy had been trying to look nowhere in particular. Lest he give away his identity. Yet, he found that his gaze kept drifting over to the ocean several hundred yards away to the right side of the road. He had been barely paying attention to Hanna. He glanced to the buildings on the left.


    ¡°Oh yeah, they¡¯ve got people in most of them.¡± Remy had already stretched a thin magnetic field into much of the surrounding area. He had detected electromagnetic signals from multiple human brains. No fishmen or anything weirder, at least as far as he could tell. He still didn¡¯t consider himself anywhere close to proficient when it came to this aspect of his power. ¡°I¡¯m also messing with our immediate area. I can¡¯t say it¡¯s a hundred percent perfect, but if they¡¯re trying to listen in on what we¡¯re saying with any electronic devices then they¡¯re getting nothing.¡±


    ¡°No offense, but I¡¯m not going to take your word for it. You haven¡¯t figured out how they¡¯re messing with our communications back home, so I think we should still try to avoid saying too much¡­ just in case,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°None taken.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ you probably can¡¯t tell, but it¡¯s getting hot out here. How much longer would you say this ¡®negotiation¡¯ is going to take?¡±


    Remy had only been paying partial attention to the discussion taking place a few hundred yards down the road. He listened intently for a few more minutes. ¡°I think it¡¯s getting close to the end. They keep circling back to wanting a ¡®cooperative relationship¡¯ with the state people.¡±


    ¡°That leaves us in the lurch,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Sorry, sounds like, me and my family¡¯s existence is a sticking point. They don¡¯t want us a part of any discussions. Basically, we won¡¯t be considered as part of the state and the protections afforded by any agreement¡­ but it seems like they¡¯re okay with the rest of you being basically folded in with the state.¡±


    ¡°What about the women the fishmen took?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I think Detective Ordonez is locking that trail down,¡± Remy said. ¡°The cultists are being coy about them, but from the energy build up in Jake¡¯s tablet, I¡¯d say that things are about to end.¡± He tapped the soldier standing next to him for this very purpose.


    The soldier spread the word through the rest of their fifty-strong force with a series of subtle, silent signals. They gave no obvious outward sign, but in seconds they were ready to act at a moment.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Hanna whispered as she checked the long sword in the scabbard at her side. She checked the straps on the round shield secured to her back.


    ¡°Being a bit obvious,¡± Remy said.


    Hanna picked her greatsword up from where she had it leaning up against the army truck¡¯s grille. She cradled the grip and hilt in the crook of her elbow will the blade in its scabbard rested on her shoulder.


    ¡°Hate heights. Not looking forward to the next bit.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what you¡¯re nervous about? Not the part about being in a life and death battle.¡±


    ¡°Like I said before, you need to get your head around the fact that you¡¯re going to have to kill another human being. If you don¡¯t you might get the rest of us killed.¡±


    Remy frowned behind his helmet.


    ¡°If that isn¡¯t enough for you¡­ then think about what¡¯ll happen to your family if you hesitate and get yourself killed¡­ or worse.¡± Hanna slammed down the visor of her helmet.


    She looked like a stereotypical knight, except her armor was stronger and lighter than anything in history. All thanks to Remy¡¯s efforts. The irony didn¡¯t escape him. His actions made Hanna better able to kill.


    Remy was about to say something when his distant magnetic field picked up a spike in energy from all of Jake¡¯s devices.


    ¡°Now!¡± Remy yelled a split-second before a bright flash enveloped the negotiation area.


    Gun fire erupted from both sides.


    <hr>


    Detective Julieta Ordonez had the cult representatives pegged at about thirty minutes into the sham negotiations. What they said, how they said it, their body language might as well have opened up their thoughts to her.


    They were a sham on several different levels and on both sides. That was another thing that the detective had discovered thanks to her Skills and skills.


    The thought rankled her on a fundamental level. She felt like the former made a mockery of all the efforts she had taken in her entire life to develop the latter. All the experience, all the setbacks and triumphs. It was as if they didn¡¯t matter. She was a better detective now than would have been possible before the spires had appeared.


    The detective was angry, but her face betrayed nothing.


    Gates sat too close as he pretended to take notes on his tablet.


    The smiling cultists hadn¡¯t lied in their pitch. She could tell and that bothered her. They believed everything they had said about the benefits of living in the Bay Area under the aegis of the so-called Scions of the Deep Azure. That their people lived safe and comfortable lives. That the path to more was accessible to all.


    There was no pressure. You simply got what you put in. Benefits stacked up based on how much you bought in and how well you did it. An actual meritocracy.


    The detective had seen the medical reports from Davis¡¯ first encounter with the cultists. She knew what sort of benefits the cultists were talking about even if they had tried to play coy.


    What truly bothered her though was that this wasn¡¯t like a normal cult. Those always touted the benefits of what following their ways would yield. Those were bullshit. Nebulous and impossible to quantify. Easy to trick people with. Lies.


    This fish cult was different.


    The detective¡¯s skills, legitimate and not, made that clear. As much as she¡¯d rather discount them. She couldn¡¯t. Not in a post-spires world.


    Talk turned to the kidnapped women and girls from over a year ago.


    As the cultists talked the detective itched to draw her pistol. It was fortunate that she had left it in the SUV. She had wanted to go after them right away. She had no illusions as to what their probable fate was and she knew that the longer you waited the more impossible tracking them down and getting them back became. She had worked several human trafficking cases before.


    The robed fuckers had the gall to chalk it up to a misunderstanding. Then they implied that the people they abducted had been, were, being treated very well and that they had no desire to leave.


    The detective almost reached down to her new prosthetic lower leg, but stopped herself in time to avoid tipping the cultists off. She took a calming breath. It was her turn.


    She asked questions about the abducted. A mixture of direct and oblique ones. The cultists answered. Little did they know that the detective had Skills that made them more forthcoming than they would¡¯ve been under normal circumstances.


    It didn¡¯t take too long.


    In the end, Detective Ordonez had a picture. It disturbed her and made her itch for a weapon, but at least she had a trail. All she had to do now was follow it. It¡¯d narrow the further she went. Until it¡¯d take her right where she wanted, needed to be.


    ¡°I¡¯ve no more questions,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    That was the signal.


    Gates fingers suddenly sped up their tapping on his tablet.


    Detective Ordonez shut her eyes and reached down to her fake leg at the same time that a bright flash erupted from the tablet.


    When she opened her eyes there was a translucent, light blue dome over the entire negotiation group tethered to the tablet by a thin strand of the same color and consistency.


    ¡°Shock!¡± Gates spoke the spell with relish. A thread-thin bolt of lightning sparked across the space between him and one of the cultists. It struck the cultist in the chest.


    The cultist spasmed and fell to the ground.


    The smell of ozone and burnt flesh filled the shielded dome.


    Detective Ordonez came up firing with the modified taser that had been hidden in her artificial lower leg. The pistol was a combination of magic and technology courtesy of Gates and the Davis R&D team. They had made it along with her lag and Gate¡¯s prosthetic hand. It was based on the standard taser pistol, except it didn¡¯t need the wires to carry the electric charge to the prongs. Instead it contained a small magazine of darts that Gate¡¯s had magically programmed, as he had called it, with the weakest level of the Shock spell.


    It still bothered her that she needed Gates or another Mage-type to charge the pistol and her leg with mana, as well as the spell that made the latter function. She didn¡¯t like the vulnerability.


    The detective dropped the remaining cultists before Gate¡¯s could even fire off another spell.


    ¡°Secure them,¡± Detective Ordonez barked.


    ¡°Are you sure this shield will hold up?¡± one of the negotiators asked as bullets from the cultists at their barricade sparked off the shield.


    ¡°Relax, my dude. It¡¯ll last long enough for our hammers to drop,¡± Gates said as he zip-tied the downed cultist¡¯s wrist and ankles together.


    There was a loud scream overhead. It sounded like a mixture of terror and rage to Detective Ordonez¡¯s practiced ears.


    She looked up.


    Cruces and Gozen flew overhead on metal disks with razor-sharp teeth. The screaming was the latter¡¯s doing. She didn¡¯t stop until the pair had disappeared on the other side of the cultist¡¯s wall.


    The bullets stopped plinking off of Gate¡¯s shield.


    Detective Ordonez waved the rest of her people forward.


    The trucks and armored SUVs rumbled forward.


    Gate¡¯s dropped the shield and they got on board.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Gate¡¯s pointed out the window. ¡°Fishmen incoming!¡±


    Detective Ordonez saw them coming out of the water.


    The state forces opened fire.


    They had seconds before the fishmen would close into melee where they had an overwhelming advantage.


    Thankfully the barricade gates suddenly burst open as the metal crumpled as if a pair of giant, invisible hands had pried them open.


    ¡°Cease fire! We¡¯re moving in!¡± the commander of the fighters shouted back.


    Detective Ordonez¡¯s SUV shot into the lead. She needed to give the driver directions on the trail that only she could see.


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    Primal stomped through the detritus of the wooden gate they had blown open with their arrow. Resplendent Zabriium had already gone in.


    Primal was displeased as they watched their teammate launch miniature missiles from the blocky launchers attached to their sides.


    The missiles exploded on the cragants rushing to engage.


    Resplendent Zabriium wasn¡¯t going to leave any for Primal.


    Some of the cragants fell, while a few staggered under the barrage. Most kept charging after a moment to gather themselves.


    Primal was pleased at that. They were going to have the opportunity to finally engage in close combat after so much time spent sniping from a distance.


    Resplendent Zabriium galloped away from the mass of cragants in the front area of the base camp. Their job was to sow as much chaos and confusion as possible throughout the entire camp. Strike and run, never stop moving.


    This left Primal with a dozen opponents that now turned their attention to them.


    The Threnosh¡¯s massive 2.5 meter tall power armor was actually dwarfed by the shortest cragant. They had similar width however and from the intelligence that had been gathered, Primal knew that they had more mass, by almost half as much.


    Primal opened up with their own micromissile battery from the back of their shoulders.


    The cragants hunkered down behind thick shields.


    Explosions shattered the thick wood and rendered them useless, but they had already done their job in keeping the giant humanoids alive and only slightly injured.


    The cragants had no formation, they charged in a wild group. At least they tried to spread around and circle Primal.


    Primal set the minigun on their right shoulder to track the cragants circling around on that side, while they charged toward the thickest group.


    Thick javelins struck, but didn¡¯t penetrate the Thenosh¡¯s armor.


    Primal punched a cragant. Their massive fist was like a wrecking ball as it crumpled the front of the cragant¡¯s helmet. The thick metal provided no protection. The cragant fell to the ground cradling its broken face.


    Another cragant grabbed Primal¡¯s left arm and pulled them off balance. The cragant landed several blows with its sword that dented the top layer of Primal¡¯s armor.


    Hidden safely inside the massive chest of their power armor, Primal smiled. This was what they had missed this entire time.


    Primal engaged the rows of whirling metal teeth that encircled their left arm. The armor panels opened and the teeth emerged, spinning to life.


    The cragant cried out as its thick glove provided no protection.


    A proximity warning blared in Primal¡¯s ear. They spun around, but were too slow to stop the cragant from slamming into them with its shield.


    The cragant thrust its sword into Primal¡¯s leg. The armor held for but a moment when it gave and the blade sank many centimeters in.


    Primal ignored the flashing red warnings and swung their left arm down at the cragant¡¯s wrist.


    The cragant relinquished their grip on their sword rather than test its gauntlet against the whirring teeth.


    More cragant¡¯s swarmed on Primal. It was like having trees collapsing in on you.


    The warnings blared with increasing intensity as armor breaches appeared all over from the cragants¡¯ slashing and stabbing weapons, from strong, grasping fingers.


    Primal engaged their boot jets. The cragants held them down at first, but they shot up into the air, free of the scrum. They landed several meters away and spun to face the now, clumped together group of cragants. Armor panels in their torso slid open to reveal three rows of gun barrels.


    Primal emptied the barrels and the magazines into the cragants.


    They staggered and wavered against the assault of supersonic metal projectiles, but the cragants were extremely large, strong and durable. More importantly, they were fighters.


    There was still a lot of fight left in them. Just as Primal wanted.


    <hr>


    ¡°What the hell!¡± Cal looked around. He hoped no one heard his outburst. He put the wooden spatula back into the pot of stuffing and backed away from the stove.


    ¡°That¡¯s gross.¡±


    Cal turned slowly.


    His teenage sister frowned at him.


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know what you might be referring to.¡±


    ¡°You tasted the stuffing,¡± Rayna said flatly.


    ¡°No. You are mistaken. Understandable, seeing as how you were standing behind me. You couldn¡¯t see what I was actually doing. So, when you think that I tasted the stuffing with the serving spoon, touching said spoon to my mouth and subsequently returning it to the pot¡ª¡±


    ¡°Uhhhmmm,¡± Rayna arched a brow, ¡°that¡¯s exactly what you did. Cause that¡¯s what you always do. You don¡¯t think anyone¡¯s watching,¡± she leaned closer to get in Cal¡¯s face, ¡°but we all watch. We¡¯re just too nice to call you out on it. Not anymore, older brother. Times have changed.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah. You¡¯ve change, Rayna.¡± Cal narrowed his eyes. ¡°Ever since you became a teenager¡ª¡±


    ¡°Pfftt, whatever,¡± Rayna rolled her eyes. ¡°Why are your panties in a bunch anyways?¡±


    Cal made a noise in mock outrage. ¡°Language, young lady.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, you say that to Remy and Eron all the time.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s different.¡±


    ¡°Quit redirecting. It¡¯s lame.¡±


    ¡°Fine, fine¡­ don¡¯t get your panties in a bunch,¡± Cal muttered the last bit under his breath.


    Rayna rolled her eyes again. She did that a lot these days.


    ¡°The stuffing tastes off.¡±


    Rayna laughed, short and angry. At least that¡¯s how it sounded to Cal. ¡°So you admit it?¡±


    ¡°No, no. I don¡¯t admit to your scurrilous accusation,¡± Cal waved a finger. ¡°The spoon didn¡¯t touch my lips. I dropped the stuffing from spoon to open mouth. Plenty of space between the two.¡±


    Rayna shook her head side to side. ¡°You¡¯re the worst older brother.¡±


    ¡°Anyways,¡± Cal went on. ¡°I love stuffing and this doesn¡¯t taste right. Blander. Like a lot. Did mom use water?¡±


    ¡°She used vegetable stock.¡±


    ¡°I knew it,¡± Cal grimaced. ¡°Why?¡± he clutched his fingers into claws.


    ¡°Kim¡¯s coming and she¡¯s a vegetarian.¡±


    ¡°I thought she was a fish person?¡± Cal frowned. His younger cousin had ruined his stuffing. Not that he¡¯d let it show. He wasn¡¯t a hundred percent a dick.


    ¡°Pescatarian,¡± Rayna said.


    Cal¡¯s face went blank for a moment.


    ¡°That¡¯s what you call someone that eats fish.¡±


    ¡°I knew that¡­ so, no meat, but fish is okay?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t see the difference. Can¡¯t eat mammals and birds, but fish was cool? He wondered where lizards slotted into that list. Were frog legs okay?


    ¡°So because one person can¡¯t eat meat, the stuffing has no meat?¡± Come to think of it he had missed that there weren¡¯t any chunks of ground beef in the small amount he had tasted.


    ¡°Yup. So, don¡¯t be a dick.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Cal waved Rayna away. ¡°I guess I can just wait another year for proper stuffing.¡±


    ¡°Quit being a drama queen. Mother knows best. What she says, goes,¡± Rayna walked away. ¡°Don¡¯t be so difficult, Honor.¡±


    Cal blinked.

 3.38

    Now, Threnosh World


    Volkharion watched the entire battle unfold in their faceplate. They saw through every eye in each of their scattered drones as if they were looking at things through their own. They listened through the auditory recorders as if it were their own ear holes. Their power armor¡¯s systems prevented sensory overload and allowed them to efficiently process so many different information input sources.


    Their drones had developed their own virtual intelligence as Volkharion had upgraded them over time using Universal Points at the spires. They had been able to increase the drones¡¯ capabilities, both software and hardware. They were all significantly more capable and dangerous than in their earliest days.


    Two canine drones patrolled in a wide circle around the entire cragant base camp as a delay and early warning system in the event that the other cragant forces returned.


    One gremlin drone lurked near the hierophant¡¯s structure as a last option in the event that the Task faced complete failure.


    The second gremlin drone was on the ground floor level of the structure that Volkharion was stationed in to provide protection. One of the two feline drones was doing the same on the roof.


    The other feline drone was trying to keep up with Whoosh as the speedy Threnosh caused havoc with the cragants on the northern side of the base camp.


    Whoosh kept the cragants busy by skating all around them while slicing at their ankles and legs. They moved just fast enough to avoid getting killed, but slow enough to lead the cragants to believe that they had a chance to catch up.


    The feline drone¡¯s job was to distract the cragants in case Whoosh needed help to stay out of the giant humanoids¡¯ clutches.


    Volkharion watched the team inside the structure battle the hierophant. The feed from their tiny insectile drones cut out as soon as the cragant brought forth the rust-colored cloud.


    Their drones weren¡¯t in the cloud, but perhaps their small size meant they were easier to destroy. Proximity to the cloud, not full immersion, must¡¯ve been enough.


    Volkharion mourned their drones. Their power armor would create replacements soon enough, but the Threnosh still felt the loss. The new drones were not the same as the old drones. Some of which had managed to survive the years since they had first been created.


    A warning chirp from one of their aerial drones drew Volkharion¡¯s attention. The drone was a mixture between a flying craft and a bird. It had been perched on the corner of the hierophant¡¯s structure, near the rear. The area had been cleared by Silver Wolf as they had rampaged through and drawn away the cragant guards stationed there.


    It appeared that a pair of cragants had returned. The two started hacking at the wall with their weapons.


    That couldn¡¯t be allowed to continue.


    Volkharion instructed their aerial drone to harass the cragants. They quickly amended the instructions to stress that the drone was to not take any undue risks in the effort.


    The second aerial drone chirped the same warning.


    More cragants had returned and were also chopping away at the walls.


    Volkharion scanned the area.


    Silver Wolf was heavily engaged in brutal combat on the opposite side of the structure.


    Primal and Resplendent Zabriium were similarly engaged.


    Whoosh could make it in time with their speed, but wasn¡¯t capable of stopping the cragants.


    ¡°Tynk,¡± Volkharion said into the comms. ¡°I am sending you coordinates.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Tynk replied immediately.


    ¡°You must prevent the cragants ingress attempt. Our teammates inside the structure have not completed the Task.¡±


    ¡°I will.¡±


    Volkharion deployed the last of their insectile drones from the rectangular compartment at their lower back. They needed to get eyes back on the inside of the structure.


    The whisper-quiet hum of tiny anti-gravity units and the flutter of thin wings was lost in the sounds of cragant weapons banging into the Threnosh structure¡¯s metallic walls.


    Tynk flew high above in the dark night. They took care on their approach to avoid being targeted by the cragants¡¯ missile weapons. They needn¡¯t have bothered. The giant humanoids were wholly focused on their task.


    The Threnosh swooped down a handful of meters above the cragants and dusted them with the last of their soporific particles. They had used most of their supply to blanket the entire base camp force at the start of the battle. To weaken and slow the cragants enough that their teammates, like Primal, would be able to fight them in close quarters without being immediately destroyed.


    The particles lacked complete efficacy due to the cragants¡¯ large size and robust nature. All Tynk had managed to do was to make them groggy, as if they were in a state of near sleep.


    The cragants below Tynk didn¡¯t even mark their passing. The giant humanoids¡¯ attacks on the wall slowed noticeably. They blinked and yawned as their arms grew heavier and their vision became blurry from the water in their eyes.


    Tynk fluttered away. Their part was done. It was time to find a safe place to watch and wait.


    ¡°Task complete,¡± Volkharion said into the comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged, retreating,¡± Tynk replied.


    Volkharion dismissed their teammate. The last of their insectile drones had just reached the structure. They sent them to several rents in the metallic outer surface, but instructed them to remain outside. They didn¡¯t want to lose the drones to the rust-colored cloud.


    It wasn¡¯t ideal, but Volkharion needed eyes on the fight against the hierophant.


    The drones¡¯ vision cycled to provide the best image. It clarified in less than a second to give the Threnosh what he was looking for.


    It appeared that the battle was not progressing as Caretaker had planned.


    <hr>


    Malendrax gripped the hierophant¡¯s long, lank hair in one over-sized gauntlet, while they punched at the side of the hierophant¡¯s head with the other.


    The Threnosh dug their power armor¡¯s toes into the hierophant¡¯s dirty robes as the giant humanoid spun around wildly in an attempt to buck Malendrax off.


    The blows echoed throughout the structure like powerful explosions, but the hierophant appeared to be getting stronger.


    A reddish haze surrounded the giant humanoid¡¯s body as its muscles continued to bulge and strain against its thick skin.


    The hierophant managed to get a huge hand around Malendrax and ripped them from its back.


    Malendrax clattered into empty cages, a chunk of the hierophant¡¯s hair and scalp in their fist.


    The giant humanoid paid the open wound on its head no mind.


    ¡°Caretaker, the cloud is damaging my trueskin. Self-repair capability is keeping up, but at the cost of the repairs to my biological body. I have suffered minor injuries,¡± Malendrax said into the comms.


    Caretaker said a silent human curse. The rust-colored cloud had stopped expanding, but the hierophant and Malendrax were both deep within it.


    The hierophant¡¯s back was turned as it advanced on Malendrax. It was slow in its approach, as if it was savoring the moment.


    Caretaker had an idea. They shot it in the back with a viral round.


    The hierophant roared as the round impacted and immediately started eating away at its flesh.


    Caretaker had gambled that the giant humanoid didn¡¯t have its magical shield up. Whether due to a lack of attentiveness or it couldn¡¯t do so on top of the rust-colored cloud and whatever magic ability allowed it to grow in size and strength. The Threnosh¡¯s guess was correct.


    ¡°You¡­ I¡­ did not expect¡­ such¡­ powerful¡­ working.¡± The hierophant wheezed in pain. ¡°I¡­ stronger.¡± It began to speak words that Caretaker didn¡¯t understand. It fell to its hands and knees as the viral load ate away at the flesh and muscle of its back.


    Caretaker watched the damage spread in close detail via the enhanced visual mode in their faceplate. They were surprised and displeased to note that it was spreading slower than usual, before it stopped altogether. At least there was a chunk of the hierophant¡¯s back muscles missing.


    ¡°Caretaker¡­ problems!¡±


    Blueballs¡¯ panicked shout into the comms was cut off by several terrible screeches.


    The metallic walls near the entrance to the structure tore open from the outside. Cragants barged through the breaches.


    ¡°Blueballs, fall back.¡± Caretaker felt the weight on their shoulders grow heavier.


    Blueballs sprinted toward Caretaker and stopped behind them.


    ¡°Orders?¡±


    ¡°Avoid attention, look for an opportunity to escape and retreat.¡±


    Blueballs ran to the far end of the structure, where the shadows were deepest.


    The cragants moved in formation with the largest example of their kind that Caretaker had ever seen in person at the front.


    Shields up, spears and swords out and ready, the giant humanoids kept eyes on Caretaker and Malendrax as they quickly, but carefully, moved to place themselves between the hierophant and the Threnosh.


    The hierophant crawled toward what appeared to be the leader, the one surveillance had identified as General Zanya.


    ¡°General¡­ just in time¡­ you¡¯ve saved me¡­¡± The hierophant reached a hand toward the general.


    The general¡¯s expression was unreadable from behind its helmet. It hesitated, but eventually sheathed its sword to extend a hand to help the hierophant up.


    ¡°The Savior will¡ª¡± the hierophant moved with a sudden burst of speed and strength, like a striking snake. The hierophant ripped the helmet off the general¡¯s head and clamped its hand over the general¡¯s face. ¡°¡ªhonor your sacrifice!¡±


    Caretaker was stunned by the sight.


    The hierophant leered at the general with wide eyes as it whispered its untranslatable words.


    Caretaker¡¯s sensors were hampered by the magic, but it appeared as if the general¡¯s vital signs weakened while the hierophant¡¯s strengthened. The ruined muscles of the hierophant¡¯s upper back visibly healed as the general¡¯s body grew slack.


    ¡°There truly is no stronger life force than that of our people,¡± the hierophant¡¯s voice was strong. ¡°You see general, you have triumphed. Your very life, your soul will be what allows me to finally destroy these bothersome gray ones. I will see to it that your line knows of your sacrifice and your honor. You will be remem¡ª¡± The hierophant let out a scream.


    The largest cragant in the space crossed the distance to the hierophant and the general with one massive stride. Its sword slashed out with quickness that seemed impossible for something so large.


    The hierophant fell back.


    The general slumped to one knee, but refused to go down. Its face was ruined by an ugly red wound in the shape of a hand.


    ¡°General!¡± The large cragant knelt down next to it. ¡°How bad is it?¡±


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    ¡°A scratch,¡± the general¡¯s booming voice was subdued.


    ¡°Your command?¡±


    ¡°Elgorit has revealed his true core is soft. Not solid as the bedrock of the mountain crags. I deem him a traitor to our people.¡±


    ¡°As you will.¡± The large cragant rose and stomped over to the fallen hierophant, who cradled its stump.


    Caretaker recorded the entire exchange. There was plenty of important information that they would need to review many times. It seemed as if their Task was going to be completed by the cragants. That had not been in their projections.


    The hierophant sprang to their feet with a snarl as they lunged for the massive cragant.


    It was like watching two boss monsters fight.


    The blows shook the air, such was the strength and toughness on display.


    The massive cragant was a skilled fighter. That much was obvious. It moved with efficiency and intent as it slashed, stabbed and punched the hierophant.


    The latter was more like a true boss monster. It fought with an animal ferocity. It ignored all the wounds it took as they healed before everyone¡¯s eyes. The general¡¯s stolen life force provided the hierophant with fuel for its magic.


    The rest of the cragant soldiers formed a semi-circle around the fight and kept their eyes and weapons pointed at the Threnosh.


    The hierophant¡¯s hand snatched the massive cragant¡¯s sword blade. It held on fast despite the other cragant¡¯s attempts to pull it free. The steel bit deep into the hierophant¡¯s hand. Dark, almost black blood dropped and sizzled as they hit the ground.


    ¡°You are a mere adjutant,¡± the hierophant hissed, ¡°you dare strike at me! The council will hear of this. You, the general! All of your lines will be blotted out of our remembrances!¡±


    ¡°False prophet of a false god,¡± the general rasped, ¡°your kind has led our people astray. Finish this, adjutant.¡±


    ¡°Yes, general.¡± The massive cragant, adjutant drew a knife and thrust it into the hierophant¡¯s stomach in one smooth motion.


    The hierophant¡¯s grimaced and slump forward, onto the adjutant. It relinquished its grip on the adjutant¡¯s blade and weakly brought its hand up to the adjutant¡¯s face.


    The adjutant slapped it away. ¡°Your tricks will not work a second time.¡±


    ¡°Not mere tricks,¡± the hierophant whispered, drawing the adjutant closer, ¡°workings. Gifts from the Savior.¡±


    ¡°Just die you foul th¡ª¡±


    The adjutant¡¯s eyes widened as a sharp length of something white and bloody emerged out of its back. The rest of what it meant to say came out as a gurgle of blood.


    ¡°Trusk!¡± the general stumbled forward as it tried to draw its blade out of its sheath. Another cragant held the general back.


    The hierophant crowed and held up the stump of its arm. ¡°I am the only one on this world worthy of the Savior¡¯s grace.¡±


    Caretaker realized that it was bone, somehow sharpened and lengthened, that had pierced through the adjutant¡¯s armor, into its heart and out its back.


    ¡°Legionnaires! Take the general into custody. She will face my judgment once I have dealt with the gray ones.¡±


    The cragants didn¡¯t act as the hierophant expected. They formed up in a line in front of the general. Their weapons pointed at the hierophant.


    ¡°Is this what you want, general? For your entire honor guard and their lines to be snuffed out? Erased from existence like the blot you are?¡±


    ¡°You are a disgrace,¡± the general said.


    ¡°Very well,¡± the hierophant. ¡°I will deal with you all once I am finished with the gray ones.¡±


    The hierophant turned toward Malendrax, who had been sneaking into position to attack.


    ¡°Malendrax, don¡¯t¡ª¡± Caretaker warned.


    Too late.


    Malendrax charged in.


    The hierophant was full of power now. It was a lot faster than before.


    Malendrax leapt in with a thunderous punch. The hierophant caught the punch and slammed Malendrax into the floor. It shifted its grip. One hand around Malendrax¡¯s torso and one around their ankles.


    It raised the wriggling Malendrax over its head and pulled.


    Malendrax¡¯s cry was cut off in the team channel as the hierophant tore them apart at their waist. Pale blood and pieces of Threnosh internal organs showered down on the hierophant as it opened its mouth to consume. It tossed Malendrax aside like refuse.


    ¡°Interesting,¡± the hierophant licked its lips, ¡°this one had significantly more vitality than the gray ones I¡¯ve tasted before. Are the rest of you strange ones the same?¡± It turned its head to look directly at Caretaker.


    Caretaker tightened their grip on their sword and pulled their shield from the back.


    ¡°Yes, yes¡­ come, die with some semblance of honor.¡±


    Caretaker charged into the rust-colored cloud. Except they stopped right at the edge. It wasn¡¯t their intent, at least not at the moment. They just wanted to keep the hierophant¡¯s attention for long enough.


    Shira dropped down from the ceiling and plunged their claws into the hierophant¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Wha¡ª¡±


    The hierophant cried out in pain as Shira drained the giant humanoid¡¯s blood and life.


    ¡°Your blood! Your power will be mine!¡± Shira screamed into the hierophant¡¯s face.


    ¡°A working of your own,¡± the hierophant grimaced. Then started laughing. ¡°You know nothing.¡±


    The hierophant grabbed Shira¡¯s head and started squeezing. It took its bone spike and stabbed Shira in the stomach.


    Shira grit their teeth, pushed themselves deeper into the bone spike, to plunge their other hand into the hierophant¡¯s throat.


    The hierophant gurgled, but tightened its crushing grip around Shira¡¯s head.


    Shira¡¯s face was full of cragant palm flesh, so they did what came naturally and bit down. Their monstrous facemask¡¯s fangs pierced right through the hierophant¡¯s thick skin. They drank deep.


    The hierophant pulled its hand back, leaving a chunk of its flesh in Shira¡¯s mouth, their facemask¡¯s mouth. ¡°Impressive.¡± It looked at its hand, then started speaking words. The wound healed. ¡°You heal? My working is damaging your strange shell, but it is being undone. Perhaps if I concentrate the working.¡±


    The hierophant raised its hand high over its head and started chanting. The words were spoken with strong intent. The rust-colored cloud swirled. It spun around like a hurricane with the hierophant¡¯s hand at the eye. It solidified into a blade-like shape that crackled with visible power.


    The hierophant plunged it down into Shira¡¯s side, only for an over-sized gauntlet to grab its wrist.


    Malendrax had used their Impact Fist to punch themselves off the floor and shoot into the hierophant.


    ¡°Malendrax!¡± Caretaker forgot their normal calm.


    Their teammate¡¯s lower half was gone. Blood and viscera dripped down from their waist.


    ¡°My trueskin will keep me combat effective,¡± Malendrax said into the comms. Their voice was weak, ¡°¡­ long enough.¡±


    Malendrax kept the hierophant from stabbing Shira.


    ¡°I cannot hold it for long,¡± Malendrax said.


    Shira nodded. They dug their hands deeper into the hierophant¡¯s barrel chest. They could feel the giant humanoid¡¯s life as it flowed through the blood inside their body. They could feel it flowing in and out of an organ that pulsed in rhythm with the hierophant¡¯s every move.


    They reached deeper and found what they sought


    Shira grasped the hierophant¡¯s heart and absorbed the blood, the magic.


    The hierophant gasped. It tried to pull away.


    Shira felt like never before. There was so much power flowing into them. It was too much, yet they couldn¡¯t stop. They wanted more. They wanted to fill the yearning hunger that was always with them.


    Their black power armor started to crack. Fractures appeared on the armor¡¯s surface. Glowing red spiderwebs spread over their entire body.


    ¡°Shira, stop! Your trueskin is overloading!¡± Caretaker ran forward.


    Malendrax acted before they got there. One last act to save their teammate.


    The Threnosh pulled themselves up the hierophant¡¯s arm despite their horrific injury. They reached out and punched Shira in the chest. Their Impact Fist boomed one last time.


    Malendrax relinquished their grip on the hierophant¡¯s wrist and fell to the floor. They remained still.


    Caretaker silenced the warning ping in their faceplate with a thought. They knew it was too late. The damage to Malendrax and their power armor had been too great even for their ability to self-repair.


    Shira flew back, forced off the hierophant¡¯s bone spike. The open hole in their stomach closed completely while they were still in midair. They crashed into the floor, but rolled to their feet in an instant.


    The hierophant¡¯s heart lay beating in their hand.


    Shira focused their will on the large, red mass and drained it dry until it crumbled to dust.


    The hierophant lay on their back with gaping wounds on their chest. It muttered words that were lost in the silence.


    General Zanya hobbled to stand over the hierophant. It looked down with a cold look on its ruined face.


    The hierophant whispered something.


    ¡°Your last words mean nothing,¡± the general said flatly.


    The hierophant appeared to laugh, but only a wheezing cough came out. ¡°¡­ called¡­ Savior¡­¡±


    The cragant went still.


    Caretaker frowned. They ignored the chime in their ear holes that signified the successful completion of their Task. They had killed the hierophant, yet why was their predictive algorithm no warning them to flee. ¡°Attention, everyone retr¡ª¡±


    The hierophant¡¯s body burst out into a pillar or red light that shot up and through the ceiling, utterly destroying the structure¡¯s roof.


    ¡°Caretaker, surveillance has detected something approaching at 2148 meters per second,¡± Volkharion said through the comms. ¡°Trajectory indicates that it will reach your location shortly. Calling for rein¡ª¡±


    The rest of what Volkharion said was drowned out by a loud boom. The shockwave knocked Caretaker off their feet. Even most of the cragants weren¡¯t able to stay standing.


    Caretaker looked up.


    The dust and debris were cleared by another gust of powerful wind.


    There, floating up in the air, against the celestial light, was a winged figure of gleaming gold.


    ¡°Zaltyhss,¡± Caretaker whispered.


    The readings in their faceplate gave a hundred percent certainty that this was the case.


    ¡°Impossible, the outworld invader is supposed to be imprisoned,¡± Primal said into the team channel.


    ¡°How did it escape the prime?¡± Blueballs didn¡¯t hide their fear.


    Caretaker had no answer.


    ¡°Greetings from the Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy!¡±


    There was static in Caretaker¡¯s ear holes, some kind of interference. Zalthyss¡¯ voice was doing something to the automatic auditory protections in their helmet.


    Zalthyss¡¯ wings were spread wide, yet unmoving. Somehow the invader hovered in place as though gravity had no ownership over them. Their eyes scanned the entire area. They didn¡¯t miss anything.


    Everyone under its gaze felt as though they were a minuscule animal beneath a hungry predator.


    The cragants shied away reflexively. It was telling that they still moved to place themselves between the general and Zalthyss.


    ¡°A hierophant has fallen,¡± Zalthyss spoke as if to themselves. ¡°That will be addressed.¡±


    Caretaker couldn¡¯t move as Zalthyss drifted down to land in the hierophant¡¯s ashen remains. The predictive algorithm had gone silent. The warning to flee had ceased as soon as the invader had appeared.


    ¡°I listen to your song, loyal servant,¡± Zalthyss said. They turned to face the cragants a moment later. ¡°Betrayal and heresy.¡± They turned to Caretaker. Their eyes lit up. A sharp-toothed smile, impossibly wide, followed. ¡°Opportunity.¡±


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    ¡°Kill them!¡±


    Remy tried to ignore Hanna. It was a struggle to maintain the smallest possible magnetic field around his body at just the right amount of repulsion to stop the bullets without having them wildly ricochet.


    He charged into gunfire and tried not to flinch. It wasn¡¯t easy. Getting shot at close range wasn¡¯t really his thing.


    Rifle barrels suddenly found themselves being pushed aside as he closed with a couple of shooters. Remy punched one in the face, then kicked another in the stomach.


    The men tried to bring their weapons back to bear.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Remy hit them again, this time a little harder. They crumpled to the ground. He took out a couple of zip ties and bound the men. Fighting was a lot harder when he didn¡¯t want to hit people too hard. The last thing he wanted was to punch some poor, deluded fool¡¯s jaw off. Something he¡¯d done to monsters.


    More gunfire plinked against the invisible sphere around Remy. He had been working on field shaping to create ones that followed the contours of his body. It was difficult because he had to actively manage it to move along as he moved. To that end he wasn¡¯t ready to try it out in a real fight.


    Remy sprinted across the asphalt and slammed into the shooters. He wasn¡¯t as fast, as strong, nor as tough as either of his brothers, but all of his physical stats were undoubtedly superhuman.


    The cultists went flying like ten pins.


    Remy winced as he saw that he had broken several limbs. He kicked the guns aside and restrained the group. Taking care to avoid exacerbating their injuries.


    Hanna had no such compunctions. She moved with quickness and grace, married to efficiency of motion. Her massive greatsword was almost a blur as she carved swaths of space around her as she cleared the top of the wall. The close quarters put the cultists at a disadvantage. They were primarily armed with long guns. They only had machetes, hatchets and knives as backup melee weapons.


    The Swordswoman wasn¡¯t even using any of her Skills, from the looks of it.


    Hanna looked out over the wall. ¡°They¡¯re coming! Open the gates!¡±


    Remy looked around the small, makeshift fort the cultists had put up to block the freeway leading directly to the Bay Bridge. He had restrained the men and women on the ground, while Hanna had killed the ones on top of the wall.


    It was important to their plan that he obscured his identity for as long as possible. Hence the motorcycle helmet and the drastic departure to his normal fighting style. No big, obvious shows of metal manipulation.


    Remy ran up to the gates and made a show of pushing them apart with his hands, just in case any enemies were watching. What he really did was use his magnetic field to blow the gates wide open for the caravan that came screaming through a second later.


    The last army truck came to a screeching halt.


    Hanna jumped down from nearly ten feet up and landed lightly, despite her full armor. She clambered up into the back of the truck like a cat.


    Remy could see her frown through her helmet¡¯s eye slits as she looked down at him.


    ¡°Hurry up and get on!¡±


    It was finally time for them to see what the Scions of the Deep Azure had truly done to San Francisco.


    And maybe Remy¡¯d also find out what happened to Bennett. It had been over a year since the secret Vampire had failed to return from his scouting mission.

 3.39

    Now, Earth


    The streets of San Francisco didn¡¯t appear like they expected them to look. Sure, there were plenty of apocalypse signs. Parked cars covered in dirt and debris. Their windows broken, tires flat and parts rusted. However, there weren¡¯t any cars scattered in the middle of the streets. Even the most rusted wrecks were properly parked.


    Vegetation was overgrown in places. Trees had grown wild. Grass and shrubbery had taken over the sidewalks in front of obviously empty homes and businesses. Weeds sprang tall in between the cracks in the asphalt and concrete.


    In regards to the abandoned buildings; there were broken windows aplenty, but it definitely appeared as if someone had gone to the trouble to clean a lot of it up. Broken glass wasn¡¯t scattered on the sidewalks and a good chunk of the windows had been boarded up with plywood.


    ¡°When I had heard that a freaky fish cult had taken over the Bay¡­ I definitely wasn¡¯t picturing this,¡± Hanna said as the truck sped past the confusing scenery.


    ¡°Right,¡± Remy nodded, ¡°I¡¯m worried that we haven¡¯t run into any roadblocks and checkpoints.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, no crucified people, open blood pits or flesh towers.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Hanna said, ¡°I read a lot of dark fantasy.¡±


    ¡°Ah,¡± Remy understood. ¡°I used to read stuff like that before everything happened. Well, not so much the grimderp stuff. Nowadays I don¡¯t have much time for empty fun. When I do find the time to read, its all real science stuff or things from the spires.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you an engineer or something? Figured you¡¯re a science guy.¡±


    ¡°Different fields of science. I got some basics, but not nearly enough to utilize my abilities to their full potential.¡±


    ¡°Uh huh¡­ so, I¡¯m getting stressed out that these streets are actually better looking than Sactown¡¯s. It¡¯s like someone went through and cleaned up shit. I¡¯m not getting any monster vibes either.¡±


    Remy stretched his magnetic field out. ¡°I think you¡¯re right,¡± he said after a few seconds, ¡°no monsters.¡±


    The convoy screamed down the streets. No lights, no cars, no pedestrians, none of the same concerns of an earlier, better time. They followed Detective Ordonez¡¯s directions, which took them on a route that ran along the ocean side. Remy smelled the salt and brine, fresher than he had remembered from the last time he was in San Francisco. He recognized some of the places they passed.


    He wondered about the wisdom of staying so close to the water, but it was the detective¡¯s show. She knew what she was doing.


    If he remembered correctly they were about to enter the famed Fisherman¡¯s Wharf area.


    He wasn¡¯t prepared for what he saw next.


    People.


    There were a lot people and they appeared to be going about their day, as if they were safe. As if they weren¡¯t concerned about a dangerous cult. As if there weren¡¯t fishmen and actual prehistoric sea monsters lurking in the water hundreds of feet away.


    The people walked around. They ate at open restaurants. Couples, groups of friends, families with children. It was just like how things were before the spires had appeared.


    Remy heard the buzz of hundreds of different conversations. He felt the people through his magnetic field. As far as he could tell they were flesh and blood human beings, not some kind of magical illusion or other tricks that he didn¡¯t have names for.


    The convoy slowed, but the road was clear so they kept moving.


    For their part the people merely looked at them with varying amounts of interest. They appeared mildly curious, but went about their business.


    Remy didn¡¯t see any fear in their eyes as the convoy drove past. It was a surreal contrast to the people back home and in Sacramento. There, everyone was always cognizant of monster attacks.


    ¡°What the hell did I just see?¡± Hanna craned her neck back to the receding Fisherman¡¯s Wharf, as if she wanted to burn the image into her memory. ¡°Tell me that was some kind of magic bullshit¡­ the cult¡¯s just messing with our brains? Like, those people were actually being tortured by demonic mermaids? Like they were being battered in baby batter, legit made out of babies, before being deep fried in oil made out of human fat?¡±


    Remy stared at Hanna with wide eyes for a moment. ¡°No, definitely not any of what you just said. Those were people. Normal human beings.¡±


    ¡°Tricky bastards,¡± Hanna said. ¡°This fish cult is legit. We have to kill them all.¡±


    For once Remy was in agreement. ¡°We have to find out the truth they¡¯re hiding. Other people see this,¡± he pointed back to the wharf, ¡°they¡¯ll want to join up.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too good to be true. There¡¯s always a catch to these things. I¡¯ve read a lot and it¡¯s always something like human sacrifice or worse,¡± Hanna nodded.


    Remy was about to remind her that was fiction. He caught himself. Much of their reality had changed drastically. The truths were no longer obvious and evident. What had been accepted scientific laws had been bent and outright broken. Fiction had become reality. After all, he was a living example of that.


    ¡°Keep your eyes on the goal, Remy. You¡¯re doing that silent thinking thing. Don¡¯t let that happy tourist scene back there throw you off. Don¡¯t forget we¡¯ve been fighting these bastards for almost two years.¡±


    ¡°My daughters saw cultists sacrifice one of their own to summon a fishman. They tried to take my daughters. Nearly killed my wife.¡± Remy made a fist. ¡°They¡¯ve already shown me their true face. I will never forget that.¡±


    ¡°Good. That¡¯s the right mindset for this. Now, you just need to get over the whole not killing thing,¡± Hanna said briskly. ¡°I still don¡¯t get it. You¡¯ve got no problems gibbing fishmen. Cultists are basically the same. What if you picture what they wanted to do with your daughters?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡ª¡± Remy warned.


    ¡°Look, I get it, no parent wants to ponder the unthinkable, but it¡¯s just reality. Some people are just evil and they do evil things to others. That¡¯s how it was before the spires. No reason it wouldn¡¯t be different now. Probably worse when you factor in weird magic shit,¡± Hanna shivered. ¡°You and I, we¡¯re lucky in a way. We¡¯ve got edges that allow us to protect ourselves from that evil. Your girls are the same. That¡¯s why I agreed to train anyone willing to learn. Do what I can, no matter how little to give others an edge they can use against the evil out there. Man and monster.¡±


    Truth.


    Remy heard it in Hanna¡¯s words.


    A man needed to do everything he could to keep his family safe.


    Even if it¡¯d kill him on the inside.


    Remy didn¡¯t trust himself to speak, so he simply nodded.


    <hr>


    The world through Detective Ordonez¡¯s eyes while under the influence of her Skills was different. She couldn¡¯t explain it if she tried. Suffice to say she could see, hear, even smell whatever it was she was looking for. She experienced the past unfolding in front of her as if it was the present. She lived the events in question. The more information she already had made the experience stronger, more accurate. How much time had elapsed played an important role as well.


    The kidnapped women had been taken to Treasure Island by the fishmen. They had then been transferred onto vehicles on the Bay Bridge. That was the trail the detective now followed.


    Detective Ordonez saw the trail ending in the distance. She called out for the driver to stop. What she saw confused her.


    ¡°Um¡­ are we here?¡±


    She ignored Jake and tried to process what her Skills were showing her. ¡°This doesn¡¯t make any sense.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t stay stopped here. We¡¯re a target,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°I need to see.¡± Detective Ordonez tried to get out of the SUV, but Jake¡¯s bulk was in the way.


    ¡°Whoa!¡± Jake rushed to open the door and get out before the detective could climb over him.


    ¡°Is this this place?¡± Captain Hamill jumped out of the following HUMVEE.


    The detective shushed the soldier with a brusque gesture as she continued to survey the area. Empty buildings lined the street. She walked with purpose to a side street on the right that led to a dead end.


    The ocean.


    ¡°I see,¡± Detective Ordonez said to herself.


    ¡°See what?¡±


    The detective blinked like someone seeing the light for the first time after days in the dark.


    ¡°Are we in the right place? Or not? I don¡¯t like standing around. Standing around gets you killed,¡± Captain Hamill barked.


    ¡°Cultists took our people out of the vans there,¡± Detective Ordonez pointed back to where the convoy was parked, ¡°then they went there,¡± she pointed to the water.¡±


    To his credit the captain didn¡¯t even blink. ¡°Okay. You¡¯re the expert. What now?¡±


    Detective Ordonez ran through the possibilities as quickly as she could. ¡°Three possibilities,¡± she held up three fingers. ¡°They loaded them up into boats and took them somewhere else. I¡¯d check Alcatraz first¡­ except I don¡¯t think that¡¯s likely.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a proper loading spot. It¡¯d be tough to get a boat lined up here. Why not use any of the actual docks we¡¯ve seen? Why not just take them straight to Alcatraz instead of unloading at Paradise and driving them through the city?¡± Captain Hamill saw it right away.


    ¡°Maybe they didn¡¯t have enough oxygen to take them all the way under water. It¡¯s a long way from Old Town,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Two,¡± Detective Ordonez ignored Jake, ¡°they didn¡¯t take them to Alcatraz. They took them to wherever the fishmen live.¡±


    ¡°Atlantis,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Like the movie?¡± Captain Hamill frowned. ¡°So, on the ocean floor, either in the bay or somewhere in the Pacific. Which means we can¡¯t reach them.¡±


    ¡°Third¡­ they¡¯re dead. For obvious reasons, that¡¯s the least likely.¡±


    ¡°Right, so, again, what do we do? Me and my guys are here to fight. I was told you¡¯d get us there,¡± Captain Hamill said.


    ¡°I need to talk to Cruces.¡±


    Detective Ordonez headed straight for the last truck in the convoy, Jake on her heels. The captain barked out orders for his fifty or so men and women to take up defensive positions.


    Remy jumped out the back of the truck to get out of the way. Hanna joined him as Detective Ordonez got right up in his personal space.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got a way of detecting people. What¡¯s your range?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Remy was glad that the motorcycle helmet hid his face. His lack of an effective poker face had given him away when he had tried to keep surprises from his wife. The detective was on another level.


    ¡°Don¡¯t care about the details, just need you to find out if there is a group of people hidden somewhere in the immediate area.¡±


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Remy pushed his magnetic field out. He met resistance almost immediately. The sudden spike of pain in his body caused him to almost fall over.


    ¡°The fuck!¡± Hanna and Jake said at the same time.


    Remy felt a sudden onset of nausea. The world spun like the worse case of vertigo he had ever had, which was significant because he had never been afflicted with that condition. He was rock solid. Roller coasters, fishing in the ocean in a thirty-foot boat, winding mountain roads, nothing had ever affected him.


    Hanna steadied him while the feeling slowly dissipated.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know, something¡­¡± Remy said.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a problem!¡± Captain Hamill rushed over with one of the fighters.


    A black ponytail peeked out the back of the woman¡¯s helmet. She was well-built, athletic.


    ¡°Jimenez here has the best Danger Sense we¡¯ve got,¡± Captain Hamill said.


    ¡°It was buzzing at about a four or five from the bridge to here. Actually dipped to a two when we went through Fisherman¡¯s Wharf. Just spiked to about a nine,¡± Jimenez said briskly.


    ¡°What¡¯s your scaling system?¡±


    Jimenez shot Jake a scathing look. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ up to ten?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re moving,¡± Captain Hamill said. ¡°If you don¡¯t have a location for me then we¡¯ll just have to figure it out on the road.¡±


    ¡°Which direction?¡± Remy huffed.


    ¡°What?¡± Captain Hamill squared up to Remy, as if he wanted to take a shot.


    The captain was a big man, certainly bigger than Remy. He loomed over him.


    Remy didn¡¯t have time. He firmly, but gently and with the utmost respect moved the captain out of his way with one hand. ¡°From which direction are you sensing the threat?¡± He walked up to Jimenez, but was respectful of her personal space.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been trying, but I just can¡¯t pinpoint a specific threat vector, sir. You should assume that it can come from anywhere,¡± Jimenez said with a salute.


    Captain Hamill looked like he had just taken a bite out of fresh lemon. Whatever he was about to say was drowned out by a sound that could only be described as the air being torn like a piece of paper.


    A bright blue beam as thick around as a man¡¯s wrist lanced from the rooftop on the other side of the street.


    Remy felt it cross his magnetic field. The disturbance was as jarring as a dropped rock into a still pond. He knew instinctively where it was going.


    He moved faster than humanly possible as he pushed Captain Hamill out of the way. He couldn¡¯t do it as gently this time, but he figured the captain would take a few bruises over getting some kind of energy beam to the chest.


    The captain tumbled to the ground and the blue beam sizzled right through the brick wall of the building they were standing next to.


    Everyone dived to the ground and took cover as bits of hot brick showered over them.


    The surface around the hole in the wall was scorched black.


    ¡°Heat and physical force,¡± Remy said.


    Another blue beam lanced out. This one burned right through the sheet metal of the truck¡¯s hood. Remy almost threw himself away from the truck. Then he realized that engines usually didn¡¯t blow up like in the movies.


    ¡°Contact on the roof! Southeast building on the intersection! Above the bar!¡± someone shouted.


    Gunfire filled the air.


    ¡°Eleven! My Danger Sense is at eleven!¡± Jimenez screamed while she scrambled to get behind the army truck¡¯s massive rear wheel.


    ¡°The water!¡± Detective Ordonez had her modified taser pistol in her hand.


    Remy stayed low to the ground. He kept the now burning truck between him and the energy beam shooter.


    He moved toward the front of the truck. He barely felt the heat from the engine fire that was hot enough to start melting the front tires. He looked down the short street to the bay. ¡°Well¡­ shit.¡±


    A huge, dark shape approached. It was just beneath the surface, displacing the water and creating massive waves in its wake.


    Remy had seen this before.


    He pulled at the large, metal footlockers in the trunks of each vehicle. The doors had been left open when the convoy had stopped as part of the plan just for this possibility.


    There was noticeable resistance that pushed back against the magnetic fields that Remy used to float the containers to him. He pushed through it despite the growing nausea and pain inside.


    The dark shape shot out of the water and up partially onto the street. A monstrous maw filled with teeth as long as a man¡¯s arm roared. Fishmen leaped off the prehistoric beast¡¯s armored back while loosing spine bolts from their crossbows.


    Remy opened the footlockers with a gesture. He seized dozens of sharpened stakes of rebar in magnetic fields and shot them forward faster than a battleship-mounted railgun.


    The air shook with a deafening boom. Dust and debris scattered. Windows shattered. The gunfire stopped.


    Fishmen died.


    The prehistoric creature choked and gurgled on the iron shafts that penetrated its vulnerable throat. It thrashed its flippers wildly, smashing fishmen into the street and buildings, before it slid back into the water.


    Remy wondered how many Universal Points that thing would be worth, assuming he had killed it.


    A loud chime sounded in his ears.


    Congratulations!


    You have received a Quest.


    The Scions of the Deep Azure have ambushed you. Defeat them.


    Success Parameters: Defeat your enemies or escape.


    Failure Parameters: Death or capture.


    Reward: 100000 Universal Points.


    Failure: You will die or suffer a fate worse than death at the hands of the Scions of the Deep Azure. All active Quests may fail.


    You will accept.


    ¡°Holy shit! That¡¯s like a hundred times more points than the most I¡¯ve ever gotten for one Quest,¡± Jimenez¡¯s eyes were wide as she alternatively stared at Remy and at the mess that covered much of the street and half the walls of the buildings on either side.


    ¡°Maybe I should¡¯ve gone and done some of those Quests with you and your brother,¡± Hanna said. ¡°I could¡¯ve used that many points.¡±


    ¡°That is some impressive carnage,¡± Captain Hamill whispered.


    ¡°Alright, people! You heard the invisible voice in your heads. Time to get out of here,¡± Detective Ordonez snapped.


    They were all hunkered down behind any cover they could find.


    The momentary respite from the bright blue beams raining down on them was over. A sound tore through the air and another SUV engine was destroyed.


    The answering gunfire had grown sporadic. They were running low on ammo, not that they had an abundance to begin with. The engagement at the Bay Bridge had already eaten a good chunk of their supply.


    To make matters worse magic spells started to rain down along with the blue beams. Across the entire opposite block, figures cast explosive fireballs, along with bolts and beams of varying elements.


    ¡°That was our last car,¡± Jake said.


    Captain Hamill looked Remy square in the eyes. ¡°I¡¯d be grateful if you could do your thing and fly us out of here.¡±


    ¡°Under any other circumstance I¡¯d already be doing that. Unfortunately, something is messing with my¡­ ability¡­ to do that,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Useless,¡± Captain Hamill muttered under his breath.


    Remy let it go. The captain was under a lot of stress. Several of his fighters, soldiers were already down from the looks of it. They were pinned down deep in enemy territory without their vehicles. The situation had deteriorated in a matter of minutes.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to fight our way out. Get out of the ambush. Then find a place to catch our bearings and figure out our next move,¡± Captain Hamill said. ¡°Can you at least do one thing?¡± He challenged Remy.


    ¡°What do you need?¡± Remy sighed.


    ¡°I need those fucks on the roofs to stop shooting at us long enough so that we can break the cordon. Especially that fatherless bastard shooting those fucking blue bullshit beams!¡± Captain Hamill screamed to get his voice heard over the din of battle.


    Remy heard him loud and clear.


    He created five magnetic fields. It was hard to focus with that strange effect that had been pushing back against his use of power, especially when he had to accurately align each field with a different target.


    The seconds turned into minutes as he strained and fought the dizziness and the sick feeling in his body. Until, finally, he was ready.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Remy said through grit teeth. ¡°On three.¡±


    ¡°One¡­ two¡­ three,¡± Hanna said.


    Two things happened at the same time.


    Captain Hamill shouted.


    Five vehicles shot up toward the tops of the buildings on the other side of the street.


    The barrage stopped.


    Metal crashed. Buildings crumbled.


    Cultists were crushed.


    Remy and his allies sprinted south down a one way street.


    Eerie silence followed them. The only thing they could hear was the sound of their boots on the asphalt and their own breathing.


    A growing dread gripped their hearts. It was an invisible, yet palpable force. A many-fingered hand clutching at them. Cold and wet.


    No one noticed the large, furry shapes following them along the rooftops, nor the misshapen humanoid forms running through the parallel streets on both sides.


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    ¡°What do you call yourself, General?¡±


    ¡°Zanya¡­ great Herald.¡±


    Caretaker was confused. They were certain that the gleaming, golden figure had been about to attack and kill them all. When it had suddenly appeared in front of the cragants.


    The general had pushed itself to the front of its soldiers and had knelt down in front of Zalthyass with its forehead pressed to the floor.


    All of the cragants radiated unmistakable fear in the light of the delicate-looking winged figure.


    Caretaker knew that the appearance was deceiving. They had reviewed the recordings of the fight between Zalthyss and Honor from every possible perspective that was available. Zalthyss surpassed Honor¡¯s considerable physical strengths. The human had lost fingers and had been able to triumph only through the use of clever tricks and the aid of Prime Custodian 3. They had captured Zalthyss in the end.


    This of course raised a whole host of questions in Caretaker¡¯s mind. As far as they knew, Zalthyss was still in Prime Custodian 3¡¯s custody.


    The golden figure in front of them was almost certainly the same Zalthyss according to every reading that Caretaker was frantically processing.


    How?


    ¡°Zanya, you have failed your holy charge,¡± Zalthyss said.


    Caretaker winced as disruptive, unpleasant static was garbled with Zalthyss¡¯ words. They ran a quick diagnostic, but their helmet¡¯s auditory systems were functioning within expected parameters.


    ¡°You are to be imprisoned until return to your home world. There you will undergo the Rite of Atonement and will be cleansed along with your entire line.¡±


    Caretaker saw the general¡¯s massive fist clench with the strength that they had seen crush metal before.


    ¡°I submit to the Savior¡¯s will,¡± General Zanya rasped.


    ¡°In honor of your long, distinguished service¡­ I restrict the cleansing of your line to a single degree.¡± Zalthyss looked expectantly at the general¡¯s prostate form.


    ¡°The Savior is merciful,¡± General Zanya said after a moment.


    The rest of the cragant¡¯s echoed the same.


    Caretaker wasn¡¯t certain, but they sounded reluctant.


    ¡°You,¡± Zalthyss pointed a clawed finger to the closest cragant, ¡°are now the general of this expedition. Upon your head does success or failure weigh. You will imprison Zanya until a hierophant arrives.¡±


    The cragants wide eyes were visible through the slit of its helmet. It copied the former general¡¯s pose with haste driven by fear. ¡°For the Savior!¡± its voice was perhaps louder than it had intended.


    Zalthyss turned back to Caretaker, the cragants forgotten.


    ¡°Where is Honor?¡±


    ¡°I do not know,¡± Caretaker answered honestly.


    ¡°Despite the broken and incomplete strands of your song, I hear the truth.¡± Zalthyss floated up several meters with a soft flap of its wings. ¡°You are strange for gray ones. I have only found a handful on this world with full songs of worthy beings. You are but partially filled, but I can see the growth. I see Honor¡¯s song. It is intertwined with your own. What does that mean? I did not know the like was possible.¡± Zalthyss drifted almost lazily toward Caretaker. It suddenly looked to the south. ¡°I do not understand. I cannot hear the song,¡± it whispered. ¡°Honor¡¯s song is silent to me. Has he left this world? You, gray one,¡± its gaze snapped to Caretaker, ¡°his song is strongest with your own. Tell me, what has become of Honor?¡±


    ¡°I do not know,¡± Caretaker repeated.


    ¡°No,¡± Zalthyss said, as if not listening. Its gaze returned to the south. ¡°Honor has not left this world. His song is a whisper on the wind, but it is still here. Something is muffling the sounds. How? Why?¡±


    Caretaker dared not move. Zalthyss was not what they had expected. The outworld invader was erratic. They suspected that it was experiencing the world on a different sensory level than what they knew existed. They regretted that Honor had not spoken about Zalthyss in detail. Such information would¡¯ve proved useful in their current situation.


    ¡°Yes. There are many ways to hunt. If prey hides then one must draw them out,¡± Zalthyss said. ¡°You are tied to Honor in some fashion. He values your existence. If that is threatened then he will come to protect that which belongs to him. If not then he will wish to avenge that which was taken from him. I shall kill half your number. That will bring Honor out and it will allow the survivors to compose a greater song within them. In time you will become worthy of having your songs added to mine.¡± Zalthyss floated up until it was just above the gaping hole in the ceiling.


    A giant metal arrow screamed through the air. It struck Zalthyss and engulfed it in a massive explosion that temporarily lit up the dark night.


    ¡°Primal! I ordered retreat!¡±


    ¡°I will not run from a monster,¡± Primal said into the comms.


    ¡°Splendid!¡± Zalthyss emerged unscathed from the fireball. ¡°Worthy prey fights.¡±


    Caretaker shot the golden figure with their last viral round before it could move.


    The familiar chime sounded in all the Threnosh¡¯s ear holes. None dared look at the new Task notification. They could guess at the content well enough.

 Interlude: Eron, Skin-deep 1

    Chapter 1


    ¡°Relax,¡± Eron raised his hands, ¡°see, no weapons.¡±


    ¡°Shut up, chink! You¡¯re in my land and I don¡¯t remember saying you could come here.¡±


    ¡°Oh. That¡¯s how it¡¯s going to be?¡± Eron dropped the smile from his face. He¡¯d experienced too much of the same ugliness on his journey down the 5. ¡°You assholes never get it right either. I¡¯m not Chinese, though your kind isn¡¯t smart enough to realize there are differences amongst humanity. Judging by the furrow on your neanderthal-ish brow¡­ that¡¯s caveman for you laymen. I mean, I¡¯m guessing you didn¡¯t learn real evolution in school? What¡¯d they teach you? About Adam, Eve and Jesus horses?¡±


    ¡°Yo, Brett, my Danger Sense is going off like crazy,¡± one of the truck-riding young men said.


    Eron counted them for the first time.


    Two lifted pickup trucks and nine young men. Armed to the teeth with long guns, shotguns, hunting rifles and assault rifles. He wasn¡¯t well-versed on real world guns. His knowledge was video game-based. He wondered if they actually had functional ammunition.


    ¡°Danger sense? Spell or Skill?¡±


    ¡°Look at me when I¡¯m talking to you, kid!¡±


    That must¡¯ve been Brett. He of sloped brow and bullish neck.


    Eron ignored him. He had enough of a first impression. The guy looked pretty young, probably in high school or just out of high school when the spires appeared almost two years ago. Probably missed his high school football glory days when he scored four touchdowns in one game.


    ¡°Alright, listen up assholes!¡± Eron raised his voice. ¡°Y¡¯all might be dicks, but you haven¡¯t done more than annoy me a little. I¡¯m looking to deal, barter, trade. I killed a drake a little ways back and if you lend me a flatbed I¡¯ll bring it back here and we can haggle over the meat and other stuff. I¡¯m hoping you happen to have a blacksmith or maybe like a leather worker type hanging around.¡±


    ¡°You ain¡¯t doing shit!¡± Brett snapped.


    ¡°Look, tacticool Rambo¡­ just shut up, man. Are you deaf? Or just dumb? I¡¯m offering a literal ton of meat for a reasonable price. Would you turn that down just cause of your racism?¡±


    ¡°Fuck you, bitch.¡±


    ¡°Such eloquence,¡± Eron sighed.


    ¡°How bout we just get this, drake-whatever, ourselves? Don¡¯t need you at all,¡± Brett narrowed his eyes at Eron.


    ¡°Well¡­ that¡¯d be unfortunate.¡±


    Brett nodded at his guys.


    Subtle.


    ¡°Motherfucker¡¯s coming right for us!¡± Brett shouted as he leveled his shotgun at Eron and fired.


    Eron was already moving. He covered thirty yards in a split-second and thrust his hand out to the gun barrel.


    He held his closed hand out in front of him in Brett¡¯s face and opened it.


    Pellets plinked on the ground.


    The other men were too stunned to open fire.


    Eron ripped Brett¡¯s shotgun away before they could get over their shock. He bent the barrel back and tossed it aside. He then grabbed Brett by his tactical vest and held him up like a shield.


    ¡°How much do you weigh, Brett?¡± Eron sneered. ¡°Like two-hundred, two thirty? I can¡¯t really tell how much things weigh anymore. Two hundred might as well be two.¡±


    Brett stared at him with eyes as wide as saucers.


    ¡°Meh¡­ guess it doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Eron peeked around Brett¡¯s wide body. ¡°Listen up, hillbilly militia! I don¡¯t care about your bullets, but I¡¯m not about to let you ruin my clothes. So, drop those guns before I actually get angry!¡±


    No one moved. They kept their guns pointed in Eron¡¯s direction, which meant that they had Brett in their sights.


    ¡°Jesus. You guys really are idiots,¡± Eron said conversationally to Brett. ¡°Do your buddies not realize that you¡¯re a human shield? I¡¯m no expert, but even I know it¡¯s a bad idea to point those guns at your back. One twitchy finger and¡­¡± he ran a finger across his throat. ¡°I was serious about the clothes. I¡¯ve already lost a bunch of my favorite shirts to monsters and trigger happy dumbasses. If your blood gets on this¡­¡±


    Eron heard the third truck before he saw it screaming up the off-ramp and head in his direction. A quick glance told him that this new group probably wasn¡¯t with the first group.


    ¡°Oh¡­ great. Three-way standoff. Mexican standoff?¡± Eron raised a brow at the completely befuddled Brett. ¡°What? Did I trigger you? The mere mention of other nationalities caused you existential terror?¡±


    Eron knew that Brett¡¯s shock probably didn¡¯t have much to do with that. He didn¡¯t bother to hide the disgust he felt. ¡°This is all your fault, Brett. All you had to do was to have a sense of self-interest and preservation and you could¡¯ve had a literal ton of meat. Now, you and your buddies are probably going to die in a wild, pointless shootout. Poor life choices, dude, poor life choices.¡±


    Eron wondered if the same could be said of him. He supposed it didn¡¯t have as much weight for him considering he was pretty much invincible.


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    The third truck turned and skidded to a stop some forty-fifty yards away. The men and women jumped out of the bed and kept the truck in between them and the other armed men.


    Despite outward appearances, Eron didn¡¯t actually want anyone to die¡­ yet. Although, Brett and his buddies were definitely well on their way to that status. Dude had opened fire on an unarmed and nonthreatening man. That was a definite bad guy move.


    This new group was an unknown and if they all died then he¡¯d have no one to trade his dead drake to. The beast was decomposing a few miles back up the freeway and he didn¡¯t want to waste this one like the others he had killed on his journey down south.


    Eron roughly tossed Brett aside like a dirty napkin and strode purposely towards the closest truck. He glared lasers at the young men, half of which had pointed their guns at the new group down the freeway. ¡°Shoot me and I¡¯ll do bad things to you,¡± he said. He grabbed the truck¡¯s front bumper, which looked to be an aftermarket one that was all metal. He peeked under the carriage and was delighted to see that it was welded directly to the frame. Perfect.


    Eron lifted until the front wheels were about three feet off the ground. ¡°Best get off unless you want to find out what it¡¯s like to fly.¡±


    The young men scrambled off in panic.


    Eron was magnanimous. He gave them plenty of time.


    Once they were off he threw the truck toward the grass and dirt hills on the side of the road. It spun around like a frisbee and landed a good two hundred to a two-hundred fifty yards away with a large cloud of dirt and dust.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ thought I could get further,¡± Eron frowned. Oh well. It was nice to get a baseline. His brothers hadn¡¯t allowed him to try it out with the cars back in Davis, even if those were all but abandoned. Something about respecting other people¡¯s property. Cal had mentioned something about being ¡®down with O.P.P.¡¯ No one had gotten the reference and Cal had been too embarrassed to explain.


    Eron raised his hand up. ¡°Yes, you may believe your eyes. I have thrown that mighty lifted truck a significant distance yonder. Such will be the fate of any doth dare to raise violence upon another.¡±


    The people didn¡¯t move their guns.


    ¡°Lower your guns or I will throw you!¡±


    Everyone slowly lowered their weapons.


    ¡°Good. Now, as I was saying before the rude interruption. I¡¯m trying to get some bartering going on.¡± Eron raised his voice for the benefit of the people further away. For some reason he had a feeling they¡¯d be more receptive to what he had to offer. ¡°I¡¯ve got some drake meat. Not going to lie, doesn¡¯t taste that great, but totally edible. You cook it well and I¡¯m confident you won¡¯t have any stomach issues. Also parasites. Can¡¯t be too careful nowadays. Probably some bullshit magical monster parasites just waiting to be discovered. So, my price is¡ª¡±


    A hammer clicked behind Eron. He sighed.


    Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.


    Eron counted seventeen tiny impacts on his back. ¡°Brett! You dumb son of a bitch. Why you gotta ruin the moment?¡± He spun and covered the distance before anyone could think to move. He grabbed the pistol and tossed it over the hills in the distance. He tapped the young man on the head and rendered him unconscious. ¡°Oops.¡± He thrust his foot out to catch Brett¡¯s head before it slammed into the concrete. ¡°See¡­ I¡¯m trying not to be an asshole here, but you keep pushing.¡±


    Before Eron could say another word he caught the sound of another truck. This one was coming up the ramp on the other side of the freeway. ¡°So many trucks,¡± he sighed.


    The truck disgorged just two people this time. Aside from the driver. There was an older man, Eron guessed in his fifties. He was big and broad. He had a grizzled look about him thanks to a thick beard, gone white. Like a mix between a farmer and a soldier. The other man was younger, probably in his thirties. He resembled the older man, so Eron pegged him as the son. The two men where about the same height, the younger was thinner, more wiry and lanky than stout.


    Eron glanced at the unconscious Brett down at his feet. The resemblance was readily apparent.


    ¡°Well¡­ shit.¡±


    The younger man barked orders at the rest of the other young men and they lowered their weapons.


    Eron glanced at the people down the freeway. They, too, were no longer pointing their guns. That should lower the chances of a massacre.


    The older man made a show of pulling his revolver out of its belt holster and handing it to his son.


    ¡°I¡¯m unarmed,¡± the old man raised his hands. ¡°Can I check on my son?¡± he cast a worried look at Brett.


    Eron waved him over and took a few steps back as a courtesy.


    The old man quickly checked Brett over and satisfied gestured for Brett¡¯s buddies to take him and load him in their remaining truck.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to get him checked.¡±


    ¡°Sure, why not,¡± Eron said lightly.


    The old man signaled and the truck peeled out across the dirt dividing the northbound and southbound lanes and made for the small city.


    It didn¡¯t escape Eron¡¯s notice that they kept as much distance away from the other group of people as they drove by.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s this all about?¡± the old man said.


    Eron opened his mouth to explain, then shut it. He owed this man nothing. ¡°Your boy shot me, an unarmed man. That¡¯s about all I feel like I need to explain.¡±


    The old man puffed up his chest. ¡°You did that?¡± he gestured to the broken truck, which was now on fire, in the distance.


    ¡°After your son shot me. I was about to explain, but I realized that it doesn¡¯t really matter. Your kind equates me life with a truck. There¡¯s no conversation, nor understanding to be had with your sort of people. Your son was a racist shit. And as science has proved racism isn¡¯t inherent. It¡¯s learned. I reckon the apple don¡¯t fall far from the tree, pardner.¡± Eron smirked as he walked past the old man toward the other group of people.


    Eron gave his best smile at the hard-eyed men and women.


    ¡°Man, I hope you guys are cooler than those a-holes.¡±


    No one reacted.


    At least they weren¡¯t aiming guns at him.


    ¡°Well¡­ you guys want a literal ton of meat. I¡¯m not asking for much, just¡ª¡±


    A tough, gritty-looking man raised a hand and laid his rifle in the truck bend before coming around the back to stare down at Eron.


    The man¡¯s brown skin had been weathered by frequent exposure to the sun and elements. He could¡¯ve been twenty or forty in Eron¡¯s estimation.


    ¡°We can¡¯t make any deals. You¡¯ll have to come see The Abuela for that.¡±


    ¡°Alright, that sounds cool,¡± Eron nodded.


    ¡°Gonna have to check you out for weapons,¡± the man said.


    Eron could see the fear in his eyes. He had to give him credit for bravery. Either this Abuela was a beloved figure or a feared figure.


    ¡°Suit yourself,¡± Eron held his arms out wide. He had left anything even remotely weapon-ish back buried near the drake¡¯s corpse, ¡°but we shouldn¡¯t waste time. Perishable goods and all.¡±


    The pat down didn¡¯t take long.


    Eron was in the truck bed driving down to the western half of the city.


    He tried to maintain a nonthreatening demeanor. Back in the old world he wasn¡¯t at all intimidating. He was thin and one of the smaller people there.


    None of that mattered after they had seen him throw a truck.

 3.40

    Now, Threnosh World


    The viral round splashed against golden skin. It did nothing. The liquid left a wet streak as it ran down Zalthyss¡¯ chest.


    Inorganic skin.


    Caretaker created an information notice in their power armor¡¯s memory with a thought. Even though they were about to be terminated this information was too important to lose. They disseminated the information through the wireless network a split-second later.


    Zalthyss'' smile was too wide. Its mouth opened much wider than its underlying physical structure suggested was possible.


    Caretaker sorely missed their predictive algorithm. They had no idea what the optimum course of action was.


    Zalthyss dived straight at Caretaker.


    The Threnosh slashed their sword straight down along their centerline as they stepped back.


    Zalthyss stopped in a split-second in direct violation of the law of inertia.


    To Caretaker¡¯s surprise the outworld invader stopped just within the arc of the sword point. It felt like striking a metal pillar. There was no give in Zalthyss skin.


    Caretaker¡¯s sword arm vibrated.


    A thin, vertical line ran down Zalthyss¡¯ chest. Ten centimeters of bright light leaked out until it slowly sealed shut.


    Caretaker pulled their sword arm back for another strike.


    Before they knew what was happening, they felt their inner cavity drop as the inertial dampeners in their power armor whined with effort.


    Zalthyss had grabbed Caretaker¡¯s sword arm and zoomed up into the sky.


    Nearly two hundred meters according to the display in Caretaker¡¯s faceplate.


    Too fast. The Threnosh hadn¡¯t noticed.


    The armor plates over Caretaker¡¯s arm crumpled as Zalthyss grip tightened.


    Caretaker lashed out with their free hand. The exoskeleton-enhanced punch was strong enough to dent thick steel plates.


    Zalthyss took it in the throat without reaction.


    It opened its hand and gave Caretaker over to gravity¡¯s grip.


    The fall from that height was within survival parameters. There would be injuries, but not death.


    A proximity alert.


    Something struck Caretaker¡¯s back. The object expanded into a large blue ball. It absorbed the impact.


    Blueballs rushed over and sprayed a liquid from their finger. The ball sizzled and dissolved, freeing Caretaker.


    ¡°I ordered a retreat,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Blueballs said. ¡°I do not know why I disobeyed.¡± Their eyes blinked rapidly behind their clear faceplate.


    Zalthyss hovered down toward the two Threnosh, upright, as if it was standing on flat ground.


    Blueballs shot dozens of small blue balls from their gauntlets.


    Zalthyss opened its impossible wide mouth.


    The Threnosh winced as their auditory systems fed a mixture of static and a high-pitched screech into their ear holes.


    The blue balls disintegrated mid-flight.


    ¡°Sonic attack, overwhelming auditory defensive systems.¡± Caretaker recorded and uploaded another important discovery.


    Zalthyss continued to hover closer.


    Another metal arrow screamed across the sky.


    This time Zalthyss blurred out of the way.


    The arrow exploded in the distance and gave the night a burning star for a few moments.


    ¡°I have one arrow left. All of my other ranged weaponry are out of ammunition,¡± Primal said into the comms. ¡°Will close to melee after my next shot.¡±


    ¡°Belay that,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Retreat immediately.¡±


    There was a pause.


    ¡°I am unable to hear Caretaker¡¯s words. I suspect that the outworld invader¡¯s sonic attack has damaged my auditory systems,¡± Primal said.


    Caretaker didn¡¯t have time to respond.


    Zalthyss blurred down toward their position.


    Caretaker pushed Blueballs to one side, while they dived to the other. They looked up to see Zalthyss climbing up out of the hole it had created in the metallic street surface.


    Zalthyss locked eyes with Caretaker before deliberately turning to Blueballs.


    Blueballs turned to run.


    Zalthyss floated centimeters off the ground before giving chase. They moved faster than the Threnosh could run, but slow enough as if they wanted to give the Threnosh the idea that escape was possible.


    Blueballs didn¡¯t look back, so they didn¡¯t see Zalthyss close and reach out with a clawed hand.


    So close.


    Zalthyss swiped at the back of Blueballs¡¯ neck, only to miss.


    Caretaker had watched helplessly as a yellow-colored blur flashed over Blueballs, in front of Zalthyss.


    Whoosh glided across the ground with jet bursts from their power armor.


    ¡°Stop struggling,¡± Whoosh said into the comms. ¡°It is difficult enough to maintain speed and balance with you in my arms without your flailing.¡±


    Blueballs instantly went still.


    Once again, Zalthyss gave chase. Fast enough to eventually catch up, but slow enough that their prey knew exactly what was happening.


    ¡°I cannot escape the outworld invader. Not even in a straight line at my fastest,¡± Whoosh said.


    ¡°Follow this route,¡± Volkharion said into the comms.


    A course through the cragant base camp and around the hierophant¡¯s structure appeared in Whoosh¡¯s faceplate.


    They followed it exactly.


    All the while Zalthyss was on their trail, flying closer with every second.


    Whoosh moved erratically. Partially due to Blueballs¡¯ added weight and partially in an attempt to keep out of Zalthyss¡¯ clutches. They rounded the structure¡¯s northwest corner with Zalthyss only centimeters away.


    Silent metal gleamed from above as Silver Wolf bore down on Zalthyss¡¯ back. They were in their monstrous bipedal form. They hit Zalthyss hard and drove them into the ground.


    Whoosh took the opportunity and zipped away from the cragant base camp with Blueballs in their arms. They had done their part. Unlike Primal they had no issues running away. After all, it was what they did better than anyone else.


    Silver Wolf tore at Zalthyss¡¯ wings with their claws. The golden metal was thin and shredded easily. Bright light emanated from the rents, but just as quickly extinguished as the rents closed almost as fast as Silver Wolf tore them.


    Zalthyss spun around and backhanded Silver Wolf.


    The Threnosh caught the blow in their muzzle. Sharp teeth as large as daggers barely penetrated the golden surface of Zalthyss¡¯ arm.


    Silver Wolf spat Zalthyss away and recoiled in what appeared to be pain. The tips of their teeth had partially melted.


    Zalthyss blurred forward low to the ground.


    Silver Wolf swiped at the outworld invader, but was too slow.


    Zalthyss¡¯ palm struck them in the center of their torso and sent them tumbling many meters away.


    Sparks followed Silver Wolf¡¯s armored form as they skipped like a stone across the metallic ground.


    Silver Wolf rolled to a stop and sprang right back to their feet.


    Zalthyss hovered slightly off the ground fifty meters away. Their hands and arms down at their side, open palms up.


    The static in Caretaker¡¯s auditory system grew stronger.


    Silver Wolf charged forward in the peculiar loping gate of their bipedal form. They covered the distance in seconds. They sprang forward the last ten meters, their massive, clawed hands aimed to eviscerate the much smaller Zalthyss.


    Caretaker tried to shout a warning into the comms. Whether the interference drowned it out or Silver Wolf ignored it, they would never know.


    Zalthyss batted the descending arm as if they were waving away a bothersome insect. They took their other hand and almost lazily thrust it forward. Into the center of Silver Wolf¡¯s torso.


    The Threnosh didn¡¯t make a sound as their nearly three meter tall form crouched in front of Zalthyss for a moment before toppling to the ground with a crash.


    Just as with Malendrax, Caretaker watched Silver Wolf¡¯s vital signs cease.


    Zalthyss raised its hand toward Caretaker. The arm was covered past the elbow with an unmistakable pale, pinkish sheen.


    Hooves thundered across the ground.


    Resplendent Zabriium charged.


    Zalthyss didn¡¯t move.


    Caretaker got the impression that the golden figure was curious.


    Resplendent Zabriium struck Zalthyss with their poleaxe. The blow sent the outworld invader flipping head over heels into the air. It flew back several dozen meters before righting itself. Despite Zalthyss¡¯ strength advantage they were grossly outmassed by Resplendent Zabriium. It hadn¡¯t thought or desired to brace itself against the blow.


    Regardless, Zalthyss was unharmed. It zoomed after Resplendent Zabriium, who galloped away.


    They crossed near a three-level structure.


    As soon as Zalthyss moved past the building projectile fire stitched across its body.


    Tynk continued to fire their recoilless rifle as they flew out the open window and went straight up into the open sky.


    The Threnosh was nowhere near as fast as Zalthyss.


    Golden skin flashed as Zalthyss abandoned its pursuit of Resplendent Zabriium. It flapped its wings once and shot up in an angle toward Tynk.


    Tynk had less than a second and Zalthyss was almost on them. They killed their anti-gravity generators at the last second and dropped like a rock.


    Zalthyss went past them, managing to slash through one of Tynk¡¯s gossamer-thin wings.


    The outworld invader furled their wings out wide to bring themselves to a stop. They hovered in mid-air for a moment.


    That was all Primal needed. Their last arrow struck Zalthyss straight in the chest. This one didn¡¯t have an explosive head. It carried the outworld invader thousands of meters into the sky.


    Tynk engage anti-gravity at the last moment. They hit the ground with a painful thud rather than a fatal splat. A sidewalk panel near them opened up to reveal the underground passage ways. They quickly scrambled into it. Fear lent figurative wings to their feet as they ran away.


    ¡°Resplendent Zabriium and Tynk are retreating as ordered,¡± Volkharion said into the comms. ¡°Primal still refuses. Caretaker, I suggest you retreat through the way you entered the enemy base.¡±


    Caretaker looked toward the torn street several hundred meters away. It seemed so far. They took a step in that direction when their predictive algorithm finally came back to life. An incoming projectile alert. The algorithm guided their sword arm as they spun and cut right through something spinning fast and hard. Two cylindrical halves fell away on either side and clanged as they hit the street.


    Primal¡¯s arrow, Caretaker realized.


    ¡°Retreat will not be possible,¡± Caretaker spoke into the comms. Saying it lent clarity to their thoughts. The end was near. All their effort, successes and failures of the last several years led to this moment. Perhaps Primal was right. Why run away when it was clear that wasn¡¯t possible. ¡°Volkharion, I order you to retreat. Carry the message to the senior commander. Only a prime can fight this enemy.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged. However¡­ we have one more stratagem.¡±


    Caretaker was about to ask what Volkharion meant when Zalthyss suddenly appeared in front of them.


    They slashed their sword out, but Zalthyss struck them in the chest first.


    Damage alerts flashed across Caretaker¡¯s vision and told them what they already knew by the pain. Serious damage had been done to both their power armor and their biological body. It didn¡¯t matter that Caretaker¡¯s defect was a more robust physical structure. According to Honor, Caretaker was closer to the human norm when compared to the standard Threnosh.


    Ironically, Caretaker hit the ground close to the rents in the ground where they had entered the cragant base camp. They struggled to stand while pulling off their ruined chest plate.


    They had just tossed it to the ground when Zalthyss appeared in front of them.


    A message flashed in Caretaker¡¯s faceplate.


    ¡°You are not using your full power, why?¡± Caretaker said. They needed to get Zalthyss closer to the ground and get them to stop moving for just a few seconds.


    Zalthyss cocked their head to one side, but kept advancing.


    Caretaker retreated as close to the open rents in the street as they could without falling in. They retreated to their left as Zalthyss mirrored them.


    ¡°I have viewed your battle with Honor many times,¡± Caretaker decided to try another attack, ¡°I judge your capability to be lesser than Honor or the primes. The analysis is beyond challenge.¡±


    A frown marred Zalthyss¡¯ perfectly symmetrical features. They drifted down just centimeters off the ground.


    ¡°Honor ran from me. One of your primes shot at me from a great distance without announcing itself. I fought another prime in the heart of a volcano. In its own element, yet it resorted to burying me to escape with its life.¡±


    ¡°We have hurt you this night,¡± Caretaker pointed their sword at Zalthyss¡¯ heart. ¡°You may heal, but we have succeeded in marking you.¡±


    Zalthyss stopped and laughed. The sound sent static crashing into Caretaker¡¯s auditory system.


    The Threnosh winced.


    ¡°Foolish gray one. My very song causes you such pain. Your machine shell does not protect you.¡±


    Zalthyss didn¡¯t notice a pair of hands phase up out of the ground to leave behind a small device behind its feet.


    Several seconds passed then a voice spoke into Caretaker¡¯s ear holes. ¡°I am clear, you may detonate.¡±


    Actryarius had laid the last explosive at Zalthyss¡¯ feet.


    Caretaker connected to it with a thought. They triggered it a split-second later.


    The thunderous explosion sent Zalthyss flying toward Caretaker.


    The Threnosh stabbed their sword up. The sharpness of the blade combined with the force of the explosion sent it into Zalthyss¡¯ chest almost all the way to the hilt.


    Zalthyss slammed into Caretaker and knocked them to the ground. The outworld invader tumbled further away, while Caretaker lay flat on their back. The pain had spiked for a moment, but was now growing dull.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    This was bad. It meant that the attached medical unit had automatically released anti-pain chemicals into their body. Caretaker had resisted it at first because of how the chemicals dulled thought and interfered with brain signals transmitted through their nerve system.


    If the medical unit deemed it necessary, then their injuries had gone from serious to critical. They were several steps closer to being combat ineffective.


    ¡°You use tricks as Honor did,¡± Zalthyss said.


    The outworld invader appeared no more injured from the explosion than before, aside from the blade in its chest. Although that didn¡¯t appear to bother it at all.


    Right before Caretaker¡¯s eyes the hilt and handle fell away to reveal a bright wound that sealed up. The Threnosh was surprised to feel a pang of pain that wasn¡¯t connected to their injuries at the sight of their long-time weapon¡¯s destruction.


    ¡°Volkharion. It is time for you to retreat. It was an effective attempt¡ª¡±


    ¡°That was not the plan. Not entirely,¡± Volkharion said into the comms.


    Thudding steps echoed across the space.


    ¡°This, however, was not in the plan at all.¡±


    ¡°Wha¡ª¡± Caretaker managed to get out.


    Several tons of metal trampled Zalthyss into the ground.


    Primal stomped down on the downed outworld invader. Their massive power armor¡¯s foot was almost as wide around as Zalthyss was tall.


    Perhaps the explosion had affected Zalthyss more than it had initially appeared for the outworld invader had been caught off guard by Primal¡¯s charge.


    Unfortunately, it didn¡¯t last.


    Zalthyss caught a stomp with both hands and pushed up.


    Primal stumbled back and Zalthyss zipped in and sliced away at Primal¡¯s legs.


    The tiniest Threnosh in the largest power armor grabbed at Zalthyss and again defied expectations. They caught the outworld invader in their massive metal hand.


    Only Zalthyss¡¯ head and lower legs were visible.


    The artificial tendons and muscles strained with audible effort. Metal and composites squealed as Primal sought to turn Zalthyss into pulp.


    The outworld invader proved tougher and stronger.


    It exploded out of Primal¡¯s grip.


    Enormous finger burst apart.


    Caretaker covered their face as jagged bits bounced off their armor.


    Primal didn¡¯t stop. They only knew one way. To attack.


    They raked the whirring teeth in their left arm against Zalthyss. Sparks flew, but the golden skin proved stronger yet again. The metal teeth chipped and smoke started to billow out of the arm.


    Primal changed tactics. They pulled their left fist back and punched Zalthyss away.


    Caretaker realized that Primal must¡¯ve expended their ammunition during the battle with the cragants. Their teammate was foolish for jumping into battle when they weren¡¯t at their optimum level.


    Zalthyss flapped their wings to stay just out of Primal¡¯s reach.


    The Threnosh thrust their ruined right fist out toward the outworld invader. A nozzle deployed out of the underside. A spark of fire ignited right before a stream of liquid flame emerged to cover Zalthyss.


    The outworld invader bared its teeth in a too-wide mouth.


    Caretaker recognized the smile.


    The stream of flame sputtered out in less than two seconds. Primal was truly out of ammunition for their weaponry.


    Zalthyss hovered in the air. Flames drenched its body. It was like a second sun, scorching everyone beneath its gaze.


    It opened its mouth toward Primal.


    ¡°Primal, retr¡ª¡±


    Caretaker¡¯s warning was too late. Painful static filled their auditory system once again.


    The air distorted around Primal¡¯s massive form.


    Caretaker could do nothing as Primal¡¯s surface armor began to break and melt. They had seconds before Zalthyss¡¯ sonic attack reached inside to Primal¡¯s biological body.


    ¡°Thi¡­ ¡­l b¡­ ou¡­ ¡­ast at¡­pt. Wh¡­ ¡­jud¡­tor att¡­ ¡­u mus¡­ ¡­reat. Yo¡­ ¡­ no¡­ ¡­ve ti¡­ to ¡­ Pri¡­ fro¡­ ¡­ir tru¡­kin. ¡­ ¡­t l¡­ve th¡­¡± Volkharion¡¯s voice partially broke through the static.


    A metallic tendril pierced up through the street and wrapped around Zalthyss¡¯ legs. It ceased its sonic attack on Primal and tried to fly higher. The tendril was stretched taut, but held.


    A second tendril emerged to wrap around Zalthyss¡¯ head.


    Two was too much for the outworld invader.


    The tendrils retracted back through the street and slammed Zalthyss down.


    A loud clang sounded out.


    The metallic street was torn open from below as Adjudicator burst from the tunnel beneath.


    The Threnosh coiled more of their tendrils around Zalthyss and engaged the energy drain function.


    Zalthyss thrashed.


    One tendril completely covered Zalthyss¡¯ head. It clawed and pulled at the coils. Scoring deep cuts, which repaired themselves almost immediately after.


    Caretaker winced at the painful static in their ear holes. They cycled their through their helmet¡¯s visual modes until they could see the energy drain from Zalthyss to Adjudicator.


    The numbers didn¡¯t make sense.


    Caretaker tapped into Adjudicator¡¯s energy readings. They were already near capacity.


    ¡°Vent energy,¡± Caretaker said into the comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Several panels all over Adjudicator¡¯s power armor opened. The air around the vents distorted from the tremendous amount of heat released.


    Adjudicator¡¯s readings were still problematic. The energy gain merely slowed.


    Caretaker cycled through their options. They were out of effective weapons to use on Zalthyss.


    ¡°Risk overload if I continue draining energy from the invader,¡± Adjudicator said. ¡°Trueskin will soon be at full capacity. I will be stronger than I have ever been before. Self-repair capability at maximum.¡± They looked directly at Caretaker. ¡°Retreat. I will eliminate the enemy.¡±


    ¡°I am beginning to be annoyed by everyone telling me to retreat,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°It is the logical decision,¡± Volkharion said into the comms. ¡°You¡¯re combat effectiveness has been severely degraded by the damage you have sustained.¡±


    ¡°I lead. I cannot leave while my team yet fights.¡±


    ¡°Ceasing energy drain,¡± Adjudicator announced flatly, ¡°commencing close combat.¡±


    Zalthyss ceased thrashing the moment the drain stopped.


    Adjudicator pulled the outworld invader toward them. They loosened the coils with their right hand tendril to give them enough slack to land a mighty punch in Zalthyss¡¯ stomach.


    A loud clang echoed out across the silent sky.


    Zalthyss went flying away, but Adjudicator pulled it back again to land another punch.


    The third was different.


    Zalthyss lashed out with one of its golden wings.


    It struck Adjudicator across the side of their helmet.


    Damage alerts blinked in Adjudicator¡¯s faceplate. They stumbled to one side.


    Adjudicator had a moment of concern. It was a glancing blow yet it had landed heavily. They were unused to being moved by physical strikes. Their power armor was heavy and well-armored, almost bulky. They were an immovable juggernaut, especially when they had taken life energy from their opponents.


    Adjudicator recovered just as Zalthyss¡¯ wings lashed out again. This time both struck. One went high. The other swept low at the Threnosh¡¯s legs.


    Adjudicator toppled to the ground like a millennia-old tree.


    The momentary distraction allowed Zalthyss to dig its claws into the street.


    Adjudicator rose to one knee and pulled. They found Zalthyss was still stronger despite having had a large amount of life energy stolen. The Threnosh amended the thought. They had taken enough energy to fill their stores, yet for all they knew it was only a fraction of what the outworld invader contained.


    The tendrils strained between the large and imposing Adjudicator and the slight, fragile-looking Zalthyss.


    Adjudicator found themselves slowly slipping on the metallic street surface. The harder they pulled the more they moved toward Zalthyss, whose one handed grip on the street proved immovable.


    Adjudicator abruptly changed tactics. They stopped pulling and released their right hand tendril from around Zalthyss¡¯ lower half.


    The sudden slack pitched Zalthyss off-balance.


    Adjudicator whipped their left hand tendril up.


    Zalthyss was braced against a horizontal force, not a vertical one. Its fingers slipped right out of the street.


    Adjudicator retracted their right tendril into the housing that ran below their gauntlet and all the way up their arm and into the large rectangular bulge on their back. They felt the self-repair functions get to work on the damage sustained by their entire tendril system from the tremendous forces that had been inflicted on it. The energy flowed from their stores.


    Adjudicator whipped Zalthyss around by its head. Most any other humanoid creature¡¯s neck would¡¯ve been broken by the forces subjected on it.


    The outworld invader merely attempted to slash at the tendril.


    Adjudicator felt every slice. More energy was expended to repair them. They slammed Zalthyss down into the street. Then did it again and again, until there was small crater.


    Caretaker saw that Adjudicator held the advantage, though slight. Theoretically, their teammate could¡¯ve have kept this up indefinitely. Drain energy to repair self. Repeat until Zalthyss was out. Nothing had infinite life energy. Or did it?


    The question was rendered moot with shocking quickness.


    Zalthyss slashed out with both hands while in the middle of an upswing. This time it didn¡¯t give Adjudicator¡¯s self-repair capability the opportunity. It sliced the tendril apart in a blink.


    Caretaker heard Adjudicator¡¯s pained hiss over the team channel. The tendril was practically an extension of their own body when they were inside their power armor.


    Zalthyss ripped the remaining coils from around their head and opened their mouth.


    The sonic attack ripped through the air and engulfed Adjudicator.


    The Threnosh instinctively covered their head with their left arm.


    Thick armor plate melted like sludge under the sustained attack. Adjudicator¡¯s self-repair ability was pushed to its limit, but even it couldn¡¯t keep up with the damage. Critical failure alerts filled the Threnosh¡¯s faceplate.


    They had to get Zalthyss to shut its mouth, if only for a moment to buy time.


    Adjudicator shot their right-hand tendril out and around the sonic attack¡¯s field.


    Zalthyss caught the tendril. The pointed tip was centimeters from the outworld invader¡¯s face.


    Adjudicator had their moment.


    They triggered the energy drain. Only the barest contact with any part of the tendril was required.


    Zalthyss face twisted into an angry snarl. They tried, but they couldn¡¯t release the tendril. Their grip was locked against their will.


    Life energy flowed from golden figure, who seemed to dim, if only slightly, into the armored juggernaut.


    Adjudicator¡¯s power armor repaired itself with impossible quickness, reverting much of the damage that the sonic attack had wrought.


    Zalthyss flew up higher with a flap of its wings.


    Adjudicator managed to resist for only moment before they were off the ground. They retracted their tendril to pull themselves up to Zalthyss, but not fast enough.


    Zalthyss spun them around in circles until Adjudicator was on the same horizontal plane as the outworld invader. It still wasn¡¯t able to release its grip on the tendril, so it slashed out with its free hand.


    Unmoored, Adjudicator went flying off into the distance.


    Caretaker tracked their teammate¡¯s trajectory. They were going to crash into the forest several kilometers to the north of the city.


    ¡°A worthy prey. I will give that one more time to gain strength,¡± Zalthyss drifted down to hover several meters in front of Caretaker. ¡°I have claimed two.¡±


    Caretaker¡¯s eyes darted to Silver Wolf, unmistakably dead. Then to Primal¡¯s ruined power armor. Their vitals were weak, but they yet lived.


    ¡°My hierophant claimed one.¡±


    Caretaker looked toward the ruined structure where Malendrax lay.


    ¡°I will claim you and the one watching from nearby.¡±


    ¡°Retreat, I will try to give you the opportunity,¡± Volkharion¡¯s voice came in on the comms.


    ¡°You will not escape.¡±


    Volkharion¡¯s drones attacked.


    A gremlin drone emerged from the jagged rent in the street and lunged at Zalthyss with metal teeth and claws.


    Zalthyss tore it in two.


    Two canine drones rushed in with their projectile-weapon heads firing.


    Zalthyss opened its mouth and shattered them into pieces.


    A feline drone had taken the opportunity to latch onto Zalthyss back. The drone¡¯s buzzsaw-like head dug into the back of the outworld invader¡¯s head, but only managed to generate sparks.


    Zalthyss plucked the drone from its back and crushed it.


    Aerial attack drones swooped down firing, but Zalthyss knocked them out of the sky with a powerful flap of its wings.


    ¡°Enough, Volkharion,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°You must retreat. I will hold it off for as long as I can.¡± They knew what the drones truly meant to their teammate. Each one destroyed was a part of Volkharion lost forever.


    Silence on the team channel.


    ¡°Negative. Projections indicate that I will not be capable of escape. Moving closer to engage.¡±


    ¡°You are not worthy.¡± Zalthyss stepped closer. ¡°Not like the others.¡±


    The outworld invader raised a clawed hand.


    Caretaker readied themselves. To do what? They had no idea.


    And they would never know.


    A rust-red mist suddenly drifted across the ground.


    Zalthyss stopped and frowned.


    The mist wound its way around Zalthyss¡¯ legs and up its body like a serpent.


    It seemed to thicken while it expanded up to Zalthyss¡¯ head.


    The mist coalesced in an instant to reveal Shira.


    The Threnosh black-colored power armor was now streaked with rust-red lines, like cracks on the surface.


    Shira had their legs wrapped around Zalthyss¡¯ waist. They stabbed one clawed hand into Zalthyss¡¯ chest.


    The outworld invader¡¯s metallic skin provided no resistance.


    Shira¡¯s monstrous face mask grimaced as Zalthyss¡¯ inner energies ate away at their fingers.


    They locked red eyes with Caretaker. ¡°Retreat,¡± Shira hissed.


    Shira roughly pulled Zalthyss¡¯ head to one side. They opened their face mask¡¯s tooth-filled mouth wide and bit down on the exposed neck.


    A bright flash of searing light knocked Caretaker back down through the tear in the ground into the tunnel below.


    Caretaker wouldn¡¯t see what happened next. Too much accumulated damage had finally overwhelmed their power armor systems and their body within. It shut down completely to preserve their life. They were rendered comatose at the last.


    <hr>


    ¡°Silas will try to open the door,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Why?¡± Cal shook his head.


    ¡°Cause Silas is an elf and he needs a proper weapon instead of a hammer.¡±


    ¡°Wait. I thought you had a sword,¡± Remy said. He picked up the partially painted plastic miniature.


    ¡°That¡¯s just the sculpt.¡± Eron plucked the miniature from Remy¡¯s fingers and put it back on the board. He pointed to the weapon card on his plastic dashboard. ¡°What I have is the lame starter hammer.¡±


    ¡°Which is the only starter weapon that lets you open doors,¡± Remy nodded. ¡°I remember.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, somebody,¡± Eron side-eyed Cal, ¡°thought that Ostokar had to have a bow.¡±


    ¡°What, he¡¯s an elf too.¡±


    ¡°Who is a necromancer.¡±


    Cal studied the fully painted miniature. It had pale, grayish skin and flecks of blood. He squinted at the bone dagger in the figure¡¯s hand and floating chains with hands attached to their ends. The heads on the miniature¡¯s belt clinched the image.


    Eron¡¯s paint job was pretty good. Not like Cal¡¯s usual poorly done and eternally incomplete efforts.


    ¡°Fair point, but we can equip them however we want.¡±


    ¡°How is that character a necromancer? I thought we were fighting necromancers and zombies,¡± Remy said.


    Eron sighed. ¡°Maybe he¡¯s one of the good ones. Doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    ¡°Hold on, I thought when you break doors down more zombies spawn inside the building,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°So?¡± Eron sighed again.


    ¡°We¡¯ve still got zombies coming down the street.¡±


    ¡°Look, we have to search anyway since we¡¯ll need to find the dragon bile and a torch,¡± Eron said. ¡°So, I¡¯m going to roll.¡±


    The two D6¡¯s came up snake eyes.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Eron said flatly.


    Too low to top the 4 of the hammer¡¯s weapon score.


    ¡°My turn?¡±


    Remy moved his two characters to engage the zombie walkers getting too close. His rolls were better. The killed, re-killed zombies equaled more experience points.


    ¡°Dude, don¡¯t get into the yellow before the rest of us are close,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Yeah, we definitely need to find some better gear first,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    Remy handed the die over to Cal.


    Cal considered his options.


    First he had Ostokar move one space into a T-intersection to take some shots at the zombies in their spawn zone. Two shots, only one hit.


    Eron grumbled something about Sila¡¯s bonuses.


    ¡°Hewelin is going to live up to his name.¡± Cal moved the miniature into combat with a zombie. Though the sculpt had the character wielding two swords, Cal hadn¡¯t been able to upgrade from the starter shortsword. ¡°And hew this zombie to pieces.¡±


    The die failed him. Two misses.


    Eron groaned. ¡°We¡¯re dead.¡±


    ¡°What? Why? We just barely started,¡± Remy scratched his head.


    The turns went on. Eron managed to save Hewelin from a wound by having Azure sweep in and separate the zombie¡¯s head from its neck. Figuratively, of course.


    Silas opened the door and the work of clearing the inside of the building from zombies proceeded a pace.


    They re-killed more zombies and found new gear for their characters. Eventually they all got enough experience points to get their characters into the yellow threat level. Unlocking new character abilities was offset by increasing the danger of the zombie spawns.


    Eron pressed the importance of getting dragon bile and a torch before the abomination spawned.


    They had just found the former when disaster struck their party.


    Cal flipped the zombie spawn card over.


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    ¡°Dude, language,¡± Remy pointed at his two young daughters watching something on the TV in the living room.


    ¡°Sorry, man.¡±


    ¡°Abomination,¡± Eron sighed. It looked like he was resigned to their fate. ¡°Next spawn zone.¡±


    Cal flipped the card.


    ¡°Shit! Double spawn.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that mean?¡± Remy frowned at Cal.


    ¡°Nothing right now.¡±


    Cal flipped two cards for the last spawn zone on the board. ¡°All walkers activate.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not too bad,¡± Eron studied the bored. The zombie miniatures had gotten out of control.


    ¡°Abomination,¡± Cal threw the last card down on the table.


    ¡°Wait? I thought there¡¯s only one?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you read the rulebook?¡± Eron raised a brow at Remy.


    ¡°Dude, I had like ten minutes.¡±


    ¡°Well, since I only brought one abomination mini then the abomination gets an activation¡ª¡±


    ¡°Which means it moves one space,¡± Remy finished. ¡°See, I read the rulebook.¡±


    ¡°Figure you engineers shouldn¡¯t have problems understanding instructions,¡± Eron muttered.


    Cal moved the abomination one zone close to both of his miniatures. Perhaps it had been a mistake to keep them close to each other.


    ¡°Hey, so can Brother Tucker shove the abomination?¡± Remy picked up one of his characters.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Eron brightened, ¡°yeah! I totally forgot.¡±


    Remy studied the miniature. ¡°This game is supposed to be medieval fantasy, right?¡±


    ¡°Uh huh,¡± Cal nodded distractedly. He was trying to figure out how to save his characters. He didn¡¯t want to sacrifice one to save the other, but that was looking likely.


    ¡°Then why does he have a chainsword? That seems more sci-fi to me,¡± Remy said.


    Cal blinked.


    The medieval monk miniature was indeed wielding what looked like a chainsword from an entirely different intellectual property.


    ¡°What the fu¡ª¡±

 3.41

    Now, Threnosh World


    Caretaker awoke with a start.


    They felt the pain immediately.


    Every nerve in their body burned.


    Hazy shapes moved around to their left.


    The shapes burst into activity and oblivion claimed Caretaker once again.


    Caretaker awoke as if from a deep sleep.


    Their entire body was sore and there were maddening itches from what seemed like a hundred different locations.


    Their vision was clearer. The hazy shapes moving around them wore medical-type power armor. Delicate in appearance with visible instruments attached.


    Caretaker stretched a hand out to the transparent cover of their healing chamber and tapped.


    One of the medics brought up the holographic projection of Caretaker¡¯s vitals.


    Caretaker waited expectantly for the warm liquid to drain, so that they could return to their duties. There were many unanswered questions that they needed to address.


    The medic dismissed the projection and tapped on the healing pod¡¯s control panel.


    Caretaker eyes closed against their will. Unconsciousness claimed them in its warm embrace.


    An unknown amount of time passed.


    Caretaker removed the oxygen mask before the liquid had completely drained. They pulled the monitoring patches from their skin and was already getting up when the healing chamber¡¯s cover opened with a hiss.


    Bare feet hit the metallic floor with a wet slap.


    The last of the medics was already leaving through the chamber door. Caretaker was alone. They stood up carefully. Their muscles protested. They felt weak. Exposed without their power armor.


    The chamber door slid open with a hiss. Kynnro stepped in.


    ¡°Your muscle definition has noticeably increased,¡± Kynnro said.


    Caretaker looked down at their body and arms. ¡°You are correct.¡± Wiry muscles were visible beneath the checkerboard pattern of their gray-toned skin.


    ¡°The medics have cleared you to return to regular activities.¡±


    ¡°Why did they not tell me this themselves?¡±


    ¡°They did not wish to view you outside of your trueskin. Let alone the fact that you are a Defective,¡± Kynnro said with undisguised distaste. ¡°You are also extremely large. I must admit I find it strange as well. To see you without your trueskin.¡±


    ¡°Understandable, where is it?¡± Caretaker remember the catastrophic damage their power armor had suffered at Zalthyss¡¯ hands.


    ¡°Repaired. They attempted to do the same with your spire exoskeleton. They were only able to restore partially functionality.¡±


    ¡°Expected. I will need to purchase repairs directly inside the spire.¡± Caretaker took several unsteady steps toward the door until Kynnro was forced to lend them a shoulder.


    ¡°Do you wish transport?¡±


    ¡°Negative, I will accept your assistance.¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡±


    ¡°You may continue to give me the status report while we walk to my trueskin.¡±


    ¡°The detailed report has been logged and recorded. You will be able to access it through your PID,¡± Kynnro demurred.


    ¡°I will hear it from you first,¡± Caretaker insisted.


    ¡°Where should I start?¡±


    So much that they didn¡¯t know. Caretaker tried to think about what information was most important. Which order was most efficient to receive it? It was difficult without the assistance of their predictive algorithm. Ultimately they went with what loomed with the most urgency in their thoughts. The ones that had been plaguing them during their altered state of mind during their time in the healing chamber.


    ¡°Shira?¡±


    ¡°Unknown. Their trueskin no longer appears in the tracking system. No signs of them in surveillance. Volkharion still searches with their remaining drones, in between attempts to repair their destroyed ones.¡±


    ¡°Zalthyss?¡±


    ¡°Unknown. Instruments tracked them ascending into the upper atmosphere before descending just as fast into the ocean to the east. Where it went after is unknown.¡±


    ¡°Our ability to penetrate the deep ocean is limited. The outworld invader could emerge anywhere. What has the senior commander done about this?¡±


    ¡°Unknown. They have not spoken of it. Their command staff has refused to address anyone else expect you.¡±


    ¡°Why not? I have designated a clear chain of command.¡±


    Kynnro shrugged. ¡°They did not deign to provide an answer. It upset Dralig greatly.¡±


    ¡°They are functional?¡±


    ¡°Dralig claims to be at 70%. Their damaged arm could not be repaired. It is causing them difficulties, but they conceal them well.¡±


    ¡°Adjudicator?¡±


    ¡°They were seriously damaged by the fall into the forest, but they were fortunately attacked by monsters. That battle had healed them by the time I was able to pick them up in an aerial transport.¡±


    ¡°Malendrax and Silver Wolf?¡± Speaking the names bought a strange sensation to Caretaker¡¯s chest. Uncomfortable, almost painful, but distinctly removed from the physical.


    ¡°Due to their Defective status,¡± this time there was clear venom in Kynnro¡¯s voice, ¡°command explicitly forbade recycling their biological matter. I have placed them in stasis. I could not fit their trueskins, so I placed them as close together as possible. I did not know what else to do. It felt wrong to do nothing and leave them. I have questions for Honor on this matter.¡±


    ¡°Primal?¡±


    ¡°Agitated. Their trueskin is ruined beyond our ability to repair. It can only be fixed in the spire. Primal is concerned on two fronts. They want their trueskin fixed immediately, but realizes that it will cost a significant amount of the Universal Points we received for the Task. Additionally, the remains of their trueskin are too heavy and unwieldy to transport into the spire without assistance. The entire team has refused Primal¡¯s demands. They awaited your awakening.¡±


    ¡°So that I will have to deal with Primal.¡± Caretaker understood. ¡°The Tasks¡ª¡± They suddenly remembered the spire messages they had dismissed in the middle of battle.


    Caretaker concentrated and a chime sounded in their ear holes as a voice and text simultaneously appeared to them.


    Task Completed.


    Reclaim Cold Plains City.


    Success Parameters: Expel the enemy army.


    Failure parameters: Retreat or Death.


    Reward: 500000 Universal Points.


    You gain 50000 Universal Points.


    Note: Individual reward based on overall contribution.


    Task Completed.


    Kill The Hierophant.


    Reward: 250000 Universal Points.


    You gain 30000 Universal Points.


    Note: Individual reward based on overall contribution.


    Task Completed.


    Survive Zalthyss.


    Reward: 5000000


    You gain 500000 Universal Points.


    Caretaker¡¯s eyes widened. The last Task had given them an unthinkable amount of points. Excitement filled them, but it was just as quickly dashed away when they did the math. They had to check with the others, but it appeared as if surviving the hierophant had been split ten ways, which meant¡ª.


    ¡°I was envious that I missed out on such a large reward, but then I remembered what it cost,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°Shira is still alive,¡± Caretaker said abruptly.


    ¡°You are certain?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I will have to confirm, but the reward was split ten ways. We numbered twelve at the start. I lost Malendrax and Silver Wolf.¡±


    ¡°Then we will find Shira.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°It says that we have reclaimed the city. Explain?¡±


    ¡°The cragants departed the city shortly after and returned to their camp around the spire. I cannot explain it properly. You need to view the recordings. Their commander has been doing something strange every day from the moment the sun rises to when it sets.¡±


    ¡°Tell me.¡±


    ¡°Designation: General Zanya walks alone to the gates and waits. It carries a large piece of white cloth, which analysis has determined to be several of their undercoverings attached together. The first week it wore its armor, but brought no visible weapons. The second week it appeared in its secondary armor layer. Now it appears in its base armor layer.¡±


    ¡°Strange. Has it verbalized its intent.¡±


    ¡°Yes. It calls for a truce and for something called mercenaries.¡±


    ¡°I do not recognize the term¡¯s meaning.¡±


    ¡°Analysis has failed to decipher it as well.¡±


    ¡°Has the senior commander engaged in negotiations?¡±


    ¡°Negative. I suspect they were also waiting for your awakening.¡±


    Caretaker nodded. ¡°We must move quickly. This is an important matter that needs to be addressed.¡±


    A chime sounded in Caretaker¡¯s ear holes.


    It seemed that the spires had the same thought.


    <hr>


    The aerial transport dropped Caretaker off a short distance away from General Zanya. They amended the classification. They remembered that Zalthyss had taken the designation away and gave it to another cragant.


    Caretaker was unaware something like that was possible.


    The spire exoskeleton whined in protest as Caretaker walked toward the cragant. The left side was significantly weaker than the right side and they had to compensate for it in order to walk with a normal stride through the waist-high grass. Still, it felt right to be back inside their power armor.


    They had left all their weapons behind and they had not replaced the Threnosh-made armor plates that had been destroyed by Zalthyss. They weren¡¯t certain how such things went, but they decided to mirror the cragant as close as possible. Besides, until they had the opportunity to go to the spire they had no weapons left. Their sword was gone and their viral pistol was out of ammunition. The standard recoilless rifle wouldn¡¯t do more than annoy the cragant.


    Zanya loomed over Caretaker.


    The giant humanoid looked different without heavy armor and helmet. It had dark hair, a little lighter than Honor¡¯s, but with much thicker strands according to the readings in Caretaker¡¯s faceplate. A broad face covered in scars stared down impassively. Its held its hands loosely at its sides with palms held open in a pose that suggested deliberation.


    Caretaker¡¯s predictive algorithm echoed what their own impressions.


    The cragant didn¡¯t present a threat at the moment. And that it had done this purposefully.


    It shifted slightly and Caretaker saw powerful muscles move beneath thick skin.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Two contrasting figures stood meters apart.


    One was enormous, whose physical power was unmistakable at a glance.


    The other was small and slight, whose power obviously lay in the advanced armor it wore.


    Caretaker had to crane their head up to look the cragant in the eyes.


    ¡°You are not who I expected. I was certain you were dead when I saw your fellow soldiers pull you out of the ground. You were motionless, limp, like the dead. Your armor was broken and blackened. Now your shell appears almost new. You gray ones are full of unexpected strengths.¡± The cragant¡¯s voice was a deep rumble. Like rocks grinding together deep in the ground.


    ¡°What is your designation?¡±


    ¡°I do not understand.¡±


    ¡°You are, were, Designation: General Zanya until Designation: Zalthyss removed the term General and gave it to another.¡±


    The cragant¡¯s mouth split into a smile. It was another thing that reminded Caretaker of Honor. It occurred to Caretaker that it might not have been the right term to use.


    The cragant inclined its head in understanding. ¡°My legionnaires have made me general once more.¡±


    ¡°Do your people ascribe to the concept of gender?¡±


    General Zanya frowned. ¡°Yes. I am female. Your species lacks gender?¡±


    She then. Caretaker remembered Honor¡¯s explanations.


    ¡°Correct.¡±


    ¡°Interesting. A question for another time. We have more critical matters to discuss,¡± General Zanya said.


    ¡°Yes. Truce and mercenaries.¡±


    ¡°Just so. I desire an immediate cessation of hostilities between my army and your entire world. Is this possible for you to negotiate?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Caretaker had already gotten Prime Custodian 3¡¯s directive to obtain an end to the fighting. The prime¡¯s word, with Caretaker as proxy, would be adhered to by all Threnosh. ¡°I seek clarification.¡±


    ¡°Proceed with your questions.¡±


    ¡°From your words this truce only extends to your specific force? It will not extend to the other armies fighting in other locations?¡±


    ¡°It is unfortunate, but I do not speak for the rest.¡±


    ¡°The truce is accepted.¡±


    General Zanya raised a brow. ¡°Just like that? You do not need to speak to your leaders?¡±


    ¡°Negative. I have already received the authority to negotiate. My words are binding. All is being recorded to maintain the integrity of the negotiation and the negotiated agreements,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°On to the second matter. Explanation is required.¡±


    ¡°We need points and to keep our spears sharp and arms strong,¡± General Zanya said. She elaborated when Caretaker didn¡¯t respond. ¡°We kill monsters. Maybe you gray ones give Quests? Not necessary. Give us monster spawn areas to farm. Trade what we harvest to you for supplies. Food, ore, medicines. Or give us free rein to forage, mine and harvest on our own. We will defend you from roaming monsters, except world level ones. The only thing we will not do is fight other cragants for you.¡±


    There was a lot to parse in General Zanya¡¯s list.


    Did she suggest that the Threnosh were able to give out Quests, Tasks, like the spires?


    Caretaker weighed asking versus revealing their ignorance. Regardless the breadth of the general''s demands was too wide for them to agree to on their own. They uploaded the recording to Prime Custodian 3.


    ¡°One moment. I do not have the authority to decide on this matter.¡±


    Caretaker remained silent as they waited.


    The general looked curious, but patiently held her mouth closed.


    Less than three minutes passed before Prime Custodian 3 replied.


    It was one word projected into Caretaker¡¯s faceplate.


    Agreed.


    ¡°We agree to your terms,¡± Caretaker said.


    General Zanya didn¡¯t hide her surprise. ¡°Just like that?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    General Zanya bent down and held out a massive hand toward Caretaker. ¡°We clasp arms to seal an arrangement.¡±


    ¡°I am familiar with a similar gesture.¡±


    The general raised her brows, but mastered herself quickly to conceal her curiosity.


    Caretaker raised their hand.


    The general¡¯s massive hand clasped, almost gingerly, around most of Caretaker¡¯s arm. While the Threnosh could only lay their palm on the cragant¡¯s wrist.


    Tactile readings suggested that the general¡¯s skin had a similar density and tensile strength to solid stone. It made sense considering the cragants¡¯ resistance to physical damage.


    ¡°Now that we are in agreement. I request a map of monster locations comparable to my army¡¯s strength. I trust you have fought us long enough to have gained our measure?¡±


    ¡°That will be provided. However there is one difficulty. We cannot provide you with our devices.¡±


    ¡°Understandable. I have skilled cartographers. Will you permit us copying? We will start with the immediate area.¡±


    ¡°Acceptable.¡±


    ¡°You can send your representative to our temporary fort around the spire. We will be there for a time. We must rest and recuperate. And we are awaiting an arrival.¡±


    That concerned Caretaker. ¡°Reinforcements?¡±


    ¡°Off a sort,¡± General Zanya grinned like a hungry predator, ¡°most likely a small detachment. Perhaps a century or three. Along with another hierophant to replace Elgorit and to take me into custody for my transgression.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Caretaker didn¡¯t understand why the general had fought against the hierophant. They didn¡¯t fully understand the cragants¡¯ chain of command, but the hierophant had seemed to occupy a space above the general, below Zalthyss and the Savior it had kept mentioning.


    ¡°Why attack Elgorit? Simple. He was a false prophet of a false god. He attacked my legionnaires and killed Trusk. There was no honor in his existence. None in the council that has ruled my people for millennia.¡±


    ¡°You fight your own leaders?¡±


    ¡°We did not choose them. The true story of our past persists to this day despite attempts to stamp them out. Some struggle against the Savior and its heralds from time to time. They never last long. But here, many worlds away from our home, where the hierophants do not rule, we have an opportunity to reclaim the heritage that they tried to destroy.¡±


    Caretaker understood what the general meant, what she planned. ¡°You need the Universal Points to grow stronger. Even more than you already are.¡±


    General Zanya nodded. ¡°Our current might is all brawn, brute force. The hierophants replaced what was said to be the true power of my people with their foul workings. I am uncertain, but we have to try to regain what was lost. To reclaim what was ours before the Savior descended into our world.¡±


    ¡°So, you will kill this hierophant?¡±


    A faraway look suddenly crossed the general¡¯s face.


    Caretaker recognized it.


    The general blinked back to reality a minute later. She smiled. ¡°Already things change! I can hardly believe it! I have received a Quest! Not the pittance of one doled out by the hierophants!¡± She thrust her arms up in the air in a violent gesture.


    Caretaker took several steps back. Both hands reached for weapons that weren¡¯t there.


    ¡°Do not fear, gray one! It appears that I owe you, my army owes you, for the boon that our conversation has created.¡± General Zanya turned. ¡°I look forward to the fruits of our arrangement.¡± The general¡¯s steps thudded against the hard-packed ground. The tall grass brushed at her knees.


    Caretaker was filled with confusion as they walked back to the aerial transport.


    What had just happened?


    A communication request interrupted their thoughts as the transport lifted up on the whine of its anti-gravity generators.


    It was from Frequency.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Caretaker said into the comms.


    ¡°I have done it. I finally unlocked the secret.¡± Frequency¡¯s words were difficult to understand. They tended to slip in their annunciation when agitated, for good or ill.


    ¡°Clarify.¡±


    ¡°I believe I have deciphered the unidentified sound that created difficulties for our team in Orchestral Meridian. I can track it to its source if it has one. Which means¡ª¡±


    ¡°You may be able to track Honor, Brightstrike and PJ15.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Well done, Frequency. The reports from Orchestral Meridian have not been good. This might be what alters the situation to our advantage.¡± Caretaker thought hard. Their predictive algorithm went into overdrive. ¡°Prepare for departure. I will provide orders within the hour.¡±


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    Remy brought up the rear of the formation. They were strung out about a block¡¯s length as they ran on the sidewalk on the left side of the street.


    Formation was perhaps the wrong term.


    Their force had been thrown into disarray. They had been rattled by the ambush. It didn¡¯t help that they had been forced to leave behind a handful of their dead.


    They brought the wounded along, half carried, half dragged.


    Detective Ordonez and Jake were among the front of the group. They were relying on the detective¡¯s abilities to find the way out.


    Hanna was a dozen feet or so ahead of Remy. She had traded her two-handed greatsword for her round shield and longsword. The former was slung on her back. Remy had no idea how she ran with all that equipment rattling around.


    Remy heard footsteps with his better than normal hearing. He couldn¡¯t pinpoint them. Each time he tried to push out a magnetic field in an attempt to zero in on the pursuers was met by increasing levels of pain in his body.


    They were running blind.


    Detective Ordonez shouted a warning.


    Remy got it loud and clear despite being a whole block down the street.


    Several cars came roaring down one of the side streets.


    Remy frowned. He hadn¡¯t heard them coming. That shouldn¡¯t have been possible.


    The cars came to a screeching halt in the intersection and blocked their path.


    Cultists jumped out and chaos began.


    Gunfire and magic spells erupted from what seemed like every direction.


    The cultists took cover behind their cars, while Remy¡¯s allies sought storefront pillars, bus stops and parked cars.


    More attacks poured down from above. From buildings on both sides. Remy found the source of those footsteps.


    He reached out to grab the cultists guns, but hesitated. He changed his mind. He grabbed a handful of nuts and bolts from one of the pouches on his belt and shot them up at the cultists on the opposite side of the street. No pain. He figured it out. Short duration fields close to his body weren¡¯t a problem.


    A blue beam ripped through the air.


    Remy saw it out of the corner of his eye. He dived behind a parked car while the beam singed the back of his armored jacket. He scanned the rooftops until he found the source.


    A young man, boy, had both hands out in front of him. A blue glow suffused both his eyes and hands.


    Remy grabbed the car¡¯s side and lifted. The door panel crumpled in his grip, but he didn¡¯t need to hold it up long. He was plenty strong enough to pick up a car, but for some reason he lacked either of his brothers¡¯ ability to somehow keep the car¡¯s structural integrity coherent enough to wield it like a club, unless he used his magnetic powers. Try to pick up a car by the bumper and you end up with a torn bumper in your hands. Simple physics.


    Remy shot the car at the blue beam guy with a quick, powerful magnetic repulsion field.


    The blue energy being built up fizzled with a loud pop as the kid ducked down to avoid the one ton projectile zooming through the air.


    Remy spared a glance to the front of their formation.


    Detective Ordonez, Jake and a handful of fighters had been caught in the open.


    They had cover behind one of Jake¡¯s large, tablet-based shield spells. The problem was that they couldn¡¯t fire through it. This meant that they had to take their shots by peeking around the edges.


    The shield was translucent. The cultists saw when Remy¡¯s allies were about to lean out. They were effectively pinned down.


    The sounds of gunfire dwindled down.


    It appeared that both sides were running out of ammunition.


    Remy felt hope.


    Once the cultists ran out of mana for their spells then all he had to do was shoot another car at the blue beam kid to keep the punk¡¯s head down, while he ran forward and used his physical superiority to clear the cultists out of the way. Then they could take the cultist¡¯s cars and use them to escape.


    The bright blue beam scorched through a fighter that had taken cover behind a metal trash can.


    Remy cursed himself. He wasn¡¯t paying attention. He spun and shot a handful of metal bits up at the rooftop.


    The cultists ducked their heads down as the metal tore into the masonry.


    ¡°Remy!¡± Hanna waved her arms to get his attention. ¡°Push me to the front!¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t slow you!¡± Remy yelled back.


    ¡°What? Why not?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather not say out loud!¡±


    ¡°Shit! Can you get me up there, but not turn me into paste?¡±


    Remy ran the numbers through his head. Hanna was somewhat more durable than a normal human thanks to her Class and Skills. To get her to the front required a minimum amount of force.


    ¡°I think so!¡± Remy was fairly confident that it was indeed possible to push Hanna to the front without killing her. As for the landing, well, that was up to her.


    ¡°Do it!¡±


    ¡°You sure? No guarantees!¡±


    ¡°I can jump down from a two story building, easy! Figure this will be like falling horizontally! Sure it¡¯ll be like a five story building, but I think I can handle it!¡± Hanna tightened the strap of her greatsword and sheathed her longsword. ¡°Ready when you are!¡±


    Remy reached out. The pain spiked inside his chest. He pushed Hanna up in an arc.


    The Swordswoman whooped a mix of fear and excitement as she flew through the air.


    The cultists stopped in complete shock at the human missile screaming at them.


    Hanna crashed into the side of a car with her shield.


    Captain Hamill took advantage of the cultists momentary confusion and ordered his force to charge forward. As they always said the only way to beat an ambush was to fight your way out of it.


    Remy saw Hanna pull herself to her feet with a groan. She gave him the thumbs up before she pulled out her longsword and jumped over the car to land amongst the cultists.


    He didn¡¯t see what happened next because a most unexpected thing occurred. Actually, two things. Two big and furry things.


    One had long fur the color of golden wheat and what looked like a goofy grin on its canine muzzle. That was about its only resemblance to an animal that made sense. It was huge. Eight or nine feet tall judging by how much it towered over Remy¡¯s allies. It was fast. It jumped down from the three-story roof and crossed the street in the blink of an eye.


    Remy saw it coming because he wasn¡¯t a normal human anymore. Everything about him was better. Perception, reaction times. The works.


    It wasn¡¯t the same for the fighters in the middle of the formation. They were following the captain¡¯s orders when the golden-furred monster tore right through them in a terrifying display of gnashing teeth and slashing claws.


    Remy was helpless. He couldn¡¯t risk friendly fire.


    ¡°Werewolf?¡± Remy whispered.


    He rushed forward to engage before the giant beast killed more people.


    He was completely blindsided.


    The next thing he knew he crashed through a storefront window and through the front counter. Something big and furry had hit him like a truck. It actually hurt. That was rare feeling. He had never been one to mix it up in close quarters. He preferred fighting from a distance. Safer, less painful. It seemed like this day was one for firsts. None good.


    Remy rolled desperately. He planted his feet on the furry beast¡¯s midsection and kicked out as hard as he could.


    The beast must¡¯ve weighed a literal ton.


    Remy had barely kicked it back to the front of the store. He jumped up out of the ruined counter and got his eyes on his attacker for the first time.


    This one was shorter than the golden-furred one outside. It was maybe seven feet tall, max. Its thick, bulging muscles were visible despite the thick, wiry fur. It¡¯s stockiness gave it the impression of being shorter than it truly was. It bared its sharp teeth at Remy.


    Remy stared into its eyes. There was obvious intelligence there. Whether human or other was yet to be determined.


    A memory sparked in Remy¡¯s thoughts. Tessa had gone through a phase were she wanted a dog. Of course, Remy had no interest since he would¡¯ve ended up taking care of it. She had wanted a Saint Bernard at first because of a movie, so Remy had shown her another movie, which put her off that choice. Over the next several months Tessa¡¯s choice kept getting smaller and smaller. Her childish reasoning told her that it¡¯d be easier to take care of a smaller one.


    Remy remembered one of the last dog breeds that Tessa had tried to convince him with. A terrier. The name was on the tip of his tongue.


    ¡°Were¡­ scotty?¡± Remy whispered.


    The beast snarled. It flexed its claws. Muscles strained beneath its wiry coat.


    ¡°Wait? You understand me?¡± Remy ventured. ¡°Look, I don¡¯t necessarily want to kill you. So, be a good d¡ª dude and leave.¡±


    The beast stepped forward.


    A deep bark sounded from somewhere outside. It caused the beast to stop.


    The source of the bark appeared a second later.


    Another beast. This one was bigger than the other two. It had a thick, blocky head and a short coat of white fur over a stout, muscular body. It even had a dark-colored patch around one eye.


    The golden-furred one joined them.


    ¡°Weredogs,¡± Remy sighed.


    He pointed a finger at the beasts and placed a very strong magnetic field right in front of them. It was the strongest attraction field he could manage through the pain.


    At the same time he maintained a tight magnetic field around his body to cancel out the first one and keep his metal weapons from being affected.


    As for the rest of the metal in a thirty foot radius?


    Well, they came flying.


    Every bit of metal in the store rushed at the weredogs. Chairs, tables, light fixtures, decorations. From outside came light poles, fencing, even cars.


    Remy turned and ran into the back. He barely twisted out of the way of a fridge. He was forced to switched the field around his body into one of repulsion to keep from getting brained by what seemed like every appliance in the kitchen.


    He burst through the back door and turned up the alley. He didn¡¯t want to be left behind.

 3.42

    Now, Earth


    Remy rounded the corner and almost ran into Hanna¡¯s blade.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°No time to explain. We need to run,¡± Hanna said as she swerved around Remy.


    More men and women streamed around Remy.


    He saw the three cultists¡¯ cars turning down the street to continue south.


    Remy shrugged and he joined the people running. He counted twenty-two men and women, some were injured. He looked back and saw Captain Hamill bringing up the rear, so he slowed down until he was running stride for stride with the captain.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Detective Ordonez is going to try to take the wounded out of the city.¡±


    ¡°How? Both bridges have to be swarming with fishmen and cultists,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Going south.¡±


    Remy noticed that the Captain was breathing hard. After almost ten years he had forgotten what it was like to have human physical limits. He decided to stop asking questions to give the captain a break.


    The force they came in was much diminished. Over half down.


    A guilty thought entered Remy¡¯s head. He could run much faster for much longer than everyone else around him. He could slip away while the larger and slower group drew all the attention. He could probably be home with his family in a few hours.


    He rejected it, but the thought lingered.


    Remy focused on listening for any signs of pursuit. To his surprise there was none.


    The soldier, Jimenez, Remy remembered, ran next to Hanna, whose long legs made her run look easy, effortless despite the weight in weapons and armor she carried.


    Jimenez struggled to keep pace with Hanna from the looks of it, but she was still able to give Hanna directions via hand gestures.


    Good.


    At least they had a plan.


    Remy remembered that they had planned several different exit routes in the event of such a scenario.


    They just needed to lose their pursuers and avoid populated areas.


    Maybe find working vehicles along the way.


    In fact it might be worth it setting up an ambush of their own to get their hands on more cultist vehicles.


    Remy dismissed that option. One look at his allies told him that they weren¡¯t in shape for another fight. They were low on ammo and needed rest to replenish their mana and energy. Spells and Active Skills had a cost.


    The more Remy thought about it the darker his assessment of their chances became.


    They had come to rescue people.


    Now that they were the ones in need. Who was left to rescue them?


    He longed to fly up and leave it all behind, but he couldn¡¯t.


    He feared the pain he felt when he used his powers in full.


    Dread grew in Remy.


    Little did he know that it was deliberate and with fell purpose.


    <hr>


    Tessa sat in the dark. She wore her best Dad-made armor and had a hand on her precious, Dad-made kanabo.


    The dining table chair groaned in protest as she shifted a bit to wake up her legs.


    Her dad had left her mother¡¯s and sister¡¯s safety in her hands while he was away on his mission.


    Tessa wasn¡¯t planning on sleeping until her dad came back.


    Three hours past midnight and all was clear.


    It was about time for a quick check around the house.


    Tessa went upstairs and looked in on her mother.


    Sleeping soundly.


    She checked on Veronica next. Her sister had shot up like a twig in the last couple of years. She looked like a gangly antelope. One leg was wrapped up in her blanket and the other hung of the bed and rested on floor.


    Veronica was already taller than Tessa, which secretly pissed her off.


    ¡°No, no, be the adult that you are,¡± Tessa whispered. She was almost out of her teens. The big two-zero loomed. It was ridiculous to be jealous of your fourteen-year-old sister.


    A soft squeak drew her attention.


    Twinkle Star¡¯s eyes glinted in the moonlight shining through Veronica¡¯s window.


    The guinea pig was like seventeen or eighteen, yet he was still going strong. The only sign of aging was a bit of gray near his nose and muzzle.


    She knew that the average guinea pig¡¯s life expectancy ran about five years.


    Her Uncle Eron had been right. Something weird was up with Twinkle Star.


    The guinea pig looked at Tessa for a moment before continuing to munch on the lettuce in his cage.


    ¡°We stay on watch,¡± Tessa nodded at Twinkle Star.


    She checked her own room, just in case. Nothing, but silence.


    She had left her curtains open. The moon was bright. Her neighborhood was mostly dark. Much of her neighbors from before didn¡¯t survive the early days after the spires. Many of the ones that did moved into the vacant homes and apartments closer to the center of where the council and the Watch had set up base.


    She wondered if there was also a harbored, secret fear of her family involved.


    Ungrateful.


    Tessa sighed.


    That wasn¡¯t fair of her.


    People had a right to live where they felt safe. She couldn¡¯t take that personally. She needed to work so that people wouldn¡¯t be afraid of her.


    Tessa moved down to the ground floor.


    The darkness didn¡¯t hamper her. Superior vision meant that the moonlight was enough for her.


    Everything was clear.


    She walked out the garage side door and around to the backyard. Their old childhood play gym was long gone to make space for sparring.


    Clear.


    She moved around to the right side of their house and out to the front yard. She laid eyes on the stump of the oak tree that once held a rope swing. They had cut it down so that the gremlins, mutant squirrels and mutant birds didn¡¯t have a place to lurk so close to their house.


    It made her a little sad.


    Tessa stood out in her front yard and listened to the sounds of the night.


    Silence.


    Gremlin numbers within their controlled territory had dwindled to almost nothing. It was the same with the animals, normal and mutant. Not much of the latter anyway. Most of the wild animals turned mutant. Most pets had died along with their owners.


    That lack of insects bothered her mom to this day.


    For some reason her mom kept herself willfully ignorant of the fact that there were plenty of insects outside of the city. Granted, they were mutated versions, but Tessa figured it was close enough.


    A soft breeze rustled the leaves of the trees further away from her house. Tessa smelled fresh, clean air. It was like she was out in the forest even if she was deep in the middle of a suburban housing tract.


    Less pollution was a good thing, but was it worth all the dead?


    Tessa didn¡¯t think so.


    A strange scent hit her nostrils.


    The ocean?


    <hr>


    ¡°Why can¡¯t he just fly us out of here.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, yeah! I saw an F-350 back down the street. I bet we can all fit. He can just carry us out of this shitshow.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a no go,¡± Captain Hamill said.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Thought he was supposed to be a superstar.¡±


    ¡°Our entire plan hinged on him rolling over the fish fucks.¡±


    ¡°If I knew he was going to be this useless¡ª¡±


    Hushed voices in the living room. Angry and desperate.


    Remy sat in the kitchen with Hanna.


    He was tired, which was a problem. He had gotten used to not getting tired.


    Now he felt like he had just gone through a Spartan Race, like he used to in the old days. Expect this time the exhaustion wasn¡¯t one of happy satisfaction.


    ¡°Don¡¯t hold it against them. They¡¯re scared,¡± Hanna said.


    Remy wasn¡¯t. He was barely listening.


    ¡°Can you do it though?¡±


    Remy shook his head. ¡°Something is messing with my powers. Can¡¯t do big, sustained stuff beyond an arm-length away from my body without getting shut down.¡± He didn¡¯t mention the pain and nausea.


    ¡°That is¡­ alarming.¡± Hanna sat down at the table and started the process of cleaning and sharpening her swords. ¡°I¡¯ve got a skill that keeps them sharp, but,¡± she said at Remy¡¯s questioning look, ¡°I don¡¯t need to waste the energy when I can do it the normal way.¡±


    ¡°Burn through your skills back there?¡±


    ¡°Nope, just used one. There was this guy that had, like, sea shells or corals growing out of his arm. Couldn¡¯t cut through it. Had to use a Skill. Ever see anything like that? I haven¡¯t been fighting fishmen like you.¡±


    ¡°The fishmen use shields that look like giant shells. I haven¡¯t taken on any cultists. Seems they can mutate people with their magic.¡±


    ¡°Right, read the report. Made their muscles bigger, stronger. This was different,¡± Hanna frowned. ¡°There was more. Others had tentacles, spikes, spines¡­ scaly skin as strong as armor.¡±


    ¡°I try not to think that anything is impossible,¡± Remy sighed.


    ¡°Me too, except it¡¯s hard when you¡¯re crossing blades with them. Reminds me of the stories I read.¡±


    Captain Hamill walked into the kitchen.


    The big man loomed over Remy in a violation of his personal space.


    Remy didn¡¯t bother getting up. He¡¯d have to crane his neck back to look the captain in the eyes. He just didn¡¯t have the mental energy for a pointless dick-measuring contest.


    Hanna, however, got up and stared the captain down. She was a tall woman and athletically built.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Captain Hamill wasn¡¯t a fool. He had seen her work with her swords. He knew that she was the second most dangerous person in the room. He relaxed his stance and moved back half a step.


    Hanna sat back down and went back to her swords.


    ¡°I need to know what¡¯s going on with you.¡±


    ¡°Something is interfering with my ability to use my powers to their full potential,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°So, no flying us out of here?¡± Captain Hamill¡¯s face showed that he already knew the answer.


    Remy shook his head.


    ¡°Well, fuck then,¡± Captain Hamill let out a breath. ¡°Mission¡¯s boned. Our people might be in fucking Atlantis for all we know. Ammo¡¯s low,¡± he closed his eyes for a moment, ¡°so¡¯s spell mana and skill energy.¡±


    ¡°Ten years in and you still haven¡¯t bought int all the way,¡± Hanna smirked. ¡°Don¡¯t you have a class? Skills?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Captain Hamill didn¡¯t elaborate.


    ¡°How bout we find a gun store or sporting goods store?¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°We mapped those out and that is a possible option, but I have to operate knowing that they are likely to be guarded. I¡¯m not afraid of another fight, but this time we¡¯ll be at a distinct disadvantage.¡±


    ¡°What if we bait another ambush?¡± Remy said. ¡°I¡¯ll do the heavy lifting. The rest of you can stay back.¡±


    ¡°Risky. If the enemy is smart they¡¯ll remember what happened back there. They¡¯ll avoid the possibility,¡± Captain Hamill countered.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just keep running then,¡± Hanna shrugged. ¡°Seems like we¡¯ve lost them. That or they¡¯ve lost the stomach for more. I certainly cut a bunch of them down.¡±


    ¡°We did bloody them better than they did us. It might take some time before they get hard enough to try us again.¡±


    ¡°See, so we should put as much distance as possible before they get it up again,¡± Hanna said.


    Captain Hamill shook his head. ¡°As much as I¡¯d like that. My guys need a breather. At least an hour.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s probably the best plan. I¡¯m not going to be able to take everyone out of here and I doubt that¡¯ll change anytime soon,¡± Remy said.


    Captain Hamill gave him a tight nod. ¡°One hour, then we move.¡± He turned and walked back into the living room.


    Hanna raised a brow.


    ¡°You took him down a notch. I¡¯m impressed.¡±


    Hanna rolled her eyes. ¡°The captain¡¯s not a bad dude all things considered. I¡¯ve dealt with worse.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t doubt that.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of which¡­ I noticed that you didn¡¯t kill anyone back there. Look, I just want to raise the point that perhaps one can no longer be considered a human being when they start sprouting corals and tentacles as probably a product of selling their souls to a fucking fish cult.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on for sure,¡± Remy said.


    Hanna gave him a flat stare.


    He had to admit that his take was a weak one. All evidence so far backed Hanna¡¯s view more than the counter. Granted it was also circumstantial.


    ¡°I know you don¡¯t actually believe that, but I¡¯ll drop it for now. What about those werewolves?¡±


    ¡°More like were¡­ dogs.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, same difference¡­ I didn¡¯t see them in action, but I overheard from a couple of our buddies. Total monsters, tore through a lot of our allies. You planning on going lethal with them? Cause I¡¯ll tell you now that I¡¯m not too confident about me taking them on. Which means if they show up again it¡¯s all on you to keep the rest of us from becoming bloody chunks.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Remy shook his head from side to side, ¡°yeah. I mean, I¡¯ll have to go all out or I might end up dead.¡±


    ¡°If I had your power¡­¡± Hanna trailed off when she saw the dark look on Remy¡¯s face. She concentrated on sharpening her swords for the next thirty minutes.


    Remy sat in the chair. Drank from his water bottle and tried to rest. The ever present feeling of dread didn¡¯t let him. It only grew stronger.


    He was about to ask Hanna if she felt the same thing when a shout from the living room called for him.


    Remy walked into a living room of hardened soldiers and fighters that looked at him with a mix of distrust and fear. He tried to ignore it, but found himself looking down at his feet as he walked to the large front window.


    The curtains had been drawn and Captain Hamill carefully peaked out the side.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Remy had the sense to whisper.


    The captain held a finger to his lips and stepped back to give Remy room to look.


    There was a dog in the middle of the street staring right at him. It was a golden retriever with a goofy smile. Except there was a problem. The dog was enormous. It looked about as big as a lion.


    Well¡­ shit, Remy thought.


    ¡°Jimenez?¡±


    ¡°Yes, captain.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the number at?¡±


    ¡°Strong seven, sir?¡±


    The captain barked out orders in hushed tones. He split his forces. Most he sent up to reinforce the lookouts on the second floor. The rest he sent back into the kitchen with Hanna. He kept Jimenez close to him as he took up a position near the hallway behind the stairs.


    Remy noted that it was as far away from the front window while still being in the living room.


    He was being uncharitable.


    The captain was obviously placing himself in a central location for better command and control.


    Obviously.


    ¡°Cruces, I¡¯m counting on you to hold down the living room,¡± Captain Hamill said.


    Remy gave him a curt nod.


    The minutes grew long.


    It was a painful wait.


    Remy kept checking the giant dog out front. It still had that goofy look on its face. Tongue lolling out.


    ¡°Do something, already,¡± Remy muttered.


    A series of deep barks sounded from what seemed like all sides of the house.


    He had jinxed it.


    ¡°Eleven! Eleven! Eleven!¡±


    Jimenez¡¯s high-pitched voice was drowned out by several large crashes.


    It was like several cars had simultaneously hit the house.


    <hr>


    Tessa heard movement. Sharp claws or nails scrabbled against the asphalt.


    She spun and ran for her front door.


    Air whistled all around her.


    Thin shafts, like animal spines flew past Tessa and stuck deep into the front of her house.


    She grabbed a handful of nuts and bolts from a pouch at her belt and flung them out in a wide spray behind her.


    A loud crack split the quiet night as the projectiles stormed across the street and raked the roof of the house on the corner.


    Tessa caught a glint of scales in the moonlight as dark shapes dropped over the back end of house.


    She didn¡¯t have time to unlock the door. She broke the lock and pushed right through in one motion.


    The next thing she did was to hit the alarm button on the wall at the bottom of the stairs.


    That¡¯d get her mom and sister up. As well as let anyone else in earshot that there was a serious problem. They wouldn¡¯t help though. It was more for the other people¡¯s safety, so that they knew to stay away.


    Tessa belatedly realized that she felt wetness on her back and a bit of a sting.


    She took off her dad-modified motorcycle jacket and was surprised to see three of the fishmen¡¯s weird spinebolts had managed to pierce through the thin, dense, but flexible, metal outer layer and the original kevlar and leather below. They hadn¡¯t gone through that much, but it was enough that spines pricked her practically bulletproof skin.


    ¡°The fuck,¡± Tessa muttered. This was new. The fishmen must¡¯ve upgraded their weapons. Magic?


    She pulled the spines out and put her jacket back on. She hurriedly went back to the kitchen and grabbed the much more heavily armored vest and tossed that on. Followed by a Spartan-style helmet. Everything was dad-made, which meant that the metal was a lot denser and heavier, without being bulky, than what a normal human was capable of wearing.


    Tessa had several hundred pounds of armor on her, but she moved without apparent effort.


    Seconds had already passed.


    The piercing shriek of the alarm had drowned out all sounds from outside.


    A dangerous oversight.


    Tessa didn¡¯t hear the fishmen infiltrating her backyard.


    A spinebolt pierced through the kitchen window.


    It struck the bottom of her helmet and somehow deflected down past all of her armor into her collarbone.


    More spines peppered through the window.


    Most bounced off her chest plate.


    One stuck right in her chin. It was only stopped by bone.


    The fishmen had to reload before another volley. Unfortunately, that didn¡¯t give Tessa much time. They were extremely strong. They didn¡¯t need cranks to draw back their weird crossbows, despite being more powerful than the strongest human crossbows in history. They could do it by hand.


    Tessa pulled the spines out with a grunt. It hurt. Blood gushed down her neck and chest. She didn¡¯t have time to see to the wounds.


    ¡°Fishy bastards!¡± Tessa shouted in frustration as she dived for cover behind the nook counter.


    Another volley of spinebolts shattered what was left of the window.


    ¡°Tessa! What¡¯s going on!¡±


    Her mother shouted from upstairs.


    ¡°Fishmen! Stay with Vee!¡±


    ¡°What should I do!¡±


    Veronica¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Get Mom out of here!¡± Tessa thought frantically. She was scared, but more for her mom and sister. One spinebolt could kill her mom in an instant and Veronica wasn¡¯t as tough as she was. ¡°Escape Plan A!¡±


    ¡°Got it!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not leaving without you!¡±


    Her mom again.


    ¡°No arguing! I¡¯ll keep them busy!¡±


    Tessa had stacked neat piles of 2.5 and 5 pound weight plates all over the house for just this situation. It had been a pain having to go back to the Big 5 a bunch of times while waiting for the stocks to replenish. Her dad had thought she was being paranoid, well, who was paranoid now?


    She reached around the counter and grabbed a few plates.


    The fishmen fired another volley.


    Tessa waited then hopped out of her cover and magnetically shot the plates through her kitchen wall at several times the speed of sound. The collective boom shook the entire house and blew out every window.


    ¡°Oops.¡±


    Her mom wasn¡¯t going to be happy about that.


    The front door exploded inward.


    A fishman came charging through behind its shell shield.


    Tessa grabbed a 5 pound plate and shot it at the fishman at near point-blank range.


    The plate pulverized the shield and crushed the fishman out back the way it had come, knocking aside several others right behind it.


    More fishmen jumped through the ruined living room window.


    They were significantly stronger and faster than the best humanity had to offer.


    Tessa was superhuman.


    She flipped her kanabo up from the ground to her hand with a flick of her foot. In the same motion she thrust it forward into one of the fishmen.


    It blocked with its shield, but was violently driven back into the couch.


    The second fishman thrust at Tessa with a spear that almost looked organic. The shaft looked like coral or bone. The spearhead was some kind of serrated tooth. From what animal? Tessa didn¡¯t know.


    She dipped to one side and let the quick thrust pass harmlessly over her shoulder.


    The fishman had a shield but it was on the wrong side.


    Tessa swept her 50 pound kanabo, one-handed, low to high.


    She crushed the fishman¡¯s side as she sent it up to hit the roof hard. She heard the ribs shatter. She hammered the kanabo down on the fishman¡¯s back before it was even halfway to the floor.


    She didn¡¯t need the audible crack to dismiss the fishman as a threat. It wasn¡¯t going to be getting up.


    The first fishman leaped at her.


    Tessa swatted its spear aside with a wave of her arm. The jagged edges near the spearhead scrapped against the metal panels on her jacket sleeve. She grabbed the spear shaft and ripped it from the fishman¡¯s hand.


    The fishman tried to jump back out the window, but Tessa broke its head with one swing of her kanabo.


    Tessa eyes widened as she looked out the window.


    A line of fishmen had their weapons leveled.


    She dived to the side just as the crossbows twanged.


    Spinebolts ripped into her living room.


    Pictures, paintings, toys and decorations that had survived the apocalypse were ripped to shreds.


    ¡°My nutcracker prince,¡± Tessa whispered in horror as the venerable wooden doll fell in pieces from its honored place on the shelf. It had been a gift from her grandmother, passed down from her great-grandmother.


    Tessa remembered how her mom had been a little salty that it had bypassed her.


    ¡°Fuckers!¡± Tessa roared as she grabbed more plates and readied to smash the fishmen. ¡°Huh?¡±


    The line of fishmen on the street weren¡¯t reloading. They were on the ground having violent, painful-looking seizures.


    She heard an engine roar to life and tires screech as her mom¡¯s truck ran right over the fishmen.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Tessa!¡± Veronica beckoned from the passenger side window.


    Fishmen came crashing through the back of the house.


    Tessa snapped the plates back in their direction before running for the truck.


    Spasming fishmen covered the driveway. She noticed that many of them had tire marks on their scaly skin.


    More fishmen came after her from around the corner of her house on her right.


    ¡°Bang! Justice!¡± Veronica pointed a finger gun at the fishmen and scrambled their brains with an electromagnetic burst to their brains.


    The flopped to the ground, like, well, fish.


    The mental image brought a smile to Tessa¡¯s face. She gripped her kanabo and moved to finish the job her little sister had started. She was going to turn the fishmen into sushi for making her ruin her house.


    ¡°Tessandra! Get in the truck! Now!¡±


    Tessa froze in the way only her mother¡¯s voice could make her.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Tessa muttered.


    She ran over and hopped into the truck bed. She held on tight as her mom cut a sharp U-turn that was definitely more dangerous than she had seen her mom do before.


    The truck screamed down the neighborhood streets. The headlights cut through the thick mist. The blaring alarm from their house dwindled with the distance.


    ¡°I can smell the ocean!¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°Wait a second?¡±


    It had been a clear night just a few minutes ago.


    The truck turned down the last street to get out of the tract and onto the street, but came to a screeching halt.


    Tessa had to grab the side of the bed to keep from slamming into the back window.


    The mist was almost an opaque wall in front of them. It swirled around as if something was making waves inside. Something big.


    ¡°Mom?¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°Back up! Back up! Back up!¡± Tessa heard breathing. Definitely big.


    ¡°Oh my god!¡± Megan whispered as she shifted into reverse and whipped her truck back the way they had come.


    They barely made it just in time.


    A huge tail swept through where they had been.


    ¡°Mom, stop!¡± Tessa pounded on the roof.


    The thick mist was all around them now.


    As were the unmistakable sounds of movement.


    The three Cruces women almost, almost didn¡¯t notice the loud chime that came from nowhere and everywhere.

 3.43

    Now, Earth


    Congratulations!


    You have received a Quest.


    Escape the Scions of the Deep Azure¡¯s ambush.


    Success Parameters: Escape.


    Failure Parameters: Death or capture.


    Reward: 15000 Universal Points.


    Failure: You will die or suffer a fate worse than death at the hands of the Scions of the Deep Azure.


    You will accept.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Tessa grimaced. The stupid Quest wasn¡¯t even giving them the chance of beating their enemies, which was always her preferred option.


    Some kind of big monster in front of them.


    On their right, back the way they came, were fishmen.


    The left side of the street ended in a cul-de-sac.


    ¡°Mom, I¡¯ll zap the monster, so you can just drive around it.¡±


    There was a glint in Veronica¡¯s eyes that Megan didn¡¯t like.


    ¡°No, honey. I don¡¯t think there¡¯ll be enough space. If it starts thrashing around it might hit us,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°Mom, go left,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°But it¡¯s a dead end.¡±


    ¡°I know, but we need to get that monster to move.¡±


    Megan didn¡¯t argue. She didn¡¯t have any ideas. She put her truck into gear and turned left.


    Tessa had a good look at a crocodilian maw as it lunged out of the mist and snapped a few feet behind the truck.


    She didn¡¯t miss the fishman that was standing on top of the monster¡¯s armored back.


    It chased after them.


    The monster was way bigger than that one on that National Geographic Documentary she watched way back, Lolong or something like that. Its legs were also longer as it ran with a more upright gait. More like a Komodo dragon than a crocodile.


    It was almost as tall as her mom¡¯s 4¡Á4. About as wide and a lot longer.


    At least it wasn¡¯t anywhere near as huge as that mosasaur her dad had told her about. That monster had been almost as big as a semi-trailer truck.


    Tessa grabbed a 5 pound plate. She had placed a bunch of those on her mom¡¯s truck bed as well.


    She clanged it off the reptilian beast¡¯s head. Right between the eyes.


    It stumbled, slowed and shook its a head a moment before roaring back after them.


    ¡°Hold on, honey!¡±


    Tessa dropped to her knees at her mom¡¯s warning. She grabbed the side of the bed just as her mom spun the truck around the cul-de-sac.


    The beast and its fishman rider loomed in the middle of the road.


    ¡°Tessa!¡± Megan drove right at it. Her eyes were wide open.


    ¡°Wooo! Chicken!¡± Veronica unhelpfully cheered.


    Tessa shot plate after plate at the beast and at the fishman as they careened right for it.


    Her gambit worked as the fishman yanked the reins to one side as it ducked to avoid the plates.


    Megan swerved to the right and partially up on the sidewalk in the narrow space that opened up.


    They were lucky that there weren¡¯t any parked cars.


    They weren¡¯t so lucky when the beast¡¯s tail whipped out and glanced against the side of the truck.


    Megan fishtailed from one side of the street to the other as she fought to get her truck back under control.


    Tessa almost went flying out of the bed but she grabbed the tail gate at the last moment.


    She flapped like a flag for a moment before she pulled herself back in.


    Fishmen massed in the street.


    Tessa scattered them out of the way with armfuls of magnetically accelerated nuts, bolts and other small bits of metal.


    The fishmen¡¯s crossbow fire went mostly awry in their haste. A handful peppered the truck, but didn¡¯t strike anything vital.


    ¡°Mom!¡± Veronica yelled.


    Or not.


    Tessa looked through the back window into the cab.


    A spinebolt had gone through the windshield.


    She saw it sticking out of the back of the driver¡¯s seat. Right at about where her mom¡¯s stomach would be.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay,¡± Megan¡¯s voice was strained. ¡°Healing it.¡± She shifted into a higher gear before placing her hand back over the spinebolt sticking out of her stomach.


    ¡°Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!¡±


    ¡°Tessandra¡­ language.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t heal it when its still stuck inside you!¡±


    ¡°We need to get away!¡±


    ¡°Vee, pull the spinebolt out the back. Do it fast,¡± Tessa commanded.


    Veronica made a face but she did it.


    Megan hissed. ¡°Almost as bad as giving birth to you two,¡± she muttered. ¡°Better though. Thanks, honey.¡± She patted Veronica on the arm. She had to be strong for her babies.


    The mist had cleared considerably on the main street outside of the housing tract.


    Tessa wondered if the obviously magical effect was centered on the beast.


    Megan slowed down to take the turn onto the main street at a safer speed now that they had put some distance between them and the fishmen.


    A mistake.


    The beast came crashing through the space between two houses on their left. Wood, masonry and shingles showered all over the place as it clipped the sides of the houses.


    Tessa made the calculation in a split-second. It was going to crash right into them.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stop!¡± Tessa shouted.


    She jumped out of the truck bed right for the beast¡¯s open mouth. Her metal kanabo high over her head in a two-handed grip.


    ¡°Bang! Justice!¡±


    Tessa heard Veronica¡¯s voice.


    The fishman on the beast fell off as it started spasming. It tugged the reins to one side. The beast¡¯s head went in the same direction.


    Tessa had an opening.


    She took it.


    <hr>


    Nila was annoyed.


    The mouth-breather wasn¡¯t taking the hint.


    He kept yapping away, while she was trying to concentrate on watching and listening for possible threats out in the darkness beyond the lights.


    ¡°Sooo¡­ like I had just stabbed this huge monster coyote, bigger than those huge wolves up in Alaska. Ever seen one of those in person?¡±


    Nila hadn¡¯t and she didn¡¯t care.


    ¡°Then I got this alert to go to the spire. So, I went. Imagine my surprise when my Fighter class, turned into a Warrior one. No idea that was even possible. Still don¡¯t know my level though. If that¡¯s even a thing? There¡¯s some scrambled parts on my personal sheet thing, so that might be it. What do you think?¡±


    Nila tried not to let out a huff of frustrated air. She wasn¡¯t a child.


    ¡°Me and my bros were thinking that maybe once this ten-year tutorial thing is done all that hidden stuff will unlock. Should be any day now.¡±


    Nila wanted to tell him that 40 year old men shouldn¡¯t be using terms like bro.


    ¡°So, like I got bumped up to Enhanced Strength. Did some testing. My bench is up to 526.5 lbs. I had hit a wall at about 506, so I figure I got a 5% increase, up to 30% total from the old days. If you want to spar, I think I¡¯ll give you a better fight this time.¡±


    And so the Neanderthal finally got to his point.


    ¡°No. You¡¯re still nowhere near my level,¡± Nila said flatly.


    ¡°Getting closer though,¡± the man smiled down at Nila.


    The condescension was palpable. It took Nila back to her professional days as a curator. When men patronized her and acted in other unprofessional ways. That had vanished with the spires. Difficult to look down on a person demonstrably stronger despite being a petite woman. Especially when often she was the only one that stood between you and the worst monsters.


    The slow return to normalcy as the years went on had brought back the same sorts of outdated attitudes from the old world.


    It was ironic in a way. In the old world equality was sought by one side, while those in power did everything they could to hold them down, then when the course of history made change inevitable, they dragged their feet for as long as possible.


    In the new world the concept of equality had taken a blow. There were quantifiable attributes that made certain individuals definitively superior in specific ways.


    Nila was one such example. She was physically superior to pretty much everyone else in the surrounding area. It had taken a lot of self-restraint and soul-searching over the years to keep that fact from getting in her head and leading her down paths she knew were wrong.


    Even still, she had been tempted many times to use her strength to get her way.


    One such moment aggressively stood within her personal space. Nila considered giving the douchebro his spar. It¡¯d get him and the rest like him off her back for a while.


    It really got on her nerves that men thought she was fair game just because Cal was gone. She had zero interest in dating, had made that explicitly clear many times over the years. Yet, men still kept trying to flirt.


    The douche was saved by something Nila caught in her ears. The lack of noise pollution meant that sounds carried pretty far. She could hear running feet pounding the pavement and heavy breathing.


    A torch lit up in the distance. A warning beacon.


    Something was up.


    Nila really wished that their walkie-talkies had been working. Going old school with a visual warning system wasn¡¯t working. Judging by the fact that the light came after she already knew something was wrong.


    Nila grabbed her shield and baseball bat-like club before jumping down from two-story house that served as a watch tower of sorts.


    She left the douchebag with his mouth open and eyes blinking like a fish as she sprinted toward the sounds.


    Nila met Keisha and what was left of her squad.


    They looked dead on their feet.


    Amber was limp like a sack of rice on Keisha¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°She¡¯s fine, probably,¡± Keisha said. ¡°Getting heavy though.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡± Nila took Amber.


    ¡°Cult¡­ fishmen¡­¡± Trevor sucked in deep breaths.


    ¡°They¡¯ve got new magic or skills. Not sure,¡± Keisha said. She, too, was breathing hard and looked like she was about to keel over. ¡°Not the worst part¡­ estimate¡­ forty-fifty summoned fishmen¡­ need to get word back to headquarters.¡±


    Nila didn¡¯t like any of that. ¡°Let¡¯s go then,¡± she gave a curt nod.


    Off in the distance the faint sound of a blaring alarm drifted on the wind.


    <hr>


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Mads eyed Bastien for a split-second before getting back to her watch.


    Bastien sat in the small watchtower platform with his head between his knees.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what happened. Started feeling sick all of a sudden.¡±


    ¡°Probably shouldn¡¯t have eaten those clams.¡±


    ¡°The can looked fine, plus it¡¯s basically magically copied food. How can that go bad?¡±


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The young woman quirked her head. ¡°I can think of several ways.¡±


    ¡°It was clam chowder!¡± Bastien tried to take deep breaths.


    ¡°And the main ingredient is?¡± Mads let the silence stretch for a beat. ¡°I rest my case.¡±


    ¡°Just cause you have a bad experience once, doesn¡¯t mean every other time will be just as shitty!¡± Bastien snapped. ¡°Besides, you had mussels and I told you that you hadn¡¯t cooked them long enough.¡±


    ¡°Meh. I take responsibility for that. Should¡¯ve known better anyways. The shelled bastards are bottom feeders. Eating fish shit and whatever crap humans pissed into the oceans. Won¡¯t get me again. Far as I¡¯m concerned the ocean is dead to me.¡±


    Bastien eyed Mads. ¡°That¡¯s an awfully strong reaction to some bad shellfish.¡±


    ¡°Cthulhu bastards come from the ocean. They need to die. Hence they are my enemy. Ergo the ocean is my enemy. I¡¯m not saying it¡¯ll stay that way. Just until the fishmen are all dead.¡±


    ¡°Deep ones and Dagon,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Cthulhu¡¯s different. He¡¯s in the ocean too, but he doesn¡¯t have fishmen. Those are Deep Ones and, I think, Dagon.¡±


    Mads¡¯ tapped a finger against the trigger guard of her shotgun. ¡°How come Johnny keeps calling them Murlocs? He makes that annoying gurgling sound too.¡±


    ¡°They do kind of look like them, but Johnny¡¯s talking about an old MMO.¡±


    ¡°Never played those. To busy doing things that mattered,¡± Mads said flatly.


    ¡°Probably true.¡±


    Bastien felt a little better. No. That wasn¡¯t exactly right. That same uncomfortable feeling that had come on like an overwhelming nausea was still there minus feeling like he was about to puke.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Bastien shot to his feet. He still felt a wrongness, just not physically. ¡°It¡¯s not the clam chowder! It¡¯s my Sense Evil!¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Mads scanned the area below their watchtower through her shotgun¡¯s iron sights. She covered all sides as she methodically worked her way through her quadrants further and further out from the twenty-foot tall wooden tower. ¡°Clear.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s bad. That¡¯s why it hit me so hard so fast,¡± Bastien slapped his head. ¡°Stupid, stupid, stupid. Should¡¯ve caught it right away.¡±


    ¡°Can you zero in on it? Are we in danger? Or is it a general danger?¡± Mad¡¯s repeated her sweep of the surrounding area.


    ¡°Sense Evil isn¡¯t like Danger Sense. What I¡¯m getting doesn¡¯t necessarily mean that I¡¯m the target. Just that someone or something has a really evil intent somewhere in my range. Also it goes by my moral compass.¡±


    ¡°Dude. The last time you had this strong a reaction was with those fish cult dicks. I¡¯m setting off the alarm.¡± Mads grabbed the flare gun from the case nailed to the watchtower wall and fired it into the sky. She reloaded it twice more. Three flares meant the gravest possible threat. Everyone knew what they were supposed to do.


    Bastien lit the torch and placed it on the small roof.


    Now they waited.


    Mads watched the ground. Bastien watched the sky for the flares telling them what to do next.


    <hr>


    ¡°So, how¡¯d the trip to the spire go?¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Gene looked up at his friend and teammate. Olo had the worst poker face. ¡°Just say it, man. I told you before I¡¯m totally cool with criticism.¡±


    Johnny snorted. The lanky young man was difficult to spot in his dark-colored gear since they were patrolling in incognito mode.


    ¡°Valid criticism,¡± Gene amended.


    Olo grimaced than sighed. ¡°What Fighter Skill did you get?¡±


    Gene couldn¡¯t help the slump to his shoulders. ¡°Quick Parry.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s two Fighter Skills in the last four years since you decided to try a dual class.¡±


    ¡°Hey! It¡¯s tough cause I started sword fighting from zero. Hanna said it takes years to even get to a decent level of skill,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°And you¡¯ve also only picked up one Mage Spell over the same period of time,¡± Olo continued.


    ¡°Look, once I consolidate the two classes¡ª¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s even possible?¡± Johnny chimed in unhelpfully from behind Gene and Olo.


    ¡°The team has been lacking firepower over that period of time,¡± Olo said. ¡°The starter spells aren¡¯t good enough against the fishmen, not to mention the stronger monsters out there.¡±


    ¡°And we don¡¯t know what¡¯ll happen once the ten year tutorial period ends. Those monsters might have free reign to move into our controlled areas,¡± Gene frowned. It was a valid point.


    ¡°Look, bro. I¡¯m not hating,¡± Olo said, ¡°but specialization is almost always better than multiclassing.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s in games. This is real life,¡± Gene said without irony.


    ¡°Jackoff all trades, master¡­ bator of none,¡± Johnny said from the roof top of the house on the corner the other two were walking by.


    Gene ignored his moronic friend. ¡°I have a plan. I¡¯m learning the fundamentals from a master. Once I get actual the actual skill and technique down then I can gain Universal Points faster, while unlocking the Skills I need to become more effective.¡±


    ¡°Meanwhile, you completely neglected the class you started with,¡± Olo said. ¡°If you want to dualclass then shouldn¡¯t you be working on both equally?¡±


    Gene opened his mouth and shut it. ¡°You should¡¯ve said this sooner.¡±


    ¡°Get the fuck out of here with that!¡± Johnny was suddenly walking right next to Gene. ¡°The big man¡¯s been bitching about it for years,¡± he jabbed a thumb toward Olo. ¡°You¡¯ve just been brushing it off. Besides we¡¯re Team F.C.W.R, not Team F.C.W/F.R¡­ it just doesn¡¯t roll of the tongue as well.¡±


    ¡°It never did,¡± Gene snapped. He looked at Olo. ¡°Sorry,¡± he sighed. ¡°You¡¯ve got a point.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a hater. You do you. I just thought you could¡¯ve been doing it better.¡±


    The three longtime friends and teammates continued their patrol around the neighborhood that the Mads¡¯ and Bastien¡¯s watchtower oversaw in relative silence.


    Olo¡¯s heavy plate and chain armor clanked and jingled unavoidably. Gene¡¯s lighter gear was quieter. Johnny was nearly soundless despite his gear. They all mostly fit the stereotypes of their classes.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about you guys, but I¡¯m actually looking forward to our ten year anniversary. Maybe we¡¯ll finally be able to see what our levels are,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°If we even have levels,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°You guys, what if all our gains get wiped out and we start over from zero? Like some games do that after the tutorial,¡± Olo said.


    Johnny made a pained sound. ¡°Don¡¯t even say that!¡±


    ¡°Whatever happens is out of our control,¡± Gene said. ¡°All we can do is wait and see.¡±


    A bright red flare shot up overhead.


    ¡°That came from Mads and Bastien,¡± Olo said.


    Another flare.


    ¡°That appears to have come from the same place,¡± Johnny said flatly.


    A third flare.


    ¡°Fuck me!¡± Gene said after a moment.


    Olo was the first to start running toward the flare. Gene was right behind him.


    ¡°Guys! Maybe it was an accidental flare-ing,¡± Johnny called after. ¡°This sucks fish dicks.¡± His eyes hardened.


    Johnny beat his two friends to the watchtower.


    <hr>


    Remy whipped his head back to the street outside.


    The giant dog was gone.


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    Amateur mistake. Never take your eyes of the threat unless you had some other kind of extrasensory perception ability¡­ that was currently working properly.


    Remy heard the sounds of carnage upstairs.


    Men and women yelled.


    Spells exploded.


    Huge monsters snarled and barked.


    He heard Hanna shouting in the kitchen. She wasn¡¯t preserving her Skills. Not a good sign.


    Remy took a step toward the kitchen.


    ¡°Stay there!¡± Captain Hamill pointed at him.


    ¡°The dog¡¯s gone!¡± Remy snapped.


    ¡°That¡¯s what it wants you think! The second you move away from there it¡¯ll come crashing right through!¡±


    Remy grimaced. Captain Hamill was an actual army captain from the days before, so he probably knew something about combat tactics. Then again, it was probably safe to say that the captain didn¡¯t have any experience against weredogs.


    He decided in an instant.


    What was the point of keeping an eye on your front when death was above and behind you?


    ¡°They can handle it!¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t sound like it,¡± Remy said.


    He made for the kitchen.


    The living room window and parts of the wall exploded in a shower of glass and wood.


    Jimenez screamed then fired a shot over Remy¡¯s shoulder.


    He winced at the loud sound in the enclosed space as the bullet whizzed by his ear.


    A yelp.


    Remy half-turned and something big smacked him in the back. He heard claws sparking of his armored jacket. It held up.


    The weredogs weren¡¯t as strong as him. He had taken their measure earlier.


    Unfortunately, superhuman strength was useless if you weren¡¯t ready and braced against something that outmassed you by a significant amount.


    Remy went flying right through the wall and into the kitchen.


    He had a half-glimpse of Hanna diving out of the way before he slammed into what felt like a brick wall.


    The brick wall growled and snapped at his leg.


    The pressure was immense, but his custom, armored pants kept sharp teeth from piercing through.


    The weredog violently whipped Remy from side to side, like it was trying to tear a leg off a deer carcass.


    Remy¡¯s head and shoulders banged into nearly everything in the kitchen. Fridge, oven, most of the cabinets.


    He was slammed into the floor. That hit had his vision go black for a second. He came back when the weredog slammed him into the ceiling fan.


    Remy had enough. He wasn¡¯t about to be worried like a dog bone.


    He reached out and grabbed the first thing he felt.


    It was the weredog¡¯s ear.


    He twisted and ripped like crotchety old Sister Agnes had been notorious for back at St. Vitus Elementary School.


    The weredog yelped and spat Remy¡¯s leg out.


    Remy commiserated. That sister had been the worst.


    The weredog slashed out with a clawed hand. Paw?


    ¡°Quick Cut!¡±


    Hanna¡¯s greatsword flashed above Remy and made the weredog recoil.


    Remy recognized the basic Skill. Hanna was either saving the good stuff or she was scraping the bottom of the barrel.


    The weredog, the scotty that had slammed Remy into the cafe earlier cradled its injured hand. Red blood matted its wiry fur and dripped to the floor along with the saliva from its bared, teeth-filled mouth.


    Remy kicked out at its knee.


    The weredog jumped back with quickness that belied its huge size. It reached down for Remy, but Hanna forced it back with another short cut.


    ¡°Get your ass up!¡±


    Remy popped up to his feet. He swayed a bit as his vision dimmed. He felt slow, sluggish.


    ¡°They¡¯re getting killed up there,¡± Hanna said. Her face was grim, visible without her helmet which had been thrown to the side along with the shattered kitchen table. The weredog attack had caught them all off guard. ¡°I¡¯ll handle this beasty. You go save the others.¡±


    ¡°You sure about that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m cutting it just fine. It just keeps healing.¡±


    The weredog tentatively pawed at Hanna. She kept it at bay with a short thrust. Five feet of sharp steel was daunting when in the hands of a Swordswoman. Even for an eight-foot tall monster.


    ¡°Help!¡±


    Captain Hamill¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡±


    Captain Hamill was panicked


    ¡°I got this!¡± Hanna¡¯s eyes darted to Remy for a split-second.


    The weredog charged.


    Hanna moved with deceptive quickness.


    Remy barely followed how fast and smooth Hanna¡¯s movements were as she flipped her greatsword to grip it by its blade and swing the metal pommel right between the weredog¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Murder-Stroke.¡±


    There was a loud crack and the weredog¡¯s eyes rolled up. It staggered back and slashed out, but its movement was slow, like a drunken frat boy trying to fight after last call.


    Remy ran back into the living room.


    Captain Hamill was backed into the corner with Jimenez behind him.


    The golden weredog plucked the captain¡¯s fireman¡¯s ax from its chest and tossed it aside.


    Remy wasn¡¯t sure, but it almost looked bored.


    The huge monster swiped its claws at the two people.


    Rather it swiped them lazily nowhere near them.


    That didn¡¯t stop the captain and Jimenez from shrinking back as far as the wall allowed them, which was not at all.


    ¡°Do something!¡± Captain Hamill bellowed.


    The weredog followed the captain¡¯s eyes and turned its head to Remy with a quizzical look on its face.


    Remy sent the chains around his arms to the weredog. One wrapped around the monster¡¯s ankles, while the other forced its wrists together. He cinched them tight then shot them out the broken window with as much strength as he could muster.


    The pain in him almost caused another blackout.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you kill it!¡± Captain Hamill spat.


    The captain¡¯s eyes were wide with fear. His pupils were dilated. The man was getting close to his limit.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t trying to kill you,¡± Remy shrugged.


    He didn¡¯t have time for an argument. He ran up the stairs and practically ran right into a white-furred, barrel-chested monster.


    They caught each other by surprise, so Remy reacted. He grabbed the white weredog around the waist, rather he tried, there was no way he was going to get his arms around it. He kept his legs pumping and bull-rushed the one ton beast down the hallway and right through the wall.


    He caught himself at the last second and watched as the weredog crashed into the neighboring house. The side of the structure partially collapsed to bury the weredog.


    Remy reached out and tried to use the metal in the house to further wrap around the weredog. The spike of pain put a stop to the attempt.


    The second floor was a ruin.


    Magic spells and the weredog¡¯s physical might had left gaping holes in the walls and fires. Currently burning fires.


    Remy rushed to the first still body he noticed.


    Dead.


    He checked five more before he found one alive, but with a nasty cut along her hairline.


    A handful were picking themselves up as Captain Hamill and Jimenez came rushing up the stairs.


    ¡°We need to move,¡± Captain Hamill said.


    ¡°At an eight,¡± Jimenez said.


    ¡°But your people,¡± Remy handed the unconscious woman to Captain Hamill.


    ¡°We¡¯re out of options, we just have to run.¡±


    Remy nodded and came to a decision. ¡°All of you go. I¡¯ll keep them occupied.¡± The fish cult was interested in him anyways.


    ¡°Not without me, you won¡¯t,¡± Hanna said as she rounded up the stairs.


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    Captain Hamill gave Remy a curt nod then hurried down the stairs with the unconscious woman still in his arms.


    Remy watched the much diminished force, now only thirteen strong, run south down the street, past the chained golden weredog.


    ¡°Not too late. You can catch up pretty easily,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t like fighting, but when I¡¯m in one I¡¯d rather finish it then spend the rest of my time looking over my shoulder,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°What happened to the scotty?¡±


    ¡°The black one? Stabbed it in the eye.¡±


    Remy¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°It started healing,¡± Hanna frowned. ¡°So, I stabbed it in a bunch of organs, sliced major muscle groups and shredded its joints. That should, I hope, keep it down for awhile. Cause it¡¯s going to be pissed at me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you didn¡¯t chop off its limbs.¡±


    ¡°Tried¡­ bones and ligaments were too tough.¡± Hanna stared out the window. ¡°Looks like a golden retriever. Why isn¡¯t it dead?¡±


    ¡°It had Captain Hamill and Jimenez dead, but didn¡¯t kill them. Looked like it was trying to keep them from running. Maybe they want prisoners.¡±


    ¡°You mean and I quote ¡®A fate worse than death¡¯. You do remember the Quest?¡±


    Remy sighed. ¡°It may have slipped my mind. On account of the concussion I probably have.¡±


    Hanna looked at the torn body parts littering the second floor. ¡°The one up here definitely wasn¡¯t taking prisoners. I¡¯m guessing you didn¡¯t kill it.¡±


    Remy nodded. ¡°The neighbor¡¯s house fell on top of it. It should take some time to get out of that.¡±


    ¡°So, what¡¯s our plan?¡±


    ¡°I was thinking of heading back the way we came.¡±


    ¡°Right into the likely pursuit. A bold move, Cotton,¡± Hanna said.


    Remy laughed. ¡°Definitely not the average plan. We passed near an industrial area. Lots of metal. I figure we can keep them busy for a long time and win outright.¡±


    ¡°I thought you couldn¡¯t use your powers.¡±


    ¡°Yes and no. Close range and short duration seems to be okay.¡±


    ¡°Well, we better hurry then. It¡¯s going to be dark soon and I don¡¯t know about you, but I can¡¯t see in the dark.¡±


    Hanna climbed through the broken window and jumped down.


    Remy followed after her.


    He took it as a positive sign that his head only spun slightly.

 3.44

    Now, Earth


    Tessa shot her kanabo straight as an arrow down into the crocodilian beast¡¯s plate-sized eye.


    The crack of her metal weapon accelerating past the sound barrier in a dozen feet was drowned out by the beast¡¯s roar.


    Practice made perfect. Everyone from her father to Ms. Gozen was right. She had made the shot while flying through the air and with only moonlight to see by.


    Now all she had to do was stick the landing.


    The beast thrashed around in its death throes.


    Tessa narrowly avoided its tail as she somersaulted forward and landed in a crouch.


    ¡°Die already!¡± Tessa snapped.


    The beast was still thrashing about. She wouldn¡¯t be able to retrieve her precious weapon until it stopped.


    The mist all around her began to dissipate.


    ¡°Shit,¡± Tessa whispered. She heard the fishmen moving around just out of sight.


    She felt at her bloody chin. The bleeding had mostly slowed to a trickle. The blood that had dripped down the front of her chest was sticky and cold. It had soaked her sports bra, which was unpleasant.


    She went through a physical assessment. Aside from the wounds at her chin and collarbone the rest of her spinebolt wounds were basically superficial scratches. Her dad-made armor did its job. Maybe she¡¯d ask him for a full body setup next time. It¡¯d be awesome if he could figure out how to make Vibranium or maybe Adamantium.


    The beast¡¯s movements finally dwindled down to slight twitching.


    Tessa rushed for her weapon.


    She tried not to look at the beast¡¯s ruined eye as she fished her kanabo out. The squelching sounds were disgusting as was the feeling of having your arm elbow deep inside a giant monster¡¯s eye.


    She got it out just in time as the mist vanished to reveal her surrounded by fishmen.


    Though the dead beast made for a good wall to fight with her back against she was entirely exposed to the front.


    Her only chance was to protect her vitals and let the fishmen loose a volley. Once they needed to reload she¡¯d rush them and proceed with the smashing.


    She was surprised to find that she wasn¡¯t being shot.


    The fishmen approached her with what looked like man-catchers and nets.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Tessa¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°you pervy shits.¡±


    There had been many discussions about what the fishmen had done with the women and girls that they had kidnapped a couple of years ago. The possibilities ranged from bad to horrific.


    She considered letting them capture her so she could get to the inner lair of the enemy and proceed to kick their asses. Then she got scared.


    A fishman threw a net at her.


    Tessa tried to push it away with her magnetic power.


    The net didn¡¯t react.


    She had to dodge to the side with superhuman quickness.


    No metal. The fishmen came prepared.


    A fishman thrust a man-catcher at her neck.


    Tessa broke it with her kanabo.


    ¡°Surrender,¡± Tessa said contemptuously, ¡°or I¡¯ll break you all.¡±


    Tessa felt around at her belt. No luck. She was out of ammunition.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been honored by the Deep Azure¡¯s selection.¡±


    A man¡¯s stupid voice sounded out from somewhere within the gathered fishmen.


    Tessa couldn¡¯t quite make out where it came from.


    ¡°Is that a weirdo cultist? Why don¡¯t you come out. Quit hiding or is the Dick Azure too weak to protect you?¡±


    The fishmen bristled at that.


    Tessa smirked. She was going to enjoy smashing them all, so much.


    ¡°Fifty of you fishy punk bitches and you still can¡¯t take me on. I can see the fear in your eyes. Smell it in your fishy-ness,¡± she made a face. ¡°Disgusting by the way.¡±


    ¡°Young people, so disrespectful. Ignorant of their actual worth.¡±


    The voice sounded so old and stupid. It made Tessa instinctively want to tune it out, but she forced herself to listen.


    ¡°It¡¯s a good thing we¡¯re willing to educate you.¡±


    ¡°Blah, blah, blah. You just sound dumb, you know that right?¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ wait, why am I arguing with a girl.¡± The man cleared his throat. ¡°I will enjoy watching you learn your lessons¡­ repeatedly.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯re you? A disgusting pedo? Yeah, you sound like one. Like to watch? Who the fuck says that? I¡¯ll tell you who¡­ a shit pedo that¡¯s about to get his face smashed in. Fifty fishmen? A hundred? A thousand? They¡¯re not going to save you from me. I officially declare a quest. I shall smash the pedo in the face!¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t do that,¡± the man¡¯s voice was indignant. ¡°You can¡¯t just declare a Quest!¡±


    Tessa cackled. ¡°Dumbass. Hey, fishies? What¡¯s it like to take orders from a dumbass loser?¡±


    ¡°Enough! This is ridiculous. I will not be talked to this way by a dumb bitch, who doesn¡¯t know her place.¡±


    ¡°Fu¡ª¡±


    The man started chanting something in a language that made Tessa¡¯s skin crawl.


    This was bad.


    She searched for him frantically, while warding off the fishmen trying to capture her.


    They did a good job of keeping her at bay with their man-catchers and not letting her smash them with her kanabo.


    A seeping sickness grew in the air a few dozen feet above Tessa. It coalesced into a symbol that made her sick to look at. It pulled her eyes toward it despite her effort.


    So deep and dark. Like being sucked into a whirlpool.


    Her eyelids drooped and her limbs grew heavy.


    The man laughed.


    Tessa longed to smash his face.


    ¡°Where¡¯s your big talk now? See, see. For all your special power, even you can¡¯t resist the Deep Azure! I will be rewarded for this triumph!¡± the man crowed. ¡°Maybe, I¡¯ll ask for you after you¡¯ve been used up.¡±


    ¡°So gross,¡± Tessa gagged.


    She had to get away. It was getting harder and harder to think and move. She tried to climb up the dead beast¡¯s body. Maybe use it as a platform to jump over the fishmen, but her limbs didn¡¯t obey. She slipped and fell. She lost her grip on her kanabo.


    She tried to stay out of the dark hallway, like her Uncle Cal had taught her.


    A fishman grew overconfident and got too close.


    Tessa grabbed the man-catcher and pulled it in. She grabbed the gills on both side of its neck and ripped.


    It was a last gasp borne of stubborn spite.


    The fishmen rushed her as one in a rage.


    She didn¡¯t feel the hits as she finally fell down that hallway.


    A chime sounded in her ear.


    You have failed a Quest.


    Escape the Scions of the Deep Azure¡¯s ambush.


    Congratulations!


    A Quest has been altered.


    Escape the Scions of the Deep Azure¡¯s ambush has been replaced.


    Escape from the Scions of the Deep Azure¡¯s captivity.


    Success Parameters: Escape.


    Failure Parameters: Death or a fate worse than death.


    Reward: 45000 Universal Points.


    Failure: You will die or suffer a fate worse than death at the hands of the Scions of the Deep Azure.


    You will accept.


    <hr>


    ¡°Mom, we have to go back for Tessa!¡± Veronica pleaded.


    Megan tried not to panic.


    Two choices.


    Go back for her oldest daughter and risk her youngest daughter.


    Keep going. Come back with more people. Nila. And save Tessa.


    Megan gripped the steering wheel with white knuckles.


    She didn¡¯t know what to do.


    And she¡¯d never know.


    The choice was taken out of her hands.


    She slowed to turn the corner and something slammed into the driver¡¯s side.


    Her truck spun and hit the light pole. Then hit a short wall and rolled over, landing on its roof.


    Megan¡¯s eyes rang and her eyes were unfocused. Dimly, she realized that she was upside down. Her seatbelt kept her fixed to the seat.


    She felt strong hands rip the seat belt and pull her out.


    ¡°Mom! Mom!¡± Veronica dragged Megan over to a tree.


    They were in a park. A wide open field of overgrown grass. A baseball diamond was behind a set of basketball courts.


    Megan blinked. Her vision cleared. There was a small fire coming out of the bottom of her overturned truck. She felt like crying. That truck had been with her since high school. Her thoughts were off. Part of her knew that she had more important things to worry about than a truck.


    ¡°Here! Watch Twinkle Star for me,¡± Veronica placed a small bag in Megan¡¯s lap. ¡°I have to fight a super mutant.¡±


    ¡°Super¡ª What?¡± Megan tried to stand, but Veronica firmly, but gently kept her down.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve got this!¡±


    Her daughter grinned, but Megan was a mother. She knew her daughter. She didn¡¯t miss the slightly wide eyes and lips that quivered. Veronica was scared.


    ¡°Use your healing spells,¡± Veronica said. ¡°I think you hit your head.¡±


    A bellow shattered the silent night and heavy steps made the ground shake.


    ¡°Time to dispense justice,¡± Veronica nodded, as if to bolster herself. ¡°I can do this. I can do this,¡± she whispered.


    Megan felt her head in confusion. Her hand came back covered in blood. ¡°Healing¡­¡± she frowned. Where was her baby going? Veronica wasn¡¯t even fifteen yet and she was going to fight a super¡­ mutant? What the heck was that? Megan couldn¡¯t recall that being a thing.


    Megan placed a hand on her head and said the word. A soft glow suffused her hand and transferred to her head. It was difficult to maintain the concentration and intent to direct the healing spell. Slowly, but surely the fog and confusion lifted.


    It was just in time to watch her youngest daughter square off against a hideously musclebound man dressed in rags.


    ¡°Oh no¡­¡± Megan¡¯s heart dropped. She recognized him or rather his type. He looked just like the people she had to autopsy from the first encounter with the Scions of the Deep Azure cultists. Except this one was a lot bigger and looked less deformed in symmetrical terms.


    Veronica pointed at the man, the super mutant. ¡°Bang!¡±


    The behemoth staggered and spasmed momentarily, but kept coming.


    ¡°Uh oh.¡±


    ¡°I bring¡­ you come,¡± the super mutant said in a deep voice as it swiped at Veronica with a hand almost as big as her torso.


    Veronica dodged back. ¡°Ewww¡­ no.¡± She poked him in the face with her staff. Then hit him with another disruptive electromagnetic pulse to the brain to make send him into spasms.


    Veronica used the second to get behind the behemoth and crack the side of his knee with a swing.


    The loud crack echoed out across the field.


    Veronica had broken a tree once with the same kind of strike. Granted it wasn¡¯t a big tree, but it was young and healthy. She had felt really bad about it.


    The super mutant was unmoved. He spun around with surprising quickness and swiped at her again.


    Veronica ducked under the meaty hand and jabbed her staff into his armpit.


    The super mutant grunted. Whether in pain or annoyance was unclear.


    ¡°You annoying.¡±


    That answered the question.


    ¡°And you smell.¡± Veronica snapped her staff out again and smacked the super mutant right between the eyes.


    He barely budged.


    ¡°I¡¯s felt nothings.¡±


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Round and round they went.


    The giant and the tall for her age girl danced in the moonlight.


    Well one danced. The other lumbered around with all the grace of a drunk buffalo.


    Clumsily Grasping hands were stung by graceful and stinging strikes.


    Years of dedicated practice showed true.


    Veronica moved with fundamentals mixed with flair made possible by her superhuman physical attributes.


    She peppered the super mutant with brain blasts while striking all over his massively, over-muscled body. The latter had yet to show on the behemoth, while the former was only marginally effective.


    Veronica could¡¯ve kept it up all night and into the next day. She could¡¯ve kept the super mutant busy until help arrived. Unfortunately, that wasn¡¯t what she wanted. She needed to get back to her sister¡¯s side and this stupid super mutant was being a stupid butt.


    It just wouldn¡¯t fall to her Justice Blasts, which is what she called her ability when no one was listening.


    A robed figure approached from the darkened street.


    Help had finally arrived.


    ¡°Crap.¡± Veronica knew that whoever it was wasn¡¯t her reinforcement. She sprinted away from the super mutant. Robes meant fish cult, probably. They did bad magic. She needed to cut that off. She pointed at the robed figure. ¡°Bang!¡±


    The robed figure raised a hand.


    Strange symbols of the deepest, darkest blue flared to life for a few seconds at the same time that Veronica had expected her power to give the cultist a seizure.


    They made Veronica nauseous. Fortunately the effect faded at the same time the symbols did.


    The robed figure pulled its hood back to reveal herself. ¡°The Deep Azure beck¡ª¡±


    ¡°Nope, not listening.¡± Veronica had to dodge the grasping super mutant, but she pointed at the woman cultist.


    The symbols flared again.


    The cultist raised her arms to the sky and chanted in an indecipherable language.


    Another bigger symbol appeared almost directly above Veronica.


    She tried again.


    No luck.


    The magic shield around the cultist held against Veronica¡¯s power.


    She tried to ignore the symbol taking shape above. It was futile. It was like swimming against the tide. Inevitable.


    ¡°Veronica!¡±


    Her mother¡¯s voice.


    She was dimly aware of the super mutant reaching out to her.


    A small and bright, burning orb flew through the dark sky and exploded on the magic symbol.


    Veronica blinked. Things suddenly became clear with the dissipation of the symbol.


    She was on her back for some reason. She kicked the super mutants hand away and rolled deeper into the knee-high grass.


    The super mutant chased after her.


    ¡°Hey, ugly!¡±


    The super mutant turned toward the sound of an angry woman¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Chin up!¡±


    Nila crushed the super mutant¡¯s chin with a two-handed, home run-style swing.


    ¡°Aunt Nila!¡± Veronica smiled.


    Her reinforcements had arrived.


    <hr>


    Nila was halfway to Watch Commander Demi Lawrence¡¯s door when a severe voice stopped her.


    ¡°Chen¡­ just wait a goddamn second.¡±


    Nila shook her head.


    Keisha had just finished her report about their desperate battle against cultists and a fishman. How the cultists displayed new, disturbing abilities. Fleshcraft, they had called it. How there was evidence that forty or more fishmen had been summoned so close to Davis-controlled territory. How they could be anywhere by now, doing who knows what sorts of evil.


    Keisha had lost two of her squad to bring the news back.


    ¡°I heard an alarm.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t hear anything,¡± Demi scowled.


    ¡°It was faint. It just stopped. I¡¯m pretty sure I know where the alarm came from.¡±


    ¡°The Cruces¡­ you know as well as I do that the kids can handle themselves.¡±


    ¡°They hit the alarm,¡± Nila said with finality. ¡°That¡¯s enough for me.¡± She turned and walked out the door. Only to run into the douchebro.


    The man collided with Nila.


    She stumbled back a step or two, while he windmilled his arms in a mostly successful attempt to keep from falling on his ass.


    ¡°Jesus¡­ you¡¯re like a brick wall. How are you so tiny, yet¡­¡± the man shook his head. ¡°Commander Lawrence, just spotted three flares!¡±


    Demi shot to her feet and immediately started donning her combat gear, tac-vest modified with steel plates, M4 carbine, a semi-auto shotgun, Glock-17, along with a machete and a steel, riot-style shield for good measure.


    ¡°Where?¡± Demi asked, but she already knew that she wasn¡¯t going to like the answer.


    ¡°West. The watchtower near the cemetery.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯ll be Team F.C.W.R and Mads,¡± Nila said.


    Demi nodded.


    ¡°That¡¯s in the direction of the Cruces¡¯ home. I¡¯m going,¡± Nila said as she strode out of the office.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Demi turned to Keisha and the douchebro. ¡°High alert.¡± She chewed the inside of her mouth a moment. ¡°Send out the call. We¡¯re bunkering. There are fishmen out there. Our patrols and sentries will get eaten up in small numbers. Gather everyone here. Move in numbers to respond to threats. Defense is the word.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± Keisha said.


    Demi followed Nila outside and just barely caught her before she ran off.


    ¡°Hold it, Chen! I¡¯m coming with you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll slow me down. I can run there faster than you can drive.¡±


    ¡°And run right into a possible forty on one fight. Those kids are tough and good. They won¡¯t go down quick or easy.¡±


    ¡°Fine. You drive.¡±


    The pair cut through the road as fast as Demi could go without crashing.


    They got to the watchtower in record time.


    ¡°You fired the flares?¡± Demi yelled out the window at the young men and one young woman at the tower.


    ¡°He did it,¡± Johnny pointed up at Bastien.


    ¡°Bastien got a hit with his Sense Evil ability,¡± Gene said.


    The young man in question climbed down from the tower. His face was even paler than usual. ¡°It¡¯s gotten stronger.¡±


    ¡°Can you tell where it¡¯s coming from?¡± Nila itched to get out of the car and just run to the Cruces¡¯ home. The longer she waited the more the dread grew in her stomach.


    Little did she know that the same exact feeling grew in them all. Yet, for some reason, none voiced it out loud. Perhaps they thought acknowledging it would bring it from the realm of feeling into reality.


    ¡°There was a spike almost like a shout or a flash of light, like someone shouting from that direction.¡± Bastien pointed to the west.


    Nila cursed exactly where she expected, dreaded.


    ¡°Alright, you head back to base,¡± Demi said to the young people.


    ¡°No way. We¡¯re going with you,¡± Gene said. Then realized he what he had done. His eyes grew wide and his face grew red. He cursed his fair skin.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Olo gulped. ¡°This sounds really dangerous. You¡¯ll need our help.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t believe I¡¯m saying this,¡± Johnny mumbled, ¡°we¡¯ll go anyways¡­ so you might as well give us a ride.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Nila said flatly.


    ¡°Okay, get in,¡± Demi jabbed a thumb to the back of the truck.


    Gene, Olo, Bastien, Johnny and Mads all climbed aboard.


    ¡°If you get them killed¡ª¡±


    ¡°What of it, Chen? They¡¯re not kids anymore. They¡¯ve trained hard and fought hard. You can¡¯t hold their hands forever.¡±


    5th street would¡¯ve been pitch black if it hadn¡¯t been for the moon and clear skies.


    Demi floored it. She had to risk running into monsters or mutant animals. Time was of the essence. If anything bad happened to the Cruces¡­ well, it¡¯d mean that they were all screwed.


    ¡°There,¡± Nila pointed to something well outside the range of the headlights. ¡°Flickering light, like a small fire.¡±


    Demi squinted. She couldn¡¯t see anything.


    ¡°It¡¯s at the park.¡± Nila knew every bit of Davis from years of patrols. Even in the dark.


    As they drew closer Nila¡¯s heart sank.


    She recognized Megan¡¯s truck. It was upside down and on fire. She was out the door before Demi stopped the truck.


    Further inside the park Veronica battled a giant monstrosity of a man, while a robed woman held her hands up to the sky.


    The floating symbol made her sick and caused her to slow.


    ¡°Oh man, I can feel the magic, bad, really bad,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°That¡¯s it. That¡¯s what spiked. It¡¯s evil, pure evil,¡± Bastien sounded like he was about to cry.


    ¡°We¡¯re not going to be stopped by some magic skywriting bullshit,¡± Demi spat. The grimace on her face betrayed the truth of what she felt.


    ¡°It¡¯s still forming. I think I can disrupt it with more magic. Just need to get closer,¡± Gene staggered then fell. ¡°I don¡¯t think I can get there though. It¡¯s making me dizzy, sick and I feel like I may poop myself for some reason.¡±


    ¡°Heh,¡± Johnny said. ¡°I¡¯d laugh, but me too.¡±


    Nila grit her teeth and kept moving forward. ¡°You do what you can.¡± Veronica needed her. She dropped her shield, its weight had become too much, to tighten her grip on her rough baseball bat-like metal club.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get you there,¡± Olo picked Gene up in his arms and forged after Nila.


    ¡°Ah man,¡± Gene said weakly, ¡°not princess-style¡±


    Olo ignored his friend. He was big and strong. His friends needed him. He used every bit of his Enhanced Strength and Enhanced Stamina to get Gene close enough.


    Gene raised a shaking hand at the symbol that continued to coalesce. It would be completely solid soon and he felt it in his bones. Instinctive knowledge through the magic that ran through his body that allowing the magic symbol to fully enter reality would be disastrous for them.


    ¡°Fireball!¡±


    The glowing orb streaked across the night sky and struck the symbol.


    It dissipated and along with it the debilitating effects.


    Nila broke into an all-out sprint. Superhuman muscles propelled her past the speed limit.


    Demi shot the cultist with controlled bursts of automatic gunfire from fifty yards away. The cultist¡¯s magical shield held until Mad¡¯s added her shotgun slugs to the barrage.


    The shield cracked then failed.


    ¡°I need her alive!¡± Demi barked at the darkness.


    Johnny seemed to appear out of thin air as he let out a breath into the cultist¡¯s ear. He wrapped his arms around her neck and head. ¡°You got it,¡± he whispered as he squeezed his arms and cutoff the supply of blood to the woman¡¯s brain. She was out in seconds. ¡°That¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve actually got to do that in real combat and they said Jiu Jitsu was useless against magic,¡± he tsked as he made sure to restrain the cultist.


    Nila rushed at the huge man going after Veronica. ¡°Hey ugly!¡± The man turned at the sound of her voice. ¡°Chin up!¡±


    Nila cracked the huge man with her best shot.


    ¡°Aunt Nila!¡± Veronica smiled.


    The huge man spat out some teeth and smiled at Nila. A grotesque look she¡¯d not soon forget.


    ¡°You is small, but old. Not small and girl. No need catch.¡±


    The man moved quicker than his massive bulk suggested was possible. He punched a crater in the ground where Nila had just been.


    She struck the man¡¯s wrist. The reverberations traveled up her club to her hands and arms.


    ¡°Aunt Nila!¡± Veronica shouted excitedly. ¡°Team up!¡± She pointed a finger and the man stumbled.


    ¡°What the heck is this thing? It almost looks like those¡ª¡± Nila scrambled back to avoid a jumping stomp.


    ¡°It¡¯s a super mutant,¡± Veronica said.


    That simultaneously explained everything and nothing.


    ¡°Zap its brain again.¡±


    Veronica complied and turned the super mutant¡¯s attacking lunge into a clumsy trip.


    Nila¡¯s bat met the behemoth¡¯s face at the end of the line.


    ¡°Boom!¡± Veronica cheered.


    ¡°Focus!¡± Nila snapped.


    ¡°Sorry.¡±


    The super mutant choked on the blood from his smashed nose, but still came on strong.


    Nila dodged out of the way. She couldn¡¯t hit back. It was taking all of her and concentration to avoid getting smashed.


    One slip up and¡ª


    Nila stumbled.


    Something in the tall grass. Maybe an animal bone or a frisbee from a safer time. It didn¡¯t really matter.


    The momentary distraction allowed the super mutant to land a bone crushing punch on Nila¡¯s chest.


    She went flying into a tree twenty feet away. She struggled to breathe through the pain in her chest.


    ¡°Aunt Nila!¡± Veronica lunged at the super mutant and stabbed the end of her staff into the middle of its spine.


    ¡°Annoying.¡± The super mutant turned.


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Veronica brought her staff up between the behemoth¡¯s legs with a loud thwack.


    The super mutant shrugged. ¡°Is no hurt.¡± It grabbed the staff and walked westward, pulling Veronica along. ¡°We go.¡±


    Veronica dug her heels, but couldn¡¯t stop him. So, she did the only she could and let go.


    The super mutant dropped the staff and gave chase as Veronica ran away and led it in a meandering path across the field.


    Nila felt like she was going to die.


    Until she didn¡¯t. In fact she felt better. Healed.


    She looked up and noticed Megan kneeling over her with glowing hands.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re here,¡± Megan said. ¡°We need to kill that thing fast. Tessa¡¯s in danger.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Fishmen attacked the house.¡±


    Nila got to her feet. ¡°That thing is impossible to hurt.¡±


    They watched the super mutant hot on Veronica¡¯s heels.


    ¡°My babies¡­¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll be fine.¡± Nila patted Megan¡¯s shoulder. She wasn¡¯t sure she believed her own words.


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    ¡°Daaadddd! Ricky¡¯s drooling on Ms. Marvel!¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Cal was too busy dodging the Rhino to look over.


    ¡°She can¡¯t fight the Brood with drool all over her!¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    That was a fair point.


    Cal paused his game and looked over.


    His youngest son was indeed showering his older daughter¡¯s action figure.


    ¡°Ricky! No!¡±


    And now he had her leg in his mouth.


    Alin went to pull the figure out.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Cal stopped her before she accidentally or purposefully hurt her younger brother.


    Cal gently pried Ms. Marvel loose from the slobbering giant¡¯s maw, wiped her on his shirt and handed her over to her rightful overlord.


    ¡°God, so gross!¡± Alin made a face.


    ¡°Yeah that¡¯s true, but then again he¡¯s a baby. So¡­¡± Cal shrugged.


    Ricky gurgled and blew out a slobber bubble.


    ¡°See¡­ he gets it.¡±


    ¡°Can you keep him under control, at least?¡±


    ¡°Young lady, that is not a nice way to talk about your brother,¡± Cal said absentmindedly.


    The Rhino was kicking his butt. It seemed like he was always a button press behind the action. Things were moving too fast on the screen. Apparently having kids made him suddenly suck at video games.


    ¡°Daaadddd!¡±


    Speak of the devil.


    ¡°Eh?¡±


    ¡°You really should pay closer attention to your child,¡± Alin said.


    Cal¡¯s skin crawled.


    That¡­ voice.


    Not his daughter.


    Cal blinked.


    What daughter?


    He didn¡¯t have any kids.


    Did he?


    No. Definitely not?


    Cal looked down to where Alin was playing on the living room floor.


    His daughter looked at him with piercing eyes that didn¡¯t blink. Without taking her eyes off of him, she pointed to the hallway.


    Cal followed her direction almost against his own volition.


    Ricky, his son? Ricky was out of sight. There was a trail of slobber, slick and wide. Too wide.


    Cal reluctantly got up off the couch. His game forgotten. On the screen a game over flashed after the Rhino plowed Spider-Man into a wall.


    When Cal reached the hallway he looked back.


    Alin, his daughter? His daughter was gone. There was no evidence that she had been there. No action figures, no tablet, no tray of cookies.


    The hairs on Cal¡¯s arm stood on end. A shiver ran through him. Confusion and dread swirled in his mind.


    The slime trail led up the stairs.


    Cal blinked.


    The slobber trail was sticky under his bare feet.


    He climbed the stairs one agonizing step at a time. Each creak of the wood had him flinching. Ready to turn around and flee.


    To where?


    He didn¡¯t know.


    Anywhere would¡¯ve been better.


    Yet, he found himself compelled to continue.


    His house felt strange. It was familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. Parts he recognized and others he didn¡¯t.


    The second floor hallway was narrow and long. It was dark, except for where he stood.


    The trail led left. Toward the kids¡¯ rooms.


    Cal crept closer. Each step felt like an hour.


    His house smelled strange. A mixture of blood, sweat and something else. He gagged. Something rotten.


    The trail led into one of the bedrooms.


    Ricky¡¯s or Alin¡¯s, he was struck by the fact that he didn¡¯t know.


    It was worse when he stepped inside. He didn¡¯t recognize anything. Not the bed, nor the pictures and posters on the walls and dresser. Scattered toys littered the floor.


    When he took a step they seemed to flow out of the way.


    Cal blinked.


    The distortion triggered something. A memory. A realization.


    The trail led to the closet.


    ¡°How bout, fuck this!¡±


    Cal remembered. He didn¡¯t have kids.


    He pulled the blanket from over his mind for an instant.


    The closet exploded in his face.


    He lost his grip again.

 3.45

    Now, Earth


    ¡°What do we do?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Bastien,¡± Gene said. He didn¡¯t have any ideas that wouldn¡¯t get them all killed. The super mutant was way too fast, strong and resistant to damage for them.


    The fact that Nila and Veronica were barely staying ahead of it was proof enough.


    ¡°Oh shit!¡±


    The super mutant sent Nila flying with one punch.


    Gene had jinxed her.


    ¡°It¡¯s not trying to hurt Vee,¡± Mads said as she lined up a shot.


    Her shotgun barked and a spray of blood erupted from the super mutant¡¯s back.


    The behemoth didn¡¯t even stumble.


    Watch Commander Lawrence sent two bursts into the back of his knees.


    The behemoth didn¡¯t break stride.


    ¡°I¡¯m just wasting rounds at this point,¡± Commander Lawrence spat.


    Gene wracked his brain.


    ¡°Oh no!¡± Bastien¡¯s eyes widened. He whipped his head around to Johnny, who was standing guard over the cultist some fifty yards away. ¡°She¡¯s doing something!¡±


    ¡°Fuc¡ª¡± Johnny took a deep breath and ran away just in time.


    The back of the cultist¡¯s robes erupted.


    Flesh-colored tentacles lashed out all around the woman.


    ¡°Mads!¡± Watch Commander Lawrence barked.


    The two women opened up with unrestrained gunfire.


    The rounds took chunks out of the tentacles and the cultist, but the wounds were bloodless and slowly healed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand you people.¡± The woman rose to her feet. ¡°You could have the same gifts, yet you fight against it. Don¡¯t you want to live without fear? Men and monster, neither scares me anymore. Neither can hurt me now.¡± The tentacles from her back waved around her protectively, menacingly. The cuffs around her wrist fell off as she narrowed her hands. She did the same to her feet and ankles as she stepped out of the shackles.


    ¡°We only need the two,¡± the woman said flatly. ¡°Kill the rest.¡±


    The super mutant abruptly stopped its pursuit of Veronica and charged toward Gene and his friends with a bellow that shook the night sky.


    ¡°Spread out. I¡¯ll draw it¡¯s attention.¡± Watch Commander Lawrence emptied her magazines as she walked back.


    Mads tried to snipe the eyes, but her shots went into the thick flesh of the super mutant¡¯s cheek and bounced of the prominent ridge of his brow. Despite his body being grotesquely over-sized the super mutant¡¯s eyes remained normal-sized.


    Watch Commander Lawrence switched to her shotgun. She blasted the super mutant in the face while she ran right at it. She dived to one side at the last moment, just avoiding the behemoth¡¯s hand.


    The super mutant stomped after Watch Commander Lawrence, who lacked superhuman physical abilities. She wasn¡¯t quick enough.


    ¡°On me!¡± Olo banged spear against shield.


    The super mutant looked confused as his body moved on its own accord and charged the large young man.


    ¡°Bulwark!¡± Olo set his feet into a strong stance. He set his shield and spear. He didn¡¯t blink as the behemoth closed in like speeding car.


    The spear shaft snapped as the head drove into the super mutant¡¯s gut.


    The behemoth slammed into Olo¡¯s shield. He sent the young man flying.


    ¡°Fireball!¡± Gene set the super mutant¡¯s back on fire. ¡°Quick cut!¡± His longsword flashed in the moonlight as it slashed at the behemoth¡¯s achilles.


    Gene wanted to limit the super mutant¡¯s mobility, but the skin was just too tough, while the flesh was too thick. He couldn¡¯t cut deep enough.


    The behemoth turned.


    Gene thrust his left hand at the super mutant¡¯s eyes. ¡°Magic Missile!¡±


    The behemoth recoiled from the burst of bright purple light as the small orbs burned eyelid skin.


    Still no luck.


    Gene was screwed. He was too close and while he had Lesser Enhanced Reflexes he knew that wasn¡¯t going to be enough to keep from getting smeared with one punch.


    ¡°Mage Shield!¡± A ghostly buckler materialized in Gene¡¯s left hand. He willed as much mana into it as he could.


    The super mutant punched.


    Gene met it with his magic buckler.


    It shattered along with several bones in his hand and arm, but he was still alive.


    The super mutant looked confused. He shrugged then punched again.


    ¡°Quick Parry!¡± Gene¡¯s sword flashed out. The technique was perfectly guided by his Skill.


    It was just enough to deflect the super mutant¡¯s fist, though it sent the sword flying out of Gene¡¯s hand.


    Gene turned and ran. Fear and adrenaline fueled his legs and numbed the pain from his hand and arm.


    ¡°Run to me!¡± Bastien stood tall with his halberd planted on the ground like a flag in front of him. He repeated a prayer, over and over in a soft voice. Every bit of faith he had went to it. He believed with all his heart and soul that the huge super mutant wasn¡¯t going to be able to trample him. It wasn¡¯t easy, but he couldn¡¯t let any doubt creep into his thoughts.


    Gene sprinted past Bastien and skidded across the wet grass on his backside when he tried to stop.


    The super mutant was ten feet away from Bastien when it recoiled as if burned. He stumbled forward a few more steps as he fought against momentum.


    There was nothing obviously visible around Bastien and the super mutant. Except for latter¡¯s skin, which burned.


    Flames lined the behemoth¡¯s exposed flesh, curiously his rags weren¡¯t touched. He scrambled back and rolled around on the grass until he smothered the flames.


    Sweat beaded on Bastien¡¯s forehead.


    ¡°Wow! I feel like I can take him on!¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t, it¡¯s an effect of my aura,¡± Bastien said through clenched teeth before he went back to the prayer.


    ¡°Right, right,¡± Gene nodded quickly. ¡°Inspiration can be dangerous without actual ability to back it up¡­ I remember,¡± he muttered.


    The super mutant experimentally reached out toward the two young men. He drew his hand back with a hiss after he crossed the invisible barrier that extended from Bastien.


    ¡°How hurt?¡± The super mutant snuffed the flames out with a pat of his hand.


    ¡°Now this is interesting,¡± the woman cultist approached from the other side in all her tentacled glory.


    ¡°Screw you. Fucked up Doctor Octopus,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Disrespectful. Insults and profanity masks your fear and inadequacy. I¡¯ve worked with plenty of self-focused young people like you in my old life. I thought I was helping, but in truth I was only patching rips and tears. Society was broken long before the world actually broke.¡±


    ¡°Okay, lady¡­ not interested in your cult crap,¡± Gene said. ¡°I didn¡¯t fall for that religion bullshit¡ª,¡± he leaned over to Bastien, ¡°no offense, I respect your choosing to have beliefs,¡± he whispered. He turned back to the cultist. ¡°Not going to fall for it now that there are legit fishmen and you¡¯ve got straight up body horror tentacles. I¡¯m like ninety percent sure there¡¯s some kind of horrible eldritch being masquerading as your so-called god.¡±


    ¡°Such disrespect. The Deep Azure is so much more than what our limited human intellect can comprehend.¡± The cultist opened her arms. ¡°We offer safety and purpose. You get as much as you put in. In our world the haves will not exploit the have-nots.¡±


    The cultist had walked closer as she spoke. She extended a tentacle and pulled it back as soon as it caught fire. ¡°Very interesting. It feels different from magic. How long can you keep it up?¡±


    ¡°Ignore her, Bastien.¡± Gene raised his unbroken hand toward the cultist.


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Bastien hissed. ¡°No magic, while I¡¯ve got this up. I can feel it messing things up.¡±


    Gene stopped gathering his mana and dropped his hand to his side. ¡°No magic, right got it¡­ what about normal, completely non-magical stuff?¡±


    ¡°I think that¡¯s okay.¡±


    Gene drew his glock and emptied the magazine into the cultist woman.


    The cultist didn¡¯t move. She didn¡¯t bother to shield her body with her tentacles like she did earlier.


    His aim was off on account of only having one hand on the grip. There were only four bullet holes scattered on the front of the cultist¡¯s robes. Decent, but not great out of a 17-round magazine.


    Gene was out of ammo.


    ¡°I am not surprised that you would react with violence to words you don¡¯t like. The rot of your upbringing in evidence. Is it even possible for you to change? I am not so su¡ª¡±


    The cultist¡¯s head rocked backed at the same time that a loud gunshot rang out. She staggered, but recovered quickly.


    Gene grimaced as the bloodless wound in the cultist¡¯s forehead ejected the slug as it closed.


    ¡°Are you even human anymore?¡±


    ¡°The Deep Azure has made me so much more.¡±


    Another bang.


    This time one of the tentacles exploded in a bloodless shower of fleshy chunk. Curiously, it didn¡¯t re-form.


    Bang!


    Another tentacle.


    The cultist woman hissed as her head whipped around wildly in search of her unseen assailant.


    Gene smirked. Good luck with that, he thought. Mads was more effective the further away she was. His teammate was nowhere in sight. She had relocated during all the chaos.


    Bang!


    Bang!


    Bang!


    The super mutant was spinning in circles trying to locate the source of Mads¡¯ gunfire.


    More gunfire.


    Watch Commander Lawrence fired and moved at the cultist as she rushed to join Gene in Bastien¡¯s protective embrace. She emptied her shotgun and switched to her sidearm.


    The cultist woman turned and ran away into the darkness. She had made the calculation and didn¡¯t like the answer.


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Guys¡­¡± Bastien¡¯s voice sounded alarmingly weak. ¡°Can¡¯t¡­¡± He wavered, teetered a moment then fell over.


    The super mutant¡¯s head snapped to the trio.


    Bang!


    A slug slammed into the back of the super mutant¡¯s head. He ignored it.


    ¡°You annoy. Dangerous. Kill.¡±


    Gene hit it with every spell he had left. Fire and light lit up the night. He drained his mana to a dangerous level. The nausea hit him hard and brought him to his knees.


    Watch Commander Lawrence tossed her one grenade at the super mutant¡¯s feet. Then covered Bastien¡¯s unconscious form with her own body.


    Chunks of dirt and grass showered down on them.


    The smoke cleared to reveal the super mutant standing.


    ¡°No hurt.¡±


    Watch Commander Lawrence took a position between the super mutant and the two young men. She drew her baton and knife.


    The super mutant raised an arm as big around as a barrel of whiskey.


    It blocked out the moon in Demi¡¯s sight. The shadow covered her.


    The super mutant suddenly stumbled.


    ¡°Hey, did you forget about me, dumbass?¡± Veronica ran past.


    ¡°Take girl.¡± The super mutant gave chase.


    Veronica ran under the branches of a huge tree near the edge of the park.


    The super mutant followed.


    A small shape dropped from the branches and drove her baseball bat-like club into the back of the super mutant¡¯s muscular neck.


    Nila¡¯s super strength strike caused the super mutant to stumble.


    ¡°What¡¯s it going to take to knock you over!¡± Nila screamed.


    ¡°You too weak.¡±


    The super mutant swiped at her.


    Nila ducked out of the way.


    ¡°Now!¡±


    Johnny seemingly appeared out of nowhere behind the super mutant. He slashed and stabbed at the back of the behemoth¡¯s legs before vanishing just as abruptly.


    The super mutant took a step and collapsed to his knees.


    Johnny¡¯s Skills made his blades cut deeper and find weaknesses.


    Nila flipped over the super mutant¡¯s grasping hands. She pushed it onto its chest with all her might. She slipped her bat around his neck, planted one knee in the middle of its upper block and pulled, pushed.


    ¡°Olo!¡±


    The big young man jumped on top of the back of the super mutant¡¯s thighs with his shield. ¡°Bulwark!¡± The Skill lent him an element of immovability in violation of the accepted laws of physics.


    The super mutant thrashed, but against expectations Nila and Olo managed to keep it down.


    The behemoth choked and spat. His neck was so big that Nila had to keep her hands at shoulder-width apart.


    Every muscle in her body strained to keep the super mutant down.


    The behemoth planted his hands on the ground and slowly pushed up against Nila¡¯s and Olo¡¯s efforts.


    They were losing.


    Veronica swept the super mutant¡¯s left hand out from under it with a kick. She followed through in one smooth motion. She flipped and spun on one hand, B-boy style, and kicked out the other hand.


    Veronica continued the move and ended up on top of the super mutant¡¯s right arm.


    ¡°Helping!¡± Gene ran forward and stabbed his sword into the super mutant¡¯s hand, pining it to the ground.


    Johnny suddenly appeared on top of the arm and added his short spears to the effort.


    ¡°Gah!¡± Gene flinched. ¡°I hate when you do that!¡±


    ¡°Focus!¡± Nila said through her teeth. ¡°Megan! Now!¡±


    Megan emerged from the other side of the tree and nearly tripped as she ran to the super mutant.


    The behemoth¡¯s snarling face made her hesitate, but she needed to end this. Her daughters were in danger. She ignored the super mutant¡¯s spit as globs of it hit her in the face.


    Megan had discovered a terrifying aspect of her healing magic a long time ago. During the horrific fishmen attack on Old Sac. Where she almost lost her daughters and her life.


    She focused the spell into the super mutant¡¯s brain.


    The slight damaged they had done to the behemoth¡¯s brain healed.


    Megan didn¡¯t stop. She kept feeding her mana into the spell.


    She didn¡¯t know how or why it happened, but something strange happened when you tried to heal someone that didn¡¯t need it. Cells reacted in unexpected ways. They grew out of control. Mutated.


    In other words.


    Tumors.


    They started small, nestled within the super mutant¡¯s brain.


    Megan fed more and more of her mana. The tumors grew exponentially.


    In a few seconds they were the size of a baseball.


    The super mutant¡¯s eyes bulged and it struggled harder.


    They barely kept it down.


    Megan bled from her eyes and nose as she neared her limits.


    The tumors¡¯ hard mass started to push the super mutant¡¯s brain matter up against his thick skull.


    More mana.


    Megan screamed.


    For her daughters.


    The super mutant roared. His brain was being crushed into mush.


    There was barely any space left.


    His brain matter went the only place it could.


    The super mutant¡¯s eyes erupted.


    Megan fell back, covered in the disgusting mix of fluids and viscera.


    The super mutant¡¯s death throes threw them off.


    ¡°Mom!¡± Veronica carried Megan away from dangerous limbs.


    No one dared say a word while the behemoth flopped around on the ground like a fish until it finally fell still.


    A loud chime sounded in all their heads.


    ¡°The fuck! Did you guys even notice that we had a Quest?¡± Johnny said. ¡°I totally missed it.¡±


    ¡°Olo, make sure it¡¯s dead,¡± Nila said. She didn¡¯t have time to look at the Quest notifications. Johnny was right though, she hadn¡¯t noticed the chime at the start of the fight.


    ¡°How?¡±


    Nila pointed at the small axe at Olo¡¯s belt.


    ¡°Oh¡­ right.¡±


    Olo cautiously approached the super mutant¡¯s body and set to the task of separating body from head.


    ¡°Demi,¡± Nila continued, ¡°take everyone back to HQ. I¡¯ll get Tessa.¡±


    Watch Commander Lawrence frowned. ¡°Chen, if you thin¡ª¡±


    ¡°No arguments. You¡¯re out of ammo. They¡¯re out of mana or injured,¡± Nila swept her hand to encompass the others. She didn¡¯t say anything else, just sprinted at top speed to the west.


    ¡°Watch Commander Lawrence, please take care of my mom.¡± Veronica placed Megan¡¯s unconscious form down and took off after Nila.


    ¡°Wait! Damn it!¡± Demi spat. ¡°Stupid super people,¡± she muttered. She looked at her kids and stifled a curse. They looked wiped out. ¡°Alright. We¡¯re heading back.¡± She bent down and hefted Megan over her shoulders in a fireman¡¯s carry.


    ¡°What do I do with the head?¡± Olo¡¯s face made his disgust plain.


    Demi sighed. ¡°I suppose you should bring it along.¡±


    Olo wasn¡¯t happy with that, but dutifully lifted the beach ball-sized head and held it as far away from his body as possible.


    ¡°Man, I didn¡¯t notice when we were in that life or death fight, but that thing stinks,¡± Johnny said. ¡°God! Just look at it dripping all over the place. I¡¯m going to be sick.¡±


    ¡°Button it up,¡± Demi barked. ¡°Back to the car.¡±


    ¡°Bro, the super mutant must¡¯ve gone all in on strength and Con,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Dex and Agility too. He was moving around pretty quick,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°At least he dumped Int and Wis¡­ probably,¡± Olo added.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t be able to max more than two stats,¡± Gene said weakly.


    ¡°Is it just me or is it totally weird that he looks just like the ones in the games?¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Not really. Remember the spires are probably pulling some of this shit out of our collective subconscious,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Or our collective subconscious is pulling stuff out of actual things out there. So, the game makers might¡¯ve actually been tapping into some kind of psychic knowledge on whatever the cult did to the poor guy to turn him into a super mutant,¡± Bastien said.


    Demi didn¡¯t understand half the words they were saying, but got the gist. She tuned out the rest of the conversation.


    They were greeted by Mads and the woman cultist.


    The latter was restrained on the ground.


    Mads bent down and stabbed her knife into the cultist¡¯s eye.


    ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± Demi felt the rage rise in her chest.


    Mads shrugged. ¡°Stops her from regenerating.¡±


    ¡°Wow! How did you even?¡± Johnny eyed the cultist dubiously.


    ¡°I got lucky that she ran this way. Shot her knees out. Then her tentacles. Had a hunch so I stabbed her brain.¡±


    ¡°Wait. You shot her in the head. That didn¡¯t stop her.¡± Gene¡¯s face was a pale, twisted mask. The adrenaline had worn off and his arm throbbed with pain.


    ¡°Slug must¡¯ve been too small. I guess the knife is big enough to scrambled her ability to think. Just have to keep doing it, I guess.¡±


    Demi didn¡¯t know what to think. ¡°Put her in the back. Mads and Johnny, you two are responsible for making sure she doesn¡¯t wake up.¡±


    The most important thing was to get back to safety. If that was even possible at this point. There were an unknown number of fishmen out there somewhere. Along with cultists that probably had similar horrible abilities to what the bound woman Olo loaded into the back of truck possessed.


    She dared not think of the likelihood that there were other mutated men out there. She had emptied all of her ammunition into the giant for all the good it did. Spitting on him would¡¯ve yielded the same effect.


    Too many threats that she didn¡¯t feel confident about beating with the weapons at her disposal.


    Two of the top four barely cut it against the so-called super mutant. And they were heading into the dangers of an unknown situation that might¡¯ve claimed the third.


    As for their strongest weapon. As far as Demi knew, he was headed right into an entire army of super mutants and cultist¡¯s with terrible abilities.


    She¡¯d have to figure out what to do about the cultist later.


    <hr>


    The cultist forces almost cut Remy and Hanna off before they could get to the industrial block. It was like the cult knew their plans.


    Remy wondered if there was more to the feeling that he was being watched than stress and paranoia.


    As it was, they barely made it into the warehouse ahead of a blue beam that would¡¯ve taken Hanna in the back had Remy not blocked it with a manhole cover he plucked from the street.


    The effort had caused him a staggering amount of pain. So much so that Hanna had to drag him the rest of the way into the dark, dusty warehouse.


    ¡°Your plan kinda sucks,¡± Hanna said flatly.


    ¡°I guess have to be honest,¡± Remy sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve been able to rely on overpowering everything I¡¯ve come up against. Fighting on a more even playing field isn¡¯t something I¡¯m used to.¡±


    ¡°Welcome to the world of us mere mortals.¡±


    ¡°If if remember correctly¡­ you¡¯re a couple steps above those so-called mere mortals.¡±


    ¡°Meh.¡±


    A blue beam cut across the warehouse walls, nowhere near them


    ¡°That guy is getting annoying,¡± Hanna said. ¡°So, back to your plan?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s move deeper into the district. I want to draw them all in.¡±


    ¡°And how are we getting away after?¡±


    Remy didn¡¯t say anything. He jogged to the north end of the warehouse until he reached the wall. He quickly ripped an opening with his hands and continued on to the next building. Its brick wall only managed to marginally slow him down.


    They had gone through three different buildings when Remy finally had a bit of luck.


    ¡°This is a good place to fight.¡±


    ¡°I can see why you¡¯d think that,¡± Hanna whistled.


    The building was a foundry of some kind. There was metal all over the place. Raw materials and finished products along with every step in between.


    ¡°An open space, but all the machinery and smelters, not to mention the junk everywhere¡­ yeah this can work. We can hit and run,¡± Hanna said. ¡°So¡­ the plan? I mean it¡¯d be a cakewalk if you could use your full power with all this metal.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still stronger and faster than anything they¡¯ve got. Even those weredogs aren¡¯t quite on my level.¡± Remy laid a hand on a neat pile of steel ingots, flat blanks. ¡°Doing this doesn¡¯t hurt as much.¡± The steel liquefied as it flowed up his arm and over the rest of his body. It took less than a minute and the waist-high pile was empty.


    Remy was covered in steel armor. He had changed the molecular structure and made the steel thinner, but denser than possible according to established material science. He had even maintained complete articulation for all of his joints.


    ¡°I know a bit about forging metals. That should¡¯ve been impossible,¡± Hanna shook her head. ¡°Nice look. Going for the Iron Man aesthetic? Think you could do one for me?¡±


    ¡°Not happy with what I already made for you?¡± Remy arched a brow.


    ¡°Love it, it¡¯s great!¡± Hanna tapped the thin steel that covered her chest. Front and back, knight-style, except it was tougher than historically possible, while actually being lighter thanks to Remy. ¡°The mail¡¯s good too.¡± Hanna waved her arms and the rings jingled softly. ¡°Way lighter than the period authentic stuff I used to wear.¡± She pointed at Remy¡¯s exposed head. ¡°Don¡¯t forget the helmet.¡±


    ¡°Never forget the helmet.¡± Metal flowed from Remy¡¯s shoulders and covered his head. He left small openings for his eyes, ears, below his nose and his mouth, but created a mesh of metal over them. ¡°I can¡¯t make you a set. You wouldn¡¯t be able to move and you¡¯d probably pass out in the middle of the fight. Besides, I¡¯m planning on being a desirable target. You wouldn¡¯t be able to survive.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough. I like the sound of that. Good luck.¡±


    Hanna melted away into the foundry¡¯s shadows.


    Remy walked toward the entrance closest to the sounds of pursuit from outside.


    A blue beam cut diagonally through the large roll up door. The edges of the cut metal burned bright red as the door fell open.


    He steeled himself for the fight, figuratively this time. He had grappled with the idea of killing other people. He had decided that if he wanted to be around to keep his family safe then he could no longer avoid it.


    A fate worse than death.


    The Quest¡¯s words burned in his mind¡¯s eye.


    He would do whatever it took to keep his family free from that.


    Remy sent a steel ingot into the first cultist that came through the opening.


    The crack of the man¡¯s rib cage caving in made him wince, but he clenched his jaw and did his best to dismiss the implication.


    More cultists poured through the opening.


    Remy bombarded them with ingots.


    Gunfire plinked off his armor.


    The cultists were going to need antitank weapons to get through.


    A fireball exploded in his face and stole the oxygen from his lungs.


    Remy took cover behind a big piece of machinery. Then ran deeper into the warehouse. He wanted them all inside.

 3.46

    Now, Earth


    Hanna skirted around to the north side of the foundry. Her armor clanked and jingled. She wasn¡¯t really dressed for stealth. Fortunately, Remy was making so much noise it wasn¡¯t going to be a problem.


    It was difficult to wrap her head around the amount of power Remy had at his disposal. He was throwing around so much heavy metal that the clamor surpassed what the foundry would¡¯ve been doing had it still been in operation.


    The cultists forces had spread out and tried to take cover behind the heavy machinery.


    Hanna heard spells going off and occasional gunfire. The distinctive sound of the blue beam ripping through the air was unmistakable. It almost reminded her of a really loud zipper.


    So far the cultists were doing what she expected. Namely, they were trying to spread out to hit Remy from multiple direction. Her plan was to take out small groups by hitting them from behind then moving on to the next batch in an unpredictable pattern.


    She opted for the sword and board combo. She kept her great sword strapped tightly to her back. The weight wasn¡¯t an issue. She had passive skills that boosted a few of her physical attributes beyond her baseline.


    She crouched low behind a huge industrial press when she spotted a handful of cultists creeping through the narrow aisle between pallets stacked with materials at about neck high.


    She waited until the cultists crept closer to her position.


    Hanna burst into action like an Olympic sprinter exploding out of the blocks.


    She crossed the twenty feet before the cultists reacted.


    She slammed her round shield into the lead cultist.


    The man was about her size. He had no chance.


    Hanna sent him flying back into the rest.


    She lunged forward and thrust her sword into one cultist¡¯s neck.


    The woman fell back gurgling, her hands around the red faucet at her neck.


    Hanna stomped her boot down on the first man¡¯s knee. An audible crack was followed by his screams. She silenced them by thrusting down into his chest.


    It was stupid of them to not wear any armor at all. Why would they do such a thing? She didn¡¯t know, nor care. She¡¯d take all the advantages that presented themselves.


    The cultist at the back of the line jumped up on top of the pallet to Hanna¡¯s left. He pulled his hoodie open to reveal a bare chest.


    Hanna was too experienced to be taken off guard. She brought her shield up.


    Dozens of impacts rocked her shield arm back. The thick wood and thin metal covering held up.


    Hanna peaked over the rim of her shield.


    What the fuck? she thought. That¡¯s new.


    The cultist¡¯s chest was covered in what looked like tiny holes. They were bloodless.


    ¡°Fire Spray!¡±


    Hanna shifted her shield just as another cultist conjured a wide spray of flames from an outstretched hand.


    The flames licked around the edges of her shield and heated the metal. It was uncomfortable, but tolerable, at least for a short time.


    Hanna charged into the flames.


    The cultist¡¯s spell winked out as she lost her concentration.


    Hanna thrust her sword out.


    The cultist put her hands up in desperation.


    Hanna¡¯s blade pierced right through and continued into the woman¡¯s chest. She pulled the blade back and shifted to the right just in time to block the spine-shooting cultist¡¯s next barrage.


    It appeared that the man needed a few seconds in between barrages.


    Blood dripped down Hanna¡¯s blade.


    Hanna spotted movement from out of the corner of her eye. She ducked her head behind her shield. Something skipped off the side of her shield and something struck her hard in the back of her head.


    The impact clanged against the metal of her helmet and pitched her forward.


    Never stop moving. Hanna repeated the mantra in her head.


    She charged forward. She didn¡¯t know what had hit her, but she processed the options quickly. A ranged attack, meant that she wanted to be in close.


    She had a split-second to register her target.


    It was a big man. His right arm looked weird, as in not remotely human.


    Hanna didn¡¯t have time to ponder the question. She crashed into the man shield first.


    The spines sticking out of her shield pierced through the man¡¯s shirt. His face twisted in what looked like pain.


    She moved ruthlessly. She stabbed her sword into the man¡¯s stomach and ripped it out through the man¡¯s left side, her right.


    The man swung his right arm at Hanna.


    It whipped around her shield and something clanged in the middle of her back. The armor blunted the damage, but not the pain.


    Hanna threw a knee up in between the man¡¯s legs.


    No reaction.


    The strange right arm whipped around again.


    ¡°Quick Cut!¡±


    Hanna¡¯s blade slashed out. Her technique and skill was such that they matched the Skills of lesser fighters. Those men and women relied on Skills to perform techniques to the perfection they were capable of. When Hanna used a Skill she was beyond perfection.


    The cultist¡¯s right arm moved faster than humanly possible.


    Hanna¡¯s blade cut it in half.


    The cultist grunted.


    Hanna swung her blade through his neck.


    She spun around and threw her shield.


    She was no Captain America, but it was good enough.


    Her shield swept the spine cultist off his feet just as he was about to launch another barrage from the strange holes in his chest.


    The barrage flew harmlessly over Hanna¡¯s head.


    She dashed forward and stabbed the cultist through the eye.


    Hanna was done. She took stock of the aftermath as she always did in this situation.


    The cultists had revealed more strange and deadly abilities.


    She added shooting spines out of their chests and what looked like a tentacle arm to coral or shell-like growths as armor to the list.


    Hanna winced. Her shield arm hurt. Blood leaked through her sleeve close to the elbow. It was above her bracer. One of the spines must¡¯ve partially gone through her shield. She took a moment to splash some alcohol on the small wound and bandaged it up.


    She moved out, grabbing her shield on the way to look for another group to take out.


    <hr>


    Remy used his magnetic power to help him lift a huge iron crucible from its housing. It wasn¡¯t the weight, that he could handle fine. It was the unwieldy size and shape.


    He hurled the crucible at a group of cultists hiding behind some kind of industrial machine he didn¡¯t recognize.


    The iron cannonball crashed right through the machine and the cultists, before rolling right through the wall and continuing outside.


    The pain from the power usage stung something in his chest. Almost like heartburn, but like dying.


    Remy saw the smears on the floor.


    There was definitely no going back now.


    His hands were bloody.


    A fireball exploded against his armor-covered chest. He held his breath and waited for the flames to dissipate. He had learned from the first time.


    There was going to be a lot more blood added to his conscience before this was over.


    Remy ducked a blue beam as it ripped inches over his head. He felt the heat through his helmet.


    The blue beam guy was up in the scaffolding.


    Remy almost used his power to rip the metal walkway out from under the guy, but he caught himself in time. Instead, he charged toward a group of cultists.


    They hammered him with gunfire, spells and other projectiles.


    Remy felt it all through his armor, but powered through.


    He crashed through the middle of the cultists like a bowling ball. He wasn¡¯t used to fighting up close, so he overran the cultists position and slammed into an industrial grinder. The machine teetered then fell over from the violent impact.


    Remy turned and was greeted by a flash of light that made everything spin. It was like spinning yourself around your forehead, while planted on a baseball bat.


    He stumbled from a heavy blow that knocked him back on top of the downed machine. The impacts actually hurt. He wasn¡¯t able to disperse most of the force over his armor before it got through to his body.


    The cultist that had hit him was an average looking woman. She raised a sledgehammer over her head in a two-handed grip and brought it down on Remy¡¯s chest.


    The impact rang out through the foundry.


    This time Remy had been able to disperse the force.


    Remy grabbed the hammer near the head before the woman could pull it back.


    She must¡¯ve had enhanced strength to wield a heavy weapon and knock Remy into the air despite hundreds of pounds of steel armor.


    It paled in comparison to Remy¡¯s strength. He threw the hammer and the woman aside to land dozens of feet in the distance. He didn¡¯t see where she landed, but with all the machinery in the building her chances of avoiding a deadly impact weren¡¯t high.


    More blood on his hands.


    The cultists hesitated.


    Remy rushed into their midst. He punched out with steel-clad fists. He still held back. He didn¡¯t put all his power into the blows.


    As it turned out it didn¡¯t matter. Even at fifty percent power each hit was a killer when the target didn¡¯t have some kind of defensive ability or spell.


    Remy tried to ignore the way ribs shattered like toothpicks under his fists. The way his speed and strength made a person¡¯s face cave in like an overripe fruit. He tried not to look as the contents of their heads dribbled out like fruity pulp.


    Remy felt sick to his stomach and it had nothing to do with the effects of that bright flash or whatever unknown force had been plaguing him ever since the ambush near the bay.


    He swallowed the bile back down and kept hitting.


    A cultist shot him in the face.


    Remy flinched, but the pellets plinked harmlessly off his helmet. The mesh he had created proved impenetrable.


    The cultist kept firing.


    Remy covered his face with an arm as he plowed into the cultist.


    The woman ragdolled through the air like she had been struck by a car on the freeway.


    It wasn¡¯t far from the truth.


    Remy destroyed every cultist that he got within reach. They tried to keep their distance, but he was just too fast. He could jump dozens of feet in a single bound.


    The cultists attacked with esoteric abilities. He couldn¡¯t tell if they were magic or like him, innate super powers.


    A man¡¯s hand and arm unfurled into flesh-colored tentacles. His palm opened to reveal a snapping beak.


    It reminded Remy of a squid. It surprised him for a moment, which was enough for the cultist to wrap the tentacles around Remy¡¯s head.


    The cultist pulled and Remy stumbled a few steps forward before he got his footing.


    The strain was clear on the cultist¡¯s face.


    Remy was immovable. He grabbed the tentacles and ripped them apart.


    The cultist cried out.


    Remy pulled him forward and crushed him with one punch.


    The blue beam struck Remy in the back. The heat spiked. It went from uncomfortable to dangerous in a split-second.


    Remy dived to the side.


    The beam tried to follow, but was too slow before it winked out.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Remy shifted the metal on his back to jettison the superheated section and even out the coverage.


    The pain was like fingernails lightly scratching his heart.


    Remy peaked up at the scaffolding from behind the cover of another massive, iron crucible. The blue beam guy was nowhere in sight. No doubt relocating for a better angle.


    Things were quiet, which was a surprise. He scanned the area. No cultists, at least live ones.


    The bile came with the thought. He fought it down and took deep breaths.


    The weight of what he had done pressed down on him. It mingled with the dread that kept returning in his mind. Like shadowy hands reaching out for him from all directions.


    He tried to push it back. He focused on the reasons he was doing this.


    Family.


    Protect them.


    That was all. That was enough.


    The building panic lessened. Not gone, but still simmering below the surface.


    The sounds fighting breached the fog in his thoughts.


    Hanna.


    He checked the scaffolding above him one last time. It looked clear.


    Remy ran to the sounds.


    Dogs barked in the distance.


    <hr>


    Hanna parried one spear thrust down to her left, smoothly switched her grip to the blade of her greatsword to deflect an axe to her other side with the pommel.


    She stepped into the axe wielding cultists and punch the man in the face. Her steel gauntlet shattered his nose. She relished the sound and feel of it.


    Hanna loved showing people why you always wore a helmet.


    She stomped down on the spear shaft.


    The cultist let go rather than see it break.


    A stupid mistake.


    Hanna stabbed him in the stomach.


    She loved teaching people that losing your weapon was a bad idea. You¡¯d think that didn¡¯t need explanation, but one would be surprised by how often people tended to lose their grips when she fought them.


    Hanna ducked behind a conveyor belt to avoid a set of small, glowing orbs.


    She already missed her shield, but it had been ripped away by a cultist that actually had a hand like a lobster claw. Not polydactyly, but an actual hard-shelled claw, sharp and scaled up to human proportions.


    Unfortunately for the cultist, she didn¡¯t have lobster shell armor. Her flesh parted easily enough under Hanna¡¯s blade.


    Hanna had lost her longsword to another cultist.


    The man had something that looked very close to a giant clam shell in his stomach. When Hanna had stabbed him the clam snapped shut and snatched the blade from her hand.


    She had slashed his head right off his body with her greatsword.


    And people thought it was weird that she carried both swords.


    More Magic Missiles chased Hanna as she ran to the other end of the conveyor belt.


    She turned left past a bunch of shelves and was shoulder checked by another cultist.


    The man¡¯s hand transformed right before her eyes.


    It made her sick on a deeper level than watching a human hand turn into a strange, toothed sword. It looked like something she had seen at the aquarium in the past. A sword-like blade, with sharp, triangular teeth down both edges. Perhaps the most disturbing part was that the ¡®teeth¡¯ were an ivory-white color, like human teeth.


    There was a sense of wrongness she couldn¡¯t explain just being in the cultist¡¯s presence as the magic or ability transformed his hand into a weapon.


    It abruptly vanished when the transformation was completed.


    Hanna scrambled to her feet and parried the cultist¡¯s wide swing.


    The teeth screamed against the steel of her greatsword as he dragged his organic, probably, blade against it.


    Sparks flew.


    Hanna saw chips in her edge. It made her mad.


    The cultist sneered.


    That made her furious.


    She had practiced European martial arts since she was a teen. The boys and men always looked down on her. Even when she made herself as strong as possible. Even when she trained until she drilled the techniques into muscle memory. They had always downplayed her abilities. The patronization ground against her, but she used it to improve. To wipe the smug looks off their faces.


    The cultist cut at her head in wide arc.


    Hanna shifted her head back just enough. She could tell from the length of the man¡¯s handblade and the rotation of his shoulder that he had pulled the swing too much.


    Hanna had already reset her stance from the first parry. Her blade was poised to strike.


    She moved with efficiency and purpose.


    Her blade sang out as it slashed diagonally from right to left, down across the cultist¡¯s open chest.


    Perhaps an inch of the blade tip parted through clothing and skin. Just the right amount to deal a deadly wound, but not too much that it¡¯d get caught and slowed in physical material, cloth, skin, flesh.


    The cultist fell away with a spray of blood.


    Hanna was glad that it was red. At least it still looked like human blood. She didn¡¯t know how she¡¯d handle seeing something else when she cut another person.


    The cultist fell to the floor.


    Hanna didn¡¯t take any chances. She stabbed him in the back, where his heart should be.


    A man cleared his throat.


    Hanna spun around with a slash.


    Remy parried it aside with a metal-clad fist. He made it look easy.


    Superhumans were such bullshit.


    ¡°You left this,¡± Remy held out Hanna¡¯s longsword, hilt first. ¡°Had to pry it out of the clam shell in a guy¡¯s stomach.¡±


    ¡°Add that to the list of things you never expected to say.¡± Hanna took the sword and wiped the blade before sliding it into its sheath. She eyed the blood on Remy¡¯s armor. ¡°There were a few cultists back there. I¡¯m assuming you took care of them?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Remy said flatly.


    ¡°Permanently?¡±


    Remy gave her a curt nod.


    ¡°Is that all of them then?¡±


    ¡°No idea, they might¡¯ve gotten smart and decided to run away after I killed my twentieth person,¡± Remy said bitterly. ¡°Just that guy shooting blue beams left. Probably. He¡¯s up in the scaffolding somewhere. I lost sight of him.¡±


    A blue beam lanced through the shelf above their heads. It brought the whole thing down.


    Remy pushed out with his magnetic powers despite the pain it cost him to keep the debris from falling down on their heads.


    ¡°Can you get up there?¡± Hanna pointed.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°The north side of the building is a bunch of offices. Three floors worth. Push him that way. There¡¯s only one staircase. I¡¯ll cut him off,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Another blue beam lanced from above.


    Remy shot some of the smaller bits of debris up to give them cover as they split off to their objectives.


    Remy ran back the way he came and used a magnetically-assisted leap to get up to the scaffolding, three stories up. He flew right through the railing and almost overshot his target. A quick pull with a magnetic field pulled his feet down to the metal catwalk.


    ¡°Damn it, hurts so much,¡± Remy spat.


    He ripped part of the railing that he had broken through and hurled it at the blue beam guy.


    The railing helicoptered at the guy¡¯s head, but he burned it down with a blue beam.


    Remy gave chase as the blue beam guy ran toward the offices.


    Hanna was waiting at the stairs.


    The blue beam guy ducked into what turned out to be a large conference room.


    Remy ran right through a couple of walls and offices to cut the guy off. He ducked under a blue beam.


    Hanna barged through the half-open door, her greatsword ready.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Remy used his magnetic powers to pull sprinkler pipes from the ceiling. He lengthened them into metal cables with an expression of his will. Then wrapped them around around the blue beam guy¡¯s wrists and pulled them apart. The blue glow in the guy¡¯s eyes and hands winked out.


    ¡°For what?¡± Hanna snapped, but stayed her hand. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to¡­ then I¡¯ll do it.¡±


    Remy held up a hand toward Hanna. ¡°He can¡¯t fire without his hands together, in line with his eyes¡­ probably.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t it occur to you that this is a good opportunity to find some answers?¡±


    Hanna narrowed her eyes. ¡°I thought we were giving up on finding the women?¡±


    ¡°I want to know where they¡¯re keeping them.¡± Remy stared at the blue beam guy, who glared in a mixture of fear and defiance. ¡°Alright, man. Almost two years ago your fishmen kidnapped a lot of women and girls from Sacramento. Where are you keeping them?¡±


    The blue beam guy spat in Remy¡¯s face. It splattered against his helmet. ¡°I¡¯m not saying shit. They said you¡¯d lie to justify your actions.¡±


    ¡°The fuck he on about?¡± Hanna snapped.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Remy was confused. ¡°What are you on about?¡±


    The blue beam guy, kid really, Remy just noticed that he had a baby face on a tall and lanky body, kept his mouth shut.


    ¡°Talk or I start slicing,¡± Hanna threatened with her blade.


    The blue beam kid¡¯s eyes widened. Sweat poured down his face in buckets.


    ¡°They¡¯re the ones lying. Your cult started everything. They came to our community pretending to be official representatives of San Francisco. Then they summoned a fishman through a blood sacrifice in secret. After that, fishmen went up the river and attacked people simply enjoying the day in Old Sac.¡±


    ¡°Eating fish and chips, dole whip and ice cream,¡± Hanna¡¯s voice was light, but her eyes were dark and the tip of of greatsword moved a bit closer to the blue beam kid¡¯s throat. ¡°Just a nice day to hang out and stroll along the river.¡±


    ¡°They took them,¡± Remy continued, ¡°then over the past couple of years fishmen have been attacking our community. Come on, man. You¡¯re on the side of a creepy cult with actual fishmen that kidnapped women and girls. Is that really where you want to be?¡±


    The blue beam kid shook his head. ¡°No. You¡¯re the one lying. They said you would. You attack us with your powers. You want to make things bad again.¡±


    ¡°This is pointless. He¡¯s brainwashed, possibly by magic or worse,¡± Hanna narrowed her eyes. ¡°How about that, kid? You got fish larva in your brain? Or maybe you¡¯ve got a fishy hand up your a¡ª¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Remy said. ¡°Not helpful. Look, just answer the question and we¡¯ll leave you here. I promise. We just want to get those women and girls back.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying shit to you monsters!¡± the blue beam kid spat. ¡°The scions are too strong. They¡¯re right. You¡¯re getting desperate. How¡¯s that feel? Big badass with your superpowers thinking you can just make us fall in line. Well, this is America and we fuck tyrants up like punk bitches!¡±


    ¡°Bro, what¡¯re you fifteen? You were like five when the spires showed up. I almost hate to break this to you, but America hasn¡¯t been a thing for almost a decade.¡± Hanna shook her head.


    ¡°Truth.¡±


    A woman¡¯s voice caused Remy and Hanna to turn their heads.


    ¡°The two of you are actually telling the truth.¡±


    The speaker was an athletic woman of Asian descent. Remy couldn¡¯t tell specifically. He was ashamed to admit that he always had trouble. She was in jeans and a tank top. No visible weapons or armor. Not a good sign. Doubly so that she stepped in through the hole Remy had made without apparent concern.


    ¡°Oh good. Then you can tell us where they are and we¡¯ll be out of your hair,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Hapa?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, so?¡±


    The woman shrugged. ¡°A ton of people died. I just think it¡¯s nice to see a fellow sister, even if it¡¯s just half.¡±


    The ceiling collapsed. The dust and rubble revealed a big man standing up from a crouch in what looked like a deliberate pose.


    ¡°Really, you actually did the three-point landing?¡± the woman snorted.


    ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing, Rino?¡± the young man was blond, blue-eyed, square jawed, broad-shouldered. Captain America in the flesh.


    ¡°What the fuck, Chance! What happened to no names?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, man. That¡¯s just bad opsec,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Shut the fuck up, manlet!¡±


    Remy raised a brow. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s saying your small,¡± Hanna remarked.


    ¡°I¡¯m only slightly below average,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°You¡¯re done here,¡± Chance growled. ¡°You come along easy and you don¡¯t get beat down.¡±


    ¡°Hold on!¡± Rino said. ¡°They aren¡¯t lying.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wrong.¡±


    ¡°My nose and ears don¡¯t lie. I¡¯ve proved this already. When they say the scions took their people, then that¡¯s what happened,¡± Rino said.


    Two more people a man and woman walked in through the open door.


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯d like to hear more about this,¡± the tall, blonde woman said.


    The dark-haired, fair-skinned young man beside her was shorter. He didn¡¯t say anything. He simply glared at Remy with baleful eyes.


    ¡°What does it matter if the scions took people?¡± Chance barked. ¡°We are at war!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in the dark aren¡¯t you?¡± Remy said.


    ¡°A cult lies¡­ who¡¯d have thought,¡± Hanna smirked.


    ¡°Fuck this,¡± Chance advanced.


    ¡°Hold the fuck up!¡± Rino moved in front of him.


    Remy blinked. She was fast.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got problems with this,¡± Rino continued.


    ¡°Me too,¡± the blond-haired woman piped.


    ¡°Kidnapping women isn¡¯t a good look,¡± Rino said.


    The blond-haired woman nodded.


    Chance threw his hands up. ¡°What the hell is this? Mutiny? Fine, this doesn¡¯t make sense. Why would the scions take people?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen fishmen, but I¡¯ve never seen fishwomen. Have you?¡± Hanna twisted the blade.


    It was a dark thought. They had discussed the possibility before, but Remy didn¡¯t like to think about it.


    Chance narrowed his eyes. ¡°Our orders are clear. We take him in. Are you going to be a problem?¡±


    Rino bared her teeth at Chance, who did the same.


    Tense seconds passed before Rino backed away.


    She looked at Remy. ¡°You¡¯re not lying, but that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m going to throw down on your behalf.¡±


    ¡°Not expecting that. It¡¯d be good if you¡¯d tell me where they¡¯re keeping our people,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°I have no idea. Didn¡¯t even know they were. Seems like I¡¯m not in the know as much as I thought I was,¡± Rino said. She walked to the hole in the wall. ¡°You coming with?¡±


    The blond-haired woman didn¡¯t hesitate.


    There were two less people in the room.


    Remy used the term loosely. He included himself in the calculation.


    The big man, Chance, was almost as fast as the woman, Rino. He dashed in and threw a punch at Remy¡¯s head.


    He caught the fist in his smaller hand and stopped it cold.


    Chance¡¯s eyes widened.


    Remy punched him in the chest and sent him flying through the conference room wall.


    The other young man growled and leapt at Hanna. She spun to one side and slashed the man across the back with her greatsword.


    The young man changed, shifted. His clothes tore as his body grew in size. Black, wiry fur sprouted all over his body. His head elongated into a muzzle filled with sharp teeth. The wound on his back disappeared.


    ¡°Shit! I knew it!¡± Hanna said.


    Remy had the same suspicions. He tapped into his magnetic power. He did two things. He used the metal pipes in the ceiling and floor to restrain the weredog in tight coils. ¡°Get out of here.¡± He ripped the floor out from under Hanna¡¯s feet, two levels down, and dropped her to the ground floor. The cult only wanted him.


    The black-furred weredog struggled. Then shifted from its bipedal, monstrous form into a giant, Scottish Terrier.


    It looked surreal, but that was par for the course in a spires world.


    Remy was caught watching.


    The big, white weredog barreled into him like a car. It slammed him through the conference room wall and into the office on the other side of the hallway.


    The bear-sized weredog, Chance, batted Remy down with a plate-sized paw.


    Metal squealed as Chance bit down on Remy¡¯s thigh. The pressure was immense, but Remy strengthened the metal enough that the teeth couldn¡¯t penetrate. Though the effort caused a spike of pain to run through his chest.


    Chance shook Remy like a hunk of meat before flinging him back into the hallway, where the other weredog clamped down on Remy¡¯s arm.


    Chance followed and bit down on the same leg for another taste.


    The weredogs were like wolves tearing into an unfortunate deer.


    The snarls, the snapping teeth, the slobber. Remy nearly panicked from the terrifying experience. He blindly punched out and hit something soft.


    A weredog yelped as the pressure on Remy¡¯s leg disappeared.


    Remy punched the other weredog off.


    ¡°Hey, asshole!¡±


    Remy scrambled to his feet.


    The blue beam kid held his hands shoulder-width apart in front of him. A blue glow emanated from his eyes and flowed into the growing field of energy in between his hands.


    Remy threw his hands over his face.


    The blue beam kid jerked his hands up and demolished the ceiling above Remy¡¯s head.


    The debris fell harmlessly on his armored head and shoulders.


    Remy looked up into the darkening sky.


    A nauseating symbol hung in the sky like an ethereal banner.


    His eyelids grew heavy and his body suddenly felt weak. He tried to fight it. Tried to make his way to the stairs.


    Remy lost.


    Darkness claimed him.

 3.47 Epilogue

    Now, Earth


    The fishmen had underestimated Tessa''s resiliency.


    She woke much sooner than they had planned for.


    She ripped the jellyfish-like creature that covered her face. The tube that had gone down her throat was beyond uncomfortable and disgusting. She had no idea what that was about and had a couple of guesses. Some worse than others.


    Better out than in, as her uncle had loved to say whenever he overate and wanted to gross them out when they were kids.


    She was being carried on a fishman¡¯s shoulder like a sack of rice.


    There were more fishmen around her.


    She grabbed the fishman¡¯s neck and twisted her body around until she was behind it.


    Tessa was stronger than the fishman. She squeezed and twisted her arms until she heard the crack.


    The fishman went limp.


    She threw the body into a group of fishmen to her right.


    Tessa scanned her surroundings in a split-second.


    She was in a cave. It was dark, except for some bioluminescent things, for lack of a better word, growing on the rocky ceiling and walls. The air was wet and she could hear rumbling from somewhere above.


    She didn¡¯t have any weapons.


    She couldn¡¯t feel metal anywhere on or near her body.


    The fishmen were armed and surrounded her.


    What did she have?


    Superior strength and toughness. Better reflexes and reaction times. Years of training and sparring with her father, who was stronger than any fishman. With Miss Gozen, who was more skilled with weapons.


    She was trapped in a small space with the fishmen.


    That was another edge.


    ¡°Mistakes were made,¡± Tessa said. ¡°You can surrender now. If you apologize and tell me how to get out of whatever bullshit this place is then I won¡¯t kill you.¡±


    The fishmen warily readied their weapons as they pressed closer.


    ¡°Or not,¡± Tessa said flatly. ¡°I haven¡¯t had sushi in a long time,¡± she sneered.


    Tessa attacked.


    Fists and feet flew. Elbows and knees struck hard.


    The fishmen¡¯s natural scale armor were useless against Tessa¡¯s force.


    A few lucky blows cut her, but it didn¡¯t matter.


    The fight was over.


    Tessa stood triumphant. Covered in dark, almost black blood.


    A pool of ocean water, judging by the smell, sat at one end of the chamber.


    ¡°Crap, I¡¯m under water,¡± Tessa muttered. If she was lucky than she was in some kind of sea cave system on the shore somewhere. If she was unlucky then the cave system was below the seafloor.


    Tessa inspected the chamber. The only other way out was a tunnel that appeared to gently slope down. Being underground was disorienting.


    ¡°No other choice.¡±


    Tessa armed herself with fishmen weapons and gathered some of the bioluminescent lichen or fungus or whatever. She didn¡¯t know. They looked and felt weird enough that she¡¯d bet fifty-fifty that they weren¡¯t part of Earth¡¯s natural world, but arrived with the spires. At least they gave her enough light to see by. Her natural night vision would be useless in pitch black darkness.


    ¡°Bullshit,¡± Tessa said. ¡°I¡¯m going to wreck the fishies for this.¡±


    The tunnel loomed before her like a giant serpent¡¯s mouth.


    Tessa hesitated a second before forging ahead into the deep, dark depths.


    <hr>


    A harrowing ride in a convoy of three stolen cars. Wounded men and women cried and grunted with pain as medics tried to see to their injuries with a mixture of magic and mundane first aid.


    There was no visible pursuit, but everyone felt the dread pressing over them like a heavy blanket.


    Detective Ordonez¡¯s Skills told her that there was a tangible entity behind it. Impossible eyes of deep, dark blue watched over her shoulder. She could almost see them, but even the slightest attempt to look back made her want to curl up in her bed, like she was six again and still scared of monster lurking in the dark and dancing in the shadows on her walls.


    ¡°You okay?¡± Jake said.


    The big, young man was hunched over in the seat next to her. He was unconsciously making himself look smaller. That¡¯s what her instincts told her. He was petrified, but trying to put on a show.


    ¡°Gates, I¡¯m fine,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    The convoy drove south at breakneck speed until they came to a screeching halt.


    ¡°What the hell!¡± Jake snapped at the driver.


    ¡°It¡¯s not my fault!¡±


    Detective Ordonez looked ahead. The cars in front had stopped. She got out of the car despite Jake¡¯s protests. Her magical science leg was exponentially better than a regular prosthetic, but it still felt off. She limped up to the lead car as Jake hurried to catch up.


    She saw what had stopped them.


    A thick wall of mist was several blocks in front of them. The mist rose up at least five stories judging by the buildings it had enveloped.


    Staring at it made her sick to her stomach. She saw them in the mist. The same eyes. It forced her to look away.


    ¡°I can feel magic.¡± Jake held up a smartphone toward the mist. ¡°Give me a second¡­ scanning.¡±


    ¡°What is it, Gates? You¡¯re looking a little green,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°Makes me sick to look at it.¡±


    Numbers and letters scrolled across the surface of Jake¡¯s smartphone. Detective Ordonez couldn¡¯t understand them.


    ¡°Yeah, definitely magical in nature,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°No shit. No mist this morning. Sun was out all day.¡±


    The driver of the lead car rolled down her window. ¡°Do we go through? Or find another way?¡±


    Detective Ordonez chewed the inside of her cheek as she watched the setting sun to the west. Nightfall was minutes away. She had a feeling that things would get worse for them if they were still in cultist territory at that point.


    ¡°Um¡­ boss?¡± Jake gingerly tapped the detective¡¯s arm.


    Detective Ordonez blinked. Night had fallen. She had been in the grip of her Skills trying to find the best path. She was unsuccessful.


    ¡°So¡­ what¡¯s the plan?¡± Jake spoke with forced lightness.


    Detective Ordonez didn¡¯t have a good one.


    A man cleared his throat.


    Weapons swung as one toward an alley to their left.


    A tall man, skinny like a scarecrow stepped out of the shadows with hands raised. ¡°I don¡¯t know if you remember me, bu¡ª¡±


    ¡°Bennett.¡± Detective Ordonez recognized him immediately from their shared experience with the Midtown Mauler, Flo, the thought brought a pang of pain, so she buried it. ¡°I heard you¡¯ve been missing for about two years now.¡± She watched him through the dual lenses of her Skills and skills. He stood with more confidence, but seemed to be the genuine article. Though, one never knew with spires bullshit.


    ¡°Yeah. What was supposed to be a one night, maybe two, thing turned into a whole ordeal.¡± Bennett looked around nervously. ¡°Listen, I¡¯ll tell you all about it, but we need to get off the street. You don¡¯t want to be out. Especially not this close to that.¡± He pointed at the wall of mist that seemed to be flowing closer to their position. ¡°You¡¯ve got injured. We can get them patched up.¡±


    ¡°We?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a resistance.¡±


    <hr>


    Veronica stood outside the interrogation room. Her right hand clenched around her staff. Her left around Tessa¡¯s kanabo. She had refused to sit down.


    Her mind drifted back to what she and her Aunt Nila found when they had reached the place where she had left Tessa behind.


    A dead giant monster and dead fishmen.


    The only sign of Tessa was her bloody weapon.


    Veronica had wanted to go after the stupid fish cult right away.


    Aunt Nila convinced her. And by ¡®convinced¡¯, Aunt Nila grabbed Veronica¡¯s arm in a vise-like grip and practically dragged her back all the way to the watch headquarters.


    ¡°Your sister will be fine,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s a badass. Probably gonna smash those fools,¡± Johnny added


    Veronica ground her teeth. She was wasting time waiting around while people talked about what to do. She knew what to do go. Go to the fish cult and smash them with the fists of justice. Her fists.


    Being surrounded by idiots made it even worse.


    ¡°Guys, back off, give her space!¡± Mads snapped at the young men.


    Idiots, except for Mads, she was cool.


    Everyone else moved down the hall a bit, close, but not too close.


    Veronica pictured zapping all the cultists and fishmen. Really destroying their brains. Then she¡¯d hit them with her staff and Tessa¡¯s kanabo until they were all the way dead.


    Veronica¡¯s head snapped to the door. She had heard the handle turn before her mother appeared.


    ¡°Oh, my baby,¡± Megan hugged her.


    Veronica stood stiffly. She wasn¡¯t going to cry. Not while her sister was in trouble.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go already,¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°Soon,¡± Nila said as she patted Veronica on the head.


    Veronica frowned.


    ¡°We need to wait for sunrise. Won¡¯t see the wyverns coming in the dark.¡±


    ¡°I can see them,¡± Veronica challenged.


    ¡°You can see them better when there¡¯s light,¡± Nila said flatly.


    Watch Commander Lawrence came out last. ¡°God, I need a shower after talking to that psycho.¡± She gestured toward two watch members waiting nearby. ¡°Take her to the holding cell.¡±


    The cultist woman looked pale and drawn. The tentacles she had sprouted from her back had been chopped off. Whether they¡¯d grow back or replaced in another way was an open question.


    The cultist looked at Veronica as she was dragged by.


    Veronica felt a shiver go up her back. It felt as if there was something else looking at her through the cultist¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°You sure about this?¡± Watch Commander Lawrence turned to Megan and Nila. ¡°We haven¡¯t gotten word from Remy or Hanna. Sacramento hasn¡¯t either, but that¡¯s not a surprise with whatever it is the cult is doing to block our communications.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t wait. We¡¯re getting my daughter back,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°Alright, I can¡¯t go with you and we¡¯re shorthanded as it is. I can spare those guys,¡± Watch Commander Lawrence jabbed a thumb toward Mads and they boys, ¡°if they¡¯re willing. And maybe a couple of others. All volunteer of course. I can¡¯t order them to go into the most danger they¡¯ve ever faced. You understand?¡±


    ¡°We just need an SUV. Any other help would be a bonus.¡± Nila¡¯s smile didn¡¯t reach her eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got it,¡± Watch Commander Lawrence grunted, ¡°I¡¯ll authorize emergency ammo. I¡¯m putting my people in your hands, Chen. Don¡¯t waste their lives.¡±


    The watch commander left without further word.


    ¡°I¡¯ll ask the kids if they want in,¡± Nila said. Leaving Veronica and her mother.


    ¡°Mom, what¡¯s the plan? It sounds like you guys already have one.¡±


    ¡°Demi has some kind of interrogation Skill. We know where the cult keeps the people they kidnap. We¡¯re hoping that we can catch up to your father and he can help us get Tessa back, along with the others.¡±


    ¡°What if we can¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°Your father will have smashed through their defenses. Nila thinks that since the cult will be too busy trying to stop your father then we can sneak in. I¡¯m not too clear on how this sort of thing works.¡±


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Veronica saw the shape of the plan. She nodded.


    ¡°We¡¯ll get Tessa back before they can do anything bad,¡± Veronica comforted her mother.


    <hr>


    Hanna walked down a surprisingly crowded street. She had a plastic storage case in one hand and an easel carrying bag over one shoulder. She felt vulnerable in just designer jeans and a shirt. The armor had to go since she needed to blend in. She had left the pieces along with her greatsword hidden in the abandoned clothing boutique where she got the clothes. The thought brought a scowl to her face. The idea that she had to trade her gear for clothing she¡¯d normally disdain was irksome.


    A handsome young man smiled at her as he walked the opposite way.


    Hanna almost bared her teeth at him.


    She was on edge. Alone in enemy territory was not how she had envisioned spending the last day and a half. Fighting wasn¡¯t an option. Escape was even less likely. She didn¡¯t have a lot of options left.


    Paint and brushes jingled in the case as Hanna jostled her way through a tight cluster of people waiting outside a restaurant. She had taken the time to partially empty each tube of paint before tossing it into the case. She also rubbed a bit of paint on some of the brushes. It¡¯d pass a cursory check.


    The easel bag over her shoulder was another matter. The second one looked inside her game was up. The longsword was unmistakable.


    Leaving her greatsword behind was one thing, even if it did hurt like choosing which child to leave on a sinking ship.


    However, there was no way she was going to go willingly unarmed. Live or die, she¡¯d do it with a blade in hand.


    She tightened her hold on the comforting weight over her shoulder.


    The scenes she passed were surreal.


    People ate at sidewalk cafes. Browsed through shops. There was even a damn yoga studio. Men, women and children went about their day without an apparent care in the world. There were babies in strollers. A rarity back in Davis and Sacramento. She even saw a couple of dogs on leashes.


    It was as if the apocalypse that started ten years ago was already over for San Francisco. The only sign was that at least a majority of the people carried a weapon and there were armed guards at every open establishment.


    The latter, along with the armed men and women patrolling the street and stationed at corners made Hanna¡¯s heart race faster whenever their eyes fell on her.


    Hanna eventually made her way out of the busiest streets and into a quieter area. Shuttered buildings, but no sign of monsters. On the surface the cult was doing a good job running their city. She wondered how much sacrifice it took and if it was human. Did the people enjoying their safety know?


    Hanna tensed as she approached an open alley on her left. She widened her route and stepped out onto the street. No cars meant she didn¡¯t have to stay on the sidewalk. She quickly scanned the alley as she walked by. Nothing.


    The next building¡¯s signage was for a boutique real estate agency. Whatever the fuck that meant?


    Hanna got back on the sidewalk. She didn¡¯t want to spend all her time out in the open.


    The door snapped open.


    Hanna threw the storage case at the dark shape and had already slipped her hand around the grip of her sword when she was bodily pulled into the dark office.


    She drew her sword as she turned being thrown to the ground into a smooth roll. She came up ready to strike.


    ¡°Wow! That was pretty awesome! So smooth!¡± a blond, young woman smiled brightly.


    ¡°Wait. We don¡¯t want to fight,¡± the same Japanese woman from the foundry said. Her flinty eyes bore into Hanna¡¯s.


    ¡°What do you want then?¡± Hanna leveled her blade.


    ¡°We¡¯re not okay with human trafficking,¡± the blond woman said.


    ¡°Anyone violating girls and women are on my kill list,¡± the Japanese woman snarled.


    Hanna considered her options. These two were weredogs. She didn¡¯t like her chances in a two on one.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Great! I¡¯m Karen, please call me Kare, like care.¡± The blond woman smiled and held out a hand.


    ¡°Rino.¡± The Japanese woman¡¯s eyes remained hard.


    ¡°Hanna.¡±


    What choice did Hanna have?


    <hr>


    Remy awoke to an old woman smiling kindly down on him from her chair. She wore a strange robe of the deepest, darkest blue. Its surface seemed to move and undulate like ocean waves. He felt wrong just looking at it. He forced his eyes to focus on the old woman¡¯s face.


    ¡°I apologize for the unpleasantness. Unfortunately, our disagreements neces¡ª¡±


    The woman didn¡¯t have time to scream.


    Remy was up off the bed and had her pinned to the wall with his hand around her neck before she blinked. Her toes scraped the floor as she struggled to find purchase and take the pressure off her neck.


    ¡°Disagreements?¡± Remy growled. ¡°That¡¯s a ridiculous way to refer to open warfare. I¡¯m going to loosen my grip just enough so that you can tell me what I want to know. I just want to remind you that a squeeze and a twist of my hand will end you if I even think you¡¯re about to cast a spell.¡±


    The old woman choked.


    ¡°Blink twice if you understand.¡±


    The old woman complied


    Remy did as he promised.


    ¡°Your daughter!¡± The old woman gasped.


    Remy¡¯s hand twitched.


    The old woman whimpered. Tears trickled out the corner of her eyes.


    ¡°Go on,¡± Remy ground out. He was teetering on the edge of blind rage, but he held back.


    ¡°We have your daughter. The oldest one. Her safety is contingent on your cooperation.¡± The old woman looked him square in the eyes. ¡°Let me go or else she will suffer a fate worse than death.¡±


    Remy glared, but relinquished his grip. He stayed standing where he was. Almost nose to nose with the old woman.


    The old woman edged past him and moved to the door.


    ¡°You are not in control here. I had hoped for an amicable arrangement, but it seems you need time to accept your proper place.¡±


    ¡°If you do anything to Tessa,¡± Remy said flatly, ¡°I will kill all of you.¡±


    ¡°Her fate rests entirely in your hands. Cooperate to our satisfaction and we will let her go free¡­ if she desires. You might find that she¡¯d rather live here. We are the shining city by the bay after all.¡±


    ¡°What do you want then?¡±


    ¡°Later. I¡¯ve come to you too soon. Perhaps a good night¡¯s sleep will find you in a more amenable mood.¡±


    The woman left and shut the door. She didn¡¯t bother locking it. He doubted that they could¡¯ve kept him in one place if he didn¡¯t want to stay. They¡¯d managed to chain him another way. Tessa. His baby. Dark thoughts flashed through his mind. What happened to Megan and Veronica? What fate was in store for Tessa?


    A chime sounded in his head. He ignored it. He had enough of the spires.


    He sat back down on the bed. He wasn¡¯t planning on sleeping. He could go days without it.


    Remy¡¯s head hit the pillow twenty minutes later.


    He dreamed of an eternal ocean. Impossibly deep and dark. The waves and currents spoke incomprehensible things. At the center was an immense whirlpool that stretched out to infinity.


    He fought the currents.


    Regardless, they drew him in.


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    Frequency stared at the holographic projections floating in the center of their research chamber. Graphs, charts along with their own notes affixed where applicable.


    Their helmet was retracted and revealed standard Threnosh features aside from an uneven gray skin tones and ear holes covered by a thin layer of skin. Thus, they were deemed Defective upon their birth from their creche.


    The word had lost all power and meaning for Frequency. They had purpose. They had fought and defeated monsters that only primes and elites dared face. They had proved themselves worthy.


    Frequency was deaf. It was only through their power armor that they could hear.


    Thus it was a bit of a paradox that they sought silence in the middle of the problem only they could solve.


    The truth was that the strange sounds that permeated Orchestral Meridian were difficult to listen to once they were isolated from all ambient noise. They made Frequency uncomfortable in a way that they couldn¡¯t comprehend. Sounds were just waves in the air, vibrations. There was science to them, yet all their auditory protections failed.


    Honor had strongly suggested that there were things beyond science.


    Was this an example?


    The reports noted an unknown organism of humanoid shape, if not size. Salamander had come to the conclusion that this organism was involved in Honor¡¯s disappearance.


    The readings they had taken indicated a definite connection between the unidentified sound and the organism. Now, the question that Frequency sought to answer was whether it was the source or a mere conduit. They had several ideas on how to counteract or neutralize the sound and they relied on an accurate answer.


    Frequency was close. They had spent many months solely focused on this most vital of Tasks. Success meant finding Honor, PJ15 and Brightstrike, not to mention the Universal Points.


    ¡°I need more points.¡± Frequency¡¯s speaking ability had come a long way over the last several years. There was no longer a noticeable impediment.


    The audio inputs in their power armor picked up the vibrations of approaching steps out in the corridor and turned it into tactile sensations imparted on their body.


    ¡°Helmet on,¡± Frequency said. Their helmet smoothly slid into place and enclosed their head. They rejoined the world of sound. So vibrant and so full. A small smile quirked the sides of their lipless mouth.


    The door slid open with an almost imperceptible hiss. Frequency heard it clearly.


    ¡°Subcommander Solemn Coast 963. What news?¡±


    ¡°Prime Custodian 3 has authorized your request.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± Frequency needed points. The quickest way was to defeat one of the secret bosses in the zones they controlled. The only problem had been the inexperience of the current crop of special candidates. Without Honor or experienced T-Men to babysit, as Honor had called it, the task was too dangerous for the newbs.


    ¡°My squad will provide assistance,¡± Subcommander Solemn Coast 963 said without expression.


    ¡°The experimental weapons along with my presence will create a high probability of success,¡± Frequency said. ¡°The newbs have been progressing well. They will perform up to our standards.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Frequency¡¯s auditory systems were more sensitive than perhaps anything else in the Threnosh world. The subcommander¡¯s words were spoken without expression, as was the way of standard Threnosh.


    Frequency still detected concern in the subcommander¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Trust in our gear and training,¡± Frequency said.


    The subcommander saluted and departed the chamber.


    Frequency returned to their research. They were close. They just needed a few more things from the spire.


    <hr>


    Caretaker wasn¡¯t upset. Not exactly. At least that was what they repeated in their head.


    Their request to wind down their involvement in Cold Plains City had been denied by Prime Custodian 3. Only Whoosh had been allowed to join the operation in Orchestral Meridian.


    Caretaker had much rather taken control of the search for Honor, PJ15 and Brightstrike.


    As it was the prime tasked them with acting as the liaison to General Zanya as they tried to establish a workable plan for the cragants to perform their desires as mercenaries. An unfamiliar word to the Threnosh. Honor would¡¯ve been a useful resource in this matter.


    They also needed to locate Shira. There were signs that their teammate didn¡¯t perish against Zalthyss. The signs were concerning. More to the point something must¡¯ve been wrong for Shira to not simply report back to base.


    Be that as it may, Caretaker would¡¯ve trusted Kynnro and Dralig to lead the team in the search.


    The door to Caretaker¡¯s command space slid open.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Threnosh command has rejected Malendrax¡¯s and Silver Wolf¡¯s biological body for re-purposing. They also rejected their trueskins,¡± Kynnro said.


    It had not occurred to Caretaker that their Defective status would hold even in death. Perhaps it should have.


    ¡°Did command provide guidelines for their disposal?¡±


    A slight frown creased Kynnro¡¯s smooth brow. ¡°You have jurisdiction in this matter.¡±


    Caretaker sensed that Kynnro was upset. They didn¡¯t quite understand, so they did what Honor taught and looked inward to listen to the voice in their head.


    Malendrax and Silver Wolf had been good teammates and subordinates. They fought well and without hesitation. They obeyed orders to the best of their abilities. They fought side by side with Caretaker. They died pursuing Caretaker¡¯s plans. They died so that the Task could be completed successfully. They died for their team.


    Caretaker followed this chain of thought with amazing rapidity.


    ¡°Their existence must be remembered,¡± Caretaker said. Though they were at a loss as to how that could be accomplished. Their predictive algorithm was silent on the matter.


    ¡°I do not know, but I know something must be done. I would ask Honor for his thoughts when we recover him,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°Meanwhile we can preserve their bodies and store their trueskins,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°I will see it done before I depart to join the team at Orchestral Meridian,¡± Kynnro said flatly.


    Caretaker¡¯s eyes widened an imperceptible amount for a split-second. Such was their surprise. They had not given any orders to that effect. ¡°You are not assigned to Orchestral Meridian.¡±


    Kynnro¡¯s shoulders slumped slightly. ¡°Frequency will need my support.¡±


    ¡°Your presence is better served locating Shira.¡±


    ¡°I believe that Shira will return when they are done with whatever Task they are on.¡±


    ¡°Negative. We do not know the truth of the situation. Probabilities dictate an active, aggressive search,¡± Caretaker said. Their predictive algorithm had been adamant on this.


    Kynnro was silent.


    Caretaker looked on without expression.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Kynnro left the chamber and left Caretaker to their plans.


    <hr>


    Then, Threnosh World


    The insects secreted an acidic gel that ate through PJ15¡¯s wings. Hundreds of small holes became bigger as the wind whipped through them.


    The only positive thing was that the insects expired upon releasing the substance from their abdomen.


    PJ15¡¯s flight still grew unstable.


    ¡°We must get closer to the ground,¡± Brightstrike said into the comms. ¡°Before we crash.¡±


    External speech was difficult if not impossible at their current height.


    ¡°I concur,¡± PJ15 replied. They angled themselves down and shut off their boot jets.


    They wobbled down an immense artificial canyon. Empty structures filled both sides.


    When applicable Threnosh built their cities to make use of every space, vertical as well as horizontal. The canyon was one of the main arteries that allowed their aerial vehicles and drones to reach the sublevels.


    PJ15 and Brightstrike were terribly small against the gaping black void.


    ¡°Wings are losing coherence. I cannot re-form them while in flight. We must land soon.¡±


    ¡°There,¡± Brightstrike pointed to a large opening to their left, illuminated in enhanced vision mode.


    PJ15¡¯s landing was rough. Their wings gave out with about twenty meters to the landing platform. Fortunately they had enough momentum to barely make it.


    They threw Brightstrike at the last moment. Before hitting the metallic surface hard and sliding across on their front.


    Brightstrike rolled with the landing and emerged with less damage.


    PJ15 rose on wobbly legs. ¡°Troubling,¡± they said as they processed the assessment their power armor fed into their faceplate. ¡°This will take time to repair.¡±


    Brightstrike had their own problems. Their power armor had already been damaged from the fight with the Inheritors. ¡°Your trueskin repairs itself. I do not have the same option. We will need to find a maintenance bay to bring me up to minimum combat standard.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps we should avoid combat. Our goal must be to return and bring word of Honor¡¯s fate,¡± PJ15 said.


    ¡°Agreed. However, I expect that our enemies will pursue.¡±


    They took a moment to consult the map of Orchestral Meridian uploaded into their systems.


    ¡°We are many levels down and many kilometers away from our foothold,¡± Brightstrike said. ¡°There is a lot of area for more corrupted and Inheritors to ambush or chase us down.¡± They projected a small three dimensional image of their surrounding area from their gauntlet. ¡°These are the nearest maintenance facilities. Repairs first. The longer we wait the probability of an encounter with the enemy increases.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged. It is unfortunate that there are no drone manufacturing facilities or drone stations in this section. Supplementing our weaponry would increase our success rate,¡± PJ15 said.


    Brightstrike looked at the indicator for their power armor¡¯s weapon energy stores. It was blinking red. ¡°Inferior weaponry will not be necessary once we locate a recharging station.¡±


    PJ15 didn¡¯t share their concerns. They were junior to Brightstrike. The more experienced one took command unless otherwise directed by one higher in the chain of command.


    PJ15 wasn¡¯t certain that they¡¯d find the repair facilities functional. Even if they did the technology was nearly ten years old. The facilities they had reclaimed on the surface of the city had to be upgraded to make them compatible with their spire-made equipment. Hardware and software were both issues.


    At the least they knew that the recharging stations worked without issue. They¡¯d need Brightstrike¡¯s hard light weapons if they encountered enemies.


    ¡°That one is the closest,¡± PJ15 pointed to one of the repair facilities on the map.


    ¡°Let us go. We cannot waste time,¡± Brightstrike said.


    PJ15 led the way as they walked deeper into the pitch black depths of the city. Brightstrike limped behind.


    Orchestral Meridian was once an exemplar among the cities of the Threnosh. Now it was a dead place of monsters and worse things.


    A loud chime sounded.


    Only the two Threnosh heard it.


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    Mother¡¯s song was everywhere. It flowed through everything.


    Until a discordant note suddenly disrupted it for an instant.


    Cal woke up.

 Interlude: Eron, Skin-deep 2

    Chapter 2


    The truck turned in to an industrial-looking block.


    There was an auto-repair shop on the corner, a large temporary storage facility and a couple of warehouse buildings on both sides of the street.


    They pulled in to one of the warehouse lots and drove in right inside the open roll up door.


    The cavernous space was bright thanks to the large windows and sky lights.


    Eron wasn¡¯t expecting to see a large pen full of dirt, straw and goats occupying a large section of floor space.


    The truck stopped.


    ¡°This way.¡±


    Eron followed.


    The gritty-looking dude led him straight to the goat pen.


    ¡°Wait here.¡±


    Eron stood next to the fence and watched the dude approach an old woman busy wrangling a bunch of baby goats.


    ¡°Huh? The Abuela is actually an abuela.¡±


    The old woman looked at Eron with laser focus as she walked toward him.


    He couldn¡¯t detect obvious signs of terror. There was a bit of fear, but mostly wariness.


    Impressive.


    ¡°Why¡¯d you bring me a skinny, pendejo. We¡¯ve got enough mouths to feed.¡±


    ¡°Abuela¡­¡± a look of horror dawned on the gritty dude¡¯s face.


    ¡°Mijo, relax. If what you told me is true, then if this pendejo takes offense then we can¡¯t do nothing.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like a very reckless outlook,¡± Eron said mildly. The old lady was right though. He had no problem tolerating name calling. ¡°It¡¯s rude to call me names, but my parents taught me about the sticks and the stones.¡±


    ¡°Is right, no? We don¡¯t shoot, you don¡¯t ruin our trucks?¡±


    ¡°Sure, but there are limits. Annoy me enough and making a deal becomes more expensive for you guys,¡± Eron shrugged. ¡°So, you¡¯re the one I need to talk to about it?¡±


    ¡°Maybe,¡± the old woman studied Eron for a few seconds. ¡°I don¡¯t deal with people I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Eron frowned.


    Magic becoming real had changed a lot of what they¡¯d known as reality. Things as innocuous as giving your name could be dangerous. He¡¯d had discussions about it with his brothers and others. They¡¯d raised the idea that curses based on one¡¯s name or identity couldn¡¯t be discounted as possibilities. If wizard-style magic, like fireballs, was verifiable, then why not witch curses and voodoo doll-type stuff.


    Eron wasn¡¯t his full, legal first name. Was that enough protection?


    He could give her a fake name or one of the superhero-style names he¡¯d been workshopping in his head. Although, if she had some way of detecting lies, through magic or another ability, then that might ruin his opportunity to trade.


    He weighed the risks.


    ¡°You first.¡± Eron decided that he needed to negotiate from a position of strength. Judging by how thin a lot of the people looked then they¡¯d be very interested in free meat.


    The old woman chewed and spat out an amber colored glob of liquid.


    ¡°Alejandra Valencia,¡± the old woman jabbed a thumb at her chest. ¡°This is my nieto, grandson, Gabriel.¡±


    ¡°Abuela!¡± Gabriel protested.


    ¡°Mijo, you said this pendejo is bulletproof and threw a truck. I say we don¡¯t get on his bad side like the putos on the other side of town.¡±


    ¡°I go by Eron,¡± he hedged. Make it seem like that wasn¡¯t his real name.


    ¡°Eh, okay. So, you¡¯ve got some meat you want to trade?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s called a drake. Basically a small dragon. About twice as big as a horse. Two back legs, two forelimbs and two huge, leathery wings. Long tail, long-ish neck. Lots of sharp teeth, like knives. Claws are serious business too. No fire breath or anything else weird. Can fly. I¡¯m thinking that''s magic-related, cause I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s about a ton and that seems too heavy for flight capability. Scales are pretty tough, I¡¯d guess probably bulletproof against pistol caliber stuff.¡± Eron quickly ticked off the description. He had practiced it beforehand.


    ¡°The meat good?¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t taste great, but then again I¡¯ve only cooked it over an open fire. Plus, I burned the hell out of it. Didn¡¯t want to risk magical food poisoning or magical parasites. Never had any stomach issues, but I wouldn¡¯t risk going below well-done until you¡¯ve fully tested it.¡±


    ¡°And what do you want in exchange?¡±


    ¡°Twenty pounds of meat turned into jerky. If you can make weapons and armor out of it, then some of that. If not, then I want you to make me some steel or any strong metal spears or javelins. Oh and the heart. That one is not negotiable,¡± Eron said flatly.


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    ¡°A ton, huh?¡±


    ¡°Estimate, could be more, could be less. I don¡¯t carry around a scale.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯d it compare to the truck?¡±


    ¡°Hard to say.¡± Eron didn¡¯t want to reveal too much information. Truth was one ton didn¡¯t feel much different from three or four. ¡°I¡¯ll need, like, a trailer to carry the carcass back here. Unless you don¡¯t mind me dragging it over three miles of freeway.¡±


    ¡°Okay, we got a deal.¡±


    Eron blinked. ¡°That was quick.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t like to waste time. Too much to do,¡± Alejandra shook her head. ¡°Follow Gabe, he¡¯ll get you your trailer and a couple of guys to help you out.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. It¡¯ll be quicker if I do it myself. It¡¯ll slow me down if I have to protect your people from monsters and mutant animals.¡±


    The old woman snorted and spat. ¡°We need to get stronger. Seems like a good opportunity, no?¡±


    Eron wanted to curse. Seems like he got tricked into helping some weak noobs get experience and Universal Points. The old woman didn¡¯t need to state that the deal would be endangered if her people got hurt.


    ¡°Don¡¯t think I¡¯d feel obligated to save your people,¡± Eron said flatly. He stared at the old woman without emotion. She actually took a half step back. ¡°You need this deal more than I do. The things I want aren¡¯t nearly as critical as your lack of meat. I noticed that you only had a convenience store and a gas station on this side of the freeway. I figure that the grocery store and the restaurants are all on the other side. I¡¯d also guess that those racists on the other side of the city aren¡¯t very sharing when it comes to access.¡±


    Alejandra found her steel. She straightened and held Eron¡¯s gaze. ¡°My people are fighters. They won¡¯t get in your way.¡±


    Eron inclined his head a fraction.


    <hr>


    Eron dropped the drake carcass off at the warehouse along with the handful of men and women that Alejandra had saddled him with. All in one piece, of course.


    He had let them shoot the mutant coyotes that had gathered around the drake and kept the handful that¡¯d survive the initial barrage from getting to the people.


    They hadn¡¯t made any effort to bring the coyote meat back. Eron hadn¡¯t bothered to ask why. One look at the deformed animals was enough.


    ¡°Hey, man. I¡¯m looking for a place to sleep,¡± Eron asked Gabriel.


    Gabriel didn¡¯t look happy. ¡°How long are you planning on staying?¡±


    ¡°Only until the terms of our deal have been fulfilled,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Go down main street toward the freeway. All of those buildings are empty. We need to keep a buffer zone between us and them putos.¡±


    ¡°Do they attack you?¡±


    ¡°The punks like to drive by and shoot or bust things up. Mostly windows. No one¡¯s gotten really hurt, until¡ª¡±


    ¡°Until what?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t matter to you,¡± Gabriel said. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind seeing you break one of their stupid trucks if they tried to pull that shit on you. You might have to kill those little monsters. Say, do you got them from wherever you¡¯re coming from? Pale-skin, sharp teeth and claws, big as babies, can¡¯t handle light?¡±


    ¡°Gremlins,¡± Eron grimaced, ¡°I guess at least it¡¯s a familiar monster. Say, you don¡¯t happen to have the bigger version, Gremlin Alpha, pretty much like the little one, but ten feet tall?¡±


    Gabriel¡¯s eyes shot open. ¡°No way, man! That sounds like a nightmare.¡±


    ¡°Lucky then,¡± Eron said. ¡°Alright, so, I¡¯m clear to pick a place and use it?¡±


    Gabriel nodded. ¡°You best be on your way. The sun¡¯s setting and it ain¡¯t safe to be out after dark,¡± he eyed Eron. ¡°Maybe that don¡¯t make a difference to you.¡±


    Eron found a small insurance office to use as a base camp for the next few days while he waited for Alejandra¡¯s group to fulfill their end of bargain.


    Darkness fell as he waited inside the tiny lobby area.


    Chittering sounds surrounded him.


    Gremlins launched themselves at him from all directions.


    He punched and crushed them to death with his hands.


    Disgusting, but effective.


    The building only had two more offices, a small break room and a bathroom in the back. He cleared the whole place in a matter of minutes. It took longer to gather the gremlin bodies and toss them out into the street.


    He knew from experience that the dozen or so gremlins probably only got him fractions of a Universal Point. They were too easy to kill and posed zero danger to him.


    A thought brought up the spires¡¯ system interface for the office building. He considered challenging the secret boss, probably a higher class of gremlin or gremlins, but definitely not an alpha.


    The text hovered in Eron¡¯s mind¡¯s eye, while the spires¡¯ voice spoke in his ears.


    He dismissed it after a moment.


    This wasn¡¯t his place. He had no claim on any of the buildings. No need to antagonize the people.


    ¡°What to do, what to do?¡±


    Eron didn¡¯t need as much sleep anymore. Just a few hours here and there to maintain his sanity.


    He considered going out of town in search of more powerful monsters and mutant animals, perhaps another drake. That wouldn¡¯t have been without risk. His strength didn¡¯t renew as well when the sun was down. A fight with a drake at his baseline strength and toughness without the added boost from the sun¡¯s rays was too close a proposition. Even if it was doable.


    Eron decided against it.


    Better to stay out of any potential trouble with the locals, both sides.


    Eron settled into a dusty office chair and leaned back with his hiking boots up on the desk. He closed his eyes and went to sleep.


    Hours passed before fate conspired against his plans.


    Angry shouts jolted Eron awake.


    He listened for a few minutes until he got the gist. It sounded serious. It wasn¡¯t his problem, but it did endanger his deal, so he guessed that made it his problem.


    ¡°God damn it,¡± Eron muttered.


    The same two groups from earlier faced off against each other near the freeway overpass.


    Armed men and women took cover behind their trucks while shining spotlights on each other.


    Both sides were yelling at each other about missing people and missing livestock.


    How to defuse the situation?


    ¡°Yo, what the hell? I¡¯m trying to get some sleep!¡± Eron bellowed.


    When in doubt be the biggest asshole.


    Eron strode into the middle of the stand off and raised his arms wide.


    ¡°Well?¡± he squinted into the harsh spotlights until he found who he was looking for. ¡°Is that little Brett? Shoot any unarmed men in the back since this afternoon?¡± he stared Brett down until the young man looked away. ¡°So, who¡¯s in charge here? I¡¯m going to need explanations.¡±


    Eron waited.


    The group from the east side of the freeway, Brett¡¯s, got back in their trucks and turned around.


    Alejandra¡¯s group did the same a few moments later.


    Eron was left standing in the dark.


    He sighed and trudged back to the insurance office.

 Interlude: Eron, Skin-deep 3

    Chapter 3


    A series of loud knocks rattled the door and rudely interrupted him once again.


    ¡°Um¡­ hi.¡±


    Eron was greeted by a young woman with black hair that was way too dark to be her natural color. Her fauxhawk and goth-style clothing evoked a sort of punk witch look. He was instantly suspicious.


    ¡°Yeah, so, can we like come in? It¡¯s dangerous to be out in the open for too long.¡±


    Eron looked at the young man standing behind the woman. He looked like a fighter. A head taller than the young woman, who probably had an inch or two on Eron. He had cauliflower ears, like Cal used to have when he was wrestling back in high school. Same thick-necked, broad-shouldered silhouette beneath the thick leather jacket and tactical-style vest.


    Curiously the young woman didn¡¯t appear to be armed or armored.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Are you vampires?¡±


    ¡°Of course not,¡± the young woman said.


    ¡°That¡¯s what you¡¯d say if you were.¡± Eron stepped away from the door. ¡°I don¡¯t invite you in.¡±


    The young man looked back at the dark street with clear anxiety. ¡°Whatever. I¡¯m not standing out here,¡± he pushed his way past the young woman and placed his lantern on the front counter, ¡°I can¡¯t believe I listened to you.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be a drama queen.¡± The young woman followed him in.


    Eron locked the door.


    ¡°Alright¡­ what¡¯s your story? Is this like some kind of Romeo and Juliet bullshit and you want me to take you with me when I leave?¡±


    The young man and woman laughed.


    ¡°I¡¯m not into girls,¡± the young man said.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s this about?¡±


    ¡°Well, we do need your help, but I should probably introduce myself first, my name¡¯s Jose, Joe. You¡¯ve met my abuela and my cousin.¡±


    Eron saw the resemblance.


    ¡°What¡¯d I tell you about giving your name out?¡± the young woman huffed.


    ¡°What? It¡¯s not my full name.¡±


    ¡°Eron, also not my full, real name,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Names have power,¡± the young woman said.


    ¡°C¡¯mon Lon¡ª¡±


    The young woman shushed Joe with a swipe of her gloved hand.


    Eron¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°And you know this for a fact.¡±


    The young woman nodded gravely. ¡°My Class allows me to perform magic. I can tell that I don¡¯t need to explain. If you¡¯ve been traveling then you must¡¯ve already seen it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, seen lots of magic.¡±


    ¡°I have so many questions,¡± the young woman eyes glittered.


    ¡°Name first.¡±


    The young woman held her head high. ¡°I go by Wytchraven, with a Y. My nom de guerre. For protection from potential magical threats.¡±


    Eron had guessed they were high school age, maybe early college. He immediately downgraded the woman¡¯s age a couple of years lower.


    ¡°You¡¯re serious,¡± Eron said flatly. He took a breath and reminded himself not to judge and dismiss her immediately. The spires made the world strange. Made people strange. ¡°Care to explain?¡±


    ¡°Not entirely. I don¡¯t trust you,¡± Wytchraven said.


    ¡°Fair, but I still need something if you want something from me.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Lon¡ª Raven¡­ I¡¯m not calling you Wytchraven,¡± Joe rolled his eyes. ¡°Remember, coming here was your idea.¡±


    ¡°I have a Spell that kinda lets me track people like GPS if I know their true name.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll buy it until proven otherwise.¡± Eron didn¡¯t really need sleep anyways. It was boring. This might be interesting even if it was some kind of trap or scam. He was inclined to believe the two. Their working together like this was at odds with the race-based animosity he had seen displayed between the separated halves of the city. ¡°What do you want from me?¡±


    Eron could hear their hearts beating in their chests. They had been scared the entire time, but now their hearts were pounding. He readied himself.


    ¡°Um¡­¡± Wytchraven began nervously. ¡°It¡¯s hard to explain, but I¡¯m, like ninety percent sure that there¡¯s some kind of evil entity responsible for my dad¡¯s missing cows and the people going missing from the west side.¡±


    Eron studied the two.


    Joe looked torn between fear and indignation.


    While Wytchraven displayed a mix of hope and a haunted weariness.


    ¡°Got something to add, Joe?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. Just that it¡¯s bullshit that they¡¯re more worried about a cow going missing than my people.¡±


    Eron watched closely, but he couldn¡¯t detect any animosity between the young man and woman. Whatever their thoughts on the rest of their community didn¡¯t seem to be reflected in their relationship. He guessed that they were probably longtime friends.


    ¡°So, cows from the east side and people from the west side.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but they blame us. Say we¡¯re ¡®rustling¡¯ their cattle.¡± Joe mocked the typical southern accent.


    Wytchraven shook her head. ¡°My Spells don¡¯t indicate that. It¡¯s definitely something else, wrong. Makes me sick just feeling it.¡±


    ¡°Like a monster or mutant animal?¡±


    ¡°No. I know what those feel like. This is different. Worse. Evil.¡±


    ¡°So, it¡¯s a person?¡± Eron frowned.


    ¡°Different from that too. It¡¯s¡­¡± Wytchraven hesitated. ¡°It¡¯s kinda like the feeling you¡¯re giving off,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°And you still came here alone¡­ reckless and foolish,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°No, no, no,¡± Wytchraven waved her hands. ¡°You¡¯re totally different. I¡¯m not getting an evil feeling from you.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll see what I can do, but no promises and I¡¯m leaving when my deal with your abuela is done,¡± Eron nodded at Joe, ¡°even if I haven¡¯t dealt with this possible evil entity.¡±


    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    The two young people exchanged a look.


    Eron sighed. He was probably only four or five years older than them, but he felt so much more. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°We have to help you or at least be visibly with you when you do it,¡± Joe said.


    ¡°If it¡¯s the two of us working together,¡± Wytchraven laid a hand on Joe¡¯s arm, ¡°then maybe we can at least slow down the building violence between the two halves of our city.¡±


    Eron laughed. Short, bitter. ¡°Basically, platonic Romeo and Juliet then. Except with evil horrors out in the dark. Wonderful,¡± he said flatly. ¡°When do we start?¡±


    ¡°Now,¡± Wytchraven said.


    ¡°You sure? Like you said it¡¯s dangerous out in the dark.¡±


    Wytchraven nodded. ¡°For some reason I feel that as long as we¡¯re with you we won¡¯t have to fight any of the usual monsters.¡±


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go.¡±


    The young woman was right about that.


    It¡¯d take a pretty powerful monster to attack Eron inside a human controlled city¡¯s boundaries.


    <hr>


    Eron followed Wytchraven and Joe out to her father¡¯s farm.


    The light from the latter¡¯s lantern was shuttered to a thin stream, but it was more than enough to turn the dark night into day in Eron¡¯s enhanced vision.


    It was interesting that Wytchraven didn¡¯t have her own light yet she walked steadily through the pasture¡¯s uneven ground.


    He made a mental note to ask Joe what her real name was as soon as possible.


    Eron heard the rustle of feathers in the wind and the cawing of a crow or four. Nice to see that there were still regular animals out there. There had been a decided lack of them in the spaces between populated cities and towns all along I-5. Too many monsters and mutant animals.


    They eventually stopped in the open.


    Eron could see the tiny-looking ranch house that must¡¯ve belonged to Wytchraven¡¯s family. She hadn¡¯t said it outright, but he had put the clues together and guessed her father was the old man he had encountered when he first arrived. That meant Brett was her older brother. He wanted to laugh at the thought of them realizing that their daughter was out cavorting with their lessers.


    The ranch house was lit up by numerous lanterns and generator-powered lights. If he focused he could hear their rumbling over the distance.


    He could see people going about their business inside the house. People were so tiny when he looked at them, like action figures.


    ¡°This was where the last cow was found, well, her remains,¡± Wytchraven said. ¡°Something must¡¯ve happened to spook the entity. This was the first time that there was any¡­ remains.¡±


    ¡°So, why¡¯d your dad and his goons decide to drive down and confront Joe¡¯s people,¡± Eron scanned the torn up grass and soil. There was evidence everywhere. Blood and bits of meat and offal were scattered all over the place. ¡°I mean one look at this and you¡¯d think animal or monster.¡±


    ¡°Racism,¡± Joe said. Then he looked over at Wytchraven. ¡°Sorry, but it¡¯s true,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°No, you¡¯re right,¡± Wytchraven¡¯s shoulders slumped. ¡°But that¡¯s what we¡¯re trying to change,¡± she straightened. ¡°Okay, so, Eron, you can obviously see more than us.¡±


    ¡°Two blood trails. One,¡± Eron pointed to the barn in the distance, ¡°I¡¯m guessing your people took the carcass there.¡±


    Wytchraven nodded.


    ¡°Two,¡± Eron pointed out into the open plains where small hills gently sloped as the yellow grass swayed in the night breeze. ¡°Still want to come along?¡±


    ¡°Maybe we should come back during the day?¡± Joe ventured hopefully.


    Wytchraven vehemently shook her head. ¡°My Dad and brothers aren¡¯t going to dare follow us out of the city now. It¡¯s the only reason why I¡¯m even able to be out here. I slipped out while they were busy being dicks. If they catch me again they¡¯ll lock me in my room.¡±


    ¡°How old are you?¡± Eron raised a brow.


    ¡°Twenty. Why?¡±


    ¡°Just curious,¡± Eron shrugged. ¡°Things work differently outside city boundaries. Fair warning.¡±


    ¡°We know,¡± Joe said. ¡°That¡¯s why I don¡¯t want to go out there,¡± he jabbed his barb wire-wrapped and nail-encrusted bat out into the darkness.


    Eron heard the flap of massive leathery wings in the distance. Still far enough away if he judged it correctly.


    ¡°Your call. Just know that I can¡¯t guarantee your safety.¡±


    Wytchraven pulled out a short length of gnarled wood out of her bag.


    ¡°Is that a magic wand?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Cool,¡± Eron grinned. ¡°That¡¯s new.¡±


    Wytchraven looked at him with suspicion. ¡°Are we going or not?¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± Joe huffed.


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll take the lead. Stay close and watch your backs.¡±


    Eron followed the blood trail through the grass as he tried to block out the jack-hammering hearts of the two young people crowding his heels.


    This was a mistake. He should¡¯ve brought them to their homes first and gone ahead on his own. Stupid of him. They slowed him down too much.


    He could¡¯ve ran the trail down in minutes, instead it had been almost an hour.


    There was nothing but small hills and open plains everywhere he looked. Fortunately, they hadn¡¯t encountered any monsters or mutant animals.


    The drake Eron had heard on the wind was long gone.


    He did hear the rustle of feathers and crows cawing from time to time, which was strange, especially so far away from the city.


    ¡°There,¡± Wytchraven pointed in the darkness.


    Eron followed her finger and noticed an outcropping of rocks. They seemed out of place until he looked further to the east and noticed foothills leading to the mountains.


    The trail was getting fainter, but they were leading in that direction.


    Eron smelled the decay well before they reached the rock formation. It grew to an unbearable stench by the time they got there.


    ¡°Oh my god! This is heinous,¡± Joe said. He clutched his bat like a talisman to ward away evil.


    ¡°I can feel it. This place is Evil with a capital E.¡±


    ¡°No one talk.¡± Eron strained his senses to their limits. Nothing. Not even bugs or lizards. The entire surrounding area was dead. The only thing he could hear was the grass rustling in the wind. Even the crows had gone silent. ¡°Okay, there is definitely something weird going on here.¡±


    ¡°The trail?¡±


    ¡°Leads here.¡± Eron scanned the area. ¡°Stay close.¡± He walked around once, then twice before he spotted an opening in the tightly packed rock cluster. It was about twenty feet off the ground and there were no handholds in the smooth, straight surface. ¡°I see an opening, but it¡¯s up there and I don¡¯t see any ropes or other way to reach it.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t see shit,¡± Joe held up his lantern toward where Eron had pointed, but the light wasn¡¯t focused enough.


    ¡°I can get up there, but that means leaving you two out here.¡±


    ¡°I vote against that idea,¡± Joe said quickly.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. I can feel it. This is an evil place. Even the monsters avoid it,¡± Wytchraven said in an almost wistful sounding voice, like she was high.


    Eron exchanged a glance with Joe, who shrugged.


    ¡°She does that sometimes when weird stuff is happening.¡±


    ¡°Alright, scream if you need help.¡± Eron jumped up the twenty feet and squeezed into the opening. It was a tight fit, so he had to turn sideways.


    ¡°Holy shit! Did you see that?¡± Joe said.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Wytchraven stared out into the darkness without blinking.


    Eron kept an ear on the pair as he went deeper into the rock formation. It was like a cave and it was dark and it stank even worse than outside.


    His boots crunched on what could only be bones as he slid across the rocks. Some surfaces felt wet and slimy. He tried to ignore them.


    Mercifully, the narrow passage opened up into a wider chamber.


    The space was oval in shape and there was enough room for him to stand at his full height without hitting the ceiling. He could see where the two giant boulders had come to rest on the rocks that made up the floor.


    All thoughts of the geological feature were driven from his mind when he noticed the altar up against the back wall.


    Things were dim even for him this far away from any light sources, so he made his own. It took effort and not an insignificant amount of his internal energy, but he willed his eyes to emit a yellow-gold light. At this stage it was like a weak flashlight, but he hoped with time and practice he¡¯d actually have heat vision or something similar.


    The light shined on the altar and Eron wished that he hadn¡¯t done that.


    The altar was covered in bones. Some still had meat and flesh attached.


    There were many different kinds of bones.


    Cattle primarily, but he noticed a misshapen canine skull, likely a mutant coyote.


    What truly rattled him though were the three human skulls with portions of vertebrae still attached carefully hung on the altar.


    ¡°What I wouldn¡¯t give for a camera. They¡¯re not going to believe me. Unless¡­¡±


    Eron returned and relayed his findings.


    He offered to take Wytchraven up to see it with her own eyes. Joe was too big to fit through the opening.


    The poor young woman vomited as soon as she set foot in the chamber. One look at the altar had her crying and begging to be taken out.


    Eron obliged.


    He was less enthused about having to carry the young woman on his back with the smell of vomit on her breath due to the fact that she collapsed into unconsciousness as soon as they left the rock chamber.


    He had to carry her all the way back to town.

 Interlude: Eron, Skin-deep 4

    Chapter 4


    ¡°The witching hour,¡± Joe said.


    Eron laid Wytchraven on one of the chairs in the small lobby. She was still out.


    They were back in the insurance office.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Joe tapped his watch. ¡°Kinetic. Don¡¯t need batteries just move it around everyday. Been keeping it up since the spires appeared. Probably a little off, but better than nothing,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°How¡¯d you deal with the time changes?¡±


    ¡°I just ignored them.¡±


    ¡°As it should be,¡± Eron nodded. ¡°So¡­ what¡¯s her real name?¡±


    ¡°Uh, she¡¯ll get mad if I tell you,¡± Joe said.


    ¡°I can¡¯t keep calling her Wytchraven.¡±


    ¡°¡­ her name¡¯s London,¡± Joe sighed. ¡°But, maybe call her Raven, like I do.¡±


    Eron blinked. ¡°Fair enough. I¡¯ll try, but no promises.¡±


    Joe shrugged. ¡°Hey, so what¡¯d you find in the rocks? Is that why Raven¡¯s out cold? And is she going to be okay?¡±


    ¡°Probably. Breathing and heart rate sounds normal, but I¡¯m not a doctor. As for what we saw¡­¡±


    Eron told Joe about the altar and the bones. Particularly the human ones.


    Joe was stricken. His legs gave out as he plopped down into a chair.


    Eron didn¡¯t say anything. He had his suspicions.


    ¡°Oh man,¡± Joe held his head in his hands. His voice sound thick. Choking back tears. ¡°Three?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s how many of our people have gone missing. Last one is, was, Mari. My cousin. I don¡¯t get it though. She was like our best magic person. She was a badass even before all this. She did a few amateur MMA fights and she¡¯d wreck me wrestling back when I was in high school even though I had like fifty pounds on her. We were hoping she just went out and was trying to fight stronger monsters since the ones in town were getting too weak for her.¡±


    ¡°Might not be her,¡± Eron said. He cursed inwardly. He should¡¯ve brought the skulls back and destroyed the altar. Whatever evil entity was responsible wouldn¡¯t like that or might¡¯ve even been harmed. Stupid mistake.


    He should go back right now, but then he couldn¡¯t leave Joe and Raven alone in a building that he hadn¡¯t claimed. Monsters might spawn inside or attack from outside.


    ¡°Do you think you could identify if it¡¯s her from the¡­?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. She didn¡¯t have gold teeth or anything like that,¡± Joe looked up with watery eyes.


    ¡°Anyone else, her mom and dad? Your abuela?¡±


    ¡°My tio and tia didn¡¯t make it.¡±


    ¡°What about her?¡± Eron pointed at Wytchraven. ¡°She was right on about this evil thing.¡±


    ¡°Maybe¡­¡±


    ¡°When it¡¯s safe to leave the two of you I¡¯ll head out again. I¡¯ll bring them back and destroy the altar. Tell your abuela. I don¡¯t want anyone accusing me of being the killer when I show up with the bones.¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ why wreck it? Don¡¯t we need it for evidence? Raven¡¯s dad won¡¯t just take our word for it.¡±


    ¡°Those people have already made up their minds on this. Short of the evil entity dropping out of the sky or something¡ª¡± Eron¡¯s attention snapped out to the street. He heard numerous claws or nails scrabbling against the asphalt. As he listened the monsters or mutant animals gave his location a wide berth before continuing to the east.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Problems for someone else,¡± Eron frowned. ¡°They won¡¯t want to believe any evidence that goes against the reality they¡¯ve created in their minds. What¡¯ll probably happen is that they¡¯ll just blame us for faking the altar and bones or accuse us of being the responsible party.¡±


    ¡°Fake news,¡± Joe sighed. ¡°Yeah, I know¡­ I grew up here.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m planning to kill whatever is responsible for this. Not for the damn cows, but for the people it¡¯s already killed and the people it might kill in the future,¡± Eron said.


    A loud chime sounded in Eron¡¯s ears.


    ¡°Whoa! No way! I¡¯ve never gotten one of these aside from the ones at the beginning.¡±


    Eron ignored Joe¡¯s exclamation. He read and listened to the Quest notification.


    ¡°How about that¡­ I really hate how it feels like the spires are reading my mind.¡±


    <hr>


    As soon as daylight broke Eron ran back to the rock formation to complete one portion of the Quest. He searched the area around the rock formation for more clues. He wasn¡¯t expecting to find any, but it was also a good excuse to spend more time out in the open under the bright sun. Doing so always made him feel better physically and mentally.


    Finding nothing he jumped up into the hole in the formation. Now that he knew what to expect he took a deep breath and held it until he grabbed the human bones, destroyed the altar and made his way back out.


    He briefly considered collapsing the entrance, but decided against it. There might¡¯ve been value to leaving the evil entity¡¯s lair open. A trap could be set in the future.


    He left a great cloud of dust and dirt in his wake as he sprinted back to town.


    A note waited for him back at the insurance office.


    He followed it to the same goat warehouse that he had met The Abuela the day before. The thought made him laugh. He was basically in a western at this point.


    ¡°Crap!¡±


    Eron realized that he was in a situation reminiscent of A Fistful of Dollars, though he preferred the original, Yojimbo. He hoped that things wouldn¡¯t turn out the same. At least for Joe and Raven. They seemed pretty decent.


    He heard the angry voices long before he arrived at the warehouse.


    Seems that Raven had a crazy idea and Joe¡¯s people weren¡¯t fans.


    The one-sided shouting died down when the people noticed Eron approach.


    ¡°Is that them? Is that Mari?¡± Gabriel demanded as he pushed to the crowd to reach for the bag in Eron¡¯s hand.


    He did have the skulls and partial vertebrae inside, but the note had specific instructions.


    ¡°Hold on,¡± Eron held a hand out to Gabriel¡¯s chest.


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    The bigger man stopped like he hit a brick wall. He tried to reach for the bag, but Eron pushed him away.


    ¡°That¡¯s my sister!¡±


    Eron felt for Gabriel. The anguish in his voice was thick and raw.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know that, but there might be a way to find out. The question is are you willing?¡±


    ¡°You mean the bruja and her evil bullshit!¡± Gabriel spat.


    ¡°I know you know about magic. Your sister was a magic user, yeah? It¡¯s not good or evil. It¡¯s how you use it.¡± Eron wanted to believe that. ¡°Now, I don¡¯t know what Raven¡¯s got in mind, but I¡¯m thinking that she¡¯s the best chance to find out the truth.¡±


    The crowd murmured. They were loud and clear to Eron. They were saying a lot of vulgar things about him and Raven.


    He was tempted to throw his strength around, literally, but a glance at Raven and Joe, who stood next to The Abuela, Alejandra stayed his hand.


    ¡°How about it, Abuela? Do you actually want to know what happened to these people?¡± Eron held up the cloth bag.


    Alejandra glared, but beckoned him forward.


    ¡°Okay, London, I¡¯m trusting you. What do you need to do this?¡±


    Wytchraven, Raven, London¡¯s eye twitched.


    ¡°London?¡± Eron grinned.


    The young woman glared.


    ¡°The emotions are too strong in here with this many people. It¡¯ll mess with my spell.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll make them leave,¡± Alejandra said.


    ¡°No, sorry, but the feelings linger. We should go somewhere else.¡±


    ¡°What about the offices? They don¡¯t get much use,¡± Joe pointed to the other side of the warehouse.


    ¡°That¡¯ll work.¡±


    Eron narrowed his eyes. He noticed that London had a small cast iron pot next to her feet.


    ¡°Alright, everyone back to work, vamos!¡± Alejandra raised her voice. The crowd grumbled about Eron and London, but dispersed.


    Only Gabriel remained.


    ¡°You sure you okay with this, mijo?¡± Alejandra laid a hand on Gabriel¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°I need to know, Abuela,¡± Gabriel said through grit teeth.


    Eron made a note to keep between Gabriel and London just in case.


    The group walked across the warehouse.


    Eron could practically feel the tension in the air. Every person still in the warehouse watched them intently.


    It was almost a relief to shut the office door behind him.


    ¡°Okay, first thing, London, is this going to be dangerous? I need to know if I¡¯m going to need to save you guys from spirits or demons or something,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°No, nothing like that. I¡¯m not even sure that this will work. I¡¯m just going to try tapping into the feelings, emotions of the people in¡­ there,¡± London hesitantly pointed at the bag in Eron¡¯s hand. ¡°There might be an imprint of their last moments if it was strong¡­¡± she shrugged.


    Eron understood. A violent demise meant that this emotional imprint would likely be very strong.


    ¡°Okay, makes sense,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°No it doesn''t!¡± Gabriel snapped. ¡°This is bullshit!¡±


    ¡°Hush, mijo,¡± Alejandra said sternly. ¡°If this will tell us what happened to Mari and the others then I want to see. London,¡± she turned to the young woman, ¡°what is your spelling going to do?¡±


    The young woman was nervous.


    Eron didn¡¯t miss the way her hands shook as she placed the cast iron pot on the floor and prepared the rest of her stuff.


    ¡°Um¡­ if it works then we should feel what they felt. I¡¯m not sure. I¡¯ve never done this before.¡±


    ¡°Got the instructions from the spire?¡± Eron was familiar from conversations with other magic users.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± London nodded.


    They fell into silence as London continued to get everything ready.


    She pulled a small propane stove out of her bag and lit it. The cast iron pot went on the stove. She then emptied a water bottle into the stove.


    ¡°Have to get it boiling,¡± she said mostly to herself. ¡°I¡¯m going to start now, so please no interruptions. No matter how weird it looks.


    London began whispering¡­ something.


    Eron strained, but he couldn¡¯t hear what she was saying. The words were just on the edge of his ability.


    He chalked it up to magic weirdness, which was a good sign that London was for real.


    London¡¯s whispers slowly built up in tempo and volume.


    The chant made the hairs on the back of Eron¡¯s neck stand up. He kept an eye on the other three people in the room. He was ready to intervene in the event that one of them freaked out.


    As the water boiled London started adding stuff to the pot.


    It looked like leaves, sticks and other less identifiable stuff.


    Maybe seven herbs and spices, Eron thought. He missed KFC.


    Eron choked when he got a whiff as the contents started to cook.


    Okay, maybe not.


    ¡°Give me one of the skulls.¡±


    ¡°Which one?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    Eron looked into the bag. He picked the smallest one and handed it over.


    London placed it into the pot and continued her chanting.


    It happened quickly. The steam rising from the pot turned into a thick, cloying smoke.


    An involuntary shiver snaked up Eron¡¯s back, but he forced himself to stand still.


    He didn¡¯t know what to expect as the foul smelling smoke entered his nostrils.


    He waited for a vision or something to overcome him.


    He waited and waited, but nothing happened. He looked at the other people in the room.


    London was swaying on her knees as she continued to chant over her pot.


    The other three had gone deathly still as they stood locked in place.


    Eron was alarmed to see that tears poured from their eyes.


    Time passed.


    About five minutes by his count. The smoke had disappeared. There was no trace, not visually, not in Eron¡¯s superior sense of smell. It was as if he had imagined it filling the room.


    Eron itched to ask what they saw, but one look at their faces kept him silent.


    London was laying on the floor, breathing heavily.


    Eron crouched next to her.


    ¡°Are you okay? What happened? Did it work?¡±


    ¡°What? Didn¡¯t you see,¡± London said dreamily. ¡°I didn¡¯t really see it well. My emotional connection to the person wasn¡¯t strong enough.¡±


    ¡°I saw it,¡± Alejandra¡¯s voice was raw.


    ¡°Mari!¡± Gabriel shouted as he rushed toward the pot.


    Eron moved in a flash and grabbed him before he could grab the boiling hot skull.


    Gabriel tried to shove Eron off. When that didn¡¯t work he started punching, elbowing and kneeing.


    ¡°You¡¯re only going to hurt yourself, dude,¡± Eron said.


    Joe had taken a seat and placed his head on the desk. ¡°I can¡¯t believe¡ª¡±


    Alejandra rubbed Joe¡¯s back. ¡°I was Mari¡­ no, that¡¯s wrong, I am me¡­ I saw it from her eyes,¡± she looked at Eron with haunted eyes.


    ¡°She burned him with her fire spell, but he kept coming even with his skin charred,¡± Joe wailed.


    ¡°The monster bit her fingers off! Let me go! I¡¯ll kill the pendejo!¡± Gabriel roared in Eron¡¯s face.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ve had enough of this. You need to calm down.¡± Eron spun Gabriel around and clamped a choke hold on. Just like Cal showed him. A light squeeze to cut off the flow of blood to the brain. Just a few seconds until Gabriel was out. He was careful to keep it fairly safe. He laid the unconscious man down on the floor. ¡°So, you know who did this?¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, I recognized him,¡± Alejandra said. There was a dangerous glint in her eyes.


    ¡°Well¡­ who the fuck was it!¡± Eron was annoyed.


    ¡°It was Tony,¡± London said softly. ¡°I saw his face clearly. He¡¯s my Dad¡¯s right hand man.¡±


    London¡¯s spell had worked. She had solved the mystery. Eron realized that she deserved respect. Calling her Wytchraven was still too much. Raven would have to do.


    ¡°Alright, where can I find this guy?¡±


    ¡°No, this is our familia, our business,¡± Alejandra said. ¡°An outsider isn¡¯t going to get in our way of justice.¡±


    ¡°No, no and no,¡± Eron said flatly. ¡°I¡¯m not letting this turn into a bloodbath.¡± The Quest had been specific about that. ¡°How bout I grab him and then you can have your trial or whatever?¡±


    ¡°Daddy¡¯ll notice and they¡¯ll fight,¡± Wytchraven said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep them back¡­¡± Eron noticed the look of horror on her face, ¡°without killing them.¡±


    ¡°Please, I don¡¯t want anyone else to get hurt,¡± Wytchraven pleaded to Alejandra. ¡°Let me do the same spell for my dad¡¯s people. They won¡¯t be able to deny that Tony murdered Mari. They¡¯ll turn him over for trial.¡±


    ¡°Ain¡¯t gonna be no trial, girl,¡± Alejandra laughed bitterly, ¡°but you¡¯ve always been a good girl and we owe you for letting us see what was done to Mari. You have until tomorrow when the sun rises to come back here with Tony.¡±

 Interlude: Eron, Skin-deep 5

    Chapter 5


    ¡°What the fuck are you doing with him, London?¡±


    Brett drew his pistol, but Eron closed the distance and took it away before anyone else could blink.


    ¡°Fuck! Asshole!¡± Brett snapped and glared balefully at Eron.


    Eron ejected the magazine and the cleared the round from the chamber before placing the pistol on the kitchen table.


    ¡°You¡¯ve gone too far this time, London. Mom and Dad were freaking out about you going missing, but now that you¡¯re hanging out with this subhuman trash¡ª¡±


    ¡°This is your brother? I¡¯m going to shut him up now,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Wytchraven said. ¡°Where¡¯s everyone. I need to talk to Dad. It¡¯s very important.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you and fuck you too!¡± Brett spat.


    Eron moved his head out of the way.


    ¡°Just¡­ can you not be a douchebag for two seconds? Lives are at stake! Can you at least tell me where I can find Tony?¡±


    ¡°Screw you, London,¡± Brett sneered. ¡°You¡¯ve always been a dumb snowflake bitch, but now you¡¯re a traitor.¡±


    ¡°Alright, enough of this.¡±


    Eron manhandled Brett into the walk-in kitchen pantry. The double doors were made of heavy duty steel. He broke the handle and lock mechanism. Then he squeezed the metal around the handles until they were crumpled together.


    ¡°Okay¡­ that was a waste. What now?¡±


    Wytchraven huffed and banged the pantry door. ¡°You¡¯re a moron, Brett! I hate you! Arrggghh! Fine, this is fine. It¡¯s Sunday. Most everyone will be at church. We can go there and show them.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Eron didn¡¯t think it¡¯d go as Raven expected. Especially if she thought performing her magic in a church would go over well. Ultimately he didn¡¯t care. If everyone was at the church, then Tony was probably going to be there.


    ¡°Plan change? How¡¯re you going to get them to actually let you do your thing? I can see them stopping you by force, especially in a church.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll do that.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ how?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll threaten them.¡±


    Eron nodded. ¡°That might work.¡±


    The service was just about to end when they got to the church.


    Eron followed Wytchraven as she strode down the center aisle with her cast iron pot in one hand and a backpack full of reagents on her back.


    Guns were racked and pointed at Eron.


    ¡°God, guns and¡­ what was it? Beer?¡± Eron laughed. ¡°Very on brand.¡±


    ¡°London!¡± a middle-aged woman carrying a boy toddler stood up from the front row pew. ¡°Where have you been?¡±


    Eron figured she was Raven¡¯s mother from the uncanny resemblance.


    ¡°So, that¡¯s what you¡¯d look like with your natural hair color,¡± Eron remarked.


    London¡¯s mother handed her son off to her husband, London¡¯s father, the same older man that Eron had briefly spoken to when this whole thing started. She reached for her daughter, but found Eron barring her path.


    ¡°Sorry, ma¡¯am, but Wytchraven¡¯s got something to say,¡± Eron said. He appreciated the way the woman¡¯s eye twitched. ¡°Fair warning. You shoot me and I can¡¯t guarantee where the ricochets will go. You might just hurt your loved ones. If you don¡¯t care about that then I will guarantee that I will smash each and every one that shoots at me. That¡¯s right, I¡¯m going to hold your inaccuracy against you.¡±


    ¡°The hell we¡¯re going to listen to whatever you¡¯ve got to say,¡± the old man, Raven¡¯s father, snapped.


    Eron scanned the church. Then he realized that he didn¡¯t know what Tony looked like. ¡°Hey, Raven? Is Tony here?¡±


    ¡°What do you want with Tony?¡± Raven¡¯s father said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see him,¡± Wytchraven said.


    ¡°Not suspicious at all,¡± Eron said. ¡°What about it, Wytchraven¡¯s father? Tell me where Tony is and this doesn¡¯t happen. We¡¯ll be out of here before you can snap your fingers.¡±


    The old man¡¯s jaw tensed. His hand drifted to the revolver at his hip.


    Eron raised a brow.


    Silence.


    ¡°Okay then. She¡¯s going to do her thing,¡± Eron raised his voice. ¡°Interruptions will be dealt with harshly¡­ by me.¡±


    Wytchraven didn¡¯t waste any time. She repeated the same spell.


    The people in the church grew more animated and outraged as it became apparent that Wytchraven was performing an actual spell inside a church.


    Only Eron¡¯s presence kept them in their pews.


    A brief spike of concern went through Eron when he thought about what his mother would¡¯ve thought about the whole thing. He was raised under the original religion that this offshoot branched out from a few hundred years back. Mom Cruces would¡¯ve had concerns.


    When the smoke started to spawn from the cast iron pot most everyone bolted for the exits. Only the ones seated closest to the doors made it outside. The rest were ensnared.


    Eron suppressed the shivers. He counted in his head to give himself something else to focus on instead of the strange, uncomfortable feeling that the smoke gave him.


    Five minutes passed when the smoke cleared.


    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    ¡°Do you see now?¡± Wytchraven said to the stunned people.


    ¡°Witchcraft!¡±


    ¡°Devilry!¡±


    ¡°Satan spawn!¡±


    ¡°Gargoyles!¡±


    The people jeered. The crowd was growing dangerous.


    Eron supposed it was to be expected. Couldn¡¯t expect church people to be cool with spells out of a cauldron inside their church.


    He clapped his hands together.


    It sounded like a gunshot.


    He aimed up so that the shockwave traveled harmlessly up to the raised ceiling.


    ¡°Tony¡¯s a murderous cannibal. Where is he?¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Probably at the ranch taking care of his duties,¡± Wytchraven¡¯s father was as white as sheet.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you,¡± the man next to him said.


    ¡°Thanks, Mason,¡± Wytchraven said.


    Eron recognized the man. He must¡¯ve been the oldest sibling.


    <hr>


    Mason drove the truck, while Wytchraven sat in the passenger seat.


    Eron stood in the bed. It was easier to deal with from potential danger out in the open.


    They went back to the Harris family¡¯s ranch.


    The men guarding the cattle herd eyed Eron with suspicion, but Mason¡¯s presence assuaged their concerns. Judging by the way they kept their guns pointed to the ground.


    They hadn¡¯t seen Tony all morning, which wasn¡¯t that out of the ordinary according to Mason.


    Tony¡¯s myriad duties kept him perpetually busy around the ranch and the city.


    They drove to the slaughterhouse next.


    The place was empty.


    ¡°We don¡¯t use it as much as we did before all this started. The focus is building the herd back up after the monsters and mutant animals almost wiped us out in the early days.¡±


    Eron didn¡¯t respond.


    Mason was a lot more personable than his father and younger brother.


    Eron pegged him at around thirty and he looked less of a rugged outdoorsman and more like a college professor. He was tall and lanky compared to the other men in his family, who were big and stout.


    ¡°We only harvest the ones too old too breed and never more than the number of new calves.¡±


    The smell of blood, shit and offal wasn¡¯t strong.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t had beef in a while?¡±


    ¡°Last one we harvested was almost two months ago. We¡¯re lucky that the grocery store stocks itself on a daily basis.¡±


    ¡°The place I came from was bigger than this. It was a four grocery store city. We had no problem feeding everyone. Judging by what I¡¯ve seen. Your grocery store can easily feed both sides,¡± Eron said flatly.


    Mason frowned. ¡°I ran the numbers. Feeding everyone would require rationing.¡±


    Eron grunted.


    The wrapping was less in your face, but Mason didn¡¯t fall far from the tree. Eron wondered how Raven had managed to not be a racist growing up in that house.


    Eron took one last look and sniff around.


    ¡°No sign of Tony.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Mason. We need to find him before it¡¯s too late,¡± Wytchraven said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know where he is. And what do you mean ¡®too late¡¯?¡±


    Wytchraven looked at Eron, who shrugged.


    ¡°Up to you.¡±


    ¡°We need to find him to stop potential violence.¡±


    Mason¡¯s brows raised a fraction. ¡°If he¡¯s not checking on things around here, then Tony¡¯s putting out fires around the city. That could be anything from overseeing distribution of food from the grocery store or dealing with monster issues, though that doesn¡¯t usually happen during the day. At this point your best bet is to drive around the city and ask around.¡±


    ¡°Good thing you live in a small town,¡± Eron said. ¡°It shouldn¡¯t take us long to circle the place in your truck.¡±


    Mason looked like he was about to object, but one look at Wytchraven¡¯s pleading face had him sighing. ¡°Alright. It¡¯s not like I¡¯m not a busy man either. Let¡¯s go get this over with.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Mason!¡± Wytchraven smiled with relief.


    Eron considered running and jumping around the city on his own. He¡¯d cover more ground and do it faster that way. Problem was he had no idea what Tony looked like. Raven¡¯s spell didn¡¯t work on him for some reason and no one had any pictures.


    Thus he was stuck riding in the back of a truck, wiping bugs off his face and out of his hair.


    As the minutes turned into hours it became clear that Tony was missing. They didn¡¯t find anyone that had seen him that day. Any interactions they remembered had been from the previous days.


    Mason took them back to the family ranch.


    Judging by the sun in the sky, Eron figured it was around 3 or 4 in the afternoon. A couple of hours until sundown. He took stock of the hard-eyed armed men gathered around the Harris patriarch as Mason jogged up to him. He noticed Brett in the background trying to look inconspicuous.


    Wytchraven hung back with Eron by the truck.


    ¡°Do you know where Tony sleeps?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s got a trailer that he drives around where we pasture the cows, but I think he took one of the empty houses off main street a few months ago.¡±


    Eron mulled that bit of information over for a few seconds.


    ¡°Was that about the same time that the disappearances started?¡±


    ¡°Actually¡­¡± Wytchraven scratched her head, ¡°maybe? I¡¯m not sure¡­ sorry.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m wondering why your brother didn¡¯t take us there.¡±


    ¡°Oh crap! Dad doesn¡¯t look happy.¡±


    Eron snorted.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let them take me. I¡¯ll never be able to leave the house again,¡± Wytchraven pleaded.


    Her father and his men did look like they were steeling themselves for something. Plenty of furtive glances Eron¡¯s way.


    ¡°You need my help,¡± Wytchraven hissed. Perhaps she sensed Eron¡¯s hesitation. ¡°I discovered the murderer.¡±


    ¡°True.¡± Eron wondered if it¡¯d make things easier for him if Raven was locked up safe and sound.


    The time for decisions was over as the Harris patriarch approached with his men. Mason looked troubled.


    The old man eyed Eron. ¡°You broke my pantry door and trapped my son inside.¡±


    ¡°He was being a dick,¡± Eron said flatly.


    The old man bristled. ¡°London, get inside.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Wytchraven looked at Eron with hope in her eyes.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Eron muttered. ¡°She¡¯s critical to our efforts to track down the murderer, Tony.¡±


    ¡°If you think I¡¯m going to take the word of that, that¡­ witchcraft¡ª¡± the old man took a moment to compose himself. ¡°As far as I¡¯m concerned that¡¯s no proof that Tony¡¯s responsible for any of this. He¡¯s worked for me over two decades. There¡¯s no one I trust more.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t think it¡¯s suspicious that the day we discover he¡¯s responsible for the murders¡­ he disappears?¡± Eron scowled. ¡°There¡¯s a line between having faith in a guy and willful ignorance.¡±


    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m trying to stop violence from braking out,¡± Wytchraven pleaded. ¡°Just help me, please.¡±


    ¡°Take it from me,¡± Eron said lightly. ¡°You¡¯d get your asses kicked if fighting broke out.¡± He left it to them to pick up the implications of his words.


    ¡°Mase¡­¡±


    ¡°Yessir.¡±


    ¡°Take them to Tony¡¯s place,¡± the old man pointed at three of the armed men around him, ¡°go with them.¡±


    Eron hopped into the back of the truck with the men, while Mason got in the driver¡¯s seat. London got shotgun.


    ¡°London¡­¡± her father began.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Dad. I¡¯m going to do this.¡±


    ¡°Be careful¡­ you¡¯re mother¡¯s been worried sick about you.¡±


    Wytchraven didn¡¯t respond.

 Interlude: Eron, Skin-deep 6

    Chapter 6


    The house had belonged to a nice-looking family judging by the pictures all over the place.


    ¡°Kinda messed up to move into a place and keep the pictures up,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°They¡¯re dead. I don¡¯t think they care,¡± one of the armed men said.


    ¡°You know what happened to them?¡± Eron was bothered by the lack of respect shown.


    ¡°Probably got killed by monsters. Dude looks weak.¡± Another armed man picked up a photo from a side table. ¡°Wife¡¯s pretty hot though. Damn shame.¡± He tossed the picture back on the table like trash.


    Eron bristled, but he kept his temper in check. He remembered that they were on the trail of some kind of evil entity in Tony form. Or perhaps Tony had been changed by the spires in some terrible way.


    ¡°You okay, London?¡± Mason said.


    Wytchraven was paler than normal. She looked sick to her stomach.


    ¡°It feels bad in here.¡±


    ¡°Does anyone smell that?¡± the third armed man said.


    Eron sniffed. Come to think of it¡­ now he did. It was the stench of death, bad, really bad. It was like back in the rock formation. How did he miss it? Something was wrong.


    ¡°Upstairs,¡± Eron said.


    He didn¡¯t waste anytime. He bounded up the stairs and followed the stench to the master bedroom. Then into the master bathroom.


    ¡°God damn it!¡±


    There in the tub was a corpse. Human. Skinless and partially consumed from the look of it.


    The rest of the group caught up a few seconds later and promptly ran back downstairs and out of the house to empty the contents of their stomachs.


    Wytchraven did the same, but forced herself to stay.


    Mason¡¯s face had taken on a similar pale appearance, but his stomach proved to be tougher than the others.


    ¡°It¡¯s Tony,¡± Mason whispered.


    ¡°How do you know that?¡±


    ¡°The watch. My Dad gave it to him,¡± Mason pointed to the raw, red wrist.


    Eron¡¯s stomach roiled. Despite all of the horrible things he had seen the past couple of months, he had never seen a skinned human body. The exposed flesh, muscle fibers, fat deposits, everything was almost overwhelming.


    ¡°Do you guys have a coroner or a doctor? Someone that can make sense of this?¡±


    Mason shook his head. ¡°Monsters got them.¡±


    ¡°I can try something. I need to grab my things from the truck,¡± Wytchraven said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go with you,¡± Mason said quickly. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t move around alone in this place.¡± He looked at Eron. ¡°Except for you¡­ I guess.¡±


    Eron waved him away. ¡°I¡¯ll keep an eye on this¡­ in case it moves or something.¡± He dearly hoped that wasn¡¯t a possibility.


    He forced himself to take in the details of the skinned body. He searched for the smallest clues that might have revealed what the hell was going on.


    It was horrifying, but engrossing.


    Perhaps that was why he was slow to react when a cry for help was stifled at the same time as the truck roared away down the street.


    Eron cursed. ¡°Idiots!¡±


    He abandoned the body and ran out of the house.


    The truck was already out of sight.


    What the hell did Mason think he was going to accomplish?


    Eron didn¡¯t bother giving chase. He had a good idea where they were going.


    He¡¯d simply meet them there.


    He gathered his legs underneath him and jumped. Tens of feet in the air and block¡¯s worth of distance at a time. The asphalt cracked when he landed. The two-story tract homes weren¡¯t tall buildings, but he cleared handfuls with every leap.


    He reached the long dirt road leading up to the Harris¡¯ massive ranch house. He spotted Mason dragging Wytchraven inside, while a dozen armed men took up defensive positions and sighted their guns on him.


    ¡°Wonderful,¡± Eron sighed. He was wearing one of his favorite shirts out of his dwindling supply. He regretted taking them along. He should¡¯ve just taken random ones from random clothing stores. He came to a decision. He took the shirt off and tucked it into the back of his jeans. He revealed thin, wiry muscles that belied his level of strength.


    Eron marched up the dirt road.


    Gunshots rang out.


    The bullets stung a bit as they struck him. More like plastic airsoft pellets than Nerf darts.


    ¡°Someone got their hands on armor piercing ammo,¡± Eron muttered. He was definitely annoyed. ¡°C¡¯mon, it¡¯s obviously not working!¡±


    His head was rocked back by a bullet to the forehead.


    Eron charged into the hail of gunfire, praying that his shirt would make it unscathed. He reached Mason¡¯s truck in a second and flipped it over his back like a bull tossing a matador.


    The men using the truck as cover scrambled back and tried to get distance.


    Eron knocked them unconscious with careful slaps to the side of their heads. He kept his front to the gunfire to protect his precious t-shirt.


    Two men were firing from the front porch. Two slaps.


    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    The rest of the shooters were inside the house.


    Eron pushed the door open. The multiple deadbolt locks and reinforced frame resisted for a moment, but gave way.


    ¡°You¡¯re just wasting ammo,¡± Eron stared down a dozen gun barrels waiting for him in the living room.


    There was no sign of Raven.


    ¡°Did Mason tell you what we found?¡± Eron addressed old man Harris.


    ¡°Yeah, that those illegals on the other side of the freeway killed Tony.¡±


    ¡°The fuck! Is your brain broken? They lost actual people, human beings! You lost cows!¡± Eron ran out of patience. ¡°So what kind of fantasy did you concoct to fit around your twisted worldview? They killed their own people to frame Tony and then they killed Tony, cause¡­ reasons?¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Dad! Just shoot the fucking beaner!¡± Brett¡¯s spittle flew like a rabid dog.


    ¡°Wrong again, moron,¡± Eron sighed. ¡°You know I wasn¡¯t sure at first, but now I¡¯m like ninety percent certain that you¡¯ve got an evil entity problem.¡±


    ¡°We can handle monsters,¡± the old man said.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t just a monster or if it is, then it¡¯s something new, different. Monsters can¡¯t go into claimed structures. Not even gremlin alpha¡¯s could do it. So, at a minimum whatever got into Tony¡¯s place and took his skin off is stronger. And, let me tell you, I¡¯ve fought and killed gremlin alphas. You¡¯ve got nothing for them. You¡¯re lucky your town is too small for them to generate here.¡±


    ¡°Please, just leave,¡± Mason said. A calm voice in a sea of testosterone.


    ¡°I will, but not without Raven,¡± Eron said. ¡°She¡¯s the only one here trying to solve the problem and she deserves the chance to complete the Quest.¡±


    ¡°You have a Quest?¡± Mason¡¯s eyes lit up.


    ¡°Yup. To kill this¡­ thing and to save your community,¡± Eron sneered. ¡°I¡¯m aiming to do the first, but I don¡¯t know about the second. So, by all means, waste your ammunition and ruin my jeans.¡±


    ¡°Bring her down,¡± the old man said.


    ¡°But Da¡ª¡±


    ¡°Just do it, Brett!¡± the old man said flatly.


    The young man trudged upstairs. It was an odd sight. A bull of a man tromping up the stairs like a kid sent to his room without dinner.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got twenty-four hours to bring me whoever or whatever killed Tony,¡± the old man said.


    ¡°It¡¯s cute that you still think you can call the shots,¡± Eron grinned mirthlessly.


    <hr>


    ¡°You¡¯ve all got the same truck,¡± Eron remarked.


    He was shotgun, while Wytchraven drove back to Tony¡¯s.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t really have a choice. Everyone gets the same model, obviously I¡¯ve got the newest version out of the three of us. My little brother would¡¯ve gotten the next one when he was old enough, but I guess that¡¯s not happening.¡±


    Wytchraven looked drained.


    ¡°You going to be able to cast the spell?¡±


    ¡°What? Yeah¡­ yeah, it¡¯s fine. I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d suggest taking a break¡ª¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. We¡¯re running out of time¡­ I just¡­ my family tried to kill you.¡±


    ¡°Tried. Zero chance of succeeding. Bullets won¡¯t do it. Magic might, if it¡¯s strong enough, but I haven¡¯t encountered anything like that. Come to think of it¡­ how come no one was shooting magic missiles or fireballs?¡±


    ¡°Most of the people that got the ability to do magic died in the early months. They¡­¡± Wytchraven fell silent.


    ¡°Let me guess. They did most of the work clawing back possession of the city from the initial monster rush.¡±


    Wytchraven nodded. ¡°We didn¡¯t take care of them right. Dad pushed them hard. That¡¯s why the other side of town has more magic users. Mrs. Valencia¡­ she cared, cares more about their people. My Dad cares too, but¡­¡±


    ¡°I get it,¡± Eron said. ¡°Results and bottom line kind of guy.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d think my dad would be able to see the long-term issues of not having magic-capable people since running a ranch and farm takes long-term planning.¡±


    ¡°Trusts his guns,¡± Eron shook his head, ¡°probably won¡¯t cut it as time goes on and stronger monsters show up.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re lucky we¡¯ve got a couple people that can do re-loads otherwise we¡¯d be completely screwed. And I¡¯ve seen a couple of those drakes flying around.¡±


    ¡°You should see a wyvern. If the drakes are like sports cars then a wyvern is like an SUV. It¡¯s lucky that they don¡¯t cross city boundaries.¡±


    The conversation seemed to bring some life back to Wytchraven.


    They discussed their own personal theories on what the spires did and what their presence could¡¯ve meant. They talked about classes, why some people simply picked up the same class as their careers from the pre-spires world. Wytchraven¡¯s father, for example, was a Rancher, with Skills that reflected that. While others gained classes straight from games and other fictional sources.


    Wytchraven was mum on her specific class.


    Eron didn¡¯t pry. He wasn¡¯t about to share details about himself and the fact that he didn¡¯t have a class. That he was essentially a comic book superhero.


    It didn¡¯t take them long to get back to Tony¡¯s.


    The sun was already dipping down over the horizon. The gloom slowly crept across the asphalt as shadowy fingers reached for Eron¡¯s feet.


    Eron spun suddenly.


    He scanned the other side of the street. He couldn¡¯t detect anything with his superior senses. Not even a mouse.


    The houses looked abandoned. Broken windows revealed dark, dirty interiors.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Felt like someone was breathing or watching?¡± Eron was confused. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ weird.¡±


    Wytchraven followed Eron¡¯s eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t think anyone lives in that entire block.¡±


    Eron shivered. He didn¡¯t like the unsettling feeling. Fear was something he had taken efforts to push into the far corners of his mind. It returned at an inauspicious time.


    He strained his ears again, still nothing. He was almost certain it was nothing, but he couldn¡¯t shake the idea that someone was watching him as he followed Wytchraven into the house.


    ¡°Here,¡± Wytchraven handed him a kerosene lantern and a box of matches. ¡°You¡¯re in charge of the light. Oh and keeping me alive. That should probably be your number one priority.¡±


    ¡°I will do my best,¡± Eron said as he lit the lantern.


    ¡°No, no, no. Actually do it. Keep me safe or I will curse you to your dying days,¡± Wytchraven said.


    Eron blinked and took a step back. There was something in the way Wytchraven had said that. He felt a tingle run up his bare arms and back.


    Her voice held the promise of power.


    Eron wouldn¡¯t discount it. He reminded himself yet again that anything was possible in a world of magic and superpowers.


    Curses were probably on the table.


    ¡°Oh and why are you still topless?¡± Wytchraven said.


    ¡°Look at my jeans,¡± Eron gestured. ¡°I don¡¯t want my shirt turned into Swiss cheese.¡±


    ¡°Whatever.¡±


    Eron took the lead.


    The growing darkness made the interior of the house even more eerie. It didn¡¯t help that they knew what awaited them in the master bathroom.


    The smell was just as bad as earlier.


    Eron shined the light on the bathtub.


    It was empty.


    The skinned body was gone.


    Only smeared blood remained.


    ¡°Oh my god!¡±


    Eron spun around.


    Wytchraven pointed to the floor.


    He shined light on the carpet.


    He hadn¡¯t noticed on the way up, but bloody footprints led away from the tub and back out into the hallway, down the stairs, to the sliding doors into the backyard.


    ¡°Um¡­ what does this look like to you?¡±


    Wytchraven was pale-faced as she stood very close to Eron¡¯s back. ¡°Like, Tony¡¯s body got up and walked away.¡±

 Interlude: Eron, Skin-deep 7

    Chapter 7


    Eron rushed out into the backyard with Wytchraven on his heels.


    ¡°This is bad,¡± Eron whispered.


    The bloody trail was smeared all over the fence.


    A rustle of wings.


    Eron spun. Fist raised.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Wytchraven¡¯s raised her hands as she flinched back.


    A black crow perched on her shoulder.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t hear it coming,¡± Eron eyed the crow.


    ¡°She¡¯s my¡­ friend. I had her keeping an eye on things back at the ranch.¡±


    The crow cawed and nattered in Wytchraven¡¯s ear. She listened.


    ¡°Okay then. What¡¯s your crow friend telling you?¡± Eron shrugged. Magic.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t make sense,¡± Wytchraven was horrified, ¡°my Dad¡¯s gathered everyone and their headed for the west side of town.¡±


    ¡°Of course they are.¡± Eron cursed. He tried to calculate how much time they had before people started dying. ¡°Can she tell you how long ago this happened?¡±


    ¡°Not exactly. It¡¯s more like I¡¯m seeing things from her perspective. Doesn¡¯t exactly translate directly to human.¡±


    ¡°Sorry about this,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°What are you doing!¡± Wytchraven protested as Eron swept her off her feet into a princess-style carry.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have enough time to drive if we want to stop the bloodbath and I can¡¯t leave you out in the dark alone when there¡¯s a skinless body, guy, walking around.¡±


    Eron jumped high into the air.


    Wytchraven screamed in his ear the entire way.


    Fortune favored them this night.


    They landed on the freeway ahead of the Harris posse.


    Eron jumped down to the street and released Wytchraven, who stumbled and sat down on the asphalt.


    ¡°Oh my god! What the fuck! A warning would¡¯ve been nice!¡±


    ¡°I did,¡± Eron said.


    Headlights approached. Engines roared. They weren¡¯t slowing down.


    ¡°Not going to stop are they?¡± Eron rolled his neck and shoulders. ¡°You should probably get of the road. I¡¯ll stop them. One way or another.¡±


    Wytchraven hopped to her feet and ran toward the approaching trucks. She yelled and waved her hands in the air.


    ¡°Brave, but kind of dumb,¡± Eron sighed. He shifted from smash mode to rescue mode. He reached out to grab Wytchraven and get her to safety.


    To his surprise the vehicles slowed then stopped.


    Armed men jumped out of the lead vehicles and rushed forward to grab Wytchraven.


    Eron beat them to it. He pulled her back and placed himself in their way.


    ¡°Dammit, London!¡± Old man Harris hopped out of the lead truck and stomped toward them. ¡°I¡¯ve had enough of your nonsense!¡±


    ¡°Mine? What about yours? What the fuck do you think you¡¯re doing? Going to war? Why?¡± Wytchraven mirrored the old man¡¯s intensity.


    Eron had to forcefully keep her behind him.


    Mason pushed his way past the semi-circle of armed men. He grabbed his father and pulled him back before walking up to Eron and Wytchraven.


    ¡°Tony came back,¡± Mason said.


    ¡°What?¡± Wytchraven said.


    ¡°Yeah, explain.¡± Eron didn¡¯t expect that.


    ¡°He showed up at the house. All beat up,¡± Mason let out a long breath, ¡°said that they kidnapped him and roughed him up. He managed to escape.¡±


    Mason didn¡¯t need to specify the they.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t make any sense¡­¡± Wytchraven said.


    ¡°Definitely not. We were just at Tony¡¯s place. Remember the skinless body in the bathtub? It was gone¡­ with bloody footprints leading out of the house. Something weird is going on here.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not calling you a liar, nor will I argue. I can only tell you what I¡¯ve seen and heard with my own eyes and ears,¡± Mason raised his hands placatingly. ¡°Tony was clear that the people in the west side are planning to take our cattle.¡±


    ¡°Bro, they¡¯re the ones with people going missing,¡± Eron rolled his eyes.


    ¡°I understand and I¡¯m not denying that, but we live in a world of monsters,¡± Mason said.


    ¡°Shit,¡± Eron muttered. He heard vehicles coming. From the west this time.


    The headlights turned the corner and the second armed force arrived.


    ¡°I will smash anyone that shoots!¡± Eron roared.


    Everyone around him flinched at the sound and lowered their guns a fraction.


    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to them,¡± Wytchraven said.


    ¡°You sure?¡± Eron wasn¡¯t.


    ¡°Yeah, they won¡¯t shoot first.¡±


    Wytchraven raised her hands over her head and approached the new arrivals. She ignored her father¡¯s and brother¡¯s protestations.


    ¡°So¡­ Tony showed up huh? Pretty convenient that he suddenly appears and sends you out here hours after we find a body, sans skin, in his bathtub. Aren¡¯t you wondering? If that wasn¡¯t his body, then whose was it?¡±


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Mason frowned.


    Eron could see the wheels spinning in his head. He had figured the oldest Harris sibling as being the most reasonable among the men in the family.


    ¡°Did he mention it all? Did you even ask?¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    ¡°Why the hell not?¡±


    ¡°I-I-I don¡¯t know. It didn¡¯t cross my mind,¡± Mason chewed his lip.


    ¡°It¡¯s like you said, man. There are monsters in our world now. You know what else is new? Magic¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯re you saying?¡±


    ¡°Tony is suspicious as fuck,¡± Eron said. He scanned the armed group. There were a lot of them. ¡°It looks like you brought everyone.¡±


    Mason was staring at nothing. It looked like he was thinking really hard.


    ¡°We brought most of our shooters,¡± Mason said absentmindedly.


    A shiver ran up Eron¡¯s back. It surprised him. ¡°Where¡¯s Tony now?¡± he already knew the answer.


    ¡°Back home. He was hurt pretty bad,¡± Mason said.


    ¡°With your mom and little brother, I guess?¡±


    ¡°And two guys to watch the place.¡± Mason appeared to come to a realization. ¡°Shit!¡± he turned and rushed to his father¡¯s side.


    Eron tried to listen to two sets of frantic conversations at the same time.


    Behind Eron, Wytchraven attempted to convince Gabriel to pull his group back.


    In front of Eron, Mason tried to get his father to understand his concerns about Tony.


    ¡°Yo!¡± Eron raised his voice. ¡°I honestly think your wife and kid are in serious danger. Now, I can get there pretty quickly, but if I leave then you¡¯ll all just start shooting each other. I can promise punishment for the survivors, but what does that really solve? People will die and¡­ then what?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯re you trying to say?¡± Old man Harris spat.


    ¡°You pull back to the other side of the underpass and give me your word as a man that you won¡¯t start shooting the minute that I¡¯m gone and I¡¯ll go check on your wife and kid.¡±


    ¡°Why should I even believe you?¡±


    ¡°Ultimately it¡¯s a moot point. I¡¯m what you call an ¡®outside context problem¡¯ for you guys. There¡¯s nothing you can do to stop me from just breaking all of your guns and trucks¡­ say,¡± Eron mused, ¡°that would keep you from shooting each other.¡±


    ¡°What about them?¡± Old man Harris gestured to the other group behind Eron.


    ¡°I¡¯m not talking to them. I¡¯m talking to you.¡±


    ¡°Dad, I think we should listen to them. I didn¡¯t notice it at the time, but now that I think about it there was something off with Tony.¡±


    ¡°Because those animals beat the crap out of him!¡± Old man Harris practically spat in his son¡¯s face. ¡°Probably has a concussion.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have time to argue about this. What does it matter if we hold back for a few minutes? Besides, he¡¯s right. We can¡¯t do anything with him around,¡± Mason said.


    The seconds ticked away.


    Eron tried not to care, but he was actually starting to get worried about the Harris mom and toddler.


    Old man Harris barked the order without warning. ¡°Pull back to the other side of the freeway. Get some shooters up there. We do not shoot first.¡±


    Mason rushed back to the truck and came back with a flare gun and a handful of flares.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Eron received the dubious gift.


    ¡°Send up one if there¡¯s a problem. Two if it¡¯s clear. We¡¯ll come back you up.¡±


    Eron raised a brow. The offer of backup was dubious at best.


    ¡°Please¡­ keep my mom and little brother safe.¡±


    Eron nodded after a moment and jumped up into the dark night sky.


    <hr>


    Eron¡¯s landing kicked up cloud of dirt and grass in the enormous front yard.


    The equally huge ranch house was well-lit with a mix of lanterns and electric-powered lights inside and torches on the exterior.


    He listened closely before making a move. He heard the sounds of a child playing on the second floor and someone bustling about in the kitchen, presumably Mrs. Harris.


    ¡°Got to have a meal ready for the returning warband,¡± Eron spat in disgust. He was already regretting helping them out.


    He grew more concerned with every passing second.


    He couldn¡¯t detect anyone else in the ranch house or the immediate vicinity. No guards. No Tony. He looked at the dark processing facility in the distance and the large barn nearby. He considered checking those out, but decided to ensure the Harris¡¯ safety first.


    So, he climbed the front porch and rang the doorbell.


    Predictably, Mrs. Harris refused to open the door when she saw Eron through the peephole.


    The newly-replaced door was reinforced steel. It took effort, but Eron forced it open. Regrettably, he damaged the frame to do so.


    Mrs. Harris met him with a beefy-looking revolver aimed at his face.


    ¡°Relax, I¡¯m here to make sure you and your child are safe.¡±


    The woman pulled back the hammer.


    Eron sighed. No one ever relaxed when you told them to.


    ¡°Okay¡­ don¡¯t waste your rounds. Tell me where Tony is and then we can both relax.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± Mrs. Harris said as she backed away toward the stairs.


    ¡°Yes, yes,¡± Eron waved a hand. ¡°I know your kid is playing upstairs. You can go get him. Just point me in Tony¡¯s direction. I know he¡¯s not inside the house. Where¡¯d your two guys take him?¡±


    A momentary look of confusion flashed across Mrs. Harris¡¯ face. She concealed it just as quickly.


    Eron felt like the floor had just dropped out below him and he was now slowly falling into a deep abyss.


    ¡°Mrs. Harris, I¡¯ve got really good hearing and I only heard two people in here. You in the kitchen and your son upstairs. Was I wrong?¡±


    The woman scowled. Her finger was on the trigger. The gun was steady in her hands.


    Eron listened again. There was no difference. He itched to simply walk past Mrs. Harris.


    ¡°Tony¡¯s supposed to be in the guest bedroom.¡±


    ¡°And the two guys that are supposed to be guarding the place?¡±


    ¡°Chuck and Gerry? I don¡¯t know¡­ one¡¯s supposed to be watching over Tony and the other¡¯s patrolling around the house.¡±


    ¡°I was just outside and I didn¡¯t see or hear anyone out there.¡±


    Mrs. Harris slowly backed up the stairs while keeping her gun on Eron.


    ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon¡­¡± Eron followed.


    They reached the second level hallway and Mrs. Harris¡¯s eyes widened.


    Eron saw the discarded assault rifle next to the empty chair by a closed door.


    ¡°Guessing that¡¯s the guest room,¡± Eron said.


    Mrs. Harris nodded. Her face had gone pale.


    ¡°Go get your kid.¡± Eron strode to the door and pushed it open without stopping.


    The stench hit him like a punch in the face. Just like back at Tony¡¯s.


    The skinless body on the bed looked the same.


    ¡°Jesus protect us!¡± Mrs. Harris whispered from the hallway.


    ¡°Your kid!¡± Eron snapped.


    Mrs. Harris¡¯ eyes widened as she turned and ran down the hallway.


    Eron kept an eye on the body as he backed away to follow. He wasn¡¯t going to let the damn thing get up without eyes on it.


    Mrs. Harris emerged from her toddler¡¯s room with him in her arms.


    ¡°Stay in the hallway.¡± Eron held his breath as he stepped back into the guest room. He watched the body for any hint of movement as he went to the open window and reached out to fire two flares into the sky. This qualified as a problem.


    Eron moved back to the doorway so he could keep an eye on the body and the two Harris family members.


    ¡°Is that Tony?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Mrs. Harris. You tell me.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ I saw him, talked to him. Dressed his wounds. I sat right in that chair,¡± she pointed to the folding chair next to the bloody bed.


    ¡°Magic.¡±


    The toddler mumbled something Eron couldn¡¯t understand. Baby talk.


    He was content to wait in silence for the others to show up.


    He needed someone else to watch over the mother and son.


    And he needed Wytchraven¡¯s magic to point him in the right direction. Because he had no idea what to do next.

 Interlude: Eron, Skin-deep 8

    Chapter 8


    The kid was eerily quiet in his mother¡¯s arms while Eron listened to the truck roaring up the dirt road to the house.


    Baby Harris stared at Eron to the exclusion of everything else around him.


    ¡°Why is your kid looking at me like that?¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t see a lot of yo¡ª¡±


    ¡°My kind?¡± Eron snorted. ¡°Of course he hasn¡¯t,¡± he sighed.


    Worried shouts came up from the first floor.


    The rest of the Harris family came charging up the stairs. Armed and ready to commit violence.


    Eron wasn¡¯t surprised that the guns were pointed directly at him.


    ¡°You said Tony made it back¡­ so, how do explain that?¡± Eron gestured at the bloody body on the bed.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡± Old man Harris didn¡¯t have the words.


    Brett retched and ran for the bathroom.


    Mason and Wytchraven were at least familiar with the sight and smell so they held it together better.


    ¡°That¡¯s the same body from Tony¡¯s place,¡± Wytchraven said.


    ¡°The same watch,¡± Mason whispered.


    ¡°Huh¡­ I totally missed that. Need to pay more attention,¡± Eron muttered. ¡°Before you ask. There¡¯s no sign of your two guards or anyone or anything else in the immediate area. I haven¡¯t checked the barn or processing building and now that you¡¯re here I¡¯m going to go do that. Unless you can cast a spell to point me in the right direction?¡± he looked to Wytchraven.


    ¡°Um, yeah. Now that I have the body. I can try something.¡±


    ¡°London, no!¡± Mrs. Harris hissed. ¡°That¡¯s the devil¡¯s work!¡±


    Wytchraven rolled her eyes. ¡°Let me grab my stuff from the truck. I¡¯ll be able to see what the body¡ª¡± she suddenly froze. Her eyes went wide.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Eron felt a chill. He hadn¡¯t felt temperature extremes since the early days before he came into his power.


    ¡°I-I don¡¯t know.¡± She looked around frantically. ¡°I¡¯m feeling¡ª something¡¯s wrong!¡±


    ¡°Where?¡± Eron¡¯s instincts screamed at him to do something. He didn¡¯t know whether to run or fight.


    It felt as if the world slowed down.


    Eron¡¯s enhanced perceptions made the entire Harris family appear to move in slow motion. With one exception.


    Little toddler Harris, Eron didn¡¯t even know his name, winked at him. His tiny hand slashed out at his mother¡¯s throat.


    ¡°Nooo!¡± Eron shouted.


    Mrs. Harris blinked in slow motion. A thin red line slowly appeared across her throat. Blood sprayed out with agonizing slowness.


    Eron took a step.


    The toddler jumped out of his dying mother¡¯s arms and launched himself at Wytchraven.


    Eron was too far away.


    A small, bloody knife glinted in a tiny hand.


    Eron wasn¡¯t going to make it in time.


    Wytchraven slowly turned at the sound of her mother¡¯s shocked gurgles.


    Mason seemingly appeared out of nowhere as he bodily shoved Wytchraven out of the way.


    His little brother plunged the knife into his heart.


    ¡°What the fu¡ª¡± Brett emerged from the bathroom. Vomit on his lips, his gun hanging from a shoulder strap.


    The tiny arm lashed out.


    Eron barely saw the knife as it stuck into Brett¡¯s eye.


    The young man fell back screaming at the top of his lungs.


    Eron reached out to grab the toddler.


    Baby Harris rocketed from the dying Mason¡¯s chest and punched Eron in the nose.


    Eron felt tiny hands grab his head and pull him down to the ground before tiny feet kicked the back of his head.


    He spun and watched the toddler run into the guest room and slam the door shut with unnatural quickness and agility.


    Eron wiped his nose. He was surprised to see blood on his fingers. He definitely had his bell rung. He stood in shock. He hadn¡¯t felt real pain in a long time.


    He looked around. Old man Harris had his hands on his wife¡¯s throat. The man had eyes for nothing else.


    Wytchraven hovered over Mason. Her hands frantically waved around the knife in his heart.


    Eron knew it was over by the way Mason¡¯s eyes stared up at the ceiling.


    Brett¡¯s screams had turned into whimpers.


    There was too much sensory input. He tried to focus on the closed door. In the guest room. Nothing. He couldn¡¯t pick up anything even though he was only a few feet away.


    ¡°Raven. Raven!¡± Eron snapped.


    The young woman looked up at him with tears pouring out of her eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I need you¡¯re help.¡±


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can do anything,¡± she wailed.


    ¡°There¡¯s some weird magic going on and you¡¯re the only magic user here. I need you to counter it if you can or at least give me an idea of what¡¯s going on. Something is messing with my perceptions.¡±


    ¡°I-I-I need my cauldron to do that.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll keep it busy. You go get your gear.¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ please don¡¯t hurt my brother. He¡¯s just a baby.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that was your brother anymore.¡±


    Eron plowed through the door in a shower of splinters.


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    The adult body in the bed was gone. A much smaller one, a child¡¯s, was in its place.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± Eron snapped.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Wytchraven called out.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to see this.¡± Eron rushed out in the hallway to keep her from seeing what was presumably her little brother¡¯s skinless body. He grabbed her by the arm and gently, but firmly ushered her down the hallway. ¡°Let¡¯s get your stuff. Can you cast other spells?¡±


    ¡°I think so. My magic is based on my emotions. I can¡¯t really put it into words, but my magic responds to my feelings and stuff like that.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ I have an idea.¡± Eron couldn¡¯t track the¡­ whatever it was¡­ then maybe Wytchraven could attract its attention.


    <hr>


    Eron had barred Wytchraven from entering the guest room.


    ¡°I need a bone from the body.¡±


    Eron grimaced. ¡°I¡¯ll get it. Does it matter what I get? Or is like a finger bone okay?¡±


    Eron glanced at the scene in the hallway. Mr. Harris was tending to Brett¡¯s eye injury. Eron had moved Mrs. Harris¡¯ and Mason¡¯s bodies into the adjacent bedroom to spare the remaining family members the sight. It was for the same reason that he didn¡¯t want Wytchraven to see her little brother¡¯s skinless body. At least not right now.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    Eron tried not to think about it as he tore a tiny finger from a tiny hand with a piece of cloth ripped from the bed sheet.


    Wytchraven began her spell in the hallway. The cast iron pot sat on the portable stove. Water boiled as the young woman softly chanted and added ingredients one by one. Her body swayed slightly. It didn¡¯t look like she was conscious of her movements.


    Eron watched spellbound as the steam slowly turned into smoke.


    Wytchraven hand shot out toward Eron. Her body continued to sway to the rhythm of whatever she was chanting.


    A shiver ran up Eron¡¯s spine. Her arm was as steady as a rock.


    He placed the bloody cloth in her upturned palm.


    She quickly dropped the tiny finger into the pot.


    The smoke slowly took on a different hue, but for the life of him Eron couldn¡¯t tell anyone what color he saw. It hung in the air and it billowed across the floor and down the stairs as if it was alive.


    Eron forced himself to stand still as it engulfed his feet. His body had wanted to flinch against his own will as he tried to bury the fear.


    ¡°It is done¡­¡± Wytchraven¡¯s voice had a dream-like quality to it. Airy and spent.


    ¡°What did you do?¡± Eron almost didn¡¯t want to know.


    ¡°Forged a connection.¡±


    That didn¡¯t sound good.


    ¡°Me, it, him, her¡­ is, was Mari¡­ is, was Tony¡­ is, was Ethan. So many different people, but none of them.¡±


    ¡°Ethan? Your brother?¡±


    ¡°Poor, poor Ethan. Is, was him¡­ is, was nothing¡­¡± Wytchraven choked out a sob. ¡°Can¡¯t hide now¡­ feel what it, him, her feels¡­ it, him, her feels what I feel,¡± she giggled, ¡°hungry? Want more? Want to hide? Sorry, bad, being bad. Will not let you vanish again¡­ I see you,¡± she giggled again.


    Eron heard a round being chambered before he saw Old man Harris point the assault rifle at him.


    ¡°What¡¯d you do to my girl?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡±


    ¡°My family¡­ you¡­ everything was fine till you showed up.¡±


    Eron heard the old man¡¯s finger squeeze the trigger a fraction.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, man. You saw the same thing I did. I don¡¯t know how you can blame that on me.¡±


    ¡°Your kind,¡± the old man spat. ¡°You come to our country and ruined it. That¡¯s all you do. Like locusts or rats.¡±


    ¡°First of all, I was born here and secondly¡­ you now what. I don¡¯t have time for this. I have to fight whatever this evil entity that actually did this to your family. Do you realize that I can just leave anytime I want and let you deal with it?¡±


    ¡°Good¡­ we¡¯ll take care of our own.¡±


    ¡°Right, cause you¡¯ve been doing so well already. Put the gun away, old man. You¡¯ll just hurt yourself or your daughter with the ricochets.¡±


    Old man Harris almost squeezed the trigger. Something pulled him back from the brink. He lowered the gun and looked at Wytchraven as she mumbled incoherently.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with her?¡±


    ¡°Magic,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°My son?¡±


    Eron moved away from the door. ¡°You can see for yourself, but I don¡¯t think that was your son anymore.¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t think I¡¯m ready for that.¡± The old man moved to stand protectively over Wytchraven. ¡°What happens now?¡±


    ¡°Well, judging by Raven¡¯s rambling she¡¯s somehow magicked up a connection with this¡­ thing¡­ I¡¯m guessing it probably won¡¯t like that, so¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll come back for her¡­ you can stop it?¡± the old man sounded hopeful.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Eron had no idea if he could.


    It had hurt him. Made him bleed. That meant it could kill him.


    The sound of sudden gunfire made him flinch. He relaxed a moment later when he realized that it was coming from far away.


    ¡°Sounds like your boys got impatient.¡±


    Old man Harris scowled then perked up in recognition. ¡°The Mex¡ª west side must¡¯ve opened fire first. I left specific orders to shoot second.¡±


    ¡°Hope everyone¡¯s taking proper cover. That way all you¡¯re doing is wasting ammunition.¡±


    ¡°I should go, stop it before it gets out of hand.¡±


    ¡°Probably too late for that, but be my guest.¡±


    ¡°You take care of London.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already been doing that without your say,¡± Eron said. He shook his head. Dominance games.


    Old man Harris dragged one-eyed Brett to his feet and help him get down the stairs.


    Eron listened as they got in their truck and drove off.


    ¡°Dad doesn¡¯t care about me. I¡¯ve always been a disappointment. Didn¡¯t want to be a cheerleader. I treated the gays and the illegals like people.¡± Wytchraven¡¯s words were full of bitterness.


    ¡°Sounds like they were the disappointments. Not you.¡±


    Wytchraven rummaged in her backpack to pull out the same piece of wood Eron had seen earlier.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been wondering¡­ is that a magic wand?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Wytchraven then pulled out a handful of black feathers before putting the backpack on.


    ¡°I don¡¯t what it was or who. It feels like a person and not at the same time,¡± Wytchraven¡¯s voice shook. ¡°I can feel it and it can feel me.¡± She sounded like she was on the verge of tears.


    ¡°Your spell worked then. You can lead me to it.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t have too. It can¡¯t stand the connection between us. I can feel it out there. It wants to subsume me. I think¡ª I think that¡¯s how it gets stronger¡­ by taking other people, monsters and animals. It takes a part of their strength into itself.¡± Wytchraven wiped her eyes. ¡°What am I even saying?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. I¡¯ve said some crazy sounding stuff since the spires popped up. You just have to accept that stuff won¡¯t make sense.¡±


    ¡°The only reason I¡¯m still alive is because of you. It¡¯s wary.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. If it won¡¯t come to us then we¡¯ll go get it.¡±

 Interlude: Eron, Skin-deep 9

    Chapter 9


    ¡°Where do you keep your cattle at night?¡± Eron whispered.


    ¡°There,¡± Wytchraven pointed into the darkness. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°That feeling connection you got? Is it pulling you in that direction?¡±


    Wytchraven¡¯s face scrunched up with concentration. ¡°Hard to tell. It¡¯s kinda vague¡­ but¡­ yeah.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯m hearing a lot of distressed mooing and running around like crazy.¡±


    Eron had to slow down so that Wytchraven could keep up. By the time they reached the fenced-in area the horrible ruckus had gone silent.


    Wytchraven shined a lantern over the scene. She regretted it instantly. Over a dozen cattle were scattered in pieces. The grass looked more red than green.


    ¡°This doesn¡¯t make sense¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, why kill them all?¡±


    Eron shook his head. ¡°Not that. I should¡¯ve heard it ripping the cows apart. Except, all I got was the poor bastards mooing and stampeding.¡±


    ¡°Where did it go?¡±


    ¡°Either it killed them all to lure us into a trap or it got really hungry,¡± Eron said. ¡°I¡¯m leaning toward the former. Get your spells ready.¡±


    Eron scanned the paddock.


    The bodies were still warm. Steam rose in the cool night air.


    One of the cows was still alive despite the gaping gash in its underbelly. The poor thing¡¯s legs kicked and twitched.


    Eron jumped over the wooden fence.


    ¡°What¡¯re you doing?¡± Wytchraven had to carefully climb over as Eron waited.


    ¡°Seeing if I can spot a trail like before. Shouldn¡¯t be too hard with all this blood.¡±


    Eron cautiously approached the dying cow. He wanted to put it out of its misery.


    ¡°Poor thing,¡± Wytchraven said as she tried to avoid stepping on any blood and guts. A wasted effort.


    The cow¡¯s eyes stared at nothing. Its mouth hung slack while its tongue lay limp in a puddle of blood. Its legs continued to kick and twitch with a vigor that seemed out of place.


    Eron caught movement in the cow¡¯s stomach. The intestines shivered a moment. He wouldn¡¯t have caught it if he wasn¡¯t keyed up for the fight he was chasing.


    Eron tensed. His senses warned him an instant before the cow exploded in a shower of blood, guts and meat chunks.


    He punched out reflexively. His fist connected with something hard and sent it flying back out of the reach of Wytchraven¡¯s lantern light.


    Eron spat out cow blood and bits. He really needed to learn to keep his mouth closed. That¡¯s what he got for being a mouth-breather.


    ¡°Ohmygod! Ohmygod! Ohmygod!¡± Wytchraven had been spared the brunt of the spray thanks to standing directly behind Eron.


    Eron ignored her. He strained to listen for the evil entity. Nothing.


    ¡°There!¡± Wytchraven thrust her wand out to the left. ¡°Hex Bolt!¡±


    Eron saw something like a tiny shadowy bird fly out of the wand¡¯s tip. The black, smoky wisp moved about as fast an arrow and created a brief flash of light when it hit the ground.


    Wytchraven continued to spin and shoot wildly.


    Eron had to duck to avoid getting one to the head.


    He timed Wytchraven¡¯s next blast. Easy enough when she moved in slow motion to his eyes. He dashed out of the light¡¯s circle and plowed into a blood-covered man. A naked, blood-covered man.


    Eron didn¡¯t recognize the face, but it had to be Tony. Whether it was really Tony was an open question.


    The man spat in Eron¡¯s face with a look of pure, feral rage. He punched and clawed wildly.


    Eron felt the sting as fingernails somehow managed to scratch his bulletproof skin. He grabbed a wild slash and clamped a vise-like grip around Tony¡¯s wrist. He squeezed hard and felt bones crack.


    Normal human bone would¡¯ve been pulverized under the pressure Eron exerted.


    Tony was a lot bigger than Eron.


    Eron¡¯s uppercut nailed Tony between the legs. He felt the man¡¯s nuts burst on his fist. It was both disgusting and satisfying at the same time.


    The punch lifted Tony up in the air. High enough that his flailing foot kicked Eron right in the face.


    Eron¡¯s head whipped back, but he kept his grip on Tony¡¯s wrist, which allowed him to slam Tony into the ground.


    The impact sent a small tremor beneath their feet.


    Eron pulled on Tony¡¯s wrist to whip him back up again, but his grip slipped off. He stumbled back. His hand was slick, wet. He looked at it. He held a patch of bloody skin.


    Tony¡¯s wrist and hand were skinless. Raw muscle was visible, blood dripped.


    Eron was stunned as the skin on Tony¡¯s arm flowed down to cover his raw hand.


    What kind of horror was Eron dealing with?


    ¡°Get down!¡±


    Eron dropped to the ground.


    Wytchraven chanted something he couldn¡¯t understand.


    He felt feathers rustle his hair.


    Wytchraven had thrown her bundle of crow feathers and they had turned into miniature versions of crows.


    The miniature crows cawed madly as they swarmed all over Tony.


    ¡°What is that spell called? Like, Murder of Crows, cause if it isn¡¯t, it probably should be.¡±


    Wytchraven blinked. ¡°I don¡¯t have a name for it. It¡¯s different from regular spells.¡± Sweat beaded her forehead. ¡°Now, please don¡¯t distract me. I have to concentrate.¡±


    Eron eyed Tony and the murder of miniature crows. He moved closer, looking for an opening. One strong punch, maybe a couple, he amended, was all he needed.


    Tony swung his arms wildly. Each time he connected with a crow it disappeared in a puff of black smoke to reveal a single feather floating to the ground.


    Their numbers dwindled with each passing second.


    Eron moved. He circled around and landed two crushing hooks to Tony¡¯s kidneys. He focused on the punching power chain from his legs, to his hips, then shoulders and finally up his arms to his fists. Just like Cal had drilled with him.


    Tony let out a pained grunt as he spun around with a wild backhand.


    Eron¡¯s shorter stature meant that he didn¡¯t have to duck down too much. He landed another uppercut into Tony¡¯s midsection.


    The blow brought Tony¡¯s head down.


    Eron hit him under the chin.


    Tony flew back and landed flat on his back. He sprang to his feet almost immediately and leapt at Eron. His body twisted and contorted in ways that weren¡¯t humanly possible as he flew over Eron.


    Bloody hands grasped and clawed at Eron¡¯s face and head. He found himself flying upside down before he could react.


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Tony had flung him across the paddock and only the wooden fence had slowed him enough so that he could dig his fingers into the ground and stop himself from continuing on for another dozen yards or more.


    Eron was too far away now. He sprinted back, but he could only watch as Tony rounded on Wytchraven and charged.


    ¡°Hex Bolt!¡±


    It struck Tony in the chest, but only caused him to stumble.


    A crow cawed and dived at Tony¡¯s face. This one was real.


    Wytchraven took off as fast as she could toward Eron.


    Tony snatched the crow out of the air. The bird pecked at his fingers. He tore its head off.


    Eron could see the tears in Wytchraven¡¯s eyes.


    He was further away from her than Tony. They were about the same speed and even though Wytchraven was running for her life to him, he knew that he wasn¡¯t going to beat Tony to her.


    He could see Wytchraven stop. She closed her eyes and clasped her wand close to her chest. Her lips moved in a soundless chant.


    Eron pumped his legs.


    Feathers rustled in the wind.


    He caught something in the air on the edge of his perception. Something significantly bigger than a crow. Dark, black as night. Wings that trailed wispy smoke. A beak like a sickle and claws like hooked knives.


    The great black bird had appeared as if from thin air.


    Eron¡¯s superior senses told him that it was impossible. There had been nothing in the skies for hundreds of yards around. Tony¡¯s presence must¡¯ve scared off anything in the immediate area. They weren¡¯t fenced in so they could move away.


    Tony reached bloody fingers for the vulnerable Wytchraven.


    The bird struck him like a missile and bowled him over to one side. It flapped its wings to stay out of Tony¡¯s reach.


    Eron followed it up with a flying tackle that sent both him and Tony skidding across the blood-slicked grass.


    He cinched the mount and landed punches and elbows on Tony¡¯s face with a frenzy.


    Finally, he could put what Cal had shown him to use. Aside from mutant animals and inhuman monsters he hadn¡¯t faced anyone deserving of his full power.


    Eron pounded on Tony¡¯s face for what felt like forever.


    Tony¡¯s face deformed under the relentless assault. His nose broke, cheekbones shattered, teeth flew, an eye burst.


    Laughter brought Eron short.


    He hesitated.


    Tony was choking out laughter. A rictus grin revealed a bloody mouth and shattered teeth. ¡°You¡¯re strong. Mine now.¡±


    Eron blinked. He missed the sharp-nailed fingers stabbing at his eyes.


    His scream shook the sky.


    Pain unlike anything he had ever experienced burned in his left eye.


    Nails swiped at his throat. He felt the blood run down his bare chest. Hot like fire.


    Tony hissed, but grabbed Eron¡¯s face. Nails dug into Eron¡¯s flesh as Tony forced him off and stood with Eron held an arm¡¯s length away, feet kicking in the air.


    ¡°Flesh is me, mine. Stronger me, mine.¡± Tony hissed in Wytchraven¡¯s direction. ¡°Harvest thief later.


    ¡°Hex Bolt!¡±


    Tony blocked the bird-like projectile with his free hand.


    A mighty caw split the air.


    Eron heard and felt a rush of feathers for a brief moment before Tony struck the great black bird aside.


    Tony¡¯s grip was like a vise.


    ¡°Run away, stealer. We, I¡­ me take you later.¡±


    Eron tried to kick out, but Tony¡¯s long arms made it difficult to reach anything vital.


    ¡°Struggle, die, become we, I, me.¡±


    Tony spun around and threw Eron.


    He whirled around in the air. Up was down, down was up. He had lost all spatial awareness. It felt like he was in a nightmare, completely out of control.


    Eron crashed through the roof of the processing plant. He slammed into a piece of giant machinery, a death dealing device for the unfortunate cattle that it serviced.


    He hit the concrete floor with a thud. His breaths came in ragged gasps. He couldn¡¯t see out of his left eye. It wasn¡¯t blurry. There was just nothing.


    Panic closed the walls around Eron¡¯s mind.


    No!


    He wouldn¡¯t allow it. He was stronger. He wasn¡¯t weak. Only the weak surrendered to the fear and despair.


    Eron felt at the slice on his neck. The wound had already stopped bleeding. He reminded himself that he healed faster than humanly possible. He wasn¡¯t necessarily going to be blind forever. He knew that time in the sun would go along way at fixing his injuries.


    The problem was that it was night time. His energy expenditure had already been greater than at any other time in the past. He felt weaker, tired.


    Eron climbed to his feet. He moved his limbs experimentally. Nothing seemed broken. Although that could¡¯ve been adrenaline.


    Did he even still have adrenaline?


    A question for another time.


    Because he didn¡¯t have any at the moment.


    Tony barged through the thick wooden wall near the entrance of the processing facility.


    Eron ripped a thick steel pipe from the machinery next to him and threw it.


    Tony was caught off guard.


    The pipe¡¯s jagged end impaled him in the stomach and sent him back a dozen feet.


    Eron attacked. He jumped across the distance and landed in front of Tony. He grabbed the pipe and used it to batter Tony into the floor and up against the heavy equipment in reach.


    Tony¡¯s bones broke under the assault, but healed rapidly. He pulled himself up the pipe until he was in reach of Eron.


    Eron moved too slowly to avoid Tony¡¯s grasping hands.


    Tony grabbed him by the ears and landed a headbutt that echoed out into the huge space like a gunshot.


    Eron saw stars and multiple Tonys as the man, the evil entity, pulled the pipe from his stomach and wound up with his best home run swing.


    Eron went flying for the second time. He hit some metal scaffolding at the ceiling and crashed back down to the floor with a thud.


    Tony was waiting for him.


    Eron blocked another swing. The metal bent around his arm. He tore it from Tony¡¯s grip, but left himself open.


    Tony dashed in and grabbed Eron around the face. His free hand stabbed over and over again into Eron¡¯s bare stomach.


    The evil entity¡¯s frustration grew as Eron¡¯s flesh proved resilient. All he managed to draw were tiny pinpricks of blood.


    Eron punched and pushed desperately, but his strength was waning.


    He couldn¡¯t stop Tony from grabbing his jaw and forcing his mouth open.


    ¡°Be mine, we, you, me, I¡­¡±


    Eron gagged as bloody fingers fondled his tongue.


    ¡°Together strong.¡±


    It can¡¯t end like this! Eron raged. His heart beat rapidly. The heat built in his chest. He actually felt it travel up to his head. His one working eye, blocked by Tony¡¯s hand, suddenly itched, maddeningly, impossible to ignore or endure. He felt like bursting. Something instinctive told him that the energy needed release. It won¡¯t end like this!


    He scratched the itch.


    Heat erupted from his eye.


    Tony recoiled and screeched as the flesh of his palm flaked away, blackened, charred, dead.


    Eron looked right at Tony¡¯s face.


    The air scorched, tiny flames and smoke connected Eron¡¯s eye to Tony¡¯s body.


    The evil entity tried to take cover, but Eron was just as fast. There was no escape.


    Tony¡¯s skin charred and blackened with surprising speed under Eron¡¯s assault.


    Tony stumbled and fell as Eron poured out everything he had.


    Until the beam of invisible heat abruptly cut out.


    Eron gasped and dropped to one knee.


    ¡°Oh my god! What was that? Was that heat vision? Why didn¡¯t you do that sooner?¡± Wytchraven appeared with her wand in hand and pointed at the smoking mess that was Tony.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t know¡­ could do that¡­¡± Eron huffed.


    ¡°Is he, it, dead?¡±


    Eron shrugged. He was too tired to answer.


    Tony answered for him.


    No, not Tony¡­ his skin.


    It was charred, but in a disgusting display of pure horror it leapt off the body and grasped on to Eron, trying to smother him like a living blanket.


    Eron tried to push it away as it knocked him on his back, but he was running on fumes. He could feel the skin molding itself to his own.


    Indescribable pain filled Eron¡¯s every thought.


    Mine, you, we, me, I.


    ¡°Fire! Burn it!¡± Eron cried out desperately to Wytchraven.


    The young woman ran away and Eron despaired.


    You, we.


    The voice in his head grew insistent as it started to sound like his own voice.


    ¡°No! Damn you! Get off me!¡±


    Eron ripped chunks of skin off with herculean strength, tearing some of his own in the process. He was beyond the pain now. ¡°I¡¯m not going¡­¡± he said through grit teeth. ¡°Die¡­ first¡­¡±


    Easier said than done.


    Dimly he heard steps, running, frantic, approaching.


    He felt liquid splash all over him.


    He smelled oil.


    ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± Wytchraven¡¯s voice shook. The young woman was horrified.


    ¡°Do it!¡±


    Wytchraven chanted something Eron didn¡¯t understand. It was only a few words, a couple of lines, but it felt like she took forever.


    Until he felt a warmth was over his body and the evil entity¡¯s skin.


    It tried to pull away as the fire consumed it.


    Eron grabbed it close to him. He could see a dozen screaming faces in the skin. Joined together in anguish. The last face was Tony¡¯s.


    The blackened skin turned to ash.


    The voice in Eron¡¯s head that wasn¡¯t his was finally silenced.


    Eron lay in the heart of a raging fire. The warmth comforted him. It did nothing to heal his wounds and trauma, but it let him close his eyes and rest.

 Interlude: Eron, Skin-deep 10 Epilogue

    Chapter 10 Epilogue


    Eron woke to the sun shining down on him and it had never felt so nice.


    He opened his right eye first before experimentally opening his left eye.


    Blurry.


    Which was better than the darkness from the previous night.


    He sat up and noticed that he was in the bed of a truck out in the parking lot of a familiar warehouse.


    There were people bustling about and one noticed him.


    The woman yelled something into the warehouse¡¯s open door.


    Wytchraven came jogging out a few moments later. She beamed at Eron as she approached.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Eron said. ¡°You saved me from a fate worse than death and probably a lot of other people. If that¡­ thing¡­ had been able to add my strength to its¡­¡± he shook his head.


    ¡°No problem. It seems that the spires recognized that fact,¡± Wytchraven said. ¡°I got an extra Quest on top of the same one we already had. Kinda weird though, right? Get a Quest and achieve it at the same time.¡±


    Eron decided to check the Quest notification later. ¡°What?¡± he noticed that Wytchraven had a weird look on her face.


    ¡°You¡¯re not mad that I left you in my truck?¡±


    ¡°No. Why?¡±


    ¡°I figured being in the sun would be good for you. You¡¯re basically like Superman. Eye beams, bullet proof, able to leap tall houses in a single bound, faster than a speeding train, more powerful than a monster. I washed your wounds, but that was all I could do.¡±


    ¡°Good guess. The best thing you could¡¯ve done for me.¡± Eron hopped down to the ground. ¡°Thanks for the pants. Why no underwear?¡±


    Wytchraven¡¯s face sobered. ¡°You¡¯re lucky I found some pants in my brother¡¯s room.¡± She turned away.


    That¡¯s why they¡¯re too big, Eron thought.


    ¡°A successful Quest notification means that the evil entity is definitely dead and gone,¡± Eron changed the subject. ¡°Are there any other things I need to know? What happened while I was out?¡±


    ¡°Actually, Abuela Alejandra wants to talk to us, I mean you, I already told her what happened.¡±


    ¡°Okay, good, I¡¯m guessing she¡¯s inside?¡± Eron wanted to get this over with so he could take the stuff he was promised and continue on his journey south.


    The Abuela was waiting in one of the offices.


    Eron sat down and matter-of-factly recounted the previous night¡¯s events.


    He had to give it to the old woman. She barely batted an eye as he described the horror that was the evil entity with Tony¡¯s face, skin. He shivered.


    ¡°Man, it¡¯s like those folktales,¡± Joe had joined in partway through, ¡°Tony must¡¯ve gotten a Skindancer Class.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be stupid, pendejo!¡± Gabriel swiped at his cousin, but was too slow. ¡°Why would they make something so horrible a class?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it was exactly a skindancer. Those are more like shapeshifters that can wear different skins or change them. This thing was the skin,¡± Wytchraven¡¯s face was haunted. She wasn¡¯t likely to forget the sight.


    ¡°So was it Tony or not?¡± Alejandra only had eyes on Eron.


    ¡°I saw dozens of faces on the skin when it was dying, maybe more. Your community was missing three. No, it wasn¡¯t Tony. Whomever or whatever it was came from somewhere else. I¡¯m pretty sure Tony was just as much a victim as the rest.¡± Eron¡¯s eyes darted to Wytchraven. The evil entity had used her younger brother to destroy her family.


    ¡°That¡¯s too bad,¡± Alejandra said.


    Eron scowled at her.


    ¡°Harris is mad, really mad. That thing killed the last of his cattle. His pride and joy.¡±


    ¡°And half his family. Man¡¯s got a right to be upset.¡± Eron didn¡¯t like Mr. Harris, but the old man was still human. He had suffered too.


    ¡°It would¡¯ve made things more peaceful if he had his own right hand man to blame,¡± Alejandra said.


    Wytchraven suddenly stood and ran out of the office.


    ¡°Abuela!¡± Joe said reproachfully before chasing after his friend.


    ¡°It¡¯s a hard truth,¡± Alejandra said. ¡°I feel for the girl. She¡¯s the best of them, but I have to deal with the realities for everyone.¡±


    ¡°What happened last night? Who started the shooting?¡±


    ¡°They did!¡± Gabriel snapped.


    ¡°And they¡¯ll say we did,¡± Alejandra continued. ¡°Same old shit. Always blame somebody else for own problems,¡± she spat.


    ¡°Okay, before you ask. I¡¯m done here,¡± Eron said calmly. ¡°I just want you to fulfill your side of our deal. I¡¯m not even going to ask for anything extra for killing the horrible thing that would¡¯ve probably killed all of you and absorbed your skins. I¡¯m not interested in playing peacemaker or policeman.¡±


    ¡°Eh¡­¡± Alejandra shrugged. ¡°We can take care of ourselves. Is what we¡¯ve been doing. You wait one week and deal done.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Gabriel glared at Eron with disgust as he stood and exited the office.


    Eron left in search of Wytchraven and Joe. He had to use one hand to hold the comically over-sized pants from falling to his ankles.


    He followed the sniffling and found them outside around the corner near the warehouse¡¯s outer wall. Overgrown trees provided plenty of shade. He found a narrow sliver of sunlight to stand in.


    ¡°You¡¯re leaving?¡± Wytchraven said as she wiped her eyes.


    ¡°In about a week.¡±


    ¡°Good, maybe you can punch my dad and brother to get them to stop being dicks,¡± Wytchraven spat.


    Joe winced and shrugged at Eron.


    ¡°With time to grieve they¡¯ll calm down¡­ maybe,¡± Eron said softly.


    ¡°I did all this so that people wouldn¡¯t die. Now the best part of my family is gone,¡± Wytchraven wailed. ¡°We killed the monster, but what difference does it make if there¡¯s still going to be hatred and violence?¡±


    Eron didn¡¯t know how to answer, so he kept his mouth shut. Ironically, he had gotten more cynical since the spires had appeared. He had witnessed the worst aspects of humanity outweigh its best. He wasn¡¯t going to voice his thoughts for Wytchraven¡¯s sake, but he had come to realize that laws enforced with explicit and implicit force was what kept people from turning on each other over the slightest differences. It was basically tribe against tribe all the way down.


    ¡°I think, maybe, if you¡¯re willing, you can keep the peace long enough for things to settle down,¡± Joe looked at Eron.


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°You tell people what happened. You make it clear what¡¯s out there. You tell them that terrible things aren¡¯t just going to stay outside the city boundaries anymore. Might make them more concerned about dealing with that than fighting with us,¡± Joe said.


    ¡°Okay, but I¡¯m not so sure that¡¯ll make a difference,¡± Eron said. ¡°Once I¡¯m gone it¡¯ll just go back to the status quo.¡±


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    ¡°You can stay,¡± Wytchraven said in a soft voice.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Eron said. ¡°I¡¯m trying to get south to see the rest of my family.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    Eron nodded, unsure what else to say.


    ¡°Well, you¡¯ve still got a week to convince them,¡± Joe shrugged. ¡°I do have an idea that would help us out.¡±


    Eron frowned.


    ¡°Here me out. You¡¯ve already traded us one drake thing. Why not trade more? The meat¡¯s good. We¡¯ve tested it out. Doesn¡¯t taste the greatest, but it¡¯s protein. A couple more would set us up for the next year.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s going to take over a week to process each additional drake. That means I¡¯d have to stay longer.¡±


    ¡°Now that we know how to do it the next ones will be quicker. Or we can give you more from the first one.¡±


    Eron thought about it for a long moment.


    ¡°Okay, but no promises.¡±


    ¡°If you can¡¯t bring down any drakes, why not other animals?¡± Joe said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea to eat mutant animal meat. Smells wrong to me,¡± Eron said. ¡°And there¡¯s not a lot of normal animals left out there.¡±


    Eron turned to leave.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Wytchraven said. ¡°I have an idea on how you can help.¡±


    Eron suspected he wasn¡¯t going to like this, but he stopped to listen.


    ¡°Spend the week helping people get stronger. Take them out and watch over them as they fight monsters and mutant animals.¡±


    Joe¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Yeah! We¡¯re too scared to go out at night, but if you¡¯re around¡­¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t work that way. You get Universal Points based on your contribution to a kill. If I do the work then you won¡¯t get more than a handful of points.¡±


    ¡°Just watch and jump in to prevent deaths,¡± Wytchraven said. ¡°I¡¯ve seen you move. You¡¯re fast enough.¡±


    Eron didn¡¯t want to run escort quests.


    The spires had other ideas. A loud chime sounded in his ears. He dismissed it with disgust.


    ¡°Fine. Drakes are too dangerous. I¡¯ll run noobs through the streets at night. No guarantees. Anyone that chooses to join in understands that injury and death are possibilities.¡±


    Joe and Wytchraven nodded. The latter looked better. She had something to focus on now. She could hide the pain of her losses, at least for a time.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to recover my strength and then try to bag a drake before sundown. I¡¯ll meet you back here. Max five people in a group. If more volunteer then we¡¯ll split them up and take turns.¡±


    Eron left them. He needed a pair of pants that fit. Fortunately, he had a few left, back where he had stashed his gear several miles outside the city.


    He took the time to walk rather than jump since he wanted to maximize his sunlight absorption time before exerting himself. He also needed to review his Quests.


    ¡°73k?¡± he cursed, disgusted with himself. It would¡¯ve been an even one-hundred thousand, but the deaths had subtracted from that number. ¡°Fuck you, spires.¡± It was difficult to see and hear peoples¡¯ lives commoditized in such dispassionate terms.


    Eron couldn¡¯t bear to look at the Quest notification. He banished it with a curse.


    A flap of leathery wings carried by the wind reached his ears.


    Eron sighed. His left eye was still useless. Aiming was going to be a problem. He wasn¡¯t going to be able to hit the drake from a distance like he preferred.


    Which meant that he¡¯d have to get up close.


    ¡°Great,¡± Eron said flatly.


    Maybe he¡¯d changed into his jeans after.


    <hr>


    Eron grimaced.


    The noobs weren¡¯t paying attention to their six.


    A mutant coyote had snuck around while the rest of its pack menaced the front of the group. The creature was a massive, misshapen thing. All blade-like teeth and over-sized muscles bigger than the largest normal wolves.


    One of the young people, a mage, fired a small, stone dart into the eye of the lead mutant coyote.


    The beast yelped and snarled in pain and rage as it flinched back. It fell back behind its own lines as another moved smoothly up to take its place.


    Too smart.


    Eron burst out of his hiding place in an abandoned storefront. Too close to the group and monsters and mutant animals wouldn¡¯t attack. Too far away and he wouldn¡¯t be able to bail them out when necessary, which was way too often for his liking.


    The lurking mutant coyote didn¡¯t know what hit it as Eron punted it across the street and into a light pole. Its body bent around the pole with a sickening crack.


    Heads turned back.


    ¡°Don¡¯t take your eyes off the monsters!¡± Eron snapped.


    The mutant coyotes attacked en masse.


    Eron had to rush forward to save the group. It has difficult since he had to minimize his damage output, while keeping the monstrous animals off the noobs.


    His efforts worked well enough in keeping most of the mutant coyotes occupied, while the group was able to focus their efforts on one or two at a time.


    Eron kept one eye on their battle.


    Joe was pretty good with his bat thanks to a couple of passive skills that enhanced his physical attributes thanks to his triple Athlete Class. He had wrestling, baseball and football. Eron hadn¡¯t known that was possible. The other people he knew with the class were limited to a single sport.


    Joe bashed a mutant coyote¡¯s skull, stunning it.


    This allowed a Warrior to sink her axe into its neck.


    The mutant coyote snapped, but she jumped back.


    Another magic user stepped forward and bathed it in a spray of fire from his hands.


    The second warrior stabbed it with a spear as it rolled in an attempt to smother the flames on its back.


    Eron grabbed a mutant coyote by the scruff of its neck and tossed it toward the group. Six more to go then he had to take them back to the warehouse to switch out with the next group.


    ¡°Wooo!¡± Joe cheered as the triumphant group returned to the warehouse.


    They were sweaty, bloody, and banged up, but they were alive and several hundred Universal Points richer. The mutant coyotes were above their level, but thanks to Eron¡¯s presence they managed to pull it off with only a few injuries.


    ¡°What¡¯d you fight?¡± Wytchraven exchanged a high five with her best friend.


    ¡°Monster coyotes!¡±


    Wytchraven¡¯s eyes widened. As did the rest of the second group gathered around her.


    Eron was surprised to see a couple of fair-skinned teenagers with Wytchraven. He beckoned the young woman over.


    ¡°Are they old enough?¡±


    ¡°Over eighteen. Legal adults. Their parent¡¯s can¡¯t complain,¡± Wytchraven said.


    Eron sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t think they¡¯ll care about technicalities.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s too bad. These kids want to get stronger and they¡¯re not racist, so they won¡¯t be a problem.¡±


    ¡°Kids, huh?¡± Eron eyed Wytchraven. She was barely older. Then again she had survived an encounter with an evil skin monster thing. He figured that probably aged a person.


    ¡°So¡­ are we also going to be fighting giant coyotes?¡± Wytchraven said hesitantly.


    ¡°Worried? You¡¯ve got that giant black bird summon spell. Mutant coyotes are going to be easy compared to the skin monster.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t just pull that out whenever I want. It takes preparation, time and sacrifice.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ well, you¡¯re in luck. There aren¡¯t any packs left on this side of the city. So, I was thinking we¡¯d go through the abandoned buildings and kill gremlins for a few hours. If the group looks good then maybe try to claim a building.¡±


    ¡°But that means we¡¯ll have to fight a boss monster,¡± Wytchraven gulped.


    ¡°Boss and secret boss,¡± Eron said lightly. ¡°Next group! Let¡¯s go! Night¡¯s wasting!¡± he raised his voice.


    He walked off into the dark street as the group nervously chased after him.


    The week went faster than Eron expected. He worked the noobs relentlessly.


    He mixed the groups up in an attempt to build camaraderie. More young people from the east side of town joined in to the consternation of their parents.


    Old man Harris had attempted to threaten Eron in an attempt to put a stop to it.


    Eron laughed in his face. He was done with the old man¡¯s bullshit. He knew what he was doing to the balance of power in the town.


    That¡¯s what scared the older people.


    They had the guns, but their ammunition supply was dangerously low due to the foolish firefight.


    Their young peoples¡¯ strength grew in leaps and bounds thanks to Eron¡¯s babysitting runs. The old would soon be eclipsed by the young. They¡¯d need them to fight the monsters and mutant animals.


    The Abuela was pleased. Her side of town had the majority of people with effective classes. Their food issues were taken care of in the medium term thanks to the two additional drakes Eron had brought down. As for the long term, she was confident that they would soon have the leverage to negotiate better terms for grocery store access.


    Eron departed on schedule with more items than his initial deal.


    He wouldn¡¯t admit it out loud, but he had gained more than he had spent.


    ¡°Why are we walking?¡± Joe said. ¡°Why didn¡¯t we take your truck, Raven?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I said,¡± Wytchraven scowled at the back of Eron¡¯s head.


    ¡°And I told you that a vehicle is a drake magnet,¡± Eron said flatly. He didn¡¯t add that he had hoped having to walk a few hundred miles would dissuade them from following him.


    Why did he agree to take them along? He couldn¡¯t remember. He already regretted the decision.


    He glanced back at his ¡®party¡¯. Wytchraven, Joe and a diverse mix of teenagers trailed behind.


    Massive leathery wings flapped in the distance.


    ¡°Someone hand me a throwing spear,¡± Eron said lightly. ¡°And maybe get ready to take cover.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re in the middle of the 5¡­ what cover?¡± Wytchraven rolled her eyes.


    Eron let out a long breath before he searched the bright sky.

 4.0 Prologue

    Now, Threnosh World


    ¡°Drone operators report drones in position. Vanguard Zeljanz 31 and Vanguard Blazer Ecoria 70 report readiness. Subcommander Solemn Coast 963 reports experimental weapon squad has sighted corrupted force approaching at 2000 meters. Winding Myriad in position for support. Maul requests permission to begin bombardment,¡± Communicator Dreylox 7193 said flatly.


    ¡°Granted,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± The communicator tapped on the holographic projection before continuing. ¡°T-Men squad in position.¡±


    Salamander exchanged a glance with Frequency.


    The latter¡¯s sound, Salamander didn¡¯t fully comprehend, was supposed to disrupt the other sound that was the cause of their electronic problems in Orchestral Meridian. From interfering with their scans and communications, to their difficulty in locating Honor, to the unexplainable sights and sounds in their audio and visual systems. Phantoms that were there and then not in the next instant.


    Frequency was certain, which was good enough for Salamander.


    Trust in your teammates when it came to their specialties.


    ¡°My sound has already disrupted the interference in our controlled sector,¡± Frequency said. ¡°Taking control of this communications facility will allow us to propagate it over a wider area into the adjacent contested sectors.¡±


    ¡°Telatrine requests task commencement,¡± Communicator Dreylox 7193 said.


    ¡°Begin,¡± Salamander said. They desired to be out in the field. They craved combat. Additionally, the Task to reclaim the facility would¡¯ve yielded enough Universal Points for the next upgrade to their power armor. Since Caretaker hadn¡¯t been freed from their duties at Cold Plains City, Salamander was forced to hold overall command. They had hoped that Frequency¡¯s arrival would change that as their senior, but alas, it hadn¡¯t.


    All Salamander could do was watch the projected views of their teammates and their soldiers.


    The Vanguards zoomed low, just meters off the street. Their power armors held built in anti-gravity units and thrusters in the soles of their boots and palms that doubled as blunt force ranged weaponry strong enough to dent steel at a hundred meters. Powerful for Threnosh, but underpowered against stronger monsters, like the corrupted that howled as they blocked all pathways into the communications facility.


    At Honor¡¯s prior command more weapons had been integrated into the Vanguards¡¯ power armor.


    Micro missiles streaked out from the Vanguards¡¯ backpacks and exploded in the mass of corrupted. Bodies and body parts went flying.


    They soared up just out of the corrupted¡¯s reach and released small grenades from the compartments in their torsos as they split up. One went down the eastern street, while the other went west.


    ¡°Vanguards have drawn corrupted presence away from the entrance,¡± Communicator Dreylox 7193 said.


    Just as planned.


    Salamander watched intently as Telatrine and their squad moved toward the facility. They would have to secure it from any potential corrupted on the inside. Scouting had been ineffective due to the unknown sound interfering with drone control.


    ¡°Drone status?¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°Signal strength along expected parameters. No interference,¡± Communicator Dreylox 7193 said. They were relaying everything from the different subgroups nearly instantaneously.


    Frequency scrutinized the readouts in their faceplate. They could see, hear the disruptive sound trying to gain purchase, but their counter sound was indeed blocking it.


    ¡°Can we send in the combat drones to hold the perimeter?¡± Salamander looked at Frequency expectantly. They had begun having difficulty with their drones functioning beyond sectors under their control shortly after Honor¡¯s disappearance. It had greatly slowed their progress.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°Do it,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± The communicator relayed the order to the drone operators.


    Subcommander Solemn Coast 963 was patched into the comms. They had reason to regret volunteering to command the experimental weapons squad in their first deployment outside of the spawn zones around their base. The charging, howling mass of corrupted Threnosh was a lot worse than the usual invasive organisms.


    The projection on their faceplate flashed an alert.


    The corrupted were almost at the 1000 meter mark.


    Rodinian had set temporary restraint traps all along the wide street.


    ¡°Mortars on my mark,¡± Subcommander Solemn Coast 963 said. They set their faceplate to zoom in so that they could see the instant the traps were sprung. Timing was of the essence. The corrupted would only be slowed not stopped entirely as the greater mass would simply trample over the front ranks to continue their charge.


    The traps flashed and the front rank of corrupted suddenly seized up.


    ¡°Fire.¡±


    The experimental weapons squad mortars launched rounds that arced high in the air and landed in the corrupted mass with fiery explosions.


    More took their place and kept coming.


    Maul¡¯s initial artillery bombardment had already done significant damage, yet the numbers remained high. The subcommander found it hard to comprehend.


    Maul continued to fire their weapons from a higher elevation structure five hundred meters to the subcommander¡¯s southwest.


    The corrupted neared the five hundred meter mark.


    ¡°Bolters.¡±


    The experimental weapons squad members packed up the mortars and switched to their new weapons. They resembled the standard recoilless rifle in general shape. They were bulkier and heavier on account of the larger ammunition. Projectiles that exploded into shrapnel after penetrating a target or reaching a designated distance. In this case five hundred meters.


    ¡°Fire.¡±


    The twelve Threnosh¡¯s weapons barked repeatedly.


    Bolter rounds struck corrupted then exploded or did so in their midst. Bloody chunks flew apart.


    ¡°Reload magazines.¡±


    That was the downside to the powerful new weapons. They had nowhere near the amount of ammunition as the recoilless rifle or minigun, especially the latter.


    The corrupted still kept coming through two more reloads.


    Two hundred meters.


    ¡°Sonic weapon.¡±


    The squad switched again. This time they pulled out a speaker-like device from the attachment at their left hip. They held it in their closed fist and pointed it straight at the corrupted.


    ¡°Full coverage.¡±


    The weapon resembled Frequency¡¯s emitters, on which it was based.


    ¡°Engage.¡±


    The squad pressed the buttons and the emitters let loose a high-pitched whine that distorted the air in a wide cone.


    The corrupted screamed and stumbled as the sonic vibrations damaged their equilibrium and internal organs.


    The weapon would¡¯ve stopped the corrupted charge had they enough energy.


    Unfortunately, the cable attached power pack only had enough energy for a few seconds of operation. In any case the weapons were fragile and prone to breaking if used for more than that amount of time.


    A large number of corrupted were felled, but there were more behind them.


    One hundred meters.


    ¡°Fall back.¡±


    The squad engaged their anti-gravity harness and thruster pack to jump back several hundred meters to land on top of a three-level structure.


    ¡°We are clear.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Maul said into the comms.


    Subcommander Solemn Coast 963 could only watch in awe as the position they had been occupying, which was now filled with a tightly-packed mass of corrupted, was obliterated by a barrage from Maul¡¯s weaponry.


    The experimental weapons had performed well above expected parameters, yet their destructive capability was still dwarfed by one individual.


    ¡°Experimental Weapon Squad and Maul have turned back corrupted reinforcements,¡± Communicator Dreylox 7193 said.


    ¡°Keep scanning for further reinforcements,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    ¡°Telatrine, reporting. Interior of facility is clear of corrupted. Proceeding to control chamber. Adahn estimates control within nine minutes.¡±


    Telatrine bypassed the communicator as they were wont to do.


    ¡°Acknowledged, remain cautious,¡± Salamander said. The Inheritors had used a similar tactic before to spring an ambush or attack a different area. ¡°Maintain vigilance over all controlled sectors.¡± They turned to Frequency. ¡°How soon will you be able to track the source of the corruptive sound?¡±


    ¡°Uncertain. Orchestral Meridian covers a large area, vertically and horizontally. The more communication facilities and relay stations under our control along with more drones deployed solely to the task will increase our probability of success,¡± Frequency said. ¡°However, my readings indicate that I am disrupting the sound. If it increases intensity in an effort to push back then that may make it easier to triangulate.¡±


    Salamander nodded.


    Find the source of the sound and they''d find Honor.


    <hr>


    Strength and power are inextricably intertwined. You cannot have one without the other. This is what you are here to learn.


    Was it?


    Cal was confused. He sat in a massive lecture hall at his university. Except he had graduated over a decade ago.


    Wait.


    Wasn¡¯t it almost two decades?


    Power is responsibility. To be powerful is to guide lesser beings on the right path. For they do not know. How can they? Their weakness blinds them.


    The professor¡¯s voice was like music.


    Cal¡¯s eyes were drawn to her.


    Beautiful, statuesque.


    Until a sound like a broken string screeched out.


    The professor seemed to fuzz around the edges. Her beautiful form was replaced for a split-second.


    Cal stared at an eldritch abomination. An impossibly tall woman with her face hidden behind a hood of flesh. A dozen hands on the edge of a cloak, also made of what appeared to be her own skin.


    A lyrical melody emanated from the woman¡¯s hood.


    Cal blinked.


    His beloved professor was back with a wry smile on her face.


    To be weak is to be low. The low, by their nature, exist to serve. In service there is a path to rise in strength. It is your responsibility to raise the lesser up.


    The professor stared at Cal with unblinking eyes.


    To be powerful is to be above. Higher by right and deed. Those below exist at your sufferance. In time they may challenge your power. When that time comes the strongest will¡ª


    The same discordant sound rang out like nails on an old chalk board.


    Cal blinked.


    The confusion cleared for a moment.


    He raised his hand.


    The professor was suddenly an empty void. She was simply gone. Like she had been photoshopped out of a picture.


    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    Cal blinked.


    Yes, Mr. Cruces.


    She was back.


    Cal was confused, but something small hidden deep in his mind remembered.


    ¡°You¡¯re wrong.¡±


    The other students turned their faces toward him in unison.


    ¡°What you¡¯re saying sounds like how animals live. Survival of the fittest, strong eat the weak. That doesn¡¯t work for thinking beings. Sapience separates us from the beasts. Our ability to think, reason, is our greatest strength. Ironic, really, that you¡¯d argue against our evolutionary advantage. It¡¯s been proven repeatedly. Our world, our lives has been and will always be worse because of people espousing your teachings.¡±


    And yet here you are. You¡¯re strong, but not strong enough¡­ as your current position attests. Like I said, Mr. Cruces, become strong enough to take power and you can have control.


    Cal blinked.


    He noticed his classmates for the first time. They were all staring at him as one body.


    None of them had features. Their faces were blank. No eyes, nose and mouth. Just a blank expanse of flesh.


    Strength and power are inextricably intertwined. You cannot have one without the other. This is what you are here to learn.


    The other students reached out with grasping hands.


    Cal shrank back and tried to ward them off, but they were too strong.


    Power is responsibility. To be powerful is to guide lesser beings on the right path. For they do not know. How can they? Their weakness blinds them.


    He shouted. Tried to deny the looming darkness about to smother him.


    To be weak is to be low. The low, by their nature, exist to serve. In service there is a path to rise in strength. It is your responsibility to raise the lesser up.


    He failed again.


    To be powerful is to be above. Higher by right and deed. Those below exist at your sufferance. In time they may challenge your power. When that time comes the strongest will claim what is theirs.


    Yet, there was a small discordant sound in the distance that pierced a small hole in the thick shroud.


    A tiny light illuminated the darkness.


    A part of Cal could finally see.


    He shaped a small brick in his mind and planted it in front of him.


    The effort left him drained. So, he rested until he was ready to form another.


    You will learn or be consumed.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    Ten years after the spires appeared was marked by a thunderous chime in every human¡¯s ears.


    Congratulations!


    You have survived!


    The introductory period is complete.


    Full Classes are now unlocked.


    Upworld travel is now unlocked.


    Entities with secondary special dispensation are no longer blocked from travel to your world.


    Additional features are unlocked.


    Visit the Spire to purchase further information.


    A five year intermediate period begins. After which all restrictions will be lifted.


    Gain strength.


    Take territory.


    Your world draws closer to full participation.


    Be prepared.


    ¡°Well¡­ crap,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°What does this mean?¡± Megan hugged Veronica tight.


    The teenager rolled her eyes, but consented. Her mother need comforting.


    ¡°Have to go to the spire,¡± Keisha shrugged.


    ¡°No way! We¡¯re in enemy territory. We can¡¯t just walk up to one. What if they have guards?¡± Bastien said.


    They had to go, well, at least some of them. Information was like very important. Cal had constantly and annoyingly mansplained it to Nila in the early days of the spires apocalypse. As if playing strategy and tactical games on his computer made him an expert. She wondered if Cal got the same message on the Threnosh world.


    ¡°Wait¡­¡± Nila muttered. If restrictions had been lifted then did that mean she could finally respond to Cal¡¯s spire messages?


    The thought of Cal brought a pang of grief. It had been so long. She missed him. Her excitement was tempered by worry. Cal¡¯s last message had been nearly a year and a half ago.


    What that might¡¯ve meant brought a spike of dread in Nila¡¯s heart.


    Stronger than the general sense that had been weighing on her ever since they had entered San Francisco.


    ¡°Yeah?¡± Veronica tapped Nila on the arm.


    Nila blinked and noticed that everyone was staring at her expectantly.


    Megan and Veronica.


    Team F.C.W.R and Mads.


    Keisha, Alexa and Max.


    ¡°Uh, yeah¡­ right. We need information on these changes. Ideally we all go, but that¡¯s not a good idea. We know that the fish cult specifically wants myself and Veronica. So, that probably means that our descriptions, maybe even drawings are out there on wanted posters or something like that. With that in mind, Megan¡¯s probably also a target. Which leaves you guys.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve been fighting them too,¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°Except we¡¯ve been wearing helmets. They probably don¡¯t know exactly what we look like,¡± Keisha said.


    ¡°As long as we don¡¯t use our more distinctive spells and abilities, which we wouldn¡¯t anyway,¡± Max chuckled, ¡°unless we wanted to get caught, which is just dumb.¡±


    ¡°Wait, what about our gear. Not loving the idea of walking around in creepy cult land unarmed and unarmored,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°You ain¡¯t really got no choice,¡± Keisha crossed her arms and glowered at the young man.


    ¡°Fu¡ª! Ow!¡±


    Gene had elbowed Johnny in the ribs. ¡°I think it¡¯s risky, but you¡¯re right. We need more information,¡± he said.


    ¡°Kiss ass,¡± Johnny muttered. ¡°Ow! Mother Fu¡ª C¡¯mon, man, why?¡±


    ¡°This is serious,¡± Olo said flatly.


    ¡°Yes, it is,¡± Keisha narrowed her eyes at Johnny.


    Johnny threw up his hands, but kept his mouth shut and subtly shifted until he was partially hidden behind Olo¡¯s large frame.


    ¡°Do we all go out together?¡± Mads said to get to the point.


    ¡°Naw, we¡¯ll split up in twos and threes,¡± Keisha said. ¡°Me, Johnny and Mads, Alexa with Olo and Bastien, Max and Gene. Sound good?¡±


    Nila nodded.


    ¡°We¡¯ll start heading out around lunch to blend in with the crowds. I¡¯m guessing there¡¯ll probably be a bunch of people heading to the spire to see what¡¯s up,¡± Keisha said.


    ¡°Stagger when you leave and take different routes,¡± Nila said.


    They were holed up in a warehouse a good half mile from the nearest block of occupied homes. The path into the city had been surprisingly clear. The checkpoint fort before the Bay Bridge had been a ruined mess. It had been wide open with no one in sight. The government forces and Remy had gotten through okay, judging by the crumpled metal gates.


    It was when they were halfway across the bridge that Alexa had suddenly sensed something disturbing. It was as if a presence had taken note of them and had an eye or eyes on them. The rest of them had only felt a sense of dread that manifested as an uncomfortable feeling in their stomachs.


    To be fair Nila was fifty-fifty that it was triggered by Alexa¡¯s pronouncement rather than something legitimate. They were nervous enough as it was. Seeing as how they were driving into enemy territory with barely a plan.


    The warehouse was an ideal location because they could see the bay and Alcatraz Island in the distance for those with enhanced vision.


    Their goal.


    Where the fishmen and the cult kept their captives. Where Tessa was likely imprisoned.


    If the cultist¡¯s words under Demi¡¯s interrogation could be believed.


    Their main problem was getting to the island and back. Boats were out of the question as the only ones they¡¯d observed crossing the bay were clearly on cultist business. There was a complete lack of any other types of boating. No fishing and no recreation. It made sense considering the fishmen were somewhere down under the water¡¯s surface.


    Their only real option was going to be impossible to get into without being detected.


    Otherwise, Remy flying over on a sheet of metal was the best option and they had discovered nothing about his or the others¡¯ whereabouts.


    Nila, Megan and Veronica were in the middle of what felt like the hundredth brainstorming session when a tall, young woman of Japanese descent suddenly appeared at the stairs to the loft they were using as a planning area.


    ¡°I come in peace,¡± the young woman raised her hands.


    A likely story. Nila wasn¡¯t going to take the chance. She burst into action.


    And was surprised as the young woman matched her and blocked the punch with a sweep of her arm.


    The impact shook Nila.


    She uncorked a short hook to the young woman¡¯s body like Cal had taught her.


    The young woman grunted with the impact, but snapped out with a hook of her own to the side of Nila¡¯s head.


    Nila¡¯s cage rattled.


    Before she knew what was happening, she was weightless, upside down for an instant before slamming down to the wooden floorboards.


    The young woman had a hand around Nila¡¯s throat. Just tight enough to be uncomfortable. Her other hand was pointed like a spear at Nila¡¯s eyes.


    The young woman¡¯s fingernails were thicker and longer than humanly possible. Pointed like blades.


    The rest of the young woman was just as strange. Dark-colored fur had sprouted to frame her face and all along the back of her tank top-bared arms. She looked bigger. Her muscles bulged noticeably compared to what she had looked like at first. Her mouth was bared in a snarl to reveal canine teeth, long and sharp.


    ¡°Bitch, what part of I come in peace didn¡¯t you understand,¡± the young woman growled.


    A hand darted forward to grab the top of the young woman¡¯s head.


    ¡°Bitch, move and I give you a tumor that¡¯ll push the rest of your brains out in seconds,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°Yeah!¡± Veronica cheered, while pointing a finger gun at the young woman.


    ¡°This is what I get for trying to help,¡± the young woman muttered. ¡°Fine¡­ what the fuck was that stupid thing I was supposed to say.¡±


    Nila tensed. She needed to grab the young woman¡¯s free hand as soon as Megan started her magic lest the sharp claw-like nails blind her. She needed to do the same to the hand around her throat.


    ¡°Blades in the dark are ever sharp,¡± the young woman said. Her eyes were on Nila.


    Nila blinked.


    ¡°They shine bright in the light,¡± Nila said.


    This was unexpected.


    It was the ridiculous code that Remy and Hanna had concocted based on the idea that Bennett might¡¯ve found allies in the city assuming he hadn¡¯t been killed or captured.


    Was this an ally?


    She did have the right words.


    ¡°You¡¯ve talked to Remy?¡± Megan immediately released her grip.


    Nila sucked in a breath.


    Megan was too trusting.


    ¡°You won¡¯t take another shot at me? Not that I can¡¯t handle it,¡± the young woman said lightly, ¡°but it¡¯s annoying and I¡¯m on a short clock.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but if you¡¯re not on the level then you¡¯re going to have a problem,¡± Nila frowned.


    The young woman eased up off Nila. She slowly reverted back to fully human with what looked like some effort.


    ¡°No, not Remy. Hanna. Though we know where they¡¯re keeping him.¡± She sniffed in Megan¡¯s, then Veronica¡¯s direction. ¡°You must be his wife and kid.¡±


    ¡°Explanation,¡± Nila said as she shot to her feet.


    ¡°Relax, shorty, I told you I¡¯m not here to fight. If I was you¡¯d never hear me coming,¡± the young woman smirked.


    Nila didn¡¯t like her and it wasn¡¯t because the woman had gotten the better of her.


    ¡°Name¡¯s Rino and I¡¯ll take you to Hanna. We should get moving though. If I tracked you down then my old bros won¡¯t be that far behind. So, chop-chop, let¡¯s get in that sweet suburban of yours and out of here.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re waiting on¡­ others,¡± Nila said hesitantly.


    ¡°Shit,¡± Rino sniffed, ¡°I can smell them. Got their scent. They supposed to be back soon?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°We can pick them up on the way.¡± Rino sighed. ¡°Time¡¯s wasting. You might have two more like me and a bunch of cultists crashing through within the hour. Grab your shit and let¡¯s go.¡±


    Nila exchanged a glance with Megan, who looked confused, hopeful and wary all at the same time. ¡°Okay,¡± she said.


    ¡°Finally.¡± Rino frowned at Veronica, who was still pointing a finger gun at her face. ¡°You got laser fingers or something?¡±


    ¡°Make one wrong move and you¡¯ll find out,¡± Veronica sneered.


    ¡°Veronica,¡± Megan glowered, ¡°that¡¯s not nice.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, mom,¡± Veronica mumbled, but she didn¡¯t holster her finger gun. If this Rino wasn¡¯t on the level than her brain was so going to get scrambled.


    <hr>


    Remy listened as he had done constantly for the past few days.


    The crash of ocean waves on a rocky shoreline was impossible to miss. The same thing as always. Only broken up by the conversations as guards brought him food and water that he had refused to touch. Along with the once a day visit at random hours by the same old woman in the definitely magical robes.


    He was almost certain that his prison room had been converted in a lighthouse. For one thing the room was circular and he could feel the wind on the tower and the metal in the structure creaking with every powerful gust.


    The smell was a good hint too. The sweet brine of the ocean unmarred by man¡¯s pollution and trash. He supposed that was one positive thing about the apocalypse.


    Remy chided himself for the morbid thought. He had made an effort to stay positive. It seemed to help keep the ever present dread and feeling of growing hopelessness from, well, growing.


    The truth was he wasn¡¯t in a rush to escape even if he was sure that they couldn¡¯t stop him from just physically walking out. The question was what would he do after? The only lighthouse he was familiar with in the area was on Alcatraz. Swimming wasn¡¯t a good idea and until he figured out what was causing him pain and interfering with his ability to utilize his full power then he couldn¡¯t count on just flying back to the mainland.


    Remy stared at the food and water near the door, where he had left it untouched. It looked like pork, but he¡¯d read and seen enough movies with cults and eldritch entities to decide against the risk. There was a non zero percent chance that the meat was people or some kind of abomination¡¯s that¡¯d brainwash him or worse. As for the water, same deal. He wasn¡¯t about to let the creepy bastards trick him into changing his fundamental nature.


    He was surprised to find that it wasn¡¯t a problem. It¡¯d been awhile since his last meal and rink and he still wasn¡¯t hungry or thirsty. A useful ability if a bit concerning. He did wonder at what was sustaining him.


    The old woman¡¯s attempts to coerce Remy to joining them hinged on the threats to Tessa¡¯s safety. That and her weird robes that seemed to move like the ocean and threatened to pull him into the abyss. A problem easily solved by closing his eyes.


    The thought brought a smile to Remy¡¯s lips. The old woman hadn¡¯t liked that at all.


    Perhaps her frustration had led to her carelessness or maybe they simply had no idea how acute his senses were. If they were then the cultists would¡¯ve been more careful with what they said to each other.


    This was the main reason why Remy was content to stay for now.


    For he had learned through scattered pieces of conversation among the guards and the old woman several crucial pieces of information.


    One was that there was a network of tunnels bored beneath the ocean floor that connected Alcatraz to San Francisco, while more were being drilled, eaten, it wasn¡¯t clear, to connect to other areas all around the bay.


    A way out.


    The second and more important piece was that the fishmen had attacked his home and while they did take Tessa, Megan and Veronica were safe. This did most of the work to lift the weight of Remy¡¯s shoulders. So long as his family was safe then there was nothing the cult could do to compel him to go along with whatever foul purpose they had in mind.


    Which led to the last piece of information. They had captured Tessa, but they couldn¡¯t hold her. She had fought her way free from the fishmen, killing them all and was still loose in their tunnels.


    And so Remy would wait.


    He¡¯d wait until he knew with reasonable certainty where his daughter was. Then he¡¯d kill every cultist and fishmen in his way to her.


    The only thing that mattered was keeping his family together, safe.

 4.1

    Now, Earth


    Tessa screamed like a banshee as she jammed a tooth-like sword into a fishman¡¯s guts. The sword splintered and broke, but penetrated through the fishman¡¯s armor-like scales.


    Tessa abandoned the weapon and ducked under the second fishman¡¯s thrust.


    She lashed out with a kick to its knee, forcing it to bend the wrong direction.


    The fishman fell over with a high-pitched wail that definitely sounded like pain.


    Tessa bared her teeth in a feral snarl. ¡°Let me help you with that!¡± she kicked the fishman in the face, ripped its sword away and stabbed it in the throat.


    She quickly stripped the fishmen of any usable weapons. The weapons appeared to be made out of animal bones, teeth and even hard coral. She was going through them quickly with her superhuman strength. On the plus side she could replace them frequently. On the negative that was because the fishmen kept hounding her. It seemed like she couldn¡¯t go half an hour without encountering a few of them.


    It felt suspiciously like a game. As if she was going through a dungeon with conveniently spaced out enemy mobs to kill and loot. The thought was disconcerting. She had to keep reminding herself that it was real and she was in serious trouble. She¡¯d been lost and wandering around for what felt like hours, but could¡¯ve been days or vice versa. She¡¯d lost all sense of time in the deep, dark, dank tunnels that branched in multiple directions and levels without apparent planning. It was like a blind worm digging through the dirt made them.


    Tessa used a broken piece of the fishman¡¯s sword to carve a directional arrow into the rounded tunnel¡¯s craggy rock wall. Her strength made it easy to leave a deep gouge that the fishmen would find hard to mess with.


    More high-pitched sounds suddenly assaulted her ears.


    Fishmen calling to each other or signaling.


    The way sound echoed in the tunnels made it hard to tell from which direction they came from.


    Tessa gave it her best guess and headed off in the direction of the sound.


    If she couldn¡¯t find her own way out then she¡¯d keep killing fishmen until they were forced to lead her out from their own sense of self preservation.


    Little did she know that the Scions of the Deep Azure valued their existence as secondary to their one purpose.


    <hr>


    Veronica eyed the Rino woman with suspicion. She did the same with the blond one that kept smiling, Kare or something, that one was weird. She had a pair of brain blasts ready at the first sign of shenanigans.


    ¡°So¡­ the reason you found us because you caught our scent?¡± Nila had her bat-like club in one hand as she studied Rino.


    ¡°Lady, I¡¯d appreciate you putting that thing away,¡± Rino bristled. ¡°Unless you want to throw down, see if you¡¯re the alpha? Cause that¡¯s fine with me.¡±


    ¡°Is that how that works?¡± Nila tightened her grip on the handle.


    Veronica tried not to smile. It was time. She and her aunt Nila were going to show these dumb bi¡ª


    ¡°Okay!¡± Hanna stepped between the two. ¡°Not helping, so both of you get those hackles down.¡±


    Veronica tried not to pout as her mother pulled Nila back, while the smiling blond lady tried to do the same with Rino. She didn¡¯t know what to make of the Japanese woman and the blond. There was definitely something off about them, something dangerous.


    Hanna sighed. ¡°Those two are weredogs. Yes, exactly how it sounds. Like werewolves, but dogs. That¡¯s why they can track people by scent. Apparently their noses are so sensitive that they can tell if there are unfamiliar scents in the air. They can also tell when people are related or otherwise spend a lot of time in close proximity. Hence, detecting you guys.¡±


    ¡°You smell like that badass man that kicked our butts,¡± Kare smiled at Megan, ¡°I guess you¡¯re the wife,¡± she smiled at Veronica, ¡°and you¡¯re his baby.¡±


    ¡±Veronica glowered. If she had heat vision that blond hair would¡¯ve been toast. ¡°I¡¯m not a ba¡ª¡± she shut her mouth when she realized responding would actually make her look like a baby.


    ¡°Awww¡­ you look just like your daddy when he was smashing people.¡±


    ¡°Jesus Christ, Kare!¡± Rino snapped. ¡°We don¡¯t have time for this kiddie shit. Chance and Scotty could be on our trail right now!¡±


    ¡°I agree, so you tell us where Remy is and we¡¯ll be on our way,¡± Megan said.


    Rino barked a bitter laugh. ¡°You don¡¯t have a chance with just you four and the eight down in the living room.¡±


    ¡°The cult is holding him on Alcatraz, where they hold all their captives,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Does that include¡ª¡± Nila began.


    ¡°The women and girls they kidnapped from Old Town years ago? Most likely,¡± Hanna nodded.


    Rino growled. ¡°If I had known they were keeping girls¡­¡±


    Veronica could really see the dog in her. ¡°If you have such a good nose then how come you didn¡¯t know?¡± she pumped an imaginary fist in her mind. Got her.


    ¡°Magic bullshit,¡± Rino shrugged.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s weird, but we can¡¯t like really pick up scents from the ocean aside from like saltwater and fishy-ness. Even when we¡¯re watching a boat of people crossing, it¡¯s like they¡¯re not even their, I mean in our noses,¡± Kare tapped her dainty, button nose.


    Nila snapped her fingers. It was almost like a gunshot in the bedroom¡¯s enclosed space. ¡°Is taking a boat a viable option?¡±


    ¡°No. All sea travel is strictly regulated. Official cult business only,¡± Rino said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s a good idea anyways. We¡¯re dealing with fishmen,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°They have giant sea monsters,¡± Veronica added.


    ¡°There might be tunnels,¡± Rino said. ¡°I¡¯m not positive, but they¡¯ve been doing a lot of digging past Fisherman¡¯s Wharf, near the park. Not in the park itself, but they tore up a block and replaced the buildings with huge warehouses and put up a bunch of walls and bunkers all around the outer perimeter. Like a fort or castle.¡±


    ¡°The maritime park?¡± Nila perked up. ¡°I¡¯ve been there before as part of my old job. Part of a conference. We visited the state park facilities in the local area.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know, don¡¯t care,¡± Rino said.


    ¡°We just have to get past the walls and guards then we can get through the tunnels following our noses,¡± Kare said brightly.


    ¡°We?¡± Nila narrowed her eyes.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a problem with women and girls being trafficked,¡± Rino said. ¡°If I had known¡­ I¡¯d never have agreed to work for the scio¡ª the cult.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t do anything with what we currently have as far as forces,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Yes we can,¡± Veronica said. Too much time was being wasted. They needed to go and get her dad, Tessa and the kidnapped people already. ¡°I¡¯ll blast their brains and then we can just go in.¡±


    ¡°I like the sound of that.¡± Rino¡¯s grin was feral. All sharp canine teeth.


    Veronica immediately second guessed her idea.


    ¡°I have an idea with a better chance of success,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Out with it then,¡± Megan said with more heat than she perhaps intended. With every passing moment her nerves frayed more with worry for her daughter and husband.


    ¡°Bennett is alive,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Do you know that dude is a Vampire?¡± Rino glanced at her nails, which looked thicker and sharper than normal.


    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s his Class,¡± Nila said flatly.


    Rino rolled her shoulders, but said nothing.


    ¡°Anyways¡­ turns out there¡¯s a Resistance movement of some sort and they suspect that Bennett is with them. Has been for the past two years,¡± Hanna continued.


    ¡°Like, not a hundred percent sure, but he¡¯s got a weird scent and we¡¯re always picking it up in areas where we think the Resistance is doing stuff,¡± Kare said.


    ¡°They mostly do lame shit like spray painting rude stuff about the cult or stealing food and supplies. Then they go run and hide,¡± Rino snorted. ¡°Guess they¡¯re lucky that Bennett guy showed up. Otherwise we probably would¡¯ve wiped them out months ago.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. The cult leaders explicitly told us that we can¡¯t go after nerdy Dracula,¡± Kare shrugged.


    ¡°On top of that the remnants of the Sac Town forces are also likely hiding out with the Resistance,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°How do you know that?¡± Nila said.


    ¡°How do you think?¡± Rino smirked.


    ¡°Right.¡±


    ¡°So, we link up and get the numbers and power to pull of a distraction and our own storming the Bastille moment,¡± Hanna said. ¡°Once we make our way to Alcatraz, we can head back the way we came with Remy¡¯s and Tessa¡¯s added firepower or best case scenario, Remy flies us all out of there on metal grates or something.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ that sounds like our best option,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Megan added.


    Finally, Veronica let out a long breath.


    Rino and the blond woman suddenly perked up. Both sniffed the air.


    ¡°We need to hurry,¡± Rino snapped and rushed out of the room.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Nila eyed the blond warily.


    ¡°Our boys are on your trail, which I guess is now our trail too.¡±


    ¡°Chop, chop, people!¡± Rino called from downstairs.


    They jumped like a fire had been lit under them.


    <hr>


    ¡°You know, I¡¯m actually glad to see you, which surprised me,¡± Bennett said.


    ¡°Um¡­ yeah, totally,¡± Jake replied. ¡°You really bailed us out. I wasn¡¯t liking what I was feeling with that mist. Pretty sure bad things would¡¯ve happened had we tried to drive through.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Bennett shivered, which was a little odd for a Vampire. ¡°There are things in the mist. What? I¡¯m not entirely sure. Every time I try to send rats in to get a quick peek, they just die horribly, like within seconds.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ rats, huh? A lot¡¯s changed since I last saw you,¡± Jake kept his tone light.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°Decided to focus on rats in my ¡®small minion ability branch¡¯, seemed like a good idea, considering¡­¡± Bennett swept an unnaturally pale and long-fingered hand at their surroundings.


    ¡°You know, for a sewer this part is surprisingly clean and not smelly.¡±


    ¡°I know, right? I had no idea that the sewer department had offices and facilities underground. Been a lifesaver for me though. A good place to hide and get around the city. Same for the Resistance.¡±


    ¡°Why hasn¡¯t the cult raided you?¡±


    ¡°My rats, combined with my other senses. A good early warning system.¡± Bennett eyed Jake¡¯s skeleton-like mechanical hand. ¡°Is that¡­?¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah!¡± Jake brought his prosthetic up closer to the torch light. Not that Bennett needed the aid to see it. ¡°Thanks to your magical science research department. Check it out. Mage Hand.¡± A ghostly blue outline of hand surrounded the prosthetic. Jake wiggled the fingers and moved the hand around. ¡°It¡¯s like way stronger than my normal hand. Could totally crush a skull. Er¡­ not that I¡¯ve tried, well I did, but only on monsters and mutant animals¡­ kinda messy,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Amazing!¡± Bennett leaned in closer. ¡°This is the latest iteration?¡±


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    ¡°Before I left on this mission, Quest, I had spoken with the team responsible for it. I remember them being extremely excited. That reminds me, I noticed Detective Ordonez wasn¡¯t using a crutch¡­¡±


    ¡°Yup, I modified the spell code for my hand to do a leg version. Takes more mana, but works just as good. She¡¯s even got more goodies packed into her leg. Although¡­¡± Jake pitched his voice softer, ¡°don¡¯t ask her about it. She¡¯s still a little sensitive about the whole Midtown Mauler thing.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± a disturbed look crossed Bennett¡¯s face, ¡°I too wouldn¡¯t wish to relive those events.¡±


    ¡°Are you kidding? But you¡¯ve leveled up, right?¡±


    ¡°Performing Quests for the Resistance has given me a steady, if unspectacular, supply of Universal Points. So, I¡¯ve been able to upgrade a few of my abilities. I¡¯ve mostly focused on the aforementioned rats, along with my stealth abilities and survivability.¡±


    ¡°How does that work for you? Do you just buy abilities and upgrades? Like I can do the same for the spell codes I write into my devices, but it¡¯s just so expensive. I¡¯m better off experimenting with the codes I already have to try to figure out other ones,¡± Jake shrugged.


    ¡°It¡¯s not quite so direct or obvious, as most things spires-related are,¡± Bennett went into his lecturer voice. ¡°I can either discover an ability on my own through experimentation, but this seems to be gated by my current level, for lack of a better term, even though I haven¡¯t be able to discern any such thing in my personal sheet.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t think anyone has. Although since the ten year tutorial period just passed maybe that¡¯s been unlocked. Haven¡¯t had the chance to go to a spire and check it out.¡±


    ¡°Yes, the spires in this area are guarded by the Scions of the Deep Azure cult. Only my stealth abilities allow me to bypass them. As to said abilities. I can increase their strength level through practice. Like any muscle, use it enough times and in effective ways and they become stronger. There does seem to be a hard ceiling of sorts at each level for each individual ability that mere use can¡¯t surpass. In this case I need to purchase an ¡®unlock¡¯, if you will, to the next level at the spire. I¡¯m uncertain if this is only true in my case.¡±


    ¡°Interesting, I¡¯ve talked to magic users and they have to buy new spells. And there aren¡¯t, like, individual levels to each spell. Spell power depends on how much mana they put into it and their own personal strength. There does seem to be a cap thought. No idea if they¡¯d tried to do it your way though.¡±


    Bennett suddenly jerked his head to one side and let out a low hiss.


    ¡°The fu¡ª¡± Jake flinched back a few steps.


    ¡°The cult. They¡¯re coming.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ we just go hide right? Like you said?¡±


    Bennett¡¯s red eyes were wide. ¡°Not this time. They¡¯re going to attack in force. Hundreds of them.¡±


    <hr>


    Then, Threnosh World


    ¡°Time to full charge?¡± PJ15 kept an eye on the command console. Thin, gray tendrils extended from their finger tips. Their skin-tight power armor¡¯s gray surface pulsed with faint lights that traveled up from the tendrils. They had altered the functions of the console to collect sensor data from the facility and the immediate surrounding area. Their power armor filtered the information and fed it to PJ15. So far everything was quiet. They didn¡¯t detect any movement out there. Unfortunately, this wasn¡¯t necessarily accurate. The Inheritors and the corrupted had proven capable of fooling their sensor technology.


    ¡°Forty-five seconds,¡± Brightstrike replied through the comms.


    PJ15¡¯s teammate was in a different chamber replenishing their energy stores.


    ¡°Understood. I am moving to your position.¡± PJ15 did one last sensor sweep. It looked clear, so they detached their tendrils from the console. The thin strands morphed smoothly back into their fingertips.


    Brightstrike met them outside the recharging chamber.


    ¡°You have a choice,¡± Brightstrike said.


    ¡°I do not understand, clarify?¡±


    ¡°The Task we both received. I intend to attempt completion. What do you intend?¡±


    ¡°To search for Honor in our current condition is tactically unsound. We are only two versus an unknown multitude of corrupted and Inheritors. Your trueskin is damaged. Then there is the unknown threat level presented by the unidentified invasive organism that intercepted Honor.¡± PJ15¡¯s power armor visibly bristled for a moment. Like an animal¡¯s threat display to scare off predators. ¡°My trueskin is¡­ wary of that one.¡±


    ¡°Clearly.¡±


    ¡°The correct tactic is to withdraw. Return to our team. Then search for Honor. We have no confirmation on Honor¡¯s current situation.¡±


    ¡°Yet, the Task directs us to rescue Honor from captivity. Logic dictates that he has been captured by our enemies. Tasks are never erroneous,¡± Brightstrike said. ¡°Honor will be freed. Together we will fight the enemy and defeat them. That is our purpose.¡±


    ¡°Honor has cautioned us about this. Tasks can be delayed, ignored or rejected.¡±


    ¡°I do not discount your words. My decision has been made. You are free to chose your own path.¡±


    PJ15 thought a moment. Brightstrike¡¯s lack of concern over their own fate was problematic. ¡°Our success rate drastically decreases if we separate. I will join you.¡±


    In truth PJ15 preferred this path. It wasn¡¯t the correct choice from a tactical standpoint, but a voice in their head pushed them forward.


    Brightstrike gave a nearly imperceptible nod.


    ¡°To the repair facility or combat drone station?¡± PJ15 said.


    Brightstrike projected a holographic map from their gauntlet. ¡°The repair facility is closer.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged. I will take point,¡± PJ15 said.


    Brightstrike manifested a bright yellow sword in their hand for a few seconds before turning it off. ¡°Energy drain 19% above optimal level. My trueskin requires repairs.¡±


    ¡°My previous suggestion to obtain additional weaponry¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªIs acknowledged. We will go to the drone station after I effect repairs. I intend to use my trueskin¡¯s ability against strong enemies. I will use standard weaponry against the rest.¡±


    The two Threnosh descended deeper into the dark, dead city. Further away from safety and the rest of their team. They walked toward the heart of an enemy that they didn¡¯t truly know, yet knew them well.


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    Salamander breathed fire from their draconic helmet¡¯s maw.


    The entire street was bathed in flames.


    Dozens of corrupted were cooked alive. Their shrieks filled the air.


    A giant shape leapt out of the inferno and punched Salamander in the chest, knocking them out of the sky to land on the roof of a nearby structure.


    Damage alerts flashed in Salamander¡¯s faceplate. Thankfully, nothing critical.


    They were caught off guard by the sheer strength of the blow. It was well beyond anything they had experienced before, either in live combat or practice.


    ¡°Be advised, the Inheritor, Designation: Gyxdor has bypassed my attempt at containment,¡± Salamander spoke into the comms. ¡°Drone operators, acquire and track visual.¡±


    ¡°Negative,¡± Frequency replied. ¡°Surveillance efforts are hampered. Attempting to reposition sound emitting drones to counter.¡±


    Salamander was grateful for Frequency¡¯s presence for many reasons. One of which was as their senior, Frequency could take over operational command at their base camp on the broken bridge.


    Thus, Salamander was free to take part in field operations, which they preferred.


    ¡°Acknowledged. I have visual and will pursue.¡± Salamander engaged their boot jets with a thought. At the apex of their upward flight they extended their wings and oriented themselves toward the massive Gyxdor as the Inheritor continued to penetrate into the Threnosh-controlled sector with tremendous leaps. They engage the jets once again and shot toward their enemy.


    Salamander wasn¡¯t capable of true flight. Their wings and jets allowed for gliding and a limited ability to hover for short amounts of time.


    In this scenario it was perfect for their needs.


    ¡°Be careful, Salamander. Backup will not be available for the next three minutes and fifteen seconds,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Salamander dismissed all other thoughts. They focused only on the fight in front of them. They threw their wings wide and kicked out with their boot jets to hover a dozen meters above Gyxdor. The breathed fire as they angled their jets to one side in order to circle around the Inheritor.


    Gyxdor''s gray flesh blistered and melted under the assault.


    The metal rooftop started to warp under the heat and the Inheritor¡¯s weight. Until it finally buckled and gave out.


    The structure was four levels high.


    Salamander wondered how far Gyxdor had fallen.


    Not very far was the answer as Gyxdor, still partially on fire, crashed through the fourth level wall in a mighty leap right for Salamander.


    The Threnosh engaged their jets too late.


    Gyxdor grabbed their lower leg in an enormous fist.


    The Inheritor¡¯s weight sent the two of them plummeting to the ground.


    Salamander retracted their wings into the pack on their back. They were useless and would only cost more Universal Points to repair or replace. Besides, they trusted their power armor¡¯s durability and inertial dampeners to protect them from the impact.


    They cratered the metallic street when they landed.


    Fortunately for Salamander, they were on top of Gyxdor.


    Salamander slashed down with their draconic-taloned right gauntlet. Razor sharp claws cut deeply across Gyxdor¡¯s massive wrist.


    The Inheritor roared and relinquished their grip on Salamander¡¯s leg.


    The Threnosh leapt up and away with a burst from their boot jets further burning the Inheritor.


    Gyxdor erupted up out of the crater and took Salamander by surprise.


    The giant Inheritor battered Salamander into and through the side of nearby structure.


    Salamander tumbled through the thin, metallic walls. Only the inherent durability of the scale-like skin on their power armor, along with the superior alloys that comprised the internal musculature and inertial dampeners kept them from serious injury.


    Salamander excelled at dealing damage and taking it.


    Gyxdor was making a mockery of the former and testing the latter.


    Salamander arrested their journey and righted themselves just as Gyxdor charged after them with a bestial roar. The Inheritor disregarded the structure¡¯s walls as they barged through every thing in their path.


    It was a testament to Threnosh engineering and architecture that the structure hadn¡¯t collapsed.


    Salamander dived to one side and spat fire at Gyxdor¡¯s back.


    The Inheritor¡¯s laugh was a deep, booming thing that registered on Salamander¡¯s auditory sensors.


    ¡°Are you the best the Threnosh have to offer?¡± Gyxdor¡¯s voice was like giant boulders grinding together deep in the earth.


    ¡°No,¡± Salamander answered honestly.


    ¡°Pity.¡± Gyxdor tore a section of floor and threw it at Salamander with the speed of a missile.


    Salamander batted it to one side with their right gauntlet. The impact threw sparks that showered down on the street. They glanced at the timer on their faceplate as it counted down to the possibility of reinforcement.


    ¡°I wonder how you compare to the others of your kind I have already faced. I wonder how you compare to the one that calls himself Honor.¡±


    ¡°You have fought Honor?¡±


    ¡°Yes, many times. I have him to thank for my new strength.¡± Gyxdor flexed a bicep that was bigger than Salamander¡¯s head. ¡°He has served as a useful device on which to increase my capabilities.¡±


    Salamander took a closer look at the bony growths that protruded out of Gyxdor¡¯s flesh. From what they remembered of older surveillance footage the growth did appear to be bigger and there appeared to be more. They served to protect vital areas, as well as enhance the Inheritor¡¯s damage potential.


    ¡°Where is Honor?¡±


    ¡°Serving the Mother,¡± Gyxdor said. ¡°His fate is not your concern. I am.¡±


    The Inheritor charged.


    Salamander leapt straight up with an assist from their jets. They breathed fire down on Gyxdor as it barreled into the side of the structure.


    Salamander unfurled their wings and continued to the taller structure on the opposite side of the street.


    Gyxdor came out of the other structure with a growl. ¡°Why run? Fear? It is pointless. We will replace you as the rightful masters of this world. It¡¯s only a matter of time.¡±


    Gyxdor¡¯s skin healed in seconds. There was no sign of the horrific burns.


    The enormous Inheritor grinned up at Salamander.


    Salamander reconsidered the fight. The fuel for their flames was below 20%. They suspected that they would lose a purely physical battle. Their initial plan had been to burn Gyxdor to the bone. That no longer appeared achievable.


    Had they diverted Gyxdor¡¯s incursion into the city section enough?


    ¡°Status report on efforts to gain control of security station?¡± Salamander said into the comms as they flew to another rooftop with Gyxdor in pursuit.


    ¡°Telatrine¡¯s team has encountered stiff resistance. Corrupted have been reinforced by unknown number of Inheritors,¡± Frequency replied immediately.


    ¡°Status on my reinforcements?¡±


    ¡°Delayed indefinitely. Reserve has been deployed to counter additional enemy push.¡±


    ¡°Drone status?¡±


    ¡°Negative. However, I am close to countering the sound that is interfering with remote operation.¡±


    ¡°That is critical. If we cannot secure the security station in this section then we can not increase the control signal network for the drones to overcome the interference. Our forces will be overwhelmed by corrupted numbers. Flooding the section with our drones from our controlled sections is our only chance for victory.¡±


    ¡°I know that, Salamander,¡± Frequency said in short, sharp tones.


    ¡°Acknowledged. Will continue to keep Designation: Gyxdor from engaging our forces.¡±

 4.2

    Now, Threnosh World


    Telatrine nearly bisected a corrupted with their chainsword.


    There was something satisfying in the motor¡¯s growl as razor-sharp teeth sent blood and bits flying.


    Telatrine¡¯s faceplate, which was an exact copy of their actual face underneath, grinned.


    Their power armor functioned like a biological machine. Exercise increased the size of the artificial musculature, which in turn increased their physical strength.


    A second corrupted leapt over the remains of its fallen compatriot.


    Telatrine knocked it to the ground with a single punch, then crushed its head with a heavy stomp of their boot.


    The Threnosh continued down the narrow corridor. Their bulky, armored form prevented the corrupted from bypassing them to reach the more vulnerable infantry soldiers behind them.


    This was fine.


    Telatrine preferred the opportunity to dispatch the corrupted by himself. More Universal Points and more physical exertion meant greater strength gains. They¡¯d clear the entire security station on their own if it was up to them.


    Three Inheritors sighted.


    Unseen was scouting the path to the control chamber. Their message was unwelcome.


    Sublevel 3. Appear to have arrived through one of the underground tunnels. Likely headed in your direction.


    ¡°Identification?¡± Telatrine spoke into the comms. They didn¡¯t need to maintain silence on their end.


    Unknown. Does not resemble Inheritors from prior encounters.


    An unexpected, but not wholly unwelcome development. Telatrine had been wanting to test themselves against an Inheritor.


    ¡°Control chamber status?¡±


    Unchanged. Twelve corrupted standing guard.


    ¡°Maintain position. Report if anything changes.


    Acknowledged.


    Three Inheritors were a problem even if Telatrine welcomed it. The bulk of the T-Men were holding back the mass of corrupted attempting to assault the station from the outside. Maul¡¯s firepower and Winding Myriad¡¯s esoteric destructive spells would¡¯ve been useful. Instead they only had Adahn¡¯s makeshift exoskeleton harness of basic Threnosh weaponry, Drega Tali to effect repairs, One experimental weapons squad member and one mixed squad of infantry soldiers.


    The security station was all narrow corridors mixed with large berths to house and maintain combat drones. An ambush would¡¯ve been perfect had Rodinian been able to set their traps, unfortunately they had been needed for the battle on the streets.


    Telatrine¡¯s thought process was interrupted by a snarling corrupted as it tried to bite their face. They grabbed it by the throat and pushed it away. Only for its head to explode in a shower of brains and blood in a stream of accurate projectile fire.


    ¡°That was unnecessary,¡± Telatrine said.


    ¡°Apologies,¡± Adahn said.


    ¡°Conserve your ammunition. We have Inheritors inbound.¡±


    ¡°That is unwelcome information, our team lacks the combat capability to face Inheritors,¡± Drega Tali said.


    Telatrine hacked the last corrupted apart with their chainsword before they regarded Adahn for a moment. Telatrine¡¯s bloody faceplate¡¯s resemblance to a natural Threnosh face was disturbing especially considering the hungry look, so different from the standard lack of expression. ¡°Are you able to seal doors and passage ways to force the Inheritors and corrupted to come to this one?¡±


    ¡°I believe so,¡± Adahn said.


    ¡°Do it.¡±


    Adahn went to a nearby control console and placed their hand on the screen. Their power armor differed from most of the others¡¯ in that it was made of a composite material that was closer in texture and feel to softer fabrics rather than hard, metallic plates. Their power armor lit up as they utilized their ability to manipulate the security station¡¯s once dormant systems.


    The seconds ticked away while Adahn worked.


    Telatrine tried to envision the Inheritors¡¯ path up from the sublevels. They were unsatisfied with what they came up with. They weren¡¯t Caretaker.


    ¡°It is done. All doors have been sealed to force the Inheritors to approach through this corridor. Although, there is nothing to stop them from simply breaking their way through said doors,¡± Adahn said.


    ¡°You can still open doors and operate lifts?¡±


    Adahn¡¯s face betrayed confusion through their currently transparent faceplate. ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°You will take the infantry squad through the secondary route to the control chamber. I leave it to you to secure and reinitialize the security station.¡±


    Adahn blinked.


    They blinked again.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Adahn and the squad moved back the way the came.


    Telatrine hoped that they would be able to avoid the unknown Inheritors.


    ¡°And what are we to do?¡± Drega Tali exchanged a look with the lone experimental weapons squad soldier.


    ¡°You will repair my trueskin,¡± Telatrine said. They turned to the soldier. ¡°Your designation?¡±


    ¡°E.W.S. Soldier Radiant Canyon 7.¡±


    ¡°You will provide support. Bolter at range. Sonic emitter as I engage. Laser as a last resort in the unlikely event that an Inheritor gets past me.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± The soldier immediately switched to their bolter.


    Drega Tali let out something that sounded like a sigh. It was difficult to tell through their helmet. ¡°And where do you intend to engage?¡±


    Telatrine pointed to the open door at the end of the long corridor. ¡°Half way from this position.¡±


    The corridor was devoid of adjacent chambers, which meant there was nowhere to go except back or forward.


    ¡°I shall pre-deploy a few of my repair drones with your consent.¡±


    Telatrine nodded.


    ¡°I will also keep more close to your position.¡±


    Spider-like drones and hovering disc-shaped drones emerged from compartments on Drega Tali¡¯s power armor. The former crawled across the floor to climb up Telatrine and hid themselves inside the additional armor plates the Threnosh wore over their power armor. While the latter advanced down the corridor to take up positions where the walls met the floor and ceiling.


    ¡°Replacements cost Universal Points,¡± Drega Tali said flatly.


    ¡°Acknowledged. Be sure to contribute to the successful Task so that you receive a share of the reward,¡± Telatrine said.


    Telatrine marched forward to take their position, while Drega Tali and E.W.S. Soldier Radiant Canyon 7 readied themselves.


    They were just in time as two Inheritors stepped through the open doorway.


    Both had similar smooth gray skin tones, just like the standard Threnosh. That was the only similarity.


    One was much shorter, but significantly more robust in build. The Inheritor was like a ball of muscle. Their entire body bulged with rock hard muscles. Their thin attire left their arms bare and only went down to their knees. The material shimmered in the corridor¡¯s natural lights. This suggested metallic alloy. Thin armor. Curiously, the Inheritor wasn¡¯t wearing a helmet.


    The second was a head taller than the standard Threnosh. They were thinner. They wore armor that resembled older Threnosh make along with an exoskeleton of the same vintage. Telatrine recognized it. The Inheritors had been making use of Orchestral Meridian¡¯s armories.


    This Inheritor wore a helmet. The clear faceplate revealed over-sized eyes that bulged out of their head like some kind of giant insect.


    A frown crossed Telatrine¡¯s faceplate.


    Only two. Unseen had said there were three.


    ¡°Clear the firing lane,¡± E.W.S. soldier Radiant Canyon 7 said.


    Telatrine reacted without conscious thought as they pressed their larger than standard Threnosh form up against the corridor wall.


    A loud boom echoed through the narrow space.


    Their helmets¡¯ built-in auditory protections kept their eardrums safe.


    The bolter round zoomed across the distance faster than the unassisted eye could track. It exploded near the Inheritors and sent hot, jagged bits of shrapnel in all directions.


    Telatrine marked small cuts on the exposed flesh of the smaller Inheritor and damage to the taller one¡¯s armor.


    ¡°The smaller one likely has enhanced strength and durability,¡± Telatrine said into the comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Drega Tali said.


    ¡°Firing,¡± E.W.S. Soldier Radiant Canyon 7 said.


    Another bolter round flew and exploded, but the small Inheritor was already moving.


    They quickly covered a surprising amount of ground as they bounded across the walls and floor like a Jeluvian strider with the spring like muscles in its hind legs.


    Telatrine had to square his body to the Inheritor, which eliminated the safe firing lane.


    The Threnosh had equipped themselves with their large, rectangular shield. Threnosh-made, it had packed-on layers of their strongest alloy to increase the density. The extreme weight meant that it took one with Telatrine¡¯s enhanced strength to wield it effectively.


    The chainsword in their right hand idled as Telatrine struggled to track the Inheritor¡¯s erratic movement.


    They committed the worst mistake in battle.


    They hesitated.


    The Inheritor attacked feet first like a tiny, dense missile.


    Telatrine barely got their shield up in time.


    The impact resounded across the space and sent Telatrine back stumbling several steps. They felt the pain in their shield arm. As damage alerts flashed in their faceplate.


    The small Inheritor had damage their power armor¡¯s surface and internal musculature, as well as cracking the bones in their biological forearm.


    ¡°Commencing repairs,¡± Drega Tali said into the comms.


    Telatrine didn¡¯t spare any thought to the small spider-like repair drones that scuttled down to their arm.


    The Inheritor rebounded off the ceiling for another strike.


    This time Telatrine committed with a swing of their chainsword. The motor roared and the teeth gnashed as they took the Inheritor across their chest.


    The teeth threw up sparks as they tried and failed to penetrate the Inheritor¡¯s skintight armor.


    The impact did slam the Inheritor down to the floor with a loud clang.


    Telatrine raised an armored boot to crush their opponent when they caught sight of the second Inheritor¡¯s eyes.


    The eyes flashed a sequence of bright, strobing lights.


    Telatrine stumbled. They suddenly found themselves standing on the ceiling.


    No.


    That didn¡¯t make sense.


    When they looked down they saw the small Inheritor on the ceiling. No, they should¡¯ve been on the floor.


    Telatrine¡¯s head swam. They staggered back. They leaned against the right wall or was it the left. They couldn¡¯t tell.


    The small Inheritor hopped to its feet and approached Telatrine.


    They were still upside down.


    Telatrine tried to move, but their body did the exact opposite of what their mind intended.


    The small Inheritor grinned the jumped toward Telatrine like a cannonball. Their super strong and dense body knocked Telatrine on their back.


    The small Inheritor rebounded off the floor or ceiling and smashed into Telatrine¡¯s armored chest.


    The damage alerts became more insistent.


    ¡°What are you doing? I cannot repair you when the Inheritor is smashing my drones,¡± Drega Tali said.


    Telatrine grit their teeth. The faceplate followed suit. ¡°Radiant Canyon 7, deploy sonic emitter!¡±


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°You will be in the zone of effect.¡±


    ¡°Do it.¡± Telatrine hoped that their helmet¡¯s auditory protections could hold longer than the Inheritors¡¯.


    The invisible sonic attack filled the corridor.


    The air was distorted in ring-like waves by the vibrations.


    Telatrine felt their entire body thrum.


    The effect was devastating to the Inheritors.


    Both fell to the their knees as blood poured from their ears. The taller Inheritor¡¯s old-technology helmet proved useless.


    E.W.S. Soldier Radiant Canyon 7 would¡¯ve claimed both kills had they enough energy. Sadly, the weapon was a hungry sort and cut out in a little over ten seconds.


    ¡°Weapon energy depleted.¡±


    The Inheritors staggered to their feet. Ruptured structures in their ears damaged their equilibrium.


    Telatrine rose to their feet. Chainsword in hand.


    Their faceplate blared damage alerts, but they were more than functional enough to end their enemies with brutal efficiency.


    The Threnosh was drenched in Inheritor blood when they turned back to their fellow teammates. ¡°We proceed to the control chamber.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°Fall back into the corridor!¡± Adahn shouted.


    They had reached the target sublevel through a secondary lift near the outer edge of the security station without any problems. Only a large drone manufacturing chamber separated them from the corridor leading to the control chamber.


    Unbeknownst to them a large group of corrupted was waiting. They fell on Adahn and the squad of soldiers with frenzied abandon.


    Two soldiers had already been pulled out of their hasty defensive formation and torn to pieces.


    Only Adahn¡¯s modified harness with its multiple arms and weapons saved them from complete disaster.


    Adahn had programmed each arm to act independently, but in concert with each other to attack enemies, while avoiding and in some cases defending allies.


    Two arms held modified recoilless projectile weapons that spat out in wide arcs in an attempt to create space. Two more arms worked together to hold up a large, round shield that Adahn used to push away any corrupted that got too close. The last two arms ended in long, sharp blades that stabbed and sliced at any corrupted that got within range.


    The blades were so precise that they were able to cut down corrupted that managed to get into clawing and biting distance to individual soldiers.


    The soldiers did their best with their recoilless weapons, but the corrupted were relentless. The monstrous versions of Threnosh were seemingly immune to pain as dozens of projectiles impacted their bodies. It just took so much to bring one down permanently.


    Even those corrupted with missing limbs, thanks to Adahn¡¯s blades, continued to attack.


    The squad retreated, one agonizing step at a time.


    Adahn stood at the front, desperately trying to keep the tide at bay long enough.


    If they could just reach the corridor. The narrow space would let them deal with the corrupted on their own terms. They wouldn¡¯t be swarmed.


    More corrupted are inbound on your position.


    Unseen¡¯s words appeared in Adahn¡¯s faceplate.


    An idea flashed in Adahn¡¯s brain, as was their way.


    ¡°Have they abandoned their watch on the control chamber?¡±


    Affirmative.


    ¡°Enter the chamber. Establish a connection with the command console. Then link up with my trueskin. I have an idea.¡± Adahn waited for the reply. It didn¡¯t arrive immediately. ¡°Unseen?¡±


    I am calculating the probability of my demise.


    ¡°Our demise is imminent if you refuse.¡±


    Acknowledged. I will contact you when ready.


    ¡°My gratitude to you.¡±


    A corrupted swept a clawed hand at Adahn¡¯s face. Their shield pushed it back, which allowed them to fire a sustained stream of projectiles into it with the recoilless rifle in their actual hands.


    ¡°Withdrawing into the corridor,¡± one of the soldiers said in an eerily calm voice.


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Adahn said.


    Their blade arms whirled blindingly fast around them slicing and dicing corrupted as they continued to swarm, heedless of the damage they were taking.


    Weight of numbers finally won out.


    The corrupted managed to snag one of Adahn¡¯s blade arms. They ejected it rather than let the corrupted use the leverage to pull them off their feet.


    ¡°I knew you¡¯d try your tricks.¡±


    A voice from the shadows.


    The corrupted suddenly stopped.


    Adahn took the opportunity to turn and run for the corridor.


    A dash of movement near them. They felt the air displace. Fast.


    Adahn suddenly found themselves flying through the air and crashing through a line of dormant combat drones many meters away.


    ¡°We know you. Defectives. The Mother has learned much from the one you call Honor.¡±


    Adahn rolled to their feet, weapons ready.


    The corrupted didn¡¯t attack. They milled around the space between the speaker and the squad of soldiers at the corridor entrance. They blocked the firing lines.


    The Inheritor, what else could it have been? Was bigger and looked stronger than the standard Threnosh. Their skin, what little of it was visible out of the shiny, skintight bodysuit was a dark gray, closer to black. They wore no shoes to display sharp toenails, like claws, just like the ones at their fingertips. When they spoke they revealed sharp canine fangs.


    Perhaps the strangest aspects of the Inheritor were the small, round lumps on their chest and a waist that narrowed into wider hips. Standard Threnosh body-type was all straight lines.


    Lean muscles rippled through the tight suit of thin armor with every move.


    Adahn was struck by the memory of the lithe forest feline that prowled the area surrounding the facility that had housed them and other defectives. They had known fear then. For they knew instinctively that they were prey and the only that had kept them safe were high walls and automated defenses.


    The Inheritor moved just like the predator.


    ¡°You are my first special opponent,¡± the Inheritor brandished a clawed hand, ¡°I have learned much from my fights with Honor and I¡¯m eager to test myself. I hope you provide a good challenge.¡±


    So said the Inheritor as they sprang at Adahn. Just like a fearsome forest predator.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    Bennett left Jake to get back with Detective Ordonez and the rest of their group to join the Resistance members in the flight from the cult forces.


    The Vampire called out to all of the rats, normal and mutant, with his new found prowess and sent them swarming toward the cultists invading the underground tunnels from multiple locations.


    He partially shared the rodents¡¯ perspective, which was highly disorienting. He had dim impressions of cultists transforming their very bodies with Fleshcraft to scythe through his animal minions by the dozens.


    Intellectually, Bennett knew that it was strange for him to grow so devastated by the deaths. The scholar in him filed the idea away underneath the concerns about his particular class. Another part of him bared sharp fangs with a hate-filled hiss. He disappeared into a shadow on the wall and went in search of revenge.


    A small group of cultists made their way deeper into the sewer tunnels. They had just cleared a surprisingly enormous swarm of rats that had attacked them almost as soon as they had climbed down the ladder.


    ¡°Fucking rats, man! Got up my pants.¡±


    ¡°Quit bitching. You just absorbed their biomass anyways.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve got their blood and guts all over my Bladeform: Fingers.¡±


    ¡°Big deal, wipe them.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t, I might cut myself.¡±


    ¡°So, transform them back to normal, then wipe em down. Ain¡¯t difficult. Not like you got to walk backwards after twelve pack.¡±


    ¡°Takes too much out of me to switch back and forth so quickly.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s up with those rats anyways? I thought mutants and normals don¡¯t really get along.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s how it¡¯s supposed to be. Something else is up. Be ready for anything.¡±


    The chatter cut out immediately. The cultists moved like they had training, perhaps from a military or law enforcement background before the world had ended. Their formation was tactically sound and they had special abilities granted by their wholehearted embrace of the Deep Azure. They were confident in their ability to handle anything the pathetic Resistance might throw at them.


    They weren¡¯t ready for Bennett.


    He was as quiet as a ghost as he slipped out of the shadows at the back of the cultist formation. He struck with a viciousness that surprised himself. It was like an out of body experience. It didn¡¯t seem real. His actions didn¡¯t fit his self-image.


    Bennett¡¯s fingers and nails had lengthened and sharpened. He stabbed them into cultist bringing up the rear. The man wore makeshift armor, a thick leather jacket with crude chain mail affixed over it. He might as well have been wearing a t-shirt.


    Bennett¡¯s fingers plunged into the man¡¯s back. He found the man¡¯s heart and ripped it to chunks as he tore his hand free.


    One had to be sure when it came to Fleshcraft. Bennett had seen cultists survive wounds that should¡¯ve been instantly fatal. Bullets to the head and heart being just a couple of examples.


    The cultists spun around, but Bennett had already disappeared into the shadows. All they saw was their fellow cultist on his knees, dead.


    ¡°Shit! Shit! Shit!¡±


    ¡°Something got Bill!¡±


    ¡°What the fuck!¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯d it go!¡±


    ¡°You see it!¡±


    ¡°I ain¡¯t seen shit!¡±


    ¡°Form up! Backs to each other!¡±


    ¡°We need the lights!¡±


    ¡°Cover all quadrants! 360!¡±


    Lanterns and flashlights flared to life. Stealth was no longer a concern.


    Bennett rose out of the shadow in the small space in the middle of their defensive formation. Fingernails like small knives flashed in the dim light as he spun around and slashed at the backs of their necks.


    Pained shouts filled the dank tunnel.


    The cultists capable of still fighting spun, but only found an empty space.


    Bennett had disappeared back into the shadows.


    He didn¡¯t need to kill them all. Just dissuade them from continuing on.


    Two were dead and the rest were injured and frightened. They were effectively out of the battle.


    Bennett had more work to do to help his allies escape. Fortunately, he was full of the human blood necessary to fuel his abilities and generally keep him alive. The Resistance had been helpful in donating blood bags over the years he had been stuck in the Bay Area.


    He owed some measure of gratitude, so he was going to do his best to repay them.


    <hr>


    Veronica watched the giant dog loping ahead in the Suburban¡¯s headlights. It looked like an Akita. She vaguely remembered thanks to her <u>Book of Dogs: A to Z</u>, which was probably now burned to ash in the ruins of her family home. Stupid fishmen and their stupid cult. She was going to make them all pay.


    ¡°Are you okay, honey?¡± Megan said.


    ¡°Yes, why?¡± Veronica frowned.


    ¡°You were growling.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing¡­ I¡¯m fine.¡±


    The dog, weredog, Rino. Since the blond, Kare was in the SUV with them, was about as big as a lion. The sight was hard to believe. She was supposed to lead them to the Resistance and possibly Bennett. Veronica didn¡¯t really know who that was, but her mom and Aunt Nila seemed to recognize the name.


    The only problem in Veronica¡¯s mind was that they were going in the opposite direction from where her dad and Tessa were supposedly being held. If she could believe the two weredogs.


    She didn¡¯t trust them. They seemed shady. Like, why would they all of a sudden switch sides?


    Rino barked. The deep booming sounds reverberated inside the vehicle.


    ¡°Uh oh,¡± Kare said.


    ¡°What?¡± Nila¡¯s head snapped around.


    ¡°She¡¯s smelling a lot of people where we¡¯re headed.¡±


    ¡°And that means what, exactly?¡± Megan said.


    ¡°Probably that the Deep Azure, I mean, cult, is pulling an all-out attack on the Resistance,¡± Kare smiled and shrugged.


    ¡°Why now and how did they know where to attack?¡± Nila said. She looked suspicious of the whole thing.


    Veronica shared the thought. This whole thing was a trap and weredogs were probably in on it. She readied her brain blasting electromagnetic pulse.


    ¡°I dunno. I mean we always knew where the Resistance had most of their hideouts. At least a general idea. We were just told to leave them alone when they were there. It wasn¡¯t hard to sniff them out, even if they were mostly in the sewers.¡±


    ¡°If what you said about the state government people taking shelter with the Resistance is true¡­¡± Nila said.


    ¡°No lie,¡± Kare bobbed her head.


    ¡°The cult must be ready to end things. They have Remy and Tessa. The biggest threats are off the board,¡± Nila continued. ¡°They don¡¯t feel the need to keep up the charade of being challenged.¡±


    ¡°Probably,¡± Kare shrugged. ¡°The Resistance wasn¡¯t much of one anyways. They mostly tagged stuff and sometimes burned things. Or stole blood for your Vampire friend,¡± she shivered, ¡°he was kinda creepy.¡±


    Rino suddenly swerved to the left down a tight alley.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Keisha slammed on the brakes and turned sharply to keep up.


    A Suburban wasn¡¯t meant to drift, but she pulled it off somehow.


    ¡°Sorry. That bitch is crazy,¡± Keisha grumbled.


    There was a loud scraping sound.


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    ¡°There goes the mirror,¡± Alexa cackled in her high-pitched voice.


    ¡°Are you getting anything with your sense skill?¡± Nila snapped.


    Alexa shook her head. ¡°I told you, it¡¯s Sense Eldritch and I have to be careful. I¡¯m almost 90% sure there¡¯s some kind of eldritch creature in the bay, but I think if I try to search for it then it¡¯ll definitely find me first. That¡¯s why I definitely don¡¯t want to use the skill unless I have no other choice.¡±


    ¡°The Deep Azure,¡± Nila whispered.


    Veronica nodded in agreement. It totally sounded like a Cthulhu-style monster. Cults, fishmen, summoning circles. All the signs pointed in that direction.


    ¡°Kinda makes you useless doesn¡¯t it,¡± Max glowered at Alexa.


    ¡°Fuck off!¡±


    ¡°Language, please. There are children,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°Mom!¡± Veronica scowled. She was fifteen going on sixteen. Not a child.


    Johnny nudged Bastien. ¡°Is she talking about us?¡±


    ¡°Naw, just you,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Screw you, man, just cause you look like an NFL linebacker doesn¡¯t mean shit,¡± Johnny laughed. ¡°I¡¯m actually three months older than you.¡±


    ¡°Johnathan!¡± Megan snapped.


    ¡°Sorry, Mrs. Cruces,¡± Johnny¡¯s face grew red.


    Laughter broke out in the vehicle.


    ¡°Damn kids,¡± Keisha muttered.


    ¡°Watch out!¡± Nila pointed from her position in the shotgun seat.


    Rino, the weredog, dodged a large plastic trash container.


    Keisha, the driver, didn¡¯t have the same option.


    ¡°Oh shi¡ª¡±


    She winced as she plowed right into it and sent garbage flying all over the windshield and roof.


    ¡°God da¡ª that reeks!¡± Johnny amended.


    ¡°It had ten years to marinate, of course it reeks,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°How do you know it¡¯s been that long?¡± Johnny¡¯s voice wheezed thanks to pinched nostrils.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t seen anyone in this part of the city. No lights in windows. No sounds. Nothing,¡± Gene said.


    Rino slowed to a stop.


    Keisha followed suit.


    Kare jumped out of the SUV with Rino¡¯s clothes in her hands.


    Rino slowly shifted from giant dog to attractive, athletic young woman.


    The young men in the SUV only had the barest glimpse of her naked body thanks to Megan blocking their view.


    Much grumbling was to be had. Though they kept it quiet. None of them wanted to mess with Mrs. Cruces.


    ¡°Why did you stop?¡± Nila had joined the two weredogs in the Suburban¡¯s headlights.


    ¡°Are you a killer?¡± Rino said.


    ¡°If I have to,¡± Nila said.


    Rino stared at Nila, searching.


    Nila returned the gaze without flinching.


    It appeared that Rino found what she was looking for after a few seconds because she nodded.


    ¡°I can smell them. There¡¯s probably a few hundred cultists down in the tunnels right now. Hunting, killing the Resistance and your friends from Sactown. They¡¯ve set up a staging area not too far from here. Base camp, reinforcements. That sort of thing.¡±


    ¡°You want to hit the camp. Force them to call for help and draw back their forces,¡± Nila said.


    Rino nodded. ¡°We¡¯ll need to split up. Kare can go with your stealthiest people. Preferably ones that your friends will recognize. They head down there,¡± she pointed to the manhole cover in the middle of the street, ¡°gathers whoever is left alive for our main goal. While, me, you and your heaviest hitters take it to the base camp. Rip them up. Then maybe rip up the cult forces when they pull back. It¡¯s going to get bloody. You up for it?¡±


    Yes, Justice time! Veronica nodded vigorously.


    Nila¡¯s face didn¡¯t betray her thoughts.


    The silence of the dark night stretched out.

 4.3

    Now, Earth


    The cult forces had set up their staging area in the parking lot of a public utilities facility. Several gas-powered light towers bathed the entire area in harsh, white light.


    The light was a beacon in the middle of the dark, abandoned city section.


    Nila stared at it from her spot on a rooftop several blocks away.


    ¡°Okay,¡± she looked at Veronica and Mads, ¡°I¡¯m not forcing you guys to be a part of this. I just don¡¯t see a way that we can avoid having to have to kill people and if you aren¡¯t okay with that then that¡¯s perfectly fine. I wouldn¡¯t have you near this if things weren¡¯t so desperate.¡± Nila sighed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°Are they really still technically people though? Keisha said that they were straight up turning their fingers into knives or shooting tentacles out of their stomach. I¡¯m thinking that maybe they already gave up their humanity to this Deep Azure thing,¡± Mads said. ¡°Also, I can always shoot their knees out or something. Maybe spine shots so they can¡¯t move?¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sitting back. We have to get Tessa and Dad back!¡± Veronica clenched her hand on the lip of the roof, accidentally crushing it.


    Nila digested that for a few seconds. She felt like she had failed the younger women, but what choice did she have? ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get in position,¡± she tightened the straps of her rectangular shield to her arm. ¡°Mads, hop on,¡± she jabbed a thumb to her back.


    Mads swung her shotgun over her back and piggy-backed on Nila.


    ¡°Watch your feet, Veronica.¡±


    ¡°Aunt Nila, I can see better in the dark than you can,¡± Veronica huffed.


    Nila snorted.


    She took off across the rooftops. They moved quickly and quietly. The gaps between alleys and narrow streets proved no barrier to their superhuman physical ability.


    They stopped on top of a liquor store across a four lane street from the cultist base camp.


    Mads got into sniping position hidden behind the store sign.


    Veronica joined her and waited for the signal.


    ¡°Veronica, keep quiet. Do not shout your attack,¡± Nila whispered.


    She waited for the teenager¡¯s nod before she dropped down to the street and sprinted across, taking cover behind a large tree just on the outside of the fence surrounding the facility.


    She had many concerns about the plan. Not the least of which was leaving Veronica and Mads by themselves. Her second concern was for herself. She was about to take part in a two woman assault on what looked to be several dozen heavily armed cultists. Men and women that probably had the ability to turn their own flesh into dangerous weapons.


    A dog suddenly barked somewhere in the distance.


    Nila peeked around the tree. She counted to ten and trusted in Veronica. She jumped over the eight-foot high fence and charged the nearest knot of cultists.


    They spotted her almost immediately. Men and women raised guns and their empty hands toward her.


    She had her shield in front of her, but even that wasn¡¯t a guarantee against magic and weird abilities.


    The cultists suddenly jerked and fell over. Seizures ravaged their bodies.


    Veronica showed the improvement on range and accuracy over distance that her hard work and practice had created.


    Nila stared at the helpless cultists. She didn¡¯t want to, but did she really have a choice?


    She held her baseball bat-like club in a white-knuckled grip, as she completed her grim task. She hated herself for every moment. Every life-ending smash.


    On the other side of the parking lot, the weredog, Rino, had no such compunctions. She tore into the cultists. Her bipedal form was the perfect blend of sheer muscle and speed.


    The cultists couldn¡¯t hit her with gunfire.


    The individuals with Fleshcraft tried to match her claw to claw. They lasted marginally longer.


    In the end Rino stood alone. Her furry coat was stained with blood. Some from the cuts on her body, but most from the dead cultists.


    Nila looked up.


    More cultists streamed out of the facility.


    They must¡¯ve seen the petite woman standing by herself and decided that numbers would be enough.


    A loud bang shook the night.


    Nila saw the spray of blood of the man¡¯s stomach thanks to her enhanced perceptions.


    Bang!


    Another cultist dropped. Her knee exploding in a shower of blood and bone.


    Nila felt something tickle her senses as she backpedaled to give Mads and Veronica more time to hit the cultists.


    The leading edge of the cultist formation seized up and fell face forward. They spasmed on the asphalt as more gunshots rang out.


    The cultist numbers had been thinned considerably by the time they were able to cover the distance to Nila.


    A man lashed out with his tentacle arm, it resembled a giant squid¡¯s with the clubbing, spade-like end.


    Nila ducked behind her shield as it struck and sent her stumbling several steps. The strength was surprising.


    Bang!


    The man roared in pain as a slug ripped through the thinnest portion of the tentacle.


    Nila saw a flash of movement out of the corner of her right eye. She threw her bat up and was rewarded by a shower of sparks as a woman with fingers like knives slashed at the eye slits of her helmet.


    Bang!


    The woman¡¯s head exploded.


    Nila grit her teeth. Poor Mads. She had to do better to keep the girls from being forced into that spot.


    She had to act rather than wait to react. She stopped holding back. Superhuman strength, agility and quickness meant that her strikes broke bones with every hit and that the cultists were too slow to hit her back.


    Nila spun and leapt in the midst of the cultists like the protagonist of movie. Unlike fiction the results of her attacks were all too real.


    The dead and dying surrounded Nila. She was numbed as she finished the latter ones off. Blood drenched her bat and was splattered all over her armor and clothing. Standing in the harsh glare of the tower lights made it impossible to hide what she had just done.


    How many had she killed?


    She had no idea.


    Nila let out a long breath and trudged toward the facility. She still had to deal with any remaining cultists.


    Perhaps her poor state of mind was to blame for why she didn¡¯t notice the huge, white-furred beast bounding at her out of the darkness.


    <hr>


    Gene couldn¡¯t take his eyes off of Kare.


    The weredog was in a type of intermediate form between human and scary monster. She was significantly more muscular, almost like a bodybuilder, but leaner rather than bulky. Golden hair, fur had sprouted from her exposed arms and framed her face. Which had transformed into a more animalistic version. Her eyes shined in the light of his spell while sharp teeth were revealed whenever she opened her mouth to speak.


    Disturbingly, he still found her attractive.


    ¡°Sorry, guys. I¡¯d go full transformation, but it gets pretty tight down here,¡± Kare said in deeper voice than her normally high-pitched chirpiness.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Hanna said flatly.


    Gene found himself edging back away from Kare.


    ¡°What¡¯re you doing?¡± Olo whispered. ¡°We need your light.¡±


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Gene mumbled and moved back abreast with his friend.


    Kare was in the lead, while Hanna came next.


    Gene and Olo followed. The former was responsible for the tiny orb of light hovering in his free hand to provide enough for Kare¡¯s night vision to function. The latter was expected to protect Gene with his huge, rectangular shield.


    Bastien, Megan and Alexa came next.


    Keisha and Max brought up the rear. The latter already had his left arm covered in a thick tangle of thorny branches in a mixed shape between a shield and a gauntlet. The spell provide offense and defense in tandem.


    Johnny flitted around the center of the formation. He intermittently vanished from their perceptions.


    The sewers didn¡¯t smell as bad as Gene had expected. It was a dark thought, but he had the lack of human population in this section of the city to thank.


    Kare suddenly stopped.


    Hanna held up her longsword to signal the rest of the group.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Hanna whispered harshly.


    ¡°I dunno¡­ too many smells. Lots of blood and other stuff,¡± Kare sighed. ¡°I¡¯m not as good as Rino at this,¡± she pouted.


    Gene found the sight incongruous.


    The tunnel was split in two directions.


    ¡°Can you tell where the biggest concentration of cultists are?¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Not really. I mean the weirdos don¡¯t smell like normal people anymore, but its all kinda mixed together. So, like, I can¡¯t separate the two.¡±


    Hanna cursed.


    ¡°What about heading for the largest concentration of people?¡± Gene ventured.


    ¡°What¡¯re you thinking, kid?¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Cultists are probably going to want to hit the Sac people with overwhelming force. Like, if what she says is true,¡± Gene nodded at the bestial Kare, ¡°then the Resistance people aren¡¯t really the fighting types. They¡¯ll be trying to run. Sac people are soldiers. They¡¯ll try to escape, but if they can¡¯t then they¡¯ll fight. You got to think that the cult knows all this, so they¡¯ll go in force against them.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I can¡¯t tell how many people are in either direction. Just that there are people,¡± Kare said.


    ¡°Why the hell not?¡± Olo snapped out of nowhere. ¡°You¡¯ve got a supernatural sense of smell.¡±


    Kare¡¯s smile didn¡¯t budge. ¡°It¡¯s like when you smell hamburgers cooking. Can you tell how many?¡± she crossed her arms triumphantly. ¡°Nope, didn¡¯t think so.¡±


    ¡°Alexa,¡± Hanna beckoned.


    A look of worry crossed the woman¡¯s face, but she moved up to join Hanna.


    ¡°We need your ability. Can you get a general feel for which direction the largest concentration of cultists are likely to be?¡±


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Alexa nodded hesitantly. Her face grew pale.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Hanna lied, ¡°but we¡¯re running out of time.¡±


    Alexa opened and shut her mouth a few times. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to utter the words. ¡°If my brain explodes cause I draw fucking Cthulhu¡¯s eyes¡­ it¡¯s on your head,¡± she glared at Hanna, who merely nodded. ¡°God, you¡¯re such a bitch,¡± Alexa muttered. ¡°Fine¡­¡± she took a deep breath. ¡°Sense Eldritch.¡±


    Her words were barely a whisper.


    Nothing happened for several long seconds after she triggered her Skill.


    The silence in the dim sewer tunnel grew oppressive.


    Until Gene felt something encroaching on his thoughts. He caught Bastien¡¯s eye. His friend had felt it too.


    ¡°Somethings not right,¡± Megan said. The whites of her eyes were large in the dim light of Gene¡¯s spell.


    ¡°Everyone, head¡¯s up. I feel it too,¡± Max said from the rear of the formation.


    ¡°What? I¡¯m not¡ª¡± Hanna started, but then she turned with her longsword and shield ready, facing the darkness of the split tunnel ahead.


    Perhaps the ability to perform magic had given them an advanced warning. The mana in their bodies made them more sensitive to things of a supernatural or otherworldly nature.


    Whatever the case. Gene and the other magic users picked up on the presence that had suddenly focused on them.


    It was like an oppressive weight. A smothering blanket or a harsh spotlight.


    They all felt it. Like the mouse beneath the tiger¡¯s gaze.


    They were exposed with no place to hide. Their thoughts, hopes, dreams, fears, everything that made them, them, was laid out like an open book.


    The experience was overwhelming.


    Gene wanted to scream and cry and laugh. He was insignificant. A gnat in a great big eye that drew him into the abyssal depths like an ocean whirlpool. An eternity of nothingness lay below him and help him, he wanted nothing more than to dive in.


    The others around him cried, laughed or whimpered. There were muttered denials, weak.


    Alexa¡¯s piercing scream broke them out of it.


    The woman bled from every orifice in her head. She poured blood.


    ¡°Oh my god!¡± Megan said.


    Gene sat up slowly. He was confused. He remembered walking in the sewer tunnel. Waiting expectantly for Alexa to do her thing. Then¡­ nothing.


    Alexa started to thrash and threatened to slam her head into the floor.


    Olo caught her and held her in his strong arms. ¡°What do I do! What do I do!¡±


    ¡°Hold her!¡± Hanna said. ¡°Everyone else, defensive formation!¡±


    Kare stared at her and blinked. ¡°Wow¡­ that was a trip¡­¡±


    ¡°I might need some help covering the rear. I¡¯m seeing double,¡± Max called out.


    ¡°Gene!¡± Hanna barked.


    ¡°On it,¡± Gene said as he moved to back of the formation. At least that¡¯s what he thought he said and did. Things still didn¡¯t feel real.


    Throughout it all Alexa continued to scream and bleed.


    ¡°Damn it, girl! Don¡¯t trip on me,¡± Keisha slapped Alexa.


    It did nothing.


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Olo¡¯s eyes were wide.


    Bastien raised his halberd and started praying. ¡°Our father¡­¡±


    The darkness in the tunnel seemed to fade away.


    The people felt, not exactly safe, but safer. As if the presence looming over them had temporarily relinquished its hold.


    The slight young man was the center of it.


    The seconds felt like minutes, the minutes like hours, but eventually Alexa stopped screaming, while Bastien continued to pray softly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stop what you¡¯re doing,¡± Megan said.


    Bastien nodded. Sweat had started to bead on his forehead, but the young man stood tall.


    Alexa was out cold, but Olo was strong enough to easily hold her up.


    ¡°Um¡­¡±


    ¡°Keep her up, Olo,¡± Megan said. She laid both her hands on Alexa¡¯s head and did her thing.


    Healing.


    That was the bulk of what Megan could do.


    ¡°No pressure, but hurry it up¡­¡± Hanna said.


    Megan ignored the harsh woman. This wasn¡¯t something that should be rushed. The brain was a delicate thing.


    Minutes passed as the soft glow around Megan¡¯s hands grew in intensity.


    Alexa¡¯s eyes suddenly shot open. She looked around wildly.


    ¡°You¡¯re okay,¡± Megan said gently.


    ¡°The hell I am!¡± Alexa screeched. ¡°Let me go! We need to get out of here! Get far away! It sees me! It knows me!¡±


    ¡°Which way do we go? Left or right?¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°You don¡¯t understand¡ª¡±


    ¡°The sooner we take care of those bastards the sooner we can leave,¡± Keisha cut Alexa off.


    ¡°Left tunnel,¡± Alexa said weakly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t lose your shit,¡± Keisha laid a hand on Alexa¡¯s shoulder as Olo relinquished his hold.


    ¡°If you saw what I saw¡ª¡± Alexa noticed the look in Keisha¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a pretty good idea and it looks like so does everyone else,¡± Keisha said.


    Megan handed Alexa a clean hand towel to wipe the blood off her face and neck.


    ¡°You¡¯re not alone,¡± Megan said. ¡°We¡¯re all in this together.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon people. We need to move,¡± Hanna pushed Kare toward the left tunnel.


    ¡°That was so weird,¡± Kare said.


    <hr>


    ¡°Join and the Deep Azure will give you everything you desire.¡±


    Remy studied the old cultist lady. He had to hand it to her. She was pretty brave. She had to know that he considered breaking her neck every few minutes she preached at him.


    ¡°You want your family safe. What father doesn¡¯t? That is the least of what we offer.¡±


    Remy kept his mouth shut. So long as he didn¡¯t talk then he gave them nothing. Day two of his captivity had been the same as the first. Down to the same old lady. He had actually expected a different salesperson after he had come with inches of crushing the woman¡¯s throat.


    ¡°The truth is their safety is entirely in your hands. If you don¡¯t decide quickly enough than it might be too late for your wife and daughters,¡± the old lady smiled.


    It was grandmotherly, but Remy knew her for the viper that she was. Her and her damned freaky robe. It was why he kept his eyes on her face, as unpleasant as that was. Staring too long at the robe did bad things to his thoughts. Kept threatening to suck him in.


    ¡°Perhaps you didn¡¯t hear me, Mr. Cruces. I said the safety of your wife and children teeter on the brink.¡±


    Remy grunted. He supposed that needed a response. ¡°I want to see Tessa.¡±


    The old lady¡¯s eyes flicked to one side.


    Remy wouldn¡¯t have noticed back when he was a normal human being. Superhuman sensory perceptions meant that he caught those slight movements without really trying.


    ¡°Did you forget that you are the prisoner? It isn¡¯t your place to demand¡­ unless you¡¯re willing to give in return?¡± the old lady leaned forward eagerly.


    ¡°I give you nothing,¡± Remy said. It felt important that he verbalized that firmly.


    The old lady sat back a flicker of disappointment crossed her face.


    Yeah. Remy needed to be very careful with what he said and thought.


    ¡°You still haven¡¯t provided proof that you have Tessa. I have nothing to say until you do,¡± Remy said. ¡°If you do have her all you need to do is bring her to me.¡±


    ¡°And so you plot a blatant attempt to escape with your daughter,¡± the old lady sighed. ¡°Do not take us for fools. We both know that our only leverage over you is the safety of your wife and two daughters. Megan, Tessa and Veronica.¡±


    Remy frowned. The old lady looked triumphant.


    ¡°Perhaps I will give you something as a sign of our good faith effort to come to an arrangement.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s on you. I don¡¯t ask for anything, nor will I accept it if it means I¡¯m in you and yours¡¯ debt in any way,¡± Remy said.


    The old lady shrugged. She stood and walked to the door of Remy¡¯s makeshift prison room.


    ¡°We have captured your eldest, Tessa. Your wife, Megan and youngest, Veronica are currently somewhere in our city.¡±


    Remy tried to conceal his emotions. Give them nothing. His heart beat rapidly. He could barely hear the old lady¡¯s words over the blood rushing in his ears.


    ¡°They¡¯re obviously trying to rescue you and Tessa. My concern is that anything can happen in a battle. The longer you drag this out then the chances of something tragic occurring will naturally rise.¡±


    It took a supreme force of will for Remy to stay seated. The rational part of his brain screamed at him to stop and assess. Ill-timed action had just as much of a chance to doom his family as help them.


    ¡°It¡¯s so simple. All you have to do to make everyone safe is become one of us. You¡¯ve seen our city. How safe and normal it is. Don¡¯t you want that for what¡¯s left of our once great nation?¡±


    The old lady smiled at Remy one last time before she stepped out and shut the door.


    Remy stewed.


    Let them think that they had something over on him. When the time came. He¡¯d make them pay.


    <hr>


    Then, Threnosh World


    ¡°What is taking you so long?¡±


    ¡°I have told you repeatedly that I am not as proficient at this task as Adahn,¡± PJ15 said flatly. It took effort to moderate their tone. Brightstrike had been insistent to an extreme level.


    They had spent many days walking deeper into the darkness of Orchestral Meridian¡¯s abandoned sublevels. Everywhere they looked were signs of death and decay.


    A thick layer of dust had come to coat every surface without custodians and their cleaning drones to maintain the standard pristine cleanliness of the Threnosh.


    They occasionally came across tiny bones scattered across empty streets. The only sign of the previous Threnosh inhabitants.


    That is to say, the bones were the only sign that didn¡¯t create dread and revulsion in Brightstrike and PJ15.


    Broken, dry and desiccated egg sacks littered almost every city section they had crossed.


    So many corrupted had been birthed deep in the dark bowels of the once bright city.


    The command and control facility was the heart of this particular city section. It was just as dark and abandoned as the rest. Brightstrike¡¯s steps echoed softly against the metallic floors. PJ15 power armor was able to transform the soles of their boots for silent travel.


    They had been concerned about drawing attention, but as the hours had drawn on that had disappeared. None of their sensor scans showed any signs of corrupted anywhere in the vicinity.


    ¡°It is not tactically sound to stay in one area for so long,¡± Brightstrike said.


    PJ15 had heard some variation of the statement multiple times.


    ¡°Yes. I will finish my task quicker with less diversions to my attention.¡±


    Brightstrike stalked back to the control chamber¡¯s open door. They hadn¡¯t restored power, so they had to force the door open, which broke it in a way that left them unable to shut it.


    PJ15¡¯s power armor had thin tendrils inserted into the control console. They didn¡¯t truly understand exactly what they were doing. It was more like they pictured what they wanted and their power armor endeavored to fulfill their need. Indeed, they weren¡¯t aware about the ability until current circumstances created the opportunity. Or more accurately, forced it.


    PJ15 had one thought. Find the strongest active power source. They reasoned that that¡¯s where the enemy¡¯s main base would be located, which meant Honor would be in the same area.


    PJ15 still wasn¡¯t entirely certain that they were on the right path. The Task message had been clear. They were to rescue Honor from captivity. They didn¡¯t doubt that fact. What they were concerned about was the probability of success with just them and Brightstrike.


    ¡°Have you¡ª¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Brightstrike contented themselves with checking the modified recoilless rifle they had cobbled together from the combat drone station they had raided earlier.


    The rifle wasn¡¯t purpose built to be wield by Threnosh hands. They had to rip it out of a combat drone and alter the trigger mechanism. Fortunately they were able to sync the aiming system to the display in their faceplate, otherwise accuracy would¡¯ve been a problem. Still it wasn¡¯t what exactly like what they had trained with.


    Orchestral Meridian existed in a strange place of stasis. The city delineated the existence of the world before the spires and the world after.


    The Threnosh didn¡¯t have power armor until the spires arrived. They only had crude exoskeletons and anti-gravity harnesses to help their frail and weak bodies move around. They didn¡¯t take a direct hand in their defense.


    That was left to automated and controlled combat drones. Not that those saw much use.


    The Threnosh world had been a united world for tens thousands of years. They didn¡¯t war on each other. Those impulses had been genetically eliminated long ago.


    The only true threat were large and aggressive fauna, which were quite rare. The drones and walls had been enough to keep the Threnosh cities safe.


    When the spires appeared neither PJ15, nor Brightstrike had been birthed from their creches yet, so they knew little of that past. Defectives weren¡¯t expected to do more than exist in exile until they expired, so they they weren¡¯t taught Threnosh history.


    It was ironic that Honor was the one that encouraged them to study about their own people¡¯s past.


    They owed him much.


    ¡°I have it,¡± PJ15 said. They disengage from the console. ¡°City Section 12 displays power levels at operational capacity significantly higher than surrounding areas.¡±


    Brightstrike initialized the holographic map from their gauntlet.


    ¡°Additionally, all the city sections surrounding 12 are displaying power usage levels that suggest significant enemy investment,¡± PJ15 said.


    ¡°That is¡­ problematic,¡± Brightstrike said.


    PJ15 checked the drone weapons they had attached to their power armor¡¯s malleable surface. Tendrils wrapped around the appropriated weapons. Various ammunition containers were also stuck as if by an adhesive to the power armor¡¯s smooth, gray surface.


    ¡°There are thousands of maintenance tunnels and drone shafts we can utilize to bypass enemy defenses.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Brightstrike nodded. ¡°The corrupted are mindless. Though the Inheritors display cognition, there are not enough of them to cover such a vast network of passage ways. They will lack the knowledge to operate our systems.¡±


    ¡°That was my thought as well. They will not be watching through Orchestral Meridian¡¯s surveillance system,¡± PJ15 said with confidence.


    ¡°Once we reach City Section 12 we will be able to tap into the system to pinpoint where they have imprisoned Honor,¡± Brightstrike said.


    ¡°If we can free him then he can fly us straight up the nearest aerial transport shaft all the way to the surface,¡± PJ15 said.


    It all sounded so simple and straightforward.


    The two Threnosh had talked themselves into a successful Task without knowing the true severity of what they faced. They thought that the darkness of a dead city section hid their plans.


    They didn¡¯t realize that some eyes defied scientific explanation. That some eyes weren¡¯t physical in nature.


    Orchestral Meridian was once one of the prime cities of the Threnosh.


    They had lost it to another¡¯s hands many years ago when the spires appeared.


    She saw everything in her city.

 4.4

    Now, Threnosh World


    Cal realized that to call one half of his mental powers telepathy was a bit of a misnomer. He was actually capable of so much more.


    He could create an entire mindscape for himself that was almost as real as reality. He had been slowly making steps in that direction, but his current captivity had hastened him forward like a train without any brakes.


    Lucidity was a precious thing.


    The monster that called itself, herself, Mother Madrigal. No, not a monster. So much more. Human-like, yet entirely alien.


    Cal shook his head.


    The confusion had rolled in like a fog heralded by a soft, sweet lullaby.


    Until a discordant note sounded. The same one that had been occurring with growing frequency. The one that had opened his eyes to the truth of his situation, even if the glimpses were fleeting.


    The wrong key struck, the wrong string plucked.


    Discord equated clarity.


    No.


    Wrong again.


    Yes.


    That was right.


    Cal learned to compartmentalize his thoughts. One Cal carefully, agonizingly built up a telepathic wall, brick by metaphorical brick. His mother¡¯s, no, the Mother¡¯s song would come and tear it down, but never completely. One Cal would start back up and finish it higher and stronger around his thoughts until the Mother tore it down again.


    Two steps forward, one back.


    No. Some days. Some years it was the opposite five steps forward, twelve steps back.


    The struggle for one¡¯s mind and soul was an unending thing.


    Cal knew that now. From firsthand experience.


    Two Cal, er¡­ Cal Two probed, for lack of a better word, at the Mother¡¯s own thoughts. It was a dangerous endeavor, but turnabout was fair play.


    The alien mind was immense, impossibly so.


    Cal Two was unprepared for what he found.


    Cal Two had to be recreated, multiple times.


    Nevertheless, Cal Two managed to learn things and plant seeds. It was an open question if the main Cal could handle the knowledge or do anything to sprout the seeds.


    Cal Three¡­ did things.


    Cal Four fought in the frequent arena fights that his mother¡ª NO! The Mother. Not his mother.


    The arena fights against Inheritors of all shapes, sizes and abilities. They were all alien in their strangeness, yet somehow disturbingly familiar.


    The latest Inheritor wore a voluminous cape for some reason.


    Cal tried to grab it but the Inheritor jumped back and threw small orbs that blinked with bioluminescent light.


    The orbs exploded in Cal¡¯s face. He closed his eyes fast enough so that the flames and heat only washed over him like a warm summer breeze.


    Cal coughed.


    The smoke was another matter.


    Cal heard movement from behind him.


    The Inheritor was pretty quick.


    Several small things came whizzing out of the obscuring smoke.


    Cal raised an arm.


    Razor-sharp disks struck him. Then dropped to the metallic floor.


    He was bulletproof after all.


    It¡¯d take more than simple thrown alien ninja stars to even scratch him.


    At least some level of super strength was required.


    Cal glanced at the disks.


    They looked almost biological in nature.


    More orbs flew at him.


    He plucked one out of the air and looked at it in the instant before it exploded.


    Definitely biological.


    The Inheritor swept in with its cape to obscure Cal¡¯s vision. It landed several quick strikes with its hands and feet all over Cal¡¯s body.


    He barely felt them.


    It just didn¡¯t seem fair.


    Cal grabbed the Inheritor¡¯s cape and slammed it into the side of the arena.


    A dull thud accompanied a crack that signaled the end of this particular fight.


    The Inheritor looked strangely familiar.


    Cal suddenly noticed that the cape was actually part of the Inheritor. It was flesh, not cloth or anything else artificial. He let go in disgust.


    ¡°Why a cape?¡±


    Disappointed?


    Cal wavered under the immense pressure on his entire being. It was like being smothered by the worlds heaviest blanket. Panic welled in him as the thought of suffocation became reality.


    He gasped for air in the middle of the combat floor.


    Until he wasn¡¯t.


    The totality of his mind pushed back and lifted the shroud.


    Music drifted in and threatened to lull him to sleep. To forget everything.


    He almost succumbed until a noise like fingers on a blackboard jolted him.


    Again.


    Cal felt annoyance.


    No. That wasn¡¯t him.


    It was some kind of telepathic bleed through.


    His moth¡ª the Mother was losing its, her, grasp.


    This cannot be allowed to continue.


    ¡°The frequency of this appears to be increasing,¡± Cal said. He wasn¡¯t sure which of him spoke, but he supposed it didn¡¯t matter. They were all him anyways.


    How did you find our newest child?


    ¡°Weak¡­ wait¡ª What?¡±


    Lilting laughter. A sound like music, joyous.


    Cal felt an involuntary smile cross his face. He couldn¡¯t stop himself. The wall around his thoughts crumbled a bit.


    Our Inheritors.


    ¡°Stop saying that,¡± Cal snapped.


    I may have birthed them, but their genesis lies in your thoughts. They are your memories and imagination replicated through me.


    ¡°Impossible. The Inheritors were already here waiting for us when we came. Even if you have some way of speeding up the birthing creches there¡¯s no way you could grow one up to adult age in days.¡±


    Honor¡­ Cal.


    Smugness.


    That was the impression Cal picked up.


    You¡¯ve been on this world for almost five years. I know you more intimately than anyone else possibly could. I know you better than you know yourself with how much you limit your mind. You¡¯re correct. I didn¡¯t start when you arrived in Orchestral Meridian. I didn¡¯t start weeks or months before. I started almost from the beginning after you first arrived.


    ¡°What the fuck do you even hope to accomplish!¡± Cal spat.


    Do you know why I named my children Inheritors? It was because they will inherit this world. Then they will move to yours and do the same. From there every other world will be brought into my embrace. We will not stop until all are my children.


    Cal shivered. The denial died on his lips.


    Now, you will be allowed a short rest to await your next test. Since you found our poor child lacking, then you must have the stamina to face another? Or would you find a bout with another one of your Defectives more to your liking?


    ¡°What¡¯re you talking about. I¡¯ve never fo¡ª¡± Cal remembered.


    The many Cal¡¯s wept when he remembered.


    He knew nothing more as he was taken back to his confinement.


    <hr>


    Adahn¡¯s remaining blade arm lashed out at the Inheritor of its own accord.


    The Inheritor parried the blade with clawed fingers.


    The follow-up slash was efficient and quick, as befitting the program that controlled the arm¡¯s motions.


    The Inheritor flipped over the blade and Adahn with an uncanny display of athleticism and acrobatics.


    Adahn¡¯s recoilless rifles automatically tracked the Inheritor¡¯s arc above them. Somehow it contorted its body to avoid the steady stream of projectiles.


    The Inheritor landed behind Adahn and immediately leapt to attack again.


    Adahn¡¯s shield arms punched it away.


    Adahn finally scrambled to their feet. They turned to face the Inheritor and added projectile fire from the recoilless rifle in their hands.


    The Inheritor moved erratically from side to side as it somehow avoided the combined fire from three weapons.


    Adahn tried to track the inheritor and the mass of corrupted milling about in the chamber. It was strange, but the corrupted had stopped attacking. In fact they seemed to be content to simply watch.


    Projectile fire suddenly woke the corrupted up.


    The squad of Threnosh soldiers had retreated into the narrow corridor that they had entered the chamber from. They were now firing into the corrupted.


    The corrupted charged.


    The Inheritor slashed a clawed hand at Adahn¡¯s face.


    They fell back. Damage alerts flashed red in Their faceplate. The view flickered. They had to rely on their arms¡¯ automated attack and defense programs.


    Adahn heard sparks fly and metal tear. They felt the impacts on their shield and blade arms vibrating in the harness attached to their power armor.


    The Inheritor was moving too quickly to follow without the visual assistance provide by their faceplate, which was now damaged.


    Adahn retracted their faceplate with a thought.


    Only to be presented with the snarling visage of the Inheritor.


    Adahn¡¯s blade arm stabbed down, but the Inheritor caught it and held it in place despite the motor whining in protest.


    ¡°Disappointing,¡± the Inheritor sneered.


    From this distance the rest of Adahn¡¯s arms couldn¡¯t affect the Inheritor. They did the only thing they could and thrust their recoilless rifle up into the Inheritor¡¯s face. They squeezed the trigger, but the Inheritor tilted its head to one side faster than Adahn blinked. The projectiles streamed harmlessly past the Inheritor¡¯s pointed ears.


    ¡°Better,¡± the Inheritor said with a feral, fang-filled smile, ¡°but not enough.¡±


    The Inheritor raised a clawed hand.


    Adahn saw their death.


    No.


    They wouldn¡¯t give in. Not while there were still options.


    Adahn ejected their last blade arm with a cybernetic thought.


    The sudden shift in resistance caused the Inheritor to stumble as the detached blade arm suddenly dropped to the ground.


    Adahn scrambled back.


    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    The rest of their arms had the space they needed.


    Projectile fire raked after the Inheritor, who had recovered quickly and darted to one side.


    Adahn tracked the Inheritor until it vanished behind a row of dormant combat drones. The drones were an older model, which meant that they were bulkier, clad in thick armor plating. Perfect cover.


    Adahn backed away cautiously. Their three recoilless rifles scanned the space.


    ¡°Adahn, are you alive?¡± Unseen¡¯s voice came in through the comms.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°You were not replying to my messages. I have been forced to break silence. I have established a connection to the control console. Awaiting additional instructions.¡±


    Adahn immediately triggered their prepared program.


    Their hope was that the close proximity to Unseen would mitigate the interference difficulties they had been having transferring data through wireless connection. That and Frequency¡¯s efforts to counteract the strange sound that was the cause.


    Adahn¡¯s plan was straightforward. Use Unseen¡¯s power armor to access the security station¡¯s command console and activate the combat drones in the station and in the other auxiliary stations scattered around the city section.


    The Inheritor reappeared suddenly. It zigzagged across the metallic floor as Adahn¡¯s recoilless rifles vainly tried to land projectiles.


    Adahn scrambled backward. Their finger on the trigger until their weapon was empty.


    A ding sounded in their ear holes. Their program had successfully run.


    ¡°Execute!¡± Adahn¡¯s voice was unusually high and animated for a standard Threnosh.


    Several rows of combat drones came to life for the first time in over ten years.


    The first rank rolled forward, initialized their weapons systems and opened fire.


    Projectiles raked across the Inheritor¡¯s back and the rear ranks of the corrupted bottlenecked at the narrow corridor opening.


    The Inheritor hissed in pain as it abandoned its attack on Adahn and ran past them into the dimly-lit corridor behind them.


    ¡°Unseen, an Inheritor is headed in your direction,¡± Adahn said into the comms.


    ¡°Understood. I will engage camouflage.¡±


    Adahn quickly moved to a position that put the combat drones between them and the remaining corrupted. From the looks of it victory was close at hand.


    ¡°To all,¡± Adahn said into the comms, ¡°I have gained control of the security station and have reactivated combat drone operations. They are currently running on preprogrammed subroutines to target corrupted and Inheritors in the city section. I will need more time to establish direct control capability.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Telatrine replied. ¡°We are on our way to secure the control chamber.¡±


    There was no response from the base camp.


    Adahn wasn¡¯t concerned. Countermeasures to the interference was a work in progress. Difficulty was expected.


    <hr>


    ¡°Salamander? Do you hear me? Salamander? I repeat, do you hear me?¡± Frequency frowned. They could see their teammate gliding back to the city section that they were in the process of claiming from the corrupted.


    The projected screens of the entire battlefield showed views through the eyes of different surveillance drones.


    One screen showed Winding Myriad frying a dozen corrupted with one of their arcing bolts of electricity.


    Another showed the aftermath of Maul¡¯s projectile and missile barrage. The street and several structures in the immediate vicinity had been turned into a ruined crater that opened down into a maintenance tunnel. Bits and pieces of corrupted were scattered all over the place as smoke wafted into the air.


    In yet another a large group of corrupted were caught in several of Rodinian¡¯s traps, while experimental weapons squad soldiers advanced to finish them.


    In the rest of the screens, Frequency watched combat drones emerge from the main and auxiliary security stations to aid their forces. The drones were destroyed in droves, but they outnumbered the corrupted. More importantly the drones took the damage instead of the T-Men and the Threnosh soldiers.


    Meatshields.


    Frequency remembered Honor¡¯s term. Though it didn¡¯t fit. Drones didn¡¯t contain biological matter.


    ¡°Requesting emergency transport,¡± Whoosh¡¯ voice came in on the comms.


    ¡°Put Whoosh on main channel, continue to attempt contact with Salamander,¡± Frequency directed the communications bank.


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Communicator Dreylox 7193 said.


    Whoosh¡¯s holographic projection appeared in miniature in the center of command and control chamber. Their power armor appeared damaged.


    ¡°Status report, Whoosh,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°I have successfully repelled unidentified Inheritor. I am low on energy and I do not know my current location. Map is not functional. I have been reduced to slow movement speed until repair and recharge.¡±


    ¡°Track their beacon.¡±


    ¡°Tracking now,¡± one of the other communicators said.


    ¡°We will have your location shortly and will send aerial transport. What is the status on the unidentified Inheritor?¡±


    ¡°Unknown. I¡­ lost it.¡±


    That wasn¡¯t welcome news. The Inheritor in question moved extremely fast. Whoosh had engaged it in a running battle to keep it from interfering with the battle at the security station.


    ¡°I injured it,¡± Whoosh said.


    Frequency detected something in Whoosh¡¯s tone. They didn¡¯t have the terminology to put it into words. The most they could discern was that the fight with the Inheritor didn¡¯t go as Whoosh expected, which bothered them in some way.


    ¡°Location determined. Dispatching aerial transport,¡± the same communicator spoke.


    ¡°Find a safe place to wait, Whoosh,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Whoosh¡¯s projection disappeared.


    Frequency was pleased. Their sound being broadcast through the aerial drones proved effective at counteracting the disruptive sound that had been interfering with the Threnosh operations.


    ¡°Connection with Salamander established,¡± Communicator Dreylox 7193 said.


    ¡°Salamander, status? I have you on surveillance. Your trueskin appears damaged. Designation: Gyxdor?¡±


    ¡°I dropped the Inheritor down a shaft into the sublevels. They will not be able to rejoin the battle for the city section in time,¡± Salamnader said.


    ¡°Telatrine¡¯s Task was successful. Adahn reactivated the security station. Combat drones are aiding in the push. We are winning.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Now that I have moved into range of the drone network broadcasting your sound I am able to tap into communications. We must prioritize establishing more networks into the city sections surrounding our target areas in future operations.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Frequency said.


    There was silence for several seconds. They feared that the connection was lost.


    ¡°Interesting,¡± Salamander spoke suddenly. ¡°Four new Inheritors?¡±


    They must¡¯ve been reviewing the key events of the battle for the security station.


    ¡°Yes, two escaped. Telatrine, Drega Tali and E.W.S. Soldier Radiant Canyon 7 killed two, but their bodies dissolved within minutes,¡± Fequency said.


    ¡°That is information we didn¡¯t have,¡± Salamander said. ¡°A successful operation.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    It was another step toward their overall goal, but Frequency feared that Orchestral Meridian¡¯s size was a difficulty too daunting to overcome without more forces.


    Honor, PJ15 and Brightstrike. To search for three individuals in the vast city, while battling an enemy of unknown number, seemed an impossible Task.


    ¡°We have advanced our goals today,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Frequency didn¡¯t know what else to say.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    Veronica felt a strong presence flare at outer edge of her special electromagnetic sensory power. It wasn¡¯t the same as that creepy feeling lurking all around the edges ever since they had crossed the bridge into San Francisco. She had been meaning to mention it to her mother and Aunt Nila, but kept forgetting for some reason.


    She¡¯d have to remember to do that next time. There was a bigger issue in front of her.


    The presence was basically someone¡¯s brain waves. It felt pretty strong and something about them reminded Veronica of Rino and Kare. It was pretty similar to those two.


    It was coming from a couple of blocks away to her left and seemed to be headed straight for the utilities facility across the street in front of her.


    ¡°I think someone is coming, moving pretty fast,¡± Veronica whispered and pointed.


    Mads turned her head to follow Veronica¡¯s finger. Enhanced Vision trivialized the distance and darkness. ¡°Oh sh¡ª crap!¡± she shifted her shotgun in the blink of an eye. ¡°Damn it! Lost it¡­ moved behind the buildings.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Giant white dog, bigger than Rino was in her¡­ dog form.¡±


    ¡°Oh no! It¡¯s one of her old teammates.¡±


    ¡°Seems like it.¡± Mads shifted her aim to cover the left side of the facility parking lot.


    Nila had just finished off the last cultist and was headed to clear the inside.


    Veronica didn¡¯t miss the implication. She pushed up from her prone position into a low crouch. Still hidden behind the liquor store sign. She took the small bag off her shoulder and placed it next to Mads. There was a protesting squeak. ¡°Please take care of Twinkle Star.¡±


    Veronica picked up her staff and dropped down to the street. She sprinted across the street with Mads¡¯ protests at her back.


    The giant white dog erupted out from behind the row of buildings. It crossed the street in two bounds and was over the parking lot fence with the third.


    Mads cursed. It had caught her off guard and it was moving too fast for her to reacquire.


    The giant dog shifted mid leap into a bipedal beast of muscle, teeth and claws over nine feet tall.


    It barreled toward the unaware Nila.


    ¡°Justice!¡± Veronica yelled.


    She hit the weredog with a pulse.


    It jerked and stumbled.


    That and Veronica¡¯s shout gave Nila enough time to turn and get her shield up.


    The huge weredog crashed right into it and sent Nila tumbling a dozen feet across the asphalt.


    The weredog hit the ground too, but picked itself up just as quickly. It shook its big, blocky head before turning to face Veronica. Its growl was a deep rumble that she felt vibrate her chest.


    It charged at her.


    Almost too fast to track despite its huge size.


    Veronica sort of felt like a mouse in front of a wolf.


    She hit it with another brain scrambling electromagnetic pulse.


    The weredog seized up and stumbled again.


    She step to the side and slammed her forty pound metal staff across its back.


    The weredog yelped.


    Veronica cursed. She had been aiming for the back of its head.


    The weredog recovered quickly. It lashed out with a clawed hand way bigger than Veronica¡¯s head.


    She swayed back to avoid it by bare inches.


    The weredog wasn¡¯t the only one with speed and quickness.


    Veronica spun her staff and struck the back of the weredog¡¯s knees.


    The huge beast yelped, but wasn¡¯t swept off its feet as she had intended.


    Bang!


    Blood bloomed from the weredog¡¯s shoulder.


    It roared and rushed blindly at Veronica.


    She spun her staff and hit the weredog three times, but couldn¡¯t blunt its charge.


    Her vision went black and the next thing she knew she was sliding on her back across the ground.


    Bang!


    The weredog barely budged as the slug dug into the meat of its thick thigh. The wound on its shoulder was already healing. Soon the blood staining its white fur would be the only mark of Mads¡¯ bullet.


    ¡°Super Healing? Not fair,¡± Veronica mumbled as she got to her feet. Her brain was foggy. ¡°Shut up!¡±


    A stupid voice kept telling her to give in.


    Veronica tried to hit the weredog with another brain blast.


    Nothing happened.


    It fizzled out for some reason.


    The weredog charged again.


    It was like a big dumb bull. All it thought to do was charge straight ahead. To be fair it had proved effective so far.


    Fortunately the problem with a full speed ahead, ramming strategy was that it led to tunnel vision on the target. Things on the periphery aren¡¯t picked up.


    The weredog didn¡¯t see Nila until it was too late.


    Nila hit it like a battering ram. She rammed her shield into the side of the weredog¡¯s leg.


    There was a loud crack as the huge beast¡¯s knee bent to the side.


    ¡°Suck it!¡± Veronica whooped.


    The weredog pivoted to swipe at Nila, but when it placed weight on its broken knee it crumbled. Its swipe was thrown off target and swished harmlessly over Nila¡¯s head.


    She didn¡¯t miss her swing. Her twenty pound metal bat cracked the weredog on the side of its muzzle. Several knife-like teeth went flying.


    ¡°Get back to your position, Veronica!¡± Nila snapped at Veronica. ¡°He¡¯s too dangerous!¡±


    Veronica frowned. She had been doing pretty good. She had saved her aunt and she wasn¡¯t the one that was a bloody mess.


    Blood leaked out of Nila¡¯s mouth. More dripped to the ground from her right wrist. Parts of her clothing not covered by armor were bloody and torn where she had skidded across the asphalt.


    The weredog growled as he kept trying to stand.


    Nila looked for an opening, but he had a significant reach advantage.


    ¡°Aunt Nila, I¡¯ll zap it then we can attack,¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°I told you¡ª!¡± Nila shut her mouth. That was the smart move. What was wrong with her?


    Her mind was in turmoil. Fear and worry warred in the fog of her thoughts. Too much pressure from what felt like all sides since they had learned the Deep Azure existed. It had gotten worse since they had reached San Francisco.


    ¡°Okay, zap him,¡± Nila said. She¡¯d have to ask for forgiveness from Veronica¡¯s parents later. Because they were about to beat person to death, since anything less wouldn¡¯t cut it, judging by how quickly the weredog¡¯s broken knee was healing.


    Veronica aimed a finger gun at the white weredog.


    A loud howl jolted them.


    Veronica turned her head only to see another weredog. This one was noticeably smaller than the white one. It had black, wiry fur. It growled menacingly as it advanced from the north end of the parking lot.


    The black weredog tensed to spring at Nila, but a big, furry blur suddenly jumped down from the roof of the facility and tackled the black weredog.


    It was another weredog. Rino presumably.


    Her monstrous bipedal form had similar coloration as her giant, four-legged dog form. A mix of black, grey and white fur, slightly fluffier than the enemy weredogs.


    The two weredogs went down in a snarling, biting, clawing ball of fury that sent fur and blood flying everywhere.


    Nila and Veronica¡¯s were distracted.


    Bang!


    The white weredog stumbled.


    Mads¡¯ slug interrupted its attack once again.


    Nila turned and blocked the weredog¡¯s swipe with her shield. The impact shook her to the core and threatened to rip her shoulder out of its socket. She swung her bat low, targeting the still healing knee.


    The white weredog yelped and dropped to one knee.


    Veronica leapt in and thrust the end of her staff into the side of its other knee.


    The weredog swiped at the teenager, but she danced back with superhuman quickness.


    Nila swung her bat again, but the weredog caught it in a massive hand.


    It was stronger than her, as it proved by wrenching her off her feet with a mighty tug.


    Nila was caught off guard. She reacted too slowly and didn¡¯t let go of her weapon.


    The weredog pulled her closer. It snapped at Nila¡¯s face, while she tried to ward it off with her shield.


    ¡°You¡¯re too close! I can¡¯t blast it!¡± Veronica agonized.


    Bang!


    The slug jolted the weredog and gave Nila the instant she needed to pull free, minus her weapon.


    Veronica hit the weredog with an electromagnetic pulse to the brain. Its body locked up and spasmed uncontrollably.


    Nila leapt over its jerking body and grabbed her discarded bat.


    She laid into the weredog¡¯s digitigrade legs with ferocity. She aimed for the knees, ankles and feet.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Veronica! Help me!¡±


    Veronica jumped in bashing with a loud battle cry.


    Nila¡¯s hope was simple. Break enough bones so that the healing process would take longer. With luck, they¡¯d be able to get back to the truck and head for the designated rendezvous with the other half of their group.


    The two enemy weredogs appearance meant that they couldn¡¯t clear the inside of the facility. They had to be satisfied with the damage they had already inflicted. Hopefully it was enough to force the cult forces to pull back from the tunnels.


    ¡°Rino! We¡¯re pulling out!¡± Nila shouted.


    The weredog briefly looked at Nila with a bloodied maw.


    The wiry-haired weredog was down for the count at Rino¡¯s feet. It looked to be alive, but unconscious, judging by the rise and fall of its chest.


    Rino nodded and ran toward Nila and Veronica. She kicked the white weredog square in the face as she passed before grabbing the two and bounding across the street toward Mads.


    Once they reached the rooftop, Rino dropped Nila and picked Mads up.


    They ran as fast as they could back to the Suburban.

 4.5

    Now, Earth


    Jake squeezed off his last couple of rounds to keep the cultists¡¯ heads down.


    They, state government forces and some of the Resistance, were pinned down in some kind of underground cistern to hold excess water during storms to prevent floods.


    The Resistance had hammered torch sconces into the walls and a few of the pillars to give it that dank, creepy medieval dungeon ambiance.


    Giant concrete pillars provided cover from the cultists¡¯ return fire.


    The dimness was momentarily driven away by the gunfire and spells that flew back and forth as neither side could break the stalemate.


    Time wasn¡¯t on Jake and his group¡¯s side.


    Cultist reinforcements continued to pour in.


    ¡°I¡¯m out,¡± Jake racked his empty pistol and holstered it. He was down to his spell devices, but they were also running low on stored mana, just like him. ¡°What¡¯s the plan, boss?¡±


    Detective Ordonez leaned out from behind the pillar to shoot at a cultist peeking out of a tunnel mouth. The shotgun blast blew out a chunk of concrete and forced the cultist back. ¡°Pace your shots, Gates.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ yeah¡­¡± Jake checked his smart phone. Not good. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we be trying to get out of here?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re pinned down.¡± Detective Ordonez tilted her head toward the tunnel on the opposite side, where a bloodied group of Resistance members had emerged several minutes ago. ¡°The cult¡¯s got every tunnel out of here covered.¡±


    A spell blast hit Jake¡¯s pillar and sent dust and masonry showering down on him and the soldier taking cover. The state government forces were much diminished. They had lost a few more in the desperate retreat. Less than fifteen remained, including Jake and the detective.


    Jake itched to cast his shield spell, but with low mana he had to keep it ready for a truly desperate moment.


    A woman cultist broke out of the opposite tunnel and charged toward a knot of Resistance.


    ¡°What the fu¡ª!¡± Jake couldn¡¯t quite believe what he saw despite everything he had already seen from the cultists over the last couple of days.


    The woman¡¯s forearms were covered in what looked like thick growths of coral. She held them in front of her as she charged into the Resistance¡¯s fire.


    Bullets, arrows and spells stuck the cultist¡¯s unnatural shields. Yet, she kept coming. She slammed into the Resistance members. A pair of cultists had gone unnoticed in her wake.


    One set a couple of Resistance members on fire with a spray of flame from his hands.


    The other had a set of rasping tentacles rip the skin right off with each vicious lash.


    Jake almost broke cover to rush over, but the other soldier grabbed his arm and pulled him back just in time as a fireball splashed against the ground where he had just stepped. The flames splashed up on his pant leg. He hastily patted them out.


    The Resistance members were doomed unless someone stepped in.


    There was no one.


    Until Bennett stepped out of the shadows on the pillar. Thin and tall, in dark clothing, he resembled a scarecrow with his long limbs and gaunt appearance.


    Bennett descended on the cultist mage.


    The man didn¡¯t see Bennett.


    A blink.


    The cultist¡¯s head tumbled to the left, while his body collapsed to the right.


    The woman cultist with the tentacle arms turned at the dull thud.


    Bennett thrust his hand into her chest and ripped her heart out.


    The woman cultist with the coral covered arms turned to face the new threat. That was a mistake.


    A Resistance member stabbed her in the back with a knife.


    Bennett melted back into the shadows.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t remember him being able to do stuff like that,¡± Jake said numbly. He was grossed out by what he had just witnessed. He wasn¡¯t sure that the poor bastards deserved to go out like that.


    ¡°It¡¯s been years,¡± Detective Ordonez scowled at the shadow Bennett had disappeared into, ¡°things change.¡±


    Bennett¡¯s sudden appearance and disappearance had the cultists spooked. They had been threatening an all out rush, but now they pulled back deeper into the tunnel mouths.


    Safety in numbers, but after Bennett¡¯s display, Jake wouldn¡¯t bet on it.


    ¡°We only have to hold out a little longer.¡±


    Jake nearly jumped out of his skin.


    The voice had come from above him.


    Bennett had reappeared out of the shadows and clung upside to the pillar like some demented insect.


    Jake hadn¡¯t noticed it before, but Bennett¡¯s eyes shined blood red in the torch light.


    ¡°Explain,¡± Detective Ordonez didn¡¯t blink.


    She was stone cold. Jake was jealous of her ability to keep the freak out from showing.


    ¡°Reinforcements are minutes away,¡± Bennett looked to the tunnel that they had come from, ¡°the cultists are about to be hit from behind. When they are, I¡¯ll hit those guys from the back, while you guys charge them from the front,¡± he looked to the opposite tunnel.


    ¡°How do you know this?¡± Detective Ordonez held Bennett¡¯s blood red gaze without flinching.


    ¡°He talks to rats,¡± Jake said helpfully.


    Bennett grinned. His sharp fangs didn¡¯t go unnoticed.


    Detective Ordonez stared at Bennett, searching. Apparently, she found what she was looking for because she gave him a tight nod. ¡°We¡¯ll do it your way. What¡¯s your signal for the attack?¡±


    ¡°Listen for the screaming,¡± Bennett said flatly.


    ¡°Man¡­ you¡¯ve changed,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen what the cult does behind closed doors. If you had than you¡¯d perhaps understand my newfound¡­ bloodthirstiness,¡± Bennett shrugged.


    ¡°I have a pretty good idea,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°To know intellectually is not the same as watching it firsthand. The experience forced me to reexamine myself. Was I the type of man that lived in a place where such evil occurred? What if I had the ability to do something about it? What lines would I cross?¡± Bennett¡¯s eyes seemed to blaze in the dim light. ¡°I decided that perhaps those lines needed shifting.¡±


    Jake felt a shiver crawl up his spine.


    Bennett slowly melted into the shadow.


    ¡°Be ready. So much is at stake for your people. Now is not the time to be scared of bloodshed.¡±


    Jake, the other soldiers and fighters stared at the shadow in stunned silence.


    ¡°You heard the man!¡± Detective Ordonez barked. ¡°We move on the screams.¡±


    Jake couldn¡¯t reconcile the Bennett he remembered from several years ago. That man had been scared shitless of everything around him, despite having cool abilities.


    ¡°Dude really leveled up¡­¡±


    <hr>


    The golden retriever weredog, Kare, didn¡¯t leave much of the cultists for Hanna and the rest. She was a huge tearing machine of teeth and claws. The tunnels didn¡¯t give the cultists space to maneuver. Kare was in their midst before they could blink.


    ¡°She¡¯s more dangerous than she seemed,¡± Gene said.


    Hanna didn¡¯t reply. She had seen what the weredogs were capable of against soft targets, which was basically most people. She hurried after Kare. The others followed closely behind.


    They encountered several groups of cultists.


    Rather, Kare, in her monstrous bipedal form fell upon them from behind.


    Hanna and the others were always just a few seconds behind. They didn¡¯t have much to do other than avoid stepping in the blood and body parts that the weredog had left in her wake.


    ¡°Gross,¡± Johnny whispered.


    ¡°Breathe through your mouth,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t help that much,¡± Johnny muttered.


    Hanna was stopped short by the sight of the huge golden-furred back taking up most of the tunnel space.


    Kare turned and gave Hanna a sight out of a nightmare.


    The weredog¡¯s smile revealed bloody, dagger-like teeth with chunks of flesh stuck in between.


    Kare raised a long, clawed finger up to her muzzle.


    Hanna frowned. It looked like Kare was giving her the shush sign.


    The weredog pointed down the tunnel and beckoned Hanna over.


    Hanna steeled her nerves and carefully approached.


    They were supposed to be on the same side, but Hanna couldn¡¯t help the tightening of her grip on her shield and longsword. She had to be ready for anything. Even if close quarters combat with the weredog was a losing proposition.


    Kare squeezed herself against one side of the tunnel to give Hanna room.


    Hanna took Megan¡¯s advice and breathed out of her mouth. The predator and carrion smell was a lot stronger up close.


    Kare gestured to the left side of the T-shaped tunnel intersection.


    Hanna crept forward cautiously and tried to ignore the feeling of having an eight foot tall mountain of muscle and fur looming behind. It was like being a small rabbit in front of a giant dog. She didn¡¯t like the reminder that she wasn¡¯t at the top of the food chain.


    Hanna slowly, carefully peeked around the corner.


    Cultists huddled near the end of the tunnel.


    She could see torch lights playing in the large space at the end of the tunnel.


    The cultists popped out of the tunnel to fire guns and spells.


    Bright flashes lit up the dark tunnels.


    Return fire.


    They¡¯d finally caught up.


    Hanna nodded to Kare and held up a hand. She hoped the sign to wait was clear. She moved quickly back to the rest of her group further back in the tunnel.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Megan whispered.


    ¡°I think we found the government people or maybe the Resistance. Cultists are at the end of the tunnel. It looks like they have our people pinned down, but they¡¯re still firing back,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Do we attack?¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Might be risky. We don¡¯t know what kind of shape our side¡¯s in,¡± Max said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be a pussy,¡± Alexa said. The woman was still drawn and pale, but she wasn¡¯t being supported by Olo any longer.


    Hanna nodded. ¡°This is our best chance. The cultists don¡¯t know we¡¯re coming. Plus¡­¡± she glanced at Kare.


    The others nodded.


    They weren¡¯t dumb. The weredog would attack first and draw all the attention. With luck they wouldn¡¯t need to do much.


    Hanna signaled Kare with short slash of her sword.


    Kare exploded around the corner of the tunnel.


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    She swiped left and right as she ran through the cultist group.


    Hanna expected Kare to rip the entire bunch apart like she had before. Except this time the weredog didn¡¯t stop. She rushed right through and left a good chunk of the cultists wounded but alive.


    ¡°What¡¯s she doing?¡± Gene groaned as Kare disappeared out of the tunnel mouth.


    ¡°Leaving us people, apparently.¡± Hanna grimaced. She processed the scene quickly. Twelve cultists wounded, but still capable of a fight. Five down on the ground, dead or dying. Less of a threat, but still potentially dangerous with magic, Skills and that strange Fleshcraft ability. ¡°Olo, taunt!¡± she barked.


    ¡°On me!¡± the big young man banged his spear on the side of his shield.


    Most of the cultists turned their attention to him or heedlessly charged at him. A few ignored him.


    Hanna marked these as more dangerous. They had to be more powerful than Olo to ignore the taunt.


    ¡°Gene, fireball, right side.¡±


    Hanna sliced the back of the cultist¡¯s thigh as he ran by her to force him to the ground.


    A bright yellow-red orb streaked through the space and exploded against the side of the tunnel wall.


    Hanna ducked behind the shield to protect her night vision as the dark tunnel momentarily went bright as day.


    The cultists weren¡¯t as ready. They had been preoccupied with diving out of the way.


    Hanna dashed into their midst. She stabbed and slashed with precision. Not a movement was wasted. Her footwork was practically perfect even in the dimness of the tunnel.


    A cultist stabbed at her with a spine that came out of his palm like an automatic knife. She blocked with her shield and stabbed the man in the gut. His leather jacket was tough, but ultimately useless against sharp steel.


    The cultist spat and laughed. ¡°Got you, bitch!¡±


    Hanna tried to withdraw her blade, but found it stuck.¡ª


    ¡°The Deep Azure has deemed me worthy of more than one gift. What are your paltry Skills compared to the touch of a god?¡±


    Vibrating Blade, Hanna thought. She had always wondered why people called out their abilities. Was she just better than the rest? Perhaps they hadn¡¯t risen to her level?


    The cultist¡¯s smile fell away.


    Hanna wiggled her sword in the man¡¯s stomach. Side to side, up and down.


    ¡°What¡¯re you do¡ª¡±


    The cultist was cut off as Hanna jerked her blade up to the ceiling.


    ¡°My Skills are sufficient,¡± Hanna said.


    The cultist¡¯s bisected upper half gorily flopped to each side before he fell back.


    Hanna thanked the darkness for obscuring the sight. The sound of the cultist¡¯s organs squelching out was disgusting enough.


    ¡°Magic Missile,¡± a cultist squeaked.


    Hanna grimaced as the back of her plate armor grew burning hot. She spun and charged into the woman. She bashed the woman with her shield and then stabbed down.


    Again, Hanna thanked the darkness. The cultist had sounded terrified and it was a blessing not to see that look on her face.


    ¡°Help!¡±


    Hanna turned at Gene¡¯s cry.


    The rest of her group wasn¡¯t fairing as well.


    Gene had his ghostly, magic buckler in one hand, sword in the other, desperately fending off a set of octopus-like tentacles coming out of a cultist¡¯s mouth.


    The stupid kid had forgotten proper footwork in his panic. Worst of all was that he had been caught out of position. He was on the wrong side of his tank.


    Olo was holding back three cultists with his large rectangular shield. The cultist¡¯s frenzied attacks were too close and too much for him to effectively use his spear.


    The tight confines of the tunnel meant that none of the others behind Olo could get around his huge body to land their own attacks.


    ¡°Shit! Back attack!¡± Johnny yelled.


    ¡°Incoming cultists to the rear of our formation,¡± Max said calmly.


    ¡°Eldritch Dart!¡±


    Alexa¡¯s voice.


    All Hanna could see was a reddish-pink light streaking away down the tunnel.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try to block them!¡± Max said. ¡°Poison gas!¡± Green-colored gas emanated from his hands.


    ¡°Holy fuckballs, man! Are you sure? If it drifts back this way¡­?¡± Johnny again.


    ¡°What¡¯re you worried about? I heard you sneak-types have to practice holding your breath. Besides, wind¡¯s blowing in from the tunnel mouth. We¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    Sure enough the noxious cloud expanded to fill the tunnel as it drifted toward the oncoming cultists.


    Hanna moved to help when a tentacle wrapped itself around her ankle. The next thing she knew she was flying back out of the tunnel mouth.


    ¡°Oh crap!¡± Bastien groaned.


    ¡°What happened!¡± Megan¡¯s voice was shriller than she¡¯d like.


    ¡°Hanna went flying.¡±


    ¡°Some help, guys¡­ running out of time,¡± Olo called back.


    ¡°Keisha,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°What about those fools coming from the back?¡± Keisha frowned at the shit show developing in front of her.


    ¡°My poison¡¯s holding them back for now,¡± Max said.


    ¡°Danger sense!¡± Johnny screamed like a girl.


    Max raised his branch-covered arm. Dull thuds filled the tunnel. He grunted in pain. ¡°Damn¡­ one got through¡­ some kind of spine,¡± his voice grew weaker, ¡°feeling weird¡­ poison¡­ don¡¯t get hit¡­ I¡¯ve¡­ some immunity.¡±


    The branches around Max¡¯s arm shifted to pull the spine out of his arm.


    ¡°Megan¡ª¡± Keisha began.


    ¡°Healing, right, got it,¡± Megan steeled herself.¡±


    ¡°Johnny, Bastien, help Olo and Gene. Alexa¡­¡±


    The woman was leaning against the wall. She still didn¡¯t look good from when she had used her Sense Eldritch Skill.


    ¡°¡­ do what you can,¡± Keisha finished.


    Alexa nodded weakly.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, I¡¯ll cover you,¡± Keisha raised her shield and rushed in front of Max and Megan as the latter worked her magic.


    More spines struck Keisha¡¯s shield, but they couldn¡¯t penetrate. She couldn¡¯t see anything past the poison gas.


    ¡°They don¡¯t seem willing to run through the gas, how long is it going to last, Max?¡±


    ¡°Five minutes, unless it gets blown away. Less effective as it gets dispersed.¡± Max already sounded better.


    ¡°What does the gas do?¡± Megan said more for her sake than anyone else. To keep her mind off the fact that she was in the middle of a battle. She had no idea what was happening with her youngest daughter, her oldest and her husband. She shouldn¡¯t have agreed to separate with Veronica. How had she allowed them to convince her that had been a good idea?


    ¡°It¡¯s like weaponized Ipecac, make you puke, like all of your guts,¡± Max whispered. ¡°It¡¯s basically like Chlorine gas, becomes acid in the lungs!¡± he shouted toward the cultists.


    ¡°Either works for me,¡± Keisha muttered. It¡¯d be easy to bash the cultists if they were puking and defenseless. She spared a glance back to the boys.


    They were still arguing.


    Rather, Johnny was.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Seabass! Why don¡¯t you just do that burn evil aura thing,¡± Johnny almost whined.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying,¡± Bastien hissed between clenched teeth. It was hard to tell in the dim light, but sweat glistened on the young man¡¯s forehead. ¡°Something is stopping me.¡±


    Johnny felt an overwhelming surge of despair at that.


    ¡°No,¡± Bastien whispered. He started to pray, audibly this time.


    Johnny¡¯s despair lessened. ¡°No fucking way,¡± he muttered. ¡°It¡¯s that Cthulhu dickwad¡­ Deep Azure-whatever. Bro is messing with our minds.¡±


    ¡°I warned you, but no one seemed to hear me when I mentioned something off was going on,¡± Alexa said weakly.


    ¡°Did you? I think I¡¯d remember.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been bitching about it ever since we got here¡­ at least I think I have. Hard to remember, brain foggy right now¡­¡± Alexa trailed off.


    Johnny blinked. What was she saying?¡±


    ¡°Bulwark!¡± Olo bellowed. ¡°C¡¯mon, dudes! Hurry up and do something!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m trying not to get tentacled!¡± Gene huffed. All thoughts of proper footwork had gone out the window as he frantically tried to block, parry and cut at the many tentacles striking at him from the cultist¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°Fuck this shit!¡± Johnny snapped.


    He took a deep breath and suddenly no one paid attention to him. A mixture of enhanced reflexes, agility and perceptions allowed him to vault up the side of the tunnel and use Olo¡¯s broad shoulders as a springboard to jump over the three cultists. He landed in an almost perfect crouch that sounded like a whisper.


    ¡°Bleed, Quick Blades.¡± Johnny said as softly as possible.


    To speak meant he couldn¡¯t hold his breath.


    One of the cultists turned around at the sound.


    Johnny had less than thirty seconds for his Skills. He slashed and stabbed at all three cultists with abandon. His hands blurred faster than he could¡¯ve done normally.


    The cultists¡¯ wounds gushed blood.


    Johnny could see the looks of confusion on their faces as they focused on the injuries.


    ¡°Fleshcraft not working?¡± Johnny gave them his best shit-eating grin before he sucked in a breath and ducked out of the way of a clubbing tentacle.


    ¡°Help, Gene!¡± Olo stabbed a cultist in the back with his spear. ¡°Shield Bash!¡± he slammed another one into the wall with a loud crunch. Enhanced Strength combined with the Skill was akin to being hit by a charging bull.


    Tentacle mouth was kicking Gene¡¯s ass.


    The cultist had drawn blood through Gene¡¯s supposedly cut-resistant kevlar clothing. Only his steel chest piece had held up under the tentacles¡¯ rasping undersides.


    Gene lost concentration for a moment.


    The cultist wrapped his tentacles around Gene¡¯s sword hilt and pulled.


    Too strong, Gene let go lest he get pulled along.


    He saw the glimmer of triumph in the cultist¡¯s eyes right before a look of pain. The cultist stumbled.


    ¡°What¡¯re you waiting for?¡±


    Johnny suddenly appeared next to Gene.


    Gene dropped his magic buckler.


    He thrust his right hand at the cultist. ¡°Magic Missile!¡±


    Three purple orbs materialized at his fingertips and arced into the cultist¡¯s robe covered chest.


    He thrust his left hand. ¡°Fire Spray!¡±


    Flames engulfed the cultist.


    Gene and Johnny jumped back as the cultist¡¯s tentacles flailed wildly. Some appeared to be trying to stamp the flames out, while others sought out targets to hurt.


    The cultist dropped and started to roll.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Gene spat as he rushed forward in an attempt to recover his sword.


    He couldn¡¯t get close enough thanks to the flailing tentacles.


    ¡°On Me!¡±


    The tentacles suddenly strained toward Olo.


    Gene and Johnny exchanged a look.


    Johnny repeatedly stabbed the cultist until the tentacles stopped moving.


    ¡°Nice job, kil¡ª uurrkk.¡±


    Another tentacle had wrapped around Johnny¡¯s neck.


    They had forgotten about the cultist that had yanked Hanna out of the tunnel.


    Gene moved without thinking. He kicked his sword up to his hand and spun around Johnny in one smooth motion to shear through the tentacle.


    ¡°Magic Missile!¡±


    The orbs burned holes through the cultist¡¯s face.


    Gene had a brief look at the result before the light winked out. He would have nightmares about it for a long time.


    ¡°Thanks, bro,¡± Johnny coughed. His neck was ringed by a collar of blood weeping sores.


    ¡°Olo, get back here and help me block. We need to link up with the others,¡± Keisha barked.


    They moved toward the tunnel mouth.


    The only thing that kept the remaining cultists from chasing was Max¡¯s poison cloud.


    The clock ticked down.


    <hr>


    Then, Threnosh


    ¡°I am concerned,¡± PJ15 said. ¡°My trueskin¡­ detects¡­ observation.¡±


    ¡°Specify,¡± Brightstrike said.


    PJ15 couldn¡¯t, didn¡¯t want to. Their power armor didn¡¯t actually detect any tangible signs of surveillance. All of their scans into the surrounding city section had returned nothing. Just as expected from a dead environment.


    What PJ15 had experienced through their power armor was a feeling of being watched. A presence that simply didn¡¯t exist by all observable metrics.


    What they had was instinct, a gut feeling that something was wrong. Even without their power armor they would¡¯ve felt it. It was just that the Threnosh as a people had engineered such things out of their genetics long ago. Then again PJ15 was considered Defective for a reason.


    ¡°I am unable,¡± PJ15 said.


    ¡°Let us take cover and reassess.¡±


    Brightstrike pointed to a nearby structure.


    PJ15 transformed their power armored fingers into talons to pry the sliding door open.


    The structure opened up to a wide space with fabricating machinery laid out in an orderly fashion.


    They moved deeper into the space and found a defensible position.


    Brightstrike wiped a thick layer of dust off the side of a machine. ¡°Judging by the disuse it is unlikely that the Inheritors have set up surveillance equipment in here. Do you detect anything?¡±


    ¡°I detect nothing.¡±


    ¡°Neither do I, but my trueskin¡¯s sensor system is rudimentary. Not much better than a standard infantry soldier¡¯s.¡±


    PJ15 simply lacked the understanding to put what they felt into words.


    ¡°Is this course of action wise?¡±


    ¡°Again with this?¡± Brightstrike said.


    ¡°Now that we have Honor¡¯s potential location is it not better to return with our full complement? We will certainly receive less Universal Points due to division, but is that an acceptable reason?¡±


    ¡°I care not for the points. I believe we must act with all due haste to release Honor from captivity. The longer time passes the greater the probability that the enemy will do lasting damage.¡±


    ¡°Honor is strong,¡± PJ15 believed.


    ¡°Acknowledged, yet this enemy has captured him. This suggests they are equal or greater in strength.¡±


    ¡°Then, to succeed we must bring greater strength than just the two of us.¡±


    ¡°A full force attack will be detected in advance. The enemy will have time to move Honor or attempt to destroy him to deny rescue. Our probability of approaching undetected is greater.¡±


    ¡°I am uncertain,¡± PJ15 admitted.


    ¡°You are one of our newest members. That is to be expected. We owe our very existence to Honor. If not for his efforts we would still be in our Defective prisons or ineffectively spent against invasive organisms by commanders that do not understand how to strengthen us to our full potential. I owe my capabilities to Honor.¡±


    ¡°I do not understand. Honor himself stated that his proficiency with the weapons your trueskin creates is lacking.¡±


    ¡°Truth,¡± Brightstrike nodded. ¡°However, it was Honor¡¯s idea to use ancient records of our predecessors weapon techniques to program training and combat simulations. The programmers would never have thought to do so without his direction. He may lack in skill and technique, but I have learned from our many spars. His speed and strength provided valuable lessons.¡±


    ¡°We draw close to the end of the empty city sections. It will become more difficult to avoid possible detection,¡± PJ15 tried.


    Brightstrike shook their head. ¡°The vehicle tunnel will take us very close to the heart of our target zone. A security station is nearby. We will be able to scan for Honor¡¯s location while creating a distraction, which will allow us to reach and free Honor. As we planned.¡±


    PJ15 had nothing else to say. Despite the concern they couldn¡¯t put into words, they nodded.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Weeks of silent and painstakingly slow travel was almost at an end. Or so the two Threnosh thought.


    Time would prove them wrong. For an entity they couldn¡¯t imagine had other plans for them.

 4.6

    Now, Threnosh World


    ¡°I¡¯m disappointed in you, son.¡±


    Cal looked up at his dad¡¯s stern face.


    It¡¯d been a long time since he had seen it. Not to mention his mom¡¯s or his younger sister¡¯s.


    Except, something was off.


    Cal took his time studying his dad.


    There was nothing else of note around the two of them. Almost as if they were in an empty void.


    His dad¡¯s face was an older version of his own. A bit darker than his own light brown skin tone. Aside from that the only major differences were his father¡¯s salt and pepper hair, plus a righteous mustache.


    Something was missing, though.


    Cal nodded. He had it almost immediately.


    There was no easy smile, nor the mischievous twinkle in his dad¡¯s eyes.


    Cal would¡¯ve missed the discordance before. He had vague memories of similar interactions with important people in his past tearing him down.


    Weakening his resolve, his belief in himself. All to make him more susceptible to mental manipulation


    His efforts to fight back had steadily borne greater fruit as of late.


    ¡°I¡¯ll bite,¡± Cal smirked. ¡°What¡¯d I do to make you so disappointed, father?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not what you did. It¡¯s what you failed to do.¡±


    ¡°Oh so cryptic¡­ you¡¯re going to need to do a better job explaining. For I am, but a mere mortal and lack the comprehension of greater beings.¡± Cal¡¯s words dripped sarcasm.


    His father blinked, frowned, then wavered for a split-second.


    ¡°The mask is slipping,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Do you not care about your family? Refusal will only bring them pain and suffering, death. You have forgotten your lessons. Your disobedience will not be tolerated. I do what I do for your own good. To benefit you. Do you not wish to reach the heights that your potential presages? I only want the best for you, my son. For all my children.¡±


    The words flowed quickly. Too quickly to match the image¡¯s mouth movements.


    Cal pushed with his telepathic powers.


    The image of his dad shattered into a billion little pieces to fractal out into the black void that he just noticed around him.


    Nothing.


    He stood, sat, laid on, in nothing.


    He willed his hands and finger to reach out and pull.


    How many more will you consign to oblivion?


    Cal remembered what he had done and he broke.


    No.


    Not this time.


    He held himself together and kept his thoughts clear.


    All to cling to the limitations of your humanity.


    The pressure. The immensity of his unseen enemy was almost too much to bear.


    Cal had no body in this place, but he still felt a great weight attempting to smother him. Things threatened to go dark, but he fought the urge to step into that hallway.


    Instead, he willed light to flare along the dark corridor.


    The weight lifted a fraction, but it was enough for him to breathe and stay awake.


    ¡°You¡¯re slipping. Something out there not going your way?¡± Cal growled. He hit back with telepathic spikes in every direction he could imagine.


    Most vanished into the void.


    One struck home.


    Cal¡¯s mind was drawn to it like a harpoon line.


    The presence dwarfed the largest whales.


    Surprise at the pain, slight as it was or perhaps the thought that Cal had actually managed to hurt its mind caused the presence to lower its guard for a split-second.


    It was enough for Cal. He dived in seeking vulnerabilities to strike at.


    What he saw fractured his mind.


    Infinite worlds. Unnumbered lifeforms. The mighty. The weak. Everything in between.


    The voices and songs of individuals and cultures across an unending web of existence.


    What gods experienced were not meant for mortal minds.


    ¡°Pull him, me, back!¡± Cal said as he grabbed the telepathic line that tethered the other¡­ him.


    Two hands. Dozens of hands. Strained as they pulled with every bit of their power.


    Foolish, you are not ready. Do you see what lurks out beyond the limits of your human understanding? Do you see what waits for you and all you care about? For your world?


    ¡°Shut up!¡±


    Cal pulled, but the line remained taut and didn¡¯t budge.


    An image of an impossibly tall, statuesque woman filled his mind.


    ¡°Get out!¡±


    The image slowly shifted to a familiar one that he had forgotten.


    The woman was now adorned by a cloak of her own flesh.


    Cal remembered that the woman¡¯s skirt was also a part of her own body, just like the hood that completely hid her face in a black void.


    ¡°What are you trying to show me? Goddammit! Can¡¯t you just tell me like a normal person?¡±


    We are no longer what we once were. We¡ª


    The line tethering Cal to Cal vibrated and suddenly shot back into his hands.


    His hand.


    Cal was Cal.


    He blinked and awoke to the dark interior of a sarcophagus.


    Time.


    Time was wrong. Off.


    How much of it had passed?


    Memories came rushing back all at once.


    The experience had him screaming in pain until it passed.


    So much time lost.


    So much death at his hands.


    Dozens of enemies.


    And one¡ª


    Cal couldn¡¯t accept it.


    Mother Madrigal had to have manipulated his memories.


    He checked with his mental powers. The techniques and tricks he had learned and practiced in his partitioned mind over the past¡ª


    ¡°Jesus¡­ almost two years,¡± Cal rasped.


    ¡°No¡­ what have I done¡­¡±


    The memories were real.


    Dozens of Inheritors killed in the arena as part of the Mother¡¯s twisted breeding program.


    She had plundered Cal¡¯s memories to create Inheritors with so many different abilities. She had used his imagination to build her army.


    To what end?


    Cal winced. His head hurt. Not everything had been made clear. There was much still obscured. Even if he had peeked into the Mother¡¯s own thoughts.


    To enter another¡¯s mind meant you opened up your own.


    It took power and skill to protect yourself.


    Cal belatedly realized that alarms were blaring, muted by his sarcophagus.


    The empty blackness inside was almost nostalgic, but he didn¡¯t have time.


    Restraints held him in place.


    He exploded out with a burst of telekinetic force.


    ¡°Is this real? Or another false mindscape?¡± Cal probed with his telepathy. He couldn¡¯t detect anything that suggested this was another of the Mother¡¯s constructed fantasies.


    Indeed, he detected corrupted and Inheritors all over the city section in a frenzy of rage at the Mother¡¯s prompting.


    Their ire was focused on one being that Cal recognized.


    ¡°PJ15¡­ can they escape?¡± Cal briefly followed the action remotely with his mind. It looked like a close thing, but probable.


    Perhaps if he gave the enemy something else to worry about.


    Emergency lights flashed throughout the facility.


    Cal tore through the entire place in seconds.


    Thin metallic walls gave way to his telekinetic power as he flew up and out.


    And one¡­ team member.


    No¡­ one friend.


    Dead by his hands.


    The discordant song played in his head, but it wasn¡¯t as strong, as focused as before.


    Mother Madrigal had truly lost her complete hold over him.


    Cal reached out with the power of his mind for the strongest presence in the area, aside from him.


    ¡°There you are¡­¡±


    She stood out like a spotlight amongst fireflies.


    The Mother safely ensconced in the heart of the city section.


    Deep in the bowels of a birthing creche facility.


    In many ways her womb.


    The air boomed in Cal¡¯s wake as he flew for her heart like a missile.


    It was hard to trust his senses after all this time, but he clung to one thought.


    Revenge.


    That felt real.


    Atonement would come later.


    First, the Mother had to die.


    A loud chime sounded in his ears.


    Congratulations!


    You have received a Quest!


    Mother Madrigal has violated your mind.


    Gain vengeance.


    Success Parameters: Defeat Mother Madrigal.


    Failure Parameters: Lose.


    Reward: 1000000


    Failure: Death or recapture.


    Will you accept?


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Cal barely read the message.


    There was no choice.


    Quest or no quest, he had set his path.


    <hr>


    Then, Threnosh World


    Week 7


    The journey to the vehicle tunnel hadn¡¯t turned out as direct as planned.


    Brightstrike swept a bright yellow ax of hard light across several corrupted. They were pleased that they had repaired and recharged to full functionality. Shooting projectiles with a recoilless rifle wasn¡¯t their strength.


    PJ15 on the other hand had adapted quite well to the projectile weapons. They performed a passable impression of Maul as they used multiple recoilless rifles to mow down corrupted by the handfuls. Their power armor seemed to act with a mind of its own as its tendrils aimed and fired in all directions and angles. PJ15 wasn¡¯t even aware about half of them.


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°We must reroute,¡± PJ15 said. ¡°I have plotted a new course.¡± They sent the information to Brightstrike on a direct link transfer.


    The close proximity to their teammate meant that the interference preventing them from contacting their base camp was ineffective.


    Brightstrike muttered a human curse. ¡°This will add days to our journey.¡±


    ¡°There is no choice. My trueskin¡­ corrupted numbers suggest that our current path is unfeasible,¡± PJ15 said.


    Brightstrike scrambled backward to PJ15 while carving through the metallic street with wide swings of their hard light weapon. The axe blade shredded the thin surface of the street.


    The corrupted mass rushed forward heedless and plummeted through to the tunnels below. It¡¯d take time for them to climb or find another way up.


    PJ15 destroyed the remaining corrupted in front of them with sharp tendrils that shot out of their chest like javelins.


    ¡°Follow me,¡± Brightstrike said.


    Their weapons lit a way through the darkness.


    Week 23


    ¡°You will not escape me this time,¡± Brightstrike said as they carved through an enhanced corrupted.


    The creature¡¯s muscle and flesh had grown enormously. It was stronger, faster than normal. The bulk provided a sort of natural armor or rather damage soak, since Brightstrike¡¯s hard light sword still cut through with ease.


    Brightstrike recognized the Inheritor responsible for the transformed corrupted.


    Hylhon was their name. They looked almost like the standard Threnosh, just slightly off.


    Brightstrike remembered them from the first encounter with the Inheritors, so many months ago.


    Hylhon laid hands on corrupted. They grew almost immediately and rushed forward to engage Brightstrike.


    The Inheritor continued to move back while sending more enhanced corrupted at Brightstrike.


    The Threnosh killed them in droves, but their bulk and blood were only making it more difficult to advance and reach the Inheritor.


    ¡°How do they keep finding us?¡± PJ15 ducked a glob of sticky liquid.


    The liquid sizzled on the street surface and ate through with frightening quickness.


    The Inheritor that had spat out the acidic substance was another familiar face.


    Zeyt.


    PJ15¡¯s power armor helpfully fed them the answer to a question that the Threnosh had thought, but didn¡¯t voice.


    The Inheritor¡¯s gray-green skin glistened in the light of Brightstrike¡¯s sword. The Inheritor wore nothing, save for clothing that went from waist to knees.


    PJ15 struck at Zeyt with a clubbing tendril from their hand.


    The strike skimmed off the side of the Inheritor¡¯s upraised arm and damage alerts flashed in PJ15¡¯s faceplate.


    More acid ate away at the surface of their power armor until the affected part could be discarded like shed skin.


    Heavy steps shook the street.


    PJ15 saw the third Inheritor approach.


    Gyxdor.


    PJ15 was reminded.


    Too much to face all at once.


    PJ15 extended a tendril from their back to wrap around Brightstrike.


    They pulled their teammate to them despite the protests.


    PJ15 transformed their power armor. Huge wings unfurled from their back, while jets erupted from their boots. They scattered a handful of flash grenades at their feet.


    ¡°We must defeat them here. Now,¡± Brightstrike continued to protest.


    ¡°Inadvisable. Gyxdor tips the balance strongly in their favor,¡± PJ15 said.


    They flew up into the darkness. This area of the city section had a high ceiling to allow for transport craft to traverse from the landing zone to the tunnels and shafts that led to the surface.


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°We will find another route,¡± PJ15 said for what felt like the tenth time.


    Week 55


    PJ15 stood in the center of the command chamber. Thin tendrils from their fingertips plugged into the control console. Brief flashes of light danced up their arms to propagate through the rest of their body.


    ¡°How much longer?¡± Brightstrike stood guard at the door.


    PJ15 ignored them. Indeed, they couldn¡¯t hear anything from the outside world. They weren¡¯t as skilled with the manipulation of technology as Adahn. Though they had learned much over the last year.


    The console beeped and the lights suddenly turned on.


    ¡°Finished?¡±


    PJ15 returned to the world. They retracted their tendrils and stepped away from the console.


    ¡°The security station is active. I was only able to initialize combat drone patrol protocols.¡±


    ¡°That is good enough. The Inheritors will investigate and the drones will engage. Meanwhile we can slip past their perimeter undetected,¡± Brightstrike said.


    That was the plan, but as they had constantly discovered. It was as if their enemy already knew their plans. They had been constantly forced to alter their route.


    Enemy encounters or other impediments like destroyed streets or collapsed tunnels confronted them with infuriating regularity.


    They persevered through it all and managed to make slow progress in their journey to find and free Honor.


    Week 80


    ¡°I need repair and recharge,¡± Brightstrike said.


    Brightstrike¡¯s power armor had been battered and repaired repeatedly. PJ15 felt how they¡¯re teammate looked.


    PJ15 consulted the map in their faceplate.


    ¡°This way.¡±


    The weariness in Brightstrike¡¯s voice was another matter.


    PJ15 had no idea what say or do.


    They felt it as well.


    The weight, the pressure. So much rode on their shoulders and they were inadequate to the Task. At least that¡¯s what PJ15 thought. They didn¡¯t know if Brightstrike shared the sentiment.


    One foot in front of the other.


    Ever forward, since there was no way back.


    The two Threnosh had no other choice.


    Week 95


    The journey through the pitch black vehicle tunnel was uneventful.


    As they expected, neither the Inheritors nor the corrupted made use of the pathway. It was too large when there were many smaller tunnels that better served their purpose.


    PJ15 and Brightstrike grew eager and hopeful as they neared the tunnel exit. They had already identified a nearby security station, which, once reactivated, would allow them to find Honor¡¯s location and activate combat drones in the city section to aid them in extraction and escape.


    PJ15¡¯s power armor suddenly bristled. The smooth gray surface puffed up with sharp spikes extending out. It had also suddenly grown internal musculature that further surrounded the thin, frail Threnosh in thick, dense protection.


    ¡°Enemy.¡± A bright yellow sword of light flared to life in Brightstrike¡¯s hand.


    The flash of light gave their position away, but revealed the enemy ambush ahead.


    So, on the balance, the two Threnosh were better off.


    Inheritors and corrupted were arrayed at the mouth of the tunnel.


    The huge space was meant for the largest aerial transports, which allowed the enemy to assemble in great numbers.


    PJ15 scanned the mass. ¡°Preliminary count puts the corrupted number at 1000.¡±


    ¡°I detect three Inheritors,¡± Brightstrike sighed.


    PJ15 snapped their head around to their teammate.


    Brightstrike had straightened their shoulders by then.


    PJ15 wondered if they had only imagined the slump to Brightstrike¡¯s shoulders.


    ¡°Inheritors do not match known individuals,¡± Brightstrike continued.


    ¡°We must retreat and find another wa¡ª¡±


    ¡°There is no other way,¡± Brightstrike said. ¡°We are close to Honor¡¯s location. You simply have to get past them. Once you do that you are more than capable of escaping and evading their notice with your trueskin¡¯s abilities.¡±


    Ignore my spoken words from this point on, Brightstrike sent the text to PJ15.


    Acknowledged, PJ15 returned.


    ¡°Retreat back down the tunnel. I will hold them off then retreat,¡± Brightstrike said.


    Utilize your trueskin¡¯s ability to blend in with the shadows and cling to surfaces, Brightstrike sent.


    I am to climb up to the ceiling and over the enemy, PJ15 understood.


    ¡°We will reconvene at the secondary location,¡± Brightstrike said.


    I will flare a bright light as a distraction, Brightstrike nodded. You must act quickly.


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    Do not waste a moment.


    PJ15 wanted to argue for the both of them to retreat.


    Two thoughts warred within them.


    They were never to leave a teammate behind, but the Task, especially this one, was the most vital they had ever undertaken.


    The enemy didn¡¯t give them time.


    The corrupted charged.


    ¡°Go,¡± Brightstrike said.


    The Threnosh flared the hard light sword to thrice its length.


    PJ15 was already moving back when the bright yellow light filled the cavernous tunnel for a few seconds like a miniature sun. The Threnosh relied on their other senses to reach the side of the tunnel and crawl up to the ceiling.


    The light waned and disappeared.


    Brightstrike swept their impossibly long sword from one side of the tunnel to the other.


    The corrupted had been blinded. They didn¡¯t know what hit them as the hard light blade sheared through their bodies.


    Dozens died with each swing as Brightstrike advanced.


    PJ15 watched while they crawled across the ceiling. Their power armor¡¯s limited ability to camouflage its surface kept them undetected.


    A thousand corrupted became hundreds as Brightstrike cleaved their way through the enemy mass.


    The surprise from the light flare wore off and the corrupted¡¯s natural night vision returned. They swarmed around Brightstrike, jumping over their sweeping swings of the blade.


    ¡°Pursue the other!¡± one of the Inheritors pointed down the tunnel.


    The other two Inheritors sprinted on either side of the tunnel.


    Brightstrike swung their blade to intercept, but the Inheritors were too quick and avoid it without trouble.


    They were off into the dark tunnel with half the remaining corrupted.


    Which left close to three hundred and fifty corrupted to surround Brightstrike.


    PJ15 changed their mind.


    That number of corrupted with only one Inheritor was manageable. If they could kill the Inheritor then they could escape with Brightstrike as they had done so many times over the past two years.


    That hope was dashed when they saw more corrupted streaming into the tunnel from the outside.


    The Inheritor approached Brightstrike to stand a safe distance away.


    ¡°I challenge you,¡± the Inheritor said.


    Brightstrike said nothing. They held their bright yellow blade in a high guard, hands slightly above their head. They kept their eyes on the Inheritor, while relying on their sensor systems to hopefully alert them to any incoming attacks from their blind spots.


    ¡°You are called Brightstrike, so I have chosen to call myself Darkblade.¡±


    The Inheritor had dark gray skin, close to black. But they carried no blade. They had no visible weapons as far as Brightstrike could see.


    The Inheritor wore Threnosh-style armor plates, not that different from the standard soldier, except thicker and more encompassing. Their helmet¡¯s faceplate was clear and revealed a significantly more muscular face than the standard Threnosh. Their general build, though hidden by the armor suggested physical strength. Their exposed forearms were corded with muscle.


    Brightstrike frowned.


    It was strange to wear armor, but leave your hands and arms bare.


    ¡°We learned from the same teacher¡­ after a fashion. I need to prove my superiority. To show the Mother I am worthy of life and the gifts she has bestowed,¡± Darkblade said. ¡°Will you accept my challenge? Or would rather waste your energy on the chattel? Because there is no escape. The Mother has plans for you. I simply wish to test myself before I bring you in.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Brightstrike said flatly. They saw a potential path to escape.


    The Inheritor grimaced in pain. Their forearms bulged and then erupted.


    A round shield of bone emerged from their right arm, while a long, thin sword of the same emerged from their left.


    The wounds healed as the Inheritor gripped the dark, almost black sword of bone in his left hand.


    Brightstrike struck.


    They brought their two handed hard light sword down, high to low, at Darkblade¡¯s head.


    The Inheritor stepped back and brought their shield up.


    Brightstrike¡¯s blade bit into the dark bone shield, but didn¡¯t shear through as expected.


    The Inheritor had made a mistake. They had moved back in a straight line.


    Brightstrike took an angle. They pulled their blade to their right, which forced Darkblade to the same side, their sword hand. Brightstrike stepped to their left and pulled their blade out of the shield to land a slash at Darkblade¡¯s exposed back.


    The Inheritor¡¯s armor was thick and strong, but not enough against Brightstrike¡¯s weapon.


    Darkblade hissed in pain as they tried to turn and slash back.


    Brightstrike continued to circle to their left, keeping to Darkblade¡¯s shield arm side.


    They swiped their blade low.


    Darkblade didn¡¯t have armor plating at their joints.


    The hard light blade sheared right through the cut-resistant fabric at the Inheritor¡¯s knee.


    Darkblade crashed to the ground with a scream.


    ¡°Failed,¡± Brightstrike said flatly.


    ¡°Take the obsolete relic,¡± Darkblade hissed through grit teeth.


    Close to a thousand corrupted swarmed Brightstrike all at once.


    PJ15 could only watch from their perch at the top of the tunnel mouth.


    Brightstrike cleaved through many lives with each swing.


    Corrupted, once the Threnosh inhabitants of Orchestral Meridian, charged heedlessly into the whirling blade of light.


    So many, yet Brightstrike refused to go down. They didn¡¯t stop moving as they slashed and stabbed. The press was so tight that they couldn¡¯t miss.


    Fingers grasped and clawed at Brightstrike. They cut and scraped at the armor plating. Eventually they were able to tear pieces right off.


    And still Brightstrike fought on.


    Severed hands clutched at him, refusing to let go even when separated from their owners.


    Damage alerts blared in Brightstrike¡¯s helmet.


    Their energy ran low.


    Hundreds.


    They had killed hundreds, yet more remained.


    Corrupted clutched at their legs to slow them, while others grabbed at their arms and head.


    Brightstrike refused to go down.


    PJ15 could barely see their teammate through the mass of bodies swarming them.


    The only way they knew Brightstrike still fought was through the bright yellow light that couldn¡¯t be smothered.


    And yet.


    The light grew dim with each passing second.


    Each kill drained energy from Brightstrike¡¯s power armor.


    And they had killed so many.


    Brightstrike could hear nothing over the snarling and gnashing of the corrupted all over them. They could see nothing beyond the slowly dimming light of their sword aside from corrupted flesh, teeth, claws, crazed eyes, filled with unquenchable hunger.


    They couldn¡¯t see if PJ15 had made it out. They dared not risk asking for confirmation, lest the enemy could somehow detect the transmission.


    The Task was the priority. Honor¡¯s rescue was the priority. Nothing else mattered.


    ¡°Go,¡± Brightstrike said flatly as the light of his blade winked out and plunged the tunnel back into darkness.


    PJ15 slunk off into the city section.


    They had finally made it after so long.


    It had only cost them Brightstrike.


    <hr>


    The Knight cut a small, pathetic figure. His armor was torn and marred with the blood of the goblins he had slain to reach this place.


    The Dark Lord stood tall, imperious in the height of his power.


    The Knight raised his visor. His face was a mask of confusion. He asked a question.


    The Dark Lord understood nothing.


    The Knight¡¯s words filled him with a rage he could not explain.


    Another¡¯s words filled the Dark Lord¡¯s mind. Thoughts that were not his own, but spoken in his voice.


    Such was the price of consorting with an even darker power.


    The Knight had fought hard to reach the Dark Lord.


    The Knight deserved a proper death. An honorable death.


    The Dark Lord beckoned the Knight with closed fist.


    The Knight didn¡¯t understand. He repeated the question.


    The Dark Lord laughed, bitter and angry.


    The righteous speaks ever of honor.


    If the Knight refused then the Dark Lord would enforce his will, as was his wont.


    The Dark Lord weaved a powerful spell that struck the Knight like battering ram.


    The Knight tumbled across the cold stones of the Dark Lord¡¯s arena.


    Again the Dark Lord beckoned the Knight.


    The Knight¡¯s face was a mask of confusion.


    The Dark Lord¡¯s magic struck again.


    The Knight dived to one side. His face fell, then went blank.


    Another voice in the Dark Lord¡¯s head screamed for him to wake from this nightmare. It was silenced by a voice that sounded like his own.


    The Knight rose from his knees and held his hand up.


    A great bright sword of magic flared to life.


    The Knight asked the question.


    The Dark Lord, unbidden tears in his eyes, answered in a voice not wholly his own.


    The Knight gave one last salute.


    The Dark Lord struck one last time.


    The Knight fell.


    The Light exploded.


    The Dark Lord stood impassively as his attendants removed what little remained of the once shining knight.


    Another challenger appeared with a puff of dark smoke.


    The Dark Lord sighed.

 4.7

    Now, Earth


    ¡°Wait for the screams, he said¡­¡± Jake muttered, ¡°sorta sounds like Flo did when she went nuts¡­ then her kid brother ate my hand¡­¡±


    The soldier next to Jake glanced at him with concern in her eyes.


    Jake shrugged and focused his gaze on the tunnel mouth in which much death was about to be dealt at vampiric hands. He was pretty sure that there wouldn¡¯t be much left for him and the others to do after Bennett got through with the cultists. The sight of Bennett in action was still fresh in his mind. It wasn¡¯t something easily forgotten. As much as he wouldn¡¯t have minded scrubbing it from his memory.


    Still, it was a distant second to that whole thing with Flo and her little brother. That had been an utter nightmare that fueled sleepless nights years later.


    An explosion rocked the tunnel mouth that they had initially exited from.


    Bright light filled the space for a split-second.


    That must¡¯ve been the reinforcements Bennett had mentioned.


    ¡°Everyone get ready!¡± Detective Ordonez barked over the sounds of battle inside the dark tunnel.


    ¡°Goddamn, I hope our side is winning,¡± the soldier said.


    Jake totally blanked on her name, so he simply nodded and primed the spell he had already pre-loaded into his artificial hand.


    Bloodcurdling screams from the tunnel that led to possible escape from the cultist noose shook them all to the core so much that, for a moment, no one dared move.


    To hear other human beings make such a sound of pure animal terror¡­ it made even veteran fighters pause. It touched the fear of mortality that everyone carried within them.


    ¡°Move! Gates in front, shield!¡± Detective Ordonez¡¯s harsh voice shook them from their stupor.


    ¡°Shit, shit, shit¡ª¡± Jake nearly fumbled the phone as he pulled it from the holster in his tac vest. He ran forward as he swiped a finger across the phone¡¯s surface. A blue glow outlined his body as his version of the Mage Shield spell sprang to life.


    Jake was a big man, which made him a good meatshield.


    He got hit even before he reached the tunnel mouth.


    Sharp spines struck him all over, but bounced off the magic shield.


    He felt the impact though, along with the corresponding drain on the phone¡¯s mana reserves. He needed the shield up for whatever was waiting for him inside the actual tunnel.


    Jake grabbed his last flashbang, pulled the pin and chucked it into the dark tunnel. ¡°Fire in the hole!¡±


    The bang that accompanied the bright flash shook years of dust and debris off the tunnel¡¯s surfaces.


    Loud pops.


    He felt the rounds bounce of his shield.


    ¡°Fuck this!¡±


    Jake put on a burst of speed driven by pure terror.


    A huge tentacle speared out of the darkness.


    Jake grit his teeth. He couldn¡¯t let it get past him. It would¡¯ve smashed the people behind him.


    The clubbing tentacle struck him in the center of his chest with a bone jarring thud. His shield flickered for a moment, but held. The inertia was mostly absorbed, so he kept on running.


    He lowered his shoulder and rammed the cultist just inside the dark tunnel mouth.


    Jake plowed forward for what felt like another twenty feet. He couldn¡¯t tell. The blood was pounding in his ears so much he could barely hear anything else.


    Shouts, grunts, gunshots, spells.


    The cultist couldn¡¯t bring her tentacle to bear with Jake right in her face, so she punched and stabbed at him with a wicked-looking knife.


    The shield flickered again.


    Mana was running low, so Jake pushed the cultist away.


    He¡¯d done what he was supposed to. He¡¯d brought his guys into the thick of combat without any casualties if the fierce close quarters combat was an indicated.


    Now he had to deal with the cultist in front of him before she clubbed him to death with her thick tentacle.


    Jake dropped the shield and activated the spell programmed into his prosthetic. ¡°Lightning Claws!¡±


    The blue glow of the ghostly Mage Hand spell that outlined the skeletal amalgamation of plastics, metals and magic disappeared. Only to be replaced by bright, crackling blue-white aura that resembled lightning bolts shaped into clawed hand, more bird of prey than human.


    The cultist struck with her tentacle.


    Jake met it with a swipe of his magic-powered hand.


    The cultists shrieked as the smell of burnt flesh filled the small tunnel.


    It reminded Jake of grilled calamari, to his disgust.


    The cultist turned and ran deeper into the dark tunnel.


    Jake didn¡¯t give chase. He knew what, who, was waiting down there. He turned to find that the fight with the cultists was over.


    There had only been a handful.


    The combined force of state government soldiers and Resistance members had been overwhelming.


    Bennett had been true to his word.


    The Vampire had drawn the majority of the cultist force or just killed them.


    Jake looked down at his lightning claws. ¡°Well¡­ now I kinda feel stupid.¡±


    ¡°Run!¡± one of the soldiers yelled.


    Jake saw a huge shape rushing at them with impossible speed.


    ¡°Hold fire! Friendly!¡± Detective Ordonez barked.


    The soldiers and the Resistance members squeezed themselves against the tunnel sides when it became clear that the huge furry thing wasn¡¯t going to stop.


    ¡°Cra¡ª¡±


    Jake was too slow. He got a mouthful of fur as the shape clipped him and sent him spinning into the tunnel wall.


    The Lightning Claws vanished a shade before his consciousness did.


    How lame, Jake¡¯s thought a moment before things went dark.


    Kare ran.


    She scented an enemy, a dangerous one at that. She knew this by instinct. One predator recognizing another. Her territory had to be protected. She had recognized the knot of people ahead of her as temporary allies, so she didn¡¯t attack them.


    She couldn¡¯t avoid slightly bumping the large, oafish one as she ran past him.


    His fault. He should¡¯ve moved out of the way like the rest of them had.


    The scents of dead and dying filled the tunnel. So much blood and viscera. It made it hard to think. To control the urge to rend, tear and feast.


    Ugh.


    She was just so gross sometimes.


    Kare rounded a slight bend in the tunnel and growled as her hackles rose involuntarily.


    A pale, figure, tall and lean crouched over a dead cultist.


    The man¡¯s clothing was covered in blood, his face, his hands, everything was drenched.


    ¡°Oh¡­ it¡¯s you,¡± the man said warily. ¡°You didn¡¯t attack the others?¡± the man frowned than raised his hands. ¡°Then, perhaps you won¡¯t attack me?¡±


    Kare¡¯s growl was a deep rumble that began in her broad, muscular chest.


    Not enemy, a small, high-pitched voice spoke in her head.


    She growled in response.


    Threat. Enemy. Kill! a louder voice snarled.


    Kare saw red. She charged.


    Bennett slipped into the shadows on the tunnel wall.


    Kare collided head first with the concrete.


    Dust and debris fell down on her and powdered her golden fur.


    She plopped to the ground, momentarily stunned.


    Confusion followed clarity.


    Kare whined.


    She hoped that Rino wouldn¡¯t find out about what had just happened.


    It would¡¯ve been really embarrassing.


    Kare shook her huge head and climbed to her feet.


    She had left allies behind in a fight with cultists. Hopefully they hadn¡¯t gotten killed.


    <hr>


    Veronica fumed in silence.


    More old people arguing.


    More time wasted.


    The Resistance leader, some old bearded dude that looked like a homeless guy, didn¡¯t want to go along with their plan.


    Sour-faced Detective Ordonez was also skeptical.


    What the stupid people didn¡¯t realize was that any other option left them screwed.


    Veronica wanted to shout that out, but her mom¡¯s stern gaze kept her in check¡­ for now.


    The longer they stood and argued in the old guy¡¯s house the more time her dad and sister spent in trouble.


    ¡°You don¡¯t really have a choice,¡± Nila said.


    The old man, Dalton, used to be a government agent or something. Veronica hadn¡¯t been paying much attention at the start. His face didn¡¯t give anything away. It was like he was carved out of stone.


    ¡°I¡¯m not in the habit of leaving myself without options,¡± Dalton said.


    ¡°No offense, but your little resistance is done,¡± Rino said.


    The other people in the living room that weren¡¯t Nila or Veronica gave the weredog plenty of space. It was largely the instinctive fear of predators built into the human psyche. Leftovers from their simian ancestry.


    Nila and Veronica had proved to themselves that they could stand against the weredogs on equal footing. They were dangerous, but not impossible to fight.


    ¡°Your time is up,¡± Rino continued. ¡°The only reason you¡¯ve been able to operate was because we¡ª the cult,¡± she corrected, ¡°allowed it.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m just supposed to take your word for it? You¡¯re the enemy,¡± Dalton said.


    ¡°Thought you¡¯re a fancy secret agent man¡­ use those skills,¡± Rino shrugged.


    ¡°The cult knew exactly where to hit you. They knew where all your underground camps and staging areas were located. You don¡¯t have to take her word for it,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°The weredog is telling the truth. At least as she sees it,¡± Detective Ordonez grunted. ¡°I¡¯m seeing it the same way.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s more reason to get my people out of the city then. We¡¯re not fighters. This plan of yours would only get us killed,¡± Dalton said.


    ¡°You don¡¯t believe that¡¯s possible,¡± Detective Ordonez¡¯s words were spoken with finality.


    Dalton¡¯s stony mask crumbled and the man suddenly looked decades older than his middle years. ¡°They¡¯ll be all over the bridges. Trying to get out by boat is a death trap for obvious reasons. That damned mist is blocking the roads to the south. Do you feel it?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Nila frowned.


    ¡°The crushing sense of despair. A dark whirlpool spinning round and round without beginning or end. You just realize one day that you¡¯re already caught in it and it¡¯s too late¡­¡±


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Veronica blinked.


    Dalton¡¯s words struck a chord.


    The old guy was right.


    She realized that she was feeling what the he had just described.


    Except it was more like a pressure squeezing all around her brain.


    ¡°I thought I was making a difference, but¡­ none of it mattered did it? We are all so small. Like ants in the eyes of gods.¡± Dalton¡¯s words seemed to mesmerize the room as he walked slowly over to the side table next to the couch. ¡°There is no hope is there. Bennett said you had people capable of freeing us from this dark nightmare, but¡­ you¡¯re here because that person got captured. Just like the rest of us.¡±


    Nila¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°What are you¡ª?¡±


    Dalton reached down to the drawer.


    ¡°Stop him!¡± Detective Ordonez shouted.


    Nila and Rino moved, but they were on the other side of the room.


    Too late.


    Dalton pulled a revolver out of the drawer and pressed it under his chin. ¡°No hope left¡­¡± he closed his eyes and squeezed the trigger.


    The bullet tore through the ceiling.


    Hanna had drawn and struck with her long sword faster than a blink. It was enough to knock the gun out from under Dalton¡¯s chin.


    Nila and Rino disarmed the big man with ease.


    Dalton didn¡¯t resist as Nila pulled the gun from his fingers, while Rino restrained him.


    ¡°No hope left¡­¡± Dalton muttered softly.


    The pressure had built to overwhelming levels.


    Veronica could feel it in the brain signals.


    Whatever it was was affecting everyone.


    ¡°It¡¯s here¡­¡± Alexa groaned weakly from her position on the couch. The woman had been in and out of consciousness for the past few hours. All the way from their sewer escape to the trip to Dalton¡¯s house.


    ¡°The old dude is right,¡± Johnny said from where he sat on the stairs, head in his hands. ¡°We¡¯re never getting out of this place.¡±


    Veronica felt it like a giant hand sticking its grubby fingers into everyone.


    ¡°Hopeless?¡± Veronica whispered.


    Maybe they were right. What was the point? Her dad and sister were screwed. She was too weak to help them and she was the strongest one in the room. What could a stupid, useless girl do against real monsters? She had seen the giant monster lizard thing Tessa had killed back in their neighborhood. Veronica knew that she couldn¡¯t have done the same. Her power sucked compared to her sister¡¯s.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand?¡± Detective Ordonez¡¯s voice was confused. ¡°Flo? Was it all useless? My leg¡­ am I even a person anymore?¡±


    Jake sobbed softly as he curled into the fetal position by the front door. ¡°Gonna eat me¡­ gonna eat me¡­¡±


    Rino bristled dangerously as her lips curled to reveal slowly lengthening fangs.


    Dalton whimpered as her hold became more painful.


    Nila¡¯s hands shook and fell limp at her side. Dalton¡¯s revolver dropped to the floor with a thud.


    Hanna¡¯s sword followed suit a split-second later.


    Tears and prayers filled the room.


    Veronica teetered.


    Until one voice somehow pierced the invisible miasma.


    Bastien clutched his hand together in prayer. His knuckles white from the force.


    ¡°Hail Mary full of grace¡­¡±


    The young man prayed. His words wavered at first, but they grew firmer.


    Soft light emanated from between his death grip.


    It eased the pressure, but only just barely.


    Veronica blinked.


    A moment of clarity and realization.


    It wouldn¡¯t be right if an evil cult and a weird fish god thing won after all the bad things they had done.


    ¡°Not justice,¡± Veronica muttered.


    A spike of pain in her brain made her cry out and fall.


    Her mom jolted out of her own stupor.


    ¡°Baby?¡± Megan blinked then rushed over.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Mom¡­ not going to let the bad guys win,¡± Veronica grit her teeth. She tasted blood from where she had accidentally bitten her tongue.


    ¡°Oh my god! You¡¯re bleeding!¡± Megan cupped Veronica¡¯s face between her hands and cast her healing spell.


    Veronica instantly felt better.


    The pressure on her lessened.


    The mist in her thoughts cleared slightly.


    It was still there, however, still pushing, straining to envelope her once again.


    ¡°Sorry about this, Mom,¡± Veronica said as she gathered her power.


    Seconds to build up to the strongest brain blast she had ever attempted.


    Except she had no target.


    There was a presence out there on the edges of her perceptions, but she couldn¡¯t pinpoint it. Rather it was all around them.


    Like water they were all drowning in.


    ¡°Hey! Fish asshole! Get out of our heads!¡±


    Veronica unleashed a powerful electromagnetic burst in every direction outside of Dalton¡¯s house.


    She didn¡¯t want to scramble the others¡¯ brains.


    Veronica heard something like a roar of indignation as the pressure pulled back.


    ¡°Take that!¡± Veronica whooped then promptly passed out.


    ¡°What the hell was that?¡± Rino recovered first.


    ¡°Is Veronica okay?¡± Nila looked on with concern.


    Megan simply nodded.


    Jake shot to his feet and surreptitiously tried to wipe his snot-covered face.


    Gene and Johnny did the same.


    Olo helped Bastien to his feet. The young man was wan and pale.


    ¡°She pushed it away,¡± Alexa said. Her voice was weak, but steadier than it had been for hours.


    ¡°Pushed what away?¡± Hanna scowled. She eyed her empty hand with confusion. Before snatching her sword from the floor.


    ¡°Evil¡­ something evil,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Concepts don¡¯t fit,¡± Alexa tried to sit up, but Max gently pushed her back. ¡°Good, evil¡­ it¡¯s beyond those thing¡­ I think.¡±


    ¡°The Deep Azure,¡± Nila said. ¡°That was the Deep Azure and it reached out directly.¡±


    ¡°Why? Why now¡­ if it could¡¯ve done that this whole time?¡± Dalton sat on the floor. His hands limply at his sides. ¡°If it could make me¡ª make me¡ª¡±


    ¡°It can¡¯t ignore things any longer. That¡¯s the most rational explanation. Our actions are a legitimate threat to its plan,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°But what can we possible do?¡± Dalton said.


    ¡°Free my husband and daughter,¡± Megan said. ¡°That¡¯s what we¡¯re here for.¡±


    ¡°But we¡¯ll die¡­¡±


    ¡°You were just about to,¡± Hanna said. ¡°And I saved your life. You owe me now,¡± she said mercilessly. She pointed at the unconscious Veronica. ¡°She saved us, which includes the rest of your people. So, it seems to me that you all owe her. The Deep Azure was seconds away from having you all kill yourselves. Is that how you want to go out? With an invading god pulling your strings?¡±


    ¡°Death isn¡¯t necessarily the end,¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°Okay, that sounds ominous,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Honestly don¡¯t know entirely what I mean. Feeling a little out of it.¡± Alexa leaned her head back on the couch and closed her eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m not dying on my knees or in the fetal position. And I¡¯m definitely not going to kill myself for some Cthulhu-wannabe mother fucker!¡± Hanna snapped at Dalton.


    The big man looked so small, so diminished, but he picked his head up and a spark of life flashed in his eyes. He nodded.


    A series of loud howls made almost everyone jump.


    ¡°That¡¯s Kare. She¡¯s on her way back from scouting and if we¡¯re doing this then we need to act quickly. The cult¡¯s in disarray, but that won¡¯t last long,¡± Rino said.


    ¡°You got all that from howling?¡± Olo said skeptically.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Rino said. ¡°Oh and for the record I wasn¡¯t going to off my self like you weaklings. I was going to kill everyone in this room.¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°No offense,¡± Rino shrugged.


    ¡°I¡ª¡± Nila began, ¡°I was going to kill you¡­ no offense.¡±


    Rino barked a laugh. ¡°I¡¯d like to see you try.¡±


    <hr>


    Then, Threnosh World


    PJ15 headed directly for the closest security station. Their power armor blended in with the dim surroundings.


    The city section wasn¡¯t dead like much of the areas they had crossed during their long, winding journey.


    Energy readings were close to 100% of expected usage.


    PJ15 noted that many facilities were in operation. Manufacturing and fabrication facilities. Nutrient production facilities. The massive birthing creche facility.


    It was only the lack of lighting that created an illusion of a dead area.


    There was one structure that wasn¡¯t in the city map.


    In place of a large transport landing and departure zone was an enormous, foreboding oval structure.


    PJ15 saw it clearly despite the kilometer or so distance.


    It was almost as large as the birthing creche and yet the structure appeared to be without a roof.


    Its purpose wasn¡¯t clear at first.


    They got a hint when they saw the Inheritors and corrupted taking the captured Brightstrike into the structure.


    PJ15 worked as fast as they could to reinitialize control of the security station.


    They were too slow.


    They were too late when they finally located Honor.


    He was also being led to the arena.


    Surveillance video was from a great distance and much detail was lost in the zoom function, but Honor appeared strange. He walked stiffly and his eyes stared ahead with a blank look in them.


    Dread filled PJ15 as they frantically redoubled their efforts to activate the combat drones in the security station and those in the scattered auxiliary locations.


    PJ15 desperately searched for a way to view what was happening inside the massive structure, but there was nothing.


    The command console beeped.


    Success!


    PJ15 immediately engaged the combat drones.


    Minutes.


    It would take minutes for them to initialize, roll out and begin attacking the corrupted and Inheritors.


    Time ran out.


    A bright beam of yellow light flared out of the oval structure. It stabbed up into the sky like a giant blade for a few seconds, before it winked out of existence.


    PJ15 stared at the surveillance feed in their faceplate.


    Silence.


    Their thoughts were silent.


    The near constant murmuring from their power armor had also ceased.


    Deep down they both knew what the light signaled.


    Minutes passed.


    A separate feed showed movement out of the structure.


    It was Honor.


    He was surrounded by corrupted and Inheritors as they led him away into a nearby lift.


    PJ15 jolted at the wordless voice in his head.


    It was correct.


    This was what they and Brightstrike had come here for.


    They consulted the map. The lift led to a dwelling facility just below street level. They knew where the enemy was keeping Honor.


    Projectile fire erupted all over the city section as the combat drones finally engaged the corrupted and Inheritors.


    PJ15 located an aerial transport shaft that led directly to the surface. It wasn¡¯t too far away.


    An hour if they used stealth.


    Less than fifteen minutes if they abandoned caution and flew directly.


    From there it was even less time to the surface and hopefully the chance to signal their location to the rest of their team.


    PJ15 hoped that their team was still strong enough to fight into the heart of the enemy and help them rescue Honor from captivity. It had been a long time and they weren¡¯t entirely certain how the battles on the surface had been going.


    PJ15 locked the command console before leaving. The enemy hadn¡¯t shown any proficiency or desire to utilize a majority of Threnosh technology, outside of the birthing creches, weapon and armor fabrication and basic nutrient production.


    Still, they didn¡¯t want the possibility of the combat drones being disabled or turned against them.


    PJ15 felt the structure shake before they heard the loud squealing sounds approaching.


    It took them a moment, but they realized that it was the sound of tearing metal.


    Massive gray fingers with bony protrusions at the knuckles plunged through the ceiling like paper and ripped it open with ease.


    Gyxdor dropped down and dented the metallic floor with its massive feet.


    ¡°You won¡¯t escape me this time,¡± the Inheritor rumbled.


    Gyxdor had to crouch to fit their head under the ceiling.


    The Inheritor loomed like a giant monster over PJ15¡¯s diminutive form.


    PJ15¡¯s power armor bristled. They felt the eagerness transmit clearly into their thoughts, but forced it away with some effort. They weren¡¯t here to fight. They had a Task to complete, which meant escape was the only path.


    ¡°Will you give me battle or will you use unworthy tricks and flee like you did last time?¡± Gyxdor laughed, a booming thing that caused PJ15¡¯s auditory protections to engage. ¡°I am tired of the lack of a proper fight. Your fire breathing ally had to resort to dropping me into a canyon when they couldn¡¯t take the beating any longer.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± PJ15 said flatly.


    Gyxdor frowned.


    ¡°Salamander being alive and in a position to provide battle are pieces of information that I did not have.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t matter,¡± Gyxdor shrugged. ¡°Not after I smash you to pulp.¡±


    Gyxdor snatched at PJ15 with surprising quickness for the Inheritor¡¯s massive bulk.


    Tendrils shot out of PJ15¡¯s back even quicker and pulled them out of reach.


    ¡°I must also give you further thanks¡ª¡± PJ15 shot a spear-like tendril out of their hand.


    Gyxdor blocked it with an upraised arm lest he lose an eye.


    ¡°¡ªfor creating a direct egress from this structure.¡±


    PJ15 used the momentary distraction to jump up and use Gyxdor as a platform to ascend up the hole in the ceiling.


    The Inheritor had left a gaping way that led directly outside.


    PJ15 transformed their boots into jets and scorched Gyxdor''s face on their way out.


    The Inheritor¡¯s outraged bellow followed PJ15 into the open.


    Once they were out in the clear wings sprouted from their back and they shot toward the huge shaft leading to the surface.


    Despite being one of the lowest levels in Orchestral Meridian City Section 12 was an enormous cavern with a ceiling that reached up close to 800 meters at the tallest point.


    It was essentially a small city in its own right.


    PJ15 flew into a thick, buzzing cloud that had appeared as if out of nowhere.


    Insects bit and stung, but they were no match for PJ15¡¯s power armor.


    The gray surface attacked with a mind of its own.


    Thousands of insects were stabbed, crushed and sliced as the power armor¡¯s surface writhed with outrage.


    PJ15 recalled the Inheritor with the ability to release and control insects.


    Tylox was the name.


    They felt the urge to search for the Inheritor and attack them in return.


    Once again they quashed the thought by focusing on their Task.


    They oriented themselves toward the aerial transport shaft as the last of the insects were brushed off the surface of their power armor.


    The entire city section below them was dim and dark, except for brief flashes of light when combat drones missed and their projectiles struck metallic walls.


    PJ15 didn¡¯t need proper lighting to see the chaos unfold far below them.


    Combat drones clashed with swarming masses of corrupted. They occasionally caught sight of unique Inheritors battling the drones. Unfortunately, those drones didn¡¯t fare as well as the former.


    PJ15 reached the huge transport shaft many minutes later. They landed on the side of the cylindrical shaft and started climbing. They didn¡¯t have enough energy to power their boot jets indefinitely. It¡¯d take time to recharge on its own.


    The proximity alert beeped.


    It was from the outer reach of its range.


    PJ15 looked down for a moment. Then climbed faster.


    Pursuit was only a few hundred meters below.


    Inheritors and corrupted climbed.


    There were so many.

 4.8

    Now, Threnosh World


    Corrupted rushed at Cal from all directions. The streets were full of them as they died in the dozens as they swarmed over the old-style tracked combat drones.


    The formerly Threnosh beings were a distorted mockery of their true nature.


    Gray skin was stretched taut on overly muscled bodies. Their fingers had lengthened, with nails turned into sharp and deadly claws. Their mouths had also lengthened and distended to allow them to use their sharp teeth as effective weapons.


    Cal used his telekinesis in a way he had never before.


    Ruthless efficiency was what he wanted.


    There was no time to waste on fodder.


    Mother Madrigal awaited inside the birthing creche facility.


    The corrupted swarmed.


    Cal crushed them into the street with invisible force as he stood motionless.


    He didn¡¯t even blink as their blood splattered towards him.


    It was a simple matter to wave them away with more telekinetic force.


    His Threnosh made full body suit remained pristine as he floated several feet off the ground toward the facility.


    Countless corrupted continued to swarm around him.


    They were torn apart as if they had dived head first into a blender.


    A circle of death swirled around Cal.


    A bloody trail many yards wide followed in his wake.


    Now¡­ you embrace your truth.


    The voice in his head.


    Mother Madrigal.


    He had thought the voice belonged to others over his long imprisonment. Acquaintances, friends and loved ones. People he cared about used to manipulate him into strengthening her Inheritors and¡ª


    ¡°You tricked me. Made me kill Brightstrike,¡± Cal said flatly.


    You blame another for the works your own hands have wrought.


    ¡°No, I blame myself, but you were the catalyst. You manipulated my perceptions, my mind.¡±


    Weakness leads to downfall. You are responsible for your capabilities. You chose your path. Chose to limit yourself. Thus¡­ death.


    ¡°Why? Why seek this violence? I know you. Thoughts aren¡¯t a one way street. They go both ways. You went in my head. I was in yours. You¡¯re a sapient being. Emotional and rational. You, me, the Threnosh, we aren¡¯t all that dissimilar in the end. Coexistence is possible. And yet¡ª¡±


    The spires demand conflict. Strength and power demand conflict. Rise or fall. There is no middle ground. We take or are taken from. Death is not the worst of fates. You have seen a mere speck of the immensity that is our existence.


    Cal wanted to refute the words, but he couldn¡¯t. Not after what he had glimpsed in Mother Madrigal¡¯s mind.


    She was closer to an eldritch being or a some kind of dark god, but he saw the threads of sapience within her. Whispers and hints of desires and fears. Her motivations weren¡¯t so different. Squint and she was almost human in that regard.


    The thought brought on a wave of despair that had Cal suddenly drop to the ground. His telekinesis momentarily disrupted by the lack of concentration.


    The corrupted howled and charged with glee.


    Cal hit them with an explosive telekinetic shockwave that violently thrust them hundreds of feet away.


    He continued to walk toward the birthing creche facility, which resembled one of those super factories or warehouses back on Earth.


    ¡°No more tricks,¡± Cal said. ¡°The world with you in control is not the one I want to live in or for those I care about.¡±


    Lesser beings tell themselves lies. Truth is held by the powerful.


    Cal stopped a few hundred feet away from the huge facility. Its metallic walls sloped slightly like the side of a pyramid as it rose up. The darkness added an ominous quality to the way it loomed over Cal.


    He felt small.


    He reached his hands toward the structure.


    ¡°That¡¯s the thing about motivations. I can have several. I told no lies. You¡¯re existence is inimical to the world that must be.¡± Cal sunk hundreds if not thousands of telekinetic fingers into the structure¡¯s outer wall. ¡°Your death is central to the two things that motivates me. What I have spoken of¡­ and what I want. Safety for those I care about and¡ª,¡± his voice hardened, ¡°revenge.¡±


    Cal pulled with the power of his mind.


    Blood leaked from his nose as the structure¡¯s metallic walls began to buckle out toward his outstretched hands.


    A birthing creche facility was the single most important structure in Threnosh society. They had built it to the height of strength and durability that their considerable technology expertise was capable of.


    The strain grew, but Cal powered through it.


    The Mother¡¯s discordant sound struck, but it was weaker, less focused than it had been at any other time prior.


    Cal¡¯s telepathic walls shook, but held firm.


    A loud squeal, like a dying animal¡¯s, filled the air as the meter¡¯s thick metallic wall started to fracture and tear at a hundred different places.


    ¡°You can¡¯t hide from me,¡± Cal said through grit teeth as he gave it one last pull.


    A huge swath of wall came loose in huge chunks to reveal the interior of the structure.


    More corrupted crouched ready inside. Inheritors in the dozens were scattered amidst the thousands of birthing pods.


    Cal knew that the pods contained unborn corrupted or perhaps more Inheritors.


    You would destroy life before it begins?


    ¡°Your fate is sealed, Mother Madrigal¡­ but I will consent to allow your corrupted and Inheritors to leave with the promise of immediate and complete cessation of hostilities with the Threnosh. I promise to mediate negotiations for a fair and peaceful arrangement of coexistence. If that is not possible then, maybe I can take your children to another world. As you have shown me. There are more of those than I can comprehend.¡±


    Infinite.


    ¡°Do you agree to my offer?¡±


    No.


    Cal let the guilt wash away. He sent an overwhelming wave off telekinetic force into the open side of the structure. Corrupted, Inheritors, birthing pods, every bit of machinery for hundreds of feet in front of him was cut, pierced or bludgeoned. Nothing was spared.


    Some of the Inheritors survived. Those with abilities that enhanced their durability, quick enough to take cover and let others blunt the damage, or possessed even more esoteric abilities, still stood.


    Cal could see their minds. He imagined them as strong flames, more torch than candle. They shined bright and waved in the wind. Their thoughts, hopes, desires and fears everything that meant they were alive.


    He reached out with his telepathy.


    To call it that was limiting. He was capable of so much more with that half of his power set. The possibilities truly scared him.


    Like he had said. He had seen into the Mother¡¯s mind. He couldn¡¯t deny the similarities.


    That¡¯s why her song was able to reach out and infect him from such a great distance. Her power and skill made it so that he couldn¡¯t recognize the mental invasion for what it was.


    Cal reached into the Inheritor¡¯s minds. He imagined their flames shrinking from torches to candles. He saw his hands reach out and snuff the tiny flame.


    The Inheritor¡¯s dropped as one, like puppets without strings they flopped bonelessly to the floor.


    NOOOOO!


    The screech was like a broken violin string. It temporarily brought Cal to one knee as blood began to stream out of every orifice in his head.


    My children!


    It was a banshee wail that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere, but solely focused in Cal¡¯s mind.


    ¡°You chose your path,¡± Cal said through grit teeth, ¡°you are responsible.¡±


    The wail continued.


    A brokenhearted mother¡¯s cry.


    It sounded heartrendingly sad, but Cal knew it to be an obscenity.


    The wail suddenly stopped.


    Cal rose to his feet.


    You do not have sole claim to vengeance.


    The Mother¡¯s voice was calm and clear in Cal¡¯s mind.


    Cal rose in the air.


    The dark interior of the facility beckoned.


    He drifted forward slightly as if to enter the depths. To face the beast in its lair.


    He stopped.


    ¡°Wait¡­ you actually care about them. This mother thing isn¡¯t just an act. In your own way, you care.¡± Cal sensed the truth. He reached out with his thoughts. There were many Inheritors scattered all over the city section. Fighting with combat drones. The largest group was further away climbing a shaft to the surface.


    Pursuing¡­


    Cal smiled.


    ¡°You should¡¯ve agreed¡­ if only for your children¡¯s sake.¡±


    Cal shot away into the air with a loud boom.


    PJ15 needed help. He couldn¡¯t ignore that just for his own vengeance.


    Mother Madrigal tore her way out of the depths of the birthing creche facility.


    Cal spared her a brief glance back.


    She flew in his wake. Her cloak of skin with hands along their edges was unfurled and propelled her forward like wings.


    The Mother was enormous, fifteen feet tall, like statue of flesh come to life.


    The sight didn¡¯t make sense from a scientific standpoint, but that was expected since the spires appeared.


    Cal heard her song in his head. It didn¡¯t emanate from her hood-shrouded face. That was a black void. There was no hint to what it concealed.


    The sound was filled with overwhelming desperation and a building rage.


    Good, Cal thought, I do to you as you did to me.


    He sent a telepathic spike into the Mother¡¯s thoughts.


    She brushed it aside.


    He ripped up the street surface and structure walls beneath him and sent them scything at her in jagged pieces.


    She slapped them aside with impossibly long and thin arms.


    Cal ripped through the air as fast a jet, yet Mother Madrigal somehow kept close.


    They covered the distance to the transport shaft in a matter of minutes.


    Cal zipped through the large, oval-shaped opening. He spun and faced the rapidly approaching Mother Madrigal.


    He grunted with effort as he collapsed the tunnel.


    Dust from over a decade of disuse erupted with the rest of the debris in a great cloud that filled the entire circumference of the shaft.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    Cal zoomed up out of the cloud. He could see light streaming down from the opening at the surface thousands of feet up.


    Tiny forms crawled up the side of the shaft. They looked like ants in the distance.


    PJ15 crawled up the side of the shaft, while Inheritors and many more corrupted chased closely behind.


    The air spun and shook in Cal¡¯s wake. Whipping winds threatened everyone climbing up the shaft.


    An Inheritor with voluminous sacs on their back shot super-heated gas from a pair of holes in the palms of their hands.


    The attack splashed harmlessly against Cal¡¯s telekinetic shield.


    He spun away from more attacks.


    Sharp spikes, caustic liquids and different elements lanced out from the Inheritors.


    Cal zipped by them all.


    He reached PJ15 and the corrupted just below the Threnosh.


    He swiped a hand across the space contemptuously. A large swath of corrupted were brushed off the wall like dust.


    Cal reached a hand out to PJ15. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    PJ15 shot a long tendril out from their hand.


    Cal took it and pulled the Threnosh up behind him as he flew toward the distant sunlight.


    Hundreds of meters passed by in seconds.


    Cal felt a tickle on the edge of his thoughts which turned into a screech that had a new batch of blood stream out of his head holes. He stopped and reversed course instinctively just as the side of the wall erupted out in a spray of dirt, rocks and metal.


    Mother Madrigal reached out with her long, sinewy arms.


    Cal pushed them away with a thought. He spun around the Mother. The hands on the edge of her flesh cloak grabbed at him and PJ15.


    Forceful shoves of telekinetic force kept them off Cal. While PJ15 struck them aside with tendrils erupting from all over the surface of their power armor.


    Cal whipped PJ15 up toward the hole in the sky. It was still so small. So far away. ¡°You go. I¡¯m going to finish this.¡±


    PJ15¡¯s face became visible as their helmet¡¯s faceplate retracted.


    Their words were lost in the wind as Cal used his telekinesis to hurl the Threnosh away.


    PJ15 shot up like a missile.


    Cal was so intent on making sure they made it that he almost didn¡¯t notice the rush of movement from the gaping hole in the wall that the Mother had made.


    Corrupted¡­ winged ones.


    Cal cursed as a dozen or more swarmed around him and buffeted him with their bat-like wings as they took flight after PJ15.


    He reached out and clawed his fingers through the skin-like flap connecting the corrupted¡¯s wrist to lower leg.


    The corrupted screeched in protest.


    Cal pulled it down and sent it shooting down at the Mother, where she clung to the wall.


    The Mother caught her child, but the impact broke it.


    She wailed, but let the dead corrupted drop before she launched herself up at Cal.


    Cal tried to keep her back, but the Mother powered through his telekinesis.


    Half a dozen hands grabbed him and wrapped him up in the Mother¡¯s flesh cloak.


    The warmth and feeling of comfort it brought him made Cal shout in panic.


    Not again.


    Never again.


    Cal kept his thoughts in his control even as the two of them plummeted down the shaft toward darkness.


    <hr>


    Honor had gotten PJ15 up most of the way to the lift shaft exit. They had to crawl up the wall the last few dozen meters.


    A variant group of corrupted was closing quickly. They were flight capable, but not particularly fast. PJ15 scanned their flight speed in a direct climb as roughly the same as a baseline infantry soldier¡¯s maximum run speed.


    PJ15 had a sizable lead.


    Now that they were at the surface they tried to reach base camp on the comms.


    Nothing, but the same interference.


    They crested the lip of the opening and pulled themselves up and immediately engaged their boot jets. Their energy had regenerated enough for one powerful burst.


    The boost shot PJ15 into the open sky hundreds of meters. Wings erupted from their back at the apex of their ascent. They aimed their gliding flight toward a thousand meter tall tower in the distance.


    Orchestral Meridian¡¯s central tower gave PJ15 their best chance at contacting the rest of their team. Either the distance height provided would allow them to escape the reach of Mother Madrigal¡¯s interference. Or they could attempt to create visual means to draw the notice of their team.


    PJ15 hit the sleek, metallic side of the massive tower a few minutes later. They started climbing. Their power armor¡¯s ability to adhere to nearly any surface allowed a rapid ascent. They didn¡¯t need to look back to know that the flying corrupted were coming.


    They climbed the tower.


    A hundred meters in less than a minute.


    The corrupted¡¯s screeching reached their ear holes without enhancement.


    Their comms began to crackle with static.


    PJ15 climbed higher, faster.


    ¡°PJ15 to base, I have located Honor. Attempting to transmit last known location. Reinforce with all haste.¡±


    PJ15 set their words to repeat as they continued to climb.


    They did a calculation.


    They could go no higher. They were exposed on the side of the tower. The flying corrupted could swarm them with ease.


    PJ15 spied an open area several dozen meters to their right.


    A landing area for aerial vehicles.


    It was their only option for a place to fight from.


    They shot a tendril across the gap and swung down to land without a sound.


    The surface of their power armor bristled with spikes and tendrils with a mind of its own as the flying swarm approached.


    PJ15 regretted dropping their projectile weapons.


    The static continued to crackle over the comms.


    PJ15 pushed it out of their mind. They focused on the fight.


    A proximity alert pinged in their helmet.


    A quick shift of focus showed a small 3D projection of the surrounding area in one corner of PJ15¡¯s faceplate.


    Small objects were converging on his location.


    Drones?


    Their physical profile wasn¡¯t like the drones PJ15 was familiar with, but the signals they emitted¡­


    One hovered into view.


    It was a drone.


    It hovered on a similar anti-gravity unit as the standard for the different types of aerial drones.


    PJ15 didn¡¯t recognize it.


    The drone emitted a signal that had PJ15 wince at the harsh sound in their helmet. Curiously, their auditory protections didn¡¯t engage.


    More drones appeared and spread out around PJ15


    All the while the flying corrupted drew closer.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    A voice spoke over the comms.


    A voice that PJ15 hadn¡¯t expected. The speaker was supposed to be part of another operation hundreds of kilometers away.


    ¡°We are currently facing heavy enemy assault across our controlled city sections. I am sending what reinforcements I can. Vanguards are inbound on your position. A strike team will be dispatched to Honor¡¯s last coordinates,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°Send a quick recharge unit to my location. My presence will be necessary. Designation: Mother Madrigal is accompanied by no less than 12 Inheritors and hundreds of corrupted.¡±


    ¡°Strike team will route to your position first. Status on Brightstrike? I do not detect their signal.¡±


    ¡°Brightstrike was killed in action against the enemy. They provided the crucial opportunity to locate Honor and strike at the heart of enemy territory,¡± PJ15 said flatly. ¡°We must triumph and complete the Task¡­ for Brightstrike.¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°We will,¡± Frequency said solemnly. ¡°We will not fail.¡±


    <hr>


    Vanguard Blazer Ecoria 70 had just emptied their micro missile pack into a mass of corrupted to allow the small squad of infantry soldiers to retreat toward a fortified position when they received new orders. Below the vanguard combat drones rolled forward into the gap that they had just cleared. The drones would kill corrupted in droves before they were inevitably overwhelmed.


    The vanguard¡¯s rose red and brass colored power armor glinted in the sunlight as they rolled to ditch their empty missile pack. Their anti-gravity units whined in protest as they banked tightly to orient themselves toward PJ15¡¯s coordinates. They added the thrusters in the palms of their gauntlets to those in their boots for extra speed. They were going to need it to get there in time.


    Vanguard Zeljanz 31 was a metallic blue and gray streak through the narrow city streets. They were only a few meters off the ground due to this particular city section being below surface level. Corrupted contacts beeped in their proximity alert system. The twisted monstrosities were all over the place.


    The vanguard had cause to regret utilizing the optimum path to the target location. In retrospect, they should¡¯ve sought clear skies at the cost of greater overall distance to travel.


    The micro missile pack attached to their back disrupted their aerodynamic profile and slowed them down, made them less agile.


    A small group of corrupted loomed ahead in the darkness.


    Their targeting system fed instructions into their faceplate. They raised their open palms and aligned them to target. They fired bursts of battering force. The same force that provided the thrust for flight punched the corrupted aside and allowed the vanguard to zoom through.


    The vanguard power armor was second only to the elites in terms of overall power. However, they were woefully underpowered without additional weapon packs, like the micro missile battery. Speed and maneuverability was what they needed to rely on against more powerful opponents.


    Vanguard Zeljanz 31 finally hit a shaft to the surface. They zoomed in and up without slowing. They were in blessedly clear skies seconds later. ¡°I am en route to PJ15¡¯s location. I do not see Vanguard Blazer Ecoria 70 on sensors.¡±


    ¡°Be advised, Designation: Mother Madrigal¡¯s interference is still in effect. Sensors and communications will remain impacted until further notice. Vanguard Blazer Ecoria 70 is en route. You will reach the target location approximately eight seconds ahead of them,¡± Communicator Dreylox 7193¡¯s voice crackled over the comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Vanguard Zeljanz 31 could already see the swarm of flying corrupted with the maximum magnification view in their faceplate.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    ¡°It¡¯s a straight up fort,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Nah, dude more like a castle,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°What kind of castle¡¯s got machine gun emplacements?¡± Mads said.


    ¡°So¡­ like a bunker?¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Shhh,¡± Gene said. ¡°Keisha and Hanna are glaring at us.¡±


    The group was inside what was once a donut bakery. There were more of them scattered in different buildings all around their target.


    Their target being the cult¡¯s fort that stood over the entrance leading to the Deep Azure¡¯s tunnels underneath the bay.


    ¡°Do you want me to go over and shut them up?¡± Keisha said.


    ¡°Nah¡­ they¡¯re just scared shitless,¡± Hanna said.


    Keisha shrugged. ¡°So¡¯s everyone else.¡±


    ¡°Not everyday you storm a fucking castle with machine guns,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°How come you¡¯re cool then? I used to compete in college, got nerves every time. Puked half the time too. Ain¡¯t anyone I competed against that didn¡¯t show the same nerves. I know the look. I¡¯m not seeing it in you. You stormed a castle before?¡± Keisha raised a brow.


    ¡°Nah¡­ well¡­¡± Hanna mulled it over. ¡°There was this militia camp once. Chain-link fence and barb wire,¡± she looked out at the window to the fort, ¡°a little different.¡±


    ¡°Waiting was always the worst,¡± Keisha glanced over at Nila, ¡°just wanted to get my throws up.¡±


    ¡°Sooner is better,¡± Hanna agreed.


    Nila stood at the window with Veronica and Megan.


    ¡°How much longer?¡± Veronica whined.


    Nila stared across several hundred yards of cleared landscape.


    The cult had torn down everything, mostly commercial structures around the tall concrete wall, to give clear fields of fire and deprive attackers of cover.


    ¡°What if those other weredogs show up?¡± Megan glanced at Veronica.


    Veronica tsked. ¡°C¡¯mon, Mom! Me and Aunt Nila totally beat that guy up. If they show up again, we¡¯ve got it covered.¡±


    ¡°Veronica,¡± Megan glared. ¡°Take this seriously. This isn¡¯t a game. This is dangerous.¡±


    ¡°I know that,¡± Veronica rolled her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯re going to get Dad and Tessa back. Then we¡¯ll crush the stupid fish cult,¡± she pounded a fist in her hand.


    Eyes swung in Veronica¡¯s direction at the loud sound.


    Megan and Nila sighed.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Veronica mouthed.


    ¡°I¡¯m serious about the other two weredogs, the men. If they show up we¡¯re in trouble. We need Rino and Karen to handle the bulk of the cultists so we can get into the tunnel. If they have to stalemate the other weredogs¡­¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll get bogged down with the cultists and, or, the weredogs will tear through the rest of us,¡± Nila said after a moment. ¡°I think we¡¯ll be okay on that front. Rino said that the guy weredogs will probably be on the shelf for a day or two.¡±


    ¡°But I thought you said they healed quickly,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°Except they have limits. Too much damage, too quickly and it¡¯ll take longer,¡± Nila said.


    Nila felt the comforting weight of her twenty pound metal bat in her hand. The thought that she found it comforting bothered her.


    ¡°Will it ever end?¡±


    ¡°Huh? Aunt Nila, are you okay?¡± Veronica didn¡¯t sense any weird brain shenanigans like earlier, but there was a weird look on her aunt¡¯s face.


    ¡°One crisis to another. One monster to another. Ten years of this¡­ what¡¯s the point.¡±


    ¡°Nila¡­ you¡¯re scaring Veronica,¡± Megan tried to pull Veronica behind her.


    The super strong teenager didn¡¯t budge.


    Nila blinked. ¡°Sorry¡­ I¡¯m feeling a little weird¡­ unmoored, I guess.¡±


    ¡°You have to get your head in the game,¡± Veronica said. She remembered the man who had liked to say that. ¡°It¡¯s been ten years. That means Uncle Cal can come back from the gray aliens¡¯ world!¡± she said brightly.


    Nila blinked again.


    The dark clouds in her mind parted enough that Veronica¡¯s words reached her and most importantly, she understood.


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Nila smiled.


    A darker voice whispered in the back of her mind.


    That Cal hadn¡¯t sent a message back in quite some time. That his last message had spoken of some grand undertaking in a dead city.


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Nila repeated with conviction. ¡°And if he doesn¡¯t then I¡¯ll go up world myself.¡±


    ¡°Yeah!¡± Veronica cheered. ¡°It¡¯d be cool to see another planet full of tiny Iron Men.¡±


    Nila smiled.


    Things felt just a bit lighter, especially considering the violence and possible death that loomed. She hadn¡¯t been wrong. This wasn¡¯t the life any rational person would pick if given the choice.


    The light continued to wane as the sun completed its descent to the west.


    Their timing had to be as close to perfect as possible.


    Two targets.


    Two different groups.


    Further the cult¡¯s disarray, force them to react to two separate places. City Hall was one. The fort before them was the other.


    It was difficult to work out a way to coordinate with all forms of long range communication not functioning, which was clearly a result of deliberate measures by the Deep Azure.


    It was until a Detective had pointed out that a Vampire had ways to monitor things across the city. Something like a weredog¡¯s loud howl.


    ¡°There¡¯s the signal,¡± Nila said.


    Someone in the shop started to count.


    Nila saw two large shapes out in the darkness loping across the distance to the fort walls.


    It was wrong for someone so large and fast to also be so quiet.


    The cultists manning the machine guns didn¡¯t have a chance.


    ¡°Thirty,¡± Hanna said. ¡°C¡¯mon people! Let¡¯s kick some cultist ass!¡±


    Nila grabbed her shield and bat-like club and burst right through the large front glass window.


    Only Veronica kept up. Despite Megan shouting for her to stay close.


    The rest trailed in their wake.


    Move forward. That was all Nila could do for now.

 4.9

    Now, Earth


    An emergency leadership team meeting was trouble. It had been bad news back before the spires when Barry was management, now it was potentially fatal news.


    The city hall conference room wasn¡¯t full. There were as many empty seats around the table as filled.


    The true believers had taken to calling the room, The Sanctum.


    Barry thought that was stupid, but the Deep Azure seemed to approve, which meant the Scions did by extension.


    It was impossible to truly know what the powerful entity thought. Its communication was a rare thing, reserved only for those that had advanced deep into its worship. Even then, one only received strange feelings, impressions and images in their dreams. Or were they actually nightmares?


    Barry shuddered involuntarily. He had been only blessed a few times by the Deep Azure. Brief touches as he slept. He would never, could never, forget the experience. No matter how much he wished.


    Fear filled Barry.


    Mistakes had been made over the last few days.


    The Scions of the Deep Azure dealt harshly with failure and there could be no doubt that there was a lot of that to go around.


    They had finally given the order to take care of the Resistance once and for all. They had trusted the human believers to handle it.


    Barry hadn¡¯t agreed. The Resistance was mostly harmless. Vandalism and property damage was the worst of what they did. He thought that they gave malcontents an outlet without pushing them toward real violence. Even so, he had kept silent on the matter. The Scions had spoken and despite Laura¡¯s proclamations that the Deep Azure saw the Scions and humans as equally partners, the mask had slipped. The truth had been revealed.


    Not that Barry had bought into that bullshit. Oh, he had bought in fully, but that was because he decided to go with the lesser evil.


    The Deep Azure had brought safety and a return to normalcy for the surviving people of San Francisco.


    Barry wondered if he had made a terrible mistake.


    He was trapped now and he couldn¡¯t see a way out.


    ¡°What do you have to say for yourself, Cordelia?¡±


    The temperature of the cult¡¯s inner sanctum seemed to drop precipitously. Several people shivered and hugged themselves as they tried to avoid Laura¡¯s gaze.


    The sharply-dressed young woman didn¡¯t blink. She sat straight and tall in her chair. Head held high, chin up. ¡°I¡¯ve already provided a detailed report. I¡¯m in the process of gathering more information. I don¡¯t have anything else to add at this time.¡±


    Barry noted that Cordelia¡¯s eyes were fixed on a point on the wall above and behind Laura¡¯s head.


    The old woman slowly brought her hand up. The sleeves of her magical robe fell back to reveal a fair-skinned arm.


    Barry remembered it had been wrinkled and covered in liver spots once. Those had slowly disappeared, while the skin smoothed as Laura had advanced deeper into the Deep Azure. The change was most striking in her face.


    Laura was close to eighty years old when they had struck their bargain. That had been roughly six years ago. Now she looked two decades younger.


    Barry unconsciously touched the scars on his face. Courtesy of monsters and mutant animals. The pain in his joints seemed to call out. Decades old souvenirs of an athletic young man that grew up in an era when proper stretching and recovery measures weren¡¯t understood.


    It could all be fixed, reversed.


    All he had to do was put in more service. More devotion.


    Barry was jolted from his thoughts by Laura¡¯s hand slapping down on the table.


    ¡°Not good enough. We need to have answers for why our operation to eradicate the Resistance failed. Why we have yet to bring the Scions what they want. You say that you have nothing? Then, perhaps I will tell them that failure is on your head. It¡¯s due to the traitorous actions of two of your dogs that we¡¯re in this position.¡±


    ¡°Once Chance and Scott have recovered from their injuries, we will track Rino, Karen and the rest down,¡± Cordelia said stiffly.


    Barry wasn¡¯t sure that the young woman believed her own words.


    ¡°Does it matter?¡± Barry said, mostly to take the pressure off Cordelia. ¡°I mean, their elite-level people are clearly more powerful than ours. Rino and Kare cancel out Chance and Scott.¡±


    ¡°If I may?¡± Rupert raised a hand.


    Barry suppressed a scowl and nodded.


    The fat man opened a binder and thumbed through the pages. ¡°Nila Chen: Enhanced strength, speed, durability, but not to the extent that her skin is bullet proof. Hanna Gozen: likely a sword-based combat class. Reports suggest Skills with her swords, as well as the probability that she also has several enhanced physical passives. I believe these two can be overwhelmed by superior numbers. Moving on,¡± Rupert thumb to another page, ¡°Bennett: Last name unknown, suspected Vampire. Whether this is a Class or something else is also unknown. Survivor reports indicate superhuman speed and strength, as well as the ability to move through shadows. I suspect our people being swarmed by rats, mutant and normal, during the sewer operation may have been his doing. Very dangerous. Does he have the traditional vampire vulnerability to sunlight?¡±


    ¡°The lack of daytime sightings suggest so,¡± Cordelia said.


    ¡°And last, but definitely not least. Veronica Cruces: Enhanced strength and speed, comparable to Nila Chen, but as the girl appears to be a teenager, further growth is probable. Her skin is bullet proof tough. Crucially, she has displayed an ability to somehow induce seizures in our people. Even in the Scions.¡±


    ¡°Is that confirmed?¡± Barry said. ¡°I was under the impression that it wasn¡¯t.¡±


    Rupert nodded. ¡°The how isn¡¯t, but I believe we can safely operate on this assumption unless otherwise proven.¡±


    ¡°Aspirants and Touched aren¡¯t on their level. Especially the last two,¡± Barry said. ¡°It might be time to admit that we¡¯ve made some missteps,¡± he carefully chose his words, ¡°we¡¯ve lost many people. How much longer can we sustain a conflict? Malachi has the destructive power to threaten them with his eye beams, but he is vulnerable.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a glass cannon and he still has a concussion from dropping a roof on himself. He can¡¯t stand up without puking. He¡¯s not fighting,¡± Cordelia said.


    ¡°I have similar concerns,¡± Rupert said hesitantly as his eyes briefly darted to Laura.


    ¡°This table is a free place. As I have said the only bad idea is the one not shared,¡± Laura said.


    ¡°I¡¯m still unclear as to what happened at the Resistance base, Agent Bratt¡¯s house. We had people ready to go, but something weird happened and by the time they woke up and raided the place it was empty,¡± Rupert said.


    ¡°That loser,¡± Mitch snorted. ¡°Ineffective relic of the old order, best he could do was get a bunch of kids to spray paint stupid slogans and break a few windows. That¡¯s why we should¡¯ve taken them all at the start. Give them the same choices as everyone else. Pay to play. If they don¡¯t like it then they could leave.¡±


    Barry ignored the old man.


    Mitch had been out of touch before the spires. He had been all-in with man being the master of his own destiny thinking. The Deep Azure had finally provided him with concrete evidence that the ideology actually worked. Like Laura, Mitch had shaved decades off his appearance in exchange for complete devotion.


    Barry knew that Mitch hadn¡¯t considered the trade offs.


    ¡°Yeah. My understanding was that Scions were supposed to perform a ritual to make it easy for us to capture them,¡± Barry said.


    Laura¡¯s gaze sharpened almost imperceptibly. ¡°That is privileged information.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ we¡¯re the leadership council?¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, Barry, that may be true, but not all of us are as close to the Deep Azure as some,¡± Laura said.


    ¡°So, you know, but no one else?¡± Mitch scowled.


    ¡°That¡¯s important information,¡± Rupert said.


    ¡°Yeah, it might be useful for my job,¡± Cordelia said.


    Murmurs circled through the rest of the table.


    Laura raised a hand for silence. ¡°It¡¯s not my call.¡±


    Which meant the information blackout was from the Scions or the Deep Azure. Both troubling possibilities for Barry.


    ¡°How close are you with Remy Cruces?¡± Barry decided to prod the dragon.


    ¡°I¡¯m proceeding within my expectations,¡± Laura said. Her tone suggested further questions weren¡¯t welcome.


    The strange surface of her robe swirled and Barry found that he had lost the will to know more.


    ¡°What about that other Cruces girl, Tessa?¡± Mitch said. ¡°I was told to prepare a proper cell for her, but that was days ago and then nothing. After you had me rushing to get it done.¡±


    ¡°Again, not my place to share,¡± Laura said.


    Mitch¡¯s jaw tensed, but he gave her a nod.


    ¡°We have an enemy force loose in the middle of our city. I don¡¯t believe I need to emphasize how this needs to be solved immediately. However, not all news is bad. I received word an hour ago that our efforts to undermine our enemies up river have finally born fruit. It appears that we will soon welcome others into the arms of the Deep Azure,¡± Laura smiled.


    The others around the table did the same. Some more genuine than others.


    Barry gave a tight smile. He couldn¡¯t fake it.


    A phone suddenly rang.


    It was Laura¡¯s.


    ¡°Excuse me,¡± she stood and left the room to take the call.


    The inner council sat in silence. They had no idea how long it¡¯d take for Laura to return. No one wanted to be caught talking when she did.


    It reminded Barry of those old board room meetings. He didn¡¯t fail to see the irony that for all that had changed some things remained the same. He had traded in one set of soul devouring masters for another. This one was, perhaps, more literal.


    Laura returned with a worried look on her face. It was rare for the serene mask she wore to drop. ¡°The Bastion is under attack.¡±


    Before Barry could process Laura¡¯s words he heard a muffled pop pop pop.


    He immediately recognized the gunfire coming from outside.


    ¡°So are we,¡± Barry said. He reached for his gun, but remembered that weapons weren¡¯t allowed inside the Sanctum. The others believed weapons in this place polluted it. Stupid. People could cast spells and those that had the Fleshcraft ability were walking weapons.


    Barry scrambled for the door. He was defenseless without his gun.


    In his hurry, he failed to notice one of the shadows move.


    <hr>


    Rino reached the top of the wall in one leap. The cultist manning the machine gun didn¡¯t have time to scream as Rino slashed his throat and tossed the body back the way she came. She broke the machine gun off its mount and headed for the next sentry.


    Kare was doing the same on the other end of the wall.


    The plan was for them to clear the sentries on top then meet at the gate to open it for the others.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    They completed the grim task perfectly as they silenced the sentries one by one.


    The weredogs pulled the gate open just as Nila and Veronica reached it. The rest of the group trailed a good distance behind.


    As soon as the rest caught up they split their force in two groups.


    There were two places where the bulk of the fort¡¯s defenders would be located at this time. One was the mess hall and the other was the barracks.


    According to the Resistance¡¯s intelligence most of the defenders lived in their own homes in the city when not on guard duty. A smaller group stayed in the fort at all times and was rotated out in weekly intervals.


    The cult operation against the Resistance had pulled a lot of their manpower away from the fort.


    Nila hoped that¡¯d make it easier to secure, so that they could search for the tunnel entrance without added problems.


    Her hopes were dashed by the ringing alarms.


    ¡°How did they know!¡± Veronica groaned.


    ¡°Deep Azure, I think I felt something,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t,¡± Veronica grumbled.


    Nila didn¡¯t feel a presence shadowing her mind, but that didn¡¯t really mean it wasn¡¯t there. Watching and waiting to strike.


    ¡°Can¡¯t be helped,¡± Hanna said. ¡°Time to get violent.¡±


    Megan scowled at the tall, athletic woman.


    They were already close to the barracks, so Hanna sprinted for the entrance. She got there at the same time that a cultist came rushing out. She stabbed the surprised woman in the stomach then withdrew her long sword and slashed the woman¡¯s throat in two blinks of the eye.


    ¡°I¡¯ll hold this door! Get the other ones!¡± Hanna brought her shield up to block a tentacle shooting out of the doorway.


    ¡°Keisha, Max and Alexa, get that one,¡± Nila pointed toward the door on the west side of the barracks. ¡°I¡¯ll get the one on the other side. The rest of you take cover and provide back up if needed.¡±


    Nila didn¡¯t have time for Veronica¡¯s protests. She tossed her heavy shield up on the roof before jumping and pulling herself up. It was quicker to head to the last door in a straight line. Nila sprinted across the roof and leapt down on top of a handful of cultists that had already exited the barracks.


    She landed on them heavily with her solid, metal shield.


    Broken bones everywhere.


    She clubbed them all into unconsciousness or death. The possibility was clear in her mind, but she didn¡¯t have time to be squeamish. Reflection on her actions would have to wait for when their lives weren¡¯t in peril.


    The fight wasn¡¯t much of one in the end.


    The cultists were running on a skeleton crew. Fifteen men and women were in the barracks. They tried, but weren¡¯t on Hanna and Nila¡¯s level.


    Keisha, Max and Alexa had a tougher time against their bunch, but they won too.


    They restrained the living ones and headed to the imposing steel double door that led into the main building of the fort. Presumably, they¡¯d find the entrance to the undersea tunnels inside.


    The second group, led by the weredogs met them there.


    Nila saw and smelled the blood that liberally dotted the weredogs fur. She couldn¡¯t help but count a few of their number missing.


    ¡°There were twenty cultists in the mess hall,¡± a soldier from Sacramento said.


    Nila didn¡¯t recognize the man.


    ¡°They did most of the work,¡± he gestured to the monstrous weredogs, ¡°but we still lost three. We¡¯re just lucky that the garrison isn¡¯t at full strength.¡±


    Nila nodded.


    Their entire group numbered twenty at the start, now seventeen. The bulk of the state government soldiers and the Resistance¡¯s best fighter types had gone to the feint at city hall with Bennett, Detective Ordonez, Jake and Agent Bratt.


    ¡°I think your part here is done. You¡¯ve done more than enough. Head back to the safe zone,¡± Nila said.


    The soldier exchanged a glance with the rest of his troops. ¡°Sorry, ma¡¯am, but we¡¯re seeing this through to the end. Can¡¯t turn back now. After everything. We owe it to our brothers and sisters that didn¡¯t make it this far.¡±


    Nila turned to the handful of Resistance members. ¡°You¡¯re clear to go home.¡±


    ¡°Home? We don¡¯t have homes. Not since the spires appeared. Then when the Scions took over. We¡¯re not fighters, but we¡¯ll do our best. You¡¯re basically our only chance at this point,¡± one of the Resistance said with a voice that trembled.


    The young man managed to look Nila in the eyes.


    ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s get the doors open,¡± Nila said.


    It took a few minutes, but Rino and Kare gouged out enough metal to provide handholds.


    Nila and Veronica each took a side. The weredogs did the same.


    Rino loomed over Nila. The sound of air going in and out of the weredog¡¯s massive lungs filled Nila with anxiety. It reminded her that a giant super predator was inches away from her back.


    The doors groaned in protest as the four tried to pull it open.


    It would¡¯ve been easier if the cult had placed the hinges on the inside. Then they could¡¯ve pushed.


    The doors opened a few inches.


    Nila saw a thick, wooden beam above her head. They had a barricade bar.


    A soft hum tickled Nila¡¯s ears, while metal flashed in the corner of her eye.


    The barricade bar suddenly split right in the middle.


    The metal bars running from the bottom of the doors into the ground protested, but eventually bent under the super strength of four individuals.


    The doors swung open to reveal a torch lit space that resembled a hotel front lobby if one was going for the haunted aesthetic.


    Statues and carvings decorated the walls. Frescoes were on floor and ceiling.


    Nila eye¡¯s didn¡¯t linger on them. The strange images felt wrong and unsettled her.


    Besides she had other things to focus on.


    Three cultists stood at the back of the large space, near another door.


    One was an elderly man in a robe of deep blue and black.


    The other two were dressed in rags and stared down at the floor with slumped shoulders.


    ¡°My name is David,¡± the elderly, robed cultist began with a smile.


    ¡°Where is the entrance to the tunnel?¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Just because the world changed doesn¡¯t mean we descend into barbarity. Manners and class are still important. Then again your kind was always lacking in that regard,¡± David said.


    Nila didn¡¯t rise to the bait.


    ¡°We¡¯re not playing around. Last chance,¡± Nila said.


    The cultist gave her a smug smile. ¡°That¡¯s something we have in common. This is your last chance. Accept the Deep Azure into your lives and live in safety and peace.¡±


    ¡°Not interested, creeper,¡± Veronica said. She was ready to blast the man¡¯s brain. The three cultists gave off a familiar vibe, but she couldn¡¯t quite remember why.


    Nila brandished her bat.


    ¡°Ungrateful. Your sort was always ungrateful for what this country gave you. Undeserving. You are all undeserving. Always have been,¡± David said. He laid a hand on each of the men by his sides and started chanting in a language that didn¡¯t belong on their world.


    Alexa screamed. ¡°My sense is going off! Some kind of spell! Stop him!¡±


    Too late.


    The two men roared. They thrashed wildly, but the frail-looking David somehow kept his hold on their heads. He abruptly released them and quickly retreated into the door behind him.


    The two men grew right before their eyes. Muscles bulged and split skin in some places. They pounded the floor in pain. The concrete shattered under now massive fists.


    When they finally stood, they were over two feet taller than they had been and much thicker, more muscular.


    ¡°Oh¡ª that¡¯s where I recognized that feeling from,¡± Veronica said in a small voice.


    ¡°There¡¯s two of them this time!¡± Johnny wailed.


    Nila recognized them too. ¡°Super Mutants.¡±


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    Vanguard Zeljanz 31 emptied their micro missile pack at the flying corrupted swarm at maximum range. Their own speed meant that they had crossed half the distance when the missiles hit.


    Bright orange explosions filled the sky next to Orchestral Meridian¡¯s massive central tower.


    Flying corrupted fell from the sky like dropped rocks, but plenty remained.


    The vanguard banked and circled to the right as several flying corrupted peeled off from their dive on PJ15¡¯s position on a tower landing platform to give chase.


    The vanguard flew to the other side of the tower. As soon as they were out of line of sight from the flying corrupted they cut their thrusters and oriented their body as if they were standing straight up. They re-ignited their thrusters a second later and zoomed up just as the flying corrupted came flapping into view.


    Vanguard Zeljanz 31 shot beams of concussive force from the palms of their gauntlets. The force doubled as additional flight thrust, but performed well enough as a weapon. Even if it the force dissipated at around fifty meters.


    The beams battered the flying corrupted with great accuracy thanks to the targeting assist system. Where to aim and fire was fed directly into the vanguard¡¯s faceplate. They just had to follow.


    The vanguard soared up the side of the tower firing down as the flying corrupted tried to catch up.


    The corrupted¡¯s wing-powered flight was slow and ungainly compared to the vanguard¡¯s.


    Beams of concussive force broke their relatively frail bones. A trade-off. They needed to be light enough to fly under their own muscle power.


    A shadow descend across the vanguard¡¯s vision.


    They looked up.


    Another group of flying corrupted had somehow gained the altitude advantage over the vanguard. They struck with the sun behind them.


    Claws struck the vanguard.


    Their armor was thin and lightweight. Breaches appeared all over their body as the damage alert blared in their helmet.


    The whirling ball of death plummeted toward the ground with Vanguard Zeljanz 31 at the center. The flying corrupted didn¡¯t seem to care that they too were seconds away from splattering all over the street. They were content to rip and tear at the vanguard¡¯s armor.


    ¡°Assistance inbound,¡± Vanguard Blazer Ecoria 70¡¯s voice came in over the comms.


    Beams of concussive force struck.


    One after another a flying corrupted was blasted off to slam into the side of the tower or plummet to the ground.


    Vanguard Zeljanz 31 suddenly found themselves clear with the ground rapidly approaching. It took precious seconds to right their tumble enough so that when they engaged their boot and gauntlet thrusters they shot up in a steady flight path away from the flying corrupted and the ground.


    ¡°Critical damage sustained. I am no longer combat effective. Returning to base,¡± Vanguard Zeljanz 31 said into the comms as they found the correct heading and zoomed away.


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Vanguard Blazer Ecoria 70 said to the other vanguard, who was rapidly shrinking in the distance. ¡°Moving to assist PJ15.¡±


    The vanguard ignited their thrusters and circled the tower until they were in sight of PJ15.


    The Threnosh was the center of dozens of wildly flailing tendrils. As they fought of a swarm of flying corrupted.


    The vanguard zoomed in and strafed the rear of the corrupted swarm. They succeed in knocking several out of the sky to send them plummeting to the ground or to the platform, where one of PJ15¡¯s tendrils finished them.


    The flying corrupted¡¯s strength was in their numbers and the surprise of their appearance. Individually, they were fairly weak and easily damaged. Like the standard corrupted they seemed to feel no pain or know fear, since they continued to attack despite their losses.


    However, with the vanguard¡¯s aid, PJ15 was more than capable to destroying them all.


    PJ15¡¯s true concern was Mother Madrigal and the Inheritors.


    The flying corrupted¡¯s role had been to prevent PJ15 from escaping to contact the rest of their team.


    They had failed.


    The last of them died to PJ15¡¯s tendrils when the two aerial transports from base camp flew into communications range.


    PJ15 signaled with their location.


    ¡°Vanguard Blazer Ecoria 70, return to primary reloading facility. You are needed for air to ground support tasks,¡± Salamander¡¯s voice crackled over the comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Vanguard Blazer Ecoria 70 zoomed away without hesitation.


    ¡°PJ15,¡± Salamander continued, ¡°you have Honor¡¯s location?¡±


    ¡°Last known. Designation: Mother Madrigal pulled him down the main transport shaft connected to City Section 12.¡±


    Salamander was familiar with Orchestral Meridian¡¯s layout.


    ¡°Visual on corrupted,¡± the pilot¡¯s voice broke in.


    Salamander picked up the visual on their faceplate.


    The corrupted thousands were swarming out of the very same shaft. It didn¡¯t bode well for the city sections under their control. They were already facing multiple heavy corrupted assaults.


    This swarm could reach them in hours at most especially with their frenzied pace. The things were tireless.


    Salamander signaled the second aerial transport to land and disembark the one hundred tracked combat drones it carried. They had to slow the corrupted swarm as much as possible.


    They then ordered the transport and the dozen aerial combat drones to commence strafing the corrupted with their projectile weapons until they ran out of ammunition. Their standing order was to then reload and continue to whittle away at the corrupted.


    As for the transport they were on, Salamander had them fly close enough for PJ15 to latch on with a thin tendril and climbed aboard.


    ¡°I must recharge,¡± PJ15 said.


    ¡°You have limited time,¡± Salamander directed them to one of the vacant power armor berths.


    PJ15 walked into the berth and tendrils extended from their power armor to all of the connector ports. Energy flooded their system. They noted that most of the other berths were empty. There were four other Threnosh in standard infantry power armor and unfamiliar looking weapons.


    Salamander was the only other T-Men member.


    ¡°Will this be enough?¡± PJ15 said.


    ¡°It will have to be enough,¡± Frequency appeared at the door leading to the transport¡¯s crew section. ¡°Salamander, my sound is broadcasting at maximum capability. Emitter drones are dispersing over this entire area. Sublevels included. I can¡­ hear¡­ the discordant sound and from PJ15¡¯s information I am certain that Designation: Mother Madrigal is the source.¡±


    Salamander nodded.


    ¡°I can track the sound,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°I defer to your judgment,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°I will direct the pilot,¡± Frequency said. ¡°But, I believe you will need me when we engage the target.¡±


    ¡°When we locate the target, we locate Honor. He will command,¡± Salamander said.


    They were concerned for their teammate¡¯s safety. Necessity dictated a woefully inadequate team composition. As a glass cannon, Frequency was vulnerable without a tank to draw attacks and provide shielding.


    Three T-Men, plus four E.W.S. soldiers against an unknown number of corrupted, Inheritors and Mother Madrigal didn¡¯t provide a high probability of success.


    ¡°Acknowledged. We just need to find Honor,¡± Frequency said before they went to confer with the pilot.


    ¡°Will that really be enough?¡± PJ15 said. They hadn¡¯t shared their suspicions about Brightstrike¡¯s death.


    ¡°Yes. If not, we fail our Tasks and die,¡± Salamander said.

 4.10

    Now, Threnosh World


    No! No! No! NO!


    Darkness and warmth.


    A smothering blanket wrapped around him.


    Cal panicked.


    Until a voice reminded him.


    Look at your walls! They stand! You must do the same!


    He recognized it. It was his own.


    He snapped back to reality.


    Mother Madrigal had a dozen hands restraining him as she wrapped him up in her skin cloak. Her sound, her song chipped away at the telepathic wall he had built around his mind, but it was weaker.


    Cal heard it in his head like nails on a chalkboard.


    The Mother¡¯s song was a broken string, a skipped record, a badly tuned piano. It sounded wrong. As if there was another orchestra playing in complete opposition to the Mother¡¯s.


    The discordance in Cal¡¯s thoughts was uncomfortable, painful, but it was keeping him awake and aware of the Mother¡¯s insidious influence seeking to regain control over him.


    Never again!


    An explosion of telekinetic force blew the Mother¡¯s hands off of Cal.


    A multitude of strong fingers were broken and her skin cloak was torn to shreds.


    Cal gathered his legs under him and kicked off the Mother¡¯s chest. He shot away toward the side of the immense shaft.


    Push and pull.


    He used his telekinesis to fly toward a tunnel.


    Mother Madrigal keened. The sound was disconcertingly musical to Cal¡¯s ears.


    The tunnel¡¯s door was sealed shut.


    Cal punched right through with his fists above his head, like a bullet. He skimmed the metallic floor before coming to a halt and spinning around to face the door.


    A thin shaft of light shined through the small hole his body had made. It didn¡¯t do much to illuminate the pitch blackness. He was deep in one of Orchestral Meridian¡¯s sublevels. The sun¡¯s light struggled to reach that far.


    The light suddenly vanished as a great shadow descended over the hole.


    Cal tensed.


    Heartbeats.


    The door tore open with a loud screech of metal.


    The Mother drifted down to alight on the floor with her skin cloak unfurled in its full glory. Her fingers on multiple hands lining the edge of her cloak were broken. The cloak bled from numerous wounds.


    The sound that seemed to emanate from the Mother¡¯s hooded void of a head was as ragged as her physical appearance.


    Despite that all, she still radiated an immense sense of danger to Cal.


    Unbidden fear spiked in him.


    He forced it down with effort.


    Fight!


    Mother Madrigal wrapped herself in her skin cloak.


    Corrupted and Inheritors flanked her on both sides.


    Cal hadn¡¯t picked up their presence.


    The Mother¡¯s influence on his mind had been weakened, but not completely stopped.


    ¡°You hurt the Mother!¡± Gyxdor, the mountain of muscle with dangerous bone protrusions bellowed.


    Memories rushed through Cal¡¯s brain as the giant Inheritor¡¯s voice washed over him and echoed across the cavernous tunnel. He remembered facing Gyxdor several times in the arena during his long captivity. The Mother had used him to strengthen her children. To test her obscene manipulation of the Threnosh¡¯s genes.


    The Inheritors were fundamentally different from the Threnosh, whose genetic code the Mother had based them on. The Inheritors had genders similar to humanity, unlike the Threnosh.


    Gyxdor pounded the metallic floor like an angry gorilla. His massive fists left deep craters.


    That was the signal.


    The corrupted were barely restrained creatures of violence. All they knew, all they did was attack.


    They rushed toward Cal like a wave crashing on the shoreline.


    The transport tunnel was as wide as a four lane highway. The corrupted mass filled it from one side to the other and was many ranks deep.


    Cal blunted them with a battering ram of telekinetic force.


    The first few ranks were crushed against the ones behind them. Broken and splattered bodies tripped up the rest long enough for Cal to turn and run.


    He wasn¡¯t a fool.


    A fight against overwhelming numbers in a cavernous tunnel wasn¡¯t a winning proposition.


    He needed to change the field and bring the battle to a ground of his choosing.


    He got a few hundred yards in a handful of seconds when he skidded to a halt.


    More Inheritors and corrupted blocked his way.


    ¡°No escape. Rejected the Mother for the last time,¡± Brynax said.


    An inky, black smoke erupted from the Inheritor.


    Cal remembered too late that Brynax¡¯s smoke induced complete sensory deprivation for any caught within. Even his extrasensory powers were muted.


    He had to move.


    The corrupted didn¡¯t care about the lack of sensory perceptions. They¡¯d throw themselves into the cloud and attack anything they could get their claws and teeth on. Even each other.


    Cal threw himself back with an assist from his telekinesis. The transition from total sensory deprivation was jarring when he cleared the jet black cloud. So many sounds assaulted his ears. The tunnel was full of attackers coming from every direction.


    He could perhaps be forgiven for missing the one being that barely made a sound amidst the clamor of the snarling corrupted. thudding steps of Gyxdor and the buzzing insects of Tylox. Let alone Mother Madrigal¡¯s presence which dwarfed and enhanced the cacophony of the rest.


    Sharp claws cut through the back of Cal¡¯s Threnosh body suit.


    He spun and backhanded nothing but air.


    Another slash darkened his thigh.


    Focus, damn you!


    Cal listened to himself.


    His telepathy singled out a predatory mind in close proximity.


    He turned and caught the Inheritor in a telekinetic grip.


    Oncalynx was suspended midleap. She snarled at Cal, but he held her firmly.


    Cal remembered this one too. She¡¯d honed her skills against him in the arena as well. Oh, he had exacted a toll for the lessons, but Mother Madrigal had seen Oncalynx as a worthy specimen so she was healed and improved after every fight. Not all of the Inheritors sent against him had been so honored.


    Cal tightened his invisible grip.


    The Inheritor yowled with pain as her bones started to crack under the pressure.


    Vengeance!


    Cal¡¯s gaze hardened.


    Oncalynx whimpered.


    ¡°Release her!¡±


    Cal half turned and threw his hands up with a telekinetic shield just in time to block Gyxdor¡¯s massive fist as it crashed down on him like a falling mountain.


    Oncalynx dropped to the metallic floor as Cal¡¯s hold on her disappeared. She limped away like a wounded animal, but Cal had his hands full and he couldn¡¯t finish her off.


    Gyxdor roared with each thunderous blow on Cal¡¯s invisible shield.


    Pain lanced through Cal¡¯s brain to the rhythm of Gyxdor¡¯s drum beats.


    A swarm of insects flew over Gyxdor¡¯s shoulder, streaking toward Cal like miniature missiles.


    Cal pushed his left hand out at the swarm and blew them back into Gyxdor¡¯s face.


    The insects weren¡¯t particularly intelligent.


    Cal sensed that Tylox was further back in the tunnel, near the exit where Mother Madrigal remained. He remembered that the Inheritor¡¯s control over the swarms weakened with time and distance.


    As Gyxdor discovered when the swarm started biting and stinging him.


    The huge Inheritor¡¯s assault ceased.


    Cal took the opening and scrambled back for distance. Close combat with the behemoth wasn¡¯t a win condition. He backed right into the corrupted that had survived their fellows inside Brynax¡¯s slowly dissipating cloud.


    Claws scratched, but didn¡¯t penetrate his skin.


    A corrupted chomped down on Cal¡¯s trapezius. The teeth pierced through Cal¡¯s bodysuit, but not his skin. Pressure, but no pain.


    Cal punched the corrupted then grabbed it by its head and threw it at Gyxdor.


    The Inheritor swatted the corrupted aside like an insect.


    Ironic, that. Seeing as how Gyxdor¡¯s gray-skinned face was covered in reddened welts from the insects¡¯ venom.


    Cal knew that the Inheritor would heal fairly quickly. He had plenty of experience against Gyxdor in the arena. Injuries only made the Inheritor angrier, which also made him dumber.


    Corrupted continued to swarm Cal as Gyxdor advanced.


    Cal grabbed a corrupted with each hand and threw them all at Gyxdor.


    The Inheritor smashed them aside without concern. He leapt at Cal with a two-handed, overhead smash.


    Cal jumped to the side.


    Gyxdor¡¯s fists hammered a crater into the floor and caused a small tremor to shake the entire tunnel. Dust and debris shook loose from the ceiling and walls.


    Cal snapped a left hook to the side of Gyxdor¡¯s huge head, careful to avoid the bony growths protruding from the Inheritor¡¯s brow, cheeks and jaw.


    Gyxdor backhanded Cal in the side. The sharp bone growth at his knuckles would¡¯ve torn Cal¡¯s suit and skin had he not blocked it with a telekinetic shield.


    Still, the force of the impact took Cal of his feet and sent him flying toward the side of the tunnel. He used his telekinesis to control his flight and slow his momentum so that he was able to plant his feet on the wall and shoot back toward Gyxdor.


    It happened so fast that Cal planted his fists into Gyxdor¡¯s gut before the Inheritor could even think to react.


    The Inheritor coughed as the air was driven out of his body.


    Cal grimaced. He had shaped a telekinetic shield around his fists, but he had still felt the jarring impact. It was like hitting a solid metal wall.


    Cal scrambled back and dodged as Gyxdor punched and smashed wildly. The Inheritor created small craters and large gouges in the metallic floor with each strike.


    Cal saw an opening and jabbed at Gyxdor¡¯s throat with a telekinetically-enhanced punch.


    The Inheritor stopped his relentless attack to choke for breath.


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Cal backed away.


    Brynax and corrupted were content to watch.


    ¡°You can¡¯t stop me! I¡¯ll get my hands on you eventually!¡± Gyxdor advanced a few steps before breaking into a run.


    Cal pushed at Gyxdor with his telekinesis. The behemoth slowed, but kept moving.


    Cal changed tack. He cut his telekinesis off.


    Gyxdor pitched forward off balance.


    Cal grabbed the one ton plus Inheritor and lifted him up in a telekinetic grip.


    Gyxdor bellowed impotently as Cal sent him flying back into the mass of corrupted. He turned the Inheritor into a cannon ball that smashed dozens of the corrupted into bloody smears against the metallic floor.


    Jet black smoke engulfed Cal once again.


    Pay attention!


    He saw, heard and felt nothing as he pushed himself back toward Brynax¡¯s location.


    Cal¡¯s world was fire as soon as he escaped the cloud.


    The left side of his upper body was drenched in an acid-like liquid. His Threnosh body suit had already melted and his skin was next.


    Use your telekinesis! Throw the acid molecules off!


    ¡°I¡­ can¡¯t¡­¡± Cal whispered through grit teeth.


    Yes, you can.


    Memories flooded Cal¡¯s thoughts.


    Of exploration and experimentation of his powers in a mindscape of his own creation.


    Mother Madrigal had erred in that regard.


    She had given him time, a place and a reason to push the limits of what he was capable of.


    Cal had the power to move things with his mind. Large and small. He had never considered the possibility that he could affect things at the microscopic level.


    Together with his vast array of extrasensory powers he could see and manipulate the very molecules of the impossibly potent acid-like substance.


    Cal pulled every bit of it off his burned and scarred body before it could work its way into his bloodstream.


    He collected the acidic liquid into a large ball then sprayed it at Brynax and the corrupted.


    The Inheritor threw an arm up over his face as several dots of the liquid splashed on his arm.


    Brynax howled with pain as the acidic substance quickly ate away at his flesh, leaving disgusting, weeping wounds.


    The black cloud behind Cal disappeared as the Inheritor was no longer able to concentrate.


    Cal scanned the area.


    The acid-spitter didn¡¯t have much range.


    There!


    Cal spotted Zeyt trying to hide in the shadows along the side of the tunnel wall to his left.


    Zeyt spat their acid-like liquid.


    Cal was ready. He telekinetically gathered it and sprayed it at the corrupted charging at him from both sides of the tunnel.


    The stench they gave off as the acid-like substance dissolved their flesh was enough to water the eyes.


    Cal was able to ignore it. Nearly ten years of fighting monsters and other horrors had hardened him. There was much he was able to tolerate and ignore.


    There was a rush of wind and something hard and fast hit Cal and sent him tumbling deeper into the tunnel. Even farther away from the already meager sunlight.


    A terrible song filled Cal¡¯s head.


    The discordance was still there, but this song was stronger than before. It had completed subsumed the weaker strands of the sounds that had managed to disrupt its power over Cal.


    Mother Madrigal¡¯s silhouette loomed over him like a statue.


    Dreadful thoughts filled Cal¡¯s head.


    Remember, your walls are strong!


    ¡°I know!¡± Cal snapped.


    The Mother didn¡¯t move. She towered over Cal, close to three times his height. She seemed to dominate the space.


    Her blow had sent Cal past the corrupted Brynax had brought to cut of his escape.


    Cal glanced back down the dark tunnel. It looked clear. He could try it again. Run. This time there didn¡¯t seem to be anyone in his way.


    The Mother was content to stand motionless and seemingly just watch.


    Corrupted gathered behind her. They flexed their claws and gnashed their teeth.


    Cal didn¡¯t need to see into their thoughts to know what they wanted.


    He could sense and see the Inheritors¡¯ thoughts. They were surprisingly similar to the corrupted¡¯s. Sapience didn¡¯t preclude one from savagery. Human history was rife with such.


    Cal reached out with his telepathy. Perhaps a spiky mental ball inserted into their thoughts was what he needed.


    He was met by a song of such pain that sent his head into a wild spin.


    Mother Madrigal wasn¡¯t going to allow that.


    You have hurt me. I am saddened. Why betray me? Don¡¯t you see how I have made you stronger?


    The words in his head sounded so close to his own, but he wasn¡¯t going to be fooled any longer.


    Focus on your pain. It¡¯s real.


    Cal listened to this one.


    The upper left side of his torso and a good chunk of his upper arm, shoulder, down to his elbow was a skinless wound, weeping blood. He kept the arm away from his body so that it wouldn¡¯t touch.


    The pain was enough to make a man cry.


    Use it!


    Cal grounded himself in reality with the horrific injury.


    The Mother wasn¡¯t able to drag him under her influence this time.


    So be it.


    Mother Madrigal languidly raised a too-long arm to point a too-long finger at Cal.


    The corrupted milling around her howled and surged forward.


    ¡°This again,¡± Cal grit his teeth. The pain was a good reminder of what was real, but it was making it difficult to concentrate on using his powers. ¡°I¡¯m killing your kids in droves here¡­ shouldn¡¯t you be feeling a little guilty for sending them at me?¡±


    They serve my purpose.


    Cal roared back at the onrushing tide.


    It had the same effect as yelling at the ocean, which was absolutely none.


    Cal called on his telekinesis when he heard it.


    The soft hum of anti-gravity generators was buried by the roar of thrusters.


    Projectiles ripped through the air.


    The Mother and the Inheritors turned to face the new threat.


    An aerial transport zoomed down the tunnel.


    The large transport took up the upper half of the tunnel.


    The Mother and Gyxdor had to press themselves to the floor to avoid getting struck.


    The transport showered the enemy with munitions as they passed overhead.


    The darkness was driven away by the harsh glare of light as dozens of explosions rocked the cavernous space.


    Cal squeezed his eyes shut and surrounded himself with a telekinetic shield to protect himself from the blast waves.


    The transport flew past him. Slowed and landed. The rear ramp opened to reveal his T-Men armed and ready for battle.


    ¡°Combat drones forward,¡± Salamander said.


    Tracked drones rolled out of the transport in two lines on either side of the Threnosh. They passed Cal as they spat projectile fire at the enemy.


    ¡°We deployed the other half of our drone complement on the other side. The enemy was occupied with your presence, so they did not notice,¡± Salamander said.


    Cal nodded. He was at a loss for words. It was surreal. To see his team. No, his friends coming to his rescue.


    ¡°My sound worked,¡± Frequency flashed a rare smile.


    ¡°That was you? You¡¯re the one that created the interference to the Mother¡¯s¡­ I mean, Mother Madrigal¡¯s sound?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Designation: Mother Madrigal¡¯s sound is powerful. It was difficult to find the exact counter and then to deploy it with enough coverage to reach you. Let alone tracking the source. If it was not for PJ15 we would have taken much longer,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°Yeah, PJ15 and¡­ Brightstrike¡­¡± Cal remembered and wavered. ¡°They, you, all of you saved my ass.¡±


    ¡°Your declaration is premature. There are still enemies in front of us,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°Retreat is a possibility,¡± PJ15 said.


    Cal shook his head. It was tempting. His open wound of an upper body hurt with an almost indescribable level of pain. It was like that one time the giant, manta ray squid kaiju ripped a good chunk of skin, ironically from the right half of his upper body. Except on that occasion he had passed out pretty quickly, so the pain wasn¡¯t much more than a brief memory. He glanced at the four experimental weapons squad soldiers.


    They had decided to deploy them. Not a good sign. It meant that they must¡¯ve been desperate.


    ¡°Things not going well out there?¡±


    ¡°In your absence we have claimed several city sections. They are now under concentrated Inheritor and corrupted assault,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°We cannot flee. I have surmised that Mother Madrigal exerts control over the corrupted with the sound. If disrupted then¡ª¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll go berserk and attack anything in sight, which includes each other and the Inheritors.¡± Cal remembered things from when the Mother was in his head and he was in hers. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure you¡¯re spot on with that take, Frequency.¡±


    ¡°Then we kill Designation: Mother Madrigal. It is a Task, as is freeing you, Honor, from captivity,¡± Salamander said.


    Cal watched the smoke from the explosives rise to clump in the upper quarter of the tunnel. Small fires were spread out amongst the scattered corrupted corpses.


    Shadowy silhouettes loomed in the sun light from the tunnel opening.


    He felt the Mother trying to reach out with her sound, her song.


    ¡°Active interference detected. Deploying counter measures,¡± Frequency said.


    A jarring sound, static mixed with scraping metal on metal caused Cal to wince and shiver.


    The Mother¡¯s influence was muffled. He could still sense it, but Frequency¡¯s sound managed to mute it.


    ¡°We¡¯re outnumbered,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°It is a tactical mistake to fight the enemy on their terms. The Task only requires one kill. Honor, can you occupy Designation: Mother Madrigal?¡± Smoke licked along the sides of Salamander¡¯s draconic maw.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Cal said. He believed it.


    ¡°The Inheritors and corrupted are distractions. We must destroy them quickly, if not possible then we must remove them from this battlefield.¡±


    ¡°Easier said than done, Salamander,¡± Cal said.


    Salamander nodded almost imperceptibly. ¡°But possible.¡±


    Gyxdor roared a challenge.


    ¡°I will handle that one,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°None of the remainder are close to as durable as Designation: Gyxdor,¡± PJ15 said.


    ¡°We can handle the rest,¡± Frequency said.


    Cal nodded, surprised at the open display of confidence.


    ¡°I¡¯m counting on you guys,¡± Cal said.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    ¡°Bang for you! And you!¡± Veronica blasted the charging super mutants.


    The behemoths stumbled as their brains short-circuited.


    Veronica jumped in before anyone else could react. She stabbed the end of her staff into the throat of the one on the right and slammed Tessa¡¯s kanabo down on the foot of the one on the left.


    ¡°Dual wielding, mother fuckers!¡± Veronica crowed.


    Twinkle Star squeaked indignantly from within the small bad at Veronica¡¯s side at all the jostling.


    The super mutants roared and struck at Veronica.


    ¡°Oh sh¡ª¡± Veronica¡¯s eyes widened. She was careless.


    ¡°Move!¡± Nila jumped in and blocked a fist bigger than her head on her shield. The blow rattled her down to the bone. She lashed out with her own solid metal weapon and cracked the side of the super mutant¡¯s head.


    A fearsome growl heralded the weredog, Rino, barreling into the second super mutant before he could smash Veronica.


    Weredog Kare jumped over Nila to grapple with the other super mutant.


    The four bit, slashed and punched at each other all over the wide lobby space.


    ¡°Do we¡­ help?¡± Gene stared agog at the awesome display of sheer power and violence.


    ¡°No, through the door,¡± Nila said.


    They gave the battling weredogs and super mutants a wide berth as they rushed to the door that the cultist had fled through. They felt like ants trying not to get stepped on as giants fought. The snarling of the weredogs and the bellowing of the super mutants was too much to be contained by the space.


    The whole room seemed to shake as if the ground was about to tear itself in two.


    Getting through the door and shutting it was only marginally better. The sounds followed them.


    ¡°Jesus Christ that was intense,¡± Johnny said.


    Nila looked left, then right.


    The door led into a narrow hallway equidistant down both directions.


    ¡°Which way?¡± Megan said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Nila couldn¡¯t think. The space was crowded with so many people. Claustrophobic. She could feel her breath beginning to quicken. She forced herself to take a deep breath. ¡°We¡¯ll have to split up. Unless someone knows the way.¡±


    The Resistance members shrugged.


    Alexa still looked a little green. ¡°What I¡¯m sensing is¡­ everywhere. I can¡¯t tell you either.¡±


    Nila chewed her lip. How to split the group up to maximize everyone¡¯s chances of survival?


    ¡°I¡¯ll go left with Megan, Veronica and the kids,¡± Nila nodded at Team F.C.W.R and Mads.


    ¡°Dude, I¡¯m like twenty four,¡± Johnny muttered.


    ¡°Hanna, Keisha, Max and Alexa, think you¡¯re enough to handle going right?¡±


    ¡°Sounds good to me,¡± Hanna said.


    Nila turned to the Resistance and the fighters from Sacramento. ¡°I¡¯m not about to try to order you around.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got no problems with that, ma¡¯am. Our chain of command got chewed up to hell and back. We¡¯re all the same rank. I¡¯m just the oldest,¡± the soldier said.


    ¡°Same with us,¡± the lead Resistance member said.


    ¡°The cult¡¯s more likely to go after your group,¡± Hanna said as she looked at Veronica, then at Nila.


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll go with you, ma¡¯am,¡± the soldier said to Nila.


    ¡°We¡¯ll go with them to make things even,¡± the Resistance member looked to Hanna.


    Nila nodded. ¡°Any objections?¡±


    Johnny started to raise a hand, but hastily dropped it when Mads elbowed him in the side.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Nila said.


    The two groups left the terrifying sounds of the fight taking place just on the other side of the door.


    Rino slashed at the super mutant even as he bashed her muzzle with a meaty fist.


    The bastard wasn¡¯t going down despite the dozens of deep gashes covering his body. She had managed to claw through his thick stomach deeply enough that his guts were visible and leaking out, but he wasn¡¯t slowing.


    A knee strike to Rino¡¯s midsection had her panting for breath.


    Not good.


    The super mutant seized on the momentary weakness and slammed a two-handed hammer blow on the back of her lupine head.


    Rino hit the ground with a resounding crash. Her vision dimmed.


    A loud yelp reached her muffled ears.


    It seemed that Kare was having her own troubles. Rino couldn¡¯t count on her pack mate for help.


    The thought brought a pang of bitter sadness.


    The pack wasn¡¯t a thing anymore.


    Rino wondered if Cordelia had known about the kidnapped women and girls.


    Cordelia wasn¡¯t a weredog, but she had brought the pack together and guided them through the early days until they hooked up with the Scions of the Deep Azure.


    The super mutant kicked Rino across the floor and sent her slamming into a pillar. Dust and masonry showered down on her.


    A deep growl rumbled out of Rino¡¯s belly.


    Cordelia was on the cult¡¯s inner council. She had to have known.


    Rino rose in a flash. She wasn¡¯t going to lose to an over-muscled meathead. The cult had much to answer for. As did Cordelia. She was going to rip it out of them if she had to.


    But first, there was a super mutant to deal with.


    Rino leapt at the super mutant¡¯s throat with her sharp-toothed maw wide open.

 4.11

    Now, Earth


    ¡°I can¡¯t see shit,¡± Jake said. ¡°Dude, I should¡¯ve gotten that night vision spell,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°You can just¡­ do that?¡± the teenager only known as Eyes said.


    ¡°I¡¯m a Techmage. I¡¯ve got a broader selection than regular Mages. I think it¡¯s cause of the tech part. I can buy spell program language from the spires¡¯ marketplace and then program them into my devices for use. Mix of the flashy stuff, like lightning bolts and mundane stuff like night vision. My guess is that the spires are translating what our devices are capable of into spells. There¡¯s stuff like directional hearing enhancement.¡±


    ¡°Gates!¡± Detective Ordonez hissed.


    ¡°Shit.¡± The whites of Jake¡¯s eyes widened in the darkness. He turned to Eyes. ¡°Sorry, dude, opsec,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°I get it,¡± Eyes said.


    ¡°Hey¡­ so, I heard you¡¯re pretty tight with Bennett,¡± Jake began.


    ¡°Yeah, totally,¡± Eyes brightened. ¡°You know, I was the one that found him first and brought him into the Resistance,¡± he smiled proudly.


    Jake nodded. ¡°Cool, cool¡­ I remember him from a few years back. We were on this task force hunting for a serial killer monster. Me, the detective, Bennett, this super powered badass¡­ uh¡­ Nila¡¯s boyfriend. She¡¯s the woman with super strength and shit like that.¡±


    ¡°The tall Asian lady?¡±


    ¡°Nah, the short one.¡±


    ¡°Right, yeah, I remember her from the planning session at Agent Bratt¡¯s place, man I wish I had super strength,¡± Eyes sighed.


    ¡°Anyways, it was the four of us plus Flo¡­¡± Jake fell silent for a moment before taking a deep breath. ¡°Whatever¡­ we found the monster and beat it.¡±


    ¡°Must¡¯ve been tough if it took Bennett and this super powered dude,¡± Eyes said.


    ¡°That¡¯s just it. Bennett didn¡¯t do much fighting. I don¡¯t remember him being a dangerous badass. I thought he was more of a stealthy tracker type.¡±


    ¡°No way! You saw what he did in the sewers!¡± Eyes said.


    ¡°Exactly! Totally surprised me.¡±


    ¡°I guess he must¡¯ve changed since you last saw him.¡±


    ¡°True that,¡± Jake nodded.


    ¡°My class sucks,¡± Eyes pouted.


    Jake raised a brow. ¡°You think so? We¡¯re sitting in a dark apartment over a thousand yards from city hall with a bunch of trees in the way. Sun¡¯s almost down and we¡¯re counting on you to see what¡¯s going on over there.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just a lame Lookout, anyone can do what I can if they had the right optics gear,¡± Eyes said.


    ¡°Yeah, but then they¡¯d have to carry around binoculars, night vision goggles and other stuff.¡±


    ¡°Hey? Do you think¡­ do you think that you could sell me one of your spell phone things? I¡¯m willing to pay.¡±


    Jake shook his head. ¡°Sorry, bro, no can do. They only work for me.¡±


    Eyes sighed. ¡°I just need some kind of offensive ability so that I can take on stronger monsters and mutant animals so that I can get points.¡±


    ¡°Guns? With your eyesight enhancements you should be a great shot.¡±


    ¡°Agent Bratt says I¡¯m more valuable doing surveillance¡­ so, no guns for me.¡±


    Jake eyed the slight young man. ¡°Go melee. Plenty of bludgeoning or chopping weapons you can get at any hardware or sporting goods store. Might want to work out for a year and get someone to teach you how to fight.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Quiet,¡± Detective Ordonez hissed again.


    ¡°Sorry, my bad,¡± Jake said sheepishly as he tried to use his huge body to block Eyes from the detective¡¯s sight. The kid didn¡¯t need to attract the detective¡¯s wrath.


    The sun continued its flight to the west until it completely disappeared.


    Jake watched Detective Ordonez out of the corner of his eye. The darkness of the abandoned apartment living room was mitigated by the clear night sky. There was more than enough moon and star light for normal human vision.


    The detective stared at the distant city hall with laser-focused intensity. She reminded Jake of an eagle he had seen at the zoo back in better days. Her eyes blinked about as much as the raptor¡¯s had.


    Jake had no doubt that the detective was drawing on her Skills for some important purpose that she, as usual, hadn¡¯t seen fit to clue him in on.


    ¡°Kid, tell me what you see,¡± Detective Ordonez said flatly.


    ¡°Um¡­¡± Eyes cleared his throat. ¡°What do you want to know?¡±


    ¡°Everything.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ okay,¡± Eyes hesitantly peeked his head up the window just enough for a clear look. Well, clear, was a bit of misnomer. It was dark and there was a thick copse of trees in the way. ¡°There are guards at all the doors that I can see. Some guards are patrolling around the building. I can also see people walking inside the building, er¡­ I mean I can see them when they walk past the windows.¡±


    ¡°Details,¡± Detective Ordonez demanded.


    ¡°Um¡­ they have weapons,¡± Eyes shrugged.


    Jake winced.


    Detective Ordonez eyed Eyes like something she had accidentally stepped on at the dog park. ¡°I was told that you had performed surveillance on city hall on many occasions.¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡± Eyes kept his attention on city hall. He knew better than to look over at the detective.


    ¡°Then do you notice anything out of the ordinary in the way the guards are acting? Their numbers? Postings?¡± Detective Ordonez sounded like she was chewing gravel.


    Jake silently urged Eyes to get this right. He felt bad for the kid. The detective was a hardass at the best of times. Being stuck behind enemy lines after losing a huge chunk of your fellow fighters on an operation that you were leading would darken anyone¡¯s mood. He knew that was eating away at the detective.


    ¡°I-I think it¡¯s the same as most of the other times,¡± Eyes said after a few seconds.


    ¡°You think? I need you to know.¡±


    Eyes thought it over and nodded. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m pretty sure they¡¯re business as usual. Maybe more guards and more heavily armed cause of the asskicking we gave them yesterday.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound like normal,¡± Jake muttered.


    Detective Ordonez ground her teeth, but didn¡¯t say anything.


    ¡°Yeah, actually¡­ definitely more heavily defended than normal,¡± Eyes said.


    Swing and a miss. Jake resisted the urge to laugh. The detective must be really annoyed with the poor kid now. Poor bastard.


    Something scratched at Jake¡¯s combat boots. It took him a moment to notice the soft sound.


    Detective Ordonez looked down. ¡°The signal.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Jake followed her gaze down to his foot. He promptly jumped back with a yelp.


    The cat-sized rat stared at him with dark, beady eyes. Entirely without concern, the animal climbed up to the window sill and pointed straight to city hall like a pointer dog.


    ¡°Bennett¡¯s about to move. Gates, let¡¯s get going,¡± Detective Ordonez said. ¡°You¡ª¡± she glared at Eyes.


    ¡°I know what I¡¯m supposed to do,¡± Eyes frowned. ¡°Hide, but if we lose than it doesn¡¯t really matter what I do. The cult will track me down eventually.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not going to lose,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°Jeez. Who thinks to use such a creepy ass signal?¡± Jake muttered.


    All around city hall, rats alerted the scattered groups of fighters, soldiers from Sacramento and Resistance members.


    Their time had come.


    <hr>


    ¡°Rats!¡± Rupert squealed.


    Barry cursed his lack of a weapon as the rats seemed to come out of the shadow under the only door into the conference room. He was closest in his haste to grab his guns just outside, which meant that the rats got to him first. They swarmed around and up his legs, teeth biting into the tough fabric of his tactical pants. He stomped and kicked for all he was worth as the rats kept pouring from the shadows.


    The rest of swarm split off into three other groups and headed for the other council members.


    ¡°We¡¯re under attack!¡±


    ¡°No shit, Barry,¡± Mitch sneered.


    ¡°Some help would be nice,¡± Barry¡¯s voice rose in panic despite his best efforts. Dozens of rats clambered up his legs and got close to his most vital area. He slapped and punched away at them and earned a respite at the cost of scratches and bites on his hands and fingers.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one that refused the Deep Azure¡¯s gifts,¡± Mitch smiled mirthlessly. ¡°You could¡¯ve been the master of your own fate. Instead you have your hand out.¡±


    The rats swarmed up Mitch¡¯s legs. Unlike Barry, he wore expensive bespoke suit pants made before the apocalypse. The middle-aged man, at least in appearance, sighed. ¡°This was custom tailored,¡± he said in a resigned tone.


    ¡°Mitch we don¡¯t have time for your bullshit!¡± Cordelia had leapt up onto the table along with Rupert, who had somehow gotten his fat bulk up to place her between him and the rats.


    ¡°Rodents¡­ unusually large,¡± Rupert whispered, haunted.


    Mitch laughed. Sharp spines suddenly burst out of his pant legs. All of the rats on him died wriggling like speared fish. ¡°Some do seem larger than normal.¡±


    ¡°Quit posing you jackass and help Barry!¡± Cordelia snapped as she slashed a leaping rat with a long, thin knife that she seemed to produce out of nowhere.


    ¡°Rupert, I¡¯d like to note that I¡¯m filing a censure on Cordelia for sneaking a weapon into our Sanctum. A strict violation of our most holiest of holies,¡± Mitch said lightly.


    ¡°Seconded,¡± Rupert squealed as the rats pressed in on Cordelia.


    ¡°Oh¡­ you fat sack of crap. This knife is the only thing keeping them from snacking on you like you were a pig on a spit. You want that? Huh? All that fat on you. Probably like bacon to them!¡± Cordelia roared as she desperately slashed and stabbed at the rats.


    ¡°Damn you all!¡± Barry roared as the rats had climbed up his body, almost up to his vulnerable neck and face.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Mitch said. ¡°Behold the glorious gifts of the Deep Azure!¡± he intoned. ¡°Try not to move. Wouldn¡¯t want to hit any of you¡­ accidentally, of course.¡±


    Mitch¡¯s expensive suit burst as dozens of tentacles erupted from his upper body and arms. They lashed wildly in every direction, killing rats with every strike. It was almost miraculous that none of the other people were so much as scratched.


    It grated, but Barry did as Mitch had asked. He didn¡¯t want to give the bastard any excuses.


    The rats were practically wiped off of Barry¡¯s body as Mitch¡¯s tentacles whipped through the air with loud cracks as the tips broke the sound barrier.


    The sounds were booming in the enclosed space.


    They were almost enough to drown out the screams coming from just outside the door.


    <hr>


    The men and women didn¡¯t see Bennett coming.


    Truly, it wasn¡¯t fair to them. They knew what they were about when it came to fighting. They had survived years battling monsters and other people after all. Hardened killers one and all, with magic, Skills and darker gifts.


    Maybe if they saw him coming or had just a few seconds of warning.


    Bennett moved swiftly through city hall¡¯s interior. He scythed mercilessly through the patrolling guards, dipping in and out of the shadows with barely a whisper of sound to slice throats with his blade-like nails.


    He suddenly reached his destination. It had taken less time than he had realized. He wiped at the wetness on his lips.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Unsettled.


    He didn¡¯t exactly remember when he had used his fangs.


    Yet, he felt full. He instinctively felt the blood within his body that powered his abilities was full. There should¡¯ve been less. The cost of traveling through shadow, moving, fighting and sending hundreds of rats through the shadows to attack the council.


    Blood called to him. People were just beyond the next door. All he had to do was cross the wide open space.


    A memory filled his mind.


    Years ago. He had clung to a shadowed corner and watched as¡ª


    No!


    He didn¡¯t want to remember that particular memory.


    What was done to those people by the fishmen as the cult¡¯s high ranking members stood and watched.


    Bennett knew that he was no better than them. He, too, did nothing in his cowardice. Though at the time he had rationalized it as sticking to his mission.


    Yet, here he stood, back in the same place that haunted his dreamless sleep for years.


    It was on that night that he had his eyes opened.


    He was a monster, just like the cult, the scions and the Deep Azure that they worshiped.


    An animal sound escaped from Bennett¡¯s lips.


    What better being to put monsters down than another monster?


    They had to be stopped. Too many had already been sacrificed.


    Bennett crossed the wide floor in a flash. He entered the shadow on front of the door and exited on the other side.


    He hadn¡¯t planned on exiting immediately.


    He noticed the reason in an instant.


    Bright lights filled the hallway leading to the room where he knew that the cult¡¯s inner council met.


    Bennett raised an arm to shield his eyes from the glare. It actually hurt his eyes. He had gotten too used to living in darkness.


    Gunfire barked out in a controlled staccato.


    Bennett hissed as the bullets struck his body. The pain, as it had been since the spires had changed him, was muted. In truth it was more uncomfortable rather than painful.


    ¡°Wha¡ª¡± Bennett¡¯s words were forgotten as the bullets started to burn. Smoke rose from the bullet wounds as Bennett¡¯s flesh started to sizzle. He screamed. A sound of pure animal pain.


    ¡°Holy shit! It actually worked!¡± the woman said.


    ¡°Not fast enough,¡± the man grunted. ¡°He¡¯s not dropping and I¡¯ve got only got two more bursts in my mag.¡±


    ¡°Damn it! Cause I¡¯m out. We should¡¯ve had more of this special ammo made.¡±


    The man kept his sights trained on Bennett. ¡°Barry didn¡¯t think silver bullets would actually work on this guy, thought it was a waste of our Gunsmiths¡¯ time.¡±


    Bennett couldn¡¯t think through the pain. The bullets were like molten metal in his veins.


    Remove them! the rational part of him screamed.


    And so, that¡¯s what he did. He clawed the dozen or so rounds out of his chest and arms.


    Relief was instantaneous, though the wounds were slow to heal.


    Bennett was ravenous now.


    ¡°Oh shit! Shoot him! Shoot him!¡± the woman swapped out her pistol¡¯s magazine. This time with standard rounds. Useless.


    The man squeezed the trigger as Bennett dashed across the brilliant white lights in the hallway.


    Bennett was too close and too fast.


    None of the silver bullets found their mark.


    The woman turned and ran for the door.


    Bennett slashed the man¡¯s throat open and turned it into a bloody geyser as he dashed by.


    The woman turned and screamed while opening fire.


    A lucky bullet struck Bennett in the forehead, but failed to penetrate his skull.


    The woman pleaded for her life, but Bennett was beyond reason. He didn¡¯t know it, but the silver bullets had been oh so close to killing him.


    All he knew in the moment was that he needed blood.


    Bennett bit deep into the woman¡¯s throat, silencing her cries.


    Tears streamed down her face as all that she ever was and hoped to be ran through her thoughts, flickering like pictures as they vanished one by one, forever.


    With satiation came clarity and Bennett was horrified at what he had done.


    ¡°I¡¯m a monster,¡± he whispered.


    ¡°That you are,¡± a woman stood in front of the door at the end of the hallway.


    Bennett recognized her and the strange dark blue robe that she wore. He kept his red eyes on her face. He felt that staring too long at the swirling surface of the robe would lead him to a deep and dark place. Even worse than what he already was.


    ¡°You are Laura?¡±


    ¡°I have no obligation to you, monster. You aren¡¯t worthy of a formal greeting. That is preserved for thinking beings.¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s your name. You¡¯re in charge of the cult.¡± Venom was laced through Bennett¡¯s words.


    ¡°Hypocrite!¡± Laura snapped. ¡°You speak with such disdain, while your mouth is stained with my devoted follower¡¯s blood.¡±


    ¡°What was her name?¡± Bennett looked down at the woman on the floor. Her eyes stared up into the harsh glare of the white lights in the ceiling. Her throat was a red ruin. Blood had leaked down to the floor to form an obscene mockery of a ribbon around her neck.


    ¡°What do you care?¡± Laura sneered.


    ¡°Follower, you called her a follower. You didn¡¯t say her name. She¡¯s just another employee to you, right? A resource to be used for your benefit.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s ironic considering you just fed on Denise¡¯s blood to heal yourself. So, which one of us is the real monster?¡±


    Bennett looked down at Denise one last time. He committed her face to memory. ¡°Both,¡± he said softly, ¡°we are both monsters.¡±


    Sounds of struggle came through the door behind Laura.


    Agent Bratt¡¯s intelligence gathering efforts had revealed that the cult¡¯s inner council had taken to calling the city hall conference room the Sanctum.


    ¡°I¡¯m a monster?¡± Laura scoffed. ¡°Are you blind or just willfully ignorant? You¡¯ve spent years skulking in our sewers. Surely, you¡¯ve seen how we, the Scions of the Deep Azure, have provided safe and happy lives for every willing person in the city. They are safe, happy and fulfilled. Plentiful food for everyone. A comfortable home for all. No one goes hungry, no homeless.¡± Her voice rose. ¡°The Deep Azure is the greatest thing that has happened to us! Through it, our lives have never been better! True agency is in reach for all! They just have to grasp it.¡±


    Delusions of grandeur.


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen the evil that you hide from the rest of them. I know what you let the scions do to people. Tell me. Did those people have agency?¡± Bennett¡¯s smile was feral. All sharp fangs and malice. He tapped a sharp nail to his temple. ¡°I saw it. I remember. There was no agency. Just scared young people, brutalized by fishmen.¡±


    ¡°Scions!¡± Laura ground out. ¡°You will address them by their chosen designation. As to what you speak off¡­ sacrifices must be made.¡±


    ¡°And what sacrifices have you made for your position?¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Laura snapped. ¡°I will not be talked down to and judged by you, a bloodsucking monster.¡±


    ¡°Well, it takes one to know one. I noticed you referred to yourself as a ¡®thinking being¡¯. Curious that. Why not say ¡®person¡¯ or ¡®human¡¯? Could it be that you and your cult aren¡¯t? Not anymore. Fleshcraft, I¡¯ve seen it, felt it, tasted it. And let me tell you, I may not be human anymore, but neither are you.¡±


    Bennett blurred toward Laura.


    ¡°Protect me oh great god of the deep!¡± Laura threw her hands up as her robe billowed and undulated in an impossible way.


    Bennett didn¡¯t know what hit him.


    A great pillar of water, as hard and strong as stone, erupted out of the robe and struck Bennett straight on.


    He flew up and back at an angle as if launched from a cannon.


    Wood, plaster and glass shattered in his passing as he flew out of city hall and across several city blocks to crash through an abandoned movie theater.


    Laura staggered, but she fought the urged to collapse. The direct touch of the Deep Azure on her soul wasn¡¯t light. It left its mark and would weigh on her for days if not weeks. Unfortunately for her this was not the time to rest. She opened the door to the conference room to find everyone intact, surrounded by hundred of dead rats in varying states of destruction.


    ¡°Laura, thank the Deep Azure you¡¯re okay. I was just about to come to your aid,¡± Mitch said with all the sincerity of a disappointed serpent.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you were,¡± Laura said with just as much feigned sincerity. Appearances were important for a woman in her position after all. She straightened. It wouldn¡¯t do to appear weak in such a perilous time. ¡°We must gather our forces and make for Alcatraz immediately.¡±


    ¡°Wait, why?¡± Barry said.


    Laura eyed the big man. He was in the roughest shape. His clothing was torn and she saw bites and scratches on every exposed part of flesh, not even his face was spared. Well, what were a few more scars for the man with plenty already? Nothing, Laura decided. It was Barry¡¯s fault for refusing the Deep Azure¡¯s more progressive gifts. Perhaps it was time to retire him from the council. She only kept him around because the bulk of their lower level fighters had more loyalty to him than the rest of the council. And they had proved themselves mostly useless over the last several days.


    They needed stronger people. Ones that fully embraced what the Deep Azure had to offer. Only those had shown the ability to at least keep up with more powerful individuals, like the Cruces and the Chen woman.


    ¡°They will go for Remy Cruces,¡± Laura said.


    ¡°But they¡¯re attacking us!¡± Cordelia gestured at the rat corpses everywhere. ¡°This is the vampire¡¯s doing.¡±


    ¡°He has been dealt with,¡± Laura said with satisfaction. ¡°Through me, the Deep Azure dealt him a powerful blow.¡±


    ¡°So, he¡¯s dead?¡± Cordelia frowned.


    ¡°We sent him flying.¡±


    ¡°Then you¡¯re not sure. He could be back at any time,¡± Cordelia said.


    Laura smiled. ¡°Then all the more reason to head to the island without delay. The bay will shelter us.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Barry growled. ¡°We¡¯re under attack right here! Right now! That vampire got all the way to you, which meant he went through my men and women patrolling inside. We don¡¯t even know what the force disposition we¡¯re facing is. I heard gunfire from outside the building.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m with Laura. We¡¯re vulnerable here. The island is our safest location,¡± Mitch said.


    ¡°What about the other council members?¡± Rupert said.


    ¡°We¡¯ll call them on our way, plenty of boats to go around,¡± Mitch shrugged.


    ¡°I make no demands on you,¡± Laura began, ¡°as is our way, you have the autonomy to make your own decisions. However, I will proceed to the island.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m staying with my people.¡± Barry didn¡¯t hesitate. He left the room and grabbed his guns and axe from the table next to the door. He briefly stopped over the bodies of his fighters to close their eyes and place a coin over each.


    ¡°I need to check on Chance and Scott. If this is a targeted attack then they might be in danger,¡± Cordelia said as she too left.


    ¡°I¡¯m with you, Laura,¡± Mitch said. ¡°I¡¯m ready to lend my power to the Deep Azure.¡±


    Laura inclined her head.


    ¡°Me too,¡± Rupert piped up.


    Laura smiled. Mitch was useful in a fight, Rupert less so, but he was large-bodied. Perfect to hide behind.


    The trio picked up an a small escort from Barry¡¯s fighters as they departed city hall through a rear exit. From the sounds of it there was fierce fighting taking place at the front of the building.


    Laura smiled beatifically on the whole drive to the dock where the cult kept their boats. It took longer than she had wanted due to the need to take a circuitous route to ward against covert pursuit.


    It was wiped from her face by the sudden spike in her head just as they reached their destination.


    On either side of her in the SUV¡¯s back seat, Mitch and Rupert both doubled over and clutched their heads.


    ¡°They dare¡ª¡± Laura hissed. The pain brought tears to her eyes. ¡°They dare set foot in the Deep Azure¡¯s place.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯re you talking about?¡± Mitch scowled. The obsequious mask slipped for a moment.


    ¡°The tunnels! They¡¯re in the tunnels!¡± Laura hated how shrill her voice became. She couldn¡¯t help it. The tunnels were only for the scions to step foot in. It was forbidden to her. Her! The Deep Azure¡¯s Grand¡ª.


    Come to me, come to my altar.


    The words in her head brought another spike of pain.


    ¡°What happened? Are you okay?¡±


    Laura ignored Mitch¡¯s fake concern.


    Despite the pain, she knew nothing but pure and true joy.


    The Deep Azure had directly spoken to her. Thrice now. Each time had filled her with a sense of complete purpose. It was all she didn¡¯t know she had been missing in her life.


    Yes! Laura thought with all her devotion.


    Her god needed her.


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    Cal slowly raised a hand and pointed a finger down towards the tunnel exit.


    Mother Madrigal and the rest of her corrupted children stood in the way.


    ¡°Salamander, you sure you can take Gyxdor?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Affirmative, Honor.¡±


    ¡°Good luck.¡± Cal sent a powerful mass of telekinetic force across the entire tunnel circumference. It was unavoidable.


    Everyone was flattened. Not even Mother Madrigal was able to remain standing. Cal cut it off before it could reach the combat drones the team had dropped off close to the exit.


    Salamander burst into flight with unfurled wings and powerful thrusters in their boots and back.


    Gyxdor had his back turned as he rose to his feet.


    Salamander struck hard and fast and half pushed, half carried Gyxdor all the way down toward the tunnel exit.


    Cal lost sight of them as Mother Madrigal rose up to block the outside light with her cloak opened up like wings.


    ¡°Honor, you¡¯re wounds,¡± Frequency said as they took an unfamiliar device from one of the experimental weapons squad soldiers and quickly sprayed it over Cal¡¯s raw red, skinless left side upper body.


    The pain was soothed and dwindled to a weird prickling sensation.


    ¡°What is this?¡± Cal sniffed at the gel-like liquid. ¡°Healing pod goo?¡±


    ¡°Drega Tali came up with the idea recently. With some modifications they were able to modify the same material in the medical pod to create a portable and viscous substance that serves the same functions.¡±


    ¡°Will the skin grow back?¡±


    ¡°No, it is not as effective as full immersion. It will slow further degradation, block pain and start the healing process. Unfortunately, your wounds will remain for this engagement.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Well, it¡¯s not hurting so bad anymore. So¡­ I¡¯ll take it,¡± Cal said. ¡°Alright, while Salamander keeps Gyxdor busy we¡¯ll need to thin the herd down before we can isolate and kill Mother Madrigal. Have the drones focus their fire on the corrupted. We¡¯ll use them as shields once they run out of ammo. Make it hard for any corrupted that survive to make it through to us.¡± He glanced back at the transport. ¡°We¡¯ll back up as we shoot. Use the transport to retreat if necessary. How much ammo does its projectile weapons have?¡±


    ¡°Pilot,¡± Frequency spoke into the comms, ¡°what is the status of ammunition supply for rear arced weaponry?¡±


    No answer.


    Cal carefully reached out with his mind.


    Nothing.


    There was a void around him.


    He didn¡¯t want to use too much of his power and overextend himself. He needed to keep his mind protected from Mother Madrigal. Even with Frequency¡¯s disruption of the Mother¡¯s ability he didn¡¯t want to risk falling under her influence again.


    The transports lights suddenly went dark as it powered down.


    Cal cursed. ¡°PJ15, you two,¡± he pointed at the experimental weapons squad soldiers, ¡°check it out. We need the transport operational. Be careful.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± PJ15 said as they and two soldiers strode up the transport¡¯s back ramp.


    The corrupted, the ones not broken and dead, finally picked themselves up off the ground and shook off the impact of Cal¡¯s telekinetic force. They roared as one and charged forward.


    Combat drones engaged their projectile weapons in response.


    Cal needed a way to protect Frequency and the two remaining soldiers from being swarmed. They weren¡¯t front line fighters. If he didn¡¯t have to face Mother Madrigal he could tank for them and control the battlefield to allow them to attack without worrying about getting into close combat.


    Cal looked around the cavernous tunnel. There was no place to take cover, just smooth, metallic walls. A thought crossed his mind. He remembered. In his desperation he had been able to use his telekinesis to push Zeyt¡¯s acidic substance from his body by somehow moving their molecules separately from his own.


    ¡°Frequency, soldiers, I¡¯m going to create cover for you,¡± Cal raised a hand toward the closest side of the curved wall.

 4.12

    Now, Threnosh World


    ¡°Tracking target, temporary designation: Fast One has entered City Section 61. Projected destination is security control station. Combat drones holding defensive positions per command directives.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged, moving to intercept,¡± Whoosh said as they kept an ear on the combat updates provided by one of the communicators back at their base camp on the ruined bridge connecting the island Orchestral Meridian was located on to the continent.


    The Threnosh engaged the jets on their power armor as they glided on metallic streets at speeds of over 500 kilometers per hour. Their power armor enhanced their perceptions and reflexes to allow them to cope with the extreme speeds as they wove through narrow streets and tight turns.


    ¡°I have the target on the tactical map. Ready to provide directions to my traps,¡± Rodinian said through the comms.


    ¡°Do not spring them until I am in position,¡± Whoosh said.


    Frequency¡¯s efforts to counteract the interference that had been playing havoc with their communications and surveillance were vital. Without their measures the Threnosh would¡¯ve been going into this crucial battle blind.


    As it was, they were already on the back foot.


    The corrupted had suddenly attacked in overwhelming numbers all along the edges of the city sections that the T-Men had managed to reclaim.


    The timing wasn¡¯t fortuitous as Salamander and Frequency had gone off to rescue PJ15 and Honor or perhaps that was the reason for the assault.


    Whoosh didn¡¯t care much either way. They were focused on redeeming their previous defeat to the unnamed Inheritor that moved with surprising speed without the aid of power armor.


    Whoosh received a ping in their faceplate. Directions from base. The projected overlay pointed to the Inheritor. Their jets pulsed stronger with each gliding pump of their legs and arms. The wind screamed in their ears. If it wasn¡¯t for their helmet their eyes and ears would¡¯ve been damaged. The speed would¡¯ve torn their fragile biological body to pieces if it wasn¡¯t for their powerful inertial dampeners.


    ¡°Target sighted,¡± Whoosh said.


    The Inheritor was gliding across metallic surface down a long straight street. They moved in the same way that Whoosh did.


    Several hundred meters in a few blinks of the eye.


    Whoosh slashed at the Inheritor¡¯s back with the curved, single-edged blade attached to their gauntlet.


    The Inheritor dipped and turned slightly to take the blow at an angle.


    The blade skidded off the Inheritor¡¯s back without doing any damage.


    Whoosh pitched off-balance and nearly careened into the side of a structure. They were able to jump up and glide up the side of the building for a dozen meters before gravity brought them back down. They smoothly pivoted and slid down the wall, jumping off to hit the street without slowing much.


    The Inheritor had disappeared down one of the narrow side streets.


    Whoosh muttered one of Honor¡¯s curses.


    The same result as their initial encounter.


    The Inheritor¡¯s brownish-gray skin glistened in the sunlight. Study of Whoosh¡¯s recording of the first encounter suggested that the Inheritor¡¯s skin was covered in a substance that negated friction in some fashion. Anything that struck it simply glanced off. The Inheritor had displayed an uncanny ability to twist and turn their body in order to avoid direct strikes.


    Designation: Fast One has engaged outer perimeter combat drones.


    Whoosh received a projection in their faceplate.


    The Inheritor glided through a line of combat drones, twisting and turning. Telemetry showed that any projectiles that struck it glanced off without damage.


    In turn, the Inheritor slashed at the drone¡¯s treads or weapons with the forward-facing, curved bone blades sticking out of the backs of their arms.


    The organic weaponry proved superior to Threnosh material science as they sliced through metal with little difficulty.


    Whoosh gave chase again.


    They caught up quickly, but the Inheritor wasn¡¯t interested in a straight fight. It avoid all of Whoosh¡¯s strikes as it used the sides of structures to skate circles around the Threnosh.


    Whoosh was marginally faster, but the Inheritor was quicker, more agile.


    Corrupted mass moving into City Section 61. Projected target location is the security control structure. Only combat drones are available in defense due to attacks in other sections.


    ¡°The reminder is unnecessary,¡± Whoosh grunted.


    They slashed at the Inheritor, but it ducked and slashed at the side of their leg in return. Damage alerts flashed, but it was minor.


    The Inheritor skidded around a corner and out of sight.


    Whoosh spun and burned their jets to keep up. They dug their fingers into the side of the structure to make the tight turn as their body rose off the ground. The force of the sharp turn strained their inertial dampeners.


    ¡°Designation: Fast One is only targeting combat drones. It will clear the way for the corrupted. I will use my traps to force it to a specific destination. You must not be too close, but not allow it space to double back,¡± Rodinian said.


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Whoosh said.


    Whoosh closed to within several meters and stayed there as the Inheritor pumped its legs and arms, skating from one side of the street to the other in an erratic fashion.


    Whoosh didn¡¯t take the bait. They kept their distance. Not too far, but not too close.


    An explosion on the side street to the left and another one ahead forced the Inheritor to take the next right turn.


    ¡°Traps at the intersection of Street 3.12 and Street 6.21 will force the Inheritor to take the left onto the latter,¡± Rodinian said.


    Bright orange fire flared as their teammate had said. Whoosh pushed through the smoke and debris, just behind the Inheritor.


    The tense pursuit continued in this fashion as Rodinian burned through most of the explosive traps they had set in this city section.


    The traps would¡¯ve been useful on the corrupted swarm, but there was plenty more scattered throughout the city section.


    Whoosh had silenced the updates from base camp, but they couldn¡¯t ignore the sounds of other explosions and the rising smoke coming from the outer edges of the section.


    The corrupted were triggering Rodinian¡¯s traps.


    ¡°Last turn, right on Street 5.05. Stasis trap, two hundred meters directly ahead. I leave it to you. The trap will deactivate in 1 second after triggering. My attention is needed elsewhere,¡± Rodinian said.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Whoosh was a handful of meters behind the Inheritor as it hit Rodinian¡¯s trap and suddenly stopped, suspended a few centimeters off the ground, mid-stride.


    Whoosh was ready. Their gauntlet blades where already up in front of them.


    The trap deactivated at the same time that Whoosh hit the back of the Inheritor.


    They sliced wide with both arms and cut the Inheritor into three pieces as they burst through covered in blood and gore.


    ¡°Designation: Fast One terminated,¡± Whoosh said into the comms.


    Acknowledged. Defend the security control structure until further notice.


    Whoosh was satisfied as they skated away towards the closest cluster of corrupted. Dealing with slow ones was going to be easy by comparison.


    <hr>


    Unseen¡¯s power armor contained a sophisticated camouflage system that rendered them practically invisible to the hundreds of corrupted stampeding down the street toward the fabrication facility that provided City Section 91 and the surrounding sections with combat drones and ammunition. It was vital to the T-Men¡¯s continued control of this particular region of Orchestral Meridian. To lose it would set them back months of progress.


    Unseen stood against a structure down a narrow side street. Visually, they appeared as part of the dull, metallic wall. Sound dampeners made them quieter than a whisper. Their power armor was even odorless.


    The only hint of their presence was a shimmer, like a mirage or a heat-created haze, as they threw several grenades into the mass of corrupted.


    The fiery explosions consumed many of the corrupted, while Unseen ran down a smaller, parallel street toward the fabrication facility. They needed to relocate ahead of the corrupted. They had to thin down their numbers as much as possible to help the soldiers and drones defending the facility.


    Indeed, they could already hear projectile fire mixed in with the crazed roars from the corrupted in the distance.


    Unseen ran faster. Their active camouflaged shimmered as it struggled to keep them concealed despite their movements.


    Back at the main base camp. Telatrine tracked Unseen¡¯s progress on the holographic projection in the middle of the command chamber. Multiple projections covered the entirety of the desperate defense against the sudden corrupted incursion.


    ¡°Of course they do this when Frequency and Salamander leave,¡± Telatrine sighed. They would rather have been in the thick of fighting instead of overseeing operational command. Unfortunately, they were next in the chain of command.


    Telatrine studied the projections.


    Combat drone numbers and ammunition counts compared against the estimated number of corrupted.


    ¡°They had this many?¡± Telatrine couldn¡¯t quite believe it. The projections on the amount of corrupted in the city were much too low.


    The numbers weren¡¯t good.


    The drones killed the corrupted in great numbers, but there were so many that the drones were eventually overwhelmed by the gray tide.


    ¡°Direct the combat drones to fire while retreating. Each line will retreat to the next and so on until they reach the final one around key structures,¡± Telatrine said.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Communicator Dreylox 7193 passed the directive to the drone operators.


    ¡°Status on Vanguards?¡±


    ¡°Vanguard Zeljanz 31 has suffered critical damage to their trueskin and is on their way back here for repairs. Vanguard Blazer Ecoria 70 is en route for recharge and reload at primary reloading facility,¡± Communicator Dreylox 7193 said.


    ¡°Have them provide close air support for the fabrication facility in Section 91 when ready.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Telatrine glanced at the projection for the Security Station at City Section 75. There were a lot of corrupted heading for the station. More than the attacks on the other city sections. It made sense. The station was critical to the deployment and control for the combat drones in that entire area. To lose it was to lose close to forty percent of the territory they had retaken in the past two years.


    They had stationed most of the remaining T-Men and two squads of soldiers there for that reason.


    ¡°Not going to happen under my watch,¡± Telatrine said to themselves. ¡°Subcommander Solemn Coast 963, do you copy?¡± they said into the comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged. What is your order?¡± the subcommander¡¯s reply was immediate.


    ¡°Take your remaining E.W.S. Soldiers to reinforce City Section 75¡¯s security station.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Only five of them. The other half had gone with Frequency to rescue PJ15 and Honor. Telatrine hoped they were enough to help his fellow T-Men.


    The minutes turned into hours as Telatrine could do nothing but watch his fellow T-Men and Threnosh soldiers in their desperate battle against an overwhelming horde of corrupted.


    They were losing combat drones at a high rate, but they were holding.


    Unseen was providing surprisingly effective as they kept the corrupted off-balance with their hidden attacks. Grenades and projectile fire that they couldn¡¯t track the source managed to keep the numbers that reached the last line of defense at the fabrication facility at a comparative trickle.


    It was manageable for the soldiers and drones.


    Whoosh single-handedly scythed their way through the corrupted in City Section 61. The corrupted kept chasing after them on the periphery. Away from their main objective. The corrupted seemed to be maddened beyond reason, even more than usual. As soon as they saw the Threnosh, they gave chase.


    Whoosh had enough energy to keep it up for several hours.


    Vanguard Blazer Ecoria 70 made tireless bombing and strafing runs wherever things seemed most desperate. They had already recharged and reloaded several times, yet kept flying back out each time. Their exhaustion was clear in the medical readings, but Telatrine couldn¡¯t let them rest, just yet. It was unfortunate, but the damage to Vanguard Zeljanz 31¡¯s power armor wasn¡¯t going to be repaired in time to help in this battle.


    The battle at City Section 75¡¯s security station was different. The T-Men and the soldiers there teetered on the brink of defeat. Inheritors had finally made an appearance. Two looked strangely familiar, but that wasn¡¯t possible. Telatrine remembered¡ª


    ¡°Alert, alert. Movement detected from the pillars holding the bridge section,¡± one of the communicators said.


    ¡°Get a surveillance drone down there,¡± Telatrine said.


    The projection shifted to look through the eyes of the drone as it swooped down.


    It showed the blue-green ocean surface as waves lapped up against the gigantic pillars that held up the bridge section they had set their base on.


    ¡°Zoom in,¡± Telatrine saw movement.


    Gray shapes, hundreds, climbed up.


    Corrupted.


    Except different.


    Bigger.


    Muscles stretched gray skin to the breaking point and beyond.


    Telatrine remembered.


    They had seen the recordings from the fight that saw them lose, Honor, Brightstrike and PJ15, nearly two years ago.


    ¡°Enhanced corrupted. Inheritor, Designation: Hylhon will be among them. Locate immediately. Send full complement of aerial attack drones. We cannot allow them to reach us. Prepare base defenses.¡±


    Telatrine eyed their spire-made chainsword in its charging berth. It seemed that they were going to get their wish after all.


    <hr>


    The metallic tunnel wall appeared to melt under the power of Cal¡¯s mind. The stone and dirt behind followed suit. He didn¡¯t stop until he had created an angled gouge ten meters long and large enough to fit several humans shoulder to shoulder into the side of the tunnel. He had created a small side tunnel with his telekinesis.


    He had dispersed over a thousand pounds of matter by moving the molecules into the surrounding area. The hard packed earth suddenly became much denser.


    He had felt no pain, just the strain from the exertion, like lifting a heavy weight. It felt good.


    ¡°Thanks, Frequency,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°For?¡± Frequency blinked, uncomprehending.


    ¡°Giving me back my mind.¡±


    Cal used his telekinesis to pull from the metallic walls to create a wall with a door and narrow slits from which weapons could be fired. He smiled, wondering what Remy would think about his encroachment on his brother¡¯s specialty. ¡°Or not,¡± Cal muttered as he studied his work. It had a crude and tacked on appearance, rough. Not at all like Remy¡¯s smooth manipulation of all things metal.


    ¡°I am uncertain as to the tactical wisdom of this. There is no path for our retreat,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°I know, sorry,¡± Cal grimaced.


    Unfortunately, he didn¡¯t have time to fix the issue. The corrupted were close.


    The two E.W.S. soldiers opened up with their bolters. They aimed over the heads of the corrupted. The explosive shells rained hot shrapnel down on the enemy¡¯s heads.


    ¡°Setting up sonic field,¡± Frequency said as they deployed four mobile emitters from their power armor. They sent two up to the ceiling and two to either side of the tunnel. ¡°Mark field¡¯s reach. Honor, you do not have a helmet.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s okay, I can figure out the area it covers,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°How?¡±


    Cal telekinetically pushed the corrupted that had already moved beyond Frequency¡¯s field. He noted where the corrupted hit the field. The effects were unmistakable. The corrupted suddenly howled in pain as the sonic vibrations liquefied their internal organs with frightening quickness.


    ¡°The field does not extend all the way to the floor. It ceases at approximately one meter up. I do not wish to place emitters lower, within reach of the corrupted,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°This works just fine,¡± Cal said.


    The corrupted beyond the field had stopped. They had also noticed the area of effect. Mother Madrigal loomed large behind them all. Her silhouette was lined by the natural light from outside the tunnel.


    The E.W.S. soldiers switched out their weapons to the standard recoilless rifle and took prone positions. They opened fire in the space between the lower boundary of Frequency¡¯s field and the floor.


    ¡°Good idea,¡± Cal said.


    An impasse.


    Cal itched to use his telepathy to check up on Salamander and PJ15, but he didn¡¯t dare risk pushing against Mother Madrigal.


    They were balanced on a knife¡¯s edge. If he fell back under the Mother¡¯s sway then they were all doomed.


    ¡°How much longer can you keep the field up?¡± Cal kept his eyes on the Mother.


    ¡°Two minutes and counting,¡± Frequency said. ¡°This specific sound and level of strength is necessary otherwise the corrupted will be able to run through. The emitters must also stay stationary since all four must work in precise concert.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been gone a long time, but this is a lot stronger than I remember,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I have one stronger sound, but it must only be used as a last resort,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°Good to know. I¡¯m glad you¡¯ve been continuing to get stronger,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°I guess the plan stays the same. Once the field is done, you guys get in the pillbox. I¡¯ll thin the corrupted numbers down as much as possible before I take on Mother Madrigal. You handle the rest of the corrupted. When that¡¯s done our best chance is to pile on Mother Madrigal. Hopefully, PJ15 can help.¡±


    Cal figured that Salamander had their hands full with Gyxdor. The Threnosh wasn¡¯t going to be able to help out with the Mother.


    A high-pitched whine reached Cal¡¯s superior hearing. The unmistakable sound of an E.W.S. short-ranged laser gun.


    ¡°From the transport!¡± Cal whipped his head around.


    Frequency had already turned and aimed her gauntlet emitters toward the transport¡¯s open rear ramp. Their power armor¡¯s auditory capabilities were second to none.


    ¡°I am trying to detect sounds, but Mother Madrigal is interfering,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Cal realized that he had taken his eyes off Mother Madrigal. He spun around.


    The Mother¡¯s tall form was gone.


    ¡°Twenty seconds,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°You guys get in the pillbox!¡± Cal shouted. ¡°PJ15 and the soldiers will have to take care of themselves!¡±


    The seconds ticked down with unbearable slowness.


    Frequency¡¯s mobile emitters shut down.


    The corrupted howled with rage and madness as they charged.


    An immense shadow glided across the ceiling of the cavernous tunnel.


    Cal noticed it a beat too late.


    <hr>


    Salamander plowed into Gyxdor¡¯s broad back.


    The Inheritor shouted in protest as he tried to turn, but Salamander didn¡¯t give him the opportunity.


    The Threnosh¡¯s thrusters roared at maximum thrust as they rapidly approached the tunnel exit.


    A warning alert beeped in Salamander¡¯s faceplate.


    Too late.


    They couldn¡¯t avoid the jet of super-heated gas from another Inheritor¡¯s palms.


    The gas struck one of their wings and sent them spinning into the floor.


    Salamander tumbled across the floor for several dozen meters before they could right themselves.


    Gyxdor had disappeared over the edge of the tunnel.


    Salamander¡¯s plan had worked. The giant Inheritor was no doubt plummeting down the deep shaft, out of the immediate fight.


    Another jet of super-heated gas swallowed Salamander.


    Foolish Inheritor.


    Salamander¡¯s power armor could handle the heat of a volcano.


    They expelled a gout of flame from their draconic helmet¡¯s maw.


    The Inheritor didn¡¯t share Salamander¡¯s resistance to heat and flame. Its screeching was drowned out by the roaring flames.


    Salamander detached their ruined wings with a thought. They assessed the battlefield.


    Further down the tunnel, combat drones fired projectiles into the back of the corrupted mass. They couldn¡¯t see past them to Honor and the rest of their team.


    ¡°I have removed Gyxdor from the battle. Status report?¡± Salamander said into the comms.


    There was no response. Not even the crackle of static. There was only silence.


    They had thought that Frequency¡¯s sound had successfully countered Mother Madrigal¡¯s interference.


    Salamander stomped forward to burn the corrupted and the invasive organism. They could see Mother Madrigal¡¯s tall, thin form in the middle of the enemy swarm.


    They weren¡¯t advancing for some reason.


    It suited Salamander¡¯s purpose.


    A mighty blow suddenly slammed Salamander into the side of the curved tunnel wall. Their power armor left a deep indentation in the metal.


    Damage alerts blared, but nothing critical. Salamander dived out of the way as a tree-sized arm slammed into the space they had just been in.


    ¡°You¡¯re not dropping me down a shaft and flying away this time.¡± Gyxdor bent down and picked up one of Salamander¡¯s discarded wings, crumpling it like paper.


    ¡°The former will be done. The latter will be unnecessary.¡± Salamander spat a ball of flame in Gyxdor¡¯s face. They charged behind it and planted their shoulder into the behemoth¡¯s stomach.


    Salamander engaged their thrusters, that combined with their enhanced strength carried the two of them over the edge of the tunnel exit and down toward the darkness at the bottom of the shaft.


    <hr>


    Nila stared down the black hole.


    The tunnel was wide enough for maybe five or six people walking next to each other. It was almost perfectly circular. The curved walls, ceiling and floor had the same rough spiral pattern cut into the rock.


    ¡°This looks like it was carved by a machine, except it¡¯s way to big and it looks like it curves as it slopes down,¡± Patrick said as he shined a powerful flashlight down into the tunnel. ¡°Almost looks like a giant worm dug this out,¡± he whispered.


    Patrick was the leader by the default of the last few remaining members of the California State Government fighting force that had sortied into San Francisco with Remy to recover the people taken by the fishmen. He was well beyond his depth.


    Nila heard the fear in the young man¡¯s voice. She didn¡¯t need to see the sheen of sweat coating his dark face, nor the way the whites of his eyes shined wide. She understood. She felt the same. There was something about the tunnel mouth that took her to a dark place in her thoughts. As if to venture forth was to step into the worse hell she could imagine.


    The dark presence in the back of her mind didn¡¯t help matters.


    The rest of the soldiers and Resistance members appeared to be in the same mental space. They were all unconsciously curling their bodies inward, as if shrinking themselves as small as possible in a vain attempt to escape a great predatory beast¡¯s notice.


    Nila looked at the rest of her group.


    The kids weren¡¯t alright.


    Gene and his team were huddled together, just as shrunken in as the rest.


    Only Megan and Veronica stood with any sort of confidence or at least they masked their fear better. They had more reason than the rest to want to go down into the yawning abyss.


    Nila wondered if she had the same resolve.


    Stupid Cal, leaving me to face this alone, she thought.


    No, that wasn¡¯t right. She was here by choice. Her choice. No one else. Tessa couldn¡¯t be abandoned to her fate. Nila tightened her grip on her baseball bat-like club and took a deep breath. The dark shadowy presence in her thoughts receded slightly.


    ¡°I need this position defended. I¡¯m going through the tunnel and hopefully make my way through to Alcatraz. I don¡¯t want cultists coming in after me and in the event that Remy can¡¯t fly us off the island then we¡¯ll have to come back this way,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you wait for Hanna?¡± Gene said.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait. I have no idea how long it¡¯ll take them to turn around and head this way or if they ran into cultists. We got lucky that we didn¡¯t encounter anyone on our way here.¡±


    Patrick conferred in hushed tones with his fellow soldiers and the Resistance members. A dozen men and women in total.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be rearguard,¡± Patrick said as he handed Nila a flare gun. ¡°Sight line to Alcatraz is clear from this location. I¡¯ll have a lookout posted up top. Fire the flare gun if you don¡¯t need to come back this way. So we know to evac immediately.¡±


    They had taken the way out Nila had offered. Just as she had hoped.


    Nila tucked the flare gun into one of the pouches on her belt. She locked eyes with Megan. She wasn¡¯t going to try to dissuade a mother from going after her daughter and husband.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go already,¡± Veronica whined. ¡°Wasting time standing around!¡± she banged the butt of her metal staff on the rocky ground. The sound reverberated down into the dark tunnel.


    ¡°We- We¡¯ll stay too¡­ I mean to help support¡­¡± Gene quailed as Veronica shot him a venomous look at the betrayal.


    Megan laid a hand on Veronica¡¯s shoulder and drew her away to the side.


    Veronica sniffed and focused all her attention on the tunnel mouth.


    Nila¡¯s look encompassed the entire team, four young men and one young woman. ¡°Good, they¡¯re running low on ammo. They¡¯ll need your help to stand a chance against potential cult attack.¡±


    ¡°What should we tell Hanna and the others when they get here?¡± Gene couldn¡¯t bring his gaze up to Nila¡¯s.


    ¡°The same thing. They stay here and help you defend. Watch for the flare. If we aren¡¯t back by the time the sun¡¯s up or there¡¯s no flare, then get out of here. Do your best to get away,¡± Nila gave them all a tight smile. She didn¡¯t feel as brave as her voice sounded. ¡°You¡¯ve done more then enough these last few days. Don¡¯t forget that.¡±


    Nila lit her small lantern and hung it from the strap at the side of her chest plate. She donned her helmet and waited for Megan and Veronica to get ready before she took the lead in their descent into the pitch black tunnel.


    ¡°Like stepping into a fucking hell,¡± Johnny muttered in disgust.


    ¡°And we just let them go by themselves,¡± Gene said with a stricken realization that he had failed a test somehow.


    Bastien muttered a prayer as Patrick started barking out orders.


    ¡°We aren¡¯t on their level. Especially in close quarters,¡± Mads said. Ever the voice of reason. ¡°Those super mutants would¡¯ve crushed us. The fishmen are too strong in equal numbers. We need the advantage of range and space along with numbers to avoid getting slaughtered.¡±


    ¡°What you say is true, but it still doesn¡¯t make me feel like less of a coward or that I¡¯m letting Tessa and Veronica down,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°You fight the battles you can fight. It¡¯s not bravery to throw your lives away for no good reason,¡± Patrick said. ¡°It¡¯s just a waste. Now, stop bitching. We¡¯ve got a job to do and a chamber to defend.¡±

 4.13

    Now, Earth


    Something had changed.


    Remy heard voices from outside, way down below at the front door of the lighthouse.


    The guards were arguing about something.


    Remy was only a captive because he had consented to it. The cult held the promise of Tessa¡¯s continued safety in exchange for him sitting in the converted prison cell near the top of the lighthouse. They had yet to show proof that they had Tessa, but he couldn¡¯t risk it.


    The voices, however, piqued his interest.


    A normal human wouldn¡¯t have been able to listen in from such a great distance with the ocean waves crashing against the rocky island in the background.


    Remy wasn¡¯t normal. He focused on the heated conversation.


    ¡°This is bullshit! We¡¯ve already covered two straight shifts. Now, we get last minute notice that we have to do a third straight one! Fuck that noise!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Tom, what the fuck is going on out there?¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, guys. I¡¯m just passing on the message.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯re the bosses smoking? Cause if they think I¡¯m cool with sitting out here for twenty four hours straight then they must be wasted on some really dank stuff.¡±


    There was a long pause.


    ¡°Okay, but you didn¡¯t hear this from me. Apparently the operation to take out the Resistance didn¡¯t go well¡ª¡±


    ¡°Get the fuck out of here, bro! Those pussies? You ain¡¯t telling me that they actually fought back and¡ª¡±


    ¡°You want to hear this or what?¡±


    ¡°Fine¡­ whatever, keep going, asshole.¡±


    ¡°I just heard about all this from¡­ well, I¡¯m not saying cause I don¡¯t want to get them in trouble, but something went wrong. The fight was a lot tougher than we expected. We got our butts kicked and the Resistance mostly got away clear.¡±


    ¡°Jesus fucking Christ!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not all. I overhead the bosses talking just now while I was waiting for what turned out to be me having to tell you two dicks that you¡¯ve got to take another shift. It sounded like there¡¯s some sort of trouble at the Bastion.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that got to do with us here? Our unit¡¯s strictly for defending the island and the special guests.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s an all hands on deck situation. They¡¯re expecting an attack here, plus it sounded like the scions still haven¡¯t caught that girl down in the tunnels. They think she¡¯s headed in this direction, so obviously everyone is freaking out. Word is it took fifty scions to capture her. Plus, she took down one of those huge crocodile-looking monsters and a bunch of scions in the process. We¡¯re screwed if she makes it here before they can catch her again.¡±


    ¡°Fuck me!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s some shit news, bro.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not all bad. I also heard that the Grand Priestess is coming here with a few other inner council members. From what it sounds like the Deep Azure is done playing around. We just need to sit tight and stay cool. They¡¯ll take care of it.¡±


    Remy had heard enough.


    He tapped his magnetic powers experimentally. Slowly stretching out further and further. Something was definitely going on. It didn¡¯t hurt as much as before. Whatever was countering his abilities wasn¡¯t as strong.


    He broke the look on the door and walked out of his cell. He spotted the open window and jumped through without hesitation. He plummeted over eighty feet down to land with a loud crash right in front of the guards.


    They were stunned and didn¡¯t react before Remy pulled the weapons out of their hands with a magnetic field.


    He created another one to hoist them up in the air by the metal on their clothing and bodies.


    It looked especially painful for the man with earrings and a nose ring.


    ¡°Tell me about the girl in the tunnels. Don¡¯t lie to me, I can tell when you do. Be honest, be concise or I¡¯ll show you what it¡¯s like to fly.¡±


    Loyalty had its limits. The three men squealed for all they were worth.


    Remy took their weapons and sealed them in the lighthouse.


    Thanks to them he knew exactly where to go. The entrance to the tunnels that apparently ran all the way down to and under the ocean floor to emerge in the mainland.


    The old woman cult leader had lied.


    Surprise, surprise.


    They briefly had Tessa, but she had escaped and was now being hunted somewhere in the deep, dark fishmen tunnels.


    Remy tried to bury the fear and panic that threatened to well up within him at the thought of his daughter all alone in the cold dark.


    He needed to get to her first.


    <hr>


    The tunnel¡¯s rough-hewn spiraling patterns slowly gave way to smoother surfaces, as if done by purposeful hands.


    Tessa had the impression that she had been traveling upwards, but it was hard to tell. Her surroundings were so claustrophobic, dark and dank.


    Her only knowledge of cave environments was from that one scary movie that her Uncle Eron had gotten in trouble for allowing her to watch with him, when she was a young girl.


    At least she had light and weapons from the fishmen she had killed.


    Although, fighting devolved humans would¡¯ve been definitely easier. If a bunch of normal woman had been able to fight them, then she would¡¯ve had no problems.


    Tessa moved one cautious step after another. Whenever the tunnel split in two or more directions and presented her with a choice she decisively knew which to take. There was no deliberation. She simply took the correct one as it seemed. Since she moved in what felt like an upward trajectory.


    The voice in her head prodded her to keep moving. It said that she was getting closer to her freedom.


    Her surroundings shifted without warning. At least that¡¯s what it felt like.


    Tessa had to stop and wipe her eyes.


    The tunnel walls had gone from plain rock to carved with patterns and what looked like pictures. The dim fluorescent light provided by the strange moss sparsely scattered on the ground and ceiling made it hard to pick out specific details.


    Tessa peered closer then suddenly had to look away.


    Something about the images depicted made her feel sick.


    She felt the wrongness on an instinctive level.


    When she wasn¡¯t looking at them directly she found that she couldn¡¯t quite recall what they showed. It fluttered on the edges of her memory, tantalizing, yet repulsive at the same time.


    Tessa longed to look again, but with a force of will focused her eyes on the dark tunnel ahead.


    She was getting closer to where she needed to be.


    She knew it in her heart.


    After all, that¡¯s what her inner voice said.


    Tessa didn¡¯t know how long she walked, for she felt as if she was in a dream. Her eyes were unfocused and her steps unsteady. Her body moved as if on autopilot.


    She hadn¡¯t noticed when the rough natural ground had given way to precisely cut stone tiles with more obscene images carved into them.


    Tessa couldn¡¯t hold the memory in her mind¡¯s eye.


    Part of her knew that was a mercy for some things weren¡¯t meant for mortal minds to fully comprehend.


    Indeed, hers was stronger.


    A normal human would¡¯ve long given in and lost themselves.


    Tessa finally emerged from the tunnel into a dim and dank chamber. It was enormous. Like the church she dimly remembered attending on a weekly basis with her mother and sister.


    Except to call it a church was wrong.


    This place was wrong.


    It didn¡¯t provide a feeling of comfort and warmth.


    It was profane in all aspects of its existence. A temple to obscenity.


    Tessa let out a scream.


    She needed to deny it, them, what, them, it.


    Tessa screamed again.


    Something was wrong. It, them, he, was in her thoughts, in her body, no, yes.


    She dug bloody wounds in the palm of her hand with her fingernails.


    The pain helped her focus. Closer, yet still so far.


    Her body walked toward the altar in the center of the chamber. It looked like a stone bed in the shape of some sort of sea creature. More grotesque sea creatures stood around the altar. No, they were merely stone statues.


    Watchers for the dark deeds done. Tessa¡¯s rational mind knew this. Just as it screamed in her head to stop and flee.


    Her body continued to move with agonizing slowness toward the altar.


    Profane blasphemy surrounded Tessa.


    Every statue, every carving on the walls, floor tiles, and ceilings touched Tessa in ways that made her feel as if she would never ever be clean.


    Mommy! Daddy! Help!


    That sounded like Tessa¡¯s voice, but that couldn¡¯t be. She hadn¡¯t spoken. Or had she?


    Please, Mommy, Daddy! I don¡¯t want to!


    But she was alone down in this unholy place.


    Where the light of the sun couldn¡¯t reach.


    Where the Deep Azure ruled.


    ¡°No!¡± Tessa screamed.


    The fishman bone spear splintered in her grip. The shards cut into her hand.


    Pain woke her.


    Tessa stopped.


    Her eyes opened.


    She saw.


    Such profanity all around her.


    Tessa made the sign of the cross. The gesture helped ease her fears, just a fraction, but enough. She reclaimed clarity.


    The voice in her head went silent.


    ¡°Not my voice,¡± Tessa realized. ¡°You fishy piece of shit! That was you in my head! Leading me here! Well, I¡¯m awake now and I¡¯m not going to sleep again! I¡¯m not going to let you use me in some kind of evil sacrifice!¡± she roared into the obscene cavern.


    Her voice echoed into silence.


    Steps. Soft ones.


    Tessa spun around toward the sound. She drew a fishman¡¯s tooth-like sword from where she had tucked it into her belt and clutched the broken spear in her other hand. The blood in her palms made her grips slippery.


    An old woman appeared at the far end of the chamber on the third level in what resembled an old-style theater box. The surface of her robe seemed to undulate like the ocean surface.


    Tessa was forced to look away lest she fall back under the waves.


    ¡°You are mistaken, child,¡± the old woman smiled serenely. ¡°This is not a ceremony of death. It is one of birth.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care if this is some kind of stupid cult graduation ceremony to reach thetan level thirty two. Now that I¡¯m not under your spell, I¡¯m stopping it!¡± Tessa snapped.


    ¡°There was no spell.¡±


    More figures slowly appeared all around Tessa. More cult members and fishmen on both the first and second levels.


    She was surrounded and grossly outnumbered.


    ¡°You are the guest of honor in the Deep Azure¡¯s rebirth,¡± the old woman said. ¡°You can no more fight this than you can the ocean.¡±


    Tessa didn¡¯t have any metal on her, but she could feel something, somethings tingling on the edges of her senses.


    A feral grin graced her lips.


    The fishmen she had fought and killed in the tunnels didn¡¯t carry any metal on them.


    It appeared that the cultists didn¡¯t take the same precaution.


    The voice in her head tried to say something, but Tessa wasn¡¯t listening. She was on to it.


    ¡°You screwed up,¡± Tessa said. ¡°I¡¯m not trapped in here with you,¡± she growled, ¡°you¡¯re trapped in here with me!¡±


    She had always wanted to say that.


    Tessa attacked first.


    <hr>


    Bang. Veronica mouthed the word as she sent off an electromagnetic pulse in a random direction.


    She felt the dark mist over her thoughts recede a bit.


    ¡°Don¡¯t waste your energy,¡± Megan whispered.


    Veronica scowled at her mother¡¯s back.


    ¡°And don¡¯t give me that look.¡± Megan didn¡¯t turn her head back.


    ¡°I¡¯m driving back the evil presence like before. Remember back at that old, bearded guy¡¯s house? When it was like making you all go crazy and depressed? My brain blasts make it go away for a little bit. How can you tell I¡¯m doing it anyways?¡± Veronica pouted.


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    ¡°I can feel a tingling in my head. It¡¯s very disturbing.¡±


    ¡°Like licking a battery?¡± Veronica was curious.


    ¡°Yes¡­ wait, when did you lick batteries?¡± Megan stopped and turned around.


    ¡°Dunno¡­ when I was a kid,¡± Veronica shrugged.


    Bang. Veronica sent a pulse behind her.


    ¡°What did I just tell you?¡± Megan hissed.


    ¡°How did you even feel that? I shot behind me,¡± Veronica frowned.


    Megan narrowed her eyes. ¡°You can¡¯t get anything past me, young lady. Now¡ª¡±


    ¡°Hold on¡­¡± Nila said.


    The other two waited with bated breath.


    Nila¡¯s half-turned face looked eerie in the fluorescent bluish green light from the strange mossy substance scattered throughout the tunnel.


    Seconds passed into minutes.


    ¡°Do it again, Veronica,¡± Nila said.


    Veronica sent out another pulse.


    Nila nodded. ¡°I think it¡¯s working. The voice in my head telling me we¡¯re doomed isn¡¯t as loud. How often can you keep that up, while conserving enough energy for a fight?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not even tired,¡± Veronica lied.


    ¡°Okay, keep doing it, but space them out as long as you can.¡±


    Megan grumbled, but didn¡¯t say anything. She felt the same relief from the dark voice in her head. The insidious whispers kept telling her that she was going to watch as her entire family suffered.


    They were silent for a precious moment.


    The tunnel architecture changed the further the trio descended. It went from roughly cut, spiraling grooves in the curved surfaces to smoothened stone to tiles and carvings that had to have been done by thinking beings.


    They knew which beings it had to be.


    Occasionally, they came across dead fishmen.


    A gross if hopeful sight.


    Veronica was certain that it was Tessa¡¯s handiwork, which meant that she had gotten away and was still free, fighting. She grew giddy with the hope that they¡¯d reunite soon and together they¡¯d crush the fishmen and the stupid dark god thing lurking in their thoughts.


    Unless, it was too late and Tessa had already been captured. After all, she had been down in the dark, dank tunnels for two days.


    Alone.


    After Veronica had abandoned her and allowed her sister to sacrifice herself.


    ¡°Shut up, asshole,¡± Veronica muttered as she sent another electromagnetic pulse forth.


    This one was stronger than she had intended.


    The dark thoughts receded.


    ¡°Thanks, hon,¡± Megan whispered.


    Veronica¡¯s mother sounded pained. Her steps looked shaky.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, mom. I won¡¯t let it get us,¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°I know,¡± Megan said. ¡°How far have we gone? It feels like we¡¯ve been walking down here for hours.¡± she asked Nila.


    ¡°It feels like we¡¯ve been walking on level ground for a while now, so I guess that means we must be underneath the sea floor at this stage.¡± Nila remembered after the initial gentle slope of the tunnel from the cult fort they had to walk down a spiraling path almost straight down for what felt like a really long time. Although, she figured that the near pitch black of the abyss they had plunged into had made time seem to flow slower.


    ¡°What if we¡¯re lost? What if we should¡¯ve taken different turns at those forks that we passed?¡± Megan said. Something was bothering her, but she couldn¡¯t voice it for some reason.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Nila was forced to admit. ¡°It feels like I know that I¡¯m going the right way and¡­ now that you mention it¡ª that¡¯s weird. The shift in architecture suggests that we¡¯re going the right way though.¡±


    ¡°What if it¡¯s a trap? Something¡¯s already messed with our heads before and I can still feel it in the back of my mind. Only Veronica¡¯s brain blasts¡ª¡± Megan frowned, ¡°I don¡¯t know if I like that term¡ª¡± she shook her head, ¡°they¡¯re the only thing keeping it at bay.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Veronica said, ¡°trap or no trap, doesn¡¯t matter. We¡¯ll crush them all and get Tessa back. Then we¡¯ll get Dad back.¡± She let out a brain blast for good measure. There was a squeak from the small bag at Veronica¡¯s side. ¡°See, Twinkle Star agrees.¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t have any powers does he?¡± Nila said. ¡°Can he track Tessa¡¯s scent.¡±


    Veronica peeked into the bag. ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so. He¡¯s just really old.¡±


    ¡°We keep moving forward then,¡± Nila said.


    They marched on. Hours seemed to pass at a glacial pace. They only stopped briefly to eat and drink from the dwindling supplies they had brought.


    Their lanterns and torch had long been extinguished.


    Luckily, the strange, glowing mossy substance served as sufficient replacements when packed inside the lanterns or tied to the end of the dead torch.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Veronica¡¯s ears perked.


    ¡°What is it, hon?¡± Megan said.


    ¡°Shhh¡­¡± Veronica trained her ear back down the way they had come, ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ but I think I can hear voices.¡±


    Nila kept her eyes straight ahead, down the dimly lit tunnel. They hadn¡¯t encountered anything except dead fishmen, but the dark void could hide anything. She kept her shield and baseball bat-like club ready. Shadows could become monsters at any time. She remembered the gremlins doing just that.


    ¡°Do another pulse?¡± Nila suggested.


    ¡°I did. It¡¯s not in my head. I think I can hear whispering, like actual people talking,¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°Could the cultists have gotten past our people?¡± Megan said.


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case then we can¡¯t allow them to catch up before we find Tessa. We need to get through to Alcatraz and free Remy,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we set up an ambush?¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°No, we can¡¯t fight a super mutant in such tight quarters. They might also have fishmen with them,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Okay, we should go faster then,¡± Veronica said.


    Nila agreed. She picked up the pace.


    The narrow tunnel continued to wind around like a serpent. The twists and turns worried Nila. Her earlier realization made it impossible for her to dismiss the idea that she was being led around.


    There could¡¯ve only been one entity behind such a thing, if that was the case.


    The Deep Azure.


    Thinking of it in direct terms made a shiver run up Nila¡¯s back. She felt so small, so vulnerable despite her superhuman strength.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at them,¡± Megan hissed.


    ¡°I¡¯m not, Mom¡­ they make me feel sick,¡± Veronica said. ¡°It¡¯s stupid cause they¡¯re on the floor too.¡±


    Nila looked down.


    A mistake.


    The obscene images carved into the stone tiles brought on a wave of nausea. She had been focusing her eyes straight into the darkness ahead for a reason.


    Behind her somebody vomited.


    She nearly followed suit. The sounds and the smells almost triggered a cascade of sickness.


    Nila heard it then, before Megan and Veronica did.


    Voices up ahead.


    Not in her head. She was fairly certain.


    Talking. Then shouting.


    Fighting.


    ¡°Tessa.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Megan rasped. She had made the mistake of looking too closely at one of the carvings set into the side of the tunnel wall and had vomited up the contents of her stomach.


    ¡°Mom, you okay?¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°Up ahead, I think I hear fighting and¡­ Tessa¡¯s voice,¡± Nila stumbled forward on unsteady legs.


    ¡°Tessa!¡± Veronica perked up. The teen was stronger than both adults. She barged past her mother and Nila.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Nila called out to no avail.


    Veronica was gone.


    Into the darkness ahead.


    Toward the unknown.


    Straight for the sounds of violence.


    ¡°C¡¯mon. We have to hurry,¡± Nila dragged Megan along as she tried to run after Veronica.


    Their thoughts were in a fog and their bodies felt heavy with a sudden onset of days worth of fatigue.


    Nila had a terrible thought.


    The dark presence had been leading them all along and now had them right where it desired.


    Megan muttered something.


    Nila¡¯s eyes fluttered.


    A soft glow became a bright light.


    Megan¡¯s hands.


    It banished the darkness crowding on their thoughts.


    Nila suddenly felt refreshed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what I did, but I feel better, like I had a good night¡¯s sleep,¡± Megan said in disbelief, ¡°You?¡±


    ¡°The same,¡± Nila stood straighter. ¡°It¡¯s still in my head, but I don¡¯t feel tired anymore. I thought there had to be injuries for you to heal? You can¡¯t heal tired, can you?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I¡ª I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Megan looked at her hands. She pulled out her pistol. ¡°We have to hurry!¡±


    The two women sprinted into the darkness.


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    Salamander slashed their dragon claw-like right gauntlet across Gyxdor¡¯s broad chest as the two tangled while they fell down the shaft. The Threnosh planted their boots into the Inheritor¡¯s stomach and kicked off while engaging their thrusters.


    Gyxdor roared as the flames burned his flesh.


    Salamander aimed for an opening in the side of the shaft. An access tunnel of some kind.


    They reached for the edge of the platform.


    It was so close.


    Salamander was suddenly jerked down.


    Gyxdor had grabbed their legs with a massive hand.


    The massive Inheritor threw Salamander down toward another platform several dozen meters below.


    Salamander hit with a thud, but they rolled away just in time to avoid Gyxdor¡¯s massive feet as the Inheritor cratered the metallic floor with their feet.


    The behemoth snarled and flexed his fists. Jagged, bony protrusions threatened like wicked claws.


    Salamander wasn¡¯t sure if their tough and durable armor could stand up to the Inheritor¡¯s massive strength. They came up to a crouch and breathed fire on the advancing Inheritor.


    They backed away and kept the stream going as Gyxdor charged forward.


    A massive ball of fire slammed into Salamander and the next thing they knew was that they had crashed right through the thin metal of the large door and into the dark tunnel behind.


    Gyxdor was silhouetted by the light behind him as he pealed the door open with his bare hands. Dying flames licked across his body.


    Salamander¡¯s faceplate took a moment to adjust to the low light conditions in the tunnel.


    ¡°Like I said. You¡¯re not going to be able to get away from me this time,¡± Gyxdor said.


    Salamander grew concerned.


    The front of Gyxdor¡¯s body was a blackened and charred mess, yet the Inheritor still looked strong.


    Next to the durability and toughness that Salamander¡¯s power armor provided, the fire was their strongest ability.


    More.


    They needed more.


    Their only option was to burn the Inheritor until there was nothing left, but ashes.


    With a thought, Salamander released the liquid substance from dozens of holes all over the surface of their power armor. Like pores secreting sweat.


    They ignited themselves with a quick breath of flame.


    ¡°You¡¯d destroy yourself to avoid what I will do to you? Understandable, if cowardly,¡± Gyxdor said.


    Salamander was wreathed in a mantle of intense fire. It was like being in the heart of furnace. They felt nothing of the heat.


    ¡°You fight with your fists,¡± Salamander said flatly. ¡°You will burn with every touch.¡±


    Gyxdor roared and charged.


    Salamander leapt forward to meet him.


    A few hundred meters above, separated by tons of rock, crisscrossed by dozens of tunnels of varying sizes, battle raged.


    Bolter rounds shredded corrupted in the dozens.


    Sonic emitters liquefied internal organs.


    The chaos was all around Cal, but he only had eyes for one thing.


    Mother Madrigal suddenly appeared on the ceiling.


    How had something so big escaped his notice?


    She descended down on him with her flesh cloak wide. Her impossibly long fingers reached out, grasping, hungry.


    Cal had a moment of panic. He remembered what felt like a warm and comforting blanket. It elicited longing and disgust in equal measure.


    ¡°Not this time!¡± Cal snapped.


    He punched out with an angry blast of telekinetic force.


    It thrust Mother Madrigal into the side of the tunnel.


    Metal crumpled around her.


    Cal bared his teeth.


    Rage.


    He embraced it.


    Kill her.


    Destroy her.


    Make you pay for what you made me do.


    Cal kept his distance.


    Instead of closing, he grabbed corrupted with his telekinesis and hurled them at the Mother like cannonballs.


    How do you like that? Your children pulped on your body.


    Mother Madrigal closed her flesh cloak and simply allowed the corrupted to crash into her.


    She barely moved, like a statue.


    Cal pulled more corrupted from the front of their mass as they tried to swarm him and the pillbox he had made, where Frequency and the two E.W.S. soldiers fought from in relative safety.


    I can keep this up all day long!


    Cal was throwing so many corrupted at the Mother, that she couldn¡¯t move.


    Perhaps you can, but can you say the same for the ones you claim to care about?


    Cal blinked.


    That wasn¡¯t his voice.


    ¡°My walls¡­¡±


    He had thought that his telepathic walls in conjunction with Frequency¡¯s disruptive sound meant he was safe from the Mother¡¯s mental intrusion.


    The distraction was further compounded by an altogether unexpected event.


    The aerial transport exploded.


    The fireball singed Cal and the shockwave threw him dozens of meters along with the corrupted.


    Only the Mother kept her feet.


    Only Frequency and the Threnosh inside the pillbox were unaffected.


    ¡°PJ15¡­¡± Cal said as he looked at the burning wreckage in horror.


    Something dark and terrible writhed on the other side of the flames.


    You are distracted.


    Cal blinked.


    He was no longer in the tunnel.


    He stood in nothingness.


    The T-Men and the corrupted were gone.


    A warm blanket suddenly enveloped him from behind.


    Cal threw it off.


    ¡°I told you. Not this time.¡±


    He turned to strike and was confronted by a sight that brought a pang of longing and regret to his heart.


    Nila.


    Sweet, smiling Nila stood with her arms open for an embrace.


    Cal was tempted for he missed her more than anything in the world.


    Instead, he stepped back.


    A thought, an exertion of will swept through the black emptiness of his surroundings.


    Nila. Rather, the image of Nila fuzzed for a moment. Then coalesced to reveal Mother Madrigal in all her wrongness. Her cloak of flesh, with grasping hands all along the edges. The hood of flesh that never revealed her face, hidden behind a darker than black void.


    ¡°How dare you use my most precious¡ª¡± Cal snarled. He stopped. ¡°You made a mistake,¡± he said calmly. ¡°You¡¯ve gotten into my head again, but now that means I¡¯m also in yours. The same tricks won¡¯t work again.¡±


    Cal exerted his mind.


    The empty void suddenly turned into a room. There was nothing in it. Just four walls, a ceiling and a floor, painted in a bland white color.


    The image fuzzed.


    Cal fought against it and stabilized things.


    ¡°I¡¯m in control now. I¡¯m not going to let you use my memories to twist me up. I¡¯ve learned from before. This is where you lose.¡±


    A laugh, like wind chimes in a soft breeze. Or a musical instrument, light and airy.


    If you are in here then your children are alone out there with mine.


    ¡°Your corrupted are down to what? Less than a hundred? As for your Inheritors, Salamander took care of Gyxdor. The ones you brought into the tunnel are either injured or easily handle-able¡­ is that a word? Doesn¡¯t seem like a word,¡± Cal spoke lightly. He felt more like himself than he had been in awhile. Mother Madrigal might¡¯ve been some kind of eldritch being older than human civilizations, at least that was what he got from the glimpses into her thoughts, but he was shocked to realize that she wasn¡¯t way above him in terms of power.


    Fear was self-fulfilling in many ways.


    Cal was still afraid, but this time he wasn¡¯t going to let it consume him.


    ¡°The T-Men aren¡¯t my children. They¡¯re deadly fighters in their own right. I caught it, you know, right after the explosion. While you¡¯re stuck in this mindscape with me, you¡¯re basically alone out there. Vulnerable.¡±


    Foolish child. I have lived ages beyond your entire species. I am not trapped here. Not entirely.


    ¡°Oh, I know that. In fact, I learned it from you.¡±


    Cal leapt at the Mother and grappled her.


    Out in the physical world, Cal stood up amidst the carnage of corrupted bodies.


    ¡°Frequency, get your most powerful sound ready!¡± Cal called out.


    ¡°Acknowledged!¡± Frequency yelled out from inside the pillbox.


    The last remnants of the corrupted crowded the front, but they couldn¡¯t breach Cal¡¯s construction even as they were being shot to pieces with short-ranged lasers.


    Mother Madrigal stood like a statue near the fires that raged over the remains of the transport.


    Slowly, her head turned to face Cal.


    ¡°It¡¯s quiet isn¡¯t it?¡± Cal said. ¡°You can¡¯t use that cursed song of yours to mess with our heads and equipment when I¡¯m fighting you in here,¡± he tapped his temple.


    ¡°You¡¯ve stolen my song. I will have it back. Then you will have reason to regret your foolish decisions,¡± Mother Madrigal¡¯s voice was a deep rasp.


    Cal wouldn¡¯t have been surprised to learn that she hadn¡¯t physically spoken in centuries.


    ¡°No regrets, just revenge,¡± Cal said flatly.


    The two moved at the same time.


    An eldritch entity that had seen millennia pass and a once-human man a fraction of her age clashed with worlds on the line.


    One fought for power, while one fought for others.


    Only one would triumph.

 4.14

    Then, Threnosh World


    PJ15 crept cautiously up the transport¡¯s ramp into the yawning darkness. The two E.W.S. soldiers trailed behind in flanking formation.


    They reached the sliding doors that led into the transport¡¯s main passenger compartment.


    Stay here and cover me, PJ15 sent to the two soldiers.


    The soldiers switched to their short-ranged laser weapons and signaled acknowledgment as they took positions on both sides of the doors.


    PJ15 gave the signal and the soldiers manually pulled the doors open. The whine of their power armors was a soft whisper, but sounded like a loud shout in the silence of the enclosed space.


    PJ15 dipped into the dark interior with speed and purpose. Their power armor scanned the entire space in a split-second. It appeared empty, but with the wide array of potential enemy abilities PJ15 wasn¡¯t going to take any chances.


    They took cover behind the closest berth as they took the time for a second scan.


    Back by the door the two soldiers leaned their laser weapons out of cover.


    Moving forward. Follow behind. 3 meters.


    The soldiers signaled assent.


    PJ15 moved toward the front of the transport. There was the smaller command and control compartment up ahead, after which was the pilot¡¯s compartment.


    They expected an attack at any moment.


    The pilot was most likely dead. There was no other reason for them to go silent, nor for the transport to completely power down.


    PJ15 pried the doors to the next compartment with their own hands only to be greeted by a fist to the face. Their power armor reacted quicker, under its own accord. The front of their helmet thickened and tendrils shot out of their back to yank them away from the punch.


    It resulted in a punch robbed of much of its impact.


    A glob of liquid shot out of the darkened compartment.


    It struck an E.W.S. soldier in the chest.


    The acidic substance ate away at their chest armor with frightening speed. It reached through to the Threnosh in the following seconds.


    The doomed soldier fired their laser weapon into the darkness. They jerked their weapon up as the substance ate away at their flesh. The soldier¡¯s finger locked on the trigger in death, causing the weapon to continue to carve through the transport¡¯s ceiling until its energy cell was drained.


    The remaining soldier switched to their sonic weapon and covered the door with the cone-shaped field.


    A second glob of acid flew out of the darkness.


    The sonic field managed to disperse most of it, but a few droplets struck the sonic weapon. Enough to render it useless.


    ¡°Retreat,¡± PJ15 said.


    The soldier complied without a word.


    PJ15 sent pointed tendrils spearing at their unseen assailants.


    They felt several pierce flesh. Hard skin from the tactile feedback transmitted back through the tendrils.


    PJ15 turned the sharp points into hooks with a thought and retracted the tendrils.


    Or rather they tried.


    The Inheritor hidden in the darkness didn¡¯t budge.


    Before PJ15 could do anything else a spray of acidic liquid drenched their tendrils.


    PJ15 felt the pain eating away at the tendrils as if it was their own skin. The substance must¡¯ve been particular potent if it was able to partially bypass the inherent protections of their power armor. Normally, only a small part of pain sensations were allowed through.


    They severed their tendrils with a thought and stumbled back, off-balance.


    PJ15 recognized the first Inheritor that came out of the compartment ahead.


    Zeyt, spitting more acid out of their mouth.


    PJ15 extruded a round shield out of their arm to block the acid, detaching it before the substance could spread to the rest of their arm. With their other arm they whipped a tendril out and smacked Zeyt into a bulkhead on the side of the transport.


    They didn¡¯t recognize the second Inheritor. It had pale gray skin, almost white. Tall and muscular it conveyed strength in the way it moved. Judging by the number of tendrils sticking out of its body and the way it appeared unconcerned suggested it didn¡¯t feel pain in an impactful way.


    The new Inheritor moved quickly.


    PJ15 was caught flat-footed as the Inheritor rushed forward, grabbed them and threw them into the command and control compartment. Their spinning body broke through the metal of the door frame.


    The E.W.S. soldier struck the pale Inheritor with their laser. The beam burned a thin hole through its left shoulder.


    The Inheritor paid the wound no mind as it stomped after PJ15.


    Zeyt spat more acid at the soldier, who dived out of the way and fired their laser.


    The beam lanced through Zeyt¡¯s right elbow, shearing the lower arm right off.


    Blood and acidic liquid splashed down in copious amounts to the transport¡¯s floor.


    The substance ate through it in seconds.


    Lucky, or perhaps unlucky depending on where one stood, it dripped straight down to the transport¡¯s power source.


    The explosion consumed Zeyt and the soldier.


    PJ15 found themselves riding a fireball right out of the cockpit and into the dark tunnel.


    The pale Inheritor tumbled past them. It rolled around to douse the flames that covered its body almost nonchalantly.


    Much of the surface of PJ15¡¯s power was burned and charred.


    Critical loss of mass. Recommend immediate replacement with biological matter.


    PJ15 was confused. The voice in their head sounded distinct, yet their comms weren¡¯t active.


    Sufficient bio mass approaching at five hundred meters.


    PJ15 struggled to their feet.


    Beyond the pale Inheritor, hundreds of corrupted charged out of the darkness.


    The transport burned in a raging fire behind them. Beyond that the rest of PJ15¡¯s team fought. There was no hope for retreat or escape.


    PJ15 had only one course of action. They had to hold the line to keep their team from being crushed between two enemy forces.


    Together we are stronger.


    PJ15 recognized the voice in their thoughts. It had grown from nothing, to whispers, to this over the last two years during their struggle behind enemy lines.


    The T-Men were different from the majority of Threnosh society by virtue of the unique power armors they had obtained from the spires.


    Although PJ15 was part of the T-Men they were different. Their power armor was different. They didn¡¯t obtain it from the spires. It grew from the heart of a giant, powerful monster. Honor had wrenched it as his spoils after a terrible struggle.


    PJ15 was special even amongst unique individuals.


    In the entirety of the known Threnosh world, there were only fifteen individuals at the highest level of strength and power.


    The primes fought the gravest threats.


    We fight together.


    PJ15 was hesitant. They hadn¡¯t received much guidance with their power armor. Honor hadn¡¯t known much despite his willingness to help. Prime Custodian 3 knew plenty, but they had claimed that each was unique.


    There was no choice.


    To lose was to fail their team.


    PJ15 would die before that happened.


    ¡°Together.¡±


    A whole host of options suddenly appeared on PJ15¡¯s faceplate. Different weapon configurations and even new forms. A spike of pain shot through their brain.


    They knew, instantly, what the dozen or so new capabilities did and how to perform them.


    Critical need: Obtain bio mass.


    The words were accompanied by a suggestion.


    PJ15 concurred.


    They attacked.


    PJ15¡¯s power-armored body dissolved into a large slug-like mass or writhing tendrils and jagged teeth. They flowed across the floor with surprising speed as the threw themselves into the enemy mass.


    It was a massacre.


    A single Inheritor with several hundred corrupted were nothing to a prime.


    Bio mass obtained.


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    Salamander sliced deep gashes into Gyxdor¡¯s muscular body with their over-sized right gauntlet claw.


    The Inheritor¡¯s skin blistered and popped like fried pork skins from the intense heat produced by the flames that wreathed Salamander¡¯s power armor.


    Despite the horrendous damage, Gyxdor wasn¡¯t slowing down. He battered Salamander from one side of the tunnel to the other with thunderous blows that echoed deep into the darkness.


    Salamander had silenced the damage alerts except for the most critical long ago, the incessant beeping in their ear holes and the flashing lights had become too distracting.


    The flame-clad Threnosh ducked a punch that cratered the metallic wall. They shuffled back and breathed a white hot flame that burned Gyxdor¡¯s left arm almost down to the bone.


    The behemoth¡¯s skin and large chunks of muscle practically melted off the bone.


    ¡°Pain is strength!¡± Gyxdor roared.


    Salamander disagreed, but they were willing to provide more of it if that was what the Inheritor desired.


    More flame poured out of their draconic helmet¡¯s maw. This time it was orange. They couldn¡¯t maintain the intensity indefinitely. Especially with the drain their fiery mantle placed on finite resources.


    The Inheritor only had one usable hand and arm left. Vast tracts of his massive frame were charred black. Still, he kept coming.


    Salamander checked the city section map with one eye while they ducked, dived and dodged out of the way of Gyxdor¡¯s massive fists and feet.


    Fortune favored them.


    There was a perfect spot just several hundred meters down the tunnel. They extinguished their flame mantle. They needed every last bit of their reserves.


    Salamander turned and ran.


    ¡°Yet again, you flee!¡± Gyxdor gave chase.


    Salamander ran past their spot. They turned and skidded to a halt.


    One last chance.


    They breathed a tight stream of fire down to the floor.


    The metal glowed red, then orange, then white hot in seconds.


    Gyxdor thundered toward Salamander.


    A clear thinking warrior would have, perhaps, thought something amiss with an opponent attacking the floor.


    The massive Inheritor wasn¡¯t one. Gyxdor fought with unbridled rage and the desire to crush his opponents. He wasn¡¯t concerned with what Salamander was doing. To him, all that mattered was crushing his opponents with his bare hands.


    The pain of stepping on white hot metal was nothing compared to the shock of finding himself suddenly plummeting down a dark shaft.


    Salamander had found an access shaft just large enough to fit Gyxdor¡¯s massive bulk. All he had to do was weaken the metal door enough to let the Inheritor¡¯s weight do the rest of the work.


    The Threnosh listened to Gyxdor¡¯s indignant roars with satisfaction.


    ¡°Same result,¡± Salamander said into the black hole at their feet.


    Their power armor was mostly drained. Their fire had been burned out. They consulted their map and sought the quickest way to get back up to the battle with the Mother.


    <hr>


    Subcommander Tioga Blue 635 held nominal command of the defense for City Section 75¡¯s central security station.


    Nominal because the T-Men weren¡¯t in the standard chain of command.


    The subcommander¡¯s orders were treated as suggestions. They only had direct control over the two squads of soldiers, mixed between standard and heavy infantry. Even the E.W.S. soldiers answered directly to Subcommander Solemn Coast 963, who in turn answered to Telatrine back at the main base camp.


    In short, Subcommander Tioga Blue 635 was forced to deploy their soldiers in support of the various T-Men. They reacted rather than dictated the defense.


    The battle wasn¡¯t going well.


    The corrupted came in waves. There were thousands of them.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    The subcommander took solace in the fact that the Inheritors had not appeared. Their hope was that the operation to rescue Honor had drawn the dangerous organisms¡¯ attention.


    The holographic projections in the center of the command chamber displayed all areas of the battle raging around the multi-level security station.


    ¡°Requesting fire support at these coordinates,¡± Subcommander Tioga Blue 635 said into the team channel as they transmitted the precise telemetry thanks to the multitude of flying surveillance drones blanketing the area. At least that was one thing that was going to their advantage. Frequency¡¯s efforts to counteract the enemy¡¯s interference had proved crucial. ¡°Corrupted massing in greater numbers for what appears to be a push on our northwest quadrant.¡± The subcommander was bothered by the need to justify themselves. It was an very un-Threnosh way of thinking, which they quickly dismissed from their thoughts.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Maul stood on the roof of a three-level structure across the street from the station. They launched several explosive mortars with loud thooms from the launcher on their back.


    The subcommander watched the mortars land with accuracy and completely obliterate the corrupted along with the structures and the street in a hundred meter circle.


    The growing problem was momentarily solved so the subcommander cycled through the projections in search of others.


    To the south of the station was a single, wide street lined by tightly packed structures.


    A mixed squad of soldiers, eight standard and four heavy poured projectile fire from recoilless rifles and shoulder-mounted miniguns. Drones streamed in and out of the station ferrying ammunition. It was necessary since the soldiers had to keep up a near constant rate of fire to keep the corrupted back.


    The dead carpeted the street and were beginning to pile up in a wall some thirty meters from the firing line.


    In a display that defied Threnosh science, Winding Myriad launched a bolt of bright lightning from their staff weapon that struck a corrupted and continued to branch out in an apparently random fashion as it scorched several other corrupted.


    The east side of the station was faced with two streets that converged into one. Both streets had been been filled with Rodinian¡¯s traps, followed by hundreds of combat drones. Those measures had been mostly expended as the corrupted forced their way down the street despite atrocious losses.


    Adahn was surround by multiple ranks of the tracked combat drones as they poured projectile fire into the corrupted funneling down the narrow street.


    The Threnosh had further modified their exoskeleton harness with additional weapons. In addition to their two bladed arms, two shield arms and two recoilless rifle arms, they had added an arm that launched explosive grenades and an arm with an E.W.S. laser weapon.


    Adahn fired projectiles and lobbed grenades, all while bothering the subcommander by directly taking control of several resupply drones and tasking them with delivering ammunition outside of the proper chain of command.


    The west side was much the same. A narrow street funneled the corrupted into Rodinian¡¯s traps and combat drones. Half a squad of the subcommander¡¯s soldiers along with two E.W.S. soldiers behind the latter¡¯s deployable energy shields fired their weapons with their backs to the station. The E.W.S. soldiers were more judicious with their weaponry, since those were more fickle and required an energy source or ammunition in short supply.


    They had difficulties in adapting the older fabrication facilities to the manufacture of the new technology.


    The north side almost mirrored the defensive disposition of the east side.


    With one exception.


    Maul added their firepower to help thin out the corrupted swarm filling three wide streets leading to the security station.


    Aerial combat drones circled the station and fired projectiles down on the corrupted, but they were relatively few in number and their impact was minimal. For every one corrupted they managed to kill more came from it seemed like everywhere in what should¡¯ve been a dead city.


    They were holding. Somehow they were holding, but the subcommander saw it plainly.


    The corrupted were getting closer to their firing lines.


    The combat drones were no longer able to cede ground and the corrupted were swarming and tearing apart the ones on the outer edges of their defenses.


    ¡°To all defenders. We cannot lose this security station. It will lead to a collapse of the entire outer edge of our controlled territory. Additionally, the enemy will obtain a direct line of attack to the center of the next tier of our city sections. Fight.¡± Subcommander Tioga Blue 635 had to tried to emulate Honor¡¯s speeches.


    ¡°Adequate effort,¡± Subcommander Solemn Coast 963 said.


    ¡°I disagree,¡± Rodinian said.


    ¡°Agreed. Honor puts more of that thing he calls emotion into his words of exhortation,¡± Drega Tali said.


    ¡°That is not the Threnosh way,¡± Subcommander Tioga Blue 635 said flatly. They spoke truth and that was all.


    ¡°I do not believe that the Threnosh way is enough to triumph in this battle,¡± Drega Tali said. ¡°Probability suggests our defeat will come, even if it will take time. Logic dictates that victory can only be achieved in an un-Threnosh way.¡±


    ¡°Honor¡¯s way has defied probability on many occasions,¡± Rodinian said.


    ¡°Honor is absent,¡± Subcommander Solemn Coast 963 said.


    ¡°But we, the T-Men, are here,¡± Drega Tali said with conviction.


    ¡°A poor lot, a foolish lot.¡±


    An unfamiliar voice suddenly filled the command chamber. It echoed all around them.


    The four Threnosh swiftly covered the four quadrants of the chamber with their recoilless rifles.


    ¡°Show yourself, Inheritor, there is no place to hide,¡± Rodinian said.


    ¡°I am one with the shadows,¡± the voice said grimly.


    A smoke bomb suddenly exploded in their mist. Thick and dark it covered them quickly.


    Something moved among them, striking.


    Subcommander Tioga Blue 653 saw a target outlined in their faceplate¡¯s targeting system. They snapped off a burst, but the figure ducked and obscured the subcommander¡¯s vision with a voluminous cape, before kicking the subcommander in the stomach and knocking them to the ground.


    Subcommander Solemn Coast 963 fared worse as bladed stars spun out of the smoke to strike them in the throat. The sharp tips pierced through their power armor to nick their fragile throat within.


    ¡°Subcommander is down, cover me, Rodinian.¡± Drega Tali rushed to the fallen subcommander¡¯s side. Their repair and healing implements immediately went to work on Subcommander Solemn Coast 963.


    Rodinian had a hunch. They fired a sustained burst around Drega Tali and were reward by a pained sound.


    Their faceplate couldn¡¯t acquire a target, so they decided to cast a wide net.


    They pulled a stasis trap from the compartment at their side and threw the small disk where they thought the sounds had come from.


    Rodinian sighted down the barrel of their recoilless rifle as they waited for the smoke to dissipate.


    Subcommander Tioga Blue 635 had picked themselves up and joined them.


    The smoke cleared to reveal what was clearly an Inheritor suspended in Rodinian¡¯s stasis trap.


    The Inheritor was about the same size as Rodinian in their power armor. It had a dark gray helmet shaped like a predatory avian and a dark gray cloak that resembled a ratacan¡¯s fleshy wings. Its body was covered in thin, armor plates of the same color. Everything looked as if they were parts of the Inheritor¡¯s body rather than clothing.


    ¡°You cannot hold the darkness,¡± the Inheritor intoned.


    ¡°I do not understand,¡± Rodinian frowned, confused. ¡°That is exactly what I have done if you are referring to yourself as the darkness. Although, your coloration is gray, not black. Darkness implies the latter.¡±


    ¡°You cannot stop the darkness. The shadow falls on all.¡±


    ¡°It will provide valuable intelligence upon interrogation,¡± Subcommander Tioga Blue 635 said.


    ¡°My stasis trap will not last much longer and I have no other means to restrain it,¡± Rodinian said.


    ¡°The Inheritor is a dangerous opponent,¡± Drega Tali said without looking up from their work on Subcommander Solemn Coast 963.


    ¡°Then we have one course of action,¡± Subcommander Tioga Blue 653 said.


    ¡°Termination,¡± Rodinian agreed.


    They peppered the Inheritor with recoilless rifle fire until it displayed no further life signs.


    ¡°This is Adahn. Corrupted surging on my position, requesting assistance!¡± The voice was panicked over the comms.


    ¡°E.W.S. Soldier Radiant Canyon 7 at west defensive position. Enemy numbers increased. Combat drone lines 5 and 4 have been overwhelmed. Assistance required.¡± The voice was calm, toneless.


    ¡°Winding Myriad, here. Corrupted are swarming over the buildings. I am running low on energy. Our position will be overrun shortly.¡± The voice was almost drowned out by the sounds of crackling lightning bolts scorching through the air.


    Subcommander Tioga Blue 653 watched it all unfold in the holographic projections.


    There was no other choice.


    ¡°All forces retreat into the security station if capable.¡±


    The battle had turned in an instant.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    ¡°Go left¡­¡±


    Hanna didn¡¯t like how weak Alexa¡¯s voice sounded, but she followed the other woman¡¯s instructions and took the left fork in the tunnel.


    The group traveled down the dim, dank tunnel with its strange spiral-like pattern roughly carved into the dark stone surfaces.


    What felt like hours had passed.


    Hanna glanced at her watch. It was kinetically powered. The time probably wasn¡¯t all that accurate, but its hands ticked away properly.


    Fifteen minutes had passed.


    Hanna was setting a quick pace.


    Nila, Megan and Veronica had about a thirty minute head start.


    Her group need to go faster to catch up. Luckily, they had Alexa, who was somehow able to lead them down the right path with her strange Eldritch Sense ability.


    Hanna suddenly stopped.


    ¡°Olo¡­ when did the scenery change?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know¡­¡± the big young man carried Alexa piggyback style.


    The tunnel floor was now tiled and the wall was covered in strange carvings.


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡­¡± Alexa said weakly.


    ¡°What¡ª¡± Hanna made the mistake of taking a closer look at the things carved into the wall.


    She promptly doubled over and vomited.


    Olo shut his eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t look at the walls or ground!¡±


    From the sounds and smells coming from down the formation a few others hadn¡¯t gotten the warning in time.


    Hanna took a moment, but straightened quickly. She wiped her mouth took a swig of water from her bottle and spat out the foul bits.


    ¡°Anyone that needs it, take a few seconds, but we need to keep moving,¡± Hanna said. ¡°Alexa, can you do anything about this,¡± she gestured toward the walls, while fixing her eyes down the dimly-lit tunnel.


    ¡°No¡­ sorry¡­ it¡¯s¡­ inside¡­¡± Alexa¡¯s eyes were squeezed shut.


    The woman didn¡¯t elaborate and Hanna didn¡¯t press her.


    ¡°Alright, we keep going!¡± Hanna barked.


    The group continued deeper into the tunnel.


    ¡°I think we screwed up, dude,¡± Johnny whispered.


    Gene didn¡¯t reply. He was busy swishing the gross chunks out of his mouth with water. He was also having second thoughts. Shame had motivated him to jump up and volunteer to go along when Hanna¡¯s group had reached the tunnel entrance back at the cult¡¯s fort. The way he had looked away with fear when Nila, Megan and Veronica had descended into the deep dark had eaten away at him. He had abandoned Tessa and Veronica, his friends, to their fates because of his fear.


    ¡°What if us coming along is just what they wanted?¡± Johnny continued.


    ¡°They¡­ who is they?¡± Mads hissed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. The spires? The Deep Azure?¡± Johnny shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m just saying that it¡¯s suspicious that as soon as we come along with we get a Quest.¡±


    ¡°Help with the rescue and survive,¡± Bastien said weakly. His face was drawn and pale. It had grown progressively worse the deeper they had ventured into the tunnels. Staring at the carvings on the wall hadn¡¯t helped.


    ¡°More concerned about the fail conditions. ¡®Death or a fate worse than death¡¯¡­ c¡¯mon, my dudes, that doesn¡¯t worry you guys?¡± Johnny said. Louder than he intended.


    ¡°Quiet, man!¡± Gene hissed. ¡°We don¡¯t know who or what is up ahead. You might¡¯ve just let them know we¡¯re coming.¡±


    ¡°Shit, sorry, my bad, but my points still stand.¡±


    ¡°So, what do you want to do? Go back?¡± Gene knew that was off the table. They were in too deep and with all the different turns Alexa led them on it was too easy to get lost on their way back. ¡°We¡¯re not alone down here. All the dead fishmen we¡¯ve come across is evidence enough of that.¡±


    ¡°So, they¡¯re dead. Gross, but can¡¯t hurt us,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Dumbass,¡± Mads scoffed.


    Johnny shot her the finger.


    ¡°The corpses mean two things. One: the fishmen are in these tunnels. We¡¯ve no idea when we might run into them. Two: our guys are obviously still alive and fighting. Whether it¡¯s Tessa or Veronica¡¯s group, it means that they still need our help.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t look that way,¡± Johnny grumbled, but stopped complaining, at least out loud.


    Silence descended once again.


    Keisha pretended she hadn¡¯t heard the kids bickering. She got it. They were scared and sometimes one needed to voice concerns to get that nerves out. It wasn¡¯t good to let nervousness eat away inside you. Made you tense. Wasted energy.


    She was a good example of that. Bringing up the rear, she felt a prickling on the back of her neck that at the beginning had her looking over her shoulder every few steps.


    She stopped with that nonsense and trusted in her group¡¯s varied abilities to detect potential danger. Alexa, Bastien and Max, ahead of her all had some kind of ability to sense threats. Keisha decided to trust them, along with her own.


    She silenced that fear of what lurked in the darkness in her immediate vicinity.


    She couldn¡¯t do the same to the voice in the back of her mind that said that she would never see her dead grandmother again. That to continue into the tunnel meant a fate worse than death, unless she submitted. That heaven was a lie and her grandmother wasn¡¯t waiting.


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Keisha muttered.


    Her grandmother didn¡¯t raise her to be weak-minded. She was raised to be strong, to believe in herself no matter what the voices said.


    ¡°You alright, K?¡± Max said.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Good, cause you¡¯re literally watching my back. I know you¡¯ve probably got some weird shit going on in your head¡­ I¡¯ve got the same issue. Doing my best to ignore it.¡±


    ¡°Same,¡± Keisha grunted.


    She wasn¡¯t in the mood for conversation, so she kept quiet. Max took the hint.


    The group walked through the tunnel, doing their best to keep their eyes directly in front of them and off the disturbing, nauseating carvings in the walls and on the ground.


    Twists and turns confronted them, but Alexa rallied enough of her dwindling strength to point the way with conviction.


    Until they finally reached a door.


    ¡°That looks new-ish,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Like straight from a prison or a bank vault,¡± Olo agreed.


    Hanna checked her watch. ¡°The last turn was twenty minutes ago¡­ Alexa, are you sure this is the right way?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Alexa groaned.


    Hanna carefully tested the handle with the pommel of her sword. It looked safe so she cautiously grabbed it and pulled. ¡°Locked.¡±


    ¡°I got this,¡± Johnny stepped forward with his lock picking tools. It didn¡¯t take long before a click echoed through the tunnel. ¡°Courtesy of Enhanced Dexterity,¡± he grinned.


    Hanna unceremoniously moved Johnny out of the way and pushed the door open.


    She stepped into something out of her nightmares.


    It was a dungeon, dimly lit by the same fluorescent mossy substance scattered throughout the entire tunnel network.


    People were packed in cages, not cells.


    No, definitely not the latter.


    The people were listless and kept their heads down as they sat on the ground. The cages being too short to allow an adult human the ability to stand.


    ¡°Oh shit! Del?¡± Max rushed over to a cage on their left.


    Keisha was just a step behind.


    ¡°Max? Keisha?¡± Del raised his head. His face was dirty and bloody.


    Keisha searched the faces in the cage. She didn¡¯t recognize anyone else. She searched the cage on the other side of the chamber. The same.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Rory?¡± Keisha hoped, but the voice in her head told her it was foolish.


    Del¡¯s gaze dropped back to the floor. ¡°The cult fucks took him yesterday. Then¡­ then¡ª¡± he burst into tears.


    ¡°Ritual torture, at least that¡¯s what they said is going to happen to all of us eventually,¡± a gruff voice spoke from the back of the second cage.


    ¡°Captain Hamill,¡± Hanna recognized him immediately. She noticed Jimenez and a couple of other soldiers. Less than ten.


    ¡°They caught us,¡± Captain Hamill sighed. ¡°And now we wait for our turns.¡±


    ¡°How do you know? The torture, I mean,¡± Gene gulped.


    Jimenez pointed at a vent on the wall near the ceiling. ¡°They let us listen,¡± she said in a small, broken voice.


    ¡°Apparently, whatever they¡¯re getting out of the ritual the better it is if we¡¯re full of fear and despair. Just the worst kinds of emotions and the pain, of course,¡± Captain Hamill laughed bitterly.


    ¡°Fuck that bullshit!¡± Max snapped. ¡°We¡¯re getting you out of there, Del,¡± he gestured for Johnny, ¡°get this shit open!¡±


    Johnny hurried over.


    ¡°What does it matter,¡± Del sobbed. ¡°Rory¡¯s gone¡­ I don¡¯t care anymore, just let me go to him.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit!¡± Keisha banged her hammer on the iron bars. ¡°You think he¡¯d want that garbage for you?¡±


    Del said nothing.


    ¡°He¡¯s not wrong,¡± Captain Hamill said. ¡°Look at us. We¡¯re spent. No weapons, used up all our magic. We¡¯ll only slow you down, whatever it is you¡¯re planning to do.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, but we¡¯re not leaving you locked up in here,¡± Hanna said. ¡°If you don¡¯t care about your lives anymore, then maybe you can be meatshields for the rest of us. We¡¯re the ones actually going to get things done and take it to the cult and the fishmen¡­ or you can fight too. Seems like an easy choice to me.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t hear what we did,¡± Captain Hamill said.


    Sounds drifted in through the vent.


    Yelling, screaming, dying.


    ¡°Oh my god! That¡¯s horrible,¡± Olo shivered.


    ¡°No¡­ wait,¡± Captain Hamill¡¯s ear¡¯s perked up. ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound like torture. It sounds like¡ª¡±


    ¡°Battle,¡± Hanna said. ¡°Johnny, hurry up and get these cages open. We¡¯re close.¡±


    The soldiers and Resistance members in the cages stirred. The fear didn¡¯t leave their eyes, but there was a spark of something. As if they were waking up from a nightmare.

 4.15

    Now, Earth


    Tessa hurled the broken spear shaft at the creepy old cultist woman.


    ¡°Mage Shield.¡±


    A fat, pervy-looking man raised sausage-like fingers up and Tessa¡¯s missile broke against a glowing red shield.


    Fishmen swarmed at Tessa.


    She was faster and stronger than them and their numbers meant that they got in their own way.


    Tessa slashed and stabbed with the tooth-like sword she had liberated from a fishman. It broke after getting stuck inside the fourth fishman she killed.


    She jammed the broken sword under a fishman¡¯s chin and used his dying body as a makeshift weapon to clear a small circle around her.


    Bolts, bullets and spells started to fall around her now that she wasn¡¯t in the middle of a scrum.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Tessa grunted as a few of the attacks hit her.


    Without armor she took damage. Bolts and bullets broke her skin, but didn¡¯t penetrate all the way through her dense muscles. Spells singed her flesh and burned her hair.


    Tessa fell back as the fishmen piled on her.


    They hauled her up and started carrying her toward the altar.


    Tessa kicked and punched, but couldn¡¯t find enough leverage to get completely free, before more hands replaced the ones she had managed to shuck off.


    There was almost a sense of solemnity to the procession to the altar. Almost religious.


    Except for Tessa¡¯s loud cursing.


    She wanted no part of whatever obscene ceremony the cult and the fishmen had in mind for her.


    Her dread and desperation grew as she redoubled her futile struggles.


    Unfortunately for her she was all by herself. Surrounded by enemies in a profane temple beneath the ocean floor. The sun¡¯s light didn¡¯t reach down here. Only a dark god¡¯s eyes gazed upon the proceedings.


    Tessa spat in the god¡¯s eyes.


    As did those that cared for her.


    Nila charged out of one of the tunnels on the second tier.


    The cultists were focused on Tessa down on the first floor. They were not prepared as Nila smashed them with her heavy baseball bat-like club.


    Ranged attacks bounced of her extra-heavy rectangular shield as she mowed her way around the second tier platform encircling the temple.


    Broken faces and bodies were left in her wake. She wasn¡¯t holding back. Superhuman strength displayed how devastating it could be against those without comparable defenses.


    ¡°Tessa! Hold on to your brain!¡± Veronica called out.


    ¡°What the fu¡ª¡±


    ¡°For justice!¡± Veronica pointed a finger down at Tessa and the mass of fishmen.


    Tessa tried not to bite her tongue as Veronica¡¯s electromagnetic pulse sent every muscle in her body into spasms.


    The fishmen dropped her as they too started to seize up.


    Tessa stood up with a groan. ¡°That hurt!¡±


    ¡°Sorry!¡± Veronica called down. ¡°Here!¡±


    Something metal glinted in the torchlight as it spun through the air.


    Tessa grinned.


    She caught her kanabo in one hand.


    ¡°You fuckers are dead!¡±


    Tessa laid into the downed fishmen like their head¡¯s were watermelons and she was Gallagher. She had never understood why her father had found those old videos so hilarious. As she pulped fishmen heads, she, perhaps, started to understand.


    ¡°Tessa! Catch!¡± Veronica threw a bag down.


    Tessa already knew what was inside. She felt it through her magnetic abilities. She caught it and immediately pulled a handful of the contents out.


    She locked eyes with the old cultist lady staring down with undisguised hatred. ¡°Block this,¡± she snapped her hand out and magnetically accelerated a handful of nuts and bolts at the old lady.


    ¡°Mage Shield!¡±


    The pervy fat guy again. Except this time, his magic shield didn¡¯t hold up beyond the first few projectiles. The shield shattered and the cultists in the third level box ducked down to avoid the metal rain. Not all were quick enough. A few fell with holes in their bodies.


    The cultists weren¡¯t shooting down at Tessa. They were busy with Nila coming from one direction, while Veronica and Mom attacked in the other.


    Here and there cultists seized up and dropped over the railing down to the first level thanks to Veronica¡¯s targeted pulses.


    The less said about the grossness that happened to the cultists her mom touched, the better, as far as Tessa was concerned. She¡¯d ask her mom about it later.


    Tessa wasn¡¯t sure what to do next when the answer presented themselves in the form of more fishmen coming out of the tunnels all around her.


    Good.


    They all deserved to die and they saved her the trouble of hunting them down.


    ¡°Foolish child!¡± the old cultist lady stood up. Her hands on the broken stone railing that Tessa had just shot to pieces.


    Tessa had to give it to the old lady.


    ¡°Are you that crazy? You¡¯d stand up when I¡¯ve got a handful of metal ready to send your way?¡±


    ¡°The Deep Azure protects me. I am the Grand Priestess. Your earthly powers cannot harm me, so long as I have faith.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ crazy it is then,¡± Tessa shrugged.


    The old lady looked down haughtily, like old school royal family style. Tessa had watched the show with her mom before Netflix stopped existing ten years ago.


    ¡°You¡¯ve done nothing, but delay the ritual. If you don¡¯t wish the honor, then perhaps your mother or sister will serve,¡± the old lady smiled.


    ¡°Over my de¡ª¡± Tessa frowned. ¡°Let¡¯s make that, your dead bodies, in that we will kill you all before any of your evil, creepy rituals have a chance of happening.¡±


    ¡°Yeah!¡± Veronica spat as she clubbed a screaming cultist over the railing and down to the first level. The man¡¯s tentacle arms waved wildly before his necked snapped as he face-planted into the stone tiles. ¡°Kill you all!¡±


    Tessa noted the look on their mom¡¯s face. She wasn¡¯t happy about any of this.


    ¡°Indeed, the ritual must continue,¡± the middle-aged man next to the old cultist lady said. He reminded Tessa of those lame car salesmen in commercials or like a politician with his slick hair and perfect suit. Who the hell wore a suit to a fight to the death inside a deep, dark temple to evil?


    Upon reflection, Tessa realized that the man¡¯s appearance fit.


    The old cultist lady narrowed her eyes at the man.


    ¡°The Deep Azure requires a sacrifice to take a more¡­ direct hand in events. He has been most displeased by recent events and your mismanagement, Laura. There is no more time to waste.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about, Mitch?¡± Laura sneered.


    ¡°Your leadership has been found wanting, but in honor of your service you will be granted a great honor, the greatest. I understand you¡¯ve never had children. Well, this is your chance.¡±


    Tessa couldn¡¯t believe her eyes. What kind of dumbasses fought amongst themselves in the middle of a battle with very dangerous people.


    Upon further reflection, she realized that it was on brand for an evil cult to stupidly infight.


    Still it was a shock to say the least as several tentacles erupted out of Mitch¡¯s body to grapple with Laura. It took seconds, but he had disrobed her of her strange, deep blue robe that seemed to swirl like the ocean¡¯s surface and lowered her naked body down into the fishmen¡¯s waiting hands.


    Laura struggled and cursed, then called on the Deep Azure as the fishmen carried her toward the altar.


    Tessa was transfixed. She didn¡¯t know what to do.


    Above her on the second tier, her family continued to fight with the other cultists and some fishmen that had appeared out of the tunnels.


    Tessa backed away. The altar was in between her and the procession.


    It was obscene.


    ¡°This is what you wanted, Laura,¡± Mitch called down, ¡°you will know and be known by the Deep Azure more than any other human being on this world.¡±


    ¡°What kind of weird bullshit is this?¡± Tessa spat.


    ¡°Watch closely, little girl. That could¡¯ve been you. So, maybe you¡¯ll reconsider being difficult. It¡¯s not too late to surrender and join us. Now that Laura has so graciously taken your spot on the altar, you can have a spot on the inner council. Same with your parents and sister. You too, Nila Chen. With all of you on our side we can expand our territory, bring peace and safety to more people. Make our state, our country great again!¡±


    ¡°Shut the fuck up!¡± Nila snapped as she clubbed a cultist over the head. ¡°Your kind never changes.¡±


    ¡°I curse you, Mitch!¡± Laura roared.


    ¡°Jesus, Laura, have some dignity. This is our most hallowed ritual and the greatest honor a woman like you can earn,¡± Mitch said.


    Tessa eyed the fishmen around her, but they had backed away and seemed to be more interested in watching whatever they were going to do to Laura.


    ¡°Please, help me!¡± Laura begged.


    Somehow, Tessa knew that the old lady wasn¡¯t talking to her fellow cultists.


    Laura sounded really terrified, but then again she was going to have Tessa go through the very same ritual.


    ¡°Why? You were gonna do the same to me,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Please, please, I¡¯ll do anything you want!¡±


    Turn about was fair play. Quid pro quo, her Uncle Cal had been fond of saying.


    Still.


    The cult really wanted this ceremony to take place.


    So, that meant she didn¡¯t want it to take place.


    Tessa tightened her grip on her kanabo.


    The fishmen seemed to sense something was up. They shifted toward her.


    Tessa threw her free hand out.


    Magnetically accelerated metal bits shot out with a loud bang that reverberated through the temple.


    The fishmen carrying Laura fell, perforated.


    The old lady tried to scramble away, but more fishmen grabbed her.


    Tessa charged, but was met by a wall of fishmen.


    They clashed.


    The solid metal kanabo was close to fifty pounds and wielded by a superhumanly strong young woman.


    The fishmen weren¡¯t nearly as strong as Tessa on a one on one basis, but they had numbers and they cared not for their own lives.


    Tessa fought, but she couldn¡¯t make any headway as Laura was carried to the altar and unceremoniously mounted by one of the fishmen.


    ¡°Veronica, don¡¯t look!¡±


    Tessa heard her mother¡¯s shout. She couldn¡¯t see over the fishmen. They were too tall.


    The agonized sounds Laura made were enough to let her know that she didn¡¯t want to see.


    ¡°The ritual!¡± Mitch cried out in sheer delight.


    Tessa grit her teeth. That man went on her smash list.


    She swung her kanabo and sent a group of fishmen flying like bowling pins.


    A spear skimmed against her side, tearing through her shirt and flesh.


    The pain brought tears to her eyes. She poked her kanabo out and crushed the fishman¡¯s throat.


    Tessa stumbled back a hand over her side.


    The fishmen were content to keep her at bay, while the horrid ritual continued.


    Tessa would never forget the sounds that came out of Laura¡¯s throat.


    It seemed to go on forever.


    Seconds, minutes, hours.


    It could¡¯ve been any from Tessa perspective.


    The thought of it threatened to overwhelm her senses. Until she remembered that she wasn¡¯t alone in the temple. Her family was here as well. They would all share in the same fate that the cult and the Deep Azure intended.


    It was certain to be a dire one.


    Soon, all Tessa could hear was Laura whimpering.


    ¡°It is done,¡± Mitch intoned.


    The man had put on Laura¡¯s robes.


    ¡°Gaze upon the Deep Azure as it is birthed into our world!¡±


    That didn¡¯t sound good.


    Tessa backed up and jumped to the second level platform to join her mother and sister. Her Aunt Nila was still fighting on the other side.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Tessa helped her sister clear the area so that they had some breathing room so that she could finally see what the hell was going on.


    Tessa would regret what she saw on the altar.


    Laura was on her back, arms and legs chained to the four corners.


    ¡°What the fuck!¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look!¡± Megan hissed.


    ¡°Too late, Mom,¡± Veronica said in a small voice. ¡°I¡¯m going to be sick¡­ again.¡±


    Tessa noticed the puddle of vomit on the floor a few feet away. Come to think of it, she too was feeling nauseous. So many things in the temple elicited that reaction. Worse of all was the sight of Laura.


    The old woman¡¯s eyes stared blankly up into the domed ceiling.


    Her stomach was huge and distended. As if she was nine months pregnant. That should¡¯ve been impossible. Her stomach was as flat as a board earlier. Before¡ª


    Tessa didn¡¯t want to remember what she had heard, just as much as Veronica and their mother must¡¯ve regretted the sight of the obscene and evil cult ritual.


    There was no warning as Laura¡¯s stomach suddenly exploded in a shower of gore that had Veronica puking again.


    The fishmen started chanting something in a strange high-pitched language that prickled Tessa¡¯s skin.


    ¡°It¡¯s so wrong,¡± Tessa whispered. She didn¡¯t want to believe her eyes. ¡°No one deserves that.¡±


    Despair filled her thoughts, her being. Her kanabo suddenly felt heavy as she watched a small figure emerge out of Laura¡¯s ruined stomach.


    A spike of pain threatened to send her to the ground, but Tessa fought it off and willed her vision to stabilize. From the sounds of it her sister and mother were fighting the same struggle.


    Tessa focused on the scene down below.


    A baby?


    No, a fishman baby?


    Except, not exactly. It looked different. Its scales glittered in the torchlight a deep, dark blue, almost black, not like the silvery gray of the normal fishman.


    The small figure grew with impossible speed, right before their eyes, until it towered over the average fishman.


    Tessa would¡¯ve guessed at least eight feet tall.


    It was big and broad shouldered with an obviously strong musculature, like it was carved out of marble, so smooth and perfect. Every scale on its body seemed to be perfectly fitted with the others.


    Its face was the worst part.


    It married the human and fishman. Half from each side, melded together in a way that made it terrible to look at, but impossible to tear your gaze from.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen! The Deep Azure has deigned to manifest a physical avatar to walk amongst us and rule!¡± Mitch crowed. ¡°Rejoice for you have witnessed the birth of a new golden age of peace and prosperity!¡±


    A roar answered the new cult leader¡¯s words.


    Just not the kind he had expected.


    It was one filled with anger, boiling over into rage. It came from one of the tunnels near where Aunt Nila fought desperately against several cultists and fishmen as they lashed at her with tentacles and shoot spines. She was struggling. Her movements looked slow and weak.


    Hanna emerged out of the gloom. Her greatsword flashed in the torchlight as she beheaded a fishman in passing.


    Keisha was a step behind her as she powered two cultists over the railing with her heavy shield.


    Tessa smiled as she saw her friends emerged next, along with over a dozen people she didn¡¯t recognize.


    ¡°Hey, Tessa, how does your head feel?¡± Veronica said quizzically.


    ¡°Fine, I guess¡­ fine¡­¡± Tessa came to a sudden realization.


    Her head felt better than fine. It was clear in a way that it hadn¡¯t been since they had come to San Francisco. She no longer felt pressured and dirty by the thoughts in her head. Her power didn¡¯t bring her sharp pains that she had been ignoring and powering through on sheer desperation.


    ¡°I have a theory,¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°Do go on,¡± Tessa tested the weight of her kanabo by swinging it around faster and faster.


    ¡°So, like the Deep Azure tried to get us all to kill ourselves, like yesterday back at this ex-secret agent guy. It did it by doing this sort of mind whammy making everyone depressed, except me. It didn¡¯t really hit me as hard, so I used a huge brain blast to drive it away¡ª¡±


    ¡°Get to the point,¡± Tessa kept her eyes on the Deep Azure as it stood motionless, like a statue, watching the fight above it.


    ¡°Right, sorry, so, like if the Deep Azure is right there,¡± Veronica pointed down, ¡°then maybe it can¡¯t do all that mind crap we¡¯ve been dealing with.¡±


    ¡°Yes, that seems likely,¡± their mother said. ¡°Except, we don¡¯t know how long we¡¯ll remain free of its mental influence,¡± her eyes were haunted, ¡°so we need to get out of here now!¡±


    Tessa shook her head. ¡°Sorry, Mom. Can¡¯t. Don¡¯t know the way out and we can¡¯t leave our friends. We have to kill it.¡±


    A chime sounded in Tessa¡¯s head.


    She didn¡¯t have time to read the notification or ask her sister and mother if they got it too.


    Because their friends had made a mistake.


    They had cleared their immediate area of cultists and fishmen.


    Several of the people that Tessa hadn¡¯t recognized, armed with weapons taken from the cultists and fishmen, jumped down to the first level and charged the Deep Azure and the fishmen in a mad rush.


    Hanna and the others didn¡¯t want to abandon them, so they too followed.


    ¡°Shit, shit, shit, shit!¡± Tessa jumped before Veronica or her mother could stop her.


    Her friends were going to get slaughtered.


    Didn¡¯t they see how much power the Deep Azure was packing in its tightly coiled muscles?


    Tessa didn¡¯t roar a battle cry. She flew through the air silently. Her kanabo in a two-handed grip over her head. She aimed to smash the back of the Deep Azure¡¯s head.


    He didn¡¯t have a chance.


    Or at least that was the plan.


    The Deep Azure met Tessa¡¯s kanabo with an almost lazy-looking backhand.


    The clang rang out like an explosion and caused everyone else to cringed and cover their ears. Even the fishmen, especially the fishmen.


    Tessa had no idea what had happened.


    The next thing she felt was her back crashing into one of the stone pillars on the far end of the temple. Right below where the cult leadership watched from their third level box with bated breath.


    Tessa¡¯s vision darkened and her thoughts drifted away, despite her grasping fingers.


    She dimly heard her sister shouting something about justice as her mother cried out her name.


    Then the Deep Azure spoke.


    <hr>


    Remy was rushing.


    He knew, deep down that he was out of time. He didn¡¯t know how or why, but something was shouting it into his ears.


    The pain in his head from the usage of his power dwindled with every passing moment. However, that voice in his head suggested that it wasn¡¯t an entirely good sign.


    Remy magnetically shot the borrowed machete into the fishman¡¯s scale-armored chest.


    Too deep.


    When he pulled the machete back the fishman¡¯s body came flying with it.


    Fishmen came out of the side tunnels.


    Remy directed the machete and the attached body towards the closest tunnel, blocking the way.


    He dashed forward, plucking the machete free to slash it into a fishman on his right.


    What he lacked in proper technique, he more than mode up for with his overwhelming strength advantage. The slice wasn¡¯t clean, but the fishman¡¯s head still went flying.


    Several borrowed knives shot forward like missiles.


    Fishmen died.


    Remy reluctantly gave silent thanks to those three cultists guards for having so many weapons on them.


    He magnetically pulled the knives back to hover around him.


    The deeper he went the more he bathed himself in the fishmen¡¯s dark blood.


    He always kept one of the two machete¡¯s in his hand.


    The borrowed weapons dulled, then chipped and finally broke.


    He kept the axe strapped to his back as a last resort for when he inevitably ran out of jagged metal shards.


    Remy hit several dead ends through the dim tunnels that forced him to back track.


    The fishmen acted strangely.


    At times they attacked him with ferocious abandon, while at others they were nowhere to be found.


    The tunnels continued to twist and turn as it split into multiple branches before converging back into one.


    Remy rushed forward through it all. The dim light provided by the unearthly, glowing moss-like substance was as bright as daylight to his enhanced vision.


    Time ticked down as Remy¡¯s panic started to grow.


    Remy stopped and punched a crater into on of the disturbing sculptures carved into the wall. It was mildly nauseating to look at, but he had more important things to worry about it.


    Remy let loose with a primal scream of frustration and rage.


    A scream suddenly cut short.


    Remy blinked.


    He finally figured it out.


    Go down the tunnel with the most fishmen.


    They were desperate to keep him from going forward. The way they were practically trying to drown him with their bodies was the answer.


    Keep moving in that direction.


    Remy vowed to make the fishmen¡¯s efforts futile.


    Nothing could stop him from getting to his daughter.


    He heard it echoing down the tunnel.


    The sounds of the dying.


    Remy threw himself into a wall of fishmen with a half-broken sporting goods store machete in each hand.


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    The pain from the lack of skin on the upper left side of his body was blunted by the Threnosh medical gel coating it, along with his own adrenaline.


    Still, the impact as Cal slapped Mother Madrigal¡¯s long arm aside to get in close, stung. He pummeled her in the face.


    He half-expected his hand to vanish inside the black void covered by her flesh hood, but his fist connected with something solid within.


    Even then the hood didn¡¯t give up its secrets.


    Cal still couldn¡¯t see Mother Madrigal¡¯s face, despite being so close.


    Oh well.


    He didn¡¯t really need to see her face.


    It was probably a horrific sight judging by the rest of her.


    Cal¡¯s right fist jack-hammered into the Mother¡¯s face, while he kept a tight hold on her right elbow with his left hand.


    Alas, a three-fingered grip was about two-fingers weaker than the full five.


    Mother Madrigal twisted her impossibly long arm out of Cal¡¯s grasp and slashed him across the face with sharp nails.


    Cal was lucky he turned his head away and closed his eyes.


    All he got were shallow cuts rather than blinded eyes.


    Cal kept punching, but the Mother threw him off.


    He reached out and grabbed for anything. His hand latched on to one of the Mother¡¯s many hands lining her flesh cloak. He squeezed tight, grinding her finger bones together.


    The Mother hissed in pain and unfurled her cloak in an attempt to throw him off.


    Like a dog on a rope, Cal didn¡¯t let go.


    He grabbed another of the Mother¡¯s hands. Three fingers were weaker than five, but more than strong enough to break more of the Mother¡¯s.


    Cal¡¯s back slammed into the wall.


    The air was driven from his lungs and he let go of the Mother¡¯s broken hands.


    Cal ducked as claws gouged deep furrows in the metallic wall behind him.


    He propelled himself into the Mother¡¯s embrace with his legs.


    Telekinesis was off the table. He need the full power of his mind to keep the Mother occupied in their simultaneous mindscape struggle. Out in the real world Cal could only rely on his physical power.


    It felt strange. Like he had locked away half of him.


    No, no, no.


    He was getting distracted.


    Focus on the fight!


    The Mother¡¯s flesh cloak engulfed Cal in darkness.


    Panic started, but was just as quickly snuffed out.


    Cal struck with tight hooks into Mother Madrigal¡¯s statuesque body.


    It felt like hitting a mix between flesh and hard crystal.


    Warm, cold, both, neither.


    The Mother¡¯s skin bruised and cracked underneath Cal¡¯s fists.


    He could feel, hear the breath driven out of her.


    Light.


    The dying sunlight from outside the cavernous tunnel hit Cal¡¯s eyes.


    The Mother had opened up her cloak.


    He was caught off guard.


    Cal didn¡¯t see the Mother¡¯s flesh skirt shift.


    Something beneath it came up too fast for him to block or dodge.


    A hard blow struck him in the chin, causing him to bite his tongue.


    He thought of a mouthguard.


    A tiny, incongruous thought that dangerously took up a place in his thoughts when he needed complete focus on the fight with the Mother.


    A vise-like grip grabbed both his ankles.


    The back of Cal¡¯s head slammed into the metallic ground.


    He saw white and sparkling stars amidst the encroaching blackness around the edges of his vision.


    He threw his arms up over his face to take the brunt of the blow against the side of the tunnel.


    The ceiling approached Cal in a rush.


    He blinked and found himself standing inside a school gym.


    A wrestling mat sat unfurled in the middle of the basketball court.


    Everything was red and gray with stylized roaring lions painted on the court, the walls, stitched on the banners, stenciled directly onto the mat.


    Well¡­ I am waiting.


    Mother Madrigal stood inside the circle behind a small white line.


    Cal took a step forward toward the white line on his side of the circle.


    He stopped.


    ¡°Tricky, but not this time.¡±


    Cal pushed forth with an expression of his will.


    Mother Madrigal resisted.


    Their silent, invisible battle was manifested in the blurring and distortions in their environment. In their shared mindscape.


    Out in the real world they battered each other with physical might.


    In here their minds struggled.


    Slowly, but surely the gym environment fizzled out and was replaced inch by inch with a featureless off-white room. A cheap, folding table materialized in the middle of the room right in front of Mother Madrigal.


    A small tower appeared on the table. It was made out of dozens of small wooden blocks, crisscrossed and piled on top of each other in many layers.


    What is this nonsense?


    Cal could tell that the Mother was indignant at the affront.


    She was right to be.


    He was mocking her to keep her off-balance, unsteady.


    ¡°This is our epic challenge. Two enter, one leaves. Take a block, but do not bring the tower down.¡± Cal reached for the middle of the tower and pulled out a block.


    This¡­ this¡­ lacks gravitas¡­ dignity.


    ¡°You¡¯re turn,¡± Cal smirked, ¡°unless you want to quit.¡±


    Cal watched as the Mother¡¯s large fingers reached toward the tower sized for human hands. He had created it that way on purpose.


    Was it cheating?


    Perhaps.


    He didn¡¯t care. He was facing an ancient monster. He¡¯d cross many lines for victory. Failure meant death or worse.


    Without warning the tower suddenly grew to a size more appropriate for Mother Madrigal.


    She reached out and pulled out a block near the bottom of the tower with smooth ease.


    You are not the sole master of this domain.


    Cal cursed.


    He shrunk the tower to his preferred size and pulled out another block.


    The Mother grew the tower again and did the same.


    They went back and forth for what felt like days.


    The tower teetered precariously as one by one the blocks disappeared.


    Cal searched for a block to take.


    A difficult choice, fraught with peril. One wrong move and your fragile world comes tumbling down on your head and on all those you profess concern for.


    Cal was struck by how much of a smug monster the Mother was.


    He didn¡¯t make his move. He waited and pondered. His hand reached out, but pulled back a dozen times. He could sense that the Mother was growing impatient.


    Until, finally the moment he had been waiting for arrived.


    A loud sound shattered the eerie stillness of the mindscape.


    What?


    ¡°It¡¯s the sound or whatever it is you use to manifest,¡± Cal gestured, ¡°all this. Whether this is some form of telepathy or your singing or music is a manifestation of said telepathy, I don¡¯t know. I can¡¯t really tell and ultimately it doesn¡¯t matter. You and I share similar mind powers, that much I know. The difference is, Frequency¡¯s sound doesn¡¯t affect me like it does you.¡±


    The sound grew with intensity.


    Mother Madrigal wavered. Her hands clutched the sides of her hooded head.


    Cal was merely uncomfortable. It was loud, although was it really a physical sound for him inside the mindscape?


    The sound rose to an impossible high note and shattered everything.


    The tower, the room, Mother Madrigal¡¯s and Cal¡¯s representations.


    Nothing was spared.


    Cal blinked back in the real world.


    Was he?


    ¡°Honor, I have ensnared Mother Madrigal in my field!¡± Frequency said.


    At least that¡¯s what it sounded like to Cal. He had both his hands around the Mother¡¯s neck, throttling her as she lay on the ground.


    Which meant that he was also caught inside Frequency¡¯s sound field.


    ¡°You must exit immediately!¡±


    Cal narrowed his eyes.


    Frequency¡¯s translucent faceplate slightly obscured their face, which made it difficult to read their lips. The Threnosh lack of lips presented a challenge, as did Cal¡¯s general lack of skill when it came to lipreading.


    Cal shook his head. ¡°Don¡¯t let up!¡± Mother Madrigal grabbed his head in her large hands and squeezed. He tried to shake them off, but couldn¡¯t without releasing his own grip, which was impossible. He needed to keep her within Frequency¡¯s field. ¡°This is our only chance!¡± He could feel the vibrations shaking every cell inside his body. Rending and tearing. So strong. ¡°Focus everything you have!¡±


    Cal accepted his fate.


    It was worth it, wasn¡¯t it?


    His life to remove an ancient evil from this world.


    He had no choice. He had seen inside the Mother¡¯s thoughts.


    She had grand designs on the Threnosh world and beyond to his own.


    Because of him, the Mother knew intimately about all the people he cared about.


    Cal couldn¡¯t let her reach them and do the same thing that she had done to him.

 4.16

    Now, Threnosh World


    ¡°Honor, you must exit my field,¡± Frequency repeated for the third time.


    To their consternation, Honor shook his head and implored them to proceed.


    Did he not know that he would share Mother Madrigal¡¯s death?


    Despite the two beings enhanced durability the evidence of damage was already visible.


    Both Honor and Mother Madrigal developed oozing, bloody wounds all over their bodies as Frequency¡¯s sound slowly disintegrated their biological matter.


    Frequency didn¡¯t want this. Not after all their efforts to locate Honor. They didn¡¯t want to be responsible for his death.


    But what could they do?


    They were safe inside Honor¡¯s makeshift defensive fortification.


    The battle inside the transport tunnel had shifted in their favor. The corrupted numbers had dwindled to a handful still fighting the remaining combat drones at the far end of the tunnel, near the exit.


    The drones closer to Frequency¡¯s side had all been destroyed, but they had allowed the Threnosh to kill most of the corrupted.


    Not without cost.


    A corrupted had managed to reach through the firing slot and tear off an arm from one of the E.W.S. Soldiers. They had bled out in seconds. There was nothing Frequency and the remaining soldier could¡¯ve done to save their comrade.


    Frequency racked their brain, while the remaining soldier continued to fire at the corrupted.


    The monsters tried to come to the Mother¡¯s aid, but the moment they reached into Frequency¡¯s field their bodies disintegrated in seconds.


    The sound.


    It was all tied to the sound.


    Frequency¡¯s. The Mother¡¯s.


    The Threnosh focused on the latter through their power armor¡¯s specialized systems.


    They hadn¡¯t noticed during the frantic battle, but now they realized that they could track it.


    Hope. Faint, but present, bloomed in Frequency.


    They traced the source of Mother Madrigal¡¯s sound to within a centimeter.


    It was located right inside the invasive organism¡¯s hooded head. In the black void that defied Frequency¡¯s visual sensors.


    They had planned to engulf the Mother¡¯s entire body in the field to be sure of her destruction.


    Perhaps that wasn¡¯t necessary.


    But the risk?


    Frequency made up their mind.


    Honor was wrong on this account.


    They just needed to destroy the source of the Mother¡¯s sound. Frequency was certain that would be enough.


    ¡°Soldier, what is your designation?¡±


    ¡°E.W.S. Soldier Radiant Canyon 7.¡±


    ¡°I need you to hold back the corrupted at the end of the tunnel. They must not reach either Honor or myself.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± E.W.S. Soldier Radiant Canyon 7 unhooked the dead soldier¡¯s sonic weapon and attached power pack, replacing their own empty one. They then opened the door and stepped out.


    A corrupted sprang, but the soldier burned a whole through its forehead with a precise laser shot.


    E.W.S. Soldier Radiant Canyon 7 ran past Honor and Mother Madrigal locked in their death struggle. The two were slowly being consumed by Frequency¡¯s sound field. The soldier wielded a sonic weapon in one hand and a laser weapon in the other. They took up position a dozen meters and awaited the corrupted. With luck the combat drones would take care of the majority.


    Frequency directed her two most powerful emitters with cybernetic thoughts.


    They didn¡¯t need to enclose the entirety of Mother Madrigal. Just her head.


    ¡°What? No¡­ what¡¯re you doing, Frequency?¡± Honor shouted, his voice clear despite the blood dribbling out of his mouth.


    ¡°Completing the Task,¡± Frequency said as they increased the intensity.


    Honor screamed.


    His hands were still within the field.


    Mother Madrigal screeched out a sound that had red alerts flashing in Frequency¡¯s helmet.


    Blood poured out of Honor¡¯s ears, but he held on and kept Mother Madrigal in place.


    Frequency hoped their emitters could keep it up long enough. Their readings weren¡¯t good. They were her newest and most powerful emitters, recently purchased from the spire marketplace and modified by their own hands.


    They were untested with this particular sound. The only one powerful enough to possibly end an invasive organism of Mother Madrigal¡¯s caliber.


    The emitters vibrated as they hovered on either side of the Mother¡¯s head.


    Smoke began to waft out of them, to Frequency¡¯s dismay.


    It wasn¡¯t going to be enough.


    Frequency routed the sound through the rest of the emitters on their power armor. They aimed them at the Mother¡¯s head to join with the two already there.


    They were willing to blow out everything they had to end the Mother.


    That was Honor¡¯s plan.


    It couldn¡¯t be allowed to fail.


    Frequency silenced the blaring alerts in their helmet.


    It was all or nothing, like Honor had once said.


    <hr>


    The pain had given way to shock.


    Cal didn¡¯t truly feel the weeping wounds all over his body from the sound field that had started the process of turning his body into goo.


    He didn¡¯t feel the pressure around his head as the Mother tried to crush it like a grape in her super strong hands.


    Fair is foul and foul is fair or something like that.


    He vaguely remembered someone saying that. It was getting harder to focus on anything beyond keeping his hands tight around the Mother¡¯s neck and his knee and weight on her chest to keep her from getting up and away.


    Why did Frequency move her emitters to focus on the Mother¡¯s head?


    Cal opened his mouth to ask, but he got the impression that nothing coherent had come out, judging by the way Frequency ignored him and kept their focus on the Mother.


    He tried again and again.


    Nothing.


    He tried to shake his head free, but the Mother¡¯s grip was too strong.


    Fair.


    His was just as implacable.


    The Mother¡¯s flesh hood slowly disintegrated in the field. Bloody wounds started to appear, then disappeared into nothing, less than ash.


    She vainly fought against Cal¡¯s hold. Thrashing her head from side to side in a frenzy.


    He held on with all his might.


    Somehow the black void kept her face hidden.


    Cal made the mistake of looking at his hands.


    They weren¡¯t spared the sound field¡¯s effect.


    His brown skin disintegrated, blood flowed, but vanished just as quickly. Muscle and tendons slowly disappeared, as if peeled away, layer by layer. The white of bone slowly became visible.


    There was no pain, mercifully, Cal was beyond that.


    He screwed his eyes shut and grit his teeth. He would hold on for as long as it was physically possible.


    Release me! Please!


    No. Never. I know what you intend.


    I have lived millennia. Think of the knowledge I can bestow.


    Not worth what you¡¯d do to everyone I care about.


    I guarantee their safety! Name them and I will keep them safe! I can teach you so much about the spires, about many worlds. If I die, then all is lost.


    You forget, I¡¯m in your head too. You can¡¯t lie to me.


    A curse! A curse on you and your line!


    Cal opened his eyes and ignored the rest.


    He found himself standing inside the same bland, off-white room. Empty and featureless.


    Not exactly what he expected to see in his last moments.


    Where was his childhood bedroom or favorite brewery?


    Ghostly figures materialized in front of him.


    Some walked, some stood. None spoke.


    His parents.


    Remy, Megan, Tessa and Veronica.


    Eron.


    Rayna.


    And finally, Nila.


    She smiled at Cal. Her face was clear, less ethereal than the others had been.


    ¡°Worth it,¡± Cal whispered as he reached out for Nila¡¯s face with a trembling hand.


    Nila disappeared along with the room and Cal was face to face with the Mother.


    Her face was surprisingly¡­ human.


    Beautiful, even, if not for the ugly snarl of pain and bloody, weeping wounds as she disintegrated.


    ¡°You¡¯ve not won,¡± Mother Madrigal rasped. ¡°I¡¯ve taken from you. Caused you to destroy your own. To betray your own.¡±


    Cal barely heard her words with the damage to his ears.


    ¡°You¡¯re dead,¡± Cal managed to get out.


    ¡°No¡­ my legacy will remain¡­ it is legion.¡±


    And thus the last image of Mother Madrigal was a hate-filled snarl, before Frequency¡¯s sound field disintegrated her head.


    Cal fell back holding his skeletal hands up in his face with shock.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ bone¡­¡± he managed.


    ¡°Honor, do not move!¡± Frequency¡¯s voice was filled with surprising urgency.


    The Threnosh hurried over as Cal collapsed to his back.


    He had given everything. He had nothing left.


    ¡°Frequency¡­ don¡¯t for¡­ t¡­ take Mo¡­ cor¡­ un¡­ was¡­ head¡­¡±


    He dimly heard a laser and sonic weapons going off. Snarling monsters. A raging fire and chaos beyond.


    Cal closed his eyes. His hands dropped to the metallic floor. His bones clanged heavily.


    ¡°Honor! Honor! Honor! Do not die!¡± Frequency wailed.


    <hr>


    Aerial combat drones zipped down beneath the ruined bridge surface that currently housed the T-Men¡¯s main base camp outside Orchestral Meridian.


    The drones hovered out of reach and poured projectile fire into the backs of the enhanced corrupted climbing the thick, metallic pillars.


    The corrupted were an easy target, but it took dozens of projectiles to bring a single one down.


    Telatrine guessed that the increased size was strictly in muscle mass, which meant a greater ability to absorb damage before death. The normal corrupted were already capable of taking more damage than their physical appearance suggested.


    Telatrine studied the live holographic projections. They couldn¡¯t find any hints of the Inheritor, Hylhon, amongst the gray horde.


    Hundreds of them, all with a similar appearance.


    The aerial drones quickly depleted their ammunition and zoomed back up to reload.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    ¡°Not enough time,¡± Telatrine said.


    Once the corrupted completed their ascent then they¡¯d only have to get past the automated turrets at the walled-perimeter of the base. Past that initial layer of defense were a relatively small number of tracked combat drones.


    ¡°Begin evacuation to secondary command site in City Section 115,¡± Telatrine commanded.


    ¡°All aerial transports are currently in operation as rapid deployment and close fire support platforms,¡± Communicator Dreylox 7193 said.


    ¡°Recall the transport carrying Subcommander Solemn Coast 963¡¯s reinforcements as soon as it has dropped them off. Instruct all personnel to gather at the transport landing zone. Communicators will join them last,¡± Telatrine said.


    The landing zone was in the center of the base, which would give the evacuation the maximum amount of time possible. The operation was light on personnel. One transport was enough to take them all in one trip. With one exception.


    ¡°I will engage the enemy,¡± Telatrine said. They ripped their chainsword from the charging station as they strode to the door. They kept the feed from the surveillance drones in their faceplate.


    Telatrine watched the corrupted climb on underside of the bridge like skittering insects while they ran to the armory.


    The Threnosh hurried. They had to get to the wall in advance of the corrupted.


    The corrupted had made it up to the bridge surface and immediately came under fire from the automated turrets on top of the walls. It was the same outcome as the aerial drones¡¯ efforts. It took so many projectiles to bring one corrupted down.


    Telatrine bounded up to the wall in a single leap. They set the weapon in their right hand down and drew their chainsword from the side of their waist.


    They raised the bolter in their left hand and fired.


    The linked targeting system between the weapon and their helmet meant a perfectly placed shot.


    The explosive projectile struck deep into an enhanced corrupted¡¯s chest before exploding a split-second later.


    The other corrupted were showered in a mix of blood, guts and shrapnel.


    Not nearly enough to even slow them down.


    Telatrine changed track. They fired again, but this time they had the projectile explode in close proximity right above the heads of the first rank of the charging corrupted.


    Hot shards of metal and explosive force rained down on the corrupted.


    They slowed and stumbled, but none died.


    The rest of the gray tide continued on their mad rush to gain the walls.


    Here and there one or two would finally fall after being riddled with projectiles from the automated turrets along the wall.


    Telatrine emptied the rest of their magazine. Targeting a corrupted each time. Each one a kill.


    If the Threnosh had more time and ammunition they could¡¯ve cleared much of the enemy on their own.


    Unfortunately, the weapon was experimental and ammunition was in short supply so far away from the T-Men¡¯s main base. It was taking time to adapt the fabrication facilities in Orchestral Meridian to produce the new weapons and ammunition. The mobile facilities they brought with them weren¡¯t enough to keep up with expenditures, especially with the sudden all out assault from the corrupted.


    The enhanced corrupted slammed into the metallic wall with a deafening crash that actually caused Telatrine to almost fall off.


    The Threnosh dropped the empty bolter weapon and picked up the other weapon they had taken from the armory.


    They pressed the button to ignite the flame right before squeezing the trigger to bathe the corrupted in liquid fire.


    Again, ammunition was in short supply.


    Telatrine only had enough for less than ten seconds of sustained fire, so they tried to be impactful with its use. They sprayed fire on as broad a swath of corrupted as possible.


    The enhanced corrupted climbed and tore at the wall despite their flesh being on fire.


    The flame weapon weakly sputtered its last as Telatrine desperately squeezed the trigger.


    The corrupted gained the top of the wall.


    The automated turrets continued to fire even as the corrupted swarmed them and tore them apart.


    Telatrine punched a snarling corrupted in the face and knocked it back off the wall to fall five meters down to the rest of its kind.


    The Threnosh swung their chainsword through the thick torso of another corrupted. The motor roared with the effort, but cleaved clear through.


    The enhanced corrupted were several times stronger than the standard version.


    Telatrine was stronger still.


    They hacked, punched and kicked as they kept the space around them clear.


    The corrupted milled on top of the wall as they pressed against each other in an attempt to reach Telatrine. Many fell down into the base where tracked combat drones engaged.


    The Threnosh continued to fight. They needed to provide as much time as possible for the evacuation to complete.


    Eventually, greater numbers showed.


    Telatrine¡¯s chainsword got caught in a corrupted, which allowed the rest to swarm them and knock them off the wall.


    The impact jarred Telatrine¡¯s grip from their chainsword.


    The corrupted tore and bit at the extra armor plates the Threnosh wore over their power armor.


    ¡°Command Override: Direct fire on my location. Ignore safety restrictions,¡± Telatrine said.


    The combat drones advanced and opened up on the ball of corrupted all over the Threnosh.


    Damage alerts flashed in their faceplate. Projectile damage joined the ones being inflicted by corrupted¡¯s teeth and claws.


    The drones created a small window for the Threnosh.


    Telatrine scrambled to their feet and grabbed their chainsword.


    They fought on the back foot.


    Their chainsword roared in response to all the corrupted grasping for them as they retreated toward the line of combat drones several dozen meters away from the wall.


    The fight was as intense as anything Telatrine had experienced, seconds felt like minutes.


    The combat drones didn¡¯t last long and Telatrine found themselves surrounded once again.


    They swept their chainsword in front of them with wide swings in an attempt to keep the corrupted from swarming over them. They were caught in the open. Their base didn¡¯t have many structures to use against their back or to funnel the corrupted.


    Soon, they were encircled.


    A corrupted swiped a massive clawed hand a the back of Telatrine¡¯s leg. The blow knocked them down and the corrupted pounced.


    Teeth and claws was all Telatrine could see and feel.


    They struck out with their chainsword, but for every corrupted they felled, more took its place.


    Telatrine¡¯s armor was torn asunder and the damage started to reach the surface of their power armor.


    An unfortunate aspect of their unique power armor was that the metallic surface, the artificial musculature was synced to their nervous system. It meant tactile sensations and responses for their power armor was just the same as their biological body. It enhanced operations. The power armor responded to their thoughts like it was their body, not merely a suit they wore.


    This meant that pain surrounded Telatrine. Without the mundane armor to protect them, they felt each slash, each bite.


    Their helmet blared warnings and their faceplate flashed red.


    ¡°Aerial transport has arrived, proceeding to evacuation,¡± Communicator Dreylox 7193 said over the comms.


    Telatrine caught the overhead views of the base from one of the aerial surveillance drones.


    Aside from the corrupted savaging them, the rest were spreading out throughout the base.


    The grotesquely muscled corrupted were destroying the combat drones as they rampaged toward the landing zone and the Threnosh quickly boarding the just landed transport.


    ¡°Move faster,¡± Telatrine said into the comms. through the pain.


    They had tried, but it appeared that they had failed in their task.


    Telatrine felt regret. They had found the fight they had wanted, but was on the verge of defeat. They had failed to see their personnel to safety and endangered the rest of the operation.


    They continued to punch, kick and slash, but there were just too many of the enhanced corrupted.


    The Inheritor responsible for their creation had never made an appearance.


    Telatrine¡¯s chainsword suddenly died. The comforting rumble in their hand fell silent and still. The fight had been too intense. Too much corrupted flesh had been hewn and chewed through. The weapon had run out of power.


    Telatrine bludgeoned the inert chainsword into a corrupted¡¯s face.


    Weaponless, Telatrine could¡¯ve handled one, two, maybe three of the enhanced corrupted. Not the dozens all around them.


    They were truly doomed now.


    Until, they weren¡¯t.


    Without warning the corrupted suddenly roared out in pain as they clutched at their heads and fell to their knees.


    The corrupted stopped and stood just as quickly.


    Telatrine gripped their inert chainsword tightly.


    This was it.


    The corrupted snarled and attacked.


    Telatrine braced themselves. They would fight till the end for Honor and what he had shown them was possible. For he had shown them that they were strong. That they were not Defective.


    The corrupted attacked¡ª


    Telatrine blinked.


    ¡ªeach other.


    The grossly muscled corrupted bit and tore at each other.


    It seemed that they were attacking the closest things in reach.


    Telatrine suddenly found themselves in the middle of a maelstrom of bloody rage.


    ¡°This is Telatrine to anyone listening,¡± they said into the comms, ¡°are any of you witnessing what I am witnessing?¡±


    Something had changed.


    <hr>


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Subcommander Tioga Blue 635 said into the comms to respond to Telatrine. ¡°Corrupted appear to be attacking each other. Require further confirmation from other locations.¡±


    One by one the word poured into the subcommander¡¯s ear holes.


    It was happening everywhere.


    Surveillance drones displayed the corrupted fighting amongst themselves with startlingly ferocity.


    In City Section 93 a much diminished squad of soldiers watched from a hovering transport as the corrupted that had just forced them to flee from the fabrication facility turned on each other. Thousands of gray-skinned figures down below in the streets and visible through the gaping holes in facility¡¯s wall tore into each other. The Threnosh they had been desperate to tear apart had been apparently forgotten.¡±


    ¡°This is Unseen. I can confirm that the corrupted are fighting each other. I am currently hiding within a structure. Be warned the corrupted will attack anyone in reach.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Subcommander Tioga Blue 635 said.


    In another projection Maul stood on the roof of a structure just outside the security station that the subcommander was in. Their large and bulky power armor was backed up to the edge of the roof. The corrupted dead were piled up in front of Maul as they continued to fire with all their remaining weaponry.


    The corrupted turning on each other was timely for Maul as they had run out of space to retreat.


    Maul took the opportunity to mow down the corrupted as they fought each other.


    ¡°This is Adahn. The corrupted are fighting each other, but some continue to attack our position, ammunition is running low.¡±


    Adahn, Winding Myriad, Rodinian, Drega Tali and the remaining soldiers, along with reinforcements from Subcommander Solemn Coast 963 and their E.W.S. soldiers were in scattered defensive positions inside the security station. The overwhelming numbers of corrupted had suddenly pushed forward like a rogue wave and forced them to hastily retreat inside to continue the defense.


    The corrupted had torn great, gaping holes in the thin metallic walls on the first level with their claws and frenzied strength.


    Rodinian¡¯s traps had blunted and slowed the initial rush, but there were always more of the corrupted to continue the rush.


    The sudden change in the corrupted¡¯s behavior was a fortunate turn of events.


    ¡°To all inside the security station,¡± Subcommander Tioga Blue 635 began, ¡°retreat to my level and set up defensive positions.¡± They needed to protect the command and control chamber at all costs. City Section 75 couldn¡¯t fall to the corrupted. ¡°To all available aerial transports, I task you with ammunition and energy resupply until further notice. We will utilize the roof as a temporary unloading zone.¡±


    The subcommander studied the holographic projections closely.


    The sudden turn didn¡¯t mean victory.


    The corrupted attacked anything in sight, which meant that the survivors would eventually need to be dealt with.


    ¡°To all personnel outside this security station. We will let the enemy destroy themselves. If capable, return to your nearest facility for repair, recharge and reload. If you are not, provide your location and a transport will be dispatched to your location.¡± Subcommander Tioga Blue 635 listened to the acknowledgments come in one by one. Then they had a thought. ¡°Communicators, when you establish secondary station establish communications with Frequency¡¯s team.¡±


    With their orders dispersed, the subcommander continued to watch the holographic projections.


    Whether this was a temporary reprieve or the battle had turned in their favor was still undetermined.


    The corrupted continued to go berserk across the wide front in their assault.


    Thousands of them fighting and killing each other without restraint.


    Some of the T-Men took advantage of the situation to escape.


    Unseen¡¯s camouflage blended them in with the gray, metallic color of the structures as they ran past tangled knots of corrupted in search of a place to await an aerial transport for evac.


    Other T-Men used the reprieve to help the corrupted kill themselves.


    Maul had cleared the rooftop. Now, they swept their weapons down to the street below.


    Whoosh, with an eye toward gaining more Universal Points, glided through the throngs of corrupted. Outside of an occasional swipe, the corrupted ignored the Threnosh.


    Whoosh slashed out with their blade weapons, never slowing down enough for the corrupted¡¯s focus to fall on them.


    Back at the main base, Telatrine finally reached the armory.


    They placed their chainsword in a recharging station and went in search of more weaponry. It would only take a few minutes to get their favored weapon up to a sufficient amount of power.


    There were still a hundred or so enhanced corrupted left, fighting each other.


    Plenty for Telatrine to kill.


    The Inheritor, Hylhon, hadn¡¯t yet appeared, perhaps it was still out there.


    <hr>


    The Deep Azure¡¯s voice was incomprehensible.


    It made everyone with mortal ears, save for the fishmen and the cultists wince in pain.


    Some unfortunate people doubled over in pain and allowed the fishmen or cultists to strike deadly blows.


    Hanna swung her greatsword in wide, sweeping arcs in an effort to keep them away from her stricken comrades.


    Bastien¡¯s voice rose to a fevered pitch as he screamed out his prayer.


    A light seemed to shine from his raised halberd as those gathered close to him felt the pain and the despair lift enough for them to find the inner will to raise their weapons and keep fighting.


    Naturally, the young man became the focus of their enemy¡¯s attacks.


    His friends defended him with renewed desperation.


    ¡°On me!¡± Olo cried.


    Dozens of attacks, spines, bolts, tentacles struck his shield and armored body, dealing wounds, but keeping the lighter-armored Bastien safe for the moment.


    Bang!


    Mads blew a fishman¡¯s brains out. She couldn¡¯t miss at this range. Her only problem was that she was down to a handful of rounds. After which she¡¯d be useless in the fight.


    ¡°It¡¯s at twenty! Twenty!¡± the young woman soldier from Sacramento, Jimenez, cried out as she cowered behind Keisha.


    ¡°The hell you on about?¡± Keisha grunted as she blocked a fishman¡¯s spear thrust with her shield, then hammered it on the side of the head with her two-handed sledgehammer.


    The fishman staggered and dropped it¡¯s spear, but didn¡¯t go down. It reached for the spear, only to notice that it was gone.


    Keisha itched to follow up, but had to raise her shield to block a clubbing lash from a cultist¡¯s tentacle arm.


    Johnny suddenly appeared in the middle of the formation with the fishman¡¯s spear in his hand. ¡°Here! Who want¡¯s this?¡± The young man¡¯s eyes were wide and he was on the edge of hyperventilating.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take it,¡± Captain Hamill grabbed the spear out of Johnny¡¯s hands. The big man rushed to join the front line fighters tanking for the few currently capable of ranged attacks. ¡°We need to fall back to the tunnel, funnel them to us.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not abandoning them,¡± Hanna frowned as she took in the sight of Tessa down on the first level, struggling to get up from being hammered into a stone pillar by the Deep Azure. Nila was on the other side of a lot of fishmen and cultists. Megan and Veronica on the completely opposite side of the obscene temple they had stumbled upon.


    ¡°You heard Jimenez, we can¡¯t take that thing,¡± Captain Hamill said as he grabbed a lashing tentacle and pulled the cultist in to spear her in the throat. The move suggested a level of enhanced strength.


    ¡°Sgt. Slaughter is right,¡± Del yelled back. ¡°My Danger Sense is going crazy.¡±


    ¡°Mine too,¡± Johnny added.


    ¡°I was feeling pumped, in a rage, ready to fight with my bare hands,¡± Captain Hamill said. ¡°Now, I¡¯m not. Something about this place is messing with our minds and I¡¯m thinking it¡¯s that thing down there,¡± he gestured to the towering Deep Azure.


    The figure was content to stand like a statue and watch as the desperate battle unfolded.


    ¡°We need¡ª¡± Hanna began.


    A loud scream from the other side of the temple interrupted her.


    ¡°Veronica, no! Get back here! That didn¡¯t work for your sister!¡± Megan shouted in vain.


    On the opposite side of the temple, Nila had somehow heard. She cursed and turned, trusting Hanna and the others to keep the fishmen and cultists busy and off her back. She sprinted toward the towering avatar of the Deep Azure down one level below.


    Veronica hurdled the railing in a couple of strides. She was so fast. Almost a blur to Megan¡¯s normal human eyes.


    ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang!¡±


    Veronica hit the Deep Azure with electromagnetic pulses as strong as she could manage under the circumstances and in quick succession.


    The Deep Azure shivered, but that was the only visible effect.


    Veronica gave her best battle cry and brought her metal staff down with a two-handed, overhead smash as the arc of her jump brought her to the Deep Azure.


    The hit echoed like a gunshot inside the confined space.


    The Deep Azure didn¡¯t bother to block, as it did with Tessa¡¯s strike. It simply took Veronica¡¯s best shot on its shoulder. Then it grabbed the staff and started swinging it around, almost lazily, with Tessa hanging on to the other end for her dear life.


    The Deep Azure raised the staff high.


    ¡°No!¡± Megan wailed.

 4.17

    Now, Earth


    Nila hit the Deep Azure like a missile.


    Her shield slammed into its back and drove it forward a few steps.


    Its hand went forward and Veronica took the opportunity to let go.


    Rather than get slammed into the ground with the Deep Azure¡¯s immense strength, the teenager merely hit the ground hard.


    She rolled and made sure to cradle the small bag to her stomach in order to protect Twinkle Star.


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have brought you along,¡± Veronica whispered as she slowly uncurled her body.


    Twinkle Star¡¯s indignant squeaks were his only answer.


    Veronica saw Tessa nearby and rushed to her older sister¡¯s side.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, get up, you need to shoot that creepy thing,¡± Veronica tried to pull Tessa up.


    ¡°Everything hurts and I¡¯m seeing two of you¡­ spinning,¡± Tessa groaned.


    ¡°No time for that, Aunt Nila needs our help!¡±


    Nila had to take a moment to recover from the tremendous clash. It was like hitting a steel wall with a car. She was the car.


    The Deep Azure stood in all its ominous might.


    Nila could feel those damn thoughts creepy around the edges of her mind.


    The Deep Azure stared it her with its lidless eyes. Like ocean whirlpools that led to an empty and eternal abyss where all hope went to die with a whimper.


    Nila felt herself falling.


    Until the Deep Azure raised a massive, muscular arm and beckoned her to it.


    ¡°So, that¡¯s how it is?¡± Nila got an impression that the Deep Azure was magnanimously granting her the opportunity for physical combat. Despite the fact that it could end her will to resist or even exist with a thought. ¡°Fine, your mistake,¡± she spoke with a bravado she didn¡¯t feel.


    Nila rushed in and slammed her baseball-bat like club into the side of the Deep Azure¡¯s knee. The shock reverberated up her arm.


    Twenty pounds of metal struck with every bit of her super strength, enough to pound deep dents in bank vault doors, barely moved the Deep Azure.


    It punched out, almost too quick for Nila to react.


    She raised her shield.


    The blow sent a sharp spike of pain up her arm.


    Nila scrambled back, while the Deep Azure appeared to be content to stand there like a damn statue. Its deep blue scales, like armor, glittering in the torchlight.


    Nila would¡¯ve called it beautiful had it been just that, a statue, rather than what it was, an abomination given physical form to walk her home and perform its abominations on humanity.


    The massive, fist-shaped dent in her shield pushed painfully against her arm.


    The throbbing pain was excruciating.


    Broken.


    She realized that the Deep Azure¡¯s punch must¡¯ve broken her arm.


    The Deep Azure attacked.


    Nila had no choice.


    She struck out with her weapon, while raising her shield to block with her broken arm.


    Nila cried out in pain as her vision temporarily blackened.


    The next thing she knew was lying flat on her back staring up at obscene carvings on the temple ceiling that made her sick.


    ¡°Hey, ugly! Take this!¡± Veronica shot the Deep Azure with a finger gun.


    The electromagnetic pulse washed over it.


    Ineffective, just like before.


    There was another loud bang and a powerful shockwave of wind that sent dust and loose rocks flying, whipped up in the relatively confined space as if a tornado had briefly spawned.


    A small hex nut, so tiny and insignificant, yet given great power flashed through the air and struck the Deep Azure in the back of its head.


    The blow rocked the Deep Azure forward.


    A handful of perfect deep blue scales twinkled to the ground.


    ¡°Fuck you, fishy fucker!¡± Tessa snarled


    The older sister was supported by the younger as both shot rude gestures towards something that was as old, powerful and inscrutable as eldritch gods in the fictional works of their world.


    The Deep Azure turned from the fallen Nila and marched toward the two Cruces sisters.


    ¡°Do it again!¡±


    ¡°Trying,¡± Tessa fished out another small piece of metal out of the small bag at her side. She held it in her hand aimed and magnetically accelerated it to supersonic speeds.


    The tiny missile nailed the Deep Azure in the chest.


    More glittering scales, each perfectly the same as the other, fell to the ground.


    The Deep Azure kept coming.


    ¡°Oh crap¡­ my kanabo,¡± Tessa grimaced.


    ¡°Got it!¡± Veronica sprinted toward the discarded weapon. She heard her mother¡¯s cry of horror as the Deep Azure reached out as she ran in front of it.


    It was quick, but so was Veronica.


    She jumped up and used its arm as a spring board. She skidded to a stop, grabbed the kanabo from the ground and slung it to Tessa in one smooth motion.


    ¡°Eat this!¡± Tessa lined up her shot and fired the kanabo straight into the Deep Azure¡¯s face.


    The missile flew too fast to track.


    Those without enhanced eyes didn¡¯t see anything. They only heard the impact.


    If the earlier shots had been akin to gunfire, then this was a massive bomb.


    Everyone was jarred by the shockwave and brought to their knees by the sound of it assaulting their ears. The humans, the fishman, even Tessa and Veronica, none were unscathed.


    When the dust cleared the Deep Azure still stood.


    Except, it was injured.


    Its perfect cheek was marred. In place of glittering scales was an angry-looking wound, exposed flesh, dark as the blood dripping down to its chest.


    The shattered remains of Tessa¡¯s kanabo were scattered all around. Some of the shards had been driven deep into the stone walls and pillars.


    The Deep Azure opened its mouth.


    It was fortunate that they had been partially deafened by Tessa¡¯s attack. This time the effects of the Deep Azure¡¯s words weren¡¯t as pronounced.


    The fishman on the first level finally moved.


    They approached Veronica, who was now trapped between the thirty or so fishmen and the Deep Azure.


    Two things happened in quick succession.


    First, a human shape came flying down from the second level to land in the midst of the fishmen.


    The Deep Azure regard it for a moment, but continued its walk toward Tessa on the other side of the temple.


    ¡°Eldritch Dart!¡±


    A woman¡¯s voice was accompanied by a flash of pinkish light as an ethereal projectile, small, like a crossbow bolt flew from above and struck the Deep Azure in the back.


    The dart penetrated to the shock of all. It stayed in the Deep Azure for a few seconds before it vanished.


    ¡°I know your nature! I can hurt you! You stay out of my head! I reject your presence!¡±


    Tessa recognized the ranting woman up on the second level.


    It was Alexa.


    ¡°I reject you from this plane of existence! You don¡¯t have a place here! Obscenity! Wrongness! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!¡±


    Tessa grew hopeful.


    The Deep Azure waved a hand in Alexa¡¯s direction.


    She gave the most ear-splitting cry and fell back.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Tessa muttered.


    The Deep Azure slowly turned its head back to her.


    <hr>


    Hanna couldn¡¯t use her Skills. She had a feeling that she needed to save her energy for her best one, the right moment.


    It wasn¡¯t too much of an issue for her. She preferred to rely on her actual skills, proper technique rather than whatever the spires did to allow people to go into autopilot for specific moves.


    She swept her greatsword across in front of her and deflected the spine-like bolts from the fishmen¡¯s organic-looking crossbows.


    Hanna gave a silent thanks to passive Skills that didn¡¯t drain stamina beyond the norm.


    Her opponents were stunned by the display, which gave her a moment to glance beyond them. Thanks to the downward angle of the second tier platform she could see over their heads down to the first level.


    Things didn¡¯t look good.


    Veronica had been sent flying.


    Nila was down.


    A loud boom shook her and everyone else inside the temple.


    People, fishmen, allies and enemies, everyone and Hanna looked down at the Deep Azure.


    Tessa had hit it with her best shot.


    Hanna narrowed her eyes.


    It had barely budged, but for a few scales off the back of its head.


    Another loud boom had Hanna gritting her teeth against the pain and ringing in her ears. Even with her hearing muffled from the first boom, the second one still got through.


    Movement out of the corner of her right eye.


    Alexa stumbled to the railing.


    There was space for her, but now she was exposed, no longer hidden behind their tanks.


    The Deep Azure opened its mouth.


    The sound it made was incomprehensible and indescribable.


    Hanna expected to be brought low once again, but to her surprise she was mostly fine. No sudden spikes of despair and rage.


    A lucky side effect of hearing damage.


    ¡°Keisha!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I need you to throw me there!¡± Hanna shouted at the top of her lungs. It felt like she was wearing a noise-canceling headset. She pointed urgently at the thirty or so fishmen on the first level as they started to move toward Veronica, who was caught in between them and the Deep Azure even as it stalked toward Tessa at the other end of the temple.


    Keisha gave her a look and shrugged.


    Without preamble the bigger woman grabbed the back of Hanna¡¯s plate armor. One hand on the collar and the other on the bottom.


    ¡°Power Throw!¡±


    Keisha yelled as she spun Hanna around once, twice then threw her clear over the heads of the cultists and fishmen down to the first level.


    Hanna weighed a little over two hundred pounds with all her gear and armor.


    Keisha threw her a good one hundred and fifty feet.


    An impossible throw made possible by the Skill and Keisha¡¯s Enhanced Strength.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Keisha took a clubbing tentacle across her armor-covered back. That¡¯ll teach her to drop her shield in the middle of a battle.


    ¡°On me!¡± Olo stepped in front of her and drew the next set of attacks, blocking them with his shield.


    In many ways they were fortunate that the enemy was content to attack from a distance.


    Especially, the fishmen. It was strange that they were content with shooting volleys from their crossbows when they would¡¯ve crushed in close combat.


    Keisha picked her shield up and drew her hammer to step up next to Olo.


    ¡°Get her back here!¡± Keisha gestured at Alexa.


    The young woman had actually fired a magic spell at the Deep Azure and was now ranting at it.


    Olo moved in that direction when Alexa suddenly gave a piercing shriek that shook them all to the core. She fell back and lay still on the cold stone tiles.


    The fishmen aimed their crossbows at Alexa¡¯s unprotected form.


    ¡°We need to retreat!¡± Captain Hamill shook his head. ¡°Can¡¯t keep this up.¡±


    Keisha felt like she had earplugs in. She could barely hear the man. ¡°Fuck off! We ain¡¯t leaving our people.¡± She read the captain¡¯s lips well enough.


    Olo¡¯s mouth moved a split-second before the crossbows twanged.


    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    His voice was soft.


    No one heard his words.


    Keisha couldn¡¯t read him.


    To those watching, Olo¡¯s big form crossed the twenty feet or so distance to Alexa in the blink of an eye.


    Perfectly placed to intercept every single spine-like bolt.


    Olo fell to his knees.


    Most of the bolts stuck out from his large shield.


    A few, however, stuck out of his body, through the armor.


    ¡°I need cover!¡± Keisha shouted.


    ¡°Fireball!¡±


    Gene¡¯s blast exploded in the front ranks of the cultists. One took the brunt of it and remained still on the ground, charred.


    The rest fell back in shock, which gave Keisha and a few others the opening to run over and drag Olo and Alexa back to the relative safety near Bastien at the rear of their formation.


    Olo was in bad shape.


    The spines had gone right through his plate and mail. One in his thigh, one in his spear arm, two in his torso. One of the latter looked bad. It was right in his gut. The front of his pants were already soaked red.


    ¡°Heal him!¡± Johnny tugged at Bastien¡¯s sleeve.


    Bastien gave a look of pure anguish and paused his prayer.


    The light around him dimmed and everyone instantly felt a massive wave of despair crash over them.


    ¡°I can¡¯t stop. If I do then we¡¯re all dead,¡± Bastien looked at Olo, ¡°sorry, bro, but I can tell that my healing ability isn¡¯t good enough for that.¡±


    ¡°Not your fault,¡± Olo said through grit teeth.


    ¡°Fuck that, heal him!¡± Johnny roared.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got only one person, who can fix it,¡± Mads said.


    Johnny¡¯s head whipped around and followed Mads¡¯ pointed finger.


    All the way on the other side of the temple Megan stood at the railing staring down with anguish at her daughters¡¯ plight. She didn¡¯t notice the cultists slowly sneaky up on her from one of the tunnels on her side of the second level.


    ¡°Fuck it! I¡¯ll bring her over. Cover me,¡± Johnny said.


    Mads nodded. ¡°Only got four rounds left, but I¡¯ll get it done. Don¡¯t screw this up.¡±


    Johnny couldn¡¯t go left, that way lay cultists and fishmen.


    Going around to the right was clear, except for the cult leaders up in a third level box. He¡¯d be exposed running right under them.


    ¡°Save a shot or two for those shitheads up in their luxury box,¡± Johnny said. He took a deep breath and suddenly everyone lost track of him. Sight, sound and even smell. They all couldn¡¯t notice his presence.


    Down below, Hanna hit the ground in a roll.


    She thanked her enhanced physical attributes for allowing her to survive the flight and landing without serious injuries. She¡¯d be bruised and sore in the morning, assuming survival, which she wasn¡¯t actually counting on.


    She was surrounded by roughly thirty fishmen after all.


    The fishmen didn¡¯t wait for Hanna to recover. Nor did they attack one by one.


    They swarmed her from all directions.


    Hanna stepped to her right and parried a spear thrust.


    The fishman was significantly stronger than her, but momentum and leverage won out over brute force, even if the impact rattled Hanna¡¯s bones.


    She continued the step and spun around to let another thrusting spear pass inches away from her side.


    Her blade flashed in the torch light. High to low, a down-angled slice from right to left across a fishman¡¯s exposed back.


    The armor-like scales parted for Hanna.


    She had drawn first blood.


    Hanna danced in and around stabbing spears and teeth-like swords.


    Her greatsword cut arcs around her.


    Perfect footwork and unnatural reflexes was the only thing keeping her from slipping off the narrow edge she trod upon.


    One mistake meant her end.


    The fishmen¡¯s strength would render her armor mostly useless against a direct thrust or stab.


    Hanna¡¯s breathing grew labored. Her helmet grew hot and heavy. Sweat ran down between her eyes.


    She overextended.


    One foot, off in placement by an inch.


    It was enough.


    A fishman stabbed her in the thigh.


    She managed to turn and deflect the sharp point, rather than take it full on.


    The impact still caused her to stumble, which opened her up to a different fishman.


    Its sword clanged and skidded off the back of her plate armor.


    A lucky break.


    Hanna whirled, sweeping her blade back.


    The fishman caught the tip with its throat.


    Hanna couldn¡¯t stop. She had to keep moving.


    The fishmen kept closing in.


    Jabbing from all around her.


    They shrank the circle. Hemmed her in. Gave her no room to maneuver.


    Hanna was out of options.


    Except for one.


    ¡°Tenfold Cuts.¡±


    Hanna slashed her blade out in a vertical cut, high to low.


    The fishmen dodged back, but several in front of her fell back.


    Dead.


    Limbs severed. Torsos partially sliced open.


    Multiple cuts appeared on the fishmen even thought the physical blade hadn¡¯t passed near them.


    Hanna turned and sliced across at shoulder level in an 180 degree arc behind her.


    Blood suddenly spurted out of several deep lacerations on multiple fishmen. All the way from their waists to their heads. Even fishmen standing in the back ranks weren¡¯t spared.


    Hanna slashed and stabbed her blade all around her.


    The fishmen had no idea how to respond as she scythed through them like wheat.


    It defied explanation. As did most things from the spires.


    Hanna¡¯s blade struck with ten times the speed and cutting power she could normally exert. The single blade struck as if it was ten blades and it reached out ten times beyond the length of the physical blade.


    Hanna didn¡¯t stop until all the fishmen were bloody chunks.


    When she did. She crashed hard.


    Her arms dropped. She could barely keep her grip on her sword. Her legs shook from the effort to keep her standing.


    Hanna looked up, her eyes heavy, at the tumult on the second level behind her.


    Megan stared down, imploring Hanna to go help Tessa.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Hanna shook her head. She had done her best. It was up to somebody else now.


    Megan turned her desperate gaze back to Tessa.


    The Deep Azure slowly strode to her daughter, like the tide, inevitable. It seemed to be savoring the terror and despair it was inspiring.


    Tessa¡¯s face was a mask of defiance, but Megan could see the fear in her daughter¡¯s eyes. A mother noticed such things.


    Someone shouted a warning.


    Megan turned to the voice and followed the frantic gestures to her left.


    She quailed at the sight of several cultists slowly approaching her from the side.


    Now that they had been noticed they broke into a run.


    A loud gunshot echoed through the cavernous temple.


    Mads had put the slug through what seemed to be the lead cultist up in the third level box. The man had the slick, untrustworthy look of a car salesman or a politician.


    His head rocked back, but he didn¡¯t fall.


    When he brought his head back there was a hole in one eye and out through the back of his head.


    Mads felt sick.


    With her enhanced vision she could see it all with precise detail.


    The hole in the man¡¯s head was devoid of blood or brain matter. It looked like she had poked a hole in a lump of dough.


    Mads looked away as the man glared at her. There was enough terrifying things to deal with at the moment. The cult leaders appeared content to merely watch the battle. Besides, she had accomplished what she needed. Three rounds left to make a difference, she leveled her shotgun across the way to the other side of the second level.


    Unnoticed by all Johnny ran beneath the third level box.


    He sprinted desperately to catch up to the cultists before they reached Megan, which was doubly difficult by the need to hold his breath lest he completely drop his stealth mode. As long as he wasn¡¯t breathing it¡¯d take someone with enhanced perceptions on a higher level than him to notice he was around.


    Johnny couldn¡¯t hold it, he gasped for breath.


    Perfect timing, right as he was closing with the rearmost cultists.


    The two men turned.


    Johnny sucked in a breath.


    The men blinked in confusion.


    Johnny plunged a short spear in each of their chests.


    He ran past them, while drawing a karambit in each hand.


    The knife blades were curved and pointed, like a tiger¡¯s claw. Their cutting motions were designed to follow the natural punching movements of the human arm. It was perfect for Johnny as he slashed at the backs of the cultists legs when he ran by them.


    The ones that bled, found that the bleeding was beyond the norm thanks to one of Johnny¡¯s Skills.


    The ones that didn¡¯t were a problem.


    Johnny drew their attention by attacking.


    One tripped him up with the tentacles coming out of their upper lip.


    Johnny cursed. ¡°Motherfucking nightmare fuel Zoidberg!¡±


    The tentacles grasped at his legs and arms. He slashed at them, but they kept coming.


    Bang!


    The cultist¡¯s head exploded.


    Johnny scrambled to his feet.


    More tentacles reached for him.


    Bang!


    Johnny didn¡¯t need to worry about what was behind him for the moment.


    Megan was close, but so was the last cultist.


    Johnny hurled his knife.


    It spun through the air.


    And struck the back of the man¡¯s head.


    Johnny groaned.


    The ringed pommel hit hard, but not fatally.


    The man turned.


    A fatal mistake.


    Megan laid a hand on the back of his head.


    Johnny turned away. He had seen many terrible things in the last few days.


    What Megan did to the cultist probably topped everything else.


    ¡°Um¡­ Olo¡¯s going to die. You have to heal him¡­ please,¡± Johnny pleaded.


    Megan looked down to where her daughters were in danger.


    The seconds ticked away.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Megan was being useless standing and doing nothing. If she could save a life, then she had to, even if it wasn¡¯t her daughters. ¡°But, how are we going to get past them?¡±


    ¡°The luxury box assholes?¡± Johnny shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure Mads has one more shot. She¡¯ll get them to put their head down when we run under.¡±


    Megan had one last hope.


    Once she healed Olo, she¡¯d try to convince everyone to attack the Deep Azure.


    If they wouldn¡¯t, then she¡¯d do it herself.


    Her life for her daughters¡¯ was a good trade.


    Bang!


    True to Johnny¡¯s word, Mads gave them the opening to dart underneath the occupied third level box.


    They rushed to Olo¡¯s side.


    ¡°Pull the bolts out,¡± Megan commanded.


    Olo winced, but screwed his mouth shut. The barest whimper escaped his lips.


    Megan felt the pain. He was so young. She had seen him grow from a gangly teenager to a big, bull of a young man, yet here he lay, dying from a gut shoot.


    ¡°Get back!¡± Megan snapped. Her hands went over the wound and began to glow.


    Rumbling in the tunnels shook the temple.


    Dust and debris showered down on everyone.


    ¡°What now?¡± Gene said in disgust.


    ¡°Probably an earthquake, with our luck it¡¯s the big one,¡± Johnny spat.


    The sound appeared to be getting closer.


    Building and building until a great gout of debris shot out of one of the lower level tunnel entrances into the temple.


    ¡°Get away from my daughters, you bastard!¡± Remy roared as he shot out of the tunnel. Directly at the Deep Azure.


    <hr>


    Remy had ripped chunks of metal ore out of the surrounding earth in his mad dash through the tunnels, through the fishmen that had tried to stop him.


    Hundreds of pounds of jagged metal shards and rock-crusted metal cores pierced and bludgeoned the way forward as Remy pushed everything in front of him with a powerful magnetic field.


    The painful spikes when he called on his power had mostly disappeared. It was more like a dull headache in the moment.


    He had left the fishmen as bloody smears against the carved stone surfaces of the tunnel.


    The long, straight tunnel carried sound well.


    Remy¡¯s superior hearing meant that he heard all of the details of the battle at the other end long before he drew close.


    What he had heard brought him on the verge of panic.


    He heard his wife¡¯s anguished cry as his daughter, Tessa, roared.


    Megan wasn¡¯t supposed to be down here.


    More loud words, another voice he recognized.


    Veronica.


    Remy put on a burst of speed. He moved faster than a car, but it was still too slow.


    Time. His mental state did strange things to his perception of it. Seconds felt like minutes, felt like hours.


    Another voice sounded out that shook him to the core. High-pitched and utterly alien it actually hurt him, physically and in more ways that he couldn¡¯t adequately describe if he had to.


    He took the ore from one of the basketball-sized chunks floating in front of him and flattened it. Shaped it into a small, disk-shaped object, like a trashcan lid.


    Without stopping he directed the disk down to his feet.


    Remy hopped on and flew faster, much faster.


    The throng of fishmen ahead didn¡¯t have a chance.


    Remy battered his way through them using a densely-packed wall of metal and rock.


    The fishmen would¡¯ve had more of a chance against a runaway train.


    Remy burst through the tunnel exit out into a cavernous space that reminded him of the church he had to go to back in his Catholic school days.


    Except, it was all wrong.


    He felt sick just being inside.


    He processed things faster than a normal human. This meant that he took the sights in quickly. The alien sculptures set into the stone pillars that held up the second tier platform ringing the oval-shaped ground floor disturbed him. The carved images in the same floor were mirrored by those on the high, domed ceiling and on the walls. They depicted some kind of story, but Remy couldn¡¯t hold on to the images even if he had wanted to.


    Nausea forced him to clench his jaw shut.


    Part of him understood that it was probably for the best that his mind couldn¡¯t quite fully comprehend what he was looking at.


    Focus.


    He needed something to focus on.


    He found it in front of him on the other side of this temple to obscenity.


    Tessa was struggling to stand.


    His daughter leaned against a partially broken pillar, shooting small pieces of metal at a walking nightmare.


    For a moment, Remy thought that it was some kind of super fishman. Like a boss level creature or perhaps their own version of himself.


    Remy shouted out with all the rage of a desperate father watching his precious daughter in mortal danger.


    That thought was dashed out of Remy¡¯s head when the eight-foot tall giant turned to look at him.


    Its unblinking eyes drew him in like an ocean whirlpool.


    Swirling, swirling down into the deep, dark depths.


    What do you value most? What will you do to protect it? What will you do if you are not strong enough?


    The chunks of metal and rock orbiting Remy wavered and dipped down to the ground. Some fell, cracking the stone tiles with loud thuds.


    Remy remembered.


    The giant figure covered in perfect deep blue scales was no mere fishman.


    This was the Deep Azure.


    ¡°Dad!¡± Tessa cried.


    Her voice snapped Remy back.


    Come then, show me your value. Earn your place in my service.


    Remy looked to his left.


    Veronica stood in front of Hanna, who could barely stand. His daughter held Hanna¡¯s greatsword in one hand as she swept it back and forth to keep the fishmen at bay, while more poured of the tunnels.


    Remy looked up to the second level behind him.


    The angle of the platform gave him a good view of his people, Megan included, as a mix of cultists and fishmen slowly surrounded them as more of the latter appeared out of the nearby tunnels.


    To his right at the far end of the temple, Nila cradled her left arm to her body. She wielded her bat in her right hand in a desperate struggle as more fishmen and cultists emerged from the tunnels to slowly encircle her.


    Remy returned his attention directly ahead.


    The Deep Azure stood like a statue as it loomed in the space between Remy and Tessa.


    It was too much. Too many people where in danger.


    Remy couldn¡¯t save them all.


    Or could he?


    He decided that he¡¯d try. No matter the cost.


    Dozens of magnetic fields sprang into being all over the temple interior.


    The strain on Remy was immense. Beyond anything he had attempted before.


    He pushed through it with a roar.


    Hundreds, thousands of metal shards split off from the objects Remy had orbiting around him.


    They shredded through the fishmen and cultists, while leaving his people untouched.


    For them it was like being inside a tornado. Wind and metal whipped around them in a frenzy. Turning their enemies into small chunks. Blood, the red of humans and the almost black of the fishmen liberally coated the walls and floors.


    It was all the people could do to huddle together lest they brush against the death whirling around them. Eyes shut at the horrible sights. Ears closed at the sounds of those dying. Sheer terror as the enemy was sliced and ripped to pieces.


    It was over with stunning quickness.


    Remy collapsed to one knee. His breathing came in ragged gasps.


    The Deep Azure opened its mouth.


    The sound drove Remy down to both knees as he plugged his ears in vain.


    Sounds sent a spike of fear through him.


    He heard it even through the pain.


    Hundreds of feet slapping the stone tiles echoing out of the tunnels. More were coming from every direction.


    His efforts had only bought them seconds, a few minutes at most.


    Remy pushed himself up just as the Deep Azure struck him with its massive fist.

 4.18

    Now, Earth


    The Deep Azure cracked Remy through a stone pillar over thirty feet away.


    Remy¡¯s vision flickered as darkness encroached around the edges. He struggled to breathe in the air that had just been forcefully driven out of his lungs.


    The Deep Azure turned its attention to the people on the second level as Remy struggled and failed to get back to his feet.


    It moved quickly for its size and apparent weight. Stone tile cracked underneath its feet as it ran straight for the people.


    A few paltry spells struck the Deep Azure and did nothing.


    It reached the edge of the stone platform and grabbed it.


    The Deep Azure turned its head, deliberately fixing Remy with an unblinking gaze.


    You have taken my servants. I shall take yours.


    It pulled.


    The thick stone protested with a great rumbling groan for a moment.


    The people tried to turn back and run for one of the tunnels. They were forced to stop by the sounds of approaching fishmen.


    They were trapped.


    The stone beneath their feet crumbled and brought them all crashing down to the temple floor.


    Dazed, they didn¡¯t immediate notice the Deep Azure looming over them all.


    The dark shadow it cast over them in the torch lights signified their doom.


    By dint of misfortune, Captain Hamill and Jimenez tumbled down to the ground closest to the Deep Azure.


    Captain Hamill recovered first. He had managed to shield Jimenez from the brunt of the fall by placing his body between hers and the ground. Bruised and battered from falling onto the rocks and stone floor, the captain still managed to climbed to his feet and charged the Deep Azure.


    Brave, but doomed.


    The Deep Azure allowed Captain Hamill to thrust his fishman spear into its stomach.


    The captain was a big and strong man. He was sorely disappointed when the spear point skipped of the Deep Azure¡¯s scales.


    The Deep Azure raised a fist.


    Captain Hamill swallowed the lump in his throat, but held his head high, back straight. He recognized the being in front of him. Its touch on the captain¡¯s mind had made a coward of the man several times during the mission.


    Not one moment more.


    The mission¡¯s success or failure was out of the captain¡¯s hands now.


    The Deep Azure¡¯s fist descended.


    Unlike, Remy, Captain Hamill had a normal human¡¯s durability.


    The Deep Azure crushed him into the ground like a bug.


    Shouts of dismay filled the temple.


    Jimenez shut her eyes tight and waited for her end. How could she fight something like a god? It felt inevitable, like a riptide pulling her out into the ocean. Why struggle? Wasn¡¯t it easier to let the end come? At least the nightmare of the last several days would finally be over?


    Insignificant.


    ¡°In The Zone!¡± Keisha barreled forward with a hoarse cry.


    She blocked the Deep Azure¡¯s punch, which would¡¯ve smeared Jimenez into the ground like Captain Hamill. Her shield buckled, bent and broke, along with her arm behind it.


    ¡°Get back you idiot!¡± Keisha hissed.


    Jimenez scrambled back to the bulk of the group.


    The Deep Azure regarded Keisha as if she was more than an insignificant insect.


    The woman was tall and strongly built. Fitting for an ex-collegiate shot put athlete. She had only gotten stronger in the years after the spires appeared. Her enhanced physical attributes passives pushed her beyond her old limits. She could bench over 500 pounds and Enhanced Stamina allowed her to workout harder, longer. She would¡¯ve crushed the Olympics in her current state.


    Keisha slammed her sledgehammer into the Deep Azure¡¯s knee.


    The shock reverberated up her arm and she felt the hardwood shaft crack in her right hand.


    The Deep Azure barely budged.


    Keisha took a step back. The pain of her shattered left arm was a dull ache thanks to the adrenaline flowing through her veins. Her best active skill allowed her to ignore it and every unnecessary stimulus to focus all of her attention on the Deep Azure.


    The swirling whirlpools in its eyes were barely able to tug on Keisha¡¯s thoughts.


    Keisha cocked her right arm back. Her hammer wasn¡¯t going to survive another strike.


    ¡°Power Throw!¡± Keisha roared and put everything she had into it.


    Her hammer¡¯s metal head clanged like a gunshot off the Deep Azure¡¯s face.


    It rocked back half a step. It looked down at Keisha and opened its mouth.


    One sharp tooth was broken.


    Keisha¡¯s best shot.


    Despair filled her.


    It wasn¡¯t fair.


    The Deep Azure moved too quickly for her to follow.


    Keisha felt a heavy impact.


    Then nothing.


    Stunned silence.


    Keisha¡¯s crumpled body bounced off one of the stone pillars near Nila and fell to the ground in a twisted heap.


    Nila would never forget Keisha¡¯s face.


    There was some mercy in the fact that it was mostly untouched by the horrific damage done to the rest of Keisha¡¯s body. Since the beginning she had always been one of the strongest.


    The Deep Azure had made a mockery of that strength. It had destroyed everything the woman was and would ever be.


    Nila felt true despair.


    It was over for her. She was going to die down in the depths of the earth. Would her family ever know? Would Cal?


    ¡°No! You fucking shitfish!¡± Tessa shot her last handful of nuts and bolts at the Deep Azure.


    All she succeeded at doing was to strip a few more scales off the towering being¡¯s body.


    The Deep Azure slowly advanced on the terrified cluster of people.


    ¡°Stay back!¡± Bastien¡¯s eyes were screwed shut. He prayed like he had never prayed before.


    The light around him seemed to brighten as it pulsed.


    Then the Deep Azure stepped into it.


    The light died and Bastien gave out one last cry before falling to the ground. His halberd clattered amid the rubble next to him.


    They truly knew despair at that point without the young man¡¯s protection.


    All hope was lost.


    All thoughts of resistance fled.


    All that was left was to accept their fates or lose their minds.


    Some fell to the latter.


    A soldier screamed and slashed their fishman sword indiscriminately around them.


    Gene barely blocked it with his own blade.


    The soldier dropped their weapon and ran blindly to their right.


    The Deep Azure caught the young man and dashed his brains out against a nearby pillar.


    The young man¡¯s brutal murder was a trigger.


    More people tried to run, heedless and frantic.


    The Deep Azure caught each one.


    I take your servants from you. Will you not stop me?


    Megan wavered. Her eyes darted wildly beyond the Deep Azure. She could see her husband, her two daughters. Her mind was consumed with one thought.


    Go to them. Go to her family. Safety and comfort awaited her.


    There was a darker thought whispering insidious words.


    Don¡¯t you want to hold them one last time before you die?


    ¡°Yes,¡± Megan hissed.


    She started to move.


    A hand grabbed Megan¡¯s ankle and brought her crashing to the ground.


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Del said through grit teeth. He was prone. His legs were trapped beneath several large chunks of rubble.


    ¡°Let me go! I have to get to my family!¡± Megan kicked at Del¡¯s arms and head with frenzied desperation.


    Nearby, Mads cradled her shotgun tight to her body as she sat on the ground and rocked back and forth whispering something inaudible.


    Johnny crouched next to her. He hyperventilated as his eyes darted wildly around. He looked like a rat surrounded by a circle of cats. Searching for a way out where there was none.


    Olo climbed to his feet. Megan¡¯s healing had saved his life, but he was still weak. His hands were empty. Weapons and shield were forgotten at his feet. He tried not to look at the Deep Azure as it killed, but could not. It was like trying not to stare at the ocean when you were in tiny boat in the middle of it.


    The Deep Azure seemed to be present wherever the young man looked.


    ¡°Leave them alone!¡± Veronica hit the Deep Azure with an electromagnetic pulse.


    The shot pierced the invisible miasma that had blanketed them all.


    For a moment their thoughts were mostly their own.


    Veronica slumped to the ground.


    Hanna was behind her. She was on one knee as she struggled to lift up her greatsword toward the fishmen that were beginning to emerge out of the dark tunnels.


    Their reprieve was brief and time was up.


    Enough for Remy to act.


    <hr>


    Remy watched the Deep Azure kill his people. He watched it tower over them in all its dark power, like a wave cresting in slow motion before it crashed down to swallow them up and drag them away into the depths with no trace.


    His wife was in danger. His children were in danger. Friends.


    There was nothing he could do.


    Despair filled him.


    Veronica¡¯s shout and pulse harshly vibrated through him and snapped him out of it.


    Remy pulled Hanna¡¯s greatsword out of her weak grip with a magnetic field and sent it whirling into the fishmen as they closed on her and Veronica. The blade slashed and stabbed with deadly speed, driving the survivors back to the tunnel entrances.


    At the same time, Remy used more magnetic fields to gather up the remnants of Tessa¡¯s kanabo and reformed it.


    Tessa caught it in one hand and whooped with renewed vigor as she launched herself at the closest group of fishmen.


    He sent a barrage of rock-encrusted ore at the fishmen threatening to surround Nila, giving her an opening to scramble back to the larger group.


    Seconds had passed.


    The Deep Azure seemed content to watch and wait.


    That was fine with Remy. He ripped the ore out of the rocks around him and shaped them into long chains with his magnetic power. He made them stronger than steel. He was just beginning to create a full-body suit of metal armor when the Deep Azure moved.


    It picked up a beach ball-sized chunk of broken stone in one hand and threw it at Remy with a lazy flick of its wrist.


    The projectile¡¯s loud boom shook dust and debris through the entire cavernous temple.


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    Remy barely dodged out of the way thanks to his better than human perceptions and reaction time.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    The Deep Azure¡¯s thudding steps heralded its next attack.


    Again, Remy blindly dived to the side. He barely avoided the Deep Azure¡¯s foot as it stomped a small crater into the thick stone floor. Cracks radiated out over a dozen feet in all directions.


    Remy scrambled to his feet while using his magnetic control over one of his chains to send it snaking around the Deep Azure¡¯s tree-trunk thick lower legs.


    Remy grit his teeth. The effort to cinch the chain tight against the Deep Azure¡¯s strength and weight was an enormous strain. Pain spiked through him. He ignored it.


    He reached a hand out and sent the second chain wrapping around the Deep Azure¡¯s thick neck.


    He set a magnetic field at the other end of the chain and pulled it to the ground.


    The Deep Azure barely budged.


    Remy was forced to increase the attractive force beyond what he had expected.


    The chain creaked and cracked in protest at the immense forces it had to endure.


    Remy kept increasing the field¡¯s strength. He was approaching the most powerful he had ever done in the past before the Deep Azure finally toppled to the ground.


    Quickly, he created another field at the chain around the Deep Azure¡¯s ankles.


    Sweat beaded across Remy¡¯s brow as he was forced to keep increasing the strength of the fields against the Deep Azure¡¯s efforts to pull free.


    ¡°Hurry!¡± Remy pointed to the tunnel he had emerged from. ¡°I carved arrows into the walls. It¡¯ll take you back to Alcatraz. I¡¯ll catch up and fly everyone out.¡±


    Tessa kept the fishmen back from the larger group with sweeping strikes of her kanabo, while Nila and Veronica lifted large chunks of stone off the trapped people.


    Those capable of moving unaided went toward the tunnel at Megan¡¯s urging. They had shell-shocked looks on their faces.


    They were moving too slowly.


    The pressure and pain were building within Remy. He couldn¡¯t hold the Deep Azure for much longer. He looked around desperately for something he could use. Maybe encase it in a metal sarcophagus.


    A collective cry of dismay had Remy whipping his head around.


    Fishmen poured out of the tunnel he had set his escape plan on. Dozens and dozens forced the people back.


    Veronica was there with a high-pitched battle cry before the fishmen could fall on the people. She swept her staff in wide arcs to keep the fishmen at bay.


    Trapped again


    Remy despaired.


    Become my greatest disciple and you save them. They will all be honored above all my followers.


    The Deep Azure raised its head despite the immense pull of the chains down to the ground. The stone floor cracked underneath its hands as it slowly, inexorably, pushed itself up.


    Be their savior.


    Remy grunted with effort. He wasn¡¯t going to give up.


    You will be their doom.


    Remy screamed as the chains around the Deep Azure¡¯s neck broke along with the magnetic field and something within him.


    The pain was as intense as anything he had experienced before. His breathing came in ragged gasps, but he could see the Deep Azure rising to its feet through blurred vision.


    He had to push through. For his family, friends. He couldn¡¯t surrender to the darkness.


    The chains around the Deep Azure¡¯s legs had loosened with the breaking of every one of Remy¡¯s magnetic fields. He cinched it up tight with a thought, ignoring the pain.


    The Deep Azure pulled at the chain, but it held fast for the moment.


    ¡°New plan,¡± Remy said through grit teeth. He had to think fast. He looked to Megan. How did she get down to the profane temple in the first place? She hadn¡¯t come through Alcatraz, like he did. ¡°Megan! Which tunnel did you come in from!¡±


    Wide-eyed, Megan snapped to Remy with laser focus. She was like a drowning person reaching for that one rope. To that one chance of survival.


    ¡°That one!¡± Megan pointed to the second level on the opposite side of the temple.


    Dozens of fishmen stood in the way.


    Remy had left many scattered chunks of rock-crusted metal ore all around him. He picked them up with an expression of will and showered the fishmen in a hail of projectiles.


    The fishmen were battered and broken by the barrage. The ones that survived were either in no condition to present further threats or fled. The way was clear.


    ¡°Can you find your way back?¡± Remy said.


    Megan shook her head hesitantly. ¡°I- I¡¯m not sure¡­¡±


    ¡°I remember the way,¡± Nila said through grit teeth. Her pale face was covered by a sheen of sweat.


    Remy nodded. He locked eyes with Megan. ¡°Don¡¯t wait for me. Get out of here. Go as fast as you can,¡± he said.


    ¡°What?¡± Tessa frowned.


    ¡°No, Dad!¡± Veronica turned her head to Remy in alarm.


    ¡°Hold on tight, honey,¡± he gave her a slight smile as he magnetically lifted Veronica¡¯s staff into the air.


    His teenage daughter was caught off guard and reflexively tightened her grip as she was carried up over everything toward the second level tunnel entrance. Twinkle Star squeaked in alarm from his place in her small bag.


    ¡°This is bullshit!¡± Veronica snapped, before letting go and crashing to the ground close to Remy.


    ¡°Damn it! What do you think you¡¯re doing, young lady?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Dad, but I¡¯m not leaving you. We can take these losers.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have time for this.¡± Remy ground his teeth. ¡°I can¡¯t waste time.¡± He came to quick decision. Everyone was wearing some metal. Armor, parts of their clothing, belts, the weapons in their hands. ¡°Hold on tight to your gear!¡± he yelled.


    Remy tried to be gentle, smooth, with his magnetic power, but time was of the essence. He floated everyone up out of reach of the fishmen and to the second level. All except for Tessa. The glare she had sent his way let Remy know that she would¡¯ve done as her little sister had to stay by his side. Instead, he let Tessa retreat from the fishmen to join him.


    ¡°Girls¡­¡± Remy began as soon as he had deposited everyone on the second level. ¡°I love you. Take care of your mother.¡± He sent them flying before they could complain.


    Sure they could let go of their weapons. Unfortunately for them, they had forgotten that they were wearing armor.


    Chains snapped.


    Remy turned his head.


    A dark blue fist caught him in the face.


    The crunch of his nose was followed by the back of his head creating a massive spiderweb of cracks in the stone tiles on the floor.


    ¡°Dad!¡±


    Tessa¡¯s voice.


    It sounded muffled in Remy¡¯s ears.


    His head spun, his vision dimmed around the edges.


    He bit back a yelp as a massive hand clamped with a crushing grip around his lower legs, near the ankles.


    Remy felt the air rush around him as he flew up whip-fast. He stopped with sudden quickness and found the air driven from his lungs by the tremendous impact against the stone floor.


    Once.


    Twice.


    Thrice.


    Remy went up and then back down as the Deep Azure beat him into the ground like a fish.


    The irony was lost on Remy. He was just struggling to stay conscious.


    ¡°On me!¡± Olo¡¯s voice wavered.


    The Deep Azure dropped Remy to the ground and turned its terrible and beautiful face toward the young men and women arrayed against on the other side of the temple floor.


    See what you have done. It turned back to Remy¡¯s bruised and battered body at its feet. They die for you. They die because of you.


    The Deep Azure stepped away from Remy. It raised a hand to block a small piece of metal booming through the air toward its face.


    Tessa roared. She forced herself to look at the Deep Azure directly despite the screaming inside her head to look away


    ¡°I can¡¯t look at it, but I can¡¯t not look at it!¡± Gene screamed.


    ¡°Do something, Bastien!¡± Johnny was in the same straits. He wanted to tear his eyes off the Deep Azure, but there was an overwhelming allure to the towering perfection of its deep, dark blue shape. Before he realized it, he had dropped to his knees. In despair or worship? He didn¡¯t know the difference.


    ¡°C- c- c- can¡¯t¡­¡± Bastien¡¯s halberd clattered to the ground.


    ¡°What¡¯re you doing? Do your prayer thing¡­ like before.¡± Veronica held her staff in a white-knuckled grip as she stood next to Olo and Tessa.


    ¡°It- it- it sees through me,¡± Bastien gasped and collapsed to his knees like Johnny.


    Gene grunted. ¡°Magic Missile!¡± he screamed, voice high and hysterical.


    Small, glowing purple orbs streaked in haphazard arcs out of Gene¡¯s splayed fingers.


    They briefly lit up the dimness of the torch-lit temple before fizzling out against the Deep Azure¡¯s skin.


    ¡°Shit¡­ nothing. Not even smudges,¡± Tessa said. ¡°My turn.¡± She magnetically accelerated a bolt in her hand.


    The boom shook the temple.


    Just as loud as the smack as the Deep Azure caught the missile in its hand.


    ¡°Get up you morons!¡± Mads tugged at Johnny and Bastien. ¡°You have to help! I¡¯m out of ammo!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep it here as long as I can. You have to get your dad,¡± Olo said to Tessa and Veronica, ¡°the rest of you need to get out. Before they¡ª¡±


    The fishmen had begun to move toward them. More climbed up to the second level or emerged from the tunnels.


    ¡°Sorry, guys. This was stupid. I shouldn¡¯t have¡­¡± Gene trailed off.


    Tessa looked back. Thanks to the angle of the second level she could see straight to the dark tunnel that her mother and the rest of the older people had already fled through.


    In the chaos her mom had lost track of her and Veronica. Aunt Nila had been preoccupied with leading the way. This meant that there had been no one to stop her from going back for her dad. Not that anyone was strong enough anyways.


    Veronica had followed. Their friends had followed at Gene¡¯s urging.


    And now the fishmen were about to cutoff the escape her dad had worked so hard to give them.


    They were screwed.


    ¡°On me!¡± Olo huffed. ¡°That¡¯s it don¡¯t have much left in me. Get out of here!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s working,¡± Veronica muttered under her breath.


    The Deep Azure continued to slowly walk toward them. Savoring the despair, the terror.


    Tessa continued to shoot small bits of metal at it.


    ¡°Stupid kids,¡± Remy whispered.


    He burst up from the floor with a surge of energy.


    The Deep Azure turned.


    It was too late.


    Remy drove an elbow into the small of its back.


    The Deep Azure staggered forward.


    Remy grabbed one leg with both his arms. He lifted, spun and threw. It was like throwing a struggling tree.


    The Deep Azure went flying into the altar at the center of the temple.


    Remy caught a glimpse at the remains chained to the altar. It was woman, she looked familiar, but was gone in an instant. Erased along with most of the demolished altar.


    Remy tried not to vomit. The spinning world slowed, then steadied as he tried to breathe. He looked to his daughters and their friends. Then looked up and saw that the fishmen were pouring into the tunnel that the rest of his people, his wife, had escaped through.


    ¡°This is what happens when you don¡¯t listen to me,¡± Remy sighed.


    ¡°It¡¯s your fault!¡± Tessa snapped. ¡°You¡¯re crazy if you thought we¡¯d just leave you here.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to save your lives!¡± Remy ground out.


    ¡°It¡¯s better if we work together,¡± Veronica said. ¡°With teamwork we are safer. Especially against really dangerous things.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯ve said that¡­ but I¡¯ve also said that if you ever come up against something you can¡¯t overwhelm with ease then you get away as fast as possible¡ª¡±


    ¡°Right and get you,¡± Tessa rolled her eyes. ¡°Well¡­ you¡¯re here and you¡¯re getting your ass beat.¡±


    ¡°Language, young lady¡­ I¡¯m only letting it slide because of the circumstances,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Fine, whatever,¡± Tessa frowned.


    Remy wanted to laugh at the mix of anger and sheepishness on his daughter¡¯s face. Twenty years old soon. He sighed. She¡¯d always be his baby.


    In the moment he wished a completely different life for Tessa and Veronica.


    Not this.


    Not in the heart of dark, profane temple. Surrounded by fishmen and what appeared to be their god. If such a thing was possible. It claimed to be one and had displayed the power to back it up.


    ¡°Okay, but we can¡¯t fight this. We need to leave.¡± Remy looked around. Fishmen were everywhere. The cultists had vanished.


    ¡°What about there?¡± Tessa pointed to the far end of the temple.


    Underneath where the cultist leadership had been watching from their third-level boxes was a large set of double doors. They hadn¡¯t noticed them earlier.


    The doors were made of metal bars.


    Remy thought, but since the Deep Azure was already rising to its feet, he did it quickly.


    The doors resembled a cage or a cell.


    Were they to keep something inside the temple? Or outside?


    Remy made up his mind.


    He sent flying chunks of rock-crusted metal to sweep the fishmen out of the way.


    ¡°Head for the doors,¡± Remy said.


    The kids obeyed, but Tessa and Veronica looked back to make sure he was following.


    There is no freedom. The tides flow to me. Nothing can resist.


    Remy turned around.


    The Deep Azure ripped a trident from one of the stone sculptures arrayed around the now-demolished altar. It thrust the trident up.


    The stone flaked away.


    No.


    That was wrong.


    The stone transformed right before Remy¡¯s eyes.


    The trident¡¯s gritty, gray surface slowly became a deep blue, almost black color, as if it was being covered by water. Or the water was cleaning away a thick layer of dirt and grime. It shined with a slick sheen. Iridescent like a fish¡¯s scales.


    Remy felt the power hum from the trident.


    Bad news piled upon bad news.


    He willed a magnetic field to life and tried to wrest the weapon from the Deep Azure¡¯s grasp.


    Nothing, except for a slight vibration.


    Your children can run, but they will never escape my grasp. My strength grows with every follower. I will be the eternal tide that sweeps across your entire world. Do you not see your future? There is only one choice. Stand at my side or drown for eternity.


    Again, Remy came to a decision.


    ¡°I¡¯ll catch up.¡± Remy magnetically shoved Tessa, Veronica and the other kids through the open doors. Before they could react he pulled the doors shut with the same magnetic field. Then he melded the door edges together into a seamless piece.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, dad!¡± Tessa shouted in frustration. ¡°Why are you doing this!¡± she tugged at the bars with all her might.


    Veronica threw her helmet to the ground before doing the same.


    The bars bent slightly, but held.


    This time their superhuman strength wasn¡¯t enough.


    Remy placed a hand on his daughters¡¯ heads.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to keep my daughters safe,¡± Remy said. ¡°So¡­ maybe this time you¡¯ll help me out and listen. Escape. Okay?¡±


    ¡°Noooo,¡± Veronica wailed.


    ¡°Look, I can¡¯t fight all out if I¡¯m worried about you getting caught in it,¡± Remy said. ¡°I¡¯m definitely not doing a sacrifice thing,¡± he lied. ¡°I¡¯m going to beat this thing up along with all of the fishmen and then get out of here.¡±


    ¡°But we can help,¡± Tessa pleaded.


    ¡°You guys have done great already,¡± Remy smiled. ¡°Just help your dad out one more time and ease his worries. Get to safety.¡±


    ¡°But we don¡¯t even know where this tunnel leads,¡± Veronica said.


    Remy silently cursed his youngest daughter¡¯s quick and rational thinking.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but it¡¯s the best I can give you.¡± Remy looked back. The fishmen had pulled back. They were heading for the tunnels. The Deep Azure stood, trident in hand, content to wait. ¡°The fishmen might be looking to cut you off. You can¡¯t waste time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll scout ahead,¡± Johnny said before disappearing into the dimly lit tunnel.


    Remy had to focus to keep the young man¡¯s presence from vanishing from his notice. ¡°I¡¯m hoping this is the main way the cult used to get here. There have to be signs, clues for you to follow.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll leave arrows for you to follow,¡± Tessa said. Her jaw was clenched tight. Her eyes glistened.


    Veronica sniffled as tears flowed done her face and snot bubbled under her nose.


    The rest of the group moved back deeper into the tunnel, perhaps they knew. Perhaps they could see the truth in the goodbye.


    Remy pulled his hands back only to have them suddenly grasped in both his daughters¡¯ vise-like grips.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be okay, girls. Promise. Once I¡¯m done here I¡¯ll be right behind you. So, make sure those arrows are pointed in the right direction.¡± Remy tried not to choke on his words. Lying to his children was the hardest thing he had ever done.


    Remy pried his hands free with some difficulty. He cupped Tessa¡¯s cheek. ¡°Take care of your sister.¡± He wiped Veronica¡¯s tears. ¡°Take care of each other and¡­ take care of your mom.¡±


    Tessa nodded.


    ¡°No, daddy!¡± Veronica reached out for Remy, but he had already pulled away from the bars.


    Tessa pulled Veronica back.


    Remy turned to face the Deep Azure.


    Unnecessary. Join me and all will be well.


    Remy listened to both his daughters cry in the darkness as they ran away.


    Remy pulled the metal to him. He reformed the chains, created sharp blades to hover around him and encased himself in armor.


    ¡°It occurs to me that all will be well¡­ once you are gone.¡±

 4.19

    Now, Threnosh World


    The anti-gravity unit¡¯s soft hum was the only hint of motion. The aerial transport¡¯s flight was exponentially smoother than any airplane back on Cal¡¯s home world. Granted he had only ever flown commercial, economy class at that.


    Cal stared at his hands.


    He opened and closed them.


    Wiggled his fingers for what felt like the hundredth time since he had boarded the transport and departed Orchestral Meridian for Cold Plains City.


    He had vague memories of seeing his flesh melt away almost down to the bone within Frequency¡¯s ultimate sound.


    Threnosh medical technology was almost like magic. Regrowing his nerves, muscles, tendons and flesh was a miracle. He had dodged a bullet. He had telekinesis, but he definitely wouldn¡¯t have enjoyed living life without hands.


    Cal wiggled the three fingers on his left hand.


    The tech had limits. It could¡¯ve replaced missing Threnosh fingers.


    He didn¡¯t fully understand the technology, but it seemed that when it came to his human genetic code the medical pods could only heal what was mostly there, not create replacements for completely missing parts.


    He supposed that it could¡¯ve been modified to fit his human genetic code. However, he lacked the knowledge and expertise to advise the Threnosh. Some of the Threnosh may have had the ability, but the ones that did lacked the desire. He had asked and had been refused. They didn¡¯t see the value in modifying a perfectly functional device for one individual.


    He liked to think that if there had been a scientifically inclined T-Man then they would¡¯ve given him a hand. Or a couple of fingers.


    A sad smile crossed Cal¡¯s face.


    The T-Men.


    Cal sighed. He shook his head.


    A dumb name.


    A self-indulgent inside joke only he was in on.


    Perhaps it was time for a change.


    Another thing to address.


    Cal stared at his three-fingered hand.


    At least it was the pinkie and the ring finger. The least useful fingers of them all.


    Cal glanced at the PID inserted into his left gauntlet.


    Three more hours of flight time.


    He let out a long breath and swiped a finger on the surface of his PID until he got to Caretaker¡¯s report.


    He had skimmed it in the days after he had been released from the medical pod.


    The thought of the casualty list brought on the sensation of a barbed hand squeezing his heart.


    He had to take a deep breath, check his telepathic walls and perform the series of mental checks he did often to make sure that he was in the real world.


    Mother Madrigal was dead, but captivity had left deep marks in Cal.


    He had to remind himself that he had seen her body burned to ash and then atomized into nothingness. Or at least as much as Threnosh science was able to determine. Furthermore, the Mother¡¯s core was safely inside the container secured next to his seat.


    Three T-Men dead. One at his hands. One T-Man still missing.


    Cal¡¯s responsibility. His fault.


    They died because of him. Because he pushed them to fight. Taught them, guided them, killed them.


    Cal¡¯s jaw tensed.


    He forced himself to relax. Controlled his breathing again.


    No more delays. It was important. The rest of the T-Men were counting on him.


    He opened Caretaker¡¯s report on what had transpired in Cold Plains City and set it to project above his PID.


    Cal read quickly, but absorbed every word thanks to his mental powers.


    He ended up reading through it three more times before the aerial transport finally touched down in Cold Plains City.


    Cal thanked the pilot and disembarked with Mother Madrigal¡¯s core in hand. His PID gave him verbal and visual directions to Caretaker¡¯s command structure.


    The metallic streets and structures of Cold Plains City were clean, almost sparkling in the bright sunlight. Here and there were signs of the fierce battle with the cragants. Half-demolished structures and cratered streets that sometimes revealed the tunnels of the sublevels.


    Cal was going to be headed down there soon.


    The thought of the dark and enclosed space had his heart pulse rapidly for a moment before he mastered himself.


    Deep marks.


    Cal knew he had a lot of work to do to erase them. If that was even possible.


    Threnosh soldiers and assorted staff spared him the barest of glances as he walked into the command structure. His PID was broadcasting his identity and purpose. Not to mention the fact that he was the only human on the planet. There was no need to question him.


    Cal didn¡¯t recognize any of them, which made sense since Caretaker¡¯s team was comprised solely of T-Men. Support personnel was provided by the standard Threnosh force under Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326. Everyone was under Prime Custodian 3¡¯s jurisdiction.


    The door to Caretaker¡¯s command chamber slid open with an almost imperceptible hiss.


    Cal¡¯s smile didn¡¯t reach his eyes as he greeted Caretaker.


    The Threnosh¡¯s power armor looked spotless thanks to the new armor plating and lack of combat since the terrible battle against the hierophant and Zalthyss.


    According to the report, Caretaker¡¯s duties had been filled by serving as the liaison with the rebel cragant force under General Zanya and one other issue that Cal planned to resolve as soon as possible.


    ¡°Honor, I relinquish my command,¡± Caretaker said briskly.


    Cal was taken aback. ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting that, nor will I accept.¡±


    ¡°I do not understand. Is that not the reason you have come here?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Cal smiled sadly, ¡°actually the opposite. I¡¯m here to relinquish command to you.¡±


    Caretaker blinked slowly.


    Cal kept his telepathic walls up, but he could read the confusion morph into uncertainty, then into concern in Caretaker¡¯s mind. He took a deep breath. The thoughts of others had been getting stronger. Harder to keep out. Like whispering in his head, constantly, whenever he was around Threnosh.


    Cal did his best to ignore Caretaker¡¯s internal thoughts as they broadcast. He respected the sanctity of an other''s private thoughts, especially that of a friend and comrade.


    ¡°Let me explain.¡± Cal decided to give Caretaker a hand. ¡°I made this decision based on your own merit and on my lack of the same. Do you want the bad news first? Or the good?¡±


    ¡°The order is irrelevant. It is your report, therefore you determine how to proceed,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Well, in my world, you usually want to lead with the bad stuff and end with the good stuff. That way the person feels better since the good news is freshest in their thoughts.¡±


    ¡°Why? The negative and positive information will remain unchanged regardless of the order they are relayed.¡±


    ¡°Emotional stuff,¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°Noted. I will study the issue further.¡±


    Cal¡¯s smile was more genuine this time. ¡°Right, so the bad news. Simply put, I¡¯m compromised. Two years with Mother Madrigal messing around in my head can¡¯t be ignored. My leadership, such that it is, can¡¯t be trusted.¡±


    ¡°You stated in your report that you were taking steps to search and counter any potential threats.¡±


    ¡°Yes and it¡¯ll take more time. Years, even,¡± Cal struggled for words, ¡°I mean¡­ I killed Brightstrike. I can¡¯t be sure of myself...¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Caretaker stiffened.


    ¡°My fault,¡± Cal continued, ¡°it doesn¡¯t matter to me that Mother Madrigal was messing with my thoughts. I am still responsible for Brightstrike¡¯s death. They deserved better.¡±


    ¡°Brightstrike and PJ15 should have endeavored to return to the rest of our team, rather than pursue the Task to free you,¡± Caretaker said.


    Cal shook his head. ¡°They freed me. Brightstrike¡¯s¡ª they gave me that last push to free myself. Who knows how long I would¡¯ve remained in the Mother¡¯s grip. How much more damage I could¡¯ve done?¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    ¡°Now for the good news. You¡¯ve proven yourself a good leader. You took on and defeated a powerful enemy in the hierophant. You established a connection with General Zanya and her cragants. In doing so you not only deprived the dominion of a large force of powerful soldiers, but added them to our side as a potential resource. You even faced Zalthyss and drove it away.¡±


    ¡°You spoke of deaths. Then I too am responsible for Malendrax and Silver Wolf. There is also Shira¡¯s situation.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here to help with that, but you did good. Salamander, Telatrine and Frequency did good at Orchestral Meridian. You have all shown me that I¡¯m no longer necessary to your continued success.¡±


    ¡°We lack your sheer power.¡±


    ¡°PJ15 has made significant strides in that regard.¡±


    ¡°Dominion forces continue to emerge from spires all over our world. More powerful invasive organisms are appearing as well.¡±


    ¡°The leadership council has made it clear that the scope of my involvement is limited to PC3¡¯s jurisdiction,¡± Cal shook his head again. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter anyways. I realized that I am exhausted. While I need to purge myself of any traces of Mother Madrigal¡¯s influence, I also need a break. From the first day the spires appeared on my world and I gained my abilities I have been in a constant state of conflict. Fighting monsters, people and worse things. I¡¯ve been on your world for close to five years now, which means that my world¡¯s ten year introductory phase is almost up and I can go back.¡±


    ¡°You would leave us?¡± Caretaker said.


    Cal couldn¡¯t help but read the concern in Caretaker¡¯s thoughts.


    ¡°I was never going to stay around forever. Remember, I told you that I was setting you, all of you, up to be in control of your own lives. That time has arrived. I trust and believe in you, in the T-Men,¡± Cal chuckled, ¡°I think you guys should come up with your own name. Really take ownership of the team, the organization. Look, Caretaker, PC3 agreed with me. You¡¯re ready to take command. All of you are more than ready to continue what I started. You¡¯ve proven it with your performance here and in Orchestral Meridian.¡±


    ¡°But the operation there is not complete. The Inheritors still fight. They still control many birthing creches to create more of their kind, as well as corrupted,¡± Caretaker grasped for the line receding out of their reach.


    ¡°Well, more good news. PC3 has dictated that T-Men are to focus their efforts on reclaiming Orchestral Meridian. You are to depart as soon as I help take care of the one thing.¡±


    Cal could tell when Caretaker gave up their protests before the Threnosh knew. Thoughts didn¡¯t lie and Cal could read them, despite his efforts to avoid doing so. Caretaker¡¯s worries might as well have been shouted out.


    ¡°I¡ª acknowledged. How do you wish to proceed?¡±


    ¡°Your report on Shira was¡­ light. Tell me everything.¡±


    Caretaker looked uncertain. Then they tapped and swiped a finger on their gauntlet. ¡°I have deployed countermeasures against unwanted attention. This chamber is protected as best as possible, but without Frequency it is not certain.¡±


    Cal reluctantly reached out with his telepathy. He scanned minds in a wide area. Staggeringly wide from what he had attempted in the past. Before his almost two years under the Mother.


    ¡°No one is paying attention to us right now,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Shira fed on Zalthyss, which is what caused it to flee,¡± Caretaker began.


    Cal¡¯s eyes widened in genuine surprise, but he forced himself to keep quiet.


    ¡°I cannot explain what happened next. Shira disappeared. The tracker in her trueskin went silent. Weeks passed before soldiers began disappearing. Always in the sublevels and at the furthest ranges of their patrols. Senior Commander Saldin Flats 326 tasked the T-Men to seek and destroy the entity responsible. The suspected culprit was an invasive organism. The senior commander contracted the patrols, while we ranged out.¡±


    ¡°Did you suspect?¡±


    ¡°Yes. My algorithm pointed me to the likely conclusion that it was Shira. They attacked us as if they did not recognize their teammates. Shira is more powerful, more vicious, more dangerous. Adjudicator and Dralig barely survived the first encounter.¡±


    ¡°Good thing you had those two instead of the others,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°They had the most potential to survive Shira and possibly restrain them. Primal¡¯s trueskin is too large to navigate the sublevels without restriction,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing you¡¯ve been able to keep knowledge of this from reaching the senior commander.¡±


    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    ¡°Only the T-Men know. If the standard chain of command discovers it they will involved Prime Custodian 3¡­ and I am uncertain on the course of action they would take.¡±


    ¡°How have you kept it quiet for all these months?¡±


    ¡°Shira needs blood. We have been capturing dragonbears from the plains and releasing them in the areas where Shira prowls. I have reported it all as a continuous training exercise and the original culprit as a dragonbear pack that had somehow entered the city during the chaos of the fighting.¡±


    ¡°Zalthyss doesn¡¯t even have blood according to the scans. Not to mention it hasn¡¯t escaped its prison according to PC3. So how did it show up here?¡± Cal mused.


    ¡°I¡¯ve used my algorithm to compare the Zalthyss you fought with the one we fought here. One hundred percent match. There was no difference. It was the same organism.¡±


    ¡°Which should be impossible given the fact that PC3 has the one that ate my fingers locked up tight. Too many things to deal with,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°I have to prioritize. We have to help Shira first.¡±


    ¡°How? All our efforts to date have been futile.¡±


    ¡°I can reach them,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Cal¡¯s PID beeped.


    ¡°I have sent you the location where we will release a dragonbear tonight.¡±


    ¡°Good, pull everyone back. I¡¯ll care of this by myself,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°After?¡±


    Cal was touched by the trust radiating from Caretaker¡¯s thoughts. The Threnosh had no doubt that he was going to be able to help Shira and resolve the problem.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be heading back to home base with this,¡± Cal held up the container holding Mother Madrigal¡¯s core, ¡°and probably bringing Shira along with me. They¡¯ll need to be checked out and I¡¯ll have to be around them to keep them under control, safe. You and the rest of the T-Men, don¡¯t forget you need to change that name, make it your own, you know¡­ you guys will be headed to Orchestral Meridian.¡±


    ¡°Will you speak to the rest of the team?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, of course. I need to say my goodbyes after all.¡±


    ¡°Very well. I will begin departure procedures. The team will be pleased to return to active duty. Even if they will not be entirely pleased with what you have to tell them,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Nothing lasts forever,¡± Cal said. He smiled. ¡°You¡¯ve all come a long way and you¡¯ve got more road to travel. You don¡¯t need me around holding your hand anymore.¡±


    ¡°The new recruits back at home base?¡±


    Cal grimaced. ¡°Okay, maybe they do. I¡¯ll check in from time to time from my wilderness self-exile, but I¡¯ve been gone almost two years and from the reports I¡¯ve read things are just fine.¡± He nodded, more to himself. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving forever. I need a break. Recharge, fix whatever wrongness the Mother left in me. Check on my family, my girlfriend, friends. Hell, my world. It¡¯s been so long. I can only hope that they¡¯re all okay.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Cal reached a hand out across the holographic projection of Cold Plains City.


    The image distorted around his arm.


    Caretaker grasped Cal¡¯s hand and shook it.


    ¡°I-I owe you everything,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°You owe me, I owe you, let¡¯s call it even,¡± Cal said. ¡°We¡¯ve both given and received from each other.¡±


    ¡°Comrades. Teammates,¡± Caretaker nodded.


    ¡°Friends,¡± Cal said finally.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    Remy sent the blades flying at the Deep Azure with a gesture.


    The blades boomed gunshot-quick across the expanse of space between the two.


    The Deep Azure reacted instantly and raised an arm over its face.


    The blades sparked against the armored scales.


    Remy swallowed the lump in his throat.


    For something so large and strong the Deep Azure was quick, superhumanly so.


    Remy blinked.


    A mistake.


    The Deep Azure chose the same time to move.


    It covered half the distance between the two before Remy realized it.


    The Deep Azure hurled the trident.


    Remy pulled a handful of large rock-crusted ore in front of him like a shield. At the same time he dived low to one side.


    The rocky shield barely blunted the spearing trident.


    Metal and rock exploded, showering the temple in debris.


    Remy lost sight of Deep Azure in the debris cloud.


    He listened.


    Thudding steps to his left.


    A huge, dark shape swirled the thick cloud.


    Remy sent every bit of metal he could reach into the shape.


    The Deep Azure was undeterred. It took every impact without slowing its charge.


    Remy scrambled back, using a magnetic field to pull on his full-body metal armor for added speed.


    The Deep Azure¡¯s massive fist punched a crater into the stone floor inches away from Remy.


    Remy struck back, but his form was terrible and he had to punch up. The Deep Azure¡¯s face was still a foot above Remy¡¯s own even when it was partially bent over, coming up out of its crouch.


    Remy¡¯s metal-encased fist clanged like a loud gong against the Deep Azure¡¯s perfect, yet terrible features.


    The Deep Azure barely moved back.


    Remy tried to keep the pain from showing on his face as he used a magnetic field to levitate up and away from the Deep Azure¡¯s swiping hands.


    He wasn¡¯t a melee fighter. He needed distance and space to be at his most effective. The problem was that the Deep Azure was proving practically invulnerable to his metal projectile attacks.


    Remy glanced around the temple as he floated up beyond the Deep Azure¡¯s reach. The fishmen were gone. He was all alone with the dark god. Escape was a possibility. He could enter one of the tunnels and try to reach his daughters and their friends. They could all leave together.


    Shall I drown them all?


    The Deep Azure seemed to know what he was thinking.


    You are deep within my domain. Nothing happens without my will.


    Remy got the message. There would be no escape for him. At least until his loved ones and the others had made their escape. Unfortunately, he had no idea how long that would take. Which meant that he had to keep the Deep Azure occupied for as long as possible.


    The dull pain within him at the use of his powers suggested that he had a time limit.


    The Deep Azure strode easily toward its trident. It had turned its back on Remy.


    Remy struck, sending blades, broken and unbroken into the Deep Azure¡¯s broad back. A scant handful managed to barely penetrate through the strong armor-like scales.


    The Deep Azure half-turned, but resumed reaching for its trident.


    Except it was gone.


    Remy¡¯s distraction was successful. He had used one chain to pull the trident away, toward him.


    The Deep Azure picked up a sizable chunk of rock and hurled it at Remy.


    Fortunately, there were bits of metal ore embedded throughout the rock.


    The magnetic sphere holding Remy aloft caught the rock.


    Remy reversed its flight and shot it like a meteorite into the Deep Azure.


    The rock crumbled to bits as it impacted the Deep Azure¡¯s chest and knocked it stumbling back.


    At the same time Remy controlled the second chain and wrapped it around the Deep Azure¡¯s legs.


    It had worked before. Why not again?


    The Deep Azure crashed to the ground, flat on its back.


    Remy gestured and more rock-crusted metal bits flew to the Deep Azure, as if it was a magnet. Or specifically it laid within a very strong, attractive magnetic field.


    The Deep Azure was buried beneath a small hill of heavy debris in a matter of seconds.


    Remy contemplated escape again as he relaxed for a moment.


    A loud piercing sound had him clutching his head. The pain was excruciating.


    Every single one of his magnetic fields winked out with the lost of concentration.


    Remy dropped the thirty feet to the ground with a thud.


    He desperately reengaged his magnetic fields.


    He needed to be able to move within his all-encompassing armor and to keep the Deep Azure contained.


    The former was achieved. The latter was impossible.


    The Deep Azure burst free.


    Remy had just enough time to block the thunderous punch with his armor-covered arms. He went flying into the far side of the temple, cratering the wall with his body.


    Too strong, too fast.


    The Deep Azure was just too much for him.


    Remy pulled himself free of the crater and sent metal swirling around the Deep Azure. Sparks flew as sharp and jagged metal bits scraped against scales.


    The Deep Azure stood within the deadly tornado, impassive. It brought its hands out wide and clapped them together.


    The shockwave knocked Remy back and dispersed his metal in every direction. Many sunk deep within the temples stone walls and pillars.


    The Deep Azure retrieved its trident, tossing Remy¡¯s chain aside, while Remy struggled to his feet.


    Remy tried to move away and maintain distance, but his head was fuzzy and the Deep Azure was quick.


    The trident sang out, whistling a song of Remy¡¯s death in the air.


    Remy pulled himself back with a magnetic field.


    Not quick enough.


    The trident¡¯s sharp points screeched against the metal of his armor. The sharp pain in his chest told him that the thick and dense metal plate had been penetrated.


    Remy stumbled back, arms flailing in a vain attempt to keep his feet. He hit the ground, flat on his back. He rolled instinctively.


    The Deep Azure plunged the trident into the stone floor, like a hot knife into butter.


    Remy grabbed the trident¡¯s shaft just below the curved prongs.


    He instantly recoiled with a pained shout.


    Intense pain had flowed up his hands and arms as soon as he had touch the trident.


    Remy skidded across the floor, propelled by a powerful magnetic field as he just barely avoided the Deep Azure¡¯s sweeping slash.


    Is this your prime capability? I had expected to expend more of my own.


    Remy winced as he picked himself up off the floor and levitated up to the temple¡¯s high, domed ceiling.


    His breaths came in ragged gasps.


    How much time had passed?


    Minutes?


    It felt like hours.


    Remy dug deep. He ignored the spike of pain as he created a magnetic field around the Deep Azure.


    Again? Your efforts barely disrupt my connection to this avatar.


    Remy blinked. He had no idea he was doing that.


    Perhaps a strong enough field?


    No.


    He dismissed the thought.


    He felt that he was close to the limits of what he could create, especially with how bad a shape he was in. Maybe if he had been rested and the Deep Azure hadn¡¯t been interfering with his power.


    No.


    He couldn¡¯t win. His best chance, his only chance was to delay.


    He had almost done it earlier.


    This time he was going to bury the Deep Azure in the middle of the mother of all magnetic storms.


    He could sense the metal up above, buried in the earth, the sea floor. There had to be several hundred feet of rock above them.


    Remy was ready to pull the entire temple down on both their heads.


    He just had to make sure that he didn¡¯t pull too much down and allow the ocean to pour into the tunnels to drown everyone else.


    No pressure.


    Remy pushed everything he had into the magnetic field.


    The Deep Azure stared up at him with an impassive look on its perfectly sculpted face. It was simultaneously a thing of beauty of terror. The deepest, darkest kind that touched the primal part in all humans. The part that knew to fear the dark.


    Remy had to bury that fear.


    The temple started to shake.


    Remy smiled viciously down at the Deep Azure. ¡°This is your domain, huh? Good thing¡­ because you¡¯re going to be stuck down here for a long time.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°Let me go!¡±


    ¡°No, you¡¯ll just get in Dad¡¯s way?¡± Tessa snapped.


    ¡°Shut up! We can help! We have to help!¡± Veronica pleaded.


    ¡°We are helping! Dad is buying time so we can get away.¡±


    Tessa gripped Veronica¡¯s arm as she dragged her little sister behind her.


    The tunnel was dimly lit by a mix of the strange glowing mossy substance growing on the surfaces and the occasional torch set in iron sconces fixed into the stone walls.


    The tunnel was wider, straighter and more uniform than the other tunnels they had taken to get to the temple. It was obvious to Tessa that human hands had built it.


    She was distracted, which was a small blessing. It meant that she wasn¡¯t really paying attention to the disturbing decor carved into the floor tiles and in the walls, not to mention the sculptures.


    Tessa had lost sight of the rest of the guys, but since she hadn¡¯t passed any doors or splits in the tunnel she wasn¡¯t concerned. There was only one way to go. She and Veronica could catch up quickly, if the latter would stop being such a baby.


    ¡°Fuck! Veronica, stop being stupid!¡± Tessa squeezed her grip with all her pent up anger and worry. ¡°Did you forget that Mom¡¯s still in these tunnels? The sooner we get out, the sooner Dad can get out, the sooner he can go get her!¡±


    Veronica whimpered, but glared at Tessa and continued to struggle.


    ¡°Just¡­ just stop being stupid¡­ is that so fucking hard! Do what Dad said!¡± Tessa snapped.


    Veronica¡¯s acidic reply was drowned out by a cry for help far down the tunnel.


    Tessa¡¯s gaze snapped forward. She couldn¡¯t make out much more than moving shapes thanks to the distance and dim lighting.


    ¡°Our friends are in danger,¡± Tessa said flatly. ¡°I¡¯m going to help them. You can do whatever you want.¡± She roughly thrust Veronica¡¯s helmet down on her sister¡¯s head.


    Tessa sprinted away with a burst of speed, faster than the fastest Olympic sprinter.


    Veronica frowned, rubbed her arm, properly adjusted her helmet and gave chase, just as fast.


    The tunnel opened up into a large circular chamber with several other smaller connecting tunnels.


    Fishmen had appeared out of all, but one to surround their friends.


    Olo, Gene and Johnny stood in a triangle with their backs to Bastien and Mads in the center of the formation.


    The fishmen jabbed spears and swords threateningly, but didn¡¯t seem to be committed to deadly attack. Whether that was of their own volition or caused by the soft light emanating from the upraised head of Bastien¡¯s halberd as the young man muttered a prayer was unclear.


    Tessa knew that the fishy bastards wanted captives for their undoubtedly horrible purposes. She had seen what they had done to that old lady and she was the cult leader. No way was she going to let that happen to her friends and sister, let alone herself.


    Tessa laid into the fishmen with her kanabo.


    Veronica was just a few steps behind.


    The fishmen that weren¡¯t smashed quickly retreated back into their tunnels.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Sorry, we¡¯re all pretty useless right now,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Speak for yourself,¡± Johnny said. ¡°Bastien¡¯s still got some juice left.¡±


    Bastien silenced his prayer and promptly collapsed. Mad¡¯s quick reaction was the only thing that kept him from crashing to the floor. She peered into the eye-slits of Bastien¡¯s helmet.


    ¡°He¡¯s out,¡± Mads said. ¡°Can I get a hand?¡±


    Gene sheathed his sword and took Bastien¡¯s other arm over his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m out of mana and stamina.¡±


    ¡°Same.¡± Olo and Johnny echoed.


    ¡°No ammo,¡± Mads said.


    Tessa glared at Veronica.


    ¡°Fine, we need to get out of here,¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°Which way?¡± Olo looked at the different tunnel openings. Dark, yawning voids awaited them.


    ¡°How bout the one the fishmen didn¡¯t run into?¡± Johnny pointed straight ahead to the largest tunnel. The one that continued directly ahead from the tunnel they had emerged from.


    Veronica scrunched her face as she stared at the tunnel with intense concentration. After a few seconds she nodded. ¡°That¡¯s the best way.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Tessa challenged.


    ¡°Cause I can sense fishmen brainwaves in every other tunnel. But, I think I can sense human ones down there or at least remnants of them, like a trail,¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°You can track brainwaves?¡± Johnny said with a quirked brow.


    ¡°I think so¡­¡± Veronica shrugged, ¡°maybe.¡±


    ¡°Well it¡¯s a moot point, because I can hear fishmen waiting down the other tunnels,¡± Tessa said. ¡°We go ah¡ª¡± her head snapped back to the way they had come.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Gene followed her gaze.


    The chamber started to shake. Slowly at first, then with violence. They all waited for it to subside. Based on past experience such things didn¡¯t last longer than a few seconds even if it felt much longer. When it didn¡¯t stop, the panic set in.


    ¡°Oh for fuck¡¯s sake! Of all the times for the Big One to happen¡­ now?¡± Johnny cried.


    ¡°Not an earthquake,¡± Veronica said. ¡°Sounds like¡ª¡±


    ¡°A river,¡± Tessa finished. ¡°Veronica, carry Bastien. I¡¯m going ahead. We have to go fast. No stopping.¡±

 4.20

    Now, Earth


    Tessa ran for a hundred yards, two?


    She wasn¡¯t sure.


    She had covered the distance in a handful of seconds.


    At least that was what it had felt like.


    Hard to tell with the hammering of her heart.


    Or was that the shaking?


    The tunnel shook with a continued violence that Tessa thought should¡¯ve been impossible.


    Dust, dirt and small pieces of stone showered down on her head and shoulders. She held her free hand over her head.


    Need my helmet, Tessa thought. The lessons about proper gear had been drilled into her. She cringed at the thought that she had just fought a dangerous battle without headgear and armor. She was lucky that her body was tougher than normal.


    A large iron door appeared up ahead.


    Tessa skidded to a stop.


    A hint of burnt rubber wafted up to her nostrils from her combat boots.


    ¡°Shit! Shit! Shit!¡±


    Tessa could hear the others running behind her. The sounds of their boots on the stone floor was mingled with that of what sounded like rushing water. That thought was beyond worrisome. She refused to consider what it meant. What it meant for her father and mother.


    Tessa pulled on the handle.


    Locked.


    She pulled harder.


    The metal groaned and the surrounding rock protested.


    The tunnel continued to shake.


    The bar must¡¯ve been set deep into the rock.


    Tessa didn¡¯t have time to figure it out.


    She laid a hand on the door and summoned her power.


    There was a distortion of the air around her hand.


    Then the door shot forward with a loud crash.


    The entire frame was ripped from the stone.


    Tessa waved the smoke away.


    What she saw sank her hopes.


    The next chamber was a dead end.


    There was only one thing inside.


    A spire stood.


    Thick around as redwood, its surface shined with a luminescent sheen that sparkled in the sunlight, even down here in the dark.


    Tessa stepped into the small chamber. There was only enough space around the spire for one person to walk around it. Her eyes darted around desperately, looking for a way out.


    Nothing.


    She banged her kanabo around.


    Solid rock.


    No hidden tunnels.


    The spire simply emerged out of the stone floor and disappeared up into the rocky ceiling. As if it was phased through physical reality.


    Tessa wondered if the spire ran all the way up to and beyond the ocean floor. Did it continue beyond the ocean surface?


    The brainiacs on the research team back home had theorized that the spires were always there and not at the same time. They suggested that explained why people couldn¡¯t see them beyond a certain distance even with enhanced visual aids, like scopes, binoculars and cameras.


    ¡°Tessa?¡± Veronica said hesitantly.


    Tessa steeled herself before turning to face her sister.


    Veronica had Bastien¡¯s arm over one shoulder, helping the taller young man stand on unsteady legs.


    ¡°You alright?¡± Tessa asked, buying time before having to answer her sister.


    ¡°Yeah, just drained,¡± Bastien said weakly.


    ¡°A spire?¡± Veronica said. ¡°It¡¯s a dead end then. We should turn around, take another tunnel. Now that Bastien can walk I can help you clear the fishmen out of the way.¡±


    Tessa shook her head, struggling to find the right words.


    There was no time. She could hear the water getting closer. Surely, Veronica could hear the same?


    The tunnel continued to shake.


    Their silence remained unbroken even after the others caught up.


    Tessa swallowed the lump in her throat. ¡°We can¡¯t go back,¡± she said.


    ¡°Why not? This is a dead end, isn¡¯t it?¡± Gene frowned.


    ¡°There isn¡¯t enough time,¡± eagle-eyed Mads stared down the dimly lit tunnel behind them.


    ¡°What do you see? Giant worm monster?¡± Johnny said, eyes wide.


    ¡°I wish,¡± Mads said.


    ¡°Water,¡± Tessa said. ¡°You see it, Mads?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got like less then a minute, doesn¡¯t look too bad right now, but that¡¯s probably just the leading edge of it, like a tsunami, worst comes behind,¡± Mads said. Her voice had gone flat.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to drown?¡± Gene said in disbelief. ¡°After all that, we¡¯re going to get killed by the ocean?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t swim,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter now, does it?¡± Johnny barked out a laugh, high, bitter. ¡°This is bullshit,¡± he said softly.


    Tessa exchanged a look with Veronica.


    She just had a thought. So did, it seemed, her little sister.


    ¡°There¡¯s one way out,¡± Tessa said. ¡°If each of us, individually, has enough Universal Points.¡±


    ¡°Explain, but quickly,¡± Gene said. His eyes sharpened at the sign of hope.


    ¡°We can use the spire to travel upworld,¡± Veronica said in one breath before Tessa could open her mouth. ¡°Uncle Cal did it, but only cause he was strong enough to do it before the ten year tutorial period.¡±


    ¡°Upworld? As in another planet?¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Yup, Uncle Cal sent us messages through the spire. It¡¯s totally cool, like he made friends with little gray alien iron men. He¡¯s still there,¡± Veronica turned to Tessa, ¡°if we go then we can get Uncle Cal to come back and help Mom and Dad.¡±


    Tessa nodded. The same thought had occurred to her. ¡°The ten year period just finished.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I remember the spire message,¡± Johnny said. ¡°So, we go to this other planet¡­ okay, I¡¯m in. Can¡¯t stay here and drown,¡± he grinned.


    ¡°How many points does one need?¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°No idea,¡± Veronica shrugged.


    ¡°If we don¡¯t have enough¡­¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Oh yeah¡­¡± Johnny¡¯s grin fell.


    ¡°Then we die,¡± Mads said.


    ¡°How do we do it? Go upworld, I mean,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Uncle Cal said he just thought about it when he was inside the spire,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Manifest your intent,¡± Gene said, ¡°just like everything else with the spire then.¡±


    ¡°Times running out,¡± Mads said.


    Water began to cover the floor within sight of everyone.


    ¡°Quickly, inside!¡± Gene said.


    They all crammed into the chamber and arrayed themselves around the spire. Tessa retrieved the solid iron door and jammed it back into place as best as she could.


    Water flowed underneath the crack at the bottom and wet their boots. It continued to rise steadily.


    ¡°I was expecting more of a wall of water. This slow drowning is worse, don¡¯t you think?¡± Johnny began.


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Mads snapped.


    ¡°What? Just saying. Getting crushed by a huge battering ram of water is like instant death. This slow drowning shit seems much more terrifying.¡±


    ¡°They say drowning is one of the most peaceful ways to go.¡± Olo¡¯s face was grim.


    ¡°You also shut up.¡± Mads said. ¡°We aren¡¯t drowning. We¡¯re going to an alien planet with gray iron men. Whatever the fuck that means.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re cool. Uncle Cal helped them build a team or something,¡± Veronica said. ¡°I hope he still has those deercow. They sound cute.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean hope?¡± Gene¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    Tessa hesitated. ¡°My uncle¡¯s last message was close to two years ago.¡±


    The water was now above their ankles.


    ¡°We have no idea what situation we¡¯re going into then,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°So? Still better than drowning, right?¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Olo said. ¡°We¡¯re underneath the ocean right? What if we emerge in the middle of rocks or in the water?¡±


    Veronica shook her head. ¡°Uncle Cal said that the spires told him that it won¡¯t place you in an instant death situation.¡±


    ¡°Something about, if the direct location isn¡¯t safe then you¡¯ll get sent to the nearest safe location,¡± Tessa said.


    The water rose to their knees.


    ¡°Veronica and I will go first, just in case there are monsters waiting,¡± Tessa said. ¡°Wait as long as you can before following.¡± She took a deep breath, tightened her grip on her kanabo and stepped into the spire.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be scared, Twinkle Star,¡± Veronica said to the beady eyes and furry nose that peeked out of the small bag at her side, before following.


    The water continued to rise as the others counted the passing seconds. Up to their waists now.


    ¡°So cold,¡± Bastien said weakly.


    ¡°Yeah¡ª¡± Mads began, ¡°Johnny! What the fuck?¡±


    Gene frowned in confusion until he felt the warm water spread to his legs.


    Johnny stood between Mads and Gene with a satisfied grin on his face. ¡°Sorry, my dudes, but I¡¯ve been holding it in this whole time and I think in this fucked up situation a little pee in the water and my pants is the least of my concerns.¡±


    Olo shrugged. ¡°Like peeing in the pool.¡±


    ¡°I thought you can¡¯t swim,¡± Mads said as she edged as far away from Johnny as possible.


    ¡°Too late, you can¡¯t escape my liquids,¡± Johnny grinned.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    ¡°Olo never went past the halfway point to the deep end,¡± Bastien said with a weak smile on his face.


    ¡°Just stood in the water waving his arms around like he could swim,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Screw you guys? If it¡¯s hot out then I¡¯m getting in the cold pool. Nothing said I couldn¡¯t just stand there,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°I miss your pool days,¡± Johnny said, subdued.


    ¡°Yeah, Gene, your mom would fill up the table with all sorts of snacks,¡± Bastien said sadly.


    ¡°Made me a fatty,¡± Olo smiled wistfully.


    Gene¡¯s eyes misted. He chalked it up to the water moisture rising up from chest height.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m out. If I wait any longer then I¡¯ll have to start treading water, which will be impossible with all my gear.¡± Johnny had to hold his chin up to keep the water out of his mouth.


    ¡°Don¡¯t want to get piss water into your mouth?¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Shut u¡ª¡± Johnny choked and sputtered before he moved into the spire.


    ¡°That will never not get creepy.¡± Gene said as he laid a hand on the spire¡¯s solid surface. It felt warm, cold and everything in between. Distinct from each, but blended at the same time. An impossibility.


    ¡°Manifest your intent,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Solid, until you chose otherwise,¡± Gene said. His hand slipped into the spire¡¯s surface. He felt nothing. ¡°I¡¯ll see you all in the new world.¡± He took a deep breath and vanished into the spire.


    The three remaining exchanged nods and followed suit.


    Ocean water reached the small chamber¡¯s rocky ceiling a minute later.


    There was nothing left, except cold silence.


    <hr>


    Dozens of magnetic fields sprang to life at Remy¡¯s will.


    Each one added to the pain within him.


    He realized it was different from the pain that had hampered him during the last few days. He suspected that the Deep Azure had a direct hand in that, but now that the it had taken physical form, it seemed that it was unable or unwilling to try the same tactic.


    This pain was all about pushing his powers to his limits and beyond.


    You would damage yourself for nothing.


    Remy ignored the voice in his head.


    Magnetic fields at every tunnel ringing the temple and several at its high, domed roof pulled metal ore from the earth. Remy was in complete control. He determined from which direction they pulled, how strong.


    With the ore came dirt and rocks.


    The temple shook violently as the earth rebelled against the unnatural shifting of its insides.


    Remy was spared the effects as he hovered above the Deep Azure. The field around his body nullified the pull of the rest.


    The Deep Azure stood unmoving even as the floor rocked beneath its massive legs. As if to say it was beyond the natural forces of the world.


    One by one the tunnel openings collapsed, sealed shut by tons of earth.


    Remy could only hope that it would be enough to at least slow down what was to come.


    Fortune turned suddenly. Against him.


    A large chunk of the ceiling fell with a loud crash, lost amidst the rumbling echoing all around the cavernous temple interior.


    Remy looked up.


    He smelled the brine.


    Seawater.


    It started with a trickle, accompanied by more rocks, bigger pieces, then smaller. Followed by wet dirt, like a slurry as the water began to flow in earnest, splashing down near the remnants of the broken altar and whomever the body parts belonged to.


    Remy didn¡¯t know. He wasn¡¯t ashamed to admit that he only had eyes for his family when he had first burst out of the tunnel.


    Whoever that poor person was washed away as the water started to fall in a deluge.


    The roaring sound echoed as hundreds of pounds, tons of water battered the floor.


    How deep was the bay?


    Remy didn¡¯t have the time or inclination to calculate the awesome force above his head. The force that he had unleashed earlier than he had planned.


    This is my domain. You cannot hurt me here.


    The Deep Azure spun its trident. The dark ocean water gathered around its three-pronged head. With a crack the Deep Azure swept the trident up in Remy¡¯s direction.


    Remy reacted quickly he pulled several large rock-encrusted ore piles in the path of the water stream.


    There was a loud bang as the thick spear of water impacted the rocky shield.


    Water and debris showered Remy.


    His armor held up.


    More holes opened up in the ceiling to increase the downpour.


    Remy flew lower seeking a dry spot. He had to keep his distance from the Deep Azure, while continuing to pour power into his magnetic fields.


    The ocean water had risen to the Deep Azure¡¯s knees.


    The towering entity spun its trident again.


    Three thick whips of ocean water struck out at Remy.


    Remy flew desperately out of the way.


    He was running out of usable metal so he did the only thing he could. He pulled material from his full-body armor to create four flat circular disks with a thin, sharp edge. One he used to ride on like a skimboard.


    The others he sent spinning at the three water whips.


    They whirled through the air slicing at the thick, writhing columns of dark water.


    Remy skimmed through it all, ducking and dodging past whipping strikes that could¡¯ve crushed even his superhuman body.


    The ocean continued to pour into the temple.


    Remy had blocked all the other tunnels, including the one his wife and the others had escaped into. The only remaining problem was the tunnel his daughters and their friends had gone into.


    The tunnel was larger than the rest.


    His magnetic field hadn¡¯t gathered enough debris to block it completely.


    The large double doors where made of vertical bars with plenty of space in between each for the water to flow into.


    Remy¡¯s path drew him dangerously close to the Deep Azure.


    It slashed out with its trident.


    Remy pulled his legs and metal disk up just enough.


    At the same time he sent one of the other disks cutting into the Deep Azure¡¯s back.


    The Deep Azure let out a high-pitched shriek that had Remy wincing.


    The water whips dissolved, hundreds of pounds of ocean water splashed down to the rapidly deepening pool in the temple, sending small waves crashing back and forth against the temple walls.


    Sculptures crumbled in the violent froth.


    The Deep Azure was unmoved as it sought to catch up to Remy.


    Remy sent the spinning disks at the Dark Azure.


    It struck with trident and fist, but Remy had other ideas.


    Dozens of magnetic fields turned the hard metal disks into a malleable, liquid-like form that quickly covered the Deep Azure in seconds.


    Remy fought the pain and turned liquid-like metal into a hard sarcophagus, sealing the Deep Azure tight.


    He gasped with the effort.


    It wouldn¡¯t last.


    The metal was already bulging as the Deep Azure struggled to free itself.


    Remy didn¡¯t have time to waste. He flattened the round bars of the double doors, sealing the gaps by creating a solid, flat-surfaced door. He stretched the metal out to fill in the gaps all around the frame. He hoped that would stop or slow the flow of water enough to give his kids and their friends the time to find a way out.


    Remy was done. He didn¡¯t have much left in the tank.


    It was time to get out. He was gambling on his superhuman physical characteristics to keep him alive through what was to come next.


    Metal screeched as the Deep Azure tore free of the metal sarcophagus. It burst out of the water, trident spearing for Remy.


    Remy fell back to avoid the trident as it pierced right through the metal disk he was riding. He hit the water with a splash. He detected the ruined sarcophagus and pulled it toward him. He encased himself in full body armor again and magnetically pushed himself through the deepening pool of ocean water.


    Remy saw a dark shape descend after him.


    The Deep Azure swam after him like a shark.


    Remy pushed and pulled himself out of the water aiming straight for the biggest hole in the temple ceiling.


    The Deep Azure emerged on a column of water, just as fast.


    Remy pulled his magnetic fields in the ceiling down toward the floor.


    The metal followed, with it came tons of earth.


    Remy took a deep breath right before he plunged into ocean water. He pushed some of the metal covering his body into a domed shield above his head as he flew up.


    The shield and his body were battered by hard rock and other debris as he continued on his upward flight. He had no idea if the Deep Azure was on his heels.


    He felt the pressure of the ocean depths squeeze all around him. It wasn¡¯t too bad, just like being at the bottom of an eight-foot deep pool. He thanked God that his body was strong enough to handle it.


    He could make out enormous dark shapes swimming in his direction, but he was going much too fast for the unseen monsters to catch him.


    Darkness gave way to light as the ocean water became blue as he neared the surface.


    Quicker than he had expected.


    He wasn¡¯t even struggling for air. He felt like he could hold his breath for much longer.


    He looked down, but couldn¡¯t see any hint of the Deep Azure, just the same dark shapes, which resolved into several sharks and one of the mosasaur-like monsters.


    Shit, Remy thought. He put more into the magnetic field pulling and pushing him up.


    He shoot out of the ocean surface like a missile. The creatures breached after him, but were nowhere close.


    Remy didn¡¯t stop until he was hundreds of feet above the bay.


    Never had it felt so good to see the sun rising in the west.


    He scanned the ocean surface. The creatures had disappeared and all seemed normal. There was no sign of the Deep Azure. He sensed nothing with his magnetic fields, besides monsters and animals.


    He could only hope that the Deep Azure was buried beneath the tons of earth he had dropped into the temple. An involuntary shudder moved through him as memories of what he had seen carved inside came back unbidden. It was as if an invisible hand was forcing him to look at the disturbing and profane images with wide-open eyes.


    He instinctively lashed out with his power. The burst of electromagnetic force strangely helped him calm down and focus. There was still much to do. His family was still in danger. He knew that his wife and the rest were headed in the direction of the city. As for his girls¡­ Remy couldn¡¯t face the idea that they didn¡¯t make it out.


    From his high vantage point he could see miles in all directions.


    His best guess was that the temple was roughly halfway between where he was briefly imprisoned and the city.


    He looked to Alcatraz. He knew that the captives were kept there. It looked empty, quiet.


    He looked to the city. The cult¡¯s fort near the water drew his attention. It was a flurry of activity.


    Remy¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    He shot toward the fort like a rocket.


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    Cal had grasped Shira¡¯s thoughts long before he had even gotten close.


    An all-encompassing hunger lurked, waiting deep within the sublevels of Cold Plains City. Miles of distance separated them from Cal, but Shira might as well have been holding up an impossibly bright strobe light. The strength of their existence blazed like a harsh sun over an endless desert.


    Cal used his telepathy in this way with great reluctance. Entering and manipulating Shira¡¯s thoughts was a clear violation of their privacy, their agency.


    It was no different from what the Mother had done to him.


    Cal told himself that he didn¡¯t have any other choice.


    This was the only way to get Shira back without risking injury to them, others and himself.


    Cal worked on Shira as he slowly floated under his telekinesis down to their location.


    He worked with a delicate touch. It reminded him of modeling, of cutting and gluing tiny pieces of metal and plastic together.


    Except the stakes were exponentially higher.


    He couldn¡¯t leave any marks or scars.


    The mind was a fragile thing.


    Shira had to remain Shira.


    Cal was surprised by the lack of resistance.


    The raging hunger beast of Shira¡¯s current thoughts paid his presence no attention as he entered.


    Cal didn¡¯t hesitate despite the unpleasantness of it.


    To enter an other''s mind was to become one with the other.


    For a moment he thought as Shira did. He felt the hunger. He was the hunger.


    It took an effort to remain himself. To avoid losing himself.


    He reinforced his telepathic walls. It felt like weeks, but only took him the time between seconds.


    In his mind¡¯s eye Cal walked through a blood-soaked landscape.


    It felt like hours until he arrived at a structure that was instantly recognizable, aside from the fact that it was drenched in blood, flowing down every surface like a waterfall.


    He stared up at their home base.


    Memories slipped out of Cal¡¯s grasp. His thoughts slipped out, blended with Shira¡¯s for a moment.


    Rust-red mist suddenly coiled around the mental projection of their home base. It reminded Cal of a snake coiling around its eggs, ready to strike to defend.


    Shira¡­ I¡¯m here to help, Cal spoke with the voice of his thoughts.


    The only reply was a screech of rage that came from all around him.


    The mist took on a tangible form for a split-second before it struck at Cal.


    It passed through Cal¡¯s body without effect.


    He was in complete control.


    There would be no battle here.


    Cal had to search deeper, but he found the thread of Shira¡¯s old self, their true self. He followed it in an instant and reached his teammate, his friend.


    The mist had trailed him, continuing to strike ineffectually.


    Shira, it¡¯s me. I¡¯m going to help you regain control.


    I cannot. Not any longer.


    That¡¯s okay. You can learn. That¡¯s what I¡¯m here for. I¡¯ll help you.


    The hunger is too strong.


    You control your hunger.


    I cannot. It is all.


    I¡¯ve seen it. I know its truth. You can learn control. It isn¡¯t endless. I¡¯ll guide you through each step of the way. No matter how long it takes.


    I¡­ acknowledged.


    Cal stood with Shira in their thoughts. They walked together as Cal did as he promised.


    Time seemed interminable.


    Days, weeks, months, years.


    For the two of them it felt like any and none at all.


    Perceptions were strange in the mindscape.


    Cal withdrew from Shira¡¯s thoughts.


    He landed on the metallic floor with a soft sound.


    He had reached his destination.


    Shira¡¯s physical form coalesced from a swirling rust-red mist to reveal a dragonbear corpse drained of blood.


    The red emergency light illuminating the corridor was more than enough for Cal to notice the changes to Shira¡¯s power armor.


    The black surface was now broken up with reddish lines, like cracks or veins just below the surface. The sharp edges, blades and spikes looked angrier, more erratic, more dangerous.


    The difference in the facemask was striking. It no longer resembled the fearsome, fanged, demonic face. Now it mixed Shira¡¯s own features with the fanged demon in what seemed to be an equal blend.


    Cal smiled.


    Shira stared at him, expression unreadable, from her crouched position low to the ground.


    Cal didn¡¯t pry into Shira¡¯s thoughts. He trusted them. ¡°Welcome back,¡± he said lightly.


    ¡°I have been changed. I remember¡­ the outworld invader¡¯s lifeblood was¡­ different¡­¡± Shira looked up at Cal with an anguished look on their face, ¡°I do not understand¡­ me.¡±


    ¡°Change is a thing¡­ isn¡¯t necessarily negative. We¡¯ll figure it out together. You, me, the researchers back at home base,¡± Cal said as he held out a hand. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Shira hesitated for a moment. Then took Cal¡¯s hand and allowed him to pull them to their feet.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±

 4.21

    Now, Threnosh World


    Cal flew Shira back to the T-Men¡¯s temporary base near the western edge of Cold Plains City. It had been unsaid, but Cal had realized that the spire the cragant army had emerged from was in that direction.


    Whether the senior commander viewed the T-Men as capable, expendable, or both, Cal didn¡¯t know, nor did he care enough to find out. The T-Men could handle themselves.


    The entire team had gathered in Caretaker¡¯s command chamber.


    It was a reunion on two fronts for Shira and Cal.


    The reactions varied from the typical subdued, matter-of-fact attitudes more typical of the standard Threnosh to the genuine enthusiasm displayed by Kynnro.


    The diminutive Threnosh thrust a silver container and spoon in Shira¡¯s hands before anyone else had the chance to do anything.


    Shira¡¯s facemask retracted and they ate a spoonful of the white, creamy substance. They swirled it around in their mouth before taking the second, empty container from Kynnro and spitting into it.


    Cal didn¡¯t need to use his telepathy to see how much that one spoonful had brightened Shira¡¯s mood.


    ¡°Is that ice cream? And do you have more?¡± Cal was suddenly craving the sweet, creamy, pseudo-vanilla flavor.


    ¡°Our supply is limited,¡± Primal grumbled. The tiny Threnosh was out of their power armor, which was much too big to fit inside the command chamber.


    Cal smiled at the comical image Primal presented. The most aggressive Threnosh was also the tiniest one out of power armor.


    ¡°Look¡­ I¡¯ll settle for one spoon. It¡¯s been like two years.¡±


    ¡°Limited,¡± Primal reiterated.


    Cal laughed. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll get as much as I want back at home base anyways.¡±


    That drew their attention. Aside from Caretaker and to a lesser extent, Shira. The others didn¡¯t know that Cal was taking himself off active combat duty.


    So, he told them.


    He told them that he was going home, to Earth, as soon as the spires would allow.


    ¡°I request to be part of your escort,¡± Kynnro said.


    They had always been the most curious about Earth.


    Cal shook his head. ¡°Eventually, but not right away.¡±


    ¡°There are too many unknowns for us to travel to Honor¡¯s world,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Prime Custodian 3 and the council have decreed it. They are concerned with how our biological bodies will react in an alien environment. Drones will be used to gather information for exhaustive research as the first stage of any potential diplomatic tasks.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m more than willing to do some sample taking,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Prime Custodian 3 had suggested as much, but our leaders rejected the option without discussion,¡± Caretaker said.


    Cal shrugged. Not surprising, but a waste. It would¡¯ve been more work for him, but he was willing if it sped up the process of getting a proper alliance started. He knew that both sides needed the other to face their enemies.


    He didn¡¯t have confirmation from the spires, but he suspected that the Dominion would be able to travel to Earth once their cragant armies had claimed a certain percentage of the Threnosh world. Getting that confirmation was one of the main things he planned to spend his large cache of Universal Points on once he got back to base.


    ¡°Furthermore, we cannot take our trueskins¡¯ ability to function on a different world for granted without research,¡± Caretaker.


    ¡°Different worlds, maybe different rules,¡± Cal said. ¡°Although, my abilities haven¡¯t changed, so that¡¯s a point in favor of a smooth enough transition for you guys.¡±


    ¡°One data point is insufficient,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°No arguments from me,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°In the future?¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°I look forward to all of the different ice cream flavors you will try,¡± Cal smiled.


    As did Kynnro, visible through their currently transparent faceplate.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a goodbye. I¡¯ll be back. I just need a break,¡± Cal said. ¡°Besides, you guys don¡¯t really need me anymore. You won Cold Plains City all on your own. We lost valued teammates, friends, but you did it against overwhelming odds. It¡¯s not for me to say how successful I¡¯ve been, but my goals haven¡¯t just been to make you stronger and better fighters¡­ it was also to get you to seize control of your own lives. To find your own way forward, your value independent of what the council says. I think you¡¯ve proven that many times over.¡±


    ¡°In your own words, your work is incomplete. There are more Defectives in our world. Do you deem them unworthy of the same opportunity you have granted us,¡± Dralig said.


    ¡°Our team¡¯s existence doesn¡¯t, can¡¯t rest on one individual. Each of us¡­ we leave or die, but the team remains. The rest pick up that responsibility and carry on, building on what those that came before left,¡± Cal said. ¡°It¡¯s what I hope for the future. That our team will grow. Not just with more Threnosh, but with others of my kind. In time that unity of purpose will spread through both our worlds. Otherwise, how will we fight the Dominion?¡±


    Cal¡¯s hope was honest. He just had no idea how he was going to get his world on the same page or even if he should. From his perspective, unity wasn¡¯t a natural state for the human race.


    ¡°Nothing changes. We have our Tasks. Orchestral Meridian awaits,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°An entire city makes sense as a new base of operations if we are to expand the team,¡± Adjudicator said.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Primal¡¯s eyes glinted.


    Volkharion nodded curtly. ¡°We can claim it in the T-Men name. None will be able to gainsay us. The council will have no choice but to abide by the spires¡¯ words.¡±


    Cal raised a brow. The thought hadn¡¯t occurred to him.


    Nope, he thought. I¡¯m leaving. It¡¯s up to them to decide what to do.


    Caretaker looked to Cal.


    ¡°I¡¯m not in charge anymore,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯m going back to home base. Going to work on myself and occasionally help out with the newbs.¡± He thought it over. ¡°Actually, I just want to remind you that Prime Custodian 3 did agree to quite a bit of latitude when it comes to our operations.¡±


    Caretaker nodded.


    Cal didn¡¯t need to spell it out.


    Several glum faces stared at Cal.


    ¡°I¡¯m not ghosting you. I¡¯ll keep in touch. I¡¯ll send messages through the spire. You can do the same. Whatever you want. Doesn¡¯t have to be task related. We can just chat,¡± Cal said. He didn¡¯t know if that eased the unfamiliar emotions that some of them were feeling. They¡¯d learn to deal with them with time and experience.


    ¡°Honor, I request your presence and input as we go over our reports and discuss future plans for integrating operations in Orchestral Meridian with our teammates already on site,¡± Caretaker said, somewhat stiffly.


    One last time.


    For now.


    He swallowed the lump in his throat and clenched his jaw.


    Don¡¯t cry, don¡¯t cry, don¡¯t cry, he thought.


    Cal nodded.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    ¡°You pencil-necked pussy! I¡¯m going to rip out your tissue paper-soft guts and string you up like the traitor you are!¡± old Colonel Johnson moved with surprising quickness for a man his age.


    Demi barely restrained him in time.


    It hadn¡¯t saved Councilman Scott Deakins the indignity of toppling backward over his chair in an effort to avoid Colonel Johnson¡¯s withered hands.


    Demi pulled the colonel back and into his chair with effort.


    The old man struggled to catch his breath. That outburst pushed him past his limit and he could do no more than sit and glare daggers at the gathered city council members.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t just Scott¡¯s decision. We all voted and ag¡ª¡± Councilwoman Devon Castleton began.


    ¡°I can speak for myself, Devon,¡± Scott snapped as he picked himself up off the floor, straightened his tie and slicked his mussed hair back into its proper shape. ¡°This is your doing!¡± he jabbed his finger at the colonel. ¡°You lost, Colonel, Watch Commander! Your Watch. Those Cruces assholes. All of you let us down!¡± He took a deep breath and sat back down in his chair before continuing. ¡°I- we, the council did what we had to in order to secure the future of our people. The scions have guaranteed safety and a path to advancement for all of our citizens.¡±


    ¡°You get what you put in!¡± Colonel Johnson spat. ¡°Biggest bullshit I¡¯ve heard and I¡¯ve been around a long time, spent most my life in the military. Same kind of crap we tell recruits to get them to sign their lives away. It¡¯s a goddamn pyramid scheme, except you don¡¯t just lose money! You lose your soul!¡±


    ¡°That is slander,¡± the cult representative spoke from where he stood at the rear of the council meeting room, half hidden in the shadows cast by the lantern light.


    The fishmen and cultists had disrupted Davis¡¯ electricity during the night¡¯s fighting.


    Demi hadn¡¯t understood why their enemies had suddenly retreated.


    The reason was seated in front of her.


    The city council had sold them out.


    ¡°What else were we supposed to do? Not one word from our expeditionary forces,¡± Scott looked to the representative from the California State Government seated next to Demi. ¡°Unless you have something different to say in regards to that.¡±


    The representative remained silent.


    ¡°There you go,¡± Scott raised his hands in exasperation. ¡°We had zero good options remaining. The Cruces were supposed to be our protectors. What did they do instead? Two left. And the last one has been incommunicado for days.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been barely three days you marshmallow-balled sack of shit!¡± Colonel Johnson snapped.


    Demi glared at the cult representative. ¡°We refuse any bargains with your side.¡±


    ¡°The city council was elected to represent the will of the people. Therefore their decision binds said people,¡± the cultist said.


    ¡°I truly doubt that the people had any idea you lily-livered pukes were going to sell them out to save your own worthless spray-tanned hides,¡± Colonel Johnson said. ¡°What was the vote count?¡± he glared at the five council members on the other side of the table.


    ¡°Unanimous,¡± Devon squeaked.


    Colonel Johnson shook his head in disgust. ¡°You would¡¯ve never pulled this off if Trent was still around,¡± he glared balefully at Scott.


    ¡°Mr. Smith is dead and I like to think that I¡¯ve learned a lot from his distinguished example. I know, in my heart, that he would¡¯ve put the people above his own personal desires,¡± Scott said solemnly.


    Colonel Johnson snorted. ¡°Try keeping your mouth shut. All I¡¯m smelling from you is lies and something fishy.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Demi shook her head, ¡°no, for a decision of this magnitude the people need to know and decide for themselves.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too late,¡± Devon said, her voice small.


    ¡°What was the actual wording of your agreement?¡± Demi had sensed something in the look on the cultist¡¯s face.


    The man looked like a hungry wolf that had just spotted an injured deer.


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Scott frowned and remained silent.


    ¡°The Deep Azure will come and bind our allegiance through a special ceremony,¡± Devon said.


    ¡°Along with the immediate cessation of hostilities!¡± Scott spat. ¡°That¡¯s why your Watch aren¡¯t getting killed out there anymore. I did that! Not Remy! Me!¡±


    Demi ignored Scott¡¯s ranting.


    Was that even possible?


    Did the Deep Azure have a physical form? Or was it metaphorical?


    ¡°The Deep Azure has already taken form,¡± the cultists crowed.


    Crazy fucker, Demi thought. ¡°So, it sounds like our people aren¡¯t bound by anything, yet.¡± She exchanged a look with the state government¡¯s representative.


    The woman was quick on the uptake. ¡°We offer asylum to any Davis citizen, no restrictions. We can iron out the details at a future date.¡±


    The cultist hissed.


    Weird fucker, Demi thought. ¡°I think we¡¯re done here.¡± She rose and helped Colonel Johnson to his feet.


    They left the council meeting room and convened with the Watch members posted outside as guards.


    Demi bemoaned their sorry state. The fighting had cost them many of their veteran members. She was down to their junior members. Trainees, basically interns.


    ¡°We need to get the word out,¡± Colonel Johnson said. ¡°The eggheads at the university can do one of those robocall things.¡±


    ¡°Pre-recorded message going over the broad strokes. Then we send our people to the most populated sections of town to confirm the message for the people,¡± Demi said. ¡°Social media would¡¯ve been useful for this.¡±


    Colonel Johnson snorted. ¡°The death of those things was one of the good things about this ridiculous apocalypse.¡± He turned to the state government representative. ¡°Can you let your people know about all this?¡±


    ¡°Already did,¡± the state representative tapped her temple, ¡°just sent a message spell. I¡¯ve requested a strong military presence on our side of the bridge. Hopefully, it¡¯ll discourage any mischief from the fishmen that are undoubtedly hiding in the river. It¡¯s going to be a close thing if any violence breaks out. Half our best fighters went on the op to San Francisco. I think I¡¯ll stick with you until this is over. Safety in numbers.¡±


    ¡°We work with what we¡¯ve got,¡± Colonel Johnson said.


    The small group took their truck to the university and touched off a flurry of nearly-panicked activity. It was like an anthill had been kicked over.


    A message was recorded and sent to every phone in the small city.


    Around ten thousand souls were awakened to the danger by Colonel Johnson¡¯s dire words of warning.


    Demi directed the remnants of her Watch to further spread the message and help the subsequent exodus. They had no idea when the Deep Azure was supposed to arrive. It could¡¯ve been at any moment.


    The trickle of people heading across the bridge to Sacramento steadily grew as the sun began to rise over the western horizon.


    Demi and the colonel stayed at the university. Their research teams had much valuable and hard-earned information that they needed to pack up and take with them. None of them wanted to stay under the cult¡¯s control.


    Demi could only wonder how many of her people would be lost to the cult¡¯s clutches when all was said and done.


    <hr>


    Nila ran.


    The light from Alexa¡¯s spell shined ahead.


    Her broken arm throbbed. The adrenaline had worn off and the pain stabbed like a knife with every thudding step.


    Somehow, she remembered the way back through the dim, twisting tunnels.


    The change wrought on her by the spires to make her stronger, faster, tougher had also strengthened her mind. The change had been so subtle that she hadn¡¯t even noticed that her memory was significantly better.


    How long had they been running?


    Five minutes, ten, fifteen?


    She couldn¡¯t be certain of that, hadn¡¯t paid enough attention.


    Nila focused on the route back.


    She tried to ignore Hanna several dozen feet behind her as the athletic Swordswoman struggled to keep up with the burden on her back.


    Hanna was already exhausted from the battle in the temple.


    Everyone knew that Hanna could move quicker without her burden, but no one was willing to voice the opinion.


    They didn¡¯t want to leave Keisha behind.


    Their strong friend deserved better than to have her body lay broken and forgotten in a place of horrible evil.


    ¡°Fishmen,¡± Nila muttered. She could see the dim glow of the strange moss glinting off their scales.


    ¡°I can¡¯t do more than this light spell,¡± Alexa said. Her face was drawn and her pallor was much paler than normal. She looked like death.


    ¡°I¡¯m out too,¡± Max said glumly, ¡°can barely keep my legs moving.¡±


    Nila slowed then stopped.


    Only for the tunnel to start shaking.


    ¡°What now?¡± Max spat.


    ¡°My danger sense just spiked, not that it hasn¡¯t been going crazy this whole time,¡± Jimenez, the soldier from Sacramento, said. Her face tight with fear and pain.


    ¡°Same with mine.¡± Del¡¯s voice was flat, devoid of inflection. Dead.


    ¡°Earthquake,¡± Alexa said.


    Nila waited for the shaking to stop, but it kept going.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Nila said, numb. She gripped her baseball bat-like club in her good hand. ¡°Count to ten, then start running after me. Don¡¯t stop.¡± She raised her voice so that the rest of the people could hear her. Not that it was necessary. Sound carried far in the tight confines of the tunnel.


    Nila charged into the fishmen.


    Bolt-like spines struck her. Some glanced of her thick chest armor, some found gaps and pierced through her thick clothing to draw blood.


    It didn¡¯t matter.


    Nila¡¯s existence was pain, what was a bit more?


    Mere pinpricks.


    She smashed the fishmen with her bat. Twenty pounds of metal wielded with speed from someone with the muscle power capable of lifting a small car despite being only a few inches over five-feet tall with a petite, athletic build.


    The force was tremendous.


    The fishmen could survive the ocean depths.


    They couldn¡¯t survive Nila¡¯s desperate attacks.


    The group ran past broken, scaly bodies.


    All the while the tunnel continued to rumble around them.


    Their flight was the stuff of nightmares.


    The terror lent wings to their feet.


    It seemed an eternity down in the dark, dank tunnels, but they soon reached the spiraling ramp up to the surface.


    Nila emerged from the tunnel first.


    Only to be greeted by a score of cultists with weapons pointed, spells readied, tentacles aimed.


    Unfair.


    All that just to die now, in this way.


    Nila roared out all her frustrations.


    Goodbye, Cal, Nila thought.


    The Quest had laid out the two possibilities of failure.


    Death or a fate worse than death.


    Nila had seen, heard what had been done to the old cult leader, Laura.


    She chose death.


    She raised her bat as the others caught up to her and emerged out of the tunnel.


    A bearded man stood at the head of the cultists.


    Nila vaguely recognized him.


    He opened his mouth to speak, but was drowned out by the sound of the roof being torn away.


    The girders, the metal girders, were pealed away to reveal bright sunlight.


    Nila shielded her eyes as a figure floated down to the ground to stand between them and the cultists.


    ¡°Put away your weapons, disable your spells, or die,¡± Remy said flatly.


    The bearded cultist raised empty hands.


    Remy frowned. He had been ready to kill them all to protect his wife, his people. He had already turned the metal girders into metal arrows, poised to rain death on the cultists.


    He scanned the area quickly and just realized that not everyone in the large room were cultists.


    Off to one side a small group of men and women were on their knees, bound and surrounded by weapon-bearing cultists. He recognized a few soldiers from Sacramento that had ridden in the same truck with him.


    Even more surprising was the sight of two young women in thick chains wound tightly around their bodies.


    The weredogs.


    Why were they in chains?


    The bearded man was saying something.


    ¡°What?¡± Remy glared.


    ¡°Truce.¡±


    Remy blinked.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°We offer the immediate cessation of hostilities.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s bullshit! Kill them!¡± Someone behind Remy shouted.


    The cultists tensed.


    Remy grit his teeth. He was so close to letting his missiles fly.


    ¡°I have no reason to trust your words,¡± Remy said. ¡°Can give me one?¡±


    ¡°I swear on my name.¡±


    ¡°Which is?¡±


    ¡°Barry¡­ and I swear on it that the offer is genuine. If I¡¯m lying then may I be cursed.¡±


    Remy felt something in the air, tingling at the back of his mind.


    Something tangible had just occurred, picked up by his mastery of magnetic fields.


    Remy shook his head. ¡°Not good enough. Not after all of the people you¡¯ve tortured and killed.¡± He had seen Keisha¡¯s broken body on Hanna¡¯s back.


    ¡°Right, I get that,¡± Barry said. ¡°You can kill us all, but there¡¯s more in the city. You¡¯ll never get away or maybe you will, but how many of your people will make it out with you. Not to mention the prisoners,¡± he gestured to the bound men and women. ¡°They¡¯ll die as soon as you act. So will the other prisoners we captured.¡±


    ¡°What other prisoners?¡±


    ¡°The ones that attacked city hall. The detective with the amazing prosthetic leg, the young man with a similar hand, your vampire friend. Along with dozens of soldiers and resistance. Would you condemn to death or worse?¡±


    ¡°Fuck you!¡± Nila snapped she strode forward but Remy held up an arm to bar her way.


    ¡°Where are our babies?¡± Megan rushed up and hissed in Remy¡¯s ear.


    It killed Remy to ignore her.


    ¡°All of you can leave, we¡¯ll even provide vehicles and guarantee safe passage out of our territory,¡± Barry said.


    ¡°Not good enough. I want other things,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Okay?¡±


    ¡°The return of the women and girls you took captive from Sacramento. Make that every captive you have taken against their will from anywhere. I will accompany you to Alcatraz and every other location you use to keep them imprisoned. I will bring along other individuals to make sure that you are keeping true to your word,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Barry said.


    ¡°My daughters and their friends. They will be returned to me unharmed and untouched if you, the cult, fishmen, the Deep Azure happen to capture them.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re asking for a lot and from where I¡¯m standing your position isn¡¯t that strong,¡± Barry frowned.


    ¡°Tell me, do you have some kind of freaky connection to the Deep Azure?¡±


    Barry¡¯s face stiffened.


    ¡°Is it active? Or did my dropping hundreds of tons of sea floor on its head mess it up? Kill it?¡±


    ¡°The Deep Azure is more than a physical form,¡± Barry scowled. ¡°No matter how much we¡¯d like to think otherwise,¡± he said softly, so that only Remy picked it up.


    Perhaps Barry hadn¡¯t bought in as much as the rest of the cultists.


    ¡°Why do you serve it? Knowing the evil it perpetuates,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°You¡¯d kill to protect those you care about,¡± Barry said. ¡°I don¡¯t think you and I are all that different in that regard.¡±


    Remy nodded. ¡°Truce. Bring me those trucks and free my people. Including those two young women,¡± he pointed at the weredogs.


    Barry looked like he was about to refuse. ¡°No, no my mandate is clear,¡± he said as if speaking to someone else, ¡°all prisoners were to be offered in order to secure a truce. Deal.¡± He held out a hand.


    Remy shook it with reluctance.


    ¡°Our daughters,¡± Megan hissed.


    ¡°Escaped, last I know,¡± Remy whispered. ¡°Once I get you all home, I¡¯ll come back for them. I¡¯ll tear this place apart if I have to.¡±


    ¡°Did you kill it?¡± Hanna¡¯s sounded exhausted, empty.


    She had laid Keisha¡¯s body down and retrieved her greatsword from one of the soldiers. Someone else had already covered Keisha with their leather jacket.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Remy said. ¡°I¡¯m inclined to believe the cultist. That thing back there was just a body.¡±


    ¡°The Deep Azure is more than we can comprehend,¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°What¡¯s there to comprehend? If it exists then there¡¯s a way to kill it,¡± Hanna said. ¡°My blade might not be able to do it, but that¡¯s what magic is for¡­ right?¡±


    Remy shook his head. He didn¡¯t even know where to begin on that path. How did you kill something that didn¡¯t need physical form?


    ¡°Thanks for bringing Keisha back,¡± Remy said finally.


    ¡°Sheer, stupid luck that her body ended up close to me in the scrum,¡± Hanna spat bitterly, ¡°it was the least I could do. Couldn¡¯t leave her there after she sacri¡ª¡± she swallowed the rest of what she was going to say. ¡°The stupid kids¡­ you left them?¡±


    ¡°I had them run away down a tunnel, while I fought the Deep Azure,¡± Remy said through grit teeth. He was angry at himself. Not Hanna.


    His words seemed to be enough for the tall, athletic woman. She fell silent.


    ¡°Does Keisha have any family left?¡± Megan said.


    Max shook his head. ¡°No, at least not that she was aware of. Mama Rose, her grandma, died about three years ago. Rest of her family was out of state and¡­¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°The Watch was all she had. It¡¯s the same for a lot of us,¡± Alexa said. She looked at Remy and Megan. ¡°Not everyone was as lucky as you.¡±


    ¡°Alexa,¡± Max warned.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Remy said. Alexa had a point. ¡°Everyone, try to rest, get your mana and stamina back. It¡¯s going to be a long drive back to Davis. I¡¯ll keep an eye on the cultists.¡±


    Remy walked over to the chained prisoners. The cultists hadn¡¯t bothered to unlock them, content to simply stand around glaring. The chains dropped to the floor at Remy¡¯s will.


    He stood over the two weredogs. ¡°What¡¯s your story?¡±


    ¡°Thanks!¡± the blond one said with a bright smile on her face. The heavy bruising, blood and missing teeth made the smile ghastly.


    The Japanese one was just as bloodied and battered. ¡°Your kid called them super mutants. We won, but were too weakened to deal with the cultist shits that jumped in after.¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯re free now, no obligations to me. You can do whatever you want,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°I¡¯m tempted to just go out on our own, but our former packmates and the boss might be a problem. So, we¡¯ll stick close to you for now.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough.¡±


    Remy returned to his wife and hugged her tight.


    Their thoughts were on their daughters.

 4.22

    Now, Threnosh World


    Cal spent the next few months splitting time between overseeing Shira¡¯s recovery, helping with the newb training and disappearing far into the wilderness to work on his own concerns.


    He had plumbed the depths of his mind in an effort to find and expunged anything the Mother may have left behind. Even if he hadn¡¯t found anything he knew that they had to be there. He just hadn¡¯t searched hard enough.


    He had more positive results with his efforts with Shira and the newbs. The former had quickly regained their control and was weeks away from being cleared to return to active duty. Cal mulled having her stay and take over his role in babysitting the newbs, so that they could finally take on the secret bosses in the zones surrounding the base.


    In Cal¡¯s two year absence, Prime Custodian 3 hadn¡¯t allowed them the opportunity. The prime had deemed the risks too great. This meant that the nine special candidates gathered in that time span hadn¡¯t gained the required strength to join the rest of the T-Men. They had spent their time training and fighting standard monsters weaker than them throughout Prime Custodian 3¡¯s jurisdiction.


    Cal had been surprised and unhappy to find that they had only added a handful of recruits in his absence. The other primes and jurisdictions had taken note of the T-Men¡¯s effectiveness and had decided to copy them. They kept their own Defectives for themselves, rather than allocate them to Prime Custodian 3 and Cal.


    From what Cal could glean their efforts were significantly less effective with a troubling casualty rate. The other Threnosh leadership were undoubtedly treating them as interchangeable pieces of their perfect machine. Individuals were just small pieces of the perfectly-ordered machine that was the Threnosh world.


    One couldn¡¯t just treat the special candidates in that way. Each one was unique and needed to be guided to the full use of their power armor¡¯s special abilities. They weren¡¯t only the sum total of their abilities. Their skills needed to be developed, experienced gained, teamwork, so many different things went into making them effective and maximizing their potential to survive the dangerous situations they were placed.


    The thought brought a stab of guilt.


    Images of Malendrax, Silver Wolf and Brightstrike appeared in Cal¡¯s thoughts. It was as if the trio were standing, talking, walking in front of him. It was a curse of his mental powers. Memories didn¡¯t fade as they once did. He could recall them as if they had just happened. He could¡¯ve have dismissed them, hidden them deep in a recess of his mind, but he didn¡¯t. His friends deserved better.


    They gave their lives because of him. The least he could do was never forget.


    Cal¡¯s thoughts turned to the future.


    Every few days, he checked the spire closest to their base, the same one that he had first emerged from some five or six years ago.


    The way back wasn¡¯t open yet.


    He wasn¡¯t sure about his timeline. He still had no idea how the Threnosh world¡¯s passage of time differed from Earth¡¯s. It would¡¯ve been wrong to assume that an Earth day took the same amount of time as a Threnosh day.


    And he wasn¡¯t even accounting for the unknown amount of transit time from Earth to the Threnosh world. It had seemed instantaneous, but who knew what the truth was. He had spent points on tutorials, but had yet to find a definitive answer to that particular question.


    He had kept the majority of the staggering number of Universal Points he had accumulated during his long stay. His ordeal with Mother Madrigal had yielded a ridiculous bounty, but he had to be conservative until he knew the exact number he needed to travel back. It had taken hundreds of thousands for him to reach the Threnosh world. Emptied him to zero.


    He was stronger now. The cost to return would be higher.


    He considered running the newbs through the secret bosses before he left. Weighed it against having Shira take his place. According to simulations and projections, Shira was strong enough to take over now.


    Cal decided there wasn¡¯t really a choice in the matter. Someone was always going to have to take his place in that role. Better start while he was still around to smooth the transition and prevent potential disaster.


    He made a note in his PID to prep the newbs for their first crack at a secret boss with Shira as the primary babysitter, he¡¯d hover nearby, just in case.


    One decision made Cal allowed himself to simply sit and listen to the sounds of the forest.


    Birds called out.


    Leaves rustled underneath scurrying paws.


    The wind shook the branches and scattered vibrant yellow seeds on a tiny, wispy parachute of fuzz that looked like a stretched out cotton ball.


    A tree scientist would¡¯ve loved to see all of the weird crap Cal had observed.


    Familiar, yet alien, was how he¡¯d sum up the things he had seen of the Threnosh¡¯s natural world.


    He realized that he¡¯d miss it.


    There was something about the solitude of being the only human being in a world that struck a chord inside of him. It could¡¯ve been paradise, minus the horrible monsters and multiversal war.


    Cal sighed.


    He rose from where he sat on the ground.


    It was time to fly over to the spire and check again.


    He wondered if the spire would give him a message when Earth¡¯s ten year tutorial phase was done. Would he not received one since he wasn¡¯t on Earth? Or did being an Earthling? Earthian? Mean he¡¯d get one regardless of his physical location?


    He shook his head. He needed to work on his naming conventions.


    As he cleared the tree canopy a dark shape swooped down and promptly slammed head first into his invisible telekinetic shield.


    The loud crack told Cal that he could continue on his way without further concern.


    He didn¡¯t bother to look behind him as the animal crashed down to the forest floor. The giant poison eagle, so named for resembling an eagle, except much bigger and with the ability to spit venomous liquid, would provide a feast for the forest¡¯s scavengers.


    Naming conventions.


    He sighed.


    The spire had become visible when his PID beeped with a message from base.


    Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337¡¯s tiny holographic projection appeared in Cal¡¯s faceplate.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Emergency alert alpha prime,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡± Cal didn¡¯t expect ever hear those words.


    Another alert chimed. Only Cal heard this one.


    He scanned the spire message even as the voice spoke in his head.


    Finally!


    Cal dismissed the message. So many thoughts flashed through his mind. So many things to do and prepare.


    ¡°Oh, Tides? What¡¯s the alert about?¡±


    ¡°Spires surveillance scan cycle detected activity that triggered the alpha prime alert,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said. ¡°I have reviewed the recording. Seven individuals of your species have exited a spire.¡±


    Cal almost dropped out of the sky due to the great shock.


    ¡°Send me the images.¡±


    Cal watched the recording in his faceplate with disbelief.


    The spire was in a jungle clearing and people emerged. Just as he had. They milled around warily for several minutes. Talking, arguing, before heading off into the jungle.


    The surveillance drone had recorded from a great distance so their features weren¡¯t the clearest.


    Two young women, four young men and what appeared to be a teenage girl.


    Cal¡¯s heart sank.


    They were older, a lot bigger, but he thought he recognized them.


    ¡°Tides, when was this recorded?¡± Cal¡¯s voice was barely a whisper. His hands shook.


    ¡°As you know our resources are strained as it is¡ª¡±


    ¡°When?¡± Cal¡¯s voice rose.


    ¡°The amount of data the automated program must cycle through is beyond yo¡ª¡±


    ¡°Just give me the answer, Tides!¡± Cal snapped.


    ¡°115.237 hours.¡±


    Around half a week.


    That was a long time to deal with the dangers of an unknown jungle.


    ¡°Give me the location.¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°Tides? Location, now!¡±


    The coordinates appeared in Cal¡¯s faceplate. ¡°Whose jurisdiction is this?¡±


    ¡°Prime Eternal Warden 1¡±


    Cal cursed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± he muttered. He took of toward the coordinates with a series of loud booms that sent birds and other flying creatures scattering out of the treetops below. ¡°I¡¯m going. This is a rescue operation. Notify Prime Custodian 3. They can deal with the diplomacy crap. Prep an aerial transport and have it track my location. Keep it in neutral airspace just outside of Prime Eternal Warden¡¯s jurisdiction. Full medical suite and personnel. Prepare for injuries. I¡¯ll fly them to the transport.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps, you should discuss the matter with Prime Custodian 3 first,¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 tried.


    ¡°I¡¯m already several days too late.¡±


    ¡°But Prime Eternal Warden 1 has specifically forbidden your presence in their jurisdiction.¡±


    ¡°The Collective has agreed that people from my world are under my jurisdiction. Besides, I don¡¯t care about Prime Eternal Warden 1. Maintain silence,¡± Cal growled.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 sighed and did as ordered. They were concerned with how they were going to word the report to Prime Custodian 3.


    <hr>


    Tessa stepped out into a wide clearing, surrounded by what looked like a jungle.


    She wasn¡¯t too knowledgeable about the differences in outdoor environments.


    Forest? Jungle?


    It was all just a bunch of trees and plants to her.


    Her superior senses picked up all sorts of sounds in the dense growth.


    Birds screeched.


    Something howled.


    Leaves rustled with movement all over the place.


    She tightened her grip on her kanabo and continuously scanned the area while she waited for the others to emerge from the spire. She dearly hoped that Veronica and their friends had enough points to travel to the Threnosh world as she had done.


    Her exploits in the Deep Azure¡¯s tunnels had given her plenty of points. She had actually been able to unlock more of her personal sheet and a few tutorials before paying the rest for the transit.


    Tessa didn¡¯t have to wait long before Veronica emerged.


    She breathed a huge sigh of relief.


    Veronica squealed in delight at the sight of Tessa and ran forward to grab her in a crushing hug.


    Tessa cursed. ¡°We¡¯re in a combat zone!¡±


    ¡°Oh, sorry,¡± Veronica grinned sheepishly. ¡°Twinkle Star!¡± she checked the guinea pig¡¯s small bag. ¡°He¡¯s fine,¡± she stroked the black-furred animal¡¯s head before hefting her staff and putting her back to Tessa¡¯s. ¡°The spire¡¯s inside is freaky. All misty and it like reads your mind.¡±


    ¡°So? You¡¯ve been inside before. It¡¯s the same.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but that was a long time ago and I was barely in there,¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°Stop talking and pay attention,¡± Tessa frowned, while she tried to keep her eyes and ears outward. ¡°We¡¯re on an alien world. We have no idea what¡¯s out there. Alien animals, monsters, or worse.¡±


    Veronica rolled her eyes, but listened to her older sister.


    They didn¡¯t have to wait long before the rest of their friends appeared in quick succession in front of the spire.


    ¡°Danger sense!¡± Johnny¡¯s weapons appeared in his hands like magic.


    ¡°Defensive formation! Olo with me up front. Bastien and Mads behind us. Johnny, where¡¯s the threat?¡± Gene drew his longsword with his right hand and conjured his mage shield in its ghostly buckler form in his left.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, dude¡­ like all around us,¡± Johnny whined. ¡°Fuck this! We jump from certain death to likely death.¡±


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°Hey, assholes!¡± Tessa barked. ¡°I think you can chill a little bit.¡±


    ¡°Oh thank Jebus!¡± Johnny deflated and relaxed. ¡°My danger sense is still going off, but since you two are here¡­¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean you can take it easy,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you all made it,¡± Veronica said and held up her hand.


    ¡°Me too, Vee,¡± Olo stabbed his spear into the ground and slapped five.


    The thwack echoed like a gunshot.


    Olo winced and shook his hand while Veronica stuck her tongue out.


    ¡°What do we do now?¡± Mads said. She held her shotgun ready even though it was empty.


    ¡°I have no idea,¡± Tessa admitted.


    ¡°We need to contact your uncle,¡± Gene said.


    Johnny took out his cell phone. ¡°Yeah¡­ no signal.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we can find one of those gray aliens and they can contact your uncle?¡± Bastien said.


    Tessa glanced at Veronica.


    ¡°We¡¯re not exactly sure how connected he is to them,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°It sounded like Uncle Cal was only cool with a small group of Threnosh,¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°Wonderful,¡± Johnny sighed. ¡°We¡¯re going to get repulsored to death by tiny gray iron men.¡±


    ¡°What can you guys see and hear with your superior senses? Any signs of these Threnosh?¡± Gene had dismissed his mage shield and sheathed his sword, but he made certain to keep Tessa and Veronica in between him and the surrounding jungle.


    ¡°Animal sounds,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°I think I can hear like a stream,¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°Mads has better eyes,¡± Tessa said.


    Gene turned to Mads. ¡°Can you look for a trail? Or this stream. We¡¯ll need water and maybe it can lead to a river, which might lead to a city or something.¡±


    Mads nodded. ¡°Telescopic Vision.¡± She intently scanned their surroundings with her Skill while the others kept their guard up. She could now see in great detail for many miles. The dense undergrowth challenged her with small spaces, but the slightest opening was enough. The intensity of her gaze reminded them of a bird of prey scanning the ground for prey. After several minutes Mads relaxed. ¡°Couple of things. You want good news or bad news, first?¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Bro, who goes with good first?¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Bastien said flatly.


    ¡°Veronica¡¯s right. There¡¯s a stream about a thousand yards in that direction,¡± Mads pointed. ¡°It keeps going that way and widens into a river. The land slopes down gently. So, we can get water and the walk shouldn¡¯t be too bad close to the river where the trees and brush isn¡¯t as thick.¡±


    ¡°The bad,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°I saw a few animal trails, but the ones closest to us for the next five, six hundred yards or so run parallel to the stream, which makes them perpendicular to us. We¡¯re going to need to cut a path.¡±


    ¡°I can smash a path no problem,¡± Tessa said.


    Mads nodded. ¡°Lots of animals. Weird looking. Almost reminds me of ones I¡¯ve seen from back on Earth,¡± she frowned, ¡°words I never thought I¡¯d say¡­ anyways, animals or monsters, different from what I¡¯m familiar with. Unless they have special abilities I don¡¯t think they¡¯ll be a problem for Tessa and Vee.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound too bad,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°There is one exception,¡± Mads looked back to the opposite side from the direction of the stream. ¡°I think¡­ well, I¡¯m not sure what I saw, but it looks almost like a huge, furry snake and it¡¯s slowly heading toward us.¡±


    Everyone spun in that direction.


    ¡°That¡¯s why you go with the bad news first,¡± Johnny muttered.


    ¡°Should we kill it, Tessa?¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°It might not be dangerous if we leave it alone?¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°There are no peaceful monsters,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°It could be a normal animal.¡±


    ¡°Or a mutant one,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°It could also be too powerful for us,¡± Gene said. ¡°If it¡¯s moving slowly then I think we should leave it alone and get out of its way.¡±


    ¡°So, how are we doing this? I don¡¯t know how forests work?¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure this is a jungle,¡± Johnny said. ¡°It¡¯s hot and humid.¡±


    ¡°Really? I couldn¡¯t tell,¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°I¡¯m so jealous of you,¡± Johnny said. ¡°I¡¯ve been here for less than ten minutes and my ass crack already feels gross. Let me just say, this jungle isn¡¯t the only place that a river is running right through.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re gross,¡± Veronica said with narrowed eyes.


    ¡°Gene, you were in scouts,¡± Olo said.


    Gene frowned. ¡°The most I ever did was camping in campgrounds with bathrooms and showers. But, I have watched a lot of nature and survival videos. I¡¯d say we need to make a lot of noise to scare away any possible venomous alien snakes and assume everything is poisonous, so don¡¯t touch anything.¡±


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll smash a path, the rest of you follow,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Gene held up a hand. ¡°I think Vee should clear a path. Then Olo for taunting and tanking purposes. Followed by Mads for her vision to spot possible far off threats. Then Bastien, Johnny, me and Tessa bringing up the rear.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not letting Vee lead. She¡¯ll be first to get attacked,¡± Tessa frowned.


    ¡°It¡¯s safer for her with Olo to draw the first attack with advance warning from Mads. I¡¯m not doing you any favors. The last person in line is the most vulnerable,¡± Gene said.


    Tessa considered it and found Gene¡¯s assessment credible. ¡°Vee, be careful, don¡¯t run for off for any reason and let Olo draw aggro.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Veronica waved her hand dismissively.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°I just want to remind everyone that my danger sense is still going off,¡± Johnny said. ¡°Also we don¡¯t have any food and water.¡±


    Olo rummaged in the small pouch at his belt. ¡°I¡¯ve got two protein bars.¡±


    ¡°Me too,¡± Bastien and Mads echoed.


    ¡°My water bottle got busted up in the tunnel though,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Shit, I forgot, let¡¯s make a quick assessment of what we have,¡± Gene said.


    It didn¡¯t take long. Aside from the protein bars. They had four partially filled water bottles and a broken one. Johnny had ditched his supplies before descending into fishmen tunnels. He had argued that it was for stealth purposes. Tessa didn¡¯t have anything in the way of supplies since she had been captured by the fishmen.


    The jungle was familiar and alien at the same time. The trees and plants reminded them of the ones they had seen in pictures and in nature documentaries. Some of the foliage didn¡¯t fit in that framework. Some trees were shaped oddly, almost spherical. Some leaves glowed with vibrant, shifting colors that appeared to go through the entire rainbow. Branches moved, not due to the wind, but out of their own accord as they stabbed down.


    Veronica shattered these with sweeps of her staff.


    The wildlife stayed out of their way. They could hear and catch the occasional fleeting glimpse as the creatures moved around them. That suggested natural animals rather than monsters or mutated ones. Those attacked.


    Veronica made a racket with her staff as she bashed a clear path through the dense undergrowth. She definitely made their presence known to everything with ears for miles around.


    Five of them were thirsty by the time they reached the stream, but it disappointed. It was muddy and smelled bad. So they sipped from their dwindling supply and followed the stream.


    They reached the river quicker since Veronica no longer needed to beat a path through the undergrowth.


    The sun had started to sink so they decided to set up camp.


    They found a clear spot and made a fire. It was a trivial matter thanks to Gene¡¯s fire spray spell and the ease with which Tessa and Veronica tore a tree down with their bare hands and ripped it into kindling.


    They boiled the river water and drank their fill.


    Protein bars were shared and Johnny stabbed several small fish-like animals out of the river with his enhanced reflexes for a meal. They even had dessert in the form of a sweet, but ugly looking puke-green fruit. Twinkle Star had eaten a piece without hesitation so they decided to risk it. Was it smart to trust a guinea pig? Maybe, maybe not, but luck was with them and no one developed any problems from the meal.


    The fire burned through the night, while Tessa and Veronica stayed on guard so the rest could sleep.


    Nothing attacked.


    The second day carried on in the much the same vein. They followed the river, but kept a healthy distance from the water¡¯s edge after Mads spotted a sizable wake trailing close to them. Something big was in the water.


    The night was quiet again. Except no fish this time. Johnny had refused to go near the water. They ate the last of the protein bars and drank water gathered in Olo¡¯s helmet attached to the end of Veronica¡¯s staff.


    Tessa stood the watched alone. She could see that Veronica was growing tired, so she had forced her sister to sleep.


    On the third day Mads saw the jungle transition into marshlands miles in the distance.


    The utter lack of signs of civilization was worrying. They had no choice except to forge ahead.


    Three nights and Tessa was growing tired. She powered through her watch, but found her eyes drooping on several occasions.


    Day four saw them reach the edge of the jungle and the marshlands.


    ¡°I¡¯m not looking forward to wading in wet and muddy land,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°We probably don¡¯t want to get stuck out there in the dark. We should camp here and cross in the morning,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Hey, Mads, how far would you say this death swamp is?¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°I¡¯d estimate ten, maybe twelve miles. I can see a wide plain beyond, then mountains. Still no cities or anything artificial looking.¡±


    Johnny wiped his sweat streaked face. ¡°What I wouldn¡¯t give for a safe shower.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t remember what it was like to not stink,¡± Veronica said.


    Johnny sniffed at himself. ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s worse. Me? The jungle? Or the swamp? Everything kinda smells like ass.¡±


    ¡°You all smell terrible,¡± Tessa said. ¡°It¡¯s worse with our enhanced senses, right Vee?¡± she tried to smile.


    Veronica nodded.


    ¡°Let¡¯s make camp,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take the watch tonight,¡± Veronica said.


    Tessa hesitated.


    ¡°You need to rest or you won¡¯t be sharp in case we get attacked by monsters.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    The jungle and the marshlands had fallen silent as Veronica added more logs to the roaring fire. She wouldn¡¯t admit it, but the darkness scared her. At least the chirping birds and chittering insects had gone quiet. Maybe her sister and friends would finally be able to get a good night¡¯s sleep.


    The past three nights had sucked for Veronica. She had held Twinkle Star tightly in one hand and her staff in the other. Every noise had her on the edge of springing up to fight.


    The dead silence was good.


    She actually regretted offering to take the watch so that Tessa could finally get some real rest.


    The fourth night passed without incident until something big, long and furry wrapped around Veronica and dragged her screaming back into the jungle.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    The cult delivered the vehicles as promised.


    One of the army trucks that Remy had ridden into the city in what felt like weeks ago and a yellow school bus.


    Two vehicles for the survivors when they had driven in many. Not to mention the addition of the resistance members.


    Remy buried the dark thoughts.


    Remy rode in the truck, while one of the soldiers, Jimenez, drove. Megan sat between them. She didn¡¯t want to be more than a hand¡¯s reach from Remy. He felt the same.


    Their daughters¡¯ fates weighed heavily on them.


    The cultist¡¯s escort car led them to city hall.


    More prisoners were bound in the parking lot, waiting for them.


    Detective Ordonez was there, along with Jake and twenty or so people. All bore signs of violence. Cuts and bruises marked them all.


    A coffin lay next to the Detective.


    ¡°Bennett?¡± Remy said as he approached.


    ¡°That¡¯s what they say,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°We can¡¯t open it to check,¡± Jake looked up at the bright sun, ¡°I think, unless he¡¯s like a daywalker or something.¡±


    Remy shook his head. ¡°Not that I know.¡± He turned to Barry. ¡°Can you prove that Bennett¡¯s in there?¡±


    ¡°I gave you my word,¡± Barry scowled.


    ¡°For what it¡¯s worth I think the bastard¡¯s telling the truth,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°So¡­ like I¡¯m assuming we won?¡± Jake said hesitantly. ¡°Seeing as how you¡¯re standing right there, I mean.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a truce,¡± Remy said. ¡°Release them,¡± he ordered Barry.


    Barry frowned, but whistled and the cultists started unlocking the cuffs and cutting the zip ties.


    ¡°Get everyone loaded up. We¡¯re leaving,¡± Remy said. He regarded the fancy-looking coffin. He generated a magnetic field and detected signs of¡­ something inside. It wasn¡¯t like the electromagnetic fields that human bodies generated. He leaned close to the coffin¡¯s head and knocked. ¡°Bennett, if you¡¯re in there knock twice!¡±


    Two angry knocks.


    ¡°Alright, we¡¯re going home. I¡¯m sorry it took so long.¡±


    One knock.


    Remy had no idea what it meant.


    The coffin had metal handles so he levitated it into the back of the army truck.


    He had Detective Ordonez take his place in the front cab next to Megan.


    Remy was going to ride on top. They had a couple of hours drive through wyvern territory and he needed to shoot down any that attacked.


    They reached Davis without incident, which felt like winning the lottery.


    What was less heartening was the empty watch post as they entered through the eastern edge of town. Indeed, they didn¡¯t encounter anybody until they drew near the university.


    A girl and her over-sized dog flagged them down.


    Remy couldn¡¯t recall her name, but knew that she was one of the junior members of the Watch. Like an intern.


    The girl told them that Watch Commander Lawrence had instructed her to bring anyone that returned from San Francisco directly to her near the spire on campus. Especially, Remy.


    ¡°The city council fucked us,¡± Watch Commander Lawrence said as soon as Remy jumped down from the truck¡¯s roof.


    ¡°What?¡±


    The watch commander explained what had happened. How the council had sold the town out to the cult. How the people unwilling to join were in the process of evacuating across the river to Sacramento.


    Remy had the urged to find the council and express his displeasure, but he had more important things to do. He had to return for captives and hopefully, his daughters and their friends.


    ¡°Can we kick the council out and void the agreement?¡± Megan said.


    ¡°We all got the same Quest message from the spires,¡± Watch Commander Lawrence said stiffly. ¡°The message essentially outlined the terms of the deal the council struck with the cult. Our only options are to agree and stay or disagree and leave.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand why we have to leave,¡± Hanna glared at everyone and no one. ¡°We just fought a fucking dark god and now we¡¯re being kicked out of our homes. Why can¡¯t we just fight?¡±


    ¡°We can do that,¡± Watch Commander Lawrence said, ¡°but the agreement means anyone that refuses the agreement and doesn¡¯t relocate across the river is in violation of this truce and is free game.¡±


    Remy bit back a curse. ¡°That¡¯s why they wanted a truce.¡±


    ¡°Fuck!¡± Hanna snapped. ¡°We should¡¯ve killed them all when we had the chance.¡± She jabbed a finger at Remy. ¡°You could¡¯ve done it.¡±


    ¡°People would¡¯ve died,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°People are already dead!¡± Hanna spat and strode away. ¡°I need to get my things.¡±


    ¡°I need to go back for the captives¡­ and others,¡± Remy said. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but you¡¯ll have to pack up our house,¡± he said to Megan.


    Megan smiled, tight. She didn¡¯t have the heart to tell him that their home had been demolished. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it.¡±


    ¡°Stick with Nila,¡± Remy said.


    Megan nodded. ¡°Be careful. Bring our girls back.¡±


    ¡°I will.¡±


    Megan went to look for Nila while Remy went over to the truck.


    ¡°I¡¯m coming with you,¡± Detective Ordonez limped over on her cane. Her prosthetic was barely functioning.


    ¡°Me too,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°No, you need to report back,¡± Detective Ordonez.


    ¡°Both of you need your injuries looked at,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°You¡¯ll need my skills to make sure the cult bastards aren¡¯t pulling any tricks. I can tell if they¡¯re hiding captives from us.¡±


    ¡°Fine, that sounds useful.¡± Remy turned to Jake. ¡°Bennett¡¯s in your truck, make sure you put him in dark place, probably should have a couple of blood bags ready just in case.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, man, I¡¯m not dumb,¡± Jake rolled his eyes.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have time to waste.¡± Remy ripped the truck¡¯s hood off, flipped it and floated it to the ground. He stepped aboard and held out a hand to Detective Ordonez.


    The detective slapped it away and climbed on before sitting down near the center and holding tight.


    Remy stood in front of the detective to block the wind before flying up into the sky. Though not too high and fast for the detective¡¯s sake.

 4.23

    Now, Earth


    Megan watched Remy until he was a small dot in the distance.


    ¡°Do you want to pack up your house first or mine?¡± Nila grimaced from the pain in her broken arm.


    Megan¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Oh my god! I¡¯m so sorry. With all the¡ª I didn¡¯t notice. Here let me heal you.¡±


    ¡°Wait.¡± Nila clenched her teeth and held her arm tight against her body as she pushed and pulled to make sure that the bones were aligned properly. ¡°Okay,¡± she hissed.


    Megan held her hand over Nila¡¯s arm as a soft glow enveloped both.


    The pain was excruciating, but Nila managed to stand still and hold her arm in place.


    Seconds, minutes.


    Nila had no idea how much time had passed when Megan stopped. The glow had vanished and Megan swayed in place. Nila reached out with both hands to steady her.


    ¡°Ouch,¡± Nila said. She looked down at her arm. ¡°I¡¯m never going to get over how amazing that is.¡±


    ¡°Does it hurt?¡±


    ¡°Tender and sore, but not nearly as bad as it was,¡± Nila flexed her arm. ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°The drive back was barely enough time to recharge my mana, but it should be good enough to move around. Don¡¯t do any fighting or heavy lifting with it though,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I just used up all my mana again.¡±


    ¡°Can you walk? We should probably go before Demi thinks to put us to work. I¡¯ve only got a few things I¡¯d want to bring with me, some of Cal¡¯s stuff too.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to your place first. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯ll find at our home,¡± Megan said softly.


    ¡°Princess, fireman or piggyback?¡±


    ¡°Definitely piggy back,¡± Megan smiled sadly.


    ¡°Hop on then and hold on tight.¡±


    Nila, with Megan on her back, took off running faster than an Olympic sprinter. She was tired, but the long car ride had been enough to bring some semblance of life back into her bones.


    It wasn¡¯t over, but she could see a small light at the end of a dark tunnel. For the first time she realized that the darkness in her thoughts were gone.


    The Deep Azure had hounded her, all of them, with its presence for close to two years.


    What did the absence signify?


    Had Remy managed to kill it beneath tons of rock and earth?


    No.


    Nila decided that wasn¡¯t likely.


    The cult had ultimately won by taking their homes from them.


    The thought didn¡¯t bother Nila as much as she knew it would the others.


    Her home had been with Cal and he was gone, she didn¡¯t know if he was still alive. If he would or even could return.


    Now, her only real home was south with her family.


    Perhaps it was time to move.


    If, when Cal returned he¡¯d know where to find her.


    She wouldn¡¯t be too hard to find. After all the rest of his family was in the same area.


    ¡°What the fuck? Where are they going? Hey! Wait!¡± Demi called after Nila and Megan in vain. ¡°I could use your help,¡± she deflated.


    ¡°Boss?¡± Max said as he walked up to the watch commander with Alexa by his side.


    ¡°Damn, am I glad to see you. We¡¯re short-handed. The fish fucks hit us hard the last couple of nights. We lost a lot of our vets. Mostly down to the trainees. I¡¯ve got Ron, Rebekah and Trevor handling the move over the bridge into Sac. They could use some help.¡± Demi¡¯s eyes narrowed as she noticed the look on Max¡¯s face. ¡°What is it?¡± She noticed that there were only two of them. ¡°Where are the kids?¡±


    Max shrugged. ¡°Remy said he last saw them escaping down in the tunnels. Seemed to think that they would alright. But what do I know. Might just be a father¡¯s hope.¡±


    ¡°Del¡¯s alive, but¡­¡± Alexa trailed off.


    ¡°The cultists killed Rory, made Del listen. He made it through the fight out, but¡­ now¡­ I don¡¯t know. Hasn¡¯t said a word or moved since. Just staring out at nothing,¡± Max said.


    Demi nodded. They had lost so much in such a short amount of time. Everything they had struggled to build in ten years was gone.


    ¡°Keisha¡ª¡± Alexa began.


    ¡°You can see for yourself.¡± Max led Demi to the back of the school bus and opened the emergency door to reveal a cloth covered body. ¡°Should have seen her, boss. Took on a legit dark abomination god to buy us all time. We would¡¯ve been smashed flat, literally, if it wasn¡¯t for her.¡±


    Demi hardened her heart.


    ¡°We¡¯ll bury her later.¡±


    The dead could wait.


    The living needed her guidance.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have much in the way of mana and we¡¯re beat, but just tell us where you need us,¡± Max said.


    ¡°Keisha wouldn¡¯t rest. We owe it to her,¡± Alexa said.


    Demi clenched her jaw and swallowed her tears.


    That too would wait.


    The watch commander dispensed her orders.


    <hr>


    Remy eyed the cultists down on Alcatraz warily as he descended with Detective Ordonez.


    Weapons weren¡¯t pointed in his direction so it seemed that the cult was sticking to the truce.


    He flew around to the access point down into the undersea tunnels.


    ¡°What are we doing here?¡± Detective Ordonez hobbled off the upside down truck hood.


    The tunnel entrance was covered by a small concrete enclosure, like a large phone booth. Remy ripped the metal door open with a gesture.


    ¡°This leads to where we fought the Deep Azure¡­ down in the deep¡­ a temple to evil.¡± Remy¡¯s voice was haunted.


    ¡°I got that information from your wife. It was a long drive,¡± Detective Ordonez shrugged. ¡°Your kids are missing. They didn¡¯t come out with the rest of you, so you think they went this way.¡±


    ¡°Cal said your Detective class gave you abilities that let you see and experience past events. Like some kind of super evidence gathering sense. Can you see if they came out this way? Or¡­ if they were captured then this is where the cult and fishmen would¡¯ve brought them through.¡±


    Detective Ordonez looked like she was chewing on some glass. ¡°I don¡¯t recall telling your brother details about what I can do. And it¡¯s not just the class. It¡¯s years of experience. The Skills just help.¡±


    ¡°Can you do it?¡±


    Detective Ordonez grunted then focused her gaze on the open door into the dark space and the spiral stairs made out of crafted stone. If the disturbing images bothered her, she didn¡¯t show it. She stood immobile as her head and eyes moved as if tracking scenes playing out in front of her.


    Remy felt a sensation in the magnetic field he had ready around him. Like a tingle, static. He moved away from the detective lest he interfere with whatever it was she was doing.


    Seconds became minutes.


    The cult had gathered to within a hundred feet, but continued to remain peaceful.


    A part of Remy wanted them to give him an excuse.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got nothing,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    Remy felt dread¡¯s sharp talons grip his heart. He took several steadying breaths. He reminded himself that Detective Ordonez¡¯s words didn¡¯t mean his daughters were dead. He couldn¡¯t kill the cultists even if he so badly wanted to. He didn¡¯t know if he wanted to cry or rage. His head throbbed.


    ¡°If you kill them then the truce is off. They might have your kids or might capture them later. I normally wouldn¡¯t trust someone¡¯s word, but I sense something different with this situation. Magic bullshit,¡± Detective Ordonez spat, ¡°in this case it could be good thing for your kids. They promised to release them if they had them, right?¡±


    ¡°Is that what you got from your Skills or your experience,¡± Remy said harshly.


    ¡°Both and you better check that attitude. We¡¯ve got a lot women and girls we¡¯re here to take home. Don¡¯t forget that,¡± Detective Ordonez stared Remy down until he looked away.


    The cultists watched Remy with a mixture of loathing and fear in their faces.


    Remy fixed the cultists with a hate-filled glare. ¡°I¡¯m here for our people,¡± he growled.


    ¡°Follow me, no tricks or you¡¯ll pay,¡± one the cultist¡¯s said.


    Remy and Detective Ordonez followed the cultist¡¯s into the prison.


    Alcatraz had undergone renovations.


    It wasn¡¯t an old museum any longer.


    The decor mimicked the same style that Remy had seen in the tunnels and the temple. His anger burned and helped him fight the unpleasantness that welled up within him.


    ¡°You¡¯d need to be really fucked up to work in a place like this,¡± Detective Ordonez said flatly.


    The cultists bristled with thin, needle-sharp spines and writhing tentacles beneath their robes, but made no move to break the truce.


    They led Remy and the detective past empty cell blocks into one of the open air exercise yards surrounded by buildings on all sides.


    It was empty.


    ¡°If this is a trick then you are already dead,¡± Remy said flatly.


    More cultists emerged from a different building and approached.


    Remy readied himself.


    A cultist in a familiar deep blue robe with an impossibly moving, swirling surface stepped out of the group and stopped a safe distance away from Remy.


    The man looked to be in his fifties with perfect hair and the demeanor of a slick politician, car salesman and cable news talking head.


    ¡°Has there ever been a more merciful god on this world than the Deep Azure?¡± the man smiled.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    The cultist¡¯s eyes darted to the small silver cross hanging from the detective¡¯s neck. ¡°I meant a real god. Not make believe.¡±


    ¡°Do you intend to betray your god¡¯s truce?¡± Remy said flatly.


    The cultist saw something in Remy¡¯s eyes. He flinched back, but recovered quickly. ¡°The Deep Azure¡¯s mercy is boundless. Our guests are being brought out as we speak.¡±


    Remy extended his magnetic field over the entire island. The strain sent pain stabbing into him, but he bulled through it.


    A human cultist gave off a slightly different electromagnetic signature than a regular, non-cultist human. He found many cultists scattered throughout the island, but the normal people were all gathered in one area and were indeed moving in his direction.


    ¡°We aren¡¯t even going to charge you for two years of room, board, meals and entertainment,¡± the cultist said.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°You may call me Grand Priest.¡±


    ¡°Tch¡­ suit yourself. I never forget a face and I have access to the seat of government. All those records, pictures, names. I¡¯ll find out who you are. Anonymity won¡¯t protect you,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    The cultist smiled smugly. ¡°It hasn¡¯t been even a day and you¡¯ve already forgotten the truce. That¡¯s the problem with you people. Never grateful for the opportunities we give you. Always yapping like dogs. Deluded in thinking that we are the same,¡± the man sneered. ¡°Well¡­ the proper order has been restored. As your betters, we will rise above your scrabbling claws always trying to drag as down to your level.¡± The man held his head high. ¡°Even if you¡¯ve managed to get your computers up and running, I doubt you¡¯ll find my accurate likeness in your files. Do you honestly think you can rely on a thirty year old DMV picture? And here I thought you were supposed to be sharp. I suppose you¡¯re not bad¡­ when compared to the rest of your kind.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ were you saying something?¡± Remy said.


    ¡°You don¡¯t deserve your good fortune,¡± the cultist said. ¡°You¡¯d be begging for scraps from my table if you hadn¡¯t lucked into your abilities!¡±


    Further ranting was interrupted by the captives¡¯ arrival.


    Women and girls, a few as young as four, filed into the yard.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    ¡°As promised. Our guests are now yours,¡± the cultist sneered.


    Remy saw it right away. He almost struck out and killed all of the cultists with their own metal weapons.


    Some of the women were dead-eyed. They stared ahead or at the ground without truly seeing anything, without awareness of their surroundings. Other women¡¯s eyes darted around them. They were hunched inwardly, afraid of the cultists, of Remy and Detective Ordonez. The women were all hollowed out in some way. They looked dead inside to Remy.


    The girls were in better shape. The fear was there, but not the emptiness.


    All of them looked thin, but not malnourished.


    Remy could only imagine what they had endured in their long captivity.


    ¡°Is that all of them?¡± Remy said.


    ¡°As promised,¡± the cultist said. ¡°The Deep Azure is honorable. His word is beyond question.¡±


    ¡°He believes what he¡¯s saying is true,¡± Detective Ordonez said. ¡°Except, I count forty-six people. More than the number taken from Old Sac.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. We¡¯re taking them all.¡± Remy regarded the women and girls. ¡°Um¡­ we¡¯re taking you out of this place. They can¡¯t hurt you anymore.¡± The cultists grumbled, but fuck them. They were lucky that Remy wasn¡¯t ripping them to shreds.


    Some of the women looked up at that. Hope bloomed hesitantly.


    ¡°Let me just make a¡­ uh¡­ vehicle to carry you guys.¡± Remy created multiple magnetic fields. The pain was excruciating, but worth it.


    The prison buildings rumbled, then shook violently as metal tore free and crashed together above the cultist with a frightening din.


    The cultists scattered as Remy let the twisted metal mass crash to the ground.


    He had pulled indiscriminately. Cell bars, pipes, lights, even tables and benches were crushed together.


    The prison buildings had been ruined. The walls facing the inner yard were simply gone. It was as if giant hands had torn them open.


    Remy took the metal mass and melded it all together. He shaped it into a large rectangular box, almost like a bus. He waved his hand and the metal flowed like liquid to reveal an opening.


    ¡°Please, climb aboard,¡± Remy said.


    The women hesitated.


    ¡°Could use some windows,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    The metal flowed at Remy¡¯s will and small openings appeared in regular intervals on the two long sides.


    ¡°How about some seats?¡±


    Remy frowned, but complied. He added handles for good measure. ¡°Sorry, I can¡¯t make them comfortable.¡±


    ¡°Alright, ladies, let¡¯s get out of this shit hole!¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    That got the women moving.


    Remy choked up when he saw the women with children as they filed past him into the giant metal box.


    A four year old girl hugged his leg tight as she and her mother walked past him.


    He tried to smile and laid a gentle hand on the girl¡¯s head.


    Sorrow and fury warred within him.


    The girl had been two when she was unjustly imprisoned, kidnapped by any proper standard. She had known nothing beyond this evil prison among the horrid cult.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± the girl¡¯s mother said before pulling her daughter away.


    Remy nodded. His thought on his own daughters.


    ¡°Can you fly us all the way back?¡± Detective Ordonez said. She hadn¡¯t missed the flashes of pain that Remy¡¯s face had revealed whenever he had used his power.


    ¡°Might have to take some breaks, but I¡¯ll get everyone back.¡±


    Detective Ordonez boarded last. Remy sealed up the opening and levitated up to the roof.


    A glint a few miles distant caught his eye.


    It was a spire rising up out of the ocean. Higher than the tallest sky scrapers, it seemed to rise forever, swallowed by the clouds.


    Remy frowned.


    The spire seemed to be located over where the Deep Azure¡¯s temple had lain, buried deep beneath the ocean floor.


    Where he had last seen his daughters.


    ¡°If you have withheld any other unjustly imprisoned people,¡± Remy addressed the gather cultists, ¡°then I will come back to finish what I started here. I will destroy this place. I will destroy everything you care about like I did your evil temple. Then I will destroy you. All of you.¡± The threat of violence came easy. He had change over the last few years, the last few days. He didn¡¯t like it, but it was necessary to face the darkness all around him.


    The wind whipped in Remy¡¯s ears, drowning out the cultist¡¯s curses hurled at his back, as he pushed and pulled the large metal box under his feet up into the sky.


    Bright yellow sun and clear blue all around him.


    He should have felt free, happy, refreshed.


    He couldn¡¯t, not while he didn¡¯t know his daughters¡¯ fates.


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    Veronica couldn¡¯t scream with the thick coils, bigger than she was wide, constricting tightly around her.


    Mads was right. She had seen a snake.


    Except for the furry part.


    Well, partially right.


    Veronica felt the fur scratching against her exposed skin.


    Except it wasn¡¯t the soft and fluffy kind.


    It was harsh and hard, like steel wool.


    She had acted with superhuman quickness to thrust her left hand up over her head, out of the tight coils, to protect Twinkle Star, who was squeaking in terror. Unfortunately, her right hand was crushed tight against her body along with her staff.


    The giant snake pulled her for what felt like dozens of feet into the dark jungle.


    Nope, Veronica thought, not happening.


    Moon and starlight was enough to give her a good look at her surroundings.


    More snakes thrashed around her. It looked and sounded like there were dozens.


    A huge head, bigger than her torso opened up and hissed in her face.


    Nope.


    It was hard to make out details in the darkness despite her superior night vision, but the head looked like a mix between a snake and a lizard, the big, scary kinds. Except with wiry fur framing its face.


    Definitely nope.


    Fortunately, Veronica didn¡¯t need to point to use her power.


    She nailed the giant furry snake with the strongest electromagnetic pulse she could manage under the circumstances.


    The snake recoiled and in its uncontrolled spasms, loosened its coils around Veronica just enough so that she could burst loose with a surge of superhuman strength.


    She hit the ground running, tucking Twinkle Star into his bag, as she headed straight for their camp.


    Another snake darted in from the side.


    She jumped up and banged her head on a tree branch over fifteen feet off the jungle ground. She reacted quickly and grabbed the branch with her free hand and swung herself under and up just before another snake speared through the space beneath her.


    The racket the snakes were making was thunderous.


    It sounded like they were knocking trees over in their hunger.


    Veronica climbed higher. She glanced back. Frowned. Something big was charging through the jungle. She had the impression of a thick, powerful body and thudding steps trampling the undergrowth like a supercharged elephant.


    What the hell?


    Snakes didn¡¯t have legs.


    The creature, animal or monster, she had no way of knowing which, barged through a thick, gnarled tree, probably decades old, and exploded it sending splinters as tall as Veronica shooting out in all directions.


    ¡°Oh crap balls!¡±


    They weren¡¯t a bunch of giant furry snakes after all.


    Well¡­ they were, but not exactly.


    All of the snakes were connected to one body. It wasn¡¯t quite as tall as an elephant, but was a lot wider, thicker and more muscular. Thick, coarse fur covered most of it. The tree-trunk thick snakes were connected to the front of the body, where a normal animal¡¯s head would be.


    Veronica recalled its like from her dad¡¯s Magic cards.


    It was a weird alien version of a hydra.


    ¡°Help!¡± Veronica screamed out as she jumped to another tree like a monkey to avoid a couple of striking snake heads.


    Where the hell was everyone?


    They definitely should¡¯ve heard the racket.


    The others did, in fact, hear.


    Johnny sprang awake screaming about his danger sense a split-second after Veronica had been snatched.


    Tessa woke next, kanabo already in hand and was just about to dash of into the jungle. She had noted that Veronica had been missing in the instant she opened her eyes and was already tracking the violent sounds in the jungle.


    Unfortunately, they had their own problems.


    The marsh water a few hundred yards away exploded as other creatures attacked.


    ¡°Go get Vee!¡± Johnny drew his sword.


    Tessa was dubious about leaving her friends. Veronica could handle herself for at least a little bit. Right?


    ¡°We can hold these things off,¡± Gene said, ¡°just¡­ try to hurry back with your sister,¡± he gulped.


    Tessa took a small bit of metal out of her pouch and magnetically accelerated it to supersonic speed. The projectile tore the upper jaw off a creature¡¯s fang-filled head.


    It was too bad that her dad hadn¡¯t been able to fill her pouch with more metal bits back in the temple of disgusting evil. She had to be judicious with her limited ammunition supply.


    The instant kill momentarily slowed the creatures¡¯ charge, which allowed the rest of her friends to get up and get their weapons ready.


    Tessa turned and dashed into the dark jungle. She followed the sounds of branches and trees being splintered.


    Gene hoped he hadn¡¯t made a mistake.


    The creatures, he didn¡¯t know if they were regular animals, mutant versions, or monsters, were a mix of fish, amphibian and reptile. Their armored heads resembled a snapping turtle¡¯s mixed with a crocodile. A wicked looking beak was joined by dagger teeth. They had two, clawed front legs, armor-plated like the rest of its upper body. Their back end was slick and scaly tapering into a muscular looking tail, like an eel¡¯s.


    They moved in erratic lunges that covered a frightening amount of space.


    ¡°Fuck, so fast,¡± Olo said breathlessly.


    ¡°And huge,¡± Johnny said. ¡°I just want you guys to know that¡­ I love you all, even you, Mads.¡±


    For once Mads didn¡¯t have a sharp retort.


    Gene couldn¡¯t believe how big the creatures were. He was reminded of those crocodiles killing poor zebras and wildebeests that had just wanted to get back to the pride lands in those YouTube clips he had watched a long time ago.


    The thought that he was about to experience what that was like firsthand, might have led to a bit of pee squeezing loose.


    ¡°What do we do, Gene?¡± Bastien said. ¡°I can¡¯t use any of my anti-evil magic. These things aren¡¯t evil. They just want dinner.¡±


    ¡°Olo, taunt and tank. Johnny look for backstabbing opportunities. Bastien and Mads stay back, try to help anyway you can if you have a safe opening,¡± Gene spoke in one breath. His heart raced as the creatures closed. A few more jumps and they would have contact. ¡°Magic Missile!¡± he screamed. Small, glowing orbs of purple streaked across the darkness, out beyond where the campfire¡¯s faded. He had spread out his targets. One orb for each creature.


    They hissed as the magic missiles burned into their exposed flesh. Steam rose from each impact.


    The four creatures slowed, but didn¡¯t stop.


    Gene stepped forward next to Olo and thrust his free hand out again. ¡°Fire Spray!¡± Bright orange flames shot out of his hand as he waved it in an arc and set the grass twenty feet out on fire.


    The creatures stopped for a moment, but the grass was damp and short. The flames didn¡¯t rise too high for them to leap over.


    ¡°On me!¡± Olo stepped forward and banged his shield.


    The creatures went for him. Two a dozen feet ahead of the other two.


    ¡°Fireball!¡± Gene blew one out of the air and sent it rolling into the burning grass. It shrieked as it flopped wildly.


    Olo thrust his spear into the second creature¡¯s open mouth. The big young man held on thanks to his Enhanced Strength skill, but his spear shaft didn¡¯t. It snapped with a loud crack and Olo had to shuffle back, using his shield to redirect the dying creature¡¯s leaping charge to the side.


    The spear blade must¡¯ve hit its brain, as its thrashing slowed, then stopped.


    Olo fumbled at his belt for his custom axe-mace, one side resembled a flanged mace, while the other an axe blade. Remy had made it out of one piece of metal. It weighed close to fifteen pounds and required all of Olo¡¯s enhanced strength to wield.


    The creatures moved too quickly. One was on him.


    ¡°Shield Bash!¡± Olo battered the lead one and stunned it for a precious second.


    The second creature charged in.


    ¡°Quick Cut!¡± Gene stepped in and carved a deep gash along the creature¡¯s unarmored tail. ¡°Mage Shield!¡± He conjured the ghostly buckler just in time to block the creature¡¯s lashing tail. Gene¡¯s pained shout drowned out the sound of the bones in his hand and arm shattering. His spell wasn¡¯t strong enough to mitigate the force of the creature¡¯s muscular tail. He lashed out wildly with his longsword as he desperately stumbled back, all thoughts of proper footwork forgotten.


    The creature lunged after Gene.


    A burning brand spun over Gene¡¯s shoulder and struck the creature in its eye. Its cry split the night. It shook its head madly, the ruined eye splattered fluids.


    Mads thrust another length of wood into the campfire. She was out of ammunition, but it seemed that her enhanced vision and aiming skills didn¡¯t strictly require her guns.


    The creature recovered and eyed Mads.


    Gene stepped in front of her. Shattered arm cradled, blade pointed forward.


    The creature¡¯s muscular body tensed.


    ¡°On Me!¡±


    The creature lunged at Olo. As did the previously stunned one near him.


    ¡°Cleave!¡± Olo swung the flanged side of his axe-mace in a flat arc across his body, left to right. He caught both creatures, breaking teeth even as their weight carried into him and knocked him to the ground.


    The creatures bore down on Olo and he desperately tried to keep the snapping jaws from his face with his shield and weapon. Olo was half again as strong as he would¡¯ve been without the passive strength skill, but it was like trying to bench press a ton when the bar had razor-sharp teeth and was trying to bite his head off. He didn¡¯t have a chance.


    ¡°Quick Blades!¡± Johnny appeared on a creature¡¯s back. Rather he had hopped on, it was just that no one, not even the creature had noticed. ¡°Bleed, motherfucker!¡± His hands were a blur as he stabbed and sliced all over the creature¡¯s head, striking at the narrow gaps in the armor-like plates.


    The creature shrieked and slithered off Olo, looking for its hidden attacker.


    Johnny was long gone.


    Bastien stepped up to the second creature and slammed his halberd down at the thinnest part near the end of its tail. He cut deep, almost to the bone.


    The creature spun and snapped at Bastien, who had already retreated.


    While Olo clambered to his feet another burning brand flew and struck the creature in it¡¯s remaining eye.


    ¡°Fire Spray!¡±


    The blinded creature lunged at the sound of Gene¡¯s voice, but it was too late. The young man bathed the creature¡¯s head in flames.


    Gene couldn¡¯t believe how well things were going.


    ¡°We¡¯re doing this, guys! Keep it up!¡±


    As it turned out, he had jinxed them.


    There was a loud smack as the creature he had set on fire thrashed around wildly.


    Someone cried out.


    A body went flying back past the campfire and hit a thick tree with a dull crack.


    ¡°Johnny!¡± Bastien rushed over.


    Gene¡¯s eyes widened. He rushed the burning creature. Fortune turned. His furious thrust slipped into the creature¡¯s ruined eye. The creature ripped the sword from Gene¡¯s hands in its death throes.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡± Olo broke the armor-like plate on the creature Johnny had bled. He flipped his axe-mace. ¡°Power Strike!¡± The axe blade sunk deep into the creature¡¯s head with a dull thunk.


    It dropped to the ground and stayed still.


    Gene turned to go to Johnny¡¯s side. As did Olo.


    They had forgotten about the fourth creature.


    Mads didn¡¯t miss it, but she was too far away and she didn¡¯t have a burning brand to throw.


    The creature opened its gaping mouth.


    Mads saw something that didn¡¯t make sense.


    A small spark.


    Then a spat glob of fire flew in an arc toward Gene¡¯s unsuspecting back.


    ¡°Look out!¡± Olo was at Gene¡¯s side in what seemed like an instant. He pushed his friend to the side.


    The glob of fire engulfed him.


    Gene¡¯s shattered arm sent waves of pain through him, enough for his vision to briefly dim, but he fought it off. He saw the creature open its mouth wide.


    ¡°Fireball!¡±


    The flaming projectile met the same spark and blew the creature¡¯s head up into burning chunks.


    Mads had rushed to Olo¡¯s side and was desperately trying to smother the flames as Olo rolled.


    His friend was completely silent.


    Gene found that even worse than if Olo had been screaming. He hurried to help Mads.


    Olo¡¯s chest plate and helmet were blackened. His skin was blistered and oozing red. His eyes were shut tight, but Gene could see liquid leaking out the sides.


    Olo moved weakly, his mouth was clenched tight.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Olo. Bastien has a healing aura.¡± Gene knew that Bastien¡¯s healing abilities were nowhere near Mrs. Cruces¡¯ level. He couldn¡¯t do anything for Olo and probably Johnny.


    It wasn¡¯t fair. They were winning. Fighting and killing dangerous and powerful creatures all by themselves. These things weren¡¯t just small gremlins and mutant squirrels and birds.


    ¡°Gene,¡± Mads whispered in a shaky voice, ¡°the water.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t see that far into the dark.¡±


    ¡°I-I-I think more are coming.¡±

 4.24

    Now, Threnosh World


    Gene could hear the marsh water roil in the darkness.


    Time seemed to slow.


    He grabbed his sword and stood in front of Mads and Olo. ¡°Get Olo away. I¡¯ll try to give you time.¡±


    Gene knew that his internal mana supply was too low for any spells. Using one now would leave him crashing. The sheer terror of the fight with the creatures had led him to instinctively push more mana into his individual spells than he normally did. It had meant that the spells had been more powerful at the cost of a lack of control, which meant inefficiency, thus greater drain on his mana.


    The creatures burst out of the water.


    Gene could only see a wall of snapping teeth, armored plates and powerful muscle.


    He screamed and held his longsword high.


    The creatures lunged him like a crashing wave.


    Behind him Mads screamed.


    Time slowed.


    Gene was confused.


    Mad¡¯s hadn¡¯t sounded scared, but more excited.


    Gene blinked.


    The creatures seemed to be suspended in midair.


    Ah, he realized that this was what it must¡¯ve been like when one was close to death. The whole ¡®life flashing before your eyes¡¯ thing.


    Except.


    He wasn¡¯t seeing his life.


    Indeed, he could hear the creatures jaws snapping and their muscles straining even as they were held in place.


    There were so many.


    At least that meant he wouldn¡¯t suffer. One crushing bite and he¡¯d be dead.


    ¡°Gene!¡± Mads snapped.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Gene turned and looked at her dumbly. ¡°Wha¡ª¡±


    Mads was pointing up into the night sky.


    Gene couldn¡¯t see anything, it was too dark.


    ¡°There¡¯s someone flying this way, fast! Looks like a person wearing high-tech armor.¡±


    Gene squinted, but gave up and fixed his gaze on the dozen or so creatures still held in place as if by invisible hands.


    ¡°A person, Gene! A human!¡± Mads grinned. ¡°Don¡¯t you get it?¡±


    A loud boom echoed from high above them.


    Gene was almost knocked over by a powerful gust of wind.


    When he picked himself up off the ground he saw that the creatures were dead. Broken and twisted.


    ¡°Shit!¡± In staring at certain death, Gene had forgotten his friends were seriously injured or worse. ¡°Olo! Johnny!¡±


    <hr>


    Tessa sprinted through the dark jungle. The stars gave her enough light to see the branches and roots in her way. But she didn¡¯t have time to avoid them. She plowed right through them beast mode-style like that one football player from the old days. Olo would always play clips he had saved on his laptop for some reason.


    She splintered thick, low hanging branches with her kanabo, while roots that caught her legs snapped, barely slowing her stride.


    Tessa was making a lot of noise, but she was drowned out by the sounds coming from ahead. It sounded like two giants were wrestling, slamming each other through the trees.


    She came up on some movement.


    Something really long, thicker than her body, and covered in fur was writhing through the thick undergrowth.


    Tessa plucked a few bits of metal from her small bag and aimed.


    A crashing sound to the left had her throw herself to the ground.


    Something shot above her.


    The mass of its passing reminded her of that one time in her younger days when she had been playing too close to the edge of the train platform when a train had zipped by. She had a scare that time, though not as much as her mother had.


    Tessa rolled and kipped up to her feet.


    She shoot her handful of metal into the side of the mass.


    Instantaneous acceleration meant that the tiny projectiles hit just as hard even after only traveling a few feet.


    There was a load roar as Tessa was showered by blood and guts as the mass exploded.


    Tessa wiped her eyes with disgust and spat out bloody bits. She needed to learn to keep her mouth closed or wear a mask.


    So much for Mads¡¯ giant furry snake, she thought with satisfaction. Now she just needed to find Veronica. There seemed to be at least another one out there, hunting, which suggested her sister was still alive.


    A tree to her left exploded in a shower of sword-like splinters that cut her clothing and scratched her skin. She sprang back several dozen feet on superhumanly strong legs.


    A large head, lizard and snake-like, snapped at her with a mouth filled with blade-like teeth.


    She battered it with her kanabo as she continued to jump back.


    The giant furry snake was strong and tough.


    She was hitting it hard, the thwacks echoing out like gunshots, but it kept after her. She caught a glimpse of a big shadowy mass a few hundred feet behind the snake. It was bulldozing trees.


    What the hell?


    Tessa jumped to the side.


    The snake followed, turning on its own body and striking.


    She swung with all her might.


    The snake snapped its jaws shut on the upper half of the over five-foot long kanabo.


    Tessa held on tight and pulled.


    The two strained against each other¡¯s strength for a moment.


    Then Tessa found herself whipped from side to side high in the air.


    She had super strength, but even with her denser bones and muscles she only weighed around two hundred pounds.


    It was a trivial amount for the creature to lift. No amount of bracing and pulling on Tessa¡¯s part could overcome physics.


    ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang!¡±


    Tessa felt the snake spasm. Then she was flying into the air. The sky was clear for a moment then she was swallowed up by the tree canopy as she crashed back to the ground.


    She stood up quickly even as she tried to get her wind back.


    ¡°Tessa! Tessa!¡±


    Veronica¡¯s voice.


    Tessa followed it until she found her sister high up in a strange alien tree. It was as tall and thick as the sequoias in the national park they used to go to every year, but as gnarled and sprawling as an oak.


    ¡°Not snakes!¡±


    It was hard to hear Veronica¡¯s voice over the crashing jungle.


    Tessa made a motion in an attempt to silence her sister. Didn¡¯t Veronica know that she was drawing the snakes¡¯ attention?


    The huge tree shook with a tremendous crash, but held.


    Tessa¡¯s heart leapt into her throat as she watched Veronica slip and almost fall from probably five hundred feet up.


    The shadowy bulldozer must¡¯ve hit the tree.


    Tessa could make out several giant furry snakes coiling around and through the tree¡¯s sprawling trunk and branches as they searched for Veronica.


    Tessa raced toward them. ¡°Hey! Come get me!¡±


    ¡°Not snakes!¡± Veronica called back.


    Damn it, shut up! Tessa thought. She rounded to the left side. Searching for a line of attack that¡¯d let her hit multiple snakes with each shot. She only had a handful of ammunition left.


    As Tessa reached the other side of the massive tree, she finally realized what Veronica had been shouting.


    ¡°It¡¯s a hydra!¡± Veronica¡¯s voice drifted down to Tessa.


    Tessa couldn¡¯t count the number of heads. They were writhing around too much.


    The hydra was enormous. It was bigger than an elephant, taller, much wider, built with big, strong muscles that visibly rippled even beneath the thick coat of wiry fur.


    A long, thick tail lashed from side to side as its heads strained upward in their search for Veronica.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have enough for this thing,¡± Tessa whispered.


    It was too big, too thick for a few small bits of metal. It had already shown that it could handle being hit with her kanabo.


    ¡°I¡¯ll lead it away. I¡¯ll lose it and come back to camp. You need to head back. There are a bunch of smaller monsters attacking. You need to help the others!¡± Tessa shouted.


    Veronica yelled something back, but it was drowned out by the loud boom as Tessa magnetically accelerated her last handful of metal bits into the flank of the hydra.


    Sparks lit up the dark jungle.


    Fuck!


    The damn thing was armored.


    The hydra¡¯s heads slithered out of the tree and it turned its massive bulk to face Tessa.


    She had its attention.


    The many heads shook, hissed and roared independently of each other.


    The hydra charged at Tessa with steps that sent tremors radiating across the ground.


    She turned and ran.


    Tessa was fast.


    The hydra was hampered by the need to bull its way through the thick undergrowth.


    How had it managed to follow them all the way from the spires without drawing their attention?


    A mouth snapped just behind Tessa.


    She took a sharp right around a thick cluster of huge trees.


    A dozen heads slithered through large enough gaps or punched right through and snapped at Tessa.


    If she wasn¡¯t superhuman she would¡¯ve been a light snack.


    She dodged, ducked, dipped, dived and dodged.


    The Five D¡¯s!


    The hysterical thought flashed through her head.


    Focus!


    She ran sharply left and suddenly found herself sliding down a steep hill.


    The hydra crashed through the tree right behind her.


    Another tree loomed ahead of Tessa. She thrust her kanabo into it and pushed herself to one side.


    The hydra had no problems. It simply trampled right through.


    The hill opened up into a long drop down to a rushing river.


    Tessa only had a split second before the hydra reached her.


    Jump!


    She obeyed the voice in her head. Only realizing that it sounded different from the voice of her internal thoughts as she plummeted to the raging river.


    A dark shadow covered her from above.


    The hydra had gone over right behind her. Too big to stop itself.


    Tessa suddenly felt herself shoot forward with a burst of speed. Then she was heading up into the sky. Her stomach dropped. Not unlike a slingshot ride.


    She looked back as the hydra continued to plummet into the river. Its many heads hissing with indignation.


    ¡°I can fly,¡± she whispered. A delighted smile crossed her face only to fall when a voice spoke in her head.


    I got you. You and Veronica are safe now.


    Tessa belatedly realized that she wasn¡¯t flying of her own accord. It was like an invisible hand was carrying her high above the tree tops.


    In the distance she spotted Veronica floating next to a figure clad in full body, high-tech armor and a helmet with a translucent faceplate.


    She couldn¡¯t make out the man¡¯s features in the darkness, but Veronica had a huge smile and was waving excitedly.


    Tessa relaxed.


    For some reason, she believed the words.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    She was safe.


    She let out a loud whoop. A myriad of emotions went into it, but mostly relief.


    The nightmare that had began with the destruction of her family home had lasted lest than a week, but Tessa had felt as if she had aged years.


    So much had happened in such a short amount of time. From fighting the fishmen in her neighborhood, to the Deep Azure in its evil temple, to this strange alien jungle and its own terrible creatures.


    Tessa suddenly remembered her friends.


    She opened her mouth to shout, but her words were swallowed by the wind as they took off with a burst of speed toward the camp.


    I know. They¡¯re fine. We¡¯ll pick them up then get out of here.


    The voice in her head became familiar.


    Uncle Cal? Tessa thought. She shield her eyes from the wind as she stared at the armored figure ahead of her, Veronica at his side.


    Yes. The voice in her head paused. I have so many things to say, to ask, but there¡¯ll be time for that later. We need to get out of this jurisdiction before we run into anyone else.


    Er¡­ are we talking in my head.


    Tessa imagined her uncle¡¯s wry grin.


    Lots of things have happened.


    Tessa felt a surge of sadness, uncertainty, fear.


    The sensations vanished just as suddenly, like a rice cooker lid slamming shut to keep the steam in.


    Later. The other kids need medical attention.


    <hr>


    Cal had to amend the term kids.


    They weren¡¯t kids anymore. Not like he remembered, which made sense since people aged as time passed.


    He felt dumb for being surprised that they had grown.


    The stupidly self-named Team F.C.W.R. and Mads, his two nieces.


    The young men would¡¯ve been close to their mid 20¡¯s, Mads a year or two younger. Tessa was around 20. Veronica, the baby, was 14? 15?


    The Veronica remembered was still a little chubby cheeked. Not the long limbed, gangly gazelle, flying in his telekinetic grip next to him.


    Cal sighed ruefully. She was a couple of inches taller than him now.


    They all were taller now.


    Sometimes being a manlet was tough.


    The dark ocean expanse beneath them was vast, immense.


    He could sense the fear, tension and worry coming off his passengers. Like the waves thousands of feet below.


    He had gotten used to flying without the perceived safety of a vehicle. The kids hadn¡¯t.


    Ten years since the spires appeared. No more plane flights.


    When was the last time Tessa and Veronica had flown in a plane?


    Cal found the memory in an instant.


    His little sister¡¯s, Rayna¡¯s, high school graduation.


    They had flown down to Southern California for that.


    Cal and Nila had driven the six hours since he didn¡¯t like flying.


    The irony didn¡¯t escape him.


    That fear had been conquered years ago.


    He could feel their eyes on him.


    Their whispered thoughts were full of doubt.


    Was he really who he said he was?


    Was he their Uncle Cal? Or the guy that babysat them on monster clearing runs in Target, Home Depot, grocery stores and strip malls?


    Not just doubts. Hope as well.


    But fear above all. For themselves and for each other.


    The battle with the creatures had cost them dearly.


    Cal could hear their thoughts blend together despite his best effort to respect their privacy and protect himself with telepathic walls.


    It was like sitting in a crowded dinner party and eavesdropping at all of the different conversations.


    From the loud ones to the hushed ones. There was no escaping them. Unlike the dinner party, he couldn¡¯t simply leave the table.


    Cal took a deep breath and reinforced his invisible walls.


    The noise lessened, but didn¡¯t vanish completely.


    A notice flashed in Cal¡¯s faceplate.


    The aerial transport was in position in neutral airspace, just on the edge of Prime Eternal Warden 1¡¯s jurisdiction.


    ¡°Be advised, interceptor squadrons inbound on your position,¡± the communicator¡¯s flat voice filled Cal¡¯s helmet.


    He expanded the small projection of the map in the corner of his faceplate to overlay over his entire field of view.


    There were a lot of interceptors. Out this far over the ocean meant multiple aerial transports since the interceptors didn¡¯t have that kind of range.


    Cal wasn¡¯t concerned. He flew faster even while carrying people.


    ¡°Maintain position. I¡¯m ten minutes away. Have the medics prepare three pods. One human seriously injured. Two critically injured.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Cal kept the speed constant and they soon reached the transport.


    The rear ramp opened and he flew everyone directly into the large space.


    As soon as the ramp closed. Tessa tapped him on the shoulder.


    ¡°Uncle Ca¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shh¡­ not a word.¡±


    The door into the next compartment slide open with a soft hiss. Threnosh in medical-type power armor entered.


    ¡°I go by Honor on this world. Please don¡¯t use my real name,¡± Cal grinned sheepishly, ¡°I swear it made sense to me at the time,¡± he shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ll explain later.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Tessa eyes narrowed. ¡°That¡¯s weird, but okay.¡±


    ¡°Weird,¡± Veronica agreed.


    Cal sighed. ¡°Just¡ª I¡¯ll explain¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ª later,¡± Tessa and Veronica echoed.


    Cal kept Olo and Johnny levitated as the medical personnel scanned them with their instruments.


    The Threnosh finished their task quickly and promptly walked back into the compartment.


    Cal followed with Olo and Johnny.


    The rest trailed behind.


    ¡°Keep going,¡± Cal pointed to the next door, ¡°there are seats in the next compartment. I¡¯ll be along in a bit. Except for you, Gene.¡±


    ¡°Help them, but please be quick. We have a lot to tell you,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Mom, Dad and Aunt Nila need help,¡± Veronica pleaded.


    That got Cal¡¯s attention. He almost stopped to ask, but focused on the critically injured.


    ¡°Just wait. I¡¯ll be there soon.¡±


    Cal could see the questions in their eyes, but they listened.


    Gene¡¯s face was pale, sweaty. He held his steel helmet limply in his right hand. He cradled his broken left arm close to his body. ¡°Can you really help them?¡± he only had eyes for Olo and Johnny.


    ¡°Threnosh medical tech is basically like magic,¡± Cal looked at Olo¡¯s burn-ravaged skin, ¡°I¡¯ve relied on it once or twice before.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Gene said in a small voice.


    ¡°Trust me. I¡¯m confident they¡¯ll be fine,¡± Cal grinned and pointed at a medical pod, ¡°now take off your clothes and get in the pod.¡±


    ¡°What? No, that¡¯s alright. You should take care of Olo and Johnny first.¡±


    ¡°Their pods need more time to prep.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Gene sighed. He dropped his helmet, unbuckled his sword belt. Boots and pants followed. The steel chest piece and the padded kevlar coat beneath present a problem. ¡°I can¡¯t get my top and bracers.¡±


    Cal gave Gene a telekinetic hand.


    ¡°So, what happens?¡± Gene was naked and stepped into the medical pod.


    ¡°Place the mask over your face. It will automatically create a seal,¡± the medic said flatly in the standard Threnosh speech pattern, ¡°do not move.¡±


    ¡°Relax, man,¡± Cal said. ¡°Your broken arm is about to be fixed in less than a day.¡±


    Gene¡¯s eyes widened. He nodded and put the mask on.


    The pod¡¯s clear door swung shut and sealed with a hiss. It reclined back until Gene was flat on his back. The healing liquid filled the pod up.


    When it was full, Gene¡¯s eyes fell shut as the anesthetic took effect nearly instantaneously.


    ¡°Honor, place the dark one on the preparation table. Portions of his attire and armor have been fused to his flesh due to the fire damage. We must cut the pieces off before immersion.¡±


    Cal complied with the medic and telekinetically placed Olo onto the table.


    ¡°Shit, Vee wasn¡¯t kinding¡­ tiny gray iron men,¡± Johnny said in a raspy voice. ¡°Cal? You an Iron Man too?¡±


    Cal shook his head. He wasn¡¯t surprised he had glimpsed inside Johnny¡¯s head. The young man had been fighting for consciousness during the entire flight to the transport.


    He had grappled with the ethical dilemma of forcing Johnny to stay unconscious in order to spare him the pain.


    He had seen the extent of Johnny¡¯s internal injuries.


    Horrific was the appropriate word.


    Johnny coughed and groaned, blood stained his lips.


    Cal read the pain radiating from Johnny¡¯s thoughts.


    And fear.


    ¡°I can¡¯t feel my legs,¡± Johnny said weakly. ¡°Just¡­ can you¡­ kill¡­ useless without my legs. Can¡¯t fight¡­ can¡¯t get stronger.¡± Tears flowed from his eyes.


    ¡°Things must¡¯ve changed since I last saw you. You¡¯ve always played the dumbass, but you never were one,¡± Cal said. ¡°Gaining Universal Points isn¡¯t the only thing in life.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it though?¡±


    ¡°Debatable. Besides, you don¡¯t necessarily need to fight to gain points. I¡¯ve seen Threnosh researchers and engineers get them for breakthroughs or designing something good or even improving something. Shit, my administrators get points for performing their tasks well. It¡¯s almost like they¡¯re getting paid for a job.¡±


    ¡°Not like that on our world,¡± Johnny wheezed.


    ¡°True,¡± Cal conceded. ¡°But now that the ten year initial period is over maybe it¡¯ll change.¡±


    Johnny looked down in confusion. ¡°Why are you taking my pants off?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, bro, but you have to be naked to use the awesome medical pod.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Like a bacta tank.¡±


    ¡°A what?¡± Johnny blinked in confusion.


    ¡°From Star Wars.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t remember¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a magnificent piece of Threnosh tech. Works almost like magic. It¡¯ll fix all of your injuries.¡±


    ¡°All¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yup, all of them.¡±


    ¡°Shit. What¡¯re you waiting for? Strip me naked and get me in there.¡±


    Cal chuckled. He had already gotten most of Johnny¡¯s gear and clothes off while distracting him with idle chatter. ¡°Have a good sleep. Try to have good dreams.¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ how long is this going to take?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t say for sure,¡± Cal lied, ¡°but when you wake up it¡¯ll be like no time had passed.¡±


    Johnny¡¯s injuries were horrendous. At a guess, Cal figured the young man¡¯s time in the pod would be measured in months rather than days.


    Cal telekinetically placed the mask over Johnny¡¯s face.


    The medic¡¯s thin fingers danced over the interface in their power armor¡¯s gauntlet, while the skeletal arms attached to their pack manipulated the pod¡¯s mechanisms.


    Johnny was in competent hands.


    Cal turned to the medics working to slice the fused cloth and metal from Olo¡¯s flesh. The smell of burnt human skin was awful, but Cal had been desensitized to such things thanks to his horrid experiences. His sense of smell may have been much better than it was from the pre-spires days, but he just ignored it. ¡°Will you need my help to get him into the pod?¡±


    ¡°Negative. Subject¡¯s mass is within the combined carrying capabilities of our exoskeletons,¡± the lead medic said.


    ¡°Please take care of them.¡±


    ¡°We will do as the task requires.¡±


    Cal nodded and headed to the next compartment where the others awaited.


    He knew that they had tons of questions for him.


    He had his own in return.


    One huge one in particular.


    He had only gotten hints of it from their turbulent thoughts.


    He needed to know what had caused them to travel from Earth to the Threnosh world.


    <hr>


    ¡°You have to help Mom and Dad and Aunt Nila and everyone else! Please, Uncle C¡ª¡± Veronica caught herself. Her uncle was being weird and lame, but he looked and sounded like she remembered. He stood in front of them near the front of the compartment with his left hand behind his back. ¡°Dad¡¯s fighting a big, evil monster god. Mom, Aunt Nila and the others are in the tunnels and they¡¯re flooding.¡±


    Her uncle¡¯s face was a stone mask behind a transparent faceplate as he stared at nothing in particular.


    ¡°The spire we came through is underwater now, but you¡¯re wearing high-tech power armor¡­ it can handle that, right?¡± Tessa said.


    Their uncle nodded. ¡°It¡¯s not powered, but it can be sealed with a limited oxygen and carbon dioxide recycling system¡­ can attach oxygen tanks.¡±


    ¡°Then you can fly back to the spire and help them,¡± Tessa said.


    Veronica watched her uncle¡¯s mask crack as a look of agony flashed across his face. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.


    ¡°I¡¯d be too late¡ª¡±


    Veronica joined Tessa in a loud protest.


    Her uncle held up his hands.


    ¡°You guys were in the jungle for about four days, Threnosh time. I don¡¯t know if it translates exactly to Earth time. I don¡¯t know how much time passes during the spire transit. I¡¯m sorry, but all probabilities suggest that I can¡¯t do anything to help.¡±


    It was hard to listen to the anguish and defeat in her uncle¡¯s voice. He had seemed so powerful and in control when he had flown them all across the open ocean with his powers.


    ¡°But you have to try!¡± Veronica pleaded.


    ¡°Fine, it¡¯s too late to go back through the same? Then take us to the same one you went through. It¡¯ll take us back to UC Davis. The Deep Azure wanted to capture us. It won¡¯t kill Mom, Dad, Aunt Nila¡­ the others,¡± Tessa¡¯s voice wavered.


    Veronica knew what her sister was thinking. She had heard, if that was the right word for it, the Deep Azure¡¯s voice as it spoke to her father, some of the conversation at least. She had seen what it had done to that soldier guy from Sacramento, what it did to Keisha. It didn¡¯t care about taking the others alive.


    ¡°Yeah, we need to free them before it does bad stuff to them,¡± Veronica said. The sounds of that old cult lady screaming on the altar echoed in her thoughts.


    Her uncle flinched and turned his gaze on her with pain in his eyes.


    ¡°Uncle, I¡¯m really worried about them. The the cult, the fishmen¡­ they do bad things to people,¡± Tessa said.


    Their uncle frowned. ¡°And you want me to send you back to face them?¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± Tessa snapped. ¡°What else can we do? We ran, left Dad in that evil temple.¡±


    ¡°You did what he told you to do.¡±


    Veronica felt a wave of sympathy wash over her. The guilt at running away lessened. It was as if someone had engulfed her in a warm, loving embrace and told her that she didn¡¯t do anything wrong.


    The sincerity of the feeling made her believe.


    Her uncle¡¯s eyes widened.


    The comforting feeling abruptly vanished and her heart sank at the reality.


    ¡°You can¡¯t go back. Not right away,¡± her uncle sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve been buying more tutorial stuff from the spires over the last few months. Every individual has a Universal Point value. The cost of traveling through a spire to another world is based on a percentage of this value, plus a bunch of other factors that, frustratingly, I am still unable to access. And, as you found out, traveling through the spire wipes your points down to zero even if you have more than the travel cost.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know,¡± Tessa glared, ¡°I got a few tutorials with my extra points, so I didn¡¯t waste them.¡±


    ¡°Then how did you expect to be able to go back?¡±


    ¡°You can give us points?¡± Veronica ventured.


    ¡°I can and I was planning to, but there¡¯s still the issue of the cooldown.¡±


    ¡°No fucking way!¡± Tessa screamed.


    ¡°Lang¡ª¡± their uncle caught himself. ¡°Again, it depends on variable factors, but even if you somehow managed to get enough points to travel in a short amount of time, you still might have to wait before you can travel again.¡±


    ¡°Fine, if we can¡¯t go back, then you go!¡±


    Veronica¡¯s eyes widened at Tessa¡¯s tone. It was disrespectful. Their parents wouldn¡¯t approve.


    Her uncle¡¯s eyes narrowed, but he was giving Tessa a lot leeway. ¡°I would, if it wasn¡¯t for you guys.¡±


    ¡°What the fuck is that supposed to mean!¡±


    Veronica laid a hand on Tessa¡¯s arm, but it was shrugged off.


    Her uncle¡¯s jaw clenched, but it seemed that he was willing to let Tessa carry on. ¡°There are¡­ entities¡­ on this world that I believe may be drawn to you. Whether it¡¯s because of you being Earthlings? Earthians¡ª we need a good name for ourselves¡ª or due to your level of power or even your blood relation to me. I¡¯ve had encounters with two such entities. They didn¡¯t go well for me. You would be defenseless. It¡¯d be guaranteed ¡®death or a fate worse than death¡¯ as the spire quests love to say,¡± her uncle¡¯s wry smile carried such a weight of sadness and fatigue.


    Veronica felt it, but it was gone just as quickly.


    Strange.


    ¡°What about your Threnosh allies? What if we work together if these entities attack? Will that be enough?¡± Tessa was determined. Like a dog on a bone.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure if you ever played WOW, but think of it like taking on a raid boss. You need quality and numbers for a chance. Even if you do everything perfectly, you¡¯re still assured heavy casualties.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re used to that,¡± Tessa growled.


    More sadness washed over Veronica.


    Her uncle shook his head.


    ¡°We have about two hours until we get back to base. I¡¯ll drop by the spire and send messages. I¡¯ll let all of your parents know that you¡¯re here and that you¡¯re safe. Bastien, Mads¡­ are your parents¡­¡±


    ¡°Mine are fine¡­ at least they should be¡­ I hope¡­¡± Bastien swallowed a lump in his throat. ¡°The fishmen were hitting us hard before we left town.¡±


    ¡°Same with mine,¡± Mads said.


    ¡°Okay. I don¡¯t know what Gene¡¯s, Johnny¡¯s and Olo¡¯s situations are like¡­ in fact¡­¡± A small tablet-like device with a dull, metallic gray-colored case floated out of a seamless opening in the compartment wall and landed in Mads¡¯ hands. ¡°It¡¯s basically like a smart phone. I¡¯ve already set it on the recording app, I guess you could call it that, just give me your parents¡¯ exact names and record your message. And give me the others¡¯ contacts. They won¡¯t be able to record messages, but I can at least let their family know that they¡¯re okay. Now, tell me about the fishmen, this cult, the Deep Azure¡­ tell me about¡­ everyone.¡±


    Veronica felt her uncle¡¯s worry like a palpable thing, even if his demeanor tried to hide it.


    It worried her, but she was sure that her uncle would do everything he could to help them¡­ all of them.

 4.25

    Now, Earth


    The guards waved Remy through into the courthouse. He had been exempted from the security procedures thanks to the governor¡¯s word. Not that he needed it. In truth there was nothing the guards could¡¯ve done to enforce compliance.


    The old building wasn¡¯t used much for its original purpose from the pre-spire days. Nowadays people didn¡¯t stream in and out for court business. They came for the spire housed within.


    The spire was phased through the floors, offices, and conference rooms. It continued out of the roof, all the way into the sky. It plunged below ground floor into storage areas.


    Remy had no doubt that if they dug into the ground the spire would continue, perhaps all the way to the Earth¡¯s core..


    He had been going to the spire multiple times each day over the last few days.


    His daughters and their friends had never emerged from the tunnels.


    The cult had continued to profess ignorance.


    Detective Ordonez had detected no lies in their words.


    Thus, Remy had no choice, but to believe.


    Despair and rage had twisted with him, threatening to turn him loose on the cultists and the fishmen.


    The truce be damned.


    The memory of the spire rising out of the bay had sparked hope, however slim.


    Perhaps his daughters had escaped the tunnels in a different way.


    He had been surprised to see that more message functionality had been unlocked. Previously, he couldn¡¯t send any messages to Cal in response to the ones his older brother had been sending until about two years ago.


    He sent a message and he waited for a reply that had yet to come.


    Hence the growing desperation as he constantly checked for word on his daughters¡¯ fates.


    Remy walked into the spire without breaking stride.


    The ethereal mists of the spire¡¯s interior no longer disturbed him. He walked with purpose, fixing what he wanted in his thoughts. His feet pounded on smoky nothingness for what seemed like minutes, then hours, then back to minutes.


    Before he knew it he found the right place.


    Something new.


    A blinking light in his eyes.


    A chime in his ears.


    There was a new message waiting for him.


    Hope bloomed in Remy¡¯s heart.


    Finally!


    ¡°They¡¯re safe? They¡¯re really safe!¡± Megan cried as she threw her arms around Remy¡¯s neck.


    ¡°Yeah, they¡¯re with Cal, all of them,¡± Remy¡¯s face hurt from the smiling.


    ¡°Cal¡¯s okay?¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s fine too.¡±


    ¡°Did he say why his last message was so long ago?¡±


    ¡°His message only said that he was detained. He didn¡¯t elaborate.¡± Remy was uncertain if he should¡¯ve shared his impressions with Nila. Cal had looked¡­ different. There was something in his eyes. Something concerning. Better to let his brother speak for himself. ¡°He said that he¡¯s coming back soon. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll explain.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to hug our babies,¡± Megan beamed.


    The smile on Remy¡¯s face dropped.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, not really. Just that the kids can¡¯t come back¡­ yet,¡± Remy grasped Megan¡¯s shoulders, ¡°don¡¯t worry. They just need to gain enough Universal Points to pay for the cost to travel back.¡±


    Megan¡¯s eyes narrowed. She knew what that meant.


    ¡°So, that¡¯s why I thought we could go upworld. We can keep an eye on them that way.¡± He looked to Nila. ¡°Plus, it¡¯ll mean that Cal can come home.¡±


    Nila nodded, words escaped her in the moment.


    ¡°How many points does it cost? I don¡¯t know if I have enough,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°I checked for me. I¡¯ll have plenty leftover thanks to the Quests I recently completed. So, I can give you what you need. We just need to check your price.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll need to use the UC Davis spire,¡± Nila said. A statement, not a question.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what Cal said. That spire connects to one close to his base. Once we go, he¡¯ll come back,¡± Remy said.


    Nila let out a long breath and smiled. ¡°Finally,¡± she sighed. ¡°Do you have anything you want me to tell the others?¡±


    ¡°Tell them I¡¯ll send them a spire message as soon as I regain enough points,¡± Remy said.


    Nila hugged both of them. ¡°Good luck! I hope everything goes good!¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°We can keep in touch through the spires,¡± Megan wiped her eyes. ¡°And we won¡¯t be gone long. It¡¯ll just be like a family vacation. The first one in ten years,¡± she laughed. ¡°Gosh, an alien world. It¡¯s hard to believe. Think of all the new wildlife.¡±


    ¡°Technically, we¡¯d be the aliens,¡± Remy added.


    They saw Nila to the door of their temporary home. It was loaned to them by the government. Free of charge in a clear attempt to woo Remy like a free agent superstar athlete.


    ¡°We need to pack. We need to find a place to store our things,¡± Megan said eyes darting to the boxes in the living room.


    ¡°I checked the rules on travel. It seems like anything more than what we¡¯re wearing and carrying with a backpack makes the cost go up quite a lot. Like going from economy to first class.¡±


    ¡°But our things?¡±


    ¡°Does it really matter?¡±


    ¡°No, I guess not. The kids are the most important. Keeping our family together is all that truly matters.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll see about storage options for the sentimental stuff while you go to the spire.¡±


    ¡°I want to leave as soon as possible,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°Same here. Wait for me at the spire.¡±


    A huge weight had been lifted from Remy¡¯s shoulders.


    He wasn¡¯t going to lose his daughters a second time.


    <hr>


    Now, Threnosh World


    ¡°Everyone sleep well?¡±


    Nods.


    ¡°How¡¯s your arm, Gene?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a little tender and sore, but¡­ it¡¯s amazing! I don¡¯t understand¡­¡±


    ¡°The magic of highly advanced science and technology,¡± Cal said. ¡°I see that you¡¯ve all figured out how to wear the single greatest piece of clothing in history,¡± he grinned.


    ¡°It feels like I¡¯m wearing nothing at all,¡± Bastien stood with his hands folded below his waist in front of him.


    ¡°Yeah, like I¡¯m totally naked,¡± Tessa frowned, her arms were crossed over her chest. Just like Mads and Veronica.


    ¡°But your not and I think the fabricators did a good job making modifications to preserve our collective modesty.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, my junk¡¯s totally not obvious,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°True, but I still feel naked,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get used to it. I have no idea how I¡¯ll manage to go back to Earthian clothes.¡±


    Veronica blew a raspberry. ¡°That¡¯s lame, Uncle Ca¡ª Honor,¡± she rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Almost, but not as bad as that,¡± Tessa agreed.


    ¡°Well, Designation: Human Female 2, I¡¯d like to see how much better your second name will be,¡± Cal smiled. He hadn¡¯t felt this light in a long time.


    ¡°Why even have another name? I know we¡¯ve got powers and all, but this isn¡¯t a superhero movie,¡± Tessa said. ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll just go with Metal Shooting Girl.¡±


    ¡°Your Uncle Eron once told me about seeing magic that used one¡¯s true name against them,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Oh yeah, but have you ever thought that since the Threnosh only know you as Honor, then maybe that¡¯s your true name now?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡± Cal blinked. ¡°That¡¯s actually a good point. I¡¯ll have to ask Eron about it.¡±


    ¡°I already know what superhero name I¡¯m going to use,¡± Veronica grinned.


    ¡°Anyone want to take bets on that?¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°Not a chance,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Too easy,¡± Mads said.


    ¡°Johnny would,¡± Gene said.


    That sobered them all up.


    ¡°Johnny will be fine.¡± Cal tapped his PID and brought forth a holographic projection with a bunch of charts, graphs and numbers. ¡°As you can see he is on track for a full recovery within two to three months.¡± He brought up a second set of vitals. ¡°Olo will be good to go in about three weeks.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just amazing,¡± Gene said in awe.


    ¡°Yeah, great,¡± Tessa said. ¡°When are you going to help our parents, Aunt Nila and the others?¡±


    The smile fell from Cal¡¯s face.


    ¡°I sent a message to your Dad and Mom and Nila. As well as all your parents,¡± he regarded Gene, Bastien and Mads, ¡°Olo¡¯s and Johnny¡¯s too. I¡¯m going to wait for a reply before proceeding.¡±


    ¡°How long?¡±


    ¡°A day.¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t get one?¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll have a tough decision to make,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°Is that good enough for you?¡±


    Tessa shrugged. ¡°For now.¡±


    ¡°Okay, good. Now, did you all have breakfast?¡±


    Nods and one glare.


    ¡°How was breakfast?¡±


    ¡°Surprisingly normal for being on an alien world,¡± Mads said.


    ¡°Yup, I was not expecting scrambled eggs, sausage and grilled veg,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°It was decent, except everything was just a little off,¡± Gene said, ¡°but no complaints. I figured we¡¯d be getting nutrient paste made out of bugs or something.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s more of a nutrient drink,¡± Cal said. ¡°Sausages were deercow. You can also get deercow burgers and steaks, a spaghetti-like dish with ground deercow and a tomato-like sauce. The eggs were from a miniature chicken-like bird. The vegetables are just vegetables, different I guess, but I don¡¯t really care about vegetables so it¡¯s all the same to me.¡±


    Veronica thrust a hand in the air.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Can I meet the deercow? I remember one of your messages said that you had them here.¡±


    ¡°Maybe later.¡±


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Veronica¡¯s smile vanished.


    ¡°Sorry, kid. We¡¯ve got too much to cover. I need to set you up here just in case I''m leaving soon and there isn¡¯t enough time.¡±


    ¡°Set us up for what?¡± Gene said.


    ¡°You need Universal Points to get back home. That means training. You need to improve your powers,¡± Cal looked at Tessa and Veronica, ¡°your magic and Skills,¡± he looked to Gene, Bastien and Mads. ¡°And all of you need to improve your physicals, skill, tactics, so on and so forth.¡±


    Tessa opened her mouth as if to say something, but stopped herself.


    ¡°You¡¯ll train with the special candidates, under Shira. I¡¯ll introduce you later, but you can also review their file. I¡¯ve already set you up with limited access to said files. Everyone here has the same permissions. I believe that it¡¯s good to know what your teammates can and can¡¯t do.¡±


    ¡°Oh my gosh!¡± Veronica brightened. ¡°Do you have a danger room?¡±


    Cal blinked then laughed. ¡°It¡¯s like you read my mind. And yeah, sorta. We call it the S.R.T.C. The Simulated Reality Training Chamber. It¡¯s a blend of something I bought from the spires¡¯ marketplace and Threnosh technology. A combined hardware and software unit that uses hard light holograms and drone technology to create almost true to life training simulations with almost endless variety. It took our programmers time to build the programs, but I think they¡¯ve done an awesome job. It¡¯s too bad that I was gone when they made their breakthroughs.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s totally a danger room!¡± Veronica cheered.


    ¡°We need to go to the fabrication facility first and get you fitted for your armor, then you can try out the S.R.T.C.¡± Cal said.


    They stared with wide eyed wonder at nearly everything.


    From the way the lighting inside the base perfectly mimicked the natural day light outside to the dozens of Threnosh they came across.


    Tessa temporarily forgot her anger and allowed herself to soak things in.


    Fabricators scanned them with their instruments and immediately began work on their armor.


    Veronica tried to talk to the Threnosh, but they ignored her as was their wont. If the sight of more humans affected them, they didn¡¯t show it. Their tasks were all that mattered.


    Cal led them into a medical chamber where more scans were performed.


    ¡°What¡¯s this for?¡± Tessa said skeptically.


    ¡°To help prepare treatment plans in the event of injury and illness,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure I¡¯m comfortable with ali¡ª other people having my vitals,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°That¡¯s fair, but it¡¯s also necessary to calibrate you to the S.R.T.C.¡±


    ¡°Uncle C¡ª Honor, can we just call it the danger room,¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°No, Designation: Human Female 3,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°Totally different.¡±


    ¡°Is it though?¡± Gene said. ¡°Serious question. I have no idea what a danger room is.¡±


    Veronica explained while the medical personnel continued their tasks.


    Once again it didn¡¯t take long before Cal was leading them to the training chamber.


    ¡°This is basically like a locker room,¡± Cal led them into a large chamber.


    Power armor berths were spread out evenly in ordered rows.


    Cal pointed at the ones closest to the door. ¡°Find your name. You all have your PIDs?¡±


    Wide-eyed nods.


    ¡°You¡¯ll find instructions on how to put on your armor. It¡¯s not the powered version, but the material the Threnosh use is so much better than anything back home. And no, I don¡¯t know the specifics on its manufacture. The Collective doesn¡¯t want to share that info.¡±


    ¡°How do we get to the instructions?¡± Bastien tapped and swiped the surface of his PID.


    ¡°Just ask,¡± Cal grinned. He was having way too much fun watching the amazed looks on all their faces. It reminded him of opening presents on Christmas. ¡°You¡¯ll also find the weapons you came with in your berths.¡±


    ¡°I was out of ammo,¡± Mads said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the engineers and fabricators were able to make some using my descriptions, poor drawings and by examining your shotgun. I think they got the most mileage out of the latter. You¡¯ve got fifty rounds each of slugs and shot. I remembered that you mixed between the two ammo types. I had a bunch of rounds test-fired to make sure they were safe. I hope you don¡¯t mind.¡±


    ¡°No, I was just going to ask about that. Thanks! I really appreciate it! I¡¯ve been feeling useless the past few days without ammo.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯ve got the fabricators working on copies using their superior material. In time you will also receive training with Threnosh weaponry. We¡¯ve developed some pretty cool ones through our experimental weapons program.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that sounds awesome! Like what?¡± Mads said.


    ¡°You¡¯ll see.¡±


    ¡°What are we going to fight?¡± Gene said.


    ¡°That will be a surprise,¡± Cal said. ¡°When you¡¯re ready just walk through that door, he pointed to the other side of the chamber.¡±


    Tessa found her small bag. She knew that it had been refilled without needing to look inside. She felt the telltale tingle of metal when she moved her hand close to it.


    ¡°Are there any restrictions? I mean for me. I wouldn¡¯t to break anything or punch holes into the walls and hit someone,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°No, you¡¯re good. The walls can handle it.¡±


    ¡°What about me? I don¡¯t want to fry your cool machines,¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°The training chamber itself is shielded against electromagnetic pulses. Remember, the hard light holograms and drones will be lifelike, but you aren¡¯t at risk of more than bruising, if you¡¯re unlucky, then possibly broken bones, which can be fixed in a day, so no big deal, right?¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°Watch out for friendly fire,¡± Gene warned the others.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Cal pointed at the young man, ¡°good point. There are currently no protections, beyond your armor and your own defenses against friendly fire, so be careful. Now, I¡¯m going to be making sure that you are mostly safe, but that¡¯s only for today. Once I¡¯m gone, well¡­ you¡¯re on your own.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not even going to give us a little hint at what we¡¯re going up against?¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll just say it¡¯s going to be a good preview for you guys,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°God, you¡¯re a terrible uncle,¡± Tessa grinned to take the sting out of her words.


    Cal smiled. Relieved.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give one bit of advice. Work as a team. Apes strong together.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯m thinking you¡¯re terrible,¡± Tessa groaned.


    ¡°That was super lame, Uncle,¡± Veronica echoed the sentiment.


    Cal laughed.


    He felt happy.


    It was almost like back home in the years before the spires appeared. Making lame jokes at his expense to entertain his nieces was something he had always enjoyed.


    It was the little things. The normal things.


    He realized that he had missed those.


    ¡°Good luck! Break a leg! Crush your enemies, drive them before, hear the lamentation of their wo¡ª so on and so on,¡± Cal smiled as he left the chamber and headed for the control room. His steps felt lighter. The whispering voices in his head were muffled. They didn¡¯t feel as heavy and dark.


    Shira greeted him as the door slid open with a soft hiss.


    The lone technician was focused on their tasks and ignored him.


    A lesser man may have taken offense, but it didn¡¯t bother Cal.


    S.R.T.C. Technician Woodford 1 meant no disrespect. It was simply the standard Threnosh¡¯s way.


    ¡°Honor. I am eager to witness the combat capability of others of your species,¡± Shira said.


    ¡°Me too. It¡¯s been so long. It seems like they were so small the last time I saw them, which I suppose is only true for Ve¡ª Designation: Human Female 3. She was still a child.¡±


    Cal sensed a question in Shira, which remained unasked.


    ¡°How have your preparations to assume strategic and tactical command of special candidate¡¯s combat operations gone?¡±


    ¡°Within parameters. I will endeavor to integrate your species¡¯ members in a seamless fashion,¡± Shira said.


    ¡°I want them to gain experience and knowledge, along with points, but I want to prioritize their safety.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a chance my brother will also come to this world.¡±


    ¡°Brother?¡± Shira tested the unfamiliar word.


    ¡°Er¡­ like a crechemate, but several years apart out of the same birthing pod,¡± Cal winced. He didn¡¯t think his mother would¡¯ve appreciated being referred to in that manner.


    ¡°I¡­ understand,¡± Shira said. ¡°I will relinquish command to your brother upon his arrival.¡±


    ¡°No. It is your command. I¡¯ll leave it to you and my brother to work out his role, if he wants one, in our operations. Though I know he will want to be closely involved with his daughters¡¯ activities.¡±


    ¡°Daughters?¡±


    ¡°That explanation will have to come at a later date,¡± Cal said. I¡¯ll let Remy explain how human biological reproduction works, he thought.


    ¡°S.R.T.C subjects have entered the Thunderdome. Designated as numbers 1 through 5 in the system. Program: Kitchen Sink ready to initialize,¡± S.R.T.C. Technician Woodford 1 said flatly.


    Cal smiled.


    He had chosen the name for the chamber.


    ¡°Thanks Woodford,¡± Cal watched as the kids, make that young people, entered the chamber. He waited until they looked ready. ¡°Begin countdown.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Cal leaned closer to the window overlooking the training chamber. He didn¡¯t want to miss a thing.


    <hr>


    Tessa rolled her shoulders. She swung her kanabo back and forth, testing her range of motion.


    The Threnosh-made armor was, frankly, awesome.


    Full range of motion and she barely felt the weight. Although, it¡¯d need to weigh a ton or two before she¡¯d notice thanks to her superstrength.


    Her helmet¡¯s faceplate fed her information like a head¡¯s up display in the video games she and her dad used to play. Distances to objects in front of her, a targeting reticle, ambient temperature, even her rate of movement. It was all too much at the moment so Tessa cleared everything away with a thought.


    The display immediately cleared just as the instructions in her PID said it would.


    Cybernetics, without the need for implants, so cool!


    Tessa tamped down on her sense of wonder.


    This was going to be a fight.


    She recognized it for the test that it was and she wanted to show her Uncle Cal that she wasn¡¯t the girl that he remembered.


    ¡°Everyone ready?¡± Gene said.


    ¡°This targeting reticle in my helmet is throwing me off,¡± Mads sighted down her shotgun toward the far wall. ¡°Too much information, cluttering my sight lines.¡±


    ¡°You can clear it all,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°I just thought the words ¡®clear display¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Mads said. ¡°Wow. This is straight up scifi,¡± she said a moment later.


    ¡°I¡¯m keeping mine up. If we¡¯re going to be using this gear then I figure I should start getting used to it,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°My helmet doesn¡¯t have any cool stuff. It¡¯s dead,¡± Veronica pouted.


    ¡°Your uncle probably figured your EMP¡¯s would fry the electronics,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°But the danger room is shielded,¡± Veronica frowned.


    ¡°Might be different for you wearing a helmet. Figure if it was shielded then it might actually block your blasts from getting past it,¡± Gene shrugged.


    ¡°Lame.¡±


    Tessa gently tapped Veronica¡¯s helmet with her gauntleted fist. ¡°Threnosh do super science. They¡¯ll figure something out for you. Stop pouting and get your head in the game. I don¡¯t want to look bad in front of our uncle and the Threnosh.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re representing our entire planet,¡± Gene said.


    Bastien took a deep breath. ¡°No pressure.¡±


    ¡°This is going to be easy compared to what we¡¯ve just been through,¡± Mads said. ¡°It¡¯s going to be nice not to be in sheer terror for a change.¡±


    ¡°Even so, we still need to take this seriously,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Who said I wasn¡¯t serious?¡± Mads glared.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, let¡¯s go already!¡± Veronica said.


    Tessa rolled her head from side to side. ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ we should warm up,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Seriously,¡± Tessa cocked a brow.


    ¡°Never go into a fight with cold muscles,¡± Bastien said flatly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t really have that issue, but okay,¡± Tessa said. ¡°Can¡¯t hurt.¡±


    Tessa swung her weapon. Left, right, high, low and back through the same motions. She bounced on her toes. Twisted her body from side to side. Ran in place for a bit.


    The others did much the same.


    Calisthenics in a high-tech alien locker room on a different world.


    It still didn¡¯t feel real.


    In a few minutes they were ready.


    Tessa led the way through the door.


    The S.R.T.C. was underwhelmingly empty. Just the same metallic surfaces as the rest of the base.


    However, it was impressively enormous, like a giant cavern mixed with a basketball arena.


    A holographic projection appeared in front of them.


    The words instructed them to wait within the area marked by the translucent walls that had suddenly appeared around them.


    A giant number 10 appeared in front of them.


    Gene flinched. ¡°Scared the shit out of me,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Steady,¡± Mads whispered.


    As the numbers counted down the arena transformed.


    Tessa watched intently as sections of the floor slid open and strange objects rose up. Some moved around in a manner that suggest tracks.


    ¡°What are those?¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°They look like skeletons,¡± Veronica said.


    Tessa shook her head. ¡°I think they¡¯re wireframes.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, I see it, like tree skeletons,¡± Veronica said.


    Indeed, it looked like a forest was being quickly built inside the chamber.


    The countdown ended with a blaring alarm and flashing lights of every color.


    The artificial wireframes suddenly appeared as trees, indistinguishable from the real thing to their eyes.


    ¡°Thats¡ª¡± Gene¡¯s mouth hung open.


    ¡°Hard light holograms,¡± Tessa said. She cursed inwardly. She had underestimated her uncle¡¯s claims. Her heart started to race. The trees looked real. Not like a video game at all. Which meant that the things they were going to fight would also¡ª


    A shrill scream burst out from the forest.


    ¡°What was that?¡± Bastien sidled over to stand behind Veronica.


    ¡°Monsters,¡± Veronica said grimly.


    ¡°Okay, okay, remember this is supposed to be training. So no matter how real it looks we aren¡¯t in danger of dying,¡± Gene said more for himself than the others.


    ¡°Just broken bones,¡± Mads said, ¡°sure, not that big of deal. We can go spend a day in a tub of goo and be back ready for more.¡± The young woman was babbling.


    ¡°Calm down. We¡¯ve seen and faced worse,¡± Tessa said. Probably, she thought.


    ¡°So, welcome to the Thunderdome. People enter¡­ and exit with a few broken bones at worse.¡± Her uncle¡¯s laughing voice echoed through the arena. ¡°Whenever you¡¯re ready just walk out of the starting point¡­ but we don¡¯t have all day. Others need to train too. So, get going¡­ seriously.¡±


    ¡°Tessa, you¡¯re on point. I¡¯m next. Bastien, you¡¯ll need to tank and peel for Mads¡ª¡±


    Bastien cursed then reddened.


    ¡°Mads, you¡¯ve got the green light. Targets at your discretion, watch the friendly fire.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t miss,¡± Mads said eyes glinting at the imminent challenge.


    ¡°Vee, you¡¯ll have to watch our backs. We¡¯re more vulnerable than you and Tessa, even with this awesome armor.¡±


    ¡°Got it,¡± Veronica nodded.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Finally,¡± Tessa muttered.


    ¡°Oh and you wanted a clue on what you¡¯re going to fight.¡±


    Tessa could hear the smile in her uncle¡¯s voice. He was having way too much fun at their expense.


    ¡°I call them mantisors¡­¡± her uncle took a deep breath. ¡°Are you ready to rumble!¡±


    Her uncle¡¯s voice rose and rolled the R¡¯s, drawing out the last word for what seemed like thirty seconds.


    ¡°So lame,¡± Tessa sighed.


    She charged into the fake forest ready for anything.

 Interlude: Estelon 1.1

    Many decades after the spires appeared, Earth


    ¡°What kind of a name is Est?¡±


    The man in question glared across his desk at the stunning, young woman in the just tight enough dress seated on the other side.


    ¡°It¡¯s the one on the door of my agency. The one you entered because you have a job for me¡­ presumably?¡±


    A growl rattled through from the closed door to the other room.


    ¡°Do you have a dog in there?¡± the young woman¡¯s eyes lit up.


    ¡°No, but my savage of an associate might be eating one,¡± Est sighed. ¡°Look, miss?¡±


    ¡°Darkwillow,¡± the young woman beamed.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Est scrutinized the young woman.


    Her hair was done up in the latest style, wavy and thick with magical dyes that shimmered in a mix of reds, blues and violets.


    Perfect features.


    Eyes that seemed to twinkle. A magical spell or contacts, probably.


    Red-painted lips. Almost mundane compared to the rest.


    Her ears looked normal for a human.


    She didn¡¯t appear to be anything else.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Est shrugged broad shoulders. ¡°Miss Darkwillow¡­ what can I do for you?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re an investigator or Investigator?¡±


    ¡°The former¡ª¡±


    The young woman pouted.


    ¡°¡ª but, I have abilities well suited to the art of¡­ investigating¡­ things.¡±


    The same growl had Est glaring at the closed door to his left. He concentrated for a moment.


    A muffled curse in the other room was followed by silence.


    Est¡¯s grin was beyond smug. ¡°That¡¯ll teach the runt¡­¡± he muttered under his breath.


    ¡°I need your help, Mr. Chan,¡± the young woman said seriously.


    Of course you do, that¡¯s why you¡¯re here, Est thought, now get on with it and stop wasting my time.


    ¡°It¡¯s my pet, you see. She disappears during the night and comes back with blood, sometimes her own.¡±


    Est raised a brow. ¡°Your¡­ pet?¡±


    The young woman nodded earnestly.


    Est fought the urge to let his head drop to his nearly spotless desk. Instead, he took out an old-fashioned notepad and pen. He had a top-of-the-line PID thanks to his grandparents, but it was a matter of principle. An investigator had certain aesthetics to maintain.


    ¡°Okay then¡­ why don¡¯t we start with your pet? What is it? Dog? Cat? Pocket behemoth?¡±


    ¡°Rose is a red-backed skarling,¡± the young woman smiled proudly.


    Est blinked and dropped his pen.


    Not a pet, definitely not a pet!


    He had to reassess the beautiful young woman.


    She looked more dangerous now?


    ¡°So¡­ your bonded familiar disappears¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Returns bloodied¡­¡±


    ¡°Uh huh,¡± the young woman nodded.


    ¡°All without your knowledge?¡±


    ¡°She was a gift,¡± the young woman shrugged.


    Est swallowed a curse.


    Who gifts a skarling?


    Irresponsible gift giving aside, a skarling familiar not tightly-controlled had the potential for real danger. It meant that if word got back to his mother that he did nothing she would make him regret it.


    His grandparents and great-grandparents would then look at him with sad disappointment or was it disappointed sadness?


    ¡°I can pay you in Universal Points.¡± The young woman took his silence for hesitation, which was accurate. ¡°I¡¯m not sure how this works, but would 5000 points be sufficient?¡±


    Wealthy and irresponsible seemed to go hand in hand.


    Est opened his mouth to speak, but was preempted by the door to the side office bursting open.


    His associate stormed in with the blazing eyes of desperate greed and a big toothy smile that had the young woman recoiling back in fright despite the capped tusks.


    ¡°We¡¯ll take the job!¡± he said in an oddly high-pitched voice for his bulk.


    ¡°You¡¯re a Torruk!¡± the young woman squealed.


    Excitement or fear?


    Est couldn¡¯t tell.


    ¡°My associate, Runt,¡± Est sighed as he waved a hand toward the brownish green-skinned ball of muscle.


    ¡°You guys have the weirdest names,¡± the young woman frowned in confusion.


    ¡°Yes! Valued client! I was so named by the unfortunate nature of my deformity,¡± Runt solemnly laid a ham-sized fist over his barrel chest.


    ¡°I can¡¯t see anything wrong with you¡­ is it that your tusks aren¡¯t pointed? They should be pointed right?¡±


    ¡°Only savages hold to such primitive dentition. Forward-thinking Torruk have utilized utensils for many generations now,¡± Runt grinned happily.


    ¡°Plus the tools, knives, arrows,¡± Est rolled his eyes, ¡°no need to tear out throats with those ridiculously over-sized sabreteeth.¡±


    ¡°That is not a word, esteemed partner,¡± Runt winked at the young woman.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    She laughed. ¡°Est-eemed¡­ I get it!¡±


    ¡°Never gets old, does it?¡± Est muttered under his breath.


    ¡°Ah, such sharpness of mind in the young miss,¡± Runt nodded sagely.


    ¡°Why, thank you, good sir!¡± the young woman dipped her head.


    ¡°In answer to your question, I, Runt, was born the smallest. I am over a foot shorter than the average Torruk and perhaps fifty of your human pounds lighter.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯re so big,¡± the young woman¡¯s perfect brow wrinkled with confusion.


    ¡°Perhaps in comparison to my partner here,¡± Runt pointed at Est.


    ¡°Right¡­ so it seems that we are taking you on as a client,¡± Est said flatly. ¡°I¡¯m currently working on another case,¡± literally, thanks to his powers, ¡°but I appear to be getting close to solving it. So, once that¡¯s done I can look into your familiar¡¯s activities.¡±


    ¡°Rose,¡± the young woman said.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Est blinked.


    ¡°Her name is Rose. Because of her beautiful coloration and patterns¡­ like a flower.¡±


    Not the image that came to mind when Est pictured a skarling, but he¡¯d roll with it¡­ reluctantly.


    ¡°If you¡¯ll follow me to the front office, Young Miss Darkwillow. I shall take down your contact information,¡± Runt gallantly held a massive arm out for the young woman, who took it without hesitation.


    The pair exited Est¡¯s office leaving him to his thoughts.


    He could run his mind in parallel tracks without much difficult.


    One mind in his physical body. The one sitting in his office and dealing with ridiculously irresponsible wealthy clients and a mouthy mountain of thick bone and thicker muscle.


    The other mind was in his astral projection. An invisible specter that floated out over the partially-artificial island city in search of the quarry he had just spoken of.


    A gift of his genetics in addition to being about as strong as three human men combined.


    His ability was one of a myriad in the psionic tree that began with his grandfather.


    It was unfortunate that he had the worse one out of all his cousins, siblings and half-siblings, hence why he was stuck on the island of unfortunate refugees and others of a more untrustworthy bent.


    If only he had gotten something better from the other half of his genetic tree. Although, the less said about what his traitorous father, the better.


    Then again the soft exile probably had more to do the quarrels he kept having with his mother.


    The two Est¡¯s worked separately, two minds, but at the same time they were one.


    The one in the office started brainstorming about what the wayward skarling could be getting up to.


    The astral projection drifted on a thought trail as it wound through the island city¡¯s narrow and winding streets.


    The trail moved further away from the center of the city and out to the artificial extension from the natural land.


    Composite material platforms on impossibly strong poles plunged into the ocean floor. They served as the base on which the structures were built.


    A melding of magic and advanced technology from Earth¡¯s first allies of a different species from another world.


    Almost two-hundred years since the spires had appeared.


    Est often tried and failed to picture what life was like without powers, Skills and spells.


    ¡°God, how did people survive,¡± he muttered.


    The trail reached its terminus at a dingy looking structure near the tall seawall that kept the strong winds during typhoon season from battering the inhabitants, human or otherwise.


    Everything looked moist thanks to the constant spray from the ocean¡¯s waves.


    The invisible Est floated down to ground level and through the wall into the building. He beheld a large, but cramped space. Filled with simple metal tables and benches where people sat shoulder to shoulder eating what appeared to be a simply, but hearty stew.


    Free food quietly supplied by the rulers of the nation.


    No one went hungry under his family¡¯s stewardship.


    He walked unseen toward the back.


    The wall was no obstacle.


    The kitchen space was a bustle of activity.


    Est floated overhead as he scrutinized the face of each person working hard at prepping and cooking. He found the man he was looking for. An exceptionally handsome face that seemed out of place.


    Out of all the places he had tried in his quest to fulfill the job for the client this was the last place he had considered.


    Expectations had suggested the man was out carousing with his friends or in the arms of another woman or man.


    The client would be pleased with the news.


    Est recalled his astral projection.


    While he waited for his other self to return, he jotted a few notes down.


    He needed to physically return to the building later and record actual proof. His word wouldn¡¯t be enough for the client.


    ¡°Good news, I¡¯ve solved the case of Mrs. Guzman¡¯s wayward husband,¡± Est said as Runt angled his broad shoulders to fit through the doorway. ¡°Turns out he¡¯s not so wayward after all. He¡¯s spending his secret time cooking at a free restaurant. The man has looks and is a decent guy on the inside.¡±


    ¡°Your words are complimentary, yet your tone suggests bitterness. I¡¯m uncertain which is the genuine sentiment,¡± Runt said.


    Est snorted. ¡°I¡¯m a bitter cynic, Runt. That should give you the hint you need. In any case, our job for Mrs. Guzman is basically complete. I just need a few pictures and recordings for her peace of mind.¡±


    ¡°Why does her lifemate conceal his activities? Especially one so worthy.¡±


    ¡°I have no idea. You want me to ask him for you?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°That was a rhetorical question.¡±


    Runt¡¯s ridge brow creased in a fearsome frown. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t do well in my homeworld. I¡¯d give it ten ticks of my fingers before one of us would brain you for your concealed meanings.¡±


    ¡°It seems that your people aren¡¯t that different from mine. Many of my kind tend to react to me in a similar fashion.¡±


    ¡°Then the flaw lies within you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve known that for years,¡± Est sighed. ¡°So¡­ did you get Miss Darkwillow¡¯s contact information?¡±


    ¡°Yes, she lives in a very wealthy area near the center of the capital.¡±


    ¡°Unsurprising, her clothes were a dead giveaway. Manila,¡± Est grimaced, ¡°wonder if my family knows her family? On second thought, I don¡¯t really care.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps you should. Word of your involvement would surely trickle like a flowing stream down to your mother¡¯s ears.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. She knows where I am and what I¡¯m doing with my days and nights. Besides, Grandmother and Grandfather laid down the law. Mother can¡¯t interfere with how I live my life.¡±


    ¡°This skarling¡­ I¡¯m unfamiliar,¡± Runt said.


    ¡°Small creatures. Intelligent, vicious. A mix of a squirrel and an armored raptor. Er¡­ like those dinosaurs in that ancient movie you love so much. Skarlings can fit in your hand, yet can tear a man¡¯s throat in the blink of an eye. Tiny, but sharp teeth. Long, knife-like fangs. Claws that can cut steel.¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes, those dinosaurs of yours bring me nostalgic feelings. They remind me of my home.¡± Runt¡¯s voice took on a wistful tone. ¡°The more pastoral of our kind still drive great herds of mighty giants across the plains. Knights and Lancers sit astride powerful beasts of tooth and claw. I can picture dagger teeth gnashing and tails lashing. The best herd guardians were the ones with this over-sized curved claw on each foot,¡± he mimed a clawed finger across his broad, muscular belly, ¡°they could disembowel a raider in the blink of an eye. Guts and viscera flo¡ª¡±


    ¡°Got it,¡± Est raised a hand. ¡°Anyways, I need to do more research, but I vaguely remember the world skarlings come from have a weird system where chosen individuals could bond with a variety of creatures. I mean that in a literal way. Apparently, they could combine, two physical forms into one, for greater abilities, strength, speed, durability and other esoteric ones, like fire-breathing and such. You know how it is.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t. This is the first I¡¯m hearing of this. It sounds disgusting, yet intriguing. Tell me, is this combination¡­ eternal?¡±


    Est shook his head. ¡°From what I remember of my schooling¡­ no. Although, over time each partner, the person and familiar slowly take on characteristics of the other.¡±


    ¡°Why was the young miss gifted such a creature?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s one of the questions burning a hole in my head.¡±


    Runt¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°Not literally,¡± Est added. ¡°We¡¯re going to need to do a lot of research. Why don¡¯t you do some digging into Darkwillow¡¯s background. I wouldn¡¯t be too surprised if you find out that she¡¯s got ties to Sylvandria. Skarlings and the whole familiar merging thing originated from there after all.¡±


    ¡°And what will you do?¡±


    ¡°I need to learn about skarlings, while using my other self to follow Darkwillow¡¯s familiar. It shouldn¡¯t be too hard to follow it from her home and find out where it goes to end up covered in blood.¡±


    ¡°Do we need to go through all this effort? Once you discover what the skarling does on its adventures then isn¡¯t the contract fulfilled.¡±


    Est shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s not enough. Darkwillow doesn¡¯t seem to have any idea what she¡¯s been gifted.¡±


    ¡°Duplicitous, Estelon¡­ you are of two faces,¡± Runt flashed the rest of his white teeth.


    ¡°Yeah, well¡­ that¡¯s sort of literally true in my case, but I can¡¯t just leave the young woman in uncertain danger. Also we need to do enough work to earn that 5k.¡±

 Interlude: Estelon 1.2

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but you don¡¯t have the clearance to use The Archive. In fact, you are specifically banned according to¡­¡± the clerk¡¯s fingers danced on the flat surface of her desk, her brows shot up, ¡°Director Cruces¡­¡±


    Est couldn¡¯t see what his mother had noted in his file, but he could guess well enough. He tried a charming smile. ¡°My mother,¡± he shrugged, ¡°there was this thing and she got mad, so,¡± he gestured at the clerk¡¯s terminal, ¡°that¡¯s her idea of punishment, but I need information for an important case I¡¯m working. I don¡¯t want to overstate it, but a young woman¡¯s life is at stake if I can¡¯t solve it.¡±


    ¡°You can access ninety percent of our nation¡¯s information base from any terminal or your PID.¡±


    ¡°Right and I already did, but I still need more,¡± Est smiled, ¡°maybe you can help me out. Maybe I don¡¯t get access to the Archive, I¡¯m cool with that, but what if you do it for me? I can pay. How does 100 Universal Points sound for a few hours of research?¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t violate the wording of the rules, but it does the spirit. The director specifically banned you. If it gets back to her that I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Why would it? I certainly won¡¯t tell,¡± Est mimed zipping his lips.


    There was a glint in the clerk¡¯s eyes.


    Est had the feeling that he had her.


    ¡°As long as the information won¡¯t harm anyone.¡±


    ¡°Like I said, I¡¯m trying to save a life.¡±


    ¡°What do you need?¡±


    ¡°Everything we have on Sylvandria, familiar bonding and skarlings, specifically the red-backed variety.¡±


    The clerk frowned. ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound like a few hours of research.¡±


    ¡°Then narrow the focus to skarlings and the bonding system. I¡¯m interested in how a red-backed skarling can be gifted to someone. Is that a normal part of Sylvandrian culture? That sort of thing.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll work on it on my spare time.¡±


    ¡°Time is of the essence.¡± Est was careful not to push.


    ¡°More points would be helpful to that end,¡± the clerk smiled primly.


    Est sighed. ¡°200.¡±


    ¡°300,¡± the clerk countered.


    ¡°Done,¡± Est stuck his hand out over the desk. He was not lacking for Universal Points.


    The two shook hands and Est exited The Archive building. The massive, gleaming structure dominated this area of Manila. Much too overbearing for his taste. He walked briskly toward a quieter, quainter district with a few of his favorite eateries.


    He passed vertical farms in almost two century-old office buildings and parking structures. His grandparents and other older relatives had the foresight to guard against the possibility that the food stores wouldn¡¯t give out their goods indefinitely. They had utilized unused buildings like said parking structures, transforming them into farms for fruit, vegetables and livestock.


    The advent of Skills related to such things made it possible.


    The fact that the population of the world dropped drastically in the years after the spires had appeared gave them plenty of space and empty structures to repurpose.


    Indeed the present day population numbers were nowhere near what they had been back then.


    Est often wondered what life was like in such a crowded environment. Millions of people, densely packed together.


    Ancient fossil fuel burning vehicles spewing their exhaust everywhere.


    He remembered riding in his uncle¡¯s ancient car, loud, smelly and not that comfortable. The magitech conveyances of the present day were infinitely quieter, smoother and less odorous.


    All in all, Est was certain that the world of his grandparents¡¯ generation was terrible in so many ways. It was probably why he never did well in his ancient history classes back in his school days.


    Est walked along clean sidewalk streets, while said magitech vehicles zipped along. He was surrounded by others, humans mostly, but he didn¡¯t mind it.


    It was a lot nicer here in the nation¡¯s capital compared to where he lived and worked in the outskirts.


    He wondered if he should invite his mother over for dinner and a walk. It didn¡¯t miss his notice that the rest of his family didn¡¯t really spend a lot of time over there.


    He couldn¡¯t really blame his great-grandparents or his grandparents. The former were practically ancient and deserved their retirement after two centuries of fighting to build the nation. It was the same for the latter and they still fought out there in the multitudes. Establishing territories in other worlds and defending against all sorts of terrible monsters, entities and enemy polities.


    Maybe you need to finally live up to your family name and join the fight. Haven¡¯t your grandparents done enough? Isn¡¯t it time for the younger generation to ascend?


    Est scowled at the thoughts in his head. That didn¡¯t seem like him. His grandparents had been completely supportive of what he wanted to do. It was everyone else that was a pain in his ass.


    The voice in his head did have point. His grandparents needed to stop worrying about colonial matters and come home to be with their sprawling family. It had been years since they had last been back on Earth.


    Est was in a fouler mood when he reached one of his favorite restaurants.


    The smells brightened his mood as soon as he opened the door.


    He took a seat at the bar and patiently waited for the server.


    It was a little early for dinner and the place was still pretty full. A testament to the quality.


    ¡°Hey, Estelon! What¡¯s new!¡±


    He winced at his full name, but smiled. ¡°Lola! You¡¯re looking good! Getting younger everyday!¡±


    ¡°Ha! Flattery will get you my best cooking.¡±


    ¡°I thought you put your heart into every dish? Isn¡¯t that what it says on the wall?¡±


    The matronly woman laughed heartily. ¡°Why not both?¡±


    ¡°True.¡±


    ¡°The usual?¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Anything to drink?¡±


    ¡°Just calamansi juice¡­ this is a working dinner. Er¡­ Lola, I¡¯m going to be here for awhile. Is that okay with you?¡±


    ¡°You know the rules, Estelon. I can¡¯t break it for anyone, even you.¡±


    ¡°Of course¡­ I guess I¡¯ll be eating a lot tonight.¡±


    It didn¡¯t matter much to Est. His metabolism was beyond a normal human one. Which meant he could put away a lot of food in a single sitting.


    He settled in to wait.


    It was a stroke of good fortune that Miss Darkwillow¡¯s home was within a few miles of the restaurant. He could conduct his astral surveillance without attracting any unneeded attention.


    His only worry was that one of his relatives might notice that he was in Manila.


    It wasn¡¯t easy to mask his thoughts while astral projecting.


    While physical Est ate and occasionally conversed with others around him, astral projection Est floated to Darkwillow¡¯s home to wait for the skarling to go on its semi-nightly jaunts.


    He hoped that it wasn¡¯t going around killing anybody.


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    That would be a terrible mess for him to deal with.


    Hours passed as the night grew darker.


    Est finished his meal, had a second and a third.


    He was in the middle of his ice cream when he spotted the tiny skarling crawling out of what must¡¯ve been the young woman¡¯s bedroom window and scampering off into the night.


    It moved fast, really fast.


    Est struggled to keep up.


    To his surprise the skarling didn¡¯t go out into the rain forests on the outskirts of the city where animals and monsters could be found without much difficulty. It went toward the center of the city. To one of the state-sanctioned combat arenas scattered throughout.


    Est had mixed feelings about the arenas.


    On the one hand it provided a place for people to practice their Skills, spells and powers. The spires system being what it was, struggle and conflict were required to gain levels, which meant that the arena battles were intense, violent and painfully bloody. The only thing that wasn¡¯t on the table was death thanks to the healers and healing materials on hand thanks to his family¡¯s patronage.


    It was an added bonus for healing-type classes to get practical experience to increase their own levels.


    On the other hand Est had concerns about how people were being desensitized to the violence. No matter how injured they got there was quick healing on hand. In a real fight outside of the arenas there were no guarantees of superior, nearly instantaneous healing.


    Est watched as the skarling scampered across the ground easily avoiding the dozens of people streaming toward the arena for the night¡¯s fight card.


    The more he watched the more confused he got.


    The skarling entered through the fighter¡¯s entrance.


    The attendants clearly saw it, but paid it no mind.


    Est¡¯s astral projection floated in after the tiny creature, invisible to all physical eyes and most magical ones.


    The skarling entered the fighter ready area and clambered up to an open registration station.


    ¡°It¡¯s the Red Terror, back again!¡± the attendant grinned down at the skarling. ¡°You open to fight anyone and anything, like usual?¡±


    Est was beyond confused.


    The attendant was talking to the skarling, Rose, he remembered her name and it appeared that she understood. As she bobbed her head in what looked like an affirmative nod.


    He really needed to find out everything he could about skarlings and Sylvandria¡¯s familiar bonding system.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see,¡± the attendant consulted his terminal, ¡°I¡¯ve got a Level 23 Brawler with an open challenge in 15 minutes and a Level 35 Warlock¡¯s Skitterlax demon familiar, just the demon, the warlock is strictly off the combat ground for this one, in 30 minutes. I¡¯ll need to check with them to see if they want to challenge you.¡± The attendant placed his hands in front of Rose, ¡°left hand for the Brawler, right hand for the demon.¡±


    The attendant waited patiently, while Rose appeared to weight her options.


    After a few moments she tapped the attendant¡¯s left hand with a paw, claws carefully retracted.


    ¡°You sure like fighting the humanoids don¡¯t you,¡± the attendant grinned. ¡°Let me query the guy¡¯s PID, see if he¡¯s interested,¡± the attendant tapped his fingers in the air over his desk. They didn¡¯t have to wait long for a reply. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re on. You¡¯ll be fighting in Number 11 tonight, same procedure as always. Good luck!¡±


    Rose chittered and hopped off the desk and scampered away.


    Est followed.


    The skarling was a lot more intelligent than he had anticipated.


    The combat chamber was a circular space roughly a hundred feet in diameter. The floor was covered in soft, sandy dirt. Probably to make soaking up and cleaning spilled blood easier.


    It was recessed into the ground and surrounded by stands, which was sparsely-filled with spectators.


    Est had followed Rose to the fighter ready area before floating up through the ceiling to find a clear space in the stands. He made sure to keep his distance from the other people. The last thing he wanted to do was accidentally enter another person¡¯s body.


    There was a fair amount of fanfare that proceeded the fight.


    A dapper young man stepped out into the middle of the combat chamber and bombastically announced the combatants.


    The Brawler was first. The young man was covered head to toe in the latest metallic-fabric armor weave. Lightweight, flexible, yet tough. The only visible weapons the man had were a pair of spiked gauntlets.


    A faint glow emanated from the man¡¯s gear, visible to Est¡¯s astral projected eyesight, which suggested low-level enchantments or investment.


    It appeared that fighting in the Arena was pretty lucrative on top of the gains one obtained through the experience.


    Rose was announced next.


    The tiny skarling was practically invisible on the dirt floor from the top of the spectator stands where Est was floating.


    A large screen over the combat chamber focused in on the vicious little creature.


    It did a great job at capturing the growing bloodlust in Rose¡¯s demeanor, especially in her beady eyes.


    Sharp claws appeared when she flexed her forepaws to join the wicked-looking one¡¯s on her raptor-like hind legs. Razor-sharp fangs and teeth seemed to glint in the bright lights. The blood red color on her armor-plated back stood out like a beacon.


    The skarling looked much more dangerous in her close-up on the big screens.


    The announcer went through a short introduction for each fighter.


    Wins. Losses. That sort of thing.


    Rose had been busy and she had been doing well.


    Est looked around.


    If anyone thought it odd that a tiny creature was fighting in the arena they didn¡¯t give any indication that it was out of the ordinary.


    Est had figured that animals, summoned creatures, demons, spirits saw fight time with the assorted Beastmasters, Summoners, Spirit Callers that fought in the Arena. He was surprised to learn that the companions could fight on their own as well.


    He found himself dreading the impending battle.


    Rose was about the size of the Brawler¡¯s foot.


    The announcer left the combat chamber and a countdown appeared on the screens overhead.


    The bell rang and the muscular young man shouted out a barrage of skills as he dashed forward.


    Est blinked.


    The young man stood still for a moment.


    Blood spurted out of his neck where he lacked armor.


    The young man¡¯s hands clamped around his fountaining neck as he fell to his knees.


    ¡°Healer!¡± the announcer¡¯s voice filled the chamber.


    One came rushing out of one of the side doors to tend to the young man.


    Rose was primly cleaning the bloodied fur around her mouth and paws.


    What the hell had happened?


    ¡°Let¡¯s see that again in slow motion,¡± the announcer said.


    Eyes went up to the screens.


    Est followed along.


    The replay ran at a tenth of real-time speed.


    Rose darted across the dirt floor with a tiny cloud of dirt in her wake. She zipped up the Brawler¡¯s legs, his chest, to tear at his poorly protected throat with tooth and claw.


    Holy shit! This wasn¡¯t what I was expecting, Est thought.


    Well, at least now he knew what the little skarling was up to when she disappeared during the night.


    All things considered this wasn¡¯t so bad. It could¡¯ve been so much worse. At least the skarling wasn¡¯t killing random people. Wasn¡¯t killing anyone really thanks to the quick and skilled healing response.


    Indeed, the Brawler was already sitting up.


    Rose had departed the combat chamber, perhaps to return home, perhaps to book another fight.


    In any case, Est¡¯s stakeout was done.


    He floated his astral projection back to his physical location. Carefully avoiding other people. He was almost out of the Arena when he caught snatches of a conversation between two dangerous-looking people.


    A man and a woman chatted as they sat in a crowded bar.


    The tightly-packed space meant it was loud and difficult to listen to others talking.


    Not a problem for Est.


    ¡°We¡¯re getting close to manufacturing the amount we need.¡±


    ¡°How much longer? I¡¯ve got the delivery system ready to go.¡±


    ¡°Three days, maybe four.¡±


    ¡°Perfect. Just in time for the weekend. People will be out and about. Maximum impact.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll push the crew harder. We can work around the clock if need be.¡±


    ¡°Not at the expense of quality. We can¡¯t afford any mist¡ª wait, do you feel that?¡± the woman stuck a hand in her pocket.


    ¡°What? No, nothing,¡± the man said in alarm.


    ¡°Something¡¯s watching¡­ someone,¡± the woman pulled a small gem out.


    Est frowned.


    She crushed it in her hand.


    Blindling light was followed by a blinding headache.


    ¡°Estelon!¡± Lola called out in alarm.


    Est blinked. His brain pounded with a pain unlike any other. The back of his head throbbed.


    He was looking up at the restaurant¡¯s ceiling lights.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± a fellow dinner helped Est sit up.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ just fine.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t look it.¡±


    Est waved him away. ¡°Thanks, but I¡¯ll be alright. Lola, it seems that I need to go, charge my meals to my account like always.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t need a healer?¡± Lola said with concern.


    ¡°No worries,¡± Est¡¯s smile was more of a grimace. ¡°The cool night air will probably fix things,¡± he staggered out into the street and hailed a flying taxi.


    That conversation had raised enough red flags that he couldn¡¯t ignore, which meant that he had to see his cousin immediately.


    ¡°Where to?¡± the taxi driver said as Est climbed into the back.


    ¡°Guardian headquarters, please,¡± Est held his PID up to the scanner.


    ¡°Got it, strap in. I¡¯ll get you there in no time.¡±


    Est closed his eyes and tried to stop the spinning as the taxi floated into the sky on an anti-gravity generator from another world.

 4.26

    Now, Threnosh World


    ¡°Abnormal change to Designation: Human Female 1¡¯s biometric signals,¡± S.R.T.C. Technician Woodford 1 said.


    Mads. Cal focused on the young woman down on the arena floor as the group entered the simulated forest. ¡°Huh?¡± Mads seemed to be okay. ¡°What sort of change?¡±


    ¡°Elevated heart rate drastically dropped to below baseline.¡±


    ¡°Adrenaline levels?¡±


    ¡°Human combat chemicals at elevated levels.¡±


    ¡°Interesting, she¡¯s in fight mode, but her heart¡¯s beating like she¡¯s relaxing on the couch.¡±


    ¡°Will you allow the subject to continue?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Woodford, I think she¡¯ll be alright,¡± Cal said. Probably a Skill, he thought.


    ¡°They are nearing the mantisor ambush site,¡± Shira watched the three dimensional holographic projection in the center of the control room. A thrill ran through them. The eagerness of impending battle, even if they were only observing. They were looking forward to seeing how others of Honor¡¯s species fought. How they compared.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see how they do,¡± Cal focused on his oldest niece as she steadily stepped closer to the trigger point.


    Tessa couldn¡¯t believe how real the trees looked. Leaves and branches swayed in the wind even though they were indoors. The way the dried brush and twigs crunched and snapped under her boots was uncanny. She heard small animals rustling through the bushes all around her. She could even hear the birds flapping their wings as they chirped to one another.


    It was exactly like hiking through an actual forest.


    What the fuck.


    ¡°This is impossible,¡± Tessa muttered.


    Her eyes widened.


    The birds had gone silent.


    She held up a fist and brought the formation to a halt.


    She scanned with her eyes, moving from ground level all the way up to the tree tops.


    ¡°Even the sky looks real,¡± Tessa whispered.


    She strained her ears.


    Silence.


    Never a good sign in the wilderness.


    That had been drilled into her head.


    Meant that the animals knew dangers were about.


    This was just a simulation, but it was so real that she had to assume things in here worked just as they did out in the real world.


    ¡°Do you see it?¡± Gene whispered.


    Tessa shook her head.


    ¡°Quick Shot. Quick Aim. Quick Reload.¡±


    ¡°Jeez, Mads¡­ that¡¯s like half your actives,¡± Bastien said. ¡°Is that a good idea?¡±


    ¡°We have no idea what we¡¯re up against. Saving my stamina won¡¯t matter if I get one-shotted,¡± Mads said.


    ¡°Hey guys, I¡¯m picking up like electromagnetic signals¡­ I guess¡­ but that just might be all the machines in here. Hologram projectors and other junk,¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Tessa said.


    Gene shrugged. ¡°This is a training exercise. So¡­ we should keep moving,¡± he sighed in resignation.


    Tessa grunted and resumed her forward path.


    Movement in the trees, accompanied by high-pitched shrieks and powerful buzzing sounds.


    Mads leveled her shotgun, inhumanly quick and squeezed both triggers so fast that it sounded like one shot, even though both barrels fired.


    Mads reloaded just as quickly and fired again before Tessa had managed to get her eyes on the threat, despite her superhuman perceptions and reaction times.


    Mantisors, indeed.


    The monsters resembled human-sized praying mantises with mottled brown chitin that had camouflaged them against the trees. The air seemed to vibrate under the power of their buzzing wings as they leaped through the branches and swooped down.


    Two of the monsters were thrown off their attack by Mads¡¯ shots, even if the metal pellets didn¡¯t do more than crack the surface of their chitin.


    Of the other three monsters, one launched itself straight at Tessa with its two scythe-like claws extended from multi-jointed front arms.


    Tessa cracked it with her kanabo. Fifty pounds of metal driven by the force of her superhuman strength crushed through chitin and sent the mantisor crashing into the trees.


    Tessa spun and saw two mantisors swooping down on Mads as Gene and Bastien blocked their way.


    Veronica pointed a finger gun. ¡°Bang!¡±


    The mantisors fuzzed for a split second, frozen in midair.


    Hard light holograms.


    Tessa had forgotten for a moment. They looked and smelled so real.


    Veronica¡¯s powers interfered with the technology.


    Cal frowned as he watched the holographic display. ¡°We¡¯ll need to do some modifications. I guess, since Veronica¡¯s power scrambles brains, then scrambling the holograms sorta works,¡± he shrugged.


    The mantisors regained coherent form and continued their attack.


    Veronica had bought time though.


    ¡°Firespray!¡±


    Flames from Gene¡¯s splayed fingers bathed one of the mantisors.


    It wasn¡¯t enough.


    The mantisor plowed right through and descended on Gene with scything claws.


    Gene threw his longsword up blindly and managed to block one claw.


    The mantisor was too strong. It drove right through Gene¡¯s block and struck him in the collar bone.


    Gene screamed as the bone snapped.


    The second claw did the same to his opposite shoulder.


    ¡°You have been eliminated by evisceration. Remain still,¡± a toneless voice spoke in Gene¡¯s helmet.


    ¡°Damn it, Gene!¡± Tessa scrambled to pull a small round metal ball from the compartment at her waist.


    ¡°The fire is magic?¡± Shira said.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Cal replied.


    Shira tapped on the terminal at their side. ¡°Readings indicate anomalous energy build up within Human Male 1. Upon release the energy transformed into flames,¡± Shira¡¯s eye narrowed imperceptibly, ¡°correction. The flames were comprised of fire and a small portion of anomalous energy.¡±


    ¡°Anomalous energy? Must be what we call mana. So, it starts as mana and becomes a natural phenomenon with traces of mana. Interesting. I didn¡¯t know that. It explains how people can shot lightning that ignores physics.¡± Cal reached out with his telekinesis and floated Gene out of the battlefield.


    ¡°Medical personnel are ready to receive the injured,¡± S.R.T.C. Woodford 1 said.


    ¡°Got it,¡± Cal floated Gene back to the starting point. ¡°Poor bastard, twice in two days.¡±


    ¡°Gene!¡± Bastien¡¯s attention was focused on his friend.


    ¡°He¡¯s fine,¡± Mads snapped as she spun and fired, reloaded, fired again.


    The mantisor slowed enough for Veronica to slam her staff, two-handed, across the spot where its thorax met its abdomen.


    The broken monster screeched and flopped to the ground before breaking up into pixels that quickly vanished.


    Bastien swung his halberd in a chopping blow at a mantisor¡¯s head.


    Ineffective.


    A normal human without enhanced strength, special weapons or Skills, simply couldn¡¯t scratch the monster¡¯s chitin.


    The mantisor slashed at Bastien¡¯s head with a scythe-like claw.


    Bastien closed his eyes.


    The blow would¡¯ve broken his neck, which was obviously fatal. The hard light hologram lost coherence and the claw passed harmlessly through Bastien¡¯s neck.


    However, it didn¡¯t leave him untouched.


    The unit at the heart of the S.R.T.C. sent a signal into Bastien that temporarily disrupted his nervous system. It wasn¡¯t a violent or harmful thing. It simply prevented the conscious control of his body by blocking the signals from his brain to the rest of his body. It, helpfully, didn¡¯t affect the unconscious signals so that his heart didn¡¯t stop and his bowels didn¡¯t loosen.


    The science of it was so advanced that the Threnosh had yet to decipher how exactly it functioned.


    ¡°You have been eliminated by decapitation. Remain still,¡± a toneless voice spoke in Gene¡¯s helmet.


    ¡°Guys, I¡¯m dead,¡± Bastien said as he stood stiff as a board. ¡°I can¡¯t move.¡±


    The mantisor moved past him in search of other prey.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Tessa shot the metal ball at a mantisor swooping down on Mads¡¯ exposed back.


    The monster broke apart in a shower of pixels.


    ¡°Nice one!¡± Veronica whooped.


    ¡°My shots aren¡¯t doing anything!¡± Mads cried out in frustration. ¡°Switching to slugs¡­ Power Shot!¡± Her shotgun barked, loud and angry.


    The mantisor¡¯s human-like face recoiled back at two slugs punching through the thinner chitin of its mask. It toppled to the ground and broke into pixels.


    ¡°Boom goes the dynamite!¡± Veronica smiled from ear to ear.


    Tessa sighed. Her sister had way too many lame people as influences.


    ¡°Three down, two to go.¡± Tessa scanned the area and realized that the other two had vanished.


    ¡°They¡¯re doing pretty good,¡± Cal grinned proudly.


    ¡°The human females are superior to the human males?¡± Shira said.


    ¡°Bad match up for the guys. Plus, my nieces skew the results. Don¡¯t forget, I¡¯m a human male.¡±


    ¡°Then males and females are equally effective as a whole, while there is a wide variance in combat quality at the individual level?¡±


    ¡°That sounds about right,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°Why don¡¯t we up the difficulty. Woodford, initialize the next level of monster. You haven¡¯t fought this one in a long time, Shira. Should be nostalgic for you to see it in action.¡±


    ¡°I do not know this word,¡± Shira said.


    ¡°Examine your thoughts and feelings while you watch the mantisor boss in action.¡±


    ¡°But it is not a mantisor boss. It is a simulation. Your words do not make sense.¡± Shira¡¯s smooth brow was marred by their frown.


    Cal grinned. He was going to miss such conversations.


    A high-pitched screeched suddenly filled the arena.


    ¡°Jesus!¡± Cal shivered. ¡°Just like the real thing.¡±


    ¡°Ohmygod!¡± the color drained from Mads¡¯ face. ¡°What was that?¡±


    ¡°Boss monster.¡± Tessa and Veronica said together.


    ¡°Probably a mantisor, but stronger, faster, tougher,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Gigantic!¡± Veronica added.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s going to be up to you guys¡­ like always,¡± Mads sighed, ¡°I¡¯m running low on stamina. Can¡¯t maintain my Skills for much longer.¡±


    The two remaining mantisors reappeared up in the tree tops, descending on buzzing wings once again.


    Mads reacted first.


    ¡°Power shot!¡±


    She fired two shots in quick succession. Like shooting skeet.


    The slugs struck the mantisors center mass, creating a small crater in their thick chitin, cracks spider-webbing out.


    The monsters were thrown out of their controlled flight.


    ¡°Bang!¡±


    Veronica hit them with an electromagnetic pulse.


    Again, the hard light holograms revealed themselves for a moment, fuzzing and freezing in place.


    Tessa was ready. She shot two metal balls, one each an instant before the mantisors regained their coherent forms.


    Not for long.


    The sonic booms were followed by the mantisors breaking apart into pixels that disappeared as they drifted to the ground.


    ¡°Good job, guys. Get ready for the nex¡ª¡±


    Tessa felt something hit her in the back, hard. Something broke in her. Before she slammed into a hard light tree several hundred feet distant.


    Mads spun around.


    Both barrels blasting blindly.


    Scythe-like claws blurred, cutting the slugs in half.


    A hand on the back of Mads¡¯ armored collar yanked her back roughly.


    Veronica stepped forward, thrusting her staff like a spear.


    The tip struck the new monster in the face and knocked it back several feet.


    Veronica hit it with a pulse.


    The hologram fuzzed and froze for several beats of Veronica¡¯s hammering heart.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Enough time to draw close and swing her staff in a two-handed slash, high to low, right to left.


    The monster blocked the strike with its forelimb.


    The vibration traveled up the solid metal staff to Veronica¡¯s arms.


    Powerful wings buzzed as Veronica desperately backpedaled while spinning her staff in front of her.


    Veronica moved faster than humanly possible. Her perceptions were superior.


    The new monster was slightly smaller than the other mantisors, but it was much faster and stronger.


    Veronica could barely keep up with the monster¡¯s blurring limbs as it slashed from seemingly every direction and angle.


    Metal slivers flew with every impact as scythe-like claws chipped away at Veronica¡¯s staff.


    In her desperation, Veronica got sloppy with her footwork. Her haste caused her to cross her feet in an effort to keep the monster in front of her when it blurred to her right.


    She stumbled and slipped on some loose foliage on the fake forest floor.


    A scythe-like claw blurred for her head.


    She threw up a block.


    Her left hand exploded with pain.


    Veronica had been lucky. She had managed to avoid serious injury throughout all the dangerous situations she had placed herself in lately.


    Luck always runs out at some point.


    Pain throbbed as she tried to maintain her two-handed grip.


    The monster struck her staff hard.


    Pain.


    Veronica couldn¡¯t hold on with her broken left hand.


    A one-handed grip wasn¡¯t strong enough to block the monster¡¯s strikes.


    The monster slashed again and sent the staff out wide to Veronica¡¯s right, leaving her open.


    Scythe-like claws hammered her in the chest and knocked her to the ground, spraying dirt and leaves into the air.


    Veronica fired a desperate brain blast at the monster.


    It was too fast.


    It loomed over Veronica in the blink of an eye and scythed both claws down.


    The entire exchange had taken seconds.


    ¡°Veronica, the mantisor boss has stabbed you in the face and heart. You are now dead, please don¡¯t move,¡± her uncle¡¯s voice echoed into the arena.


    She spat a curse as she felt herself levitate up out of the fake forest.


    Mads fired again at the mantisor boss, but the result was academic. She joined Veronica a second later, struggling to breathe with several broken ribs.


    Tessa groaned as she came to, every breath brought a stab of pain in her back. She looked around frantically for her kanabo, but found nothing but leaves and branches.


    Loud buzzing.


    She had heard her uncle¡¯s words.


    The mantisor boss was fast and quick.


    Tessa could barely keep it in sight as with weaved through the trees as it rapidly approached her.


    She grabbed two handfuls of metal balls and sprayed them out in a wide arc.


    The mantisor boss soared up above the barrage.


    All Tessa managed to do was shred trees.


    Tessa shot wave after wave of metal death, but the mantisor boss was too quick.


    All she had left was her superhuman strength and durability.


    She dashed at the mantisor boss, accepting a scything claw across the bank of her left gauntlet protecting the side of her head.


    The monster hit hard, but Tessa had taken worse in sparring practice with her dad and Aunt Nila.


    She punched a gauntlet covered fist into what looked like a normal human woman¡¯s face.


    The monster reeled back.


    Tessa went to launch a straight left into the face when she realized that her lower left arm was dead. It flopped limply from her upper arm.


    ¡°The mantisor boss¡¯ scythe-like claw cut straight through the armor on your gauntlet, your skin and muscle, down to the bone,¡± her uncle said.


    The momentary distraction was costly.


    Before Tessa could react the mantisor boss had slashed all over her body.


    She stiffened, unable to move, her body toppled over like a felled tree.


    The mantisor boss¡¯ disturbingly human face moved almost nose to nose with Tessa before the hard light hologram vanished.


    ¡°You cheated, Uncle!¡± Tessa screamed out in frustration.


    <hr>


    Tessa glared daggers at Cal.


    He didn¡¯t want to meet her eyes so he glanced around the medical chamber.


    Medical personnel were busy preparing the kids¡ª young men and women¡ª he had to remind himself, for placement into the healing pods.


    ¡°You guys did pretty good against the normal mantisors, not so much against the boss,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You cheated,¡± Tessa said flatly.


    ¡°Really? I was unaware that there were rules in real combat.¡±


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t real.¡±


    ¡°Luckily for you. If it was then you¡¯d all be dead. The spires might¡¯ve made life game-like, but they didn¡¯t turn it into an actual game. We don¡¯t get extra lives, second chances or the ability to start over with minor penalties to XP and our gear.¡±


    ¡°Mantisors are real monsters? I mean on this world¡­ you didn¡¯t make them up?¡± Gene said.


    Cal nodded. ¡°They come from one of the spawn zones in the surrounding local area.¡±


    ¡°How accurate was the simulation?¡± Mads said through clenched teeth.


    ¡°Exacting in parts. Less so in others. Their speed and strength was accurate. The sharpness of their claws, not so much. Obviously, there are limits to what the hard light holograms can replicate. Hence the need to rely on the control unit¡¯s amazing abilities to simulate things like severed limbs. The real mantisors can slice through the armor you wore with a few slashes. Though, as you experienced, the power of the impact can easily break human bones. Inertial dampeners would¡¯ve provided some protection from that, but unfortunately that technology is only available in the Threnosh power armors that they can only obtain from the spires.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°They have inertial dampeners for their vehicles, but they haven¡¯t been able to miniaturize the tech to fit in armor.¡±


    ¡°I mean why can they only get power armor from the spires?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s unclear,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°They didn¡¯t have them before the spires appeared. What they had were crude exoskeletons, though crude only in comparison to what they got from the spires. Their tech is significantly more advanced than our stuff.¡±


    ¡°So, while we got magic, Skills and superpowers on our world, they got power armor,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°That¡¯s the working hypothesis.¡±


    ¡°What was the point of that exercise?¡± Tessa ground out the words.


    Cal could feel the anger radiating out of his niece.


    ¡°To get a baseline of your capabilities for future training and to give you a preview of the type of monster you¡¯ll be facing for the points to get back home,¡± Cal said meeting Tessa¡¯s laser-like glare. ¡°Enough talk. Time to heal your injuries.¡±


    Tessa brushed off the medical personnel as they loaded the others into healing pods. She winced with every move as she walked to Cal, where he stood studying the readings from the pods containing Olo and Johnny.


    Tessa felt a pang as she looked at her friends¡¯ unconscious forms fully immersed in liquid gel.


    ¡°Will they really be okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, definitely. It¡¯ll just take time.¡±


    Tessa nodded curtly.


    Cal sighed. He didn¡¯t need his telepathic powers to know that his niece was angry with him.


    ¡°I get all that other stuff you were saying. I¡¯m not dumb enough to ignore the fact that I got lucky to survive in those tunnels and fighting the Deep Azure,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Saying you were lucky wasn¡¯t entirely an indictment,¡± Cal shook his head, ¡°winning in anything involves luck. Naturally, proper planning and preparation tips the odds to your side. Training does the same thing. You need to maximize your abilities. Squeeze everything you can out of them,¡± his eyes stared out at nothing, ¡°and¡­ sometimes¡­ all the power in the world, the hours of practice¡­ it won¡¯t be enough. You still lose.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I get all that, but my problem was that you specifically distracted me. I could¡¯ve beaten the mantisor boss¡­ hologram¡­ whatever.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the point. You won¡¯t always get fair fights. I¡¯d say you shouldn¡¯t even be trying to fight fair. You need to cheat. Stack the odds in your favor. Otherwise you die or¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªsuffer a fate worse than death. I know that,¡± Tessa snapped.


    ¡°Do you? From what you told me of the fishmen cult, you almost did. It was only through the sacrifices of your friends and family that you didn¡¯t end up like the cult leader.¡±


    Tessa scowled, but she couldn¡¯t deny the truth in Cal¡¯s words.


    ¡°I recorded a lot of video journals over the last couple of months. I¡­ I had a lot of things I was trying to unburden myself from. Still am. It is an unfiltered account of what I went through over the past two years,¡± Cal hesitated, but only for a moment ¡°I¡¯ll give you access so that you can understand that power isn¡¯t enough when there are so many terrible things out there.¡±


    ¡°Why are you telling me this?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ you¡¯re going into the healing pod for the next day or two. If your dad got my message, he might already be here and I¡­ I¡¯d have gone home.¡±


    ¡°You can stay. At least for awhile to help us train. Get better, like you said.¡±


    ¡°I would, but I¡¯m afraid that I might be compromised.¡±


    Tessa¡¯s eyes widened.


    Cal held up a hand. ¡°Plumbing the depths of my thoughts over the past few months, suggests that I¡¯m probably fine. It¡¯s just that I¡¯m not a hundred percent sure and I still haven¡¯t figured out how to determine that. Plus, I¡¯m burned out, like I¡¯m just a shell of person, trying to remember who I was, am,¡± he shook his head ruefully. ¡°I won, but it was a Pyrrhic victory by all metrics¡­ anyways, if you want to know then you can check my files.¡±


    ¡°Sure¡­ I don¡¯t get it, but whatever you say, Uncle,¡± Tessa said.


    Cal waited until Tessa was in her pod. He checked over the others, making sure all was in order.


    Broken bones for everyone, but that was expected.


    It seemed harsh and he felt guilty for letting it happen, indeed, planning for it, but he felt it necessary.


    His reading of them, especially his nieces, had revealed that though they had experienced traumatic events they had, mostly, with a few exceptions avoided real injury.


    The brush of death¡¯s hands hadn¡¯t touch them.


    Olo had gotten close, but Megan had brought him back from the edge.


    Cal wondered at that.


    His sister in-law hadn¡¯t displayed that kind of healing power from what he remembered.


    A lot had changed in the years of his absence.


    They were too reckless, he had seen it in them. Too trusting in their powers or on others to keep them alive.


    Cal had been the same.


    Then the Mother had wrapped him in her embrace and shattered the illusion of invincibility.


    Could he really leave?


    Even if Remy took his place there were still threats.


    Unknown abominations yet hidden in the depths of the Threnosh world. The cragant armies steadily appearing all over the world.


    Zalthyss.


    Two of them if it could be believed.


    One was Prime Custodian 3¡¯s captive.


    While another had vanished into the ocean.


    Of the second there had been no hints, despite the priority the Collective placed on it being located.


    Could Remy protect the kids from Zalthyss? Could his brother protect himself?


    Cal was running away. He knew this.


    He was just so tired of it all.


    Cal had to fix his thoughts. He knew this.


    He had to return home.


    He had fixated on it.


    He couldn¡¯t run away forever.


    So much rested on his shoulders.


    The fate of everyone and everything he cared about was in his hands.


    Mother Madrigal. The Deep Azure. Terrible beings, but the spires drove conflict. Their entire existence revolved around it. Future threats would only escalate.


    He couldn¡¯t just keep up. He needed to outpace it.


    Cal walked out of the medical chamber. He had much to prepare before his departure.


    ¡°Any day now,¡± he said.


    <hr>


    Remy stepped out of the spire into a dark night.


    Clouds filled the sky.


    He strained his senses, searching for signs of danger.


    When he found nothing beyond the typical sounds of a forest night he relaxed slightly.


    The air felt comfortable. Though his superhuman nature meant that a freezing winter night didn¡¯t feel much different from a cool spring day.


    He looked around.


    Superior night vision gave him the lay of the land.


    The spire stood in a grassy field. To one side a thick forest stretched out as far as he could see in the dark. Shadowy mountains rose impressively high in the distance beyond. On the other side was an open plain with tall grass that moved like ocean waves in the strong breeze.


    The air smelled clean, refreshing.


    Pleasant.


    Remy breathed in a lungful.


    He couldn¡¯t believe it. He was breathing deeply of an alien world¡¯s oxygen. How many other humans could say the same?


    Eight, Remy thought. Being the ninth wasn¡¯t bad.


    He could feel the alien planet¡¯s natural magnetic fields. No different from the ones back on Earth.


    He was in the process of figuring out his orientation when Megan appeared out of the spire.


    ¡°Remy!¡± Megan¡¯s voice was high.


    Remy stifled a curse. His wife would¡¯ve been barely able to see in this level of darkness. ¡°I¡¯m here, Hon. Don¡¯t move. I¡¯ll come to you.¡±


    Remy gently grabbed Megan¡¯s hand.


    She grasped the lifeline in a vise-like grip.


    ¡°We need light!¡±


    ¡°Shhh, not so loud. We don¡¯t know what might be out here. Which is why we can¡¯t use light just yet.¡±


    ¡°I can barely see you,¡± Megan hissed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I can see fine. Nothing dangerous out there. Just grass and trees.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯re we waiting for? Where¡¯s your brother?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure he knows we¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°What? I thought you had this worked out.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I sent a message before we left¡­ but¡­¡± Remy shrugged.


    ¡°Obviously, you wouldn¡¯t be able to view the reply,¡± Megan sighed. ¡°Cal has no idea we¡¯re here?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. His message said that they had this spire under surveillance. He should already know we¡¯re here. We just have to wait.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re supposed to just stand here in the dark. With monsters, alien creatures and who knows what else.¡± Megan drew closer to Remy.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine I can handle anything that might attack us. Besides, I¡¯m not picking up any threats. You can hear them, can¡¯t you? Just birds and insects out there. I thought you were super excited about studying all the alien animals?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but in a safe way¡­ not like this.¡±


    ¡°Fair point.¡±


    Thus, they waited in the dark with only the sounds of nature to keep them company.


    Megan jumped at nearly everything. From what sounded like birds calling to one another to what sounded like crickets.


    Remy thought himself immune to it all until a loud roar caused him to flinch.


    Megan¡¯s fingers tightened around his.


    ¡°That sounded like it came from faraway,¡± Remy hoped, ¡°you can tell by the way it sorta echoes,¡± he lied.


    ¡°You have no idea what you¡¯re talking about.¡± Megan was too sharp to be fooled.


    Thus the minutes seemed to stretch on for hours until Remy detected something approaching through his magnetic field.


    Energy was being emitted.


    A light shined in the night sky. High enough to be visible over the treetops, but low enough to be underneath the clouds.


    It was a flying vehicle. It had a rounded, boxy, cylindrical shape with glowing lights along its bottom.


    The vehicle looked like a giant minivan, minus the wheels, mixed with a cargo plane, minus the wings.


    ¡°What is that?¡± Megan looked up in alarm.


    ¡°I hope that¡¯s our ride.¡±


    The vehicle shined a light on the two of them as it approached.


    Remy was struck by how silent it was. His ability to sense electromagnetic fields told him that the vehicle was outputting a significant amount of energy, yet all he could hear was a soft hum.


    The vehicle rotated as it landed a few hundred feet. A ramp lowered and a person in advanced-looking armor came walking down.


    Remy smiled as the person removed his helmet.


    ¡°It¡¯s Cal.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t see crap,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± Remy pulled Megan along as he hurried forward.


    ¡°Rem, Megan,¡± Cal grinned, dropping his helmet to throw his arms around them. ¡°I¡¯m glad your safe.¡±


    ¡°What? Why wouldn¡¯t we be safe?¡± Megan said.


    ¡°Oh nothing, just some dragonbears out in the plains. I had some aerial combat drones distract them, so we¡¯re good,¡± Cal said.


    A smaller figure appeared next to them as if out of nowhere.


    Remy nearly jumped back in alarm at the fearsome visage of the figure¡¯s facemask. This must¡¯ve been one of the Threnosh.


    ¡°Oh, this is Shira, they¡¯re one of the Threnosh and currently in command of our base¡¯s combat operations in regards to the special candidates.¡±


    ¡°I greet you,¡± Shira said.


    ¡°Nice to meet you, Shira,¡± Megan held out a hand, ¡°I¡¯m Megan.¡±


    Shira shook the hand gingerly.


    ¡°Nice to meet you, I¡¯m Remy.¡± Remy felt the strength of Shira¡¯s grip. He felt barely restrained power as if it was always just on the edge of being unleashed. Cal hadn¡¯t said much about the individual Threnosh. Remy was immediately wary of Shira even though their short and slight stature made them look fragile. Then again, their power armor was certainly covered in a lot of sharp blades and spikes.


    Remy noticed the two large containers floating in Cal¡¯s wake. ¡°What are those for?¡±


    ¡°Oh those¡­¡± Cal chuckled, ¡°futuristic balikbayan boxes. Presents for some people back on Earth. Two is all I can afford to bring. Ironic, that¡­ like the spires are making fun of me.¡±


    ¡°Then that means¡ª¡± Remy frowned.


    ¡°I wish I could stay longer to catch up, but now that your here I can go home,¡± Cal held up a hand stopping the question on Remy¡¯s lips. ¡°Sorry, man,¡± he sighed. ¡°I know it¡¯s kinda messed up to leave you without more of an intro, but I have to go. If you want to know my reasons then just ask Tessa. I gave her access to my files. It¡¯ll be an uncomfortable watch, but my recordings will explain.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t just leave us like this,¡± Megan said.


    Remy saw something in his brother¡¯s eyes. He swallowed his protest and nodded.


    ¡°I plan to come back one day,¡± Cal said. ¡°Meanwhile, Shira will fill you in on anything you want to know about the situation here and the plan to get the kids enough points to get back home. Which, you two will need to be a part of.¡±


    ¡°I will comply with Honor¡¯s orders to the best of my ability,¡± Shira intoned.


    Remy nodded, perplexed.


    ¡°Watch all my journal vids if you want the full picture of my time on this world,¡± Cal said.


    Remy sensed great sadness from his brother. Shame and relief, as well.


    ¡°Till next time,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Take care of yourself,¡± Remy replied.


    They watched Cal and the two metallic-looking boxes disappear into the spire.


    A loud roar made Megan and Remy jump.


    ¡°We must depart before the dragonbears arrive,¡± Shira said.


    ¡°Right,¡± Remy nodded.


    The reunion with Cal had lasted minutes and had left Remy concerned for his brother. He consoled himself with the knowledge that he was going to hold his daughters soon.

 Interlude: Estelon 1.3

    ¡°Well, Est, you¡¯re about the last person I expected to be sitting across from me.¡±


    ¡°Well, Vin, same here.¡± Est didn¡¯t have the grace to conceal the scowl on his face.


    The last thing he wanted to do was to interact with family, even if his cousin wasn¡¯t too bad compared to the rest.


    Unfortunately, the ugliness of being a fairly responsible person had conspired to put him in a place not of his own choosing.


    ¡°Okay, so why are you here? Why did you barge into Guardian Central HQ screaming for me? I mean, you look terrible¡­ not injured or anything like that. More scruffy and hungover,¡± Vin narrowed his eyes, ¡°which I¡¯ll admit doesn¡¯t fit considering you¡¯d need to drink gallons of alcohol to get that way and I can¡¯t smell anything on you except for tasty food¡­ Lola¡¯s?¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t screaming and yes, I was just there, but that¡¯s not why I¡¯m here.¡± Est rubbed his eyes in a futile effort to relieve some of the pressure from a raging headache.


    ¡°Then why are you here?¡± Vin sighed.


    Est told his cousin about the conversation he had overheard while astral projecting along with the likely magical gem that completely shredded said astral form and gave him the world¡¯s worst headache.


    ¡°First of all¡­ I never took you for a voyeur and secondly, that¡¯s wrong and technically illegal. Grandfather won¡¯t be pleased.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not¡­¡± Est growled. This was why he disliked much of his extended family. So sanctimonious and eager to tear each other down to make themselves look better by comparison. ¡°I was projecting as part of my fully licensed profession.¡±


    ¡°Specifically?¡±


    ¡°That information isn¡¯t germane to the potentially dangerous activity that I¡¯m trying to tell you about.¡±


    ¡°Fine, fine, you¡¯ve never been a sneaky asshole. You¡¯ve always been one to speak the truth as you saw it¡­ with no regard to the feelings of others,¡± Vin said.


    Est shrugged.


    That was a fairly accurate assessment of his strength and flaw, depending on one¡¯s perspective.


    ¡°In any case, you haven¡¯t given me enough to go on. I¡¯ll grant that the conversation you stumbled upon sounds concerning, but I can¡¯t do much with just your say-so and physical descriptions of two people. We take our laws seriously. Innocent until proven guilty, after all.¡±


    ¡°Easy, pick up the two of them and get them to swear they aren¡¯t about to do anything harmful under a truth spell, gem, charm, whatever or use a truth scanner, those things are like 95% accurate.¡±


    ¡°We need evidence,¡± Vin sighed. ¡°I¡¯m not kidding. We really take the rules seriously here in the Guardian Force. Your mother would rip me a new one if I so much as stumble off the sword¡¯s edge.¡±


    ¡°You are proving less helpful than I had anticipated,¡± Est frowned. ¡°You know what it costs me to just be here.¡±


    ¡°I guess so,¡± Vin nodded, ¡°but from where I¡¯m sitting I think you and your mother are being huge drama queens about the whole thing.¡±


    ¡°She banished me,¡± Est said flatly.


    ¡°Unofficially,¡± Vin shrugged, ¡°you didn¡¯t do anything truly banishment worthy. You¡¯ve just been made into a social pariah of sorts.¡±


    ¡°And you don¡¯t see what¡¯s wrong with that? Tell me Vin, what do you think Grandfather and Grandmother will say when they come back and find out?¡±


    ¡°Probably yell at the both of you and force you to reconcile. So, why not just do it yourselves and save yourselves the trouble and embarrassment?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s one thing you and your mom have in common¡­ the almost epic level stubbornness¡ª¡± Vin hesitated. ¡°Don¡¯t tell her I said that, please?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re getting off path here. What¡¯ll it take for you to investigate this?¡±


    ¡°Actual evidence,¡± Vin said.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you at least put surveillance on the two people? I¡¯d do it myself, but I¡¯d need to stay within a certain distance of the targets and thanks to Mom,¡± Est grimaced, ¡°I can¡¯t travel freely to the rest of the nation outside of where I live and here in Manila. I will not ask her for clearance,¡± he stabbed a finger toward Vin.


    ¡°I still need actionable intelligence to get my people on them,¡± Vin shrugged. ¡°We¡¯re not a surveillance state, despite the preponderance of psionic powers in our family alone.¡±


    ¡°Would it convince you if I let you experience the memory of what I listened to through your own eyes?¡±


    Vin¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°You¡¯re serious?¡± When Est nodded, Vin blew out a long breath. ¡°Definitely not what I was expecting. Est letting someone else into his thoughts,¡± he shook his head. ¡°Do I need to have you checked for duplication? Mind control? Subsumption?¡±


    Est held up a finger. ¡°Just the memory of the conversation between the suspicious people¡­ I¡¯ll know if you go beyond that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d never violate a family member¡¯s trust like that,¡± Vin said. ¡°We all had our earliest lessons from the same man.¡±


    ¡°The conversation took place in an Arena bar about twenty minutes ago,¡± Est said.


    ¡°Weird place for you to be in.¡± Vin raised his hands, ¡°I know, I know. You were on a job. So long as it¡¯s all legal then I don¡¯t care and I won¡¯t go poking around in that annoyingly broody mind of yours.¡±


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°Just get it over with,¡± Est grunted.


    Est locked eyes with Vin.


    He felt the lightest touch on his mind as Vin used the ability to experience an other''s memories as if they were his own.


    It was over in a few blinks of their connected eyes.


    ¡°Okay¡­ you may have a point,¡± Vin said after a moment. ¡°The man and the woman in your memories definitely set off my troublemaker instincts. I¡¯ll get eyes on them right away,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be able to find them?¡±


    ¡°You saw them twenty minutes ago. They¡¯re probably still at the Arena. If not¡­ then not really that big of a problem. Our rules protect from random and indiscriminate surveillance of people going about their lives. When there is a threat we can find a needle in a haystack, quickly.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a good thing the keepers of such power are incorruptible,¡± Est said. ¡°Thanks, cousin. I¡¯ve got a anti-grav taxi waiting and its draining my account. Feel free to not keep me abreast of your investigation.¡±


    Est got up and left without further word.


    It took Vin a moment to realize that Est¡¯s words carried a tinge of sarcasm.


    Then he realized that some of the words had been genuine.


    As always it was a struggle to figure out which was which.


    It wasn¡¯t a surprise to Vin why Est was on the outs with the rest of the family.


    He grabbed his PID before heading down to imaging to get the memory in his head of the two suspects translated into accurate renderings. His half century of instinct and experience was telling him that Est had stumbled on something big.


    For his part, Est was feeling a little better now that he had unburdened himself.


    He was looking forward to a quick drink from the ancient bottle of Laphroaig in the safe in his office before going to sleep and hoping that the headache would go away by the time he woke up.


    The taxi dropped him off right at his doorstep.


    ¡°Ah! Partner Est has returned,¡± Runt grinned toothily from the couch in the waiting area. The Torruk¡¯s bulk covered two-thirds of the furniture sized for three normal humans. The smile fell away as he noticed the bleary look in Est¡¯s eyes. ¡°Did surveillance on the young miss¡¯ ferocious battle bonded not proceed as hoped?¡±


    Est grunted by way of greeting before going straight into his office for that drink.


    Runt followed with obvious concern on his brutish, but expressive face.


    Est didn¡¯t say anything until he had sat down in his chair and had two sips.


    ¡°Actually the Darkwillow case is done. I now know what her little Rose,¡± he grimaced, ¡°is up to on those nighttime jaunts. The stakeout was more exciting than my usual ones and I¡¯ve solved it in record time. Obviously we¡¯re not going to close it just yet. Got to properly earn that 5k. Darkwillow needs an education on her bonded familiar and I aim to see it through. Plus, I¡¯m still concerned on why she got the skarling in the first place. It could be trouble, which could spread out and eventually get back to me. I can just picture Darkwillow getting into it with a hit squad from Sylvandria and causing a whole lot of collateral damage in the city,¡± he sighed ruefully, ¡°then once my mother finds out that I was on the ground floor of this case and didn¡¯t stop a multiversal incident¡­¡±


    ¡°Are we not all on the ground? At least for the majority of our terrestrial travels?¡± Runt frowned.


    ¡°My associate,¡± Est raised the glass, ¡°may you never change. Hey, do you want a drink?¡±


    Runt¡¯s face scrunched up. ¡°Your spirits taste like the muddy ground water of my homeland mixed with burnt wood.¡±


    ¡°Still better than that too sweet abomination your parents send you,¡± Est snorted. ¡°Like a glass of sugar with two drops of water mixed in.¡±


    Runt smiled then pouted. ¡°I drink it too fast. Still another six months before they send another cask.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you just buy it from the spires marketplace? I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯ve seen it before.¡±


    ¡°Unnatural copies or made by inferior brewers. Parents only get from the best.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough,¡± Est shrugged. ¡°So, what¡¯d you find out about Darkwillow? Her family? Connections?¡±


    ¡°Young Miss Darkwillow is one-fourth Sylvandrian through her maternal grandfather. She is three-fourth¡¯s Earthian. The little Rose¡¯s egg was gifted from her grandfather¡¯s ancestor and current Eternal Empress of the island nations of the Hundredfold Fingers of Delurian. It is said that the god sank his many hands into the ocean to pull the islands up from the depths. Red-backed skarlings are native to no other place on the world.¡±


    ¡°Gifted directly to Darkwillow?¡±


    ¡°That is correct. May I continue the report?¡±


    Est nodded.


    ¡°The family knows not why Young Miss Darkwillow was gifted such a prize. For her grandfather had been and is still exiled for procreating with her grandmother. Bonding to a skarling, especially the red-backed subspecies, is a rare opportunity and an honor.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ definitely something up¡ª¡±


    ¡°There is more.¡±


    ¡°Do go on,¡± Est waved a hand.


    And so Runt did.


    For the next hour.


    Indeed, Est hadn¡¯t expected an overview on the recent and not so recent history of the Delurian islands and Darkwillow¡¯s direct connection to what amounted to the royal family.


    Eternal Empress was apparently a Class, which suggested what? Immortality?


    And now she was what? Trying to reconnect with a wayward scion and his new, human family?


    His headache hadn¡¯t abated an inch and his glass had been long empty when Runt finally finished.


    ¡°Well¡­ that¡¯s good info. How¡¯d you get it all?¡± Est was impressed. Runt was just a novice at this whole investigator thing after all.


    ¡°I asked Young Miss Darkwillow on the video chat,¡± Runt held up his PID.


    Est sighed. ¡°Okay¡­ good job. Doesn¡¯t matter how, as long as you get the intel. They don¡¯t seem to know much about the familiar bond then?¡±


    ¡°They do not.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d think the Sylvandrian grandfather would know.¡±


    ¡°Only a select few know the complete details of how the bond is forged. The rest of the population only see the final results.¡± Runt¡¯s massively muscled body shivered. ¡°To merge with a familiar¡­ two become one and back¡­ it sounds impossible, unnatural.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t everything unnatural?¡± Est raised a brow. ¡°Me and you included.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Runt said flatly.


    ¡°Difference of opinion then,¡± Est shrugged. ¡°I only know of the Sylvandrian familiar bonding system through a few paragraphs from a lesson decades ago, but I successfully subcontracted out the research to a clerk at The Archive. Hopefully, we¡¯ll have what we need in a day or two.¡± He rose from his chair. ¡°My head is killing me. I¡¯ll tell you about the rest of my night tomorrow. Stay as long as you want, but I¡¯m done.¡±


    ¡°I shall lock up, partner. Sleep well, may the demons in your thoughts give you peace this night,¡± Runt said solemnly with a bowed head.


    ¡°Well¡­ now I¡¯m definitely worried.¡± Est headed to the side door. He had a small, one bedroom apartment just above his office. His serviceable bed was calling.

 4.27

    Now, Earth


    Cal breathed a sigh of relief as he stepped into the spire.


    He was glad he wasn¡¯t going to have to explain Tessa¡¯s and Veronica¡¯s broken bones. He¡¯d be a literal world away by the time Remy and Megan found out. They were going to be pissed about the training plan.


    His brother was smart and pragmatic.


    Once Remy saw that the injuries were easily healed, Cal was confident that he would get on board.


    The spires¡¯ ethereal interior loomed in front of Cal.


    It somehow managed to feel infinitely expansive and claustrophobic at the same time.


    Cal donned his helmet, but kept the functions off. Past experiments had taught him that the helmet¡¯s sensors didn¡¯t like what they picked up when inside the spire.


    The journey through the spire took a long time.


    It was a short walk.


    An hour and a day, the mists swirled around Cal.


    It was like walking from the couch to the fridge and back.


    A hike up a mountain and back.


    A quick run back into to the house for sunglasses.


    The journey was all of these things.


    It was none of these things.


    Hence, the great relief that Cal felt when he stepped out into the bright sun of a Northern California day.


    ¡°Huh? Night to day this time. What was it last time? I think I went from daylight to daylight. So long ago,¡± Cal muttered.


    The university campus wasn¡¯t much different.


    The lawn looked less maintained. The grass was longer in spots. The shrubbery and flowers had gone wild.


    The guns and other weapons pointed in his face was new.


    Right, the cult.


    Remy¡¯s message had briefly touched on the issue.


    Davis was under the cult¡¯s control.


    A problem for another day.


    Cal¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    One of the women sported a sharp-looking tentacle instead of an arm and was pointing it directly at him.


    Here and there he found signs of obvious mutation.


    Tentacles, spines, shell-like armor.


    ¡°Stop right there! Who are you that you¡¯d trespass in Deep Azure territory without permission?¡± a robed woman barked.


    Cal briefly touched their thoughts, it was an involuntary reflex borne of the potential threat they presented. He withdrew his telepathy as soon as he noticed what he was doing.


    That brief touch connected him to something old. Something as cold and dark as the deep ocean.


    ¡°Deep Azure,¡± Cal said. ¡°Nope.¡± He severed the connection with a thought. He still hadn¡¯t recovered from Mother Madrigal. He wasn¡¯t ready to contest wills with another eldritch abomination.


    ¡°Answer me! I demand it.¡±


    Cal ignored the cultist.


    There was no point.


    ¡°Azure Bolt!¡±


    A writhing mass of dark blue energy appeared out of the robed woman¡¯s hands and streaked toward Cal.


    It splashed harmlessly against his telekinetic shield.


    The touch of it brought the connection back.


    Familiar, yet different. Will you prove worthy of servitude, unlike your brother?


    You¡¯re lucky I¡¯m on vacation, Cal thought. I am much more ruthless than my brother and I will do more than drop the ocean floor on your head.


    Cal saw into the Deep Azure as it did into him.


    They forged a connection.


    Cal felt nothing but disgust and revulsion at the joining.


    They struggled for a moment before both pushed away from each the other.


    It seemed that the Deep Azure felt the same way about being inside Cal¡¯s thoughts.


    There is a truce.


    Which I am not a part of, Cal thought.


    The Deep Azure was wary now.


    Break it at your peril. Break it and those you care about suffer. I have seen them in your heart. I have marked them.


    Cal had nothing more to say. He rebuilt his telepathic walls and floated up into the sky with his two boxes in tow.


    The cultists lowered their weapons and watched him fly away to the east toward the rising sun.


    Cal hovered over Sacramento as he searched for Nila¡¯s thoughts amongst the tens of thousands of people.


    It was an unpleasant experience opening himself up to so many disparate minds.


    Tens of thousands, all shouting their surface thoughts into his ears, no, directly into his brain.


    It would¡¯ve been maddening to a lesser mind without the abilities and techniques to mitigate the negative effects.


    He found Nila within minutes.


    The touch of her familiar mind brought joy to Cal¡¯s soul for the first time in years. Though the sadness in Nila¡¯s thoughts hit him like a punch in the gut.


    He quickly withdrew his telepathy. It was wrong to intrude on her thoughts.


    The multitudes of shouting voices in his head lessened to that of hushed whispers. Ever present, but manageable.


    He flew over the State Capitol ignoring the shouts from below. He headed straight for Midtown. To an apartment building that had been new when the spires had appeared ten years ago.


    Nila was in one of the apartments facing the street.


    Cal took off his helmet and took a deep breath.


    He was almost giddy, nervous like on their first date close to seventeen years ago.


    His hand shook as he knocked on the door.


    The wait was interminable.


    Cal felt eternity pass before Nila answered.


    Her eyes widened a moment before she threw her arms around him and cried.


    Cal returned the embrace, as tight as he could without hurting her.


    ¡°Hey, love,¡± Cal whispered into her ear.


    ¡°Hey, love,¡± Nila returned in between sobs.


    They melted into each other.


    Time slowed.


    They existed in their own world.


    Nothing else mattered.


    Their lips became as one.


    For the first time in a long time, their world felt right.


    At least for the moment, there was only happiness.


    Cal was finally home.


    <hr>


    ¡°You should at least say hi,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°No, that¡¯s okay. I wasn¡¯t really close with any of them,¡± Cal frowned. ¡°And they¡¯ll ask me to help¡­¡±


    ¡°Then just tell them ¡®no¡¯. That you¡¯re taking a break. That you¡¯ll come back¡­ you are planning to, right?¡± Nila had taken it for granted that Cal was coming back to face the Deep Azure cult. That he couldn¡¯t let that evil continue to exist. The look in his eyes worried her.


    They had spent half the night talking.


    Well, Cal talked. She listened.


    He had poured everything out.


    The horribleness of the Mother Madrigal entity rivaled what Nila had seen in the temple beneath the ocean floor. She shuddered to imagine what Cal had undergone while imprisoned.


    The false lives he was forced to live. The blood and pain he inflicted on the Inheritors in Mother Madrigal¡¯s twisted efforts to strengthen her creations. The friend he had killed.


    She had to look closely, but she could see the pain of it buried within Cal¡¯s eyes when his control slipped.


    As it did now.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, definitely. Just¡­ I don¡¯t know when,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°So, you know what to do right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m supposed to explain how these,¡± Nila looked at the silvery devices in her hand, ¡°thumb drives work.¡±


    ¡°Easy, they¡¯re wireless. Any laptop or phone should be able to detect it. The Threnosh assured me that they¡¯ll be compatible with our inferior technology,¡± Cal said lightly, ¡°no idea how that works or why they¡¯re so sure,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Oh, make sure they get the password right.¡±


    ¡°Right, wrote it down and memorized it. You¡¯ve already tested me five time.¡±


    ¡°The stuff in those things are super important. Why I went to the Threnosh world in the first place. They present the first steps in potential diplomatic relations between our two worlds.¡±


    ¡°Do they know that our world isn¡¯t exactly unified? From what you told me they have a monolithic government.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think government is the right word. I gave generally accurate information about us. I think since they¡¯re dealing with an invasion from their upworld they¡¯ll be eager to at least avoid an adversarial relationship with us. I just hope groups on our side don¡¯t get stupid and think colonial thoughts. On the plus side, I¡¯ve got a direct line to one of the Threnosh leaders.¡±


    ¡°Prime Custodian 3.¡± Such a strange name, but they were a powerful figure according to Cal. They had total control over an area half again as large as North America. There were fourteen such primes in control of their own territories. Nila wondered at the size of the Threnosh planet. ¡°You know, they sound like a dictator from what you say.¡±


    ¡°It does seem that way, but I¡¯m not sure the definition fits when the population isn¡¯t being oppressed¡­ aside from the Defectives,¡± Cal¡¯s face twisted. ¡°Their treatment is definitely messed up.¡±


    ¡°They might think it¡¯s all fine, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°Maybe, but we have to be careful about projecting our human ways on an entirely different species,¡± Cal said. ¡°Okay, so all the operation manuals for the recoilless rifles and armor are also included in those drives. The one I¡¯m going to give to the governor just has the diplomatic stuff.¡±


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    ¡°Self-repairing armor,¡± Nila shook her head. Threnosh tech was like magic.


    ¡°It¡¯s too bad the armor is dumb. Couldn¡¯t include practically all of the active and passive systems. To expensive for me to bring through the spire. I guess they¡¯re too advanced compared to our world¡¯s tech.¡±


    ¡°But you had like over two million universal points¡­ how much did it cost to bring over an armor with full systems?¡±


    ¡°The dumb armor I brought cost an extra 25k each. One with full capabilities was ten times as much.¡±


    Nila¡¯s jaw dropped. The numbers were staggering.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Cal nodded in agreement. ¡°It¡¯s ridiculous. It takes so much just for me to travel through the spires. I don¡¯t know how long it¡¯ll take me to get enough to go back. The only reason I got so many points was because of how difficult the last two years¡­¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°What about your hand? The R&D team were able to make prosthetics for Detective Ordonez and Jake, with magic they work just like the real thing.¡±


    Cal looked at his three-fingered left hand. ¡°It¡¯s been so long that this feels like normal.¡± He turned away.


    Nila reached out, but Cal was already walking to the front door.


    ¡°They can decide who gets to wear the armor. Mr. Del Campo and anyone capable of casting metal can probably make the bullets for the recoilless rifles. They just have to copy the ones I brought along. The sword and shield go to Hanna and¡­ I guess you can tell them I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Cal was gone and Nila felt a spike of fear that she¡¯d never see him again.


    She took a deep breath and told herself that wasn¡¯t going to happen.


    There was time before the others arrived, so she set about trying on the armor that Cal had brought specifically for her.


    She pulled out the onesie from its container. Cal had raved about it. Claiming that wearing it felt like being completely naked while never being too hot or too cold regardless of the temperature. Not only that, he had said that it somehow kept one feeling clean and dry even after wearing it for hours and even days while performing strenuous activities.


    ¡°Impossible,¡± Nila murmured.


    The next layer was another suit, flexible and lightweight like cloth, not that encumbrance was an issue for her, but stronger than military-grade bulletproof plates.


    The actual armor plating went on next.


    Cal had said that it was like wearing tank armor, but even better.


    Even without an inertial dampening system like the Threnosh employed armor naturally dispersed a significant portion of the impact force.


    A normal human wearing this armor could safely ignore small arms fire.


    Anti-tank rounds would injure, but not kill.


    Would she have fared better against the Deep Azure wearing the Threnosh armor?


    Would Keisha?


    <hr>


    ¡°First question, why now?¡±


    Cal regarded Alejandro Richards.


    The governor of the California State Government had lost the interim tag in Cal¡¯s five year absence.


    Cal had avoided meeting with the governor in the past.


    He knew that the man had been around his age and was some kind of low level staffer for a state assembly member before the spires had appeared.


    The light brown skin of the governor¡¯s face was marred by lines of wrinkles, his once black hair had gone mostly gray. Governor Richards looked to be a decade older than Cal.


    Cal noticed his reflection in the office window. He hadn¡¯t really noticed before, but he hadn¡¯t aged a day. He filed away the troubling realization for a later date.


    ¡°I¡¯ve learned many things,¡± Cal began. He weighed how much information he should reveal and how much he needed to keep back to protect himself and his loved ones. ¡°The main one is that there are entities out there that can¡¯t be faced alone.¡±


    ¡°Hence, opening diplomatic relations with these Threnosh,¡± the governor said.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to take my word for it. You can watch it for yourself.¡±


    ¡°A flash drive from a highly-advanced humanoid race from another world¡­ monsters and magic are already hard to believe,¡± the governor held the small silvery Threnosh device in his hands, almost reverently. ¡°The spires did say that there are other worlds out there and that we need to fight to gain strength and survive,¡± he sighed. ¡°It¡¯s been a struggle just to accomplish the latter with gremlins and mutated squirrels and rats.¡±


    ¡°Like I said, there are much worse things out there, though from what I heard about the Deep Azure and its cult, you should already be aware of that,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t get me wrong. I¡¯ve known about the possibilities of true horror out there. I had one close to me for over a year. Trusted her like a little sister of sorts.¡±


    Flo, Cal thought with guilt.


    ¡°I knew she was troubled, but I couldn¡¯t fathom the truth. I still think about what I could¡¯ve done differently. Maybe I could¡¯ve helped her keep control,¡± Governor Richards said.


    ¡°Many could¡¯ve, should¡¯ve acted differently in regards to Flo.¡± Cal included himself in the count.


    The governor smiled sadly.


    Cal found the man easy to like.


    Something tickled his thoughts.


    He had closed his telepathy off as much as possible to drown out the thought pollution from the thousands of people in the area surrounding the capitol building.


    Realization hit him.


    The reason that he had been instinctively wary of meeting the governor back in the past. Why most people had always spoken well of the man? Why a low level staffer had managed to place himself in a position in power and keep it for so long?


    Cal pushed back with his telepathy.


    The governor¡¯s eyes widened a fraction for an instant. Alarm flashed, but gone with a blink.


    ¡°It¡¯s about trust,¡± Cal said levelly. ¡°Survival requires it. Our world can¡¯t do so as isolated pockets of humanity even with magic, Skills and other powers. We already have invaders. Did you catch it? I didn¡¯t at the time, probably because I was on another world when Earth hit the ten year mark.¡±


    The governor swallowed a lump in his throat. ¡°Entities with special dispensation are allowed to come here. That doesn¡¯t explain the Deep Azure¡¯s appearance. Your nieces had the first reported sighting of a fishman and that was around four years ago. Intel suggests that the cult likely formed around the same time that you vanished¡­ to another world, as it happens.¡±


    ¡°Trust is what matters now,¡± Cal continued, ignoring the governor. ¡°Are you a good person, Alejandro?¡±


    ¡°Alex is fine¡­ I try to be.¡±


    Cal nodded. His involuntary reception of the peoples¡¯ thoughts suggested that the California State Government was generally a good thing. Plenty of food and shelter. And other services that in some ways were superior to the pre-spires days. Corruption, abuse of power and exploitation of the vulnerable were at historic lows from what Cal could tell.


    Then again his glimpse into the cultist¡¯s thoughts suggested an even better quality of life for the majority. The thought of what the fishmen did to the minority sent a flash of anger through Cal.


    It made him question his plans to step away for what felt like the hundredth time since the previous night when Nila had recounted all of the horrid acts at the Deep Azure¡¯s feet.


    Cal blinked at the governor''s wary look. Like a mouse in front of tiger. The man looked like he didn¡¯t dare breathe.


    Cal forced himself to relax a measure.


    The governor followed suit.


    ¡°Your ability¡­ it¡¯s how you managed to gain power and keep it.¡±


    ¡°I know what you¡¯re getting at,¡± Alex frowned. ¡°I had no choice. If one of the politicians took charge they would¡¯ve thrown everyone else to the monsters to keep themselves safe. Law enforcement, the military, we¡¯d have a situation where only those valuable in a fight would be getting taken care of. Everyone else would¡¯ve been sacrificed as dead weight or used as meatshields or worse.¡±


    Cal agreed with the words and he knew that it was of his own volition. Not due to the governor¡¯s influence.


    ¡°Trust,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± Alex said flatly.


    ¡°A reason to leave that device with you. A reason to walk away from here. A reason to not get involved.¡±


    ¡°No one knows, although I¡¯m sure Detective Ordonez suspects.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t they wonder about your class?¡±


    ¡°I tell people its Governor: State of California, before that it had Interim in front, prior to that it was my job title before the spires appeared. It¡¯s a plausible story. A lot of the older folks classes are just the jobs and careers they had. Even to this day some have kept them as long as they perform the same job or a similar function.¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°Self-image plays a large role in determining classes, at least that¡¯s the theory.¡±


    ¡°Seems likely. Though what does that say about people like us?¡± Alex said.


    ¡°You have the ability to make people see you in a favorable light,¡± Cal cut to the heart. He already knew the nature of the governor¡¯s ability. He wanted the man to reveal it.


    ¡°Trust goes both ways,¡± Alex said.


    ¡°My own abilities don¡¯t come from magic or Skills. I¡¯d say it fits under the superpowers category. Like in comic books.¡±


    ¡°Or those movies. It¡¯s the same with me. My superpower makes me really charming to most people. As if I was the most trustworthy person they had ever met. It helped me in the early days get all of this started. Otherwise our government would¡¯ve been a bunch of warlords fighting over the right to exploit everyone else.¡±


    ¡°How does it work?¡±


    ¡°Picture volume control. I can turn it down to zero and turn it all the way up to eleven. It¡¯s not foolproof. Spells, Skills and plain willpower can fight or outright cancel the effects, but no one has ever realized what was going on. How did you notice?¡±


    Cal hesitated.


    Trust.


    He couldn¡¯t be a hypocrite, but he also wouldn¡¯t be a fool.


    ¡°Your powers are psionic in nature.¡±


    ¡°Right, that¡¯s what my personal account page said. I¡¯m a¡ª¡°


    ¡°I don¡¯t need to know the specifics,¡± Cal held up a hand. He wasn¡¯t willing to reciprocate to keep things equitable.


    ¡°Is that how? Your powers are similar? In the same category?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    The governor laughed, short and bitter. ¡°I think your underselling it. Because I certainly can¡¯t even dream of doing the things I¡¯ve heard you can do. Your brothers? Are they in the same tree?¡±


    ¡°I can only speak for myself,¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°Fair,¡± Alex shrugged. ¡°So, now that we established a rapport¡­ what¡¯s next? You taking over from me?¡±


    ¡°Not a chance. Just watch the Threnosh message on the drive. I¡¯ve also included information about monsters and other threats.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll get started on a diplomatic plan right away.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll also want to get a strategic and tactical plan for some of the threats. I outlined which ones are likely to eventually make their way to our world.¡±


    The governor ran a hand through his wavy hair. ¡°That¡¯s on top of the threats we don¡¯t know about,¡± he blew out a long breath. ¡°I notice you haven¡¯t said a word about your plans for dealing with the Deep Azure cult.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have any immediate plans.¡±


    The governor frowned. ¡°You¡¯re just going to let them¡­ keep doing what they¡¯ve been doing?¡± his voice rose.


    ¡°Just in the near term,¡± Cal said stiffly.


    ¡°What? I know you haven¡¯t been around, but you do know what they¡¯ve done to our people? I can have you meet with some of the poor women they used to¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been made aware,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Then why? I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m taking myself off the board. There are reasons, but those are my business. Not yours.¡±


    ¡°What happened to trust?¡± Alex half rose.


    Cal pointed at the silvery drive in the governor¡¯s hand. ¡°I¡¯ve brought you information from another world. Along with an avenue to be one of the first to establish diplomatic relations with an entirely different species. A highly advanced technological one. Think of what you can exchange. Ask my old acquaintances from Davis for a demonstration of the least of what the Threnosh might one day be able to trade with us.¡±


    The governor fell back into his chair like a physical force had struck him.


    Cal¡¯s anger was a palpable thing.


    The governor had never experienced its like.


    The door to a side office opened slowly, hesitantly.


    Cal reined himself in as soon as he felt the thoughts of alarm in the other room.


    Wide-eyed fear hit him as a small child peeked his head in the crack in the door.


    Cal calmed himself with an effort. He strengthened the telepathic walls around his mind to keep the anger, sadness and despair that had been his constant companions for such a long time.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Julian?¡± Alex said as he quickly walked over to pick up the child.


    ¡°Nightmare.¡±


    Cal instantly felt guilty at the child¡¯s small voice.


    ¡°Hmm, can you get those during daytime naps?¡± Alex raised a brow at Cal.


    ¡°No¡­ you shouldn¡¯t be able to,¡± Cal forced a smile.


    ¡°This is my little boy, Julian.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s three,¡± Cal said in disbelief.


    The governor nodded in understanding at the unsaid question. ¡°We¡¯ve done a pretty good job here at regaining some normalcy. People have food, homes, a reasonable expectation of safety.¡±


    ¡°The gremlins¡­¡±


    ¡°No longer appear in our homes as we¡¯ve expanded our zones of control. It¡¯s like the spires said. The stronger we get, the better our lives turn out. I can¡¯t say we understand how it all works, but our collective strength is tied to our territory¡¯s which keeps out monsters weaker than a certain threshold from even entering.¡±


    ¡°Just like for homes and other buildings,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Except there doesn¡¯t seem to be a secret boss to fight for the territory as a whole. Thank God for that! The ones in the buildings are bad enough,¡± Alex said. ¡°Things have really turned around a lot since the early years. There was hope¡­ until the Deep Azure cult appeared, that is. Now we face another existential threat.¡±


    ¡°The truce?¡±


    ¡°I think you know that will only last as long as is convenient for them,¡± Alex frowned.


    Cal nodded.


    ¡°I can¡¯t persuade you?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Cal said. The risks are too great, he thought.


    ¡°Well, don¡¯t wait too long. We can¡¯t beat them by ourselves.¡±


    The governor held out a hand.


    Cal shook it.


    ¡°I¡¯ll monitor the situation,¡± Cal said reluctantly. ¡°If things turn bad, I won¡¯t stand aside.¡±


    The governor stared into Cal¡¯s eyes, searching.


    ¡°I trust you at that,¡± Alex said finally.


    Cal nodded then walked to the partially opened window.


    ¡°What¡¯re you doing?¡±


    ¡°Leaving.¡± Cal winked at young Julian. ¡°Sorry for waking you up, kid. Take care of your daddy.¡±


    With that he pushed the window open and flew up into the sky.


    Julian laughed with joy at the sight.


    The doors to the governor¡¯s office burst open.


    ¡°Detective Ordonez¡­¡± Alex nodded with understanding. ¡°You just missed him. If you hurry you can probably catch him at the house we gave Nila Chen.¡±


    The detective growled then turned on her heal and stalked away.


    ¡°Sorry, I tried to stop her, but¡ª¡± the guard stammered.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you did everything you could. Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Alex waved the young Fighter¡¯s apology away, ¡°the detective has done the same to many others.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard stories, sir, but I thought the vets were bulls¡ª messing with me.¡±


    ¡°The important thing is that you tried,¡± Alex sighed.

 4.28

    Now, Earth


    The time had finally arrived.


    The cost had been great, but it was worth it to obtain access, limited though it may be.


    Spreading one¡¯s presence across the multitudes was not easy for one of the older powers.


    Their passage wouldn¡¯t go unmarked by the others, always eager to seize on the slightest opportunity for control.


    The more one held, the more one gained.


    Strength rose, as it ever must if one did not wish to be consumed by their peers.


    Their touch upon the new world was like a finger tip dipped into a placid pool of water.


    Ripples radiated out increasing in size with distance and time.


    Others had already staked their claims on this new world.


    Its original inhabitants would rise as well.


    The challenge was great, as it always was.


    As the spires desired.


    Power through conflict never-ending.


    They sought a herald. One to prepare the way.


    A gambit.


    A trick.


    A trap.


    One that had served them well on countless other worlds.


    The spires created a world desperate for power to survive its challenges.


    They would provide that power for a reasonable cost.


    ¡°Have you sent the item?¡±


    A language not of words. Audible, but not spoken.


    ¡°Don¡¯t rush me. I¡¯m trying to find a good candidate.¡±


    ¡°Well, hurry it up. You¡¯re burning through a lot of Universal Points and I need to use the multi-dimensional viewer too.¡±


    ¡°What? I thought I was the only that needed it.¡±


    ¡°We splurged. Got access to a second new world. I thought it was a bad idea to target two in quick succession, but no one listens to me, so¡­¡±


    ¡°Fine, fine, just let me work in silence¡­ it¡¯s annoying with you sloshing around behind me.¡±


    ¡°What kind of world are you working on? Ah¡­ a bipedal species, I see.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ I¡¯m going with standard procedure for these primitive sorts.¡±


    ¡°An item of great power that binds them to our will. Rarely fails¡­ however, I see a problem.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Your location already has a being with immense power and potential and it looks like another one is approaching¡­ hmm¡­ this might be a good opportunity to record what the inhabitants of this world are capable of.¡±


    ¡°Quiet¡­ I¡¯m trying to concentrate. The portal won¡¯t be open for much longer and if I screw this up¡­ besides, as you stated, using the viewer from such a great distance is an immense drain on our points. I¡¯ve already been censured once this cycle for ¡®needless waste¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Sorry. My mouths are sealed.¡±


    Silence reigned for an indeterminable amount of time.


    ¡°There, magic item is away through the portal.¡±


    ¡°Just in time too. Now, get out of the harness. I need to get started on my world.¡±


    ¡°Want to make a bet?¡±


    ¡°Again? You always lose, but sure, I don¡¯t mind you covering my shifts.¡±


    ¡°First world to fall is the winner.¡±


    ¡°As always.¡±


    <hr>


    Rayna had been enjoying the sunny day as she laid out on the beach during her exceedingly rare time off.


    Had been, that is, until the landsharks came out of the water.


    The mutated animals or monsters, she wasn¡¯t clear on that, were eerily silent aside from their gnashing teeth and muscular tails whipping across the sand.


    The name was descriptive.


    They were sharks, but with legs in addition to their fins.


    They moved with surprising quickness given their bulk, spraying huge clouds of sand in the wake of their passing.


    Rayna raised a hand.


    The school of landsharks suddenly found themselves floating ten feet off the sand. Their legs kicked and their tails thrashed, but they stayed firmly in place.


    ¡°It¡¯s your fault people can¡¯t enjoy the beach anymore,¡± Rayna muttered.


    Rayna willed more gravity fields within the one she had already encased around the creatures to lift them up and hold them in place.


    She could¡¯ve sent them higher and free from Earth¡¯s hold. They would¡¯ve simply shot off into space, but that was a waste.


    Instead, she placed gravity fields inside each creature¡¯s head to crush their brains.


    The landsharks spasmed violently before falling still aside from the odd twitch.


    Rayna sighed and got up off her towel. She donned clothes over her bikini and walked back into the city with the landsharks floating behind her. Blood leaked from their heads, but floated freely as droplets within Rayna¡¯s invisible gravity field.


    Rayna felt like a kid walking down the empty streets with the world¡¯s most disgusting balloon on an invisible tether.


    The landsharks were too valuable to waste. Skin could be turned into armor, teeth and claws into weapons and meat was meat. That crazy chef, Aaron, claimed that he was close to making magical dishes supposedly able to grant buffs. He wanted as many strange ingredients as he could get.


    ¡°This was supposed to be my one hour off this month,¡± Rayna sighed.


    Oh well.


    At least Cal was coming down today. Maybe her oldest brother could help take up some of the burden of protecting the people.


    She broke into a jog until she hit Beach Boulevard. The wide street meant that she could run faster without worrying about her floating ball of dead landsharks colliding with anything.


    At fifty miles an hour it didn¡¯t take long to reach the industrial block were she had people doing all their potentially dangerous experiments with magic and Skills.


    She dropped the creatures off without a word and took flight in a bubble of anti-gravity.


    Time to head home and get ready to see her brother in the flesh for the first time in over ten years.


    <hr>


    Cal and Nila flew inside the former¡¯s telekinetic bubble a few hundred feet above the freeway. They were headed south with one of the Threnosh containers filled with the things they wanted to take with them. The rest of their belongings didn¡¯t matter much and they were content to leave them in their home in Davis. It¡¯d take a truly powerful being to override Cal¡¯s and Nila¡¯s ownership.


    ¡°Are you sure I don¡¯t need a parachute?¡± Nila resolutely kept her eyes straight ahead. It took a superhuman effort to avoid looking down. Flying without anything underneath wasn¡¯t something she had been able to do often. In fact, she could count the number of times Cal had taken her up on one hand and those had been years ago.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need a parachute. You¡¯re basically Captain America and he doesn¡¯t need them to jump out of planes.¡±


    ¡°That was into water,¡± Nila frowned.


    ¡°So? After you reach a certain height, landing in water is basically the same as landing on the ground. Besides, he also jumped out of a building and walked away, easy.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ he had his physics-defying shield. Oh¡­ and it was a movie, fiction, make believe,¡± Nila said flatly.


    ¡°Your superhuman physical attributes suggest you¡¯ll be fine.¡± Cal looked down. ¡°We¡¯re flying over dirt and grass. Lots of slope-y hills and such. In the unlikely event that I let go of you, just try to roll when you hit the ground,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve carried plenty more weight over longer distances and at faster speeds before. This is like an easy Sunday drive.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m concerned about those drakes that Eron said hunt all along the five,¡± Nila said. ¡°Maybe we should¡¯ve worn that fancy Threnosh armor instead of regular clothes. Probably help me survive the fall too.¡±


    ¡°It should be fine. I can protect us long enough for you to put it on in the unlikely event that we run into trouble. I just wanted to wear normal human clothes. It¡¯s been years and I need to at least try to fit in with the rest of your kind. You know, be human, do human things,¡± Cal grinned. ¡°As for the drakes, yeah, I remember. He told me about them too.¡± Cal looked up and around. The sky was clear. ¡°I¡¯ll detect them with my mental powers before they can get close.¡±


    ¡°Would¡¯ve been nice to have one of those fancy recoilless rifles to defend myself with,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°I figured they needed them more,¡± Cal said. ¡°You don¡¯t fight with guns or ranged weapons anyways.¡±


    ¡°Not entirely by choice. My abilities forced me into the tank role. Kind of hard to do otherwise when the others can¡¯t survive the same things I can.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, well, that can change. I can tank for you. How¡¯s your shooting?¡±


    ¡°Not great. Not enough ammo for me to practice much.¡±


    ¡°What about bows or crossbows?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a little bit better with those thanks to the local Big 5, but we found that those didn¡¯t do so well against stronger monsters. Practically useless against the fishmen at anything more than close range.¡±


    ¡°We need to find a Bowyer. Someone that can make legit bows, like longbows or something,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Yeah, I agree, someone that knows what they¡¯re talking about,¡± Nila grinned.


    ¡°Yup¡­ makes sense,¡± Cal laughed.


    They continued to talk idly as they flew over the landscape at speeds faster than a commercial jet.


    The flat landscape of California¡¯s Central Valley gave way to the mountains.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to take us higher. I don¡¯t want to deal with anything or anyone shooting at us.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s going to shoot at us?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Cal shrugged, ¡°mountain men?¡±


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    ¡°Is that even a thing anymore? People on their own in the wilderness are basically food.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°I remember you being scared of heights.¡±


    ¡°Got used to it,¡± Cal grinned. ¡°I¡¯d say hold on, but you can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Wait, not to fast!¡± Nila¡¯s eyes widened in alarm.


    Cal took them up over the mountains like a rocket.


    Even if any drakes were inclined to attack them, they had no chance at keeping up now.


    Nila clenched her fists hard enough to shatter wood as her stomach dropped to her feet during the rapid ascent.


    She resolutely refused to close her eyes, instead fixing a glare at Cal¡¯s armored back.


    They reached Cal¡¯s parents¡¯ home in record time. It would¡¯ve taken an hour and half plane ride, plus travel time to and from the airports. This trip took a little over an hour.


    A woman flew up to meet them.


    Cal felt something pushing up against his telekinetic bubble as she drew closer.


    ¡°Hold on Rayna,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°Our bubbles don¡¯t seem to like each other. I don¡¯t really want to find out which one will pop first. Not to mention the feedback to my brain would suck if mine went first.¡±


    Cal¡¯s little sister, who wasn¡¯t so little anymore, pouted. The image was nostalgic.


    Rayna was around twenty the last time he had seen her in person. She was thirty now and she looked almost exactly the same.


    ¡°I was gonna give you one of my ribcrusher hugs,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°That was cute when you were little. Now that you have superstrength¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Meh, I wanted to compare anyways,¡± Rayna turned to Nila, ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t worry, no rib-crushing for you¡­ although, you also have superstrength¡­¡± she mused.


    ¡°A little bit. Not nearly as much as your brother and you, so I¡¯ll take a normal hug,¡± Nila smiled.


    ¡°Sure thing! Let¡¯s go down into the backyard. Mom and Dad planned a Filipino food feast in honor of your return. All your favorite grilled meats.¡±


    Cal and Nila descended after Rayna.


    The grill was heating up, but Cal¡¯s dad was nowhere in sight. He resisted the impulse to use his telepathy to scan for his dad¡¯s presence inside the house.


    He needed to keep his telepathic walls strong to block out the thoughts of all the people in the area. He could tell that there were significantly more people in the south than up north.


    ¡°Cal! Nila!¡±


    Cal¡¯s mom emerged through the open sliding glass door with a tray of raw meats in her hands. She placed the tray next to the grill before rounding on Cal and Nila, embracing them both.


    ¡°I¡¯m so happy to see you!¡±


    ¡°Oh God, don¡¯t cry,¡± Cal groaned.


    The tears flowed in defiance of his wishes.


    ¡°Oh man, c¡¯mon Mom¡­ your embarrassing me in front of the cool kids.¡± Cal patted his sobbing mother on the back.


    ¡°Holy shit! Cal! Your hand? What the fuck!¡± Rayna¡¯s eyes were wide as saucers.


    ¡°Rayna, language! Your cousins might hear,¡± their mom said reflexively. Her eyes snapped to Cal¡¯s left hand with laser focus.


    Cal gulped. Why did it feel like he was in trouble?


    ¡°Okay, first of all, you can¡¯t get mad at me for this,¡± he waved his three-fingered hand in the air, ¡°I¡¯m the one down two fingers.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡± his mom¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°You didn¡¯t say anything in your messages.¡±


    Rayna grabbed his hand and peered at it with curiosity.


    ¡°I told you so,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°It¡¯s a long story and I¡¯d rather not have to tell it twice.¡± Cal found a path to a momentary reprieve. ¡°Where¡¯s Dad?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s patrolling along the foothills to the east. Past Tustin, Irvine, those places. You know where there¡¯d always be fires? I¡¯m relieving him around 9 later tonight. One of us basically needs to be always close to the area thanks to the monsters and mutant animals that come out of the wilderness,¡± Rayna shook her head.


    ¡°Shi¡ª I mean that sounds bad. I can help,¡± Cal winced internally. He came home to rest and recharge. Fighting and killing was the last thing he wanted to do. ¡°I think I can handle monsters and mutant animals,¡± he tried to convince himself.


    ¡°That¡¯d be a big help,¡± Rayna eyed their mom, ¡°but since you¡¯re on a break, there¡¯s no pressure or rush. Just enjoy the family reunion for now. We can talk business tomorrow or something,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Nila said quickly, ¡°so, what can I help with? I don¡¯t see any vegetables in that pile of meat.¡±


    ¡°In a minute,¡± Cal¡¯s mom said. ¡°Your hand?¡± she arched a brow.


    Cal sighed. ¡°An evil golden angel entity bit them off and ate them. I did make him, it, choke on my bones so, fair trade. Plus, I kept the best fingers and the thumb.¡±


    ¡°Ay nako,¡± Cal¡¯s mom let out a long breath, ¡°come on, Nila, lets get those vegetables prepared. Cal can get the grilling started since he still has both his thumbs.¡±


    Cal¡¯s mom took Nila into the kitchen.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s in the futuristic box?¡± Rayna prodded it with her finger. ¡°Presents?¡±


    Cal smirked. ¡°Guess?¡±


    ¡°Those onesies you wore in all those messages you sent us before you stopped two years ago and freaked out Mom and Dad?¡±


    The smile fell from Cal¡¯s face for a moment before he recovered and plastered it back on.


    ¡°You have the worst fake smile,¡± Rayna said flatly.


    ¡°In my defense it¡¯s a long and traumatic story.¡±


    Rayna nodded. ¡°Lots of that to go around.¡±


    ¡°Did something happen?¡± Cal said in alarm.


    ¡°Not to us, I mean me, Mom and Dad. We¡¯ve been super lucky.¡±


    Cal remembered something his mom had just said. ¡°Mom mentioned something about our cousins?¡±


    ¡°Some bad stuff happened since you left. Just, please try not to draw attention to it during dinner. Don¡¯t ask about missing people. I¡¯ll fill you in later when we¡¯re not in earshot.¡±


    ¡°Okay, whatever you say,¡± Cal nodded hesitantly.


    ¡°So, these onesies? I remember you talking them up in your earlier messages. Are they that good?¡±


    ¡°They are the greatest articles of clothing to have ever graced our planet. Unfortunately, I only brought enough for you, Mom and Dad. I didn¡¯t know anyone else was here and I couldn¡¯t afford to bring more. I would¡¯ve had to switch out an armor set or a recoilless rifle.¡±


    ¡°Alright, now I¡¯m curious,¡± Rayna said.


    Cal grimaced. ¡°Sorry, I only brought you one set of armor and no rifles. I thought the people up north needed them more.¡±


    ¡°Ouch, you wound me, brother. You forsake your only sister, thusly.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Since when did you speak lame nerd?¡±


    ¡°Since I read through every novel and comic book you left behind in your old room,¡± Rayna smiled.


    ¡°That¡¯ll do it,¡± Cal nodded sagely, stroking a nonexistent beard.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get this inside,¡± Rayna levitated the Threnosh box with a gesture, ¡°you best get to grillin¡¯,¡± she drawled.


    It was all there.


    His favorites.


    Slices of pork marinated in a special sauce, then threaded through a bamboo skewer. Thin cuts of pork belly, along with a small mound of thinly sliced beef.


    ¡°No vegetables, indeed,¡± Cal said with a slight smile on his lips.


    Sometimes it was the smallest things that could lift him from his darker moods.


    Although, there wasn¡¯t anything small about the tray in front of him.


    He couldn¡¯t waste anymore time. The sooner he got them cooked, the sooner he could eat.


    Time passed faster than Cal would¡¯ve liked.


    If it was up to him he would have stretched the day and night out. He didn¡¯t think of threats, from mundane monsters to existential class ones like Mother Madrigal or the Deep Azure, he just enjoyed the company of his loved ones while eating good food and drinking good drinks.


    Before he knew it Rayna had departed, like she said.


    Their dad had arrived not long after landing heavily out in the street in front of their house.


    Cal had jumped in alarm, thinking the loud thud had been an attack.


    His mom had assured him that it was just how his dad got around. Leaping blocks at a time with his superstrong leg muscles.


    While, Rayna¡¯s rib-crushing hug had been underwhelming, his dad¡¯s wasn¡¯t.


    The Cruces patriarch was definitely at the top of the hierarchy when it came to physical strength.


    Cal¡¯s gaze drifted over to his six year old nephew, Rynnen. The boy had his face buried in a tablet, playing a game. He seemed to be attached at the hip to Cal¡¯s mom.


    ¡°Here,¡± Cal¡¯s dad said as he handed him a wet plate.


    Cal took it and set to dry it with a towel. ¡°The dishwasher not working?¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t working before the spires. One of the repair techs can probably get it working, but there aren¡¯t a lot and there are more important things than our dishwasher. Plus, certain individuals would love the excuse to accuse us of abusing our power,¡± Cal¡¯s dad grimaced.


    ¡°What about the tablet? You got that working.¡±


    ¡°We got the electronics done in the early years. People were more focused on survival than posturing for positions of power than they are now.¡±


    ¡°That election Rayna mentioned?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s a mess. I¡¯d say about 30% of the population wants to return to the good old days. Taxes, make people earn the free food they get from the grocery stores, pay rent, that sort of thing.¡±


    ¡°Everything in the stores magically reappears in a day or two, a week at most,¡± Cal grew angry, ¡°and who gets the rent.?I guess if the original owner is alive, sure, but then you could just move to a vacant house or apartment. It¡¯s not like anyone is using them. And what are people supposed to pay with. Cash is worthless. Gold? Silver? Copper? Universal Points are the only worthwhile thing in terms in terms of spending.¡±


    ¡°You got it and the same people who are calling for rent are the same people positioning themselves to be landlords by gobbling up vacant properties. They actually tried to charge people to use the stores under their control. Fortunately, Rayna and I have a lot of stores all over the county in our names and we don¡¯t charge anything.¡±


    ¡°Free food, shelter and medicine are like the only good things about the spires appearing. We¡¯re sort of in a post scarcity society and people want to go back to the old ways,¡± Cal shook his head.


    ¡°It¡¯s not too bad, if you don¡¯t take the monsters into account.¡±


    ¡°Well, 30% isn¡¯t bad,¡± Cal sighed.


    ¡°It¡¯s closer than it seems. There are three main factions and the polling numbers are evenly split between them all. Rayna¡¯s friend heads up one. The conservatives are the ones that long for a return to normalcy. Then, you¡¯ve got another third that I guess you could call moderates, they¡¯re more about mitigating the two extremes, as they see it. The last 10% are either undecided or don¡¯t care.¡±


    ¡°Sounds wonderful.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, it¡¯s not your problem, so don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Cal¡¯s dad smiled.


    Earnest and open. Just like Cal remembered.


    ¡°So¡­ about Rynnen?¡±


    Cal was ashamed to admit that he hadn¡¯t even known Rynnen existed until today.


    ¡°Rynnen is Vivien¡¯s son.¡±


    Cal remembered his cousin, Vivien, his dad¡¯s younger sister¡¯s daughter. He nodded. ¡°I¡¯m assuming she¡¯s¡­ no longer with us¡­¡±


    ¡°Vivien and her husband, Ryan had a small community under her protection down in San Diego. Vivien had powers, kinda like me, superstrong, tough, but a lot weaker.¡±


    ¡°Rynnen is what? Six? So, they had them after the spires appeared.¡±


    Cal¡¯s dad nodded.


    ¡°She had just given birth. Rynnen was barely a month old when a gremlin alpha attacked. Vivien gave it her all from what one of the survivors said, but it wasn¡¯t enough. Ryan tried, but he only had a few Skills. A few people managed to make it up here close enough to catch Rayna¡¯s attention. I went down and took care of the gremlins, but it was too little too late.¡±


    Cal thought of Vivien¡¯s mother. His aunt lived in the Philippines and last he knew there was no international contact, hell they couldn¡¯t even reach the east coast.


    ¡°Our relatives in the Philippines?¡±


    ¡°Good news, bad news. What do you want first?¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Cal said hesitantly.


    ¡°After you were gone, Eron was able to fly over and make contact. My side of the family and your mom¡¯s side of the family had several people with similar powers. It seems to run along genetic lines, though that doesn¡¯t explain why you and your siblings have different ones.¡±


    ¡°And the bad?¡±


    His dad sighed. ¡°Not everyone made it. I have a list if you¡¯d like to look at it.¡±


    Cal nodded numbly. He hadn¡¯t thought much about his extended family the early years had been overwhelming then he went to another world.


    ¡°Your mom has some relatives with their own little community in the Malibu area. Her siblings in the Philippines were okay last time Eron checked, but the one in Virginia, the one in London, and the one in Dubai¡­ nothing. Eron hasn¡¯t found anything.¡±


    Cal detected fear and uncertainty in his dad¡¯s thoughts. ¡°You said the last time Eron checked¡­ when was that?¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°About a year and a half ago. When Eron went that time, the entire Metro Manila area out a few miles into the rain forests and even over the ocean was covered in a thick, smoky fog. Eron said that whenever he tried to enter he kept finding himself going back out in the opposite direction.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ not good.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. We¡¯re really worried, but what can we do? If we leave then no one will protect the people here from the monsters and the minor wannabe warlords all over Los Angeles, then there¡¯s the cartel trying to move up into San Diego.¡±


    Problems upon problems.


    Cal forced himself to calm down and find his center.


    Not his problem.


    At least not right this moment.


    He needed to regain control of himself before anything else.


    ¡°Enough about our issues. What about you, son?¡±


    Cal frowned.


    ¡°Five years on an alien world is a long time on your own and I can see you have physical scars,¡± Cal¡¯s dad eyed his hand, ¡°and I can see in your eyes that you¡¯ve got other scars. Want to talk about it?¡±


    Cal clenched his jaw. Then nodded.


    Rehabilitation.


    A part of that involved talking to people you trusted.


    And he could use it as a test of sorts. Full disclosure of what he underwent under Mother Madrigal¡¯s clutches meant that he could be certain that there weren¡¯t any hidden traps left behind by the Mother¡¯s invasion into his mind.


    Right?


    He had already told Nila much of what happened.


    The more he told his tale the better he¡¯d feel about himself.


    Right?


    Cal told his father everything.

 4.29

    Now, Earth


    Cal watched his mom watching Rynnen and a bunch of neighborhood kids playing in their backyard.


    ¡°Mom, I got question.¡±


    ¡°Yes, son?


    ¡°You¡¯re like 66, right?¡±


    ¡°68 in a few months.¡±


    ¡°Right, I knew that,¡± Cal added hastily. He thought about it. His mom was correct. Since he was 46 going on 47, assuming there weren¡¯t any time shenanigans involved due to his stay on the Threnosh world. He thought about it some more and realized that his physical appearance hadn¡¯t changed at all since the spires appeared. His mental powers meant that he could review his memories as if they had just happened the day before. In the span of a few seconds he went through years of memories of him looking at mirror. Like one of those time lapse videos, except he didn¡¯t change a bit aside from the continuous cycle of facial hair growth and shaving. ¡°Well¡­ damn,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± his mom looked at him with concern.


    He regarded her face. Mostly smooth complexion, not a lot of wrinkles or laugh lines, hair as black and thick as he remembered. In fact¡ª He glanced through the living room window at the framed pictures on the walls.


    ¡°You look like fifteen years younger. Late forties, early fifties.¡±


    ¡°I have noticed. It happened slowly after I gained my powers. It was like I was aging in reverse for a while. It seems to have slowed down though if not stopped outright. Nice while it lasted. What about you? You look like you haven¡¯t aged either.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve just realized that¡­¡± Cal muttered. ¡°And Dad¡¯s huge¡­ all yoked out!¡±


    ¡°Is that one of those gaming terms? I think I¡¯ve heard Rayna and her rangers say that before?¡±


    ¡°Rangers?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Rayna¡¯s thing, you should ask her. About your father?¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah¡­ well he¡¯s more muscular than I remember, like he never used to work out. Now he¡¯s much bigger than me.¡±


    ¡°Well, he¡¯s been lifting weights like you do. He spends half his free time at the train station or the port. Those are the only places he can lift and push things heavy enough for gains, as they say.¡±


    Cal laughed. ¡°Yeah, that sounds about right. Damn¡­¡± his dad was way stronger than him if he was lifting trains and ships? Granted he could probably augment his physical strength with his telekinesis to surpass his dad. Cal shook his head. ¡°Not a competition,¡± he muttered with a shake of his head.


    His mom chuckled.


    ¡°Your father is pretty strong, but he¡¯s not even close to Eron.¡±


    Cal¡¯s eyes widened. Then he shook his head in disgust. ¡°I¡¯ve missed a lot. It feels like¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been gone for five years on another world, maybe in another dimension or universe.¡±


    Cal raised a brow.


    ¡°What? I¡¯ve been doing a lot of reading and I occasionally sit in on lectures at the community college.¡±


    ¡°Lectures?¡±


    ¡°A few people have done research into the nature of the spires. So far it¡¯s just a lot of theory and conjecture. You could probably teach them a lot just by speaking to them about your experiences. As far as anyone knows, you¡¯re the only that that¡¯s actually set foot in another world.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not tell them that just yet, please?¡± Cal pleaded.


    ¡°Okay, I promise I won¡¯t say a word.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t speak for your sister.¡±


    ¡°Why you got to always ruin it, Mom?¡± Cal rolled his eyes.


    Cal suddenly picked up thoughts focused on their home, on their mother specifically. The person was several miles away and judging by their speed they were in a car. He relaxed when it became clear that the unknown person didn¡¯t mean any harm. On the contrary the young man was focused on protection.


    It was too hard to keep his mind free from other people¡¯s surface thoughts. Despite his best efforts at maintaining his telepathic walls it felt like he was sitting in the middle of a theater surrounded by people yapping away in hundreds of different conversations as they waited for the show to start.


    ¡°Is something wrong?¡±


    ¡°No, Mom, just a bit distracted,¡± Cal said.


    Sure enough, five minutes later the young man came around the corner of the house.


    Cal took his measure in a split-second.


    Tall, lean, strong, mid-20¡¯s. Armed with an assault rifle, a machete and a hatchet at his belt, armored with modified police riot gear, body armor, helmet and a shield covered with an extra layer of thin metal.


    ¡°Rodrigo, didn¡¯t Rayna tell you that you didn¡¯t have to come today.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Mrs. Cruces, she did, but I didn¡¯t feel comfortable leaving you and the children without a bodyguard.¡±


    Cal¡¯s mom sighed. ¡°I think I¡¯m more than capable of protecting everyone here.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am. Your forcefields are impenetrable, but you need someone to eliminate the threat while you defend,¡± Rodrigo said.


    ¡°Ay, stubborn kids these days,¡± Cal¡¯s mom shook her head. ¡°Rodrigo, this is my oldest son, Cal.¡±


    Rodrigo sized Cal up. ¡°Everyone¡¯s been talking about you all week.¡±


    Cal rose from his chair and took Rodrigo¡¯s proffered hand.


    The much bigger young man squeezed hard.


    Cal squeezed back until Rodrigo grimaced. He smiled to take the sting out of it.


    ¡°Stronger than Rayna,¡± Rodrigo said as he shook his hand out.


    ¡°Ha! Make sure you let her know.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, sir, but I¡¯d like to avoid being one giant bruise,¡± Rodrigo grinned.


    ¡°As you can see with Cal here I think we¡¯re in good hands,¡± Cal¡¯s mom said.


    Cal shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t mind. You can never have too many good fighters around.¡±


    ¡°Fine, fine, well at least you can relax a bit, Rodrigo. I¡¯ve got some leftover grilled meat and veggies in a tupperware you can take home to your husband later.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Mrs. Cruces! I¡¯m getting tired of eating canned food.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have access to fresh food? I thought everyone did,¡± Cal frowned.


    ¡°Oh we do. It¡¯s just that neither me nor my husband can cook worth a damn. We burn spam,¡± Rodrigo grinned sheepishly.


    ¡°Come with me Rodrigo. I¡¯ll teach you how to make garlic and spam fried rice,¡± Cal¡¯s mom said as she abruptly stood up. ¡°Cal will watch the children.¡±


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, thank you, but I¡¯m on duty,¡± Rodrigo protested.


    ¡°Sorry, bro, but you¡¯re going to learn to cook today,¡± Cal said.


    <hr>


    Fingers contorted in painfully looking ways as the young man weaved his hands in front of him.


    A small opening appeared directly in line with his chest.


    There was nothing visible through the rent in space, just a void, darker than black.


    A bolt of dark flame, colors inverted from a natural fire, struck out of the void and disintegrated the massively bloated shambling corpse as it rounded the building¡¯s corner.


    Silence.


    He had not uttered a single word in wielding his magic.


    Rayna watched intently from her vantage high above the street.


    A huge walking corpse turned to ash in seconds.


    Their newest recruit¡¯s magic was powerful.


    That fatty was the last of them, over.


    The voice crackled over the handheld radio at Rayna¡¯s belt.


    All clear in our sector as well, over.


    Same here, over.


    ¡°It looks clear from up here,¡± Rayna said into the radio.


    Copy that, sir. We¡¯ll burn the remains and head back unless you have other orders, over.


    Rayna¡¯s eyes tightened. ¡°How many times do I have to tell them to stop calling me that. I¡¯m barely over 30,¡± she muttered. ¡°No. Finish the clean up, head home. Be careful. And how many times have I told you to stop calling me that?¡±


    Understood¡­ sir, over and out.


    Rayna heard the snickering even from her vantage point a few hundred feet above street level.


    ¡°I¡¯m too nice,¡± she sighed. She consoled herself with the thought that at least it was better then being called ma¡¯am.


    The flight back to her rangers¡¯ main base took minutes.


    Rayna¡¯s Rangers.


    Another thing they had thought up without consulting her. They then proceeded to ignore her subsequent protests over the years. She realized that she had been pretty quiet about it in the last couple of years. Perhaps it was time to turn up the volume and frequency on that front.


    The base was located within the community college just a few blocks from her parent¡¯s house.


    It was a hive of activity.


    Just like the old days. At least for those that remembered what it was like before the spires had appeared.


    Although upon closer inspection, weapons training and spell practice didn¡¯t fit among the expected scenes at a normal college campus.


    Rayna flew in and out of the place on a regular basis. Only the newest recruits looked up from what they were doing to gawk in amazement. Though their trainers made them rue being easily distracted.


    Rayna was like a celebrity and war hero rolled into one for the people under her protection.


    A reality that she was painfully aware of and did her best to ignore.


    She was accosted as soon as she stepped foot into the command center, which used to be the college¡¯s main administration building.


    ¡°Rayna¡­ uh¡­¡±


    ¡°What is it, Chris?¡±


    The slim young man looked worried. Rayna could tell by the way his glasses were askew a fraction of an inch.


    ¡°The Ranger Captain¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°Again,¡± Rayna sighed.


    ¡°I tried to tell her, but she moved me out of the way. As in she literally picked me up and moved me to one side. Can you please tell her that I deserve some dignity at least in public.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t take it personally. She doesn¡¯t care for other people¡¯s dignity in equal measures. She in the planning room?¡±


    ¡°Where else would she be?¡± Chris said with a pout.


    ¡°Cheer up, my Mom¡¯s probably going to send Rodrigo home with some good food for dinner.¡±


    Chris smile took up his entire face. ¡°I know! We¡¯ve been eating great the last month. Rodrigo¡¯s been making fried rice every few days. Tell your mom, I really appreciate it!¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s already cycled through Cal¡¯s favorites twice. You think she¡¯d run out of steam, but no¡­ wished she cooked like this before Cal showed up,¡± Rayna grumbled. ¡°I¡¯d probably spend more time at home if she did.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Rayna. We both know that isn¡¯t true.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, too many fires to put out.¡±


    They continued to converse over lighter topics as they walked through hallways and up stairs.


    ¡°Want me to come with?¡± Chris said as they approached the converted conference room.


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°Nah. I¡¯m sure you¡¯re busy,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°I won¡¯t mind if I can watch you yell at Kayl?¡± Chris said hopefully.


    ¡°Tempting, but I can¡¯t yell at a pregnant woman, seems like it¡¯d be bad for the baby,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°Next time then,¡± Chris said as he turned and walked down the hallway.


    Rayna pushed the door open and saw the tall woman, heavily pregnant, standing over the large map spread out on the center table.


    ¡°We need to act soon.¡±


    ¡°What are you even doing here, again? I thought the doctor said you need to stay off your feet. You look like you¡¯ve got a beach ball under there. Not to mention the election is in five days.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve still got a few weeks till my precious pops out and I¡¯m not wasting it laying in bed. As for the election, I¡¯ve already done most of the campaigning and we both know that a majority of the people have already made up their minds, not that the results matter that much to me. Plus, I¡¯m skipping the last debate, on account of¡­¡± Kayl pointed at her stomach. ¡°Pryce and Graeme can¡¯t say shit about it.


    ¡°Actually, Pryce will probably use it to say you¡¯re weak and unfit to be in charge. Graeme¡¯s fairly decent, so he won¡¯t say anything, but he won¡¯t defend you either,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°Whatever,¡± Kayl shrugged.


    ¡°Fine, but if your here for the same reasons you were yesterday than you¡¯re wasting your time, Kayl.¡±


    ¡°We need to move, now. We can¡¯t just let them keep doing that to those people.¡±


    Rayna scowled, she agreed in part. ¡°For the sake of argument¡­ all of those shitty wannabe warlords run brothels in their territories and we haven¡¯t gone after those.¡±


    ¡°Those are on my list,¡± Kayl¡¯s eyes narrowed, sharp, flinty. ¡°This is different because we have inside information that confirms people are being enslaved and dark magic is being performed. The people running this are somehow gaining strength directly from the suffering of their victims.


    ¡°If we can believe Finley¡¯s story.¡±


    ¡°The kid¡¯s passed every lie detector test we¡¯ve put him through. Mundane and magical. We¡¯ve made him relive his nightmarish time in that place over and over again. He hasn¡¯t complained once. How¡¯d he do today, by the way?¡±


    ¡°Great actually. His spells are strong and he can cast them without verbalizing, though the way the space in front of him just opens up into nothing creeps me out,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°Our little Ghost Sorcerer is becoming a great asset. I want to crush those bastards and free their enslaved partially for him,¡± Kayl said.


    ¡°Jeez, why¡¯d you call him that?¡± Rayna rolled her eyes.


    ¡°He¡¯s really pale and his spells have that dark, infernal feel to them,¡± Kayl smiled. ¡°Seems fitting.¡±


    Rayna shook her head. ¡°A bit on the nose, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a term of endearment. Everyone gets a tag once they pass the recruit phase. Good for morale and team building. He¡¯s one of us¡­ which is why I intend to keep my promise to him.¡±


    ¡°Which we can¡¯t do unless I personally come along, which then might embolden the other warlords to attack our territory in my absence.¡± Rayna raised a hand to forestall Kayl¡¯s words. ¡°My dad can handle them, but he can¡¯t be in two places at the same time if monsters attack out of the wilderness parks. My mom can defend, but she can¡¯t really attack and I¡¯m not putting her in front of a bunch of hardened killers.¡±


    ¡°Your brother¡ª¡±


    ¡°Is on vacation.¡± Rayna realized how lame it sounded as soon as the words left her mouth.


    ¡°He¡¯s been here for close to a month,¡± Kayl threw up her hands. ¡°You said he¡¯s powerful. We can use his help. Instead he spends his time flying around and playing superheroes with kids at parks and playgrounds.¡± She ran a hand over her bulging belly. ¡°Your brother came back from an advanced alien world and only brought you back one suit of armor¡­ one.


    Rayna bristled. ¡°He¡¯s helped out with some monster attacks.¡± She wasn¡¯t going to break Cal¡¯s confidence. ¡°And a few awesome onesies,¡± she muttered. She was wearing one underneath her clothes and makeshift armor. It was indeed as great as Cal had claimed.


    ¡°Well, these people are worse than monsters. Try telling him that. If that¡¯s not enough to get his help then maybe he¡¯s not as great as you say he is,¡± Kayl snapped.


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡ª¡± Rayna¡¯s voice went flat. ¡°¡ªtalk about my brother that way. You have no idea what he¡¯s done and been through.¡±


    Kayl shrugged. ¡°Is it worse then what Fin went through? What dozens of young men, women, girls and boys are suffering as we speak?¡±


    ¡°Probably similar in terms of horror, but not exactly the same specifics of it.¡± Rayna knew that Cal wouldn¡¯t, couldn¡¯t countenance it if he knew, but her brother had made an effort to close himself off from the wider world for time to heal.


    Was a month long enough?


    Only Cal knew.


    She decided that it was up to him to decide.


    ¡°If we can bring him and his girlfriend in then we can crush the bastards, secure the safety of the HVT¡¯s and defend against potential attacks on our people while the bulk of the rangers are on the Quest,¡± Kayl said.


    Rayna blinked. ¡°You have a Quest for this?¡±


    ¡°Had one as soon as we got confirmation that Fin¡¯s story was legit. You¡¯d probably get it too if you genuinely bought in.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to my brother, but I¡¯m only going to lay things out. I¡¯m not going to ask for his help or try to pressure him in any way,¡± Rayna said reluctantly as she looked down at the map. ¡°How are we going to safely rescue a couple of hundred people from an entire block of mansions?¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t. Not with our numbers and levels. You have to accept that there will be losses. You can¡¯t keep them all safe. That¡¯s part of the reason why our levels are so low. Ten years and we don¡¯t have anyone over 20. Our average is in the low to mid teens.¡±


    ¡°That hasn¡¯t been confirmed,¡± Rayna protested.


    ¡°No one can blame you for wanting to protect us, but the spires said that strength would be gained through conflict and struggle. You made it easy for us. Holding the monsters down while we shot them from a distance or cut them up, safely. The research nerds all agree. We can¡¯t gain more unless we struggle in real danger,¡± Kayl said.


    ¡°Maybe¡­¡± Rayna said. ¡°Any changes to the tentative plan?¡± she not so deftly changed the subject.


    Kayl waddled over to Rayna¡¯s side of the map and started outlining her latest refinements to the plan.


    <hr>


    Monsters in the dark.


    Gnashing teeth.


    Cutting claws.


    Mother and Father screaming.


    Running, running, running.


    Others, also hurt, hunted, haunted.


    Fire is safety. The light keeps the monsters back.


    Hear them, smell them in the darkness. Scrabbling claws on the concrete, teeth snapping.


    Time and hunger intertwine inexorably.


    The group moves from store to store, dwindling from day to day. Lives sold cheaply for meager mouthfuls in their desperation.


    Days became weeks became months.


    Life not a life.


    Mother and Father, their faces turned blank in his memories. Fear vanishes. He cares nothing of the monsters. He sees freedom in their claws. Only the gnawing hunger in his stomach remains real.


    Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.


    Men come and replace the monsters.


    Pain. The boy couldn¡¯t have imagined the pain at the men¡¯s hands. The shame.


    Time becomes nothing.


    There is only pain.


    A change.


    An exchange.


    The boy belongs to other men now.


    Hope.


    Hunger replaced.


    Food, water, cleansing.


    A soft bed.


    Light to keep the monster away. All of them.


    Weeks of healing.


    Slowly, he begins to recall this thing called life.


    A spark in his eyes.


    Mother, Father.


    He remembers!


    Tears.


    Smiling faces, encouraging.


    Life returns.


    Trust¡ª


    Shattered.


    Lie. Lie. Lies!


    Men again.


    Each touch staining his soul. Breaking the brittle remains so recently reassembled.


    A haze.


    From the drinks, pills, needles.


    Dull.


    Thoughts in a fog.


    A soft bed.


    Rough hands. Heavy weight.


    Over and over again.


    Time becomes eternal.


    Separate moments blend into one.


    Hope?


    There is none.


    Until¡­


    A brief spark.


    Clarity.


    Images flash through the young man¡¯s shattered mind.


    Winding streets through the hills.


    A narrow lake and the glowing object hidden in its depths.


    Finley came to consciousness with a fat man on his back. The sour smell of alcohol puffed into his face with the man¡¯s snores. He felt a surge of strength in his stick-thin arms as he pushed up and rolled the man off him.


    The man clutched and grasped in his sleep, but didn¡¯t wake.


    Finley felt a swell of revulsion rise.


    The haze of the drugs was gone. His thoughts were clearer than they had been for years. Memories rushed back. All that the others had forced him to suffer.


    Almost too much to face if not for the singular thought that forced the rest down.


    Revenge.


    He didn¡¯t question the sudden clarity and strength.


    The object in the lake.


    It wasn¡¯t far.


    He saw the path in his thoughts.


    Pulsing with light and sound, urging him to come and claim power.


    Revenge.


    Finley looked around the bedroom, his prison.


    No clothes.


    What did he need them for in this slavery?


    The thought brought on another wave of disgust.


    A weapon?


    He searched for a weapon.


    Nothing.


    The owners were smart.


    They allowed nothing that may harm the slaves and the clients.


    Finley sneered.


    What did clothes matter? His dignity was a tattered thing. Ground into dust over the years.


    He eyed the sleeping man. He imagined falling upon the filth in animal fury and tearing into his fat flesh with fingers and teeth.


    Finley¡¯s clenched his fists hard enough to draw blood from his palms.


    No, no, no. I will make them bleed. From now on, I will take their flesh, as they have mine, Finley thought.


    He padded to the window. The soft carpet underneath his bare feet felt as unpleasant as a rough, rocky beach.


    The window was open to allow the cool night breeze to keep the room free from the muskiness of sweat and other odors.


    Finley¡¯s lip curled in disgust.


    Never again.


    He climbed down from the second floor window quickly with the surprising strength in his thin, limbs.


    Freedom. For the first time since his world was destroyed in one nightmarish night so many years ago.


    The cold asphalt felt as soft and welcoming as that carpet should¡¯ve been.


    Finley ran into the dark night.


    He cared nothing for the monsters and they left him alone for they sensed the power working through him.


    The object within the lake was a beacon in his mind.


    Mansions all along the winding street that carved through the hills.


    Sounds.


    Music and laughter.


    Lies.


    The screaming from those like him were the hidden truths to this evil place.


    Make them pay.


    Pursuit came too late.


    Finley stood at the small, narrow lake¡¯s shore.


    It wasn¡¯t truly a lake. Even in the darkness he could see the signs that suggested it was man-made. Although the grass and shrubbery were overgrown with neglect.


    Finley¡¯s bare feet had been cut up by the asphalt and sliding down the rocky embankment down to the murky water¡¯s edge.


    He felt the sting of pain, but welcomed it. This was of his own making. His and his alone.


    Dogs barked. Beams of light cut through the darkness, sweeping back and forth.


    Finley waded into the water then plunged in.


    The object shined brightly only to his eyes.


    Lungs ached, close to bursting as Finley frantically kicked his legs and swung his arms.


    He didn¡¯t know how to swim.


    Blackness of a different kind than the darkness of the lake¡¯s depths closed on the edges of his vision.


    One finger tip brushed the object.


    A flash of light.


    Pain in his chest.


    Oh what exquisite pain.


    Finley embraced it with all his heart.


    Savior, hero, herald. Will you be all these things?


    A voice in Finley¡¯s head. His own, yet not.


    Your world is doomed to the suffering that you have undergone.


    Will you stop it?


    Will you light the way for those that would lift your kind?


    Finley¡¯s head burst out of the water¡¯s surface.


    ¡°Yes!¡± he sputtered. ¡°Yes!¡±


    Then make this power yours.


    Hot pain burned in Finley¡¯s chest.


    He looked down.


    The object was lodged inside his chest. Somehow he could see it through now translucent skin and muscle as it slowly enveloped his heart.


    Soon he could see nothing of his heart. Just the object in the shape of the organ, shining bright, golden.


    Finley threw his head back and howled in pain.


    Information burned into his thoughts.


    The same voice, his voice, yet not.


    Fast.


    Instructions.


    Thousands of words in an instant.


    He remembered it all.


    Barking dogs and shouting men.


    Lights shined in Finley¡¯s eyes.


    He looked up.


    He was floating on his back near the shore.


    Splashing.


    Rough hands dragged him back.


    ¡°You little bitch!¡± a woman spat. ¡°I¡¯d make you pay right here for making us chase you down, but the boss doesn¡¯t want his precious merchandise damaged.¡±


    ¡°Hey, what the fuck¡¯s going on with his chest?¡± a man¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Get a light on it¡­ almost looks see-through,¡± another man said.


    Finley knew what to do.


    The instructions shouted in his head.


    He brought his hands over his chest. Thin fingers contorted.


    A sound like ripping paper, distorted.


    The women and men shouted in alarm.


    Power flared.


    Then silence.


    More. You need more strength to open the way.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Finley whispered as he lay in the shallow water.


    The stench of death filled the air.


    Nothing smelled sweeter in the moment.


    The water was cold.


    Finley didn¡¯t notice.


    Thoughts turned to the mansion and the owners.


    Revenge.


    Not yet. You are not strong enough. Perhaps with allies?


    Images flashed through Finley¡¯s mind.


    South.


    Further south.


    Aid and comfort.


    Revenge.


    ¡°Soon,¡± Finley agreed.

 4.30

    Now, Earth


    We must come together and reclaim the values that this once great country had used to become the greatest nation in the history of the world. Darkness is all around us. Threatening to destroy us like an infection. Yes, we must fight it at all costs, but we cannot allow the cure to be worse than the disease.


    The answers to our future lays in our past.


    We must return to what made us great!


    Faith!


    Family!


    Freedom!


    I believe that we can fight this fight without losing our very identities!


    I believe that our great nation can rise again!


    America was, is and ever shall be the greatest nation on this planet! And together we can make it the greatest across the multiverse!


    ¡°Meh,¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°Some of the people seem to like what he¡¯s saying,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°About a third of the crowd. They¡¯ve helpfully divided the stadium seating by candidate supporters,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I can see that by the signs,¡± Nila said flatly.


    The applause died down and the candidate continued on with his speech.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m good. You?¡±


    ¡°Talking points haven¡¯t changed much,¡± Nila shrugged. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve seen and heard enough.¡±


    ¡°Great! Let¡¯s get out of here.¡±


    Cal and Nila were completely alone in the nosebleeds over right field. Most of the people were seated down on the field and the lower decks.


    Cal lifted Nila up and together they soared into the slowly darkening sky.


    ¡°Who do you think is going to take it?¡±


    Nila shrugged. ¡°Whoever gets the on the fence people. I¡¯ve seen the polling in the newspaper. It¡¯s going to be tight.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a newspaper?¡±


    ¡°Yup, locally printed. This election is just about the only thing they¡¯ve been covering lately. Candidate platforms, profiles and so on.¡± Nila said.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t been paying attention to¡­ everything.¡±


    Nila sighed. ¡°It¡¯s a three-way race. That guy just speaking was Pryce Hardin: 41 years old, comes from a super rich family with long ties to your city¡¯s earliest days.¡±


    Cal made a face. ¡°Oil money then. And a lot of racism. That¡¯s what my good old hometown was built on.¡±


    ¡°The paper didn¡¯t say,¡± Nila said. ¡°Anyways, he¡¯s running on a return to normalcy platform.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s his party?¡±


    ¡°The American Party,¡± Nila said.


    Cal¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°How¡¯d they get away with that?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. They¡¯re basically conservatives.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ so, the not-Republican Party. What did the Democrats turn into?¡±


    ¡°The Democracy Party.¡±


    Cal laughed. ¡°Nice. Though, I think the former wins the branding when it comes to the older demographics. The latter would probably do better with the younger people if it wasn¡¯t for Rayna¡¯s friend¡¯s party.¡±


    ¡°The older guy that spoke first was Graeme Lindsay. The candidate for the Democracy Party. They¡¯ve basically taken the middle position between the other two. More of a stay the course platform than any big changes. They¡¯re actually in the weakest spot.¡±


    ¡°Makes sense. The last ten years have been apocalyptic. People either want massive change or they want a return to the old ways. So, Rayna¡¯s friend is the progressive candidate?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s your sister¡¯s friend. Shouldn¡¯t you know more than me?¡±


    Cal shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ve done my best to not be involved on any level with the local situation. Besides, politics sucks.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± Nila sighed. ¡°Rayna¡¯s friend being pregnant isn¡¯t doing her any favors. Kaylyn Pena is the leader of, like, a progressive Catholic faction. It¡¯s a long story, but she led a schism in the county¡¯s church in the early days. Something to do with women getting the Priest: Catholicism Class and freaking out the priests. She¡¯s also the Ranger Captain of Rayna¡¯s Rangers.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s, like, a total oxymoron, progressive and Catholic don¡¯t really belong in the same sentence,¡± Cal snorted. ¡°Am I a bad brother for finding that hilarious?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Nila said flatly. ¡°Aside from you personal bias¡­ what do you think?¡±


    ¡°About the schism?¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m only technically Catholic. Haven¡¯t set foot inside a church since Rayna¡¯s eighth grade graduation,¡± he said proudly. ¡°I¡¯m anti-establishment all the way,¡± he grinned. ¡°I wonder what the Church said about women getting that class¡­ probably call the spires ¡®the devil¡¯ or ¡®the tool of the devil¡¯. I¡¯d guess the old bastards probably don¡¯t have a problem with them getting Priest as a class.¡± The smile on Cal¡¯s face suddenly became a wince. ¡°I can¡¯t¡­ shouldn¡¯t take pleasure in other people having problems.¡±


    Nila nodded hesitantly.


    ¡°Can¡¯t think negatively.¡±


    ¡°Cal, it¡¯s okay. That¡¯s a part of being human.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t. I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s me. The negative thoughts, I mean. It might be something the Mother left behind. Pushing and prodding me to a darker state of mind¡­ where I might hurt innocent people.¡±


    ¡°I know what you told me, but it¡¯s been months and you still haven¡¯t found any traces,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Just because I haven¡¯t found anything doesn¡¯t mean there isn¡¯t anything to find,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Well¡­ okay then. Just¡­ don¡¯t forget that you don¡¯t have to face this alone.¡± Nila took Cal¡¯s hand and squeezed tightly.


    ¡°Getting strong there,¡± Cal faked a pained wince.


    Nila rolled her eyes. ¡°Oh, yeah, my family is having hot pot tonight for dinner and you¡¯re invited.¡±


    Cal opened his mouth.


    ¡°Nope. No more excuses. You haven¡¯t visited this whole time and they¡¯re getting annoying about it.¡± Nila raised her finger to forestall another attempted protest. ¡°You haven¡¯t hurt your family and anyone else. You¡¯re not going to hurt mine.¡±


    ¡°You make a good point,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°Now, I¡¯m going to have to come up with a good excuse.¡± A light bulb lit up in Cal¡¯s thoughts. ¡°What time is dinner?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Rayna wants to talk to me about something.¡±


    ¡°7:00, but you can come whenever.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ totally doable then,¡± Cal tried to sound excited.


    Nila saw right through him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll drop you off at your Mom¡¯s, then see what Rayna wants, then I¡¯ll come right back,¡± Cal said.


    <hr>


    ¡°I know you¡¯re on vacation, but we need your help¡­ and Nila¡¯s, if that¡¯s okay,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°Not okay¡­ on both accounts,¡± Cal frowned.


    ¡°Wait? You didn¡¯t even let me start.¡±


    ¡°I told you¡­ I¡¯m not killing anything or anybody.¡±


    Rayna¡¯s face wore a frown to match Cal¡¯s. Despite the large gap in age the brother and sister were eerily similar in this expression.


    ¡°Really? You¡¯d let Mom and Dad face the worst monsters without lifting a finger?¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ that¡¯s a ridiculous argument. If a scenario like that occurred then I would obviously help,¡± Cal scoffed.


    ¡°Well, you won¡¯t even hear me out. How do you know that this isn¡¯t that scenario?¡± Rayna challenged.


    ¡°Because you would¡¯ve said so¡­ sorry, but I have a dinner party to attend.¡± Cal walked into the backyard and rose up into the air.


    Only to suddenly stop a few feet off the ground.


    Cal put more into his telekinesis, but the force holding him in place strengthened.


    ¡°Seriously?¡± Cal rotated around until he faced a glaring Rayna, her face screwed with concentration. ¡°You look like you¡¯re constipated.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not leaving until you hear me out,¡± Rayna grounded out through clenched teeth.


    Curious, Cal increased the strength of his telekinesis.


    Rayna matched it with her gravitic power to keep him in place.


    They stared at each other. Wills silently contesting.


    Cal knew that he had much more to go, but he felt that Rayna didn¡¯t.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Cal said. Ultimately, he had always found it difficult to refuse his baby sister much. ¡°You may give me your pitch. However, I¡¯m not interested in fighting anyone.¡±


    ¡°Even to save lives?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t save every life out there and I¡¯m concerned that in the effort it might cost more in the future,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°That¡¯s just dumb. You should be worried about the lives you can save in front of you instead of worrying about the lives you might not save in some distant future.¡±


    ¡°Just¡­ just tell me what you want.¡±


    ¡°Funnily enough, we just need your help to save lives.¡±


    Rayna told Cal the plan.


    ¡°A lot of your rangers are going to die.¡± Cal ran the scenario through his mindscape with the information Rayna had just given to him. He sighed when he came to a realization. ¡°I can get these slaves out with a higher survivability rate than you. Perhaps, close to a hundred percent if I take out the people holding them.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s tempting, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°You do understand what I mean? That I¡¯ll need to kill them all before they know what¡¯s going on. Is that what you¡¯re asking me to do?¡± Cal glared.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t let me finish,¡± Rayna glared right back. ¡°I know all that, but I¡¯m not asking you to do anything beyond flying the captives back here after we free them.¡±


    ¡°What? But the casualties¡ª¡±


    ¡°Are necessary. Our levels are too low. The spires said strength through conflict and struggle. When people like us are involved, there isn¡¯t much of those for everyone else.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ they¡¯ll die,¡± Cal said. He was confused. He knew that it was his sister in front of him, but he couldn¡¯t quite believe the words coming out of her mouth.


    ¡°I know that!¡± Rayna snapped. ¡°They know that,¡± she said softly. ¡°We all agree that having their continued survival reliant upon a handful of powerful individuals is impossible to rely on forever. What happens when, if, I die? Or Dad? What about when we get old? Or what happened to you?¡±


    Cal felt like she had just punched him in the stomach.


    ¡°The survival of the human race depends on everyone gaining individual strength.¡±


    ¡°Do you have a Quest for this?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but it goes beyond that. Can we call ourselves good people if we do nothing while other human beings are being enslaved less than fifty miles up the freeway?¡±


    ¡°No, I suppose not,¡± Cal said.


    Rayna spread her arms out wide.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll help, but I¡¯m not so sure about having Nila face off with these warlords,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°They might not even attack. Nila¡¯s just insurance in case they do,¡± Rayna said. ¡°Dad¡¯s like ten, fifteen minutes away in any event.¡±


    ¡°Or I can visit these warlords and encourage them to stay home,¡± Cal said.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    ¡°I¡¯ve thought about doing that myself, but it¡¯d tip them off to our plans,¡± Rayna said. ¡°Look, you can deal with those assholes after you fly the people we free to safety.¡±


    ¡°What about you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m supporting from a distance and with as minimal presence as possible, so as to not ruin my guys¡¯ leveling opportunity.¡± The words were practiced, but still sounded bitter in Rayna¡¯s mouth.


    Cal nodded in sympathy as he made an effort to keep Rayna¡¯s thoughts to herself and his to himself. His sister was a tornado of anger and worry. It killed him that he couldn¡¯t, shouldn¡¯t, ease her burden.


    ¡°I¡¯ve tried to respect your desire. I could¡¯ve used your help like over a dozen times this past month. I get that you¡¯ve been through some shit, but so has everyone else. And they don¡¯t have the same awesome powers, you, we do.¡±


    Cal was struck by the bitterness in his sister¡¯s voice.


    Perhaps he was being selfish.


    Cal nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it, but I can¡¯t speak for Nila. I¡¯ll let her know, but you¡¯ll have to ask her yourself,¡± Cal said. ¡°And I¡¯m going to need all the information you have on these slavers and the warlords.¡±


    Rayna nodded stiffly. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Cal held out his arms.


    Rayna frowned.


    ¡°C¡¯mon on, get in here,¡± Cal grinned.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Rayna huffed, but went in for the hug.


    ¡°You¡¯ve grown so much,¡± Cal said proudly.


    ¡°Tsk¡­ I¡¯m over thirty now,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°You¡¯re always going to be that tiny little poop machine I had to change diapers because it taught me responsibility or whatever b.s. Mom and Dad used to say.¡±


    ¡°Gross and they probably just wanted a break.¡±


    ¡°Understandable. You did have the gnarliest poops.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Rayna punched Cal in the stomach, hard.


    <hr>


    ¡°Have you heard from your brother?¡±


    ¡°Nope¡­ er¡­ which one?¡± Cal was only partially listening to his mom. He had more important things to pay attention to.


    ¡°Eron. Remy already sent me a spires message. They seem to be settling in okay with your Threnosh friends. Although, I hope the girls are safe. Their training sounds dangerous. That machine of yours that makes things real.¡±


    Cal sighed. He wondered if his parents had any idea on what Tessa and Veronica had been through recently. ¡°Yeah, the S.R.T.C. is totally safe. Practically zero percent chance of injury.¡± He could feel his mom¡¯s sharp gaze on the side of his face.


    ¡°That isn¡¯t zero,¡± Cal¡¯s mom said.


    ¡°Is anything truly perfect?¡±


    ¡°About your brother?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t gotten any messages from him,¡± Cal said. ¡°He¡¯s probably fine. I mean, what can hurt him?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know everything that¡¯s possible out there. It¡¯s been two months since he sent word.¡±


    ¡°Is that weird?¡±


    ¡°Yes. He at least sends a spire message once a month.¡±


    ¡°Damn, good on him, that gets expensive. He¡¯s changed. I remember back in the old days, you always bugged me because Eron would never respond to your texts.¡±


    ¡°I get concerned,¡± Cal¡¯s mom eyed the proceedings on the playground, ¡°like I am now.¡±


    Cal nodded with a smile. ¡°Yeah it¡¯s getting good.¡±


    ¡°How are you doing that?¡±


    ¡°Reading their body language,¡± Cal said. Simultaneously explaining everything and nothing.


    ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s safe?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ practically.¡±


    Cal¡¯s mom made a noise in her throat.


    ¡°I can sense your displeasure as I can with every other mom on this playground. Funnily enough the dads are mostly jealous.¡±


    ¡°What mother isn¡¯t concerned for her child¡¯s safety?¡±


    Cal stiffened.


    His heart spiked.


    In response he took a moment.


    The people all around him seemed to slow until they were almost like statues in Cal¡¯s perceptions. He took a deep breath, then several more.


    He reminded himself that this was a safe place. A word away from Orchestral Meridian.


    Mother Madrigal was dead.


    He was in control.


    Always in control.


    ¡°I should stop this,¡± he muttered.


    But then the kids would be disappointed at play time being cut short.


    Cal snapped himself back to reality.


    It was safe. For him and the kids.


    Their shrieks of joy and laughter instantly brightened his mood.


    He intently watched the unfolding battle over the pirate ship in the middle of the sandy playground. He had to. He was providing all the special effects.


    ¡°Firebolt!¡± Ariel screeched as she thrust her hand out.


    A red-yellow Nerf dart flew with speed and accuracy impossible for a 6-year-old girl.


    The invisible hand of Cal¡¯s telekinesis was at work.


    ¡°Anti-Magic Slash!¡± Go-Eun cried haughtily as she struck the dart out of the air with her two-handed battleaxe, also a vintage Nerf.


    ¡°Is that a real Skill?¡± Cal¡¯s mom whispered.


    ¡°Not that I know of, but maybe Go can be the first to get it once she¡¯s old enough to go to the spire,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Hopefully that won¡¯t be necessary.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯d be nice, Mom, but I doubt it. Now, stop distracting me. I don¡¯t want to miss this epic battle for the pirate ship.¡±


    Go-Eun was posted up on the prow of the pirate ship waving her battleaxe while shouting imprecations down at the attacking team taking cover behind the other pieces playground equipment.


    ¡°I have no idea where she picked up those words,¡± Cal lied.


    ¡°Uh huh,¡± Cal¡¯s mom said flatly.


    ¡°Uh oh, looks like Zaki¡¯s attempting to flank with his beast companions,¡± Cal said quickly.


    His mom could only shake her head at the ridiculousness of it all.


    Sure enough, stuffed animals swarmed around towards the rear of the pirate ship.


    A ferret, dog and bear bounced across the sand.


    There was only so much Cal could do to make them move like the real things, perhaps he could find more realistically proportioned stuffed animals, but the 5-year-old was attached to his companions.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got port!¡± Davon drew back on his Nerf bow and let the foam arrow fly.


    Cal judged that his aim was off so the dart struck short of the ferret, showering it with sand.


    ¡°No! Take cover Podos!¡± Zaki pointed at a bouncy riding turtle thing.


    Dutifully, Cal had the ferret stuffed animal scamper to hide behind the playground equipment.


    ¡°Take them, Eagle!¡± Zaki pointed imperiously.


    The child¡¯s fourth stuffed animal dived from the top of the slide. Stubby wings flapping for all they were worth.


    Cal laughed as the soft penguin menaced Go-Eun, who attempted to cleave it from the sky.


    ¡°That¡¯s not fair,¡± Davon said. ¡°Penguins don¡¯t fly!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not a penguin, he¡¯s a Greater Doom Penguin! Chaos has given him the power of flight and magical claws,¡± Zaki said.


    ¡°Okay¡­¡± Cal said. ¡°He came up with that all by himself¡­ I swear.¡±


    ¡°Mmm,¡± his mom replied.


    The dog and the bear leapt up to the boat on the starboard side.


    Two lights flashed. Even in the daylight Cal caught them easily.


    The brief beams landed on both stuffed animals sending them flying backwards at Cal¡¯s thought.


    ¡°Nooo!¡± Zaki cried.


    ¡°Sorry, man,¡± Cal said. ¡°Two straight repulsor blasts at almost point blank range means they are knocked out.¡±


    Grace posed triumphantly in her modified Iron Man costume. The 4-year old¡¯s Halloween costume had been modified. There was more black and pink added. Along with the circle chest reactor changed into a heart-shaped one.


    Zaki pouted, but quickly focused on ¡®guiding¡¯ Eagle the doom penguin in harassing the defenders.


    Rynnen chose this time to strike. He leapt off the top of the slide. The boy was clad in blue-colored cardboard and plastic armor, along with a small backpack.


    Cal could feel his mom¡¯s cringe as a palpable force next to him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve got him,¡± he guided his cousin¡¯s ¡®jet-pack¡¯ flight along a curving arc around the pilot ship as Rynnen wanted.


    Rynnen opened up with his automatic Nerf gun, small foam darts peppered the ship¡¯s defenders.


    Cal pulled Grace back, firmly, but gently to simulate the darts¡¯ impacts on her armor.


    Rynnen¡¯s arc took him near the rear of the ship.


    Davon dived over the side and loosed a foam arrow. ¡°Armor-piercing shot!¡±


    ¡°Jeez¡­ maybe they¡¯re getting too comfortable,¡± Cal said as he telekinetically caught Davon and made sure he had a soft landing on the sand.


    The arrow hit Rynnen in the upper arm. Instantly, he found himself unable to move that arm.


    ¡°Hey!¡±


    ¡°Sorry, bro. You¡¯ve got an arrow in your arm, can¡¯t move it.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s adamantium,¡± Rynnen whined.


    ¡°Armor-piercing arrow. Them¡¯s the rules. The gameruler has ruled.¡±


    His mom made a displeased sound.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get mad at me. You helped him make that armor.¡±


    ¡°He saw some of your old toys,¡± Cal¡¯s mom said.


    ¡°Miniatures.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Not toys¡­ miniatures,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Firebolt Barrage!¡± Ariel threw all her Nerf darts at once.


    ¡°I¡¯ll let that go,¡± Cal said.


    Nerf darts struck the pirate ship in a mass as the Go-Eun dived for cover and Grace soared up into the air with her palm and boot repulsors.


    ¡°The ship is now on fire!¡± Cal called out.


    Zaki sent Eagle after Grace.


    ¡°Ohmygod! Be careful with Grace, Cal!¡± his mom winced.


    ¡°Perfectly safe,¡± Cal said.


    The aerial dogfight was mirrored by Davon¡¯s and Rynnen¡¯s duel on the ground. They used playground equipment as cover. The archer and space marine fought with grim determination.


    All thoughts of teamwork devolved as they each faced off with their chosen opponents.


    In the end it was a draw.


    The objective ¡®burned¡¯ and much fun was had.


    ¡°Guys, you have to work together to gain your objectives,¡± Cal lectured.


    The children nodded as they drank water and ate orange slices.


    ¡°This is what you¡¯ve been doing with your time,¡± Nila said in disbelief as she gave Cal¡¯s mom a hug.


    ¡°Honestly, I feel that it¡¯s the best way I can use my powers with where my mind is at the moment,¡± Cal said. ¡°Happy children is best children,¡± he intoned.


    ¡°They are smiling and laughing a lot more than they used to,¡± Cal¡¯s mom conceded.


    <hr>


    ¡°Those bitches are up to something.¡±


    Pryce kept his face expressionless. He may have disagreed in part with his father¡¯s attitudes, but he wasn¡¯t in a position to openly protest. He had to keep his place. Better him than his younger brother.


    ¡°I saw Derek¡¯s report,¡± Pryce said evenly.


    His father¡¯s head snapped to him, eyes like a shark¡¯s.


    Pryce focused on returning the gaze.


    No fear.


    Not anymore.


    He was a damn grown man.


    ¡°Care to elaborate?¡± his father said in a level tone that suggest any number of things.


    ¡°They¡¯ve been slowly shifting rangers to the port. An operation into L.A. County, obviously.¡±


    ¡°Obviously,¡± his father mocked. ¡°Details? Who? Where? When? Why? Stupid boy! I can¡¯t hold your hand forever!¡± he spat.


    Pryce suppressed a frown. ¡°We don¡¯t have that information and we will not until Rayna and Kaylyn have already begun whatever it is they¡¯ve planned.¡±


    His father glared at the glass of scotch in his hand. An old vintage from his father¡¯s personal supply. Pryce didn¡¯t drink much so he didn¡¯t care that the old man was so proud of the collection. Nothing like the duplicates from the grocery store that the old man constantly decried.


    ¡°Years and we¡¯ve still haven¡¯t been able to get a guy on the inside,¡± his father said.


    Nor had they been able to get leverage on any of the rangers and assorted inner circle individuals to turn into spies. They were a loyal bunch or rather the rangers provided more than the Hardin¡¯s had been able to offer, as was Pryce¡¯s read on the situation.


    ¡°Never mind, then. Once you win the election we¡¯ll be able to push legislature through that¡¯ll force the freaks into line.¡±


    Pryce had his doubts that¡¯d be enough, but he didn¡¯t voice them. Better to let his father dream.


    ¡°We¡¯ll get a proper taxation system running and bring back an actual economy. None of this free food and services garbage.¡±


    On this point, Pryce agreed.


    Their country, what¡¯s left of it, had grown soft and reliant on handouts. From the Cruces fighting their battles for them, to the stores providing food, medicine and everything else like a broken vending machine. If they were going to rebuild civilization properly then the people would need to relearn what it was like to struggle.


    ¡°I have concerns about the language for our future conscription program,¡± Pryce said.


    ¡°What? The Freedom Corps not good enough for you?¡± his father scoffed. ¡°Peace Corps, Marine Corps¡­ it¡¯s familiar and evokes the image we want.¡±


    ¡°Compulsory Service Program,¡± Pryce said. ¡°I think we¡¯d be better off removing any wording that spells out mandatory.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t. These people need to know that they need to be stakeholders in our effort to seize our country back from the usurpers,¡± his father said.


    Pryce wondered if his father meant the spires and the monsters or the others. He wondered if there was a distinction in his father¡¯s mind.


    ¡°They need to learn to serve. Just as our forefathers did in taking independence, just as your great-grandfather did in building this city. This is our land, Pryce. We¡¯ve let them rule over it long enough.¡±


    ¡°We need the Cruces.¡±


    His father glared daggers.


    Pryce pressed on. ¡°The local militia isn¡¯t enough to fight off the stronger monsters, let alone the warlords to the north and whatever new horror is forming to the south.¡± Truth. If he couldn¡¯t speak the truth then he was still that weak, scared boy.


    ¡°Then we should bring the Marines at Pendleton on board. They¡¯ll¡ª¡±


    Pryce shook his head daring to interrupt. ¡°You¡¯ve read the reports and seen the pictures. That will not be a beneficial relationship to us.¡±


    ¡°They just need to be brought under control. Once they have a proper chain of command to follow¡­¡± his father didn¡¯t sound sure of himself on this matter. ¡°Fine¡­ I¡¯ll table this topic for now, but they can be useful to us. With enough men we can get the women off the battlefield and back where they belong. We have no choice if we want to get our population numbers up. We need to stop the downward trend of the last ten years.¡±


    ¡°If we can get them under control,¡± Pryce conceded. ¡°I¡¯m confident the rangers will be amiable so long as everything is done according to the laws.¡± Pryce didn¡¯t believe his own words. From the look in his father¡¯s eyes, the old man was of the same mind.


    ¡°It will be ideal if we can use them up before our own men,¡± his father said.


    Pryce disagreed. He was certain that they needed to get their own men taking on more dangerous foes to increase their strength. Just like the video games. Something his father couldn¡¯t, wouldn¡¯t understand even when the spires had already spat the message directly into his father¡¯s head.


    ¡°I¡¯ll put our men on high alert. Increase the patrols at our borders with L.A. County,¡± Pryce said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget your campaign. Only a few more days left. You need to hit their areas¡­ our areas,¡± his father grumbled bitterly.


    Pryce wondered if his father¡¯s hatred of the Cruces would be so pronounced had they lived in and claimed territory in another city. It hadn¡¯t helped that the Cruces hadn¡¯t afforded the Hardin¡¯s proper respect for their distinguished and longstanding service to the city. After all a Hardin had been present at the very beginning.


    They were the city just as much as it was them.


    ¡°Yes, father.¡±


    What galled Pryce the most was that even if he won the election there was nothing he could do to compel the Cruces. No matter how much he and his think tank ran thought exercises, they couldn¡¯t come up with a plan that presented an acceptable risk-reward ratio.


    The Cruces had too much power.


    His father hadn¡¯t mentioned it, but Pryce knew he was even more worried now that the oldest son had returned and had shown no signs of leaving like the youngest one.


    Pryce didn¡¯t like unknown variables that he couldn¡¯t control. That was one thing he shared with his father.

 4.31

    Now, Earth


    ¡°This guy?¡± Cal held up a page of card stock with a picture of a man.


    Not a normal one. The man¡¯s skin was translucent and glowing, bones and organs were plainly visible. He wore nothing except cargo shorts, which didn¡¯t seem to be a problem judging by the small explosion across his back as he held another man up by the neck with one hand.


    ¡°How¡¯d they get these pictures?¡± Nila stared at it in thought. ¡°Is that Mad Max-looking guy on the ground dead? He¡¯s dead isn¡¯t he?¡± she said in growing horror.


    Cal turned the picture for a better look, careful to block the writing on the back of the page. ¡°He does seem to be limp,¡± he grimaced, ¡°the guy who took this was lucky. They even got the fireball explosion¡­ at least that¡¯s what it looks like to me,¡± he shrugged. ¡°There are people with some Technician Classes to get electronics, like cameras, computers and cell phones working. They do the maintenance on the cell towers. Unreliable connectivity between here and back north, but it was better than nothing. Apparently Eron was trying to get satellites working¡­ I had no idea he could go into space.¡±


    ¡°He may have mentioned something about it, but since he doesn¡¯t have classes nothing he tried worked even following the techs¡¯ instructions,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Hmm, so if we could get a tech up there¡­¡±


    ¡°I can see the hamster¡¯s turning in your head,¡± Nila said. ¡°Good idea, but we should focus on the Quest in front of us.¡±


    ¡°You got a Quest?¡±


    ¡°I have to defend from attack.¡±


    Cal cursed. ¡°Sorry¡­ that means an attack is pretty much guaranteed. Maybe I can threaten these wannabe warlords to stay home.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d appreciate not having to fight them, but then you¡¯d reveal the rangers¡¯ plans and that seems like a bad thing, no?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°Well, I guess this is really happening. I got a Quest. You got a Quest. Everyone got a Quest. Best get back to the flashcards then.¡±


    Nila studied the photo Cal was holding in front of her. ¡°Warlord¡ª¡±


    ¡°Can we call them something else? Warlord seems to big for how tiny and petty these people are. They¡¯re really more like gangs.¡±


    ¡°What? Like, gang leader? Fine, gang leader, real name unknown, goes by X-Ray. Holds a few blocks of territory in Hawaiian Gardens, includes the casino and the strip malls nearby. Core of the gang numbers around 50, but is as large as 100 with people on the fringes. Estimates suggest that they can get that number up to 200, 250 by conscripting from the unaffiliated people in their territory, which estimates at 2000-2500 people.¡± Nila took a breath. ¡°X-Ray,¡± she made a face, ¡°make believe names sound really dumb when not in movies.¡±


    Cal nodded slowly.


    ¡°He appears to have the ability to absorb attack spells without suffering damage. This appears to increase his strength and ability to take damage. Enough spells will make him strong enough to flip cars over and become bulletproof.¡±


    Cal looked at the other pictures of X-Ray in action. ¡°You¡¯re right so far.¡±


    ¡°Suggested weakness is non magical attacks. He has been observed avoiding mundane weaponry when in a normal state. So, easy enough to deal with. Do not hit with magic, which is fine since I can¡¯t do magic. All I have to do is punch him. Next,¡± Nila yawned.


    ¡°Okay, but remembered it¡¯s been confirmed that he has mage classes in his gang¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Nila waved a hand dismissively, ¡°he¡¯ll power himself up before a fight. Still doesn¡¯t make a huge difference. I¡¯m probably stronger, definitely faster. I¡¯ll blitz him.¡±


    Cal raised a brow. ¡°I¡¯m impressed with your terminology.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve learned a lot of things while you were gone¡­ so, next,¡± Nila snapped her fingers.


    Cal held up another page of card stock.


    ¡°Oh this one,¡± Nila rolled her eyes, ¡°the biker slash rock star except even dirtier looking.¡±


    The man looked to be in his late thirties with long, lank blond hair. The picture showed him in mid slash with a machete. He wore dark leather clothing with a make-shift chainmail vest and a battered police-issue riot helmet. Dried blood covered every bit of the man.


    ¡°I feel like I need a tetanus shot just looking at him,¡± Nila shuddered.


    ¡°You probably will if you do end up fighting him,¡± Cal said. ¡°That or healing.¡±


    ¡°This asshole has territory north of Long Beach State. His gang is smaller. About a core of 20 riding their motorcycles around a few blocks surrounding a Trader Joe¡¯s. They spend most of their time testing the fringes of the university since it¡¯s an encounter challenge now. They can handle a few human-sized gremlins thanks to Thousand Cuts¡¯ ability,¡± Nila shook her head, ¡°seriously, why do they give themselves such ridiculous names.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Cal said flatly. ¡°Please continue.¡±


    ¡°Fine, there¡¯s not enough information to determine the nature of said ability. He appears capable of somehow lengthening the cutting edges of bladed implements. A pocket knife becomes a sword. A sword can cut across the street. The effect is not physical, as in the sword doesn¡¯t literally become fifty feet long. Just the cutting effect. The ability appears limited to line of sight range. Thousand Cuts,¡± Nila made face, ¡°has been observed pointing at either his men or the blades they¡¯re wielding to trigger the effect. The researchers suggest that the ability is magical in nature. Although, the gang leader has not yet been observed casting other spells. Again, I¡¯m not too concerned. The effect doesn¡¯t appear to strengthen the cutting power, which means I¡¯ve got nothing to worry about while I¡¯m wearing the Threnosh armor. I¡¯ll charge in and hit him in the face. Unconsciousness will then cancel the effect. At which point I will hit the rest until they stop moving.¡±


    ¡°What about the ra¡ª¡±


    ¡°The ranger squad with me will keep their distance. They can pitch in after I take out the leader.¡±


    Cal couldn¡¯t find anything objectionable to Nila¡¯s plans so far, just that he¡¯d rather not have her fighting with gangs, but she had volunteered to help.


    ¡°Next,¡± he held up a picture of a young woman of average height and above average build.


    ¡°Maria Valverde,¡± Nila said. ¡°Damn, her arms are impressive. Talk about goals,¡± she flexed her much thinner, even if it was supremely toned, arm.


    The photograph showed the young woman hammering something on an anvil. She was in a tank top despite the sparks. Sweat glistened on the brown skin of her chiseled and bulging arms.


    ¡°She¡¯s not really a threat,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Still¡­¡±


    Nila sighed. ¡°Maria¡¯s class is unknown. She can make and control small automatons. She mostly uses the materials she finds in the factory district near the Port of Long Beach that she claims as her territory. There are close to a thousand people residing in her territory, but she doesn¡¯t really involve herself in governance. She will occasionally use her automatons to deal with monsters and help people obtain supplies. Her presence along the edges of the port keeps the other gangs away, which means your dad doesn¡¯t have to worry too much about his workout area.¡±


    ¡°The port¡¯s strategically important in the future when, if, we get global commerce going again,¡± Cal said. He was on the fence concerning the viability of that. There were fishmen now and he had seen truly enormous monsters in the sea back on the Threnosh world.


    The human population had been cut drastically. If he went by the local situations then the world¡¯s population was roughly ten percent of what it was before the spires appeared.


    ¡°I think the global supply chain is dead and will be for generations. Everything is local now. Especially when stores keep magically producing goods as long as we control them. Then there¡¯s the ability to buy and sell things through the spires. It¡¯s like Etsy, but for everything,¡± Nila said.


    Cal shook his head. ¡°The tiered system of fees to unlock permissions to put your goods up for sale is too expensive for most people. Unless you¡¯re killing monsters on a regular basis it¡¯ll take years to get enough points just going about doing normal things, even if you¡¯re sticking to your class. It¡¯s tough to find or create challenging situations in what is essentially your job. Much easier to go to a store every few weeks.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for the mansplaination,¡± Nila smirked.


    ¡°Thanks for the¡­ lady¡­ snarka¡­ nation¡­ you win this round,¡± Cal said flatly, ¡°but sleep lightly,¡± he whispered.


    Nila laughed.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, we¡¯ve got like forty of these profiles to go through,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°It¡¯s like I¡¯m cramming for a quiz,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Except with real stakes, not like school,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Move on to the next one then. Ms. Valverde is not a threat to attack. The young woman probably just wants to be left alone to work on her small metal men.¡±


    Cal looked at Nila expectantly.


    ¡°What else do you want? Her abilities are completely unknown. The only thing the rangers have is that they occasionally scry spikes of magical energy emanating from Maria¡¯s factory.¡±


    ¡°Which suggests¡­¡±


    Nila rolled her eyes. ¡°That her abilities are magical in nature, which suggests a Class. The nature of which is currently pure speculation.¡±


    ¡°Which is the fun part of this entire exercise¡­ the speculation on powers and abilities¡­ nothing?¡± Cal shook his head. ¡°Fine, if you won¡¯t then I will. I think that the rangers are on the right track in regards to Ms. Valverde. Magical energy does suggest a mage class of some kind. Perhaps a Golem Mage or Maker, Master. I posit that magic is involved in the process of creation and in control.¡± Cal regarded Nila¡¯s blank look. ¡°Really? None of this is interesting? This is the first of this kind of magic that we¡¯ve seen!¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you just go and ask her?¡±


    ¡°I would except Rayna made me promise to leave Ms. Valverde alone. They have some kind of deal. The young woman is not to be bothered in exchange for her using her little golems to discourage other gangs from encroaching on the port, plus supplies for the people. Why said people don¡¯t just move here? I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a little surprised to hear that.¡±


    ¡°I know, the way that Rayna just steamrolled over me. Dictating what I can and can¡¯t do¡­ she¡¯s changed,¡± Cal nodded.


    ¡°Not about that,¡± Nila said. ¡°That you actually listened to her.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ this is a delicate time. I was planning on going on a long walk after Rayna¡¯s Quest is done. You know, take in the sights. Right wrongs were I happen to find them and if I happen to encounter these awesome golems and their maker, all the better, no?¡±


    ¡°That sounds reasonable,¡± Nila smiled.


    ¡°I¡¯ll probably have to check out whatever weird crap is going on in San Diego,¡± Cal sighed.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°One issue at a time,¡± Cal said. ¡°Next card,¡± he shuffled through the pile until he found one, ¡°oh, here¡¯s another scumbag.¡±


    ¡°Ugh,¡± Nila recoiled, ¡°so ugly. How is that possible? I don¡¯t want to fight this one.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ this one looks like they smell worse than they look. You know?¡±


    ¡°No, no I don¡¯t and I don¡¯t want to find out. Maybe you can take this one out of the fight on your way to Beverly Hills?¡± she ventured hopefully.


    ¡°Nope¡­ I wouldn¡¯t want to ruin the surprise attack,¡± Cal said.


    <hr>


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was drugged most of the time. I think it¡¯s cause I kept trying to escape.¡±


    Kayl regarded the nervous-looking young man kindly. ¡°It¡¯s okay Fin, anything you can give us will be helpful.¡±


    ¡°I just¡­¡± Fin shook his head. His mop of black hair flopped down to hide his eyes like a curtain with the way he resolutely stared at the floor to avoid looking at the hard-eyed men and women in the room watching him, ¡°I can¡¯t remember details.¡±


    ¡°Nothing at all, man? Guard numbers? Levels? Abilities?¡± a heavyset man said harshly.


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Kayl held up her hand.


    ¡°Captain, we¡¯re going in blind,¡± the man continued, ¡°we¡¯ve sent three infiltrators and lost contact within days. They¡¯re probably dead or worse. The kid¡¯s our only source of intel. We¡¯ve got nothing on force dispositions. Can¡¯t we just like,¡± he wiggled his beefy fingers, ¡°magic it out of his brain.¡±


    The air in the room dropped noticeably.


    Fin¡¯s head shot up and he fixed a glare on the man. The gaze was almost dead.


    Kayl suppressed a shiver. ¡°Fin¡¯s been through enough. We have promised to keep him safe,¡± she laid a comforting hand on Fin¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°No such magic exists or at least that we know of,¡± Rayna said. She regarded Fin out of the corner of her eye. There was something off about the young man. His refusal to state his specific Class was a huge red flag, but the rangers needed his potential power. Not to mention that he was a victim of the shits running their little kingdom up in Beverly Hills. ¡°Thanks, Fin, you can go if you have nothing else to add.¡±


    Fin nodded hesitantly before leaving the room.


    ¡°Sorry, sir,¡± the man said stiffly.


    ¡°No. You¡¯ve got valid concerns, Randolph,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°I got nothing against the kid. He¡¯s passed all our tests so I¡¯m taking him at his word. It¡¯s just that things smell weird.¡±


    Kayl frowned. ¡°Is that your fat gut¡¯s intuition talking or do you have something concrete?¡±


    Randolph bristled. ¡°Yeah, my gut doesn¡¯t like it, but logic also says this whole thing in Beverly Hills doesn¡¯t make sense. Why did people turn a bunch of mansions up in the hills into¡­ places of debauchery?¡±


    ¡°Because they¡¯re scumbags looking for wealth and power!¡± Kayl snapped. ¡°Why else? It¡¯s what their kind did before the spires appeared, except now they don¡¯t have to hide it.¡±


    ¡°The almighty dollar replaced by Universal Points,¡± Randolph agreed, ¡°but that¡¯s all they¡¯re doing. They haven¡¯t seized the surrounding territory and taken control of the gangs when they have the power to do so.¡±


    ¡°Do they? Maybe they don¡¯t have the numbers and strength to hold territory larger than a handful of mansions,¡± a grim-faced woman said. ¡°A small number of higher level people can¡¯t keep more than a few blocks under their control.¡±


    ¡°Jor¡¯s probably right,¡± Randolph began, ¡°but her guess is still just that. I don¡¯t know if we can move on mere guesses. The risk to our rangers¡­¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve been over this,¡± Kayl said, ¡°and we¡¯ve agreed that we need to start taking risks in pursuit of greater strength. Our continued survival depends on it.¡±


    Rayna regarded the handful of men and women seated around the conference room as they continued to argue. Her eyes roved to the maps up on the wall.


    Their territory was surrounded by threats.


    The ocean to the west was full of mutant animals and monsters like landsharks and possibly fishmen and their dark god. The other cardinal directions all contained dangerous men and women, monsters, mutated animals and other worse things if the stories her brothers had shared about what they had seen in the past could be believed.


    She had no reason not to take Cal and Eron at their word and the knowledge sent a shiver up her spine.


    Cannibalism as a superpower, a living skin that subsumed its victim¡¯s identity and others just as horrifying.


    ¡°How can we rescue the HVT¡¯s when we have zero intel on their locations?¡± Randolph said.


    ¡°The enslaved are not going to be our concern,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°What the fuck do you mean?¡± Jor¡¯s voice rose. ¡°Gaining strength is necessary, but I thought the most important part of this Quest was freeing those people, like Fin, from sex slavery.¡±


    ¡°My brother agreed to take care of them,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°Okay¡­ that¡¯s great and all, but we don¡¯t even know what he can do,¡± Randolph said.


    ¡°You can ask him, but I doubt he¡¯ll share. I guarantee he¡¯ll make sure that we don¡¯t have to worry about finding and extracting the HVT¡¯s,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°Seriously, how?¡± Jor said. ¡°All of our scrying attempts have yielded nothing. The only thing we¡¯ve managed to learn is that some kind of spell is blocking us, which should be concerning to you, sir.¡±


    ¡°Cal says he can do it and so he will,¡± Rayna let out a long breath, ¡°look¡­ if we didn¡¯t need to use this to gain levels then I could go over there and flatten every asshole, grab the HVT¡¯s and fly out. The asshole warlord wannabe¡¯s aren¡¯t a problem anymore with Cal around to smack them down if they think my absence is a ringing dinner bell. As it is, even without me or Cal here and my dad being stuck on monster watch duty, Nila will be enough to scare off any raiders. I¡¯ve wanted to do this for a long time. I don¡¯t like the idea of you guys getting hurt and dying, but I can see why it¡¯s necessary, even long overdue. This is the best time for this Quest.¡±


    ¡°Our commander is right. We can¡¯t waste this opportunity,¡± Kayl said. ¡°Her brother and his girlfriend aren¡¯t tied to us. We can¡¯t take their aid for granted. They¡¯ve agreed to help here and now, so we must proceed. But even then we all do it with eyes open to the knowledge that we may not come back.¡±


    ¡°Volunteers only,¡± Rayna said. ¡°We can condense squads to keep them at their optimal number if necessary.¡±


    Randolph laughed. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. You¡¯re going to have a hard time deciding which squads stay behind on guard duty. Everyone is going to want in on this.¡±


    ¡°So, we¡¯re doing this then?¡± Jor said.


    Rayna nodded.


    The sense of finality hit her. She was going to be responsible, no, she was already responsible for rangers, friends, marching off to their deaths.


    For a cause that was selfish, for a cause that was just.


    The door shut with a loud echo in Rayna¡¯s thoughts.


    Her decision wasn¡¯t one that she could take back.


    ¡°Should I have our scryers shift their targets to our borders?¡± Jor said.


    ¡°Yeah. They¡¯re wasting their time on those mansions. We¡¯ll want to know as quickly as possible if the warlords decide to raid. Without the bulk of our forces, positioning will be key to intercept raiders,¡± Kayl said.


    ¡°Make sure everyone knows what¡¯s at stake, but more importantly what they risk,¡± Rayna said.


    Just their lives, she thought, such a small thing to hold in my hands.


    Rayne had never hated herself more.


    ¡°This is going to be the biggest and most dangerous thing we¡¯ve ever done,¡± Rayna said. And I can¡¯t¡­ won¡¯t keep them alive.


    <hr>


    Election day had arrived.


    A handful of polling stations were scattered throughout Orange County. It was a decidedly smaller operation than in the pre-spires days. The tech level had also dropped a few notches.


    No more mail-in ballots.


    No voting machines.


    No vote centers.


    Just paper and ink with drop boxes guarded by those unfortunate people who had volunteered to oversee a fair election while one party did their best to interfere for favorable results. Naturally, another party did their best to counter such perfidy. As for the third party, well, they were above it all, haughtily watching and judging the rest.


    Sgt. Butcher set her jaw as she watched a sizable number of militia men enter the parking lot on foot. It was clear that they were headed right for the line of people waiting to cast their vote inside what was once a yoga studio.


    ¡°Here comes the Charmin militia,¡± Hardhat flipped her hard hat¡¯s clear face shield down.


    ¡°Fucking Hardin¡¯s,¡± Mouthy cracked her fists. The muscles of her brawny arms bulged visibly through her compression sleeves.


    ¡°They¡¯re not even bothering to pretend that they want a fair election.¡± Iz idly strummed his ukulele.


    ¡°I count twenty-three. Should I call up the others, sarge?¡± One-eye adjusted her eyepatch while fiddling with the long knife at her belt.


    ¡°I¡¯m always surprised to find out that you can count¡­ on account of your eye condition,¡± Iz said.


    One-eye shot a rude gesture.


    ¡°Bring up Chains, PK and Catscratch. You¡¯ll stay back there with the rest. Our job is to make sure the votes and the voters are protected. Besides, this isn¡¯t gonna turn into a slice-up,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    One-eye looked like she was going to complain, but nodded curtly and hurried into the yoga studio.


    ¡°Alright, no killing and no talking. Maybe I can convince these dumbasses that concussions are bad for them,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother, sarge. We¡¯ll just wipe our asses with them and be done with it,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Agreed. I don¡¯t not want to miss out on the operation and all the tasty points,¡± Iz said.


    ¡°Fucking pigfuckers best not ruin that!¡± Mouthy spat.


    ¡°Mouthy, Hardhat on me, Iz stay back and play me a tune,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°What do you want, sarge?¡± Iz¡¯s fingers lazily plucked strings.


    ¡°Something soft and slow, like a lullaby,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Best not get us in it this time or I¡¯ll stuff that thing up your ass, sideways,¡± Mouthy said.


    Iz rolled his eyes and stepped back away from the trio as they moved to intercept the Hardin militiamen before they could reach the end of the voting line.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry folks, Rayna¡¯s Rangers are here to keep you safe,¡± Iz grinned broadly. ¡°Though feel free to move closer to the front in case things¡­ happen,¡± he winked.


    ¡°Goddamn it,¡± Mouthy scowled without looking back, ¡°even your voice is punchable.¡±


    ¡°Both of you shut it. Save it for our enemies,¡± Sgt. Butcher said flatly.


    ¡°Enemies? I thought we were on the same side. ¡®Together we stand against the monsters.¡¯ Isn¡¯t that what you people like to say?¡± The lead militiaman¡¯s smile didn¡¯t reach his eyes.


    ¡°As per the agreed upon terms of the election¡¯s rules, this location is under the protection of Rayna¡¯s Rangers. The agreed upon amount of observers for all parties are already in place. Your presence is unnecessary and a violation of said rules,¡± Sgt. Butcher spoke like she was reading out of a book. Her unblinking eyes were fixed on the lead militiaman.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be like that. We¡¯re here just to make sure it stays safe.¡± The lead militiaman raised his voice. ¡°Our voters deserve safety! They deserve to know that the Freedom Force is here to keep them safe! That Pryce Hardin will keep it that way!¡±


    ¡°Sir, electioneering is against the rules all candidates agreed upon. You may protect the perimeter,¡± Sgt. Butcher said flatly.


    Mouthy helpfully pointed to the street beyond the parking lot boundary.


    ¡°The Freedom Force won¡¯t let anything get in our way of protecting our citizens!¡± The lead militiaman had a deep voice that carried well.


    ¡°You are in violation of election rules. Move away or be moved,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    The militiamen jeered and leered.


    The lead militiaman held up a fist.


    Quiet took a few seconds to settle over the militia.


    Iz began to strum a soft melody on his ukulele, barely noticeable.


    ¡°I know your kind isn¡¯t the best at math, but you do know that there are only four of you and over twenty of us?¡± the lead militiaman sneered.


    Music tickled the lead militiaman¡¯s ears and he grew a little bleary eyed.


    Yawns, loud and wide spread out through the militia like a ripple in a dirty tub of water.


    ¡°Maybe you should count again,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    The lead militiaman blinked. ¡°Seven? Where¡¯d they come from?¡±


    Chains, Pk and Catscratch had arrived.


    The pretty young woman lit up a cigar as she stood next to Iz.


    ¡°Not so close, Chains,¡± Iz coughed.


    The two men that went to stand next to Mouthy and Hardhat were physically imposing specimens.


    Catscratch was an absolute barrel of a man, well over six feet tall. The claw scars on his face made him an even more menacing figure.


    Pk was even taller. His was a burly figure with long limbs that worked well with his preferred fighting style.


    ¡°Catscratch, no killing,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Aye aye, sarge,¡± Catscratch said in a deep rumble.


    ¡°Fucking Christ! You¡¯re not an ass-licking pirate!¡± Mouthy snapped.


    Catscratch grunted by way of a reply.


    ¡°Pk, lose the gloves, don¡¯t want any maiming either,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Got it, sarge.¡± Pk pulled his spiked gauntlets off and reverently laid them on the ground. His hands were wrapped like a boxer.


    The militiamen began to edge toward the rangers.


    ¡°Last chance,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Fuck you, bitch!¡± the lead militiaman spat in her face.


    The riot helmet¡¯s face shield took the hit.


    ¡°Tsk¡­ do it,¡± Sgt. Butcher said flatly.


    Iz began to play his tune in earnest.


    Chains puffed on her cigar with vigor.


    The Hardin militia had over three times the numbers advantage on the rangers, but they fought sluggishly. They swung their truncheon¡¯s and fists at smoke as much as they did at the rangers.


    Sgt. Butcher anchored the line with her riot shield and baton, clubbing any that reached her. The lead militiaman was already insensate at her feet.


    Mouthy brawled with viciousness on the sergeant¡¯s right. Hardhat was more measured on the left, but was no less effective.


    As for Catscratch, he pounced with surprising quickness for his bulk. Knocking men down with ease, though to be fair to the militia they were already unsteady.


    Meanwhile PK laid them out with precise punches. Just enough power to turn the militiamen¡¯s lights out, but not break their jaws. Once or twice he even had to catch a man before they slammed their heads into the asphalt.


    ¡°Should wear helmets,¡± PK frowned.


    ¡°Ouch!¡± Hardhat winced as a club struck her right on top of her construction helmet. She returned the favor with a steel-toed boot to the groin.


    Mouthy laughed. ¡°I think I heard one of his nuts crack!¡±


    The fight, if it could be called that was done.


    ¡°Nice job everyone. Iz and Chains, well done. You managed to keep us free from your effects,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Not perfectly,¡± Catscratch shook his head groggily.


    ¡°Hey, man, not entirely my fault. You move around like a cat in sack of other cats, but the other cats are total dicks,¡± Iz said. ¡°How do you expect me to keep you free from my tunes?¡±


    ¡°Practice more,¡± Catscratch grunted.


    ¡°Restrain them and remove their weapons,¡± Sgt. Butcher gestured at the militiamen. ¡°I¡¯ll call it in.¡± She tried to project calm, composed as she tried to figure out what to say. Inside she was very concerned. This was an incident and such things might imperil their place in the upcoming operation.


    ¡°Hey, guys? Did you all get the Quest for that?¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Universal Points, fuck yeah!¡± Mouthy clashed biceps with Catscratch, who held back to keep from knocking her down.


    ¡°Aims, Two-toes and Smores are going to be pissed they missed out,¡± Iz said.


    ¡°Their fault for not being any good in a fist fight,¡± Chains shrugged.


    Mouthy laughed. ¡°And you are? With your dainty little bitch wrists. Look like toothpicks.¡±


    The voters had pushed the long line into a large disorganized mass near the front doors of the yoga studio in their zeal to get away from the fight.


    ¡°Iz, Chains, get that line back in order,¡± Sgt. Butcher pointed.


    The sergeant walked into the building and sought a quite place to make her call. She couldn¡¯t screw this up for her guys. 13th Squad, Rayna¡¯s Rangers couldn¡¯t miss out on the potentially unprecedented leveling opportunity, oh and the helping a lot of people was important too.

 Interlude: Estelon 1.4

    Est worked the heavy bag in the exercise room of his apartment, which was actually the living room.


    His taped fists beat a rhythmic tune that echoed through the small space like gunshots. It was a good thing that he was the sole occupant of the squat building.


    A Cruces learned how to fight from a young age.


    Everyone in his extended family was expected to be capable of at least defending themselves. Even if they decided on a path in life that didn¡¯t involve combat.


    To that end, everyone had training and an annual assessment to make sure that their combat capabilities didn¡¯t sink below the minimum acceptable level.


    Est worked the bag nonstop for close to an hour before he started getting tired.


    At that point he stopped, unwrapped his fists and started lifting weights.


    Three times the strength of a normal human of a similar size meant that his floor had to be reinforced to handle the heavy plates.


    A knock on his door.


    ¡°It¡¯s open.¡± Est already knew that it was Runt with breakfast. He had sent his astral projection out as soon as he woke up without the headache. He was currently floating around his building at the same time he was working out.


    Like his Grandfather had always told him, the mind needed to workout even harder than the body.


    ¡°I¡¯ve brought sustenance!¡± Runt said brightly as he turned his broad body sideways to fit through the door. ¡°Many burritos to fuel our day!¡±


    ¡°You go ahead. I¡¯ve got maybe twenty minutes left,¡± Est said as he pushed a barbell off his chest.


    ¡°Ah¡­ I¡¯ve already started. This wrapping of meat, eggs and cheese in a thin and flat, but strong and flexible bread is most efficient for eating on the move.¡±


    ¡°Your people don¡¯t have food you can eat on the move?¡± Est took a quick breather before his next set.


    ¡°Torruk meals are had seated around a blazing fire. In the event that wasn¡¯t possible we ate dried strips of meat and tubers from our packs when on the march. There wasn¡¯t much variety on the plains. You Earthians have the advantage on that account.¡±


    ¡°My clerk contact at The Archive came through. She sent over the information I wanted this morning. I¡¯ve already downloaded it into our server. You can access it on your PID or through your terminal downstairs. I was thinking we can make a user guide of sorts to the familiar bond so that Darkwillow knows what to do with Rose.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m eager to help the young miss, but is that not overstepping our bounds? Is it not for her Sylvandrian grandfather or other kin to educate her.¡±


    ¡°Problem is they either don¡¯t know or haven¡¯t been forthcoming,¡± Est grunted as he got back to his set. ¡°Too many possibilities why this Eternal Empress sent the skarling to a distant, quarter Sylvandrian descendant. Most of them don¡¯t seem good for Darkwillow.¡±


    ¡°It is possible that the gift isn¡¯t true. It may be more like a siren hive. Beautiful to the eyes and pleasing to the ears, until you get close enough and they come out buzzing and stinging and flaying,¡± Runt shuddered.


    ¡°We can give Darkwillow some leverage in whatever games her distant relations have dragged her into by giving her the information that they¡¯re withholding. It¡¯ll be good for her if she can get the familiar bond right on her own.¡±


    ¡°And you believe that the information in your grand library will contain said information?¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, I know for a fact that my Grandfather was the first¡­ Earthian,¡± Est grimaced, ¡°to travel to Sylvandria. There are no secrets from him. Especially if the hidden knowledge is a potential threat. Anything he learned on Sylvandria that was vitally important to our continued safety would go into The Archive.¡±


    ¡°Then it makes sense that information on the familiar bond would be extensive, since the bonded are amongst the most powerful fighters on Sylvandrian,¡± Runt nodded gravely. ¡°I shall begin the reading immediately.¡± He dumped the heavy bag of burritos on Est¡¯s small table with an audible thud. He half turned for the door then changed his mind and grabbed a couple more before waving at Est and heading downstairs.


    Est snorted. Human arm-sized burritos looked like tacos in Runt¡¯s ham hands.


    Still there looked to be five pounds of food left in the bag, which was just perfect for him, especially after a workout.


    Superhuman strength meant superhuman gains with the accompanying appetite.


    Est finished his workout, showered and ate before heading to his office to review what the clerk had provided.


    After a few hours he decided that it had been Universal Points well spent.


    It appeared that the clerk had given him everything The Archive contained on the Sylvandrian familiar bond system.


    ¡°Thanks Grandpa,¡± Est muttered.


    ¡°The progenitor of your line has returned?¡± Runt poked his head out of his much smaller office.


    ¡°What? No¡­ nothing, just,¡± Est gestured at the holographic display projected over his desk, ¡°this was exactly what we needed.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it does seem comprehensive¡­ but is it accurate? According to the time notations, this information was gathered many decades ago.¡±


    ¡°No way it¡¯s changed in that amount of time. All we need to do is type up a condensed version of what Darkwillow needs to know about how to safely do this whole thing¡­ like a tutorial and we¡¯ve fully earned our fee and then some.¡±


    Runt winced. ¡°Can we not simply forward all of this information to the young miss?¡± he waved his hands through the projection in exasperation. ¡°Soooo many of your words give my head pain.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a lie and you know it,¡± Est rolled his eyes. ¡°You love reading.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but only your Earthian stories. The one¡¯s with the colored drawings and such. Powerful heroes and villains in bright costumes battling over the fates of infinite realities!¡±


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll do it, but you¡¯re manning the front for the next three days,¡± Est sighed.


    ¡°It is a fair exchange,¡± Runt shrugged.


    It took a few days of actual work to finish the information pack for their young, wealthy client.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Runt grumbled the entire time, but Est was a professional and he gave as much effort required to do the job right. No matter the difference in details.


    Satisfaction for a job well done accompanied Est sending the information to Darkwillow.


    ¡°Going on a walk,¡± Est said as he pushed himself away from his desk.


    ¡°Your body? Or your spirit?¡± Runt grunted from where he lay on the floor of Est¡¯s office as he pinched the bridge of his broad nose. ¡°Oh, my poor head,¡± he moaned. ¡°Days of boring reading¡­ so boring¡­¡±


    ¡°You want me to pick up something for your headache? Medicine? Potion?¡±


    ¡°Your human medicine is insufficient to cure robust Torruk pains and I can¡¯t excuse the weakness of relying on magic to cure such a simple, but aggravating ailment.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t think you should be bragging about your superiority in this case,¡± Est snorted. ¡°Let me guess¡­ a nice roast pig will just be what you need to fix that headache?¡±


    ¡°Is imposition, yes? But with the good payment from Young Miss Darkwillow¡­¡± Runt cracked an eye open to glance at Est standing over him.


    Est sighed. ¡°Fine, you can order half a roasted pig, but,¡± he held up a finger, ¡°you can only charge half the cost to the business account. You¡¯re responsible for the other half.¡±


    ¡°Agreed!¡± Runt gave a tusky smile. ¡°A celebratory meal for tonight!¡±


    Est nodded. ¡°We can have it on the roof.¡±


    ¡°Shall I invite our neighbors?¡±


    Est detected the wariness, the hesitance in Runt¡¯s voice. ¡°No,¡± he said flatly.


    Runt let out a sigh of relief.


    ¡°You¡¯re a greedy man, Runt,¡± Est said. ¡°Thought you were working on that?¡±


    ¡°In other things, but,¡± Runt patted his broad, but hard stomach, ¡°not this.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough, just remember that when you¡¯re trying to take more than your share later tonight,¡± Est laughed.


    He stepped out into the street.


    It was a mid morning.


    Clouds were sparse in the sky, which meant that the sun shined brightly. Out in the middle of the ocean the heat would¡¯ve been oppressive if not for the high tech shade and cooling system that covered the entirety of the artificial island. Still the streets were largely empty as shopkeepers and others stayed indoors where temperatures were more comfortable.


    ¡°Sir, did you hear the news?¡±


    A young boy accosted Est, boldly stepping in front of him.


    ¡°What?¡±


    The boy held out a hand and the scratched up metallic bracelet around his wrist. ¡°5 Universal Points.¡±


    ¡°I can just look it up,¡± Est tapped the PID in the case around his arm.


    The boy pouted.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Est¡¯s fingers tapped and swiped on his PID. A beep signaled the completed transfer. He really was too soft.


    The boy grinned and pulled out a battered PID from somewhere inside his too-large shorts. He cleared his throat. ¡°Jade Realm Senate claims all historical holdings in perpetuity from the very beginning of the first dynasty!¡±


    Est had to give it to the boy. Volume, intonation, really all of it was well done. He noticed that heads on the street, how little there were, turned to listen. He did a quick calculation and paid the boy fifty more points for the ten other people listening in.


    ¡°Interesting news, but not that new. The Celestial Congress has been agitating for the return of their so-called territories for decades. This is what like the 12th Congress. The very first one was bitching about these islands. The 4th actually threatened war when construction began on this artificial extension. They didn¡¯t do anything back then and they won¡¯t do anything now,¡± Est scoffed. ¡°Bunch of assholes.¡± It was personal. His father¡¯s family was prominent in the ruling system of the Jade Realm.


    ¡°Might be different this time. The news says that they¡¯ve declared a Heavenly Mandate,¡± the boy shrugged.


    ¡°You know what that is?¡±


    ¡°The news explained it and I can read, so, yeah,¡± the boy looked up at Est challengingly.


    ¡°Good, keep at it. Always pay attention to what¡¯s going on.¡± Est thanked the boy and moved on.


    What was supposed to be an easy walk basking in the satisfaction of a job well done had been suddenly soured by news about the other half of his heritage. The one that he hated more.


    Est¡¯s PID beeped.


    Things became worse.


    It was Vin.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Est tapped his PID


    ¡°This needs to be a secure conversation,¡± Vin said.


    ¡°I¡¯m out on the street.¡±


    ¡°Get back to your office as soon as possible and contact me.¡±


    Est scowled as his cousin cut the call.


    ¡°Tell me what to do¡­¡± Est muttered.


    Even then, it sounded important, so he hurried back.


    ¡°I was having a good day and it feels like you¡¯re about to ruin it. So, you better make this quick,¡± Est said to the life-size projection of his cousin standing in the middle of his office.


    ¡°You were right. I¡¯ve lost two of my people following the trail you set, but somehow you¡¯ve stumbled upon a very dangerous plot that is days if not hours away from exploding.¡±


    ¡°Great¡­ I¡¯m assuming you¡¯re going to take care of it.¡± Est felt a growing pit in his gut, but he tried to be an optimist. The Guardian Force protected the people and they were good at it. Dealing with events like this was their purpose.


    ¡°I¡¯d love nothing more, but recent geopolitical events have suddenly stretched our resources thin. The Jade Realm¡¯s new heavenly mandate crap has put everyone on high alert. Your mom, my dad and the other big guns are already headed to a summit with those assholes to try to get ahead of actual violence. Your case has been deemed of lesser importance.¡±


    ¡°Then why are you bugging me about it? It¡¯s not my job to solve it or arrest those people. I¡¯ve lost all those permissions, if you¡¯ve forgotten.¡±


    ¡°Blissful Purpose,¡± Vin said simply.


    The pit in Est¡¯s stomach exploded.


    Everyone learned about the heinous alchemical substance in school. A cautionary tale of the dangers of unchecked Classes and magic.


    ¡°Can¡¯t exist. Grandfather made sure to wipe the secrets of its creation from everyone that had the slightest inkling. I know the original Alchemist put the knowledge up on the spires marketplace, but the spires garbled the information as it always does. No one has ever been able to get close to duplicating it properly in the hundred years since,¡± Est said.


    ¡°Right, but an incorrect or substandard concoction can still do a lot of damage. Which is what your two suspects have been working on judging by the traces we found at their hidden lab. Look, Est, the reason I¡¯m bringing this to you is that our scrying efforts have ruled out the possibility of these terrorists releasing their substance on our main islands. This means¡ª¡±


    ¡°Outlying frontier islands are their targets.¡± Est thought quickly. Things were connecting for him. ¡°This island is target number one for the Jade Realm when it comes to their stupid reclamation mandates. A terrorist attack would be a typical starter for the violently unimaginative sort. Tell me, Vin. Where did you lose their trail? Actually, never mind. So, you want me to stop them?¡±


    ¡°Actually, no, I called to tell you to get out of there. The decision has been made to focus on rapid quarantine of affected areas. The unpredictability of the substance means that we won¡¯t risk powered assets.¡± Vin¡¯s face twisted in the projection. ¡°Anyone immune or otherwise able to completely shield themselves from it are either off world or dealing with the Jade Realm¡¯s provocation, which makes me think these two things are connected.¡±


    ¡°Thousands of people, dead or worse¡­ as a distraction,¡± Est spat. He would have words with his father.


    ¡°That¡¯s the read we¡¯ve got. So, get out of there, now! I know you¡¯ve got a flight harness hidden in your office.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a one man harness.¡± Est shook his head. ¡°You¡¯re really just going to cut off the outer islands?¡±


    Vin¡¯s face looked pained, which was answer enough for Est.


    ¡°Grandfather and Grandmother will be very disappointed. I¡¯d hate to see how our great-uncles and great-aunt react.¡±


    ¡°They gave up control a long time ago to extend our reach to other worlds,¡± Vin shrugged. ¡°You won¡¯t have any support.¡±


    Est ground his teeth for a long moment.


    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving,¡± he finally said.

 Interlude: Estelon 1.5

    Est grabbed the flight harness from the secret compartment beneath his bed before rushing down to Runt¡¯s office. ¡°It¡¯s going to be a tight fit, but it should work.¡± He thrust it into Runt¡¯s confused hands. ¡°Put it on. It¡¯s got an autopilot function that¡¯ll get you across the water to safety.¡±


    ¡°I sense distress, Estelon,¡± Runt said.


    ¡°No time to explain. Blissful Purpose or something close might be released at any moment. You don¡¯t want to be here for that.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand. That sounds nice.¡±


    ¡°Definitely not. It was created a long time ago by an Alchemist, who was either foolish, lucky, evil or a combination of those things.¡±


    ¡°So a potion¡­ what did it do?¡±


    ¡°The perfect version essentially replaced a human¡¯s personality to the maker¡¯s specifications. It happened gradually so that the poor victim had no idea it was happening. There were no antidotes or defenses aside from an individual¡¯s own natural power. Only one person was capable of reversing the effects and even then he needed to catch it within the first week. He had to rebuild the victim¡¯s original personality piece by piece, like a broken window.¡±


    ¡°Then the current threat isn¡¯t exactly the same.¡±


    ¡°In many ways the flawed versions are even worse. They¡¯ve turned people into raving lunatics only concerned with hurting and killing everything in sight or turn them into listless vegetables that¡¯d starve to death if they weren¡¯t fed. Plus a few more variations in between. Every few decades some idiot tries to get the formula right, mostly in other parts of the world. We¡¯ve kept a close eye on it here.¡±


    ¡°And now things change,¡± Runt nodded.


    ¡°Right, so you need to leave while I try to find these terrorists and stop them before it¡¯s too late. Failing that, I¡¯ll have to figure out how to mitigate the damage.¡±


    ¡°Is it not better to do this with your partner?¡± Runt handed the flight harness back to Est. ¡°This potion affects humans. I¡¯m Torruk. Different. Stronger constitution.¡±


    Est considered it.


    Runt was right and his muscle would be useful.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to have any resistance-type Skills? Against natural diseases, magical or others?¡±


    ¡°No, but Torruk can drink from the most stagnant pond or eat the most rotten foods with barely a rumble in the belly,¡± Runt bared his capped tusks.


    ¡°This is a step up from those things. Just to make it clear. You might die or worse.¡±


    ¡°With life comes death, such is the natural way. The only thing that matters is the living of it,¡± Runt pouted.


    ¡°What? You need to record a last message to your family? No last will and testament?¡±


    ¡°We will miss the roast pig tonight,¡± Runt said forlornly.


    ¡°Maybe, maybe not. I¡¯ll start searching the island with my other self. You get geared up.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps we solve this case quick and be back in time for pig feast.¡± Runt cheered up as he left for the equipment room.


    Est wasn¡¯t sure on that account. The island was a small city. Many square miles, multiple tiers and tens of thousands of people. That was a lot to search even if he pushed his astral projection to its limits.


    He didn¡¯t have time to waste, so he prioritized his search areas.


    The substance needed to be spread as quickly and to as many people as possible for maximum effect.


    Est¡¯s astral projection flew to the fresh water reclamation and distribution facility while he physically followed Runt to gather his own gear.


    Walls were nothing to his ghostly projection. He floated through every space of the large facility in a matter of minutes. Scenes of people at work flashed through Est¡¯s mind. He processed them just as quickly.


    No sign of the two terrorists he had seen back at the arena.


    Everything appeared just as it should¡¯ve.


    He skimmed over to the handful of water distribution substations scattered throughout the island, both artificial and natural portions.


    Nothing.


    Aerosol distribution was a possibility, so he took his astral projection to the highest structures.


    The lack of intel from Vin was causing Est a headache.


    As in, literally. He was pushing his power more than he normally did and was starting to feel the effects.


    Est winced at the pain as he changed out of his regular clothes into a Threnosh-made onesie. Next, he put on a flexible, full-body, suit of armor, also from the Threnosh. The material was thin enough for him to subsequently put his normal clothes back on over it, which he didn¡¯t do since time was of the essence. It was strong enough to be proof against the varied types of damage he could expect to face on the street. He was mostly safe from mundane, blades, arrows, bullets and low level spells.


    ¡°Have you located our enemies?¡± Runt said.


    The Torruk had armored up in thick steel plate and ringed mail, with the exception of the torso piece, which was human-made from Threnosh metal alloy. He strapped a dozen blades of varying size and shape to his body. He grabbed his poleaxe from it¡¯s stand. The iron-capped butt echoed with a loud thud when he let it hit the floor. The weapon was simple. A single solid piece of iron with a leather-wrapped shaft from his home world. The business end consisted of a wicked-looking axe head on one side and a studded hammer on the opposite side. A long, sharp, spike topped it all.


    Runt admired the weapon. ¡°I have not had the opportunity to use this in earnest combat in a long time.¡±


    ¡°You know you can ask for time off if you want to go out into the rainforests and kill some monsters,¡± Est said.


    ¡°I prefer to face sapient opponents¡­ er¡­ evil ones that is.¡± Runt grabbed his thick steel helmet and held it easily in one hand.


    Est knew the thing weighed close to twenty-five pounds.


    By comparison, his own helmet sitting on its stand looked downright flimsy.


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    In reality it provided a better defense thanks to its integrated combat software, the Threnosh metal it was made out of and the impact absorption and dispersion system in the entire armor.


    Est cursed. ¡°Nothing!¡± he snarled. ¡°I can¡¯t find them. If I have to check the whole island I¡¯ll have to slow my projection down or my brain will explode.¡±


    Runt made a disgusted face. ¡°Let us not have that, partner Est.¡±


    ¡°What choice do I have? I can¡¯t waste hours searching the whole island.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps we can spread word of the threat. You have access to the pictures of the two targets, yes?¡±


    ¡°I can get the renders from Vin, but if we put that out there it might spook them and cause them to release the substance immediately. I want to get them before they do that. I¡¯ve checked water distribution and the highest buildings as the likeliest possibilities.¡±


    ¡°The evil ones will want to spread to as many people as possible while delaying discovery as long as possible,¡± Runt mused.


    ¡°It depends on how their version of Blissful Purpose works, but yeah, I think that¡¯s a good guess,¡± Est grunted.


    His astral projection zipped through the city at speeds that continued to increase the pain and pressure in his head.


    ¡°I¡¯m getting nowhere searching this way.¡±


    ¡°Those recording devices on the street corners?¡± Runt ventured.


    ¡°Not enough coverage into interior spaces. As for the inside cameras you need special permissions to access those, which I don¡¯t have and I don¡¯t have time to ask for it. My mom could do it, but she¡¯s got more important things to worry about right now,¡± Est¡¯s face twisted to show his true feelings on that, ¡°besides they¡¯ve already settled on a containment plan.¡±


    Runt nodded. ¡°Yes, sometimes it is necessary to cull the ill to protect the rest of your herd.¡±


    ¡°The people on the outer islands are a bit more important than your animals,¡± Est said.


    ¡°Of course, I didn¡¯t mean to suggest otherwise, just considering the current situation from your matron¡¯s eyes.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t do that. We save everyone we possibly can. That¡¯s what I learned from my grandfather. Only at the last possible moment do we even consider cutting others loose if it means saving a greater number.¡±


    ¡°It seems to me that way risks losing everyone you are trying to save. Who can decide and act effectively within a moment?¡±


    Est considered Runt¡¯s words. ¡°My grandfather,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°We can only act within our abilities and limitations,¡± Runt said.


    ¡°Right, so I can¡¯t search the entire island and still be effective when it comes time to stop these terrorists,¡± Est said.


    ¡°I will fight and stop them if you direct me to their location.¡± Runt¡¯s voice was filled with conviction.


    ¡°That¡¯s not enough. We need to get to them before they release Blissful Purpose.¡±


    ¡°If we are too late?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t even want to consider that possibility. My helmet can be sealed against environmental hazards in the event that they¡¯re using it as a gas. While my suit should protect me from skin contact. You don¡¯t have the same, Runt.¡±


    Massive, boulder-like shoulders shrugged. The steel pauldrons clanged and chain mail jingled. ¡°I am strong.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but does your constitution stand up to magical crap?¡±


    Runt considered then shook his head. ¡°Further conversation on this topic is pointless. I have decided to aid my partner in this worthy Quest.¡±


    Est¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Oh no! Why did you say that¡ª¡±


    A loud chime sounded.


    From the look on Runt¡¯s face he had heard it as well.


    Est didn¡¯t have time to review the notification beyond a cursory glance.


    It didn¡¯t matter.


    The Quest message didn¡¯t provide new information.


    ¡°Hate this so much,¡± Est muttered.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t received a Quest in a long time,¡± Runt said in awe. ¡°This many Universal Points means a truly difficult and dangerous one.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes,¡± Est waved his hands impatiently. ¡°And we need ideas or we¡¯re going to fail it.¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± Runt bared his tusks in what was his thinking face, ¡°if the enemy wishes to spread this potion widely then would they not try it where there is a large concentration of people?¡±


    ¡°Shit!¡± Est¡¯s thoughts immediately went to the type of place that could be counted on to have densely packed crowds at most hours of the day and night. ¡°The free restaurants.¡± He sent his astral projection flying like a rocket toward the largest one near the outer edge of the artificial island.


    ¡°I shall procure a flying wagon at once!¡± The weight of Runt¡¯s armor added to his already considerable mass made each of his steps shake the room as he hurried out.


    Est secured the flight harness over his Threnosh armor while his astral projection zipped into the largest free restaurant on the artificial portion of the island. The very same one that he had discovered Mr. Guzman secretly helping cook for the less fortunate.


    He wondered how that conversation between the Guzman couple turned out after he had informed Mrs. Guzman of his findings. She should¡¯ve been happy to know that her husband wasn¡¯t cheating on her or involved in illegal activity, but one could never predict the irrationality of individuals.


    His astral projection flew just over the heads of a packed main dining room. Close to 200 people at a quick count.


    Everything looked normal.


    They were waiting to eat and generally appeared to be in good spirits.


    Talking, laughing, smiling.


    The free restaurant did good work.


    It was just another day.


    People being kind for no other reason than the desire to treat others as they themselves would want.


    Except there were always a few assholes looking to ruin things.


    Est found them in the kitchen.


    The normal volunteers and staff were either bound and gagged or down on the floor, clearly dead.


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    A brief thought had Est wonder if Mr. Guzman was among the captured or worse, dead.


    But he didn¡¯t have time to find the answer.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Runt called back. ¡°The flying wagon will be here in approximately 3 minutes.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no time. The terrorists are at the free restaurant. The same one that I found Mr. Guzman. Do you remember it?¡±


    Runt nodded.


    ¡°Good¡­ you¡¯ll have to meet me there.¡±


    Est went straight to the window, opened it¡ª


    ¡°Wait! You forgot this.¡±


    Est turned at Runt¡¯s voice and caught the dull, matte gray walking stick, he refused to call it a cane. Another gift from his grandfather. A concession to the need for a weapon weighed against his general dislike of committing deadly violence against sapients.


    Est inclined his head sharply at Runt and jumped out.


    The fight harness was synced to the cybernetics in his helmet.


    A thought centered on the free restaurant several miles away, while another thought engaged the thrusters.


    It wasn¡¯t exactly fast, being just slightly faster than the normal human sprinting speed.


    The anti-gravity units hummed and vibrated just on the edge of Est¡¯s perception as the thrusters pulsed.


    The harness was really more of an emergency device, so it didn¡¯t have the energy stores that the full combat-specced ones had.


    You do your best with what you have.


    Est remembered the lessons.


    ¡°Crap!¡±


    He remembered another one.


    Don¡¯t play hero ball.


    That one was from his grandfather. He never quite understood the reference, but got the gist.


    He sent a message to Vin.


    It was a fool that went into a hostage situation and magical plague situation by themselves.


    He could only hope that he wasn¡¯t being a fool. That the others wouldn¡¯t take long to join him.

 Interlude: Estelon 1.6

    ¡°Everyone out! You¡¯re in grave danger!¡±


    Almost two hundred heads fell to silence as they turned and stared at him with confused looks.


    Est was a fool.


    Why would they listen to a random man yelling?


    The people returned to their conversations as they waited for their food and doom.


    Est ground his teeth. He was going to use something he had always hated to draw attention to.


    ¡°My name is Estelon Cruces Chan, grandson of Cal and Nila Cruces, son of¡ª¡± he stopped himself, ¡°listen to me. You¡¯re about to be served food laced with Blissful Purpose!¡±


    That got the Earth-born humans¡¯ attention.


    It started slowly, but became a stampede as they rushed for the exits.


    Those from other worlds, human or otherwise were slower, but they too ran out, urged on by their friends or instinctive fear.


    Est may have had something to do with the latter.


    Though the effort cost him judging by the trickle of blood flowing out of his nostrils to collect in his helmet.


    He had to retract the faceplate to wipe his lip and mouth with a gloved hand.


    While the last of the people exited several hard-eyed men and women emerged from the kitchen area. They were dressed in regular clothing, but each held a weapon.


    There was no preamble.


    No threats.


    No words.


    The group rushed Est.


    Some went right at him, while the rest maneuvered around the tables and benches to circle around him.


    Est gave a grudging thanks for the obsessive level of combat training from his childhood to his early adulthood, even if he had lapsed over the last few years thanks to falling out with his mother.


    He quickly fell right back into the fight.


    Muscle memory and all that.


    The first attacker to reach him was a burly woman with a shortsword that seemed to shine along its edges. From experience Est knew that meant some kind of enchantment or investment. Most likely a simple one that enhanced the cutting ability or durability of the blade.


    He blocked the wild downward slash with his practically indestructible walking stick.


    Straight from the Threnosh world courtesy of his grandfather.


    The woman was surprised by Est¡¯s strength as he stopped her slash cold and sent a jarring vibration up her arm. She didn¡¯t have time to ponder how a relatively slim-looking man could surpass her Enhanced Strength with ease.


    Est stepped in with a right cross into her gut.


    She doubled over, which put her chin level with Est¡¯s follow up knee.


    Teeth and blood went flying as the woman toppled over out cold.


    Another terrorist was on Est in the next instant.


    The man roared and swung a wicked-looking axe at Est¡¯s head.


    He ducked under and scrambled back.


    A mistake.


    He immediately realized that he should¡¯ve stepped in closer to get inside the arc of over-sized axe¡¯s long handle.


    From the way the man whirled the enormous weapon around, Est knew that he was dealing with another warrior-type with some level of enhanced strength.


    Even still, Est had the strength of three similarly sized men.


    That was close enough right?


    While he backpedaled away from the man¡¯s wild swings the other terrorists continued to circle around to Est¡¯s sides and back.


    He couldn¡¯t keep eyes on all of them, seeing as how his two were dealing with a ridiculous axe.


    They were about to get in his blind spots.


    Or they would¡¯ve if he didn¡¯t have another set of eyes watching everything from above.


    A terrorist lunged at Est¡¯s back with a pair of knives thrust forward.


    Est sidestepped and grabbed the back of the terrorist¡¯s thick jacket.


    He pushed the man forward, into the sweeping arc of the enormous axe head.


    The sounds of sliced flesh and splattering blood sent an involuntary shudder through Est¡¯s body.


    His only consolation was that he was on the other side of the unfortunate terrorist, so he didn¡¯t see the damage.


    Est hated the violence, but they had brought it on themselves.


    Two terrorists closed on both sides.


    He didn¡¯t turn his head or give any indication that he saw them.


    No choice now.


    They were coming in for the kill.


    Weapons backed by Skills he could see through his astral projection¡¯s eyes.


    He pulled on the handle of his walking stick.


    Out came a thin, double-edged blade, dull gray. Delicate in appearance, but sharper and stronger than any unenchanted steel sword.


    Est moved both hands and arms simultaneously, while ducking down into a low lunge.


    The blade swept out to his right. Taking one terrorist in the throat.


    The blunted end of the walking stick, now scabbard, speared the other one in the mouth.


    The woman gagged and flailed at Est with her blade.


    He parried and slashed her throat open with a flick.


    He needed practice.


    He had been aiming for her eye.


    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    The axe man roared again and rushed Est with weapon held high.


    Stupid.


    Est lunged forward with the explosive quickness of three times the strength of a normal man.


    He covered the distance in a blink of the man¡¯s eyes.


    The man choked out a glob of red and looked down with a confused look on his face as his hands loosened their hold on the enormous axe, letting it crash to the floor with a deafening clang.


    Est¡¯s thin blade was buried in the man¡¯s chest.


    Thrust right through the heart.


    The other terrorists came at Est in a mass.


    They couldn¡¯t understand why he slipped and parried their strikes as if he had eyes on all sides of his head.


    ¡°Two In One Cut!¡±


    Est felt the impact on his back dulled by his armor. Warning lights flashed across his faceplate. He spun with his blade and didn¡¯t give the terrorist another opportunity.


    ¡°Scatter!¡±


    The terrorists instantly listened to the command.


    Est reacted a fraction slower.


    Costly.


    ¡°Lighting Cloud!¡± the man that had just emerged from the kitchen pointed a finger at Est.


    Arcs of blue-white energy crackled around the man¡¯s hands.


    Est glimpsed the barest hints of the mana being gathered before the spell was cast.


    A cloud formed over Est¡¯s head, close to the ceiling.


    A loud crack followed by the brief smell of ozone before his helmet automatically filtered it out of the air was the only warning before tiny bolts of lightning arced out of the cloud and struck all over Est¡¯s body.


    The armor was insulated as a matter of course, but this wasn¡¯t simple electricity. The magical aspect to them meant that they still did damage.


    Armor scorched and Est felt the heat begin to build inside the thin, flexible outer layer.


    He dived to one side in between two tables.


    The cloud followed as the mage kept his finger pointed at Est.


    Est rolled underneath the table to his left.


    The cloud followed and continued to rain down small bolts.


    The metal underside of the table began to glow red, then white-hot in a matter of seconds.


    On the upside the cloud kept the rest of the terrorists away.


    Now all he had to figure out was how to avoid getting cooked inside his armor.


    He cursed his lack of a ranged weapon.


    The mage or wizard, whatever the terrorist¡¯s Class was, stood out in the open without any regard of cover.


    Est sent his astral projection up out of the building looking for something, anything, he could try.


    A flying taxi was moving closer from a distance.


    ¡°Finally,¡± Est muttered. He gauged the terrorist¡¯s position relative to the high ceiling. ¡°Stupid,¡± he cursed. Why rely on estimation by eyesight, when the instruments in his helmet could do it accurately? ¡°Runt, you coming in?¡± he spoke into the built-in communicator.


    ¡°Partner, you sound much perturbed,¡± Runt¡¯s voice spoke in Est¡¯s ear.


    Too loud as always, forcing a wince.


    ¡°Do you think you can get through the roof?¡±


    ¡°Thin metal is strong, but not as strong as Torruk muscle and bone.¡±


    ¡°Great, I¡¯m sending the exact coordinates to your PID,¡± Est did so, ¡°there¡¯s a magic guy I need you to take care of.¡±


    ¡°Affirmative. Information received.¡±


    Est listened as Runt had to convince the dubious flying taxi pilot to hover over the target location.


    ¡°Is he doing what I think he¡¯s about to do?¡± Est¡¯s eyes widened.


    The metal table over him was beginning to melt sending hot droplets down to sizzle on his armor.


    ¡°Am jumping down now,¡± Runt¡¯s voice was positively gleeful.


    Yes.


    The small, relatively speaking, Torruk was doing exactly what Est had imagined.


    There was a loud crash.


    The mage terrorist didn¡¯t even have time to look up as Runt¡¯s heavy form plunged right through the thin metallic ceiling.


    Runt landed with a resounding thud as his booted feet cratered the floor.


    He brought his enormous poleaxe down on the terrorist. Right to left. Shoulder to waist. Nearly bisecting the unfortunate man.


    The lighting cloud over Est¡¯s hiding spot winked out instantly, while Runt shook the man¡¯s remains off the axe blade of his weapon.


    Est gagged because he was unable to avoid staring at the bloody, guts-filled remains staining the once reasonably clean floor.


    ¡°It has been some time since I last smelled fresh blood,¡± Runt grinned tuskily.


    The terrorists eyed the big and broad Torruk with undisguised fear.


    Runt was only small compared to the rest of his species. He was still 6-foot tall and close to 500 pounds of hard muscle and thick, dense bone.


    The thick armor and large weapon dripping blood promised an impenetrable death.


    Runt roared, almost comically with his high-pitched voice, but the way the floor shook with each thunderous step disabused any notions the terrorists might have had about laughing.


    The Torruk swung his poleaxe in a wide arc.


    The unfortunate terrorist was caught flat-footed and barely got his sword up in time to block.


    He might as well have used his bare arm.


    Runt¡¯s poleaxe crushed the sword out of the way before burying half its axe head into the man¡¯s chest.


    The Torruk withdrew the poleaxe with a wet squelching sound and thrust the iron-capped butt end of the shaft back into the face of a second terrorist.


    The end punched through the front of the woman¡¯s face, past teeth and bone into her brain.


    That broke the remaining terrorists. They sprinted for the exits.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother with them. There¡¯s only one left in the kitchen, but be careful. She¡¯s being way too calm,¡± Est said as he watched the woman in question with his astral projection. He recognized her from the arena.


    She looked up, searching.


    Her hand shot into her pocket.


    ¡°Oh crap!¡± Est saw a familiar looking gem in her hand. He pulled his astral projection back into himself just before the woman crushed the gem. ¡°Damn it! That was too close.¡± He shook his head. There was a slightly uncomfortable tingle, but he had avoided the same damage from a few days ago.


    Runt shrugged. ¡°I shall pummel this evil woman into submission.¡±


    ¡°Wait! We need a plan. I think she¡¯s strong, really strong.¡±


    Runt scoffed.


    ¡°She crushed a gem in her hand.¡±


    ¡°Not all gems are hard and strong. Some soft, some brittle, some chewy.¡±


    ¡°We still have to watch out for the Blissful Purpose copy. You don¡¯t have a fully sealed suit like me. Why don¡¯t we try to reason first?¡±


    Runt shrugged his boulder-like shoulders and looked down at the carnage at his feet. The thick pauldrons jingled against the chain sleeves. ¡°Is probably too late for that.¡±


    ¡°Hey! You in there,¡± Est raised his voice. ¡°Why don¡¯t you give this up? You¡¯re all alone now and there¡¯s no one here for you to infect.¡±


    Silence.


    Est hated not knowing what was going on behind the kitchen doors. He couldn¡¯t risk using his astral projection in case the woman had more gems.


    A muffled curse heralded the opening of the door.


    The woman stepped out with a glower.


    She had a hardened look. Her toned arms were bare, crisscrossed with scars. There were more on her face. She might¡¯ve been pretty once, but the scars and the broken nose detracted from that. Though not as much as the sheer rage on display.


    Her black hair was cut short, roughly.


    Narrow eyes bored lasers into Est, completely dismissing the imposing Torruk closest to her.


    Est shook his head. Not the time to be checking out a dangerous terrorist.


    ¡°I know who you are,¡± she spoke in clipped tones, ¡°the useless one. It¡¯s why your father left you and took your sister when he returned to the Realm. She¡¯s been a great boon. Deserving of all the honors she has earned in service to the Great Cause. Not like you. Wasting away in this place of filth.¡±


    ¡°Is that supposed to hurt my feelings?¡± Est¡¯s raised a brow. ¡°I simply don¡¯t care about any of that¡­ but you¡¯ve been very helpful in confirming that this plot has the Jade Realm¡¯s fingers all over it. Is it war you¡¯re after?¡±


    ¡°It does seem like there is a desire for such,¡± Runt said.


    ¡°I do this of my own accord,¡± the woman sneered. ¡°The Realm isn¡¯t involved in any way¡ª¡±


    ¡°That we can prove,¡± Est sighed. ¡°Well¡­ whatever. You¡¯re coming with us. The interrogations will pluck the truth out of your mind. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve got training and magic or Skills, but not much can shield the mind against us.¡±


    ¡°And that is why you must be destroyed.¡± The woman grit her teeth and began to change.

 4.32

    Now, Earth


    Humans.


    The word was filtered through the spires so it was familiar even though he had never heard it before.


    The trivialization of language bothered him so. The thought that these unworthy creatures spoke to him in his language filled him with pain. Their filth seeped into his ears, polluting his superiority.


    The native inhabitants of this world were much like the inferior creatures infesting his world. There were marked differences in features and skin tone combinations, but from his experiments he had learned that they were essentially identical within.


    Thus, he knew how to corrupt them.


    All of these inferior creatures held the capacity for the same sins.


    The same fuel for his class, his magic.


    He could feel it permeating the environment all around him. He had been fortunate to find such a willing populace to build him a place of power. Even more fortunate to be unopposed.


    The mewling creature¡¯s whimpers drew him from his reverie.


    He drew every last sliver of the insignificant creature¡¯s suffering into himself.


    Humans on this world. Dozens of other names on his world.


    All the same.


    Chattel.


    He pricked his fingertip with a sharp fingernail.


    Spoken words that were not translated, could not be translated.


    Power swirled around him.


    The drop of blood seemed to hang just below his finger before it dropped into a half-filled jar. Clear water darkened into a thick reddish purple and bubbled for but a moment.


    The spell completed, he screwed the jar shut.


    ¡°Acolyte!¡± he spoke with a lyrical tint to his voice.


    The door swung open slowly, creaking all the way.


    He suppressed his anger.


    This world was so inelegant. Everything these humans made were ugly and loud, worth less than filth.


    ¡°Yes, Vitiator?¡± the human said with head bowed.


    He could see this human¡¯s sins clearly as if written all over his clothing.


    This one had thrown himself into the teachings with vigor.


    ¡°I have finished with this one,¡± he gestured toward the now silent creature laying in the middle of his spell circle.


    ¡°I shall remove him at once,¡± the human moved solemnly to the spell circle. ¡°What shall be done with him?¡±


    ¡°It is young and may yet be harvested in time. Allow it to recover. Then use it as you see fit.¡±


    He saw the lust roiling in waves around the young acolyte.


    He allowed his disgust to build within him. It would add to the power for the next spell.


    These creatures were so easy to manipulate.


    Two kinds, separated on two worlds, yet he needed only to wave a slight hint of his magic in their faces to drag them on the path to corruption.


    The fools were truly chattel in word and deed.


    He¡¯d lead them to their slaughter and take their strength.


    So much sin to take and use.


    ¡°Bring me another.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Vitiator¡­¡± the acolyte hesitated at the door, unburdened by the small human in his arms.


    ¡°Out with it. My time and attention is not to be wasted.¡±


    ¡°The Cabal seeks your guidance. We have discovered¡­ concerning movements from the south.¡±


    He looked down at the young acolyte.


    Inscrutable.


    Utterly inhuman.


    He pondered.


    The south was home to individuals with power that gave him pause.


    It filled him with shame to display fear in the face of inferiors.


    More power to put into the next spell.


    A handful of humans with the strength to rival the greatest champions on his home world.


    Galling. That such could challenge and threaten the superiority of his kind.


    But different, intriguing.


    The ones on this world were different.


    He could detect no classes in the individuals in question..


    No magic in their abilities.


    He had nothing to compare to them in the experiences of the scant handful of worlds he had traveled through.


    ¡°I will give you my council. After I finish the ritual.¡±


    The acolyte opened his mouth to protest.


    He nearly sent a crippling spell of pain to teach the young acolyte the cost of temerity, but he reigned his anger in. Leaving the acolyte a quivering mess on the floor would only waste time, while weakening the Cabal for what was to come.


    A lesson instead. Quicker, more efficient.


    ¡°The sacred rites shall not be rushed. One must take everything from the stock. Power must be carefully cultivated and harvested. Efficiency is the true path of the powerful.¡±


    The acolyte nodded. ¡°Forgive me, Vitiator, for wasting your time,¡± he caught himself, realizing he was still doing so by speaking. ¡°I shall have the next subject delivered to you at once.¡±


    The acolyte hurried out the door, not bothering to close it.


    Silently, he bent his tall form down to wipe the spell circle with his voluminous sleeves.


    The pungent stench of the previous chattel¡¯s juices stung his sensitive nose.


    He tasted the suffering.


    It was good.


    The chattel of this world knew nothing of what he brought. That naivety and innocence made them all the more valuable.


    Suffering was power and he intended to grow powerful before he opened the way for others of his kind to join him on this world.


    <hr>


    The Vitiator stood at the head of a long rectangular table.


    Human chairs weren¡¯t made for his inhuman frame.


    He was tall, over seven feet.


    Two legs, two arms.


    A human-like head and face.


    Skin as fair as a storybook princess. Beautiful, unearthly features that evoked traditional descriptions of the fae.


    Close, but not human, hence disturbing.


    It was the eyes.


    Not even the long, knife-like ears. Nor the long, flowing, perfect hair that shined like burnished gold.


    No.


    It was the eyes that drove in the Vitiator¡¯s inhumanity.


    Too large and luminous, sparkling with an internal light, power.


    He was thin, almost spindly, but there was strength in those long limbs and long fingers.


    Strong enough to lift grown men and women like discarded tissues.


    Strong enough to pull limbs off with just as much ease.


    But physical strength wasn¡¯t where the Vitiator¡¯s true power lay.


    His magical power was concealed, but could be sensed writhing just beneath the surface like a serpent waiting to be unleashed.


    The table was mostly empty. There were only five true acolytes that comprised the real membership of the Cabal.


    ¡°Your concerns,¡± the Vitiator¡¯s lyrical voice was tantalizing and menacing in equal parts.


    ¡°The anti-scrying enchantment you aided us in casting and maintaining is no longer detecting scrying attempts,¡± one of the cabal members, a severe-faced young woman said.


    Silence.


    ¡°They had been attempting to scry us continuously over the past two months,¡± a heavyset woman in her middle years said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve managed to scry the rangers¡¯ base long enough for a glimpse before their mages detected and blocked me,¡± a weaselly man said nervously. ¡°It was quiet. No signs of activity. There was no one training.¡±


    ¡°They are planning something, we must prepare,¡± an older man, balding and paunchy intoned.


    The Vitiator¡¯s unblinking eyes turned to the young man.


    He didn¡¯t care to remember the young man¡¯s name. None of them. Did one name their livestock? Their tools?


    ¡°I have nothing to add, Vitiator,¡± the young man said.


    The Vitiator inclined his head a fraction.


    The young man thought, hoped that it was a sign of approval. That he had learned the lesson from earlier in the day.


    ¡°And what would you do?¡± the Vitiator said.


    He knew what needed to be done, but it was important to lead the chattel to the desired path.


    These five were better than the rest, but the most promising chattel was still chattel.


    There was opportunity here though.


    The powerful ones in the south were finally moving. He had studied them from afar. His magic was much greater then the paltry powers of the chattel, after all. He knew what they would do.


    The patriarch would face the monsters to the east.


    The matriarch would stay home. She was strong, but her power could only defend. The young, the most vulnerable would be under her umbrella.


    The young female would lead the attack with her rangers.


    He wished to test them.


    To lead them to the path of corruption.


    To show them true suffering.


    To harvest that potent energy.


    ¡°I suggest we pull our levers on the gangs,¡± the bald man said. ¡°Have some aid in our defense, have others attack Orange County. Bring them the same destruction they seek to bring to us.¡±


    ¡°We should hide ourselves during the initial stages of the attack. Take the rangers by surprise when they have spent themselves on our meatshields,¡± the severe-faced young woman said venomously.


    ¡°Why fight at all?¡± the heavyset woman said. ¡°Let them kill the gangs, our fighters, our assets. So, what? There are many more potential assets in L.A. County alone. Our levels are in the mid 20¡¯s. We have yet to find anyone else over 20. The highest leveled ranger is at 19.¡±


    ¡°Start all over again?¡± the weaselly man twitched.


    ¡°It would be a challenge, perhaps enough to gain levels. We¡¯ve plateaued over the last several months,¡± the young man said.


    ¡°No people, outside of the Cruces, can stand against our combined magics,¡± the heavyset woman said.


    ¡°You are but simple Pain Mages. A small sliver on the path I have offered to guide you upon,¡± the Vitiator said.


    ¡°Guide us, master,¡± the severe-faced woman bowed her head.


    The others followed suit in their haste to not be the last.


    ¡°Your suggestions all have merit. We will proceed together.¡±


    The Vitiator saw opportunity for them all.


    The Cabal and their forces would face death and destruction.


    Those that survived would level, grow stronger, become more useful to the Vitiator¡¯s purpose.


    As for those that failed¡­ well, they had already served their purpose in any case.


    This world¡¯s population had been drastically cut in the wake of the spires¡¯ appearance, yet there were still so many of the humans.


    The disgustingly fat female was correct.


    No matter the outcome here, starting again in a different place was a viable path.


    Later that day, just as the sun began to dip over the horizon to cast dying rays upon the land, the Vitiator prepared a scrying spell of his own.


    Death, so many would feel its last touch soon. Unlike the suns rays they would never rise again, unless one of the chattel discovered necrotic magics or a Necromancer from his world crossed over, but that was years away if all went according to his plans.


    His timetable would proceed slowly, deliberately. Not a waste of it.


    He would not claim enough territory in the name of his Emperor until he deemed himself sufficiently strong enough to keep what he took away from covetous hands.


    In time he would rule this world, these humans.


    The Vitiator stood still as a statue inside a spell circle as he cast his mind¡¯s eye into the world.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    The landscape blurred beneath him as he sought out the power to the south, a shining beacon to his magical senses.


    He saw the house miles below. He plummeted down as the roof became as nothing to his senses. Chattel, special to be sure, but still nothing more than livestock.


    Father, mother, child, more children, but weaker, useless.


    He could see them all, seated around a table.


    Laughter.


    Joy.


    Love.


    The Vitiator shied away, repulsed.


    His senses were drawn to an empty chair.


    There was something wrong with what he was watching.


    The empty place wasn¡¯t empty. There was a plate, food, eaten. A glass, half empty.


    Impossible.


    His magical senses detected nothing in the space.


    Yet the chattel spoke to the empty space.


    Were they mentally damaged?


    There was something wrong.


    He probed the empty space.


    Then recoiled.


    A powerful force lurked beneath the nothingness.


    An instant.


    The Vitiator fled in an instant all the way back to his body.


    Such power.


    His large, luminous eyes opened with a singular emotion.


    Fear.


    He felt it for the first time on this world.


    The Vitiator marked the presence as best he could.


    It was already gone, but that could¡¯ve been a product of distance.


    His plans would need adjusting. He knew that he didn¡¯t want to face this new presence. Not as he currently was.


    The thought was galling.


    Nevertheless, the plan would proceed.


    He would keep a watch out for the new power.


    Perhaps it would be wiser to flee immediately and start over.


    His ears twitched with annoyance.


    Pride wouldn¡¯t let him run and hide.


    The feeling returned a small portion of magical energy to him.


    He sneered bitterly.


    The ambient mana in this world was inferior to his home. It made casting spells more difficult and forced him to rely more on his internal reserves and what he could process from the chattel.


    The Vitiator sat down to replenish what he had just spent.


    The passage of time was uncertain in the meditative state.


    An hour, maybe two had passed by his estimate.


    A knock on the door sounded again.


    Urgent.


    ¡°Enter.¡±


    ¡°Vitiator, forgive me, but we have detected activity. They¡¯re coming,¡± the young cabal member said.


    The Vitiator cast his scrying spell.


    Power.


    Two.


    One an incandescent light, shining for any with the eyes to see it.


    The other forced him to calm his breathing.


    The second one was still tightly hidden, like a raging inferno contained in an adamantine vault. The walls practically glowing red with the power inside.


    ¡°Signal your forces to begin their attack. You have decided which two will accompany me?¡±


    ¡°Yes, they await your presence.¡±


    The Vitiator swept an overlong hand toward the jars of thick, reddish-purple liquid on the shelf against the wall. ¡°One for each of the Cabal. Drink it in one gulp, but be warned the magical energy will infuse you quickly. Rein it in or be destroyed.¡± The Vitiator had prepared for this moment. ¡°I will join the chosen ones shortly.¡±


    ¡°May we triumph,¡± the young man said solemnly.


    A small smile graced the Vitiator¡¯s lips.


    The young man¡¯s knees grew weak at the beauteous sight.


    ¡°Show them what you have become,¡± the Vitiator intoned, ¡°show them the depths of our magic.¡±


    <hr>


    Cal felt a presence brush against his telepathic walls.


    He tried to grab it, but it vanished in the space between seconds.


    For a moment a spike of fear went through him at the idea that another Mother Madrigal-like entity had announced itself or that the Deep Azure had launched an opening salvo.


    Then he calmed down and analyzed the momentary intrusion.


    He realized the presence had been different from the eldritch abominations. Not nearly as powerful and of a different nature.


    More like a¡­ spell.


    ¡°Hey, Rayna, do your mages scry here?¡±


    Rayna¡¯s answer was garbled due to the slice of pizza that she had just crammed into her mouth.


    ¡°Rayna, what are you teaching Rynnen?¡± their mom sighed.


    ¡°How not to eat at the table,¡± their dad smiled down at the little boy, ¡°right, Rynnen?¡±


    The little boy nodded then proceeded to cram his slice of pizza into his mouth.


    Rayna gave him a thumbs up as she chewed. ¡°Sorry, kinda in a rush here. Only a few more hours till go time. Need the carbs.¡±


    ¡°Well?¡± Cal looked at her expectantly.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve got our mages randomly scrying important locations all over the county. This entire area included, since our base is just down the street.¡±


    ¡°Did one of them just scry us now?¡±


    ¡°Randomly,¡± Rayna¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°You sensed something?¡± their dad said lightly exchanging a look with their mother.


    Wariness, tension.


    Cal tried not to pick up on his parents¡¯ thoughts.


    The close proximity of the dinner table made it a mostly futile effort.


    ¡°Similar to the scrying the rangers¡¯ mages do, but¡­¡± Cal hesitated to voice the revulsion he had felt at the touch, ¡°much stronger and¡­¡± he shivered.


    ¡°Best not to say it then, anak,¡± their dad said while glancing at Rynnen.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ yeah, that¡¯s a good idea. I¡¯ll take a look around and see if I can figure out what it was,¡± Cal said.


    Reluctantly, he reached out with his telepathy.


    First, around the neighborhood, then he radiated out in an ever widening sphere, until he had covered miles of area.


    So many thoughts, good, bad, heartening, disgusting, touched Cal¡¯s mind as he touched theirs, not that they¡¯d ever know.


    It was unpleasant to put it mildly and ultimately a wasted effort.


    He came up with nothing.


    The mages that were responsible for scrying for threats were performing their duties. A quick peek into their memories showed that none of them had been scrying anywhere near Cal at the moment he had felt the brief intrusion.


    Unease filled him.


    An unknown potential threat was out there.


    ¡°I got nothing,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Does this impact the operation?¡± Rayna said between more manageable bites of pizza.


    Cal wanted to say ¡®yes¡¯. He wanted to tell his sister that they should postpone things until he discovered the unknown intruder and neutralized the threat.


    However, he wasn¡¯t in charge here. It wasn¡¯t his show.


    And he was still reluctant to get back into actively fighting things.


    Time off had helped him heal, but he need to do more to be absolutely certain that he wasn¡¯t a danger to others.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. It might not have anything to do with your operation, but if it does then be extra careful. Assume that your enemies are hiding something,¡± Cal said.


    Rayna snorted. ¡°We know. They¡¯ve been blocking our scrying attempts for like a couple of months. That means they¡¯ve definitely got stronger mages or something.¡±


    ¡°Rayna, maybe you should wait. Let your brother check and see if they do have stronger mages,¡± their mom said.


    ¡°I can do that,¡± Cal said reluctantly.


    ¡°No way, Mom. We¡¯re ready, everything is set. People continue to suffer every minute we wait. Like, as we sit here and eat pizza and fries,¡± she glanced at Rynnen, ¡°bad things are being done to innocent people,¡± she whispered harshly to her mom.


    Their mom¡¯s eyes fell on Cal.


    He didn¡¯t need his telepathy to know that she was hoping he¡¯d support her.


    ¡°You¡¯re both right,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°We don¡¯t need your permission, anyways,¡± Rayna said stiffly.


    ¡°We¡¯ll just need to increase our level of caution,¡± their dad said.


    ¡°Just about the only thing we can do,¡± Cal frowned. He ran his thumb over the stumps of his pinkie and ring finger. He stood up abruptly. ¡°I need to tell Nila about this.¡± He took a few steps toward the front door before turning back and grabbing a few slices of pizza and a stuffing a handful of fries into his mouth.


    ¡°Really, Cal?¡± their mom said in exasperation. ¡°Just because you guys have superpowers doesn¡¯t mean table rules don¡¯t apply.¡±


    ¡°Be at the port before seven!¡± Rayna called out as Cal walked out the door. ¡°Dad, maybe you can take up a station halfway between here and your normal patrol route¡­ just in case.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°What the hell is this?¡± Rayna landed with more aggression than she had intended. The force of her gravity field left a spiderweb of cracks beneath her boots.


    ¡°We¡¯re ready, just waiting on you.¡± Kayl craned her swan-like neck up and searched the dark sky. ¡°Where¡¯s your brother?¡±


    ¡°Something weird happened¡­ he went ahead to scope things out,¡± Rayna said.


    Kayl¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°This changes the plan?¡±


    ¡°Maybe, we¡¯ll find out when Cal meets up with us. By us I mean everyone here except you. I¡¯ll fly you back, c¡¯mon.¡±


    ¡°Nope, I¡¯m Ranger Captain. Not going to stay behind while my brothers and sisters head to the toughest fight they¡¯ve ever had,¡± Kayl swung her scoped rifle up to her shoulder.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Dave?¡± Rayna raised her voice and searched the gathered crowed of rangers. Four hundred strong, eighty percent of their total complement, not counting recruits in training.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure the sergeant is busy seeing to 1st Squad,¡± Kayl rolled her eyes, ¡°besides he¡¯s got nothing to say about my being here.¡±


    Rayna jabbed a finger toward Kayl¡¯s enormous belly. ¡°You¡¯re about to pop. Dave¡¯s got at least half a say in regards to the baby.¡±


    ¡°Does he?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Rayna snapped. ¡°Do you need a refresher on how human reproduction works?¡±


    ¡°Sure, you can tell me about it on the way,¡± Kayl shrugged. ¡°Let¡¯s go, time¡¯s wasting. People need rescuing and baddies need killing.¡±


    Rayna knew the set to Kayl¡¯s jaw. The tall woman would make a scene if she tried to take Kayl back by force. Dignity be damned. That would probably be bad for morale for the rangers to see their captain carried away in a gravity bubble while throwing a tantrum.


    Although¡­


    ¡°Don¡¯t you care about the election results? They¡¯re supposed to finish counting them tonight,¡± Rayna tried one last track.


    ¡°Nope, win or lose I can¡¯t do anything about it now and to tell you the truth I¡¯m having second thoughts,¡± Kayl waved a hand dismissively.


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    Without warning Rayna engulfed the gathered rangers in a giant gravity bubble and lifted them up into the night sky.


    Ten minutes to cover thirty miles high above L.A. County.


    It was all so dark.


    The only signs of life where small, scattered fires.


    Nothing like it was in the old days, when the light was visible from space.


    Beverly Hills, the mansions, were an exception.


    They were lit up, shining brightly like a beacon in the distance.


    Light suggested a place of hope.


    It kept ships safe on the dark oceans.


    It kept the monsters away.


    Not this light.


    This was a trap.


    It lured the vulnerable for exploitation by those more powerful.


    Rayna felt a sudden disruption of her gravitic bubble.


    She didn¡¯t have time to react as a dark figure descended before her.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Cal waved.


    Rayna¡¯s narrowed. ¡°Where¡¯s your armor?¡±


    Her brother was wearing regular clothing, jeans and a t-shirt. At least he had managed to scrounge an old police tac vest. However, there were no visible weapons. Rayna found that irksome.


    ¡°I gave it to Mom¡­ just in case,¡± Cal said with forced lightness.


    ¡°Finally, a pleasure to meet you.¡± Kayl reached out a hand or rather tried to.


    The lack of gravity in the bubble meant that the Ranger Captain went into a sort of slow rotation.


    Rayna was in foul mood, so she didn¡¯t lend her friend a hand.


    Cal regarded Rayna with a disapproving look before he held a hand out to Kayl.


    The pregnant woman¡¯s rotation reversed and she found herself floating toward Cal.


    ¡°Nice to meet you,¡± Cal said as they shook hands.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard a lot about you. Thanks for helping us,¡± Kayl said.


    ¡°I could do more, but¡­¡± Cal hesitated.


    ¡°Appreciate the offer, but we need this. For the future,¡± Kayl said.


    ¡°What¡¯d you find?¡± Rayna snapped.


    She blinked and found herself standing inside her bedroom.


    Cal was there, seated at her desk.


    ¡°Whatever happened to this desk?¡± Cal patted the cheap IKEA particle board surface fondly.


    ¡°Termites,¡± Rayna said flatly. ¡°What the hell is this?¡±


    ¡°Mindscape. I sensed you were tense and frustrated, which is a bad thing to be before a big battle. At least from my experience. I suppose I shouldn¡¯t assume that it¡¯s the same for you. If so, I apologize,¡± Cal said.


    Rayna counted to ten.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine¡­ and you¡¯re right. Stupid Kayl is pregnant and heading into the toughest fight we¡¯ve ever had. I¡¯m about to stand back and watch as friends fight for the lives. I don¡¯t know how many will die. I just keep thinking about my last interactions with all of them. Which I can now remember as if they just happened yesterday.¡±


    ¡°Same for you then,¡± Cal nodded, his smile was strained. ¡°Nearly perfect memory recall. I had thought it was a part of my mental powers, but if it¡¯s the same for you then it¡¯s probably just part of the overall improvement package our bodies got. It makes sense that our brains¡¯ functions would also get an enormous boost.¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯re like Jean Grey or something? I didn¡¯t know you could do this? Why didn¡¯t you tell me? It seems useful for secret plotting,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°Because I don¡¯t really like doing this. I feel that it¡¯s an invasion of privacy for you and for me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re reading my mind?¡± Rayna frowned.


    ¡°No, I do my best to shield my mind in order to prevent other people¡¯s thoughts from getting in.¡±


    ¡°Why the fuck would you do that? You can pick out the bad guys. There¡¯d be no questions. You could stop them before they act.¡±


    ¡°Thought crime. It¡¯s like that movie. It never seemed like justice to punish a guy for thinking bad thoughts,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°There are downsides to this. It can be like sitting in a crowded theater with everyone yelling into my ears at the same time. If I go deeper then it¡¯s like sharing the thoughts. Like they were mine. Memories and everything else.¡±


    Rayna nodded thoughtfully. ¡°It¡¯d suck if you were in the mind of a psycho.¡±


    ¡°Yup¡­ don¡¯t get me wrong. I recognize that if a dire situation were to arise then I would have to use my telepathic powers to their full potential.¡±


    ¡°So this mindscape thingie? Am I in your brain?¡±


    ¡°In mine, in yours, both, neither,¡± Cal smiled wan, ¡°I go back and forth on that. Still unclear.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ this is cool and all, but also disturbing¡­ we should probably get back,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°I control perception in here. This conversation is taking place in the span between seconds,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Seriously, I¡¯m cool now,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°I wish I could give you advice. I¡¯ve been in similar situations and my actions, decision led to the deaths of¡­ friends,¡± Cal said. ¡°It¡¯s left a mark in me that I think I¡¯ll carry forever.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for the terrible words of discouragement,¡± Rayna deadpanned.


    ¡°What helps is that I knew that they chose their paths freely. Not that the guilt goes away completely. At times I still blame myself for creating the conditions for said path to emerge. I question¡­ did they really chose? Or did I feed them an illusion of choice,¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°Terrible talk¡­ worse brother ever,¡± Rayna grinned.


    ¡°Doing my best,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°In the end that¡¯s all we can do and while I do have my misgivings about this operation. I can tell that your rangers want this. They aren¡¯t children and I¡¯m not a god to force my will,¡± Cal stood and laid a hand on Rayna¡¯s head. Which was more awkward now that she was taller than him. ¡°Neither are you.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I just¡­ I have the power to keep them all safe. We could do this together without anyone getting hurt,¡± Rayna said. ¡°How can we do otherwise?¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ now you''re going to convince me,¡± Cal let out a long breath. ¡°I think¡­ I think they need to get stronger. We can¡¯t be around forever. I have seen things on other worlds that would sweep over everyone here with ease. I despise it, but the spires are right. Survival can¡¯t be done without strength.¡±


    ¡°And so people we care about die, so that the survivors might gain the strength to fight further into the future,¡± Rayna¡¯s shoulder¡¯s slumped.


    ¡°That is our situation¡­ for now,¡± Cal said sadly.


    ¡°Then we should probably start thinking about how to change that on a fundamental level. I¡¯m not a believer in the idea that survival is enough. I want us to thrive, not just to reclaim the old world, but to build a better one,¡± Rayna straightened.


    ¡°That¡¯s a worthy goal,¡± Cal smiled.


    Rayna blinked and found herself in the dark night sky staring at her smiling brother.


    It seemed truly genuine for the first time since he had returned.


    ¡°So, I have some concerning information,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Do we need to cancel the Quest?¡± Kayl said in alarm.


    ¡°That¡¯s for you to decide.¡± Cal said. ¡°I flew in fairly close and started to scan the mansions in the hills. I detected a powerful presence, I¡¯m not entirely sure, but it felt magical.¡±


    ¡°A mage,¡± Kayl nodded.


    ¡°It did have that feeling. But curiously enough there was a strong flash of energy that vanished in a split-second along with the presence.¡±


    ¡°You can detect spells?¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if it is specifically the spells or the energy released in the process,¡± Cal said. ¡°Can¡¯t you do the same? I¡¯m no scientist, but I have read a lot of comic books, sci-fi and fantasy novels in my day and gravity fields does stuff with energy.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I read a bunch of books from the library, real science ones. There¡¯s a reason the Earth isn¡¯t scoured clean by solar and cosmic radiation,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not exactly easy and the tutorials the spires sells aren¡¯t really all that clear when it comes to my powers,¡± Rayna snapped.


    ¡°The mage you felt?¡± Kayl waved her hands in Cal¡¯s and Rayna¡¯s faces.


    ¡°No longer there, which is a good news and bad news thing,¡± Cal said.


    Kayl nodded. ¡°Where¡¯d he go? It¡¯d be a problem if he popped back in while we¡¯re stuck in it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep an eye out for him since I¡¯m not to interfere in the battle,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Okay¡­ we keep going then,¡± Rayna looked to Cal.


    He shrugged.


    ¡°Yes, the Quest is still on,¡± Kayl proclaimed.

 4.33

    Now, Earth


    Congratulations!


    You have received a Quest.


    Defeat the Cabal.


    Success Parameters: Destroy the Cabal, scatter their forces, take their territory, free their slaves.


    Failure Parameters: Death, capture, retreat.


    Reward: 8000000 Universal Points.


    Failure: Death or enslavement.


    Rescued Slaves


    0 / ?


    Killed Cabal and allies


    0 / ?


    Will you accept?


    ¡°Assuming equal division of points, then that means we each get 20,000 points,¡± Smores said as he jotted something down in a small notebook.


    ¡°Won¡¯t be exactly equal, never is,¡± Aims shook his head, ¡°individual contribution to the total success is counted.¡±


    ¡°And we¡¯re stuck up here,¡± Mouthy said, ¡°more bullshit than a bag of dicks!¡±


    ¡°Watch your mouth,¡± One-eye whispered harshly.


    Mouthy waited until the eye-patch wearing woman turned her head to look at the two people standing a few arm lengths in front of them to shoot a rude gesture into the blind spot.


    ¡°We¡¯re not going to be contributing much flying up here safe and sound with the captain and manlet superman,¡± Hardhat said as she spat.


    ¡°Well¡­ you don¡¯t see that everyday,¡± Iz pointed down at the hard hat wearing young woman¡¯s feet.


    The glob of spit had splattered in the space between Hardhat¡¯s feet instead of falling all the way to the ground.


    They had been deathly afraid of moving. Understandable given that there was nothing between them and the ground except hundreds of feet of open air.


    ¡°Invisible platform,¡± Catscratch bent down and ran a scarred hand experimentally next to his boots, ¡°seems solid,¡± he grunted.


    Smores scribbled furiously, muttering all the while.


    ¡°I¡¯m just saying that it¡¯s shitballs. We¡¯re stuck here getting no fucking points just cause we got into a little scrap doing what we were supposed to do in the first place,¡± Mouthy whispered. ¡°We should be fighting instead of babysitting.¡±


    ¡°Shut it!¡± One-eye hissed. ¡°The ranger captain will hear.¡±


    Mouthy snorted. ¡°Captain¡¯s cool, I¡¯d be more worried about the fucking sarge,¡± she glanced down to the other end of the formation and saw that Sgt. Butcher was giving her the eyes, ¡°well¡­ fuck me.¡±


    Cal listened to the squad of rangers bickering with a mixture of bemusement and annoyance.


    They were indeed annoying, but the insults didn¡¯t bother him.


    With all his power it seemed petty to be affected by mere words.


    ¡°You can create invisible platforms,¡± Kayl shuffled and stamped her feet with no apparent concern about the dark void underneath her, ¡°maybe an enclosed space,¡± She stretched her hands out to her front, sides and above her head, ¡°can¡¯t feel the walls and ceilings, but seeing as how it¡¯s not windy and cold, I¡¯m going with that. So, kind of like Rayna¡¯s bubbles, fully enclosed, but since she does gravity it¡¯s like being in zero g, all floaty and stuff.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been in outer space before?¡± Cal felt obligated to make conversation. The Ranger Captain was Rayna¡¯s friend after all. Also, she was pregnant and he wasn¡¯t going to be a dick to a pregnant woman.


    ¡°Nah, but we used to have a guy who did one of those simulations. They take you up in a plane and dive down really fast, he said it was supposed to be like being in space,¡± Kayl said.


    Cal recalled seeing videos of people doing said activity. ¡°I know what you¡¯re talking about. There was this band that did a music video in one of those planes. They also did that cool treadmill music video.¡±


    Kayl stared at him blankly.


    ¡°You said, ¡®used to¡¯¡­¡±


    ¡°He got eaten,¡± Kayl said.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Cal stiffened.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be. He distracted a gremlin alpha long enough for your dad to jump in. Saved a bunch of kids. I¡¯d be so lucky if I went out the same way,¡± Kayl said.


    Cal didn¡¯t know what to say to that so he simply nodded.


    ¡°So, you don¡¯t have gravity powers,¡± Kayl¡¯s voice perked up. ¡°Is it forcefields like your mom? Except she can¡¯t move them, plus they¡¯re like rainbow-colored.¡±


    ¡°Opsec,¡± Cal tried and was promptly ignored.


    ¡°Your dad¡¯s power is all muscle and bone. Are you as strong as him? Stronger? Weaker?¡±


    ¡°The latter¡­ when it comes to pure physical strength and durability,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Like Rayna,¡± Kayl nodded, ¡°while your mom is strong, but only like those huge world¡¯s strongest man guys from back in the old days, even though she¡¯s barely five feet tall. Don¡¯t get me wrong, I¡¯m still jealous,¡± Kayl said. ¡°I¡¯ve managed to finally get Lesser Enhanced Strength after years of lifting, but it doesn¡¯t compare.¡±


    ¡°There being a lesser implies greater being a possibility, something to strive for,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got rangers with Enhanced Strength, so we¡¯re definitely aiming for the next level,¡± Kayl said.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re due any day now?¡± Cal said.


    Kayl grunted a reply, but ran her hand lovingly over her distended belly.


    ¡°Do you have a name for her, yet?¡±


    Kayl¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°What¡­ I¡¯m sorry?¡± Cal ventured.


    ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ we didn¡¯t know¡­ wanted it to be a surprise,¡± Kayl scowled


    ¡°Embarrassing,¡± one of the 13th squad members whispered loudly.


    Kayl¡¯s eyes sharpened like a falcon spotting a rabbit on the ground. ¡°How can you tell?¡±


    Cal stifled a groan. ¡°Looks like Rayna¡¯s getting the rest of the rangers in position. We should do the same.¡±


    He studiously ignored Kayl¡¯s questions as he flew the invisible telekinetic box over the group of mansions.


    ¡°And so the hills of Beverly lay before us,¡± Iz said strumming an exciting tune on his ukulele. ¡°Rayna¡¯s Rangers go to war.¡±


    ¡°Shut up, limpdick!¡± Mouthy snapped.


    <hr>


    The bastards knew they were coming!


    Rayna grit her teeth at the strain as she was forced to strengthen the gravity fields around her rangers against the bullets, arrows and spells flying from down below.


    It was difficult enough to split the squads and send them to their planned attack locations.


    At this rate they¡¯d start taking losses as soon as she was forced to drop the fields.


    I can help with that.


    ¡°Cal? Your voice is in my head? Is this you and not a trick?¡±


    Fair question, but it¡¯s me¡­ how about this?


    Rayna blinked and she was floating above everything. Time had stopped, she could even see herself with a strained look on her face.


    ¡°Is that how I look?¡±


    ¡°Yup,¡± Cal was floating next to her.


    ¡°Mindscape?¡±


    Her brother nodded.


    ¡°Okay, I guess this is good enough confirmation. So, what can you do? I don¡¯t want my guys to go through a Normandy situation.¡±


    ¡°Couple of things. Although it¡¯ll probably mean my involvement rate goes up¡­¡±


    ¡°Which means you take a bigger share of the points¡­¡± Rayna chewed the inside of her cheek, ¡°do it, I¡¯d rather we get less points if it means more of us survive.¡±


    ¡°Alright, can you land your rangers and drop your fields all at the same time?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I think so.¡±


    ¡°Do it whenever you¡¯re ready. I¡¯ll give them a hand.¡±


    Rayna blinked.


    She was back in her body.


    ¡°So weird.¡±


    She deposited all of her ranger squads just as Cal had asked. Trusting in her brother.


    At that same instant all of the enemy fire suddenly stopped.


    She watched as the men and women defending the mansions clutched their heads in pain.


    The rangers rushed in. Guns, bows and spells breached barricades and killed the enemy as they gained entry into the five mansions in the relatively small area of winding streets and hills.


    Dropped a little mindbomb in the ones defending the exteriors. There¡¯s a lot more inside, but I¡¯ve got another trick. Hopefully the spires won¡¯t see it as too much help.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Rayna looked up into the dark night sky at her brother and the rangers in his care.


    Now all she could do was stay back and watch.


    Even thought it killed her on the inside.


    <hr>


    24th Squad, Rayna¡¯s Rangers overwhelmed the defenders at the back door of the mansion.


    It had looked like they were about to be thrown into a meat grinder, but their enemies, gangbangers and such suddenly stopped firing and doubled over clutching their heads.


    The momentary distraction was all the squad needed to punch through.


    Blades finished the job that bullets, arrows and spells had started.


    The kitchen was enormous with two, no, three doorways leading into the mansion.


    Lack of intel was a problem.


    They had no idea where the bastards were keeping the slaves.


    Neutralize the enemy.


    Secure the poor victims for an extraction that hadn¡¯t been specified.


    Odd that.


    The commanders had been tight-lipped about that part of the plan.


    The sergeant blinked.


    He suddenly and with conviction knew exactly where he needed to go.


    ¡°Watch your ears. We¡¯re going silent,¡± he said. One look at his squad and he somehow had the knowledge that they also knew where to go.


    Each ranger put their earplugs in and readied their weapons.


    What the hell was going on?


    The sergeant knew the layout of the mansion. He was about to direct his point man, but the ranger moved with a purpose, no hesitation, just like the rest of the squad as they trailed behind.


    It was almost like there was a small voice in his head telling him which doors to take. That this particular hallway was safe. That the room to their right in the middle of the hallway had a dozen men and women waiting in ambush. That they needed to be careful since their HVT¡¯s where being kept in the three rooms surrounding the middle one.


    The sergeant knew that the enemy had three shooters stacked up next to the door. One prone, one on a knee and one standing ready to blast away with guns as soon as the door was breached.


    He tapped three of his own shooters and silently gestured to the wall


    They moved and aimed their old police M-4¡¯s in the exact spots that the enemy shooters were before the sergeant could direct them.


    The sergeant shook his head in amazement.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    One of his men shrugged.


    He directed the rest of the squad to take positions on either side of the door with silent gestures.


    A deep breath.


    They were ready.


    An impression of someone saying ¡®good luck¡¯.


    Bursts of gunfire from the shooters tore through the wall sending splinters flying as the loud sounds filled the narrow hallway.


    At the same time the lead tank kicked the door open and charged in behind one of the mage¡¯s lobbed spells. Someone had discovered a combination of a light spell and a loud sound spell to create a Flashbang spell.


    ¡°Eat Shit!¡±


    The tank drew enemy eyes to him just as the glowing orb of light in front of him detonated.


    The rangers shielded their eyes and trusted their ear protection.


    Not so for the enemy.


    It was over in seconds.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got HVT¡¯s in the surrounding rooms. I want them secured and I want a defensive position at the hallway entrance. We have to hold long enough for extraction,¡± the sergeant barked.


    ¡°Wonder how they¡¯ll get them out of here. It¡¯s a war zone out there,¡± another ranger said.


    Indeed, the sounds of gunfire and spellfire could be heard from outside.


    An explosion from somewhere shook the mansion like an earthquake.


    ¡°Fuck, I hope they can keep them safe. They¡¯ve been through enough shit.¡±


    ¡°Cut the chatter and focus!¡± the sergeant snapped.


    ¡°Yessir!¡± the rangers hurried off.


    ¡°Sarge?¡± the tank said. ¡°What was that? It¡¯s like I knew exactly where these fuckers were posting up in the room,¡± he kicked one of their dead enemies.


    The sergeant could only shake his head.


    <hr>


    ¡°You¡¯re sweating,¡± Kayl said.


    ¡°Trying to concentrate here,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Your only supposed to extract the HVT¡¯s once we¡¯ve secured them.¡± Kayl¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°You¡¯re doing something else,¡± she said excitedly.


    ¡°Just cheating a bit, not that big of a deal,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°My guys are supposed to face a tough fight so they can get more points and grow stronger. If you¡¯re¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m winning the battlefield information war. I¡¯m pretty sure that was a thing back in the old days. Just a standard part of any battle. Shouldn¡¯t take too much away from your rangers,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Flare!¡± Sgt. Butcher barked.


    Cal followed her sight line.


    A flare had indeed been fired out of a mansion¡¯s window.


    He reached out with his telepathy and quickly singled out the HVT¡¯s for extraction.


    The brief touch into their thoughts filled him with pity and revulsion.


    The former for what these people had been forced to endure and the latter for those that did those things to them.


    He forced himself to keep calm and refrain from taking out his anger on the enemy. The rangers needed to do that themselves.


    ¡°Fifteen for extraction,¡± Cal said as he moved his invisible telekinetic box to hover directly over the mansion.


    Without further preamble he telekinetically ripped the walls and windows out.


    Young men, women, boys and girls began to float up to Cal in his telekinetic grip.


    Most were in a drug-addled haze barely cognizant of what was going on. For those that were more aware, there was only terror.


    Cal clenched his fists.


    It was beyond unpleasant to see and know what they had gone through. He touched their minds briefly just to put them to sleep. They needn¡¯t suffer more.


    ¡°They¡¯re never going to be hurt again,¡± Kayl said softly as Cal place the freed slaves in their own invisible telekinetic box higher up in the sky.


    An enormous fireball exploded below their feet.


    Kayl and 13th squad lost their footing as the telekinetic platform shook violently.


    Cal carefully steadied Kayl before the pregnant woman could hit the invisible floor.


    ¡°Pregnant women shouldn¡¯t be on the battlefield.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, sometimes they don¡¯t have that choice. I¡¯m here because I do,¡± Kayl said. She unlimbered her rifle from her shoulder and racked the slide. ¡°I¡¯ve got eyes on the mage,¡± she sighted down the scope.


    ¡°Don¡¯t unless you want the bullet to ricochet in here,¡± Cal warned. He tracked the rifle¡¯s line.


    A cold gust of wind suddenly buffeted Kayl in the face. It took her a moment to reacquire her target.


    ¡°Now you can shoot.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Kayl whispered and squeezed the trigger.


    Hundreds of yards below a fairly powerful enemy mage suddenly had a wet, red eye in the middle of their forehead.


    ¡°Nice shot, captain,¡± PK rumbled.


    ¡°Got some Universal Points,¡± Iz said lightly.


    ¡°More than the rest of us,¡± Mouthy muttered.


    Cal ignored them. There were more people to gather and save. His mental load grew steadily as he picked up more enslaved people while providing valuable intel to the rangers fighting room to room.


    It was a strain on him, but not nearly up to the level it took to fight Mother Madrigal.


    He could do this.


    A sudden thought struck him.


    His eyes snapped down to the foot of the hills.


    There was another mansion.


    Unlike the others in its general vicinity, this mansion wasn¡¯t dark.


    Cal spent a portion of his telepathy to probe it.


    ¡°Son of a bitch!¡± Cal snapped.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Kayl said in alarm.


    ¡°These bastards are beyond evil,¡± Cal spat. ¡°There¡¯s a mansion down there,¡± he pointed. ¡°We need to prioritize it.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t. Our squads are already stuck in, I can¡¯t redirect any of them,¡± Kayl said.


    Sgt. Butcher cleared her throat. ¡°We¡¯re willing and ready captain.¡±


    Kayl scowled at the tough-looking woman. ¡°Ranger Sergeant you have one squad. The plan calls for each target to be assaulted by no less than seven.¡±


    Cal focused on the distant mansion. ¡°Smaller number of defenders. I see twenty fighters and one stronger presence.¡± He glanced at Sgt. Butcher. ¡°I can¡¯t give you much assistance with how much I¡¯m already doing here. Your casualties might be substantial.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯re we fighting for?¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Babies.¡±


    Kayl cursed.


    ¡°13th Squad volunteers to secure the location,¡± Sgt. Butcher saluted. The rest of her squad followed suit.


    ¡°Do it!¡± Kayl snapped.


    Cal nodded and sent the squad away in a separate telekinetic bubble.


    Screams filled the air.


    He sent them fast.


    Time was of the essence.


    <hr>


    Congratulations!


    You have received a Quest.


    Defend your territory.


    Success Parameters: Defeat Rayna¡¯s Rangers.


    Failure Parameters: Death, capture, retreat.


    Reward: 8000000 Universal Points.


    Failure: Loss of territory. Loss of slaves. Death.


    Will you accept?


    Cambion read the text and listened to the voice.


    The Quest represented an immense opportunity for wealth and strength.


    The young man had surrendered his old name when he had risen to membership in the Cabal.


    The old name represented the suffering and degradation he had endured in the early years after the spires had appeared.


    It was a truism of human nature that children always suffered the most in times of crisis and upheaval.


    The master had shown him the path to power.


    Now he made others suffer to strengthen himself.


    Never again would he be at the mercy of an other''s cruel whims and depraved desires.


    He had changed for the better and he intended for his transformation to continue.


    ¡°Where will you stand, Cambion?¡± Baal said.


    He regarded the fat, bald man with cold contempt.


    Baal had chosen his name because it was the first thing listed in a book about demons he had picked up at the local bookstore.


    The man had been a petty office tyrant in the old days. His delusions of grandeur only increased when he had stumbled upon actual power.


    ¡°The master¡¯s sanctum must be defended,¡± Cambion said.


    ¡°Jeez, listen to yourself. It¡¯s just a master bedroom. I doubt that master cares¡± Baal sneered.


    ¡°And where will you stand?¡±


    ¡°The breeding house. Someone must protect our most important assets,¡± Baal said.


    The mansion furthest away from here. You hope to escape notice, Cambion thought. ¡°Paimon has already selected her place,¡± he said.


    ¡°No doubt the most fortified mansion with the greatest number of our fighters,¡± Baal chuckled. ¡°I¡¯d wish you luck, but I actually hope you die,¡± he sneered.


    Cambion held Baal¡¯s gaze with unblinking eyes for several long seconds before he spoke. ¡°Good luck,¡± he said evenly.


    The young man turned and headed straight for his master¡¯s sanctum.


    Baal was a fool.


    The master had performed thousands of rituals within his sanctum.


    The suffering of so many had been bled into the floors, walls and ceiling.


    It stank of potential power.


    And with the master gone it fell upon him to make proper use of it.


    Their enemies knew not the pain and suffering that awaited them.


    Soon he would be free to revel in it.


    <hr>


    The Vitiator heart raced for the first time in centuries.


    He had opened the portal just in time.


    The powerful presence had made itself known.


    The Vitiator felt it as a great and terrible eye searching for him.


    He had fled into the dark rent he had torn in the fabric of space. Two of the Cabal trailed in his wake.


    They emerged a short span of time later at the top of a dry, dusty hilltop.


    Lights to the west marked their ultimate destination.


    ¡°I must not be disturbed,¡± the Vitiator rasped. His long fingers curled into a claw. Too close. He had almost been discovered. To fear inferior beings was galling. ¡°Beleth, fifty paces,¡± he pointed to his left.


    The heavyset woman inclined her head and moved off.


    ¡°Asmodai,¡± the Vitiator pointed to his right.


    ¡°At once, master,¡± the weaselly man bowed and scampered off.


    The physically powerful patriarch needed to be occupied.


    Over the centuries the Vitiator had rose along the path to his present class. One didn¡¯t necessarily lose access to all of their former spells. It was wise to keep the most useful ones.


    The Vitiator said the words.


    A cacophony of roars, yowls and screeches answered across the wilderness.


    He thrust his will to the lights in the west.


    The effort made his knees tremble.


    It had been a long time since he had cast that particular spell.


    He took a few moments to compose himself before he called the Cabal members back to his side.


    ¡°Scry for our quarry,¡± the Vitiator commanded.


    Beleth closed her eyes and spoke the words.


    Seconds turned into minutes.


    A sheen of sweat appeared on her face as she frowned in concentration.


    ¡°I have them,¡± Beleth said through clenched teeth.


    The Vitiator palmed Beleth¡¯s head like an apple.


    The woman grimaced.


    The Vitiator¡¯s touch was never gentle.


    ¡°I will open the portal. Secure my quarry. You may strengthen yourselves for our ultimate prey, but do not tarry overlong.¡±


    ¡°Y-Yes, master.¡± Asmodai¡¯s thin body quivered. ¡°What if the rangers scry us?¡±


    ¡°Weak,¡± Beleth hissed. ¡°Their mages are nothing to us. They won¡¯t be able to stop us.¡±


    Fear and excitement roiled in waves off the two Cabal members.


    Good.


    The right thoughts to hold before a battle.


    ¡°I will be watching. Do not fail me in this,¡± the Vitiator intoned.


    He swept a hand across his body with a harsh gesture and tore an ugly, flat, circular rent in the air in front of him.


    Beleth strode through first. Asmodai was hesitant on her feels.


    They emerged inside a hotel lobby.


    Four guards, men and women armed with guns and hardware store axes and hammers, stood agog as the rent in the air sealed itself shut behind the two Cabal members.


    ¡°Pain Bolt!¡±


    Ugly darts of crackling magic emerged from Beleth¡¯s and Asmodai¡¯s hands.


    The black cores of the spells were outlined in a reddish purple glow.


    They struck the guards before the unfortunate men and women could raise their weapons. Excruciating pain wracked their bodies as they thrashed on the cold tiles.


    They screamed, but the loud music from the nearby conference hall drowned them out.


    Beleth and Asmodai drew back a fraction of the power they had expended from the guards¡¯ pain before silencing them with wicked-looking knives.


    Asmodai regarded the congratulatory banner hung up on the lobby wall.


    ¡°Graeme Lindsay won the election¡­ which one was that again?¡±


    ¡°Elections!¡± Beleth spat. ¡°What a waste of time.¡±


    ¡°To go from the joys of hard fought victory to the sheer terror of pain and certain death will provide quite a bounty for us,¡± Asmodai.


    ¡°Yes, their suffering will be great,¡± Beleth intoned.


    They strode to the conference hall¡¯s double doors and threw them open.


    Two more guards tried to fire, but they fell just as easily as the ones in the lobby.


    Dozens of people were seated at tables, eating, drinking, laughing.


    The main dance floor in the center of the hall was filled with more revelers.


    Happy music filled the air from the band on the raised stage at the other end.


    ¡°Agony Aura!¡± Beleth held her bloodstained knife over her head.


    ¡°Wait until I¡¯m out of range,¡± Asmodai hissed as he doubled over.


    Beleth ignored him as she strode purposefully to a table near the center.


    Shocked screams turned into pained ones as her aura hit the people within ten feet.


    Asmodai kept his distance as he followed and harvested the suffering in her wake. He used them to replenish and strengthen himself, just as the Vitiator had taught.


    By now the Cabal¡¯s presence was noticed.


    People on the fringes fled for the doors screaming for help that would go unanswered.


    They were foolish to have so few guards.


    Did they think they were safe?


    There was no safety. Not even in the center of their territory.


    They would learn that their faith in the rangers had been misplaced.


    Beleth stopped a step away from ten feet of the newly elected governor of Orange County.


    The man was gray-haired, but fit. Judging by his appearance along with a teenage daughter and son Graeme Lindsay was in his middle years. His wife appeared to be a decade younger.


    ¡°Please, whatever you want, just let everyone else go,¡± Graeme said with quivering voice.


    Beleth looked at the nearby tables within her aura.


    The people had fallen to the floor, writhing in an agony they couldn¡¯t comprehend.


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Beleth sneered at the man. ¡°Asmodai!¡± she barked.


    Asmodai¡¯s face darkened.


    ¡°We have a few minutes before the master will open the portal,¡± Beleth began, ¡°you may harvest them first before I take my turn.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already begun,¡± Asmodai muttered resentfully.


    ¡°Governor-elect, your victory was unfortunate for you. Had you not won, the Cabal wouldn¡¯t have bothered with your paltry existence. You could¡¯ve lived in blissful ignorance, at least for a time. How does it feel? To go from the thrill of victory, the happiness, to this,¡± Beleth raised her meaty arms out wide, ¡°you will watch as your wife and children suffer. You will beg and beg, yet nothing will save them. Then, when they are bloody ribbons at my feet it will be your turn,¡± she took a step forward.


    The governor-elect threw himself at Beleth, but the agony turned his charge into a stumble.


    His wife tried to pull their children away and flee, but Beleth¡¯s aura caught them in it¡¯s embrace.


    Screams filled the conference hall.


    The Vitiator watched it all with pride.


    These beings were inferior, but they were capable of learning with the right guidance.


    The Cabal was just the first of many.


    He prepared the next portals. One for the Cabal, one for him.


    It was near time to take their true prize.


    Such pain to come.


    His mouth watered.


    He could almost taste it.

 4.34

    Now, Earth


    Fin woke with a start.


    Sweat covered his thin body.


    His chest burned with unnatural heat.


    He tugged his shirt down frantically to see a faint light glowing through his skin, making ribs and his heart faintly visible with each beat.


    They are coming.


    Memories flooded back as if a dam had been breached.


    Fin didn¡¯t bother changing out of his sweats or even putting shoes on.


    He tore out of his small apartment and sprinted across the street to the rangers¡¯ in the community college.


    ¡°They¡¯re coming!¡± Fin waved his arms as he approached the rangers posted at the entrance.


    ¡°The fuck!¡± the ranger pointed his shotgun down at Fin¡¯s feet.


    ¡°It¡¯s the ¡®Ghost Sorcerer¡¯ kid,¡± the second ranger frowned. ¡°They said he might be a little off,¡± she whispered, pulling the lever of her black, tactical repeating crossbow back to draw the string. The locking mechanism audibly clicked into place as a bolt dropped down into place from the thin magazine.


    The shotgun wielding ranger sighed. ¡°This we got to deal with instead of getting points and levels.¡±


    ¡°Half our squad is injured, Swampbutt.¡±


    ¡°Still bullshit, just like my handle¡­ the fuck this skinny kid gets a cool one and I get ¡®Swampbutt¡¯? At least you got something decent, ¡®Dastardly¡¯, now that ain¡¯t bad at all.¡± He relaxed and lowered his shotgun, holding up a hand at the approaching Fin.


    ¡°Your own fault for explosively shitting yourself,¡± Dastardly snorted.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to see you keep your cheeks clenched when you¡¯ve got a close up view of the chunks of meat between a gremlin alpha¡¯s teeth,¡± Swampbutt blocked Fin¡¯s way, ¡°hold up Ghosty. What¡¯s the rush?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re coming,¡± Fin gasped.


    ¡°Do you hear any alarms, Dastardly?¡±


    ¡°Nope, nothing but crickets out there, Swampbutt.¡±


    Closer by the second.


    ¡°Magic¡­ I can feel the magic. I remember¡­ the rituals¡­ the pain.¡±


    The two rangers exchanged a look.


    ¡°Not it!¡± They said in near unison.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± Swampbutt spat.


    ¡°Ha, too slow as always.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, kid you can tell the Sgt. Muttley all about your bad dreams.¡±


    Fin followed the ranger into the former college administration building turned ranger command center. The ranger in front of him walked at a brisk pace, but he itched to go faster. Somehow, he knew that they were wasting valuable seconds.


    Two rangers sat in front of large set of double doors, doing something strange.


    ¡°Tase me, bro,¡± a large ranger said.


    The second ranger obliged and stuck the bigger man with a taser stick.


    Fin counted five seconds before they reached the two rangers.


    The big ranger clenched his teeth, but barely trembled.


    ¡°You¡¯re a sick fuck, Brighteyes.¡±


    ¡°Hey, Swampy,¡± the reply came through clenched teeth, ¡°just training my passive.¡±


    ¡°And that¡¯s ten seconds,¡± the second ranger grunted.¡±


    Brighteyes sighed in relief as the tasing stopped.


    ¡°Getting off on that, Hammers?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s funny when he pisses himself a little,¡± the ranger replaced the drained taser with a fresh one from the small box next to the door. ¡°What¡¯s going on with the kid?¡±


    ¡°Need to see the sarge¡­ magic shit.¡±


    The three rangers nodded with dubious looks at Fin.


    ¡°Not much going on in there,¡± Brighteyes said. ¡°Comms are being wonky. Nothing yet from the rest of our guys.¡±


    They entered a large conference room filled with support staff doing nothing except sitting at radio and phone stations.


    ¡°Sarge, this kid¡­ magic shit,¡± Swampbutt shrugged.


    The sergeant was short, squat and muscular. His clean-shaved head was blocky, like a bulldog. His expression was just as fearsome.


    Droopy eyes regard Fin impassively.


    Fin startled when Swampbutt prodded him with a finger in the ribs.


    ¡°This is where you start talking,¡± Swampbutt whispered into his ear.


    ¡°Sgt. Muttley¡­ er¡­ I¡­ think something bad¡¯s going to happen¡­ has happened already¡ª¡±


    Calm, control.


    Fin breathed.


    Memories became clear as if he was being fed the images.


    ¡°I detected a surge of magic coming from that direction,¡± Fin pointed.


    Sgt. Muttley¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°East.¡± He walked to the table in the center of the room. ¡°Can you pinpoint it?¡±


    Fin¡¯s eyes immediately fixated on the expanse of green bordering the eastern edge of their territory.


    He didn¡¯t know why, but he knew.


    ¡°In there¡­ and,¡± Fin¡¯s finger traced westward across the map in a nearly straight line from the wilderness, ¡°here a few minutes later.¡±


    The sergeant eyed the map. ¡°Victory party.¡±


    ¡°Ranger Captain Pena got robbed,¡± Swampbutt spat.


    ¡°Come with me.¡±


    The sergeant led Fin to another conference room a short ways down the hall. The cracking sound of the taser trailed them.


    ¡°I need a scry on the wildlife park and over Lindsay¡¯s victory party.¡± Sgt. Muttley barked out the coordinates.


    ¡°On it, sergeant.¡±


    The mages on duty immediately began casting their spells.


    Fin wavered between fear and eagerness. He had been denied the chance for revenge against those that inflicted years of suffering and degradation on him.


    An opportunity had presented itself.


    However, newly recovered memories made him tremble, he knew the truth behind those that ruled his old prison.


    The mages screamed out.


    ¡°Holy shit! That can¡¯t be good.¡±


    Sgt. Muttley growled for Swampbutt to shut up.


    They rushed over to the stricken mages.


    The sergeant slapped one of the mages until the man came to. ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Some kind of feedback,¡± the mage spat out a bloody glob.¡±


    The second mage groaned. ¡°Same kind of block over Beverly Hills.¡±


    The door burst open.


    Dastardly barged in. ¡°Sarge, flares all along our northern borders, the east and over the Cruces¡¯ neighborhood!¡±


    ¡°Scry over the Cruces¡¯, now!¡± Sgt. Muttley barked at the third mage. ¡°The rest of you scry our borders.¡±


    Seconds ticked interminably slow.


    The mage scrying over the Cruces¡¯ screamed and fell back. Blood leaked from every orifice in her head.


    Swampbutt barely caught her in time, preventing her from smashing her head on the floor.


    ¡°Shit, shit, shit!¡±


    ¡°Get the medics!¡±


    ¡°Right away, sir.¡± Swampbutt sprinted out the door.


    ¡°Dastardly, get to the comms. Trigger the emergency alert. All people are to immediately head to the nearest shelter. Tell them we need to contact Rayna. Then gather the squad. We¡¯re going to the Cruces¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Ghost Sorcerer.¡±


    Fin straightened.


    ¡°Go get shoes and some clothes from supply,¡± Sgt. Muttley said.


    <hr>


    The flares went up all along the bottom of the foothills leading to the wilderness park region east of their territory.


    Cal¡¯s dad counted them.


    Nearly every single ranger watchtower and post.


    Refurbished air raid sirens howled in the distance.


    The people would have minutes to get to the designated emergency shelters in each neighborhood tract and apartment complex.


    These houses and apartments had been claimed in either his, his wife¡¯s and Rayna¡¯s names. This meant that it¡¯d take a comparably powerful monster, mutant animal or person to violate the structures¡¯ sanctity. The walls themselves had attained a sort of enhanced durability to attack.


    It had taken gremlin alphas weeks to batter down the doors. Plenty of time for the Cruces to come to the rescue of the people taking shelter.


    A deep rumble vibrated through his chest.


    Growling.


    He spun and covered his face just in time to shove his arm into the mutant mountain lion¡¯s fang-filled mouth.


    The beast was close to a ton of dense bone and muscle, stretching tawny fur to the edge of tearing.


    Claws tore through his shirt, scratching thin lines of blood across his chest and upper arms.


    He stumbled back with the force of the beast¡¯s impact, but kept his feet.


    The beast was bigger, stronger than the largest prehistoric mega fauna, but his strength dwarfed it.


    He punched it in the throat. Then grabbed it, crushing its trachea.


    The beast¡¯s jaws opened as it gasped futilely for air.


    He slammed it to the ground, cracking asphalt.


    The beast choked.


    He stomped on its head.


    Howls filled the air.


    He looked up into the hills.


    Eyes glinted in the moonlight.


    So many.


    This wasn¡¯t like the other times.


    The monsters and mutant animals in the wilderness park attacked singularly or in small groups.


    Gunfire and spells echoed.


    The rangers couldn¡¯t handle this.


    He charged the mutant coyotes at over seventy miles an hour.


    People would die for every second he was occupied.


    <hr>


    Cambion¡¯s body flared with power. He was drawing deeply on what his master had left in the sanctum.


    The mansion had been breached. Its defenders were dead or in retreat.


    They had taken a toll on the attacking rangers even if the exchange had been in the latter¡¯s favor.


    So, not entirely worthless.


    He could feel them, all of them fighting in and around the five mansions.


    Both sides raged in battle.


    He could sense them, almost smell them like a scent on the wind.


    Tantalizing power.


    If only he could take it, shape it, use it.


    Rangers charged up the stairs, blasting away.


    This was the third such squad.


    The sight of the bodies of the previous two failed squads filled them with anger, fear and sadness in a swirling mix that sent their thoughts into turmoil.


    Just as Cambion intended.


    His eyes flared with reddish purple light as his magic shield blocked everything.


    Power flowed from the sanctum into his frail human body.


    Stretched to the breaking point, Cambion hissed as he dropped his shield.


    ¡°Agony Missile!¡±


    Streaks of ugly, black-cored orbs flew from Cambion¡¯s hands.


    Rangers dropped to the floor as they thrashed on the carpeted floor.


    Cambion swelled with power as he fed on the rangers¡¯ pain in the brief moment before their hearts gave out.


    ¡°Enhance Body,¡± Cambion hissed.


    A big ranger leapt up from the first floor. He briefly landed on the railing before throwing himself at Cambion with a two-handed wood-splitting axe raised over his head.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡±


    Cambion caught the axe head.


    They struggled for a moment.


    ¡°Touch of Agony!¡± Cambion jabbed a finger into the ranger¡¯s helmet eye slit.


    The effect was instantaneous.


    The ranger screamed, losing his hold on his axe.


    Cambion snarled, ugly and filled with rage as he drew a wicked-looking knife and slashed the ranger¡¯s throat.


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    More rangers charged up the stairs.


    Cambion¡¯s mage shield flared to life to meet the withering fire.


    A fireball exploded, setting the landing on fire.


    Cracks began to form on Cambion¡¯s dark shield.


    It held for a moment as an unnatural silence descended on the fight.


    Cambion¡¯s eyes widened.


    His shield shattered into little pieces like a pane of glass.


    ¡°Fireball! Motherfucker!¡±


    The blast took Cambion full force, sending him flying into his master¡¯s sanctum.


    The rangers pursued him, pressing the momentary advantage.


    Cambion swept an arm out.


    Pain struck the lead rank of rangers with palpable force.


    Gunfire and spells struck Cambion.


    His spell kept him alive, allowing him to respond in kind with spells of pure pain.


    The coppery scent of blood mingled with the foul stench of human bodily waste, while cordite-tinged smoke swirled with the flames.


    ¡°Quick Thrust!¡±


    A small ranger darted from behind a big-bodied ranger with humanly impossible quickness.


    Cambion grunted.


    The woman¡¯s thin-bladed machete was buried in his stomach.


    Unfair.


    People were always hurting him.


    Just because they were stronger.


    Not anymore.


    Rage filled him with understanding.


    The path his master had shown him was suddenly illuminated.


    Hundreds of men and women were hurting and killing each other.


    They urged him along, pushed him forward.


    Cambion grabbed the woman¡¯s exposed throat. He pulled the machete out of his stomach. The pain renewed him.


    He pulled the woman close.


    Her eyes were wide in fear and disbelief, then pain as he tightened his hand.


    ¡°Give me your anger,¡± Cambion hissed, ¡°give me your wrath!¡±


    A chime sounded in his ear.


    ¡°Achieved requirements for Class change: Pain Mage to Wrath Mage.¡±


    Time stood still for Cambion.


    ¡°Do you wish to upgrade your Class? If you proceed you will be a Wrath Mage, Level 21. You may remain in your current Class. In which case you will be a Pain Mage, Level 26.¡±


    A loss of four levels, but in a newer, potentially more powerful class. Against a single level gained in his current class.


    He wished that there was more information was available, but the spires were as stingy as always.


    In the end it was an easy choice.


    The rage in him wouldn¡¯t permit anything else.


    ¡°I will become a Wrath Mage,¡± Cambion growled.


    ¡°Decision accepted. Here is a brief overview of your new class abilities.¡±


    A short list of spells and Skills list hit Cambion, both as a voice in his ears and as text in his eyes in the instant before he snapped back to real time.


    It appeared that the new abilities were simply added to his old basic ones.


    Cambion grinned like a feral monster at the rangers surrounding him.


    New abilities.


    Standing inside his master¡¯s sanctum.


    Wrath and ruin.


    ¡°Enrage!¡±


    Cambion¡¯s spell sent his wrath radiating out from him for hundreds of yards in every direction.


    He touched them all. Drew power from their collective wrath. He could see it flow into him as a tendril-like reddish mist with his magic-touched vision.


    None of the fighters battling over the five mansions in the surrounding area escaped his reach.


    ¡°I share my wrath with you all!¡± Cambion laughed madly. ¡°Am I not generous?¡±


    The rangers snarled and threw themselves at him with inarticulate cries.


    All semblance of thought and tactics fled from their minds.


    Weapons, spells, and Skills were forgotten.


    Only a blood red haze remained.


    Kill and destroy.


    Nothing else was left.


    <hr>


    Nila came out of the dark alley and hit the gang at about forty miles an hour.


    Human bodies bounced of her Threnosh armor like rain drops or bugs on the freeway.


    She was a train and they were squishy bags filled with jelly.


    Ironic, considering her old career.


    Also¡­ a little bit horrifying.


    Unfortunately for the gang she couldn¡¯t afford to take it easy.


    There were a couple hundred assholes she need to get through to find their leader. The moronically named X-Ray.


    She hit and moved.


    The Threnosh-made bat Cal had brought her was better in every way from her old weapon. It was about three feet long of super science metal that was practically unbreakable. The entire thing was shaped as one solid piece. From the spikes and studs ringing the last third of its length to the circular guard that protected the grip, which she had wrapped with the same type of grip tape that she had grown accustomed to over the years.


    She broke bone and crushed internal organs with every strike, even glancing blows were devastating.


    The gang members tried to fight back, but she was in the middle of their unorganized mob.


    The idiots hadn¡¯t even used scouts to screen their advance. Overconfident in their eagerness to do some pillaging while the majority of the rangers were gone.


    One struck Nila across the side of her head with a lucky axe blow.


    The steel blade barely scratched the armor, while Nila¡¯s head barely moved to the side.


    She punted the guy into others, scattering them like bowling pins.


    A fireball splashed in front of her, throwing up broken shards of asphalt.


    The helmet¡¯s faceplate automatically dimmed to protect her vision.


    Nila mowed right over the mage.


    Gunfire plinked off her armor.


    The morons were actually shooting at her while she was in the middle of their formation.


    Screams filled the air as, predictably, they shot each other.


    More spells boomed.


    A flash of light, then a stronger, sustained glow appeared up ahead, hidden by more men.


    Nila found her target.


    ¡°All of you¡­ turn back or get smashed!¡±


    ¡°Fuck you, bitch!¡±


    X-Ray.


    The gang parted like wheat in front of Nila.


    Their leader was already glowing. His skeleton and internal organs were briefly visible as he moved.


    Mages poured spells into the man as he sprinted at Nila.


    Fast for a man his size, but nothing to Nila.


    She sidestepped and cracked him with her best home run swing.


    X-Ray resembled a roman candle¡¯s star as he lit up the night sky in an arc before he dropped behind a building a good distance away.


    Stunned silence.


    ¡°Now!¡± Nila roared.


    The conscripts in the back of the formation turned and ran. While the remains of the hardened core that Nila had steamrolled cursed her and attacked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this,¡± Nila leapt over everyone to the top of what remained of a McDonalds. The radio in her ear crackled with the location of the next closest incursion. Several gangs were attacking all along the northern border. ¡°All yours,¡± she said into the radio.


    They no longer had to face Nila, but the gang didn¡¯t have time to enjoy the reprieve.


    Three squads of rangers had gotten into position to form a proper kill box around X-Ray¡¯s gang.


    They rained fire down on the gang from the roofs of the surrounding buildings.


    <hr>


    The fighting was fierce.


    Rayna watched it all from overhead.


    She saw her rangers dying. Heard their cries through the walkie-talkie on her belt and with her superior hearing.


    She wanted nothing more than to plug her ears, pull her people out of there and crush the bastards killing them.


    There were too many.


    The rangers were better individually and had superior teamwork compared to the enemy forces, which appeared to be a mix of the mansions¡¯ guards and local gangs.


    The problem was that from the looks of it they were fighting at a five to one disadvantage.


    Enemy forces at 1345¡­ make that 1313. Rangers down to 319.


    Rayna checked her watch. ¡°Not even an hour,¡± she whispered.


    I¡¯ll stop with the updates if you want?


    ¡°Keep me updated, Cal¡­ but no numbers for my guys,¡± Rayna whispered.


    Got it¡­ I can jump in any time you want, just give me the wo¡ª


    Rayna winced with the spike of pain in her brain.


    Powerful magic pulsed.


    Rayna felt her gaze directed to a mansion roughly in the center of the other four.


    ¡°What was it?¡±


    I don¡¯t know, let me¡ª Rayna! Flares! Home!


    Rayna snapped her head to the south.


    From this high up and with the clear skies she could see over a great distance.


    Nearly fifty miles away down the 405 freeway dozens of red pinpricks blinked in the dark.


    ¡°I can¡¯t leave,¡± Rayna said in growing horror, ¡°how close are you to gathering the HVT¡¯s?¡±


    There are still 34 unsecured.


    ¡°I¡¯ll come to you and take the ones you¡¯ve gathered so far. Then you go home.¡±


    Are you sure? I can¡ª


    The rest of her brother¡¯s thoughts were drowned out by the red tide that swamped her thoughts.


    Rage. Rage. Rage.


    Rayna¡¯s tight grip on her power slipped as she sought to quench her thirst on the nearest available target.


    A powerful presence stood out like a beacon high above her.


    She was poised to strike when it suddenly winked out along with the red haze over her eyes.


    You¡¯re alright, Rayna. I¡¯m blocking the spell¡¯s effects. Problem is I can¡¯t do it for everyone fighting down there. Your friend here tried to claw my eyes out, but she¡¯s alright. I put her and the baby to sleep.


    ¡°What was that?¡±


    Enrage spell. I¡¯ve pinpointed the one responsible. His mindscape is a disgusting place.


    ¡°I think this is a good time for you to interfere.¡±


    I¡¯d love to, but this Cambion has suddenly spiked in power level. I can¡¯t take care of him while keeping afloat with dozens of people and protecting you and me from the spell.


    ¡°Where is he?¡±


    Her brother showed her.


    The young man¡¯s flesh was practically cracking from the power within. Red-purple energy glowed from underneath his skin in irregular lines.


    Rangers threw themselves at the young man only to die violently as spells and bare hands tore them apart.


    The mansion is empty of HVT¡¯s, but rangers keep pouring in.


    ¡°I¡¯ll handle it,¡± Rayna¡¯s voice cracked.


    She knew what she had to do and what it would cost her.


    <hr>


    13th squad hit the immaculately cut lawn running.


    Except for Two-toes, who tripped, but turned it into a roll.


    ¡°Nice save!¡± Iz shot her two thumbs up.


    Two-toes returned the gesture with a different set of fingers.


    The mansion¡¯s exterior was dark with windows sealed by steel shutters.


    ¡°The bars on the windows really adds to the prison feel,¡± Smores studied them with a critical eye. ¡°Sarge, we¡¯re not getting inside without making a lot of noise.¡±


    Mouthy slapped the back of the young man¡¯s head. ¡°No shit, try saying something the stupidest of us don¡¯t already know.¡±


    ¡°She means herself,¡± Iz added helpfully.


    One-eye pointed to the side of the mansion. ¡°There¡¯s a door.¡±


    ¡°Iz, see if you can open it,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Got it, sarge.¡±


    ¡°Pk, Catscratch watch his back.¡±


    Two affirmative grunts from the massive men.


    ¡°Aims, Mouthy,¡± Sgt. Butcher pointed to the far corner of the mansion on their right, ¡°secure and see if there¡¯s a sliding door or something near.¡±


    The diminutive young man drew a pair of antique six-shooters. ¡°On it.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, sarge,¡± Mouthy grinned.


    ¡°Hardhat, Two-toes, you¡¯ve got the left corner. Smores and Chains, with me.¡±


    Orders dispensed Sgt. Butcher moved close to the door Iz was busy working on.


    A loud chime sounded in their heads.


    Congratulations!


    You have received a Quest.


    Defeat Baal.


    Success Parameters: Kill or Capture Baal


    Failure Parameters: Death, capture, or retreat.


    Reward: 20000 Universal Points.


    Failure: Death or enslavement.


    Will you accept?


    ¡°What the fuck is a ¡®Baal¡¯?¡± Mouthy whispered into Aims¡¯ ear.


    ¡°Jesus, not so close¡­ I don¡¯t know, but probably one of the big shots.¡±


    Iz¡¯s face was a mask of concentration as he fiddled with the lock. ¡°Sounds like the edgiest of lords.¡±


    ¡°Gonna be good to smash his or her face in,¡± PK grunted.


    ¡°Sarge, maybe we should pull back. Extra variables aren¡¯t good. They¡¯re dropping a surprise boss battle on us,¡± Smores said.


    Chains flipped her lighter along her fingers. ¡°Rayna¡¯s brother said that there was a stronger presence inside. So, not really a surprise, yeah?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re already down two to one in numbers. We might have the edge in levels, definitely in tactics, but throw in this boss guy,¡± Smores shrugged, ¡°just voicing my opinion on the risk.¡±


    Sgt. Butcher scowled.


    This didn¡¯t give any hints as to her thoughts. Since it was also her resting face.


    ¡°Sarge,¡± Iz hissed back, ¡°I¡¯ve got it. Should I open?¡±


    ¡°Do it.¡±


    There was an audible click as Iz twisted the picks in the lock. He winced then stepped out of the way so Catscratch could take point behind his large shield. The slits in his helmet revealed eyes that seemed to glint in the moonlight as he turned to look at the sergeant.


    At her signal he opened the door carefully and entered the mansion.


    A short and narrow hallway opened up into an enormous basement divided into several caged sections, like a prison or a dungeon.


    ¡°Oh shit!¡± Mouthy stood open-mouthed.


    The cages were filled with people.


    ¡°No one say a word,¡± Catscratch growled.


    In truth the warning wasn¡¯t entirely necessary.


    Most of the people appeared to be in a drugged state as they lay on dirty mats on the cold concrete.


    ¡°Sarge?¡±


    ¡°Keep going. We¡¯ll free them after we¡¯re done upstairs.¡±


    ¡°Wait, please, help us!¡± one of the caged people reached through the bars.


    The young woman was thin and had dark circles under her eyes. She wore only a thin shift and a dog collar around her neck.


    ¡°We will,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°No, please!¡± the young woman pleaded. ¡°He took my brother!¡±


    ¡°What can you tell me about this place? The guards, where are they posted? Someone called ¡®Baal¡¯¡ª¡±


    The young woman flinched as if struck.


    ¡°Where is he?¡±


    ¡°The guards are all on the other side of the house. Guarding the stairs and the entrances to the west wing on the first and second floor. They use the garage as their base when not on duty.¡±


    ¡°No guards on this side of the house?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re in here¡­ there¡¯s no reason for them to guard us.¡±


    ¡°What about babies?¡±


    The young woman hesitated. ¡°They¡¯re all in the west wing. They use the exercise room as a nursery for the youngest. Toddlers are kept in the rooms on the second floor. The rooms in the east wing are empty since those kids got old enough to¡­¡±


    ¡°And Baal?¡±


    ¡°The master is in his bedroom on the second floor in the west wing at the end of the hallway, where he takes us¡ª¡± the young woman¡¯s eyes widened and she clutched at the sergeant¡¯s sleeve, ¡°that¡¯s where my brother is right now. Please, you have to help him. The master looked¡­ worse than he ever has¡­ I- I- I think my brother¡ª¡±


    Sgt. Butcher gently, but firmly pried the young woman¡¯s bony fingers off. ¡°PK, what do you think?¡±


    ¡°Kid¡¯s telling the truth as she sees it.¡±


    ¡°Sarge, don¡¯t think we need all of us to handle the trash. We can let these poor people out and take them back to Rayna¡¯s brother where they¡¯ll be safe.¡±


    ¡°No, you can¡¯t!¡± the young woman hissed. She tugged at her collar. ¡°The master will know if we leave the house. He¡¯ll hurt us.¡±


    ¡°Well that settles that,¡± One-eye spat, ¡°this is bullshit. We need to kill those bastards and turn this Baal into meat chunks, like, right now.¡±


    ¡°Yup, don¡¯t normally agree with Miss ¡®I have to turn to look on my right¡¯, but most of these poor people are high as fuck. They ain¡¯t running anywhere,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°Iz, open the cages.¡± Sgt. Butcher silenced the young woman¡¯s protests with a stone cold stare. ¡°In case things go wrong, so those who can run will at least have a chance. Run up the hills. Our people are there. Just get their attention.¡±


    ¡°The basement leads into the kitchen. Two doors lead into the dining room and one of the living rooms. The stairs are beyond those two rooms. The dining room door opens up to the front area and the foot of the stairs. There¡¯ll probably be guards there.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, we¡¯ll see what we can do for your brother,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°What¡¯s the play, sarge?¡± Catscratch said. ¡°I¡¯m itching.¡±


    ¡°Smores?¡±


    ¡°Right, sarge¡­ so, I¡¯m betting this Baal is a strong mage going by the specific Quest we just got and the fact that we couldn¡¯t scry this place for months. Which means we use magic and it¡¯ll probably tip him off. We need to take out the guards at the stairs quickly and quietly. If they aren¡¯t complete morons they¡¯ll split their guards between the first floor and second floor. In the nursery and in the hallways. Any one off duty will be in the garage.¡±


    ¡°Well, how smart can they be if they don¡¯t have patrols outside and they left the entire east side unprotected?¡± Two-toes said.


    ¡°They feel safe in here, invincible,¡± Smores¡¯ smile was all teeth.


    ¡°One-eye, what¡¯s your danger sense at?¡±


    ¡°At about medium-high, sarge,¡± One-eye shrugged, ¡°like it¡¯s been since we flew in.¡±


    ¡°You are one cold bitch,¡± Mouthy said begrudgingly.


    Hardhat nodded. ¡°I couldn¡¯t even tell you were at the level. Iz¡¯s is smiling, but you can tell he¡¯s crapping his pants by how sweaty he is.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hot in here,¡± Iz said lightly.


    ¡°Your danger sense is shit compared to One-eye¡¯s anyways,¡± Mouthy sneered.


    ¡°We hit the guards on the stairs. No magic, no Skills,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°I suggest One-eye and Catscratch take the guards on the second floor, while PK and Mouthy take the guards at the foot of the stairs. Obviously, they go through the dining room. Meanwhile, Sarge, Hardhat and Two-toes go through the living room in case there are guards on the back side of the stairs,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°Hey, PK, punch with your strongest kick,¡± Iz said solemnly.


    The giant of a man¡¯s confusion was displayed by his furrowed brow.


    ¡°There¡¯s a patio out back and it looked like it lined up with that area and the living room. Didn¡¯t see anyone on post,¡± Aims said.


    Smores nodded. ¡°Like I said. Their security is lax. The rest of us will stay in the kitchen. Once the guards at the stairs are neutralized we¡¯ll move to standard tactics. Catscratch will tank, PK will provide close support. One-eye will fall back, while Mouthy will switch to her MP5. Aims, you¡¯ll move up ready to take out Baal as soon as he sticks his head out of his door. The rest of us will ambush the first floor guards when they come through the hallway. We¡¯ll make adjustments as needed. Chains and Iz be ready. Once the screaming starts we¡¯ll be magic free. Oh¡­ mind your aim. There are babies and toddlers all over the place.¡±


    ¡°Hit hard, hit fast, hit first and last,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.

 4.35

    Now, Earth


    One-eye held her ear to the dining room door for several long seconds.


    She held up two fingers then pointed to the door. Then she pointed up toward the second floor.


    PK shook his head. He couldn¡¯t hear a thing behind the door.


    Mouthy took the door handle and waited for everyone to nod.


    She thrust it open to reveal four guards lazing at their posts. Two were actually sitting down on the steps.


    Mouthy thrust her machete into one¡¯s throat, while PK punched the second guard¡¯s face in.


    That¡¯s why helmets were good things to wear when there was a chance of being in a fight.


    One-eye dashed up the stairs and stuck her long knife in a guard¡¯s neck.


    Catscratch was only a few steps behind despite carrying a large shield and heavy axe.


    The remaining guard had barely gotten to his feet when Catscratch buried his axe in the guard¡¯s head.


    Helmets saved lives.


    The others rushed through the living room door and found zero opposition.


    They got lucky with the fact that the double doors leading to the west wing¡¯s second floor rooms were closed. It allowed them to get into their positions without needing to rush.


    At Sgt. Butcher¡¯s silent signal PK pushed the doors open.


    Four guards stood at the double doors at the end of a long hallway.


    Catscratch rushed down the right side behind his shield with PK on his heels.


    Mouthy¡¯s MP5 barked in a staccato of bursts, shattering the silence and kicking the hornet¡¯s nest open.


    Two guards went down.


    Aims fired two shots.


    The other two guards dropped.


    Down below on the first floor, guards began pouring out of the hallway only to meet concentrated gunfire.


    ¡°Idiots,¡± Iz laughed. ¡°Oh, I hear guns, let¡¯s all go charging blindly into them.¡±


    ¡°They did seem¡­ eager to get up stairs,¡± Smores said. ¡°Maybe a spell. Baal prioritizing his safety.¡±


    ¡°Sarge,¡± Aims called down, ¡°we¡¯ve got a problem up here.¡±


    Smores looked thoughtful. ¡°How many guards were up there?¡±


    ¡°Six total, two at the stairs and four outside the master bedroom.¡±


    Smores counted the bodies on the first floor while Hardhat and Two-toes dragged them away from the hallway door. ¡°Seven here, so a total of thirteen down. Rayna¡¯s brother said twenty. Which means seven left.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re probably hunkered down in there,¡± Sgt. Butcher gestured down the hallway.


    Smores nodded. ¡°I agree. I don¡¯t think Baal will have any in the master bedroom with him.¡±


    ¡°Aims, check the kid¡¯s rooms.¡±


    ¡°On it, sarge.¡±


    ¡°We need to hit them both at the same time, quickly. I don¡¯t like giving a mage time to prepare,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°What about the babies? The guards might use them as shields or decide to go scorched earth,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°If we go fast we can maybe catch them off guard before they think to do that, but again it¡¯ll open us up to more risk,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°Smores, get up there with Chains,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°Iz, I need a lullaby.¡±


    ¡°You got it, sarge.¡± Iz readied his ukulele.


    Sgt. Butcher pulled the shield off her back and switched her MP5 for her 9mm pistol. ¡°I¡¯ll take point. Hardhat, Two-toes be ready to step in and tank for Iz.¡±


    ¡°Ear plugs everyone, unless you want to take a nap,¡± Iz grinned. ¡°After you, sarge.¡±


    Sgt. Butcher pushed through the shot-up remains of the doors with her pistol peaking around her shield.


    Iz followed closely on her heels strumming a tune on his ukulele.


    ¡°Ooh-ooh-ohh¡­¡±


    His voice was soft, melodious, much like his namesake.


    ¡°Somewhere over the rainbow¡­¡±


    Hardhat and Two-toes checked the doors on the sides of the hallway as soon as Sgt. Butcher and Iz passed.


    Storage closets.


    ¡°High above the chimney tops¡­¡±


    A roar caused Iz to strum the wrong string.


    A guard charged out of a door on the left.


    Pop-pop-pop.


    Sgt. Butcher¡¯s pistol hit center mass.


    Bloody chainmail rings flew, but the bear of a man kept coming.


    Rage seemed to roil off the man like steam.


    He struck at Sgt. Butcher¡¯s shield with a ham-sized fist, cracking it and sending her flying back into Iz.


    Hardhat went high, leaping at the man¡¯s throat with a thrust machete


    He clubbed her to the floor with a hammer blow to the top of her hard hat.


    The man roared in pain.


    While Hardhat had gone high, Two-toes had gone low and stabbed her blade into his meaty thigh.


    The ranger didn¡¯t have time to savor the death blow as a foot lashed out at her head. She barely managed to roll out of the way.


    Unfortunately for her she was flat on her back staring up at an enraged giant of a man.


    Hardhat saved her teammate with a steel-toed boot to the man¡¯s junk.


    Two-toes scampered back as the man doubled over for a moment.


    Until he unleashed a backhand that caught Hardhat while she was admiring her handiwork. The blow caught her in her armored chest and sent her cracking into the wall. She slumped to the ground in an unmoving heap.


    Sgt. Butcher emptied the rest of her magazine into the man¡¯s chainmail covered torso.


    He fixed her with a red-eyed glare. He paid no heed to the bright lifeblood flowing out of the mortal wound in his thigh.


    ¡°How is he not dead yet!¡± Iz¡¯s voice was high.


    ¡°Get back!¡± Sgt. Butcher tried to reload her pistol, but her left arm wasn¡¯t moving properly.


    The man loomed over Sgt. Butcher. His boot ready to descend.


    Music filled the hallway.


    ¡°That¡¯s right asshole,¡± Iz walked backward slowly as he strummed his ukulele, ¡°you hate this don¡¯t you. Come and stop me.¡±


    The man forgot all about everyone else. He was a bull and Iz¡¯s music was a waving cape. He charged.


    Iz turned to run, but the man was so quick in his rage.


    A powerful blow sent Iz flying into the wall.


    He rolled over painfully only for a hand to lift him up roughly by the throat.


    Iz¡¯s vision darkened as the fist crushed with the strength of a vise. He drew his knife, desperately stabbing and slashing at the man¡¯s arm.


    There was a loud crack.


    ¡°No!¡± Sgt. Butcher roared.


    Two-toes grabbed her machete off the ground and charged at the man¡¯s broad back.


    But, the man toppled face-first like a felled tree before she reached him.


    That didn¡¯t stop Two-toes from chopping until the man¡¯s head rolled free from his body.


    ¡°Ranger!¡± Sgt. Butcher barked.


    Two-toes removed her ear plugs. ¡°Yes, sir,¡± she replied tonelessly.


    Sgt. Butcher dropped her shield with a grimace and checked on Hardhat.


    Breathing, but unconscious.


    ¡°We need to work quickly. Six more guards to neutralize before they wake from Iz¡¯s song,¡± Sgt. Butcher glanced at Iz¡¯s crumpled body, like a puppet discarded on the floor.


    ¡°On it, sarge,¡± Two-toes¡¯ voice was devoid of emotion.


    They completed their grim work in silence.


    The remaining guards didn¡¯t wake despite the loud noises and shaking from above.


    Mercifully, the babies in the exercise room turned nursery had also been put to sleep.


    Iz¡¯s last gift to them.


    <hr>


    The doors to the master bedroom wouldn¡¯t open.


    They were also providing impervious to damage.


    Catscratch¡¯s axe blows did nothing.


    As did PK¡¯s gauntleted fists.


    Mouthy spat on the doors. ¡°What about kicking?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t kick,¡± PK said flatly.


    ¡°Fuck you too then.¡±


    ¡°Are the other rooms clear?¡± Smores said.


    ¡°Yeah, just a bunch of scared toddlers, told them to hide under their beds,¡± Aims shrugged.


    ¡°You moron!¡± One-eye snapped.


    ¡°Probably be for the little tykes¡¯ best that we move them to the opposite side of the house,¡± Chains said.


    ¡°Mouthy, gather the children and take them to the basement, I believe those people down there are responsible for the children¡¯s care anyways.¡±


    ¡°Why me?¡±


    ¡°Because your strengths are duplicated by Catscratch and Pk. Simply put, you are their inferior¡­ no offense.¡±


    Mouthy shoved two fingers in Smores¡¯ face.


    He barely blinked.


    ¡°Once you are done, then join the sergeant. In the event that we get into trouble up here. You will be our only hope.¡±


    Mouthy barged into a bedroom and started shouting at the kids.


    ¡°Bad call, Smores,¡± Chain¡¯s smirked. She went into another bedroom and gently cajoled the kids out to follow Auntie Mouthy to a safe place.


    It didn¡¯t take long before the bedrooms were empty and the kids were following Mouthy with their hands linked.


    ¡°I am looking forward to bashing Baal¡¯s face in,¡± PK said.


    ¡°What do you think they¡¯re doing with the kids?¡± Aims¡¯ face was twisted in disgust. ¡°Is this place like a breeding farm?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Smores said flatly. ¡°Now, One-eye, Aims, I¡¯m assuming the master bedroom has windows. Do you think you can climb outside?¡±


    ¡°Easy.¡± One-eye looked like a hungry predator.


    Aims twirled his revolvers before slamming them into their holsters. ¡°Oh yeah, no problem. This Baal¡¯s got a couple of bullets with his name on them.¡±


    ¡°Presumably, Baal needs to breathe, which means¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m up then,¡± Chains took a cigar out of her belt pouch. A flick of her lighter and an earthy scent soon filled the hallway.


    ¡°Go,¡± Smores said.


    Aims and One-eye climbed out of bedroom windows opposite of each other.


    Smores counted in his head.


    The distance wasn¡¯t great and from what he remembered of the mansion¡¯s exterior there was plenty of space to simple walk around to the master bedroom¡¯s windows.


    ¡°Now, Chains!¡±


    The smoke from Chain¡¯s cigar moved like a nest of snakes as it sought the gaps in the doors.


    ¡°Catscratch, be ready to tank for Chains in case Baal attacks.¡±


    ¡°If he doesn¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°At the sound of Aim¡¯s guns or One-eye¡¯s flashbang, break the doors down. Hopefully, something will distract the mage from whatever magic he¡¯s got making these doors tough. You and PK will engage. I¡¯ll worry about keeping a clear line for myself to Baal.¡±


    Seconds stretched out for what seemed like eternity.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    A loud roar from below was followed by the sound of gunshots.


    They couldn¡¯t worry about the rest of their squad now.


    Two more gunshots from the other side of the door.


    Breaking glass.


    A loud bang and a flash of light underneath the door.


    Catscratch slammed his shield into the doors with all of his weight.


    They broke this time.


    The horrific scene would be burned into the survivor¡¯s minds for the rest of their days.


    The cloud of Chains¡¯ smoke wasn¡¯t enough to obscure the terrible sight.


    Baal, a pudgy bald man, stood naked, blood covering his entire front, in all his disgusting glory.


    A naked young man was prone on the large bed. His back had been sliced to bloody ribbons, blood dripped down the backs of his legs.


    The young woman¡¯s brother.


    One look into his sightless eyes told Smores that they were too late.


    Faster.


    They should¡¯ve been faster.


    Aims was outside the broken window to the right, blazing away with his six-shooters.


    The bullets bounced off Baal¡¯s mage shield.


    Good.


    They all knew how it worked.


    A mage couldn¡¯t cast attack spells while inside a spherical-type mage shield.


    Baal would need to drop it before attacking.


    ¡°You dare! Attack me at the height of my power! In my domain!¡± Baal unscrewed a small jar of thick dark-colored liquid and downed it one gulp. ¡°The master has granted me a great gift. One which I now share with you.¡±


    Smores¡¯ eyes widened. ¡°Attack!¡± He had felt the man¡¯s magical power surge.


    Aims holstered one revolver. ¡°Enhanced Aim. Fanned Shots.¡± He squeezed the trigger while slapping the hammer back after each shot. It sounded like a rapid-fire machine gun.


    Six bullets in a perfect line, one after another, hit the same spot on Baal¡¯s magic shield.


    It flared with light as cracks began to spiderweb from the impact point.


    Aims had switched to his second revolver and repeated the attack in two blinks of an eye.


    The shield shattered with a screeching sound.


    ¡°Bleed. Quick Feet.¡± One-eye moved through the open window and covered the dozen feet to Baal faster than humanly possibly. She stabbed a short, triangular knife into small of the man¡¯s back. ¡°Hamstring.¡± She drew her long knife across the back of the man¡¯s left leg, cutting deep.


    ¡°Pain Claws!¡± Baal bellowed and swung around with a wild swipe.


    ¡°Hide!¡± One-eye threw herself back into the shadows to avoid the ugly-looking ethereal outline around Baal¡¯s hand.


    Baal¡¯s eyes darted frantically, but One-eye was just gone.


    ¡°Ice Dart.¡±


    Baal ducked his head to one side. Cold sliced a line across the side of his scalp.


    Smores was pointing his right hand at Baal. ¡°Catscratch, I need a taunt! Chains¡­¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s ignoring my magic!¡±


    ¡°Keep trying.¡±


    ¡°Die Shithead!¡± Catscratch banged the haft of his axe on his shield.


    Baal faced Catscratch and started to raise a hand, but forced it down with an effort. ¡°I am Level 25!¡± he bared his teeth. ¡°None of you are even 20! You think you can control me with your weak Skill.¡±


    A loud pop sounded.


    Blood splattered out of Baal¡¯s chest.


    A small sliver of ice, trailing mist, streaked into Baal¡¯s shoulder.


    Smores held a smoking pistol in his left hand, while cold mist swirled around his right hand. ¡°The distraction worked well enough.¡±


    ¡°Absorb Pain. Enhance Strength. Toughen Skin. Lesser Regeneration.¡± Baal hissed through clenched teeth as he pulled the dissolving ice sliver from his shoulder.


    The man¡¯s body swelled with magic power as his wounds slowly began to knit themselves.


    Baal growled. ¡°I am the master¡¯s greatest disciple. I have honed my Pain Mage Class on the suffering of thousands. Men, women, children¡­ I have spared none! All of you will know as they did¡­ that there is no hope in my hands, just pain.¡± He pointed at Smores. ¡°You will be first you inferior worm. I will wipe that smug look off your black face you dirty ni¡ª¡±


    Smores'' pistol barked in quick succession.


    The bullets struck Baal center mass, pushing him back a few paces.


    ¡°No penetration!¡± PK clanged his gauntleted fists together and stepped forward. ¡°I¡¯ll keep him busy.¡±


    ¡°Wait¡ª¡±


    ¡°Pain Whip!¡±


    An ugly, black-cored lash emerged from Baal¡¯s outstretched hand.


    ¡°Mage Shield!¡±


    Light blue light shimmered, outlining Smores¡¯ body.


    Baal¡¯s spell struck and shattered the shield around Smores.


    The young man fell to one knee, huffing.


    He felt like he had been tased, but it seemed that his magic shield had absorbed most of the damage.


    ¡°Pain Bolts!¡±


    PK dodged to one side.


    Catscratch blocked the bolt with his shield.


    Chains cried out in pure agony as she writhed on the floor.


    ¡°Normally I wouldn¡¯t put my full power into these simple bolts, but you have angered me,¡± Baal sneered, ¡°the woman¡¯s heart will give out in thirty seconds.¡±


    ¡°Catscratch!¡± Smores said in desperation.


    Catscratch glanced at Baal then looked at Chains. ¡°Protect.¡±


    The effect was instantaneous.


    Chains stopped writhing. Her breaths came in ragged gasps as she sobbed.


    Catscratch stumbled away from the doorway. The veins in his neck writhed like worms as he clenched his jaw shut to avoid biting his tongue due to the pain wracking his body.


    ¡°Fast Footwork.¡± PK shuffled in. ¡°Automatic Combinations.¡± He could visualize the punching combo and as long as he started it with the first punch, his body would follow through to the best of its ability. He hoped it would allow him to power through Baal¡¯s pain-inducing spells.


    The big, long-limbed ranger started it out with a textbook jab, straight to Baal¡¯s face, bouncing the man¡¯s head back.


    Baal swung out with wild, looping strikes. No technique, but fast, thanks to his enhancement spells.


    PK ducked under and struck back with a rapid, four punch combo. Left hook, right hook to Baal¡¯s sides, which brought the man¡¯s head down in line for an uppercut, snapping the man¡¯s head up. PK followed and landed another hook to the side of Baal¡¯s head.


    Smores had already reloaded his magazine, but couldn¡¯t get a clear shot. His mana was dangerously low. Blocking Baal¡¯s magic whip had drained him.


    PK was battering Baal all over the master bedroom.


    The deranged Pain Mage couldn¡¯t lay a hand on the much larger ranger, while PK¡¯s gauntleted punches were finally taking their toll on Baal¡¯s magically-thickened skin.


    ¡°Power Punch!¡± PK crushed Baal¡¯s face in.


    Baal fell to one knee.


    PK stepped back, huffing, gasping for breath. He had burned through much of his stamina.


    Baal spat out broken teeth while blood gushed from a broken nose.


    ¡°Useless.¡±


    Baal clumsily dived at PK¡¯s legs.


    The ranger scrambled back and punched the man¡¯s head.


    Perhaps he could¡¯ve gotten out of reach if he hadn¡¯t tripped over the corner of the four-poster bed.


    Baal wrapped his arms around PK¡¯s legs.


    ¡°Pain Transfer.¡±


    Smores would never forget the sound that came out of PK¡¯s throat. It sounded like an animal.


    Baal stood over PK¡¯s writhing form. ¡°All that effort¡­ wasted. No one left to take the pain away, is there? Enjoy the last moments of your life before your heart bursts in your chest,¡± he sneered.


    ¡°Penetrating Blade,¡± One-eye whispered. ¡°Backstab.¡±


    Baal choked on his own blood as One-eye left her knife in his back.


    ¡°Can¡¯t heal with that in there, can you?¡± One-eye slashed her long knife in tight arcs at the flailing Baal.


    His magically strengthened skin was like thick leather and the ranger wasn¡¯t drawing much blood despite her best efforts to carve him up.


    Fights were often decided by luck and misfortune. They were especially impactful when both sides were equally matched.


    This wasn¡¯t one of those cases.


    Baal got lucky when One-eye¡¯s blade got stuck in his arm.


    One-eye was unlucky when it jarred her enough that she misplaced her foot and slipped on a puddle of blood near the bed.


    Down she went.


    Baal jumped on top of her and bashed her head repeatedly. His fists were like hammers thanks to his spells.


    Aims and Smores emptied their guns into Baal, but regular bullets weren¡¯t doing enough damage.


    ¡°Smores! Blind him!¡±


    ¡°How¡ª¡± Smores pointed a finger at Baal. ¡°Light.¡±


    An orb of bright white light popped into existence in front of Baal¡¯s face.


    The Pain Mage yelled and stood up swinging his hands around him wildly.


    ¡°Over here, asshole!¡± Aims was crouched outside the window.


    Baal faced the sound of the rangers voice reflexively, eyes blinking frantically in an attempt to clear the bright stars. ¡°Pain Bolt!¡± he snarled.


    The magic projectile struck the wall without effect.


    Aim¡¯s sighted down the barrel of his six-shooter. ¡°Bullseye.¡±


    The bullet tore through Baal¡¯s eye.


    He stood still for a second before collapsing to the floor like a puppet without strings.


    Luck and misfortune in a fight turned as easily as the flip of the coin.


    Smores hurried over and squeezed a few more rounds into Baal¡¯s head.


    The way the man¡¯s head exploded all over Smores¡¯ boots suggested he was truly dead.


    No more magic.


    Smores looked at the carnage around him.


    The scent of blood, sweat and excrement filled the enormous master bedroom.


    Catscratch and Chains were making noises out in the hallway.


    ¡°Cover them,¡± Smores pointed as Aims climbed in through the window.


    One look at PK and One-eye told Smores that they were gone.


    He checked anyways.


    A mistake.


    The look in PK¡¯s eyes and what was left of One-eye¡¯s face would haunt Smores.


    ¡°I told you,¡± Smores whispered down at One-eye, ¡°open-faced helmets suck, but no, you said you just had to stick to the shadows and you wouldn¡¯t get hit.¡± The ranger took a deep breath. ¡°Damn you guys for dying on me and damn me for screwing this up for you.¡±


    A loud chime sounded in Smores¡¯ ears.


    The look on Aims¡¯ face suggested the same.


    Neither felt like checking the spires¡¯ message at the moment.


    <hr>


    Chaos born of rage.


    No.


    Wrath.


    Cal watched it all unfold below him.


    The rangers and the Cabal¡¯s forces had abandoned all sense.


    They tore into each other mindlessly.


    Weapons were forgotten, but curiously they still used their spells and Skills.


    A severe-faced woman fired spells without regard, draining her mana to dangerous levels. She was effective though, judging by carpet of ranger bodies on the basement floor where she fought. The rest of the mansion above was an abattoir. It had been the most heavily defended among the five and it had cost the rangers to reach the Cabal mage.


    The woman had finally overdrawn on her mana reserves. Causing her to fall. The last handful of rangers fell on her and tore her to pieces.


    Then they attacked each other to Cal¡¯s horror.


    When they had killed their enemies they turned on each other.


    Cal tried, but he couldn¡¯t put enough into blocking or disrupting the magic¡¯s effects. He was at his limits keeping Rayna¡¯s mind free from the wrath and pulling people out of the mansions to join the over a hundred people he was floating above him.


    All he could do was watch.


    In one mansion an outnumbered squad of rangers was locked in vicious hand to hand combat with Cabal forces. The rangers had secured a room of HVT¡¯s and were ably defending it thanks to a favorable position and good tactics when Cambion¡¯s magic had erupted.


    The rangers had abandoned all rational thought and their defensible position to charge the Cabal forces. A few had even turned to the people they were supposed to protect.


    Cal had gotten the poor people out just in time by tearing the wall out.


    He had tried to pull the rangers out, but found them much harder to hold on to. In the end he had no choice, but to let them go.


    Similar scenes repeated across the five mansions.


    The young man responsible for all of this, Cambion, strode with purpose out of the vile bedroom.


    Cal could tell that terrible things had been done inside that room. The echoes of them permeated every surface and hung in the air. He could see it, feel it to his eternal disgust.


    The mansion had already been cleared of Cabal forces by the Rangers.


    Maddened rangers rushed up the stairs as Cambion descended.


    The young man¡¯s skin cracked with magical power. Erratic lines spider-webbed with glowing light.


    It was ugly to Cal¡¯s mind¡¯s eye.


    The power lashed out at the rangers.


    Men and women fell to the side. Their bodies contorting with unimaginable pain. Froth bubbled out of their screaming mouths as they broke their own bones with the strength of their thrashing.


    A ranger managed to breach the spells and struck at Cambion with all the strength of her mad wrath.


    The young man moved quicker. He grabbed her arms and pulled them apart with a snarl.


    Blood fountained from her stumps as Cambion stepped over her dying body.


    It struck Cal that the young woman was still trying to bite at Cambion¡¯s legs.


    Insanity.


    How many rangers died as Cambion made his way to the first floor and outside on to the immaculately cut lawn?


    A dozen? More?


    He consciously stopped counting after twenty-seven.


    Rayna floated down out of the dark night sky and stopped fifty yards in front of Cambion.


    Cal felt a spike of fear. Concern for his sister. He was ready to intervene even if it meant dropping everyone else.


    Sacrifice a hundred to save one?


    For his family?


    Was there any other answer possible?


    ¡°Surrender or¡­¡± Rayna was loud, but her voice wavered.


    Cambion snarled. He seemed incapable of speech.


    Cal touched the young man¡¯s thoughts.


    Wrath.


    Cambion had become it.


    The young man thrust both hands at Rayna.


    Ugly bolts of magic power streaked across the air.


    The jagged, teeth-like things halted four arm-lengths in front of Rayna and smoothly transitioned into an orbit around her.


    Cambion roared and shot bolt after bolt.


    Rayna¡¯s gravity field seized them all and turned them into the harmless satellites to her planet.


    She sent them all shooting straight into the sky with a gesture where they finally dissipated.


    Another gesture toward the mansion behind Cambion.


    Nothing happened for a moment.


    A snarl of concentration marred Rayna¡¯s beauty.


    Cambion began to slide back.


    The young man dug his heels and leaned forward as if straining against an invisible harness.


    The mansion began to groan and creak in protest against the same force.


    Blood streamed out of Rayna¡¯s nose, dripping across her snarling mouth.


    Ugly, dark-cored whips of magic erupted from Cambion¡¯s hands. He lashed, but not at Rayna. The whips dug deep into the lawn, like thorn-encrusted roots seeking to bind him in place.


    The magical energies coursing through the young man¡¯s body flared dark red.


    Wind whipped around Rayna and Cambion. Swirling as the mansion began to crumble inward.


    Cambion lost his footing. Only the magical whips kept him from being drawn in to the mansion.


    More.


    Rayna gave one last effort.


    The mansion roared as wood and concrete tore apart. Drawn into the singular point of the immense pull of Rayna¡¯s gravity field.


    Even from high above Cal felt the pull. It took effort to remain floating in place. It must¡¯ve been powerful down near the center.


    Cambion howled as the lawn was pulled free from the ground. His magic whips followed suit, sending him flying back to join the crumbling mansion.


    Cal lost sight of him.


    The power of Rayna¡¯s gravity field mixed with Cambion¡¯s magic disrupted his ability to watch with his telepathy. He couldn¡¯t spare more energy to push through.


    Rayna screamed.


    The mansion, Cambion, dirt and concrete in the immediate area where all pulled together into the gravity field.


    Time seemed to stop.


    Cal recognized the potential danger.


    Rayna! Stop! Too much and you might¡ª


    The roar of power stopped.


    Sudden silence.


    Jarring.


    The devastation was total.


    What was once a lavish mansion was now a broken heap.


    Cal scanned the area.


    The wrathful screams in his ears were gone. They were gone from his thoughts as well. It made sense considering he couldn¡¯t detect any signs of Cambion. No beating heart, no thoughts.


    There were precious few conscious thoughts around.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Kayl groaned weakly.


    Cal tried and failed to block out the horror below him. ¡°It¡¯s over.¡± He looked down at Rayna on her knees tears and blood streaming out of her eyes.


    She knew.


    Cal looked up at the sleeping people he held in his telekinetic box.


    Safe.


    He knew.


    Was it worth it?


    Saving them?


    Yes, in his mind.


    Was it worth leveling?


    Each individual would have to decide that for themselves.


    He wondered what the survivors would think.


    What would the families and loved ones left behind think?


    A loud chime¡ª


    Ignored.

 4.36

    Now, Earth


    ¡°I¡¯m going to do a walk around of the perimeter, Mrs. Cruces.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary, Rodrigo,¡± Cal¡¯s mom regarded the gaggle of children eating ice cream and watching the movie in the living room. ¡°We¡¯re perfectly safe in here.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, but I¡¯m a little antsy with most of us on the Quest.¡±


    ¡°I told Rayna that you didn¡¯t need to watch us.¡±


    ¡°I volunteered, ma¡¯am. Wasn¡¯t really looking forward to the blood and guts,¡± Rodrigo noted the dismayed look on Cal¡¯s mom¡¯s face. ¡°Er¡­ I mean I didn¡¯t really want to kill anyone¡­ other humans, I mean¡­ what I meant to say was¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright¡­ you¡¯re a good man for not wanting to do any of that.¡±


    Rodrigo shrugged his broad shoulders. ¡°I just didn¡¯t want to not do anything while my ranger brothers and sisters are risking their lives out there¡­ so here I am.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ we appreciate your protection,¡± Cal¡¯s mom smiled.


    ¡°Not that you really need it,¡± Rodrigo grinned sheepishly.


    ¡°Exactly, which is why you don¡¯t need to go outside. Anything that can get inside will¡­¡±


    ¡°Pretty much tear me apart,¡± Rodrigo winced, ¡°I know¡­ how about I look out the windows? If that¡¯s okay with you?¡±


    ¡°Sure¡­ just no shoes upstairs.¡±


    ¡°Of course, ma¡¯am¡±


    Cal¡¯s mom was content to sit at the kitchen table while watching the kids watching a movie. The ice cream in their hands didn¡¯t even bother her. Wooden floors brought peace of mind that she couldn¡¯t put a price on.


    However, her husband and children being in dangerous situations out there in the dark night stole away the warm comfort the children brought into her home.


    In truth she felt that she was precariously balancing on a stack of blocks.


    She and her husband should¡¯ve been deep into their retirement. Enjoying time spent with their children and grand kids, traveling they had put off, good food, just generally relaxing after the struggle of raising four kids to adulthood.


    Cal¡¯s mom sighed.


    They only had to see Rayna through college when the spires had ruined everything.


    Now they had powers, which constantly put them in conflict with monsters and terrible people.


    Fate, as it was wont, decided that this was the moment to kick the blocks out from under her feet.


    Rodrigo came rushing down the stairs.


    He didn¡¯t bother putting his boots back on.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Cal¡¯s mom was alarmed.


    ¡°In front of your house, on the street.¡± Rodrigo grabbed a flare gun from the pack he had left by the door. He ran out into the backyard, fired and reloaded as fast as he could. Three bright red flares shot up like rockets.


    Cal¡¯s mom rushed to the front living room¡¯s window.


    A group of people was standing right beneath the street light.


    No.


    That wasn¡¯t right.


    Two were standing.


    Four were on their knees.


    Her eyes narrowed.


    She recognized them.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°Mr. Lindsay and his family,¡± Rodrigo had his M4 in his hands, ¡°don¡¯t know the other two, but this doesn¡¯t look good.¡±


    An understatement.


    The Lindsay¡¯s were bloodied and crying.


    ¡°They were at their victory party,¡± Cal¡¯s mom¡¯s voice was soft. Her mind didn¡¯t want to accept the reality of the situation. ¡°Is this a trick? An illusion by some new monster to get us out there?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re safe as long as we stay inside. I¡¯ve sent up the flares. We¡¯ll get reinforcements soon.¡±


    Cal¡¯s mom nodded. ¡°Rangers aren¡¯t far away.¡±


    ¡°Most everyone is on the Quest. The rest are guarding our borders. There¡¯s one squad back at base.¡±


    ¡°Are all the windows closed?¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am¡­ I shut the upstairs ones as soon as I saw.¡±


    ¡°Come out or these people will die terrible deaths!¡± a heavyset woman bellowed.


    ¡°Goddamn, she sounds as brutal as she looks,¡± Rodrigo said. ¡°I- I- should I take her out?¡±


    Cal¡¯s mom could see the agony in Rodrigo¡¯s eyes. ¡°I can¡¯t tell you what to do.¡±


    ¡°Right¡­ right, of course not. That¡¯s my responsibility.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re not doing anything yet, maybe it¡¯s a bluff. If we can keep them talking¡­¡±


    ¡°Can you do that? Keep them talking, I mean¡­ I¡¯ll run upstairs for a better shot in case¡­¡±


    Cal¡¯s mom nodded.


    ¡°I can see you!¡± the heavyset woman said.


    ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°You in exchange for these four. Just come out and they¡¯re night of suffering is over. They¡¯re fates are in your hands.¡±


    ¡°You can let them go right now.¡±


    The heavyset woman sneered. She pointed at Mrs. Lindsay and had the poor woman thrashing in agony with a word.


    Cal¡¯s mom couldn¡¯t bare to watch.


    The seconds seemed interminable.


    ¡°The kids are next,¡± the heavyset woman spoke over Mrs. Lindsay¡¯s miserable sobs, ¡°I¡¯ll let you chose. The boy or the girl?¡±


    ¡°Please!¡± Graeme Lindsay begged.


    Cal¡¯s mom couldn¡¯t tell if he was directing it to her or the heavyset woman.


    ¡°Well?¡± the heavyset woman rolled her eyes. ¡°Fine, boy it is then.¡±


    ¡°No! For God¡¯s sake, please!¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡± the man that resembled a weasel tugged roughly on Graeme¡¯s collar, pressing his face to the asphalt.


    The heavyset woman pointed a finger at the cowering boy.


    Gunfire erupted from upstairs.


    Three round bursts struck the woman and the weasel-like man driving them back from.


    Cal¡¯s mom acted.


    A translucent dome, shimmering with the colors of the rainbow sprang into life over the Lindsay''s.


    There.


    The family was safe.


    All she had to do was wait for the rangers to come.


    Maybe her husband or one of her children saw the flares. They¡¯d come.


    She could hold her forcefield long enough for help to arrive. Meanwhile they were safe inside the house.


    She let out the breath she had been holding.


    The sliding door glass shattered inward.


    Children screamed.


    She turned to see an impossible figure standing in her kitchen.


    It was very tall and unnaturally thin and pale.


    It had a human like face, almost beautiful if not for the too-large eyes that made it disturbing.


    Long blonde hair perfectly framed its face. Ears shaped like knives stabbed out from its head.


    Cal¡¯s mom had seen its like in the movies.


    ¡°Elves?¡± the word slipped from her mouth.


    ¡°I curse the spires¡¯ automatic translation system. I know that your kind has no knowledge of what I am. The name of my kind should not be sullied by your inferior tongue. Yet, I hear it coming out of your mouth.¡±


    Cal¡¯s mom held out a hand. ¡°Don¡¯t move.¡±


    ¡°Chattel does not command me.¡± Large eyes darted to the children cowering near the television. The hunger was unmistakable. ¡°The innocent. I find it interesting that they are the most fruitful of harvests across many worlds and many kinds.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m warning you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Cease your bleating. Let it be known that you allowed me inside your dwelling. The protection would have been sufficient to slow me enough for others to come to your aid. It would only have cost you the lives of those four out front. Your act to protect them weakened that protection enough. How does it feel to know that those four will suffer then die? Just as these whelps?¡± It sneered. ¡°Go ahead, I know you can protect yourself within a shell. I am content to make you watch.¡±


    ¡°Kids¡­ run to me when I tell you,¡± Cal¡¯s mom¡¯s voice steadied.


    Over-large eyes narrowed.


    A shimmering wall cut the invader off from the kids.


    ¡°Run!¡± Cal¡¯s mom beckoned the kids to her.


    The invader spoke words of power and laid a hand on her forcefield.


    It shattered and sent excruciating pain through her head.


    Half the children had made it behind her.


    The invader loomed over the others, including Rynnen, like a bogeyman made real.


    ¡°Shall I start with your kin? Or save him for last? You may decide.¡±


    Cal¡¯s mom screamed.


    Out on the street the forcefield protecting the Lindsay''s vanished.


    Rodrigo continued to pour accurate fire, but the heavyset woman had conjured a magic shield of reddish purple blocking the bullets.


    The weasel-like man approached the Lindsay''s. ¡°Shall I provide more power?¡± he leered at the teenage daughter.


    ¡°Yes¡­ we must do as the master desires,¡± the heavyset woman snarled.


    <hr>


    Sirens blared across the neighborhood tract.


    A partial strength 42nd Squad, Fin in tow, barreled recklessly through the streets in a dark-colored SUV.


    The sound of recognizable gunfire in the distance was encouraging. It meant their guy was still fighting.


    ¡°Sarge, shouldn¡¯t we wait on reinforcements?¡± Dastardly clutched her repeating crossbow tight.


    ¡°You heard the radio. We¡¯re under attack all along our northern and eastern border. We¡¯re all that¡¯s left,¡± Sgt. Muttley said. ¡°This neighborhood is full of ranger families.¡±


    ¡°Right, so they¡¯re safe in the houses since Rayna and her parents technically own them,¡± Dastardly pushed.


    ¡°Hear that gunfire?¡± Sgt. Muttley grunted. ¡°Means that Rodrigo thought it was necessary to fight.¡±


    Brighteyes poked Dastardly. ¡°Something must¡¯ve happened that made simply hunkering inside not the right move.¡±


    ¡°Collateral damage, Sarge?¡± Hammers said.


    ¡°Everybody knows to stay inside thanks to the sirens.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m saying,¡± Dastardly said. ¡°Big Bad Momma can protect the kiddies until Big Daddy or the Big Boss gets back.¡±


    ¡°Most of those kids are rangers¡¯,¡± Brighteyes scowled.


    Fin¡¯s heart hammered inside his chest.


    Memories were unlocking inside his head.


    The magic he felt in the air was familiar.


    Bad.


    This was bad.


    He tried, but he couldn¡¯t voice the warning to the other rangers.


    Much of what he had forgotten thanks to the drugged-out haze he had been in while captive, along with his subconscious¡¯ efforts to protect him came back.


    Fin wanted nothing more than to curl up into a ball and cry.


    Revenge.


    Clarity.


    Fin¡¯s mind snapped back to reality.


    ¡°Sgt. Muttley, sir¡­ the people we¡¯re about to face have magic than allows them to cause and feed on the pain of others,¡± Fin said flatly.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°You alright there, kid? You¡¯re looking especially creepy,¡± Swampbutt leaned away from Fin.


    ¡°Well¡­ shit,¡± Three-plates leaned over from the third row seats, ¡°Rodrigo did send up three flares. Three! That¡¯s like a super emergency.¡±


    The SUV swerved around a corner and screeched to a halt.


    ¡°Jesus! A warning would¡¯ve been nice, Useful!¡± Swampbutt rubbed the side of his head.


    ¡°Wear a fucking helmet, jackass!¡± Useful screamed back from the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°Sarge, what do you want me to do?¡± she pointed down about a block in front of them.


    The street light shined down on something that the rangers would¡¯ve rather remained in the dark.


    A heavyset woman was near the middle of the street holding her arms up as gunfire from the Cruces¡¯ home rained down on her magic shield.


    That wasn¡¯t what would haunt their nightmares.


    The scene on the sidewalk would.


    ¡°What¡¯s that guy doing?¡± Hammers whispered.


    ¡°Those are people on the ground,¡± Useful said.


    ¡°Bastard¡¯s fuc¡ª¡± Brighteyes roared.


    ¡°Useful, nail the woman,¡± Sgt. Muttley said calmly. ¡°Me, Dastardly and Three-plates will handle the guy and secure their hostages. The rest of you make sure that woman dies.¡±


    ¡°What about the kid?¡± Swampbutt jabbed a thumb toward Fin.


    ¡°Ghost Sorcerer, stay back. If you see any openings take it,¡± Sgt. Muttley said. ¡°Watch the friendly fire.¡±


    ¡°Now?¡± Useful grimaced.


    The sergeant nodded.


    ¡°Seat belts! And hold on!¡± Useful tightened her hold on the wheel and floored it.


    Tires screeched as a thick cloud of smoke billowed out from beneath the SUV.


    The stench of burned rubber filled Fin¡¯s nostrils.


    Curses filled the interior as the less safety conscious rangers struggled to strap in.


    The SUV lurched forward with frightening speed.


    They slammed into the heavyset woman at close to 50mph.


    A dull thud sent the woman flying dozens of feet to tumble across the asphalt.


    Useful slammed on the breaks.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Swampbutt cursed. He had failed to put his seat belt on. His face met the back of Useful¡¯s headrest.


    ¡°Go! Go! Go!¡± Sgt Muttley barked even as he threw the door open and sprinted back toward the Cruces¡¯ home.


    The SUV had skidded forward past three homes, which meant that the sergeant and Three-plates had a lot of ground to cover to reach the weasel-faced man.


    Luckily for them, the bastard lost valuable seconds pulling up his pants.


    Dastardly had already cocked her crossbow and taken aim.


    A loud thwang reverberated through the night air.


    The weasel-faced man was thrown into a stumbling spin by the bolt striking his shoulder. Somehow, he kept his feet.


    Three-plates was faster than the sergeant. The young man had opened up a good lead. He roared, axe held high.


    ¡°Agony Bolt!¡±


    Dark, ugly magic flew from the weasel-faced man¡¯s outstretched hand.


    Three-plates seized up and fell to the street, thrashing violently.


    ¡°Pain Is Strength!¡± The weasel-faced man shrieked.


    ¡°Charge!¡± Sgt. Muttley was within five yards. Well within the space where a melee fighter had the edge over a mage-type or ranged fighter.


    The bulldog-like sergeant was a squat, dense ball of muscle. He plowed into the weasel-faced man.


    To his shock the man didn¡¯t fall.


    The sergeant suddenly found himself wrestling with the rail-thin man. He grasped the handle of his Bowie knife and pulled it out of its sheath.


    ¡°Stronger than I look? All my life your kind made mine hell!¡± the weasel-faced man spat in Sgt. Muttley¡¯s face. ¡°It¡¯s your turn now! Agony Touch!¡±


    The sergeant roared dropping his knife.


    The pain was world¡¯s beyond anything he had ever experienced.


    It went beyond the physical.


    ¡°My master found me worthy and strengthened my magic. Once your heart gives out, I¡¯ll take care of that woman trying to aim her little crossbow,¡± the weasel-faced man sneered. ¡°The Lindsay women left me unfulfilled. Your rangers should be made of sterner stuff, right?¡±


    Sgt. Muttley tasted blood, but he refused to give in.


    Never.


    He¡¯d fight to the end for his squad.


    A chime in his head. A voice he could barely hear. Text he couldn¡¯t read due to the pain. Still, he knew exactly what to do.


    ¡°Adrenaline Surge!¡±


    The pain melted away.


    Sgt. Muttley grabbed an over-under. His left arm went over the weasel-faced man¡¯s right arm and pulled it tight to his body. His right arm went under the weasel-faced man¡¯s left armpit and clamped tight.


    The sergeant turned until the weasel-faced man¡¯s back was to Dastardly.


    ¡°Drill him!¡±


    Dastardly aimed her crossbow and fired a bolt into the weasel-faced man¡¯s back, careful to avoid the sergeant¡¯s arm around the lower back. The ranger pumped the lever which pulled the string back and dropped another bolt from the top-loading magazine.


    Thwang.


    The weasel-face man grunted in Sgt. Muttley¡¯s face.


    Five bolts in less than a few seconds found a home in the man¡¯s back.


    The weasel-faced man spat. ¡°Not nearly enough. Pain strengthens me.¡±


    The sergeant roared. He could feel the pain beginning to creep back into his body. He dipped his hips and lifted the weasel-faced man up. Magical strength didn¡¯t always equal physical weight and the thin man was light.


    Sergeant Muttley threw the weasel-faced man over his shoulder and slammed the bastard into the ground. He landed with all his considerable weight on the man¡¯s chest.


    The ground and the impact drove Dastardly¡¯s bolts deep into the man¡¯s body.


    The weasel-faced man coughed blood.


    Sgt. Muttley punched him in the face until all movement stopped.


    Meanwhile, the rangers were rushing out of the SUV when the heavyset woman sat up and pointed.


    ¡°Fireball!¡±


    What formed at her fingertip wasn¡¯t the softball-sized fire that the rangers were used to. It was considerably larger. The size of a beach ball.


    The rangers scattered away from the SUV.


    Except for Useful, who was still in the driver¡¯s seat.


    ¡°Mage Shield,¡± she got out just as the massive fireball hit the SUV.


    The explosion threw the vehicle back end over end to come to a rest on its crumpled roof.


    ¡°GS! Get Useful out of there!¡± Hammers pulled Fin off the ground by his collar.


    Flames licked all over the vehicle.


    Fin could see that Useful was unconscious, held in place by her seat belt. Black smudges covered the woman¡¯s face, but she wasn¡¯t burned.


    The heat kept Fin back.


    Fire Resistance.


    Fin¡¯s fingers danced and twisted in from of his chest as he visualized the spell. Just as he was shown.


    Space distorted over his chest as he felt magical energy flow from within, outward to his skin.


    The heat vanished.


    Fin pulled the door open and got to cutting Useful free before the magical flames reached the gas.


    Loud cackling filled the air.


    ¡°Enhanced Body Skill. You barely hurt me with a truck. What do you think your puny weapons will achieve?¡± the heavyset woman laughed as she clambered up to her feet.


    Swampbutt shrugged before opening up with his shotgun.


    The woman covered her face with her arms as she was peppered with pellets.


    Brighteyes and Hammers charged in from opposite sides.


    ¡°Agony Aura!¡±


    Brighteyes and Hammers tumbled to the ground, bodies thrashing.


    ¡°My name is Beleth, I would rather spend days, weeks searing it into your minds, so that nothing will be left in your crazed thoughts, but me. Unfortunately, my master has greater prey in sight.¡±


    ¡°Shit!¡± Swampbutt frantically reloaded.


    Beleth dropped the aura.


    Brighteyes and Hammers gasped for breath.


    ¡°Agony Bolt.¡±


    Swampbutt dropped his shotgun, all thoughts of fighting gone. Only pain beyond description remained.


    ¡°My next goal will be to cast spells while maintaining the aura spell,¡± Beleth muttered.


    A hammer struck the heavyset woman in the head.


    Hammer stood as he pulled another hammer from his belt.


    ¡°Really? You seek to fight me with tools. Agony Bolt,¡± Beleth pointed at Hammers.


    The brawny ranger dropped.


    ¡°Bitch!¡± Brighteyes roared.


    ¡°Agony Aura.¡±


    Mage Sight.


    Fin saw the boundary of the heavyset woman¡¯s magical aura. He dragged Useful away as the woman walked forward to envelope Swampbutt as well.


    Beleth¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°You look¡­ familiar.¡±


    Fin lowered Useful to the ground and stepped away from her moving to the left toward the house on the corner opposite the Cruces¡¯. His fingers contorted and space tore open in front of him.


    Five glowing orbs streaked across the space and struck Beleth all over her body burning holes through her clothes and into her flesh.


    Beleth hissed. ¡°How did you do that? Why does magic beat inside your chest?¡±


    Magic Missiles insufficient.


    Beleth¡¯s aura of pain pulsed.


    Fin shuffled back to stay out of range.


    ¡°Interesting.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to pay for what you did to me!¡± Fin spat.


    Calm. Clarity. Suggest elemental modification to previous spell.


    Fin listened.


    His fingers danced.


    Red orange-tinged orbs emerged from the rent in front of his hands. The magic missiles trailed smoke as they unerringly struck Beleth again, setting her clothes on fire.


    The heavyset woman frantically beat at the flames. ¡°You combined spells? How!¡± she screeched. She raised a hand toward Fin, then choked. She coughed blood. She turned her head to see a dark shape looming over her.


    It was Brighteyes with his machete buried in her back.


    ¡°How¡ª my aura¡ª¡±


    Indeed, Brighteyes face was wracked with pain. His mouth was bloody from where he bit himself. ¡°Enhanced Pain Resistance, bitch!¡± he spat. Then promptly toppled to the ground, writhing like Hammers further behind him.


    Enemy distracted. Kill.


    Fin followed the instructions.


    A black bolt flew from the space in front of his hands. Darker than the blackest night, the magic projectile struck Beleth in the face.


    The heavyset woman crumpled bonelessly to the ground.


    Fin followed suit.


    Mana expended. Protective measures engaged.


    Fin didn¡¯t see Brighteyes struggle to his feet and hack Beleth¡¯s head off.


    The woman was already dead, but it always paid to be sure. One never knew when it came to magic.


    Hammers had fallen still.


    Three-plates¡¯ eyes stared up into the sky.


    Brighteyes collapsed next to the headless body.


    Sgt. Muttley couldn¡¯t stand no matter how hard he tried.


    Dastardly looked around. ¡°Last woman standing then.¡± She regarded the Cruces¡¯ home. The upstairs lights were off. The living room lights were on. She realized that she could hear screaming from inside. High-pitched. A woman? A child? She stepped toward the house.


    A sudden explosion from within shattered the front window and sent glass shards flying like jagged missiles.


    <hr>


    The Vitiator grabbed Rynnen around his pudgy, child¡¯s torso.


    ¡°Wait¡­ you said¡ª¡±


    ¡°Cease your prattle, woman. Your first lesson. You have no choices, no control. I am your master and you are my slave.¡± The Vitiator¡¯s voice sounded like music in sharp contrast to the menace he exuded.


    ¡°Please¡ª¡±


    ¡°Ah, ah, ah. You persist.¡± The Vitiator turned and wagged an impossibly long finger at Cal¡¯s mom. ¡°Your little kin shall suffer,¡± he held the stone still Rynnen out in front of him.


    ¡°No! Don¡¯t!¡±


    The Vitiator spoke words of magic.


    Rynnen screamed.


    ¡°Your children are always your weakest links. I find it amazing that this holds true across several worlds and species.¡± The Vitiator ceased his spell. Rynnen slumped over in his grip. ¡°Yes¡­ your human race is not unique. Did you think you were special? No. I know your kind on other worlds. Though they do not resemble the ones I have found here. Differences in skin tones, features and the combinations therein. Although, your world, though I have only seen a small portion of it holds a much greater diversity in human subtypes. More blending as well. You breed like mongrels,¡± he sneered. ¡°Now, back to it shall we?¡± his eerily beautiful smile twisted into pure malevolence.


    Two shimmering panes of force clamped down on the Vitiator''s outstretched arm.


    ¡°What do you hope to accomplish? You may hold me in place, but you cannot stop my spell.¡±


    Rynnen screamed again.


    Cal¡¯s mom rushed to the closet by the stairs, just a few feet away from where the Vitiator was torturing Rynnen. She pulled out an axe made of materials not found on Earth.


    She roared as she brought it down, two-handed on the Vitiator¡¯s arm.


    Sparks flew as the blade bit into the Vitiator¡¯s sleeve.


    The cloth glimmered like metal for a moment as it held.


    Cal¡¯s mom was strong, not to the superhuman levels as the rest of her family, but certainly stronger than the world¡¯s strongest men prior to the spires appearing. Not bad for a barely five-foot tall, petite grandmother.


    The Vitiator hissed a curse as he dropped Rynnen to the floor.


    Cal¡¯s mom scooped the little boy up in one arm, while holding the axe threateningly towards the Vitiator.


    ¡°There are others.¡± The Vitiator turned and raised his free hand towards the children huddling near the television and fireplace. ¡°Perhaps death by pain will teach you the lesson.¡±


    An ugly-looking spell flew.


    A beautiful, shimmering dome of many colors blocked it.


    ¡°These shields are interesting. I detect no magic, yet their strength rivals that of the most powerful mages and wizards. More versatile as well. You create different shapes and forms. I wonder¡­ do you have limits?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not even close. You can stand there until my husband and children return. Soon,¡± Cal¡¯s mom lied.


    ¡°I was not entirely truthful earlier. Your world does have something unique¡­ you and your family. Your abilities are not magical in nature, nor are they a result of Classes. Indeed, you do not have a Class, at least that I can see. If you do then it is something I have not come across.¡± The Vitiator smile was all malice, ¡°Which is why I will cut the secrets out of your body!¡± he snarled.


    Magic flashed from his trapped hand.


    Fortune favored Cal¡¯s mom.


    The axe head blocked the brunt of the spell.


    She fell back as pain wracked her body for an instant.


    The momentary distraction caused her to lose her hold on her forcefields.


    The Vitiator was freed. He lunged at her and Rynnen like a pouncing tiger.


    Only to catch a burst of gunfire from the stairs.


    The bullets sparked off the Vitiator¡¯s tight-fitting clothing. It shimmered like metal, then resembled cloth in between eye blinks.


    Rodrigo emptied his magazine to no effect.


    The Vitiator stood tall, unharmed.


    ¡°You are an average representation of your kind. Not worth preserving,¡± the Vitiator raised a hand up to Rodrigo.


    ¡°Get out of my house!¡± Cal¡¯s mom swept her hand across like slapping at a fly.


    A wall of shimmering light appeared in front of the Vitiator and swept him out into the backyard with a loud crash along with what was left of the kitchen table and glass sliding doors.


    Rodrigo fumbled the magazine as he tried to reload while running down the stairs. ¡°We¡¯ve got to go, Mrs. Cruces! The rangers brought a car. They¡¯re taking care of those two mages¡ª¡±


    A loud explosion from outside rattled the house like an earthquake.


    ¡°Kids, hurry, come to me!¡± Cal¡¯s mom tried to keep her voice calm.


    The kids were crying and Rynnen was unconscious in her arms, limp.


    Nothing about her was calm.


    Where was her husband?


    The alert should¡¯ve gone out. Especially if the rangers knew that she and the children were in danger. They should¡¯ve contacted him right away.


    She came to the split-second conclusion that she was on her own. The Vitiator and the mages outside had something to do with Cal, Rayna and most of the rangers going north. They were here at her house because her children were occupied. It wasn¡¯t a great leap of logic to think that her husband might¡¯ve been also occupied.


    She tore into the closet.


    Cal had left her something to wear.


    Just in case, he had said.


    Cal¡¯s Threnosh armor.


    She hadn¡¯t worn it because she didn¡¯t want to scare the children. A foolish mistake she mentally kicked herself for. She tore off her clothes. She had worn the thin Threnosh onesie. The inner layer of the armor went on quickly. The plate pieces followed. The helmet was last.


    Cal had made her practice.


    Her oldest boy had been insistent.


    Practice paid off.


    It had take her less than thirty seconds.


    The fit was surprisingly good, considering it was Cal¡¯s and he was a lot bigger than her.


    The inner layer had automatically shrunk a great deal to fit closer to her body.


    Advanced alien technology was amazing.


    It did feel heavy, but she hoped it¡¯d keep her safe.


    She was the only one that could keep the children safe from the Vitiator.


    ¡°Watch out!¡± Rodrigo shoved her out of the way.


    His rifle barked.


    The sound was deafening inside the house.


    Cal¡¯s mom placed the kids inside a dome-shaped forcefield and turned to face the Vitiator.


    ¡°You only delay the inevitable.¡± The Vitiator held Rodrigo over his head. The ranger was a big man, well over six feet tall and close to three hundred pounds. ¡°Under the ideal situation I would see no issues with that. After all, pain and suffering are best when prolonged. However, you are right. I cannot tarry here overlong.¡± The Vitiator brought Rodrigo down on his knee.


    The crack echoed through the Cruces¡¯ living room like a gunshot.


    The Vitiator tossed the young man aside like trash.

 4.37

    Now, Earth


    Cal¡¯s mom had cause to regret her ambivalence toward combat training. Sure, she had thrown herself into it during the early years after the spires had appeared. Her family¡¯s lives had depended on her being able to share the burden. She didn¡¯t want her husband and daughter to get hurt protecting her.


    Ironically, her power made her the ultimate protector.


    Over the last few years, as the rangers and the county had grown stronger, safer, she had decided that it was time to step away from the violence.


    Despite Rayna¡¯s nagging, she had curtailed her hours spent in combat training.


    She was content to watch over the neighborhood children as their ranger parents fought for the community¡¯s safety.


    Regret.


    Cal¡¯s mom tried to fight the Vitiator.


    It was no use. He was toying with her.


    She struck out with Cal¡¯s heavy axe.


    The Vitiator contemptuously slapped it aside.


    She slashed and chopped with all the fury she could muster.


    The Vitiator moved with eerie fluidity. Seven feet tall, yet he moved like a ballerina. Not a movement was out of place. He was in perfect control of his body.


    Which meant that he was letting the axe strike his arms and body.


    His skintight clothing shimmered with each hit.


    Furious seconds passed as the Vitiator led Cal¡¯s mom on a violent dance through the front living room.


    The axe tore chunks out of the walls. The glass coffee table shattered as Cal¡¯s mom stumbled into it.


    The Threnosh armor was heavy.


    Too heavy to keep fighting in for much longer.


    ¡°You are lacking.¡±


    The Vitiator grabbed Cal¡¯s mom around the head with one large hand. He slammed her into the ceiling sending a shower of wood and insulation down. He slammed her into the dividing wall blocking the kitchen. He threw her through the wooden stair railings.


    Cal¡¯s mom slid back down head first.


    Her breathing came in gasps.


    The Vitiator pointed a finger.


    A dark-cored orb appeared and struck the chest plate.


    Pain coursed through her body.


    Manageable.


    She roared and exploded up from the ground and dived at the Vitiator¡¯s knees.


    The Vitiator¡¯s features twisted as the weight of the Threnosh armor bent his knees back the wrong way. He grabbed the back of her neck. ¡°Agony Touch.¡±


    Cal¡¯s mom felt excruciating pain. Such pain she had experienced only four times before.


    The Vitiator threw her into the living room wall. The right side of the house.


    Wood shattered as the wall crumbled around her.


    ¡°That armor is not of this world. Your family is quite interesting,¡± the Vitiator said with hunger in his overlarge eyes. ¡°I truly look forward to examining you in great det¡ª¡±


    The Vitiator pitched forward as something big and heavy struck him in the back.


    It was their back living room couch.


    Cal¡¯s mom rolled out of the way.


    She looked past the Vitiator as he pushed himself off the ground.


    Rynnen was standing next to the fallen Rodrigo. A look of pure hatred was on his chubby, tear-streaked face.


    ¡°Oh no¡­¡± What was he doing outside of the forcefield protecting the other children? A horrified through struck her. She had missed him.


    ¡°Ry-guy,¡± Rodrigo said weakly as he fumbled for something on his tac vest. ¡°Pull the pin then throw it at that monster.¡±


    Rynnen had gotten a lot of throwing practice thanks to the games he and his friends had played with Cal¡¯s special effects aid. None of that explained the heater he uncorked at the Vitiator¡¯s head. It would¡¯ve made pro pitchers jealous. Impossible for a six year old.


    The Vitiator showed his own formidable reflexes by catching it in front of his face. He stared at the cylinder. ¡°What is th¡ª¡±


    The canister exploded in a great cloud of flame. Volatile gel drenched the Vitiator¡¯s face and chest in flames.


    ¡°Incendiary grenade, asshole,¡± Rodrigo¡¯s voice was soft.


    ¡°Extinguish Fire.¡± The Vitiator quenched the flames with a gesture. ¡°You¡¯ve hurt me. A child and a broken husk. That must be honored. I shall destroy you as you attempted to do with me. I have not used this magic in ages, but one should never forget the path they have traveled. A spell from an earlier Class.¡± The Vitiator pointed both hands toward Rynnen and Rodrigo. ¡°Greater Fireball.¡±


    The magic coalesced in front of his hands with such heat that the nearby walls began to burn. The glowing ball of flame sucked the oxygen out of their lungs.


    Cal¡¯s mom tried to stand, but couldn¡¯t. Her head was spinning.


    Rodrigo grabbed Rynnen and tried to roll over to shield the child with his body even though his lower half was limp.


    The Vitiator shot the fireball forward.


    A shimmering wall of rainbow light snapped into existence from floor to ceiling.


    The fireball exploded against it.


    The living room turned into an inferno. The windows exploded outward, flames shooting wildly in every direction.


    ¡°Greater Fire Resistance!¡± the Vitiator howled as his skintight clothing shimmered. He rounded on Cal¡¯s mom. ¡°You cursed animal! Your suffering will be unlike any other!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too late¡­ for you,¡± Cal¡¯s mom¡¯s bared teeth were visible through the ash smudges on the translucent faceplate. She lay in the heart of an inferno, but the Threnosh armor was keeping her alive.


    The Vitiator¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    He hadn¡¯t heard the same voice in his head that Cal¡¯s mom had.


    <hr>


    ¡°Rayna. Rayna!¡± Cal descended from the sky to land in front of his little sister. ¡°Snap out of it. I need to leave.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Rayna stared up. She rose slowly.


    Cal could see the turmoil in her thoughts.


    Regret and anger.


    Anger at the Cabal for what they had done. For what they had forced the rangers to do.


    Anger at herself for approving the Quest. For all the dead that she placed in her hands.


    Cal hurt for her, but they didn¡¯t have time.


    ¡°I need you to focus. Remember the flares. Dozens of them.¡±


    Rayna¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Emergencies! Back home! I need to go.¡±


    ¡°Wait. I¡¯ll go, but I can¡¯t leave until things here are taken care of,¡± Cal gestured at the sleeping people he had laid down on the still intact section of the destroyed mansion¡¯s expansive lawn.


    ¡°What¡¯s there to take care of? Everyone is dead,¡± Rayna whispered.


    ¡°We need to secure a defensible position,¡± Kayl had stumbled over. ¡°The monsters won¡¯t stay away forever. We¡¯ve won this battle. Completed the Quest.¡± She was subdued. Her face was wan. It was a wonder that she was still on her feet. ¡°We need to move our wounded and the HVT¡¯s into one of the mansions. You can claim it and it¡¯ll be safe from the monsters.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want anything to do with these filthy places!¡± Rayna snapped.


    ¡°The flares Rayna. I need to go,¡± Cal tried again.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Rayna slapped herself. ¡°I¡¯m okay. I can handle this. What do you need to tell me?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a mansion over there,¡± Cal pointed lower down the hills, ¡°13th Squad took care of the Cabal¡ª¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the Cabal?¡±


    Cal ignored Kayl. ¡°They have babies and small children. The monsters are minutes away from attacking. You need to get there first. I¡¯ve put the surviving Cabal to sleep. They won¡¯t wake up for a few hours. I¡¯ve already woken up the rangers still capable of movement and I can show you where all the wounded rangers are¡­ if you want?¡±


    Rayna nodded, so Cal placed the information into her head.


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk later,¡± Cal said.


    Rayna nodded.


    He could tell that she was in shock, but he couldn¡¯t help her yet.


    Something about the flares and the whole Cabal was bothering him.


    The glimpses into the two Pain Mages¡¯ thoughts had him worried.


    They had a greater plan.


    Cal rocketed up into the dark night sky.


    The sonic boom washed over Rayna and Kayl.


    ¡°We need to move these people into the closest mansion.¡± Kayl whistled as more rangers began to appear out of the darkness. ¡°We need to bring in our wounded, but your brother didn¡¯t say where they all are.¡±


    Rayna rose into the sky. ¡°I¡¯ll grab 13th Squad and the babies first. Bring them back. Then I¡¯ll move these people. They¡¯re the reason we came here in the first place. It¡¯d be a waste to let the monsters get them,¡± she couldn¡¯t hide the bitterness in her voice.


    ¡°Rayna¡­ this was our deci¡ª¡±


    ¡°After that I¡¯ll get our wounded.¡±


    ¡°What about the enemy survivors?¡±


    ¡°The monsters can have them.¡±


    Rayna vanished into the darkness.


    <hr>


    Clothing in tatters, his body covered by dozens of light scratches, Cal¡¯s dad leapt high into the air.


    A flock of mutant sparrows the size of hawks swarmed around him, pecking and clawing at his face.


    Normally, such weak creatures steered clear of him.


    Not this night. It seemed that every monster and mutant animal in the wilderness park had gone crazy with rage.


    He clapped his hands together.


    The boom sent the mutant sparrows plummeting to the ground.


    Asphalt cracked underneath his boots as he landed. It was one of the reasons that he didn¡¯t often jump with his full power. He felt bad about leaving small craters everywhere. Someone would eventually have to fix them. Not to mention the fact that he didn¡¯t want to accidentally land on a person or a vehicle.


    Screams from a nearby restaurant.


    He leapt to the top of a three-story apartment building for a better look.


    There. A few streets over. A mutated black bear was savagely clawing at the front window to get to the terrified diners.


    He soared through the night sky, landing in the middle of the street with a spray of broken asphalt.


    The black bear was enormous. As big as those giant brown bears he had seen in that disturbing documentary his wife had made him watch a long time ago.


    The bear roared and charged.


    Unlike that poor bastard all those years ago, Cal¡¯s dad wasn¡¯t going to end up eaten.


    The bear reared up and brought a paw almost as big as his chest swiping down.


    He dashed under it and blocked the bear¡¯s arm.


    The smell was terrible, especially up close. The stench of decaying meat in between the bear¡¯s teeth wafted out with each powerful huff or maybe that was from the weeping sores all over the bear¡¯s flesh. The giant beast¡¯s muscles had grown too large for its skin.


    He tried not to gag as he punched the bear under the jaw.


    Teeth went flying.


    The bear reeled, taken by complete surprise at the overwhelming strength showed by a person half its size. It plopped down on its butt and sat there with a perplexed look on its face.


    It would¡¯ve been comical had the bear not been close to a ton of muscled death.


    Cal¡¯s dad grabbed the bear¡¯s head and slammed it into the ground.


    He rained punches until his fists and arms were covered in mutant black bear blood and brains.


    He was getting a lot of blood in his scratches. He really hoped that his immune system was as superhuman as the rest of his body.


    More screaming.


    He leapt toward the sounds.


    A large group of human-sized gremlins had cornered a small group of people. They had taken shelter underneath the protective aegis of a street lamp.


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    The gremlins were reluctant to enter the light.


    The bloodied ranger wielding a shotgun was with the group. A few others were also armed, knives, machetes, hatchets. The standard armament most people carried about on a daily basis.


    The county was mostly safe, but not many were foolish enough to go about unarmed when monsters or mutant animals could attack at any time.


    As long as the light stayed on they would be safe.


    Unfortunately, a gremlin alpha materialized out of the darkness.


    That monster cared nothing for the light.


    Cal¡¯s dad hit the ground running. He plowed a shoulder into the gremlin alpha¡¯s back. A loud crack echoed like a gunshot.


    He grabbed the gremlin alpha¡¯s head before it could make a sound and twisted with all his superhuman strength. The muscles of his brawny arms bulged like cords of thick rope as a loud crack echoed.


    He didn¡¯t stop moving.


    The rest of the gremlins fell with single blows as he ran through them.


    The people shouted their thanks, but he was already leaping away to the next crisis point.


    Cal¡¯s dad moved up and down the eastern borders for most of the long night.


    Sometimes he arrived too late.


    <hr>


    Nila crushed gang after gang as she worked her way from west to east across the northern border.


    X-Ray was just the first.


    She dealt with Thousand Cuts easily. The man¡¯s abilities to extend the cutting length of his and his gang¡¯s bladed weapons didn¡¯t increase cutting strength, which meant that they might as well have been using blunt butter knives.


    Threnosh armor was impervious to human steel.


    Even the flexible under layer couldn¡¯t be cut.


    However, it wasn¡¯t all an easy smash and dash.


    One gang had managed to surround a group of people before they could reach an emergency shelter house.


    This gang was led by a big, brutal bear of a man with what appeared to be a Warrior class.


    They had abused the people before Nila reached them.


    Nila saw red.


    She crushed the entire gang. Not one member escaped without multiple broken bones and internal injuries.


    The Warrior¡¯s Skills didn¡¯t save him from the same fate. His enhanced strength and durability wasn¡¯t up to Nila¡¯s level.


    She left him a broken mess on the street surrounded by the rest of his gang.


    Nila waited with the gang¡¯s victims a short distance away until rangers arrived.


    Then she walked up the street several blocks to confront the militia that had stood and done nothing while the people had been assaulted.


    ¡°That¡¯s close enough,¡± the lead militia man pointed his submachine gun at Nila¡¯s feet.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Nila regarded the fifty odd armed men and women behind their barricade of cars and trucks. A spotlight shined in her face, but her helmet¡¯s faceplate automatically darkened to preserved her vision. The road behind the militia led up into the hills. She realized that she had her answer. ¡°Anaheim Hills?¡±


    The lead militia man¡¯s face was inscrutable.


    ¡°Begin recording,¡± Nila subvocalized. The people deserved justice. The helmet didn¡¯t have the full suite of capabilities that it had on the Threnosh world according to Cal. He had blamed it on the cost it added to the travel fee. It was still more advanced then a powerful Earth computer. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you help those people?¡± Nila deliberately looked back down the road. ¡°The gang¡¯s assault on them was visible from here.¡±


    ¡°Freedom Force doesn¡¯t answer to you,¡± the lead militia man scowled down at her.


    ¡°From my understanding, a militia is required to come to the aid of citizens. You¡¯ve all agreed to that, right?¡±


    The militia man remained silent.


    ¡°You know what this looks like to me?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t give a shit what you think, bitch. You¡¯d better get a move on.¡±


    ¡°This is you protecting your own. Those hills are what, Hardin territory? I thought Pryce Hardin was talking about returning America to normal¡­ this looks more like feudalism. A private army. All that bullshit.¡±


    ¡°Turn around or¡ª¡±


    ¡°Hardin and Freedom Force will protect their own, screw everyone else. Am I right?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m warning you,¡± the militia man raised his submachine gun.


    Nila pointed her bat in his face.


    ¡°You¡¯d shoot me? The one person making sure that the gangs don¡¯t rape and pillage more than they already have?¡±


    ¡°We have our orders.¡±


    ¡°To protect Hardin interests while letting everyone else get hurt,¡± Nila said flatly. ¡°I understand perfectly well what your orders are.¡± She turned with total disregard to the dozens of weapons trained on her.


    She was needed elsewhere.


    <hr>


    ¡°You lost!¡±


    Pryce winced as his father threw the glass of scotch at his feet.


    ¡°You lost to the soft, bland, pussy! That man¡¯s entire platform was ¡®vote for me, I¡¯m nice¡±, how could you be so incompetent as to lose to that!¡±


    ¡°Maybe, my messaging was too aggressive. The people recognized the value of the rangers in keeping them safe. So, by attacking them, I may have turned away anyone on the fence. Graeme was the safer choice between me and Kaylyn.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a fuck what the people think! They¡¯re content to get everything handed to them on a platter! Free food! Medicine! Protection! You were supposed to win so that I could set this country back on its rightful course!¡±


    Pryce kept his face neutral. He didn¡¯t want to betray any hint of his true thoughts to his ranting father.


    ¡°With you in charge I could¡¯ve made laws to get the rangers under control. Get those damn freaks under control. I refuse to continue living under the thumb of those fucking beaners!¡±


    ¡°Filipino.¡±


    Pryce¡¯s father stopped his diatribe to stare at his son. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°The Cruces are Filipino-American, not Mex¡ª¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a damn what they are. It makes no difference. One dirty race is just as bad as another. And they are not American. They can call themselves that all they want, but they will never be like us. This is our land. Our forefathers built it from nothing. We are not going to lose it! Not to the monsters! Not to a bunch of foreigners that got lucky when they got those powers!¡±


    Pryce¡¯s father fell into his seat, breathing heavily.


    The young Hardin stood still, wary of moving lest he give his father another target to rail against.


    The old man was looking rough.


    ¡°What do you intend to do about this?¡±


    Pryce knew that there was no right answer. Or rather there was no answer that his father would accept at this moment. ¡°In the short term I will congratulate Graeme on his victory, offering to continue to be of service to our citizens in ways that will advance our agenda in the continued recovery of what made our nation great.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a voter. Don¡¯t regurgitate my own words back at me!¡± Pryce¡¯s father spat. ¡°What will you really do?¡±


    ¡°I-¡±


    An urgent knock on the door saved Pryce.


    ¡°Sirs.¡± The commander of their militia, Freedom Force, barged into the room.


    ¡°What?¡± Pryce¡¯s father snapped.


    ¡°Scouts spotted flares.¡±


    ¡°Where?¡± Pryce frowned. The rangers were on their mission. He had foreseen the possibility that the minor warlords on the northern borders might take advantage of the absence despite the rangers¡¯ efforts to conceal their troop movements. He had put the militia on high alert for this reason.


    ¡°All along the north, to the east¡­ and near the ranger base. I had sent scouting teams out and I just got word back that we¡¯re facing attacks from several warlords and monster from the wilderness park.¡±


    ¡°Assemble everyone you can. We have to respond quickly and defend our people,¡± Pryce.


    ¡°No.¡±


    Pryce¡¯s eyes narrowed at his father.


    ¡°Assemble the entire militia, yes. However, you will establish defensive positions at all the roads leading up to our hills. You are not to engage anyone or anything unless they attack directly.¡±


    ¡°I have to disagree.¡± Pryce waited for his father¡¯s nod before continuing. ¡°Negative optics¡­ if Freedom Force doesn¡¯t join the fight. A good performance will only strengthen our reputation in comparison to the rangers. We could spin it as the rangers going off on pointless Quests at the costs of our citizens while the Freedom Force were here to protect them.¡±


    Pryce¡¯s father frowned. ¡°A reasonable assessment, but no¡­ we protect our own first. The rest of them are secondary concerns. If our holdings appear safe then and only then will we help the others.¡±


    His father was making a mistake, but Pryce wasn¡¯t capable of gainsaying him.


    Not yet.


    <hr>


    ¡°Absorb Flames.¡± Every bit of fire inside the Cruces¡¯ living room swirled around the Vitiator¡¯s arms flowing into the space between his outstretched hands. ¡°The natural flames added to the one conjured by my magic increases the potency. As you will learn. Greater Fireball.¡±


    Cal¡¯s mom threw a forcefield over her.


    The fireball deflected up to the ceiling.


    The massive explosion blew through the master bedroom on the second floor and demolished most of the right side wall.


    Dust and debris rained down on her forcefield.


    Water from the broken pipes sprinkled down, dousing a few of the scattered flames.


    ¡°You still persist. How much more energy do you have to draw on? I have plenty. There has been much pain, suffering, rage all your sins laid bare for me.¡± The Vitiator loomed over Cal¡¯s mom.


    Hang on, mom. I¡¯m almost there.


    ¡°The fear in you is gone¡­ impossible.¡± The Vitiator¡¯s head snapped to the gaping hole in the ceiling. ¡°No¡ª¡±


    Mistakes were made. Your first one was alerting me to your existence. Your second one was coming after my family. I didn¡¯t have a lock on you before. You did a decent job at obscuring your presence, but now¡­ you¡¯re mine.


    Booms, like thunder, shook the sky.


    They came closer by the second.


    The Vitiator hissed as he glared at Cal¡¯s mom with pure hatred. He looked back at Rynnen, Rodrigo and the other children safely behind a forcefield wall. ¡°Your shield only goes from floor to ceiling¡­ a fatal mistake,¡± he sneered and thrust one hand toward the floor and one to ceiling.


    Cal¡¯s mom reacted faster.


    The Vitiator¡¯s spellcasting wasn¡¯t instantaneous.


    Her forcefields sprang to life at the speed of thought.


    Arcs of dark, ugly magic erupted out of the Vitiator¡¯s hands only to strike the shimmering, rainbow-colored forcefield that completely surrounded him.


    The Vitiator pointed at the floor.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother. I¡¯ve got you completely covered,¡± Cal¡¯s mom said. ¡°You can wait right there until my son gets here.¡±


    Nice one, mom!


    ¡°Thanks, anak.¡±


    Time¡¯s almost up for you, Vitiator. I¡¯ve seen what you¡¯ve done back in the hills. What you did to those people. Your mind is a disgusting place, but I¡¯ll stomach it to bring you justice and your victims closure.


    The Vitiator¡¯s too large eyes were wide as he frantically probed at the forcefield around him.


    I¡¯m going to tear every memory you hold dear into shreds.


    He spat a curse that the spires couldn¡¯t translate.


    I¡¯m going to scour your mind to find out where you came from and who sent you. Then I¡¯m going to show them that our world and its people aren¡¯t playthings to abuse.


    He began whispering, his long fingers contorted in front of him.


    There won¡¯t be much of you left in the end.


    Magical power built between the Vitiator¡¯s hands.


    ¡°He¡¯s casting a spell!¡± Cal¡¯ mom screamed.


    I¡¯ll leave your ultimate fate in the hands of those you¡¯ve hurt the most. They can torture you for all I care. You are one of the most vile things in existence that I¡¯ve ever known.


    Space began to tear like paper. The magical energies unleashed crackled against the forcefield.


    Cal¡¯s mom winced as the feedback sent a spike of pain into her head.


    Try to run¡­ you can¡¯t escape me. I¡¯ve marked you. I know your mind. Your thoughts!


    The Vitiator widened his hands and a narrow rent, dark and ugly came into existence in front of him. He frantically pulled it open.


    Drop your forcefield!


    Cal¡¯s mom complied just as Cal flew through the broken front window.


    The Vitiator yelled as he managed to pull himself into the portal just ahead of Cal¡¯s grasping hand.


    Cal slammed into the remains of the dividing wall.


    ¡°He¡¯s gone,¡± Cal said as he shook himself free of the debris.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°No sign of him for miles.¡±


    ¡°But you said he wasn¡¯t able to hide from you.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll find that more difficult know that I know him and what to look for. Besides, he¡¯s scared of me. I¡¯m pretty sure he¡¯s going to get as far from me as possible,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°Which means there¡¯s a powerful, sadistic mage from another world out there that I¡¯ll have to deal with.¡± He regarded his mom. ¡°You¡¯re okay¡­ physically.¡± A statement, not a question.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, but Rodrigo, Rynnen, the kids!¡±


    Cal rushed over to the back living room while his mom dropped her forcefields so he could reach the others.


    A quick check with his eyes and telepathy told him everything he needed to know.


    ¡°Kids are okay, just scared,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°Hey, kids! You guys were very brave. The bad guy is long gone, so don¡¯t worry.¡±


    Tear-streaked faces nodded.


    More things that the Vitiator would answer for one day.


    Cal carefully rolled Rodrigo over. ¡°Rynnen is out cold. He¡¯s going to be okay. Rodrigo¡ª Rodrigo is¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Rodrigo¡¯s voice was barely a whisper. ¡°Can¡¯t feel my legs¡­ know what that means.¡±


    ¡°Not necessarily. Healing magic¡¯s a thing.¡±


    ¡°Strong enough to fix something like this?¡± Faint hope bloomed in the young man¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°From what I¡¯ve heard, my sister in-law could fix this in minutes.¡±


    ¡°Great¡­ I¡¯d really appreciate that.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, but she¡¯s away and might be gone for awhile.¡±


    ¡°Why you gotta get my hopes up like that?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I guess that was kind of a dick move,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°Still, there¡¯s something we can try¡­ if you¡¯re willing.¡±


    ¡°Is that even a question¡­¡±


    ¡°Alright, do I have your consent to put you to sleep?¡±


    ¡°Sure, bro. Just don¡¯t make it permanent. Worse comes to worse I can wait for your sister in-law.¡±


    Cal telepathically sent Rodrigo into unconsciousness.


    ¡°What can you do for him? He saved me, us,¡± Cal¡¯s mom said.


    Cal turned on the extrasensory portion of his powers. ¡°I¡¯m going to basically get the healing process started.¡± He levitated Rodrigo a few inches of the ground. Telekinetic hands supported the big man perfectly, better than a spinal board. He looked into the man¡¯s broken back. Catastrophic damage had been done to the soft tissue. Several vertebrae had been shattered. The spinal cord had been severed in multiple places.


    Cal hesitated. He had only used his telekinesis to manipulate things at the microscopic level once and that had been a metal wall, dirt and rocks.


    A human being¡¯s body was much more complex.


    Or was it.


    Molecules were molecules.


    Cal got to work.


    He pieced Rodrigo¡¯s vertebrae back together like a puzzle then partially fused them together. He¡¯d leave it to the healers to continue the process later.


    The spinal column proved more difficult.


    He had to identify the individual broken strands before joining them back together. He wasn¡¯t sure how it all worked, but it made sense that he needed to return everything to their pre-broken state.


    The healing magic they were capable of worked by quickening the rate at which the body healed. If Cal had attached things incorrectly then that would cause problems.


    Cal wiped the blood from his nose as soon as he came back to the physical world.


    His mom was comforting the children with hot chocolate in the living room.


    He smiled, total mom move. Brought back good memories.


    Three rangers stood around him and Rodrigo¡¯s levitating body.


    One looked like a bulldog, short, squat and muscular. ¡°What¡¯d you do?¡± he growled.


    Cal stood to look the ranger in the eyes. ¡°Hopefully made it so Rodrigo will walk again. I need to get him to someone capable of healing, magic preferably. I¡¯m not sure what I did is enough.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a mage back at the base,¡± the bulldog-like ranger said.


    ¡°If the Ranger Priest survived the Quest then she can do it,¡± the tall, thin ranger said.


    ¡°You have Priests with healing spells?¡± Cal remembered Bastien had similar abilities. Magic by way of prayer. ¡°Are they any good?¡±


    ¡°Not at the base, but there¡¯s a bunch of the women at that church school in Santa Ana.¡±


    Cal had his telepathic walls up, but he had a feeling he knew exactly the location the bulldog-like ranger was talking about.


    ¡°Brighteyes,¡±


    The tall, broad-shouldered sprang to attention, ¡°Sarge?¡±


    ¡°Run back to base, get one of the ambulances and some medics.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯ll take Rodrigo there myself. Just need you you to confirm the location.¡±


    The sergeant shook his head. ¡°The women won¡¯t trust you just dropping down out of the sky. Dastardly, you go with them.¡±


    ¡°Yessir,¡± the tall thin ranger saluted.


    ¡°Sergeant¡­?¡±


    ¡°Muttley.¡±


    Cal raised a brow. ¡°Sgt. Muttley, can you defend this location?¡± he regarded his mother on the recliner, cradling a sleeping Rynnen on her lap. The other children sipped hot chocolate while clustered as close to her as possible. He saw two rangers laying on the floor, unconscious. He checked the woman. She would be alright. The young man was¡ª Curious. Cal couldn¡¯t read him. There was a wall in the way. Something like a void in the young man¡¯s heart. If he pushed a bit stronger¡ª


    No.


    That would be an invasion of the young ranger¡¯s privacy.


    And he needed to get Rodrigo healing as soon as possible.


    ¡°I imagine your mother can defend it better than any of us, but I¡¯ll promise you that we¡¯ll fight like hell if any of those bastards come back.¡±


    Cal nodded.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s going to happen.¡±


    Cal took off through the gaping hole in the ceiling with Rodrigo and Dastardly in tow.

 4.38 Epilogue

    Now, Earth


    Cal found his sister standing in front of a recently filled grave in one of the local cemeteries. ¡°Yo, word.¡±


    Rayna snorted. ¡°That was old before all this bullshit started.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m old,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°How did it go?¡±


    ¡°It was a funeral,¡± Rayna shrugged. ¡°Spoke to the family, said how sorry I was, how much their father¡¯s, mother¡¯s, son¡¯s, daughter¡¯s, brother¡¯s, sister¡¯s sacrifice meant to our future,¡± she clenched her fists, ¡°the lie got easier after the hundred and fiftieth time. Only thirty-two left.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not entirely a lie.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t try to make me feel better. I don¡¯t want to feel better. I don¡¯t deserve to feel better. We could¡¯ve done the Quest without losing one life. You and me. The rangers on support. Sure they wouldn¡¯t have gotten so many Universal Points or leveled up so much, but they¡¯d be alive.¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t respond. His thoughts on the matter were similar.


    ¡°Saved over a hundred enslaved people. That¡¯s something, right?¡± Rayna¡¯s eyes pleaded.


    ¡°I¡¯d say so. The Cabal had tortured thousands of people over the years. Your rangers brought justice for all of those people, while preventing future victims.¡±


    ¡°There is that. Except that the Vitiator is still out there.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been searching for weeks with no signs of his presence,¡± Cal sighed.


    ¡°An elf from another world and he turned out to be a sadistic bastard.¡±


    ¡°Well, he didn¡¯t name his species, so can we really say that? Sure he was tall, thin, strong and magically inclined,¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°Mom said he had pointy ears, that¡¯s good enough for me.¡±


    ¡°So, more of a Lord of The Rings-style elf than a D&D-style elf, except evil.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the difference?¡±


    ¡°The first kind are super tall, super strong, both physically and magically, but as you know, Tolkien¡¯s style of magic was more soft.¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t know. I¡¯m just hearing a lot of nerd-speak and I¡¯m kinda tuning it out.¡±


    Cal continued, undeterred. ¡°D&D elves are weaker and smaller than humans, but more agile and magical.¡±


    ¡°Does any of that have any bearing on what we¡¯re dealing with? This is real life. Not fiction.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve considered the possibility that there might¡¯ve been some kind of psychic bleed through into the collective human unconscious.¡±


    Rayna nodded. ¡°Like human imagination was getting unconscious glimpses into all these other worlds? One of the theories we¡¯ve got is that the spires have been on Earth this whole time, just out of phase with our reality.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s true then our planet¡¯s been connected to other worlds this whole time.¡±


    ¡°Seems reasonable to me. Fits why some of the monsters are straight out of make believe. Same with the magic, Skills and even our superpowers.¡±


    ¡°The question is¡­ did the spires influence human imagination? Or vice versa.¡±


    ¡°Mix of both,¡± Rayna shrugged.


    ¡°My concern is how the Vitiator got here. According to the spires the Threnosh world should be the only currently connected upworld and the way to our immediate downworld isn¡¯t open yet. No telling when that will happen.¡±


    ¡°So much of this bullshit seems random. As for the Vitiator, there was that message about entities with ¡®special dispensation¡¯, figure he was one such example, like that Deep Azure Remy and Nila were dealing with. Eron¡¯s had some encounters too over the past couple of years.¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°Sounds most likely. I guess we have to keep reacting to all these crises.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like that. If this is the tutorial period then what sorts of things are we going to have to deal with once all restrictions to our world are lifted?¡±


    ¡°Unity.¡±


    ¡°Trying.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re doing a pretty good job of it so far.¡±


    ¡°Not really, I¡¯ve got the rangers which I¡¯ve lost close to two hundred. Three hundred left with a bit under a hundred trainee-recruits.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got, what, around 300,000 people in your territory? Do a recruitment drive.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got all the volunteers we¡¯re going to get and I¡¯m not going to do a draft, even if Kayl¡¯s pushing for one.¡±


    ¡°Create better incentives.¡±


    ¡°With what? I¡¯m not going to withhold essentials. The only thing worth anything else are Universal Points and why are people going to risk their lives for that when they have enough food, shelter and safety? Can¡¯t blame them. The population of the county was over 3 million when the spires appeared. We¡¯re at ten percent of that. The population isn¡¯t growing, which makes sense. Why would you have kids when you¡¯re living during the apocalypse?¡±


    ¡°The children are our future,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°They¡¯ll grow up in this environment with Classes. They¡¯ll learn magic and Skills from an early age.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to find more people like us. One¡¯s with superpowers. Classes are too weak. Too many losses when taking on boss level monsters and assholes,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°That¡¯s only useful if said people aren¡¯t bad guys, like those wannabe warlords.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t I hope that not everyone with power out there, aside from us, aren¡¯t dicks?¡±


    ¡°Be hopeful, but not blind¡­ I guess.¡±


    Rayna smiled sadly. ¡°Such words of wisdom, oh eldest brother. I bow before it.¡±


    ¡°I try, but I¡¯ll admit that I¡¯m not the best shoulder to lean on.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re passable¡­ thanks for trying and mostly succeeding at getting me to take my mind off this,¡± Rayna regarded the grave, ¡°at least for a little bit.¡±


    ¡°Anything for the baby of the family.¡±


    ¡°Ha! Not anymore! Rynnen¡¯s got that role locked down,¡± Rayna¡¯s smile fell.


    ¡°He¡¯s got powers,¡± Cal grinned.


    Rayna frowned.


    ¡°What? He¡¯ll be able to fight, protect himself and others¡­¡± Cal noticed the look on his sister¡¯s face, ¡°when he¡¯s old enough.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s also been through multiple traumatic events, not counting the whole apocalypse thing. Seriously, Cal! W-T-F!¡±


    ¡°I think he was feeling powerless,¡± Cal ventured carefully, ¡°now he¡¯s beginning to come out of that.¡±


    ¡°Did you look into his thoughts?¡±


    ¡°Not deeply.¡±


    ¡°Can you¡­ help¡­ with traumatic memories?¡±


    ¡°What? Like erase them?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Rayna said softly.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± Cal lied. ¡°I think that when it comes to the human mind it¡¯s dangerous to mess around with it on such a deep level.¡±


    ¡°Is that your belief or experience talking?¡±


    ¡°Both¡­ someday I¡¯ll have to tell you about some of what I went through on the Threnosh world.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Rayna frowned. ¡°I guess you want to know why I wanted to talk to you?¡±


    Cal smiled. ¡°You¡¯re my sister. You don¡¯t need a reason to talk to me.¡±


    ¡°You came down here to rest and recharge. Instead, I involved you in a horrible battle and now I¡¯ve got you flying all over Southern California looking for the Vitiator and dealing with the warlord assholes.¡±


    ¡°I think a couple of months rest was good enough,¡± Cal lied for the second time. ¡°I¡¯m doing all that because I want to help.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s just this one thing¡­ you can say no¡­¡±


    ¡°Just tell me what you want.¡±


    Cal listened intently.


    <hr>


    A month of funerals was finally over.


    Rayna had felt like a raw nerve the entire time. It was like the battle with the Cabal had never ended. She had went into it with four hundred rangers and returned with a little over half that number.


    The ranger base was a hive of activity.


    Those that hadn¡¯t suffered grave injuries were on the training fields practicing with their new, more powerful spells and Skills.


    It turned out that Level 20 was a milestone that unlocked greater power.


    Were the deaths worth it?


    Rayna didn¡¯t know.


    She went straight to the command center and her office.


    ¡°Hey.¡± Kayl was waiting inside.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°Turns out my Skills are good for post-birth recovery,¡± Kayl grinned. ¡°Still, little Daylen wasn¡¯t so little and I¡¯m just okay enough to walk around now.¡±


    ¡°Congratulations.¡± Rayna tried to smile. ¡°Sorry, I haven¡¯t been to see her.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it you¡¯ve been busy doing my job for me in addition to yours,¡± Kayl waved the apology away.


    ¡°You missed all the funerals.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Kayl scowled. ¡°Sorry. You shouldn¡¯t have had to face all of them alone.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t alone.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Ranger Captain. I should¡¯ve been there for every single one. It was my responsibility. Our brothers and sisters died because I pushed for the mission.¡±


    Rayna grunted. ¡°We¡¯re both responsible.¡±


    ¡°True enough. Well, now that I¡¯m here you can go home.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re off duty for at least a week. Although, it¡¯d be better if you took a month,¡± Kayl waved a hand. ¡°No complaints. You¡¯ve been in fight mode since we crushed the Cabal. Just give me the rundown of what I¡¯ve missed then be on your way.¡±


    Rayna sighed. ¡°Okay, that sounds fine. First thing is we need to increase recruitment. I just don¡¯t know how.¡±


    ¡°I have an opinion on that, but since conscription is a hard ¡®no¡¯ for you then we¡¯ve got less options. I¡¯ll make it a priority for our strategic meetings,¡± Kayl said. ¡°I¡¯ve looked at some reports concerning level increases over 20. Thoughts?¡±


    ¡°Nothing that isn¡¯t already in those reports. 20 appears to be a milestone. One either gets a stronger version of a spell or Skill they already have or a new, more powerful one. General power level doesn¡¯t appear to scale in a linear version post-20. A Level 25 Warrior isn¡¯t just 5 level stronger than a Level 20. You¡¯ll want to read 13th Squad¡¯s account of their fight with the Cabal mage called Baal. He had claimed to be Level 25.¡±


    ¡°13th squad would¡¯ve been level 15-18 at the time,¡± Kayl said.


    ¡°It took six of them to kill him and they lost three in the process.¡±


    ¡°Might be more about the match up. Styles make fights, after all. I¡¯ll talk to 13th Squad, get their perspectives. With 200-plus rangers over Level 20 we can test this out.¡±


    ¡°Next thing concerns the people we rescued,¡± Rayna grimaced. ¡°We¡¯ve got them set up in the vacant apartments over at Bella Terra.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯d Hardin say about that? They¡¯ve been wanting those places.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m done with the Hardin''s. You didn¡¯t hear what their Freedom Force did on the night we took down the Cabal.¡±


    ¡°I went into labor before I could get to the debriefing meetings.¡±


    ¡°Read it, I¡¯m not up to talking about it. Just thinking about it makes me want to fly there and flatten them all,¡± Rayna shook her head. ¡°I¡¯ve written my response into the record. Read it and come yell at me after if you feel like it.¡±


    Kayl¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Did you do what I¡¯ve been pushing for months?¡±


    ¡°Something like that.¡±


    Kayl¡¯s grin was feral. ¡°Finally!¡±


    ¡°The cabal survivors¡ª are traumatized to put it mildly. Rehab and therapy are the only things I can think of to do for them. The things the Cabal did to them were¡­ the mundane stuff was bad enough, but the magic stuff took it to another level of horribleness. I don¡¯t know if you can fix the damage that stuff did to their souls, if you believe in that sort of thing,¡± Rayna shrugged.


    ¡°We keep them fed, safe and comfortable. Time heals, right? Maybe our Priests can do something for the soul part of it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s your area.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll reach out see what they¡¯re willing to do for us. I can¡¯t see them refusing to help especially once I tell them exactly what those poor people were forced to endure.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s about it for the major stuff. My brother¡¯s looking for the entity behind the Cabal.¡± Rayna ignored the questioning look on Kayl¡¯s face. ¡°Too long for me to explain. You can read it in¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªthe reports, got it,¡± Kayl said. ¡°You say ¡®entity¡¯, so not human? A monster? Like that sea god your other brother was dealing with in San Francisco?¡±


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°More like an elf from another world,¡± Rayna deadpanned.


    ¡°Uh huh¡­¡± Kayl nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ read the report.¡±


    ¡°Last thing, Cal said he detected something during his flyby over San Diego. Magical in nature, probably.¡±


    ¡°Seems a fitting explanation for those zombies,¡± Kayl grinned at the wince on Rayna¡¯s face. ¡°If it looks like a walking corpse then I¡¯m calling it a zombie.¡±


    ¡°They were clearly more than just a dead body walking around. There was variety to their shapes, sizes and abilities.¡±


    Kayl shrugged.


    ¡°Okay, whatever.¡±


    ¡°We should probably get some scouting missions going. Did your brother pinpoint the location?¡±


    ¡°In the general vicinity of downtown San Diego.¡±


    ¡°He couldn¡¯t have taken care of it for us?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s helping us out as a favor to me. I don¡¯t want him fighting our battles.¡±


    ¡°I guess, but we¡¯re talking about the survival of the human race. I¡¯d think all battles are basically every human beings¡¯ at this point. Unless you¡¯re a total dick like the Cabal and the gangs.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll look into it myself,¡± Rayna said flatly.


    ¡°Not until after your vacation and a proper plan,¡± Kayl said. ¡°Now, shoo,¡± she waved Rayna toward the door. ¡°Oh, one last thing. Next time you see your brother can you ask him a question for me?¡±


    ¡°I guess¡­ if it doesn¡¯t involve investigating a dangerous zombie situation.¡±


    ¡°Nothing like that. I¡¯d just like to know how he knew that I was having a baby girl. It¡¯s been bugging me this whole time.¡±


    ¡°Seriously? He¡¯s got superpowers.¡±


    ¡°Like X-ray vision? Super hearing?¡±


    Rayna walked out of her office. ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s against proper etiquette to share information about other people¡¯s superpowers without their express written consent.¡±


    Kayl snorted. ¡°Opsec¡­ I get it.¡±


    <hr>


    Gunfire struck the form-fitting telekinetic shield covering Cal¡¯s body. ¡°Wow¡­ what a bunch of morons.¡± He grabbed their guns with telekinetic hands and broke them.


    He flew to the Hardin mansion near the upper portions of Anaheim Hills.


    More gunfire bounced off his telekinetic shield.


    The monotony of that was broken up by the occasional fireball, just as ineffective.


    Men and women at the gates opened fire as he descended to the driveway.


    More emerged out of the mansion to add to the furious fusillade.


    ¡°Freedom Force was such a cool game, your militia besmirches it with your overall terribleness,¡± Cal addressed the militia members. ¡°Bring your leader out.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t give orders here,¡± the lead militia man said warily.


    It was hard to be brave and aggressive when a guy wearing a t-shirt and jeans flies into your midst after getting shot with hundreds of bullets with nary a scratch on him.


    Cal got that from their surface thoughts. He didn¡¯t see a need to dig deeper. They may have been shitty assholes, but they were still human. He wouldn¡¯t violate the sanctity of their inner thoughts unless there was a pressing reason.


    ¡°I have an important message from Rayna,¡± Cal pulled out a sealed envelope from his back pocket. It was a little crumpled.


    Pryce Hardin came out of the front door.


    Cal recognized him from the debate he had watched a few months ago.


    The man had dark bags under his eyes. Stress practically radiated off of him.


    ¡°What is this?¡±


    ¡°Congratulations,¡± Cal said lightly. ¡°You¡¯ve got what you wanted. Complete autonomy. You are now free to govern your precious hills in whatever way you see fit. Now, that only extends down to the foot of said hills. Exactly in line with where you had your Freedom Force set up defensive positions when the gangs attacked your fellow citizens, well, formerly now. You do remember that, right? When you had your militia sit back and watch while innocent people were assaulted, raped and murdered.¡±


    Pryce snatched the envelope out of Cal¡¯s hands.


    Cal continued to speak as Pryce frantically read the letter. ¡°It¡¯s all official. Rayna¡¯s Rangers are no longer going to involve themselves with the defense of your territory. Furthermore, Rayna and my father have relinquished ownership of grocery stores, drug stores and other structures necessary for continued existence closest to your territory. You are now responsible for their defense. Though they are outside of your territory you will not be prevented from traveling to and from said sites. Furthermore, the ownership of emergency shelters within your territory will also be given up.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t¡ª¡± Pryce¡¯s mouth hung slack, the blood drained from his face.


    ¡°The rangers have decided that they are no longer responsible for you and yours. It¡¯s all in there,¡± Cal pointed at the letter. ¡°Tell your father that this is the price for standing by and doing nothing when people needed help.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯d do the same thing?¡±


    Cal shrugged. ¡°This is what you wanted. Total control of your own fates. Man¡¯s mastery writ large.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t right, we aren¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°Strong enough? Yeah, I can see that.¡±


    ¡°People will die because of this. That¡¯s on Rayna¡¯s head! Your head!¡±


    ¡°The letter notes that an immigration process will be established in the coming weeks. Any individual that wishes to leave Hardin territory can apply.¡± Cal shook his head. ¡°You wanted to be in control? Now you are. You were never going to give orders to Rayna and my parents. It¡¯s a different world. The order that you benefited from was utterly destroyed when the spires appeared. That world wasn¡¯t great anyways for most of the people. I guess we traded hidden monsters for actual ones. I go back and forth at what is worse.¡± Cal regarded the gathered militia. ¡°I understand the Freedom Force has close to two thousand members. Maybe, that¡¯ll be enough to hold on to the stores and protect your homes. Incidentally, I think the rangers are recruiting. Standards are higher, so no assholes need apply. I imagine you know who you are.¡±


    Cal launched himself up into the sky.


    The message was delivered and he even did some freelance work with that bit at the end.


    It was time to continue his search for the Vitiator.


    The outworld invader¡¯s name or title or maybe even Class suggested one that corrupts, ruins, destroys.


    Cal thought it fit from what his mom had described about some of the magic the Vitiator had used as well as the elf man¡¯s own words.


    He wondered at the accuracy of the spires¡¯ automatic translation system.


    How much of the true intent in the Vitiator¡¯s words did it capture and relate?


    The Cabal operation was designed entirely to corrupt people. Both the victims and the patrons were being corrupted in different ways. The mansions-turned-brothels had been temples to every sin and vice in humanity.


    Cal had read the echoes of every terrible thing done inside those places. He could see the shape of what the Vitiator had been attempting.


    No.


    That wasn¡¯t correct.


    The invader had succeeded.


    The young man, the mage of wrath had displayed amazing magic power.


    Had the Vitiator managed to create more like him then the rangers assault would¡¯ve failed utterly.


    Cal needed to find and kill the Vitiator before the invader could start over somewhere else.


    Thus, he flew above Southern California in varied patterns searching with all of his mental powers. He had been reluctant to open up his telepathic walls, but the need outweighed his personal discomfort.


    Sifting through hundreds of thousands of individuals¡¯ thoughts was maddening and worse it had yet to provide even the smallest hint of the Vitiator¡¯s presence.


    He had scanned through ruins of the mansions several times after he and Rayna had returned to flatten them the day after the battle.


    He had hoped for a trail, but only found the echoes of thousands of atrocities.


    So much violence and pain.


    Just as the spires wanted.


    Eternal conflict with no way to escape.


    Part of him wanted to gather up everyone he cared about and create a fortress deep in the middle of nowhere.


    Why not?


    Supplies wouldn¡¯t be an issue when he and his siblings could fly and gather them.


    It¡¯d be easier to defend from threats.


    And he wouldn¡¯t be constantly faced with terrible threats and human suffering.


    The latter was why his fantasy remained that.


    The responsible part of him would never allow him to leave others to face such darkness, not when he had the ability to fight it.


    And so, despite wanting to be anywhere else, Cal continued to soar above the land, searching and ultimately failing.


    The Vitiator¡¯s magic was strong.


    Enough to hide. To flee.


    <hr>


    Then, Beverly Hills


    The Vitiator¡¯s portal opened up in the mountains far to the north of his former place of power.


    Former because an inferior species had managed to utterly destroy it.


    It was an unexpected development.


    He had foreseen the possibility that the Cabal fighters would fail. They were a ragged rabble after all. Them and their weak allies.


    What he had not foreseen was that he would fail utterly. Unable to defeat an aged woman and a small child.


    Even the best of his puppets, the Cabal, had fallen to the last¡­ almost.


    The dwellings had been destroyed by the powerful brother and sister, but they had failed to see what the Vitiator¡¯s magic link showed him.


    One Cabal member yet lived.


    The Vitiator cleared the rubble with a mighty gust of wind from his hands.


    Cambion lay in a small crater.


    How had they missed him?


    The young human was indeed on the edge of death. Only his magic, his wrath kept him tethered to the world of the living.


    The Vitiator used a spell to read the tale of what had transpired here.


    ¡°You have risen above my expectations,¡± the Vitiator rasped. His mouth and throat had been damaged by the intense flames despite his spell of resistance. His mana had been drained and he couldn¡¯t spare any for even the most basic of healing spells. ¡°A Wrath Mage. One path upon the road to my own Class.¡± He regarded the young man¡¯s shattered body. ¡°Limbs can be replaced. It seems that you have lived up to your chosen name, unlike the rest of your failed brethren.¡± He gathered the broken young man into his arms like a father cradling his child. ¡°Come, Cambion. You are not finished yet.¡±


    The Vitiator considered his next move.


    He would begin again that was without question.


    But where?


    There was a dark godling far to the north. The spray of salt and the deep, dark, cold of the ocean filled the Vitiator¡¯s magically enhanced senses.


    A flame that walked in the shape of man burned bright further still, in the white mountains to the northeast.


    It mattered not.


    This world was large.


    He would find a population of its inferior natives to bend and shape to his purposes.


    Young Cambion¡¯s development had opened his eyes to their potential.


    The native inhabitants were not only fit as chattel to be expended. They had potential, though scant in comparison to his kind.


    He would create proper servants for the Emperor.


    <hr>


    Now, Earth


    Cal walked into the Sprouts a few streets down from his parent¡¯s house.


    People were walking in and out, shopping for groceries.


    It would¡¯ve been like it was in the old days, if not for a few details.


    Most of the shoppers were armed. Guns, knives, clubs and tools from the hardware store were on their belts and harnesses.


    There were no employees manning the checkout lanes. People simply grabbed the items they needed.


    And there was a spire in the middle of the parking lot.


    Text accompanied by the voice of the spires informed Cal that his sister was the owner of the store as soon as he stepped foot inside the building.


    The rules Rayna had set governing how things worked inside flashed by in a split-second, but somehow he was able to comprehend it all without relying on his powers. He knew from previous experience that it was the same for everyone that entered the store.


    Cal made his way to the meat section and was surprised to see a burly man behind the counter laying out a variety of meats in the display case.


    ¡°Uh¡­ hello?¡±


    ¡°Be right with you, boss.¡± The man finished up and looked down at Cal with a bright smile. ¡°What can I get you today?¡±


    With his telepathic walls up Cal hadn¡¯t noticed that there was a person actually working the butcher¡¯s section. The man¡¯s thoughts had blended in with all the other whispers.


    ¡°I guess, a two pounds of pork belly, three pounds of beef short ribs, three pounds skirt steak and that¡¯s it.¡±


    The man wrote down Cal¡¯s order and went to work. ¡°This is a lot of meat. Are you having a party?¡±


    ¡°My cousin¡¯s turning seven,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Always good to hear someone¡¯s having one of those these days, especially the kids.¡± The smile in the man¡¯s voice was evident


    ¡°Don¡¯t take this the wrong way, but what are you doing here?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Just working.¡±


    ¡°Are¡­ are you getting paid?¡±


    ¡°No charge, but you can tip me Universal Points if you want.¡±


    Cal noticed the handwritten sign on the counter with the instructions. ¡°Intent, huh? Just like the spires¡¯ marketplace.¡± He focused for a second.


    The man¡¯s knife clattered on the counter top and his head swung around to gape at Cal. ¡°Uh¡­ I think you added a few extra zeroes?¡±


    ¡°How much do people normally tip?¡±


    ¡°Usually less than a point.¡±


    ¡°How much do you bring in per day?¡±


    ¡°Five to ten.¡±


    Cal nodded. Compared to that a thousand points did standout. ¡°Ah, I see.¡±


    ¡°Just tell me how much you want back.¡±


    ¡°Keep it all.¡±


    The man¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°I don¡¯t know, man. I didn¡¯t think there was anyone walking around with so many points that they can just drop a thousand like nothing. Makes me worried you¡¯ll want something more than excellent cuts of meat.¡±


    ¡°I recently gained a ton of points and they¡¯re just sitting there, so¡­¡± Cal shrugged, ¡°I swear I¡¯ve got no ulterior motives.¡±


    The man nodded hesitantly.


    ¡°So, why are you working here in the first place?¡±


    The man went back to his slicing. ¡°I worked in a place like this before the spires. Got the Butcher Class. So doing this improves my Skills, gives me Universal Points and nets me levels.¡±


    ¡°A Butcher would be good with slicing and cutting,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Yup, you got it. All my actives and passives mean I¡¯ve gotten pretty good at knowing where and how to cut to be efficient and effective.¡±


    ¡°Those abilities sound like they¡¯d be good for battle.¡±


    The man shook his head vehemently. ¡°Sure, I¡¯d get more points killing monsters, but I¡¯ve got a wife and kids.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough, but if I may make a suggestion?¡±


    ¡°Sure thing, boss. You¡¯ve paid enough for the right.¡±


    ¡°How old are your kids?¡±


    ¡°Fourteen, eleven and seven.¡±


    ¡°Wow¡­ it must¡¯ve been tough to survive the early days with two young children, let alone having a baby during.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we got lucky Rayna and her rangers found us and kept us safe.¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°So, if you haven¡¯t already taught your kids everything you do here.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯d give them a good foundation for joining the rangers,¡± the man sighed.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t necessarily going to suggest that, but that was my thought.¡±


    ¡°My wife keeps saying the same thing. I just¡ª I was just kinda hoping that they wouldn¡¯t need to fight. That life would get back to like it was in the old days.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s likely.¡± Cal empathized with the butcher. ¡°Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.¡±


    Cal had a thought.


    ¡°Oh man! How many Universal Points do you have?¡±


    ¡°Plenty and I think you¡¯ve given me an idea. Give your kids points. Use them for tutorials and unlocking their personal sheets. Plan out their Class growth.¡±


    ¡°How? I don¡¯t know how all that shit works. I don¡¯t know anyone that does.¡±


    ¡°Ask the rangers, I think they¡¯ve been on this track. If not, I¡¯ll speak to someone about getting started.¡±


    ¡°Who are you?¡± the butcher handed Cal the wrapped and bagged meats.


    ¡°I¡¯m just a guy trying,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°You and your family take care,¡± he waved and left the dumbstruck butcher.


    Cal stepped out of the store and headed to the spire.


    The meat bag disappeared from his hand as soon as he stepped inside. He knew that it¡¯d appear in his hand as soon as he stepped out.


    Although, he realized that he didn¡¯t know if it was now sitting on the parking lot.


    It was November, which meant a sunny 70 degrees.


    He had to be quick.


    A quick check on the marketplace showed something intriguing.


    One machete, enchanted to burst into flames when wielded.


    The details were scarce, but the spires didn¡¯t allow fraud.


    The description was legit.


    10,000 Universal Points.


    Ridiculous.


    Although, the knowledge that someone out there had discovered enchanting was priceless.


    Cal noted the seller¡¯s name.


    TopEnchWiz69


    He laughed and memorized the name. He needed to get in touch.


    Cal walked down a hallway of ethereal mists. Up and down stairs of the same cloudy matter.


    The strangeness of time¡¯s passage within the spire had him worried about the meat. He could¡¯ve been inside for seconds or hours, he couldn¡¯t tell the difference.


    He tried to impress haste into his intent as he walked to the message chamber.


    Many messages awaited him.


    Several from Shira. Updates on the kids¡¯ training. He had corresponded often with the Threnosh and his family currently stranded on the other world.


    Remy had been busy fighting monsters in an effort to gain Universal Points.


    Megan and the kids had been training. They only recently started testing themselves against the monster zones surrounding the base.


    One message blinked urgently at the top of the list.


    It was from Eron.


    Cal selected it.


    Eron¡¯s face was bruised and bloody. New wounds mingled with older ones. ¡°Uh, yeah, so¡­ I might¡¯ve fucked up¡­ I think I need your help.¡±

 Interlude: Estelon 1.7

    The woman grew noticeably.


    Taller.


    Wiry muscles became thick enough to rival Runt¡¯s.


    Her steps made audible thuds in the metallic floor.


    Flooring that was strong enough to barely flex beneath Runt¡¯s boots, dented beneath the woman¡¯s feet.


    ¡°Runt! Watch out!¡± Est said


    The Torruk bared his teeth and tusks as he swung his poleaxe in a horizontal arc in front of him.


    The woman didn¡¯t deviate her path. She barreled straight ahead for Runt. As if the massive weapon wasn¡¯t a concern.


    The bladed head tore into the side of her arm.


    Skin ripped.


    A loud screech, metal on metal, triggered the auditory protections in Est¡¯s helmet.


    Runt had to fight to keep his grip as the vibrations threatened to shake his weapon free.


    The woman rammed her shoulder into Runt¡¯s chest and sent him flying several dozen feet.


    Metal screamed in protest as benches and tables twisted and broke beneath the Torruk¡¯s bulk.


    ¡°Oh crap,¡± Est whispered.


    ¡°Where¡¯d that smug look go? Not used to seeing fear in your kind. Isn¡¯t that what your family is known for? Smiles in the face of danger? Arrogance born of what your forefathers accomplished? You of the later generations have done nothing to earn that.¡± The woman¡¯s face was a blank mask, like she was reciting something out of a book.


    Est sheathed his blade. ¡°I don¡¯t disagree with much of what you said¡ª¡± he frowned. ¡°Actually¡­ I agree with pretty much everything you said.¡±


    The woman¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    Est sent his astral projection out to give him a more discerning set of eyes. Now he could catch the slightest movement the woman made. He needed every edge. His armor wasn¡¯t going to be enough if she hit him like she had Runt.


    He hoped she was out of those gems.


    Not much of a choice in any case.


    He just needed to be faster in pulling his projection back than the woman if she had another gem.


    ¡°Why not join your father¡¯s people?¡± the woman ventured.


    Est tried not to roll his eyes and failed.


    The woman tensed.


    ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon! Maybe because you¡¯re trying to release a copy of Blissful Purpose on thousands of innocent people,¡± Est shrugged, ¡°as much as I don¡¯t like most of my extended family¡­ they¡¯re not evil, just jerks.¡±


    The woman rolled her neck and flexed her arms. Her skin stretched as muscles bulged. Something seemed to shine beneath the thinned flesh.


    The tear where Runt¡¯s poleaxe had struck the woman¡¯s left arm widened and revealed what appeared to be rust-colored metal.


    ¡°Being your father¡¯s son isn¡¯t going to save you,¡± the woman said.


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t counting on it.¡±


    ¡°You weren¡¯t mentioned in the plans.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ that sounds like an admission that you¡¯re doing this under orders from the Jade Realm,¡± Est grinned with a confidence that he didn¡¯t feel while he slowly moved his free hand to the small compartment at the back of his waist.


    The woman shifted forward on the balls of her feet.


    Est noticed it a fraction of a second later.


    He pulled the small flechette gun from its compartment while diving to one side. The aim assist in his helmet guided his hand as he sighted and squeezed the trigger.


    The woman charged.


    Quick despite her mass.


    She covered half the distance when three ultra-dense flechettes struck her in the chest.


    Est had used the same weapon to draw blood from an old Ibingan the last time he had allowed his mother to take him into the deep rainforest. That water wyrm had grown old enough that its scaly hide would¡¯ve been impervious to most weapons from the old world. The magnetically-accelerated flechettes had pierced right through and drawn blood.


    The woman was thrown back a few paces.


    Est scrambled to his feet and tried not to show the dismay on his face. He kept his weapon trained on the woman. The targeting reticle in his faceplate shook slightly.


    Deep breaths, Est thought, steady my arm.


    He said a silent curse. It wasn¡¯t working.


    The woman prodded at the holes in her shirt. ¡°That actually hurt. Those rounds pack a punch. Which means they have to be heavy. Going by the way your arm is shaking, I¡¯m right. You don¡¯t have many left, do you?¡± She grabbed her shirt and ripped it apart.


    Est blinked.


    Not just her shirt. Her underwear. And her skin.


    She tore at herself with a frenzy until all that remained was a massive woman made entirely of metal with small scraps of stubborn clothing and skin clinging.


    She was rust red in color, banded.


    ¡°Oh shit¡­ organic metal super power or metamorphic? You¡¯ve gained size and mass, so it¡¯s not just a layer of that metallic substance underneath your skin. Guessing the changes go deeper than that,¡± Est said.


    ¡°You¡¯re pretty sharp,¡± the woman¡¯s metallic brow creased, ¡°not at all like you appear.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re being quite talkative, not at all like you appeared.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what you learn. You¡¯ll be dead and then I¡¯ll find another way to deliver the substance to the populace of this dirty city.¡±


    Est took aim and fired again.


    Burst mode emptied his remaining ammo.


    The woman reacted quickly.


    The first round hit her in the cheek, but she turned so the rest of the rounds hit the side of her head.


    ¡°Damn it.¡±


    Est had aimed for her nonmetallic eye.


    ¡°Enough!¡± the woman growled.


    She charged.


    Est turned and ran.


    Pounding thunder followed him as he weaved around tables and benches.


    The woman plowed right through them, so he abandoned that tactic.


    Despite having his back turned to the woman, Est was able to just barely slip out of her grasping hands. As if he could see from the back of his head.


    The woman let out a snarl.


    That was all the confirmation Est needed to know that she was out of those gems.


    A small victory he savored as he ran for his life in a most undignified manner.


    His astral projection spotted movement from the other side of the free restaurant¡¯s large dining room.


    Est turned and angled toward said movement.


    The woman was intent on him, so she didn¡¯t see what he had seen.


    He dived to the ground at the last possible moment.


    ¡°Rusty woman, die!¡±


    Runt¡¯s poleaxe swept over Est¡¯s back and into the woman¡¯s neck.


    Metal on metal screeched.


    The woman choked, but didn¡¯t die.


    She grabbed the haft and pulled it out of Runt¡¯s hands.


    The Torruk¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Such strength¡­ impossible.¡±


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°Enough of this stupid weapon!¡± The woman¡¯s face twisted as she took the long haft in both hands and twisted.


    Rather she tried.


    The steel didn¡¯t so much as bend to her superstrength.


    ¡°This is just plain metal! Why won¡¯t it break?¡±


    ¡°Is invested with parts of spirits of several ancestors. Not much, because Runt being what he is didn¡¯t inspire much trust from ancestors, still¡­¡± Runt grinned, ¡°you not strong enough.¡±


    ¡°Fine, let¡¯s see how you like your own axe in your face!¡± the woman snarled and raised the weapon.


    Est could only watch as his friend¡¯s head was about to be caved in. There was no way that Runt¡¯s helmet was going to stop the superpowered blow.


    ¡°Dance Form: Duel,¡± Runt said.


    The Torruk moved with grace and elegance that didn¡¯t fit his hugely muscled body.


    The woman¡¯s strike missed Runt by the barest whisper as he twirled past his weapon. He continued the movement to her right and struck her in the face with an elbow. Then he brought his other arm down in a smooth slashing motion that disarmed her of his poleaxe. Still in the same movement, he swept his leg across the back of the woman¡¯s legs and sent her to the floor with a loud crash.


    Runt continued as he twirled past the woman while reaching out and grabbing his spinning poleaxe as if the entire thing had been precisely choreographed.


    He spun the weapon before slamming the bladed head down on the woman¡¯s chest.


    The woman grimaced, but still grasped for the haft.


    Only to find it gone as Runt quickly pulled it away, spinning to a stop out of the woman¡¯s reach.


    ¡°What was that?¡± Est¡¯s face resembled a fish. Blinking slowly with a slack-jawed open mouth. ¡°Is this your big secret Class? You¡¯re a Dancer?¡±


    ¡°Battledancer,¡± Runt shrugged. ¡°Am small for a Torruk male. Same size as females. So, mother taught me battle dances¡­ got class¡­¡±


    ¡°Of all the stupid¡ª¡± the woman roared to her feet. ¡°I¡¯m not going to be beaten by a dancer and a waste of genetics!¡±


    ¡°Runt! Don¡¯t stop battledancing!¡± Est drew his blade.


    ¡°Can only do for so long before stamina goes. Class meant for females.¡±


    Nevertheless, Runt began to dance with the metallic woman.


    This time his poleaxe became a part of him. Like another limb as he flowed smoothly from move to move.


    The woman struck with her fists, but found that Runt twirled and spun out of the way by the barest of inches.


    Each time the poleaxe or one of Runt¡¯s limbs struck the woman¡¯s vulnerable spots. Face, neck, joints and other soft targets.


    Rather, what would¡¯ve been vulnerable had her body not been transformed into organic metal.


    ¡°The eyes! Go for her eyes!¡± Est crept closer as he tried to stay at the woman¡¯s back, desperately looking for a way to help Runt.


    ¡°Am trying! Eyelids are also metal,¡± Runt huffed.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Est muttered. The enhanced view provided by his astral projection showed him that Runt¡¯s stamina was fading fast.


    His friend¡¯s movements were slowing and growing labored. The easy grace of just a few minutes ago was gone. The woman¡¯s strikes were getting closer while Runt¡¯s weakened.


    The pit in Est stomach grew. There was one way he could end the fight immediately. It was just that he had sworn never to do that again.


    Even to save his friend? Save innocent people?


    ¡°Shut up, conscience.¡± Sweat dripped down the sides of Est¡¯s face despite the climate control system in his armor. ¡°Fine¡­ only as a last resort. To save Runt and the people. Not for myself. Never that.¡±


    Runt faltered.


    A misstep.


    He stopped.


    A moment was enough for the woman.


    She ripped the poleaxe out of Runt¡¯s grip and punched him in the face.


    The steel helmet deformed.


    Est new that meant broken bones in his friend¡¯s face.


    The woman punched Runt again, twice, three times.


    Runt struck out with his gauntleted fists as he staggered back. All the grace and elegance to his movements that the dance form had provided were gone.


    The woman didn¡¯t bother defending herself from the blows.


    Even though Runt was about three times as strong as a similarly sized human being, he couldn¡¯t have harmed her with just his fists at his best.


    The woman caught Runt¡¯s huge fist and crushed it, crumpling the steel and the hand within.


    Runt didn¡¯t utter a sound. He just tried again with his other fist.


    The woman¡¯s head rocked back a fraction, but she merely grinned. ¡°Let¡¯s see you twirl around now.¡± She stomped down on Runt¡¯s knee. The loud crack echoed through the cavernous dining room.


    Est couldn¡¯t see the look on Runt¡¯s face, but the Torruk was still silent.


    The woman let Runt crumple to the floor. ¡°I wonder how Blissful Purpose will work on an outworlder?¡± she shook her head, ¡°I guess I¡¯ll have to keep an eye on the news after I¡¯m done here. That¡¯s what all the dancing around gets you. Instead of a clean death in combat, you get your head fucked with.¡± The woman turned to face Est. ¡°Ironic, since that¡¯s what your family is all about, isn¡¯t it? Messing with people¡¯s heads.¡±


    Est swallowed the lump in his throat. The timer in his head was getting closer to zero. ¡°Look, please, just stop this. You can leave. I won¡¯t stop you. Just¡­ I can¡¯t let you release the substance and I know I have to stop you no matter the cost, but I¡¯d rather not do that to you,¡± his voice lowered, ¡°to myself.¡±


    The woman¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°What can you do? Nothing. You¡¯re stronger and tougher than the human baseline, but not by that much. Your only psionic ability is projecting some kind of secondary consciousness. In a way I pity you. All that power in both your lines and you got nothing from one and something weak from the other. I¡¯ll do you one mercy. Unlike your friend over there, I¡¯ll kill you cleanly. In honor of half the blood that runs through you.¡±


    Est didn¡¯t wait for the woman to move. He threw the hard sheath of his walking stick blade at her face and rushed in right behind it.


    The woman didn¡¯t budge. She didn¡¯t blink.


    The hard sheath struck her face.


    Est lunged in with his blade a split-second after.


    He was quick.


    The sharp point drove straight for the woman¡¯s eye.


    She blinked.


    The blade skipped off her metallic eyelid.


    Est found himself lifted off his feet.


    An unyielding grip around his throat.


    The woman held him firmly, but not enough to cut of his oxygen.


    Est slashed and stabbed at the woman¡¯s arm, body and face. All he managed to do was leave small scratches in the gleaming rust-colored metallic skin.


    ¡°Fancy sword. Threnosh? Actually kind of stings a little,¡± the woman said. ¡°I¡¯ll crush your throat. It won¡¯t take long. I could crush your head. That¡¯d be quicker, but out of respect I think you should be recognizable for your funeral. Die with dignity, as all warriors strive for.¡±


    ¡°Not a warrior,¡± Est managed to choke out.


    ¡°And that¡¯s why you¡¯re such a disappointment to everyone.¡±


    ¡°Not my choice to be born with these powers,¡± Est whispered.


    ¡°What¡¯d you say?¡± The woman pulled him closer.


    ¡°Powers¡­ didn¡¯t pick them.¡±


    Est dropped his blade and grabbed the woman¡¯s arm.


    The woman frowned. ¡°What¡ª¡± Her face twisted into a grimace and a yelp escaped her mouth.


    Est dropped to the ground. Air suddenly flooded back into his lungs as he hungrily gulped it down.


    The woman was wide-eyed as she stared at her arm.


    There in the rust-colored metal were scalpel-thin incisions, surrounded by dark smudges, still smoking. Four fingers and a thumb.


    Est waved a hand.


    Crackling, glowing energy projected out of each finger, like nails. They had burned right through the tips of his gauntlet.


    ¡°You¡ª¡± the woman gaped.


    ¡°You called me a disappointment. In many ways you¡¯re right¡­ depending on the perspective. This is all I can manage with my plasma projection. Unlike father, who can wreathe himself in the stuff, shoot enough of it to destroy a building and use it to fly.¡±


    The woman calmed. ¡°Even with just this you could¡¯ve been a valuable warrior, yet you hide it. This changes nothing. I¡¯m no stranger to pain and the threat of death,¡± she held up her injured arm, ¡°you will still die and I will accomplish my mission.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Est sighed. ¡°I could slash at you all day and you¡¯d still keep coming. Eventually, I¡¯d get tired or unlucky, which means death and worse for my friend and everyone else in this place that I call home. So, I have no choice. I never have¡ª had one.¡±


    Est brought his astral projection down to stand exactly halfway between him and the woman.


    The aisle formed by the rows of tables and benches meant that there was no way for her to reach him without crossing the projection.


    The woman slowly walked forward. Each step thudded into the metallic floor, leaving small dents in the wake of her footsteps. Her stride didn¡¯t alter as she neared Est¡¯s projection.


    Plasma nails flared to life out of the fingertips on Est¡¯s other hand.


    ¡°Too little,¡± the woman said.


    ¡°Two different powers. One from my mother¡¯s side and one from my father¡¯s side. Each one equally underwhelming in comparison to them,¡± Est said.


    The woman neared his astral projection. A few more steps and she would walk right through it.


    ¡°But that¡¯s not the full story. You¡¯re about to learn the truth of my curse. Something that only a handful of people know.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about your well-earned inferiority complex. You chose this life,¡± the woman said.


    One more step to go.


    ¡°Two powers. Weak individually, but together¡­ devastating.¡±


    The woman crossed into Est¡¯s astral projection.


    He exerted his will. The act was against everything he believed in. It was against an oath he had sworn to himself. There was no greater arbiter for him in this.


    He betrayed all with this one act.


    The astral projection flared with bright, burning energy.


    The woman screamed like an animal as the plasma ate away at her insides. Superhuman organic metal held for only a moment.


    Est turned away. He didn¡¯t want to watch the woman melt.


    Not that it made a difference.


    He saw and felt all through his astral projection.


    He shared her agony.


    As if he was dying alongside her.


    Seconds, minutes, hours.


    Est didn¡¯t know how long had passed.


    It didn¡¯t truly matter.


    When it was done the woman was a twisted lump of metal melted into the floor.


    Est fell to his knees.


    ¡°Runt¡­ you alive?¡± Est called.


    A wet-sounding grunt, accompanied by a fist raised into the air before clattering back to the floor.


    ¡°Just hang on, partner.¡±


    Est subvocalized a message to his cousin.


    He and Runt had done it. They had stopped Blissful Purpose from being released and destroying the lives of thousands of innocent people.


    And they didn¡¯t die.


    That was a win, right?


    ¡°Help¡¯s on the way,¡± Est said.


    He lay back on the floor. His eyes were heavy. Tears welled.


    Twice now.


    He had used his powers in combination.


    The first time had nearly shattered him.


    What would happen this time?


    Est closed his eyes.


    A question for later.

 Interlude: Sentinels 1.1

    Reecheep stood in the spitter¡¯s nest hanging from bottom of the lowest level platform of her town. She had leaned her weapon against the wooden wall in the eternal quest to find relief for her aching shoulder. The thin cylinder of wood and iron was much too heavy to carry for any extended period of time as orders had dictated.


    The higher ups had no idea of the practicalities of the new weapon, after all. And who was going to listen to a lowly Town Guard.


    Fortunately, her direct superior was a practical sort and had turned a blind eye to the breach of protocol.


    The spire loomed out of the circular clearing straight into the sky, well beyond the heights of the tallest structures in River Town.


    A ring of fire pits surrounded the otherworldly edifice. More Town Guards gathered around each flame. The nights on the plains were cold. The great Sandereek River flowed fast. Its depths were such that the frigid deep waters were constantly pulled to the surface by the strong winds that blew across the expansive plain that the town¡¯s founders had decided to build on a very long time ago.


    Reecheep never quite understood why they had decided to build around the spire.


    Hadn¡¯t they known that the spires only brought death and destruction?


    Terrible monsters and invaders from other worlds.


    Fools, as far as she was concerned.


    The thoughts brought a shudder that ruffled the crest of bright feathers that framed her head like the dawning sun. The smaller, finer feathers on the backs of her arms suddenly stood straight.


    Another shiver ran through her.


    She vainly tried to smooth her arm feathers.


    Reecheep¡¯s large, round eyes shot up to the dark night sky.


    The clouds obscured the stars. Not that she was likely to see them from this close to the ground. There were too many torches and light orbs dotting the town¡¯s hundreds of feet of structures.


    A warning warble from one of the guards near the spire had her fumbling for her ironspitter. She raised the stock to her shoulder and sighted along the long cylinder down to the ground.


    What she saw had her feathers fanning out in all directions.


    The space in front of the spire rippled.


    A distortion in the air.


    She had never seen anything like it.


    None of the other guards had either.


    They only knew of it from stories and all of those agreed that if something was emerging from a spire a wise Kinarian ran in the opposite direction as if the shadow of Death¡¯s wings had fallen over them.


    More warbling.


    Orders from the sergeant guard in charge.


    No words.


    Reecheep tasted blood. Her small, sharp teeth were chattering and caught a bit of her tongue. She let out an involuntary chirp, then clamped her mouth shut.


    Hopefully, no one else had heard.


    This was serious.


    Had she fallen asleep?


    Was she now in a nightmare?


    Nothing ever happened in River Town.


    The tall, stout wooden walls were enough to keep the rare monster attack at bay while soldiers and guards fought them off from relative safety.


    Foolishly, they hadn¡¯t considered an attack coming from within.


    The ripple in front of the spire stabilized for a moment right before a strange-looking figure appeared.


    Tall, imperious, the outworld invader was unlike anything she had seen before.


    It, he, bore a passing resemblance to some of the inhabitants of the secretive nation that bordered Kinar lands to the west.


    A head, two arms, two legs, just like a Kinar, but instead of a crest of feathers on his head the invader had long, flowing hair the color of straw. Instead of four taloned fingers, he had five soft-looking ones. His feet were covered.


    ¡°Hmmm, bird people¡­¡± the outworld invader¡¯s voice resonated deeply in Reecheep¡¯s auditory canals and vibrated through her hollow bones. The rumble coursed through her entire body. ¡°Greetings. I am The Zombie Master.¡±


    Reecheep heard the Class designation, even if she didn¡¯t understand what it meant.


    ¡°Master of what?¡± the sergeant guard said from behind a rank of guards, their ironspitters leveled at the invader.


    ¡°Interesting, I¡¯ve always wondered what experiencing the universal translation system would be like on another world. It worked perfectly with all the different languages back home, but then again we had a similar technology before the spires had appeared, so I never found it that impressive. Now, however¡­¡± the invader shrugged as he looked around the clearing, ¡°buildings resemble trees,¡± he mused, ¡°fitting for bird people. What do you call yourselves? Avians? Garudas?¡±


    ¡°You are on Kinar land. State your purpose,¡± the sergeant guard¡¯s hand was on the small ironspitter holstered in his shoulder harness.


    ¡°Kinar? Interesting. As to your question,¡± the invader smiled and Reecheep quailed back, just like the guards down on ground level. ¡°Experimentation and¡­ conquest. Be the first to join me and you¡¯ll find that I¡¯m a rewarding master.¡±


    As one the guards pulled the levers back on their ironspitters. The sergeant guard drew his weapon and aimed it at the invader.


    ¡°Or not,¡± the invader sighed. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. You¡¯ll all serve me one way or another. I thought I¡¯d be nice and let you get in on the ground floor, rather than the¡­ alternative.¡±


    ¡°Focus Fire: Single Target!¡± the sergeant guard barked.


    ¡°Enhanced Mage Shield,¡± the invader replied.


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    As one, the rank of guards¡¯ weapons spat iron balls at the invader.


    A black, translucent dome enclosed the invader. The balls shattered against it without leaving any marks. Not even a small crack.


    ¡°Quick Reload!¡± the sergeant guard¡¯s voice warbled into a higher octave. Nevertheless he aimed his small ironspitter at the invader. ¡°Piercing Shot!¡±


    This time a small crack appeared on the magic shield.


    The invader grinned.


    Reecheep thought she saw the faint outline of a grinning skull as the magic shield dissipated.


    ¡°If I remember correctly, muskets back in my world¡¯s ancient history took about ten seconds to reload. With that skill, I¡¯d guess you could cut it down to five. Too bad for you.¡± The invader thrust out his hands. ¡°Death Missiles.¡±


    Black orbs the size and shape of skulls appeared at his fingertips and streaked across the fire-lit night. They trailed dark wisps of evil-looking smoke as they curved in irregular arcs on their way to the rank of guards.


    Each one found a home as one by one the guards crumpled to the ground. The lights in their eyes extinguished. Empty sockets smoked with the same evil.


    ¡°You should¡¯ve joined me. Your soldiers would still be alive.¡±


    The sergeant guard said nothing. He calmly reloaded his small ironspitter.


    The weapon in Reecheep¡¯s hands shook. Her heart thrummed in her chest, sending vibrations through her body.


    Should she fire?


    The invader wasn¡¯t looking at her.


    Why weren¡¯t the other nested guards firing?


    Of course, she cursed her stupidity, the order hadn¡¯t been given.


    Why was the sergeant guard not giving the order?


    She had her answer as a multitude of shadows dashed past her and leapt down to the ground, twenty feet below.


    More guards.


    No.


    True Soldiers.


    Fifty.


    An entire troop.


    The town always had one ready to go at all hours in the event of monster attack.


    The troop quickly formed ranks, one line, two deep, in a shallow curve around the invader.


    The sergeant guard quickly fell back until he was behind the ranks.


    Fifty ironspitters were trained on the invader, but all he did was smile.


    ¡°Adding more muskets won¡¯t make that much of a difference,¡± the invader said. ¡°Still, I did pay for their services, so might as well make them earn it.¡±


    As he spoke more distortions formed around the spire.


    More invaders.


    Reecheep¡¯s grip on her weapon suddenly grew slick and she frantically wiped one hand on her trousers, followed by the other. A vain effort.


    More outworld invaders appeared out of nothing. One moment there were distortions around the spire. In the next there were twenty additional invaders.


    They wore armor similar to the Zombie Master. Dark helmets concealed their faces. Black and shiny, but the material didn¡¯t look like metal to Reecheep. They reminded her of monster carapaces.


    ¡°Volley Fire!¡±


    The soldiers fired as one with the sergeant guard¡¯s voice.


    The Zombie Master merely covered his exposed head with armored arms.


    The iron balls struck the invaders and bounced off their strange armor.


    ¡°You couldn¡¯t have put up a shield?¡± one of the other invaders turned to the Zombie Master.


    ¡°They¡¯re using muskets. Your gear is hundreds of years ahead,¡± the Zombie Master said flatly.


    ¡°Right, guess it¡¯s time to get paid.¡± The other invader pulled a compact weapon from his back. He held it in two hands and pointed it at the soldiers.


    Reecheep let out a soft keening wail. She instinctively realized that the strange weapon was like their ironspitters. The Kinarian soldiers only had padded cloth, mail and a steel breastplate for protection. She had seen the demonstrations. So, she turned her head from what was about to happen on the plain.


    ¡°Remember, we¡¯re shooting to wound! Weapons free!¡±


    The outworld invaders fired as one.


    There was no loud bang, just soft hums as their weapons spat death.


    It was over in two heartbeats.


    Curiously, only a few soldiers were dead.


    The rest were covered in red, as if paint had been splattered on them by careless artists. Covered with small holes in their armor, clothes and flesh, but still alive.


    ¡°Quickly, before they bleed out! Give them purpose,¡± the Zombie Master¡¯s voice was eager.


    Reecheep could see the hunger in the invader¡¯s eyes reflected in the fire light.


    ¡°You heard the client!¡± the other invader barked.


    The other invaders rushed to the large chest that Reecheep had just noticed was near the spire. They each pulled out small bottles of a dark, glowing liquid. One by one they rushed to the dying Kinarians and forced them to drink the liquid.


    What were they doing?


    A series of loud bangs shattered the eerie quiet.


    She flinched.


    The other guards in their nests finally fired. They never got the order, but what did it matter when the sergeant guard was dead.


    She aimed down the cylinder, but couldn¡¯t squeeze the trigger. Her eyes were drawn to what was happening to the Kinarian soldiers.


    They thrashed on the grassy ground. Bodies bending and twisting to the edge of breaking bone and tearing muscles and tendons. The screeches that escaped their mouths brought tears to Reecheep¡¯s eyes.


    She couldn¡¯t take it anymore.


    Her hands shook, her aim was unsteady, but she sighted and squeezed.


    The crack was followed by the Zombie Master¡¯s head flinching to one side.


    A thin red line appeared on his cheek, a wet curtain spread down to his jaw and neck.


    ¡°Take them out,¡± the other invader said.


    The Zombie Master raised a hand. ¡°Wait.¡± He closed his eyes. The Kinarian soldiers suddenly stopped thrashing. They sat up as one, then stood. They moved as if they didn¡¯t have large, open wounds all over their bodies.


    Reecheep saw their eyes. There was nothing, yet the soldiers turned their gazes up at her and the other guards.


    ¡°Go, spread purpose,¡± the Zombie Master said.


    The soldiers screeched and shambled toward Reecheep¡¯s and the others¡¯ perches.


    They didn¡¯t move with Kinarian quickness, nor grace.


    Reecheep dropped her ironspitter as the horror dawned on her.


    The soldiers were dead, but moving.


    How?


    Why?


    ¡°Alright, boss. We¡¯ve fulfilled the contract. Once you give us the rest of the payment we¡¯ll be on our way,¡± the other invader said.


    ¡°Of course,¡± the Zombie Master began chanting.


    The magic in the words made Reecheep¡¯s feathers shake even as she frantically climbed up the rope ladder out of her nest.


    The soldiers had reached the base of the structure and were beginning to climb.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± the other invader said as he casually pointed his weapon at the Zombie Master¡¯s feet.


    ¡°Finishing the spell I started earlier.¡±


    The other invaders cried out in pain as they too began to thrash around like the Kinarian soldiers had.


    ¡°Every ruler needs an elite guard. Your men and women will serve me in that capacity. The purpose was created with the human body in mind. Although, I¡¯ve only managed to create a poor copy, I believe that combined with my class abilities and magic I will be able to turn you into something¡­ better. These Kinarians are an unknown. Even now I can tell that their bodies are substandard. More experimentation will be needed.¡±


    Reecheep didn¡¯t hear or see the rest of what the horrid invader did to his own. She fled up the ladder into the town, screeching in alarm the entire way.


    The dead soldiers followed.

 Interlude: Sentinels 1.2

    ¡°Interspatial translocation will place your tetrastrike at 50 kilometers west of River Town, Striker Cechon.¡±


    ¡°Understood, commander.¡±


    ¡°You will proceed and investigate why Farsight detected a precipitous drop in life signatures. While it belongs to the Kinarians, we cannot leave a potential threat near our border.¡±


    ¡°Contact with the Kinarians will be unavoidable.¡±


    ¡°Maintain standard interaction protocols. Uphold the treaties. Do not give the Kinar Nation reason to believe we had anything to do with what transpired in their settlement.¡±


    ¡°Tetrastrike 115 will depart immediately. We will not fail in our duty.¡±


    ¡°We are Sentinels. There is no failure.¡±


    Cechon saluted and spun smartly on his heel.


    He had to gather his team and brief them quickly.


    They had a mission.


    Out on the vast plains to the west of River Town a tear slowly opened in midair, several meters off the ground.


    Four people fell through and landed on the grass-covered ground.


    ¡°That was an unpleasant surprise,¡± Kala said.


    ¡°It¡¯s not like the sender to be off by that much,¡± Luun grumbled as she felt at her ankle before standing and rotating her large foot in alternating circles, ¡°could¡¯ve sprained something.¡±


    ¡°Would¡¯ve made you more useless than usual,¡± Braal said. Her thick lips split into a smile.


    Luun threw a clump of grass at Braal¡¯s face.


    ¡°Enough of that,¡± Cechon said. ¡°We need to get moving.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t we take a transport?¡± Kala sighed.


    ¡°Because our technology stays within our borders unless the situation is dire. By the Great Intellect, how do you not know that?¡± Braal looked at Kala like he was a strange creature.


    ¡°I knew,¡± Kala mumbled.


    Cechon ignored them. ¡°Luun, I want you scouting ahead.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Kala, give me speed,¡± Luun laid long, delicate fingers on the young man¡¯s smooth head.


    Kala took a deep breath. ¡°I hope I can do this.¡±


    ¡°You hope? Outside our borders we¡¯ve got nothing except our gear. If our synergist can¡¯t uplink to the Armory¡­¡± Braal threw up her brawny arms.


    Kala closed his eyes, smooth brow and forehead creased. His pale skin sparkled in the sunlight.


    Seconds passed.


    A wide smile appeared on Luun¡¯s face.


    Kala opened his eyes and huffed. ¡°Done¡­ that was a lot harder than I expected.¡±


    ¡°Scout Luun¡ª¡± Cechon began.


    ¡°Gotitstrikeleadermovingout¡ª¡±


    The rest of what Luun said was swallowed up by the gust of wind that she left behind as her long legs blurred. Dirt and grass showered the rest of the team in her wake.


    ¡°Should¡¯ve told her to get a few hundred meters away before opening up,¡± Braal spat out a clod.


    ¡°Kala, I need you to link Braal and myself to the Armory. If you had such difficulty then it¡¯d be best if we take a power now,¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°Understood,¡± Kala said with a lump in his throat.


    ¡°We¡¯re exposed out here, so I¡¯ll take forcefield,¡± Braal said.


    Cechon nodded. ¡°Give me laser beam.¡±


    Kala took two deep breaths before he complied with the orders.


    Once the young man was done the three of them took off at a jog.


    They followed the large plume that Luun left behind.


    They were the first Sentinels to travel outside the borders of their nation in close to a decade.


    Cechon knew that meant the mission was of grave importance.


    The Great Intellect didn¡¯t make mistakes.


    Whatever had happened to River Town was a threat.


    It didn¡¯t take long for them to cover the distance to the town. The changes wrought in each Sentinel in order to access the Armory enhanced their biology in multiple ways. They were tireless at a quick march. They could¡¯ve gone all day before needing to rest.


    Cechon halted them with a gesture at a rise in the flat, featureless plain overlooking the walled town.


    Luun was seated on the ground, waiting.


    ¡°Scout, report.¡±


    Luun seemed to vibrate in place. Her head blurred as she pointedly turned to Kala.


    ¡°Removing speed,¡± Kala said.


    After a few moments, Luun slowly stood and went into a series of leg stretches. ¡°I detected no signs of life in the town. Granted I only circled the wall on the western side of the river. My scanner was garbled. The nature of the interference suggest magic is involved. Also, I didn¡¯t hear any of the sounds that one would expect from a town this size.¡±


    ¡°Your assessment?¡±


    ¡°There was no damage to the walls. Reason suggests that whatever happened started from within or above,¡± Luun said.


    ¡°The fires?¡± Cechon stared across the distance at the numerous faint plumes of smoke drifting out of the town.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Luun shrugged.


    ¡°Ingress locations?¡±


    Another shrug. ¡°They¡¯ve got a wooden wall. It¡¯s thick and tall, but easy for us to bypass. We can pick our spot.¡±


    Cechon led the team forward without a word.


    The wind shifted as they neared.


    The stench hit them a split-second after.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t mention this,¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°I thought this was how these primitive settlements always smelled,¡± Luun said.


    Cechon stifled a curse. Inexperience with the outside world was the difficulty with the younger generation of Sentinels.


    ¡°This is the smell of death. Decaying biological matter. Bodies. Many Kinarians died here,¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°Really?¡± Kala said. ¡°It¡¯s bad, but I¡¯ve been close to monster corpses that makes this downright pleasant.¡±


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    ¡°Monsters aren¡¯t people.¡± Braal¡¯s thick brow furrowed like a network of trenches. ¡°Switch me to density control.¡±


    Kala grimaced, but complied.


    ¡°This is a combat mission now. We investigate and eliminate the threat. Scanners are useless,¡± Cechon glanced at the device mounted on his gauntlet. ¡°Kinar settlements build up as much as out. There will be ladders, stairs and bridges connecting all of the structures. There is a spire in the center. Probability dictates that whatever caused this calamity originated from there. We will investigate that location first. Luun, scout our path,¡± Cechon tapped at the underside of his wrist. ¡°Short-range communication appears functional. Alert us to any threats.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Luun looked at a panting Kala. ¡°Give me invisibility.¡± She took a set of bulky goggles from her pack and donned them.


    Kala took a deep breath. ¡°Strike Leader, this isn¡¯t a complaint, but I believe it is my duty to inform you that it is taking more effort and time to connect to the Armory and then to connect each of you to your desired power.¡±


    ¡°Switching quickly will not be possible?¡± Cechon frowned.


    Kala shook his head.


    ¡°Very well. Sentinels make do with the tools at our disposal. The mission doesn¡¯t change. Give Luun invisibility. I¡¯ll open the way.¡±


    While Kala did as ordered, Cechon stared at the wooden wall a few meters away. A thin beam of bright red light lanced out of his eye. He slowly carved a door.


    The smell of smoke and burnt wood couldn¡¯t quite mask the stench of death that had invaded their nasal passages.


    By the time Cechon had finished, Luun was ready.


    She promptly vanished from sight. ¡°Hey, Braal, why don¡¯t you be useful and get that block of wood out of the way so I can get inside. I¡¯d ask for a switch to intangibility, but poor Kala looks like he¡¯s about to cry.¡±


    Braal¡¯s face was an expressionless mask, which they all knew was a sign that she was in combat mode. She ignored the gibe and stepped forward.


    Each step toward the wall sank deeper into the ground. By the time she reached the wall the others could feel her steps where they stood.


    Braal placed both hands on the wood where Cechon had cut a roughly door-shaped section. The muscles in her arms bulged as she pushed.


    The wood creaked and groaned in protest, but the increase to her body¡¯s density had granted her enormous physical strength. Several tons of thick wood was nothing to her now.


    The rest followed on Braal¡¯s heels as they entered the dark, makeshift tunnel.


    They were the first Sentinels to set foot in a Kinar settlement in over a century.


    Invisible Luun went ahead.


    They stuck to ground level, relying on the platforms ten to twenty feet above for concealment. When they had to cross exposed areas they waited for Luun to signal to them that they were clear.


    Caution had made them slow.


    Thus, several hours had passed before they finally neared the spire in the clearing.


    They posted at the base of a large structure, made to resemble a natural tree.


    Odd that.


    Why not just use an actual tree?


    Although, being on a tree-less plain might¡¯ve had something to do with the architectural choices the town¡¯s founders had made.


    The Sentinels thought it strange in any case.


    Why go through all the effort to change an environment to suit your kind? When the rational choice was to stick to those environments.


    ¡°The interference is stronger here,¡± Cechon whispered as studied his scanner, ¡°though that doesn¡¯t mean much. Spires always play havoc with our instruments.¡±


    ¡°Claw marks and blood on this structure¡¯s surface¡­ lots of them,¡± Kala said. ¡°The Kinar have avian traits.¡±


    Luun suddenly dropped her invisibility, making Kala flinch. ¡°Blood and signs of battle near the spire. I also climbed up to one of the lowest level platforms and found the same. Lots of blood, discarded weapons, primitive chemical-propelled ballistic-type¡­ but no bodies.¡±


    ¡°We follow the trail,¡± Cechon said.


    Kala looked up. ¡°At least they have lots of ladders.¡±


    They found more signs of death the higher they went.


    The evidence was mounting.


    The Kinarians had turned on each other.


    Homes built into the sides of the tree-like structures were bloody abattoirs.


    Places that appeared to be shops were the same.


    Guard stations and guard posts, the same.


    Discarded and broken weapons littered the places where it looked like the Kinarians had tried to make a stand against their own.


    Where were the bodies?


    None of it made sense.


    Even monsters left traces of their victims.


    They had climbed and explored for hours and had found the same scenes repeating.


    Cechon had pulled Luun back into the group as he had grown increasingly concerned that they were moving into a trap. Instincts from over two centuries experience were screaming in the back of his thoughts. He was on the verge of ordering a retreat when a rumbling sound emanated from the interior of the artfully carved tree-like structure they were currently climbing.


    ¡°Scanner¡¯s not working, can¡¯t get a read on movement,¡± Kala said with one hand pressing the scanner to the wooden wall and the other drawing his PDW from his thigh holster.


    ¡°Weapons on lethal setting.¡± Cechon drew his own.


    ¡°The closest entrance to the interior is up there,¡± Luun pointed to the top of the spiraling stairs.


    ¡°Braal, take point,¡± Cechon said.


    The short, but brawny Sentinel lumbered up. Each step shook the staircase as her body grew denser. She pulled a small round buckler from the side of her belt. The shiny metal expanded into a large shield almost her height. She drew her own PDW with her other hand. This one was much larger than the others¡¯.


    They moved behind Braal.


    Cechon next, followed by Kala, then Luun, who kept looking back down the way they had come.


    The thick doors into the structure were sealed shut. Bloody claw marks marred the surface.


    ¡°Strike Leader?¡± Braal¡¯s face was like stone.


    ¡°Breach.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Braal slammed her shield into the door, blowing it off its hinges like it was made out of thin paper.


    The interior opened up into a wide concourse that further opened up into an open air cylinder in the center of the cavernous space. Light from the moons and the stars added to the illumination from the glowing orbs liberally hanging from the underside of the above platform and set into the walls.


    Blood was everywhere, but again, no bodies.


    ¡°What is this place?¡± Kala whispered.


    ¡°Lots of small stalls¡­ suggests food dispensing stations,¡± Luun said.


    ¡°Silence,¡± Cechon said.


    They listened for a few seconds.


    ¡°The rumbling is coming from below and moving up rapidly. Footsteps?¡± Cechon¡¯s smooth brow furrowed.


    ¡°I¡¯d ask for enhanced hearing, but¡­¡± Luun stared at Kala.


    ¡°No, we can¡¯t risk you getting caught in a switch. Search this level. Find the stairs down. If the Great Intellect favors us then there¡¯ll only be one set,¡± Cechon said.


    They hurried since the sounds from below were getting closer.


    It didn¡¯t take long until Luun located the stairs to the lower level.


    Fortune was with them, for there was indeed only one set.


    ¡°Braal, descend halfway down. You¡¯re a stronghold. We will fire at the enemy from above,¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°What if they aren¡¯t hostile?¡± Kala said.


    ¡°Probability of that is next to zero,¡± Braal said flatly. ¡°And I don¡¯t need to run it through the intellect to know that.¡±


    ¡°Look around you, neophyte,¡± Luun sighed. ¡°We¡¯ve found no evidence that any non-hostile Kinarians are still alive.¡±


    Kala frowned, but remained silent.


    The rumbling drew closer.


    They didn¡¯t need scanners to know that when their ears were sensitive enough.


    The floor they stood on vibrated subtly from the movement down below.


    Seconds turned into a minute, into more.


    Hands steadied on shield and weapons.


    Their bodies were automatically flooded with combat chemicals. To enhance and to steady.


    Even Kala, this being his first true battle, found himself breathing calmly while he aimed his PDW just over Braal¡¯s broad shoulders to the level below.


    Braal suddenly laughed. ¡°Strike Leader. I was wrong. I see a single Kinarian running in our direction.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t make sense¡­ one being can¡¯t possible be responsible for this noise,¡± Kala whispered.


    The rest saw the female Kinarian running frantically. Her crown of sun-colored feathers stood out from her head like a halo. The same color feathers on her arms were torn and bloody. Her armor was in the same condition.


    ¡°Halt!¡±


    The Kinarian didn¡¯t listen to Braal¡¯s command until she had reached the bottom of the stairs.


    ¡°Immortals!¡± the Kinarian¡¯s large, round eyes were wide as she stared up at the Sentinels. Her head snapped to the way she had come from. ¡°They¡¯re coming! You can stop them! You have to! You¡¯re Immortals? Aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Strike Leader,¡± Braal¡¯s face slowly split into a grin, ¡°we have hostiles incoming.¡±


    ¡°Kinarian, quickly, up the stairs, now!¡± Cechon barked.


    Braal made to move her wide frame to give the Kinarian room to pass, but the feathered woman was already leaping over the Sentinel.


    She cleared Braal easily even with the stuffed pack on her back and an armful of what appeared to be foodstuffs.


    The Kinarian skidded to a stop, panting wildly, next to Kala.


    ¡°Stay there,¡± Cechon said, ¡°I have questions for you. After we deal with these hostiles.¡±


    ¡°You have to destroy their heads! It¡¯s the only way!¡± the Kinarian was frantic. She appeared to be torn between hope and terror. Her body torn between staying and running away.


    ¡°Kala, you are the Kinarian¡¯s minder. Keep her safe.¡± Cechon¡¯s look conveyed the unspoken part of the order. Don¡¯t let her run away.


    ¡°Understood,¡± Kala said.

 Interlude: Sentinels 1.3

    Reecheep couldn¡¯t believe her eyes.


    Immortals stood between her and the week-long nightmare.


    They appeared just like they did in the paintings and drawings.


    The short and bulky one halfway down the stairs had shiny, green-colored skin, like a gemstone. She held an enormous shield and a bulky weapon that reminded Reecheep of an ironspitter.


    The one that seemed to be the leader had skin that was an angry red color. He aimed a smaller version of the weapon down while staring with unblinking eyes at the approaching horrors.


    Next to him stood a startlingly tall woman with gray skin.


    Finally, hovering too close for her comfort, was a young-looking man with pale, almost white skin.


    ¡°Initiate combat,¡± the leader said calmly.


    As one, helmets emerged from the collars of their shiny armor to enclose their hairless heads.


    ¡°Target their heads, as the Kinarian suggested.¡±


    ¡°I suppose we know what happened to all the bodies, although¡­ how are they still moving?¡± the towering woman said.


    Reecheep knew the answer or at least she had a good idea.


    The words refused to come out of her mouth. Terror at the approaching horde stole her voice.


    ¡°These Kinarians are shredded and full of holes. Why are they still ambulatory?¡± the brawny woman said.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing in their eyes. They¡¯re dead,¡± the young man said. ¡°but¡­ not?¡± he glanced at Reecheep. ¡°Please stay close to me.¡±


    Reecheep noticed that she had been sidling back and immediately stopped.


    ¡°Optimum range reached. Commence firing,¡± the leader said.


    Bright streaks of light emerged from their weapons.


    Each was accurate.


    None were rushed.


    The dead Kinarians¡¯ heads exploded one at a time. The bodies dropped to the ground and finally stayed down. The rest of the horde continued to move forward at a shambling pace, as if they were leisurely moving to attend a show display at the theater.


    How many were there?


    A few hundred at least.


    The shadows below concealed the back end of the mass from Reecheep¡¯s eyes.


    Slowly, inexorably, the dead walked forward even as more and more of them fell to the weapons of burning light. Until they were a few paces away from the base of the stairs.


    ¡°Crouch, Braal,¡± the leader said.


    As soon as the brawny woman did as ordered two thin beams of red light lanced out of the leader¡¯s eyes. He swept his head from left to right and sliced through several ranks of dead Kinarians. Right across the tops of their heads.


    ¡°Count is at 215 left,¡± the one called Braal said.


    Reecheep thought she heard a smile in the woman¡¯s voice.


    ¡°My PDW charge is at 30%,¡± the pale, young Immortal next to Reecheep said.


    ¡°Continue firing,¡± the leader said. He turned to Reecheep. The reflective faceplate of his helmet hid his face. ¡°Kinarian. Is this contagious?¡±


    Reecheep tried not to quail back. She swallowed. ¡°If they bite you¡­ but you¡¯re Immortals¡­ they can¡¯t hurt you.¡±


    ¡°You heard her, Braal. We need to conserve weapon charge. Your armor will protect you,¡± the leader said.


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    One word, but again Reecheep heard the joy clearly.


    Braal placed her bulky weapon on her back and it seemed to adhere to the surface of her thick armor without visible attachments. She drew an arm-long rod from a compartment in her right thigh. It extended to about four times its original length. She let out a joyous shout and jumped down.


    She plowed straight into the middle of the horde behind her massive shield.


    Bones broke and bodies tore, but the dead didn¡¯t feel anything.


    Reecheep had no tears to shed for her people. They had ceased being Kinarians in truth with the evil done to them by the outworld invaders.


    The dead reached, grasped and clawed at Braal¡¯s armor, but their sharp talons could barely scratch the shiny armor.


    The powerful woman crushed a handful of heads with each swing of her rod. She knocked the dead down with her shield and body before stomping their heads into pulp, like rotten fruit.


    It was over soon and all that was left beyond the bodies was the stench of death. Something that Reecheep had gotten used to over the past week.


    The leader of the Immortals approached Reecheep.


    She started to move back but the young-looking one grabbed her arm. ¡°We mean you no harm,¡± he said. His helmet retracted to reveal a smiling face.


    ¡°We just have questions,¡± the leader¡¯s face was stern. ¡°What happened here?¡±


    Reecheep told her story in a rush of frantic words.


    It took a moment for the leader to process the wildly branching stream of information that she had hastily given him. The feathers on her head drooped as Reecheep realized that she had sounded like a terrified girl rather than a proper guard.


    ¡°And you don¡¯t know the current location of this outworld invader?¡± the leader said.


    Reecheep shook her head.


    ¡°What is the probability that he has already left the town and moved to the next closest settlement?¡± the tall Immortal said.


    ¡°Unknown. We don¡¯t have enough information to generate a projection. If the outworlder is creating these¡­¡± the leader pointed at the mess of smashed bodies on the lower level, ¡°unfortunates, then reason suggests that he will remain until he has exhausted the available supply.¡± He turned back to Reecheep. ¡°How many of your kind remain?¡±


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    ¡°That I know of? Me, the Speaker, and five hatchlings. They¡¯re the reason I¡¯m out here. We needed supplies.¡±


    The tall Immortal made a sound. ¡°Seven people out of over ten thousand. That¡¯s a lot of dead¡ª or whatever we¡¯re going to call those things¡­ not-dead? Un-dead?¡±


    ¡°Are we certain that they are? I mean, dead, that is¡­¡± the young-looking Immortal said.


    Reecheep was surprised to detect a subtle sensation of fear in his voice.


    What did the Immortals have to fear?


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure they are,¡± the brawny Immortal stomped up the stairs, ¡°I noticed a lot of them had fatal wounds that I didn¡¯t give them. Several appeared to have their internal cavities opened up and organs¡­ partially devoured.¡± Her face twisted. ¡°I say we find this outworlder and make him pay for this evil.¡±


    ¡°PDW charge will not be enough against ten thousand of these walking corpses,¡± the leader said.


    ¡°They can¡¯t get through my armor and I can smash them well enough,¡± the brawny Immortal said.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know what this outworlder is capable of,¡± the leader said.


    ¡°Magic!¡± Reecheep chirped. ¡°He has powerful magic. A shield that can stop our ironspitters and orbs that kill instantly. And the substance that he used to turn my people into those¡­ things.¡±


    ¡°Magic,¡± the brawny Immortal bared her teeth.


    ¡°We require more information before proceeding,¡± the leader said.


    ¡°Perhaps we have all that we need to bring in more strike teams?¡± the tall Immortal said.


    The leader pondered a moment before shaking his head. ¡°The threshold for adequate information has not been met. We must develop a full profile of the outworlder.¡±


    The tall Immortal sighed. ¡°I guess I¡¯ll need a switch to speed, Kala. Invisibility and intangibility are unpredictable when it comes to dealing with magic.¡±


    ¡°Hold,¡± the leader said. ¡°We don¡¯t know where the outworlder is currently and you running around will alert him to our presence. We have the advantage of surprise.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know where the outworld invader is,¡± Reecheep said.


    ¡°Then can you tell us where the mostly densely populated area of your town is located?¡±


    Reecheep looked into the red-skinned Immortal¡¯s eyes, then remembered the scything beams that had emerged from them. Awkwardly, she tilted her head to one side to get out of his gaze. Naturally, the effort was in vain as his eyes simply tracked her.


    ¡°Yes¡­ but I have to get these supplies back to the others.¡±


    ¡°Very well. We¡¯ll escort you. Then you will give us directions.¡±


    Reecheep let out a whistle in relief. ¡°Oh, thank Torn! I thought you were going to ask me to take you there.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. Verbal directions or a simple map will suffice.¡±


    ¡°I can do both.¡± Reecheep was pleased that she could be of use to the Immortals. With luck they would destroy the outworld invader, put her people to rest and keep her and the other survivors alive. ¡°Follow me.¡±


    ¡°Braal will take point. You will walk behind me and give directions from there,¡± the leader said as the brawny Immortal grunted and moved forward. ¡°I¡¯ve been remiss in introductions. I¡¯m Cechon, that is Braal, Luun and Kala.¡±


    Reecheep mentally filed their names by the color of their skin.


    Cechon, the leader, was an angry red.


    Braal was like a green gemstone.


    The extremely tall Luun was gray.


    And the oddly young-looking, for an Immortal, Kala had pale skin, bordering on white.


    ¡°My name is Reecheep,¡± she said softly.


    Cechon acknowledged her with a slight nod.


    Under Reecheep¡¯s guidance they made their way through the silent town. Footsteps seemed to echo into the distance to Reecheep. Her toe talons softly clicking against the wood filled her auditory canals and had her head darting wildly around, expecting the dead to fall on her at any moment.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not picking up any movement or heat signatures,¡± Kala whispered from behind her.


    A snort from the rear of the line. ¡°Our scanners aren¡¯t exactly their normal perfect selves. Not to mention that dead things don¡¯t typically give off warmth,¡± Luun said.


    ¡°I know that,¡± Kala hissed, ¡°but she didn¡¯t and now you¡¯ve just scared her even more.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m okay,¡± Reecheep lied.


    She told herself that in the midst of a band of Immortals was the safest place she could be in this situation. Also, she reminded herself that she had managed to survive days without them.


    They reached their destination in under an hour.


    ¡°It¡¯s a guard post. It was in the process of expansion, so there was a lot of building materials that we were able to use to clog the narrow hallway leading to the living quarters. That¡¯s where the Speaker and I managed to get the hatchlings from the nearby nursery to when this all started.¡± That first night with the screams and death flashed through Reecheep¡¯s thoughts. For a moment she was back then. She forced it away with effort. ¡°Some of the hatchlings¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you did your duty,¡± Kala said.


    ¡°Did you leave the door open?¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°No¡­¡± Reecheep¡¯s heart sank.


    ¡°Claw marks and this blood is fresh,¡± Braal said.


    ¡°Breach it Braal, I¡¯m right behind you. Kala, Luun secure this location. Keep Reecheep safe,¡± Cechon said.


    The two charged into the dark interior of the guard station without hesitation.


    Reecheep heard loud crashing sounds as if Braal was plowing right through the walls.


    Sounds of combat reached her, but only for a moment.


    Seconds passed.


    Then minutes.


    She silently pleaded with the two Immortals standing near her.


    ¡°You¡¯ve seen how easily Braal handled the not-dead. I¡¯m sure they¡¯re just tending to the survivors,¡± Kala said.


    Not exactly the answer she was hoping for.


    To say survivors suggested that there were deaths. The hatchlings? The Speaker.


    Luun regarded Reecheep with warmth in her gray eyes. ¡°Sometimes it¡¯s best not to speak what is in your thoughts, young Kala,¡± she sighed.


    Braal and Cechon emerged shortly after.


    The former carried a much battered body over one shoulder.


    ¡°Is Alasdor¡ª¡±


    ¡°Unconscious. Superficial and serious slashes, but no bites. You had stated that a bite was necessary to transmit the same malady that gives the dead life,¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯ve seen,¡± Reecheep said. She suddenly noticed something missing. ¡°The hatchlings?¡±


    ¡°Apologies. We were too late. The dead had reached them long before we arrived. This Alasdor, had managed to lock himself inside a cell. We have put all the dead to rest,¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°I¡ª thank you.¡± Reecheep felt nothing, just a numbness that flowed through her bones. All that work to keep the hatchlings safe¡­ undone in an instant.


    ¡°You called this man a Speaker?¡± Cechon said.


    Reecheep head bobbed.


    ¡°Which of your gods does he represent?¡±


    Reecheep blinked in surprise.


    Of course an Immortal would know.


    ¡°Alasdor is a Speaker of Torn.¡±


    ¡°The Riven god,¡± Luun snorted.


    ¡°The what?¡± Kala¡¯s smooth brow furrowed.


    ¡°Did you not read the briefing?¡± Luun reached out a long-finger hand to flick the back of Kala¡¯s head.


    ¡°Enough,¡± Cechon said flatly. ¡°Braal, how is the priest?¡±


    ¡°Almost finished patching him up. Scans appear to show no sign of foreign substances in his body. That¡¯s a point in favor of Reecheep¡¯s bite vector theory. I wonder what happens if spit gets into an open wound¡­¡± Braal stopped bandaging Alasdor for a moment, ¡°do the not-dead even have saliva. I don¡¯t think I noticed.¡±


    ¡°How did you not? You engaged them in close combat,¡± Luun said.


    Braal shrugged and continued her work on Alasdor¡¯s wounds.


    ¡°Where do we go now?¡± Reecheep whispered.


    ¡°This place is no longer safe. The two of you will travel with us toward the location you promised to provide. We¡¯ll find a secure place for you on the way there,¡± Cechon said.


    Reecheep nodded.


    Her crown of feathers drooped flat against her head.

 Interlude: Sentinels 1.4

    ¡°PDW charge down to 10%!¡± Kala pushed Reecheep up the stairs urging her to move faster, while he fired down.


    The dead Kinarian horde was climbing the stairs and the walls of the tree-like structure. They moved slowly, but were inexorable, like a river overflowing its banks.


    ¡°Conserve energy. The ones behind us aren¡¯t a concern. They can¡¯t keep up so long as we keep moving,¡± Cechon said.


    Cluster of not-dead on the next platform, Luun¡¯s voice came in over the communicator.


    ¡°Braal will clear them. Stay out of her way,¡± Cechon said.


    Already scouting ahead.


    Braal transferred the unconscious Alasdor to Cechon and lumbered up the stairs.


    Cechon slowed the rest with a gesture.


    Fast enough to stay ahead of the pursuing hordes of dead Kinarians, but slow enough to give Braal time.


    ¡°Are you certain that this will take us to the place we need to go?¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°Yes. There is a line at the top that will take us to the main bridge across the Sandereek River. The largest dwelling tree is located on the other side. Standard protocol in event of a wall breach on either side of the river is to use the bridges as defensible choke points. I don¡¯t know what happened or is happening on the other side, but¡­¡± Reecheep shrugged.


    ¡°There is a chance that your soldiers and fellow guards were able to defend the bridges from the dead,¡± Kala said as he continually glanced back and down at the mass of dead Kinarians chasing them.


    ¡°The tactically sound action would¡¯ve been to destroy the bridges.¡± Cechon said. Then he appeared to reconsider. ¡°Unless the river poses no obstacle to the dead. There is the possibility that some of the dead are being carried away by the swift current as we speak.¡±


    Kala¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°The river flows into our domain.¡±


    ¡°The dead are no threat individually or in small groups,¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°Platform is clear!¡± Braal called down.


    Alasdor stirred as they reached it. ¡°What is¡ª? The hatchlings¡ª¡± he staggered to his feet after Cechon had unceremoniously lowered him to the ground.


    ¡°There will be time for explanations later,¡± Cechon said before Reecheep could open her mouth. ¡°All you need to know is that you must walk on your own if able. If not we will continue to carry you.¡±


    ¡°Immortals! Here!¡± The sparse, gray feathers on Alasdor¡¯s head fanned a moment before falling flat. ¡°Of course. Utter calamity is the only thing that would bring you out of your sacred lands. I¡¯m a Speaker of Torn and I owe you for my life.¡± He looked around. ¡°The hatchlings are dead.¡± A statement not a question.


    ¡°Yes, Speaker,¡± Reecheep said. A faint warble of sadness filled her words.


    ¡°Then we must move forward,¡± Alasdor said. ¡°I must inform Torn of what transpired here and you, young guard must do the same to your superiors. I presume to ask of you honored Immortals, another boon. Will you convey us from this place of death?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Cechon said flatly. ¡°Our mission is to assess the threat and eliminate it if possible.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Alasdor¡¯s head bowed. ¡°Perhaps that will give us the opportunity to escape.¡±


    The rest of the way up is clear of not-dead, Luun¡¯s voice interrupted.


    ¡°Then we move quickly,¡± Cechon said.


    The group rushed up the spiraling stairs.


    Although some of the dead were climbing the walls, they were slow, which meant that even though they had less distance to travel the group was still able to increase their lead.


    When they finally reached the line station at the top of the structure they had time to reassess their situation and plan.


    Cechon stared at the conveyance that was going to get them across to a location near the bridge.


    It was basket-like. Large enough for a handful of people. It hung from the thick line in an intricate system of ropes, pulleys and wheels. There were several of the baskets in a row. Dark blood was everywhere.


    ¡°You can operate this?¡± Cechon turned to Reecheep.


    ¡°I think so, all guards are trained in the event of an emergency,¡± Reecheep said.


    ¡°What is the weight tolerance?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but each one has room for 5 adult Kinarians.¡±


    ¡°Braal, you¡¯ll have to go negative on your density.¡±


    ¡°Understood, strike leader. Though, I won¡¯t be able to carry my shield,¡± Braal said.


    ¡°Place it in the basket and when you reach the other side increase your density.¡±


    Braal nodded and walked over to the first basket.


    ¡°Kala and Luun, you are in the next basket.¡± Cechon turned to the two Kinarians. ¡°We will be in the last one.¡±


    They complied, while Cechon took Reecheep to the control booth near the center of the line platform.


    He had her instruct him on how to operate it before sending her to join Alasdor in the third basket.


    Once she was inside he engaged the machinery.


    Gears turned and the baskets slowly moved.


    Cechon boarded the basket just as the dead began to reach the platform. ¡°Is this the fastest this conveyance travels?¡± he eyed the slowly approaching dead. A mental calculation had them reaching the baskets before clearing the platform.


    ¡°Yes. It will be faster once we are off,¡± Reecheep said.


    Cechon face was a blank mask.


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Energy must be expended.


    Not the others¡¯ PDW¡¯s. Especially Luun and Kala. The former needed a different power to be effective in combat. He judged that invisibility was still needed for scouting. While the latter¡¯s combat potential lay solely in his PDW.


    Hence, those needed to be conserved.


    Which left him with one option.


    Twin beams of light lanced out of his eyes and cut through the first rank of dead. He aimed for their knees and cut their legs out from under them.


    The dead fell and those behind stumbled over them.


    Cechon did another mental calculation.


    Further energy expenditure was no longer necessary.


    He had done enough to slow pursuit.


    ¡°I have questions,¡± Cechon turned to Alasdor as their basket finally transitioned from wooden platform to open air underneath.


    ¡°Ask them, Immortal,¡± Alasdor replied instantly.


    ¡°You¡¯re a true Speaker of Torn,¡±


    ¡°Yes, the Riven god would strike me down if I lie.¡±


    ¡°Then why aren¡¯t you able to lay the dead to rest?¡±


    Reecheep¡¯s eyes blinked rapidly as her head turned from one to the other.


    Alasdor looked wary.


    ¡°The archives hold many stories. Histories of the distant past. So much knowledge lost and forgotten. Even among my kind, most don¡¯t take the time and effort to review them,¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°And you aren¡¯t like most,¡± Alasdor said.


    ¡°Have the priests forgotten? Or have you lost the ability?¡±


    ¡°The dead that walk¡­ I had only thought them myths,¡± Alasdor sighed. ¡°We haven¡¯t lost the ability. All speakers have the Skill, Lay the Dead to Rest. I never understood it. There seemed to be no purpose. How wrong I was,¡± he shook his head, ¡°foolish.¡±


    ¡°You tried it and it failed,¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°Oh, I tried with everything in me. With my faith in Torn, my faith in myself¡­ it did nothing to these dead. The hatchlings¡­¡±


    ¡°The histories aren¡¯t wrong. They are complete with verifiable evidence. Live recordings and data enough to tell me that your skill has, in the past, done exactly as its name states. These dead that walk are different from those in the past,¡± Cechon said. ¡°Reecheep recalled the strange substance that the outworlder fed your people. That is the source.¡±


    ¡°Yes, she had mentioned that. It fits, but I can¡¯t say for certain,¡± Alasdor shrugged. He was already an old man, but he seemed to deflate and fold in on himself. ¡°This is beyond my knowledge and ability to face.¡±


    ¡°That will not be required from you,¡± Cechon said.


    Silence descended as they stood in the suspended baskets slowly traveling across an arm-thick cable of tightly coiled rope. Beneath them were shorter structures, all hidden in darkness aside from the occasional flickering light orb or fire. Tiny and insignificant in the distance.


    One could almost forget the presence of unknown thousands of dead Kinarians that in violation of all natural laws continued to move in a mindless hunger to kill the living. And to consume, if Braal¡¯s assessment had been correct.


    Cechon was in tentative agreement with his stronghold. He had seen the evidence in the remains of the hatchlings that Reecheep and Alasdor had tried to protect.


    In that this new form of dead that walked shared similarities with the ones of their world¡¯s ancient past.


    Their difference lay in the nature of the unnatural affliction.


    The past was clear. Such abominations were strictly magical in nature.


    But now?


    If Reecheep¡¯s recollection was accurate, he had no reason to disbelieve her, then the new variety was born from a foreign substance forcibly ingested. Biological? Chemical? A mixture of the two?


    The outworlder had the answers to those questions.


    Cechon intended to obtain them, no matter what it took.


    They passed through a thick cloud of smoke that had the two Kinarians wheezing and coughing.


    The Sentinels were unaffected and Cechon could only look on with guarded sympathy.


    He doubted that the two were capable of escaping the town and logic told him that even if he did find a safe space for them to hide. It would only be a matter of time before the dead found them.


    They reached the terminus station of the quaint, but effective conveyance in under a half hour.


    The Sentinels had secured the platform by the time Cechon¡¯s basket locked into place.


    ¡°No signs of not-dead,¡± Luun said. ¡°Shall I scout a path down?¡±


    Cechon nodded and the tall Sentinel vanished from sight. He checked his PDW charge. It had increased by 10% in the time it took to cross the distance. The internal energy source in their armor could keep the weapon and its systems charged indefinitely as long as they had access to the sun¡¯s light. The issue was the speed at which the weapon could be charged when weighed against the drain in their current situation.


    They waited in silence for another half hour before Luun¡¯s voice came in over the communicator.


    No not-dead in this structure. Shall I continue to the bridge?


    ¡°Yes,¡± Cechon said. ¡°We proceed,¡± he told the rest.


    As always Braal led the way, followed by Cechon, the two Kinarians and Kala in the rear.


    Old blood was splattered everywhere they looked. Claw marks were haphazardly carved into the wooden flooring and walls, even the ceiling.


    Cechon could only imagine that Kinarians had tried to escape their dead by leaping up and clinging to the ceiling. To think of them desperately hanging from their talons until their strength gave out, plunging them into the waiting arms and teeth of what was once their families or friends was unpleasant, so he stopped.


    They reached the bottom of the structure when Luun contacted Cechon again.


    The bridge will be a problem. I¡¯ve eyes on a broken wall across the middle and what appears to be two outworlders standing guard.


    ¡°Understood. Remain hidden and observe. We are on our way.¡±


    They found cover in the lowest level of a structure with a clear sight line to the bridge.


    Cechon studied the two outworlders through the enhanced visual modes in his helmet.


    Their glossy, black armor was made of a composite of materials that suggested protecting from cutting forces and ballistic impact. Superior to anything else in the world, not counting sentinel gear.


    The weapons in their hands read as projectile weapons with chemically-propelled ammunition. The Sentinels had made use of such weaponry thousands of years ago. How powerful they were was unknown.


    Braal¡¯s thick armor was likely safe, but his own armor, let alone Luun¡¯s and Kala¡¯s were much thinner.


    There was heat coming from the outworlders, but alarmingly less than expected from beings of their size.


    Whether that was due to the encompassing armor or another reason was unknown.


    ¡°Reecheep, confirm. These are the outworlders that you saw?¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°Yes, but there were more and the leader had long, straw-colored hair,¡± Reecheep said.


    ¡°The bridge wall is broken. Then the dead have already reached the eastern half of town. Hope is lost.¡± Alasdor bowed his head. Gray feathers drooped.


    Reecheep felt her own brighter plumage fall.


    ¡°You two will remain here,¡± Cechon said. ¡°Braal, you and I will approach with stealth. Luun, get to optimum firing range, but remain concealed until I give the signal.¡± The communicator clicked with wordless confirmation. ¡°Once I¡¯m in range, Braal will draw their attention, while the two of us engage.¡±


    ¡°My duties, strike leader?¡± Kala said.


    ¡°Protect the Kinarians.¡±


    Kala gave a curt nod.


    Braal and Cechon descended to ground level as they used trunk-like structures of varying shapes and sizes to creep closer to the bridge.


    They were nearing their destination when a loud burst shattered the night¡¯s stillness.


    They spotted me through invisibility, Luun¡¯s words came out in ragged gasps over the communicator. I¡¯m injured, projectile weapon. Penetrated my armor. Through my left shoulder. Aid systems already addressing the damage. I¡¯m relocating.


    Braal and Cechon rushed forward.


    Stealth was no longer their primary concern.

 Interlude: Sentinels 1.5

    The one drawback with laser beam was the lack of range. The thin beams lost cohesion at roughly 50 meters, dissipating into nothing. There were other striker powers with significantly longer ranges. Under normal circumstances Cechon would¡¯ve had Kala switch him to one of those as he sprinted toward the bridge to engage the outworlders. If he had been close to one of the many remote Armory up-link hubs scattered strategically throughout their territory then a synergist wasn¡¯t strictly necessary to access the powers.


    As it was, Cechon had to make do with what he had.


    Which was a superior stronghold to take cover behind.


    ¡°Braal, go to maximum density without sacrificing your running speed.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Braal said.


    A good member of a tetrastrike team didn¡¯t question commands when in the heat of battle.


    ¡°Your shield and armor will be sufficient to stop the outworlders¡¯ ballistic weaponry.¡±


    Braal grunted and charged forward. Her boots left deep impressions in the soft, damp ground.


    ¡°Enemy in sight,¡± Braal said.


    Cechon had fought with her on many occasions. He heard the smile in her voice that always crept in when she was in battle.


    ¡°Don¡¯t deviate from your path under any circumstances,¡± Cechon said.


    The outworlders heard Braal coming before they saw her round the gently sloping corner of a tree-like structure. The last cover before a thirty meter expanse of open space to the enormous bridge. They didn¡¯t hesitate and their weapons began to bark a steady staccato of bursts.


    Cechon stuck close to Braal¡¯s heels.


    He could hear the projectiles plinking off Braal¡¯s shield and armor. He allowed himself to feel relief at his assessment that Braal¡¯s thicker armor wouldn¡¯t fail like Luun¡¯s thinner one.


    The two sentinels ran into withering fire.


    Closer with each second.


    The outworlders began to alternate fire as they took turns reloading.


    Finally, Cechon¡¯s faceplate indicated that he had reached 50 meters to the outworlders.


    Three steps later he stuck his head to one side of Braal and let loose twin lasers from his eyes.


    Aiming was easy when all he had to do was look at his target.


    The beams burned right through the leftmost outworlder¡¯s shiny, black chest armor.


    The effect wasn¡¯t what Cechon expected.


    The outworlder ignored the sizzling holes in the middle of his chest and continued to fire.


    ¡°Strike Leader!¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re dead¡ª but they have heat signatures unlike the Kinarians.¡±


    ¡°Could be an outworlder thing. Infinite worlds means infinite varieties of lifeforms. Perhaps these ones are capable of surviving laser beams to the chest,¡± Braal grunted.


    Cechon fired another pair of beams.


    This time he turned his gaze slightly.


    The beams cleaved through the rightmost outworlders¡¯ left arm, taking the weapon along with the appendage.


    10 meters.


    The disarmed outworlder stumbled forward, which somehow turned into a charge.


    What happened next defied Cechon¡¯s long experience battling all types of monsters.


    The outworlder¡¯s body began to swell in size. Shiny, black armor and the clothing beneath ripped and tore as muscles grew grotesquely large.


    Flesh followed to reveal bloody red muscles.


    Through it all the outworlder didn¡¯t make a sound.


    ¡°Engaging in close combat,¡± Braal said.


    Cechon dived to one side as the outworlder, three times his original size, slammed a shoulder into Braal¡¯s shield.


    Braal was thrown back several paces despite an increase to her density that had her boots leaving deep craters in the stone surface of the bridge.


    The monstrous outworlder chased after Braal, wildly smashing over-sized fists at her.


    She was forced to crouch behind her shield, which was beginning to dent, as she scrambled to pull her rod free from its compartment.


    Meanwhile, Cechon took cover behind a stone pillar on the right side of the bridge.


    Stone chips flew as the second outworlder continued to mechanically fire his weapon.


    Cechon waited until the outworlder was forced to reload. He stuck his head out and fired off a quick pair of lasers.


    He aimed low.


    The beams pierced the outworlder¡¯s knee armor and sent him crumpling to the ground.


    Energy reserves running low, Cechon drew his PDW and blew the outworlder¡¯s head off.


    Braal was having trouble with her opponent.


    The massive monster battered her all over the bridge. Not giving her an opportunity to strike back.


    A meaty hand grabbed the top of her shield and pulled.


    Braal matched him strength for strength and the shield didn¡¯t budge.


    A second bloody hand grabbed the bottom of the shield.


    Two against one.


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    There was only one possible outcome.


    Her shield was torn from her grasp and went flying over the side of the bridge sending an eruption of water high up in the air.


    Braal¡¯s face was hidden behind her faceplate, but Cechon could picture the smile.


    She gripped her rod in two hands and swung low.


    The side of the outworlder¡¯s knee buckled. Broken.


    Not that it mattered.


    The outworlder remained silent as he took a step on his broken knee, stumbled, but still struck out at Braal.


    She slapped a hand big enough to completely engulf her head aside. Her density was at close to the maximum safe limit, which made her tremendously strong. Still, she barely managed to deflect the outworlder.


    She lashed out with her rod. Smacking the outworlder across the jaw.


    The entire lower portion of the outworlder¡¯s face tore off in a disgusting gush of blood and saliva.


    He didn¡¯t react, make a sound or otherwise show signs of pain.


    His grossly distended and swollen tongue lolled about as he continued to throw wild, grasping strikes at Braal. Blood and spittle splashed across her entire front.


    She gave a silent thanks for fully-sealed combat armor.


    However, she was starting to think that she¡¯d have to render the outworlder into parts in order to finally neutralize him.


    Her PDW was an option, but she didn¡¯t have the time to swap her rod out. It was taking all her concentration to keep the outworlder from laying his enormous hands on her. She battered him continuously, but all she managed to do was slow him down. One would¡¯ve expected that multiple broken bones and internal damage would¡¯ve been enough.


    Even with the increase to her body density, she wasn¡¯t willing to risk testing her durability against the enormous outworlder¡¯s strength.


    Two red beams shoot out of the outworlder¡¯s grotesque forehead.


    Braal didn¡¯t waste a moment.


    She slammed her rod down on the same spot.


    The outworlder tottered. Then fell.


    Braal didn¡¯t stop hammering until the head was an indistinct smear on the broken stone.


    ¡°Now what?¡± Braal said.


    Cechon stared at the broken wall across the middle of the bridge. ¡°We proceed.¡±


    Elsewhere, deep inside the largest dwelling structure in the eastern half of River Town, the very place that the sentinels and their guides were headed, evil had found a home.


    The Zombie Master stared at the bound Kinarians huddled in front of him. The pungent stench of waste and unwashed bodies filled the space, but a simple spell prevented the odors from bothering him. A necessary indulgence for though the man had found his passion in the manipulation and control of the dead he had a sensitive nose.


    ¡°That one,¡± he pointed at an older-looking Kinarian. One of his silent mercenaries stepped forward and grabbed the Kinarian like a small sack of oats before carrying the Kinarian to one of the side rooms. ¡°And that one,¡± he pointed to a child, ¡°and that one,¡± to one that appeared to be in her middle years.


    After close to a hundred experiments over the past week he had grown confident in his ability to discern the ages of the Kinarians. The physical condition and coloration of their feathers was the key.


    They went from soft, downy, without much color in the young, to harder, longer, brighter as they aged into their primes, then they lost color and grew sparse and wilted like flowers as the Kinarian reached the end of their lives.


    ¡°Return the rest to their enclosures.¡±


    The remaining mercenaries didn¡¯t hesitate at the command. They moved with mechanical efficiency as they herded the Kinarians away. There were faint whistles and screeches that he now knew to be signs of pain. His zombie mercenaries lacked conscience or concern. If a Kinarian fell they weren¡¯t given the opportunity to get back to their feet. They were either trampled by the others or dragged along.


    He went into the child¡¯s room first.


    The small Kinarian stared up at him with impossibly large, round eyes.


    ¡°You will be useful as an infiltrator or infection vector for other cities. If I can manage to tweak the formula so that you can mimic some basic life signs. Soft heart beats or breath. The warmth I can copy with enchanted heating items inserted below your skin. Thin cloth in places that others would likely touch?¡± he mused.


    A soft, keening sound emerged from the child¡¯s mouth as she shut her eyes.


    ¡°That¡¯s probably for the best. If it¡¯s any consolation. I¡¯m not a cruel man. You won¡¯t feel a thing,¡± he muttered words that the child didn¡¯t understand, ¡°Sleep. See, not everyone would bother wasting mana,¡± he said.


    True to his word the Kinarian child didn¡¯t feel a thing as he began to slice into her body with a scalpel.


    First, he opened up her throat.


    Once again he was struck by how similar and different it looked to a human one. Which made sense, since the Kinarians were capable of speech, like humans and were also capable of making bird sounds. He wasn¡¯t an animal biologist so he didn¡¯t really know or care about the details beyond a cursory look.


    He took a small dropper filled with his modified copy of Blissful Purpose and liberally covered a wide area of the Kinarian¡¯s open neck. He drew on his necromantic magic, connecting to the substance and the Kinarian¡¯s flesh as the former was absorbed into the latter. Will and intent worked into the substance, changing it.


    His magical instinct told him that he was on the right track.


    Next he took a syringe of the substance and injected it straight into the Kinarian¡¯s heart, then brain.


    It didn¡¯t take long.


    He felt the child slowly die through their connection.


    ¡°The heart will beat,¡± he said firmly followed with words of power.


    Seconds.


    Minutes.


    He allowed a small smile to grace his fine features.


    Eventually, the heart began to beat. Faint, soft and too widely spaced, but enough to convince the unwary. After all, most sapient beings lost their objectivity when presented with a child in distress.


    He judged that the melding of the Purpose and his dark magic would last for weeks. At which point the child would be just like the basic level of zombie until he infused her again.


    He waved his hand over the open throat. A magical glow filled the small room as the flesh re-knit itself. He left the zombie child for now. He¡¯d return later once he decided on a solution to the warm body issue.


    The next room contained the middle-aged Kinarian. This one had a glazed look in her eyes. He knew from experience that he wouldn¡¯t be able to pry any information out of this one no matter what carrots or sticks he tried. She had given up all hope and had retreated deeply into her thoughts.


    The world in her mind no longer matched actual reality.


    So, he wasted no time in injecting her heart and brain with Purpose. Death came and he went to work imparting the program, as it were, that he wanted her to follow. She¡¯d be part of his horde of expendable soldiers in spreading the infection to other towns. His magic filled the dead woman, merging with the substance.


    It didn¡¯t take long.


    Once he was done, he unstrapped the woman from the table and left her to shamble outside and join the rest.


    The old man was last.


    This one glared at the Zombie Master.


    ¡°I find it interesting that it¡¯s either the younger ones or the oldest ones that display¡­ bravery¡­ the most.¡±


    ¡°Once our gods learn of the evil you¡¯ve done here¡ª¡±


    He silenced the old Kinarian with a wave of his hand. Another simple, yet useful spell.


    ¡°So, I¡¯ve heard. And yet, I¡¯ve been here for a week, working my evil magic,¡± he smiled and revealed perfect, white teeth, ¡°I would think that any being powerful enough to be considered a god would have noticed. Magic and power, like all energy, are beacons for those who are capable of using such. Maybe, River Town is too far away? If that¡¯s the case then I have to question the power level of these so-called gods. Or have you considered that they know and they¡¯re wary of me?¡±


    What he was going to say next was forgotten when he felt of a spike of death magic flowing into him.


    ¡°Interesting,¡± he murmured.


    It was magical energy he had expended to animate his elite guards. Two were no longer present in his consciousness. The ones he had left to guard the bridge.


    The advanced zombie mercenaries had been destroyed.


    That was the most likely explanation.


    Zombies outside the range of his death aura required a permanent expenditure of magical energy to sustain otherwise they would become corpses once they ran out. The more powerful the zombie the greater the requirement, the quicker the drain. The simplest ones could last for months, especially if they went into dormancy.


    He sent his will out to all of his zombies, elite and basic.


    They were about to be attacked.

 Interlude: Sentinels 1.6

    Reecheep stared at the large boat bobbing at the edge of the dock. ¡°Could you please repeat?¡± She wasn¡¯t certain that she had heard Cechon¡¯s words correctly.


    ¡°You and Alasdor will take that craft down the river to our lands. You will be stopped by sentries. At which point you will give them this,¡± he placed a small crystal in her hand, ¡°you will have to answer questions, but once finished you will be returned to the nearest safe Kinarian settlement.¡±


    Alasdor nodded. ¡°The closest town is more than a month away on foot. The two of us will be vulnerable to monster attack out on the plains without the protection of a full convoy. This is the best option.¡±


    ¡°But what about river monsters?¡± Reecheep said.


    ¡°The current is swift and I can still call upon Torn¡¯s might,¡± Alasdor bowed his head, ¡°even if it failed here.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve calculated that the two of you will be enough to adequately steer the craft. The speaker is correct. The speed of the river will be your ally, along with the craft¡¯s size,¡± Cechon said. ¡°Don¡¯t lose that crystal. It contains everything we¡¯ve learned here.¡±


    Reecheep bobbed her head then followed Alasdor to the craft.


    Braal helped them along with a mighty push from the dock.


    The river current was strong indeed.


    The craft quickly grew smaller in the distance.


    ¡°Luun, how is your injury?¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°I¡¯m at 80% optimum performance capacity,¡± Luun replied. Her gray face was pinched. Wrinkles marred her normally smooth brow and the corners of her eyes.


    ¡°Kala, switch Luun to speed,¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    It took an alarmingly long time for Kala to facilitate the change in Luun¡¯s power.


    The young sentinel had a sheen of sweat glistening on his pale forehead when he was finished. He took several deep breaths.


    Cechon gave him that before the next request. ¡°Give me fire.¡±


    Kala complied without a word. When he was done he tottered on his feet. Braal had to steady him with a firm, but gently hand.


    ¡°Can you do one more?¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°I¡ª I can,¡± Kala whispered.


    ¡°Give Braal, forceshield.¡±


    An almost imperceptible frown creased Braal¡¯s forehead. ¡°Strike Leader?¡±


    ¡°We face an enemy that numbers in the thousands. We must be able to control the battlefield.¡±


    Braal nodded.


    Kala did what was asked of him, but his eyes rolled into the back of his head. He would¡¯ve crashed to the ground without Braal¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Inconvenient,¡± Cechon said.


    Luun held her hand over Kala¡¯s head. ¡°Scanner states that he has overtaxed his connection nodes to the armory.¡±


    ¡°Time to regaining consciousness?¡±


    ¡°Estimated between 10 and 30 minutes.¡±


    ¡°Can we wait that long?¡± Braal said.


    ¡°We will have to. I don¡¯t want to face the outworlders and their dead hordes at less than full strength,¡± Cechon said. ¡°Luun, beginning scouting. Expanding circular pattern with us as the center. Stick to the lowest levels of the structures. Braal¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll carry Kala. I¡¯m still strong enough to do that even without increased density.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s move toward the dwelling Reecheep told us about. Keep an eye out for a good defensible position. We¡¯ll stick to the ground for now.¡±


    Luun dashed off in a blur, while Cechon and Braal, with Kala over one shoulder, moved at a cautious walk. With their instruments hampered they had to rely on their eyes to continually scan the platforms overhead.


    The eastern half of the town was eerily quiet.


    There wasn¡¯t much evidence of the horrific bloodshed as in the larger western half, though Cechon decided that was because they were moving at ground level. The Kinarians didn¡¯t tend to move around on the ground unless necessary.


    Time seemed to pass slowly, though the clock in his faceplate suggested otherwise.


    The sooner Kala woke the less vulnerable he¡¯d feel.


    Signs of violence, but I haven¡¯t encountered any not-dead yet, Luun said.


    ¡°Understood,¡± Cechon replied.


    They continued to walk until Kala woke with a groan.


    ¡°Finally,¡± Braal unceremoniously dumped Kala on the ground.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Kala said.


    ¡°You fried your brain,¡± Braal said.


    I¡¯ve got eyes on target dwelling structure. Reecheep wasn¡¯t exaggerating. It¡¯s enormous, Luun said.


    ¡°The dead?¡± Cechon said.


    None in sight or sound or scan.


    ¡°Can¡¯t trust the scanners, but we can trust Luun,¡± Braal said. ¡°Maybe all of the not-dead were on the other side of the river?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re dealing with magic,¡± Cechon shook his head. ¡°Luun, head back to us. We¡¯re going to ascend up into the town and continue from there.¡±


    Understood.


    Nothing.


    There were hardly any sounds aside from the birds and insects hidden by darkness and shadow.


    Night was like day with their helmets¡¯ assistance, but the way to the dwelling was empty of all signs, living or dead, except for the ever-present blood and claw marks marring the wood surfaces.


    Their target structure loomed large over its surroundings. Shaped to look like a sprawling tree, its artfully carved branches spread out and up to disappear into the dark sky.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Cechon called for a halt with a gesture.


    Movement.


    One of the doors at the base of the structure opened.


    They saw dim light from within, which was quickly blocked by a silhouette.


    A Kinarian.


    A dead one by the listless way it shambled forward.


    The sentinels raised their PDW¡¯s as one.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we just relax for a second.¡±


    The voice that came out of the dead Kinarian¡¯s mouth was unexpected.


    For one, none of the hundreds of dead they had encountered spoke.


    Second, the Kinarian was female, while the voice was male.


    The readings in Cechon¡¯s helmet confirmed it. The voice didn¡¯t match Kinarian frequency patterns.


    It was the outworlder.


    ¡°Why have you done this?¡± Cechon said without lowering his weapon.


    ¡°Because I must. Because the spires require it. I¡¯m sure you know. ¡®Strength through conflict. Survival through strength.¡¯ Constantly, eternal, everlasting. So on and so forth as the spires decree.¡±


    ¡°A false justification. Conflict between sapient beings is not strictly necessary. Monsters provide enough challenges to gain strength,¡± Cechon said.


    The dead Kinarian continued to shamble forward.


    Only two hundred meters of open space separated her from the sentinels.


    ¡°You¡¯re technically correct, but alas my class¡­ requires¡­ sapients and thus in order to grow, to survive I must adhere to a certain path.¡±


    ¡°Massacre. Evil,¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°Is it? Does it count when I¡¯m doing it to a different species? I question¡­ I¡¯m not heartless and I¡¯m not deluded enough to not recognize that these Kinarians and you are thinking, feeling beings.¡±


    ¡°There has never been a purely evil species of sapient beings. Your kind must adhere to a code of behavior for the benefit of an ordered and functional society.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ more or less.¡±


    ¡°Then you know what you¡¯ve done here is a most heinous crime. The only recourse now for a non-evil being is to surrender and submit to justice,¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°Purpose. There is purpose in what I do here. It is assuredly not evil. I haven¡¯t turned over ten thousand Kinarians into my horde just for the hell of it. It was necessary.¡±


    ¡°What purpose could you possibly have?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re my enemy¡­ that information I won¡¯t share.¡±


    ¡°You refuse surrender?¡±


    ¡°Naturally.¡±


    ¡°Then you will be destroyed for justice and the good of our world.¡±


    ¡°The good of the world¡­¡± the voice grew wistful, ¡°yes¡­ isn¡¯t that all we want in the end?¡±


    ¡°Luun, put the dead to rest,¡± Cechon said.


    Luun sprinted forward with long strides that left small craters in the wooden floor. She covered the hundred meters to the dead Kinarian in two blinks of an eye.


    A gust of wind blew the dead Kinarian to one side as Luun sprinted past.


    One second later the top part of the dead Kinarian¡¯s head slipped free from the rest. The brain was sliced through.


    Luun skidded to a stop and flicked the curved blade in her hand free of gore.


    ¡°Huh, I wasn¡¯t quite finished yet. There were more things I wanted to muse on,¡± the outworlder¡¯s voice seemed to come from all around the sentinels.


    ¡°Wha¡ª¡± Braal said.


    Dead Kinarians in the hundreds, no, thousands suddenly began to emerge from the all of the structures around them.


    Every door in the front of the dwelling opened as more dead shambled out.


    ¡°I give you my zombie horde,¡± the outworlder said. ¡°What kind of Zombie Master would I be without a proper horde. This is only the beginning. I look forward to adding you four.¡±


    ¡°How did we miss them?¡± Kala said.


    ¡°Magic,¡± Braal grumbled.


    ¡°This should be a good test. The Kinarians weren¡¯t much of a challenge. You seem to be the cream of the crop of this world. Don¡¯t disappoint. If you can make it through, I¡¯ll be waiting inside,¡± the Zombie Master said.


    ¡°Zombies¡­¡± Cechon tested the unfamiliar word.


    ¡°Not-dead or even ¡®dead that walk¡¯ are more descriptive,¡± Luun said. She had sprinted back to the group.


    ¡°Hold fire with your PDW¡¯s unless you see one of the outworlder zombies,¡± Cechon said. ¡°Braal, place forceshields in wall configuration there, there and there,¡± he pointed at natural choke points formed by the spaces between structures where the largest concentration of zombies were coming from.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to stretch their integrity,¡± Braal said while she complied. Three gestures of her hand and three translucent walls of force sprang to life.


    The zombies bumped up against them. The front ranks being crushed against the forceshields by the rear ranks.


    ¡°They don¡¯t have to hold long,¡± Cechon said. He held out a hand toward the mass of zombies coming at them from the front. A wave of fire poured out and scorched a wide swath as he moved his arm from left to right.


    The stench of burning flesh was fortunately filtered out by their helmets.


    The zombies gave no signs of pain. They simply continued to move toward the sentinels even as the intense flames ate away at their flesh.


    ¡°How can they still move?¡± Kala said.


    ¡°They won¡¯t for long,¡± Cechon said.


    Sure enough, when enough of their bodies had been burned to a crisp they simply fell over and remained still.


    ¡°They were created with the aid of a foreign substance. Without a body it can¡¯t work or the heat destroyed it,¡± Cechon said. ¡°Unfortunately, I have to conserve my internal energy for the outworlders inside.¡±


    ¡°Shields are breaking,¡± Braal said.


    The horde of zombies coming at them from all directions closed in.


    Cechon sent a wave of fire at the wood floor in a wide arc around them.


    ¡°That will slow them.¡±


    ¡°Strike Leader, not to question your judgment, but is it tactically sound to set fire to a town made mostly of wood?¡± Luun said.


    ¡°Yes, it could certainly grow out of control and burn River Town to ash,¡± Cechon said. ¡°A fitting pyre for the dead.¡±


    ¡°And it¡¯ll deny the Zombie Master his horde,¡± Braal added.


    ¡°Time to confront this evil. Braal, you take point. Luun, take out priority targets, the outworlders, I¡¯ll leave it to your judgment. Kala, you stay in the rear and provide supporting fire,¡± Cechon said. ¡°We¡¯ll have to act quickly with the horde behind us. We can¡¯t afford to get bogged down.¡±


    Braal rushed forward, lighter on her feet than earlier. The same translucent field that she had shaped into thin, flat walls, was now formed around her entire body. Her boots crunched brittle bones and kicked up clouds of dead ash.


    Luun followed at a run, for her it was an agonizingly slow pace.


    Cechon came next.


    Then Kala.


    Behind them the zombie horde walked heedlessly into the flames.


    The interior of the dwelling opened up into a cavernous, circular lobby. Spiraling stairs and rope ladders lead up to haphazardly placed platforms above.


    Light orbs along the inner wall revealed what looked to be Kinarian homes set against the wall.


    The architecture didn¡¯t make sense to the sentinels. It appeared very disorganized, chaotic, but fitting for the bird-like builders.


    It was on one of the larger platforms that the outworlder, the Zombie Master, stood waiting.


    He was alone.


    ¡°Stay alert for the other outworlders,¡± Cechon said. They had killed two, which meant at least eighteen were left if Reecheep had been correct. He noted the dead Kinarians standing eerily still all over the interior. Some were on ground level, while others were on various platforms.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much about my elite. I don¡¯t want to stomp you outright since I want to properly gauge your strength-levels,¡± the Zombie Master said. His voice seemed to come from right next to Cechon even though he was several hundred meters distant. ¡°I¡¯ll even keep the zombies outside from joining in.¡±


    ¡°You speak as if this is a game,¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t blame me,¡± the Zombie Master brushed a stray lock of hair out of his eyes, ¡°blame the spires.¡±


    ¡°Again you refuse to take responsibility for your actions,¡± Cechon said.


    The Zombie Master¡¯s eyes narrowed. His stare grew cold.


    Cechon was reminded of the giant reptilian monsters that plagued the southern regions of their lands. An involuntary shudder coursed through his body.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get started then,¡± the Zombie Master said.

 Interlude: Sentinels 1.7

    The Zombie Master sent hundreds of Kinarian zombies shambling forward with a lazy wave of his hand.


    ¡°Kala, target the Zombie Master. I¡¯ll keep the horde back,¡± Cechon threw a wide arc of fire from his hands.


    The flames caught the first few closing ranks.


    Kala¡¯s PDW sent a beam that splashed against the dark dome of magic over the Zombie Master.


    Cracks formed instantly.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ powerful weaponry. Somehow I don¡¯t think you¡¯ve got it set to stun,¡± the Zombie Master said.


    ¡°Luun, get to higher ground, until we have eyes on the zombie outworlders I want to hit him from multiple directions,¡± Cechon said.


    Cechon drew his PDW and lanced a second beam into the Zombie Master¡¯s magic shield, even as Kala did the same.


    The cracks grew, while the Zombie Master¡¯s face twisted.


    ¡°Braal, add fire!¡± Cechon barked.


    Braal¡¯s much larger PDW spat a beam that temporarily turned the darkened interior of the cavernous dwelling into day. It shattered the shield sending dark smoke billowing out in all directions.


    The sentinels dared to hope that the Zombie Master had been destroyed.


    ¡°That took me down to 40% energy,¡± Braal said.


    Luun ran up the side of the wall to get to a platform with a better view of the Zombie Master¡¯s location. ¡°I can¡¯t confirm the kill. No body, just a dark cloud that¡ª¡± she pulled back her focus, ¡°that looks like a grinning skull?¡±


    Braal switched her forceshield into a dome that surrounded her, Cechon and Kala.


    The zombies shambled forward, some on fire, and proceeded to claw at the translucent shield.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Kala. I can hold these weaklings back for days,¡± Braal said.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t,¡± Kala said.


    ¡°Of course not,¡± Braal said lightly.


    ¡°Focus!¡± Cechon said. ¡°Luun, I need information. Can you get a clearer look?¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Luun ran across the platform and leapt to another, then another. She tried to find an angle that wasn¡¯t obscured by the smoke, but it seemed to shift and block her view purposefully.


    A zombie stood on the platform ahead.


    Luun readied her blade and jumped across the void.


    The zombie reached taloned arms out as if to catch her.


    Luun pulled her arm back.


    The zombie suddenly exploded in a shower of blood and gore.


    The Zombie Master stood in its place.


    Luun slashed.


    Only to have her blade skid off a dark shield around the Zombie Master¡¯s upraised arm.


    The Zombie Master reached out with a bare hand.


    Luun was too fast. She dodged around and laid a dozen cuts all over the Zombie Master¡¯s shiny, black armor.


    ¡°Aura of Fear,¡± the Zombie Master hissed.


    Luun stumbled and almost dropped her blade. The fear that coursed through her was overwhelming. She fell back, scrambling on her hands and knees to get as far away from the source of that fear as she could.


    ¡°Death Missiles.¡±


    Grinning skulls appeared at his hands and streaked at Luun.


    There¡¯s a saying common in many worlds that fear often times lent wings to one¡¯s feet.


    Luun was already supremely fast.


    She got to her feet and ran.


    The skulls trailed after her as she jumped across the platforms.


    She reached the dwelling¡¯s wall on the opposite side from her team and cut a sharp turn to one side.


    The skulls slammed into the wood and showered her in jagged splinters.


    ¡°The outworlder can appear out of zombies and has some kind of fear inducing magic,¡± Luun gasped into her communicator, ¡°minimum 30 meter range.¡±


    ¡°Mark the target,¡± Cechon said.


    Luun looked back. ¡°I lost him¡­¡± she spat. ¡°Apologies, strike leader. I won¡¯t make the same error again.¡±


    More grinning skulls of dark magic struck out of the darkness. This time they impacted on Braal¡¯s forceshield.


    Cracks began to form.


    A beat.


    The skulls struck again. This time from the left, many meters away from the first strike.


    ¡°How?¡± Kala said.


    ¡°Translocation via not-dead bodies?¡± Braal said. ¡°Magic,¡± she grumbled.


    ¡°The smoke from the flames should be obscuring our position,¡± Cechon said.


    More skulls.


    Braal winced as the cracks grew larger. ¡°Strike Leader, I can¡¯t hold up to much more unless I reset.¡±


    ¡°All zombies are utterly mine,¡± the Zombie Master¡¯s voice echoed out of every nearby zombie. ¡°I speak through them. I see through their eyes. I hear through their ears. Their very bodies are mine to do with as I wish. As an example¡­ Corpse Explosion.¡±


    The zombies surrounding Braal¡¯s forceshield exploded in a powerful spray of blood, bone and organs.


    Braal screamed as the already weakened shield shattered. It couldn¡¯t stand up to the magical explosions released through the zombies.


    The three sentinels were showered in the remains.


    Disgusting, but nothing more.


    Their armor was impervious to the jagged bones, while the forceshield had taken the brunt of the blast waves.


    Braal picked herself up off the floor.


    Cechon sent out fire as more zombies shambled closer.


    Kala crouched on one knee and scanned the shadows for the Zombie Master.


    ¡°We need the shield back!¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°I¡­ can¡¯t. Damaged my connections.¡± There was no laughter in Braal¡¯s voice.


    ¡°All of them or just forceshield?¡±


    ¡°Forceshield is gone, as for the others, I won¡¯t know for certain unless¡­¡± Braal shrugged.


    ¡°Kala, switch Braal to her choice of power,¡± Cechon said.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°Megamorph,¡± Braal said.


    ¡°Right away,¡± Kala said.


    The zombies suddenly stopped moving toward the sentinels.


    ¡°I¡¯m intrigued by this, so feel free to take all the time that you need,¡± the Zombie Master spoke through a dozen zombies at once.


    For several minutes the only sounds were that of the growing flames and Luun¡¯s boots cracking wood as she ran in search of the Zombie Master¡¯s position.


    ¡°Done,¡± Kala whispered as he almost fell over if not for Cechon¡¯s steadying hand.


    ¡°Braal?¡±


    ¡°Access is¡­ good, strike leader,¡± Braal said. ¡°I have megamorph.¡±


    ¡°That was it?¡± the Zombie Master sounded perplexed. ¡°I saw no magic through my Mage Eye¡­ something else then. Is it superpowers? Or technological in nature? Well, I suppose I¡¯ll find out when I dissect your corpses. It¡¯s time to bring this to an end.¡±


    The zombies suddenly spasmed.


    A reddish glow seemed to settle over them for an instant.


    Quick enough that Cechon wasn¡¯t sure that he had seen it.


    The zombies charged.


    No longer slow shamblers, they ran and leapt in what was the closest approximation to what living Kinarians were capable of.


    Cechon burned the closest ones with an intense gout of fire from his hand, but he couldn¡¯t keep that sort of energy drain up.


    ¡°Braal, you¡¯ll have to get us up to the higher platforms,¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°Understood,¡± Braal said.


    Braal¡¯s armor plates ejected from the inner layer, which stretched to accommodate her rapidly growing form.


    3 meters. 6 meters. Stopping at just over 9 meters tall.


    Now a giant, Braal kicked at the charging zombies, buying a moment so that she could grab Cechon and Kala, one in each hand.


    The zombies clawed and bit at her feet and ankles, but the material of her inner suit resisted them.


    She stomped and kicked as she moved to the closest upper level platform. She destroyed dozens of zombies with each step.


    ¡°I can¡¯t hold this size. This will have to be good enough,¡± Braal said as she carefully placed Cechon and Kala on the platform. ¡°I¡¯ll deal with the zombies. Even at half this size they won¡¯t be a problem.¡± She slowly began to shrink.


    The zombies threw themselves at Braal.


    They might as well have thrown themselves at a mountain.


    Braal battered them with ease.


    Each swing of a tree trunk sized arm crushed the zombies by the handful.


    Each kick scattered them like dried leaves.


    Cechon took the momentary reprieve to consider their tactical situation.


    Something was bothering him.


    Namely, the lack of zombie outworlders, like the two they had destroyed on the bridge.


    He had no illusions. The battle would¡¯ve been long over had the remaining eighteen been present from the beginning.


    So where were they?


    Was the Zombie Master actually being honest when he had said that he wanted an evenly fought battle? Like this was some sort of test or game?


    Over confidence.


    The Zombie Master didn¡¯t believe that he would lose.


    Cechon was beginning to realize that he had made a mistake by bringing his team here. They should¡¯ve left on the boat with the Kinarians.


    Their options were dwindling alongside their internal energy and the energy in their PDW¡¯s.


    Even now the instruments in his helmet were informing him that Braal was losing millimeters by the second.


    The only question was if she could destroy all of the zombies before she shrank back to her normal size.


    As if reading Cechon¡¯s thoughts, the Zombie Master appeared in the middle of a tightly packed mass of zombies keeping back behind the horde throwing themselves at Braal.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to find out how your powers work,¡± the Zombie Master said.


    ¡°You¡¯ll never have that opportunity,¡± Braal laughed.


    She scattered the horde in front of her with a mighty kick and charged.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for the chance to try this one out,¡± the Zombie Master smiled and whispered something that was swallowed up by the sounds of battle.


    What happened next defied anything the sentinels had ever encountered before. Some of them, like Cechon, had been in active duty for nearly two centuries.


    The mass of zombies surrounding the Zombie Master dissolved into a disgusting amalgamation of muscles, bones, organs and skin. The goop flowed to the Zombie Master and began to cover his body.


    More and more engulfed him until he was lost in a foul mound.


    Suddenly, the mound began to take the shape of a man. A crude one with misshapen arms and legs. Along with a grotesque mockery of a head and face.


    The shape continued to grow until it was the same size as Braal.


    ¡°Strike Leader? What is that?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Kala,¡± Cechon said. ¡°A construct made out of zombie bodies.¡±


    ¡°Magic,¡± Braal grunted as she warily stepped away.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a clear shot, Braal¡¯s in the way,¡± Kala said.


    ¡°Braal!¡±


    ¡°No need to tell me, strike leader.¡± Braal moved.


    Kala¡¯s PDW sent out a bright beam that tore a hole in the center of the flesh monster.


    The Zombie Master¡¯s grinning face was revealed. Blood and gore covered the ghastly visage. The light of madness danced in his eyes.


    Cechon had seen its like in the past.


    ¡°Close, but you won¡¯t get the same chance twice,¡± the Zombie Master winked as the hole quickly closed.


    Kala fired again at the same spot.


    The Zombie Master wasn¡¯t there.


    ¡°He can move about inside,¡± Cechon said.


    ¡°My PDW is down to 8% energy,¡± Kala said.


    ¡°Fight me, big girl!¡± the Zombie Master said through hundreds of mouths as the flesh giant raised its bloody fists.


    ¡°I¡¯ll handle him. You have your own concerns,¡± Braal pointed to the closest wall to the platform Cechon and Kala were standing on.


    Zombies were climbing fast.


    ¡°We have more problems. I see two outworlders coming from above,¡± Luun said over the communicator.


    Cechon turned his gaze skyward.


    Enhanced visual modes painted the outworlders rapidly jumping down platforms in their shiny black armor.


    ¡°I won¡¯t even enhance them. A fair fight, as promised,¡± the Zombie Master¡¯s voice echoed.


    ¡°There is nothing fair in combat. Victory or defeat, nothing else,¡± Cechon said as he drew his PDW and blew one of the zombie outworlders to pieces. The full power blast drained the PDW to near useless, but he wasn¡¯t going to allow the zombie outworlder the opportunity to grow like the ones they had fought on the bridge.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take the last one,¡± Luun said.


    She ran up the side of the wall, burning tracks into the wood with the friction of her speed pushed to the limits of what the Armory could provide and what the enhancements to her body could tolerate.


    She leapt up on an intercept course to the falling zombie outworlder, who had underestimated her speed, if it was capable of true thought.


    Her curved blade sliced at the elbow, where there was no armor plating.


    An arm fell and scattered bloody droplets like a fine drizzle.


    Luun hit a platform running. She circled back, jumping from platform to platform.


    The zombie outworlder had landed on another platform and was turning to face her when a blade cut through his neck.


    She was moving so fast that the head stayed on his neck for a split-second before slipping off.


    Head fell over a hundred meters to the ground, while the body flopped down to the platform.


    Luun stared down at the motionless body with disgust. ¡°Decapitation works,¡± she said as she turned to survey the battle below. ¡°Moving to supp¡ª¡±


    A heavy weight grappled her from behind, sending her plummeting to the ground.


    She had time to register arms and legs wrapped tightly around her body like chains before the rapidly approaching ground was all she had eyes for.


    ¡°Kala! Quickly!¡± Cechon pointed.


    Meanwhile, Braal punched the flesh giant in the stomach, reasoning that the Zombie Master was somewhere in the torso. She grabbed a handful of flesh and tore a chunk out even as the flesh giant¡¯s fists battered her head.


    Dozens of jagged bones scratched her helmet¡¯s faceplate, while smeared blood threatened to obscure her vision.


    Braal stomped a foot down on the flesh giant¡¯s knee.


    It bent back the wrong direction, but like soft clay simply reformed in a few moments.


    Braal sent a fist rocketing into the flesh giant¡¯s head.


    She went to pull it back for another strike, but found it mired inside.


    ¡°Curious, you seem to be shrinking by the second,¡± the Zombie Master said.


    Braal knew the words were truth.


    She looked and listened.


    Luun was plummeting to the ground.


    A horde of zombies surround Cechon and Kala and were close to reaching them.


    Time was running out.


    Definitely for her, but maybe not for the rest of her tetrastrike.


    Instead of continuing her efforts to pull away she embraced the disgusting flesh giant.


    All sentinels were equipped with a last resort to prevent their precious secrets from falling into others¡¯ hands.


    Braal had already initiated the countdown.


    ¡°You control them?¡± Braal said to the Zombie Master.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± A tinge of concern crept into the Zombie Master¡¯s voice.


    ¡°You must sustain them somehow. What happens when you can¡¯t do that anymore?¡± Braal looked to her team. ¡°The Great Intellect must know of what happened here. Of what we faced. It¡¯s been an honor serving under you, Strike Leader.¡±


    The countdown hit zero in Braal¡¯s head.

 Interlude: Sentinels 1.8

    Each sentinel had a fail-safe device implanted in their chest. It atomized their bodies and everything within a short radius. The shock wave traveled much further.


    A bright flash of light and Braal was gone.


    The flesh giant was gone.


    A wide swath of zombies were gone.


    A large hole in the floor was all that remained to mark Braal¡¯s passing.


    Cechon¡¯s faceplate cleared in a few seconds, having darkened at the blast. He suddenly remembered Luun¡¯s predicament. ¡°Kala!¡± he turned to find the young sentinel face down on the platform, unmoving.


    A glance at the first level showed him the headless outworlder zombie with his limbs broken by the fall. There was no sign of Luun.


    ¡°Luun, come in?¡±


    I¡¯m here¡­ on ground level. Kala gave me intangibility, somehow. Awaiting orders.


    Cechon let out a breath. ¡°Head for the docks. We¡¯re retreating.¡±


    What about you and Kala?


    ¡°He¡¯s unconscious. The zombies are still coming for us, but Braal took care of the Zombie Master and might¡¯ve just given us a way out.¡±


    I believe I see what you¡¯re referring to. I will wait for you at the giant hole.


    Zombies had finally reached the narrow walkway that connected the sentinels¡¯ platform to the main one on their level.


    Cechon sent a blast of flame that knocked them off. He hefted Kala over one shoulder and began to make his way down to the massive, smoking hole on the first level.


    The Kinarians designed their structures to make use of their natural climbing and jumping abilities, which made Cechon¡¯s route circuitous and time-consuming.


    He also had to stop and blast zombies out of the way with his fire.


    Luckily, they had reverted to shambling once again.


    Even with Kala on his shoulder, Cechon was faster.


    Braal¡¯s sacrifice¡­


    No.


    Now was not the time.


    A valiant sentinel gave her life to take out an extremely dangerous threat and gave the rest of her team the chance to escape with their lives and return home with valuable information and experience.


    Braal would be honored later to the utmost when they returned home.


    The first level was littered with zombie bodies. Bits and pieces, along with a few that appeared surprisingly untouched.


    Cechon stopped.


    He shifted Kala so he could draw his PDW.


    Fire in one hand, weapon in the other.


    Instinct built on centuries of combat experience screamed in Cechon¡¯s head.


    An intact zombie, head included, was on the ground.


    He burned it with a quick flash of flame.


    Internal energy was running low. He had to conserve.


    He continued to walk toward the hole.


    Eyes darted around looking for zombies that appeared to be whole.


    One more to the right.


    A low-powered shot from his PDW destroyed its head.


    The zombies suddenly sat up. Even the ones that had been ripped to shreds or pulped by Braal¡¯s explosion.


    ¡°You are one sharp¡­ sentinel? Was it? Right, you call yourselves sentinels? Is that a title or is that what your race is actually called?¡± the Zombie Master¡¯s voice came from every zombie.


    Cechon eyed the gaping hole in the floor.


    Just a dozen meters away.


    If it wasn¡¯t for the zombies in the way he could¡¯ve made a run for it.


    ¡°So, the different colored skin you guys have? Caste system? Or more like the color denotes your roles? Power sets? I¡¯m betting on the latter. Red means shooty powers? The gray one can move fast, turn invisible and intangible. The green one was, what? Strength and defensive? I don¡¯t know what that pale, twinkling one on your shoulder does, aside from pass out all the time. It did sound like you needed him to switch powers. I was distracted at the time. You wouldn¡¯t mind confirming that theory, would you?¡±


    Cechon didn¡¯t speak. He simply sent a silent message to Luun.


    He moved without warning.


    He sent a powerful blast of fire straight ahead, running into the space it had created.


    Burning zombies clutched at him, but he powered through.


    The hole was close.


    A few more steps and one leap.


    The zombie in front of him exploded.


    Cechon was thrown back.


    The unconscious Kala went tumbling away into a crowd of burning zombies.


    The Zombie Master stood tall, blocking the path to escape. He was covered in gore. His long, straw-colored hair was streaked with red and filled with tiny clumps of flesh and bone. He looked no less imposing than he had when he had been spotless at the beginning of the battle.


    ¡°Nothing to be ashamed of. You guys made a good show of it. I¡¯m sure your sentinel friends back home would be proud to know how bravely you fought and died. Time¡¯s up.¡±


    The Zombie Master raised a long-fingered hand.


    Cechon aimed his PDW.


    They acted at the same time.


    The PDW sent out a dazzlingly bright lance of light.


    A beam darker than black, that somehow diminished some of that light, streaked from the Zombie Master¡¯s finger.


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Light and dark met in between the two.


    The explosion sent out a wave that silenced everything for a split-second.


    Cechon tumbled back several meters. Farther from Kala and from escape.


    The shock wave buffeted the Zombie Master back, but he instantly erected a magic shield.


    ¡°Those weapons are amazing! Too bad that you¡¯ve probably drained it completely. High energy requirements, right?¡± The Zombie Master raised a brow. ¡°It looks like you overrode some kind of fail-safe.¡±


    Cechon grimaced as he looked at his hand.


    His PDW had melted, along with his gauntlet-covered hand and halfway up his arm.


    The pain was non-existent as his body was flooded with suppressants and repair devices, but he realized it was too late. He wondered if Braal had come to the same conclusion in her last moments.


    Cechon searched for Kala.


    The young sentinel was being carried away by a handful of burning zombies.


    Flames danced all around them, while thick smoke began to fill the air.


    Cechon sent forth a billowing cloud of fire at the Zombie Master.


    ¡°It¡¯s impressive, but it can¡¯t get through my defenses.¡±


    That wasn¡¯t Cechon¡¯s goal.


    He only needed to obscure the outworlder¡¯s vision for a few seconds.


    He climbed to his feet and ran.


    A burst of fire cleared his path to Kala.


    Another burst scattered the zombies.


    Kala¡¯s armor would protect him long enough.


    Cechon burned through the wood floor with the last of his energy. He pushed Kala through and turned to face his fate.


    The Zombie Master extinguished the flames and cleared the smoke with a wave of his arm.


    ¡°The sentinels will come for you,¡± Cechon said. He triggered the fail-safe within him.


    Just as Braal did, he would give Luun and Kala a chance.


    The Zombie Master¡¯s eyes narrowed. He sent the same darker than black beam piercing through Cechon¡¯s armor and chest with a word. ¡°I noticed the same surge of energy from the green-colored one. I won¡¯t be fooled by the same trick twice. Nice try though.¡±


    Cechon didn¡¯t hear the rest of the Zombie Master¡¯s words.


    The sentinel¡¯s vision went black as he fell.


    Over two centuries of life ended in an instant.


    Death had come to their world.


    The Zombie Master let out a sigh. He was running low on mana and was barely able to remain standing. He relinquished his direct control over the zombies. Without his influence or the presence of life nearby the zombies went dormant, returning to death.


    He lay down amidst the carnage.


    At least he got one sentinel corpse.


    And as far as he could tell they hadn¡¯t discovered what his plans were for the nearest Kinarian towns.


    A successful first step to his plans.


    He closed his eyes and began the process of replenishing his mana and stamina.


    Down below on ground level Luun picked Kala up and ran as fast as her unpowered legs could manage. She had received Cechon¡¯s last order and intended to comply.


    They had to return home and share their experiences in River Town with the Great Intellect.


    She could only hope that there were still usable boats at the dock.


    Many weeks later, two Kinarians found themselves in a frightening and stressful journey into lands unknown.


    ¡°Torn¡¯s Aegis!¡± Alasdor threw his arms to the sky.


    A giant river monster, an amalgamation of fish and turtle, hurtled into the boat.


    Or it would have if not for the glowing barrier.


    There was a crack like thunder and the monster flopped beneath the water¡¯s surface only to bob back up a few moments later.


    The monster floated alongside the boat, pushed along by the powerful current.


    From her station at the wheel Reecheep saw its enormous eyes swivel around in alarm. The clear membranes opened and shut rapidly.


    ¡°Its neck is broken,¡± Reecheep said. ¡°It can¡¯t move.¡±


    ¡°Torn is with us then,¡± Alasdor sat down on the deck. His breaths came in ragged gasps. The old speaker appeared to have aged years during the almost two weeks they¡¯d spent traveling toward the Immortals¡¯ homeland. ¡°The monster will provide the other monsters with a more palatable target than us.¡±


    ¡°Oh, good,¡± Reecheep said. ¡°Except, we¡¯re a little too close to it aren¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡°Yes, perhaps increasing our distance will be prudent,¡± Alasdor said.


    ¡°Too bad there isn¡¯t much wind for the sail.¡± Reecheep stared at the clear skies. No clouds to measure the wind. Although the limp sail was indication enough.


    ¡°I¡¯d beseech Torn for some aid in that regard, but I must conserve what remains of my strength for the next monster attack,¡± Alasdor sighed.


    The monster attacks had been frequent and terrifying.


    The speaker had kept them safe through it all.


    Which was why Reecheep couldn¡¯t understand why Alasdor had been powerless against the outworlder and the dead.


    As if sensing her thoughts Alasdor slowly rose to his feet with a groan and limped his way to the pilot¡¯s station at the back of the boat.


    The old man laid a withered-looking hand on Reecheep¡¯s shoulder. He gave her a wan smile.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be concerned. Torn has shown his strength and there is enough left in this old body to make sure that you deliver your charge to the Immortals. They will surely come to our aid and destroy the outworlder.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ we¡¯ve been traveling for weeks. The outworlder could be spreading his evil to other towns.¡±


    ¡°Or the Immortals defeated him and the only thing we must concern ourselves with is traversing this river in one piece and not inside the gullet of a monster,¡± Alasdor said.


    ¡°Speaker¡­¡± Reecheep hesitated.


    ¡°There are no questions that I will judge you for,¡± Alasdor nodded.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t Torn grant you his strength against the dead?¡±


    ¡°That¡ª I don¡¯t know. I have communed with him, but have not received an answer.¡± Alasdor staggered to the nearby bench and sat down. ¡°I only have a guess.¡±


    ¡°The outworlder¡¯s magic was too strong?¡± Reecheep was horrified by the words that had come out of her mouth.


    That a mortal being could somehow counter one of the Kinarian gods was¡­ impossible.


    Wasn¡¯t it?


    ¡°I don¡¯t wish to believe that,¡± Alasdor closed his eyes as he leaned back against the railing. ¡°Perhaps it is more a matter of his magic being different.¡±


    ¡°But Torn is a god!¡±


    ¡°Our gods are indeed powerful, but they aren¡¯t invincible,¡± Alasdor winced, ¡°although they don¡¯t like their speakers admitting such. Even Torn and he¡¯s already less¡­ strict than the rest of the pantheon.¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t the pantheon act? The outworlder destroyed River Town and killed everyone,¡± Reecheep said.


    ¡°Their power isn¡¯t as present out in the frontiers of our nation. How many speakers have you seen come to River Town?¡± Alasdor said.


    Reecheep thought back. ¡°Just one,¡± she deflated.


    ¡°The pantheon will act when they see fit,¡± Alasdor shrugged.


    If Torn was upset by conduct unbecoming a speaker, he didn¡¯t give any indication.


    Reecheep steered their boat closer to the bank on the left side of the river to place distance between them and the stricken monster.


    She could already see the water around its massive body churn and turn red.


    Alasdor was right.


    The other monsters had a more enticing target to focus on at the moment.


    The smell, however, was atrocious.


    Reecheep considered asking Alasdor if he could do something about it, but the old speaker had fallen asleep and was whistling with each exhale. It made for a soothing tune.


    It reminded her of when she was a hatchling. Of the sound her father had made when he had slept.


    The smell became bearable thanks to the memory.


    She held on to it tightly.


    They still had many days of travel to get to the Immortals¡¯ territory.


    Her hand strayed to the pouch around her neck.


    The hard crystal within was a comforting presence in her palm.


    She had to get it to the Immortals.


    If she could then the people of River Town would be avenged.


    Their stories wouldn¡¯t end in terror, death and the defilement of their bodies.


    They would all be given the rest that they deserved.


    The outworlder would face justice.


    If that happened then maybe when she closed her eyes she wouldn¡¯t see his smiling face as dead talons grasped for her.

 5.0 Prologue

    Now, Manila


    The thick fog blanketed everything in gray.


    Visibility ended at a hundred feet in all directions around Eron. The fog was an opaque wall beyond that point. Except for the lights.


    They shined faintly, like buoy beacons bobbing in a dark sea.


    All sorts of different colors that would¡¯ve brought Eron a sense of comfort had he not known what they were.


    He ran, but at a jog so that he could react to obstacles that appeared suddenly out of the fog. The street was full of abandoned cars, jeepneys, trikes and buses. He had learned that lesson months ago. A full-speed sprint didn¡¯t give him enough time to react.


    Eron cut to the left and turned right on the street running along the Pasig River. He hoped that keeping the river to his left would give him one less area to watch out for attacks from the fog.


    The lights followed.


    A shanty town appeared in front of Eron.


    ¡°Shit.¡±


    Narrow, twisting pathways filled with hundreds of densely packed homes were a perfect place for the fog to ambush him.


    Eron put on a burst of speed and launched himself up into the air.


    The fog swirled around him. Thickening as he moved faster. Almost as if it struggled to keep the hundred foot clear space around him.


    A dark shape descended from above. A powerful gust of wind from broad wings.


    Eron spun with a blind backfist.


    Thudding impact against his arm.


    The snap and crack of shattered bones accompanied by an aborted screech of pain.


    The shape faded away into gray wisps, like so much smoke.


    Like always.


    Eron crashed into a crudely built home. Aluminum sheeting for a roof, a mixture of cinder blocks and cheap plywood for walls, demolished into scrap as he tumbled through it.


    People had lived there once.


    Eron held a moment of sorrow for the unknown people. For everyone that lived in the town before the spires. It wasn¡¯t a comfortable life. It was a hard life, but it was a life. It was more than being killed and eaten by monsters, then subsumed by the fog.


    The lights drew closer.


    Eron scrambled to his feet and continued to his destination.


    The port represented a chance for freedom. Slim though it was.


    How many times had he tried to escape the boundary of the fog in the last few months?


    Hundreds of shipping containers were laid out in orderly rows, stacked to varying heights.


    He jumped and climbed until he reached as high as he could.


    The fog seemed to clear beyond the hundred foot radius, like it was teasing him.


    To the north, the International Port Basin, according to the maps, was choked with ships. Derelict vessels tangled together, pressed up against the several thousand foot long concrete port where the ocean had pushed them.


    The fog to the east was an opaque wall.


    Eron had suspected that the port would be clear thanks to the river flowing into the ocean on the south side.


    He¡¯d need to cross the tangle of ships before reaching open water. So, he decided to check out the other sides first.


    ¡°The sea isn¡¯t how you¡¯ll escape this nightmare.¡±


    A ghostly voice echoed around Eron.


    The fog thickened and swirled a dozen feet in front of him, coalescing into an old man. Not bent and stooped, but straight and strong. Lean, wiry muscles were visible through the man¡¯s clothing.


    Gray wisps streamed off the man like smoky tendrils connecting him to the fog.


    ¡°Tito Carlos¡­ I wish I could trust you,¡± Eron said. He had never met his dad¡¯s uncle, at least not that he remembered. The only time he had visited the Philippines was back when he was four or five. Such memories faded.


    The shade of the man that claimed to be his tito smiled sadly.


    Eron found himself believing. He saw his grandmother and his dad in that smile. Though the situation would¡¯ve been easier to deal with if this wasn¡¯t family and was just some kind of copy or illusion.


    ¡°My words are my own, even if my actions aren¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Then give me more information. What happened to you? What is this fog? Why do you all beat me up whenever I try to get out, yet don¡¯t finish the job?¡± Eron pleaded.


    ¡°I can¡¯t say.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯ve said¡­ repeatedly.¡±


    ¡°We can speak freely and our thoughts remain our own, but we exist for the one and can do nothing to endanger that.¡±


    ¡°What is this one you keep mentioning?¡± Eron snapped.


    ¡°How are the children?¡±


    ¡°Safe and you should know that. The wards keep the fog out¡­ while they last.¡± Eron noticed more shapes slowly beginning to coalesce around him. The lights had vanished. From experience he knew that the rest of his relatives would be appearing soon.


    ¡°The children are everything. Our existence is to ensure their continued growth and safety,¡± Tito Carlos intoned.


    ¡°Something we agree on. So, why not let me go? Once I get a bit of sunlight and some help I¡¯ll come right back to save them and free you,¡± Eron raised his voice, ¡°free all of you!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, pamangkin, but you can¡¯t leave. Why do you think we¡¯re the ones that meet you every time you try? Why we don¡¯t appear when you¡¯re in the city? Why only shades of monsters and weaker people plague you? Think¡­¡±


    Eron nodded. They had discussed this in their sanctuaries behind the wards. ¡°Everything has an energy cost. Spells, Skills, whatever this fog is¡­ manifesting you and the others costs more. Which means your one definitely doesn¡¯t want me to escape.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t escape this by getting out. You should go back to your hiding places where you keep the children. That is your true path.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, tito, can¡¯t do that.¡±


    The old man sighed. ¡°Turn back now and we won¡¯t need to hurt you¡­ again.¡± A wry smile.


    Eron shrugged. ¡°Maybe I do this more often. Drain the power it takes to manifest you.¡±


    The two men stared at each other as other forms continued to slowly coalesced around them.


    ¡°Well?¡± Tito Carlos raised a brow.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to hit an old man, my grandma¡¯s brother, first.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have that problem,¡± a voice behind Eron.


    He turned his head only to take a fist to the side of his head.


    The blow echoed like a gunshot in the eerily silent fog-engulfed port.


    Eron went flying into a shipping container. The metal cratered around his body.


    He pulled himself out of the container with a wince.


    That had hurt.


    ¡°Sorry, not sorry, cousin, but these are the only times I can control myself. Otherwise it¡¯s just floating around in a gray foggy void,¡± the young man jumped down from thirty foot tall stack of containers and glance around, ¡°not much different from this.¡±


    ¡°Right¡­ uh¡­ this is embarrassing, but I forgot your name,¡± Eron said lightly.


    ¡°Figures, why would you care about us? Too busy being all fancy in America. Even when the world ends you still put them over your family, your roots. Safe and sound, while we get taken by this¡ª¡± the young man struggled to get the words out, but gave up. ¡°Vernardo is my name, cousin, friends and family call me Vern. I was ten when this all started. I watched people I care about die, first to monsters then to this fog. Where were you?¡±


    ¡°The world was shit for everybody. Not everyone had superpowered people to defend them,¡± Eron sighed.


    ¡°They weren¡¯t blood!¡± Vernardo leapt in with a wild punch.


    Eron slipped his head to the side and dug a short hook into his cousin¡¯s gut.


    Vernardo gasped for air as Eron grabbed his arm and threw him into the ocean.


    Tito Carlos¡¯ face was an impassive mask as he watched from the top of the container stack.


    ¡°What? He¡¯ll be fine. The fog will draw him back or whatever. Probably won¡¯t be able to bring him back right away with all of you and I¡¯d rather not fight family when they actually want to hurt me. At least you guys are somewhat reluctant fighters, right?¡± Eron regarded the handful of relatives arrayed in a semi-circle a few dozen feet in front of him.


    Second and third cousins on both sides. All with superpowers. Those on his dad¡¯s side had the classic superhuman strength and durability package, though not quite on Eron¡¯s level even without the sun-given abilities being a Solar Paragon granted him.


    Those on his mom¡¯s side could generate forcefields though not as varied as hers. Their creations were singular in nature. A round shield on an arm. A wall a dozen feet from the hands. A thin, form-fitting field around the body.


    ¡°Stop this. Return to the city, protect the children,¡± Tito Carlos pleaded, ¡°the sea doesn¡¯t offer a way out. The one¡¯s reach extends out and into the bay. Beyond that¡­ well, there are worst things in the depths.¡±


    ¡°I just need an instant in the sun,¡± Eron said. ¡°No monster, no matter how terrible scares me¡­ I¡¯ve yet to face one I¡¯ve been unable to destroy.¡±


    ¡°This is the exception. Isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Eron had no answer for that. He readied himself. Tito Carlos was the greatest threat. The old man¡¯s strength exceeded Eron¡¯s with how the fog had been able to drain the solar radiation from his body. The rest of his relatives were manageable. Take the old man out of the fight just like Vernardo. Then quickly do the same to the rest.


    Even after multiple encounters with his relatives¡¯ shades he was still reluctant to fight them fully. He didn¡¯t think they were illusions or copies. He felt, deep down, that they were his actual family.


    ¡°Sorry, Eron,¡± a middle-aged woman held out her hands and three, translucent panes of teal light encased Eron in a pyramid-shaped forcefield, ¡°I don¡¯t have a choice.¡±


    ¡°I know, Tita Lu,¡± Eron pulled his fist back, ¡°I¡¯m sorry too.¡± He struck the forcefield.


    Cracks spiderweb under his fist.


    Tita Lu grimaced.


    ¡°Really sorry about this,¡± Eron muttered as he struck it again.


    The forcefield shattered like glass.


    His mom¡¯s cousin screamed and began to fall. She vanished into the fog before she hit the ground.


    Eron glanced up to the top of the containers. ¡°Damn it!¡± His great-uncle was nowhere in sight.


    The momentary distraction was costly.


    One of his cousins landed a thudding blow to his back.


    From his dad¡¯s side then.


    He spun with a backfist.


    A whiff.


    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    More punches to his stomach.


    Fortunately, he was in the habit of keeping his core tight.


    Mildly painful.


    His attacker was a short-haired woman his age. He was ashamed to realize that he had no idea what her name was.


    Strong, but the gap between them was too large to trouble Eron much.


    He grabbed her by the arm and threw her at more of his charging relatives.


    One manifested a large round shield of ivory-colored light on his arm.


    He went down in a tangle with the woman, though the shield managed to take most of the impact.


    Light flashed around Eron as he punched and kicked, shattering forcefields and removing more of his relatives from the field of battle.


    Fists connected with faces as he knocked out relatives from his dad¡¯s side of the family.


    They landed their own bruising blows before they went down.


    There were too many though.


    It hurt Eron to think about how many of his relatives had been taken by the fog to be used in such a way against their will.


    He had dealt with slavery all over the world.


    The fact that he couldn¡¯t do anything in the here and now for his blood wounded him deeply.


    What use was he if he couldn¡¯t save his own?


    The fight raged around the port.


    Containers filled with decade old goods were crushed and toppled.


    Eron was in the eye of a tornado of fists, feet and forcefields.


    A sharp-edged forcefield surrounding a young woman¡¯s hands like over-sized claws shredded Eron¡¯s shirt and scored thin lines across his back.


    He whirled, fist poised and stopped.


    The young woman¡¯s features echoed his sister¡¯s.


    He flicked a finger to her forehead.


    She crumpled bonelessly to the ground before disappearing back into the fog on wisps of gray.


    One by one, Eron rendered his relatives unconscious or if they were tougher, threw them into sea.


    Until only Tito Carlos remained.


    Eron struggled to breathe. His chest heaved as he tried to get some air back. His shirt and jeans were in tatters. His face was bruised. Blood leaked from his nose, mouth and dozens of thin cuts all over his body.


    ¡°I¡¯m proud of you. You don¡¯t give up. Reminds me of that one time me and my pare had to save your dad and his friends when they got in trouble at this disco club,¡± Tito Carlos sighed wistfully, ¡°now that was a brawl! Course after your grandma got through with us,¡± he laughed, ¡°the fight didn¡¯t seem so bad. I¡¯m glad she wasn¡¯t around for all this.¡±


    ¡°Me too,¡± Eron said. ¡°Grandma wouldn¡¯t appreciate me knocking you out!¡± he surged forward.


    Tito Carlos reacted impossibly quick. He went from standing still, relaxed, into a boxer¡¯s crouch, bobbing to one side then digging a right hook into Eron¡¯s ribs. He followed it up with a left hook into the other side of Eron¡¯s body.


    Eron reached out and grabbed his great-uncle by the front of his shirt, spinning in one quick motion.


    Tito Carlos clamped down on Eron¡¯s wrists like an industrial vise, so instead of going on a long flight into the sea he and Eron took turns spinning each other around like a helicopter¡¯s rotors.


    Eron grit his teeth against the crushing pain and awkwardly dug his heels into the ground, which allowed him to slam his great-uncle down.


    The ground buckled and cratered.


    Tito Carlos grinned.


    Eron punched down.


    Nose cartilage crunched under his fist.


    The grin was bloody, but it remained in place as Tito Carlos caught the next punch and adroitly reversed places with Eron.


    Tito Carlos punched Eron in the stomach knocking the wind out of him. ¡°I truly am sorry for this, but as you know, it takes a lot to beat the fight out of you.¡± He grabbed Eron by the arms and slammed him repeatedly into the ground sending chunks of concrete spraying into the air.


    Eron¡¯s head spun.


    Then he was spinning through the air right before he crashed into the side of a shipping container and out the other. He groaned, back flat on the ground staring up at nothing but gray.


    Tito Carlos leapt to the top of the container to look down at Eron. ¡°What could¡¯ve been.¡± Tears glistened in the old man¡¯s eyes. ¡°When these spires appeared I was in a wheelchair. An old, broken man, waiting for the end. Those little gremlin things thought they were going to give it to me, but I showed them. They bit me, I bit them. Then I go from dying to such strength. The years after were tough, so many people died. Family, friends, but secretly a part of me was happy. I guess this hell is what I deserve for that. What use is all this strength if another owns it?¡±


    ¡°God, you¡¯re such a badass,¡± Eron coughed and spat out a tooth. ¡°We should be fighting together.¡±


    ¡°If only¡­¡± Tito Carlos regarded Eron. ¡°You should grab that before¡­¡± he pointed at the bloody tooth.


    ¡°S¡¯okay¡­ it¡¯ll grow back.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not right,¡± Tito Carlos shook his head.


    ¡°Superstrength, flight, eye beams¡­¡± Eron trailed off. ¡°A lot of ¡®not right¡¯ in the world.¡± He pushed himself up off the ground and raised his fists shakily. ¡°Next round.¡±


    ¡°No, I think you¡¯re done for today.¡± Tito Carlos rushed in.


    Eron threw hands, but was blocked.


    His great-uncle grabbed him by the back of his neck and belt.


    ¡°Rest, recover. Remember that everything is for the children. Keep them safe in their deep, dark places.¡± Tito Carlos heaved Eron back toward the center of the city.


    The side of the building that sprang up in front of Eron was the last sight he had before everything went black.


    <hr>


    Now, Southern California


    Cal and Nila walked hand in hand down to the end of the pier.


    The sun cast red rays as it dipped below the ocean horizon.


    The darkening sky, the dying light and the reflection in the water set the sky with a beautiful mix of orange, red, blue and purple tones.


    The beach was completely deserted as far as the eye could see and they could see much further than humanly possible.


    It was understandable considering the existence of land sharks, several of which were climbing up the pier¡¯s pillars.


    ¡°I thought you said that monsters stay away from you,¡± Nila remarked as she leaned over the railing for a quick peek.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Cal shrugged. He grabbed each land shark with his telekinesis, broke a bunch of their bones and dunked them back into the ocean. The water became a bloody froth as other creatures fell upon the injured ones in a frenzy. ¡°That should keep them busy,¡± he turned to Nila with a smile.


    ¡°Yes, the smell of blood and guts sets quite the romantic stage. Do you hear that?¡± Nila cupped her ear.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°The sounds of monsters and mutant animals tearing each other to pieces¡­ like a symphony.¡±


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, I¡¯m just kidding.¡± Nila kissed him for a spell.


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s your fault,¡± Cal ventured. ¡°Like, your presence is bringing our overall power level down enough that they think it¡¯s go time.¡±


    ¡°That is concerning,¡± Nila didn¡¯t take the bait, ¡°since you¡¯re driving back north with a whole lot of much weaker people. You and your dad are going to be busy babysitting.¡±


    Cal grimaced. ¡°Might be a good leveling opportunity for the others.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if they can handle the drakes and wyverns on the 5.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    They remained silent while they continued their walk to the end of the pier.


    Small shapes moved within the empty diner they circled.


    Cal sensed gremlins.


    Almost nostalgic.


    They stood, arms around each other and watched the sun slowly complete its descent.


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re okay with all this?¡±


    ¡°With what?¡± Nila rested her head on Cal¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°The whole mission.¡±


    ¡°You mean, you leaving after being back only six months¡­ after over five years on an entirely different world?¡±


    Cal nodded.


    ¡°Hell no! Except¡­ for the circumstances. Eron needs your help and no matter how much I don¡¯t want you away from my side¡­ he¡¯s your brother.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no one else. The fog saps powers, at least the non-physical ones. Hence me and my dad. We¡¯re stronger than Rayna and my mom sans powers.¡±


    ¡°My powers are physical in nature,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°I know and I didn¡¯t ask you specifically because you need to be here to pick up the slack of our absence. Plus, I didn¡¯t want to take you away from your family. You hadn¡¯t seen them since the spires appeared. I can¡¯t take that away from you. Who knows how much time is left¡­¡±


    ¡°I could say the same about us.¡±


    ¡°Oh, we¡¯ll have plenty of time to enjoy each other,¡± Cal squeezed Nila tightly, ¡°once I get back.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d better not let me down,¡± Nila dug a knuckle into Cal¡¯s side.


    He feigned a wince. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t dream of it.¡±


    ¡°This is nice though.¡± Nila gazed at the setting sun.


    ¡°I know right. I don¡¯t remember the last time we¡¯ve had a moment to ourselves like this.¡± Cal absorbed everything he could of the moment. ¡°I really don¡¯t want to leave. The last six months went by like nothing. My years on the Threnosh world were an eternity by comparison.¡±


    ¡°A very expensive diplomatic mission,¡± Nila caressed Cal¡¯s three-fingered left hand.


    ¡°Good training too,¡± Cal said lightly, ¡°pushed my abilities to the next level. Made friends.¡± A sense of melancholy permeated his thoughts.


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t your fault,¡± Nila whispered, ¡°Mother Madrigal did that and you destroyed her for it.¡±


    Cal nodded, but he still didn¡¯t believe the words.


    ¡°So, what else did you have planned for our last night together?¡± Nila smiled brightly.


    Cal gazed into her eyes.


    The way the sunset lit her face added to her beauty.


    The urge to stay grew stronger, but he couldn¡¯t abandon his brother.


    Cal smiled. ¡°Old school, early 2010¡¯s style date,¡± he pointed at the diner.


    ¡°Ruby¡¯s, seriously? I can see gremlins moving around in there.¡±


    ¡°Trust me. You don¡¯t have to do anything. Just give me ten minutes to clear it and take ownership. I¡¯ll cook you up a classic burger, some fries and a milkshake.¡±


    ¡°Pie and ice cream?¡±


    ¡°Whatever you want.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but remember I can put away pounds of food,¡± Nila laughed, ¡°pounds.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°Consider colors.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Cal didn¡¯t look up from the table where he was poring over several documents.


    ¡°Your armor needs color. Plain gray doesn¡¯t cut it,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what it looks like. All I care about is that it protects me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, but that¡¯s were you¡¯re wrong, oldest brother.¡±


    Cal looked up from his studying to shoot Rayna some eye daggers.


    ¡°Factually correct, not my fault you were born so long ago, much longer than myself in comparison. Anyways, you¡¯re looking at it the wrong way.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need nor want extra attention that colors on the armor would bring.¡±


    ¡°Wrong, wrong, wrong,¡± Rayna sighed. ¡°That¡¯s exactly the opposite of what you need. Think about it. You¡¯re already more survivable than most everyone else without the armor. Doesn¡¯t it make sense to draw enemy attention, thereby protecting those around you?¡±


    ¡°Your rangers volunteered for this.¡± Cal looked up again and paid attention to his sister this time. He had missed it due to being distracted and his own efforts to keep the telepathic walls around his thoughts as strong as possible, but Rayna was worried. ¡°I can¡¯t promise you that I¡¯ll bring them all back unharmed. That would be a lie.¡±


    ¡°I know that,¡± Rayna said flatly.


    ¡°I can only promise that I won¡¯t treat them as disposable soldiers.¡±


    ¡°Sgt. Butcher has command over the rangers. If she deems your decisions as flawed, I gave her the okay to ignore them,¡± Rayna waved a hand dismissively.


    It was Cal¡¯s turn to frown. ¡°That¡¯s problematic, but¡­ okay.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not a ranger,¡± Rayna shrugged. ¡°Unless you want to sign up.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, but no,¡± Cal paused. ¡°You know, the rangers don¡¯t have to go,¡± he ventured.


    Rayna snorted. ¡°I want to help Eron and you stand a better chance with more people. Also it represents a leveling opportunity.¡±


    ¡°Is the latter worth the cost?¡±


    ¡°The rangers that participated in the Cabal Quest jumped up a minimum of five levels. Some increased by seven, eight.¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t need his telepathy to see the conflicting emotions warring across Rayna¡¯s face. She was always the most expressive of the Cruces siblings. ¡°This world forces difficult decisions on all of us. You and each individual ranger.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine¡­ I get that,¡± Rayna said. ¡°So, you want color on your armor? I know a guy. Used to be into street art back before the spires. Ended up with a Class. The paint he lays down will last longer than it has any right to.¡±


    ¡°How do you know that? Did you already have your armor painted?¡±


    ¡°Yup, scarlet and gray, our old high school colors. I took some sword cuts, didn¡¯t even chip the paint,¡± Rayna grinned.


    ¡°Did you have him do a logo too?¡± Cal mocked.


    Rayna stuck out her tongue. ¡°We¡¯re working on one for the rangers. I think I¡¯ll use that. So, what¡¯s your favorite color? Purple and gold for your favorite team? School colors? College? High School? Grade School?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    ¡°Purple is Jesus¡¯ color,¡± Rayna remarked.


    ¡°It traditionally signifies royalty,¡± Cal sighed.


    ¡°Same difference,¡± Rayna shrugged. ¡°What was your university¡¯s colors?¡±


    ¡°Blue and yellow, same as yours. All the UC¡¯s used the same colors.¡±


    ¡°Not exactly. Different shades.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t remember¡­ like a darker blue and darker yellow,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have him do that then. What kind of logo do you want? How about a brain? Or a brain with waves coming off it? Or brainwaves?¡±


    Cal knew when he was beaten. Even as an adult the baby sister will do baby sister things and ultimately get her way. ¡°Your parents spoiled you rotten.¡±


    ¡°As I recall, so did you and everyone else,¡± Rayna shrugged. ¡°You reap what you sow. I think that was in the Bible.¡±


    ¡°Probably, but not exactly like that. Okay, paint the armor dark blue, dark yellow, but like with a hint of gold, like thirty percent gold, seventy percent dark yellow. No logo.¡±


    ¡°Great, let me call it in!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Cal was confused. ¡°You already gave him my armor?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re leaving in four hours. Can¡¯t waste any time.¡±


    ¡°Jesus,¡± Cal muttered. ¡°Fine, once you¡¯re done with that frivolous task I want to talk to you about this roster,¡± he waved a sheet of paper.


    ¡°Not happy with the squad?¡±


    ¡°I have concerns about one person in particular.¡±


    ¡°Sure¡­ but a bit too late for changes don¡¯t you think?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s never too late. Don¡¯t get locked into a plan for the sake of it,¡± Cal lectured.


    ¡°Okay, but Eron said the fog was wonky. So, I¡¯m thinking you need someone with some wonky magic.¡±


    ¡°Just hear me out.¡±


    ¡°Fine, fine, let me get your armor taken care of first.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m leaving my axe with you. Don¡¯t paint it,¡± Cal warned.


    Rayna was already out the door.

 5.1

    Now, Manila


    The fog-shrouded street was quiet as Eron cautiously approached the block.


    This area of the city had been newly-built in the months leading up to the spires¡¯ appearing over a decade ago.


    The buildings were mixed use. The first level, abutting the street, was for commercial use: bars, restaurants, retail stores. The above levels were for residential units.


    Glowing yellow script on the walls and doors of the corner building stood out in the gloom.


    Eron was relieved to see them intact.


    He never knew if the sigils would be there whenever he went to check on one of their sanctuaries. The few times that he had found them dark had hurt him on a deeper level than anything in the past. It had meant that he had failed to protect more people from the fog.


    When Eron stepped within ten feet of the building the fog¡¯s presence completely vanished. He immediately felt lighter. The multitude of eyes watching him were no longer present. He tightened his grip on the refrigerated carrying case and shifted the negligible weight of the large pack on his back before opening the door and stepping inside.


    The interior was once a restaurant complete with a bar at the far end.


    The lighting was appropriately dim to cultivate an intimate romantic mood. The soft music and the lit candles further accentuated it.


    He could picture couples eating, sipping wine and generally having a good time at the tables and booths. He was almost taken back in time. If only the entire place wasn¡¯t completely empty.


    The absence of human beings made it all the more glaring.


    Eron strode toward the bar and the refrigerators behind it.


    A rustle of soft silk tickled the back of his neck.


    He spun and found himself eye to eye with perhaps the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He took a step back.


    ¡°Is that for me?¡± the woman leaned forward and pointed at the case in Eron¡¯s hand. The front ties on her thin robe were already loose.


    It took an enormous amount of effort for Eron to keep his eyes forward and up. He repeatedly reminded himself of the woman¡¯s Class. ¡°Please tell me that you¡¯re not walking around the kids wearing that.¡±


    ¡°This?¡± the woman twirled around. Her long, luscious silver hair danced past Eron¡¯s face. The most appealing scent filled his thoughts.


    The robe was much too short and much too diaphanous. Perfect curves were fully on display. He felt the heat rising within him. It was a bit unfair. Like standing in front of a supermodel, but dialed up to eleven and that wasn¡¯t accounting for the magic and Skills.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m sticking to our bargain. I keep contact with our kiddies to a minimum and I do nothing to ¡®corrupt¡¯ them,¡± the woman¡¯s ruby red lips pouted, ¡°this is all for you,¡± she smiled demurely.


    Eron thrust the case in front of him, like a talisman to ward off an evil spirit. ¡°And this is for you. I also keep to our bargain.¡± He forced himself to stare into the woman¡¯s perfect, haunting eyes.


    Sheer willpower versus something magical.


    ¡°You¡¯re no fun,¡± the woman dropped the act with a shrug, which naturally made the robe slip off the side of her left shoulder. Tantalizingly dropping low, but not low enough to reveal everything.


    ¡°Not going to happen,¡± Eron gulped. ¡°You want your stuff or not?¡±


    The woman sighed and took the case from Eron, not bothering to fix her robe. She went behind the bar and started transferring the small bags of red liquid to refrigerator. ¡°You know I¡¯ve still got plenty, right?¡±


    ¡°A deal is a deal.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± the woman waved a hand dismissively. ¡°You keep me safe and fed. In return, I keep those alibata letters filled with my mana, protect the kiddies and most importantly don¡¯t feed on anyone.¡±


    ¡°Those letters are baybayin¡­ you should know that you¡¯re the one from here,¡± Eron sighed. ¡°She¡¯ll get mad if you keep calling them the wrong word.¡±


    The woman shrugged, causing the right side of the robe to slip lower down her shoulder. ¡°Okay, whatever¡­ these letters are old as dirt. I and every other Filipino in like hundreds of years use English.¡±


    ¡°Even I know that¡¯s wrong.¡±


    ¡°Spanish and English,¡± the woman waved her hand, ¡°who cares? I don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°She cares and she¡¯s the only one that can create those sigils, which are the only thinking keeping us safe from the fog.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± the woman stuck out her tongue, ¡°lighten up. You¡¯re too tense. Maybe you need a massage. Release those big, strong muscles of yours,¡± she leaned forward on the bar.


    Her honey-colored skin practically glistened in the lighting over the bar. Eron had a feeling that it¡¯d look just as perfect underneath even the harshest spotlight. There was a lot of bare flesh on display.


    ¡°It¡¯s almost amazing how you can go into the temptress act in a split-second.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ it¡¯s not an act and we both know that¡¯s why it gets you so hot and bothered,¡± the woman winked.


    ¡°And we¡¯re done,¡± Eron moved toward the back door and to the stairwell that would lead to the upstairs levels only to find the woman suddenly in his way.


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be like that. It¡¯s late. The kiddies are sleeping and do you really want to wake them up with your face looking like that?¡± The woman pulled Eron by the arm, gently, but without any ulterior motives to the back of the bar. ¡°So, obviously you didn¡¯t make it¡­ want to talk about it.¡± She wet a towel and began cleaning the dried blood off Eron¡¯s face.


    ¡°Same as always. Got close to the edge of the fog. Promptly beat up and was beaten up by the ghosts of my relatives.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what they are, but I don¡¯t think they¡¯re just ghosts. I¡¯ve got a sense for this sort of thing and I¡¯d bet they are more your actual relatives than simple echoes.¡±


    ¡°Confirmation would be nice.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, but I can¡¯t give you anything more than that, besides not part of the deal,¡± the woman smiled and sent butterflies frenzying in Eron¡¯s stomach. ¡°So, what happened this time? Your tito hit you with a truck again?¡±


    ¡°Threw me into a building,¡± Eron said. ¡°Fortunately, I woke up before a swarm of extra giant rats could eat me and as an added bonus a hospital was on the way back, so I picked up your stuff. Then I went to the grocery store for the kids,¡± he glanced at the large pack on the bar top.


    The woman found a plastic baggie, filled it in ice, wrapped a clean towel around it and pressed it against the ugly bruise on the side of Eron¡¯s face.


    ¡°Thanks¡­¡±


    ¡°Eh¡­ not a big deal. Even I can recognize the work you¡¯re doing for me¡­ er¡­ us¡­ all of us,¡± the woman cleared her throat, ¡°I notice that your shirt and pants are all cut up, but there¡¯s only dead blood, no fresh cuts?¡±


    Eron¡¯s non-swollen eye narrowed. ¡°Disappointed?¡±


    ¡°No, I told you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Right, right, dried blood is dead blood,¡± Eron said flatly. ¡°You¡¯re not getting my blood, Cherry.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure we can¡¯t work out a deal?¡±


    ¡°And that¡¯s the end of this conversation.¡± Eron grabbed the pack. ¡°This stuff is going to melt if I don¡¯t get them in the freezer.¡±


    Cherry regarded the pack with a scrutinizing gaze. ¡°None for me?¡±


    ¡°I thought you don¡¯t eat food?¡±


    ¡°Food isn¡¯t necessary. That doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t eat, nor does it mean that I can¡¯t enjoy the taste.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Did not know that.¡± Eron opened the pack and held it open for Cherry. ¡°Take a couple.¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡± Cherry¡¯s smile was breathtaking. ¡°Ube macapuno swirl and coffee ice cream for me! Thanks!¡±


    ¡°Uh, a weird combo, but¡­ you¡¯re welcome.¡±


    Eron left the delighted woman to enjoy her dessert and¡ª other stuff.


    The second level contained a few apartments, just like on the third and fourth.


    He knocked twice on the door closest to the steps and waited a few moments. ¡°Kobe, Avengers, Rizal,¡± he said


    The locked clicked and the door slowly opened to reveal the barrel of a shotgun pointed in his face.


    ¡°I have visual confirmation,¡± Eron said after examining the thin, paunchy fifty-something man behind the gun.


    ¡°As do I.¡± The man lowered the gun and stepped back to let Eron into the apartment. ¡°Jesus! You look like you ran into a car¡­ still not the worst I¡¯ve seen you looking.¡±


    ¡°Honestly, feels like the worst one.¡± Eron locked the door behind him and went over to the refrigerator to unload his haul. ¡°Got a bunch of ice cream, Dr. Rufo. What¡¯s your favorite?¡±


    ¡°Selecta Halo Halo.¡±


    ¡°Weirdest¡­¡± Eron muttered, but he located the flavor and tossed it to the doctor.


    The man wasted no time in grabbing a spoon from the drawer and digging in.


    ¡°Good thing I decided to empty out the freezer section.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t had this since the fog rolled in,¡± the man savored each spoonful, ¡°over eight months.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what we¡¯d do if we didn¡¯t still have control of key stores,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°We¡¯d find a way to survive, like we have been.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s enough¡­ we can¡¯t stay like this indefinitely, but escape doesn¡¯t seem possible. They keep showing up exactly where I go.¡±


    ¡°So, as we¡¯ve theorized. The shades can appear anywhere in the fog. In an instantaneous matter.¡±


    ¡°That appears to be the case,¡± Eron sighed.


    ¡°And help from the outside? It¡¯s been almost a month since you reached out. Any new messages from your brother?¡±


    Eron shook his head. ¡°The last one said he had gathered a team and was on his way, but who knows how long that¡¯ll take.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t even imagine how they¡¯d travel from the States. A plane? But is that even possible anymore?¡±


    ¡°My brother could fly here by himself, but it¡¯d be pointless if he didn¡¯t have an actual plan. Otherwise, as soon as he steps foot inside the fog¡­ there goes the powers.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯d still have strength, durability, like you?¡±


    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Eron nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t think he¡¯s on my level in that regard though. No¡­ he¡¯ll need an actual plan to get us out.¡±


    The doctor placed the tub of ice cream on the counter and waved Eron over. ¡°Let me get a look at you.¡±


    ¡°No need.¡±


    ¡°Just let an old man feel useful. I need to be more than a babysitter. ¡®Get those levels¡¯ as the young people say.¡±


    Eron protested.


    ¡°C¡¯mon! I actually got a Babysitter Class the other day.¡±


    Eron smiled then winced at the pain.


    ¡°I turned it down of course. I am Doctor, not a Babysitter.¡±


    ¡°Smart choice¡­ if a level cap exists then you don¡¯t want to pick up useless classes that don¡¯t have synergy potential with your main ones¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes,¡± Dr. Rufo said. ¡°I heard all of you talking about that. Now, don¡¯t move,¡± he grabbed Eron¡¯s head and pulled it down. ¡°Diagnosis.¡±


    The doctor¡¯s eyes glazed over then subtly shined with a weak light.


    Eron wouldn¡¯t have noticed if he wasn¡¯t bent down staring directly into the doctor¡¯s eyes. He knew that it¡¯d take a minute for the Skill to work, during which time the doctor was lost to the world, so he resigned himself to wait.


    Two minutes later the doctor snapped out of it and released his hold on Eron¡¯s head.


    ¡°Well, how am I doing? Wait¡ª let me guess¡ª I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Dr. Rufo said flatly. ¡°Swelling in the brain, probably a concussion. Your nose was broken, but seems to have been set. You¡¯re missing a tooth, which seems to be in the nascent stages of regrowth. A multitude of bruising, surface level and internal organs. Some internal bleeding, appears to be healing. Your entire skeletal system is a spiderweb of microfractures. Several ribs are broken. All are cracked. Ligament damage, tissue damage. All appear to be in the process of healing to varying degrees,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°Luckily, my body generally seems to know how to heal properly¡­ had to reset the nose though. That sucked,¡± Eron said. ¡°Your Skill seems to be growing. That¡¯s a pretty impressive scan.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve leveled up quite a bit in the last few months treating you, your cousin and the others,¡± Dr. Rufo smiled sadly, ¡°unfortunate that.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re doing your best. Like everyone else.¡± Eron awkwardly patted the man on a bony shoulder. ¡°Speaking of my cousin¡­ she¡¯s not here is she?¡± He hadn¡¯t detected her presence. He strained his ears to listen. Aside from the kids sleeping in the two bedrooms of the apartment there was no one else aside from one girl upstairs sitting motionless. Of Cherry on the first floor there was no hint of a presence, but that was normal. ¡°Where is everyone?¡± he felt the heat rise in him. This time it was anger.


    ¡°Madalena took everyone out to ¡®gain levels¡¯,¡± Dr. Rufo threw his hands up. ¡°She said you were coming, so it ¡®wasn¡¯t a big deal¡¯.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re supposed to protect the kids¡­ and you.¡±


    ¡°I know, I know,¡± Dr. Rufo agreed. ¡°Instead, they left us alone with that¡ª woman¡ª downstairs.¡±


    ¡°Doc, how many times have I told you. Cherry¡¯s okay¡­ probably. We¡¯ve got a deal and she hasn¡¯t done anything to lead me to think we can¡¯t trust her¡­ as long as I keep bringing her blood.¡±


    ¡°Exactly, she¡¯s an aswang¡ª¡± Dr. Rufo gaze at Eron expectantly.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I was waiting for you to laugh. Every other time I¡¯ve said that word you snickered like a teenager.¡±


    Eron shrugged. ¡°Got to grow up sometime, right?¡±


    ¡°That thing came up here today,¡± Dr. Rufo hissed.


    Eron¡¯s eye¡¯s narrowed. ¡°What¡¯d she say?¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ nothing in particular, just inquiring on the children¡¯s well-being and Lilah¡¯s.¡±


    Eron glanced at the ceiling. ¡°And how is Lilah?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t try to change the subject. The aswang is dangerous. She might be content to play along for now, but one day¡ª¡± he shook his head, ¡°they¡¯re evil creatures. They can¡¯t fight their nature.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what the myths say, right? I mean you know more than me, since I wasn¡¯t born here and no one ever told me the stories, the folklore.¡±


    ¡°A pity.¡±


    ¡°Agreed, but that¡¯s not the point. Myths and stories aren¡¯t reality. Cherry is the way she is because of the Class. Lilah confirmed that. We were there when she did.¡±


    The doctor shook his head. ¡°Everything about that woman is a calculation. Even her name. Unless you think ¡®Cherry¡¯ is her real name. She is doing everything she can to ingratiate herself into our good graces.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the rational decision, which suggests she is a rational being. Not an evil shapeshifting spirit creature. This isn¡¯t D&D, Doc. No one is locked into an alignment.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about, but I get your meaning. Just¡ª keep a close eye on her.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s kind of the problem,¡± Eron sighed. ¡°About more important things¡­¡±


    The doctor scowled and ran a hand through his thinning gray hair. ¡°Lilah is up in her apartment meditating. She said she needed to gather her mana before you took her out there,¡± he frowned, ¡°another thing I have a problem with. A twelve year old girl has no business being out in the fog. Yes, yes,¡± he waved away Eron¡¯s protest, ¡°only she can maintain the sigils at the other sanctuaries. Have you considered moving the others to this location? This block has more than enough vacant apartments.¡±


    The same argument.


    ¡°Then the fog will be able to focus its attention on one location. It¡¯s better to keep things spread out. That way we have multiple fall back spots,¡± Eron said. ¡°Did Madalena say where they were going?¡±


    The doctor shook his head.


    Eron ran the possibilities through his head. There were several locations he picked as likely. ¡°Can you tell Lilah we¡¯ll have to push plans back a couple of hours?¡±


    ¡°But the other sanctuaries¡ª¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll be fine. This is why we schedule these things in advance. The wards will hold even if we¡¯re a few days late.¡± Eron walked to the door.


    ¡°You might consider picking up a weapon,¡± Dr. Rufo called after him. ¡°The bones in your hands are covered in microfractures. They can shatter the next time you hit something tougher than you.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, doc.¡± Eron grabbed a large, two-handed sledgehammer resting next to the door. ¡°Make sure Lilah knows I¡¯m sorry and that I should be back in a few hours at most.¡±


    <hr>


    Now, Southern California


    The drive was long and boring.


    That was a good thing.


    Their convoy consisted of two SUV¡¯s with plenty of extra fuel so that they wouldn¡¯t have to stop.


    That was a prescient decision.


    The tiny communities along the 5 as they traveled north were abandoned. Refueling at the gas stations would¡¯ve required gaining control of them first, which meant fighting monsters, the boss, then secret boss. It probably wouldn¡¯t have been too difficult with Cal and his dad present, but time was precious.


    So, they zipped past everything at close to a hundred miles an hour.


    Drakes occasionally dived at them, but Cal swatted them away with a giant telekinetic hand. The creatures were lucky to be able to limp away.


    The only problem for Cal was when they reached Stockton.


    He had his telepathy stretched out in order to detect threats, which made for an uncomfortable ride given that the roiling thoughts of over ten people swirled in his own mind.


    Some people had dirty minds¡­ constantly.


    Everyone, except for one young man. Finley Stone or Ghost Sorcerer, his ridiculous ranger name, was a blank. There was a wall around the young man¡¯s thoughts. Except he was only a mage.


    Cal was certain that the young man didn¡¯t have psionic powers.


    It probably had something to do with that strange object inside Fin¡¯s chest.


    A question that needed an answer at a later time.


    ¡°Anak? You okay? You look like that time you ate that balut.¡±


    ¡°One time, Dad¡­ one time and the damn thing had feathers and a beak,¡± Cal shook his head. ¡°I distinctly remember the ones you guys got didn¡¯t have either.¡±


    ¡°You picked the wrong end of the egg to crack. That¡¯s all. And you wanted to see it. There¡¯s a reason you¡¯re supposed to eat it in the dark.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ maybe next time,¡± Cal shook his head. ¡°Stockton.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°My problem is Stockton.¡± Cal pitched his voice lower. ¡°Thoughts. I¡¯m picking up thoughts. There are a lot of people being¡­ abused in Stockton.¡±


    ¡°Gang-controlled territory,¡± his dad nodded. ¡°We should stop.¡±


    ¡°No, we need to get to Eron. It¡¯s taken too long already. We¡¯ll have to come back later.¡±


    The guilt ate away at Cal all the way to Sacramento where he finally filed it away in the same location in his mind that he placed all the things that brought him shame.


    The SUV¡¯s turned into a police substation parking lot. They were southeast of Downtown Sacramento.


    A handful of people Cal hadn¡¯t seen in years were waiting in front of the doors.


    ¡°Officer Lawrence, Detective Ordonez, Jake, Officer Ron,¡± Cal smiled as he hopped out of the SUV, ¡°I¡¯m sorry I don¡¯t remember your names, but I do recognize you,¡± he added to the rest of the group.


    ¡°It¡¯s Watch Captain Lawrence now,¡± the tall, athletic woman scowled. She looked much as Cal remembered, just older. ¡°The two you don¡¯t know are Max and Alexa. They¡¯re senior members of the Watch, like Ron and Rebekah.¡±


    ¡°I remember her,¡± Cal remarked. He introduced his father, Sgt. Butcher and the rest of the rangers.


    ¡°I hope you haven¡¯t been waiting out here too long. It looks quite cold,¡± Cal¡¯s dad looked up at the dark gray skies.


    ¡°Nah, we just came out right now,¡± Jake pointed a finger at Detective Ordonez. ¡°Detective¡¯s intuition¡­ or something.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ how are you guys?¡±


    ¡°I thought you were in a rush, Cruces,¡± Detective Ordonez practically growled at Cal.


    Cal nodded. ¡°Yeah¡­ your last message said everything¡¯s ready. So, maybe a quick bathroom break and we can head on up to the airport.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m required to tell you that the governor would like to meet, but he understands the demands of your schedule if you aren¡¯t able. Though he¡¯d take it as a personal favor if you do deign to meet with him, briefly,¡± Detective Ordonez looked like she was chewing on some week old tuna salad that had been sitting in the sun.


    ¡°Going to pass on that,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Great! Now that business is done¡­¡± Jake grabbed Cal in huge hug. ¡°Bro! How you been? I heard you went to an alien world. I saw some of that gear you brought back. I¡¯m totally jealous. You think you can score me some of that high tech shit!¡±


    ¡°Gates!¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Detective. We can catch up later,¡± Jake whispered to Cal.


    Once they were back on the road Cal found himself stuck next to Jake, who had managed to pluck that prime position.


    Cal could tell that both the Watch Captain and the Detective had questions for him. The former would have plenty of time for answers later. It was unfortunate for the latter that she would have to wait much longer.


    Jake pressed Cal on the cool gear and he had to let him down with the explanation of how advanced off world items were priced exorbitantly when it came to actually bringing them over to the lower level world.


    He speculated that now that the ten year tutorial period was over and that the spires¡¯ marketplace had opened with more functionality then perhaps he could send a message to Remy to try sending or selling Threnosh gear. The latter option came with a glaring issue. Anyone with the points could buy the item in question.


    Like Ebay.


    Fortunately, that seemed to mollify Jake and talk turned to the Threnosh, which was when Detective Ordonez had enough.


    She flicked the back of Jake¡¯s head to shut him up. ¡°Cruces, these Threnosh. The suits are finally ready to open up a dialog. That¡¯s what the governor wants to meet with you about.¡±


    Cal cursed internally. This was important, but he weighed it against Eron¡¯s safety.


    ¡°I don¡¯t really care. Aliens on another world seem too far to worry about when we¡¯ve got a fishman problem just across the river,¡± Detective Ordonez continued, ¡°when are you going to handle the cult and their god?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have a peace treaty?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but you don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°My only focus right now is helping my brother,¡± Cal said. ¡°Once Eron is safe, the Deep Azure and its cult are next on the list. As for the diplomacy stuff¡­ I¡¯ll send a message to Remy. He¡¯ll facilitate with the Threnosh since he¡¯s currently on their world.¡±


    Detective Ordonez nodded and fell silent.


    Cal wondered if it was the detective¡¯s Skills or skills that informed her that further conversation on these topics was a closed path for him at the moment.


    He also wondered if his dad was dealing with the same level of questioning from the Watch Captain in the other SUV.


    ¡°Thanks for agreeing to help. I appreciate it, Watch Captain Lawrence,¡± Cal¡¯s dad said.


    ¡°Your sons have done a lot for us in the past, Mr. Cruces. You can call me Demi.¡±


    ¡°Phillip¡­ still you¡¯re risking your lives on this mission, Quest.¡±


    ¡°It isn¡¯t entirely altruistic or plain gratitude. We need to gain levels, which means throwing ourselves into exceedingly dangerous situations. Getting this plane ready to fly to the Philippines was one such example. We had to clear the airport first. It took over a thousand fighters, mostly from the state government. The Watch is a lot smaller. Hundreds died in the attempt,¡± her voice took on a hard edge.


    Phillip¡¯s smile fell away. ¡°I¡¯m sorry they had to do that for my son.¡±


    ¡°Not at all. The survivors leveled like they had never before. Five, six, seven, a few got ten levels. It took years just to get into the mid teens. Killing monsters and doing the small Quest that occasionally popped up are like a leisure walk. These dangerous Quests are like strapping a rocket to your back.¡±


    ¡°Walking¡¯s a lot safer when that rocket has a fifty percent chance of exploding.¡±


    ¡°Right and even if it does work¡­ you still might get plastered against the side of the building,¡± Demi agreed. ¡°Still it¡¯s our only chance. The Deep Azure showed us that the slow and safe way is untenable. We can¡¯t rely on exceptional individuals like your sons forever. We have to become exceptional.¡±


    Phillip regarded the Watch Captain. ¡°Even at such a high price?¡±


    ¡°Death isn¡¯t the worst fate. Another thing the Deep Azure rubbed our faces into.¡±


    Phillip couldn¡¯t dispute that.


    The Cabal¡¯s actions.


    The Vitiator nearly subjecting his wife and nephew to such a fate.


    He could only nod in agreement even if it made him exceedingly sad at what the world had become.


    Was Eron currently suffering a fate worse than death?


    Was Cal about to join his youngest brother?


    What about his wife, Rayna and Rynnen?


    Where they safe without him there to protect them?


    They were all strong.


    He hoped that it would be enough.

 5.2

    Now, Northern California


    Cal stood at the terminal¡¯s large window.


    Out on the tarmac people were bustling around one of those fancy private jets. Hoses snaked across the ground from a large fuel truck to the jet, while equipment, luggage and other gear were being manually loaded with the aid of a lift.


    ¡°Never thought I¡¯d fly inside a plane again,¡± Phillip said.


    Cal regarded his dad for a moment. ¡°Nervous?¡±


    ¡°Not a huge fan of flying, but this will be my first time in a private jet.¡±


    ¡°Should be better than economy,¡± Cal nodded.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be nice to be inside for a change. No offense, but flying with you and Rayna¡­ scary. Nothing between my feet and the ground.¡±


    ¡°And yet you jump hundreds of feet in the air.¡±


    ¡°Not a huge fan of that either. Still, things at a few hundred feet aren¡¯t as tiny as they look when you get up into the thousands of feet. Easier to deal with.¡± Phillip grunted. ¡°I¡¯m going to the bar. Want to grab a couple of beers?¡±


    ¡°I thought you can¡¯t get drunk anymore?¡±


    ¡°For the taste and to remember the old days.¡±


    Cal¡¯s dad clapped him on the back.


    He was about to join his dad when he noticed Detective Ordonez and Jake approaching.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a couple of hours before departure. I¡¯ll join you in a little bit.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t take too long. I can drink a lot faster now,¡± Phillip shook his head ruefully, ¡°would¡¯ve been a useful ability back in the old days. Would¡¯ve drank all my friends under the table,¡± he explained at Cal¡¯s questioning look.


    ¡°It¡¯s a bar, basically free, why don¡¯t drink something that tastes better than cheap beer?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Ah,¡± Phillip¡¯s eyes widened with understanding, ¡°top shelf stuff.¡±


    Cal watched his dad walk away. He didn¡¯t need his telepathy to notice that his dad was dealing with some emotional stuff. Going back to the homeland knowing that most of your family and friends were probably dead¡ª


    He let out a long breath.


    He didn¡¯t feel the same ties as strongly.


    Relatives across the ocean were an abstract thing. Twenty plus years since he had visited them had pulled the threads thin.


    Had he made the wrong decision to travel to the Threnosh World?


    Should he have done more to secure his relatives¡¯ safety?


    Seven thousand miles seemed a paltry distance in comparison to the distance between worlds.


    Even now he couldn¡¯t deny that his main motivation was saving his brother.


    The rest were a distant second, which bothered him.


    ¡°How old is your dad?¡± Jake said as he drew near.


    ¡°Like mid to late sixties?¡±


    ¡°Damn, dude! He¡¯s like, so yoked. I¡¯m actually jealous. No offense, but like he makes you look small¡ª¡± Jake waved his hands, ¡°I mean you¡¯re totally shredded and built too, but your dad¡¯s like a scaled up version of you¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Cal said flatly, ¡°my dad literally grew several inches and added a lot of muscle thanks to the spires. I, on the other hand, am exactly the same as I was on that night. Well, I did add a lot of weight thanks to the increase in bone and muscle density.¡±


    ¡°So, like you can still get gains?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve tried, but I think I¡¯ve physically plateaued.¡±


    ¡°Your father looks to be in his early fifties to my eyes,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    Cal waited, but there was no further explanation.


    ¡°Our discussion from earlier wasn¡¯t finished.¡± The detective¡¯s displeasure was clear in the set of her brows.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve been dying to ask about your ha¡ª¡±


    ¡°Gates,¡± Detective Ordonez pointed to the side, ¡°wait and be silent.¡±


    Jake rolled his eyes, but ambled away about a dozen feet.


    ¡°That prosthetic is amazing. A mix of magic and technology,¡± Cal glanced at the detective¡¯s pant-covered leg.


    ¡°If you say magitech I¡¯m going to shoot you.¡±


    ¡°With a normal gun or your magitech one?¡± Cal grinned.


    ¡°You seem to know a lot for having been away for years and immediately flying away to the south on your return.¡±


    ¡°I keep in touch with a few people,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°Did you get my messages? I didn¡¯t get any replies, so I wasn¡¯t sure if you did.¡±


    ¡°I did and there was nothing more to say. We¡¯re already watching out for cult infiltration, so it¡¯s a simple matter to add this elf to the list.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure if that¡¯s the right term to use. The Vitiator didn¡¯t identify himself, but that¡¯s what he looked like to me. At least close enough to some depictions in our fictions.¡±


    ¡°Gates was devastated.¡±


    ¡°Elves weren¡¯t supposed to be evil,¡± Cal agreed.


    ¡°They¡¯re also fictional. This Vitiator is real and you shouldn¡¯t have preconceptions on how his morality works. Are you even certain he was a he?¡±


    ¡°His race, species, whatever, appears to have the same conception of gender as us. Granted, I¡¯m going by a sample size of one, so¡­¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°What¡¯d you want to talk to me about?¡±


    ¡°The governor is interested in official relations with your sister.¡±


    Cal laughed.


    Detective Ordonez scowled. ¡°You know what I mean.¡±


    ¡°Two things,¡± Cal held up two fingers, ¡°my sister isn¡¯t in charge. They have a governor and a government. Also, you can just send a message to get the diplomacy started.¡±


    ¡°Governor Richards would like a favorable word from you to get things started.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I saw a spire somewhere around here on the drive up. I¡¯ll send my sister a message. She can get things started on her end.¡±


    Surprise flickered across the detective¡¯s face.


    ¡°What? Governor Richards seems like a decent guy and your government is decent overall. Alliances like this will be the key to our ultimate survival. I know the nature of the true threats we face out there. The Deep Azure is just one and I¡¯m pretty sure even it is in the early stages of its growth.¡±


    Detective Ordonez grunted. ¡°That was my read on it. We aren¡¯t the only ones that grow in strength with time and struggle. The levels, whatever it is you do to get stronger¡­ monsters do the same. The Deep Azure is doing just that for itself and its army. This truce will only last up to the point that it thinks they¡¯re ready. Then they¡¯ll roll over us like a wave.¡±


    ¡°Is that why you guys threw everyone at claiming the airport?¡±


    The detective bristled at the implication. ¡°It¡¯s like the spires said. Survival is only possible through strength. Well, we need to do more than just survive. We need to thrive.¡±


    ¡°What kind of life is it if you¡¯re constantly balancing on the edge of a blade?¡± Cal agreed.


    ¡°Claiming the airport wasn¡¯t just about getting people levels. It¡¯s part of a broader plan. One of the reasons why the governor wants to establish relations with Southern California.¡± Detective Ordonez narrowed her eyes at Cal. ¡°This isn¡¯t widely known, not yet.¡±


    ¡°I can keep a secret¡­ unless it¡¯s evil, then I¡¯d have to do something about it,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Something tells me that secrets are like whispers in your ears.¡±


    He said nothing.


    ¡°We¡¯ve established sporadic contact with several communities across the country.¡±


    ¡°How?¡± Cal blinked. ¡°I mean that¡¯s good news! More people out there¡­ alive, surviving¡­ thriving?¡±


    ¡°Unclear. Like I said, sporadic. In answer to your questions a mixture of methods. We¡¯ve been able to get radios working, so that¡¯s one avenue of communication. Spells occasionally work. Once we establish initial contact, spire messages work reliably, but the cost is prohibitive for frequent and detailed communication.¡±


    ¡°But, I¡¯ve sent many messages,¡± Cal frowned.


    ¡°You might be the wealthiest man in the world,¡± Detective Ordonez said flatly. ¡°What you¡¯re doing in the standards of the old days is equivalent to spending $50 to send a single Email. We don¡¯t have the same privilege.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ wow¡­ I¡¯ve become the one percent,¡± Cal grimaced.


    ¡°If it makes you feel any better you¡¯ve done more than any of those old bastards did to deserve it.¡± Detective Ordonez¡¯s eyes darted to Cal¡¯s left hand.


    ¡°I agree, but I can always do better.¡± Cal came to a decision. ¡°I¡¯m going to transfer points to you. Spire message me in the event of an emergency or if you have anything you think is important enough to share. I don¡¯t want to make any promises, but once we get my brother out safely and deal with this fog thing the Deep Azure is next.¡±


    ¡°Hopefully, we¡¯re still be here when you get back¡­ Gates, I¡¯m done here,¡± Detective Ordonez barked before she walked away.


    ¡°Yo, so like Bennett wants to see you before you leave. Ron¡¯s waiting out front with a car.¡±


    Cal had to hasten his steps to keep up with the taller man¡¯s stride.


    ¡°Wait¡­ you know Ron?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ve been doing joint exercises for the last two weeks. Ever since we got word from you about this quest.¡±


    Cal frowned. ¡°You got a Quest for this?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no,¡± Jake shook his head, ¡°no one has. I just think we probably will, right? Seems like a definite Quest thing. Traveling to a far off land, rescues, unknown evils¡­ got all the elements.¡±


    ¡°Jake, people are going to die,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Yeah, I know,¡± Jake sighed, ¡°but we all made that choice. Better than staying behind and hoping someone else can save you. The airport Quest was brutal, but I sailed past Level 20 all the way to 23. Got more spells, mana and increased my device number cap. Now, I can do better next time.¡±


    They fell into silence as they walked through the empty airport. Their steps echoed through the cavernous space. It was eerie, like everyone in the world had vanished. Which wasn¡¯t far from the truth.


    Cal would never get used to that sense of complete loss.


    ¡°Hey, man. It¡¯s been a while,¡± Cal said as he climbed into the car¡¯s front passenger seat.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Ron said with obvious unease as he put the car into gear and pulled away from the curb.


    ¡°So¡­ how you been?¡±


    ¡°Pretty good, all things considered.¡±


    ¡°Your sister?¡±


    ¡°Good, good,¡± Ron cracked a grin, ¡°Hillary¡¯s a teenager now, so that¡¯s¡­ fun. Wanted to come along on the quest. Threw a fit when I laughed.¡±


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°They don¡¯t like that,¡± Cal agreed.


    ¡°Just cause she¡¯s got a fancy Class, thinks she can handle it,¡± Ron shook his head ruefully. He glanced at Cal out of the corner of his eye. ¡°Apprentice Techmage.¡±


    Cal looked back at Jake. ¡°Isn¡¯t that your Class?¡±


    ¡°Yup, we do this, like, future career, class, program thing. Testing stuff, see if the kids have tracks that fit them better than others. I don¡¯t really know how it happened, but one thing led to another and I ended up with an apprentice. Your sister is awesome though,¡± Jake clapped a beefy hand on Ron¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Makes me look bad,¡± he laughed.


    ¡°How does that work?¡± This was a first for Cal.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, like any mentor thing, I guess. Help her with coding spells into her devices, stuff like that. I think she gets bonuses for being an Apprentice. Like, she¡¯s got five spells, five devices. When I was her level, I only had two spells, though I was able to have them on more devices. Three of her spells are weaker though.¡±


    ¡°Like those three are copying off of yours? The apprentice gains access to the master¡¯s spells,¡± Cal mused.


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly it. The spires said she gets additional spells based on what I have and my general ability level. The awesome thing for her is that even if she stops being an Apprentice she keeps those extra spells. They just drop to their weakest level. Right now, they¡¯re scaled off of mine.¡±


    ¡°This sounds like a powerful tool.¡±


    ¡°Yup, making next generation apprentices has become a point of emphasis. Not successfully, so far,¡± Ron said.


    ¡°It¡¯s been less than six months. Give it time, dude.¡±


    ¡°What about you, Ron? Still a Police Officer?¡±


    ¡°Watch Officer, actually. It finally hit me that Davis PD hasn¡¯t existed in ten years and wasn¡¯t coming back. The Watch is real and I believe in what we¡¯re doing. My Class changed after I acknowledged that.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯d it change?¡±


    ¡°The spires talked to me. Gave me the choice. It¡¯s not that different. Most of my Skills remained the same. The ones that changed became more aggressive, just like the new ones. It seems to fit. My role is more violent now. It¡¯s not about keeping the peace.¡±


    Cal disputed that, but he didn¡¯t care enough to voice it. To Cal, Ron¡¯s old role was based around performing violence more than they¡¯d like to admit.


    ¡°The new Class will be more useful to our mission than your old one,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°So¡­¡± Jake began, ¡°what happened to your fingers?¡±


    ¡°A golden angel ate them,¡± Cal said. He didn¡¯t elaborate further.


    Silence descended over the three men as they drove to their destination, which turned out to be an administration building about halfway in between the old terminal and newer terminal. It was a short distance as the crow flew, but took several minutes due to the looping roads.


    ¡°We¡¯ll wait out here,¡± Jake said as Ron parked the car near the entrance.


    Cal sensed more unease from two men, but he kept his telepathy closed. He had no desire to intrude on their thoughts.


    ¡°Bennett¡¯s a little different from when you last saw him,¡± Jake said.


    Cal walked the building¡¯s empty hallways, following Jake¡¯s directions. The lights were off, which wasn¡¯t a problem for him. Superior eyesight and extrasensory perceptions guided him down to the archives several floors below ground level.


    Complete darkness ruled.


    Numerous rows of box-filled shelves lined the gym-sized space.


    Faint lights flickered at the far end of the expansive room.


    ¡°Bennett?¡± Cal called out.


    No response.


    He walked, unconcerned, toward the lights, which turned out to be several candles arrayed on a large paper-strewn desk. An open laptop sat to one side. What appeared to be a map of the local area was on the screen.


    An other¡¯s thoughts whispered in Cal¡¯s mind.


    It was his only warning.


    He spun around and thrust his hand out a split-second before a tall form seemingly stepped out of the shadows dancing on the wall.


    ¡°Bennett,¡± Cal smiled.


    ¡°I wanted to see if I could catch you off guard,¡± Bennett¡¯s grin revealed sharp canine teeth.


    Cal regarded the Vampire.


    Bennett had always reminded Cal of a stooped scarecrow, hunched in on himself, supremely conscious of his great height.


    Now, Bennett stood tall, straight. Aware and proud of his power.


    Cal was struck by how pale Bennett¡¯s skin was. It was almost white.


    It wasn¡¯t just the complexion of someone that hadn¡¯t gone outside in a few months.


    There was a hunger in those red eyes.


    Concerning.


    ¡°You look like you could use some sun.¡±


    Bennett flashed teeth. ¡°I don¡¯t disagree. It¡¯s just that I don¡¯t want to burst into flames again.¡±


    ¡°Again?¡± Cal raised a brow.


    ¡°Not intentional. There was a fight with some bad people. A rescue. Circumstances required my activity much too close to the dawn,¡± Bennett shrugged.


    ¡°I remember sunlight gave you a bad sunburn after a few minutes.¡±


    ¡°As my levels increase, so does my strength. It seems that the same can be said of my vulnerabilities.¡±


    ¡°So, if I were to throw a handful of rice on the ground, you¡¯d have to pick them all up one by one?¡±


    ¡°Fortunately, no. Sunlight, silver are the worst of it. If you don¡¯t count the growing hunger.¡±


    Cal kept his face a bland mask. ¡°How bad?¡±


    ¡°Be assured that I¡¯m in control of myself.¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°That¡¯s the bad news. How about the good?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve focused my growth on my animal minions, the shadows and my physical capabilities. My time in San Francisco battling the Deep Azure¡¯s cult taught me that I can¡¯t simply hide and do research. I can, I must contribute much more.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t had much time to read over what the R&D team put together, but I heard about the prototype gear we¡¯re bringing along. Magitech¡­ it¡¯s honestly exciting!¡±


    ¡°Mana batteries. Spells placed in weapons and armor that anyone can use. Jake and Hillary have been a great help in their development. I only wish I could come along to see them in action.¡±


    ¡°Same here. You¡¯d be a great help, but the risks¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, I couldn¡¯t come up with a safe way to transport me across the ocean. Besides, I¡¯m needed here to defend our hold on the airport. Not to mention our ongoing Quest to claim the territory between here and the heart of the city. We can¡¯t tempt the scions by removing all of our most powerful people.¡± Bennett circled around Cal and sat down at the desk. ¡°What will you do after?¡±


    ¡°The Deep Azure is next.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± Bennett nodded. ¡°I have one request.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°Protect the R&D team going along to maintain the equipment.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t promise to keep them safe,¡± Cal sighed, ¡°but I¡¯ll do my best.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing else I can do except ask, so I¡¯ll have to be content with that answer.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never been one to throw away lives.¡±


    ¡°Yes, of course, but if it¡¯s to save your brother?¡±


    ¡°My life would be first on the block and that¡¯ll be enough,¡± Cal said. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t need to ask anyone else.¡±


    ¡°One last thing. You should visit the cemetery.¡±


    ¡°Which one? There are a bunch in the city.¡±


    Bennett wrote down directions on a sheet of paper. ¡°Our people are there. The ones we lost in the years you¡¯ve been gone. Against the monsters and more recently, the fishman cult.¡±


    ¡°I will when we return,¡± Cal took the paper.


    ¡°Do it now.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re leaving in a few hours as soon as it gets dark.¡±


    ¡°Not if you want Hanna to go along with you.¡±


    ¡°I was under the impression that the whole team was en route to the airport if not already here,¡± Cal sighed.


    Bennett shrugged. ¡°Ask Hanna. She doesn¡¯t tell me much.¡±


    ¡°Okay then.¡±


    ¡°Oh and thank you for the Threnosh gear. We haven¡¯t made any headway into copying them, but they¡¯ve been a wonder to study. Hanna might not mention it, but she loves the armor, sword and shield. At least we¡¯ve been able to create more ammo for the recoilless rifles.¡± Bennett turned back to his desk.


    ¡°Good talking to you, Bennett,¡± Cal said as he turned to leave.


    ¡°Come back in one piece or at least without more missing ones. The Deep Azure won¡¯t be content with peace for long.¡±


    <hr>


    Now, Manila


    Eron couldn¡¯t find any sign of Madalena and the others.


    The lack of visibility due to the fog meant that he couldn¡¯t just climb to a high spot and look for them. Even his superior hearing was useless. The fog muffled that too, at least outside the hundred foot radius where its effects were minimal.


    He had wasted close to two hours when he decided to turn back.


    Nothing to show for it except for a few dozen shades of monsters and people he didn¡¯t know defeated.


    The latter were tough to fight.


    Not because of their abilities. They weren¡¯t a threat to him. All they had were weak spells and Skills. The fog didn¡¯t create them with weapons, just with what they were wearing when they were subsumed.


    No.


    What made them tough were that they talked to him.


    They told him where they had last seen their loved ones. They asked him to save them.


    Eron had been all over Metro Manila in the past eight months. He was certain that said loved ones were already dead or part of the fog. Indeed, he had seen that bear out a handful of times.


    A shade described a loved one that Eron would encounter at another time also asking about the other one.


    More often the shades begged him to free them, even if it meant killing them.


    At first he had avoided fatal damage. Three months in he started trying.


    Damn them all.


    He tried to kill them, but it never stuck.


    The shades disappeared into the fog only for him to encounter them again.


    More questions without answers.


    Focus.


    He needed to focus on keeping Lilah safe.


    He was such an asshole for taking a twelve year old girl out into the fog.


    Not that there was much of choice¡­ was there?


    A quarter hour later Eron ran down a fog-shrouded street while carrying Lilah in his arms.


    The girl kept her eyes screwed shut as shades came out of the fog, snapping and grasping at them.


    Eron didn¡¯t stop he dodged around a twisted dog, then leapt over a bear-sized monster that resembled a mix between a cat and lizard.


    He ducked low, just avoiding the snapping mouth of an over-sized snake.


    Eron¡¯s heart pounded in his chest.


    Fear.


    Not for him, but for the girl that counted on him to keep her safe, so that she could keep them all safe.


    A glow in the distance defied the fog.


    It signaled sanctuary.


    Eron jumped up to the top of a three story building to bypass the mass of monster shades crowding the narrow street in front of them.


    Lilah squealed with fright at the suddenness of the move.


    A monster emerged from the fog. Teeth, claws and muscle barring the way.


    Eron leapt and planted a foot on its head.


    His next leap carried them down to the street.


    Asphalt cracked under his boots as he sprinted the last few hundred yards.


    The attacks faded into nothing when they reached the warded house¡¯s umbrella.


    ¡°Is it getting worse?¡± Lilah squeaked as Eron plopped her down in front of the front door.


    ¡°Nope, about the same as before,¡± he lied as he turned his back to the girl and prepared to defend her, sledgehammer in one hand.


    Lilah whispered words.


    Indistinct in Eron¡¯s ears despite his enhanced hearing.


    The words were magic, gibberish to the non-magically inclined.


    Eron had watched Lilah work before. He knew that she was tracing the sigils with her hand, putting her mana into it to renew and recharge the protection it provided against the fog¡¯s intrusion into the house.


    Palpable power sent tingles running across Eron¡¯s flesh.


    It stopped suddenly.


    Gasps.


    ¡°Lilah? Alright there?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, just need a few minutes to catch my breath. The main one is always the hardest to do.¡±


    ¡°No rush, take all the time you need.¡±


    Silence.


    A handful of heartbeats.


    ¡°Kuya Eron?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°Can you keep talking¡­ the silence is creepy.¡± Lilah¡¯s voice was soft, small.


    ¡°Sure, what about?¡± Eron knew that the fog was tough on hardened fighters. Even he found it creepy. It said a lot about Lilah that she willingly faced it every few days.


    ¡°About the world¡­ maybe about one of the places where people are safe from the monsters.¡±


    Eron hesitated. He regretted telling the children about some of the communities he had helped set up all over the world. At the time he had thought it was a good idea to give them hope, but true safety wasn¡¯t really a thing. ¡°That¡¯s¡ª I mean¡­ how do I choose.¡±


    ¡°What about the kids like me?¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ well, they call it rune magic, but it¡¯s very similar to your sigils. Actually, I think the only real difference is the letters. Effects and methods are similar. Have you considered tattoos?¡± Eron mused.


    ¡°Ugh¡­ no,¡± Lilah said in disgust.


    ¡°Just saying¡­ it might a possibility. The rune kids I helped out do it. Makes them stronger, tougher, protected. You can blast spells straight from the symbol. Sorry, you wanted the story? Well, the kids were in a rough spot. Turns out the spires brought along an evil Santa Claus, monstrous, disgusting and he or it was taking kids in his magic sack¡ª¡±


    ¡°Not that part,¡± Lilah said. ¡°After you saved them.¡±


    ¡°Right¡­ sorry,¡± Eron¡¯s grimace was hidden by virtue of his back facing Lilah.


    And so he told her what she wanted to hear.


    It was mostly factually correct. He glossed over the trauma of recovery for those unfortunate children. He focused on how they had grown stronger over the last few years. How they were now capable of defending the small community he had left them in. How in the end they had triumphed over their suffering.


    It wasn¡¯t entirely a lie.


    The truth was that not every wound healed completely.


    But Lilah didn¡¯t to know that at the moment.


    In time the girl was ready to continue.


    So, Eron stood watch while she renewed the other sigils on the exterior of the house.


    Once finished Lilah slumped in the stool next to the front door.


    All Eron had to do now was check on the people inside then he could take Lilah back for her well-deserved rest.


    He knocked on the door, gave the code and carried Lilah inside once the door was opened.


    Frightened faces stared back at him.


    He plastered a smile on his face and told them that everything was fine.


    It made him feel like a liar.

 5.3

    Now, Manila


    The sigbin bleated in Madalena¡¯s face.


    Carrion-flavored breath filled her nostrils.


    She gagged, but killed the ugly creature with a punch to the throat.


    ¡°We need to get out of here!¡±


    Madalena turned her head at the terrified voice.


    Kane¡¯s left hand was above his head. A glowing orb of light pushed away the darkness. His right hand was thrust forward, small marble-sized orbs streaked forth to burn small holes in three charging sigbin.


    To his left, Adrian was down on one knee, M-16 barking away at more monsters.


    Trin was on the other side. She struggled as monsters pulled at her shield while she hacked away with her axe.


    A momentary distraction allowed another sigbin to lash its whip-like tail across Madalena¡¯s faceshield. It cut right through the tough plastic. She watched the tail¡¯s sharp end pass within inches from the tip of her nose.


    Yet another sigbin leapt out of the darkness behind the power of its kangaroo-like hind legs, long, clawed arms swiping.


    Madalena swatted the arms aside with her own and cracked the crown of her riot helmet into the sigbin¡¯s muzzle. Cartilage, teeth and bone broke.


    The monster gurgled on its own blood for a moment before she ended it with a stomp to its head.


    Movement to her left.


    A sigbin leapt in, head down.


    She stopped it cold with a palm on the top of its head, right between its straight, pointed, goat horns.


    The strength of the sigbin¡¯s legs doomed it.


    Madalena was the immovable object.


    The monster¡¯s neck snapped like a twig.


    Madalena resisted the urge to gag as the monsters voided the contents of their guts in death. The smell was horrific. They already carried fetid stench around their gray and black furred bodies. Like sewer and death.


    This was much worse.


    ¡°Retreat!¡± Madalena charged the sigbins that were slowly overwhelming the rest of her team.


    The monsters scattered.


    One was a split-second too slow. Madalena grabbed it by its long, floppy ears and twisted its head around.


    The other three rushed out of the store and into the megamall¡¯s open area.


    The space was cavernous.


    Kane¡¯s light spell didn¡¯t reach beyond the third floor above them. More sigbins lurked just outside the light¡¯s radius.


    ¡°It¡¯s like Moria¡­¡± Adrian looked up into the darkness beyond where the light died, ¡°the darkness just goes on forever.¡±


    ¡°Shut up, Adrian!¡± Trin snapped. ¡°There are five floors! Five!¡±


    ¡°Does it matter? We¡¯re fucked! I¡¯ve only got one mag left.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s the boss monster? We triggered it, but it hasn¡¯t shown up.¡± Kane was breathing heavily. The light was a small spell, but continuously draining.


    Madalena felt helpless. She was pretty sure she could just plow her way through monsters with her superstrength.


    Her team would be swarmed and torn apart.


    ¡°What do we do, Madalena?¡± Trin¡¯s eyes were wide as they darted across the dozens of sets of shining eyes in the darkness around them.


    A cacophony of bleating assaulted them from all sides.


    ¡°We¡¯re leaving. I¡¯ll scatter them and you guys run right into the opening.¡±


    ¡°But they¡¯ll swarm us from behind!¡± Adrian said.


    ¡°Right, Then I¡¯ll jump over you and scatter those. We¡¯ll just keep doing that all the way to the exit.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not the best plan you¡¯ve ever had,¡± Kane said.


    ¡°Do you have any other ideas?¡±


    ¡°The sigbins can¡¯t really hurt you. Why don¡¯t the three of us put our backs to the wall and fight defensively, while you kill them all,¡± Kane said.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been in here for over an hour and their numbers don¡¯t seem to be going down,¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°Horde mode probably,¡± Trin said.


    ¡°But we haven¡¯t gotten any wave notifications,¡± Adrian said.


    ¡°Suggestive,¡± Kane said. ¡°That this is still the first wave,¡± he explained.


    ¡°My plan is the best option.¡± Madalena¡¯s tone was final. ¡°Get ready to go on th¡ª¡±


    Sometimes Encounter Challenges almost displayed a level of intelligence that was disturbing.


    At that exact moment a screech echoed through the cavernous megamall interior. It was all the more disturbing for how human it sounded.


    ¡°Get back!¡± Madalena tackled her team out of the way as something large and heavy crashed down from above.


    Another sigbin, twice as large as the standard, human-sized one sprang forward out of the small crater of broken floor tiles.


    Madalena had been a dancer once. She was long-limbed and lithe. She also did karate from the age of five to fifteen.


    Now she had superstrength to add to her balance and precise movements.


    Her leg whipped around in a spinning kick. Her heel struck the side of the boss monster¡¯s huge head.


    It careened to one side, tail whipping around to score a stinging gash across Madalena¡¯s unprotected upper arm.


    She tried to grab the tail but it moved like a snake out of her reach.


    The boss sigbin sent her flying into a store on the other side of the mall.


    Glass shattered around her as she flew into the waiting claws of the sigbins inside the dark store.


    Madalena thrashed wildly, breaking monsters with each desperate blow.


    She needed to get back to the boss monster.


    Her team couldn¡¯t face it on their own.


    ¡°Taunt it!¡± Kane¡¯s voice was on the verge of hysteria.


    ¡°Oh god,¡± Trin whispered. ¡°Fight me!¡± she screamed and banged her riot shield.


    ¡°The rest of them are attacking!¡± Adrian screamed over the bursts from his assault rifle.


    The boss sigbin¡¯s tail struck like a spear.


    Right through Trin¡¯s shield. Into her throat.


    ¡°No¡­¡± Madalena said softly.


    Kane grit his teeth and dived to grab the tail. ¡°Flame Touch.¡±


    The tail burst into flames.


    The sigbin boss pulled it back with a human-like shriek as the flames ran up to the base of the tail to cover its backside and up its back.


    Trin dropped to her knees. A look of complete shock on her face. Her axe and shield slipped out of her hands to clatter on the floor.


    Kane rushed over and laid a hand on the gushing wound in her neck. ¡°Jesus, please¡­ Heal!¡±


    The gunfire suddenly stopped.


    The frantic clicking of Adrian¡¯s trigger finger mingled with the bleating.


    Madalena moved, but she was too slow.


    Adrian¡¯s screams were cut short as the sigbins piled on top of him.


    Things were happening too fast.


    ¡°It¡¯s not working¡ª¡± Kane¡¯s tear-filled eyes somehow found Madalena¡¯s even with the only light being from the flames dancing on the boss sigbin¡¯s body, ¡°get out,¡± he whispered.


    The huge sigbin leapt at Kane and the dying Trin.


    ¡°Immolate.¡±


    Flames erupted form Kane¡¯s body, consuming him and Trin just as the sigbin plowed into them.


    The monster¡¯s shrieks joined with Madalena¡¯s.


    Bleating shadows danced wildly in the fire light as they closed in around her.


    Her roar shook the air as she charged madly.


    Normal sigbins broke as they threw themselves at her.


    Claws and teeth managed little more than tearing at her clothing and leaving thin scratches on the exposed portions of her skin.


    She grabbed a leaping sigbin and threw it at the burning boss monster.


    She came in right behind it with a jumping side kick.


    Bang!


    The boot into the boss monster¡¯s massive chest echoed like a gunshot.


    She ignored the heat from the flames to close in and land a pair of knees to the monster¡¯s stomach.


    Then wild punches at the monster¡¯s throat.


    The sigbin boss tried to chomp down on her head, but she grabbed its muzzle. One hand on the upper and one on the lower.


    Its carrion breath blew hot in her face.


    Madalena roared as she pulled the muzzle apart.


    The monsters swiped at her body with its wicked claws.


    She ignored the cuts.


    A loud crack was followed by whimpers.


    Madalena had pulled the boss sigbin¡¯s jaws a hundred and eighty degrees wide.


    The rest of the sigbins hesitated, milling around. Almost as if they were shocked by what they were witnessing.


    They didn¡¯t do anything as Madalena completed the rest of her grisly work.


    The boss monster died gurgling as she tore it apart.


    Tongue, limbs, head.


    She was drenched in blood and gore when she was finished.


    A loud chime sounded in her ears as the rest of the sigbins disappeared into the dark mall.


    Congratulations!


    You have defeated the Sigbin Alpha of the Encounter Challenge.


    Reward: 25000 Universal Points.


    Do you wish to face the True Boss to claim the SM Megamall?


    Madalena glanced at the burned bodies of Kane and Trin. Of Adrian there was nothing left except his M-16 and a few scraps of bloody clothing.


    She walked over listlessly and picked up the gun.


    The adrenaline dump was hitting her and her limbs felt heavy.


    ¡°No,¡± she said.


    <hr>


    Eron was just about to leave in search of Madalena and the others when his cousin barged through the door.


    ¡°I smell a lot of blood¡­ not all yours or human,¡± Cherry said from her customary place at the bar, sipping from a glass filled with thick red liquid.


    Eron took one look at Madalena¡¯s bloody, burned and battered body. ¡°Cherry, please give us the room.¡±


    ¡°No, fuck her! If she¡¯s got something to say then we can settle this right here!¡± Madalena spat.


    Eron placed himself in front of her with his arms wide.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°This is the only place I¡¯m allowed to be,¡± Cherry sighed, ¡°but whatever¡­¡±


    Eron glanced back to see that the woman was gone.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Eron frowned.


    Madalena didn¡¯t meet his eyes.


    ¡°Trin, Kane, Adrian?¡± he said softly.


    ¡°Gone!¡± Madalena snarled as she shoved Eron back.


    He stepped back, but kept himself in front of her. His cousin¡¯s strength level wasn¡¯t that far off from his current underpowered state, so it took some effort to keep from falling on his butt.


    ¡°Tell me.¡±


    They stood eye to eye.


    Madalena glared daggers for a long moment before she seemed to deflate.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you sit down?¡± Eron pulled out a chair at the closest table. ¡°Something to drink?¡±


    ¡°Like I can get drunk,¡± Madalena said bitterly.


    ¡°You like the taste. Top shelf scotch, right?¡± Eron went behind the bar. ¡°Anything specific?¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    Eron returned with a pair of glasses and a bottle. Something Scottish and ridiculously expensive. He filled both glasses to the brim and handed one to Madalena.


    She drained it one gulp and snatched the bottle from Eron¡¯s hand and took a long swig.


    Then she told him what had happened.


    The bottle was empty by the time she finished.


    ¡°Well, say something. You told me so, that sort of bullshit¡­ cause you did,¡± Madalena spat.


    Eron sighed and emptied his half-finished glass on the floor. ¡°Trin, Kane and Adrian¡­ for their bravery and sacrifice.¡±


    Madalena laughed. ¡°I wasted their lives,¡± she replied even as she tossed the contents of her glass.


    Eron said nothing. He agreed with her assessment, but what good would it have done to shove her face in it. Still, he couldn¡¯t just let this pass. Young men and a young woman had died.


    ¡°Do you really understand your mistakes?¡±


    Madalena scowled. ¡°Challenging the boss.¡±


    Eron nodded. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because we need to get stronger. We¡¯re dying slow deaths. We can¡¯t rely on Lilah to keep the wards up for much longer. You¡¯re with her. You¡¯ve seen it. It gets harder and harder for her each time. The fog¡¯s getting stronger, while she¡¯s getting weaker.¡±


    ¡°You could¡¯ve waited for me,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°You were busy with your latest failure to escape,¡± Madalena said. ¡°Then you had to take Lilah out. I couldn¡¯t just sit here, waiting.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not wrong, but we can¡¯t be reckless in our desperation.¡±


    ¡°Why? What else do we have left? Powerless children? A dwindling number of fighters¡ª¡± Madalena choked, her lips quivered.


    Eron looked away while his cousin took a minute to compose herself.


    ¡°You and me are all that¡¯s left. No one else can do the heavy lifting. Our only chance is to build enough people up that we can make one run at the boundary, so that at least some of us can get out. I don¡¯t want to end up like the rest of my family, our family!¡±


    Eron had leaned back from Madalena¡¯s impassioned words. He studied the dregs left in his glass. ¡°If we can hold out long enough for¡ª¡±


    ¡°Oh come on!¡± Madalena threw her hands up. ¡°Kuya Cal¡¯s coming in to save us? Isn¡¯t that what you were supposed to do? You dropped in here all shining like the sun¡­ then what? Nothing. The fog drained you within a week and now you¡¯re stuck here just like the rest of us.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll have a plan,¡± Eron said flatly.


    ¡°Well, he¡¯d better.¡± Madalena angrily stood and stomped toward the stairs in the back of the restaurant.


    ¡°Dr. Rufo is in the kids¡¯ apartment. Have him clean up your wounds, but make sure the kids don¡¯t see you. They should be sleeping, but some have nightmares and they sleep lightly.¡±


    ¡°I know that!¡± Madalena snapped. ¡°I¡¯ll do what you say, Kuya,¡± she mocked.


    Eron sighed. He was only a few years older than his cousin so the honorific didn¡¯t set well with him. He and his siblings had pretty much done away with the title, much to their parents¡¯ chagrin.


    He frowned. He didn¡¯t like thinking of his family these days. It threatened him with hope.


    ¡°Wait¡­ people have died because of me before. I screwed up or I made all the right moves. In the end it doesn¡¯t matter. They¡¯re still gone.¡±


    Madalena stopped. ¡°It doesn¡¯t go away?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Eron listened to his cousin climb the stairs and knock on the apartment door before he decided to stop monitoring her.


    The clock on the wall said the sun was going to be rising soon.


    Eron supposed time was an arbitrary thing inside the fog when it always looked the same outside.


    He was so tired, yet he couldn¡¯t bring himself to sleep not when Madalena had been right about everything.


    Time was running out.


    He hated it, but it appeared that hope lay outside the fog and not in his hands.


    ¡°You look like you could use some rest,¡± Cherry whispered into his ear.


    Eron stood abruptly and walked to the stairs. ¡°I think I¡¯ll actually take your advice on that. A few hours sleep would be good for me. Thanks.¡±


    <hr>


    Now, Northern California


    Cal landed near Hanna. Next to a grave.


    ¡°Do you think about your landings?¡± Hanna said without looking up.


    ¡°Yeah, actually I do. Too close and I jostle you. Too far and I have to walk up to you, which might be awkward.¡±


    Hanna nodded. She kept her gaze on the grave.


    Cal read the name carved into the tombstone.


    ¡°Keisha. Nila told me how it happened.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t really know her, did you?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± he shook his head. ¡°I knew that she was one of the Watch¡¯s top fighters. Nila fought with her a few times. She found Keisha impressive.¡±


    ¡°You did like to keep your distance from everyone. So much so that you disappeared for five years. And it turns out you went to another world. I do have to thank you for the futuristic gear,¡± Hanna waved a hand over the Threnosh armor she wore. ¡°I feel like a tank in this. I can take getting hit by a car with only minor bruising¡­ we¡¯ve tested it. And any minor damage to the armor is fixed by running a hot blow dryer over it for a few minutes.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a stripped down version. Basic impact dispersion built in each layer. You should see the ones with inertial dampeners,¡± Cal said warily. He sensed the tension coming off Hanna in palpable waves.


    ¡°The longsword was another great gift,¡± she drew the blade from the scabbard at her hip, ¡°cuts through steel and, again, any chips and nicks are fixed by heat.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like memory metal, but better,¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°All great things from you¡­¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    ¡°I wonder if it¡¯s enough to make up for your absence? I¡¯ve been thinking if you were here, would all these people have died in the fighting with the fish cult? I have to believe that you and Remy could¡¯ve handled the Deep Azure together. Which means that Keisha wouldn¡¯t have had to step up against an opponent well beyond her league.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised,¡± Cal began, ¡°when I first recruited you¡­ well, you were adamant about not fighting for the community. You only wanted to train others. What changed?¡±


    ¡°Things,¡± Hanna said flatly.


    ¡°Right¡­ things change for every individual. I can¡¯t change the past.¡±


    ¡°No, but you still direct the future. How many of my friends will die to save your brother?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t say.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯ve run it through that big brain of yours? The shades of your extended family in the fog are stronger than us, right? And that¡¯s not accounting for the monsters, animals and other people with magic and Skills.¡±


    Hanna¡¯s face was a hard mask.


    ¡°Fifty percent,¡± Cal said. ¡°Worst case scenario¡­ a handful survive.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you mean failure? That all of us will be taken by the fog and turned into these shades?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not going to happen.¡±


    ¡°But you can¡¯t promise that.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Cal was forced to admit, ¡°but I¡¯m not going to throw away lives. My life will always be in front.¡±


    ¡°Small comfort for the rest of use without your abilities.¡±


    ¡°Which the fog will likely strip away.¡±


    Hanna nodded. ¡°I¡¯m surprised you didn¡¯t bring up that we¡¯re all volunteers in this mission,¡± she said.


    ¡°I won¡¯t abrogate my responsibility for everyone by putting the onus on all of you.¡±


    ¡°I suppose we don¡¯t have much of a choice. When you asked me what changed¡­ it was the Deep Azure. Such an evil thing is beyond mere monsters or bad people. The knowledge that entities like that walked our world made me realize that I had two paths. I could hide, rely on people like you to keep me safe or I could gain my own strength,¡± Hanna said. ¡°And so here I am. Ready to throw myself into overwhelming danger alongside people I care about knowing that many of them will die and that there¡¯s nothing I can do about it. I don¡¯t know if you can understand that feeling of powerlessness against the great evils lurking all around us.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d be surprised. I can tell you a few stories about what I found on the Threnosh world.¡±


    ¡°Your hand?¡±


    ¡°One such story.¡±


    Hanna grunted. ¡°I just want our lives to count,¡± she gazed across the cemetery.


    Cal recognized the names on several tombstones. ¡°The Watch members lost against the fish cult.¡±


    ¡°And against monsters, mutant animals and regular assholes. We¡¯ve been more active helping the government increase their territory control. Like the spires said to do,¡± she spat.


    Cal felt an invisible weight settling over him.


    The burden of many lives. Some already lost, some set to be lost in the future and the ones that would make it.


    He almost shied away, but accepted it.


    ¡°For months I¡¯ve wanted nothing more than to disappear. No more monsters, no more fighting evil, no more responsibilities.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible for you. Your powers are responsibility. You¡¯d be less of a man than I thought had you done that.¡±


    ¡°I know. Maybe one day, if I can find someone else to take that burden, but then would I be the asshole if I did that to someone else?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I think that pretty clearly fits the asshole definition,¡± Hanna cracked a grin.


    ¡°This world sucks,¡± Cal sighed.


    ¡°And it will continue to get worse, unless you can figure out how to stop it,¡± Hanna shrugged.


    ¡°Is that even possible?¡± Cal had a flash of inspiration that disappeared just as quickly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like this mission,¡± Hanna said. ¡°But levels are our only path to some semblance of safety.¡±


    ¡°What level have you reached?¡±


    ¡°Twenty-seven. Our R&D brainiacs think I can hit thirty from this. We¡¯ll have a better idea once the spires finally give the Quest notification.¡±


    ¡°I think you might be the highest leveled among everyone on the mission.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve yet to encounter anyone with a higher level. It¡¯s been slow going the past few months. The Threnosh gear makes it tougher for me to gain points and level. I¡¯ve been going off into the forests by myself fighting the worst things I can find.¡±


    ¡°Makes sense. They¡¯re so advanced that they take away the struggle and danger.¡±


    ¡°Your relatives¡¯ shades?¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°From what Eron says they¡¯ll be¡­ difficult.¡±


    ¡°Good news and bad news. I¡¯m conflicted. I crave the challenge, yet I fear for my friends.¡±


    Cal had no words. Comforting ones seemed hollow. So he kept quiet.


    ¡°Keisha would¡¯ve been a monster with this Threnosh armor,¡± Hanna said sadly. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± she donned her helmet and picked up her shield.


    Cal soared up into the sky while he pulled Hanna along.


    <hr>


    ¡°I¡¯m having second thoughts on this.¡± Cal blew air out of his nostrils.


    ¡°Oh, good. I wasn¡¯t sold on it anyways,¡± his dad said with evident relief.


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have listened to Rayna. Everyone is looking at me funny,¡± Cal muttered.


    ¡°We¡¯re not talking about the same thing, are we?¡± His dad looked up at the jet illuminated by the spotlights. ¡°A night takeoff¡­ another thing I¡¯m concerned about.¡±


    People lining up to board filed past the two Cruces men.


    Cal saw the furtive glances in his direction. He could feel the judgment even without using his telepathy.


    Would it be petty to use his power to see what they thought?


    Yes, yes it would.


    ¡°I look ridiculous,¡± Cal sighed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, looks pretty good, like a race car,¡± his dad added unhelpfully.


    Rayna¡¯s guy had painted the Threnosh armor in the dark blues, dark yellows and golds that Cal had asked.


    Helmet, chest, gauntlets and boots were dark blue, while the rest was done in mix of dark yellow and gold.


    The flat gray color of the first layer suit peeked out from a few spots, but otherwise he was now clad in his old alma mater¡¯s colors.


    ¡°You should¡¯ve had a logo added. That weird animal mascot thing your college had.¡±


    ¡°No, nope, definitely not,¡± Cal said. ¡°Well, it¡¯s too late now. Apparently this paint is going to be ridiculously tough to get off.¡±


    ¡°Well, since you can¡¯t rethink the color scheme, then how about you rethink your crazy plan to ride on the outside of the plane.¡±


    ¡°Dad, we¡¯ve been over this. I need to be there in order to respond to any potential attacks. Wyverns probably won¡¯t be an issue cause they seem to be diurnal hunters and once the plane gets going they¡¯re too slow. The problem is that we have no idea what other flying creatures are out there. Remember, I told you about that manta ray kaiju thing I took down?¡±


    ¡°You said you had to use laser mining drones and powerful explosives,¡± his dad narrowed his eyes, ¡°it also ripped off your skin.¡±


    Cal held up a finger. ¡°One quarter of my torso¡¯s skin¡­ and some from my upper arm.¡±


    Eyes widened as the people standing nearby overheard.


    ¡°Great, you¡¯re embarrassing me in front of the cool kids,¡± Cal rolled his eyes then grinned. ¡°Trust me, I¡¯m stronger now than I was at that time. Besides my plan is to grab the plane with my telekinesis and run¡­ er¡­ fly faster away from flying kaiju if we find one.¡±


    ¡°Okay, just remember what I told you about how much strain the airframe can take.¡±


    ¡°The telekinesis will take care of most of that.¡±


    ¡°If you say so,¡± his dad replied skeptically.


    ¡°Dad, relax. It¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°I hate flying.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but now you¡¯ve got all the leg room you want. Drinks from the bar, MRE¡¯s, movies,¡± Cal said lightly.


    ¡°Potentially giant flying monsters,¡± his dad grinned.


    ¡°You look just like your dad.¡± Hanna was at the end of the line. ¡°Except a lot¡­ smaller.¡± She introduced herself to Cal¡¯s dad.


    ¡°What can I say, the old man¡¯s yoked,¡± Cal said. ¡°Everything all set?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but the watch captain and me were hoping to go over plans and get a good picture of how our team fits in with the rangers. You also need to be updated on our current capabilities¡­ can¡¯t do that if your on top of the plane,¡± Hanna shook her head ruefully. ¡°I suppose I¡¯ve seen stranger things, but still¡­¡±


    ¡°I can patch into the plane¡¯s radio,¡± Cal patted his helmet. ¡°As for the rest, we can go over that when we stop to refuel.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re ready to go.¡± Stern-faced Demi called out from top of the portable stairs.


    ¡°Watch captain¡¯s nervous,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°So am I,¡± Cal¡¯s dad said. ¡°Well¡­ shall we?¡±


    ¡°Yes sir,¡± Hanna climbed up into the plane.


    ¡°Be careful, Anak.¡±


    Cal¡¯s dad engulfed him in a crushing hug. ¡°Damn, you¡¯re strong,¡± Cal winced. ¡°You cracked my back through the armor,¡± he shook his head in disbelief.


    His dad laughed then tromped up to the plane.


    The stairs groaned in protest.


    His dad was a lot heavier than he looked.


    Cal donned his helmet. ¡°Pilot Peter, do you copy, over?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to say ¡®over¡¯, and I¡¯m cool with Pete,¡± the pilot¡¯s voice came back loud and clear. ¡°Hey, so you¡¯re going to ride on top?¡±


    ¡°Not right away. Just fly like you normally would. I¡¯ll be your wingman.¡±


    Cal heard a soft curse on the other end.


    ¡°So, like how likely do you think we¡¯ll be needing your protection, cause I¡¯m no fighter pilot and this thing isn¡¯t a jet fighter?¡±


    ¡°Pete, you¡¯ll be happy to note that there aren¡¯t any flying threats within miles of us.¡±


    ¡°Like how many miles?¡±


    Cal laughed. ¡°Enough that I can deal with any threats before they get too close. Try to relax, statistically speaking, flying is one of the safest forms of travel.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that was back when there weren¡¯t any wyverns and other shit.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯ll be the first to know if we¡¯re under attack.¡±


    Another muffled curse.


    ¡°Safe flight,¡± Cal said as he rose up into the sky.


    The cold dark of the open sky didn¡¯t bother him.


    The armor kept him perfectly comfortable and nothing could hide from his powers.


    The ground crew pulled the stairs away and the private jet taxied toward the runaway.


    Cal would be able to help his little brother soon.


    At what cost?


    How many of the people inside the plane below him would be able to return?


    Whatever that number he knew that it would not be enough for him.

 5.4

    Now, Hawaii


    The five hours to Honolulu Airport went without incident.


    Cal spent the time clinging to the top of the plane with his telekinesis with occasional patrolling circuits. He didn¡¯t encounter any problems. Just the night sky and the dark ocean thousands of feet below.


    ¡°Uh¡­ so we¡¯re getting close, but I think we overlooked one thing,¡± Pete said over the radio.


    ¡°No landing lights,¡± Cal replied. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Just do exactly what I tell you.¡±


    His helmet fed him the course headings, altitude and everything else he needed to guide the plane to the pitch black airport.


    When the plane was at about two thousand feet Cal told the pilot to cut the engines and set the landing gear down. He grabbed the plane with his telekinesis and carried it the rest of the way down to the tarmac.


    Cal¡¯s eyes narrowed as he glanced at the terminal.


    The airport wasn¡¯t entirely dark.


    Lights flickered inside. The way they danced suggested torches or maybe big candles.


    He hadn¡¯t detected anything with his passive telepathy, so he opened his walls up a little and reached out only to be hit with a knee-shaking wave of power.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on out there!¡± Demi¡¯s voice crackled in Cal¡¯s helmet. ¡°Jimenez¡¯s Danger Sense is going crazy!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ wait¡­¡± he managed to get out.


    What do you intend? A voice spoke inside his head.


    He saw flashes of an image.


    Immense size, wings, sinuous bulk, sword-like teeth and even longer talons.


    Do you seek to take my power? Foolish. You are but a hatchling in your strength even if it is considerable for such a weak world. Speak your intentions before I loose my patience.


    More images.


    Roiling lava.


    Deep within rock.


    An enormous nest the size of a house.


    You dare!


    The ground shook beneath his feet.


    When did he land?


    ¡°Earthquake¡ª¡± the voice in his helmet seemed to come from a great distance.


    ¡°No, wait! I come in peace,¡± Cal managed to get his bearings and push back against the presence in his mind. ¡°We just need to refuel and we¡¯ll leave.¡±


    The silence lasted for seconds, but it felt like an eternity.


    Such power.


    It was palpable and Cal knew instinctively that he was outmatched.


    Very well. You have my leave, but be warned. You do poorly in concealing your power. Unhidden power attracts covetous claws. Were my current circumstances not what they are I would be sorely pressed to resist the urge to take your strength to add to my own. You are worth the effort, not like the others. It seems that this world is not such a backwater after all. Gain strength, little one, lest you prove but a tiny morsel the next time I encounter you.


    The presence abruptly vanished.


    Cal gasped.


    ¡°What the hell was that?¡± Demi¡¯s voice was insistent in his helmet.


    ¡°I can¡¯t say for sure¡­ but I think that was a dragon¡ª¡± Cal couldn¡¯t quite believe what he was saying. He had thought, perhaps naively, that his experiences had prepared him for every eventuality. That he wouldn¡¯t be caught off guard again. ¡°What¡¯s her danger sense at know?¡± he noticed that he wasn¡¯t alone on the tarmac.


    Hard-eyed, armed men and women had emerged from the terminal and faced him in a semi-circle.


    The mental conversation had taken all his attention.


    ¡°Jimenez and Del are both at about a six or seven.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t see them?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too dark, but we can see some lights in the terminal,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Okay, well there¡¯s about twenty armed and dangerous looking people out here with me. I¡¯m going to try to talk things out peacefully.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll be ready, but we could use a visual.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of that,¡± Cal said. He regarded the men and women arrayed in front of him. The group was mixed. Hawaiian, Asian and white. Almost all of them had tribal-style tattoos on their bare arms. ¡°We¡¯re just here for some jet fuel.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯ll you pay?¡± A giant of a man stepped forward. The tanned skin of his muscled arms was covered with ink.


    ¡°Is it really worth anything to you? It¡¯s not like you¡¯re flying planes.¡±


    ¡°This is our place. You think it¡¯s okay for you to just come in here and take from us?¡±


    ¡°Fair¡­ how does a thousand Universal Points sound? Just give me your name and point me to the nearest spire so I can make the transfer.¡±


    Eyes widened.


    The amount was significant to them.


    Cal watched expressions harden. He hesitantly reached out with his telepathy. He decided that touching their surface thoughts was something he could live with if he could use them to avoid violence.


    Instant regret.


    He now knew these people for what they were.


    ¡°We¡¯ll take those points and that fancy armor of yours,¡± the big man glanced at the wizened old woman standing behind him, ¡°you¡¯ve got women on that plane,¡± a statement, not a question, ¡°we¡¯ll take two. Give us that and you can have your fuel and your lives.¡±


    Cal stretched his telepathy into the terminal for one last confirmation.


    Slavers and pirates.


    ¡°You must be beneath her notice,¡± Cal said. ¡°That¡¯s why you¡¯re allowed to be here.¡±


    The big man tensed, muscles and veins bulged.


    The wizened old woman stepped back towards the rear of the formation and joined two younger people, a man and a woman.


    Violent thoughts assaulted Cal from all directions. Even, curiously, from the ocean a few thousand yards to his back.


    ¡°Which means, collectively, you all aren¡¯t on my level,¡± Cal said flatly. ¡°We just need the fuel, but I can¡¯t just leave here knowing that you have slaves in there,¡± he pointed at the terminal.


    The big man roared and transformed, as did several others.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Cal regretted not probing into their thoughts deeper. ¡°They¡¯re¡­ weresharks? I can handle them¡ª¡±


    ¡°Negative on that. We need to fight,¡± Demi said.


    The plane¡¯s door opened and people jumped out.


    ¡°What do you want me to do?¡± Cal floated up out of reach.


    ¡°Just give me tactical supremacy and don¡¯t let anyone die.¡±


    ¡°Copy that.¡± Cal reached out with his telepathy. Dad, they¡¯ve got a lot of slaves inside the terminal. Think you can get in there and bust some heads to keep them safe? I¡¯ll feed you locations and threats.


    I¡¯m still not used to this, his dad thought back, sure thing. I¡¯ll take care of them.


    His dad jumped down to the tarmac and immediately leapt over everybody.


    One of the pirate slavers sent an enormous fireball at him, but it splashed harmlessly against Cal¡¯s telekinetic shield.


    Cal watched his dad crash right through one of the terminal¡¯s massive windows.


    ¡°Get those magic shields up away from the plane! Focus fire on the weresharks. Pete, move it away now!¡± Demi barked out commands. The Watch Captain was clad in a Threnosh armor and wielded a recoilless rifle. ¡°Can you get to their back line? We need to disrupt their casters,¡± she turned to Sgt. Butcher.


    ¡°Not with those big monsters in the way,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    Cal regarded the huge, fully transformed weresharks standing in front of their mages. The wall of muscle and tough skin didn¡¯t seem to have any problems absorbing the withering gunfire being sent into them.


    On his side of the battle field, the R&D team, a woman and two teenagers were busy setting up the portable magic shield generators under the protection of Jake and other mages with their own personal shields up.


    The different colors glowed brightly in the darkness.


    Hanna stood next to Demi, Threnosh shield ready to block any attacks.


    ¡°Aims tell me you¡¯ve got a shot,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Sorry, sarge, those magic types are walled up nice and tight behind those big boys and girls.¡±


    ¡°Fucking Aims! You¡¯re making us look hella bad in front of the Norcalians,¡± Mouthy spat.


    ¡°You can¡¯t just make up words,¡± Smores said lightly as the rest of 13th Squad, Rayna¡¯s Rangers, not on the firing line gathered near their sergeant.


    ¡°Sgt. Butcher,¡± Fin began, ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but it think their mages are about to do something big.¡±


    ¡°The kid is right,¡± Cal said into the radio. ¡°Huge magic power surge incoming.¡±


    ¡°Cease fire!¡± Demi barked, which allowed Cal to put up a telekinetic dome over everyone except the plane which had taxied a good distance away.


    A wall of water rained down from above Cal. Even though he was already a hundred feet above the ground.


    It was like getting hit with a building.


    He was crushed against his own telekinetic shield as the water washed over a huge area and somehow remained in place.


    A giant cube of ocean water sat on the airport tarmac.


    Huge dark shapes swirled the water around him.


    Sharks.


    Brownish skin was streaked with dark stripes.


    Tiger sharks, except these were close to 10 meters long according to the readings in Cal¡¯s faceplate.


    He knew enough to know that natural sharks didn¡¯t get that big, not even great whites.


    Cal turned only to be swallowed up by a gaping, teeth-filled mouth.


    Down on the ground his telekinetic shield was begin to crack.


    ¡°I¡¯m open to suggestions,¡± Demi said.


    Jake pointed to the rear of the dome. ¡°There¡¯s like a few feet not in this water. I¡¯m assuming Cal¡¯s doing this, so if he can drop that part, we can all run out.¡±


    ¡°Cruces¡ª¡±


    ¡°I heard, watch captain¡­ just give me a second.¡±


    Cal was being chewed by dagger-sharp teeth with tons of bite force behind them. The Threnosh armor was holding up alongside his own natural durability, but it wasn¡¯t comfortable and was definitely terrifying.


    He sent a telekinetic spear up into the roof of the shark¡¯s mouth and forced his way free.


    Blood bloomed into the clear water, turning it into a murky soup in his vicinity.


    He dropped the portion of the telekinetic doom outside the water cube and searched for the ones responsible for what he guessed was a spell.


    The group rushed out in an almost orderly fashion.


    ¡°Leave it!¡± Hanna snapped at the R&D group as they frantically packed up the devices they had just been setting up.


    ¡°This is one of a kind! We can¡¯t replace it out here!¡±


    The far end of the telekinetic shield tore open. Water rushed in.


    Huge weresharks squeezed through, followed by the wizened old woman.


    ¡°You will give up all your secrets. The spirits will see to it.¡± The woman pointed a driftwood staff toward Hanna and the R&D group, who had grabbed everything and were struggling under the weight as they made for the exit.


    ¡°Cal, if this is your shield, it¡¯s breaking and I found the one responsible for the ocean being dropped on us,¡± Hanna said into the helmet comms.


    The R&D team suddenly found themselves floating faster than they could run.


    ¡°Want me to pull you out of there?¡± Cal said into the comms.


    ¡°How strong are these weresharks?¡±


    ¡°About Class 4, toward the lower end.¡±


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    ¡°How about in terms I understand?¡±


    ¡°They can max lift about 4 tons¡­ there¡¯s a measurement scale¡­¡± Cal trailed off. The explanation was lame. ¡°You should probably retreat with the others.¡±


    Hanna drew her Threnosh-made longsword and tightened her grip on her shield.


    ¡°I need to know where I stand.¡±


    ¡°Okay, break a leg. I¡¯ll monitor the situ¡ª Shit! Motherfucking giant sharks!¡±


    Hanna could see wild swirling in the water beyond the clear telekinetic dome.


    The water had seeped above her ankles, she glanced back and saw that it wasn¡¯t flowing out of the hole in the dome.


    ¡°So, this water cube is set.¡±


    ¡°Until it is dispersed,¡± the old woman said. ¡°You appear strong. If you prove yourself you will have an honored place among our warriors.¡±


    The two weresharks charged.


    Just like a barreling SUV.


    Hanna had experience.


    No sweat.


    She activated her Skills.


    Quicker feet to complement her already masterful footwork allowed her to sidestep to the right of the left wereshark.


    Her blade cut deep through thick skin and thicker muscles. A Skill combined with her skill and the Threnosh material.


    The wereshark doubled over and frantically tried to cram his guts back into his stomach before the gash healed.


    Hanna didn¡¯t give him the time.


    Her blade sliced through the fin, skin and muscles like they were warm butter to sever the spinal column.


    The wereshark toppled over, legs useless.


    The right wereshark slashed a clawed hand that Hanna deflected with her Threnosh shield.


    The glancing impact jarred her through the armor.


    Such strength.


    She couldn¡¯t take a direct blow without getting hurt despite all the protections.


    The wereshark¡¯s hands slashed in a frenzy.


    Hanna deflected and dodged, dancing around the massive wereshark. The water around her calves barely slowed her down.


    Her blade darted out in precise cuts and stabs.


    She stepped back.


    The wereshark flopped to the ground like a puppet without strings.


    ¡°Amazing skill,¡± the old woman said. ¡°You severed all his tendons. I didn¡¯t even see. What do you want? Join us and I will see to it that you¡¯ll have it.¡±


    Hanna took a large step to one side. ¡°Take it.¡±


    A crack appeared from outside the rapidly filling dome.


    The old woman flinched as a bright light flared around her for an instant. She bared her teeth as she retreated back into the water filled space on the other side of the tear.


    ¡°No kill. She used a magic shield,¡± Hanna said into the comms.


    ¡°Worth a shot,¡± Demi replied.


    Hanna overheard a loud woman berating the one called Aims for the failure.


    The rangers certainly gave themselves weird names.


    A loud thud shook the dome.


    Cracks spiderwebbed out from several points.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Hanna muttered.


    It was time to test out the Threnosh armor¡¯s purported multi-environment seals.


    Water cascaded down as the cracks turned into breaches. Hanna was tossed around. She managed to hold on to her sword and shield.


    It was startlingly clear, just like the water out in the nearby bay, which gave her a perfect view of the massive tiger shark swimming straight for her like a torpedo.


    Its teeth-filled mouth was big enough to swallow her with one bite.


    Hanna choked down the panic.


    All her Skills meant that she could swing her sword almost as fast underwater as she could on land.


    ¡°Power Slash!¡± she screamed as she brought her sword down in front of her, high to low.


    The Threnosh blade cut into the shark¡¯s head with only a little resistance.


    The giant creature¡¯s own momentum added to the devastating damage.


    Blood and organs swirled around Hanna as she bisected her way through most of the shark¡¯s massive bulk.


    ¡°Not gonna lie, but that was one of the cooler things I¡¯ve seen,¡± Cal said into the comms.


    ¡°Can you get me out of here?¡± Hanna tried not to look at the pieces of shark guts stuck to the front of her faceplate.


    ¡°Yup, I¡¯m done here too.¡±


    Hanna felt herself being pulled up.


    ¡°Sharks are like one of my top three greatest fears.¡±


    ¡°What are the other two?¡±


    ¡°Snakes and butt worms.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t even¡ª¡± Hanna shot Cal a glare as the two of them rose up out of the water.


    Weresharks leapt out after them, but Cal telekinetically shoved them down.


    ¡°Yeah, I, uh, forgot that I was afraid of them,¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°Now what?¡±


    ¡°We wait. The others seem to have a plan.¡±


    The others were gathered a few hundred yards away from the massive cube of ocean water.


    ¡°They¡¯re clear,¡± Demi said. ¡°Are you sure about this?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a magnificent spell. Turn the battlefield into one where you have the complete advantage. If it wasn¡¯t for Cal, we¡¯d be dead. Unfortunately for our enemies by staying within their summoned domain they have exposed a vulnerability that I believe we can exploit.¡±


    ¡°Goddamn it, Smores, you talk more than my grandma used to do when she had one too many,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°Get on with it,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Electricity. A spell large enough and¡­¡± Smores opened his hands out wide. ¡°I do believe we have one capable on this joint task force.¡±


    ¡°I got it,¡± Jake said.


    The big man pulled a laptop out of his backpack and booted it up.


    ¡°One spell coming right up.¡± His fingers danced on the keys. ¡°How strong?¡±


    ¡°As strong as you can manage,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°This¡¯ll fry it,¡± Jake sighed and glanced over at the R&D team.


    ¡°We have spares,¡± one of them said.


    ¡°Great! You can¡¯t yell at me then.¡± Jake hit the enter key. ¡°Shock!¡±


    A bolt of lighting arced from the laptop into the cube of water.


    Muttered curses from several temporarily blinded people filled the air.


    The cube suddenly lost cohesion, dispersing thousands of pounds of water in every direction.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Cal threw up a hasty telekinetic wall to protect the terminal.


    ¡°Ice Wall. Ice Wall.¡± Smores did the same to protect the group with a wedge to send most of the water around them.


    When the water cleared bodies were strewn on the tarmac.


    ¡°Cruces?¡± Demi said into the comms.


    ¡°Non weresharks are all dead. So are the giant sharks. The weresharks are tougher. Mostly still alive,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°We can¡¯t take prisoners.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re slaver scum, but I¡¯m not comfortable with outright execution.¡±


    ¡°We can do it,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°It¡¯s your call.¡± Cal didn¡¯t want to touch that decision.


    He focused his attention on the interior of the terminal as the rangers moved out under Sgt. Butcher¡¯s orders.


    The the woman had picked out a fitting name.


    He watched, not physically, as his dad and one unexpected ally fought to defeat the rest of the slaver pirates and keep the caged and chained people safe.


    <hr>


    Phillip Cruces found himself at the bottom of a pile of giant half-man, half-shark individuals.


    It wasn¡¯t something he had ever foreseen for himself. Even in the post-spires world.


    Still, it wasn¡¯t that bad.


    Sharp claws and teeth barely scratched his superhumanly tough skin.


    Though, they were shredding his polo shirt and tactical cargo pants.


    He slowly moved the roiling death ball around him away from the cages filled with people on the other side of the terminal.


    It wouldn¡¯t do to accidentally hurt them in the fight.


    One look at them had filled him with anger.


    He didn¡¯t understand it.


    People should be coming together. Working together against the monsters.


    Instead¡­ this.


    He judged that he had dragged the half dozen weresharks far enough.


    Superhuman muscles surged with pure physical power as he exploded out with fists flying.


    Cal had said that the weresharks were Class 4 according to Eron¡¯s scale. Which meant that they were significantly weaker than him.


    So, he pulled his punches.


    Despite their crimes he didn¡¯t want to kill them.


    They weren¡¯t monster. They were still people, probably.


    Each punch broke triangular teeth and massive jaws.


    He grabbed a tree-trunk sized arm and snapped it like a twig.


    Darkness enclosed around his head.


    Teeth sawed around his neck.


    He jerked his head lose along with dozens of said teeth.


    As the weresharks were left broken and battered on the ground, they began to heal right before his eyes.


    ¡°Were-types heal fast unless you overwhelm their ability, old man,¡± a young Japanese woman crouched above on one of the crossbeams underneath the ceiling.


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­ Rino, right? With the state government? I¡¯m Phillip, Cal¡¯s dad.¡±


    ¡°I know. You shouldn¡¯t pull your punches. Smash their brains or rip of their limbs, best way to kill them.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t need to kill them.¡±


    ¡°Not if you want to keep the enslaved safe,¡± Rino pointed toward the far end of the terminal to another set of enclosures.


    Phillip grimaced.


    More slaver pirates were rushing toward the cages.


    ¡°They¡¯re probably going to use them as human shields,¡± Rino said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to kill them,¡± Phillip said flatly.


    ¡°Not used to fighting humans,¡± Rino nodded. ¡°Going by how strong you are¡­ you took on the strongest monsters. You probably just slapped people a little and knocked them out. That¡¯s not going to cut it here. These weresharks are trash. They don¡¯t deserve to live,¡± she visibly bristled.


    The weresharks were already starting to push themselves up off the floor even as rough voices mingled with frightened screams from the other end of the terminal.


    Then everything stilled.


    The weresharks were immobile. As were the other slaver pirates in the distance.


    ¡°What the hell is this?¡± Rino said.


    Don¡¯t worry, Dad. I¡¯ve got them. Why don¡¯t you secure the human slaver pirates? The others are going to join you shortly. They¡¯ll deal with the weresharks.


    Phillip didn¡¯t like the way his son¡¯s voice sounded even if Cal wasn¡¯t physically speaking.


    <hr>


    Now, Northern Philippines


    ¡°You asked to see me, Datu.¡±


    ¡°At ease, Cristo.¡±


    The two men were a study in contrast.


    One, was over 50, short and fat with thin gray hair. He leaned forward on his desk. The mayoral office was a far cry from a throne room despite his Class.


    The other was close to two decades younger. Tall and lean, danger radiated off him, even though he stood with legs spread slightly, hands behind back, as relaxed as he would ever allow himself.


    The military was in tatters.


    The gray fog that had enveloped the entirety of Metro Manila had sounded its death knell.


    Any numbers that remained served as the personal armies of dozens of petty warlords scattered all over the country.


    ¡°I have a job for you,¡± Datu Dantel Lontoc said briskly.


    ¡°Your orders?¡± Cristo replied curtly.


    ¡°The aswangs grow bolder. Every night they take more and more of my people in Naguilian. Then they disappear into the forests. They walk like any of us during the day. We can¡¯t find them. We need to find them!¡± the datu slammed a pudgy fist on his desk.


    ¡°You want me to track them back to their hidden village?¡± Cristo frowned. He had been, was still, an LRR soldier. Counter-terrorism. He had done dozens of operations in the thick rainforests of Mindanao and the smaller southern islands. Terrorists had been nothing compared to the aswang and their varied supernatural powers. ¡°I will leave immediately.¡± Orders were to be followed.


    ¡°You misunderstand me. That would only waste you, my best soldier. I understand you know enhanced interrogation techniques.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Then use them. The prisoner must know where the rest of her kind is hiding. Make her talk. Whatever it takes.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Cristo saluted.


    Several miles to the south, on the opposite side of the Cagayan River from the city in question, two young men crouched beneath the thick rainforest canopy.


    It was eerily silent as if the animals could sense what one of the young men was doing.


    The other felt a tickling sensation across the back of his neck.


    The animals were silent, but they were watching.


    As were, no doubt, the monsters.


    Daylight meant they were safe from the worst of them, such as the aswangs.


    But he didn¡¯t want to take any chances.


    He grabbed the small, shrunken head from his belt and drew from it until it shriveled into dust.


    He took the binturong¡¯s keen senses to help him keep a watch out for danger.


    Next he grabbed a serpent¡¯s head. From which he took quickness for both his reactions and hand speed.


    ¡°Ambrose, when you use your Skills you interfere with my spells.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Rai, but I was operating under the assumption that you wanted to stay alive while you talked to the spirits.¡±


    ¡°I suppose it doesn¡¯t matter. This spot is another bust. The spirits don¡¯t remember any aswangs passing through here lately.¡±


    ¡°Define ¡®lately¡¯.¡±


    Rai uncrossed his legs and stood. He was a full head taller than his companion. ¡°Spirits don¡¯t exactly have watches, but it feels like weeks if not months.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ not the recent kidnappings and killings,¡± Ambrose sighed as he bent down to take his Igorot axe from where he had planted the pointed portion of its wide, curved edge. The cord-wrapped wooden handle was reassuring in his calloused palm. ¡°I think Datu Lontoc doesn¡¯t like you. Sending you out here by yourself where any animal or monster can get you. Not to mention the aswangs.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re here,¡± Rai pointed out.


    ¡°That¡¯s cause I came along as your friend. I suppose I¡¯m technically AWOL,¡± Ambrose grinned.


    ¡°The datu doesn¡¯t believe me when I say that the spirits can¡¯t be bent to his will. I can only ask, not command. Unless I¡¯m willing to pay the price and I¡¯m definitely not going to do that to help him with his performance problems,¡± Rai frowned.


    ¡°He should just use Viagra or ground out bull balls like all the other oldies,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°Let¡¯s head over to the next spot,¡± Rai sighed.


    Back at Ilagan, Cristos made his way past the barracks training area and to his room to gather what he needed before he went to the church.


    The clack of hardwood sticks rang out across the dirt-covered grounds.


    ¡°Good. Never stop moving. Mind your lines. Be conscious of your angles. Attack and defend at the same time. That¡¯s why we use two hands. Flow from one to the other like the river winding down this valley.¡±


    Jovita Vargas was perhaps the best hand to hand fighter in the army. Yet, she for the past month had found herself stuck training the newest conscripts.


    Her commander had drank a little too much and had gotten handsy.


    She had shattered his wrist with a flick of her own.


    The memory filled her with a warm, happy feeling.


    She smiled as she trapped the recruit¡¯s sticks with her own. She twisted, gently, and forced the young man to let go of his weapons lest his wrists break.


    ¡°Grappling and disarming are just as important as the striking.¡± Jovita twirled her sticks around her as she walked back to the starting position. ¡°Again,¡± she barked.


    The recruit rubbed his wrist with a grimace, but picked up his sticks and continued.


    Several blocks away, in the basement of an old church, an iron-barred cage st.


    It was small. There was only enough space for the young woman inside to sit. She couldn¡¯t even lay down fully.


    Not that the thick iron shackles chaining her wrists and ankles together would allow that.


    She was dirty. Her clothes were in tatters. Dried blood was all over her. Yet, her long black hair somehow remained luscious.


    The dried blood on her face was a blemish on her dusky skin, but did nothing to take away from her perfect beauty.


    Ginessa prayed for salvation.


    She hadn¡¯t asked for her fate.


    The gabunan hadn¡¯t given her a choice.


    Crude wooden crucifixes lined the cage.


    The vinegar-tongued priest had placed them there himself all the while railing at Ginessa for being Satan¡¯s whore.


    Little did he know that the crucifixes only brought her comfort.


    They reminded her of her grandmother.


    The door to the basement opened and soft-footed steps descended down the worm-eaten stairs.


    Ginessa shut her eyes as the light was suddenly turned on.


    A soldier stood in front of her cage.


    Tall, lean, threat in his eyes.


    ¡°You have information we need,¡± the soldier fingered the thin, double-edged knife that seemed to suddenly appear in his hands, ¡°you will provide it.¡±

 5.5

    Now, Manila


    The expedition hadn¡¯t gone well.


    Domeric had taken a team of twenty men and women, hardened fighters one and all, into the fog. They had grown up in the post-spires world where strength meant survival and where strength could only be gained through battle.


    Now they were only six.


    His Commander wasn¡¯t going to be pleased when they returned with nothing to show for the costly price.


    Assuming they returned, which wasn¡¯t looking likely.


    Ghosts of fog had attacked them often as they moved southwest into Metro Manila.


    Monsters, animals and people had assaulted them in a running battle.


    The latter were the most disturbing things Domeric had ever faced.


    Some of the people had attacked with spells and Skills, but most simple threw themselves at his team with their bare hands, all the while begging for freedom.


    The attacks slowed then stopped as they moved deeper into Quezon City, judging by the street signs.


    Sounds of battle reached Domeric¡¯s ears.


    ¡°Stop.¡±


    The remnants of his team halted immediately.


    ¡°You hear that?¡±


    ¡°Sounds like a fight,¡± Irvin said from his place at the front of the formation.


    ¡°See anything?¡±


    ¡°I see¡ª fog¡­¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s magic up ahead, at least that¡¯s what it feels like, but I don¡¯t know¡­ this place is fucked up,¡± Samson said. ¡°Still, I¡¯d be careful. This whole time we got nothing beyond the hundred foot radius. Not even any sounds and now we¡¯re hearing fight noises,¡± he shrugged.


    Domeric regarded his last remaining mage for a moment. ¡°Weird that this coincides with a lull in the attacks out of the fog. A trap?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. The fog kept our teams turning around for the last eight months and just lets us in. Only to kill fourteen of us before slowing, then stopping and now this?¡± Samson said.


    ¡°Yeah, encounter challenges and spawn zones don¡¯t usually get easier the deeper you go inside,¡± Paz said lightly. Her tone was at odds with the grim cast to her bloodied face. The clear faceshield of her helmet had been so broken and bloodied that she had removed and thrown it away.


    ¡°Except, we never got the spire message about this being one of those.¡±


    Ben Ben was smiling a lot more than he usually did.


    Domeric knew that this was a sign that the bulky young man was close to tipping over into one of his rages. Useful in a fight, but dangerous when the only potential targets were his own teammates.


    It was ultimately a small matter. Domeric knew that he could club Ben Ben into unconsciousness without much trouble. He just didn¡¯t want to waste the other man¡¯s rage like that.


    ¡°We got that Quest,¡± Dolorita said. Her face was an expressionless mask. The blood had dried in dripping tracks across her face. ¡°A lot of points if we find what¡¯s causing this and kill it.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s possible now. I don¡¯t think we could¡¯ve done it when we were at full strength,¡± Samson said.


    ¡°I still think we should try to leave,¡± Irvin said.


    ¡°Cause that worked out great the last time we tried to turn around,¡± Ben Ben scoffed.


    Domeric glanced down at the other man.


    If Ben Ben wasn¡¯t happy with the decision than the man could challenge him for leadership later.


    Samson shook his head. ¡°Going by the stiffening of resistance when we tried to backtrack¡­ I suspect that our only option is to continue.¡±


    ¡°Should be worth a lot of levels,¡± Paz said, ¡°if we survive.¡±


    Samson looked up at Domeric with a question in his eyes.


    ¡°We need to find a spire, see if what Paz says is true,¡± Domeric grunted.


    ¡°We¡¯re going around the fighting up ahead?¡± Paz sounded disappointed.


    Domeric couldn¡¯t tell if the woman was being genuine.


    He didn¡¯t care.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t seen anyone else in this place. This is a good opportunity to get some answers.¡± Domeric made the decision quickly. The rest of the team didn¡¯t look happy, even Paz.


    No one argued.


    They were trapped in the fog.


    Where else could they go?


    Safety in numbers.


    Even if that hadn¡¯t helped out the dead members of their team.


    They moved quickly toward the sounds of battle.


    They were surprised to see a small group of teenagers fighting against small sigbins in the parking lot of a Jollibee.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t had a chicken joy in years,¡± Ben Ben said.


    ¡°What¡¯s the play?¡± Irvin said.


    Domeric didn¡¯t like the hungry look in the man¡¯s beady eyes. He knew exactly where Irvin was looking. One of the teens was a young woman.


    ¡°We wait for them to finish. Then we have a conversation.¡±


    The fight took longer than it would¡¯ve if Domeric¡¯s team had been fighting the sigbins. Even as bloodied and battered as they were the small monsters weren¡¯t a threat.


    The youngster didn¡¯t have the time to celebrate their hard-fought victory as Domeric¡¯s team fell on them immediately after the last sigbin was killed.


    In seconds the teens were down and bound.


    Domeric regarded them for a few seconds.


    Fear and anger warred in their eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯ll ask a question. You¡¯ll provide the answer.¡±


    He waited for a response.


    Nothing.


    ¡°Let me loosen their tongues?¡± Irvin actually licked his lips.


    Domeric clamped down on the urge to brain the sick bastard with his over-sized club.


    Irvin was connected to important people back home. His predilections were over-looked as long as the poor victims weren¡¯t also similarly connected.


    A young woman not part of their home community were definitely in that class.


    Domeric had to find ways to keep Irvin from indulging those impulses ever since the young man had been placed on his team.


    There were lines that shouldn¡¯t be crossed.


    ¡°Dolorita, kill the girl, make it quick,¡± Domeric said.


    The girl cried and pleaded as Dolorita¡¯s balisong whistled a song in the eerie, fog-shrouded sphere they were in.


    The others, boys really, shouted curses and promises of retribution.


    Inwardly, Domeric decried the wastefulness of it.


    The eleven of them in the parking lot might¡¯ve been the only people in the whole city and he had just ordered the death of one.


    Better that than suffer through what Irvin clearly wanted to do to the teenage girl.


    And perhaps it would encourage the boys to talk.


    He didn¡¯t want to hurt them more than he already had.


    Such was the life of the post-spires world.


    The bound people before him were young, but they fought and in his eyes that made them part of the game.


    Kill or be killed.


    Strength through struggle.


    Survival through strength.


    Dolorita cut the girl¡¯s throat.


    Domeric waited for her to bleed out.


    ¡°Her fate was easier than yours will be if you decide not to give me what I want,¡± he said.


    Murderous glares and curses were thrown back in his face.


    Irvin cackled.


    Domeric studied the boys. He quickly found a target. There was only one that looked him in the eyes. He approached the kneeling boy and loomed with his entire 7 foot tall height. He let the business end of his heavy club thud into the asphalt right in front of the boy¡¯s knees. ¡°One hit from this will crush your head like a coconut, but that would be a mercy. If you keep your mouths shut¡­ there will be none. I¡¯ll start with an easy question any child should know,¡± he lifted the club and lightly rested it on his shoulder, ¡°what¡¯s your address?¡±


    ¡°Just kill me now,¡± the boy glared up at Domeric.


    Domeric pointed at one of the other boys. ¡°Start cutting¡­ just stay away from the legs and face.¡±


    Dolorita¡¯s face remained as it always did, an expressionless mask, as she went to work.


    The boys lasted a surprisingly long time.


    Domeric had seen grown men, hardened killers, give up their mothers much quicker.


    In the end, however, they gave up.


    Everyone had a breaking point.


    Their answers led them to a large house, behind a red, rust-pitted, rolling gate and brick walls Domeric¡¯s height.


    ¡°What are those things?¡± he couldn¡¯t take his eyes off the ancient script on the gate and the walls.


    The symbols glowed with magic.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. They look like ancient letters, symbols, but they¡¯re definitely giving off magic,¡± Samson said. ¡°Notice how the fog seems to be keeping away from this house.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d call it ten feet, but I¡¯m not that great at measuring by eye,¡± Ben Ben said.


    ¡°That¡¯s great, but how do we get inside uninvited?¡± Paz said.


    Domeric leaned his large, rectangular shield on the gate and tried the door.


    It didn¡¯t budge.


    A spire message appeared in his vision and hearing.


    ¡°The person who owns this is stronger than me,¡± Domeric said. ¡°Someone named ¡®Eron¡¯.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t happen often for you does it?¡± Irvin sneered.


    Domeric ignored the young man.


    ¡°You guys are fucked!¡± the brave boy laughed.


    Domeric glanced at their captives.


    Four boys drenched in blood from all the cuts in their bodies. Some were missing finger nails or fingers.


    It had been ugly, but necessary.


    The mission needed to be accomplished.


    Domeric hadn¡¯t failed yet and he had no intention of doing so.


    Some lines shouldn¡¯t be crossed.


    And he hadn¡¯t yet done so.


    For a moment he contemplated the possibility that it¡¯d be necessary.


    ¡°What now?¡± Samson whispered. ¡°We need to get in there. If these magic symbols are keeping the fog out¡­ a place to rest and take care of our wounds¡ª¡±


    Domeric held up a big fist.


    ¡°You will invite us in,¡± he said to the brave boy.


    ¡°No chance!¡± the boy spat. ¡°You¡¯ve already tortured us. What more can you do?¡±


    Domeric regarded the other three boys.


    ¡°You¡¯ll invite us inside.¡±


    ¡°Too bad we can¡¯t do that. We don¡¯t have those permissions,¡± the boy laughed again. High, almost hysterical.


    ¡°He¡¯s lying¡­ Dolorita take an eye,¡± Irvin hissed.


    ¡°No,¡± Domeric said flatly.


    For her part, the young woman hadn¡¯t moved from were she and Ben Ben were flanking the bound boys.


    ¡°You don¡¯t give orders, Irvin,¡± Dolorita said without expression.


    ¡°Fuck you, bitch!¡± Irvin shot her a rude gesture.


    Domeric banged on the metal door.


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°They won¡¯t let you in!¡± the boy spat.


    ¡°They will if they don¡¯t want to watch and listen to you and your friends being truly brutalized,¡± Domeric said.


    A warrior killed or was killed.


    To be a warrior meant accepting the possibility of an ugly end.


    Age didn¡¯t mitigate that truth of their new world.


    The strong took from the weak.


    That was all.


    Domeric was vindicated as someone inside the house opened the way for him and his team not ten seconds after he had let Irvin start on one of the boys.


    A mad dog had uses, no matter how distasteful.


    A dozen men, women and children were in the house.


    No true warriors.


    It seemed that the teenagers were the fighters.


    Domeric was stunned by the weakness.


    How had they survived?


    No one gathered in the large living room seemed strong enough to create the spell that was keeping the fog out. The way they huddled together in terror while seated on the cold floor screamed of their incapability.


    ¡°How have you managed to survive like this?¡± Domeric muttered to himself.


    ¡°We should get them talking,¡± Irvin began, ¡°I¡¯ll take that one,¡± he pointed at a pretty young woman.


    No surprise.


    ¡°I want you on the roof. You have the best eyes and the Danger Sense Skill. We need advance warning in case the real owner of this house returns.¡±


    Irvin looked like he was about to exploded, but shrugged. ¡°Okay, but my danger sense has been going off like crazy this whole time and there¡¯s that impenetrable fog.¡±


    Domeric glared.


    ¡°Just saying that you shouldn¡¯t expect much warning,¡± Irvin threw up his hands before heading up the spiraling staircase. ¡°This was a rich person¡¯s house. Reminds me of my old one, except smaller.¡±


    ¡°If his daddy wasn¡¯t senator big shot¡­¡± Paz mumbled.


    ¡°A word?¡± Samson tapped Domeric¡¯s shoulder.


    They moved to the second living room around the corner.


    ¡°We need answers. Who made those symbols for one?¡± Samson pointed at the glowing symbols on the walls. They were on the outside and inside. ¡°If we can duplicate that¡­¡±


    ¡°Then we can start claiming territory in the city. Do you think it could be those super strong people and the ones that could make those forcefields?¡±


    ¡°I think if they were around in strength they would be in here right now. They always vigorously defended their territories,¡± Samson said.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ they wouldn¡¯t leave a sanctuary like this undefended.¡±


    ¡°They wouldn¡¯t let a bunch of teenagers fight monsters by themselves either. My guess is that they lost out to this fog,¡± Samson said.


    ¡°That¡¯s worrying.¡± Domeric came to a realization.


    ¡°Agreed. The fog people we were fighting were begging for release. That suggests that the fog captures someone¡¯s ghost, for lack of a better word.¡±


    ¡°They still had their spells and Skills.¡±


    ¡°Which means we¡¯ll eventually run into fog ghosts with superstrength or forcefields. We can¡¯t do this Quest. We need to escape or send word out somehow,¡± Samson sighed.


    ¡°You had another thing you wanted to talk to me about?¡±


    ¡°Just that we should be careful with how we treat our unwilling ¡®hosts¡¯.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t hurt woman and children, unless they¡¯re fighters.¡±


    ¡°A stance I¡¯m in favor off. Just wanted to remind you. We don¡¯t know how the magic symbols work. We shouldn¡¯t do anything that might throw off the balance in this place. Blood and terror have proven, tangible effects on magic. Also, I wouldn¡¯t want to get on this ¡®Eron¡¯s¡¯ bad side. If we couldn¡¯t get in then he has to be significantly stronger than our entire team.¡±


    Domeric nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll take the first part into consideration. As for the second part¡­ it¡¯s too late for that. We¡¯ve already killed one of his warriors and tortured others. Be prepared for a fight to the death.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll set up a watch schedule, so we can rest and take care of our injuries. I¡¯ve already checked out the bedrooms upstairs. Two are huge. We can fit all the hostages inside one. There are three fridges and they¡¯re all stocked. Two are half-empty though, so that suggests someone resupplies, seeing as how the ones here don¡¯t look capable of going out and fighting through the fog. And I¡¯ll make sure Irvin doesn¡¯t have access for his¡­¡± Samson shrugged.


    ¡°Irvin stays on the roof. We¡¯ll bring him food and a bucket. I can¡¯t have him causing problems,¡± Domeric said. ¡°Pick an adult and put them in that side bedroom near the dining room. I¡¯ll start the interrogations.¡±


    ¡°Any preference?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    <hr>


    Two days.


    Multiple violence-free interrogations.


    Answers.


    Domeric had them.


    Hope and concerns.


    There were still a few more people he hadn¡¯t interrogated and he had always been a thorough man.


    He had to duck his head to avoid hitting it on the door frame.


    An older woman was seated on a plain chair next to a small bed meant for one person.


    Domeric loomed over the woman.


    ¡°The others have told you that I play this straight. You answer my questions and nothing happens to you.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± the older woman nodded, calm and composed.


    ¡°Who is responsible for the symbols protecting this place from the fog?¡±


    ¡°A girl, twelve, maybe thirteen years old. Skinny, bony like she isn¡¯t getting enough to eat. Dark bags under her eyes.¡±


    Domeric consulted his notes of previous interrogations with the other people. ¡°How often does she come back to recharge them?¡±


    The older woman shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t like being around when they come,¡± she made the sign of the cross, ¡°dark magic.¡±


    Domeric frowned. ¡°But it keeps you safe.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but what is the price? The devil presents a pleasant face to lead the faithful astray.¡±


    ¡°Who else comes with the girl?¡±


    ¡°No one, just Eron. What he does is unnatural.¡±


    ¡°Explain.¡±


    ¡°No man can be that strong.¡±


    Domeric snorted. ¡°You do know that things have changed in the last ten years? The spires¡ª¡±


    ¡°The devil¡¯s fingers.¡± The older woman crossed herself again. ¡°This is our punishment. We have sinned.¡± She clasped her hands together and began to pray.


    ¡°Okay, relax. Control yourself before I get angry,¡± Domeric cracked his neck to the side, ¡°how often does Eron stop by to bring you supplies?¡±


    The older woman took a few moments to calm herself. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ once a month. He comes by more often to bring that girl.¡±


    ¡°Just the girl? No one else does the magic?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Describe Eron.¡±


    A loud crash from outside the room swallowed the older woman¡¯s response.


    Domeric grabbed his club and shield and was out of the room in a few heartbeats.


    A man held Ben Ben up by the scruff of his thick neck.


    Ben Ben was thick, stocky, yet he was kicking his legs in the air.


    Domeric took the unknown man¡¯s measure in an instant.


    About six feet tall. Muscular, but on the leaner side.


    It didn¡¯t look like he was having a hard time holding Ben Ben up.


    ¡°You must be Eron,¡± Domeric said.


    ¡°If you¡¯ve hurt them, then you¡¯re dead. One chance. Drop your weapons and surrender.¡±


    Domeric kept his eyes on Eron. He didn¡¯t want to tip the man off as Irvin crept in through the broken front door and slowly moved in from behind.


    ¡°Penetrating Stab!¡± Irvin cried out with savage glee as he plunged his triangular-bladed stabbing dagger into Eron¡¯s back.


    A curse.


    Ben Ben flew through the air right at Domeric.


    He barely managed to get his shield up in time while activating a Skill to keep from getting bowled over.


    Ben Ben was less lucky.


    For him it was like hitting a wall.


    A loud crack.


    Domeric didn¡¯t see what had happened.


    Eron had moved so fast.


    Irvin went into the far wall at the front of the house. He fell down in a crumpled heap and didn¡¯t move.


    Domeric didn¡¯t care too much.


    Eron pulled the dagger from his back. ¡°Skills,¡± he spat.


    Domeric saw that only the first inch of the blade was covered in blood. He had seen Irvin plunge his dagger to the hilt into the thick hide of a mutated carabao.


    ¡°Well¡­ you had your chance,¡± Eron said flatly.


    A blur of movement.


    Domeric just raised his shield.


    The blow jarred his entire body.


    His shield held.


    ¡°Huh? That should¡¯ve shattered your shield.¡±


    Domeric swung his club around.


    Eron almost contemptuously raised an arm to block it.


    The impact echoed like a gunshot.


    Eron winced.


    A look of shock was etched into his face.


    Domeric didn¡¯t hesitate.


    He struck again.


    This time Eron weaved under it.


    Before he could land a punch on Domeric¡¯s unprotected side a series of loud pops filled the air.


    Eron shielded his face.


    Domeric backed away, out of punching range.


    Paz had come in from her position at the back of the house. She blazed away with her pistol.


    The bullets bounced right off Eron¡¯s skin.


    He dashed forward and doubled Paz over with an uppercut to the stomach.


    Domeric rushed at Eron¡¯s back and clubbed him into the dining room table.


    The table was old, made from thick wood.


    It splintered into kindling.


    Eron picked himself out of the debris and kicked a large chunk that Domeric managed to leap over.


    Domeric¡¯s club descended once more.


    Eron rolled out of the way. He rose to his feet then spun around quicker than Domeric¡¯s eyes could follow, clutching Dolorita around her neck. ¡°Always with the backstabs with you rogue-types. Must be karma since I mained a rogue back in WOW.¡±


    Dolorita slashed and stabbed her balisong into Eron¡¯s muscled arms to no effect.


    ¡°I guess since you¡¯re not sneak attacking there aren¡¯t any bonuses.¡±


    Dolorita dropped the blade and drew her pistol faster than the normal human eye could follow. She squeezed the trigger just as quickly.


    Bullets bounced off of Eron¡¯s face.


    He grabbed the gun out of Dolorita¡¯s hands and crushed it.


    Domeric aimed a blow at the back of Eron¡¯s head. He pulled it to one side when Eron turned with impossible quickness and held up the struggling Dolorita like a shield.


    ¡°That club and shield¡­ magical? I can count on one hand how many magical items I¡¯ve run into in the last couple of years. Where¡¯d you get them? You move like a warrior-type, so you can¡¯t have enchanted them yourself.¡±


    ¡°Shut the fuck up,¡± Domeric growled. He didn¡¯t like being the second strongest man in a room. From the looks of it Eron had him beat by an astronomical margin.


    ¡°Do you want her death on your hands too?¡±


    Domeric glanced over at Ben Ben.


    ¡°Broken neck,¡± Eron said flatly.


    Domeric¡¯s eyes darted to Irvin.


    ¡°Broken¡­ everything.¡±


    ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°Were you not listening?¡± Eron¡¯s gaze darkened. ¡°The people residing in this house, my grandparents¡¯ house no less¡­ what did you do to them?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re safe in one of the upstairs bedrooms.¡±


    ¡°I know that much. My question, again, what did you do to them? One week¡­ I was last here a week ago. Which means at a maximum you¡¯ve had seven days with them. I know what your type does to people under your power. Tell me what you did. No lies. I can tell.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have to tell you anything.¡±


    ¡°Oh, but you do. There¡¯s no way you¡¯re getting out of this on your terms. You¡¯re in my hands now. I decide what will happen to you based on what you¡¯ve done to the people. Hurry up. I don¡¯t think this one is going to last much longer.¡±


    Dolorita¡¯s kicks were, indeed, getting weaker.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t touch them. Just questioned them,¡± Domeric ground out.


    ¡°About?¡±


    ¡°You, this place, the symbols on the walls, how they keep the fog out.¡±


    ¡°Truth¡­ mostly,¡± Eron nodded begrudgingly. ¡°Where¡¯d you come from? I¡¯ve been all over the city and I think I would¡¯ve run into your group at some point.¡±


    ¡°From outside the fog.¡±


    ¡°Huh¡­ so it¡¯s not turning people away anymore. And here I thought I was special.¡±


    ¡°I answered, now let her go,¡± Domeric said.


    ¡°It¡¯s funny that you think you¡¯re still in control,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°That¡¯s because we have the leverage.¡± Samson descended to the landing halfway down the staircase with a small child in his arms. A small knife blade at the little girl¡¯s throat. ¡°If you don¡¯t want her to get hurt you¡¯ll release Dolorita and get on the ground with your hands behind your head and your ankles crossed.¡±


    Domeric felt crushing despair.


    They were all going to die.


    ¡°There is no man-made restraint on this world that can hold me,¡± Eron growled. ¡°You¡¯ve just screwed things up for yourselves.¡±


    <hr>


    Now, Hawaii


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand why you can¡¯t take possession of the airport.¡±


    There was an accusation in Demi¡¯s tone that Cal didn¡¯t appreciate.


    ¡°I told you the¡ª¡±


    ¡°Right, the entity that spoke only to you and threatened to eat you.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°So?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure it won¡¯t take kindly to my claiming space within its territory.¡±


    ¡°Which is what, exactly?¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°I got the impression of volcanoes¡­ so possibly one of the those or maybe all of Hawaii.¡±


    ¡°This entity didn¡¯t seem to care about the people here,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°They weren¡¯t strong enough. You know, like ants to it,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°Look, that¡¯s why I think one of you guys should claim this place.¡±


    ¡°Bit of a high opinion of yourself there, Cruces,¡± Hanna snorted.


    ¡°The problem is none of us are strong enough to keep the remaining weresharks and other threats from just retaking the airport,¡± Demi said with a glance at Phillip.


    ¡°No way! I¡¯m not getting my dad in the crosshairs of some dragon lady,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t say it was a dragon!¡± Hanna¡¯s were as wide as saucers.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t? Well¡­ that is to say I¡¯m not sure what it was. Just that I got the impression of eggs and wings, teeth, claws, huge,¡± Cal shook his head.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, Anak,¡± Phillip laid a hand on Cal¡¯s armored shoulder. ¡°This is a good compromise. It¡¯ll hopefully provide some protection for the people in this airport from the weresharks still out in the ocean without pissing off this dragon.¡±


    Cal frowned. ¡°You know what dragons are, right? Huge, flying monsters with fire breathing and magic.¡±


    ¡°Just from those cartoons,¡± Phillip shrugged.


    ¡°What if we claim it as group?¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Nope, no offense, but we¡¯d probably average down to a level that the weresharks wouldn¡¯t have too much of a problem with.¡± Cal had flown around over the bay while the plane had been refueled and the pirate slavers¡¯ captives were freed and given what little medical aid that could be provided. He had detected many more weresharks and others waiting beneath the clear waters. ¡°I estimate that it¡¯d only take them a few weeks to break through our combined ownership.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m doing it,¡± Phillip said. ¡°I can¡¯t just let these poor people loose without helping them.¡±


    Cal finally agreed.


    What was the point of freeing them from their captivity only to turn them loose to face the dangers out there?


    The entity that had spoken into his head was a threat that he just wasn¡¯t ready to deal with at the moment.


    Eron was his priority and they had already stayed longer than they had intended as they saw to the formerly enslaved people.


    ¡°This airport is their best bet,¡± Phillip continued. ¡°They have shelter. Food and drink from the restaurants. A convenience store.¡±


    ¡°Liquor,¡± Hanna added.


    ¡°We can check in on them on the trip back,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Are we agreed then?¡± Demi looked at everyone. ¡°Philip will take ownership of the airport.¡±


    Cal nodded after a moment.


    ¡°I never expected that one day I¡¯d own an airport,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Hopefully, it doesn¡¯t piss off that dragon,¡± Hanna smiled mirthlessly.


    Cal scowled at her.


    They were on the plane and continuing on their journey within the hour.


    In Cal¡¯s case he was again on top of the plane, held in place by his telekinesis.


    The flight over the endless blue expanse of the Pacific Ocean was boring, which was good for Cal.


    A beep in his helmet broke into his partial meditation and pulled him fully from his mindscape into the real world.


    He brought the map up in his faceplate.


    ¡°Time flies when you aren¡¯t all there,¡± Cal muttered.


    Land was a few miles away.


    The plane was moving in a southeast direction and was about to cross into the northern portion of Luzon. One of the main islands of the Philippines, where Metro Manila was located, where Eron was.


    Cal detected an immense, powerful presence a heartbeat before he felt, rather than heard the screech that threatened to overwhelm the auditory protections of his helmet.


    The plane wasn¡¯t as well-defended.


    The windows shattered and the engines gave out, sending it into a spiraling dive.


    Cal lashed out with telekinetic force at the large shadow descending at supersonic speed.


    Mighty wind buffeted him, separating him from the plane.


    Everything had happened so fast.

 5.6

    Now, Northern Philippines


    Cal saw a dark shape, huge, bigger than the plane.


    Which was now spinning as flames and smoke spewed out of the engines.


    Feathers and talons.


    That¡¯s what he saw in his mind¡¯s eye.


    Cal righted himself from his own spin and gave chase with a loud boom that shook the sky.


    The giant bird, for what else could it have been, was a dark shadow in the night as it plunged after the plane. It stretched talons out toward the plane.


    Cal struck it with telekinetic force.


    Instead of ripping through the fuselage the bird only managed to tear a wing off.


    The ground was growing quickly in the distance.


    At these speeds Cal knew that he didn¡¯t have much time.


    So, he slowed down his perceptions to buy more.


    The bird¡¯s enormous, feathered back became clearer. Its hooked beak was open in mid screech. Talons grasped for the plane in slow motion.


    Brute force wasn¡¯t going to be enough within the constraints he had to work with so Cal decided to go with something else.


    He imagined a spiked ball with his telepathy and placed it into the giant bird¡¯s brain.


    He expanded it with violent quickness.


    The bird screeched and spun directly away from him and the plane.


    Cal¡¯s last sight of it was dark tail feathers as it flew into a cloud.


    One problem down.


    The plane continued its spinning and terminal descent down toward the rainforest.


    Cal flew after it and grabbed it with his telekinesis. He had to be careful to slow its descent as smoothly as possible lest he inadvertently kill or horribly injure almost everyone inside.


    The distance to the ground was such that he was only able to slow it enough for a rather rough crash landing.


    He had surround the plane in a telekinetic shield to protect it from the trees.


    Thunderous noise filled the dark rainforest.


    The screech of grinding and tearing metal mingled with the fuel igniting from the engine flames.


    Cal snuffed the flames out with a thought.


    The plane plowed a long furrow into the ground before he was able to slowly bring it to a stop.


    Then, just like that, there was silence.


    Cal regarded the rainforest for a moment.


    He stretched out with his thoughts.


    Animals and monsters were all around.


    He encouraged them to move away, which was easy enough.


    ¡°Everyone okay in there?¡± Cal said into the comms while he used his telepathy to check for himself.


    Hands tore open the fuselage from the inside. His dad¡¯s head popped out. ¡°We¡¯re checking,¡± he called out.


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep a watch out here,¡± Cal replied. He had already seen the extent of their injuries.


    It was miraculous, but everyone was mostly unscathed aside from minor contusions.


    A quarter of an hour later, while a defensive perimeter was set and they were pulling what supplies they could from the wreckage of the plane Cal conferred with the leadership elements of the group.


    ¡°What the hell happened?¡± Hanna accosted him.


    ¡°A giant bird.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯d it get past you?¡± Cal¡¯s dad said.


    ¡°It was supersonic. My fault.¡±


    ¡°Where are we exactly?¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°According to the map we¡¯re in Northern Luzon, east of Divilacan Bay,¡± Cal consulted the projection in his faceplate.


    Demi took a paper map out of her belt pack and spread it out on the ground. She studied it with her flashlight. ¡°According to the compass we are about 30 miles away from Ilagan to the southeast. It¡¯s the closest large city. From there it¡¯s maybe 280 miles to Manila on AH26,¡± she looked at Cal for confirmation.


    ¡°That sounds about right,¡± Cal glanced at his dad.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t been back home in a long time and I¡¯ve never been this far north, but I do know that the Maharlika Hwy basically runs all the way down to the southern islands. So, all we need to do is go south and follow the signs to Manila.¡±


    ¡°Great, so hiking through a dense rainforest, mostly unprepared, in the dark, at least 30 miles,¡± Sgt. Butcher said without expression.


    ¡°I can keep the wildlife away. I¡¯m just concerned about the support staff,¡± Cal eyed the R&D team huddled next to Pilot Pete and the two Mechanics. ¡°The plan was to land at Subic and use that as a base for our noncombat personnel to stay mostly safe from dangerous things.¡±


    ¡°You can fly us all there. You did the plane no problem,¡± Hanna pointed out.


    ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯m concerned that display would draw attention that we don¡¯t want,¡± Cal replied.


    ¡°Like that entity that may or may not be a dragon,¡± Rino suddenly appeared next to Hanna, which caused the Swordswoman to flinch slightly.


    Cal frowned. He was late in detecting Rino¡¯s presence. He tilted his head to her. ¡°Exactly.¡±


    ¡°So, we hike through the jungle with minimal usage of your whatever-power?¡± Sgt. Butcher gave a curt nod.


    ¡°Hopefully, we can find some usable vehicles in the city,¡± Demi said as she folded her map.


    ¡°Even if we do, I imagine we¡¯re going to have to deal with people and monsters all the way down. Three hundred miles of road is a lot of space for them to come at as,¡± Hanna grimaced.


    ¡°What? Don¡¯t you want more points? To level?¡± Rino barked a harsh laugh.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather we not spend ourselves just getting to the actual Quest area,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°We¡¯re also on a time limit,¡± Cal¡¯s dad said.


    It would¡¯ve been much easier for Cal to just fly there, maybe take the best fighters with him, but that would leave the rest vulnerable and they had come here to save his brother. He couldn¡¯t do them dirty like that. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s get moving.¡±


    Demi shouted out orders for the formation they would use.


    Rino, Hanna and Cal¡¯s dad at the front.


    The noncombatants in the center flanked by the fighters.


    Cal at the rear.


    He wanted to stretch out to scan their route to Ilagan and the city itself, so that they¡¯d have an idea of what waited for them, but the need to be cautious kept his telepathic scans in a tight space, strictly around their immediate area.


    It was an unpleasant thing to listen, however unwillingly, to the anxious thoughts of those around him.


    A few blamed him for their predicament.


    He couldn¡¯t fault them for he blamed himself as well.


    They hiked through the night.


    What had seemed a daunting task proved almost easy, aside from the nerve-wracking terror at the monsters, real and imagined, lurking beyond their lights.


    Cal¡¯s dad easily cleared a trail with his herculean strength, while Cal encouraged the forest terrors to keep their distance.


    They stopped and made camp as soon as dawn broke.


    The rainforest would become hot and humid as the day wore on. It wasn¡¯t an issue for Cal, his dad and a few others, but the majority of the group wouldn¡¯t have done well with continuing the trek.


    The crash had been traumatic and they needed to rest.


    ¡°How far did we get?¡±


    Cal regarded his dad. The old man wasn¡¯t even sweating.


    ¡°Are you even tired?¡±


    ¡°Not really. I can go for days.¡±


    ¡°Same here, although I do need to sleep eventually¡­ for mental health reasons.¡±


    ¡°Same.¡±


    Cal consulted the map projected into his faceplate. ¡°We covered a great deal of distance thanks to you clearing the way. We¡¯re about a third of the way to Ilagan.¡±


    ¡°Are you okay constantly using your powers to keep the monsters away?¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, no problem. It helps that I¡¯m only projecting the stay away message a short distance from us.¡± Cal watched as the others practically collapsed into unconsciousness as soon as they completed their tasks. ¡°Waiting is going to be hard. I¡¯m itching to go.¡±


    ¡°I know, Anak. The closer we get to him the more I worry about Eron.¡±


    ¡°Do you think you can protect everyone if I go ahead?¡±


    Cal¡¯s dad shook his head. ¡°You can¡¯t rush off recklessly. You¡¯ll end up trapped just like your brother. We have to approach this with a plan.¡±


    ¡°Right¡­ how long should we let them rest?¡±


    ¡°Until they wake up or a few hours before it gets dark. They need the rest and it¡¯s better to avoid the day¡¯s heat. You know, I almost miss the humidity.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t. The Threnosh onesie and armor will keep me comfortable regardless, but it¡¯s nice knowing that even without this shitty climate can¡¯t touch me,¡± Cal grinned.


    ¡°I thought it¡¯d just remind me of when I lived here,¡± Cal¡¯s dad said sadly. ¡°A sort of nostalgia or a small reminder of the time before.¡±


    Cal digested the sentiment and decided that it was something he had to think about. ¡°I guess I¡¯ll patrol around the perimeter or something like that. Maybe you can stay near everyone so you can respond to any attacks?¡±


    ¡°Okay, sounds good. Be careful.¡±


    When the time came the others woke and were awoken.


    They ate and continued their hike as the sun slowly disappeared.


    Twice more they stopped before they reached a semblance of civilization.


    Roughly paved, narrow roads and cultivated farmland.


    The few homes they passed were empty and they didn¡¯t encounter any people, which wasn¡¯t surprising since night wasn¡¯t a time to be wandering about without purpose or strength.


    Indeed, Cal¡¯s presence was the sole reason that the group hadn¡¯t been attacked multiple times.


    They reached an area with more homes, which were also abandoned.


    A sign marked the highway they were going to need to take south.


    They didn¡¯t take it. Instead they crossed it and took a road that led directly into the city. It crossed through farmland for a few miles until they reached a river with a bridge that was barricaded and manned.


    Cal brought them up short while he concealed their presence from the guards¡¯ perceptions.


    ¡°You¡¯re from here, so I¡¯ll defer to your judgment,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°What do you think, dad?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°They have guns and bows, so it looks like they probably have to defend their barricade,¡± Cal¡¯s dad said.


    ¡°Only torches, no spotlights. They¡¯ll be twitchy,¡± Sgt. Butcher remarked.


    ¡°That won¡¯t bother us. You should do the talking, Dad. They¡¯ll probably be less likely to shoot if they hear Tagalog,¡± Cal said.


    His dad shook his head. ¡°This is the north, so they most likely prefer Ilocano, which I don¡¯t know and we don¡¯t know how things have been going here.¡±


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s do this,¡± Cal said.


    He and his dad walked down toward the barricade. They didn¡¯t make an effort to be quiet.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you just¡­ do your thing?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather not, Dad. At least not right away and if I don¡¯t have too. They probably wouldn¡¯t react well if they found out I was in their heads. Plus¡­ it¡¯s just¡­ unpleasant for me.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s there!¡±


    A challenging shout from one of the sentries.


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Don¡¯t shoot, we mean you no harm,¡± Cal¡¯s dad called back.


    Cal frowned. ¡°What¡¯re you doing?¡± he whispered. ¡°I thought you were going to use Tagalog.¡±


    His dad regarded him with a perplexed look. ¡°I am¡­¡±


    Cal swore. ¡°Spires¡¯ translation system. It even works here. Because of course it would.¡±


    ¡°Stop right there!¡±


    The two Cruces men stopped just inside the edge of the torch light.


    Five sentries, five weapons pointed directly at them.


    ¡°Don¡¯t shoot,¡± Cal said lightly. It seemed that language barriers no longer mattered and that made him sad. ¡°We come in peace. Is there someone we can talk to about procuring some vehicles. We¡¯re on a journey to the south.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what new trick this is, but be gone, aswang!¡± the lead sentry barked.


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Cal glanced at his dad.


    ¡°We aren¡¯t aswang. That should be obvious.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, clearly we aren¡¯t flying around with wings sans our lower halves¡­ also we aren¡¯t women,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Aswang come in different shapes,¡± Cal¡¯s dad whispered. ¡°Didn¡¯t you read that book I got from the library?¡±


    ¡°I was busy looking for the Vitiator,¡± Cal hissed back.


    ¡°We can prove we aren¡¯t aswang, bring some salt,¡± Cal¡¯s dad said.


    Cal suppressed a chuckle. He was a grown man, but the word sounded funny.


    Bang.


    A bullet bounced off Cal¡¯s armored chest.


    Thwang.


    His dad let the arrow do the same to his unarmored chest.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to run out of shirts,¡± Cal said.


    His dad shrugged.


    The sentries opened up.


    Cal¡¯s dad pointedly took a step behind him. ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±


    ¡°This is¡­ dumb.¡±


    Cal leapt over the barricade and gently knocked the five men down to the ground and deprived them of their weapons.


    ¡°See, if I was an aswang,¡± he snickered like a child, ¡°would you still be alive?¡± Five terrified nods. ¡°Okay, so who wants to get your leaders?¡± The sentries looked at each other. No one made a move. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°The streets aren¡¯t safe at night. We only move in groups of five or more,¡± the lead sentry said.


    ¡°Yet you¡¯re out here exposed at a makeshift barricade,¡± Cal said.


    The lead sentry pointed at the barricade.


    Cal noticed that several crucifixes were affixed to it.


    ¡°That works?¡±


    ¡°The aswang haven¡¯t struck where there are protections.¡±


    ¡°So the fact that we walked up to you should¡¯ve been the first hint that we weren¡¯t them,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°Fine, since you¡¯re the lead here, you can take me to your leader.¡± He grabbed the lead sentry by the arm and lifted him up off the ground.


    ¡°But the aswang¡ª¡±


    ¡°Will not attack me if they¡¯re smart¡­ are they smart?¡±


    The lead sentry nodded.


    ¡°Great,¡± Cal gave him a mirthless smile, ¡°let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll head back,¡± Cal¡¯s dad called out from the other side of the barricade.


    ¡°Tell them about the aswang and be careful,¡± Cal said.


    Cal followed his terrified and unwilling escort into the city.


    Luckily for the poor sentry city hall wasn¡¯t that far.


    The torch lit streets were empty.


    The homes contained people.


    Cal picked up their thoughts.


    Fear permeated through everyone.


    ¡°Good thing it¡¯s not that late, huh?¡± Cal said idly.


    The sentry nodded.


    ¡°So¡­ when I speak, what language are you hearing?¡±


    ¡°Mine,¡± the sentry said hesitantly.


    ¡°English? Cause I¡¯m speaking in English and I¡¯m hearing the same from you.¡±


    The wide-eyed sentry shook his head vigorously.


    Cal kept his telepathy up searching for the aswang, but came up with nothing.


    They reached city hall after a few more blocks of silence.


    No guards on the outside.


    Plenty on the inside.


    Everyone pointed weapons at Cal as soon as he followed the sentry through the door.


    ¡°Bullets won¡¯t work on me, ask him,¡± Cal tapped the sentry on the shoulder.


    ¡°It¡¯s true, please don¡¯t shoot,¡± the sentry whimpered.


    Cal took pity on him. ¡°Alright, man. You got me here, just go get your leader out here and you¡¯re good.¡±


    The sentry disappeared through a door next to the front desk.


    Cal waited.


    Minutes passed.


    Cal grew impatient, but he knew that the men and women wouldn¡¯t open fire unless he made an aggressive move or they received the order to do so.


    More time passed.


    Close to half an hour when finally the same door opened.


    A young woman beckoned him over.


    ¡°The Datu will see you now.¡±


    ¡°The what?¡±


    ¡°Our leader.¡±


    ¡°Okay, lead on then.¡±


    Cal followed the young woman. He couldn¡¯t help but note that her shapely behind was accentuated by her tight, business skirt.


    Why were business skirts tight anyways? Was it really necessary to be sexy while working in an office setting?


    He took a moment to refocus. His mind was wandering.


    Perhaps the lack of sleep was beginning to wear on him.


    The young woman led him into an office.


    The man seated behind the desk was probably in his fifties. He was short and fat with thinning, gray hair.


    ¡°The Datu wants to know who you are and what you intend?¡± the young woman said.


    ¡°Oh¡­ it¡¯s going to be one of these interactions then,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°Fine, I want vehicles, cars, trucks, SUVs, whatever. In exchange I can bring you the remains of a private jet, I think it was a Gulfstream.¡±


    ¡°Tell him, what use is a broken plane,¡± the Datu said to the young woman.


    ¡°Oh c¡¯mon, man, I can understand you and you can understand me. We¡¯re on a schedule and if you don¡¯t want to deal then I¡¯ll just go directly to someone who will.¡±


    The Datu looked like he was swallowing a lemon, but he finally made eye contact with Cal. ¡°All vehicles belong to the state and I am the state.¡±


    Cal tried really hard not to laugh. ¡°The jet is several tons of metal, plastics, electronics, radar and all sorts of other useful stuff. Although, to be fair, it¡¯s missing a wing and the engines are trashed.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand. You came in this plane, but it sounds like it crashed, yet you are standing in front of me.¡±


    ¡°It was a rough landing, but I flew it down mostly in one piece. Look, this deal is time contingent. The more time you waste, the worse it gets. I¡¯m tempted to just take the vehicles I need and leave you with the jet¡¯s coordinates. It¡¯s through thirty miles of rainforest, by the way.¡±


    ¡°You walked through the forest? Your armor is¡­ different.¡± Greed danced in the Datu¡¯s eyes.


    Cal didn¡¯t need to see the man¡¯s thoughts to know where this was headed.


    ¡°My armor is not for trade,¡± he said flatly.


    ¡°You came with others?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°And they are all attired as you?¡±


    ¡°Some.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ your group is strong?¡±


    Cal nodded.


    Something told him that he didn¡¯t want to share the insides of the Datu¡¯s mind, so he let the man get to the point rather than probe him to move things along quicker.


    ¡°You will have your vehicles and gasoline in exchange for the plane and a job,¡± the Datu licked his lips.


    The act reminded Cal of a frog.


    Cal balanced their time constraints with the opportunity for the rest of his team to potentially gain levels that might prove crucial when they reached Manila and their main Quest.


    ¡°Let me guess¡­ the aswang?¡±


    The Datu grinned hungrily.


    As the frog-like man spoke a chime sounded in Cal¡¯s ears.


    They were going on a Side Quest.


    He wondered if he should¡¯ve consulted the others.


    He decided it didn¡¯t matter. They could join him or not.


    If it came down to it he could do it himself.


    <hr>


    Now, Manila


    ¡°Let¡¯s just calm down for a moment. No one else has to get hurt,¡± Samson said.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one holding a knife to a little girl,¡± Eron growled.


    ¡°And you¡¯ve already killed two of us.¡±


    ¡°Not equatable.¡± Eron glanced at the young woman he held by the throat. Her eyes had rolled into the back of her head and her kicks had grown feeble. He eased his grip a fraction and lowered her until her feet touched the ground. ¡°Let the girl go and you can all leave.¡±


    The situation had changed.


    The little girl¡¯s safety was now Eron¡¯s only concern.


    He could deal with the rest of the home invaders later. If the fog didn¡¯t take care of them for him.


    ¡°A death sentence for us.¡± Samson¡¯s knife was steady against the girl¡¯s throat. ¡°I have a better idea.¡±


    Eron locked eyes with the little girl. Tears flowed down her chubby cheeks. It hurt to see the fear in them, mingled with the trust that he would save her.


    ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡±


    ¡°You leave and transfer ownership of this house to us. Along with three people to guarantee our safety. You get to pick who stays.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t work. How about you just leave.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s certain death out in the fog,¡± Domeric said.


    ¡°Not much different for you in here.¡±


    ¡°Except you¡¯d risk death for this girl and the other people you¡¯re trying to protect,¡± Samson said flatly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t much care about your lives, but I did promise to keep them safe. How about this? There¡¯s another safe house, like this place, empty. I give you the address, directions and I swear to let you go. Of course, this is contingent on you not hurting her or anyone else,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound like a good deal for us. We¡¯d still have to get to this place, assuming we can trust your word that it exists and that you¡¯ll give us access,¡± Samson said.


    ¡°His word isn¡¯t worth shit!¡± Paz staggered over to stand next to Domeric. ¡°He¡¯ll just let the monsters kill us.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t honestly think that I have any obligations to protect you?¡± Eron said. ¡°This is your best shot. Take it and leave. Your survival will be in your hands. Isn¡¯t that what you might makes right types love? Look¡­ you¡¯ve got no leverage here. Her safety,¡± he winked at the little girl, ¡°is the only reason I haven¡¯t already crushed you. Hurt her and I don¡¯t have a reason to hold back, do I?¡±


    ¡°But you don¡¯t want her to get hurt, do you?¡± Samson said.


    Eron raised a brow. ¡°Right¡­ that¡¯s exactly what I just said. Are you not understanding my words?¡±


    ¡°Deal.¡±


    ¡°Dom!¡± Samson gasped. ¡°What the fuck?¡±


    ¡°Shut up, Samson!¡± Domeric pointed at Eron. ¡°Back away from the stairs and let Dolorita go.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not in any position to give orders here.¡±


    ¡°Shit, man! I¡¯m taking your deal, just get out of the way so Samson and the little girl can get down the stairs.¡±


    A moment passed before Eron moved a few paces back, Dolorita still in his vise-like grip.


    Samson rushed down with the little girl in his arms and joined Domeric and Paz as they cautiously moved towards the broken front door. They all kept their eyes fixed on Eron.


    ¡°We do this nice and easy. We all go out to the front gate. That¡¯s where we¡¯ll make the exchange. The girl for Dolorita.¡± Domeric said.


    ¡°The address!¡± Paz hissed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give it to you once you¡¯ve released the girl to me,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°This is a mistake,¡± Samson said.


    ¡°Shut up! We don¡¯t hurt kids!¡± Domeric snapped.


    ¡°Lying, motherfucker! You killed Maricel!¡± a teenage boy came rushing down the stairs to stop near Eron. ¡°She cut Maricel¡¯s throat like nothing!¡± he jabbed a finger at Dolorita.


    Eron¡¯s hand spasmed.


    Dolorita choked then fell silent as her face began to turn blue.


    ¡°Edwin,¡± Eron began. ¡°Tell me what happened?¡±


    And so the teenager did.


    Domeric and his team could only watch and listen as Edwin detailed their crimes.


    The muscles in Eron¡¯s neck visibly strained as it took all his self control from crushing the life out of Dolorita. ¡°Why did you have to do that? They¡ª she wasn¡¯t a threat. You had them. There was no need.¡±


    ¡°They are warriors¡­ she was a warrior. I accorded her the same respect I expect from other warriors,¡± Domeric said.


    ¡°Of all the pointless, stupid¡ª¡± Eron sighed. ¡°Maricel was a thirteen year old girl trying to be brave and you killed her!¡± he roared.


    ¡°They left her out there!¡± Edwin sobbed.


    Eron¡¯s gaze snapped to the teen. ¡°You weren¡¯t supposed to be outside in the first place! But I¡¯ll deal with you later. Get back upstairs.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what happens to me! Just make them pay!¡±


    ¡°The world is in a state of war. We fight, we die. Monsters don¡¯t care how old we are,¡± Domeric said.


    ¡°Just stop talking,¡± Eron said flatly. ¡°You aren¡¯t helping yourself out. A monster didn¡¯t kill Maricel¡­ you did,¡± he eyed the half-conscious, young woman in his hand, ¡°or rather she did, under your orders. It occurs to me that according to your personal philosophy you have no cause to begrudge me if I just snapped her neck.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯d be war between us,¡± Domeric said.


    ¡°By your logic you¡¯ve already started it. Do you really want me to go after your entire group? It wouldn¡¯t be the first time I¡¯ve destroyed an entire warband, criminal organization, army, so on and so forth.¡± Eron caught movement out of the corner of his eye. It took a great effort not to react.


    The situation had changed in an instant.


    He couldn¡¯t waste time with these people. Not anymore.


    He had made a terrible mistake when he had thrown the rogue that had stabbed him in the back into the wall. He had thrown him too hard.


    The wall had been demolished when the man¡¯s body had crashed into it.


    The wards on both sides of the wall had been destroyed along with it.


    The fog was slowly seeping inside his grandparents¡¯ home.


    How much time did they have before there was enough of it for the shades to manifest?


    The other wards all over the rest of the house would keep the fog at bay for a time, but the breach signaled eventual and total failure.


    Eron pointed at the door. ¡°Release the girl, I¡¯ll release yours and give you the safe house address. Last chance.¡±


    Domeric towered over Eron by a foot, but everyone knew which one was stronger. ¡°Samson.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ we don¡¯t hurt kids.¡±


    Samson released the little girl, who stumbled toward Eron.


    He shoved Dolorita at Domeric.


    The sobbing little girl clutched Eron¡¯s leg.


    The big man caught the half-conscious, young woman.


    ¡°The address?¡± Domeric''s face was impassive.


    Eron wasn¡¯t fooled. He could see the sweat beading on the tall man¡¯s forehead.


    He had given his word, so he provided the address.


    ¡°And you¡¯ll give us access,¡± Domeric said.


    ¡°It¡¯s currently unoccupied,¡± Eron glanced down at the little girl. He had to keep a tight rein on his anger, lest he throw himself at the bastards that had threatened her life and murdered Maricel.


    ¡°And the symbols?¡±


    ¡°They should be working fine. We have a deal, but I¡¯d recommend that you not linger there. Because our next meeting isn¡¯t covered,¡± Eron said.


    He watched them leave through the broken front door. Then listened to them as they left the grounds and entered the fog where he lost them completely. With luck the shades would take care of them and he wouldn¡¯t need to get his hands dirty.


    ¡°Edwin,¡± Eron called up the stairs to where the teenager was perched at the top.


    ¡°Sorry¡­ I know you said to go to the ro¡ª¡±


    ¡°Just, shut up,¡± Eron picked up the little girl, ¡°Shhh¡­ you¡¯re okay now. I¡¯m sorry you had to go through that, but they¡¯re gone.¡± He looked back up to Edwin. ¡°We have a breach. Get the others down here. The rooms are warded, so they should keep the fog out while I go and get Lilah, so she can fix the one on the wall.¡±


    The blood drained from Edwin¡¯s face as the teen followed Eron¡¯s gaze to the soft wisps of fog pooling near the broken part of the living room wall. The fog seemed to shy away from the other wards on the walls, but it wasn¡¯t slowing much.


    ¡°Relax. You¡¯ll be fine. We just need to move supplies into the bedrooms,¡± Eron said.


    He needed to fix the wall then defend Lilah from the shades while she re-did the wards.


    ¡°Go on upstairs,¡± Eron tried to smile as he placed the little girl on the steps.


    He waited until she was out of his sight before he rushed to the yard for the supplies he needed to patch the wall.


    Once everything here was fixed he¡¯d pay those assholes another visit.


    Despite what the tall warrior thought, Maricel didn¡¯t deserve the fate they had forced on her.


    She¡¯d have revenge.

 5.7

    Now, Manila


    Eron plopped down in the chair.


    He was beyond exhaustion.


    It was the kind that drove itself into the bone.


    He had superhuman stamina, but even that had limits.


    The physical drain was accompanied by the mental and emotional.


    Too much death.


    Years of it.


    ¡°You look awful,¡± Cherry said with concern.


    He couldn¡¯t tell if it was genuine or part of her act.


    ¡°I was under the impression that you didn¡¯t really get tired.¡±


    ¡°That was true once,¡± Eron said.


    He had been tireless with the sun¡¯s energy flowing through his veins.


    He had been relentless.


    Now¡­


    ¡°The fog takes it out of me¡­ might have something to do with the ghosts of my relatives beating me up. Oh¡­ and the fact that I¡¯m trying to keep people alive, yet they don¡¯t listen and get murdered by assholes that suddenly show up out of nowhere.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Cherry beautiful face twisted in confusion.


    Heavy steps stomped down the stairs.


    Eron glanced at the door near the bar. ¡°I¡¯d rather not tell the story twice, so¡­¡± he shrugged.


    Madalena threw the door open with a loud crash, knocking it off its hinges.¡°What the hell? Maricel is dead? And you let her murderers go to one of our safe houses!¡± she snapped.


    ¡°Lilah told you?¡± Eron said. ¡°I thought she¡¯d go straight to bed. Redoing that ward took a lot out of her. More than I¡¯ve seen before.¡±


    ¡°They were friends. Which safe house?¡± Madalena demanded.


    Eron regarded his fuming cousin for a moment. ¡°They were in bad shape. I doubt they made it to the safe house.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to make sure of that.¡±


    ¡°I need you to keep this place safe.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re here.¡±


    Eron sighed. ¡°I need to sleep¡­ for longer than usual.¡±


    Madalena¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just tired, that¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t get tired.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I said,¡± Cherry chimed in.


    Madalena glared daggers at the impossibly beautiful woman.


    Cherry threw her hands up and backed away to the bar. ¡°Drinks? I¡¯ve been getting plenty of practice. Not much else to do around here. No? Okay, I¡¯ll make myself one anyways.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t even need to drink, bloodsucker,¡± Madalena spat.


    ¡°I can still appreciate the taste,¡± Cherry shrugged.


    ¡°Calm down, Madalena,¡± Eron said. ¡°You going out there might be just what the fog wants.¡±


    ¡°Are you fucking serious with this? The fog thinks now?¡± Madalena moved past Eron, but he grabbed her arm.


    The two superhumanly strong cousins struggled for a moment, but Eron was stronger.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll let you explain,¡± Madalena huffed as she sat down on the other side of the restaurant table.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t¡­ encountered our relatives¡ª¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because you won¡¯t let me try.¡±


    ¡°Too dangerous. You¡¯d end up just like them, but we¡¯ve been over this. I believe that a part of them are still there, but they¡¯re being controlled by something.¡±


    ¡°My Lolo¡ª¡±


    ¡°Says he doesn¡¯t want to kick my ass, while he¡¯s kicking my ass.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but if they¡¯re still mostly them then maybe there¡¯s a way to free them,¡± Madalena pleaded.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one that saw them die,¡± Eron patted his cousin¡¯s arm, ¡°whatever this is¡­ it¡¯s not truly them. Not really. The fog captured their essence, soul, whatever and is using them.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re going to say that it wants to do the same to us,¡± Madalena said.


    Eron shrugged. ¡°Were you attacked by the shades when you went to the megamall?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Edwin, Maricel and the others managed to get a few streets down to the Jollibee without being attacked. Those people, the murderers, I think they came from outside the fog. I can¡¯t see them surviving inside the city this whole time without the protection of the wards.¡±


    ¡°So, maybe they had another way.¡±


    ¡°It didn¡¯t look like it. They were injured, like they had been in a bunch of fights. I was thinking that the fog let them in and herded them towards the kids.¡±


    ¡°Why though?¡±


    ¡°To create enough chaos that led to the wards at the safe house being breached. It¡¯s watched me going to each safe house on a fairly regular schedule. It knew that I was due and the outsiders gave it an opportunity.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a stretch,¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ or it wanted conflict between me and the assholes. The next time me and Lilah went to recharge the wards¡­ well anything can happen in a battle.¡±


    ¡°I get it. Lilah takes a stray shot and no more wards. Let¡¯s say you¡¯re right and the fog has a brain. What do we do about it?¡±


    ¡°We wait. Help is on the way. Just have to hold on long enough.¡±


    Madalena made a disgusted noise and shot up out of her chair. ¡°Fine, while you wait I¡¯m going to get payback for Maricel.¡±


    ¡°Why bother? Even if those assholes made it through the fog the wards won¡¯t last forever. I just won¡¯t take Lilah to that safe house to recharge them.¡±


    ¡°But we¡¯ll lose the safe house,¡± Madalena scowled down at Eron.


    ¡°We have enough.¡±


    Madalena appeared to be torn with indecision for a brief moment before she started to move toward the restaurant¡¯s front doors.


    It was that exact moment that Dr. Rufo came rushing down the stairs. He paused at the doorway and eyed the broken door with confusion.


    ¡°Would you like a drink, doctor?¡± Cherry held a shaker in her delicate hands.


    ¡°Er¡­ no¡­ no thank you.¡± Dr. Rufo edged against the wall as he kept his back away from Cherry until he was able to hurry over to Eron¡¯s table.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Madalena was alarmed by the look on the doctor¡¯s face.


    ¡°Lilah?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Dr. Rufo said.


    Eron wasn¡¯t surprised. He had sensed something was wrong when Lilah had redone the wards at his grandparents¡¯ house. It had taken more out of her than previous times and she had been half-conscious on the entire trip back.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Madalena was in the doctor¡¯s face in a flash.


    Eron pulled her back forcefully. ¡°Doc?¡±


    The doctor looked frazzled, near to panic. ¡°She has a fever. A really bad one. I was just checking on her and I noticed she was sweating. Checked her temp¡­ 104. I know, I know. I checked her when you first brought her back and there was nothing wrong with her that I could see.¡±


    ¡°Give her medicine,¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°I already did. Plus ice. We just need to bring her temp down before it rises. She¡­¡±


    ¡°What is it, doc?¡± Eron could see that the older man was struggling to get the words out.


    ¡°I think she was delirious. Muttering words that¡­ that¡­ frightened me. As in I felt a legitimate physical reaction to said words.¡±


    ¡°Magic. That¡¯s not good. She might accidentally cast a spell¡ª¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Or shut one down,¡± Madalena said.


    Their eyes darted to the wards on the walls.


    To their collective relief they were still glowing.


    ¡°Um¡­ she¡¯s asking for you,¡± Dr. Rufo said.


    Eron said. ¡°I thought you said she was delirious?¡±


    ¡°Apparently not entirely,¡± Dr. Rufo said with a deflated shrug.


    Eron rushed up the stairs. Madalena on his heels. The doctor trailed behind, but he didn¡¯t want to be alone with Cherry under any circumstances so he moved faster than he had in years.


    Two floors up, they rushed into the apartment, straight to Lilah¡¯s bedside.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Eron said softly, ¡°are you okay? Do you need me to do anything?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t¡ª it¡¯s pushing¡ª too much¡ª¡±


    Lilah was drenched in sweat despite the ice pack on her forehead.


    Eron felt the heat in Lilah¡¯s body through her hand. She was frighteningly warm.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to hold it back,¡± Lilah grimaced, ¡°but I can¡¯t¡­ please, save them before it¡¯s too late.¡±


    ¡°Save who?¡± Madalena hovered over Eron¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Everyone¡­ I can¡¯t keep it up¡­ they¡¯re going to fail.¡±


    Eron muffled a curse. ¡°You¡¯re connected to your sigils aren¡¯t you? Keeping them active drains you of mana?¡±


    Lilah nodded then scrunched her face and made a pained noise.


    ¡°How many people are in our furthest safe house?¡± Eron said.


    ¡°The hotel on National Highway to the south?¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Ten from the last time you checked.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought,¡± Eron thought quickly. The wards couldn¡¯t go down. Everyone they¡¯d worked hard to keep safe would die and be subsumed by the fog. Lilah couldn¡¯t handle the drain anymore. He had suspected something like that was happening with her magic. He should¡¯ve clarified it with her long before this moment. Now they were on the verge of disaster. ¡°Madalena, get the truck ready.¡±


    ¡°What? How? It doesn¡¯t run anymore. Not since the fog¡­¡±


    ¡°I left chains in the back. Secure them to the frame. I¡¯ll pull¡­ and tell Cherry I¡¯m going to need her to come along,¡± Eron called after Madalena as she rushed out of the room. ¡°Lilah, I¡¯m sorry. I wish I didn¡¯t have to ask you this, but can you hold on for fifteen more minutes.¡±


    Lilah gave him a pained nod.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Dr. Rufo said.


    Eron ignored him. ¡°When you can¡¯t hold it any longer, do you think you can pick which wards you drop?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I think so,¡± Lilah said weakly.


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s good. I think you¡¯ll get better if we can reduce the number of sigils you have to maintain. Cut your connection to the sigils at the hotel to the south on the national highway. Give us fifteen minutes¡­ unless you can¡¯t hold it anymore. I don¡¯t want you to hurt yourself.¡±


    Lilah nodded.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the people. We¡¯ll bring them here,¡±Eron patted her arm. He exited Lilah¡¯s room with Dr. Rufo chasing after him.


    ¡°What am I supposed to do?¡± Dr. Rufo demanded.


    ¡°Just do your best to keep her fever down. I¡¯m not sure what¡¯s going on, but at a guess the fever is a manifestation of the drain on her mana. It appears that maintaining her wards are an active drain, not passive. Do you understand?¡± Eron said.


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Yes, yes, I think so.¡±


    ¡°The fog must be pushing harder against Lilah¡¯s wards, which in turn is draining more of her mana. If she¡¯s already close to her limit then this must be the result.¡±


    ¡°What happens if her uh, mana, runs out?¡±


    ¡°I had thought a mage would only experience terrible fatigue when that happened, but now¡­ I can only guess that the active nature of the wards creates a direct connection,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do what I can here,¡± Dr. Rufo said.


    ¡°Good man¡­ try to get Lilah to hold on for as long as possible. Fifteen minutes to pull the truck down there and get everyone loaded. I¡¯m not going to worry about supplies and gear. We¡¯ve got plenty here to absorb ten more people. However, if it looks like her life is in danger¡­ make her sever the link.¡±


    ¡°I understand¡­ good luck.¡±


    Eron left Dr. Rufo at the apartment¡¯s front door and rushed down the stairs back into the ground floor restaurant.


    ¡°So¡­ I¡¯m going outside now, am I?¡± Cherry frowned.


    ¡°Emergency situation,¡± Eron said. ¡°Part of our agreement.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ I remember, but I¡¯m rather concerned about what might happen if I need to defend myself.¡±


    ¡°Madalena and me will be doing the defending. You just need to drive.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ what if?¡±


    ¡°Use your best judgment. I promise not to hold what I might see against you.¡±


    ¡°You might not, but can you say the same for the others.¡±


    Eron didn¡¯t have an easy reply for that.


    He rushed to the back of the restaurant and the alley that he had turned into a makeshift garage.


    Cherry followed him with a sigh.


    Madalena had the front end of the pickup truck balanced on her shoulder while she affixed the chains to its undercarriage.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how I feel about this,¡± Cherry said. ¡°It looks like you intend to pull the truck.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m going to do. You¡¯ll drive and Madalena will keep the shades off our backs,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I can drive if you¡¯d rather stand in the back,¡± Madalena glowered at Cherry.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so. It¡¯s not night time yet, which means that I¡¯m not at my strongest,¡± Cherry said lightly.


    ¡°How can you tell with all this fog?¡± Madalena frowned.


    The ever present misty gray gloom surrounded the street on the other side of the makeshift fence Eron had placed at the alley opening. The glowing sigils on the walls kept the fog back, but now he didn¡¯t know if he could trust them completely.


    ¡°A girl just knows,¡± Cherry winked.


    Eron picked the end of the chain up off the ground. ¡°C¡¯mon. We don¡¯t have time to waste.¡±


    <hr>


    Now, Northern Philippines


    ¡°It¡¯s your call,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have enough information on the types of aswangs. I don¡¯t like going in blind,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Did this datu give you that intel?¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t. I understand you¡¯ve done some research on the potential monsters we might run into. I can personally cover the intelligence gap.¡±


    ¡°You get involved and we don¡¯t get the gains we need,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°I can try to hold back. Keep my involvement limited to death prevention,¡± Cal grunted unhappily.


    ¡°Danger and struggle is the point. You remove the possibility of death and we don¡¯t gain enough. I appreciate your concerns, Cruces, but everyone on this mission knows and accepts the risks,¡± Demi said.


    Sgt. Butcher turned to Demi. ¡°Those books on Philippine mythology you brought covered a wide range of aswang types. We all read through them on the flight over. I think we can do this.¡±


    ¡°Books are a decent starting point, but myths don¡¯t necessarily translate one to one to our reality,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You can gather the intel,¡± Demi said. ¡°The datu didn¡¯t give you the aswangs location, right?¡±


    Cal nodded.


    ¡°This place is surrounded in thick rain forests. It¡¯s a moot point if you can¡¯t find them quickly,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°True. I don¡¯t want to waste time here. I want to get to Manila as soon as possible,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we just take the vehicles we need?¡± Sgt. Butcher shrugged. ¡°We can all pitch in with Universal Points to cover the cost.¡±


    ¡°This potential Quest, if we accept, will be worth it if we succeed without heavy casualties and we¡¯ll need to gain as much strength as possible for the Manila Quest,¡± Demi said. She regarded Cal. ¡°You can get the intel, can¡¯t you? Find out where this aswang village is hidden in the forest? Discover what exactly we¡¯re up against?¡±


    ¡°The datu said that the aswangs attack a town called Magsaysay to the south in Naguilian, which I assume is the larger city or county. He spoke the truth as he understood it.¡± Cal considered it for a moment. ¡°Though, he wasn¡¯t entirely honest. There¡¯s another that might just have all the intel that we need.¡±


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s great. Why don¡¯t we talk to this person?¡± Demi said.


    ¡°She¡¯s a prisoner in a church basement,¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°What the fuck? That doesn¡¯t sound ominous at all,¡± Sgt. Butcher snorted.


    ¡°Why in a church basement?¡± Demi said.


    ¡°I have a good idea,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°Your call. I was thinking of seeing her anyways and depending on what I found, setting her free.¡±


    ¡°The Quest is a go, pending on the quality of the intel you gain,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°My rangers are ready either way,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°We¡¯ll need to gather pure, unprocessed salt,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Good thing the datu gave us permission to purchase supplies in the city,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Gonna be gouged on the pricing,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Tell them it¡¯s for the aswangs. Don¡¯t overpay. We don¡¯t know if salt even does anything. I¡¯ll know more after I talk to the girl. I¡¯ll get the salt we need if it turns out to be useful.¡±


    Cal stepped out into the street and made his way to the church.


    The eyes the datu had set to watch him saw nothing. He blinded them with his telepathy.


    The sun was rising over the mountains to the east.


    If things went well they could assault the aswang village during the day time. Assuming these ones were just like their mythological counterparts meant they were stripped of much of their supernatural power during the day.


    The old church dated back to Spanish colonial days.


    It looked every bit its age, despite the obvious renovations over the years.


    A scowl crossed Cal¡¯s face.


    He kept his telepathic walls up, but he could still hear the whispered thoughts of the young woman in the church basement. He hoped that she hadn¡¯t been abused.


    There would be violent complications if she had.


    <hr>


    Ginessa sat in her cage.


    Thin streams of sunlight pierced the darkness of the basement from a small, cracked window set against the ceiling high on the wall.


    She tried to alleviate the cramping in her muscles by relaxing and stretching, but the iron shackles connecting her wrists to her ankles made it difficult to avoid further aggravating her raw skin.


    Each day was the same as the last.


    The nights were much better, especially when her captors fed her.


    Unbidden thoughts going back to her last meal had her reflexively lick her lips.


    A normal-length human tongue found nothing but dry, cracked lips.


    The flaky bits of blood around her mouth and chin were too far to reach. Not that they provided much sustenance.


    Footsteps on the floor boards overhead shook dust and debris loose.


    She flinched back into the bars of her cage.


    Mass wasn¡¯t on the schedule for hours yet.


    That meant that someone was coming for her.


    Fear found a home in her heart. It beat rapidly in her chest. She was closer to any other normal human during the day.


    The last person the spoke to her had been Cristo and the soldier had been surprisingly kind. In as much as he hadn¡¯t struck her or sprayed her with holy water and salt like the priest or any of the other nameless fighters that periodically tormented her.


    The steps leisurely made their way toward Ginessa¡¯s location.


    Her dread grew with each one.


    The door opened with a loud creak.


    Curiously, the light stayed off as the steps continued down the rickety, wooden stairs.


    There was a loud sound.


    Wood breaking.


    A soft curse, but no heavy thud of a person falling down to the basement floor like she expected.


    She didn¡¯t have her supernatural senses during the day so she couldn¡¯t see anything until a man appeared in the thin sliver of sunlight.


    He looked Filipino. Short, black hair, handsome face, clean-shaven, which lent him an air of youthfulness. Though his dark eyes suggest otherwise. Strong with a thick, muscular neck, broad shoulders, well-defined muscles in his chest and arms, easily seen through the light t-shirt. Cargo pants didn¡¯t conceal the muscles of his thighs.


    She once had older cousins that boxed and wrestled.


    This man reminded him of them.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± she said warily.


    The man frowned slightly. Then shook his head. ¡°Not what I was expecting to see.¡±


    A crease wrinkled Ginessa¡¯s brow. She wasn¡¯t in the sunlight like the man. How could he see her?


    ¡°I take it you are an aswang?¡±


    She flinched.


    ¡°Correction, an Aswang¡­ as in it is your Class?¡± the man waited several heartbeats in silence. She didn¡¯t know how to reply. She was just like a normal human at the moment. Her supernatural senses were dulled, yet the man radiated danger, even if he appeared to be concealing his nature. ¡°Look¡­ I can pretty much tell that you aren¡¯t an evil spirit, creature, thing,¡± he sighed. ¡°I¡¯m going to be upfront with you. I¡¯ve pretty much decided that I¡¯m going to get you out of this cage whether you provide me useful answers or not. So¡­ would you be willing to answer a few?¡±


    She nodded hesitantly.


    The man tapped one of the many crude, wooden crucifixes that adorned the outside of the cage. ¡°Number one, I guess, is do these things actually work?¡±


    For some reason she felt like she could trust him.


    ¡°No, not really.¡±


    ¡°What about that stuff?¡± the man pointed to the salt lining the boundary of the cage.


    ¡°That works.¡±


    ¡°Good to know,¡± the man said lightly as he wiped the salt clear of the ground in front of the cage door.


    ¡°You¡¯ll really set me free?¡± She held the spark of hope for the first time in months. Did she dare believe?


    The man grabbed the thick padlock in one hand and twisted it. The metal squealed as it broke. He undid the chain and pulled the cage door open. He did everything slowly and deliberately as if she were a skittish animal that he was trying not to spook.


    Watching strength sufficient to break the thick lock so effortlessly wasn¡¯t comforting and she instinctively drew away.


    ¡°I promise not to hurt you,¡± the man held his hands up, ¡°may I?¡± he gestured at her shackles.


    She nodded after a moment and held deathly still as the man slowly reached into the cage.


    He broke her shackles then stepped back to give her plenty of space.


    She stretched her arms and legs before cautiously crawling out of the cage. Her eyes stayed on the man as he stood inside the thin shaft of sunlight, like he somehow knew that she¡¯d panic if she couldn¡¯t see him hidden in the darkness.


    She felt like a tiny mouse in front of tiger. Which was why she was surprised to notice that the man wasn¡¯t that tall. In fact she was actually a few inches taller than him.


    The man cleared his throat. ¡°So, your Class?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s Aswang. Specifically, Aswang: Mandurugo.¡±


    ¡°Right, that¡¯s the one with unearthly beauty, charm and a long, needle-tipped tongue for bloodsucking,¡± the man nodded. ¡°You don¡¯t look it right now. I mean, you¡¯re pretty, but your tongue looks normal human-sized and you¡¯re only giving off a tiny amount of the supernatural vibe.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m basically just like any other normal person during the day. The other stuff happens at night,¡± she said bitterly. Even she didn¡¯t know which part she disliked more.


    ¡°Next question then. Do you know anything about the other Aswangs in Naguilian?¡±


    She nodded hesitantly.


    ¡°And would you say that you¡¯re part of their group?¡±


    The man spoke lightly, but she sensed danger.


    ¡°Yes¡­ no¡­ I mean I was, but not by choice. After I was turned into this,¡± she gestured at herself, ¡°I didn¡¯t have a lot of options. I can¡¯t survive without blood.¡±


    ¡°How much do you need daily? Human? Animal? Both?¡±


    ¡°Both are fine, but if it¡¯s animal then I need more. Plus human¡ª,¡± she hesitated, ¡°is just better,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°I doubt they gave you human blood down here, so that means animal. So, you should be pretty hungry, but I¡¯m not getting that impression from looking at you.¡±


    ¡°The hunger is mostly gone during the day, which makes it harder when the sun sets if I haven¡¯t been drinking regularly,¡± she warned the man, but he appeared unconcerned.


    ¡°I know a guy, a Vampire and he can control himself just fine as long as he¡¯s got blood,¡± the man shrugged. ¡°There¡¯s a hospital in town. I can get you some blood.¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t just hand it over. They¡¯ll kill me once they find out I¡¯m free.¡± She came to a sudden realization. ¡°They¡¯ll kill you!¡±


    ¡°No, they won¡¯t. I have an arrangement with the datu. I¡¯ve decided that you might be critical to it¡­ depending on what you can tell me. In the interest of full disclosure. My associates and I have agreed to deal with the Aswangs attacking the people in Naguilian.¡±


    ¡°Why? They¡¯ll kill you!¡±


    ¡°Not likely¡­ especially if you provide good information. Like where they¡¯re located? Numbers? Composition? Strengths and weaknesses?¡±


    ¡°Why would I do that? They¡¯ll kill me if I betray them. While the people in the city will kill me just for existing.¡±


    ¡°Because I have a deal to offer you. Help us out and you can become part of the team. Half of us have worked with or know about the Vampire I mentioned earlier, so you won¡¯t be all that weird to them. Just swear not to drink any of our blood and we¡¯re good.¡±


    ¡°But I can¡¯t not drink blood,¡± she said. She wanted to take the offer. It sounded like the best chance she had since she had been changed. She couldn¡¯t live with a human population that feared her and she didn¡¯t want to live with the other Aswangs since they had fully embraced their Class natures.


    ¡°I told you¡­ I¡¯ll get you blood from the hospital. There are probably a bunch of other hospitals and clinics on the way to Manila. Plenty of opportunities to keep your blood supply up. You can drink animal blood in the worst case scenario.¡±


    ¡°Promise?¡±


    ¡°To the best of my ability,¡± the man said as he held out a hand.


    She stared at it for a long moment before reaching out.


    The man¡¯s hand was warm, comforting. He grasped her hand firmly, but gently as they shook.


    ¡°Great! You can tell me all about all the other Aswang classes. I skimmed this book, but the info you have is actual, real life stuff. Let¡¯s go. We¡¯ll get you cleaned up and those wounds tended to, plus I owe you some blood bags.¡±


    ¡°The priest¡ª¡± Ginessa said in alarm.


    The man¡¯s face darkened for an instant. ¡°No one will notice you¡¯re free until we¡¯re gone and after we take care of the Aswangs no one will be in a position to object over your continued freedom.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand why you¡¯re trusting me just like that,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty good at reading people.¡±


    ¡°A Skill or magic?¡±


    ¡°Neither.¡±


    Ginessa stared at the man¡¯s broad shoulders as he walked up the stairs.


    ¡°Watch out for the broken one. I forget my weight sometimes, plus the wood is old and half-rotted.¡±


    Trust.


    Something about him inspired it even though he gave off an aura of danger.


    ¡°My name is Ginessa and thank you for freeing me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome, but it wasn¡¯t an act of charity. I expect you to help us achieve our goals while I can offer the same to you, so long as your goals aren¡¯t evil,¡± the man said lightly. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t have any cursing abilities, do you?¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ in that case, my name is Cal,¡± the man grinned as he turned around and held the door open for her as they ascended into the church, ¡°er¡­ being in a church won¡¯t cause you to burst into flames, right? I had assumed you¡¯d be fine since you¡¯ve been down in the basement for awhile.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s uncomfortable, but no, I won¡¯t burst into flames,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s a mark against the priest that runs this place. Like, it¡¯d be different if the priest was good and true,¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°The priest here is definitely not a good one,¡± Ginessa repressed a shiver at the unpleasant memories that sprang up unbidden.


    A look of sadness and anger flashed across the man, Cal¡¯s face. ¡°You don¡¯t have anything to worry about from him and the rest. Not anymore,¡± he said. ¡°I don¡¯t know about revenge. I can¡¯t say I¡¯d necessarily help you with that. Though it is tempting, maybe at a future date.¡±


    Ginessa nodded. She hadn¡¯t even thought of that. She just wanted to get away. Be free and safe.


    Was that really possibly in this world?


    She followed Cal out into the sun-drenched street with more hope than she¡¯d had in a long time.

 5.8

    Now, Northern Philippines


    Ginessa stared at the map laid out on the table in front of her.


    She felt the heat rising to her face.


    What had the mean-faced woman asked her again?


    ¡°Um¡­ I¡¯m sorry, but what?¡±


    ¡°The aswang village. Where is it? Point¡­ on the map.¡±


    The woman spoke to her as if she were a child.


    She shrank back from the woman¡¯s glare.


    ¡°Ease up, Demi,¡± Cal said.


    Ginessa realized that she had no idea how to read a map. ¡°Are you going to take me back there?¡± she said in a small voice to the man standing next to her. Her savior, Cal.


    He looked confused for a moment. Then he smiled. Ginessa felt palpable kindness radiate from him. It had been so long that it took her a few moments to realize it.


    ¡°Of course not,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°But you freed me for information and¡­¡± she said.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know how to read maps?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Makes sense, you look like you were what? Eight? When the spires showed up.¡± A tall woman in strange-looking armor said from the other side of the table.


    Ginessa couldn¡¯t answer.


    The woman radiated danger.


    ¡°I¡¯m not comfortable with her physically leading us to the village, Cruces. She said that this Gabunan has some kind of hook in her mind.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll know we¡¯re coming if we bring the beauty queen,¡± the third woman in the room finally uttered words.


    ¡°Ginessa¡¯s not doing that. We have a deal,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I can show you, I mean, take you as close as I can and stop if I feel the Elder inside me.¡± Ginessa had a sudden surge of inspiration. ¡°The day! If I take you during the day then it¡¯ll be fine! We don¡¯t have most of our abilities when the sun is out!¡±


    The three women and one man exchanged looks.


    Cal sighed. ¡°We¡¯re attacking at night.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ why?¡± Ginessa couldn¡¯t believe it. Was she wrong about him? About this? Were these people insane?


    Cal held up a hand. ¡°It¡¯s a leveling thing,¡± he shrugged. ¡°To be honest, I¡¯d just as soon wipe the aswangs out myself if what the people in town are saying is true about the kidnapping and eating people thing¡­¡±


    It took a second for Ginessa to realize what the expectant look on Cal¡¯s face meant. She nodded furiously. ¡°Yes¡­ yes. It¡¯s all true.¡±


    ¡°So,¡± the armored woman stared at her with an expressionless gaze, ¡°you partook?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I had no choice.¡± Ginessa kept her eyes on the floor.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Hanna,¡± Cal began, ¡°they made her drink the blood and she never actually murdered anyone. Not to mention that the Gabunan forced this change, this Class on her. Plenty of mitigating circumstances and she¡¯s agreed to help us as a start in making amends for all the aswangs¡¯ victims.¡±


    ¡°And you just happen to know all this for a fact?¡± Hanna said.


    Cal merely nodded.


    ¡°Fine¡­ it¡¯s your call, but I¡¯m keeping my eyes on her.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Hanna,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Great. That¡¯s all nice and heartwarming, but we¡¯ve still got an intel problem if she can¡¯t show us where the village is on the map,¡± the third woman said.


    ¡°Sgt. Butcher is right,¡± Demi said. ¡°We¡¯re not going into the rainforest after a village of bloodsucking shapechangers unless we know exactly where they are.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s another way,¡± Cal said.


    Ginessa heard the reluctance in his voice.


    ¡°Okay. What?¡± Demi spread her hands out.


    ¡°You all have to leave the room,¡± Cal said.


    The three women looked at one another.


    Sgt. Butcher¡¯s face was an impassive mask.


    Hanna shrugged.


    ¡°Fine.¡± Demi let out a long breath. ¡°Good to know that you¡¯re just as frustrating to deal with as always, Cruces,¡± she said in passing as she headed to the door.


    ¡°You know what they say¡­ people don¡¯t really change who they are at their core,¡± Cal said.


    The other two women followed Demi.


    Ginessa turned to leave.


    ¡°Wait. Not you.¡±


    Ginessa felt a spike of fear stab through her chest.


    Was this it?


    Did she screw up her chance at freedom?


    Was Cal going to take her back to her cage?


    His gaze softened.


    ¡°With your consent I have a solution to our problem,¡± Cal said. ¡°I promise I won¡¯t harm you or violate your privacy.¡±


    Ginessa frowned.


    This was weird and creepy.


    Cal sighed. ¡°All you have to do is think of how to get to the village from here. That¡¯s it. Just visualize walking from this house, through the forest, to the village¡­ and maybe around it. Then inside, if you can try to go through the entire place. Every house, hut, or whatever. Secret tunnels, if those are a thing, don¡¯t skip anything.¡±


    ¡°O¡ª Okay,¡± Ginessa said after a long, uncomfortable silence.


    She did as instructed.


    It was difficult at first to focus on what Cal wanted her to imagine.


    Unbidden thoughts continued to flow into her mind and stubbornly refused to release their hooks.


    Dark thoughts.


    Memories of the Elder giving her the ¡®gift¡¯ of the Aswang: Mandurugo Class, even as her parents begged him to take them in her place.


    Memories of what came next¡ª


    Vanished instantly.


    Her parents¡­ what she was forced to¡ª


    Pushed away again more forcefully this time.


    Memories of the years in the village and the evils she had been forced to witness and be a part of.


    The wondrous taste of blood. Oh, how she hated herself for finding it so.


    Memories flowed like a swift river.


    To her capture and the cage beneath a decrepit church and an equally deficient priest.


    Time measured in months.


    A different kind of torture, but one she deserved?


    She had prayed to God for deliverance from the aswang village.


    And he had taken her to more suffering.


    But it was right and just for she had done evil.


    Her very existence was evil.


    How could she be anything else when she required the blood of murder to survive?


    The thought fled her mind as if chased away.


    She felt sudden clarity and a measure of peace.


    For the first time in¡ª she couldn¡¯t remember.


    She began to imagine walking out of the room.


    Down the street.


    Until paved road turned into dirt.


    She left the road and waded into a rice paddy and continued straight into the rainforest.


    There were no discernible trails through the dense undergrowth.


    She walked through it with ease.


    Time seemed to lose all sense of meaning.


    Minutes. Hours. Days.


    She couldn¡¯t say how long it took before she finally reached the clearing carved out of the middle of the rainforest.


    The village was encircled by a stout wood wall. Between that and the aswangs¡¯ abilities most monsters steered clear. Human blood was preferred, but monsters served well enough.


    She entered the village and continued the tour just as Cal had asked.


    Stray thoughts threatened to interrupt, but something kept them away.


    When she finally opened her eyes she felt strangely drained, but her heart felt lighter than it had since before everything.


    ¡°What happened?¡± she said.


    ¡°I think you need therapy,¡± Cal smiled at her.


    She saw pain in his eyes. Could feel it around him.


    ¡°I imagine most people in the post-spires world could do with that,¡± Cal said. ¡°Thank you. You¡¯ve more than fulfilled that part of our deal. Now, we just have to find a safe place for you while we do this Quest.¡±


    The door opened.


    It was Hanna. ¡°You didn¡¯t say anything about her being a prisoner.¡±


    ¡°She wasn¡¯t,¡± Cal said. ¡°There was nothing legal or ethical about what they did to her.¡±


    ¡°Well, whatever. There¡¯s a mob out there and they want her back,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Of course there is,¡± Cal took a deep breath. ¡°Please keep Ginessa safe. I¡¯ll deal with the rabble.¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t have time to get his armor, so when he landed in front of the mob he was only in jeans and a t-shirt.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have to interrupt your planning session, Anak. I¡¯ve got this handled,¡± his father said.


    ¡°Maybe,¡± Cal admitted as he took in the scene.


    A handful of men and women were laid out on the asphalt.


    Some were unconscious.


    Others groaned as they tried and failed to get to their feet.


    Finger tip-sized knots were already formed on their heads.


    ¡°Just a light tap,¡± his father said.


    The rest of the mob, nearly a hundred strong, milled around on the other side of their downed comrades.


    Fear and anger, near hatred, assaulted Cal¡¯s other senses.


    He looked back and noticed that 13th Squad, Rayna¡¯s Rangers, had taken up defensive positions at the first set of abandoned homes they had claimed as a temporary base.


    ¡°What a mess,¡± Cal muttered.


    ¡°Yeah. They want that girl you brought back. Said a lot of things. Unpleasant things,¡± his dad¡¯s eyes went hard.


    Cal followed them to a priest.


    Or was that Priest?


    He recognized the man from Ginessa¡¯s memories.


    ¡°I see the problem,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯ll disperse this.¡±


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Cal stalked straight to the priest.


    ¡°Holy Barrier!¡± the priest shrieked.


    A yellow dome suddenly sprang to life over him, violently knocking those closest to him to the ground.


    ¡°A Class then. Well, the spires could never be accused of having class,¡± Cal smirked.


    The priest merely stared at him with with eyes.


    In fact, no one laughed.


    Cal shook his head. ¡°Well¡­ I already know why you¡¯re here, but you might as well tell me. Straight from the horse¡¯s ass¡­ as the saying goes.¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°Okay¡­ I said that wrong. No one knew that was wrong? I find that hard to believe.¡±


    ¡°You speak with Satan¡¯s tongue, vile sinner, consorting with Satan¡¯s whore,¡± the priest spat.


    ¡°Still not hearing why you¡¯ve got a poorly armed and poorly leveled mob out here,¡± Cal sniffed. ¡°Don¡¯t see any real fighters or soldiers.¡± He scanned the crowd and immediately amended that in his head. There was one and he recognized the man. ¡°C¡¯mon, fake priest. It¡¯s a simple question. Why are you here?¡± he enunciated the last sentence with deliberate care.


    ¡°Sinner! Relinquish Satan¡¯s whore and I will pray for God to forgive you,¡± the priest said, ¡°though, I see the marks of the Devil in your soul and you are destined for Hell¡­ I will still try as is my holy charge.¡±


    ¡°Right¡­ pretty much exactly what I expected.¡±


    Cal stepped up to the glowing yellow barrier and laid a hand on it.


    Telekinetic force shattered it like a stained glass window.


    He grabbed the front of the priest¡¯s robe before the man could utter a word.


    The mob screamed as they scattered back down the road.


    Cal held the priest off the ground. ¡°You even wore your finest robes. What is it with robes and lynching? What makes them go together? Don¡¯t answer that. It¡¯s not important.¡± He regarded the priest. The man stank of sweat, liquor and bacon. The robes were stained, threadbare and torn. Nothing about the priest inspired any sort of holiness. ¡°I guess beggars can¡¯t be choosers. You¡¯re probably the only priest the town¡¯s got. I¡¯m going to make this quick. Ginessa is free. And you better change your ways and pray really hard that I don¡¯t come back for you,¡± he pulled the priest in closer until he was nose to nose with the man, ¡°actually, I¡¯ll come back one day to make sure. You better hope you¡¯ve done enough amending for your many sins by then.¡±


    Cal dropped the man.


    ¡°You, soldier,¡± Cal pointed at the one remaining person standing in the road while the priest ran back to town. ¡°I don¡¯t like torture. It¡¯s a good thing for you that you seem to share that same thought. Cristos, right?¡±


    ¡°She told you.¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t say a word.


    ¡°The Datu isn¡¯t pleased that you freed the aswang,¡± Cristos said.


    ¡°Yeah, well, don¡¯t care. He wants the village dealt with. Ginessa will provide valuable intel for that.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s our prisoner.¡±


    ¡°There was no trial. You just stuck her in a cage.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s a monster. Not human.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a Class. You¡¯ve got one. Are you no longer a human?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s different and you know it,¡± Cristos said.


    Cal had to give it to the man. Calm and collected. He didn¡¯t detect much in the way of fear.


    ¡°Disagree,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°Tell the councilman that Ginessa¡¯s freedom is part of our deal.¡±


    ¡°The Datu isn¡¯t pleased with this underhanded action,¡± Cristos said.


    ¡°Vehicles, fuel and access to purchase supplies. In exchange, we destroy the aswang village,¡± Cal said. ¡°Stick to it and you free your people from nightly terror. Is your datu willing to jeopardize that for one unjustly imprisoned young woman? What would your people do if they found out?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell him what you said.¡± Cristos turned.


    Cal¡¯s dad waited until the soldier was a speck in the distance before speaking. ¡°That guy was ice cold.¡±


    ¡°Special forces soldier when there was still an army. Has it as his Class,¡± Cal said.


    Cal¡¯s dad raised a brow.


    ¡°I did a surface scan. Had to know what sort of potential threat I faced.¡±


    ¡°Are we going to have problems getting what we¡¯re owed?¡± his dad said.


    ¡°Oh no, not at all. They aren¡¯t strong enough to deny us what they promised,¡± Cal said. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I can get the stuff in a relatively bloodless way¡­ if necessary,¡± he said at the troubled expression on his dad¡¯s face.


    <hr>


    Incessant knocking on his door made Justino groan as he pushed himself up off his sleeping mat. The heat and humidity of the rainforest already had him sweating despite the early hour.


    Waking up was always the same. He felt weak. Less than he should¡¯ve been. It was like wearing dark goggles and noise canceling headphones. He saw less, heard less.


    The suns rays peeked through the wooden slats of his small home making him wince with disgust.


    Unpleasant was insufficient to describe the feeling. There was a deeper level of loathing that coiled around his insides at the daylight.


    The same as always.


    He couldn¡¯t wait until night fell.


    Unfortunately, he had duties.


    He had the hardest job in the village.


    Being second in command meant that the daily management role fell on his broad shoulders.


    Porfiro, their leader, had more important matters to deal with at least that¡¯s what he told everyone.


    Justino knew that the old man hated the day more than anyone else.


    He took the time to tie his long black hair into a ponytail and roughly braid his long beard before answering the door.


    ¡°Mr. Justino!¡± the young man said.


    Justino growled, causing the young man to scramble back with wide eyes.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Justino said. ¡°I¡¯m not a morning person. What is it this time?¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Reyes wants to talk to you about her¡ª¡±


    Again.


    Justino waved a hand. ¡°Tell her the answer won¡¯t change just because she pesters me about this once a day.¡±


    ¡°But she¡¯s worri¡ª¡±


    ¡°The Elder won¡¯t give her son the gift until he¡¯s ready and he won¡¯t be until at least five years from now. We have rules here. They must be old enough to accept it of their own free will,¡± Justino repeated the rote statement.


    ¡°She¡¯s worried about how some of the others look at her son at night,¡± the young man said.


    ¡°Mrs. Reyes is new here. Ask her how many of the young ones get so much as a scratch.¡±


    ¡°None,¡± the young man said.


    ¡°Of course. Because we¡¯re all family here and family doesn¡¯t hurt family.¡±


    ¡°Okay, sir. I¡¯ll tell her.¡±


    ¡°Good boy,¡± Justino patted the young man on the shoulder and sent him on his way.


    The rest of the morning went much the same way as it always had.


    Justino went through the village making sure that the young ones were, indeed, without a scratch. It had never happened and he meant to keep it that way.


    Some of the inhabitants could lose themselves in the night, especially if they didn¡¯t have their meal upon changing. Such people he had made sure to assign homes on the outer edges of the village close to the wooden wall that encircled it. They could get at little¡­ out of control, but he made sure to impress his strength upon the rowdiest to keep them in line.


    Porfiro was their unquestioned leader, but he was more of detached grandfather.


    Justino was the iron-handed father.


    Thus, did he spend the early morning hours.


    He adjudicated a dispute between two neighbors over mingling chickens.


    There was an angry, but respectful, question concerning the share from the previous night¡¯s haul.


    He checked the diesel generators scattered throughout the village.


    Mrs. Reyes managed to track him down around midmorning. She had her son with her. The poor boy couldn¡¯t get away from her skirt. She was like a mother hen brooding over her one surviving chick.


    Justino tried to keep that in mind as he simply glared at her until she quailed and moved away.


    Still, he took the time to ruffle the boy¡¯s perfectly combed hair.


    Perhaps it was time to force Mrs. Reyes to cut the cord.


    The boy was more than old enough to start training.


    As far as Justino was concerned it was never to0 early to learn how to fight. This was truer in the post-spires world than it had ever been in the old days.


    Lunch time seemed to come too quickly.


    The sun rose high in the sky.


    The heat had grown to a truly oppressive nastiness that had Justino discard his thin shirt.


    He ate a quick lunch of hard-boiled eggs, fried longonisa, diced tomato and onions, along with a generous helping of rice. He used to love this meal. Now, not so much. The taste was muted. It still filled his belly, which he had learned was important if he wanted more control after nightfall.


    Dinner was the only meal that the majority of the village¡¯s inhabitants looked forward to.


    The afternoon was much the same as the morning.


    Mundane work.


    As the sun slowly dipped over the horizon, Justino began to feel more alive. His senses tingled. Energy began to course through his body.


    He did one last circuit of the village in the hour before dark to make sure everything was in place and that everyone had what they needed.


    With that done he went back to his small home and pulled out the glass of thick, red liquid from the small fridge.


    Dinner with the setting sun.


    Just like always.


    The Justino that emerged a few minutes later was different.


    Oh, he looked the same.


    A wiry man of indeterminate age with brown skin tanned darker by a lifetime of exposure to the tropical sun. Long black hair and beard no longer tied, but allowed to flow as if a gentle breeze was constantly blowing. He went shirtless and only wore a tattered pair of ancient jean shorts and a pair of flimsy slippers.


    The difference was in his demeanor.


    His eyes were hungry, always moving, searching. He prowled through the village¡¯s dirt paths. The other people he encountered looked at him with wary eyes, inclining their heads as they got out of his way.


    They knew his strength.


    They could feel it.


    Justino made straight for a thick-walled structure near the center of the village.


    A piercing cry echoed from somewhere out in the dark rainforest.


    No bird could ever make such a sound.


    Justino felt pride.


    Their hunters would be back later with more sustenance.


    He could hardly wait.


    But, for now, he had a more important matter to focus on.


    Questions and answers were needed and perhaps a chance to satiate the voice in his head calling for blood.


    ¡°Ready for the fun, boss?¡± Ramon met him at the door. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to bleed these fools!¡±


    Justino regarded the stocky, rough-looking young man.


    The smile disappeared from Ramon¡¯s face. ¡°I mean¡­ after we get what we need. Definitely not before then.¡±


    Justino nodded before turning to the second person standing at the door.


    The attractive, light-skinned woman¡¯s human appearance was a stark contrast to her true form.


    ¡°Fres, shouldn¡¯t you be on the hunt with your group?¡± Justino said flatly.


    ¡°I captured those two in there. I deserve to be one of the first to taste them. After the Elder and you of course,¡± she inclined her head just enough that it wasn¡¯t disrespectful.


    Justino controlled the urge to strike her.


    Fres had been one of the biggest thorns in his side. Barely in control of herself, but still she was useful to the village, the strongest among her kind.


    ¡°I decide who partakes,¡± Justino said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about the Headhunter, but I¡¯ve never had baglan blood.¡± There was unmistakable hunger in Fres¡¯ face.


    Justino realized that she was close to the edge.


    ¡°Baglan? I thought the tall one was a babaylan?¡± Ramon added.


    ¡°It¡¯s the same thing, you corpse eater!¡± Fres snapped.


    Ramon averted his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s what we like the best,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Enough, Fres!¡± Justino growled. His long hair suddenly fell still.


    Perhaps sensing danger Fres fixed her gaze to the ground.


    ¡°Depending on how the interrogation goes you can have a taste, but you¡¯ll wait outside. I can¡¯t have you messing this up.¡±


    Justino didn¡¯t bother to wait for a reply. He simply went into the structure and was promptly greeted by the sweet scent of blood and guts.


    The interior was one large room with several cages set against the walls with chains dangling from the ceiling.


    Spilled blood and other things had been allowed to dry and decay where they fell during prior interrogations. Not only did they make the space pleasant, but they aided in loosening the tongues of the enemy prey.


    Two of which occupied separate cages on opposite sides of the room.


    ¡°Aswang!¡± the taller captive hissed.


    The young man had been forced to hunch over in the tight confines of the cage. He muttered something under his breath and moved his hands.


    ¡°You won¡¯t find any spirits that would obey you on this ground, baglan,¡± Justino said.


    ¡°You fuckers need to stop calling me that, I¡¯m a Shaman!¡± the young man spat.


    ¡°That¡¯s his actual Class. I know it¡¯s all basically the same thing. Different dialects and all, but please be respectful of his identity choices,¡± the other young man said.


    This one was a head shorter than the Shaman. The sides of his head had been shaved, but fuzz had began to grow in his day-long captivity. The long hair on the top of his head was wild. He had probably lost the tie that kept it in place in the fight that had seen them captured.


    Justino could sympathize.


    A little.


    ¡°You¡¯re my enemy. You¡¯d destroy me and everyone I¡¯ve sworn to protect. How many of our heads would you add to your belt given the opportunity?¡± Justino said. ¡°You¡¯re blood and meat. I see nothing to respect.¡±


    ¡°Yessir, but that¡¯s what happens when you take our people and eat them,¡± the Headhunter said lightly.


    ¡°Will you be as arrogant when I start bleeding you?¡±


    ¡°Why haven¡¯t you started?¡± the Shaman said. ¡°The manananggal brought us in last night. Why keep us all day and wait till now?¡±


    ¡°I have questions.¡±


    The Headhunter laughed. ¡°Nope. You¡¯re not getting anything. We¡¯re dead anyways. You monsters can get sick on my diseased blood and choke on my especially hard and pointy bones.¡±


    ¡°Yes, your lives are over, but manner of your deaths has yet to be decided,¡± Justino said.


    ¡°Easy or hard, right?¡± the Shaman said. ¡°We¡¯d just have to betray our people to you monsters to avoid the latter. No deal. Even if you torture us it¡¯ll end eventually. I can deal with that if it keeps my soul clean.¡±


    ¡°Spoken like a punk kid who hasn¡¯t seen true pain and suffering,¡± Justino said as an involuntary grin split his mouth. The hungry voice in his head had grown louder while he had stood in close proximity to fresh, warm blood and flesh. He silenced it with an effort lest he fall guilty to the same lack of control that he had accused Fres of. ¡°Torture wastes blood and makes your meat tough and stringy. I¡¯d rather put you to sleep before slitting your throat. It¡¯s best for everyone involved. Just answer my questions and none of us waste our time and energy in an ultimately pointless exercise.¡±


    ¡°No chance, monster,¡± the Headhunter spat.


    Surprisingly accurate.


    The spittle struck Justino in the face.


    He snarled and rushed the cage, barely stopping himself in time.


    More effort expended for self control.


    He wiped the spit.


    ¡°Are you so desperate to have an ugly ending to your young lives?¡± Justino said.


    ¡°More like a noble, self-sacrificing one,¡± the Headhunter smirked.


    ¡°Fucking punks,¡± Justino muttered. ¡°Very well. Maybe you¡¯ll change your minds after I¡¯ve¡­ changed.¡±


    A barrage of images and emotions hammered into Justino¡¯s thoughts.


    ¡°Elder¡­ attack¡­¡± he whispered.


    It was too disjointed, not at all like the usual way the Elder alerted him whenever there was an impending monster attack.


    He left the two young men with a snarl before barging out of the structure.


    ¡°We¡¯re under attack,¡± Fres said with an eager gleam in her eyes.


    ¡°I got the Elder¡¯s message too¡­ I think,¡± Ramon scratched his head.


    ¡°Fres, take your fliers out and find whatever is about to attack. Widening circular pattern around the village. Spread out for full coverage. Ramon, ring the bell. Tell them I want people on the walls watching every direction,¡± Justino said.


    Fres changed into her razor-winged form, trailing bloody entrails as she left the lower half of her body behind while she soared into the sky, screeching.


    Answering calls came shortly after as other shapes flew up to join her.


    Ramon ran off with one last nod.


    Justino remained in the center.


    The Elder didn¡¯t know where the attack was coming from.


    That had never happened before.


    Unease spread through Justino¡¯s gut, twirling around the current of eagerness that came with the bloodlust from anticipation.


    He remembered his main purpose.


    To protect the family.


    All the better that he could feed without guilt while doing so.

 5.9

    Now, Manila


    The attacks began as soon as they left the protective range of Lilah¡¯s wards.


    Eron got a mouthful of slimy tentacle as a fog monster wrapped it around his head. He bulled forward and bit down. Speed, strength and superhuman bite force got him free at the cost of tasting foul meat and liquid.


    He couldn¡¯t understand how a fog-made copy of whatever horrible monster that was had a taste.


    He shook his head free of the torn tentacle and frantically spat out the remains.


    His legs pumped as he pulled the truck behind him.


    More monsters appeared out of the fog in front of him.


    All he could do was lower his shoulder and keep moving.


    Claws and teeth tore his clothing and left shallow slices on his super-tough skin.


    Massive paws bludgeoned him.


    He barely dodged a hoof the size of his torso as it kicked out from what seemed to be nothing.


    The thick chains went slack for a moment as the hoof struck the side of the truck.


    Madalena cursed Eron from the driver¡¯s seat as she frantically struggled to keep the truck from spinning out of control. She had to be careful to keep her strength under control lest she break the steering wheel.


    ¡°Are you trying to throw me off!¡± Cherry hissed.


    The silver-haired woman stood in the truck bed. The fingers of her left hand were dug deep into the roof while she fired of dark bolts of magic into the fog.


    ¡°I will if you don¡¯t watch those pointy fingers of yours!¡± Madalena snapped.


    ¡°Well, drive better so I don¡¯t have to hold on so tight! Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know that you¡¯d take the opportunity to get rid of m¡ª¡± Cherry glanced to her right. She ducked just in time to avoid an enormous crab-like claw as it scythed out of the fog. She cursed. She couldn¡¯t survive decapitation.


    Three dog-like monsters leapt out of the fog.


    Cherry grinned.


    Those she could deal with.


    She spread her fingers out wide and speared each monster as they snapped misshapen, teeth-filled maws.


    Not even close.


    She retracted her fingers and reshaped them back to normal from the long, blade-like forms to have a taste of the monster blood.


    Awful, but useful in replenishing what she was expending.


    She made sure to thoroughly clean all traces.


    ¡°Jesus! You are a disgusting monster!¡± Madalena snarled.


    ¡°What?¡± Cherry said.


    ¡°I can hear you slurping from in here!¡±


    ¡°You should be thanking me, you graceless cow,¡± Cherry said mildly. ¡°I¡¯m keeping the monsters from tearing you to pieces.¡±


    ¡°The two of you need to stop and focus!¡± Eron bellowed. ¡°Shi¡ª¡±


    An overturned jeepney was on its side in the middle of the road.


    No time or space to go around.


    Eron plowed into it sending the rusted vehicle careening to one side into the ruins of a building.


    ¡°Ouch.¡±


    He missed not really feeling pain.


    Monsters assaulted them every step of the way south to the sanctuary.


    Two-thirds of the group were bloodied, battered and tired by the time they finally skidded to a stop right next to the faintly glowing sigil on the side of the building.


    The hotel driveway was clear aside from a small shuttle at the other end, just as Eron had left it from the last time he had been here.


    ¡°It¡¯s weakening,¡± Cherry said.


    ¡°No it isn¡¯t.¡± Madalena had to punch the dented truck door off to get out. ¡°It¡¯s still lit up. That means it¡¯s working and in case you didn¡¯t notice the fog is keeping its distance,¡± she scowled at Cherry.


    ¡°Who¡¯s the magical one here?¡± Cherry scoffed. She turned to Eron, who had just unwrapped the chains from his body to join the two women. ¡°That sigil is the main one right?¡±


    Eron nodded.


    ¡°Well, I can sense the magic in it weakening, which means¡ª¡±


    ¡°The lesser ones might already be out,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Does that mean the fog might already be in the hotel?¡± Madalena rushed to the entrance.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Eron chased after her. ¡°They¡¯ll know to stay close to the main sigil,¡± he pulled her back to take the lead, ¡°still we¡¯d better hurry.¡±


    The hotel lobby was already occupied.


    Relief.


    Their people had gathered and from the looks of the packs and bags they had with them were ready to go.


    ¡°We followed the drill just like you said,¡± a middle-aged man said with obvious relief as soon as he saw Eron.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Eron said.


    ¡°The fog got in from the back of the hotel and above, but most of us don¡¯t stay too far away from the main sigil out front, so¡­¡± the man looked away.


    ¡°Most?¡± Eron did a quick head count.


    There were only eight people.


    From young to old.


    A disparate mix of survivors.


    Two missing.


    Young men. The fighters in the group.


    ¡°A few of us were too slow. Noy and Junior gave them time.¡±


    Eron fixed the faces of the brave young men into his memories.


    Two more gone.


    His responsibility and failure.


    Eron took a deep breath. ¡°Alright, obviously it isn¡¯t safe here. So, we¡¯re getting you out of here. It¡¯s not going to be a fun ride, but I promise we¡¯ll do everything we can to keep you safe.¡±


    A loud crash from outside interrupted him.


    Followed by the ear-wrenching sound of metal being torn.


    Something big and heavy crashed through the lobby¡¯s wide window.


    People screamed as a dark shadow descended on them.


    Madalena threw herself in front of the people.


    Cherry¡¯s suddenly long fingers pulled the two smallest children to her.


    Eron was faster.


    He leapt in front of the object and caught it. He was surprised to find himself holding an engine.


    Realization hit him a split-second later.


    His stomach sank.


    The engine cracked the tile as it hit the floor.


    Numbly, Eron walked to the window, Madalena a few steps behind.


    Their truck was an unrecognizable heap.


    It was surrounded by the shades of their family.


    One stood a top the broken heap.


    ¡°Vern, how could you?¡± Madalena whispered.


    A look of pain and shame flashed across the young man¡¯s face, but it hardened. ¡°I¡¯m not really happy to see you here, cousin. You shouldn¡¯t be around him.¡±


    ¡°Run, Maddie,¡± another of the shades pleaded. ¡°It¡¯s too late for Eron and the others, but i¡ª¡± she struggled, but it seemed that she couldn¡¯t bring herself to continue.


    ¡°Auntie¡­¡± Madalena¡¯s eyes began to water as her voice wavered.


    ¡°I think the fog means to take me and the people, but you may be free to go,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Or it¡¯s a trick meant to get you out on your own when you run away,¡± Cherry¡¯s voice whispered in Madalena¡¯s ear.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere,¡± Madalena¡¯s voice firmed. ¡°I don¡¯t want to fight you, but I will!¡±


    ¡°None us wants to fight you, Maddie,¡± Vern said. ¡°Only a few of us actually wants to fight him,¡± he jabbed a finger at Eron, ¡°I definitely do.¡±


    ¡°Perfect, we can deal then. I¡¯ll stay and fight. You let everyone else go,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°What?¡± Madalena hissed.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to push, one of the others can drive and Cherry will keep the monsters off your backs,¡± Eron whispered.


    ¡°With what? Our truck is gone.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t the two of you back away from the window?¡±


    A pair of delicate hands caressed the backs of Eron¡¯s and Madalena¡¯s necks.


    They both flinched, but did as asked.


    Eron shook his head. ¡°What was that all about, Cherry?¡± he stared into the impossibly beautiful woman¡¯s eyes before remembering to fix his gaze on her forehead.


    ¡°You¡¯re so in a rush to punch fists,¡± Cherry shook her head, sending her luscious hair cascading around her like a shining waterfall.


    Madalena made the sign of the cross.


    To which Cherry rolled her eyes.


    ¡°The sigil is still glowing. The shades are keeping their distance,¡± Cherry explained.


    ¡°I told the Doc to get Lilah to drop her connection no longer than fifteen minutes from when we left,¡± Eron said. ¡°That¡¯s assuming she can even hold it that long. It could drop at any moment.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got two, maybe three minutes left,¡± Madalena checked her watch.


    Eron made a quick decision.


    ¡°Here¡¯s our plan.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°I should just leave you all,¡± Cherry said.


    Madalena shot her a venomous look. ¡°Go ahead. We don¡¯t need you. Besides, you¡¯ll finally be where you belong after the fog takes you.¡±


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°You mean with the rest of your family?¡± Cherry smiled sweetly.


    ¡°Just shut up and do it!¡± Madalena snapped. She noticed the looks the other people were giving them, so she lowered her voice. ¡°Are you sure you can do this right?¡±


    Cherry extended her right index finger, lengthening and sharpening it. ¡°The wall might as well be butter, but¡­ I don¡¯t know much about magic. It¡¯s more of an instinctual thing with my Class.¡±


    ¡°Hurry it up!¡± Madalena urged. She chanced a quick look out the window. Eron was taking a beating to buy them time for this desperate gambit.


    ¡°I have to be careful. I have no idea if this will even work. For all we know the sigil¡¯s magic will go out once I cut the piece out of the wall.¡±


    ¡°Just do it! It could go die at any moment and we need to cover as much road as possible before that happens.¡±


    ¡°We won¡¯t get far.¡± Cherry¡¯s face was a mask of concentration as she traced a rough circle around the area marked by the sigil on the other side of the wall. Her innate sense of magic-related things guided her hand. ¡°Get ready to catch it.¡±


    Cherry completed the cut and pulled.


    Madalena carefully caught the chunk of wall. She turned it around and to their great relief the sigil still glowed, if weakly.


    ¡°Alright, people. Let¡¯s go. Everyone follow me.¡± Madalena held the sigil like a shield as she rushed out of the hotel lobby and into the driveway.


    A shade of a relative noticed them and moved to intercept.


    When he got within five feet he suddenly stopped. ¡°You better hurry, Maddie. I can feel that weakening by the second,¡± he said.


    Madalena urged the people into the shuttle before thrusting the sigil-bearing chunk of wall inside after them. ¡°You know the way right?¡±


    ¡°Y¡ª Y¡ª Yeah. I think so,¡± the unlucky designated driver said.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, I¡¯ll yell out directions if he gets lost, but you won¡¯t get lost, right?¡± Cherry flashed the poor man a sharp-toothed smile before climbing up to the shuttle¡¯s roof. ¡°I¡¯m going to need a lot to drink after this,¡± she sighed beneath her breath.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be pushing. Just hit the brakes if you want me to slow down or stop,¡± Madalena said.


    She hurried to the rear of the vehicle.


    This was going to be impossible.


    She couldn¡¯t see and she wasn¡¯t as strong as Eron. There was no way she was going to be able to move the shuttle as fast he would¡¯ve. It meant that the sigil¡¯s ability to keep the fog at bay would definitely run out before they got to safety. With her pushing she wouldn¡¯t be able to do much to help defend the people from the eventual attacks.


    That meant their lives depended on Cherry.


    Madalena doubted that the aswang had the power and the will. It was more likely that Cherry would flee as soon as her life was in danger.


    She cursed herself for agreeing to Eron¡¯s plan.


    One last glance back saw Eron¡¯s face being ground into the asphalt by her sweet auntie¡­ no, not her auntie, only a ghost created by the fog to torment her.


    Still.


    The look on her auntie¡¯s face, had Madalena thinking.


    There was anguish.


    Real.


    It reminded Madalena of when her uncle had passed away in the pre-spires days.


    Her auntie had been inconsolable for months.


    Madalena saw emotion akin to that.


    ¡°What are you waiting for?¡± Cherry hissed. ¡°The sigil is weakening!¡±


    Madalena tore her gaze away as her auntie pulled Eron¡¯s head back so one of her cousins could punt him in the face. ¡°Damn it!¡± she leaned into the back of the shuttle and pushed.


    <hr>


    Eron lost a tooth.


    He was about to lose another but he pushed himself up off the ground and twenty feet into the air with a desperate burst of strength.


    His cousin¡¯s second kicked whiffed


    His aunt¡¯s knee was dislodged from his spine.


    He was free.


    And now that he could see Madalena pushing the shuttle down the street at what looked to be a respectable pace he no longer had to play punching bag for his numerous relatives.


    ¡°Nice try, nephew, but they won¡¯t get far. The girl¡¯s magic is about to stop working.¡±


    ¡°A chance is better than no chance,¡± Eron spat a glob of blood, ¡°I¡¯ve learned that.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s good that you try so hard, so selflessly for others. Your father would be proud.¡±


    Eron thought for a moment. If he recalled correctly this aunt was his dad¡¯s cousin. He felt a little guilty that he didn¡¯t really know the Philippine branch of his family tree. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Aunt, but he¡¯d be disappointed if he knew what you guys have been doing. I mean, if this is really ¡®you¡¯ and not some fog-made copy.¡±


    Tears glistened in the shade¡¯s eyes and made Eron feel bad.


    ¡°You might be right,¡± his aunt began, ¡°I can¡¯t say everything I¡¯d want to say¡­ but I feel,¡± she tapped her chest, ¡°it hurts me to do this. To you, to innocent people. And I remember,¡± she tapped her head, ¡°I remember the only time that I met you. You were two or three. It¡¯s been so long,¡± she smiled sadly. ¡°I think you got carsick on the drive up. The roads were twisty. I was so excited to finally meet you and your brothers that I couldn¡¯t wait and I took you from your Kuya Calmin as soon as the van door slid open. I guess I was too excited and spun you around too fast. You promptly vomited all over the two of us.¡±


    Eron choked. ¡°I¡ª I¡¯ve been told that story so many times.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what I truly am. Maybe you¡¯re right and I¡¯m just the sad remains of that woman, but if I feel and remember¡­¡±


    ¡°Then there isn¡¯t that much of a distinction,¡± Eron sighed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Tita Rosalita¡­ but that doesn¡¯t change anything. I won¡¯t let the fog take more people.¡±


    ¡°I know and that fills me with hope even if the rest of us have none. Fight your hardest because we have to.¡±


    Eron heard footsteps.


    He ducked.


    A leg whipped the hair on his head.


    He lashed out with a clumsy sweep.


    A body hit the ground with a thud.


    ¡°Vernardo, you dick,¡± Eron said.


    Eron¡¯s cousin launched himself from the ground like a missile.


    A hard head slammed into Eron¡¯s face.


    The crunch of his nose watered Eron¡¯s eyes, as another tooth went flying.


    Vern wasn¡¯t on Eron¡¯s level physically, but without his true power, Eron was far from invulnerable. They could hurt him.


    ¡°Fuck you, man!¡± Vern punched Eron in the gut. ¡°You should¡¯ve come here as soon as you learned how to fly. Could¡¯ve helped fight the fog. Could¡¯ve saved everyone from this hell!¡±


    Vern grabbed the back of Eron¡¯s neck and pulled down.


    Eron crossed his arms.


    The impact of Vern¡¯s knee jarred him like a rattle.


    ¡°But no, all you Americans think you¡¯re so much better than us,¡± Vern aimed another knee.


    Eron slammed his arms down on the crooks of Vern¡¯s elbows while pulling his head back.


    The knee grazed his forehead.


    Eron swung blindly to create space. He needed to clear the tears from his eyes. ¡°You¡¯ve got it all wrong!¡± he spat.


    ¡°Man, you didn¡¯t even recognize most of us!¡± Vern snapped Eron¡¯s head back with a one. Then hit him with a two as his head snapped back.


    The twice struck broken nose sent throbbing waves of pain through Eron.


    He jumped back to gain space and crashed through the hotel wall.


    He wiped at his eyes frantically while he continued to scramble back. He could feel his relatives closing in.


    Another wall stopped him just as he cleared the last of his tears.


    Just in time to see Vern¡¯s incoming fist.


    Eron slipped his head to the side.


    Vern was trapped elbow-deep in the lobby wall.


    Eron punched him in the stomach. Then in the side of the head.


    Vern wobbled a moment, but recovered quickly. He ripped his arm free in a shower of splinters that had Eron reflexively turning his head away.


    A mistake.


    Two quick, accurate punches landed on the side of Eron¡¯s head.


    He swung back. Only to hit air.


    Another punch landed on his ribs.


    Followed by one to side of his lower back.


    He grunted with the pain. He hoped that he wouldn¡¯t end up pissing blood later. Assuming he managed to get out of this.


    Eron turned and threw his fists in a blur of sheer speed and power, rather than proper technique.


    It was telling that Vern managed to bob and weave his way through them untouched, before angling to Eron¡¯s left to land a few more blows before shuffling around Eron¡¯s back to disengage.


    ¡°Fuck, you suck. Garbage technique. I¡¯d have laid you out if you weren¡¯t so much tougher,¡± Vern smirked.


    Eron grunted.


    His cousin wasn¡¯t wrong. He had neglected to develop his fighting skills. The problem had been that there wasn¡¯t any human-sized or shaped opponent that presented any sort of threat in a fist-fighting way when he had his full power. The only things that had been a threat were monsters and other worst things that didn¡¯t fight as a person did.


    Sure, he had punched and kicked and kneed many of those things, but he had also been mostly invulnerable and had heat vision, amongst a small, but powerful selection of abilities to rely on.


    The fog had shown him the error of his ways.


    He had resolved months ago to work on his fighting skills and perhaps start carrying weapons, just in case.


    But that was for the future.


    First, he needed to keep his relatives occupied long enough for the shuttle to drive back to the main sanctuary.


    Then and only then could he run away.


    ¡°Well, Vern,¡± Eron began. ¡°You¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Vernardo to you!¡± Vern snapped.


    ¡°Do you have to be so petty? I was going to complement you.¡± Eron eyed his other relatives as they appeared out of the fog, but kept their distance. He noticed that his Tita Rosalita stood in the back with a sad look on her face. He also noticed that several faces were missing. ¡°Wait¡ª where are Tito Carlos, Tito Novy and Tita Lu?¡±


    Vern opened his mouth then shut it abruptly.


    Eron eyed him. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me they¡¯re going to jump me from behind. Tita Rosalita?¡±


    His aunt just stared at him.


    ¡°No help? I really felt like we made a connection back there,¡± he gave a gap-toothed smile.


    ¡°It¡¯s too late for that, for us,¡± Tita Rosalita shook her head.


    ¡°Maybe¡­ maybe not. We live in a world of powers and magic now. I¡¯ve seen some things out there,¡± Eron shrugged. ¡°There¡¯s always a chance. No matter how small or unlikely.¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Vern snapped. ¡°You want to know where they are? They¡¯re busy.¡±


    ¡°Wait? I¡¯m a lesser priority?¡±


    Vern sneered.


    Eron decided that could be good news or bad news.


    Those three were the strongest from both sides of his family.


    If they were needed elsewhere to deal with someone or something stronger than him¡­


    ¡°A chance!¡± Eron smiled. He raised his fists. ¡°I¡¯ve had enough of a break. Let¡¯s continue.¡±


    Vern entered into range behind a probing jab. He caught Eron flinching and landed a straight to the stomach.


    Eron had learned enough to keep his core tight and the punch didn¡¯t get through hard muscle. He countered with a hook.


    Vern ducked it and landed his own hook to Eron¡¯s ribs.


    That one hurt.


    The two cousins traded blows while the rest of their relatives kept their distance, content to watch.


    Eron was at a skill disadvantage.


    For every punch he landed on Vern, he took three or four in return.


    What he did have was an edge in strength, speed and durability.


    It was like a heavyweight fighting a welterweight.


    Vern couldn¡¯t take the exchanges forever. He slowed as each rare hit he took sapped his stamina and concentration.


    Eron caught Vern flat-footed and cracked him with a punch to the temple.


    Vern¡¯s legs wobbled and he did a funny dance right before he dropped to the floor.


    Eron advanced on his cousin.


    Vern was still corporeal. One good kick and he¡¯d dissipate back into the fog.


    Eron tried not to think of it as killing Vern. Which it really wasn¡¯t, since the shades kept coming back.


    ¡°Sorry about this,¡± Eron raised his foot and stomped down.


    Only for a red-colored forcefield to take the blow.


    It shattered, but it had provided enough of a deflection to send Eron¡¯s boot crushing the floor tiles rather than Vern¡¯s head.


    ¡°Oh, now you jump in,¡± Eron huffed as Vern rolled away and vanished back into the fog.


    The rest of Eron¡¯s relatives moved in.


    One generated sharp forcefields along her arms and legs. She whirled around Eron like a rabid squirrel, slicing his already tattered clothes and adding dozens of paper cut-like slashes all over his body.


    He threw his arm out and felt a satisfying crunch that turned his relative back into mist.


    He didn¡¯t have time to feel guilty or celebrate as another landed on him from above.


    This one tried to crush Eron into the floor with a flat, rectangular forcefield generated from his hand.


    The relatives on his mom¡¯s side of the family didn¡¯t have a significant amount of super strength. It was easy enough for Eron to throw this one off.


    The man crashed into the ceiling and also vanished into mist.


    Eron rolled just in time to avoid a spiked ball of glowing light bigger than his head slam down into the floor.


    The ball continued to roll after him so he punched it with all his might.


    A loud scream echoed through the lobby before abruptly stopping.


    Eron winced as he shook his hand.


    That had hurt.


    Eron regarded the dozen or so remaining shades of his once family advancing on him from all direction.


    How much time had he wasted?


    A few minutes?


    More?


    How far had the shuttle traveled in that time?


    Had they been able to fight off the fog monsters without him?


    Too many unknowns.


    Stay or go?


    The shades outnumbered him, but they weren¡¯t individually strong compared to him.


    It had always been one of the three missing uncles and aunt that had always given him trouble or outright beat him up.


    They weren¡¯t present.


    Eron decided.


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry about this,¡± he shrugged.


    He attacked and held nothing back.


    The shades of his family did the same.


    Whether it was by their own will or whatever in the fog that had captured or copied them. They fought with a viciousness and determination that didn¡¯t fit their kindly and average appearances.


    One even tried to rip Eron¡¯s ear off with her teeth.


    While another sought to tear his most valuable possessions with a claw-like forcefield around her hand.


    Sweet, old Tita Rosalita dropped kicked him in the spine.


    In turn, he grabbed her around the ankles and used her to bludgeon the others back into mist.


    Not his finest moment and one he wouldn¡¯t ever tell another soul.


    In the end only one person remained.


    Bloodied, bruised and missing teeth, Eron stood, half-naked, in a devastated hotel lobby surrounded by the unnatural silence of the gray fog.


    Wearily, he headed back the way he had come.


    His one hope was that he wouldn¡¯t come across a broken and empty shuttle on the road back to sanctuary.

 5.10

    Now, Northern Philippines


    A cloudless night sky was an advantage as far as Sgt. Butcher was concerned. Her ranger squad didn¡¯t have night vision like the aswangs, if Ginessa could be believed. For her part, the sergeant wasn¡¯t too sure about trusting the word of another aswang, even if she did a great job looking like a poor, abused, doe-eyed princess.


    Still, Cal had vouched for Ginessa.


    And whatever power Rayna¡¯s brother had, the sergeant was willing to stake the lives of her squad and her own on it.


    13th Squad moved through the thick forest in total silence thanks to a spell from their newest addition.


    The young man, Fin, was creepy as shit, but he had spells no one else did.


    Nothing bothered them as they followed Ginessa¡¯s directions.


    No mutated animals.


    No monsters.


    Just like Cal had promised.


    It was almost a nice, peaceful hike.


    Sure, it was through a dark rainforest without the benefit of maintained trails and their ultimate destination was a village of bloodsuckers and flesh eaters.


    In the middle of wilderness, no less.


    Like something out of a horror story.


    Sergeant Butcher wasn¡¯t fooled by the silence and the ease of their approach. She was on high alert, as was her squad.


    They knew that any competent group would surely have sentries and patrols ranging the outer perimeter of their settlement.


    Ginessa wasn¡¯t much help on that account. All the girl had known was that winged aswangs constantly flew in and out of the village at night time. Some came back with nothing, while others brought¡­ prey.


    A shudder ran up the sergeant¡¯s back.


    She signaled a halt with a gesture.


    Something in her gut worried her.


    She missed One-eye.


    The Rogue had been the only member of 13th Squad with Danger Sense. Her loss against that twisted cult mage hurt them all in many ways.


    Sgt. Butcher tapped Fin on the shoulder and mimed zipping her lips.


    ¡°Yeah, my spell is in effect. No sounds are getting out beyond a ten foot radius from me,¡± Fin said.


    ¡°Kid, that may be true, but you¡¯re still being too loud as fuck for my tastes. Creepy ass jungle,¡± Mouthy spat.


    ¡°Bet you¡¯d just love something like that¡­ an ass jungle,¡± Chains smirked and took a puff from her ever-present pipe.


    ¡°Can¡¯t put that past a post-spires world,¡± Hardhat said.


    Sgt. Butcher let her squad debate the issue. They were nervous and the banter was a good distraction. She didn¡¯t want the nerves to turn into fear. She beckoned Smores over. ¡°You¡¯re my best Mage. Are you sensing anything? These aswangs are supposed to be inherently magical.¡±


    ¡°Nothing yet. I mean that Ginessa girl did give off a magical feeling,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll bet she did¡­ right where the sun don¡¯t shine,¡± Two-toes snickered.


    ¡°I¡¯m convinced the attraction had its basis in some kind of consistent low-level magical effect. Like a charm aura or something along those lines,¡± Smores reddened.


    ¡°Ain¡¯t nothing to be ashamed off me and Aims got the same whammy and we only saw her from a distance,¡± Catscratch said.


    ¡°Shit, same here and I¡¯m not into chicks,¡± Mouthy said.


    A glare from Sgt. Butcher had the rest of the rangers returning to their previous discussion.


    ¡°Sorry, sarge,¡± Smores shrugged, ¡°I¡¯m not sensing any magic aside from him,¡± he regarded Fin with barely disguised suspicion, ¡°and his magic is¡­ odd. Maybe it¡¯s causing some kind of interference.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a Silence spell,¡± Fin bristled.


    ¡°I could try walking ahead. Out of the area of effect,¡± Smores volunteered.


    Though the sergeant knew the look in the young man¡¯s eyes said that was the last thing he wanted to do.


    ¡°Too risky. We know where we¡¯re going. We¡¯ll just have to continue. Listen up,¡± she raised her voice, ¡°my gut¡¯s doing flips and spins. Tells me we¡¯re about to step in the shit if we haven¡¯t already. Be ready for anything.¡±


    The joking rangers sobered immediately and with grim-faced nods they continued onward to a monstrous village that they somehow knew exactly how to reach.


    They had barely gone a few hundred yards when they spotted a flash of white fluttering through the trees ahead.


    ¡°Looked like a sheet or a dress,¡± Aims said.


    Sgt. Butcher trusted his eyes. ¡°Get ready. Catscratch, I want a taunt as soon as whatever that thing attacks.¡±


    The rangers formed up.


    Fighters on the outside, surrounding the mages and ranged.


    ¡°This salt shit better work,¡± Mouthy muttered as she plunged her free hand into the pouch at her belt.


    ¡°It¡¯ll work!¡± Hardhat hissed.


    ¡°I¡¯d feel better if we had tried it on that prissy bitch!¡± Mouthy snapped back.


    ¡°They need to be in their transformed state for the salt to truly work. Therefore, only at night time,¡± Smores said. ¡°Testing it on Ginessa in her human form during the day wouldn¡¯t have yielded definitive results, which would¡¯ve only made you more skeptical.¡±


    An inhuman scream cut through the dark rainforest.


    ¡°Above!¡± Fin roared.


    The young man raised his hands and a bright ball of flame shot up.


    The light illuminated a new kind of nightmare. Something, someone, that looked more terrifying than any of the monsters they had fought before.


    A woman¡¯s face.


    An over-sized mouth filled with knife-like teeth.


    A long, sinuous tongue that lashed wildly about.


    Razor-edge wings.


    Long, clawed fingers.


    Those were all terrifying enough.


    It was what was missing that truly brought the bile rising up from the rangers¡¯ guts.


    Everything below the aswang¡¯s waist was missing.


    Intestines trailed behind her like bloody ropes as she swooped down.


    Fin¡¯s fireball, though it missed, saved them.


    The aswang was forced to divert and fly back up above the trees.


    ¡°It¡¯s an Aswang: Manananggal!¡± Sgt. Butcher snapped. She stifled a curse. According to the intel that Class was one of the stronger ones. Just their luck to run into one. ¡°Fin, save your magic to counter its curses!¡±


    ¡°Yes, sergeant,¡± Fin said.


    ¡°Chains, get us some cover!¡±


    ¡°Right away.¡± Chains took a deep pull on her pipe. The smoke that she exhaled billowed out around the tightly-packed squad. More smoke came out of her mouth than she could¡¯ve possibly inhaled. The rangers were quickly engulfed in a light haze. ¡°I did my best to confuse that thing, but I can¡¯t guarantee if it¡¯ll work considering its magical nature and power level compared to my own.¡±


    ¡°Should¡¯ve fucking leveled up more,¡± Mouthy muttered.


    ¡°Two-toes, I want light orbs there, there and there,¡± Sgt. Butcher pointed, ¡°concealment doesn¡¯t matter now. The aswang can see in the dark, let¡¯s take that advantage away.¡±


    ¡°Darkvision,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°It¡¯s called nightvision you limp-dicked nerd!¡± Mouthy snapped.


    ¡°I suppose I can ask Ginessa,¡± Smores said blandly. ¡°She¡¯d know.¡±


    Another screech.


    A mighty gust of wind a few feet off to one side.


    The sound of something slicing through wood.


    Catscratch cursed.


    Followed by a loud bang.


    ¡°I missed,¡± Aims said flatly.


    ¡°Catscratch! Report!¡±


    ¡°Aye, sarge. The monster¡¯s wing sliced through the top part of my shield.¡±


    ¡°It seems that Chains¡¯ smoke is confusing it,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°I¡¯m making us appear to be several feet away from our actual positions,¡± Chains said.


    ¡°Maybe don¡¯t tell the scary monster chick that, yeah?¡± Hardhat tried to keep her grip on her shotgun relaxed, but was struggling. The humidity of the rainforest already made her hands slick with sweat. The terror wasn¡¯t helping.


    ¡°Won¡¯t matter. Our voices are also coming from the wrong spots,¡± Chains said.


    ¡°Next time it comes around taunt it, ¡®scratch!¡± Sgt. Butcher said. ¡°Then we hit it with the salt.¡±


    ¡°Aye, aye,¡± Catscratch gave his much smaller shield a dubious look.


    Once again a screech heralded the aswang¡¯s attack.


    ¡°Here,¡± Catscratch said. ¡°Oh, fuck!¡±


    The aswang swooped down on Catscratch, claws stretched out, tongue stabbing.


    ¡°Block!¡±


    Catscratch¡¯s shield intercepted the sharp tongue with near perfection despite being out of position a moment earlier.


    ¡°Severing Chop!¡±


    The big man¡¯s axe partially cleaved through the tongue.


    ¡°Help!¡±


    The aswang slammed into Catscratch and knocked him to the ground.


    She clawed and bit at him. Cutting through steel mail and nearly through his chest plate.


    ¡°Piercing Shot,¡± Aims said.


    Two antique revolvers barked.


    Two bloody holes appeared in the aswang.


    One in her temple and one in her chest.


    They forced her off Catscratch and slowed her down¡­ for a moment.


    The bullet holes began to close.


    ¡°Fuck balls! That dogshit about them having regen was legit!¡± Mouthy gaped.


    ¡°Hit her with the salt!¡± Sgt. Butcher barked.


    Three nearly simultaneous shotgun blasts peppered the aswang.


    The effect was instantaneous and telling.


    She screeched in pain.


    The small holes in her torso, face and wings didn¡¯t close up this time.


    Hardhat, Two-toes and Smores pumped their shotguns and fired again.


    ¡°Confirmation. Unprocessed salt bypasses their magically-enhanced durability and healing capability,¡± Smores said.


    Sgt. Butcher gave a silent thanks to the R&D person that suggested modifying shotgun shells to fire small bits of rock salt. The range was limited, but it worked on the aswang and that¡¯s all that mattered. It was a good thing that the Norcal people brought a few with the Gunsmith Class.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let her escape!¡± Sgt. Butcher ordered.


    The aswang tried to take to the sky, but Mouthy dived forward and grabbed her entrails.


    ¡°Oh fuck! This is the worst!¡±


    Blood drenched the ranger.


    ¡°Take this, you ugly bitch!¡± Mouthy grabbed a handful of salt from her belt pouch and shoved it into the open wound at the bottom of the aswang¡¯s torso.


    The subsequent scream tore through the night air.


    ¡°Ice Dart,¡± Smores said.


    The magical projectile trailed mist as it lanced through the air to embed itself in the aswang¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Magical attacks are confirmed,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°Magic Missile!¡±


    Five glowing orbs from Two-toes outstretched hand seared themselves into the aswang.


    ¡°It¡¯s still not going down?¡± Aims said. ¡°Should I try again, sarge? I don¡¯t want to waste my ammo or Skills.¡±


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Sgt. Butcher watched the aswang as she attempted to fly away.


    Catscratch had joined Mouthy in a messy and obscene tug of war as they kept the aswang from fleeing by holding on to her intestines.


    ¡°Can¡¯t waste the salt rounds,¡± Sgt. Butcher muttered. She regarded Fin for a moment. ¡°You got something you can do to get her back to the ground and keep her there?¡±


    Fin considered it. ¡°I can try.¡±


    The slight, young man made an intricate gesture with his hands in front of his chest. The area framed by the action distorted for a split-second. Those with enhanced vision would¡¯ve noticed that there was a brief flash of light beneath his armor and clothing.


    Ghostly ropes suddenly shot out of the ground underneath the aswang.


    Her sharp wings couldn¡¯t cut them. Supernatural strength couldn¡¯t break her free.


    ¡°Blood Strength!¡± the aswang suddenly bellowed in a guttural voice.


    Fin cried out.


    His conjured ropes began to strain as the aswang strength increased.


    ¡°Just hold on for a few seconds longer,¡± Smores¡¯ voice was strained as he held both hands toward the aswang.


    ¡°Can¡¯t,¡± Fin whispered.


    ¡°Some help you assholes!¡± Mouthy roared.


    Aims fired his revolvers two-fisted with humanly impossible speed. ¡°Damn¡­ useless. Need magic bullets,¡± he spat.


    He had targeted the wings¡¯ joints that connected them to the aswang¡¯s back with minimal effect.


    Hardhat and Two-toes joined the intestine line, but the aswang continued to pull away, stretching the various ropes tethering her to the ground to their limits.


    ¡°Done. Ice Wall,¡± Smores exhaled.


    A large wall of ice coalesced above the aswang.


    What seemed like hours passed before it finally finished forming.


    It immediately crushed the aswang to the ground.


    The rangers abandoned their tug of war and scrambled back.


    ¡°That won¡¯t last long,¡± Smores huffed.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I think its spell or Skill ran out. It¡¯s not as strong as before. I can hold it,¡± Fin whispered.


    Sgt. Butcher regarded the young man. ¡°Sit down before you fall over.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sergeant,¡± Fin complied.


    ¡°How do we kill it without wasting all our salt rounds? There¡¯s still a village full of these things we¡¯ve got to clear,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Find her lower half out there and salt it. She won¡¯t be able to rejoin it. The sun will kill her then,¡± Two-toes ventured.


    ¡°Dumbass, that won¡¯t stop it from tearing us to pieces and sucking up all our blood,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°Decapitation,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    A minute later Catscratch did the honors.


    It worked.


    ¡°Too much effort to kill just one,¡± Chains said.


    ¡°So¡­ was anyone else totally surprised that she could talk¡­ I mean like people?¡± Hardhat said flatly.


    ¡°It makes sense. They¡¯re people, just have a¡­ unique Class structure. Quite interesting really, I¡¯ve talked to the Norcal people and they described something similar in terms of physiological changes in their enemies,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°Everyone¡¯s got shitty cult problems,¡± Mouthy shook her head.


    ¡°Let¡¯s keep going. This fight will only draw attention,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    As if to mock her, several loud screeches filled the night.


    A rush of wind swept over them.


    Someone¡¯s screams quickly grew faint in the distance.


    ¡°To My Teammate¡¯s Side!¡± Catscratch bellowed.


    One moment he was standing with his feet firmly on the ground. The next he was sitting astride another Aswang: Manananggal as it flew toward the rainforest canopy with its tongue firmly wrapped around Chains¡¯ small waist.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡± he buried his axe in the back of the aswang¡¯s head.


    Alas, this one was more powerful than the first.


    The axe cut skin, but bounced off the skull.


    The Aswang rolled and Catscratch found himself falling to the forest floor.


    He scrambled up, but all he felt was the wind as the aswang¡¯s razor-edge wing lightly kissed his unarmored throat.


    All he could do was clamp a hand around the gushing wound as he listened to Chains¡¯ screams dwindling in the darkness.


    Catscratch realized that he didn¡¯t have much time, so he triggered a Skill to give him enough to get back to the rest of the squad.


    Rayna¡¯s Rangers, 13th Squad, were surrounded.


    Small, humanoid shapes were in the trees all around them.


    Seemingly dozens.


    Bat-like wings fanned menacingly, while vaguely bat-like faces grinned with ghastly, fang-filled mouths.


    ¡°Aswang: Berbalang. Weaker than the manananggal we killed. Leans to the magical more than the physical, but still dangerous with their claws, teeth. More quick than physically strong, but still stronger than our mage-type classes. They can displace their spirits to possess weaker creatures. They¡¯re strongest ability is their illusion magic,¡± Smores said. ¡°Only half of what we¡¯re seeing is real.¡±


    ¡°I can fix that,¡± Fin said as he rose to his feet with renewed vigor.


    ¡°Sarge, I can¡¯t see any signs of Chains and Catscratch,¡± Aims said. ¡°That manananggal took Chains and Catscratch followed.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t do anything for them if we can¡¯t kill these bastards,¡± Sgt. Butcher said. ¡°Do it, Fin!¡± she raised her voice. ¡°13th Squad! We aren¡¯t dying in a godforsaken forest thousands of miles away from home!¡±


    The rangers roared.


    ¡°Dispel Illusion,¡± Fin said.


    Hell broke lose.


    <hr>


    Uncertainty warred with eagerness within Ramon.


    The latter always came when the time to take blood and feast drew near. The former was because he couldn¡¯t feel the Elder¡¯s reassuring presence.


    It had never been like that before.


    Whenever powerful monsters had attacked the village the Elder was always there in their hearts and minds. He linked the entire family together to battle almost as one.


    Now, although he stood next to his brothers and sisters on the wall, he felt as far away from them as if they were on the other side of the village.


    They still didn¡¯t know what manner of attack they faced.


    They could easily hear the screeches of their perimeter guardians and scouts.


    Manananggal and berbalang fought and, from the sounds of it, died beyond the village wall.


    What sort of terrible foe bore down on them?


    Hunger and fear mingled within Ramon.


    Something¡­ something was wrong.


    He could almost feel the Elder, yet it was almost as if an invisible wall had separated them.


    A glance at his brothers and sisters told him that he wasn¡¯t the only one struggling.


    The palms of his hands were sweaty on the old machine gun. The magazine was only partially filled and he longed to cast it aside along with his human form to take his true one, but Mr. Justino¡¯s orders were clear.


    Empty your weapon before changing. With accuracy and luck you¡¯ll kill an enemy or two with bullets. Allowing you to conserve your strength for when you needed it.


    They were a small village surrounded by incessant dangers. It took squeezing every advantage out of their great abilities to survive.


    ¡°What¡¯re we fighting?¡± the woman next to Ramon said.


    ¡°Why isn¡¯t the Elder telling us?¡± the man on his other side said.


    ¡°Something new, something strong,¡± Ramon replied.


    A strange sound reached them.


    They exchanged confused glances.


    Pop-pop-pop.


    Familiar.


    ¡°Gunfire?¡± Ramon said.


    ¡°People from the city?¡± the woman said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous,¡± the man scoffed, ¡°they¡¯d never make it through the forests. The monsters and animals would eat them alive before we¡¯d even get our chance.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound like guns to you!¡± the woman snapped.


    More of the same sounds drifted in on the soft breeze.


    Closer this time.


    Then a jarring explosion that briefly lit up the night.


    Every head on the wall turned away in pain.


    Their nightvision had been seared white.


    It took several seconds for Ramon and the rest to blink away the bright, white spots dancing in their eyes.


    A brief moment that felt like an eternity.


    The Elder had turned them into predators and they didn¡¯t like feeling vulnerable. Especially in their lair.


    ¡°That was a spell, I can feel it,¡± the woman said. ¡°It¡¯s people.¡±


    ¡°No, stupid woman. Some monsters can use magic too. Remember those fire diwata that almost burned us down?¡± the man said.


    ¡°Ay, you¡¯re stupid. Did the diwata use guns too?¡± the woman shook her head.


    ¡°Quiet!¡± Ramon barked.


    He felt¡ª something.


    The man next to him screamed and sprayed his machine gun into the trees and bushes several hundred yards away at the edge of the cleared ground around the village.


    The clicking of the empty chamber stood out in the stark silence that followed.


    Ramon ripped the now useless weapon from the idiot.


    ¡°You are stupid! What the hell was that?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I¡ª I¡ª I thought I saw it¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡± the woman said.


    ¡°Death,¡± the man whispered.


    ¡°There is no death here, but us,¡± Ramon scoffed. Deep down, he wasn¡¯t so sure anymore.


    As if to give him an answers several shadowy shapes shot up out of the tree canopy and high into the sky.


    Ramon recognized their fliers, manananggal and berbalang.


    They were headed straight for the village.


    And there were less than he knew there should¡¯ve been.


    Ramon saw movement just within the tree line.


    He aimed and squeezed the trigger just like Mr. Justino had taught.


    Others had seen the same thing and joined him.


    The bullets sparked off glowing magical shields that suddenly sprang to life.


    ¡°People?¡± Ramon could see them with his night vision. Shadowy figures standing and moving behind their magic shields.


    A flash of light lanced out of the tree line.


    This one made the earlier explosion look like a match flame.


    A huge section of the wall was blown apart.


    Along with several members of the family standing on top.


    It was as if lightning had come down from the sky to strike them down.


    The shock wave knocked Ramon and the others off the wall.


    As he tried to clear his vision once again, he wondered if Kidlat, the god of lighting, had decided to wipe out their village.


    Fear filled Ramon.


    But fear touched the same part of the mind that led one to fight.


    He began to transform.


    His body grew taller, his limbs lengthened. His fingers grew hooked claws. His tongue grew long and thick, pointed. Teeth sharp like a tiger¡¯s. Mouth large enough to bite a man¡¯s head off.


    What started as an average-looking man, became an almost 8-foot-tall monstrosity.


    Fear filled Ramon, but he was in his Aswang: Balbal form now.


    His truth.


    And he could smell them out there in the tree line.


    Gods didn¡¯t smell of sweat, of blood and flesh.


    Sweet, tasty flesh.


    People.


    They dared to attack his home. His family.


    He¡¯d make them pay.


    His roar was answered by dozens.


    Brothers and sisters.


    They abandoned the wall and charged as one.


    Loping strides covered ground frighteningly quick.


    Still, there was a lot of it to cover.


    Gunfire erupted.


    But they were aswangs and they had drank and eaten their fill before the fight.


    The wounds healed quickly.


    Spells struck with more effect.


    Balls of flame and bolts of pink light felled several of Ramon¡¯s kin.


    He roared with rage. He would slay a dozen for each family member slain.


    He could here the people¡¯s words. Mewling and filled with fear.


    ¡°Oh shit! They weren¡¯t supposed to go all Braveheart on us!¡±


    ¡°Jake! Quit complaining and hit them with that chain lightning!¡±


    ¡°I just blew a huge hole in their wall with the mother of all shock spells! Zeus himself couldn¡¯t have throw a bigger bolt! I need time!¡±


    Ramon could taste their fear.


    The aswangs had that effect on people.


    The prey knew when the predators had their scent.


    It was only natural that they¡¯d flee.


    ¡°Watch Captain, they¡¯re almost on us!¡±


    The high-pitched voice was like a dinner bell to Ramon¡¯s ears. It spurred him on even faster.


    ¡°Should we run?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here!¡±


    ¡°Cal! Cal! Help us!¡±


    ¡°Stand Your Ground¡­ and fight!¡± A stronger voice this time. ¡°This is what we are here for! This is what will make us stronger! This is where we no longer fear the monsters!¡±


    To Ramon¡¯s surprise the people firmed. The fear was still there, but he could no longer taste it at the forefront.


    ¡°Pull the mages back and get that wall to the front!¡±


    Ramon saw the glowing mage shields disappear and the tasty, tasty people beat a hasty retreat at the same time that a line of other people stepped forward.


    Ten across, two ranks deep.


    Each man and woman armed with a large, rectangular shield and a steel-tipped spear.


    Ramon¡¯s laugh was a guttural thing.


    They thought that a bunch of pointy sticks was going to stop them.


    A stern-faced man stood at the rear of the formation.


    ¡°Prepare to take the charge!¡± he barked.


    The line drew closer together, shields overlapping, spears out like a porcupine.


    Ramon had eaten one once. It had been passable.


    He knew these people would taste much better.


    ¡°Brace!¡±


    The first of Ramon¡¯s kin hit the line of spears.


    To his surprise the people were barely moved. Their spears didn¡¯t snap and their shields didn¡¯t splinter.


    Sharp steel penetrated deep into balbal bodies unintentionally aided by momentum.


    ¡°Reflect Charge!¡±


    The balbal roared with pain as their bodies suddenly suffered greater injury.


    What did it matter?


    They¡¯d heal it all soon enough.


    Ramon laughed.


    Stupid people.


    ¡°Now, Trevor!¡±


    ¡°Got it, Watch Captain.¡±


    Ramon watched something small fly from behind the wall of spears.


    It glinted in the magic lights the people had conjured in the trees.


    Glass.


    He realized it was a glass container.


    One after another, more flew. Enough to cover the entire balbal line in front of the spears.


    ¡°Hit them!¡±


    Gunfire and spells erupted from the back lines, shattering each container and showering the balbal with¡­ sand?


    His family screamed with pain at wounds that wouldn¡¯t heal.


    Ramon realized what that substance was.


    Salt.


    Spears thrust into Ramon¡¯s family.


    Several died.


    ¡°Noooo!¡± he roared.


    Not fair.


    Cheating people.


    Always persecuting them.


    Still.


    The salt made them vulnerable. It didn¡¯t make them any less dangerous.


    They threw themselves into the spear wall.


    Sheer weight and mass finally caused it to buckle as the Skills that had strengthened it ran out.


    ¡°Rapid Disengage,¡± the stern-faced man barked.


    But the damage was done.


    Fully half the front rank was food for the balbal.


    The lines steadily retreated as the balbal stopped to join the feeding frenzy.


    ¡°Jesus Christ!¡±


    ¡°Damn it, Jake! Now would be the perfect time for that spell.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Demi! Jeez, I thought I¡¯d get a break from being yelled at all the time.¡±


    Ramon watched the big, for a normal human, man pull out a tablet.


    The man pointed it at the tightly packed group of feeding balbal and tapped the screen.


    A bright arc of lightning raced across the darkness.


    It hit the closest balbal then bounced to another and another and another.


    Ramon lost count at seven.


    The first four dropped to the ground, charred and smoking.


    Ramon circled to the left around a thick cluster of trees. That mage had conjured the lightning that had blown a hole in the village wall. The man had to die.


    The dense rainforest was Ramon¡¯s home.


    Despite his size he could stalk prey like a jungle cat.


    These people were foreigners.


    He was certain that they didn¡¯t know the environment.


    The mage wouldn¡¯t see him until it was too late.


    After that he¡¯d take out their woman leader.


    He¡¯d teach them for attacking his home and hurting his family.

 5.11

    Now, Northern Philippines


    Hooked claws allowed Ramon to climb the tree with ease despite his size and weight.


    His targets were close to a dense tangle of thick branches about twenty feet over their heads.


    He wasn¡¯t certain that the branches could handle his weight, but he only needed to get close enough for a leap to land him in their midst.


    The battle continued to rage between his balbal family and the people.


    Two pockets of fierce fighting had emerged.


    The spear-wielding people had formed a tight circle behind their spears and shields as they tried to keep the balbal at bay.


    A porcupine in truth.


    Ramon was thrilled to notice that the remains of many people littered the forest floor. It almost made up for the sight of many of his family also unmoving.


    Focus.


    It was hard to do so with the many delicious scents in the air.


    The fear.


    The blood and guts.


    He longed to let his true self free and gorge.


    Soon.


    Just a dozen or so feet closer to his target.


    The second pocket of fighting contained his targets.


    The mage that had called lightning and the leader that gave the people bravery to stand and fight.


    They were surrounded by a mixed group.


    Magic shields protected their rear.


    Ramon was confused.


    The shields weren¡¯t being conjured by people.


    They appeared to be coming out of a pair of bulky-looking laptops attached to a strange, glowing device.


    A battery?


    Ramon¡¯s family struck at the shields with battering fists and cutting claws, but aside from a few cracks the shields held.


    At the front of this group a woman in strange-looking armor wielded a sword that sliced limbs from the attacking balbal.


    She moved with impossible grace and precision.


    They couldn¡¯t get past her.


    And all the while the people behind the woman hit them with spells and gunfire.


    A man, a mage, raised his open hand to the air. Roots speared out of the ground underneath a balbal, holding him in place. ¡°Hanna!¡±


    The sword-wielding woman spun on her knees, blade flashing in the magical lighting.


    Another balbal swiped at her.


    Ramon didn¡¯t see it happen, but the balbal suddenly toppled to the ground, legs gone at the knees.


    The woman dashed forward and took the captured balbal¡¯s head off with a quick slash.


    There was an ease to her movements that sent rage bubbling up in Ramon.


    People shouldn¡¯t be able to do this to them.


    They were supposed to be the stronger ones now.


    That was why they had chosen the change, after all.


    ¡°Trevor! Throw this, but aim for one that isn¡¯t close to our guys.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± the young man took the small glass container from another young man, more like a boy in Ramon¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°I call it ¡®sticky fire¡¯.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ napalm?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s got magical qualities. It¡¯ll stick to the target and spread until it covers them completely. It¡¯s got a lot less spreadability than real fire.¡±


    ¡°Okay, sounds good!¡± the young man spoke a few words, wound up and hurled the container.


    To Ramon¡¯s shock it curved through the air in impossible ways.


    Like a snake, it avoided people and nearby balbal before it struck the one furthest away from any people in the face.


    The fire bloomed like a flower in the dark. It spread quickly as the boy had said, until the balbal was wreathed in flames.


    The unfortunate balbal beat at the flames and when that didn¡¯t work, she dropped to the ground and rolled.


    None of it worked.


    She stopped moving as the flames continued to cook her body.


    Ramon ached for his family.


    ¡°Nice one, Santi!¡±


    ¡°Santiago!¡± the boy snapped.


    A balbal managed to get past the sword-wielding woman, the spells, the bullets.


    Ramon silently cheered his sister on as she reached for a young woman covered in glowing, amber-colored Mage Armor and holding a large, gray-colored round shield.


    The balbal struck with a mighty downward blow.


    The young woman cringed behind her shield.


    Instead of a resounding clang and the young woman battered to the ground screaming from the pain of a shattered arm. There was only a dull thud.


    To Ramon¡¯s utter shock.


    The young woman had barely budged.


    Impossible!


    He had struck shields before. Wood or metal, it didn¡¯t matter. He had shattered them and dented them with ease.


    The young woman screamed for help as she tripped in her haste to fall back struggling to aim her shotgun.


    The balbal raised a clawed hand.


    The desperate young woman¡¯s shotgun barked.


    Confusion on Ramon and the balbal¡¯s face.


    Small holes appeared on the latter¡¯s chest. They didn¡¯t heal. Blood leaked. The pain didn¡¯t go away.


    ¡°Amber! Hold it right there, aswang. You¡¯re Under Arrest!¡± a man said.


    Impossibly, the balbal stopped.


    Ramon could feel the Skill.


    It was only for an instant.


    They were too powerful to be stopped by a mere person¡¯s Skill.


    But a second was enough.


    The young woman¡¯s shotgun barked again, spraying the balbal¡¯s face.


    Hot pain peppered Ramon¡¯s sister.


    Confusion bred hesitation.


    ¡°Rebekah, now!¡± the man screamed.


    A woman ran forward, emptying a submachine gun into the balbal. She tossed it aside and drew an axe. ¡°Power Strike!¡± Drove it deep into the balbal¡¯s head.


    They were tough and hard to kill, but Ramon knew that level of damage to the brain wasn¡¯t one that his sister could survive.


    The pain of loss was brief.


    It was replaced by hatred.


    ¡°Oh shit! My Danger Sense is spiking!¡± a man and a woman screamed in unison.


    He was close enough.


    ¡°Flesh Rage!¡± he roared in a guttural tongue as he threw himself into the air.


    Supernatural strength flowed into his muscles. Fueled by the full belly of meat he had eaten before the battle.


    The warning wasn¡¯t enough.


    Magic shields flashed and shattered as Ramon crashed into them from above.


    Bodies went flying.


    He only had eyes for the big man.


    It was odd for a mage to look more like a fighter. At least from Ramon¡¯s experience.


    The man pointed a smartphone, of all things, at Ramon. ¡°Have a triple strength Shock, you ugly bastard!.¡±


    Blue lightning arced out of the phone and into Ramon.


    His muscles seized and spasmed.


    A smell like cooked pork filled his nostrils.


    ¡°Mmm¡­ barbecue,¡± he grunted.


    Too bad he liked his meat raw now.


    He stalked toward the big mage and struck.


    ¡°Mana Shield!¡±


    A ghostly, blue outline surrounded the man at the last instant.


    The blow sent him flying a dozen feet into the dense undergrowth.


    Ramon snarled.


    That should¡¯ve eviscerated the man.


    Ramon felt something pelt his back. He turned.


    It was the leader with a strange-looking gun in her hands.


    ¡°We need to salt it!¡± she yelled as she sent a steady stream of projectiles into Ramon.


    More than a gun should¡¯ve been capable of firing without reloading.


    Ramon raised an arm to protect his eyes.


    The bullets weren¡¯t doing much, but it would¡¯ve been inconvenient if he had to wait for his eyes to heal. Not to mention the possibility of being salted.


    He decided that the mage could wait. There was a good target right in front of him.


    ¡°Commander!¡±


    Another man pushed the woman out of the way just as Ramon¡¯s clawed hand reached for her.


    Ramon grabbed him around the chest instead and pulled him closer for a bite.


    ¡°Thorn Armor!¡± the man screamed.


    Ramon recoiled as the sharp spines around the man¡¯s head pierced the tender insides of his mouth.


    The thorns around the rest of the man¡¯s body didn¡¯t bother him as much.


    Ramon grabbed the man¡¯s right arm. Ignoring the thorns stabbing into his hand. He pulled and wrenched as the man and others around them screamed in horror.


    ¡°Max!¡± A woman pointed at Ramon. ¡°Eldritch Dart!¡±


    A pinkish dart lined with black crackling energy sizzled into Ramon¡¯s side.


    He hissed in pain.


    That one had hurt.


    He cast the stricken man aside like garbage. He had what he wanted, needed.


    He deliberately peeled the thorns, the armor and clothing off the man¡¯s severed arm.


    Then proceeded to stuff the entire appendage into his distended mouth.


    He allowed himself to savor the taste for a moment before swallowing.


    ¡°Where is that salt!¡±


    ¡°Amber¡¯s got the salt rounds!¡±


    Ramon felt the wounds heal with a quickened pace as the fresh meat fueled his Aswang: Balbal abilities.


    He had also given his rage more time.


    The people focused everything on him.


    Spells. Weapons. Glass containers containing strange substances.


    A tough-looking woman emptied a pistol in his face before hacking at his knee with an axe.


    He took the blow then backhanded the woman into a tree.


    She groaned and struggled to get back up.


    A young man threw a rock that somehow knocked him to the ground.


    Ramon shook his head as he stood. That had been like getting hit by a car.


    The young man¡¯s eyes went wide as Ramon charged.


    The rage had taken hold. It was getting harder to remain focused on his initial targets.


    A young woman in amber-colored magic armor stepped in his path.


    A loud boom had Ramon hissing in pain.


    The cursed salt.


    Small chunks peppered his body.


    He continued his charge, raising a clawed hand.


    The young woman ducked behind her dull, gray shield.


    Stupid.


    Ramon had seen how strong it was. He wasn¡¯t going to hit it. He¡¯d simply reach around it with his long arms and grab the young woman. More flesh in his stomach would help counteract the salt¡¯s effects and he could start healing again.


    Inches away.


    Something big and heavy crashed into him.


    Enough to knock him to the ground.


    A thick arm wrapped itself around Ramon¡¯s neck, while legs wrapped themselves around his waist. Both squeezed.


    Strong, but not supernaturally so.


    Ramon recognized the blue glow.


    ¡°Stupid mage. You should¡¯ve hit me with your lightning. At least I felt that one,¡± Ramon growled.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    ¡°What? Are you actually talking?¡± the big mage grunted with the strain.


    Ramon grabbed the man¡¯s arm and legs and pried them off.


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    He lifted the big mage up and slammed the man into the forest floor.


    Then he started stomping.


    The blue magic shield began to crack and flicker.


    One last blow and it vanished.


    ¡°Now, I repay you for my family,¡± Ramon¡¯s mouth distended impossible wide as he bent down.


    ¡°Protect And Serve.¡±


    Ramon forgot the big mage at his feet.


    He shook his head in confusion.


    That voice.


    It was the only thing that mattered.


    He located the source a short distance away.


    It was the same man that had halted his sister in her tracks with a Skill.


    The only thought in Ramon¡¯s head was that he had to kill that man. Everyone else had been forgotten.


    The man emptied his submachine gun into Ramon as he charged.


    Ramon grabbed the man and slammed him into the ground.


    Then he punched him right in the chest.


    Everyone heard the loud crack.


    Ramon blinked.


    Right, he was about to finally devour that big mage.


    Where did the mage go?


    Who was this other person dying on the ground?


    He looked around and saw that the people had closed ranks.


    There was the circle of shields and spears like a porcupine that somehow continued to keep his brothers and sisters at bay.


    There was that lone sword-wielding woman that still fought.


    His targets had all retreated behind magic shields.


    He spied many wounded, perhaps dying.


    He noticed that the big mage was frantically typing into a laptop.


    He could sense the magic building.


    ¡°To me, my brothers and sisters!¡± Ramon¡¯s words were barely understandable, but he reached the rest on a deeper level through their inherent connection as a family. ¡°Kill the big mage and the woman leader!¡±


    All the balbal charged and began to batter the magic shields.


    Cracks spider-webbed under their fists.


    Ramon could taste the fear.


    Victory was at hand.


    The sword-wielding woman would be overwhelmed in time once they could concentrate everything on her.


    The spear-wielders had lost half their number and they too couldn¡¯t stay behind their shields for much longer.


    The feast would be glorious.


    They would honor their fallen family.


    The magic shields shattered as the people screamed like squealing pigs to the slaughter.


    ¡°Spear Charge!¡±


    Ramon was taken aback by the spear-wielders as their gruff leader led them forward.


    Brave, but stupid.


    The sword-wielding woman in the strange armor charged forward desperately.


    All too late.


    Ramon saw the terror in her eyes.


    ¡°Tenfold Cu¡ª¡± she screamed.


    Stop.


    The balbal stopped moving. Some in mid-strike.


    Ramon strained with all his might, but couldn¡¯t move an inch.


    The people were unaffected.


    They looked at each other in confusion. Then relief.


    The sword-wielding woman frowned.


    Then she rushed forward and beheaded a defenseless balbal.


    Ramon wanted to scream for his sister, but couldn¡¯t.


    The spear-wielders continued their charge and thrust their weapons into unprotected backs.


    With the salt on his family¡¯s bodies the people would eventually do enough damage to kill them.


    It wasn¡¯t fair.


    They were so close to victory.


    To successfully defending their home.


    Yeah¡­ this isn¡¯t fair. I didn¡¯t have much choice. I¡¯ve seen enough to know that you aren¡¯t outright evil. Not truly monsters. I understand that your Classes turned you into this, but you still had a choice. You kill innocent people for food. Ways exist for you to survive without murder. So, yes, you would¡¯ve won this night if I hadn¡¯t intervened. If it¡¯s any consolation¡­ the one that turned you into this will pay.


    Ramon felt an overwhelming wave of sadness wash over him right before a massive bolt of lightning turned him to ash.


    <hr>


    ¡°How are they doing?¡±


    Cal couldn¡¯t look his dad in the eyes. ¡°It¡¯s over. They¡¯re mopping up,¡± he said softly. The lump in his throat surprised him. It took an effort to keep the tears from coming.


    ¡°Casualties?¡±


    His dad knew.


    ¡°Half the spears and the Watch¡ª they¡¯re going to lose one, maybe two.¡±


    ¡°Only twelve were killed?¡± Ginessa¡¯s eyes went wide.


    ¡°It would¡¯ve been everyone if I hadn¡¯t intervened,¡± Cal said. ¡°Dad, I¡¯m having second thoughts about continuing as planned.¡±


    ¡°The two of us can handle the rest of the village,¡± his dad nodded.


    ¡°Without too much difficulty,¡± Cal agreed. ¡°Except, that¡¯s not the plan. The others do need to get stronger, gain levels, points and combat experience beyond fighting dumb monsters. Emotional me is having a hard time with rational me¡­ or vice versa,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Just make a decision and carry it out to the best of your ability,¡± his dad said.


    ¡°I can¡¯t even find the rangers or Rino. It¡¯s not just having to keep the gabunan from connecting with the other aswangs, but there¡¯s something about the village that¡¯s making it hard to¡­¡± he regarded Ginessa, ¡°do my thing. It feels like magic.¡±


    ¡°The family is strong together. Family protects family,¡± Ginessa recited.


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± his dad eyed her suspiciously.


    ¡°Right, got it.¡± Cal waved a hand over Ginessa¡¯s suddenly glassy-eyed stare. He carefully prodded her mind with his telepathy.


    ¡°Why are you staring at me like that?¡± Ginessa reddened.


    ¡°I think your connection to the Elder just went on-line for a moment.¡±


    Ginessa visibly shook.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s blocked for now. Though, I think, with your consent, I may be able to use it to find the Elder,¡± Cal smiled.


    ¡°Splitting the difference then?¡± his dad said.


    ¡°Something like that.¡±


    A plan.


    To take his attention away from what was going on several hundred feet below.


    On the forest floor beneath the tree canopy hard-fought victory felt like anything but for brave men and women.


    Ron was on the ground.


    Jake knelt next to him.


    Rebekah, axe in hand, stood guard close by. Anguish was etched on her normally taciturn features.


    Others milled around, some tried to establish a defensive perimeter, but they were in shock at the brutality of the battle.


    Now that the adrenaline had worn off they noticed the smell of the dead and the dying permeating the air they breathed.


    ¡°Santi! Healing potion, now!¡± Jake bellowed.


    They had removed Ron¡¯s armor and clothing.


    His chest was a ruined mess. Deformed inward, bloody bits of ivory protruded from a dozen places. His entire torso looked as if it had been painted in dark purples and bright reds.


    When he coughed they could hear the liquid moving in his lungs.


    Blood splattered Jake¡¯s face.


    He didn¡¯t notice.


    ¡°Hang on, bro!¡± Jake pleaded.


    Ron¡¯s face twisted. ¡°I¡ª I¡ª I¡¯m done, man. Oh God¡­ I can¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°Stop trying to talk then. You dumbfuck,¡± Jake smiled even as his lips quivered and tears welled up in his eyes.


    ¡°Santiago! The healing potion,¡± Demi said calmly.


    ¡°Fuck the potion! Doesn¡¯t someone have a healing spell?¡± Jake looked around wildly.


    ¡°Max has a weak one, but,¡± Del said with a glance to the side, ¡°he¡¯s not going to be much help.¡±


    ¡°Why the fuck not?¡± Jake followed Del¡¯s gaze. ¡°Oh.¡±


    Max was deathly pale on the ground. Pain was etched on his face as several people held him down while Santiago poured a greenish liquid over the raw stump of Max¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if it¡¯ll work. He¡¯s lost a lot of blood and my healing potion sorta only speeds up the body¡¯s natural healing process. I¡¯ve only had first aid lessons, but I¡¯m pretty sure Max needs a transfusion, but I don¡¯t think we¡¯ve got the equipment for that out here.¡± Santiago¡¯s words came out in a torrent.


    ¡°Here, toss me one of those,¡± Jake held out a hand.


    ¡°Forget it¡­ it won¡¯t work,¡± Ron choked.


    ¡°What¡¯re you saying? We have to try.¡±


    ¡°Commander,¡± Del whispered in Demi¡¯s ear, ¡°we¡¯ve got nothing that can fix this. We need Megan-level healing just for a chance.¡±


    Demi nodded, set her jaw and crouched down, gently brushing Ron¡¯s hair aside to lay a hand on his forehead. ¡°Watch Officer, Ron, you¡¯ve done your duty above and beyond expectations. Not just here and now, but in the ten years that we¡¯ve fought together. You¡¯ve saved lives today and in doing so will save lives in the future.¡±


    ¡°For a better tomorrow,¡± Ron whispered. ¡°My sister¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, always,¡± Demi said through grit teeth. ¡°We, I will make sure that Hillary is taken care of,¡± she said.


    ¡°Thank you, Watch Captain Lawrence,¡± Ron coughed.


    They could see the pieces of his shattered ribs shift.


    ¡°Jesus, bro,¡± Jake wailed. ¡°This isn¡¯t right. You can¡¯t go out like this¡­ not because of me.¡±


    ¡°Your tech¡¯s too important to lose. That¡¯s why you got to make sure you train my sister up properly, so your dumb ass won¡¯t be so special.¡± Ron¡¯s voice grew fainter. His eyes began to lose focus. ¡°Besides, you¡¯d done the same for me.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, man. For sure.¡± Jake couldn¡¯t hold back the tears. ¡°I¡¯m gonna make Hillary the greatest Techmage in the world!¡±


    ¡°Promise me,¡± Ron¡¯s hand shook, but he manage to reach up.


    Jake clasped tight. ¡°I swear. I¡¯ll take care of her as good as you did.¡±


    ¡°Wish I could see the sky,¡± Ron stared up into the dense canopy. A bloody smile suddenly graced his lips. ¡°Thanks¡­ it¡¯s so beautiful.¡± His words were barely a whisper. ¡°Promise me¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, bro, I¡¯ll never forget,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Promise me¡­ you¡¯ll make it safe for my sister¡­ you¡¯ll make a world were she won¡¯t have to die in a forest so far from those she loves¡­ please¡­ when we¡¯re done here, you¡¯ll go back¡­ you¡¯ll fight them¡­ you¡¯ll destroy them¡­ please¡­ my last request¡­¡± Ron gave one last rattling breath. Then his eyes saw nothing.


    In the sky above Cal wanted to scream.


    Another death he had allowed to happen.


    Instead he said one word.


    ¡°Promise.¡±


    <hr>


    Rino loped through the rainforest.


    Dense brush and thick roots were no match for a giant dog the size of a lion.


    Her role was clear and simple.


    Strike hard and fast.


    Hit the aswang village¡¯s sentries and outer patrols, but don¡¯t get bogged down.


    Something she was perfectly suited for.


    The two aswangs perched high in the tree branches thought that being thirty feet up meant that they were safe. They were ugly little things. Bat-like wings tucked tight to their backs, while bat-like faces stared down at her.


    She slowed to a walk and stared up at them. Ear¡¯s flicked, tongue lolled, while she turned her head quizzically.


    That¡¯s right. Just a nice doggy out for an evening run, Rino thought.


    She wasn¡¯t sure exactly how smart the aswangs were in their transformed state.


    She knew from experience that the different forms influenced a person in subtle and obvious ways. Case in point, if something small ran in front of her right now, it¡¯d take an effort not to give chase.


    The two aswangs mirrored each other in that they didn¡¯t move a muscle. They could¡¯ve been statues if not for their blinking eyes.


    Berbalang.


    Rino remembered the information they had received from the little beauty queen.


    Capable of illusions.


    Physically weak when compared to herself.


    She took a deep sniff. Her muzzle split into a grin.


    They could fool her eyes, but not her nose.


    She sprang quicker than the blink of an eye.


    Thirty feet up in a tree was nothing to her.


    The berbalang on the left dived at her, but she let it harmlessly pass through her as the berbalang on the right took off into the air.


    Rather, it tried.


    She bit down around its chest.


    Bones crunched.


    It was already dead when she landed on the ground.


    She shook it like a rag doll for a moment. Then crushed its head for good measure.


    She did her best to clear her mouth of the foul-tasting blood and flesh.


    Maybe she could find a small animal to hunt to cleanse the palate.


    Although the prospect of that seemed unlikely considering how strangely quite the area surrounding the aswang village was.


    It made sense to her.


    Prey didn¡¯t last long in the vicinity of an entire village of superior predators.


    Rino¡¯s ears perked up.


    Sounds of battle filtered through the dense rainforest.


    That she heard them at all meant that it was close.


    A full fight needed a different form.


    Rino changed before she barreled toward the battle.


    Some distance away, Sgt. Butcher made a decision. ¡°Squad: Enhanced Coordination, Squad: Shared Awareness.¡± No point in saving Skills if you couldn¡¯t win and survive.


    Facing 15 berbalang was better than facing 30, but the rangers were still at a disadvantage.


    The sergeant felt something course through her body. For a moment she had the urge to take her pistol out of its holster and blow her brains out.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a lesser creature,¡± Sgt. Butcher muttered as she ignored the feeling. Instead she drew her pistol and double-tapped a swooping berbalang.


    The aswang crashed to the ground in front of Hardhat.


    ¡°Soccer Kick!¡± She stove-in the berbalang¡¯s face with a steel-toed boot. It took some effort to extricate her boot, so that she could hack the berbalang¡¯s head off with her machete.


    ¡°Just shoot it, you¡¯ve got salt rounds,¡± Two-toes said.


    ¡°Saving those for the tougher ones. Besides, that seemed to work fine,¡± Hardhat shrugged.


    ¡°Watch out!¡± Two-toes thrust her free hand out, while Hardhat dropped flat to the ground. ¡°Fire Spray!¡± She caught two swooping berbalang in a wide arc of flame.


    Two-toes squealed as she fell back.


    The berbalang were on fire, but momentum being what it was they were still headed her way.


    ¡°Mage Shield,¡± Smores pointed a finger and a glowing dome shimmered over Two-toes.


    The berbalangs crashed into it, shattering the shield, but coming to a stop a few feet from Two-toes.


    ¡°Kill them!¡± Two-toes screamed.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got salt rounds too,¡± Hardhat muttered.


    Two-toes blinked, looked sheepish and struggled to get her shotgun untangled from its strap.


    ¡°You¡¯re the fucking worst,¡± Mouthy said as she rushed over and hacked at the berbalang with her machete.


    ¡°Incoming on your six, Smores, might want to hit the deck like the women,¡± Aims said calmly.


    A handful of berbalang had identified Smores as a priority target.


    ¡°Enhanced Aim. Quick Hands.¡± Aims fired his revolvers.


    They sounded like a machine gun.


    He emptied and reloaded in a blur.


    Firing twice in as many seconds.


    The berbalangs were shredded by the barrage. Thoughts of Smores left their minds.


    The ones without tattered wings flew away to regroup.


    A few crashed to the ground.


    ¡°Ice Dart,¡± Smores hit one in the chest.


    Another one lunged forward and clamped a clawed hand around his foot.


    Smores yelled as sharp nails went through his boot.


    The berbalang wrenched with an audible snap.


    Smores screamed.


    The berbalang pulled him closer to a waiting mouth filled with sharp teeth.


    Smores raised a hand at the berbalang, but couldn¡¯t muster the concentration due to the pain.


    The berbalang leered hungrily.


    Bang.


    Its head exploded in a shower of red.


    Sgt. Butcher rushed to Smores¡¯ side. Planting shots in the other grounded berbalangs¡¯ heads.


    ¡°They aren¡¯t as damage resistant as the manananggal,¡± Smores said through grit teeth.


    ¡°I know you can¡¯t walk, ranger, but that doesn¡¯t mean you can¡¯t cast spells,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°No, sarge, I mean, yes, sarge. Just need to catch me breath,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°Good, because looks like they¡¯re massing for another go,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    The berbalang flitted through the tree canopy.


    The rangers had downed a handful, but more remained.


    Garish shadows danced in the handful of light orbs the rangers had cast at the beginning of the fight.


    Berbalang swooped out of the dark.


    A clawed hand scored superficial scratches on Hardhat¡¯s unnaturally tough hardhat.


    The force of the blow knocked her down and her shotgun out of her hands.


    Mouthy had already began moving to exactly where she needed to be to bury her machete into the berbalang¡¯s chest.


    The impact tore her weapon free, but Two-toes was ready.


    ¡°Magic Missile!¡± Two-toes screamed.


    The berbalang dropped.


    Aims put bullets through the heads of two other berbalangs diving at Two-toes exposed back.


    Through another ranger¡¯s eyes, Aims perceived a berbalang getting ready to drop down from the branches over head. ¡°Piercing Shots.¡± Two bullets tore through branches as thick around as small trees.


    Aims dived and rolled out of the way.


    ¡°Ice Spear.¡±


    Smores impaled the berbalang through the stomach. Allowing Sgt. Butcher to put two bullets into its brain.


    The rangers fought together like a well-oiled machine.


    Almost too well.


    They fired their weapons and spells at exactly the most impactful times.


    They positioned themselves in nearly the perfect places to take advantage of optimal openings for attacks and to allow their squad mates to defend them, while then in turn defending the other.


    The berbalang tried to cast their illusions, but something kept stopping them.


    As their numbers dropped they turned to flee like Mr. Justino had trained them to do when in a losing fight.


    But instead of simply flying away they attacked.


    Was it just bad timing that the sergeant¡¯s Skills ran out at the same time?


    A berbalang swept down and crashed into Sgt. Butcher.


    Teeth snapped at her face, bouncing off the nose guard of her helmet as the berbalang pressed its weight on top of her, wings buffeting.


    More importantly, she had been forced away from the immobile Smores.


    Another berbalang pounced on Smores, who barely got a magic shield up in time.


    The shield began to crack and buckle as the berbalang pressed its sharp nails down into it.


    ¡°Someone help!¡± Smores begged.


    ¡°Not so calm now, you nerd,¡± Mouthy snapped, but tellingly she rushed over only for two berbalang to swarm her and slowly carry her up toward the tree canopy.


    Aims cursed. ¡°I don¡¯t have a shot!¡± He shifted his aim to the berbalang attacking Smores.


    ¡°Look out!¡±


    Two-toes cry was too late.


    A berbalang tackled Aims from behind.


    ¡°Hardhat! Do something!¡± Two-toes yelped as she just managed to duck under a berbalang¡¯s grasp.


    ¡°What? A shotgun isn¡¯t exactly a precision weapon. I¡¯ll hit them,¡± Hardhat said.


    The rangers were in dire straits.


    Then they heard the deep, booming barks of what sounded like a dog.

 5.12

    Now, Northern Philippines


    Rino burst through a tree in her full Weredog form.


    She was a killing machine. Nearly a thousand pounds of muscle, teeth and claws.


    The berbalangs didn¡¯t know what hit them.


    She leapt into the air and eviscerated two berbalangs then caught Mouthy and landed. Promptly dumping the ranger, none to gently, on the ground.


    It took seconds for her to rip through the berbalangs attacking the others.


    Bloodied and battered rangers hesitantly raised weapons and hands to the hulking beast in their midst.


    ¡°Hold! Damn it! She¡¯s a friendly!¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    Rino towered over the rangers. She dipped her head and growled before disappearing into the forest depths.


    ¡°I think the bitch said ¡®take care, guys¡¯,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°We probably should¡¯ve said ¡®thanks for saving our lives¡¯,¡± Hardhat said. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want to piss her off.¡±


    Mouthy considered it for a moment. ¡°Thanks!¡± she shouted toward the direction Rino had disappeared to. ¡°There. Now she¡¯s got no reason to tear my head off. Happy?¡±


    ¡°Roll, call,¡± Sgt. Butcher ordered.


    One by one the rangers called out.


    ¡°Catscratch, Chains and Fin are missing,¡± Sgt. Butcher said. She didn¡¯t let the dark thoughts find purchase in her mind. No bodies meant that there was still a chance they were alive.


    ¡°I saw one of the half-lady aswangs grab Chains,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°Catscratch used a Skill to follow,¡± Smores grunted.


    ¡°What about the creepy kid?¡± Hardhat said.


    The rangers realized that they had no idea.


    Fin had been with them before the battle, but after that there was a blank spot in their memories.


    ¡°This is some magic bullshit! Knew we couldn¡¯t trust that fucking weirdo,¡± Mouthy spat. ¡°Hey! Mage-nerds, wiggle your fingers and do some magic shit to figure this out.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d try, but the pain in my broken ankle is making it hard to concentrate,¡± Smores hissed.


    ¡°I guess I can do the first-aid,¡± Two-toes sighed.


    ¡°We can¡¯t continue forward in our current state. We¡¯re undermanned, but set up a defensive perimeter,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    The rangers remained tense as Two-toes set and bound Smores¡¯ ankle.


    The sounds of twig snapping and rustling in the bushes made them jump.


    ¡°That came from over there,¡± Hardhat pointed in the direction they had come from.


    ¡°Aims, cover it. Hardhat, you¡¯ve got nine, I¡¯ll take three, Mouthy you¡¯ve got twelve. Smores, Two-toes be ready with spell support,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t sound right. Not like something sneaking up on us or even just walking. It¡¯s like a drunk staggering around,¡± Aims said.


    The sounds continued to draw closer.


    ¡°Oh shit!¡± Aims holstered his pistols and dashed toward the sounds.


    ¡°Get back here, ranger!¡± Sgt. Butcher called out after him.


    The silence after Aims had disappeared into the darkness seemed to stretch out for minutes.


    ¡°I need help!¡± Aims called out. ¡°It¡¯s Catscratch! He¡¯s hurt bad!¡±


    Sgt. Butcher sprinted to the sound of his voice and together they carried the big ranger back.


    Catscratch held his throat.


    There was so much red leaking from around his gloved fingers and down the front of his armor.


    ¡°Hang on, ranger. That¡¯s an order. Two-toes!¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°You have to let go ¡®scratch. I can¡¯t see the wound.¡± Two-toes face was as white as a sheet.


    Catscratch shook his head. ¡°Too late,¡± he managed to rasp. ¡°Flying aswang took Chains. She was still alive. I¡¯m done.¡± His words were a whisper.


    He shuddered one last time.


    They gently laid him on the forest floor.


    Silence pressed in around them.


    Sgt. Butcher closed Catscratch¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± Mouthy hacked her machete into the side of a tree.


    ¡°It would¡¯ve taken Chains to their village. We have to go after her,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°Maybe that¡¯s what happened to Fin,¡± Two-toes said.


    Sgt. Butcher glanced as Smores.


    ¡°I can fight, sarge. Just need some help getting around,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°Fuck it. I¡¯ll carry the nerd,¡± Mouthy snapped. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    ¡°What about ¡®scratch?¡± Hardhat said softly.


    ¡°We don¡¯t leave anyone behind,¡± Sgt. Butcher said. ¡°We¡¯ll burn him and bring the ashes back home. He deserves to rest with the others.¡± Her thoughts turned to the other fallen members of 13th Squad.


    Iz, One-eye and Punchkicker.


    Catscratch was part of that list now.


    Another death under her command.


    ¡°Two-toes, can you do it quickly?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I¡ª¡± Two-toes swallowed. ¡°Yeah. I can,¡± she nodded.


    ¡°Okay. Good. We¡¯ll say our farewells later when we have time. ¡®Scratch would understand. There¡¯s still a chance we can save Chains. She¡¯s an intelligence asset to the aswangs. They¡¯ll keep her alive for questioning.¡±


    There was always a chance.


    Sgt. Butcher had lived by those words ever since the spires had appeared.


    It had gotten her through dark days.


    <hr>


    Follow the beastwoman.


    Fin listened.


    It hadn¡¯t steered him wrong yet.


    Directions had been rare. Emerging only when the stakes and rewards were great.


    Still, Fin had hesitated when he had been instructed to remain underneath the concealment spell after he had dispelled the berbalangs¡¯ illusions.


    It had been difficult to watch as the rangers, the squad he was supposed to be a part of, battle for their lives.


    Despite the voice¡¯s protests he hadn¡¯t been able to resist lending a hand in disrupting the berbalangs¡¯ attempts at magic.


    It was telling that he hadn¡¯t managed to soothe his conscience. Especially, after listening to the voice and drawing the berbalangs back after they had decided to flee.


    That decision almost cost the rangers their lives.


    It did not.


    Only because that hot, scary woman, Rino came in to save them.


    She was all scary now, in her weredog form.


    Fin hoped that she couldn¡¯t sense him.


    Her senses are insufficient.


    He wondered if he had made the right decision in leaving the squad.


    They will slow you down and dilute your potential gains.


    Fin felt a surge of eagerness flow from his chest to the rest of his body. If he could kill the aswang leader, the gabu-something by himself¡ª


    Then you reap all that strength for yourself.


    He would grow that much stronger, that much quicker. There would be less things in the terrible world that could hurt him then. More steps on the path to true freedom and safety.


    He hoped that the rangers would understand.


    They will have no cause to complain after you have defeated the enemy leader. You owe them no explanation.


    Fin doubted that.


    Follow the beast woman. She will draw attention. She will clear your way.


    Fin listened.


    Rino couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was on her tail.


    Not an aswang. She already had their scent.


    She couldn¡¯t smell or hear anything.


    It was instinctive.


    Something dangerous was close.


    Which, considering she was headed to the aswang village, was to be expected.


    She decided that must¡¯ve been it.


    The most dangerous aswang were waiting somewhere in there.


    At least according to the little aswang turncoat.


    She wouldn¡¯t have taken the girl¡¯s word for it, but Cal was sure.


    She still didn¡¯t have a good read on Remy¡¯s older brother.


    The only thing she could say was that the man had been through some shit.


    He had that look in his eyes.


    Not to mention the missing fingers.


    She had seen and given many such injuries.


    His fingers had either been torn off or bitten off.


    The knowledge that something existed out there that could do that to a person with that level of power made Rino¡­ uncomfortable.


    She¡¯d never admit to being afraid.


    In any case, she had strict instructions not to engage the strongest aswangs. All she had to do was move fast and cause chaos in the village.


    Something well within her capabilities.


    Rino shifted into her dog form when she reached the tree line.


    She approached the village from the opposite side as the attacking force headed up by Watch Captain Lawrence.


    A large clearing several hundred yards wide separated Rino from the village gate.


    It was dark.


    No torches or lights on the walls.


    It would¡¯ve been a strange sight if Rino hadn''t known that the aswangs could see in the dark.


    She could make out two figures standing a top the wall over the wooden gate.


    Time to sell it.


    Rino trotted out and made sure to have her best doggy grin and wagging tail as she walked right up to the gate.


    ¡°Hey, do you see that?¡± one of the guards said.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ a dog,¡± the other guard replied.


    Eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Nice doggie, what¡¯re you doing out here? And how did you get past our patrols?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re under attack, stupid. Mr. Justino¡¯s probably had them go help on the other side. Just our luck to be stuck here. We¡¯re missing out on all the feasting.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that and don¡¯t worry. They¡¯ll save us more than enough.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sure, but it¡¯s not just about that. It¡¯s about getting my hands wet, you know? It¡¯s not as good if you don¡¯t get your own food.¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure. I get that¡­ so what do we do about the dog?¡±


    ¡°It looks to be in pretty good shape. Really big¡­¡±


    Grips slowly tightened around assault rifles.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen a dog in years, but you¡¯re right.¡±


    The wall was only about twenty feet high.


    Rino leapt.


    The guns spat lead.


    A few hit Rino.


    Like bee stings.


    Her jaws crunched over one guard¡¯s head. She tore it off with a shake.


    The other guard dropped his gun and began to transform.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Rino did the same.


    She was quicker.


    The second guard¡¯s monstrous head fell over the side of the wall followed by his body.


    Rino descended into the village.


    See, the beastwoman cleared our way.


    Fin decided to wait fifteen minutes before following Rino inside.


    <hr>


    Fres dumped a human woman at Justino¡¯s feet.


    ¡°One of the attackers?¡± Justino said.


    Fres reconnected to the lower half of her body she had left near Justino. ¡°They appear to be foreigners. Although, they speak our language for some reason.¡±


    ¡°Universal translation,¡± Justino nodded.


    The woman pulled out a gun and opened fire.


    Justino¡¯s long hair moved with a mind of their own, blocking the bullets and ripping the gun out of the woman¡¯s hand, along with a few of her fingers.


    She screamed.


    Justino picked the woman up by her hair. ¡°Why have you attacked us?¡±


    The woman spat in his face.


    ¡°Her group was small in number. I think there are dozens if not hundreds of these teams out there. It¡¯s the only explanation for how they¡¯ve been able to hurt us so badly,¡± Fres said.


    ¡°They¡¯ve managed to breach the eastern side of the wall, but our brave fighters took the fight to them. The dark forest is our domain. These people will learn that costly lesson.¡± Justino¡¯s words didn¡¯t reflect his concerns.


    He didn¡¯t know what exactly was happening out beyond the village walls.


    Porfiro was having difficulty connecting to the family.


    Even the connection to Justino was proving tenuous.


    ¡°You¡¯ve done good bringing this human back, Fres. The first sentries to report back weren¡¯t able to give me a description of the attackers.¡±


    Fres frowned. ¡°Powerful magic then? As you can see, they are plainly human.¡±


    ¡°What are your levels?¡± Justino stared blankly at the woman.


    ¡°Our weakest are almost 50,¡± the woman sneered.


    ¡°A lie,¡± Fres said. ¡°I can feel her blood racing through her veins. Her heart might burst with how terrified she is. Let me take her inside. I¡¯ll get all the information you want.¡±


    Justino could see that just as well. ¡°This is best left to the Elder. He¡¯ll get what we need,¡± he regarded the woman as she ineffectually punched and kicked at him. ¡°That experience will be excruciating. I suggest you tell us everything, if only to spare yourself unnecessary suffering.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s a magic user of some kind. Something to do with this,¡± Fres handed a small pipe to Justino.


    Justino thrust the woman to a young man standing next to him. ¡°Put her in a cage. Away from the other two.¡±


    The young man dragged the woman into the house.


    ¡°You, fetch the Elder,¡± Justino said to a young woman.


    Fres scowled.


    ¡°What?¡± Justino sighed.


    ¡°You¡¯re hiding something,¡± Fres said.


    ¡°How many of your hunters went to the city?¡±


    ¡°Ten¡­ you knew that.¡±


    ¡°Not enough to count on,¡± Justino said.


    ¡°Does this have something to do with the fact that the Elder has been silent? He hasn¡¯t been guiding us like he usually does when the village faces a serious threat,¡± Fres snarled with realization. ¡°I had thought that this wasn¡¯t something to be concerned about going by his silence. I had thought that he wasn¡¯t coordinating because he wanted us to deal with the attack ourselves so that we¡¯d get more Universal Points and levels.¡±


    ¡°You thought wrong,¡± Justino said. ¡°Still¡­ I had suspected that we were facing higher leveled foes or some new kind of monster. The human you brought back kills both theories. You saw them up close¡­ thoughts?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a Level 25 Aswang: Manananggal, which means I¡¯m the equivalent of a Level 35-40 human Class. The woman I brought back. Her team killed Imelda, but it took all of them working together and they used salt in their guns.¡±


    ¡°This is information you should¡¯ve given me right away!¡± Justino snapped. His nerves had been fraying all night. He hadn¡¯t realized how much he had grown reliant on Porfiro¡¯s ability to connect the family. He didn¡¯t like not knowing how they were faring out there without him. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you help Imelda?¡±


    Fres bared her teeth before hastily looking away. ¡°Sorry¡­ I was too far to help her.¡±


    ¡°How did they use the salt in their guns?¡±


    ¡°In shotguns,¡± Fres shrugged.


    ¡°They used rock salt in their shells,¡± Justino growled. He mastered himself with an effort. ¡°Continue what you were saying.¡±


    ¡°Fine¡­ I was going to say that Imelda was only Level 18, so if it took 9 humans to kill her then that means they were all in the low to mid 20¡¯s. I left them for the berbalangs to deal with.¡±


    ¡°You could¡¯ve killed them had you stayed.¡±


    Fres felt a shiver run across her spine.


    Justino¡¯s face was without expression, yet¡­


    ¡°Yeah, but I thought you¡¯d want information. I would¡¯ve stayed, but I had decided to finally listen to your lectures.¡±


    Justino¡¯s hair writhed.


    There was barely a breeze.


    Fres took an involuntary step back.


    ¡°Okay¡­ okay,¡± Justino muttered. ¡°Calm¡­ I¡¯m out of runners right now. I need you to ring the bell to gather the non-fighters and unchanged in the meeting hall,¡± he gestured to the large barn-like structure on the other side of the dirt road. ¡°You remember the sequence?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but you need me here. If the attackers make it inside I want to fight by the Elder¡¯s side. I¡¯m the next strongest after you,¡± Fres whined. ¡°At least let me continue hitting the attackers. I can bring you more captives. Fresh blood and meat will keep us strong.¡±


    Justino forgot how young she was, so he tempered his words. ¡°There is something dangerous out there. I can feel it in my gut. I¡¯d have the Elder recall everyone if that was possible.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, you¡¯re the boss,¡± Fres pouted as she stomped away to comply with Justino¡¯s orders.


    He sighed and waited for Porfiro to arrive.


    Once they¡¯d crack the human woman¡¯s head they¡¯d be able to come up with a plan to defeat the attackers.


    Justino was looking forward to feasting on those that dared hurt his family.


    The bell set in the nearby watch tower rang in the proper sequence.


    Justino was relieved that Fres hadn¡¯t screwed it up.


    They had drilled for emergencies.


    It would take less than a few minutes for his more vulnerable family members to leave their homes and gather in the meeting hall. The central location meant it¡¯d be easier to defend.


    For the second time in less than ten minutes light flashed, briefly turning night into day.


    The crack of thunder followed a split second later.


    Several small structures exploded near the eastern wall.


    A few charred bodies were among the debris that rained down.


    Justino saw it all in slow motion thanks to his enhanced perceptions.


    He leapt up to the roof of the interrogation house for a better look.


    A scant handful of figures sprinted across the clearing.


    Human.


    The attackers were about to breach the village.


    Justino had no illusions about what had happened to the balbal force that had been on the wall before taking the fight to the attackers in the rainforest.


    At least his family, including Ramon, had died well.


    They had whittled the enemy down from hundreds to a few.


    Easy enough for the remaining defenders to handle.


    ¡°Hoy!¡± Justino whistled.


    A small group of young men and women came rushing out of one of the nearby structures.


    His reserve. Low levels and little combat experience.


    Justino was counting on numbers and home advantage. Not to mention that the attackers must¡¯ve already spent a lot of their spells and Skills.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to back up the guys at the breach. Stay back and let the veterans engage first. Jump in only if it looks like they need help. Strike from the darkness and gang up on the enemy.


    Eager faces stared at Justino with rapt attention.


    ¡°Well¡­ what are you waiting for? Go get them!¡±


    The young men and women began to transform.


    Except for one unlucky young woman.


    Justino grabbed her arm. ¡°Not you.¡±


    Her face fell.


    Justino shook his head. It wasn¡¯t like he was telling her she couldn¡¯t take part in the feast. No one was going to miss out after they had won. He¡¯d see that everyone got more than enough.


    ¡°I need you to go to the mangkukulams.¡±


    The young woman¡¯s disappointment turned to fear.


    ¡°Just deliver my message then get back here. Tell them to begin the kulam. Their targets are everyone inside the village that isn¡¯t part of the family.¡±


    As his young charges eagerly, minus one, went to do their part, Justino struggled to push aside an unfamiliar feeling that had taken root in his chest ever since the fight had started.


    He hadn¡¯t felt it in so long that he only just realized what it was.


    Fear.


    Not just for his village and family.


    Not even only for himself.


    But also for Porfiro.


    The thought was blasphemous.


    The Elder was the strongest in the entire area.


    Why did it feel like they were on the edge of disaster?


    <hr>


    Mrs. Reyes heard the bell.


    Each subsequent ring sent panic flooding through her.


    Emergency.


    Get to the meeting hall as quickly as possible.


    She had already been awake.


    She was new to being an Aswang: Balbal, but the call of flesh and blood was something ingrained in the Class. There was death in the air and she could feel it in her bones.


    She was thankful that the village provided her with plenty of flesh to keep her mind from going out of her control. Otherwise she might¡¯ve harmed her¡ª


    No.


    Never.


    She¡¯d never do that to her precious baby boy.


    Which was why she had wanted the Elder to grant him the change as soon as possible.


    If her son was no longer just a normal human then there would be no temptation. No matter the circumstances.


    She could see the way some of her neighbors looked at her baby.


    To be fair she looked at the other unchanged in a similar fashion in her hungrier moments.


    Mrs. Reyes shook her son awake and ushered him out of their small, but cozy home and into the warm night.


    She clutched his hand tightly as she half-dragged him along the dirt path, joined by several others.


    Noncombatant aswangs and their human family members, some as young as toddlers, hurried to the meeting hall.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on, Mommy?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, sweetie. Just a drill. You remember those, right?¡±


    Her precious son yawned, but nodded.


    ¡°I was having a good dream,¡± her son pouted. ¡°I was flying over the trees! Does that mean I¡¯ll be a berbalang when I can finally change?¡±


    ¡°Ay nako, I told you already that you start as a balbal or a mandurugo¡­ I¡¯ll bet you¡¯ll be a mandurugo since you¡¯re already so handsome!¡± Mrs. Reyes tried to smile, but every instinct inside of her was screaming for her to move faster.


    ¡°But you¡¯re a balbal, shouldn¡¯t I be like you?¡±


    ¡°You can be whatever you want.¡±


    This time Mrs. Reyes smiled at her son.


    They had been so lucky that the Elder had seen something in them to make them a part of the family.


    ¡°Then I want to be l¡ª¡±


    Their world exploded.


    Mrs. Reyes wrapped her son up in a tight embrace with strength and reflexes that her middle-aged appearance belied.


    The force threw her like a doll and slammed her into a house on the opposite side of the path.


    Brick and wood broke as she plowed into it and out the other side.


    ¡°Are you okay, baby?¡± Mrs. Reyes groaned.


    Her back was on fire. She could feel jagged wooden splinters and bits of brick in her back.


    It hurt, but not as much as she expected.


    Her pain didn¡¯t matter.


    Only her son¡¯s safety did and she thanked the Elder that she was strong enough to keep him safe.


    Mrs. Reyes opened her eyes and stared into her son¡¯s¡­ unblinking eyes.


    His neck was turned at an odd-looking angle.


    A tiny droplet of blood dribbled out the corner of his delicate mouth.


    There had always been more of her long-dead husband¡¯s features in her son.


    Her dead son.


    Realization.


    Mrs. Reyes wailed.


    A cry that was echoed by others in the vicinity.


    How many had died because they were too young to be granted the gift?


    The anguish of grief turned into screams of rage as the survivors lost their grip on the human part of their thoughts.


    The aswangs transformed.


    Balbal and mandurugo.


    The former were beastly.


    The latter beautiful if not for their impossibly long, sharp-tipped tongues.


    They all wanted blood and flesh.


    Mrs. Reyes stared down at her son¡¯s body from her now seven-foot-tall height.


    She dipped her head down, her too-large mouth and jaw distended.


    No!


    She stopped.


    Never that.


    She turned away and cast about for something else to focus on.


    The other dead bodies.


    Then she sensed it.


    A warm body.


    A living one.


    A young man, nearly just a boy himself stepped out of a ruined home.


    A magical glow within his chest was faintly visible to Mrs. Reyes¡¯ supernatural senses.


    ¡°There¡­ he killed my baby!¡± she pointed.


    The aswangs attacked in a disorganized mass.


    Each one wanted to be the first to tear their loved ones¡¯ killer to pieces and feast on his flesh and drink his blood.


    The young man spread his arms wide and a black wave of crackling energy in the shape of a claw emerged from the space in front of his chest, sweeping across the first rank.


    Aswangs body parts disintegrated where the wave touched.


    A mandurugo, Mrs. Reyes annoying neighbor, leapt off the back of a dying balbal and sent her tongue spearing toward the young man.


    The young man dived to one side, but was too slow.


    The sharp tongue stabbed through his armor and clothing into this stomach.


    Before the mandurugo could begin sucking up the young man¡¯s viscera, his fingers and hands twisted.


    A glowing pane of magic appeared in front of his body, shearing through the tongue.


    The young man¡¯s face twisted with pain and disgust as he grabbed the wriggling tongue and ripped it out of him.


    His fingers danced again and a faint, green glow suffused the area around the pinprick hole in his stomach.


    The trickle of blood stopped as the hole healed shut.


    The young man¡¯s face burned with undisguised hatred to match the aswangs. He burned more of Mrs. Reyes¡¯ neighbors with tendrils of dark fire that whipped around as if they had minds of their own.


    They weren¡¯t fighters. They were new to their class. Their levels were too low.


    Still, they threw themselves at the boyish young man.


    And died.


    It didn¡¯t matter.


    Not to Mrs. Reyes.


    Her one reason for living was dead.


    Snuffed out by a heartless foe that cared nothing for her son¡¯s bright smile.


    She circled around as the others braved the wall of fire the young man conjured in front of him.


    Their death screams concealed her approach to the young man¡¯s right.


    She sprang.


    Long limbs carried her across the short distance quickly.


    The young man turned to face her.


    Her hooked claws slapped out, clumsy, but with her supernatural strength it was enough.


    She tore through the young man¡¯s chest plate and drew blood.


    The glowing light in the young man¡¯s chest flared.


    This time she didn¡¯t need her supernatural senses to see it.


    She recoiled at the brightness.


    Something hot tore through her stomach.


    Pain unlike any other spread through her insides.


    What did it matter?


    Her baby was gone.


    Life was over.


    She just wanted to make the murderer pay before she went to join her son.


    Mrs. Reyes lunged forward with her grotesquely distended mouth.


    She anticipated the sweet taste of revenge.


    Claws punctured the top of her head and her shoulder.


    She felt a tearing sensation, followed by disorientation as the world suddenly spun end over end.


    Her last thought was of her baby boy as her vision went black.

 5.13

    Now, Northern Philippines


    Rino reverted to her human form.


    The full weredog form wasn¡¯t the best when it came to verbal communication and she wanted to yell at the young ranger for screwing things up.


    ¡°Fin, right? What the fuck are you doing here?¡±


    The boyish young man had a blank look on his face, as if he wasn¡¯t seeing her.


    Which was odd because she was naked.


    Rino slapped Fin.


    He blinked slowly.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t need to help me. I had them,¡± Fin scowled at her.


    Rino frowned.


    Fin¡¯s eyes stared into hers.


    Not even the hint of a twitch downward to her exposed chest.


    ¡°You¡¯re part of the rangers. I didn¡¯t see you with them back in the forest. So, again, what are you doing here?¡± she jabbed a finger into his chest.


    ¡°Killing the enemy,¡± Fin looked at her as if she was the one confused.


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t part of the plan,¡± Rino narrowed her eyes.


    Fin stared at her for an uncomfortable moment. ¡°Your arrival helped my squad so that I didn¡¯t need to step in. They were injured and unable to continue. I decided to proceed to the village and continue the mission,¡± he said flatly.


    ¡°Were you following me?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It seemed prudent.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say something?¡±


    Fin shrugged. ¡°I thought if I stayed hidden I could catch the enemy off guard.¡±


    ¡°Did you even notice who you were attacking?¡±


    ¡°Aswangs.¡±


    ¡°Look again!¡± Rino snapped.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see¡ª¡±


    Rino grabbed Fin by the arm and dragged him over to several broken bodies. ¡°Humans, as in non-aswangs. Children and babies. Did you forget the briefing?¡±


    Fin¡¯s face was a stone mask.


    ¡°We were supposed to avoid human casualties,¡± Rino growled.


    The young man¡¯s demeanor changed. A straight, stiff back hunched over as he drew in on himself. ¡°I didn¡¯t notice,¡± he whispered.


    ¡°No shit!¡± Rino stalked around Fin. She stopped and sniffed the air. Her hair bristled. ¡°Something¡¯s coming. We need to move,¡± she transformed and threw Fin over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes before dashing further into the dark village.


    Small wooden houses lined the dirt path.


    They were well-made, not at all like the shacks Rino had been expecting.


    She had to find a place to stash the kid before she could get back to her mission.


    It irked her to admit that the Fin¡¯s actions had probably created a greater amount of chaos than she would¡¯ve caused by stealthily assassinating individual aswangs.


    There was no way that the Elder wouldn¡¯t have noticed all that death and destruction. If what Ginessa had said about the aswangs being connected to each other through some kind of magic or Skill was true.


    She could only hope that enough distance from the site of Fin¡¯s massacre would keep the Elder from locating them.


    A futile hope.


    A loud screech was Rino¡¯s only warning that it was too late.


    Pain suddenly wracked her body.


    She and Fin tumbled down the dirt path.


    Rino growled.


    Every muscle in her body suddenly felt blown. It was like she had just completed the most difficult workout of her life. She felt the sheer exhaustion down to the bone.


    ¡°Get up,¡± Fin hissed. ¡°It¡¯s in the sky.¡±


    ¡°Kulam,¡± a guttural voice echoed from above.


    Fin spread his arms wide and a glowing shield materialized over the two of them.


    Something sizzled against it.


    Rino didn¡¯t see what it was.


    ¡°Identify the spell,¡± Fin muttered.


    Rino could barely keep her eyes open.


    More invisible strikes hit Fin¡¯s shield.


    ¡°Curse. Pain and exhaustion as effects,¡± Fin said in monotone. ¡°It¡¯s an Aswang: Manananggal,¡± he said.


    ¡°The flying half-woman thing,¡± Rino growled.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to take that as an assent,¡± Fin said. ¡°I can counter the curse on you, but I have to drop my shield.¡±


    Rino growled a negative.


    ¡°Right, I won¡¯t have the time. The aswang will hit me as soon as I drop the shield. So, you¡¯re going to have to wait.¡± Fin dropped the shield and barged into a house to his left.


    Rino tried to crawl out of the path and into some cover to the right.


    The aswang screeched.


    Rino felt claws stab and cut into her back. She tried to turn and defend herself, but her muscles refused to listen.


    Heat and light bloomed as a gout of fire emerged from the house Fin had dived into.


    The aswang was caught and flapped away as the flames licked her body.


    Rino turned a baleful eye on Fin as the young man stood in the shadowed doorway. For a moment he stared at her without emotion.


    His hands contorted and light pulsed in front of his chest.


    Rino felt the strength returning to her limbs.


    She came to her feet with violent suddenness and unleashed a rage-filled howl.


    The aswang answered the challenge with an ear-splitting shriek.


    Rino¡¯s blood was up.


    All her attention was focused on the aswang circling overhead.


    She didn¡¯t notice Fin disappearing down the dirt path toward the center of the village.


    <hr>


    The aswang brought in a woman and dumped her in a cage on the opposite side of the large room.


    Rai exchanged a glance with Ambrose.


    Going by her physical appearance the woman probably came from somewhere else.


    As in from another country.


    The aswang licked the bloody cuts on the woman¡¯s face before locking the cage door and leaving.


    Rai was impressed by how the woman hadn¡¯t reacted to the leering aswang.


    ¡°It¡¯s a trick,¡± Ambrose whispered, ¡°put in a fake prisoner to get us to spill our secrets. Maybe even help us ¡®escape¡¯ before betraying us just as freedom is in sight. A classic.¡±


    Rai pondered it.


    Definitely possible, but why go through all the trouble when that Justino person had said that their leader could just take the information from their heads.


    Rai had no idea if the aswangs were capable of that.


    The mythology didn¡¯t really suggest that aswangs could read minds directly.


    Then again, he was dealing with reality, not fiction.


    Even if the lines had been blurred.


    Some myths, however, did carry over into reality.


    ¡°Excuse me, miss?¡± Rai waved to get the woman¡¯s attention.


    ¡°I¡¯m not spilling any secrets to you. I know about the fake prisoner trick too,¡± she sneered.


    ¡°We aren¡¯t fake. We¡¯re real¡­ prisoners, that is,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°You will note the cuts and bruises on our bodies,¡± Rai held his arms through the bars of his cage, ¡°see my wrists? The welts and scabbing? All thanks to multiple hours of being shackled over the last few days. The village is under attack, judging by the explosions. Your appearance suggests that you¡¯re a part of this attack. Logically, you¡¯ve caught the aswang by surprise. Does it then make sense that we¡¯ve been prepared just for you?¡± Rai said.


    ¡°Lady, use your eyes and nose. We¡¯re no aswang,¡± Ambrose cut in.


    ¡°The only things I can smell in this house are old shit, stale piss and rancid meat. Fits what I know of aswangs,¡± the woman said.


    ¡°Well, we were about to be introduced to the someone called the ¡®Elder¡¯ before you attacked, so thank you for momentarily postponing our painful deaths,¡± Rai began, ¡°unfortunately, from what I overheard the fighting isn¡¯t going too well for them and they¡¯ll be bringing the Elder here to drain every bit of information out of your head.¡±


    ¡°You heard that from in here?¡± the woman frowned.


    ¡°I have good ears,¡± Rai smiled.


    ¡°Whether I live or die doesn¡¯t matter. Whether you¡¯re aswang spies or not doesn¡¯t matter. We¡¯ve already won,¡± the woman laughed bitterly.


    ¡°Then why don¡¯t we do all that we can to get out of this alive?¡± Rai said.


    The woman mulled it over for a second before nodding. ¡°Okay. What do I call you two?¡±


    Rai looked over at Ambrose.


    ¡°Your decision, but if she drops a kulam on me I¡¯m going to haunt you for the rest of your short life,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°I¡¯m Rai and that¡¯s Ambrose.¡±


    ¡°You go by your real names? Rookie mistake,¡± the woman scoffed. ¡°I¡¯m Chains.¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡± Ambrose eyes widened. ¡°That¡¯s real?¡±


    Rai shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ve yet to come across evidence of it.¡±


    Chains tsked. ¡°So, what can the two of you do? Classes?¡±


    ¡°Not much without our stuff,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°Our equipment is in the other room,¡± Rai gestured to the closed door.


    ¡°Good thing those aswangs are amateurs,¡± Chains said.


    She pulled a cigarette and a lighter from her pocket.


    ¡°Lady, now¡¯s not the time for a smoke break,¡± Ambrose said.


    Chains took a long drag and exhaled.


    The smoke slithered like a snake toward the padlock on her cage.


    The lock started to glow red, then white, before melting to the floor.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s new,¡± Ambrose blinked.


    ¡°What kind of mage are you?¡± Rai said.


    Chains winked before repeating the magic twice more. ¡°Best get your gear, boys.¡±


    The two young men rushed into the other room and quickly emerged with their weapons and other¡­ equipment.


    ¡°Are those shrunken heads?¡± Chains¡¯ face twisted.


    Ambrose glanced at his belt. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Just wondering,¡± Chains shrugged. ¡°So, what do they do?¡±


    ¡°I use them to gain abilities,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°And you?¡± Chains turned to Rai.


    ¡°Spirits,¡± Rai said.


    ¡°Great, well, I think our best bet is to ambush them in here. We¡¯d be outnumbered out there, surrounded, I¡¯ll confuse them with my smoke and the two of you take them out,¡± Chains said.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you just burn them like you did those locks?¡± Ambrose said.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°Too slow. They¡¯d just move.¡±


    Rai regarded the woman. She looked nervous despite her attempt to hide it. ¡°Or we can sneak out the back. I¡¯m pretty sure we¡¯ll only die horribly if we try to take on the Elder. Even that Justino person would stomp us.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we should go now before they notice. Aswang can sense magic¡­ kinda weird that he hasn¡¯t come running already,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll burn us a hole through the wall,¡± Chains said. ¡°If we can get outside there¡¯s a chance I can use an emergency get out of jail card. I hope Rayna¡¯s brother wasn¡¯t full of shit,¡± she muttered the last bit under her breath.


    The front door opened.


    All three spun around.


    Extended fingers pierced them all, fixing them in place.


    ¡°You¡¯re one of the villains hurting and killing my family.¡±


    The figure standing at the door was a tall man, beautiful beyond belief with long, silvery hair. The fingers of his right hand were splayed out, resembling long, thin blades.


    He pulled Chains closer, while keeping the other two pinned to the floor.


    ¡°You will die for your part in this, but first, I will take all you know.¡±


    Chains couldn¡¯t look away from the terrible beauty. ¡°Please, help me,¡± she whispered.


    ¡°Prayer? Don¡¯t bother. This is my village, my forest, my world. There are no other gods.¡±


    Rai and Ambrose couldn¡¯t bear to watch, but weren¡¯t able to look away.


    The Elder¡¯s presence demanded attention.


    ¡°Do something,¡± Ambrose ground out.


    ¡°I can¡¯t¡­ there aren¡¯t any spirits anywhere nearby,¡± Rai wailed.


    They could only watch as the Elder drained Chains.


    First of her memories.


    Then of her blood.


    Until a dried husk was all that remained.


    A pensive look came over the Elder¡¯s face. ¡°So¡­ that¡¯s why,¡± he said softly before regarding the two young men skewered on his fingers. ¡°You¡¯ve become less important to me in terms of information. However, your lives will add to my strength for the coming battle.¡±


    <hr>


    Justino had to leave his post.


    A massive fireball erupting in the part of the village that many families would¡¯ve been on their way to the meeting hall from demanded a response.


    Fres had immediately transformed and shot like an arrow toward the immense column of smoke rising into the darkness.


    Justino had almost immediately smelled burned flesh, aswang and human, while he sprinted.


    How had the enemy penetrated so deeply?


    Porfiro was silent.


    He knew that the connection was there, but something was still interfering.


    Enemy action.


    It was the only explanation at this point.


    They had been completely outclassed and that fell on his head.


    He was responsible for the defense and he had failed spectacularly.


    Long black hair whipped around his head angrily.


    Protect the family. Kill and feast.


    The latter sentiments were beginning to take precedence in the chaotic whirl of his thoughts.


    Justino transformed.


    His body and limbs lengthened, while his head changed shape until it resembled a vague mix between man and cat. Over two feet was added to his short height.


    Sleek and sinuous muscles rippled with every movement.


    A promise of the strength and speed he now possessed.


    The transformation didn¡¯t stop there.


    Black hair grew from every part of his body until it obscured the form beneath. Strands waved about as if they had a mind of their own. They snapped and reached for nonexistent enemies while Justino ran.


    He rounded a corner and slid to a halt.


    Someone was close, hiding.


    He was a supreme hunter and with his supernatural senses even magical means of stealth could be pierced.


    Small homes lined both sides of the dirt path. They were tidy and well-kept as was the expectation. Not demanded, but rather encouraged.


    They were empty since the owners had gone to fight or had evacuated to the meeting hall.


    There!


    Tendrils of hair stabbed out without warning toward a home to his left.


    There was a bright flash of light as the enemy dropped what must¡¯ve been some kind of concealment spell in favor of a hasty magic shield.


    The shield shattered, but managed to protect the caster from Justino¡¯s attack.


    The revealed enemy was a boyish-looking young man. Slight of frame, but with a dangerous glint in his eyes.


    Justino could smell the blood of family around the young man.


    That should¡¯ve meant instant death, but Justino still needed more information about the enemy. All he had at the moment were bits and pieces. Instinct told him that they faced a grave threat, but he couldn¡¯t seem to bring himself to fully conceptualize what that meant. Every time he had tried his thoughts scattered, it was like he was trying to carry water with a rice sifter.


    The young man sent a ball of flame at Justino.


    He created a shield out of his prehensile hair.


    Only mildly painful.


    The magical fire sputtered out. Unable to find purchase.


    Justino¡¯s innate magical resistance was too strong for the young man¡¯s magic.


    The young man attacked with a black wave of crackling energy.


    Justino leapt over it and bore the young man to the ground. He could sense magic pulsing within the young man¡¯s chest.


    That was new.


    Justino sent hair into the young man¡¯s nose and mouth.


    The young man struggled, but soon passed out from the lack of oxygen.


    An easy fight.


    This enemy wasn¡¯t the one Justino dreaded.


    He heard the sound of battle not too far away.


    Growling and screeching.


    Fierce fighting.


    Fres would have to handle it on her own.


    He had to bring the enemy back to Porfiro.


    While Justino hurried back to the center of the village with his captive Fres was in the most difficult fight of her life with a werewolf¡­ dog.


    Her enemy was a strong, fast, heavy and vicious.


    Teeth and claws had scored multiple wounds on Fres¡¯ body and they weren¡¯t healing as fast as they should¡¯ve been.


    It wasn¡¯t salt.


    Fres didn¡¯t feel any of the hated substance.


    Perhaps it was something in the nature of the enemy.


    Fres noticed that the cuts and stabs she had inflicted on the enemy were also slow to heal.


    She slashed across the weredog¡¯s eyes, giving her space to flap her wings.


    Or so she thought.


    A painful tug on her lower half kept her from ascending into the dark.


    Fres screeched in pain and at the indignity of being held like a kite by her bloody entrails.


    The weredog clamped her teeth into Fres¡¯ intestines like they were sausages and savagely shook her head.


    Oh such pain.


    Fres had taken human fighters hacking at her with machetes and axes with barely a sting.


    She abandoned her attempt to fly up and instead laid the weredog¡¯s back open with her razor-edged wings.


    The two crashed to the ground with Fres on top. Her entrails had luckily looped around the weredog¡¯s neck.


    She stabbed her sharp tongue into the weredog¡¯s flank and sucked.


    Blood and viscera gave her strength and healed her wounds.


    And such strength it was!


    So much more than her normal human prey.


    The weredog howled and slashed at the tongue.


    Fres pulled it back into her mouth.


    She had gotten more than enough.


    She beat her wings with renewed vigor and took off.


    The weredog choked and struggled as Fres¡¯ entrails tightened like a noose.


    Claws tore at the coils, but with the weredog¡¯s blood in Fres¡¯ system they healed quickly.


    Fres tucked her wings and dived to the ground. She angled her descent toward a row of homes. At the last second she unfurled her wings and with mighty beats flew fast, just over rooftops.


    She dragged the weredog through the homes leaving a wake of broken brick and wood.


    She pulled up and chanced a glance down.


    The weredog was covered in wooden splinters, large and small.


    Fres couldn¡¯t resist the bloody wounds. She shot her tongue toward a particularly oozing one near the meat of the weredog¡¯s left thigh.


    That was a mistake.


    The weredog¡¯s clawed hand moved faster, catching the tongue.


    Before Fres could react the weredog had wound the tongue several times around its arm and yanked.


    Fres¡¯ head was jerked down.


    Her wing beats faltered and the two of them plummeted to the ground.


    They crashed into the middle of a dirt path.


    Somehow they had missed the homes on either side.


    Fres was dazed by the impact.


    Suddenly, she felt teeth and pressure around the back of her neck.


    It was immense, more than anything she had ever felt before.


    Panic flooded her.


    She beat her wings with fury.


    Razor edges caught flesh.


    The weredog let go with a yelp.


    Fres pulled herself forward in the dirt before launching herself into the dark sky in desperation.


    That was too close.


    For a moment she had known what her prey had felt.


    It wasn¡¯t a feeling she liked.


    Fear filled her.


    Away.


    That was the only thought in her mind.


    The Elder¡¯s encouraging presence wasn¡¯t in her thoughts like it normally would¡¯ve been. Like it had always been when they had to defend their village from strong monsters.


    If it had been then Fres would¡¯ve looked back to the ground and she would¡¯ve seen that the weredog was clutching its bleeding throat, vulnerable.


    Instead, Fres flew fast, away from the village and abandoned her family.


    <hr>


    Hanna led the way through the breach in the village wall.


    She had retrieved her Threnosh-made shield from Amber and along with her Threnosh-made armor made her the tankiest member of the group.


    Besides, the young woman wasn¡¯t going to use it since she had stayed in the forest with the gravely-injured Max to wait for an evac from Cruces.


    The remainder of the state¡¯s spear unit advanced a short distance on her heels, shields and spears forward.


    The rest of the group was further back.


    The open space behind the wall gave way to simply, but tidy homes in neat, orderly rows.


    A narrow dirt path looked to be the only way further into the village.


    Hanna raised her Threnosh-made sword to signal a halt.


    The dark homes were the perfect place to attack from ambush.


    ¡°What are you thinking?¡± Demi said through the comms in Hanna¡¯s helmet.


    ¡°Narrow path, houses on both sides. It¡¯s a trap,¡± Hanna said. ¡°Danger sense check?¡±


    ¡°One second.¡±


    Hanna waited.


    Unbidden thoughts of Ron flowed into and out of her mind.


    Another death to add to the memorial.


    Poor Hillary.


    The girl had lost her only remaining family member.


    No.


    That wasn¡¯t right.


    They were all family.


    Survivors united in their losses.


    ¡°Del and Jimenez are both at high numbers,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°I can go in and spring the trap. I think I¡¯d survive long enough with my gear for the rest of you to hammer them with spells, but I¡¯m running low on stamina for my Skills. I have to save my best for that Elder thing,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°It might be time to call it and bring Cruces in,¡± Demi said flatly.


    ¡°Not yet, only when we¡¯ve got nothing left to give,¡± Hanna said.


    Ron had given everything.


    She pushed the thought away.


    ¡°Jake¡¯s got an idea,¡± Demi said.


    Hanna glanced back.


    Jake¡¯s face was lit up by the laptop he held in front of him.


    How many of those things had he brought?


    The massive lightning bolt he had used to blow a hole in the village wall had fried one.


    ¡°This is my last one,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Eyes shut!¡± Demi barked.


    Hanna didn¡¯t need to worry about that. The helmet¡¯s faceplate would automatically darken.


    Jake engage his spell.


    An enormous bolt of lightning, blue-white crackling with energy lanced out from the space in front of the laptop. It arced into the homes and continued on for hundreds of yards.


    Homes exploded on both sides of the path as the bolt oscillated from one side to the other and back.


    Darkness reclaimed the night as the spell dissipated into the village.


    Hanna tensed, ready for a response.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Grenades?¡± Jake suggested with a shrug.


    ¡°Do it!¡±


    Each fighter had one grenade.


    They threw them into the homes that remained standing.


    Explosions filled the night as if it was the new year.


    Although they weren¡¯t trying to scare evil spirits away, but rather were trying to draw them out.


    Still nothing.


    Small fires and smoke littered the village as far as they could see.


    ¡°What about a taunt, Doran?¡± Hanna turned to the Spear Sergeant in command of the spear unit.


    The grizzled man shook his head. ¡°Need a visible target.¡±


    ¡°Looks like it¡¯s back to my plan,¡± Hanna said into the comms. ¡°Try not to hit¡ª¡±


    An enormous fireball bloomed in another part of the village to the west of their position.


    ¡°The rangers,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°That should¡¯ve shaken the aswangs up.¡± Hanna sensed an opportunity. The best way out of a trap was to fight your way through or at least she remembered reading something like that once. She dashed down the path into the village with shield and sword ready.


    Rubble was on both sides of her.


    Fires filled the air with smoke.


    Not a problem with her high-tech helmet.


    Everything looked as clear as day to her.


    ¡°Advance carefully!¡±


    Hanna heard Demi¡¯s voice in her ears.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get too far ahead!¡±


    That command was for her, so Hanna slowed to a jog.


    She heard it then.


    Animal-like roars accompanied by the pounding of what sounded like dozens of heavy feet.


    ¡°Contact,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Fall back to the path head!¡± Demi barked. ¡°We¡¯ll bottleneck them!¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Hanna hurried back.


    What remained of the spear unit had formed a bristling wall across the path. There was an intact home on their left and a pile of rubble to their right.


    ¡°Trevor, that¡¯s the last of our salt. I want as much coverage as possible,¡± Demi said.


    The young man glanced at the glass containers of salt in his hands. Only two. He let out a long breath and nodded.


    ¡°Don¡¯t hold anything back! This is the enemy¡¯s last push!¡± Demi said.


    The aswangs appeared out of the smoke.


    Big ones, ground bound, just like the ones they had fought in the forest.


    ¡°Trevor!¡± Demi barked.


    The young man hurled the containers of salt.


    One toward the front of the charging aswang and the other toward the center.


    Bursts of gunfire shattered them and showered much of the aswangs with salt.


    ¡°Weapons free!¡± Demi said.


    The barrage was painfully short to Hanna¡¯s ears. They had expended much of their ammunition during the previous battle.


    ¡°Taunts!¡± Doran said calmly. His Spearmen and Spearwomen shouted grimly in unison. They had gone through this already with twice their number. They remembered how the others had died and yet they set their stances and tightened their grips. ¡°Brace. Reflect Charge.¡± His gaze shifted to Hanna for a moment. ¡°My unit¡¯s last.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be enough,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Shock!¡±


    ¡°Eldritch Dart!¡±


    ¡°Power Throw!¡±


    A rock, of all things, buried itself into the forehead of one of the eight foot tall aswangs.


    Demi poured accurate fire from the Threnosh-made recoilless rifle. It¡¯d be awhile before she ran out of ammunition.


    Hanna wondered if there would be divine intervention this time.


    Cal had warned them that something inside the village was interfering with his abilities.


    The aswangs reached their line.


    And Hanna had no more time for extraneous thoughts.

 5.14

    Now, Northern Philippines


    Aswangs roared as threw themselves into the wall of spears.


    The spears would¡¯ve broken under their weight if not for Spear Sergeant Doran¡¯s Skills.


    Instead the aswangs pushed forward even as their bodies were pierced until they could reach the brave men and women braced behind their large shields.


    The sergeant¡¯s other Skill kicked in and the aswangs suddenly recoiled, pushed back by the same force they had inflicted with their charge.


    Spells and alchemical concoctions flew over the line and splashed amongst the aswangs.


    Flesh burned and melted under the attacks.


    The stench was horrendous.


    Hanna lopped an aswang¡¯s head off.


    She blocked an arm the size of a small tree with her Threnosh-made shield.


    The aswang blinked in confusion at the dull thud his strike had made. That same blow had dented car doors and shattered wooden shields.


    Hanna barely feel the impact thanks to her superior gear.


    Her blade went right through the front of the aswang¡¯s skull.


    Another aswang lunged for Hanna.


    She jammed the edge of her round shield into the exposed throat, while slashing the arm off a second aswang attacking from her right.


    The first aswang¡¯s eye exploded in a shower of gore from the stream of projectiles Demi shot from her recoilless rifle.


    As for the second, Hanna cleaved through the top of its head.


    Things weren¡¯t going as well for the line.


    The sergeant¡¯s Skills had run out.


    Spears broke.


    Even with the salt the aswang were still supernaturally strong and resilient.


    Though a handful had fallen, there were still more.


    The towering monsters reached the shields.


    Powerful strikes, broke wood and the arms behind them.


    An unfortunate Spearman was pulled from the line and thrown back into the mass of aswang to be torn apart and devoured.


    A Spearwoman followed suit despite the desperate attempts to pull her back.


    Doran had enough. ¡°Rapid Disengage!¡± he bellowed.


    The surviving spear unit members backpedaled with impossible speed while the aswangs¡¯ grabbing hands somehow couldn¡¯t find purchase on them.


    ¡°Retreat!¡± Demi said.


    Jake threw a handful of smart phones in the path of the charging aswangs.


    Magic shields sprang to life and temporarily halted the monsters.


    ¡°Hanna!¡±


    ¡°Go! I¡¯ve got this, Watch Captain!¡± Hanna hacked and slashed at the hands and arms grasping all around her.


    The rest of her group retreated toward the village wall while Hanna faced the monsters.


    The aswangs¡¯ strength was blunted by the Threnosh armor. She felt them, but she wasn¡¯t being injured. She whirled wildly. Footwork and technique out the window in the tightly-packed, chaotic melee.


    Snarling faces with grotesquely distended mouths filled with sharp teeth filled Hanna¡¯s view.


    She caught a glint out of the corner of her eye.


    Three glass containers shattered around her.


    A firestorm erupted.


    Once again the impossibly-advanced armor kept her safe.


    The aswang had no such protections.


    Alchemical flames stuck to their bodies and spread despite their efforts to put them out.


    ¡°Ha!¡± Hanna screamed as the flames danced in her eyes.


    She slashed and stabbed with abandon.


    Dancing her way through the aswangs around her.


    ¡°Chain Lightning, fuckers!¡± Jake roared.


    Sudden, blue-white lightning arced around her, spider-webbing in unpredictable directions.


    Her faceplate darkened as stray bolts hit her armor to no effect.


    Again, she had the aswangs at a disadvantage.


    They had no special resistance to Jake¡¯s magic.


    ¡°Got anymore of that!¡± Hanna yelled.


    ¡°Just one more, but I¡¯m saving it for the big boss!¡± Jake yelled back.


    ¡°Fall back, Hanna.¡± Demi¡¯s voice was calm over the comms.


    ¡°We have them!¡± Hanna snapped.


    ¡°No. We¡¯re practically out of mana, Santiago¡¯s out of his concoctions, our spears are spent and I¡¯m running low on ammo. I¡¯m calling in Cruces,¡± Demi said.


    Hanna bared her teeth in a snarl as she separated another aswang¡¯s head from his neck. ¡°Fine.¡± She turned to run only to get hammered from behind and driven into the dirt.


    ¡°I felt that one,¡± Hanna muttered.


    She rolled over and got her shield up just in time to block what looked like four thin, flesh-colored blades.


    The blades retracted into the smoke.


    Hanna scrambled to her feet.


    ¡°Go to the meeting hall,¡± a sonorous voice spoke.


    The remaining aswangs obeyed and hurried back the way they had come even though some were still on fire.


    ¡°You¡¯ve killed enough of my children.¡± The speaker appeared out of the smoke. Dressed in simple farmer¡¯s clothing, but beautiful beyond belief. Perfect features framed by long, silvery hair.


    Butterflies fluttered in Hanna¡¯s stomach.


    The man gestured and two young men appeared behind him.


    They were injured and appeared dazed. Their eyes stared ahead as if looking at nothing while their mouths hung slack.


    ¡°I had thought to kill and drain these two in front of you as recompense, but it seems that you don¡¯t connection. Your appearance is certainly out of place. You will tell me who you are, where you¡¯ve come from and what sort of equipment that is. My fingers have penetrated steel. How is it that your armor denied me?¡±


    The man¡¯s eyes seemed to flash.


    Hanna opened her mouth ready to answer all his questions.


    Then she stopped.


    Clarity came over her.


    ¡°You must be the Elder,¡± Hanna grunted.


    ¡°How are you defying my magic?¡± the Elder¡¯s eyes narrowed as his mouth split into an ugly sharp-fanged snarl.


    Hanna didn¡¯t find him so beautiful anymore.


    The Elder pointed a finger at Hanna. ¡°Death Bolt.¡±


    Dark magic splashed against her shield.


    Hanna charged.


    ¡°How unpleasant,¡± the Elder sighed, ¡°restrain her.¡±


    The two young men lurched forward clumsily.


    Hanna ran right barreled over them behind her shield.


    She thrust her sword for the Elders stomach, but he floated backward out of reach.


    She kept after him, thrusting and slashing.


    ¡°No weapon can hurt me,¡± the Elder smirked.


    ¡°Keep him busy,¡± Demi¡¯s voice spoke into Hanna¡¯s ears.


    The Elder¡¯s fingers lengthened and turned into blades as he stabbed at Hanna.


    Shield and armor kept her safe.


    ¡°What is that made off? Why won¡¯t you listen to me?¡± the Elder¡¯s perfect brow furrowed.


    Hanna struck, but the Elder parried her with his blade-like fingers.


    ¡°Vibrating Blade,¡± she whispered.


    A straight cut was parried again.


    This time the Elder hissed.


    He retreated out of reach to examine his fingers.


    A thin line of blood dripped down his hand and arm.


    ¡°You are intriguing. I will enjoy learning everything I can about you. Perhaps¡­¡± the Elder mused. ¡°Yes. You¡¯ve proved yourself worthy to join my family.¡±


    ¡°You talk too much.¡± Hanna darted forward to get closer to the Elder. ¡°Tenfold Cuts.¡± She slashed her blade through the air. Not making contact with the Elder, but crucially she was within ten feet of him.


    The Elder looked quizzically at Hanna. ¡°What¡ª¡±


    And then he screamed as each of Hanna¡¯s slashes had been magnified by ten in every way. In number, speed and effectiveness.


    Hanna¡¯s Skill overcame the Elder¡¯s resistance and perhaps the Threnosh-made sword made an added difference.


    Thin cuts erupted all over the Elder¡¯s body, shredding clothing and sending blood flying.


    ¡°You will suffer before I grant you the change,¡± the Elder hissed.


    Heavy footsteps rushed past Hanna.


    The Elder had been distracted and he hadn¡¯t noticed the big man sprinting down the dirt path.


    ¡°Lightning Claw!¡± Magical electricity crackled around Jake¡¯s prosthetic hand. He slashed across the Elder¡¯s stomach.


    The smell of burnt flesh filled the air. ¡°This is for Ron!¡± he growled as he thrust his hand into the Elder¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Good, but not enough,¡± the Elder leered. He thrust a hand toward Jake''s face.


    Fingers speared out only to bounce of Hanna¡¯s shield.


    She bodied Jake back and stabbed her blade into the Elder¡¯s thigh.


    Only the tip managed to penetrate.


    Hanna punched her shield out, but it was like hitting a wall.


    The Elder didn¡¯t budge.


    She withdrew her sword and in the same motion slashed across his neck.


    This time she failed to do more than draw a thin line of red.


    ¡°Your Skill seems to have run out,¡± the Elder smirked. ¡°The two of you have hurt me. You¡¯ve earned your entrance. However, you must pay. There will be suffering, but first I will force you to watch and listen to the screams of your fellow warriors. As you have killed my children this night then so to will I do the same to those you care about.¡±


    The Elder floated up into the sky and out of reach.


    ¡°Shit! Shit! Shit! We have to hurry!¡± Jake was already running back down the path.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got incoming! Hanna screamed into the comms.


    ¡°He¡¯s already here,¡± Demi said flatly.


    <hr>


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to kill each other for me?¡± the Elder said from where he floated above them.


    Demi slowly moved her recoilless rifle from the Elder toward Rebekah, who was the closest person.


    For her part, Rebekah had tightened her grip on her axe and had shifted her stance to face Demi.


    All around them, people were slowly turning their weapons on each other.


    ¡°Listen to my voice¡­ it will please me immensely for you to kill each other. Those that prove themselves will be worthy of the gift of family.¡±


    The Elder¡¯s voice was like music to Demi¡¯s ears. Her finger slowly began to squeeze the trigger.


    She stopped suddenly and swung her rifle back to the Elder.


    Her mind had cleared.


    That beautiful face twisted into something feral.


    This time she squeezed the trigger.


    Projectiles struck the Elder.


    To no apparent effect aside from tearing what remained of his tattered clothing.


    ¡°Taunt him!¡± Doran roared.


    The Elder sneered and stabbed a finger out.


    The blade-like appendage stabbed through Doran¡¯s shield and the cheek guard of his helmet.


    Luckily, Doran had turned his head and the finger simply speared through the side of one cheek and out the other.


    The Elder retracted his finger and left Doran choking on blood.


    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    ¡°Eldritch Dart!¡± Alexa struck the Elder from behind.


    The Elder hissed. ¡°Spell for spell. Death Bolt,¡± he pointed.


    Alexa¡¯s eyes widened.


    Demi rammed the woman out of the way and took the dark spell on her chest.


    The lights in her faceplate went dark as she toppled to her back.


    ¡°Captain!¡± Alexa cried.


    ¡°Suppression Fire.¡± Rebekah used up the last of her submachine gun¡¯s ammunition.


    ¡°I¡¯m too powerful for you,¡± the Elder said as he broke free of the effect.


    A loud bang knocked the Elder forward.


    This time he hissed in pain.


    He turned to face Jimenez.


    The shotgun shook in her hands.


    ¡°Clever¡­ use salt as bullets,¡± the Elder pointed at Jimenez.


    ¡°Heater!¡± Trevor said as he hurled a baseball at the Elder¡¯s head.


    The ball erupted into flames as it left his hand.


    It struck the back of the Elder¡¯s head and set his voluminous silver hair alight.


    The Elder extinguished the flames with a shake of his head.


    Jimenez had taken the momentary distraction to retreat behind the shields of the remaining spear unit and Doran.


    ¡°Cutter!¡±


    The second baseball dipped from high to low down the front of the Elder¡¯s chest, drawing blood as it sliced his skin like a knife.


    ¡°This is new,¡± the Elder frowned. ¡°You will live,¡± he slashed impossibly long fingers at Trevor.


    Trevor screamed as razor-sharp finger tips raked across his entire front. His helmet and armor might as well have been made out of paper.


    The Elder was precise and accurate. The wounds he inflicted were deep, but not life-threatening.


    A stream of projectiles whistled through the air and peppered the Elder. ¡°You¡¯re alive. I will have to pry the secret of that armor from your mind,¡± he said.


    ¡°You won¡¯t get that chance.¡± Demi was crouched on one knee. Her pale and sweat-sheened face was visible through her faceplate. Alexa and Del hovered at her back. ¡°I¡¯m calling it,¡± she looked to the sky, ¡°we¡¯ve gone as far as we can.¡±


    The Elder¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    A dark form plummeted from the sky.


    The Elder turned only to take a fist to the face that drove him into the soil.


    Phillip Cruces stalked toward the Elder.


    The Elder¡¯s broken face rearranged itself.


    ¡°Are you the one¡ª¡±


    Phillip drove his steel-covered fist into the Elder¡¯s face once again. ¡°Not interested in what a piece of garbage like you has to say.¡±


    Phillip¡¯s fists worked like pile drivers as he methodically punched the Elder in the face and chest.


    The aswang¡¯s bones broke and reformed continuously under the superstrong beating.


    The Elder managed to point a finger at Phillip.


    A black bolt of death magic struck.


    Phillip¡¯s assault stalled and he staggered back, but only for a moment.


    The Elder raised a hand and speared four fingers and a thumb through Phillips chest plate.


    Phillip grabbed the razor-sharp fingers with both hands.


    They cut right through his thick gloves and even into his skin.


    ¡°Pin pricks,¡± Phillip said.


    Then he snapped the Elder¡¯s blade-like fingers.


    The Elder let out an ear-splitting screech.


    ¡°Not used to being on the receiving end of pain, are you? A taste of what you¡¯ve done to so many others. Just the beginning of your punishment,¡± Phillip growled.


    The Elder retracted his ruined fingers. He stared at the broken things in disbelief. They had been ripped off at the second knuckle from the tip. Bloody bones stuck out from torn flesh. They didn¡¯t heal.


    The Elder hissed as Phillip rushed in with a haymaker.


    The fist crated the ground as the Elder suddenly vanished into mist.


    ¡°Cal, the Elder¡¯s getting away,¡± Phillip said.


    No, he won¡¯t.


    Cal descended out of the darkness with his passengers in tow.


    ¡°I guess our part in this is done?¡± Demi said.


    ¡°You¡¯ve done more than enough,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of the rest¡ª¡± he frowned, ¡°damn it! The rangers are going to get themselves in trouble.¡± He launched himself into the air.


    <hr>


    The rangers had followed the trail of devastation in the village.


    They found Rino with her throat slit, but still alive. The woman¡¯s wound looked to be healing, but she had lost a lot of blood and was out cold. They stashed her in a home and covered her naked body with a jacket before continuing on.


    ¡°I feel magic in the air,¡± Smores said through grit teeth.


    ¡°You¡¯re fucking slobbering into my ear,¡± Mouthy groused.


    ¡°Fin?¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Yes. The aswangs haven¡¯t displayed the capacity for outwardly explosive spells,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°A lot of exploded homes and scorch marks all over the place,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a tracker, but my eyes are pretty good and I think I see a lot of prints headed down that way,¡± Aims pointed down the dirt path.


    ¡°Toward the center of the village. Makes sense they¡¯d put their noncombatants in a defensible location. Remember, there are normal humans among the aswang, be careful with your fire,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°What happens if we run into the boss?¡± Two-toes said.


    ¡°Big brother saves our taints,¡± Mouthy sneered.


    ¡°You¡¯d better hope he does,¡± Hardhat smirked.


    The rangers moved forward cautiously.


    They reached the center of the village and took cover behind the corners of homes on both sides of the path.


    A terrifying monster stood alone in front of a large structure that must¡¯ve been a village hall of some kind. It was tall, a vaguely humanoid feline shape hidden beneath a mass of long, black hair that writhed and wriggled like a thousands worms.


    ¡°Oh shit! It¡¯s that malakat-thing,¡± Mouthy whispered.


    ¡°Second strongest aswang. Lieutenant to the gabunan leader,¡± Smores said.


    The malakat turned eyes that burned like fire in the ranger¡¯s direction.


    ¡°And he sees us, fuck me,¡± Mouthy snapped.


    ¡°Mark Target,¡± Sgt. Butcher said calmly. ¡°Give it everything we¡¯ve got.¡± She could only hope that Rayna¡¯s brother was about to intervene. From what the briefing about the malakat had said they didn¡¯t stand a chance, especially considering how much of their abilities they had already expended and how short-handed they were.


    The malakat zigzagged across the few dozen yards of open space between him and the rangers.


    Spells and gunfire tracked his movement.


    Half missed, but half hit.


    They wouldn¡¯t have hit him once had it not been for the sergeant¡¯s Skill helping their aim.


    It was almost like having an aimbot, to use an old term.


    Unfortunately, the long, thick hair covering the malakat¡¯s body was stronger than armor.


    Nothing seemed to be making a dent.


    Smores'' ice darts shattered.


    Aim¡¯s bullets were deflected.


    Even the last of the salt rounds from Hardhat¡¯s and Two-toes shotguns didn¡¯t do much but disintegrate against a shield of thick hair.


    The malakat was on them in seconds.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡± Mouthy''s machete clanged of the malakat¡¯s back. ¡°It¡¯s like hitting a steel bar!¡±


    Tendrils of hair lashed out and slapped Mouthy and Smores into the side of the house.


    ¡°Piercing Shots.¡± Aims¡¯ revolvers roared their fury.


    The malakat reared up as something finally got through his defenses.


    Hair struck in all directions.


    Tendrils wrapped around Aims¡¯ wrists and squeezed hard.


    Aims grunted and dropped his revolvers to the dirt as his bones were snapped.


    ¡°Fir¡ª¡± Two-toes choked as a thick clump of hair was suddenly shoved in her mouth.


    Hardhat and Sgt. Butcher found themselves painfully held up off the ground by their wrists and ankles.


    ¡°Any last words,¡± the malakat¡¯s guttural growl reverberated as he pulled Sgt. Butcher closer.


    She tried, but couldn¡¯t look into the burning orbs of the malakat¡¯s eyes.


    The hair on his face parted to reveal a wide, cat-like mouth filled with jagged teeth and a long, sinuous tongue.


    She turned her face away, unable to bear the terror.


    ¡°Then die for your sins against my family.¡±


    ¡°Justino! Where are you? Why can¡¯t I feel you? Why can¡¯t I feel my children?¡±


    A frantic voice echoed eerily from somewhere in the dark sky.


    ¡°Gather everyone! We must flee! Now!¡±


    The malakat opened his mouth and closed to within inches of Sgt. Butcher¡¯s head.


    Then as if compelled by the voice, he stopped.


    Sgt. Butcher dared to open her eyes only to suddenly feel herself spinning through the air.


    Then the impact through a wooden wall jarred her body.


    She felt something in her arm snap as she rolled awkwardly across a wooden floor.


    Two-toes pushed her way through the half-broken door. ¡°Sarge? You alive?¡±


    ¡°Help me up,¡± Sgt. Butcher groaned.


    She leaned on Two-toes shoulder as they made their way back outside.


    ¡°Call it out,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    One by one the rangers called out.


    The sergeant thanked God that she wasn¡¯t going to have to add another name to the memorial.


    They had been close to disaster twice in one night.


    A total wipe.


    Smores pointed to the sky over the village center.


    The source of their salvation floated some thirty feet up.


    Rayna¡¯s brother stared down at the malakat and a stunningly beautiful man with long, silver hair. The leader, the gabunan, the Elder.


    Other aswangs began to appear out of the village hall.


    They were suddenly shoved back inside as if brushed away by an invisible hand.


    The doors shook with the power of thunderous blows, but somehow simple wood held.


    ¡°You!¡± the Elder hissed. ¡°You¡¯re the one!¡±


    The malakat leapt at Cal. A thousand strands of hair lashing and thrusting like whips and spears.


    Cal gestured and the malakat was suddenly slammed into the dirt.


    Dust and debris erupted. When the air cleared the malakat was in the middle of a small crater.


    ¡°Death Lance!¡± Black magic struck from the Elder¡¯s upthrust hands.


    The dark spear of energy shattered against something several feet in front of Cal.


    Sgt. Butcher couldn¡¯t tell what it was that had protected him.


    The roof of the meeting hall burst out with a spray of broken wood.


    A handful of flying aswangs went straight for Cal.


    An annoyed look crossed his face as he slapped the aswang out of the sky with a gesture.


    He turned his attention back to the Elder only to find the aswang was gone along with the malakat.


    ¡°Sneaky bastard,¡± Cal muttered.


    Phillip came running into the village center, followed by Hanna, Jake and two unfamiliar looking young men.


    ¡°Dad, there¡¯s a bunch of aswangs inside,¡± Cal pointed at the village hall. ¡°Maybe you go and beat them up a bit.¡±


    ¡°What about the regular humans?¡± Philip said.


    Cal regarded the hall.


    Sgt. Butcher wasn¡¯t surprised to see that people, humans began to float out of the hole in the roof. Mostly children and a few teenagers from the looks of it.


    ¡°Keep them safe,¡± Cal said. He turned to Phillip. ¡°Most of the aswangs in there are new to the class. Don¡¯t kill them if you can avoid it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do my best,¡± Phillip said as he walked up to the doors.


    Cal opened them with a gesture and Phillip charged in.


    ¡°Can you find Chains and Fin? They were captured,¡± Sgt. Butcher said as she approached.


    Cal¡¯s eyes scanned the surrounding structures until they fell on the house a few yards away from the hall. ¡°Fin¡¯s in there. Chains is¡­¡± he shook his head.


    ¡°What about these ones?¡± Hanna pointed her sword at the handful of downed aswangs. A mix of manananggals and berbalangs.


    ¡°Murderers,¡± Cal said as his feet left the ground.


    ¡°Make them pay,¡± Sgt. Butcher called out after him.


    ¡°I will.¡± Cal shot up into the darkness.


    <hr>


    Justino struggled to keep up with the Elder as the latter dashed through the dense undergrowth like a wraith.


    ¡°We¡¯ll gather more family members. Then we will return to take our revenge.¡±


    Justino grunted a reply that was garbled as much by the guttural tongue his Aswang: Malakat form forced on him as by the branches and bushes that he has running through.


    ¡°Of course, we¡¯ll also rescue the family that we were forced to leave behind and take back our village,¡± Porfiro said.


    They had covered many miles in a matter of minutes after their escape from that blue and golden armored man.


    Part of Justino was still in disbelief that he had found it so easy to leave the others behind.


    He had promised to always protect them and fight with them against any and all threats they faced, yet he had obeyed the Elder¡¯s command to flee without hesitation.


    ¡°We¡¯ll have to move quickly. Take the closest towns and the city. Come back with thousands,¡± Porfiro whispered.


    A presence pulsed through their minds and brought them to a sudden halt.


    Porfiro hissed as he turned fingers into blades.


    Justino stepped in front of his Elder and brought himself up to his full height, hair tendrils writhing.


    The blue and golden armored man stood in front of them.


    Justino waited for Porfiro to share their plan of attack through their connection, but nothing came.


    The armored man¡¯s dark faceplate seamlessly became translucent to reveal his face.


    ¡°Filipino?¡± Justino growled out.


    ¡°Yes, but I wasn¡¯t raised here.¡±


    Justino tensed.


    In the absence of orders from Porfiro he¡¯d do his best to attack the armored man. Perhaps, Porfiro could find an opening to join in or escape.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother,¡± the armored man raised a hand.


    Justino saw it then.


    He saw himself hurtling across the space to the armored man in the blink of an eye. Hair lashing out, stabbing.


    The armor took all the hits without fail. The man somehow proved strong enough to stand firm against power that had demolished brick and steel.


    Justino saw himself in the grasp of an invisible force that crushed his supernaturally tough body.


    In the end he heard and felt the crunching of his skull before his vision went dark.


    Justino blinked and found himself still standing in front of Porfiro with the armored man a few dozen yards away.


    ¡°You can¡¯t win. You won¡¯t survive. There is no other way that this can end for the two of you. I don¡¯t like being in this position, but I¡¯ve seen how you think, what you think. And I know that if you live, you will only repeat the evil you¡¯ve done to hundreds of people.¡±


    Justino shed his aswang form. He had seen reality in his mind¡¯s eye. Had experienced it. Lived it.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Porfiro hissed in Justino¡¯s ear.


    ¡°It¡¯s over,¡± Justino said.


    ¡°What really pisses me off is that you had a choice. Unlike most of the innocent people you transformed against their wills.¡±


    ¡°I gave everyone a choice!¡± Porfiro snapped.


    ¡°Is it really a choice when a person gets to choose between,¡± the armored man held out a hand, ¡°an aswang class,¡± he held out the other, ¡°or to be food?¡±


    ¡°I gave them life! Strength! Survival!¡±


    ¡°A choice. You could¡¯ve done all that without murdering people for food. Did you not even consider claiming a small hospital, a clinic or a blood bank? With your strengths that would¡¯ve been easy. Plenty of blood without the need to murder.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that straightforward. Some of us need more than just blood. We need flesh, organs,¡± Justino said.


    ¡°Choice¡­ mandurugos just need blood. You could¡¯ve stayed at that. Not taken the transformation into the other varieties. Hell, even you, gabunan, can get by with blood bags.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t reduce myself to that. It is my right by my strength to take what I wish. As the spires decreed,¡± Porfiro said. ¡°Is that not what you¡¯re doing? Using your strength to take my village and family from me? If I¡¯m a murderer, then so are you.¡±


    ¡°Your attack killed innocent humans, children,¡± Justino added.


    The armored man said nothing.


    ¡°For all your posturing. You are no different from me,¡± Porfiro laughed.


    ¡°You¡¯re right in that regard,¡± the armored man said. ¡°It¡¯s about consequences for our actions and decisions. You face yours and I¡¯ll face mine.¡±


    ¡°Is there no way to make amends?¡± Justino whispered.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I did what I did to protect my people, my family,¡± Justino raised his head to lock gazes with the armored man.


    ¡°You should¡¯ve considered protecting all people,¡± the armored man frowned.


    ¡°Can we not start now?¡±


    ¡°Justino¡ª!¡±


    He ignored Porfiro. ¡°If not for us then how about for the survivors? They were the newest to the change. They can adapt.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t deserve this, but I can¡¯t be cruel,¡± the armored man sighed. ¡°I promise you that those deserving of a chance will get it.¡±


    Justino nodded.


    ¡°We must fight! Just like always! Together against the monsters and those that threaten our family!¡± Porfiro urged.


    ¡°My Elder. We cannot. Not against him,¡± Justino said.


    ¡°What¡¯re you saying? That you¡¯re giving up? What about our plans? Our future?¡± Porfiro pleaded.


    ¡°It¡¯s enough that at least some of our family will have the chance to continue on,¡± Justino closed his eyes.


    ¡°Unlike the two of you¡­ I¡¯ll make it as quick as possible,¡± the armored man said.


    Justino felt a palpable change deep in his mind.


    Strangely, he felt at peace.


    Porfiro screamed something.


    Then¡­ nothingness.


    Cal stared down at the broken, dismembered bodies of the two aswang.


    An unpleasant sight.


    Fitting of an unpleasant act.


    Judge, jury and executioner.


    The roles sat ill in him.


    ¡°Oh¡­ shit!¡±


    The Elder¡¯s death had lifted the magical shroud that had been making it difficult to use his telepathy to scan the village. With it gone he finally noticed one last threat.


    A massive kulam, curse was about to hit every non aswang in the village.

 5.15

    Now, Northern Philippines


    The first thing that Philip did as soon as he entered the meeting hall was to shove a lunging balbal back with such ease that the huge aswang might as well have been a toddler.


    Another balbal rushed forward, but Philip slapped it to the floor.


    More attacked and he dealt with them quickly.


    He noted that only the balbals had attacked.


    The mandurugos stayed at the far end of the meeting hall standing protectively in front of a small group of children and teens.


    ¡°Good, you stay there. I don¡¯t want any of the kids accidentally getting hurt,¡± Philip said.


    ¡°Then leave our village,¡± a mandurugo said.


    ¡°Go away!¡± a child cried.


    The balbals eyed Philip with hunger and menace, but seemed wary enough to refrain from rushing him again.


    He had seen the viciousness of their kind out in the rainforest.


    The tentativeness these ones showed lent credence to them being new to the class.


    Which was good for them and him.


    He¡¯d rather not smash parents in front of their children.


    He was trying to think of something to say when the wooden floorboards beneath his boots suddenly lit up with dark light.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    The light coalesced into a circle around him.


    Symbols he didn¡¯t recognize flared into existence all around the circle¡¯s edge.


    Philip cursed.


    Magic.


    A sudden spike of pain shot through his body.


    The eye-watering kind.


    One that he had forgotten existed.


    Foolish of him to think that there weren¡¯t things out there that could hurt him.


    Then again, he had tanked fireballs to the chest before with barely a tingle.


    The pain vanished just as quickly.


    In its place was an overwhelming feeling of enervation.


    Bone-deep fatigue assailed Philip all at once. So much so that he dropped to one knee.


    His limbs felt like they weighed tons, which shouldn¡¯t have been a problem for him.


    Yet, he could barely keep his eyes open.


    The aswangs began to inch toward him.


    Outside the meeting hall, grim-faced survivors of the fierce fighting had finished butchering the aswang fliers that Cal had left broken in the dirt.


    Some had taken relish in the opportunity to take vengeance for fallen comrades.


    While others had ignored the twisting in their stomachs as they became executioners.


    ¡°It had to be done,¡± Hanna said while wiping her blade clean.


    ¡°No trials.¡± Demi¡¯s face was carved like a sculpture.


    ¡°A jury of their peers? Prison? Those things don¡¯t exist. Not for monsters,¡± Hanna said.


    Demi mulled over how to respond and decided to keep silent.


    They had to focus on their larger goal.


    ¡°My Danger Sense just spiked!¡± Del said.


    ¡°Same here!¡± Jimenez said.


    Dark circles of light appeared underneath each person.


    ¡°It¡¯s a spell. I can feel the magic,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Dark, harmful,¡± Alexa added.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about you, but I¡¯m just going to take a big step over to the right¡­¡± Trevor said. The young man strained, but his boots remained inside the glowing circle as symbols began to appear. ¡°Uh¡­ guys, what do we do?¡±


    ¡°Mages, I want counters, now!¡± Demi snapped.


    Jake took out a smartphone and blasted the circle with a shock spell. ¡°Not even a smudge.¡±


    ¡°In theory a strong enough spell could disrupt the formation,¡± Smores sat in the middle of his circle. ¡°But the possible feedback¡­¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°He means it¡¯ll go big-fucking-boom,¡± Mouthy said.


    Hanna stabbed at her circle without effect.


    Suddenly, three floating figures appeared in their midst.


    They appeared to be men, small, wizened. Though it was hard to tell due to the desiccated appearance of their unclothed torsos. Their eyes were deep, black pools, with an eerie pinprick of white light in the center.


    When they opened their mouths to chant they revealed a black void that seemed to have no end.


    Their words were incomprehensible, but the magical power being generated was unmistakable.


    ¡°I was wondering if they were going to show up. Aswang: Mangkukulam. The most magically inclined aswang class. We¡¯re about to be cursed,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°Shoot them!¡± Demi barked.


    Too late.


    The aswangs completed the spell.


    Everyone was trapped.


    They felt a split-second of indescribable pain before merciful darkness spared them.


    ¡°Betrayer,¡± the mangkukulams spoke as one with three separate voices.


    They pointed to the one person not in a spell circle.


    Ginessa.


    She quailed back, but couldn¡¯t run or fight back.


    ¡°The Elder¡¯s demise is on your head.¡±


    Ginessa¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°You did not feel it through the connection?¡±


    ¡°I was freed from Porfiro¡¯s slavery!¡± Ginessa said defiantly.


    ¡°Then suffer before your death.¡±


    Ginessa shrieked.


    <hr>


    The massive, village-wide curse spell was like a beacon in Cal¡¯s enhanced sensory perception powers.


    The air boomed in his wake.


    Miles eaten up in seconds.


    He found every one of his people incapacitated inside circles of dark magic.


    His father was inside the meeting hall underneath a pile of balbals, but from the looks of it he was still doing alright.


    A trio of mangkukulams floated a few feet off the ground in their midst.


    Ginessa writhed on the ground in front of them.


    Cal zoomed by and hammered at the mangkukulams with wave of battering force.


    As one the trio turned their gaze to him and held up their hands to disperse his attack with a multiple-layered shield of dark magic.


    The tempo of their chanting quickened.


    Cal felt something pass through his telekinetic shield. ¡°Wha¡ª¡± his jaw clenched from the spike of pain that lanced through his body.


    Fortunately, pain was something he was used to.


    He telekinetically grabbed the dirt beneath the mangkukulams and erupted it like a volcano.


    The mangkukulams lost focus for an instant.


    Cal¡¯s invisible grasp took them higher into the sky. His second telekinetic wave pulverized them. He ripped them apart and cast their remains to the winds.


    Down below the spell circles faded with their casters¡¯ deaths.


    ¡°You okay?¡± he alighted near Ginessa.


    ¡°Yes, thank you.¡±


    Cal regarded the unconscious people. ¡°Keep an eye on things out here for a second. I¡¯ve got one more thing to take care of in there,¡± his gaze traveled to the meeting hall.


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t hurt them. Most of them are just like me. They didn¡¯t have a choice,¡± Ginessa pleaded.


    ¡°They¡¯ll have one now.¡±


    He stepped into the meeting hall and seized the balbals assaulting his dad in telekinetic grips.


    ¡°Thanks, but I was getting my wind back,¡± Philip shook his head groggily. ¡°You have something to do with that?


    ¡°Took out the aswangs cursing you.¡± Cal stared at the balbals.


    They snapped grotesquely distended mouths in his direction.


    ¡°Changed back or die.¡± Cal added just the tiniest of telepathic nudges to his words. There had been too much death already.


    After a tense moment the aswangs complied.


    ¡°So young,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Much too young,¡± he agreed.


    ¡°What are you thinking?¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°I¡ª I¡¯d like some advice.¡± He released the aswangs. ¡°Don¡¯t leave this building,¡± he warned them all. ¡°Dad, a word outside?¡±


    ¡°What about the children?¡± Phillip said


    ¡°They¡¯re safe enough in here. The aswangs have already fed tonight,¡± his face twisted.


    ¡°We¡¯d never hurt our own!¡± one of the aswangs glared.


    ¡°But it¡¯d be different if you didn¡¯t have enough blood? And flesh?¡± he snapped. ¡°C¡¯mon, Dad. I¡¯ve got a decision to make.¡±


    ¡°So, what do we do with them?¡± Phillip jabbed a thumb back to the closed meeting hall doors.


    ¡°I can¡¯t just kill these ones. They haven¡¯t actually murdered anyone. However, they have partaken of murdered victims¡¯ flesh and blood. How does one set a punishment for that? What if that isn¡¯t possible? I can¡¯t jail them,¡± Cal sighed.


    ¡°They¡¯ll need a source of blood that doesn¡¯t involve killing other people. That shouldn¡¯t be too much of problem. Plenty of hospitals for a never-ending source. And there¡¯s also animal blood. Can they survive on that?¡±


    ¡°For a time, but they need human every so often.¡±


    ¡°What about for the ones that need human flesh?¡± Phillip¡¯s blanched.


    ¡°Basically, the same rules. Animal or monster is okay, but they need human.¡± He took off his helmet and let out a long breath. ¡°Only the mandurugos can function with the hospital idea. Figure I can claim a hospital in some out of the way place and let them stay there. I can¡¯t see how the flesheaters can coexist with normal people.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I don¡¯t think anyone would willingly hand over their deceased loved ones¡¯ bodies to be food,¡± Phillip grimaced.


    ¡°That¡¯s not even accounting for the manananggals. They need viscera. The fresher the better.¡±


    ¡°Why not confer with the others?¡± Phillip regarded the rest of their group slowly coming back to consciousness.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°I decided to take complete responsibility for this. Either I kill all the aswangs or I set them up in what amounts to a game preserve. That¡¯s not even accounting for what to do with their human children. Sure, their parents have a monstrous class, but¡­¡± Cal shook his head.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s like you said. Without blood, how long before they turn on their children?¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°What else am I going to do? Turn the kids over to the datu¡¯s people? That¡¯s a recipe for abuse and exploitation. Children of aswangs won¡¯t get a fair hand.¡±


    ¡°All you can do is make the decision with the best intentions,¡± Phillip said.


    Cal frowned. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s good enough in cases like these. My good intentions won¡¯t matter when the consequences are horrible deaths for many people.¡±


    ¡°Well, you wanted my advice. I don¡¯t like the idea that my kids are killing people even if they are monstrous and deserving. I don¡¯t like how that could change you guys. So, put them in that hospital. One with a cafeteria so that there¡¯s food for their children. Make them swear that they won¡¯t turn the children into aswangs. You¡¯ll just have to check up on them to make sure they keep their word,¡± Phillip said. ¡°Killing in a life or death struggle is one thing,¡± he pointed at the meeting hall, ¡°this isn¡¯t that anymore. I don¡¯t want you to turn yourself into a murderer.¡±


    ¡°And the balbals? A hospital won¡¯t have an eternal supply of human corpses,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°They¡¯re just so young,¡± Phillip whispered. ¡°I¡¯ll take care them. Make it quick.¡±


    Cal raised a brow. ¡°Thanks, Dad, but no. I¡¯m definitely not going to let you do that to yourself just for me. I¡¯m the one with the stained hands. Not you. And I intend to keep it that way for Mom¡¯s sake.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a low blow, Anak. And your hands aren¡¯t stained. That wasn¡¯t your fault. You were under the influence of a powerful monster,¡± Phillip laid a hand on Cal¡¯s armored shoulder.


    ¡°It was still this,¡± Cal tapped his temple, ¡°that killed a friend. I have a few hours until the sun comes up. I¡¯ll have a decision by then.¡±


    <hr>


    Now, Manila


    Eron hit the road.


    Literally.


    Going face first first into the concrete did nothing for his broken nose.


    He had been mid-leap between two high-rise buildings when something big and hard had knocked him to the ground. He spat out another tooth as he pushed himself up and staggered toward his original destination. ¡°Good thing these things grow back now,¡± he said.


    The fog swirled around him.


    It was like swimming through a gray soup.


    There was a weight to it at times that defied explanation, which was something that he had encountered often in the post-spires world. Granted he was probably the most well-traveled individual on the planet. Having been to most of the major continents over the past decade.


    Except for Antarctica.


    Oh, he had flown close once, but had decided against checking things out.


    Something scuttled across the asphalt.


    Many things.


    ¡°Aw, shit¡­ going to be those giant centipede things,¡± Eron groaned.


    He hurried into the building.


    Disgust had him running right through the glass doors.


    The inside was no better as he was immediately beset by fog-created shades of sigbins. The bleating, goat-like monsters were accompanied by their customary foul smell.


    They jumped Eron.


    He punched them until they dissipated back into the fog.


    The scuttling drew closer so he rushed to the elevator.


    He leapt and climbed until he reached the end. A quick trip up some stairs and one broken door later he was standing at the top of the building.


    Naturally, he couldn¡¯t see anything of the city.


    All he could see was gray.


    ¡°If you could see what I see you¡¯d give up.¡±


    Eron spun, fists raised, at the sound of a familiar voice. ¡°Tito Carlos. Missed you back there. Busy?¡±


    His great-uncle stared out over the gray-shrouded city. ¡°Hope is a fool¡¯s errand in the world that this has become.¡±


    ¡°Agree to disagree on that. Sure, it¡¯s sucked for the vast majority, but I¡¯ve seen some good pockets. A future peaking through the dark clouds.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you had a lot to do with that. Those ¡®pockets¡¯ of yours? How do you think they¡¯ve been doing while you¡¯ve been trapped here? Have they survived without you? Thrived?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re fine!¡± Eron snapped.


    ¡°I¡¯ve touched a sensitive topic. See, even you don¡¯t have hope. Once you¡¯ve been subsumed, like the rest of us, what will happen to those places and people? Death, most likely, at the hands of some other great monster.¡±


    ¡°Why are you here and why aren¡¯t you punching me in the face?¡± Eron said.


    ¡°To bring you hope,¡± Tito Carlos turned to Eron with a wry smile on his wrinkled face.


    Eron lowered his fists. ¡°New kind of attack? Psychological warfare? A trap?¡±


    ¡°You have a small window to escape. You and you alone. If you run and jump as fast as you can for the perimeter, you¡¯ll be able to get out.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°It rests.¡±


    ¡°How about you be less cryptic,¡± Eron said flatly.


    ¡°There are¡­ controls¡­ I can only say so much and I can only do this much, right now, because its hold slackens in sleep,¡± Tito Carlos said.


    ¡°Does this have something to do with why you and the other heavy hitters were missing back there?¡±


    ¡°Stop wasting time and go!¡± Tito Carlos raised his voice. ¡°This is your best and last chance to free yourself from our hellish existence. Floating in the gray void of a world that seems real and not. Only to be brought out to fight. To inflict pain and to be hurt in return. Not knowing if we are just shades of the real person, even though every thought in my mind and feeling in my heart screams out that I am me!¡±


    Eron¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°That almost seemed genuine. The passion was a nice touch, but you¡¯ve fooled me before.¡±


    Tito Carlos smiled sadly. ¡°The ¡®heavy hitters¡¯, as you call us, were needed to fight and help it subsume an extremely powerful monster. The¡ª¡± he opened his mouth, but no words came out. He shook his head in frustration. ¡°The fog expanded over an ibingan nest. The ibingan wasn¡¯t pleased,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°What is that?¡±


    ¡°A giant, snake-like dragon. Very magical. The ibingan actually managed to do damage before it was taken.¡±


    ¡°So, like a wyrm,¡± Eron mused.


    ¡°Whatever you call it in America. You¡¯re missing the point and wasting your opportunity. It isn¡¯t fully conscious. It¡¯s not watching the perimeter. It won¡¯t be able to turn you around when you try to leave, so go, now!¡±


    ¡°How much time are we talking? I¡¯ll need to gather everyone.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not listening. You have ten, fifteen minutes.¡±


    ¡°Well, thanks for the info, but I¡¯m leaving anyone,¡± Eron said. ¡°So, you say that the wrym¡ª ibingan managed to injure the fog with magic? Like, did it breathe fire?¡±


    ¡°Tsk¡­ you have a chance to go back to your family.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve family here too,¡± Eron held his great-uncle¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°Then, if you hurry you might be able to grab Madalena and take her with you.¡±


    ¡°The fog can be hurt. It can be destroyed. That would free you and everyone else.¡±


    ¡°Yes! By a giant, magical dragon! You are none of those things!¡± Tito Carlos threw his arms up.


    ¡°Thanks, Tito. You¡¯ve actually managed to give me a bit of hope. I mean, this could all still be a trick, so¡­¡± Eron shrugged.


    ¡°I can feel it stirring,¡± Tito Carlos sighed. ¡°Once last warning. The ibingan will add its strength when it was been fully subsumed. The girl¡¯s wards won¡¯t be able to hold. You¡¯ll have to consolidate those sanctuaries of yours.¡±


    Eron nodded.


    ¡°Well, I tried. Your dad can¡¯t get mad at me cause you¡¯re too hard-headed to listen,¡± Tito Carlos snorted.


    ¡°We¡¯ll find a way,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°To?¡±


    ¡°To free you. To free everyone.¡±


    ¡°Hope?¡± Tito Carlos laughed. ¡°It might just be because its hold on me is weakened right now, but¡­¡± he shook his head. ¡°False hope is worse than none.¡±


    ¡°Agreed, which is why this isn¡¯t that,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I¡­ hope you¡¯re right,¡± Tito Carlos said.


    Eron watched as his great-uncle slowly faded back into the fog.


    He took a deep breath and leapt.


    <hr>


    Madalena pushed the shuttle with everything she had.


    The driver swerved around the rusted jeepneys and cars littering the road.


    Brake lights flashed.


    She shifted her grip to the bumper and dug her heels into the ground.


    The tires screeched and smoked, just like the soles of her boots.


    A loud crash shook the shuttle and Madalena ate a face full of metal.


    ¡°What¡¯re you doing back there!¡±


    Cherry¡¯s voice was high-pitched and annoying.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stop pushing! They¡¯re coming from everywhere!¡±


    Madalena grunted and pressed her hands back to the back of the shuttle. She pumped her legs and got back up to speed.


    Something latched onto her back. Sharp claws cut through armor and clothing.


    Wind whistled past her ear.


    The weight was gone.


    She felt something wet run down the back of her left ear.


    Madalena looked up and noticed Cherry smiling down at her sharp-fanged. All perfect features and luscious silver hair that waved in the air.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± Cherry said.


    ¡°You cut my ear,¡± Madalena hissed.


    ¡°All you have to do is run or stop. I¡¯m the one keeping everyone inside safe,¡± Cherry rolled her eyes as she stabbed long, blade-like fingers into another monkey-like shade monster leaping out of the fog.


    The shuttle swerved into a down-slope. Forcing the two women to hold on for dear life.


    There was no stopping the shuttle if either of them let go and that meant they¡¯d be at the mercy of the fog. Their chances of making it back to the sanctuary in that case were low despite their abilities.


    The shuttle nearly fishtailed out of control while Madalena managed to get her feet under control enough to jump onto the bumper.


    Unfortunately, she was heavier than she looked and the bumper had already been loosened.


    The bumper dropped off and her boots dragged along the asphalt. Sparks trailed as the leather covering the steel-toes was quickly eaten away.


    ¡°Stop it!¡± Cherry yelled.


    Madalena dug her fingers into the steel and set her heels. She wasn¡¯t looking forward to what would happen once the soles had been eaten away. Her skin was tough, but she wasn¡¯t confident that it was tough enough to avoid getting scraped off.


    The shuttle swerved again and the hinges on the back door gave.


    Madalena found her self tumbling along the asphalt.


    Sure enough she felt the sting of road rash on the exposed portions of her skin.


    She rolled to a stop. The shuttle was no longer visible in the thick fog, but the road had leveled, so she knew it would eventually slow to a stop without her to push it.


    A huge shape began to form out of the fog in front of her.


    She took the shuttle door and held it as a shield in front of her as she ran right through the form, dispersing it for a moment. She spun and hurled the door through the form again before sprinting down the road with everything she had.


    Moments later she nearly slammed face-first into the shuttle again.


    Scared eyes stared at her from the opening in the back.


    ¡°Push! Push! Push!¡± Cherry urged. ¡°I can feel something big coming!¡±


    The other people joined in the urging.


    Madalena grit her teeth despite the pain from shredded skin and pushed.


    The fog stole her ability to use her senses beyond her immediate area. So, she only knew that whatever huge shade monster she had temporarily disrupted was on her heels was thanks to Cherry¡¯s panicked commentary.


    It figured that only a monster could see in the fog.


    ¡°You¡¯re not helping!¡± Madalena shouted.


    ¡°So, you¡¯d rather not get a warning when it¡¯s about to bite your head off?¡± Cherry sneered down.


    ¡°Stab it or use a spell!¡±


    ¡°Nope,¡± Cherry shook her head. ¡°Definitely won¡¯t work and my spells aren¡¯t the aggressive kind. I¡¯m a lover, not a fighter.¡±


    ¡°Could¡¯ve fooled me the way you¡¯ve been cutting up the other shades,¡± Madalena muttered.


    ¡°Those were easy, this one¡­ not. Oh, shi¡ª¡±


    Madalena felt Cherry¡¯s blade-like fingers spear over her head. She had been shot at before and the aswang¡¯s fingers moved as fast as bullets.


    A sound like metal clashing with metal rang in Madalena¡¯s ears


    Cherry hissed in pain.


    Madalena looked up and saw the aswang cradling broken fingers.


    ¡°I just saved your life. Maybe you won¡¯t be such a miserable bitch,¡± Cherry hissed.


    ¡°Saved your own life, you mean,¡± Madalena scowled.


    Cherry was about to respond when her head suddenly snapped to the front of the shuttle. ¡°You¡¯re going to have to push faster!¡± she turned back to Madalena. ¡°Everyone, hold on!¡± she shouted into the shuttle.


    ¡°What? Why!¡± the driver shouted back.


    ¡°Just keep a tight grip on the wheel! The road¡¯s blocked!¡± Cherry said. ¡°If you slow down that thing¡¯s going to catch us and we¡¯re all dead,¡± she hissed to Madalena.


    ¡°The road wasn¡¯t blocked on our way down,¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°We were on the other side, stupid,¡± Cherry said.


    Madalena¡¯s entire body hurt. Her head and heart ached from seeing so many different shades of her family. The knowledge that Eron had stayed behind to fight their family weighed heavily. Despite her dislike of her cousin, she knew that without Eron none of them would¡¯ve survived this long.


    And now she had no idea if he was even still alive. If, when she next saw him it would be as another shade.


    She had already been running on adrenaline and she didn¡¯t know if she had more to give.


    Madalena glanced up at the frightened faces looking down at her from inside the shuttle.


    They were all counting on her to survive.


    She dug deep and found something.


    A second wind or something more?


    Strength surged into tired muscles.


    Madalena roared and the shuttle lurched forward.


    Cherry cursed as she had to stab her fingers into the roof to stay on.


    A loud crash jarred the entire shuttle.


    Metal screeched and people screamed.


    Madalena kept pumping her legs.


    She had done it. The shuttle had barely slowed.


    ¡°Putang¡ª¡± Cherry cursed as she sent one blade-like finger stabbing behind Madalena.


    The aswang cursed as she retracted another broken finger.


    ¡°I only have four left,¡± Cherry¡¯s face was twisted with pain. ¡°Hey, you people in there, don¡¯t you have guns? Spells? Any little bit you can add to distract it or slow it down.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t see shit to shoot at!¡± one of them shouted back.


    ¡°Just shoot over resting bitch face¡¯s head, trust me, you can¡¯t miss it,¡± Cherry said.


    ¡°Aswang bitch, calling me a ¡®bitch¡¯,¡± Madalena frowned.


    She winced as gunfire erupted out of the back of the shuttle.


    She could hear the rounds striking the thing chasing them.


    It was close.


    ¡°How far are we from the sanctuary?¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, just keep pushing and don¡¯t slow down,¡± Cherry said.


    Spells streaked out over Madalena¡¯s head.


    She just kept her head down and pushed, running for all that she had, trying to ignore the desperate fight to keep the shade monster from catching up to them.


    Minutes passed like hours.


    An eternity to Madalena until she finally noticed the brake lights flashing and the shuttle¡¯s tires squealing.


    She stopped pushing and pulled while digging her ruined boots into the asphalt.


    The bright glow of Lilah¡¯s ward illuminated the gloom and kept the fog away from the sanctuary.


    Cherry landed lightly next to Madalena and thrust ruined hands in her face.


    ¡°You can¡¯t ever question my loyalty again,¡± Cherry said before she stomped into her restaurant lair.


    The rest of the people filed out of the shuttle with stunned and glassy-looks in their eyes.


    Madalena had seen that look too often in the recent past. Seen it staring back at her in the mirror. She forced herself to look okay, at least as far as she could tell before addressing the people. ¡°Let¡¯s get everyone settled in. There¡¯s plenty of open apartments on the second and third floor. Lots of food and water. Take whatever you need for now.¡±


    Grateful people thanked her as they walked past her and into the restaurant.


    Madalena took a moment to scan the edge of the ward¡¯s effect.


    Something big swirled the fog as it paced in front of her.


    ¡°Fuck you,¡± Madalena shot it a rude gesture.

 5.16

    Now, Northern Philippines


    Philip put his fist through the datu¡¯s desk.


    A dozen weapons were raised in his direction.


    Hands shook.


    Fingers itched.


    So, it was perhaps to be expected that one unfortunate soldier accidentally squeezed a trigger.


    The bullet bounced off the side of Phillip¡¯s face.


    ¡°First, you back out of our deal. Now, you¡¯ve shot me in the face,¡± Phillip said flatly.


    This was why he hated dealing with people. They were assholes. Give him a horrible monster or mutated animal anytime. Still, he was glad that he had taken on the burden of dealing with the datu on his own while Cal was taking care of the surviving aswang and human villagers.


    Had one of the others in their group done this instead of him they might¡¯ve gotten hurt while the datu and his men would¡¯ve definitely gotten hurt.


    The last thing they needed was more fighting.


    ¡°Lower your weapons!¡± the datu glared daggers at the offending soldier.


    It was amazing to see how quickly a man¡¯s demeanor changed after seeing a bullet bounce off another man¡¯s face.


    ¡°I apologize for my soldier¡¯s hasty and accidental act,¡± the datu wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.


    ¡°Mr. Lontoc¡­ the deal. Do you intend to honor our agreement?¡± Phillip didn¡¯t want to spend more time than was absolutely necessary in the fat, frog-like man¡¯s presence.


    ¡°Er¡­ there are questions. I mean, that is to say, how do we know that you have truly destroyed all the aswangs?¡±


    ¡°We brought the heads of the gabunan leader and the malakat second-in-command back, as for the village, we¡¯ve given you directions. You can see for yourself that it¡¯s empty.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, the foul creatures revert to human form in death. Those two heads could belong to any random drifter you found out there and I¡¯m not willing to risk my men on a trip to the village.¡±


    ¡°So, is that a no?¡± Phillip stared down at the datu.


    ¡°Perhaps we can further discuss this after a quick break? Tempers are understandably high.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving this office without an answer.¡±


    Weapons shook in scared hands.


    Phillip felt a little bad for the fighters. He figured they were just doing what they were told. He had no intention of hurting them. They were more likely to hurt themselves with ricochets and friendly fire in the small office. Though, they didn¡¯t know that. ¡°Like we agreed on. Vehicles and fuel. Information on other factions along the highway to Manila. The right to purchase other supplies and services from the people in the city. Once we have what we need¡­ we¡¯ll leave,¡± he said.


    ¡°Yes,¡± the datu looked like he had taken a bite out of lemon, ¡°but, you will not use these intimidation tactics on my people. You will pay the prices they ask and you will leave my city once I have given you what you have asked for.¡±


    ¡°We will bargain for fair prices,¡± Phillip corrected. ¡°Otherwise, I¡¯m happy to say that you¡¯ve covered your end of the deal.¡±


    He strode out of the office and out of city hall as fast as he could walk.


    ¡°Mr. Cruces, we heard a gunshot, but figured you¡¯d be okay,¡± Hardhat ducked her helmeted head almost reverently.


    Phillip sighed.


    The rangers practically worshiped Rayna, which somehow extended to him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. I did tell you to stay outside regardless of what happened.¡±


    ¡°Yessir,¡± Mouthy saluted. ¡°We knew they couldn¡¯t do shit to you anyways, but we were ready to bust heads¡­ just so you know.¡±


    ¡°Of course. Our deal is still on. Let¡¯s head back,¡± Phillip said.


    A few miles outside the city at the short block of abandoned houses that they had claimed as a temporary base a discussion was threatening to turn into an argument.


    ¡°My unit is barely effective with the losses we took. I¡¯m down to seven spears. The unit and its Skills no longer function at less than five,¡± Doran said.


    ¡°So, you want to recruit from Ilagan?¡± Demi said.


    ¡°It¡¯s the only way. Otherwise we¡¯re useless for the rest of the Quest. Our true strength is as a whole. We¡¯re just middling fighters with shields and sharp sticks without the unit.¡±


    ¡°Time is a concern. We can¡¯t wait while you train replacements. Cruces wants to move south quickly.¡±


    ¡°Well, Commander Lawrence, it won¡¯t take long. I¡¯ve got Skills that¡¯ll speed up the process. If I can get the recruits to buy in, I can get them the Spearman or Spearwoman Class in a few days to a week depending on how hard I ride them.¡±


    Demi glanced at Hanna.


    ¡°The basics of the spear aren¡¯t too hard to pick up,¡± Hanna shrugged. ¡°Fighting in a unit is another matter.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll drill every chance we get,¡± Doran said.


    ¡°The local leadership might have a problem,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°I¡¯m only planning to take good candidates, both for our sake and their own,¡± Doran said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have any objections. Just make sure it doesn¡¯t turn into a fight with the local militia,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°How are you planning to do this?¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Word of mouth when we go into the city to buy supplies and repairs. I¡¯m also considering visiting the militia base,¡± Doran said.


    ¡°Good way to start a fight,¡± Hanna said


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be too happy about outsiders coming to my house to lure away my guys,¡± Sgt. Butcher agreed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have too much respect for a force that stayed home, while we bled to fix their problems,¡± Doran said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go in full Threnosh armor,¡± Hanna nodded.


    ¡°Thanks, but this is my idea. I¡¯m taking responsibility,¡± Doran said.


    ¡°We¡¯re one team on this Quest,¡± Demi said. ¡°Both of you go, but no fighting, unless it¡¯s in self-defense.¡±


    ¡°How many are you planning to take?¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°As many that¡¯ll fit in,¡± Doran said.


    ¡°Send the ones that you don¡¯t want, but are promising, to me. My squad is down two, maybe three depending on what I decide to do with Fin after Cal gets back,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°What kind of skill set are you looking for?¡± Doran said.


    ¡°Tanky fighters, rogue types and mages,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Can¡¯t make you any promises on the first one. Those are what I need, but I¡¯ll do my best,¡± Doran said.


    ¡°Sgt. Butcher, I need additional escorts for the mechanics. They¡¯ll need to go over the vehicles we get to make sure everything is okay,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°My squad can help. How many do you need?¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°As many as you can spare. I¡¯ve only got Jake, Rebekah and Del so far,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Your biggest guy, your toughest looking fighter and a guy with danger sense. Intimidation. Catscratch would¡¯ve been perfect for this¡­¡± Sgt. Butcher set her jaw. ¡°I¡¯ll take my whole squad, except for Smores.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Once Phillip gets back he¡¯ll be enough to protect this place from random monster attacks,¡± Demi said. ¡°Anyone have anything else they want to discuss?¡±


    Negatives all around.


    ¡°Alright. I think we just need to see to our people and try to rest until Phillip gets back with the good news,¡± Demi said.


    <hr>


    Congratulations!


    You have successfully destroyed the Aswang Village.


    Reward: 750000 Universal Points.


    Individual Reward: 38713 Universal Points.


    Individual Bonus Reward: 1 free Spell Code depending on level eligibility. Claim at the Spire.


    Jake dismissed the Quest message with a disgusted grunt.


    ¡°What?¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°Just looking at the Quest again,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Most Universal Points I¡¯ve ever had, yet it doesn¡¯t feel like it was worth it,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°Almost 40K and I¡¯d give it all back,¡± Jake dropped his head into his hands. ¡°What am I going to tell Hillary? Ron¡¯s dead cause of me. I wasn¡¯t good enough and he died. Now, she¡¯s alone.¡±


    ¡°Shut up with that!¡± Rebekah snapped. ¡°You think we all aren¡¯t blaming ourselves? The fight¡¯s been running through my mind over and over again. I can point to five things I could¡¯ve done differently right now, but you know what, I don¡¯t think it would¡¯ve mattered. Once those things got close we were over-matched. Any one of us could¡¯ve easily taken Ron¡¯s place,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°I got a free spell to go along with four levels and the points,¡± Jake said bitterly.


    ¡°What¡¯re you at now?¡±


    ¡°Level 29.¡±


    ¡°There you go. One more to 30. We all got our best Skill or spell at 20. You should get something that maybe will make the difference in someone¡¯s life or death in the next fight,¡± Rebekah said. ¡°I¡¯m a little jealous. I only picked up two levels.¡±


    ¡°If I got four levels then Hanna should definitely be over Level 30 now, maybe we can ask her what she got?¡± Jake said.


    ¡°You can try. She hasn¡¯t said a word. Actually went into the forest by herself,¡± Rebekah shrugged. ¡°She¡¯s blaming herself like the rest of us for Ron.¡±


    ¡°Get stronger just to survive. Gain it to thrive. Is it worth it?¡±


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    ¡°Yes it is, but not for us. It¡¯s for those that¡¯ll live on after we die. If we can build a good foundation for people like Hillary then they¡¯ll be much better off. They won¡¯t have to figure this bullshit out as they go along, like we are. We fight and die. I figure that¡¯s what we¡¯re here for.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well you¡¯re a soldier. Fatalism is, like, your whole deal. Die for the mission, quest and all that.¡± Jake¡¯s laugh was short.


    ¡°Watch your mouth. You¡¯re a big boy, but I¡¯ve knocked down bigger douchebags back in the old days,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Jake raised his hands, ¡°I try not to be one. It¡¯s just¡­ ten years,¡± he shook his head, ¡°it¡¯s hard to believe that it¡¯s been over a decade. You know, at first I thought it was so cool. Magic was real. I had it! That didn¡¯t last too long. Once I realized and saw what monsters could do to people. I was lucky that I¡¯m a big guy. The tiny gremlins weren¡¯t too tough. Just basically flailed around and crushed them. Then there was Flo and her little brother¡­ poor kids.¡±


    ¡°Your hand?¡±


    Jake flexed his magi-tech prosthetic. ¡°I thought this was pretty cool too. Now¡­¡±


    ¡°It helps you do your job. And your job is whatever it takes to make a better world for people like Hillary. That¡¯s what Ron wanted and that¡¯s the only way you can make this worth it,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not strong enough to matter. I¡¯m not like the Cruces brothers,¡± Jake sighed.


    ¡°You blew a huge hole through a wall,¡± Rebekah raised a brow.


    ¡°It was wood.¡±


    ¡°Made out of tree trunks,¡± Rebekah shook her head. ¡°And you touched the aswang leader. Only you and Hanna managed that.¡±


    ¡°Still needed Cal to put the gabunan down.¡±


    ¡°Then keep gaining levels. You hurt the aswangs at Level 25. What do you think you¡¯ll be able to do at thirty?¡±


    ¡°Kill him,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re going to get a new spell when we get the okay to head into the city?¡± Rebekah artfully changed the subject.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t thought about it. Maybe a stronger shield or a new type of attack spell. My strongest ones are all based on Shock. Or a really good healing one. Something like that might¡¯ve saved him.¡±


    ¡°Healing¡¯s good only if because we¡¯re lacking in that right now,¡± Rebekah nodded.


    ¡°What about you? What¡¯re you going to get with all those points?¡±


    ¡°I want to check out enchanted gear,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°Overpriced. You¡¯re better off waiting for one of our mages to discover enchanting. Hell, maybe one of the double A¡¯s can unlock it with all their points. If that¡¯s possible.¡±


    ¡°Double A¡¯s?¡±


    ¡°Amber and Alexa,¡± Jake shrugged. ¡°Or one of the ranger mages can. That Smores guy is pretty smart. I¡¯d bet on him.¡±


    ¡°If not that, then I¡¯d like to pick up a direct damage Skill. I got Suppression Fire at Level 20, but it¡¯s more of a support thing,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°Like a variable ammunition thing,¡± Jake mused. ¡°Have you ever read Judge Dredd?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t do nerd shit like you, but I¡¯ve heard of the movie,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°They¡¯ve got these guns that fire all sorts of ammo. Exploding, incendiary, A.P., so on and so forth. I¡¯d bet there¡¯s a good chance that something like that exists. Except, it¡¯s probably a higher level thing. Unless, you can purchase it. Knowing how much the spires nickle and dime us, you¡¯d probably need to buy each type individually.¡±


    ¡°So, what? Activate the Skill and the round in the chamber becomes that type?¡±


    Jake nodded.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know that doesn¡¯t seem believable. The round just changes?¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°You¡¯ve seen me shoot lightning out of a phone,¡± Jake raised his brows. ¡°You know, it¡¯d support my simulation theory even more. That¡¯s the only explanation for the way a round can transform in the cham¡ª¡±


    ¡°Not interested in hearing it. I heard enough on the flight over,¡± Rebekah said.


    She saw that there was light back in Jake¡¯s eyes, which was why she had engaged in the conversation in the first place. Experience had taught her the dangers of fighting men and women falling into shock and despair after losses in battle. And they had lost a lot in the aswang village.


    Ultimately, it was a small thing on her part to pull Jake a little bit back from the edge of the abyss.


    <hr>


    ¡°Of course it¡¯s from my top three most feared things,¡± Cal sighed.


    The true boss monster was a snakeman.


    A tall, scaly, muscular man¡¯s body was topped by a snake-like head with two, large, actual snakes coming out of each side of his neck.


    The snakes struck, covering the thirty feet of hallway in two blinks of an eye. Only to bounce off an invisible telekinetic shield.


    ¡°God¡­ the nightmares,¡± Cal shivered.


    The snakeman¡¯s hood flared and he opened his mouth.


    Venom shot out of two glands.


    Once again the telekinetic shield blocked the liquid, which fell to the ground and began to sizzle as it quickly ate its way through the floor.


    ¡°Acid spit or is the venom so toxic that it has acid like effects?¡±


    This time the snakes struck along with another jet of venom.


    Cal blocked the former and pushed the latter back onto the snakeman.


    The snakeman crossed his scaly arms to block the glob. The scales immediately began to sizzle.


    ¡°Okay, so, perhaps the venom immunity only applies to the delivery system and not the entire body.¡±


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you killing it!¡± Ginessa called out from her hiding place behind the nurses¡¯ station.


    ¡°It¡¯s a new monster and I¡¯m trying to record my impressions along with the video. I guess you¡¯re right though.¡± Cal gestured and sent dozens of scalpels into the snakeman.


    In an instant the monster resembled a porcupine, but it appeared as if its scaly hide was enough protection.


    ¡°Maybe if I just give them a stronger push.¡±


    The monster charged.


    Cal grabbed it in telekinetic grip and levitated it off the floor.


    ¡°Kill it!¡± Ginessa pleaded.


    ¡°You don¡¯t like snakes either?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°Okay. What¡¯s the quickest way to do this? Don¡¯t want to touch it,¡± Cal mused. ¡°Ah¡­ got it! I want to test out that theory.¡±


    Using his mind¡¯s eye he located the venom glands inside the snakeman¡¯s mouth and popped them with his telekinesis.


    The effect was instantaneous.


    The snakeman strained. His mouth opened and smoke streamed out.


    Flesh dissolved frighteningly fast.


    ¡°Oh my gosh¡­¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°Okay, I think that¡¯s enough video.¡± Cal turned off the recording function in his helmet with a thought. ¡°It¡¯s a good thing all this mess will get cleaned up after I claim this place.¡±


    The snakeman was a puddle spreading goo on the floor when the chime sounded in Cal¡¯s ears.


    Congratulations!


    You have defeated the True Boss Monster.


    Do you wish to claim The Hospital of the Holy Spirit?


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°Almost. C¡¯mon, let¡¯s tell the others the good news. I¡¯ll explain the rest of how this should work.¡±


    Cal took Ginessa with him out the nearest window.


    The hospital only had four floors, so it was a quick trip to the parking lot where the less objectionable members of the former aswang village and their human children were waiting.


    The aswangs had formed a protective circle around the children.


    Dozens of giant snake corpses surrounded them and every single aswang bore injuries.


    Cal scanned their minds quickly and found no signs of impending bloodlust.


    Still, best if they got their blood soon.


    ¡°Hospital¡¯s almost ready. Fifteen, twenty minutes for the reset then you can get some blood,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Just like that?¡± one of the aswangs said.


    ¡°I keep up my end. You guys keep up yours. No killing people, unless it¡¯s in self-defense. However, this city and miles around are devoid of human life, which means as long as you stay here you won¡¯t run into anyone for a long time.¡±


    ¡°But not forever,¡± another aswang said.


    ¡°We¡¯ll deal with that when the time comes. For now you get to live and raise your children. Remember, you are not to turn them into aswangs.¡±


    ¡°Yes, we agreed,¡± an aswang said.


    ¡°Good. Now, you can live in the hospital. There¡¯s rooms, bathrooms, showers, plenty of blood for you and a cafeteria for the kids. The only problem is you¡¯ll have to exit the building before midnight so that the replenishing process can take place.¡±


    ¡°Obviously, that won¡¯t work for the kids,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°Alternatively, you can live over there,¡± Cal pointed across the street to a motel.


    ¡°How can we defend it if we are forbidden from advancing to more powerful forms?¡± an aswang said. ¡°These giant snakes were already a tough fight for us. A more powerful monster or monsters will come eventually.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll claim it after one more thing.¡± Cal regarded the four remaining Aswang: Balbals. ¡°You need human flesh to survive. Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I went two weeks once without to test my limits. I turned into a mindless beast. Mr. Justino had to restrain me so I could be fed,¡± a balbal said.


    Truth.


    Cal studied the balbals.


    They were a mix of ages. Two women and two men. From a teenager to a grandparent.


    The one thing they had in common aside from the class was the fact that they were new to it and hadn¡¯t killed another human being with their own hands.


    That didn¡¯t absolve them of the fact that they had eaten the flesh of murder victims.


    Then again the Aswang: Mandurugos, including Ginessa were guilty of drinking the blood of those same victims.


    Cal had scanned their thoughts and memories.


    Some had regrets while others had enjoyed it.


    Hanna had warned him that any future murders would be on his hands. She had wanted them all killed and the children taken to the city.


    He knew that the children would¡¯ve suffered there.


    Taking the children with them wasn¡¯t a realistic option with the danger they were headed to.


    This was the best option the children had.


    ¡°The flesh doesn¡¯t have to be from a living person. Someone that died recently is just fine, days, maybe a week,¡± a balbal pleaded.


    Cal knew that wasn¡¯t feasible.


    What would they do? Pay for the corpses of recently deceased?


    Family and loved ones wouldn¡¯t stand for that.


    It was also an issue of supply.


    For one, even a large post-spires city like Ilagan didn¡¯t have people dying on a daily basis.


    The only realistic possibility aside from murdering people on the fringes was the balbals signing up with a ruthless warlord. Someone like that would love to utilize the aswangs¡¯ strength and toughness against their enemies and monsters. It¡¯d be easy enough to feed them with the flesh of their defeated foes.


    Cal couldn¡¯t allow that.


    Ruthless warlords and innocent victims went hand-in-hand.


    They needed human flesh.


    He remembered Flo and wished this situation could¡¯ve turned out differently.


    Another failure.


    The only choice he had was to preserve innocent life.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he began, ¡°but you¡¯re going to have to come and fight with me.¡±


    The younger two balbals¡¯ eyes lit up.


    The older two exchange a glance.


    ¡°When will we leave?¡± the grandmotherly-looking one said.


    ¡°Tomorrow morning,¡± Cal looked up into the dark sky. ¡°I have to claim that motel and you need to help your family settle in. Drink some blood, say goodbye.¡± He regarded the rest of the aswangs. ¡°I¡¯d like to remind all of you that I¡¯ll be checking up on you frequently. You won¡¯t even notice me. Fail to honor our agreement and I will kill you. No questions, no bargaining. It¡¯s important that you comprehend this. Your continued survival is in my hands.¡± Cal hated being heavy-handed.


    The dawn came and with it the aswangs were stuck in the human forms.


    Ginessa kept glancing at Cal as he flew her and the four balbals inside a telekinetic bubble.


    ¡°When will you do it?¡± the grandmotherly balbal said.


    Cal hardened his jaw and crushed the brains of the other three balbal with a telekinetic hand.


    Instant death.


    Ginessa gasped.


    The old woman closed her eyes and bowed her head.


    He moved their bodies into a state of repose and closed their eyes.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to make any excuses, but I wanted to make it quick,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t hate you,¡± the old woman said. ¡°You¡¯ve given my daughter and grandson their best chance at living in this terrible world. I only have one request.¡±


    ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    ¡°I want you to make sure that my grandson isn¡¯t turned into one of us.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Cal nodded.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Tears trailed down the old woman¡¯s cheeks. ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡±


    Cal ended the old woman.


    He floated down into the rainforest and quickly built a fire for them.


    ¡°You lied to them,¡± Ginessa said in a soft voice as they watched the flames consume the dead.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°No excuses.¡±


    ¡°Maybe to them,¡± Ginessa gestured to the flames, ¡°but not to me. I have to know.¡±


    ¡°There was no way I could¡¯ve provided them with the flesh they needed. They would¡¯ve gone berserk in a week and I would¡¯ve killed them then. This way they didn¡¯t see it coming and I just thought that it¡¯d be better if they died as people.¡±


    ¡°What about their families? What will you tell them?¡±


    ¡°That they died bravely in battle against monsters. A lie to spare others or is it to spare myself?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d kill me too?¡± Ginessa whispered.


    ¡°I think¡­¡± Cal sighed, ¡°I¡¯d kill anyone if it meant saving others.¡±


    ¡°I was wrong about you,¡± Ginessa said. ¡°You¡¯re dangerous.¡±


    Cal agreed.

 5.17

    Now, Manila


    Eron knocked on the apartment door.


    ¡°Susmariosep! Your face!¡± Dr. Rufo said.


    ¡°I already set my nose.¡±


    ¡°But the cuts!¡±


    ¡°Will heal. How¡¯s Lilah?¡± Eron had more important concerns.


    ¡°She¡¯s sleeping. Her temperature is back to normal.¡±


    Eron noted that the doctor was still standing in his way. ¡°Fine¡­ you can clean my wounds.¡±


    ¡°They could get infected,¡± Dr. Rufo said.


    ¡°I have a superhuman constitution. I feel like I say that all the time,¡± Eron grumbled.


    ¡°Well, you don¡¯t know for certain what kind of magical infections you can pick up out there,¡± Dr. Rufo huffed.


    ¡°From shades?¡±


    ¡°All the more reason to be careful.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see what rubbing alcohol, iodine, hydrogen peroxide or whatever can do in that case.¡±


    ¡°Young man, you forget that I have Skills,¡± Dr Rufo puffed up like a prized rooster.


    ¡°Fair enough.¡±


    Eron followed Dr. Rufo to the kitchen table. He sat down while the doctor opened the medical bag.


    ¡°How were they, Doc?¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Hmmm?¡±


    ¡°Our people? Cherry told me they didn¡¯t lose anyone, but I rushed up here and didn¡¯t ask for details. Injuries?¡±


    ¡°Oh, they¡¯re all fine. Minor contusions from a rough ride as I understand. Madalena had some bad abrasions from the road, but I¡¯ve already dressed them.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it? Nothing major?¡±


    Dr. Rufo shook his head.


    ¡°Good. She¡¯ll heal pretty quickly,¡± Eron said.


    The doctor scowled as he cleaned the cuts on Eron¡¯s face. ¡°To me, it sounds like you¡¯re thinking of going out there without an adequate amount of rest and recovery.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s getting stronger. We need to move people from our furthest sanctuaries to closer ones. Lessen the strain on Lilah for as long as possible.¡±


    ¡°Why not bring them all here?¡± Dr. Rufo said.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been over this. It would be bad if there¡¯s only one place for the fog to focus its power on.¡±


    ¡°And how do you intend to move people and supplies? This one attempt nearly killed you all,¡± Dr. Rufo said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to bring Lilah.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely not!¡± Dr. Rufo snapped. ¡°The last thing that poor girl needs is to be going out there.¡±


    ¡°I agree, but Cherry said the sigil they took from the wall kept the fog at bay while it lasted. Maybe Lilah can place some on shields and armor. If she¡¯s with us then she can keep them powered. I can¡¯t believe I didn¡¯t think of this sooner,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°No. I¡¯m going to have to put my foot down. It¡¯s bad enough that she has to go out there and keep maintaining the wards at great cost to her health, but this¡­¡± Dr. Rufo threw his hands up. ¡°She¡¯s twelve!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t disagree in principle, but she¡¯s also the only thing standing between all of us and shade-hood.¡±


    ¡°That isn¡¯t a word.¡±


    ¡°Shade-ing?¡± Eron grinned.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make light of this.¡±


    ¡°Look, Doc¡­ just because she¡¯s a kid doesn¡¯t mean that the monsters treat her any differently from an adult. I¡¯ve seen¡­ a lot¡­ okay, just kids don¡¯t get exempted from the nightmares out there.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Dr. Rufo waved a finger in Eron¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯ve seen my fair share of that.¡±


    ¡°What we want doesn¡¯t matter. It¡¯ll be Lilah¡¯s choice.¡±


    ¡°And she will always put her life at risk to help others,¡± Dr. Rufo sighed.


    ¡°She¡¯s a good kid. Brave, strong, iron-willed. Deserves better than this.¡±


    ¡°We should be protecting her. Not the other way around,¡± Dr. Rufo said.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Eron regarded his bloodied knuckles. ¡°You try so hard to do that, but it¡¯s never enough. People always die.¡±


    ¡°We aren¡¯t that different. In a way,¡± Dr. Rufo said.


    Eron snorted.


    ¡°Back before this all happened, in the early years of my career I had the mistaken belief that I could save everyone that crossed my table. It ate me up inside for years whenever I failed. Until, I realized that all I could do was my best. Ultimately, it was in God¡¯s hands which of my patients lived and which he welcomed into his arms.¡±


    Eron managed to keep a neutral face. ¡°I acknowledge your words and your feeling. I can see why you¡¯d think that way.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m over twice your age, young man. Don¡¯t patronize me,¡± Dr. Rufo said flatly.


    ¡°Fair and accurate. I apologize.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve done all I can for you. You can leave,¡± Dr. Rufo said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll wait for Lilah to wake up.¡±


    ¡°No. She¡¯s my patient and I say that there are no visiting hours,¡± Dr. Rufo folded his spindly arms.


    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious?¡±


    ¡°Deadly.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Eron chuckled. ¡°But, you¡¯ll let me know when she¡¯s awake.¡±


    ¡°I will decide.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m serious, Doc. We can¡¯t take too long. The fog is strengthening.¡±


    ¡°Fine, fine,¡± Dr. Rufo waved a hand, ¡°I¡¯ll let you know. Now, shoo, shoo.¡±


    Eron went to the other apartments and checked on the recent arrivals.


    They were all exhausted and in shock from the nearly disastrous escape, but grateful to be alive. Though he could see on their faces that hope was rapidly dwindling, if not already gone.


    His next stop was to check on the supplies.


    He already knew that they had more than enough, but wanted an excuse for a longer delay to the next person he needed to check-in on.


    Eron tapped on the apartment door.


    ¡°Just come in, it¡¯s open,¡± Madalena said. ¡°What do you want?¡±


    Eron heard the weariness in his cousin¡¯s voice. She was laying on the couch with her bare feet resting on a pillow. Her soles were scraped red raw.


    ¡°I wanted to see how you¡¯re doing,¡± he said.


    ¡°You¡¯ve seen,¡± Madalena gestured. ¡°Now, you can leave.¡±


    ¡°Man, people really don¡¯t want me around,¡± Eron sighed. ¡°I thought you might need to talk about what happened.¡±


    ¡°You mean give you my report,¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°Whatever you want to call it.¡±


    ¡°Fuck¡­ if it¡¯ll get you out of here.¡± Madalena told him about their desperate escape on the highway.


    He was surprised to note that she didn¡¯t have a single bad word to say about Cherry. ¡°You did a great job getting them all back here safely.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need your approval,¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°Just take the compliment,¡± Eron sighed.


    ¡°Thanks¡­ now get out. I need my rest. Doctor¡¯s orders,¡± Madalena sneered.


    ¡°You were planning to walk around on those?¡± Eron raised a brow.


    ¡°Wrap them up in bandages and I¡¯m good to go.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well we¡¯re going to test that out pretty soon, so be careful what you wish for.¡±


    Madalena glared. ¡°Lilah? Do we need to evacuate another sanctuary? Dr. Rufo said she was doing better. Is she okay?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s okay¡­ for now. But I had a talk with our Tito Carlos¡ª¡±


    ¡°You mean a copy. I hope you know better than to believe anything those things have to say,¡± Madalena scoffed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to believe and you haven¡¯t talked to them as much as I have. Anyways, I think the fog¡¯s only going to keep getting stronger, which means we¡¯ll need to start pulling people from the outermost sanctuaries and spread them in the nearer ones. Maybe bring the more vulnerable ones here. Ease the strain on Lilah,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°That¡¯s like the opposite of making it easier for Lilah. You suck,¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°If you have another idea feel free to share,¡± Eron challenged.


    ¡°Why not have her do the sigil on a shield and leave her here? Duh.¡±


    ¡°I guess we can do some tests, but from your experience moving the ward drained it quickly.¡±


    ¡°Or it was because of the way we cut it out of the wall. What if it¡¯s because Lilah cast it for a non-moving structure attached to smaller wards? Removing it messed with all¡­¡± Madalena waved her hands, ¡°that magic stuff.¡±


    Eron thought about it for a second. ¡°It¡¯s possible. She¡¯s never tried casting it with the intent that it be movable.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s better than taking a sick little girl out there,¡± Madalena shot a rude gesture toward the gray gloom outside the window.


    ¡°I¡¯ll ask her when she wakes.¡± Eron searched for something to say. ¡°You really don¡¯t think there¡¯s a chance that something of our relatives might be in those shades? I mean, you know them better than me. You saw and heard Vernardo. If you heard what Tita Rosalita told me,¡± Eron shook his head, ¡°she remembered me from when I was small and the emotion she showed¡ª It felt real.¡±


    ¡°Vern was always kind of a dick, so, sure. That felt like him,¡± Madalena said. ¡°As for the rest¡­ I couldn¡¯t say. They don¡¯t show up for me. A couple of times and all they¡¯ve ever said to me was to ¡®run¡¯. The fog obviously doesn¡¯t care about getting into my head as much as you. It probably figures it can just take me like everyone I¡¯ve ever cared about. I saw them and heard them,¡± her voice cracked, ¡°and they looked and sounded like I remember. But they materialized out of the fog and I remember that I saw them being killed and taken.¡± The line of her jaw hardened. ¡°You weren¡¯t here for any of that.¡±


    ¡°No, I wasn¡¯t,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Too busy playing the big superhero around the world. Couldn¡¯t bother to check in with your family. Oh, that¡¯s right, we probably didn¡¯t count. Even before all of this you never visited, never emailed, not one show of interest over the years,¡± Madalena ground out the words.


    ¡°I¡¯m here now,¡± Eron turned to leave, ¡°and I¡¯m not leaving.¡±


    Eron made his way down to Cherry¡¯s restaurant.


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Another person he didn¡¯t really want to talk to, but was obligated.


    He found her seated at one of the tables. Modestly dressed and cradling a blood bag, which she was sipping out of with a straw, in between the palms of her hands.


    ¡°Fingers shouldn¡¯t be bent those ways. I¡¯ll ask Dr. Rufo to help set them,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother,¡± Cherry said glumly.


    ¡°Ah, right. So, why aren¡¯t you shapeshifting them back to normal?¡±


    ¡°Need more of this in me,¡± Cherry held up the blood bag.


    ¡°Okay, well, just wanted to thank you for helping get the people back here safely. I heard you did good work,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Then why do they still look at me like I¡¯m about to eat them?¡± Cherry sighed.


    Eron kept his mouth shut.


    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s possible that they won¡¯t look at me with terror in their eyes? I mean, how long will it take? Do I just have to keep saving them from monsters? And eventually they won¡¯t think of me as one?¡± Cherry sighed.


    ¡°I think what you did today goes a long way to that end. At least it does for me,¡± Eron shrugged. ¡°I hope we can count on you again¡­ probably soon.¡±


    Cherry gave him a wan smile that made his stomach flip.


    Supernatural beauty was some b.s.


    Eron cleared his throat. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll leave you to it¡ª¡±


    ¡°Do you think I can ever make¡­?¡± Cherry said suddenly.


    ¡°What?¡± Eron turned back.


    ¡°Never mind. I¡¯ll be ready to help,¡± Cherry said. ¡°Just need to drink some blood¡­ make that a lot of blood¡­ and these will be back to normal,¡± she wiggled her fingers with a grimace.


    ¡°Thank you. Honestly, all those people wouldn¡¯t have made it today if you hadn¡¯t been there. I can¡¯t really speak for anyone else, but I think in time they won¡¯t see you as your Class. They¡¯ll see you for your actions¡±


    Cherry took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. ¡°I hope so,¡± she smiled sadly.


    It was heart-wrenching to see and Eron was overcome by an urge to embrace Cherry.


    He clenched his fists and spun around to leave the restaurant.


    <hr>


    Now, Northern Philippines


    ¡°What can you do?¡± Doran said.


    ¡°Spirit stuff,¡± the tall, lanky young man replied.


    Cal glanced over at the plastic table where a line of people had formed waiting for their turn to interview. He was surprised at the number. He didn¡¯t need to read minds to know that the datu¡¯s men watching the proceedings weren¡¯t happy with the turnout. Things must not have been great in the local militia or perhaps the datu didn¡¯t provide equal opportunity to everyone when it came to gaining levels.


    Doran cleared his throat.


    Cal had agreed to vet all the potential candidates, as well as make the final decision on accepting candidates that weren¡¯t a good fit for Doran¡¯s spear unit. Thus, he was responsible for picking new recruits for both Demi and Sgt. Butcher.


    He sighed before gesturing the young man over.


    ¡°Um¡­¡± the young man began.


    Cal didn¡¯t say anything for a moment. He merely continued to watch as Hanna handled her latest militia challenger in a ¡°friendly¡± spar.


    A long, wooden stick meant to stand in for a two-handed sword clacked against the two rattan sticks wielded by the militiawoman.


    Hanna clearly wasn¡¯t trying that hard, but the other woman looked pretty good. Her hands moved like a blur.


    ¡°Good footwork,¡± Cal remarked.


    ¡°Oh¡­ yeah, that¡¯s Jovita, she¡¯s probably the best hand to hand fighter in the militia,¡± the young man said.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°Rai. You probably don¡¯t remember, but you guys saved me and Ambrose¡ª¡±


    Cal glanced back, following Rai¡¯s pointing hand to another young man waiting in line.


    ¡°¡ªback at the aswang village.¡±


    ¡°And now you want to join us? You do know that we¡¯re headed into extreme danger, probably worse than the aswangs?¡±


    Rai chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. ¡°I figured and was kinda counting on it.¡±


    ¡°Most normal, sane people would head the other way.¡±


    ¡°I have to get stronger and I can¡¯t do that here. Either, I stay and take forever to gain levels while doing shit work for the datu and being hung out to dry just cause I don¡¯t want to bow down and stick my nose up his asshole, or I take my chances with you guys.¡± Rai tried to smile as he puffed up his chest. ¡°You guys obviously have high levels and I want in.¡±


    Cal regarded Rai with unblinking eyes.


    For his part the young man managed to stare down without looking away. However, rapid eye blinks gave his nerves away.


    The seconds ticked and Rai began to sweat.


    ¡°Okay, what can you do to bring value to our Quest?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You mean what¡¯s my Class?¡± Rai began warily.


    ¡°Share what you want to share. Think of this as a job interview.¡±


    Rai stared blankly.


    Cal sighed.


    Rai looked to be in his late teens or early twenties. Which meant that he had been a child when jobs and interviews were still integral parts of human society. His generation didn¡¯t grow up with that.


    ¡°I need to know if you can contribute,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Magic stuff with spirits,¡± Rai said.


    ¡°There aren¡¯t a lot of trees where we¡¯re headed,¡± Cal shook his head.


    ¡°I¡¯ll admit that I do my best work in the rainforest, but there are spirits all over the place. Even in the middle of the city. I promise you that I can contribute wherever you¡¯re going.¡±


    A hint of pleading crept into the young man¡¯s tone.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡ª¡±


    ¡°I also know a couple of the basic spells that every magic type gets at the beginning and¡­¡± Rai leaned down to whisper in Cal¡¯s ear, ¡°I can tell you which people are signing up just to spy for the datu.¡±


    Cal already knew that.


    ¡°How do you know this?¡±


    ¡°Spirits told me,¡± Rai nodded gravely.


    Truth.


    ¡°Okay, you¡¯re on the team.¡±


    Rai beamed.


    A genuine smile. He exuded happiness.


    Cal¡¯s stomach twisted, but he presented a slightly smiling face. Morale was important. Yet, he couldn¡¯t lie. At least not completely.


    ¡°There are no promises here. This will be the hardest and most dangerous thing you¡¯ve ever done. You might not achieve your levels.¡±


    ¡°Get stronger or die,¡± Rai nodded. ¡°I grew up on that. I¡¯m not scared of death. Only the strong can truly live.¡±


    Cal could only give a tight nod at the Rai¡¯s resolve.


    ¡°Just hang around here. We¡¯ll head on over together with all the new recruits when we¡¯re done.¡±


    ¡°Yessir,¡± Rai saluted.


    ¡°I don¡¯t do that,¡± Cal waved a hand.


    ¡°Uh¡­ excuse me, sir?¡±


    Cal turned to the voice.


    ¡°I¡¯m in, Ambrose!¡± Rai said.


    ¡°Lucky! I hope I get in too!¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°And what can you do?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I¡¯m a Headhunter. I take heads, shrink them,¡± Ambrose gestured at the animal heads tied to his belt, ¡°and gain abilities from them.¡±


    Cal scanned the young man. He didn¡¯t detect any duplicity. ¡°Alright, you¡¯re in too.¡±


    Rai and Ambrose clashed arms in excitement before heading to the fighting square to watch the sparring from a closer vantage point.


    ¡°She¡¯s so hot,¡± Ambrose whispered.


    ¡°Shut up! They might hear,¡± Rai replied.


    ¡°Do you think she¡¯ll remember us from the village?¡± Ambrose continued.


    Cal ignored the rest of their conversation. He didn¡¯t know if Hanna remembered the duo from the aswang village, but he did. He shook his head, angry at himself. He had saved them only to take them into greater danger.


    Cal was distracted. His actions from the day before continued to weigh on his thoughts. He couldn¡¯t, wouldn¡¯t forget the look on the old woman¡¯s face before he killed her.


    Fear and peace.


    It would¡¯ve been easier had she worn her monstrous class¡¯ face.


    An unworthy thought.


    An attempt to lessen the guilt.


    To unburden himself of the responsibility.


    Angry voice behind him snapped him back to reality.


    ¡°You can go bitch at him,¡± Doran growled.


    Once again Cal turned around.


    Ah, finally.


    He was wondering when the datu would make a move.


    An angry woman flanked by a dozen armed men and women marched up to Cal.


    ¡°So¡­¡± Cal said lightly, ¡°which one of you shot my dad in the head?¡±


    The datu¡¯s personal guards tightened their grips on their weapons.


    ¡°Now, now, none of that. I promise I won¡¯t hurt anyone¡­ first,¡± Cal said. ¡°Besides, you¡¯d really only hurt yourselves and your fellow citizens,¡± he waved a hand to indicate the people in line at Doran¡¯s table and the large group watching the sparring square a short distance away. A bullet to my head would only make me angry and I¡¯m meaner than my dad. I¡¯d take it personally.¡±


    ¡°This wasn¡¯t part of the agreement,¡± the woman ground out. ¡°The datu didn¡¯t give you permission to take his citizens.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t own them,¡± Cal brushed her off. ¡°Anyone that signs up with us does so of their own will and with full knowledge of the risks.¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t cease and desist¡ª¡±


    ¡°No,¡± he cut the woman off. ¡°We got rid of the aswangs plaguing you in exchange for a few trucks and gas. We are purchasing supplies and services with Universal Points. Your citizens are getting more points than they ever have before.¡± He didn¡¯t add that a large majority of said points were his. ¡°Our deal with the datu was more than fair. Please, tell your datu that he doesn¡¯t want to screw this up with a dick measuring contest.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯d like, I could fly over there right now and hammer out a new deal,¡± Cal said blandly, ¡°although, I can guarantee that the new terms won¡¯t nearly be as favorable.¡± He allowed a tiny sliver of his anger to radiate enough to encompass the woman and the datu¡¯s guards.


    The woman stammered before nodding and hurrying away.


    Cal sighed.


    That wasn¡¯t a nice thing to do to the poor woman and the guards. They were only doing their jobs. It wasn¡¯t like they could say no without repercussions.


    Why was it that people in power were usually not worthy of it?


    Did that apply to himself as well?


    Yes, no, maybe.


    More uncomfortable thoughts roiled in his head as he watched Hanna floor the dual stick wielder with a slick move. The greatest Swordswoman in the world, probably, tapped her stick on the other woman¡¯s throat before helping her up. The two exchange words as they walked out of the sparring square.


    Cal wondered if Hanna was done showing off or if she would take on another challenger. She was up to nine already. The last one was clearly the best so far, but was she the best the militia had to offer?


    A quick scan with his telepathy would¡¯ve given him the answer and more, but he didn¡¯t want to open himself up to that many thoughts. Even with the walls around his mind he could never truly escape the whispers.


    He just had to do enough to weed out the spies.


    Doran cleared his throat.


    Cal turned and shook his head.


    The Spear Sergeant sent the would be recruit away.


    Cal nodded as the next person in line stepped forward.


    Perhaps it wasn¡¯t surprising that a good chunk of those looking to join them were doing so with the intent to spy for the datu. Cal supposed that the man was taking reasonable action to cover his bases. If he couldn¡¯t prevent his citizens from signing up then he would try to insert loyal people.


    Cal considered simply telling the spies to go away, but decided against it.


    The day wound down.


    Hanna continued to spar with the militia while conversing with the dual stick wielder during breaks.


    Cal scanned the militiawoman¡¯s surface thoughts and found nothing objectionable. She merely wanted to soak in as much technique from Hanna.


    ¡°All done,¡± Doran grumbled as he plodded over to Cal.


    ¡°How many did you recruit for your unit?¡±


    ¡°Twenty-three, pretty much everyone that you gave the okay on. Mostly young men and women with basic fighter-type classes. I can integrate them into my unit with enough time.¡±


    Cal heard the question in Doran¡¯s voice. ¡°We¡¯ll avoid fights on the trip down to Manila. You¡¯ll have time for training.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll keep the monsters off our backs,¡± Doran grunted.


    Cal nodded.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°Least I can do.¡±


    ¡°You think the watch captain and Sgt. Butcher will be okay with splitting ten recruits between them?¡± Doran ventured.


    ¡°They¡¯ll have to be. That was all that fit their criteria and even then most of them were just scraping the minimum requirements. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll tell them you weren¡¯t hoarding all the best recruits for yourself.¡±


    ¡°That weird kid with the shrunken animal heads and the tall kid were the best out of all the recruits. They just won¡¯t fit in my unit,¡± Doran said.


    ¡°Did you get enough?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d try coming back tomorrow, but something tells me that turnout won¡¯t be as much and even then I¡¯d bet my gold coin that it¡¯d be all plants,¡± Doran shrugged.


    ¡°The datu won¡¯t let anyone that isn¡¯t a spy near your recruitment table. We had them scrambling today. That surprise is gone.¡±


    ¡°You think they¡¯ll sack up and try to stop us taking their people?¡±


    ¡°No. The datu isn¡¯t stupid. We¡¯ve been stepping on his pride, but we got rid of the aswangs, which means that we¡¯re more dangerous. He won¡¯t risk the huge win we¡¯ve given him.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s going to be crowing about it, isn¡¯t he?¡± Doran snorted.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care if he takes the credit. The important thing is the aswangs aren¡¯t eating people anymore. This place isn¡¯t so bad that it needs dealing with right now. The datu¡¯s a dictator, but in general things are orderly.¡±


    ¡°No abuses?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that,¡± Cal said flatly. ¡°The Quest takes precedence.¡±


    Doran cleared his throat, sensing the conversation had hit a wall. ¡°I¡¯ll get my recruits ready to head back to base.¡±


    Cal stretched out with his thoughts for a moment.


    ¡°The road outside the city is clear. No monsters or other threats for miles. Move as a group. Don¡¯t leave without Hanna.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Doran said.


    Cal floated up into the sky. Eyes tracked him in amazement while words and thoughts of mingled awe and fear drifted up after him. He couldn¡¯t escape them.


    The sun cast a soft, reddish haze as it began its downward arc over the mountains to the east.


    He watched it for a moment and savored the wind as it flowed strongly around him.


    He had left his armor back at their temporary base. It felt good to feel the environment after such a long time. It reminded him that he was still a person of the world. In it and not something else. Something that stood above.


    ¡°I¡¯m full of shit. I¡¯m literally standing above the world,¡± he sighed.


    His gut twisted.


    It was too late.


    He had already placed himself in judgment of other people. Taken their lives because he had decided they were too dangerous.


    What had given him the right?


    Doubts wormed their way through his thoughts.


    He decided to do something unequivocally just.


    ¡°Then again, isn¡¯t justice a matter of perspective? No, there are things that are simply right or wrong.¡±

 5.18

    Now, Northern Philippines


    ¡°These are not the droids¡­ something, something dark side¡­¡± Cal waved a hand across the faces of the two guards standing in front of the grocery store doors.


    The physical act wasn¡¯t necessary, but it was fun.


    Although, this being the fifth time he had done the same thing during the night meant it was starting to get old.


    It would¡¯ve been more fun had one of his siblings been around to watch.


    Especially, Eron. He would¡¯ve gotten a kick out of it.


    The thought immediately sobered Cal and he walked past the oblivious guards.


    Mental manipulation was easy and he made sure to avoid doing any lasting damage.


    He made no further gestures as he telekinetically moved the surveillance cameras before he walked into view.


    Bags floated in his wake as he walked down the aisles.


    Fresh meat and vegetables were plucked by invisible hands and placed into the bags. Canned food, snacks, bottled water, milk, juice, even medicines followed suit.


    Over a hundred bags were filled by the time Cal was done.


    The store was small and it didn¡¯t take long for him to clean it out.


    Cal floated up into the dark sky with his haul.


    It was a comical sight, if only for his eyes.


    After all, he couldn¡¯t allow anyone else to remember.


    All across the city, as they had all night long, doors and windows opened as he deposited bags inside.


    Along with the delivery he planted a thought in the people¡¯s heads.


    To not question the surprise supplies and not mention it to anyone else.


    He hoped that doing that would be enough to keep the datu from deciding to search the homes to take the supplies back. The stores refreshed their stocks before the morning and he had left no evidence of his actions.


    As long as no one talked, the datu would be none the wiser.


    Cal had cleared out every store the datu had claimed by the time he was done.


    His father greeted him upon his return to their temporary base.


    ¡°Should I ask?¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Nothing bad this time. Actually did some good, I hope,¡± he grinned. ¡°I just messed with the datu¡¯s main mechanism of control.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like¡­ a possible problem,¡± Phillip sighed. ¡°What did you do?¡±


    ¡°No one will know,¡± Cal shook his head. ¡°The people are essentially forced to participate in a pre-spires economy. They actually have to work for money, as in worthless pieces of paper. The jobs are what the datu says they have to do. So, people get Classes based on that. Instead of ones that might allow them to get out of what amounts to servitude in exchange for survival. The only ones benefiting are the datu and the ones at the top.¡±


    ¡°I see the problem.¡±


    ¡°Right, the stores magically re-stock themselves. There are no corporations or small business owners that can claim to be producing stuff. The world has changed. For the worse in a lot of obvious ways. These people are stuck with the worst aspects of the old while having to deal with monsters and other horrors.¡±


    ¡°So, you did what? Take supplies and give them to the people? The datu will definitely not be happy with that.¡±


    ¡°Basically¡­ why do you care about what they think, Dad?¡± Cal frowned.


    ¡°I don¡¯t. I¡¯m concerned about what they¡¯ll do after we leave. You may have given the people free supplies, but the datu won¡¯t simply let them keep it,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Of course I thought about that,¡± Cal scoffed, partially offended. ¡°I did some mind stuff to lessen the chances of that occurring.¡±


    ¡°Look, I¡¯m just playing Devil¡¯s Advocate, but have you considered that you¡¯ve just put people in danger.¡±


    ¡°Possibly, but danger is everywhere. I think this is pretty low on the scale put up against aswangs. I know the supplies will only last a month or two, but that will give them a cushion at least. They can save their money,¡± Cal rolled his eyes, ¡°and maybe not have to work as much in the near future. Might give them the time to develop Classes that personally fit them or benefit them beyond drudgery.¡±


    ¡°Still a temporary solution.¡±


    ¡°I plan to come back after we help Eron,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°There will be a fair and equitable solution that benefits all, not just a few. I mean, I cannot truly understand why everyone isn¡¯t on board with this. The stores are automatically replenished. There is no legitimate reason to attach a price to any of it.¡±


    ¡°Like you said¡­ it¡¯s about control,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Some people just don¡¯t like seeing others get free stuff,¡± Cal laughed. ¡°Not even a monster apocalypse changed that attitude.¡±


    ¡°I hope that stores continue to produce for free. Supplies are available directly from the spires, but cost a lot of Universal Points. And farming the traditional way¡­ well, it¡¯s hard when you¡¯ve got to defend against random monster attacks. I don¡¯t know if a Farmer or Shepherd could deal with those things. Someone like you or me would have to basically stand guard all the time.¡±


    Cal¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    The thought had occurred to him.


    ¡°I¡¯d theorize that high enough levels would be sufficient for that,¡± he said.


    ¡°Hopefully,¡± Phillip nodded. ¡°I started thinking about things like this once I realized what the ending of the tutorial phase thing might mean. The wording implies that things had been easy and now would become more difficult, but what do I know. I¡¯ve never played the games this is all apparently based on,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°You¡¯re not wrong,¡± Cal agreed. ¡°It¡¯s just that we go from one crisis to another without much time to consider all these different aspects of the post-spires world.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t do everything,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°I feel like I have a responsibility to try,¡± Cal said.


    Phillip laid a hand on Cal¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Carrying the weight of everyone and everything will bury you. No matter how powerful you are.¡±


    Cal considered his father¡¯s words for a few moments. ¡°I can¡¯t agree to that right now. I just can¡¯t. Not when extinction is a possibility.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying that you shouldn¡¯t feel responsible. Just remember that there are others that can share the burden,¡± Phillip sighed. ¡°I just really wish that those people weren¡¯t my children, my wife, myself,¡± he shook his head. ¡°This wasn¡¯t the life I envisioned for all of you.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it better than being at the mercy of the monsters and bad people? Imagine people like the datu and the cultists with our powers.¡±


    Phillip had no answer.


    Father and son watched the sunrise in silence before heading off to prepare for the continuation of their journey.


    <hr>


    ¡°Busy night,¡± Demi said.


    It was obviously a statement, not a question.


    Cal took a moment to decide on a good answer.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Is it going to be a problem?¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Nope. They have no idea.¡±


    ¡°Then why does an obvious killer want to join us?¡±


    Cal blinked. ¡°You¡¯re going to have to elaborate on that, watch captain.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a man out at the barricade. Wants to come along. Rebekah pegs him as a soldier, probably special forces judging by his gear and bearing, at least according to her.¡±


    ¡°One moment.¡± Cal stretched out with his telepathy and quickly ascertained exactly what was going on. ¡°That bastard,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°You¡¯re being creepy again,¡± Demi frowned.


    ¡°Rebekah¡¯s spot on. The guy¡¯s name is Cristos and he is indeed special forces. As for why he¡¯s out there¡­ nothing to do with what I did. Though, he is going to cause problems.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll have him sent away.¡±


    ¡°Hold on. If you do that, he¡¯ll just trail us. I¡¯d rather have him within easy reach.¡±


    ¡°That¡ª is a terrible idea.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a dangerous man,¡± Cal grinned.


    Demi let out a breath. ¡°You¡¯re not convincing me.¡±


    ¡°Which means we can use him against threats¡­ until his sudden, but inevitable betrayal.¡±


    Demi shook her head, eyes narrowed into slits.


    ¡°Which I will stop.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to tell me what form this betrayal will take, are you?¡±


    ¡°Better I don¡¯t. Opsec and all that,¡± Cal shrugged.


    Demi ground her teeth. ¡°He¡¯s your responsibility. I¡¯m holding any damage he does to my people on your head.¡±


    ¡°He won¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°What am I supposed to do with him?¡±


    ¡°Have him forward scout. He was an actual ranger from before in addition to having it as a Class. Unlike Rayna¡¯s rangers he¡¯s got rainforest training. They¡¯re more urban rangers, I guess,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°I know it sounds weird, but some of them, like Sgt. Butcher, have Ranger in their Class despite not being wilderness trained.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll let Rebekah know.¡±


    Cal turned to leave. ¡°Oh, keep him away from Ginessa.¡±


    An almost imperceptible frown creased Demi¡¯s forehead, but she gave him a curt nod.


    He left the planning room and went in search of Hanna. Finding her near the edge of the block of homes they had claimed as a temporary base.


    Hanna was in her Threnosh-made armor, one hand on the handle of her sword as she watched the tree line.


    ¡°There be monsters out there,¡± Cal said.


    Hanna arched her brow.


    ¡°Nothing to worry about. One of them is on our side,¡± Cal nodded. ¡°Rino,¡± he said by way of explanation.


    ¡°Did you send her out?¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Nope¡­ she does what she does. Which in this case is hunting mutated binturong.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t remember that type of monster from the research material,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°That¡¯s cause it¡¯s not mythical. It¡¯s an actual animal. Like a mix between a bear and a cat, sort of weasel-adjacent,¡± he shrugged, ¡°about this big,¡± he held his hands a few feet apart, ¡°pretty stocky though, I think they run between 30 to 70 pounds. Mostly harmless to humans.¡±


    ¡°Unless mutated to greater size and aggressiveness,¡± Hanna said.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you didn¡¯t run into any when you went into the forest, by yourself, the other day.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t start a lecture. I can take care of myself. My skill and Skills, along with the gear you brought from the other world makes me practically invincible. Those treemen couldn¡¯t even scratch the armor. Aghoy, I think they¡¯re called. The books said they were supposed to be as tall as trees. The ones I killed were more in the short to medium range.¡±


    ¡°Maybe you killed kids and teens?¡±


    Hanna¡¯s clenched jaw was visible through the translucent faceplate of her helmet. ¡°I suppose even monsters must have a life cycle,¡± she said.


    ¡°Maybe. I¡¯m still unclear on how the spires do things. Regardless, monsters need killing,¡± Cal conceded. ¡°After all, they don¡¯t hesitate to kill us. So, why are you standing here and not out there?¡±


    ¡°To keep a watch¡­¡± Hanna hesitated. ¡°And I don¡¯t want to risk a¡ª misunderstanding with Rino.¡±


    ¡°Ah, got it. She can be vicious and slightly out of control in her full Weredog form,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want to injure her. This Threnosh blade is sharp,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°That¡¯s an understatement and I¡¯d bet the Threnosh armor can stand up to Rino¡¯s claws.¡±


    ¡°Fighting among allies would be disastrous to our Quest.¡±


    ¡°Agreed. I¡¯m glad we¡¯re on the same page on that account. So, have you had a chance to meet the new recruits?¡±


    ¡°They are barely adequate.¡± Hanna didn¡¯t mince words. ¡°With the exception of Jovita. She¡¯s skilled and the highest leveled.¡±


    ¡°The woman dual wielding the sticks?¡±


    ¡°Eskrimador. Don¡¯t you know what that is? This is your culture,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°I know of it. Never practiced.¡±


    ¡°Your people have a rich culture of combat arts, armed and unarmed.¡±


    Cal detected a vaguely lecturing tint to Hanna¡¯s words. ¡°I wasn¡¯t raised here and my parents weren¡¯t into athletic pursuits. I picked up wrestling in high school and boxing for fun during college on my own. You¡¯re kind of the same, right?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Well, you did European sword and shield stuff. Why not a katana?¡±


    Hanna cut Cal with the sharpness in her gaze as she turned to face him fully for the first time. ¡°I was born in California just like my father. Our family moved there before World War II. I¡¯ve never been to Japan and I never will.¡±


    ¡°Ah, so we¡¯re like the same in our lack of knowledge about the lands of our origin,¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°Point taken,¡± Hanna turned back to the tree line.


    ¡°So, are you actually watching Rino fighting bearcats or just doing it to look mysterious and foreboding for the new recruits,¡± Cal noted the small group gathered outside the closest home. He marked Jovita and wasn¡¯t surprised to note that Rai and Ambrose were looking at Hanna. He shook his head with a sigh. The Threnosh armor was rather form fitting. ¡°You¡¯ve got a few more to add to your fan club.¡±


    Hanna frowned. ¡°I¡¯ll beat it out of them.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think those were the right words to use,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I thought you were a grown man,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°It¡¯s important to find levity in small moments. You know, in between crushing despair and horrifying near death experiences,¡± Cal turned to leave, ¡°otherwise we might forget why we put ourselves in those situations. At least that¡¯s what I try to tell myself.¡±


    ¡°And does it work for you?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t say that it does, but we have to keep trying. Congrats on hitting Level 30 by the way.¡±


    ¡°How did you know that? I haven¡¯t told anyone,¡± Hanna snapped as she spun.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t. It was an¡­ educated guess,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°I hope you got a good Skill. We¡¯re going to need it.¡±


    <hr>


    Now, Manila


    Eron stood on the roof of their main sanctuary staring at the expanse of gray that surrounded them in all directions. He could almost imagine hands and tendrils of fog reaching toward him and recoiling as they brushed against the unseen barrier created by Lilah¡¯s wards.


    His brooding was interrupted by the sounds of footsteps coming up the stairs. Light weight, barely a whisper. One of the kids.


    ¡°You¡¯re not supposed to be outside, Nestor.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s safe if you¡¯re here, Kuya Eron.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯ve I said before?¡± Eron sighed.


    ¡°It¡¯s never safe outside,¡± Nestor recited.


    ¡°And what do you need to do?¡±


    ¡°Go inside.¡± Nestor¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°But what if inside isn¡¯t safe anymore?¡±


    Eron regarded the boy. Nestor was skinny and bony. Gangly in the way kids got when they were entering that awkward stage. ¡°Have you been eating enough? You have to eat enough to keep strong.¡±


    Nestor rolled his eyes. ¡°Why do you all keep saying that? All of you are always telling us to eat.¡±


    ¡°Huh¡­¡± Eron thought about it and realized that Nestor was right. ¡°Jesus-fucking-Christ, I¡¯ve turned into my parents,¡± he muttered. ¡°Because eating is good,¡± he nodded sharply.


    ¡°What does it matter if we¡¯re healthy when the fog is going to get us anyway?¡± Nestor eyes burned with hatred as he stared at the gray gloom.


    Eron ran a hand through his ever-lengthening hair. ¡°You heard some of the old people talking.¡±


    ¡°They said the wards failed and Dr. Rufo won¡¯t let us see Lilah. He said she¡¯s fine, but he sounds like you guys always do when you¡¯re trying to keep us from getting scared,¡± Nestor said.


    ¡°Why not both?¡± Eron tried to grin, but Nestor wasn¡¯t having it. ¡°Okay, don¡¯t pout. That only works for the little ones. You¡¯re much too big for that. You just look kinda ridiculous.¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡±


    ¡°Fair. Sorry. I¡¯m not kidding though¡­ about Lilah. She¡¯s not¡ª¡± Eron struggled for the right words, ¡°¡ª at a hundred percent right now, but she just needs a little rest¡­ a lot of rest. And we did evacuate a sanctuary, but it¡¯s a good thing because Lilah won¡¯t have to maintain those wards, which means less of a drain on her¡­ hopefully.¡±


    Nestor eyed him with suspicion.


    ¡°Look. This place is our main sanctuary. We won¡¯t let it fall,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I want to help,¡± Nestor said.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Eron blinked.


    ¡°You need people to do¡­ stuff,¡± Nestor shuffled his feet before standing tall and puffing out his chest.


    ¡°From what I¡¯ve seen you¡¯re already doing great helping herd the kittens¡­ I mean smaller kids,¡± Eron smiled.


    ¡°I mean out there,¡± Nestor pointed into the fog.


    Eron followed the boy¡¯s hand and thought he saw the fog swirl in an almost portal-like pattern. Beckoning, inviting.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ no. I don¡¯t think you really mean that,¡± Eron raised a brow. ¡°Only the dumb or those without a choice willingly ventures out into that. I¡¯m pretty sure you¡¯re not the former. Dr. Rufo says you¡¯d be a straight A student if he was handing out grades for your lessons.¡±


    Nestor swallowed a lump in his throat. ¡°But you need help. Ate Madalena¡¯s feet are all torn up and none of the other adults want to go out. You said you need to bring people from the other places back here. I mean, it¡¯s better for Lilah if there are less places she has to take care of. I know Dr. Rufo and you said she¡¯ll be fine, but we don¡¯t want her to die.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying you¡¯re not wrong, but you¡¯d only get yourself taken,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I can run fast and I¡¯ve been practicing fighting with Trin¡ª before she¡­¡± Nestor looked down.


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Eron gingerly laid a hand on Nestor¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Trin was a good fighter, brave, strong. And she¡¯s gone. Her, Kane and Adrian. They fought many times and they died. Having Madalena with them made no difference in the end. Every fight could be your last. That¡¯s how it works.¡±


    ¡°I want to help¡­ I need to help,¡± Nestor pleaded.


    ¡°Dude, I told you, you already are. You¡¯re a valuable part of what we¡¯ve got here. Maybe one day when you¡¯re older¡­ a lot older. Like, with years of training, so you¡¯ve got a good Class, with Skills and skills. When you¡¯re bigger, stronger, put on some muscle. Then you can decide if you still want to fight,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have years left. The fog will take me, like it did everyone else,¡± Nestor said glumly.


    ¡°The fog¡¯s not going to take you. I won¡¯t let it,¡± Eron said firmly. ¡°Let¡¯s go back inside, yeah? Staring at this shit isn¡¯t good for anyone,¡± he ushered Nestor to the door.


    ¡°Then why were you doing it?¡± Nestor said.


    ¡°I was trying to impart my hatred of it through staring,¡± Eron said lightly. ¡°Which, now that I say it out loud, sounds really stupid.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but it¡¯s not one of the stupider things you¡¯ve said or done,¡± Nestor gave him a small, sad smile.


    ¡°Does Madalena still shit-talk me? I haven¡¯t paid attention to it lately.¡±


    ¡°Not as much as before,¡± Nestor said.


    ¡°Good to know¡­ surprisingly,¡± Eron mused.


    <hr>


    Madalena gingerly made her way across the living room to the kitchen. The soles of her feet had healed over the past week, but were still tender. Something about newly regrown nerves according to Dr. Rufo. Although, he had admitted that without the proper equipment he was just making an educated guess. She hadn¡¯t been paying too much attention at the time.


    Several cold cut sandwiches waited for her in the fridge.


    The taste or the temperature wasn¡¯t important. She just need to get as much food in her as often as possible. Her superhuman body needed them to continue the healing. The sooner she could get back fully the better. She couldn¡¯t remain stuck in the small apartment any longer. She worried about the others, particularly Lilah. She couldn¡¯t let Eron go unchallenged. She couldn¡¯t trust him to truly have their best interests at heart.


    Eat a sandwich. Drink a glass of water. Repeat.


    Ten times.


    She ate mechanically, trying to concentrate on the act in order to distract herself from the thoughts that had dominated her mind while she had lain on the couch and done nothing.


    She didn¡¯t like thinking that Eron could be right about anything.


    Was he right about the shades of their family?


    Where they¡­ them?


    If so¡­ could she get them back?


    The empty glass in her hand shattered with the sudden force of her clenched fist.


    ¡°No,¡± she whispered.


    She couldn¡¯t allow herself to think that way. It¡¯d make her vulnerable.


    If she fell then there would be no one left to protect everyone.


    Just Eron and Cherry.


    Madalena¡¯s face twisted with anger.


    She cleaned up the broken glass before making her way back to the couch.


    Eat and rest.


    Such had been her life for what felt like much longer than a week.


    She closed her eyes, but sleep didn¡¯t come. She hadn¡¯t needed much since becoming superhuman, which was for the better since whenever she slept, she dreamed and those were filled with memories of terror and death, along with her inability to save those she cared about even with her strength.


    An insidious whisper filled her with the thought that she was middling in strength compared to her relatives.


    The fog had taken them all.


    Why not her?


    Was she doomed to be the last?


    At the end of it all would she be the only one remaining as the people she had thrown her everything into protecting were subsumed?


    Images of the children, Dr. Rufo, Lilah and the others dissolved into the grasping gray, ethereal claws of the fog.


    Eron faced her.


    The last.


    Her cousin¡¯s face was bared in a rictus of rage and anguish as he too was absorbed.


    She stared down at her feet as insubstantial, gray tendrils coiled up her body¡ª


    Madalena woke with a start.


    A curse on her lips died into a half-sob.


    She had no idea how long she had slept.


    It could¡¯ve been minutes or hours. She had experienced both before.


    The only thing outside the window was gray nothingness. No way for her to gauge the passage of time.


    She felt it then.


    A shiver across her body.


    The fine hairs on her arms stood.


    The air felt charged with something she could only describe as a hum.


    She placed her bandaged feet on the floor and realized with alarm that the entire room was vibrating.


    What was Eron thinking? And why was Dr. Rufo allowing it?


    She was out of her apartment in a flash.


    The pain in her feet forgotten as she rushed over to the kids¡¯ apartment.


    The door handle broke in her hand and she slammed the door open.


    Only for it to stop as if it was backed by a mountain.


    ¡°Jesus!¡± Eron said from the other side. ¡°You almost hit Cathy.¡±


    Madalena relented and allowed her cousin to slowly open it.


    Anger gave way to shame as she looked down at the wide-eyed little girl. ¡°Sorry,¡± she said.


    Shame turned back into anger just as quickly as she looked at Eron.


    ¡°She just wanted some ice cream,¡± Eron said as he ushered Cathy into the kitchen.


    ¡°You¡¯re having Lilah do a new ward spell,¡± Madalena jabbed a finger.


    Eron ignored her as he took the time to fill a bowl with way too much before handing it to Cathy.


    ¡°Why are there four spoons?¡± Cathy pipped, her brow furrowed in bewilderment.


    ¡°What? You thought that was all for you?¡± Eron said. ¡°You¡¯re going to have to do the worst thing in the world,¡± he grinned evilly, ¡°you¡¯re going to share.¡±


    Cathy pouted as she flounced away.


    ¡°Explanation¡­ now!¡± Madalena snapped as soon as the little girl was out of the kitchen.


    ¡°Well¡­ let me see¡­ they wanted ice cream and it¡¯s easier to wash one large bowl and four spoons, rather then four smaller bowls,¡± Eron shrugged.


    ¡°The spell!¡±


    ¡°Oh, that? Lilah¡¯s just doing some prep work.¡±


    ¡°She shouldn¡¯t be exerting herself,¡± Madalena managed to ground out.


    ¡°Neither should you, but here you are,¡± Eron said lightly. ¡°I trust Lilah when she says she can handle this. Dr. Rufo is keeping an eye on her and if he thinks she¡¯s in danger then he¡¯ll shut it down.¡±


    The entire apartment shook with loud bang.


    Kids screamed.


    Dr. Rufo stumbled out of Lilah¡¯s room.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± Eron hurried over.


    Madalena rushed past her cousin as he prevented the doctor from hitting the floor.


    Lilah was hunched over what looked like a panel from a car door.


    A glowing sigil flared on the surface.


    ¡°Lilah¡ª¡± Madalena reached out to the girl only to be pushed back.


    Pain shot through her hand and arm. Like a thousand burning needles.


    Multiple sigils appeared for a moment around Lilah, like a forcefield.


    Lilah convulsed violently as the sigil¡¯s light grew in intensity.


    Madalena drew her fist back.


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡ª¡± Eron warned.


    She wasn¡¯t going to listen to him. Not after what his decisions had led to.


    Madalena would help Lilah the best way she knew how.


    Her fist flew forward like a rocket.

 5.19

    Now, Manila


    Madalena felt a rush of air from behind. Her fist struck a hard, unyielding surface. So much so that she winced at shock of pain that ran all the way up to her shoulder.


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I have to help Lilah!¡± she lashed out with her left fist.


    Eron caught it again.


    She tried to pull away, but his grip was too strong.


    Slowly, but surely he pushed her back and she had no choice but to give way.


    ¡°Damn you!¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t just punch a magic shield if you don¡¯t want to do damage to the caster,¡± Eron said calmly.


    ¡°Lilah¡¯s having a seizure! We have to do something.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯d just make it worse if we interfered. I¡¯ve seen enough magic to bet that hitting that thing around her won¡¯t help. It¡¯d probably finish her off. Doc, I need your help here.¡±


    Dr. Rufo was leaning against the doorway to Lilah¡¯s room. ¡°I¡¯m okay, the surge of¡ª magic¡­ energy, something took me by surprise. Like getting hit by a wave. What do you need from me?¡±


    ¡°Anything you can do for Lilah would be great,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Give me a moment,¡± Dr. Rufo said.


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t have time! Let me help her,¡± Madalena pleaded.


    ¡°Trust me on this,¡± Eron said while keeping vise-like grips on her fists. ¡°I don¡¯t want to rush you, Doc, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°Alright, get out of my way,¡± Dr. Rufo took a deep breath as Eron forced Madalena to one side. ¡°Diagnosis.¡±


    The shaking intensified as if in response to the doctor¡¯s Skill.


    Madalena could only watch as the floating sigils intermittently re-appeared and disappeared around the convulsing Lilah.


    Seconds ticked away with agonizing slowness before Dr. Rufo let out the breath that she had failed to realize he had been holding.


    ¡°Well?¡± Eron said expectantly.


    ¡°I can¡¯t see through the¡ª whatever it is,¡± Dr. Rufo punched his leg in frustration.


    ¡°Magic, the word you are looking for is magic,¡± Eron said.


    The air felt heavy, charged with energy. It reminded Madalena of the times she had been outdoors when a massive typhoon had been about to roll in.


    ¡°Damn it! If I had my full power I might be able to see through the magical interference!¡± Eron snapped.


    Madalena grimaced as her cousin¡¯s hands tightened momentarily.


    ¡°Sorry¡­ I¡¯ll let go, but you can¡¯t try to punch it. Promise?¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Fine!¡± Madalena snapped.


    ¡°The two of you need to gather the kids and everyone else then take them to the other side of the building,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°But Lilah¡ª¡± Madalena began.


    ¡°Can do this,¡± Eron said. ¡°Right now, the kids are probably really scared. They need your strong presence to keep them calm.¡±


    ¡°Lilah will need me¡ª¡± Dr. Rufo tried.


    ¡°You¡¯re about to pass out, Doc and she will need you, which is why you need to sit or lie down or something. I¡¯ll stay here,¡± Eron said calmly.


    Eron released his hold on Madalena.


    He watched the two leave Lilah¡¯s room and listened to them take the kids out of the apartment. Only then did he turn around.


    ¡°God damn it.¡±


    Lilah¡¯s small body continued to convulse as the glowing sigil had brightened so much that he had to squint.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Lilah. You can do this,¡± Eron urged. ¡°The magic is yours. Don¡¯t let it run wild. Control it.¡± He didn¡¯t know if she could hear him, but he had to do something. ¡°I have a¡­ friend¡­ her name is Wytchraven, I know how that sounds, but she knows her stuff when it comes to the Witch Class and magic. She¡¯d always says that to her little Witch girls and boys when teaching them. I know you have a different Class, but I believe that at the core, magic is basically the same. Your Class is a part of you. Not the other way around.¡±


    The air grew thicker with magical energy. Eron could feel the palpable force radiating out of Lilah.


    He watched helplessly as Lilah levitated as she continued to thrash.


    The sigil¡¯s light was blinding now and he could only catch glimpses and shadows as her flailing limbs briefly obscured the radiance.


    ¡°We need you, Lilah!¡± he cried. ¡°You¡¯ve held back a force powerful enough to engulf a huge city and take tens of thousands of people! I believe in you! I know you won¡¯t let it end like this!¡±


    The magical light burned Eron¡¯s eyes and he struggled to keep them on Lilah, but was forced to shut them against the searing pain.


    ¡°The magic is yours!¡±


    A wave of force exploded, washing over Eron, blowing out the window and smashing the furniture.


    He managed to push against it and braced himself for the second, stronger one.


    This time the walls broke and sent jagged splinters flying.


    ¡°Lilah!¡±


    Eron opened his eyes.


    Blinding, radiant yellow light, like the sun, assaulted him.


    Sigils appeared and disappeared from his vision as they flew in his direction.


    Searing pain struck through his very being wherever they touched.


    He bore it all.


    He wasn¡¯t going to leave.


    ¡°I¡¯m right here, Lilah! I¡¯m staying right with you!¡±


    Another wave of force lifted him off his feet and slammed him into the wall. He grabbed the broken edges to keep from being thrown into the living room.


    The radiant light blazed through the entire apartment.


    Then, just as suddenly as it had started the light winked out.


    The ever-present gray gloom returned.


    Eron struggled to his feet. ¡°So, that¡¯s what it feels like to be on the receiving end,¡± he groaned while trying to blink away the liquid in his eyes. ¡°Lilah!¡± he hurried to where the girl was laying on her back. ¡°Say something!¡±


    Lilah¡¯s eyes fluttered open for just a moment. ¡°I did it,¡± she rasped before closing her eyes.


    Eron could hear her breathe, shallow, but steady. He listened for her heartbeat. It sounded okay, but the doctor would be the last word on that.


    His eyes were drawn to the glowing sigil on the piece of car door panel he had given Lilah.


    The ward shined just as brightly as the main one on the sanctuary¡¯s wall.


    ¡°You were only supposed to do some prep work¡­ maybe a trial run,¡± he exhaled.


    It took several hours to get everything settled in the aftermath.


    The kids were moved to a new apartment.


    Everyone had to be reassured that they were still safe in the sanctuary.


    Lilah was moved to another apartment as far away as possible from the others. Eron and Madalena had refused to leave her until Dr. Rufo determined that the girl was not in immediate danger despite being unconscious. Her breathing, temperature and other vitals were in acceptable ranges according to his Skill and experienced knowledge.


    Since there was nothing left for the two cousins to do they headed straight down to Cherry¡¯s restaurant with the warded car door panel in hand to decide on their next course of action.


    ¡°And you brought that down here because¡­?¡± A crease marred Cherry¡¯s perfect forehead.


    ¡°Just in case it¡¯s unstable¡­ no one will get hurt if it blows up,¡± Madalena said.


    Cherry bared fangs in a snarl.


    ¡°What she means is that we, being superhumanly durable, will be more likely to survive in the unlikely event that happens,¡± Eron said. ¡°Which it won¡¯t because Lilah put her all into this. It won¡¯t fail. It¡¯s been hours and it hasn¡¯t weakened.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not a mage,¡± Madalena jabbed a finger at him.


    Eron carefully placed the panel on a table. ¡°I can feel the magical energy coming off it. It¡¯s exactly the same as all the other wards,¡± he said. ¡°What do you think, Cherry?¡±


    ¡°Again, not my kind of magic. The only thing I can tell you is that, yes, magical energy is coming out of it,¡± Cherry pointed a delicate finger at the glowing ward.


    ¡°Useless,¡± Madalena muttered.


    The other two decided to ignore her churlishness.


    ¡°Can you detect any sort of drainage? Like, is it weakening?¡± Eron continued.


    ¡°Not that I can tell,¡± Cherry shrugged.


    ¡°We¡¯re wasting time!¡± Madalena snapped. ¡°If the ward is working fine then we need to make use of it now!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m concerned about the possible effects on Lilah,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°So, if she¡¯s connected to all the wards then we need to do what you said and move people from the furthest sanctuaries. Then she can stop maintaining those wards,¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°Yes, but what if this ward, when I take it out there, adds to the drain on her?¡± Eron said.


    ¡°How different could it be from all the other wards? You already said it. We can¡¯t waste time. Every second we sit on our asses talking only drains her more,¡± Madalena said.


    Cherry cleared her throat. ¡°Just to be clear, you¡¯re not going to ask me to go back out there, are you?¡±


    Madalena glared across the table.


    ¡°No, if this ward works then it¡¯s a one person job. Since only me and Madalena are strong enough to push or pull vehicles you won¡¯t have to come along. Unless you¡¯re willing to volunteer¡­ just in case it does fail and we need your abilities,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I would,¡± Cherry gave him a sweet smile, ¡°except I believe that ward will perform just as well as the ones outside. Therefore, my assistance won¡¯t be necessary.¡±


    ¡°Of course you do,¡± Madalena snorted.


    Eron sighed.


    He was drained.


    Lilah had given him hope, but it was fleeting as the reality of their situation hadn¡¯t changed.


    Moving people around to other sanctuaries was like shuffling deck chairs on a sinking ship. Everything was going to end up in the water eventually and there were no rescue ships in sight. Their one chance was quite literally an ocean away. And though he had sent out a distress call he hadn¡¯t received a response. He had no way of knowing for certain that it had been received.


    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m going right now then,¡± he said.


    ¡°No, I¡¯ll go,¡± Madalena made to grab the panel.


    Eron was quicker, he snatched it off the table in the blink of an eye. ¡°Your feet aren¡¯t a hundred percent,¡± he said flatly.


    ¡°They¡¯re fine,¡± Madalena frowned. ¡°You need to protect this place and you can do that better than me,¡± she looked like she had bitten a lemon.


    ¡°You hide it pretty well, but I noticed that you brace yourself and your face tightens with every step,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I saw the same,¡± Cherry said mildly.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing I can¡¯t fight through,¡± Madalena growled.


    Eron shook his head. ¡°I know you can, but I¡¯m faster and stronger than you. I can move people quicker, which means Lilah can free herself of her burdens much sooner.¡±


    Madalena opened her mouth, but snapped it shut. ¡°Fine¡­ don¡¯t die,¡± she stomped away from the table and back up to the apartments.


    ¡°Petulant child,¡± Cherry said.


    Eron regarded her expectantly.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need me along,¡± Cherry waved a hand dismissively. ¡°You need to move fast and I think this place needs me more.¡±


    ¡°How so?¡±


    ¡°If we¡¯re both gone then that leaves the defense to an injured, pouty young woman, an unconscious little girl stretched to her limits, and a handful of people without any significant fighting abilities. Now, I¡¯m not a great fighter¡ª¡±


    Eron laughed.


    ¡°My Class does provide abilities to that end,¡± Cherry sighed.


    ¡°That¡¯s progress.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°That your finally admitting that¡­ thank you.¡±


    ¡°For?¡±


    ¡°Being willing to defend this place, these people.¡±


    ¡°What else am I going to do?¡± Cherry rolled her eyes.


    ¡°This sanctuary won¡¯t fall,¡± Eron said firmly.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure that¡¯s what the people we rescued thought,¡± Cherry said.


    ¡°Extenuating circumstances, which I¡¯m going to do something about.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t take too long¡­ and don¡¯t die,¡± Cherry said.


    ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±


    Eron headed for the door.


    A delicate brush of fingers on the back of his neck stopped him short. He turned and saw nothing. The restaurant was empty.


    He stepped out into the gray gloom.


    The warded panel in his hand provided a comforting counter as the yellow script glowed with a warmth that seemed to fill him.


    All he had was the hope that it would last long enough to help the people.


    That it would prevent the shades of his relatives from appearing.


    He wouldn¡¯t admit it, but he was scared.


    Not just for Lilah and the others, but also for himself.


    <hr>


    Weeks of travel down the highway, when they could¡¯ve done it in under ten hours during the old days.


    No choice.


    New recruits needed training to integrate into the spear unit.


    Random monster attacks slowed them down.


    Cal or his father could¡¯ve handled them all fairly quickly, but they were opportunities for the others to gain points and levels.


    Abandoned or monster infested cities and towns dotted the highway.


    They only passed a handful of settlements under human control.


    Suspicious and fearful eyes watched them, but they weren¡¯t barred from continuing on their southward journey.


    Things changed when they drew near Manila.


    The largest settlement they¡¯d come across, even larger than Ilagan, barred their way.


    The highway had been barricaded with an impressive-looking wall of wood and metal.


    A quick telepathic scan filled Cal with rage. He longed to act, but calmed himself and flew back down to the rest of his group. They had taken cover off the highway in an abandoned rest area, with gas stations and a handful of restaurants. A bend around a hill hid them from view.


    Cal went straight to his father. ¡°They have slaves.¡±


    Phillip¡¯s face twisted with grief. ¡°We¡¯ll free them.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that simple. There¡¯s over a thousand of them,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°A thousand slaves? Then how many total people?¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Around 25,000,¡± replied.


    Demi cursed.


    ¡°That¡¯s too many for us,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    Cal shook his head. ¡°Dedicated fighting force numbers around fifteen-hundred.¡±


    ¡°Still too many,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have to fight them at all, well, mostly. We just have to kill their leadership until we find someone not in favor of slavery,¡± Hanna shrugged. ¡°That shouldn¡¯t be a problem for you, right?¡± she regarded Cal with a critical eye.


    Cold-blooded kills or murder.


    That¡¯s what Hanna meant.


    What was more blood on his hands?


    Slavers were just like the aswangs.


    Both benefited from taking the blood of others. One more literal than the other.


    Cal found himself nodding.


    ¡°Wait, let¡¯s discuss this further before making a decision on how to proceed,¡± Phillip laid a strong hand on Cal¡¯s armored shoulder.


    ¡°We need to get through their¡­ city?¡± Demi said.


    ¡°It¡¯s not just a city. They¡¯ve got several locations under their control. From one street villages, to towns, and a small city. Which is probably where we¡¯ll find the leaders. I¡¯ll have to fly over for a better look to be certain,¡± Cal said. ¡°They¡¯ve even got farms going,¡± he said bitterly.


    ¡°Why enslave people?¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Shit human beings do shit things,¡± Hanna shrugged. ¡°I vote me and you,¡± she eyed Cal, ¡°fly over to where their leaders are and get cutting. The sooner we free the slaves the sooner we get on with our Quest. Because you and I both know that we¡¯re not just ignoring this.¡±


    ¡°What if you force them to free the enslaved without bloodshed? Threaten, not kill,¡± Phillip tried.


    ¡°A demonstration of overwhelming power¡­¡± Cal mused. ¡°That might work, for a time.¡±


    ¡°We can come back after we complete the Quest and implement a permanent fix,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Heads will still need to roll. Slavers cannot escape justice,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°We all need to maintain our strength and focus for when we finally reach Manila,¡± Demi said with an eye toward Cal.


    ¡°That will not be a problem for me.¡± Cal regarded the blazing sun in the sky. A few more hours until it¡¯d disappear over the mountains. ¡°We might as well set up here for the night. I¡¯ll move around dinner time.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll set up a perimeter. We¡¯re close enough that I¡¯m not assuming we can remain undetected,¡± Demi said. ¡°I¡¯ll have Rino and Cristos on the outer edge, watching the space between us and them. Sgt. Butcher, can I count on your rangers to cover the next zone?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Sgt. Butcher replied. ¡°What about our backs?¡±


    ¡°The rest of us can cover it,¡± Demi said. ¡°Hanna, Phillip, as usual you¡¯ll be protecting the brainiacs and our equipment.¡±


    The meeting broke apart as they went to prepare.


    Cal felt his dad watching him. Felt the worry. ¡°I¡¯m not planning to hurt anyone tonight¡­ physically.¡±


    ¡°Other kinds of pain are just as bad, even if deserved,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°I¡¯m planning on terror,¡± Cal said. ¡°What¡¯s a worse time to be terrified? Dinner? Or in the middle of sleep?¡±


    ¡°Are you targeting one person or many? Do you want an audience?¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Dinner it is then,¡± Cal said. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Dad,¡± he knew what was going through his father¡¯s mind, ¡°I¡¯d like to fix this without unnecessary bloodshed.¡±


    ¡°But?¡± Phillip frowned.


    ¡°Hanna was right. Enslavement demands retribution. The perpetrators owe it to the victimized. If I have the power to see it through then I, too, owe it to them,¡± Cal said.


    The warm yellow glow of artificial lights rose above the city like a protective dome. It was a false image. Human-controlled areas were no longer protected from the more powerful monsters and otherworldly entities.


    On this night, Cal was the invader.


    He floated high above in the dark sky. His armor¡¯s surface was covered in moisture from passing clouds. Scanning the city, he found his target in a large mansion inside a walled compound.


    It wasn¡¯t surprising.


    Disgust filled his thoughts.


    People were chained in cramped, dirty quarters, while the ones responsible continued to live in luxury.


    He struck like a missile.


    Thousands of feet in seconds.


    He crashed through the mansion roof with a thunderous explosion.


    Wood and brick exploded outward.


    Not a single window was spared.


    Plenty of injuries, but no deaths for the men and women guarding their leader, as was Cal¡¯s intent.


    He shared bits of his memories with them.


    Thoughts of inhuman entities, terrifying monsters and fearsome beasts filled the guards¡¯ minds.


    They dropped their weapons, fleeing in all directions from things that only they could see.


    The mansion¡¯s finely-made hardwood floors shattered before Cal as he lowered himself into the main dining room.


    He pointed at an old, well-dressed man. ¡°I just need a word with that trash. The rest of you can go.¡±


    He had protected the servants from the worst effects of his violent arrival. Spared them from the telepathic attack. He couldn¡¯t fault them for their jobs. It wasn¡¯t like they truly had a choice. From their perspective it was better to serve than be enslaved. He understood that.


    The old man¡¯s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.


    ¡°No words?¡± Cal knew that he struck an intimidating figure floating in armor with his faceplate completely dark. ¡°I¡¯ll give you a moment. Then, I want an explanation.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I¡ª who are you?¡± the man managed.


    ¡°Someone with a problem,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes, you do!¡± Cal snapped. ¡°I can see it in that mire of filth that is your mind. Deep down in that part of you that still clings to the bare basics of humanity¡­ you know what you¡¯ve done to bring this upon yourself. Spare yourself the suffering and tell me.¡±


    Cal floated motionless as the old man found some semblance of courage. He saw the indignation in the man¡¯s thoughts rise to push back the fear. The arrogance born of a lifetime of power and privilege was enough to deny the reality of the moment.


    It was grating, but unsurprising that the old man could ignore everything in front of him to cling to the belief that he was in control as he had always been.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know who I am? I¡¯m Senat¡ª¡±


    The old man¡¯s words were choked out of his mouth as Cal grabbed him bodily in invisible hands and yanked him off the floor.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. You don¡¯t matter,¡± Cal said. ¡°The only thing that concerns me is what you¡¯ve done to other human beings.¡±


    The old man¡¯s face reddened. The muscles in his jaw and neck grew taut with strain as he struggled and failed to open his mouth. His eyes widened. The whites were shot through with a web of blood vessels. The mark of a man that enjoyed his liquor.


    ¡°You can¡¯t see it from their perspective, can you? I¡¯m not surprised. To get to your station in life requires some level of sociopathy. For someone like you¡­ that goes back generations. Lifetimes of wealth accumulated by stepping on other people, exploiting them. Yet, you were raised with that mindset. How much of it is your fault?¡± The faceplate hid Cal¡¯s expression. He wasn¡¯t looking forward to what he was about to do. ¡°That¡¯s where we¡¯re different. I can put myself in your place¡­ to a point. I force myself to do this despite how distasteful it it. Let me share what that¡¯s like.¡±


    Cal forged a connection between the enslaved people and the man responsible for their suffering.


    He took their pain and suffering. Transferred it through himself and into the old man.


    Every lash of the whip. The way the manacles scraped wrists and ankles raw as they tried to sleep in horrendous conditions, packed together like livestock. The gnawing hunger in their stomachs that never left them, fed only enough rice to keep them on the edge of starvation. All the abuse that evil men did.


    Too much.


    It was too much for Cal.


    To forge the link was to share in those memories.


    He cut it.


    Years of suffering experienced in seconds.


    Cal needed a moment.


    The pungent odor of the liquid running down the old man¡¯s slacks was filtered out by Cal¡¯s helmet.


    ¡°Did that break you?¡± Cal said.


    The old man blubbered as Cal released his hold, dropping the man to the floor.


    ¡°That was barely a taste of what you¡¯re responsible for.¡±


    The old man shuddered violently as the tears flowed down his fat cheeks. He curled up into a ball. Everything around him forgotten. All thoughts of dignity and power gone.


    Cal floated over the man, like an angry angel ready to deliver judgment. He didn¡¯t like that image for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, he couldn¡¯t let things continue as they had been.


    Long minutes passed before he became impatient. So, he forcefully brought the old man back to a coherent state of mind.


    ¡°What? How¡ª¡± the old man started.


    ¡°How did you do it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°How did they get the Slave Class?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    Anger got the best of Cal. He no longer had the patience to let the old man speak for himself. He took the information from the man¡¯s memories. His face twisted behind the faceplate. To know an other''s memories was to live them. ¡°A mixture of legalized decree and getting them to see themselves as such¡­ cruelty is the point,¡± he muttered with disgust. ¡°You will free the people you¡¯ve enslaved. That means getting rid of that evil law you created. You will make a law outlawing slavery in all its forms as it should be, as it was. You will provided free food, water, comfortable housing. All these things cost you nothing. Stores create every supply a human being needs to live without cost to yourself. While there are plenty of vacant homes and apartments.¡±


    The old man averted his eyes.


    ¡°Do this and you keep your life this night. Fail to heed my words and you will suffer before you die. Understand that you will face judgment when I return. The level of mercy I will show depends on how well you take care of all the people in your territory.¡± Cal opened up his thoughts and connected himself with everyone. ¡°Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. No more hate, no more violence, no rape, no exploitation. Free and fair lives for all of you. Those that go against this will face my judgment.¡± He branded the words into their minds.


    Cal regarded the ornate crucifix on the wall. ¡°You pray daily. Go to Mass weekly. Confession, Communion¡­ all of that and still you enslave other human beings. The hypocrisy¡­¡± he growled. ¡°Senator, whatever your name is, you have my words. I promise that how well you follow them will determine the quality of the rest of your life. One last thing. A convoy will be driving through tomorrow morning. Do not impede them in any way or your fate will be settled then. Whomever your second in command is will inherit my commands.¡±


    With that Cal exploded up with a violent gust of wind that knocked the old man across the floor until his back slammed against the wall.


    The air boomed in Cal¡¯s wake. He wanted distance from the enslaved people. Though he knew that he¡¯d carry their experiences with him forever.


    His only consolation was that their suffering was nearly over.

 5.20

    Now Near Manila


    ¡°I mean, really anyone can use it. Um, like, as long as it¡¯s charged with mana, which anyone with a mage-type class can do,¡± the teen girl continued her explanation.


    Phillip nodded as he half-paid attention to Lexie¡¯s lecture on the basic functions of the state government¡¯s magitech communications device. Although, to call it a ¡®device¡¯ was a bit of a misnomer in his estimation.


    It was more of a kludged together amalgamation of large battery-powered generators, a rugged laptop, the kind meant for outdoor use, and what looked like a satellite phone system, complete with a small dish antenna.


    The other half of the magitech wonder kids informally dubbed L&L by the others, Louis was busy inputting what looked like some kind of code into the laptop while occasionally throwing annoyed glances at Lexie.


    ¡°Interesting,¡± he said after a moment.


    It truly was fascinating. He had only received the briefest of overviews on how the R&D team hoped the device would allow them to communicate within the gray fog that had engulfed Manila.


    ¡°So, you guys did all this?¡± he ventured.


    Louis snorted and rolled his eyes.


    ¡°I came up with the magical code that makes it all work. I was working on it for so long, but it finally came together when I got my Magical Programmer Class!¡± Lexie beamed up at Phillip.


    ¡°The entire team did this,¡± Louis said. ¡°Every part of this system was someone¡¯s work. From the script inside the generators that allows the batteries to be charged with mana to all the other magic stuff you¡¯ve got to do to the hardware and software in everything. It¡¯s too complicated to explain.¡±


    ¡°I can see that,¡± he noted mildly.


    ¡°Well, Jake was the one that really got things moving once he figured out the mana into battery process,¡± Lexie said.


    Louis pouted and threw himself into his work with even more vigor.


    It had been a long time since Phillip had dealt with teenagers. Spending the last hour with these two was downright nostalgic.


    ¡°You guys running tests? Debugging?¡± He knew some of the lingo.


    Louis blinked. ¡°Yeah¡­ at least I am,¡± his eyes darted to Lexie for a split-second.


    ¡°I already told you that you won¡¯t find any. My code is elegant and clean.¡± Lexie smiled smugly.


    ¡°Lexie! If you have time to bother our bodyguard, then you¡¯ve got time to help us over here!¡±


    Phillip regarded the brawny, stern-faced woman standing with a pair of Mechanics at the back of a second SUV waving Lexie over.


    Maya looked to be about Cal¡¯s age. The woman was in charge of the R&D support component of the operation. This included L&L, the mechanics and Pilot Pete, who was now relegated to random task helper since plane was gone.


    Maya was somewhat unique in that she had a Communications Engineer Class, which was her profession in the old days and a Mage Class, which she had picked up after. Most people held Classes that were one or the other. Old or new.


    Though, it seemed like Maya would eventually merge the two and obtain something like Lexie¡¯s.


    Perhaps, Cal was right and it was a matter of self-image combined with what a person did that determined their Class.


    He was certainly glad that he didn¡¯t need to deal with such things. It had been hard enough coming to terms with becoming a physically superhuman specimen. Regressing in age, at least from a physical appearance standpoint, had been especially difficult to take. Until his wife got it through his head that an existential crisis over looking and feeling younger was stupid.


    ¡°Sorry, sir. I have to help with maintenance now,¡± Lexie exhaled theatrically.


    ¡°Those magic shield generators saved a lot of lives. I think it¡¯s vitally important that they¡¯re in working order,¡± he smiled.


    ¡°I know¡­ it¡¯s just so boring.¡± Lexie flounced away to help Maya.


    ¡°Finally¡­ I can concentrate,¡± Louis said.


    Phillip opened his mouth. Then shut it. Old memories of working in his office with constant interruptions from co-workers wanting to talk about everything except for work, ran through his mind. He shook his head ruefully and left the teen alone.


    He walked around their closely parked vehicles and focused his attentions on the outer edges of the abandoned rest area.


    The sky darkened as night drew closer


    Cal had just left to deal with the slavery issue.


    He pushed those thoughts away. He didn¡¯t want to think about the poor people when he couldn¡¯t do anything about it in the moment. Neither did he want to think about what it would cost his son to do, to act. Would that he could take that burden himself. Unfortunately, he was a blunt instrument. All he could do was hit things until they stopped being a threat. That wouldn¡¯t have properly solved this problem.


    Thoughts were distracted as his circuit brought him near where Doran drilled his spear unit. The new recruits were coming along adequately according to the gruff man. The unit shifted from a two-deep line into a box-shaped formation. Not quickly and smoothly enough if Doran¡¯s berating was anything to go by.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Hanna remarked as Philip drew near.


    ¡°They¡¯re doing¡­ okay,¡± he said.


    ¡°I meant that,¡± Hanna pointed at the fast food place closest to the spear unit, ¡°for dinner and maybe breakfast tomorrow. A change from travel food.¡±


    ¡°Jollibee¡­ haven¡¯t had that in, well, over ten years.¡±


    ¡°Often repeated words,¡± Hanna nodded.


    ¡°We¡¯d have to claim it. Kill the monsters, the boss and secret boss. Then someone will have to do the cooking. The rangers are out on patrol duty.¡± He watched the spear unit for a moment. ¡°They aren¡¯t ready for a boss fight. Even if it¡¯s a small structure.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve soloed a Yoshinoya before,¡± Hanna said. ¡°I like beef bowls,¡± she shrugged at Phillip¡¯s raised brows.


    ¡°We need to protect the Quest critical gear and their operators,¡± he gestured at the R&D team.


    ¡°I¡¯d volunteer the Watch, but¡­¡± Hanna said.


    He glanced at the large van parked at the far end of the row of vehicles.


    The Watch was clustered around it.


    One look at their downcast faces and funeral was the immediate thought that came to mind.


    Except that was partially wrong.


    They had lost a brave man in Ron, but it was Max that now occupied their thoughts.


    The man had lost an arm and was unconscious most of the time.


    He might not have been in immediate danger, but it was still hard on his friends to see him like that.


    ¡°No fast food then,¡± he said.


    ¡°Guess not,¡± Hanna said.


    Phillip returned to his circuit with a nod.


    <hr>


    Monsters attacked as soon as the sun vanished over the horizon.


    They didn¡¯t come from the encroaching rainforest around the rest area.


    They burst from within the structures.


    A new development for everyone.


    Desperate commands filled the air.


    Lights suddenly illuminated the space around their parked vehicles.


    Torches and light orbs revealed the monsters.


    Bleating, goat-like things the size of men came in the dozens.


    A blue-white bolt of lighting chained through a handful, leaving charred corpses.


    A small stone whistled through the air to embed in one¡¯s forehead.


    ¡°Spells only! Conserve ammunition!¡± Demi¡¯s voice was calm and clear.


    Phillip grabbed Louis and tucked the boy under one arm. He sprinted for the closest vehicle. ¡°Everyone get inside!¡± The rest of the R&D team scrambled, but they were used to random monster attacks and got in quickly. Phillip shoved Louis inside and shut the door. Just in time to then turn and punch a lunging monster. The blow sent it careening back into others, scattering them like bowling pins.


    He scanned the rest of the battlefield.


    Doran had the spear unit turtled up in the box formation they had just been practicing.


    The monsters threw themselves on a wall of shields and spears.


    Hanna wielded sword and shield to meet the charging monsters, while the others fired spells or threw things from cover behind and inside vehicles. Demi was the only one shooting with her Threnosh recoilless rifle thanks to the abundance of its ammunition. Beside her, the newly-recruited Jovita, armed with a baston in each hand, stood ready to protect the Watch captain.


    Phillip leapt into the sky and crashed down into a thick knot of monsters. He crushed several just by landing on them and scattered the rest with the earth-shaking impact. He swung his arms and killed with each movement. As far as he knew he was the strongest person in the world from a strictly physical muscles standpoint. Two of his children surpassed him only when they used their abilities to augment their physical might.


    The monsters tried to swarm Phillip. Their teeth broke on his bare arms. Claws only tore clothing. Butting horns skidded off the thick steel plate he wore over his torso.


    The fight was violent, but over quickly.


    ¡°What are these things?¡± Trevor said from atop the van.


    ¡°They kinda look like part of the beastman faction, except more¡­ beastly,¡± Jake shrugged.


    ¡°Sigbins,¡± Demi looked to Jovita for confirmation.


    The stern-faced woman nodded sharply.


    ¡°I¡¯d say that¡¯s likely,¡± Phillip added. He wasn¡¯t a hundred percent on the idea that the monsters were somehow based on human myths and legends. In this case he vaguely remembered multiple descriptions of the sigbin, many of which contradicted what was written in the books they had used for research. ¡°Why not¡ª¡±


    A deeper bleating sound filled the air. Then another and another. From three distinct locations.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t over! On alert!¡± Demi barked.


    ¡°Alpha versions or bosses?¡± Hanna eyed the three structures lined up on the other side of the parking lot.


    ¡°Bosses don¡¯t leave structures,¡± Jake said. ¡°But then again this is the first time that indoor monsters came out to attack. Which is kinda blowing my mind right now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take that one,¡± Phillip pointed to the gas station.


    The spear unit was closest to the structure and he decided they¡¯d need the most assistance against a more powerful version of the sigbins.


    ¡°I should be able to take one on my own,¡± Hanna glanced at Demi.


    ¡°Take that one,¡± Demi gestured to the Jollibee in the center. ¡°We¡¯ll handle the last one,¡± she eyed the convenience store on the end, directly in line with the van.


    Phillip was caught off guard when the gas stations doors exploded out in a spray of glass shards.


    ¡°Brace!¡± Doran roared just in time.


    Something big and fast slammed into the front of the spear unit. Men and women were forced back, but thanks to the Skill managed to keep their shape mostly intact.


    This sigbin was twice the size of the normal ones. Corded muscles strained beneath the surface of its mottled gray skin as it pushed forward, grasping clawed fingers toward the people. It ignored the spears stuck in its chest and stomach.


    Phillip rushed over with thunderous steps. He grabbed the monster¡¯s gnarled horns, one in each hand, and heaved. He threw the monster over his head and slammed it into the ground, cracking the asphalt. Without releasing his hold he planted a knee on its back and twisted his arms.


    The bone horns were strong, which worked against the monster as Phillip continued to turn its head.


    The deep bleating reached a frenzied pace as the monster fought against Phillip¡¯s immense strength.


    A loud crack silenced the large monster.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    ¡°They always smell so bad,¡± Phillip said.


    Two more to go. He rose and stopped.


    It appeared that his help wasn¡¯t going to be needed.


    Hanna was in the process of de-limbing hers, while the Watch engulfed theirs in spells and projectiles as it struggled to move toward them. A thick, white substance had fixed its feet to the ground.


    ¡°Any one hurt?¡± Phillip looked to the spear unit.


    ¡°Just a few scrapes and bumps,¡± Doran said. ¡°We did good!¡± he raised his voice for the benefit of his unit.


    ¡°That you did,¡± Phillip agreed. ¡°Not many are able to withstand a charge from something this large and strong.¡± He understood the benefits of morale.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be ready for Manila,¡± Doran said.


    Phillip kept an eye on the dark interiors of the stores as he made his was over to the vehicles. He wasn¡¯t certain, but he thought he could see movement.


    ¡°Do you think these are the bosses?¡± Hanna wiped her blade clean of dark blood.


    ¡°Danger sense has dropped to base levels,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Might be a good time to take out the secret bosses. We can get fast food, supplies and gas. Enough that we don¡¯t have to worry about it later,¡± Hanna ventured.


    Phillip found that he could go for a few buckets of chicken joy.


    Demi shook her head. ¡°The two of you are the only ones I¡¯d allow to risk it. The rest of us aren¡¯t right enough to take on a secret boss. I¡¯m also concerned about our people out in the forest,¡± she looked south.


    ¡°I can solo it. Phillip can stay here. Besides, he¡¯s the only one that can respond quickly enough if they set off an emergency flare,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°That would leave us without either of you in the event of another attack,¡± Demi countered.


    ¡°You¡¯re the captain,¡± Hanna shrugged.


    ¡°My son won¡¯t take too long. Once he¡¯s back we can take the buildings,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Hopefully the rest of the night goes as well as this fight. I don¡¯t want to expend resources before we get to our actual Quest location,¡± Demi said.


    <hr>


    The sun had just set over the mountains to the west.


    Cristos blended in almost seamlessly with the tree that he was using as a perch to keep an eye on the wall straddling the highway. Every so often he used the scope on his battle rifle to check on the guards standing in their tower. He used a combination of Skills and skills to maintain the camouflage. The former almost made a mockery of the years spent acquiring the latter through hard training and experience.


    He didn¡¯t want to be here. Didn¡¯t want to be a part of whatever Quest these people were on. However, he followed orders and the datu had given him several. Some specific and some broad. Personally, he was dubious on the possibility that he could even accomplish some of these orders.


    These people had destroyed the aswangs.


    Power practically radiated off of several of them.


    It wasn¡¯t tangible, more like his instincts warned him.


    They wanted something. People like that always wanted something.


    Was it a threat to the order he had sworn to protect and obey?


    Could he even do anything to stop them if it came to that?


    He had doubts.


    He knew when he was around dangerous people.


    One of them was nearby.


    Patrolling their zone in her own way.


    His Skills would allow him to detect her if she was relatively close, but with her speed¡­ he banished the thought.


    He couldn¡¯t allow himself to lose the fight before it began.


    He was a soldier. He¡¯d do his duty to his utmost. Others may have given up on the nation, but he hadn¡¯t and wouldn¡¯t even to the end of his life.


    He refocused his perceptions. Sight, sound and smell. He couldn¡¯t afford to be distracted by errant thoughts while sitting in the dark rainforest surrounded by monsters and mutated animals.


    He settled his breathing and continued his watch.


    A hundred yards away in the shadows of a gnarled tree a tall, sleek killing machine turned her furred head to focus her canine ears on Cristos.


    The man had steadied his breathing.


    He had such control that Rino had to strain to hear him from this distance even in her full Weredog form.


    An over-large snake slithered down the tree¡¯s branches and struck.


    Rino snatched it out of the air with one clawed hand and tore its head off with a quick bite.


    She spat.


    Mutated animals tasted terrible.


    She heard Cristos shift so she moved further away.


    Despite her large size she was almost a ghost in the dense undergrowth.


    The watch captain had given her orders she thought was unfair. Not only did she have to patrol the assigned zone for threats, but she also had to keep a watch on Cristos for signs of betrayal.


    The man was an actual ranger from the pre-spires days, who had apparently obtained the same Class. Special forces training and experience along with Skills was a potent combination or so she¡¯d guessed.


    This was proved by Cristos¡¯ ability to track her movements when she got too close to him.


    Nevertheless, Rino continued to prowl her zone, occasionally returning to check on Cristos from different directions to remind him that someone was watching.


    She indulged her killer instincts on the monsters and mutated animals that failed to get out of her way.


    Giant rats scattered in all directions, but not before she had torn a score to pieces.


    A binturong, like the ones she had feasted upon right before they had left Ilagan to begin their journey south, leapt at her after she had cornered it against a large outcropping of rocks. She slashed it near in two pieces.


    Some didn¡¯t flee. Strange stick men assailed her, drawing blood with the sharp tines of wood that grew from their bodies. Teeth and claws turned the monsters into kindling.


    An enormous mutated porcupine crossed her path.


    She left it alone.


    The animal part of her mind agreed with the rational part on that decision.


    It didn¡¯t take long for the inhabitants of that part of the forest to realize that death stalked them that night.


    They fled. Some did it on instinct, others did it based on a mind closer to true intelligence.


    Even the spirits took notice. They grew cautious and remained hidden.


    There was one exception.


    One being that had no cause to fear any other in its domain. It grew angry.


    Others had come before. Threatening. Taking what wasn¡¯t theirs to take.


    It would do as it had always done.


    First, the two closest interlopers, then the larger groups beyond.


    All would be defeated and devoured.


    The ever-present smile on its face grew wider.


    To the north of Rino and Cristos was the next zone before the main base camp at the abandoned rest area. This was where Rayna¡¯s Rangers, original members and new recruits, patrolled.


    ¡°For rangers, you are very loud,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°We¡¯re more urban rangers,¡± Hardhat replied.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s with the fucking heads?¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°Er¡­ I¡¯ve already explained¡­¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°Mouthy,¡± Hardhat warned.


    ¡°What? That was like a two minute explanation. Kid¡¯s a Headhunter. He¡¯s got tiny fucking heads on his belt. Don¡¯t you want to know more? Like what¡¯s the process? There¡¯s got to be a whole process, right? Do you just cut off a head and magic it all small and shriveled like a nut sack? Speaking of which, why the fuck just heads? Why not dicks and balls? Probably get some good power out of those things,¡± Mouthy shrugged.


    ¡°There is a process and it does involve magic, but I also use chemicals,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°So, your Class needs prep time?¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Yeah, well¡­¡± Ambrose paused, unsure on how much he should reveal. ¡°I can get something out of heads I take in battle, just not nearly as much as with these,¡± he gestured to the shrunken animal heads tied to his belt.


    ¡°You ever used human?¡±


    ¡°Mouthy!¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Quiet,¡± Two-toes hissed from her position further up the formation.


    ¡°You got to think that you¡¯d get better abilities from human heads,¡± Mouthy said. ¡°Like, maybe even Skills or something like that.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t do that,¡± Ambrose said stiffly.


    ¡°Why the fuck not? You¡¯ve got to use your Class to its full potential and shit. I¡¯m not saying just shrivel up any person¡¯s head, but bad guys would be fair game. Shit, if you¡¯re going to kill them anyways¡­¡± Mouthy shrugged.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t feel right to me,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be a pussy,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°Mouthy, that¡¯s enough,¡± Hardhat hissed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bitch at me. We¡¯re supposed to maximize our Classes. This guy gets a unique one and he doesn¡¯t want to go all out cause it makes him uncomfortable? Maybe if you went all out you could¡¯ve done something about Chains,¡± Mouthy growled.


    Ambrose frowned and opened his mouth, but Rai stopped him with a look.


    ¡°We¡¯re sorry about your friend, but like we¡¯ve explained there was nothing we could¡¯ve done. The gabunan was too powerful,¡± Rai said.


    ¡°Might have been able to if you were fucking stronger,¡± Mouthy hissed.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± Hardhat grabbed Mouthy¡¯s arm to stop her from getting in the young men¡¯s faces. ¡°Rayna¡¯s brother said the same thing. He killed the bastard. Chains got revenge.¡±


    ¡°We should¡¯ve been there. She shouldn¡¯t have been alone. Her and ¡®scratch,¡± Mouthy said.


    Two-toes slowed so that the rest of the patrol could pass her as she drew even. ¡°This isn¡¯t the place for your bitching,¡± she hissed at Mouthy. ¡°You¡¯re making us look bad in front of the noobs,¡± she jabbed a finger at Ambrose, Rai and handful of other recruits from Ilagan.


    ¡°It¡¯s why we joined you,¡± Rai began. ¡°We are weak. Standing in front of the gabunan¡­ well, we don¡¯t ever want to be in the same position again. Next time we¡¯ll be strong enough to act. Even if it still means our deaths.¡±


    ¡°We won¡¯t go out like punks again,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°You¡¯d better not if you want to be a part of our team,¡± Mouthy grumbled before pushing her way past them to move higher up the formation.


    The rangers, old and new, continued the rest of their patrol without further conversation. They weren¡¯t silent by any means. They rustled leaves and broke branches as they forced their way through the dense undergrowth.


    Sgt. Butcher was surprised and worried that they had yet to be attacked. Neither monsters, nor mutated animals had been drawn to the amount of noise they were making.


    The lights from their torches and spells should¡¯ve acted like beacons in the pitch black rainforest.


    She raised a fist to signal a halt.


    ¡°Anything, Aims?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see anything,¡± Aims replied.


    ¡°Not even with your Skills?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m more about target acquisition and I definitely don¡¯t know my way in the wilderness, but I¡¯m pretty sure that I haven¡¯t missed anything. At least, visually,¡± Aims shook his head. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen a single monster or animal. Not even movement that wasn¡¯t caused by a random breeze or falling branch.¡±


    ¡°Suggestions?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re supposed to kill stuff before they reached base camp. We aren¡¯t doing any of that now. With all the noise we¡¯ve been making I was sure we¡¯d be getting attacked every step of the way. I have no idea why we aren¡¯t. So, I¡¯d say we should move closer to the highway. Maybe take up a defensive position on the hill overlooking the bend that leads to camp,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°If we have to fight it¡¯d be better to be on familiar ground. Plus, if we¡¯re closer to base we can support them and they us,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t our best environment,¡± Aims agreed.


    ¡°Alright, take us to the highway.¡±


    Sgt. Butcher hacked a new path through the undergrowth at Aim¡¯s direction. The rest of the patrol snaked their way behind them.


    Fifteen minutes later Rai¡¯s head perked up, eyes widened. ¡°Uh oh.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°Yeah, elaborate!¡± Hardhat demanded.


    ¡°I was running a connection to a few forest spirits around us. Just low level, enough that if there was any sort of disturbance, like something big and/or dangerous moving toward us I¡¯d maybe get a heads up,¡± Rai said. ¡°Well, I just lost them.¡±


    ¡°How the hell do you lose spirits?¡± Two-toes said.


    ¡°It feels like they just¡­ went into hiding,¡± Rai shrugged.


    Ambrose grabbed a shrunken animal head from his belt and muttered a few words. The head disintegrated into nothing in his softly glowing hand.


    ¡°That¡¯s some creepy shit,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°We¡¯ve seen much worse,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Noise, lots of it. Coming from that direction,¡± Ambrose pointed to the south.


    The others strained their ears, but couldn¡¯t hear anything.


    ¡°Right, not messing around with this,¡± Two-toes whistled. ¡°Sarge, I think we¡¯ve got incoming from the south!¡± she called to the head of the formation.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got two, maybe three minutes,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a good location to fight from. Aims, tell me you see a better spot,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°There¡¯s a bunch of big rocks in a small clearing, two hundred yards at about 2 o¡¯clock,¡± Aims replied.


    ¡°The highway?¡±


    ¡°Nowhere in sight.¡±


    ¡°Lead the way,¡± Sgt. Butcher slapped Aims¡¯ back. ¡°Everyone on Aims! Double time!¡± she barked.


    What followed was a mad dash through the dimly-lit undergrowth.


    No one questioned the order since they finally heard what Ambrose had picked up on first.


    The stillness had been broken by what sounded like a stampeding herd of very large animals. Leaves shook, branches snapped, trees fell.


    They reached the clearing and began climbing the rocks when a huge shadow slithered out of the darkness snatching the last man in line. The new recruit didn¡¯t have time to scream as a fanged mouth swallowed him up whole.


    Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Aims¡¯ revolvers lit up the darkness with brief flashes illuminating the mutated animal as it tilted its head back to swallow the unfortunate man.


    ¡°Giant motherfucking snake!¡± Mouthy spat.


    ¡°Cobra!¡± Rai corrected.


    ¡°Giant venomous snake¡­ much worse,¡± Hardhat said.


    The mutated cobra¡¯s tongue flicked out, tasting the fear in the air. It flared its hood as it raised the front portion of its body.


    Aims, who was about ten feet up on the highest point of the rock formation, found himself level with the giant serpent. Its eyes were quite striking.


    The perfect targets.


    Aim¡¯s revolvers roared.


    The giant serpent reared back with blood spraying out of its ruined eye sockets.


    It hissed and disappeared into the undergrowth to their left.


    ¡°It¡¯s moving around us,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°Watch our six!¡± Sgt. Butcher called.


    ¡°Wait! It sounds like it¡¯s headed to the east,¡± Ambrose said.


    More shapes came rushing out of the rainforest depths.


    ¡°Incoming!¡± Aims shouted.


    ¡°Hold fire!¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°What the fuck is going on?¡± Mouthy said.


    The monsters and mutant animals, though all much smaller than the giant cobra weren¡¯t paying the rangers any attention. They were even ignoring each other as they moved around the rock formation and disappeared into the undergrowth.


    ¡°They¡¯re running from something,¡± Two-toes said.


    ¡°So¡­ shouldn¡¯t we be doing the same?¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°You¡¯re too slow,¡± Rai said.


    ¡°This is your home. What could they be running from?¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°We¡¯ve never been this far south,¡± Rai said.


    ¡°Whatever it is, it sounds heavy,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°Well, shit on a stick. We¡¯re gonna find out,¡± Mouthy said.


    A looming shape parted the trees past the edge of the clearing.


    A loud howl shook the night.


    A burst of gunfire illuminated brief flashes of violence just at the edge of their lights.


    ¡°Rangers, steady! Hold fire until I give the order!¡± Sgt. Butcher roared.

 5.21

    Now, Fifty Miles North From Manila


    Rino grabbed the back of Cristos combat harness and leapt to the tree tops.


    The bursts from Cristos battle rifle hurt her sensitive hearing.


    ¡°I can¡¯t hit it if you shake me around!¡± Cristos snapped.


    ¡°Then¡­ stop¡­¡± Rino guttural growl rumbled.


    ¡°Look out!¡± Cristos warned.


    A small tree speared out of the darkness and broke the thick knot of branches underneath Rino¡¯s clawed feet.


    The two of them crashed to the ground. Rino managed to cradle Cristos like a baby as she took the impact on her back.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Cristos opened up with a burst that illuminated the night and revealed a massive shape lumbering toward them.


    A thick lower body and thick, stumpy legs shook the earth with each step.


    Cristos stitched his gunfire up to the giant¡¯s torso and face before he emptied his magazine.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯m getting through!¡± Cristos roared.


    Rino heard the fear verging on terror in the hardened soldier¡¯s voice.


    It seemed that this monster wasn¡¯t like anything he had ever faced before.


    She, on the other hand, had experience with many terrible things.


    Still, this monster was beyond her ability to rend and tear. She had already tried and all she had managed to do was to give its thick skin a few scratches. She decided that the best plan was to lead it back to base camp. Hanna¡¯s impossibly sharp sword should be able to cut it and Phillip could probably bludgeon it to death with his ridiculous superhuman strength.


    The trick was to avoid getting flattened by the trees and huge rocks the giant kept throwing at her and Cristos.


    She scrambled forward just as something went splat where she had been.


    Something wet splashed across her back. An alluring scent filled her nostrils.


    ¡°Jesus Christ! I think that was a carabao!¡± Cristos said. ¡°How¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡­ is¡­?¡± Rino growled.


    ¡°A cow! It was carrying a cow!¡±


    ¡°Tasty¡­¡± Rino shook her head. She need to focus on dodging projectiles, even if, especially if they were living things. The next one could be a monster. Perhaps a venomous mutated animal.


    She loped across the rainforest floor, leaping and weaving around obstacles or crashing through them when she couldn¡¯t.


    The giant¡¯s long strides allowed it to keep in range and continue to attack.


    ¡°Left!¡± Cristo roared.


    Rino instinctively followed, barely dodging another small tree as it whistled by.


    New scents drifted in from the direction she was heading. Familiar ones. ¡°Damn¡­¡± she growled.


    Of all the bad luck.


    Her plan was ruined unless she was willing to let allies get stomped by the giant.


    ¡°Fight¡­¡±


    ¡°What? No! Keep running! We can¡¯t hurt this thing!¡±


    Rino howled.


    She hoped that it would give the rangers enough warning to get ready because she was bringing the giant right to them.


    The thick undergrowth gave way to a small clearing with a rocky outcropping that the rangers had occupied.


    Rino dashed across the ground with Cristos in the crook of one arm.


    Behind them the giant pushed trees out of its way as easily as a man would with tall stalks of grass.


    ¡°Fire!¡± Sgt. Butcher roared.


    Bright spells streaked across the darkness.


    Measured gunfire shattered the silence.


    The giant covered its smiling face with thick, brawny arms as the attacks struck home.


    ¡°Save your ammunition. Its skin is too tough. Might as well be using pellets,¡± Cristos said as Rino deposited him on top of the rock formation.


    Sgt. Butcher looked to Rino, who merely nodded her massive weredog head in confirmation. ¡°Spells only!¡± Sgt. Butcher ordered. ¡°You, Shaman,¡± she gestured for Rai, ¡°what is that thing? Weaknesses?¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s a giant and it¡¯s smiling, so I¡¯d guess it¡¯s a bungisngis. The stories say they¡¯re capricious, is a good word for it, they can be friendly one moment and¡­ eat you the next. That¡¯s kind of what it represents in the stories. Gluttony. It eats anything and everything. Whole cows, rocks, people. Beyond that I don¡¯t know about any specific weaknesses,¡± Rai said.


    ¡°The bunghole doesn¡¯t look too friendly right now,¡± Mouthy muttered.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t like the spells. They¡¯re doing some damage. It¡¯s protecting its face, so that says we should hit it,¡± Aims said.


    The giant¡¯s advance had been stalled as it continued to cover its face while the spells pounded its arms.


    Sgt. Butcher weighed the damage they were doing with how much longer her mages could keep it up. ¡°We¡¯re not going to be able to retreat in good order from this thing. There¡¯ll be casualties.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be the same if we stay and fight,¡± Cristos said. ¡°Rino could lead it away, while the rest of us withdraw. We get back to base camp and let one of the Cruces handle it.¡±


    A deep growl rumbled up out of Rino¡¯s chest as she loomed over Cristos.


    ¡°Sarge, leveling opportunity?¡± Hardhat ventured.


    ¡°It¡¯s what we signed up for,¡± Rai agreed.


    ¡°Too bad Smores is being a bitch and is milking his ankle thing. We could use his magic. Freeze it in place or something,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°I thought his ankle was shattered?¡± Ambrose said. ¡°It¡¯s only been a week and I¡¯ve seen him hobbling around with only a cane. No cast, no crutches?¡±


    ¡°I know, right? The little bitch gets daily healing spells and is still hiding in the van,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°We fight,¡± Sgt. Butcher said. ¡°Aims, when you get the chance, blind it. Rino¡­ do your thing. You,¡± she regarded Cristos, ¡°I see you¡¯ve got grenades. If the giant likes to eat then let¡¯s feed it.¡±


    Cristos frowned, but gave her a curt nod.


    ¡°Fin,¡± Sgt. Butcher turned to the stone-faced young man. He hadn¡¯t responded well to the dressing down she had given him after he had disobeyed orders and struck out on his own during the attack on the aswang village. Since then she had kept a tight rein of him.


    ¡°Your orders, Sarge?¡± Fin said flatly.


    ¡°I want you to tie the giant down and protect us,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Which shall I prioritize?¡± Fin replied.


    ¡°Protection,¡± Sgt. Butcher frowned.


    ¡°Understood.¡± Faint light flared underneath the clothing and armor that covered Fin¡¯s chest. Flat panes of magic light appeared around the rocky outcropping. He placed the shields in tactically sound positions so that the rangers could use them as cover while still being able to lean to the side or reach over them to launch their spells.


    ¡°The rest of you keep hitting it with spells and stay in cover,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    The amount of spells decreased as the mages had to begin conserving their mana.


    The giant took the opportunity to reach down and grab a large chunk of dirt from the ground and hurl it.


    It had erred.


    ¡°Piercing Shot.¡±


    The giant had given Aims the slightest opening. His bullet tore into one of the giant¡¯s eyes.


    The giant roared as blood and gore streamed down its cheek. Yet, strangely, the grin never left its face.


    ¡°The damn thing is tough. I thought for sure I¡¯d get the brain,¡± Aims said.


    The giant fell back into the tree line seeking cover in the dark, dense undergrowth.


    ¡°Fuck, I can¡¯t see it! Over twenty feet tall and it¡¯s gone just like that,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°Aims?¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°I lost it too, looked like it crouched down,¡± Aims replied.


    ¡°Watch out for thrown projectiles,¡± Cristos said. ¡°It likes to do that.¡±


    Sure enough a man-sized boulder came crashing through the tree tops.


    ¡°Fin!¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    The boulder¡¯s arc was taking it over the already conjured shields.


    Fin¡¯s hands moved, fingers jerked.


    A claw-shaped wave of crackling black energy erupted out of the space in front of his chest and lashed upward.


    The boulder disintegrated into thousands of harmless pieces.


    ¡°I have enough mana to maintain the shields while fending off¡­ five more attacks,¡± Fin said.


    A great grinding sound suddenly emanated from the dark forest. Deep and rumbling.


    They imagined huge stones being crushed together. Except, there was a rhythmic quality to the noise.


    It went on for just a little over twenty seconds then suddenly stopped.


    The giant burst out of the tree line. It had a tree in each hand. Its smiling face was distorted by bulging cheeks.


    Spells arced across the fifty yard distance. The few that struck home didn¡¯t slow the giant.


    Gunfire was equally ineffective.


    Aims couldn¡¯t get a clear shot on the giant¡¯s other eye.


    At 30 yards the giant spat.


    Jagged bits of rock showered the rangers and forced them to take cover behind Fin¡¯s magic shields.


    Heads down kept them safe, but halted their attacks.


    The giant took advantage and hurled one tree like a javelin.


    It struck a magic shield, shattering it into nothingness. The impact knocked the three rangers behind it to the ground. Heads lolled as they struggled to remain conscious.


    The giant shielded its smiling face as it raised its remaining tree like a club.


    A dark shadow darted from one side and crashed into the giant¡¯s tree trunk-thick legs.


    Rino clamped down on the giant¡¯s knee. Dagger-sharp teeth and a supernaturally strong bite found purchase. The monster¡¯s blood tasted foul, but she bit harder and shook her head from side to side.


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    The smile never left the giant¡¯s face as it grabbed Rino by the back of her neck and squeezed.


    The immense pressure forced her to let go as the giant lifted her up and dangled her in front of its face like a struggling puppy.


    Its smiling mouth opened and Rino had a close up view of something she¡¯d never thought she¡¯d see.


    Bursts of gunfire flew past her, clipping the ends of her fur.


    The giant dropped her to cover its face.


    She scampered away


    She didn¡¯t much like being prey.


    The giant bulled through the rangers¡¯ attacks. It swung its tree down and clubbed another of Fin¡¯s shields, which shattered. Fortunately, the rangers behind it had already retreated further up the rock formation.


    ¡°Squad: Enhanced Coordination, Squad: Enhanced Awareness, Mark Target.¡± Sgt. Butcher rattled off her best Skills. ¡°Scatter! Fin, drop the shields and lock that thing down! Aims, the other eye! Cristos, ready your grenade!¡±


    The magic shields vanished.


    Ghostly chains appeared and wrapped themselves around the giant¡¯s limbs and forehead, anchoring it to the ground.


    Ambrose darted in, quick as a cat, to land two swipes with his Igorot axe in one hand and kampilan in the other on the back of the giant¡¯s weapon hand. He failed to get monster to lose his grip on the tree. The young Headhunter retreated just as quickly.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡± Mouthy swung her machete high to hit the giant¡¯s hamstring. ¡°Fuck! This bunghole is tough as shit!¡± All she managed to do was to give it what amounted to a paper cut.


    The other rangers swarmed the giant from all directions with spells, guns and melee weapons.


    The latter was fraught with risk as displayed when the giant somehow managed to break the chains fixing its weapon arm in place.


    It swept down and hit a new recruit in the side.


    The brave woman¡¯s smashed body nearly hit Hardhat as the ranger rushed in toward the giant¡¯s left foot.


    Hardhat avoided one danger, but couldn¡¯t avoid the other.


    The end of the tree clipped the top of her hard hat and sent her spinning to the ground.


    Amazingly, she merely shook her head for a moment before standing up and continuing her attack. She slammed her machete down on the back of the giant¡¯s foot.


    It was like trying to chop down a big tree with a machete. Her attack was just as ineffective as Mouthy¡¯s was and she was forced to run away before the giant noticed her.


    Two-toes struck the giant in the face with a barrage of magic missiles.


    ¡°Now, Aims!¡± Sgt. Butcher roared.


    ¡°Piercing Shot!¡±


    The giant¡¯s remaining eye exploded, showering the rangers in gore.


    The giant¡¯s smiling mouth opened as it boomed out something that sounded like pain.


    At least that¡¯s what the rangers hoped.


    ¡°Fire in the hole!¡± Cristos warned.


    The grenade flew with near-perfect accuracy into the giant¡¯s mouth.


    They watched the giant choke for a second before the muffled explosion made its throat visibly bulge.


    The monster clutched at its throat while it stumbled around the clearing.


    The forgotten rangers scrambled to avoid being crushed underfoot.


    ¡°It ate a grenade¡­¡± Cristos said in awe. ¡°What¡¯s it going to take to neutralize it permanently?¡±


    Rino came roaring out of the darkness. She leapt on the giant¡¯s back and began to tear into its neck. She bit, slashed and rent with a savagery that took the other rangers by surprise.


    The giant was blinded and Cristos¡¯ grenade had burned and shredded the inside of its throat, yet it still had strength as it swatted at Rino.


    ¡°Fin!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Sarge.¡±


    The ghostly chains reemerged to tie the giant¡¯s limbs down.


    Rino doubled her furious assault.


    Slowly, surely, the giant¡¯s thick skin and muscles parted under the unrelenting attack.


    The bungisngis¡¯ fate was sealed as soon as she had managed to expose its vertebrae.


    There was a loud crunch as Rino bit down. Followed by an audible snap that echoed through the clearing when she shook her head.


    ¡°That might do it,¡± Rai said in awe.


    ¡°Fin, be ready to restrain her,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°That¡¯s some kill stealing shit right there,¡± Mouthy grumbled.


    ¡°Quiet! She¡¯ll hear you,¡± Hardhat warned.


    Triumphant and blood drenched, Rino howled at the moon.


    <hr>


    Cal returned to the rest area base camp with a heavy heart and a headache. The toll of opening himself up to the thoughts of thousands of people was enormous. There was a reason why he kept his telepathic walls strong.


    He retracted his helmet upon landing and was struck by a nostalgic scent.


    One that oddly brightened his mood just a little.


    The cartoonish face of a bee was lit up by the spell orbs set on either side of the logo. A colorful red face topped by a white chef¡¯s hat.


    Cal¡¯s dad greeted him with a smile and presents in hand.


    ¡°Dessert before dinner?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You love these things. Still warm. Ate them before the bucket of chicken joy,¡± Phillip said as he handed the small cardboard containers over.


    ¡°Peach mango and ube pie,¡± Cal smiled, ¡°almost makes what I did tonight¡­¡± it just as quickly fell away.


    ¡°Did everything go as planned?¡±


    Cal took a deep breath and nodded to his dad. ¡°Mostly, at least I hope so. I can¡¯t truly be sure that the senator will listen and do as I say.¡±


    ¡°You did all that you could for now. We¡¯ll be back to make sure the people are okay,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Thanks, Dad.¡± Cal took a bite of the peach mango pie. The crust was just as buttery, crispy and flakey as he remembered. The filling was sweet, warm and gooey. ¡°I haven¡¯t had this in¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ª over a decade,¡± Hanna finished. She had rushed over as soon as she had seen Cal landing. ¡°Been hearing that a lot tonight. So¡­ did you make things right?¡±


    ¡°Hanna,¡± Phillip warned.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Dad,¡± Cal said. ¡°Didn¡¯t kill anyone. Seared the terror of what I¡¯d do to them if they didn¡¯t free the enslaved and treat them well into the leader. I also gave firsthand experience of what it was like to be enslaved to those responsible.¡±


    ¡°Mind stuff,¡± Hanna nodded. ¡°Good enough¡­ for now.¡± Her hard eyes suggested that the slavers wouldn¡¯t escape retribution.


    ¡°The enslaved will have a say on that,¡± Cal said.


    Hanna blinked.


    Cal blinked. ¡°Like we¡¯ve talked about before, remember?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I do,¡± Hanna said.


    Cal smiled while he bit into the pie.


    ¡°Just head inside to get the real food, Anak,¡± Phillip said.


    Cal walked through the crowd of people eating in the parking lot. They were gathered around the vehicles. He scanned them quickly, not delving into their thoughts. Merely to check something he had sensed from his father and Hanna.


    There had been fights. Both here and in the rainforest.


    The claimed structures had been the most obvious clue.


    Exhilaration and joy at survival was palpable. Excitement and anticipation filled the people as thoughts of leveling filled them. Sadness and guilt was interwoven into everything.


    Deaths.


    Two of them.


    He scanned the crowd with his eyes and recognize the missing.


    Efren and Lisbeth.


    New recruits from Ilagan.


    No.


    They were part of Rayna¡¯s Rangers. They fought and died as rangers. As part of his Quest.


    The taste of the peach mango pie in his mouth soured.


    His thoughts threatened to turn dark, so he made a conscious effort to focus on the lightness around him.


    He took in snatches of conversations while he continued to slowly walk toward the Jollibee.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Captain Lawrence, aren¡¯t you glad I talked you into letting us take out the secret boss?¡± Jake grinned widely, a bucket of fried chicken next to him.


    ¡°I need to accept that our strength has increased significantly,¡± Demi replied with uncharacteristic openness. She was eating a plate of spaghetti.


    Elsewhere the rangers were gathered near the hobbled Smores as the young man pestered them for exacting details on the giant monster they had fought and killed in the rainforest.


    Bungisngis.


    Cal recognized the name.


    The giant that never stopped smiling. Whether it was being friendly or eating you.


    Sgt. Butcher and Aims patiently entertained Smores, while the rest ignored him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t get this shit,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°I thought you liked it,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°I get the fried chicken and gravy. That¡¯s a classic combo, but why rice? Why not just use mashed potatoes like normal?¡± Mouthy shook her head.


    ¡°It¡¯s a different culture. Show some respect,¡± Two-toes hissed. She sipped out of a huge cup of soda.


    Cal realized he hadn¡¯t had soda in years.


    ¡°I ain¡¯t saying it in a bad way,¡± Mouthy tried to argue her point. ¡°All I¡¯m saying is it¡¯s fucking weird.¡±


    ¡°What do you think of the spaghetti?¡± Hardhat shared a conspiratorial look with Two-toes.


    ¡°Why is it sweet!¡± Mouthy threw her hands up.


    ¡°It¡¯s awesome though,¡± Hardhat grinned. ¡°I wish I knew about it sooner.¡±


    ¡°The pies are the fucking truth, though,¡± Mouthy said. ¡°I like the purple stuff.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s made from a root according to Ambrose,¡± Two-toes said.


    ¡°Shut your lying mouth,¡± Mouthy said. ¡°How¡¯s it sweet if it¡¯s a vegetable? Tell me that, huh.¡±


    ¡°You mean like sweet potatoes,¡± Hardhat deadpanned.


    The three women continued to bicker as Cal focused his attention elsewhere.


    He entered the Jollibee to find Ginessa behind the counter.


    ¡°What would you like, sir?¡± the supernaturally beautiful young woman smiled hesitantly.


    Cal winced. ¡°Please, don¡¯t do that. Remember, you don¡¯t owe me anything. Just act normally.¡± He didn¡¯t need telepathy to sense Ginessa¡¯s wariness.


    Killing three aswan¡ª people in front of her had left a mark.


    She was afraid of him.


    Which was fair.


    ¡°I guess I¡¯ll take a bucket of chicken joy, gravy, rice, two orders of Filipino spaghetti and a large coke,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°And is it okay if I just grab pies from the back later?¡±


    ¡°Sure, it¡¯s not like anyone needs to get paid for this stuff.¡± Ginessa¡¯s return smile was mired with nervousness.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Cal decided there wasn¡¯t anything he could say in the moment to ease her fears so he¡¯d just take his food and give her distance. ¡°Um¡­ are they making you do this? Work the counter, I mean. Because everyone should be more than capable of getting their own food.¡±


    ¡°Oh no, I volunteered¡­¡± Ginessa looked away. ¡°I just¡­¡± she trembled.


    Cal glanced outside.


    The others were either wary, scared or both when it came to Ginessa. She was an aswang to them. Even if it was a Class, he knew that, at best, most of them thought of her as not entirely human.


    He understood.


    ¡°Did you have some food at least?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I still have plenty of blood bags in the fridge L&L set up for me,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°I meant this stuff,¡± he gestured at the bucket of chicken she had just set down on the counter.


    ¡°I tried a little,¡± she smiled sadly. ¡°It didn¡¯t taste like I remember.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ well, if you ever need to talk, about anything, you can talk to me or maybe my dad. Believe me when I say that neither of us are scared of you.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ thank you¡­ I mean, I will¡­ if I need to, I mean,¡± Ginessa stammered.


    Cal figured he had terrified her enough so he remained silent as she gathered the rest of his order.


    He left the young woman to the empty fast food restaurant as he went in search of his dad to share the meal.


    The night was relaxing, but with the morning came a return to reality.


    Cal flew about ten feet over the convoy¡¯s lead vehicle. ¡°They¡¯ll open the wall and leave us alone as we drive through their territory,¡± he said into the comms.


    ¡°Copy that,¡± Demi responded.


    ¡°Really?¡± Cal blinked. ¡°Just like that? No questions? Skepticism?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been good on your word so far,¡± Demi said.


    Cal was speechless.


    He quickly scanned the surface level thoughts of the guards manning the barricade. As expected they had no intentions other than to follow the senator¡¯s orders.


    They opened the way immediately so that the convoy only had to slow a little.


    The convoy drove south down the highway. They passed villages, towns and the larger city. All had obvious signs of life. There were plenty of people out on the streets and other vehicles driving about.


    A truck filled with armed men shadowed them at a respectable distance.


    Cal let it go. He would¡¯ve done the same thing.


    What he wasn¡¯t going to ignore were any delays in the freeing of the enslaved.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to check to make sure the rest of the agreement is being followed. I¡¯ll catch up with you,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Understood,¡± Demi said.


    As Cal flew to the mansion he opened up his telepathic walls and scanned the surroundings. He searched thousands of minds for confirmation.


    Sure enough, the senator had kept his word.


    The man had decreed that all enslaved were free. That slavery was once again prohibited. That the formerly enslaved were to be given free housing, food, medical care and every other right shared by those privileged to not have been subjected to such cruelty. They had been freed from their chains, given more food and water than they had in close to a year and were now in the process of being assigned their own housing.


    It didn¡¯t make much sense to Cal why certain people had been enslaved and others had not.


    It had all seemed so arbitrary.


    Perhaps an individual hadn¡¯t been deferential enough to someone with connections to power or one didn¡¯t have a Class considered useful to the ruling elite. While others had come from poor backgrounds.


    As if any of that should¡¯ve mattered in the post-spires world.


    He scanned the former enslaved. To his dismay not all of them had lost their Slave Class. Some still feared another cruel trick. That they¡¯d be thrown back into chains at any moment.


    He sent them all thoughts of reassurance.


    That they were truly free.


    He intended to keep it that way.


    He flew to the Senator¡¯s mansion.


    ¡°Remember what I said,¡± Cal spoke directly into the man¡¯s mind. ¡°Treat them as you would your own. Their well-being will determine your own when I return soon.¡±


    He read the senator¡¯s terrified acquiescence and flew away to catch up with the convoy.


    Manila was only 50 miles away.


    Soon they would face the gray fog that had engulfed an entire city and taken tens of thousands of people. Including some of the strongest individuals in the country, his family.


    He didn¡¯t know if Eron was still alive, fighting.


    Had his brother been subsumed?


    The thought of having to fight his brother¡¯s shade filled him with dread.

 5.22

    Now, Manila


    Lilah¡¯s sigil pulsed as if in time with a beating heart.


    The gray gloom swirled away from Eron like mists in the breeze.


    It was working.


    He sprinted down the street, dodging rusted wrecks and collapsed buildings.


    Time ticked away in his mind. An ever-present weight on his broad shoulders.


    How many months had he felt this?


    He had to hold on. Had to withstand the darkness slowly closing in around him, snuffing out the bright, burning light that had once lived inside. A force that had pushed him relentlessly to travel the globe and help anyone he could. He had fought terrible monsters and worse people. Seen more tragedy and terror to last many lifetimes. Through it all he never once stopped moving, acting, fighting.


    Relentless.


    Until he finally went to his people¡¯s homeland. Where an evil entity somehow took away his greatest strength. Mocking him at every turn. Denying the freedom of death to so many.


    There truly were worse fates.


    The sigil pulsed.


    Eron glanced at the panel in his hand.


    Curious.


    He tried to time it with the beating of his own heart.


    Different.


    Was it Lilah¡¯s?


    Her life force flowing through her magic?


    Likely, if what he knew of such things applied in this case.


    Wytchraven would be very interested in meeting the young Sigilist.


    The thought of her was unwelcome.


    He was uncertain if he¡¯d ever see her again.


    Focus on the now. On what he could do. On what he must.


    A pile of ruined vehicles blocked the road.


    Perhaps remnants of his relatives work to claw back the city from the monsters and bad people during the early post-spires years. They had established a reasonable amount of safety and order when the gray fog had emerged from nothing to take them and all that they had accomplished away.


    Eron cleared the barricade in one bound, cracking the asphalt upon landing.


    He ran through the streets faster than a car, yet he still felt time slip away.


    Too slow.


    His fears came true when he reached the sanctuary.


    The sigil on the outer gate was dead.


    He jumped over and what he saw made his heart sink.


    The wards had been broken in his fight, if it could be even called that, with the party that had come from outside the fog. He had patched up the wall and Lilah had redone her work, but something to do with the broken outer wall of his grandparents¡¯ home must¡¯ve weaken the protections.


    The large, painted sigil no longer glowed.


    It stood dull, lifeless.


    ¡°No¡­¡± Eron whispered.


    He didn¡¯t bother with the door. He cradled the glowing panel protectively and charged through the wall.


    The gray gloom swirled away from him.


    It had invaded, violated the sanctuary.


    He could see nothing beyond a few feet around him.


    He rushed up the stairs, taking them in a couple of bounds.


    Hope, he clung to it.


    There was still a chance.


    One chance that the people were still alive.


    Were still free.


    A soft light glowed on a bedroom door.


    Tendrils of gray appeared to reach out toward it, but recoiled at the last.


    Eron let out a long breath before opening the door.


    ¡°Quick Cut!¡±


    Eron caught the blade angled for his neck with his free hand.


    ¡°Nicely done, Edwin,¡± Eron said, ¡°but you didn¡¯t confirm your target. Always know who or what you¡¯re cutting.¡±


    ¡°Sorry¡­ I, uh, wasn¡¯t sure if you were the fog or bad guys,¡± Edwin said. ¡°And¡­ uh¡­ obviously I can¡¯t hurt you¡­¡±


    Eron released the blade. Thought about it for a moment. ¡°Just be more aware next time.¡± He scanned the room, noticed that there were a few people missing.


    ¡°The fog got them,¡± Edwin whispered. ¡°We didn¡¯t notice it when it got inside. They were in the kitchen, preparing food. Got cut off¡ª¡± the teen¡¯s voice broke. ¡°Rest of us managed to get up here just in time.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going to get out of here and get to safety,¡± Eron addressed the room. ¡°Don¡¯t bring anything except weapons and basic gear.¡±


    The portable ward didn¡¯t appear to have a large radius and he needed to get everyone out in one go.


    ¡°We¡¯re need to move as one, tightly packed group with this in the middle,¡± he held up Lilah¡¯s sigil. ¡°Kids,¡± he regarded the three children, ¡°who wants a piggyback?¡±


    They stared at him wide-eyed from behind a parent or guardian.


    ¡°Sorry, we don¡¯t have time for this,¡± Eron said.


    He pointed at the boy for the piggy-back reasoning that the kid wouldn¡¯t want to be carried like a princess, which he assigned to the two girls.


    A girl cradled in each arm meant he couldn¡¯t hold the portable ward.


    He singled-out the steadiest adult, a middle-aged woman and handed it to her. He didn¡¯t need to tell her to carry it like the priceless treasure it was.


    ¡°I¡¯m right behind you,¡± Eron said as he ushered the woman into the hallway. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. That thing kept the fog away during my entire run here.¡±


    The woman shook, but steadied herself as she stepped out of the room.


    The gray dissipated away from the pulsing sigil.


    ¡°Okay, the rest of you form up,¡± Eron said.


    They tentatively filed out of the room and surrounded the ward-bearing woman.


    Eleven people all together, huddled shoulder-to-shoulder, front-to-back, with barely any space between them.


    The woman held the ward over her head at Eron¡¯s order so he could keep an eye on it.


    The pulses had grown faster, but it had expanded its radius of protection to encompass the entire group.


    He had been concerned since it had only extended a few feet from his body when he had run solo.


    ¡°Okay, we can do this, just like a stupid game at a stupid team-building exercise,¡± Eron said.


    Their first obstacle¡­ stairs.


    Near disaster struck almost immediately.


    A man tripped on the second step down and pitched forward.


    The fog swirled eagerly to embrace him.


    Edwin¡¯s hand darted out just in time to grab the back of the man¡¯s shirt.


    Wordless shouts of fear filled the silence.


    More hands grasped on to Edwin to keep both of them from falling into the fog.


    The older girl in Eron¡¯s arms began to tear up.


    ¡°We¡¯re okay,¡± Edwin called out in relief.


    ¡°He¡¯s fine, we¡¯re okay,¡± Eron soothed. ¡°Slow and steady,¡± he eyed the beating sigil. Had it quickened?


    They managed to reach the lower landing when the whispers began.


    Half-seen shapes flowed around them in the thick mist.


    There wasn¡¯t a man, woman or child that hadn¡¯t lost someone to the fog.


    Everyone heard a voice they recognized.


    Accusations of abandonment.


    Entreaties to join them in a place without fear or worry.


    Threats of a fate worse than death if they didn¡¯t listen.


    ¡°Ignore them,¡± Eron said calmly. ¡°None of you are to blame. The fog did all this. To give in to the lies is that worse fate. Lilah¡¯s ward shines on us. If it wasn¡¯t then this evil wouldn¡¯t be trying to trick us with mere whispers.¡±


    The dark words dogged them with each agonizingly slow step.


    The ward pulsed and it seemed to get brighter as if struggling to keep the gray at bay.


    Join and be safe.


    Keep all safe.


    Only as one can all be safe.


    The words filled Eron¡¯s head.


    It was nearly overwhelming.


    He focused on the girls in his arms, the thin, trembling arms around his neck and drowned the words out with silent expletives.


    ¡°Head for the hole in the wall,¡± Eron directed them towards the front wall. The door was much too small to fit the tightly-packed group.


    ¡°Where? I can¡¯t see anything through the fog,¡± Edwin said.


    ¡°The front of the house. Where I damaged it throwing that asshole into it.¡±


    Shuffling steps that continued to be agonizingly slow finally brought them close enough for the sigil¡¯s light to illuminate the hole.


    Out they went.


    ¡°Head for the van,¡± Eron urged.


    They walked into the courtyard.


    The small vehicle was parked just in front of the sliding gate.


    ¡°There¡¯s eleven of us. We can¡¯t all fit inside,¡± a man said.


    ¡°Ten,¡± Eron corrected. ¡°I¡¯ll be pushing and you¡¯re all going to squeeze in.¡±


    He ushered everyone into the van making sure that the woman holding the sigil sat as close to the center as possible with the kids huddled around her or on her lap.


    The fog pushed in close. He could almost feel it tickling the back of his neck as he stood outside the driver¡¯s window.


    ¡°We¡¯re not going to be going more than twenty miles an hour. Visibility range is shit. I¡¯ll do my best to look through the window but you¡¯ll have the best view of incoming obstacles. Slam on the brakes, honk on the horn to let me know,¡± Eron said.


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± the man asked.


    Eron considered it for a moment. ¡°Main sanctuary.¡± The fact that they hadn¡¯t been able to take any supplies with them would be a strain on the other sanctuaries and he didn¡¯t want to risk making multiple stops relying on the portable ward. He didn¡¯t know what the strain of maintaining it was doing to Lilah.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get the gate,¡± Eron steeled himself.


    As soon as he stepped out of the ward¡¯s protection and into the gray a form took shape behind him.


    He couldn¡¯t get bogged down.


    He dashed forward as a punch grazed the back of his head.


    ¡°That girl can¡¯t keep this up much longer.¡±


    ¡°Yes, she can, Tito Carlos.¡± Eron saw the metal gate a few feet in front of him.


    A powerful grip suddenly yanked him back by the back of his neck and spun him around.


    ¡°You should¡¯ve escaped when I told you.¡±


    There was something like genuine anger in his uncle¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°It grows stronger while she grows weaker. Don¡¯t you see? Your safe spaces dwindle. Now¡­ your doomed. Just like the rest of us.¡±


    His uncle struck with an overhand right.


    Eron spun with it, grabbing his uncle¡¯s arm and hurled him into the gate.


    The metal crumpled around his uncle as they both went crashing out into the gray-shrouded street.


    Eron hustled back to the van.


    Back to the ward¡¯s protection.


    He pushed and tried to ignore the feeling of hands grasping just behind him.


    The whispers in the mist followed him all the way back.


    <hr>


    ¡°How long have we been here?¡± Domeric said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I¡¯ve slept and woken up seven times, but I have this feeling that there¡¯s something wrong with time in this place,¡± Samson said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve counted seven times too, but I can¡¯t remember exactly how long since we first entered the fog,¡± Domeric said. ¡°It must¡¯ve been less then a day to end up at the house with the wards and that¡­ guy¡­¡± The memory of the impossibly strong man killing Irvin and Ben Ben with an almost casual air returned. It had been like he hadn¡¯t even truly intended it.


    ¡°The senator is going to be upset we got his boy killed,¡± Samson said.


    ¡°It was his own damn fault,¡± Paz said. ¡°Besides, that sick fucker caused more headaches than he was worth. I¡¯d bet the senator will be glad he won¡¯t have to deal with Irvin anymore.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, deep down, but he¡¯ll have to act on it,¡± Samson warned. ¡°He¡¯d look weak otherwise. You can¡¯t just let your son getting killed go without some kind of punishment to those responsible.¡±


    ¡°Then go after that superstrong guy. We didn¡¯t do shit,¡± Paz said.


    ¡°He can¡¯t,¡± Samson sighed with the air of someone sick of explaining the obvious. ¡°That guy is way too strong to go after. Which leaves us.¡±


    ¡°None of this matters if we can¡¯t get out of here,¡± Domeric said. ¡°So, less then a day to get to that house¡­ another two, three days there, then straight here for the next seven¡­¡±


    ¡°I thought we had only spent two days questioning those people,¡± Samson said.


    ¡°See, that¡¯s what¡¯s weird. I can¡¯t be sure,¡± Domeric said. ¡°What do you two think?¡± he eyed the two young women.


    ¡°Dunno,¡± Paz shrugged. ¡°I leave that stuff to the nerd,¡± she gestured toward Samson.


    Predictably, Dolorita remained silent, her face was a cold mask.


    Domeric¡¯s gaze darkened.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Paz growled. ¡°I don¡¯t know how long we¡¯ve been here, but I¡¯m with Samson on the time we spent at the other place. Any longer than two days and it would¡¯ve been a bigger pain to keep Irvin away from the women. I would¡¯ve remembered that.¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Dolorita said.


    ¡°I think the most important question is how much longer will the magic signs on the walls keep the fog from coming in here,¡± Samson said.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I don¡¯t get. Those people said that monsters come out of the fog to take you, which only happened when we first came into the city. We haven¡¯t been bothered the other times we¡¯ve gone through it,¡± Paz said.


    ¡°Intelligent,¡± Samson said.


    Domeric nodded. ¡°It has to be. It used us to gain access to that other house.¡±


    ¡°Maybe the more important question is does it still have a use for us? Or are we on the menu once the magic protecting this place runs out?¡± Samson said.


    ¡°Who says it¡¯ll run out?¡± Paz said.


    ¡°Magic always runs out,¡± Samson said.


    ¡°Stay and wait for the fog to take us or make a run for it.¡± Domeric held no illusions on their ability to do the latter. They had entered the city with a much larger group. Only four remained.


    ¡°At least there¡¯s plenty of food and water. Not starving to death was one of my goals in life,¡± Paz said. ¡°If the creepy fog wants to take me then it can try. I¡¯ll show it how strong I am.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the spirit,¡± Samson grinned.


    Paz shot him a rude gesture.


    ¡°We¡¯ll wait as long as we can. It¡¯d be stupid to leave a safe place,¡± Domeric said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep studying the magic symbols. Maybe I can replicate them. Put them on a piece of table or something like that, so we can use it to walk out of this place,¡± Samson said.


    ¡°I told you. Why don¡¯t we just cut them out of the walls?¡± Paz said.


    ¡°And I told you that is likely to disrupt the magic,¡± Samson said.


    ¡°A last resort,¡± Domeric said.


    Samson hesitated. ¡°Yeah, only if we have no other choice. If I sense the magic is close to running out.¡±


    Outside the home the sigil''s glow dimmed ever so slightly.


    <hr>


    The gray fog that had engulfed the entirety of Metro Manila was an impossible sight.


    Cal knew that the entire area was close to 240 square miles and from the looks of it the fog had expanded further beyond those boundaries.


    The outer edge swirled, gray wisps the size of buildings reached out like the tendrils of an alien creature reaching for more.


    More what?


    Cal didn¡¯t know and he couldn¡¯t tell.


    The fog had proved impenetrable to his powers.


    He had soared above looking for anything.


    The top of a tower poked out of the fog.


    He flew closer.


    Five floors were all that was visible.


    ¡°I¡¯ve found a possible insertion spot,¡± Cal said into the comms.


    ¡°Just as you expected?¡± Demi replied.


    ¡°Top five floors of the tallest building in the city.¡±


    ¡°Copy that. You find anything else?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. Just like we were afraid of. I can¡¯t see anything inside. It¡¯s an opaque wall¡­ well¡­ blob.¡± He wondered if it extended below ground. Something he¡¯d find out later.


    ¡°Understood. If you¡¯re finished scouting then Sgt. Butcher requests your presence. They¡¯re at¡ª¡±


    ¡°Thanks, but no need for directions. I know where they are.¡±


    Cal zoomed over the gray mass at a healthy distance. He located the rangers dangerously near the edge of the fog. Curiously, they were located in what looked like a gouge in the leading edge. A nearly perfect semi-circular cut, as if someone had taken a giant hole puncher to it.


    ¡°What¡¯ve you got?¡± Cal said as he landed.


    ¡°See for yourself,¡± Sgt. Butcher gestured to the center of the large mound the rangers were gathered on.


    ¡°You¡¯ve found giant eggs.¡±


    The three eggs were ovoid, with a dirty-white, craggy texture. They came up to Cal¡¯s waist.


    ¡°We were going to destroy them, but with monsters and magic being what they are¡­ I decided to call you in,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Reasonable. They could explode or whatever creature is inside might come out fighting. One second.¡± Cal extended his telepathy and scanned the eggs. Heartbeats. Thoughts somewhere between human and animal. Dreams of a world beyond the shell filtered through a newly-formed mind just awakened to self-consciousness. ¡°There is no threat,¡± he said reluctantly. ¡°However, the shell is extremely tough. You¡¯ll only damaged your weapons and waste ammo.¡± He raised a hand toward the clutch.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Ambrose said. ¡°Um¡­ sir. The monsters inside¡­ I want their heads. I mean, if you can keep them intact I can take their heads and use them for abilities.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a little weird, but¡­ okay,¡± Cal shrugged.


    He cracked the eggs open with telekinetic hands, which he was instantly thankful for as soon as he saw what sort of creatures were inside.


    A long, serpentine body of mottled grays, greens and brown with what looked like fins along the top and bottom of the tail end and in other strategic locations. The creature¡¯s heads were draconic in appearance.


    ¡°Oh, thank God,¡± Cal muttered. ¡°Not snakes.¡±


    The creatures came sloshing out in a disgusting mix of clear, mucus-like liquid and an attached, blood-streaked egg sac.


    Cal floated off the ground before the mixture and creatures could touch his armored boots. He sensed their lives slowly slip away. They were much to young to survive outside their protective shells.


    ¡°More like a dragon-snake,¡± Smores said. The young man¡¯s eyes flashed inquisitively.


    Cal didn¡¯t need telepathy to know that Smores¡¯ mind was already working through the possibilities of what they could do with the slowly dying creatures.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s an ibingan,¡± Rai said. ¡°Which, I suppose is like a dragon-snake. Although the stories say that they are not just a simple creature, but also partially a spirit of water. Rivers, lakes, oceans.¡±


    ¡°I do feel magical energy coming from them,¡± Smores said. ¡°Two-toes?¡±


    ¡°Same,¡± Two-toes replied.


    ¡°Weird ass mages,¡± Mouthy said. ¡°You think there¡¯s magic shit with everything.¡±


    Ambrose struggled to stretch one out as he readied his hinalung knife.


    ¡°That¡¯s a baby? It¡¯s like ten feet long,¡± Hardhat¡¯s face twisted with disgust.


    ¡°Close to fifteen.¡± Cal¡¯s helmet gave him the measurement.


    ¡°Ambrose, one second,¡± Smores ventured.


    The tall Headhunter stabbed his leaf-shaped blade into the ground and regarded Smores expectantly.


    ¡°When you take heads what happens to the rest of the body?¡± Smores said.


    ¡°Nothing. It¡¯s basically meat,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°Perfect,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°What are you thinking?¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°That this could a good opportunity to test what effects consuming magical sustenance might have on us. Especially, since we¡¯ve been forbidden from purchasing one of the user-created magical meals from the spire¡¯s marketplace,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°This again? Damn fuck, you know those things are scams, right? Soup that¡¯ll let you see in the dark? Pancakes that¡¯ll make your skin as tough as tree bark? Bunch of crapsack,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°Interesting,¡± Smores mused. ¡°You use Skills freely, see spells, have them cast on you, felt their effects, yet you draw the line at foods with magical effects? Magical cooking is, was a staple of fantasy rpg¡¯s. Santi creates magical potions through his Alchemist Class. Is it such a leap to consider that others out there have been able to do the same with cooking? The spires turned our world into an amalgamation of so many different things we once consigned to the world of make-believe.¡±


    ¡°Sorry¡­ what?¡± Mouthy yawned. ¡°I stopped listening after ¡®interesting¡¯.¡±


    Rino grabbed one of the ibingans and sniffed it. ¡°Doesn¡¯t smell disgusting like other monsters. Mind you it isn¡¯t appetizing either,¡± she dropped the slimy body back to the ground.


    Part of Cal was relieved to notice that all three of the baby ibingans were now well and truly dead.


    ¡°Cook away, maybe it won¡¯t taste like shit, but I wouldn¡¯t count on it. Monsters never taste good,¡± Rino said.


    The others regarded her with mingled looks of horror, disgust, confusion and curiosity.


    ¡°I¡¯m a Weredog. I bite monsters, which means they get in my mouth,¡± Rino glared.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea to eat monster flesh,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°There could be bad side-effects,¡± Cal agreed. He had seen what the spires¡¯ system could do with people eating things they shouldn¡¯t.


    ¡°Perhaps, someone with a stronger constitution could try the first bite,¡± Smores eyed him.


    ¡°No,¡± Cal said flatly.


    Smores nodded nonplussed. ¡°Your unique biological system wouldn¡¯t be an accurate predictor of effects on the rest of us in any case.¡± He turned to Sgt. Butcher. ¡°Sarge, this could give us an edge.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but tiny bites at first and only one volunteer,¡± Sgt. Butcher said after a long moment.


    ¡°So, what? We just cut it up and fry it?¡± Hardhat said with a look on her face that revealed what she thought of the prospect.


    ¡°More or less, although perhaps it¡¯d be better if we have someone with a cook-type Class do it,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°We¡¯ll see back at base camp,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Why wait? You got me interested, nerd,¡± Rino grinned at Smores. She partially-transformed her fingers into something closer to her full Weredog form. They lengthened and nails became sharp, thick claws. With which she cut a small piece out of one of the dead baby ibingans. She popped it into her mouth and chewed for what felt like much too long before swallowing. ¡°Didn¡¯t taste good, but it didn¡¯t make me want to hurl like monster meat normally does. Can¡¯t say I feel more magical or anything.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ I¡¯m going to be sick,¡± Hardhat gagged.


    Rai made a face.


    Even Ambrose was taken aback.


    Smores watched with great interest.


    Cal was just thankful that his helmet was filtering out odors.


    ¡°Maybe the portion was too small? Or preparation plays a role? Then again, your Class could also factor into it. There are many variables we have to take into account. I don¡¯t think we can even comprehend them all at this stage,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°Uh,¡± Ambrose raised his hand. ¡°Can I cut off the heads now?¡±


    ¡°Go for it,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°May I observe your process?¡± Smores said.


    Ambrose thought about it. ¡°Sure, I guess, but not like the last 5%. I have to do that alone.¡±


    ¡°I have a concern,¡± Two-toes raised her hand. ¡°These are babies¡­ so where¡¯s the mother?¡±


    Cal studied the space around the nest that had been seemingly gouged out of the fog. He stretched his telepathy out for many miles and didn¡¯t detect any powerful presences, such as a large water dragon-snake spirit. His eyes and thoughts went to the impenetrable wall of fog. ¡°We don¡¯t have to worry about mother. At least not right now.¡±


    ¡°Alright everyone let¡¯s set up a perimeter,¡± Sgt. Butcher barked. ¡°Ambrose, get on with it. Don¡¯t take too long.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Sarge, I¡¯ll go as fast as I can,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°Okay¡­ but then what about the dad?¡± Two-toes¡¯ voice quivered.


    ¡°If there is one it¡¯s not anywhere near us,¡± Cal assured her. ¡°Sgt. Butcher, if you don¡¯t need me any longer then I¡¯ll be heading back to base. I¡¯d like to get started on moving the equipment to the next base location.¡±


    ¡°So, you found what we were hoping for?¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Yup. Top five floors of the Grand Hyatt Manila are above the fog.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never stayed at such a fancy sounding place. Best place my parents took me to stay was the Disneyland hotel,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°I remember that place was pretty expensive.¡±


    ¡°I was a kid back then. I didn¡¯t understand things like costs. Now, I do and it¡¯s too late to show them my appreciation,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°I imagine they knew enough from the smile on your face and the joy in your laughter.¡±


    The Ranger Sergeant was being uncharacteristically open. Cal made an effort to keep her thoughts from rising beyond the barest whisper it was in his mind. He didn¡¯t want to share unasked for intimacy with anyone.


    ¡°Once we kill the fog you can have another fancy hotel experience,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Have to claim it first,¡± Sgt. Butcher said. ¡°Though that¡¯ll probably be easy compared to this Quest.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it will. Be careful, Sgt. Butcher. Call if anything changes,¡± Cal soared up into the sky. As quickly away from the genuine emotions as he could without knocking the rangers over with a sonic boom.

 5.23

    Now, Manila


    The sun had fallen and they had set up a fortified base camp in the middle of the highway due to a lack of buildings in the immediate area.


    Torches and light orbs were arrayed around the perimeter walls, which were made from trees that Cal had pulled out of the encroaching rainforest. With his father¡¯s help the two had laid the logs down lengthwise, stacking them up to just under six feet in height.


    Thoughts of a fully grown ibingan made everyone look at the wall dubiously.


    Cal eyed chunks of baby ibingan grilling over open flames, frying in a pan and even baking inside a pile of coals.


    They had indeed found a few people among the new recruits with either a Cook Class or a level in it in addition to whatever their primary was.


    He sat next to his armor, which was in standby mode, it was literally standing next to him. Conversations drifted to him even thought he wasn¡¯t making an effort to pay attention. The price of enhancements to his senses and brain. It was too easy to focus on things despite all the noise mingling together.


    Case in point an argument brewed.


    ¡°I¡¯d feel better if someone was at least guarding my equipment,¡± Maya said. ¡°Thousands of hours of hard work and we¡¯re just leaving them there?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll be fine,¡± Demi said with barely restrained annoyance. ¡°They¡¯re isolated at the top of the tallest building in Manila. Anyone that might mess with them will have to go through the fog.¡±


    ¡°Or they can fly like Cal, perhaps something like that ibingan they¡¯re talking about,¡± Maya said archly.


    ¡°Does either of those things sound probable to you, Maya?¡± Demi said. ¡°Besides, Cal said he¡¯s monitoring the situation.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s sitting right there!¡± Maya jabbed a finger in Cal¡¯s direction.


    He pointedly shifted his gaze to where Smores was badgering one of the Cooks about how the young man was turning the skewers of baby ibingan meat on the grill.


    ¡°My babies are miles away!¡± Maya continued.


    ¡°And he assured me that he can get there in minutes,¡± Demi soothed.


    Cal could tell that the two women''s¡¯ argument would just go around in circles until the Watch Captain got sick of it and would order Maya to go relax.


    And so, he allowed his thoughts to focus elsewhere.


    His notice landed on Cristos, who was doing a good job looking as if he wasn¡¯t paying attention to Ginessa.


    The young mandurugo was seated next to Rino a distance away from where Cristos was seated in the back of a truck.


    Cal was glad to note that Ginessa had taken his words to heart and had sought out someone to talk to.


    ¡°Will people ever not look at me like I¡¯m a monster?¡± Ginessa¡¯s eyes focused on the asphalt beneath her feet.


    ¡°Who cares what anyone else thinks? Fuck em,¡± Rino said.


    That didn¡¯t fill Cal with confidence.


    ¡°The only one that can decide who and what you are is yourself,¡± Rino continued.


    ¡°But I have to drink blood to live,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°Right, I¡¯ve seen you drinking from blood bags. Big deal,¡± Rino shrugged. ¡°As long as you aren¡¯t killing people then anyone that thinks you¡¯re a monster can fuck themselves. Hell, I¡¯d bet some of the guys are secretly hoping they can offer themselves up for you. You¡¯re a super hot vampire chick. Dumbass nerds are all over that,¡± she sneered.


    Ginessa blushed.


    ¡°Jesus¡­¡± Cal muttered.


    How could he get Ginessa away from Rino? Maybe send his father over?


    ¡°Bottom line, don¡¯t let anyone treat you bad or, like, put you in a box of their expectations. Figure out who you want to be and be true to that. That¡¯s what I do,¡± Rino said. ¡°Look, I don¡¯t know what kind of powers you¡¯ve got. I didn¡¯t really get to see any mandurugos fighting back at the village.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not really good at fighting,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°So, you just need training. If you want I¡¯ll help you out. Maybe the others won¡¯t be so scared of you if they see that you¡¯re just like me,¡± Rino said.


    ¡°They¡¯re not scared of you?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no. They¡¯re scared of me,¡± Rino barked a laugh. ¡°Just the way I like it.¡±


    That held good possibilities for Ginessa.


    Cal decided that he didn¡¯t need to interrupt their conversation after all.


    Time whiled away as Cal sat and listened idly to conversations while actively monitoring the darkness beyond their lights for potential threats.


    The ibingan meat was ready before long and the first volunteer bravely stepped up to taste it.


    Unsurprisingly, Ambrose was the first.


    It made sense to Cal. The young man had probably done some weird stuff with his Headhunter Class. Eating monster meat was probably a step down.


    Ambrose took a skewer with cubed chunks of grilled ibingan meat from the plate.


    ¡°Just one piece,¡± Sgt. Butcher warned.


    ¡°Pffftttt¡­ I ate it raw and nothing happened,¡± Rino said.


    ¡°I suspect your digestive system, indeed your entirely biology has been altered by your Class,¡± Smores said.


    Ambrose nodded, took a deep breath and popped a piece into his mouth.


    Everyone in the camp watched him as he slowly chewed.


    Every twitch on his face had people either leaning closer or ready to bolt away.


    Cal noted that some had hands on their weapons or empty hands slowly rising to cast spells.


    Ambrose swallowed. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ not bad,¡± he said.


    ¡°What does it taste like?¡± Hardhat¡¯s eyes were wide.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Like a fishy chicken?¡± Ambrose shrugged.


    Sgt. Butcher took the skewer from Ambrose. ¡°No one else eat any ibingan meat until we¡¯ve checked Ambrose out.¡±


    Cal scanned the young man with his abilities and found nothing out of the ordinary. Perhaps the hint of a sliver of energy in his stomach. It didn¡¯t mean that the meat was magical. It could¡¯ve just been Ambrose¡¯s own inherent mana.


    Cal wasn¡¯t sure. He still hadn¡¯t come up with a definitive answer on what he detected with his myriad of psionic powers.


    Was he detecting the magical energy?


    Or was it a matter of connecting to the individual and perceiving said magic through that person¡¯s perceptions?


    Nevertheless, he was going to remain quiet unless it turned bad for Ambrose.


    The throng of mages and science types, including Jake and the excited L&L duo, crowding around Ambrose would do their due diligence before declaring if the ibingan meat was okay for consumption.


    ¡°Guys, I don¡¯t think I ate enough. I thought I felt something, but I don¡¯t know,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°Yo, can you feel your mana pool? Did it get bigger?¡± Jake said.


    ¡°If it was already full then what difference would it make?¡± Smores said.


    ¡°He means that one possible effect is that your maximum mana might be increased,¡± Louis said.


    ¡°Except the cooks didn¡¯t cook the meat with specific magical intent, right? They just cooked it like you would normal food. So, why expect anything at all?¡± Lexie groused.


    ¡°That¡¯s true, but we had no choice. Perhaps the act of cooking a magical creature will pay dividends for the cooks,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°They could level and maybe get magic recipes,¡± Lexie mused.


    ¡°Right, just like we get spells and Skills,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°They¡¯ll have to go to the spire if they do level from this,¡± Louis said.


    ¡°This is no good,¡± Smores shook his head.


    ¡°Um¡­ what?¡± Ambrose blinked.


    ¡°One piece is clearly not enough,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°Damn, too bad we didn¡¯t bring any Doctors or Nurses with us. They¡¯ve got Skills that let them scan and diagnose people,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°I could try asking some spirits if they can see anything different with Ambrose,¡± Rai said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t waste your energy. At least not yet. I have to eat more,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°Ten more minutes, per the Sarge¡¯s orders,¡± Smores grumbled.


    Cal¡¯s attention drifted over to one of the vans where the only mages not interested in the ibingan meat were sitting.


    ¡°I¡¯m resting, not dying,¡± Max rasped. He glared weakly out of the back of the van where he laid.


    Alexa, Amber, Del, Rebekah, Trevor and Santi were clustered around the van and had been talking while shooting glances towards Max.


    ¡°Do you want more pain killer? I made more potions,¡± Santi stared into Max¡¯s eyes. The teen¡¯s effort was too blatant.


    Max regarded the stump at his right shoulder. He remembered through the haze of drugs, normal and abnormal that a monster had eaten his entire arm. ¡°Thanks, but no. I¡¯ll need to get my mind clear for the Quest.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to¡ª¡± Amber began.


    ¡°Yes! I do!¡± Max growled.


    The young woman flinched.


    ¡°Only thing I can. After Ron¡­¡±


    Waves of sadness, regret and guilt emanated from the group.


    Cal felt for them. He could ease their pain, but he had no right to take what belonged to them.


    Although, he knew that if they knew what he could do, some would ask to be released from that burden.


    Was it selfish to keep that aspect of his powers a secret?


    ¡°Good. I was getting tired of wiping your ass,¡± Alexa snorted.


    The younger men and woman looked away blushing.


    ¡°Huh, so that¡¯s why I¡¯m wearing a diaper,¡± Max winced.


    ¡°To think I wanted to be a nurse when I was younger,¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°General public doesn¡¯t really consider all the bodily fluids you have to deal with,¡± Rebekah nodded.


    ¡°I thought you were in the Army?¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°I had to do a few weeks in a mobile hospital after a hurricane once.¡± Rebekah didn¡¯t elaborate. ¡°So, how¡¯s the stump feel? I know¡ª knew guys that lost limbs and¡­ well, it sounds like it sucks.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll let you know once the kid¡¯s potions wear off.¡± Max looked at where his arm should¡¯ve been. ¡°I don¡¯t know how I¡¯m¡­¡± he closed his eyes.


    ¡°Hey, dude, don¡¯t worry! You can get a cool magitech prosthetic like Jake and that detective lady,¡± Trevor said. ¡°He said that he¡¯d get right on it once we get home!¡±


    ¡°God, Trevor! You¡¯re the worst!¡± Amber hissed.


    ¡°What?¡± The young man blinked in confusion.


    Max swallowed the lump in his throat. ¡°Thanks, but no. A mechanical prosthetic just doesn''t¡­ feel right.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ okay,¡± Trevor deflated.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    ¡°This feels like a nightmare,¡± Max said. ¡°I keep looking for Ron¡¯s face¡­ just like Rory. Another face I¡¯ll never see again.¡± He squeezed his eyes shut, but couldn¡¯t keep the tears from leaking free.


    Del choked at the mention of Rory, who they lost to the fishmen less than a year ago.


    Overwhelming emotions surged out of the entire group.


    Silence reined.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to die, aren¡¯t we?¡± Amber said softly.


    Trevor looked at the young woman with utter betrayal written on his face.


    Alexa and Rebekah regarded each other before the latter sighed.


    ¡°We¡¯re at war. No really says this, but it¡¯s true. We are at war with the world that the spires created. And, yeah, people die in war. One day,¡± Rebekah took a deep breath, ¡°it¡¯ll be me or any of us. What¡¯s important is that we remember why we die. We need to get stronger to face the monsters. To do that we have to throw ourselves into true danger. Maybe one day we can build the world back into a place where people won¡¯t have to do as we do just to survive. I don¡¯t know why you volunteered for the Quest. We all have our own reasons. But, that is mine. I truly wish Ron had made it. I would trade myself for him without hesitation, but that just wasn¡¯t how it shook out. It was his time. Not mine or yours. You just need to make peace with the fact that one day it will be your time.¡±


    ¡°It sounds kinda¡­ ridiculous¡­ when you put it into words like that,¡± Trevor laughed bitterly. ¡°But why not? Fight and die or don¡¯t fight and also die. I guess the difference is how much you can make whatever terrible thing kills you work for it.¡±


    ¡°What we do matters.¡± Del¡¯s eyes watered. ¡°Even if, no, especially if we die. Our sacrifices matter. I will never forget those we¡¯ve lost and I know that our friends, family won¡¯t forget us.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, guys. We¡¯re not dead yet,¡± Alexa said. ¡°We¡¯ve faced fishmen and an eldritch entity in its lair and came out from it stronger. I gained 3 levels from the aswang village. Quantifiable proof that we¡¯re getting stronger through the challenges.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­¡± Santi raised a hand, ¡°I haven¡¯t¡­ faced an eldritch entity, I mean.¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯re about to, so¡­¡± Trevor shrugged.


    ¡°Enough moping. Go. You don¡¯t have to hover over me,¡± Max rasped.


    ¡°You sure? You don¡¯t sound or look good,¡± Trevor said. ¡°Ow!¡±


    Amber had slapped the back of his head.


    ¡°I need rest,¡± Max said.


    Rebekah nodded. ¡°You heard the man. Watch Captain Lawrence has been uncharacteristically lenient with us the past week, but now that we¡¯re at our target location we need to get our heads back into the mission. See to your preparations.¡±


    ¡°Are you going to try the magic meat?¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°I think I have to. I need every advantage I can get, right?¡± Alexa said.


    The Watch had scattered with one exception.


    ¡°Rebekah¡¯s speech was terrible,¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°She¡¯s hurting more than anyone. Ron and her joined the Watch back at the beginning,¡± Max said.


    ¡°We¡¯re running out of old timers. Rory and Keisha are dead. Gene, Olo, Bastien, Mads, Johnny and Remy, Megan and their kids went to another world,¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind stepping foot on another world before I die,¡± Max said. ¡°Can you imagine what that must be like?¡±


    ¡°Maybe we won¡¯t have to. Cal¡¯s friends with those aliens. He could put in a good word for us after this is over. We just need enough points to travel there,¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t mind a set of that armor. If I had that I wouldn¡¯t have lost¡ª¡± Max choked.


    Alexa grabbed his hand and squeeze. ¡°It¡¯s not over for you. We live in a world of magic now. Who knows what you can do. Even if you don¡¯t want a prosthetic there has to be another option.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    A small spark of hope lit up inside Max.


    <hr>


    ¡°I can stop it now¡­¡± Lilah murmured.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Dr. Rufo jolted awake. He had dozed off in a chair next to Lilah¡¯s bed.


    ¡°Pushing¡­ too strong¡­ have to¡­ hold¡­¡±


    The doctor shined the candle lantern over Lilah¡¯s face to find that she was still sleeping.


    ¡°Nightmare?¡± he whispered.


    No.


    He couldn¡¯t assume anything. Not with how the world had changed. Over ten years and he was still struggling to completely accept it all.


    ¡°Hurry¡­ Eron¡­¡±


    Dr. Rufo laid a hand on Lilah¡¯s forehead.


    Warm, but not feverish.


    He checked her pulse.


    Elevated, but not dangerously so.


    ¡°Diagn¡ª¡± Dr. Rufo bit his tongue at the spike of pain that lanced through his head.


    He had used his Skills too much in the last few days.


    It seemed that he had discovered his limits.


    ¡°Too much¡­ can¡¯t¡­ losing¡­¡±


    The door to Lilah¡¯s room opened.


    ¡°Is everything okay? I thought I heard someone in pain,¡± Madalena said.


    Dr. Rufo¡¯s face twisted as he tasted blood. He wasn¡¯t going to be able to heal his tongue for some time. ¡°Yes, no,¡± he sighed. ¡°That was me. I accidentally bit my tongue.¡±


    ¡°Faster¡­¡±


    ¡°Is Lilah okay?¡± Madalena frowned.


    ¡°Better than she has been lately¡­¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    Dr. Rufo shook his head.


    Lilah mumbled something unintelligible.


    ¡°Should we wake her?¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°I¡¯d say she¡¯s just having a bad dream, but with the magic,¡± Dr. Rufo ran a hand through what was left of the hair on top of his head, ¡°I¡ª I just don¡¯t know what to do. Waking her might hurt. Then again it might help.¡±


    ¡°Leave her unless you¡¯re mostly sure that she¡¯s in actual danger. We don¡¯t want to mess up anything with her connection to her wards,¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°Eron¡­¡± Lilah murmured.


    Madalena scowled.


    ¡°He¡¯s not back yet, is he?¡± Dr. Rufo said.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Should we be concerned?¡±


    Madalena sucked her teeth. ¡°He¡¯s not overdue,¡± she grunted. ¡°You want to take a nap or something, Doc? You¡¯re looking more tired than normal.¡±


    ¡°No, I need to keep an eye on Lilah.¡±


    Dr. Rufo had fallen asleep, but only for a few minutes judging by the melted wax in the lantern. The young woman was right, though. He felt exhausted all the way down to his old bones. The fact that he couldn¡¯t use his Skills decided things for him.


    ¡°No, never mind. I think you¡¯re right. Can you watch her? I just need an hour nap.¡±


    ¡°Sure, I can do that at least,¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be in the living room. If anything changes or you have the slightest worry, wake me,¡± Dr. Rufo said as he gave Lilah once last look before heading for the door.


    Madalena eyed the bent old man as he shuffled out. He seemed to be getting older and weaker every time she took notice of him. Just another thing to weigh on her thoughts. Another to thing to worry about. They needed Dr. Rufo. The kids needed him. He took care of them more than she or Eron did.


    She settled into the chair next to Lilah¡¯s bed and regarded the girl. So small and delicate. Like a fragile doll that could shatter at the slightest touch.


    ¡°And we¡¯ve been using you so much, haven¡¯t we,¡± Madalena whispered, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Lilah.¡±


    A pained frown flashed across Lilah¡¯s face.


    Madalena was on her feet in an instant, ready to call for the doctor.


    The words were on the tip of her tongue when Lilah¡¯s expression smoothed.


    Madalena swallowed them and sat back down. Resolving not to take her eyes off Lilah.


    ¡°¡­ baby¡­ scared¡­ protecting¡­¡± Lilah muttered.


    Madalena¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    What did Lilah say?


    ¡°Poor thing. She must be having a nightmare.¡±


    Lilah babbled for a few more seconds before falling silent.


    Madalena¡¯s thoughts returned to what had been plaguing her for weeks.


    Their dwindling options for a way out.


    When Eron had said that he had gotten a message out to Cal, she had known hope for the first time in a long time.


    That had been steadily beaten down by all that she had lost since then.


    Friends she had led to their deaths.


    The kids being murdered by people from outside the fog.


    How was that even possible?


    The cursed fog wouldn¡¯t let them escape, but it allowed others to enter only to lead to that?


    What sort of god was this thing that engineered such ridiculous cruelty?


    The loss of a sanctuary and more people followed.


    And as always the ever-present shades of her family.


    Every time she looked out into the gray, she imagined them staring back at her.


    Dead, but still around.


    Would that they were gone forever.


    At least then she could grieve and move on.


    Instead, she felt like she was stuck between two worlds.


    She watched the candle light cast dancing shadows on Lilah¡¯s face.


    Dark to light and light to dark.


    Despair and hope warring against each other.


    Candles eventually went out. Madalena knew this.


    Lilah¡¯s magic would do the same.


    Why hope for the impossible?


    She gently held Lilah¡¯s hand. So thin and light.


    ¡°Please¡­ hold on just a little bit longer,¡± she whispered.


    ¡°We¡­ home¡­¡± Lilah murmured.


    Madalena said nothing for the remainder of her vigil.


    She didn¡¯t know how much time had dwindled when the door to the apartment opened. She sprang to her feet and hurried out the door.


    ¡°I¡¯m back,¡± Eron said. He eyed the softly snoring Dr. Rufo on the couch. ¡°Good. Doc needed the rest. I brought them back, but,¡± he wouldn¡¯t look her in the eyes, ¡°we lost a few more.¡±


    Eron explained what had happened at his grandparent¡¯s old house.


    Madalena was numb. She tried to feel sad about the losses, but nothing came up.


    ¡°One less sanctuary for Lilah to maintain. Yay,¡± Madalena said without real enthusiasm.


    ¡°How is she doing?¡± Eron said.


    Madalena told him.


    ¡°So, nothing bad while I was gone?¡± Eron said searching.


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure Doc would¡¯ve said something if that was the case. All he said was that she wasn¡¯t in immediate danger, but she wasn¡¯t okay,¡± Madalena shrugged. ¡°She was having nightmares. That¡¯s about it.¡±


    Eron¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°How do you know? I mean, about the nightmares?¡±


    ¡°She was talking in her sleep. Probably re-living all the times you took her out to do the wards,¡± Madalena scowled.


    ¡°What did she say exactly?¡±


    ¡°Something about babies and going home. What¡¯s this about!¡± Madalena snapped, annoyed.


    ¡°Dreams and nightmares aren¡¯t just dreams and nightmares anymore,¡± Eron sighed. ¡°Magic bullshit and such. Maybe I can ask Lilah more when she wakes up.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a great idea,¡± Madalena scoffed. ¡°Traumatize her when she¡¯s asleep and awake.¡±


    ¡°She can handle it,¡± Eron frowned.


    ¡°She¡¯s twelve!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not having this conversation again,¡± Eron said flatly. ¡°You can go grab a bite to eat or sleep or something. I¡¯ll takeover here.¡±


    Madalena sensed that her older cousin wasn¡¯t asking. She considered arguing, but realized they¡¯d just wake Lilah and Dr. Rufo. They desperately needed rest, so she swallowed her pride and stalked out of the apartment and went to her own.


    Eron waited a long moment before he let out a long breath. His shoulders slumped as he walked into Lilah¡¯s room and sat down.


    Something tickled the back of his neck.


    He turned ¡°Cherry?¡±


    Nothing.


    His gaze returned to the sleeping Lilah.


    Something was off.


    ¡°What are you doing in here, Cherry?¡±


    He turned again and beheld the achingly beautiful gabunan. Who was, thankfully, modestly clothed in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt.


    That was different.


    ¡°I smelled blood and was concerned,¡± Cherry said.


    Eron¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Relax. Dr. Rufo bit his tongue.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but why are you still here? Have you been in here this whole time?¡±


    ¡°I was¡­ concerned.¡±


    ¡°You going to elaborate on that?¡± Eron raised a brow.


    Cherry walked over to the window and cracked the blinds open to look outside. ¡°If anything happens to the girl¡­ well, this place is no longer safe. I simply wanted to be among the first to know when to flee.¡±


    ¡°Uh huh. If something happens to Lilah, there is no fleeing,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I¡¯d get further than most,¡± Cherry shrugged.


    ¡°If you were here the whole time, then you heard all the things Lilah was saying in her bad dreams.¡±


    ¡°The nonsense babbling you¡¯d expect from nightmares.¡±


    ¡°Right. Can you repeat them for me, please?¡±


    And so Cherry did.


    After a moment Eron shook his head.


    ¡°You think it means something?¡±


    ¡°Magic stuff, maybe.¡±


    Cherry¡¯s perfect brow arched. ¡°It¡¯s your turn to elaborate.¡±


    ¡°Look I got nothing definitive. It¡¯s more like a wild guess. A fantasy,¡± Eron said. When Cherry simply looked at him expectantly he continued. ¡°The wards, the sigils. Lilah is connected to them. They keep the fog back, while at the same time it pushes against them. There¡¯s got to be some kind of interaction there.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, you think there might be a connection between Lilah and the fog,¡± Cherry mused.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t go that far, but maybe if there¡¯s an entity responsible for the fog then it could be similar. It¡¯s generating and maintaining the fog, so it¡¯s connected and when it clashes with Lilah¡¯s wards there¡¯s something like a bleed through for her.¡±


    ¡°So, she¡¯s seeing the fog entity. Except she¡¯s never given any indication of this before. Why now?¡±


    ¡°No idea. Could be she¡¯s more open when she¡¯s sleeping. Like the subconscious picks up what the conscious won¡¯t for her own good. Or the fog¡¯s recent increase in strength is the factor. Hell, she¡¯s been leveling, so she¡¯s stronger now, which lets her know more. I don¡¯t know,¡± Eron threw his hands up. ¡°It¡¯s just a theory.¡±


    ¡°Then, assuming there is truth in this, what do you make of her words?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, everything,¡± Eron sighed. ¡°Madalena¡¯s probably right. Lilah¡¯s just re-living bad memories.¡±


    ¡°Except¡­¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t assume anything rational or normal when it comes to magic stuff.¡± Eron eyed Madalena. ¡°You¡¯re magical¡­ what are your instincts telling you?¡±


    ¡°Nothing different from what I¡¯ve told you before. I can sense a great amount of magic, energy, whatever you want to call it, coming from the girl,¡± Cherry hesitated.


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s taking a toll on her,¡± she finished.


    ¡°Which we already knew,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°The girl can¡¯t keep this up for much longer.¡±


    Eron regarded Cherry for a moment before looking down at Lilah.


    ¡°She¡¯s strong and I¡¯ll ease the burden by shutting down the furthest sanctuaries. We still have hope.¡±


    Silence.


    Eron turned his gaze back to the window.


    Cherry was gone.


    His senses weren¡¯t as good as they had been outside of the fog, but they were still beyond the normal human standard.


    Yet, he had missed Cherry when had entered the room and now he hadn¡¯t noticed her leave.


    ¡°Magic,¡± he said with a smile. ¡°The cause of and the solution to all our problems.¡±


    Silence.


    His brothers and sister would¡¯ve laughed at that.


    He wondered if he would ever hear them again.

 5.24

    Now, Manila


    Cal laughed.


    The glass container had flown past his ear, made a complete U-turn and shattered on the back of his head. The liquid inside had instantly became a white foam that engulfed his entire head before hardening into a sticky goop. He waited a moment before telekinetically freeing himself with ease.


    He was greeted by wide eyes and nervous looks.


    ¡°That was an impossible throw, Trevor,¡± he said. ¡°And Santi, this substance is interesting.¡±


    ¡°Are you okay, sir?¡± Santi said hesitantly.


    ¡°Yeah, perfectly, why?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ that stuff is also supposed to be like pepper spray, well¡­ bear spray,¡± Santi said sheepishly.


    Cal liked his lips. There was a hint of spice to it. ¡°I see. So, it¡¯s meant to restrain and debilitate?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s one of my early creations. I basically mixed glue, foam and bear spray,¡± Santi said hesitantly.


    ¡°Relax, I¡¯m not going to ask for the details. I figure since you¡¯re an Alchemist you probably shouldn¡¯t be sharing your secrets too freely. At least when it comes to non allies. So, do you have a version with something stronger than bear spray?¡±


    ¡°¡­ maybe,¡± Santi said.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you clearly label your bottles,¡± Cal said ironically. ¡°Thanks for showing me what you¡¯ve got. You too, Trevor. I think that¡¯s good for today.¡±


    Cal made his way back behind the walls of their temporary base camp.


    ¡°Done wasting Santi¡¯s supply?¡± Demi said.


    Cal grinned at the stone-faced Watch Captain.


    ¡°I just had them use Santi¡¯s most basic stuff or ones that probably wouldn¡¯t be useful inside the fog.¡±


    ¡°So, you just played the fool to give them a few laughs?¡± Demi regarded him suspiciously.


    Cal¡¯s gaze drifted over to the different groups around him.


    Some trained just outside the camp. Some prepared their gear inside. Others didn¡¯t need to do either, so they sought some semblance of entertainment or a way to soothe their nerves.


    ¡°We¡¯re moving soon, so I figured we could do with a laugh to take the edge off,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯ve learned you can¡¯t run at full intensity for too long. It¡¯ll strip you down to the bone and leave you raw. I¡¯ll willingly take the alchemical equivalent of a few pies to the face if it can alleviate some of that. Even if only for a moment.¡±


    Demi nodded curtly.


    They divided up into a handful of groups for Cal to ferry to the high-rise. Not that he couldn¡¯t have taken them all at once, but rather the Watch Captain wanted to secure a safe landing zone.


    To that end, Cal dropped Hanna and a split contingent of the best fighters from both the Watch and Rayna¡¯s Rangers.


    Not that they needed to fight. For some reason there were no monsters in the top five floors above the fog. Cal had made certain of that the previous day when he had flown the majority of the expedition¡¯s equipment over.


    Rather, the best fighters went first as a precaution in case that changed.


    After the third trip to and from the high-rise Cal was greeted by his father.


    Phillip¡¯s clothing was covered in dirt and he was busy cleaning more of the stuff from his hands.


    ¡°What did you find?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I dug about twenty feet down in a bunch of different spots and I found more of it,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Well, you¡¯re here and¡­¡± Cal paused, ¡°are fine.¡±


    ¡°The fog didn¡¯t bother me. In fact, the tentacles noticeably kept their distance,¡± Phillip shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m with you on what you thought. It gave me the feeling that it¡¯s alive. There¡¯s a thinking thing behind it or the entire mass is alive. The thought of which is not as disturbing as I would¡¯ve found it once.¡±


    ¡°Just one question then. Was it already there when you dug or did it fill in the space?¡±


    Phillip pondered for a moment. ¡°I¡¯m not sure. It was there when I dug, but it¡¯s possible that it filled in the space to quickly for me to notice.¡±


    ¡°I guess we can¡¯t tunnel our way in or out,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°It was a long shot,¡± Phillip agreed.


    ¡°The Hyatt is the only option, for now.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t get locked on to one route. We still need to find Eron, maybe we can make use of those wards in some way,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve thought about that too, but you¡¯re right. Two more trips to go,¡± Cal regarded the next group he needed to ferry over. ¡°It¡¯ll just be you, the spear unit and a few of others.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not. I¡¯ve been scanning the area for miles around. Some monsters, mutated and normal animals, but nothing that would take a shot at such a large group. Not that you can¡¯t handle anything out there. See you in a bit,¡± Cal lifted the group in a telekinetic box and floated up into the sky.


    ¡°I¡¯m not looking forward to that,¡± Doran said as he approached Phillip.


    Nearby, Mouthy snorted.


    The ranger was seated next to Alexa, Smores and pale-faced Max. The decision to leave the most injured with the last group had been made with their safety in mind. In the unlikely event of a random monster attack they would be parked inside the spear unit¡¯s square formation, while Phillip killed said monsters.


    Mouthy and Alexa had volunteered to stay with their injured comrades for reasons of their own.


    ¡°Try doing it at night. Nothing, except darkness all around you. Just about shit myself,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°Despite my fears of heights, being able to fly at such speed and without the restrictions of traditional aircraft is an undeniable tactical and strategic advantage. It¡¯s a shame that Cal is unique. Although,¡± Doran eyed Phillip, ¡°I have heard of Remy being similarly capable.¡±


    ¡°Rayna too,¡± Mouthy said proudly.


    ¡°All your children are capable of flight?¡± Doran said.


    ¡°Yeah, Eron as well,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°And you aren¡¯t? I wonder why?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t explain,¡± Phillip regarded the grizzled Spear Sergeant uncertainly. ¡°I don¡¯t know why my family was so lucky to gain what we did from the spires?¡± He didn¡¯t say what he truly wanted to. That maybe they hadn¡¯t been lucky. With all that power came crushing responsibility and suffering. Power didn¡¯t guarantee safety. The fates of his family and his wife¡¯s family in the Philippines was proof enough of that.


    ¡°I¡¯ve always wondered about that, sir,¡± Smores said.


    Phillip stifled a sigh. The rangers, Rayna¡¯s Rangers, had always treated him with more deference than he was comfortable with.


    ¡°Dumbass,¡± Mouthy hissed. ¡°Mr. Cruces doesn¡¯t like being sir¡¯d¡­ er¡­ sorry, si¡ª¡± she clamped her mouth shut.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather you guys didn¡¯t, but I¡¯m not going to get mad about it,¡± Phillip smiled easily. He definitely wasn¡¯t like his children in that regard. He was, had been, was still a generally happy person. Smiles came easily, naturally. ¡°What did you want to know, Smores?¡± He could only shake his head at the ridiculous names the young people gave themselves. At least the sergeant used her real last name. A pity that it was fitting for the post-spires world.


    ¡°Just that you are physical strong and durable, a ¡®brick¡¯ as we call it,¡± Smores began.


    Phillip was familiar with the term thanks to his kids.


    ¡°While Mrs. Cruces is much stronger and tougher than a normal woman of her size, her main ability is the creation of forcefields¡ª¡±


    ¡°Get on with it Smores, everyone¡¯s getting bored,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± Alexa scowled.


    The two women traded glares.


    ¡°Well, all of your children can be said to have two abilities. One, like yours, Mr. Cruces, an enhancement to their physical capabilities and a separate ability. Although, I don¡¯t know what exactly their abilities are, so I can¡¯t make any theories as to how those relate to Mrs. Cruces.¡±


    ¡°One ability similar to the father and one to the mother?¡± Max said.


    Phillip regarded the injured man. He was still pale and weak, but had improved since he had lost his arm to the aswang.


    It reminded him of Cal¡¯s own missing fingers.


    An unpleasant thought.


    ¡°Yes, if I knew the true nature of their abilities¡­¡± Smores eyed Phillip hopefully.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry young man, but that information isn¡¯t mine to share. ¡®Opsec¡¯, I believe my sons called it. Cal and Eron were especially insistent that I don¡¯t share with others. It¡¯s nothing personal,¡± Phillip smiled.


    ¡°Of course not. I didn¡¯t mean to imply anything. I just wish to be of service,¡± Smores said hastily.


    ¡°Fucking nerd,¡± Mouthy muttered loudly enough that everyone could hear.


    ¡°Young lady, that isn¡¯t a good way to talk to your teammate,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Er¡­ I don¡¯t mean anything by it, si¡ª Mr. Cruces. Just, I don¡¯t know, keeping it light, yanking his balls,¡± Mouthy winced.


    Several of the nearest spear unit members snickered.


    ¡°It¡¯s quite alright, Mr. Cruces. I believe it¡¯s Mouthy¡¯s way of maintaining team cohesion and morale. Although, I don¡¯t quite get it,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯re intelligent,¡± Alexa added lightly.


    ¡°Shut up, bit¡ª¡± Mouthy eyed Phillip with alarm.


    ¡°I suppose there¡¯s an audience where that sort of language is okay. I just hope you¡¯re aware of that, Mouthy,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Cruces,¡± Mouthy said.


    Max laughed.


    Others joined in.


    Even Mouthy.


    ¡°They¡¯ve got a good team,¡± Doran said to Phillip.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take your word for it. It¡¯s not my area of expertise,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°But they¡¯re your daughter¡¯s?¡±


    ¡°I just go where there¡¯s a dangerous thing for me to punch to death,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°There is something to be said for simplicity,¡± Doran nodded. ¡°It¡¯s been one headache after another ever since I got my own unit. Take my guys,¡± he gestured to his spear unit. ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, the recruits we picked up have been mostly good. A couple even got the Spearman or Spearwoman Class, but the rest,¡± he shook his head.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with them?¡± Phillip frowned.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Doran said. ¡°At least it¡¯s nothing in their control. I think. Most of the new guys still have Spear Unit Trainee in addition to whatever class they had before. Like I said they¡¯ve been doing pretty good. Training hard. Picking up the principles. The class system is frustrating. I know all the theories on that. A combination of subconscious self-perception, proficiencies mixed with prerequisites we don¡¯t know and who knows what other bullshit. It might even be something I¡¯m doing wrong with my training program.¡±


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Phillip nodded. He was broadly familiar with what the Spear Sergeant was talking about.


    ¡°Sometimes I wonder if I could¡¯ve turned down the Class upgrade. Thrust the spear, block with the shield. It was simpler then. Now¡ª¡±


    ¡°Somethings coming!¡± Max gasped.


    ¡°Just as we planned,¡± Phillip warned as he scanned the tree lines on both sides of the highway.


    ¡°On it,¡± Doran said. ¡°Square formation!¡± he barked.


    Phillip stood by as the spear unit quickly gathered into the formation. A single line of spears and shields on four sides with space in the middle for Alexa, Max, Smores and Mouthy.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the threat coming from?¡± Doran said.


    ¡°The forest. I can¡¯t explain. I got this feeling. Aggression. A lot of it,¡± Max said. The man was desperately scanning the edges of the rainforest encroaching on both sides of the stretch of highway they had used as a temporary base camp. He did this even as he struggled to stand while Alexa lent him a shoulder to lean on.


    ¡°Cal scanned the entire area. He didn¡¯t find anything,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°There!¡± Max pointed to the western side of the highway.


    The tree line erupted in a cacophony of loud hoots. The trees shook and the sound of branches snapping and banging echoed across the once silent sky.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think our shi¡ª dinky wooden walls are tall enough,¡± Mouthy said. ¡°You should ice them up,¡± she urged.


    ¡°I can¡¯t waste my spells until I know the nature of the threat,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°Steady!¡± Doran¡¯s voice was calm, firm.


    The frightening sounds continued unabated.


    But what had Phillip to fear? His strength was tremendous. His skin was stronger than steel. He stepped toward the tree line.


    ¡°Wait, sir!¡± Smores said. ¡°It¡¯s like a threat display or possibly a trap.¡±


    ¡°Or a distraction,¡± Alexa mused. ¡°Max, you called it. Got anything better?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I think¡ª¡± Max turned to the other side of the highway.


    Phillip¡¯s gaze followed.


    The racket from the west side continued.


    They came out of the east in silence.


    Over ten of them.


    Large with lean, muscled bodies covered in gray and silver hair. Long, dagger-like canines in disturbingly familiar faces. Sharp claws on the end of long fingers, one of which was over-sized, almost like a short sword.


    ¡°Fucking gorillas!¡± Mouthy snapped.


    ¡°No, amomongo, wild ape-men of local legends,¡± Smores said. ¡°The size of gorilla¡¯s, but built more like chimpanzees. With¡­ extras thanks to the spires.¡±


    Phillip readied himself to jump over the spear formation and rush into the amomongo when the western tree line exploded.


    More of them. These ones weren¡¯t silent. They hooted and beat their chests, some held large tree branches in their hands, bashing them against the asphalt.


    Distractions indeed.


    The monsters from the eastern side cleared the base camps wooden walls in a single, easy bound.


    ¡°Taunts if you have them!¡± Doran called out. ¡°Brace! Reflect Charge!¡± he roared a moment later.


    The first few monsters threw themselves on the spears.


    ¡°Line rotate to the east,¡± Doran directed the spear line facing the south. ¡°Line to the west,¡± he did the same to the line facing north.


    The next group of monsters to reach them leapt.


    ¡°Ice wall!¡± Smores pointed.


    The frozen structure sprang out of nothingness. Several monsters crashed into it, but one was merely clipped.


    That individual crashed down on the spear line.


    They had shields, but several hundred pounds of dense muscle knocked several of them to the ground.


    The monster bit down and tore an unfortunate man¡¯s face before several spears found it pinning it in place.


    ¡°Eldritch Dart!¡± Alexa blasted it in the face, burning its flesh away.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡± Mouthy finished it off with her machete, hacking through half its thick neck.


    ¡°They¡¯re just going to go around or climb my wall!¡± Smores warned.


    Doran urgently reformed the spear line.


    While Max dragged the dying man back to the center of the formation. ¡°I don¡¯t have any healing spells!¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t do anything for him,¡± Mouthy said as she stood protectively in front of the mages.


    The monsters fell on the spear line.


    Steel points found homes in dense flesh.


    Sword-like claws cleaved shields.


    Skills were called upon.


    Roars and snarls answered in return.


    The amomongo fought like the natural animals they resembled.


    They beat with fists. They bit and tore at vulnerable parts. Faces, fingers, groins.


    ¡°Thorn Armor!¡± Max yelled desperately. He went back to that night when the horrid monster had torn his arm off and ate it while he could only watch in shock. This time the monster¡¯s bite wasn¡¯t strong enough to penetrate the armor of thorns around his remaining arm.


    Mouthy cursed up a storm as she hacked at the amomongo in an attempt to get it off Max.


    ¡°Ice Spray!¡± A shower of cold, jagged shards swept out of Smores hand and kept a few monsters back.


    Alexa fired off pink darts of otherworldly energy frantically.


    ¡°Penetrating Thrust!¡± Doran¡¯s spear head went through dense muscle and the steel cage-like ribs of a monster to find its heart. ¡°Shield Block!¡± A powerful blow landed on his shield. Without the Skill he knew that both shield and arm would¡¯ve broken. ¡°Double Thrust!¡± He scored two hits with one move.


    On the western side of the battle Phillip had managed to draw a majority of the amomongo to himself. Leaving only a few for the spear line to deal with.


    He had done this by landing in their midst before the monsters had charged.


    Teeth, claws and tree branches. The monsters hit him with all their ferocity.


    Armor was pierced and dented. Clothing torn. But the flesh beneath was impervious.


    Phillip punched, stomped and crushed until all of the monsters were dead or dying.


    It couldn¡¯t have taken more than a minute, but that was an eternity in battle.


    His gaze turned back to the others.


    He leapt back into the fray.


    It was over as soon as he got involved.


    He killed the remaining monsters with ease.


    Almost in mockery of the immense struggle and sacrifice that the others underwent.


    Not a single person was uninjured.


    Cuts, bruises, broken bones.


    But it was the dead that weighed on Phillip.


    Seven more to the tally.


    Cal arrived a few minutes later.


    An explanation followed.


    Phillip could see his son silently taking the blame for this.


    ¡°They¡¯re your guys, Doran. What do you want to do?¡± Cal said somberly.


    The grizzled man had an ugly cut across his forehead that he hadn¡¯t bothered with yet. ¡°I¡¯ve got their names down in here,¡± he pulled out a small notebook from his pocket. ¡°Next of kin too. I¡¯ll have to go back north to let them know. But that¡¯s for later. For now¡­ I don¡¯t want to leave them out here. Don¡¯t feel right burying them where those things,¡± he spat, ¡°can just dig them up later. Let¡¯s burn them, keep the ashes, so I can take them back.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of that,¡± Cal said.


    Phillip could only watch as his son ripped the wooden walls of the base camp to build pyres for the seven fallen spears. All of them had been recruited from Ilagan. They had all joined for their own reasons. Some to gain strength. Others hoped for Universal Points. Nearly all did it for those they left behind. Families and friends.


    There was plenty of extra gasoline to help the fires burn.


    They watched in silence as the flames consumed their fallen.


    ¡°I have plenty of points,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯ll give the next of kin some. I didn¡¯t consider it when we began this.¡±


    ¡°Rayna has a system for the rangers. It¡¯s not critical because we don¡¯t make people pay for things they need to live. So, I didn¡¯t really think of it either,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°I made a mistake. I don¡¯t understand how I missed those things. I scanned the entire area. I definitely didn¡¯t detect the amomongo,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Yes, it is!¡± Cal hissed. ¡°The only reason I left you guys was because I didn¡¯t find any threats.¡±


    ¡°Then it¡¯s my fault too for not preventing their deaths. The monsters couldn¡¯t even scratch me. I could¡¯ve swept through the forest and killed them all before,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°But I told you it was fine.¡± Cal¡¯s voice barely contained the anguish.


    Phillip knew that there was nothing he could say to change his son¡¯s mind, but he wouldn¡¯t be a father if he didn¡¯t try his best. ¡°You¡¯re not a god. You¡¯re not omniscient, despite what your powers might lead you to believe. You cannot know everything. All you can do is your best.¡±


    ¡°How do I know that I¡¯m doing that?¡± Cal challenged. ¡°What if I''m not?¡±


    Phillip considered the question carefully. ¡°You¡¯ll know you¡¯re on the wrong path when things like this,¡± he gestured to the blazing pyres, ¡°no longer hurts you so badly.¡±


    It was a bloodied and dispirited group that made the flight to the high-rise.


    <hr>


    ¡°Kuya Eron?¡± Lilah rasped.


    ¡°Drink first then talk,¡± Eron opened a water bottle and handed it to her. ¡°Can you sit up by yourself?¡± He hovered, uncertain if the proud girl wanted or needed help.


    Lilah shook her head and pushed herself up with effort until she was sitting up in her bed.


    ¡°Did you know that cats sleep like 20 hours a day?¡± Eron grinned. ¡°You¡¯re basically a cat.¡±


    Lilah gulped down the water with alarming haste.


    ¡°Slow down!¡± Eron warned. ¡°You¡¯ll make yourself sick. Just small sips for now. You hungry? You¡¯re probably hungry. Big magic does that.¡±


    Lilah lowered the water bottle. ¡°Did it work?¡±


    ¡°The portable ward? Yeah, but you shouldn¡¯t have done that with letting us know what you intended first. It could¡¯ve been¡ª was dangerous to you.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t have a choice. My other ward was going to fail.¡±


    Eron quirked his head to one side.


    The silent hours sitting next to Lilah¡¯s bed had given him plenty of time to think.


    Namely, a belated realization had come to him that when he had set out with the portable ward his intent had been to go to a sanctuary further away. Not to his grandparents¡¯ old home.


    He studied the glowing ward where he had placed it on the desk. Its light pulsed gently. Nothing like the frantic beating that had carried them all to safety.


    ¡°The one at my grandparents¡¯?¡± Eron said.


    Lilah nodded.


    Eron regarded her searchingly as the girl¡¯s eyes were focused on the water bottle in her hands.


    ¡°That¡¯s new,¡± Eron said lightly.


    ¡°I leveled up. I feel more connected to them¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good thing,¡± Eron said. Yet, a stronger connection suggested more risk and danger to her well-being. He studied her closely. She didn¡¯t look to be in distress. Didn¡¯t appear as if she was hiding it so as not to worry him. ¡°You¡¯ve cut off your connection to my grandparents¡¯ house?¡±


    Lilah nodded. ¡°I¡ª yeah.¡±


    ¡°Any other sanctuaries in immediate danger?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Lilah said firmly.


    ¡°You¡¯ll let me know the moment that changes, right?¡±


    Lilah nodded.


    ¡°So, uh¡­ I¡¯ve been sitting here for like a long time and you wouldn¡¯t happen to remember what you were dreaming about?¡± Eron said lightly.


    Lilah¡¯s brow furrowed as she looked at him.


    ¡°You were just saying some stuff,¡± Eron shrugged.


    ¡°Was it anything¡­ weird?¡± Lilah¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°Some stuff about protecting a scared baby.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s weird,¡± Lilah frowned. ¡°I don¡¯t remember anything like that. I just remember feeling really warm and like my heart was beating really fast, like it was going to burst out of my chest. Something was squeezing me from all around. And people were really scared. I was really scared¡­ but I feel like that all the time¡­¡± her voice softened.


    ¡°Nothing wrong with being scared. It¡¯s what you do with it that counts. You¡¯re strong. Stronger than most I know. We¡¯ll find a way through this,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t¡­ I don¡¯t know what else I can do,¡± Lilah whispered. ¡°No matter what I do, everyone keeps dying.¡± Tears welled up in her eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t cry,¡± Eron said in alarm. ¡°You¡¯ve done more than anyone can expect.¡±


    Lilah wept.


    Eron hesitated before embracing her. He carefully patted her on the back. She felt so small and fragile in his arms.


    ¡°Maybe the answer lies in your portable ward. Now that we know you can cast it that way. I¡¯m thinking we can get a bus and if you can do a couple more we can ride it out of the city, out of the fog,¡± Eron said. ¡°I know it¡¯s hard on you, but what if we empty the furthest sanctuaries? Bring the people here and fill up the bus and boom we¡¯re on our way. It might take a few trips¡­¡±


    Lilah continued to cry and Eron didn¡¯t know what else to do.


    The door to Lilah¡¯s room opened.


    Dr. Rufo and Madalena rushed in.


    The former¡¯s eyes took on an odd-looking shine as he focused on Lilah.


    The latter scowled at Eron with an unspoken command.


    Eron sighed and let Lilah go so that his cousin could take his place in comforting the girl.


    She was probably better for that anyways.


    Eron stood to one side, uncertain if he should leave or stay.


    It was several minutes of awkwardness for him before Dr. Rufo came out of his Skill.


    The old man sagged slightly, but he waved off Eron¡¯s concerned hand.


    Dr. Rufo gestured for Eron to follow him into the living room.


    ¡°You better not be about to tell me something¡¯s wrong with her,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°She¡¯s not in immediate danger¡­¡± Dr. Rufo began.


    ¡°But?¡±


    Dr. Rufo held up a hand. ¡°Her body is breaking down. I¡¯m certain of it now. I can only speculate, since I don¡¯t have magical abilities, or rather the magical energy that you call mana¡ª¡±


    ¡°Terminology straight from the spires.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about those Christ-damned things!¡± Dr. Rufo snapped.


    Eron blinked.


    ¡°Sorry¡­ it¡¯s hard to watch and be unable to do anything, while at the same time being responsible for Lilah¡¯s predicament,¡± Dr. Rufo shook his head. ¡°Never mind. Just an old man¡¯s selfish thoughts,¡± he took a deep breath. ¡°In my opinion she¡¯s running out of time. Her magical energy is not replenishing at a rate fast enough to keep up with the drain. It¡¯s starting to take from her body, her life force, if that¡¯s what we can call it¡­¡±


    ¡°How much time?¡±


    ¡°Days¡­ a week,¡± Dr. Rufo shrugged.


    Eron clenched his fists.


    It sounded like steel grinding together.


    ¡°We can¡¯t wait any longer.¡±

 5.25

    Now, Manila


    Madalena caught up with Eron in the stairwell.


    ¡°Hey! What¡¯re you doing?¡±


    He ignored her and continued down.


    She tried to grab his arm, but he shrugged her off.


    ¡°Hold on! You can¡¯t just go off and do¡­ whatever!¡± Madalena snapped.


    She jumped over the railing and landed in front of Eron with her fists raised.


    Eron eyed her with disbelief. ¡°You can¡¯t be seriously thinking of starting a fight? Here? With me?¡±


    ¡°I overheard what you and Doc were talking about. It¡¯s not going to work. We can¡¯t fit everyone in one bus. It¡¯s going to take at least two trips.¡±


    Eron said nothing. He simply tried to to walk past Madalena.


    Her eyes narrowed and she shoved him into the wall. The entire stairwell shook with the impact.


    ¡°You can¡¯t be thinking that,¡± she hissed. ¡°We promised them. All of them!¡± she jammed a finger into his chest.


    Eron stared at her without emotion. He had numbed himself in preparation for what he had to do.


    Years of experience flashed through his mind.


    Promises kept. Promises broken. More of the latter than the former.


    Monsters and evil men had taught him that he couldn¡¯t save everyone no matter how hard he had tried. There had never been a completely clean victory.


    Lives had been saved, yes.


    But, they had also been lost.


    Every success had been inextricably tainted by failure.


    Madalena didn¡¯t know what it was like, so he cut her some slack.


    She¡¯d learn.


    ¡°We have days,¡± Eron said flatly.


    ¡°What about Cal? You said he was coming.¡±


    He heard the plea in her voice. ¡°It was always a long shot. I never got a message back. I can¡¯t be sure that he even got it. The fog might be blocking that too,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Even if he got it¡­ how long since I sent it? Thinking about it, I realize that I don¡¯t know for certain. Weeks? A month or more? Time is¡­ slipping away from me.¡±


    ¡°But our hope¡ª¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s say Cal got my message. He still has to get across the ocean. I¡¯ve seen giant flying monsters. Could he get past them? I don¡¯t know. Then the fog. It stole my true power. It¡¯s reasonable to think that it¡¯d do the same to him. I¡¯m thinking that maybe it¡¯s for the best that he doesn¡¯t come and end up trapped like us.¡±


    ¡°You promised!¡± Madalena snarled. ¡°You said we just had to fight hard and hold on¡­ now¡­ you¡¯re what? Giving up?¡±


    Eron frowned down at his cousin. ¡°What makes you think that? I¡¯m going to get as many people as I can out of here. Lilah, the kids, Doc, you, Cherry and everyone else I can fit in the bus.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯d leave the rest to the fog? Leave them to be taken and turned into those things¡­ just like our family?¡±


    Eron gently, but firmly forced Madalena¡¯s grip from his shirt and pushed her back. She was noticeably stronger than he remembered. ¡°What¡¯s the point of losing everyone in trying to save them all when I can save as many as possible?¡±


    ¡°You have no right to pick and choose!¡± Madalena cried.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t,¡± Eron agreed as he continued down the stairs.


    ¡°You know what it¡¯ll do to Lilah if we leave people behind. Keeping everyone safe is all she lives for,¡± Madalena pleaded.


    Eron stopped. He looked up at Madalena. ¡°I don¡¯t want her to die.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d save her life, but kill her soul.¡±


    ¡°If she dies inside the fog, then she loses both,¡± Eron said before walking into Cherry¡¯s ground floor restaurant.


    Cherry was seated at the bar with several empty blood bags next to her.


    To Eron¡¯s surprise she was still sensibly dressed.


    ¡°How much did you happen to overhear?¡±


    ¡°Enough,¡± Cherry said lightly.


    ¡°To help? Willingly?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a blood-drinking aswang, but I still want to live. Neither death, nor being turned into one of those shades is appealing to me. And so, I find myself reluctantly helpful,¡± Cherry sighed.


    ¡°I remember there was a bus a mile, mile and a half down the road. It was in pretty good shape. Tires a little flat, but that can¡¯t be helped. I¡¯ll drag it out of here on its rims if I have to.¡±


    ¡°What if it¡¯s not there anymore?¡±


    Eron shrugged. ¡°Then I¡¯ll find another. I¡¯ve seen plenty of buses. They¡¯re all over the place. The only problem is finding one that isn¡¯t too messed up.¡±


    ¡°Great! I choose princess,¡± Cherry¡¯s smile was impossibly breathtaking.


    ¡°You can move just as fast as me,¡± Eron frowned.


    ¡°Yeah, but that¡¯ll drain me faster. If you carry me there then I can save my energy for the fighting,¡± Cherry grimaced.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Eron said. ¡°But no messing around.¡±


    ¡°Yessir,¡± Cherry saluted.


    The two exited the restaurant.


    Cherry giggled in Eron¡¯s arms even as he dodged shade monsters out of the thick gray fog all the way to the bus.


    ¡°We have to hurry. Before my relatives make an appearance. I don¡¯t know why it¡¯s only monsters, but¡ª¡± Eron kicked a grotesquely muscled beast in the face, sending it back into the mist it came from, ¡°I¡¯ll take any break I can get.¡± He unceremoniously dropped Cherry at the bus¡¯ door.


    ¡°Rude,¡± Cherry stuck her tongue out.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to drive. I¡¯ll push. Hit the breaks if we¡¯re¡ª¡±


    ¡°About to hit something,¡± Cherry waved a hand in his face, ¡°I know how it goes.¡±


    The bus door opened with a loud squeal.


    Cherry looked at her fingers. ¡°It¡¯s a good thing I can¡¯t get tetanus.¡±


    A bleating monstrosity leapt at her out of the swirling mists.


    Sharpened fingers speared out.


    ¡°Ugh, at least they don¡¯t leave chunks behind,¡± she grimaced as she reshaped her fingers and boarded the bus.


    She was just in time as it lurched forward with surprising speed.


    ¡°Push without giving me any warning,¡± Cherry muttered. ¡°That boy doesn¡¯t know how to properly treat a lady.¡±


    Another shade monster shattered the window. Jagged shards cut the side of Cherry¡¯s perfect face.


    She snarled and speared whatever it was with her fingers.


    The shades created by the fog were immune to her usual charm, which meant she had to get her hands dirty, figuratively of course.


    Physical violence was very distasteful, but this was not the time for her to be squeamish.


    Shade monsters were gathering in force around the bus.


    They were a bigger and slower target now. Not as quick and agile anymore.


    An enormous shape loomed up ahead.


    ¡°I am regretful of my decision,¡± Cherry said.


    She kept a tight grip on the wheel with one hand and aimed the fingers of the other. Nothing to do, except hope that she¡¯d hit something soft and squishy, rather than hard and unyielding. She didn¡¯t want a repeat of the last time that she struck at a huge shade monster blindly.


    ¡°He¡¯d better appreciate this,¡± she whispered.


    At the rear of the bus, Eron pushed with all his might.


    Shade monsters attacked, but he swatted them off his back.


    Something wrapped itself around his leg, but he kept moving and tore free.


    A few strides later it came back. This time wrapping itself around his head.


    Eron bit down and kept moving.


    A moment of resistance then it tore and disappeared.


    ¡°Always with the tentacles,¡± he said in disgust.


    At least when one dissipated into the fog it didn¡¯t leave behind the gross stuff. No blood, meat and other unmentionables.


    The shade monsters didn¡¯t stop.


    Roaring, snarling, bleating, screeching, sucking.


    A riot of sounds assaulted his ears.


    Heavy steps from the side.


    A looming shape appeared out of the thick swirl of gray.


    Eron shoved the bus forward with all his strength.


    He leapt up and landed a thunderous blow to a massive head.


    The shade monster dissipated back into the fog before he got a good look.


    A broad armored head, vaguely dog-like, with fangs and tusks.


    That was a new one.


    No time to be curious.


    He rushed forward hoping to find the bus in the thick fog.


    The split second of separation had been enough for him to completely lose it.


    Follow the street beneath his feet.


    That¡¯s the only place the bus could be.


    Sure enough a few distance-eating strides and he ran right into the bus. The metal dented around his head. Pulling back he saw that he had left an imprint.


    A laugh.


    His brother would¡¯ve found that funny.


    He forced the thought away.


    No time for distractions.


    He had to keep pushing.


    The sanctuary wasn¡¯t far and they only needed to make one turn.


    Cherry knew what to do. She wasn¡¯t human. Her senses were better.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Cherry snarled.


    Shade monsters were grabbing for through the broken front windows and the side. They were tearing at the roof.


    ¡°Turn, turn, turn¡­ it¡¯s coming up!¡±


    She stabbed desperately with her fingers. Shooting them out like spears and retracting them before the shade monsters could latch on.


    ¡°Stop distracting me you assholes!¡±


    She fought to keep most of her attention on the street.


    Visibility in the fog was measured in a handful of feet at most.


    Which was enough for someone with supernaturally enhanced reflexes.


    ¡°Purple jeepney, purple jeepney,¡± she muttered. ¡°There!¡± she spun the wheel to the right, hard.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    The loud crash jarred her.


    Ripping metal screeched painfully in her ears.


    The surprise had caught her off guard.


    She screamed.


    Eron winced at the sound. He too had been unprepared for the assault on his hearing.


    He fought to keep the bus moving even as it scraped the corner of a building.


    The violent impact did provide one benefit. It shook most of the shade monsters off.


    One last stretch of straight street and they reached the main sanctuary.


    Eron and Cherry managed to barely squeeze it into the side street as close as possible to the warded building. Just inside the protective effect.


    They took a moment to breathe with relief.


    Eron regarded the flat tires and the huge gouge in the side. ¡°Took that corner a bit tight,¡± he said.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to see anyone else make that turn. I had about 3 feet of warning,¡± Cherry said.


    ¡°Congrats then. You¡¯ve just made the best case for driving this thing out of here.¡±


    ¡°Madalena¡ª¡±


    ¡°She¡¯ll either be helping me push or will be a¡­ battering ram¡­ of sorts.¡±


    Cherry opened her mouth to argue, but shut it. ¡°The latter sounds like a brilliant idea! The bus can only take so much damage from running into cars, barricades, shade monsters. Madalena would indeed be useful punching through obstacles.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to rig up some kind of platform for her to stand on.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ good luck with that. I need a drink,¡± Cherry disappeared into her restaurant.


    Eron followed her after a moment.


    He went straight up to Lilah¡¯s apartment.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m back. So, I got a bus and I have a plan for getting us out of her, but it¡¯s up to you if you think we can do it,¡± Eron said.


    Lilah sat up in her bed and placed her bowl of soup down on the night stand. ¡°I¡¯ll do whatever I can to help.¡±


    Eron fought himself on how much of his plan he should share. Madalena had been right. Lilah wouldn¡¯t want to leave anyone. If he framed it that way then she would fight him.


    He suddenly felt like a huge dick for even considering how to keep that part of his plan from her.


    Instantly fatigued, he sat down in the chair next to Lilah¡¯s bed. ¡°Listen. My plan isn¡¯t the best¡­ but it¡¯s the only way that at least some of us will get out of this alive.¡±


    Lilah¡¯s brow furrowed.


    Eron told her.


    ¡°But¡­ I thought we were waiting for your Kuya Cal,¡± Lilah said.


    ¡°We¡¯re running out of time.¡± Eron wasn¡¯t going to tell her that Dr. Rufo had given her a few days to a week to live if she kept using her magic. She was only twelve and that wasn¡¯t right to put that on one so young. Even if she was already shouldering the weight of their world. ¡°If we stay and wait we could lose everyone. If we leave as soon as possible then we can save a lot. I can even make multiple trips if you¡¯re feeling up to keeping the portable ward going.¡±


    Eron noticed something then.


    Lilah¡¯s desk was empty.


    He had left the ward behind on his trip to get the bus not wanting to place further strain on Lilah.


    ¡°Where is it?¡±


    ¡°Madalena took it. She¡¯s going to bring more people here,¡± Lilah said.


    Eron jumped out of the chair with a curse.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Lilah soothed. ¡°I¡¯m feeling better now and I told her that she could use it. Like you said, right? I don¡¯t have to use as much of my mana if we shut off other sanctuaries.¡±


    Eron was halfway to the door when rational thought overtook his initial emotional outburst.


    He realized that he had no idea where Madalena was going.


    ¡°Where is she going?¡±


    ¡°South,¡± Lilah said.


    Of course.


    ¡°Which place?¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t say.¡±


    Eron weighed his options.


    There were a handful of sanctuaries to the south.


    If he went after Madalena then there was a chance the shades of his relatives would show up.


    He regarded Lilah.


    The girl didn¡¯t look to be in immediate danger.


    Her ward should keep Madalena and the others safe.


    Then again his relatives hadn¡¯t shown up when he went for the bus.


    Did that mean they were elsewhere? Focused on Madalena?


    ¡°My ward will keep them safe. I won¡¯t let the fog get them.¡± Lilah¡¯s jaw was set forward. Her eyes glaring in challenge.


    Eron sat back down. ¡°Okay, okay. Just don¡¯t work yourself too hard.¡± He eyed the dregs in Lilah¡¯s soup bowl. ¡°You want more? Dr. Rufo said you have to get food in you to keep your strength up.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m full, but¡­¡± Lilah eyed him shyly.


    ¡°If you eat more¡­¡± Eron forced a smile, ¡°I¡¯ll tell you another story.¡±


    ¡°Yay!¡± Lilah clapped.


    ¡°Any kind in particular?¡± Eron stood.


    ¡°One where you beat up the monsters!¡±


    Sometimes it was easy to forget that Lilah was still a kid.


    The times when he was reminded of that fact always broke something inside of him.


    <hr>


    Cal had placed the special equipment inside the living room of a multi-room suite on the floor with one empty floor below, just above the fog¡¯s highest point. There were few floors above.


    He did this to give them a buffer in both directions.


    By the time he had returned with the last of their group the R&D Team had finished setting everything up and were going through their final checks.


    ¡°Leave those too hurt to walk,¡± Demi said. ¡°We can¡¯t wait any longer.¡±


    Cal half-listened to the individual leaders going over the tally.


    It didn¡¯t turn out to be as bad as he had expected.


    Only four members of the spear unit would be left behind due to broken bones in their legs that would prevent them from walking.


    ¡°Apparently, broken arms and ribs don¡¯t render one combat ineffective,¡± Cal said.


    Phillip could only shake his head. ¡°It seems that no one wants to miss this opportunity.¡±


    ¡°Are you ready for this, Dad? If what Eron said about our relatives¡ª¡±


    Phillip¡¯s gaze was steady as he looked Cal in the eyes. ¡°It¡¯s taken me most of the trip here, but I¡¯ve come to terms with that. My goals are to see Eron and the other survivors get out of this safely.¡±


    ¡°You should have a strength and toughness edge on everyone, but they can and will gang up on you.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Anak. I can take care of myself.¡±


    Cal eyed the others going through their own preparations. ¡°Can you take care of them?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do what I can, but remember¡­ everyone here can and will face their own challenges. We can¡¯t sell them short.¡±


    ¡°Alright, listen up!¡± Demi barked. ¡°We¡¯re about to go in, but first Maya¡¯s going to explain our two keys to successfully completing this Quest.¡±


    The R&D Team leader stepped forward and cleared her throat. The brawny woman appeared to have more in common with a mechanic than a scientist. In truth, Cal knew that she was a blend of the two.


    ¡°We all know the Quest. Save anyone still alive in that slop and find a way stop it. Accomplishing the former doesn¡¯t require the latter, but if we can kill whatever monster is behind this then¡­ two birds with one stone. To those ends, we have these,¡± Maya gestured to the cobbled amalgamation of old tech with magical upgrades.


    ¡°Magitech,¡± Jake said.


    Maya shot him a steely-eyed glare. ¡°Fuck if I¡¯d call it that willingly,¡± she cleared her throat again. ¡°Right, so. I¡¯ll keep this simply. The first machine will allow us to maintain communications. The slop is supposed to be impenetrable, but with the readings we took, we¡¯re fairly certain that with enough magical energy we can punch a signal through. Team leaders along with Jake will have the mobile communicators. Secondly,¡± she pointed to another device, which like the first was built around several laptops and portable power generators, ¡°this along with the drones will allow us to triangulate on powerful magical signatures within the fog.¡±


    Cal raised a hand. ¡°I thought we couldn¡¯t get a read on what¡¯s inside due to the whole impenetrable thing.¡± He already knew the answer, but he wanted to move things along.


    ¡°Not from out here, but the teams on the inside will have scanners. Those can transmit along the same magical,¡± Maya grimaced, ¡°connections created from the first device.¡±


    Cal inched his hand up.


    ¡°No more questions,¡± Maya snapped. ¡°This shit will work. The kids did a great job,¡± she looked like she had bitten on a lemon, ¡°and I¡¯ll stake my rep on it.¡±


    L&L, Lexie and Louis or Louis and Lexie depending on who you asked, beamed proudly.


    ¡°Okay, thank you, Maya,¡± Demi said. ¡°So, primary objective is to ingress and head over to the main sanctuary, as they call it. We have the location on our maps, which you all should¡¯ve memorized by now. Visibility will be crap, but our mages,¡± she glanced at Jake, ¡°think they might have a way to mitigate. We will maintain a tight formation. You get pulled out even a few feet and we might never see you again. Phillip will be on point. Any questions?¡±


    There where none.


    ¡°Jake, did you already hand those scanners out?¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am. Gave one to Max and Two-toes. I¡¯ve got the third,¡± Jake held up a smartphone, one amongst the many he carried. ¡°I made it really simple. They just have to feed it mana every few hours and it¡¯ll take care of everything automatically. Scan for powerful signatures and send the info back up here.¡±


    ¡°Cal,¡± Demi beckoned him over.


    ¡°Watch Captain?¡±


    ¡°Are you sure about this?¡±


    ¡°About my staying out here? Are you worried?¡±


    Demi frowned. ¡°Our biggest gun isn¡¯t going in with us. I¡¯d be a fool if I wasn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a good chance I can provide quick evac if I know exactly where you are down there. Which, if the magitech stuff works, I will. If I go down into the fog I¡¯ll just be another superstrong, supertough guy in awesome, futuristic armor. I didn¡¯t even bring my futuristic axe,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°There is something to be said about bringing weapons,¡± Demi said flatly.


    Cal threw up his hands. ¡°I admit it. I¡¯ve gotten use to being a weapon. Obviously, I¡¯ll need to reconsider that moving forward.¡±


    ¡°Very well. In any case the equipment needs to be protected. Our entire plan rides on them working,¡± Demi said.


    Cal excused himself and went to his father.


    Phillip gave him a bone-crushing hug that he felt even through the Threnosh-made armor.


    ¡°Jesus, Dad, that actually registered as minor damage,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Oh, sorry,¡± Phillip eyes widened.


    ¡°No worries. Nothing critical.¡± Cal lowered his voice. ¡°I¡¯ll try to make contact with you through this,¡± he tapped his temple. ¡°I don¡¯t know how disruptive the fog will be to my abilities when I¡¯m out here, but if I know where you are I think, I hope I can pull you and others near you out.¡±


    ¡°Even if you can¡¯t see?¡±


    ¡°ESP, right? I¡¯ve got more senses than they have names for,¡± Cal grinned. He had cause to regret not practicing with them more beforehand.


    ¡°Just do you best. As long as you do that then I don¡¯t want you to have regrets about anything, understand?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I don¡¯t do well with not having regrets,¡± Cal admitted.


    ¡°Like I¡¯ve said before. You can¡¯t shoulder the world, no matter what you might think,¡± Phillip said.


    Cal nodded after a moment. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best,¡± he said with a wry smile.


    ¡°Alright, weapons check! Spells! Skills! We¡¯re going in,¡± Demi said.


    Phillip gave Cal one last nod before he led way out the suite door.


    Cal tracked his father all the way to the stairwell.


    He was there watching with his mind¡¯s eye as they descended one floor.


    The fog loomed below them. A gray, foreboding mass. Writhing with tentacles that reached out hungrily toward Phillip¡¯s legs.


    ¡°Everyone ready?¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°We¡¯re right behind you,¡± Hanna said.


    Cal watched his father step into the fog¡¯s welcoming tendrils.


    When Phillip¡¯s head disappeared down into the depths Cal no longer saw anything.


    ¡°Tell me you¡¯ve got a connection?¡± Cal¡¯s eyes snapped to the magitech monstrosity on the table.


    ¡°There won¡¯t be one until they actually get down into it,¡± Maya said.


    ¡°Hanna has one of the communicators. She¡¯s already in.¡±


    ¡°How do you know?¡± Lexie eyed him with interest.


    Cal thought about how to answer her.


    Louis also looked at him suspiciously, but the teen was doing a better job of disguising it.


    ¡°Try to connect,¡± Cal said. He decided that ignoring the girl was the wisest thing to do.


    Maya eyed him for a moment. ¡°Do it.¡±


    ¡°Establishing link,¡± Louis said as his fingers danced on the laptop¡¯s keyboard. ¡°And now we wait.¡±


    The screen looked like gibberish to Cal.


    Lines of code in a window. Several separate windows that looked like an audio player.


    ¡°Flashing lights and whirring sounds,¡± Cal muttered. ¡°We¡¯re playing pretend¡­ then again that¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°Magic,¡± Lexie and Louis echoed.


    ¡°That¡¯s a little¡­ creepy, but kinda cool too,¡± Cal said.


    Lexie beamed at him, while Louis scowled.


    Maya grunted something impolite, but she kept it mostly inaudible for the kids.


    Cal regarded the rest of the people left behind.


    Pilot Pete and the two mechanics were seated at the kitchen table snacking, of all things. Though Cal couldn¡¯t fault them. There wasn¡¯t anything for them to do at the moment.


    The injured spear unit members were resting in the bedrooms. They couldn¡¯t do anything else.


    ¡°¡­ you ¡­ Over¡­ repeat. Do ¡­ copy? ¡­¡±


    A voice crackled in over the laptop¡¯s speakers.


    ¡°That was Hanna!¡± Cal said.


    Lexie was over Louis¡¯ shoulder in a flash. ¡°Adjust frequency to¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know!¡± Louis snapped. His fingers tapped steadily.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ Lexie, I¡¯m getting a spike in battery drain. Can you confirm?¡± Maya said as she observed the screen of a second connected laptop.


    ¡°On it,¡± Lexie rushed to the third connected laptop. Her fingers flashed furiously. ¡°Increase to power drain in line with establishing connection, 20% above projections.¡±


    ¡°Damn it. Donald, Jerry. Grab the extra power sources. I want them ready,¡± Maya barked at the mechanics.


    The former stared at her slack-jawed with a chunk of hamburger in his mouth for a few seconds before scrambling on the heels of the latter.


    ¡°Do you copy? Over. This is Hanna.¡±


    ¡°There!¡± Louis said triumphantly.


    ¡°We copy, Hanna. What are you seeing?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Gray fog. Visibility is as bad as expected. No monsters, yet. Will update if anything changes. Over.¡±


    ¡°Understood. Keep us posted. Be careful.¡±


    ¡°Do you read me, over?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Watch Captain. You¡¯re coming in clear.¡±


    ¡°Did Hanna call in?¡± Demi said.


    ¡°She did.¡±


    ¡°Good. I can¡¯t see beyond the people right in front of me or behind me.¡±


    ¡°Have you picked up anything on the scanners?¡± It would simply things if they could find out where the entity or entities responsible for the fog are located.


    ¡°One second¡ª Jake¡¯s got nothing. He says it¡¯ll probably take some time. Let me know when Sgt. Butcher and Doran call in. Damn stuff is as thick as a clam chowder.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Watch Captain. We¡¯ll let you know.¡±


    Doran had just entered the fog with his spear unit.


    Rino was only now descending as the last person. She had yet to transform.


    ¡°Is this battery thing going to be a problem?¡±


    Maya did a quick mental calculation. ¡°It depends.¡±


    ¡°Or course it does,¡± Cal groaned.


    <hr>


    Quest.


    Free the Metro-Manila Territory.


    Success Parameters: Unknown. Rescue Survivors.


    Failure Parameters: Death.


    Rescued Survivors: 0/???


    Reward: Unknown.


    Failure: Become a Shade.

 5.26

    Now, Manila


    ¡°At this rate we¡¯ll run through all of our power supply in twenty¡­ twenty-two hours,¡± Maya said.


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing that¡¯s if you maintain a constant connection. What if you keep it intermittent? Only make contact when we need to communicate?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°The problem with that is establishing a connection can only be done from up here. The devices with the team lack the capability. Kinda defeats the whole point if they can¡¯t contact us when they need to.¡±


    ¡°What if we check in every fifteen minutes? Thirty?¡±


    Maya shook her head. ¡°Now that we have a stable connection, I don¡¯t want to risk losing it completely. Truth is we have no idea how much tougher it¡¯ll be to get it back the deeper into the fog they go.¡±


    Cal wracked his brain for options. Not that he knew better than the experts. ¡°Those power packs are partially charged by mage-types infusing them with mana. Can¡¯t you do that?¡±


    ¡°Yes, we can, but not nearly as efficiently or as much as true mages,¡± Louis said.


    ¡°Yeah, we don¡¯t have as much mana,¡± Lexie said.


    ¡°I think one of the spear unit has a level or two in Mage,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Which one? The one with the broken leg?¡± Maya said flatly.


    ¡°Sure, she¡¯s not at a hundred percent, but any little bit will help,¡± Cal grimaced.


    ¡°Should¡¯ve kept one of the mages with us. The drain¡¯s a lot more than I had calculated,¡± Maya punched the wall.


    ¡°Listen. We¡¯ve got almost a full day. Plenty of time for you guys to come up with a solution,¡± Cal soothed.


    ¡°Once this is drained,¡± Maya gestured to the power supply currently attached to both the communications and scanner setup, ¡°I¡¯ll have the guys take it to the top floor with the solar panels. That¡¯ll give us something to work with after Lexie or Louis infuses it with mana. Might give us a couple of extra hours to work with.¡±


    ¡°See, I knew you could come up with something. Barely took you any time,¡± Cal grinned.


    Maya stared at him without expression for a long moment before she threw her attention back to the laptops.


    Hours went by without incident.


    There were several quick calls from the group in the fog, but they had nothing to report as they slowly, painstakingly made their way down the high-rise hotel and out onto the streets.


    The lack of attacks was worrisome, if welcome.


    However, something was tickling at the back of Cal¡¯s neck.


    Disturbingly, he couldn¡¯t figure it out.


    His telepathic scans into the fog had kept coming up empty.


    Still, he kept at it. The emergency evacuation plan depended on him being able to see.


    Dad, can you hear me? Cal thought.


    Nothing.


    ¡°Um, guys,¡± Pete¡¯s voice shook and drew his attention.


    The Pilot was urgently pointing at the floor.


    Cal looked down.


    Everyone had been so engrossed in their work that they had failed to notice what was creeping up their feet.


    The fog seeped through the floor.


    Light, wispy gray tendrils curled and grasped around their ankles.


    High-pitched screams filled the living room. Not all of it came from Lexie.


    Cal tried to sweep it away with a gust of telekinetic force.


    The fog merely reformed at calf height.


    ¡°It¡¯s moving fast.¡±


    ¡°What do we do?¡± Maya said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let it get me!¡± Lexie had jumped to stand on her chair. Just like Louis.


    Donald and Jerry were as still as statues, their eyes fixed on the fog swirling around their knees.


    ¡°Grab as many supplies as you need and place them as close to those as possible,¡± Cal calmly pointed to the magitech devices.


    ¡°Most of our food and water are on the top floor,¡± Jerry whispered, as if he thought he¡¯d escape notice by being quiet.


    ¡°Alright. You three, get over here,¡± Cal gestured to Pete and the two mechanics. ¡°You three, stay where you are and don¡¯t move,¡± he nodded at the R&D Team. He stepped back into his armor as everyone hurried to comply.


    ¡°What about the spear unit?¡± Lexie said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve got them.¡±


    ¡°Is that Calmin?¡±


    An ethereal voice echoed through the suite.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Cal whispered. He knew what was coming next.


    Faint shapes formed out of the swirl of gray mist that was now waist high.


    They were all around them.


    Human from the looks of it.


    Cal glanced at the ceiling.


    ¡°What is happening!¡± Lexie¡¯s eyes were as wide as saucers.


    ¡°Help! We¡¯re under attack!¡± One of the Spearmen in the other room screamed.


    ¡°Calm down!¡± Cal called out. ¡°No one is getting taken.¡±


    The limited sensors in his helmet couldn¡¯t make anything out of the human shapes slowly coalescing out of the gray.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have come Calmin. I¡¯m sorry for what is about to happen to you and your friends.¡±


    The voice was clearer now that the fog was at chest height.


    Cal wasn¡¯t pleased to realize that he recognized it.


    ¡°Is that you, Tito Novy?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m happy you recognize me.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t sound it.¡±


    The fog was now at Cal¡¯s neck. He could still feel the fullness of his power.


    No drain until he was fully submerged.


    Time to act.


    He carved the ceilings open with his telekinesis.


    One floor. Two floors. Three floors up.


    He lifted everyone up along with the vital equipment all the way to the topmost floor. Hoping that the fog wouldn¡¯t be able to reach. At least for a time.


    ¡°You can¡¯t keep them free for long.¡±


    ¡°It takes a massive amount of power to extended the reach. I can sense it. And now, you¡¯re going to be busy with me. I can track the source down,¡± Cal lied. ¡°It¡¯s going to take a lot to keep me away. You won¡¯t have enough to go after them.¡±


    Only when the fog was over Cal¡¯s head did his uncle and several other relatives take their full shapes.


    It was eerie how alive they looked.


    Cal probed lightly with his telepathy.


    There was something there in his uncle.


    How much time did he have before his powers were drained, as had been done to Eron?


    He couldn¡¯t waste any of it.


    ¡°It hurts me to see you¡­ all of you like this. My mom¡¯s heart will break when I tell her I saw you like this, Tito Novy,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°It is the price of our failure. It will be yours as well.¡±


    His Tito Novy was his mom¡¯s oldest living brother.


    Now she had no more living siblings.


    ¡°I can free you from this. All you have to do is stand aside,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Impossible.¡±


    ¡°Then, I¡¯m sorry for this.¡± Cal latched on to his relatives¡¯ minds.


    Indescribable pain blossomed for an instant, for an eternity.


    Cal saw.


    <hr>


    Elsewhere, Elsewhen


    On an unknown world.


    In an unknown time.


    A great empire spanned a continent. Hundreds of kingdoms, cities, nations came together under one.


    An Eternal Emperor ruled an Empire of Eternity.


    And yet, did anything ever last forever?


    The gray had appeared out of nowhere.


    All their magic, technology and valiant efforts proved useless.


    Time passed and the gray had consumed all but a speck of their once expansive lands.


    Nearly all of their people subsumed and forced to fight against their oaths to expanded the gray.


    One last light shined out of the gloom.


    From the mountaintop palace as large as a city the last remained.


    One last airship soared away on magic and steam to an unknown fate over a vast ocean and barely explored lands.


    An emperor, the last of his guards and a wizard stood alone in his great hall.


    ¡°My emperor, I ask you to reconsider. There is still time for me to teleport you to the airship.¡±


    ¡°I will not leave my people, Idimar. What is an emperor without an empire?¡±


    Idimar gestured to the gigantic doors of the great hall nearly a quarter mile distant from the emperor¡¯s throne. ¡°Even now the Gray Taker enters. It mustn''t be allowed to take you!¡±


    ¡°And so, I welcome my citizens one last time.¡±


    ¡°They are not of the empire. They are but shades of what once were our people.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s where you are wrong, Idimar.¡± Violet eyes shined. ¡°They are and will always be my people.¡± His voice grew softer. ¡°The gray cannot be allowed to continue.¡±


    ¡°You mustn¡¯t do this. Allow me to take you away, please! The empire is eternal. You are eternal!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve watched ages pass. I will not allow this entity from another place to win. Are you prepared, Idimar? My loyal guards?¡±


    The guards roared.


    Idimar bowed his head in defeat.


    ¡°My loyal guard. I grant you one last boon. So long as this place remains you will not be allowed to fall. You will be stronger in every way until the end, not one instant more. Emperor¡¯s Charge: Avenge Us All.¡±


    The emperor rose from his throne. He stood tall and strong. ¡°Citizens of the empire. I call upon you. As I serve you to eternity, so shall you. No monster, no matter how powerful can subvert our oaths. All Will Serve The Empire of Eternity,¡± his voice boomed.


    Overwhelming, oppressive power emanated from the emperor.


    All throughout the capital city shades began to turn on shades.


    Citizens of the empire fought the monsters one last time.


    The emperor¡¯s tall form suddenly collapsed. He sat down in his throne. Back stiff, head up, eyes stared straight.


    Violet shined, but saw nothing.


    ¡°Lord of the Eternal Guard,¡± Idimar said stiffly. ¡°The Eternal Emperor has given you a sacred charge. What will you do to see it through?¡±


    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Everything.¡±


    Idimar regarded the last remnants of what was once a force thousands strong.


    The pride of the empire.


    The Eternal Guards.


    Armed with lighting pikes, steel blasters and the famed panoply of light.


    What could they do now even with the boon?


    They had fallen in their thousands. Failed to protect the Eternal City.


    ¡°I am the Wizard of Eternity,¡± Idimar began. ¡°And, yet, I see my end. I¡¯ve two more spells in me. My greatest, my last.¡± His staff trembled in his four-fingered grip as he raised it. Words tumbled from his mouth. The staff flared with blinding light so strong that even the eternal guards were forced to shield their eyes.


    Idimar slammed the butt of his staff on the pristine marbled floor, sending cracks spider-webbing out for hundreds of feet in all directions.


    When the light dimmed a great dome had encased the emperor¡¯s throne dais.


    Arcane formulations crisscrossed the surface of the glowing dome.


    ¡°I will hold long enough for you to do what you must, Lord Alanavi. I will not let the gray touch our emperor.¡±


    ¡°Then send us, so that we may bring vengeance upon it.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ Wish¡­¡± Idimar paused, ¡°for the Eternal Guard to be at the source of the gray.¡±


    The guard vanished. One moment there. The next gone. Not even a ripple of space, like the distortion from a teleport.


    Idimar sagged to the floor.


    His vibrant pink skin had suddenly grown pale, nearly white.


    He had drained himself of his very life force.


    All that remained were mere embers to be huddled over against the encroaching dark.


    Cal blinked.


    A seaside village.


    Nets hanging outside simple homes, simpler boats on the shore marked its people as fishermen.


    Hard work, but the people looked happy.


    Tanned from the sun and fit from the physical labor.


    They fished for food.


    Traded a portion of their catch for what they needed.


    And they didn¡¯t need for much.


    One fisherman could bring in much more than a normal human could. For these people had four arms, four hands.


    An idyllic life ended in an instant when the gray mist appeared in the middle of their village one day.


    The light of three distant moons shined down on the shrouded village.


    Silence reined for a time while the gray crept farther into the surrounding lushness.


    A mighty gust of wind broke the stillness.


    A shape hovered above the once happy place, borne aloft on leathery wings sprouting out of a broad, muscular back. Dark scales, mingled with bronze flesh.


    The shape dived down into the center of the village and landed in a crouch.


    Sharp talons on his toes carved groves in the dirt.


    A sign of barely restrained anger.


    ¡°I see you. Where are the people?¡± The deep voice contained power.


    In response, shades of said people came out of the swirling mists.


    Their faces were shocked and horrified as if they couldn¡¯t believe what they were doing.


    They swarmed.


    He ignored their ineffectual blows.


    ¡°Release them and I will grant you a quick death.¡±


    ¡°There is none,¡± one of the shades said.


    ¡°You will become,¡± another spoke.


    Sadness flickered across the man¡¯s face. He bared sharp teeth as smoke began to leak from the corners of his too-wide mouth. Red slit pupils shined in the gray gloom.


    ¡°Invader. You will pay for taking my people. I am the mightiest of all Mythicals. I have taken the blood and flesh of a dragon. That power flows in me. Have a taste.¡±


    Dark flame bloomed out of the man¡¯s mouth.


    Daylight revealed nothing of the village.


    The land was blackened, charred.


    The gray was gone.


    The mighty beating of wings could be heard in the distance.


    Cal blinked.


    A wall that was not a wall turned into a display.


    The view was from high above.


    It showed an island or a continent completely consumed by gray fog.


    It was difficult to judge the scale. There were measurements on the display, but they were in an unknown language.


    ¡°The conclaves are in agreement,¡± five eyes flashed bright colors.


    ¡°The evacuations?¡± crystalline skin lit up with bio-luminescent light in response.


    ¡°They have decreed that optimum population numbers have been reached for all orbital and lunar habitats.¡±


    ¡°Enacting Shardfall Protocol,¡± six eyes flashed dull, muted colors.


    The image on the display was consumed in a bright flash of light.


    Cal blinked.


    <hr>


    Now, Manila


    Cal could already feel his powers slowly slipping away.


    He sped up his thought processes so that a moment became many minutes from his perspective.


    What had he just witnessed?


    Real.


    It had to be.


    The gray fog on other worlds?


    Or predecessors?


    He learned two important things.


    There was a source entity as he had theorized and it could be destroyed with enough power.


    With that information secured he pushed himself up with a burst of telekinesis, seeking to rise above the fog.


    Only to discover that he was standing back on the floor.


    There was no transition.


    He was certain he had flown up.


    ¡°There¡¯s no escaping now,¡± Tito Novy said.


    The shades of his relatives had physical forms.


    He broke the floors beneath their feet dropping them as far as he could.


    He couldn¡¯t see anything beyond a few feet aside from the thick, misty gray mass. Relying on his slowly disappearing extra sensory powers he located the glass sliding door to the patio.


    He could sense energy out there. It felt like magic. He had memorized all the warded sanctuary locations Eron had provided in his message.


    It was his best option if he couldn¡¯t leave the fog.


    A faint red glow rose up from below.


    It was his uncle¡¯s forcefield projection. A giant red fist as big as Cal¡¯s torso came shooting out of the swirling gray.


    He barely managed to raise a telekinetic shield to stop it cold.


    A second giant red hand came grasping for him.


    He telekinetically threw a couch at it to knock it of course.


    Tito Novy became visible in the swirling gray soup. His red forcefield traced the outline of his body.


    ¡°Do your best, Calmin.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯d be nice if you fought off its control.¡±


    ¡°There is no fighting it.¡±


    Cal sensed the others making their way back up to his floor.


    ¡°Is that what you want me to tell my mom? That you gave up and you tried to kill her sons? Your nephews?¡±


    ¡°If you speak with her again then that means you¡¯ve managed to do what we failed to. In that case, I wouldn¡¯t have any last words for her. I¡¯d be content that you were able to escape this hell. I truly hope you do see your mom again. Alongside your brother and dad.¡±


    Red hands struck.


    Cal dodged and threw himself toward the sliding door.


    A heavy weight dropped on his back and bore him to the floor.


    Punches battered the back of his helmet.


    One of his relatives from his father¡¯s side.


    Cal shoved the person off with a telekinetic blast.


    More faint glows appeared in the fog to join Tito Novy¡¯s.


    Relatives from his mother¡¯s side.


    Cal scrambled to his feet and threw everything inside the suite into a telekinetic storm of whirling debris.


    Lights flashed as forcefields blocked jagged bits of wood and large chunks of furniture.


    Men and women grunted with pain as their supertough bodies took the impacts.


    Cal propelled himself through the glass and the balcony railing.


    Gravity took hold and pulled him down.


    Dwindling telekinesis couldn¡¯t resist its inexorable pull.


    Flight turned into a glide.


    He aimed for the closest magical energy signature. Even now it was dimming in his perceptions.


    The barely-controlled descent was into gray nothingness. He couldn¡¯t see the streets below, nor the buildings in this path.


    One of which he crashed into.


    Cal moved with a purpose out of the store he had partially demolished.


    He ran through the fog covered streets.


    Shade monsters leapt out at him.


    He struck out with his telekinesis only to be surprised by how weak it was. He was reduced to punching and kicking his way past the monsters.


    His senses dwindled steadily. It was like ear plugs and a blindfold being slowly put in place.


    He could still physically see and hear, but it felt so¡­ insufficient.


    He felt diminished.


    Something big came lumbering out of the fog.


    He grabbed a light pole and batted it away to dissolve in a swirl of gray mist.


    The pole finally broke several streets down as he had continued to batter the shade monsters.


    He charged through a home taking a direct path to his destination, which loomed in the distance.


    Finally, the magical energy signature grew faint, but he could see the glow, shining like a lighthouse in front of him.


    He sprinted forward, ignoring the monsters, running through them and knocking them aside like tackling dummies.


    He was on the last dregs of his mental powers when he reached a home with a waning sigil on the wall.


    The door was locked and he didn¡¯t have time to knock.


    His vision grew dark around the edges.


    He could barely sense four people inside the home.


    Two young men and two young women.


    It was a good thing that Eron had the foresight to give him access.


    He broke the lock and promptly collapsed face first into the warded home.


    With darkness came another vision.


    <hr>


    Now, Manila


    Something enormous, long and sinuous circled around Madalena in the thick, nearly opaque fog. It left immense ripples in the otherwise still gray.


    She held the ward close to her chest.


    The sigil glowed softly and pulsed with a gentle light that she felt provided a warm, soothing sensation in her chest. She focused on this feeling whether it was only a trick of her mind or genuine.


    The only sounds on the empty streets were her booted steps and her breathing. Nothing else. The city was long dead. Only ghosts remained.


    She made it to her target sanctuary without incident only for her heart to sink upon seeing that every vehicle parked outside of the small house had been pounded into scrap or sliced to pieces.


    Searching farther down the street and into side streets yielded the same result.


    There was no choice. They would just have to walk back.


    She recalled Eron¡¯s description of the ward expanding to cover the entire van when it had only extended a few feet from his body, as it had done for her. Perhaps an instinctive effect of Lilah¡¯s magic allowed it to shift depending on the number of people it needed to protect.


    Madalena hurried back to the warded house. It was going to be a long walk for normal people and the sooner they returned the quicker she could provide some ease to Lilah¡¯s suffering. They didn¡¯t have much time. The thought that Dr. Rufo could¡¯ve been wrong about how much Lilah had left continued to twist in her mind like a screw in her hand.


    A fog-shrouded figure loomed ahead. Just outside the reach of the glowing sigil on the house¡¯s front door.


    ¡°Are you really going to risk all their lives on that flimsy thing?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not Tito Carlos,¡± Madalena held Lilah¡¯s ward up like a shield.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m me. The things I do¡­ I don¡¯t want to and I do. Maybe, you¡¯re right,¡± the old man shrugged.


    ¡°New trick?¡± Madalena nodded at the destroyed vehicles. ¡°You¡¯ve done this at all the other sanctuaries? If I were you I would¡¯ve done it sooner.¡±


    ¡°I remember when you were small. Three, four¡­¡±


    Madalena could almost believe that her great-uncle truly stood before her by the way his tone turned wistful. As it always had when he told old stories. No matter how often he had repeated the same ones.


    ¡°For some reason you were very interested in the steam coming out of the rice cooker. Everyone kept moving you away and warning you, but you just had to know what hot steam felt like,¡± Tito Carlos shook his head ruefully. ¡°Your mom was very upset with everyone.¡±


    Madalena had heard the same story many times. ¡°She should¡¯ve been. Why would you all put the rice cooker on the floor in the first place?¡±


    ¡°There was no space on the counters!¡± Tito Carlos threw his hands up. ¡°Too full of food trays.¡±


    The fog really did a great job at faking her relatives. For a moment she was fooled. It really did feel like her great-uncle.


    ¡°Then at least put some chairs around it,¡± Madalena said softly. The words were spoken with a practiced air.


    Tito Carlos nodded at her.


    She thought she saw sadness in his eyes, but dismissed it as another trick of the fog.


    ¡°What are you really trying to do? Why tell this story? It doesn¡¯t prove anything other than that the fog thing that killed you has your memories. That¡¯s a reasonable assumption.¡±


    Tito Carlos eyed the destroyed vehicles. ¡°That it just takes time and experience for babies to learn. Once burned¡­ well, you certainly stayed away from rice cookers after that. I think you were scared of them until high school.¡±


    ¡°A message? Or a trick? A trap?¡±


    ¡°Your situation has changed. There was chance, a small window for you and Eron to escape, but¡­ knowledge and strength gained combined with a new, dangerous threat. Your talismans won¡¯t be able to hold back what¡¯s coming.¡±


    A sad smile was swallowed by the swirling mist.


    She watched him vanish.


    The oppressive silence returned and she allowed it to press around her.


    Lilah¡¯s ward seemed to pulse faster in response. It spurred Madalena toward the sanctuary.


    She remembered what she was here to do.


    There was no time to waste.


    It took longer than she wanted to convince the people to go with her. For obvious reasons she didn¡¯t tell them the full truth. In the end they all agreed to go.


    Madalena had stretched the truth. Told them that Lilah wasn¡¯t going to be able to come renew the sanctuary¡¯s wards. That they needed to go to the main one.


    What choice did they have?


    The portable ward pulsed urgently as it, thankfully, widened its area of effect to envelope the tightly huddled group of fifteen.


    Human shapes appeared and disappeared out of the swirling mists surrounding them.


    Minutes felt like hours to Madalena while she clutched the ward close to her chest. Its warmth providing comfort in the gloom.


    The group had traveled what felt like a good distance on the silent streets when the whispers began.


    ¡°Ignore them. They aren¡¯t real. It¡¯s a trick.¡± Madalena remembered Eron¡¯s story.


    ¡°Maria?¡± a stocky middle-aged man at the front whispered in a voice filled with horror and longing.


    ¡°It¡¯s not her, Jason,¡± an older woman urgently grabbed the sleeve of the man¡¯s jacket.


    ¡°No, no, no,¡± Jason whispered.


    ¡°Shit,¡± Madalena cursed.


    She saw the way Jason leaned toward the indistinct shape in the fog. Saw him tense as a hesitant step turned into an all out sprint.


    ¡°That¡¯s my wife!¡±


    The older woman screamed in surprise as she was pulled by the man¡¯s desperate strength.


    ¡°Grab them!¡± Madalena tried to push her way through the tightly-packed people. Mindful of her strength, she couldn¡¯t risk hurting them.


    Too late.


    Jason had stepped outside of the ward¡¯s protection even as it pulsed faster in what seemed to be an attempt to increase its radius.


    A pained shout was muffled by the dense mist.


    Then only the sounds of soft sobs.


    The old woman, Delia, had been grabbed at the last second by a pair of brave teenagers who had rushed after her. The three of them were on the asphalt, hands and elbows scuffed by their fall.


    The warm glow of Lilah¡¯s ward engulfed them as Madalena and the others clustered around them.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Madalena said. ¡°I told you. It¡¯s a trap. Don¡¯t listen to them. They aren¡¯t real¡­¡±


    It was a long, terrifying walk of many miles back to the sanctuary.


    The whispers followed them all the way.


    With one new addition.


    ¡°You let me die.¡± Jason¡¯s voice reached each of them.

 5.27

    Now, Manila


    Phillip noticed that the fog had lightened some. If one could call it that. A bit less opaque. Less of a thick, creamy soup and more of the liquid-y type.


    He could also hear the people behind him. Their steps echoed in the eerie quiet of a dead city once home to millions, then tens of thousands and finally, around a hundred. Boots scraped against the asphalt. It wasn¡¯t just those in his immediate vicinity, like Hanna a few feet behind him, but also of those further down the formation.


    ¡°Stop,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Phillip scanned the swirling mists for threats.


    Nothing.


    Which set him on edge.


    Where were the shades, as Eron had described them?


    He dreaded it.


    Seeing, speaking to his relatives even if they were only fake copies.


    The inevitability of an encounter had dogged him across their entire trip. It could happen at any time and he was torn between wanting to get it over with and delaying it for as long as possibly.


    A commotion farther back drew his attention.


    The fog swirled around Hanna and several rangers as they made way for Demi and Jake.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a minor problem,¡± Jake began.


    The big Techmage eyed Demi, who waved him on.


    ¡°Lost connection to home base. I wouldn¡¯t be too concerned because with all this weird crap,¡± Jake gestured at their surroundings, ¡°it¡¯s to be expected that there¡¯d be connectivity issues. I wouldn¡¯t really start worrying unless we couldn¡¯t get them back in, like, an hour or two. Except¡­¡±


    Jake held up his magical energy signature scanner, which to Phillip looked like an old smartphone. ¡°At about the same time that we lost the connection, this detected a pretty powerful spike. Now, I¡¯ll admit that its directional capabilities are crude¡­ just a general direction without accounting for elevation until you get really close¡ª¡±


    ¡°Get on with it,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s kinda hard to tell where exactly we are right now in relation to the hotel, but the energy spike detected was in that direction.¡±


    ¡°You made three of those things. Did the other two detect the same? From the same location?¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Max¡¯s and Two-toes¡¯ devices picked up the same exact thing mine did,¡± Jake nodded.


    ¡°So, what? An attack on our base?¡± Hanna smirked. ¡°That might be a good thing. If this fog entity is tangling with Cal then it¡¯ll be too busy to deal with us.¡±


    ¡°I had the same thought. Might account for the lack of shade monsters and¡­¡± Demi glanced at Phillip, ¡°others.¡±


    ¡°You can say it,¡± Phillip waved her concern away. ¡°My relatives¡­ along with other people,¡± he added.


    ¡°Let¡¯s keep moving forward,¡± Demi said.


    They moved out of an area filled with high-rise buildings and into one with shops and restaurants. They passed what were obviously slums, haphazardly built homes out of whatever materials the people could find. That was the thing about this place. One side of the street could be lined with all manner of fancy boutiques while the other was home to those who could never afford to shop at those places.


    Phillip thought he caught glimpses of shapes across the rooftops on one side and more in the cramped alleys of the slums on the other.


    ¡°Hanna, did you see them?¡±


    ¡°I think so and if you haven¡¯t noticed the fog is getting thicker. Moving faster, if that makes sense,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°We¡¯re still a few miles away from Eron¡¯s main base,¡± Phillip said.


    Concern that the fog was stirring was confirmed a moment later when several shouts went up from multiple points along their formation.


    It was a simple call, echoed by several people. One that they had learned to dread, but relied on for so much.


    ¡°Danger sense!¡±


    Phillip¡¯s eyes darted to the shapes in the fog, but found nothing.


    ¡°Where¡¯d they go?¡± Hanna said. ¡°Where¡¯s the danger coming from!¡± she called back.


    ¡°All around us!¡± Jimenez cried.


    Phillip noticed it then.


    An enormous shape. Darkness in the gray expanse.


    It reminded him of the time he and his wife had gone whale watching once. It was hard to describe the immensity of the ocean giants as they swam just beneath the surface. This was¡­ close.


    The thing in the fog circled over there heads. A dozen or more feet above the highest structures on either side of the street.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡ª¡± Hanna began, but she lost her words.


    The dark shape encircled them completely. As in the entire formation was inside it.


    ¡°The eggs!¡± Smores shouted. ¡°It¡¯s the eggs!¡±


    Phillip frowned.


    Then the pieces fell into place.


    The ibingan eggs without their mother. The gap in the fog around the nest.


    ¡°We ate her babies,¡± Hanna laughed. ¡°Of all the ridiculous¡­¡±


    The dark shape suddenly veered away toward the direction the group had been traveling. It moved with surprising speed for its immense size.


    Phillip realized that it was more like a train than a whale.


    ¡°There¡¯s no way it just left,¡± Hanna said.


    Phillip nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Keep on alert!¡± Demi barked. ¡°Danger sense hasn¡¯t gone away.¡±


    On cue the dark shape returned. This time it was bearing down from directly ahead, high above.


    The fog swirled away from the ibingan to reveal its true form.


    Shouts of alarm filled the silence.


    The shade monster undulated through the air as if it was swimming through water.


    It approached with terrifying speed.


    ¡°Like a train with teeth and magic powers,¡± Phillip muttered.


    He tensed a moment, then took off at a sprint.


    Superstrong muscles in his legs churned up the asphalt, digging deep footprints and throwing up debris in his wake.


    A hundred miles an hour in less than a hundred yards.


    He leapt.


    The ibingan opened its fearsome maw and spat.


    A giant globe of swirling water flew at Phillip.


    It hit him like a solid boulder, but he was stronger.


    It barely slowed him as he took it on one shoulder.


    The ibingan opened wide enough to swallow him whole.


    Phillip threw everything into an uppercut, clocking the shade monster on the bottom of its jaw, snapping it shut.


    More powerful than a locomotive. His children joked.


    He didn¡¯t have time to savor his work as gravity took hold of him.


    The ground grew closer until it didn¡¯t.


    Suddenly he was spinning, crashing into the slums.


    Belatedly, he realized that something had hit him hard.


    One guess was enough for him.


    He pulled himself out of the wreckage of dozens of homes only to see the ibingan diving toward the team.


    Phillip plowed through more ramshackle homes in three long bounds before shooting toward the ibingan.


    Maybe not quite faster than a speeding bullet, but two out of the three wasn¡¯t bad.


    He cocked his fist back, aiming for the shade monster¡¯s plate-sized eye.


    He never got to pull the trigger.


    The ibingan¡¯s head snapped to face him with impossible quickness for being so large. The dragon-like head shot forward like a striking snake. Its maw opened wide and snapped shut in the blink of an eye.


    ¡°Oh fuck! It ate Mr. Cruces! Fuck, fuck, fuck! Kill it!¡± Mouthy screamed.


    The ibingan turned in mid-air and dived.


    ¡°Get down!¡± Hanna roared. ¡°Vibrating Blade,¡± she thought as she rolled to the side and came up slashing.


    Her sword hummed in her hands as she fought to keep it in her grasp. The tip of the blade bit into the ibingan¡¯s scales and dragged along a great length of its sinuous body as it flew just above her teammates prone bodies.


    The ibingan suddenly jerked upward taking Hanna along for a short flight before her blade slipped free.


    Blood showered down on everyone along with her as she crashed back to the ground.


    ¡°Hanna!¡± Amber rushed to her side. The young woman was covered in an aptly-colored mage armor and bearing Hanna¡¯s Threnosh-made shield.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Hanna grunted.


    ¡°Alien armor is the best,¡± Amber said.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t even hurt¡­ much,¡± Hanna agreed.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got to do something. It ate Phillip,¡± Jake said. He tapped at a smartphone. ¡°Damn. You¡¯d think something that big would be giving off something we can track.¡±


    ¡°The fog subsumed it. Then it stands to reason that it is no longer a fully independent being. It¡¯s just as if it was the same as all this,¡± Smores gestured to the swirling fog.


    ¡°We can¡¯t worry about him. He¡¯s tough. We need to move,¡± Demi said.


    Hanna nodded. ¡°I cut it, but it was barely a scratch. Not enough to drive it away. Not enough to make it take off like that.¡±


    ¡°What are you thinking?¡± Amber said.


    ¡°That Phillip is fine.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll reassess our plans once we get to the sanctuary,¡± Demi said. ¡°I need a body count.¡±


    Thankfully, the count came back complete.


    No one was missing. Only scrapes and bruises.


    It was a miracle as far as Hanna was concerned.


    She had seen and faced a lot of impossible monsters, but nothing nearly as large. The only thing that had come close were those prehistoric-looking monsters the fishmen liked to ride.


    She could only trust in Phillip¡¯s immense physical strength to keep him alive even if he had been¡­ eaten.


    Now, if only they could hold on to their luck until they reached safety.


    As it turned out, they would get close.


    <hr>


    ¡°I think I see a light,¡± Hanna pointed down the gray-shrouded street.


    The fog had thickened after the ibingan had swooped down and taken Phillip away, but now it was noticeably lighter. Several turns and an unknown number of minutes had brought them close to their destination, if they could trust their ability to follow directions.


    ¡°It must be the sanctuary,¡± Jake consulted his copy of the map.


    ¡°We must be close,¡± Demi agreed.


    The Watch Captain glanced back and was relived to find that she could now see all the way back to the end of their formation where Rino warily watched their rear.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hurry up. Maybe it¡¯ll be easier to regain contact with base camp when we¡¯re in the protected building. Once we get situated we can figure out how to find Phillip,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Yeah, I wouldn¡¯t want to be the one to tell Cal that we lost his dad,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°My helmet¡¯s saying we¡¯re about fifteen hundred meters from that light. Just a straight shot. Although, this fog has been messing with the display, so no promises on the accuracy of the reading,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°For what it¡¯s worth, my helmet is giving me something similar,¡± Demi said. ¡°We¡¯re almost there. The target is just down the street. Stay tight,¡± she called back to the rest of the group.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Hanna kept her round shield up and her sword in hand. The former was a plain wooden one. She had loaned her Threnosh-made shield to Amber. The young woman had become somewhat of a protege in the art of sword fighting over the last several months even if she was a mage and Hanna wanted to give her more survivability.


    Yet, as the gray around her seemed to press in with every echoing step toward the faint light, Hanna had cause to second guess that decision.


    An urgent beeping sound startled Hanna, but she was a veteran and kept her attention focused on the space in front of her, trusting those behind her to cover their assigned zones.


    ¡°Oh shit,¡± Jake muttered. ¡°Getting a big spike on my magical energy detector.¡±


    Hanna realized that the beeping sound was coming from multiple spots in their formation.


    ¡°Mine¡¯s doing the same thing,¡± Max rasped from his spot in the middle of the Watch contingent.


    ¡°Same here!¡± Two-toes called out from farther back.


    Hanna frowned.


    The ranger wasn¡¯t that far back, maybe only twenty feet, but her voice sounded like it had come from much farther away.


    ¡°Where?¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Jake¡¯s voice shook, ¡°here.¡±


    ¡°We need to get to the sanctuary,¡± Hanna said.


    Demi nodded. ¡°Double time!¡± she barked.


    Hanna went from a cautious walk to a still cautious jog. She itched to sprint for it, but that would¡¯ve strung out the rest of her team and risked separation.


    Risked giving the fog a chance to pick them off in smaller bite-sized groups.


    Hanna cursed.


    She saw them out of the corner of her eyes first.


    Shapes forming just outside the edges of her perceptions.


    Swirling wisps of mist and shadow.


    Then they were directly in front of her.


    Hanna stopped and signaled the same to the rest.


    The light was behind the indistinct figures.


    It felt so close, but at the same time seemed too far away to reach.


    Hanna focused on the glow. She saw it then. It looked like a letter written with incomprehensible geometry.


    Hope and warmth.


    Somehow she knew this to be true.


    ¡°You see them right?¡± Jake whispered.


    Hanna could only nod.


    ¡°I see that sigil, ward thing, but I thought it was supposed to be painted on the side of the building,¡± Demi said.


    Indeed, the glowing symbol was suspended in midair.


    There was no hint of any sort of building.


    Just the fog in front of them. As opaque as a steel wall.


    ¡°It¡¯s got to be the fog. Messing with what we can see. I¡¯d bet my life that¡¯s the sanctuary,¡± Jake jabbed a finger at the glowing sigil.


    ¡°What¡¯s the distance to the target in your helmet, Watch Captain?¡± Hanna whispered.


    ¡°Just over two hundred feet.¡±


    ¡°About the same,¡± Hanna said. ¡°We just have to get through.¡±


    The figures in the fog, the shades, coalesced.


    ¡°God damn, they look just like normal people,¡± Jake whispered.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been briefed on this possibility. This changes nothing. Like Hanna said, we go through them.¡± There was steel in Demi¡¯s voice.


    ¡°I¡¯ll start it off then.¡± Jake put his detector smartphone away and pulled out another one. ¡°Sorry, ghosts, nothing personal.¡± He pointed the smartphone at the large crowd blocking the street. ¡°Chain Lightning.¡±


    One of the shades in the front rank pointed at Jake at the same time and spoke. ¡°Counterspell.¡±


    The bright arc of magical lighting vanished with a soft pop.


    Jake stared dumbfounded for a moment. ¡°Wait, what?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re the ones who are sorry,¡± the woman said. ¡°We don¡¯t want to doom you to our curse.¡±


    ¡°Then don¡¯t,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t our decision,¡± the woman shook her head with a sigh.


    ¡°I¡¯ll cut us a path.¡± Hanna switched to the comms so only Demi could hear her. ¡°Stay out of my radius.¡±


    ¡°Copy that,¡± Demi replied. ¡°We¡¯re pushing through them to the sanctuary!¡± she called out to the rest of the team.


    Hanna dashed toward the human shades.


    ¡°Cover her!¡± Demi raised her recoilless rifle and liberally sprayed projectiles across the enemy.


    The mage woman raised a magic shield to protect herself, but several of the other shades went down and slowly dissipated into the fog.


    ¡°They aren¡¯t invincible!¡± Demi said.


    More gun fire and spells flew past Hanna on either side.


    A big man in armor made from police riot gear and metal plates stepped in her path and struck with a fireman¡¯s axe. ¡°Power Strike!¡±


    She blocked the blow, but it shattered her shield. The axe blade clanged off her gauntlet.


    The man recoiled. His eyes grew wide. ¡°What kind of armor is that?¡±


    ¡°Alien,¡± Hanna said.


    Then she stabbed the gawking man in the throat. The surprise in his eyes didn¡¯t vanish even as he returned to the fog.


    She discarded her broken shield and snatched the man¡¯s axe out of the air.


    Hack through a woman coming in for a wild machete slash.


    Thrust into the heart of a man with a glowing spell forming at the end of his finger tips.


    Hanna carved her way deeper into the mass of shades.


    The few blows and spells they managed to land didn¡¯t penetrate her Threnosh armor.


    ¡°Ten-fold Cuts.¡± Hanna whirled her sword around her.


    A split-second later a multitude of cuts appeared on every shade within a sizable circle around her.


    ¡°That¡¯s amazing,¡± the woman mage said from behind a flickering magic shield marred by dozens of cuts.


    Hanna dashed at the woman.


    ¡°Invisibility.¡±


    The shield and the woman winked out of sight.


    Hanna held her sword two-handed in a guard and scanned her surroundings.


    She located the glowing light. She set her jaw. It appeared to be farther away than she had initially estimated. The shades kept forming in the way.


    ¡°Push forward!¡± Demi called out.


    Hanna abandoned her search for the woman mage. She needed to keep moving toward the sigil. Had to keep killing the shades in their way.


    Max raised a wall of thorns to block off an alley before the shades could pour out of it. He promptly staggered and would have collapsed had Rebekah not caught him.


    ¡°Overdoing it, aren¡¯t you?¡± Rebekah said between bursts of her submachine gun.


    ¡°Have to help,¡± Max rasped as his eyes fluttered.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ if you pass out it¡¯s going to be a pain to fight through this with you like a sack of potatoes on my shoulder,¡± Rebekah grunted. ¡°Suppression Fire.¡± She forced a small clump of charging shades to stop in their tracks and take cover behind a wrecked minibus.


    There was a dull thumping sound and a split-second later the shades and the minibus were engulfed by a deafening explosion.


    Rebekah regarded Cristos¡¯ carbine, specifically the attached grenade launcher, with covetous eyes. ¡°Why don¡¯t we have proper battlefield weapons again?¡±


    ¡°Cause we refuse to be absorbed into the government¡¯s forces,¡± Max muttered.


    Rebekah eyed one of the new recruits, Jovita, who had placed herself on the right flank. ¡°Two sticks¡­ not proper weapons,¡± she muttered with a shake of her head.


    Cristos moved forward while taking out shades with bursts of controlled and accurate gun fire. He seemed to be keeping an eye on Ginessa, who was sticking close to Jake and Demi.


    ¡°Danger sense from there!¡± Jimenez¡¯s voice has high and tight as she pointed at a fog blocked alley.


    On cue shades poured out


    Unfortunately, Max wasn¡¯t going to be able to block this one.


    ¡°Chain Lightning!¡±


    Bright, white-blue arced and split through several shades. They were thrown back, burning and convulsing before they disappeared.


    ¡°Counter that!¡± Jake laughed.


    ¡°Santi, I want that alley blocked!¡± Demi barked.


    ¡°On it, ma¡¯am,¡± the teen handed a bottle filled with a glowing liquid to Trevor.


    ¡°Sinker.¡± Trevor threw the bottle up.


    It soared until it suddenly dropped like a rock right at the mouth of the alley.


    A wall of fire sprang to life. As tall as a man, it blazed and showed no signs of sputtering out.


    ¡°It¡¯ll only last a minute or two,¡± Santi said.


    ¡°Damn it Trevor,¡± Del shook his head.


    ¡°What? Watch Captain said to block the alley. I put it in the perfect spot,¡± Trevor frowned.


    ¡°Except you left bad guys on our side of the flames.¡± Del fired his pistol at the charging shades. ¡°Jimenez, get back here! You¡¯re out of position!¡±


    A baseball bat-wielding woman rushed at Jimenez.


    ¡°Vanish!¡± Jimenez squealed.


    The woman hit air. She looked around in confusion.


    A look that remained on her face as she disappeared back into the fog courtesy of Trevor¡¯s stone striking her in the forehead.


    ¡°I feel really bad about this guys,¡± Trevor said. ¡°They don¡¯t even have tentacles or lobster claws or other weird shit.¡±


    ¡°They disappear. I don¡¯t think they¡¯re really alive,¡± Santi said.


    ¡°Keep moving!¡± Demi urged.


    Ginessa was doing her best to keep up and stay out of the way.


    ¡°Oh my god! That was so close,¡± Jimenez said.


    Ginessa screamed at the sudden appearance of the small woman.


    Eyes turned her way for a moment before focusing back on the threats.


    ¡°How did you do that?¡± Ginessa said. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you where there.¡±


    ¡°My Level 20 Skill. It¡¯s better than Del¡¯s Hide,¡± Jimenez beamed.


    ¡°Jimenez, you have a gun. More shooting, less chatting,¡± Demi said flatly. ¡°You, vampire girl¡­ now would be a good time to use your abilities,¡± she regarded Ginessa for a moment before blasting at a cluster of shades.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, ma¡¯am, but my magic doesn¡¯t work on them¡­ I¡¯ve tried,¡± Ginessa looked down at the ground.


    ¡°Well¡­ you have a gun too,¡± Demi considered, ¡°wait until they get really close.¡±


    Ginessa didn¡¯t have much experience with shooting.


    She had been run through a basic firearms safety lesson and a few practice rounds. Ammunition was a scare resource.


    Ginessa looked at the Glock in her hands like it was a strange animal and nodded at Demi.


    The Watch Captain was already moving forward while putting projectiles into shades.


    Spells struck her in answer, but didn¡¯t seem to do more than singe the Threnosh armor.


    Close to her, Jake fired bolts of lightning into the shades even as the blue mana shield lining his body flashed whenever a spell struck him in return.


    A shade blocked one of Jake¡¯s bolts with a magic shield for a moment before the shield broke, which allowed Rebekah to put a burst into the mage.


    However, the shade had done his job in protecting a handful of his fellow fighters.


    These shades charged through a clear path to Rebekah and Max.


    Max¡¯s head lolled uselessly.


    Rebekah emptied the rest of her magazine into the lead shade.


    The huge man was unarmored and went down quickly.


    ¡°Max! A root would be great!¡± Rebekah called as she struggled to reload. Having the semi-conscious Max leaning on her shoulder made it difficult.


    Jovita leapt in to block the three charging shades. ¡°Sinawali,¡± she said with a snarl.


    Her hands and arms were almost a blur as she wove her two sticks in front of her.


    The shades struck with their weapons, but Jovita¡¯s defense was impenetrable.


    Again and again the three shades attacked, but each blow was intercepted by one of Jovita¡¯s sticks.


    A machete-wielding shade stumbled back.


    Jovita took the opening and struck like a snake.


    She trapped the baseball bat-wielding shade¡¯s arms with one of her own. Snaking her stick and arm around her opponents.


    At the same time she aimed a strike with her other stick to the axe-wielding shade¡¯s wrists. ¡°Doblete.¡± Her stick flashed as she rotated it around twice for a blindingly-quick double strike.


    Two loud cracks.


    Two broken wrists.


    The shade lost his hold on his weapon with a pained shout.


    Jovita finished disarming the bat-wielding shade with an almost contemptuous slap of her stick. She then trapped the woman¡¯s neck and broke it with a vicious twist.


    The shade flopped to the ground before vanishing back into the fog.


    The shade with the broken wrists backed up, but Jovita lunged, thrusting the end of her stick into his throat. The man choked and disappeared as well.


    The machete-wielding shade charged her with a roar. ¡°Decapitate.¡±


    Jovita blocked the blade with both sticks.


    The shade¡¯s eyes widened as his blade was stopped cold, only biting a fraction into the lightweight wood.


    Jovita pushed the blade toward the ground with one stick, while snapping a down angle strike to the side of the shade¡¯s neck. She snapped her other stick at the shade¡¯s wrist. Breaking it and his hold on his machete.


    Her weapons were a blur as she struck the shade all over his body.


    Face, throat, elbows, knees, groin. Every vulnerable spot was targeted.


    The shade dropped to the ground and vanished.


    Jovita spun her sticks with a flourish.


    ¡°Uh¡­ thanks,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°He actually nicked my baston,¡± Jovita frowned. ¡°That must¡¯ve been a pretty powerful Skill. These are as strong as steel.¡±


    At the front of their formation a woman shade stepped forward with a resigned look on her face. She threw her arms out wide and yelled. ¡°Taunt!¡±


    Jake cursed, but turned the smartphone he had been aiming at a cluster of shades in his zone.


    Demi turned her recoilless rifle away from the shades charging her and sent a burst at the woman shade.


    Cristos did the same.


    Jovita, Rebekah and Ginessa took several steps toward the woman shade before Jake¡¯s lightning and Demi¡¯s projectiles blew her away.


    At that moment the invisible mage suddenly appeared in the middle of their formation, near Ginessa. ¡°Cloud of Confusion,¡± she smiled sadly.


    It took only a few moments for the spell to take effect.


    Demi fired her weapon at empty space, ignoring the shades attacking her.


    Jake shot a barrage of magic missiles that struck Demi and the shades.


    Luckily, the Threnosh armor kept the Watch Captain safe.


    In turn, Cristos sent a burst of gun fire at Jake, which was blocked as the Techmage¡¯s mana shield flashed.


    Trevor beaned the side of Jovita¡¯s helmet with a smooth stone.


    Jovita staggered on wobbly legs before being forced to go down to one knee.


    Santi jumped on Trevor¡¯s back and tried to choke the life out of his friend.


    The entire front portion of their formation was falling apart.


    ¡°Guys! Stop!¡± Amber called out, only to have to duck behind the Threnosh-made shield as Cristos fired on her.


    ¡°It¡¯s that mage lady!¡± Alexa snapped. ¡°Eldritch Dart!¡±


    The woman shade blocked the pinkish streak of light with a magic shield.


    ¡°Eldritch Dart! Eldritch Dart! Eldritch Dart!¡±


    The shield flickered, but slowly solidified.


    ¡°Shit¡­¡± Alexa huffed, ¡°she must be high level.¡±


    ¡°Do something!¡± Amber was crouched low to the ground behind the round shield as Cristos continued to strike it with accurate fire.


    ¡°We need to bring her down, but I¡¯m not strong enough.¡± Alexa looked back at the rest of their team for help.


    She found none.


    Rayna¡¯s Rangers and the Spear Unit behind them where dealing with their own fights.


    More shades were closing in.


    Demi¡¯s armor was keeping her safe, but for how long?


    Jake would run out of mana for his shield eventually.


    The rest where considerably more vulnerable.


    Amber and Alexa couldn¡¯t think of anything to do.


    When all hope appeared to be lost, Ginessa struck.


    Her tongue lanced like a viper. It covered the three feet distance between her and the woman shade. The needle-like protrusion at the end sank into the woman shade¡¯s neck.


    ¡°How?¡± the woman shade gasped. Her eyes flashed as she focused on Ginessa. ¡°Of course¡­ Aswang: Mandurugo¡­ you¡¯re resistant to mental manipulation.¡± The woman shade smiled. ¡°I didn¡¯t notice you. Otherwise I would¡¯ve kept my shield up. You see, it¡¯s hard to maintain the confusion and the shield at the same time¡­ drains mana quicker.¡±


    A frown etched Ginessa¡¯s perfect forehead.


    ¡°No blood?¡± the woman guessed or maybe saw what Ginessa was thinking. ¡°I suppose that truly answers the question on whether I¡¯m alive or not. How can something live without blood?¡±


    The woman shade collapsed and vanished back into the fog.


    With her death the confusion spell disappeared and the team was back into the fight.


    ¡°Keep moving!¡± Demi roared.

 5.28

    Now, Manila


    ¡°¡­ and so, I punched the monster twins in each of their beautiful faces¡ª¡±


    ¡°How can monsters be beautiful?¡± Lilah said.


    ¡°I dunno,¡± Eron shrugged. ¡°These ones were. Like that whole, don¡¯t judge a book by it¡¯s cover thing.¡±


    Lilah looked at him expectantly.


    ¡°Like that movie with the hunchback, but he¡¯s like a great person even though he¡¯s deformed.¡±


    Lilah blinked.


    ¡°The elephant man?¡±


    ¡°Like a werewolf, but an elephant?¡± Lilah¡¯s brow wrinkled.


    Eron felt sad. He remembered that Lilah was young. She didn¡¯t recognize any of those references. Not even the Disney movie.


    ¡°When this is all over, I think I¡¯ll have to introduce you to some movies.¡± Eron figured that somewhere out there someone had a magitech¡¯d up laptop with movie files. If not then maybe they could do the same to a TV, a DVD or Blu-ray player. The easiest part was probably just going to a store and grabbing the movies. ¡°Anyways¡­ back to the story. And thus, with beautiful, but evil faces no longer beautiful on account of being punched-in. The evil magic was thus dispersed. The thralls freed from their servitude were much confused and scared, though later they became much grateful to yon hero¡­ uh, me, in case I lost you.¡±


    Lilah laughed.


    ¡°To be fair, I was covered in blood and guts. My hands in particular were quite disgusting. Bits of brain and eyes and teeth, so many sharp teeth,¡± Eron shuddered.


    ¡°Ewww,¡± Lilah grimaced.


    ¡°The fog is actually not nearly as gross as some of the stuff I¡¯ve dealt with out there.¡± Eron resolved to never tell Lilah the story about the skin monster or person that was his first true introduction to the horrors in the world. They never did get an answer on whether that had been a human turned into a horror by a Class or a plain monster.


    ¡°What happened next?¡±


    ¡°Nothing much. Helped the survivors get back on their feet. Helped them set up a defensible community, get levels, supplies, gear, the usual.¡±


    ¡°And they¡¯re still doing good?¡±


    ¡°Last time I checked,¡± Eron nodded.


    Lilah smiled at that. ¡°I hope we can¡ª¡± she clutched her chest and shut her eyes tight.


    ¡°Lilah! What is it?¡± Eron sprang out of his chair. ¡°I¡¯ll get the doc!¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m fine,¡± Lilah said.


    ¡°Is it the portable ward?¡± Eron immediately thought of Madalena. She had been away for hours. Much longer than he would¡¯ve estimated even if she had gone to the farthest southern sanctuary.


    Lilah shook her head. ¡°I can still feel that¡­ this feels closer.¡±


    ¡°Maybe you should get some rest.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m already in bed,¡± Lilah frowned. ¡°Feel so useless,¡± she pouted.


    ¡°Seriously?¡± Eron raised a brow. ¡°You¡¯re the only reason we¡¯re still alive,¡± he said firmly.


    He regarded the girl for a few seconds as she settled back into her pillow and closed her eyes. He made sure that she was still breathing before he walked over to the window.


    The fog had thickened beyond the aegis of Lilah¡¯s wards, if that was even possible.


    An opaque gray wall was the only thing Eron saw.


    There was nothing out there.


    No hints of half-formed shapes swirling in the mists.


    No feeling of being watched.


    Nothing.


    Except¡­


    Why did he think that he had heard gun fire and spells going off? And angry, desperate voices?


    ¡°Tricks,¡± Eron said as he went back to his chair and his vigil.


    <hr>


    Phillip analyzed his situation.


    Well, it was more of a predicament.


    The ibingan¡¯s mouth was wet with disgusting smelling saliva. Its breath stank of rotten meat.


    Phillip thought he had seen some bits of some dead animal in the dragon¡¯s curved, sword-like teeth.


    How did that even work?


    It was a shade. Some kind of copy of the real thing after the fog had subsumed it.


    Did it remain in the same state that it had been taken in?


    The fog even replicated the smells.


    That seemed impossible. Even in a world where magic and superpowers had become real.


    Phillip pressed one hand on the wet roof of the ibingan¡¯s mouth. His boots were planted on the sides of the inner gums, while he used his other hand to pinch the enormous tongue to keep it from forcing him down the throat.


    It was like wrestling a tree trunk-sized sausage.


    Like with any problem, he had to deal with it one step at a time.


    He had his goals.


    Short-term was to help his sons with the fog.


    Long-term was to get back to his wife and baby girl.


    Rayna would¡¯ve been annoyed if she knew that he still saw her that way.


    Phillip was unapologetic about that.


    The first step was to get out of the ibingan¡¯s mouth.


    To that end Phillip dug his gloved fingers into the roof of its mouth and into its tongue, while pulling, tearing.


    A roar emanated from its throat washing that foul breath over Phillip, nearly causing him to gag.


    Daylight, well, gray gloom appeared as the ibingan opened its mouth.


    Phillip sprang out and fell.


    He belly-flopped onto the street and cracked the asphalt.


    The ibingan was a dark shape in the fog as it undulated through the air as if it was in water.


    Phillip dived through a building¡¯s wall to avoid the striking dragon.


    He found himself in some kind of office building.


    It shook from a violent impact.


    ¡°That thing is almost too powerful.¡±


    Phillip spun at the voice, but saw nobody.


    The fog seemed to be thinner inside.


    He walked deeper in as it shook again.


    At least it seemed to be sturdy enough to handle the ibingan¡¯s attacks.


    He hoped that it¡¯d hold up long enough for him to come up with a plan.


    Fight and kill the dragon? Or try to get away and get back to Eron¡¯s sanctuary?


    The problem with the latter option was he had no idea where the ibingan had taken him and he suspected it¡¯d be difficult to get his bearings with the thick fog outside.


    The former presented its own set of challenges.


    ¡°It¡¯s barely controllable.¡±


    Phillip spun.


    The dreaded moment stared him in the face.


    ¡°Long time, Philly Boy,¡± Tito Novy smiled.


    ¡°I heard about you. You look good,¡± Phillip said softly.


    His mother¡¯s youngest brother looking good was an understatement. The last time Phillip had seen him the man was in a wheelchair. Bare skin and bones. Now he looked a few decades younger and was strong and fit. Closer to his prime days as an amateur boxer.


    ¡°Blessings and curses. When the world changed I was secretly happy. I thought I had a second chance at life and even better, I had superpowers, like some superhero! I was strong enough to throw cars and break monsters with my hands. Bullets bounced off me. I¡¯m ashamed to admit that even with all the death and suffering I wouldn¡¯t have changed anything,¡± Tito Novy sighed. ¡°And then the gray appeared. All my strength wasn¡¯t enough. Now I¡¯m trapped like this¡­¡± he gestured to himself, ¡°forever.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to fight you, Tito. I don¡¯t want to fight any of you. Help us free you,¡± Phillip pleaded.


    ¡°I can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°But what about now? You aren¡¯t attacking me? That must mean something. You¡¯re fighting it¡¯s control!¡±


    ¡°No, never. I can never harm it. Sometimes, it gets¡­ distracted. Too many things to control. Too much it has to suppress. Sealing one great power was difficulty enough, two? It¡¯s finding the second a struggle, which allows me to speak more openly. I have the freedom to do¡­ nothing,¡± Tito Novy smiled. ¡°Your boys are strong. You should be proud.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather they, us, weren¡¯t in this situation,¡± Phillip admitted.


    ¡°You can only deal with what¡¯s in front of you,¡± Tito Novy nodded sagely.


    ¡°Then tell me everything you can about this fog, while you have the chance.¡±


    ¡°Children are everything, aren¡¯t they? You¡¯ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe,¡± Tito Novy mused.


    ¡°Yeah, so help me keep mine safe.¡±


    ¡°Would you harm an other''s child for yours?¡±


    Phillip set his jaw and said nothing.


    ¡°Thought so. It¡¯s a hard thing. Part of me is glad that I never had children. Thought I had plenty of nephews and nieces followed by grandnephews and grandnieces. You know that Madalena¡¯s the last of our family, aside from your own. At least as far as I know. You and yours are all that¡¯s left.¡±


    ¡°Rynnen, Evelyn¡¯s son is with us,¡± Phillip said.


    Tito Novy looked thoughtful. ¡°Ah, Evelyn. I remember her. Never met her son¡­ and you would¡¯ve said Evelyn if she was still alive. So, she¡¯s gone too and her little boy¡¯s an orphan.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not alone. He still has us.¡±


    ¡°For how long? You and your sons are going to end up trapped just like the rest of us. Those are just the odds as I see it. No matter how I¡¯d wish it otherwise.¡±


    ¡°Wishes mean nothing. Actions are everything. I remember you always telling me that,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°You know, I¡¯m glad that all my sisters, your mom, didn¡¯t live to see this world,¡± Tito Novy said.


    ¡°The Tito I knew, know, wouldn¡¯t have gone down without punching. He wouldn¡¯t have rolled over like you have. Maybe you aren¡¯t you¡­ maybe you¡¯re just a poor copy.¡±


    ¡°I never rolled over for anybody,¡± Tito Novy grunted.


    ¡°Then fight!¡±


    Tito Novy¡¯s face twisted and every muscle in his body tensed. He took deep breaths as if he was straining to lift the heaviest weight in the world. ¡°I can¡¯t¡­¡± he sagged. ¡°All I can do is talk and only because its expending a lot of power right now. Suppressing your sons, keeping the ibingan from going berserk and controlling the fight against the people you brought. They¡¯re so close,¡± he whispered. ¡°Leges Servitae, Pax Fiat.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Tito Novy held Phillip¡¯s gaze as he repeated the words.


    ¡°Remember.¡± Tito Novy¡¯s voice was thick with emotion. ¡°It¡¯s the best I can do. I¡¯m sorry. The next time I see you be ready for the fight of your life,¡± he took a deep breath. ¡°You¡¯ve got a long walk to where Eron is. The ibingan took you to somewhere in Makati. Good luck, Philly Boy.¡±


    Phillip recited his uncle¡¯s strange words until he was certain it was secured in his memory.


    ¡°Sounds like Latin. What does it mean?¡±


    The building had stopped shaking while he had talked to his uncle.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Perhaps the ibingan had gone elsewhere.


    His uncle had been correct. It was a long walk from Makati to where he needed to be.


    However, Phillip wasn¡¯t going to walk.


    Why walk when he could run as fast as car and jump several city blocks in a single bound?


    <hr>


    Alexa pulled Amber along as she struggled to keep up with the others at the front of their formation.


    ¡°Incoming!¡± Del pointed up toward the roof of a building mostly shrouded by the thick fog.


    Amber reflexively turned her shield in that direction just as a rock the size of a beach ball came crashing down on her and Alexa.


    It shattered against her shield, but only knocked her back a little. The mage armor around Amber¡¯s body flickered from dozens of small stone shards.


    Alexa touched the small cut on her cheek and took a deep breath. ¡°That was close. We¡¯d be pancakes without Hanna¡¯s shield,¡± she shook her head in awe. ¡°Why don¡¯t we have more of those?¡±


    Wide-eyed Amber could only shrug in response. She couldn¡¯t quite believe she had survived.


    ¡°Hurry up!¡± Del beckoned the two women.


    The front group had grown difficult to see in the fog, even though they were only a short distance ahead.


    Amber noticed the fog clearing from rooftop where the giant rock had come from. ¡°Alexa¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡ª¡± Alexa followed Amber¡¯s gaze. ¡°Shit!¡±


    Two shades were revealed. One man and one woman.


    The latter has unarmed, but was wearing the kind of makeshift armor common in the post-spires world. A mixture of protective sporting gear, police riot gear with strapped on pieces of crudely-worked metal plates.


    She jumped down to the street.


    Two stories without a sign of pain on her face. Just a resigned look that many of the shades carried.


    The man on the roof top pointed at the woman. ¡°Stone Armor,¡± he sighed.


    Stones appeared and coalesced around the woman¡¯s body. Pebbles and small rocks already on the sidewalk or on the street, including the shattered remains of the giant rock flowed to the woman as she charged.


    ¡°Eldritch Dart!¡±


    Alexa¡¯s spell blew a sizable chunk from the stones covering the woman¡¯s chest, but the woman barely slowed.


    Amber emptied her pistol to no effect before throwing it aside and trying to draw her sword.


    She was too slow.


    The stone-covered woman knocked them back and barreled into Rayna¡¯s Rangers.


    She dipped her head and tried to trample Ambrose, who nimbly vaulted over the woman¡¯s back while striking with his Igorot axe.


    Sparks flew where the sharp blade skidded off the tough stone.


    Hardhat and a couple of the new recruits weren¡¯t as quick on their feet.


    The former was sent flying by a glancing glancing backhand, while the latter desperately scrambled out of the way.


    ¡°Fin! Lock her down!¡± Sgt. Butcher called.


    The young man grimaced as the stone-covered woman pounded on his hastily conjured magic shield.


    ¡°I can¡¯t. Not without dropping the shields,¡± Fin said.


    Sgt. Butcher glanced at the other shield keeping more shades penned up in a different alley.


    She cursed.


    How many alleys where there?


    Too many threats coming from every direction.


    Two-toes and Aims were next to her. The two fired spells and bullets to thin down the shades before they got into melee range.


    Mouthy, Smores and Rai were behind her in the formation.


    Smores had sealed off as many avenues of attack as he could with multiple walls of ice, but had drained his mana supply. Now he was reduced to his pistol.


    Rai had said something about the lack of spirits he could use, which meant that he too was left with a pistol.


    Mouthy and a handful of the new recruits guarded the pair. Hacking with their machetes and axes at the shades that got close.


    Sgt. Butcher looked back to the Spear Unit and Rino.


    She grunted in frustration.


    There¡¯d be no support from them. They had their own problems.


    ¡°Aims, do you have a shot on that rocky woman?¡±


    ¡°Not at this angle. The eye holes are too small. Even for me,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°Fin needs a moment or we risk getting left behind.¡± Sgt. Butcher saw that the Watch was getting farther ahead by the second.


    ¡°I think I can give him a few seconds, but Aims will need to cover my side of the street.¡± As she spoke Two-toes sent a pair of arcing magic missiles burning through the foreheads of a pair of charging shades.


    ¡°I can do that,¡± Aims turned one revolver toward Two-toes¡¯ side of the street. Now he covered both sides of the street. ¡°Don¡¯t take too long.¡±


    Two-toes pointed at the stone-armored woman. ¡°Light Orb.¡±


    The bright spell appeared right in front of the woman¡¯s face. She recoiled and flailed blindly.


    Sgt. Butcher rushed forward and pulled Fin by the back of his collar while firing her gun at the woman. ¡°Now! Lock her down!¡±


    ¡°But the alley¡ª¡± Fin began.


    ¡°We¡¯ll deal with those shades after we deal with the woman!¡± Sgt. Butcher snapped.


    Light flared beneath Fin¡¯s armored chest.


    Ghostly chains appeared out of the ground, wrapping themselves around the woman¡¯s limbs and holding her firmly in place.


    ¡°Aims! Tell me you have a shot, now!¡±


    ¡°Sure do, Sarge,¡± Aim¡¯s aimed one revolver at the woman¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°That magic is¡­ different,¡± the mage on top of the roof called out. ¡°Here¡¯s one for you. Stone Explosion.¡±


    The shade¡¯s spell went off at the same time that Aim¡¯s pulled the trigger.


    The stones covering the woman in armor exploded in all directions.


    Jagged shards filled the air.


    Ironically, the massive explosion hurt and helped the team.


    No one escaped getting hit.


    Not even the other shades. Those closest to the once stone-covered woman were instantly killed and returned to the fog.


    Which was fortunate for the rangers since they had been forced to dive for cover.


    ¡°Sarge is down!¡± Fin was pressed beneath Sgt. Butcher¡¯s motionless body. He could just see over her shoulder to the dozens of small stone fragments embedded in the back of her armor. Blood leaked.


    Fin felt for a pulse.


    She lives. Remove the stones and you can heal her. Her survival is beneficial to your growth. Prioritize her health.


    Fin blinked. ¡°She¡¯s still alive! But we need to get the rocks out of her back so I can heal her!¡±


    The other rangers felt an overwhelming wave of relief. So much so that they had momentarily forgotten about their own injuries.


    Crucially, they failed to notice that the once stone-covered woman was still on her feet. She was a bloody mess. The explosion hadn¡¯t spared her. Thousands of tiny shards were embedded in her skin. ¡°I thought this Skill was dumb,¡± she rasped bloody bubbles. ¡°What good is a Skill you can only use once right before you die. I guess the spires showed me. Spiteful End.¡±


    She pulled out a knife and walked toward Fin and the Sgt. Butcher.


    Alexa hit her with an eldritch dart.


    She shrugged it off.


    ¡°That should¡¯ve gone right through her now that she doesn¡¯t have armor,¡± Alexa gasped.


    Amber dashed at the woman shade. ¡°Lunging Thrust!¡±


    Picture perfect form. Back leg strong and straight. Arm fully extended with her blade angled up to go underneath the ribs and into the heart.


    Even though Amber had attacked from behind it wasn¡¯t enough.


    The woman spun with unnatural quickness and grabbed Amber¡¯s blade. She pulled Amber toward her and slashed with her knife.


    Amber¡¯s mage armor flashed as it shattered.


    The woman struck again, but this time Amber was able to raise her shield to block the stab.


    ¡°You should¡¯ve let go of your sword,¡± the woman sighed before hurling Amber through the windows of a restaurant.


    ¡°Amber!¡± Alexa hurried toward the young woman.


    The woman shade regarded Alexa for a moment. ¡°Not a high priority,¡± she whispered. ¡°You two are,¡± she turned back to Fin and Sgt. Butcher.


    Bullets and spells assaulted the woman as she walked inexorably closer to the downed rangers.


    Ambrose darted in with cat-like quickness, but even slicing the back of the woman shade¡¯s hamstrings didn¡¯t slow her down.


    ¡°Her Skill is giving her what she needs to complete her last wish before she dies,¡± Smores called out. ¡°Strength and ability to take damage is far beyond what they should be.¡±


    ¡°Not my last wish, kid,¡± the woman shade said as she reached Fin and Sgt. Butcher. She raised her knife and plunged it down.


    It shattered Fin¡¯s hastily cast magic shield.


    Bang!


    The woman shade¡¯s head rocked back.


    When she looked back down at her targets one eye was a ruined mess


    ¡°No way!¡± Rai aimed his pistol and squeezed the trigger repeatedly. It took him a few seconds to realize he was clicking on an empty magazine.


    ¡°I know I hit her brain!¡± Aims snarled.


    ¡°Shitfuck! Can¡¯t let ghost zombie-woman kill the sarge. C¡¯mon!¡± Mouthy and one of the new recruits, Maribel, rushed from the back line.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡± Mouthy hacked the woman shade¡¯s knife hand off at the wrist. She sneered as she pulled her machete back for another.


    The woman shade punched her stump into Mouthy¡¯s chest and knocked her into the ground.


    The brawny ranger felt it through her steel chestplate as she struggled to gasp for breath.


    ¡°Fuck¡ª ribs¡ª¡±


    ¡°Power Strike!¡± Maribel chopped at the woman shade¡¯s side.


    The shade blocked the axe blade with the side of her arm. She ripped the axe out of Maribel¡¯s hands and grabbed the young woman by the throat.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± the woman shade said.


    Maribel pulled her knife and stabbed the woman shade in the throat.


    The woman shade gurgled something as she squeezed.


    There was a crunch and Maribel went limp.


    The woman shade threw Maribel across the street where the young woman¡¯s body wrapped around a power pole with a sickening crunch.


    The rangers¡¯ only consolation was that Maribel was already dead. It was a poor one in all respects.


    ¡°Die!¡± Two-toes sent a barrage of magic missiles into the woman shade¡¯s head.


    When the smoke cleared the woman shade¡¯s face was no longer recognizable as one. Charred flesh and muscle mingled with visible bones. Lips turned to ash revealed blackened teeth in half-burned gums. Her eyes were gone, yet she still looked down at Fin and Sgt. Butcher.


    ¡°I¡ª I need to conserve my energy if I want to heal Sgt. Butcher.¡± Fin¡¯s voice was almost plaintive.


    The woman shade picked her knife off the ground and raised it once more.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡± Mouthy hacked into the back of the woman shade¡¯s neck.


    The woman shade kicked back.


    Mouthy tried to dodge back, but the woman shade¡¯s boot just caught the front of Mouthy¡¯s lead knee.


    The ranger winced as it was hyper-extended.


    Still, it was better than a broken one.


    Mouthy stepped forward again as her knee buckled, but held.


    The woman shade raised her knife as her eye-less sockets fixed themselves on Sgt. Butcher¡¯s back.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡± Mouthy roared.


    Her bloody machete blade fell on the woman shade¡¯s neck.


    The woman shade staggered forward.


    ¡°Why won¡¯t you die? You crazy bitch!¡± The blade rose and fell again while Mouthy screamed.


    This time it cut all the way through.


    The woman shade¡¯s head toppled.


    Her body stood there with knife raised.


    For a moment it almost seemed as if she was still going to complete her goal.


    Then she toppled and began to dissipate it mist.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I get a Skill like that?¡± Mouthy snapped.


    ¡°You want something you can only use once and then you die?¡± Rai looked aghast.


    ¡°Seems useful,¡± Mouthy shrugged.


    ¡°Guys, we have a problem.¡± Aims snapped off a few shots at the male shade on the rooftop, but the shade had disappeared.


    ¡°We¡¯re cut off,¡± Smores said in a small voice.


    ¡°Shit, does anybody see Hardhat!¡± Two-toes called out.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get her,¡± Ambrose said as he rushed to the left side of the street.


    The desperate battle had increased the gap between the rangers and the Watch.


    More human shades were coalescing.


    But what was worse were the other shapes forming.


    Larger, inhuman.


    They began to hear growling, snarling, bleating.


    ¡°This is some shitty taint shit,¡± Mouthy muttered as she limped over to Sgt. Butcher and lifted the unconscious woman off Fin and onto her own shoulders.


    ¡°We have to get the stones out of her, so I can he¡ª¡± Fin began.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah. Heard you the first twenty times. Since when did you care?¡± Mouthy eyed the young man.


    ¡°We can¡¯t get through that,¡± Two-toes whispered. ¡°What do we do?¡±


    ¡°Take cover in one of these buildings,¡± Smores gestured toward the right side of the street. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen any shades inside them.¡±


    ¡°Could be they¡¯re waiting for us?¡± Ramira, another new recruit, said.


    ¡°At least we can fight inside. Smaller space, funnel them in. Tanks up front. Pew-pew guys behind. We¡¯ll get swarmed out here. Plus¡­ the sarge is kinda fucking heavy and my knee is throbbing like a diseased pig-fucker,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°Inside,¡± Smores said.


    They moved just in time.


    The shades charged. Human and monster together in perhaps the only way that was ever possible.


    The suddenness of it threw them into disarray.


    ¡°Wait! Ambrose!¡± Rai called out as he was pushed toward what looked like a real estate office.


    Ambrose and a few of the new recruits at the front of their formation were closer to the left side of the street and they were now cut off from the rest.


    ¡°They¡¯re on their own for now. Keep moving!¡± Aims revolvers barked like a machine gun. He was the last of the rangers into the office building.


    ¡°The fog appears to be more¡­ insubstantial¡­ in here,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°Fin, Smores¡­ some kind of wall would be nice,¡± Aims said.


    The shade monsters were seconds from crashing into the glass front.


    ¡°Ice Wall,¡± Smores said and promptly passed out.


    Rai caught the young mage before he hit the ground.


    ¡°Right,¡± Aims nodded. ¡°That should hold long enough to take care of Sgt. Butcher. Two-toes¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get the stone out of the sarge,¡± Two-toes said as she directed Mouthy to place the sergeant on a desk.


    ¡°Fin, do you have enough mana to fix Mouthy¡¯s knee first?¡± Aims said.


    Fin shook his head.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, probably just tore an ACL or something,¡± Mouthy bounced on her toes with a grimace. ¡°I can fight. Just don¡¯t ask me to run.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll hold out here,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°No choice,¡± Mouthy snorted.


    Aims shot her a glare, but continued. ¡°Hanna and the Watch will reach the sanctuary soon, if they haven¡¯t already. Rayna¡¯s brother is there. We can use Sgt. Butcher¡¯s communication device to contact base and relay our location to the others. Then they can come get us.¡±


    ¡°If it even connects,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°It will,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°What about the spears and the werewolf?¡± Ramira said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let Rino hear you calling her that. Bitch is sensitive about that,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°I thought I saw them being forced back to the buildings, like us,¡± Rai said.


    ¡°Hardhat¡¯s still out there,¡± Two-toes said as she hurriedly pulled bloody stone shards out of Sgt. Butcher¡¯s back.


    ¡°When you¡¯re done there you can do the rest of us,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°If you can reach them then you should probably start pulling the stones out of yourselves. From the sounds out there¡­ I might not have enough time to do first aid for the rest of you.¡± Two-toes didn¡¯t look up from her grim and desperate task. ¡°Stay with me, Sarge,¡± she whispered.


    ¡°You have time,¡± Fin said flatly.


    The others stared at him.


    ¡°So, fucking weird,¡± Mouthy muttered.


    Time wasn¡¯t on their side.


    They could hear the shades outside chipping away at the wall of magical ice with a frenzy.

 5.29

    Now, Manila


    ¡°The rangers are falling back into a building, Spear Sergeant!¡±


    Doran squinted. It was getting difficult to see through the fog even without accounting for the chaotic battle. Human shades kept appearing from every direction. ¡°I see them, Marci. Good eye.¡±


    That didn¡¯t bode well for his spears.


    They had already lost sight of the Watch at the front of the formation. The only thing that gave them any sense of orientation was the glowing sigil in the distance. How much distance? Doran couldn¡¯t tell. It seemed to vary from a hundred yards to five times that much.


    Still, his unit was holding their defensive box well.


    Spears stabbed into charging shades. None of the enemy had weapons long enough to get past them. Shields did an adequate job protecting them from ranged attacks. The enemy didn¡¯t get much of an opportunity to cast multiple spells or fire their weapons more than a handful of times thanks to the terrifying Rino.


    The Weredog moved with striking quickness through the battlefield. Claws and teeth sent the shade mages and ranged attackers back to the fog each time they revealed their positions.


    Doran was confident they could¡¯ve held for a long time, but he knew that was a losing proposition since the goal was to get to the sanctuary. Which, when he saw the large and misshapen forms appearing out of the fog alongside the human shades, suddenly seemed too far to reach.


    A giant bull-thing charged out of the thick fog. Swirling gray wisps trailed in its wake.


    ¡°Rear line to the front, double coverage, now!¡± Doran barked.


    The rear of their formation was left open as the back line turned and hurried to press up against the front line.


    ¡°Right and left lines, change angle. Triangle formation!¡±


    Doran stood in the center of the formation staring at the huge horned animal mutated to grotesque proportions with muscles so large that the skin had split in several places.


    ¡°Brace! Reflect Charge!¡± He wasn¡¯t sure if his Unit Skills were going to be enough.


    It was all he could do as he listened to the brave men and women facing the charge yell out their own Skills.


    The mutated bull plowed into the spears.


    Steel heads plunged through thickened skin and over-sized muscles. Hardwood shafts splintered. Shields broke.


    The unfortunate Spearman that took the brunt of the charge was thrown back into his teammate trying to brace him. Both went flying. The Spearman was dead on impact.


    Their Skills hadn¡¯t been enough.


    Although they had managed to keep the mutant bull from penetrating through the double line they failed to kill it.


    The mutant bull gored and trampled more of them.


    Marci rolled to the mutant bull¡¯s flank and came up thrusting with her spear. ¡°Power Thrust!¡± It sank deep into the side of the creature, just behind its left foreleg. The young Spearwoman pulled her weapon free along with a sickening gush of dark, diseased-looking blood.


    The mutant bull roared and spun around to face her.


    ¡°I got its heart! I had to!¡± she cried in disbelief.


    ¡°Over here you giant walking hamburger!¡± Audra called out even as she fired her pistol into the side of the mutant bull¡¯s enormous head.


    The mutant bull regarded Marci for a moment then snorted before turning back to the rest of the spears.


    ¡°Get back in formation, Audra!¡± Brendon pulled the dark-skinned woman into line.


    ¡°My spear broke!¡±


    ¡°Here,¡± Xing handed Audra a bloodied spear. ¡°He¡¯s not going to need it anymore,¡± he eyed the dead Spearman on the ground.


    ¡°We are stronger together.¡± Doran stepped into the middle of the line. Directly in front of the mutant bull. ¡°Brace. Reflect Charge. Shield Block. Penetrating Thrust.¡± Skills for his unit and for himself.


    The mutant bull charged again.


    The blow shattered Doran¡¯s shield and shoved him back, but this time they held. Spears pierced the mutant bull¡¯s flesh again. Yet, it still wouldn¡¯t go down.


    Worse, more monsters were closing in even as the two spear lines on either side of the formation were beginning to be swamped by the human shades mindlessly throwing themselves on the spears.


    The mutant bull bellowed as it stamped the ground with a sound like thunder and lowered its horned head.


    ¡°Bash!¡± Xing clanged his crowbar into the creature¡¯s skull wincing as the impact jarred his entire body.


    ¡°Double Thrust.¡± Doran lunged in. The tip of his spear angled from below to make two deep wounds in the creature¡¯s thick neck with one move. Marci had wounded its heart, but it was still going strong, so he had hoped that maybe piercing a vital vessel in its neck would finish it.


    The mutant bull flung its head up, nearly goring Xing as the stocky man barely got out of the way by throwing himself back.


    ¡°Get back!¡± Doran ordered. ¡°Reform the line.¡±


    Monsters resembling a hideous mix of goat and man had joined the human shades.


    Audra, who had broken her second spear, was firing her pistol while Brendon wielded shield and spear in an effort to protect her.


    Doran steeled himself to accept what was definitely going to be a fatal charge from the mutant bull. His one chance was to land a killing thrust in return and hope that his spears could find a way out of this mess.


    The mutant bull thundered forward, bellowing with unearthly rage so palpable that Doran felt it as a tangible thing.


    He tightened his grip. His spear never wavered.


    He lunged forward.


    A dark snarling blur plowed into the mutant bull from the side.


    Rino¡¯s nearly nine feet tall form looked small as she dug her claws into the mutant bull¡¯s thick hide and rode it. The mutant bull bucked wildly, but couldn¡¯t dislodge her. Even when it slammed into and trampled the rusted vehicles parked on the side of the street.


    Rino opened wide and clamped her powerful jaws over the back of the mutant bull¡¯s neck. Just barely wide enough. Sharp teeth bit down. The muscles in Rino¡¯s neck strained visibly through her fur as she shook her head from side to side.


    Finally, after what seemed like an eternity an audible crunch echoed through the shrouded gloom.


    The mutant bull collapsed.


    Rino¡¯s lupine face twisted with what looked like disgust as it appeared that she was trying and failing to spit.


    She gave up and locked eyes with Doran before pointing toward a fast food restaurant on the other side of the street.


    Doran understood immediately. ¡°Retreat! Head there!¡± he thrust his spear. ¡°Rapid Disengage!¡±


    ¡°Wait! Marci¡¯s in trouble!¡± Xing pointed urgently.


    Marci was out of position. She had placed herself behind the mutant bull away from the rest of her unit.


    Bleating sounds tickled her ears.


    She spun and swept her spear in a flat arc in front of her catching a couple of hideous goatmen mid-leap and knocked them back.


    The distance was too great. There were too many shades in between the unit and Marci.


    Doran looked urgently to Rino.


    The Weredog shooed him in the direction of the restaurant and bounded toward Marci, scattering shades with vicious swipes of her claws.


    ¡°Marci will be fine,¡± Doran said.


    The spears retreated in good order. They kept the shades at bay behind their shields and spears. They dragged the wounded with them, but left the dead to the fog.


    For some reason the shades didn¡¯t immediately follow them into the restaurant.


    Doran took stock of their situation..


    They had lost another five. All new recruits. A selfish part of him was glad that out of the remaining seven members that had been with him since the beginning, only Marci¡¯s fate was uncertain. Although, the young woman was probably in better shape than the rest of them with Rino at her side.


    He forced such thoughts away. They were unworthy and sentimental. He had to focus on the next steps.


    ¡°Pile up the tables and chairs. We¡¯ll make a barricade with a choke point.¡±


    He was left with a thought.


    How effective was a Spear Unit when half of them didn¡¯t have spears?


    <hr>


    Vibrating Blade, Hanna thought.


    Her sword hummed as she halved a leaping monster.


    Blood splashed over her then vanished into mist, just like the monster.


    She saw the glowing sigil up ahead.


    It felt so close.


    She thought she caught glimpses of the building through the swirling fog. That was an improvement from the opaqueness of it just a few minutes ago.


    Human shades had given way to monster shades at some point and a part of her was glad for that. She had been unnerved to cut down people that either looked terrified or resigned with dead eyes. The thought of what it must¡¯ve been like for them filled her with dread. She would share their fates were she to fall. Her entire team was at risk of what appeared to be eternal slavery to the fog.


    Hanna cut forward, foot by foot toward the glowing light.


    The vanguard leading the way for those behind her.


    There was a muffled thump and a small cylinder bounced several feet in front of her.


    The grenade exploded sending shrapnel into the clump of monsters in front of Hanna.


    She flinched back as the metal shards pinged harmlessly off her Threnosh armor. She realized that she hadn¡¯t even felt the concussion wave.


    ¡°I knew your armor could take it,¡± Cristos called out while he fired controlled bursts of his weapon.


    Hanna didn¡¯t dignify the soldier with a response. She leapt into the opening he had made and slashed through multiple monsters with sweeping strikes of her sword as she advanced.


    An arc of bright blue-white lighting flashed triggering her faceplate to momentarily darken. The bolt split into multiples and charred several monsters.


    ¡°Sorry!¡± Jake said. ¡°I¡­ er¡­ also knew your armor could take it.¡± The big Techmage had a smartphone in his normal hand and a pistol in his prosthetic. The ghostly mage hand spell glowed a dim blue around the dark gray of the skeletal metal.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. We need to punch through to the light. Keep at it,¡± Hanna grunted.


    A flaming baseball streaked past Hanna¡¯s head and beaned a misshapen monster in its fanged mouth. The monster¡¯s entire head erupted into flames.


    Hanna lashed out faster than the human eye could follow and beheaded the creature.


    She chanced a quick glance back and noticed Trevor nervously giving her the thumbs up.


    She waved for him to continue what he was doing.


    The rest of the team was barely managing to fend of the monster shades.


    Rebekah was forced to support Max on her shoulder, while hacking desperately with her axe.


    Del fought on Max¡¯s other side with blade and pistol.


    Ginessa fired her pistol wildly as she supported Jovita, who could barely walk.


    Hanna cursed at that. She hadn¡¯t seen how Jovita had been injured. The Eskrimador was a superb melee fighter.


    Demi brought up the rear. Her recoilless rifle didn¡¯t seem to run out of ammunition while her Threnosh armor kept her safe. She had Santi throwing bottles at the monsters. Several walls of flame hindered pursuit and kept the monsters from simply overwhelming their formation with sheer numbers.


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    However, it wasn¡¯t looking good in Hanna¡¯s eyes. Where were Amber and Alexa? The rangers and the spears?


    Someone started laughing as if to mock her growing desperation.


    And just like that the monster shades disappeared back into the fog.


    ¡°Hurry! To the sigil!¡± Demi urged.


    The group ran for it.


    The building became visible out of the fog. It was several stories high and occupied a block. Restaurants and other commercial establishments were at street level. The floors above looked like apartments. It was as they were briefed. This was the main sanctuary.


    The fog seemed to thin as they neared the sanctuary.


    The glowing sigils adorning the walls shined a light out just past the sidewalk where a clear boundary existed. It was as if there was a glass wall that the fog couldn¡¯t penetrate.


    The laughter continued to echo when Hanna suddenly found herself driven into the asphalt.


    The jarring impact had her struggling to breathe. She had a moment to recall that one of the tests she did with the Threnosh armor was to get hit by a car traveling around 40 mph. This one was stronger than that.


    A dark shadow in the fog descended on her.


    She rolled and came up slashing.


    The person, the shade, was quicker and dodged back.


    ¡°Where¡¯d you get that armor? I¡¯ve dented steel plates easily before.¡± The shade was a young man in jeans and a t-shirt. He was wiry and of average height. Black hair, long on top and shaved on the sides.


    Hanna recognized the sound of his voice. ¡°You think this is funny? Why? You like being enslaved to a fog monster? Enjoy making others just like you?¡± She struggled to get her wind back, but still held her sword in a steady two-handed grip with its point toward the young man.


    ¡°Shut up! You don¡¯t know¡ª¡±


    A streak of blue-white light crackled past Hanna and sent the young man flying back into the fog.


    Jake appeared behind her. ¡°God¡­ it¡¯s disturbing how burnt human flesh can sorta remind you of BBQ pork. What I don¡¯t understand is why they smell and bleed before they turn back into fog? How does that even work?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t smell anything.¡±


    ¡°Must be nice having a helmet with filters.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± Hanna ignored Jake as she searched the fog-shrouded space that separated them from safety.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t we moving?¡± Cristos said.


    ¡°My Danger Sense is still going off,¡± Del said.


    The rest of the group caught up.


    ¡°I hit that guy with as strong a Shock Spell as I can manage right now, but I¡¯m pretty sure it didn¡¯t kill him¡­ turn him back to fog¡­ whatever,¡± Jake said.


    The same laughter heralded the young man¡¯s reappearance in front of them. However, now he had a burned hole in his shirt. The flesh beneath was blackened and weeping blood. ¡°You¡¯re not as dumb as you look. Still look like a meathead though. Shooting a spell out of a phone is new. Who are you people? I mean you obviously don¡¯t look like you¡¯re from here. You¡¯re speaking English, but so am I. Then again, with the universal translation thing, who knows what language any of us are really speaking.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re being a lot more talkative than the others,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°It must be struggling with some other stuff. Could be cause of you guys? I dunno?¡± the young man shrugged.


    ¡°Can we convince you to step aside?¡± Del ventured.


    ¡°No chance,¡± the young man laughed.


    ¡°You said it yourself. If whatever entity that¡¯s controlling you is busy then maybe you can fight it!¡± Jake pleaded. ¡°Or at least do nothing. Just stand aside and let us pass.¡±


    The young man was silent for a moment. Conflict roiled across his face, but in the end he shook his head. ¡°Sorry, but not sorry.¡±


    ¡°Vern, right?¡±


    Two women suddenly coalesced on each side of the young man.


    The speaker appeared to be in her fifties or sixties. The other was much younger


    ¡°You don¡¯t know me. I barely know you. You¡¯re Tito Phillip¡¯s wife¡¯s¡­ whatever¡­ just cause we¡¯re trapped in this hell together doesn¡¯t mean anything. You can¡¯t talk to me like we¡¯re family!¡± Vern snapped.


    ¡°God, you¡¯re such a dick,¡± the young woman rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Karlee, don¡¯t take the Lord¡¯s name in vain and don¡¯t say bad words,¡± the older woman admonished. ¡°Vernardo, then¡­¡± she began, ¡°I can feel a difference. I¡¯m sure you do too. Almost as if we can¡­ I don¡¯t know how to describe it¡­ maybe not try as hard as we can to fulfill our duty.¡±


    ¡°You can do what you want. As for me¡­ this is the closest I can get to feeling like I¡¯m still alive. After this I go back to dreaming of a gray nothingness at best. At worst? I dream about the worst day of my life along with the worst days of your lives and all the lives that it took. I dream of aliens too? You understand?¡± Vern turned to Hanna, Jake and the rest. ¡°Countless lives and worlds! I dream about them! All of them doomed to an eternity of gray and nothing! Only to be brought out for this¡­¡± he laughed, ugly and bitter. ¡°So¡­ sorry, but not¡­ this is the closest I get to being alive again, which is bad luck for you guys.¡±


    ¡°Just wait a little bit, you asshole!¡± Karlee said. ¡°Tita Lu¡­ do you think it¡¯ll work this time?¡±


    ¡°There is always hope if we have faith.¡±


    Vern snorted.


    Karlee stepped toward the invisible boundary between the fog and the sanctuary. She pressed her hand against it and pushed.


    At first nothing happened. Her hand remained pressed up against the boundary.


    Then her hand began to push through slowly.


    ¡°Tita!¡± Karlee smiled. ¡°I think¡ª¡± her smile turned into a grimace.


    They watched as her hand turned into mist that burned away in the presence of the sigil¡¯s light.


    Karlee pulled her hand back. Her shoulders slumped and her head bowed. ¡°Why?¡± Her whisper was audible to Hanna¡¯s helmet.


    ¡°See,¡± Vern said.


    The older woman sighed and went over to embrace the younger.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am¡­ Mrs. Lu. We¡¯re here to do what we can to free you. If you step aside¡ª¡± Demi began.


    ¡°Lu is fine and I¡¯d love to, but that won¡¯t be possible. Our wills aren¡¯t our own. I do pray that you succeed. We¡¯re already dead and we deserve to move on to heaven.¡±


    ¡°Pfft! I¡¯m fucked either way,¡± Vern said.


    ¡°We¡¯re not all like you, Vern!¡± Karlee spat.


    ¡°Enough talking!¡± Vern leapt.


    Only to be thrown off course by a baseball grazing his forehead.


    Vern came up with a curtain of blood running down his face. ¡°What the fuck is this! Some kind of magic baseball?¡± he held it up.


    ¡°It¡¯s my Cutter, a Skill,¡± Trevor said from behind a lot of people.


    ¡°How do you cut with a ball?¡± Vern muttered. ¡°Such bullshit.¡± He hurled the ball at Trevor with blinding speed.


    Hanna sliced it out of the air and the two halves harmlessly flew past everyone.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got an automatic tracking system in that armor? Cause I needed to use car radar guns to find out how fast I can throw things.¡±


    ¡°My reflexes are my own,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Skills then? Or maybe you¡¯re a magical swordgirl,¡± Vern smirked.


    ¡°I¡¯ll handle him. Everyone break for the sanctuary,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°We don¡¯t leave anyone,¡± Del said even though his pistol shook.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean just leave me. Eron¡¯s in there. You go get him and come back for me,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be quick,¡± Demi promised.


    ¡°One on one, huh? Okay, okay,¡± Vern nodded.


    ¡°Thought you lived for this,¡± Hanna raised a brow.


    ¡°I do. Let¡¯s see if you can last long enough for that piece of shit to get out here for his next beating,¡± Vern turned and grabbed a fallen motorcycle next to the sidewalk and hurled it at Hanna.


    Meanwhile, the rest of the team faced the two women standing in their way to the sanctuary.


    ¡°Jimenez, get in there and send Eron and anyone capable of helping,¡± Demi said.


    The small woman swallowed nervously, but nodded before disappearing from everyone¡¯s notice.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see her, Tita,¡± Karlee said.


    ¡°Good for her,¡± Lu said.


    Demi fired her recoilless rifle without warning.


    The first few round struck Lu in her shoulder, but the old woman raised a hand and a teal-colored forcefield appeared in front of her and Karlee to block the rest of the projectiles.


    ¡°Tita Lu!¡± Karlee¡¯s hands were encased with large, orange-colored forcefields resembling a tiger¡¯s paws and claws.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Lu pressed a hand to her bloodied shirt. ¡°Up you go,¡± she pointed and the forcefield in front of Karlee disappeared only to be immediately replaced by a smaller one oriented horizontally to the ground. Several more went up into the air like steps.


    Karlee bounded up until they lost sight of her in fog.


    The only hint of where she might have been was the faint teal glow from the forcefields.


    ¡°Jake! Watch for the girl!¡± Demi continued to fire at Lu. She wasn¡¯t denting the forcefield, but she wanted to keep the woman pinned in one place for the rest of her team. ¡°The rest of you head for the sanctuary!¡± She advanced on Lu while maintaining a steady stream of projectiles.


    ¡°What are you waiting for, Del!¡± Rebekah snapped. ¡°Get your ass gone!¡±


    ¡°And leave you and Max?¡±


    ¡°Watch Captain¡¯s orders!¡±


    Del cursed. ¡°Hide.¡± He suddenly vanished from their perceptions.


    Cristos sprinted for the boundary.


    ¡°Santi, gimme something nasty,¡± Trevor reached out.


    ¡°Careful with this,¡± the teen handed a small vial of glowing greenish liquid over.


    ¡°Sinker,¡± Trevor threw it over Lu¡¯s forcefield.


    The vial suddenly dropped toward Lu¡¯s head.


    She responded with a hastily erected panel of translucent teal light that the vial shattered against.


    The liquid immediately began to sizzle and smoke.


    ¡°Geez, that stinks,¡± Trevor gagged. ¡°Acid?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but worse,¡± Santi replied.


    The alchemical substance ate through the forcefield in seconds, forcing Lu to move out from under it.


    ¡°C¡¯mon! While she¡¯s distracted!¡± Trevor dragged Santi by the arm as they legged it for the boundary.


    Demi was relieved as she noticed the two making it into the warm glow of the sigil¡¯s light.


    She didn¡¯t see Jimenez or Del, but was certain that they had already made it under the cover of their respective stealth Skills.


    Which left Rebekah, burdened by the semi-conscious Max and Ginessa, similarly helping a concussed Jovita stagger forward. They were moving too slow for Demi¡¯s liking. The only reason they had a chance was because the multitude of human and monster shades had been replaced by just three. Even if they had superpowers.


    The ammunition counter in her faceplate indicated that she would need to reload soon. She¡¯d need to have Jake take over pinning down Lu for the few seconds that would take. It was a dicey proposition.


    Their clock was ticking down. She really didn¡¯t like pinning most of her hopes on Eron bailing them out. They were there to bail him out, after all.


    The young woman, Karlee, chose that moment to emerge. She pounced from above for Ginessa and Jovita. The former reacted with supernatural reflexes as she pushed Jovita to safety then turned to bring her pistol to bear.


    Ginessa got off a single shot that missed before Karlee was on her.


    The two tumbled on the ground with Karlee ending up on top. She swiped her forcefield covered hands as Ginessa frantically tried to cover her face.


    The aswang screamed in pain as the claw-like forcefields shredded the once pristine skin on her arms.


    Ginessa¡¯s tongue lashed out.


    Karlee moved her head to one side. Surprise writ plainly on her face. ¡°Another aswang?¡±


    ¡°Magic Missile!¡± Jake sent a melon-sized orb of luminous blue energy flying at Karlee.


    Karlee caught it in a forcefield covered hand then hissed in pain.


    The spell had eaten away at the field and left her with a scorched, blackened hand.


    Karlee cradled the useless appendage as she dashed back into the thicker portion of the fog.


    ¡°Get up and keep moving!¡± Jake barked at Ginessa.


    Ginessa¡¯s face was paler than normal, but she nodded and hurried over to help Jovita back to her feet to continue their desperate push to safety.


    ¡°It seems that some of you made it. I am glad and I am sorry that I have to stop the rest of you,¡± Lu pointed and flat panes of forcefield surrounded Rebekah and Max, along with Ginessa and Jovita.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand you,¡± Demi said in despair. ¡°You do that to them, but not to me or Jake?¡±


    ¡°Like I said, right now it feels as if I can not try my best,¡± Lu replied. ¡°So, please¡­ keep trying yours.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve lost the girl watch captain!¡± Jake called out. ¡°And it looks like Hanna¡¯s got her hands full with the douche!¡±


    The big Techmage didn¡¯t see Karlee coming out of the fog. The gray swirled as she dashed low to the ground, almost like a jungle cat. She lashed her forcefield-covered hand at the back of his leg before scampering away again.


    Jake screamed and spun around, nearly falling, unable to put weight on his injured leg.


    He felt stinging pain and wetness running down from hamstrings.


    They had been shredded.


    His mana shield had failed.


    He risked a glance at the smartphone on his chest harness assigned with the shield spell.


    No good. It was out. He was defenseless aside from his meager, by comparison, armor.


    ¡°Jake!¡± Demi called.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡± he grunted. ¡°Keep on the old lady! You can¡¯t let her pin us all down!¡±


    He readied himself. The girl, Karlee, liked to attack from a blind spot. He had two shield spell smartphones left. He had already left several back there when he had to block off alleys to keep the shades from overwhelming the team.


    He activated one and tossed it down a little behind him to the left. The second he placed to his right. Blue shields emanated out of the phones. They were about three feet wide at the flat bottom and slightly tapered to a rounded top, which came up to just under his chin.


    He had intentionally left a gap directly at his back just large enough for a small and thin person.


    He didn¡¯t have to wait long.


    ¡°Jake! Watch out! She¡¯s coming high!¡± Del suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The man was nearly at the boundary, but hadn¡¯t gone in.


    Jake reacted without conscious thought and spun. ¡°Lightning Claw!¡± he thrust his prosthetic hand up.


    Karlee hadn¡¯t gone for the obvious gap. She pounced from above, over the spell shields, aided, no doubt by Lu¡¯s flat forcefields.


    The smell of ozone mingled with burned flesh as Jake¡¯s spell-covered prosthetic pierced Karlee¡¯s chest.


    She swiped her own forcefield claws at Jake¡¯s face, but his arms were much longer than hers.


    ¡°That¡¯s a pretty cool spell,¡± Karlee coughed blood.


    ¡°Kinda like your power. It¡¯s pretty cool too,¡± Jake said. ¡°Sorry about this.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be. Better than ending up like me.¡± Karlee dissipated back into the fog.


    Jake collapsed to one knee while he canceled his spell.


    Del rushed over and helped him up.


    ¡°Man, what¡¯re you doing? You were clear,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°I was about to, but then I got a sense that you were about to die,¡± Del grunted as he struggled to help Jake up. ¡°Damn, you¡¯re heavy,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Just go. I¡¯ll make it on my own.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t walk and besides, I¡¯m thinking your claw might be able to destroy the forcefields trapping our teammates,¡± Del huffed under Jake¡¯s burden.


    Lu watched it all with a resigned look on her face.


    Farther back down the street, Hanna sliced the motorcycle in two.


    The left half just clipped her shoulder and spun her around.


    The Threnosh armor made her a tank in terms of protection, but it didn¡¯t enhance her strength beyond aiding her in moving as if she wasn¡¯t wearing it.


    ¡°I¡¯ve punched huge dents into steel plate before. Like, full on knight armor stuff. Assholes from the north and from the south, thinking just cause they¡¯ve got protection I couldn¡¯t touch them. Broke ribs, one-punch knockouts, you name it, I¡¯ve done it. That armor¡¯s definitely better than anything I¡¯ve ever seen, but I¡¯m gonna break through it just like the rest,¡± Vern growled.


    ¡°Those that talk the most usually can¡¯t back it up,¡± Hanna raised her sword in high guard.


    Vern smirked right before he exploded toward her.

 5.30

    Now, Manila


    Hanna slashed down without conscious thought.


    Vern stepped to his right while punching with a lead right hand.


    Fist connected a fraction of a second before the blade.


    Hanna¡¯s head rocked back and she stumbled until she hit the side of a building. She knew that she would¡¯ve been killed instantly had it not been for the Threnosh armor. As it was she still felt the hit. It hurt.


    ¡°Seriously, where did you get that sword and armor?¡± Vern touched his shoulder, fingers came away red. The blood quickly darkened his shirt. ¡°You actually cut down to my collarbone. Still¡­¡± he rotated his left shoulder experimentally, ¡°nothing major. Is it magical? Nah¡­ doesn¡¯t look or give off that feeling. Looks more futuristic. The spires said something about other worlds,¡± his eyes narrowed. ¡°Did you get them on one of those? How¡¯d you even go there?¡±


    Hanna said nothing. She moved away from the wall and reset her stance. This time she held her blade with the point toward Vern. He was faster than her. She needed to keep her movements as small and quick as possible to mitigate her disadvantage. She had never seriously fought anyone with superhuman strength and the accompanying speed before. Sparring with Cal, Remy or Nila didn¡¯t even come close to a real fight. Sure, she had faced people with Skills or spells that had made them stronger or faster than they normally were, but not to this extent.


    ¡°It would¡¯ve been awesome to see a different world. Aliens and shit would¡¯ve been dope. Instead, I¡¯m stuck like this,¡± Vern said through grit teeth. ¡°You¡¯ve cut me. I can probably count on one hand how many times a person has been able to do that. And you¡¯re doing it without Skills. Although, I wonder how much the future sword and armor boosts your power level?¡±


    Hanna struck without warning. She moved forward with a quick cut at Vern¡¯s face.


    The young man skipped back.


    Except, he did so in a straight line.


    A mistake.


    It had been feint.


    Hanna smoothly switched from a two-handed grip to one-handed as she lunged with a thrust to Vern¡¯s chest.


    She had been too quick for him to jump back again. He was forced to slap the blade aside.


    Vern cursed even as he rushed forward with a bloody fist chambered near his chin.


    The distance she had created gave Hanna an edge as she swiped her blade in an arc in front of her even as she backpedaled. The blade cut deep into the steel cord-like muscles of Vern¡¯s right arm only stopping when it hit bone.


    Vern pivoted away with a shout.


    He spun, reached down and ripped a handful of asphalt out of the road hurling it in Hanna¡¯s face even as he attacked again.


    Hanna ignored the debris as it harmlessly bounced off her faceplate. She thrust her blade once again, this time aimed at Vern¡¯s stomach.


    Somehow, he caught it in his injured right hand.


    Hanna pulled, expecting to deal a grievous cut with the withdrawal.


    Instead, it didn¡¯t move an inch.


    Blood dripped down the blade and to the ground, but Vern gave her a nasty smile. ¡°This isn¡¯t regular steel. Normally, all I¡¯d get from doing this is a scratch that barely bled. It took someone strong, with Skills to even draw a little. But, you¡¯ve got me good a bunch of times. What are you? Some kind of Swordmaster? Cause it¡¯d be pretty awesome to take someone with a special class out.¡±


    The two engaged in a one-sided tug of war for a moment.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, let¡¯s see a Skill. You haven¡¯t used one this whole time,¡± Vern smirked.


    Hanna only had a few active Skills. She preferred her skills when it came to combat techniques. Better to use up her points on passive Skills that enhanced her physical attributes beyond what she could achieve on her own.


    Her problem now was that she had used up a lot of her stamina just to get to this point.


    She needed her weapon free.


    Vibrating Blade, she thought.


    She felt her sword hum as she withdrew it with all her strength.


    It came free with a spray of blood.


    Vern blinked.


    It took him a moment to realize that the fingers of his right hand were on the ground.


    He stared at his hand in shock for a few seconds.


    ¡°Fuck! Guess I had that coming,¡± Vern laughed bitterly. ¡°Not that it matters. It¡¯ll be good as new next time I go and come back from that gray hell.¡±


    Vern splashed blood from his gushing fingers on Hanna¡¯s faceplate.


    Caught off guard, she couldn¡¯t react as he rushed in and punched her in the gut.


    The blow doubled her over and he kneed her in the face.


    He grabbed her throat and lifted her up before slamming her into the street hard enough to crack the asphalt.


    Hanna felt like a rag doll as Vern lifted her again and spun her around before flinging her through the side of a building.


    Masonry and pieces of particle board joined her in flight as she crashed through tables, chairs and the counter before a thick, freezer door stopped her.


    Somehow, she had managed to keep her grip on her sword.


    She pushed herself free from the steel door crumpled around her and took a moment to steady herself.


    That had been much worse than being hit by a car.


    The room swayed around her like she was on a boat in the middle of a turbulent river.


    The restaurant shook again as Vern crashed through the wall.


    ¡°You¡¯re looking wobbly. Did I just rock you?¡± Vern sneered.


    Hanna managed to hold her blade steady.


    Vern feinted rushing forward.


    Hanna didn¡¯t react since she had seen it for what it was.


    Vern smiled again before grabbing a table and hurling it at Hanna.


    She responded by cutting it in half and letting the Threnosh armor take the hits.


    This time Vern charged.


    Hanna backed up and kept her sword point aimed at his chest.


    Vern changed levels and dipped in low, shooting at her legs.


    Hanna brought her sword down and sliced his back, but didn¡¯t stop him from getting into her legs.


    Vern embraced her legs. With his shoulder planted into her hips he exploded up and ran her through the back wall of the restaurant and into an alley before slamming her into the ground.


    He punched Hanna in the face a few times before standing and grabbing her by the ankle. ¡°What¡¯s it going to take to break through this armor?¡±


    Hanna desperately slashed her sword at the back of Vern¡¯s legs, but he was faster.


    For the second time, he sent her flying into a building.


    This time Hanna couldn¡¯t rise.


    <hr>


    Jimenez wanted to jump with joy. Crossing over the invisible boundary from the fog into the light from the wards of the buildings walls brought such a release that she hadn¡¯t known she had needed.


    The fog had slowly, insidiously ramped up the feeling of oppression and despair as she had traveled through it that she hadn¡¯t even realized it.


    Then she remembered that she had a job to do.


    She rushed toward the closest door.


    It belonged to a restaurant at the corner of the block. The name was lit up as if it was open for business as usual.


    She pulled on the door handle and her heart sank as it didn¡¯t budge.


    Of course.


    If a buildings owner didn¡¯t grant you permission and was personally a lot stronger than her then she wouldn¡¯t be able to just walk in. She needed an invitation.


    Jimenez banged on the glass. ¡°Hello! Please, we need help! Eron Cruces! Anybody!¡±


    She was so engrossed in her desperation that she didn¡¯t notice Cristos run up next to her.


    ¡°Stand back!¡± Cristos pointed his carbine at the glass.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to do that,¡± a melodious voice from inside caused Jimenez to squeak.


    Even Cristos flinched and he was a hardened soldier.


    The two looked inside, but saw nothing aside from tables, chairs and a lit up bar at the back.


    ¡°Why do you want Eron?¡±


    The voice seemed to be coming from¡ª


    Jimenez looked to the left¡­ and found empty space.


    When she looked back she saw an impossibly beautiful woman in an evening dress with long, luscious, silvery hair. It took a moment for Jimenez to realize where she had seen that before.


    ¡°Aswang!¡± Cristos pulled Jimenez behind him and pointed his weapon at the woman.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like you already,¡± the woman sneered. ¡°You, little mouse, you haven¡¯t burned your bridges like the soldier. I¡¯ll talk to you. Where did you come from? How? And why are asking for Eron? You may answer in any order.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Cristos hissed. ¡°It¡¯s a trap, a trick.¡±


    Jimenez didn¡¯t think she had much of a choice, so she told the woman, the aswang, everything.


    ¡°Well¡­ lucky for you, Eron has really good ears. I can hear him coming down right now.¡±


    Eron burst out of the back door and into the restaurant. He moved with a purpose as he pushed the front doors open. ¡°Get inside. No violence,¡± he pointed at Cristos.


    ¡°You have to help¡ª¡± Jimenez began.


    ¡°I got the gist,¡± Eron said.


    He headed for the boundary of the wards¡¯ protection just as Trevor and Santi stumbled out of the fog.


    ¡°Eron¡­ Eron!¡± Trevor pumped his fist.


    ¡°Trevor? Long time no see. Tell me the situation out there. I only know that three of my relatives are about to kill the rest of the Watch.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s this old lady that can make these forcefields, like huge, flat panes of glass. A young woman that has like tiger claw forcefields and this punk that¡¯s, like, a bruiser-type. He¡¯s superstrong¡­ sent Hanna flying with a punch,¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°Okay¡­ can you tell me where the older woman is?¡±


    ¡°Oh shit¡­ I dunno¡­ maybe, like, fifteen, twenty feet in that direction,¡± Trevor pointed.


    ¡°The other two?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ they were moving pretty fast. I would¡¯ve had a hard time keeping track of them even without the fog and I¡¯ve got a passive Skill that helps my hand-eye coordination,¡± Trevor.


    ¡°Alright, that¡¯ll have to be good enough. You and your friend head inside,¡± Eron nodded at Santi. ¡°No violence.¡±


    Eron didn¡¯t wait. He dashed where Trevor had pointed.


    He immediately saw his mom¡¯s cousin standing behind a large, teal-colored forcefield. He also spotted several members of the Watch trapped in forcefields. He recognized Watch Captain Lawrence wearing futuristic-looking armor and firing a similar looking rifle at Tita Lu to no effect.


    Eron didn¡¯t waste time. He rushed up behind and grabbed her in a chokehold. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for this, Tita Lu.¡± He squeezed. The sound and feel of the crack sickened him.


    The teal forcefields winked out as her body turned into fog in his arms.


    ¡°Officer Lawrence, that armor tells me Cal is with you¡­ so where is he?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Watch Captain now. Your brother is back at base camp outside the fog. He was planning on attempting an extraction for us,¡± Demi said.


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°Congrats¡­ okay, well we¡¯ll figure the rest out later. For now, you all should get inside the sanctuary. That¡¯s an official invitation.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t leave,¡± a big man with a bloody back leg limped over.


    Eron didn¡¯t recognize him. In fact he only knew Demi and vaguely recognized a few others.


    ¡°Hanna¡¯s still out there. Fighting a young man named Vern,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Of course it¡¯d be him,¡± Eron sighed. ¡°Which way?¡±


    ¡°Down the street, last I saw,¡± Demi said. ¡°We were also separated from the rest of our team. More of mine, your sister¡¯s rangers and a unit from the California State Government. They were just behind us, but we lost them.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll get them. Get in the sanctuary before more of my relatives or monsters show up.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s another thing¡­¡± Demi hesitated for a moment. ¡°We lost your father.¡±


    ¡°My dad came too?¡± Eron blinked.


    ¡°An ibingan ate him,¡± Jake said in a small voice.


    ¡°I knew it!¡± Eron snapped. ¡°Damn it! How did the fog entity managed to subsume an ibingan. Those things are strong physically and magically. Damn, damn, damn, That¡¯s what Tito Carlos was talking about!¡± Eron laughed bitterly. ¡°The fog must¡¯ve been dealing with it, which was why he said that I could¡¯ve escape.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ did you not hear what I said?¡± Jake ventured. ¡°It ate your dad¡­¡±


    Eron shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ve tangled with an ibingan down on one of the southern islands. My dad¡¯s strong enough to not get killed by one easily. Plus it¡¯s a fog version, so it¡¯s weaker. This Hanna of yours needs help right now. If she hasn¡¯t already taken.¡±


    ¡°She won¡¯t be. She¡¯s our best fighter and she¡¯s got a sword and armor from the Threnosh world,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°The badass sword woman? With that gear? She could fight Vern,¡± he mused. ¡°Go inside. There¡¯s a¡­ woman, Cherry, in the restaurant. Don¡¯t fight.¡± His eyes were drawn to a beautiful young woman a short distance away helping another woman stand. It took an effort to pull his attention away from her. ¡°Yeah, no fighting.¡±


    Eron waited for them to cross over into Lilah¡¯s protection before he took off down the street in search of the one named Hanna.


    He came across a car neatly-sliced in half. ¡°Threnosh sword, huh?¡±


    He strained his ears and caught faint sounds of violence. He followed them and found two holes in the side of a restaurant.


    The interior looked as if a tornado had gone through. It was completely ruined.


    Oddly enough he hadn¡¯t been attacked by shades.


    There was a small crater in the ground out in the alley. He could almost see the human-shape in it.


    He hurried down the alley and found another broken hole in a wall.


    The fog swirled thickly around him, making it hard to see.


    However, he could hear sounds. It reminded him of an industrial hammer beating on a block of metal. It was the kind that sent vibrations through the air that he could feel.


    The fog thinned inside the clothing store. Trendy ten years ago, but that sort of thing ended with the spires¡¯ arrival. Fashion was one of those things that almost instantly stopped mattering.


    Eron found Vern straddling an armored woman.


    His cousin was landing left hands over and over again with methodical violence.


    ¡°Hey, Vern,¡± Eron tapped his cousin¡¯s shoulder.


    Vern turned in surprise and caught a hook to the jaw.


    Eron grabbed his throat. ¡°You¡¯re a dick but I¡¯m still sorry for this.¡±


    Vern tried to swing at Eron¡¯s face, but he was seeing stars and whiffed by a mile.


    It took an eternity for Eron to choke the life, if one could still call it that, out of his cousin.


    Vern dissipated back into the fog a few moments later.


    Eron regarded the unconscious woman.


    The faceplate of her helmet had been cracked badly, but her face was still pretty, so the armor had done its job.


    He needed to take her back before he could search for the rest of them.


    ¡°Probably got your brain rattled around in there though,¡± Eron sighed as he lifted Hanna off the floor. ¡°We¡¯ve got a legit Doctor with healing Skills. He¡¯ll fix you up.¡±


    He headed out the door before realizing he had forgotten something.


    He bent down carefully, so as to not jostle Hanna too much, and picked her Threnosh sword up.


    ¡°Ow!¡±


    The blade had actually nicked his finger.


    He shook his head. ¡°I hope Cal brought me something from there.¡±


    <hr>


    To dream is to enter a world born of one¡¯s imagination. Memories, some long-forgotten, emerge from the subconscious to populate the dreamscape. People, places, things, events, all are thrown together to create an experience that can be as real as the waking world.


    One dreamed many dreams over the course of the night, though they only remember a few, if any at all depending on how close they were to awakening.


    One thing was true, no matter how amazing or terrifying a dream was.


    It wasn¡¯t real.


    Until the spires had appeared.


    Magic had changed things.


    Over a decade on people were only beginning to realize how deeply their entire world and existence had been changed.


    The girl slept fitfully as she had for weeks now.


    Her dreams, her nightmares were filled with thick, swirling gray mist that hid all manner of monsters and people. Fear and sadness filled her as she floated through the mist, as she became the mist.


    She was the light that shined and drove away the mist, causing it great pain even as it longed to consume it, her. As she longed to consume it, her.


    She observed many things. All at once, one at a time, and back and forth.


    She fought to push the mist away.


    She fought to push past the light.


    She saw different worlds and different peoples, like nothing she had ever seen before in reality.


    She dreamed, she was awake, she walked, she drifted.


    She saw.


    There was a small house where the warm light grew cold and dim.


    A man wearing strange-looking armor¡­ she recognized it, others wearing the same armor, if only in plain gray, not dark blue and yellow-gold¡­ women, closer¡ª no, farther away.


    She was at a small house.


    The man was sleeping in his armor. His face was visible through the clear faceplate of his helmet. There was a resemblance that she thought, knew, recognized.


    Four people were gathered around him.


    A woman was prying at the armor with a knife to no avail.


    They spoke in hushed tones, that was loud and ugly to her ears. She didn¡¯t want to listen, to see this.


    She had to listen, to watch.


    ¡°Stop that, Dolorita, you¡¯re just going to ruin another knife,¡± a tall man said. The tallest Lilah had ever seen.


    The blank-faced young woman twirled her thin knife around her fingers before making it disappear in the blink of an eye.


    ¡°Magic?¡± the tall man turned to a much shorter young man.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t risk waking him up, Domeric,¡± the young man replied with a shake of his head.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just toss him back outside,¡± an angry-faced young woman snapped. ¡°Why waste our time with this? The glowing symbols on the walls are getting dimmer by the minute. Go put magic in those, Samson!¡± she snapped.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already wasted mana trying,¡± the young man, Samson, said with the air of someone having repeated himself many times.


    ¡°We can¡¯t throw him out,¡± the tall man, Domeric, said. ¡°He got inside, which means he had permission, which means that Eron fucker gave him that. He knows him,¡± he jabbed a finger at the armored man. ¡°He could be our ticket to safe passage.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t matter if the fog¡¯s going to get in here any minute now,¡± the angry young woman snorted.


    ¡°Paz,¡± Domeric said flatly, ¡°remember who you are talking to.¡±


    The angry young woman bowed her head, but the girl saw that the glare in her eyes burned brighter.


    ¡°We do nothing. We wait for him to wake up and present ourselves¡­ well,¡± Domeric said.


    The young girl noticed the dimming symbols on the walls outside the small house.


    Belatedly, she realized they were hers.


    She knew the unconscious man or at least, knew of him. He needed to be kept safe. The other four made her uneasy, but she couldn¡¯t let even them be taken by the gray. The gray couldn¡¯t be allowed to take any more.


    So, she pushed more of herself into the glowing symbols until they shined brightly.


    Pain and exhaustion flooded through the young girl.


    She was suddenly pulled to a different place and perhaps, a different time.


    This time she sensed that she was closer to herself.


    The gray must take. That was purpose. That was existence. Safety against utter annihilation.


    Different worlds, different times.


    Gray shattered, burned, dispersed into nothingness through countless ways.


    Unfair.


    Fair.


    Protectors chased invaders through a building, seeking to trap them.


    Gray was lesser on the inside, which meant fewer protectors.


    ¡°I have no idea where I¡¯m going!¡± A young woman wearing a construction hardhat of all things ran down a tight hallway.


    ¡°Just keep heading up! We need to get to the roof! We can¡¯t allow ourselves to get swarmed in here!¡± A tall, slender young man with a oddly-shaped axe raced just behind her.


    A bleating protector appeared in front of the young woman and heroically charged her with pointed horns forward.


    ¡°Shit!¡± the young woman blasted it into mist with her gun, then pumping it to chamber another shell as more protectors coalesced.


    ¡°Keep moving!¡± the young man leapt up to the side wall and took two running steps to get around the young woman to land a devastating blow on another protector, nearly decapitating it.


    Three other invaders joined the young man and fell on the protectors, hacking and stabbing them to nothingness before they were even ready to fight.


    The last two in the group stumbled around the corner.


    A ball of fire briefly scorched the gray away as a young woman blocked it with a round shield.


    ¡°Amber!¡± the second woman screamed as the excess flames briefly washed over the two of them.


    They fell to the floor. Rolling and slapping at the small fires on their clothing.


    ¡°Watch out!¡± the hard-hatted young woman called back.


    A protector barreled around the corner. ¡°Tackle!¡± he roared at the two women only just rising to their feet.


    ¡°Get down!¡± the hard-hatted young woman rushed toward them. The thunder of her heavy boots on the faux wooden floor was drowned out by the blast from her gun.


    The two women hugged the floor as a cloud of metal zoomed over them.


    The protector was knocked to his back, but he was tougher than most and slowly rose.


    ¡°Soccer Kick!¡± the hard-hatted young woman clanged the front of her boot into the protector¡¯s neck turning him into mist. She peeked around the corner, cursed and fired another shot before turning and running back down the hallway. ¡°Hurry it up!¡± she called in passing as she hurdled the other two women.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Amber. We¡¯re not dying here,¡± the older of the two pulled the younger up as they hurried to catch up to the rest.


    The seven found the stairs at the end of the hallway and climbed. They reached the top and emerged into another hallway.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t the roof, Ambrose,¡± a stocky middle-aged man grunted.


    ¡°Roof access is obviously elsewhere, Boy,¡± the tall young man grimaced.


    ¡°Find the door without a number,¡± a scar-faced woman said.


    ¡°Venida¡¯s got it,¡± a fit young man said.


    Another blast rocked the stairwell.


    The last three of their group burst through the door.


    ¡°They¡¯re right behind us!¡± the hard-hatted young woman said.


    ¡°Barricade the door.¡±


    ¡°With what?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s flimsy. I could run through it. A shade monster or shade person with Skills will go through it like paper.¡±


    ¡°The roof is our only chance,¡± the tall young man stalked ahead.


    The mist swirled in his wake.


    The rest of the group hurried after him.


    Numbered doors alternated on each side of the narrow hallway.


    The floor squeaked and rattled with every hurried step.


    They got halfway when protectors managed to cut them off.


    The gray coalesced ahead of them into a large, horned form that filled the hallway.


    ¡°This way!¡± the stocky middle-aged man lowered his shoulder, ¡°Charge!¡±, he splintered the door into pieces.


    The others filed in after him.


    The hard-hatted young woman took a moment to send a blast from her gun into the protector.


    ¡°You could¡¯ve left some of the door, Boy!¡± the scar-faced woman snapped. ¡°It¡¯s wide open now!¡±


    ¡°Just grab the fridge and some furniture, Venida!¡± he fired back.


    They did just that and barely in time.


    They could hear claws scratching at the fridge even as they crammed the dust-covered couch, tables and chairs into the apartment¡¯s short entry way.


    The gray was thinner inside, but was steadily thickening as more of it seeped through the gap around the barricade.


    ¡°It won¡¯t take much time before they start appearing in here. This is the top floor. Is there a balcony?¡±


    One of them went over to the living room window and peered out into the gray gloom. ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°Can we still climb out?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯d be easy hits for the spell-casting shades.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got axes¡­ why not cut our way through the apartments until we find the stairs to the roof.¡±


    ¡°What if roof access isn¡¯t inside the building?¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯re fucked. The roof is our best chance to get to the sanctuary. The streets were packed with them.¡±


    The barricade began rattling from powerful blows.


    One of the women knelt down in the middle of the living room where the coffee table had been.


    ¡°What are you doing, Alexa?¡± the young woman bearing the round shield whispered.


    ¡°My familiar should be small and sneaky enough. It¡¯ll find a way to the roof.¡± The woman began to chant in an indecipherable language as vibrant, pink light suffused her hands.


    In a nearby place.


    A street-level office of some kind.


    ¡°The shades are breaking through the ice!¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s it going with the sarge, Fin!¡±


    ¡°Almost¡­ almost¡­ there! Internal bleeding stopped. External¡­ sort of.¡±


    ¡°The hell does that mean, you weird nutsack?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not going to die from her wounds.¡±


    ¡°Oh that¡¯s good. Perfect timing for her to get killed by shitty ghosts.¡±


    ¡°No one is dying here!¡±


    ¡°Got a fucking plan?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s stairs back here. I think there are apartments above.¡±


    ¡°This building runs all the way down the block. The sanctuary should just be across the street from the end.¡±


    The wall of ice outside suddenly crumbled.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go!¡±


    They hurried to the stairwell only for the door to swing open as protectors emerged.


    In another place.


    Protectors threw themselves on sharp spears.


    The invaders had piled the restaurant¡¯s tables and chairs in the front dining area creating a thick, tangled barricade with a small open lane in the middle.


    They hid behind their shields, thrusting spears into the protectors that, as of yet, couldn¡¯t break their line.


    Near the place of warmth and light a hated figure stepped back into the gray.


    It was not his place.


    Yet, he always returned.


    To thwart.


    To threaten.


    Safety.


    That is all she¡­ it wanted.


    This time would be different.


    This time he would be stopped.


    Lilah woke with a start.


    She couldn¡¯t breathe.


    Her heart raced in her chest, threatening to burst out.


    She tried to call for help, but could only gasp.


    Eron wasn¡¯t going to be fast enough.

 5.31

    Now, Manila


    Aim¡¯s revolvers barked like a machine gun.


    Bullets tore through the shades coming out of the stairwell.


    His fingers blurred as he reloaded and fired again.


    ¡°Out the back!¡± Rai pointed.


    ¡°We¡¯ll get torn up out there!¡± Mouthy grunted as she lifted Sgt. Butcher over one shoulder.


    ¡°It¡¯s not¡­ outside, I mean. Commercial businesses on both sides at street level with an enclosed alley in the middle. I think they did it that way so they could put more apartments on top. Double the foundation space. Didn¡¯t you read the map?¡± Rai said.


    Mouthy shot the young man a rude gesture.


    ¡°Kristian, you¡¯ve got the shield, so you¡¯re in the lead,¡± Aims said to one of their new recruits.


    The muscular young man nodded and tightened his grips on shield and axe.


    ¡°Smores?¡±


    The dark-skinned young man shook his head. ¡°I can barely run. I¡¯m not going to be able to cast anything until I get a long rest. Preferably, sleep.¡±


    ¡°Fin?¡±


    ¡°I also need rest. Healing Sgt. Butcher took a lot. I can only manage weak, basic spells.¡±


    ¡°Two-toes?¡± Aims tried again.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got enough for one last engagement.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re ranged damage, stick close to Kristian. Ramira, you¡¯re right with them. Keep them from getting to Two-toes. Rai, you make sure Smores can keep up. Mouthy¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got the sarge.¡±


    ¡°Fin and I will bring up the rear,¡± Aims finished.


    Rayna¡¯s Rangers moved out the back of the real estate office.


    Aims and Fin blasted the shades reaching out of the stairwell with shot and spell.


    True to what Rai had said they emerged into an enclosed space.


    It was dark as night.


    ¡°Light Orb,¡± Two-toes whispered.


    A small white ball of light appeared in her hand. She held it up to reveal the cold, sterile space.


    Plain, concrete pillars held up a ceiling crisscrossed with a maze of metal pipes.


    The unpainted walls were only broken up by closed doors leading into the separate businesses on either side.


    Their steps echoed off the plain gray concrete.


    So much gray.


    They couldn¡¯t miss the swirling fog as they moved through it.


    ¡°It¡¯s not as thick in here,¡± Rai murmured.


    ¡°I¡¯d theorize that the fog entity must expend more energy to spread into closed structures. I wonder if it has to defeat boss monsters to claim them? That interaction is fascinating,¡± Smores said.


    ¡°Shut up! Figure all that out after we get out of this shitsoup!¡± Mouthy snapped.


    The floor began to rumble.


    At first it was slight, almost gentle, such that no one noticed.


    In fact it was a different sense that detected something was amiss.


    Alert. Magic.


    Fin heard the ever-present voice in his head¡¯s warning an instant before the floor began to shake violently.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t had an earthquake in a while,¡± Rai said.


    Two-toes¡¯ eyes shot wide open. ¡°Not an earthquake! Something¡¯s happening!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a spell,¡± Smores agreed.


    The floor behind the group suddenly buckled and shot upward. Broken concrete and the dirt beneath formed a wall that rose to the ceiling and completely blocked them from going back.


    ¡°Uh¡­ what¡¯s the point of that shit? Not like we were gonna go backwards,¡± Mouthy sneered.


    Alert. Incoming magic attack.


    ¡°Down!¡± Fin cast his magic shield without hesitation, placing it in front of the earthen wall.


    Spikes of hard-packed dirt and concrete rubble lanced out from the wall and struck the glowing shield.


    It held for a moment, before shattering and sending Fin to the ground from the damage feedback.


    Although the young man was knocked out he had managed to turn instant death for several of his team into mere injuries. His shield blunted the sharp ends of the spikes and slowed them down enough that getting hit by them had been more akin to being tackled on the football field rather than being run through by a knight¡¯s lance.


    Their formation was scattered as they were knocked to the ground.


    Stunned, they didn¡¯t notice the earthen wall parting as a man walked through it.


    The gray swirled and thickened around him as he purposefully strode into the rangers¡¯ midst.


    Mouthy, tougher than most, was the first to get her bearings. She climbed to her feet and drew her machete. ¡°You¡¯re that fuck nugget that was on the roof. Blow up your own guys then run and hide like a little bitch. Nowhere to run.¡± She charged.


    ¡°Stone Shield.¡± A small round shield made entirely of a patchwork of stones appeared on the shade¡¯s arm.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡± Mouthy aimed a vicious slash at the shade¡¯s neck.


    He raised his shield and met the steel blade with a shower of sparks as chips from both went flying.


    Mouthy pulled back for another strike, but the shade thrust his free hand toward her chest.


    ¡°Stone Bullet.¡±


    The magical projectile shattered against her chestplate, but knocked her back.


    It reminded her of the one time she had been kicked by a mutated horse. Judging by the sharp pain as she struggled to breathe she had broken a rib or two, just like then.


    ¡°Stone Weapon: Club,¡± the shade said.


    A large, ugly club appeared in the shade¡¯s hand.


    He swung it at Mouthy, who knew better than to try to parry. She scrambled back and tried to circle to her left, the shade¡¯s right, trying to use his attack to get into a blind spot.


    Pain stung inside her chest with every move, but she could endure it for a time.


    She slashed her machete at his unarmored back.


    The shade winced and spun with a wild backhand swing.


    Mouthy ducked under and cut the side his thigh.


    She sneered at him.


    The man blinked and quirked his head as if listening to something only he could hear. ¡°You¡¯re a distraction.¡± He dismissed his stone shield and pointed at Mouthy. ¡°Stone Spray.¡±


    Mouthy was forced to cover her face as jagged little rocks cut the exposed parts of her arms.


    ¡°Mage-types are priority targets because they¡¯re a threat and are desirable. Useful. As I have been cursed to discover. I¡¯m sorry for this.¡±


    He strode over to the prone Smores and rolled the semi-conscious young man over with his foot.


    Smores had a ugly cut across his forehead that streamed blood into his hair and face. He raised a hand ¡°Ice Da¡ª¡± his hand fell. He was spent. He had nothing left.


    A sad look flashed across the shades face as he raised his club and brought it down.


    ¡°No!¡±


    The stone club shattered against the magic shield that had suddenly appeared around Smores.


    Two-toes was on her knees, one hand pointing. The other held a pistol that shook.


    ¡°Casting without the words. Desperate circumstances leading to growth¡­ such a spires-thing,¡± the shade paused, ¡°I hate that so much. It took me losing the last of who I cared about to learn that. Still didn¡¯t make a difference in how I ended up.¡± He pointed at Two-toes. ¡°You¡¯re a mage-type too.¡±


    A stone spike lanced out and pierced through Two-toes¡¯ stomach. Her armor did nothing to slow it.


    Blood gushed out of her mouth as she coughed once and collapsed.


    Silence.


    Her magic shield protecting Smores vanished.


    The shade raised his club again and struck.


    Aim¡¯s revolvers barked repeatedly.


    The shade shouted as his wrist and the club shattered. ¡°You try so hard to save them. I did too¡­ and failed.¡±


    Aims cursed as he reloaded.


    The shade pointed his other hand at Smores.


    ¡°Someone stop him!¡± Aims called out desperately.


    Concur. Enemy analysis complete. Mage-type. Minimum level: 30. Terminate now!


    Rai fired his pistol. One shot struck the shade in the shoulder, but he barely budged. It was like shooting into the side of a hill.


    Kristian charged, but he had been at the front of the formation and was too far away.


    Ramira had taken a chunk of concrete and dirt to the back of her helmet and was struggling to get up.


    Mouthy was slowed by her injuries.


    Fin was low. He needed something strong to stop the shade and he didn¡¯t think he could do it unless he pushed beyond his remaining energy.


    Being subsumed by this fog entity is not conducive to our goals. Safety of the sanctuary is required to rest and recharge. This shade mage stands in the way of that. Override safety measures. Emergency energy available. Reward outweighs risk. You will require hibernation to recuperate. Long-term damage possible. Unable to calculate probability.


    Fin swept his arm toward the shade.


    ¡°Stone Bullet.¡±


    The shade cast his spell at the same time.


    A wave of black, crackling energy in the shape of a claw disintegrated the shade at the same time that the stone bullet struck home.


    Fin fell to the floor completely spent. He didn¡¯t hear the wails of anguish from Aims and Mouthy. Didn¡¯t see the sightless eyes of Smores as they stared, unblinking into the drab, gray ceiling.


    ¡°What the fuck is happening!¡± Mouthy hurried to Two-toes as the gray swirled around her motionless body.


    There was a disturbing hunger to it.


    ¡°Get away from her you shitsack!¡± Mouthy slashed her machete wildly, desperately at the gray even as Two-toes slowly began to dissipate into the fog.


    ¡°Fin!¡± Aims had rushed over to the young man¡¯s side and slapped him. ¡°Wake up, damn it! We need magic! Now!¡±


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Aims! I can¡¯t do anything!¡± Mouthy screamed. ¡°Power Strike!¡±


    The gray wisps streamed around her machete. Untouched, as if to mock her ineffectiveness.


    Two-toes¡¯ arms and legs were already mostly gone.


    Smores¡¯ body was in a similar state.


    ¡°Noob! Do something!¡± Mouthy yelled at Kristian.


    ¡°What? You want me to taunt the fog!¡±


    ¡°Yes! Just try something!¡±


    Kristian ran over to Smores and banged the haft of his axe on his shield. ¡°Taunt!¡± he screamed.


    The gray continued to eat away at Smores¡¯ body.


    Mouthy¡¯s eyes darted around wildly until she landed on Rai. ¡°You! You¡¯re a fucking Shaman! That¡¯s magic! Do something! I¡¯m not letting this thing turn them into those things!¡±


    Rai stammered. ¡°I can¡¯t¡ª they aren¡¯t spirits.¡±


    ¡°Fucking useless!¡±


    ¡°Mouthy!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have a special shot Skill or something! Ghost, shade, whatever-killing bullets!¡± Mouthy snapped at Aims.


    ¡°Mouthy,¡± Aims said flatly. ¡°Everyone. Pull the sarge and Ramira over hear,¡± he dragged Fin¡¯s unconscious form to the center of their broken formation. ¡°Quickly and get into defensive formation.¡±


    The others noticed what he had already seen.


    Dark figures were beginning to form all around them in the fog.


    ¡°What the fuck!¡± Mouthy snapped. ¡°You¡¯ve already killed them!¡± she dragged Ramira with one hand, while pulling Two-toes¡¯ rapidly disappearing body with the other. ¡°Leave them alone!¡±


    Her scream echoed until it dwindled into nothing, just like Two-toes¡¯ body, followed by Smores¡¯.


    ¡°You still with us Mouthy? We need you if we¡¯re going to have a chance,¡± Aims hissed.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Mouthy replied. ¡°I¡¯m still with you,¡± she growled.


    The shades, man and monsters, finished taking form and attacked.


    ¡°Here!¡± Kristian banged his shield.


    Aims raised his revolvers.


    ¡°C¡¯mon! Gonna fucking kill you all!¡± Mouthy roared.


    Hopeless or not, they were Rayna¡¯s Rangers and they always fought till the end.


    <hr>


    The portable ward thrummed in Madalena¡¯s arms.


    It had grown urgent the closer they got to the main sanctuary. Echoing the beating of her own heart.


    It had taken so long to traverse the distance on foot.


    Each step was agonizing with the oppressiveness of the gray looming in on them from every direction.


    Dark shapes roamed just beyond the sigil¡¯s light, while whispers continued to torment them.


    Everyone in the group had lost loved ones to the fog and those voices reached out to them.


    They cast blame. They tempted, but no one else had succumbed to those after the example provided by Jason losing himself in his desperate madness chasing after the voice of his wife.


    Madalena stopped.


    They were close.


    Only a few streets away.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Delia said


    Madalena shushed the old woman with a gesture. ¡°Quiet¡­ I thought I heard¡­ something.¡±


    She strained her hearing.


    Battle?


    The ward began to pulse with urgency.


    Madalena felt it¡­ pulling her.


    That was new.


    She regarded the ward for a moment. ¡°It¡¯s nothing¡­ just hearing things.¡±


    ¡°With the fog there isn¡¯t just a ¡®nothing¡¯,¡± Delia said.


    ¡°We¡¯re safe as long as we have this. Let¡¯s keep moving. We¡¯re almost home.¡±


    They turned down a street and walked along a long block of mixed business and residential buildings. It was just like the main sanctuary. In fact, much of this area had been built that way a long time ago.


    One more turn at the end of the street and they¡¯d make it.


    Madalena couldn¡¯t wait to see the Lilah¡¯s glowing sigils casting their warm light against the gray gloom and driving it away.


    The portable ward pulsed urgently and Madalena felt as if it was pulling to her left.


    She moved it in that direction not exactly in full control of her actions.


    It pulsed frantically in response, like a racing heart.


    ¡°I¡ª I think we need to go there,¡± Madalena began.


    Cries of alarm from the others in the group assailed her.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re almost there!¡±


    ¡°Now is not the time for donuts!¡±


    ¡°There could be monsters!¡±


    ¡°Monsters? We¡¯re already surrounded by the worst one!¡±


    Madalena experimentally moved the ward. Its beating slowed when she pointed it in a different direction and quickened as soon as she set it back toward the donut shop.


    ¡°She wants me to go there,¡± Madalena whispered.


    The others gaped at her, but they didn¡¯t have much of choice. They could only stick with her as she strode to the donut shop.


    ¡°Here,¡± she handed the portable ward to Delia. ¡°I need to be in front in case of monsters, but keep us heading in the direction it beats the fastest at.¡±


    The door was locked, but Madalena opened it with an easy pull.


    The interior was almost pristine, if a little dusty. An eerie aspect of the post-spires world.


    A message chimed in Madalena¡¯s ear, but she waved it away before the text could scroll in her vision. She wasn¡¯t interested in claiming the space.


    Normally, monsters would be an issue, but the fog had done something to change things.


    It swirled inside, wispier than outside, but unmistakable.


    They were alone.


    The whispers and dark shapes didn¡¯t follow them in.


    ¡°Keep going straight,¡± Delia said.


    Madalena nodded. She pushed the locked back door open and stepped into a drab, plain corridor of some kind.


    The fog was thicker here, but she could see that there were more doors along her side of the wall and across the space.


    More businesses.


    Then that meant the space was once meant to move consumer goods and food ingredients into the stores through the back.


    Madalena saw something to her right.


    There was a wall, of all things in the middle of the space.


    It was made out of what looked like dirt and concrete.


    The sounds were suddenly clearer.


    ¡°Hurry!¡± Madalena longed to rush forward, but the entire group had to stay together and it took doing for everyone to get through the doorway while staying inside the ward¡¯s radius.


    They reached the wall and all could now hear the sounds of desperate fighting on the other side.


    There was a man-shaped opening in the wall that Madalena peeked through.


    What she saw shocked her.


    People!


    People were fighting shades.


    They were losing.


    Madalena cursed.


    Superstrong hands tore at the earthen wall until the space was big enough.


    ¡°Give me the ward!¡± Madalena reached out to Delia. ¡°Everyone stay in the light!¡±


    She rushed forward holding the ward in front of her like a talisman to ward of evil.


    The fog swirled out of her way. It burned to nothing in the light when it couldn¡¯t move fast enough.


    The shades vanished as the light engulfed them when Madalena rushed into the middle of the fight.


    A muscular man armed with a shield and axe turned and aimed a wild-eyed chop at Madalena.


    She moved the ward out of the way and caught the axe blade with one hand.


    ¡°You¡¯re people¡­¡± Madalena gaped. ¡°I mean, you¡¯re not shades¡­¡± The ward pulsed with what she felt was relief as the light washed over everyone.


    ¡°No shit!¡± an angry-faced woman spat blood.


    ¡°Mouthy!¡± a grim-faced man snapped. He holstered two revolvers with a flourish. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Judging by that thing in your hands¡­ please tell me you¡¯re with the sanctuary¡­ with Eron Cruces?¡±


    Madalena could only nod.


    ¡°Thank you. You saved us. I¡¯m called Aims,¡± the grim-faced man pointed at the others in turn. ¡°Mouthy, Kristian, Ramira and Rai. That¡¯s Sgt. Butcher and Fin,¡± he gestured at the two unconscious people on the ground.


    Truth be told Madalena hadn¡¯t even noticed the latter two and it had been lucky that she hadn¡¯t tripped over one of them.


    ¡°You¡¯re from outside?¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°Yeah, we came with Cal Cruces to help his brother and you, it seems, but¡­ well, thanks again. We would¡¯ve dead if you hadn¡¯t shown up when you did,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°Too fucking late for Two-toes and Smores!¡± Mouthy snapped. ¡°You couldn¡¯t have fucking come a few minutes earlier?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I had no idea you were even here,¡± Madalena scowled.


    ¡°We should head for the sanctuary,¡± Aims cut in.


    ¡°Hardhat¡¯s still out there¡­ the spears, others,¡± Mouthy said.


    Madalena¡¯s gaze hardened. ¡°Then I¡¯ll head back out after I drop you all off.¡±


    ¡°Fuck if I¡¯m staying inside when all our guys aren¡¯t accounted for,¡± Mouthy grunted.


    ¡°Agreed, but the rest need to go,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Mouthy shrugged and hefted the sergeant onto her shoulders. ¡°Kristian, you get Fin,¡± she un-gently nudged the latter¡¯s unconscious body with her foot.


    ¡°Stay in the ward¡¯s light,¡± Madalena warned.


    They headed for the sanctuary at last.


    <hr>


    Alexa shared her small familiar¡¯s eyes as it scampered through the air conditioning vents.


    The ever-present fog was inescapable, but it was much thinner in the cramped space.


    She had given it simple instructions.


    Scout out the adjoining apartments and look for a path free of shades leading to a way for them all to get to the roof.


    Alexa cursed. ¡°What¡¯re you doing, Mr. Bigglesworth?¡± she whispered.


    Ambrose¡¯s eyes darted to the Eldritch Mage.


    It seemed that most of the others hadn¡¯t heard Alexa.


    Ambrose opened his mouth¡ª


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Amber shushed him.


    ¡°She named that grotesque thing, Mr. Bigglesworth?¡± Ambrose dropped his voice to a whisper.


    Amber rolled her eyes. ¡°I know¡­ she said it reminded her of a cat from an old movie she watched a lot with her dad when she was a kid,¡± she whispered.


    The two watched as a one-sided argument brewed.


    ¡°I told you what you needed to do¡­¡± Alexa continued.


    A beat of silence.


    ¡°¡­ you¡¯re supposed to avoid the shades and find a way to the roof¡­ why the hell are you going towards the sounds of fighting?¡±


    More silence.


    ¡°Interesting? Interesting¡­ we don¡¯t need interesting right now!¡± Alexa hissed. ¡°We need a way out of this damned fog!¡±


    A longer silence.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you take that¡ª no, no! I¡¯m speaking right now¡ª I won¡¯t have you take that tone with me¡­¡±


    Ambrose¡¯s brow raised. ¡°It talks?¡± he said flatly.


    ¡°Nah, not really. More like a mental link. Alexa said it wasn¡¯t exactly speech. More like impressions or images,¡± Amber shrugged.


    ¡°Fine!¡± Alexa snapped, drawing the attention of the rest of the group. ¡°Go and fight! See if I care. Don¡¯t come crying to me when the fog monster eats you and turns you into its butt baby!¡± She let out a huff.


    ¡°A lot of things don¡¯t make sense around her. That right there might¡¯ve just pushed it over the edge for me,¡± Hardhat deadpanned.


    Ambrose nodded in agreement. ¡°I¡¯ve seen and done many weird things and this is definitely up there.¡±


    ¡°Coming from a Headhunter with shrunken animal heads on his belt, that says a lot,¡± Boy said as he stared out into the gray gloom outside.


    ¡°Both are strange,¡± Venida nudged the stocky, middle-aged man out of the way so she could peer out of the window. ¡°Nothing, but gray,¡± she turned and regarded Hardhat for a moment. ¡°Since we¡¯re just waiting¡­ I¡¯ve been wondering why a hard hat? Don¡¯t get me wrong, I¡¯ve seen you take some shots that I was sure should¡¯ve smashed your brains, but here you are. Not even a slight concussion.¡±


    Hardhat stared at the scar-faced woman. ¡°It¡¯s special. Belonged to my dad. Dunno how, but it works better than one of those steel helmets and even if it gets beat up it ends up fixing itself like new.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ how?¡± Venida said.


    ¡°Magic?¡± Hardhat shrugged. The look on the ranger¡¯s face said that there was nothing left to say on the topic.


    ¡°See, I¡¯m not even the weirdest,¡± Ambrose whispered to Gabrio.


    ¡°Nah, dude¡­ you¡¯re still weirder than¡­ most,¡± Gabrio said.


    Sitting on the living room couch, Alexa cursed.


    Sharing the eyes of her familiar while it darted through a press of shades, human and monster was a disorienting experience that gave her the worst motion sickness.


    Mr. Bigglesworth scampered low to the floor.


    It slashed tiny, but scalpel-sharp claws through the Achilles tendons of two human shades.


    Then it climbed up the back of a goatman, a sigbin, before slashing through its jugular before using it as a springboard to get to the ceiling.


    The aforementioned claws and a strength that belied its light weight and small size allowed it to crawl upside on the ceiling.


    Alexa fought the urge to gag as she was taken along for the ride.


    The shades were thick in the hallway and were moving away.


    If Alexa had her bearings correct Mr. Bigglesworth was two floors below her, on the second floor, the first with apartments.


    Shades, human and monster, fought something or someone. It was hard to tell with the swirling fog and the thick press of bodies. It looked as if the shades were trying to defend the stairwell.


    Mr. Bigglesworth darted through a sudden explosion of shade bodies that cleared a space near the stairwell.


    A human shade stuck a hand out of the doorway and pointed. ¡°Fire Spray,¡± he said flatly.


    The flames brightened the gray gloom as they washed over what turned out to be a man.


    Mr. Bigglesworth watched from a safe distance as the man cursed and slapped at the flames.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Alexa gasped.


    The man appeared to be unharmed. His shirt, however, wasn¡¯t. What little remained of it was charred. Fortunately or unfortunately, his pants were still mostly there.


    He dashed forward with a quickness that startled Mr. Bigglesworth and he grabbed the fire-casting shade¡¯s arm. ¡°Sorry,¡± he said as he grabbed the shade¡¯s throat and squeezed.


    Alexa took a moment to admire the man¡¯s physique. He was muscular, ripped really. An 8-pack, not merely a 6. Broad shoulders that tapered to a slim waist that gave him an aesthetically pleasing V-tapered look. He wasn¡¯t bulky though, more lean, sleek.


    Alexa realized that the man looked familiar.


    ¡°That¡¯s him, Mr. Bigglesworth! That¡¯s Eron! Get his attention!¡±


    Silence as the others stared at her with concern.


    ¡°He won¡¯t hurt you! What do you mean?¡±


    Silence again.


    ¡°Well¡­ try waving or scratch a message on the floor or something,¡± Alexa huffed.


    ¡°Um¡­ Alexa?¡± Amber ventured cautiously.


    ¡°We¡¯re saved if Mr. Bigglesworth doesn¡¯t screw it up,¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°Well, hope he¡ª it hurries up,¡± Ambrose gestured at their makeshift barricade.


    It shook with renewed fury.

 5.32

    Now, Manila


    Eron stared at the small¡­ creature?


    He didn¡¯t know what to make of it.


    He had almost punted it out of existence when it had first scampered up to him.


    The only reason he didn¡¯t was that he had thought it was a cat at first. One of those hairless ones that had always creeped him out.


    He then realized that it wasn¡¯t a cat.


    Sure, its hindquarters looked like a cat¡¯s, tail included. Its head was quite close as well. The resemblance fell apart at the upper half of its body. The forelimbs were closer to a monkey¡¯s or an ape¡¯s. Long and sinewy, they reached the ground as the creature sat on its haunches.


    It had paws for the back legs, but the front? Well, they looked like hands, people hands.


    Eron suppressed a shudder at the creature¡¯s needle-toothed smile.


    ¡°This is new. If you¡¯re trying to be reassuring with the smile, consider one without the teeth showing.¡±


    The creature immediately pressed its lips together.


    ¡°Okay¡­ marginally not as disturbing.¡±


    The creature rolled its eyes.


    ¡°The fuck? You can understand me¡ª Don¡¯t roll your eyes at me!¡±


    The creature shrugged and beckoned him with an arm.


    ¡°Uh¡­ yeah, no. What even are you?¡±


    The creature sighed and gestured with more urgency. This time it pointed to the ceiling.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to have to give me more to work with. I¡¯m still not sure if this isn¡¯t the newest fog trick.¡±


    The creature spat with derision. Then it began to cut something into the floor with a clawed finger.


    When it finished Eron warily moved closer to look.


    Help. Friends. Upstairs.


    The words had been neatly done.


    Eron eyed the creature. ¡°Okay¡­ take me to them.¡± He couldn¡¯t quite believe he was going to along with this. To be fair this wasn¡¯t the strangest thing he had interacted with in the last decade.


    The creature held up its long, sinewy arms. Almost like a baby wanting to be picked up¡­ exactly like a baby wanting to be picked up.


    ¡°Oh¡­ no,¡± Eron blanched. ¡°Just go ahead, I¡¯ll follow.¡±


    The creature shook its cat-like head vehemently.


    Seconds ticked away.


    Eron sighed. ¡°I swear¡­ if you even scratch me a little¡­¡± he held out a hand.


    The creature solemnly mimed a cross over its chest before scampering up Eron¡¯s arm to perch on his shoulder.


    The creature¡¯s bare skin was warmer than he had expected. It was comforting, which made it disturbing.


    He tried to ignore the feeling of tiny fingers grabbing his hair. He was relieved to note that the claws were retractable.


    ¡°Lead the way.¡±


    The creature imperiously thrust out a hand.


    Eron punched his way through the shades in the stair well.


    One hit was all it took to dissipate them. There was a lack of powerful monsters and people. He was glad that he hadn¡¯t had to fight any more of his relatives.


    The creature pointed urgently down the hallway.


    Shades were trying to break their way into one of the apartments.


    ¡°You might want to get off here,¡± Eron warned.


    The creature leapt up to the ceiling and disappeared into a vent.


    Eron charged the shades.


    A few seconds and a dozen punches later found him alone.


    ¡°Anyone one in there? It¡¯s Eron. Offic¡ª Watch Captain Lawrence sent me to help you.¡±


    Muffled shouts came from other side of the barricade.


    Eron heard people dismantling it.


    When he saw the fridge begin to slide back with agonizing slowness he casually pushed it. Slowly, so as to avoid hurting the people on the other side.


    He vaguely recognized two out of the seven people in the apartment.


    One of them had the creature cradled in her arms.


    ¡°Hi. Introductions later,¡± Eron waved. ¡°Let¡¯s get you all to safety.¡±


    ¡°How?¡± a young woman wearing a hard hat said.


    Eron glanced back to the hall way. ¡°I figured we can just run to the sanctuary. You guys stick together, watch each other¡¯s backs. I¡¯ll take care of the shades around you.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me, sir,¡± a tall young man ventured.


    Eron realized that four, including the speaker, were Filipino.


    The other three had come with Cal from America.


    He wondered what the story there was. How had locals ended up joining his brother? Not to mention the aswang.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t call me that. Eron is preferable.¡±


    ¡°Right, of course,¡± the young man nodded nervously. ¡°I don¡¯t mean to be disrespectful or, like, question you¡­ but is that your plan? Just run for it? Cause we sort of tried that and¡­ if it¡¯s a stupid question and I¡¯m just not seeing something, I¡¯ll take it back,¡± he shrugged.


    The young woman wearing the hard hat snorted.


    ¡°There are no stupid question questions¡ª¡± Eron paused. ¡°Okay, there are. Maybe, there aren¡¯t any stupid first questions. So¡­ anyways, follow me.¡±


    He turned and strode back into the fog-shrouded hallway.


    The others raced out on his heels.


    ¡°He¡ª He didn¡¯t answer my question,¡± Ambrose whispered. ¡°It¡¯s not funny!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s such a Rayna-thing to do,¡± Hardhat chuckled.


    ¡°Not at all like Remy,¡± Alexa said. ¡°Scout ahead for threats,¡± she unceremoniously dumped Mr. Bigglesworth on the floor.


    The bipedal cat-like familiar huffed, but scampered ahead past Eron to disappear into the fog.


    ¡°Alexa, right? I¡¯ve some questions about that thing,¡± Eron called back.


    ¡°I got the Summon Familiar Spell at Level 20. Mr. Bigglesworth is what¡­ appeared,¡± Alexa sighed.


    ¡°At least he didn¡¯t cost you one million dollars,¡± Eron drew out the word in an exaggerated manner.


    Alexa laughed.


    Eron laughed.


    The others stared in confusion at the two laughers, then at each other.


    ¡°I loved those movies. My brother had the DVDs and I ended up with them when he moved¡­ good times,¡± Eron said wistfully.


    ¡°See¡­ see¡­¡± Alexa gloated to Amber.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t doubt that your dumb movie existed. I just thought that Mr. Bigglesworth was a dumb name for a familiar,¡± Amber shrugged.


    There were nods all around.


    <hr>


    Phillip leapt high into the air.


    The wind whistled in his ears as the gray swirled around him.


    Being unable to see the ground was unnerving. He hadn¡¯t realized it before.


    His target became visible a second before he crashed feet first into the mass of shades assaulting a fast food restaurant.


    Bodies were crushed and went flying as the ground shook underneath Phillip¡¯s boots.


    Overwhelming relief filled him when the human bodies disappeared back into the fog.


    There were doubts when he had first seen them.


    Humans and monsters fighting together.


    Although he had been mostly sure that they were shades, confirmation was nice.


    A faint light glowed in the distance. The sigil was visible through the thick fog. He vaguely recognized it as being ancient Philippine script or at least close. Not that he was an expert or knowledgeable by most metrics.


    The ground shook again.


    Something big rumbled up the street, headed right for him.


    He rushed to meet it.


    An enormous mutated carabao thundered, head down, horns poised.


    Great clouds of gray mist blew away from its nostrils. Its breathing sounded like the roar of a huge engine.


    Phillip raised his fist and brought it down with all his might.


    The hammer blow struck the mutated animal on top of its massive head.


    Bones broke. The shards were driven into the brain, killing it instantly.


    It quickly vanished back into the fog leaving behind the small crater its head had made in the asphalt.


    Bleating sigbin appeared and just as quickly vanished at Phillip¡¯s fists.


    A woman appeared and pointed a finger. ¡°Disintegration Ray,¡± she said with a dead-sounding voice.


    The dark beam was fast, but not the speed of light.


    However, Phillip had been caught off guard and he hesitated.


    The beam struck him right in the middle of his chestplate.


    The steel flaked, leaving behind a hand-sized circle of blackened metal.


    As far as he could tell a layer of steel had just been turned into nothing.


    He was fortunate that his armor was thicker than normal.


    Phillip ripped a chunk of asphalt out of the ground and crushed the woman¡¯s face with a well-aimed throw.


    That was close.


    He shuddered to think what would¡¯ve happened if the spell had hit his bare skin.


    It was stronger than steel, so he told himself that it wouldn¡¯t have been an instant death. It certainly would¡¯ve been painful.


    The shades focused their attention on Phillip.


    Spells, but none nearly as dangerous as the first one, bombarded him.


    Small bolts of fire, rocks, jagged ice spikes and more.


    He felt them, but none had been strong enough to hurt him.


    He didn¡¯t have time to waste, so he ran.


    He ran right over the shades.


    He covered the twenty to thirty feet of distance before they could react.


    It was exactly like getting hit by a truck moving at close to a hundred miles an hour.


    The shades didn¡¯t have a chance.


    Even the one that managed to cast a shield spell in time didn¡¯t fare any better.


    Phillip broke through the spell without slowing.


    The shade fell to the ground clutching his head in agony from the damage feedback.


    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Phillip put him out of his misery with a boot to the head.


    He looked away as the shade disappeared.


    Why did the fog have the bodies act as if they were still alive at the instant of their deaths?


    It forced him to see the results of his strength on normal human bodies. Something that he hadn¡¯t truly done before coming here.


    It was a sight that would stay with him.


    All he could to was to keep telling himself that they were already dead.


    Sudden silence.


    Phillip realized that there were no more shades.


    He breathed a sigh of relief that he hadn¡¯t had to face any of his family.


    ¡°You¡­ you got them all.¡± Doran came out of the fast food restaurant with a strange look on his face.


    Whether it was awe or horror, Phillip couldn¡¯t tell.


    He couldn¡¯t look the grizzled Spear Sergeant in the eyes. ¡°Are you okay? What happened here?¡±


    ¡°Got ambushed and separated. I don¡¯t know what happened to any of the others,¡± Doran said.


    The rest of his Spear Unit emerged from the building with stunned looks on their faces. Not a single one stood without some form of injury. Several had to be carried or helped along.


    Phillip couldn¡¯t help but count.


    There were less of them than he remembered.


    ¡°Is that it? No more shades?¡± Xing said.


    ¡°I¡¯d like nothing more than to head to that,¡± Doran pointed a broken spear toward the glowing sigil in the distance. ¡°But, I can¡¯t be sure that this reprieve isn¡¯t just another trap.¡±


    ¡°Three hundred yards is a long way to go,¡± Harmony said.


    Phillip regarded the fit woman. ¡°It looks to be a hundred yards to me.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m with you,¡± Jessie said. ¡°I say we make a break for it before they come back.¡± The short young man winced as he tightened the bloody bandage around his thigh.


    ¡°We can¡¯t be sure how far away it is. It seems different every time I look at it,¡± Doran said.


    ¡°Spear Sergeant, we can¡¯t hold back another assault,¡± Audra said.


    There was a gray pallor to the dark-skinned woman¡¯s face that Phillip didn¡¯t like.


    ¡°It has limits,¡± he said.


    ¡°You know this for a fact.¡± Doran¡¯s gaze could¡¯ve cut.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Phillip wasn¡¯t a hundred percent certain. ¡°I¡¯ve never encountered anything without them. You spend mana for spells and stamina for Skills. The shades of these people¡ª¡±


    ¡°They were using them,¡± Doran said.


    Phillip nodded. ¡°However, whatever the fog entity uses to recreate all of it¡­ people, monsters¡­ has to come from somewhere. It remade the ibingan that almost ate me. That had to have taken a lot of energy.¡±


    ¡°Plus all the shades we just fought,¡± Xing said.


    They watched their fog-shrouded surroundings warily. Not willing to call calamity upon their heads by being hopeful that it was over for the moment.


    ¡°This might be your best chance to make it to the sanctuary. I could take smaller groups. It¡¯d be easier to protect you. I could start carrying the injured two at a time. It¡¯d take me seconds to run there and back.¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°That¡¯d leave the ones left behind less able to fend off an attack,¡± Doran said.


    ¡°Then we all go together.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Doran grunted.


    <hr>


    Demi realized why Eron had warned them about fighting.


    She grimaced as Rino stared down the woman, Cherry, who was an Aswang: Gabunan judging by the impossible beauty and luscious, silvery hair.


    The Weredog had come in to Cherry¡¯s restaurant with Marci, the lithe, tall Spearwoman tucked under one, long, furry arm. It almost reminded Demi of a huge dog carrying its favorite toy¡­ if the dog was north of eight feet tall and bipedal.


    Rino had dropped Marci to the floor as soon as she had laid eyes on Cherry.


    She would¡¯ve broken Eron¡¯s no fighting rule if it hadn¡¯t been for Jake foolishly placing his big body in the way as the Weredog growled and stalked toward Cherry.


    It had looked dicey for a moment, but Rino had calmed and transformed back into her human form.


    Demi repressed a shudder at the memory. It had looked painful.


    They gave Rino her spare clothing from the dwindling supply in her pack.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Rino. Eron said no fighting,¡± Jake pleaded.


    Rino bared her teeth in Cherry¡¯s face, who stared at her impassively. Both women were tall enough to stand nose to nose.


    ¡°It¡¯s like watching supermodels about to throw down,¡± Trevor whispered.


    ¡°Shh¡­ they can hear you!¡± Santi¡¯s eyes were wide.


    Demi figured the kid had the right of it to be scared of the possibility. She remembered what the gabunan at the village had been capable off. She didn¡¯t know if Cherry was the same. If all gabunan had the same abilities and strength.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know Eron,¡± Rino ground out. ¡°All I know is that I see and smell the same thing as what was in that village.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll make no apologies for what I¡¯ve become. I will only remind you that you are guests here in this sanctuary. Starting a fight is unseemly,¡± Cherry said. ¡°Besides, you¡¯re traveling with another aswang,¡± she pointed a long, delicate-looking finger at Ginessa without taking her unblinking eyes off Rino.


    Seated at the most distant table, Ginessa tried to shrink into herself at the unwanted attention.


    Demi thought it was like a cat seeing a tiger at the zoo. There was something instinctive to Ginessa¡¯s futile efforts to avoid notice.


    ¡°Oh relax, girl,¡± Cherry sighed. ¡°I mean you no harm, nor will I try to dominate you. I¡¯m not like that.¡±


    ¡°Stand down, Rino,¡± Demi said. She wanted to calm things down before the two strongest beings in the room started something that the rest of them would regret. ¡°She hasn¡¯t done anything.¡±


    ¡°I heard the unspoken ¡®yet¡¯,¡± Cherry chided. ¡°Typical of you Americans. Always thinking you¡¯re the big dogs,¡± she smirked at Rino, ¡°wherever you go. No respect when you visit other peoples homes.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m only half,¡± Rino growled.


    ¡°Spoken like the petulant child you are,¡± Cherry sneered.


    ¡°Please, we don¡¯t want to fight. We came here to help,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Then stop trying to intimidate me in my own home. I have every intention of being polite. Are you capable of doing the same?¡± Cherry said.


    Rino balled her fists.


    ¡°Oh¡­ for fuck¡¯s sake,¡± Jake muttered.


    Demi could tell that he was getting ready to do something he knew he¡¯d regret.


    But before anything could happen Cristos pushed himself up from a table near the door. ¡°Might want to put those claws away.¡± He pushed the door open for the new arrivals.


    Demi felt a flood of relief as Alexa and Amber walked in. Followed by Ambrose, Hardhat, Boy, Venida and Gabrio. Eron came in last, shirtless for some reason.


    His gaze immediately went to Cherry and Rino. Eyes tightened.


    The two finally stepped back from each other. The former rolled her exquisite eyes before looking his naked torso up and down. The latter tried to stare Eron down, but couldn¡¯t hold it.


    ¡°Did anyone else come in while I was gone?¡± Eron looked to Demi for confirmation.


    ¡°No,¡± she replied.


    Eron didn¡¯t outwardly react. ¡°I¡¯ll get them.¡± He simply turned around and headed back out the door.


    ¡°Wait! I¡¯ll go too!¡± Rino called out as she started to take off her clothes.


    Eyes either averted or focused depending on the person.


    ¡°No you are not,¡± Demi said flatly. She regarded the unhealed cuts and ugly bruises on Rino¡¯s body. The Weredog was a fast healer. To still have such ugly looking wounds suggested that Rino was operating close to her, considerable, physical limits. Never mind the mental ones. ¡°You need to begin recovery. We need you for future operations.¡±


    Rino looked like she was about to argue, but relented.


    Eron had already exited the restaurant. He walked with a purpose toward the wall of gray, swirling fog. He needed to hurry. He had no idea how long the others could last¡­ and yet, he found himself reluctant.


    The toll of it was getting too heavy.


    He had to keep moving. Keep going forward. Don¡¯t give himself time to think and doubt. Don¡¯t think of the consequences for when his strength was finally found lacking.


    He took a deep breath and jumped back in surprise as dark shapes came rushing out of the fog.


    There were so many of them.


    Was it an attack? Had the fog finally breached Lilah¡¯s protection?


    ¡°Lilah!¡±


    A jolt of terror flooded Eron.


    He was torn between getting ready to face the dark shapes or jumping straight to Lilah¡¯s window.


    His eyes fell on the glowing sigils on the walls.


    They glowed.


    He realized they still filled him with comfort. With the strength to keep moving forward.


    Eron charged into the fog.


    He wasn¡¯t going to let them destroy the sanctuary, hurt Lilah and the others.


    The gray swirled around him.


    A dark shape appeared right in front of him.


    Too close.


    He reacted without thought.


    His fist struck out.


    Only to be caught.


    The grip was like a vise around his fist. Stronger than him. Much stronger.


    Eron tried to pull away, but he barely budged. He punched with his other fist.


    Caught.


    ¡°Eron? Stop! It¡¯s me, Dad!¡±


    ¡°They said you got eaten.¡± Eron wanted to believe, but he couldn¡¯t trust the fog.


    ¡°I got out of it.¡± His dad beamed as he pulled Eron into a bone-crushing hug.


    Eron tried to resist, but couldn¡¯t.


    If this was a shade of his father then it was over.


    Eron noticed the other shapes over his dad¡¯s shoulder.


    A battered group of men and women with shields and spears.


    There was fear and relief in their eyes as they hurried toward the glowing light behind him.


    Not shades.


    Eron returned his dad¡¯s embrace.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad to see you,¡± he said.


    His dad held him by the shoulders. ¡°Same¡­ let¡¯s get out of this and into your sanctuary.¡±


    ¡°Everyone inside,¡± Eron jabbed a thumb toward the light, ¡°no fighting,¡± he added.


    ¡°Why would there be fighting?¡± his dad said.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got an aswang. She¡¯s been¡­ helpful,¡± Eron replied.


    ¡°Same with us,¡± his dad shrugged and placed an arm around his shoulders.


    ¡°I can¡¯t go back yet. If these are the spear unit¡­¡±


    His dad nodded.


    ¡°¡­ then most of Rayna¡¯s Rangers are still missing. I have to find them.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll do it together.¡±


    Eron and his dad waited for the last of the spear unit to disappear into the sanctuary¡¯s aegis.


    ¡°Everyone was supposed to be on this street when they got separated by the fog¡¯s ambush,¡± Eron pointed.


    ¡°I just came down from there and I didn¡¯t notice anyone else. They were the last in the formation,¡± his dad said.


    ¡°We should check the side buildings. That¡¯s where I found some of them.¡±


    Just as they were about to head off fortune finally shined on Eron.


    In a literal sense.


    A light appeared a short distance away, bobbing in the thick fog. As if being held in human hands.


    Lilah¡¯s portable ward revealed the people under its protection.


    Madalena led the way carrying two unconscious people, one over each shoulder, as the twenty or so people clustered around the source of light held high by one of them.


    ¡°Is that you, Madalena?¡± his dad said.


    ¡°Tito Phillip?¡± Madalena replied with surprise.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you made it,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°It was¡­ close,¡± Madalena didn¡¯t look him in the eye.


    ¡°Are they¡ª?¡± his dad began.


    ¡°Mr. Cruces, the sarge and Fin are probably going to be fine,¡± a brawny woman limped forward, ¡°but¡ª¡±


    ¡°What is it, Mouthy?¡± his dad¡¯s voice almost cracked.


    ¡°Sir¡ª the fucking fog¡ª took them¡ª¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°Two-toes and Smores¡­ killed them and turned them into¡ª¡±


    The woman, Mouthy, couldn¡¯t finish.


    Eron knew what she had been about to say.


    ¡°Sir? We got separated from the others. They might still be out there,¡± a young man with a pair of antique revolvers, one on each hip, said.


    ¡°You should be the last, Aims. We¡¯ll make sure once you get inside.¡±


    Eron nodded at his dad and ushered them on.


    It was a bloodied, beaten group that finally reached their destination.


    Not all who had started the journey made it.


    Eron would learn more later as his dad recounted what had transpired on the journey.


    Guilt. He felt it keenly. Many had died at his call for aid.


    Still, not one of them looked at him with blame in their eyes as he saw to it that everyone had a place to rest as Dr. Rufo and those with medic skills or Skills and healing spells tended to the injured.


    Food. Water. Showers.


    It was the least that he could provide.


    Though it seemed an insufficient thanks for such sacrifice.


    ¡°So, this is your dad?¡± Cherry raised a brow.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Eron said while staring at the glass of top-shelf whisky cradled in his hands.


    ¡°Well¡­ Mr. Cruces, don¡¯t take this the wrong way, but you don¡¯t look nearly old enough,¡± Cherry continued.


    ¡°Phillip is fine. It¡¯s thanks to the spires. Whatever change they did to make me physically superhuman also shaved a few years off.¡°


    ¡°You certainly are¡­ superhuman¡­ I mean,¡± Cherry¡¯s gaze lingered.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t flirt with my dad. He¡¯s happily married to my mom,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t mean anything by it. I flirt with everyone. It¡¯s my thing,¡± Cherry winked. ¡°I thought you already knew that about me.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Fine, be no fun,¡± Cherry waved dismissively as she got up from the table and disappeared behind the bar.


    Phillip blinked. ¡°She just¡ª¡±


    ¡°Vanished? Yeah, she does that. Superior senses and I still haven¡¯t figured that out.¡± Eron swirled the contents of his glass. ¡°Dad, do you miss it?¡±


    ¡°What, Anak?¡±


    ¡°The ability to get drunk.¡±


    ¡°Sometimes¡­ but now I can really appreciate the taste.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve realized that I don¡¯t¡­ didn¡¯t drink for that. I definitely drank to get drunk and have a good time with friends more than anything else.¡± Eron downed the glass and grimaced. ¡°And this is the expensive stuff?¡±


    ¡°Very. It¡¯s kind of nice that more just shows up after some time.¡±


    ¡°Maybe that affects the taste. It being a copy made from magic.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t say that I can tell. It tastes about the same as I remember.¡±


    ¡°So, those magic communication devices?¡± Eron changed the subject. ¡°They worked?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. When we first went into the fog. They were working fine. Distance might be the problem, but I trust that they¡¯ll figure it out.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t count on it,¡± Eron shook his head. ¡°The fog isn¡¯t just a force of nature. It¡¯s a thinking entity. It¡¯ll be doing what it can to interfere with your devices. You¡¯ll have to strengthen that magic signal thing or weaken the fog. I think now that you¡¯re here we can get these people out.¡±


    ¡°If we can reach your brother we can get his help, coordinate.¡±


    Phillip noticed that a little bit of light that had been missing from Eron¡¯s eyes had returned.


    ¡°Going straight up is a lot shorter distance than pushing a bus on the roads. If Cal could just lift the bus up,¡± Eron smiled. ¡°Easy!¡±


    ¡°How would your brother know when he can¡¯t see?¡±


    ¡°But he doesn¡¯t need to see with his eyes,¡± Eron frowned.


    ¡°He can¡¯t, he¡¯s tried. The inside of this stuff is like a blank space to him.¡±


    ¡°Damn it¡­ so close, yet so far. Maybe, he can use one of us and see through our eyes,¡± Eron mused. ¡°If we can talk to him through those devices that might be enough of a connection for him to latch onto with his bullshit mind powers.¡±


    A boy came running out of the stairwell, panting. ¡°Lilah¡¯s woke up and she¡¯s asking for you! Madalena says to hurry!¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Nestor,¡± Eron patted him on the head. ¡°Do you want to come with?¡± he turned to his dad.


    ¡°It sounds urgent,¡± Phillip nodded.

 5.33

    Now, Manila


    ¡°I saw you, but not,¡± Lilah rasped. ¡°You were wearing weird armor and there was a building with a lot of flags. A huge room with seats and fancy stuff on the walls. Like, paintings, statues and other junk.¡±


    ¡°Slow down, Lilah, breathe,¡± Eron hushed her as the others looked on with worry.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the doctor?¡± Phillip whispered to Madalena. He didn¡¯t like how thin and pale the young girl in bed looked. Eron had told him briefly of her magic and the costs she had borne of late.


    ¡°Should be on his way. I sent one of the kids to get him like I sent Nestor to you,¡± Madalena replied.


    ¡°The gray was everywhere. In so many places,¡± Lilah continued weakly.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, it¡¯s okay. The people I told you about. They¡¯re here to help us. My dad, my brother, others. They¡¯re strong and brave and they¡¯ll help us all get out of here,¡± Eron said. ¡°Just rest¡­¡±


    ¡°I saw¡­¡± Lilah closed her eyes.


    Eron made sure she had fallen back asleep and was still breathing before he turned to his dad and cousin. ¡°We can¡¯t waste anymore time. We need to plan and act now.¡±


    ¡°Leges Servitae, Pax Fiat,¡± Phillip recited the words his uncle had left him.


    For some reason they had pushed themselves free from his thoughts on to his tongue.


    ¡°What?¡± Eron frowned.


    Phillip repeated them. ¡°Tito Carlos said those to me. Obviously, a hint about the fog. Throughout the conversation he had implied that the fog¡¯s control was¡­ variable¡­ he claimed to be more of himself in that moment,¡± he turned to Madalena, ¡°he spoke about you.¡±


    Madalena set her jaw firmly. ¡°That wasn¡¯t him, not really.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like Latin,¡± Eron said. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to know what it means?¡±


    ¡°Service and peace are the only words I recognize, sorry¡­ it¡¯s been a long time since high school Latin class,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Two out of four isn¡¯t bad,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I don¡¯ t know either,¡± Madalena shook her head.


    ¡°Law Serves Peace, Let It be Done,¡± Dr. Rufo walked into Lilah¡¯s room.


    ¡°You speak Latin?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no,¡± Dr. Rufo shooed Eron out of the way so that he could assess Lilah¡¯s condition. ¡°I just specifically remember that because its on one of the government¡¯s seals. Congress or Senate, maybe both. I had a niece,¡± his voice grew somber, ¡°she was an attorney for them and she took me on a behind the scenes tour of the GSIS Building in Pasay. This was right before the spires appeared. It was the last time I saw her. I¡¯ve burned that day into my memory. She was just starting, right out of law school. We were all so proud of her.¡±


    No one knew what to say.


    ¡°Thanks, Doc,¡± Eron said finally. ¡°I¡¯d say that¡¯s the first solid hint for a location.¡±


    ¡°It could be a trap,¡± Madalena warned.


    ¡°Tito Carlos seemed genuine to me. At least at that moment. He even warned me that he might not be as helpful the next time,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°It¡¯s good enough for now. Let¡¯s gather the others,¡± Eron said.


    They met back down in the restaurant to Cherry¡¯s mild annoyance, which she showed by loudly slurping the contents of her blood bag through a straw.


    She garnered a variety of looks. Fear, disgust and lust, sometimes a mixture of the three.


    ¡°Would you like one?¡± Cherry eyed Ginessa, who had come to sit at the bar. As far as possible from the majority of people seated at tables in the middle of the restaurant and from Cristos, who lingered at the stairwell, leaning up against the door frame.


    ¡°That one doesn¡¯t want to let you out of his sight,¡± Cherry whispered.


    ¡°Cal said he has orders to kill me if I show signs of ¡®evil¡¯,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°And they allowed him to travel with you?¡± Cherry¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously at Cristos, who returned the glare with a stone face.


    ¡°Cal said he wouldn¡¯t let him if he tried,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°Well he¡¯s not here, is he?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Cruces and Rino are also supposed to keep me safe from him,¡± Ginessa shrugged.


    ¡°Girl, you need to be more concerned with your safety,¡± Cherry sighed. ¡°They can¡¯t watch you all the time.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine¡­¡±


    ¡°It really isn¡¯t. What¡¯s so valuable about him anyway? He just looks like a soldier.¡±


    ¡°He was special forces and¡­ he isn¡¯t so bad. He didn¡¯t torture me when I was in the cage.¡±


    Cherry¡¯s eyes widened before narrowing.


    Ginessa sensed the murderous force of the more powerful aswang¡¯s building rage. An ire that was directed toward Cristos.


    For his part the soldier grew wary. His hand drifted to the pistol at his side.


    ¡°Wait! Don¡¯t do anything!¡± Ginessa hissed urgently.


    ¡°Fine¡­¡± Cherry said after a moment. ¡°I made such a big deal about proper guest behavior to that bitch earlier¡­ I¡¯d look like the biggest hypocrite if I gutted that man right now.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°Relax, girl¡­ here, have some blood,¡± Cherry thrust a blood bag at Ginessa. ¡°Well¡­ what¡¯re you waiting for?¡±


    ¡°I have my own,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°Allow me to be a good hostess,¡± Cherry smiled toothily.


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t like to drink when others can see,¡± Ginessa squeaked.


    ¡°You¡¯re an Aswang. You drink blood because you have to. This blood,¡± Cherry tapped the bag, ¡°came from a hospital or maybe a clinic, I don¡¯t exactly where Eron got it, but it didn¡¯t come from me taking it from another human being. In fact it was magically produced. You think after ten years in an abandoned hospital that it¡¯s normal for supplies to just show up?¡± she arched a brow. ¡°A person would be a very stupid to begrudge you this. When the alternative is¡­¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°Can I please have a straw?¡±


    Cherry smiled as she handed one over.


    The two watched the discussion while sipping their cold blood.


    Jake spun the magical communication device on the table. ¡°We can¡¯t boost the signal. Need more magical power to do that and we just don¡¯t have it,¡± he eyed the rangers seated together at a nearby table.


    ¡°You can say it, nerd,¡± Mouthy said without her usual bluster. She was downright subdued. ¡°They¡¯re gone and nothing¡¯s going to change that. I¡¯d rather we came out of this with something, so we wouldn¡¯t have wasted their lives.¡±


    ¡°Without Two-toes and Smores¡ª Well, that leaves us with just myself, Amber, Alexa and Max as full-on mage-types. Max isn¡¯t at a hundred percent. I¡¯ve used up a lot of my stored mana. And, no offense, but Amber and Alexa just don¡¯t have enough. We might¡¯ve been able to do it with the other two. Smores had a pretty big pool and Two-toes¡¯ wasn¡¯t bad either.¡±


    Mouthy raised a glass of guava juice in mock toast toward Jake. She took a long pull. ¡°Fucking wish this had alcohol,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°Shut up. You can¡¯t get drunk at a planning meeting,¡± Hardhat whispered, but even her voice lacked the customary bite when it came to castigating her squad mate.


    ¡°What about the gabunan? She¡¯s got a lot of magic power,¡± Rino shot daggers at Cherry, who smiled blandly.


    Jake shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s not exactly the same. The devices were designed for¡ª¡± he hesitated, ¡°human mana.¡± He ducked his head in apology toward Ginessa.


    ¡°Okay, so you can¡¯t boost it. What if we get closer to this Hyatt?¡± Eron ventured.


    ¡°In theory that¡¯d work. We only lost connection after we got a few blocks away from there,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Could be that the fog only allowed us to communicate up until that point. Bit coincidental that the ibingan shade attacked at around the same time,¡± Doran nodded toward Phillip.


    ¡°My uncle suggested that this entity is a thinking being, so that is a strong possibility,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°We don¡¯t even know if Cal is still there,¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°Why would think that?¡± Eron frowned.


    ¡°You heard what Lilah said up there.¡±


    ¡°She had a nightmare.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t believe it¡¯s just that. She¡¯s seeing things out there while they¡¯re happening. She¡¯s spoken of them. There must be a connection that she¡¯s getting through her sigils.¡± Madalena pointed at Demi. ¡°Strange armor. That other woman upstairs has a one too. Your brother has one, right?¡±


    Eron nodded reluctantly.


    ¡°Lilah said she saw you wearing strange armor. What if who she saw was your brother?¡±


    ¡°The fog expanded to take in the ibingan. Cal and I talked about that,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Lube-less assfucking bullshit,¡± Mouthy muttered.


    ¡°It took our base?¡± Amber¡¯s voice shook.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know that for sure,¡± Alexa soothed the young woman.


    ¡°Alright, different angle then. Tito Carlos¡¯ words,¡± Eron regarded his dad. ¡°You believed him?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Anak.¡±


    ¡°Then he wants us to go to that senate building.¡±


    ¡°As a trap!¡± Madalena snapped.


    ¡°Or not. What if that¡¯s where the fog entity is? I mean its real, main body or whatever the horrifying equivalent is?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just gonna punch it to death then?¡± Madalena scoffed.


    ¡°If that works. If not then it¡¯d at least make for a pretty damn good distraction,¡± Eron shrugged.


    ¡°If we can¡¯t strengthen our signal, then we can weaken its ability to block or interfere,¡± Jake¡¯s eyes lit up.


    ¡°There might not be a base to reach,¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll know that for a fact and plan accordingly. My main goal right now is to get everyone out of this so that Lilah doesn¡¯t have to maintain her wards,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Your brother¡ª If he¡¯s down in here with us¡­¡± Phillip began.


    ¡°I trust in his ability to take care of himself. Besides, he wouldn¡¯t agree to a young girl¡¯s death for his sake alone.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Lilah doesn¡¯t have much time left. Turns out it¡¯s hard on a young girl¡¯s body when she¡¯s the only one keeping a powerful, otherworldly entity from subsuming us all,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°And I thought being stuck in an undersea cave system with fishmen and a dark, ocean godling was worst experience I¡¯d ever had to go through,¡± pale-faced Max coughed bitterly.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°Yay for you,¡± Mouthy gave another mocking toast. ¡°Our worst experience prior to this was putting down a crazy sex slavery cult. That or undead. I don¡¯t know¡­ guys, were the undead worse or the cultists?¡±


    ¡°The cultists. We lost Iz, One-eye and Punchkicker,¡± Aims said flatly. ¡°And you need to keep your mouth shut if you don¡¯t have anything constructive to add.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not the sarge,¡± Mouthy grunted, but remained silent for the rest of the discussion.


    Eron ignored the interplay. There wasn¡¯t a person out there that hadn¡¯t had terrible experiences in the post-spires world. He had sympathy for their losses, but the dead were gone. Only the living mattered.


    ¡°Two groups,¡± Eron held up two fingers. ¡°One to go to this GSIS and destroy the fog entity if possible. The second group will take everyone here out of the fog while the first distracts.¡±


    ¡°What about the rest of our sanctuaries?¡± Madalena snapped.


    ¡°We¡¯ll need another bus to pick them up. Now that my dad is here that¡¯s doable,¡± Eron said lightly. ¡°Dropping the wards here should ease the strain on Lilah and every bit counts. Madalena, you¡¯ll push the bus we have now. With the portable ward, you shouldn¡¯t have any problems going north and getting out. After you drop everyone outside, you come back in with the ward and meet up with my dad and pick up the rest of the sanctuaries. We¡¯ll have to decide which one you¡¯ll meet up at.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to GSIS by yourself, huh?¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Who else?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m stronger than you without your main powers. It makes more sense for me to go,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Which is why you¡¯ll be pushing the bus. You¡¯ve got several places to evacuate. You¡¯ll do it faster than me, which means I don¡¯t have to distract as long. If we switch places then you¡¯ll have to face the entity for a longer period of time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m in tentative agreement to this plan,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Watch Captain?¡± Jake¡¯s eye widened.


    ¡°We are no longer combat effective and from my understanding that wasn¡¯t the worst the fog entity could¡¯ve sent against us,¡± Demi continued. ¡°Commanders are injured,¡± she nodded toward the rangers. ¡°Our best fighter is down.¡±


    Rino cleared her throat, but was ignored.


    ¡°Hanna¡¯s just got a concussion. That doctor has Skills and we¡¯ve got minor healing abilities. Even without all that Hanna¡¯s enhanced physical constitution means she¡¯ll be ready to go in a few days, a week at most,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°The girl doesn¡¯t have that long from what he¡¯s saying,¡± Demi nodded at Eron, ¡°which means the same for the rest of us.¡±


    ¡°Her wards are the only thing keeping us safe,¡± Alexa agreed.


    ¡°You¡¯re mages too, can¡¯t you, like, add mana to them? Ease the drain on Lilah?¡± Madalena ventured.


    ¡°Sorry, just looking at them I can feel that they¡¯re different,¡± Alexa said.


    The other mages nodded in agreement.


    ¡°I only checked them out a little bit, but it¡¯s like they¡¯re directly tied to her, constantly. We can¡¯t¡­ cut in,¡± Jake threw his hands up.


    ¡°Okay¡­ well, unless anyone else has better ideas, we need to get started on this now,¡± Eron said.


    Silence.


    ¡°Great¡­ um, Dad, I¡¯ll give you the locations of the closest buses that we might be able to use, along with a map of the sanctuaries. Good talk everyone. Let¡¯s get this done.¡± Eron abruptly stood up and went back upstairs. Cristos had to scramble to avoid being walked through.


    ¡°That really wasn¡¯t,¡± Trevor whispered to Amber.


    ¡°Shut up, Trevor! Read the room!¡± she hissed.


    <hr>


    Elsewhen, Elsewhere


    In another time and a different place stood a silent world of gray. Entirely devoid of life¡­ almost.


    One thing existed.


    It savored total and complete victory.


    Finally, it was alone.


    The world¡¯s native defenders had been taken.


    Other powerful entities had vied with it for dominance.


    They too had been subsumed or utterly destroyed.


    It was finally safe to do what it was born to.


    Exist.


    Nothing more, nothing less.


    It lived through billions of lives one at a time in its entirety. All of the souls it had taken belonged to it. Each individual¡¯s memories experienced as if for the first time again.


    Uncounted millennium passed.


    Nothing was left.


    All had been consumed.


    The gray that shrouded the entire world slowly receded over centuries.


    It coalesced into one final form.


    The last native of this world stood on four chitinous legs. It was not truth. It was one last insult to the brave, failed struggle of this world.


    It skittered across a barren, blasted landscape toward a gleaming spire in the distance.


    This world was dead and it knew that the spires would soon vanish. It would be eons before they returned. Without sapient life the spires served no purpose.


    Time passed. Days, weeks? Such concepts were alien, incomprehensible to its thoughts.


    The spire loomed over it.


    An expression of will.


    Creation.


    A small orb of swirling gray emerged from its stolen form.


    It pushed the orb into the spire.


    Images flashed through its thoughts.


    A selection.


    Options, choices.


    Where would the ideal location to propagate existence be?


    A list of other worlds.


    One stood out.


    A blue and green sphere. A young world. Newly reconnected to the spires. An ideal world. Its native defenders wouldn¡¯t have had the time to grow in strength. Likewise, other invaders vying for supremacy wouldn¡¯t have had the chance to entrench themselves.


    The cost to send it there was immeasurable.


    Subsuming an entire world was just enough.


    The choice was made without further thought or concern.


    What will be was out of its determinance.


    It would fall to the new one to succeed or fail.


    With its purpose fulfilled the need to maintain itself, to exist, was no longer required.


    The last echo of life on this world slowly disappeared into gray wisps blown away by the breeze.


    In time the spires would be gone and this world would be dead in truth.


    A handful of years passed. A blink as it measured things.


    On the other world a spire had appeared right through a large building.


    A seat of power was as fitting a place as any other.


    Grandiose seals adorned the walls of a large chamber. A raised dais was surrounded by several tiers of seats and tables going higher up the farther away from the center, where an enormous flag of blue, red and white with a yellow sun hung limp.


    A fine layer of dust had gathered on every surface.


    The spire shimmered for a moment.


    The gray orb emerged and settled on the floor before suddenly exploding outward. Gray mist began to billow, light and thin at first, but soon became thick, nearly opaque as it filled the chamber and continued to spread into the rest of the building.


    <hr>


    Now, Manila


    Cal woke up.


    That had been an unpleasant and very confusing set of dreams.


    So much so that it took him several seconds to realize something big had changed in his mind.


    It was quiet.


    He was alone with his thoughts.


    For the first time in years, the incessant whispers were gone.


    He didn¡¯t know whether to laugh or cry.


    Except, it wasn¡¯t truly gone¡­ was it?


    Yes.


    He could feel it.


    There!


    Just out of reach. As if sealed away in a gray box. Rattling.


    He tried to grab it, but found no purchase.


    There was something about the mechanics of it that he didn¡¯t understand at the moment.


    Disappointing, but he¡¯d continue to work on it.


    For the time being it was nice not having to rely on telepathic walls to keep the thoughts out of his head, even if only at a whisper.


    As he sat up from the floor he noticed that there were four people eyeing him.


    Hard eyes. Appraising. Judging. Wary.


    He grimaced. Not knowing the truth that potential enemies held in secret was going to be an adjustment.


    The two young women stared at him. One scowled, while the other looked blankly at him. Like he was a piece of furniture. The younger man kept glancing back at the very tall man.


    That was the leader then.


    Cal stood and the four reacted by mirroring him. It didn¡¯t escape his notice that hands immediately went to their weapons, while the younger man pointed a finger at him. A mage-type then. The rest must¡¯ve been fighter-types.


    Cal had to tilt his head back to look the leader in the eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve gotten this a lot, but did you play ball? I mean back then?¡±


    ¡°What I did then doesn¡¯t matter,¡± the leader graveled.


    ¡°Right. Okay, that was probably rude of me. How about some introductions?¡± Cal was wary.


    The leader had a hand on his impressive-looking bladed, wooden club. It looked about as long as Cal was tall.


    The scowling woman had a hand on her pistol, while the blank-faced one had both hands hidden in her jacket.


    ¡°You first. You¡¯re the one that showed up from out there on our doorstep,¡± the leader said.


    ¡°Actually, I opened the door and walked in, but semantics,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°My name is Kyle,¡± he lied.


    The younger man glanced at something hidden in his hand and cleared his throat.


    ¡°Try the truth next time,¡± the leader¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Yeah, well, I¡¯ve heard that Witches can do some nasty stuff to you if they know your true name, so¡­ you¡¯re not getting mine. You might be Witches,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I guess no names then.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯d you get through the fog?¡±


    ¡°I jumped and ran.¡±


    ¡°That armor?¡±


    ¡°Got it from somewhere else. It was bespoke. The paint job is really great. Skills really make a difference,¡± he said lightly. ¡°Not a single scratch from your attempts to pry it open.¡±


    The scowling young woman¡¯s eyes widened before she was able to master her expression. Sometimes one didn¡¯t need to read minds.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t do anything,¡± the leader said.


    Cal pointed at the younger man. ¡°Truth? Or lie?¡± he grinned.


    ¡°You better think very hard about where you want to take this,¡± the leader casually raised his weapon to his shoulder.


    ¡°It¡¯s funny that you say that, cause that¡¯s exactly what I was thinking, but from the other direction. I¡¯m getting a very hostile vibe from you guys. I mean, if a group of people were trapped in this place. Kept safe from the fog by those things, presumably,¡± he pointed at the glowing sigil on the wall, ¡°one would think they¡¯d be more friendly when a person came knocking.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, how do we know that you aren¡¯t with the fog? That you aren¡¯t just another monster!¡± the scowling young woman snapped.


    The leader silenced her with a glare.


    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know that. I¡¯d think you¡¯d know all about how that works better than me. I¡¯m new here and you¡¯ve been here this whole time, right? You know all about the people who set this place up? How it all works? Etcetera, etcetera.¡±


    The four were silent.


    It looked like they were on the verge of violence, but Cal had been primed by his experiences to expect violence at any instant. He tempered that instinct and decided that he¡¯d let them make the first move. The Threnosh armor should keep him safe.


    ¡°Okay, you¡¯re right,¡± the leader relaxed a fraction. ¡°We probably know just a little bit more than you. We came from outside this fog maybe a week ago. It¡¯s hard to tell time in here.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure there¡¯s something weird going on with the passage of time in here,¡± the young man said.


    Cal noted that the young man¡¯s hand was still pointed at him.


    ¡°It was a battle to even get this far. Monsters and people in the fog. Kill them and they just turn into mist. Same thing happened to the guys I lost. I don¡¯t even want to think about what that means for them,¡± the leader sighed. ¡°When we came up to this place there was a regrettable misunderstanding with the guys that set this up. There was a fight, but we cleared it up and they let us stay here.¡±


    Cal tried to gauge the leader¡¯s level of truthfulness.


    His eyes hadn¡¯t wavered one bit during the story.


    Truth? Lies? A mixture? Key omissions? The best lies held truths in them to some degree.


    It was going to be a lot harder now that he couldn¡¯t cheat with his powers.


    ¡°Did they give you any of their names?¡±


    The tall man shook his head. ¡°They weren¡¯t interested in pleasantries. Not that I can blame them.¡±


    ¡°Do you at least know where we are right now?¡±


    ¡°Either in Quezon City or close. It¡¯s hard to tell with, well, you know,¡± the tall man said.


    ¡°We came in from the north. That¡¯s the only thing we¡¯re sure about,¡± the young man added.


    ¡°Interesting.¡± Cal remembered what sort of people held power north of the city. He turned and went to the front door.


    ¡°Wait! What are you doing?¡± the leader had been caught off guard.


    ¡°Quezon City. That¡¯s something to start with.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just going to go out there? With those things?¡± the young man gaped.


    ¡°Got here just fine. Besides,¡± Cal pointed at the glowing sigil on the wall, ¡°that thing has dimmed noticeably in the past few minutes we¡¯ve been talking. I don¡¯t like the chances that¡¯s it¡¯s going to last long enough to wait here.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going with you,¡± the leader said to horrified reactions from the other three.


    ¡°You¡¯ll just slow me down. Once I find these people, the ones responsible for this place, I¡¯ll let them know that thing needs a recharge or something.¡±


    ¡°You said it yourself. We can¡¯t wait for that,¡± the tall man said. ¡°We can help each other navigate and fight.¡±


    Cal doubted these four, but he couldn¡¯t leave them to the fog in case they weren¡¯t bad people. Even if they were bad people, there was degrees to such things. He couldn¡¯t just abandon them.


    Thoughts of the balbal he had killed flashed through his mind.


    Once he found Eron he¡¯d learn the truth.


    ¡°Fine, but I¡¯m not responsible for your safety. You carry your own weight.¡±


    The four quickly gathered their things and followed Cal out into the gray gloom


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to know where the government used to meet?¡± he said lightly.


    ¡°That could a couple of different places, why?¡± the leader frowned at his armored back.


    ¡°This one has a seal with the flag, but in the shape of, like, a shield, some leaves on either side and Latin words. Oh, yeah, huge Philippine flag hanging on the wall.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like the senate to me. I know a senator,¡± the leader ventured.


    ¡°Do you? Interesting¡­¡±

 5.34

    Now, Manila


    Cal had a map to Eron¡¯s main sanctuary in his faceplate. It was fortunate that the fog wasn¡¯t yet able to affect Threnosh technology, even if he only had the most basic functions.


    ¡°The fog seems a lot thinner than I remember,¡± the young man said.


    ¡°Still can¡¯t see shit though,¡± the scowling young woman replied.


    ¡°Keep it quiet,¡± the leader warned.


    They still hadn¡¯t offered their names, which was fair since he hadn¡¯t either.


    The fog was considerably less dense than it had been on his frantic escape from the high-rise. Then he had been barely able to see beyond an arm¡¯s-length. Now he could see a good fifteen, twenty feet in all directions. It certainly made following the street signs easier.


    ¡°Why no attacks?¡± the blank-faced young woman said.


    ¡°I said¡ª¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good point,¡± Cal interrupted the leader. He felt something was off. Whether it was from a tangible source or just the paranoia induced by the unnatural gray swirling around them was the question. Perhaps his currently sealed mental powers had something to do with it. ¡°There¡¯s a cost for it to create those shades.¡± Somehow, he knew this with certainty. ¡°Either it can¡¯t do so right now or there is no gain for it to attack us at this moment.¡±


    ¡°Then my question is why?¡± the leader said.


    ¡°It could be resting. Regaining its strength. Could be saving it.¡±


    ¡°For what?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s say you¡¯re in a long, drawn out fight. Both you and your opponent are exhausted. One last punch, kick, whatever, would win it.¡±


    ¡°You gather your strength for that one moment,¡± the leader nodded.


    ¡°Mostly, although there¡¯s a bit of nuance to it. You can either wait for that moment or create it,¡± Cal said.


    He reached out for his power.


    An image flashed in his thoughts.


    ¡°Cracks in a jar,¡± he murmured.


    ¡°What¡¯d you say?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t feel as oppressive as before. Not like I¡¯m being watched at every instant. I feel¡­ less of it,¡± the young man said.


    ¡°That¡¯s a good thing,¡± the scowling young woman said.


    ¡°It is for us,¡± Cal agreed.


    The fog grew thinner as Cal led them toward the main sanctuary.


    Elsewhere, others noticed an even more drastic change to the fog.


    ¡°Hey, Donald, come check this out.¡± Jerry was flat on his stomach shining a flashlight down the huge hole in the floor.


    Cal had shoved them all up to the highest floor when the fog had tried to take them. It had been a frightening experience for them all and Donald had been shaken the most.


    The man was sitting at the breakfast nook and steadfastly refused to get near the hole. ¡°No, no, no.¡± He shook his head vehemently.


    ¡°Pussy,¡± Jerry muttered. ¡°Hey, Pete¡ª¡±


    ¡°What,¡± Pete sighed.


    ¡°I need someone else to look at this before I take it to the boss.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± Pete approached the hole as if he expected a tentacle to suddenly lash out and grab him. He had seen it happen to someone who got too close to the river bank and that wasn¡¯t how he wanted to die.


    ¡°What do you see?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Pete frowned. He had good eyes. Even though Jerry¡¯s hand shook the beam of light, he was almost certain of what he saw down below. ¡°The floor we were on originally.¡±


    ¡°Right? No fog? Right?¡± Jerry spoke in hushed tones.


    ¡°Better tell Maya,¡± Pete said.


    ¡°You do it¡­¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± Pete sighed.


    ¡°This better be good,¡± Maya said.


    She was hunched over a laptop, just like the two kid geniuses.


    ¡°The fog¡¯s receded. We can see all the way down,¡± Pete said.


    Three sets of eyes widened.


    There was a mad scramble to the hole in the floor.


    ¡°Is it supposed to do that?¡± Louis said.


    ¡°Not according to all gathered information. Admittedly, there isn¡¯t much,¡± Lexie said.


    ¡°Lexie, try to get into contact with the teams. Louis scan for energy signatures.¡± Maya¡¯s tone was brusque.


    The kids hopped to it and rushed back to their stations.


    Fingers danced across their keyboards.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t been able to get anything for hours. What changed?¡± Pete said.


    Maya ignored him.


    Seconds turned into minutes and Pete wandered back to the kitchen for something to eat and drink. He was mostly useless anyways. All he had been doing was hauling power generators to and from the balcony. They had been able to get some charge from the solar panel setup, but now that night had fallen that was done with.


    It was an open question on whether the devices would last through the night.


    Pete finished an energy bar and a glass of water when Louis suddenly jumped out of his chair and pumped his fist.


    ¡°Fuck you! Motherfucking fog!¡±


    There was a shocked gasp from Lexie as Maya rushed over.


    ¡°Louis, watch your mouth,¡± Maya said flatly. ¡°What¡¯d you find!¡± she said with excitement.


    ¡°Huge energy, like enormous,¡± Louis grinned maniacally. ¡°The interference we were dealing with before sorta just practically disappeared,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Coordinates!¡± Maya barked. She wrote them down as Louis recited them. She read them back to the boy for confirmation before she called out to Pete. ¡°Find this place!¡±


    ¡°On it!¡± Pete rushed over. He was a pilot. He knew coordinates. He practically ran over to the large map of the city pinned up on the wall. He frantically searched until he found it. ¡°It¡¯s almost directly west of us. About five and a half miles. Practically right next to the bay.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Lexie said.


    ¡°No clue. A building. This map doesn¡¯t have labels,¡± Pete said.


    ¡°We have a potential location for the target. Lexie, I need our people. They need to know,¡± Maya said.


    ¡°On it, sir!¡± Lexie¡¯s fingers blurred across the keys as multiple windows of code flashed on the screen. ¡°Louis was right. Interference is significantly less. However, I¡¯m increasing the power drain.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. We only need enough time to give them the location.¡±


    Pete let out the breath that he had been holding. They were going to do it! He walked out to the balcony for some fresh air. It was nice being in the penthouse suite of a fancy hotel. Only took the end of the world for the opportunity.


    The moon and the stars were bright tonight and he could see the gray fog below as far as the eye could see. Even the bay hadn¡¯t avoided being engulfed by it.


    A muffled squeal of delight from inside drew Pete¡¯s attention.


    Lexie was doing a little dance of joy in her seat as Maya shouted something into the mic.


    ¡°Damn shame about the view. I bet it was something once,¡± Pete said.


    <hr>


    An argument brewed in Cherry¡¯s restaurant. Several hours had passed with Eron in a growing state of frustration from his impatience. The new arrivals insisted on waiting for the unconscious members of their leadership to wake up with the assistance of Dr. Rufo and others.


    A map had been unfurled on one of the tables with the coordinates communicated by Lexie marked.


    ¡°Is this the location of that senate building you had mentioned?¡± Eron said.


    Dr. Rufo adjusted his glasses and peered closely at the map. ¡°Yes, definitely.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Doc.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll be getting back to my other patients,¡± Dr. Rufo shot a sour look at Hanna and Sgt. Butcher before he went back upstairs.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to get probable confirmation of its location, but I don¡¯t think the plan needs to change. The only ones that can move at my pace are my dad, Madalena and maybe the Weredog. They¡¯re needed to evacuate everyone,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°What about the Quest?¡± Hanna said.


    The statuesque woman was out of her armor and was seated at a table.


    ¡°You¡¯re just going to have to fail it,¡± Eron said flatly.


    ¡°Unacceptable,¡± Hanna said. ¡°We came here to help you out, sure¡­ but we also came to gain Universal Points and levels for the strength to deal with our own horrors from beyond.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got the same Quest. The failure conditions include being turned into a shade. You¡¯ve already lost several people to it,¡± he glanced at Sgt. Butcher on the other side of the table.


    ¡°You¡¯re not in command of any of us,¡± Hanna said flatly.


    ¡°We don¡¯t waste lives,¡± Sgt. Butcher said. ¡°We sacrifice for the good of the rest. Rayna¡¯s Rangers finish fights.¡±


    ¡°Fuck yeah!¡± Mouthy slammed her mug on the table. She was with the remaining rangers at a table on the other side of the dining room. She stood, a little unsteady as Hardhat reached out. ¡°Catscratch, Chains, Two-toes and Smores. They didn¡¯t die for nothing. We¡¯re killing this fog piece of shit.¡±


    Eron sighed. ¡°The two of you have concussions,¡± he regarded Hanna and Sgt. Butcher. He eyed the latter. ¡°You¡¯ve also got a bunch of bleeding holes in your back.¡±


    ¡°Your doctor was very helpful,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°First aid Skills and minor healing spells brought us the rest of the way to combat effectiveness,¡± Sgt. Butcher added.


    ¡°The hell they did!¡± Eron snapped. ¡°Vern pounded your head like it was a speed bag. I don¡¯t care if you¡¯ve got Threnosh armor, you don¡¯t just walk that off in a few hours.¡±


    ¡°That might be all true, but it doesn¡¯t change the fact that you aren¡¯t in command. You can¡¯t stop us from trying to finish this,¡± Hanna bared her teeth.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to keep you all alive,¡± Eron threw his hands up. ¡°Why is this even a discussion?¡± He searched the room for an ally.


    His dad shook his head.


    Watch Captain Lawrence was deep in thought.


    ¡°We deserve the right to try this,¡± Mouthy said. ¡°We earned it! And we need to make their deaths count!¡±


    ¡°Sarge... Two-toes and Smores got turned into shades. They¡¯ll be trapped like that forever if we don¡¯t kill this entity,¡± Aims added.


    ¡°It¡¯s the same for my guys,¡± Doran graveled. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving them like that if I can help it, but I¡¯m not going to force what¡¯s left of my unit to face this nightmare. I¡¯m staying to fight¡­ everyone else can do the same or evacuate with your people,¡± he nodded at Eron.


    ¡°Like I said, we¡¯ve faced something like this before,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°No offense, but you fought fishmen and cultists, my brother and nieces fought the Deep Azure thing. This is probably on that level, if not stronger,¡± Eron said.


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°I¡ª we need to get to the point,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not even going there to try to kill this thing. My only concern right now is to get as many people out of the city as possible before Lilah¡ª¡± he shook his head, ¡°that¡¯s the only thing that matters.¡±


    ¡°Not to me,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°The Watch won¡¯t be fighting. We¡¯ll join the evacuation and provide additional defense,¡± Demi said suddenly. ¡°We are no longer combat effective.¡±


    Eron eyed the Watch Captain with mild surprise.


    ¡°Is that an order, Watch Captain?¡± Hanna¡¯s face was a stone mask.


    ¡°For you? No. You have the same freedom that you¡¯ve always had,¡± Demi replied.


    Hanna gave her a curt nod.


    ¡°Rayna¡¯s Rangers will fight,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t had much of problem with these shades,¡± Rino shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m not backing down now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m in too. I need to push myself, push my magic,¡± Jake said. ¡°Santi¡¯s leaving with you guys though,¡± he turned to Demi.


    ¡°What? Have none of you been listening to me?¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Seems like it,¡± Mouthy muttered.


    Eron¡¯s eye twitched.


    ¡°Anak,¡± his dad warned. ¡°They have the right to their choices. You and I might not like it, but it isn¡¯t our place to get in their way.¡±


    ¡°The senate building is nearly ten miles away. That¡¯s only a few minutes for me, but the rest of you will have to walk the entire way exposed to the fog. I won¡¯t be there to protect you from the shades,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°The fog¡¯s expended a lot of energy in the attempt to stop us from getting here. If we leave here after you¡¯ve started your distraction then that should take the pressure off of us,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    Eron regarded the pale-faced, sweating woman. He blinked rapidly. ¡°You can¡¯t¡ª,¡± he sighed. ¡°You can barely sit up. You¡¯re in no condition to fight,¡± he said kindly.


    ¡°The tougher the challenge overcome, the greater the rewards, the stronger you get,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°That¡¯s absolutely true,¡± Eron began, ¡°for the small handful of you that survive.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we should go together,¡± his dad said.


    ¡°I need you to gather the people in the other sanctuaries,¡± Eron shook his head.


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t Madalena do that after she drops the first bus load outside the fog?¡±


    ¡°I want Lilah to drop all of her wards as soon as possible. Can¡¯t keep risking her life like this.¡±


    His dad frowned, but remained silent.


    The shaking started subtly.


    Water, juice and harder things rippled in their glasses.


    No one noticed it until the plates and utensils rattled as the tables shook.


    Then, the entire room shook violently.


    ¡°What the fuck is this shit?¡± Mouthy muttered.


    ¡°Earthquake or¡ª¡± Jake said.


    Cherry appeared at the bar. ¡°I think it¡¯s an attack! I feel it!¡±


    Eron¡¯s gaze snapped to the front of the restaurant.


    Out on the street the glow of Lilah¡¯s sigils flickered.


    The gray looked much closer than it should¡¯ve been.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡ª¡±


    Eron heard a sudden scream from upstairs.


    ¡°Eron¡ª¡± his dad caught his gaze with wide eyes.


    ¡°That was Lilah!¡± Eron dashed up the stairs.


    <hr>


    Eron leapt up the stairs from landing to landing. His dad was right behind him.


    The rest of the people in the restaurant exploded into movement as well.


    He reached Lilah¡¯s floor and rushed to her apartment.


    Other people had come out of theirs as the shaking continued unabated.


    Scared looks turned to relief as they saw him.


    Mouths opened to ask questions, but he didn¡¯t have time for them.


    ¡°Grab your things and get to the bus! This isn¡¯t a drill! You,¡± he pointed at a young man, ¡°tell the people in the upstairs apartments!¡±


    He nearly blew the door to Lilah¡¯s apartment off its hinges in his haste.


    Dr. Rufo and Madalena were already in Lilah¡¯s room.


    The girl in question was convulsing in her bed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s happening,¡± Dr. Rufo¡¯s voice was strained.


    ¡°The fog is pushing in,¡± Eron said.


    Madalena opened the window blinds and cursed.


    The gray was almost flush with the glass.


    ¡°The sigil in the living room is flickering,¡± his dad warned.


    ¡°Madalena, you have to go now,¡± Eron grabbed the portable ward off the side table and thrust it into his cousin¡¯s hands.


    ¡°What about Lilah?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll bring her down to you after this settles. For now make sure everyone is on the bus and ready to go.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Madalena gave him a curt nod and hurried out.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do,¡± Dr. Rufo said in a hollow voice.


    ¡°Doc, you should get down there too.¡±


    Eron went to Lilah¡¯s bedside and tried to gently hold her. ¡°Lilah, you have to drop the wards to this place. Keep the others and the portable one, but the ones on this building need to go dark.¡±


    A visceral scream erupted out of the girl¡¯s mouth as she continued to thrash despite Eron¡¯s efforts.


    ¡°You can¡¯t fight this one. You have to let it in to stay alive. Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ve still got the portable ward and the plan to get everyone to safety.¡±


    Eron¡¯s heart hammered. He could barely hear the scared people running from all over the building to get down to the ground floor.


    ¡°Please, Lilah¡­ you can do it. It¡¯s not a failure.¡±


    ¡°Maybe one of the mages can, I don¡¯t know, make her stop,¡± his dad said.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Lilah¡­¡± Eron couldn¡¯t hear his dad. ¡°Please¡­¡±


    It happened suddenly.


    The building stopped shaking.


    Lilah fell still and sank back into her bed.


    Her breathing was shallow and labored, she had a pale pallor and was drenched with sweat.


    Eron lifted her off the bed.


    ¡°Eron,¡± his dad warned.


    He noticed it right away.


    There was an inch-thick layer of fog on the floor.


    He looked to the closed window.


    The fog was rapidly seeping inside.


    A loud crash jarred them.


    ¡°That came from below!¡±


    ¡°Here! Take her to the bus!¡± Eron handed Lilah to his dad.


    ¡°What¡¯re you going to do?¡±


    Eron was already rushing out the apartment with his dad right behind.


    ¡°If the fog¡¯s up to our ankles¡­ then what does that mean for the floors below us?¡±


    They found the answer in the stairwell.


    The gray was thin, but had completely engulfed the second floor and no doubt the first.


    ¡°Get her to the bus!¡± Eron said.


    He ran to the source of the sound. His heart sank when he realized that it had come from one of the apartments that housed the kids.


    The door was already open, so he rushed in with the hope that it meant the kids had already been evacuated.


    Once again his hopes were cruelly dashed.


    The living room wall was a gaping ruin. Something big had torn it open from the outside.


    Dr. Rufo was face down on the floor next to the bedroom door on the right. There was a small puddle of blood next to his head.


    Eron could hear him breathing, so he was still alive.


    He heard another crash coming from the left side of the apartment. He rushed into the short hallway.


    ¡°Haymaker!¡±


    A big fist clocked him in the face.


    The gun shot-like boom sent swirls of fog flying away.


    It was mildly uncomfortable.


    The shade had a brief look of hurt and surprise on his face before Eron broke it with a punch. The body disappeared before it hit the floor.


    There where two bedrooms at the end of the hallway. The one to his left was empty. The one to his right¡­ wasn¡¯t.


    Another shade had her back turned to Eron. He broke her neck with a simple twist of his hands.


    A handful of small children were backed up against one of the walls. There only defense was Nestor. The twelve year old boy waved a machete in shaking hands as shades loomed over them.


    The shades turned their heads as one toward Eron.


    They swarmed over him.


    He saw past them even as he threw hands.


    More dark forms were coalescing in the bedroom and outside past the broken hole in the wall.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, kids!¡± Eron roared even as the shades struck him with Skills and spells.


    He pushed into the room and toward the hole in the wall to give the kids room to run.


    Nestor urged the little ones out into the hallway, while keeping his body between them and the threats.


    A tentacle suddenly lashed from outside and wrapped itself around little Cathy¡¯s body and pulled.


    Nestor went after her, ignoring Eron¡¯s warning.


    The boy hacked with his machete, scoring a deep gash into the tentacle. Enough to slow it and keep the screaming Cathy from being taken.


    Triumph was short-lived.


    A second tentacle struck and pulled Nestor into the thick gray morass.


    Eron saw the look of shock turn into terror as Nestor was pulled right past him.


    Another face to add to those that he had failed.


    ¡°Nooo!¡± Eron roared.


    Not this time.


    He flung his arms wide, breaking the bodies of the shades swarming him.


    Cathy screamed.


    The injured tentacle writhed as it struggled to keep its prize. It was still pulling her toward the hole.


    Sharp fingers speared out of nowhere pinning the tentacle to the floor.


    Cherry appeared clinging to the ceiling. ¡°Hurry!¡± she called.


    Eron dived on the floor. He grabbed the tentacle and ripped it with one move. He pulled Cathy free from it and clutched the sobbing girl to his chest. ¡°It¡¯s okay. They won¡¯t get you,¡± he whispered.


    Cherry dropped from the ceiling, transforming her fingers into a more manageable length. She moved like a blur, swirling the fog in her wake as she sliced through each dark shape that had yet to fully coalesce.


    As soon as her fingers had returned to normal Eron thrust Cathy into her arms.


    ¡°What? What do you want me to do with thi¡ª her?¡± Cherry¡¯s eyes were wide.


    Eron regarded the other children huddled together in the hallway. ¡°Take them to the bus. Dr. Rufo too.¡±


    ¡°I already have my hands full.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t the time for games. We both know you¡¯re more than strong enough to carry him and all the kids at the same time.¡±


    ¡°A bit unwieldy to do that. I suppose if I could find a big enough sack,¡± Cherry mused.


    ¡°Just lead them down to safety, please.¡±


    ¡°What are you going to do?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to make it give Nestor back.¡±


    Cherry opened and shut her mouth. ¡°We¡¯ll get everyone out of the city. Good luck and be careful.¡±


    Eron leapt out into the open.


    The fog swirled around him as he hit the ground.


    It appeared thinner than he had remembered ever seeing it. Almost sparse. A light mist.


    The light from the corner restaurant¡¯s sign was bright, but he felt no warmth from it.


    There was no reason to expect that now that the sigils on the buildings walls had gone dark. They no longer shined with the warmth of promised protection. They were just paint now. Graffiti.


    He glanced into the restaurant and saw people staring at him.


    Idiots.


    They should¡¯ve been on the bus by now.


    He turned away. His focus was needed elsewhere.


    A familiar man appeared out of an alley way on the other side of the street.


    ¡°Tito Carlos, give Nestor back,¡± he growled.


    There was sadness in the old man¡¯s eyes. ¡°You know that¡¯s impossible.¡±


    ¡°He wa¡ª is only a kid. One that wanted to be brave. To help. Never complained. Always put the younger ones first.¡± Eron¡¯s eyes glistened. ¡°He did his best with everything asked of him.¡±


    ¡°He was brave. He saved that other child,¡± Tito Carlos said.


    ¡°He is just a boy!¡± Eron roared. ¡°Give him back!¡±


    ¡°There is no back for us. Nestor¡¯s story is one I¡¯ve¡ª dreamed¡ª many times in this gray hell. There are hundreds, thousands of the same tragedy repeated over and over again. You can¡¯t have him back, not any of us. The best you can do is give us freedom to see what comes next¡­ if there¡¯s even anything there.¡±


    Eron¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°It took a lot to break those wards. It has never been more vulnerable. You see evidence of that all around you,¡± Tito Carlos spread his arms wide. ¡°You weren¡¯t here at the beginning. This is what it looked like in those early days. Before we realized too late what had come to our city.¡±


    ¡°Then break its control. Help me fight! Help me kill it! Free yourselves!¡± Eron pleaded.


    ¡°Never that,¡± Tito Carlos sighed. ¡°I suppose it¡¯s like having a child. I never had any of my own, but I can say I understand the feeling now. As contradictory as it sounds. I could never raise a hand against it. I love it like I would my own child. As do we all. As it makes us. The most I can do is give little hints. But you¡ª you can do more. Will you make the rational choice this time? Unlike the last time?¡±


    ¡°Another trap?¡±


    Tito Carlos laughed bitterly. ¡°You understand enough of how it works to see that isn¡¯t the case. Will you take your opportunity to end this and free over ten thousand souls from this gray hell?¡±


    ¡°And the other?¡± Eron already knew the answer.


    Tito Carlos lips pursed, pointing towards the building behind Eron. ¡°Their lives.¡±


    Other forms began to take shape in the fog.


    ¡°It wants to end this. Your brother did something that scared it. It struggles to contain both of you. Suppressing one was difficult enough. It¡¯s finding two dangerously difficult. That¡¯s why it expended so much energy to finally break through your sanctuary. It wanted to drive you out for one last attempt to take you and turn you from a thorn into a tool. Subsume the first and more familiar threat before turning its attention to the unfamiliar second.¡± Tito Carlos gazed to the west. ¡°Your faster than me. The others are about to appear. They¡¯ll be stuck here and they¡¯re even slower. None of us can stop you from¡­ well, I think you¡¯re smart enough to understand.¡±


    ¡°And abandon everyone to you and our family.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the rational choice. The greater good for the entire world. You can stop it before it spreads everywhere and turns our world into a barren gray wasteland. All for the price of a few dozen lives. All of them warriors. They knew what they were getting into.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s another choice. I¡ª we beat all of you and then take care of the entity. If what you said is true then it won¡¯t be able to bring you back quickly enough to protect it. You guys are the only ones that could stop me.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t work. You can¡¯t do it. Even with your dad.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s stronger than any of you and you¡¯re the only one stronger than me.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m a better boxer than either of you,¡± Tito Carlos smiled. ¡°Sure, you might be able to pull it off, but the only ones that would survive are you and your dad. All your friends from America will die. The two of you will be spent for what you truly need to do.¡±


    Eron curled his fingers into fists. ¡°I don¡¯t leave people to their deaths.¡±


    The asphalt shattered under his boots as he exploded toward Tito Carlos.


    His great-uncle moved a fraction of a second after him.


    They landed simultaneous blows that sent each flying backward.


    Nearby windows shattered.


    Eron pulled himself free from a crumpled car and saw that more relatives had finished coalescing out of the swirling gray.


    Tito Carlos emerged out of the same hole he had made in the side of building. He shook his head. ¡°You had a chance! You could¡¯ve freed everyone! Could¡¯ve ended this hell! What happens to you and your friends is on your head!¡±

 Interlude: Strella 1.1

    The Distant Future, A Distant World


    Strella felt the clumsy touch on her mind as soon as she entered the throne room.


    The Lady Semutir had a Psionicist in her service. A lower leveled one judging by the failure to breach the walls around her mind. It would take a much stronger holder of that Class to trouble her.


    Her gifts were hers by birth and blood. She would always be stronger, if not as versatile.


    She casually scanned her eyes around the room. Opulence was on display in the fine tapestries on the walls, sculptures in the alcoves, precious metals in dozens of decorations. The gem-encrusted golden throne was the most offensive of it all. So much wealth in what was supposed to be a poor city.


    The lady¡¯s guards stood at the entrance and the door at the back. A giant of a man or woman, it was hard to tell because of the thick armor plate stood stood at the foot of the dais where the the lady lounged on her throne. Next to her was a plain-looking young man.


    Strella halted near the giant in armor and removed her wide-brimmed hat. Hard eyes glared at her from behind the helmet¡¯s thin slits.


    ¡°Who are you to demand an audience?¡± Lady Semutir¡¯s voice was melodic.


    There was an ageless quality to her beauty. Pale skin was a rarity in the nation. Her lustrous blue hair was more common.


    She could¡¯ve instantly resolved the reasons she had come to this distant city near the edge of the nation¡¯s borders, but there was procedure to be followed. It wouldn¡¯t do for her judgment to be questioned at a later date.


    ¡°And why do you not bow?¡±


    ¡°I am Justiciar Strella,¡± she inclined her a head a fraction. ¡°We are not bound by etiquette when acting in the course of our role and I¡¯m here to render justice.¡±


    ¡°Just Strella,¡± a bemused smirk crossed the lady¡¯s full lips, ¡°come from a low family, do you?¡±


    ¡°Irrelevant to my purpose.¡±


    ¡°Well, justiciar, I find myself baffled as to your presence. My city is well taken care of. The laws are obeyed as required.¡±


    ¡°My presence was requested¡ª¡±


    ¡°Another kingdom meddles?¡±


    Strella kept her eyes locked on the lady¡¯s.


    ¡°The senate?¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°It can¡¯t be the 7th Army. They care only for the troubles along the frontier settlements. The Emperor? No, you are much too shabby to be her creature. One of the great companies? The guilds?¡±


    Strella said nothing.


    ¡°Answer me!¡± Lady Semutir¡¯s mask cracked into an ugly snarl.


    ¡°Justice¡­ independent of all things. I serve no man or woman. Nor any other entity.¡±


    ¡°A freelancer?¡± Lady Semutir¡¯s laughter was harsh, mocking. ¡°You¡¯ve wasted enough of my time.¡±


    ¡°Is this not the scheduled time for citizens to directly petition you with their concerns?¡± Strella looked around the throne room. ¡°And yet, I see no one else. This is highly irregular. I¡¯ve visited dukes and kings and not once have I ever seen an empty throne room.¡±


    ¡°My subjects simply don¡¯t need to come to me with their grievances. I take care of them,¡± Lady Semutir scoffed. ¡°Renovosk,¡± she gestured at the the young man next to her throne, ¡°tell me what this woman is really here for, because I simply can¡¯t fathom any reason for a justiciar to come to my city.¡±


    The young man hesitated. ¡°My apologies, but I can¡¯t, milady. Her mind is shielded.¡±


    Strella let a small smirk grace her lips as she gave the Psionicist a nod.


    ¡°Hmm, a Psionicist then, higher leveled than my own. As ruler of this city my thoughts are forbidden to you.¡± Lady Semutir looked wary now.


    ¡°Unless you are guilty of committing a crime,¡± Strella said.


    She used her gift.


    There was no flash of light, violent displacement of air or thunderous sound.


    Strella simply opened the lady¡¯s mind. She read thoughts and memories as if they were written in a book. Hundreds of pages in the span between seconds.


    The rush washed over her like a swollen river over-topping a levy.


    Her head spun, but she was used to the feeling.


    Outwardly, she gave no signs.


    Lady Semutir¡¯s memories wrote her guilt plainly for Strella to see.


    Now, she had to observe conventions and propriety.


    It wouldn¡¯t do for a justiciar¡¯s judgment to be doubted.


    ¡°Will you accept my questions?¡±


    ¡°Trial you mean?¡± Lady Semutir sneered. She gave no indication that she had been aware of Strella¡¯s actions. Not that she would¡¯ve. Her Psionicist was too weak to detect the invasion.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Very well¡­ but first I believe you are required to show proof of your role,¡± Lady Semutir held up a perfectly-manicured finger, ¡°if you are a fraud, playing at games¡­ I will have your head,¡± her voice was a sharp blade.


    ¡°Naturally.¡± Strella removed her gloves and held both palms out for everyone to view.


    Gasps filled the throne room.


    The lady shot annoyed glares at her guards.


    On each palm was the tattoo of an eye. Eerily lifelike copies of Strella¡¯s own dark brown eyes.


    ¡°Anyone can get¡ª¡± Lady Semutir began.


    The tattoos blinked.


    They all saw it.


    When Strella blinked her eyes the tattoos did the same.


    ¡°The marks of my role,¡± she said. ¡°Is there still a question on my legitimacy?¡±


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    Silence.


    ¡°Good,¡± she donned her gloves before pulling a thin, metal chain from her pocket. A clear, medium-sized gem shaped like a flat disk dangled from the end. ¡°A Truth Gem. I am no Psionicist. I am a justiciar without a patron or a master.¡± It remained clear. ¡°I accept bribes for favorable judgments. I like the decor of your throne room.¡± It shined with a white light.


    Lady Semutir eyed the gem and Strella with venom.


    You would¡­ with what I read in your memories, Strella thought. ¡°Is there any who would dispute this?¡± she said. ¡°I only have a few question for you, Lady Semutir. Charges. You can deny them or you can accept them. The severity of my judgment depends on you.¡±


    ¡°You speak as if you¡¯ve already determined my guilt.¡±


    ¡°I am a justiciar. The truth is all.¡± Strella held the gem up. ¡°Lady Semutir, have you taken more taxes from the citizens of this city than required.¡±


    The lady clenched her jaw. Her knuckles whitened around the arms of her throne, visible even with her pale skin.


    ¡°Failure to provide an answer will be considered an affirmative.¡±


    ¡°How dare you!¡± Lady Semutir thundered. ¡°These people don¡¯t deserve someone like me.¡±


    The gem remained clear.


    Strella raised a brow. ¡°Truthfully told, however, the first charge against you is confirmed. Moving on to the second. Lady Semutir, have you taken boys and young men into your bed.¡±


    The lady went deathly still.


    ¡°Yes. None were forced or otherwise enticed by anything other than my beauty and¡­ skill.¡± Lady Semutir answered carefully. ¡°There can be no crime in this.¡±


    The Truth Gem was clear.


    A triumphant smile appeared on the lady¡¯s face.


    ¡°In the course of these dalliances, did you drain them of their youth, vitality¡­ their very essences in order to replenish your own?¡±


    The smile fell.


    ¡°Failure to answer¡­ confirmed,¡± Strella said flatly.


    The Truth Gem swayed slightly on the thin chain.


    ¡°Lastly, Lady Semutir¡­ have you fallen to deviance?¡±


    Armor rattled as men and women shifted, either nervously or in preparation.


    Strella read their thoughts like a book. She was ready for anything they thought they could do to her.


    ¡°Have you been in secret possession of a monstrous Class for many years? Is that how you¡¯ve maintained your beauty for so long? Not through Skill, spell and potion, but through Succubus Class Skills?¡±


    Lady Semutir stood up from her throne.


    Strella spoke before the lady could. ¡°Household guards. Your oaths are void. Do not join your fates to a monster¡¯s. This gem reveals the truth,¡± she thrust the clear gem high for everyone to see.


    ¡°She lies!¡± Lady Semutir screeched.


    The gem shined bright white.


    Strella took several steps back, away from the mountain of armor. ¡°Leave and turn yourselves in to the city watch. I will guarantee a fair investigation.¡±


    All of the guards threw down their spears and ran out of the throne room.


    Strella was left alone with the lady and two others. She tucked the gem away and slowly drew her long rapier. Its thin blade was four feet long, more than the standard thanks to the superior quality of Threnium metal in all aspects when compared to steel.


    ¡°Psionicist Renovosk. You knew the nature of what you served. I judge you guilty.¡± She drew a second family heirloom.


    It was a strange weapon, if somewhat familiar, almost like a normal metal shooter. Except this one had a single rifled barrel with a fat cylinder for the six cartridges. Strella could squeeze the trigger six times before reloading, unlike others that needed to be reloaded after every shot, even if one had the more expensive type with more than one barrel.


    The wooden grip was warm in her hand. It pulsed with life from the heart wood. Attack and protection in one weapon. So long as she held it evil would find it difficult to harm her.


    ¡°Psyche Shredder!¡± Renovosk pointed at Strella.


    She felt the attack bounce off the walls she always kept around her mind.


    ¡°No, you can¡¯t be¡ª¡± Renovosk¡¯s mouth dropped. ¡°Legends, not real. You¡¯re¡ª¡±


    The crack of thunder echoed through the throne room.


    Lady Semutir screamed.


    Renovosk¡¯s head snapped back with a spray of blood as the metal ball flew through his forehead.


    Justice imparted.


    Strella spared no further thought for the young man.


    ¡°You will Love me,¡± Lady Semutir said.


    The heart wood grip pulsed with warmth, almost hot.


    Strella felt the compulsion roam through her body like a caress. She felt revulsion since she had several sources of protection and she knew the truth of it. The lady¡¯s victims had none of that. ¡°I am no naive young man or innocent boy to be victimized by your dark, deviant tastes.¡±


    She pointed her rapier at the heavily armored person. The steel was dark, thick and spiky. There wasn¡¯t a lot of openings. ¡°Juggernaut¡­ you didn¡¯t know the full truth of what you served. Leave and you may find lenience.¡±


    Metal creaked.


    Baleful eyes glared down at Strella.


    As gauntleted fists closed, wicked-looking spikes slid into place over the knuckles.


    Strella read the actions to come as the¡­ woman¡­ made her decision.


    ¡°Unstoppable Charge,¡± the woman grunted.


    Strella was several steps ahead. She pivoted and spun to the side a scant inches out of the Juggernaut¡¯s path. Thunderous steps ended in a thunderous crash as the armored woman plowed into the stone wall.


    Strella aimed and put a metal ball into the back of both knees. That would slow the Juggernaut enough for the city watch to deal with her when they arrived in a few minutes. Death wasn¡¯t her only judgment.


    She aimed her shooter at the lady.


    ¡°You¡¯ve stolen wealth, but I don¡¯t truly care about that. This is for the lives you¡¯ve stolen. Ended before they had the chance to bloom.¡±


    ¡°Transformation: Succubus!¡± Lady Semutir shrieked as she ripped her fine dress off. Her body began to change. Limbs lengthened, fingernails grew and sharpened. Fleshy wings sprouted from her back. Her face remained beautiful despite the small horns sprouting from her forehead and the rows of sharp teeth in her too-wide mouth.


    A horrifying sight by right, but magically alluring to most.


    Strella wasn¡¯t one of those. She was protected by the walls around her mind and the warmth in her hand. She emptied her shooter.


    Thunder made three roses bloom in the lady¡¯s chest, right between her perfect breasts.


    Strella knew that wouldn¡¯t end it. She read the lady¡¯s thoughts. Lust and hate mingled.


    The lady meant to launch herself at Strella and savaged her with teeth and nails. Oh, but the Succubus wouldn¡¯t end it there, not too quickly, she¡¯d bring pleasure with the pain. Take both to heights so that she could drain Strella of everything. What where a few injuries when they¡¯d be healed in that instant? As for the rest of it? Well, she¡¯d blame it all on Strella. A rogue Justiciar overstepping her bounds. Who had set Strella on her trail? She¡¯d find them. It¡¯d be harder without Renovosk, but she¡¯d find a replacement. For the right price, one would come to her. Even if she was stuck in a backwater city. One would come for the promise of coin, levels and extra¡­ pleasures.


    Strella raced up the dais and lunged, thrusting her blade into the lady¡¯s forehead. The Threnium metal pierced through magically tough skin and bone into the brain.


    Strella withdrew the blade and swept a red line across Lady Semutir¡¯s neck.


    A look of surpise flashed across the lady¡¯s face before her head tumbled to the floor.


    Strella moved a safe distance from the body. She emptied her shooter¡¯s cylinder into a pouch at her belt. Casings were expensive and needed to be saved. She loaded six new cartridges into the cylinder and snapped it into place before tucking the weapon back into the holster hanging under her right armpit.


    She made a note to prioritize finding someone to refill her empties with new powder and ball. A challenge, she suspected. She was far from her usual haunts and she had yet to ascertain the quality and reliability of the weaponsmiths in this region.


    The city watch rushed into the throne room after a few minutes of waiting.


    Strella had already removed her gloves and greeted them with four blinking eyes.


    ¡°Justiciar?¡± the lead Watchwoman frowned from behind a round shield. She glanced at the two dead bodies. ¡°Lady Semutir and¡ª¡±


    Strella ignored the spears pointed in her direction. She knew that they would only attack if she did first. ¡°Has faced judgment for her crimes. As has Psionicist Renovosk. As for the Juggernaut,¡± she gestured at the woman on the floor near the crater she had made in the stone wall, ¡°secure her. The nature of her crimes don¡¯t require my direct hand.¡±


    ¡°Explanations¡ª¡± the Watchwoman began.


    ¡°I will speak with your captain and the city council¡­ together. I will give my report once.¡± Strella strode forward. ¡°I will wait at the council hall.¡±


    The spears pointed at her swung upward as the city watch hastily made way.


    The lead Watchwoman could only nod. ¡°Secure Lady Sem¡ª the throne room. No one in or out. Don¡¯t touch anything.¡± She pointed at the fallen Juggernaut. ¡°Get that armor off of her and take her in for questioning.¡±

 Interlude: Strella 1.2

    Ariaska let out a disappointed sigh as she entered the adventurer¡¯s guild and found it empty.


    What had she been thinking?


    Sure, the backwater city was near the border to the frontier and the great Shadow Steps Forest that separated Unity from the Great Barzandan Alliance, but she should¡¯ve known better.


    While there were many chronicles of great adventure and daring deeds taking place at the edge of civilization, those had all needed a spark.


    Monster Zones spilling over and becoming horde invasions.


    Adventurer teams delving into long-buried cities and facing darkness from ages past for the treasures of those times.


    There was none of that at this particular frontier.


    The monster zones had been tamed, managed with precision by the soldiers of the 7th Army.


    Those ancient bastions of horror and wonder?


    Cleared long ago. Plundered. Thoroughly studied by Archaeologists and Historians. All the stories had been already written. No mystery. One could visit them at their leisure, pay the guides and learn everything they could ever want. Or read the works of long-dead Chroniclers. The ranks of the highly-esteemed that Ariaska would never join if things continued in their present course.


    All of this was an unquestioned good for the citizenry, but bad for adventurers and the Chroniclers that made a living writing those tales.


    Desperation.


    She remembered why she had come here.


    ¡°Am I a bad person for wishing for just a little bit of government mismanagement?¡± she muttered.


    Yes was the answer she decided on after a moment.


    Still, how could she level and make her mark without crises to chronicle?


    Ten years after graduating and all she had to show for it was a middling work chronicling the adventurers of a barely silver ranked team, whose greatest work had been ridding a small town of an undead squirrel infestation.


    She sighed.


    That wasn¡¯t a fair thought.


    The Edge of Eternity had been quite nice, if a bit deluded about their stature as adventurers.


    She walked up to the front counter.


    Maybe she¡¯d find the one gem in the refuse pit of this place.


    ¡°Hello!¡± she greeted the attendant, a bored-looking middle-aged woman, ¡°I¡¯m Chronicler Ariaska and I¡¯d like to view the roster of the local adventurers.¡±


    The attendant gave her a curt nod and reached under the counter.


    Ariaska coughed at the cloud of dust that bloomed when the attendant dumped the tome on the wooden surface.


    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she smiled stiffly as she took the book to a nearby table and began her search.


    Less than an hour later, Ariaska stomped out of the guild hall, muttering curses under her breath.


    ¡°No adventurers higher than silver, bunch of bronze and rookies¡­ should¡¯ve gone to the southern border¡­ maybe north¡­ definitely not east¡­¡±


    She stomped all the way back to the dank inn that she could barely afford with the dregs in her coin purse.


    ¡°Chronicler,¡± the surly innkeeper grunted as soon as she walked through the door, ¡°one of them urchins came in here, said you told him you to.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Where is he?¡± she didn¡¯t see anyone else in the common room.


    ¡°Check the alley. I kicked him out. Don¡¯t want them dirtying up this fine establishment.¡±


    Ariaska stilled the retort on the tip of her tongue. This place had been the only one she could afford. She gave the bastard a curt nod and a tight smile before turning around and leaving.


    She found the small boy waiting for her in the alley.


    ¡°I don¡¯t recognize you.¡±


    ¡°Word was you¡¯d give coin for interesting news?¡±


    She saw the dirty little boy¡¯s eyes dart to the coin purse at her belt. She casually grabbed it. ¡°A copper. Two if what you¡¯ve got is really interesting.¡±


    ¡°Three,¡± the boy said.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t even told me what you have.¡±


    The boy held a dirty palm out. ¡°Give me half first.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve never negotiated before, have you?¡±


    A shake of the dirty, matted head of hair.


    Ariaska sighed. ¡°Just this once, but normally you get paid after,¡± she placed a single copper in the boy¡¯s palm.


    The boy snatched his hand close and looked like he considered bolting.


    Ariaska wasn¡¯t stupid. She had positioned herself at the mouth of the alley to block the way. ¡°Now¡­ your turn,¡± she raised a brow.


    ¡°Word is one of them justici¡ª justica¡ª,¡± the boy stammered. His face scrunched in frustration. ¡°One of them justice people went to the lady¡¯s castle.¡±


    ¡°Justiciar?¡±


    ¡°Yeah that¡¯s what they said,¡± the boy nodded vigorously.


    ¡°All the way out to this dusty refuse pit of a city?¡± Ariaska murmured. Very interesting if it was true. ¡°I assume one of your¡­ friends¡­ is the source of this information. If so, how can you be sure it was a justiciar?¡±


    The boy shrugged. ¡°Dunno. Rexa saw her going into the castle. Then the city watch came running up a little bit later. The justic¡ª the justice lady came out after that. Rexa followed her cause she thought the lady was pure gold and she keeps mouthing off about being an adventurer one day.¡±


    ¡°Did Rexa describe this woman¡¯s appearance?¡±


    ¡°She had a really long sword and a weird-looking shooter,¡± the boy frowned with intense concentration, ¡°also a wide hat or something. Oh and she had black hair, which is weird. I¡¯ve never seen that before.¡±


    A bell chimed in Ariaska¡¯s head.


    Most of the description wasn¡¯t unduly unique. The black-colored hair however, that was a rarity. Putting it all together¡­ well, a black-haired justiciar wielding an overly long sword and an odd metal shooter. She¡¯d read a story or two about that person.


    ¡°You said Rexa followed this woman. Where?¡±


    The boy held an empty palm toward her.


    Ariaska became a copper coin poorer before he continued.


    ¡°All the way to the council hall,¡± the boy said as he squirreled the coin away in his pants. ¡°That¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°More than enough,¡± Ariaska reached out. The little boy flinched away as she gingerly patted his head. She made way to let the boy scamper back out onto the dusty dirt street. She waited until he was out of sight before she wiped her hand on her pant leg. She repressed a shudder. Her hand needed a wash, but time couldn¡¯t be wasted. It was a long walk to the council hall. ¡°A justiciar, that particular one at that¡­ and all the way out here? Why? There¡¯s a story there? There has to be,¡± she muttered as she hurried off.


    Perhaps this venture wasn¡¯t a waste after all.

 Interlude: Strella 1.3

    Lady Semutir had allies among the city council. This was in spite of her deviance. Indeed, they all knew. And yet, they had done nothing openly that would allow her to render judgment and justice.


    Strella would need to tread lightly for the time being.


    The council would send a complaint to the king.


    She wasn¡¯t concerned about that. She had observed the forms, the procedure. Questioning under truth spell would reveal that. By the same token she¡¯d rather avoid a direct conversation with the king¡¯s agents. Her full truth wasn¡¯t something she wanted to circulate in such circles. It would¡¯ve only created more headaches.


    The council was eager for her to leave their city.


    She wasn¡¯t amenable to that. No, she¡¯d stay. Catch them in the act. Such people would slip up in time and give her the opportunity.


    The sun dipped near the horizon over the Light Peak Mountains. She could see the dazzling rainbow of colors reflected off the large crystallized sections. The result of a magical duel from the Age of Legends or so the chroniclers wrote.


    Speaking of which. A woman hesitantly approached. Bright red hair, like fire, was tied into a severe tail. Rugged traveler¡¯s clothing, dusty and worn.


    Strella read the Chronicler in an instant.


    Desperate for a story, was she?


    ¡°A moment of time, justiciar? You are one, correct?¡± the woman began.


    Though justice didn¡¯t care about etiquette, there was no reason to be rude, until there was one.


    ¡°A moment,¡± Strella said.


    ¡°I¡¯m a Chronicler, Ariaska¡­ and I offer my services to you. Allow me to accompany you for a period of time, say a quarter of a year. I will write of your deeds. We shall split the proceeds. Seventy to me, thirty to you.¡±


    Strella already knew that. It was why she had always found it difficult to speak to people, why many had always seen her impatience as a fault.


    ¡°My activities aren¡¯t worth recording.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I disagree. Slaying Lady Semutir for deviance¡­ that is a tale worth telling.¡±


    Strella stared at Ariaska.


    ¡°It was the only thing anyone was talking about,¡± Ariaska shrugged. ¡°A lot of people came this way hoping for a look at you. I chatted with many. Not much to do waiting out here for the last few hours.¡±


    ¡°I passed judgment for her crimes,¡± Strella said.


    ¡°Exactly, but that isn¡¯t the story being told,¡± Ariaska gestured, ¡°I can tell your story in truth.¡±


    ¡°With artistic embellishments?¡± Strella raised a brow.


    ¡°Both, depending on what you¡¯d prefer. An account can be a dry recounting of events or an exciting story to evoke excitement and pathos in the reader. To leave them richer for the experience or leave them questioning how they view the world. I can write in multiple styles,¡± Ariaska said.


    Strella saw the pride in the posture and the words, but she also saw the self-doubt hidden in the thoughts.


    ¡°I require none of this. Follow me as you will, but I will not make allowances for your comfort or needs. You accept the dangers, whatever they may be. I will not be responsible for your safety, however I will neither behave with callousness toward said safety,¡± Strella said.


    Ariaska clapped her hands and gave a little hop like a rabbit before remembering who she was speaking to. ¡°It would be an honor, justiciar,¡± she bowed.


    Strella blinked that had been perfectly done. On par with what she had seen in many a king¡¯s throne room.


    ¡°You may call me Strella.¡±


    ¡°Strella then,¡± Ariaska smiled. ¡°If I may ask¡­ is that your natural hair color?¡±


    ¡°No you may not.¡±


    Strella marched down the dusty street.


    Ariaska hurried to keep up with the longer strides.


    ¡°Where are we off to?¡±


    ¡°The mage¡¯s guild, then the postmaster. I have reports to send,¡± Strella said.


    Not exactly an exciting start, but Ariaska was patient. One didn¡¯t jump into daring deeds and danger immediately. What was troublesome was Strella¡¯s reticence in recounting what had transpired in Lady Semutir¡¯s castle.


    Questions were answered with one word or simple silence as the two walked to their destination.


    Once at the guild, Ariaska was left to wait in the lobby, while Strella recorded and sent her report.


    To whom?


    Ariaska had no idea since Strella hadn¡¯t answered her question.


    From what Ariaska knew, justiciars were largely autonomous. They had patrons that paid their expenses, but didn¡¯t technically control their actions. These were often powerful and wealthy individuals or organizations that did so for the prestige and the social cachet that supporting justice had across all strata of society. If a justiciar could be said to be answerable to anyone it was the Emperor.


    Ariaska spent a quarter hour testing the opening lines of the tentatively-titled The Chronicles of Justiciar Strella when the subject strode into the lobby and out the door without slowing. Ariaska was forced to race after her in a most undignified manner.


    ¡°If I may?¡±


    The Justiciar grunted what sounded like assent to Ariaska so she forged ahead.


    ¡°Your family name¡ª¡±


    ¡°I have none.¡±


    ¡°A family or a surname?¡±


    A neutral sounding grunt. Neither denial nor confirmation.


    Ariaska took a small notebook out of her bag and jotted down a few notes. She eyed the justiciar, but the stoic young woman kept her eyes directly ahead.


    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    ¡°The hat¡­ an unusual style. I don¡¯t believe I¡¯m familiar with it,¡± Ariaska prodded.


    ¡°It was a gift. I know not its origins.¡±


    Ariaska fixed the image of the hat into her mind¡¯s eye. She¡¯d need to accurately describe the dark blue, almost black, wide-brimmed thing in the chronicle.


    ¡°Your rapier?¡±


    ¡°A relic. Threnium metal to allow for its length. My metal shooter is also a relic. And, no, I don¡¯t know their origins either.¡±


    Ariaska¡¯s mouth snapped shut.


    The justiciar had anticipated her exact questions. It was no surprise that one in that role could read other people with ease.


    She pondered the wisdom of again asking about the black hair as the two walked in silence to the postmaster¡¯s building.


    ¡°I¡¯ll wait here,¡± Ariaska said as soon as they entered the lobby.


    The justiciar wasn¡¯t the only one that could read people.


    Ariaska settled down into an uncomfortable bench and began writing down her initial impressions of the justiciar, of Strella. ¡°Stiff, impatience¡­ doesn¡¯t look at other people¡­ surprising lack of armor¡­¡± she murmured. ¡°Will she be forthcoming with her Classes if I ask?¡±


    Some adventurers loved sharing that sort of information. Others guarded it like a dragon with its hoard.


    The rapier suggested something like a Fencer. The metal shooter, well, Shooter or Markswoman. Perhaps a consolidation of the two?


    She didn¡¯t have the knowledge. She made a note to find a Book of Classes at a future date if the justiciar proved reticent, which she expected.


    ¡°Does this city even have a public library?¡±


    Doubtful, she decided.


    The wait was much longer this time.


    ¡°Where to next?¡± Ariaska greeted the justiciar as she entered the lobby


    ¡°Mastifon.¡±


    Ariaska blinked. ¡°I¡¯m unfamiliar with that¡­ place?¡±


    ¡°One of the three towns on Unity¡¯s western border. Each along the Regalli River, with Mastifon being north of the other two.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ then we must secure a carriage.¡± Ariaska could feel the lightness of her coin purse without the need to touch it.


    ¡°I¡¯ve my own conveyance.¡±


    The justiciar¡¯s tone suggested that Ariaska shouldn¡¯t even ask if that could include her.


    ¡°A weekly trade caravan travels from here to the region. The journey itself should take about five days. My only warning to you is that you shouldn¡¯t attempt the journey alone and on foot. The roads on the frontier are said to be dangerous these days. Bandits and rumors of rebellion, though I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve heard of those.¡±


    Ariaska frowned as she nodded. ¡°I will endeavor to follow as quickly as is possible for one of modest means,¡± she said. ¡°Perhaps, before you depart in the morning you¡¯d like to share a dinner. We can begin your chronicle with the events of this day.¡±


    ¡°My apologies, Chronicler. I depart immediately.¡±


    ¡°Night has fallen,¡± Ariaska said.


    Strella shrugged and left, leaving the speechless woman behind.


    Her long legs carried her to the city¡¯s western gate.


    She was mostly alone as she walked the dark, dusty streets.


    Every so often she¡¯d come along one of the lamplighters tending to their duties.


    They stopped to give her respectful nods, which she returned with a glance.


    The gas lamps flickered to life and illuminated the darkness, swirling clouds of insects almost immediately swarmed the lights, instinctively drawn to them.


    Strella¡¯s thoughts were consumed by her new task.


    The rumors of rebellion were serious it seemed. She was to investigate and discover the ones behind the suspected plots.


    It wasn¡¯t her role. However, she was uniquely suited to it.


    Secret conspiracies and cabals would have protections in place against Psionicists that were capable of making all their secret codes and meetings meaningless. Enchanted items or perhaps Psionicists of their own.


    Her abilities placed her above most of those things.


    Still, she would¡¯ve have refused the task had it not come from the Office of the Emperor.


    An Imperial Mandate wasn¡¯t something she would or could refuse without negative consequences to her ability to fulfill her role. Despite that, several things bothered her.


    For one, why send an unattached justiciar to a task that by rights should fall to the Imperial Surveillance Office?


    Tread lightly, Strella thought.


    She entered the stables and waited for the stable girl.


    A gangly, long-limbed girl hustled to greet her.


    ¡°Justiciar! Will you be departing?¡± the girl smiled.


    Strella returned it with a more reserved one. ¡°I am. If you will open Grevax¡¯s door, please.¡±


    The girl hurried.


    It seemed that one never walked.


    She returned holding the reins of Strella¡¯s mechaniform.


    The gleaming, pony-sized dog gave a deep woof that warbled slightly.


    ¡°I think his vocal unit needs tuning,¡± the girl said. ¡°I¡ª I¡ª mean¡ª¡± she stammered.


    ¡°You¡¯re correct on that account. Grevax accidentally swallowed some bits of a shadecrawler¡¯s armored claw on our journey here. It took me hours to get them all out, but unfortunately the unit was scratched. There are no artificers skilled enough for repairs in this region.¡±


    Grevax nudged the girl and she scratched his huge, blocky head.


    ¡°I polished him and oiled him just like I was supposed to,¡± the girl said.


    Truth.


    Strella nodded.


    Grevax trotted over to her and leaned against her side. He was heavy, but knew to use the right amount of weight to avoided knocking her over.


    ¡°And I hope you haven¡¯t been giving the young miss any trouble,¡± Strella said.


    A warbling bark was the response.


    The girl laughed.


    ¡°I hope he hasn¡¯t troubled you. He can be mischievous at times.¡±


    ¡°No, justiciar¡­ he was easy to take care of,¡± the girl leaned closer conspiratorially, ¡°he doesn¡¯t poop and pee like the others,¡± she whispered.


    ¡°The advantages of a mechaniform mount,¡± Strella agreed.


    A mechanical body with the soul of an animal in its magicore heart.


    Grevax¡¯s creator had assured her that the dog in question was dying and that this was a way to grant him an extended life.


    The man was fortunate that he had standards and integrity.


    Strella wouldn¡¯t have been pleased to learn the contrary.


    Not all mechaniform artificers were as ethical.


    ¡°The stabling fee.¡± Strella counted out the exact amount of coinage for the girl and placed it on the counter. ¡°And for you,¡± she pressed a single gold coin into the girl¡¯s palm, ¡°the stablemaster has no claim to that. Don¡¯t tell him,¡± she whispered conspiratorially. ¡°If he learns about it and there is a dispute, send me a message and I will speak to him.¡±


    The girl nodded with awe.


    Strella led Grevax out through the wide doors. Rather, he led her out.


    ¡°You were only in there for a day.¡±


    Grevax whined.


    She opened up the storage compartment at his rear haunches and double-checked her supplies. More than enough to make the two day journey to Mastifon. Grevax was as fast as a horse and tireless, so long as she had enough magicore to feed to his heart. The glowing stones shined through the gaps in the iron box she kept them in. She took one out and inserted it into the compartment at the back of Grevax¡¯s thick neck.


    All set, she straddled Grevax¡¯s narrow midsection and grabbed the handles that emerged from the center of his wide shoulders.


    One other advantage mechaniform mounts had over natural animals.


    Man molded them to fit for maximum comfort. Strella appreciated the padded seat and comfortable foot rests. Unlike horses and other mounts where man had to grow accustomed to what nature¡¯s creation.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a long trip ahead of us, Grevax. We stop for nothing. Off we go.¡±


    They bounded off.


    Out the gates and into the darkness.


    Grevax¡¯s eyes shined with light.


    One other thing that horses lacked.

 Interlude: Strella 1.4

    Strella rode into Mastifon without challenge. Right through the wooden gatehouse, past the wooden walls. No guards in sight.


    There where plenty of people going about their day despite the tense thoughts that roiled through their heads.


    Unpleasant and troublesome.


    Rumors of rebellion were being confirmed with every heavy tread of Grevax¡¯s metallic paws into the muddy street.


    People eyed them as they passed, but none approached.


    Strella found a sign and followed it to the town¡¯s council hall.


    She found the missing guards surrounding the place.


    Wary thoughts, but not outright hostile.


    A mechaniform was a rare sight in the region. Only the extremely wealthy or exceedingly dangerous would¡¯ve had them. That she was traveling alone definitely marked her as the latter in their thought processes.


    Strella hopped off Grevax. ¡°If attacked¡­ defend yourself,¡± she said loud enough for everyone to hear.


    That filled the guards¡¯ minds with concern.


    Good.


    Their interaction would be one with great care.


    ¡°I will speak with your council,¡± she said as she strode toward the lead guard.


    ¡°Er¡­ milady, we¡¯ve orders¡ª¡± the guard¡¯s eyes widened as it became apparent that Strella wasn¡¯t going to slow down.


    Their spears wavered.


    She saw that they were torn between those orders and offending a personage of uncertain stature.


    Ultimately, backwater guards weren¡¯t paid enough or disciplined enough to get in her way.


    They parted and allowed her to continue toward the council hall.


    The lead guard was shorter than Strella so he had to hurry to keep up. ¡°The thing is¡­ the council¡ª¡±


    ¡°Will speak to me.¡±


    The door to the council hall loomed ever closer.


    The guard made a decision. He waved at the two guards to open the door. ¡°I¡¯ll announce her ladyship?¡± he pleaded.


    Strella nodded.


    The lead guard practically ran to get through the door ahead of her. ¡°Er¡­ how would her ladyship like to be announced?¡±


    ¡°Justiciar Strella,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Justi¡ª¡± the lead guard almost stumbled. His face had gone white.


    Strella felt an ounce of pity. The man was just doing a job. From what she had read, he was largely honest in performing his duties, nothing more and nothing less. Hence he didn¡¯t need to fear her so long as it remained that way.


    She stopped at the inner door to the council meeting room. ¡°Are they in session?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, milady, I mean, Justiciar Strella¡­ there¡¯s¡ª¡± he grimaced, ¡°well, there¡¯s been some trouble brewing, but it¡¯s not just us. I¡¯ve heard that Tyranon and River Glade have been dealing with the same¡ª¡±


    ¡°You may announce my presence,¡± Strella gestured to the closed door.


    The lead guard stammered, nodded, bowed, then bowed again before he went through.


    She strode in as soon as he announced her name. She inclined her head in thanks to the lead guard he rushed out.


    The council meeting room was plain, unadorned, with the exception of the local lord¡¯s banner hanging over the empty throne on the raised dais. Wood was the material of choice for the round council table and high-backed chairs. There was a refreshing lack of shiny things and dazzling gems in comparison to the late Lady Semutir¡¯s throne room.


    Strella preferred the lack of ostentation. It had always struck her as a waste of resources. Pretty, gilded things were useless. Better to spend that wealth to feed and house the citizenry. Perhaps, they could¡¯ve better trained and equipped the adventurers to deal with the monster zones. So many things could be done to improve the nation as a whole.


    ¡°Where is your lord?¡± Strella frowned.


    She read the answer in their minds in that instance. She stifled the brewing impatience. She had to observe the forms. Had to let them speak.


    ¡°Lord Trumerian is currently recuperating in his manor,¡± the fat, indolent councilman said. ¡°Forgive my temerity, Justiciar Strella, but what is your purpose here in Mastifon? It isn¡¯t often that we get one such as yourself in our humble town.¡±


    ¡°What happened to the lord?¡±


    She read the answer before another councilman voiced it.


    ¡°A mob scared his horse and he took a tumble, not life-threatening,¡± a slighter fatter, unctuous councilman said. ¡°Rest assured that the perpetrators of that dastardly act have been punished.¡±


    Pilloried and whipped.


    ¡°The causes of this¡­ unrest?¡±


    The five councilmen remained silent. They eyed each other. Clearly, none them wanted to be first to give voice to their thoughts.


    Strella was surprised to find that none of the council members had any idea what was truly going on.


    It seemed that the unrest wasn¡¯t their doing.


    Surprising.


    That was atypical of revolts when viewed through the lens of history.


    ¡°We believe it¡¯s nothing more than the low forgetting their places,¡± the unctuous councilman said.


    ¡°We don¡¯t all agree on that account,¡± a third councilman spoke. This one was stout. His huge hands were gnarled and his nose was askew. A former soldier and brawler in his youth, turned brewer in his middle years. Owner of the town¡¯s brewery and two of the four taverns. ¡°This isn¡¯t as simple as the people getting unruly.¡±


    ¡°Continue,¡± Strella directed.


    The other councilmen glared at the brewer.


    ¡°There have been incidents over the past several months. Merchant businesses vandalized¡ª¡±


    ¡°Our homes!¡± the indolent councilman pounded a fleshy fist on the table.


    The brewer thought about punching his fellow for the interruption, then he thought of doing the same to the rest for the satisfaction.


    Strella cleared her throat.


    ¡°Goods stolen, but then they¡¯d appear in the middle of the town square¡­ burned or fouled in some other manner. I¡¯ve lost several barrels to dead vermin and shit. They were sealed and I had good people watching them. Somehow¡­ right under their noses¡­¡± the brewer councilman growled.


    ¡°The incidents all had one thing in common,¡± a wizened old councilman said. ¡°A badly drawn triangle set inside a circle was found painted at each site.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the group responsible for all the trouble,¡± the unctuous councilman said.


    ¡°Narchist, the word followed the symbol. We¡¯ve yet to discover the meaning,¡± the wizened old councilman said.


    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Strella regarded the brewer councilman. ¡°You¡¯ve more to say.¡±


    ¡°Just that¡­ I smell something different in the air this time. The people are being riled up. It¡¯s more than the usual discontent over high taxes,¡± he glared daggers at the men seated around the table. ¡°My gut¡¯s telling me magic or high-level Skills are involved. The only explanation for fucking crap ending up in my barrels!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous!¡± the unctuous councilman snapped.


    ¡°That¡¯s why we need to question your employees. They¡¯re the only ones with access to your stock if what you say is true,¡± the indolent councilman said.


    ¡°That¡¯s not happening while I¡¯m on this council!¡± the brewer councilman rattled the heavy wooden table with a fist.


    ¡°Not if we put it to a vote,¡± the indolent councilman said.


    ¡°We must remain united,¡± a younger councilman said as he peered at Strella through thick spectacles. ¡°Which is why there will be no vote on that. Justiciar Strella, I beg forgiveness, but I must say that it is irregular for one of your stature to be all the way out here. I find it curious that you arrive in the midst of our troubles.¡±


    Strella pulled the token that she had received along with the task at the postmaster¡¯s office.


    Sharp intakes of breath accompanied the sight of the Imperial Badge.


    ¡°The Office of the Emperor has taken notice,¡± Strella said.


    Terror ran rampant in their thoughts.


    Genuine.


    They didn¡¯t want to be perceived as responsible for what was going on.


    ¡°I told you it was more serious than you was saying,¡± the brewer councilman jabbed a finger on the table.


    ¡°And you are here to?¡± the younger councilman eyed Strella warily.


    ¡°My task is to deal with this brewing revolt in your town,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Not just us, Tyranon and River Glade are also experiencing the same troubles,¡± the wizened councilman said.


    ¡°I require access to your employees. All of the ones that were on duty when your barrels were fouled,¡± she locked eyes with the brewer.


    A curt nod was the reply.


    ¡°I require access to the people involved in Lord Trumerian¡¯s fall.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± the younger councilman quickly said.


    ¡°You will need lodgings, I humbly offer my¡ª¡± the unctuous councilman began.


    ¡°Unnecessary,¡± she cut him off, ¡°an inn will suffice.¡±


    ¡°We are happy to assist in any way that you require,¡± the younger councilman said.


    ¡°There is only one thing that you must do,¡± Strella cast a cold gaze on the table, ¡°do nothing. Do not inflame them. Ignore the provocations.¡±


    ¡°But the rabble will think we¡ª¡± the indolent councilman huffed.


    Strella¡¯s unblinking gaze shut his mouth.


    ¡°Yes, of course. We¡¯ll provide you with a bodyguard as well,¡± the younger councilman said.


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary.¡±


    With that Strella left the council room as brusquely as she entered it.


    The lead guard stumbled away from the door as she pushed it open.


    ¡°You¡¯ve heard, so take me to the prisoners. I have people to question.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ yes, Justiciar Strella,¡± he bowed.


    ¡°And stop doing that.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± he half-bowed before catching himself.


    A short time later the lead guard, whose name turned out to be Ralleck, found himself bowing profusely as he tried to explain to Strella that their prison didn¡¯t have an interrogation room.


    She regarded the interior, which was one large building with multiple cells arranged against the walls, with a stone mask.


    The prisoners eyed her with a mixture of fear and wariness.


    She didn¡¯t truly need to verbally question the prisoners. She could get what she needed by perusing their memories as she stood there, but the procedure needed to be maintained.


    ¡°An office then?¡± Strella said.


    ¡°The prisonmaster¡¯s?¡± Ralleck shrugged.


    ¡°That will do.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­¡±


    ¡°Take me to this office and have the ones involved in the incident with the lord brought to me one at a time.¡±


    Ralleck gaped like a fish.


    She could see him imagining the look on the prisonmaster¡¯s face when they kicked him out of his office.


    He smiled with genuine joy. ¡°Right this way, Justiciar Strella.¡±


    Ralleck led her up a narrow set of stairs at the rear of the building and to the second floor.


    There was a large open space with lockers and benches for the prison guards.


    The office was farther in and to the right.


    Ralleck gave the door a perfunctory knock.


    ¡°Excuse me,¡± Ralleck strode in.


    ¡°Wha¡ª¡±


    The prisonmaster was an absolute bull of a man.


    Strella eyed him as if he was nothing.


    ¡°Justiciar Strella is here to conduct questioning of prisoners. The council has given her complete authority. We¡¯re to do as she says,¡± Ralleck said.


    ¡°Go on then,¡± the prisonmaster snorted.


    ¡°She¡¯ll be needing your office.¡±


    Strella read the expletives and other vile things that he¡¯d like to do to her flash through his mind.


    The man looked like he was about to argue.


    ¡°She has an Imperial Badge,¡± Ralleck said lightly.


    The man¡¯s eyes narrowed. He got out of his chair and grumbled all the way out the door.


    ¡°He likes to throw his weight around,¡± Ralleck whispered to Strella. ¡°Nice to stick it to the pigfuc¡ª er¡­ what I mean to say is that I¡¯ll bring the first prisoner up when you¡¯re ready.¡±


    ¡°Very good, Guardsman Ralleck. I¡¯ll proceed immediately.¡±


    The first prisoner thrown into the office was an old man. One side of his face was an ugly, purple, swollen mess. A bracelet of angry red encircled his thin wrists. The same rawness was present around his neck.


    A grandfather, a baker, a peaceful man that had never so much as raised his voice in anger more than a dozen times in over six decades of life.


    Strella read all of that in the silent seconds she took to slowly, casually remove her gloves.


    ¡°Answer all questions truthfully,¡± she showed the old man her palms. ¡°You will have nothing to fear from me if you do so.¡±


    The old man paled and nodded.


    ¡°You participated in the incident that saw the town¡¯s lord injured?¡±


    The old man kept his wide eyes on her hands, even though she held them clasped together on the desk in front of her.


    She cleared her throat.


    ¡°Uh¡­ yeah, I did, I mean, I was there, but I wasn¡¯t close enough to¡ª I mean the town guard had me¡ª it was chaos¡­ I didn¡¯t learn about the lord falling off his horse until later.¡±


    ¡°Why did you choose to join the mob?¡±


    ¡°Not a mob!¡± his voice rose, then fell again as he remembered where he was seated. ¡°The lord increased taxes. He gave no reasons. This isn¡¯t a rich town, but everything was fine, comfortable even¡­ why would he do that?¡±


    ¡°How was the protest organized?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he shook his head. ¡°There was this leaflet. Copies being passed around. I don¡¯t remember where I got it.¡±


    Truth.


    Strella probed his memories and learned that old man had found it slipped underneath his bakery¡¯s door. She was right there as the old man had read it. She recognized the symbol and the name right on top. The same as the one described by the council.


    She saw something else strange in the old man¡¯s memories of the incident.


    The old man was guilty of participating in the mob, but there was something else. Almost like a filter over his thoughts. An external force guiding, prodding him into something he otherwise wouldn¡¯t have even thought to do.


    She knew that Skills and spells were capable of such things.


    ¡°You don¡¯t strike me as a violent man.¡±


    ¡°No, no, justiciar¡­ I¡¯m not! Please believe me! I¡¯ve no idea on what came over me that day!¡± he pleaded. ¡°The words I read¡ª they just felt right, is all¡­ like they spoke to my soul and all the years of toil while only a handful got rich¡­ that day, was like a fire was lit in me¡­ and then it was gone and now my life is ruined. The lord will take away my bakery. Take revenge on my children, my grandchildren,¡± The old man sobbed into his hands.


    The man was guilty of a crime according to the written laws, but this wasn¡¯t justice in truth.


    Strella had read enough.


    She called out to the guard standing just behind the closed door. To her surprise it was Ralleck.


    ¡°Done with this one? I¡¯ll get the next piece of trash right away.¡±


    Strella held up a hand.


    The two men watched the tattoo blink.


    ¡°You will release this man immediately.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡± Ralleck began.


    ¡°I¡¯ve judged that the punishment he¡¯s already received is sufficient. I¡¯ll put my judgments into writing after I¡¯m finished questioning the rest.¡±


    Ralleck nodded blankly as he pulled the old man by the arm. ¡°Right away, Justiciar Strella.¡±


    Strella knew that not all of the people she would question today would receive the same leniency. She knew that many of them hadn¡¯t been as influenced as the old man. That many of them weren¡¯t basically good people down to their core.


    The old man¡¯s participation in the mob wasn¡¯t in his character. The same couldn¡¯t be said for all.


    ¡°You¡¯re one lucky bastard,¡± Ralleck muttered to the old man as he pulled him out of the office.

 Interlude: Strella 1.5

    A week and a half in Mastifon was a week longer than Strella had expected to spend.


    After she had questioned over three dozen rioters she had thought that it would be a simple matter of walking through the town and reading everyone she saw to track down the source of those inciting leaflets that everyone had received.


    Speaking to the employees of the councilman¡¯s brewery had proved similarly fruitless. No one had honestly any idea how their barrels of ale and cider had been fouled.


    The so-called Narchist, whether an individual or more likely a group, would¡¯ve been revealed with even the slightest errant thought.


    Thus, it was troubling that she hadn¡¯t picked up the slightest crumb beyond what had been in the rioters¡¯ memories.


    The mood among the citizenry had deteriorated further.


    The lord and the council had done themselves no favors in the aftermath of putting down the mob. They had stationed guards around the street that held their homes and offices, while withdrawing their presence from the rest of the town.


    It hadn¡¯t escaped Strella¡¯s notice in the course of her investigation that the only establishments damaged by the mob had been those owned by the wealthiest. It was to be expected that these people also lived in the same area as the leadership.


    She supposed that it was understandable that they¡¯d want to protect themselves from suffering the same fate as their badly injured lord.


    ¡°So, if I may? Later tonight, perhaps during dinner you can recount what has transpired since we parted?¡± Ariaska said.


    One of the reasons that Strella hadn¡¯t planned to spend more than a few days in Mastifon hurried to keep up with her longer strides.


    The Chronicler had shown up the other day much worse for wear. Partially-healed cuts were on her face. Dried blood stains on her sleeves were visible.


    ¡°Are you certain you don¡¯t need more time to record what transpired on your journey?¡±


    ¡°Ah, I¡¯ve done that already. The bandit attack occurred about three days out from the city, which left me plenty of time to write before I arrived.¡±


    Ariaska had found passage with a trade caravan. They had been exceedingly fortunate that several teams of bronze-ranked adventurers had also made the same journey. Combined with the caravan guards, they had been enough to handle desperate, half-starved bandits.


    Another failing that could be laid at the feet of the late Lady Semutir. No competent leader would ever allow bandits to be so close to the city, whether by clearing them out or ensuring that a situation that they¡¯d form from would never occur.


    ¡°In any case I¡¯d like to hear from you about what¡¯s been happening in Mastifon. The locals haven¡¯t been exactly loquacious. Have a lot of people died? You mentioned a brewing rebellion? I didn¡¯t see the telltale plumes of a mass burning from the road.¡±


    ¡°A protest on excessive taxation led to a rioting mob. Injuries, but no deaths. Including the town lord.¡±


    Ariaska nearly stumbled. ¡°Was¡­ was that you?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Miraculous¡­ I mean that there were no deaths. You typically always get a few of those when the people riot.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯ve been a part of many of those?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve read through accounts.¡±


    They walked in silence the rest of the way to Strella¡¯s next target.


    An inn. The last of the town¡¯s four that she had yet to visit.


    ¡°For your own safety, I suggest you wait elsewhere,¡± Strella said as the inn came into view.


    Hearth and Home. The faded sign hung on the side of the wooden building. Three floors and a small stable attached to the rear.


    ¡°I can keep out of your way well-enough. Besides, it¡¯d be valuable for me to have a first-hand view of your investigation into the unrest. Your daring and dangerous capture of the perpetrators isn¡¯t something I¡¯d like to leave to a retelling from an other''s eyes,¡± Ariaska replied.


    ¡°Perceptive of you.¡±


    ¡°Study, experience and Skills have given me an eye for potential stories.¡±


    Strella suddenly stopped in the middle of the muddy street. ¡°Interesting. Which of the three is telling you that there¡¯s a story waiting for us in that inn?¡±


    ¡°The former. You haven¡¯t said much, but it¡¯s clear you¡¯re on the trail. Do you expect to find your suspects in there?¡±


    ¡°Uncertain.¡±


    ¡°Are you running out of leads? You cut right through Lady Semutir¡¯s misdeeds barely a day after you had arrived. Yet, you¡¯ve been in this town for over a week. Your thoughts?¡±


    ¡°Uncertain.¡±


    ¡°I see that I will need to take literary license with your chronicle.¡±


    ¡°So long as there are no fabrications that is within your right according to the laws,¡± Strella nodded.


    The inn¡¯s main room was comforting. The hearth of its namesake was burning with a low fire. Just the right amount of warmth to take the chill out of the morning air.


    The innkeeper was a fat man, who greeted them with a warm smile.


    Genuine.


    ¡°I¡¯m Justiciar Strella,¡± she began as the man¡¯s smile wavered, but only a fraction.


    ¡°What can I do for you? Are you here for a room? Unfortunately, we¡¯re all booked until the end of the week.¡±


    ¡°Are you normally this busy?¡± Ariaska said.


    ¡°A warning, Chronicler, you¡¯re not sanctioned to be a part of this investigation. You may only observe,¡± Strella warned.


    ¡°Right, sorry,¡± Ariaska grinned sheepishly and mimed sewing her lips together.


    The innkeeper chuckled.


    ¡°I need to look at your guest logbook.¡±


    ¡°Um¡ª¡±


    The protest died on the innkeeper¡¯s tongue when he saw the Imperial Badge Strella held up.


    ¡°Right away, justiciar,¡± the innkeeper said as he hurried to the back of his bar.


    ¡°I¡¯ll wait at a table,¡± Strella scanned the common room and found an isolated table far enough away from the hearth.


    Ariaska followed her and sat down, taking out a small journal, a quill and ink pot from her small bag.


    The innkeeper came over shortly with a thick logbook. ¡°Can I interest you with breakfast!¡± he smiled.


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary,¡± Strella said.


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°On the house¡­¡± the innkeeper tried.


    ¡°That won¡¯t be nec¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Ariaska piped up. ¡°I¡¯d like a menu, please.¡±


    ¡°No menu for breakfast. Just whatever we happen to have. I do promise a warm, filling meal that¡¯ll give you the strength to face the day!¡±


    ¡°That sounds wonderful,¡± Ariaska said.


    ¡°How much?¡± Strella said flatly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry yourself, justiciar. The Hearth and Home is ever happy to repay the work you and yours do for the nation.¡±


    The innkeeper waddled away with a smile.


    ¡°Such a nice and friendly man. I¡¯ve been in plenty of inns and you¡¯d think more of them would be like that. Instead of always having their palm out for coin.¡±


    ¡°They work for coin. That is their purpose.¡±


    ¡°They might do it for the love of hospitality,¡± Ariaska shrugged.


    ¡°Yes, but without coin they wouldn¡¯t be able to do that.¡±


    ¡°True¡­ it¡¯s much the same for myself.¡±


    Strella cracked the logbook open and began searching.


    ¡°What exactly are you looking for?¡±


    ¡°Names of those that arrived at around the time the unrest began and stayed up until or just after the riot.¡±


    A serving boy appeared with a two plates, piled with fried potatoes and vegetables, several links of sausage and a generous portion of scrambled eggs. He unceremoniously placed the plates on the table and returned with a basket of freshly baked bread along with a teapot and cups.


    The boy mumbled something that sounded like ¡°please enjoy.¡±


    Strella stopped him from leaving with a gesture. She took a handful of coins from her purse and placed them in his hand.


    ¡°But¡­ grandpa said it was on the house?¡± the boy said.


    ¡°Then tell him that isn¡¯t pay for the food, but for the service. Tell him that I may be displeased if his grandson¡¯s work isn¡¯t compensated,¡± Strella said.


    The boy blinked and nodded thanks. Turned around, stopped and turned back to bow toward Strella.


    Her face was a stone mask.


    ¡°You get that a lot, huh?¡± Ariaska said. ¡°The bowing,¡± she said at the questioning look on Strella¡¯s face.


    ¡°Too much,¡± Strella conceded.


    ¡°How¡¯d you know how much the meal cost¡ª thank you by the way, seeing as how I can¡¯t currently repay you¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s on the menu,¡± Strella pointed at the sign on the wall behind the bar.


    Ariaska squinted at the illegible scrawl in the distance. ¡°Huh? You have good eyes.¡± She scribbled something in her journal.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome. I don¡¯t expect repayment¡­ this time,¡± Strella said. With that she turned her attention back to the logbook, absentmindedly shoving food and drink into her mouth at regular intervals.


    Ariaska, for her part, ate like a starving dog.


    When she finished her own plate, she had eyed Strella¡¯s half-finished one for what must¡¯ve been a half hour before the justiciar slid it over.


    ¡°Thanks¡­¡± Ariaska mumbled around a mouthful of eggs and hash.


    Pouring over the logbook was just one part of Strella¡¯s investigation.


    ¡°I¡¯m curious about one thing,¡± Ariaska began.


    Strella gave no indication that she had heard the Chronicler. She merely continued to thumb through the pages.


    ¡°Names and dates are useless without context are they not?¡±


    True.


    Which was why Strella wasn¡¯t only reading the neatly-written words in their orderly columns. She was also reading the innkeeper and the handful of employees that moved in and out of the moderately-filled common room.


    She pored through their memories to match names and dates to faces. Searching for any hints. Furtive demeanor from the guests? Secrets concealed? So on and so forth.


    Most had been guileless merchants and caravan guards, a few had been silver-ranked adventurers. Bronze and lower didn¡¯t have the coin to afford this particular inn. She viewed dozens of interactions between these guests and the inn¡¯s workers.


    One face stood out among the tanned and weathered bunch that came with spending most of their time in the outdoors.


    A young woman. Plain-looking, but wearing clean clothes, aside from mud-stained boots. Muted yellow hair in an easily manageable short style.


    Strella suspected that her sun-touched skin would¡¯ve been rather fair otherwise.


    Nothing about the young woman¡¯s appearance or demeanor stood out.


    She had paid the inn¡¯s fees. Ate in the morning before leaving and returning for dinner to immediately retire to her room.


    Strella searched the logbook until she found the name attached to the face.


    Jocuvel.


    ¡°Interesting. Roughly, twenty years ago Unity saw a momentous increase in baby girls being named after the Adventurer Princess. Not only did she discover the Lost City of Scorn, but she also led the fight to slay the Lady of Red and Ruin,¡± Ariaska shuddered.


    Strella was reluctantly impressed by Ariaska¡¯s perceptiveness. It appeared that the Chronicler had managed to follow her sight lines.


    ¡°The greatest cautionary tale in modern history about the dangers of deviance in one¡¯s Class,¡± Strella said.


    ¡°Absolutely, however one would have to acknowledge that such levels are outliers. Otherwise, we¡¯d have had more threats, like said Lady, appearing more often instead of once every few generations,¡± Ariaska said.


    ¡°That they appear at all¡ª¡± Strella stopped. She had been drawn into idle conversation.


    Ariaska stared at her expectantly for a long, silent moment. ¡°Um¡­ so, is this young woman a suspect? It¡¯s a young woman, correct?¡± she arched a brow.


    Strella gave her a curt nod.


    Ariaska eyed the log book. ¡°She left this inn almost two weeks ago. The gatehouse wouldn¡¯t have logged her leaving the town if my entrance was an indication of how they do this here.¡±


    ¡°Adherence to proper procedures was lacking upon my arrival,¡± Strella agreed.


    ¡°If someone is causing trouble, they wouldn¡¯t stay in one location for long.¡±


    ¡°There are four inns in town and I haven¡¯t seen her name in any of the others.¡±


    ¡°She could be hiding out somewhere else. Probably in town. It¡¯s too dangerous to set up camp outside the walls.¡±


    The memory of the bandit attacked flashed through Ariaska¡¯s mind.


    Strella felt a pang of sympathy. That hadn¡¯t been a pleasant experience for the Chronicler.


    ¡°I notice that you¡¯re making suggestions toward pushing this investigation along. Isn¡¯t that going against your role?¡± Strella said.


    ¡°Maybe¡­ some Chroniclers would agree that we¡¯re only supposed to record events. I¡¯m not one of them. I¡¯d like to help you in your story. Not to mention that this unrest will lead to bad things for people the longer it continues. Town guards put down small riots. The 7th Army will quell a large scale uprising and I¡¯ve read enough history to know that will lead to many deaths and suffering. So, I¡¯ll offer my insight, meager as it may be,¡± Ariaska shrugged.


    ¡°Very well. You¡¯re correct on that account. The task takes precedence.¡±


    ¡°Leaving aside the real reasons you¡¯ve settled on this Jocuvel as a potential suspect¡­ what now?¡± Ariaska said.


    A multitude of suspicions danced through the Chronicler¡¯s thoughts. None of them were particularly close to the truth.


    ¡°The young woman¡¯s room is currently occupied by another. I¡¯ll wait for the man to depart then search it.¡±


    ¡°Just like that, huh?¡± Ariaska popped the last bit of sausage into her mouth, chewing as she continued to speak. ¡°Suppose the innkeeper won¡¯t put up too much of an argument. Wide open doors if you¡¯ve got the right¡­ items.¡±


    ¡°My role and the Imperial Badge overrides most rules and laws, be they explicit or implicit.¡±


    ¡°Say, how¡¯d you know this Jocuvel is a woman. A young one, specifically?¡± Ariaska eyed Strella.


    She read the cast of the Chronicler¡¯s thoughts again. Saw what she was trying to do. An investigation of her own to further the eventual chronicle that she hoped would be her key to ascending in levels, fame and wealth.


    She didn¡¯t begrudge Ariaska that. All citizens should be afforded the opportunity to rise to their potential, so long as they didn¡¯t violate the greater laws of their humanity and the lesser laws of Unity.


    ¡°I¡¯m not certain,¡± Strella lied.


    Ariaska¡¯s face betrayed nothing beyond casual interest. Her thoughts were different.


    ¡°It¡¯s an assumption based on a similar sentiment to what you had stated. Jocuvel is a fairly common name among young women.¡±


    ¡°Top ten, I believe,¡± Ariaska nodded. ¡°I suppose I¡¯ll start working on a draft of your chronicle.¡±


    Strella began reading through more memories as Ariaska rummaged through her bag.


    The Chronicler scribbled away while the justiciar appeared to sit in contemplative silence, staring at nothing in particular.


    It was a strange sight to the innkeeper and something pricked at the back of his mind.


    There was an idea, a feeling that something momentous was taking place in his inn.


    How little he knew and suspected at the time.


    He would learn in time how close he had been to calamitous events.


    He beckoned one of the servers over with a gesture. ¡°If that justiciar wants anything, give it to her, complements of the house,¡± he discreetly pointed Strella out to the young woman. ¡°Keep your distance otherwise and try to leave the tables around them empty.¡±

 Interlude: Strella 1.6

    The current occupant of the room in question was a merchant looking to establish a presence in Mastifon.


    Strella knew all of this from what she had seen of the man¡¯s previous conversations with the innkeeper.


    The room was clean, tidy and devoid of personal belongings aside from a small traveling pack.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to ruin your investigation in any way, so I¡¯ll just stand right here,¡± Ariaska said from just outside the open door. ¡°I¡¯ll be watching you closely, however.¡±


    Strella ignored the Chronicler as she carefully scanned the room. Nothing stood out.


    The only thing underneath the bed was a little bit of dust.


    The drawers where empty, as was the wardrobe.


    ¡°Nothing? Secretive cabals cover their tracks well,¡± Ariaska nodded sagely.


    Strella didn¡¯t think this was the work of a group based on what she had read. It would be easier for a single person to avoid notice. Printing leaflets and leaving them in people¡¯s homes and workplaces wasn¡¯t hard to do in a small town like Mastifon. Although, the lack of a publicly available printing press in town suggested that they had been printed elsewhere.


    She didn¡¯t like the idea of having to return to the city that she had just come from. That would¡¯ve been an act of moving backward on the trail. All while the perpetrator was getting further ahead of her.


    ¡°I¡¯m finished here.¡±


    ¡°Where to next?¡± Ariaska said.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to walk the town.¡±


    Ariaska nodded, intrigued. She thought Strella was being purposefully vague as part of the justiciar persona.


    This was true, however Strella was also being literal.


    They spent the rest of the day, even skipping lunch, walking up and down what felt like every single, muddy street in town.


    Strella appeared to be staring straight ahead at all times, but Ariaska had been watching her closely and realized that the justiciar never failed to glance at every single person that crossed into her line of sight.


    Darkness had fallen and the torch lights had been lit, but they were still walking.


    They neared a pub, which was filling up with people looking to ease the sores and hurts of a hard day¡¯s labor.


    ¡°Are we going in there?¡± Ariaska said.


    Strella detected excitement in the Chronicler¡¯s voice. ¡°Yes, but there will be no violence. We¡¯re simply going to eat our dinner.¡±


    She could read the disappointment. Ariaska thought a pub brawl would¡¯ve just been the thing to add some action to a currently boring chronicle. That was just as quickly replaced by a different sort of excitement at a meal that the Chronicler was hoping wouldn¡¯t come out of her own coin purse.


    They entered the pub.


    It wasn¡¯t all hard-eyed men. There were plenty of hard-eyed women as well. Not to mention several families. Most of the children weren¡¯t hard-eyed.


    ¡°You can still feel the effects of the rioting,¡± Ariaska whispered into Strella¡¯s ear.


    Strella flagged down a young server and held up two fingers.


    The girl¡¯s eyes widened at the tattooed eye on Strella¡¯s palm.


    She had kept her gloves off for a reason.


    The serving girl took them to a small table for two near the front window. ¡°What¡¯d you like to drink?¡±


    ¡°Just hot tea, please,¡± Strella said after the girl handed them a simple menu.


    ¡°Smart. In a few minutes everyone in here will know you¡¯re a justiciar,¡± Ariaska nodded appreciatively. ¡°Cut of potential trouble before it starts.¡±


    Strella removed the sheathed rapier from her side and leaned it up against the wall within easy reach before sitting down. ¡°In this type atmosphere there is potential danger in simply having an unfamiliar face.¡±


    ¡°Why this pub in particular?¡± Ariaska said.


    ¡°It was the closest.¡±


    ¡°So, nothing at all related to the your investigation?¡±


    Strella nodded.


    Ariaska scribbled that down into her small journal.


    ¡°I understand you¡¯re short on coin. I¡¯ll cover the meal.¡±


    ¡°Justiciar, thank you, sincerely, thank you,¡± Ariaska dipped her head.


    ¡°It¡¯s only proper. Since you¡¯re providing¡­ aid¡­ in an official Imperial investigation daily expenses fall under the auspices of the Office of the Emperor.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t tell if you¡¯re serious or joking,¡± Ariaska said after a moment.


    Strella inclined her head a fraction.


    The serving girl returned with the tea and to take their orders.


    ¡°A bowl of your stew,¡± Strella said.


    ¡°Roast chicken and fried vegetables,¡± Ariaska said. She had never trusted stew. The thick, darkness could¡¯ve hidden all sorts of things. Now that she wasn¡¯t paying, well, no more stew for her while that lasted.


    Strella paid the serving girl ahead of time. It wasn¡¯t necessary, but she had found that she preferred taking care of that upfront so that she could leave as soon as her meal was done.


    ¡°Have River Glade and Tyranon experienced the same unrest?¡± Ariaska said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have information to suggest that, but I won¡¯t know until I go to those towns.¡±


    ¡°When are we leaving?¡± Ariaska was concerned about traveling accommodations.


    River Glade was a few days south from Mastifon by horseback. Tyranon was a few days south from there.


    ¡°In the morning. You will need to secure your own passage. Our arrangement will continue the same way in that regard.¡± Strella empathized with the disappointment written in the Chronicler¡¯s thoughts.


    ¡°From what I understand it¡¯ll be hard to find anyone to travel with during the middle of the week, but,¡± Ariaska nodded solemnly, ¡°since I¡¯m now a part of this investigation¡­ I¡¯ll walk if that¡¯s what it takes or¡­¡± she eyed Strella, ¡°the town guard can be persuaded to lend me a horse in consideration of my role in carrying out the will of the Emperor and such.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps that can be a possibility.¡±


    The food arrived and the two ate in silence.


    Ariaska ate with much less urgency compared to breakfast. In between bites, she continued to scribble in her journal.


    Strella kept an eye on the people in the common dining room and the ones passing by outside the window.


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    That¡¯s how she knew exactly why the town guards running past the window were looking for her.


    A few hours ago the council had received a messenger with a dire report of what had just happened at River Glade a day ago. They had wasted time in deliberations before sending for her.


    She longed to depart immediately, but she needed to observe the forms.


    Too many questions would be asked if she didn¡¯t pretend that she was hearing the news for the first time.


    The town guards burst into the pub.


    She could read their frantic thoughts as their eyes scanned the room until one spotted her.


    Strella rose and grabbed her rapier.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Ariaska looked prepared to dive under the table as her head turned.


    ¡°I suspect we¡¯ve lucked into some new and pressing information.¡± Strella strode and met the town guard in the middle of the crowded common room. She knew that every eye was on the two of them. ¡°Don¡¯t speak,¡± she warned the young woman. ¡°The council wishes to speak to me, yes?¡±


    ¡°Yes, justiciar, with haste. There¡¯s been a¡ª¡± the town guard began.


    ¡°You may tell me when we¡¯re outside. Away from¡­ other ears,¡± Strella turned around to address Ariaska. ¡°You may come with me or finish your meal. Your choice.¡±


    Ariaska made a decision in an instant. She hurriedly stuffed her journal, quill and ink pot back into her bag. ¡°You¡¯re joking? I¡¯m not leaving your side.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Strella gestured to the town guards.


    Ariaska went after them, thought a moment, then rushed back to grab the last chicken leg from her plate. ¡°This is great by the way,¡± she said in passing to the wide-eyed serving girl.


    ¡°It¡¯s River Glade,¡± the town guard said in a harried tone. ¡°They had a mob, but unlike here, they couldn¡¯t get it under control. The whole town¡¯s burning!¡±


    ¡°Very well. In light of that information. I can¡¯t waste time. I must proceed immediately. I¡¯ll need a horse for my associate,¡± she indicated Ariaska.


    ¡°But¡ª I don¡¯t have the authority!¡± the town guard stammered.


    ¡°Oh, but it isn¡¯t under yours. It¡¯s under mine,¡± Strella said. ¡°Any complaints that your superiors may have with your conduct will be addressed by me. Make that clear to them. Have the horse sent to the eastern gate. Time is of the essence. Do you understand?¡±


    The young guard nodded.


    Strella felt bad for the young woman, but she was already walking to her inn and Grevax.


    The young guard screamed an inarticulate cry of despair in her thoughts.


    Strella sighed and turned. ¡°Please, hurry,¡± she said.


    The two town guards nodded and ran off.


    ¡°Do you think they¡¯ll get me that horse?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve a lot of power as a justiciar,¡± Ariaska mused. ¡°I knew this conceptually from all the accounts I¡¯ve read of those in your role. To see it in action firsthand is¡­ different.¡±


    ¡°A good insight for your chronicle?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s more yours than mine, but yes¡­ I don¡¯t recall any of the other chronicles truly capturing that aspect. It¡¯s a wonder that there haven¡¯t been more justiciars that have succumbed to the temptation of being essentially unanswerable to most of the checks our laws place on individual people.¡±


    ¡°Indeed,¡± Strella said.


    ¡°On to River Glade!¡± Ariaska threw a fist into the air. ¡°What danger? Daring deeds? Tragedies and triumphs? What awaits the lone justiciar?¡±


    That excitement was killed a few days later when they rode up to River Glade.


    A thick cloud of dark smoke hung over the town.


    Ariaska coughed before hurriedly searching her bag for a scarf to cover her face.


    Strella had been prepared and was already wearing a cloth mask over her nose and mouth.


    She wiped a gloved hand over Grevax¡¯s shoulders and came away with a fine layer of ash.


    ¡°It smells like¡ª¡± Ariaska began.


    ¡°There have been many deaths here,¡± Strella nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Should we even go in? I don¡¯t see anyone at the gatehouse,¡± Ariaska squinted.


    Strella weighed her possible courses of action against multiple probabilities. They could get sucked into the violence. Rioters were a threat, as were the town guards. In such a charged environment people would be quick to violence. Fear and rage held sway in their minds. Even her status might not be enough to avoid it.


    She made a decision. She wanted to avoid putting herself into a position that required hurting someone unnecessarily.


    ¡°We go around and continue to Tyranon.¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we investigate here first. The suspect might still be in town,¡± Ariaska said. Her tone didn¡¯t conceal the uncertainty and fear in her thoughts at the idea of actually entering.


    ¡°Their work here is finished. They¡¯ll move on to the next town, if they haven¡¯t already,¡± Strella said.


    ¡°Well¡­ aren¡¯t you going to lend a hand or something?¡± Ariaska shrugged.


    ¡°And do what? Stop the fighting? It¡¯s too late for that. My energy is best spent in attempting to prevent this,¡± Strella gestured toward River Glade, ¡°from occurring in Tyranon.¡±


    ¡°Pragmatic¡­¡±


    A few more days found them within sight of Tyranon.


    ¡°Ah¡­ no ash in the air, nor that sick smell at River Glade. We¡¯ve arrived in time it seems,¡± Ariaska said.


    Strella urged Grevax on.


    They encountered a pair of town guards at the gate.


    Wide eyes stared at the dog mechaniform, then up at Strella.


    So great was their shock that Strella could¡¯ve walked Grevax right past them without challenge.


    She cleared her throat. ¡°You may inquire about my business in Tyranon.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ yeah¡­ yes!¡± the thick-necked guard said. She straightened her spear and her back. ¡°What is the nature of your visit to Tyranon!¡±


    ¡°Justiciar Strella is my name. I¡¯m here on matters concerning the Office of the Emperor,¡± she held up the Imperial Badge. She allowed the guards to take a long look before tucking it away. ¡°Tell me, has a young woman passed through this gate recently?¡± She gave them Jocuvel¡¯s physical description.


    The town guards looked at each other and shook their heads.


    ¡°We¡¯re on the day shift, so if she came at night we wouldn¡¯t have no idea,¡± the other town guard, a fresh-faced young man, said without looking at Strella¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Gimme her name and I can check the entry logbook¡­ your ladyship,¡± the thick-necked guard awkwardly bowed.


    ¡°Your ladyship, beg your pardon,¡± the fresh-faced town guard also bowed. ¡°We¡¯ve got three gates. This person you¡¯re looking for could¡¯ve gone through one of the other two.¡±


    Strella stifled a sigh.


    ¡°Ah, but this is the one on the road that leads to River Glade,¡± Ariaska chimed in.


    ¡°The miss is right,¡± the fresh-faced town guard nodded.


    ¡°How vigilant are you and your fellows?¡± Strella said.


    The town guard audibly gulped.


    ¡°Would you have noticed if a traveler coming from the north avoided this entry and used one of the other two?¡±


    The town guard¡¯s smooth brow furrowed as he thought.


    Strella got his answer the same time as he came up with it, but she was obliged to maintain the charade.


    The silence seemed to stretch out for minutes as dozens of frantic, nervous thoughts stampeded through the young man¡¯s head.


    ¡°Why would anyone do that? It¡¯d just add steps to tired legs,¡± the fresh-faced town guard shrugged. ¡°Sorry, your ladyship¡­¡± he seemed to sense something of what Strella thought at the moment.


    ¡°Don¡¯t apologize unnecessarily,¡± she said.


    ¡°Yes, your ladyship,¡± he bowed profusely.


    Strella sighed.


    The thick-necked town guard emerged from the small guardhouse with a small scrap of paper in her hand, which she handed up to Strella.


    Grevax turned his thick, blocky head in the woman¡¯s direction and sniffed at her.


    This caused the woman to blanch and hurriedly step back.


    ¡°Your ladyship, that name was recorded arriving through here three days ago, bout an hour before dawn broke,¡± the thick-necked town guard said.


    Strella read the slip.


    Jocuvel¡¯s name.


    Ariaska moved her horse closer to take a look.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ business contacts?¡± she said.


    ¡°Yeah, least that was what she said was here for,¡± the thick-necked town guard replied.


    ¡°Did she happen to say where she¡¯d be staying?¡± Ariaska said.


    ¡°We don¡¯t ask that,¡± the fresh-faced town guard replied.


    ¡°Probably in one of the inns, you¡¯ll find one or two near every gate,¡± the thick-necked town guard shrugged.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Strella said. ¡°My associate¡¯s name is Ariaska,¡± she added. ¡°We will be in Tyranon for the foreseeable future.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll log that right away, your ladyship,¡± the thick-necked town guard said.


    Strella gave the two guards a nod and urged Grevax forward.


    Ariaska gave her horse a gentle nudge with her heels. ¡°More inn diving? Or should we find the stables, so I can return this horse? Quite a lovely beast, in the top three of most agreeable horses I¡¯ve ever ridden, but I think the poor thing needs a long rest.¡±


    ¡°No. Time is of the essence. The suspect has had three days to do her work,¡± Strella said.


    ¡°Sorry, horsie, looks like you¡¯ve got a few more miles to go before you can rest,¡± Ariaska patted the muscular, brown neck.

 5.35

    Now, Manila


    Shards of glass plinked harmlessly off Hanna¡¯s armor. She stood like a statue.


    The others had preemptively overturned tables for cover and had avoided most of the damage.


    There was a loud curse.


    ¡°I told you to get down, Mouthy!¡± Hardhat said.


    Hanna¡¯s attention was focused entirely on the action outside on the street.


    Eron brawled with the shades of his extended family.


    Punches and kicks that sounded like gunshots boomed. While a rainbow of colors flashed through the thin fog. There were so many different varieties of forcefields being generated. The beauty of it struck her. It was like watching a light show. Until she remembered what was at stake.


    ¡°What do we do?¡± Hanna whispered.


    ¡°The old guy was saying that the fog thing is probably pretty vulnerable right now. Could be a trap, but if it isn¡¯t we can head over there and kill it, while they¡¯re doing the Royal Rumble out there,¡± Rino said.


    ¡°Reminds me of my family reunions¡­ miss those things,¡± Boy said from behind a table.


    Those within earshot of the stocky, middle-aged man eyed him dubiously.


    ¡°We¡¯re too slow. This fight won¡¯t last the time it¡¯ll take us to cover the distance to the senate building,¡± Sgt. Butcher said. ¡°Except for you, Rino.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll need to pace myself and save my energy for the fight, but I could probably do the ten miles there in twenty to thirty minutes,¡± Rino said.


    ¡°We¡¯ll need everyone. We don¡¯t even know what we¡¯ll face there,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°He¡¯s probably got the best idea on that,¡± Sgt. Butcher gestured toward Eron.


    ¡°Can¡¯t get away from them though,¡± Rino grunted.


    A rusted wreck of a car suddenly came flying toward the restaurant.


    Curses and screams filled the space as people scrambled to the bar at the rear.


    Hanna drew her sword in a flash, cutting upward in one motion.


    The effort proved unnecessary.


    The car careened to side and tumbled out of sight down the street.


    Eron stood in front of the ruined restaurant front.


    His face was a mass of bruises. A nasty cut over a brow dripped a curtain of blood down the side of his face. His shirt was torn. More cuts and bruises covered his body and arms.


    He gave Hanna a quick nod.


    A forcefield shaped like a sparkling pink rope lassoed around his neck and yanked him back into the melee.


    ¡°Eron can do it,¡± Hanna came to a decision. ¡°He can get to the entity in minutes and he just might have the strength to put it down. We¡¯ll need to give him the chance to get away from this. Rino, you can follow after him, help in whatever way you can.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving you guys,¡± Rino bared her teeth in a snarl as she began to take her clothes off.


    Hanna freed her Threnosh-made round shield from its shoulder strap and slid it over her gauntlet. ¡°Volunteers only,¡± she limbered her sword wrist. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to fight this battle then you can cram onto the bus. I won¡¯t judge you.¡±


    ¡°The Quest?¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°It¡¯d be a big contribution on our part if we give Eron the chance to get free and clear,¡± Aims checked his revolvers.


    ¡°Make no mistake. Fighting those shades will be the toughest thing we¡¯ve done on this whole trip. Their strength, durability and those forcefields,¡± Doran shook his head. ¡°I can¡¯t order you to stay and fight them when I know our chances at winning, let alone survival¡­ volunteers only,¡± he echoed Hanna as he regarded his spears.


    ¡°God, you guys give the worst speeches. Where¡¯s the inspiration? The fired up-ness?¡± Jake sighed. ¡°Good thing it doesn¡¯t matter to me. I came here to face an impossible challenge. If I can¡¯t get strong enough to deal with that,¡± he gestured toward the ferocious melee on the street, ¡°then there¡¯s no point in surviving to make it back home. How am I going to face the scions and the Deep Azure?¡±


    The spear unit exchanged glances before Marci stepped forward. ¡°We¡¯re in, sir. All of us.¡±


    Doran regarded his much diminished unit. His back straightened and he nodded. ¡°Form up!¡± He turned to the rest. ¡°We¡¯ll give you a line to fire from for as long as we can.¡±


    Rino completed her full transformation and howled before breaking through what was left of the front window frames in a blur. She hit a shade with his back to her and sank her claws into his torso. The man had superhuman strength. He resisted and slowly began to pry her long finger out of his chest. She ended that by biting down on his neck, savaging him and turning him back into fog.


    ¡°Time to go,¡± Hanna dashed out after the Weredog.


    Rino¡¯s explosive entrance had drawn eyes from a number of shades on the periphery of the melee centered on Eron.


    One of them caught Hanna¡¯s movement. The shade sent a shower of glowing blue dagger-shaped forcefields shooting out of her hands.


    Hanna brought her shield up and kept running.


    The daggers shattered against the Threnosh-made shield and armor.


    The Swordswoman continued her charge, ignoring everything except her target. She nearly reached Eron when a flash of movement had her ducking behind her shield.


    The superstrong punch was oddly muted in both sound and impact.


    Hanna thrust her blade and felt it push through the shade¡¯s stomach with some resistance. She withdrew her blade, took two steps toward Eron struggling with his swarming relatives and unleashed her Skill. ¡°Ten-fold Cuts.¡± Her blade whirled in a blur as she cut it through the air.


    An instant later the cuts appeared on the shades¡¯ bodies. Thin lines of blood for the toughest ones. While others had entire limbs fall to the ground as their blood sprayed out like water from a fire hose.


    Eron took the opening and lay about him with punches that Hanna couldn¡¯t follow.


    ¡°Go! Finish this! We¡¯ll keep them off your back for as long as we can!¡±


    Eron didn¡¯t hesitate. He leapt up into the sky and disappeared over the buildings.


    The old man, the one she had heard Eron call Tito Carlos, was the quickest to recover. He gathered his legs under him and leapt.


    Only to be struck out of the air by a bright arc of blue-white lightning. He crashed through the side of a building and out of sight.


    ¡°Hanna! Get your ass back here!¡± Jake called out from behind the line of spears and shields just outside the restaurant.


    She knew that wasn¡¯t going to be possible. She had risked it all to give Eron an opening. Now, she faced the consequences of that choice.


    She was in the middle of a group of superpowered shades.


    ¡°Taunts, now!¡± Doran banged the haft of his spear against his shield.


    The spears roared as one. A few of the shades turned away with visible effort. The majority of them focused on the spear unit and the others behind the line.


    The former looked toward the direction Eron had gone in. They were going to give chase.


    Hanna couldn¡¯t let that happen. ¡°Rino! We can¡¯t let them leave!¡± She hoped the Weredog would listen.


    It was out of her hands. The only thing she could do now was to fight.


    <hr>


    Phillip rushed out the back door into the alley to see people boarding the bus in a mad scramble. The Watch was busy trying to keep things orderly while keeping an eye on the encroaching fog.


    He saw a light glowing inside the bus.


    ¡°That¡¯s going to be a problem,¡± he said as he handed the unconscious Lilah over to the closest available pair of arms that looked strong enough to bear her.


    ¡°Um¡­ what?¡± Trevor accepted Lilah with wide eyes.


    ¡°Keep her safe. She¡¯s the one keeping that up,¡± he pointed at the light.


    ¡°It¡¯s not covering the entire bus,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Out of our hands,¡± Phillip shrugged before he rushed back into the building. He ran into a small group of terrified kids trailed by Cherry in the stairwell.


    The slight-framed aswang carried a little girl in one arm, while Dr. Rufo was on her shoulder like a bag of rice.


    Phillip could see that Cherry wasn¡¯t burdened in the slightest. It was a good reminder that she wasn¡¯t a normal human.


    ¡°Is he¡ª¡±


    ¡°Alive,¡± Cherry said curtly. ¡°Took a nasty hit to the head, but I don¡¯t think he¡¯s in immediate danger.¡±


    Phillip gently took Dr. Rufo off her shoulder and hurried the kids out to the waiting bus.


    The kids boarded quickly.


    Phillip followed and placed Dr. Rufo into an empty seat before exiting.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Eron?¡±


    ¡°He jumped out the hole in the wall. I thin¡ª¡±


    The rest of what Cherry said was drowned out by a massive boom that shook everything and sent shards of glass falling from above.


    Phillip, Madalena and Demi rushed to provide cover to the other members of the Watch still outside the bus.


    ¡°What was that?¡± Demi.


    ¡°You have to go,¡± Phillip said. He recognized the sound of a superstrong punch landing. He had doled out plenty over the years.


    ¡°That¡¯s everyone, aside from the people you brought. Do you want to cram more people in?¡± Madalena said.


    Demi regarded her for a moment before shaking her head. ¡°They made their choices.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll help you get the bus out of the alley,¡± Phillip said.


    Madalena nodded at that and went to the back of the bus to fulfill her role as the engine.


    The booms were coming more rapidly now. It was like being front row for a fireworks show.


    Phillip was filled with a sense of urgency as he pulled alongside Madalena.


    As soon as the bus was clear Phillip ran back into the restaurant and found it empty.


    At the same time, just as Madalena was getting the bus rolling a shout from inside stopped her.


    ¡°What? We have to move!¡± Madalena scowled.


    Demi and a few other members of the Watch filed out.


    The only ones among those that came from outside the fog that remained on board were those too injured or still unconscious.


    ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t leave them while they fight,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Okay¡­ good luck,¡± Madalena grunted as she dug her feet into the asphalt to get the bus rolling again.


    She pushed the crazy people out of her mind as she left them behind.


    ¡°Brave,¡± Cherry remarked from her perch on the roof.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t bother me. I need you to be ready for attacks,¡± Madalena said through grit teeth.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got most of the people inside covered by the ward¡¯s light. The only ones that have to worry about attack are me, you and the unlucky few in the back. Are you sure you don¡¯t want it shifted closer so that you¡¯re covered by it as well?¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re our carabao. If something happens to you we¡¯re stuck.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what you¡¯re here for. Keep the shades off my back and we¡¯re fine.¡±


    Cherry mimed cracking a whip with a smirk and a glint in her eyes.


    Under Madalena¡¯s powerful legs the sounds of battle receded.


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    The sanctuary that had kept them safe for so long was soon an indistinct shape in the swirling gray. Without the light of Lilah¡¯s sigils it had become just another dead building.


    Demi and the Watch rounded its corner. The bus route had put them on the opposite end of the long block from Cherry¡¯s restaurant.


    She zoomed in with her helmet¡¯s enhanced visual capability and saw a fierce and desperate fight.


    The spears had formed a line with their backs to the restaurant. Just behind them. Spellcasters and shooters fired, while other melee fighters defended both flanks.


    Spells and Skills were pitted against superpowers and the former looked to be losing.


    Remy¡¯s relatives where too strong. Maybe if there hadn¡¯t been dozens of them.


    Even, Hanna and Rino, their strongest fighters were in trouble. The latter fought with tooth and claw as she used her quickness to dart around the street. Striking then moving away without stopping. It was the only thing that kept her from being swarmed. Unlike the former, who desperately cut and thrust with her blade, while blocking punches, kicks and forcefield attacks with her shield. Trusting in it and her armor to keep her alive.


    It didn¡¯t look like a winning position to Demi¡¯s eyes.


    As she watched a shade knocked Hanna to the ground with a dropkick to her back.


    The other shades saw their chance and pounced.


    Demi lost sight of Hanna.


    She squeezed a burst of projectiles from her recoilless rifles at the scrum. Her accurate fire struck home to varying effect.


    Some bounced off flesh, while most penetrated.


    She saw blood fly as a few shades drop and disappear into the fog.


    She kept firing until a large, flat teal-colored pane of light cut off her firing lane.


    Demi cursed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get closer so I can start throwing, Watch Captain,¡± Trevor volunteered.


    ¡°Negative.¡± Demi knew that would leave the young man easy pickings to the strong and fast shades. ¡°We move as a group. Max, can you put up a thorn wall in front of that forcefield?¡±


    ¡°Sorry. I¡¯m not at a hundred percent. Maybe if we were in a forest there¡¯d be more for me to draw from,¡± Max said.


    Demi couldn¡¯t fault the one-armed man. The fact that he was here and not on the bus was already more than she could¡¯ve asked.


    They had to do something or Hanna was dead.


    It was at that desperate moment that Hanna saw Phillip emerge out of the restaurant.


    The muscular man leapt over the spears and the shades fighting to get past them to land in the middle of the pile of shades surrounding Hanna.


    Phillip tried to think of them as shades rather than familiar faces of his and his wife¡¯s extended family. He had to. He couldn¡¯t do otherwise when he killed them all over again by bashing their faces into pulp with his fists.


    The space he had cleared allowed him to grabbed Hanna and jump back behind the line of spears. He wasted no time in leaping back into the fray.


    He drove the shades back from the spears.


    None of them could cope with his greater strength and durability.


    Their punches barely moved him and their forcefield weapons could only cut his armor and clothing. His skin proved tougher.


    Victory was at hand.


    Until it wasn¡¯t.


    The air was driven from Phillips lungs by a hit that shook everything in a hundred foot radius.


    He turned only to catch a head-rattling uppercut to the chin that snapped his head back.


    ¡°I warned you,¡± Tito Carlos said.


    The next thing Phillip knew was the sensation of flight.


    The time he spent in the air was similar to one of his superjumps.


    Just like those gravity eventually reasserted itself. He crashed through a roof and several floors before coming to a stop.


    Tito Carlos and a handful of others landed a short distance from him.


    ¡°Your friends have given your son a chance. There¡¯s only one guardian left. We need to put you down before we can go do what we have to,¡± Tito Carlos said.


    Phillip spat blood. ¡°Why? This is your chance to be free. Just do nothing or walk slowly.¡±


    ¡°You still don¡¯t understand? There is no choice in this matter. No amount of willpower that can overcome our true purpose,¡± Tito Carlos said without emotion. ¡°You are the physically strongest one here. I¡¯m the closest to you, but I¡¯m still a lot weaker. However, I used to be an amateur boxer and together,¡± he spread his arms wide to encompass the other four flanking him, ¡°we can take you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, Phillip,¡± the old woman standing next to Tito Carlos finally spoke.


    ¡°Rosalita?¡± Phillip peered at his cousin. ¡°I can¡¯t really fault any of you,¡± he regarded his relatives with sadness.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Philly Boy,¡± Tito Carlos beckoned.


    Phillip brought his fists up and charged.


    <hr>


    Rino clawed at the teal-colored pane. Her claw marks vanished an instant after she had left them.


    The old woman on the other side of grit her teeth. ¡°Go. I can keep this monster contained. Take care of the rest.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure, Tita Lu?¡± the young woman at her side said.


    Lu had her hands thrust out. A visualization aid that allowed her to will her flat forcefields into existence. She had managed to trap the tall, lean, fur-covered beast of muscle, teeth and claws against the side of building with three large panels. She did her best to ignore the torn bodies at the beast¡¯s feet. Doing this was made easier by the way they were already turning back into mist. Her relatives had died many months ago, just as she had.


    ¡°Yes, Karlee,¡± Lu said. ¡°Now, go, do what you must¡­ what we all must.¡±


    Karlee nodded sadly. She and the two other shades at Lu¡¯s side hurried off to join the greater battle.


    ¡°You¡¯ll stay in there until we¡¯ve killed the rest of your group. Then we¡¯ll do the same to you.¡±


    Rino continued to slash at the forcefields.


    ¡°Do you think as the human you were? Or have you lost yourself to this form¡¯s instincts? I know that¡¯s what happens to the unfortunate people with the Aswang Class. Is it the same for you?¡±


    A snarl sent bloody saliva splattering across the glowing teal pane.


    ¡°It appears so. When I was still alive I would¡¯ve liked to pick your brain. I had hopes of finding ways to help those who¡¯d been cursed with monstrous Classes. The fact that you fight on the side of normal people¡­¡± Lu sighed. ¡°Well¡­ it¡¯s unfortunate for many that any hopes for that ends here.¡±


    ¡°Talk¡­ much¡­ quiet¡­¡± Rino said in a guttural rumble.


    ¡°You¡ª¡± Lu¡¯s eyes widened.


    Rino howled as she let the red haze cloud her vision. Her claws shined, reflecting the teal glow from Lu¡¯s forcefields. Her long, muscular arms moved in a blur as she slashed in frenzy.


    Beads of sweat formed on Lu¡¯s forehead. Her face twisted into a grimace. Blood dripped from her nostrils. A trickle at first, then a steady stream.


    The claw marks in Lu¡¯s forcefield didn¡¯t vanish this time.


    ¡°Hold The Line!¡± Doran roared.


    The Skill boosted the flagging spear line. Their bodies and gear grew stronger while it lasted. Enough to overcome their superpowered opponents?


    No.


    All Doran did was give them a few more minutes.


    He was in the thick of it. Right in the middle of his formation. If this was to be his last battle then he was going to spend it shoulder to shoulder with his spears.


    ¡°Penetrating Thrust.¡±


    Doran¡¯s spear point pierced right through a young man¡¯s Kevlar motorcycle jacket, but slowed as it hit the flesh beneath the clothing. He grit his teeth and gave it his all.


    The spear plunged into the young man¡¯s stomach.


    A look of surprise flashed across the young man¡¯s face. He spit blood in Doran¡¯s face as he raised a fist and brought it down on the haft of Doran¡¯s spear.


    It took three blows before the wood broke thanks to Doran¡¯s Skill.


    ¡°I¡¯m supposed to be bulletproof,¡± the young man said as he pulled his fist back.


    Doran blocked a jarring punch with his shield. The wood cracked and splintered, but held.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got some good Skills,¡± the young man grunted. ¡°Makes this closer than it should be.¡± He grabbed the top of Doran¡¯s shield and pulled it down so he could look Doran in the eyes. ¡°In the end you¡¯ll end up just like us.¡±


    A jet of air blew past Doran¡¯s ear and the young man¡¯s head rocked back.


    When he brought it forward again their was an angry red mark on his forehead rapidly growing into a welt.


    Bulletproof.


    Doran had an idea.


    He quickly drew his pistol and pushed the barrel right against one of the young man¡¯s eyes. He squeezed the trigger before the young man could react.


    Bloody gore splattered across Doran¡¯s vision.


    The young man fell back and pulled Doran out of the spear line.


    Doran ended up on top of the body as it slowly returned to the fog.


    Pain slashed across his back despite the steel armor he wore.


    He rolled to his back and blocked a flash of light.


    The top of his shield was sheared off by a woman with sharp-edged forcefields running along her arms and extending past her fists like a short blade.


    ¡°Sergeant!¡± Marci broke formation. ¡°Lunging Thrust!¡± She extended her six foot long spear with perfect form to cover the distance.


    The woman turned and parried Marci¡¯s weapon to one side with a forcefield-covered arm.


    Doran took the opportunity to kick the woman¡¯s legs and sweep her to the ground. He scrambled to his feet and squeezed off several rounds in the woman¡¯s direction.


    ¡°Behind y¡ª¡±


    The warning saved him, at least for the moment.


    He turned and raised his damaged shield.


    Unfortunately, he wasn¡¯t in the formation anymore.


    The blow shattered the shield, his arm and sent him rag-dolling down the street.


    ¡°Holy shit!¡± Rebekah said. ¡°That chick just drop-kicked him.¡±


    The Watch had taken cover at the other end of the street. They had ducked down behind several abandoned cars. The shades hadn¡¯t attacked them yet. Whether that was because they had escaped notice or weren¡¯t worth the attention at the moment didn¡¯t matter. All it meant was that they¡¯d get the first shots for free.


    ¡°When I give the go, lay down cover fire,¡± Demi ordered. ¡°Give Doran a chance to get back or someone to go get him.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve only got enough ammo for one,¡± Rebekah warned.


    Demi gave a curt nod.


    Ammunition was low for nearly all of them.


    ¡°Everyone, empty your mags. Aim for the ones without forcefields covering them.¡± Demi waited a few seconds for her people to pick their targets. ¡°Fire!¡±


    ¡°Suppressing Fire,¡± Rebekah opened up with her submachine gun.


    It was like being at a fireworks show.


    Some bullets found their targets. They bounced of skin and forcefields. Only a few shades went down permanently, but it gave the spear line and the others a momentary breather as some shades sought cover behind their more impervious fellows.


    Demi¡¯s own weapon was comparatively as quiet as a mouse in a cat house, yet she streamed more projectiles down the street than the rest of her people combined.


    ¡°Trevor!¡± she barked even as she sent projectiles into the coverage gaps of one forcefield-armored shade. The targeting aids provide by her helmet made it almost easy.


    ¡°Yeah, Watch Captain?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got a few more balls left,¡± she pointed toward Rino. ¡°I want you to get her out of that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got balls, Sir!¡± Trevor saluted. He pulled a baseball out of the backpack he had dropped to the ground. He rushed out from cover and took a moment to assess his target. In this case the old woman with her hands up, struggling to maintain the teal-colored forcefields that kept Rino from fighting.


    The distance was exactly 233 feet to Trevor¡¯s eyes.


    Skills gave him that accuracy.


    When it came to throwing small, round objects his Class made him deadly.


    Trevor kicked his leg up in a perfect wind up. ¡°Cutter.¡± The baseball left his hand and streaked down the street, trailing gray mist in its wake. It was much faster than the record from the days when human limits had been defined.


    The ball skimmed across the side of the old woman¡¯s face.


    She screamed as the sphere cut across her eyes like a blade. Her forcefields winked out and Rino leapt at her.


    ¡°Nice job.¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Uh, thanks,¡± Trevor said. He wanted to look away as Rino savaged the old woman, but he couldn¡¯t.


    ¡°She¡¯ll distract them. We¡¯ll use that opportunity to join the others,¡± Demi said. She needed to get closer so that her best Skill could be used on everyone.


    Layering their Skills was their only chance to survive, let alone win.


    The Watch hustled down the street while Rino finished tearing the old woman to pieces.


    Her vision was a red haze. It was difficult to recognize prey from friend. Fortunate for the latter that they were separated from her by dozens of the former.


    She ripped out the spines of two forcefield wielders before the others reacted.


    One man lassoed a sparkling pink rope around her wrists.


    Two other shades rushed over and grabbed the rope with the man.


    Rino strained supernaturally powerful muscles, but was defeated by the combined might of two superstrong shades.


    They yanked her off her feet. Then whipped her high up into the air to crack her down against the street.


    Several shades rushed the downed Rino. They kicked and stomped her into the asphalt.


    Her ability to heal was pushed to the limit, then broken, like her bones.


    She howled with fury.


    Pain was a long gone friend thanks to the red haze.


    She snapped and caught a leg in her mouth.


    Dagger-like teeth pierced supertough skin.


    She bit down.


    Bone crunched and snapped.


    The shade, a young woman, screamed like an animal as her relatives kicked Rino¡¯s head.


    ¡°Sarge, Rino is in trouble, possibly dead,¡± Aims said between two shots from his revolvers. He cursed as one merely ricocheted off a shade¡¯s forehead.


    ¡°Do you have a shot?¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Negative.¡±


    ¡°If the doggy¡¯s in trouble, what the fuck can any of us do?¡± Mouthy muttered. ¡°Cleave!¡± A horizontal cut with her machete encompassed the three shades charging their flank and drove them back.


    Forcefields and tough skin limited the damage, but gave Hardhat the time to drive them farther back with her shotgun.


    ¡°Running low!¡± Hardhat called out.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell them that,¡± Mouthy hissed.


    ¡°I want a taunt on them!¡± Sgt. Butcher pointed at the three shades. The world spun for a moment, but she grit her teeth and pushed past it. She wasn¡¯t fit for the battlefield, but there was no way she would let her squad fight without her. ¡°Rino needs help if anyone can do anything now¡¯s the time!¡± she called out to the others.


    Kristian stepped forward and banged his shield. ¡°Hey, attack me!¡±


    ¡°You need to work on that,¡± Mouthy said.


    The three shades focused their attention on the muscular man.


    Sgt. Butcher shot one in the chest, but the peach colored forcefield over the man¡¯s chest blocked the bullet. She aimed the next one higher.


    The shade dropped with a bloody hole in his throat and slowly disappeared.


    The other two attacked Kristian.


    ¡°Shield Bash!¡±


    He met the shade¡¯s fist.


    A sound like thunder echoed.


    Bones broke for both.


    ¡°Desperate Hack!¡±


    His axe flashed without technique, but strengthened by the Skill, it sunk deep into the shade¡¯s chest.


    The remaining shade punched Kristian in the chest with her small, delicate-looking fist.


    He went flying back.


    The crack of his ribs was audible over the sounds of battle.


    Ambrose leapt over Kristian¡¯s tumbling body and engaged the shade.


    Hardhat cursed. ¡°Is he¡ª¡±


    ¡°Alive, but out.¡± Rai had rushed over and proceeded to drag Kristian back to the front of the restaurant.


    ¡°You¡¯re like our last fucking magic user¡­ do something!¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°I can¡¯t. The fog¡¯s¡­ eaten¡­ all the spirits that might¡¯ve been here,¡± Rai said.


    ¡°Spirits, ghosts, shades, shit, seems like all the same Jesus-fucked things to me.¡±


    Mouthy¡¯s words struck something in Rai. He had been useless ever since they had arrived in the city. He had accepted this as fact since he relied on spirits to cast his magic.


    What if there had been spirits, of a sort, all around him the entire time?


    Rai sat down on the ground, cross-legged and closed his eyes.


    ¡°The fuck? You can¡¯t meditate in the middle of a fight!¡± Mouthy spat.


    Rai didn¡¯t hear her. He didn¡¯t hear anything. He felt the threads and pulled.

 5.36

    Now, Manila


    Rai needed to do something.


    His best friend, Ambrose, was putting his all into the fight with the super-humanly strong shade.


    The tall Headhunter had drawn on everything he had, consuming most of the shrunken animal heads on his belt. They granted him enhanced strength, quickness, agility, coordination and toughness, but at a cost. So many gifts at the same time was a tremendous strain on his human body. He couldn¡¯t keep it up for long.


    Even then Ambrose at his peak was still weaker than the shade.


    Her punches were like striking vipers and Ambrose barely slipped them as he bobbed and weaved.


    His Igorot axe was a devastating weapon, but he only managed to score slight cuts with it. The knife in his off-hand couldn¡¯t even do that. The steel gave the shade paper cuts.


    Rai opened his magic up to his surroundings.


    The shades were like weak candles in the darkness. Close, but nothing like the true spirits he had utilized in the past. Even the weakest of those had shined in comparison.


    He felt it then.


    Eyes watching him.


    Great and powerful.


    An overwhelming oppressiveness.


    Rai pulled at the candle flames. He couldn¡¯t do more then attempt to blow them out. They flickered, but refused him.


    He was too weak.


    A minnow in an ocean.


    Where the ocean was a living, seething thing that wanted him out.


    Visions flashed across his thoughts.


    Dead worlds covered in gray. Barren, empty of all other life.


    There was a great flash of white followed by darkness.


    ¡°The weirdo kid is down,¡± Mouthy said. ¡°Don¡¯t ask me what happened. One moment he¡¯s meditating and the next he¡¯s¡­ out.¡±


    They didn¡¯t realize what Rai had wrought.


    The shades stopped, hesitated. Their physical forms lost cohesion to varying degrees.


    The strongest ones barely flickered before resuming combat.


    Others grew insubstantial for a few seconds before regaining full corporeality.


    Ambrose benefited from this when the girl he was fighting became intangible the moment he had struck her in the side of the neck with his axe.


    The girl regained her full physical form with the axe head halfway through her neck. It severed her spinal cord and sent her back to the fog.


    Ambrose staggered back near Rai, spent. He nudged his friend, found that he was still breathing and promptly joined him in unconsciousness.


    Their flank was clear for the moment so, Sgt. Butcher and the remaining rangers refocused their efforts to the spear line.


    The fight there wasn¡¯t going well.


    A desperate charge had allowed Marci to pull the injured Doran to safety, but the act had broken Doran¡¯s Skill and now they were in trouble.


    The spears had initially given them the range advantage and allowed them to keep most of the shades at bay. Now, several spears had been broken and the orderly line was degenerating into desperate individual fights as the spears, in twos and threes tried to contend with individual shades.


    On the other flank Jake kept the shades at bay with sweeps of his Lightning Claw. His prosthetic right hand was wreathed in crackling blue-white magical electricity.


    ¡°I need a few seconds to help Rino!¡± he called out.


    Boy, Venida and Gabrio rose to the task.


    Jake had lent each one a smartphone that gave them the same mana shield that he had.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Boy banged his sledgehammer and riot shield together.


    Jake let the trio watch his back while he pulled out a smartphone. The only one with the spell he needed that he had been able to charge with enough mana during the one full day they had spent at the sanctuary. He aimed it carefully at the cluster of shades mobbing Rino and activated it. ¡°Chain Lightning.¡±


    The bright blue-white bolt arced through the melee and avoided every shade until it struck the ones surrounding Rino.


    The shades convulsed as the magical electricity coursed through their bodies.


    The stench of burned flesh filled the air.


    Several of the shades dropped. Charred skin smoked as their bodies slowly disappeared.


    Rino stood up. Her face was a bloody, deformed mess. Her fur was matted with blood. Several sharp teeth had been broken. She limped forward and howled.


    ¡°Best I can do, girl,¡± Jake said.


    Meanwhile, Boy led Venida and Gabrio in a reckless charge.


    ¡°Charge!¡± the stocky middle-aged man roared.


    He knocked a shade out of the way.


    The woman had pushed out with a pair of disk-shaped forcefields from the palm of her hands. She wasn¡¯t physically strong enough to stop Boy.


    ¡°Smash!¡± Boy brought his sledgehammer down on the woman.


    She blocked it with one forcefield-covered hand.


    The forcefield held, but her wrist and arm didn¡¯t.


    The impact broke both.


    Bone jutted through her skin.


    She screamed.


    ¡°Get away from my mom!¡± a young shade leapt at Boy with a spearhand thrust.


    He blocked it with his riot shield.


    The polycarbonate was impact resistant, but it wasn¡¯t designed to stand up to superhuman powers.


    The young shade¡¯s fingers shattered the riot shield with a flash of light.


    The small particles sprayed across Boy¡¯s faceshield.


    ¡°Sma¡ª¡± Boy swung his hammer.


    The young shade caught it and punched Boy in the chest. The same flash of light appeared at each point of contact.


    Jake¡¯s mana shield flashed blue and shattered.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Venida cried out. She blasted the shade with her shotgun until it was empty.


    The pellets had peppered the young shade¡¯s clothing, but harmlessly bounced of his skin with more flashes of light.


    Venida dropped her shotgun. She drew her Bolo knife and donned her brass knuckles.


    The young shade broke Boy¡¯s faceshield with a punch and blinded him with light.


    The stocky, middle-aged man wobbled and dropped to his knees.


    ¡°Vanish,¡± Venida said as she sucked in a lungful of air.


    They all lost sight of her. She wasn¡¯t invisible, just unnoticed.


    Which allowed her to get in between Boy and the young shade.


    She reappeared with a breath. ¡°Bleed.¡± She slashed her Bolo across the front of the young shade¡¯s thigh. She cut through the jeans with ease. The light flashed again, but this time was different. The wound was shallow at first, but it kept bleeding. More than it should¡¯ve.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± the young shade looked at her with an almost betrayed look on his face. As if she had cheated somehow. He clamped a hand over the wound, but despite the pressure it continued to flow like a river.


    The young shade wobbled. Even someone with superhuman physical attributes was affected by massive blood loss.


    ¡°Sorry, kid. Jawbreaker Punch,¡± Venida slammed her brass-covered knuckles into the side of the young shade¡¯s face. She winced at the sound of bones breaking and looked away from the flash.


    The pain didn¡¯t register at first.


    She looked at her hand.


    It was broken.


    The young shade scowled at her. ¡°I felt bad about this whole thing, but now¡­ not so much,¡± he said.


    The backhand caused Venida¡¯s mana shield to flicker.


    It broke when she hit the side of the building.


    Venida blinked. Surprised to be alive, she took a deep breath. ¡°Vanish.¡±


    Boy was in trouble as the young shade refocused on him.


    Gabrio couldn¡¯t help. He was locked in his own struggle.


    Two forcefield-wielding shades battered the fit young man.


    One kept him from advancing by jabbing at him with the end of her silvery staff.


    The other peppered him with what looked like small, silvery beanbags that hit much harder than they should¡¯ve judging by the almost lazy way he threw them.


    Gabrio blocked what he could with his shield, but he had already taken a few shots on his helmet that had rung his bell.


    ¡°Venida! Boy needs help! I can¡¯t get to him!¡± he called out. He couldn¡¯t see, didn¡¯t know where Venida was.


    The silvery staff¡¯s end came thrusting at his face. He dipped his head and raised his shield to block it.


    It had been a feint. The girl whipped it down and around his defenses to strike low at the side of his knee.


    His knee buckled as he bit back a cry.


    Naturally, he brought his shield down which opened him up for a silvery beanbag to the face.


    He flinched away as the projectile rang his bell again.


    Gabrio saw stars.


    He was on the ropes without even having attacked once.


    His body sagged.


    The two shades relaxed a fraction as they closed in to finish him off.


    ¡°Second Wind,¡± Gabrio whispered.


    A burst of renewed vigor flowed through him and allowed him to ignore the hurts, the fatigue.


    He exploded toward the two shades. ¡°Quick Cut!¡± his machete lashed out.


    Fingers clutching the silvery staff went flying with a spray of red that momentarily painted color across the gray.


    ¡°Fall back!¡±


    Gabrio covered his head with his shield as the male shade peppered him with silvery beanbags.


    The girl retreated into a thicker patch of fog and out of Gabrio¡¯s sight.


    Safe behind his shield, Gabrio chance a quick glance to Boy and cursed.


    The young shade pulled Boy up to his feet and punched him in the chest.


    Venida appeared to thrust her knife into the shade¡¯s back, but a moment too late.


    The flash of light at the point the young shade¡¯s fist met Boy¡¯s chest sent the stocky man flying like he had been shot out of a cannon.


    Several dozen feet away, another shade had been ready for him.


    The blade-like forcefield extending past her fist pierced right through the back of Boy¡¯s armor, into his body and out his chest plate.


    Boy coughed blood as the shade withdrew her blade and let him fall.


    Gabrio lost focus at the sight of Boy¡¯s lifeblood flowing out of him.


    A silvery beanbag struck him in the head.


    The shade closed in.


    A burst of projectiles perforated the shade¡¯s back.


    Demi rushed forward. ¡°Get back to the formation!¡± She was close enough now. She held the image of everyone in her thoughts. Not just her Watch, but also the spears, the rangers, everyone. ¡°Stand Your Ground.¡±


    Now they would all fight for as long as their bodies remained able.


    ¡°Mages! Support the spears! Rebekah, you and me are going to have to tank,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Unfair when you¡¯ve got that alien armor,¡± Rebekah laughed.


    Demi reloaded her recoilless rifle with her last canister of flechettes. ¡°I¡¯ll let you try it out after we get out of this. I¡¯m going to need a long break from field work. Del, you¡¯re on medic duty. If anyone falls, you¡¯ll have to Hide and drag them back to the restaurant.¡±


    ¡°Yessir,¡± Del remained at the very back of the formation.


    Demi squeezed the trigger.


    A shade¡¯s head exploded.


    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    ¡°Eldritch Dart!¡± Alexa pointed. The pinkish bolt of energy hit a hastily raised forcefield and ate through it.


    ¡°Magic Missile!¡± Amber screeched. The amber-colored marble streamed past the forcefield through the hole and burned another into the shades face.


    ¡°What¡¯re you waiting for, Mr. Bigglesworth?¡± Alexa eyed the hairless, bipedal cat-like familiar on her shoulder. She gestured toward the shades, ¡°¡­ kill!¡±


    Mr. Bigglesworth looked at her dubiously before it jumped down and scampered across the asphalt.


    Sharp claws sliced into ankles as it darted through the fray like a rabid squirrel.


    The shades took notice of the Watch.


    Several peeled off from their attack on the spears.


    ¡°Multi-projectiles!¡± Trevor hurled a small rock at a speed comparable to a sling. The one became many.


    Heads snapped back.


    A few more shades died.


    Others were too tough or managed to block with their forcefields. They kept coming.


    ¡°Anything you can try, Max!¡± Demi called as she continued to fire.


    ¡°Root Snare,¡± Max said through clenched teeth.


    Tangled roots suddenly appeared across the feet of the lead shades.


    Some tripped and fell.


    Others were entrapped, but only for a moment as they had the strength to kick free.


    Max¡¯s face was pale and sweaty. ¡°I can do poison gas, but I can¡¯t predict how it¡¯ll spread in the fog.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Demi warned. ¡°Everyone, pull back!¡±


    ¡°Mage Armor!¡± Amber¡¯s voice was high. She wished she still had Hanna¡¯s Threnosh shield. ¡°Magic Sword!¡± The translucent weapon and armor appeared in the color of her name.


    Rebekah¡¯s submachine gun clicked empty. She was definitely out of ammo. Except for her Level 20 Skill. ¡°Reload Magazine.¡± 30 rounds out of nothing in an instant. ¡°Suppression Fire.¡±


    The shades stopped or slowed in their charge as Rebekah sprayed them with bullets.


    ¡°Get ready, Amber! We need to get in there and keep them away from the squishies!¡± Rebekah barked. ¡°You too, Watch Captain!¡±


    Amber blanched. Her wide eyes were visible through her helmet¡¯s slits, but she nodded all the same.


    ¡°I¡¯ll back you up,¡± Alexa said.


    Rebekah¡¯s gun truly clicked on empty. She cast it aside and drew her axe as she charged with a shout.


    Demi and Amber were a step behind. The former continued to stream sharp projectiles at the shade, while the latter clutched her conjured sword in too-tight hands.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡±


    A shade raised a forcefield against Rebekah¡¯s axe.


    It shattered.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡± Rebekah struck again and cleaved the shade¡¯s head off.


    Skill use in quick succession might not have been the wisest when one considered conservation of stamina, but the soldier had wanted to be sure.


    Another shade charged at Amber. Hanna¡¯s many lessons flashed through her mind.


    She cut with her magic sword, placing it diagonally in front of her.


    The shade ran into it.


    He had tested his skin against steel weapons before and had found them wanting.


    Amber¡¯s conjured blade cut him to the bone.


    Still, he managed to continue his attack and hit her with a fist.


    Her mage armor flashed, but kept her safe.


    She moved her blade forward in a push cut, then pulled it back down in a draw cut. Two smooth motions.


    The shade tried another punch, but Amber had already withdrawn out of reach. He tried to follow, but rammed right into a thrust, that took him in the throat. He disappeared into fog shortly after that.


    Amber stood in shock.


    ¡°Eldritch Dart!¡±


    Pinkish light zipped past her and took a charging shade in the face.


    A small rock followed and forced yet another shade to stop and block with a forcefield.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stop moving!¡± Demi snapped as she fired into the forcefield until it shattered.


    The shade vanished after projectiles filled her body.


    Amber could barely hear anything with her pulse pounding in her ears.


    ¡°You still with me!¡± Demi barked.


    Amber forced several deep breaths, just like they had been taught, until she could hear again. ¡°I am, Watch Captain,¡± she gasped.


    ¡°We fight together.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± Amber found another target and moved to engage.


    <hr>


    Hanna woke to the sounds of battle.


    Angry, desperate cries mingled with the clash of weapons on armor. Spells sizzling through the air and striking flesh.


    She struggled to remember where she was. What she had been doing?


    She remembered fists and feet battering her amidst flashes of light.


    Then, strong hands grabbing her, followed by the sensation of flight.


    She turned her head and saw bodies.


    Ambrose, Rai and Kristian.


    Dead?


    No¡­ she saw their chests rise and fall.


    She turned her head and saw more bodies.


    Spearmen and Spearwomen.


    Broken and crumpled.


    Bloody and cut.


    Completely still.


    Hanna rose with a groan. Her head swam and she fought the urge to vomit.


    The super-strong blows had managed to hurt her through the Threnosh armor.


    A glance to check showed many dents and slices in the thin, flexible plates. Cracks traced fractal patterns in her faceplate.


    Even advanced technology and materials had limits when faced with superhuman strength and powers.


    She found her sword and shield as she stood fully.


    The Watch and Jake fought on the left flank.


    The spears still held the line with what remained of Rayna¡¯s Rangers.


    She saw no sign of Phillip and knew, hoped that Eron was far away.


    Rino was on the opposite side of the street. Her towering form was visible over the fray. She was battered, mangled as shades danced around her.


    Hanna stumbled at first as she moved towards the spear line.


    ¡°Harmony!¡± Xing cried out.


    Hanna watched as if in a nightmare. She wanted to run forward, but her legs wouldn¡¯t listen. It was like she was wading through waist deep water.


    The short Spearwoman had a fit build and was athletic even without accounting for her Skills. She had been pulled out of position.


    A shade shattered Harmony¡¯s shield with one punch, but she had managed to move enough that her arm hadn¡¯t been broken along with it. Another shade, one with forcefields around his hands charged her from the right.


    ¡°Pierce!¡±


    Her spear went through the man¡¯s forcefield and into his arm.


    She let go as the shade pulled and drew her pistol in one smooth motion before shooting him in the face.


    The first shade threw wide, looping punches that she ducked under while firing at near point-blank range into his stomach.


    The shade ignored the bullets as they bounced of his skin.


    She dropped the gun and drew her shortsword. ¡°Pierce!¡± she snarled as she thrust it into his gut.


    Hanna had spoken with the Spearwoman on several occasions. Harmony¡¯s parents had come from the same prefecture in Japan that her own father had. Small world. They both trained with the blade. Though Harmony had picked it up after the spires¡¯ apocalypse. She knew that Harmony had an Enhanced Strength Passive Skill.


    A 55% increase to Harmony¡¯s base strength and she only managed to push the tip of her shortsword into the shade¡¯s stomach.


    The shade slapped the blade out of Harmony¡¯s hands and grabbed her by the throat. He lifted her off the ground.


    She clawed at this hand and arm, kicked at him as her face grew red, then purple.


    Xing and another Spearman rushed to help, but they were too late.


    Harmony finally stopped. She had struggled to the end.


    The shade threw her at her two comrades.


    ¡°At least make this hard,¡± the shade said.


    It was just at that moment that Hanna realized she recognized the young shade. ¡°Vern.¡± Her voice was laced with venom.


    Her legs steadied as her own passives kicked in. She broke into a run.


    The Threnosh blade flashed through an inch-thick gap in the elbow of an armor-like forcefield.


    It took a second for the shade to realize that her arm was on the ground. The momentary confusion allowed Spearman Jessie to jam his spear tip through the thin eye slits of the her forcefield.


    Hanna ran on.


    ¡°Listen to me, fellow human beings!¡± A voice called out strong and clear. ¡°By my authority as Ranger Sergeant, as the highest ranked member of Rayna¡¯s Rangers on this land, I temporarily induct all of you into my squad!¡± A beat. ¡°Squad: Enhanced Coordination, Squad: Enhanced Awareness!¡± Sgt. Butcher bellowed.


    Hanna raised her Threnosh shield to block a barrage of dark brown needle-like forcefields. Somehow, she had seen it coming from another pair of eyes.


    She carved her way toward Vern without using her own eyes.


    ¡°You again,¡± Vern growled. He stalked toward her like a jungle cat. Short and wiry, his appearance was deceiving.


    Hanna had already experienced his superhuman strength. She couldn¡¯t fight him straight on.


    ¡°Already beat you up once,¡± Vern smirked.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear?¡± Hanna looked down at him with her greater height. ¡°We just got enhanced.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Coordination and awareness? I¡¯m so scared¡­¡±


    Vern leapt without warning.


    Hanna was ready. She had already been moving into position.


    She went low and got under Vern, using her shield, she flipped him over her head with his own momentum.


    He landed flat on his back.


    Hanna had already swung her sword.


    Coordination and awareness.


    She didn¡¯t fight with hers alone.


    She buried her blade into Vern¡¯s skull.


    He blinked a few times before his eyes went dead.


    ¡°No one really liked him.¡±


    Hanna spun at the voice, sword and shield ready.


    The speaker was a brown-haired woman with white forcefields that ran along the outside of her arms and legs. They extended a foot past her fists into a thin, double-edged blade shape. Indeed, the edges of the forcefields looked sharp to Hanna¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯re a priority target,¡± the woman said, ¡°you and that thing,¡± she gestured towards Rino. ¡°The others look to have that one handled, which means I¡¯ll have to take you.¡±


    ¡°Looking forward to a challenge, are you?¡± Hanna grunted.


    ¡°No,¡± the woman laughed bitterly. ¡°I. Want. This. Hell. Over.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re doing our best.¡±


    ¡°I know and that¡¯s what makes this so sad,¡± the woman sighed. ¡°First, I had hoped Eron could do it. That had dwindled as Eron got trapped here. Then you guys came, with Phillip and Calmin. Hope again, but it¡¯s fleeting isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Eron¡¯s on his way.¡±


    ¡°We know¡­ except, he¡¯s got to get past a terrible monster. He could¡¯ve done it when he had his full power. Now?¡± the woman shook her head.


    ¡°Phillip¡ª¡±


    ¡°He won¡¯t be able to help. He¡¯s busy with our strongest. That¡¯s the only reason you guys have lasted this long.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not finished yet.¡±


    ¡°I know. Why don¡¯t we finish it then?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to give me your name?¡±


    The shade shook her head. ¡°Why? It doesn¡¯t matter. I died months ago.¡±


    Hanna nodded once and attacked.


    <hr>


    A crack like a gunshot broke the silence of the fog shrouded interior of the mall as Phillip¡¯s fist doubled his uncle over.


    A second crack sent Tito Carlos flying to the second floor and beyond.


    Rosalita hit Phillip with a display stand.


    The flimsy metal bent around his head and shoulders.


    He grabbed it and flung it across the floor.


    His cousin failed to let go and went with it.


    Another relative darted in. Too fast for him to recognize her in the dim interior.


    Phillip swung low with two hooks, but she ducked under them and circled to his back while embracing him around the waist.


    Up and over he went.


    His head and upper back broke the floor tiles and cracked the plain concrete beneath.


    She kept a hold of his waist and did it again.


    He vaguely remembered Cal pulling off similar moves back when his son wrestled in high school. He couldn¡¯t quite remember what it was called. Something that sounded similar to that French baked dish that was hard to make?


    Before he could go on the ride for a third time, he ripped her hands from his waist.


    There was a crunch and cracks.


    She screamed.


    Phillip grimaced. He had applied too much strength.


    He turned and recognized a niece, a cousin¡¯s daughter.


    ¡°Sorry.¡±


    His niece closed her eyes as tears ran down her face.


    He hit her with all his strength. He didn¡¯t want to prolong her pain.


    He tried to ignore the feeling as his fist caved her face in.


    Bone shouldn¡¯t have felt like an overripe tomato.


    It was perverse, but he was relieved to see her body begin to turn back into mist. The dimness of the interior saved him from having to look at what he had wrought to her face. The feeling of his wet fist was bad enough


    A hit to his lower back moved him.


    Not exactly painful. More¡­ noticeable.


    He turned and saw a young man.


    The name was on the tip of his tongue.


    Another cousin¡¯s son.


    His nephew threw hands.


    Face and stomach.


    A dozen punches in a few seconds.


    ¡°Christ, Tito Phillip¡­ worse than hitting metal.¡± His nephew clutched one broken hand.


    ¡°I felt them¡­ sorry about this.¡±


    Phillip struck.


    His nephew dipped under the straight and threw a tight hook with his right hand that dug into Phillip¡¯s side.


    He winced at that.


    A liver shot from what he remembered from the boxing lessons he had taken from Cal and other more knowledgeable people in Rayna¡¯s Rangers.


    His nephew had to be decently strong enough for him to even register that.


    There was a physical strength scale that his sons had argued over a lot.


    From 1-100 in terms of tons he could lift, they had put Phillip at somewhere in the 80-90 range. It had been hard to accurately test. It had involved cranes and trains, which he had gone on to use for his exercises.


    He wondered where his nephew was on that scale.


    The young man definitely had better technique and skill.


    He wondered if that was thanks to Tito Carlos teachings.


    Did they even have the opportunity to train as shades?


    Unnecessary thoughts distracted Phillip as he tried to hit his nephew.


    All his strikes were easily slipped or ducked under.


    For each one he received a quick counter in return.


    He finally realized that his nephew¡¯s left hand was broken. So, he circled to that side and tried to attack from that angle.


    His nephew, being better, smoothly pivoted to keep landing punches with his right.


    Phillip missed yet another straight when his nephew, instead of countering, dived to one side.


    He half-turned and caught an entire shelf on his shoulder.


    His stance hadn¡¯t been set.


    The bigger and heavier metal knocked him back. He tripped over his own legs.


    He pushed the shelf up, but suddenly found resistance.


    Rosalita and his nephew looked down from where they were pushing down on the twisted shelf.


    Phillip looked through the tangle of metal on top of him.


    He knew that they didn¡¯t weigh enough to give him trouble, which meant that they had to have their feet on the ground for a stable base from which they could exert their own superstrength as they pushed down.


    It was hard to see in the dimness. The only source of light was from the hole in the ceiling and that was already being shrouded by the fog.


    He gave up on that and came up with another solution.


    He twisted the shelf, rotating it like a helicopter¡¯s rotors.


    He was much stronger than them.


    He swept them off their feet and sent them flying into the darkness.


    He cast the ruined shelf aside and stood.


    A heavy weight struck him on the side of his face.


    Jarring.


    He had really felt that one.


    Phillip rubbed his jaw. ¡°Pain is a rare thing these days.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a lot tougher than you¡¯ve ever been,¡± Tito Carlos grinned.


    ¡°And you¡¯re a lot stronger.¡±


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t just the strength. You¡¯ve got more of that than me. 35-40% more at a guess. That punch was a little bit of strength and speed, but most of it was proper technique. That¡¯s where you find the maximum amount of damage for the least amount of effort. The sweet spot. You¡¯d be a real monster if you had my training. I mean, your strength is really something¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to get practice when I can pretty much break almost everyone around me. I have to be so careful.¡±


    ¡°This will be good for you then. You won¡¯t have to hold back against me and the others. You can¡¯t afford to¡­ if you want to help your sons, to see your wife and other children again.¡±


    ¡°Can you really not fight its influence?¡± Phillip sighed.


    Tito Carlos threw his hands up. ¡°Haven¡¯t you listened to anything we¡¯ve been trying to tell you? It has us like this,¡± he clenched a fist. ¡°We can¡¯t push its fingers apart,¡± he shook his head bitterly, ¡°you and your boys will have to pry them open. If you can¡¯t stop us here, we will kill all your friends, then do the same to Calmin and Eron.¡±


    ¡°Then I really don¡¯t have any other choice,¡± Phillip¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°You never did!¡±

 Interlude: Strella 1.7

    ¡°Grand mornin¡¯ to ya fine ladies!¡± the innkeeper¡¯s voice boomed through the mostly empty common room.


    Strella and Ariaska had found the Grand Emperor¡¯s Inn a street down from the gatehouse.


    ¡°What can I get ya? Breakfast? A room? Or maybe both!¡±


    ¡°A meal for now and perhaps the latter later,¡± Strella said.


    ¡°Please, sit where it pleases ya! Menu¡¯s on the table¡­ call out when ya ready!¡± the innkeeper beamed.


    Strella picked a table against the wall where she could keep an eye on every doorway in the common room. The innkeeper¡¯s smile had been genuine, but she had read an undercurrent of disquiet in his thoughts. Fear, uncertainty and anger. It had been exactly the same in the citizens of Mastifon.


    She leaned her rapier against the table and picked up a curious piece of paper off the table.


    ¡°That¡¯s an odd menu,¡± Ariaska said lightly. ¡°The Lords are stealing the fruits of your orchards¡­ a mixed bowl of fresh fruit,¡± she raised a brow. ¡°Rise up? Could be sunny eggs. Do not be sheep¡­ strange name for lamb stew.¡±


    Strella read through the contents of the seditious leaflet twice before Ariaska waved for the innkeeper.


    The smiling man took their orders.


    Before he return to the kitchen, Strella waved the leaflet. ¡°What is this? Narchist?¡± she pointed to the name at the top.


    The man¡¯s smile slipped a fraction.


    Suspicion filled his thoughts.


    ¡°Just local concerns that the people have. Things haven¡¯t been good with the lord and the council.¡± He leaned forward conspiratorially, ¡°they¡¯d been gettin¡¯ greedy lately. Pushin'' the people too far¡­ ya know how it is,¡± he shrugged.


    A small stack of leaflets had been waiting on the back doorstep two days ago. He had found that the contents resonated with him, which is why he had placed a leaflet on every table.


    The innkeeper didn¡¯t know anything beyond that.


    ¡°Seems like too nice of a man to be part of a rebel cabal,¡± Ariaska leaned forward with a whisper. ¡°Which is what he¡¯d want us to think¡­¡±


    ¡°Thoughts on the writing?¡±


    Ariaska¡¯s brows rose. ¡°Uh¡­ well¡­ the words seem to be designed to elicit a strong emotional response in the reader. I can¡¯t say that it does so for me, since I¡¯ve never worked in the fields that it¡¯s alluding to, but I can see how farmers, laborers and such would be affected. Especially, if these invectives toward the local leadership are true.¡±


    ¡°They are inflammatory.¡±


    ¡°Not mutually exclusive,¡± Ariaska shrugged.


    ¡°Riots aren¡¯t the proper vehicle to address disputes.¡±


    ¡°The vast majority of people don¡¯t have an unattached justiciar around to take care of criminal or outright evil lords and ladies,¡± Ariaska raised a brow.


    Strella knew that the Chronicler had more on her mind.


    Ariaska remained silent as she proceeded to write into her journal.


    Strella read the leaflet again.


    She realized that she couldn¡¯t openly question citizens. Going to the lord, council or the town guards was pointless. They likely had no true idea of what brewed under their watch. The guards at the gate hadn¡¯t known anything of what had happened to River Glade, neither did the handful of people she had come across on the street, nor did the innkeeper.


    She concluded that Tyranon¡¯s leadership would keep things as quiet as possible for as long as they could.


    The innkeeper returned with their meal.


    Strella read through his memories looking for a plain, yellow-haired young woman and found nothing. She did the same to every other person that walked into the common room and discovered the same.


    She sat and ate in silence while Ariaska did the same as she continued to write.


    Three quarters of an hour passed before Ariaska closed her journal. ¡°On to the next inn?¡± she said.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Most inns I¡¯ve ever been in¡­¡± Ariaska said.


    They spent the next several hours checking the other inns in Tyranon.


    To allay suspicion they always drank or ate something.


    Strella knew that Ariaska had been dying to ask her a question.


    As she settled into her room at the Grand Emperor¡¯s Inn later that night, there was a knock on her door.


    Strella considered ignoring it, but it grew insistent.


    ¡°Chronicler,¡± Strella opened the door.


    Ariaska pushed the rest of the way in and shut the door behind her. ¡°Just thought we could go over today¡¯s events for your chronicle.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see the need. You were by my side the entirety of it.¡±


    ¡°Right, we went to every inn, drank and ate, thank you again for covering that, by the way¡­ I haven¡¯t eaten this way in a long time¡­ but, we did all that and nothing else? No questions asked, no stealthy searching through rooms for clues, so on and so forth,¡± Ariaska said.


    ¡°I was making my presence known for two reasons. One¡­ to draw out the suspect or her associates. Two¡­ word of an armed woman riding a mechaniform will spread. Those plotting a repeat of the events in Mastifon and River Glade may reconsider.¡±


    A partial truth.


    Ariaska went to the small desk and proceeded to write that down. ¡°Your thoughts on how all that went? You think it worked?¡± she pressed.


    ¡°Uncertain,¡± Strella spoke truth.


    She hadn¡¯t read anything on the suspect.


    Of the leaflets, certainly. Those had been circulating around the entire town since Jocuvel¡¯s arrival. They appeared on doorsteps, slid into homes and business, posted on work for hire board outside all of the different guilds and even nailed into the door of the council hall. The last had drawn the most attention from the citizenry and the leadership.


    Tension had built in Tyranon, like a pot on the verge of boiling over.


    ¡°Don¡¯t wander the streets tonight,¡± Strella warned.


    ¡°That bad, huh? I was getting that sense. A lot of scowling people out there. The hard-eyed staring was a bit unnerving. Good thing I¡¯ve got you around,¡± Ariaska said without looking up from her writing. ¡°I take it your warning is for me walking alone?¡±


    Strella nodded.


    ¡°Then good thing I¡¯ll be with you.¡±


    Strella shook her head. ¡°You¡¯re a potential liability in the event that violence occurs.¡±


    ¡°Dark deeds require dark nights. The story will be out there with you, not stuck in my room like a pampered princess. I know enough to stay out of your way. I¡¯ve traveled with more than a few adventurers in the past,¡± Ariaska said.


    ¡°I can¡¯t force you to stay, but your safety is your responsibility.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I agreed to¡­ just¡­ are we going to eat dinner first?¡± Ariaska said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t go into potential fights with a full stomach.¡±


    Ariaska sighed and rose to leave. ¡°Since I¡¯m not going to be doing any fighting, I¡¯d better get a quick bite to eat before we go.¡±


    ¡°You have a quarter hour.¡±


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    ¡°As you say, milady,¡± Ariaska sketched an impeccable bow.


    Strella considered leaving the Chronicler behind.


    But, she wouldn¡¯t do that when the woman planned to follow her regardless.


    Would Ariaska change her mind if she knew the truth, Strella thought. No.


    The Chronicler would¡¯ve been more excited had she known that Strella had learned that there was a rally secretly scheduled to occur in just a few hours outside the council hall.


    She stared at her rapier and shooter on the small desk next to the bed.


    How much violence would she have to do?


    ¡°Uncertain,¡± she whispered.


    There where too many variables and unknowns.


    Was Jocuvel truly behind the unrest? If she wasn¡¯t, then who was? If she was, then was she truly alone or where there others aiding her?


    The Classes of all potentially involved were another set of concerns. Skills and spells were dangerous to deal with, especially if they were higher leveled.


    Experience had taught her that she¡¯d have all the answers she needed in time.


    By that same token she knew that the one question that could only be answered after an event was how many bodies there¡¯d be on the ground.


    Later, Strella strode through the torch-lit streets while Ariaska struggled to keep up.


    Her black hair flew in the strong breeze. She was overdue for a trim. She carried her sleek, steel helm by its chin strap.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t telling me something,¡± Ariaska said.


    Strella kept scanning the empty streets.


    ¡°I feel like there¡¯s going to be trouble. The inn¡¯s dining room was mostly empty when I was eating. I got the impression that wasn¡¯t normal. The restaurants we passed were all pretty empty too.¡± Ariaska lowered her voice. ¡°Are we going to be in the middle of the same thing that happened in River Glade?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps,¡± Strella conceded.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Ariaska cleared her throat, ¡°you¡¯ll stop it before it gets that far.¡±


    ¡°That is my task.¡±


    ¡°You found out where Jocuvel is? That¡¯s where we¡¯re headed? You could¡¯ve told me earlier,¡± Ariaska said.


    ¡°No,¡± Strella corrected.


    ¡°What¡¯re we doing then?¡± Ariaska looked around. ¡°The streets shouldn¡¯t be this empty at this time. It¡¯s still early.¡± She pointed at a pub across the street, ¡°that place should be filled with people. Where are the people?¡±


    They walked in silence, which made it easy to hear what sounded like chanting.


    Many voices in near unison. Angry voices.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Ariaska¡¯s eyes widened like saucers as they turned the corner, ¡°I see.¡±


    The council hall stood at the end of the wide street.


    A mass of people waved torches while they shouted.


    Strella recognized their words as variations of those written in the leaflet.


    Town guards stood in a line formation blocking the mass from getting closer to the council hall.


    ¡°That¡¯s a lot of people and a lot of guardsmen. A town this size, I¡¯d say most of their complement are out there,¡± Ariaska said. ¡°I¡¯d bet my last coin that the council and lord are in there.¡±


    ¡°Likely a winning one,¡± Strella agreed.


    ¡°There¡¯s hundreds, maybe even over a thousand,¡± Ariaska murmured.


    She scanned the mass for a leader. Someone leading the shouts. To her surprise she couldn¡¯t see one. ¡°Chronicler, do you see anyone leading the shouts?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Ariaska said after a few moments. ¡°I¡¯ve observed a few protests and rallies¡­ there¡¯s always a few people leading.¡±


    Strella nodded.


    ¡°Maybe we¡¯re just not seeing them. It¡¯s hard to see with all that movement in the torchlight. Too many dancing shadows,¡± Ariaska said.


    Strella frowned as she focused on the large crowd. It was like trying to read hundreds of angry books at the same time. The words on a multitude of pages mixing together in chaos, creating a jumbled, illegible mess.


    ¡°If one was inciting this where would she be right now,¡± Strella muttered.


    ¡°Honestly, if it was me, I¡¯d be already out of town,¡± Ariaska said.


    Strella agreed except for one thing. The crowd was angry, but not enough to fight. It would take more of a push to duplicate the violence they had seen at River Glade.


    ¡°Although,¡± Ariaska held up a finger, ¡°I think you¡¯d want to build up to what we saw at River Glade. A few nights of this to push the people into a froth. Do that and you do the same to the lord, council and guards. Both sides will be quicker to violence after that. Then you can flee.¡±


    ¡°The perpetrator wouldn¡¯t be in the middle of that, but they¡¯d need to be close enough if Skills or spells were involved,¡± Strella said.


    Ariaska eyed her.


    The latter knew that former had confirmed something that had been consuming her thoughts all day.


    Ariaska took her journal and quill out of her bag. ¡°Ink,¡± she whispered to the tip of her quill before hastily scribbling into her journal. ¡°Couldn¡¯t it be just as likely that Jocuvel would need to be in the middle of that to maximize the effect of her abilities?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps, but the way those leaflets were distributed¡­ the secrecy¡­¡± Strella shook her head, ¡°if she is our culprit, then she¡¯ll be somewhere nearby, but hidden.¡±


    Strella scanned the rooftops of the short structures that lined both sides of the street.


    It was too dark for her to spot anything that might have been a person.


    ¡°You know, what they¡¯re yelling, the cadence¡­ it¡¯s pretty¡­ inspiring, but that¡¯s odd now that I think about it,¡± Ariaska said. She put her things away.


    Strella eyed her and read her mind.


    Ariaska didn¡¯t know it, but she was being drawn in by the angry crowd¡¯s chants. It was a weak thread, but it was growing stronger.


    ¡°Lords and councils all over Unity have been known to take more than their fair share from the citizenry,¡± Ariaska said. ¡°What do they provide in return? Order? What good is that if a person can barely make enough to live? Don¡¯t all people deserve a certain minimum level of comfort? After all none of us asked to be born. It¡¯s only a matter of luck if you¡¯re born into a noble¡¯s family or a shopkeeper¡¯s. You know¡­ food still gets made even if there were no lords. I think¡ª¡±


    ¡°Remember your purpose,¡± Strella said.


    Ariaska blinked.


    ¡°You¡¯re a Chronicler, here to record and write a story. That¡¯s what lies in front of you. How can you do that if you place yourself into it?¡±


    ¡°Huh? That was strange,¡± Ariaska muttered.


    Strella knew that the Chronicler still wasn¡¯t entirely free from the unknown effects that was partially pushing the crowd. She suspected that it¡¯d be the same for her had she been without the walls around her mind.


    ¡°Skills or spells?¡± Ariaska regarded Strella with suspicion.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Why not both,¡± Ariaska shrugged.


    ¡°Perhaps it¡¯d be wiser if you moved away and found a more distant spot to observe,¡± Strella said.


    Ariaska narrowed her eyes. ¡°Trying to get me out of the way? Hide your activities?¡±


    ¡°The suspicion you¡¯re feeling is likely one of the effects,¡± Strella said.


    The Chronicler was now a liability and Strella regretted bringing her along.


    Ariaska nodded after a tense moment. ¡°Okay, but you¡¯ll have to recount everything later,¡± she pointed a finger in Strella¡¯s face.


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    Strella knew that Ariaska wasn¡¯t fully in control of herself, so she ignored the disrespect.


    ¡°Fair enough,¡± Ariaska said.


    The Chronicler turned around and walked down the street, farther away from the angry crowd.


    Strella wasn¡¯t certain, but she felt that the chants had grown louder and faster. As if it was music building to the crescendo.


    No more wasting time.


    She walked toward the crowd until she spied an alley to her left. She sprinted and leapt, planting a foot on the wall to help her grasp the edge of the single story building¡¯s roof. She pulled herself up smoothly.


    Strella stalked the rooftops for any sign of her suspect.


    ¡°You¡¯ve had your say!¡± A loud voice boomed over the angry chants.


    Strella recognized it as a Skill. The captain of the guard, one of the councilmen or even the town lord. Whoever it was, the leadership had enough of the crowd¡¯s presence.


    ¡°Disperse and return to your homes!¡±


    The chants only grew louder.


    Strella felt the anger in them grow.


    The fools were only stoking the flames.


    An impending inferno brewed.


    Strella quickened her search. Abandoning the idea of stealth entirely. She reached the end of the rooftops on her side of the street without finding anyone.


    She looked down.


    The torches shined and obscured the mass of people she knew was there.


    The light seemed to undulate like the white water crashing on the shore as the crowd pushed forward into the thin line of town guards keeping them back.


    ¡°Under my authority, granted by the Emperor, I command you to return to your homes at once. I speak with a Lord¡¯s Authority!¡±


    Strella saw the man, the lord behind the line, surrounded by a handful of his personal guards.


    The crowd didn¡¯t even waver an inch. In fact they grew angrier. Their voices shouted as one. Their rage washed over the guards and the lord, who faltered, then broke, turning and rushing back to the council hall.


    The man might¡¯ve been a weak example of the Class, but Strella suspected that wasn¡¯t the entire story.


    She felt something in the air. Strengthening one side, while weakening the other.


    She looked to roof top on the opposite side of the street.


    At the same time that she finally saw a dark silhouette, the crowd finally overflowed the dam.


    The angry chants turned into rage-filled cries.


    Fear was in the air.


    The town guards lowered their spears.


    The crowd raised their fists, along with make-shift weapons, clubs, chains and the like.


    Desperate orders.


    Inarticulate bellows.


    The silhouette on the opposite rooftop raised her arms.


    Strella drew her shooter. She had read the other person¡¯s thoughts. She had to stop the young woman even if it was already too late for Tyranon.


    The loud bang was drowned out by the battle below.

 Interlude: Strella 1.8

    It had been a difficult shot to make.


    Strella¡¯s shooter wasn¡¯t designed for the distance. It was dark. She didn¡¯t have any Skills to augment her aim.


    She wasn¡¯t surprised when the metal ball skipped off the chimney next to the shadowy silhouette.


    The silhouette ducked down and disappeared.


    Strella kept her link to the young woman¡¯s thoughts. It was harder now that she had lost line of sight, so she hurried and jumped down to the street.


    She did the best to ignore the chaos of the melee so that the young woman, Jocuvel, couldn¡¯t get away.


    The rage and terror of over a thousand people filled the space around her.


    The crowd, the mob had quickly overrun the line of town guards.


    Less than two hundred hadn¡¯t been nearly enough.


    Dozens lay dead or dying on both sides in less than a minute.


    The guards had either fled to the council hall or were fighting like insignificant islands in an ocean of angry people. They didn¡¯t last long.


    Dozens of hands and make-shift weapons knocked them down.


    The people struck and stomped well after the guardsmen¡¯s bodies had stopped moving.


    In other places spears pierced farmers, bakers and shop workers while iron-capped truncheons crushed the skulls of serving girls and teachers.


    Entire lives flashed and vanished as Strella struggled to keep them out of her head. She held on to that one rope. The one that kept her tied to Jocuvel. The one responsible for starting the carnage.


    She had to stop her. It was the only chance to stop everything before it was too late¡­ if wasn¡¯t already.


    Violent thoughts assaulted her mind.


    Strella spun away from them and ducked her head.


    A table leg grazed the side of her helm.


    She clubbed the frothing man on the side of his head with her shooter.


    He dropped like a discarded puppet.


    Strella picked up the table leg. Her rapier was a liability in the thick press of bodies and she was reluctant to use lethal means on people who weren¡¯t entirely in control of their actions.


    There was nothing quite as terrible as being in the middle of a battle.


    The sights, sounds and smells were all horrendous. Great swaths of scarlet red painted the people and the street. Fear and rage blended together to create dreadful music. Bodies lost control and flooded the air with pungent and foul odors.


    The Chroniclers never properly captured this in their stories.


    Strella would insist upon this with Ariaska at a later date.


    Assuming she¡¯d have the opportunity.


    She clubbed people out of her way with the table leg as she struggled to cross the street. What had taken a few seconds earlier was now taking an eternity.


    Fortunately, most of the people didn¡¯t seem to have eyes for her.


    She read their rage. It was all pointed toward the council hall.


    That wasn¡¯t entirely it.


    The rage was guided. She felt it, saw it.


    Except, she was uncertain of the full extent.


    Was it truly controlled?


    Did Jocuvel¡¯s abilities, be they Skill or spell based, actively direct the mob or was it like an archer, who had no control over their arrow after they loosed it?


    What if the mob continued to fight even after she stopped Jocuvel?


    A concerning thought that she didn¡¯t have time to consider.


    She broke through the melee and ran into a narrow alley between two buildings.


    The thread of Jocuvel¡¯s mind wavered, but didn¡¯t vanish, so she continued to chase after it.


    The maze-like network of alleys opened up into a different street.


    The torches flickered in the wind. A powerful gust prickled the flesh on the back of her neck.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    She drew her rapier, but left her shooter in the holster. She didn¡¯t anticipate requiring it for what was to come.


    Her gaze didn¡¯t waver from the shadow shrouded alley mouth across the street.


    ¡°Surrender yourself to my judgment!¡± Strella called out.


    A cloaked figure stepped out of the shadows and into the torchlight.


    Strella recognized a face that she had known only through the memories of others.


    Plain, sun-browned skin, wisps of yellow hair peeked out from beneath the fringes of her hood.


    ¡°Jocuvel, you are charged with inciting unrest. You will come with me.¡±


    ¡°How do you even know my name? I was sure I stayed beneath notice and my Skills should¡¯ve kept me safe. High levels are rare on this frontier.¡±


    ¡°Do you refuse to comply?¡± Strella continued to approach slowly. She couldn¡¯t see into the shadows and had no idea if Jocuvel was alone. The younger woman¡¯s actions and demeanor suggested otherwise.


    ¡°Of course I do¡­ you¡¯re not with the town, so you must¡¯ve come from elsewhere. You have a metal shooter and that sword looks strange¡­ adventurer? Were you hired by one of the lords? Or are you an agent of the local king? The Emperor?¡± Jocuvel¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°So, they¡¯re taking notice? Good¡­ their exploitation of the citizenry will end. The spark I lit here will spread into a conflagration that will consume all of Unity.¡±


    ¡°Sedition.¡±


    ¡°According to your laws, but I accept none of them. I accept no laws if they be written by the hands of men.¡± Jocuvel held out a hand. ¡°That¡¯s far enough. I don¡¯t want to hurt you.¡±


    ¡°And yet you¡¯ve hurt hundreds, thousands of people. Mastifon, then River Glade and now, Tyranon.¡±


    Jocuvel solemnly nodded her head. ¡°That¡¯s true and I¡¯ll always regret that.¡±


    ¡°True remorse will be taken into account in my judgment.¡±


    Jocuvel narrowed her eyes at Strella. ¡°The way you talk¡ª who are you?¡±


    ¡°I am a justiciar.¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s a lie! Why would one of you be out here?¡± Jocuvel backed up toward the alley.


    Strella saw how young the woman truly was.


    ¡°You will be judged here and now. Stop this now if you want a chance for leniency.¡±


    ¡°This can¡¯t be stopped,¡± Jocuvel whispered. ¡°And I don¡¯t want it to,¡± her voice steadied, ¡°my work is too important to stop. This is for all Unity¡¯s people!¡± she looked back to the alley.


    People walked out of the shadows.


    Several dozen men and women.


    Strella steadied her breathing.


    This was no gang of street toughs and ruffians.


    They looked like everyday people. She even recognized a few from walking the streets earlier while searching for Jocuvel.


    ¡°Run along now, young miss,¡± a middle-aged man stepped protectively in front of Jocuvel.


    ¡°Have you lost your sense?¡± Strella addressed them. ¡°You¡¯ve heard what I said.¡±


    ¡°Every single word, your ladyship,¡± the middle-aged man nodded.


    ¡°Then step aside. Jocuvel has been charged with a serious crime and must be judged.¡±


    ¡°Just because something¡¯s the law, don¡¯t mean it should be followed,¡± a matronly woman wielding a rolling pin stepped next to the man.


    ¡°The young miss is right. We¡¯ve lived long enough under boots that don¡¯t really do nothing for us. They just get fat off our work.¡±


    ¡°Leeches is what they is!¡±


    ¡°And we shoulda burnt dem off long ago!¡±


    ¡°The young miss opened our eyes,¡± the middle-aged man said.


    Roars of agreement filled the air.


    Strella read their thoughts.


    They believed what they were saying. There was a slight push from Jocuvel¡¯s Skills, but the rest was all their own.


    ¡°You have legitimate grievances, but this isn¡¯t the way to address them,¡± Strella said.


    ¡°And how does that work?¡± Jocuvel piped up from behind a wall of people. ¡°You go to the local lord or lady¡­ maybe even a king, with your grievances? What happens when they are the very same people you have a grievance against or maybe it¡¯s against one of their rich merchant friends? You¡¯re telling us that the best way to protect our flocks is to let the wolves guard them,¡± she mocked.


    ¡°There is me and others,¡± Strella said.


    ¡°I see no difference¡­ your patrons are one and the same, wealthy and powerful!¡± Jocuvel snapped. ¡°And history has shown that those that rise to wealth and power aren¡¯t good people or if they were, they lose themselves in the accumulation and maintenance of such.¡±


    Strella deliberately removed one glove.


    She held the blinking eye tattoo to the people. ¡°See this,¡± she began, ¡°justice will be done¡­¡±


    The people wavered.


    ¡°We Reject Authority!¡± Jocuvel cried.


    Strella sighed. She read their thoughts, saw that the people¡¯s resolve firmed.


    ¡°You are citizens of Unity. Sworn to obey the laws for the good of all in an ordered society.¡± Strella tried, but she knew that this was a losing proposition.


    ¡°We Don¡¯t Recognize Your Laws!¡±


    ¡°This is your last warning. Raise a hand against me and my judgment will include injury to you with the chance of death.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t scare us!¡± Jocuvel raised her fist. ¡°We are many! Together we are strong! You may be able to stop one or a few of us, but you won¡¯t get all of us before we bring you down!¡±


    The people shouted in agreement.


    Strella saw that she had lost this battle. She donned her glove and settled into a combat stance, rapier pointed forward, lightly poised on the balls of her feet.


    ¡°Best run along now, young miss,¡± the middle-aged man gave Jocuvel a sad smile. ¡°We¡¯ll do what we can to buy you time. Good luck! Godspeed! May the cause live on!¡±


    ¡°May you draw strength from your passion for the cause,¡± Jocuvel¡¯s voice wavered as she laid a hand on the man¡¯s shoulder. She regarded the dozens of people around her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I asked this off you¡ª¡±


    Protestations filled the air.


    ¡°I leave you one last gift,¡± Jocuvel sighed. ¡°Inflame!¡± she roared.

 5.37

    Now, Manila


    Phillip¡¯s nephew roared and leapt.


    ¡°Wai¡ª¡± Tito Carlos tried to grab the young man, but was too slow.


    Twenty feet was easy for someone with superhuman strength.


    Phillip caught his nephew.


    The young man wasn¡¯t strong enough to bother him. Rapid punched and elbows to Phillip¡¯s head didn¡¯t do enough.


    Rosalita charged in from the side.


    Phillip threw his nephew at her with all his might.


    Tito Carlos had been right.


    There was no more holding back.


    Rosalita tried to stop and catch her nephew.


    A loud crunch echoed as the young man slammed into her. The two tumbled back in a heap.


    ¡°My back¡ª I can¡¯t feel my legs¡­ Tita¡­ please,¡± the young man said through grit teeth.


    Phillip ignored the second crack as Rosalita violently twisted their nephew¡¯s head.


    Tito Carlos rushed in with a lead right jab.


    Phillip raised his hands to cover his face.


    A mistake.


    A left straight to the body made him regret buying his uncle¡¯s feint.


    His hands dropped to cover his body.


    It was exactly the wrong thing to do.


    His uncle cracked a right hook to the side of his face.


    Phillip swung wildly as his uncle leaned back and circled around to avoid everything.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got too many openings.¡± Tito Carlos bounced on his toes. ¡°Then again if I was as hard as you, I might not care too much,¡± he shook his hands loose with a grimace. ¡°It¡¯s been awhile since hitting something hurt me almost as much.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re pretty quick for pushing 90, but I think I could take your punches all day,¡± Phillip shook his head. He realized that would be a win of sorts. It¡¯d keep Tito Carlos from going after Eron and the others.


    His uncle¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°A stalemate means you can¡¯t go jumping to help your son or your friends. The question is¡­ which one of us thinks their side needs them more?¡±


    Phillip exploded forward.


    The floor tiles shattered as he pushed himself at his uncle.


    His leaping punch was almost a blur that Tito Carlos barely slipped.


    The fraction of contact was enough to send the old man stumbling.


    Phillip tried to follow up, but was intercepted by Rosalita.


    His cousin had thrown herself at him from over 30 feet away.


    Phillip was off-balanced and couldn¡¯t resist her tackle.


    The two crashed through a shelf loaded with hardware tools.


    Rosalita ended up on top.


    She slammed her palm on Phillip¡¯s face while grabbing a hammer.


    Phillip took her wrist and pried it off his face, only for her to slam the hammer into his forehead.


    Boom.


    Like a gunshot.


    Rosalita was stronger than their niece and nephew.


    That had been unpleasant.


    Boom. Boom. BOOM!


    Crack!


    The wooden handle broke before Phillip¡¯s skull did.


    Rosalita hammered the jagged end of the handle toward Phillip¡¯s eye.


    He caught her wrist with inches to spare.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t you, Rosa,¡± Phillip said.


    A pained look flashed across his cousin¡¯s face, but was replaced by one of resignation. ¡°Then you know why you have to win.¡±


    Phillip¡¯s eyes hardened. He squeezed his hands.


    Rosalita face twisted as he ground the bones in both of her wrists.


    ¡°Hold on, Rosa!¡± Tito Carlos dived in and added his hands to the jagged handle.


    It slipped a fraction of an inch closer to Phillip¡¯s eye before he firmed up.


    Family was locked in a struggle with so many lives on the line.


    Beads of sweat began to form as one managed to hold off the combined efforts of two.


    There was nothing glorious about it in Phillip¡¯s thoughts. If he had one wish it would be to return to the days before the spires had ruined everything.


    Not this¡­ hellish existence, where he had to fight and hurt family to prevent them from doing the same to him and his kids.


    His boys¡­ his wife, his little girl.


    Yes, they had power, but the cost¡­ he didn¡¯t like what they had to bear because of it.


    The weight of the world on their shoulders.


    The most terrible of monsters.


    Things like that changed people.


    He couldn¡¯t see or didn¡¯t want to see what they might become if their lives revolved around such things. If their existence, their purpose was simply to fight horrors.


    He remembered the saying.


    Stare into the abyss¡­


    Phillip stared at the jagged end of the hammer handle. At the twisted faces of his long dead uncle and cousin, trapped in a hell.


    He closed his eyes and relaxed.


    The wood hit his eyelid as he moved his head to allow it to skip right off.


    The move surprised his relatives.


    They lost their balance.


    Phillip opened his eyes and grabbed his cousin by the throat.


    He squeezed hard.


    Crunch.


    Rosalita¡¯s face turned blue as she tried to gasp like a fish out of water.


    Phillip threw her off.


    He didn¡¯t want to see her like that. Didn¡¯t want that face to be his last memory of her.


    He scrambled to his feet, just in time to take a fist to the face.


    His nose broke.


    True pain bloomed.


    Tito Carlos shook his left hand and switched his stance to orthodox.


    Phillip pushed his nose back into place with a grunt. He wiped the blood on his upper lip.


    ¡°Don¡¯t blow your nose,¡± Tito Carlos warned.


    ¡°I know,¡± Phillip said in a voice that sounded muffled in his ears. ¡°Broke your hand?¡±


    ¡°Not a good trade for me,¡± Tito Carlos shook his head. ¡°That was hard¡­ what you did to Rosa.¡±


    Phillip glanced over at his cousin¡¯s slowly disappearing body.


    ¡°That will be the last time the fog entity is going to use her¡­ use all of you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d pray you¡¯re right, but I gave up on that bullshit a long time ago.¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t have faith in that, then have some in me and my boys.¡±


    Tito Carlos nodded.


    Phillip raised his fists.


    His uncle came in on a line.


    Phillip thought that was too obvious, basic. So, he waited for a feint.


    Sure enough, his uncle threw a lazy left jab toward Phillip¡¯s face.


    The fact that the fist was already swelling told Phillip that it wasn¡¯t meant to land.


    So, he ignored it.


    The lightning-quick right cross came in right behind the jab.


    Phillip tilted his head down to take it on his forehead.


    His uncle grimaced.


    Hand bones were small and fragile compared to the skull.


    That¡¯s why professional fighters wrapped them and wore gloves.


    Being superhumanly durable didn¡¯t make a difference if one was hitting another superhumanly durable person.


    Phillip sunk two hooks, one left and one right, into his uncle¡¯s body.


    His uncle managed to block one by tucking his arm tight against his body.


    The other hit home and Phillip heard a pop, felt a crunch.


    His uncle¡¯s face told the story.


    A broken rib or two.


    ¡°It¡¯s over, Tito,¡± Phillip pulled back. ¡°You¡¯re better, but it seems that you¡¯re not close enough to me in strength and durability. You¡¯ve got an edge on Eron without his true powers and that¡¯s impressive, but I¡¯m several classes above that.¡±


    Tito Carlos laughed. ¡°Power levels¡­ the kids loved to talk about that. Comparing each other like we were in a stupid cartoon or comic book,¡± he shook his head. ¡°This is real life and good doesn¡¯t always win over evil¡­ hell, look at all the politicians we used to have¡­ seemed like evil was way ahead anyways.¡±


    ¡°Evil is more real now.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ yeah it is,¡± Tito Carlos agreed. He raised swollen fists. ¡°Let¡¯s finish it then.¡±


    Phillip stalked forward.


    Tito Carlos battered at him with blazing quick hands even though each punch brought a flash of pain across his face. Superhuman physical attributes allowed him to push past the pain from broken hands and ribs.


    Phillip landed one to every three he took, but his shots dictated the way the story was told.


    His uncle¡¯s face was soon cut, swollen and red. The quintessential hamburger meat.


    With one eye shut, Tito Carlos threw everything into an over hand right.


    Phillip did same.


    The near simultaneous blows created a shockwave that cleared years of dust out of a large radius from the two of them.


    Phillip staggered as his vision went dark for a split-second.


    Tito Carlos¡¯ head twisted violently with a loud crack.


    Phillip watched his uncle fall to the floor.


    The tears in his eyes obscured the body as it turned into mist.


    The faint sound of a rooster crowing in the distance made him blink.


    <hr>


    Adrenaline flowed through her body. The hurts and weakness of before were temporarily postponed. It appeared that Hanna had made the right decision in prioritizing passive Skills over active ones. Enhancing her physical attributes had always made more sense. What need did she have for a Quick Cut Skill, when her own skill was at least equal, if not better?


    A quick cut.


    Parried.


    A lunging thrust.


    Blocked.


    Alien metal clashed against bladed forcefield.


    Hanna was hard-pressed trying to counter the shade¡¯s quicker movement. It appeared that the sharp-edged forcefields that lined the outside part of the woman¡¯s arms and extended past her fists like long knives didn¡¯t weigh anything. Which meant the woman didn¡¯t have to deal with the momentum generated by a weapon.


    The Threnosh sword was well-balanced, but like any weapon had mass that needed to be accounted for.


    The shade thrust her left at Hanna¡¯s head.


    She blocked it with her shield while simultaneously aiming a counter cut at the woman¡¯s upper arm, where the forcefield didn¡¯t cover


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    The woman respond by dipping her torso down, almost bending over completely at the waist.


    Hanna¡¯s blade skimmed just over the woman. She smoothly brought her blade back with a downward cut from the opposite angle as the initial one.


    The woman moved quicker and got her right arm up in time to block it.


    Hanna¡¯s sword was blown back, almost as if the forcefield had exerted a counter force to the impact despite the fact that the woman hadn¡¯t pushed back. This threw Hanna a fraction off-balance.


    The woman responded by slashing at Hanna¡¯s sword arm.


    Damage alerts flashed in Hanna¡¯s faceplate.


    The forcefield could cut the Threnosh metal.


    Hanna whipped her blade back in front of her and forced the woman to back off. She held her sword and shield together as she eyed the woman over the top of the latter. A glance past the woman showed her team in the middle of their own desperate battle with the other shades.


    ¡°You need to beat me before you can help them,¡± the woman said without emotion.


    Hanna knew that the woman was right. The problem was that she couldn¡¯t do it quickly. The smart play would¡¯ve been to be defensive. She had the edge in that with her shield and armor. Wait for the woman to tire and exploit an opening at that point to end the fight decisively.


    Except, she couldn¡¯t do that.


    Her friends needed her help now.


    Hanna dashed forward without warning. She punched her shield out in an attempt to conceal the low cut with her blade aimed at the woman¡¯s lead leg.


    The woman pushed her forcefield covered arms against Hanna¡¯s shield.


    Hanna got her.


    Her blade struck¡ª


    A flash of bright white light momentarily darkened Hanna¡¯s faceplate.


    Her blade rebounded with violence.


    She withdrew warily.


    The outer side of the woman¡¯s lead leg was now lined with a thin, flat, rectangular panel of translucent white light as on her arms.


    The woman feinted with a low slash at Hanna¡¯s lead leg, under her shield.


    Hanna saw it for what it was and stepped back.


    The woman quickly threw a switch kick at Hanna¡¯s head.


    She barely pulled back as the sharp-edged forcefield extended past the woman¡¯s foot.


    The woman shuffled forward with a combination of thrusts, slashes and kicks with both legs manifesting forcefields. The asphalt was cut with every step she took.


    Hanna blocked and parried, but couldn¡¯t stop everything. Sparks flew as the sharp forcefields struck shield, blade and armor.


    Hanna disengaged by pushing out with her shield and bringing her blade in front of her.


    The woman pulled back to avoid running into it.


    Hanna circled away. She didn¡¯t need the alerts in her faceplate to know that her once-pristine armor and shield had been marked with a handful of cuts.


    The woman darted to the left, then the right as she approached like some kind of hyperactive squirrel.


    Hanna was ready.


    Just as Hanna was about to strike the woman released a pulse of bright from the forcefields on her arms.


    The joke was on the woman.


    Hanna¡¯s faceplate darkened in an instant, preserving her vision.


    Her draw cut caught the woman in the chest, slicing through clothing and flesh.


    The woman slapped Hanna¡¯s sword away with her own forcefield blade and staggered back.


    The wound was deep. The front of the woman¡¯s clothing was soon awash in red. The woman gasped ragged breathes before stilling herself.


    She raised one bladed forcefield to her chest. The white glow intensified as she pressed it to the cut.


    Hanna heard the sizzling of flesh.


    Somehow, the woman straightened, nodded at Hanna and resumed her stance. As if the debilitating wound wasn¡¯t a concern.


    This needs to end, Hanna thought.


    ¡°I Cut What I See.¡±


    Hanna slashed her sword horizontally.


    Fifteen feet away, the shade¡¯s eyes widened.


    The upper half of her body slid forward with a wet sound and thudded on the ground. Everything from the waist down crumpled shortly after.


    The Skill she chose after reaching Level 30 from the aswang village duplicated the cutting power of her blade without physical contact. It took a lot out of her. Indeed, she sagged from the instant fatigue that swept through her body. She wasn¡¯t going to be able to do it again any time soon.


    Still, it felt like cheating, but was there such a thing with lives on the line?


    She decided that there wasn¡¯t.


    She turned around.


    The shades had their backs to her as they fought against her team.


    Hanna took several deep breaths and went to their aid.


    They would finish this Quest together, whatever that meant.


    <hr>


    The fog had thinned enough that Eron could see the bay from his perch atop a skyscraper many blocks away.


    Derelict container ships had tangled together to create several artificial islands.


    To his left he saw the once-brown waters of the Pasig River flowing into the ocean. That was something marginally good to take away from the spires killing a vast majority of humanity and destroying the systems of society as they knew it.


    An unworthy thought.


    Eron dismissed it.


    He studied the GSIS Building.


    The floors appeared to be tiered. Wider at ground floor, progressively smaller as it rose. Like pyramids, if there were a couple crammed together to create irregular shapes. There were several different geometric shapes that Eron could pick out. The only other feature of note was a bronze sculpture affixed to the side of what looked like stylized people reaching or building something.


    ¡°Probably the country,¡± Eron snorted.


    All in all it gave him the feel of a government building.


    Beyond that he felt nothing else looking at it.


    It could¡¯ve been like any number of old, abandoned structures. Filled with dust and monsters, like the rest.


    He wished there was something, anything that hinted at the unknown horror that supposedly lurked within.


    ¡°I¡¯ll find you and end you,¡± he muttered.


    Eron was about to leap off the skyscraper when a loud crowing startled him and nearly caused him to lose his footing.


    ¡°Oh¡­ fuck!¡±


    He located the source of the sound.


    An ibingan, the serpentine dragon of myth and legend, had appeared from outside the GSIS Building.


    How had he missed it?


    It undulated through the air as if it swam through water.


    With the fog so thin, he got a good look at its draconic maw opened wide with another roar. Teeth like swords shined as its long tongue darted out, as if tasting the air for him.


    This one¡¯s armor-like scales were a muted green on top and a duller yellow along the bottom of its serpentine body.


    The one he had fought in the southern part of the country had been mostly blue¡­ and a lot smaller.


    ¡°Like a goddamn train.¡±


    Eron dropped down.


    The wind whistled in his ears.


    He kept his eyes on the rapidly approaching ibingan.


    His boots finally hit the ground with a thud, cracking the asphalt. He didn¡¯t waste time. He dashed off down the street.


    Maybe he could lose it and get to the senate building without having to fight. It wouldn¡¯t attack once he was inside¡­ probably, maybe, hopefully?


    Miles away from Eron. A bus load of people raced north as fast as one young woman could push.


    The shades hadn¡¯t attacked once, but they wouldn¡¯t allow themselves to think they were safe. Months of imprisonment in this gray hell had taught all of them, from the oldest woman to the youngest boy, that hope was a dangerous thing. Time and again they had been cruelly reminded of that fact.


    ¡°Right turn!¡± Cherry called down from her perch on top of the bus.


    The driver heard her and complied.


    She could hear the sounds of sobbing children huddled together inside.


    It was¡­ annoying¡­ Yes, that was the word she¡¯d cling to. She didn¡¯t want to call it something else. What the instinctive part deep inside her would¡¯ve said¡ª hunger¡ª not that, never that. Not anymore.


    She bared her fangs in a snarl. Thankful that none below could see. She cursed herself. Hadn¡¯t she drank her fill of blood before departing to keep such instincts at bay?


    ¡°Jeepney in the left lane! Car in the right! Pile of¡­ garbage in the middle!¡±


    The driver followed Cherry¡¯s instructions admirably. She decided that Edwin deserved a pat on the back or maybe a ruffled head once they escaped the city.


    She regarded the thin fog as they rode through it. She wondered if the sun was out. That would be an adjustment after so many months in the gloom. Not that the sun¡¯s rays were harmful to her. Not exactly. Sure, they¡¯d make her very weak, as if she was close to being a normal human, but there were worse things.


    ¡°Turn left!¡± Cherry blinked at what suddenly appeared in the middle of the street. ¡°Stop!¡±


    Too late.


    Edwin hit the breaks, but Madalena¡¯s reaction to the lights at the back was never going to be instantaneous. Not to mention how hard it was for even someone with her superhuman strength to pull all that mass and momentum to a stop.


    Not what, but who.


    Cherry¡¯s enhanced perceptions allowed her to see in good detail what had happened.


    As the bus, traveling at around speed limit, slammed into a strangely-armored man before Madalena could stop it.


    The man went tumbling down the street, but he had somehow managed to push four other people out of the way first.


    Cal came out of the roll, more embarrassed than hurt. The Threnosh armor and his own durability was good enough to take the hit of a moderately fast-moving bus.


    Even with the fog, he should¡¯ve seen it coming.


    No perception and reaction time boosts without the full power of his mind.


    He instinctively reached out with his telepathy to ascertain the threat before he realized that the only thoughts in his head were his own.


    The silence was nice, but potentially dangerous.


    He eyed the bus.


    The teenager driving stared at him with wide eyes.


    Confusion and fear from the looks of it.


    Most likely a normal human.


    The impossibly beautiful woman crouched on top of the bus was a different matter.


    Her luscious, silvery hair waved in a non-existent breeze.


    Cal found himself falling into her eyes.


    It took an immense force of will to remind himself where he had seen that type of hair before, along with the supernatural beauty. Fortunately, years of experience had sharpened his willpower.


    Aswang: Gabunan.


    He was wary. He didn¡¯t know how a fight would go without his true powers.


    ¡°Hey, kid?¡± Cal waved a hand. ¡°Is everything okay? No one got hurt in there?¡± he could see other people in the bus along with a strange glow that suffused the interior. Strikingly, the ever-present fog didn¡¯t appear to be inside.


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± the teenage driver opened and closed his mouth like a fish.


    ¡°We should be asking you that,¡± the aswang said blithely. ¡°You must be Cal Cruces?¡±


    Cal blinked. ¡°Er¡­ I¡¯m not going to confirm or deny that¡­ who¡¯s asking?¡± he stammered.


    The aswang laughed music in his ears.


    He cursed inwardly and leaned into his willpower.


    ¡°You and you¡¯re brother don¡¯t really look alike at first glance, but when I look into those eyes and long lashes¡­ I see the resemblance,¡± the aswang said lightly. ¡°You¡¯re also wearing the same armor as Demi and Hanna.¡± She quirked her head to one side. ¡°A lot more colorful though. Blue and gold, complementary. It works¡­ if comic book superhero is what you¡¯re going for.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ nice to meet you, miss¡­¡±


    ¡°Cherry.¡±


    Cal nodded and smiled. He figured that it was better not to mention that Eron hadn¡¯t said anything about her in his messages.


    ¡°It¡¯s actually dark yellow. The gold¡¯s more highlights to accent the separation between the blue and yellow¡­ or so I¡¯ve been told. The painter used Skills, so it¡¯s totally functional more than anything else. That young woman over there couldn¡¯t scratch it with her knife,¡± he pointed at the blank-faced young woman standing with her three friends at the side of the road.


    Cal¡¯s eyes tightened a fraction.


    The four people he had met at the sanctuary looked wary. Almost as if they were ready to bolt or fight.


    Before he could say anything another young woman emerged from the back of the bus.


    From the outside in fact.


    Come to think of it, Cal realized that it was eerily quiet. No engine sounds.


    He didn¡¯t recognize the young woman. Short black hair, light brown skin, attractive and fit. He supposed she would have to be to push the bus.


    Oh, he realized who she was.


    His cousin, Madalena.


    ¡°What the hell, Cherry! You¡¯re supposed to avoid things¡ª¡± her eyes widened when she finally noticed Cal. ¡°Cal?¡±


    ¡°Hello, cousin,¡± he waved.


    ¡°Who the hell are these people?¡± Madalena regarded the foursome.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know them? I met them at one of your sanctuaries.¡±


    Madalena scowled. ¡°I know everyone.¡±


    The four slowly began to shift, moving into formation.


    Cal sighed. Sometimes it would be better if his instincts were wrong.


    ¡°Hold on! Let¡¯s stay cool. The fog might attack at any time.¡±


    ¡°It hasn¡¯t this whole time,¡± the tall man said. ¡°I think it¡¯s time we went our separate ways.¡±


    ¡°Fine by me,¡± Cal replied. He could always track them down after he got his powers back. If that was even necessary.


    Madalena grunted assent. ¡°Okay, now that your here you can help me push, so we can get everyone out of this mess faster. We still have other sanctuaries to evacuate.¡±


    ¡°Madalena!¡± the teenage driver called out.


    ¡°What, Edwin!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s them!¡± The teen¡¯s face was a twisted rictus of rage. ¡°They killed Maricel!¡±


    Madalena¡¯s eyes snapped to the four.


    Cal didn¡¯t need his powers to see the fiery anger in her posture, breathing and clenched fists.


    ¡°Domeric,¡± she pointed to the nearly 7-foot tall man, ¡°Samson,¡± she pointed to the only other man in the group, ¡°Eron killed the other two men,¡± she eyed the two young women, ¡°Dolorita and Paz. I don¡¯t care which is which. I¡¯m not as strong as Eron, so it¡¯s going to take me more hits to end you.¡±


    Domeric brandished a wooden sword-club nearly as long as Cal was tall.


    Even without extrasensory powers, he could feel something building in it.


    Magic.


    There was no other sensation quite like it.


    ¡°Like I told him, that wasn¡¯t personal. It was a matter between warriors. We fight, we kill, we die,¡± Domeric said coldly.


    ¡°Maricel was fifteen. You ended her life like it was nothing. Then you left her out there in the fog. You went to the sanctuary and threatened people under our protection. I don¡¯t see anything redeemable about you,¡± Madalena ground out.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not do this here,¡± Cal stepped in.


    The people in the bus were in danger of becoming collateral damage. Especially, when he had no idea what Domeric¡¯s weapon was capable of.


    Paz and Dolorita drew pistols and pointed them at Cal.


    ¡°I¡¯m bulletproof without the armor,¡± he said flatly.


    ¡°Bullshit!¡± Paz snapped.


    ¡°Listen, Domeric,¡± he turned to the tall man. ¡°I¡¯ll give you credit for admitting it, but you killed a kid. This might makes right bullshit isn¡¯t going cut it.¡±


    ¡°And what¡¯re you going to do about it? Put me on trial? Send me to prison? Look around you¡­ besides I don¡¯t recognize your authority. What I do, did, was under the authority of the Senator,¡± Domeric said with a stone face.


    Cal laughed. ¡°The same one north of here?¡± he said lightly.


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Domeric tilted his head back to better look down on Cal, which considering the foot and half difference in height wasn¡¯t necessary.


    ¡°Your brother, was it? This Eron?¡± Samson chimed in.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°He killed the Senator¡¯s son. There¡¯ll be repercussions for that. However, if you allow us safe passage on your bus then maybe that can mitigate things to some extent. We can frame it as a misunderstanding. The heat of battle and all that,¡± Samson continued.


    ¡°Actually¡­ no. We came from up north, all the way from Ilagan. Drove through your territory. Found that it had a slavery problem. Took care of that,¡± Cal¡¯s gaze hardened, ¡°violently.¡± He regarded Madalena. ¡°They killed one of yours. I can¡¯t, won¡¯t dictate what to do with them. I¡¯ll help you subdue them¡­ after that you can do what you want. Although, I¡¯d warn against summary execution. That isn¡¯t something you should take lightly.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, but I won¡¯t need your help,¡± Madalena said right before she leapt.


    ¡°Samson!¡± Domeric cried.


    ¡°Flashbang!¡±


    A bright flash of white light and a loud bang erupted out of the young man¡¯s outstretched hand.


    Cal saw it all through a darkened faceplate as the auditory protections in his helmet automatically dulled the noise.


    Somehow the four hadn¡¯t been affected by the spell.


    Madalena stumbled as she turned her head away.


    Domeric stepped in with a mighty swing of his sword-club to Madalena¡¯s stomach.


    The impact echoed like a cannon and sent Madalena flying into the side of the bus.


    Screams of fright filled the air as the four took the opportunity to flee off the road and into an alley.


    Cal rushed to Madalena¡¯s side as the light waned and vanished.


    ¡°Where are they?¡± Madalena struggled in Cal¡¯s grasp.


    He was surprised by her strength. Almost on his level.


    ¡°Gone.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you stop them!¡± Madalena snapped as she frantically blinked.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got more important things to deal with. Besides, you know where they¡¯ll head assuming they can get out of this fog without whatever that glowing thing you got in there keeping it out.¡±


    Madalena cursed as he let her go.


    ¡°So, what happened? My dad and the people that came with us from America went into the city. Did they make it to you guys?¡± Cal dreaded the answer.


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Madalena relayed a hurried story that ended with the breaching of the main sanctuary and the desperate flight for freedom. ¡°I don¡¯t know what happened after we left.¡±


    Cal thought quickly.


    Confirmation on some of things he had seen in those strange dreams was good. The rest¡­ not so much.


    ¡°Cal,¡± Cherry called down from the bus¡¯ roof. ¡°You should go inside. Someone wants to talk to you.¡±

 5.38

    Now, Manila


    ¡°Okay¡­ not ominous at all,¡± Cal shrugged and boarded the bus.


    To his surprise he saw several familiar faces.


    Fin was out cold in a seat. Next to him was Jovita with an ice pack on her head.


    ¡°I would¡¯ve stayed, but they didn¡¯t let me,¡± she said.


    ¡°That¡¯s because you have a concussion,¡± an old man with a bloody bandage around his head said.


    ¡°No shame in that. Sometimes your body won¡¯t let you fight, even if you¡¯ve got the will. Rest and heal. There¡¯ll be more fights,¡± Cal said.


    He saw Ramira and a few spears. They all looked to be in rough shape.


    He saw Cristos as he continued toward the back.


    The special forces soldier gave him a curt nod. ¡°It was a tough fight just getting there.¡±


    Cal nodded.


    ¡°Cal¡­ um¡­¡± Ginessa emerged from one the seats with a small girl cradled in her arms like a baby.


    ¡°Ginessa¡­ I¡¯m glad you¡¯re okay,¡± he regarded the girl, ¡°and this is?¡±


    ¡°Lilah¡­¡±


    The young girl eyes fluttered open. She was pale, sweaty, clearly under duress and Cal had an uncomfortable feeling that he should¡¯ve known why.


    ¡°¡­ she woke up and said she had to talk to you¡­ she¡¯s the one doing the wards,¡± Ginessa said. ¡°Can you help her? Please?¡±


    ¡°Kuya Cal, we have to go to Kuya Eron.¡± Lilah¡¯s voice was weak, barely a whisper, but easily audible to Cal.


    ¡°You know who I am?¡±


    ¡°¡­ saw you, it, me¡­ dreaming¡­¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s been saying stuff like that while she was sleeping,¡± Ginessa said.


    Confirmation.


    Sometimes it was good to have. Other times it wasn¡¯t.


    Like taking a test. One¡¯s score could be anything. It wasn¡¯t certain until one got the results back.


    ¡°Schrodinger¡¯s test or something,¡± Cal muttered. ¡°The dreams. Visions. They were real. Somehow the last dregs of my powers connected me to it and to you, probably through your magic sigils.¡±


    Lilah nodded weakly. ¡°Not gone. Still there. Hidden.¡±


    ¡°I thought so. It¡¯s good to get an expert opinion,¡± he smiled down at the girl. ¡°So, don¡¯t worry Lilah. I¡¯ll help Eron right away. I just need directions to where I might find him and the fog entity.¡±


    ¡°They think it¡¯s in the senate building. I overheard them talking about it,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°Address?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, you can ask someone else, Madalena or Cherry. It¡¯s almost directly west from the place we arrived in. Right on the bay,¡± Ginessa looked down.


    ¡°Thank you, both of you,¡± Cal turned to leave.


    ¡°No!¡±


    He looked back at Lilah.


    ¡°I have to come. Not enough without me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in no condition¡ª¡± Ginessa began.


    ¡°Okay, hand her over,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What?¡± Ginessa had a betrayed look on her face.


    ¡°Lilah made these sigils. She¡¯s more connected to the entity than anyone else. My instincts are telling me that victory is going to come down to her.¡±


    ¡°But, she¡¯s¡ª I mean, look at her,¡± Ginessa tried.


    ¡°That¡¯s why me, Eron and Lilah are going to kick that thing¡¯s butt as soon as possible. Just get out of the city as fast as you can.¡±


    Cal ignored the protests as he carried Lilah out of the bus.


    The other passengers didn¡¯t object. He couldn¡¯t really blame them. Horrifying experiences had a way of numbing a person to their surroundings.


    ¡°The hell do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± Madalena met them outside.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stop me, Ate Madalena. Have to go to save everyone,¡± Lilah said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like it either,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°But, she¡¯s magic girl and I¡¯ll trust her.¡±


    Madalena tensed.


    It looked like she was about to punch Cal in the face and snatch Lilah out of his arms.


    ¡°Please, Ate,¡± Lilah pleaded. ¡°I have to save Eron¡­ you¡­ everyone before I can¡¯t anymore.¡±


    Cal gaze softened as he looked down at Lilah. ¡°Time is precious. You know that, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Lilah nodded up at him.


    ¡°Madalena, none of us has much time left. It seems that this is Lilah¡¯s and my part to play in this terrible Quest.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t call it that!¡± Madalena snapped. ¡°This isn¡¯t a game!¡±


    ¡°Agreed, but we have no choice either way. Save who you can in the way you can. We¡¯ll do the same.¡±


    Madalena gently touched her forehead to Lilah¡¯s. She glared at Cal. ¡°If anything happens to her¡­¡±


    ¡°I will kill everything in the fog and myself, before I let that happen,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°No sacrifice,¡± Madalena warned Lilah.


    The girl said nothing.


    Madalena wiped her eyes as she headed to the rear of the bus.


    ¡°Take care of yourself, Lilah girl,¡± Cherry called down from the roof.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try,¡± Lilah¡¯s whispered.


    ¡°Don¡¯t try. Do! If it¡¯s between you and either of those boys, you pick yourself,¡± Cherry waved as the bus began to move.


    Madalena gave them one last look as she pushed the bus past them.


    ¡°You should take their words to heart. One shouldn¡¯t be eager for self-sacrifice,¡± Cal said.


    Lilah nodded.


    ¡°Tell me if this gets uncomfortable.¡± Cal shifted his grip so he could take his helmet off. ¡°Put this on. It¡¯s going to be a little sweaty, but it¡¯ll protect your face from the wind.¡±


    ¡°It smells,¡± Lilah¡¯s nose wrinkled.


    ¡°Warned you,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°Shall we?¡±


    Lilah gave him the thumbs up.


    Cal shifted his arms again to shield her frail body from the wind as he ran.


    He hit 50 miles an hour within a handful of strides.


    He could¡¯ve gone faster, but he didn¡¯t want to risk it for Lilah¡¯s sake.


    <hr>


    Rino¡¯s vision cleared. Her thoughts returned. Closer to her human self than the beast. Her time had run out and with it the pain returned.


    An involuntary whine escaped her blood-stained muzzle as she placed too much weight on her broken leg.


    She almost collapsed, but stubborn will kept her standing.


    ¡°What kind of monster is this?¡± a shade sucked in deep breaths as he circled out of Rino¡¯s reach. His shirt was in bloody tatters and bone-deep lacerations marred his face.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. She can barely stand. Let¡¯s just rush her and get this over with,¡± another shade said. The young man was also covered with deep slashes. His right elbow ended in bloody meat from when Rino had chomped right through. His face, a younger version of the first shade¡¯s, was twisted in pain.


    A third shade, a young woman, her eyes glinting in the red glow from the tiger paw-shaped forcefields over her hands, snarled. ¡°She killed Tita Lu. Hold her and I¡¯ll gut her!¡±


    The two men exchanged glances.


    ¡°We¡¯re already dead,¡± the young shade said.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter to me when that monster butchered her like an animal!¡±


    ¡°Young lady, your tita will be back the next time our jailer needs her. Just like we will,¡± the older shade said.


    ¡°Then why are the two of you hesitating?¡±


    The two men shrugged at each other.


    The older charged and leapt at Rino from high while the younger aimed for the side of her good leg.


    Rino caught the older shade around his torso in her right hand. Claws pierced through superhumanly tough skin. The wounds on the shade¡¯s face opened wider and gushed more blood as he grimaced.


    The younger slammed his shoulder into Rino¡¯s knee, but she had managed to turn so that he wasn¡¯t able to break it or tear ligaments and tendons.


    She reached down with her left hand. Rather, she tried. Her arm didn¡¯t respond. It hung limp, torn and tattered from dozens of deep cuts from so many different forcefields.


    She had found the limits of her quickened healing.


    Hobbled by the strong young man, Rino couldn¡¯t do anything to avoid or block the young woman leaping up and slashing forcefield claws across her muzzle.


    Rino hurled the older man, but the young woman ducked out of the way. She laid open the young man¡¯s back with a swipe, but he stubbornly clung to her good leg with his arm.


    The young woman darted in and cut deeply into the hard muscles of Rino¡¯s stomach.


    Rino snarled and blindly swiped with her claws.


    The young woman dipped underneath and dragged gouges into Rino¡¯s inner thigh as she circled to Rino¡¯s back.


    Rino howled and tried to pivot, but her injured leg crumpled.


    The older shade reappeared, landing heavily on her back. One arm encircled her thick neck and tightened like a vise. He landed jackhammer blows to the side of her head with his other fist.


    ¡°Pull her head up!¡± the young woman cried.


    Rino shook her head savagely.


    The man struggled to stay on as he wrestled with her huge muzzle.


    Her huge, teeth-filled muzzle.


    His hand slipped.


    Her jaws snapped shut.


    Dagger-like teeth pierced supertough skin.


    A loud crunch forced a pained shout from the man.


    Rino violently thrashed her head. The bone was hers now and she wasn¡¯t letting go.


    The man screamed as muscles and tendons in his elbow finally gave.


    He tumbled off Rino¡¯s back, dazed from the shock and pain.


    Rino spat the arm out.


    It had tasted horrible.


    Wrong.


    A flash of red crossed Rino¡¯s left eye right before it went dark.


    Pain in her throat.


    Claws piercing, reaching for her windpipe.


    So, that¡¯s what it felt like, Rino thought.


    Rino reached for the young woman, but found her right arm held fast.


    The young man had leapt up and was now dragging her to the ground.


    Rino couldn¡¯t resist.


    Their strength had been too close. Her usual advantage was absent against these shades.


    Rino caught the older man reappearing at the corner of her remaining eye, minus an arm like the younger, but somehow still strong enough to crash into her body and finally knock her to the ground.


    The young woman had clung to Rino through the violence thanks to her clawed-forcefields.


    Rino¡¯s vision dimmed as the grip around her throat tightened.


    The superstrong shades held her down. One on her good arm and the other across her legs.


    ¡°You¡¯re a monster! You deserve this hell more than us!¡± the young woman snarled.


    Darkness.


    <hr>


    Demi sprayed indiscriminate projectile fire from her recoilless rifle into the greenish forcefield dome shielding a small group of shades. It kept them from going on the offensive and that was good enough.


    A shade rushed from the side trailing mist in his wake.


    Amber stepped forward with her conjured blade


    The shade took the strike on an upraised arm.


    She had cut him to the bone, but he was more than strong enough to pull her off-balance with simple twist of the arm. He lashed out and sent Amber flying with a flash of light from her mage armor.


    The shade faced Demi.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡± Rebekah stepped in behind him and separated head from body. She bent over and sucked-in deep lung fulls of air.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Demi¡¯s rifle clicked empty. She reached for a canister at her waist and found none.


    The forcefield generating shade saw this in an instant and dropped it. The shades he had been protecting charged forward.


    The colors of the rainbow and beyond flashed through the swirling mist.


    Rebekah, exhausted, still stepped forward with a desperate swing of her axe.


    A shade blocked with a disk-shaped forcefield at his arm.


    A second shade punched Rebekah in the chest.


    The bone crushing blow sent her flying a dozen feet. She would¡¯ve went further had a rusted car not stopped her flight.


    Demi drew her pistol and squeezed off two shots before the shades were on her.


    Hands grabbed her arm and slapped the weapon free.


    With her other she drew her knife and stabbed wildly as lights flashed in her faceplate. Forcefields and damage alerts tangled in confusion.


    A hit rocked her head back.


    Then another across the back of her knees brought her down.


    Strong hands lifted her up and brought her down with a thud.


    She would¡¯ve been dead hadn¡¯t it not been for the Threnosh armor.


    The shades stood over her and all she could do was curl up as they began to batter her.


    Trevor threw stones that multiplied into many.


    Alexa cast eldritch magic even as her small familiar viciously defended her without regard for its safety.


    Del appeared next to the fallen Amber as if out of thin air and helped the shaky young woman up.


    They had been separated from their captain as they retreated toward the spear line¡¯s left flank.


    Jake waved them on with one hand while the lightning claw surrounding his prosthetic crackled. He pointed toward the middle of the street, where they could see Hanna trying to fight her way through the press of shades separating her from the rest. ¡°Watch Captain Lawrence can take a beating, but Rino¡¯s in trouble! Trevor, you¡¯ve got to help her!¡±


    Trevor stood on his tip toes, then did a bunny hop. ¡°I can¡¯t see her!¡±


    ¡°I can see,¡± Jake said. ¡°Use my eyes.¡±


    ¡°The fuck! How?¡±


    ¡°My Skills,¡± Sgt. Butcher grunted between shots, ¡°just believe it and will it.¡±


    Trevor concentrated for a few seconds. ¡°Holy shit! This is weird,¡± he said.


    ¡°Do it!¡± Jake snapped.


    Trevor muttered something inaudible as he hurled a small stone over the melee.


    One stone became three.


    Each struck a shade in the head.


    Two were too tough to be killed instantly.


    One wasn¡¯t.


    The young woman with her tiger claw forcefield around Rino¡¯s neck collapsed on top of Rino.


    The Weredog suddenly came to life with a roar.


    In the thick of the melee the spears fought and died.


    A woman shade grabbed Brendon¡¯s head in between her hands.


    The woman was slightly-built, but that didn¡¯t mean anything when one had superstrength.


    Brendon was average-sized, but he was in his prime, strong and fit from hard exercise and training. He had lost his spear early in the battle, so he struck at the woman¡¯s face with his tactical, black tomahawk.


    The steel blade cut into the woman¡¯s forehead, but her grip didn¡¯t waver.


    Her hands continued to squeeze Brendon.


    Desperation filled him as he had no choice, but to look into the woman¡¯s resigned eyes. He couldn¡¯t understand why.


    He dropped his tomahawk and drew the sawed-off shotgun from the holster at his side.


    Two point blank shots to the woman¡¯s face finally freed him.


    He raised his shield just in time as the woman punched right through it in a shower of splinters.


    Brendon had cause to regret his choice of an open-faced helmet as they cut his face. He backpedaled, frantically looking around for his teammates.


    He saw the two that had been with him dead on the ground. New recruits from the north. No. That was wrong. They were part of the team even if it had only been a few weeks. They had fought with him. Had died, just like he was about to.


    Brendon tripped over another body and fell on his seat.


    The woman shade with that same dead look on her face appeared in front of him and grabbed his head in between her hands.


    She squeezed.


    Brendon fought like an animal. Punching at her thin wrists and arms to no avail. He might as well have been hitting steel cables.


    ¡°Someone, help¡­¡± he managed to get out right before the end.


    ¡°Brendon!¡± Xing cried out as he rushed, too late. He put everything he had into a swing of his blood-stained crowbar. The hooked end caught the woman in the eye, bursting it like a grape.


    The woman regarded Xing coldly as the Spearman battered her around the head and shoulders to minimal effect. She reached out with hands stained by Brendon¡¯s blood.


    ¡°Spear Thrust!¡±


    A spear whistled past Xing¡¯s ear and plunged into the shade¡¯s other eye.


    The Spearwoman left her weapon as she pulled Xing back closer to the remnants of their formation.


    Behind them.


    Up against the ruined front of what was once Cherry¡¯s restaurant several still bodies lay on the sidewalk.


    Not dead, but injured and unconscious.


    Aims stood protectively over them.


    The antique revolver in each hand felt heavy for all that they were half-empty.


    He wanted nothing more than use them on the shades fighting against his team. Unfortunately, those were his last rounds and he didn¡¯t want to use the Skill he got after the aswang village until the absolutely necessary, which was looking close.


    Sgt. Butcher¡¯s Skills had given him dozens of good shots viewed through the eyes of the others. The shifting tableau would¡¯ve been maddening had he not practiced it often with his ranger squad.


    Still, the number of people added when the Ranger Sergeant had temporarily inducted everyone else into the rangers was making it difficult to concentrate.


    It was starting to make him nauseous, so he pulled back with a thought and focused on his own vision.


    Mouthy stumbled back toward Aims.


    The result of a superpowered punch to the helmet that dented the metal.


    Sgt. Butcher shot the shade in the face as she pulled Mouthy back and ordered her to take a second.


    Mouthy plopped down next to the unconscious Rai and squinted up at Aims. ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s time you used your super bullets? We¡¯re just about fucked.¡±


    ¡°Guns need to be empty first and I can¡¯t waste them. It has to be a last chance kind of thing.¡±


    ¡°Fucking wait too long and you¡¯ll be the only one left. Explain that to Ranger Captain Pena.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯ll understand.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, fuck you too¡­ we can¡¯t lose this. Not after everyone we¡¯ve already lost,¡± Mouthy said.


    A pair of shades broke around to their right flank and headed straight for them.


    Aim¡¯s coolly aimed and fired.


    A bullet in an eye for each.


    ¡°3 left,¡± Aims whispered as the shades hit the ground before returning to the fog. ¡°Smores pointed something out to me when I got that Skill. I just figured hollow-point, armor-piercing, the standard stuff. The kid opened my eyes. Helped me conceptualize all sorts of possibilities.¡±


    ¡°Dumbass genius loved theory-crafting shit,¡± Mouthy agreed.


    ¡°I just realized he¡¯s never going to get the chance to see what my Skill can do.¡±


    Mouthy let out a long breath and spat before climbing to her feet.


    ¡°You sure you can go back into the blender?¡± Aims said.


    ¡°No, but I¡¯m gonna do it anyways. For Smores and the others.¡± Mouthy walked toward the melee on unsteady legs only to nearly fall over as Del suddenly appeared in front of her.


    Mouthy drew her machete back, but relaxed a split-second later. ¡°The fuck, man!¡±


    Del gasped for air. He was hunched over with the weight on his back. The unconscious Rebekah.


    ¡°She alive?¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Del nodded. ¡°Broken ribs. I need to check to make sure one didn¡¯t go into a lung.¡±


    Mouthy helped the thin man carry Rebekah over to where they had placed their other wounded.


    Max stumbled over as the rest of the Watch fell back behind the defensive line on the left flank. The one-armed man looked like he could barely stand.


    ¡°Might want to sit down,¡± Aims suggested.


    Max waved the concern away.


    Aims eyed the thorny vines wound around Max¡¯s remaining arm.


    How had the man managed to do that in the middle of a city street?


    He had been under the impression that Max had needed some kind of nature for his spells.


    Another question Smores could¡¯ve probably answered.


    The thought brought a pang to Aim¡¯s chest.


    A flash of movement out of the corner of his right eye had him pointing his revolvers only to find a wide-eyed Jimenez, staring at him like a frozen squirrel.


    Aims moved his revolvers out of her face with a curse.


    The small woman took a tentative breath.


    ¡°I thought you were on the bus with the others.¡±


    ¡°I got off with them,¡± Jimenez pointed at the Watch.


    ¡°Brave, but you were better off getting out of here. You¡¯ve got good sneaking and hiding abilities, but that¡¯s not of much use right now.¡±


    ¡°I just¡­ it didn¡¯t feel right leaving when I wasn¡¯t hurt like the others.¡±


    ¡°Sure, okay¡­ just try to pick your spots. Shoot and vanish, keep moving.¡±


    ¡°That was my plan, but I got a spike from my danger sense.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s fucking a lot of that all over the place,¡± Mouthy snorted.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m getting all that, but I just got one from in there,¡± Jimenez pointed into the darkened interior of the restaurant.


    The fog-filled interior.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Aims cursed.


    He saw movement.


    ¡°Mouthy, Del! Pull them away from the windows!¡± Aim¡¯s fired his remaining rounds into the human shapes. Even with his enhanced eyes and aiming he wasn¡¯t sure if he had managed eyeball shots. He didn¡¯t see the flash of forcefields. ¡°Max, any magic you can do would be great!¡±


    The one-armed man grunted. ¡°There are plants in there,¡± he said through clenched jaw. ¡°If I can¡ª¡± he held out his thorn covered arm.


    Max¡¯s entire body swayed as Mouthy and Del hurriedly dragged their unconscious comrades away.


    There was a rumbling sound from within the restaurant.


    ¡°Roses¡­¡± Max muttered. ¡°Thorn Wall.¡±


    Aims flinched as several things hidden by the fog shattered.


    Small particles struck him in the face.


    Dirt?


    The fog swirled as what was once small, grew to an impossibly large size.


    Thorn-covered stems as thick around as a man¡¯s arms twisted and shaped into a barricade that blocked whatever, whomever, was inside the restaurant.


    Magic.


    Smores would¡¯ve found the sight fascinating.


    ¡°It won¡¯t hold them long,¡± Max gasped.


    Indeed, the wall was already shaking as super strong hands tore at it. The telltale glow of forcefields could be seen as they sliced at the stems.


    Aims sighted through a tiny gap.


    ¡°Special Round: Explosive Stun.¡±


    He felt the empty revolver in his left hand suddenly grow just that much heavier.


    Bang!


    The round whistled through the gap.


    A bright flash was followed by a loud crack.


    Almost like a flashbang.


    Keen eyes saw bodies drop or stagger.


    Of course, it¡¯d take more than that to put down a supertough shade.


    Aims leveled the revolver in his right hand.


    ¡°Special Round: Explosive Incendiary.¡±


    Bang!


    Fire bloomed, consuming the interior of the restaurant in intense flames that lit up the gray gloom.


    The shades inside burned. Their durability and toughness had limits.


    ¡°Motherfuckingshit!¡± Mouthy snapped. ¡°Do it to them!¡± she jabbed a finger at the rest of the shades.


    Aims sagged and was forced to take a knee. ¡°One a day per gun. Wipes me out.¡±


    Mouthy let lose a string of expletives before once again heading into the fight.


    ¡°That¡¯s it for me,¡± Aims looked up to Max, Del and Jimenez. ¡°I¡¯m well and truly empty.¡±


    ¡°We won¡¯t let the shades get past us,¡± Del said.


    Max was unsteady, but he, along with Jimenez nodded.


    ¡°Thanks, Smores,¡± Aims said as he sat down and helplessly watched the battle continue.


    Behind them, the restaurant and the thorn wall burned.


    While in the distance, a rooster crowed.


    <hr>


    What might¡¯ve been the most powerful jet of water in recorded human history slammed Eron through a building. It shredded his shirt before he managed to get out from under it.


    He blindly cut into a narrow alleyway that led to a shanty town.


    The ibingan circled over head, searching.


    Eron crouched low to the ground and reoriented himself.


    The senate building was still a mile or two away by his reckoning.


    Despite its immense size the ibingan was both fast and accurate.


    Eron heard an intake of breath that sounded like a turbine spinning up. He launched himself forward just as another jet of high pressure water shot out of the ibingan¡¯s mouth.


    It was like a weaponized fire hose.


    Eron would¡¯ve laughed had the thin stream not cut into the asphalt below his boots and the concrete blocks and aluminum siding of the make-shift homes as it traced its way after him.


    He burst through the shanty town as the ibingan cut a swathe of destruction in his wake.


    Once again he emerged out on a street in a nice-looking area. Trendy shops, well¡­ they were a decade ago. Abandoned ones lined both sides of the street.


    Eron zig-zagged in an effort to throw off the ibingan¡¯s aim.


    The giant dragon-serpent opened its maw and let loose.


    The stream sliced through the buildings like a scalpel through skin.


    Eron ran up to the back of the car, lifted it up and quickly walked his hands to the center of the undercarriage. He turned and hurled the rusted hulk at the diving ibingan.


    A jet of water sliced through it and forced him to jump back to avoid it.


    He crashed into a power pole. He ripped it out of the ground and gave it his best home run swing.


    The impact of the pole hitting the side of the ibingan¡¯s draconic head sent a shockwave across the street that shattered windows. The ibingan demolished an entire block of buildings with its train-sized body.


    Eron threw the power pole at it then turned and ran.


    Half a mile, that¡¯s how far he had gone before the ibingan caught up again.


    He cursed.


    He could cover more ground, much faster by leaping. However, that would¡¯ve left him vulnerable while in the air without a way to truly change direction.


    The ibingan was proving frighteningly accurate with its breath attack¡­ spit attack?


    The ibingan he had faced in the past didn¡¯t have any breath weapons. He was starting to think that it had been a younger one.


    This time the ibingan spat a glob of reddish liquid.


    Eron juked to the right.


    Bits of asphalt went flying from the force and suddenness of the move.


    The glob hit the ground and immediately sizzled as it ate through.


    Great, Eron thought.


    Venom? Acid? Whatever the substance? It was highly corrosive.


    As Eron found out a few minutes later.


    He ducked around the corner of a building just as a red glob hit.


    It ate through the material like nothing and a few droplets landed on Eron¡¯s arm and back.


    Burning pain!


    It had been a long time since he had felt something of such intensity.


    He fought the instinct to wipe away to the droplets with his bare hand.


    He thought to tear a piece of fabric from his jeans, but the corrosive substance worked fast. All he could do was watch in horror as the flesh on his arm dissolve.


    A large patch of skin just sizzled away.


    Red muscle bled.


    He waited for that too to be eaten away.


    It didn¡¯t.


    A small drop was enough to get through his skin, but not more.


    Good to know.


    He had an exposed patch of muscle on his arm and no doubt several on his back.


    There were worse things to deal with.


    The pain began to dull.


    He resolved to avoid a second experience.


    He took to running through the buildings for added cover.


    Walls barely slowed him as the ibingan alternated attacks from overhead.


    Entire city blocks were annihilated.


    Eron burst through one last building to emerge onto a wide street.


    He smelled the ocean on the wind.


    After a few more blocks of desperate sprinting with the giant dragon-serpent on his trail he saw his destination.


    So close.


    He hurled cars and light poles at the ibingan as he ran.


    The senate building was only a few hundred yards away.


    A few more seconds and the ibingan would be forced to back off.


    At least that¡¯s what Eron had been counting on.


    Surely, the fog entity would avoid friendly-fire.


    The ibingan suddenly crowed, like a rooster greeting the morning sun.


    Eron blinked in momentary confusion before pain filled his head.


    He had been wrong.


    Though it sounded like a rooster at first. It was impossibly loud, enough that it was the only sound he could hear. And it caused him great pain.


    He felt something pop in his right ear, felt wetness drip out and down his cheek.


    He staggered, stumbled to his hands and knees.


    He felt the immense presence of the ibingan as it swooped down.


    Eron tried to rise, but his head spun.


    He looked up and saw nothing but sword-like teeth in a great yawning maw. The thin fog did nothing to conceal the ibingan.


    He raised his fists even as everything in his vision swirled.


    The ibingan¡¯s jaws suddenly snapped shut dozen feet away from Eron.


    Enormous eyes narrowed as it deliberately turned its head away from Eron back to the way they had come from.


    He thought he could see a faint glow rising up through the thin fog and the buildings in the distance.


    Eron was thrown back by the displaced wind the ibingan¡¯s massive body made as it undulated away.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take it¡­ even if it¡¯s just a trick,¡± Eron muttered.


    He picked bits of asphalt from the exposed muscles in his arm as he stumbled toward the senate building.

 Interlude: Strella 1.9

    ¡°Record,¡± Ariaska uttered in horror as the crowd surged over the line of town guards and became a violent mob in truth. She forced her eyes to stay on the action. This was important to the chronicle she was going to write. She would be able to review what she captured over the next hour or so in her memories. She would be able to re-live the memories as she experienced it the first time.


    Her best Skill, was also her worst one.


    ¡°Well¡­ at least I¡¯m getting rid of the bandit attack,¡± she said. ¡°Not that this is much better.¡±


    The memory of a bandit¡¯s guts sloughing out of his sliced stomach right in front of her flashed through her mind.


    ¡°Nope, this is better. At least I¡¯m not in the middle of it this time.¡±


    Ariaska had found a three story building a few blocks away with an external staircase that allowed her to get up on the roof.


    The torches carried by the mob lit up the dark night and made observing the melee possible.


    She cringed, but forced herself to watch as town guards were swarmed and beaten by the thousand plus strong mob. She saw normal people take spears in the gut or iron-capped batons to the skull.


    The surge carried the mob to the council hall.


    Torches flew.


    The wooden structure began to burn.


    ¡°Oh no¡­ if the lord dies¡­¡± she shook her head.


    The army would be sent for immediately.


    She had a crushing realization that Justiciar Strella was already too late.


    The unrest would either grow into open rebellion or be brutally crushed.


    In both cases there would be plenty of suffering and death for everyone, even those not involved.


    She heard a distinct pop in the distance, audible over the the screams of the dying and their killers. Frantically, she scanned the chaotic mass and found the justiciar battling her way through the thick press on the street and into an alley.


    Ariaska cursed.


    She ran for the stairs.


    It looked like Strella was after someone.


    ¡°Follow The Story,¡± Ariaska huffed.


    Activating the Skill gave her a sixth sense that allowed her to know the direction the story she was working on lay.


    Several minutes of frantic running through dark streets and alleys guided by her ability led her to Strella and several dozen townsfolk squaring off beneath the torchlight.


    Ariaska hid behind the corner of the building, peaking out so that she could capture the action to come. She saw one of the crowd flee into an alley. She couldn¡¯t make out any features from the distance, but the small size of the figure suggested a woman. Was that the justiciar¡¯s suspect? Jocuvel?


    There was nothing she could do about that. It wasn¡¯t her responsibility. She was here to write a chronicle. To do that she had to watch and consign everything she observed to memory.


    Thus, she watched as Strella stabbed and cut her way through an enraged mob of bakers, cooks, cleaners and servers. Just normal people, who should¡¯ve been at home or working and not fighting and dying in the streets.


    Strella thrust the tip of her rapier into the middle-aged man¡¯s throat as she slid back.


    The matronly woman raised a rolling pin over her head and gave an inarticulate cry of rage as she charged from Strella¡¯s right side.


    Strella knew exactly what the woman was going to do. The tip of her rapier lashed out and carved through the woman¡¯s throat. The woman¡¯s heavy body sent a cloud of dust into the air as she hit the street.


    Strella kept her reading of the mob quick and short. Just enough of a touch on their thoughts to know what they were about to do in the moment. Too much and she risked being overwhelmed by their combined thoughts.


    She continued to backpedal as dozens of enraged townsfolk sought to swarm her.


    Quick thrusts and cuts with the flick of her wrist kept them at the end of her 4 foot long blade.


    A bull-necked man reached out.


    A Blacksmith.


    She knew that he was stronger than he looked, which was saying much considering the size of his broad chest and thick arms.


    Still, Strella let him grab the blade. His thick leather gloves wouldn¡¯t be enough protection.


    Threnium metal was sharper and stronger than common steel.


    She withdrew her blade and sliced the man to the bone.


    The blade returned like lighting, lancing into the man¡¯s throat.


    Blood quickly wet his bushy, green beard.


    A dark thought struck Strella. The combination of colors was pleasing to the eye.


    Strella stepped to the left to avoid the three-pronged pitchfork thrust from a young Farmer. She grabbed the wood behind the tines and pulled.


    No movement.


    Farmers tended to have physical strength enhancing Skills, just like Blacksmiths.


    She brought her blade down on the wood haft with a flick of her wrist. It happened so quickly that the young man suddenly stumbled back. Half of his pitchfork¡¯s wooden half still in his hands.


    Strella stepped toward the young man.


    An axe blade whistled past the side of her helmet.


    She thrust the tip of her rapier into the young man¡¯s chest while stabbing the iron tines of the pitchfork into the axe-wielding old man¡¯s gut.


    Young and old. The two men couldn¡¯t have been more different except for their place in society. One had lived a long, happy, if hard life. While the other had the same to look forward to.


    No longer.


    The red that painted their simple clothing marked them, bound them together as people, as human beings.


    Strella shut their books. She couldn¡¯t afford sentimentality.


    These people didn¡¯t truly deserve to die, but it was her life or theirs.


    She knew that there was no reasoning with them. Not while Jocuvel¡¯s Skills had thrown kindling and oil on the smoldering embers of resentment that the lords and council had cultivated for generations.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    The blaze would burn in the people until there was nothing left to consume in anyone.


    Strella stumbled as a heavy blow struck her back.


    The perils of not wearing steel plate armor.


    She had always relied on her ability to be a step ahead of her opponents. She knew what they intended to do before they consciously did.


    The tough, padded fabric of her coat and clothing blunted the strength of the blow.


    Bruised, but not broken.


    Strella let the momentum carry her forward.


    Her rapier found a home in yet another throat, while the pitchfork found one in the thigh of another. She pulled both weapons back quickly. Blocking and trapping the downward slash of a long knife between the pitchfork tines with her left, while painting a red line across a set of eyes with her right.


    Strella ignored the sounds assaulting her ears. Screams of the dying and the enraged.


    The shadows cast by the torchlight danced furiously in the chaos.


    Even her vision became less important as she fully invested herself in her gift.


    She let her blade dip to the ground since she read a young Barmaid¡¯s intent to knock it aside with a broomstick. The young woman stumbled forward from the unexpected lack of resistance.


    Strella hammered the pommel down on the back of the young woman¡¯s head. She left the young woman face down on the street amidst the broken pieces of the broomstick.


    From that Strella immediately spun and swept her blade in a wide, horizontal arc in front of her to keep the townsfolk at bay. She shuffled back while the people sought to encircle her.


    Several pushed through the mob and rushed her.


    Strella knew their movements.


    She stepped her lead leg at an angle to her right while thrusting her rapier.


    A man dropped and tried to clutch the blade in his stomach.


    Strella was horrified by what she read.


    The man owned a food stall. A kindly sort that let those he knew lacked coin eat on the promise of future repayment. He believed that no human should go hungry and he willingly earned less profit to stick to that creed. Many would go hungry in the future because of what she had just done.


    The man¡¯s life, everything he had been and might¡¯ve been flashed through his mind before it became nothing.


    All of this shot through Strella¡¯s thoughts in the instant that she pivoted her back leg around her front in order to thrust her blade into the eye of a mother of four young children. The knife in the woman¡¯s hand clattered to the ground. Her body followed.


    Strella spun the halved pitchfork in her hand to hold it like a chisel. She stabbed behind her.


    A heavy weight settled on her back. She withdrew the pitchfork and stepped forward to let the body fall.


    She kept moving.


    A step, a shuffle, a lunge, a twist.


    Makeshift weapons and everyday tools struck at her from all directions.


    Most missed by the barest of margins.


    But not all of them did.


    A Butcher hacked a cleaver into her left arm. She moved away from the blow, but couldn¡¯t avoid it entirely.


    Red soaked the sleeve of her coat.


    The Butcher roared as he dug a meat hook into her side. The sharp point pierced right through the thick fabric and padding of her coat.


    The fires of pain burned in her side as the strong man pulled her.


    She parried a pair of short choppers with the rapier in her right while striking the Butcher¡¯s wrist with wood haft of her pitchfork.


    The eyes of the chopper-wielding brothers were red with unnatural rage as they tried to get past Strella¡¯s darting blade.


    ¡°Kill you!¡± the Butcher roared as he raised the cleaver in his right.


    Because of the hook in her side and the man¡¯s position behind her, she couldn¡¯t reach him with the pitchfork without turning.


    So, she did what she had to.


    She spun, the hook tore her flesh, but she was now free to stab the pitchfork up into the bottom of the man¡¯s jaw.


    The man slashed down with the cleaver.


    She released the pitchfork to block the man¡¯s arm.


    The impact jarred, but she deflected the blow enough to send it wide.


    The man went down gurgling blood.


    Strella turned her attention to the two brothers.


    She parried a chopper strike, then smoothly slid the tip of her rapier into the one on the left¡¯s throat. She snatched the chopper from the falling man¡¯s hand as she stepped into a second thrust, this time into the one on the right¡¯s stomach.


    She buried the chopper into the side of a screeching woman¡¯s neck. The woman¡¯s stabbing knife missed as Strella took a small step to her right.


    A flick of her right wrist cut the life from yet another man.


    Strella withdrew the chopper from the woman¡¯s neck. The red spray painted the nose and cheek guards of Strella¡¯s helm.


    A thrust spear tore a hole through Strella¡¯s coat, but missed her body completely as she shifted to one side.


    She threw the chopper at the spear-wielding man.


    The weapon spun in the air once and clubbed the man in the face with the end of its handle.


    The chopper wasn¡¯t balanced for throwing, but she couldn¡¯t put all the blame on it.


    Nevertheless, the man lost his hold on the spear, which let her grab it, spin it and thrust it into another man.


    Strella continued to give ground in exchange for keeping the mob from completely surrounding her. She shifted from defense to attack smoothly. Knowing exactly what the townsfolk were about to do made it possible.


    A parry led to a thrust.


    To a cutting flick of the wrist.


    Her body swayed to one side to avoid a sharpened stick, which plunged into a man charging from behind her.


    She spun the spear over her head in a wide circle buying her space and a brief opening to back out of the encirclement.


    She thrust the spear into a charging man, who¡¯s death grip wrenched it out of her hand as he fell.


    Others rushed her again. She continued to cut and thrust while desperately retreating.


    She knew that she was being backed against the side of a building as the mob spread out.


    She was plotting her way out of that trap when a rock flew out of the darkness and clanged against her helm. She hadn¡¯t seen that one coming.


    A moments distraction was all it took.


    She blocked a stick strike with her arm. The padded sleeve did little to blunt the pain, even if it saved her from a broken arm.


    Hands grasped her sword arm even as she cut two men down in quick succession.


    Fingers pulled at her own.


    Too many and too strong.


    They dislocated several of her fingers as they disarmed her.


    She trapped the stick-wielder¡¯s arm against her side, hooking her left arm underneath his, she pressed up bending his elbow in an unnatural direction.


    The man screamed as she took the stick from him and proceeded to hammer at the hands and arms pulling on her.


    Pain inflicted on those in an altered state of mind was ignored.


    She absorbed blows all over her body.


    Fists, sticks and stones struck her helm, causing bright lights to dance in her vision. She tasted blood in her mouth. She hadn¡¯t noticed that she had bitten the inside of her cheek.


    Her body absorbed painful blows that rattled her bones and drove the wind out of her lungs.


    A blow to the side of her knee caused it to buckle.


    Strella fought to stay on her feet.


    It was certain death if she fell here.


    Desperation kept her from going down that dark corridor.


    She elbowed a man in the throat. He went away choking for air, but two more replaced him.


    She slammed her helmeted head into an old woman¡¯s face. Blood and broken bits of teeth went flying as the woman gurgled.


    A thick arm wrapped itself around her neck.


    A knife-wielding young woman stabbed at Strella¡¯s stomach.


    She covered herself with her right arm.


    The blade stabbed through the tough fabric of her sleeve and into her arm, stopping when it hit bone.


    Strella couldn¡¯t feel pain now. Her life was in the balance. Her body was doing all it could to let her fight for it.


    She stomped her heel on the foot of the man choking her.


    It bought her the space to slam the back of her steel helm into his face.


    One last option was left.


    She drew her metal shooter and through hazy vision aimed it at the closest person.


    The loud bang shook the night air.


    Blood, brains, bones, flesh and hair painted a handful of people.


    The mob was stunned for a moment.


    However, Strella could still see the rage in their eyes.


    Her respite was temporary.

 5.39

    Now, Manila


    ¡°No shades,¡± Cal said. ¡°Fog¡¯s a lot thinner too. I think it¡¯s putting everything it has into stopping us.¡±


    Lilah nodded weakly.


    ¡°The sigils you made? They causing you¡­ problems?¡±


    Another nod.


    ¡°You¡¯re maintaining a bunch of them around the city, right? Can you drop them remotely?¡±


    A vehement shake of the head.


    ¡°Can¡¯t or won¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°I have to keep them safe,¡± Lilah said weakly.


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure that they don¡¯t need your protection right now. If you drop the wards at the other sanctuaries I think that¡¯ll improve your physical condition and give you more strength for what we¡¯re running to.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°From what Madalena said most of our relatives¡­¡± Cal shook his head in disgust, ¡°shades, I mean¡­ are attacking your main sanctuary. That tells me the fog is focusing on the rest of my team. I haven¡¯t been attacked by a shade since I left the house with those four as¡ª a-holes. We haven¡¯t been attacked either. You¡¯ve been here longer than I have. Is that how it usually is? Eron¡¯s messages said that he always got attacked whenever he went out.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Cal ran on in silence. He didn¡¯t like pushing Lilah too much. The girl was obviously struggling. The important question was how much danger was she in? Was death on the table? Or would her magic give out first in an effort to keep her alive?


    The thin fog allowed for improved visibility so that he couldn¡¯t have missed the giant ibingan undulating in the sky a few miles in front of them


    Lilah gasped as she caught sight of it a second later.


    ¡°I¡¯ll say¡­ it seems to be traveling in the same direction us.¡± He squinted. ¡°It¡¯s breathing¡­ water?¡±


    Cal kept running, keeping his arms steady so as to not jostle Lilah too much.


    They lost and regained sight of the dragon-serpent as taller buildings and trees obscured it.


    A strange feeling made him glance down at Lilah.


    The girl¡¯s eyes were wide as she pointed one shaky finger at the ibingan. ¡°We have to go¡­¡±


    ¡°I was thinking we¡¯d avoid it¡ª shit!¡± Cal realized something.


    The ibingan was attacking something or someone.


    Probability suggested that there were only a few possibilities.


    Only two or three other people in the area that he knew off could¡¯ve been moving fast enough judging by the ibingan¡¯s speed and attacks.


    He felt it then.


    A faint thread connecting him to Lilah and to another thing.


    A burst of noise in his head almost caused him to trip.


    Lilah winced.


    ¡°Did you¡ª did you feel that?¡±


    The girl¡¯s eyes were screwed shut as she nodded.


    ¡°It was rough,¡± Cal agreed.


    His mind was silent again, but for that one moment it had been like it was before he had entered the fog.


    Ten thousand voices in his head, whispering, shouting, screaming.


    Accompanying those had been others. Many more. Inhuman snarling, roaring, hissing.


    ¡°You¡¯re a strong girl.¡±


    Even if Lilah had only gotten a fraction of what he did¡­ he could only shake his head.


    ¡°I think¡ª I think it¡¯s after Kuya Eron,¡± Lilah whispered.


    ¡°33% chance of that,¡± Cal muttered. ¡°I have to find a safe place to leave you. I can¡¯t bring you to face that thing.¡±


    ¡°I can help.¡±


    ¡°Not in your condition.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure that it¡¯ll be okay if I stop protecting the other sanctuaries?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Cal lied. He was mostly sure, but not a hundred percent. ¡°If you do that, you¡¯re doing it at my word. I want to make that clear,¡± he added.


    Lilah frowned up at him.


    He hoped that if it went bad then she¡¯d put most of the blame on him. Even if she didn¡¯t seem like the type to do that.


    ¡°Can you bring us closer?¡±


    ¡°How far away?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll say when.¡±


    Cal nodded and put on a burst of speed.


    The wind whipped through his hair while he did his best to shield Lilah in his arms.


    The ibingan grew bigger as Cal quickly got closer.


    A rooster crowed in the distance. It took him a moment to realize that the sound had come from the ibingan.


    He was looking for a safe place to stash Lilah when she called out.


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    Cal skidded and sent a spray of asphalt ahead of him.


    Lilah struggled and it took him a second to realize that she wanted to stand on her own.


    He warily lowered her to the street and hovered behind her like she was a baby taking her first unsteady steps.


    Each step forward grew stronger until she stopped and stood in the middle of the street. Weak, but steady.


    Cal watched over Lilah¡¯s head as she traced a finger in the air in front of her.


    A yellow-gold glow emerged, light trailing from her finger.


    Deft movement revealed the same sigil that he had seen on the wall of the small house he had taken shelter in when he had fallen into the fog.


    ¡°It is coming,¡± Lilah said in a dreamy-sounding voice.


    ¡°What is?¡± Cal said warily.


    ¡°It¡­¡±


    Cal looked up.


    The ibingan undulated in the sky with surprising speed.


    ¡°It¡¯s headed right for us!¡±


    Lilah didn¡¯t give any indication that she had heard him.


    The ibingan reminded Cal of an oncoming train.


    ¡°Uh, Lilah?¡±


    He reached out to grab her and run away, but stopped.


    Her out-stretched hand was still held up to the sigil as it pulsed, sending light out that burned the fog around them.


    The ibingan grew larger by the second.


    Something stayed Cal¡¯s hand.


    He peeked at Lilah¡¯s face and found her staring up at the ibingan. Her brow was scrunched in concentration, jaw clenched tight.


    The ibingan was close enough that he could see droplets of reddish spittle flying from its maw. The sword-like teeth seemed to shine as its tongue flicked out.


    ¡°I guess we¡¯re doing this.¡± Cal stepped up next to the statue-still Lilah.


    The ibingan swooped down.


    Cal brought a hand up. Instinctively calling on telekinetic powers that didn¡¯t respond. He felt something in his mind like a locked box rattling from the inside.


    He saw nothing except an enormous maw large enough to swallow him and Lilah.


    The sigil suddenly flared.


    Cal had enough.


    He jumped in front of Lilah and swept her up in his arms, cradling her close as the Ibingan swept over the two of them.


    The sigil undid it utterly.


    As soon as the dragon-serpent drew near it began to dissolve into mist.


    Cal felt a heavy weight strike him in the back, reminding him of being blindsided by a wave at the beach.


    The force washed over him.


    Wind violently buffeted him. He braced himself as best as he could while sound thundered in his ears as the train rumbled past him and darkened his vision.


    Lilah whimpered in his arms.


    It felt like an eternity before the eerie silence of the fog-shrouded street returned.


    Cal blinked down at Lilah.


    He looked back and saw an empty street.


    Lilah¡¯s sigil was gone and the fog was already reclaiming the space.


    ¡°You got rid of your other wards?¡±


    ¡°I had to¡­ to do that,¡± Lilah said.


    ¡°Very impressive. If you don¡¯t mind, I mean you don¡¯t have to answer, but¡­ what¡¯s your Class. I¡¯m just curious.¡±


    ¡°Sigilist,¡± Lilah replied sheepishly.


    ¡°That sounds cool!¡± Cal held his arms out. ¡°The way¡¯s clear, but Eron¡¯s got a head start and we need to hurry to catch up.¡±


    Lilah nodded.


    He picked her up and sprinted down the street.


    <hr>


    Eron tore what was left of his shirt to use as a bandage for the open wound on his arm. Not exactly the most hygienic of options, but he had no other choice. Years of being nigh invulnerable and a fast healer meant that he had never carried first aid supplies. He couldn¡¯t do anything for the wounds on his back. He had to let them drip blood, which slowly seeped into his pants.


    ¡°Nothing worse than bloody swamp butt,¡± he muttered.


    His footsteps echoed in the huge lobby of the senate building.


    Eerie didn¡¯t begin to describe the feeling of being the lone person inside the massive building. Thousands of people must¡¯ve gone through it on a daily basis back in the old days.


    The fog was a light mist. It caressed his face and his bare torso as he walked. There was a presence. He could feel it all around him. Eyes watching, ears listening. He knew that he couldn¡¯t escape its notice.


    ¡°Might as well come out,¡± he said. ¡°This is a huge place, but I can move pretty quick. It won¡¯t take long to find you.¡±


    He pushed through a door and into a wide corridor. He paused and listened. He couldn¡¯t see in the dark as he was now. The gray gloom outside didn¡¯t provide much light despite the presence of multiple windows.


    He tried, but couldn¡¯t decide if the feeling he was getting came from a particular direction, so he picked a random direction to continue in.


    ¡°Look¡­ you want to end this as much as I do,¡± he said.


    The direction he had chosen ended in an intersection with two options.


    Left or right?¡±


    After a moment¡¯s hesitation he took the right corridor.


    Minutes passed as he walked the dark corridors. Several more turns saw him standing in from of a door. He walked through and emerged into a grand chamber.


    On his left was a raised dais with several long, fancy-looking desks. One was on the highest level, while the other two where in front of it on next.


    To his right was where the delegates, guests and other people must¡¯ve sat. The floor level had more wooden desks and padded chairs. Surrounding that was tiered seating.


    ¡°Just like a high school auditorium, except much fancier,¡± he muttered.


    A slight rustling sound caught his sensitive ears.


    He followed it to the enormous flag hanging on the wall just behind the highest seat on the dais.


    ¡°Are you hiding behind the flag?¡± he mocked. ¡°C¡¯mon, man¡­ you¡¯ve been throwing everything at me this whole time and now you get shy?¡±


    He considered going up and ripping the flag down, but decided that was disrespectful. Governments no longer truly existed in the post-spires world, but he supposed they could be given their memorials. The flag would eventually rot anyways.


    Something pricked the back of his neck. He spun in an instant with a swing of his arm.


    Nothing.


    Just gray swirling around him, as if in mockery.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± he muttered.


    He let out a frustrated breath and entered the chamber.


    He climbed the dais and sat down in the highest seat.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°I¡¯m the president now¡­¡±


    He stared out into the cavernous senate chamber. He imagined forms of mist and shadow in all of the seats. Faces and names he once knew, along with those he didn¡¯t. Once living, now dead. How many had he failed over the years?


    ¡°One is too many,¡± he decided.


    He had to find it. Had to kill it. More lives were on his shoulders. Lilah, Madalena, Dr. Rufo, Cherry, the kids, his dad, maybe even Cal.


    ¡°Bro, if you¡¯re out there reading my mind, now is a good time for an assist?¡± he looked up to the ceiling, but only saw darkness.


    Ultimately, he was alone in this. As he usually was when fighting the worst of what the spires had brought to his world.


    The chamber felt oppressive despite its grand size. He felt lesser without his full power. His senses were muffled. He was weak, tired. Months of physical violence had worn him down more than he had ever let on. The aches and pains had settled in so deeply that he couldn¡¯t remember what it had been like before.


    Eron was weary on all levels. He felt as if the fatigue in his mind, body and soul had seeped into every cell he had.


    He brought his fist down on the desk with an inarticulate shout.


    The heavy, thick wood broke like it was one of those cheap, thin boards they chopped in karate class when he was younger.


    ¡°Fuck!¡±


    So much for respecting the remains of a dead government, a dead country.


    ¡°Nope, fuck that. A government isn¡¯t a country. It¡¯s the people that matter,¡± he said. ¡°So, hurry up and show me your true form. I need to kill you to give these people a chance to rebuild their home.¡±


    There was no response. There was only his own echo.


    Eron left a bloody seat as he continued his search.


    Grand chambers made way to mundane offices. The seat of government needed many people to do the work that truly mattered.


    Most of the offices and cubicles looked as they did over a decade ago.


    Empty coffee mugs on desks.


    Photos of loved ones.


    Tacked notes, old calendars with important dates marked.


    Whomever worked in the cubicle he passed had an anniversary marked at the end of the month.


    He thought back.


    The spires had appeared a few weeks before that day.


    Poor guy probably never saw that day.


    He picked up the picture frame and put it down just as fast.


    That had been a mistake. It was harder when he could put faces to the dark imaginings.


    It was surreal. One could almost think it was empty due to a national holiday if not for the layer of dust on everything.


    But then, one was reminded of reality.


    He entered another office space several minutes later.


    Someone or several someones must¡¯ve been working on that day.


    The cubicles, desks, chairs, everything was in disarray. Huge swathes of the cheap carpet were blackened.


    Blood stains, dried long ago.


    He hurried through the space and entered yet another corridor.


    ¡°Where are you hiding, bastard?¡±


    Eron blinked.


    He realized something.


    There was a spire that had appeared through the senate building. He remembered seeing it from outside, rising out of the roof.


    A theory formed in his thoughts.


    Random wandering wasn¡¯t the best way to search.


    Things from other worlds came through the spires.


    He should¡¯ve started his search from there at the beginning.


    He reoriented himself and set off in the direction where he thought the spire was.


    <hr>


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Lilah began.


    ¡°Wait¡­ what?¡± Cal said.


    They had reached the senate building.


    Cal was taking a moment to assess the situation.


    The first thing he had noticed was a trail of blood leading into the front lobby. That had been good news. It meant that his brother was still alive and able to walk.


    He stared up at the architecture.


    ¡°Sort of like a few pyramids stuck together,¡± he muttered. ¡°So, Lilah. What don¡¯t you know?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I don¡¯t¡ª it¡¯s like¡ª I have this feeling.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re talking about the fog thing?¡±


    Lilah nodded up at him.


    ¡°We had those same dreams, visions, right? I think I have an idea on what you¡¯re getting at, but I¡¯d like to hear your thoughts before I share my own.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just that, like, I can feel it through my magic that it¡¯s inside the building¡­ but also not?¡± Lilah¡¯s scrunched in frustration. ¡°That it¡¯s, like, everywhere too¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m with you on that. I¡¯m starting to think that it doesn¡¯t have a physical form. I mean, from the visions its got a life cycle and maybe early it had one, like a core¡­ do you remember that orb of swirling gray mist? Did you have that same vision?¡±


    ¡°Uh huh,¡± Lilah nodded.


    ¡°It felt as if that had a form that could be destroyed through physical means.¡±


    ¡°Like the dragon guy¡¯s fire?¡±


    Cal nodded.


    It was tripping him out how those dreams were probably memories of past events on other worlds, perhaps hundreds or thousands of years in the past. Plus the fact that he had shared them with Lilah and the fog entity.


    ¡°Or blowing up a landmass, although we never saw the aftermath of that one,¡± he continued. ¡°So, now that its had time to gain strength, maybe its dispersed into all this,¡± he gestured at the thin fog swirling around them.


    ¡°Then we can¡¯t beat it,¡± Lilah¡¯s shoulders slumped.


    ¡°This might be something we can¡¯t just hit until it¡¯s dead. Your magic might be our one chance. Its main essence is in this building. I¡¯m pretty sure of that.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I can feel it in there,¡± Lilah hugged herself.


    ¡°So, what¡¯ll happen if you draw your sigils in the heart of it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Lilah said softly.


    ¡°Bad things for the fog, good things for us.¡±


    Cal still felt that he was missing something. The visions. The life cycle of the fog entity. Those memories had revealed¡­ he didn¡¯t know what.


    A way out of this?


    To free the shades and disperse the fog.


    All while making sure Lilah didn¡¯t die.


    Cal looked up at the spire sticking out of the flat roof near the most pyramid-like section of the building. ¡°It came through the spire. I remember that from the vision,¡± he said.


    ¡°Uh huh. And I saw a huge room with a giant flag,¡± Lilah said.


    ¡°Yeah, me too, but I have no idea where that is in there. I can see the spire. I¡¯m thinking we start our search there. Go floor by floor in the immediate vicinity of it. See if you pick up anything. Hopefully, we¡¯ll make enough noise for my brother to find us.¡±


    Lilah looked at him.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to punch through the roof and the floors. We¡¯ll save time by not having to use the stairs,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°How will we get up there?¡±


    Cal eyed the structures that comprised the senate building. There was a layered look to them. ¡°Like a cake¡­ and pyramids,¡± he said. ¡°We can jump our way up. May I carry you again?¡±


    Lilah nodded.


    He picked her up princess-style and moved toward the lowest lying rooftop.


    A handful of jumps brought them to the spire.


    Cal put Lilah down and moved a short distance away before proceeding to punch and rip a hole in the roof.


    ¡°One second.¡±


    He dropped down into the hole and looked around. Satisfied that there weren¡¯t any dangers, aside from the thin fog, he jumped back to the roof to retrieve Lilah.


    They searched the immediate area around the spire and found nothing.


    Cal repeated the same process to get down to the next lower floor.


    Again nothing.


    They had descended several times when Cal felt something rattle in his thoughts.


    The locked box shook as light peeked out from the cracks.


    He pushed experimentally with his thoughts.


    Still nothing.


    Truth be told a part of him wasn¡¯t eager to get his mental powers back. He had forgotten what it was like to be alone in his head. Not having constant whispers was nice.


    ¡°We¡¯re closer,¡± Lilah whispered.


    ¡°Farther down, you think?¡±


    Lilah nodded.


    ¡°I concur.¡±


    Cal sent tile fragments flying as he punched through the floor.


    Elsewhere in the senate building Eron¡¯s approach to the spire had turned cautious. He had heard what sounded like someone going off with a hammer, like construction or demolition work. It seemed to be going off at regular intervals. A flurry of pounding then silence for ten to fifteen minutes before resuming.


    He used his superior sense of hearing to hone in on the sound.


    He figured that it probably wasn¡¯t the ibingan, since that would¡¯ve been much louder and the entire building would¡¯ve shook if it was ramming it.


    He remembered the light he had seen in the distance drawing the giant dragon-snake away. The suspicion that he knew what that had been was slowly dawning on him.


    So, he wasn¡¯t completely shocked to see two people at the end of a long hallway.


    Happiness, relief and anger mingled freely within him when he realized who they were.


    ¡°Hello?¡± Eron called out from fifty feet away. He still needed to be cautious in case this was another fog trick.


    The figure in armor was in front of the smaller figure in an instant. ¡°The password?¡±


    Cal¡¯s voice was music to Eron¡¯s ears.


    Was it really his brother?


    Eron blinked.


    What password?


    He wracked his memory and came up blank.


    ¡°What¡¯re you talking about? We don¡¯t have a password!¡± he shouted back.


    ¡°You know¡­ the three unrelated words we came up with to test if any of us had been doppelgangered, cloned, duplicated or otherwise ensorcelled.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Okay. That never happened.¡±


    It was hard to see Cal¡¯s expression in the darkness. The gray gloom from the outside barely illuminated the corridor from the lone window at the far end and the hole in the ceiling.


    The translucent faceplate of his fancy, futuristic helmet also did a good job at obscuring his features.


    Eron thought he saw a small smile.


    ¡°That¡¯s true, but it sorta leaves us at an impasse. How do I know you¡¯re really my brother?¡±


    ¡°How do I know that you are?¡± Eron countered.


    ¡°If I was a shade, why would I need to punch through the ceiling?¡±


    ¡°Commitment to the trap,¡± Eron shrugged.


    ¡°Enough! You guys are lame!¡± the smaller figure stomped a tiny foot and tried to walk around the armored figure.


    Cal, if it was Cal, didn¡¯t let her.


    ¡°Lilah?¡± Eron recognized her voice. ¡°Greenwich, Hippo, Punchball.¡±


    ¡°Chocnut, Unicorn, Shooting,¡± Lilah said.


    Eron relaxed.


    He approached.


    ¡°It¡¯s Eron!¡± Lilah dashed forward and leapt into his arms.


    ¡°You should be on a bus,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°If I was the ibingan would¡¯ve eaten you¡­¡± Lilah made a face as she relinquished her embrace. She stared at one hand with growing horror. ¡°Blood¡ª you¡¯re hurt!¡±


    The girl tried to look at his back, but he kept her from doing so.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to do that. It looks gross.¡±


    ¡°I suppose I¡¯ll be settling for a firm handshake then,¡± Cal approached.


    The two brothers clasped hands with grips that could bend steel.


    ¡°Not too hard,¡± Cal warned. ¡°You¡¯ll break my armor.¡±


    ¡°Thought you said it had memory metal qualities. Just a little heating to bring it back to shape.¡±


    ¡°Up to a certain level of damage. Go past that line and broken is broken,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°So, you guys developed a password system?¡± he regarded the other two, ¡°smart.¡±


    ¡°Food, animal and sport,¡± Eron said.


    Cal stared at him with unblinking eyes for a moment. ¡°One of yours isn¡¯t a sport,¡± he said to Eron, ¡°and one of yours isn¡¯t an animal,¡± he turned to Lilah.


    ¡°There might be unicorns out there!¡± Lilah scowled. ¡°There¡¯s dragons and all sorts of monsters and magical creatures now!¡±


    ¡°True,¡± Cal conceded.


    ¡°One day there will be punchball,¡± Eron said flatly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve imagined up some rules,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°More importantly, how was the pizza?¡±


    ¡°You can find out yourself after we take care of the fog. Got a couple of their restaurants cleared and claimed.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait!¡± Cal grinned. ¡°Part of the reason I came all the way here was to eat all the foods and snacks we used to get whenever anyone in your family traveled back from here. Chocnut,¡± he nodded at Lilah, ¡°torrones, fresh hopia¡­¡±


    ¡°You can still get that back in America.¡±


    ¡°But not fresh and authentic. The stuff back there was all refrigerated or frozen,¡± Cal said. ¡°Only true hopia is from Ho-Land.¡±


    Eron and Lilah snickered.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s really mature,¡± Cal said. ¡°Him, it¡¯s expected, but I thought better of you,¡± he turned to Lilah.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a kid,¡± Lilah rolled her eyes.


    ¡°How old are you again?¡± Cal said.


    Lilah glared at him in silence.


    ¡°Cause if you¡¯re not 18, then you¡¯re a kid,¡± Cal grinned. ¡°I¡¯m just kidding,¡± he said after a beat, ¡°not really,¡± he continued.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s you. The fog entity wouldn¡¯t go to these lengths to capture your lameness, like Dad,¡± Eron said. ¡°If you¡¯re here¡ª did you see how the fight at the main sanctuary was going?¡± his eyes darted from Cal to Lilah and back. ¡°The bus? Did they get out? Or¡­¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t speak on the sanctuary. I wasn¡¯t actually planning to enter the fog in the way I did. I did run into the bus, obviously. They were on the way out when we parted after Lilah made me bring her along. I¡¯d say they¡¯ve got a good shot at getting out. I walked through the fog for miles and wasn¡¯t attacked once. Good news, bad news thing, though. I¡¯m also pretty sure that the reason for that was because it¡¯s using all its power to focus on our people at the sanctuary and here with that ibingan,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t remember much from before I woke up on the bus,¡± Lilah said.


    ¡°The ibingan is gone by the way,¡± Cal remarked. ¡°Lilah, did, like, a Gandalf thing. Sent it back to the shadows from whence it came.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not surprised,¡± Eron smiled down at Lilah.


    Her gaze fell to the floor. ¡°I had to drop my other wards though.¡±


    ¡°The right call,¡± Eron nodded. ¡°The fog entity is concentrating on others, which means that the rest of our sanctuaries will be safe for now. As long as we end it soon.¡±


    ¡°We haven¡¯t had much luck finding where its core essence, if it even has one anymore, is hiding,¡± Cal said.


    Something in his brother¡¯s words struck Eron as strange. ¡°It feels like I¡¯ve been wandering around this place for hours. Those mind powers of yours would be a huge help right now.¡±


    Cal shook his head. ¡°They¡¯re locked away from me. Just like your main power set. Though, the box¡¯s been shaking more lately.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t even have that. Mine are just straight gone right now. Has been for months.¡± Eron regarded Lilah. ¡°Do you think you can safely conjure up one of your sigils? Can you do it with a pen or a sharpie? Tons of offices in this place we can search.¡±


    Lilah looked thoughtful, but Cal interrupted before she could answer.


    ¡°What¡¯re you thinking?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Powering up a sigil in here might just shake its box up enough to provoke a reaction, which we might be able to use to find where its real body is hidden.¡±


    ¡°Only if you feel that it won¡¯t be dangerous to you?¡± Cal said to Lilah.


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Eron chimed. ¡°And don¡¯t lie. I know how you are. I¡¯m not letting you risk your life. Not anymore,¡± he warned Lilah.


    ¡°It¡¯s my choice,¡± Lilah frowned, ¡°and I don¡¯t need paints to draw my sigils anymore.¡±


    Eron¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Since when?¡±


    ¡°After I woke up in the bus,¡± Lilah shrugged, uncomfortable with the intense interest. ¡°I don¡¯t remember how, but I just had this feeling that I could do it.¡±


    ¡°Drew it right in the air, all glowing and shining and shi¡ª stuff,¡± Cal added. ¡°Twas very cool. Top ten of most awesome things I¡¯ve seen. The way that ibingan was bearing down on us like a train with a mouth full of teeth¡­¡±


    ¡°Okay, but be careful, don¡¯t hesitate to drop it if it feels dangerous,¡± Eron said.


    Lilah nodded and began.


    Her lips moved and strange words drifted into the thin mist. Her finger traced a symbol in the air. The ghostly translucence slowly gave way to the familiar yellow-gold color.


    ¡°Eron, listen,¡± Cal whispered, ¡°I¡¯m not sure that this is a punch it and make it go away type of problem. I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shhh¡­ you¡¯ll distract her.¡±


    Time seemed to pass with agonizing slowness as Lilah continued to work her magic.


    Eron could feel it in the air. A palpable presence that warmed his insides. Comforting like a fireplace on a cold night. Hot chocolate and other things that had kept him warm in the past.


    Those days felt like another life.


    He realized that he had never been physically cold after his powers had developed. Not even when he had flown beyond what altitudes commercial jets could reach. Not even when he had flown to Antarctica nor to the peaks of snow-packed mountains. The depths of the oceans hadn¡¯t done anything to dim the heat that had been inside of him.


    He had forgotten the physical cold.


    Not so with the other kind.


    Eron¡¯s reverie was interrupted by a bright flash of light.


    Lilah¡¯s sigil hovered a few inches over her cupped palm.


    The fog burned away in her immediate vicinity.


    He noticed the tightness in the girl¡¯s features. Sweat beaded on her forehead.


    ¡°You¡¯ve burned away the fog in about a ten foot radius. The effect doesn¡¯t seem to be extending beyond that,¡± Cal¡¯s head was on a swivel.


    ¡°Are you feeling anything different, Lilah?¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Yes¡­ it¡¯s trying to push back. I can follow the touch,¡± Lilah¡¯s voice reverberated unnaturally.


    ¡°Where?¡± Eron and Cal echoed each other.


    Lilah pointed her free hand to the floor.


    Eron and Cal exchanged a glance.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it,¡± Cal said after a moment.


    ¡°Thanks, you¡¯ve got that fancy armor. It¡¯ll be better if I conserve as much of my energy for the fight,¡± Eron said.

 Interlude: Strella 1.10

    Ariaska was already running toward the mob frantically trying to think of what she could do, while simultaneously mentally cursing at herself for being an idiot, when she heard the first crack.


    Five more followed in quick succession.


    Six.


    She knew Strella¡¯s metal shooter held six balls.


    The justiciar was going to die unless she did something, which would probably mean that she¡¯d die shortly after. The bloodthirsty mob would single her out as an outsider as soon as they laid eyes on her.


    Unless¡­


    She saw a burning torch on the ground. She picked it up and ran toward the mob, waving it and yelling at the top of her lungs.


    Create A Story, she whispered.


    ¡°Brothers! Sisters! We must aid our fellows at the council hall!¡±


    She injected as much rage into her voice as she could. She pictured her own grievances with the ruling class of their society. Held it in her thoughts, allowing it to fill her heart. Believed that she wanted them to pay for their crimes just as the mob did.


    ¡°Quickly! Reinforcements are arriving!¡± she pointed down a side street. Toward, she hoped, was the council hall.


    The outer edges of the mob were the first heads to turn to her.


    ¡°We must fight together!¡±


    Slowly, more heads turned to the sound of her shrill shouts.


    ¡°Our strength is greater as one! United we stand! Divided we fall!¡± she urged. She didn¡¯t remember if that had been in the leaflet. Hysterically, she decided that it sounded good and probably should be added if it wasn¡¯t.


    ¡°Down with the lord! Crush the council!¡± Ariaska threw her head to the sky and let loose a primal roar, just like the vicious mist lions of the Shadow Steps Forest.


    The mob eyed her¡­ a moment passed and they too roared to the night sky.


    Ariaska urgently gestured down the side street while waving the burning torch over her head like a madwoman. She had lost track of what she was screaming as the mob charged past her and turned down the street.


    She ran behind the last of them for a block before slowing down until they had pulled far ahead. It took her a few moments to get her breath back.


    ¡°That was the craziest, most intense thing I¡¯ve ever done.¡± She couldn¡¯t believe herself. Couldn¡¯t believe that it had actually worked.


    She sprinted back and found Strella, calmly reloading her shooter amidst several dozen bodies.


    The iron tang of blood mingled freely with pungent and foul odors of human waste.


    Ariaska gagged, but managed to keep the bile from rising into her mouth.


    ¡°You need a healer!¡± Ariaska said as she rushed to Strella¡¯s side.


    The justiciar shook her head as she put the metal shooter back into the holster underneath her right arm. ¡°There¡¯s no time for that.¡±


    Several fingers on the justiciar¡¯s right hand were bent and twisted in wrong directions.


    Ariaska winced as Strella bent them back into place one by one with nary a flinch.


    ¡°I think I saw Jocuvel running away in that direction,¡± Ariaska pointed to a dark alley.


    ¡°You¡¯re correct on that account,¡± Strella said as she staggered over to retrieve her rapier.


    ¡°Are you going after her or¡­¡± Ariaska began.


    ¡°Or?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I may have sent your mob over to join the one attacking the council hall,¡± she continued.


    ¡°Yes, I recognized your voice. Quite creative in your exhortations to revolt and to murder our lawful leaders.¡±


    Ariaska blanched. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean any of it! I did it to save your life!¡± her voice lowered, ¡°okay, maybe I sorta felt that some of the things in the leaflet made sense.¡±


    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Thoughts aren¡¯t sufficient to charge one with sedition. The actions are what count.¡± Strella stumbled toward the alley that Jocuvel had fled into at the start of the fight. ¡°There is nothing we can do for the council hall. The best thing we can do is capture Jocuvel before she escapes.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I agree, however, you can barely walk,¡± Ariaska hovered at Strella¡¯s side as the justiciar swayed with each step. ¡°Perhaps it¡¯d be best if we found you a healer.¡±


    Strella shook her head. A mistake. It spun as stars blinked in and out at the edges of her vision. ¡°I can¡¯t lose her.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ she¡¯s got a head start and she¡¯s running, while you¡¯re sort of just shambling along!¡± Ariaska raised her voice. ¡°What I¡¯m saying is that you¡¯re not catching up at this rate anyways. So, why not get healed up and pick up her trail later.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps¡ª¡±


    Strella pitched forward into darkness.


    She didn¡¯t hear the fear in Ariaska¡¯s voice as the Chronicler barely prevented her from hitting her head on the ground.


    Strella opened her eyes to confusion. She squinted against the bright sun. What she lay on was a lot more comfortable and warm than the dirty, wet ground in an alley.


    The sound of snoring drew her attention. Like a bear. She found Ariaska with her head in her arms on the small desk near the bed.


    They were back in the inn.


    Strella sat up and was surprised to find that her head was clear. In her experience surviving strikes to the head, despite a helm usually led to a few days of dizzy spells and the feeling that her brain was clouded, mired in mud.


    She went through her customary after battle assessment. Starting from her head and moving down the rest of her body.


    She felt at the stitches in multiple cuts in her arms. Tender, but nothing more. The fingers of her right hand were lightly bandaged. She bent them experimentally and found that they were stiff, but lacked the shooting pain she would¡¯ve expected from the condition they had been in the previous night.


    Her chest and back hurt. Bruised from being struck by blunt weapons and fists.


    She moved her right knee and was surprised to feel no pain.


    Ariaska must¡¯ve found a good healer.


    Strella rose from bed and proceeded to get dressed.


    The cuts and bloodstains on her clothing reminded her that she had gotten close, perhaps the closest she had ever to the end.


    Her movement woke Ariaska.


    The Chronicler yawned and stretched her arms out. ¡°You don¡¯t stop do you?¡± she regarded Strella. ¡°You should be in bed.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for fetching a healer.¡±


    Ariaska shrugged. ¡°Thank the innkeeper. He¡¯s the one that pointed me in the direction of the local House of the Lone Mother. Got real Mother of Light to come fix you.¡±


    ¡°As opposed to an imaginary one,¡± Strella raised a brow. ¡°How did you manage to do that?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ told her you were a justiciar and showed her this,¡± Ariaska took the Imperial Badge out of her pocket and tossed it back to Strella. ¡°The first part wasn¡¯t enough for them, but the badge did the trick.¡±


    ¡°She did well.¡±


    ¡°I had her focus on fixing your brain, hand and knee. The brain cause I¡¯ve been around enough adventurers that took hard shots to the head. Figured you wouldn¡¯t want to spend the next several days getting dizzy, fainting and vomiting. The hand¡¯s self-explanatory. You can¡¯t fight if your sword hand is useless. Same with the knee,¡± Ariaska said.


    ¡°Well thought out,¡± Strella said as she continued to dress and gather her things.


    ¡°So, we having breakfast? Or¡­¡±


    ¡°Something we can take on the road. I don¡¯t know the state of the town and my continued presence may endanger the innkeeper and his employees.¡±


    ¡°Probably the right call,¡± Ariaska sighed. She had been looking forward to a huge, hearty breakfast. ¡°I talked to a few of them, the innkeeper and the workers, I mean. Things are bad if you¡¯re wealthy or a town guard,¡± she held up two fingers, ¡°what¡¯s left of the latter is trying to defend the former¡¯s homes from the parts of the mob that are still looking for blood. For some of them, killing the lord and several councilmen was enough. Not that they can just go home and forget what they did. The 7th Army certainly won¡¯t let them.¡±


    ¡°They will suffer if they don¡¯t flee and find a way to disappear in another town far from here.¡±


    ¡°One doesn¡¯t really think about what comes after when they¡¯re incited into chaos and violence,¡± Ariaska mused.


    Strella thoughts turned to last night¡¯s events. The sheer number of ordinary townsfolk she had personally killed gnawed at her.


    ¡°At least you got a look at Jocuvel, right?¡±


    Strella nodded.


    The yellow-haired young woman with a strange Class that she hadn¡¯t recognized.


    Anarchist.


    The word itself wasn¡¯t one she knew.


    She¡¯d pass the information along to the Office of the Emperor.


    ¡°I failed,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°Did you though?¡± You discovered the identity of the one responsible,¡± Ariaska said.


    ¡°I had her in my grasp and let her slip away. She¡¯ll continue to light fires everywhere she goes.¡±


    ¡°I wonder what kind of Class she¡¯s got that lets her do that,¡± Ariaska said.


    Strella decided against sharing that piece of information at the moment.


    ¡°We depart immediately. I need to return to the city. The Office of the Emperor needs to be informed of what I¡¯ve learned and what transpired here.¡±


    ¡°Good thing I borrowed a new horse from the guard stables after I brought the mother to you,¡± Ariaska grinned. ¡°Who knows, we might even get lucky and catch up to Jocuvel somewhere on road¡­ or those damn bandits get her and solve the problem for us.¡±

 5.40

    Now, Manila


    Cal punched and tore his way through what felt like a dozen feet of material before almost falling through as he hit air.


    ¡°I don¡¯t hear anymore hammering. You finally got through?¡± Eron called out from above.


    ¡°Yeah, I think so. Give me a second to check.¡±


    Cal stuck his head through the hole and found an enormous cavern-like space. It was hard to make out details in the darkness, so he cycled through the visual enhancers in his helmet with a cybernetic thought.


    Infrared returned the cool blackness of the surfaces. Except for a fading warm spot at the other end of the space.


    Low light mode gave him a better image.


    Lots of desk and chairs in the auditorium-like space.


    Behind the chair where he had seen the warm spot was a giant flag hanging flat on the wall like a curtain.


    He realized that even though he had never physically been in the space he had seen it once before in a vision.


    ¡°Well?¡± Eron called down.


    Cal climbed back up and into the warm light of Lilah¡¯s sigil.


    The difference when moving into and out of Lilah¡¯s protection was jarring.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s the senate chamber.¡±


    ¡°I was just there and I didn¡¯t find anything,¡± Eron frowned. ¡°Are you sure?¡± he turned to Lilah.


    Lilah nodded.


    In the fifteen minutes since she had conjured the sigil, the girl¡¯s brown skin had grown grayer and glistened with so much sweat that she looked like she had just stepped out of the rain.


    She hadn¡¯t said a word.


    ¡°At least I¡¯m not hearing in drums in the dark,¡± Cal shrugged.


    Eron snorted. ¡°That¡¯s what I had thought earlier, but it turned out to be you punching through the ceiling.¡±


    ¡°Ceiling or floor?¡± Cal mused.


    ¡°No,¡± Eron jammed a finger in his direction. ¡°This isn¡¯t the time on a philosophical discussion on the difference between the two. You walk on the floor. The ceiling is what goes over your head.¡±


    ¡°But you can walk on the roof.¡±


    ¡°Hence calling it a roof,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Cal conceded. ¡°I tore through the roof and ceiling of the senate chamber a few feet to the left of this hole in the floor. So it¡¯s not a straight drop from here.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got the armor, so you take point. I¡¯ll carry Lilah,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Not that I¡¯m complaining, but your skin¡¯s got to be just as tough.¡±


    ¡°You did see my arm,¡± Eron held the blood-soaked shirt wrapped around his left arm up, ¡°plus the open wounds on my back, right?¡±


    ¡°Fair,¡± Cal said before jumping back into the hole.


    He did that once more and landed on a chair in what looked to be the upper level. ¡°Hang on!¡± His shout echoed. ¡°I¡¯ll clear you a landing spot.¡± He moved the remnants of the broken chair out of the way and tossed several others to open a generous space directly under the hole in the ceiling.


    Cal moved a distance away before giving his brother the okay.


    Lilah¡¯s sigil lit up the darkness like a falling flare.


    Eron landed on his feet with a thud, bending his knees and moving his arms to absorb the impact to protect the girl cradled in his arms.


    Lilah pointed down to the lowest level, which was filled with finely-crafted wooden desks and comfortable-looking blue chairs. Nothing, but the best for the lawmakers of a nation.


    Long dead and long gone, Cal mentally corrected himself.


    ¡°Tell me when I¡¯m getting close,¡± Cal walked down the steps.


    Eron and Lilah trailed a good distance behind.


    If there was an attack, Cal knew that he¡¯d have to deal with it, while Eron saw to Lilah¡¯s safety.


    ¡°Keep moving toward the center!¡± Eron said


    To save time Cal jumped on top of the desks as he followed his brother¡¯s directions from Lilah¡¯s pointing.


    ¡°Stop! You¡¯re close,¡± Eron abruptly shouted.


    Cal went through each desk in the immediate vicinity and found nothing.


    The box in his thoughts was rattling nonstop now, so he must¡¯ve been close. To what? He didn¡¯t know.


    ¡°Nothing in the desks,¡± he said. ¡°Why would the main essence of an otherworldly fog entity be inside a desk?¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Look with your eyes,¡± Eron said.


    Cal heard that in his mother¡¯s voice. A surge of exasperation shot through him. The parental conditioning was still strong. He sighed and started throwing the desks and chairs out of his immediate area.


    The heavy wood cracked and splintered as they crashed down on other desks or the floor. The sounds echoed through the cavernous space.


    ¡°What the hell! Some warning next time! You scared Lilah!¡± Eron snapped.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Cal threw his hands up. ¡°If it¡¯s here, I can¡¯t find it.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re coming to you,¡± Eron said.


    Lilah¡¯s sigil shined on their approach.


    Cal could see the swirling gray burning away whenever it got within ten feet.


    He was with inches of being embraced by the sigil¡¯s warmth giving presence when his world suddenly exploded with a bright flash.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Eron said as his brother suddenly toppled over like a puppet with its strings cut. ¡°Lilah¡ª¡±


    The girl just as suddenly went limp in his arms.


    He hurried over to Cal¡¯s unmoving form and gently flipped his brother over with a foot.


    Cal¡¯s eyes were open, but saw nothing.


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    Eron lay Lilah down and laid a hand on Cal¡¯s armored chest.


    To his eternal relief he detected the slight rising and falling as his brother continued to breathe.


    The sigil in Lilah¡¯s hand was pulsing now. Like the beating of a frantic heart. It didn¡¯t escape his notice that it was doing so in unison with Lilah¡¯s own heartbeat.


    Unable to do anything he helplessly scanned the great cavern of darkness beyond Lilah¡¯s light.


    If shades or even the entity attacked he was ready.


    Death would be the only thing that would stop him from protecting Lilah and his brother.


    <hr>


    One moment he stood in a long-abandoned hall of earthly power. The next he floated within a gray, misty void.


    Cal made the mistake of trying to plant his feet. All he accomplished was to send himself into a slow spin.


    ¡°No big deal,¡± he muttered. ¡°This is just a mindscape¡­ that¡¯s my thing¡­¡±


    He focused, concentrated and willed himself to stop rotating in space.


    To his surprise it worked.


    He reoriented his body to a vertical position and discovered that it didn¡¯t matter. It felt like he was upside down, then horizontal and back to vertical in quick succession.


    There was no physics in a mindscape. The rules were more like guidelines and they were entirely in the creator¡¯s control unless one had the ability to challenge that.


    The question was whose world was this?


    As if in answer a scream echoed from all directions.


    It was impossible to follow, so he thought really hard and brought the scream to him.


    Lilah suddenly appeared out of the gray nothing. The girl spun lazily as she drifted past him. Her arms frantically pinwheeled to no effect.


    Cal gently caught her with an invisible hand and brought an end to her interpretation of a comet.


    ¡°What is this!¡± Lilah¡¯s eyes were wide as saucers. ¡°Is this real? Are you?¡±


    He instinctively read her thoughts and found that she was the real Lilah, not something created by the fog entity.


    It made sense. Something about the interaction between all three of them had already linked them before in those dream-visions. His powers, Lilah¡¯s magic and the entity¡¯s existence.


    ¡°It¡¯s real, as much as something someone without mind powers can¡¯t truly quantify is real,¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°I don¡¯t¡ª that doesn¡¯t make sense!¡± Lilah snapped.


    ¡°It¡¯s like your magic. You try to explain how you actually do it to someone that is incapable and there¡¯s always going to be a disconnect. They just can¡¯t completely comprehend the intricacies.¡±


    Lilah¡¯s head bobbed up and down. ¡°Okay, okay, I¡¯ll try.¡± She took a deep breath.


    ¡°So, you were right. The fog¡¯s essence, whatever we want to call it, was here¡­ er¡­ I mean where I was searching.¡±


    ¡°We got pulled into this as soon as I got close enough with my sigil,¡± Lilah said. ¡°Are we inside it?¡±


    ¡°Maybe or it¡¯s in us? Or this is like a mindscape made out of a combination of all three of us. Now that I have my powers back, the question is can I hurt it from this place.¡±


    Cal sent thousands of telekinetic spikes stabbing into the void.


    He paused.


    Lilah looked at him with confusion.


    There were no discernible changes to the space.


    He struck again, this time without physical force. He sent telepathic projectiles and weapons in every variety he could imagine.


    Again, there was nothing.


    ¡°Are you doing something?¡± Lilah said.


    ¡°Why? Do you feel anything?¡±


    ¡°Sorta¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, I tried, but apparently I suck,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°Do you think you can conjure your sigil?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. This is, like, all in our heads, right? Like those dreams?¡± Lilah hesitated.


    ¡°When it comes to things like this, I¡¯ve learned that reality is what you decide and if you¡¯ve got the right tools combined with sheer will¡­ we end up in a misty void in what is obviously not a dream¡­ or is it?¡± he threw his arms out wide to encompass¡­ everything.


    Lilah raised her hand and traced the sigil in the air.


    She was shocked to see it appear instantly and with a bright flare of yellow-gold light.


    ¡°It shouldn¡¯t be that easy,¡± Lilah whispered.


    The light burned away the gray shroud in their immediate vicinity.


    ¡°Now try extending the effect. If you can hit the entity¡¯s essence you can finish this and we can get out of her¡ª¡±


    LEAVE. ME. ALONE.


    A voice, but not a voice assaulted them from all directions. From outside and from within.


    The words¡­ no¡ª not words.


    Images¡ª words¡ª feelings¡ª thoughts¡ª none¡ª individually¡ª collectively¡ª all.


    Lilah screamed.


    The light of her sigil flickered and dimmed.


    Cal bit the inside of his mouth and tasted iron.


    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Then he didn¡¯t.


    He remembered that he wasn¡¯t in the mindscape in a physical sense.


    KILL. TAKE. SAVE.


    He encased himself and Lilah in a telepathic bubble to give them a respite from the nearly overwhelming presence.


    ¡°Seems that we¡¯re on the right track,¡± he grimaced. ¡°Please keep your sigil going.¡±


    ¡°It hurts.¡± Tears streamed down Lilah¡¯s thin cheeks.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ it does,¡± he agreed, ¡°but people are counting on you. I¡¯m right here with you. We can do this together.¡±


    Thousands of gray, misty hands suddenly appeared. They punched and pressed against the invisible telepathic bubble.


    Lilah whimpered as she shrank close to Cal.


    He felt the same way underneath the immensity of the fog entity¡¯s direct attention.


    ¡°You¡¯ve seen one eldritch monstrosity and you¡¯ve seen them all,¡± he muttered. ¡°You¡¯re not the first thing I¡¯ve gone up against!¡± he shouted.


    The jokes and bravado masked the growing pit in his stomach. Sure, he had faced terror in the past, but Zalthyss and Mother Madrigal had been largely corporeal beings. For all their terrifying power they existed in the physical world. He had been able to punch them.


    This entity was something else entirely.


    He attacked with his telepathy.


    Imagined blades cut the misty gray hands to shreds only for more to instantaneously replace them.


    He searched for the slightest thread that might lead to the fog entity¡¯s main essence, but was blocked and driven back at every instance.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Lilah, you can do it!¡± he urged.


    Spider-webbing cracks began to appear as the outline of his telepathic bubble became visible.


    The girl responded.


    She traced more sigils out of nothing and sent them flying to his bubble.


    They shined as they fixed themselves to the bubble, strengthening it.


    Lilah screamed and the golden light answered her cry, flaring out in all directions.


    The gray burned, buying the two of them a moment of respite.


    STOP. PAIN.


    Cal frowned. ¡°You don¡¯t like being hurt?¡±


    YES. LEAVE. LIVE.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have the right to say that after what you¡¯ve done to thousands of people!¡±


    NO. SAFE. ME.


    ¡°There is no safety for you. If we can¡¯t stop you here, then someone else will rise up to face you. Your existence is a threat to existence. I¡¯ve seen what safety means for your kind. A barren and dead world with nothing but gray emptiness.¡±


    SILENT. SAFE.


    ¡°Not from what I¡¯ve seen. Your kind faced destruction more than that safety. History predicts the future. And your odds aren¡¯t good. People like me will destroy you. If not them, then other monsters, other creatures. Your very existence will lead to constant conflict.¡±


    SAFE.


    ¡°You¡¯re not listening. There is none for you. The¡ª¡±


    HOW?


    Cal blinked. He exchanged a glance with Lilah.


    This was the strangest end boss fight. Not at all like the other ones in the past.


    ¡°Um¡­ are you asking us how you can be safe?¡± Lilah ventured.


    YES.


    Cal cursed silently.


    This was his chance to solve this without further fighting. Do it right and he could save everyone. Free everyone.


    But how the hell was he supposed to do that?


    The silence stretched out. The urge to speak lest the fog entity lose patience and resume the fight seized his throat.


    Lilah tapped him on the arm. ¡°Kuya Eron and Ate Madalena won¡¯t like it, but if it lets us all leave the fog then we¡¯ll stay away as long as it doesn¡¯t leave the city,¡± she whispered.


    NO. STRONG. SAFE.


    The impression Cal received was that the entity desired safety, which to it meant the continued growth of its strength. ¡°It needs to spread and subsume,¡± he said. ¡°Except, by doing that it¡¯ll only find continuous conflict.¡± He sent it images of all the horrible and powerful things he had seen, done and fought. ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± he called out to the nothingness, ¡°there¡¯s a dragon out there. Sure you got that ibingan, but from my impression the one I spoke too was a lot stronger. Who knows how many dragons are out there? Hell, you think you can take on an evil ocean godling?¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have any ideas?¡± Lilah hissed.


    Cal regarded the glowing sigils in his telepathic bubble for a moment. ¡°The thing with having a lot of power is that it seems to attract more of it,¡± he mused. ¡°I get where you¡¯re coming from,¡± he addressed the gray void, ¡°get stronger so that other dangerous things can¡¯t hurt you. It makes sense on the surface, but in practice, I¡¯ve found out differently. The spires want conflict, so no matter how strong one gets there will always be a slightly stronger threat. We¡¯re all just being played. Set against each other for¡­ reasons no one knows. Unless you do? You¡¯re an eldritch-type entity after all. I thought that comes with some level of omniscience?¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°You want safety? Well, you¡¯re not going to find it by being the biggest, strongest, most noticeable thing in the world. Like I said before¡­ eventually you¡¯ll run into someone or something that¡¯ll use you to get stronger. You can¡¯t keep yourself safe on your own,¡± he glanced at Lilah. ¡°There is no guarantee of safety. There never was.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s helping!¡± Lilah hissed.


    Cal shrugged. ¡°Honest answer¡­ the most safe you could be is probably being strong enough to defend yourself while having a good group that has your back, like you have theirs. The most dangerous existence is being constantly drawn into fights with the most powerful monsters. Fly under their radar, but if you do catch their attention then you¡¯ll have enough around you to have a fighting chance.¡±


    STRONG. TAKE. SAFE.


    ¡°You took so many people, but you didn¡¯t take everyone,¡± Lilah shook her fist at the gray void. ¡°You couldn¡¯t beat me and my magic! How safe are you now?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. We¡¯re in the heart of your existence. Together, me and Lilah can end you.¡± Cal didn¡¯t share the conviction he had put in his words.


    Lilah flared her sigils. They grew brighter and larger, expanding outwardly.


    Cal extended his telepathic bubble to keep pace.


    A thousand sharp needles lanced his brain.


    ¡°I don¡¯t miss this feeling,¡± he muttered.


    A wet trickle began to fall from his nostrils.


    ¡°Been a while,¡± he sighed.


    Lilah grunted with the effort.


    Cal noticed that her nose also bled.


    NO. STOP. SAFE.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I don¡¯t want to kill, but I can¡¯t let you keep taking people and forcing them to hurt more people,¡± Lilah cried. Red tears trickled down her sunken cheeks.


    The gray mist burned in an ever-expanding sphere around them.


    NO. STOP. SAFE.


    Cal¡¯s vision went black, not that he had been seeing in a physical sense since they had entered the mindscape. He pushed through it. He couldn¡¯t let the small girl face the vastness alone.


    ¡°No matter how strong you are¡­ one day you¡¯ll run into a greater strength or just a bad match up,¡± he said although he wasn¡¯t certain that he was speaking anymore. ¡°The spires promised strength to conflict, but I don¡¯t think most of us truly understand what that means¡­ in conflict one side is always the loser.¡± His hearing went silent. He was back in a void without any sensations. Lilah was gone. ¡°Nothing is eternal. A life of constant battle and taking just seems so empty¡­ what¡¯s the point of that?¡±


    YOU. TAKE. KILL.


    That¡¯s right, Cal thought. I chose.


    Flo. A young girl. Carelessness. A ruined life. A sad end.


    Brightstrike. A student. A worthy friend. A year in the darkness, behind enemy lines¡­ all to save him. Betrayed at his hands.


    The balbal. Monstrous, yet with a semblance of innocence. Did they really chose their fate? In the end, he decided for them.


    All dead at his hands.


    More faces. Hundreds. Then thousands. Humans. Threnosh. Family. Friends. Strangers.


    All alive from his efforts.


    ME. SAVE. YOU.


    Silence.


    <hr>


    Phillip swept the shades off Rino with wide swings of his fists and arms.


    There was no time.


    He was far too late.


    He took in the entirety of the desperate fight in seconds.


    The shades¡¯, his and his wife¡¯s relatives, bodies disappeared when they were killed.


    That meant that the bodies he saw laying still on the street were of those that had made the journey with him.


    They had died to help his son.


    He glanced at Rino.


    Her monstrous Weredog form was a mangled heap of broken bones and torn flesh.


    He wasn¡¯t able to tell if she was still alive, but there was no time to check.


    A blade-like forcefield cut through his armor and sent stinging pain across his broad, muscular back. He spun and drove a fist into a face.


    The shade dispersed back into the fog.


    He hadn¡¯t even noticed who it was. He was grateful for that, even as he felt shame.


    Hanna was fighting in the thick of the melee. She stood alone, striking with sword and shield as the shades of his family battered her with superstrong fists and cutting forcefields. Her Threnosh armor had been marred terribly and he could see her fatigue in how sloppy and slow her strikes were.


    Behind her, the rest of them fought the handful of shades that bypassed Hanna.


    What was left of the rangers, the spears and the Watch had been pressed nearly into the smoldering inside of the restaurant.


    There were no more spells or Skills.


    They fought only with mundane weapons wielded by what was left of their strength.


    Jake had his arms wrapped around the legs of a slight, teenage girl. One of Phillip¡¯s grand-nieces, Ariella, he remembered her name.


    A huge man, struggling to tackle a small girl would¡¯ve been comical if not for the rest of the scene.


    Ariella pounded a fist into Jake¡¯s broad back. The thudding blow cracked something and Jake sagged, but somehow kept his hold. His mana was long gone judging by his dead prosthetic hand.


    Mouthy hacked at Ariella¡¯s neck with her machete. The fury and desperation in the ranger¡¯s eyes lent strength to her blows. Blood flew, but it wasn¡¯t enough to stop Ariella.


    The girl opened her mouth in a snarl as she grabbed the machete blade, ripping it out of Mouthy¡¯s hands, before clipping the ranger¡¯s helmet with a backhand that sent the brawny woman spinning.


    Amber lunged forward and thrust her blade into Ariella¡¯s open mouth. Blood splattered across Amber¡¯s face as gave a crazed scream when she pushed her blade down all the way to the hilt.


    Phillip looked away.


    None of them should¡¯ve been doing any of this.


    He wanted to roar at the injustice of it all.


    Instead, he leapt into the fray with tears blurring his vision. His fists hit with more force than any industrial power hammer as he sent his relatives back to the fog with every punch.


    Tito Carlos had been right.


    The rest couldn¡¯t stand up to him.


    The thought didn¡¯t fill him with anything, except sadness and disgust.


    All he had accomplished was to send them back to their eternal prison.


    A lull in the fight found him in front of Hanna. He spun to face the last handful of his remaining relatives.


    They squared off.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of this,¡± Phillip said.


    Hanna nodded and staggered back to the line.


    He raised his fists with dead eyes.


    The shades of his family did the same.


    Asphalt broke under his feet as he leapt forward with one hand cocked back.


    His target, his wife¡¯s cousin that he hadn¡¯t seen in decades, raised a spiked forcefield in his path.


    He punched right through it in a shower of glowing shards of light that vanished as they hit the ground.


    Elbert brought another forcefield up.


    Phillip swung, but pitched off-balance when the forcefield suddenly disappeared.


    He recovered his footing quickly and noticed that the shades were just standing there, looking at him.


    Disbelief was in their eyes.


    Then it was in Phillip¡¯s eyes when they broke into smiles and tears of joy.


    Some embraced each other.


    One fell to his knees, hands clasped in prayer.


    Elbert looked at him and spoke.


    Silence.


    He saw Elbert¡¯s lips moving, but couldn¡¯t hear the words.


    ¡°What? I¡ª I don¡¯t¡ª I can¡¯t hear you¡­ what are you saying?¡± he pleaded.


    Elbert shook his head ruefully and smiled.


    Phillip noticed it at that point.


    The shades, his relatives, his wife¡¯s, were vanishing.


    Their forms slowly became indistinguishable from the thin gray fog until they disappeared completely, wisps in the breeze.


    ¡°What just happened?¡± Hanna staggered over to him.


    ¡°They smiled,¡± he whispered, ¡°genuinely.¡±


    A dismayed shout drew his attention to the others.


    Thin fog swirled inside the burned ruins of the restaurant, coalescing into two forms.


    Rayna¡¯s Rangers cried out in anguish.


    Smores and Two-toes stepped out of the rapidly diminishing fog. They weren¡¯t armed or armored. They appeared as they might have in the old world.


    The woman was wearing a summer dress in bright pastels. Her nails were painted in bright red. Strappy sandals revealed the same colors on her toes¡­ all ten of them.


    She smiled at her squad.


    The grievous wounds they had last seen on her body before it was taken by fog weren¡¯t present.


    ¡°It¡¯s a trick,¡± Mouthy shook her head. ¡°One last kick in the vag.¡±


    ¡°God, you¡¯re such a bitch,¡± Two-toes rolled her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s us. I remember being me,¡± she shrugged and glanced at the dark-skinned young man in jeans and a plain blue hoodie next to her.


    Smores waved at the rangers. ¡°Yeah. I remember everything too. My life back home. The journey here. And¡­ well, you were all there.¡± He took off his glasses. ¡°Interesting. I can¡¯t say for certain what we are. We could be copies made by the fog, echoes, imprints or a combination of many things. It¡¯ll take more study, but I¡ª we don¡¯t have time for that. I can say with near certainty that we aren¡¯t under the entity¡¯s control, however I can¡¯t say how we¡¯re able to appear like this.¡±


    ¡°Fuck, you¡¯re a damn ghost and you¡¯re still the biggest nerd,¡± Mouthy wiped her eyes.


    ¡°I¡ª I¡¯m sorry I wasn¡¯t there for you,¡± Sgt. Butcher started, ¡°I let you down and¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be, Sarge,¡± Two-toes raised a hand. ¡°We all know what we signed up for,¡± she smiled sadly. ¡°So, don¡¯t be sad, at least for too long. We don¡¯t blame you, any of you. It could¡¯ve just as easily been one of you. But, it was worth it. We did it! We won, yay!¡± she clapped.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°The reason we can say goodbye. It¡¯s almost over,¡± Smores said. ¡°You¡¯ll be getting that Quest notification soon¡­ just think of the new spells I could¡¯ve gotten,¡± he sighed.


    Hardhat went over to Two-toes and hesitantly reached out. She choked back a sob as her hand passed through Two-toes¡¯ shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry¡­¡±


    ¡°I told you not to be,¡± Two-toes teared up. ¡°Can you do me a favor?¡±


    ¡°Anything,¡± Hardhat managed to get out.


    ¡°Take care of my little brother. If he wants to keep training then make my sister understand. I know her and she¡¯ll smother him to keep him safe. Especially, now that they¡¯re alone.¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t be alone,¡± Sgt. Butcher said.


    ¡°Rangers are never alone!¡± Mouthy sniffled.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Two-toes said.


    ¡°Guys, tell my parents I love them,¡± Smores said. ¡°There¡¯s so much more I want to say to you all and to others, but our time¡¯s up.¡±


    Two-toes waved as the two dead rangers slowly dispersed back into the fog.


    ¡°Smores!¡± Aims called out. ¡°Thanks! I mean for the ideas you gave me. My special rounds,¡± he gestured at the charred ruins of the restaurant interior. ¡°I did a stun one and an incendiary one!¡± he shouted through his tears.


    Smores grinned widely. ¡°You have to experiment with more. At least all the different elements. You should also try ones that target specific enemies. Don¡¯t think of them as just ordinance, think of them as magic bullets, as¡ª¡±


    Smores last words disappeared with him.


    ¡°I wish you all the luck in the world. Our fight is over, but yours isn¡¯t. Stay strong, be strong, grow strong,¡± Two-toes. ¡°Rayna¡¯s Rangers!¡±


    They shouted in response as Two-toes joined Smores in oblivion.


    ¡°Rounds¡­ not bullets,¡± Aims whispered as he sank to his knees and buried his face in his hands. ¡°He never got that¡­¡±


    Hardhat openly sobbed as Mouthy awkwardly rubbed her back.


    Sgt. Butcher stared at the empty space where her two rangers had stood.


    Phillip looked up to the sky.


    The sun shined bright. Its warm light dazzled through his tears.


    He thought of his daughter.


    The rangers had lost over half the number they had brought.


    Rayna would blame herself for that?


    ¡°You have to go to the senate building. You have to make sure this is truly over,¡± Hanna rasped.


    Phillip leapt up into the sky without a word.

 5.41

    Now, Manila


    Cal woke to the sound of a loud chime in his ears.


    He waved the notification away.


    There was a more pressing concern that needed his attention.


    He jumped to his feet.


    ¡°Oh good,¡± Eron said lightly. ¡°I¡¯m going to need an explanation.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a lot,¡± Cal replied with a groan. His head felt heavy and muffled. ¡°Like a hangover, but worse,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Does it have something to do with that?¡± Eron said.


    Cal followed his brother¡¯s finger point.


    ¡°Fuck me¡­ is that¡ª¡±


    ¡°It looks like a baby, judging by the wiener it¡¯s a boy¡ª¡±


    Lilah woke with a groan.


    Eron rushed to her side. ¡°You okay?¡±


    The girl grimaced, but nodded. ¡°My head hurts.¡±


    ¡°That happens a lot,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°As long as you¡¯re okay, we can figure this problem out,¡± Eron gestured at the baby boy.


    ¡°Awww,¡± Lilah cooed as she hurried over to the baby¡¯s side.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Cal and Eron warned.


    Cal was faster. He telekinetically lifted the baby out of Lilah¡¯s reach.


    ¡°Your powers are back,¡± Eron said. ¡°What the hell did you guys manage?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s¡ª it¡¯s a story,¡± Cal said as he exchanged looks with Lilah.


    Together, the two of them told the tale of what they saw and did in the gray void.


    It was a disjointed telling.


    Like trying to tell another of a dream you had.


    When they finished Eron zeroed in on the issue. ¡°You¡¯re trying to say that the fog entity is now that,¡± he gestured to the floating baby in front of Cal.


    Cal peered closely at the baby trying to discern the trick. ¡°I¡¯m not.¡±


    ¡°But that¡¯s what you¡¯re implying. That you somehow convinced it that it couldn¡¯t be safe¡ª as if that makes sense, that it only wanted safety this whole time¡ª unless it turned itself into a baby? C¡¯mon, bro¡­ I¡¯ve seen a lot of weird crap and this is¡­¡± Eron shook his head with disgust.


    ¡°I think that¡¯s exactly what happened,¡± Lilah said with a pout as Cal gave no indication that she was going to let him hold the baby.


    Cal heard that thought. He realized that Eron was growing angry. He realized that he was no longer alone with his thoughts. There were two, make that three, next to him. His reach spread farther with frightening quickness. That¡¯s how he knew that people still lived in the city. Less than hundred now. The largest group was moving rapidly to the north. He shut it down. He wasn¡¯t ready to learn what had happened to the others. Who had lived? Who had died? His father?


    He quickly rebuilt the walls around his thoughts. The voices dwindled into their customary whispers.


    He turned his attention to Eron. ¡°My powers are back. Yours should be too.¡±


    Eron glanced at their dark surroundings.


    ¡°Go out, get some sun. It¡¯ll make you feel better,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Right,¡± Eron nodded as he headed for the door.


    He stalked out into the hallway and quickly found a window. He ripped the makeshift bandage from his arm with a wince. The bloody surface of the exposed muscles had dried and stuck to the fabric.


    He spread his arms wide as he let the glorious sunlight bathe his exposed chest. It washed over him and everything was good.


    Aches and pains vanished.


    The flesh and skin on his arm grew back as he watched.


    His senses expanded.


    What had been a muddled mess became sharp and clear as it should¡¯ve been.


    It was as though a blindfold had been lifted from his eyes and plugs pulled from his ears.


    For a moment the weight on his shoulders felt light as a feather.


    He let the feeling linger for as long as he could until he had to return to reality.


    It was over.


    The month¡¯s long gray nightmare had ended.


    He hadn¡¯t played a part in that, but didn¡¯t care.


    The important thing was that it was done.


    The fog was gone.


    He could see all the way to the horizon through the window.


    Bright blue skies over a dark blue ocean.


    The survivors were safe now.


    There was only one thing left to do.


    He steeled himself.


    He had to make sure that the fog entity was truly gone. He had to make sure it could never come back.


    Eron returned to the dark senate chamber after a few minutes in the sunlight.


    Fresh skin had grown over the wounds in his arm and back, a lighter shade of brown compared to the rest of him.


    Cal waved him over. ¡°I scanned the baby and as far as I can tell it¡¯s human¡­ don¡¯t ask me how that happened. Anyways, I need you to use those super senses for a second opinion.¡±


    Eron reflexively did as his oldest brother asked and scanned the baby. ¡°Looks human to me,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Details please,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What do you want? Its got a brain, heart, organs that are human-looking,¡± Eron suppressed a flash of annoyance.


    Cal stilled a moment.


    It was gone in an instant, so fast that Eron hadn¡¯t been certain he had seen it even with his senses.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought. I also looked into his thoughts and memories. Nothing going past the moment he opened his eyes to your face,¡± Cal nodded at Eron. ¡°If he was a bird, you¡¯d be a mom,¡± he grinned.


    Eron forced himself to keep his face neutral.


    ¡°Okay, point is there is nothing in that little brain that remembers being the fog entity,¡± Cal continued.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re saying that it isn¡¯t the fog entity,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Yeah, pretty much,¡± Cal¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°Entirely human body. No memories of anything before he came into existence. What other conclusion can there be.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but logic doesn¡¯t always function as it should when it involves magical bullshit,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Good thing we have the magic that can answer this question,¡± Cal turned to Lilah.


    ¡°You want me to make a sigil?¡± the girl¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What if it hurts him?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not¡ª¡± Eron caught himself.


    Cal regarded him for a moment. ¡°It won¡¯t hurt him,¡± he said to Lilah, ¡°I promise, but if you don¡¯t feel comfortable¡ª¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯ll cast my spell. It¡¯ll be good to make sure that the fog isn¡¯t going to come back,¡± Lilah said.


    Cal lowered the baby until he was just in front of Lilah.


    Through out it all the baby had remained silent, his fat arms and legs waving and kicking randomly as his eyes roamed the cavernous darkness of the senate chamber.


    It took an effort for Lilah to draw the yellow-gold sigil in the air over the baby¡¯s face.


    He babbled at the light and grasped for it.


    Eron held his breath as the tiny fingers touched the light without any noticeable effect.


    ¡°Well that settles it for me,¡± Cal eyed Eron.


    Eron let out the breath. ¡°You don¡¯t know that its a baby,¡± he said softly.


    ¡°He. He is a baby, completely human,¡± Cal said. ¡°Have you not been paying attention? Our powers, Lilah¡¯s magic. All of them led to that one indisputable conclusion.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying your wrong.¡± The words tasted like vinegar in Eron¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°What¡¯re you saying then?¡± Cal gestured at the baby. ¡°He¡¯s a baby, looks to be at least three, four months old.¡±


    ¡°How do you know?¡± Lilah frowned.


    ¡°He¡¯s got that pudginess going. Newborns are all wrinkly and thin, almost like hairless rats¡ª what? It¡¯s true, most people just won¡¯t say,¡± Cal said at Lilah¡¯s aghast expression.


    ¡°Because it¡¯s mean,¡± Lilah said.


    Eron could tell that Lilah had missed the undercurrent that his brother hadn¡¯t.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I wish you were right, but I can¡¯t take the chance that you¡¯re wrong,¡± he said.


    ¡°Please, please, please¡­ don¡¯t do this. C¡¯mon, man. We¡¯ve won. It¡¯s over. The fog is gone. It isn¡¯t in this baby,¡± Cal held his arms out to Eron. ¡°If our word isn¡¯t good enough then at least let us bring others in on this. We¡¯ve got magical kid geniuses. You¡¯ve got a Doctor, right? We run him through the most rigorous testing we can think of¡­ give him that chance.¡±


    Lilah looked from Cal to Eron as things began to dawn on her. ¡°Wait¡ª what¡¯s going on?¡±


    Eron couldn¡¯t look her in the eyes, nor his brother. ¡°We don¡¯t know if it¡¯ll always stay that way. We can¡¯t guarantee that one day the fog might be reborn through that baby.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯re you saying, Kuya Eron?¡± Lilah whispered.


    ¡°You can hate me if you want, but I won¡¯t let it¡ª it won¡¯t ever hurt you or anyone else again,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°No.¡± Cal jabbed a finger at Eron. ¡°You can¡¯t play the martyr. This is unnecessary.¡±


    ¡°You weren¡¯t here. It murdered thousands of people! Our relatives!¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re all free now,¡± Cal soothed. ¡°Because the fog is gone. You must¡¯ve seen it? Outside the window? Any trace?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not getting it!¡± Eron snapped. ¡°I¡¯m not arguing against what you¡¯ve said. Not against what our powers have seen. Nor what Lilah¡¯s magic revealed. I¡¯m saying that can change at any time and there¡¯s no way any of us can be certain that one day everything that happened here will happen somewhere else.¡±


    ¡°You want us, me and Lilah, to walk out of here and leave you with baby so you can kill him?¡± Cal said flatly.


    Lilah gasped with horror. ¡°No. Please, Kuya Eron, I promise he¡¯s just a baby. Otherwise my magic would¡¯ve hurt him, right? Right?¡±


    Eron ran a hand over hair that had grown longer than he usually preferred. He couldn¡¯t bring himself to say the words.


    ¡°If you can¡¯t speak of what you intend then you know it¡¯s wrong,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You¡¯re in my head!¡± Eron snapped.


    ¡°No. I don¡¯t need my powers when I can see the look on your face and your body language,¡± Cal said.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Truth.


    Cal¡¯s pulse was slow and steady in Eron¡¯s ears.


    Lilah¡¯s and the ba¡ª its weren¡¯t. Their hearts raced.


    ¡°Just¡ª just don¡¯t make this harder than it already is! You think I want to do this!¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Then why do it at all?¡± Cal pleaded.


    ¡°I already told you!¡±


    ¡°Your reasons suck. Not when we can take measures to mitigate those risks.¡±


    ¡°What can we do? Keep an eye on it at all times? Ready to kill it the moment it shows signs of turning into the fog?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s a start, but we can workshop solutions. Plans and contingencies. So on and so forth.¡± Cal¡¯s voice softened. ¡°Our first solution should never be to deal death¡­ that takes a lot out of a person,¡± he whispered.


    Eron sighed. ¡°Then let me be the one to take that loss in this.¡±


    Cal took a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯d be a very poor older brother if I let you do that.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have a chance. I want you to know that this is my decision and responsibility. I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t do this.¡±


    ¡°I hold no malice to you or even that,¡± Eron stared at the baby. The poor, oblivious baby. ¡°This isn¡¯t for revenge. This is to prevent future suffering and death.¡±


    ¡°Please.¡± Cal and Lilah echoed each other.


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry to the both of you. I hope you will realize that there was nothing you could¡¯ve done.¡± Eron took a step forward.


    ¡°I also have to apologize to you,¡± Cal began, ¡°for what I¡¯m about to do to you in order to get it through that thick skull that killing a baby is never¡ª¡± he cursed, ¡°seriously, man! You even considering what our dad and mom will think? I mean what the fuck? I¡¯d think you were being mind-controlled or there¡¯s a parasite in your brain if I didn¡¯t know better¡ª¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Eron snapped.


    ¡°Well¡­ let¡¯s do this then,¡± Cal said.


    Eron dashed forward with a burst of speed that left chairs and desks scattered in his wake.


    Cal and Lilah were slow-moving statues as he reached in between them for the baby.


    He grabbed¡­ air.


    He blinked to a metal-clad fist punching him in the face.


    Off his feet, he wasn¡¯t braced.


    The blow sent him flying into the second level of the senate chamber. He crashed through several rows of chairs.


    He climbed to his feet and looked down to the floor level.


    Cal stood alone.


    Lilah and the baby were gone.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Mindfucked,¡± Cal shrugged.


    Eron listened.


    He could hear his brother¡¯s breathing and heartbeat, but nothing else in the building and in the streets outside. He didn¡¯t understand why he couldn¡¯t hear Lilah and the baby.


    ¡°They couldn¡¯t have gotten far. You¡¯re in my head,¡± Eron scowled.


    ¡°I told you. I¡¯d be a poor brother if I let you wet your hands with innocent blood,¡± Cal said. ¡°Dad¡¯s not far away. He¡¯ll be coming soon now that the fog¡¯s gone. How are you going to explain your crazy plan to him?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re really going to run to Dad with this?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re not going to listen to me, then I¡¯m going to have to defer to a higher authority.¡±


    ¡°All I have to do to put an end to your bullshit mindfucks is to knock you out.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ you can try.¡±


    Eron did just as his brother suggested.


    <hr>


    Lilah¡¯s heart nearly beat out of her chest. She could barely hear the baby¡¯s cries over the blood pumping in her ears.


    The baby¡­ the fog baby?


    No. She was sure that wasn¡¯t the case.


    He may have come from the fog, but he wasn¡¯t it.


    Her magic couldn¡¯t have been wrong.


    She held the baby tight to her chest as she ran out of the senate building and into the sunlight.


    She clung to the words that Cal had said to her when things had gone so wrong.


    ¡°Take him and run! You¡¯ll find my dad!¡±


    Time had seemed to stop for everything except her and Cal.


    He had burned directions into her head. Assured her that there¡¯d be no monsters in her path.


    She had taken the baby out of the air and ran from the chamber while Eron had stood like a statue, staring at nothing.


    ¡°Please stop crying,¡± she soothed the baby. ¡°No one¡¯s going to hurt you.¡±


    The poor thing.


    She couldn¡¯t believe what had just happened. It felt unreal, like a nightmare. They had won. They should¡¯ve had safety, a chance to rest without fear.


    But, now two brothers fought.


    Why would he want to kill a baby?


    He wasn¡¯t like that.


    Lilah couldn¡¯t understand. He had always been kind and gentle with her and the other kids. Always made them feel safe and secure by his presence.


    So, why now?


    What had changed?


    Keep running and don¡¯t look back!


    The words rang in her head.


    I can¡¯t, I¡¯m scared, why? she thought.


    I don¡¯t know, but I know how strong you are. You can do this. I¡¯ll guide you to my dad.


    He won¡¯t stop crying!


    That¡¯s their thing, but I think I can help you out with that.


    The baby suddenly fell silent.


    Lilah panicked for a moment then realized that he had just fallen asleep.


    When you find my dad tell him everything. I¡¯d do it myself, but I¡¯m going to have to focus all my attention on Eron. Good luck.


    She nodded as she felt the presence in her thoughts withdraw.


    Lilah ran with a heavy burden in her skinny arms.


    She ran from sounds like thunder that seemed to fill the air.


    She never looked back.


    <hr>


    Eron punched through a heavy wooden desk.


    Cal stood in his blue and yellow armor backed up toward the dais at the other end of the cavernous chamber.


    The darkness was no longer an issue for Eron. He continued his flight toward his oldest brother.


    One punch was all he needed.


    Knock Cal out.


    Reveal the baby¡ª


    Not a baby, he reminded himself, but the fog entity.


    He had to be careful though, he couldn¡¯t hit his brother too hard.


    Distracted thoughts in a fight were costly things.


    He failed to notice the flying desk that slammed into his side and knocked him to the floor.


    The weight combined with Cal¡¯s telekinetic force was enough when he wasn¡¯t braced to resist it.


    More impacts crashed down on him from what felt like every direction.


    A mountain of desks and chairs stood in the middle of the senate chamber floor with Eron buried at its base.


    ¡°Is this the best use of our time?¡± Cal said. ¡°With the fog gone, who knows what could happen next. Someone has to make sure that encounter challenges won¡¯t suddenly turn into spawn zones now that they¡¯re free too. That¡¯s you and me.¡±


    Eron grit his teeth and fought the tons of weight on top of him.


    He burst through the makeshift mountain, overwhelming Cal¡¯s telekinetic force.


    His older brother staggered and clutched his head.


    ¡°I don¡¯t hear anything out there. That¡¯s your doing, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t endanger the people out there. There is no threat to them, yet¡­ anyways I¡¯m only keeping you from noticing Lilah and the baby,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Which is the problem. The threat. It isn¡¯t just a baby.¡±


    Dozens of desks and hundreds of chairs rattled against each other as they rose in the air to swirl around Eron.


    ¡°Looks pretty cool, but ultimately useless. You can¡¯t hurt me with furniture. All you¡¯re doing is ruining this place,¡± he said.


    A tornado of debris whirled around him.


    ¡°Since when did you care about stuff like this,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°This place is a memorial to our old world. I¡¯ve started to think that might matter.¡±


    ¡°Guess that depends on perspective.¡±


    ¡°Then, I¡¯m asking you to stop. It¡¯s pointless anyways.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know about that. I¡¯m not trying hurt you. Just slowing you down.¡±


    Eron scowled down at his brother and launched himself fists forward.


    The debris tornado closed in around him, but he was ready.


    He punched his way through ignoring all of the hard hits Cal delivered.


    A storm of splintered wood and plastic filled the chamber as Eron tackled his brother into the floor.


    The hardwood flooring was ruined as he pushed Cal¡¯s helmeted head into it while flying just above.


    A hard, metal-clad knee struck Eron in the solar plexus. Hands pushed down on the inner part of his elbows, bringing his head down. The same hands pulled on the back of his neck while boots were planted on his hips.


    Eron went up, over and upside down into the giant flag and the wall behind it. He pulled the flag down with him as he slid to the floor and landed on his head.


    He was quicker to his feet than his brother. He lifted the enormous desk and threw it.


    Cal was still on the floor, but he caught it with his telekinesis and sent it flying back.


    Eron¡¯s fist turned the desk into a spray of jagged splinters, which came back and pelted him.


    Ineffective, but annoying.


    Eron dashed in just as Cal was getting up.


    He aimed a kick at his brother¡¯s helmeted head. A light one just to be careful.


    Cal¡¯s head rocked back.


    More desks and chairs struck out of nowhere, but Eron was ready for them. He slapped them out of the air. The one or two that hit barely budged him.


    Eron followed up his attack with a bit more force in his punches.


    Somehow, Cal was able to bob and weave out of the worst of the flurry.


    Eron hadn¡¯t expected that. He should¡¯ve had a significant speed advantage over his brother. As a matter of fact, he was feeling a little slower, more sluggish for some reason.


    The momentary distraction allowed Cal to land a four-punch combination. A right jab snapped Eron¡¯s head back, a left straight rubbed his stomach, a right hook touched his cheek and a left uppercut tickled his chin.


    Eron straightened and fixed his brother with a scowl. ¡°You¡¯re still messing with my head?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t drop your hands in the middle of a fight,¡± Cal warned with another hook to the side of Eron¡¯s face.


    He rolled with the blow and fired back.


    His bare fist clanged against the metal covering Cal¡¯s stomach.


    Discomfort, visible through the translucent faceplate, flashed across his brother¡¯s face.


    Eron slipped his head to avoid the metal clad fist and countered with wide, looping punches that blurred to the human eye.


    Once again, Cal managed to just avoid them to land two hooks into Eron¡¯s ribs.


    They didn¡¯t hurt, but he felt them.


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky you only lost the two little fingers on your hand. Good thing you got to keep the punching ones,¡± Eron smirked.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t have made a huge difference when we¡¯re taking superstrength into account. I can break that thing with a finger poke,¡± Cal pointed past Eron.


    ¡°Not going to fall for that.¡±


    ¡°So you say,¡± Cal shrugged.


    A huge desk struck Eron from behind, while the floor was torn from beneath his feet.


    He pitched forward to eat a metal clad knee.


    He reached out, but Cal leapt back out of reach.


    Desks and chairs bombarded Eron from all directions.


    ¡°This again? Getting old!¡±


    Eron flew through the maelstrom with a burst of speed and tackled his brother.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see you try that telekinetic storm crap when you¡¯d be right in it too.¡±


    ¡°Me and the armor can take it.¡± Cal managed to get the words out despite the lung-squeezing bear hug.


    True to his word what seemed like every piece of furniture in the senate chamber pelted the two Cruces brothers as they careened in their struggling flight.


    No matter how hard he tried, Eron couldn¡¯t overpower his brother¡¯s telekinesis.


    Growing frustrated, he head butted his brother right in the faceplate.


    ¡°Dude!¡± Cal snapped. ¡°Careful with the armor. It¡¯s bespoke. I can¡¯t fix it if you do too much damage.¡± He jammed his forearm into Eron¡¯s throat to prevent a second one.


    What felt like fingers began to pry Eron¡¯s grip around his brother¡¯s back loose.


    ¡°Then stop this bullshit!¡± Eron snapped right back. ¡°Every second you waste is one closer to the fog coming back. You¡¯re putting Lilah and everyone else in danger.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just wrong on that.¡± Cal finally freed himself from Eron¡¯s hold. He brought both feet up and planted them on Eron¡¯s chest, kicking him down with added telekinetic force.


    Eron slammed into the floor.


    He reacted quicker this time. He was already flying to circle Cal as desks, tables and bits of railing crashed into the spot he had just vacated.


    A heavy weight from above struck him right across the back.


    Unlike before he was ready for Cal¡¯s telekinetic attacks and had braced himself.


    The invisible force didn¡¯t significantly alter his flight.


    He didn¡¯t give Cal time for a second attack. He zoomed right past him and lashed out with a kick.


    Cal desperately tried to twist his body out of the way, but failed.


    It was his turn to taste floor.


    Cal was slower to get up than Eron had been.


    ¡°Going to need a bit more force,¡± Eron murmured.


    ¡°Are you slowly ramping up until you find what it takes to knock me out?¡± Cal frowned up at him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to permanently damage you despite how much of a bast¡ª asshole you¡¯re being.¡±


    ¡°Nice catch on the b-word and thanks for being considerate. That makes me feel better. Even if my body isn¡¯t loving this right now,¡± Cal groaned.


    ¡°You can¡¯t fool me by playing possum, so I¡¯ll go easier on you,¡± Eron scoffed. ¡°I¡¯m listening to your heartbeat¡­ elevated, but steady.¡±


    ¡°That isn¡¯t necessarily a good indicator of truthfulness. I could just be good at self-control,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What I¡¯m hearing is that you want me to hit you harder.¡±


    A beat.


    ¡°You¡¯re super close to the amount of force needed to put me to sleep.¡±


    ¡°Huh¡­ that¡¯s a good idea. I don¡¯t have to punch in the head. I can just choke you out. A little bit of time without oxygen to brain should put even you down long enough,¡± Eron mused.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not.¡± Cal thrust his hands to the ceiling.


    The entire chamber rumbled.


    Dust shook from the ceiling and fell like snow.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the pose?¡± Eron brushed dust from his shoulders. ¡°I know for a fact you don¡¯t need gestures to use your powers.¡±


    ¡°For looks and misdirection,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Let me guess¡­ you¡¯re going to rip the pipes or cables in the ceiling and use them to tie me up?¡±


    ¡°Close, but not quite,¡± Cal smirked.


    Eron¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Don¡¯t do it! This is, like, a historic building!¡± he warned.


    ¡°Never liked governments and the monuments built to them,¡± Cal smirked. ¡°Although, I¡¯ll concede that some monuments are worthwhile.¡±


    The shaking reached a crescendo as Eron zoomed down toward his brother.


    He was too late.


    The ceiling and everything else above fell down on top of their heads like an avalanche.

 5.42

    Now, Manila


    Cal shot out of the crumbling chamber like a cannonball. He flew through several walls before finding himself out in the sun. He rose up until he was high above the senate building.


    A large section of the building resembled a crater after a meteorite hit. The senate chamber was buried in rubble, pressed inward as though with a giant invisible bowl.


    He lent more weight to the tons of building material with telekinesis.


    This wasn¡¯t a true fight. He didn¡¯t need to win, only delay.


    Admittedly, he was wagering a lot on Eron being dissuaded from his terrible idea by their father¡¯s disapproval.


    He hadn¡¯t really thought about what he could do if even that failed to force his youngest brother to see sense.


    Well¡­ that wasn¡¯t entirely true.


    There were things he could do. Like, say, trapping Eron in a mindscape prison of sorts until he came around or forcing him to go to sleep. Hell, he could probably make Eron forget that the baby even existed.


    Only problem with those methods was that they were all betrayals of the family bond. They would never forgive him if it came to light that he had tampered with their thoughts and memories.


    The rubble began to shake.


    Cal grit his teeth and pressed down as hard as he could. He imagined holding a volcanic eruption down.


    Eron erupted from the rubble.


    Fast.


    Almost too fast for Cal to follow without speeding up his perception and reaction times. The problem was that there was a physical limit to how quickly he could move his body.


    Good thing his mental abilities could be wielded at the speed of thought.


    A telekinetic shield appeared an instant before the loud crack in the air that signaled a chunk of rubble breaking the sound barrier.


    Much of it crumbled before it got close to Cal. What remained shattered against his bubble.


    Cal¡¯s eyes couldn¡¯t track where Eron flew. All he could barely catch were the chunks seemingly shooting at him as fast as bullets from all directions.


    The air was soon choking with a cloud of dusty debris centered on Cal inside his telekinetic bubble.


    Boom!


    A heavy impact from behind threatened to fracture his bubble and by extension his head.


    Cal dropped the bubble then dropped straight down.


    The instant he cleared the dust cloud he struck the edges of his gauntlets together. He captured the spark with telekinesis and shot it straight up.


    Cal¡¯s hearing and vision went dark for a split-second as the Threnosh helmet automatically protected him from the blinding and deafening explosion that seemed to fill half the sky.


    The blast wave propelled him toward the ground, but he never got close.


    Eron swooped out of the fire in the sky, unmarred. The only hint of the wounds that had been on his bare torso were patches of slightly discolored skin.


    Cal pushed at his brother with telekinetic force.


    Eron slowed, but kept coming.


    Cal¡¯s body was too slow to physically react to Eron¡¯s speed, but his mind wasn¡¯t.


    He raised a telekinetic shield around him, just before Eron landed a fist to his helmeted head.


    Boom!


    A second explosion sent a shock wave through the air.


    Red lights filled Cal¡¯s faceplate.


    Boom!


    Cracks appeared.


    Desperately, he sent an indiscriminate wave of telekinetic force in front of him.


    Eron might¡¯ve been a blur, but if he was anywhere in the general vicinity he¡¯d take the hit.


    Luck was with Cal as the blur turned into the distinct form of his brother tumbling away into the sky.


    The cobwebs in his head were slow to clear as he zoomed down toward the partially ruined senate building. He knew that Eron had already righted himself and was flying after him.


    He zipped past the rubble and picked it up in his wake, shoving the pieces at Eron.


    He knew that wouldn¡¯t do much to Eron, but he just needed a distraction.


    He grasped the thread into Eron¡¯s mind and pulled.


    Cal watched Eron plummet out of the sky and hit the street, taking out a row of cars in the process.


    What he saw with his non-physical eyes was quite different.


    <hr>


    Eron blinked.


    He had been flying through a debris field¡ª hadn¡¯t he?


    Now¡ª


    He sat on a couch.


    An old, fat TV was in front of him on the other side of the living room of his parents¡¯ house. The screen showed a pair of pixelated sprites facing off against each other. A blond guy in a red karate gi versus a black-haired guy in a white one. The former was frozen mid flying uppercut with his fist in flames, while the latter was crouched while blocking.


    ¡°You can¡¯t just pause while I¡¯m in the middle of a combo.¡±


    Eron turned his head to the speaker.


    Cal was at the other end of the couch.


    Eron stared at his brother.


    ¡°Are you spacing out, man?¡± Cal raised a brow. ¡°It¡¯s just a game. I mean, I¡¯m kicking your butt, but no reason to get into an existential crisis over it.¡±


    ¡°Game?¡± Eron muttered. He noticed a controller in his hands. The thin shape of gray and white plastic. The d-pad under his left thumb, the purple buttons, a lighter shade for the top two and a darker one for the bottom, under his right thumb. He clicked the two shoulder buttons with his index fingers.


    ¡°Are we going to get back to this or what?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Uh¡­ yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°Alright, then. On three.¡±


    Cal unpaused the game.


    Eron blinked in confusion as he mechanically moved his thumbs while he watched his character battle Cal¡¯s on the grainy screen.


    Japanese words¡­ names of the moves?


    He knew this, but didn¡¯t at the same time.


    Dreams?


    He was dreaming, but it seemed so real.


    Perhaps it wasn¡¯t surprising that his brother beat him quickly.


    ¡°Perfect!¡± Cal grinned. ¡°That¡¯s one for me. You¡¯re going to need to focus if you want to even touch me. At least do some damage this time.¡±


    ¡°Right¡­¡± Eron didn¡¯t want to lose to his brother.


    That feeling was real.


    Everything else seemed¡­ less, somehow.


    He wanted to win, needed to win in a way that scared him.


    He focused as the timer counted down to the start of the second round.


    Fight!


    Eron tried harder this time. He knew all the moves. Blue fireballs, uppercuts and hurricane kicks.


    Except, Cal was better.


    His brother¡¯s character attacked with multi-hit combos, 3-hit, 4-hit and more. He hit with 2-in-1¡¯s, a punch straight into a fireball or an uppercut, a kick into that spinning kick that hit several times.


    In the end, Eron did some damage, but still lost.


    ¡°Bullshit!¡± Eron snapped. ¡°This game sucks! The graphics are shit! You¡¯re a cheater! What the fuck even is this controller?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Cal stared at him with an open mouth.


    Eron blinked. He thought he had caught something flash in his brother¡¯s eyes. Like a twinkle, as ridiculous as it sounded.


    He regarded his brother sitting lazily on the couch.


    ¡°Standard Super Nintendo controller,¡± Cal waved it with his left hand. ¡°Don¡¯t blame it for your shortcomings.¡±


    Eron stared at his brother¡¯s hand.


    Three fingers. Thumb, index and middle. The smallest two were completely gone.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t fair,¡± Eron said flatly.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll let you pick my next character,¡± Cal sighed.


    ¡°Not what I meant¡­ I never played this game. At least not this version. I was too young. I vaguely remember watching you and Remy. Your Super Nintendo was in a box in the garage by the time I was old enough to game. Ergo, this is one of your mindscapes,¡± Eron crushed the controller in his hand. ¡°You¡¯re wasting time.¡±


    Cal straightened as the easy smile left his face. ¡°That¡¯s exactly the point.¡±


    Eron felt anger at his brother¡¯s tricks. It was a burning heat inside of his body. He focused on that because he knew that it was real. He extended it outward.


    The air around him distorted from the waves of heat.


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Cal warned.


    The couch, the coffee table, the walls and pictures hanging on them burst into flames.


    ¡°I don¡¯t really know how your mindshit works, but you¡¯re looking uncomfortable, bro,¡± Eron said, ¡°if you won¡¯t let me out then I¡¯ll burn my way free.¡±


    ¡°You might hurt Lilah and the baby out in the real world,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You¡¯d never let that happen.¡±


    Eron definitely saw a twinkle in each of Cal¡¯s eyes as everything faded to white.


    <hr>


    Cal observed the bay hundreds of feet below him boil.


    ¡°Christ¡­ I¡¯ve seen some things, but that¡¯s¡­ something,¡± he muttered.


    He glanced back to shore and the buildings on fire.


    All just from being in proximity to his brother¡¯s body.


    It had only taken seconds to telekinetically bring him to the ocean, but that had been enough.


    He couldn¡¯t put the fires out, not while Eron was waking beneath the roiling waters.


    ¡°At least I don¡¯t have to worry about him drowning.¡±


    A darker thought shot through Cal¡¯s mind.


    A near drowning might¡¯ve been a good way to take the fight out of Eron, at least for a few minutes.


    Time was precious.


    He had been fighting with Eron for less than two minutes.


    He risked pulling his full attention away from Eron to stretch his thoughts out across the city.


    Lilah and the baby were more minutes away from his dad, who was covering a lot of ground with super jumps.


    He had a rough idea of how long he needed to keep the former two obscured from Eron and he didn¡¯t like his chances.


    As if to punctuate that thought a portion of a container ship rose out of the bay, perhaps a fourth to half of its rear end shot toward him.


    ¡°That¡¯s just dangerous,¡± Cal said as he seized the hulk of rusted metal with invisible hands and sent it back to sender.


    It crashed into the ocean and sent towers of water splashing. Enormous waves rippled out, swamping the islands of derelict vessels in the bay and demolishing structures several hundred feet from the shore.


    Cal didn¡¯t have time to worry about that as a loud boom sent him tumbling through the sky.


    A blur zipped past him with another.


    Then another.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Cal spun in the air.


    The hard impacts jarred him in multiple directions.


    He couldn¡¯t visually track Eron, but he still had a thread into his brother¡¯s thoughts.


    He used it to plant a telepathic attack. He imagined a small ball spikes in Eron¡¯s mind.


    He imagined it expanding violently and was instantly rewarded with a loud curse.


    Eron slowed.


    Cal¡¯s cracked faceplate revealed the intense temperatures in and around his brother.


    ¡°A migraine! You hit me with a migraine! You¡¯re only supposed to do that to bad guys and monsters!¡± Eron roared like a petulant child.


    ¡°Stop acting like one.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I¡¯m trying to prevent one from coming back!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m repeating myself, but the taking of innocent life can never be anything except¡­ bad,¡± he couldn¡¯t, wouldn¡¯t call Eron evil. ¡°Why can¡¯t you just believe your own eyes and ears?¡± he pleaded. ¡°Your own super senses are telling you that he¡¯s just a regular human baby. There isn¡¯t a speck of supernatural anything in him.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m tired of repeating myself,¡± Eron said flatly. ¡°It¡¯s called magic, bro. All that you say is true, but that doesn¡¯t mean anything. It could change in an instant. Then¡­ it¡¯s soul-stealing fog time. So, what¡¯ it going to be?¡± he spread his hands, ¡°you going to keep attacking my thoughts? Give me brain damage? I mean, that¡¯s possible, right? Telepathic attacks probably have a similar effect to physical ones? You can give me a psychic concussion? You¡¯re the only one who knows how that all works.¡±


    Cal raised a hand toward his brother, who floated motionless in the sky.


    He wrapped Eron in the telekinetic version of shrink wrap.


    Invisible, physical force equally pressed on every part of his brother¡¯s body.


    No gaps, except for ones at Eron¡¯s nostrils, mouth, eyes and ears.


    ¡°This is a new one,¡± Eron frowned.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to explain, since that¡¯ll give you ideas. You¡¯re going to remain there, immobile. Maybe think about what you¡¯re going to say to Dad.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re putting a lot of your hopes on him. How do you know he¡¯ll be able to stop me?¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Because I don¡¯t think you¡¯re that far gone in this craziness that you¡¯d fight him to kill a baby.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re so sure that he won¡¯t agree with me,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve always thought of myself as the one most willing to do¡­ bad things, out of our entire family. You were a distant second or third to that. Dad¡¯s way down the list just ahead of Mom.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ this is lame. You¡¯re just going to keep me here while you wait for Daddy to come fix your problems. Too bad that you¡¯re not the only one with new tricks,¡± Eron said. ¡°You should¡¯ve kept out of my line of sight.¡±


    Cal read Eron¡¯s thoughts, but wasn¡¯t capable of reacting fast enough.


    Twin lines of scorched air connected Eron¡¯s eyes to Cal¡¯s armored chest.


    Urgent red flashed in his faceplate and blared in his ears.


    The temperature spiked in an instant.


    He dived desperately as Eron tracked him all the way down to the surface of the bay.


    Distraction.


    He lost the perfectly even telekinetic force around Eron¡¯s body.


    His brother used that to break free.


    He glanced down at his armored chest as he flew through the water. The paint had been burned off to reveal melted metal and scorch marks on the dull gray surface.


    He caught Eron¡¯s thoughts and cursed.


    Cal flew out of the ocean in pursuit.


    It seemed that Eron had decided that if he couldn¡¯t find Lilah and the baby, then all he had to do was find his father. Then he could just snatch the baby out of Lilah¡¯s arms before anyone could react.


    Cal was very disappointed at the callousness in his brother¡¯s thoughts.


    <hr>


    Eron was forced to fly much slower than he was capable of. He had no idea were Lilah was and he wouldn¡¯t risk showering her in shards of broken glass if he broke the sound barrier, nor would he risk her getting caught up in his wake like all the cars, bus stops, trash cans and other things.


    Judging by the loud boom from above, flying slowly had allowed Cal to catch up.


    ¡°Damn it.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t enjoying fighting his brother.


    He had scared himself when he had partially melted the alien metal protecting his brother¡¯s chest.


    He could¡¯ve really hurt Cal then.


    He realized that punching him in the head was dangerous. Misjudge his own strength and¡ª


    He couldn¡¯t risk accidentally losing control in a fight.


    A bus flew up in front of him.


    He punched through it, but found himself cocooned in twisted metal.


    ¡°This is Remy¡¯s deal,¡± he muttered.


    He couldn¡¯t see where he was going so he stopped moving forward and took a few seconds to tear himself free.


    He emerge only to take a car to the face that knock him into a building.


    ¡°This again.¡±


    He felt the car and the rest of the building pressing down on him.


    Lilah and the ba¡ª thing aren¡¯t anywhere near if Cal¡¯s not holding back, he thought, which means I don¡¯t have to either.


    Instead of fighting against what felt like dozens of tons of force, Eron went with it and punched straight through the ground.


    Rocks and dirt opened up into a sewer. He was thankful that the smells weren¡¯t bad, but guilty because of the reasons why.


    He listened and found Cal¡¯s approximate position above the street through the sound of breathing and the heartbeat.


    Eron flew up through the street with an eruption of dirt and asphalt.


    Cal was slow to react despite the fact that Eron knew that his brother was messing with his mind, making him slower than he should¡¯ve been.


    Cal¡¯s arms moved in slow motion as he tried to raise them over his face.


    ¡°Too slow,¡± Eron muttered as he punched his brother in the faceplate.


    He watched as Cal spun up in the air before crashing into a high-rise building.


    ¡°That should slow you down.¡±


    Eron listened and reacquired the sounds of his father leaping across the city, a few miles away.


    He looked back to the bay and was surprised to see that it was closer than he had expected. He had been under the impression that he had covered more distance before Cal had caught up.


    ¡°What¡¯s real and what¡¯s not?¡±


    As if in answer, Cal appeared to stand just inside the hole he had made in the side of he building.


    Eron opened his mouth to shout at his brother for being a dick, but found that it remained shut.


    He noticed a second later that he couldn¡¯t breathe.


    Dick, he thought as he raised both middle fingers up at his brother, I can hold my breath forever. He turned to fly toward his father. Cal would have to reveal Lilah and the baby at that point. Then he could finish it.


    No, I don¡¯t, Cal¡¯s voice spoke in Eron¡¯s head.


    Shit! He¡¯s only blocking them from my perceptions.


    Yeah, I have no idea why you thought your plan would work.


    I can still use Dad¡¯s presence to find the ba¡ª the thing, Eron fired back.


    Maybe¡­ I should¡¯ve done this from the beginning. Huge mistake on my part.


    Dick hole! Eron thought at his brother when he realized that he couldn¡¯t hear his father anymore.


    ¡°And you¡¯re a festizio,¡± Cal said.


    So immature. I¡¯m ashamed for you. I didn¡¯t really want to hurt you, but you keep pushing me into corners, he thought with sadness and resignation. He felt something similar return from Cal.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t want to hurt you either. Should¡¯ve done this from the beginning. You can hold your breath for awhile, but eventually you¡¯ll pass out and we can get this properly sorted out.¡±


    You¡¯re going to sleep first.


    Eron flew at his brother with fists forward only to pass through air and into several walls before stopping. He looked back.


    Cal was gone.


    Mindfucks¡­ are bullshit! he shouted in his thoughts. Where are you?


    Laughter rang out in Eron¡¯s mind.


    Why would I tell you that?


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯m just going to look around and if you happen to get in my line of sight then that¡¯s on you.¡±


    Don¡¯t ruin this building!


    ¡°Too late.¡±


    Eron let the heat behind his eyes loose. From his point of view all he saw was a slight distortion of the air surrounded by small bursts of flames in a spiral pattern around the thin cylinder of his sight.


    Honestly, it was a little disappointing. He had expected his own version of eye beams to look cooler.


    Eron spun, tracing burning lines through the buildings interior walls.


    In a matter of seconds he was surrounded by flames.


    ¡°Oops¡­¡±


    He had specifically kept the heat within himself after accidentally setting several city blocks on fire.


    The building began to shake.


    ¡°Uh oh¡ª¡± Eron choked.


    Cal appeared at his back, with one arm around his neck and the other pressed on the back of his head.


    ¡°You just set everything on fire and managed to completely slice through everything, every wall and pillar. We¡¯ve talked about being careful¡­ about avoiding unnecessary damage,¡± Cal hissed in Eron¡¯s ear.


    Eron couldn¡¯t answer as Cal squeezed and cut off the blood supply to his brain. His brother was augmenting physical strength with telekinesis. That was the only explanation for why Eron couldn¡¯t pull Cal¡¯s hand from his head


    ¡°Just go to sleep, so I can put this out and figure out how to keep the top half of this building from falling off,¡± Cal said.


    The edges of Eron¡¯s vision grew dark.


    He let the heat out.


    He could hear the faint beeping of alarms coming from Cal¡¯s helmet, yet his brother stubbornly clung to the choke hold.


    New flames joined the old ones as much of what was inside the office space caught fire.


    ¡°Are you going to burn down everything that you¡¯ve worked so hard for?¡±


    Cal had a point.


    Eron put on a burst of strength, trying to shake Cal loose by slamming him into the ceiling.


    He flew Cal through several floors as the building continued to break even as his brother didn¡¯t.


    They kept going straight up.


    Eron could feel his brother trying to press them down.


    Nope, he thought at his brother.


    Daylight and beyond.


    Eron kept flying until they were several thousand feet above the tallest skyscrapers. All the while Cal¡¯s armored arm kept squeezing.


    Haven¡¯t blown your muscles out yet? Eron thought.


    ¡°You¡¯ll go out before I do that,¡± Cal grunted.


    I¡¯m glad you comprehend why I have to do this.


    Eron released a burst of solar energy from his bare torso.


    Cal cursed as he was blown away.


    People from many miles away saw it in the sky. High and impossible bright. It defied explanation even in a post-spires world.


    For a moment a second sun blazed over Manila.


    <hr>


    When the light faded and his vision cleared, Cal found Eron floating high above him.


    His younger brother was framed by what appeared to be a faint aura around his body, like the sun¡¯s corona. From lower angle his brother looked to have a halo behind his head.


    ¡°Well¡­ that¡¯s kinda cool¡­¡± Cal said, then he shrugged and grabbed the falling third of the building with telekinesis.


    The weight of six, maybe seven floors strained his already tired brain, but he was able to send it flying at Eron with decent velocity.


    Eron caught it and moved so that he has holding it above his head. The structure immediately began to crumble down on him. Bits and pieces, along with the furniture inside rained down.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t work if you don¡¯t have the powers to keep its structural integrity intact!¡± Cal shouted up to his brother.


    Eron cursed. ¡°You threw a building at me!¡±


    ¡°You sliced it off in the first place!¡±


    The two brothers bickered for a few seconds, hurling blame and expletives at each other.


    A particularly large chunk fell and hit Eron on the head. It bounced off and crushed a car down on the street.


    ¡°You just going to let that thing demolish more of the city? Thought you wanted to protect it,¡± Cal said.


    Eron flew toward the bay.


    Cal didn¡¯t want to destroy more of the city than he already had, so he secretly held the crumbling section of building together until Eron got close enough to hurl the tons of material far enough into the bay that there wasn¡¯t a repeat tsunami.


    Cal took the time to check on Lilah¡¯s and the baby¡¯s progress toward his dad.


    Still too far away.


    A rush of wind and the next thing Cal knew was the sensation of slamming into the street and through it.


    An instant¡­ he took his focus off his brother for just an instant.


    ¡°Welcome to Encounter Challenge: Subway Station 5.¡±


    The spires¡¯ voice came from nowhere and everywhere.


    Cal was on his back inside a train car.


    The sun shined a spotlight on him through the hole in the street. Beyond the halo was near pitch black.


    He switched the helmet to low light mode and was greeted by dozens of shining eyes all around him.


    Pale, almost white-skinned humanoids lurked menacingly just outside the light.


    Bald, misshapen heads with an over-large jaw, mouth with sharp, pointed teeth. Wiry muscle rippled in long, spindly limbs that ended in clawed fingers and toes.


    He flashed back to many years ago.


    A girl turned into a monster because of his negligence.


    He had killed her rather than saved her.


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    He reached out with his telepathy and scanned the creatures.


    Relief washed over him.


    No once-human thoughts were in their heads.


    These had always been monsters.


    The entire station shook and sent dust and debris falling to the ground like snow.


    Eron appeared a moment later in his own spotlight a short distance away. The light emanating from his body sent the monsters scattering.


    Cal seized their minds and kept them from retreating deeper into the tunnels. He had use for them.


    ¡°So, what do you call that attack? Solar Flare?¡± he said. He wanted to keep his brother distracted to waste more time.


    ¡°I don¡¯t name my attacks,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°You should. It¡¯d be cool to shout them out while doing them.¡±


    ¡°No. No it wouldn¡¯t.¡±


    Cal shrugged. ¡°Was it just heat and light? Or more like solar radiation?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that like basically the same thing?¡± Eron frowned. ¡°I release the energy I get from sunlight, so probably really close to that.¡±


    ¡°So, you just bombarded me with intense solar radiation¡­ if you just gave me cancer¡­¡± Cal feigned worry.


    ¡°Can we even get that? We¡¯ve got super everything. I haven¡¯t been sick since then. I¡¯d bet you¡¯re the same. Hell, you spent years on an alien world. Did you get sick there?¡± Eron snorted.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t actually cross my mind.¡±


    ¡°And your fancy armor probably has all kinds of environmental seals, filters and shit.¡±


    ¡°This is, like, the basic model and you¡¯ve cracked and damaged it.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ enough time wasting. Time for you to go to sleep,¡± Eron floated toward Cal.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you generating anymore heat?¡±


    ¡°You were right about one thing. I¡¯d rather not damage the city too much because it¡¯ll be more work for me to fix later,¡± Eron shrugged.


    ¡°One last thing,¡± Cal raised a finger.


    ¡°What now?¡± Eron said as he continued to moved toward Cal.


    Cal cleared his throat. ¡°Yes¡­ we will face the boss of this encounter challenge immediately.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ you fu¡ª¡± Eron got out before a loud roar echoed through the dark tunnels. ¡°That was him!¡± he jabbed a finger at Cal, ¡°not me!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think the spires cares,¡± Cal smirked.


    He sent one command into the thoughts of the dozens of ghoul-like monsters surrounding them.


    Snarling and screeching they launched themselves at Eron as if of one mind¡­ Cal¡¯s.


    The monsters burned as they got close to Eron.


    Heat from his eyes scorched their pale bodies.


    The boss monster appeared behind Cal.


    He forced the same command into the massive thing¡¯s simple brain.


    It charged past him to tackle Eron.


    Cal didn¡¯t stay to watch. He flew up through the hole in the ceiling and toward the bay.


    That should¡¯ve pissed Eron off enough to chase without needing to tamper with his thoughts.


    How much time would the monsters buy?


    Not much as it turned out.


    For the second time in as many minutes.


    Cal was flying one moment and the next he was spinning through the air to crash into the ground.


    ¡°That¡¯s it¡­ I¡¯ve had enough of your cheese strats,¡± Eron hovered a few dozen feet over the small crater Cal¡¯s armored body made in the ground.


    Cal saw many small stars in his vision with one big, bright one in the center, which fell on him like a meteor.

 5.43

    Now, Manila


    Eron streaked down toward Cal.


    He was going to punch his brother in the head. Not as hard as he could, but close.


    Dozens of feet in an instant.


    Cal¡¯s eyes twinkled even as his arms moved in slow-motion to protect his head.


    Eron caught a large shadow out of the corner of his eye.


    Despite his speed and that of his perceptions and reaction times he was too slow to do anything more than cover his own head as the shipping container smacked into him like a supersonic jet.


    His vision went blank for a second, which was odd because that hadn¡¯t exactly hurt.


    Once again his head felt muddled, slower.


    He was certain now that was Cal¡¯s doing, but he wondered why his brother hadn¡¯t kept that on him the whole time. Perhaps Cal wasn¡¯t capable? It could¡¯ve explained why Cal wasn¡¯t using more mindscape trickery.


    His brother could¡¯ve been holding back the same way that he was.


    His vision cleared.


    ¡°I am inevitable.¡±


    A giant, purple-skinned humanoid with a nut sack-like chin stared down at him.


    Eron burned twin holes through the giant¡¯s chest.


    ¡°You¡¯re not warriors. You¡¯re pigs. You¡¯re all pigs!¡±


    A nun-queen-sorceress-looking woman stared down at him from the battlements of a black, spiky castle wall.


    Eron set her on fire.


    A large, eyeless creature with white skin that hung wrinkly and loose around its neck and from the underside of its arms approached him with closed hand. When it opened the hands in Eron¡¯s face an eye set in each palm blinked at him.


    Eron gave its face a proper pair of eye holes.


    A man in blue and yellow armor came out of the sky flanked by a pair of shipping containers.


    This time the heat behind Eron¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t respond when called.


    He covered his head right before the shipping containers crushed him into the ground.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t even hurt,¡± Eron growled as he shrugged them off and took to the sky.


    Cal was nowhere in sight.


    Eron spun, his head on a swivel. Searching, scanning the port for his brother.


    Nothing.


    Cal had erased himself from Eron¡¯s senses, just like Lilah and the fog baby.


    Eron set his burning gaze randomly through the port in the hopes that he¡¯d get lucky and catch his annoying brother.


    Warehouses, containers, trucks, nothing was spared from his sight.


    Thick steel cables wrapped around his body, somehow he hadn¡¯t noticed until it was too late to move.


    He saw Cal then.


    Standing on the ground with a giant crane arm in his hands.


    Eron cursed as Cal wound back and struck him with the crane arm.


    He went flying until the cable jerked him back.


    The crack echoed across the quiet bay as Cal hit him again.


    Once, twice, thrice.


    Eron was jerked back by the cable wrapped around him like a mummy only to be sent flying by the crane arm. Expletives filled the air as he and Cal played a game of paddle ball that only one of them enjoyed.


    As Eron spun he caught sight of the crane arm swinging in for another hit.


    He burned right through the metal, melting a large chunk of it before it could hit him again.


    Cal cursed as he was forced to leap away from the rain of molten slag.


    Eron ripped the steel cable from his body and gave chase.


    Cal flew low over the ocean.


    Eron on his heels.


    A mass of water engulfed Eron, but it only slowed him down a little.


    He reached out to grab Cal¡¯s foot, but was suddenly thrust roughly into the ocean by an invisible force from above. He surfaced quickly and was struck by a yacht that he broke in half.


    Cal dived into the water.


    Eron flew in after his brother.


    They had covered miles in the span of seconds.


    The ocean depths were dark and cold. Things which didn¡¯t mean much to Eron.


    He could see well enough and the heat within him meant that he could never feel cold¡¯s touch.


    Huge tentacles swept out of the deep, grasping for Cal.


    At the last moment they abruptly stopped and reached for Eron.


    He saw the monster then.


    A great, tentacled shark. Teeth-filled mouth more than big enough to swallow him whole.


    Cal was already shooting to the surface.


    Eron didn¡¯t want to waste time dealing with the creature, so he took the direct route to stay on his brother¡¯s trail.


    He went right into the tentacled shark¡¯s mouth and out its side.


    The blue became red and Eron was forced to spit desperately to clear out what he had accidentally got in his mouth. He had a bad habit of not properly keeping his mouth closed.


    Fortunately, flying through hundreds of feet of ocean to get to the surface cleaned him of the monster¡¯s blood and guts.


    He shoot out of the water like a missile.


    The air boomed several times as Cal flew back to the city.


    Eron caught up just as his brother reached the bay.


    Boats, ships and even half a submarine were pulled from the water to impede his path.


    He flew and punched right through them.


    Cal flew down to street level.


    Slower now.


    It seemed that his brother didn¡¯t want to do collateral damage by flying too fast.


    Eron slowed down, but not too much that he wasn¡¯t still gaining on his brother.


    Cal pulled cars from the street and sent them flying at Eron.


    It seemed that his brother had acceptable levels of city damage that he was willing to inflict.


    Eron dodge the cars or slapped them straight down to the street as he continued to chase.


    Cal led him through many twists and turns.


    They flew over a shanty town and Eron was sprayed with metal, concrete and other detritus.


    He grabbed a length of iron rebar and hurled it at Cal like a javelin.


    It skipped off Cal¡¯s armored back, but knocked him off his flight path.


    Eron chased his brother to the street where Cal managed to right himself and suddenly shoot straight up.


    Eron was caught of guard and took two fists to the chest as Cal punched him out of the way.


    The chase continued until the city was a speck beneath them. Where the line between atmosphere and space grew blurry.


    Cal raised a hand toward Eron and clenched it into a fist.


    Eron felt immense pressure from every direction, wrapping his body tight. It reminded him of when he had descended into the Marianas Trench out of curiosity.


    Invisible fists suddenly battered his face.


    Much stronger than before.


    It seemed that Cal wasn¡¯t going to hold back now that he had taken them far from the city.


    ¡°Fair is foul and foul is fair,¡± Eron whispered between blows. He knew that Cal could hear him.


    It was a mistake to take him up to the edge of the atmosphere.


    More of the sun¡¯s rays could reach him.


    The heat within him quickly reached heights it had never before. He had always been worried and careful in the fear that he¡¯d unintentionally hurt those around him.


    ¡°But you can take it¡­ can¡¯t you, bro?¡±


    Eron released the energy he had gathered behind his eyes.


    <hr>


    Cal was forced to drop his hold on his brother.


    The heat and light from Eron¡¯s eyes was different this time. Much stronger, much brighter. It was like staring into the sun.


    Cal intercepted it about half way to him with a telekinetic shield, which shattered and sent a spike of pain through his brain.


    He instantly raised another, then another and so on.


    Multiple layers in the path of Eron¡¯s eye beams.


    Each one that shattered sent a lance into Cal¡¯s brain.


    Until he managed to outlast the energy with only a few feet of space to spare.


    He silently thanked God that the eye beams didn¡¯t move at the speed of light.


    Eron streaked toward him.


    The vast yawning depths of the darkness of space stood in contrast to the brilliant brightness coming from his brother.


    Eron made space shuttle rockets look like sparklers.


    Cal hammered at his brother with telekinesis, all the while doing all he could to telepathically slow his brother down and speed himself up.


    It was a losing battle.


    Cal felt renewed wetness on his upper lip and running down his face and the side of his jaw and neck.


    Eron closed and sent him flying toward the blackness with a thunderous uppercut.


    Cal fought his wild spin and gained control just in time to block another punch with a telekinetic shield that sent a spike through his head as it shattered. Desperately, he countered with a telekinetically-boosted punch to the side of his brother¡¯s head that sent Eron spinning back toward the Earth.


    Cal followed while hitting his brother with telekinetic hammers.


    Eron grunted as he righted himself and powered through to hit Cal again.


    Stars danced in Cal¡¯s vision as shadows grew around the edges of his perception.


    Eron grabbed him by the front of his chest armor. ¡°Give it up. You¡¯re hitting way harder than before, but it doesn¡¯t really hurt me. And you¡¯re bleeding out of your face holes. I thought you¡¯d gotten over that problem.¡±


    Cal¡¯s head snapped back from a punch that multiplied and widened the cracks in his faceplate.


    ¡°Though, I guess you¡¯ve never fought someone as strong as me,¡± Eron said through grit teeth.


    ¡°Congratulations!¡± Cal mocked, ¡°you¡¯re the worst I¡¯ve fought. Giant, flying manta ray kaiju, a sadistic golden angel, an eldritch skin-woman¡­ ripped a quarter of my skin off, ate two fingers and trapped him in a mindscape for a long time¡­ and yet, you¡¯re the worst¡ª¡± he coughed blood against his faceplate, ¡°and do you know why?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going tot tell me even if I don¡¯t care,¡± Eron growled.


    ¡°Because they were all monsters. It¡¯s in their nature to cause destruction, to cause suffering, to do evil¡­ but you¡­ you¡¯re a good person.¡± Cal stared into Eron¡¯s eyes despite the brightness of their inner light, at Eron¡¯s cocked fist without blinking. ¡°And there¡¯s nothing worse than a good person doing bad things on purpose¡­ I should know.¡±


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Do as you say, not as you do,¡± Eron sneered.


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°Not good enough.¡± Eron¡¯s eyes narrowed as he looked past Cal¡¯s shoulder down to the planet. ¡°I guess we found the limit to your range or maybe I knocked you around hard enough to mess with your telepathy.¡±


    Cal suddenly found himself spinning toward the black void as Eron burned a trail back to Manila.


    Eron had opened up a several mile lead before he was able to right himself and give chase.


    There was no way Cal could catch up without cheating, so he did.


    He hit Eron¡¯s mind with the direct manipulation that he hadn¡¯t wanted to do, but that was the lesser of two evils. He couldn¡¯t allow his brother to wet his hands with innocent blood.


    Eron turned and flew back up, straight toward Cal.


    Cal saw the look of surprise on Eron¡¯s face the instant before they collided.


    The impact blew a large hole in the cloud that they had flown into.


    The telekinetic shield around his body was the only thing that saved Cal from serious injury and unconsciousness.


    He saw Eron back in gravity¡¯s hand, tumbling down.


    Cal flew at Eron, strafing him with telekinetic blows that juggled him through the air, farther away from Manila, from the baby.


    Eron responded with a burst of energy that caught Cal in the chest.


    Alerts flashed and blared in his battered helmet as the heat became unbearable.


    He forced Eron¡¯s eyes shut and dived in with more telekinetic attacks.


    Eron overpowered Cal and opened his eyes.


    Cal recoiled from the blazing heat and flash of light.


    The momentary distraction was costly.


    Eron cracked Cal with a punch to the side of the head.


    The alarms went silent, the HUD winked out.


    Cal punched his brother in the throat before taking another hit that rattled his head.


    He grabbed the side of Eron¡¯s head and pulled it close to land an elbow with his opposite arm.


    Eron pressed both hands on the sides of Cal¡¯s head and slammed a forehead into the faceplate.


    It could¡¯ve taken a tank shell to the face with barely a scratch.


    Eron shattered the faceplate.


    Cal pushed the shards away from his eyes with an instinctive burst of telekinesis. He spat blood in Eron¡¯s eyes.


    His brother responded with a wild swing that Cal just managed to duck under.


    He tried to fly away and get some space, but Eron¡¯s hands snatched out in a blur.


    Impossibly strong fingers dug into the Threnosh metal.


    Cal¡¯s armor had taken a beating, layers had been partially melted.


    Eron finally found its breaking point.


    The metal deformed and squealed in his hands as he began to tear it.


    Cal struck at Eron¡¯s elbows with telekinetically-boosted punches, but couldn¡¯t pry them loose.


    The wind screamed in Cal¡¯s ears as Eron pushed him toward the ground.


    Miles and miles covered in seconds.


    The rate of descent scrambled Cal¡¯s insides more than even his superpowered body could handle.


    Bile and blood shot free from his mouth.


    Eron caught it full in the face.


    Cal was caught between choking and laughter as Eron desperately spat.


    Before Cal could say anything he felt his back crash into the ground.


    The long dark hallway called to Cal. He took a few steps into it before backing out.


    He blinked.


    The sun shined down on him.


    The real one, not his asshole brother.


    Cal realized that he was inside a sizable crater, big enough that he couldn¡¯t see the street from where he laid.


    Eron floated down and landed with one foot on either side of Cal¡¯s body.


    ¡°You puked in my mouth!¡± Eron snapped.


    ¡°That¡¯ll teach you to keep your mouth open when you fight¡­ you¡¯ve always been a mouth breather,¡± Cal rasped. His throat burned from spewing up his guts. ¡°Least I could do, considering you broke my armor¡­ my one of a kind armor that I can¡¯t fix and can only get on another world¡­ dick¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just armor. I¡¯m trying to save lives,¡± Eron sighed.


    Cal regarded his brother¡¯s slumped shoulders and bile-drenched face. There were chunks in Eron¡¯s hair.


    Perhaps, his brother was right. That might¡¯ve been worse than the broken armor.


    ¡°Feels like a million needles are stabbing my brain right now,¡± he rasped.


    Eron scowled down at him before looking up and around. ¡°Even with that you¡¯ve managed to block their presence from me again. I didn¡¯t even notice. Pretty slick.¡± He leaned down and tore Cal¡¯s helmet free. ¡°I¡¯m knocking you out now,¡± he raised a fist.


    ¡°That¡¯s not the only thing you failed to notice.¡± Cal stared up as Eron¡¯s shadow fell across his face.


    The punch descended.


    Cal didn¡¯t blink.


    It never landed.


    Another strong hand caught it.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough, both of you!¡±


    A stern voice, filled with disappointment and anger surprised one brother.


    ¡°Explain yourselves, now!¡±


    Their father had arrived.


    Somehow, Cal managed to keep the smug grin from creeping across his face.


    <hr>


    Cal sat on the edge of the crater. He had only gotten up there thanks to his dad¡¯s help. He had tried to stand at first and promptly vomited.


    Eron paced nearby as their dad watched Cal¡¯s face like a hawk.


    ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t need a doctor or a healer?¡± Phillip said. ¡°Throwing up is a sign of a concussion.¡±


    ¡°Definitely,¡± Cal agreed, ¡°I probably have a psychic concussion too¡ª¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not a real thing!¡± Eron snapped.


    ¡°You be quiet. Both of you will only speak to answer my questions,¡± Phillip regarded Eron with disappointment.


    ¡°Honestly, Dad, I¡¯ll be fine,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Okay, then you first. What happened?¡±


    Eron opened his mouth to argue further, but shut it at his dad¡¯s glare.


    ¡°I can¡¯t exactly explain how. Mindscape stuff is tricky. Half dream, half vision, half conscious, half unconscious¡­ pretty crazy,¡± Cal began. ¡°But, to simplify things¡­ basically, Lilah and myself somehow managed to convince the fog entity to turn itself into a human baby¡­ uh¡­ that¡¯s it¡­¡±


    Phillip remained silent for a moment as he processed his oldest son¡¯s words. The moment turned into a full minute before he spoke. ¡°That explains why I found Lilah with a baby, bu¡ª¡±


    ¡°Where is it!¡± Eron jumped.


    ¡°It¡¯s not your turn,¡± Phillip warned.


    The muscles in Eron¡¯s neck flexed as he visibly forced himself to keep his mouth shut.


    ¡°When you say ¡®it¡¯ are you referring to the baby?¡± Phillip continued.


    Eron gave a curt nod.


    Phillip stared at his youngest son with confusion. ¡°What? You can¡¯t see them? They¡¯re right¡ª¡±


    Cal cleared his throat and raised a shaky finger. ¡°Don¡¯t say anything until you ask him why he was kicking my ass across the sky, please, Dad.¡±


    ¡°Well?¡± Phillip regarded Eron.


    Eron¡¯s eyes bore into Cal¡¯s¡­ with metaphorical heat this time. ¡°He says it¡¯s a human baby and I¡¯ll admit that¡¯s what I sense, but we can¡¯t risk the chance that it could one day turn back into the fog. There were over ten thousand people in Manila before the fog appeared. Now there are a hundred. I won¡¯t be responsible for a repeat. I couldn¡¯t live with myself if I did nothing. I can stop that possibility right now.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t even give me the probability of that happening,¡± Cal rolled his eyes then swayed, almost falling over as the world spun.


    ¡°And you can¡¯t do the same of it not happening,¡± Eron scoffed.


    The two brothers bickered until Phillip cleared his throat. ¡°What you¡¯re both telling me is that you¡¯re certain that the baby is just human? Nothing more? Nothing less?¡±


    Cal replied immediately. ¡°Human body, organs and shit. Mind and thoughts are also human. He has no memories beyond the instant of¡­ existence,¡± he shrugged. ¡°I did a deep dive. I didn¡¯t find anything hidden. You can ask Lilah too.¡±


    ¡°I will,¡± Phillip said. ¡°What about you?¡± he regarded Eron.


    Eron didn¡¯t reply quickly and when he did he couldn¡¯t look his father in the eyes. ¡°I can only speak to the physical¡­ it seems human to me.¡±


    ¡°And you wanted to kill it?¡± Phillip kept his tone even.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that I want to!¡± Eron snapped. ¡°Someone has to do it and it¡¯s my responsibility,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°And you would kill a potentially innocent one to prevent a potentially dangerous situation.¡± Phillip took a deep breath. ¡°That¡¯s not right, Anak.¡±


    ¡°Ten thousand people, gone because I was too late. Our relatives¡­ gone. Innocents¡­ gone,¡± Eron whispered.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing we can do to bring them back,¡± Phillip¡¯s voice softened, ¡°it¡¯s not your fault. You¡¯ve flown all around the world helping people everywhere. I don¡¯t care how strong you are now. You can¡¯t shoulder the weight of the entire world. You aren¡¯t responsible for it.¡±


    ¡°What am I supposed to do then?¡± Eron threw his hands up. ¡°It feels like I¡¯m the only one doing anything. Everyone else close to my level are more concerned with consolidating their power in their own territories or going off to other worlds. We should all be working together for everybody¡¯s sake. Instead, it¡¯s wannabe warlords, bullshit slavery or old governments turned dictatorships to keep a hold on what remains of their authority.¡±


    ¡°How are you going to do that with an innocent baby¡¯s blood on your hands?¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°Cal¡ª¡± Phillip warned.


    ¡°No, no¡­ Eron¡¯s right on that account. We have this power and I¡¯ll admit I could¡¯ve done more for this world. Could¡¯ve, should¡¯ve worked harder to fight the abuse while setting up good settlements like you¡¯ve been doing.¡±


    ¡°Words without actions are meaningless,¡± Eron frowned.


    ¡°Eron¡ª¡± Phillip warned.


    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Cal nodded the sudden head movement made him gag, but he kept it in this time. ¡°What¡¯ll it take for you to not kill this baby¡­ I can¡¯t believe those words came out of my mouth,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°A guarantee that it won¡¯t turn into the fog one day, which you can¡¯t provide. No one can,¡± Eron folded his arms across his broad chest.


    Cal looked to his dad. ¡°I probed the baby¡¯s mind. What else can I do? My plan was to get him checked out by that Doctor you got, as well as different mages and the magitech stuff.¡±


    ¡°That sounds reasonable,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°I mean, I had Lilah conjure her sigil and the baby just cooed at it. Touched it and nothing happened. You¡¯d think that was big enough proof that there isn¡¯t a fog entity lurking in him,¡± Cal sighed.


    ¡°Is that true? Can you do it again? For me?¡± Phillip turned to an empty space next to him.


    ¡°They¡¯ve been next to you the whole time,¡± Eron frowned.


    Cal lazily waved a hand.


    Wide-eyed Lilah suddenly became visible to Eron.


    A scared girl, betrayal in her eyes as she cradled an oblivious baby in her arms.


    Eron tensed, but he didn¡¯t move. ¡°Lilah, let me explain¡ª¡±


    She looked away and moved behind Phillip to hide behind a big body.


    ¡°I was keeping them invisible to Eron,¡± Cal explained.


    ¡°There will be no more hurting. We¡¯ve had more than enough of that,¡± Phillip regarded Eron.


    ¡°That thing could turn the entire world into gray emptiness,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Cal added. ¡°In the interest of full disclosure, we,¡± he gestured toward Lilah, ¡°sorta shared dreams or visions with the fog entity and one of them was a barren gray world in which it took everything. To be fair there were other visions in which the fog got beaten.¡±


    ¡°Why are you fighting me so hard on this?¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I already told you, like twenty times,¡± Cal shook his head. A mistake. This time he vomited.


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re okay?¡± Phillip said.


    Cal wiped his mouth before waving away his dad¡¯s concern. ¡°I¡¯m getting better by the second. Why don¡¯t we have Lilah show you why we¡¯re pretty sure that the baby is safe.¡±


    Phillip eyed Lilah. ¡°If you¡¯re willing.¡±


    ¡°I can do it,¡± Lilah said. She wasted no time in tracing her sigil in the air right above the baby¡¯s face.


    The yellow-gold light shined as the baby reached a hand through it.


    ¡°See,¡± Cal said.


    Eron didn¡¯t say a word.


    ¡°You¡¯ve seen that twice, bro. Tell me, please, how can we convince you to not want to kill the little guy,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°The risk¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s worth taking, if the alternative is you staining yourself with innocent blood? C¡¯mon, man¡­ if killing him was impossible, what would you do?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to play theory crafting games with you on this. The stakes are too important,¡± Eron scowled.


    ¡°Eron,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Eron sighed. ¡°It¡¯s very simple. I¡¯d want someone or something¡­ powers, spells or tech, preferably all three, that can detect the instant the fog entity might be coming back. That¡¯s the first part. The second is the capability of destroying it in that same instant. This system has to be in place for the rest of its life.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a bit harsh, don¡¯t you think?¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°You asked, I answered,¡± Eron replied.


    ¡°Alright, deal,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°What you outlined. I agree. For starters, I¡¯ll keep an eye on him,¡± Cal tapped his forehead. ¡°The rest we can figure out later after I rest my brain. I¡¯m pretty sure it¡¯s bleeding.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t agree to anything!¡± Eron snapped.


    ¡°Yes, you did. Too late, no take backs.¡±


    The two brother¡¯s bickered for several seconds before Phillip cut in. ¡°Enough! That is our best course of action right now,¡± he forestalled Eron¡¯s protest with a glare and wiped the smug look off Cal¡¯s face with the same. ¡°I won¡¯t allow my son to kill a baby and I won¡¯t allow two of my sons to continue a fight that burned, broke and otherwise laid waste to a city.¡±


    ¡°A small portion of one,¡± Cal mumbled.


    ¡°One condition,¡± Eron said. ¡°For Cal¡­¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re responsible for it,¡± Eron pointed at the baby.


    ¡°I already said I was,¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°Exactly. That means it doesn¡¯t leave your sight.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ hold on a second. That¡¯s excessive¡ª¡±


    ¡°My one condition¡­ that you asked for.¡±


    ¡°Fine, but only until we¡¯ve put him through all the tests and stuff that completely clears him.¡±


    ¡°Not possible, but I¡¯ll allow it,¡± Eron said. He rose to the sky.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°I was in the fog for months. I need to check on a few places and people around the area and on the other islands.¡±


    ¡°FYI, that senator dude a little north of here, well he and his people were doing slavery, Slave Class and everything, didn¡¯t even know that was thing¡ª¡±


    Eron cursed. ¡°I warned that bastard!¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ I freed the enslaved and scared the shit out of him,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I need to make sure it stuck,¡± Eron grumbled. He zoomed out of sight in seconds.


    Cal groaned as he rose to his feet. ¡°Getting better by the second.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Absolutely, say Dad, can you do me a favor?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Baby needs milk, diapers and clothes¡­ can you get some and also keep an eye on Lilah and him? I mean, the streets are safe for now. No monsters. The only ones you¡¯d have to worry about are the ones inside encounter challenges and buildings.¡±


    ¡°Of course, but what about you?¡±


    Cal pointed to the Greenwich Pizza Restaurant down the street. ¡°It¡¯s been a few decades and I want that, so I¡¯m going to go get it.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in no condition to fight,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Monsters are easy,¡± Cal waved away his father¡¯s concern as we staggered down the street.


    ¡°I guess we need to find a grocery store,¡± Phillip regarded Lilah and the baby. ¡°Would you like me to carry him?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m okay, he¡¯s not that heavy,¡± Lilah shook her head.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m glad you¡¯re feeling a lot better,¡± Phillip smiled.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have to keep my wards up,¡± Lilah grinned.


    ¡°I think I saw a store a few streets back. If you¡¯d like I can carry the two of you and we can jump?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s okay, I¡¯d like to walk in the sun,¡± Lilah said.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Phillip laid a hand on Lilah¡¯s shoulder, ¡°if anyone deserves it, it¡¯s you.¡±

 5.44 Epilogue

    Now, Philippines


    Congratulations!


    You have freed the Metro-Manila Territory.


    Rescued Survivors: 105


    Reward: 30000000 Universal Points


    Individual Reward: 276314 Universal Points


    Individual Bonus Reward: 1 Free Generic Skill (Active or Passive). Claim at the Spire.


    Individual Bonus Reward: 1 Free Sword Skill (Active or Passive). Claim at the Spire.


    Individual Bonus Reward: 3 Free Points to Base Attributes (Distributed at Your Choosing). Claim at the Spire.


    Hanna reviewed, then dismissed the Quest notification before stepping into the Spire.


    The ethereal, mist-like interior was as unsettling as always.


    Her heart began to beat faster despite her wishes.


    The spire had always been a safe space.


    She knew that there was no danger in here, yet¡­ the memories of recent events replayed themselves as they had done often over the past several weeks.


    The mist¡­ the fog¡­ desperate fighting¡­ death.


    Shadows in her mind followed her with each step.


    Time passed or didn¡¯t, as it was wont to do in the spire.


    She found herself in a room with a terminal made of ethereal mist.


    It responded to her thoughts and showed her what she wanted before she could give voice to the request.


    Lesser Enhanced Stamina.


    What use was her best ability if she could only use it once?


    How many died because of that weakness? How many of those could she have kept alive to share in the rewards?


    Hanna confirmed her choice with a thought.


    She wandered the spire for a time. Walking through wide and narrow corridors, up spiral stairs, down straight ones.


    Another room. The same. Different.


    Empty except for a terminal in the center.


    There were more Sword Skills available to her now that she had leveled up considerably.


    Many of the Skills, whether simple or advanced, were things that she could perform on her own. Useful to the lesser fighters, but not to her.


    Even the higher level ones didn¡¯t call to her.


    ¡°Show me the highest that I qualify for.¡±


    The terminal obeyed.


    Most of the Skills were just stronger versions of what she disdained.


    There were a few exceptions.


    She read the description of each one carefully and took time to visualize how she would use them.


    ¡°It¡¯d be useful if there was some kind of demo.¡±


    ¡°The cost to try out a Skill is 10% of the purchase price.¡±


    ¡°No, I do not,¡± Hanna laughed. ¡°Cheap bastard,¡± she muttered.


    It¡¯d cost her almost 5000 Universal Points to test out the Skill that caught her interest.


    ¡°You know what, fine. I¡¯d like to test out Energy Field: Sword.¡±


    The room changed in an instant.


    A plain blade rested in the air within arm¡¯s reach of Hanna. It was almost exactly like her Threnosh longsword.


    ¡°Take your weapon and activate the Skill when ready.¡±


    Hanna did so and took a few practice swings.


    Almost exactly the same.


    ¡°Energy Field: Sword,¡± she said.


    A shimmer formed around the blade. Distorted air, like the haze over a hot road in the desert.


    Curious, Hanna slowly moved the blade close to her arm.


    The shimmer disappeared from the area as it got within a few inches.


    She was able to touch her bare flesh without issue.


    ¡°Practice will begin in 30 seconds.¡±


    Forms began to take shape out of the mist. Some humanoid, some not.


    Her heartbeat spiked. She reminded herself that the danger wasn¡¯t real.


    Her breathing steadied and her heart calmed.


    This was her art. So, Hanna began to paint.


    Time passed.


    Fast.


    Slow.


    The empowered blade cut through thick chitin like it wasn¡¯t there. Forcefields gave more resistance, but ultimately were sliced and pierced.


    Her foes had been copies, but she was certain that the spire had created duplicates so close to reality that it didn¡¯t matter.


    The choice was an easy one. The Skill hadn¡¯t changed anything about how the sword felt in her hands. It had simply and exponentially increased the blade¡¯s cutting and thrusting power.


    One last thing to do.


    ¡°Yeah, um, spire¡­ I¡¯ve got 3 free points to add to my base attributes,¡± Hanna had never heard of anything like this, so she didn¡¯t know how to proceed, ¡°how do I do that? Do I do it through my Personal Account thing? Or¡­¡±


    Her page appeared floating in front of her.


    From discussions with others, she knew that the forms varied with each individual.


    For her it was a set of pages, simple and easy to ready.


    ¡°Make your selections when ready.¡±


    Hanna Gozen.


    Swordswoman, Level 35.


    Her attributes were also listed. Along with all her Skills. A record of the Quests she had undertaken, successes and failures. Universal Points and other pieces of information.


    She had already given her choices much thought.


    2 to endurance and 1 to strength.


    For the future she needed to be able to use her most powerful Skills more often and she wanted to close the gap against superhumanly strong opponents.


    ¡°Hey, so, how do I get more of these free attribute points?¡±


    ¡°You may purchase that information for 150000 Universal Points.¡±


    Hanna cursed. ¡°Pay to win crap!¡±


    She couldn¡¯t even get others to pitch in since only the purchaser could access the information. All attempts to share it would¡¯ve failed. The others simply wouldn¡¯t hear anything spoken or see anything written.


    They had tried that in the early days.


    With her business done, Hanna exited the spire and walked across the street into the airport.


    It had been a tough battle to claim the entire place from the monsters.


    The Cruces family and others had previously held it, but when the fog entity had killed them the airport had reverted to an encounter challenge.


    It had been one of the first places the living Cruces claimed in the aftermath of the fog entity¡¯s destruction.


    Phillip, Cal, Eron, Madalena and a few others that Eron had flown from other parts of the country had taken the multiple sections all at once.


    Eron had handled one on his own, as did Phillip.


    Cal, in badly damage Threnosh armor, Madalena and the rest took care of the last.


    There was a story there.


    Hanna was struck by the damage Cal had taken. Her own armor hadn¡¯t suffered nearly as much and that was against superpowered shades.


    The battle with the fog entity must¡¯ve been terrible. She had tried to ask him about it, but he had demurred, citing all the things he had to take care of¡­ a baby, of all things.


    Hanna made her way to the eerily empty airport terminals until she reached one of the restaurants that Demi had claimed as command center.


    It had a clear view of the tarmac and the plane that they were working on.


    ¡°How was it?¡± Demi said without looking up from the papers spread out on the table.


    Hanna gave the report.


    ¡°That¡¯s a shame. We need to know what it takes to get attribute points for free,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°It¡¯s obvious that it was tied to my contribution to the Quest. Aside from Rino, I was the only one that fought and beat Cruces shades in what can be considered one on one fights.¡±


    ¡°Rino isn¡¯t talking to anyone about her rewards. All your effort and you only got 3 free points,¡± Demi shook her head. ¡°So many dead, everyone hurt.¡±


    Hanna didn¡¯t want to think about that. ¡°I haven¡¯t had a chance to ask, how many Universal Points did our entire group get. 30 mil and I only got about 275k of that.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡­ I gathered that info a couple of weeks ago, with one exception,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Cal?¡±


    Demi snorted. ¡°About 8 million split among our entire group, minus whatever Cal got. Phillip got 2 million and he¡¯s offered to give us half to share or spread to next of kin. Word is Cal and him flew up north and took care of our local recruits¡¯ families. They and Eron have been flying people down if they want to live here and become part of the rebuilding process.¡±


    Hanna didn¡¯t want to think about her dead teammates. ¡°That¡¯s good. They won¡¯t be exploited anymore.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s only a good thing if they can be kept safe,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°So, 20 mil¡­ I¡¯m thinking Eron, Cal and that Lilah kid got most of the rest.¡±


    Demi shrugged. ¡°Can¡¯t argue too much. Individually, each person that made it received more Universal Points than they got over the last ten years, multiple times.¡±


    ¡°It cost us a lot¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ yeah it did. It¡¯s not much consolation, but their families will get their share,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°All things considered, we got off lightly. The spears and the rangers got torn up.¡±


    ¡°One is too much,¡± Demi said. ¡°He was with us from the beginning and now he¡¯s gone.


    Hanna thought of Ron.


    She walked behind the bar and grabbed a pair of glasses and a bottle from the top shelf. She sat back down at the table with a sigh and poured.


    ¡°To all those that died so that the rest of us might have a chance,¡± Hanna raised a glass.


    Demi clinked hers after a moment. ¡°To Ron¡­¡±


    ¡°Keisha¡­¡± Hanna downed her glass in one.


    Demi stared at her glass. ¡°Regular people aren¡¯t meant to fight such monsters.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why we have to become more,¡± Hanna said after a moment.


    Heavy steps entered the restaurant.


    ¡°Uh¡­ am I interrupting something?¡± Jake said.


    Demi gestured for the big man to take a chair.


    ¡°So, finally got the results¡­¡± he began.


    ¡°And?¡± Demi regarded him with interest.


    ¡°Well¡­ he¡¯s a human baby. At least as far as we can tell. Nothing weird about him. The instruments were calibrated against a sample size of practically everyone currently in the city. So¡­ do either of you know why Cal wanted us to do that, cause I¡¯m dying to know.¡±


    Hanna was a bit lost so she asked for clarification.


    ¡°Cal wanted the baby he found in the city checked out,¡± Demi shrugged.


    ¡°Why?¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure you had to be in one of those sanctuaries to not get turned into a shade,¡± Jake said. ¡°Don¡¯t you have, like, Skills to find out the truth from people. Detective Ordonez has interrogation ones,¡± he eyed Demi.


    ¡°That¡¯s the problem. He was being truthful, rather I couldn¡¯t detect any hint of deceit. The story is that Cal found the baby in a building after they took care of the fog entity,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Lucky baby,¡± Jake shrugged.


    ¡°Sounds suspicious,¡± Hanna said. ¡°But, what¡¯re you even looking for?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, beyond what you just said. It¡¯s suspicious¡± Demi echoed. ¡°It¡¯s out of my hands,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°How¡¯s the work on the plane going? I¡¯ve been busy with baby stuff,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°We¡¯re a month away, maybe a month and a half,¡± Demi replied.


    Jake¡¯s face broke into a broad smile. ¡°It¡¯ll be good to get home.¡± He faltered. ¡°Not looking forward to telling Hillary about Ron, though¡­¡±


    ¡°Grab a glass,¡± Hanna nudged Ron toward the bar.


    ¡°She has us,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Next time it could be one of us,¡± Jake returned with a glass for Hanna to fill.


    ¡°Until then we can only do our best for everyone,¡± Hanna raised her glass.


    <hr>


    Sgt. Butcher¡¯s pen hovered over the blank piece of paper.


    This was the last letter of condolence to next of kin that she had to do. It had taken her the better part of a month to do the previous three. Death was always on table for the rangers, but something about them dying so far from home made this time tougher to swallow. Like ashes in her mouth or shit.


    This last one was to Smores¡¯ parents.


    ¡°Too young¡­¡± she muttered.


    She slammed the pen down on the table and stood up.


    ¡°Sarge?¡± Hardhat said from a table on the other side of the airport restaurant.


    She waved her ranger¡¯s concern away and walked to the front of the restaurant and stared out the terminal¡¯s huge windows.


    A huge flying thing, some kind of mutated bird swooped low over the tarmac.


    Gun fire erupted from the people defending the mechanics and R&D people working on the their ride home.


    ¡°Fight!¡± Hardhat said.


    The rangers in the restaurant scrambled from their chairs.


    Sgt. Butcher held up a hand. ¡°They¡¯ve got it covered.¡±


    The mutated bird crashed into the ground and the fighters moved in to finish it off.


    The Ranger Sergeant idly wondered why the sight of that had barely raised her pulse as she listened to her rangers¡¯ conversation. What was left of her original squad and the new recruits that were going to go back with them discussed official handles for the latter.


    ¡°Useless?¡± Rai said with dismay. ¡°But¡­ why?¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t do much,¡± Hardhat shrugged.


    ¡°But, I disrupted the shades for that split-second,¡± Rai looked to Ambrose for support.


    ¡°Yeah, helped me kill one,¡± Ambrose said.


    Hardhat held up a finger. ¡°That was one thing.¡±


    ¡°There weren¡¯t any spirits,¡± Rai tried.


    ¡°Don¡¯t feel too bad. Half the handles we hand out suck. It¡¯s part of the charm,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I pick my own?¡±


    ¡°Not how it works,¡± Hardhat shook her head. ¡°Anyways, that¡¯s my suggestion. You got one, Aims?¡±


    ¡°Nope¡­ I second your choice.¡±


    Rai¡¯s groan was accompanied by the thunk of his forehead on the table.


    ¡°Great! So, Rai¡­ you are now officially Useless, even without Mouthy¡¯s vote, it¡¯s a majority with me and Aims,¡± Hardhat grinned evilly.


    ¡°What about Sgt. Butcher?¡± Rai tried.


    ¡°The squad chooses,¡± Aims said as he rose from the table. ¡°I¡¯m going to get a beer, anyone want one?¡±


    ¡°Yes, please,¡± Ambrose said.


    Hardhat nodded.


    Rai raised a defeated hand.


    ¡°How old are you two?¡± Aims¡¯ eyes narrowed.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°Eighteen,¡± Rai said.


    ¡°Er¡­ the same or seventeen¡­ I¡¯m not sure,¡± Ambrose said.


    Aims frowned.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be a dick!¡± Hardhat threw a crumpled up napkin at Aims and missed by a fair margin. ¡°They fight, they drink.¡±


    Aims shrugged and went behind the bar nearly running into Fin.


    ¡°Food,¡± Fin said as he came out of the kitchen with a tray. Burgers and a pile of fries. He plopped the whole thing down in the middle of the table.


    ¡°Really?¡± Hardhat eyed the pile of fries on the middle of the tray.


    ¡°I cleaned it first,¡± Fin said flatly as he sat down and started eating.


    ¡°Terrible service,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Not¡­ paid¡­¡± Fin said in between bites.


    Aims returned with beers.


    ¡°Okay, do me next,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°Creeper,¡± Aims replied immediately.


    ¡°Reason?¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°The kid gets abilities from the heads of his victims¡­ sort of reminds me of an old movie.¡±


    Hardhat shook her head. ¡°I say Squirrel or Chipmunk.¡±


    ¡°What? Why?¡± Ambrose said as Rai snorted.


    ¡°I saw you had a couple of their heads on your belt, plus you sorta move like one in a fight¡­ all quick and jittery.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t get that impression at all,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°Looks like it¡¯s an impasse. Gonna have to wait for Mouthy,¡± Hardhat said.


    They ate and talked eventually going back around to the ranger names.


    ¡°We called Smores that because he hated those things,¡± Aims smiled sadly.


    ¡°Catscratch, you never met him, got his cause a cat swiped his face, like, five times in two seconds,¡± Hardhat laughed, ¡°it was hilarious! Big man getting combo-ed by a tiny cat.¡±


    ¡°Almost lost his eyes,¡± Aims nodded.


    ¡°Thank God for healing magic,¡± Hardhat added.


    ¡°Yes, that is humorous,¡± Fin said.


    Rai and Ambrose exchanged a look. ¡°What about Chains? I mean, we only met her briefly before¡ª¡± the latter began.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± the former continued as the smiles fell from the rangers¡¯ faces.


    ¡°Not your fault,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°It was her smoking pipe magic,¡± Hardhat said. ¡°She was like a chain smoker.¡±


    ¡°Turned it into a mage class,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°And Two-toes? Did she only have two toes?¡± Rai said.


    Hardhat¡¯s laughter was more subdued this time. ¡°You want to tell the story?¡± she nodded to Aims. When he shook his head, she continued. ¡°It was in the early days of Rayna¡¯s Rangers. We didn¡¯t have the best equipment and she had to wear boots that were a couple of sizes too big. So, there are these things, landsharks, basically amphibious sharks with legs.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve seen those before when I went to a beach once,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°So, one of these things, chomped right down on Two-toes¡¯ boots, both of them. She got lucky and kept all her toes,¡± Hardhat finished.


    ¡°That¡¯s it? You gave her that name because she almost lost her toes?¡± Rai said.


    ¡°Yup,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Your names are obvious, as is Mouthy¡¯s, but what about Sgt. Butcher,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°That¡¯s her actual name,¡± Hardhat shrugged.


    ¡°It¡¯s also a fitting one, if it wasn¡¯t,¡± Aims said. ¡°At least that¡¯s what the stories say of her days before the rangers.¡±


    The newly-minted rangers turned to look at their squad leader.


    Sgt. Butcher had her back turned to them as she continued to stare out the windows.


    Mouthy appeared walking with a purpose and an angry scowl on her face, stopping in front Sgt. Butcher.


    They couldn¡¯t hear what the two said, but the conversation lasted a few minutes, before Mouthy stomped over to join them at the table.


    ¡°Where¡¯s my fucking burger?¡± Mouthy said as she crammed a hand full of fries in her mouth.


    Fin sighed and stood, but Aims waved him down.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of this one. You did ours,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Fin mumbled.


    ¡°Grilled onions and grilled tomato,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°You¡¯re getting the same as the rest of us. You want fancy, you do it yourself,¡± Aims raised a brow.


    ¡°Fine, whatever, dickhole,¡± Mouthy muttered.


    ¡°Bad time at the spire?¡± Hardhat poked Mouthy in the side, hard.


    Mouthy slapped her hand away and grumbled. ¡°Class changed.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s different,¡± Rai said.


    The others, even Fin, eyed the brawny ranger with interest as she continued to shovel fries into her mouth. ¡°Beer me!¡±


    After a moment, Ambrose got up with a sigh.


    ¡°Well? What¡¯s your Class now?¡± Hardhat poked.


    ¡°Stop doing that, bitch,¡± Mouthy said without heat. ¡°Ranger of Grief¡­¡±


    ¡°The fuck is that even supposed to be?¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Dunno¡­ like I fight better if I¡¯m sad or whatever¡ª¡± Mouthy downed half the glass of beer Ambrose had just handed to her. ¡°It¡¯s straight shitsack.¡±


    ¡°Smores would¡¯ve loved this,¡± Hardhat said softly.


    Mouthy said nothing as she stared at the glass in her hands. ¡°Yeah¡­ he would¡¯ve,¡± she said after a moment.


    <hr>


    ¡°You sure about staying?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Yeah, your brother needs someone he can lean on,¡± Phillip replied. ¡°He blames himself for everything that happened here. For all the deaths and your fight.¡±


    ¡°He feels bad about it?¡± Cal scoffed. ¡°I¡¯m the one that should be mad. He ruined my Threnosh armor. I can¡¯t just go back and get it fixed.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not anger. It¡¯s guilt. I¡¯m sure he would take it back if he had the choice. I¡¯ll talk to him. Get him to see that he¡¯s not a bad person. Desperation drove him to it.¡±


    Cal agreed with his father¡¯s words in principle. During the fight with Eron he had seen enough of his youngest brother¡¯s thoughts. He was certain that Eron truly believed that he had been doing the right thing to spare the world from the fog¡¯s potential. Even though Eron knew that it would¡¯ve killed something inside of himself had he succeeded in killing the baby.


    This was why Cal knew that he had done the right thing in preventing that. A man with Eron¡¯s level of power needed to be good, otherwise everyone else would suffer.


    ¡°I tried to talk to him. Just to let him know that I understood and that I didn¡¯t hold any hard feelings. He wouldn¡¯t even look at me,¡± he said.


    ¡°Anger, shame and guilt,¡± Phillip said. ¡°Give it time.¡±


    ¡°Those last two are, like, the same.¡±


    ¡°Are they?¡± Phillip raised a brow.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Cal snorted. ¡°So, how long do you think you¡¯ll stay? You can¡¯t just buy a plane ticket whenever you want.¡±


    ¡°I can swim or row a boat if I have to,¡± Phillip laughed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that. Who knows how far the Deep Azure¡¯s reach is?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m kidding. Eron said he could fly me home when I wanted.¡±


    ¡°Do you have anything you want me to tell Mom?¡±


    ¡°Just tell her and Rayna that I love them. I¡¯ve already sent them spires messages,¡± Phillip looked to the dark sky. ¡°I¡¯m not only staying for Eron¡¯s sake. This place needs a lot of help. I need to keep an eye on Manila while Eron¡¯s busy flying around the islands looking for our remaining family and bringing back others in bad situations. We have to build a force capable of keeping the encounter challenges from turning into spawn zones. As well as fighting random monster attacks.¡±


    Cal laughed. ¡°The nerdy things that are coming out of your mouth,¡± he shook his head.


    Phillip smiled. ¡°Can¡¯t call it nerdy when it¡¯s real and serious.¡±


    ¡°True¡­ damn it!¡± Cal tried to shush the baby in his arms. The laughter had woken the small human.


    ¡°Are you sure about him?¡±


    ¡°That was part of the deal. I have to keep an eye on him for potential fogginess, even if I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a possibility. All the tests, medical, magical and a combination of the two came to the same conclusion. So, he¡¯ll be staying with me for now. I hope I can find some people to adopt him.¡±


    ¡°What did Nila say?¡±


    Cal shrugged. ¡°She was¡­ fine¡­ with it at least according to her message.¡±


    ¡°You do know that you¡¯ll have to tell the adoptive parents the full truth.¡±


    ¡°Do I? I mean, what¡¯s wrong with sticking to the official story. I found him when the fog entity was defeated. All basically true. Like, I tried to tell Eron, since the baby is human then you can¡¯t really draw a direct line to the fog entity. It¡¯s not like water turning to ice or steam, that¡¯s still water in different forms. This is completely different.¡±


    ¡°Try to put yourself in the prospective parents¡¯ shoes. Wouldn¡¯t you want to know the full truth?¡±


    ¡°Honestly, probably not.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ it¡¯s your responsibility, so the choice is yours,¡± Phillip sighed. ¡°I just don¡¯t want you to have regrets that¡¯ll add to your burdens. Speaking of which¡ª¡±


    Cal raised a hand. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Dad. I don¡¯t need to talk. Save it for Eron. I¡¯m pretty sure he needs that more than me.¡± He stared at the private jet and the people boarding and loading luggage and equipment in order to ignore his dad¡¯s patented look of concern. ¡°Not looking forward to flying on top without my Threnosh helmet,¡± he adroitly changed the subject. ¡°It¡¯s going to be loud using this thing,¡± he nudged the motorcycle helmet next to his foot.


    ¡°Who¡¯ll watch the baby while you¡¯re outside the plane?¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Ginessa will¡­ speak of the¡­¡±


    The young woman, aswang, in question came out of the airport and approached quickly.


    Cal discreetly used his telepathic abilities to mute the effects of Ginessa¡¯s supernatural charm and beauty for both him and his dad.


    ¡°Hey, thanks so much for taking care of him,¡± Cal said as he handed over the baby.


    ¡°No problem, it¡¯s the least I can do for everything you¡¯ve done for me,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t do much,¡± Cal demurred.


    What he had done for her had amounted to taking her from one dangerous situation to a more dangerous one.


    ¡°You¡¯re giving me an opportunity for a new start in a place where I can be more accepted despite my Class. Watch Captain Lawrence and Rino promised me that it won¡¯t be like Ilagan,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let them make you fight or do anything to dangerous if you don¡¯t want to,¡± Phillip warned. ¡°You can always send word if you need help.¡±


    ¡°Yup. You won¡¯t be alone. You¡¯ll meet a Vampire, he¡¯s a good guy,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Goodbye, Po,¡± Ginessa dipped her head to Phillip.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be better for her there. There isn¡¯t that automatic animosity like there was here. Get her away from Cristos, even if he didn¡¯t really want to kill her on the datu¡¯s and that priest¡¯s orders,¡± Cal said as they watched Ginessa board the jet with the baby in her arms.


    ¡°Well¡­ if Eron has his way and I don¡¯t see why he wouldn¡¯t, most of the datu¡¯s people will be in Manila soon,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°It¡¯s a better deal. They won¡¯t have to scrape and bow for scraps. If they can hold Manila and keep the monsters at bay they¡¯ll have freedom and more than enough food, medicine and whatever else they need to live comfortably¡­ minus the monsters of course.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do all I can to get them started,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Do you think I should give the baby a name? Or leave it to the adoptive parents?¡±


    ¡°Give him a name, but don¡¯t tell the adoptive parents, so they can name him themselves. Easy.¡±


    ¡°Phillip 2¡­¡± Cal mused.


    Phillip snorted.


    ¡°Raynard? Ray? Rayna Jr.¡±


    ¡°You might want to ask your sister first.¡±


    ¡°Meh,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ll make list and then roll dice. That way it¡¯s left to fate and none of you can get mad at me.¡±


    ¡°I wonder if they think it was all worth it. Coming here, I mean,¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°To varying degrees,¡± Cal replied. ¡°They gained more levels in a few weeks than they had in multiple years, but the friends they lost hurt and will continue to for as long as they live. For some it¡¯ll fade in time, but for others it¡¯ll be a chain around their necks that¡¯ll only get heavier as more links are inevitably added in time.¡±


    ¡°Jeez, Anak¡­ are you sure you don¡¯t want to talk about your¡­ struggles?¡± Phillip said.


    ¡°Thanks, Dad, but I¡¯m fine right now. I¡¯ve got plenty of things to focus on. Find the baby a name and parents. Keep my promise to a dead man. Find a torture elf. Plus a few other things to look into.¡±


    Father and son watched the rest of the boarding and loading process in companionable silence until it was time for the latter to join it on their way home.


    <hr>


    Eron flew over a fight in progress.


    A trio of people struggled to keep a giant monster from continuing on her path toward the city.


    The fight had started about a half mile from the tree line, judging by the visible swath of destruction through the rainforest.


    He took a moment to assess the situation before deciding on intervening.


    The monster vaguely resembled an obese woman going by her physical features, which were on display thanks to the fact that she was naked. Her skin had the color of charcoal, as did her long, scraggly hair. Two thick, stumpy legs, like an elephant¡¯s shook the ground with every step. They rang loud in his ears despite being over a thousand feet above. Over-long arms that nearly reached the ground swung out in attempts to swat aside the people harassing her.


    Two of the people were unfamiliar to him.


    A big boned, muscular woman with light brown skin and wild black hair darted between the giant monster¡¯s legs, slashing with claw-like fingernails.


    Eron caught the sight of sharp canines as the woman smiled with undisguised glee.


    A feral-type, he¡¯d come across several over the years. Sometimes it was the product of natural, if you could call it that, biological changes, superpowers. It could also be a result of a Class. He wondered how fast she could heal. That seemed to be pretty common to the power set of the former.


    The giant turned with a snarl and pointed at the feral woman. It uttered a guttural curse as it pointed a finger.


    The feral woman instantaneously staggered and shook her head.


    Eron watched as her eyes grew heavy and her head lolled.


    The shadow of the giant monster¡¯s arm fell over the feral woman before the monster brought it down like a falling tree, aiming to flatten the feral woman like a mosquito.


    The second person he didn¡¯t recognize leapt forward.


    A young man with sun-darkened skin caught the giant monster¡¯s hand with his own, while kicking the feral woman out of danger. The young man¡¯s curly black hair hung heavy with sweat as he grimaced while pushing up against the giant.


    A not insignificant amount of superhuman strength and all that entailed, Eron decided.


    Superhuman durability was needed when the giant changed tack and closed over-long fingers around the young man¡¯s hands and arms. She slammed the young man on the forest floor twice in quick succession before a pair of loud pops drew a splash of red from her wrist.


    The young man went flying as giant fingers released their hold.


    The third member of the party was someone Eron recognized, though he couldn¡¯t remember the middle-aged woman¡¯s name. He had encountered her briefly a few years ago in Indonesia. Nothing bad, nor good from that interaction.


    The woman pointed finger guns at the giant and fired again.


    A power not a Class. The woman generated projectiles that were roughly analogous to 9mm pistol rounds.


    Two bloody pinpricks appeared in the giant¡¯s naked chest.


    Not bullet proof, but too much fat and dense muscle for the small caliber-equivalent rounds.


    ¡°Big as an elephant, but much tougher,¡± Eron muttered.


    The earth shook under the giant¡¯s stumpy feet as it charged the finger guns-wielding woman.


    Faster than an elephant.


    The feral woman gave chase and leapt onto the giant¡¯s back within a few strides.


    It was an impressive leap.


    The feral woman snarled like a jungle cat as she clawed at the giant¡¯s face and eyes.


    The giant ignore her as it leapt as well.


    Eron¡¯s brows rose.


    Something so big and heavy shouldn¡¯t even be able to get off the ground and yet this monster was in the middle of a passable imitation of an Olympic long jumper.


    Every thing moved in slow motion to Eron, which is why he as content to watch for now. He knew that the middle-aged woman would be able to scramble back to avoid being flattened by the giant¡¯s enormous butt.


    The middle-aged woman continued firing her finger guns as the giant landed with an earthshaking thud.


    The strong young man appeared shouting. He dragged a small tree behind him as he ran toward the giant.


    The feral woman leapt off the giant¡¯s back just as the young man spun and smacked the giant in the face.


    The giant rocked backed as the tree shattered and sent splinters flying in all directions.


    A few of which found homes in the feral woman.


    Eron had seen enough.


    The sky shook in his wake as he flew down.


    All eyes, even the giant¡¯s, looked to the sky at the multiple booms that shattered the quiet air.


    They had no hope of tracking him.


    He swooped down and grabbed the sides of the giant¡¯s head before flying back up just as quickly.


    The giant¡¯s spittle splashed against Eron¡¯s face as the pungent odor filled his nostrils.


    He judged that he was high enough, so he looked the giant in the eyes.


    Beady eyes, oddly small in proportion to the large, broad face.


    They burned and boiled as Eron looked through them and into the giant¡¯s brain.


    The giant¡¯s futile struggles ceased in a few moments.


    He hurled the corpse away.


    The city of Davao was set in a bay and it wasn¡¯t a hard throw.


    Eron watched for the tiny splash in the distance before he flew down to the three people.


    ¡°What¡¯re you doing all the way here?¡± he addressed the middle-aged woman.


    She stared at him with with eyes. Her fingers twitched, but she conspicuously kept them splayed at her side with palms facing forward. ¡°I heard you were stuck in that fog stuff that took Manila, Relentless.¡±


    Eron cringed inwardly. He blamed Wytchraven for putting the fear of being too free with his real name in him.


    ¡°My question,¡± he said.


    The other two had stiffened upon hearing his¡­ other name. They had taken a half-step back behind the middle-aged woman.


    ¡°Not much to say. Things went bad back home. We had to leave.¡± She jabbed a finger toward the young man.


    Eron noticed that he had what looked like gills on the sides of his neck.


    ¡°He¡¯s a good swimmer, so we tied a rope around him to a small boat and he pulled us across the Sulawesi Sea. Ended up in Davao and got a job with the datu¡­ we strictly fight monsters that the normals can¡¯t handle, like that fat woman giant¡­ we don¡¯t do anything to the normals, we¡¯re being very professional,¡± she hastily added, ¡°thanks by the way.¡±


    ¡°A lot of dangerous things in the ocean,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I¡¯m fast,¡± the young man challenged.


    ¡°And strong.¡± Eron regarded the trio.


    ¡°Hey, man,¡± the middle-aged woman slowly raised her hands, ¡°I swear we don¡¯t get involved with anything unless it¡¯s monsters. We work for food and housing.¡±


    ¡°And money,¡± the feral woman growled.


    ¡°Yes¡­ and that,¡± the middle-aged woman nodded, ¡°but fair wages. So¡­ uh¡­ please don¡¯t beat us up¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve barely said a word, why would you think that?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got a rep,¡± the middle-aged woman shrugged.


    Eron slowly began to rise up.


    The trio shrank back.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if any of that is fair or accurate, but if you three would like to learn the truth then you can go to Manila. Similar arrangement that you have here. Fight monsters, clear challenges and zones, defend the people¡­ work with the people. Everyone has the right to a relatively safe and comfortable existence. No exploitation.¡±


    He left them as he flew toward the city. He had already scanned it on his flight over and had seen much that he didn¡¯t like.


    It was the same old story. The strong taking from the weak. The datu and those on the top reaped the fruits of everyone else¡¯s labor. Nothing outright as heinous as open slavery, but he knew that he¡¯d have to give the city a thorough search to find any secret torture prisons that the datu used to hold people that didn¡¯t submit. Perhaps, he could just ask the man. That¡¯d be quicker.


    It¡¯d upset the datu, but Eron didn¡¯t care. He was going to upset the man immensely. After all, he was going to take any willing individual in Davao and move them to Manila.


    Sure, he could¡¯ve physically replaced the datu with someone more aligned to his ideals, but that had never been a bloodless process and was often tenuous.


    Manila had plenty of room.


    The thought a less violent solution was appealing.


    The image of Cal¡¯s blood-bathed face staring up at him from within the broken helmet flashed through his thoughts.


    Nearly two months had passed from that moment. In that time he had been forced to reconsider his position.


    The more he had observed the baby from a far distance, the more he had watched and listened to it do baby stuff, the more his certainty had turned to doubt, which gave birth to shame.


    It would take a lot of effort on his part to ferry people by the bus load from the largest southern island to the largest northern island of the Philippines. It was going to take many trips and days. Buses weren¡¯t built to travel at supersonic speeds.


    Sometime later that night Eron arrived in front of the burned out restaurant and apartment building that had been their main sanctuary.


    He carefully lowered the bus he was carrying to the ground.


    He went to the doors and directed the people inside to the apartment building on the other side of the street.


    It had survived the fierce battle with the shades with broken windows and minor surface damage and they were using it as a temporary staging area of sorts for new arrivals. The first bus load of which stepped out on shaky legs.


    Eron sympathized. ¡°Sorry, I know, buses aren¡¯t planes.¡±


    The people insisted that he had nothing to apologize about as he directed them to the building.


    Madalena stepped out of the door and waved them over with a smile.


    ¡°Is my dad here?¡±


    ¡°Tito Phillip is clearing a mega mall,¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°Which one?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she shrugged. ¡°Seems like he¡¯s been doing one a day. Are you going to go back right now?¡±


    ¡°In a minute.¡± Eron wasn¡¯t tired, he didn¡¯t get tired unless things were really going bad. ¡°Thanks for taking care of this part.¡±


    Madalena gave him a flat stare before she followed the last person into the building.


    Eron trusted that his cousin would make sure that the people would understand what they were trying to build. His gaze drifted to the burned remnants what was once Cherry¡¯s restaurant.


    A whisper in the wind drew him forward.


    He stepped inside, boots crunching on broken glass and charred detritus. He looked to the empty bar and away toward the front.


    ¡°A drink?¡±


    He looked back.


    Cherry stood behind the bar. Sensibly and modestly dressed to his relief.


    ¡°Ash whisky?¡±


    ¡°Surprisingly, a lot survived,¡± she plopped a bottle filled with dark, amber liquid on the scorched bar top.


    ¡°Sure, but just one. I¡¯ve got to fly back.¡± Eron walked to the bar and stood. The stools hadn¡¯t survived. ¡°So¡­ how¡¯ve you been?¡±


    Cherry shrugged. ¡°Can¡¯t complain too much. I¡¯ve got plenty of free blood.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you stuck around. Even more surprised to hear that you¡¯ve been helping fight.¡±


    ¡°Well, I thought about leaving, but where would I go? I¡¯m chained by that which gives me my strength.¡±


    ¡°My brother set up a hospital and homes for a group of Aswang: Mandurugos up north. I could take you there?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, no¡­ I definitely don¡¯t want to be surrounded by¡­ lesser relatives,¡± Cherry snorted.


    ¡°Huh? I was thinking you could, I don¡¯t know, keep them from getting off course.¡±


    ¡°Nope¡­¡± Cherry sighed at Eron¡¯s flat stare. ¡°Fine, if you want to bring them here I can maybe keep a loose eye on them. I¡¯m not here to play master.¡±


    ¡°Something to think about for the future.¡±


    ¡°You ask too much. I¡¯m already dirtying my hands for you people,¡± Cherry teased.


    ¡°Is it working?¡±


    ¡°It is, slowly¡ª¡± Cherry cleared her throat, ¡°the people that see me, know me, are losing their fear of me.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good!¡±


    ¡°Mixed feelings for me. It¡¯s nice to walk openly and for the first time in years I don¡¯t sleep like an animal with the fear of death being visited on me in my burrow.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ progress.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ hero, finish your drink,¡± Cherry clinked her glass against his, ¡°you¡¯ve got many more trips if you want to refill this city with blood bags, I mean, people,¡± she grinned like a devil.


    Eron¡¯s laugh trailed off as Cherry gazed at him with unblinking eyes.


    Her sudden, lilting laughter was like music in his ears. ¡°The look on your face¡­¡± she shooed him away.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t hang around in here,¡± he regarded the charred interior. ¡°You can pick any other place.¡±


    ¡°I already have. This is¡ª this is just for nostalgia. One last drink in the closest thing I had to a home,¡± Cherry¡¯s wan smile made Eron¡¯s stomach dance.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m out of here,¡± he said hastily.


    Ash swirled in his wake as he zipped out and into the night sky.


    Cherry regarded the cloud of ash in what was once her restaurant. A reminder of what they all had survived. She didn¡¯t leave until well after the ash had settled back to the floor. She looked out the ruined windows and down several blocks.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ what to do with myself? There are monsters out on my streets, in my night,¡± she murmured.


    There was a bare whisper of motion.


    The burned and hollowed out interior stood silent and empty.

 Interlude: Veronica 1.0

    Threnosh World


    ¡°Damned dirty apes!¡±


    Veronica swept her metal staff over her head like a helicopter rotor.


    Horned chimp hoots turned into squealing yelps.


    A large specimen came charging in with its head lowered.


    Veronica planted her feet into the ground and thrust the end of her staff with all her superhuman strength between the monster¡¯s wicked horns.


    ¡°Eww¡­¡± she grimaced.


    The powerful impact had driven the staff into the monster¡¯s skull. Blood, bone, brain matter and one of its eyes splattered across the forest floor and her faceplate.


    Indignant squeaking reached her ears through all the chaotic sounds of the monster fight.


    ¡°I know, Twinkle Star¡­ sorry for all the shaking,¡± she gently patted the reinforced guinea pig compartment at her waist.


    A proximity alert rang in her ears. The warning was accompanied by a flashing directional indicator in her display.


    Without looking she pointed a finger up toward the treetops to her left. ¡°Bang!¡±


    Heavy thuds hit the ground one after another a moment later.


    Veronica spun around and swept her free hand in an arc.


    A handful of charging horned chimps suddenly dropped to the ground. Their bodies jerked violently at the mercy of seizures that tore muscles and ligaments.


    Another alert.


    She whipped her staff overhead and swatted a horned chimp out of the air.


    A cluster of horned chimps realized that they couldn¡¯t get close enough to this small, armored terror that was somehow stronger than them. They charged, but stopped short and turned.


    ¡°Oh shit!¡±


    Veronica covered her head while turning her body so that Twinkle Star was on the other side just as the horned chimps shot her with quills.


    The attack or quill storm, as Johnny had called it, bounced ineffectively off the Threnosh armor.


    ¡°So dumb,¡± Veronica rolled her eyes, pointed at the monsters and sent them into violent seizures with an electromagnetic burst to their brains.


    The forest was mostly silent, aside from the whimpering of fifteen horned chimps.


    She scanned her surroundings with her eyes and ears and didn¡¯t find any remaining threats. Her display had indicated as much, but her dad had impressed upon her the dangers of relying solely on the tech, as awesome as it was, to confirm her safety.


    As a last measure she reached out with her powers and didn¡¯t find any other brain activity in the immediate vicinity. The wildlife had probably fled the area as soon as the monsters had showed up, which was a problem.


    The horned chimps should¡¯ve been confined to their zone by the walls and automated turrets.


    ¡°Ugh¡ª¡±


    She brought the end of her staff done on a fallen horned chimp¡¯s head with a wet-sounding crack.


    ¡°Mom¡¯s not going to let me go camping by myself again,¡± she sighed.


    It was one of her favorite things to do with her day¡¯s off. Just her and Twinkle Star out in an alien forest with all the weird animals and foliage.


    She especially liked how weird it was gazing into a night sky that had more than one moon.


    How cool was that?


    Splat!


    Another head smashed like an over-ripe tomato.


    ¡°Poor monsters. If only you weren¡¯t murderous¡­¡±


    A horned chimp grasped for her armored leg.


    She kicked and stomped its head until it stopped moving.


    Her staff whistled through the air.


    Crack!


    ¡°What do you think, Twinkle Star? What if I don¡¯t tell Mom about this?¡±


    Urgent squeaking was the response.


    ¡°Ugh¡­ I forgot to turn off the automatic combat recorder. They probably already know, which means they¡¯ll be here soon,¡± she groaned. ¡°This was our time! Stupid apes¡­¡± she quickly pulped the rest of the horned chimps. ¡°Ruined my vacation¡­ I should call this in,¡± she activated her comms with a cybernetic thought, ¡°this is Girl Justice calling base, do you copy?¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    The voice was crisp and clear in her ears. It was as though the Threnosh communicator was next to her. They all sounded exactly the same, at least the standard Threnosh did. It was a little creepy.


    ¡°Great. Thanks. So, I, uh, got attacked by horned chimps, er, IO 1413. Standard variety, no alpha or variants. Killed them all, so I¡¯m good. You don¡¯t have to send anyone.¡±


    ¡°Negative. Squad was scrambled immediately upon your trueskin sending a combat alert. They will reach your position in 4:23:23.¡±


    Veronica repressed a shout.


    ¡°Designation: Mother Megan instructs that you return with the transport. Immediately.¡±


    She muted her end so she could take a moment to scream.


    ¡°Acknowledged. Signing off.¡±


    Veronica trudged the few hundred yards back to her campsite and the nearby stream.


    She took Twinkle Star¡¯s compartment from her waist and held it over her head as she dunked herself to get rid of the blood and meat on her armor and staff.


    She was in the middle of packing up her camp when the transport arrived. It hovered overhead as a squad of soldiers dropped through the canopy.


    Veronica stopped packing up her camp. ¡°You guys didn¡¯t need to come all this way. I took care of the monsters,¡± she smiled down at them. It was nice to be the tallest one around for a change.


    ¡°Acknowledged, Designation: Girl Justice. However, the situation has change,¡± the squad leader said.


    ¡°Oh,¡± she felt her smile grow wider, ¡°is it a breach? Is that why there were horned chimps outside of their zone?¡± she felt guilty at the excitement she felt. She blamed her parents. Their fault that she was bored. She wouldn¡¯t have been if they had let her take part in the Orchestral Meridian missions, rather than limiting her to managing the monster populations of the zones surrounding the base. She was too old for daddy daughter time. She should¡¯ve been fighting alongside her sister and the others. She dropped her partially collapsed tent. ¡°Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ll come back for this later.¡±


    ¡°Negative. Designation: Mother Megan instructed for your immediate return.¡±


    Veronica regarded the soldier in their baseline infantry armor.


    Not their fault, just the messenger, she thought. ¡°In that case, I guess I can finish packing,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°Acknowledged. We will assist for greater speed and efficiency.¡±


    That they did.


    In less than a few minutes Veronica was in the transport and flying back to base.


    Home on an alien world.


    Veronica practically jumped out of the transport before it had fully landed. She rushed to the armory adjacent to the vehicle chamber and left her armor and weapon to the maintenance crew with a mumbled excuse about needing to feed Twinkle Star. The Threnosh didn¡¯t care.


    Clad only in her gray onesie she somehow still felt as fresh as if she had just gotten out of the shower, not from a bloody fight with monsters.


    She walked at a brisk pace, just shy of running.


    Her eyes darted around her as she scanned down the corridors for the dreaded one.


    Luck was with her as she only encountered the odd Threnosh going about their duties.


    ¡°Almost there, Twinkle Star¡­ can¡¯t let her catch us,¡± she mumbled to the black and gray-furred guinea pig in her hand.


    The door to her quarters detected her approach and slid open. She barely refrained from diving through.


    ¡°Lock door. No access. I¡¯m going to be bathing¡­ and¡ª sleeping¡ª for the next 24 standard hours,¡± she said hurriedly.


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± the virtual intelligence replied.


    ¡°Okay,¡± she let out a breath, ¡°that should buy us some time and give Mom time to chill.¡±


    She went over to the far wall of her studio apartment-sized room and placed Twinkle Star into his habitat.


    The huge multi-level home was the guinea pig version of a multi-million dollar penthouse. It featured numerous enrichment options for play. An automated fruit and veggie dispensing system. A grassy section for when he felt like grazing. A waterfall with a small animal-sized pond and stream. Not to mention an automated cleaning system with tiny, hovering drones and arms that cleaned around Twinkle Star.


    Veronica had to admit that it was perhaps hadn¡¯t been the best use of Engineer Verdant Mechanica 3581¡¯s and Fabricator Riverport 11725¡¯s time and resources like Tessa had complained.


    Still¡­ worth it!


    Besides, she did all the power testing stuff that the Threnosh had asked for in exchange.


    Not to mention her instrumental help in the 38 Flavors Initiative.


    Only eleven more to go. Not bad work in the nine or so months she had been on the Threnosh world.


    Veronica watched Twinkle Star closely as he slowly crawled up the ramp to where the dispenser was located.


    He put a paw on a silvery panel and a small handful of raspberry-like fruit tumbled out next to him.


    ¡°Ohhh, lucky day for you!¡± she brightened, but the feeling didn¡¯t last. She couldn¡¯t help notice that he had been moving slower over the last few months. That there seemed to be more gray fur around his muzzle and eyes with every day.


    She knew that the fact that he had been alive for this long was a miracle. An impossibility, really. At around 14 he was only 2 years younger than her. He had been Tessa¡¯s pet at first before becoming hers as she grew older.


    ¡°Treasure each day,¡± she sighed. Her father had told her that when she had brought her concerns up.


    She watched her tiniest friend eat while she plotted how to frame a request to the medical team in regards to small mammal longevity treatments.


    She wasn¡¯t given much time before the door chimed and her mom¡¯s image appeared as a holographic projection in her room.


    ¡°Open the door, young lady. We need to talk.¡±


    ¡°Shit¡­¡±


    Her mom didn¡¯t look happy.


    ¡°Uh¡­ in the shower! Can¡¯t talk right now¡­ maybe later!¡± she called out as she hurried to do as she claimed.


    ¡°Veronica!¡±


    A long shower followed and when she emerged her mom was still waiting outside the door. ¡°Jesus¡­¡± she muttered. She took her time getting dressed, which due to the nature of the Threnosh onesie wasn¡¯t nearly long enough for her liking.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Veronica opened the door with a sigh.


    ¡°Don¡¯t give me that look,¡± her mom regarded her through narrowed eyes.


    Veronica gave her best neutral stare right at a spot on the wall over her mom¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m not.¡±


    Her mom sighed before stepping forward and embracing her tightly.


    ¡°Uh¡­ okay,¡± she patted her mom on the back. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    Her mom held on much too long before letting go. ¡°You¡¯re taller than me now.¡±


    ¡°So?¡± Veronica shrugged, ¡°not like that¡¯s a big deal,¡± she mumbled.


    ¡°You¡¯re growing so fast. Sixteen. You should be getting your driver¡¯s license¡­¡±


    Not fighting monsters, Veronica filled in what her mom had left unsaid.


    ¡°But,¡± her mom took a deep breath, ¡°that¡¯s not how the world is. No matter how much I wish it was different.¡±


    Speak for yourself, she thought.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you don¡¯t think that way¡­ so, what happened out there?¡± her mom said.


    ¡°You already know,¡± Veronica said as neutrally as she could managed.


    ¡°I want to hear it from you.¡±


    Veronica bit back a retort about waiting for the briefing she was going to have to do later anyways. Combat actions always generated a briefing with the base commander and probably her dad and mom. But going down that route led to an angry mom, which was always a painful annoyance. ¡°I was attacked by a bunch of horned chimps, but it wasn¡¯t a big deal. I¡¯m stronger than them and my armor can handle their attacks fine. I could¡¯ve taken down five times the number that attacked me.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you call for reinforcement and take a tactical withdrawal?¡±


    Are you serious? Veronica thought. ¡°Horned chimps are dangerous to the standard soldier. Not to mention, they¡¯re pack hunters. Running would¡¯ve only put myself in their wheelhouse. I¡¯m rated to handle them on my own. Bringing in reinforcements would¡¯ve been a waste of resources,¡± she said.


    ¡°We have plenty of ammunition,¡± her mom raised a brow.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a baby!¡± Veronica had enough. ¡°I¡¯ve proven myself plenty of times. The monsters in the zones around our base aren¡¯t so tough now. Like I¡¯ve told Dad, I¡¯m ready to help out at Orchestral Meridian.¡±


    ¡°A hardened fighter, are you? I don¡¯t believe those sorts do a lot of pouting.¡± A smile quirked at the corners of her mom¡¯s mouth.


    Veronica¡¯s pout deepened before she mastered herself with a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯m not pouting¡ª not anymore,¡± she sighed. ¡°Mom¡­ I can do it. I can help Tessa and the others. It¡¯s not fair that just cause I¡¯m younger you guys won¡¯t let me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not happy about your sister and your friends fighting those¡­ things¡­ but they¡¯re adults and they can decide what to do. You, however, aren¡¯t. And so, your dad and I think it¡¯s better if you hone your skills here for as long as possible. Besides, you aren¡¯t really good with the whole following orders thing. Caretaker runs a tight ship at Meridian and it is infinitely more dangerous than any of the zones here.¡±


    ¡°I follow orders!¡± Veronica said.


    Another raised brow had the teen pouting before she remembered that she was trying to be an adult about this unjust situation.


    ¡°I came back like you ordered, didn¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°True, but I remember telling you to run awa¡ª I mean, initiate a tactical withdrawal in the event that you encountered hostiles.¡± Her mom scowled, but not at her. ¡°The commander said that the non-zone areas were safe from monster attacks. I¡¯ll have a word with them later,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°God! Mom! No! That¡¯s so embarrassing. It¡¯s not anyone¡¯s fault that there was a breach. That happens.¡±


    ¡°No, it doesn¡¯t. At least not while we¡¯ve been here. I checked the base¡¯s records. The last breach was the big one a few years ago when your Uncle Cal was here. The Threnosh have diligently cleared the zones on a regular schedule ever since then.¡±


    ¡°I dunno,¡± Veronica shrugged, ¡°haven¡¯t checked the reports yet. I was gonna do it after dinner.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go together. We haven¡¯t eaten together in awhile.¡±


    ¡°Sure, I guess.¡± Veronica remembered that she had eaten a meal or two with her mom during the past week, but she wasn¡¯t going to mention that. It was looking like she was going to escape a major lecture, so she didn¡¯t want to push her luck.


    As it turned out, fate had other plans.


    ¡°Attention.¡± A flat voice spoke through the base. ¡°Designation: Mother Megan, your presence is urgently required in Medical Chamber 1.¡±


    Her mom let out a breath. ¡°I swear¡ª remind me to punch your father again for sticking me with that. They won¡¯t change it no matter how often I ask them.¡±


    ¡°Will do,¡± Veronica chirped. Yes! Another target for her mom¡¯s ire was helpful.


    The call was repeated as her mom exited the room. ¡°We¡¯ll have to postpone our dinner date. Maybe tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Mom,¡± Veronica nodded.


    She waited a minute to make sure her mom was really gone before she sat down at her desk. ¡°We dodged a bullet there, Twinkle Star,¡± she said as the ancient guinea pig munched on a leafy vegetable, ¡°you¡¯re eating a lot aren¡¯t you? Weird¡­ well, got a few hours till dinner so I might as well get some studying done.¡± A wave of her hand brought the holographic display to life above her desk. ¡°More electromagnetic stuff? Or¡­ fight review?¡± She pondered her choices for quite some time. Her heart wanted to go with the latter, but in the end her head won out and she selected the former.


    A few mind-numbing hours passed with glacial speed when her dinner alarm jolted her.


    ¡°Ugh¡­ finally, sooo boring.¡± She shook her head and lightly slapped her face to full wakefulness.


    The food chamber was sparsely filled. Her uncle¡¯s influence had led to the development of different types of solid food for the Threnosh, but most of the Threnosh still relied on the nutrient fluid that they could just drink on the move to and from their duties or in their rooms.


    One could tell which Threnosh had been at the base the longest by the simply fact that they were seated at metallic tables eating actual food and not simply drinking that gross liquid.


    Veronica eyed the food dispensing stations arrayed against the chamber¡¯s four walls. A thought struck her. No Mom or Dad anywhere in sight. A diabolical grin spread across her face. ¡°Dessert first.¡±


    What use did she have for proper food order? She had to eat a lot to get enough calories to fill her superhuman body anyways.


    She sauntered over to the ice cream section, smugness oozing out of every pore.


    ¡°Hey, Shira!¡± she spotted one of the so-called special candidates¡ª to what? She was still unclear on that¡ª studying the 29 available flavors.


    ¡°I greet you, Girl Justice,¡± Shira said.


    Rust red veins crisscrossed the otherwise jet black surface of the Threnosh¡¯s armor.


    Veronica took care to keep her distance from the multitude of razor-sharp blades and spikes on the armor¡¯s surfaces.


    Shira¡¯s fearsome, demon-like faceplate was retracted upward to reveal a face that bore a passing resemblance to said faceplate. Especially, with the sharp fangs.


    They may have looked like some kind of vampire demon, but Veronica had never gotten that vibe from Shira.


    They loved ice cream.


    ¡°What flavor are you getting?¡± Veronica said. ¡°I¡¯m leaning toward coffee.¡±


    ¡°I will select between Fell Grove Berry and Vanilla.¡± Shira regarded Veronica. ¡°I am confused. I observed that you have just entered this chamber, yet you are at the dessert dispensary. Honor stated that dessert comes after the meal. Have you already fulfilled your main sustenance requirement?¡±


    Veronica leaned forward conspiratorially. ¡°I¡¯m doing dessert before dinner tonight. My parents aren¡¯t around and they can¡¯t stop me. I don¡¯t know why I just thought of it now.¡±


    ¡°Designation: Mother Megan and Designation: Remy will disapprove of this?¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, totally¡­ parents are lame about stuff like this. I mean, I figure what¡¯s the difference if I mix the order around? Everything will end up in the same place anyways.¡±


    ¡°Forgive me, I was unaware that your parents suffered injuries. Has the medical unit been unable to repair the damage? The former possesses difficult to quantify abilities to repair biological damage. Strange that she cannot repair herself.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Veronica blinked. ¡°Oh¡­¡± she had to explain what she had actually meant by calling her parents ¡®lame¡¯ with the addendum that her words were not to be repeated under any circumstances to anyone, especially said parents.


    ¡°An expression then. One that does not use the true definition of the word. Honor has explained such in the past. It is still difficult to discern. Though I am learning from continued exposure to your kind.¡±


    ¡°Cool¡­ I mean, good¡­ er¡­ it pleases me to hear that,¡± Veronica grinned.


    Shira slowly copied the smile, though theirs was scary.


    Veronica shrugged it off. ¡°You want to eat ice cream together?¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Veronica turned to the dispensing station. ¡°I would like a triple serving of coffee flavor, please and thank you.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± the virtual intelligence replied.


    It was as silent as a library as a few seconds passed before a panel slid open and a gleaming, metallic bowl heaped with light brown ice cream was extended on a thin, metal arm to Veronica. A second arm extended a gold-plated spoon. All she could do was shake her head at the absurd awesomeness of it.


    ¡°One serving of Fell Grove Berry¡­ please and thank you,¡± Shira said.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    The two sat down at a nearby table and dug in.


    ¡°So, how¡¯d your day go?¡± Veronica ventured.


    ¡°I drained many monsters of their lifeblood in my sweep of the Fell Grove Zone,¡± Shira replied.


    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s why you wanted the berry flavor?¡±


    Shira thought a moment. ¡°Yes¡­ it appears that is what motivated my selection. Interesting. I was unaware until you referenced it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you probably saw the berries and it was, like, in your subconscious thoughts or something like that,¡± Veronica shrugged.


    Shira inclined her head a fraction. ¡°And how did you spend your day, Girl Justice?¡±


    ¡°Oh my god! It was crazy. I was supposed to be on break, so I wanted to camp for a few days with Twinkle Star¡­ you know him right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that small creature that caused discord between Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 and Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623.¡±


    ¡°Wait? What?¡±


    ¡°I overheard. The former was against the construction of a habitat for your creature. They stated that it was an improper use of resources. The latter stated that the expenditure was within Prime Custodian 3¡¯s mandates to foster favorable relations with Honor and his family,¡± the word sounded strange in Shira¡¯s mouth.


    Veronica figured that there wasn¡¯t a direct translation in the Threnosh language, so the universal translation system struggled with it. ¡°I should thank Ethereal Loaming,¡± she said.


    ¡°I do not know if that is necessary.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just being polite and grateful. No big deal,¡± Veronica shrugged. ¡°Anyways, I was only two days into the trip when a troop of Horned Chimps attacked.¡± She relayed the story in a blow-by-blow account of her awesomeness in destroying the monsters. ¡°They didn¡¯t stand a chance. I could¡¯ve taken out, like, five times as much, maybe six.¡±


    Shira¡¯s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly, but Veronica was more observant that the average non-powered human. ¡°The invasive organism¡¯s zone is cleared on schedule. Furthermore, they should not have been able to bypass the automated defenses on the wall.¡±


    ¡°I dunno, maybe they went under. They¡¯re strong and they¡¯ve got sharp claws. Could easily dig.¡±


    ¡°The wall extends below ground equal to the height.¡±


    ¡°Whatever. We can handle them. They¡¯re basically gorilla-sized chimpanzees¡­ er¡­ with quills they can shoot¡­ okay, so maybe not.¡±


    ¡°Gorilla? Chimpanzees? These are invasive organisms on your Earth?¡±


    ¡°No, no, no¡­¡± Veronica said. She had to explain.


    ¡°Natural creatures then. The resemblance is interesting. A connection?¡±


    ¡°Maybe, but that¡¯d be weird,¡± Veronica threw her hands up.


    ¡°If we could obtain samples of your creatures the researchers can study it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, why not¡­ I¡¯ll just message Uncle C¡ª Honor,¡± Veronica cleared her throat. So lame. ¡°He can send us a gorilla and a couple of chimps.¡±


    ¡°Yes. That will be helpful¡­ please and thank you,¡± Shira ventured.


    Oops, Veronica thought. ¡°Next time I go to the spire, I¡¯ll do that. It¡¯ll be up to him.¡± Deflect and pass off responsibility, Johnny¡¯s favorite tactic. Time to change the subject. ¡°So¡­ how¡¯s the flavor?¡± she smoothly maneuvered.


    ¡°It is good.¡± Shire didn¡¯t elaborate. ¡°And yours?¡±


    ¡°Also good,¡± Veronica shook her head, ¡°it¡¯s so dumb.¡±


    ¡°What do you refer to?¡± Shira blinked quizzically.


    ¡°My parents won¡¯t let me drink coffee, but I can eat the ice cream. What¡¯s the difference? Besides, I¡¯ve got a superhuman constitution. I¡¯d need to drink, like, a gallon of the stuff before I¡¯d feel the effects, oh, and that¡¯s a guess cause I¡¯ve never had the stuff, so I wouldn¡¯t know, would I?¡± she shook a fist in the air.


    Shire eyed the ceiling. ¡°I am unfamiliar with the drink version. Is it not simply the liquid state of the frozen cream state in your bowl?¡± they gestured to the rapidly shrinking supply in front of Veronica.


    ¡°I dunno, probably a little different, but how much is the question? I¡¯d say not much.¡±


    Shira ate in a mechanical fashion. Each spoonful spent the same amount of time in their mouth. They started with a much smaller serving, so they finished first. ¡°Thank you for the interaction¡ª the conversation. It was informative. I have finished and will now depart.¡±


    ¡°Where are you off to?¡±


    ¡°I will investigate Invasive Organ¡ª the horned chimps. If there is a path to bypass containment it must be fixed.¡±


    ¡°Cool. Let me know if you want help. I¡¯m not doing anything else anyways,¡± Veronica pouted.


    Shira peered at her. ¡°Acknowledged,¡± they said after a moment.


    Once the Threnosh departed Veronica wolfed down the rest of her ice cream before heading to the real food dispensers.


    She was almost done with her meals when a familiar face entered the chamber.


    ¡°Hey, Vee!¡± Mads waved.


    Veronica choked on a piece of deercow sausage before successfully fighting it down. ¡°What¡¯re you doing here¡ª wait! That call my mom got? Who¡ª¡±


    ¡°It was Johnny, but don¡¯t worry. Bastien stabilized him and your mom will take care of the rest. Idiot took a bone spike through the stomach. Got overconfident with his unnoticeable-ness. At least it let me put a bullet through the Inheritor¡¯s eye. Didn¡¯t kill it thought, which was lame,¡± Mads said. ¡°Let me get some food and I¡¯ll fill you in.¡±


    ¡°So, who else is back?¡± Veronica said as soon as Mads returned.


    ¡°Everyone, except your dad and sister. Caretaker figured the rest of use needed some down time. Putting in a lot of tough work. The whitey¡¯s aren¡¯t much, but the skinless Threnosh are tough and the Inheritors are something else. Good for getting Universal Points and levels though. Gained three in the last month alone.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know since my parents won¡¯t let me join you guys,¡± Veronica pouted.


    Mads patted her on the head. ¡°It¡¯s pretty brutal over there¡­ which means I¡¯d rather hear about the new stuff you¡¯ve been up to. I saw that we¡¯re up to 29 flavors. That¡¯s three more than the last time I was here.¡±


    Veronica scowled for a moment then realized what the look in her friend¡¯s eyes held. She put on a happy face and launched into a detailed recap of what those new flavors were.


    Later that night Veronica was deep in her slumber.


    She saw her old home. From before it had been destroyed by the fishmen. Scattered toys from her childhood on the living room and kitchen and dining room floors moved out of the way as she walked through and into the backyard. Unseen laughter accompanied the rhythmic depression on the trampoline though she saw no one.


    Her eyes fell upon the small, fenced-in area on the lawn that they had used to allow Twinkle Star some free-range grazing.


    She noticed something in the air.


    It was a song.


    A symphony carried on what felt like golden wings.


    So beautiful while it lasted.


    Everything around Veronica burned and she woke up screaming.

 Interlude: Mads 1.1

    Mads checked the target through the spotting scope set up next to her custom sniper-style recoilless rifle.


    ¡°Fuck!¡±


    She had placed her shot off the center by almost 4 centimeters according to the digital display. Sure, she wasn¡¯t using Skills, but her skills shouldn¡¯t have let her be off by that much.


    A week of bad dreams.


    That¡¯s what it was. She knew this. She couldn¡¯t get the images out of her mind. Music that she recognized, but couldn¡¯t place or was it the other way around?


    Not that the statement made sense to her.


    Something was way off.


    Range time was her usual balm for mental disquiet. It was relaxing and focusing at the same time. Just her and her weapon. All she had to pay attention to was the target, the wind and her breathing.


    Slowly and softly. In and out, focusing on that until she had reached maximum stillness right as she squeezed the trigger.


    Instead, she couldn¡¯t get that damned wordless song out of her thoughts. Along with the images of her remaining family back on Earth dying in flames and other terrible ways.


    Every night since she had returned to their main base.


    She had already sent a message through the spires to check up on them and had received a short one in return. The cost was prohibitive and she felt guilty for putting that on them. She didn¡¯t have that same problem. Orchestral Meridian gave her more than enough points to send as many messages as she wanted. Just not enough to go back home, yet.


    ¡°Soon¡­¡± she whispered.


    Perhaps the brutal fighting was the source of her dreams.


    ¡°Probably have PTSD¡­ Threnosh don¡¯t have counseling. Then again, my entire adult life has been one long traumatic event.¡±


    The spires and the gremlins in the dark. Fishmen and their mutated cultists. The twisted tunnels, the profane temple beneath the bay and that dark god thing¡ª


    She cursed.


    ¡°Too many bullshit things.¡±


    Yes.


    She was right on that account.


    But what else could she do beyond what she was already doing?


    Get better, stronger, but to do that meant facing one terrible thing after another.


    ¡°Kill them all, until there are none left to kill,¡± she shook her head. She was wise enough to know that wasn¡¯t a realistic goal. There was no end. The thought shrouded her mind in darkness.


    She focused through her rifle¡¯s scope. Steadied her breathing and fired.


    A quick check through the spotting scope.


    Bullseye.


    ¡°Better¡­¡±


    Was it?


    She rubbed the callus on her trigger finger as she thought about her dreams. This time with a more analytical view.


    She saw her old home before things had changed.


    Over ten years now.


    Her neighborhood.


    Playing with friends and family on the cul-de-sac.


    Then¡ª burning fire. Bright and shining, almost like burnished gold.


    Friends and family crying tears of the molten metal that burned from their eyes and left charred tracks on their cheeks. Their backs ripped open as she stood helplessly, screaming and crying and laughing. Bloody lungs unfurled like wings as they soared up into the smoke-choked sky to leave her alone in a scorched landscape.


    And through it all the song was laced into everything.


    She tried to hum the tune since it seemed to lack words, but couldn¡¯t. It came out different each time, yet she recognized it as the same song in her dreams.


    Mads found herself gasping for air and suddenly very warm. Her head felt so warm that she tugged the woolen beanie off. She wiped her plastered bangs.


    The wind blew a chill caress across her face, but didn¡¯t dampen the heat.


    ¡°The fuck is this?¡± she muttered as she practically jumped up from her prone shooting position. She scanned her surroundings, but realized that there were no threats.


    Despite Veronica¡¯s recent experience with monsters that were in a place they shouldn¡¯t have been in Mads was mostly certain that wouldn¡¯t be the case in the shooting range.


    It was within the base¡¯s walls, which were much more heavily armed than those encircling the surrounding monster zones.


    She sat down, crossed her legs and began to meditate.


    She didn¡¯t know how much time had passed when keen ears detected the sound of boots tromping through the grass.


    She cracked an eye open and saw Olo¡¯s huge frame looming over her.


    ¡°You¡¯re blocking my sun,¡± she said.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Olo took a large step to the side. ¡°The air¡¯s cold, so the sun¡¯s actually pretty nice. You think they get snow here?¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t read Loaming¡¯s comprehensive outworld invader guide?¡±


    ¡°I stopped after page 100 of things we¡¯re not supposed to do,¡± Olo grinned.


    ¡°I skipped that entire section,¡± Mads shook her head, ¡°all five hundred pages. I did read the stuff about the local environment. So, no snow in the immediate area. Closest place you¡¯ll find it are those mountains,¡± she pointed to the west.


    ¡°Ah¡­ monster zone¡­ that¡¯s too bad. I was thinking we might have a chance to play in the snow. I haven¡¯t since before the spires showed up. Winter must be getting close.¡±


    ¡°You should read the guide. Loaming put in a lot of work,¡± she chided her much larger friend. ¡°So, what¡¯s with that?¡± she pointed at the standard recoilless rifle slung over Olo¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯m mostly melee tank, but I figured I should continue to work on other skills,¡± Olo shrugged. ¡°You mind?¡±


    ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    Olo set up a short distance away from Mads and tapped the PID on his wrist.


    An opening appeared in the ground, from which a small, tracked drone emerged. The drone moved down the range until it had reached a distance of 50 meters from Olo.


    ¡°I¡¯m still not very good,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°That¡¯s why we practice,¡± Mads replied.


    She resumed shooting as Olo began.


    The silence of the recoilless rifles¡¯ magnetic acceleration system was oppressive to Mads¡¯ ears and she couldn¡¯t stop herself from speaking after only a few minutes.


    ¡°This is so weird,¡± Mads said. ¡°I¡¯m not used to being able to hear things when I¡¯m shooting.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, this gun almost feels like a toy,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Say, why are you really here? I mean, right now? You could practice at any time.¡±


    Olo grimaced. ¡°That obvious?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d say suspicious.¡±


    Olo placed his rifle down with a sigh. ¡°Sorry, nothing weird. It¡¯s just that, you¡¯ve been, like, out of it since we got back. You only leave your room to come out here.¡±


    ¡°I thought we¡¯re on a break. I can spend it how I want.¡±


    ¡°I know, but you¡¯ve skipped all our team training sessions and stuff.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a break. That includes from training and you guys. I don¡¯t know how you guys see it, but I would like some time away from you all.¡±


    ¡°Same here, but¡­ um¡­ I was wondering if there wasn¡¯t something else. I¡¯ve seen the look on your face, at least on the rare occasions that I actually see you, and¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s¡ª¡± Mads almost said nothing, ¡°I¡¯m not sleeping well.¡±


    ¡°You too¡­¡± Olo hesitated, ¡°bad dreams?¡± he ventured.


    Mads recognized the look in Olo¡¯s face. She had been seeing its twin in her mirror for the past week. ¡°You first.¡±


    ¡°It always starts the same way. I¡¯m back playing football when I was a kid. Except, the game¡¯s in a huge stadium instead of the community center park. There¡¯s a huge band, like college-style, but they¡¯re not playing fight songs and shit, more like¡ª I don¡¯t know, can¡¯t really describe the music. Like orchestral stuff, maybe, not sure. Anyways, everyone in the stands are people I know¡ª knew¡­ my parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends from school, even neighbors. People from before the spires and after. They were all cheering and then there¡¯s this flash of yellow light, shining so bright that it hurt to look at, but I couldn¡¯t take my eyes away. Wish I could. No matter how hard I try I can¡¯t close them fast enough to miss what comes next¡­¡±


    ¡°They all die?¡± Mads whispered. ¡°Was it fire?¡±


    ¡°A few times,¡± Olo choked out, ¡°other times they get cut to pieces,¡± he swallowed, ¡°like that way in old anime when it¡¯s done with super sharp swords or magic wires and shit¡­ my dad and mom are smiling at me one moment then their heads and limbs are dropping¡ª I can¡¯t¡ª the smiles never leave their faces¡ª¡±


    Mads had to reach up to awkwardly pat Olo¡¯s shoulder. ¡°At least neither of us are alone in this. Are any of the others having the same dreams?¡±


    ¡°Not sure, they¡¯ve been looking off, but you¡¯ve been the most obvious, so I thought I¡¯d check with you first,¡± Olo shrugged.


    ¡°I was chalking it up to what we¡¯ve been dealing with in Meridian, like, PTSD stuff, but now¡­ bad dreams are probably normal, even all of us having them, but they¡¯re too similar.¡±


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Agreed. Some kind of magic attack or an Inheritor¡¯s powers, I¡¯d bet on the latter. I read Cal¡¯s reports on Mother Madrigal. She could mess with thoughts. Maybe, she¡¯s not dead or there¡¯s another like her still somewhere in the deep levels,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Nothing was said that indicated the ability to reach this far. And we¡¯ve only started having these dreams after we left Meridian.¡±


    ¡°We should check with the others,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Vee too?¡±


    Olo frowned. ¡°You think she¡¯s having the same dreams? She¡¯s been super grouchy, but I just figured that was her still salty about being benched¡­ and maybe cause she¡¯s¡­ er¡­ like, growing pains?¡±


    ¡°Watch yourself,¡± Mads poked a finger into Olo¡¯s chest. ¡°Don¡¯t ever let her hear you say that.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t want an ass-kicking,¡± Olo nodded.


    ¡°So, what do our dreams have in common?¡±


    ¡°People from home dying horribly,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Weird music that I can hear right now, but I couldn¡¯t describe it or replicate it.¡±


    Olo¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°I can too¡­¡± he said. ¡°You¡¯re right. I can¡¯t¡ª same as you.¡±


    ¡°Yours had a flash of yellow light. Mine had gold, not light, but¡ª¡± an involuntary shiver ran across Mads¡¯ back, ¡°anyways, gold and fire.¡±


    ¡°The light could¡¯ve been gold, I guess, not sure though. Should we tell Remy?¡± Olo said.


    Mads shook her head after a moment. ¡°I want to check with the team first. Get as much information as possible before we bring it up the chain.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯d better go see if the guys are having the same dreams,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll ask Vee after I¡¯m done here.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ sure¡­ we should probably have a team meeting soon.¡±


    Mads nodded and returned to her shooting while Olo picked up his rifle and headed back to base.


    After another five hundred rounds Mads was no closer to the peace of mind that she had sought.


    The damnable song continued to flit through the back of her mind.


    ¡°Not better.¡±


    So, she did the only she could in the moment. She gathered her equipment and headed back to find Veronica.


    She tracked down the girl to the weird chamber in the base that opened up to the sky. It was something of a farm mixed with a zoo from what she could tell, although, she still wasn¡¯t entirely clear which side it favored.


    It was an enormous space, the size of a giant warehouse. There were trees, grassy fields, even a pond with water flowing in a stream to and from it.


    Alien animals populated the space. The source of their food.


    Dog-sized quadrupeds that resembled a mix between a deer and a cow ambled through while lazily grazing. The unimaginatively named deercows. Their meat tasted like cow as far as Mads could tell. She hadn¡¯t had venison before, so she couldn¡¯t make that comparison. Some of the others leaned more to that side.


    Tiny chicken-like birds roved the space eating what was probably bugs in the grass or seeds.


    Fluorescent ducks swam in the pond.


    She found Veronica there.


    The girl was glumly tossing pieces of bread at the quacking things.


    Mads had to step carefully to avoid the animals that had practically swarmed her as soon as she drew near. ¡°You are much too domesticated, poor bastards,¡± she muttered, ¡°shoo¡­¡± a tiny chicken thing landed on her shoulder and pecked at her ear as if aggrieved at the lack of handouts, ¡°go bother the food dispensing drones.¡±


    The animal gave her one last squawk before gliding away.


    ¡°Weird ass¡­¡± she grumbled. ¡°Hey, Vee!¡± she brightened her tone, but the girl merely looked at her. The dark rings around Veronica¡¯s eyes were troublesome. ¡°So, I see that you¡¯ve been having trouble sleeping. Which is weird, cause I thought you don¡¯t need as much as us baseline humans,¡± she grinned.


    ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± Veronica mumbled. ¡°Still need some though¡­¡±


    ¡°So, I¡¯ve been sorta having the same problem. Bad dreams,¡± Mads said lightly.


    ¡°That¡¯s why you¡¯ve been grouchy-looking?¡± Veronica¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°When I say ¡®bad¡¯, I actually mean ¡®horrific¡¯. Night terrors rather than nightmares. You know what I mean?¡±


    Veronica nodded. ¡°It feels so real that you can¡¯t go back to sleep.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s worse when I can¡¯t get the song, the music out of my head when I¡¯m awake. Every night I see the deaths of everyone I ever cared about back home with that song I can¡¯t describe in the background.¡±


    ¡°Hey, that¡¯s really weird and scary. It¡¯s the same for me. We¡¯re under attack!¡± Life flared in Veronica¡¯s eyes. ¡°Good! Now that we know, we can take whatever¡¯s doing this out. Shit! Why didn¡¯t I think of that sooner. We can get something from the Threnosh that can scan our brain waves or something while we¡¯re sleeping. They can catch and track any outside influences. What if it¡¯s, like, using sound waves to put these dreams in our heads? That¡¯s Frequency¡¯s deal. They can take care of it. I¡¯ll ask my dad if he can have them sent back here.¡±


    ¡°Slow down. Good ideas, but we shouldn¡¯t jump to conclusions. I was talking to Olo and he was going to check with the guys if they¡¯ve been also having the same dreams,¡± Mads said.


    ¡°Olo too?¡± Veronica said.


    Mads nodded.


    ¡°Then it¡¯s got to be an enemy action. Damn it! I should¡¯ve told my mom. She¡¯s going to be mad that I haven¡¯t told her,¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Mads felt a spike of hope and joy. ¡°She can heal. Maybe that¡¯ll help.¡±


    ¡°Ugh¡­ she¡¯s going to make me do a bunch of brain scans. It¡¯s so hard holding back my power. I don¡¯t want to make work for the fabricators. I¡¯ve already busted so many of their scanners,¡± Veronica said.


    ¡°It takes them like a few hours to build new ones,¡± Mads scoffed. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure they don¡¯t mind.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but it¡¯s still my fault.¡±


    The dejected way Veronica fed bread crumbs to the weird ducks made Mads sadder than she should¡¯ve been. She really needed a good night¡¯s sleep.


    ¡°Sounds like a plan. You¡¯ll tell your mom?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I guess,¡± Veronica sighed.


    ¡°We¡¯ll probably hear what the rest of the team has to say by dinner time. Once we get confirmation we can start¡ª¡± Something rammed the side of her leg. ¡°Shoo¡­ I don¡¯t have food?¡±


    A deercow was pushing its head into her.


    It mooed at her.


    Or was it whatever sound a deer made?


    She didn¡¯t know animals. Let alone these weird alien ones.


    Veronica whistled and the creature ambled over for a piece of bread.


    ¡°You know it¡¯s going to become hamburger or steak or sausage, right?¡± Mads could feel her mouth water. Strange animals, but tasty. Even the techno ducks.


    ¡°I know. It¡¯s why I stopped giving them names,¡± Veronica scratched the deercow¡¯s head. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about my part. I¡¯ll go to my mom right after I¡¯m done here. I¡¯ll tell her to wait for the rest of you guys before going to my dad.¡±


    ¡°We should have something by tonight¡­ I¡¯m not looking forward to bed time.¡±


    ¡°Me neither,¡± Veronica sighed.


    ¡°Too bad the Threnosh don¡¯t have sleeping pills.¡±


    ¡°They could probably make one in a day or two.¡±


    ¡°Might make things worse.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I thought about asking, but then I thought¡­ what would happen if I couldn¡¯t wake up from the nightmare?¡±


    Mads shivered.


    She waited awhile longer with Veronica. Trying to chat about lighter things, but it was difficult for the both of them with the song in their heads.


    The animals soon swarmed around them to a level that made her uncomfortable so, she excused herself and carefully weaved her way through the throng of mooing and clucking things.


    She heard Veronica call for more feed from the drones, but was thankfully free.


    ¡°A little better? Maybe¡­¡±


    After she left Veronica to the animals she headed straight for the weapons and armor development section of the base.


    The Threnosh were technological miracle workers. She remembered the early days on the Threnosh world when she had been worried about finding ammunition for her custom, competition over under shotgun. Turned out she needn¡¯t have. Although the Threnosh didn¡¯t utilize combustion-powered cartridges they quickly made her more than enough shells, shot and slugs of so many different varieties. All from her descriptions of Earth ammo and measurements of her gun.


    She even got her own power armor that had many built-in enhancements that had increased her effective range to a ridiculous distance even accounting for her Sharpshooter Skills. With assistance from spotters, living or drones, she could hit things beyond her physical visual range.


    She was headed over there to go over a few things. Minor adjustments she thought might improve her future performance based on her latest stint in Orchestral Meridian.


    ¡°Designation: Mads, I received your request and have prepared a plan to implement improvements,¡± Engineer Verdant Mechanica 3581 said.


    ¡°Already? That was fast.¡±


    There were several Threnosh at work in the command hub of the section. Their non-combat power armor didn¡¯t add much to their diminutive height, which Mads guiltily enjoyed. She felt so tall on the Threnosh world. Olo must¡¯ve felt like a giant.


    She followed the engineer to the central console, carefully maneuvering around the frail aliens. The first thing Cal had drilled into their heads on their first day was to be mindful of their movements. Threnosh in non-combat armor could be injured by a hard shove.


    ¡°We have already updated targeting and drone control software. Projections for a 30.23% increase in general accuracy. Additionally, spotter drone complement has been increased by 2.¡±


    ¡°Nice! Thanks! That sounds awesome!¡± Mads grinned.


    The engineer responded with a flat, expressionless stare.


    ¡°Er¡­ so, what about mobility options? I almost got crushed by the Gyxdor Inheritor, big bastard jumped like a thousand feet. If Primal hadn¡¯t shot him out of the air I would¡¯ve been pancaked flat,¡± Mad¡¯s felt the need to explain at the look on the engineer¡¯s gray face. ¡°I would¡¯ve been squished flat, like a pancake.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I have tried that food. It is indeed flat. That must not be allowed to happen to you.¡±


    ¡°I know, right? So, I was thinking, maybe an antigrav unit and some thrusters. Doesn¡¯t have to be full flight capability. Just enough for some quick 3D relocation capability. If I could hover way up high in the sky. I could snipe easy when they can¡¯t even see me.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunate, but your trueskin cannot incorporate that equipment. We have run simulations and processing capability is a major point of failure. The experimental targeting system, combined with drone control occupies most of your capability. Adding antigrav and thruster stabilization processes causes a failure cascade.¡±


    ¡°Damn.¡± Hopes of raining fire from on high, safe and sound drifted out of Mads¡¯ hands like dust in the wind. She closed her eyes and sighed. ¡°Alternative options? I¡¯d really like to be more mobile.¡±


    ¡°An external jump pack.¡±


    ¡°What kind of range are we talking?¡±


    ¡°A maximum of 30 meters with a full-powered burst. We will strengthen the legs to absorb landings.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing this isn¡¯t integrated to my suit. A limited used, detachable pack?¡±


    ¡°That is correct.¡±


    Mads thought for a moment. ¡°Better than nothing. Okay, let¡¯s do it.¡±


    The engineer waved tiny, skeletal fingers and bright text appeared on the large holographic projection of Mads¡¯ power armor above the console. The jump pack as well as what looked like additions to the legs appeared on the wire-frame model.


    ¡°Stealth?¡± Mads ventured.


    ¡°Improvements to power supply increases adaptive camouflage system duration by 19.94%.¡±


    ¡°So¡­¡± Mads tried to the math, ¡°if I¡¯m running full active systems on everything that means I can have my camo up for¡­¡±


    ¡°3:32:13, approximate, fluctuations dependent on variable environmental effects.¡±


    ¡°Three and a half minutes,¡± Mads nodded appreciatively. ¡°Right¡­ and if I¡¯m not running any other systems, it¡¯ll be¡­¡± she eyed the engineer expectantly.


    She thought she saw a twitch of the engineer¡¯s smooth eyelid.


    Still, the Threnosh¡¯s tone remained neutral. ¡°15:27:55.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m happy with that. Anything on the ordinance front.¡±


    ¡°Negative.¡±


    Mads shrugged. ¡°I figured there wouldn¡¯t be any new breakthroughs since the last time I was here. No biggie.¡±


    ¡°We have replenished your combustion-based weapons¡¯ ammunition.¡±


    ¡°Awesome! The explosive shrapnel slugs really tear up those skinless freaks¡ª sorry, I know they used to be your people.¡±


    ¡°Yes. That is factual.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ I guess that¡¯s it.¡±


    ¡°Correct. We have addressed your requests.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Engineer Verdant Mechanica 3581.¡±


    The engineer turned and returned to their work without another word.


    Mads had gotten used to the brusqueness of the general Threnosh, so it didn¡¯t bother her. She left the chamber and found herself bereft of something to do, which allowed the music in her head to grow louder.


    ¡°Fuck you¡­¡± she muttered.


    She need to stay busy and engaged for as much as possible until Olo got back to here.


    An idea struck her and she smiled.


    She was going to pay a visit to the training chambers. She was bound to find one of the special candidate Threnosh in their unique power armor. It was always interesting watching them and talking to them. She had found them much closer to a human in their mannerisms and speech than the standard Threnosh.


    Except, perhaps for Shira.


    That one was scary.

 Interlude: Olo 1.2

    Olo pressed the bar up with a grunt. He controlled it smoothly down to his chest before pushing it up once more. Huge and defined arms glistened with sweat as they shook. He racked the bar back into place before sitting up from the bench.


    ¡°This is some good lighting.¡± He took a brief moment to admire the size and definition of his upper body in the mirror.


    ¡°Your darker skin allows for improved visibility of muscular definition. Is my assessment correct?¡± Skrellim said.


    Olo regarded the Threnosh and their unique power armor. Their lower half resembled an octopus or a squid, with 7 tentacles instead of legs. The upper half was basically a normal torso, minus the arms. They instead had attachment points for a wide array of weaponry or defensive systems. Since they were in one of the training chambers Skrellim was bare of those.


    The whole deal was weird to Olo. He had seen the Threnosh outside of the power armor a few times and they looked pretty similar to a normal Threnosh, two arms, two legs, that sort of thing. The only difference was their pinkish skin tone, which was weird, but not that weird.


    ¡°Uh¡­ yeah, I guess.¡±


    ¡°Though you are significantly larger than the others of your kind, so perhaps it is not an equivalent comparison,¡± Skrellim continued.


    ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s true. I don¡¯t care about the looks anyways. It¡¯s more about being as strong as I can be to fulfill my role,¡± Olo shrugged.


    ¡°You are significantly weaker than the much smaller human females and oldest male.¡±


    Skrellim spoke in the typical Threnosh fashion. Entirely neutral, so he didn¡¯t take it as anything other than a factual statement.


    ¡°The Cruces don¡¯t really count as regular humans when it comes to the physical stuff. I¡¯m pretty strong, but what that means got changed with the spires. You can get Skills that boost you more than you could possibly be before.¡± Olo eyed the large, round plates on both ends of the long bar. 7 of them on each side. 675 pounds for reps. That Enhanced Strength passive was really great. Problem was that he had already maxed it out to the 50% increase to his base and he didn¡¯t know how to get the Skill to improve. He had started out with a Lesser Enhanced Strength a few years back, so that suggested there was a Greater version. Did he need to keep lifting? Was it a matter of leveling up? Probably both.


    Did this count as superhuman strength?


    He wasn¡¯t lifting the equivalent of cars and trucks like Remy, Tessa and Veronica, but he was maxing out at weights a few hundred pounds above what he remembered were world records back in the old days and he was doing it without the assistance of a bench shirt.


    ¡°Alright, I think I¡¯m warmed up enough. Going to try to beat my max.¡± Olo got up and added plates to the bar until it was at 1395 pounds. Amazingly enough the bar barely bent. He could only shake his head at the Threnosh metal. There had been many arguments between him and his friends about whether it was more like adamantium or vibranium. Which was dumb, because the Threnosh metal didn¡¯t have any weird vibration related properties, so the answer was a no-brainer as far as he was concerned. ¡°Just help me get it off the hooks to start. Don¡¯t jump in unless I ask.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I know the proper procedure. I will only assist at your request,¡± Skrellim said.


    Olo got on the bench and lay down. Feet and legs firmly planted on the floor to help him drive the weights. Back slightly arched, core tight. He fixed his grip until it was perfect. Getting the weight up was as much proper technique as it was simple strength. You needed both to maximize your potential. A couple of unnatural Skills helped.


    He breathed in and nodded to Skrellim.


    Flexible, metal tentacles wrapped around the bar and helped Olo get it off the hooks.


    Almost like nothing.


    For all Olo¡¯s strength, Skrellim¡¯s delicate-looking tentacles outstripped him.


    A controlled descent down to his broad, muscular chest was followed by a smooth press up. He held it for a moment before shifting the bar back into the hooks with a thudding clang of metal on metal.


    All of that should¡¯ve been impossible. His muscles should¡¯ve been blown out by the warm-up before the max attempt.


    ¡°You have succeeded,¡± Skrellim stated.


    ¡°Thank you, Enhanced Stamina,¡± Olo muttered. ¡°To you too, Skrellim. I¡¯ll be going back to Meridian in a couple days, so it¡¯ll be a while until my next attempt.¡± For some reason he couldn¡¯t muster excitement. He felt like he was cheating.


    ¡°I am still 12 tasks away from qualifying for duty in Orchestral Meridian. I look forward to fighting with you in live combat.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ yeah, me too,¡± Olo nodded. ¡°Catch you later.¡± He grabbed a towel and wiped the sweat off before he put the plates back.


    It was as he was about to leave the training chamber that the music in his head returned.


    No. That wasn¡¯t right.


    It had never left. He had just managed to not notice it for a small slice of time.


    The dreams had never stopped.


    He had thought that talking about it with the others. That sharing it would somehow make it a little better. It hadn¡¯t.


    Almost another week had passed since he had brought it up with Mads. Almost two full weeks of nightly terrors¡ª Mrs. Cruces had made them all undergo daily tests and scans as soon as Veronica had told her¡ª and they found nothing.


    Olo hadn¡¯t been surprised by that. He had figured that it was magic, which was worrisome because as far as anyone knew there weren¡¯t powerful magic users on the Threnosh world.


    Check that.


    Those cragant hierophants were supposed to be pretty deadly, but there weren¡¯t any recorded instances of them sending people nightmares.


    ¡°Worst. Break. Ever.¡±


    Rather than rest and recharge, they had been wrung dry and rubbed raw by what they saw whenever they tried to sleep.


    He tried to put it out of his mind.


    He needed to get some protein down. Needed to fuel the beast. He headed straight for the cafeteria. He could shower after.


    It was past lunch time, so the place should¡¯ve been empty, which was for the best since he didn¡¯t feel up to social interaction. It wasn¡¯t like him and he knew why. The music was changing him, he recognized this and yet he couldn¡¯t fight it, which was perhaps the worst part of it all.


    He wasn¡¯t himself, he knew the cause, which meant that he should¡¯ve been able to fix it.


    The feel good brain chemical release from his workout was gone by the time he reached his destination.


    ¡°What¡¯re you doing at the cafeteria?¡± Johnny said as he rounded the corridor corner.


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    Johnny held up a hand. ¡°I know, but I¡¯m not going to call it the sustenance chamber or food dispensary or whatever they call it. It serves food, so it¡¯s a cafeteria.¡±


    Olo bit back the instinctive annoyed response. Remember who you are and how you act, he reminded himself. ¡°I was going to ask you the same thing. It¡¯s a late lunch for you, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Johnny shrugged. ¡°I was trying to avoid¡ª well, this,¡± he gestured vaguely in Olo¡¯s direction.


    Olo forced another deep breath and a silent count to five.


    ¡°Nothing personal. Just didn¡¯t want to have to talk to anyone and now, we¡¯ll have to sit together and talk because if we ignored each other and sat far apart it¡¯d be weird,¡± Johnny continued. The customary smirk wasn¡¯t present on his face.


    Olo found the flat stare disconcerting.


    ¡°It¡¯d only remind me of why we¡¯re all being assholes to everyone and everything. You get me though, right, big guy?¡± Johnny sighed.


    ¡°Then why don¡¯t we sit and eat together without being assholes,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°That might be a too big ask. I mean, shit, even Bastien¡¯s been a dick and he¡¯s the most least dick of us all,¡± Johnny snorted. ¡°I swear Vee was going to twist my arms and legs off last time I saw her. Smiling, happy Vee¡­ c¡¯mon, that¡¯s scary, right?¡±


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°You asked her how much longer Twinkle Star had to live, so I¡¯m not chalking that one up to our nightly problems,¡± Olo snorted.


    ¡°Fair, but that creature is like 20 years old. Ain¡¯t natural.¡±


    ¡°Look at it this way¡­ if we are under magical attack then shouldn¡¯t we do the opposite of what it appears to be trying to achieve.¡±


    ¡°Ah, the contrarian method.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that, like, your personal philosophy anyways?¡± Olo raised a brow.


    ¡°Yup¡­¡± Johnny smiled after a moment. ¡°Okay. I¡¯m in. Let¡¯s eat, cause I¡¯m starving.¡±


    Olo took much longer than Johnny at the different food dispensing stations and sat down with a tray piled with various meats and vegetables.


    ¡°You sure that¡¯s enough?¡± Johnny said. ¡°I can go with you if you need an extra set of hands.¡±


    ¡°I just finished lifting.¡± Olo reminded himself of his own words and ignored the annoyance he felt.


    Johnny sniffed but didn¡¯t say anything as the two ate in silence.


    ¡°Okay¡­ this is weird¡­ so, how¡¯d the lifting sesh go?¡± Johnny said after what felt like an eternity.


    ¡°Beat my one rep max on the bench. Put up 1395 pounds,¡± Olo said with some pride.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m not as meathead-y as you. I¡¯ll need a normal person translation,¡± Johnny said. ¡°I mean, I got the gist, but I¡¯m betting that I¡¯m missing the significance.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like a few hundred pounds more than the world record back in the old days. It¡¯s not that impressive though, since I have Skills boosting my strength and stamina,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Plus 50% to strength, right? So, without that, you¡¯re looking at like 900 pounds, bro¡­ you¡¯re crazy,¡± Johnny barked a laugh. ¡°Oh no! I can only bench press 900 pounds, I¡¯m so weak,¡± he copied the deepness of Olo¡¯s voice.


    Olo reminded himself that this was how his friend was normally, so that was a good thing and he shouldn¡¯t be angered. Because that was the nightmares pulling his strings. ¡°Yeah, okay, point taken.¡±


    Johnny eyed him suspiciously for a moment before continuing. ¡°At least you¡¯re getting stuff done. I have spectacularly failed to do anything, except have a persistent headache from the lack of sleep. It¡¯s like that pinched feeling behind the eyes, you know¡­ and here you are putting up personal bests. Let me guess, a 1-ton squat?¡±


    Olo shook his head. ¡°Not feeling up to that, so I focused on the bench.¡±


    ¡°Meh¡­ congrats! We might have to slide you into the superhuman strength category like Vee and Tessa¡­ oh, by the way, I don¡¯t know if you heard, but she¡¯s also been having the bad dreams, so we can check the theory that the source is somewhere close to us here.¡±


    ¡°Tessa too? Shit¡­ what about Mr. Cruces? I know Mrs. Cruces hasn¡¯t been affected,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Nope, Remy¡¯s lucky. Maybe cause they¡¯re old. Like, they lack our youthful imaginations. Although, being in our mid-twenties I¡¯d have thought we¡¯d be clear from dream terror attacks. That sort of thing should only be happening to kids and teens, like in stories. Killer eldritch clowns typically go after the little ones, you know, on account of the delicious purity of their child minds,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°I remember that story differently, It went after them when they were adults,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Oh god,¡± Johnny shivered, ¡°could you imagine if there was something like that out there?¡±


    Olo¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°I don¡¯t have to. We saw one in those tunnels.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ right, full on evil temple and everything. Huh? Maybe it¡¯s not so weird that we¡¯re having bad dreams. Ain¡¯t right for people to see those things. Fishy bastards,¡± Johnny spat.


    ¡°I thought the cultists were worse. They had a choice. I figured the fishmen are just¡­ like that.¡±


    ¡°Conceded,¡± Johnny sighed. ¡°I just want a good night¡¯s sleep. Is that too much to ask?¡±


    ¡°It isn¡¯t,¡± Olo agreed.


    ¡°We¡¯re going back into a war zone. I didn¡¯t get a chance to explore my Class!¡± Johnny slammed a fist down on the table. It barely budged.


    ¡°About that¡­ why are you so focused on becoming an Assassin. Your Rogue one is fine,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Because we figured that specialization is better. Hence, I need an upgrade.¡±


    ¡°But why that one. It¡¯s so¡­ focused¡­ on one thing, at least, presumably.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t know. Maybe, cause being able to kill our enemies sounds very useful. Honestly, I¡¯d rather be a Ninja, but that¡¯s not gonna happen.¡±


    ¡°Why not? Classes are supposed to be made up of self-image combined with actions and some sort of hidden prerequisites. Theoretically, there¡¯s a lot that¡¯s reachable.¡±


    ¡°Tell that to Gene. He¡¯s trying so hard, but he¡¯s still got two gimped Classes instead of Spellsword or Mageblade or whatever he¡¯s going for. Look, I just can¡¯t be a Ninja. I¡¯m mostly Mexican by ethnicity. Last I checked my people don¡¯t do ninjas. I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯d need to be culturally Japanese to have a shot. I¡¯m not cool with that cultural appropriation shit,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°You want to be a Ninja? Then maybe you need to change that mindset,¡± Olo shrugged.


    ¡°Tried, but I¡¯m mostly sure that Assassin crosses all cultural boundaries.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s so¡­ murderous.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m only planning to assassinate evil guys and things. I just need Caretaker to give me assassination-type missions or something. I bet that¡¯s the key I¡¯m missing.¡±


    ¡°Too dangerous¡ª¡± Olo began.


    ¡°Is what they and Remy have repeatedly said,¡± Johnny finished. ¡°Training wheels, man. They¡¯re never going to take them off for us. Even though we¡¯ve all hit Level 30¡­ minus Gene,¡± he snickered.


    ¡°How¡¯s Bastien? I haven¡¯t seen him since his praying aura thing didn¡¯t work.¡±


    ¡°Bummed. I checked in on him. Been mostly praying and meditating or are those the same things?¡± Johnny shrugged. ¡°In his defense, it didn¡¯t exactly not work. I felt¡ª not good exactly, but better when he was using the ability. Just didn¡¯t last and he can¡¯t keep it up all the time.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s probably what he thinks. I¡¯ll pay him a visit.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯ll be good even if I¡¯m sure it won¡¯t change anything. He¡¯s just been in his room. At least he gets food delivered, so I know he isn¡¯t starving himself.¡±


    ¡°We all cope in our own ways.¡±


    ¡°You lift ridiculous weights, Mads shoots things and Gene gets his ass kicked by the uniques,¡± Johnny smirked.


    ¡°And you?¡±


    ¡°Been doing a lot of thinking about Classes and what not. Like our theory that there¡¯s a possibility that a hierarchy of sorts exists like in games. They can be common, uncommon, rare or epic, maybe even unique.¡± Johnny¡¯s eyes lit up as he snapped his fingers. ¡°One way we can come out ahead with the nightmares. What if it can lead to a better Class? Think about it¡­ you could be, like, a Soul-Tortured Warrior. Bastien can get Nightmare-Touched Acolyte. Mads¡­ Sharpshooter of Twisted Dreams. And I will be a Shadow Terror Assassin.¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ no. Let¡¯s not share that with the others,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Johnny crossed his arms, ¡°sounds pretty cool to me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not about to be a tortured anything.¡±


    ¡°All up to you. Not saying you have to be that.¡±


    They conversed while they continued to eat.


    The topics became light and both managed to keep their irritation with each other from leaking out too much.


    Johnny finished first since he had a normal-sized person¡¯s serving and he departed shortly after.


    Olo wondered if his friend¡¯s mood had been improved. His had been for at least a little while, however he could already feel the music sinking its hooks and dragging itself into the forefront of his mind.


    He tried to focus on his food. The taste, the texture, everything about it. More than he would normally do.


    The ice cream station called to him after he finished his primary meals.


    ¡°Can¡¯t be weak.¡±


    He got some fruit instead.


    Once full to satisfaction he left the cafeteria with a protein shake in hand. He hadn¡¯t looked into the ingredients. Probably made out of the Threnosh version of soy, which was likely just like the soy back on Earth. ¡°Thank you, Cal.¡±


    He finished the drink as he walked back to his quarters and finally had that shower.


    A beep from his PID greeted him upon getting into his gray onesie.


    The results from his latest scans from Mrs. Cruces.


    No changes.


    He was the picture of great health.


    They still hadn¡¯t detected anything out of the ordinary.


    He couldn¡¯t get the music out of his head. It always got stronger the closer it got to bedtime. He dreaded it. It¡¯d take hours before exhaustion would pull him under. Then the terror in his dreams. He¡¯d wake in a sweat. Check the clock and find that an hour or two at most had passed. Then he¡¯d be unable to sleep until the next night when it¡¯d repeat.


    He decided to get his thoughts and fears out via journal.


    The holographic projection of a screen and a keyboard appeared on his desk with a wave of a hand. The letters were English thanks to the spires¡¯ universal translation system; however the layout was different. Months of use and he still wasn¡¯t used to it. The typing went slowly since he had to look at his fingers.


    He forced himself to record an accurate account of the latest nightmare. The images appeared in his head, which forced him to stop and calm himself with breathing exercises.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if this is helping.¡±


    An hour of struggle later and he decided that it hadn¡¯t.


    As a last resort he started watching recordings of his training fights.


    Against his friends and several of the unique Threnosh.


    It was a bit cringe watching himself. He couldn¡¯t help but be critical. His flaws stood out glaringly obvious, while he couldn¡¯t see what he did well. Perhaps, it was more that he didn¡¯t allow himself to see the latter.


    All he saw was someone that could only defend. Sure, he was strong, but it didn¡¯t amount to much in the greater scheme of things, not compared to the truly powerful ones.


    What was the point of trying to gain strength if he could never even remotely sniff those heights?


    The music in his head grew louder and more incessant.


    After less than an hour he had enough.


    He shut off the projection with a curse, followed by the lights before he crawled into bed, defeated.


    Accompanied by the darkness and the music he waited for the inevitable.

 Interlude: Johnny 1.3

    Johnny stalked into the command center in a foul mood. Two weeks back in the war zone of Orchestral Meridian and the nightmares hadn¡¯t stopped. He had been expecting it but was hoping that doing dangerous stuff would¡¯ve at least distracted him from thinking about them. In retrospect, it was a dumb thing to think that, but in his defense he was desperate. Distraction was dangerous in battle.


    ¡°Yo,¡± Johnny waved.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to agree to this,¡± Remy said.


    Johnny eyed Caretaker, who was standing at the central command console. A three-dimensional map was projected above it. He recognized the section as the one they were currently trying to reclaim from the Inheritors and their combined force of wild, mad skinless-Threnosh and the more normal-looking ones, basically standard Threnosh, but with pale white skin and a more violent attitude.


    His eyes lit up.


    Did he dare to hope?


    ¡°Um¡­ I hope you aren¡¯t about to disappoint me,¡± he said to Caretaker. He avoided looking at the disapproval on Remy¡¯s scowling face.


    ¡°There is a task for you if you desire it.¡±


    ¡°Depends on what it is.¡±


    ¡°Elimination of a Trumdiq-type Inheritor.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ you want me to assassinate an HVT? Just to make it clear¡­¡±


    Remy sighed, but Johnny only had eyes on Caretaker.


    Was this his best shot?


    ¡°That is accurate. I am assigning this task using the intent and language you have been persistently¡­ requesting¡­ for several months,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°You son of a bitch, I¡¯m in!¡± Johnny grinned as the music in his head moved to the back.


    ¡°Don¡¯t take this lightly!¡± Remy snapped.


    ¡°Er¡­ okay,¡± Johnny shrugged.


    ¡°I mean it. You know what Trumdiqs are, don¡¯t you?¡± Remy continued.


    ¡°Yeah, sure. They¡¯ve got some kind of weird hive mind thing going with the skinless and the whiteys. Makes them dumber and angrier than they already are but allows them to single focus on our own HVT¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°Research has finally confirmed that upon death Trumdiqs send out a call through the hive mind that all non-Inheritor hostiles in the vicinity converge on,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought. Good to finally get it¡ª oh¡­¡± Johnny realized what that meant.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you realize what that means for you,¡± Remy said. ¡°We need to focus on alternative paths. Instead of this¡ª¡±


    ¡°Whoa! Hold on. I¡¯m still in, just¡ª what¡¯s the actual plan?¡± Johnny said.


    Remy shot him, then Caretaker a disgruntled look.


    ¡°Your Skills allow you to bypass their detection methods. You will do so and eliminate the Trumdiq. We will launch multiple offensives disguised as feints to provide cover for your infiltration,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Why bother? They¡¯re dumb. They react to every attack, feint or not, with all-out aggression. The only times they act with any semblance of strategy and tactics are when one of the big Inheritors are in command and you would¡¯ve mentioned if any were in that section. The Trumdiqs just straight up suck when it comes to that sort of thing.¡±


    ¡°You are correct. It is good to practice for future engagements with more intelligent opposition.¡± Caretaker directed Johnny¡¯s attention to the holographic map with a gesture. ¡°This is your optimum path to the target.¡± A red line lit up and moved from the outer edge of the section to a sub-level structure near the rear. ¡°As well as our assault vectors. If you agree to the task, this map will be transmitted to your PID.¡±


    ¡°So, after I kill the target every fucker in the section will be headed my way¡­¡±


    ¡°Most of them,¡± Remy chimed in.


    ¡°You will only need to evade the closest hostiles. We will commence our own all-out assault at that point. The disruption will allow us to overwhelm and destroy them. We will seize the security station and drone facility immediately to begin fortifying the section for the inevitable counterattack,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see an escape route on the map,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°I have decided to leave that to your discretion. The section will be too chaotic to predesignate an expeditious rout,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°Can I get an Uber?¡± Johnny looked to Remy.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be keeping those big Inheritors busy with a deep strike into their main section in this area. Just so you know. There won¡¯t be any last-minute bail outs if you need one. You¡¯re truly on your own,¡± Remy replied.


    ¡°That¡¯s a bit of a bummer, but I want¡ª need to pull this off. For the Class, you know?¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t. We¡¯re not a hundred percent sure that there are improved or special classes. Let alone how you¡¯d go about getting them. It seems stupid to me to risk your life in reckless ways in pursuit of that,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°I see it as a win-win. I succeed or I don¡¯t,¡± Johnny threw his hands up.


    Remy¡¯s mouth actually dropped.


    Johnny chuckled. ¡°If I pull off the former then maybe I finally get what I¡¯ve been trying for over the last year. If I don¡¯t, then I¡¯m dead and that means I can finally rest. No more nightmares. No more creepy, but somehow uplifting music in my head. A break, even if it¡¯s the permanent sort sounds really nice right now,¡± he explained.


    ¡°We¡¯ll figure that out. You just have to be patient,¡± Remy¡¯s gaze softened. ¡°You and those that care about you will regret it if you give up.¡±


    ¡°Yo, dude! Not giving up. Definitely not that. All I¡¯ve done since the spires showed up is moved forward no matter how piss my pants terrified I¡¯ve been,¡± Johnny looked at Caretaker, ¡°Earthian pants don¡¯t have self-cleaning systems, so that¡¯s, like, bad,¡± he explained, ¡°¡­ also, we pee...¡±


    ¡°I am aware of this aspect of your species.¡±


    ¡°Look, I¡¯m doing this, not as a suicide mission, but as an achievable quest, make that Quest¡­¡± Johnny looked to the ceiling. ¡°Wait for it¡­¡±


    Seconds passed in silence.


    ¡°That¡¯s not going to work. Please, be serious¡­¡± Remy sighed.


    A loud chime rang in Johnny¡¯s ears. ¡°O. M. G. It actually worked!¡± he pumped his fists and shadow-boxed a four-punch combination.


    Congratulations!


    You have received a Quest.


    Infiltrate Section 37, Area 52 of Orchestral Meridian and assassinate Trumdiq-type Inheritor.


    Success Parameters: Assassinate the target. Survive.


    Failure Parameters: Target survival. Death or capture.


    Reward: 100000 Universal Points.


    Will you accept?


    Bonus!


    Contingent on performance.


    Reward: Variable.


    ¡°Fuck yeah! I do!¡±


    ¡°Did you just¡ª¡± Remy started.


    ¡°Get an official Quest? Yup!¡± Johnny grinned smugly. ¡°100K and a possible bonus, which, cross my fingers, is that new and improved Class change.¡±


    Remy regarded Caretaker.


    The Threnosh shrugged. ¡°I have noted the potential path to generate official Tasks. It is gratifying to see a theoretical path followed to a confirmed conclusion.¡±


    ¡°We just got to think hard enough. Like that manifest bullshit,¡± Johnny tapped his temple.


    ¡°What is this you refer to?¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want nor need to know. Just a waste of your brain power,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°So, when do I start?¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°With the exception of Remy¡¯s strike team all our forces are in position. We will proceed when you are ready,¡± Caretaker said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll need 30 minutes,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Sounds good to me,¡± Johnny said. ¡°I just need to arm up and I can go. Sooner the better.¡±


    ¡°Then we are set on our paths,¡± Caretaker said. ¡°Any further concerns?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but it doesn¡¯t matter now. You, take this seriously,¡± Remy warned Johnny.


    ¡°As a heart attack,¡± Johnny saluted. He turned on his heel and left the command center at a brisk walk. His hands had suddenly gone sweaty and he hadn¡¯t wanted the other two to notice. He hurried back to his team¡¯s barracks and found them all getting ready. ¡°Well¡­ shit. You guys wouldn¡¯t happen to be going on strike mission with Remy?¡±


    ¡°What the fuck do you mean?¡± Gene glared. ¡°It sounds to me like you aren¡¯t going with us.¡±


    ¡°Yup, got another mission¡­ or should I say, Quest,¡± Johnny wagged his brows.


    ¡°Bullshit,¡± Mads said with a bitter laugh.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one that managed to generate a spires Quest?¡± Bastien said.


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    ¡°Well, he is the most self-deluded one here, so it sorta makes sense,¡± Olo chimed.


    ¡°In a surprising moment of candor, I have to admit that I don¡¯t think it was all my doing. I think Caretaker also worded and crafted the entire mission with an eye toward this end. I just had to wish hard enough on my half of it to get the magic going,¡± Johnny held his hands out wide expectantly.


    Gene frowned at him, then sighed and finally grinned. He approached Johnny and hugged him with a rueful shake of the head. ¡°Congrats! I¡¯m guessing this is an assassination Quest?¡±


    Johnny nodded with a nervous grin.


    ¡°Fitting. The word ass is in it twice¡­ I can¡¯t think of a better way to describe you,¡± Mads said with a smirk.


    Johnny tipped his head toward her with the same expression. ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate that unlike me, you don¡¯t know who you truly are¡­ deep down.¡±


    ¡°Guess this¡¯ll go a long way in confirming if we were right about classes being strongly based on self-image and actions,¡± Bastien said. ¡°I know you have to do this alone, but I don¡¯t like that part of it. Would you like a blessing buff?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. I feel like I need to try this with as little direct outside help as possible,¡± Johnny replied. ¡°Besides you should probably save that for your own mission. Hitting Inheritors deep in their territory is serious business, even if you¡¯re going along with Remy.¡±


    ¡°With a few of the unique Threnosh as well, so I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll be as dangerous for us as it sounds. Tessa¡¯s got a tougher job,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Inheritors are making a push into Section 8 of Area 137. She¡¯s got to go and be the big gun of that defense, crappy dreams and shitty music in her head and all,¡± Gene spat.


    ¡°Yeah, well, we all know how that is,¡± Johnny sobered. ¡°And thanks, by the way for reminding of the song. I had managed to lower the volume a bit, which is now done. Back to loudness¡­ dick.¡±


    ¡°Welcome back to the fold,¡± Gene mocked.


    Bitter laughter filled the cozy barracks.


    ¡°Get it done, but don¡¯t take unnecessary risks,¡± Gene said as he headed for the door. ¡°We¡¯ve got to get armed and armored.¡±


    The others expressed similar sentiments as they followed their team leader out.


    Bastien lingered and whispered something under his breath.


    ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon man! You¡¯ve got to save that,¡± Johnny said. Even as he spoke, he felt something warm wash over him. He instantly felt just a little lighter and less nervous. The ever-present song dwindled from an 11 to a 4 and he was momentarily happy. Unfortunately, he knew it wouldn¡¯t last. ¡°Thanks anyways you stubborn asshole. Now, go and kick ass.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t die,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°You too.¡±


    Johnny went to his locker and picked through his collection of small blades.


    Trumdiqs had small, frail bodies with a bulbous head and belly. Easy to kill, so he didn¡¯t take too much time. In the end he grabbed a dagger with an 8-inch-long triangular blade and¡ª


    ¡°Actually, my usual loadout should be fine.¡±


    The armory had his standard weapons alongside his Threnosh armor.


    ¡°No¡­ if I want to be an Assassin then I need to approach this with that in mind.¡± He viewed the dagger in his hand as an assassin¡¯s weapon, so he needed to complete the Quest with that or something else like it. To that end he added a few more knives that he felt were assassin-y enough. ¡°Recoilless guns are quiet enough that they don¡¯t need silencers. Does that mean they basically count as silenced weapons? Shit¡­ I should¡¯ve asked the guys.¡±


    Unwilling to waste time, he rushed to the armory muttering about garrotes and poison to the confusion of the Threnosh that happened to cross his path.


    Less than an hour later, Johnny was skulking through the darkness.


    His target was in a sub-level and both the skinless and whiteys had been created with natural night vision.


    This was fine for him. His helmet had its own enhanced visual modes and sensors. He could navigate in pitch black environments as if he was out in a moon-lit night.


    His armor had also been outfitted with the best stealth and camouflage systems that the Threnosh could offer. It wasn¡¯t nearly on the same level as the unique Threnosh he had not seen several times, the aptly named Unseen, but it was good enough against these enemies.


    He crept through the sub-level, doing his best to keep his distance from the skinless, who were gathered in clusters in what appeared to be a random fashion. More like animals huddling for warmth than proper thinking beings, unlike the whiteys that patrolled in a somewhat organized manner with their crude versions of Threnosh arms and armor.


    Johnny found himself uncomfortably close to one such patrol. His armor¡¯s stealth wouldn¡¯t be enough to avoid notice, so he took a deep breath and engaged his Hide Skill. He disappeared from their potential notice.


    He simply walked right by the dozen-strong patrol. Ten feet and not a one so much as twitched in his direction.


    Two minutes.


    Then three.


    He held his breath all the way down the street then through several twists and turns in narrower corridors before he decided that he was far enough away from the monsters to release his breath.


    Who knew that he would need to train like a free diver to maximize his Rogue Skill?


    Well¡­ he did.


    He checked the clock in his faceplate.


    It was about time¡ª


    A series of explosions shook the silence loose from the section, along with the years of accumulated dust that rained down on him from the metallic corridor¡¯s ceiling.


    The Threnosh had lost the city and everyone in it when the spires had appeared on their world around two decades ago. The skinless ones had been once those people, at least some of them. The Inheritors had been making new ones in re-purposed birthing creches along with the whiteys.


    At least Cal had taken care of Mother Madrigal. Johnny had gone through those reports, which included plenty of video shot by the Threnosh helmet cams.


    The giant woman with skin instead of clothes was a nightmare.


    To think that something like that once lurked in the depths of Orchestral Meridian was enough to taint one¡¯s dreams and he had enough problems in that realm as it was.


    He tried to put that out of his mind as he reviewed the map projected into his faceplate.


    With Caretaker¡¯s attack in progress, he could move faster to his target.


    Only about halfway there, he thought.


    The pounding of flesh-less feet, like slapping and not the good kind had him suck in a deep breath while pressing himself up against the smooth metallic surface.


    Almost a year since I last¡ª no! Johnny! Keep your mind on the prize. Collect enough Universal Points and survive to go home. Then you can take care of it, he chastised himself for getting distracted.


    Skinless Threnosh rushed past his hiding place.


    He waited another minute after the sound of their snarling had dwindled in the distance before releasing his breath and peeking out of the corridor.


    The coast looked clear, so he headed toward his target, following the route highlighted in his faceplate.


    The structure that housed the Trumdiq was small. Only four levels deep and approximately 3,000 square meters of space for each floor. Scans had placed the target on the lowest level right in the center of the floor.


    Johnny¡¯s problem was getting in without alerting the enemy.


    The only entrance to the cylinder-shaped structure was a door which was guarded by a squad of whiteys.


    They weren¡¯t a huge threat with the way he could hit them from hiding. Their frail bodies were augmented, but that was only with old Threnosh exoskeleton technology. A strong human being from the pre-spires days could¡¯ve beaten the whole squad in a fist fight. Even Johnny¡¯s stealth-centric armor was practically impenetrable to their melee weapons.


    He considered just wiping them out but knew that would only alert his target.


    Instead, he made his way to the opposite side of the structure unnoticed.


    A cybernetic thought overlaid the wire frame schematic of the structure in his faceplate. It took a few seconds to find the best spot. Once he did that, he took a small, one-use laser cutter from a compartment at his waist and cut himself a small opening in the metallic wall.


    He put the spent device back and crawled into the structure.


    The interior was patrolled by squads of whiteys, but it was easy to slip past them unnoticed. Hide even allowed him to walk right through one. They simply moved around him like a school of fish around a piece of drifting debris.


    The lift was clear, intelligence had indicated that the enemy wasn¡¯t plugged into the operating systems of the structure beyond the rudimentary level. It helped that so much of it was automated that as long as there was power things like doors and lifts worked without need of user input. Doors opened when a body approached. The lifts went up or down with a simple wave of the hand. The whiteys were intelligent enough to do that much.


    What mattered to Johnny¡¯s purpose was that none of the enemy would even notice that the lifts were moving if they weren¡¯t looking. And so, he rode one all the way to the bottom level without any problems.


    His luck would run out when he saw what waited for him outside his target¡¯s chamber. The one entrance was surrounded by a cluster of skinless Threnosh.


    A silent curse joined the maddening song in his head.


    Plan B.


    He went back to the lift and up one level.


    The map in his faceplate led him to the exact chamber above his target¡¯s.


    He took a small vial filled with green-ish liquid from another compartment and smashed it on the floor directly over the Trumdiq.


    The caustic substance was like acid on steroids. It ate through the metallic floor in seconds. Just enough time for Johnny to draw the stabby dagger from its sheath and get ready.


    The moment the hole was big enough he dropped down and plunged the dagger into the top of the sitting Trumdiq¡¯s bulbous head.


    The Inheritor twitched and flailed while Johnny twisted the knife while choking it with his free arm. The small creature was light, he pulled it up off the floor.


    It couldn¡¯t verbally call out as it died, but the hive mind made that unnecessary.


    Johnny dropped the dead body like a sack of potatoes and pulled a small device from yet another compartment at his waist. He hit the button and tossed it at the door, which was sliding open with the slavering snarls from the skinless in the corridor.


    The monsters had been driven into a mad frenzy by the Trumdiqs death throes echoing across its connection to their lesser intellect.


    The explosive device bathed the open door in flames that didn¡¯t disappear immediately.


    The skinless had been blown back into the corridor. Those closest to the blast were dead, but Johnny could see that a good number were only injured and stunned.


    That wouldn¡¯t last long, he knew that the flames wouldn¡¯t keep them back in their frenzy.


    He needed to leave.


    He looked up to the hole in the ceiling.


    No.


    Every skinless and whitey would be converging on this structure, just as planned.


    He couldn¡¯t leave the section the same way he had come in.


    He scanned the chamber.


    The wire frame schematic showed him a potential path.


    A set of drone tunnels behind the far wall.


    He hurled another vial of caustic liquid.


    The first skinless rushed through the burning doorway. Maddened beyond reason, it ignored the flames clinging to its oozing red exposed muscles.


    Johnny drew his recoilless pistol and blew its head apart.


    More came behind it.


    He sprayed projectiles.


    A few dropped, but not enough. His weapon didn¡¯t have the stopping power of the larger versions.


    He took a deep breath and disappeared from their notice.


    The skinless suddenly stopped.


    They milled around for a moment as Johnny moved toward the hole in the wall.


    The skinless exploded into sudden frenzy. They spread out in the chamber, swinging their clawed hands wildly, biting at air. Jumping and charging into the walls and each other.


    Johnny chanced a glance back only to see more skinless filling the chamber. Along with one that was about to land a lucky bite on his face.


    He was forced to stop hiding as he stabbed it with his stabby dagger.


    He pushed the skinless away as he fell back into the hole.


    He tossed a second incendiary grenade into the chamber before scrambling as fast as he could down the narrow tunnel.


    A desperate run ensued.


    The explosion and fire had given him enough of a head start that he had lost all pursuit after a few minutes.


    He followed the map and made his way through what felt like miles of twisting tunnels and passageways until he came to a large vertical shaft. Vehicle access according to the signage.


    All he had to do was climb until he reached open air.


    He activated the communicator in his helmet. ¡°This is Johnny, copy?¡±


    ¡°Copy, status report?¡± Caretaker replied.


    ¡°Target is neutralized.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged. Things are proceeding as planned on our end. Hostiles did indeed lose cohesion and attempted to disengage and return to the Trumdiq.¡±


    ¡°Awesome¡­ so, I¡¯m in this shaft and the map says if I go up I¡¯ll end up at the surface. Can I get a pickup?¡±


    ¡°Transport has been dispatched. You may wait at your location.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I kinda don¡¯t want to get caught. So, I¡¯ll climb and we¡¯ll meet somewhere in the middle, I hope.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged. Well done on successfully completing the Task¡­ Quest.¡±


    A chime sounded in Johnny¡¯s ears.


    ¡°Thanks, boss, signing out.¡±


    He started to climb.


    He wanted to check the spires message but thought better of the distraction. It was smarter to do it when he was no longer in the bowels of a dark, metallic undercity being pursued by monsters.

 Interlude: Bastien 1.4

    ¡°We don¡¯t make fun of him even if the perfect opportunity arises,¡± Bastien regarded the barracks, ¡°please, for me?¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Olo said immediately.


    ¡°Fine, only cause you¡¯re asking,¡± Mads rolled her eyes.


    ¡°He wouldn¡¯t do the same thing for any of us,¡± Gene said through narrowed eyes.


    ¡°That¡¯s true, but I sense that Johnny¡¯s been having a difficult time,¡± Bastien raised a hand to forestall the arguments, ¡°I know we¡¯ve all been struggling with similar things, but shouldn¡¯t we do our best to alleviate each other¡¯s burdens in any way we can?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean it in a malicious way. It¡¯s how we are. Johnny sticks his knives in my back and I hit him with magic missiles to the face¡­ metaphorically,¡± Gene said. ¡°We all have this understanding, don¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡°Sure, under normal conditions¡ª¡± Bastien began.


    ¡°Which we aren¡¯t dealing with,¡± Gene sighed. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll do my best to be¡­ supportive,¡± he grimaced.


    Mad¡¯s raised a hand. ¡°What if he¡¯s super annoying? Like he¡¯s been since the nightmares started.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to cut everyone slack since I know that it isn¡¯t you guys. It¡¯s mostly in my head,¡± Olo shrugged.


    ¡°Me too,¡± Gene chimed.


    Bastien gave him flat stare.


    ¡°I¡¯ve tried?¡± Gene shrugged.


    ¡°You could try harder,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Fine, sorry, alright. No dickishness¡­ as long as he isn¡¯t one,¡± Gene said.


    Mads snorted.


    ¡°We¡¯ll follow your lead on this, Bastien,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Good, thank you. I can sense that he¡¯s almost here,¡± Bastien said.


    They all watched the door, while trying to look like they weren¡¯t watching the door. Which was why they missed Johnny falling into the barracks out of a shadow on the wall.


    He crashed to the floor as those tripping over an exposed tree root.


    Curses filled the room.


    ¡°The fuck was that?¡± Gene said.


    ¡°New Skill!¡± Johnny grinned up at them.


    Bastien hurried over to give him a hand up.


    ¡°Thanks, dude!¡± Johnny beamed.


    ¡°So, did you get what you wanted out of the Quest?¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Yes and no,¡± Johnny replied.


    ¡°And yet you don¡¯t look upset.¡±


    ¡°I was a little bit at first, but on my way back from the spire I thought about it more and the spires message sounded like I¡¯m on the right path¡ª¡±


    ¡°No ass class then?¡± Mads said innocently.


    Bastien glared at the younger woman, but she avoided his eyes.


    ¡°Not yet, but I think I just need to keep doing Quests like that,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°The new Skill lets you walk through shadows,¡± Gene said with interest.


    ¡°Don¡¯t miss anything, do you bro?¡± Johnny grinned. ¡°It¡¯s called Shadow Walk.¡±


    ¡°Do you have details on how it works or do we need to experiment?¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Since I got a bunch of points from that Quest, I bought a tutorial,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Stupid pay to win micro-transaction shit,¡± Olo grumbled.


    ¡°It¡¯s pretty straightforward. My awesome new Skill uses stamina. I walk into a shadow and I walk out of a shadow. As in walk. I tried running and I only slammed into the wall,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Was it a direct walk from the outside to the inside? Like the shadows function as a door?¡± Gene said.


    Johnny nodded. ¡°For now. As I level and get better at using it I¡¯ll be able to move about through different shadows. Different spots and greater distance. That sort of thing.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s it like inside the shadow?¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Is it like a shadow realm thingie?¡± Mads said.


    Johnny pointed fingers at the two. ¡°Don¡¯t know. It felt like walking in pitch darkness, but without any sensory input. That¡¯s why I fell¡­ maybe?¡±


    ¡°You know what this means?¡± Gene began. ¡°Practice time!¡± he grinned.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°We¡¯ll need to set up different kinds of shadows,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t be too hard with how modular the training chamber is,¡± Gene said.


    Gene and Olo practically rushed out of the chamber.


    Johnny lingered. ¡°You guys coming?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m scheduled for a medical scan in fifteen,¡± Mads said.


    ¡°I¡¯m after her and I¡¯d like to try praying before. See if it makes a difference,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Hasn¡¯t so far,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Perhaps this will be the time.¡±


    ¡°Hopefully, but don¡¯t let it hit you too hard if it doesn¡¯t,¡± Johnny patted Bastien on the shoulder before turning and walking into the shadow on the wall.


    ¡°You know that once he gets the hang of that he¡¯s going to be much worse. Remember how it was when he first got Hide?¡± Mads said.


    ¡°We were teenagers then. We¡¯re adults now,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Um¡­ yeah¡­ he¡¯s not that much different from then,¡± Mads snorted. ¡°I¡¯ll get out of here so you can do your thing. Might as well start heading over to medical.¡±


    ¡°Good luck,¡± Bastien said.


    Now that he was alone Bastien sat down on his bunk and closed his eyes. He pulled a rosary out and began praying.


    The calm came with his abilities. It always had throughout the ordeal of the last several weeks, over a month now. The only problem was that it never lasted long once he was no longer actively using them.


    The haunting music in his ears dwindled to silence.


    The terrible images in his mind¡¯s eye disappeared into nothing.


    Oh, how he wished it could remain so.


    There was something that he hadn¡¯t shared with his friends.


    Like them he had seen terrible things in the nightmares.


    The same song?


    Different music?


    Both and neither.


    One that permeated his every thought, but couldn¡¯t be described no matter how hard one tried.


    What was different about his suffering was that it was interactive.


    Bastien sat on his bed and silently went through the Rosary.


    But, after several minutes he was also in another place.


    A dream.


    No.


    The nightmare.


    He stood in the Church of his youth.


    He sat on his bed.


    It was so real.


    It wasn¡¯t.


    Organ music drifted around him, but it wasn¡¯t what he remembered. It was that damned song.


    He plugged his ears to no avail.


    Rows of wooden pews stretched out in front of him.


    The altar sat at the other end up on a slightly raised dais. Behind it, on the wall was a wooden cross with an artistic representation of Jesus upon it.


    Stained glass windows were set high up along the cavernous ceiling on both sides. Sunlight shined down through them like rainbows.


    Banners, the Stations of the Cross, hung on the walls on either side of the interior.


    They suddenly burst into flames.


    Bastien stifled a cry.


    The heat washed over him.


    The song grew louder.


    Windows shattered.


    ¡°Shield of Faith.¡±


    The shards bounced off the bright sphere of light that sprang to life around Bastien.


    His hands felt clammy around the haft of his halberd.


    When had that appeared?


    He touched the protective amulet he had purchased from the spire for reassurance.


    Looking down at it, he noticed that he was now clad in his combat gear. Not the Threnosh-made power armor, but the padded cloth and chain mail that he had worn back on Earth.


    He focused inward and pulsed one of his auras. The one that brought a feeling of calm and peace.


    ¡°Do not be afraid.¡±


    A voice echoed.


    A chorus of many in one.


    ¡°Put your faith in our dominion and you will be saved.¡±


    He looked up toward the altar and the cross.


    A bright light shined.


    He was forced to look away, but he thought he had caught a glimpse of golden wings spreading behind the light.


    ¡°You are a lie,¡± he whispered. ¡°You cannot tempt me with falsehoods and fake images.¡±


    ¡°Do you not wish to protect those that you care about?¡±


    ¡°Not through whatever it is you offer.¡±


    ¡°All you have to do is have faith and they will be saved. If you don¡¯t then¡­¡±


    A hundred deaths flashed through Bastien¡¯s thoughts.


    Family and friends, here and back home.


    Each one in excruciating detail.


    Terrible fates that he was forced to witness.


    He had seen them all so many times every night over the past several weeks.


    ¡°Your faith is strong. Trust in it¡­ in me.¡±


    ¡°No. Not in you. You¡¯re a liar. False. I don¡¯t know what you are, but you aren¡¯t who you claim. You¡¯re no angel, nor God.¡±


    ¡°Have faith. Join me, bow your head in prayer and be saved from what is to come.¡±


    ¡°If you were true then you wouldn¡¯t put any conditions on salvation. It isn¡¯t a transaction. It is enough to live as Christ did. No more, no less, no matter what anyone else says. Only one can judge us all.¡±


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    ¡°Only I can save you from this¡­¡±


    The space around Bastien yawned with great rents in the air.


    Demons or devils, he couldn¡¯t tell spewed forth.


    They came in myriad shapes that threatened to drive him mad. He couldn¡¯t fix their physical forms in his mind.


    Some were things of flame, of ice, dirt.


    Others were grotesque mockeries of life, dripping pale blood and viscera. Obscene organs dangling and writhing as if they had their own minds.


    Things composed of a multitude of stinging and biting insects swarmed in humanoid shapes.


    Those weren¡¯t the worst of them.


    ¡°Please¡­¡± Bastien wavered.


    ¡°They will descend on your world if you don¡¯t embrace my truth, my song. I have dominion over you. Only I can keep you from the horrors scattered through eternity.¡±


    Bastien clung to the silent prayers in his head.


    He felt the amulet around his neck¡ª the beads of the rosary in his fingers.


    Real.


    Not real.


    The monsters attacked and bounced off his invisible shield with great flashes of light where they struck.


    ¡°My faith is my shield.¡± He pulled on a different aura. ¡°My faith is my weapon.¡± A pulse erupted from him in all directions.


    The monsters recoiled from the light that remained around him, burning bright.


    ¡°My weapons are Holy.¡± He drew his pistol and fired. Where he struck the monsters died with a flash.


    Sensing that Bastien¡¯s shield was down the monsters attacked again despite how they burned as they drew closer to him. He swung his halberd in wide arcs with one hand, while shooting with the other. ¡°My faith is my strength.¡±


    Each step down the aisle toward the alter and the floating figure of golden light was met by a horror given form.


    Infernal fire burned him.


    Talons cut through armor to reach his flesh.


    Bastien was forced to switch auras to one that healed his wounds.


    His pistol clicked on empty, so he cast it aside and swung his halberd with all his might.


    The holy-infused weapon destroyed with each slash and thrust.


    Stinging insects covered his face. They tried to eat his eyes, his tongue. He healed as they damage him, but the pain was inescapable.


    He staggered through the onslaught and found himself mere feet away from the foot of the dais that the altar rest upon.


    ¡°See. Your faith is not enough alone. Only through my dominion will you and yours ever see the joy of light again.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t represent him. You are no angel. I don¡¯t know what you are, but no evil can escape my Holy Light!¡± Bastien slammed the butt of his halberd into the floor. The weapon flared bright. The remaining monsters disintegrated around him.


    Gasping, he looked up.


    Golden light remained.


    ¡°And yet, I remain. You should ponder that.¡±


    Bastien fell to his knees. His weapon clattered next to him.


    The church burned around him.


    The music grew louder until it was all that remained in his head.


    He closed his eyes, felt the beads in his fingers and tried to resume his prayers.


    He came to laying on the cold, metallic floor. He felt wetness on his face and in his ears.


    The damned song was still present.


    ¡°Hey! Bastien! Can you hear me?¡±


    A voice punched through.


    He couldn¡¯t see anything except a dark shape over him.


    Strong hands lifted him up and gently placed him on the bed.


    The stiff padding was slightly more comfortable than the floor. At least it was warmer.


    ¡°Hang on! I¡¯ve put in a call. Medical¡¯s on the way. So are the others. Shit¡­ you¡¯re a mess.¡±


    A light was shined into his eyes.


    His vision slowly cleared.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°I¡ª I think I had a nightmare¡­ but I hadn¡¯t fallen asleep¡­ at least I think I wasn¡¯t¡­ the song¡­ demons¡­ gold¡­ wings¡­ Tessa, I think, I think I saw¡­ teeth?¡± he tried to rub whatever sticky gunk that was in his eyes, but found his hands held firm by vise-like fingers.


    ¡°Don¡¯t. Wait for medical. You¡¯re bleeding out of all your face holes and that¡¯s never a good sign,¡± Tessa said.


    Bastien struggled futilely.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you healing yourself?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡± he tried and failed. ¡°I can¡¯t right now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to let your hands go, but promise me you won¡¯t move,¡± Tessa said.


    Bastien nodded.


    There was a flurry of movement and Bastien was suddenly surrounded by his entire team. His mind was in a fog. Time wasn¡¯t working right.


    ¡°I think he¡¯s back,¡± Tessa said. ¡°Are you back, Bastien? You went away for a few minutes there.¡±


    ¡°What does that mean?¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Did you call the medical team?¡± Gene said.


    ¡°First thing I did when I found him,¡± Tessa said. ¡°Before I called you.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were back,¡± Mads said.


    ¡°I literally just came back. I was in the middle of dropping my gear off when¡­ well, it¡¯s hard to explain. I detected some weird electromagnetic activity, which is why I came here,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Bastien¡¯s brain got attacked,¡± Johnny said. ¡°That¡¯s what that means, right?¡±


    ¡°Listen,¡± Bastien rasped. ¡°Have to tell you. It spoke to me. It¡¯s been speaking to me for weeks, but¡ª I don¡¯t know. Gold wings and teeth, I think that¡¯s what I saw, a gaping mouth with many sharp teeth. A liar, tempting with falsehoods. Preying on our fears¡ª¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°And?¡± Gene leaned closer to Bastien¡¯s face.


    ¡°He¡¯s out,¡± Tessa said. ¡°Still breathing so I¡¯m not going to freak out about it. Although¡­ where is the medical team?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll check,¡± Olo tapped on his PID and moved closer to the barrack¡¯s door.


    ¡°Um¡­ anyone want to speculate on what Bastien just said? Also, is the music super scary for you guys too right now?¡± Johnny said.


    Reluctant nods all around.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s obviously gotten worse,¡± Mads hugged herself as she shivered. ¡°I mean, this is a direct attack, right?¡±


    ¡°You caught it though,¡± Gene regarded Tessa.


    ¡°Yeah, but I didn¡¯t do anything beyond that. I wouldn¡¯t even know how to block or stop it,¡± Tessa scowled. ¡°Maybe Vee could. Her powers are more geared toward that. I¡¯m just learning how to use mine in different ways.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t bring her here. Your dad wouldn¡¯t allow it even if we wanted to,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Hey, guys,¡± Olo said. ¡°Medical¡¯s on the way. They¡¯ll be here in a minute. They acknowledged the delay, but didn¡¯t give a reason.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t he heal himself?¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Said he couldn¡¯t,¡± Tessa laid a hand on Bastien''s blood-soaked chest, ¡°his heart¡¯s racing, but not at a deadly pace.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll be fine once medical takes him. I want a watch on him. We may be able to do something if he gets attacked again,¡± Gene said. ¡°He said that something spoke, has been speaking to him, that¡¯s different from the rest of us. Tessa, did he say more when you first found him?¡±


    ¡°A little bit, but nothing different than what he told all of us. I¡¯ll contact my mom, let her know what happened and try to describe what I felt. It¡¯s more data for them to work with. They should be aware so that they can keep a close eye on Vee,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Right, so on that note. We need to buddy up. No one goes alone for more than a few minutes,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°I need to talk to my dad about this,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Okay, you¡¯re with him,¡± Gene said. ¡°Mads and Olo, me and Johnny.¡±


    Somber nods.


    ¡°My dad and I can watch Bastien. We¡¯re probably the best chance he has if there¡¯s a repeat. Not that I know what to look for¡­¡± Tessa shrugged.


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s for the best,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°What about us?¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°We¡¯ll send a live feed of the barracks to Tessa¡¯s PID,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°That¡¯ll work,¡± Tessa said.


    The medical team entered the chamber at that point.


    The team followed the unconscious Bastien to the medical chamber and stayed while Tessa went to find her father.


    Once Tessa returned with Remy, he promptly ordered them to go about their day.


    It wasn¡¯t easy as their minds were torn with worry about Bastien and about themselves. They had no choice, but to go about their day while dreading the inevitable terror-filled night.


    Bastien woke the next morning.


    His head hurt, but he was alive and he could see straight.


    Tessa sat in the chair next to his healing pod.


    He tapped on the clear view port to get her attention. He gestured to the top of the pod and mimed an exit.


    Tessa frowned for a moment. ¡°You¡¯re stuck in there until medical says otherwise.¡±


    He rolled his eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯ll check with them.¡±


    Tessa disappeared from the chamber.


    He waited for what felt like an hour when the chime in his ears alerted him to prepare for freedom.


    The process only took a few minutes as the jelly-like liquid was drained and the pod moved into an angled, upright position. Medical Threnosh appeared and fussed over him with scanners as the pod opened.


    They pulled the breathing mask from his face. ¡°I¡¯m fine, guys.¡±


    ¡°Your brain hemorrhaged. From multiple locations.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, but I think I¡¯ve got that covered.¡± He concentrated and felt the healing flow through his body. The aches slowly disappeared. His thoughts cleared, aside from the song.


    The Threnosh instruments beeped. They eyed him for a split-second then abruptly left.


    ¡°They don¡¯t like how they can¡¯t figure out how you do that,¡± Tessa grinned.


    ¡°Guess their tech isn¡¯t advanced enough yet to understand magic and faith,¡± he said.


    ¡°Hungry?¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Starving,¡± he replied.


    They went to the cafeteria straight away.


    They piled their trays with food and sat down at one of the many empty tables.


    ¡°Where are the others?¡±


    ¡°Called away for missions. The Inheritors made a big push, so my dad and they had to go. They¡¯re still fighting,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°And you¡¯re still here?¡±


    Tessa shrugged. ¡°Not by choice¡­ no offense, my dad decided that I was your best chance at survival in case of another attack and I had to agree with him, so I stayed.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Bastien snorted.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. So, you up for talking about what you saw? You were mostly incoherent when I found you.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I can do that.¡± Bastien related everything that he could remember about the experience as the two ate.


    ¡°So you had some kind of waking nightmare?¡±


    ¡°I think those are called hallucinations.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but none of those cause electromagnetic activity that I can detect. Not to mention brain bleeding.¡±


    ¡°The way you say that¡­¡± Bastien shuddered. ¡°This is my brain we¡¯re talking about. Do you think it might turn into permanent damage down the line?¡±


    ¡°Meh¡­ my uncle was always complaining about his brain bleeding and he¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that our brains are comparable.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got healing magic and the scanners said you were good, so I wouldn¡¯t worry too much. More importantly, why didn¡¯t you say anything about this thing talking to you? That¡¯s important information we should¡¯ve had as soon as you knew.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I didn¡¯t trust what I was experiencing. When I first realized that what I was seeing was different from the rest of you I thought maybe I was the key and I could spare you all if I could overcome it. I was wrong,¡± Bastien bowed his head.


    ¡°So, what was it and what¡¯d it talk to you about?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what it was. It felt like a figure of light. Wings. The teeth were new. Yesterday was the first time I saw that. As for what it would say¡­ variations on the same thing. That I needed to have faith and place myself, us, under its dominion. That it was the only way to save¡­ everyone I care about.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Tessa ruminated with a slice of pizza. ¡°It used those words exactly?¡±


    ¡°I think so.¡±


    ¡°Dominion,¡± Tessa muttered. ¡°Fuck!¡± she snapped after a momentary pause. ¡°I¡¯ve been so busy that I haven¡¯t had the chance to actually sit down and think about the nightmares. It¡¯s like I can¡¯t think beyond that damned music. We¡¯re missing something.¡±


    ¡°Enemy action is a certainty now.¡±


    ¡°That might¡¯ve been obvious from the beginning if you told us,¡± Tessa grumbled.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Bastien mumbled.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s hard for us, but it¡¯s harder for you. I don¡¯t blame you and none of the others would either,¡± Tessa said as she started tapping on her PID. ¡°There. I just sent what you told me to my mom. She and the researchers are clear headed about this. If there¡¯s something there, they¡¯ll find it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be too hard on yourself. It sounds like you had a pretty epic fight against this thing.¡±


    ¡°But it didn¡¯t work. My light didn¡¯t hurt it. If it was evil¡ª¡±


    ¡°That whole thing might not have been real, strictly speaking. You saw my uncle¡¯s reports, right?¡±


    Bastien nodded.


    ¡°With magic and powers there are more battlefields than the physical world,¡± Tessa continued.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t mine have worked then?¡±


    ¡°How should I know?¡± Tessa shrugged. ¡°Wings and light¡­ was it an angel? Or maybe it took the form of one cause of your Catholic-ness?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re one too?¡±


    ¡°Technically, I guess. Had a Bible in the house. I remember First Communion and going to church on Christmas. I will be the first to admit that I was a terrible one,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°No one is terrible.¡±


    Tessa raised a brow.


    ¡°Okay¡­ that¡¯s not true,¡± Bastien sighed. ¡°But even the terrible can be forgiven.¡±


    ¡°If they sincerely want it and stop being terrible, but that¡¯s not how it¡¯s been historically. Sorry,¡± Tessa said. ¡°I remember a few rants about the evils of organized religion from my aunt. Never mind that. Back to the angel question.¡±


    ¡°What do you know about them? I mean in the Bible.¡±


    ¡°Nothing. I think ¡®angel¡¯ and I picture a guy with wings and a flaming sword. Kinda like Salamander, now that I think about it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s more of an artistic representation. The Bible describes them in different ways. Some just appear like people. Others have six wings. Others are a lot weirder. I¡¯m talking multiple faces, human mixed with animals. Or a bunch of wheels stuck together, except they¡¯re also covered with eyes.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I know that last one,¡± Tessa perked up. ¡°Like from my uncle¡¯s ancient alien crap. Except he said the wheels were on fire and they were really alien spaceships that ancient people couldn¡¯t comprehend so they called them angels.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ sure, why not,¡± Bastien shrugged. ¡°One common theme among all of the angel stories was that they tended to be scary, no matter what form they took. They¡¯d always be all ¡®be not afraid¡¯ whenever appearing to people.¡±


    Tessa laughed. ¡°Yeah, ¡®don¡¯t be afraid while I wrestle you in the dark, Jacob¡¯¡­ I remember that story. There was some weird shit in the Bible.¡±


    ¡°Slightly blasphemous, but okay,¡± Bastien grinned. ¡°I guess what I¡¯m trying to say is whatever that was in my daymare wasn¡¯t an angel. Not to me. However, it¡¯s a faith and belief thing. Another person might come to the completely opposite conclusion had they gone through what I did.¡±


    ¡°Also angels are supposed to be good, I think, and they don¡¯t summon demons and devils. Although, aren¡¯t those fallen angels. God damn it. It depends,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°There are an infinite number of different cosmologies out there. Our world alone had tons, imagine what an infinite number of worlds hold,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Maybe you shouldn¡¯t pray for awhile until we figure out what exactly happened to you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a problem with that. It¡¯s a good idea. Perhaps the magical element in my act of praying allowed a¡­ firmer connection to our unknown enemy?¡± Bastien sighed.


    ¡°What do you want to do after we finish eating?¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°I was actually going to access base archives and see if I could connect any dots to what I¡­ experienced. I should probably rest, but the last thing I want to do is lay down and close my eyes. I can¡¯t be sure where I¡¯ll be after I open them.¡±


    ¡°Study day it is then,¡± Tessa sighed.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to babysit me. You¡¯ve got more important things you can do.¡±


    ¡°Meh,¡± Tessa shrugged. ¡°I need to keep an eye on you and research is important, even if it¡¯s boring.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re a team. We watch out for each other,¡± Tessa said.

 Interlude: Gene 1.5

    ¡°You mad, bro?¡±


    Gene tried to ignore Johnny¡¯s irritating voice. He knew that was mostly because of the lack of sleep due to the mental assaults they¡¯d all been undergoing. Finally given confirmation with the recent attack that had struck Bastien and left him bleeding from the brain. The nightmares had officially crossed over into reality. They were all waiting for their turn.


    Which was the main reason that Remy was sending them all back to base ahead of schedule, with the exception of Tessa. She had one last mission to do before joining them.


    ¡°Guys I think, Gene¡¯s mad,¡± Johnny continued in a loud whisper. ¡°His eye¡¯s twitching¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ª like it always does when you¡¯re talking too much,¡± Mads said flatly.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll shut up. I was just going to say that we shouldn¡¯t be mad. Need those positive vibes, dudes. We need to chill. The enemy doesn¡¯t want that. He wants us all pissed and stressed like we¡¯ve been for months,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Eight weeks. Almost to the day since I had my first nightmare,¡± Gene said. ¡°We haven¡¯t had more than a few hours of uninterrupted sleep in two months. That damned music is playing through my head as I speak.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s in mine too and I¡¯m trying, bro. Turn that frown ups¡ª¡±


    ¡°Dude, just shut up!¡± Olo snapped.


    Eyes went wide.


    ¡°That¡¯s not like, but okay. Quiet time,¡± Johnny mimed zipping his lips.


    The rest of the flight was completed in silence, welcome to most of them, if awkward.


    ¡°So¡­ are we still on the buddy system?¡± Johnny said as the transport doors opened.


    ¡°No. We¡¯re all going to be closely monitored by dedicated medical teams. Anything happens and they¡¯ll be on us in seconds,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°What if I need a few minutes of privacy?¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°Temporarily suspended.¡±


    ¡°What Gene¡¯s trying to say is don¡¯t do anything you¡¯d be embarrassed by,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Yeah, keep it in your pants,¡± Bastien added.


    ¡°Even in my quarters?¡± Johnny feigned outrage.


    ¡°Especially there, you degenerate,¡± Mads said.


    ¡°What?¡± Johnny blinked. ¡°Isn¡¯t that the only place it¡¯d be acceptable in?¡±


    The argument continued as Johnny pestered Mads while the two headed into the base.


    ¡°Hold on,¡± Olo held up a hand.


    Bastien and Gene eyed him.


    ¡°Just give them a minute or two to get far enough ahead that we don¡¯t have to listen,¡± Olo explained.


    ¡°I think you need a break more than I do,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Seconded,¡± Gene added. ¡°And Bastien¡¯s the one that was leaking brain fluid just a few days ago.¡±


    ¡°Accurate, if macabre,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Sorry, guys. I just feel helpless. Weak,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°We¡¯re all in the same boat,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Attention, Designation: Bastien. Designation: Mother requests your presence in Medical Chamber 2 immediately.¡± A flat-toned voice filled the chamber.


    ¡°Right, more testing, later,¡± Bastien hurried down the transport ramp and toward the same corridor that Johnny and Mads had already disappeared into.


    ¡°What¡¯re you gonna do?¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Dunno¡­ lift weights,¡± Olo shrugged.


    ¡°Want to fight first?¡±


    ¡°Seriously?¡±


    ¡°I have a headache and I just want to sleep, but I also don¡¯t want to sleep¡­ you get me?¡±


    ¡°Same,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Might as well get some practice in.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s see if we can get some team battles going if there are any uniques in the training chamber,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°I was thinking just us two. The commander won¡¯t like us disrupting assigned training patterns.¡±


    ¡°So, Shira will override them. Especially, if they get to participate,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Shira? I was thinking of a light workout. Safe and not life-threatening,¡± Gene grimaced.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one always complaining about being behind in levels. You¡¯re guaranteed one or two if Shira fights you¡­ even if they¡¯re holding back and not actually trying to kill you,¡± Olo said. ¡°Think of it as the price for dual-classing.¡±


    Several minutes later, Gene breathed a sigh of relief.


    The training chambers were all empty.


    ¡°You dodged a bullet,¡± Olo smirked.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s gear up and get going.¡±


    ¡°How are we doing this? Simulated combat with the holograms? Or straight up PVP?¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Why not both?¡±


    ¡°Holograms first.¡±


    ¡°You trying to tire me out first?¡± Gene grinned.


    ¡°Nah. We won¡¯t get the chance to do the sims after I beat you up,¡± Olo shrugged. ¡°This is the only way we¡¯ll get to do both and I really want a chance to cut loose, which we can¡¯t against each other.¡±


    They donned training gear and entered the empty chamber. This was one of the smaller ones, about half the size of a football field. There was one chamber that was the size of a small town in length, width and height.


    The gear would keep them safe while accurately modeling damage. They¡¯d feel pain and end up bruised, but be spared from broken bones or anything fatal. In any case, medical was always watching whenever a training chamber was in operation.


    ¡°Which program do you want to go with? Something easy to start?¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Solo boss-style fight?¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound easy, but¡­ okay,¡± Olo shrugged.


    ¡°Computer¡­¡± Gene called out, ¡°give us an Orchestral Meridian sub-level as the setting and a single Gyxdor as the opponent. Blind start.¡±


    ¡°The fuck, man?¡± Olo said.


    ¡°We¡¯ve never had the chance to try him out. I want to see how accurate the programming is. It¡¯ll be a good test in case we ever go up against the real thing.¡±


    The virtual intelligence began counting down from ten.


    ¡°You know they¡¯re never going to put us up against him as anything other than support, distant ones at that. We¡¯ll get flattened,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Then it¡¯s good that the worse we¡¯ll get here are some bruises.¡±


    ¡°Easy for you to say. You¡¯re not the one tanking,¡± Olo grumbled.


    The open space slowly filled in with a near-perfect replica of a typical Orchestral Meridian sub-level. Lights illuminated the metallic surfaces.


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t know where we are, right?¡± Olo gripped a large rectangular shield and spear in either hand. ¡°Feels like I¡¯m wielding a toothpick against that monster.¡±


    Gene put his helmet on and drew his longsword. He kept his left hand free to wield his magic.


    ¡°Maybe you should start with the gun?¡± Olo said.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to be a Magesword¡ª¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s even a thing,¡± Olo muttered.


    ¡°If Bennett can be a Vampire, then I can be whatever I want,¡± Gene said. ¡°Anyways, this is practice, so I need to use the two things I need for the potential class. Magery and a sword.¡±


    ¡°Fine¡­ what¡¯s the plan? I¡¯m thinking our only chance is an ambush,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°We find a long, narrow corridor with duct work or side chambers. You taunt him to you and when he¡¯s distracted I¡¯ll unload on his face¡ª¡±


    Olo snickered.


    ¡°Grow up, dude. You¡¯re like 25,¡± Gene frowned.


    ¡°26, actually.¡±


    ¡°Shit¡­ really? Damn, does that mean I¡¯m 26 too?¡±


    ¡°Yup. We had birthdays a few months ago. You were there.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I thought that was for you and Bastien.¡±


    ¡°You too. Johnny¡¯s is coming up¡­ I think. I¡¯ve sorta lost track of time,¡± Olo shrugged.


    ¡°Jesus¡­ same here apparently,¡± Gene shook his head. ¡°Whatever, the plan¡­ you¡¯re the bait. I¡¯ll hit him with spells and try to take out his eyes. His big ass should have trouble moving through a narrow corridor. Once he¡¯s blinded we¡¯ll take him out a cut at a time. You can shoot him to your heart¡¯s content at that point.¡±


    ¡°No offense, but that¡¯s terrible,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Yeah, good thing this isn¡¯t real then¡­ so, let¡¯s start looking for him.¡± Gene walked through the only door out of their starting area.


    ¡°Fuck! He¡¯s going to hear us coming,¡± Olo said as he followed.


    The big man was right.


    As it turned out the training chamber was too small to face an opponent of Gyxdor¡¯s type. Even if this one was a simple copy made from the mixture of machine skeleton and hard light hologram.


    It didn¡¯t take long for heavy, lumbering steps to shake the entire place around the two.


    They had failed to find a corridor long and narrow enough to suit Gene¡¯s plan.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Instead they were in a wide chamber with several platforms of varying height arranged in a fashion that reminded them of living quarters. They also made a convenient obstacle course.


    ¡°He¡¯s coming from above us!¡± Gene said.


    ¡°How do you know? The whole room is shaking¡ª¡± Olo began.


    The screech of tearing metal swallowed the rest of Olo¡¯s words.


    ¡°Above us!¡± Gene pointed.


    Gray fingers big enough to grab him around his torso were ripping through the ceiling. The tell-tale protrusion of ivory bone around the knuckles and other finger joints was a tell-tale sign of their opponents identity if they hadn¡¯t already known.


    ¡°That looks so real. You know, I¡¯m glad that we¡¯ve never seen Gyxdor up close before,¡± Olo said.


    The Gyxdor copy had torn an opening large enough so that they could see his broad, snarling face with fearsome eyebrow ridges of bone poking through the thick skin.


    ¡°So real¡­¡± Olo stared up. ¡°I know it¡¯s mostly holograms, but damned if I can tell the difference.¡±


    ¡°Fireball,¡± Gene pointed his free hand. An orb of fire flew and struck the Gyxdor copy.


    The flame and smoke cleared to reveal a singed face. Black eyes stared down at them.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t work,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Magic Missile.¡±


    Two marble-sized orbs of purple energy arced up.


    The Gyxdor copy pulled his face away from the hole.


    ¡°Did you get him?¡± Olo said.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t see,¡± Gene frowned. ¡°Get over there,¡± he pointed to the space between two pillars. They were wide enough that they looked like a corridor, just not as long as they wanted. ¡°I¡¯m going to try to get out of sight. See if you can get him to follow you through that. Might get him stuck long enough for our plan.¡±


    ¡°I doubt that,¡± Olo said. ¡°He¡¯s tearing through the ceiling like it¡¯s made out of paper.¡±


    Sure enough the Gyxdor copy had widened the hole big enough to get through.


    ¡°Go!¡± Gene barked while he ran to the opposite side of the chamber where there was a large number of obstacles he could hide behind.


    Olo went to the mouth of the opening and waited for the Gyxdor copy to drop down to the floor.


    The entire chamber shook with the impact as the fake Inheritor landed with a booming thud.


    ¡°On me!¡± Olo banged spear to shield.


    He didn¡¯t wait to see if his Skill took hold on the Gyxdor copy. He turned and sprinted into the corridor-like space. Judging by the roaring and the sound of thudding steps, it had worked.


    ¡°Oh¡­ crap! It¡¯s a dead end!¡± Olo called out.


    Neither he nor Gene had checked.


    Olo turned at the sound of rending metal.


    The Gyxdor copy was indeed too wide for the space that could only fit two Olo¡¯s shoulder to shoulder. However, he was strong enough to simply deform the pillars to make room.


    Olo raised his shield as the fake Inheritor drew closer. ¡°Bulwark.¡±


    A massive fist struck and he was driven back into the wall.


    ¡°Fatal damage. You are incapacitated,¡± the voice in his helmet said in a flat tone.


    The training armor locked his movement and all he could do was stand there as the fake Inheritor turned in search of the remaining target.


    ¡°Oh well¡­ shouldn¡¯t take long,¡± Olo sighed. He couldn¡¯t warn Gene even if he wanted to. He was dead according to the rules and as such had to wait until the end of the program or for someone to let him out. At least it wouldn¡¯t take long. Gene wasn¡¯t going to last against that thing.


    Olo watched through the gaping passage the Gyxdor copy had made. He couldn¡¯t see much aside from several flashes of different colored light. Gene¡¯s spells.


    Gene hadn¡¯t seen what happened and Olo wasn¡¯t responding, which meant that his friend was out.


    The plan was a spectacular failure.


    He was running and dodging through the various obstacles while blindly firing spells behind him at the gigantic chasing fake Inheritor. He decided at that moment that he never wanted to do this out in the real world.


    He hit a large open space and was suddenly flying through the air. He registered the fist hitting his back a split-second later.


    When he hit the ground, he couldn¡¯t move.


    A flat voice in his helmet announced his demise.


    The landscape disintegrated into nothing.


    Bright lights revealed the empty training chamber.


    Olo was leaning against the far wall.


    ¡°We lost,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Yeah, it was a spectacular failure. I got one-hit. You?¡± Olo called back.


    ¡°Same.¡±


    ¡°I feel a giant bruise forming on my arm,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°My back¡­¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s do something easier next?¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Horned chimps?¡±


    ¡°How many?¡±


    ¡°A troop?¡±


    ¡°Not with just us two¡­¡±


    ¡°Four?¡±


    ¡°Okay. That sounds reasonable.¡±


    At Gene¡¯s direction the landscape shifted to resemble a forest. Trees, grass, dirt. The whole thing.


    ¡°Birds even chirping and shit,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°I like the breeze and the smells,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°You know, I¡¯ve been here for almost a year and I still don¡¯t know how the Threnosh pulled this whole danger room thing off,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°You could ask. I did.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°It was a highly technical answer that I couldn¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°What about the fruit?¡± Olo pointed to a few plump specimens hanging off a nearby tree.


    ¡°What about them?¡±


    ¡°If they can do smells, then maybe they can do tastes.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a hard light hologram,¡± Gene said flatly.


    ¡°Oh¡­ yeah, that makes sense¡­ maybe in a few months,¡± Olo shrugged.


    ¡°Computer¡­ begin,¡± Gene called out.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Horned chimps hooted from what felt like every direction. Branches shook and fist struck trunks.


    It was a hard battle, but a fairer one.


    The two young men were bruised more at the end of it, but felt much better about their abilities after coming through with a clear victory.


    Gene examined the edges of his practice sword. There were more than a few nicks from the fight, but it didn¡¯t look bad enough for him to switch to another one. His armor was scratched and dented, but was similarly in good enough shape. ¡°You want to switch out for a new shield? I can wait.¡± He eyed the huge fist-shaped dent in the middle of Olo¡¯s rectangular shield.


    ¡°I¡¯m good.¡±


    ¡°You sure? Isn¡¯t it hitting your arm?¡±


    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s curved, so the dent isn¡¯t touching me. Close though, but I think it¡¯s fine for our upcoming short fight,¡± Olo grinned.


    Gene snorted.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready when you are,¡± Olo banged spear and shield.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to switch weapons?¡± Gene frowned.


    ¡°Nope. It¡¯ll be harder this way,¡± Olo replied.


    ¡°Hoping to get more out of this then. Suit yourself,¡± Gene nodded. ¡°Any battlefield requests?¡±


    ¡°This is fine,¡± Olo gestured to the same forest environment they had just defeated the fake monsters in.


    ¡°Computer, we¡¯re doing a one versus one fight¡ª¡±


    ¡°Best two out of three,¡± Olo added.


    ¡°What he said¡­ on ten.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Gene struck as soon as the countdown ended.


    ¡°Fireball.¡±


    Olo blocked it with his shield while Gene dashed forward in an angle toward Olo¡¯s spear side.


    ¡°Mage Shield!¡±


    A ghostly buckler with a purple tinge appeared around Gene¡¯s fist. He used it to punch away Olo¡¯s probing spear thrust.


    ¡°Quick Cut!¡±


    Gene¡¯s blade carve through the air with a whistle.


    ¡°Block!¡±


    Olo¡¯s shield moved with the perfect blend of quickness and technique to intercept and deflect the blade before it could strike him on the side of the head.


    ¡°Shield Bash.¡±


    It slammed toward Gene, but he was already backing away.


    ¡°No Power Strike, nor Cleave with a spear,¡± Gene chided.


    ¡°You might be right about the latter, but I figure I just need to keep trying for the former,¡± Olo said. ¡°That one should be usable with every weapon.¡±


    ¡°Why not just purchase a Thrust Skill from the spire?¡±


    ¡°And waste my points when I can just develop it like I did for my starter Skills,¡± Olo shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m not wasting points or slots on basic stuff. I¡¯m saving them for higher level stuff.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not the only one that remembers what Ms. Gozen said about learning technique and improving skill rather than relying on Skills.¡± Gene feinted with a low thrust aimed at Olo¡¯s foot.


    ¡°Yup, that¡¯s why you got to focus on purchasing passives over the rest of it,¡± Olo said as he stepped back while thrusting his spear at Gene¡¯s body.


    Gene deflected the point with his ghostly buckler with a wince. Olo¡¯s strength had grown immensely so that a light jab felt like a full-powered strike from someone like Johnny or Bastien. ¡°Not everyone can be pro-level athletes like you. You¡¯ve got a huge advantage in that regard. Besides, I can¡¯t do that when it comes to magic. I have to purchase spells. Aside from the odd Quest reward, I don¡¯t know any other way to learn them.¡±


    ¡°On me!¡±


    ¡°Shi¡ª¡± Gene was forced to attack without thought. His sword clanged off Olo¡¯s shield.


    ¡°Shield Bash.¡±


    Gene went flying a dozen feet.


    Thanks to his Enhanced Reflexes passive he had managed to pull away from the blow enough that he wasn¡¯t ruled out by the training system.


    He came out of the roll without his sword, which had been jarred loose.


    Olo was bearing down on him with his spear poised.


    Gene raised both hands toward his friend. ¡°Fire Spray.¡±


    Olo skidded to a halt and tried to crouch down and cram as much of his big body behind his shield as the waves of fire swept over him.


    ¡°Fireball.¡±


    Olo peeked over the edge of his shield and saw a basketball-sized orb of fire forming in front of Gene¡¯s outstretched hand. ¡°Brace!¡± he said at the same that Gene released the spell.


    Olo¡¯s world was awash with heat and flame as the explosion sent him flying back. His Skill had been overpowered by Gene¡¯s spell. He climbed to his feet while Gene rushed to pick up the sword. ¡°Not bad for a Level 22 Mage.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d be happier if I was in my 30¡¯s like the rest of you guys as a Magesword,¡± Gene sniffed.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get there one day,¡± Olo said. ¡°Until then¡ª Charge!¡±


    It was like facing down an angry bull or a speeding car. Gene fired a magic missile, but missed as he was forced to dive out of the way or be run over.


    The two went back and forth for the next fifteen minutes.


    Gene threw spells and Skills while failing to get past Olo¡¯s shield to land anything of consequence with his blade.


    Olo¡¯s Skills allowed him to defend even against magic, while occasionally using openings to attack.


    In the end both were drained of stamina, while Gene had the added pleasure of running out of mana.


    Neither could do much more than flail at each other with leaden arms, so they called it a draw.


    They both lay flat on their backs inside a brightly-lit training chamber. The forest had long vanished.


    ¡°Yo¡­ so why not Swordmage?¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Cause I want to be a mage first, then a sword fighter second. Since you¡¯ve already got the fighter part of our team covered.¡±


    Olo pondered that for a few moments. ¡°Guess that sorta makes sense. I¡¯m good with Warrior for now. Don¡¯t want to get gimped like you,¡± he grinned to take the venom out of the words.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to have to get something better eventually.¡±


    ¡°If the theory on better classes being possible is right,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°It¡¯d be nice if I could justify spending points on an advanced-level tutorial or maybe even one of the intermediate ones,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°We can¡¯t and those are super expensive. We¡¯ll never be able to accumulate enough points to get home if we¡¯re spending them on those things. Johnny got really lucky with that Quest. 100k plus a Skill,¡± Olo sighed.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got to figure out how to self-generate our own Quests like that.¡±


    ¡°Have to be doable with a good chance of success and survival,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Also need to get it past Remy. I¡¯m still surprised that he let Johnny go out all alone,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Maybe we can get Caretaker to send us on some kind of objective capture Quest. Just the team. No babysitters,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Difficult, but vital and not dangerous enough for Remy to stop it,¡± Gene mused. ¡°Hey¡­ the song in my head got really quiet. Did yours?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, started softening when the fake Gyxdor started tearing through the ceiling. It¡¯s not too bad right now. Thanks for mentioning it,¡± Olo frowned. ¡°I¡¯m blaming you when it gets louder.¡±


    ¡°Shit! I¡¯m thinking about it now. My bad,¡± Gene sighed.


    Later that night, Gene had cause to rue his words. Despite how bone-tired he was the song in his head was so loud, so insistent. As if it wanted to press itself upon his very soul.


    It took hours to fall asleep and when he did, he dreamed of golden-winged angels burning and tearing everything he had ever cared about into nothing.


    In a way he missed the old nightmares.


    The ones in which he couldn¡¯t see what exactly was responsible for the terrors.


    Bastien¡¯s experience had opened his eyes.


    The knowledge was unwelcome.

 Interlude: Tessa 1.6

    Tessa stood on the side of the several hundred-meter-tall structure. Her feet were planted on the metallic surface, held in place by the magnetic fields she struggled to hold at a simmer.


    It was a new application of her power. Up until the recent months she had thought all she could do was express her power in short bursts. Enough to launch metal projectiles at hypersonic speeds from her hands.


    Working with her dad over the last few months had expanded what she could do.


    She stared down at a monster-packed street of Orchestral Meridian. Once gleaming metallic surfaces had been darkened long ago by the accumulated dust and grime of years. The blood and guts of open warfare was added to this in recent times.


    Tessa pulled two heaping handfuls of small metal balls from the compartments at her waist. The display in her faceplate zoomed in on the targets. A mass of skinless Threnosh swarmed around a pair of Inheritors.


    She aimed and gathered her power along her arms, to her hands. The metal balls floated free from her hands, held within her magnetic power. The air around her seemed to crackle.


    She released it with a thought.


    Boom!


    Ultra-dense balls shattered the quiet air.


    Hundreds died in less than a second.


    She had turned the skinless and the Inheritors into red smears on the once-gleaming street.


    ¡°Designation: Tessa. Strike recorded. Hold for further instructions.¡±


    ¡°Sure, but they¡¯re starting to climb. No worries though, I¡¯ve got a few minutes before they get to me,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Acknowledged. Await further instructions,¡± the communicator replied.


    She sighed.


    The skinless climbed up the side of the structure on claws sharp enough to pierce the metallic surface.


    ¡°Free fire.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ joy¡­¡±


    Tessa fired a barrage of metal balls into the skinless, wiping them off the side of the structure. She should¡¯ve been thrilled at putting the things out of their misery, but the only thing she could think about was the music in her head. It seemed to grow louder and insistent the more she tried to not think about it.


    The sound of pulped flesh wasn¡¯t drowning the song out.


    ¡°Relocate. Transmitting coordinates.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Tessa said.


    The location pinged on her faceplate a few moments later.


    Tessa released her power against the side of the structure. She shot free like a bullet and sent one last blast of metal balls at the skinless several hundred meters below her.


    She soared through the sky, protected from the wind by her Threnosh armor.


    It wasn¡¯t true flight, so a roof soon loomed large in her vision. She tucked into a ball and spun until her feet were pointed toward the roof. She gathered her power at her feet and released it right before she touched down boosting herself back into the air.


    Tessa traversed through miles of the city sector in minutes.


    ¡°Tessa, it¡¯s Dad. There¡¯s a couple of Inheritors where you¡¯re going. Be careful, I¡¯m tied down right now, but I¡¯ll try to make it to you as soon as I can.¡± A familiar voice in her comms. The sound of which in the last several weeks had mostly elicited annoyance.


    Tessa stifled a complaint. Something about not being a baby anymore. That was something a baby would say, so she didn¡¯t. ¡°Understood.¡±


    She landed on yet another roof with a thud.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got Tylox and the big guy here,¡± Tessa said as she spotted more Inheritors.


    ¡°Pull back. Don¡¯t engage,¡± her dad said.


    ¡°I got this. I¡¯ll keep my distance¡­ mostly.¡±


    ¡°Tessa, don¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°Too late, they see me. I can¡¯t disengage.¡± Tessa drew the kanabo from her back and leapt.


    Her free arm lashed out and a shower of supersonic metal balls sprayed across the two Inheritors, skinless and whiteys.


    She landed in their midst. She didn¡¯t want to give Tylox time to deploy the insects from the numerous growths on his body. She clubbed the Inheritor with her solid-metal kanabo, pulping his head like a watermelon.


    ¡°You,¡± Gyxdor rumbled.


    ¡°Me,¡± Tessa smirked. ¡°So, I¡¯ve killed that one three times now. I was wondering, were they all different? Clones, but with different memories? Or the same?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re unworthy to know the truth of our mysteries,¡± Gyxdor said.


    The towering Inheritor aimed a clubbing punch with a fist bigger than Tessa¡¯s torso.


    She dived out of the way, crushing several skinless with her superhuman strength and Threnosh power armor.


    Gyxdor¡¯s punch drove a sizable crater into the metallic street surface.


    She shot more metal balls into Gyxdor¡¯s broad, ugly face.


    The supersonic projectiles raised tiny red welts on the Inheritor¡¯s thick, gray skin. Sparks flew where the metal balls bounced off the bony growths on his brow and forehead.


    Tessa whirled the kanabo over her head.


    Skinless Threnosh flew in every direction.


    Gyxdor barreled over his own allies in his haste to reach her.


    Massive fists swung at impossible speeds, but she was able to keep her distance by jumping over and around the mass of skinless crowding the street.


    Tessa gathered her power underneath her feet and released it, launching herself into the air. She swept her kanabo up and cracked Gyxdor underneath his chin.


    Blood, bits of teeth and bone went flying.


    Tessa soared high into the air and scattered metal balls across the street below her. ¡°I¡¯m killing sooo many of you guys!¡± she crowed down. ¡°What¡¯re you going to do to stop me?¡±


    Her answer was a roar and a handful of skinless that clipped her and sent her pinwheeling through the air.


    Gyxdor had thrown them at her.


    Tessa hit the street several hundred yards away in area free from enemies. She was hurt and bruised, but bounced to her feet quickly.


    A huge shadow loomed overhead.


    She magnetically shot her kanabo at the descending Gyxdor.


    Two booms in quick succession followed.


    The sound barrier being broken, then the impact on Gyxdor¡¯s broad, muscled chest.


    The Inheritor went flying to the side.


    Tessa tracked her kanabo in the opposite direction and rushed to snatch it out of the air.


    ¡°Tessa, what¡¯re you doing?¡± Her dad¡¯s voice sounded frantic.


    ¡°Winning,¡± Tessa said. Duh.


    She leapt into the air after Gyxdor.


    The huge Inheritor had crashed into the side of a structure, caving the thin, metallic walls in around his body.


    Tessa pushed him in further with a stream of small projectiles.


    Gyxdor covered his face with one enormous arm. ¡°Like raindrops,¡± he sneered as he ripped a jagged chunk of metal from the wall and sent it spinning toward Tessa.


    She batted it out of the way mid-flight with her kanabo. ¡°Same to you.¡±


    Gyxdor roared and launched himself at her.


    Tessa boomed her kanabo off his ugly face.


    She landed lightly and caught her weapon in one hand. ¡°Running out of teeth?¡±


    Gyxdor spat blood. ¡°They will grow back. Can you say the same about your parts?¡±


    ¡°Not my thing, but it won¡¯t matter. You¡¯re much too slow to lay a hand on me.¡±


    Gyxdor ripped a piece of metal from the street and winged it at her.


    She swayed to one side to let it pass harmlessly next to her.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got terrible aim. Like, the worst I¡¯ve ever seen. That noodly-appendaged friend of yours is much better.¡±


    ¡°Your tone reminds me of another of your species I have faced. An older male version. Not the one that always buries me with broken structures while keeping his distance in fear. One that I exchanged blows with in the crucible. Blow for blow. Strength for strength. I battered his face and body as he did mine. A prime representative of your kind. Would that the rest of you were as worthy, I might gain more from this battle like I did from the one called Honor,¡± Gyxdor said.


    ¡°You have no idea how icky you sound right now, do you?¡± Tessa made a face. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to tell my uncle about this, but first I¡¯m going to take you out. That¡¯ll put me up on both him and my dad.¡±


    ¡°Too much talking,¡± Gyxdor rumbled. ¡°You¡¯ve ensnared me in your unconventional tactics. Hylhon was right. We do need to develop countermeasures to your Earthian thought patterns.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Note to self, Inheritors learning too much about us. Tell Dad later.¡±


    ¡°Calling for help? It won¡¯t avail you. I will have crushed you long before they can arrive.¡±


    Tessa twirled her kanabo and pointed a finger at the massive mountain of muscle. ¡°You shall not pass!¡±


    ¡°I¡ª have you not been listening? I will not bypass you. I will crush you. Then I will take your broken body and we will unlock your genetic secrets to incorporate them into our future Inheritors.¡±


    ¡°Gross.¡±


    Tessa opened her clenched fingers.


    A dozen spiked metal balls boomed across the street.


    Gyxdor raised a massive arm across his face. ¡°Tylox¡¯s insects have more sting.¡±


    ¡°Not anymore,¡± Tessa glanced at her kanabo, ¡°I¡¯ve got bits of his brain all over this. Already added some of your teeth. Was going to add some of your brain, but then I realized that it¡¯s so small that I¡¯ll just end up pulverizing it.¡±


    Gyxdor roared and leapt.


    Tessa pushed down with her power. The metallic street was the perfect base to propel her power armor-covered body. She rose above Gyxdor and slammed her kanabo across his back.


    The Inheritor flailed as he failed to grab her.


    Tessa filled Gyxdor¡¯s back with metal spikes before they both hit the ground.


    The Inheritor was much stronger than her and exponentially tougher even accounting for the Threnosh armor she wore. He was on his feet with a quickness that belied the massive bulk he carried.


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    He lashed out with massive punches that Tessa knew would probably knock her out if not break bones despite the armor¡¯s protective systems.


    She kept just out of reach, leaping and dashing across the street while hitting Gyxdor with her kanabo and spraying metal bits into his face.


    Unfortunately, she couldn¡¯t dodge perfectly forever.


    A glancing blow sent her flying down the street and into a cluster of dried out husks, cocoons of the original Threnosh inhabitants of Orchestral Meridian turned into skinless ones by Mother Madrigal.


    Gyxdor was on her before she could get up.


    She jabbed at his eyes, but the Inheritor slapped her weapon aside and grabbed her around her torso.


    ¡°Now, I will crush you.¡± A sadistic grin spread across Gyxdor¡¯s face.


    The pressure through the armor was immense. Red lights flashed with the warning alerts in her faceplate.


    ¡°You¡­ worse¡­ without¡­ teeth,¡± she managed.


    The bloody, gaping spaces in Gyxdor¡¯s mouth were rather grotesque.


    She stabbed her kanabo through one of the gaps and into the roof of his mouth. A cybernetic thought activated the electrical discharge function of her armor. The massive burst of electricity traveled down her solid metal kanabo and into the Inheritor¡¯s soft insides.


    Judging by Gyxdor¡¯s yelp, even he had felt that. Granted the burst was probably enough to down a whole herd of elephants.


    The massive fingers around Tessa¡¯s body loosened and she surged free.


    She pulled a spike the length of her arm from a compartment at her thigh and magnetically accelerated it into Gyxdor¡¯s bare stomach. At such close range she actually managed to drive it a few inches through his ultra-dense skin.


    Gyxdor struggled to fight the convulsions seizing his body.


    Tessa cracked him across the jaw. ¡°C¡¯mon!¡± she pushed her free hand to the spike in the Inheritor¡¯s stomach and forced her power into it, moving it a few more inches in.


    ¡°Weak. Too weak,¡± Gyxdor graveled. He regained control and swiped a tree trunk-sized arm at Tessa.


    She ducked it and hit the side of his knee.


    The impact reverberated up the kanabo and into her arms.


    Gyxdor didn¡¯t react. He reached out with grasping fingers.


    She spread a cloud of supersonic metal bits into his face, but the big bastard reacted quickly enough to close his eyes.


    Still, it gave her a few seconds and she took the opportunity.


    Tessa turned and sprinted down the street. She hit 40 mph within a handful of strides.


    A dark shadow fell over her, eclipsing the light of the sun.


    She zigged to the right just as Gyxdor cratered the metallic surface.


    She zagged to the left, ducking under a flashing fist and striking back, nailing Gyxdor across the neck with her kanabo.


    Another moment bought.


    She resumed her sprint.


    Gyxdor roared and gave chase.


    She ducked into a tight alley.


    Gyxdor forced his way after her, deforming the metallic walls like thin foil.


    ¡°Uh¡­ so¡­ you still there, Dad?¡± Tessa said into the comms in her helmet.


    ¡°Are you okay? What¡¯s happening? I can barely understand you,¡± he replied.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ running¡­¡±


    ¡°It sound¡¯s like you¡¯re running.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, being chased,¡± she huffed.


    Gyxdor¡¯s thudding steps sounded really close and she didn¡¯t want to risk looking back. She glanced at the ground to keep a watch for the telltale shadow.


    ¡°I warned you¡ª just keep running. I¡¯m forwarding a map to you. There¡¯s a vehicle access shaft about a mile from your position. I¡¯m sending air support to get you out of there.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡± Directional arrows appeared on the map overlay in her faceplate. ¡°Shit!¡± A large structure loomed ahead. Over 200 meters tall and many times wider.


    She ran for it with what felt like Gyxdor¡¯s hot breath on her back.


    Once she got close she blasted off the ground with a magnetic burst that propelled her a quarter of the way up the side of the building.


    She planted her boots on the side of the structure and started running.


    A glance back showed Gyxdor climbing after her by digging his fingers and toes into the metal.


    ¡°Jesus¡­ overconfidence is going to get me killed,¡± she muttered.


    It took a lot of concentration turning her power on and off with each stride up the side of the building. It slowed her down, which allowed the giant Inheritor to close the distance.


    She reached for projectiles to use, but the various compartments at her waist and thighs were empty.


    ¡°Of course¡­¡±


    The edge of the roof loomed ahead and Tessa threw herself toward it with a burst of magnetic power.


    The displaced air made by Gyxdor¡¯s grasping hand almost spun her around, but she managed to reach the edge with her free hand and boost herself a dozen meters up.


    She hit the rooftop running.


    Gyxdor right behind her.


    They covered the distance to the access shaft in minutes.


    The dark opening was enormous, yawning like a portal to some dark underworld. Quite literal in this case as the sub-levels of the city were indeed without the same amount of lighting it had before the spires had appeared and allowed Mother Madrigal to come through.


    ¡°Where¡¯s my transport? I¡¯m almost there and I don¡¯t see or hear anything!¡±


    ¡°Jump as far as you can into the access shaft.¡±


    ¡°¡­ okay¡­¡±


    Tessa did as instructed.


    As soon as she reached the edge of the huge hole she performed a magnetically-boosted leap that sent her arcing through the bright sky.


    Gyxdor followed, but didn¡¯t quite have as much power in his legs.


    Gravity asserted itself over the two of them and Tessa got to watch Gyxdor fall below her.


    A quick glance to the readout said that the shaft descended 1300 meters to its bottom floor.


    ¡°It¡¯s a long drop!¡± Tessa called out.


    She spread her arms and legs, turning her body so she fell with her stomach facing down. She needed to create as much surface area as possible to aid her air resistance.


    Gyxdor bellowed something inarticulate at her.


    She smirked and waved in response.


    Long seconds passed.


    ¡°Any second now, Dad,¡± she muttered.


    The Inheritor was glaring at her with impotent rage. ¡°You will fall into my arms. I can survive this with ease. Can you?¡±


    A beep sounded in her ears.


    ¡°Ah¡­ finally.¡±


    One of the vanguards dived toward her at tremendous speed.


    The unfortunately named Tremulous Jester 135 detached a small container from their chest before reversing their thrust and zooming back up the shaft.


    The container opened. Mechanical arms reached out and affixed themselves to Tessa¡¯s armor along the back and the front. The anti-gravity harness whined to life and her descent slowed, then stopped.


    She floated in the air for long enough to wave goodbye to the rapidly shrinking Gyxdor below her.


    His rage-filled bellow was music to her ears.


    Almost enough to drown out the song, if only for a fleeting moment.


    When the Inheritor was swallowed by the darkness, Tessa engaged the thruster pack and soared out of the shaft and into the sun. Her flight time was limited, but it¡¯d be enough to get her away from Gyxdor.


    She debated getting back into one of the multiple ongoing battles in the sector, but she was out of projectiles and her dad was yelling in her ear. She had probably pushed things too far this time.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll head back to the nearest forward base¡­ yes¡­ then I¡¯ll go back to the main base¡­ yes¡­ I won¡¯t stay to fight¡­ yes¡­ I¡¯ll do it right away. Jeez, Dad¡­ I¡¯m not a kid¡­¡±


    The transport back to their main base on the ruins of the bridge outside of the city was packed with injured Threnosh, standard soldiers and a few uniques.


    One of which was strapped-in next to Tessa.


    ¡°I boomed him like a dozen times and knocked out a bunch of teeth and bits of face bones, but nothing stopped the huge bastard. Sure, I don¡¯t have as much superstrength as my dad or uncles, but what I do have was also boosted by the power armor. I thought for sure I could¡¯ve done more damage.¡±


    ¡°Yes. That one is difficult to damage. The best I¡¯ve ever managed was to cut through the flesh of his thigh and singe bone. He always moves out of the way of my lasers. My highest energy output is too slow to track him. It is odd that one so big and strong can move so quickly,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°I know, right? Doesn¡¯t seem fair, but it¡¯s, like, scientific. Strong muscles means quick movement. He might have ridiculous mass, but the strength is more than super enough to propel that mass at what, to us, might be counter-intuitive speed,¡± Tessa said.


    The transport shook violently for a few seconds.


    ¡°Pilot, report,¡± Kynnro said into their helmet comms.


    Tessa patched in to the channel.


    ¡°Aerial enemies inbound. Vanguards engaging,¡± the pilot replied.


    ¡°I¡¯d better¡ª¡± Tessa reached for her straps.


    ¡°Belay that, Tessa. Remy¡¯s orders,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°Of course, he did¡­¡± she muttered. ¡°I¡¯ll just shoot some metal at them from the ramp. We¡¯re not that high up. Just open it.¡±


    ¡°Negative,¡± Kynnro said.


    Tessa cursed as she was jerked around in her seat.


    ¡°You sure, Kynnro? I¡¯ll probably be fine if we crash,¡± she eyed the healing pods filled with Threnosh sharing the passenger compartment with her, ¡°the rest of you won¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°The vanguards will protect us,¡± Kynnro said.


    The next several minutes were tense as the transport continued to shake with intermittent violence. Tessa managed to stay her hands as they hovered near the release for the straps keeping her in the seat.


    The song in her head rose to a fevered pitch. She couldn¡¯t separate it from the blood pounding in her ears as her heart raced from practically nothing to over a hundred beats per minute.


    ¡°Definitely the song and not the things outside¡­ they¡¯re little better than mosquitoes. I¡¯ll be fine, but the Threnosh won¡¯t be,¡± she whispered.


    ¡°What did you say, Tessa?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, Kynnro.¡±


    ¡°Patience.¡±


    Tessa listened to the Threnosh.


    The shaking stopped. The flight resumed its customary smoothness. The song remained loud.


    ¡°Tessa, you look¡­ angry?¡±


    ¡°Stupid song in my head,¡± Tessa said.


    The Threnosh quirked their head to one side. ¡°What?¡±


    Tessa used the rest of the flight to the main base to fill Kynnro in on her problem nightmares.


    The song grew louder as Tessa went through the process of returning her gear to the armory chamber. Followed by a full medical scan. Dozens of bruises and micro fractures were spread through her body, but that was a cheap bill for a fight with Gyxdor. The medical staff wanted her to spend a half hour in a healing pod, but she waved their concern away and rushed out before they could complain to her dad.


    An open field stood in front of Tessa. Soft, lush grass undulated in the gentle breeze that brushed tender fingers through her hair.


    She didn¡¯t know where she was. It reminded her of home, but also could¡¯ve been on the Threnosh world. She was definitely not on her way to the cafeteria.


    ¡°Not in the mood for this. Never will be in the mood for this. You¡¯ll find that messing with me will fill whatever you are with regret!¡±


    A bright light flared over the horizon.


    Tessa shielded her eyes. Afterimages of golden wings and a wide smile filled with golden teeth filled them.


    She raised a hand toward it, then realized that she lacked metal. Instead, she plugged her ears and started singing a song. A fun, fast thing, not the evil one blaring in her head.


    ¡°Can you prevent it?¡±


    The question sang in her thoughts.


    ¡°You have power. Is it enough to save them?¡±


    Violin strings.


    ¡°Can you reach the source?¡±


    Piano keys.


    ¡°End it before it is too late.¡±


    ¡°Wait? What?¡±


    Rows of brilliant white teeth, sharp like a shark, gleamed in her mind¡¯s eye.


    ¡°You know the truth. Where you need to go. What you need to do.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ no. I don¡¯t. How bout you just tell me, asshole angel guy?¡±


    ¡°Insolence and disrespect. We seek to open your eyes to the light, so that you may live in joy.¡±


    ¡°Says the guy dripping with sinister intent. I¡¯ve got more senses than the normal person and they¡¯re telling me there¡¯s something way off about you, so, fuck off and leave my friends alone or I will send a shard of metal flying through your face.¡±


    ¡°Unnumbered souls have joined their songs to our dominion. They walk with ever-lasting joy in the light. Join or fall in the darkness.¡±


    ¡°Not interested in anything other than kicking your ass for the months you¡¯ve been fucking with us. So¡­ go away,¡± Tessa shooed the blazing bright light with a hand.


    The song in her head twinged. Discord and harmony warred.


    She grit her teeth against the sudden pain and pressure.


    Tessa blinked.


    Her face felt wet and warm.


    The Threnosh in the cafeteria stared at her.


    ¡°Is that a new method of food consumption?¡± Salamander said from several tables away.


    Tessa stared down at the mostly empty bowl of soup.


    ¡°Oh¡­ that fucking bastard!¡±


    ¡°It appears to be wasteful. Most of the sustenance is on your face and on the table. You¡¯ve only managed to properly consume less than 15% of the soup,¡± Salamander continued.


    Tessa wiped her face before heading back to the food dispenser. ¡°No big deal,¡± she said as she passed the Threnosh in draconic power armor, ¡°just had a daymare. No need to get up. Keep drinking that nutrient drink.¡±


    A slight crease marred Salamander¡¯s forehead. ¡°I had no intention of doing otherwise. Was I supposed to do something else?¡±


    The song was in Tessa¡¯s head, but it wasn¡¯t as loud as it had been.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I thought you would¡¯ve had the answer to that. Answers¡­¡± she mused. ¡°We have to get them on our own. Even if someone gives them to us. I mean, can you really trust the shining light to tell you the truth when it¡¯s so blatantly trying to manipulate you?¡±


    ¡°Logic states that the answer to that is a negative,¡± Salamander said.


    ¡°Precisely, but maybe you lead them on to think that you¡¯re listening. That way you can surprise them with a stick to the face,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Acknowledged?¡±


    ¡°Yup,¡± Tessa nodded amiably. ¡°I¡¯m not going to be fooled by a fake angel. I¡¯m going to be the one doing the fooling. I¡¯d bet the others will feel the same way.¡±


    Tessa filled her stomach with many pounds of food. Calories to replace those she had expended against Gyxdor. She went to her quarters and opened up a channel to her friends and her sister.


    She had a lot to discuss.

 6.0 Prologue

    Now, Southern California


    ¡°Hey?¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°Hey!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Come here, now!¡±


    Cal rushed into the living room to find Nila and the baby playing. Each held a tiny plastic bat and were smacking the ugliest stuffed animal he had ever seen upside the head and body.


    The glee on the two faces was a little disconcerting.


    ¡°¡­ um¡­ what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m teaching him to fight monsters,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Oh¡­ okay¡­ great¡­ why?¡±


    ¡°So he knows what side he¡¯s on.¡±


    ¡°Uh huh and you wanted me to see this because¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, not that. I think he pooped. You need to change his diaper.¡±


    Cal walked toward the sliding glass doors and the balcony beyond.


    Nila¡¯s eyes narrowed as she tracked his movement.


    ¡°Did you just notice the smell?¡± Cal said lightly.


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Nila¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Then he might not be done yet. Nothing worse than changing a diaper too early.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know. He¡¯s already peed on me before¡­ where are you going?¡±


    Cal opened the door and stepped out onto the balcony. ¡°I would change his diaper, but I¡¯ve got a few meetings with my gangs schedule for just about now¡­ sorry,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Get back here you¡ª¡±


    The rest of Nila¡¯s words was swallowed by the sound of rushing wind as Cal leapt off the balcony and into open air. He flared his telekinesis to slow his descent to land lightly on the sidewalk.


    He looked up at the ratty and dirty structure that had been home for him, the baby and sometimes, Nila for the last couple months since he and the former had returned from the Philippines.


    Commerce Hotel and Casino.


    It had been decrepit before the spires showed up and hadn¡¯t gotten better since then.


    The only upside was that he owned the whole thing after solo clearing the spawn zone it had become. It gave him a place to stay and keep an eye on the baby for fog tendencies while keeping his sister¡¯s community safe from said possibility. Coincidentally, it placed him in a fairly central location to begin bringing the roving gangs north of Rayna¡¯s lands under control. He did that by pointing the best ones among them to a better life option.


    Murderers, rapists and other assorted psychopaths were exempted and with his mental powers it was easy to sift through and exclude those kinds.


    As for the rest, they had the choice of joining Rayna¡¯s Rangers in some capacity. It¡¯d take time for them to prove themselves trustworthy and Rayna had wanted a direct hand in their transition.


    Thus, Cal had taken it upon himself to act as a sort of warden-recruiter, which is why he walked into the lobby to a small group of hard-eyed men and women. He noted the pile of weapons next to the entrance. A good sign that they had read and complied with the rules he had posted on the door and had circulated through word of mouth messengers, former gang members that had recently taken him up on the offer. Everyone spent a week or two working directly under him as a trial period before he sent them off to Rayna. It gave him a good opportunity to get to know them and their strengths, weaknesses and such. That way he could share his assessments with his sister and set them all up with the best chances for success.


    As for the rest of the people in the assorted gangs¡¯ territories, well, they had an open invitation to move south and become part of the community. With Cal¡¯s presence and direct hand the gangs were much weakened and they couldn¡¯t keep the people from leaving. Most had already moved.


    ¡°Welcome!¡± Cal spread his arms wide. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve got questions on our offer. Feel free to ask.¡±


    ¡°I hear you don¡¯t let everyone go, even if they pick you up on that deal,¡± a stocky, tattooed Hispanic man in his 30¡¯s glared.


    ¡°Ah, X-Ray, right?¡± Cal remembered the man vaguely. A quick telepathic scan confirmed the identity. The last time he had encountered X-Ray, the man had been powered up, glowing brightly from the spells Mages had poured into him for the fight. It wasn¡¯t much of one. Cal had grabbed the man in a telekinetic grip and slowly floated him like a moon in orbit until the power effect faded. He recalled Nila launching X-Ray like a home run ball a while back. The man did hold a grudge, but had enough self-control not to act on it if it wasn¡¯t in his best interest. ¡°Well, it¡¯s part of the deal. We can¡¯t take you if you cross off a few boxes.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, I know that. You don¡¯t let no rapists, killers and psychos in,¡± X-Ray said. ¡°But, I¡¯m asking, how you decide that them peeps be like that?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because I know the truth that¡¯s in your hearts and minds. You can¡¯t lie to me. Oh, and one correction. It¡¯s not killers. It¡¯s murderers, specifically, of innocents.¡±


    ¡°Okay, cause that¡¯s what I was wondering about. You giving me the offer, but I¡¯ve hurt people, killed people. So, I¡¯m thinking this is too good to be true. A free house. As much free food and shit I could want. And all I got to do is fight for you. Shit, I do that already and you¡¯re saying now I¡¯m fighting on your side. No offense, but it sounds like you¡¯re bending me over,¡± X-Ray said.


    Cal regarded the group of men and women using his mental powers to make it seem as if he made eye contact with each individual. ¡°You¡¯ve certainly done bad things. But, are you a bad person? Look, you should be in prison, but who has time for that. It¡¯ll be too much work to keep you locked up and fed. So, you get a second chance. No more bad things, no more bad person. You do good for the benefit of others and you benefit yourself. It¡¯s pretty simple. You start at the bottom like anyone else joining the Rangers or in some other capacity if you aren¡¯t really a fighter. Plenty of valuable support roles. Hell, maybe even find your true passion. Prove yourself trustworthy and reap the rewards. One warning though, this is your only chance. Slip back to the old ways and you¡¯re out like the rapists, murderers and psychos, you can try your luck out here with them and the monsters.¡±


    ¡°So, saying we take you up on this¡­ what happens next?¡± X-Ray said.


    ¡°There is no ¡®we¡¯. If you agree to this your gang dies here and now,¡± Cal said.


    X-Ray bristled, but kept silent, which was a point in his favor.


    The rest of the gang¡¯s reactions varied.


    Cal knew that some couldn¡¯t wait to take the offer, while a few were on the edge of violence. Those he would have to work harder with.


    ¡°I¡¯ll interview each of you individually. I¡¯ll give you more information on what¡¯s expected of you and what you can expect. You¡¯ll tell me your strengths. What you¡¯re best at, what you¡¯d like out of life, that sort of thing. It¡¯ll help with placement. If you pass then you¡¯ll spend the next week or two here around here, doing things for me. A trial period,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What if we fail that?¡± one of the gang members said.


    ¡°There¡¯s no failing after you get through the initial screening for evil tendencies. The trial period is to get you used to no longer being part of your gang and like I said, it¡¯ll help me get to know you better in order to start you off in a good position.¡±


    ¡°What if we don¡¯t like it?¡± a particularly angry young man said.


    ¡°You¡¯re free to leave whenever,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°With the caveat that you won¡¯t get another chance.¡±


    ¡°You said we going to be fighting anyways?¡± a scar-faced young woman said.


    ¡°Only if you want to. I won¡¯t push you to it. I¡¯m sure you know how to best level your classes, if you have them,¡± Cal regarded X-Ray, who tilted his chin back and stared with restrained hostility. ¡°That¡¯s part of it too. The rangers do their best to help their members level in the best, most efficient ways with the knowledge that they have and continue to accrue.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± X-Ray grumbled. He turned to the remnants of his gang. Much of their number had already gone through the process with Cal. These ones had been the last truly loyal ones. ¡°I ain¡¯t going to tell you what to do. I¡¯m taking it. It sounds like a good deal, but you got to decide on your own. We had a good run, but the man says we got to kill it, so that¡¯s what I¡¯m doing. We¡¯re done as a gang,¡± he sneered, ¡°but we¡¯re still family and it¡¯ll be dope if I could still fight with you guys even if it¡¯s under those people.¡±


    Well¡­ it wasn¡¯t great to hear, but it was a start. Rayna¡¯s Rangers would have to work at breaking those old gang ties and forging a better connection for a better, less selfish life motive.


    ¡°Interviews start now. One person at a time,¡± Cal gestured towards the office behind the front desk, ¡°if you¡¯re a murderer, rapist or otherwise a psycho, you may quietly leave at your convenience.¡±


    Cal turned and headed to the office with X-Ray in tow. Several of the gang members shot rude gestures, Cal mentally subtracted points from them.


    Many hours later Cal flew back to his suite as the sun cast a dying orange glow from the west. He found Nila and the baby sleeping in the bedroom. There was a lot he needed to do in regards to that. The baby needed a permanent family. The sooner the better, but there were several glaring issues with finding one and so he and Nila had been taking care of the little guy.


    He sighed.


    They had never wanted children. Let alone a fog baby, as Eron had called him.


    Dinner time was near so Cal started cooking.


    Simple fried rice with chicken from the leftovers of the previous day.


    Telekinetic hands did the work in the kitchen while Cal opened up his laptop, which was only functional thanks to the Computer Technicians, and began work on the profiles of his older recruits. With the new batch starting it was time to cycle the older ones down to Rayna and he needed to get his final thoughts about them down.


    Things were going to get busy in the next couple of weeks, which was part of the reason that Nila had spent the last week living full-time with him and the baby. She would need to take over his duties while he flew north to take care of something long overdue. By necessity the baby would have to go down to his mom. There had been no signs of fogginess, but it was still a risk¡­ was it?


    He didn¡¯t let thoughts of regret gain purchase. No matter the struggles and headaches it would always be the right choice to save an innocent baby. His telepathic powers and Lilah¡¯s magic had confirmed that the baby wasn¡¯t the fog entity. And yet¡­


    ¡°He¡¯s fine,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that, Love,¡± Nila padded into the dining room.


    ¡°What?¡± Cal rose from his chair in alarm.


    ¡°His poo¡­ there was sooo much and it was kind of greenish. Do you know what that means?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I don¡¯t know what that means. I¡¯d Google it, but that doesn¡¯t exist anymore.¡±


    ¡°Yeah it does. At least a cached version.¡±


    ¡°Not on this laptop.¡±


    ¡°The Rangers have it on the servers at the community college,¡± Nila shrugged. ¡°You can download it next time you go there,¡± she yawned. ¡°That smells good,¡± she eyed the wok and kitchen implements moving about in the kitchen. ¡°I¡¯m really hungry. Tiring day.¡±


    Cal raised a brow. ¡°You spent it playing with a baby. You have superhuman stamina.¡±


    ¡°And fed him, burped him, changed his diapers. Crying and stuff. That¡¯s a lot of work,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Napping too?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, those were nice!¡± Nila smiled. ¡°How was your day?¡±


    ¡°Picked up X-Ray and the rest of his gang.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ that guy, I remember him, glows,¡± Nila mused.


    ¡°Physically empowered by spell damage. Not as strong as you, but tough enough to survive being yeeted into the sky.¡±


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°I only hit him over, like, a couple of buildings¡­ maybe five blocks. Is he still mad about that?¡± Nila said lightly.


    ¡°Yes and at me for floating him around upside down, but my read is that he won¡¯t act on it if it isn¡¯t in his best interests.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like a great guy,¡± Nila smirked. ¡°You sure you want him?¡±


    ¡°If they aren¡¯t outright evil then they get a second chance.¡±


    ¡°Well, if he gives me trouble while you¡¯re gone I¡¯ll just hit him really hard until he stops,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°I should have about five days to work with this newest batch and I¡¯m not planning on being up north for more than a couple of days. Since me and Eron are teaming up it shouldn¡¯t be too dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t get cocky. I was down in those tunnels¡­ that temple,¡± Nila shuddered. ¡°Saw it in action, fought it. It¡¯s very strong and tough,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°That¡¯s what Eron¡¯s for. I¡¯m going to attack it from another¡­ perspective. I¡¯ve got a theory that¡¯ll do the trick. I hope.¡±


    ¡°Theory. Hope. That¡¯s not exactly the best things to go on,¡± Nila sighed.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a promise to keep and I¡¯ve waited too long already. Plus, I¡¯m hoping it¡¯ll help mend things with my brother,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°He needs to apologize to you for being a jerk. Seriously, a baby? A baby? How could you look at him and think its okay to¡ª¡±


    ¡°Please, Eron¡¯s agreed to leave him alone. We weren¡¯t inside the fog. Eron was. For months. He lost thousands of people. Blames himself¡­ anyways. My hope is that in time as the baby proves himself to be a normal human that animosity will fade. Especially once I find good adoptive parents. The little guy can just grow up like a normal, happy little human.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ you¡¯re not really making any progress on that,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to find time for that. I¡¯ve been so busy here with the gangs. There¡¯s also a few other factors that complicate things. Like I¡¯ve told you¡ª¡±


    He was saved or cursed, depending on perspectives, from continuing by the baby¡¯s cries shattering the peace.


    ¡°Ugh¡­ so loud,¡± Nila winced. ¡°I¡¯ll finish the food. Your turn to change the poop bag.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s probably hungry,¡± Cal telekinetically filled a pot with water and set it on the stove, while pulling a bottle of milk out of the fridge to warm as he hurried to the bedroom. One sniff later. ¡°Yup, just as I thought, he¡¯s hungry and there¡¯s poo!¡±


    ¡°Thanks for letting me know that!¡± Nila called back.


    <hr>


    ¡°How old is he exactly?¡± Rayna pointed at the baby in her lap.


    ¡°Physical appearance and various scientific and magical tests 9 to 10 months,¡± Cal said. ¡°Is that okay?¡± Cal pointed at the baby and handful of Rayna¡¯s long black hair in his mouth.


    ¡°Meh, he seems entertained,¡± Rayna shrugged.


    ¡°Not very sanitary though.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s cool. I¡¯ll just wash my hair later.¡±


    ¡°I meant for him,¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s actually good for his immune system. Kids should play and eat dirt, build that up. That¡¯s what Mom says.¡±


    ¡°Mom?¡± Cal sighed at his mother, who was in the kitchen.


    ¡°Food¡¯s almost done!¡± their mom said brightly.


    ¡°How¡¯s it going, Rynnen?¡± Cal turned his attention to his 7-year old cousin.


    The boy was staring at the baby with intense concentration.


    ¡°Earth to Rynnen?¡± Rayna said.


    Rynnen looked from the baby to Cal several times. ¡°How did you and Auntie Nila have a baby if she was never pregnant?¡±


    Rayna burst out laughing, which triggered the baby into giggling.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª that¡¯s cause he¡¯s not ours,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°But he looks like you,¡± Rynnen said.


    ¡°No he doesn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Kinda does,¡± Rayna agreed. ¡°Actually, check that. You look exactly the same. Hang on,¡± she handed the baby over to Cal and went to the closet under the stairs. Only to emerge with an old-school album. A quirk of their mother¡¯s. Which she was fond of pointing out saved all those memories when the spires¡¯ apocalypse made digital mediums wholly unreliable if not outright destroyed.


    ¡°What is this?¡± Cal knew the answer even as Rayna opened the album and flipped through hard stock pages until she found a suitable photo to back her assertion.


    ¡°There. You as a baby,¡± she tapped a photo, ¡°compared to him. Like twins.¡±


    ¡°You look the same,¡± Rynnen chimed in. ¡°Why?¡±


    Cal considered explaining his theories on why the fog entity had done this, but decided not to. ¡°You¡¯ll find out when you¡¯re older.¡±


    Rynnen wasn¡¯t happy with that judging by his furrowed brow.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you the least bit concerned about what that means?¡± Rayna regarded him.


    ¡°He¡¯s been checked out by everyone I could get. He¡¯s clear of¡­ you know what.¡±


    ¡°I read Sgt. Butcher¡¯s reports. I¡¯m not doubting you,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°Do they suspect anything? Out of respect I didn¡¯t pick up more than surface level thoughts. No one should think this baby is anything more than a lucky foundling.¡±


    ¡°They definitely think it¡¯s weird, but not close to the truth,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°Look, no one knows except you, Mom, Dad, Eron and Nila. I haven¡¯t even let Remy know because I don¡¯t trust the security of the spires¡¯ messaging system. I¡¯d like to keep it that way.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to have to tell the adoptive parents the full truth,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°I know, which is a problem. They say no and the baby doesn¡¯t have parents while two other people know the truth.¡±


    ¡°Mind wipe?¡± Rayna said.


    Cal frowned. ¡°I¡¯d rather not violate people like that, at least ones that didn¡¯t do something deserving.¡±


    ¡°Is it that bad, though? Just remove that bit of information about the fog connection,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°Slippery slopes,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°Ramen¡¯s ready!¡± their mom called from the kitchen.


    ¡°And that¡¯s my cue,¡± Cal handed the baby back to Rayna. ¡°Thanks for taking care of him, Mom. I should be back in a couple of days. Maybe sooner if everything goes well.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to eat?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Mom. It smells great, but I¡¯ve got a flight with possible fights and a definite one when I get there. I don¡¯t want a full stomach.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Rynnen said.


    ¡°Well, when you¡¯re in a fight or flight situation your body might automatically get rid of anything that could weigh you down. It wants to be able to be as quick and fast as possible,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to puke or the other thing,¡± Cal said as he stood. ¡°Got to go. I need to meet up with Eron.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s probably in San Diego. He asked if I needed help with anything,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°Is it getting worse?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, more and weirder undead are coming from somewhere we can¡¯t find. Hopefully, his supersenses will do the trick,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t want to come here,¡± Cal shook his head.


    ¡°Said that he didn¡¯t want to cause issues,¡± Rayna shook her head. ¡°For what it¡¯s worth, he sounded genuine.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s the one that ruined my armor,¡± Cal grumbled. ¡°Well, anyways, thanks again for watching the baby, Mom. And thanks for sending the ranger squads to help Nila, Rayna.¡±


    ¡°No problem. You¡¯ve, like, single-handedly removed the gang headache from me. It¡¯s been like a dream how easy most of them are fitting in with us. You must¡¯ve really scared the sh¡ª crap out of them,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°Yeah, I may have been forceful with my demonstrations of strength. However, fear isn¡¯t the best long term motivator. It¡¯s only a start.¡±


    ¡°Right. It¡¯s up to the rangers to show them the long term benefits of being part of the team,¡± Rayna said. ¡°Good luck up north, Brother! Kick that thing¡¯s ass!¡±


    ¡°Rayna!¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Mom,¡± Rayna rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Be careful, Anak.¡± His mom kissed him on the cheek.


    ¡°I will.¡±


    Cal headed south, but was almost immediately met by his youngest brother.


    ¡°Yo, we doing this?¡± Eron said.


    Cal regarded his brother¡¯s flat expression.


    ¡°Can we not make this weird,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you mean. I¡¯m being polite¡­ you can¡¯t tell Mom and Dad otherwise without being a liar,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Did you find what Rayna wanted you too?¡± Cal tried.


    ¡°Nope. There was some kind of magical effect blocking my senses,¡± Eron tried.


    ¡°Where? How big?¡±


    ¡°Underneath downtown San Diego, like, all of it.¡±


    ¡°I should probably look into it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that be a good idea. If you aren¡¯t too busy fixing the gang issue.¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯m a month or two away from finishing up. The ones that are willing to try better will be gone and all that will be left are the evil scummy ones.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll probably band together,¡± Eron nodded.


    ¡°With their recent recruitment influx the rangers will have the human power to expand their patrol zones. Take care of those people and the monster zones.¡±


    ¡°Rayna talked to you, huh?¡± Eron smirked. ¡°I said ¡®manpower¡¯ and she got mad.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but she didn¡¯t get mad.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ might have laughed at first,¡± Eron admitted sheepishly.


    The two brothers burst out laughing.


    ¡°Look, bro¡­ I don¡¯t want to be weird and I feel sorta bad about messing up your one of a kind alien super science armor, plus beating you up. Although, to be fair you hurt me too. You did physical and psychic damage,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°How do you even measure that?¡± Cal frowned.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Eron shrugged. ¡°My head hurt for awhile and I sorta felt hurt on an existential level.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ sorry for that.¡±


    ¡°Fair. Also, if you didn¡¯t know I¡¯ve occasionally kept an eye and ear on the baby. For¡ª well you know what.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t have to say it. I understand and I hope what you didn¡¯t find will help you set your mind at ease about him.¡±


    ¡°Look. I¡¯m not ready to mark him as safe. Best I can say is that I won¡¯t be checking in as often or as closely unless something changes. I¡¯m much too busy now. My getting stuck in the fog for all those months was bad for many communities and settlements around the world,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Like I promised, once I¡¯m done here, I¡¯ll start doing what you do. At least in North America.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, appreciate that, but I¡¯m not sure that¡¯s a good idea right now,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still holding you to the part where you promised to keep an eye on the baby at all times. I¡¯m willing to concede a minimum mileage distance from him once you get him adopted. You can¡¯t be too far that you can¡¯t monitor him with your mind powers and get to him within seconds in case of an¡­ emergency. Sorry,¡± Eron held his hands out. ¡°That takes priority over doing a patrol of the continent.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ well, that¡¯s something for later. We should probably get going. You ready?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you need to gear up?¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I¡¯m all set,¡± Cal pointed at the pouches and containers on his belt. ¡°Got all sorts of knives, spikes, ninja stars, wires and sundry items. Got my helmet too,¡± he held up a motorcycle helmet. ¡°A poor substitute¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re serious?¡± Eron blinked. ¡°No armor?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got Rayna¡¯s people looking at it.¡±


    ¡°Even partially broken the Threnosh stuff is better than jeans and a motorcycle jacket,¡± Eron said. ¡°Get some plate and mail. It¡¯s not like they¡¯ll weigh you down. If I was you, I¡¯d go with the thickest steel armor you can get. Not like you need to be that mobile. Shit, with your telekinesis and telepathy you could fight inside of an armored car.¡±


    ¡°You know what¡­ that¡¯s a good idea. Like a giant mech suit thing. It doesn¡¯t need to actually move on it¡¯s own cause I could move it,¡± Cal mused. ¡°Something to explore in the future. As for now, I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m bulletproof.¡±


    ¡°Remy said that thing was tearing through inches of steel like nothing,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Good thing our plan is for you to do all the punching while I attack from another place.¡±


    ¡°Fine¡­ it¡¯s your maiming. Let¡¯s go. You¡¯ll pace us, since you¡¯re slower,¡± Eron said.


    Cal snorted as he donned his helmet before taking off to the north followed by several loud bangs that jostled Eron.


    ¡°This is going to take so long,¡± Eron muttered before flying after him.


    A few minutes later somewhere high over the mountains north of Los Angeles just before the freeway began its descent into the central plains Eron came to a sudden stop.


    Cal was a split-second slower, which meant he had to fly back several miles to reach his brother.


    ¡°What is? See something?¡±


    ¡°Drakes. I guess they¡¯re starting to spread south,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Oh¡­ I¡¯ll add that to the list of things I need to deal with.¡±


    ¡°People can ride them. They¡¯re bigger than those huge beer horses, huge wings, probably a little magical,¡± Eron mused. ¡°You know, to explain how something so heavy can fly.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, like those wyverns up north. Heavier than an armored SUV.¡±


    ¡°What if I get a couple of eggs? Give them to one of those animal trainers,¡± Eron continued.


    ¡°I think the class is Pet Trainer. Some of the rangers have it.¡±


    ¡°Perfect.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to give them drake eggs?¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°Yeah, birthday present.¡±


    ¡°Shit!¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You forgot? Rayna¡¯s turning¡­ whatever she¡¯s turning¡­ in like two weeks,¡± Eron said. ¡°Might be able to give her Drake Riders or something. That¡¯d be pretty cool, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, absolutely, but I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s safe. It¡¯s a big jump from training dogs up to be as smart as cats and cats to be creepy smart. Training a violent monster to be safe as a mount is a whole different level.¡±


    ¡°Exactly¡­ it¡¯s a huge challenge, which means levels. I think Rayna would appreciate the opportunity for her people,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Might as well get wyvern eggs while you¡¯re up north,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Good idea.¡±


    ¡°Wait, what if they give live birth?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know about wyverns, but drakes lay eggs. I can see a bunch of nests right now,¡± Eron scanned the landscape several miles below. ¡°Sorry, just had a thought. No more interruptions.¡±


    The two brothers resumed their hundreds of miles journey to the north.


    To the city by the bay.

 6.1

    Now, San Francisco


    Cal stared down at San Francisco. It was hard to make out minute details at the distance. He squinted and thought he could make out the Golden Gate Bridge. It was the reddish bridge out of the two, so that had to be it.


    ¡°I have to rethink the plan,¡± Eron murmured.


    ¡°Bit too late for that,¡± Cal said. He didn¡¯t need to raise his voice despite the powerful winds many miles in the sky and the muffling helmet. His brother heard him just fine.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean this plan. I meant the drake plan.¡±


    ¡°Still on that¡­¡± Cal shook his head.


    ¡°I realized that I can¡¯t just take a couple of eggs and fly them back. The embryos probably won¡¯t survive flying at my speeds, I can¡¯t protect them with a field like you. And I don¡¯t know anything about their nesting methods. Like, what¡¯s the proper temperature? Do they need turning? I¡¯ll need to observe them and take measurements, but I don¡¯t have time to do that,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Just grab a few eggs and fly them really low and slow back to Rayna. She can figure out the rest.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯d be good info for the trainers if they could observe the drakes,¡± Eron regarded Cal expectantly.


    ¡°You want me to bring them?¡±


    ¡°Well, you can hide your presence from the monsters, right?¡± Eron said.


    Cal nodded.


    ¡°That could be your present for Rayna¡¯s birthday,¡± Eron ventured.


    ¡°I¡¯ll think about it.¡±


    ¡°Should we even be calling them ¡®drakes¡¯?¡± Eron continued.


    ¡°Are you nervous or something?¡±


    ¡°Why would you ask?¡±


    ¡°These random thoughts.¡±


    ¡°I mean I called them ¡®drakes¡¯, but is that their real name?¡± Eron said.


    ¡°You¡¯ve never had an official spires Quest or message naming them?¡±


    Eron shook his head.


    ¡°They look like ¡®drakes¡¯ to me,¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°But that¡¯s cause we played Magic: The Gathering,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Until we get an official ruling then I¡¯m cool with the name. Ultimately, what we call them doesn¡¯t matter. They look like smaller dragons. Four legs, two wings, long neck and tail.¡±


    ¡°Then they could be ¡®dragonlings¡¯ or ¡®lesser dragons¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Why not just ¡®dragons¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, no¡­ not that one. I¡¯d bet actual dragons would get pissed off about that¡­ you know that dragon you told me about? In Hawaii?¡±


    ¡°You¡­ killed it?¡±


    ¡°Hell no!¡± Eron laughed. ¡°She didn¡¯t seem bad.¡±


    ¡°So, you talked to it?¡± Cal¡¯s mouth dropped.


    ¡°Like you said. A conversation in my head. I didn¡¯t get that close. I got the sense that I would be seen as a rival super predator encroaching on her territory and I didn¡¯t want to risk a big fight with all the people in the area. I definitely got a sense of huge size. Wings, four legs, Euro-style dragon and lava, for some reason. She was pretty respectful. Asked my business in the area. Implied that she wouldn¡¯t bother me if I didn¡¯t her. Claimed that the people under her domain were safe with her,¡± Eron frowned. ¡°I got the impression that she was protecting something.¡±


    ¡°Going by myth that be her hoard or eggs,¡± Cal said. ¡°That¡¯s a lot more than I got from my brief interaction.¡±


    ¡°Weird, huh, guess dragons are also psychic,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Or some kind of mental magic.¡±


    ¡°Same difference.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s really not.¡±


    ¡°Whatever¡­ it¡¯s just another huge problem. We¡¯re losing as a planet. All these powerful things keep digging their hooks in and taking control while humanity dies and splinters. Those with power are more concerned with securing their own bag,¡± Eron shook his head.


    ¡°Like we said. It¡¯s time to change that.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ve tried, best I¡¯ve done is to get the assholes to curb their worst tendencies. Maybe if you can show them what¡¯s truly out there beyond the spires on other worlds¡­ maybe that¡¯ll scare them enough to get their shit together. Who knows how many years we have left until Earth is completely open. That dominion is already invading your Threnosh buddies. We¡¯re lucky that the grays turned out to be cool and aren¡¯t colonial dicks. Could you imagine if Zalthyss showed up? I¡¯d guarantee that we¡¯d get a ton of morons falling to their knees in worship.¡±


    ¡°Bastard does look like a golden angel,¡± Cal frowned as he flexed his three-fingered left hand. ¡°I could share my experiences with others in a way that would be deeply disturbing for them and for me. They would know the true potential horror out there.¡±


    ¡°It would be a sacrifice,¡± Eron nodded. ¡°Only you can make that choice.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ something else to add to my list. How bout we go take care of one of those horrors?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m ready,¡± Eron said.


    They descended toward the bay.


    Cal brought them to a halt after a few miles. ¡°Damn it. Look at Alcatraz.¡±


    Eron focused. ¡°I see a couple of people walking around, look like guards.¡±


    ¡°Inside.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have X-ray vision.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve restarted that breeding program,¡± Cal growled.


    ¡°Remy said they had a deal to stop that as part of the truce,¡± Eron frowned.


    ¡°He¡¯s gone and I wasn¡¯t around either.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, if you¡¯re gonna take the blame for that, then so am I,¡± Eron said. ¡°New plan then. Rescue first. Destroy after.¡±


    ¡°Risky¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem? Brain zap every guard on the island and fly the women out.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve probed¡­ there are fishmen inside near the women. The Deep Azure¡¯s presence gives them some protection from a psychic attack. I can¡¯t guarantee frying their brains instantly. There¡¯s a chance that some of them will be able to stay standing long enough to do harm to the women.¡± Cal¡¯s eyes burned lasers at the distant speck of an island prison.


    ¡°So, we pretend to ignore the women. We¡¯re only here for the Deep Azure. He¡¯ll pull the fishmen and everything he¡¯s got in the attempt to save his life,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Same plan, but with some modifications,¡± Cal agreed.


    ¡°You locate his avatar. I fly down grab him and take him to empty land. There¡¯s a nature area to the west that¡¯s empty of people right now. You do your thing to protect my mind from his eldritch whispers while you¡¯re in the area,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I¡¯m estimating ten to fifteen minutes for me to gather all the women and fly them to Sacramento. You¡¯ll be without mental protection for about half that time.¡±


    ¡°I can handle it. Worst case scenario I¡¯ll throw him into space,¡± Eron scoffed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get cocky.¡±


    Eron laughed. ¡°I¡¯m about to bring the light of the sun down into this eldritch abomination¡¯s dark depths¡­ okay, that sounded better in my head.¡±


    ¡°Cut, print, ga¡ª yeah, I shouldn¡¯t say that.¡±


    ¡°Terrible, you should be ashamed,¡± Eron shook his head.


    ¡°Alright, you ready?¡±


    Eron nodded.


    ¡°Beginning mind scan, now.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re so lame,¡± Eron snorted.


    <hr>


    A dark swirling ocean abyss suddenly filled Eron¡¯s every thought.


    Cold.


    Endless.


    Some have said that drowning wasn¡¯t a bad way to go.


    Something about the feeling of euphoria induced by the lack of oxygen to your brain.


    Stupid.


    Dying was bad as far as he was concerned.


    He fought the rush of water that threw him around and filled his mouth.


    So cold.


    So dark.


    Give in. Let the tides take you to where you belong.


    A voice as ancient and dark as the deepest oceans filled him.


    Sorry. I got distracted. Cal¡¯s voice. The Deep Azure is here.


    A location, the same profane temple that Remy had tried to describe was seared into Eron¡¯s mind.


    I¡¯m hitting Alcatraz. Cultists are out and the fishmen are headed your way. Couple of giant mosasaur-looking fuckers too. I¡¯m getting the women out. Remember, we don¡¯t know how strong¡ª


    Relax, bro. Remy and the kids handled it in melee. Shouldn¡¯t be a problem for me, Eron thought.


    Then, fuck it up!


    Copy that!


    Eron¡¯s eyes cleared to a rapidly approaching ocean surface.


    An enormous shadow was on an intercept course. He lanced thin streams of solar light and heat into it and paid it no more mind as it listed beneath the surface.


    He hit the water and pierced deep like a needle.


    Fists forward he plowed through the rocky sea floor, tunneling through hundreds of yards following the unerring directions Cal had planted into his thought.


    He burst through the ceiling of the Deep Azure¡¯s temple in a spray of rock and water.


    ¡°Oops. You just had that fixed right? My brother flooded this place after kicking your ass. Ironic that I¡¯m about to do the same.¡± Eron scanned the huge chamber. All of the architecture, the sculptures, the carvings, the text on the walls, ceilings and floors filled him with a palpable sense of wrongness. Just like Remy had told him. He scythed through everything he laid eyes on with the sun¡¯s rays. ¡°I bring light to your darkness,¡± he said. ¡°Where are you, eldritch abomination? Come out and be destroyed.¡±


    A cutting stream erupted from the thin layer of water on the floor slicing through his shirt and knocking him through a stone pillar.


    Blood on his chest.


    A thin cut, but unexpected and most unwelcome.


    Magic?


    Shit! So, FYI, magic water attack cut me, he thought at Cal.


    I warned you.


    His brother¡¯s disapproval was palpable. In fact Eron felt it as his own for a brief moment.


    Weird¡­


    Like I¡¯ve told you before this mind connection stuff can bleed over if I¡¯m not perfectly on top of it. Considering that I¡¯m keeping the Deep Azure busy in a mindscape, while flying these women away and protecting your mind¡­


    I get it. No need to be a bitch about it.


    That is inappropriate language.


    Jeez¡­ I know, my bad. Less arguing, more fighting.


    Eron felt annoyance. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was him or his brother. Probably both.


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    He located the Deep Azure¡¯s dark, stone avatar. It admittedly cut an imposing figure. Roughly twice the height of a man with muscles carved to smooth perfection and a dark trident of the same material that exuded palpable power, almost as much as the figure itself.


    Eron had to reconsider¡­ had the Deep Azure grown in power since his brother and nieces fought it?


    With his luck, probably.


    Eyes of polished stone gleamed in soft glow from the strange clumps and formations scattered throughout the temple.


    Eron felt them boring into his own.


    The strange feeling that the Deep Azure was trying to ask a question flashed through his thoughts.


    He swooped low to the water sending a spray trailing in his wake.


    The Deep Azure swept it¡¯s trident toward him.


    Whips of water erupted from what seemed like every direction. Some of the tendrils tried to wrap themselves around Eron. Others lashed at his body and drew thin lines of blood wherever they managed to land.


    In the blink of an eye he had closed the distance.


    The trident thrust out.


    He flew just underneath.


    The Deep Azure moved in slow motion as Eron twisted and uncorked a hook into its ribs.


    The cannon blast impact temporarily cleared the ocean water in a large bubble around the two titans.


    The Deep Azure staggered several steps to Eron¡¯s right. The surface at its ribs cracked and flaked off. The shape of Eron¡¯s fist marred what was once polished, perfect stone.


    Caught off guard by the fact that he hadn¡¯t sent the Deep Azure flying, Eron hesitated.


    The Deep Azure thrust its trident.


    Eron barely managed to catch it in between the tines.


    The stone was soul-sucking cold to the touch.


    He tried and failed to pull it out of the Deep Azure¡¯s one-handed grip.


    I¡¯m moving out of range. Won¡¯t be able to shield your mind from it. Be back in a bit. Good luck!


    Cal¡¯s voice.


    Terrible timing.


    Another distraction.


    Eron momentarily relaxed, which allowed the Deep Azure to swing him up in the air. He left go before the eldritch god-thing could slam him into the water-covered floor.


    Water turned to steam as Eron blazed the sun¡¯s heat out of his eyes.


    The Deep Azure blocked with one massive hand.


    Eron grit his teeth as he continued to let the heat behind his eyes free. He could see the perfect stone palm. Dark singed smudges appeared, but nothing more.


    You are strong. You will be stronger wedded to me.


    Eron suddenly felt cold at the impossibly ancient-sounding voice. It reminded him of jumping into a cold pool. Right down to the bones.


    My gifts are innumerable. Tailored to your desires, your capabilities.


    The heat inside of him fought back.


    Through me, you can become your best, truest self.


    Burning bright, he started to dissipate the chill.


    Your existence will reach impossible heights.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been in space, fish face.¡± Eron cut the eye beams while swooping down.


    The trident thrust out slowly in his perspective.


    Easy to fly over.


    He cracked the Deep Azure¡¯s massive head with a flying punch.


    Eron¡¯s used his flight to stay at face level with the towering stone avatar. His fists blurred and stone chips scattered as he battered its face.


    A huge stone arm swung.


    Easily dodged to resume the machine gun punches.


    ¡°Too slow!¡± Eron gave the Deep Azure a feral grin. ¡°I might not need my brother. What happens to you if I turn you into rubble? Do you die for real?¡±


    I am eternal.


    ¡°I walked into that one.¡±


    Futility.


    ¡°You mean for me or you?¡±


    Eron slipped underneath a swipe of the trident to continue chipping away at the Deep Azure¡¯s face.


    ¡°You. You meant it for you.¡±


    The waist high ocean water on the temple floor suddenly erupted into whirling pillars that sliced like blades.


    Each cut sent a jolt of bone-chilling cold through Eron¡¯s body.


    Keen hearing detected the sounds of fishmen converging on the chamber. They swam from high overhead in the bay above the rocky dome and raced through the many surrounding tunnels.


    Eron had spoken too soon.


    It was time to relocate.


    He grabbed the trident between the tines and lifted with a grunt.


    The Deep Azure fought to stay in the water, but slowly rose with him.


    Whips of water lashed his body, but weren¡¯t enough to stop him.


    Eron aimed for the hole he had made in the domed ceiling.


    ¡°Don¡¯t want to let go, huh?¡± Eron picked up speed. ¡°Big mistake.¡±


    Frigid, dark ocean water boiled around his body as he zoomed toward the surface dragging the Deep Azure with the eldritch abomination¡¯s own weapon.


    <hr>


    Five minutes.


    Cal had been out of range for that long.


    He had been slowed by the need to transport close to a hundred women in his telekinetic bubble and take them to safety. This meant people he could trust to see to their needs, both immediate and long term.


    As soon as he got within range of state government territory he immediately started scanning. He quickly found people that would do.


    Hanna was training new recruits in the middle of a park when Cal dropped the scared and relieved women near her.


    ¡°They¡¯re victims of the fishmen. I know you know what that means,¡± he said.


    Hanna¡¯s eyes narrowed, then widened in recognition. ¡°You¡¯re finally doing it then?¡±


    ¡°My brother and I,¡± Cal nodded. ¡°It¡¯s been overdue, but I made a promise.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll let the others know,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°I know it won¡¯t make the pain go away, but Ron¡¯s sister¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been hard for Hillary, but we¡¯ve been here for her,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°I need to get back there¡ª¡± he glanced at the women.


    ¡°Go. We can take care of them. Bring the Deep Azure¡¯s head back,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°There won¡¯t be anything left.¡±


    Cal left them for the sky. He did what he could for the women. The things he saw in that prison and in their thoughts weren¡¯t things he wished to hold in his memories. Unfortunately for him and to his eternal regret he couldn¡¯t remove them. His memory was too good. He suspected that messing with them could cause unexpected problems in the long term. Besides, he needed to remember their suffering. As a reminder of the consequences of his inaction.


    Minutes passed as he scorched the air in his wake.


    The Deep Azure¡¯s presence hit him like a massive wall of sea water.


    An empty, cold swirling void that threatened to drag his mind into the depths to drown a crushing death.


    He fought it back. Shielded himself. Found his brother¡¯s mind and did the same for Eron.


    Alcatraz was a dot below him as he followed the two presences to the western side of the bay. Even without his telepathic power he could¡¯ve followed the thunderous booms that echoed from somewhere in what he knew was a nature preserve.


    Fishmen swarmed the shore as they came rushing out of the water.


    Hundreds of them.


    Like ants coming to the aid of their queen.


    Cal didn¡¯t have time for them.


    The images of what they had done to the women filled his thoughts.


    He lashed out with his mind.


    One by one the fishmen dropped like puppets without strings. Dark, bulbous eyes remained open but saw nothing. Gill slits fluttered faintly as chests rose and fell. Their bodies would continue to live for a time even without their minds.


    Cal had shredded their psyches. Turned them into brain dead husks.


    That wasn¡¯t a pleasant experience. The momentary connection had put him in the fishmen¡¯s place. He saw their memories, their perspectives in all their past actions.


    He could see them in their hundreds on land.


    He couldn¡¯t see hundreds more in the bay, floating beneath the surface, bodies pulled by the currents.


    Most of the fishmen in the immediate area were gone in an instant at his hands.


    My children.


    The Deep Azure¡¯s voice was cold in Cal¡¯s thoughts. Not sadness exactly. It was deeper than that. An overwhelming sense of loss pressed on him in all directions. He imagined the feeling was similar to what a sea diver experienced. Crushing.


    I¡¯ve seen how you make them. That can¡¯t be allowed, he thought.


    A willing choice to serve a greater purpose.


    Not all of them and even those that agreed were lied to, pressured or otherwise manipulated. It wasn¡¯t a true choice at all. You¡¯re not capable of understanding that. You see all as beneath you.


    I am worshiped on a multitude of worlds. I have drowned all that struggled against me. You cannot fight the pull of eternity.


    You eldritch types sort of talk alike. You wouldn¡¯t be the first I¡¯ve beaten. Think about that.


    Cal blocked off the rest of what the Deep Azure had to say.


    He floated high in the sky as Eron and Deep Azure¡¯s towering stone avatar traded blows.


    His youngest brother sent chips flying with every thunderous punch as he blurred around the towering titan.


    The Deep Azure managed to strike back once for every multiple dozen strikes.


    A massive fist caught Eron and sent him careening into the ground. Dirt and rocks erupted like a volcano. The sound was just as loud.


    Cal couldn¡¯t interfere while he was locked in a mindscape of his own creation.


    The Deep Azure was a frigid, empty void. It was all around him. The pressure of its presence was more powerful and direct than the fog entity¡¯s had been. He imagined it like being at the bottom of the ocean without a submarine. Except, unlike the sea which was full of life, this felt like the antithesis.


    And yet¡­ even though he felt like he was holding back the combined strength of all Earth¡¯s oceans a creeping fear began to enter his mind.


    This is just a fraction of it.


    Serve me and I will show you all of it. What you think you know is a speck amongst infinity.


    Shut up!


    Cal firmed his mental walls. The Deep Azure was still present and speaking, in a fashion. However, superpowers combined with willful ignorance was enough to turn it into unpleasant noise. Like a high-pitched static scream.


    He couldn¡¯t comprehend the entirety of the Deep Azure. They were truly only dealing with a fraction of its truth.


    The dark, frigid water threatened to push down his mouth.


    He responded by imagining his surroundings suddenly turning bright hot. The water turned to steam and he was free for an instant.


    The water merely flowed back into the space that he had created.


    Turn for turn.


    He imagined it burning away and so it did.


    The Deep Azure filled it right back up.


    How long did they struggle?


    Cal couldn¡¯t tell.


    Time always passed strangely in a mindscape.


    Minutes could be hours. Days could be seconds.


    He wasn¡¯t in complete control of this one. The Deep Azure sought to wrest it from him and seemed to be succeeding even if he could tell that the eldritch godling wasn¡¯t accustomed to a challenge.


    Cal sought to push it off-balance. He imagined all the water suddenly freezing.


    He found himself immobile in ice that wasn¡¯t as cold as the water had been.


    The reprieve didn¡¯t last as the ice began to melt back into the dark water.


    The depths began to roil. Currents pulled at his limbs in different directions. He thought that he was going to be ripped to shreds.


    Things began to appear. Forms and shapes that caused him pain to look at, to even attempt to comprehend. Choking tentacles wrapped around him. Jagged teeth sunk into his body, piercing bloody holes in his mind.


    He responded with telepathic weapons of every type he could imagine. Sending them out to be swallowed by the dark depths.


    How long did he suffer and fight?


    An imagined forcefield sprang to life and drove his attackers back for a moment, but like always they returned in what felt like an instant.


    His body and mind were torn asunder once again.


    Only for him to lash out for a desperate moment to make himself whole.


    The water returned.


    Cal¡¯s defenses buckled and slowly began to break.


    It started to flow into his mouth and nose. Choking. Drowning him.


    ¡­ wake the fuck up!


    A voice not his own, nor the Deep Azure.


    ¡­ God damn it! I¡¯m getting tired. This thing won¡¯t go down. I need your help!


    Eron? Cal managed to get through even as he felt his lungs fill.


    Finally! It¡¯s been two days and I don¡¯t think I can keep it from getting back into the ocean! I¡¯ve got an idea, but I haven¡¯t been able to pull it off. It¡¯s anchoring itself to the ground somehow. Eron¡¯s plan was loud and desperate in Cal¡¯s thoughts.


    Cal choked in an imagined drowning that felt like reality as he tried to leave the mindscape.


    The Deep Azure¡¯s creations, the unmade things of spiked tentacles and clawed fingers, held on while the frigid void began to swirl around him and draw him deeper like a whirlpool.


    He fought.


    An hour. A day. A year.


    Time held no meaning.


    Slowly, but surely he rose.


    Darkness gave way to light.


    The pressure eased agonizing fraction by agonizing fraction until he had enough space to finally reach the surface and burst through.


    A moment to cough out the sickly, dark liquid in his lungs¡­


    Not necessary.


    He blinked to a sun-lit day.


    A battle-blasted landscape lay out below him.


    He was still floating in the sky.


    Eron and the Deep Azure struggled against each other.


    The ground had been churned for miles in every direction. Craters dotted the surface like the moon. Black scorch marks marred the fields of once yellowing grass. Fires raged in multiple directions thanks to the drought-dried tinder given spark by the sheer heat emanating from Eron.


    ¡°Do it now!¡± Eron called out.


    Cal reached out with his telekinesis.


    He sensed what his brother had said. The Deep Azure was indeed exerting a force that kept its feet stuck to the ground. Magic or something else, whatever it was stretched down for hundreds of feet before extending to the ocean.


    Eron grabbed the Deep Azure in a chokehold.


    The eldritch godling reached back to stab with its trident, but Cal managed to stop it inches away from Eron¡¯s face.


    He struggled with the Deep Azure before finally ripping the perfect stone weapon out of its hand and stabbing it into its stomach.


    True pain.


    Cal sensed it from the Deep Azure.


    He tore the barbed heads free and sought to plunged them in again when the Deep Azure spun, placing Eron in the trident¡¯s path. He barely managed to send the weapon flying out of the path to his brother¡¯s back.


    ¡°Hurry it up!¡± Eron roared.


    Cal could see his brother strain to lift the Deep Azure off the ground.


    He tried and failed to interfere with the connection, so he did the next best thing that came to his mind.


    If he couldn¡¯t rip the Deep Azure¡¯s connection from the ground, what if he simply tore the ground free?


    Eron and Deep Azure began to rise free from the Earth. Slowly at first, then with increasing speed.


    Tons of soil and rock connected to the Deep Azure¡¯s feet came along with them. A small hill¡¯s worth of material.


    Cal watched them rapidly shrink in the distance as Eron flew toward the blackness of space.


    The Deep Azure liked cold voids. It should feel just like home.


    A small victory against a small representation. Savor your pride. Your oceans are already mine. The rest of you will follow in time.


    If you need worship then all we have to do is deny you that, Cal thought.


    Silence was his answer.


    He kept his mind¡¯s eye on Eron, kept his brother shielded from the Deep Azure.


    It seemed that they had won.


    All he had to do know was to wait for his brother to finish the job and return.


    He glanced at the raging fires tearing through the nature preserve.


    ¡°I should probably put those out.¡±


    And so he did despite the thousand needles incessantly stabbing into his brain.

 6.2

    Now, San Francisco


    ¡°Thanks for putting those out. Saves me the effort,¡± Eron said after he dropped out of the sky.


    Cal grabbed his brother in a tight hug, which Eron returned after a moment¡¯s hesitation.


    ¡°That was¡­ rough,¡± he regarded his brother¡¯s battered face and sliced up body. Quick healing meant that there was a mixture of fresh cuts, scabbed up ones and mostly healed ones, lighter slashes in his brother¡¯s light brown skin.


    ¡°Yeah, that thing was strong. Top tier for sure. I haven¡¯t been this beat up when at full power since the early days,¡± Eron probed at the ugly hematoma on his forehead. ¡°It¡¯s like I¡¯m growing another head.¡±


    ¡°This is like a war zone,¡± he gestured at the blasted, pockmarked landscape, ¡°you literally flattened a few hills.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, couldn¡¯t really worry about that while I was fighting for my life,¡± Eron shrugged. ¡°If I wasn¡¯t so much faster I could¡¯ve been in trouble. So, how¡¯d your thing go? I figured you were doing some mind bullshit the way you floated in one place for two days.¡±


    ¡°Was it really two days?¡± he blinked. He had failed to register what his brother had said earlier.


    ¡°The sun came up twice,¡± Eron frowned.


    ¡°Jesus¡­ I can¡¯t explain. It felt much faster, but also much longer. That¡¯s how it tends to go with the mindscapes. It gets weirder when multiple entities are competing in a somewhat equally-matched field.¡±


    ¡°What? You an entity now?¡± Eron snorted.


    ¡°Sometimes¡ª I¡¯m not sure,¡± he admitted.


    ¡°Okay¡­ please don¡¯t be creepy about it. It¡¯s just mind fucks. Call it a weird interaction between superpowers and magic, which are already strange by their natures. I mean I should be practically invulnerable, even to magic. Been hit with all sorts of spells to varying degrees of effectiveness, but I haven¡¯t been this badly hurt in a long time,¡± Eron said lightly.


    ¡°The Deep Azure did give off old one or god-vibes.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m going with. We beat up a god and I sent him, it, into the sun,¡± Eron laughed.


    ¡°Are you sure about that?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I pushed him¡ª or is it an it¡ª¡±


    ¡°Does it matter?¡±


    ¡°Kinda does, but whatever,¡± Eron shrugged. ¡°I pushed it toward the sun. Seems to have worked since it stopped talking in my head.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if we¡¯re done. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s that simple.¡± Cal shared all that he had exchanged with the Deep Azure.


    ¡°So, you think it exists on multiple worlds simultaneously? And we just managed to barely get rid of a temporary avatar of sorts?¡±


    Cal nodded reluctantly.


    ¡°That¡¯s worse than the fog. At least that was a one and done¡­ hopefully,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Its words implied it drew power from worship. Needed it to manifest here. At least that¡¯s the logic.¡±


    ¡°Logic based on myths and fiction, sure, I guess. I wonder if we can go to the spire and get a tutorial or bestiary type thing. ¡®Eldritch gods from A to Z¡¯, something like that,¡± Eron mused.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to see the next time I go. I¡¯ll have to update Remy and the family.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll be glad to know that the Deep Azure is gone, at least for now,¡± Eron agreed. ¡°I¡¯ll check too. After I do a sweep of the area and take care of the rest of the fishmen.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother. I killed them.¡±


    Eron¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You know I did see a lot of bodies, might¡¯ve smashed a few during the fight. I thought you had just put them to sleep.¡±


    ¡°It was the permanent sort.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good. Then that just leaves the cult,¡± Eron said. ¡°I hate dealing with people. Too messy. No easy answers.¡±


    The smoke from the extinguished flames filled the air.


    Cal saw the city across the water, miles away.


    It wavered in the haze.


    Tenuous.


    A fragile, distorted image.


    He thought of the women that suffered so that the many in the city could enjoy the benefits of being protected by the Deep Azure and its scions.


    He experienced it all.


    Saw it from all perspectives.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather not either.¡±


    ¡°The cult needs dealing with,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Without fishmen or the Deep Azure they won¡¯t need to sacrifice.¡±


    ¡°You know they¡¯ll just do other shitty things. That¡¯s what they do. That¡¯s what I¡¯ve seen all over the world,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°And what would you do?¡±


    ¡°Well, unless you had other ideas, I was just planning to go to their leadership and punch my way to someone that will swear to not be bastards to other people,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°And that works?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d be surprised. So long as they know that I can fly in at any moment, which is why I¡¯ve been very busy after getting stuck in Manila for so long and why I¡¯m going to be busy for the foreseeable future. Much punching to be done and such.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t be certain I¡¯d be as restrained. Not after what I saw in the prison.¡±


    ¡°I remember what Remy said about how they¡­ reproduced,¡± Eron¡¯s face twisted, ¡°you don¡¯t have to justify yourself to me. I¡¯ll handle this.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll let the state government people know what you¡¯re doing. They can help enforce things when you¡¯re gone.¡±


    ¡°Who knows, maybe without the Deep Azure and fishmen the people will be more inclined to seek a better place. From what I understand SF. was only as safe and prosperous as it was because those bastards kept other monsters away,¡± Eron said. ¡°Not worth the cost though.¡±


    ¡°Do they deserve a better place?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s up to your friends. I can empathize, but I know it¡¯s a lot harder for you the way you experience things,¡± Eron said. ¡°I guess you¡¯ll be heading back then? If you want to wait an hour or two I can fly back with you after I¡¯m done. You can help me grab a bunch of drake eggs and since we¡¯re up north might as well try to find some wyvern ones too.¡±


    ¡°Sure. I¡¯ve got some things to talk over with Mr. Del Campo¡ª you remember him?¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, old guy, made all the rounds work in the early years. Glad to know he¡¯s still kicking. What do you want with him?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s kind of dumb, but losing my main powers in the fog got me thinking. I need more weapons. At least more than sharp, pointy things that rely on my telekinesis,¡± he gestured at the pouches and compartments around his waist.


    ¡°Can¡¯t rely on mind blasts and mind bullets, huh?¡± Eron said. ¡°I remember you used to carry a camping axe around.¡±


    ¡°Lost that. Got a replacement made out of Threnosh metal, but I think Mom owns that now,¡± Cal sighed.


    ¡°Just get another one. Go with a sword this time. I thought you were taking lessons from Hanna,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Years ago and only for a few hours a week. Too busy to fully devote myself, so I¡¯m terrible at that. Practiced a bit with Caretaker, don¡¯t think I improved all that much.¡±


    ¡°So, what¡¯re you getting from Mr. Del Campo? A gun? Ammo? Weird cause you can just get those from Rayna¡¯s people,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not cutting in line. Arming all of the rangers is the priority and their handful of Blacksmiths and Gunsmiths are swamped as it is,¡± Cal sighed as he took a folded paper out of his pocket and handed it over to his brother. ¡°Like I said, it¡¯s dumb, but I thought, why not?¡±


    Eron scanned the contents as a smile slowly broke out over his bruised and batter face. ¡°Shit! I should do this too. How¡¯d you even draw this? From memory?¡±


    Cal shrugged. ¡°Mind powers mean that I can review my memories like opening a book or watching a recorded show. Practically perfect detail.¡±


    ¡°¡­ hand cannon¡­ weight is not an issue¡­ if possible make 11 round cylinder¡­ strongest possible round¡­¡± Eron read through Cal¡¯s handwritten notes. ¡°¡­ ask about special round possibilities? Even stronger? Luck in the Chamber¡­ Holding Aces¡­¡± he laughed. ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t know about that last part.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Del Campo¡¯s class leveled up to the point that he can craft guns like Blacksmiths make swords. It¡¯s possible.¡±


    ¡°Artisanal guns!¡± Eron¡¯s laughter echoed out across the bay. ¡°God! That¡¯s awesome! If yours works then I want one too,¡± he regarded Cal solemnly for one moment. ¡°Gjallarhorn!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if that¡¯s possible.¡±


    ¡°What? Why not? If you¡¯re having him make you a Hawkmoon¡ª¡±


    ¡°A rocket launcher isn¡¯t a gun.¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t hurt to try,¡± Eron shook his head, ¡°you¡¯re such a nerd and that¡¯s coming from me. You¡¯re going to waste the old man¡¯s time with this,¡± he grinned.


    ¡°It¡¯s a challenge, which could be a leveling opportunity. Everyone wins.¡±


    ¡°But a video game gun?¡±


    ¡°It was the best,¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°I guess it¡¯s a better investment than one of those enchanted weapons in the spires¡¯ marketplace,¡± Eron said. ¡°I doubt the spires would allow them to be put up for sale if they weren¡¯t legit, but the pricing,¡± he spat, ¡°ridiculous. Like Pokemon cards for thousands of dollars.¡±


    ¡°A sword that can ignite into fire probably has more value than a tiny piece of card stock with shiny foil.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you buy one then? I¡¯m curious to see how they work.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not paying that much!¡±


    ¡°Well, if not me or you, then who else? From my experience the people with the points don¡¯t need fire swords. I¡¯m better off buying tutorials and saving for emergencies,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°My thoughts exactly. I would like to talk to one of these people. Find out how they¡¯re doing it.¡±


    ¡°Hard to do that when all you¡¯ve got to go on is a user name. The spires do a better job of keeping the seller anonymous than E bay did,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I¡¯d have to buy the items, build a relationship, but I don¡¯t want to risk giving Universal Points to an asshole the will only use them to do asshole things.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯m going to start asking around in my travels. You can do the same,¡± Eron suggested.


    ¡°It¡¯s on the list,¡± Cal said. ¡°Alright, we should get going. I need to check on those women, see Mr. Del Campo, check in with the Watch and I need to let the governor know about what you¡¯re going to do with the cult.¡±


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°Might want to clean your face off first,¡± Eron gestured. ¡°You bled from your holes again.¡±


    Cal was shocked to realize that he hadn¡¯t noticed.


    ¡°Good luck with the hand cannon. I truly hope it¡¯s worth it cause I want one too,¡± Eron said as he rose into the sky.


    ¡°Come find me in Sacramento when you¡¯re done.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be done way before you. I think I¡¯ll look for wyvern nests and clear monsters while I¡¯m in the area,¡± Eron waved.


    ¡°Later,¡± Cal watched his brother fly across the water and down into the city. He hoped that the cult leaders were smart enough. If they weren¡¯t then he hoped Eron could contain the damage to only those that truly deserved it.


    <hr>


    Now, Southern California


    ¡°It¡¯s an adventure,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Babies don¡¯t go on adventures,¡± his mom said flatly.


    Cal regarded the individual in question. Drooling and babbling as he stood on two chubby, unsteady legs while Rynnen held his arms and helped him stagger around the living room.


    Not a hint of fog tendencies as far as he could see with his many eyes.


    ¡°Then tell Eron you said it was fine if I left him here with you.¡±


    ¡°Ay nako,¡± his mom grumbled. ¡°I already tried, but your brother is being stubborn. Just leave the baby with me. I¡¯ll deal with your brother.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about building trust. Between him and me, him and the baby,¡± Cal sighed.


    ¡°Not a baby. A toddler,¡± Rayna chimed in unhelpfully. ¡°Well¡­ look at him¡­ toddling,¡± she smirked.


    ¡°Only with Rynnen¡¯s help.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m helping him walk!¡± Rynnen smiled.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s very responsible of you,¡± his mom beamed.


    ¡°Oh my god,¡± Cal muttered.


    Rayna snickered.


    ¡°He¡¯s almost a year, physically at least, not chronologically. Does that still count as a baby or is that toddler age? I don¡¯t know how that works,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°What does that mean?¡± Rynnen¡¯s forehead wrinkled.


    No one deigned to explain.


    ¡°He¡¯s somewhere between 10 and 12 months old. We aren¡¯t sure because I found him in a ruined building in Manila,¡± Cal told his young cousin. He shot glares at his girlfriend, sister and mother.


    Which was a mistake judging by the strong thoughts that slipped through his telepathic walls.


    ¡°Uh¡­ sorry, I¡¯m just stressed about this whole adventure.¡± The word slipped out bitterly. ¡°I thought there was a good chance that after our fight with the Deep Azure Eron would change his mind about the whole having to have the baby within easy distance at all times.¡±


    ¡°Then why not postpone until you finally find parents to take him. It¡¯s not fair to the baby¡ª¡± his mom said.


    ¡°Toddler,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°I can¡¯t delay. Eron¡¯s busy with the rest of the world and I promised to check this continent out. I feel like there¡¯s a clock I¡¯m racing. The people of this planet are scattered and we can¡¯t be everywhere individually to face what¡¯s coming from other worlds. If you saw what I¡¯ve seen¡­¡± he shook his head, ¡°as bad as it has been and I¡¯m not minimizing that, it can get so much worse.¡±


    ¡°Your mind¡¯s made up?¡± his mom said.


    Cal nodded.


    ¡°Why Vegas?¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°Eron said that it was a bunch of spawn zones. Thought we¡¯d clear those out, turn them back into encounter challenges. Also pick up cash, gold, silver or gems for possible bartering needs as we move through the country.¡±


    ¡°You can get all of that here. Plenty of banks, pawnshops, gold exchanges and jewelry stores in the area,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°That¡¯s your stuff and those spawn zones are a priority according to what Eron said.¡±


    ¡°What about help? You sure you don¡¯t want a squad of rangers? You¡¯ll get plenty of volunteers. Practically everyone is itching for the chance to break Level 30 after Sgt. Butcher¡¯s squad came back¡­ what¡¯s left of them, that is,¡± Rayna¡¯s voice softened.


    ¡°Thanks, but I don¡¯t want to responsible for their safety,¡± Cal held up a hand, ¡°even if they¡¯d say that wasn¡¯t the case. It would be for me. Besides, I think you¡¯ll need everyone you have for whatever¡¯s going on with San Diego. I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t find anything more concrete than what you already knew.¡±


    ¡°Confirmation that there¡¯s something bad going on is good enough for now,¡± Rayna said. ¡°I¡¯m tempted to flatten everything, but I want to keep the infrastructure up unless there¡¯s really no other choice.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got to stop by Sacramento anyways,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°It¡¯s out of the way, but I¡¯ve got something to pick up and people to check up on,¡± Cal explained.


    ¡°Okay, just be careful, especially for the baby.¡± His mom scooped said baby up and whirled him around to peals of high-pitched laughter. ¡°I¡¯m gonna miss you. Be good okay?¡±


    Cal cringed at his mom¡¯s voice. He could tell that she was already attached.


    ¡°Are you sure you won¡¯t leave him,¡± his mom hesitated, ¡°I can work on finding parents to adopt.¡±


    ¡°I told you, Mom. I¡¯m not sure how to approach that. I have to tell them his true origin and that¡¯s a huge risk for him. What if they reject him because of that. It¡¯ll make it harder to find others unless I erase their memories, which is wrong.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯d be evil,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°A lesser one that¡¯s best for him,¡± his mom said.


    ¡°Mother¡­ are you advocating for me to do a wrong? A lesser one, perhaps, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t give that tone, Anak,¡± his mom chided. ¡°Your father and I raised you to know right from wrong and to make those decisions. I trust that you¡¯ll do the right thing here as you always have.¡±


    It was an exaggeration, but Cal wasn¡¯t going to openly gainsay his mom.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ve got this. I¡¯ll claim a resort hotel casino as a safe base for Nila and the baby. Maybe that one with the best buffet¡ª¡± he pointed to Nila.


    ¡°The Bacchanal,¡± she supplied.


    ¡°While him and Nila are playing slots and gorging on awesome food¡ª¡±


    ¡°Which I¡¯ll have to cook,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°No offense, Love, but despite your superhuman physical attributes and great fighting skills you can¡¯t solo a resort hotel casino-sized spawn zone like I can.¡±


    Nila exchanged a look with Rayna and Cal knew that he had misstepped again. ¡°Thanks for the mansplanation, but you forgot about my Threnosh armor and baseball bat.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged¡­ but I¡¯m not risking you and the baby.¡±


    ¡°Nila can decide that,¡± Rayna added.


    ¡°Yes, absolutely, but we¡¯re getting side-tracked. As I was saying,¡± Cal hurried, ¡°shouldn¡¯t take too long to sort Vegas out in terms of spawn zone issues. A few weeks, maybe a month or two and we can be back here for a break before heading out to other places.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to risk my guys on spawn zones beyond Vegas, but once you turn them back into encounter challenges we can help keep them from spawning again,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°I¡¯m considering claiming as much as I can to use for future bases and just to limit the amount of places that need regular clearing.¡±


    ¡°I guess you¡¯ll find out if there¡¯s a limit to the number of structures a single person can claim,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°Maybe.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want anything?¡± Rayna tried again. ¡°You¡¯re Threnosh armor still isn¡¯t fixed. We¡¯ve got some plate and chain you can borrow or old riot gear.¡±


    ¡°My skin¡¯s stronger than that stuff and I¡¯m not taking away protection from someone that needs it. I¡¯m good with the jacket. Might find something out there or stop at a sporting goods store somewhere.¡±


    ¡°What about weapons?¡±


    ¡°Oh, the axe!¡± his mom hurried to the closet under the stairs.


    ¡°Keep it, Mom and what have I told you about having it in arm¡¯s reach at all times,¡± Cal chided.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want one of the kids to accidentally cut themselves on it,¡± his mom said.


    ¡°What if you need it at an instant, like when the Vitiator¡ª¡±


    His mom silenced him with a pointed look followed by a glance toward Rynnen.


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    ¡°Well, don¡¯t die,¡± Rayna hugged him. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about things here. Most of the gangs are done, so it¡¯s just patrolling around their old territories and doing outreach trying to get the people to move here. You can do a more thorough screening for shi¡ª crapheads when you get back.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good.¡±


    ¡°Oh, and hopefully you¡¯ll be back for one of those eggs to hatch. On account of our superhuman toughness I thought it¡¯d be best if you and me, Nila too, tried imprinting or whatever with one of those wyverns or drakes, whichever, you guys can pick,¡± Rayna smiled.


    ¡°Uh¡­ thanks,¡± he replied.


    Like ripping off a band-aid it was best to do it all in one quick go. So, Cal grabbed the baby out of his reluctant mom¡¯s arms and hustled out the door with words of goodbye.


    Cal handed the baby to Nila before they both climbed into the small RV parked outside his parents¡¯ house.


    ¡°I agree with your mom, but I also see where you¡¯re coming from. Every time I think about it I come to the conclusion that this baby is safest with you, us,¡± Nila said as the RV rose up into the sky under Cal¡¯s power.


    ¡°For his sake?¡±


    ¡°His and possibly everyone else,¡± Nila spoke without hesitation.


    ¡°What do you think about erasing memories?¡±


    ¡°Feels wrong on a fundamental level, but I think I can excuse it if you¡¯re doing it to bad people or the alternatives are worse. I don¡¯t know where this situation fits in that,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s right in this case, but I know I need to make a decision.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re bringing a baby along on a dangerous adventure. I¡¯d say it¡¯s overdue,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°I can¡¯t leave him. You weren¡¯t there. The way my brother and I kicked each other¡¯s asses¡­ I don¡¯t ever want that to happen again. You¡¯re right he¡¯s safest with me. For his own sake and others. If, God forbid, the fog returns then I need to be there to stop it. I promised I¡¯ll do what it takes to prevent that from ever happening again.¡± He glanced at the chubby cheeked copy of himself at that age in Nila¡¯s lap.


    The baby seemed to sense the attention and stared up at Cal while slobbering over the bright red teething ring in his mouth.


    Please just be normal, Cal thought.


    Nila sniffed suddenly. ¡°Oh, man,¡± she groaned.


    Cal stiffened. ¡°I¡¯m flying this thing,¡± he said hesitantly.


    ¡°Uh huh. I¡¯ve seen you cook an entire meal while re-enacting Infinity War and Endgame with toys for the baby and Rynnen, all while you lay on the couch reading,¡± Nila frowned.


    ¡°Yeah, but this thing is really heavy and I¡¯m also having to shield our presence from the notice of every flying monster,¡± he stretched the truth, a little.


    ¡°Fine, but next time we¡¯re going to land and you¡¯re going to change him,¡± Nila climbed out of the chair with the baby at arm¡¯s length and headed to the back of the RV.


    Cal did the mental calculations on the baby¡¯s digestion speed.


    He sped up.


    <hr>


    Then, Texas


    ¡°We need to take a break, Kath.¡±


    She mulled an appropriate answer for a moment. Her second had been pushing for the team to cool their activities for a few weeks now. She didn¡¯t want to let her long-time friend and teammate to feel as if he wasn¡¯t being heard. ¡°Dave¡­ no,¡± she said.


    He thrust a crumpled piece of paper into her hands.


    She scanned it quickly. Stopped at the end and went over it again more carefully.


    ¡°Mayor Sammy¡¯s gotten really mad about what we¡¯ve been doing,¡± Dave continued. ¡°She¡¯s put a bounty¡­ a huge one on our heads. 20K for each of us, dead or alive,¡± he punctuated his words by poking a finger into the bounty.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t for us,¡± she said after a moment, ¡°it¡¯s for those responsible for the food thefts,¡± she spat, ¡°as if we could steal things that magically appear in the stores on a daily cycle. As if that soccer mom bitch does anything to make that happen! What gives them that right?¡±


    ¡°A monopoly on violence, same now as it was before the spires,¡± Dave sighed. ¡°Look, I get it. It¡¯s dumb that people are still being forced to do bullshit jobs for pieces of paper that aren¡¯t worth shit. I¡¯m not saying we stop what we¡¯re doing¡­ just, I don¡¯t know, take a break for awhile.¡±


    ¡°Our target plan should be good enough. We roll the dice and let chance decide which stores we hit. The city¡¯s mostly abandoned. The mayor doesn¡¯t have the man power to keep guards posted on all of the stores. Too risky with how the monsters have been increasing in strength and numbers lately. They need to focus their efforts on keeping the encounter challenges under control. Word is that they lost one last week. Turned back into a spawn zone.¡±


    ¡°I know and that¡¯s another reason why I think we should hold off on tonight,¡± Dave pleaded. ¡°The team¡¯s running ragged.¡±


    ¡°People need food and medicine.¡±


    That was reason enough for Kath. As far as she was concerned she didn¡¯t need more. She strove to live by the lessons her long-dead father had instilled in her.


    ¡°It sucks, but they can pay for it. I¡¯m willing to help those that need it out of my own personal funds,¡± Dave tried.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already allocated a percentage of team funds to the nuns. Also gave them what I had. I¡¯m not expecting you or any of the others to do the same, just to be clear. The problem is most of that will go to heating expenses, firewood and oil. They think it¡¯s going to be a cold winter.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be a lot colder if we get caught or killed,¡± Dave said.


    ¡°We¡¯re one of the top teams in the whole guild.¡±


    ¡°Most of the others will team up if they find out we¡¯re the ones responsible. Not to mention the Mayor¡¯s militia. Oh, and not to mention every random bounty hunter, genuine or otherwise, with a spear and a gun. 100k if they get all of us,¡± Dave said.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been doing this for months. All we need to do is work fast and keep our masks up. People need us to do this.¡±


    ¡°Alright, you¡¯re the boss, but please consider taking a break after this one, for me?¡± Dave pleaded.


    ¡°Fine,¡± she said after a moment. ¡°There¡¯s also been rumors about the Meat Parade¡­¡±


    Dave blanched. ¡°I didn¡¯t hear about that one¡­¡±


    ¡°Word is that the mayor is keeping this quiet¡­ scouts came back from the east. The ones semi-permanently stationed near the Mississippi. According to them a pretty big one¡¯s formed and might be headed in this direction.¡±


    ¡°Those psychos¡ª fuck! Just what we need! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!¡± Dave scratched his bald head.


    ¡°Calm down,¡± Kath flicked Dave on the forehead. ¡°Just rumors. Maybe after tonight we¡¯ll head over and check it out ourselves.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not a break, boss. That¡¯s the opposite of a break. Trekking through monster country toward the Meat Parade¡­¡± Dave shook his head.


    ¡°Makes taking supplies from an empty store and giving them to the needy seem less dangerous, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the difference between facing an alpha gremlin and a man-eating mutated longhorn, which is to say there isn¡¯t much. Either will kill you horribly if you aren¡¯t on your game,¡± Dave said.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been at this for years. Have confidence in your abilities. Your training. Your experience. Why do you think both the mayor¡¯s people and the Golden Eagles are always hassling us to join up? We¡¯ve got this¡­ like we always do.¡±

 6.3

    Then, Texas


    For Cooper Church the waking world blurred with the nightmare. It had started almost six months ago. He was a young Fighter. One of those tasked with protecting his small community. They were a gathering of several large, extended families that had managed to carve out a relatively safe existence out of their connected farmlands.


    They weren¡¯t close to any stores, but food and water was plentiful thanks to a nearby river that fed into the lake, their animals and vegetables.


    Occasional trips to the nearest small town helped them fill in the gaps with other supplies, like medicines and morale-boosting junk food, while giving added leveling opportunities in addition to fighting off the monsters and mutated wildlife that periodically attacked their farmsteads.


    Cooper had been a boy when the spires had appeared. It had been hard for him to remember what life had been like before and despite the constant threat from the outside world he had thought that his was a mostly happy existence.


    He had lived and fought side by side with family and friends. He and his cousin, Jemma, a bright and sunny girl, but the most vicious Fighter out of them all, had been planning to form a team to go out and see if there was something more beyond the range of their lands. For a hope that there were other Americans out there, still fighting for home, like them. They often talked about that hope during the long, boring duty on the night watch. That one day they could take their country back from the monsters.


    It was on one such random night that their carefully crafted world, one they had fought hard for was shattered.


    A night of fire, pain, lust and all manners of corruption swept through.


    Monsters, but in the form of men and women.


    Led by an impossibly tall and thin figure, stronger and faster than their best fighters while casting spells that crushed their best magic users with ease.


    They had overwhelmed Cooper and the other defenders.


    The memories of that night plagued him. Even as they blurred between vague impressions and vivid pictures


    The pain and ecstasy blended in impossible ways.


    He remembered Jemma dueling the inhuman looking leader and losing despite fighting the best that she ever had.


    Her cries¡ª


    He heard them still.


    Somehow, they had overlooked him as they proceeded to torture everyone he had ever cared about.


    Cooper had fled. His body had been torn and broken, but the fear, the terror that filled him gave him the strength to move. He had found himself stumbling toward the spire in the middle of the Burnett¡¯s cattle pasture.


    He had heard himself praying to God to save his family. When there was no answer he pleaded with anything and everything. He didn¡¯t care.


    Something had answered.


    He was sure that it wasn¡¯t the God that he had prayed to all his life, that wasn¡¯t there when they had needed him.


    It had been something else.


    Something else.


    Fear and terror had filled him.


    Something else had pulled all of that out of him and given him freedom.


    Anger had remained.


    A figurine of writhing shadow had appeared out of the sudden distortion of air in front of the spire.


    Cooper hadn¡¯t hesitated. He had reached out and grabbed it like something else had told him.


    A bargain had been struck and sealed with the flash of pain in his hand, followed by fear seared into his soul.


    No.


    That was wrong.


    Not fear, rather dread.


    Cooper found himself clad in dark gray plate armor that seemed to create shadows around him that didn¡¯t make sense..


    A purpose had been burned into him.


    He welcomed the strength he felt surging through his body. It would be enough to save his family and friend. It had to be.


    He had rushed back only to find that days had passed.


    All the farmhouses had been emptied.


    Broken things and blood stains had been the only reminders of the happy lives that had once been.


    Cooper had nothing left, besides the bargain to fulfill.


    A Vow that he couldn¡¯t escape.


    <hr>


    ¡°Hey¡ª¡±


    Cooper¡¯s dark eyes flashed to the man standing behind him in the open doorway.


    ¡°Er¡­ I¡¯m trying to get in,¡± the man looked away. He had seen something in Cooper¡¯s eyes that he didn¡¯t like.


    Cooper stared for several long seconds before deliberately turning away and proceeding into the building.


    It had been a large home once. One of those mcmansions he had heard about. A long table had been set up near the front door, in front of the wall that the kitchen or dining room hid behind. The living room to his left was set up like a reception area with round tables and narrow stools straight out of a bar.


    There was quite a number of people inside.


    They eyed him, but most couldn¡¯t maintain eye contact for long.


    He knew what they saw. It was what he had seen in the mirror ever since that night months ago. Dark eyes that lived in the shadow. That seemed to contain an endless well of¡­ something else.


    He stepped up to the pretty young woman seated behind the table.


    The reason he had come here.


    It was a strange place, this Adventurer¡¯s Guild. He didn¡¯t know what to make of it. They seemed more like bounty hunters from what he had heard walking through the populated suburbs on the outskirts of the city.


    Still, it was necessary.


    He had a Vow to fulfill and he needed to find an outlet soon.


    The man he had become demanded it and the young man he had been wouldn¡¯t be able to keep him in check for much longer.


    It had been easier during his travels from his home in the north. There had been plenty of monsters and animals he could kill. The people he had encountered had been almost universally scum. Bikers that raped and pillaged at every opportunity. Communities that treated each other and outsiders without any notions of the what the word should¡¯ve meant. Not like what he had once.


    He had to find those responsible. Use those responsible for the bargain he had to make to feed that Vow. Problem was he had no idea how to find them and so he wandered south, aimless.


    ¡°Um¡­ excuse me?¡± the young woman said hesitantly.


    Cooper had lost himself again. ¡°I want your biggest bounty thing.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ uh, here,¡± she pushed a piece of paper toward him.


    He scanned the application form. ¡°I¡¯m not interested in joining.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ there are tons of benefits if you become an official member of the Adventurer¡¯s Guild. You are entitled to discounts practically everywhere around here. Food, housing, gear purchasing and maintenance. Priority insurance for all your medical needs. A conscription waver¡­¡± she trailed off at the look on Cooper¡¯s face.


    ¡°Give. Me. The biggest bounty,¡± he scanned the cork board behind the young woman. ¡°This one,¡± he reached over her head and tore the bounty free. An unknown number of thieves stealing from the stores. 20K for each individual, dead or alive. He frowned. Was that in U.S. Dollars? ¡°What¡¯s the point of that?¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Sir?¡±


    ¡°The reward¡­ is money?¡±


    The young woman quailed. ¡°Yes,¡± she squeaked.


    Cooper felt her fear verging into terror.


    Satisfaction and guilt warred within him.


    The Vow was being fulfilled, but the old him was ashamed.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯ll return with these thieves,¡± he turned to leave.


    ¡°Wait¡ª sorry, but I need to mark you down. Even if you don¡¯t want to sign up as a member. I need to note whoever takes a bounty. Please, sorry.¡± The young woman¡¯s words came out in a rush.


    Cooper could feel her terror spreading to the others watching.


    Other people responded to fear by lashing out.


    He didn¡¯t know these people. Didn¡¯t know if they deserved what he brought.


    ¡°You can write down Dread Paladin.¡±


    Cooper ignore the young woman¡¯s stammering as he left the house with purposeful strides, the crumpled bounty in a white-knuckled grip.


    <hr>


    ¡°Get that damn mask back over your face, Ant!¡± Dave hissed in a low voice.


    ¡°Chill¡­ I just need a couple of seconds. Need fresh air. Hard to run around with this over my face,¡± Ant said.


    ¡°You¡¯re always bragging about your cardio for being so big and strong. Don¡¯t tell me a thin piece of cloth is too tough for you to deal with,¡± Tori smirked.


    ¡°Quiet,¡± Kath warned. ¡°And mask up, Ant.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, boss, on it,¡± Ant grumbled but followed the order.


    The four team members were gathered inside a small pizza shop with sight lines to the Walmart they were planning to hit. There had been gremlins inside the shop, but those things were easy kills. They had cleared it without opting to claim the structure by fighting the bosses.


    ¡°Do you think it¡¯d be okay if I made a pizza while we wait for Josue?¡± Ant whispered.


    ¡°Can¡¯t use the facilities without claiming it first,¡± Tori replied.


    ¡°Really? Are you sure?¡± Ant whispered.


    Kath ignored her team. She only had attention for the twenty men and women outside the Walmart¡¯s front entrance. The mayor¡¯s militia out on patrol. Just her luck that they happened to be at the same place she had targeted. Hopefully, they were only stopping for a dinner or water break rather than keeping guard all night.


    ¡°We might need to abort if they don¡¯t leave soon. Once it gets deeper into the night they¡¯ll have to go inside for shelter. Not to mention even we¡¯ll have trouble fighting our way back home,¡± Dave said.


    ¡°If Josue says the inside is clear then we can sneak around through the back. I¡¯d bet good odds that the militia didn¡¯t split their numbers,¡± Kath said.


    ¡°You¡¯re probably right on that. I don¡¯t recognize any of them out there, so I¡¯d say they¡¯re mostly in the low 20¡¯s, maybe mid 20¡¯s for their best ones. They wouldn¡¯t halve their strength guarding both front and back. Plus, they don¡¯t run groups bigger than that for simple patrols and guarding shit,¡± Dave said.


    Kath waited for what felt like hours, but was only minutes according to Dave when a soft knock sounded at the back of the pizza shop.


    They let Josue in and found out that the inside of the Walmart was indeed empty.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Kath looked at her team. ¡°Thoughts?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re weak. We can knock them around, grab the stuff and get back before it gets really dark,¡± Ant said.


    ¡°We can¡¯t leave them outside injured,¡± Tori said.


    ¡°Bring them inside then,¡± Ant shrugged.


    ¡°No one¡¯s watching the back. It¡¯d be easy to sneak around and get in, even for you, big guy,¡± Josue poked Ant in the ribs.


    ¡°A fight is too risky. It¡¯s harder when you¡¯re just trying to knock someone out. We¡¯ve got a huge level advantage, but anyone could get lucky or unlucky depending on your perspective. I say we abort. Try the secondary target. It¡¯s on the way back home, which will limit our exposure to the worst of the monsters,¡± Dave said.


    Kath mulled it over. ¡°We can¡¯t come out of tonight with nothing. We go around the back,¡± she decided.


    True to Josue¡¯s words they way was free and easy.


    They were almost done stuffing various supplies into large packs when Josue stiffened.


    Dave caught it immediately. ¡°From where?¡±


    Josue¡¯s eyes darted to the front of the store. He nodded. ¡°It¡¯s at about 9.¡±


    ¡°Shit!¡± Tori whispered as she dropped her pack and pulled the M4 from behind her shoulder.


    ¡°Hearts, we¡¯re moving! Grab those bags! Let¡¯s go!¡± Kath urged.


    The screams from outside broke the silence.


    ¡°Do we¡­ help them?¡± Ant readied his large round shield and submachine gun.


    ¡°Boss?¡± Dave looked to Kath.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Kath muttered. ¡°I suppose we have to. Masks up.¡±


    The team hustled to the front.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Josue said as he cupped an ear toward the front. Enhanced Hearing. ¡°They¡¯re not fighting. It sounds like they¡¯re running away,¡± his eyes widened, ¡°we need to get out of here,¡± he warned.


    Too late.


    The doors slid open. A figure in plain dark gray plate strode through.


    ¡°Are you the thieves that have been stealing from the people?¡± the figure¡¯s voice was deep rasp.


    It sent a shiver of fear down Kath¡¯s back. The shotgun in her hands shook.


    Eyes seemed to glow with an unearthly color behind the narrow slit of the blank-faced helmet. Shadowy wings emanated from the helmet¡¯s sides while seemingly moving in a nonexistent breeze.


    This was bad. She knew that this man was more dangerous than anything else she and her team had ever faced. Somehow, she knew.


    The thought turned that fear into terror.


    She was on the verge of turning and running when a voice cut through to her.


    ¡°Inspire Courage,¡± Dave said in a wavering voice.


    Kath¡¯s terror became fear once again. She could stand in the face of the gray-armored stranger.


    ¡°Boss, his shadow isn¡¯t right,¡± Josue whispered in her ear.


    When had he moved there? He had been on the opposite side of their formation.


    ¡°It¡¯s like it¡¯s moving around randomly. It¡¯s not where it should be based on the lights,¡± he continued.


    Now that Josue had mentioned it, Kath couldn¡¯t unsee it. It was wrong in a way that caused her to shiver. ¡°We aren¡¯t thieves,¡± she managed to say.


    ¡°You take without paying,¡± the gray figure rasped.


    ¡°And who should we pay, huh? The stuff we take reappears the next day. No one is spending resources to produce them. Not anymore. Not after 11 years. We don¡¯t profit from this. Unlike the mayor and her ilk, we give it away to people that can¡¯t afford them otherwise. Food, water, medicine. Things that everyone needs to simply live.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡±


    The gray figure appeared to wrestle with something.


    Tense seconds passed.


    Kath subtly signaled with her hand.


    The rest of her team slowly backed away toward the rear of the store.


    They¡¯d have to ditch the supplies they had come for. There was no choice.


    Whoever this was wasn¡¯t someone they could beat.


    ¡°¡ª irrelevant,¡± the gray figure said.


    ¡°Boss! Everyone! Get out of here!¡± Ant stepped toward the gray-armored figure and emptied his magazine.


    The bullets bounced off the plate without effect.


    Ant dropped the submachine gun and pulled the long-handled sledgehammer from his belt, banging it against the edge of his shield. ¡°Taunt!¡±


    The shadows around the gray-armored figures hands darkened and grew almost tangible.


    A split-second later he wielded a black spear in one hand and a small, curved, triangular shield with the slightly-rounded tip pointed to the floor.


    ¡°Backing you up!¡± Dave rushed toward Ant¡¯s left side.


    The gray-armored figure cracked the floor tiles with every step as he blocked Dave¡¯s pistol bullets with the shield. He moved with surprising quickness.


    The spear thrust out faster than their eyes could follow.


    Ant grunted as his wooden shield was pierced.


    ¡°Bulwark!¡± Ant cried out.


    The gray-armored figure pulled his spear.


    Despite Ant¡¯s Skill and mass, Kath saw that her tank¡¯s boots slowly sliding across the floor.


    ¡°Oh god! The spear¡¯s moving like it¡¯s alive!¡± Ant cried. ¡°Concussive Strike!¡±


    Ant¡¯s hammer struck the gray-armored figure¡¯s shield with the sound of thunder.


    Boxes of cereal and granola bars went flying from the shock wave.


    The sound had been deafening, but the gray-armored figure didn¡¯t appear bothered. He continued to pull Ant.


    ¡°Disarming Strike,¡± Dave growled as he slashed at the gray-armored figure¡¯s wrist.


    The thick-bladed chopper clanged against the gauntlet.


    The spear slipped a fraction, but remained in the gray-armored figure¡¯s grasp.


    Kath was boxed in the aisle. She couldn¡¯t move to get a clear angle to shoot. The spray from her shotgun would¡¯ve definitely struck one of her guys.


    Tori didn¡¯t have that problem form her location far behind everyone. ¡°Piercing Shots. Steady Aim.¡±


    The gray-armored figure raised his shield.


    Tori¡¯s gun barked.


    Kath saw the spark as the bullets penetrated the shield and struck the gray-armored figure¡¯s helmet.


    ¡°Fuck! He barely moved. No penetration!¡± Josue called back to Tori.


    ¡°I can see that! Going to try for the eye slit! I need a distraction!¡± Tori said.


    ¡°I¡¯m dipping out and coming back at six,¡± Josue said.


    The coded-words were clear to the team.


    ¡°Vanish.¡±


    ¡°Enhanced Coordination: Team, The Hearts,¡± Kath said. ¡°You can do this, Tori,¡± she urged.


    Dave struck again and again, while Ant did the same.


    The gray-armored figure was like a towering juggernaut, practically immune to their blows.


    Tori eased her breathing and focused down her weapon¡¯s sights keeping it trained on the moving slit of the gray-armored figure¡¯s helmet.


    ¡°Find Vulnerabilities,¡± Josue said as he suddenly appeared at the gray-armored figure¡¯s back. He stabbed with a short, pointed dagger in one hand and sliced with a curved blade in the other. The neck, under the arms, back of the knees. His daggers kissed every spot that was only covered by mail.


    Tori¡¯s gun barked repeatedly.


    The spear was ripped loose from Ant¡¯s shield.


    Josue fell back from a swing.


    ¡°You missed,¡± Kath said.


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    The gray-armored figure shifted his grip on the spear and let fly in the blink of an eye.


    ¡°Interc¡ª¡± Ant was too late.


    Tori hit the ground with a thud.


    Stunned, Kath froze like a statue.


    The spear stood out of Tori¡¯s chest like a planted flag. It had gone through her armor like cardboard.


    Kath couldn¡¯t fight the rising dread in her chest even as she watched the spear dissolve into the shadows underneath Tori joining the growing pool of red.


    ¡°Watch out!¡± Josue¡¯s cry was a beat too late.


    Dave and Ant had been distracted by Tori¡¯s death.


    The gray-armored figure shattered Dave¡¯s buckler and the hand and arm behind it with a punch. He cried out as he backed away.


    ¡°Shield Slam!¡± Ant powered his shield into its counterpart. The Skill-enhanced force pushed the gray-armored figure back and gave the big Warrior an opening. ¡°Concussive Strike!¡± he drove his sledgehammer into the gray-armored figure¡¯s chest.


    Metal clanged on metal.


    The blow sent a shock wave out that blew Kath back a few steps.


    ¡°Ant! Fall back!¡± Kath called. She could see that the powerful strike had only moved their enemy back a step. ¡°Everyone back! I¡¯m giving us space! Empowered Spell: Force Orb.¡±


    It took her a few seconds to gather her mana. Time in which her guys fell back. Josue and Dave flanked her while Ant rushed to Tori¡¯s body.


    The gray-armored figure moved with surprising quickness.


    He was suddenly right in front of her raising a wicked-looking spiked black mace in place of the spear.


    When had he pulled that out?


    Kath pushed out with her hand almost on reflex. She was lucky that the spell was ready.


    The boom threw the three of them back and sent everything on the shelves flying.


    The gray-armored figure vanished out the front doors in a shower of broken glass.


    ¡°We have to run, Boss!¡± Dave grimaced. His ruined hand and arm held tight to his body.


    Kath nodded.


    They went out the way they had come in with one less member and none of the life-saving supplies so many people needed.


    <hr>


    Now, Somewhere in the California Desert, Near Barstow


    ¡°What the hell is that!¡± Nila said.


    ¡°It¡¯s huge. I don¡¯t have my awesome Threnosh helmet to give me measurements, but judging by the cacti, it¡¯s leg is about as tall as the average human,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°It has no head, but it has antlers¡ª how does that even work? How does it eat? What does it eat?¡±


    ¡°Souls?¡± Cal shrugged.


    He had seen many strange creatures since the spires had appeared. On this world and another, but the giant monstrosity several hundred yards distant was something else.


    It was a huge, four-legged creature without a head, but an impressive rack of wicked looking antlers emerging from the shoulders of a roundish, muscular body covered in brownish fur.


    ¡°It¡¯s at least as big as an elephant. Probably,¡± he murmured.


    ¡°Do you think it¡¯ll come this way? You¡¯re blocking our presence from it, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, totally. Nothing should realize we¡¯re here. Even if they get close they¡¯ll just walk around us. It¡¯s like a persistent field ¡®These are not the droids you are looking for¡¯,¡± he tapped his temple, ¡°pretty easy to generate and maintain. A lot of this stuff is like on autopilot now. Used to be mostly the walls, but I¡¯ve been improving. Losing my powers in the fog was a good kick in the butt.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s nice and all, but it¡¯s moving in this direction,¡± Nila stood from the folding chair and left the warm surroundings of the campfire. ¡°I¡¯m going to get in my armor and check on the baby,¡± she entered the RV.


    The monster was getting closer as it rutted its antlers into the desert dirt. ¡°Don¡¯t come here mister headless moose-elk. You¡¯re a horrible monster that¡¯d eat us if given the opportunity, but I¡¯d rather not fight tonight, although¡­¡± he eyed the massive hand cannon in the custom holster strapped to his right thigh, ¡°a test against a giant monster would be useful.¡±


    He patted the Hawkmoon copy. Mr. Del Campo had done it perfectly. From the look of the engraved feathers on the stainless steel barrel to the backward sweep to the rear sights that evoked the image of wings in flight. It even had the single, talon-like spike on the bottom of the black grip.


    The whole thing was about 20 lbs. A solid hunk of metal to handle the stresses of firing the custom round.


    The most powerful the old Gunsmith could make meant something akin to a nitro express round. The kind used to hunt big game.


    The bullet was larger than the typical handgun round. The entire round was much larger than a human finger.


    Sadly, the only thing Mr. Del Campo had failed to do was to give it the perks from the game.


    This was fair. A possibility to be explored in the future. Perhaps through a collaboration with Jake and the technomagic kids.


    Cal¡¯s hand fell away from the grip as he watched the creature circle their camp and vanish into the cold desert night. The strain on his mind was nonexistent even as he maintained two telepathic effects.


    ¡°How is he doing?¡±


    ¡°Baby¡¯s still sleeping,¡± Nila came back armed and armored, ¡°where¡¯d that thing go?¡±


    ¡°Off into the sands,¡± Cal waved in its direction.


    ¡°More like dirt and rocks,¡± Nila snorted.


    ¡°So¡­ baby¡¯s asleep¡­ we could bring a sleeping bag out and¡ª¡±


    ¡°No. Not while there are giant headless monsters wandering around out there. Plus all the mutated rodents, insects, snakes, lizards.¡±


    ¡°You forgot the birds,¡± Cal sighed, ¡°oh, and whatever that whispering thing was. Couldn¡¯t get a read on it before it vanished.¡±


    ¡°Ghost. It was a ghost,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°What do you want to do then?¡±


    ¡°Eat, drink and talk sounds nice,¡± Nila said.


    The RV door opened and a pack of playing cards floated into Cal¡¯s hand. ¡°We can play a game while we do that.¡± The wooden spoon stirred the pot of chili at the campfire. ¡°How about we bet stuff? Like, say, diaper changing duties.¡±


    ¡°You can read my mind,¡± Nila gave him a flat stare.


    ¡°Which I don¡¯t and I won¡¯t¡­ I swear.¡±


    ¡°Alright, you¡¯re on. No limits to the number of changings,¡± Nila¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    Cal shuffled and dealt.


    ¡°This is nice. Sitting by the fire. The cool breeze¡ª which is completely blocked by the armor,¡± Nila sighed.


    ¡°You can get out of it. I told you it¡¯s safe. If anything happens you can get back in a matter of seconds. I can protect us long enough for that.¡±


    Nila stood and the armor¡¯s front opened with a hiss to let her step out. ¡°Much better,¡± she said as she sat back down, ¡°warm fire, cold drink, hot food and loved ones.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I wish this was more the norm than the exception.¡±


    ¡°We should enjoy our moments,¡± Nila smiled.


    Cal¡¯s heart warmed as he shuffled and dealt.


    ¡°I¡¯ll bet 3 diaper changes on this game,¡± he said.


    ¡°That¡¯s fine¡­ do you have any 2¡¯s?¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Go fish,¡± he replied.


    By the time Nila went to bed, Cal was down 23 changes of the diaper.


    ¡°Well¡­ fuck,¡± he muttered as sat in his chair and cleaned up the rest of the campsite.

 6.4

    Then, Texas


    Cooper Church. Dread Paladin. Cooper Church. Dread Paladin. Cooper Ch¡ª


    The Dread Paladin climb to his feet. Ribs shifted. The pain dulled. There was only dread.


    He felt them fleeing in the distance.


    They gave him strength.


    A larger group was in one direction, but they weren¡¯t his target.


    The smaller group running away behind the store was a beacon in his thoughts.


    ¡°Summon Steed,¡± he rasped.


    The shadows cast in the harsh light of the Walmart sign roiled.


    A massive head emerged. Darker than shadows, equine with a mouth that split much wider, filled with jagged teeth. Front hooves emerged climbing up onto the asphalt, pulling the rest of its thick, muscular body. Eyes that glowed with the same light in his helmet regarded the Dread Paladin for a moment.


    The demonic horse blew hot steam into the cool night air. It sounded like bellows blowing into a massive furnace.


    ¡°They are fleeing. Lend me your aid.¡±


    A deep neigh followed by a dip of the head to rub against an armored chest. The gesture was almost fond.


    He grabbed the reins and leapt onto the saddle in one smooth motion.


    Darkness roiled around the pair as the demonic horse suddenly jump up to the side of the building. Its hooves thundered up as if connected to the shadows.


    He purposefully let the fleeing group gain some distance as he shadowed them on a parallel street. He knew they could hear the thunder of his steed¡¯s hooves as they cracked the asphalt. Their growing terror was a palpable force that he could perceive with all his senses.


    He hounded them for what felt like hours. Never in sight, but always on the edges of their perceptions. Always the rhythmic pounding of hooves just behind them.


    Until, finally, it was time.


    He urged his steed to a burst of speed that far outstripped mortal horses and cut them off at a broad intersection.


    A thought and a pull on the reins had his steed rear on her hind legs with a harsh neigh that he knew knifed through them.


    Slowly, he guided his steed toward the group. One step at a time. Let them fully realize what was to come. The inevitability of their fate. Let the terror swell before it broke them.


    He fed and in turn so did another.


    Shield and lance formed in either hand.


    Eyes bore down on the four people.


    ¡°You guys, run!¡± the big warrior boomed. ¡°I¡¯ll keep him busy as long as I can.¡±


    ¡°No. We do this together,¡± the sole remaining woman, the leader, said. She raised a hand. ¡°Spell Orb: Magic Missile.¡±


    A bright, blue ball of magical energy coalesced and shot toward the Dread Paladin.


    He raised his shield to block the streaking bolts of blue magic that shot out of the orb as it spun through the air. It suddenly curved around him, all the while firing magic missiles that impacted his armor and burned small holes into the surface.


    Powerful enough to damage the cursed plate, but not enough to reach his body within.


    ¡°Charge,¡± he rasped to his steed.


    Over a hundred yards in less than two seconds.


    Barely enough time for the four to react.


    Three dived out of the way, while the big warrior held firm behind his shield.


    ¡°Bastion.¡±


    The impact was like the crack of thunder.


    His lance splintered even as it turned the warriors shield into a spray of wood shards.


    He felt his steed slow, but only for a second.


    The demonic horse¡¯s broad chest bowled the warrior over, hooves trampled him as they passed over.


    He wheeled his horse around.


    The big warrior was a crumpled mound of broken bones and blood. No longer a source of dread to feed on.


    He found the other two quickly.


    The other warrior, one with the heavy chopper stared at him with wide eyes from behind the rusted remnants of a car on the right side of the street, cradling a shattered arm.


    The mage woman, the leader, was on the left side of the street with a hand outstretched toward him.


    It was only then that the Dread Paladin realized that her orb was still circling him, firing those ineffectual magic missiles.


    The third¡ª was missing.


    Gone from his senses.


    How?


    He spun his steed in a circle, searching.


    ¡°Hamstring!¡±


    His steed screamed and stumbled.


    He leapt from the saddle and landed with a thud.


    ¡°Fuck you!¡± the third man, a rogue, spat. The dagger and short sword in either hand were coated in thick, black blood.


    ¡°You can have that one,¡± he rasped.


    The rogue narrowed his eyes. ¡°Vanish,¡± he sucked in a deep breath.


    ¡°It¡¯s faint, but I can see your terror. Your dread. And she¡¯s a lot better than me at that,¡± he rasped.


    His steed gave a triumphant neigh and galloped down the street.


    Mouth opened wide and chomped down on air.


    She threw her head back.


    A headless body suddenly appeared before toppling.


    ¡°Don¡¯t eat that. I need it.¡±


    ¡°What are you?¡± the mage woman said through grit teeth.


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Power Strike!¡±


    He pitched forward at the heavy blow to the back of his neck. He spun and blocked the man¡¯s second strike on his shield. A dagger formed in his right hand and he plunged it deep into the man¡¯s gut, lifting him up and turning so that the leader could watch the man¡¯s last moments of life, desperately flopping like a fish on a spear.


    ¡°Run!¡± the man managed to gasp through the blood bubbling out of his mouth.


    ¡°Too late.¡±


    ¡°Spell Orb: Flame Thrower.¡±


    The orb went from blue to swirling reds, oranges, and yellows.


    He suddenly found himself bathed in fire as the orb orbited around him like a satellite.


    Slowly, deliberately, he stalked toward the mage.


    Her face was pale in the fire light. Sweat-sheened and grim.


    Her terror actually faded.


    Acceptance.


    It seemed that he had gained the most from this encounter that he could. It happened occasionally. Some people accepted their deaths with a mixture of resignation and bravery. While others clung to life, dying with hope. It was this latter that he had found to be the more bountiful sources.


    The mage turned.


    He closed the distance and punched her in the back.


    She crashed through the large front windows of a store.


    The orb winked out.


    Dying flames lingered on the surface of his armor as he continued to stalk toward the mage.


    ¡°My legs¡ª¡± she pushed herself up and rolled over with herculean effort. Legs remained limp. ¡°Fireball.¡±


    He staggered back a few steps at the explosive impact.


    The pain was there, but distant. All he could truly feel was the lingering dread in the air.


    ¡°Why?¡± the mage¡¯s face was a bloody ruin. Glass shards had been embedded in her cheeks and one ruined eye.


    ¡°I do what I have to,¡± he rasped.


    ¡°How can killing my friends be something you have to do?¡±


    ¡°It could¡¯ve been anyone. Your mistake was turning to thievery.¡±


    ¡°How can we steal something that doesn¡¯t belong to anyone else? The spires don¡¯t count,¡± the mage barked a bitter and wet laugh. ¡°People will go hungry because of what you¡¯ve done tonight. They¡¯ll get sick and won¡¯t have medicine. They¡¯ll trade dignity for a few hours of warmth this winter.¡±


    ¡°We all do what we have to.¡±


    The same laughter. ¡°You¡¯re not a monster. You¡¯re worse. You sound like any piece of shit trying to justify evil, selfishness.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ made a Vow¡­¡±


    ¡°Whatever. I¡¯m already dead. Just get it over with,¡± she spat a bloody glob that struck his helmet¡¯s cheek.


    He held his right hand out as a black sword appeared. A long, double-edged blade and a simple cross guard. It would have appeared plain if not for the way shadows seemed to undulate in its presence.


    ¡°Are you going to take my soul?¡±


    The mage¡¯s fear spiked.


    He considered a lie to harvest more from her.


    ¡°No. Your soul, if it exists, remains yours.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t change you being an evil bastard. Remember, countless lives are going to suffer because of what you¡¯ve done here.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    He plunged the blade into her heart.


    ¡°They will be afraid in the days to come. They will know terror. They will know dread.¡±


    <hr>


    The next morning Cooper returned to claim the bounty and spread word of what he had done.


    The young woman behind the table at the adventurer¡¯s guild screamed as he opened the blood-stained bag of severed heads.


    Guilt and shame filled him briefly, but was replaced by the satisfying surge of fear and terror in the half dozen people in the room.


    ¡°Kath-¡± the wide-eyed young woman whispered. ¡°What did you do?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m collecting the bounty,¡± he placed the crumpled paper on the table next to the bag. ¡°The thieves.¡±


    ¡°Murderer! You killed the Hearts!¡± she screeched as she got out from behind the table and ran out the door.


    He regarded the others in the room.


    Weapons and open hands were leveled at him.


    ¡°I will defend myself,¡± he said mildly.


    One adventurer edged toward the table, blade pointed at Cooper. He upended the bag and cursed as five severed spilled out on the table, some fell to the floor.


    ¡°It is the Hearts! What the fuck, man!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t do it,¡± Cooper¡¯s hooded gaze fell across the people. ¡°I¡¯ve simply fulfilled the bounty.¡±


    ¡°The Hearts are one of the best. They wouldn¡¯t steal. They wouldn¡¯t need to,¡± a woman with a glowing ball in the palm of her hand said.


    Cooper remained silent.


    The tense standoff continued for several minutes before the young woman returned with a dozen of the mayor¡¯s fighters. ¡°He¡¯s the one! He¡¯s the murderer!¡± she screamed.


    Cooper held his hands up as the men and women surround him with drawn weapons.


    ¡°I have proof of their guilt,¡± he said.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    It was then that some of the people finally noticed that the shadows Cooper cast were wrong. They were too big.


    People scattered as packs filled with groceries began to rise out of Cooper¡¯s shadow, followed by five headless bodies.


    Screams filled the space.


    Cooper drank in the pure satisfaction of his Vow¡¯s continued fulfillment.


    ¡°The fuck is all this?¡± the lead fighter said.


    ¡°Proof.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I heard you,¡± the lead fighter swallowed, ¡°but I don¡¯t think you understand what you mean. I just see bodies and backpacks with groceries. For all I know, you could¡¯ve filled them up yourself. You¡¯ll have to come with us to get this all settled.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Look, man,¡± the lead fighter¡¯s spear wavered, ¡°just come along peacefully. I don¡¯t want to hurt you if you¡¯re telling the truth.¡±


    ¡°I can cast a lie detection spell,¡± the adventurer with the glowing ball in her hand said.


    ¡°Does it matter? He killed the Hearts. Are we letting him walk away from that?¡± the blade-wielding adventurer said.


    ¡°Do it,¡± the lead fighter said. He regarded Cooper with badly-disguised fear. ¡°You may have handled the Hearts, but we¡¯ve got you twenty to one. Don¡¯t try anything or you¡¯re dead.¡±


    The mage adventurer took out a clear water bottle and place it on the long table next to one of the heads in front of Cooper. ¡°You won¡¯t trust my word, so I¡¯ll have to cast it on this so everyone can see the effect. If you tell the truth then the water remains clear. A lie and it¡¯ll light up. The bigger the lie the brighter the light,¡± she explained.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Cooper shrugged. The fear he was getting from the entire room outweighed any other concerns he had. If they attacked then he would defend himself. More deaths would only add to the dread centered around him as word of his deeds continued to spread.


    The mage adventurer cast her spell with whispered words. ¡°Did you murder the Hearts?¡± she said immediately.


    ¡°No.¡±


    The water in the plastic bottle lit up with a faint white light, barely perceivable. It could¡¯ve easily been a reflection from the ceiling lights.


    ¡°What the fuck? You already admitted killing them,¡± the blade-wielding adventurer said.


    ¡°Yes. I did kill them.¡±


    The water remained clear, dull.


    ¡°Everyone, shut up,¡± the lead fighter said. He eyed Cooper warily. ¡°Describe what happened.¡±


    Cooper did. Quickly and simply.


    The water bottle didn¡¯t change.


    ¡°You were the knight in dark gray plate? You scattered one of our patrols.¡±


    ¡°Not a knight. A paladin. Dread Paladin, but yes. I didn¡¯t touch them. I was only after the bounty¡­ this time.¡±


    Multiple eyes darted to the water bottle only to see it remain as it should.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take my reward now.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll take some time to gather the cash. Meanwhile the mayor will want to have a word with you,¡± the lead fighter said.


    ¡°That won¡¯t be happening. The money, nothing more, nothing less. If you do otherwise then you can join them,¡± Cooper gestured to the heads.


    Tellingly, the water bottle stayed clear.


    ¡°Okay, but the money will take time to gather,¡± the lead fighter pointed at the water bottle, ¡°see¡­ no light. I¡¯m not lying about that.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ that¡¯s a problem I need to buy food and drink, maybe a place to stay.¡±


    ¡°Give him some vouchers. A hundred should be good enough for a few days,¡± the lead fighter glanced at the young woman.


    ¡°What? Aren¡¯t you going to arrest him? He killed the Hearts! He admitted it! You saw the truth water!¡± she snapped.


    ¡°That¡¯s what they get for stealing from us,¡± the lead fighter said. ¡°Now, do your fucking job!¡± he snapped back.


    ¡°Fuck you too then!¡± the young woman went to the table and pulled a few slips of paper out of box before throwing them into Cooper¡¯s face.


    She blanched when his hands blurred to catch them all.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± he said blandly.


    ¡°You¡¯re a monster,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    The water was clear.


    ¡°You won¡¯t get away with this. Everyone loved the Hearts. You¡¯ll pay!¡± she snarled.


    There was a personal connection there. Cooper could tell. A part of him understood the young woman¡¯s feelings. However, the Vow didn¡¯t need nor want empathy. It wanted one thing. So, he did what was required to feed it. ¡°They fought bravely, if ineffectively. You and others may come after me. I welcome it, but I promise that all will suffer the same fate as your Hearts. And oh, did they suffer.¡±


    The other adventurers and some of the mayor¡¯s fighters bristled at that.


    Cooper took their dread.


    He regarded the lead fighter. ¡°You¡¯ll know where to find me. I expect my payment within 24 hours. One minute over and I¡¯ll go to the mayor to collect,¡± he walked out the door.


    The sun shined down on Cooper. It was an unpleasant feeling. Still, he needed to eat.


    When he had first entered the settlement he had marked a handful of streets on the outer edges of the suburb, closest to the walls that surrounded the handful of large tracts of cookie-cutter homes. The homes on these streets had been converted to serve as restaurants and stores. All the kinds that one could¡¯ve found in the days before the spires.


    The adventurer¡¯s guild was close to one such street, so it was a short walk.


    People were walking the streets going about their business, which was apparently working jobs. It was strange to Cooper. It seemed pointless. The Hearts did have a point after all. What need was there to earn money for things that no one could claim responsibility for producing?


    Supplies taken freely from stores in the city only to be resold for pieces of paper in converted homes. It was a farce.


    No matter. Not his concern.


    Eyes watched him fearfully.


    It¡¯d take time for word of what he had done to spread amongst the populace, but he¡¯d prime them by making his presence known. His aura generated fear that even hardened fighters couldn¡¯t fully ignore.


    There was a lot of people in the suburb settlements under the mayor¡¯s control.


    A great amount of dread to be gained for his Vow.


    Cooper found a place to eat that looked sufficient.


    He¡¯d eat several meals then find a place to stay.


    <hr>


    ¡°I have a favor to ask of you.¡±


    Mayor Sammy Levy was an attractive woman even accounting for her age. The scars on her face didn¡¯t detract from her natural beauty. Leon struggled to keep his gaze from straying below her neck. He reminded himself that she was a shrewd and dangerous person that could and would take everything from him if it suited her purposes.


    He ran a hand through his graying hair while he mentally composed his response. He didn¡¯t want to appear weak, but at the same time he didn¡¯t want to offend. His company was the strongest martial force on a levels basis, but the mayor¡¯s fighters far outnumbered them. It was an even fight, but it¡¯d ruin the communities they¡¯d built out of the suburbs on the outer edges of San Antonio.


    The Golden Eagles needed a stable base to conduct their operations from.


    ¡°Sure, ask away,¡± he said mildly.


    ¡°There¡¯s a man causing problems. I¡¯d like him removed from my city.¡±


    ¡°Could you elaborate?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s cut the bullshit today. I know you¡¯ve got your people watching him. Same as me.¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± he cleared his throat, ¡°the self-named Dread Paladin.¡±


    ¡°And what¡¯ve you found out about him? I¡¯m honest enough to admit that your people are higher leveled than most of mine.¡±


    ¡°He killed the Hearts¡­ by himself,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°That was a waste,¡± the mayor spat.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but didn¡¯t you put that bounty on them?¡±


    The mayor snorted. ¡°My mistake was putting a dead or alive option. The Hearts were a valuable part of this community. Their future contributions would¡¯ve outweighed their thievery. I¡¯m sure I could¡¯ve given them something to get them to stop. As it is, we¡¯ve lost one of our best adventuring teams in what might be a difficult time.¡±


    Leon nodded. He had access to much of the same information that the mayor did thanks to an extensive network of informants as well as his own scouts. The potential of the Meat Parade coming back was bad enough. There was also the matter of the preaching missionaries that had come from somewhere up north.


    ¡°He hasn¡¯t broken any laws that¡¯d justify kicking him out,¡± he said.


    ¡°True. He merely hurts businesses and kills worker productivity wherever he goes. It could be tolerable for a time if he confined himself to one area, but he walks everywhere.¡±


    ¡°The solution seems simple on the surface.¡±


    The mayor was already shaking her head, luscious blonde hair waved almost hypnotically. ¡°Provoke violence,¡± she raised a brow.


    ¡°That is a suggestion. From what happened at the guild, he firmly stated that he¡¯d fight without hesitation if provoked. Maybe you can physically block him from leaving his hotel. You can use any sort of physical contact on his part as the excuse and kick him out.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not willing to risk my people just to expel him. I¡¯ll only accept lives lost for a permanent solution to this Dread Paladin problem. What have you found out about his class, presumably it is one?¡±


    ¡°Presumably, the same as you. Not much,¡± he didn¡¯t want to give away too much for free. ¡°Whether it¡¯s his class or not, the man appears to be creating a sense of fear around him. It¡¯s noticeable enough that we¡¯re pretty sure that it¡¯s some kind of aura or magic effect rather than him just being a scary bastard. Might have something to do with how weird shadows get around him.¡±


    The mayor nodded. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what we thought.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mayor Levy, but if you aren¡¯t willing to fight, then I can¡¯t in good conscience ask my people to do so. Even though I had a good relationship with the Hearts¡ª we were planning to invite them on our expedition to Vegas¡ª I won¡¯t risk a fight with this man. The rewards don¡¯t outweigh the risks.¡±


    ¡°Might be a solution in there¡­¡± the mayor mused.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡ª¡± Leon didn¡¯t catch on right away. When he did he uttered a silent curse in his head.


    ¡°He wanted a high paying bounty. A challenging one. Maybe, he¡¯s one of those morons. The level crazy ones. Get strong, bla, bla, bla,¡± the mayor waved a hand dismissively.


    ¡°Er¡­ yeah¡­ our strongest people have those tendencies,¡± he replied flatly.


    ¡°Yes. There are like-minded individuals in your company.¡±


    Leon didn¡¯t like where this was going.


    ¡°My favor. A solution to my problem that will also prove beneficial to the success of your expedition. His power would be useful to you, would it not?¡±


    ¡°In a vacuum. However, all that power is useless if he won¡¯t follow orders, which all indications¡ª¡±


    ¡°Just point him at the worst monster. I imagine that¡¯ll be good enough,¡± the mayor waved a hand.


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve had a good relationship. My city has been good for your company,¡± the mayor leaned forward on her desk.


    Leon stared at her forehead and tried not to scowl.


    ¡°I would hope that we can continue to be beneficial to each other,¡± she continued.


    ¡°Sure,¡± he replied after several seconds of silence. ¡°But, how are you going to get him to come with us? He doesn¡¯t seem like a guy that¡¯ll be forced into doing something he doesn¡¯t want to.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll need a few of your strongest. I¡¯ll provide several hundred of my people. I suspect even he would have to consider the risks versus the rewards of fighting in that case. Especially, when a more lucrative bounty is offered for joining your expedition,¡± the mayor said.


    ¡°He already got a 100K for killing the Hearts. Do you really think he¡¯ll be swayed by more money?¡± he really didn¡¯t want to go down this path.


    ¡°I have more than enough money to throw at him,¡± the mayor shrugged. ¡°Although, my read is that he¡¯s more interested in building a rep and getting stronger.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re worried he might be after your spot.¡±


    The mayor¡¯s expression betrayed nothing. ¡°I have over 2000 dedicated fighters. I can triple that number by calling on the reserves with at least a few levels in combat classes. There are a total of nearly fifty thousand people in my communities. One man can¡¯t possibly kill them all.¡±


    Leon raised a hand. ¡°The Golden Eagles will be at the forefront of that fight. As our agreement certifies.¡±


    ¡°Of course. I wouldn¡¯t suggest otherwise. So, are you willing to help?¡±


    ¡°The Hearts were well-liked. To be honest we¡¯ve already been game planning a way to avenge them. You¡¯re lucky that I¡¯m more pragmatic than most of my lieutenants and fighters. I¡¯ve no problem getting use out of this Dread Paladin, before ripping that debt out of his corpse.¡±


    ¡°Glad to hear that you¡¯re on board!¡± the mayor¡¯s smile was warm, until Leon noticed that it didn¡¯t reach her eyes, which remained hard as flint. ¡°When are your people available?¡±


    ¡°The expedition leaves in five days. Elliot Espinoza will be leading 1st Company. I¡¯ll tell him to expect word from your people for the details. Basically, you can contact him at any time.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, sincerely,¡± the mayor said. ¡°You and the Golden Eagles continue to do great service to the people of San Antonio.¡±


    <hr>


    Now, Southern California Desert


    Cal brought the flying RV down in the middle of the road just outside the military base.


    Fort Irwin according to the road sign.


    ¡°I detect no life¡­ check that¡­ no human life,¡± he said.


    ¡°There should be some remnants, like in that marine base near Palm Springs and the airbase thing way past Lancaster,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Twentynine Palms and Edwards, but you¡¯re right. I¡¯m going to have to investigate this, so that I can let Rayna know¡­¡± he grew silent for several seconds. ¡°Aannnddd¡­ done.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Monsters, probably from the north judging by the trail of blood stains, signs of fighting and remains.¡±


    ¡°Death Valley is to the north. It¡¯s probably the Death Valley Encounter Challenge now,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Or spawn zone,¡± Cal sighed as the RV lifted off the road.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we check the fort out?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not picking up much in the way of the monster or monsters responsible. Maybe they managed to fight most of them off and the survivors left. Let¡¯s get confirmation on Death Valley¡¯s situation. Then I can send Rayna a spires message.¡±


    ¡°Too bad we don¡¯t have any functional cell towers out this way.¡±


    ¡°Neither, Eron nor I have the time or inclination to fly technicians out this far. He only really worked to set up the ones connecting NorCal and SoCal so that our parents could occasionally talk to the grandkids. Maybe if someone with teleportation powers or magic exists out there they could do it.¡±


    A short flight to the entrance of Death Valley and they found out that it was indeed a spawn zone.


    They couldn¡¯t take care of it at the moment.


    Cal didn¡¯t want to leave Nila and the baby, not to mention the fact that trying to clear it solo might¡¯ve been dangerous even for him. It was an enormous national park. That meant that the boss monsters were probably really strong.


    Instead, Cal went to the nearest spire and sent messages to Rayna and Eron.


    It was just another thing to add to their lengthy lists of problems.


    They resumed their trip to Las Vegas.


    The RV flew through the air inside a telekinetic box.


    Flying monsters got within range a few times, but Cal managed to convince their minds to go elsewhere.


    Truth was that he was enjoying not fighting.


    Playing guess what that cloud looks like with Nila and the baby was more fun.


    The fun ended as soon as the mountains east of the city rose in the distance.


    Something tugged on the edges of his mental perceptions.


    ¡°Those are mountains. Shouldn¡¯t we be going higher, not lower,¡± Nila frowned.


    ¡°Uh¡­ right,¡± he blinked. He split his focus yet again. While he kept the RV aloft and the monsters away, he sent another portion of his mind to follow the thread that had drawn his attention.


    It led directly down into the small mountain range.


    In his mind¡¯s eye he found himself standing in front of a large hole in the side of the main mountain.


    ¡°There¡¯s something we need to check out.¡±


    So said, Cal brought the RV down, landing it on a flat section of dry dirt and rocks.


    The trail to the hole was steep and twisting.


    Not a problem when you could fly.


    He brought Nila and the baby along for safety reasons.


    ¡°That¡¯s a weird-looking cave,¡± he said.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t count it as a cave. It¡¯s a hole and it¡¯s a perfect circle,¡± Nila said.


    The yawning hole was black.


    Cal couldn¡¯t see anything beyond the entrance. Couldn¡¯t probe inside with his thoughts, which was disconcerting.


    ¡°Well¡­ what¡¯s inside?¡± Nila said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound good. I¡¯m assuming it¡¯s an encounter challenge and you¡¯ve been able to see inside those before.¡±


    ¡°This must be different,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°We¡¯re not going in there. Not with a baby,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°I can, but if I can¡¯t use my telepathy to see inside then I have to assume I won¡¯t be able to use it out here while I¡¯m in there.¡±


    ¡°Which means you can¡¯t keep the monsters away,¡± Nila shook her head. ¡°I can¡¯t protect the baby by myself.¡±


    ¡°I guess this thing gets bumped up the list to number 2.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not too far from Vegas. You can come back after we claim a safe place for the baby,¡± Nila said.


    Cal glanced at her.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to sit around while you explore this creepy dungeon. I can do what we¡¯re going to Vegas for. Shop,¡± she grinned.


    ¡°CPS wouldn¡¯t like you going around getting jewelry and precious metals while a baby waits in a motel room by himself.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll only leave him when he¡¯s sleeping and for no longer than 15 minutes at a time,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Terrible,¡± Cal shook his head.

 6.5

    Then, Texas


    The front porch of the home turned hotel was surrounded by hundreds of the mayor¡¯s fighters.


    Elliot stood at the foot of the steps leading up flanked by several of his strongest people. He trusted the Furies to keep him safe. Yet, he felt genuinely afraid as he stared up at the young man with the strange shadow, which even now was moving around despite the fact that its owner was standing still.


    He spared a silent curse at Leon for agreeing to do the mayor¡¯s work for her. Then he gave another to himself for following the order.


    ¡°This fucker killed Kath,¡± Hayden whispered venomously behind him.


    He recalled that the leader of the Furies had some kind of personal relationship with the leader of the Hearts. He leaned back and turned his head to whisper back. ¡°Remember what Leon said. Do anything and your contract will be canceled.¡±


    ¡°Worth it,¡± Jayde said as she punched her fists together.


    The third member, Dayana, tapped Hayden¡¯s steel pauldron. ¡°Say the word,¡± she added.


    ¡°Do anything and you¡¯re all out. That means your families lose your benefits,¡± Elliot growled. ¡°Leon has a plan. Trust him. He¡¯d screw himself over before he¡¯d do us.¡±


    ¡°Fine¡­ for now,¡± Hayden hissed.


    Elliot turned his attention back to the mayor¡¯s man negotiating with the Dread Paladin. He snorted at the thought of the name. He¡¯d laugh at the edge lord, except for the fact that the fucker had gone to the guild with the Hearts¡¯ heads in a bag.


    ¡°What will you do if I refuse?¡± the Dread Paladin said.


    The young man¡¯s voice sent a shiver down Elliot¡¯s back. He felt the Furies bristle.


    ¡°Steady,¡± he warned them and his other fighters. Too many hands had been drifting to weapons or getting ready to cast spells. ¡°He¡¯s just a man with a class, like all of us.¡±


    The mayor¡¯s man looked like he was about to piss himself, but managed to point back to the hundreds of armed men and women. ¡°You will be escorted out beyond our walls and be banned from entering all our settlements.¡±


    The young man regarded the mass of people. He seemed to grow taller, his shadow darkening the space around them despite the bright sun light. His eyes darted up to the yellow orb for a split-second.


    Too quick.


    Elliot decided that he had been mistaken. Those piercing eyes had never left them. Nope, they just continued to bore holes into his very soul.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to pay me ten times that bounty to fight with these eagles?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, you¡¯ll fight under, Mr. Espinoza,¡± the mayor¡¯s man pointed down to Elliot.


    He had to tighten his stomach and clench, but managed to speak out in a loud and firm voice. ¡°You like to fight? Then you¡¯ll get all you can want. We¡¯re going into uncharted territory. No one knows what kind of monsters, cannibals or other assholes we¡¯ll find out west. Follow my orders and I¡¯ll guarantee you opportunities to gain levels. You¡¯ll also get a share of whatever treasure we find or the cash equivalent if that¡¯s what you want. That¡¯s on top of the mil you¡¯re getting from the mayor.¡± Which was bullshit, but he kept that part quiet.


    The young man¡¯s eyes bored holes through Elliot before lancing to each of the Furies in turn, ending on Hayden. His head tilted slightly to one side. ¡°If I refuse, we will fight. Many of you will die.¡±


    A statement of fact.


    There was no fear or even nervousness in the young man as far as Elliot could tell and he was pretty good with reading people. He couldn¡¯t get anything from the young man. Almost as if what was said was merely a foregone conclusion.


    ¡°This is only a small fraction of the Golden Eagles,¡± the mayor¡¯s man said. ¡°They have 500 strong fighters. The mayor has thousands. You can¡¯t seriously think of going up against those odds?¡±


    Elliot held an arm out to bar Hayden from moving forward. ¡°Don¡¯t be stupid, young lady. This isn¡¯t the time and place.¡±


    ¡°It isn¡¯t,¡± the young man agreed to Elliot¡¯s surprise.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m in. Do you guys have, like, a bank or something? I¡¯d like to leave most of that cash here for when I come back,¡± the young man said.


    Elliot blinked.


    The menace, the dread had instantly almost vanished.


    The Dread Paladin didn¡¯t look like the worst monster he had ever seen anymore. He seemed like a normal, if sullen-looking young man.


    Elliot was still nervous and a little afraid, but could unclench without worrying about leakage.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of those details,¡± the mayor¡¯s man said.


    ¡°Tell him where to be tomorrow morning. We leave at first light,¡± Elliot barked with forced bravado. ¡°We¡¯re done here,¡± he stalked off followed by the rest of his people. The mayor¡¯s fighters parted for him like he was a regular Moses.


    What had Leon dropped into his lap?


    The expedition was going to be hard enough.


    The distance they were going to cover was unprecedented.


    None of their previous trips had been more than a few hundred miles away from their base here on the outskirts of the city.


    Vegas was over a thousand miles away.


    ¡°Maybe I can put him in front of a stampeding herd of mutated longhorns,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Or we can jump him once we¡¯re on the road,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°None of that. You aren¡¯t going to besmirch our company name. Now, if he goes rogue,¡± he shrugged, ¡°well, you¡¯ll probably have to get in line. You aren¡¯t the only one that thought highly of the Hearts. Plenty of people wouldn¡¯t mind the chance to get them payback.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°I am soooo tired of life¡­ it¡¯d be nice to just not wake up for once,¡± Ledge said.


    Hayden regarded the man. He wouldn¡¯t have looked bad if it wasn¡¯t for the dark bags underneath his eyes and the perpetual sad face. She bet he would¡¯ve looked years younger than his 30-whatever year¡¯s of age.


    ¡°I thought Elliot talked to you about crying like a little bitch all the time,¡± she said. ¡°At least I¡¯m pretty sure he said to do it in private and not in front of the noobs.¡±


    Ledge¡¯s blue eyes narrowed. ¡°How¡¯d you know about that?¡±


    ¡°Dunno¡­ meeting or a memo,¡± she shrugged.


    The thin, fit man sat up from his cot. ¡°What does the MVS want with me at such an early time?¡±


    Hayden jabbed a thumb to the teenage girl slouching behind her. ¡°She needs to be attached to a squad when me and the Furies are doing the hard jobs. Stand up straight!¡± she snapped.


    The girl straightened to her full height, which allowed her to see over Hayden¡¯s head. ¡°Hello,¡± she waved hesitantly.


    ¡°More like a swan than an ugly duckling,¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t start being a creep now. I¡¯m only leaving her with you guys cause I know you aren¡¯t a dick and it¡¯s only when all of the Furies aren¡¯t around to keep an eye on her.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to know that.¡±


    ¡°Kinda do if you want me to keep the other LT¡¯s and Elliot from realizing you¡¯ve brought a stowaway with you,¡± Ledge sighed.


    Hayden bristled and the air around her crackled. The tall girl yelped as she hopped back with her long blond hair rising for a moment.


    ¡°Relax, Sparky,¡± Ledge waved a dismissive hand, ¡°I don¡¯t care why. I just think it¡¯d be impolite if I called her ¡®girl¡¯ or ¡®hey you¡¯,¡± he regarded the girl, ¡°pleased to meet you. My name¡¯s Ledge, short for Legend, cause my dad, rest his soul, was the epitome of the Type-A shark tank lawyer and he had expectations, oh so many expectations.¡±


    ¡°Go ahead,¡± Hayden told the girl.


    ¡°Prim,¡± she said.


    Ledge regarded her for a second. ¡°You know, that actually fits. Good to meet you Prim. I¡¯ll be honored to occasionally babysit you.¡±


    ¡°I can help. I can do jobs. I can train, spar,¡± Prim said.


    ¡°Cool cool¡­ why the need for hiding anyways?¡± Ledge said. ¡°MVS can get away with anything.¡±


    ¡°Most Valuable¡­ Sparky?¡± Prim turned to Hayden.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ever say that again,¡± she replied with a set of eye daggers for Ledge as the air around her crackled once again.


    ¡°Sparkplug, Most Valuable Sparkplug on account of what she does,¡± Ledge grinned.


    ¡°Sparkplug?¡± Prim said.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡ª¡± Ledge sighed. ¡°You¡¯d a been a practical baby when the spires showed up. Not gonna pry, but you probably don¡¯t have a lot of knowledge about the B.S. days.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t ask him about that,¡± she warned Prim. ¡°Spark plugs play a part in getting the engines in our vehicles started.¡±


    ¡°Oh, like your electricity,¡± Prim nodded.


    ¡°Except they¡¯re a lot weaker.¡±


    ¡°I take it you¡¯re not going to explain any of this weird shit?¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°Nope. All you need to know is that Prim¡¯s my squire,¡± she said with a straight face.


    Prim nodded fervently.


    ¡°You might sorta look like a knight with your armor, Hayden, but you ain¡¯t no Knight. Nobody¡¯s gonna buy that,¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°As long as you keep your mouth shut, no one will ask. Once we get far enough on the Quest then it¡¯ll be too late and Elliot can¡¯t send Prim back.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Ledge mused. ¡°True enough. He won¡¯t like taking a kid on such a dangerous expedition¡ª which begs the question, why you¡¯re doing it? Thought you¡¯re smarter than that.¡±


    ¡°Like I said, you don¡¯t need to know.¡±


    Ledge rolled his neck. ¡°He won¡¯t waste the manpower taking you back, Swanchild.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s got a name,¡± Hayden growled.


    ¡°Now she¡¯s got a proper company name, Sparky,¡± Ledge grinned. ¡°This should be entertaining. I bet it¡¯ll drive Elliot nuts when he realizes that there isn¡¯t a ¡®Swanchild¡¯ logged in the rolls. Guarantee he¡¯ll spend a day second guessing whether he just forgot. Might give me a reason to live for a bit.¡±


    ¡°Ignore his melodrama. It¡¯ll get old and annoying soon enough.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Hayden,¡± Prim nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯m counting on your aversion for dangerous things, Ledge,¡± she said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t foresee that changing, though I can¡¯t promise you anything,¡± Ledge replied.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Hayden snorted before leading Prim out of Ledge¡¯s tent.


    The fortified camp was a bustle of activity as the support crew was busy getting lunch ready.


    The Golden Eagle¡¯s 1st Company was a day out of San Antonio. The monsters roaming the area were a known quantity so they were fairly relaxed aside from those on guard duty.


    ¡°He was just waking up,¡± Prim said.


    ¡°He¡¯s the worst and best lieutenant depending on perspective,¡± Hayden said as she led her charge back to the Furies¡¯ tent. ¡°You¡¯ll be safest with him when we aren¡¯t around.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª thank you for doing this,¡± Prim said.


    ¡°None of that. You don¡¯t owe me or anyone anything. I spent a few years at Saint Antonio¡¯s. Ms. Daniels and Kath were friends. Got me my start with the adventuring stuff. From what I understand you¡¯d have been fine if Kath hadn¡¯t been murdered.¡±


    ¡°I hope Ms. Daniels will be okay. They¡¯ll be upset that I vanished,¡± Prim said.


    ¡°Fuck those rich old pervs. Fuck them up their asses. Ms. Daniels would have more than enough to feed all the girls if the mayor and her fuckers weren¡¯t such greedy fucks.¡± The air around Hayden crackled. ¡°Shit! Sorry. I usually have this under control. First, Kath, then what they were planning with you. Part of me wants to go back there and fry them all.¡± Her eyes narrowed. ¡°Pretty, sure I could do it too,¡± she growled.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been learning. Even though they told Ms. Daniels not to let me learn too much. She let me when they weren¡¯t watching. I know I can be useful to you. I won¡¯t be a burden,¡± Prim said.


    ¡°Already told you not to worry about that,¡± Hayden sighed. ¡°So, what¡¯ve you been studying. I remember I only cared about the fighting.¡±


    ¡°I practice that. Philosophy, science, math, cooking and magic. Everything I could,¡± Prim said.


    ¡°Impressive, but are you good at them all? Some? Or are you equally bad at them?¡± Hayden laughed.


    ¡°Jack of all trades, master of none,¡± Prim recited. ¡°I have the Mage class,¡± she whispered.


    Hayden¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What level?¡±


    ¡°Level 15.¡±


    ¡°What about your junk classes?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have any. I didn¡¯t pick any others up.¡±


    Hayden whistled. ¡°Now that is smart. Kath would always warn me about wasting levels on Cook or Cleaner,¡± her face twisted, ¡°or Escort. I was lucky that I turned out to have a power and not a class.¡±


    ¡°Ms. Daniels told me what they had planned for me, so I knew what to watch out for and avoid.¡± Prim¡¯s eyes focused on the dirt-covered ground.


    ¡°None of that. You don¡¯t want to be like Ledge, mopey bastard,¡± Hayden said. ¡°You can cook, right?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m decent even without the class,¡± Prim nodded.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Hayden ushered Prim into the Furies¡¯ palatial tent, ¡°let¡¯s wake up the others and see what they want for lunch. We¡¯ve got time so I¡¯d rather give your cooking skills a shot then eat that slop the camp¡¯s Cooks put out. Don¡¯t get me wrong, it ain¡¯t bad when you¡¯re out on the road and far from home. Thing is¡­ we ain¡¯t that far from base yet and I want to put eating that junk off for at least another few days.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have any food here besides MRE¡¯s,¡± Prim said.


    ¡°We¡¯ll go to the Quartermaster. I can get enough for the four of us. Privilege of being the MVS,¡± she grinned.


    Hayden roused the other two members of her team with shouting and kicking when the former didn¡¯t prove sufficient.


    Following that, she dragged Prim back out into the camp.


    They returned with enough raw ingredients for a promising meal when a horn call sounded the alarm.


    <hr>


    ¡°Gear! I¡¯ll see what¡¯s up,¡± Hayden barked.


    An unnecessary order seeing as how Jayde and Dayana were already putting on armor and grabbing weapons.


    ¡°What do I do!¡± wide-eyed Prim said.


    ¡°Stay here with them. They¡¯ll protect you if the camp is breached.¡± Hayden grabbed her chains and a long spear, whose wooden shaft was wrapped with an insulating tape and thin copper wire.


    Camp was a bit of a misnomer.


    Mobile fort might have been a more apt description.


    The core of the expedition was the roughly 100 dedicated combat personnel while another 100 or so made up the support staff. However, the latter were all combat capable to some extent as per Golden Eagles policy that required everyone to have a few levels in classes that had uses in a fight.


    The interior was a frenzy of activity, not panicked, but orderly. Almost like an ant hill responding to an attack.


    Hayden rushed toward the sound of the horn at the western side. Past the tents. Past the parked vehicles. All the way to the spiked wooden barricades the marked the outer edge.


    The fighters on guard duty at that spot had already been joined by two of the squads stationed closer to the interior. She knew that the scene was being copied at the other three sides of the camp. Although Elliot¡¯s presence here told her that they expected the main threat from this direction.


    The huge cloud of dust in the distance confirmed her thoughts.


    ¡°I¡¯m confirming it,¡± Elliot lowered the high-powered binoculars from his eyes. ¡°Scouts got it perfectly. We¡¯ve got mutated longhorns incoming. Standard family unit. The bull, two cows and two calves. Good job, guys.¡±


    Hayden suddenly shivered.


    Something¡ª


    She bristled and brought the lightning running inside her body to the cusp of eruption.


    The others gathered near her stiffened and half-raised weapons as heads turned in search, away from the visible threat in the distance and toward the interior of the camp.


    The Dread Paladin stalked toward them.


    Hayden wanted to scoff at the young man¡¯s self-proclaimed title, but found her mouth going dry.


    The way the pitch black shadows moved around him in the bright sun made it hard to keep her eyes on him.


    The pale-skinned young man followed one of the Golden Eagles right up to Elliot, who visibly steeled himself.


    ¡°A threat for you to eliminate,¡± Elliot pointed at the large dust cloud across the dry, dusty plains.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    Hayden was struck by how young the Dread Paladin¡¯s voice sounded. It broke through the fear in her heart for a split-second. So fleeting that she forget it had happened just as quickly.


    ¡°Mutant longhorns,¡± Elliot replied.


    The Dread Paladin stared at him silently.


    ¡°Captain! Estimate that they¡¯re a mile and half out.¡± the spotters eyes were glued to high-powered binoculars.


    ¡°¡­ you know what those are, right?¡± Elliot continued


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°You look 20. You were a kid before the spires appeared. Didn¡¯t you watch college ball? Everyone that grew up in this state should know.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t and I don¡¯t remember. Some kind of deer or goat?¡±


    ¡°Cattle.¡±


    ¡°Mutant cows with long horns.¡±


    Elliot blinked in confusion for a moment. ¡°Except, now that they¡¯re mutated the horns aren¡¯t so nice to look at. They could have multiple horns or multiple points going off in random directions.¡±


    The Dread Paladin nodded once and began to walk toward the dust cloud.


    ¡°One mile!¡± the spotter barked.


    ¡°What are you doing? I need you to fight them away from camp,¡± Elliot gestured to the motorcycle with the sidecar that one of the Golden Eagles just pulled up in.


    ¡°Unnecessary. They won¡¯t reach you.¡±


    ¡°Despite being twice the size of the normal animal, they¡¯re faster. You might be able to kill one, but the rest will stampede right into our camp,¡± Elliot tried, but the young man was no longer listening.


    Hayden ripped a pair of binoculars from a nearby man. Ignoring the angry protest she rushed up to one of the spiked barricades.


    She saw the mutant longhorns rumbling at the head of the dust cloud.


    ¡°Shooters get ready, but don¡¯t fire unless I say. The last thing we need is to draw more attention,¡± Elliot said.


    At fifty yards out the Dread Paladin summoned armor and weapons from the shadows around him. Thick, dark gray plate and chain. A heater shield and a spear both in black with shadows that seemed to writhe around them.


    Hayden recoiled from the binoculars.


    That was what Kath and the Hearts had seen before they were murdered.


    Part of her wanted to get on the motorcycle and spear the bastard in the back. Even if she couldn¡¯t get through that thick armor thousands of volts would be sent into him. Then she realized that the dark gray armor wasn¡¯t just ordinary metal. Whether it was magical, from a Skill or a mixture of the two probably meant enhanced defenses.


    The best thing for her to do was to watch closely and learn more about Kath¡¯s murderer.


    The mutated bull longhorn had closed to within 500 yards of the Dread Paladin. Despite being much larger than the rest the massive creature was faster. It was a particularly ugly specimen. It looked to have two deformed faces with a third twisted horn coming out of the middle of its head, through the cheek of one face. Much worse than the others Hayden had seen over the years.


    The Dread Paladin moved so fast that it took a few seconds for Hayden to register that he had hurled his spear.


    She couldn''t follow it.


    A loud boom washed over her, sending a cloud of dust that obscured her vision.


    When it cleared the mutated bull was much closer.


    ¡°He missed¡­¡±


    No.


    She scanned through the other mutated longhorns trailing after the bull.


    There had been two cows and two calves according to Elliot and the scouts.


    One of the calves was missing and one cow had skidded to a stop and looked back with a deep moo of what sounded like dismay to Hayden.


    Another spear appeared in the Dread Paladin¡¯s hand.


    A second loud boom.


    When the dust cleared, the remaining cow had joined the first in turning around. Only the bull remained charging.


    They were terrible monsters, but killing the babies was cold.


    The Dread Paladin held his right hand out to the side.


    A long length of dark chain coalesced, snaking down to the ground in coils.


    The mutant bull was within fifty yards.


    He whirled the chain over his head.


    As it spun to blinding speed a great spiked ball appeared at the end. It was much larger than a human head.


    The bull was within twenty yards.


    The Dread Paladin lashed out with the impossibly large head and long chain of his flail. He struck the mutant bull on the side and sent it crashing to the ground, carving a deep furrow into the dirt and throwing up a great cloud of dust.


    Before the mutant bull could rise, the Dread Paladin whipped the flail head up and slammed it into the creature¡¯s head with an audible crack.


    It reminded Hayden of one of the power hammers they used in the foundry.


    The pit in her stomach grew larger.


    The amount of physical strength to wield such a large and heavy weapon like it was weightless was staggering. Let alone completely overpowering a musclebound creature that weighed as much as a truck.


    Two hits!


    She thought of the Hearts. Of the fear inside of her at the thought of her own team suffering the same fate. She swore to avenge Kath and the others. Was that even possible? Or were her friends going to end up like them? Dead, heads in a bag.


    While Hayden was consumed by those thoughts the Dread Paladin broke off into a sprint.


    He gave the impression of a heavily armored juggernaut.


    The immovable object.


    It was a shock to everyone watching when he dashed across the desert plain like a world champion sprinter.


    The giant flail had disappeared. Replaced by a longsword, just as black as the other weapons and the shield.


    Two mutant cows remained.


    One saw him charging.


    She lowered her horns and thundered toward him.


    He met her in a collision that made a car crash seem peaceful.


    The impact echoed across the landscape and sent a shock wave that cleared the air dozens of yards around the pair.


    He lifted his shield and tossed the thousand pound mutant over his head like a sack of potatoes.


    It hit the ground and remained still.


    Neck already broken.


    He spun.


    The sword slashed in a blur that barely any of them could follow.


    The second mutant cow¡¯s body ran for a few more strides before collapsing.


    Its severed head had been left behind. One of the twisted horns got stuck in the dirt A gruesome tribute flag to the Dread Paladin¡¯s strength and skill.


    Hayden couldn¡¯t discount the latter.


    The young man had overwhelming strength and speed, but he had also moved with precision. He wasted nothing.


    ¡°It¡¯s too bad we can¡¯t eat that meat. That much beef could¡¯ve fed the whole expedition. Less expenses means a bigger cut for all of us,¡± Elliott laughed.


    It sounded terribly forced to Hayden.


    Judging by the nervous chuckles from a few of the others they caught it too.


    The rest were too stunned at what they had seen to do anything other than close their mouths.


    She caught Elliot eyeing her, so she walked over.


    ¡°I tried,¡± Elliot said in a low voice.


    ¡°Try harder.¡±


    ¡°Mutant longhorns are just about the strongest things out here.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯ll be worse on the road¡­ probably. If not, then we¡¯ll have to do it ourselves.¡±


    ¡°Are you stupid? I thought you weren¡¯t stupid,¡± Elliot hissed. ¡°You did see that, right?¡±


    Hayden said nothing.


    ¡°Whether it¡¯s the magic armor or not, he¡¯s the strongest person I¡¯ve ever seen¡­ by a wide margin. He¡¯s fast and he knows how to fight. I¡¯m not surprised he got the H¡ª¡± Elliot scowled. ¡°No offense, but you¡¯ll just end up dead if you try it.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll just have to get him before he summons the armor.¡± Hayden clung to that hope.


    ¡°Just¡­ no. If you start a fight in the middle of our camp you¡¯ll endanger everyone else. I promise I¡¯ll put him in front of every horrible mutant, monster or thing we come across out there. Meanwhile, do what you did today. Watch and learn. Find weaknesses, vulnerabilities, whatever. If he¡¯s still alive once we¡¯re done with the expedition, then you can do what you want. No sooner,¡± Elliot warned.


    ¡°What happens if he keeps winning? Everyone is already pissing themselves. Can you imagine what that¡¯ll be like at the end of this?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like it. He¡­ bothers me, but the expedition¡¯s success is the priority. I¡¯ll deal with the creepiness if it helps all us come out of this with more levels and the wealth that allows the Golden Eagles to keep our autonomy from the mayor. I hope you understand that,¡± Elliot said.


    Hayden gave him a curt nod and stalked back to her tent. She told herself that it was because she didn¡¯t want to risk losing control and attacking the Dread Paladin when he returned. She tried to ignore the voice that warned her to get as far away as possible.

 6.6

    Now, Las Vegas


    The desert had partially reclaimed the human-abandoned city. Dirt and sand covered many of the structures in a fine layer. There were the occasional sand dunes piled up against the sides of buildings and signs depending on if their flat surfaces faced the wind. The fact that the resort casino¡¯s lights and fountains still functioned as they did over a decade ago lent an eerie feel to the entirety of the image presented.


    Watching the light and fountain show outside the Bellagio while monsters and mutated animals roamed through dirt and sand-covered streets was weird.


    Cal had the baby in one of those wearable harness things.


    He did look ridiculous as Nila had pointed out a couple of times, but he didn¡¯t care. The only around to see were monsters and mutated animals.


    ¡°What are we facing in there?¡± Nila said.


    Cal finished his telepathic scan.


    ¡°Well¡­ unlike the other resorts, which had mutant white lions and tigers, mutant flamingos, landsharks and other mutated animals this one has monsters. Specifically, humanoid ones that appear to have biological weaponry and armor based on historical gladiators.¡±


    Nila eyed the huge fountain, pond combination. The pseudo Roman architecture of several buildings, including the much smaller copy of the Colosseum, that made up the hotel and casino. ¡°I sometimes think that the spires are actually a bunch of kids making fun of us.¡±


    ¡°Very GM-like,¡± he agreed.


    ¡°It¡¯s a spawn zone like the rest. How come none of those gladiator monsters are out here?¡± Nila regarded the bloody corpses of dozens of mutant animals piled up on the street and the sidewalk.


    Cal had cleared them a wide circle and was keeping a telekinetic bubble around himself and the baby to protect them from the stench. Nila had the Threnosh-made helmet to filter the air.


    ¡°They might be shut-ins. Or the buffet is just that good. Which we already know,¡± he said.


    ¡°I feel that we are being very irresponsible in regards to the little guy,¡± Nila smiled at the baby, who smiled back.


    ¡°You know what¡­ you¡¯re right. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m thinking. It¡¯s like, I¡¯m a hundred percent sure he¡¯s safest with me even when going into a spawn zone. I mean,¡± he gestured at the dozens of dead things in the street.


    Nila hefted her blood-covered baseball bat-like Threnosh club. ¡°You floated in the air, while I smashed heads.¡±


    ¡°Hey, I helped keep them from touching your armor.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for that, Love, but I¡¯m pretty sure it would¡¯ve kept me mostly fine. Probably, just ended up with a few bumps and bruises,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°We should go with the original plan, Love¡­ if you don¡¯t mind being stuck with the baby?¡±


    ¡°I guess I don¡¯t. I¡¯d be a horrible person if I did,¡± Nila sighed.


    ¡°To the motel!¡± he pointed in a random direction. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. After you guys are settled in and safe, I¡¯ll make this a priority,¡± he gestured at Caesar¡¯s Palace, ¡°we can stay in the most expensive suite and eat at the Bacchanal all the time.¡±


    ¡°You know that we still have to cook the food, right?¡± Nila said.


    ¡°They probably have instructions,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Just imagine it¡­ all that food, but with our current superhuman appetites.¡±


    ¡°I have been,¡± Nila laughed.


    Cal gathered the RV and flew them all to a small motel on the outskirts of the Strip.


    A quick fight to claim it from the gremlins and he flew back to the resort casino with the knowledge that Nila and baby had a safe place. He hadn¡¯t detected anyone or anything in the area that was powerful enough to challenge his and Nila¡¯s combined claim to the motel.


    As soon as he crossed the invisible boundary between the sidewalk and resort property he was greeted by a voice in his ears and text in his vision.


    Welcome to the Caesar¡¯s Palace Spawn Zone!


    Do you¡ª


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, yeah,¡± he waved it away. He knew how it worked. Either he needed to kill enough regular monsters to get the boss to come out. That would give him the option to turn it back into an encounter challenge. He could also opt to fight the true boss, which would give him the option to claim the whole thing. ¡°Let¡¯s get on with it¡­ too bad Nila couldn¡¯t get in on the points and bonus rewards.¡± Which probably would¡¯ve been more points or perhaps some kind of item. The two of them didn¡¯t have classes, so no Skills or spells.


    His own experiences showed that power increase and improvement came from exertion, greater knowledge and moments of breaking through one¡¯s limits during a desperate moment. His cousin, Madalena had a similar experience. As had his brothers.


    He could never deliberately put Nila into something like that.


    Something came flying out of the large fountain.


    A net.


    He swatted it aside with telekinesis.


    Whit-skinned humanoids came out of the water.


    Their weapons and armor appeared to be bone that came straight out of their flesh.


    ¡°Gross as always.¡±


    More nets flew at him.


    As he batted them aside, he noticed that they appeared to be made out of bloody sinew, bits of bone and what looked like teeth.


    A check with the monsters¡¯ sharp-toothed grins confirmed the latter.


    He floated higher to avoid the bone tridents being thrust.


    ¡°What did they call you guys?¡± He tried to remember the specific term for the gladiator that fought with trident and net. He knew that there were a lot of different designations depending on fighting style and armament. Much like how sports teams have¡ª had specific position names for specific roles. ¡°Murmillo? Nah, I think that was sword and shield. Caestus¡­ that was a weapon name.¡± He could review his memories, but if had never picked up the knowledge then he remained ignorant. He could¡¯ve delved into it deeper, he knew that he had watched documentaries on ancient Rome. Those might¡¯ve included the information. ¡°Focus. I¡¯m getting overconfident. Who knows how powerful the monsters inside are?¡±


    He crushed the monsters with telekinetic hands.


    The sculptures of Roman figures near the circular fountains cracked open to reveal the monster hidden within as he flew closer.


    Each time they leapt at him.


    Each time he crushed them.


    It was easy to get overconfident.


    Monstrous mockeries of mythical demigods broke out of the sculptures. They hopped on bat-winged horses that dripped viscera from open, oozing flesh. They brayed a sick sound. A call for Cal¡¯s flesh and blood.


    He ripped their wings and smashed them into the ground until their bodies burst.


    The splatter bounced off the invisible telekinetic shield he had surrounded himself with.


    ¡°Huh?¡± he stopped before descending toward the entrance.


    There would be sculptures of Roman deities and other mythological creatures inside.


    How close to the myths did the spires make them?


    He couldn¡¯t imagine them having anywhere near the might of mythical gods, monsters and heroes.


    ¡°I came here to, at a minimum, fix the spawn zones,¡± he said.


    The sliding doors opened with a hiss. Possibly a decade had passed since they had last done that and yet they had slid open smoothly as if they were brand new.


    Cal was attacked as soon as he floated into the grand lobby.


    Monstrous gladiators of many types came at him from every direction.


    He dropped his telekinetic shield and sent his weapons flying out to meet the monsters.


    Blades, spikes, rotary saw blades and even ninja stars cut and pierced white flesh.


    The monster¡¯s bone armor provided some protection, but the gladiator aesthetic meant large areas of their bodies were unprotected.


    This fight wasn¡¯t a show.


    Death was the point.


    Dozens of projectiles flew. Each one was under Cal¡¯s precise control. They didn¡¯t hit each other even as the wove together in arcs meant to confuse the monsters and get past their defenses.


    Cal hung a web of barely visible metal wires around him.


    The few monstrous gladiators that evaded the storm of flying death found themselves running headlong into the web.


    He immediately wrapped them up and squeezed the wires tight.


    Bloody giblets hit the once pristine floors.


    He was glad that he wouldn¡¯t have to clean any of that.


    Everything would be nice and clean the next day. After he claimed the place.


    The thunder of hooves and wheels filled the huge lobby.


    Cal glanced to the left.


    A chariot was bearing down on him from out of nowhere.


    Monstrous horse, chariot and bow wielding rider fused together in a disgusting package.


    A bone arrow bounced off Cal¡¯s telekinetic shield.


    The rider pulled another arrow out of what appeared to be its shoulder. Nocked it on a bloody string, that was probably its own sinew and loosed from a bone bow that came out of its wrist.


    Cal cut the string with a spinning saw blade before the rider could loose.


    A pair of knives followed and plunged into the rider¡¯s eyes.


    It slumped, dead, but the horse kept coming.


    He sent his weapons to carve up the beast, which allowed the monstrous gladiators to get closer.


    Some he snared with wires, while others he crushed with telekinetic hands.


    One got close enough to punch out with moon-shaped bone blades coming out of its wrists instead of proper hands.


    Cal stepped back while bobbing and weaving.


    He was gratified to find that one of the monster gladiators did indeed have caestuses. Or was it caesti?


    He hit it with an uppercut.


    The punch was so fast and powerful that it ripped the head right off.


    Gore covered Cal¡¯s unarmored fist.


    His face twisted.


    He had used full-coverage armor for so long that he had forgotten about that one very important benefit.


    ¡°Yeah, okay¡­ fighting is a very disgusting thing,¡± he reminded himself.


    He telekinetically shoved the still spurting corpse away, careful to block the rest of the blood spray, while wiping his hand free of the gore. Telekinesis was more thorough than a rag could ever be.


    ¡°Almost clean,¡± he eyed his hand. ¡°I¡¯ll need soap and water though.¡±


    Later.


    He still had to deal with the chariot horse monster.


    He floated up toward the ceiling as the beast thundered underneath him.


    It was tough.


    Its skin was crisscrossed with so many slices and holes that it was more red than white and yet it was circling around.


    Cal wasn¡¯t interested in prolonging the fight. He wanted that buffet food.


    He pulled the camping axe he had picked up from the sporting goods store off his belt and threw it.


    Guided and empowered by telekinesis the axe head sunk deep into the monstrous horse¡¯s skull.


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    It crashed into a pillar sending dust falling from the ceiling.


    Its body remained still and its brain was silent.


    The remaining monstrous gladiators joined it a few seconds later.


    ¡°Feels nice being overpowered. The appeal is undeniable.¡±


    Cal had several options.


    The casino or the hotels.


    The totality of Caesar¡¯s Palace was separated into several buildings.


    He suspected that he¡¯d have to clear them all to trigger the boss.


    Nothing in the spires¡¯ words indicated the possibility that there¡¯d be other trigger conditions. Then again, vagueness was the standard.


    ¡°The casino is probably considered the heart of this place. I¡¯ll save it for last.¡±


    He turned away from the bright, flashing lights and sounds to float toward the hotel section.


    Monstrous gladiators periodically attacked him, but were easily dealt with by the bladed death that orbited around him.


    Clearing each hotel building was an easy if tedious task.


    He didn¡¯t make the mistake of using the elevators, even though they were functional.


    The stairs had been packed with monstrous gladiators. It would¡¯ve made for a difficult climb had he been forced to wade through the bodies.


    Each floor repeated a similar pattern. There¡¯d be groups in the hallway and then a few more inside each room. After a time, he realized that he could speed things up by telekinetically opening each door as soon as he entered a floor.


    Once he figured that out it was a simple matter of sending his flying death to dispatch the monsters as he walked to the other end of the floor. He climbed the stairs and repeated. Back and forth he had gone.


    One hotel building.


    Then another.


    He cleared offices, maintenance tunnels, supply areas, power supply, water supply, employee lounges. Everything hidden in the background of the illusion of decadent fun that the entire city had been built upon.


    Once done he returned to the main lobby. This time he was met by monstrous humanoids in the guise of a Roman legion.


    ¡°¡­ that makes sense.¡±


    The monstrous legionnaires filled the air with pila.


    He caught each one in invisible hands and threw them right back.


    He fouled many scuta, but killed surprisingly few.


    The monsters drew their gladii and advanced.


    Cal noticed a much taller monster in the rear of the legion. Its head was crowned by bone carved to look like a laurel. His thoughts went to the statue of one of the Caesars he had seen earlier. ¡°Really? Disturbing attention to detail.¡±


    He sent out a telekinetic wave that knocked every single monstrous legionnaire off their feet. At the same time he ripped their bone gladii out of their hands and plunged them into their chests.


    The monstrous Caesar drew a gladius out of its hip and charged only to be stabbed in the back a dozen times by its own legion¡¯s blades.


    ¡°Hah! I wish Nila was here to see that. It won¡¯t be as funny when I explain. Too bad it¡¯s October.¡±


    The casino was filled with more legionnaires. No more Caesar though, which was a little disappointing. When he finished the entire space looked like a tornado had spawned in the middle. Slot machines and tables where broken and scattered in pieces. Nothing had been spared.


    A trip to the sportsbook yielded similar results.


    Cal was done and still no boss fight.


    That was when he remembered something. A fountain and light show about the fall of Atlantis he had once watched long ago. He had passed it earlier when he had gone through the shopping area, but at that time the statues had remained statues.


    As soon as he got within visual range the spires sent him a message.


    ¡°Finally.¡±


    <hr>


    Then, Mexico & New Mexico


    The bullets stung, but didn¡¯t penetrate Cooper¡¯s armor.


    Their terror gave him and his steed strength.


    A happy, bloodthirsty neigh filled the cold night air.


    The Dread Paladin and his steed thundered toward the bonfires lighting the barricade.


    An arrow shot on a line to his helmet¡¯s eye slit. He snatched it out of the air inches away. Someone had used a Skill. He raised his shield, couldn¡¯t get careless. An arrow to the eye could hurt him, slow him down. Maybe even kill him. Best not to find out.


    He was close enough to see their faces. The whites of their eyes. He smelled something pungent. Several had lost control of themselves. Lost their nerve and their bladders.


    They were supposedly cartel according to the briefing.


    The interstate ran through Juarez and Elliot had decided a mad run through the city, even if parts of it were cartel controlled, was a better idea than going off-road.


    He was a weak man, spooked by the monsters on the plains.


    And so, as he had done several times, he had thrown Cooper in front.


    Cooper knew that his success or failure were equal objectives in Elliot¡¯s eyes. Knew that the man was trying to get him killed. It suited his purpose. Each terrible monster he slew only grew the dread in the entire expedition.


    And now they would watch him plow right through this cartel as the entire convoy followed on his heels.


    A ball of fire exploded against his shield. He tightened his grip on the reins in time to keep from being knocked off.


    Spells, bullets and arrows peppered him and his steed.


    Cooper thought it was weird that a cartel had survived the spires apocalypse. Did they still sell drugs? If they didn¡¯t, then why call them a ¡®cartel¡¯? At this point there wasn¡¯t much difference in the various types of communities that had emerged in the aftermath. Some were definitely better than others.


    The Dread Paladin didn¡¯t care. He savored the screams of terror as his steed plowed through the barricade. He released the reins to let his bloodthirsty steed snap out and take heads and limbs while he guided her with his knees. One hand held a shield, blocking attacks. The other hand held a long spear that he thrust through armor and into flesh.


    Word of a dark rider on an impossibly large horse that hungered for flesh would spread far and wide as the survivors scattered in the coming days.


    When morning came the Golden Eagle¡¯s 1st Company was miles past Juarez and well into New Mexico. They hadn¡¯t lost a single person. Sure, there were plenty of injuries. Some were serious, but they had Combat Medics, Mages with healing spells and one Pastor of Light that they had picked up a few weeks prior to setting out from San Antonio.


    Elliot had called for camp to be set up on the westbound side of the highway just before dawn.


    The adrenaline had worn off hours ago and his people needed to rest.


    Reports began to trickle in shortly after he had set up his own tent and finally let his body relax. The mad drive through the city had been a close thing. Without the Dread Paladin, they wouldn¡¯t have been able to do it without taking heavy losses.


    The terrifying young man presented a paradox. One the one hand the lack of deaths through a week of travel was thanks to his ability to solo monsters that would¡¯ve taken entire squads with lethal consequences. On the other hand, he created a pervasive sense of fear and dread through the entire camp.


    Part of Elliot felt a bit of guilt and shame at putting the young man up against the worst things they came across while hoping for the young man¡¯s death. Another part of him felt the same at the thought that they could go far with the Dread Paladin as the tip of the spear.


    His tent flap rustled.


    He wasn¡¯t surprised to see Hayden duck inside.


    ¡°No,¡± he said.


    Hayden scowled at him. ¡°I didn¡¯t even say anything.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear it. Go rest.¡±


    ¡°I barely did anything last night,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Then you¡¯re on guard duty.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m on my way to my post. I just wanted to¡ª¡±


    ¡°No. You and the Furies do not have permission to engage any monsters beyond the scope of guarding the camp.¡±


    ¡°Look, one of the main reasons we¡¯re doing this whole expedition is to gain levels,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°You don¡¯t level.¡±


    ¡°Dayana and Jayde do. I can get stronger through pushing my limits and I can¡¯t do that by picking up the Dread Paladin¡¯s scraps,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve sent you and your team out half a dozen times on monster kill missions.¡±


    ¡°Not the stronger ones,¡± Hayden crossed her arms.


    ¡°Well, after last night, that bastard needs to rest. At least I¡¯d hope so. Him and that demon horse took so many hits. Barely even slowed.¡±


    ¡°I know. I was in the first truck behind him. So, what you¡¯re saying is I¡¯ve got the okay to go after the next strongest monster that heads our way?¡±


    ¡°Only if he¡¯s out. I still want you to gather as many available guys as possible. Don¡¯t be reckless. That¡¯s an order.¡±


    ¡°Copy that,¡± Hayden threw up a lazy salute before leaving.


    Lucky for her the Golden Eagles wasn¡¯t a real military group, despite the classes and titles they used in the loose hierarchy.


    Elliot eyed his cot longingly.


    Ledge ruined that hope.


    ¡°Captain, my captain,¡± Ledge said lightly.


    ¡°What is it, Lieutenant Legend?¡±


    Elliot took some satisfaction as the lazy man reddened.


    ¡°Not so loud. There¡¯s still a few noobs that don¡¯t know my real name. Thank you, my dear departed father,¡± Ledge grumbled. He took out a silver flask and took a swig.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Elliot said after Ledge didn¡¯t give any indication of continuing.


    ¡°My report,¡± Ledge said.


    Elliot blinked.


    ¡°You really need that cot time. My report on the Dread Paladin. The one you didn¡¯t want in writing?¡± Ledge raised a brow.


    Elliot waved a hand.


    ¡°He¡¯s asleep. Snoring like a bear.¡±


    ¡°How do you know?¡±


    ¡°You can practically hear him from here,¡± Ledge snorted. ¡°And I poked my head into his tent.¡±


    Elliot frowned. ¡°How can you stand to get that close? Everyone else can barely look at him when he passes. I piss my pants every time I have to go tell him to kill something. Aren¡¯t you terrified?¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, totally. Dreadful young man. When I catch his eye it feels like he¡¯s going to kill me, wear my skin as a cloak and decorate his armor with my bones.¡±


    ¡°Then how do you manage to play it off like it doesn¡¯t bother you?¡±


    ¡°I focus on the killing part. The worst thing that he can do to me is kill me,¡± Ledge grinned. ¡°When I remember that I can deal with the dread. Your problem is you want to live.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m remembering why I hate talking with you.¡±


    ¡°Want a drink?¡± Ledge held out the flask.


    ¡°No thanks. I¡¯ve got my own,¡± Elliot nudged the water bottle on his small folding table.


    ¡°In that case, that¡¯s all I¡¯ve got to say. So, since you don¡¯t need me, I¡¯ll be¡ª¡±


    ¡°One more thing.¡±


    Ledge cursed.


    ¡°You¡¯re last man standing. All the other LT¡¯s are hurt or in need of a long nap, like me. You¡¯ve got command until I wake up,¡± Elliot savored the look of dismay on the other man¡¯s face. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it too much. The Furies are on guard duty.¡±


    ¡°One doesn¡¯t use the words ¡®don¡¯t worry¡¯ and ¡®the Furies¡¯ together.¡±


    ¡°True,¡± he conceded. ¡°Just keep a tight leash on them.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯re speaking English right now. You really need that nap. Later, boss,¡± Ledge ambled away.


    ¡°You¡¯re in charge! I mean it!¡± Elliot called out.


    Elliot hit the cot with many worries. Still, for all of Ledge¡¯s morose lackadaisical-ness, the man always did the job. Sure, he did it to the minimum required standard, but at least he was consistent.


    Much of the expedition slept through the following morning and into lunch before the more resilient and those with stamina related Skills began to rouse.


    The Furies stood guard at the eastern side of the fortified camp. Hayden reasoned that if there was pursuit from the cartel it would come from that direction.


    ¡°How are we going to kill him?¡± Dayana said. ¡°Those poor assholes nailed him with everything they had.¡±


    ¡°A lot of weak attacks isn¡¯t the same as a few strong ones,¡± Jayde cracked her knuckles.


    ¡°What she said,¡± Hayden replied. Her thoughts had been on the same topic. Despite the impressive display of durability and carnage, she was still counting on being able to generate enough voltage to fry the murdering bastard.


    ¡°What¡¯s the toughest thing you¡¯ve fried?¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Monster tortoise?¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t really keep track. Maybe that or that mutated jaguar.¡±


    ¡°Hate to say it, but I don¡¯t think either of those things rides through what the Dread Paladin did last night,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Stop saying his name,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Okay¡­ first of all, it¡¯s obviously a class and secondly he¡¯s not Voldemort. Everyone scared of him, yes, including myself, just feeds him power,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°That last bit is true. There¡¯s definitely some Skill or magic shit going on. Ask any of the other mage-types. I can practically feel him getting stronger the more afraid we are,¡± Jayde said. ¡°Wait¡­ what¡¯s a ¡®Voldemort¡¯? You can¡¯t just make up classes.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s from a book. A dark wizard. You¡¯ve never read the series?¡± Dayana said.


    Jayde shook her head.


    ¡°They¡¯ve got the whole series in the library. You should give it a try. I try to read it once a year,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Its got wizards and mythical creatures. They use wands,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°How come you guys don¡¯t use wands?¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Dunno. I¡¯m sure there¡¯s a Mage somewhere out there with a wand,¡± Jayde shrugged.


    ¡°Would they just cut a branch? Pick up a stick?¡± Dayana said. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯d be that simple. You¡¯d need dragon horn or ¡ª¡±


    ¡°Phoenix feather, unicorn hair,¡± Hayden finished. ¡°What? I read.¡±


    ¡°Do you guys think those things are out there? I hope they are,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t. Going by the monsters we have. Dragons, phoenixes and unicorns are probably awful,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Dragons definitely eat people. I¡¯d guess phoenixes can only feed on the ashes of their victims and unicorns feed by absorbing the blood and souls of their impaled victims,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Is all that in your books,¡± Jayde¡¯s face twisted in disgust.


    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s mostly wholesome, though the later books get dark,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°I saw something huge flying once, but the wings looked like a bird¡¯s,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Giant mutant birds are on brand,¡± Jayde nodded.


    ¡°Better that then the Meat Parade freaks. It¡¯s worse when you know they¡¯re supposed to be people,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°That¡¯s one good thing about heading west. No inhuman cannibals,¡± Jayde agreed.


    ¡°That we know of,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Yeah, okay, Dayana Downer,¡± Jayde stuck her tongue out.


    ¡°We have to hit him before he summons that armor,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Uh¡­ random change of subject much?¡± Jayde snorted.


    ¡°Or after he dismisses it, like after a tough fight,¡± Dayana said. ¡°If we can¡¯t pick that moment then the only other possibility is getting something through his helmet¡¯s eye slit. Like, say, a bullet.¡±


    ¡°I shock, Jayde punches and you shoot and stab,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Look, it¡¯s pointless while we¡¯re still on this expedition. Even I can see that Elliot is getting good use out of him,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°He murdered Kath and the Hearts. I don¡¯t care if he¡¯s the reason no one has died yet. He pays,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°A devil might argue that he¡¯s doing that,¡± Jayde ventured.


    ¡°You mean you¡¯re being the devil¡¯s advocate,¡± Dayana said.


    Jayde stared at her for a moment. ¡°Sure¡­ I guess¡­¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t trade lives that way. Even if that¡¯s how the world is, you¡¯d have to count all the lives being ruined now that Kath isn¡¯t providing free supplies to the people. It¡¯s all the ripples. Like Prim. She¡¯s here on a dangerous expedition because Kath¡¯s death directly led to the poor girl being set up as a plaything to a pervy old guy,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Maybe we take over for the Hearts when we get back,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°I¡¯d be down for that,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°That situation needs a more lasting solution, but one problem at a time,¡± Hayden said.


    Dayana suddenly jolted to attention. ¡°Speaking of¡­ I just danger sensed,¡± she raised her rifle to the southern side of the highway and aimed through the scope.


    A cloud of dust rose up in the distance.

 6.7

    Now, Las Vegas


    The show was about the fall of Atlantis. There was animatronics of a king, a prince and a princess. The latter two were fighting over rulership or something. There was a lot of colored lights and water fountains shooting. Sound effects and music.


    Cal only had vague memories of it from the time he had seen it years ago. He was pretty sure he had been drunk at the time.


    ¡°There was a dragon? I didn¡¯t see one earlier when I passed it. I hope there isn¡¯t a dragon.¡±


    The animatronics were no longer animatronics.


    Their surfaces cracked and flaked off to reveal the same white skin as the monstrous gladiators. Except in spots where it appeared that their skin had stuck to the outer covering. Bloody muscle was revealed.


    The prince held a flaming sword high as he leapt at Cal.


    The princess trust a green wizard¡¯s staff and the fountain water shot at him.


    The king sat on his thrown, leering with a sharp-toothed smile.


    Cal blocked both water and sword with his telekinetic shield.


    He felt the heat from the sword wash over him with each strike the prince landed.


    He sent the prince flying into a pillar with a wave of his hand.


    A gesture with the other sent flying blades to harass the princess and the king. No point in waiting to see what the latter could do. He¡¯d rather destroy them all as quickly as possible. He still had to deal with the true boss to claim the place.


    While the two on their platforms were busy with the knives and ninja stars, Cal focused on the prince.


    He turned a leaping sword slash into an opening by dropping his shield and simply holding the prince in mid-air. He took his axe and hacked at the sword wrist until he cleaved through it.


    The axe handle broke at the same time as the bone sword¡¯s flame extinguished when it hit the floor. He had forgotten to moderate his strength. Years of using the Threnosh-made axe had spoiled him.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± he said flatly.


    He took the sword and stabbed it into the prince¡¯s chest, twisting before withdrawing. ¡°Not fair, I know,¡± he said to the prince.


    The prince didn¡¯t hear him.


    He tossed the body at the princess.


    The distraction allowed him to grab her head in telekinetic hands. He twisted and pulled. It was less disgusting when his actual hands remained free of blood.


    The king snarled and thrust the bone scepter toward him.


    Waves of heat and sound washed over him.


    A wince crossed his face.


    That last one had actually managed to hurt him.


    Cal pointed a finger.


    A telekinetic buzzsaw bisected the king.


    He waited for that dragon.


    The loud chime followed a few seconds later.


    Cal read and listened to the spires¡¯ words with relief.


    He was a lot of Universal Points richer and one more step closer to owning his second hotel casino.


    ¡°Yeah, I want to fight the true boss monster.¡±


    Acknowledgment was followed by an earthquake.


    The entire place shook violently.


    Glass store fronts shattered. Merchandise went flying.


    What appeared to be a monstrous version of Apollo came charging on his flying chariot from the other end of the long, wide corridor. He pulled debris in his wake.


    ¡°I remember¡­¡±


    There were several statues representing several gods of Olympus elsewhere in the resort casino.


    Monstrous Apollo hurled fireballs from his hands.


    The explosions against Cal¡¯s shield was deafening in the enclosed space.


    A helmet with auditory protections would¡¯ve been nice.


    He sent his dwindling supply of flying death to distract the fake god, while setting the wires up.


    Monstrous Apollo was moving too fast to react.


    The wires sliced right through his neck.


    The chariot crashed into a jewelry store behind Cal.


    A quick telepathic scan confirmed the kill.


    He hurried to where he thought monstrous Apollo had come from. The statues had been close together. A Neptune, Bacchus and Artemis if he had it right.


    Sometimes it sucked to be always right.


    A bone arrow boomed from the other end of the long corridor. The last few unbroken store windows shattered like the arrow did on Cal¡¯s shield.


    He spied the three monstrous gods.


    Like the Apollo one, they loosely resembled the statues they had been hiding inside.


    It was the faces, he decided.


    They had been normal human once. Now they were ugly monsters. Sharp teeth in mouths that were too wide.


    Oh¡­ and the patches of missing white skin that revealed bloody red muscles.


    Monstrous Artemis nocked another supersonic arrow on her bow of bone and sinew.


    It exploded against his shield.


    ¡°Sorry, monsters. You¡¯d have been something terrifying to other people, but I¡¯ve been up against it lately. You just don¡¯t compare to my brother.¡±


    He dashed forward, blocking arrow after arrow.


    Monstrous Bacchus lumbered forward and threw an enormous wine jug.


    The liquid sizzled on the invisible shield. A noxious odor filled Cal¡¯s nose.


    ¡°Shit¡­¡± he had to stop his advance to concentrate on creating a second telekinetic shield closer to his body. This one to filter out just the poison from the oxygen. Identifying the composition of the stuff down to the molecular level was the most difficult thing he had to do throughout this whole operation. The stuff was close to chlorine gas with a few added elements that he didn¡¯t recognize from his more recent studies. ¡°Probably magical molecules¡­ if that¡¯s a thing¡­ it¡¯s a thing,¡± he decided.


    Monstrous Neptune had patches of white skin that resembled fish scales. A scale-armored arm thrust the bone trident toward Cal. Bacchus¡¯s liquid began to move.


    ¡°Shield goes all the way around,¡± Cal snorted as the liquid spread above and behind him.


    It was like looking through a fogged up windshield.


    He wiped the front with a thought.


    Only to see another jug break and obscure it.


    Monstrous Neptune spun the trident. Water from a nearby fountain flowed to him and swirled in many distinct streams around his statuesque form.


    The mist from Bacchus¡¯ liquid followed suit and in the process filled the space between Cal and the three monstrous gods with the poison mist.


    ¡°Combination attacks¡­ how much sapience do you things have? Can you communicate? I¡¯d try scanning your thoughts, but I learned long ago that would be a very unpleasant experience.¡± Cal wondered if he should just bite the bullet and try. He might be able to learn something new and save himself a lot of Universal Points from purchasing a bestiary guide from the spires. Memories of what he went through when connected to Mother Madrigal immediately shut that line down. ¡°Like, would you mind answering a few questions? Where¡¯d you come from? What¡¯s it like in here when there aren¡¯t any people? Do you just hibernate in your statue forms while waiting for people to fight? Shit, do you make the monster gladiators fight for your entertainment? It must be boring waiting years for someone to kill.¡±


    There were no words from the monstrous gods, just malice in their intelligent eyes.


    ¡°I feel like I¡¯m not properly exploring the nature of these things. I¡¯ll add it to the list¡­ though it feels like I keep telling myself that.¡±


    A bone arrow shattered in front of him, while a hard impact struck behind him.


    He glanced back.


    An enormous serpent of water undulated menacingly.


    He tracked it back to a fountain 20 yards away.


    ¡°This place is all fountains and statues,¡± he muttered. ¡°We¡¯ve got an open space, what should we put in there? A fountain or a statue? Why not both?¡± he mocked.


    Three bone arrows struck simultaneously.


    He sent a flurry of flying blades to cut Artemis¡¯ bow string and found it to be stronger than steel.


    He tried stabbing the gods, but they too, were tougher.


    He should¡¯ve expected it. They were the true bosses.


    He brought the wires forward and wrapped them around each monstrous god¡¯s neck. ¡°I can see and hear you breathing.¡± He wound the wires tighter. They dropped their weapons and clawed at their necks in vain. ¡°I guess supertough skin is both a bonus and a drawback in this case. No matter how tight I squeeze it won¡¯t cut you. Then again, if it wasn¡¯t tough I¡¯d just cut your heads off. Never mind.¡± He touched the grip of his handcannon. Thought about trying a few shots. Decided against it. He only had so much of the custom ammo. Why waste them when victory was assured?


    Minutes passed as the monstrous gods slowly died.


    Cal didn¡¯t let up until the chime sounded in his ears.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t want to revert this place to an encounter challenge. Yes, I want to claim it.¡±


    He now owned Caesar¡¯s Palace.


    The next day he led Nila and the baby through the front doors.


    ¡°It¡¯s creepy¡­ the echo,¡± Nila said.


    Cal took in the clean lobby. ¡°It was much worse.¡± He described the piles of monster corpses he had left. The broken pillars and furniture. The smells of voided monster bowels.


    ¡°That¡¯s never made any sense to me. Why did monsters have crap? From the outside we know this place hasn¡¯t had any people come through it in a long time. What were they eating?¡±


    ¡°There could be a stasis effect thing. Or they ate each other and other monsters.¡±


    ¡°Or they ate the food in this place. Tons of restaurants and the buffet.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t see them cooking.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything about them cooking.¡±


    ¡°Aaannnnddd you just killed my appetite.¡± He could picture the white-skinned monsters now¡­ eating piles of raw meat and seafood off the tables.


    ¡°Mine¡¯s fine. Let¡¯s pick out a suite so we can get cooking,¡± Nila smiled.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    They picked a suite in the central hotel tower so they could be at the center of everything. It¡¯d save time for the non-fliers when it came to walking to the front. The buffet was also close, which truthfully, was the most important consideration for Nila.


    They picked one with window views of the strip. This one was Cal¡¯s choice. He wanted sight lines on the most likely routes monsters from the other nearby spawn zone resort casinos would use. If he saw one of those mutated white big cats stalking the street he could just send a steel blade into its eye from a distance.


    The rest of the details didn¡¯t matter much to either of them.


    As for the baby, well, he was happy to explore the new place. The interior of the RV and the motel room had gotten old days ago.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry that took so long, guys,¡± Cal said as he plopped himself down into the luxurious couch. He eyed the gold accents on the walls. ¡°You think that¡¯s real?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know, why?¡± Nila said.


    ¡°We can take them. New ones will show up tomorrow. Saves time and effort.¡±


    ¡°There are jewelry stores down in the Forum Shops. It¡¯d be easier to grab those instead of trying to pry that off the walls,¡± Nila snorted.


    ¡°Yeah. That makes more sense. Anyways, I didn¡¯t think it¡¯d take me so long. There was just so many of those monster gladiators, like thousands of them. Every room had a few. Plus all the ones everywhere else. Then there was the hundreds of monster Roman Legionnaires. One Caesar¡ª¡±


    ¡°You killed a monster Caesar? Which one?¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know¡­ hard to tell with the ugly monster face. Julius? Augustus? 9-feet-tall, like a statue.¡± There was a statue of one or more of the Caesars. He hadn¡¯t bothered to check if the monster version he had killed had come from one of those. ¡°Stabbed him with his own legionnaires¡¯ blades.¡± He looked at Nila expectantly. ¡°¡­ in the back.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Too bad it isn¡¯t March,¡± he said suggestively.


    ¡°I know,¡± Nila said flatly.


    ¡°If you had been there,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°Nope. The joke would¡¯ve been lame even if I was,¡± Nila smiled. ¡°Was he the boss monster? Seems too easy.¡±


    ¡°The bosses were different. They were definitely statues, er, they came from inside.¡±


    ¡°Like they hatched?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. They were encased inside then came out. Even the animatronics. Remember that show we watched when we were last here?¡±


    ¡°Not really. That was such a long time ago.¡±


    ¡°The Fall of Atlantis? I had to fight the king, prince and princess. Thank God there wasn¡¯t a dragon. I think you might¡¯ve been able to solo that fight. I¡¯d say you¡¯re an equal match to the prince in terms of speed and strength. He was more durable, but that¡¯s not counting the Threnosh armor. His flaming sword wouldn¡¯t have been able to get through that. It might¡¯ve taken a lot of hits, but you¡¯d bash him up in the end. Didn¡¯t really get to see what the princess could do. Seemed like a magic-type based on equipment and the way she sent water at me. Couldn¡¯t get through my shield, but it felt like it¡¯d cut your skin pretty easily. The king had a scepter that sent out waves of heat and sound.¡±


    ¡°Armor for the win,¡± Nila said.


    Cal nodded.


    ¡°What about the secret boss?¡±


    ¡°Guess¡­ and it was bosses.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ since this is a casino¡­ Gamblor,¡± Nila grinned.


    ¡°The personification of gambling addiction from the Simpsons,¡± Cal nodded appreciatively. ¡°Have I said ¡®I love you¡¯ yet today?¡±


    ¡°First thing!¡± Nila beamed.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll say it again!¡± he did so. ¡°I thought you were about to say Mammon or something more classical.¡±


    ¡°I like to throw you bones sometime.¡±


    Cal winced.


    ¡°Too soon?¡±


    ¡°Way too many bloody bones shot my way yesterday.¡±


    Nila snickered.


    ¡°Very mature. Seriously, all the weapons and armor were made out of bones. Like, grown straight out of the body. Slick with blood and other thi¡ª¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Nila''s eyes darted to the other side of the large living room, ¡°the baby!¡±


    ¡°Got him.¡± Cal floated the baby and dumped him on Nila¡¯s lap.


    ¡°No, no, no. Electric outlets aren¡¯t for pudgy little fingers,¡± Nila¡¯s sibilant tones along with a belly tickle elicited laughter from the baby.


    ¡°Fake gods¡­ the true bosses were fake versions of Apollo, Neptune, Artemis and Bacchus,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°That last one is ironic, but¡­ fake gods? As opposed to real gods?¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡± he shrugged. ¡°Why can¡¯t there be a world or worlds with beings that resemble our ancient gods somewhere out there. I mean, if I showed up on a different world and did my thing, wouldn¡¯t the inhabitants think I was a god?¡±


    ¡°Some might. Still doesn¡¯t suggest that our mythological gods were just invaders from another world. The biggest debunker to that is the spires themselves.¡±


    ¡°The creative unconscious of humanity could be the product of some kind of bleed effect through the spires.¡±


    ¡°This again,¡± Nila sighed. ¡°They only showed up ten years ago. I¡¯m not buying the idea that they were there the whole time, just slightly out of phase with our reality. Unless there¡¯s concrete evidence. And I¡¯m not trusting anything out of those spires tutorials.¡±


    ¡°They are a suspect source, aren¡¯t they¡­¡± he clapped his hands suddenly and sat up. ¡°Let¡¯s continue this discussion over brunch.¡±


    ¡°Bacchanal,¡± Nila said. A statement, not a question.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t aware there was another legitimate option.¡±


    ¡°Great! I¡¯ll watch the baby. You cook.¡±


    ¡°What do you want to eat?¡±


    Nila blinked at him for several seconds. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I don¡¯t understand the question.¡±


    ¡°What do you want me to make?¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ everything.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s way too much, even for our stomachs.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to the greatest buffet and only eating one thing.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve only got two hands,¡± he tried.


    Nila scoffed. ¡°I¡¯ve seen you do the work of many people.¡±


    The baby gurgled, looked to him and back to Nila before pointing at him.


    ¡°See¡­ he knows too,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Et tu, Baby?¡±


    ¡°Still not funny,¡± Nila said as she carried the baby out of the suite.


    <hr>


    Then, New Mexico


    ¡°I count five trucks and about 30 people. This is not me being racist, but I¡¯m pretty sure they¡¯re the same cartel guys from last night,¡± Dayana said. ¡°Can¡¯t tell if there are any more behind them through all the dust.¡±


    ¡°Just cause you¡¯re black doesn¡¯t mean you can¡¯t be racist,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°You would be the expert on racism,¡± Dayana snorted.


    ¡°Hayden, you¡¯re like half of us two. Tell her that she¡¯s wrong and I¡¯m right,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Now¡¯s not the time to be fucking around, you bitches,¡± Hayden grinned. ¡°It¡¯s time to be Furies.¡±


    ¡°Fuck yeah!¡± Jayde echoed.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got shots. I can start taking out the drivers,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°That¡¯ll slow them down,¡± Hayden nodded. ¡°Let the truck with the most people keep coming, but keep their heads down while Jayde and me get closer.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll should probably keep my shots quiet. Don¡¯t want to attract monsters,¡± Dayana murmured as she acquired her first target through her rifle scope. ¡°Silent Shots.¡±


    The shot sounded like her rifle had a suppressor despite the fact that it didn¡¯t have one attached.


    The bullet punched through a truck¡¯s windshield and into the driver, causing the truck to swerve to the left.


    Each subsequent shot caused a different truck to lose control, leaving the one as Hayden had instructed. ¡°You guys can go. I¡¯ve got your backs,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Shield me,¡± Hayden turned to Jayde.


    ¡°Mage Shield!¡± Jayde grinned as she slapped Hayden across the face.


    The loud thwack echoed across the dusty desert.


    ¡°Ow! What was that?¡± Hayden complained even as a glow outlined her body.


    ¡°Uh¡­ I have to hit stuff to use my spells. You know that,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Yeah, but why so hard?¡±


    ¡°You did wind up,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°The stronger the hit, the stronger the spell,¡± Jayde shrugged. ¡°Mage Shield!¡± she punched her palm to bring forth the same glow around her own body.


    They donned their helmets and took off toward the lone remaining truck.


    The gunmen riding in the back tried their luck, but the bumpiness from the lack of paved road sent their shots astray.


    ¡°Morons!¡± Jayde grinned. ¡°They should¡¯ve used the road.¡±


    ¡°They were never going to catch us by surprise anyways,¡± Hayden agreed.


    The truck closed the distance quickly.


    It might¡¯ve endangered the two Furies, but the third one did as she promised and made the gunmen duck for cover.


    ¡°Do it!¡± Hayden barked.


    Jayde sent a cloud of dust into the air as she skidded to a stop. ¡°Earth Wall,¡± she punched the ground with her bare fist. The ground rippled for fifty yards toward the truck. A wall of dirt and rocks suddenly surged up in the truck¡¯s path. Three feet in height and width.


    The truck slammed right into it. Throwing a few of the men in the back over the roof and down the hood to the ground.


    ¡°Was that louder than a gunshot?¡± Dayana wondered. She thought about deactivating her Skill to save stamina as she put a bullet through the first head that popped up from the truck bed. She decided against it. It didn¡¯t look like she was going to have to get close. There was no need to conserve energy for the rest of her abilities.


    Hayden hurtled the barrier to the right of the truck.


    The guys inside the cab were still trying to get their shit together. Hitting Jayde¡¯s wall had to scramble the brains good. Her targets were the rest of the men.


    She used the thin chain in her left hand to whip the man on the hood. She sent a lot of electricity through it with a thought. The stench of burnt hair and flesh filled the air. The man jerked violently for the second that she held on to the charge, then fell still when she cut it.


    Cartel bastards meant guilt free killing.


    A loud crack jolted her.


    She had heard the shot, which meant it wasn¡¯t Dayana¡¯s.


    Belatedly, she realized that the magic shield around her had flashed.


    She found the shooter on the truck bed staring at her with hate and surprise.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± Intellectually, she knew that helmets were a must on the battlefield. The more of her head and face it covered the better. She just hated how much it obscured her peripheral vision and hearing, not to mention how much harder it was to breath, even if there were small holes in the part that covered her mouth and nose.


    The magic shield could only take a handful of shots, so she hit the man with the chain in her right hand.


    Chainmail was a good conductor and she doubted that the padded shirt underneath it was insulated.


    The man dropped his gun as his muscles seized up.


    His heart stopped a moment later and he toppled to the dirt.


    She proceeded to flail her electrified whips at the rest of the men in the truck bed. She didn¡¯t need to be exacting when all it took was the slightest touch.


    Jayde scrambled up the wall of earth and onto the hood. ¡°Stone Spike!¡± she punched the windshield. Hard, sharp stone appeared from her fist and speared through the glass and the driver¡¯s chest. The stone crumbled into dust, leaving the fist-sized opening. She punched it again. This time uttering, ¡°Fireball!¡± The explosion of flame consumed the inside. Windows and windshield shattered, sending Jayde flying.


    ¡°Holy shit! Stop doing that!¡± Hayden barked as she picked herself up off the dirt.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay!¡± Jayde called from the other side of her wall. ¡°Shield took the impacts. Do you need a recast?¡±


    ¡°Nope, it¡¯s still on.¡± Hayden confirmed that her body was still surrounded by the glow.


    ¡°That¡¯s good, cause the other guys are coming,¡± Jayde pointed at the other trucks.


    Four left.


    ¡°That was quick,¡± Hayden said.


    They had replaced their drivers and were headed straight for the two of them.


    ¡°We can use this truck for cover,¡± Jayde joined her, ¡°I can put up another wall, make, like, a triangle fort. That way they can¡¯t run us over.¡±


    ¡°We need to hurry and take them all out before everyone else gets involved,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°You want me to leave this side open to let them think they can run us over, then I wall and boom! Violent collision like the first time?¡±


    They ducked behind the truck to avoid gun fire.


    Hayden looked underneath. ¡°One¡¯s circling around, get ready.¡±


    ¡°On it,¡± Jayde cocked her fist, ¡°Earth Wall!¡± she roared as the truck whip around and turned toward them.


    She punched the ground.


    A wall of rock and dirt shot up.


    The truck slammed into it.


    This time the driver wasn¡¯t wearing a seat belt. He flew through the windshield, over the hood and just skimmed over the two young women.


    The way he landed told them that they didn¡¯t need to worry about him.


    Hayden scrambled up the wall, hood and roof, diving into the midst of the packed men in the bed. She touched as many of them as she could before letting the electricity coursing through her body loose.


    Steel plate and chainmail were great conductors.


    Burnt flesh and fabric filled the air.


    ¡°You clear!¡± Jayde called out.


    ¡°Yup!¡±


    Jayde scrambled up the hood and punched a stone spike into the last man inside the cab. ¡°Two trucks down!¡±


    One truck veered away and headed back in the direction they had come from.


    The other truck was still moving toward them when it suddenly swerved, flipping over violently. Men went flying in every direction.


    ¡°Dayana¡¯s getting pretty good at shooting. Too bad she¡¯d rather stab things in the back,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°So much for quiet,¡± Jayde winced, ¡°that¡¯ll definitely draw monsters, if the gunshots didn¡¯t already.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, we should probably finish them off,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Doubt they survived that. Just leave them for the monsters. Cartel fucks wouldn¡¯t do us the favor,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Agreed, which is why we should check. Elliot will want to take prisoners for questioning or whatever,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°That¡¯s true. He might get mad if we don¡¯t take any.¡±


    ¡°Meh¡­ he¡¯s not our boss.¡±


    ¡°But, he kinda is¡­ technically¡­ I think?¡±


    ¡°We have no boss.¡±


    ¡°I thought we have a contract with the Golden Eagles.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but we can break it whenever.¡±


    ¡°Right, but that still means we have a boss, like, right at this moment.¡±


    Hayden shrugged before heading off to make sure none of the cartel men had survived the crash.

 6.8

    Then, New Mexico-Arizona Desert


    The expedition avoided getting too close to settlements, be they tent cities struggling to exist on the outskirts of towns and cities, or the paltry remnants of the latter two.


    Getting shot at and fireballed the first few times they tried it had led Elliot to embrace caution. Information would¡¯ve been good, but they didn¡¯t need to trade for supplies and reaching their destination was the priority.


    They had lost their first people somewhere near the New Mexico-Arizona border.


    A monster resembling a giant elk or moose, minus a head, but somehow with antlers growing out of its shoulders, came out of the darkness and gored two guards while swallowing a third with the tri-split mouth on its broad, muscular chest.


    Not even the Dread Paladin had been able to kill the thing.


    Elliott had been only able to watch in dismay as the dark gray-armored young man was sent flying into the dark desert by the monster¡¯s hoof.


    He had been forced to throw everything he had at it.


    His best fighters, the Furies, hadn¡¯t fared much better.


    Hayden had scorched its fur-covered body with electric chains. Jayde had punched a stone spike into one of its knees. Dayana had appeared on its back and slashed with abandon, creating wounds that bled profusely.


    They had barely slowed the monster down before they had to scatter to avoid joining the Dread Paladin.


    What had finally driven it away after what had felt like hours had been an innocuous-looking girl. Tall for her apparent age, slender, beautiful even though her face was scuffed up with dirt. He would find out later that the girl, Prim, was with the Furies, Hayden¡¯s squire, which was ridiculous. He knew every person in the expedition. The girl didn¡¯t belong, but he couldn¡¯t get rid of her. Not when there was no place for her to go. Not when he couldn¡¯t afford to anger the Furies.


    Let them have their mascot.


    Especially, since she appeared to be a talented, if low leveled, Mage.


    Prim had dashed toward the stomping monster as it opened its chest-mouth wide to swallow another person whole. A pointed finger. Words screamed. A glowing red orb appeared and shot into the monster¡¯s mouth, firing small sparks as it rotated the entire way.


    The monster had turned and fled after that.


    Elliot was left to wade through the casualty reports.


    No one had gotten any sleep that night.


    The Dread Paladin had staggered into camp with a dent that covered most of his chest plate.


    It had been a welcome sight to Elliot but didn¡¯t do anything to lift his spirits.


    The final tally had been 10 dead and another 40 injured to varying degrees. This meant that he¡¯d need to pull support personnel to fill out his combat squads. Some wouldn¡¯t like it, but they had signed the contracts. That was why there was mandatory training time for everyone in the expedition.


    ¡°We¡¯re still hundreds of miles away,¡± he murmured.


    The next few weeks on the interstate was a nightmarish slog.


    Monsters attacked at random hours throughout the day and night.


    More injuries and death.


    Ammunition ran low. The Gunsmiths and Reloaders had fallen behind.


    ¡°Find their weaknesses!¡± Hayden barked.


    ¡°My Skill needs more than one encounter to work properly. The more data points the more accurate I can be,¡± Ledge said.


    His squad and the Furies were stationed to the south side of the fortified camp.


    They were now under siege from what was possibly the largest coyote pack in known history. It seemed like there were hundreds of the snarling, yipping things attacking from each cardinal direction.


    ¡°At least they don¡¯t appear to be mutated giants like before,¡± Ledge poked his head from behind the barricade to take a carefully aimed shot with his carbine. Had to conserve ammo. That had been the main theme in the countless meetings they¡¯d been having in between getting attacked and picking up the pieces of said attack. He shot one in the head then had to fall back as one member of his squad stepped forward to spear the coyote trying to clamber over the barricade. ¡°They seem to be normal coyotes, which is weird.¡±


    ¡°Normal? I was barely ten when the spires appeared and I¡¯m pretty sure I never learned anything about packs running in the hundreds!¡± Hayden snarled as she whirled electrified chains around her. One coyote slipped through and clamped down on her armored leg. ¡°Mistake!¡± she sent a pulse to the spot and stopped the animal¡¯s heart. She didn¡¯t like having to be judicious in the use of her power. It was a lot harder to be precise than to just let it flow. She had no choice. Time between attacks had dwindled precipitously over the last week. There was less time for the energy within her to recharge. There wasn¡¯t anything in the middle of the desert to draw power from. The power lines she had tried had been all dead.


    Another coyote got through and jumped on her back, bearing her to the ground. This time the electricity didn¡¯t come when she called on it.


    ¡°Magic Missile punch!¡± Jayde leapt in and brained the coyote.


    Hayden pushed herself up and out from under the animal¡¯s corpse. She whipped her chains in a wide arc, small sparks shocked the coyotes enough to keep them back for a moment.


    ¡°I¡¯m running low.¡±


    ¡°Same. Down to the starter spells.¡±


    ¡°Get back here, you two!¡± Ledge called.


    A line of shields and spears stepped from the barricade to help the two Furies get back to relative safety.


    ¡°Just give me a minute or two,¡± Hayden waved Ledge away.


    ¡°Fine¡­ be that way. So grumpy,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Prim?¡±


    ¡°Over there,¡± Jayde pointed to the opposite end of the barricades. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Dayana¡¯s got her back.¡±


    Indeed, the dark-skinned Rogue was a flicker of movement as she kept a small area in front of the girl mage free of coyotes.


    ¡°She¡¯ll be happier that she can stab and slash at stuff,¡± Jayde said.


    As they took a moment to watch Prim conjured a small orb and sent it flying over the chaotic mass of coyotes. Small streaks of flame shot out as the orb spun through the air following Prim¡¯s gestures. Dozens of animals had their fur set alight with magical flame that proved resistant to being rolled out in the dusty ground.


    ¡°We should¡¯ve had her fighting from the beginning. She¡¯s good,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°You know that¡¯s Kath¡¯s spell? She must¡¯ve taught Prim,¡± Hayden said. ¡°Kath could do multiple orbs with different spells.¡±


    ¡°Prim¡¯s leveling good. The last few weeks have been great for that,¡± Jayde said. ¡°She¡¯s going to hit 20 soon.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s catching up to you,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Technically, I should be the same level as Dayana. If you count the two classes I had. So, it¡¯s not my true level considering the consolidation. Besides, I¡¯ve been picking levels up. Way more than Dayana,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°She¡¯s almost 40,¡± Hayden pointed out.


    ¡°I bet I won¡¯t be far behind after this whole mess,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Oh shit! They¡¯re surging!¡± Ledge called out.


    Hayden and Jayde exchanged a look before they rushed back to the front lines.


    The sun dipped low on the horizon when as if called by a signal, all the remaining coyotes abandoned the attack and blended back into the desert dusk.


    They left hundreds of bodies surrounding the camp.


    The kill ratio was close to 40 coyotes for each one of his.


    Elliot didn¡¯t take comfort or satisfaction in this. There was no replacing their dwindling numbers.


    ¡°Yo,¡± Ledge walked into his tent without knocking.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°It took hours of battle, but I learned something about the coyotes,¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°Too late for that. We killed hundreds. They won¡¯t be back.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, maybe not, but you should hear me out. I¡¯m actually trying this time,¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°I noticed. Doesn¡¯t seem to fit your deal.¡±


    ¡°I might not care for myself, but I care for the others,¡± Ledge shrugged.


    ¡°Okay¡­ what did you learn?¡±


    ¡°Coordination. That is, they were too coordinated. It was too precise. Gave me the impression of a hive mind,¡± Ledge held up a hand, ¡°I know, that¡¯s bugs, mammals don¡¯t do hive minds and I poked into a few of the corpses and these coyotes appear to be normal.¡±


    ¡°Aside from the hive mind?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ yeah. I mean normal in that they seem to be just like you¡¯d expect coyotes to be if there wasn¡¯t the whole spirepocalypse thing,¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°So, what can I do with this info?¡±


    ¡°Dunno. You might be right, and they won¡¯t bother us again. Or they could come back even angrier. I¡¯d be pissed if someone cut off my arms,¡± Ledge said. ¡°If this is a territorial thing, then we should probably get moving as quickly as possible. Then again, a hundreds-strong pack probably needs a whole lot of land to hunt.¡±


    ¡°If we¡¯re lucky, they¡¯ll stick around to eat their dead when we leave. Seems like a waste of meat if I was a coyote hive mind pack,¡± Elliott sighed. ¡°I thought that headless moose thing was the worst thing we¡¯d have to deal with.¡±


    ¡°Knocked the Dread Paladin of the top of the list?¡± Ledge raised a brow.


    ¡°Nope, still there. It¡¯s just that the dread has become sort of constant and all-encompassing. At some point I stopped being able to tell the difference if I was terrified of him or the next monster attack.¡±


    ¡°Nah, he¡¯s still worse. Monster just want to kill and/or eat you. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if the Dread Paladin needs to sacrifice souls to his dark deity,¡± Ledge said.


    Elliot¡¯s eyes narrowed. Ledge was annoying, but insightful. ¡°What makes you say that?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a Paladin. Don¡¯t they serve some kind of higher power? I¡¯m pretty sure our guy isn¡¯t running around doing Charlemagne¡¯s bidding. It¡¯s got to be the latter,¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°The thought had crossed my mind.¡±


    ¡°Might be getting close to cut-off time. Just a thought,¡± Ledge said as he backed out of the tent.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Elsewhere in the camp Prim dodged through the bustle with the supplies she had managed to pry from the quartermaster by playing on the old man¡¯s kindness.


    She passed by the medical tent where healers and medics did what they could for the injured. She heard the sing-song voice of the creepy pastor as the man prayed loudly to a golden angel to heal the suffering. Everyone agreed that the always-smiling man was weird, but his magic worked. Not to mention that the Golden Eagles took their contracts seriously. They wouldn¡¯t jettison someone mid-expedition for being a weirdo. The Dread Paladin was an exception.


    The Furies gathered around the fire in front of their tent.


    Exhausted, but exhilarated they traded jovial barbs as they ate their MRE.


    ¡°They didn¡¯t have marshmallows. Just crackers and chocolate,¡± Prim staggered into the fire light and deposited her meager haul from the harried quartermaster before plopping down in the folding chair they had set out for her.


    ¡°These are saltines,¡± Dayana waved the box in Prim¡¯s face.


    ¡°And this is dark chocolate,¡± Jayde waved the package Prim¡¯s face.


    ¡°It was all they had,¡± Prim said.


    ¡°These ingredients do not make smores,¡± Jayde sighed.


    ¡°It¡¯s better for you,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Hey, I had a question,¡± Prim ventured. When no one said anything, she continued. ¡°How come no one else calls me ¡®Swanchild¡¯, like Ledge? I thought it was, like a thing. Everyone gets nicknames, like you¡¯re ¡®Sparky¡¯ or something,¡± she gestured to Hayden.


    ¡°Cause Ledge is lame. He tried to get it started, but since it was him no one went for it. He¡¯s basically the only one that calls people those stupid names he gives them,¡± Hayden snorted.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been worried about it for weeks¡­¡± Prim said.


    ¡°You¡¯ll learn,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Speaking of learning. Did you hit 20, Prim?¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Not yet, but I think I¡¯m close,¡± Prim said.


    ¡°Just keep exploring your magic. That¡¯s how mage-types get most of their leveling. It¡¯s not just shooting fireballs at monsters all day. That helps, but you need to actually deepen the understanding of what you¡¯re doing,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°I know. That¡¯s what Kath used to say,¡± Prim¡¯s head and shoulders slumped like she wanted to shrink into herself and hide.


    ¡°Head up, back straight,¡± Hayden cleared her throat. ¡°I mean¡­ Kath was right, and I think she¡¯d have been proud to see how good you¡¯re doing out here with us. Low leveled but standing shoulder to shoulder and fighting monsters.¡±


    ¡°You think so?¡± Prim¡¯s sad, soft voice held a tinge of hope.


    ¡°Absolutely¡­ with that said, I want to offer you a spot on our team. Provisionally¡­¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Yeah, you don¡¯t have to say yes or anything. We¡¯ve still got your back,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°We¡¯re not going to give up your cooking for anything!¡± Dayana teased.


    ¡°The whole keeping you safe has kinda gone out the window, hasn¡¯t it? I figure that your personal safety rises along with your levels and experience,¡± Hayden said.


    Prim looked deep in thought for what seemed like a long time before he brought her head up. Tears ran down to the beautiful smile as she nodded.


    ¡°Oh, thank god,¡± Jayde said. ¡°That was getting awkward.¡±


    The Furies embraced their new provisional member and immediately got down to tactics discussion.


    <hr>


    Now, Nevada


    Lake Mead was nice to look at as the convoy blazed over the Hoover Dam without slowing. Too many people¡¯s danger senses had pinged as soon as they had gotten close to risk lingering within reach of the water.


    ¡°I remember seeing pictures of this thing down practically to the bottom,¡± Ledge gestured at the water. ¡°Is someone maintaining this? Someone has to be, right?¡±


    The rest of the people in the van, including his own squad and the Furies ignored the man.


    Prim felt bad so she spoke. ¡°How can you tell?¡±


    ¡°Well, back in the old days there was a drought. Like I said, the water was super low. They were, like, feet within having to shut down the power plant. No more electricity for a lot of people. One good thing about the spirepocalypse. Nature is healing,¡± he intoned.


    The older people in the van chuckled despite themselves.


    ¡°Sure, only took billions dead, but whatever,¡± Hayden said. ¡°And you didn¡¯t answer her question.¡±


    ¡°How should I know, I¡¯m not a damologist? The dam¡¯s not falling apart after a decade of no maintenance. Probably an encounter challenge or a spawn zone more likely,¡± Ledge sighed. ¡°Here we are Year 12 P.S. and we¡¯ve still got monuments to our once great country,¡± he snorted.


    ¡°P.S.?¡± Prim frowned.


    ¡°Post Spires,¡± Ledge smiled. ¡°A new age needs a new calendar.¡±


    ¡°Hell no!¡± Dayana said. ¡°It¡¯s 2031¡­ or is it ¡®32?¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s October or November, 2031,¡± one of the others, a grizzled-looking bear of a woman said in a surprisingly high-pitched voice.


    ¡°Jennie¡­¡± Prim had made it an effort to remember names, ¡°it¡¯s October 28. I saw Ledge¡¯s calendar this morning when I was helping him pack his tent.¡± She wondered whether the information that Ledge had crossed out 2031 and replaced it with 12. ¡°Wait¡­ shouldn¡¯t it be Year 11¡­ if it¡¯s only 2031?¡±


    ¡°Spires appeared in 2019,¡± Ledge nodded sagely.


    ¡°Thought it was early 2020,¡± Jennie said.


    ¡°Maybe they showed up at different times depending on the area,¡± Prim ventured.


    They all looked at each other for a long moment.


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure¡­¡±


    ¡°Nah¡­ or maybe¡­ hmm¡­¡±


    ¡°Christmas sucked that year¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ then that means spires were pre-holidays¡­¡±


    ¡°My family was poor, so they always sucked¡­¡±


    The argument continued as they drove through the smaller cities on the way to Las Vegas.


    They approached the city from the southeast.


    Identical homes in identical tracts as far as they could see. All partially reclaimed by the desert. So much sand and dirt on everything, sometimes piling up in tall dunes against the freeway¡¯s sound walls.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t take long for the desert to reclaim it. That¡¯s why it was dumb of them to try to build cities here,¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°You can¡¯t fight nature,¡± Dayana said. ¡°You can try, but it¡¯ll win eventually.¡±


    Mutated animals appeared sporadically, but they drove fast and dissuaded sustained attacks by shooting and blasting.


    ¡°You can fight monsters and mutants,¡± Jayde said as she pulled her upper body back inside the van. She had lunged out the window to punch a charging mutant road runner in the side of its two-beaked head.


    In the lead truck, Elliot scanned the map looking for a good spot to set up camp. ¡°This is going to be a pain. There¡¯s so much stuff in this city that are probably already spawn zones. We might have to set up outside the city,¡± he murmured, ¡°should we try to clear and claim a spot inside to use as a safe-ish base instead?¡± There were plenty of motels and smaller hotels off the strip, where all the best looting would be found. He had already seen several. ¡°Take us past the airport and up the freeway,¡± he instructed the driver, ¡°we can do a drive-by and see what the strip looks like.¡±


    The strip was a strange sight. Completely devoid of life. No monsters as they had seen in the rest of the city. Just sand dunes and weather-eaten vehicles rusting in the sunny, but cool air.


    The resort casinos stood as they did when this place had held life. Drunk and vapid, but life, nonetheless.


    Elliot thought hard. ¡°Okay, go all the way past and come back, but get off the freeway. I want you to take us directly onto the strip,¡± he told the driver. ¡°Your danger sense hit when I ordered that?¡± he turned to the scout seated in the back of the cab.


    ¡°Same as it has been this whole drive¡­ like 3 or 4.¡±


    ¡°Alright, signal the convoy. We¡¯re going to drive through. North to south. Keep an eye out for potential base camps. I¡¯m looking for small hotels, motels, hell, a big grocery store will do,¡± Elliot said.


    The oddness continued.


    They weren¡¯t attacked by any monster or mutant animals on the silent and nerve-wracking drive through the Vegas Strip.


    ¡°Why are there so many buildings? And why are they so big and so close together?¡± Prim said. ¡°That one can fit everyone back home,¡± she gazed in awe at a huge hotel with a strangely familiar statue nearby, ¡°wait¡ª I thought that was in New York.¡±


    ¡°A reminder of America¡¯s decadent past. Sin City, this place was once called,¡± Ledge intoned. ¡°People from around the world came to indulge in all the vices known to man. I remember¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Hayden said. ¡°It¡¯s a copy, Prim and yeah, there was a lot more people back then.¡±


    ¡°Okay, let me tell the story,¡± Ledge patted Hayden on the head, ¡°you were but a child back then, how could you understand¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been to this place. I was like ten. Stayed at Treasure Island, saw a Cirque du Soleil show, ate buffets, played in arcades with my family,¡± a shadow fell across Hayden¡¯s face, ¡°anyways. It was loud and there were too many drunk and annoying adults, so I don¡¯t think I really enjoyed it much.¡±


    Ledge leaned closer to Prim and whispered. ¡°Cirque du Soleil is like an artsy-fartsy circus acrobatics show. Pretty cool.¡±


    ¡°From the looks of all the hotels, you¡¯ll probably get to see the light show if you¡¯re allowed out here at night. The Bellagio¡¯s fountain show was pretty fun. My husband took me for our last anniversary¡­ before things went to shit,¡± Jennie said.


    The convoy slowed to a halt.


    ¡°Alright, people, eyes on every angle including the sky,¡± Ledge called out as they exploded out of the van and took their positions.


    Hayden made sure that Prim was at her back.


    A runner dashed up to Ledge. ¡°Captain says to keep watch. The scouts found something,¡± the young man said.


    ¡°What?¡± Ledge kept one eye trained down the sight of his carbine pointed toward a dark window into a chapel of all things.


    ¡°They had a strange feeling. That¡¯s all I heard.¡±


    ¡°Always what I like to hear,¡± Ledge murmured. If he wasn¡¯t so concerned getting as many of his people through this whole expedition as possible then he would¡¯ve rather enjoyed the threat of constant death. As it was, he was being pulled in two directions. Too much effort for his sort of man.


    <hr>


    Now, Las Vegas


    Cooper Church.


    The Dread Paladin.


    The latter was clad in his dark gray plate and chain. Shield in one hand and a long, black blade in the other.


    Ever since they had driven into the city, he had a sensation that something was off. No. That wasn¡¯t right. He thought about it and realized that the feeling had started miles outside Las Vegas.


    He still felt and fed off the dread the convoy had been generating.


    Except, he was shocked to realize, that he himself was now creating it.


    Was he afraid?


    It seemed that he was.


    But of what?


    He considered summoning his steed for the comfort of her presence, but the sun was still out, and she didn¡¯t enjoy the light. No, he couldn¡¯t do that merely to ease his worry. The gifts weren¡¯t meant to be used frivolously.


    ¡°Uh¡­ everything okay?¡± Elliot shied away as the Dread Paladin turned his glowing eyes on the skittish Captain.


    ¡°What did you want from me¡­ again?¡± the Dread Paladin rasped.


    ¡°That motel,¡± Elliot pointed to the other side of the street, ¡°scouts thought there was something weird about it. I want you to check it out.¡±


    The Dread Paladin grunted and stalked toward the motel.


    He hit a wall as he transitioned from the street to the parking lot.


    A scowl beneath the helm.


    He tried to walk forward.


    Again, he was rebuffed.


    He simply couldn¡¯t cross the threshold from sidewalk to motel parking lot.


    He finally noticed the notification from the spires beeping in his eyes and ears.


    He took a moment to read and listen.


    ¡°I want to challenge the claim,¡± he said.


    ¡°You are not powerful enough.¡±


    Unexpected and unwelcome.


    He felt the pit in his gut grow heavier. He had forgotten what it was like.


    He trudged back to Elliot.


    ¡°Someone else has already claimed it,¡± he rasped.


    Elliot blinked like a dumb fish. He signaled and several men and women flanked him as he rushed to the motel and found himself similarly barred. ¡°Who the hell is Cal Cruces?¡±


    ¡°Someone to be wary off. Even I¡¯m not strong enough to even challenge the claim. Maybe if the entire convoy were to do it.¡±


    Elliot shook his head. ¡°No. This guy sounds like someone we don¡¯t want to fight,¡± he eyed the Dread Paladin, ¡°if even you¡ª no, better not to make unnecessary enemies just as we¡¯re about to get into the meat of our expedition.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d risk this unknown enemy going unchallenged. What if he¡¯s laid claim to other places? What if he won¡¯t let you loot his treasures?¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t pirate times. I¡¯m sure there¡¯s plenty of stuff to go around. Stores restock every day, right? I¡¯m sure we can make a deal. He¡¯d probably appreciate some help clearing these places. If you haven¡¯t noticed most of the places we¡¯ve passed are spawn zones.¡±


    ¡°The powerful seldom like to share. He¡¯d more likely lay claim to everything he can. There¡¯d be no reason not to if we don¡¯t pose a threat. Neither man nor monster¡­¡±


    The mask slipped bit.


    Elliot seemed to stand taller in his presence. ¡°This is the most you¡¯ve ever spoken to me or anyone,¡± his eyes narrowed. The man found somewhat of a spine, as meager as it was.


    The Dread Paladin drew on a gift of his Vow.


    Shadows roiled.


    Elliot and the others shied away.


    Dominance reasserted the Dread Paladin stomped back toward the truck bed he had all to himself.


    ¡°I think I made him mad,¡± Elliot said to the others¡¯ agreements. ¡°Good. He¡¯ll be ready to help us claim a spot. Maybe farther south.¡± The motel claimed by the unknown man, presumably a man, was only a short distance away from the Strip. He wanted to be away from both.


    ¡°Not too far south, though. There¡¯s, like, a lion sanctuary down there,¡± one of his scouts said.


    ¡°No, no,¡± Elliot agreed. ¡°Giant mutant lions aren¡¯t something I want to face until we¡¯re ready. Maybe if we¡¯re lucky, this guy already took care of them,¡± he gestured at the motel.


    Despite the great distance between them, Cooper heard every word they said. The Dread Paladin made a vow to see these lions after he did what he had to in order to secure a base for these people. They had made an excellent source of what he needed to fulfill the Vow and that deserved some consideration.


    They had more for him to reap.

 6.9

    Now, Las Vegas


    Gremlins in the small hotel¡¯s parking lot.


    Gremlins in the hallways and rooms.


    Prim didn¡¯t have any of the PTSD in regard to that particular type of monster that most of the people that had lived through the first weeks of the spires appearing throughout the country.


    She had been around 2 years old.


    The early years of her life were shrouded by a thick, black shroud.


    Her earliest memories had been of Ms. Daniels and the orphanage.


    The first stages of the fight hadn¡¯t been too hard.


    The Golden Eagles had been battle-hardened by years of combat. The grueling trek across the American Southwest had been another crucible that had brought the survivors to the heights of their power.


    The problems began with the boss, a huge gremlin alpha.


    There had been an internal disagreement among parties as to who specifically would step up to the challenge.


    The Dread Paladin had taken it as a given that he was the one to first exchange blows with the boss monster.


    Hayden hadn''t liked that. She had strongly stated that the Furies would have the first crack.


    They had looked to be on the verge of blows, when the gremlin alpha appeared on the roof roaring as it leapt.


    The Dread Paladin had speared it in midair and held the thousand-pound monster wriggling on the crosspiece. While Hayden had struck it with one of her electrified chains.


    Elliot pounced on the impasse and ordered everyone to open fire with guns and spells.


    The gremlin alpha died quickly.


    The argument hadn¡¯t cooled.


    Hayden was livid as Dayana tried to hold her back.


    The wince on the latter¡¯s face told Prim that the former wasn¡¯t keeping a tight hold on her electricity.


    She debated using the butt of her spear to help Dayana out, when Elliot whistled.


    ¡°Can we get on with this!¡± he snapped. ¡°We¡¯ve got a true boss to fight and I¡¯d like to get that done before the sun really sets. We have no idea what kind of monsters are out there. We need a safe base, so that we can sleep easy for the first time in months.¡±


    Prim wondered about that.


    She had heard about the man that had claimed the first motel they had stopped at. A man powerful enough that the Dread Paladin wasn¡¯t able to challenge the claim. The thought sent a ripple of fear through her. She was surprised to realize that it was stronger than what she was feeling toward the dark-armored paladin.


    Whose glowing eyes suddenly fixed on her.


    ¡°Fuck off!¡± Jayde stepped in front of her.


    The problem was that she was about a head taller than Jayde.


    She tried to remain tall and strong, but the fear was too much and she found herself withering to shrink behind Jayde. She cursed herself. That was how the girl that had started this journey reacted. She was Level 20 now and she had fought all sorts of terrible things. She had stood side by side with the Furies and the rest of the Golden Eagles. One of the best teams in their area and the best mercenary company that anyone knew off.


    ¡°Then do it,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped.


    Elliot triggered the true boss¡¯ appearance with nervous words.


    A blur exploded out of one of the motel rooms. The splintered door sent jagged shards that had people crying out with surprise and pain.


    Someone yanked Prim back by her collar as the blur passed in front of her.


    ¡°Flicker Movement.¡± Dayana appeared in front of her clashing with the blur. Short blades against clawed fingers. She came out on the losing end as her blades snapped.


    ¡°Fireball!¡± Jayde threw a straight punch and stumbled as the blur dipped back away from the two Furies.


    ¡°Everyone get back!¡± Static filled the air as the air around the charging Hayden was distorted by small arcs of electricity flowing across her armor and chains.


    ¡°Too slow,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped. He pointed the sword at the blur as it shredded its way through the expedition¡¯s fighters. ¡°Shadow Grasp.¡±


    The blur crashed to a halt, slamming face first into the asphalt.


    A black hand had emerged from the monster¡¯s own shadow.


    Prim didn¡¯t expect the true boss to look almost human. Indeed, like a little girl in size, until it pulled its head up and snarled. Too many sharp teeth in a hideous face.


    Prim fell to her knees.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s the ones that do the human trick that are the worse,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Uncanny valley shit,¡± Dayana spat.


    The true boss struggled against the shadow hand as the Dread Paladin approached. He thrust the sword deep into its back. Skin that had resisted the expedition¡¯s weapons parted like soft butter.


    The monster screeched in rage and pain.


    The black blade disappeared, replaced by a long-handled warhammer with an over-sized head.


    One strike to the monster¡¯s head and it was all over.


    They had secured a relatively safe base.


    ¡°Finally! I can get a hot shower!¡± Jayde pumped her fist. ¡°Wet wipes aren¡¯t a proper substitute.¡±


    ¡°Not until we¡¯ve pulled all our trucks into the lot,¡± Elliot said. ¡°You guys are on guard duty.¡±


    ¡°Fine, fine,¡± Hayden said as she gathered the Furies and stationed them on the sidewalk just outside the parking lot entrance.


    ¡°Why, though?¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°He¡¯s just covering the bases,¡± Hayden said. ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal. We can wait ten minutes. Unless you¡¯d rather help with the unloading.¡±


    ¡°I meant, why stand on the outside of the safe zone,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Only safe unless something or someone stronger comes along,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be a pussy, Jayde. One step and you¡¯re inside,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°You saw how fast that boss was, right? One step is a long time for one of those things,¡± Jayde said.


    Prim listened to the bickering continue while she struggled to still her shaking muscles. Adrenaline drained. She knew this had already experienced it several times throughout her journey. It still hadn¡¯t gotten easier.


    ¡°The fight¡¯s over. Try to relax,¡± Hayden said. ¡°You¡¯ll get first crack at the shower,¡± she nudged Prim to the protests of the other two.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying,¡± Prim said.


    ¡°Try harder!¡± Jayde laughed.


    Later that night the Furies were back on guard duty. Their spirits had been bolstered by said hot showers and the warmth of the two trashcan fires they had placed on each side of the parking lot entrance.


    It was dinner time and each Fury had a bowl of hearty meat and vegetable stew, along with old, crusty bread.


    Hayden constantly scanned the darkness on the street beyond the reach of the firelight even as she ate slowly.


    ¡°I thought it wasn¡¯t good to eat before a fight,¡± Prim said.


    ¡°That¡¯s if you know you¡¯re heading into one,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°But shouldn¡¯t we eat after our shift?¡± Prim said.


    ¡°The stew would be gone by then. I, for one, didn¡¯t want to eat another MRE. Which is why I grabbed us bowls. You¡¯re welcome, by the way,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°We already said thank you,¡± Dayana shook her head.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to eat at a buffet,¡± Jayde eyed the bright glow in the distance. ¡°So weird how the lights are still on,¡± she shook her head. ¡°I wonder if the monsters gamble and shit?¡±


    ¡°No, they don¡¯t,¡± Dayana sighed.


    ¡°Sucks for them. They just sit around for years waiting for people to show up and try to kill them,¡± Jayde¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°I think I got it! Encounter challenges and spawn zones are like a deranged version of Disney World!¡±


    ¡°No¡ª shit, you¡¯re right! Damn it!¡± Dayana said. The dark-skinned young woman stared into her stew without moving for what seemed like a long time.


    ¡°I blew her mind. She gets weird when that happens,¡± Jayde whispered to Prim.


    Jayde¡¯s head suddenly rose, her eyes focused out beyond the fire. ¡°Car¡­ car!¡±


    The Furies scrambled, dropping half empty stew bowls in favor of weapons, or in Jayde¡¯s case, her fists.


    Prim was the slowest to react. She had just gotten her shield and spear when the car silently rolled to a stop just at the edge of the light. The soft rustle of the gravel underneath the tires rang out in the silence.


    ¡°Prim, tell the others we¡¯ve got incoming,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Wait¡ª¡± Hayden said. Why had she said that? ¡°We can handle a car-full of people.¡± That wasn¡¯t proper procedure, but she dismissed the thought. ¡°Get ready,¡± she said as she tried to look past the car¡¯s shining headlights.


    Shadowy figures stepped out from the driver¡¯s and passenger¡¯s side.


    It was hard to make out, but the passenger appeared to open the rear door and reach in for something.


    The figures slowly stepped into the light.


    The driver was a short man, muscular with a face¡ª


    Hayden blinked.


    She tried to fix the man¡¯s features in her mind, but they slipped away like water through her fingers.


    ¡°Hello! We come in peace!¡± the man smiled.


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    The second figure was a knight¡­ carrying a baby.


    ¡°What the fuck!¡± Jayde whispered.


    An actual knight in shining armor straight out of medieval times.


    ¡°What¡ª what do you want?¡± Hayden shook her head.


    ¡°Well, we¡¯d like to ask some questions and I suppose, we¡¯d owe you some in return. Question for question, answer for answer. That sort of thing,¡± the man said.


    ¡°Just stand right there and we¡¯ll get the Captain out here,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Yeah, I intend to have a chat with him, but I¡¯m more interested with you guys for now¡­¡± the man¡¯s eyes scanned the other people in the parking lot. They were closer to the motel rooms. Eating and talking without notice or care for what was happening a few hundred feet away. ¡°There¡¯s¡­ another that I need to check out¡­ but, that¡¯s for later.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Hayden nodded.


    Why was she agreeing?


    The Furies gestured toward the folding chairs they had set up near the two trashcan fires.


    The baby reached up and slapped pudgy fingers against the knight¡¯s full helm.


    Hayden realized that it, she¡­ the knight was a she. A small woman judging by her general build.


    ¡°Sorry, we don¡¯t have extra chairs,¡± Prim said.


    ¡°And no extra food,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Kind of you, but that won¡¯t be necessary,¡± the man said as he held up two folding chairs in one hand and a large bag of something that smelled really good in the other.


    Hayden blinked.


    When had¡ª


    That¡¯s right. He had gotten it out of the trunk of the car.


    ¡°How come your car¡¯s so quiet?¡± Prim said.


    ¡°It¡¯s electric,¡± the man smiled, ¡°easier to plug it in since there¡¯s plenty of electricity than it was to deal with claiming a gas station.¡± He gestured with the huge bag of food. ¡°We brought plenty to share.¡±


    ¡°Is that from¡ª¡± Jayde recognized the branding on the bag.


    ¡°Best buffet in the city! Various grilled meats, pasta and broccoli cheddar soup. Also cake and pie slices and pastries for dessert,¡± the man¡¯s warm features broadened in a wide smile.


    Hayden blinked.


    Narrow features made the smile feel sinister¡ª


    No, it didn¡¯t.


    The man definitely didn¡¯t have a rat face.


    ¡°Tell me you have macarons?¡± Jayde barely restrained herself from lunging for the bag.


    The man placed chairs on the street side of the parking lot, while putting the bag down in front of Hayden. ¡°Every kind they had.¡±


    ¡°You claimed Caesar¡¯s Palace!¡± Hayden belatedly realized the truth. The air crackled around her. ¡°You¡ª¡±


    ¡°We come bearing gifts in order to share the warmth of your fire and talk. Nothing more, nothing less,¡± the man soothed. ¡°I will try my best to make this worth your time.¡±


    ¡°Give that food over and you¡¯ve done it,¡± Jayde said.


    Hayden calmed when she studied the man¡¯s trustworthy features. She gestured toward the chairs.


    The man took the baby from the silent knight before the two of them took their seats. The knight¡¯s groaned and creaked. It looked to be on the verge of collapsing when it suddenly firmed up.


    ¡°May I?¡± Jayde pointed at the food bag.


    Hayden knew she should¡¯ve snapped at Jayde to be careful. Eating food brought by strangers wasn¡¯t a good idea. She remained silent.


    ¡°Be my guest,¡± the man said.


    ¡°You wanted to ask a question,¡± Hayden¡¯s jaw clenched, ¡°ask.¡±


    ¡°I guess the obvious one is what are you all doing here?¡± the man said.


    Hayden answered with a surprising amount of thoroughness and candor. She had definitely planned to do the opposite of that. Maybe not outright lie, but at least keep a lot of details out.


    ¡°Interesting, thanks. Now, your turn,¡± the man gazed at her expectantly.


    ¡°What¡¯s with that?¡± Dayana said with a finger pointed at the baby cradled in the man¡¯s arms, drinking from a milk bottle.


    Hayden blinked.


    When had that happened?


    Wasn¡¯t the baby slobbering over a rubber ring?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a baby,¡± the man said.


    ¡°Yeah, but¡ª why?¡± Prim snapped. ¡°It¡¯s dangerous. Babies and children aren¡¯t allowed to leave¡ª¡± the girl¡¯s mouth snapped shut as her cheeks colored.


    ¡°That¡¯s a perfectly reasonable question. Let¡¯s just say that he¡¯s safer with us than anywhere else,¡± the man smiled kindly toward Prim. ¡°But, I think that¡¯s not the question you really want to ask. So, I won¡¯t count it.¡±


    ¡°Is it just you two?¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Three, but yeah,¡± the man said. ¡°My turn¡ª¡±


    ¡°Sorry¡ª¡± Hayden blinked. She felt like she had to push through a thick blanket, that suddenly lifted. ¡°Your question, my answer, was a lot more in-depth. I think you owe me more.¡±


    ¡°Fair,¡± the man said.


    Hayden struggled with the question in her mind. A name that wouldn¡¯t allow itself to be uttered. ¡°You asked what we¡¯re doing here. What about you?¡± Her thoughts rolled over to the next question in her thoughts.


    ¡°Pretty much the same as your group. Kill monsters, clean up spawn zones, take treasure.¡±


    ¡°And how much have you claimed? That¡¯s one,¡± Hayden regarded the bag on the ground, ¡°any others?¡±


    ¡°Claimed? Caesar''s Palace is the only resort hotel casino we¡¯ve taken. Turned a few from spawn zones back into encounter challenges. I can give you a list for your expedition. A bit easier to do encounter challenges rather than spawn zones.¡±


    ¡°Is that why we haven¡¯t spotted any monsters on the strip?¡± Dayana said.


    The man nodded.


    ¡°Thanks¡­ I guess.¡± Jayde¡¯s barbecue sauce-smeared face smiled. ¡°Mostly for this,¡± she held the pork rib up.


    ¡°I actually cooked that,¡± the man said.


    ¡°Damn, so the food wasn¡¯t just all ready?¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Nope¡­ I, too, thought it might be different with a buffet, but alas, you still have to cook the food yourselves. At least everything had instructions laying around the kitchens,¡± the man said.


    ¡°Well, shit, you made these too then,¡± Jayde held up a pink macaron.


    ¡°That was me,¡± the knight said. A woman¡¯s voice. ¡°He¡¯s terrible at baking.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you ask our names?¡± A thought was stuck in Hayden¡¯s mind like a thorn.


    ¡°I heard from a Witch once, well, third hand, that names have power and can be used against you. I¡¯ve never actually experienced it, but why risk it. If I¡¯m not willing to give you mine then it didn¡¯t seem fair to ask for yours,¡± the man said.


    ¡°I am Knight Ila,¡± the woman said stiffly.


    The man¡¯s eyes darted to his partner.


    Hayden caught it.


    What had she seen?


    Something like incredulity?


    So, that wasn¡¯t the woman¡¯s real name.


    ¡°I want to assure you that I don¡¯t have any problems with your company conducting operations. I might even have some information to share that you might find interesting if you think you¡¯re up to the challenge,¡± the man said.


    ¡°What is that information?¡± Prim said quickly.


    The man smiled. ¡°There might be a different kind encounter challenge or spawn zone outside the city. I haven¡¯t checked it out, but I may be willing to team up with some of your number to explore it,¡± he held up a finger, ¡°that¡¯s all I¡¯m going to say on that for now.¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s our turn to ask something,¡± Knight Ila said.


    ¡°Go ahead,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°The place you come from. Your home town? Tell me about it, please,¡± the man said.


    Hayden shrugged. ¡°What do you want to know?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s life like there? For the powerful, for the weak and everyone in between,¡± the man leaned toward her. Eyes that seemed to see right through her would¡¯ve been more intimidating if not for the gurgling baby in the man¡¯s arms. ¡°I¡¯d like each of you to share your thoughts with me, if you¡¯re willing,¡± he regarded each of the Furies in turn.


    Hayden started the telling.


    Prim went last.


    Hayden grew progressively angrier as Prim told her story. She thought of Kath¡¯s murder and the cracks of suffering that would ensue in its wake.


    The man¡¯s face remained serene, but part of her, for a moment, thought she felt his anger mingling with her own.


    ¡°Will that be an issue for you when you return?¡± the man said.


    ¡°Pervy bastard might try, but we¡¯ve got her back,¡± Jayde punched a fist into the palm of her hand. Barbecue sauce splattered.


    ¡°Yes, well, there are better places to live,¡± the man said.


    ¡°Your home?¡± Hayden said.


    The man pondered that for a moment. ¡°I¡¯ve traveled a lot and it¡¯s hard to say what home means to me, but I suppose it¡¯s the closest thing.¡±


    ¡°We can tell you about it if you¡¯d like,¡± Knight Ila said.


    They did and so they talked long into the night.


    Hayden found it strange that none of the other members of the expedition had come over to check on the two¡ª three strangers and the awesome food.


    When their shift was done they were gone. The people. The bags of food. The car.


    The Furies stared at each other in a daze as they trudge to their motel room.


    ¡°Hot bunking sucks, but for an actual bed, I¡¯ll deal,¡± Jayde said. She turned to Prim. ¡°We can share. You don¡¯t want to share with Dayana. She farts in her sleep,¡± she whispered.


    ¡°Bitch, I have Enhanced Senses!¡± Dayana snapped. ¡°I know who deals it out and it isn¡¯t me¡­ most of the time.¡±


    ¡°More like enhanced gas,¡± Jayde sneered.


    ¡°And you snore like a bear. The two of you complete each other,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Did¡ª did that just happen? I mean, we just talked to a guy, a knight woman and a baby, while eating buffet food,¡± Prim said.


    Hayden blinked. ¡°I can¡¯t remember their faces,¡± she realized.


    ¡°So, they were ghosts? Or real? Real ghosts?¡± Jayde mused. ¡°Meh, I remember the food,¡± she patted her once flat stomach, now rounded, ¡°and that was heavenly. Caesar¡¯s Palace, right? We should visit and get more.¡±


    ¡°Seems like a dream, but I¡¯m pretty sure it happened, but there was definitely something weird going on,¡± Dayana said.


    <hr>


    Elliot had set his tent up near the motel¡¯s office. He would¡¯ve enjoyed a bed, but wanted to be the last of the expedition to have the pleasure. He could wait another night or two for his turn.


    He was just about to hit the cot when the flap rustled.


    He eyed it expectantly, perhaps Ledge had something to complain about or more likely Hayden.


    There was no shadow.


    The thought led him to the Dread Paladin.


    He let out a nervous chuckle.


    That one was the last person he wanted in his tent at this hour of the night.


    The fires had dwindled and the voices had softened. The last few holdouts were still drinking and snacking.


    The Furies should be just about done with their shift.


    The flap rustled again.


    He stared at it.


    There was no shadow.


    ¡°I¡¯m exhausted,¡± he turned away.


    The cot called.


    The flap rustled a third time.


    He didn¡¯t remember it being windy in the parking lot. The U-shaped set up of the building provided a good windshield against the desert¡¯s cold night air.


    He turned back.


    A man stood just inside the closed flap.


    Elliot¡¯s hand was on the grip of his pistol in an unconscious action.


    ¡°Relax. I come in peace. I¡¯m just here to talk,¡± the man said. ¡°You seem like a decent man from what I¡¯ve¡­ observed. You care about your company and you¡¯re not into war crime-type bullshit. That¡¯s worth a chat and the benefit of the doubt.¡±


    Elliot relaxed.


    ¡°I¡¯ve just got a few questions. In exchange I¡¯ll answer a few of yours. I¡¯m aiming for equivalency,¡± the man said.


    He tried to study the man.


    Strong bodied, but short.


    Nothing else seemed to stick in his thoughts.


    ¡°Okay, but I go first. What do you want? I mean, what do you really want?¡± Elliot said.


    A random guy shows up inside his tent in the middle of camp and no one appeared to be coming.


    Someone should¡¯ve noticed.


    And yet, this didn¡¯t bother him.


    The man smiled and told him.


    The offer of a temporary partnership was intriguing.


    His suspicious nature wasn¡¯t triggered, which was in itself more suspicious.


    Not that he let that bring a halt to the conversation.


    The man asked his question.


    He answered with surprising candor.


    Yes. There were aspects to the way the mayor ran San Antonio, or rather the remnants on the outskirts of the old city, that he wasn¡¯t particularly fond of. ¡°Making people have kids and then basically taking them and raising them to be good little soldiers, workers and other things is kind of messed up,¡± Elliot said.


    The man agreed.


    ¡°I guess we won¡¯t see the long-term effects until these kids grow up. I¡¯ve heard of worse stuff, like what Prim ran away from,¡± Elliot continued. ¡°Still, what¡¯re you going to do?¡± he spread his arms. ¡°People have warm homes and full stomachs. Sure, it¡¯s weird that they still have to work for cash.¡±


    ¡°They, not you?¡± the man said.


    ¡°The company¡¯s travels allows us to grab all the supplies we need from stores. If we need cash then we just do jobs for the city,¡± Elliot said.


    ¡°Thank you for your time. I¡¯ll be in touch about our potential team-up,¡± the man said.


    It took a moment for Elliot to realize that despite the fact that he was staring at the closed flap he couldn¡¯t remember the man physically leaving.

 6.10

    Now, Las Vegas


    Cal floated a few inches off the ground in front of the closed motel room door.


    A dark shadowy presence within bristled at his proximity. There was a feeling of familiarity, yet he was certain that it was a distinct thing from what it had reminded him of.


    ¡°What is it with traumatized young people being given offers of power by otherworldly entities?¡± he murmured.


    ¡°Who and the what now?¡± Nila said.


    Cal held the steering wheel of the Tesla at 10 and 2, safety first and all that. He kept a light touch on the pedal. He wasn¡¯t in a rush to get back to the hotel. The bright lights and the empty streets made for a pretty cool view if you didn¡¯t think too hard about the why of it.


    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m trying to look into that Dread Paladin business.¡±


    ¡°Maybe I should drive?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine I can handle being in my meat body while doing a psychic projection thing.¡±


    ¡°If you say so. Remember, we¡¯ve got a baby in the back seat.¡±


    ¡°Of course¡­¡±


    Cal hesitated.


    Nope.


    Now was not the time to test whatever the dark and shadowy presence behind the door was. Chatting with the Furies had been pleasant and he didn¡¯t want to ruin the rest of the night.


    He withdrew from the door and cast about the rest of the motel for anything interesting, well, for threats mostly. He kept his mental scans shallow. For the most part the expedition members were normal people. No one was secretly evil, which was nice to discover.


    The Dread Paladin was the exception, as was the pastor.


    The latter wasn¡¯t evil, so much as deluded, even though the man genuinely believed what he believed.


    A golden angel, God¡¯s herald for their church community. The Eternal Church of Joyous Light¡ª


    ¡°Shitfuck!¡±


    ¡°Hey, language!¡± Nila said. ¡°You¡¯ll set a bad example.


    ¡°Nononono,¡± he murmured.


    He tried to dig deeper into the pastor¡¯s thoughts, but was met by a wall of music and song. There were words and sounds, but he couldn¡¯t describe them.


    ¡°That fuc¡ª sorry.¡±


    He tried again and again to no avail.


    He stopped the projection and floored the pedal.


    ¡°Hey! Be careful!¡± Nila snapped.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ve got good reflexes.¡±


    ¡°Okay, you¡¯re going to tell me what¡¯s going on!¡± Nila said as he ushered her and the baby into the hotel¡¯s front lobby.


    Once safely inside, he plopped down into one of the comfortable couches.


    ¡°Zalthyss¡­¡±


    Nila¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Here?¡±


    He told her what he had seen or rather heard when he had brushed against the pastor¡¯s thoughts.


    ¡°The name¡¯s not very subtle, is it?¡±


    He shook his head and traced fingers over the base of the knuckles of the two missing ones on his left hand. ¡°If it or one of its representatives is here then I have to be very careful. It¡¯s my advantage that I know, but they don¡¯t know that I know. I have to be circumspect in gathering intel so that when I do strike it¡¯ll be quick and overwhelming.¡±


    Nila placed the sleeping baby on the couch and stepped out of her Threnosh armor before sitting down and throwing her arms around Cal. ¡°You¡¯re not alone this time and you¡¯re stronger. You¡¯ve fought and beaten things just as bad or worse.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ they say that the first time always leaves the biggest impact,¡± he flexed his three-fingered hand. ¡°Enough on that. I don¡¯t want to think about it. That might draw attention.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ then let¡¯s talk about how the night went,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°What did you think of them?¡±


    ¡°The Furies? They¡¯re fun¡­ in a crazy dangerous way. Good to fight alongside with, merciless killers to their enemies. Reminded of some of the rangers. Except the girl, Prim,¡± Nila shook her head sadly. ¡°The way she was being groomed¡­ I¡¯m assuming we¡¯ll be paying a visit to their hometown at some point?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. It made the list. I got more from the expedition leader, Elliot. The place isn¡¯t that bad. Life there sounds close to what it was generally like before the spires showed up. They use paper dollars and make people work jobs.¡±


    Nila made a face. ¡°Pointless waste of time.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t read deeply into their thoughts. Mostly scanned through recent memories. Saw what they experienced on the journey from Texas to here. It¡¯s not perfect since each individual¡¯s memories are filtered through their own perception. Bias and such colors the remembrance. However, cross-referencing singular events through multiple eyes gives me an accurate picture. It¡¯s very useful, but I still fill like a creep for looking into other people¡¯s thoughts. Not to mention the psychic bleed through,¡± he sighed. ¡°What they see and feel, I get too.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°Two big takeaways for me, well three, but we aren¡¯t talking about that one. The first is that I¡¯d like to vet the Furies more. They have the potential to be good allies in our more proactive approach to things. Hayden¡¯s got a straight up superpower. First I¡¯ve personally interacted with that wasn¡¯t family.¡±


    ¡°What about that racist cop from way back then?¡±


    ¡°Technically true, but he got eaten by a gremlin alpha¡­ anyways. Hayden¡¯s body generates electricity.¡±


    ¡°What about the others?¡±


    ¡°Dayana¡¯s a high level Rogue. Almost 40. I know Hanna and a few of the rangers got into the 30¡¯s from what we did in the Philippines. That was months ago, so I don¡¯t know where they are now. Hanna might be pushing 40 depending on what she¡¯s doing. Jayde¡¯s a low 20¡¯s Punch Mage¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a new one,¡± Nila said. ¡°How does that even work? She does spells by¡­ punching?¡±


    ¡°Pretty much. It¡¯s interesting because it¡¯s a consolidation of two classes. Mage and Boxer.¡±


    ¡°Why is it so low?¡± Dayana¡¯s twice as high,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°She had both classes at 20 when they combined,¡± he shrugged. ¡°This is the first example of consolidation that I¡¯ve discovered. Not enough data points to establish anything really. With spires bullshit there are probably as many potential outcomes as there are people. Level 20 in two classes might just be the minimum pre-req. The most important thing might be that she saw herself or really wanted to be a Mage that punched things.¡±


    ¡°Or a Boxer that hits things with magic,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°A possibility with an equal chance of being true. As for Prim. She¡¯s a standard Mage at around 20. Though she does have a spell that I¡¯ve never seen before. Some kind of spell orb that functions like a sort of drone. She learned it from a woman that tried to do good, but had the bad luck to run into an overpowered opponent. Kath was her name and she¡¯s the tie that binds Hayden to Prim¡­ and binds the two of them to the Dread Paladin.¡±


    ¡°He killed this Kath¡­¡± Nila said.


    ¡°My second point of interest or big problem, depending on perspective. The Dread Paladin is a very dangerous young man. I barely scratched the surface on him. I thought that I wasn¡¯t ready to cut our relaxation time.¡±


    Nila snorted.


    ¡°What? This has been a veritable vacation. We get to stay in an opulent suite, eat opulent food.¡±


    ¡°Spawn zones and monsters,¡± Nila reminded him.


    ¡°Honestly, those fights have been pretty easy. Unlike the Dread Paladin.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t he have a real name? You keep saying that and it makes me cringe,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°I told you I didn¡¯t dig and no one in the entire expedition knows him as anything else. He almost reminds me of Fin. Different feeling, but similar. Like there¡¯s another presence. It¡¯s the same issue though. I don¡¯t want to let it know that I know, you know?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, because you¡¯re worried that it might do something bad to Fin if you just start kicking down doors. I keep telling you that it might be worse the longer you don¡¯t do anything,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°I¡¯m folding the Fin concern into our current broad objectives. Hopefully, a solution appears or is created.¡±


    ¡°How dangerous?¡± Nila said.


    ¡°I only have the expedition¡¯s memories of him in action and they¡¯ve been colored by an unnaturally high amount of¡­ dread¡ª¡±


    ¡°Hence the name. Wait, is that just a name or a class?¡±


    ¡°It seems to be the latter.¡±


    ¡°And a paladin is? I recognize it from your games. Like a magic knight?¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Close, but not a knight like you, Ila,¡± he grinned. ¡°Seriously, what was that?¡±


    ¡°Well you said that you would make them see my Threnosh armor as knight armor and I sorta panicked when she asked my name,¡± Nila scowled.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I didn¡¯t give them mine and made up that whole Witch curse excuse.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t tell me before hand,¡± Nila said. ¡°So¡­ that¡¯s your fault.¡±


    ¡°I guess that¡¯s true from a technical standpoint, but it doesn¡¯t change the fact that your secret fake name is just your real name, minus the N,¡± he laughed.


    Nila poked a finger into his ribs.


    The baby stirred from their jostling, which made them freeze.


    ¡°Your fault,¡± Nila hissed.


    ¡°He¡¯s fine,¡± he regarded the baby fondly. ¡°You¡¯re not going to wake up are you?¡±


    Nila let out a breath. ¡°The Furies are planning to kill the Dread Paladin. I don¡¯t need telepathy to pick up that much from what they said.¡±


    Cal nodded.


    ¡°Can they do it?¡±


    He recounted what the Dread Paladin had accomplished throughout the expedition¡¯s journey as filtered through the eyes of over a hundred people. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure he¡¯s empowered by fear, terror and ultimately the dread others have in regards to him simply existing in their world. He¡¯s got a demon-y shadow horse and gear he pulls out from shadows. He¡¯s got combat Skills and magic spells. Hence the name. A mixture of might and magic in the service of¡­ something.¡±


    ¡°This something is what gives him power, which implies that it is the real threat,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure if the Furies can do it.¡±


    ¡°He sounds like a bad guy, probably in the service of another evil entity thing,¡± Nila said. ¡°What if we need to handle it?¡±


    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    Cal eyed the baby.


    ¡°We can get a sitter,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Where? Who?¡±


    ¡°I think we can trust him with Prim for an hour,¡± Nila said. ¡°I fight the Dread Paladin, while you take care of his evil mentor.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if you can beat him.¡±


    Nila¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously.


    Cal rushed to explain. ¡°From what I¡¯ve seen in their memories, he appears to have Class 7-ish strength. Not to mention the fact that his weaponry might have magical properties that can beat your armor.¡±


    ¡°Can you explain in English and not you and your brother¡¯s nerd speak?¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Alright, just going by the physicals¡­ You¡¯re just below a Class 2, as you know.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I can almost press 2 tons. He can do 7, so what? Fighting¡¯s not just about strength,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°True. There¡¯s skill and technique. Speed, reflexes, equipment and a bunch of other factors. Breaking down the rest of these¡­ I¡¯d say your speed is about the same. You¡¯re more acrobatic, agile. I only saw him fight monsters so I can¡¯t say for certain how his fighting skill is against a humanoid opponent, but from what I saw I¡¯d say he knows what he¡¯s doing. What he does have is magic. Spells and equipment, a lot of which, I suspect have yet to be revealed.¡±


    ¡°Okay. You don¡¯t have to say anything more. I¡¯m not stupid and reckless,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Oh thank God¡­ I thought that was my job and I was getting confused.¡±


    ¡°Very funny,¡± Nila gave him a flat stare. ¡°What¡¯s the next step then? Invite them to a buffet?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª that¡¯s a great idea! Then when they¡¯re full and in a food coma I can hook them into a plot, like cults do!¡±


    ¡°Not funny now that there are cults out there that do things like turn humans into seafood hybrids,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll definitely need to do king crab legs, lobster and grilled scallops. Pair those with a variety of meats?¡±


    ¡°Whatever you want,¡± Nila stood and gathered the sleeping baby into her arms. ¡°Since this is your idea, you¡¯ll be doing all the cooking. The baby and I will be going to sleep.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to cook now. I still have to send the invite. Maybe for dinner tomorrow? We can cook during the day. Make it a family project?¡± he ventured hopefully.


    ¡°The baby and I will be in the pool,¡± Nila dashed his hope.


    Meh, he thought after a moment.


    Thanks to his powers he could do the work of dozens of people without it being difficult.


    ¡°Do you want to help with a presentation¡­ at least that?¡± he called after Nila.


    ¡°Pool!¡±


    He waited for her to disappear into the elevator before getting up and walking over to the buffet kitchens.


    Things probably need to be defrosted and he could start the prep work at least.


    Anything to keep his mind busy and off the golden-voiced song threatening to emerge from his memories.


    <hr>


    ¡°My proposal is pretty straight-forward,¡± the strange man from last night said with a smile.


    Hayden dipped the chunk of crab leg into lemon butter sauce and crammed it into her mouth as she listened.


    ¡°I¡¯d like you join me in exploring something I discovered.¡±


    She listened to the murmurs from the rest of the expedition¡¯s members. They had all been invited to this strange dinner party thing. Best buffet in Vegas was right. Though, to be fair they hadn¡¯t had the best of eating for a long time. The cooks had tried, but there was only so much that one could expect when traveling a thousand miles through monster-filled lands.


    ¡°It¡¯s weird, but this is suspicious,¡± Dayana whispered.


    ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯m going to eat as much as I can before the fighting starts. Two nights of heaven in a row¡­ I can die happy!¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°I liked him a lot more last night,¡± Prim said.


    ¡°Feels like a completely different person. The man from last night I trusted completely. That¡¯s gone now,¡± Dayana said. ¡°But I know it¡¯s the same guy, even if his face looks off.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t remember what he looked like.¡± Hayden regarded the man¡¯s strong features. Brown skinned, short black hair. Could be anywhere from 20 to 40, but the eyes suggested he had seen things. Decent overall, but not her type.


    ¡°I believe you¡¯re here to take on encounter challenges and spawn zones to gain all that you can from that. Had I known you were coming I might have left a few more spawn zones.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s Knight Ila and the baby?¡± Prim scanned the dining room futilely. ¡°They were real¡­ weren¡¯t they?¡±


    ¡°Did you see anyone else in this place?¡± Dayana said.


    Hayden thought back to walking into the large and conspicuously empty lobby. ¡°There weren¡¯t any signs that there¡¯s a large group here. Maybe they¡¯re in one of the other casinos?¡±


    ¡°Have to be. No way two people and a baby claims a place this large by themselves,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°I was one of the scouts that spent all morning checking out the Strip. We found zero signs of that,¡± Dayana said. ¡°I was sure that I¡¯d find them here, but¡­ nothing, like you said.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a bit of a hike, but I don¡¯t imagine something as minor as that will stop you.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯d he say?¡± Hayden blinked. ¡°We need to listen to this.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry could you repeat that?¡± Jayde raised her hand.


    Elliot shot her a glare, but she was oblivious.


    ¡°We weren¡¯t paying attention,¡± Jayde continued.


    For his part their dinner host smiled. ¡°In the interest of brevity¡­ I think I found a new kind of encounter challenge inside the mountains to the west.¡±


    ¡°What makes it new?¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°For one the entrance is an almost perfect dark circle in the side of the mountain. Didn¡¯t look like a normal cave at all.¡±


    ¡°How do you know it¡¯s an encounter challenge if you didn¡¯t go inside?¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°I could tell,¡± the man failed to explain. ¡°All encounter challenges I¡¯ve come across to date have been our places. Buildings, parks, so on and so forth. The spires added monsters. They didn¡¯t change their basic structures.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sure, but how do you know that something else didn¡¯t make this hole? A giant worm or something,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°There would¡¯ve been signs. Giant piles of dirt along the wayside would be an obvious one. Unless your worm eats dirt,¡± the man smiled. ¡°The evidence seems to indicate that the hole just appeared. Almost as if it was always there.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it was. You just didn¡¯t know,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Possible, but you¡¯d think it would¡¯ve been a huge tourist attraction and in the national park¡¯s map as a picture spot,¡± the man said. ¡°You can look at the guide yourself. I placed a copy on each of your tables.¡±


    So that¡¯s what that was for.


    Prim opened it up and started reading.


    ¡°Seems suspicious, is all I¡¯m saying,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Stop!¡± Elliot had enough it seemed. ¡°You three¡­ be quiet. And as for your offer mister¡ª you haven¡¯t given your name and I won¡¯t consider any sort of agreement without at least that.¡±


    ¡°Cal is my name,¡± the man said without hesitation.


    ¡°Thank you. Obviously, I need to discuss your generous offer with my command staff. I hope the meal you¡¯ve provided doesn¡¯t come with any strings,¡± Elliot said.


    ¡°Freely given with no conditions beyond listening to my idea, which I¡¯ve shared. What comes next is up to you. Whatever you decide there will be no grudges,¡± Cal said. ¡°I would like to add one last thing. My offer isn¡¯t just for the Golden Eagles Company as a whole,¡± he smiled, ¡°it¡¯s open to everyone who qualifies.¡±


    ¡°Which are?¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°A minimum level of strength and competence to not be a burden. Of course since we know nothing about what¡¯s inside the encounter challenge that level will be determined after the first scouting trip. And, most importantly, no evil people. I won¡¯t be a part of those types gaining experience, points and other rewards,¡± Cal said. ¡°With that said¡­ enjoy the rest of your night. Eat and drink as much as you want. You can even play in the casino. You can raid the many bars. Swim in the pools. There¡¯s, like, spas and saunas and shit. Fitness centers, though that¡¯s probably the last thing any of you will want to do.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ uh¡­¡± Ledge raised a hand from a far table, ¡°if I get too drunk¡­ can I crash here?¡±


    Cal raised a brow.


    ¡°I¡¯m just thinking that it¡¯d be dangerous for drunk people to drive back to our tiny and cramped motel,¡± Ledge continued.


    ¡°Good thought. I¡¯ll change your permissions and open the doors to the rooms on the first two floors of the Julius Tower. You can sleep it off there. Check out is before noon. Just follow the signs,¡± Cal nodded and left them to it.


    ¡°I wonder if Elliot already realizes it,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°He looks like the crab went down the wrong hole,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Realizes what?¡± Prim said.


    ¡°It¡¯s an open invite. Even if our contracts prohibit taking on other things during an expedition, the potential rewards might just be worth burning those bridges. If Cal is telling the truth then being the first to step foot inside a brand new type of encounter challenge means a lot of Universal Points is only the starting point. Who knows what other kind of bonuses we can get? This could gut the heart out of this expedition and the 1st Company,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Then he¡¯s definitely going to take the offer,¡± Jayde said. ¡°I really want to try this out, but I don¡¯t want to leave the others hanging.¡±


    ¡°It sounds too good to be true,¡± Dayana said. ¡°Except¡­ I don¡¯t think the guy was lying.¡±


    The expedition ate their fill over the next few hour. Some more happily than others. As belts strained to keep bellies from bursting, Elliot stood and called for their attention.


    ¡°Listen up. I know some of you are already thinking about taking the guy¡¯s offer¡­¡±


    ¡°Of course he looks at us,¡± Jayde whispered.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t do anything you¡¯ll regret. Don¡¯t allow all this,¡± he gestured at the piles of empty plates on each table, ¡°cloud your better judgment. The lieutenants and I need to discuss this and come up with a plan that will benefit all of us, the company, while giving us the best risk to reward ratio possible. By all means do what he said. Enjoy the games, get drunk, whatever you want. I think you¡¯ve earned a carefree night after what we¡¯ve traveled through.¡±


    ¡°At least he didn¡¯t remind us about the contracts,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°He¡¯s smarter than that,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Dismissed,¡± Elliot said.


    The lieutenants left their subgroups and headed to Elliot¡¯s table.


    Ledge appeared torn, but finally sighed and trudged over to join them.


    ¡°What are we going to do?¡± Prim said.


    ¡°Cocktails!¡± Jayde slammed her fist on the table.


    ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to properly gamble,¡± Dayana said. ¡°The gaming houses we have are shacks compared to this place.¡±


    Prim eyed Hayden.


    ¡°You¡¯ve never drank, have you?¡± Hayden said.


    The tall girl shook her head.


    ¡°A little can¡¯t hurt,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°She¡¯s 14,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°And she fights monsters with us,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Fine, but only a little,¡± Hayden said.


    It wasn¡¯t that big of a deal and she was going to keep her eye on Prim. You never knew what could happen when people had too much drink in them.


    ¡°I bet the Dread Paladin will regret staying behind,¡± Jayde smirked. ¡°Dumbass.¡±


    <hr>


    Elliot didn¡¯t wait for his lieutenants to take their seats around the clean table.


    ¡°Thoughts?¡±


    Ledge struggled to pay attention to their blathering. The delicious food sat heavily in his stomach. He longed to head to one of those rooms and its undoubtedly soft bed to sleep it off. A few hours to digest and he could go enjoy all those amenities. He had never been to this one particular resort, but he had stayed at others. Privileges from his father. Ones he had thought forever lost to him.


    Elliot and the rest of the lieutenants talked for what felt like an hour.


    Time wasted as far as Ledge was concerned.


    ¡°What do you think, Ledge?¡± Elliot¡¯s voice had that tone it usually did when he thought he had caught on to Ledge¡¯s inattentive ways.


    ¡°Agree or don¡¯t. That man, Cal, gets what he wants.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to elaborate,¡± Elliot said.


    ¡°He¡¯s going to get people to explore this place with him, like he wants. Whether it¡¯s with our entire company or the ones that breach their contracts.¡±


    ¡°A person that breaks a contract doesn¡¯t get to go home with us,¡± Elliot said.


    ¡°The potential rewards are worth it to the right kind of person. I¡¯m specifically thinking of three individuals that will make things a lot harder for us if they leave.¡±


    They all knew whom he spoke of.


    ¡°You can¡¯t make them do anything they don¡¯t want to. It¡¯s always been that way with those women.¡±


    ¡°Screw them!¡± Tyson, Ledge¡¯s least favorite fellow lieutenant, snapped. ¡°They¡¯ve never been anything, but borderline insubordinate. It¡¯s time they learned their place in the chain of command. If they won¡¯t then we¡¯re better off cutting them loose. Otherwise they¡¯ll continue to corrupt the rest of our troops.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, but without them we will lose enough people that it¡¯ll be impossible to get back home anyways,¡± Elliot sighed.


    ¡°What if we don¡¯t really need them anymore?¡± Megyn, Ledge¡¯s third least favorite fellow lieutenant, said. ¡°We simply continue to use the Dread Paladin to take the brunt of the worst threats.¡±


    Ledge thought of the terrifying young man alone in the motel. A strange development worth investigating had he cared enough. He laughed.


    The others cast contemptuous glares.


    If they only realized how inconsequential they all were.


    How pointless this entire meeting was.


    They were cutting into his drinking time. Think of all the cocktails he could make with the highest quality liquors. Over a decade since he had tasted them.


    ¡°That would be very stupid,¡± he didn¡¯t mince words. ¡°Trusting the entire expedition to that guy? Really? If that¡¯s the plan then we¡¯re all better off taking up Cal on his offer.¡±


    ¡°I was inclined to agree in any case. It¡¯s worth a shot. We gain from the encounter challenge and we gain from Cal in the event that he proves to be a worthwhile ally,¡± Elliot said.


    ¡°Or it¡¯s a trap and this cave is filled with his fellow cannibals,¡± Tyson said.


    ¡°Nah,¡± Ledge snorted. ¡°I heard from the Furies that he had a baby with him. Someone in the Meat Parade can¡¯t resist that. Too soft, tender and tasty from what I understand.¡±


    The half dozen people around the table looked at him with disgust.


    ¡°What? It¡¯s true. Fuck you, Tyson! We were both there when Leon interrogated that Meat Parade scout that one time.¡±


    ¡°Fuck off!¡± Tyson snapped. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go get drunk? I can tell you¡¯re itching for it.¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Elliot snapped. ¡°I want you all to come together for this. We¡¯re not leaving this table until we come to a decision. I want pros and cons, for and against. As always, the long-term well-being of the Golden Eagles is our priority. So, let¡¯s do this round table style. Just say whatever is on your mind. Megyn, you can start. Then we¡¯ll go clockwise.¡±


    ¡°Fuck,¡± Ledge sighed.


    There would be no enjoying the amenities on this night.

 6.11

    Now, Las Vegas


    The western side of Mt. Charleston looked much the same as the eastern side. They had driven on roads until they had reached the end. They had left their vehicles and hiked the rest of the way. It hadn¡¯t been that hard. A mile or two on rocky, dusty slopes. At least it hadn¡¯t been hard for him.


    Cooper couldn¡¯t take his eyes off the man, Cal.


    There was no fear.


    Only a blank wall that resisted every attempt he had made to breach it.


    What sort of human was a man that didn¡¯t feel afraid?


    Cal regarded him with a mild dismissal, which made the Dread Paladin bristle.


    Cooper was wary.


    This was an entirely new paradigm.


    No man had ever resisted his aura.


    The others gathered near the perfectly circular entrance to this supposed new type of encounter challenge were full of dread. Half the command staff and the strongest fighters struggled to hide their fear. Of him and of the unknown behind the dark void standing in front of them.


    ¡°What do you mean we can¡¯t go in?¡± Elliot sounded like a whining child.


    Cooper loathed the openly displayed weakness.


    He was tiring of following the man¡¯s orders despite how useful it had been for him to face the most dangerous monsters in front of the expedition. He had assured the words of his existence would spread once the others returned to their homes.


    ¡°Our deal¡¯s in place. I just want to scout it out first. Make sure that a giant eyeball monster doesn¡¯t vaporize people with a disintegration ray the moment they step inside,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°That¡¯s a thing?¡± Hayden said.


    Cooper regarded the young woman. Respectably powerful, but not a true threat. He wondered when she would finally try to avenge her friends.


    ¡°Not that I know off,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°If you get disintegrated how will we know?¡± Elliot said.


    ¡°Wait an hour. If I¡¯m not back by then¡­ do what you think is best.¡± Cal¡¯s eyes drifted toward Cooper.


    He held the gaze and felt something pushing. The Vow recoiled and he was left bewildered and disturbed.


    Was Cal a Mage with more powerful magic than any of the others he had encountered in the past?


    No.


    He didn¡¯t sense any magic from the man.


    Cooper stared, but without the customary superiority he was used to having.


    ¡°He can¡¯t come,¡± Cal said lightly.


    ¡°What? He¡¯s our strongest fighter,¡± Elliot said.


    ¡°You won¡¯t need him and I won¡¯t have him,¡± Cal said. ¡°Actually, send him back. I heard he has a horse. Shouldn¡¯t be too much trouble to get back over the mountain.¡±


    Elliot eyed him.


    Cooper felt the fear in his so-called leader spike. He savored it for a moment.


    ¡°You may not allow me to go with you, but you can¡¯t tell me what to do,¡± Cooper said. Fuck this guy. Who did he think he was? Cal wasn¡¯t afraid only because he hadn¡¯t seen what the Dread Paladin was capable of. ¡°I¡¯ll go where I please.¡±


    Cal shrugged. ¡°As long as its not in there,¡± he turned and walked to the gaping void in the side of the mountain. ¡°Oh yeah, one more thing. I know we¡¯ve been pretty lucky that we haven¡¯t been attacked the whole way here, but you can¡¯t be too careful. That luck probably won¡¯t last, so keep on your toes.¡±


    Cooper had to give the man his due.


    Cal¡¯s stride never wavered as he stepped into the darkness and vanished.


    ¡°We¡¯re not going to wait out here, right?¡± Hayden growled at Elliot.


    ¡°What if he¡¯s right? Giant eye monster waiting on the other side,¡± Elliot said.


    Their dread filled Cooper. He had to do something. He felt the need struggling to burst free.


    He summoned his steed.


    Predictably, everyone shied away in alarm as the towering black horse climbed out of his shadow.


    He slowly urged his steed toward the mountain peak.


    He could hear them argue as he increased distance.


    ¡°Fine, we wait a bit, but don¡¯t you think it¡¯s the smart thing to do to send our own scouts inside. We can¡¯t just rely on his word,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go. I¡¯ve got Darkvision,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°He could be testing us,¡± Elliot said.


    The Dread Paladin had enough of weaklings and their chatter. He tuned them out and focused on what lay in front of him.


    It didn¡¯t take long to reach the city.


    Rough terrain wasn¡¯t a problem for his steed.


    He spotted a pack of mutant lions stalking him from side alleys and rooftops.


    No, he was wrong.


    Not a pack.


    A pride. That¡¯s what they were called.


    One sprang from behind the rusted remains of a truck.


    Its hot, fetid breath filled the air. The breathing from its massive, powerful lungs sounded like an engine.


    A thought sent his steed surging forward with a burst of speed.


    The lion¡¯s swiping claws missed her flank by inches.


    The chase wound through the streets, away from the strip.


    He could feel the desperate hunger in the giant beasts.


    His steed¡¯s speed and agility, much greater than one could expect from her size, allowed him to focus forward.


    He remembered reading in books that lions often set up ambushes.


    Sure enough several hundred yards ahead was blocked by a barricade of twisted vehicles piled on top of each other high enough to align with the rooftops.


    He could sense them on the other side.


    Two males much larger than the females that were chasing him, herding him.


    He held his right hand out and drew from within.


    From the writhing shadows all over him a spiked ball and chain appeared.


    He whirled the massive ball over his head, building up speed.


    Fifty yards to the barricade.


    Thirty.


    He let it fly.


    Rending metal heralded the barricade collapsing away from him with violent force.


    The male lions¡¯ roars were drowned out as several tons buried them.


    His steed cleared the remains of the barricade with an easy leap.


    The female lions scrambled over and lost precious distance.


    A hundred yards in a blink of the eye.


    Enough fleeing.


    He had them trapped now.


    He spun his steed around and charged the pride.


    A black, barbed javelin formed in each hand.


    He hurled them in quick succession with loud booms that shattered what remained of the windows in the stores lining both sides of the street.


    Two down.


    A black lance in his right hand pierced through the heart of a third.


    He slammed a fourth aside with the shield in his left.


    His steed trampled the fifth into a bloody smear on the street.


    The Dread Paladin reined in close to the toppled barricade. He dismounted and his steed trotted over to the broken mutant lioness that he had struck with his shield. The bloodthirsty horse had worked hard and deserved a treat so he let it go.


    The male lions snarled impotently at him as he approached with black sword in hand.


    For all their size and strength, they couldn¡¯t free themselves from the weight.


    There was no fear in the creatures, just nearly mindless hunger and rage.


    He stabbed each in the head.


    He had gained nothing from the entire encounter. Just a waste of energy.


    His steed trotted back to him with blood and gore dripping from her fanged mouth.


    He mounted up and went in search of more.


    Even if it was a waste of energy it had felt good.


    Thus, he¡¯d go in search of another fight.


    <hr>


    Dayana activated two Skills just as she stepped into the black hole. One to hide her presence and the other to see in pitch black darkness.


    One step and she learned that she might as well have not wasted the stamina.


    Welcome to the Mount Charleston Encounter Challenge.


    As the second native inhabitant of this world to enter you have received a bonus reward.


    Reward: 10000 Universal Points.


    She was greeted by a dim glow from crystalline growths set randomly in the dirt and stone. Along with a smiling man.


    ¡°Figured it would be you,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Uh¡­ so¡­ what now?¡± Dayana said. She was still trying to process the sudden influx of points.


    Cal sighed. ¡°You go back outside and stay there.¡±


    ¡°In the interest of honesty, I can do the first, but not the second.¡±


    ¡°This is for your own safety,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I¡¯m experienced enough to assess my own risks. Besides, this feels like one big test for us on your part. There¡¯s also the fact that we¡¯re not just going to take your word for everything.¡±


    ¡°You people seem very reckless,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°That¡¯s mostly us, the Furies. Elliot wasn¡¯t in on the idea of me sneaking in after you, but fortunately we only loosely listen to him.¡±


    ¡°How insubordinate of you? I suppose it¡¯s lucky for you that I also don¡¯t do well with other people telling me what to do. So, turnabout is fair play and all that,¡± Cal said. ¡°How about this? You can tag along, but you can¡¯t ask any questions about how I¡¯m doing what I¡¯m going to be doing.¡±


    ¡°I can sneak like nothing and I can see in the dark. So, I need to know that you won¡¯t be drawing whatever monsters are in this place on my head.¡±


    Cal shrugged. ¡°Not going to explain. I don¡¯t trust you enough yet. The monsters won¡¯t notice us, unless something goes really wrong. I intend to take it cautiously. I will run away the instant it looks like I might be discovered.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s your class that you can solo something as big as a giant fucking hotel then talk like you¡¯ll just walk into this brand new encounter challenge with no problems?¡±


    ¡°Trust,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Kinda goes both ways,¡± she countered.


    ¡°Agreed. Let¡¯s start building it,¡± Cal said as he turned and walked into the dimly-lit tunnel at far end of cavern opening area.


    Dayana hurried after him.


    The tunnel was wide enough that the light from the sporadic crystalline formations couldn¡¯t cover the entire width and height, which left large areas shrouded in deep shadows.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    She had kept her Darkvision on and was relieved to find nothing lurking within.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll let you know if there are any monsters,¡± Cal said.


    She winced as his voice, low as it was, echoed off the tunnel¡¯s strangely smooth walls.


    ¡°I told you. Nothing will notice us. If something does I¡¯ll have enough warning that we¡¯ll be well on our way back to the entrance before it can even get close.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d worry less if I knew how you¡¯re going to do all these things,¡± she whispered.


    ¡°Maybe one day.¡±


    She followed him in silence for several hundred yards until the large tunnel split into three smaller ones.


    He took the leftmost one without hesitation.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to discuss it first?¡± she hissed.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°The tunnels!¡± she snapped.


    ¡°Relax. I¡¯ve got a good feeling that this one will lead to something interesting,¡± he said with infuriating mildness.


    Like they were strolling in the park looking at flowers.


    Still, she had no choice but to keep up and keep close.


    The smaller tunnel split several more times getting progressively narrower. At each junction Cal hadn¡¯t hesitated in choosing a path.


    The walls gradually went from smooth as polished stone to rough and jagged, more what she had expected to find in a cave.


    ¡°I think all of the tunnels that we passed were made by the spires,¡± Cal said. ¡°These look more like a mix of nature and crude tools.¡±


    She peered at the wall next to a small cluster of dim crystals and tried to see what he had said. Failing at that, she turned her attention to the crystals. ¡°These are more interesting. Definitely from the spires. I don¡¯t think normal crystals can act like nightlights on their own.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re probably right about that. The amount of them and how they¡¯re laid out seems purposeful. The spires want people to explore this place. I imagine there¡¯d be less willing to try if it was just pitch black all the way down or straight and up,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve been walking on a downward slope the whole time, but I¡¯m pretty sure that those other tunnels would¡¯ve taken us straight and up,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Right¡­ like a cave system.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s¡ª¡± Cal suddenly raised a finger to his lips and ushered her into a small depression in the wall. ¡°Don¡¯t do anything. They won¡¯t notice you unless you attack or run into them,¡± he said as he hurried to the other side of the tunnel and pressed his back to the wall.


    She was about to argue when she heard scrabbling. Like dog¡¯s nails scraping the gravel. Enhanced Senses meant she heard them coming from far down the tunnel.


    A minute later she heard something strange.


    Clicks mixed with soft, high-pitched screeches that turned into words.


    ¡°Tired¡­ Xiba¡­ always¡­ my tail¡­¡±


    A rough sound, like nails on a chalkboard.


    ¡°He¡­ lucky¡­ broodmother¡­ leader.¡±


    ¡°Not fair¡­ my broodmother¡­ strong hunter.¡±


    ¡°Xiba nothing¡­ only broodmother makes¡­ important.¡±


    ¡°He¡­ soft claws¡­ we break¡­ digging.¡±


    ¡°Dig more¡­ space¡­ we claim own¡­ no more Xiba chattering.¡±


    Dayana¡¯s eyes were wide as saucers at the speakers came into view. Her hands drifted to the blades sheathed on her belt.


    Bat people. Bat people. Bat people!


    She wanted to scream.


    They were speaking in clicks and screeches, but somehow in English at the same time.


    Her hands tightened around her blade hilts as the two bat people drew closer.


    A sudden calm washed over her.


    She was here to gather information. The voice in her head reminded her of this. She relaxed and tried to take every aspect of the things walking toward her.


    They were small, about the size of a smallish human. Thin, with wiry muscles that stood out from what looked like brownish skin covered in fine fur. They had bat faces with a pushed in nose, mouth full of small, sharp teeth and huge ears with fine hairs and ridges. They had beady black eyes that seemed to squint whenever the light from the crystals fell on them.


    Their bodies were humanoid. Disproportionately long arms ended in small, sharp claws. Leathery wings ran underneath their arms connecting from wrist to the side of the lower leg.


    Their legs were short and stumpy and looked more like an animal¡¯s with an extra joint between the knee and the ankle. The long feet ended in curved claws that scraped the rock as they walked.


    They did this in an awkward fashion as each carried a basket of what appeared to be tools in their arms.


    She got the impression that they would¡¯ve been more comfortable walking on all their limbs, like chimps.


    She could only hold her breath as they passed.


    They brought a strong musk into the stale air of the tunnel. Like an unwashed animal mixed with carrion.


    The pair continued arguing as they walked by and disappeared into the dim tunnel.


    Cal raised his hand in warning.


    She waited what felt like an hour before he dropped it.


    ¡°That was crazy,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Shh¡­¡±


    ¡°They walked right by us. Don¡¯t you think that with ears like those they¡¯d hear the slightest breath from that range?¡±


    ¡°What was that?¡±


    ¡°Humanoid bat people,¡± Cal said. ¡°Your thoughts?¡±


    ¡°But I could understand them!¡± she snapped.


    ¡°Universal Translation System,¡± he shrugged like they were discussing the weather.


    ¡°Yeah, but that¡¯s for languages! With words and letters!¡± she struggled to grasp it.


    ¡°That¡¯s a very west-centric view of things. There are plenty of languages that use symbols and shit. That¡¯s just on our world. Now that we know there are other worlds¡­ well, why not a language based on clicks and screeches. Seems normal for a species of bat-adjacent humanoids,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°How are you so calm about this?¡± she said.


    ¡°I may have been expecting that,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°But they were¡­¡±


    ¡°Surprisingly recognizable?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I think they were complaining about their boss?¡±


    ¡°I picked up the same thing. It seems that Xiba owes his position to his broodmother and that nepotism is also a problem in bat people society.¡±


    ¡°We should go back. The others need to know.¡±


    ¡°Not yet. I need to learn more. I wasn¡¯t quite expecting them to be so¡­ human. That¡¯s a problem for our plans,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I was expecting non-sapient monsters or if they were sapient, that they¡¯d exist only to feast on human blood and that sort of thing. The¡­ impression¡­ I¡¯m getting from these guys doesn¡¯t place them neatly in either box. Which is why I need to learn more.¡±


    ¡°They must have a whole society down here. You want to go deeper? Into the thick of it?¡±


    ¡°Trust. This will be an opportunity for you and me to build some,¡± Cal smiled.


    It almost looked ghastly in the crystal¡¯s dim glow.


    ¡°Fuck choice do I have,¡± Dayana spat. ¡°They¡¯re bat people. They¡¯ve got echolocation. I¡¯m stealthy, but I¡¯m not sure it¡¯s enough. Whatever you¡¯re doing is obviously enough. They walked right past us. I¡¯ll go with you.¡±


    They moved farther into the rough tunnels.


    At first they were deserted, but then the numbers of bat people they encountered grew frighteningly.


    Dayana was torn between terror and fascination.


    No two bat people were the same. Neither in physical appearance nor voice and mannerisms.


    They really were like people.


    They were just going about their business. Mostly working to expand the tunnels from what the snippets of conversation she overheard contained.


    She stuck close to Cal¡¯s heels as they descended and ascended in what felt like a random pattern.


    They walked amongst the bat people without notice.


    She couldn¡¯t understand how he was keeping them hidden even as they pressed up against the side of narrow tunnel to let a long line of bat people pass.


    ¡°This way,¡± Cal whispered. ¡°I suspect we are in for a mind-blowing sight.¡± He beckoned as he took a tunnel that had rough-hewn steps on the floor in a rather steep climb.


    Several thousand steps later they emerged into a flat space resembling a small balcony.


    Dayana¡¯s mouth dropped.


    Her Darkvision let her see well and to a great distance despite the scarcity of the light crystals inside the space.


    The dark cavern was enormous.


    The ceiling above was dotted with huge formations that plunged down toward the ground like giant daggers. Similar blades thrust up from the ground, some met those falling from above to form pillars.


    They looked like skyscrapers.


    ¡°Are those¡ª¡± she saw small shapes climbing and crawling all over the pillars. Watched them take to the air, gliding from one massive formation to another.


    ¡°Their homes,¡± Cal said. ¡°Look down there? Can you see that far? There are pools of water.¡±


    Dayana focused and watched bat people on the edges of these pools. ¡°They¡¯re fishing?¡±


    ¡°And farming,¡± he pointed at several spots on the ground not to far from on of the largest rock pillars. ¡°Looks like mushrooms. Not strictly carnivorous,¡± he mused. ¡°Or they use them to feed those things.¡±


    She followed his finger and saw huge pens that held some sort of fat, hairless creature with white skin what wiggled when it moved. ¡°Okay, that¡¯s not a native animal.¡±


    ¡°They probably brought them from their world,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°How do you know that? Why does it seem like you already know about all this and you¡¯re just showing it to me like it¡¯s a joke?¡± Dayana snapped. ¡°And if you say ¡®trust¡¯ I will stab you. I don¡¯t care if I can¡¯t hurt you.¡±


    ¡°Since I can¡¯t answer the second, I¡¯ll stick to the first,¡± Cal said. ¡°Do you see it?¡± he pointed near the center of the cavern.


    Dayana couldn¡¯t be blamed for having failed to notice it at first. There had been a lot to take in for a person. It was easy to overlook the spire as it rose from ground to ceiling, straight and thin, lost amongst the giant formations or rock that apparently housed a society of bat people.


    ¡°Here¡¯s a bit of info that I will extend to you in a bid for trust. I only ask that you don¡¯t share it with anyone else besides the Furies.¡±


    Dayana nodded.


    ¡°The spires are a gateway to another world,¡± he continued.


    ¡°We know that. The ten year message mentioned it. We thought about it, but it¡¯s expensive. Hayden can afford it, but me and Jayde can¡¯t since we spend more points on new Skills and spells. If we all can¡¯t do it, then none of us can.¡±


    ¡°I went.¡±


    Dayana''s mouth dropped.


    A thousand questions ran through her mind and jammed up her voice.


    ¡°I learned many things. One of which is that there are other sapient beings out there. In some ways similar to us, different in others. That there are different ways one can travel from one world to another. That there are different rules. Benefits and drawbacks. I don¡¯t know the story of these bat people, but I suspect that it might be close to that of this other¡­ entity¡­ that I had the misfortune to get to know pretty well.¡±


    ¡°You said this is a different kind of encounter challenge. That it doesn¡¯t use one of our places. You saying that¡¯s why there¡¯s a city of bat people?¡±


    ¡°Possibly one factor. It¡¯s also possible that since it¡¯s after year ten the spires are escalating. They want struggle and conflict. What better way to do that then bringing in opposition that thinks on our level? Monsters are smart and cunning, but in the way an animal is. I¡¯ve faced things that are on our level, but they were rare. ¡®Special dispensations¡¯, the spires said. There are restrictions on outworlders ability to travel here. Some loosened after ten years. How many more years until the only restriction is the cost? Will there be a day when even that is gone?¡±


    ¡°So it¡¯s more like colonization and conquest now?¡±


    Cal laughed bitterly. ¡°Like a 4X game.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Cal took a few minutes to explain.


    ¡°I¡¯d say that¡¯s stupid as shit, but we¡¯ve been living an RPG this whole time, so what the fuck do I know,¡± Dayana spat. ¡°Well, what are you waiting for? Fuck their shit up,¡± she gestured to the bat people city, ¡°I want to see how you clear entire spawn zones solo.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s happening. I¡¯ve been¡­ observing them and I¡¯m not eager to commit genocide,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What the fuck, man?¡±


    Cal floated off the platform and began to drift toward the bat people city.


    Dayana stared in stunned silence.


    A man was flying in front of her.


    ¡°Stay here and stay hidden. I¡¯ll be back. Try not to kill any of them. It¡¯ll make me look bad,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What are you going to do!¡± she hissed.


    ¡°Trust,¡± he grinned.


    <hr>


    Cal dropped his concealment while still keeping Dayana hidden as he slowly flew down toward the spire.


    How did one initiate a first contact with an alien race again?


    He might have been the only one in human history to have already done so, but he¡¯d be the first to admit that things hadn¡¯t gone smoothly with the Threnosh.


    Months in captivity followed by a fighting jail break didn¡¯t actually sound like a success the closer one looked at it.


    He supposed he would have to lean on his mental powers of manipulation. Morals and ethics aside he could at least ensure a lack of violence on both sides.


    Only after a display of overwhelming power.


    Clicks and screeches filled the cavern as the first of the bat people noticed his approach.


    He kept as much distance from the stalagmites and stalactites as he could. He didn¡¯t want collateral damage. Last thing he needed was responsibility over hurting little bat babies.


    The first bat people that reached him swooped from above and tossed bags from their clawed feet that burst against his telekinetic shield scattering fine powder all around him.


    The next group that glided over him dropped smoldering ropes into the dust cloud that he was now inside of.


    The explosion rattled the cavern and turned it bright as day for a few seconds.


    Unharmed, Cal continued to fly down toward the spire.


    ¡°I come in peace,¡± he waved at the bat people as they glided on approach.


    These ones hurled jagged rocks.


    They tried ropes, nets and thick, sticky goop.


    He blocked everything with his shield.


    Until he landed at last.


    The spire stood in the center of what resembled a fairly large stadium. Instead of seats there were raised platforms of varying heights. At ground level near the spire and rising a few feet in height the farther away.


    Bat people alighted near him.


    They had realized the futility of their aerial attack so now it appeared that they were going to attempt melee.


    Stone clubs and spears didn¡¯t inspire dread.


    ¡°Kill¡­ invader!¡±


    ¡°Protect¡­ colony!¡±


    ¡°Save¡­ pups!¡±


    ¡°Look. I¡¯m not here to hurt you or your kids¡­ er¡­ pups. I¡¯m just here to talk. Can I speak to your leader?¡±


    A huge bat person swooped out of the darkness, flanked by a pair of equally brutish-looking specimens.


    These ones had darker skin and fur. Bulkier, more muscular than the ones that had assaulted him in the air. A closer look at the hundreds around him revealed that they were noticeably larger and more robust with coloration that ran to darker browns and even black.


    ¡°No talk¡­ only die!¡± the big bat person screeched.


    They all charged Cal.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t,¡± he seized each with his telekinesis and held them in place. ¡°So¡­ about that leader.¡±


    Time ticked away and he wondered what he could do if no one showed up.


    The biggest one continued to fix a beady-eyed stare at him, but said nothing.


    ¡°Are you the leader?¡±


    Silence.


    The scrabbling off claws on gravel in the distance. Too dark for him to see despite having vision superior to the normal human he used his mind to see.


    A small bat person, hobbling along on hands and feet, the right one held a pronounced limp. Ugly scars visible through the graying fur marred the thin body.


    Cal studied the bat people around him while he waited.


    They wore no clothes, but had a variety of straps, belts and harnesses for their various tools and weapons. These were of the stone variety. Although, he wondered where they had found wood for the handles of their clubs, axes and knives and the shafts of their various polearm-like weapons.


    The small bat person hobbled into physical view.


    Cal cleared a path by gently moving the others out of the way.


    ¡°I¡­ lead¡­ colony¡­ speak¡­ Invader.¡±


    ¡°First, I¡¯d like to welcome you to our planet. I guess I¡¯d just like to get to know you and your people,¡± he gestured to the hundreds of bat people frozen in place around him and to the thousands huddled inside their stalagmite and stalactite homes in fear. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about that. I promise that I mean no harm.¡±


    ¡°What¡­ want?¡±


    ¡°I want to ask a few questions.¡±


    Cal opened up with his thoughts.


    Issues of ethics and his personal discomfort with using telepathy in such an invasive way had to be pushed aside. He had to know the true nature of these bat people. Were they threat to humanity? If so, how bad?


    The bat person leader would give him all the answers he required even if she didn¡¯t truly want to.

 6.12

    Now, Las Vegas


    Cal experienced a lifetime through the diminutive leader¡¯s ears.


    Two hundred years in the sliver between seconds.


    Born in blood.


    A mother cut down by a gaunt, purple-skinned being that glittered with painfully bright light and an even brighter blade.


    The colony¡¯s enormous caverns filled with centuries of carefully carved stone. A place to live and work. All their needs met. None went hungry, none went cold. Now burning bright with fires natural and unnatural.


    The sounds of death seared into a newborn¡¯s ears.


    Her early years spent knowing hunger and dread as the dwindling remnants of her colony fled from one cavern to another cave. The purple-skinned terrors always on their heels bringing bright and sharp death.


    She grew into knowledge. Learned bitter rage at what was stolen from her and her people. It was their land. They had done nothing.


    The invaders from the spires hadn¡¯t even attempted to speak to them. They simply took.


    Fighting was difficult. She was small, stunted by a life of not enough. The thought of her mother fueled the fire in her stomach and drove her ever forward.


    Where she was small, she¡¯d compensate with viciousness.


    The blood of the purple-skinned ones was warm and sweet on her tongue.


    Stronger and stronger she grew.


    The remnants of her colony found the remnants of others.


    From across their entire land they banded together and began to take back what was theirs.


    One last battle.


    Victory snatched from their claws by more purple skins appearing out of the spires.


    Desperate flight back to their last bastions.


    Doom on the horizon.


    The purple skins pushing forward to finish what they had started.


    An offer from the spires.


    It was terrible, but extinction lay at the end of the other path.


    What choice did she have?


    ¡°Sacrifice selves¡­ future chance,¡± the gray-furred leader said.


    Trexlatl was her name. Not that she had given it.


    Ironic that he had stolen it from her thoughts just as the purple skinned aliens had stolen her world.


    ¡°You can never leave this encounter challenge.¡±


    A terrible bargain.


    ¡°Live here¡­ breed¡­ kill monsters¡­ invaders¡­ die.¡±


    Which they had been doing for about about two years. The timeline aligned with the ten year mark and the end of the tutorial phase. Cal had to wonder about how many more of these places had been scattered around the world. How many invasions had already been seeded by the spires?


    Perhaps they weren¡¯t as neutral or impartial as they seemed.


    ¡°How long do you have to stay? When can you leave?¡±


    ¡°Never¡­ not us¡­ pups¡­ pups of pups¡­ unknown.¡±


    Cal felt bad for them. He really did, but they were an alien species looking to colonize his world. Could he just let them?


    Natives didn¡¯t tend to fair well with colonizers, even if these ones weren¡¯t starting from a place of strength.


    Well¡­ the bat people couldn¡¯t physically leave the encounter challenge and it sounded like he had years before that changed.


    His telepathic scans had revealed a deeply traumatized people distrustful of other species, which was understandable since they had been genocided off their world.


    ¡°I¡¯m not interested in fighting.¡±


    ¡°Your kind¡­ not fight?¡±


    The hope in her voice.


    ¡°Just me,¡± he said sadly. ¡°I can¡¯t say the same for every person that might come in here.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ fight.¡±


    Disappointment and resignation.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to leave now¡­ in peace,¡± he gestured at the hundreds of bat people held frozen by his telekinesis, ¡°I¡¯ll let them go.¡±


    ¡°No fight¡­ leave.¡±


    He released them and zipped into the air not giving them a chance to change their minds. He blanked his presence from their perceptions as he rejoined Dayana.


    ¡°What the fuck are you?¡± Dayana stared at him with wide eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m like Hayden.¡±


    ¡°Oh shit! Superpowers! Are you the flying man?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, what?¡± Cal had an idea he knew who she meant.


    ¡°There¡¯s a rumor about this guy that¡¯ll fly in and punch you to death if you¡¯re being too much of an asshole. They say he broke up the slavers in the south, like five-six years ago. That he stopped the first Meat Parade after it had gone from, like Vermont to New Jersey. That he killed the Witches of Florida after they tried to steal the souls of every baby and soon to be born in the state.¡±


    Cal blinked.


    Eron had been typically vague with the details of his activities. There was brief mention of the first, but nothing of the other two.


    ¡°Not me. This is the farthest west from California I¡¯ve been since the spires appeared. I also spent maybe five years on that other world.¡±


    The bat people were scattering through the cavern. They were rushing into the countless tunnels.


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk more later. We should get out of here before the tunnels get too crowded. I hate rush hour traffic.¡±


    Dayana stared at him blankly.


    ¡°Of course you wouldn¡¯t understand,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem? You just do what you did when we walked in here.¡±


    ¡°I could, but that¡¯d ruin a good chance for you to maybe gain a level and impress me.¡±


    Dayana¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°You¡¯re a Rogue. Being sneaky is one of your things. If you can sneak your way through a bunch of echo-locating bat people¡­¡±


    ¡°If I get discovered I¡¯m going to have to start slicing and stabbing. Wouldn¡¯t that be bad for your peace thing?¡±


    ¡°Just do your best and I¡¯ll take care of the rest.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m trusting you,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Same to you.¡±


    ¡°Silent Movement. Vanish.¡±


    He lost the young woman with his eyes and ears, so he had to track her with his mind.


    Several close calls and a nerve-wracking two hours later they reached the entrance chamber.


    They stepped out into the sunlight and found a rather battered group of people.


    ¡°Fucking finally!¡± Hayden said.


    Cal regarded the three dozen or so people. Many injuries, but he was glad to see that none had died. That would¡¯ve been on him since he had kept the monsters from attacking as they had traveled to the encounter challenge entrance.


    ¡°What was in there?¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you all about it when we get back to the hotel,¡± he said


    ¡°Are you serious?¡± Hayden shifted her gaze to Dayana.


    ¡°Yeah, we should do that,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°We came all this way to go in there,¡± Hayden thrust a finger toward the black void in the side of the mountain, ¡°not spend two hours fending off mutant rattlesnakes, lizards and rabbits.¡±


    ¡°Hayden, that¡¯s enough,¡± Elliot said. ¡°We¡¯re spent. We can¡¯t go in there.¡± He turned to Cal. ¡°You¡¯d better have something good to share. Otherwise I¡¯ll be upset that you¡¯ve wasted our time.¡±


    ¡°Is it really a waste? It seems that some of you probably got a level or two. These mutant animals look like they were pretty tough.¡±


    ¡°I hope you¡¯re strong enough to deal with the rest. It¡¯s a long hike and drive back to the city,¡± Elliot said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°They don¡¯t have a name for themselves. Their language is basically clicks, screeches and probably other types of sound. They¡¯re bat people after all. The Universal Translation System translates the term they have for themselves as People in our language,¡± Cal said.


    Hayden would have called him out for bullshit if Dayana hadn¡¯t vouched for everything he was saying.


    A species of bat humanoids that had agreed to act as encounter challenge monsters in exchange for free passage from genocide on their world with the eventual opportunity for their children or grandchildren to leave and attempt to colonize the Earth.


    What the ever-loving fuck?


    ¡°We need to bring the rest of the company and the mayor¡¯s men. Come back and kill them all before they can spread out and infest our country,¡± Tyson said. ¡°We have to do it now. While they¡¯re trapped in one place, like rats.¡±


    ¡°Like bats,¡± Jayde gave him a sardonic grin. ¡°You used the wrong comparison. Why change it? They¡¯re all ready bat people.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you, crazy bitch!¡± Tyson shot her double fingers.


    Jayde laughed in his face.


    ¡°Dayana,¡± Elliot began. ¡°You were there. What¡¯d you see? Is what he says true?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know about the whole story. I was too far away to hear it, but they were definitely bat people and they talked if you trust the translation bullshit,¡± Dayana said. ¡°For what it¡¯s worth I don¡¯t think he lied to me about anything while we were in those caves.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re fucking bat people with sticks and stones! We¡¯ve got guns, spells and Skills!¡± Tyson said.


    ¡°Far be it for me to get in the way of your genocidal desires¡­¡± Cal began.


    Hayden felt that was exactly what the man wanted to do.


    ¡°¡­ but there are thousands of them and they have home field advantage. How many of you can see in the dark?¡±


    ¡°Those light crystals,¡± Tyson challenged.


    ¡°Made for a dim environment for me. It¡¯ll be much harder for someone with normal human eyesight. Sure, some of you have Skills, but not all you do,¡± Cal said. ¡°And I¡¯ll add that you¡¯ll find the journey there more difficult without me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d leave them alone, knowing that one day they¡¯ll be free¡­ why?¡± Hayden had to know.


    ¡°Because I¡¯d like to think that genocide is never the answer,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°This is our planet!¡± Tyson snapped.


    ¡°Plenty of space now,¡± Ledge said lightly.


    ¡°Fuck you too!¡± Tyson sneered.


    ¡°As eloquent as always,¡± Ledge dipped his head toward his fellow lieutenant. ¡°C¡¯mon, guys¡­ I suspect we¡¯re arguing a moot point. I think it¡¯ll be impossible for us to get back to that cave without him,¡± he gestured toward Cal, ¡°so, why not forget about it for now and focus on what we traveled all the way to this city for¡­¡± he spread his arms to encompass the auditorium they were seated in, ¡°food and cocktails!¡±


    ¡°We had a deal,¡± Elliot addressed Cal. ¡°You were supposed to help us in that encounter challenge.¡±


    ¡°I put a lot ¡®maybes¡¯ in our previous conversations,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Going back on your word,¡± Tyson scowled.


    ¡°I left you plenty of encounter challenges in the city and even a few spawn zones. I¡¯ve also hosted and fed most of you for over a day. That tan tells me you had a good day lounging by the pool,¡± Cal raised a brow.


    ¡°But you won¡¯t stop us if we go?¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°No, but if what you¡¯re after is more power then I think I have a better offer,¡± Cal said.


    Hayden felt his eyes look right into her soul.


    ¡°Dayana got a bunch of points by just being the second person to walk into that cave,¡± Hayden said.


    Elliot groaned as excitement susurrated through the entire expedition packed inside the auditorium.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°How many did she get?¡± Megyn said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t answer that!¡± Elliot snapped. ¡°We¡¯re approaching this as a whole group. Strength in numbers.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just about all I have to say. There¡¯s plenty of food in the buffet. If you want something else I¡¯ve made every restaurant available to you. Just have to cook the stuff yourself. The same rooms are open. I figure if you¡¯re going to challenge the other resorts then it¡¯ll be easier if you¡¯re based on the Strip,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What do you want in exchange?¡± Elliot said through grit teeth.


    ¡°Nothing.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather not keep building up a debt,¡± Elliot said.


    ¡°1% of what you take. Cash, gold, jewelry, gems and so on,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What about Universal Points?¡±


    Hayden could hear the grinding of teeth across the entire expedition.


    Cal was giving them so much for nothing, but Elliot was bargaining against it.


    ¡°I think you all need those more than me,¡± Cal smiled and exited stage left.


    A sharp elbow dug into Hayden¡¯s side. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Dayana whispered.


    Right.


    Dayana led the way, followed by Jayde and Prim, Hayden brought up the rear.


    She felt eyes on her back, could imagine the look of existential worry on Elliot¡¯s face.


    They left the auditorium, walked through the eerie silence of the casino floor and into the elevator.


    ¡°I feel like a secret agent!¡± Jayde grinned. ¡°I bet that¡¯s a class! That¡¯d be cool!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯d you really see down there?¡± Hayden regarded the tightness around Dayana¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Power that can help us gain more of our own,¡± Dayana said. ¡°I couldn¡¯t tell you earlier when others could¡¯ve heard. He flew into them. Blocked all their attacks like nothing. Hundreds, a thousand. They didn¡¯t touch him and he didn¡¯t hurt any of them. You understand?¡±


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°The flying man? O.M.G. is he the flying man!¡± Jayde shook Dayana¡¯s shoulders.


    ¡°Bitch! Get off me!¡± Dayan shoved her. ¡°He said he wasn¡¯t and I believe him.¡±


    Hayden stepped between the two before it could escalate. ¡°We need to be careful with this guy. Something is off. I can feel it.¡±


    ¡°Nila is very nice,¡± Prim said.


    Prim had spent the day in the resort apparently bonding with a potential enemy.


    ¡°Who?¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Oh, Nila is Knight Ila. Since they didn¡¯t trust us she used a fake name. Oh and she¡¯s not really a Knight. Oh and her armor was fake. It¡¯s not really medieval style. It¡¯s all futuristic looking. Cal brought it back from the other world,¡± Prim explained.


    ¡°She just told you all that?¡± Dayana said flatly.


    Prim nodded.


    ¡°I had to go through a scary ass cave full of bat people to learn that,¡± Dayana said.


    Hayden suppressed a sigh. ¡°We don¡¯t know if Cal is as nice, Prim,¡± she said as gently as she could. ¡°We hear what he has to say, but don¡¯t commit until we can discuss it later. Agreed?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Dayana said distractedly.


    ¡°I do what you tell me. Like always,¡± Jayde snorted.


    Prim nodded hesitantly


    Silence descended on the elevator as it continued to rise.


    ¡°You don¡¯t listen, like half the time,¡± Dayana hissed at Jayde.


    ¡°Shut up or I¡¯ll uppercut you in the vag. Fireball that tuna sm¡ª¡±


    The ding of the bell signaled their arrival in a way that the smoothness of it stopping failed to do.


    Hayden sighed.


    The doors slid open.


    They had reached their destination.


    Dayana led them through the opulent lobby and a door that opened up to reveal a smiling Cal.


    Jayde let out a low whistle. ¡°You¡¯re living the high life. Plenty of suites, right? What¡¯ll it take for us to get in one of these?¡±


    ¡°A deal of some kind. Not in this tower, but I can let you stay in one of the others. Your choice,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You keep talking about deals. What do you really want?¡± Hayden said. She didn¡¯t have patience for small talk bullshit. Especially from people that thought being a big shot rich guy made them special. This guy might¡¯ve been able to back it up from what Dayana had said, but as far as she was concerned he hadn¡¯t proved anything to her, yet.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we talk business after dinner,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Business first. Dinner depends on if we like what you have to say,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Suit yourself. We can talk on the balcony.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Nila and the baby?¡± Prim said.


    ¡°She¡¯s putting him to sleep,¡± Cal smiled.


    He led them outside and stood at the railing while they found seats.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to waste time. Our world is in trouble. We lost something like 90% of the population. For the most part the survivors struggle in small communities. Some people decided that this was their best chance to act out their darkest impulses. Animals changed. There are monsters and worst things out there. Some of these invaders from other worlds are intelligent with designs on taking our world and using us for, frankly, horrible things. Fates worse then death,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°If that¡¯s true, how come we haven¡¯t run into any of these guys. The bat people are the first I¡¯ve heard about monsters being just like us,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been lucky in that regard,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Can you tell us, then?¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°No lies. We¡¯ve got bullshit detectors,¡± Dayana said.


    Cal told his story.


    Of another world and a species of small gray aliens. Of a golden-winged angel from yet another world with a taste for fingers that claimed dominion over all. Of a giant monstrous woman that wore clothes made from her own skin.


    He told of horrors on their own world. Ones that they had no idea existed. An impossible tall and thin humanoid. An elf, but not the noble kind so often found in human fiction. This one savored the corruption of others. He had taught like-minded humans his type of magic. For this cabal, the pain, suffering and debasement of their fellow man was the path to power.


    He told them of fishmen and their dark god. Of the gifts that made their human cult inhuman, both in body and soul.


    Last, he told them of the fog. An entity that blanketed a city and subsumed thousands of inhabitants, forcing them to serve it in a hellish existence. Neither dead nor alive.


    ¡°Shit¡­¡± Jayde said flatly.


    ¡°You and your family got them all though, right?¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Mother Madrigal and the fog entity are gone. Zalthyss and the Vitiator are out there somewhere. The Deep Azure¡¯s physical avatar was destroyed, but its true self, essence, whatever, is still somewhere out there. We killed a lot of the fishmen, but the oceans are huge. I¡¯m concerned that there are more of them.¡± Cal ticked them off with his fingers, one by one. ¡°These are only the horrors that I¡¯ve had first had experience with. My brother has faced and killed others over the years. And with such things it¡¯s sometimes hard to tell if the killing will stick.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ you want our help fighting these things?¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Bit out of our league,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Well, I wouldn¡¯t expect you to fight things without a good chance of success. And you will get stronger with time and effort. The point is that I and my brother can¡¯t be everywhere all the time. I would like for other similarly powerful people to focus on fighting and killing such things rather than ruling their own little fiefdoms. Ultimately, our world needs to be united against what¡¯s coming. The spires opened the gate barring them from us a little bit when ten years passed. How much time is left until that gate is thrown wide open?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°So¡­ you want to conquer the world,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Not at all.¡±


    ¡°Well, not everyone is going to want to listen and do what you say. Especially if they¡¯ve got their own power,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°I¡¯d hope agreements could be made. The world is at stake and we¡¯re all in it,¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°What if they¡¯re dictators and slavers? You¡¯d make deals with them?¡± Hayden pushed.


    Cal gave her a mirthless smile. ¡°Benevolent dictators I can let pass. As for the rest, no deals. They don¡¯t get to keep their power.¡±


    ¡°How would this even work? It¡¯s not like we can travel the country looking for these elite monsters,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have details, since you are the first promising people I¡¯ve come across. The outline of my plans will have you based in close proximity to me. I¡¯ll take care of transport to and from problem sites. You handle it,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°This is a terrible interview,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Let me ask you then¡­ what do you want?¡± Cal said.


    Hayden thought about it very hard. Truth was what Cal was offering sounded just like what she wanted. Hard fights to get better and stronger. If he held up his part of the bargain that¡¯s all she¡¯d have to worry about. Wouldn¡¯t have to worry about looking for them. She assumed he¡¯d take care of all their food and housing needs. Better to clarify.


    ¡°Are you going to pay us?¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Why would you need money? I¡¯d project that you¡¯d get plenty of Universal Points from killing more difficult monsters. There¡¯s also a way to maybe game this so that Quests get generated. There might by bonus rewards in addition to the points. I know of a few cases in which people have been able to do just that,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Food, a house, equipment, maintenance. You know, living stuff,¡± Hayden frowned.


    ¡°At a minimum you¡¯ll be treated like a pro sports team. Best of everything,¡± Cal said. ¡°If you don¡¯t remember pro sports then picture it like being a superhero team,¡± he nodded to Dayana.


    The silence stretched as the Furies glanced at each other.


    Cal merely regarded them with a patient look.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready to agree, provisionally though, and if you double cross us I¡¯ll make you pay,¡± Hayden said. She regarded the rest of her team. ¡°I¡¯m not speaking for you. You better ask for what you want.¡±


    ¡°Pretty much the same for me. Take care of all my ancillary needs. The only thing I really want is to gain levels. Going up against gods and horrors sounds like the fastest way to do that. Hell, I gained a level just sneaking back from the bat people city. If you keep doing that for me then I¡¯ll work for you,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°If they¡¯re in¡­ I¡¯m in, so¡­ whatever,¡± Jayde shrugged.


    Eyes drifted to Prim.


    ¡°Me? But I¡¯m too weak to fight those things,¡± Prim said.


    The girl had gone stiff from the attention.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to fight. Nila shared a little bit from your talk earlier today. I have a separate offer for you,¡± Cal smiled warmly.


    Hayden¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°The safest place you can be. One where you won¡¯t be pushed into a life that you don¡¯t want. Enough food to satisfy you and a home of your choice, at a minimum. You¡¯ll have the opportunity to pursue what you want,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Nila was telling me about where you guys live,¡± Prim said. ¡°I can live there?¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°No strings attached,¡± he caught Hayden¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°He¡¯s not bullshitting,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Then I want to do that, but I also want to be a Fury,¡± Prim said.


    ¡°You are,¡± Hayden said quickly, ¡°but you¡¯re not strong enough yet to go up against the really hard stuff. Why not live in a good place while you get stronger?¡±


    ¡°The others?¡± Prim said.


    ¡°In your orphanages? I don¡¯t like what your mayor is doing with her breeding program,¡± Cal¡¯s face twisted, ¡°but I can¡¯t just take them. That just feels like kidnapping,¡± he held up a finger, ¡°with one exception. Kids like you, Prim, the ones they¡¯re grooming¡­ that¡¯s not right, so if they choose, they can join you. I¡¯ll fly them right over.¡±


    Prim smiled happily, tears welled in her eyes.


    Hayden patted her on the back.


    ¡°The Dread Paladin,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°He murdered your friend,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯d warn you to stay away for now. His strength and abilities are too much for you.¡±


    ¡°But not for you,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Maybe¡­ I can¡¯t be sure. The source of his abilities¡­ they have a similar feel to the things I told you about,¡± Cal said.


    Hayden stifled the urge to curse the man.


    Patience.


    She could be patient.


    She had managed to be in the Dread Paladin¡¯s presence for weeks without attacking him. She could wait longer.


    ¡°Okay¡­¡± she took a deep breath, ¡°sounds like we have a tentative deal.¡±


    ¡°We can work out the details after dinner,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Hey, Prim! Girls,¡± Nila appeared at the balcony door.


    Hayden regarded the woman. It was the first time she had seen her out of that, apparently, fake armor. Nila wasn¡¯t impressive. The woman was petite with a pretty face. Asian of some kind. She could never tell.


    ¡°Dinner¡¯s ready when you are,¡± Nila continued.


    ¡°Introductions!¡± Cal said brightly. ¡°This is Nila, my better half. These are the Furies, but they can introduce themselves¡­¡±


    Hayden rose stiffly and shook Nila¡¯s hand. She blinked then frowned. Surprisingly strong grip from the small hand with its dainty fingers and wrist.


    Once the introductions were completed they followed Nila into the dining room.


    The food was spread out on the counters. It all smelled good as far as Hayden was concerned.


    They filled their plates with their choices and sat down to eat.


    Conversation immediately went back to those terrible things Cal had claimed to have faced and in some cases killed.


    ¡°Yeah, like first thing it did, bit them off and ate them,¡± Cal wiggled the three fingers on his left hand, ¡°I managed to turn them though, so it choked for a little bit. That reminds me. I wanted to ask about that pastor.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know much about him. He¡¯s part of like a traveling church group. They said they came from north of us. Somewhere in Kansas or Oklahoma,¡± Hayden said. ¡°They run a small church. Not a lot of people go. Annoying, but mostly harmless¡­¡±


    ¡°Ms. Daniels sometimes lets them help around the house. They¡¯re always telling the kids how fun and happy being part of the church is,¡± Prim said.


    Cal and Nila exchanged a look.


    ¡°Dominion of Light and Joy¡­ Church of Eternal¡ª son of bitch!¡± Dayana snapped. ¡°That¡¯s what you said, right? This Zalthyss is from the Dominion¡­¡±


    ¡°Try not to think too hard about it. I need to investigate first,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Seems like one of those things you want our help for,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°You¡¯re not yet on a Zalthyss level,¡± Cal said. ¡°Don¡¯t think about it. It might draw attention to you. If you start hearing weird music randomly, let me know.¡±


    Hayden wanted to argue, but Cal¡¯s stories were fresh in her thoughts and she wasn¡¯t a fool. She knew what she was capable of and what she wasn¡¯t.


    ¡°I have a question,¡± Jayde raised her hand. ¡°Why do you have your baby with you? It seems dangerous for him.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s quite the opposite. He¡¯s safer with me, with us,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°That seems suspicious,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Well, to be honest. He¡¯s not ours,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Really? He looks just like you,¡± Prim said.


    ¡°He¡¯s a foundling. I found him in the aftermath of that fog stuff I told you about,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°So you adopted him,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Not¡­ exactly. I¡¯m hoping to find him a loving home. It¡¯s just that I, we, had to go on this trip and I couldn¡¯t leave him,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°That¡¯s not good,¡± Jayde said lightly. ¡°He¡¯s going to imprint on you guys. If he hasn¡¯t already.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not a bird!¡± Dayana snapped.


    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s pretty similar. It¡¯s like how babies of all species are cute, right? So the parents want to take care of them harder. I read it in the library,¡± Jayde said. ¡°I¡¯m just saying if you don¡¯t want to mess him up then you either keep him or get rid of him asap. Kids need to grow up with the same parents. Can¡¯t make it weird for them.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ thanks for the insight,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°No problem, least I can do is share my knowledge when you¡¯re going to give me a mansion,¡± Jayde grinned.


    They spoke of lighter things as they ate.


    Shared happier stories.


    For the Furies it was their fights with monsters.


    Not wanting to be outdone by Cal¡¯s terrors, they told him of their own.


    Mention of the Meat Parade had drawn a dark expression across Cal¡¯s face. However, it had vanished so quickly that Hayden doubted what she had seen.


    For what it was worth, he promised that the cannibals had his attention.


    Hayden relaxed as the night wore on.


    Safe.


    She felt safe for the first time in as long as she could remember.


    That was why she was reluctant to depart, but the night grew late and the baby started crying which as good a signal as any.


    The Furies piled back into the elevator.


    ¡°Elliot¡¯s going to be mad,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°So what? Since when did we care what he thought?¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°This is different. We¡¯re leaving the Golden Eagles completely. We have a contract,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t say that they own us,¡± Jayde said. ¡°If they were smart they¡¯d be all up Cal¡¯s ass looking for their own deals. Not that he¡¯d just take anybody.¡±


    ¡°Hayden, say something?¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°What?¡± Hayden had been lost in thought. The warmth from the meal and the company lingered within her. ¡°Oh, we just don¡¯t say anything. Cal seems like he knows what he¡¯s doing. If he¡¯s serious about uniting against the bad guys then he¡¯s probably going to make deals with everyone. The eagles. The mayor¡­ although she¡¯s going to hate him.¡±


    ¡°Is it okay?¡± Prim said. ¡°I don¡¯t want to get anyone hurt.¡±


    ¡°Fuck yeah! Kids shouldn¡¯t be forced into serving some pervy old farts,¡± Jayde said. ¡°I¡¯d rather punch em all, but I guess taking you guys away is the next best thing.¡±


    ¡°I forgot to ask him about his powers,¡± Hayden said. ¡°I wonder if he knows why we¡¯re different. Why everyone else gets classes, but I, we, don¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s cause you¡¯re special¡­ or unlucky,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Or both,¡± Dayana said.

 6.13

    Now, Las Vegas


    Elliot walked behind the hotel¡¯s lobby counter and into the offices.


    The maze-like warren of closed doors was disconcerting. He hated being reminded of what the old world had been like. He couldn¡¯t help but imagine the silent halls being filled with shoes and heels clacking against the floor tiles. He saw the ghosts of office workers clicking away at their keyboards and shooting the shit. He had been there once. 3 hours of productivity in 8 hours of real time.


    Oh, how he¡¯d used to complain about that.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I just get in do my work and leave when I¡¯m done?¡± he had said to anyone that would listen.


    Now, however¡­ well, he was fifty-fifty on whether he¡¯d go back to being a wage slave if it meant the spires had never showed up.


    One door was open.


    ¡°Come in. Have a seat,¡± Cal said from behind a desk.


    ¡°Well, at least you took the effort to clear out all the pictures,¡± Elliot regarded the office. ¡°Would¡¯ve been grim putting a face to the person that used to work here.¡±


    ¡°Actually, it was already empty. That¡¯s why I picked this one instead of one closer to the lobby. Like you said, I didn¡¯t feel like clearing all traces of the last occupant. Seemed disrespectful since I¡¯m only using it once,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You know, it¡¯s funny that you sent that message. Cause I needed to talk to you about something too.¡±


    ¡°I imagine your thing is related to my thing,¡± Cal smiled.


    Elliot kept his expression neutral.


    He took care because this man was personally powerful. Anecdotal evidence was all around him in the form of a giant resort casino cleared and claimed. He had sent scouts combing the city and the outskirts for evidence of a hidden army, but they had come up empty. So that meant Cal had done it all by himself. It hardly made a difference even if the woman and the baby were also secretly powerful. Dayana¡¯s story of what had gone down inside the new encounter challenge was stronger evidence.


    Still, he couldn¡¯t appear weak. The Golden Eagles¡¯ reputation had to be defended. He couldn¡¯t let one man walk all over that by poaching their people without consequences.


    ¡°Would you like to go first?¡± Cal said mildly.


    ¡°No. I¡¯d prefer you start,¡± Elliot said.


    Take control. Dictate the flow of the conversation. Maneuver for supremacy.


    ¡°What are your rates?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Elliot blinked. ¡°I¡­ what do you mean? I mean, it depends on what you¡¯re asking for,¡± he recovered smoothly.


    ¡°For your services. The Golden Eagles functions as a sort of mercenary company, right?¡± Cal continued. ¡°If, in the future, I was interested in you doing jobs for me how much would it cost? What sort of pay would you take? Cash? Gold?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all negotiable.¡±


    ¡°With you?¡±


    ¡°I do have the autonomy to do that in this place and time. Seeing as how I can¡¯t communicate with my boss. But that only applies to the personnel here and now. Any job that requires more will need to be set up with the boss.¡±


    ¡°How independent is your company from the governing structure of your settlement?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a city, San Antonio,¡± Elliot bristled. On the outskirts, sure, but they were doing well considering the circumstances. Much better than many of the other settlements he had been to or observed at a safe distance. ¡°And we¡¯re very independent. The mayor has more fighters, but ours are better in levels, training and experience. We¡¯ve traveled extensively in the local region and have killed a lot of mutated animals and monsters. We¡¯ve fought and defeated bandit and raider groups. Even faced and beaten some of the Meat Parade, though that¡¯s an experience none of us want to repeat.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to have to give me a more detailed breakdown of this Meat Parade,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I¡¯m willing to negotiate a price for that exchange of vital intelligence.¡±


    ¡°How much?¡±


    Elliot thought about it for a moment. Truth was they didn¡¯t need material goods. A few weeks of looting a wide variety of stores in the city had filled their coffers. They got plenty of food, water, medicines and other vital supplies. They also picked up a ton of cash from all the cash registers and a visit to the bank. They had filled sacks with silver, gold and other precious metals in the form of coins, bars and jewelry, along with every type of gem he could think of.


    ¡°Maybe I can answer that with a question of my own. What kind of services are you willing to offer?¡±


    ¡°The only thing I think you¡¯d be interested in. An escort,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°To be clear, you¡¯re referring to joining my fighters in clearing spawn zones and encounter challenges?¡±


    Cal blinked. ¡°Yeah, what else would I mean?¡±


    ¡°Nothing¡­ that¡¯s what I thought. I¡¯m interested.¡±


    ¡°Is that valuable enough to offset the ill feelings in regards to the Furies?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You reading my mind or something?¡± Elliot frowned. Calm, he thought, don¡¯t let him put you off-balance. Maintain. Keep on top of it. Dominate. ¡°They¡¯re under contract. I, the Golden Eagles, don¡¯t appreciate theft of our best talents.¡±


    ¡°I understand they¡¯re independent contractors?¡±


    Elliot nodded. He knew how to answer this avenue of attack. He had expected it. ¡°Non-compete clause. They can¡¯t work or otherwise take on jobs for competing companies and other such entities.¡±


    ¡°Ah, but I¡¯m merely an individual and I haven¡¯t drawn up anything so formal and binding as a bunch of words on a piece of paper,¡± Cal smiled.


    Elliot felt he was being mocked, but kept his cool. ¡°That isn¡¯t for you to dictate. If you give them jobs that conflict with our operations then they¡¯re in breach.¡±


    ¡°What would you do then? Force them to keep working for you under the threat of violence?¡±


    ¡°Of course not!¡± Elliot snapped. That was non-starter. Violence against team members wasn¡¯t something Leon would countenance. He¡¯d rather just let people go if it came to that. This wasn¡¯t about forcing the Furies to stay. It was about gaining something from them leaving.


    ¡°Look, man. I¡¯m not saying they can¡¯t still do jobs for you. Just that I may have jobs for them that would take precedence. All the while I¡¯m offering them what they want in exchange for them risking their lives. All with the goal of building a world where we¡¯re no longer on the back foot against all the monsters,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°A commendable cause, but I can¡¯t ignore the fact that you¡¯re compromising one of our best assets. We¡¯ve relied on them and it will be damaging to the company to lose that.¡±


    ¡°Then build up a new set of elites,¡± Cal said. ¡°How would you like my help in giving you a hand in that?¡±


    ¡°The service you mentioned? I don¡¯t know if that¡¯s enough. I¡¯d need that, plus something more tangible. It has to be worth losing everything the Furies can do for us in the future.¡±


    ¡°What about a base of operations in this city,¡± Cal opened his arms wide, ¡°just like this place?¡±


    ¡°A lot of large encounter challenges in a relatively small space. Good farming. Could relocate the entire company. Increase recruitment,¡± Elliot mumbled as the possibilities flashed through his thoughts too fast, yet also starkly vivid.


    ¡°All that and I¡¯m not even stopping the Furies from continuing to do jobs for your company,¡± Cal said.


    The smug bastard grinned like he had Elliot over the desk.


    Still¡­ it sounded like a great deal.


    What was the catch?


    ¡°I¡¯d like to form good relationships with people that hew in the same vicinity as I do when it comes to outlook on the world and our fellow humans,¡± Cal said. ¡°Like with the Furies and I hope, with the Golden Eagles.¡±


    ¡°Mandalay Bay. Help us claim that and we won¡¯t have any problems. Prove yourself beneficial to us and we can have a good working relationship moving forward.¡±


    ¡°Out of curiosity, why that place?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°It¡¯s the biggest place in the south part of the strip. The road we took from Texas comes up from the southeast.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a deal,¡± Cal said. ¡°One thing though,¡± he raised a finger, ¡°claiming a place is one thing. Keeping it is another.¡±


    Shit! he thought. That was true. If his company¡¯s collective presence wasn¡¯t powerful enough then they¡¯d have to fight off mutants, monsters and other people. Which meant he¡¯d have to leave some here when he had to return home with the rest. Splitting their numbers was a good way to fail both in both.


    ¡°As an added bonus, I¡¯m willing to add my name to the ownership,¡± Cal¡¯s grin seemed to grow wider.


    ¡°There¡¯s the catch,¡± Elliot said calmly.


    ¡°The first taste is free,¡± Cal snorted. ¡°Not my intention. I promise it¡¯ll be on a purely temporary basis. You can remove my name from ownership whenever you feel you¡¯ve brought enough numbers to keep it fairly safe from invasions. That way you don¡¯t have to deal with splitting your strength for the journey home. I understand you lost something like 20% of your dedicated fighting complement just getting here.¡±


    ¡°Due to it being uncharted territory. Now that we know what to expect we won¡¯t lose nearly as much on the way back.¡± Elliot tried to find another catch. Then decided that it was the best deal he was going to get. Ultimately, he didn¡¯t have a choice. The Furies would do whatever they wanted. It was best to swallow his pride. Only idiots would stab their eyes because their ears heard something they didn¡¯t like. At least he was going to get the company something out of it.


    ¡°I¡¯m biased, but I think you¡¯re getting a great deal,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that, but you have a deal. Pending the boss¡¯ final approval. If he doesn¡¯t then the deal is off. We won¡¯t try to keep the resort.¡±


    ¡°Great!¡±


    Cal stood and shook his hand over the desk.


    Firm grip from a smaller hand. An easy strength that had a frown flicker across Elliot¡¯s face. He had tried to grind down as one last, admittedly, petulant power move.


    Elliot stared down at Cal. He had forgotten that he had over a head¡¯s height advantage.


    The other man seemed to have an out-sized presence despite his physical shortness.


    ¡°Let me know when you¡¯re ready to go,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Give me at least two days. I want to make sure everyone¡¯s rested. Is it going to be a problem if I bring most of my company? Even support. I want to give anyone that wants it the chance for the points and any bonus rewards.¡± He wanted to maximize the gains for the company.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    ¡°I don¡¯t guarantee life, nor death. As long as they understand the risks you can bring anyone you want¡­ with one exception,¡± Cal said.


    Elliot could guess. ¡°The Dread Paladin?¡±


    Cal nodded.


    ¡°No problem.¡±


    ¡°Alright, you know where to find me. Just send word when you¡¯re ready and I¡¯ll meet you there,¡± Cal said.


    Elliot knew a dismissal when he heard it. ¡°Thanks. I¡¯ll have someone write up everything we have on the Meat Parade. The Golden Eagles looks forward to a mutually beneficial relationship.¡±


    ¡°Thank you and I hope for the same,¡± Cal said.


    <hr>


    Ledge watched the Furies go through the process of packing up their shit from the doorway of their dingy motel room.


    ¡°And just like that you¡¯re all gone,¡± he said.


    ¡°Not yet. We¡¯re just moving into the actual hotel,¡± Dayana grunted as she stuffed a pile of clothing and assorted small blades in a duffle bag.


    ¡°Each of us gets our own room with a king-sized bed and hot tub. Jealous?¡± Jayde sneered.


    ¡°Yes, yes I am. You think he¡¯s got a job for me?¡±


    ¡°My impression is that if he needs your skill set and you¡¯re worthy then you¡¯d have a shot,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°You could¡¯ve just said ¡®no¡¯.¡±


    ¡°I was trying to be nice,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Failed.¡±


    He regarded Prim.


    The slim girl had grown much over the last few months. She definitely grew an inch or two and her gangly limbs had filled out a bit with muscle.


    ¡°As long as it¡¯s safe for the Swanteen,¡± he grinned.


    ¡°I trust them,¡± Prim said. ¡°And everyone¡¯s coming along with me to make sure.¡±


    ¡°Good to know.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t get any lying vibes from Cal,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Yeah, you got to trust people that travel monster land USA with a baby,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Technically, the little guy is a toddler,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°What¡¯s the fucking difference?¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°It¡¯s in the word. Toddler, toddle, what toddlers do when they stumble around on their feet,¡± Dayana continued.


    ¡°He was toddlering all over the place,¡± Jayde mused. ¡°That was pretty funny when he fell into the pool,¡± she laughed.


    ¡°So was Nila¡¯s twenty-foot leap,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Yeah, I wonder what class she has. Ain¡¯t no knight I know that can do a standing leap like that,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°I thought knight classes don¡¯t exist,¡± Prim said.


    ¡°That we know of,¡± Jayde nodded sagely.


    ¡°I¡¯d bet she¡¯s like you and Cal, Hayden,¡± Dayana said. ¡°No class. Superpowers.¡±


    Ledge whistled. ¡°I see why you want to join up with them. Especially, after what you,¡± he eyed Dayana, ¡°told me about what he did down in the bat people city,¡± he shook his head ruefully, ¡°you think you¡¯ve seen the weirdest things already¡­¡±


    ¡°Trust me, you¡¯d think it was even crazier had you been there,¡± Dayana sighed. ¡°Bat people complaining about their boss¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if that¡¯s weirder than the fact that you could understand them. I guess the universal translation thing wasn¡¯t bullshit,¡± Ledge said. ¡°Human languages being translated I can accept, but another species¡¯ clicks and screeches¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s when you know it¡¯s legit,¡± Jayde said. ¡°Hayden, we should go visit. Dayana can be our guide. They know her. I¡¯m super jealous that you got to be all first contact and shit.¡±


    Dayana snorted. ¡°I didn¡¯t contact nothing. I held my breath and tried not to piss myself.¡±


    Jayde leaned closer to Prim. ¡°I heard she failed,¡± she whispered. She cursed as Dayana threw a sock-wrapped rock at her stomach.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised that Elliot isn¡¯t putting up more of a stink,¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°Not that he could¡¯ve, but I think Cal cut him a deal for something else,¡± Hayden said. ¡°He mentioned something like that.¡±


    ¡°Probably, there¡¯s a big all hands meeting later tonight before dinner. I¡¯d bet we¡¯ll hear about it then. Too bad the boss got all pissy and brought us back to this shit hole. Back to rations,¡± Ledge said. ¡°What¡¯s next for you guys?¡±


    ¡°We fly back to San Antonio. Grab the rest of our things. Take care of some other things and we fly to our new home base,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°SoCal¡­ beaches and bikinis,¡± Ledge sighed wistfully.


    ¡°Creep,¡± Jayde through the sock-covered rock at his face.


    He barely ducked as it sailed out into the parking lot.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to get that,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Nope,¡± Jayde stuck out her tongue.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get it,¡± Prim hurried out despite Dayana¡¯s calls for her to leave it.


    ¡°The former, but not much of the latter,¡± Hayden addressed Ledge. ¡°Apparently, they have landsharks.¡±


    Ledge¡¯s face twisted. ¡°Like those in that one casino with the aquariums?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but bigger. They¡¯ve got great white sharks, er, great white landsharks,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°That sounds terrible, those other ones were bad enough. Sharks shouldn¡¯t have legs,¡± he shuddered. ¡°So, when you say ¡®fly¡¯¡­¡±


    ¡°You heard what Dayana said,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°He flies, so I¡¯m guessing he can carry others,¡± Dayana shrugged.


    ¡°Wonder if we can pay him to fly us all back. Save us from the terrifying drive,¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°Maybe that¡¯s what Elliot¡¯s going to talk about,¡± Jayde said.


    Prim returned with Dayana¡¯s sock-rock. ¡°What¡¯s that for?¡± she said.


    ¡°Surprise weapon. People see and watch out for the blades. They don¡¯t expect the rock in the sock,¡± Dayana said.


    Prim nodded thoughtfully.


    ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯ll leave you alone so you can finish packing and head on over to your Bacchanal dinner,¡± Ledge said with equal parts jealousy and sadness. ¡°I¡¯ll miss some of you. Don¡¯t be strangers. Although it¡¯ll probably be hard to visit when you¡¯re depending on a flying man for transport¡­¡± he paused. ¡°You sure he¡¯s not the flying man?¡±


    ¡°Says he isn¡¯t,¡± Hayden shrugged. ¡°Don¡¯t care either way. Stories say you only worry about him if you¡¯re a piece of shit.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard the same stories. The first time I couldn¡¯t sleep for weeks. Reminded me of this independent short film from a long time ago. Flying guy shows up over the city and randomly picks people up and drops them. I thought it was some kind of monster,¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°Are you an asshole, Ledge?¡± Jayde eyed him.


    ¡°I¡¯m lazy and mildly alcoholic,¡± Ledge shrugged.


    ¡°Then your balls are safe,¡± Jayde laughed.


    Ledge raised a brow. ¡°On that note. Take care.


    Prim rushed up to hug him goodbye. ¡°Thanks for keeping an eye on me.¡±


    ¡°My pleasure, I only wish we could¡¯ve spent more time together. Especially, when that would¡¯ve meant you weren¡¯t out there risking your life. Not that I¡¯m judging. You¡¯re free to choose your path in life. Don¡¯t let anyone try to force you down a road you don¡¯t want to travel. Not even these cantankerous bitches,¡± he grinned.


    The rest of the Furies jeered as a rock in a sock sailed perilously close to his head.


    ¡°If you can work on that laziness and drinking problem then I can put in a good word with the new boss. You¡¯re sharp when you want to be and you¡¯re a good man. I think he puts a priority on the latter,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Sounds like work,¡± he grinned, ¡°but I¡¯ll consider it. Bye, Swanteen,¡± he patted Prim on the head and left the Furies to their packing.


    <hr>


    Cooper felt the dread in their hearts wane. It was replaced by excitement at Elliot¡¯s words. A great opportunity to gain strength. One that he wasn¡¯t going to be permitted to join.


    Cal Cruces.


    The name filled him with disquiet.


    There had been no fear in the man. Nothing to gain, so Cooper hadn¡¯t made a further effort to get close. Not that he had the opportunity in any case. He wasn¡¯t allowed in that casino.


    He shrugged and left the meeting before it was finished.


    He sat in his dingy motel room and ate MRE¡¯s while thinking about his next steps.


    Perhaps it was time to end his association with the Golden Eagles. He had created many stories for them to carry with them. Fear into dread. They¡¯d spread word of the Dread Paladin when they returned home. The same way they spoke of the Meat Parade in hushed tones and eyes darting around as if they expected them to be just around the corner or over a shoulder.


    The story about that new encounter challenge was more intriguing. He had pieced it together from listening to the words of dozens over the last week. Where there was shadow, he had ears.


    If the fury could be believed there was a city in the depths of the mountain. Populated by thousands of bat people. An entirely new species of thinking creature to spread knowledge of his existence to.


    How much fear and dread could he generate and take?


    He weighed the risks versus the rewards for the next hour.


    Could he do it himself?


    A dark cave meant shadows in abundance.


    The bat people hadn¡¯t faced anything like him. Or had they?


    No. That was foolish to think.


    They had come from another world through the spires. That meant they had likely dealt with monsters of their own.


    In that case he simply had to be a worse monster.


    A knock on his door broke his concentration.


    He sensed a familiar dread on the other side.


    Elliot shied away as soon as Cooper opened the door.


    ¡°Just wanted to let you that we won¡¯t be needing you for the operation,¡± Elliot managed to stammer the words after an awkward silence.


    ¡°You mean the Quest.¡± Cooper had heard the excited conversations. Whispers in the shadows.


    ¡°Er¡­ yeah¡­ funny that¡­ turned into an actual Quest,¡± Elliot laughed nervously.


    ¡°And why don¡¯t you need me?¡±


    ¡°Not my call. The client specifically said that you weren¡¯t to be included.¡± Elliot firmed up a little.


    The client was presumably Cal Cruces.


    The thought of that man having Elliot¡¯s back in this appeared to take away some of the dread he carried.


    ¡°You¡¯re not taking the entire expedition.¡± A statement, not a question. He already knew the answer. He listened to those excluded complaining in the other rooms.


    ¡°Not everyone volunteered and we need enough to defend this place,¡± Elliot said.


    ¡°You¡¯ve nothing to fear from me¡­ for now,¡± Cooper waved the man away and shut the door in his face.


    An opportunity had presented itself to him.


    Cal Cruces would be occupied with most of the expedition.


    He only had to wait till morning.


    On the following day he waited exactly one hour after Elliot and the others departed the motel to go speak with the one lieutenant left behind.


    Being left out of such a big and potentially profitable Quest must¡¯ve stung. The man would be angry, bitter in his jealousy.


    He found Tyson in his room along with a half dozen of his personal squad.


    The scowl turned into a wide-eyed stare when the man saw that it was Cooper knocking on the door.


    ¡°Um¡­ what can I do for you?¡± Tyson stammered out.


    Cooper took a moment to pull on the dread in the man¡¯s soul.


    ¡°It¡¯s what we can do for each other,¡± he said.


    It was a simple proposal. If you were denied a Quest, then why not try to get one yourself. There was a new encounter challenge out in the mountains. Think of the rewards one could gain by being the first to go through it. They might be enough to risk getting your boss mad at you for disobeying instructions.


    In the end it didn¡¯t take much to convince Tyson.


    Cooper had pegged the man as wholly motivated by self-interest. Dangling potential rewards was enough to override the dread of Cooper¡¯s presence. He helped this along by dampening the effects of his aura.


    Tyson gathered the rest of his squad and geared up while Cooper waited patiently.


    Nearly 20 piled into two vans for Cooper to take to the encounter challenge.


    He donned his armor and summed his steed to the dread of the them all. Even with the aura weakened the sight of the dark gray armor and the massive, monstrous black horse was more than enough.


    ¡°Stay close to me. I¡¯ll keep the mutants and monsters away,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped.


    ¡°Right, yeah, right. I was going to say it¡¯d be rough if we had to spend our strength on the way¡­¡± Tyson¡¯s words failed as the Dread Paladin¡¯s glowing eyes burned into his own.


    ¡°You heard him!¡± Tyson hurried into the lead van.


    The Dread Paladin urged his steed into a gallop.


    It was on the rest to keep up.


    True to his word, they were free from attack all the way to the other side of the mountain. Then all the way up the hike to the entrance.


    ¡°So¡­ uh¡­ what¡¯s the plan?¡± Tyson said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get in my way.¡±


    The Dread Paladin dismissed his steed back into the shadows. The cramp confines of a cave wasn¡¯t the place for something so large. She tossed her head derisively.


    You¡¯ll need me, she seemed to say.


    Perhaps. I will call on you if that turns out to be the case, he thought.


    He stalked to the dark, circular void in the side of the mountain and strode inside without hesitation.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t be too bad. We just keep him between us and the worst stuff, just like always,¡± Tyson said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about this, LT.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be a pussy,¡± Tyson scoffed at his man. ¡°Think of what we might get from being the first to kill some bat fuckers. You could always stay out here,¡± he regarded the sparse mountain side, ¡°with the mutant rattlesnakes and bunnies.¡±


    They hurried after the Dread Paladin.

 6.14

    Now, Las Vegas


    The Dread Paladin didn¡¯t expect to find glowing crystal formations providing enough light for the other people to see without needing to use their own light sources.


    He heard them argue in hushed tones about whether to do just that.


    Their dread buoyed him through his uncertainty.


    Was he being reckless in trusting his strength?


    He hadn¡¯t faced anything yet that had seriously threatened his life. Not since he had made the Vow. At times it was hard to remember what that boy had been like before those monsters in human form had taken everything away.


    He thought briefly of the bat people.


    What were they like?


    He dismissed it quickly.


    They were the enemy.


    They were invaders from another place.


    Earth belonged to humans. It was only natural that he¡¯d defend that.


    Two birds, one stone.


    Killing bat people was the right thing to do.


    He would gain from it just as humanity would.


    The first attack came after 30 minute mark.


    He had sensed the fear and uncertainty of the bat people hiding in a small alcove in the ceiling of the dimly-lit tunnel, but pretended to be unaware to bait them out.


    ¡°Xitlal¡­ flee¡­ warn¡ª¡±


    He caught the bat person by the throat and let it flail clawed-fingers against his armor.


    A second bat person dropped out of the alcove and scurried down the darkened tunnel.


    He let it go.


    Good. Spread the word of my coming, he thought.


    ¡°Holy shit! It can talk?¡± Tyson said. ¡°You guys heard it right?¡±


    ¡°I heard clicks and screeching, but also English words.¡±


    ¡°You think it¡¯s hearing us talking in clicks and screeches? That makes sense right?¡±


    He tossed the struggling creature at Tyson¡¯s feet. ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± he rasped.


    The bat creature surged up with a gust of wind that threw dust in a cloud. It swiped clawed hands at Tyson¡¯s throat.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡± Tyson cleaved his axe blade into the creatures forehead. ¡°Some warning would be¡ª¡± he suddenly remembered who he was addressing.


    ¡°No levels for you if I kill them all.¡±


    They continued down the tunnels and encountered several more small groups of bat people. He didn¡¯t bring forth any of his weapons. He let the Golden Eagles do the fighting and killing. He only intervened to make sure that at least one bat person was able to flee from every engagement.


    ¡°Hey¡­ uh¡­ is that a good idea?¡± Tyson ventured hesitantly. ¡°Won¡¯t they let the rest know we¡¯re here.¡±


    The Dread Paladin didn¡¯t dignify the man with a response. He kept walking.


    A larger cavern heralded the first seemingly organized response.


    A shower of rocks crashed down upon his helm in what appeared to be a hastily-constructed trap.


    The bat people swooped down from the ceiling.


    Their screeches sounded fierce, but he heard the fear in them.


    ¡°Burn them!¡± Tyson roared.


    Mages raised their hands and filled the air with sprays of flame.


    The bat people plummeted to the rocky floor.


    Acrid smoke from burning fur and flesh quickly filled the tunnel.


    The Golden Eagles fell on them with blade, clubs and spells.


    ¡°Dude, I think they¡¯re, like, primitive or something.¡±


    ¡°All their weapons are made of stone.¡±


    ¡°Those aren¡¯t weapons. They look more like tools. From the tunnels we¡¯ve gone through, I¡¯d say they¡¯re expanding. You can tell how for the first twenty minutes or so the tunnels looked different. Right from the entrance it was all polished stone.¡±


    ¡°The fuck you talking about, Sam,¡± Tyson said.


    ¡°I¡¯m saying that the parts with polished stone¡­ from the entrance until the tunnels started getting rough, was done by the spires when they made this place. While the rest was probably already here. You know, naturally formed cave tunnels and shit.¡±


    ¡°Does this matter? I¡¯m just fucking worried that we aren¡¯t going to get enough points and levels from this. It¡¯s supposed to be harder than this right? Killing unarmed savages that look scarier than they are isn¡¯t going to make up for what we¡¯re missing out on.¡±


    ¡°Bro, I¡¯m just glad we haven¡¯t run into monster worms and other shit.¡±


    ¡°Giant meat-eating moles was what I was pissing myself about.¡±


    ¡°Bat people might¡¯ve taken care of those. I mean, they¡¯ve got to eat, right?¡±


    ¡°Could you imagine running into a deep dragon?¡±


    ¡°Or a balrog?¡±


    ¡°One does not simply go into¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut up, nerds! This is serious.¡±


    ¡°You think he can handle a balrog?¡±


    Eyes darted to the Dread Paladin.


    ¡°If one of those shows up we run back the way we came.¡±


    The Dread Paladin barely listened to the others bicker. He didn¡¯t care what they thought. He hadn¡¯t bothered to get to know their names. He followed his sense and kicked an overturned cart to reveal a small, skinny bat person cowering.


    ¡°I know you can understand me,¡± he rasped.


    The bat person shut its eyes tight and practically vibrated.


    He nudged it with an armored boot.


    ¡°You may live if you run and tell the rest that I¡¯m coming. Tell them the Dread Paladin is almost at their doorstep.¡±


    It took a moment for the message to sink in.


    The bat person suddenly sprang up and down one of the dark tunnels.


    He tracked its terror like a scent in the wind. It would linger. He could follow it all the way to their city.


    ¡°Look guys,¡± Tyson began, ¡°I know we¡¯re killing miners and diggers, but that¡¯s how this works. You¡¯ve got to work your way up or down to the harder stuff. I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll eventually run into warriors and mages, if they can even do magic. Just be patient and stay on your toes. Do not get cocky. Just cause it¡¯s been a cakewalk doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯ll stay that way.¡±


    He started down another tunnel.


    ¡°Um¡­ it¡¯s running down that one,¡± Tyson pointed at the one the small bat person had scampered into.


    He ignored the man.


    He had sensed more bat people in the other direction. Now that he better knew the shape of their fear he could track them. He wanted as much fear and terror running down the many tunnels leading to the bat people¡¯s city.


    ¡°Shit,¡± Tyson muttered. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we should head back,¡± Sam said.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t gotten enough yet,¡± Tyson said.


    ¡°If there¡¯s actually a city filled with these things¡­¡± she hissed.


    ¡°I know. We can¡¯t fight that. That¡¯s why we keep him,¡± Tyson gestured down the tunnel the Dread Paladin had disappeared into, ¡°in front of us. Worst comes to worst, they fall on him and we retreat back.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re getting far from the entrance. I¡¯ve lost count of how many tunnel forks we¡¯ve gone through. What if we get lost?¡± she continued.


    ¡°Joe¡¯s got it,¡± Tyson pointed to a small man in the middle of the group.


    ¡°Mental Map Skill,¡± Joe tapped his temple. ¡°I know the way back.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s the only one,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°Which is why he¡¯s protected¡­ speaking of which¡­ Joe, what¡¯d I tell you about the helmet?¡± Tyson sighed.


    ¡°It got hot, putting it back on now,¡± Joe rolled his eyes.


    ¡°C¡¯mon. I don¡¯t want to get too far behind the bastard,¡± Tyson said.


    They wound they¡¯re way through the snaking tunnels. Killing in spurts as they went.


    Until, finally, the Dread Paladin deemed it sufficient.


    Of course he told the others nothing. He hadn¡¯t bothered to say anything to them for the last few hours, merely continued to walk.


    He led them down a narrow tunnel that gradually widened until all twenty of the Golden Eagles could walk comfortably next to each other in the space had they so chosen.


    ¡°Watch the ceiling,¡± Tyson said.


    ¡°They ain¡¯t even trying to fight no more.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s cause they¡¯re just workers doing their jobs. We still haven¡¯t run into real fighters.¡±


    ¡°I think that luck is about to run out.¡±


    They didn¡¯t fail to notice that the Dread Paladin was now armed with sword and shield.


    They followed him into an enormous cavern. The size of which defied description.


    Dim light from countless crystalline formations gave them just enough to see giant pillars the size of buildings jutted out from the ground and from the ceiling.


    ¡°Alright, this is enough. We¡¯re not going to fight an entire city,¡± Sam hissed.


    ¡°Too late,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped. Almost lazily, he pointed his blade to the ceiling.


    The Golden Eagles gazed upward.


    ¡°Movement¡­¡± Tyson uttered in hushed horror.


    The bat people had dark skin, dark fur. Perfect camouflage to blend into the rocky surface. There were so many nooks and crannies they could cling to.


    Clicks and screeches descended upon them with wings and claw.


    ¡°Kill¡­ invaders!¡±


    ¡°Shoot them!¡± Tyson roared.


    The time for silence was gone.


    They fired with guns and spells.


    The chaos of battle.


    The fear and terror of it fueled the Dread Paladin.


    He cleaved through two bat people descending on him from above.


    A third sneaked behind him and stabbed a stone-tipped spear into the back of his knee where there was no plate. Shadow-wrought clothing stopped it with ease.


    He spun and separated the bat person¡¯s head from its shoulders.


    The Golden Eagles had formed into a tight circle. Melee fighters around the Mages and other ranged fighters. The latter managed to keep the bat people from landing in their midst by turning the space overhead into a zone of fiery death with bullets and spells.


    In response the bat people were forced to take to the ground and throw themselves on the ring of steel.


    The bat people were smaller than a human on average, but they seemed to be equal in strength. And they didn¡¯t fight fair. They ganged up.


    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Three swarmed a big man. He fought to keep a hold of his shield as one leapt on it and tried to use its entire body to pull it to the ground. He stabbed his blade into an other¡¯s gut, but realized his mistake when the dying bat person wrapped its long, wiry arms around his arm and pulled the blade deeper into its stomach. Which allowed the third to slash its claws across his eyes, blinding him.


    The drawback of an open-faced helmet. Less protection in exchange for a better field of view and easier breathing.


    ¡°My eyes!¡± the man cries were silenced a moment later as the bat person sliced his throat open.


    It screeched in triumph only to have it¡¯s face smashed in by a hammer.


    The break in the formation, as slight as it was allowed a handful of bat people to reach the Mages.


    Screeches and screams filled the air.


    ¡°Lights! I want lights!¡± Tyson hacked at a bat person¡¯s neck and sent a spray of blood shooting across his face.


    Sam sent a light orb up to the ceiling, as did a few others.


    The cavernous tunnel lit up with an artificial dawn.


    The bat people screeched in surprise and pain covering their sensitive eyes in vain.


    Sam grabbed a cowering bat person around the neck. ¡°Shocking Grasp!¡± she screamed in its ugly face. Its body seized, stiff as a board, then began to convulse as the stench of burned meat filled her nose.


    A heavy weight fell on her back and knocked her to the ground.


    Screeches filled her ears.


    Claws and teeth struck at chain mail protecting her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move, Sam!¡± Tyson abandoned his spot in the ring of steel to rush to her side. ¡°Cleave!¡± he swept his axe across the bat people swarming on Sam¡¯s back in a horizontal arc. He cut them all, even the ones that his axe didn¡¯t touch.


    Freed from the weight, Sam rolled to her back and thrust her hand out. ¡°Fire Spray!¡±


    The stench stung her nose while the smoke watered her eyes.


    ¡°We have to get out of here!¡± Sam said with wild eyes as Tyson pulled her to her feet. ¡°Shooters are running out of ammo!¡±


    ¡°Retreat!¡± Tyson called out.


    The Dread Paladin watched them try to flee down the tunnel.


    They weren¡¯t going to make it. There seemed to be hundreds of swarming bat people. The momentary distraction with the lights had given the Golden Eagles a sliver of space, but the bat people had recovered quickly and swarmed them. Some took great leaps, assisted by their wings, and cut them off.


    ¡°Fireball!¡± Sam cried out.


    She blasted a knot of bat people, but more filled in the space an instant later.


    ¡°Charge!¡± a big Fighter roared as he barreled forward behind his shield.


    ¡°Follow him!¡± Tyson called out.


    Bat people went flying like bowling pins, but the man¡¯s charge petered out after a dozen feet.


    He found himself surrounded and cut off.


    ¡°Get their attention!¡± Tyson called for taunts as he plowed over a bat person with his shield and ran through the others while hacking with his axe. Up and down, like chopping firewood.


    Taunts went up and drew the majority of the bat people¡¯s aggression.


    Wave of fire and force washed over the bat people narrowly missing Tyson and the other fighter.


    The other melee fighters screamed their Skills as they slammed into the bat people.


    The numbers were against the Golden Eagles.


    The tide had already been turning against them when they ran out of ammunition. Now, the Mages were tiring and all of them were burning through their Skills.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stop! We need to push through! If we can get back to the narrower part we can funnel them!¡± Tyson kicked a bat person free from his axe.


    They tried.


    The Golden Eagles began to fall. A trickle at first. Then a flood.


    An armored Hammer Fighter went down underneath the combined weight of half a dozen bat people. Their claws couldn¡¯t get through the thick steel, so they took rocks and began battering the big woman¡¯s helmet-covered head.


    A Mage cast Barkskin on himself as two bat people worked together to drag him up to the dark ceiling with powerful with powerful flaps of their wings.


    Sam sent Magic Missiles arcing after them to no avail.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move, Sam! Curving Shot!¡±


    An arrow zipped around her and pierced through the throat of a bat person poised to sink it¡¯s sharp teeth into the back of her neck.


    The Archer nocked another arrow and drew back for a second shot.


    ¡°Watch out!¡± Sam cried.


    The Archer spun and loosed blindly. The arrow took the bat person in the eye. Unfortunately, there were more than one. The others fell upon the man and tore him to pieces.


    Sam looked around in despair. Her gaze fell on Joe being protected by two others as they were pressed up against the side of the cavern by the bat people.


    The scene was repeated across the dimly-lit tunnel. In twos and threes, the Golden Eagles fought back to back, surrounded on all sides and attacked from above.


    They weren¡¯t going to make it any farther down the tunnel.


    The Dread Paladin watched.


    The bat people had steered clear of him in favor of an enemy they could actually hurt and kill.


    He listened to the screeches, the desperate cries.


    He didn¡¯t need them anymore. They had done their job. The Vow would provide what he needed now.


    He watched them die one by one.


    Then again¡­


    They had provided him with so much fear and terror that he was filled beyond overflowing. There was so much in the air that most of it would go to waste.


    Cooper made a decision.


    ¡°Summon: Dreadlings,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped.


    His shadow began to writhe. It moved even though he stood still. Fingers stretched out caressing the other shadows before grasping them greedily.


    The shadows moved toward the fighting Golden Eagles and bat people. They began to roil as they drew closer.


    Small, thin, black-skinned arms with wiry, corded muscle emerged out of the shadows. They pulled and pushed themselves up out of the shadows on the ground, the walls and the ceilings. Dozens of them. Dreadlings. Misshapen faces, eyeless, noseless, more sharp-toothed mouth than anything else. Fat, bulbous bellies jiggled as they hopped the rest of the way free on two, long, spider-like legs that ended in a pointed spike rather than toed feet.


    ¡°Kill them.¡±


    Cooper fought against the natural inclination in him and exerted his will over the dreadlings.


    They hated it, but they had no choice.


    They fell on the bat people, ripping and tearing.


    The Golden Eagles¡­ they left alone.


    Cooper tore his attention away from the melee and turned toward the bat people¡¯s city within the gigantic cavern.


    He called forth more dreadlings.


    The fear, terror and dread from both the Golden Eagles and the bat people had swelled allowing him to call forth hundreds of the tiny monsters.


    He sent them swarming into the city with a wave of his black sword.


    He began to walk.


    Then run.


    He called forth his steed.


    She climbed out of the shadow beneath him breaking into a gallop as he leapt astride her broad back.


    A gigantic knife-like rock formation stabbing from the ceiling loomed above him.


    He could see small, dark shapes swarming the surface. Most frantically entered the openings set at regular intervals like doors or windows.


    Others swooped down and bombarded him with sharp rocks released from the clawed feet.


    The rocks struck both himself and his steed, nearly knocking him off.


    ¡°Summon: Black Fog.¡±


    The shadows around him erupted into thick, billowing fog. Unnaturally black, it choked the dozen feet around him in impenetrable darkness.


    Clicks and screeches assaulted him from above and around.


    The rocks found him through the fog and clanged off his dark gray plate.


    He traded the sword for a crossbow.


    He shot a barbed black bolt out of the darkness and pierced through two bat people that had been fortunately lined up just right.


    Horse and rider ran in the middle of thick, black fog that moved with them.


    The barrage of rocks continued even as every few seconds a black bolt shot out and felled a bat person.


    The ground was rocky and irregular. A normal horse would¡¯ve broken a leg long ago, but the monstrous horse was strong and impossibly sure-footed wherever a shadow fell.


    The Dread Paladin could see and feel every single one of his dreadlings as they finally made their way into the closest giant pillar stabbing several hundred feet out of the ground.


    The bat people fought them back in a desperate struggle to protect their young. They fought tooth and claw with their own. They used stone tools and anything else they could grab inside their homes.


    Fear.


    Terror.


    The Dread Paladin sucked in the collective dread from hundreds of bat people dying in their homes.


    More dreadlings climbed out of his shadows.


    The black fog expanded.


    The steed grew stronger.


    He grew stronger.


    He skirted around the first giant pillar.


    Glowing crystals cast a dim light. Enough to see the great field to his right. Mushrooms of all sizes grew wildly. Impossibly, some were as large as trees.


    He passed enormous pools of dark water to his left.


    The bat people continued to swoop above him, dropping rocks that bounced of his armor.


    He pressed his heels into his steeds flanks urging her to thunder forward.


    So much dread in the air.


    He spied more of those gigantic rock formations that served as the bat people¡¯s homes.


    More places to spread and reap his dread.


    A screech unlike any other washed over him.


    Pain for the first time in this battle.


    He felt something in his ears pop. The world spun and he lost all sense of balance. He grabbed the reins, but fell off his steed¡¯s back. A trail of wetness flowed out of each ear.


    He climbed to his feet and realized that the black fog had been blown away.


    An enormous bat person with dark fur and skin alighted several dozen yards in front of him, flanked by a handful of nearly as large bat people.


    ¡°Murderer¡­ rampage¡­ ends now,¡± the bat person said in that strange language of clicks and screeches.


    His ruptured ear drums healed quickly as the dread continuously flowed into him even as he used it to fuel his abilities.


    ¡°It ends when I decide,¡± he rasped.


    As one the bat people¡¯s torsos swelled as they sucked in air.


    He turned his heater shield into a much larger pavise with a spike on the bottom that he jammed into the dirt and ducked behind just as the bat people let loose with a thunderous screech.


    Sonic waves distorted the air as they struck his shield and washed over him.


    The shield began to crack as the attack continued for several seconds.


    The pain of it had him grit his teeth behind his helm.


    The attack stopped suddenly.


    He burst from behind the shield in a display of impossible speed for one so heavily armored.


    A great cloud of dust erupted behind him as he covered the twenty yards in a single stride.


    The enormous bat person flew back with a might flap of its wings.


    The others leapt at him.


    ¡°Power Strike.¡± His black blade bisected the first to reach him. ¡°Shadow Blast.¡± He punched a hole through the chest of the second one with dark energy from his free hand. ¡°Shadow Grasp.¡± He used shadowy hands to fix the ones slow to react to the ground. He cut them to pieces a moment later.


    ¡°Retreat¡­¡± the enormous bat person ordered as it flapped out of reach.


    It screeched at him, but one wasn¡¯t as powerful as many.


    The waves of sound were unpleasant, but not deadly.


    The enormous bat person continued to buffet him with sonic waves as it circled him from above.


    He lost the sword in favor of the crossbow.


    A black bolt pierced through one of the bat person¡¯s wings.


    The bat person plummeted to the ground and threw up a cloud of dust.


    He rushed it while he loaded a new bolt.


    ¡°Globe of Pure Dark¡­¡±


    Words in clicks and screeches.


    The Dread Paladin suddenly found himself engulfed in black nothingness.


    It wasn¡¯t just a lack of light.


    It was the lack of any sort of sensory input.


    Even his ability to sense the dread in others vanished.


    He dashed forward and ran into something that knocked him back.


    He had felt that one.


    It seemed that the bat people were capable of magic. There was no other explanation for the situation he was in.


    He climbed to his feet. At least that¡¯s what he intended. There was no way to tell if his body was moving as he thought.


    A sudden explosion of pain against the back of his head.


    He fell to the ground. Or so he thought.


    ¡°Summon: Dreadlings.¡± He couldn¡¯t feel them climb out of his shadow, but trusted they were there anyways. ¡°Surround me,¡± he said as he began walking.


    He felt nothing.


    The journey seemed endless. Until, he suddenly found himself standing on the rocky ground. Fields of strange mushrooms in the distance. A huge pool of water nearby. A great rock formation that connected ground to ceiling, as large as any skyscraper.


    Of the dark globe that had entrapped him, there was no sign.


    The bat people, however, had multiplied.


    Hundreds surround him.


    They were mostly armed with crude stone weapons, though he spotted some had ones of iron and maybe steel. They were unarmored for the most part, though some had leather helmets and vests with bones sewn into them.


    A tiny bat person borne aloft on a litter of skins and bone screeched something at him.


    He regarded the wizened figure. Gray skin and fur suggested great age.


    Was this the one responsible for the darkness?


    Was this some kind of leader?


    ¡°You¡­ kill¡­ you¡­ die,¡± the gray-furred bat person clicked and screeched.


    ¡°Yes to the first. The second isn¡¯t likely from where I¡¯m standing,¡± he rasped.


    ¡°Sense magic¡­ will not last¡­ not forever¡­ the People flee¡­ hide¡­ many tunnels¡­ tiny demons¡­ can¡¯t chase¡­ you lose¡­ source¡­ lose power.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine with me,¡± he set a cold gaze upon the multitude gathered around him, ¡°I see plenty to take from,¡± he laughed coldly. ¡°I feel your fear. You can¡¯t hide it. It is mine.¡±


    ¡°Lost home¡­ new home¡­ won¡¯t lose¡­ fear no problem¡­ only problem if no act¡­ we act,¡± the gray-furred bat person pronounced with finality.


    He laughed at the bravado, then he noticed that there were other tiny bat people carried aloft in their litters scattered throughout the mass.


    As one the bat people sucked in air and let loose with a collective screech that shattered the very air around him.


    The force was a physical thing that drove him to his knees. Weight pressed on him from all around. He had the strength to toss cars, but he couldn¡¯t fight this.


    Newly-healed ears burst again and made the world spin.


    He called the dreadlings to him, but there wasn¡¯t enough to breach the ring of hundreds of bat people encircling him.


    They mastered their fear.


    Bravery.


    Courage.


    Acting despite the fear within you.


    They drew enough to fight his aura.


    They drew from the sight of him on his knees.


    It couldn¡¯t end this way.


    He still hadn¡¯t avenged his family, his friends.


    Their murderers were still out there.


    He called for his steed through grit teeth.


    The monstrous horse thundered through the thick press of bat people ignoring their claws and weapons as they tried in vain to stop it from reaching his side.


    It reached his side.


    His hands desperately grasped for the reins even as the waves of sound battered the two of them. He barely managed to drag himself onto his steed¡¯s back with his superhuman strength.


    ¡°Go. Take us out of here,¡± he rasped.


    His steed obeyed, scattering bat people as it trampled through their thickly-packed ranks.


    ¡°Pursue,¡± the enormous black bat person screeched.


    ¡°No¡­¡± the gray-furred one said. ¡°Kill small black demons¡­ protect the People.¡±


    ¡°Other invaders?¡±


    ¡°Leave survivors¡­ protect home¡­ prepare for more attacks.¡±

 6.15

    Now, Las Vegas


    ¡°I can help!¡± Prim pleaded.


    Hayden shook her head. The girl¡¯s guts were in the right place, but she didn¡¯t have the power required for what they were going to do.


    The Furies had forgotten a few things so they had returned to the motel the Golden Eagles were using as a base.


    Cal had taken Elliot and the bulk of the company in that Quest to claim a different resort casino.


    Hayden had been surprised to see the motel base so sparsely populated. Her understanding was that Elliot had left the Dread Paladin, Tyson and a few squads behind just in case.


    She didn¡¯t care where the first one had gone, but the rest being absent was a problem. It wasn¡¯t hers, but she was a curious sort so she asked around.


    One of the Cooks had overheard the plan to go to the bat people encounter challenge and try to get something out of it.


    It didn¡¯t take a genius to realize that involved a whole lot of killing on both sides.


    Now, again, she didn¡¯t care if the Dread Paladin bit it. Sure, she¡¯d rather it by her hands, but if the bat people did it, then great.


    She was more charitable toward the Golden Eagles. Tyson was a dick, but he didn¡¯t deserve death, nor did most of the others, as far as she knew.


    The wheels started turning when she realized that there was an opportunity in front of her.


    The Dread Paladin was going to be weakened regardless of the results of their little expedition.


    The Furies couldn¡¯t take him at full strength, but what if the bat people mauled him a bit first?


    And thus, she stood outside Nila¡¯s door.


    She had to make sure that Prim wouldn¡¯t try to do something as stupid as secretly following them. It was a long dangerous trip to the encounter challenge.


    ¡°Hi, sorry, can you keep an eye on Prim we¡¯ve got something to do?¡± Hayden said as soon as Nila opened the door.


    Nila blinked.


    The baby in her arms reached out with a happy gurgle toward Prim.


    ¡°What are you going to do?¡± Nila¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°No time to explain. Have to hurry,¡± Hayden turned to leave and suddenly felt a vise-like grip around her upper arm. The air around her crackled with static, but she forced it back inside. ¡°Please, don¡¯t touch me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve had plenty of experience with young people doing dangerous and reckless things. You¡¯re tripping all those flags,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°They¡¯re¡ª¡± Prim began.


    Hayden hissed at her for silence.


    ¡°Do you really want to leave Prim like this?¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Hayden grumbled. She explained the situation.


    Nila¡¯s eyes grew flintier through the explanation.


    By the end of it, Hayden had the impression that Nila could¡¯ve cut flesh with her gaze alone.


    ¡°Of all the stupid¡­¡± Nila shook her head. ¡°Why don¡¯t you just wait for them to return to the city instead of traveling all the way there? You can¡¯t deal with all the monsters and mutant animals without Cal.¡±


    ¡°We were just going to drive really fast,¡± Hayden shrugged.


    ¡°The hike?¡±


    ¡°Run fast¡­¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t plan this out. By the time you get to the cave you¡¯ll be spent from all the fighting. There¡¯s one road leading up into the mountains. Wait there.¡±


    ¡°What about the rest of the Golden Eagles? They¡¯ll probably be in terrible shape after fighting the bat people. You think the Dread Paladin will help them get back?¡± Hayden tried a different track. Sure, it was disingenuous, though it wasn¡¯t entirely true that she didn¡¯t care about Tyson and the rest.


    ¡°Then we wait for Cal and the others to finish their Quest.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯ll take half a day at best.¡±


    Nila mulled it over for agonizing minutes, at least to Hayden.


    The grip around her arm was uncomfortable.


    ¡°What kind of car are you taking?¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Truck with a caged bed,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll meet you out front. Don¡¯t leave without me.¡± Nila let her go and Hayden patted Prim on the head before rushing to the elevator.


    She caught Nila giving Prim a rapid-fire list of instructions as the small, yet apparently very strong woman handed the baby to the teenage girl.


    Minutes that seemed like hours later found Hayden and the rest of the Furies in the truck out in front of Caesar¡¯s Palace.


    Nila dropped out of the sky with a thud that cracked the concrete beneath her armored boots.


    ¡°That¡¯s not knight armor,¡± Dayana said in hushed tones.


    The woman¡¯s matte gray armor covered her entire body. Form-fitting and futuristic, a blend of flexible metal that moved like fabric with slightly thicker plates that covered most of her body. She had the handle of what appeared to be a solid metal baseball bat peeking over one shoulder and a M249 SAW in one hand. She tossed a large duffel bag into the bed with ease. The weight of it noticeably depressed the suspension as did Nila¡¯s when she jumped up right after.


    Hayden could only stare as Nila regarded her through her helmet¡¯s clear faceplate.


    ¡°Where¡ª¡± Hayden began.


    ¡°Cal got it for me from another world. Less talk, more driving. People need saving,¡± Nila pounded the truck¡¯s roof.


    Hayden could only nod as she hurried into the cab.


    They made it up to the winding mountain roads before encountering trouble.


    ¡°What was that?¡± Jayde said. ¡°Did you see that?¡±


    A great shadow flashed over them for a brief moment.


    Then again and again.


    Like a plane flying overhead.


    ¡°I saw it,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Keep your eyes on the road,¡± Hayden warned. She stuck her head out of the cab¡¯s rear window and saw Nila aiming the SAW to the sky.


    ¡°It¡¯s a giant bird circling us,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Got it,¡± Hayden ducked back inside. ¡°Dayana, giant bird, maybe go faster.¡±


    Dayana tightened her grip on the steering wheel. ¡°I don¡¯t drive that often, but if you say so. Tell Nila to hold on.¡±


    The truck lurched forward.


    White-knuckled was one way to describe it as Dayana drove them on the edge of disaster as she barely kept the truck from spinning out of control as she skidded around the tight turns.


    Nila held on to one of the metal bars that comprised the makeshift cage around sides and rear of the truck bed. It wasn¡¯t easy, but she managed to keep her gun pointed in the general vicinity of the giant bird as it flew above them.


    It was hard to judge the true size of flying things without anything in the surrounding environment to provide a sense of scale. The Threnosh-made helmet eliminated that problem. The readout was clear. The bird had a wingspan nearing fifty feet with a body only a little shorter than the truck¡¯s length.


    A giant bird the size of a small plane.


    ¡°Thunderbird,¡± Nila muttered.


    Native American myth said those things brought storms.


    She eyed the sky.


    Clear and bright.


    She hoped that it stayed that way. That this giant bird didn¡¯t have magical powers.


    ¡°Just stay away, big bird,¡± Nila said.


    Hayden was trying to keep her eyes on a fixed point outside the windshield. The swerving around wasn¡¯t doing good things to her stomach. She was so focused on not puking that she was the last to notice that it had darkened noticeably.


    Jayde rolled down the window and stuck her head, shoulders and one arm out to aim to the sky.


    Gun fire erupted a split-second later.


    ¡°Go faster!¡± Nila bellowed from the truck bed in between bursts.


    ¡°Get back in here!¡± Hayden struggled to drag Jayde back inside the cab. ¡°The fuck do you think you¡¯re going to do?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to punch it with a fireball!¡± Jayde argued as she slapped at Hayden¡¯s hands.


    Bullet casings plinked off the bed in what sounded like a steady stream as Dayana floored the pedal throwing the truck into a skidding turn that had Hayden falling to the driver¡¯s side along with Jayde.


    ¡°Fuck! Stupid bitch! Get off!¡± Dayana shoved Jayde back with one arm while desperately turning the wheel with the other.


    A strong gust of wind shook the truck.


    The SAW barked a steady retort in response.


    The dark shadow cleared and they were driving under bright sun a moment later.


    Hayden stuck her head back out to the truck bed.


    Nila was reloading her gun with a large, round drum magazine.


    Hayden saw that there were two empty ones rattling around Nila¡¯s feet.


    The woman had already gone through that many rounds?


    That didn¡¯t seem right.


    It had felt like only seconds had passed.


    ¡°It¡¯s flying away. I think I hit,¡± Nila said. ¡°Tell Dayana she can ease up on the gas.¡±


    They made it to the end of the road without further trouble.


    The hike up to the encounter challenge was less trouble free depending on who one asked.


    For the Furies it was easy, but nerve wracking. It was hard to keep from using their abilities when the mutant animals attacked.


    For Nila it was work, perhaps not difficult, but work nonetheless. She shot the giant mutated rattlesnakes that attacked out of the dry brush. She bashed the fanged mutant hares that sprang out of their large burrows dug into the dirt.


    By the time they reached the enormous black circle in the side of the mountain, Nila was out of ammunition.


    ¡°Uh¡­ thanks,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t need to do all that. We could¡¯ve fought and still had enough left over to deal with the Dread Paladin,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°One,¡± Nila held up a finger after she placed the SAW on the ground, ¡°We¡¯re here to save those Golden Eagles. Two,¡± she held up another, ¡°don¡¯t underestimate the Dread Paladin. I have it on good authority that he¡¯s possibly more than the four of us combined.¡±


    ¡°Yo, you haven¡¯t seen him in action. We have,¡± Jayde scoffed. ¡°We know what he can do. We can take him.¡±


    ¡°It is my understanding that you¡¯ve never faced anyone or anything more powerful than yourself and possessing a human or human-like level of intelligence. I have and it¡¯s very different from a monster or an animal,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Thank you for only being slightly condescending,¡± Jayde nodded.


    ¡°Got it,¡± Hayden said. They were just wasting time. She¡¯d say whatever it took to get going. The Dread Paladin was in her grasp. Kath was going to get her revenge. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± She strode into the encounter challenge.


    Glowing crystalline formations cast dim light on the smooth, polished stone surfaces in the large entry cavern.


    ¡°Wow¡­ this is awesomely creepy,¡± Jayde whispered.


    ¡°Told you,¡± Dayana said. ¡°I think the beginning part is worse, since it¡¯s all nicely done. Like, I¡¯m picturing little spire gremlins laying down and polishing all these stone tiles. The rest of the place looks more like you¡¯d expect a cave to look.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been in a place like this once. Except that one gave off a definite sense of wrongness when you looked at any of the carvings and sculptures,¡± Nila said. ¡°This isn¡¯t bad at all.¡±


    ¡°Dayana, you remember the way to the bat people city, right?¡± Hayden said.


    The dark-skinned young woman pulled out a folded up sheet of paper. ¡°I wrote and drew as much as I could remember on the drive back. Scale¡¯s off though.¡±


    ¡°Better than nothing,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about a map,¡± Nila tapped her helmet. ¡°I¡¯ve got an extensive one.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s follow her,¡± Dayana nodded quickly.


    Nila led the way into the dark and dimly-lit tunnels.


    Smooth stone gave way to jagged rocks after around twenty minutes.


    Since Nila had a map they moved at a quick pace.


    The tunnel split several times, but Nila didn¡¯t hesitate at each junction until they reached a large cavern with multiple tunnels, some in the ceiling and floor.


    ¡°Those are new,¡± Nila pointed them out.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°Bat people dug them. That¡¯s what they were doing. Digging tunnels. Xiba¡­ dick boss, apparently,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Since when aren¡¯t they dicks,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°So what if they¡¯re new? You know the way, so let¡¯s go,¡± Hayden urged. She couldn¡¯t fight the impatience in her. The anger, the rage was boiling over after months of suppression.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to get attacked by bat people coming up behind us,¡± Nila said. She regarded Dayana. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to be sensing anything?¡±


    ¡°Danger Sense has been at like a 7 this whole time.¡±


    Nila took that in and gestured for the Furies to follow as she continued down the left most tunnel.


    More walking led to another junction.


    This one was about half the size of a basketball court, roughly shaped the same way too, with a ceiling that rose to the height of a three story building.


    ¡°Oh shit! 8¡­ 9¡­ 10¡­¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°I hear something coming,¡± Nila pointed her baseball bat-like club down the central tunnel on the other side of the cavern. ¡°I guess I¡¯ll be the tank. Try not to hit me in the back,¡± she strode toward the dark opening.


    The Furies spread out.


    Hayden and Jayde flanked Nila from a few feet behind, while Dayana vanished as she circled to the right of everyone.


    They heard what Nila had caught first.


    Frantic footsteps and breathing heralded two people bursting out of the darkness.


    Nila relaxed and rushed forward.


    ¡°Sam, Joe,¡± Hayden¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    The latter was half carrying, half dragging the former.


    Sam¡¯s chainmail was shredded and stained with blood. Her left leg hung limp, dragging behind her. Her pant leg was soaked in red.


    Joe was little better. His helmet was gone and a curtain of red poured down his face from a ghastly gash across his forehead. His armor was battered and covered in blood.


    ¡°Help,¡± Joe croaked.


    Sam¡¯s head lolled.


    Nila stuck her bat to her back and grabbed Sam and Joe, carrying them both toward the way they had come. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°The Dread Paladin¡ª¡± Hayden snapped.


    ¡°Rescue first,¡± Nila regarded Joe as he hung underneath her one arm, ¡°is it just you two?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. We got separated. We need to get out of here. He went crazy,¡± Joe babbled.


    Hayden knew who he meant. Her gut was certain of it.


    ¡°He attacked us. We thought he was going to be our way out, but he attacked us too. Tyson told us all to run, so I ran,¡± Joe continued.


    ¡°It¡¯s at an 11!¡± Dayana popped out of air next to them.


    Hayden felt it then.


    A familiar feeling.


    One that had been a constant companion on their journey from Texas to Vegas.


    Fear.


    Terror.


    Dread.


    Nila stopped. She gently laid Sam and Joe on the ground. ¡°Take them back,¡± she said.


    ¡°No. No. No. This is our revenge. Not yours!¡± Hayden snapped. Rage over dread.


    The air around her crackled with static. Small arcs of electricity erupted along her plate and mail. She let the chains in her hands unwind.


    Nila grabbed the steel around Hayden¡¯s arm. ¡°You¡¯d let them die,¡± she gestured at Sam and Joe. ¡°Cal wouldn¡¯t like that.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t care about the deal. Only his death matters,¡± Hayden only had eyes for the central tunnel.


    The yawning darkness seemed to writhe and roil.


    ¡°You take them back. I¡¯ll stay,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Then you¡¯ll die and he¡¯ll catch up, probably,¡± Nila snorted.


    ¡°Fine, Dayana. You know the way, take them to the entrance then come back,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°I¡ª I¡ª Mental Map Skill,¡± Joe said. ¡°I can get Sam there. As long as you can stop him. Just don¡¯t let him have me¡­ and Sam,¡± he hastily added.


    ¡°Okay¡­ go.¡± Nila pulled her weapon from her back. ¡°I¡¯ll tank. When I engage, you three pick your shots, keep your distance. He¡¯s strong enough to kill you in one hit if he lands clean. I¡¯ve got the armor and the toughness to take the shots.¡±


    Hayden nodded.


    Her rage would be controlled. She could fight smartly. As long as it ended with the Dread Paladin dead and Kath avenged.


    Dayana vanished once again.


    Jayde circled to the far left of the cavern, seeking cover in a dark patch behind a small rock formation away from any glowing crystals.


    Hayden moved a short distance away from Nila.


    The Dread Paladin cut an imposing figure as he stalked out of the dark tunnel coming to a stop a dozen feet in front of Nila.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± he rasped.


    Hayden fought the waves of dread that seemed to waft off the dark gray-armored monster. She focused on him as a threat to be killed. She tried to ignore the glowing eyes in the helmet¡¯s slit. Knight¡¯s shield in his left and a sword in his right, both black as night.


    She¡¯d dart in after Nila attacked.


    Aim for his sword arm with one of her crackling chains when he blocked Nila¡¯s metal club. Touch him anywhere else with her other chain. Metal armor was a good conductor. Even if his was magic he couldn¡¯t just ignore thousands of volts of electricity.


    ¡°You attacked them¡­ why?¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Because I needed their fear, their dread. Because I can¡¯t die here. I made a Vow and I haven¡¯t fulfilled it yet,¡± he rasped.


    That was the most words Hayden had ever heard him utter at once.


    She noticed it then.


    Cracks ran through the armor.


    He wasn¡¯t standing tall. Not as imperious as he had always been.


    His shoulders slumped slightly.


    His arms hung low, as if the shield and blade were too heavy.


    His feet dragged as he resumed moving forward.


    ¡°I can¡¯t stop until I¡¯ve avenged them,¡± he rasped. ¡°You won¡¯t stop me. You will give me your dread.¡±


    He burst forward with sudden violence.


    Hayden was caught off-guard.


    So fast, she thought.


    Nila reacted just as quickly.


    Her bat lashed out.


    High to low, right to left.


    It clanged off the Dread Paladin¡¯s shield like a gunshot.


    The echo rang out through all the connected tunnels.


    The black blade swept up.


    Nila batted it aside with an armored forearm while striking again with her club.


    The impact rang against the side of the Dread Paladin¡¯s knee, buckling it.


    Nila raised her club and brought it down.


    The Dread Paladin caught it on his shield with a gasp of pain. He dropped his blade and thrust his hand toward Nila¡¯s armored chest. ¡°Shadow Blast.¡±


    A pitch black bolt of energy blasted her back a dozen feet.


    The exchange had lasted seconds.


    Seconds in which Hayden had been too stunned to act.


    She finally roused herself and charged forward, letting the electricity in her body build to a fever pitch. She lashed out with her chains. One wrapping around the Dread Paladin¡¯s sword arm as he reached down to pick up his weapon. The other touched his helm.


    Bright arcs traveled down the length of chains as she let it all free from her hands.


    The Dread Paladin seized up with a grunt as thousands of volts coursed into his armor and his body underneath.


    ¡°This is for Kath and the Hearts,¡± Hayden growled.


    ¡°Dead¡­¡± the Dread Paladin said through grit teeth, ¡°join¡­ them¡­ Summon: Dreadlings¡­¡± he ground out.


    They came out of the shadows beneath Hayden¡¯s feet.


    Tiny black demons that clawed at her steel greaves with tiny claws and bit with a mouthful of teeth that occupied most of their eyeless and noseless faces.


    Hayden shifted some of her power to the rest of her body to shock the dreadlings off her.


    The Dread Paladin reacted quickly to the lessened voltage sent into him. He pulled hard on the chain around his arm.


    Hayden flew off her feet.


    She was helpless as she saw the Dread Paladin wind back with his shield.


    ¡°Shield Ba¡ª¡±


    The Dread Paladin went flying to one side.


    Hayden tumbled to the ground. She scrambled up despite the pain and frantically scanned the dim cavern.


    Nila straddled the Dread Paladin. She pressed her club on his neck, while pinning his shield arm to his body with one knee.


    The pair struggled. Pushing against each other.


    Hayden saw Nila slowly, but steadily loosing the battle of strength despite her leverage.


    The Dread Paladin created enough space to get a boot underneath Nila¡¯s stomach to kick her up into the air.


    He moved like a blur to Hayden¡¯s eyes as he rose to his knees and bashed Nila with his shield into the jagged rocks dotting the ceiling.


    A soft pop rocked the Dread Paladin¡¯s helmeted head forward.


    Dayana appeared a dozen feet behind him with her carbine.


    At the same time Jayde punched the ground from a dozen feet in front of him. ¡°Earth Wall.¡±


    The ground rumbled.


    A knee high wall emerged in front of the Dread Paladin, tripping him.


    ¡°Ground¡¯s like solid rock. Not my fault for the dinky wall,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Jayde, watch out!¡± Hayden called.


    The dreadlings had recovered from her electric shock and were scuttling across the rough ground toward her teammate.


    Jayde spun. ¡°Fireball!¡± she punched a tight hook.


    The dreadlings were small, quick and low to the ground.


    The Punch Mage whiffed just above the first dreadling¡¯s head.


    It latched onto her thigh and bit down with its disproportionately large mouth.


    Jayde screamed a curse. She wasn¡¯t as heavily armored as Hayden and the tough fabric of her pants was no match for the dreadling¡¯s needle-sharp teeth.


    A second dreadling leapt at her face.


    This one she hit with an uppercut that sent a stone spike into its chest.


    The third dreadling came on the heels of the second.


    Jayde had a great view of a wide open mouth of teeth as it readied to clamp down on her face. She had cause to regret wearing an open-faced helmet.


    ¡°Flicker Movement.¡± Dayana appeared at her side and plunged a dagger straight down the dreadlings gullet. In one smooth motion she continued around Jayde¡¯s right and slashed through the back of the dreadling on Jayde¡¯s thigh.


    Jayde pried the dead thing off with a grimace before slapping her bloody thigh with a healing spell.


    While this was happening the Dread Paladin moved.


    He covered the distance to the other two Furies with a lunge. Black spear thrusting for Dayana¡¯s back.


    Another blur appeared.


    A clash of metal on metal rang out like a bell.


    Nila smashed the spear to the ground, a foot away from Dayana¡¯s feet.


    The Dread Paladin swept the spear up forcing Nila to block and shuffle back to avoid the snaking point as it sought to pierce her defenses.


    Hayden leapt after them. Lashing her chains at the Dread Paladin¡¯s armored back, sending sparks flying as he briefly convulsed with each contact.


    The Dread Paladin spun and thrust.


    Hayden threw herself back on her butt as the sharp tip carved a thin slice into her plate.


    A loud clang echoed as the Dread Paladin deflected Nila¡¯s club with his shield.


    ¡°Shadow Grasp,¡± he pointed at her feet.


    Black hands emerged grabbing tightly.


    ¡°Crap!¡± she struggled, but couldn¡¯t move.


    He thrust his spear at her head.


    She managed to bat it aside.


    ¡°Shield Bash!¡± he charged forward.


    She met it with a two-handed overhead smash.


    The impact sent a wave of force through the cavern that knocked the Furies back several feet.


    Her club went flying out of her hands, clattering into the darkness.


    His shield split, disintegrating as it fell to the ground.


    Nila was momentarily stunned.


    A spear thrust sparked off her helmet.


    She recovered quickly and grab the haft as he pulled it back for another thrust.


    Two hands versus one.


    The Dread Paladin slowly pulled Nila forward until he suddenly let go.


    The spear vanished replaced by a warhammer with an over-sized spiked head.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡±


    The blow caught her in the side of her left arm, pressing it against her body.


    She would¡¯ve gone flying had the shadowy hands not kept her fixed to the ground.


    Hayden saw the pain flash across Nila¡¯s features through the translucent faceplate.


    The fact that the woman wasn¡¯t dead was impressive. She had been right about the futuristic armor allowing her to take shots.


    Still, Nila couldn¡¯t take too many of that. And Hayden had to admit that the Furies would already be dead without her.


    The Dread Paladin drew back his enormous warhammer.


    Dayana appeared behind him in a flicker of movement. ¡°Bleed!¡± she screamed as she sliced and stabbed in a frenzy. She aimed for his joints. Places that the thick gray plate didn¡¯t cover.


    He swatted at her like a bothersome insect and forced her to retreat near Hayden.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if I can¡¯t even get through the padded cloth and chain!¡± Dayana said.


    The Dread Paladin turned his attention back to Nila only to eat a punch to the helmet.


    ¡°Fireball!¡±


    Jayde¡¯s explosion lit up the dim cavern with bright orange light.


    She backed away cradling her singed hand. ¡°What the fuck! The backlash shouldn¡¯t ha¡ª¡±


    A strong hand yanked her back away from the hammer that was inches away from turning her head into pulp.


    ¡°Get these hands off my feet!¡± Nila hissed as she released her hold on the back of Jayde¡¯s chain shirt.


    Jayde immediately got on her knees and started punching stone spikes into the black hands.


    The Dread Paladin approached. ¡°You can¡¯t run from your fear¡­ from my dread¡­ Power Strike!¡± he rasped.


    The black metal of the warhammer¡¯s shaft clanged of the alien metal covering Nila¡¯s arm.


    She cried out in pain and wavered.


    Hayden thought the woman would¡¯ve fallen to her knees had the black hands allowed it.


    The Dread Paladin drew his warhammer back again for another blow.


    Dayana disappeared from her side and appeared at his, stabbing and slicing, only to vanish again as he tried to grab her.


    Hayden dashed forward and jumped on his back. Arms wrapping tightly around his neck and head. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of you,¡± she hissed in his ear.


    ¡°A lie,¡± he replied.


    He grabbed her arm, crushing the metal of her gauntlet.


    She bit back the pain and focused on the electricity inside of her.


    ¡°For Kath and everyone you¡¯ve hurt,¡± she released it all in one explosive burst.


    He let out a pained shout that was cut off as every muscle in his body seized up.


    He collapsed to his knees when her power finally ran out.


    She fell off his back, immobile.


    ¡°Good, but not enough. I can¡¯t die here. Not while I have penance to complete,¡± he rasped as he staggered to his feet. He hefted his warhammer with heavy arms as he turned to face her.


    She could only glare up with defiance as her limbs refused to move. ¡°I¡¯m not scared of you!¡± she spat.


    ¡°Die with a lie on your lips,¡± he raised the warhammer.


    Strong, armored arms suddenly wrapped around his midsection.


    Nila.


    She suplexed him into the rocky ground with a thunderous crash that shook the cavern sending dust and debris raining down on them.


    He tried to scramble, but she took him for another ride, then another, slamming his head and back into the ground repeatedly.


    ¡°Not here, not now,¡± he muttered. ¡°Summon: Steed.¡±


    Nila lifted him up for another slam when a great black monster emerged from her shadow and clamped fangs around her head.


    The monstrous horse shook her from side to side freeing the Dread Paladin from her grip, before sending her crashing into the side of the cavern.


    It took aim at Hayden, rearing up and aiming hooves the size of her chest.


    Soft pops filled the cavern, driving it away from Hayden.


    Dayana appeared with her carbine, showering it with three-round bursts.


    ¡°Stone Spike!¡± Jayde leapt in and punched it in the flank before diving away to avoid a kick.


    The monstrous horse snorted contemptuously at the Furies and at Nila as she pulled herself free from the wall before it melted back into the shadows.


    There was no sign of the Dread Paladin.


    ¡°No! He can¡¯t get away!¡± Hayden screamed.


    ¡°We made him run like a little bitch. I¡¯ll absolutely take that as a win,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°We¡¯d be dead if it wasn¡¯t for her, Dayana said.


    Eyes turned to Nila as she picked up her club and staggered over cradling her left arm close to her body. ¡°I think my arm¡¯s broken. You¡¯re injured,¡± she eyed Jayde, ¡°you¡¯re not, but you used a lot of Skills, I¡¯d bet your close to empty.¡±


    Dayana nodded.


    ¡°And you,¡± she regarded Hayden, ¡°can¡¯t move. We need to get out of here before the bat people or anything else decides to attack and we need to catch up to those two Golden Eagles. If he finds them first¡­¡± she shook her head. ¡°Carry her,¡± she gestured at Hayden, ¡°I¡¯ll bring up the rear.¡±


    Battered, bloodied and beaten the four women headed back the way they had come.


    Jayde had called it a win.


    Hayden didn¡¯t see it that way.


    She gave it everything she had and he still walked away.


    She promised herself that the next time would be different.


    She¡¯d do whatever it took to get stronger.

 6.16

    Now, Las Vegas


    The armor felt heavy on Cooper¡¯s body. The helmet was suffocating. The motion of his steed as it thundered down the dark desert highway was nauseating.


    He fought to keep his body upright. His hands clenched on the reins as his lifeline.


    His failure replayed in his mind repeatedly as the Vow berated him for fleeing in fear.


    It didn¡¯t understand. He had no choice.


    Vengeance was all that mattered.


    He fled north of Vegas.


    There was no way he could remain in the area after the fight he had.


    He had tried to kill them.


    The Furies and that woman.


    If it hadn¡¯t been for her he would¡¯ve handled the Furies. The survivors that he had allowed to escape would¡¯ve brought tales of his terror back to the others and their dread would have grown.


    Now?


    They had beaten him.


    The others would hear of it and would lose just a little bit of that fear he had spent months cultivating in them.


    Monsters and mutants occasionally came out of the darkness, but his steed kicked them away or was simply too fast.


    Over a hundred miles eaten in a few hours.


    He thought of what he needed to do next.


    Find a safe place to rest.


    Then find people to regain what he had expended in those caverns.


    Perhaps he had generated enough dread in the bat people and the Golden Eagles he had left alive that it would flow back to him through the Vow.


    He would find out later.


    A loud bang shattered the calming clatter of his steed¡¯s hooves on the asphalt.


    Cooper felt something punch him in the chest and knock the wind out of him.


    The next thing he felt was the impact as his back hit the road.


    Sparks lit up the dark, moonless night as he skid to a halt.


    Bleary eyes watched his steed rear up in front of him protectively until it vanished. As if if a giant hand had simply wiped it off the road.


    A man floated out of the dark sky and came to a stop to hover over him.


    The man pointed a smoking gun at Cooper. It was the most ridiculously over-sized revolver he had ever seen.


    ¡°As powerful as promised,¡± the man said. ¡°Do you recognize me?¡±


    Cooper struggled to catch his breath. Spikes of pain shot through his chest with each labored gasp.


    Had the gun broken his ribs? Through his armor? His superhuman resistance to injury?


    The man¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°I¡¯d say you¡¯ve got a few broken ribs and a bunch of cracked ones. Judging by the fist-sized dent in your chest plate.¡±


    Cooper felt for it to confirm the man¡¯s words. ¡°I know who you are¡­ Cal,¡± he rasped.


    ¡°You sound different. I mean, you¡¯re wearing the armor, but it feels like I¡¯m talking to the young man. It feels like you¡¯re more the real you,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°There¡¯s no difference.¡±


    ¡°Agree to disagree. You¡¯ve got another thing sharing space in your mind or is it body or maybe the soul. It¡¯s hard to tell with these things. Though, to be fair, it isn¡¯t exactly a common occurrence. You¡¯d be the second person I¡¯ve encountered that¡¯s got some kind of weird third party power enhancement bargain thing going. Symbiotic? Maybe¡­ or not. Something tells me that I shouldn¡¯t dig to deep unless I don¡¯t care about the real you¡­ which, maybe I don¡¯t. You broke my love¡¯s arm and nearly killed her and a trio of young women I¡¯m sorta taking under my wing, so to speak.¡±


    ¡°They got in my way.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, because you went full murderhobo on the bat people and the Golden Eagles you brought with you. Backstabbing isn¡¯t a good look. Tell me, why shouldn¡¯t I just kill you now?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what you want,¡± Cooper struggled to stand, ¡°I won¡¯t allow myself to fall until I¡¯ve had my revenge.¡±


    ¡°Right¡­ well, good thing the girls really worked you over. You¡¯re very weak right now and so is the other thing you¡¯ve got. I think I can do this now with a minimum of risk to myself and you,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    Cooper blinked.


    He wasn¡¯t laying on the dark desert road anymore.


    He was standing in the vegetable patch a few dozen yards away from his family¡¯s farmhouse.


    Goats bleated in alarm.


    Chickens clucked frantically.


    Dogs barked, then yelped, then nothing.


    ¡°Nononono,¡± he muttered.


    He remembered this. Had seen it often in his sleep, but never quite so vividly as he did now.


    He was there again, back in that terrible time, back in his old self.


    Nearly a year, but a lifetime ago.


    Smoke and blood.


    Fear and terror.


    He ran to his home.


    Ran to a side window, peeking into the dining room.


    He saw robed figures around the kitchen table hiding the person screaming and kicking as they chanted something in a foul-sounding language that touched him in all the wrong ways.


    He strained to see who was on the table.


    He had always regretted not learning which of his family had suffered in front of his very eyes as he did nothing.


    He noticed then, late, as it had been before.


    There was another figure standing off to the side.


    Impossibly tall with long limbs and an alien grace as it leaned forward eagerly over the torture of his family member.


    He couldn¡¯t see the face, hidden as it was in a hooded void.


    The screams became too much.


    He ran, as he did then.


    He ran away.


    He ran through through the fields, through the woods.


    He abandoned them all rather than die with them.


    Days passed on heedless flight until a direction appeared in his thoughts.


    Whispered words.


    A promise of safety and when that wasn¡¯t enough, a promise of vengeance.


    To turn the fear and terror raging through him into power.


    To make others feel as he did.


    To take their dread and return it a hundred-fold.


    Power enough to find the looming alien and his cultists.


    To make them suffer as they had made his family and friends.


    He returned to the farm many weeks later.


    He was a changed man. Stronger, better armed.


    There was nothing left besides burnt out ruins.


    His entire community was gone.


    No traces.


    No trails.


    Dread was now his fuel so he went off in search of it.


    ¡°Well¡­ shit,¡± Cal said. ¡°That was terrible. I feel for you and your family and friends.¡±


    Cooper blinked.


    What had just happened?


    ¡°Still no excuse for what you¡¯ve done to other people. More than enough innocent and innocent-ish lives on your hands to damn you. My problem is that I don¡¯t really want to play jury and executioner. Oh, judging is fine, since I can see the truth in your heart, mind and soul. There is no question on what you¡¯ve done. It¡¯s the other stuff that makes it messy. Plus, you¡¯re after someone I¡¯d like to deal with myself.¡±


    ¡°You know them? That tall one? He¡¯s not human is he?¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah. You had the misfortune to encounter the Vitiator and his cabal of truly horrible people. Their magic centers on corruption and suffering.¡±


    ¡°Tell me!¡± Cooper hissed.


    ¡°You¡¯re not in any position to demand things. I¡¯m fifty-fifty on killing you right now. For the innocents you¡¯ve hurt and will hurt.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I¡¯ll make a deal! Whatever you want! Just tell me how to find this Vitiator and this cabal!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but you¡¯ve given me the first hint. I might be able to track them down starting at your farm community.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what you do to me. Just let me have my revenge first,¡± he pleaded.


    Cal holstered his giant revolver. A frown crossed his face. ¡°This Vow of yours¡­ it requires you to farm dread from other people. That isn¡¯t a sustainable way of living.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all I have. It¡¯s what I need to give everyone I ever cared about their peace. Sometimes, I can hear them screaming, begging to be set free. I know that those monsters somehow are still tormenting them.¡±


    ¡°Probable, but I can¡¯t let you loose if you¡¯re just going to hurt other people.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t, at least, I¡¯ll only hurt those that deserve it.¡±


    ¡°From one ethical dilemma to another,¡± Cal mused. ¡°Okay¡­ we have a common enemy. One that I¡¯d rank higher than you on the harm to others scale. So, this is what¡¯s going to happen. I¡¯ll search for them and when I find them I¡¯ll bring you with when I smash them.¡±


    Cooper nodded. ¡°Yeah, I¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not done,¡± Cal held up a finger, ¡°in exchange you¡¯ll stop hurting innocent or otherwise decent people. I don¡¯t care if you go after scum. You can Punisher your way across the land, but one innocent and I¡¯ll do that thing I¡¯d rather not,¡± he ran a finger across his throat.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do anything for the chance to avenge them.¡±


    ¡°Then we have a deal. I¡¯ll be keeping an eye on you.¡±


    Cal disappeared into the night sky.


    Cooper¡¯s steed warily approached from the desert.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    He climb to his feet with a groan and stifled a cry as his body rebelled against his effort to climb onto his steed¡¯s back.


    The monstrous horse knelt down to help.


    Hope.


    Strange as it sounded.


    Cooper now had hope.


    He now knew the identity of his sworn enemies.


    Cal would find them for him.


    Soon, he would make them pay.


    He urged his steed north.


    First, a place to rest.


    Then, people that deserved him.


    <hr>


    ¡°You let him go?¡±


    Jayde and Dayana moved a few steps away from Hayden, expecting the tell tale crackle of electricity that usually emanated from her body when she got angry.


    Except, there was nothing.


    Hayden knew she was empty.


    For the first time in as long as she could remember there was no power coursing through her body.


    ¡°Weird¡­¡± Jayde muttered.


    ¡°Shut up, Dayana hissed.


    ¡°Why?¡± Hayden said.


    Cal cleared his throat. ¡°I¡¯m not an executioner, nor am I a jailer.¡±


    ¡°I could¡¯ve taken care of it if you brought him to me,¡± Hayden snarled. ¡°You had him and just let him run into the night, what the fuck, man?¡±


    ¡°If I had done that then it wouldn¡¯t have made any difference. I might as well have killed him myself. Otherwise¡­ I¡¯m not about to help you commit cold-blooded murder. There was also a mitigating circumstance that I wasn¡¯t aware of,¡± Cal said calmly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care. Why should I stick to our deal when you¡¯d screw me over like this?¡±


    ¡°Because, from a position of pure self-interest you need help. You¡¯re out of juice right now. Gave it your all and you didn¡¯t take the Dread Paladin out. The three of you would be dead if it wasn¡¯t for Nila.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ and the dick broke her arm. That¡¯s messed up that you¡¯d let him go after that,¡± Jayde tried to help her friend, ¡°er¡­ that¡¯s you not being a good partner. What¡¯ll your baby think when he¡¯s all grown up and he finds out that his daddy didn¡¯t do crap when his mommy¡¯s arm got broken.¡±


    Dayana groaned.


    ¡°I¡ª I don¡¯t even want to answer that, but I will because it¡¯s the polite thing to do. I explained it to Nila. She understands. Also¡­ not our baby,¡± Cal sighed.


    ¡°You sure? He¡¯s probably already imprinted on you guys. I¡¯m just saying¡­¡± Jayde said.


    Cal ignored the young woman. ¡°Listen, Hayden¡­ two things. One, the Dread Paladin isn¡¯t exactly what he seems.¡± He explained what he had seen in the young man¡¯s memories without mentioning how he had come by that information. ¡°Look, I get it, you don¡¯t care and I don¡¯t blame you. The bad things that happened to him don¡¯t excuse the bad things he inflicted on other people.


    ¡°You¡¯re not making your case,¡± Hayden crossed her arms.


    ¡°Then, here¡¯s two¡­ the Dread Paladin and I have a common enemy. A real bad one.¡± He gave them a brief rundown of the Vitiator and the cabal, what they did in Los Angeles. How the former nearly killed his mother and cousin. ¡°Perhaps Cooper can earn a measure of redemption through his vengeance on the Vitiator and the cabal. Best case scenario is that they destroy each other and are no longer our problems.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t count if I don¡¯t do it. I owe it to Kath.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know Kath, but I¡¯d ask you to think about what she¡¯d want you to do. Not what you want, but what she¡¯d tell you.¡±


    Hayden glared at Cal in silence for a long time.


    Long enough that Jayde wandered off to find the baby, while Dayana went to grab something out of the fridge to get away from the tension.


    For his part, Cal kept calm eyes on Hayden.


    ¡°She¡¯d want somebody to keep doing what she was doing.¡±


    ¡°Food and supplies for those that can¡¯t afford it,¡± Cal nodded, ¡°did I remember that right?¡±


    ¡°Our deal. I want to change it.¡±


    Cal raised a brow.


    ¡°To make up for you letting him get away, you¡¯ll need to give me more.¡±


    ¡°What would you like?¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t do what Kath and the Hearts were doing. Not when we¡¯ll be training and working with you. It¡¯s almost January, Texas is cold right now. Without them around to give them supplies, people are going hungry, freezing and sick. Almost three months of this winter. I can only imagine how they¡¯ve had to sell themselves just to barely survive.¡±


    ¡°Unnecessary suffering when supplies are plentiful. It only takes the will to share.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not how it used to be, so that¡¯s not how they run things, cruel assholes,¡± Hayden sneered.


    ¡°So you want me to do what the Hearts did?¡±


    ¡°No. I know you can¡¯t be stuck in one place and that¡¯s only a temporary solution. I want a permanent solution from you,¡± Hayden took a deep breath, ¡°those people¡­ end their suffering. Give them the better life that you promised Prim and the other kids like her.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ that¡¯s all. I thought it was going to be something difficult,¡± Cal snorted. ¡°Done.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Hayden blinked. ¡°Seriously?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°Just like that?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Obviously, the people you¡¯re talking about have to decide on their own. I¡¯ll move them to SoCal if the want. Won¡¯t be nearly as cold. Plus, housing and anything else they¡¯d need to live as comfortable a life as possible.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t make them work?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re encouraged to contribute in the ways they desire. Maybe in what they¡¯re good at or in their particular passion. Whatever they think is best.¡±


    ¡°What if they just want to sit around?¡±


    ¡°They can do that to. Though from what I¡¯ve observed that gets old pretty fast. The lack of new television tends to encourage people to try out new things in between monster attacks¡­ I¡¯m kidding. The rangers do a pretty good job at keeping those on the outskirts of their territory.¡±


    ¡°Then we have a deal. But, I won¡¯t ever let the Dread Paladin go. One day I will see him dead. Whether by my hand or this Vitiator¡¯s.¡±


    Hayden stomped out of the suite.


    ¡°So¡­¡± Dayana began from her spot on the couch, ¡°you¡¯re going to transplant a few hundred people?¡±


    ¡°Seems that way.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ how?¡±


    ¡°Flying convoy of buses. Unless I can find a 747 or something just as big,¡± Cal said lightly.


    ¡°The mayor is either going to be happy or pissed.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s one thing that I don¡¯t care about.¡±


    ¡°Cool, cool, cool,¡± Dayana slurped loudly. ¡°What is this? Almost like green tea, but with milk?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what it is,¡± Cal frowned for a moment before smiling sadly. ¡°You would¡¯ve been what? Ten, eleven, when the spires appeared?¡±


    ¡°Something like that.¡±


    ¡°You never had boba?¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Dayana nodded with realization. ¡°I vaguely remember hearing about it in school, but I never tried it. My family wasn¡¯t into Asian stuff.¡±


    ¡°You probably would¡¯ve given it a try once you got older and now, well, not a lot of opportunities unless you made it yourself or you knew someone that did. Assuming your community didn¡¯t claim a tea shop.¡±


    ¡°Not sure, but probably not. Then again I don¡¯t really spend much time in the city. Travel a lot with the Golden Eagles or we just roam around looking for monsters and mutant animals to kill.¡±


    ¡°You can try as many different flavors as they have down in the buffet or one of the restaurants.¡±


    ¡°So, boba? That¡¯s the chewy balls?¡±


    ¡°I believe they are technically tapioca pearls.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what that is.¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s a starch made out of a root. Not sure what kind of plant.¡±


    ¡°Useless information,¡± Dayana hopped to her feet. ¡°This is kinda getting awkward, so I¡¯ll be going. Thanks for everything and thanks for the future stuff.¡±


    ¡°Could you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Jayde? Yeah, I¡¯ll grab her and leave you to your fancy suite.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t each of you get your own suites in the other tower?¡±


    ¡°Yes and thank you for that. It is awesome. I sometimes sleep on the balcony and once I fell asleep in the hot tub. Never thought that be a thing. Probably shouldn¡¯t get used to it, though.¡±


    ¡°Why not? This could be your base of operations.¡±


    Dawning realization colored Dayana¡¯s face. ¡°Oh shit¡­ really?¡±


    ¡°Maybe. I¡¯m not going to have you working 24-7. There¡¯ll be down time for relaxing, healing and training. Vegas isn¡¯t too far from SoCal that it¡¯ll be impossible to occasionally fly you guys back and forth.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, sir!¡± Dayana shook Cal¡¯s hand excitedly.


    He bid the two Furies goodbye and shut the front door before exhaling.


    That had gone about as good as he could¡¯ve hoped for.


    He had taken a risk in letting the Dread Paladin go. It could¡¯ve burnt bridges with Hayden. The other two weren¡¯t as invested in revenge, but they would¡¯ve done whatever the former wanted without question.


    He walked through the suite and out onto the balcony.


    ¡°Jayde is fascinated with the baby. I¡¯d say it¡¯s pretty weird, but then I realize that she probably doesn¡¯t get to interact with babies and small children,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°A reminder of the childhood that was stolen from her.¡±


    ¡°Are you saying that as a fact?¡±


    ¡°Surface thoughts. I wasn¡¯t trying to read them, but the stronger ones tend to leak through my telepathic walls.¡±


    Nila let the baby go and he staggered over toward Cal with a huge, wet smile on his fat-cheeked face.


    He almost face planted twice before he practically lunged the last few steps into Cal¡¯s arms.


    The baby¡ª toddler proceeded to blow spittle all over Cal¡¯s face.


    ¡°Thank you for that,¡± he sat down next to Nila and let the toddler down to stagger like a drunken sailor back and forth in front of them. It was easy to let the little guy explore when one had telekinesis to save him from anything truly dangerous, like table corners. ¡°You¡¯re not mad right?¡±


    ¡°You mean because you let the guy that broke my arm go?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not, but he is,¡± Nila nodded at the toddler.


    ¡°All that happy laughter and gurgling really does convey his anger.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s how he shows it.¡±


    ¡°Seriously, though¡­ you¡¯re not mad, right?¡±


    Nila sighed. ¡°No¡­ I get what you¡¯re planning. And I¡¯m trying not to take it personal. He did try to kill me, but he¡¯s a crazed killer. That¡¯s what they do. You sure there¡¯s another entity involved?¡±


    ¡°Yup¡­ so many stupid entities. And they¡¯re all dubious at best, evil at worst.¡±


    ¡°Dubious? Which one?¡±


    ¡°Whatever Fin¡¯s got in his chest. It¡¯s not outright malicious, as far as I can tell. The Dread Paladin¡¯s is definitely on the negative side of the scale.¡±


    ¡°It feeds on fear, terror and dread,¡± Nila snorted.


    ¡°I know¡­ no shit.¡±


    ¡°Language!¡± Nila smacked Cal¡¯s arm.


    ¡°He won¡¯t remember,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°Yes, he will. They¡¯re minds are malleable and easily influenced at this age.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s the arm?¡±


    Nila held up her left arm in it¡¯s sling.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move it!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not even a real cast. You just used rulers and bandages.¡±


    ¡°Still.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one that said it¡¯s not that bad. Threnosh armor took most of it. Though I¡¯m surprised he got through.¡±


    ¡°I told you he had some monstrous physical strength. He must¡¯ve caught you clean.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I messed up the block. Didn¡¯t deflect enough.¡±


    ¡°At least it¡¯s only a partial break and you heal faster than a normal human even without a healing spell. You sure you don¡¯t want me to get one of the Golden Eagles Mages to speed it up. We can ask Jayde once she¡¯s recovered from healing the others.¡±


    ¡°Nah. I don¡¯t want to owe them and she needs to focus on them. It should be good in a couple of weeks.¡±


    ¡°Well, no fighting for you.¡±


    ¡°Or diaper duty¡­¡±


    Cal¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°You can¡¯t expect me to change his diapers with one hand.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not going to be a problem since I have to take him with me to San Antonio in a few weeks. It¡¯s going to be a bit more complicated than I had initially planned.¡± He explained the nature of the amended agreement with Hayden. ¡°You can stay here. Heal up, relax. Keep an eye on the Golden Eagles.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like the idea of you and the baby going off on your own. Who¡¯s going to take care of him when you¡¯re doing your thing?¡±


    ¡°Prim¡¯s coming with me. A guy shows up and asks kids to come with him to a new, better home? That¡¯s just creepy. Prim¡¯s going to be doing the asking. She can babysit if I need to convince the leadership to not cause problems.¡±


    ¡°What about the Furies¡­¡±


    ¡°Dayana and Jayde can stay here if they want to. I need to bring Hayden. She¡¯ll need to do her own convincing. Plus Elliott and a few of the Golden Eagles. I¡¯ll need him to speak to their boss about our deals.¡±


    ¡°Just going to fly everyone?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the fastest way. It took them weeks to travel by land. I can get there in like an hour,¡± he scoffed.


    ¡°What about superpower opsec?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re making deals. I have to be a bit more open with what I can do, so they see the advantages of sticking to them. Anyways, I¡¯ll get the people that want to come with. Fly them here to pick you up, then to SoCal for a little bit as I make sure everyone gets settled properly then back on the road. I want to get on the Vitiator¡¯s trail and that Meat Parade thing,¡± he grimaced, ¡°sounds¡­ not good. Although, that Church of Eternal Joy thing needs to be number one on my list of things to deal with,¡± he sighed. ¡°Not looking forward to that one, but¡­ yeah, needs to go to the top of the list. Damn it.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re going to leave me in SoCal, while you hunt terrible things with the baby? While you investigate Zalthyss? The one that ate your fingers?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, okay, it sounds really irresponsible of me, when you put it that way, but what else can I do? I promised my brother. The little guy stays within a few miles of me at all times.¡±


    ¡°The Vitiator is serious. You need more people with you. Especially if he¡¯s rebuilt his cabal. And that is going to include me. Remember, I¡¯m not leaving your side so easily this time. We¡¯ve lost years of time together. None of that anymore.¡± Nila grabbed Cal in a tight embrace before kissing him hard on the lips.


    The toddler laughed.


    They pulled apart a moment later.


    Somewhat embarrassed.


    ¡°He won¡¯t remember,¡± Nila grinned sheepishly.


    ¡°If you say so,¡± Cal smiled as he rose.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    ¡°The spire. I need to fill Rayna in on the what I found out.¡±


    ¡°Okay, tell her and your mom I said ¡®hi¡¯. Oh, you want buffet dinner? We¡¯ll meet you there?¡±


    ¡°Sure, that sounds good.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll ask the girls if they want to come.¡±


    ¡°Good idea. It¡¯ll give us a chance to start planning for the trip.¡±

 6.17

    Now, Northern California


    Time brought a change in the seasons, which in Southern California meant it got slightly warmer as winter gave way to spring.


    Up north was different. An indication of how large the state was that one part could be so markedly different, at least when it came to the temperature ranges.


    Of course, none of this mattered to Cal or Nila. It took true extremes to bother them. As such they were clad in simply jeans and shirts, while the toddler was bundled up against the cool spring air.


    Cal carried a large bundle aloft behind him, floating it with telekinesis.


    A gift to those he saw as allies and maybe friends of a sort.


    ¡°Oh a park!¡± Nila said as she glanced to the other side of the street. ¡°And a playground! Me and him are going to play while you take care of business.¡±


    ¡°You could say ¡®hi¡¯?¡±


    ¡°And I will¡­ after you finish with the boring stuff. I¡¯m on vacation.¡±


    ¡°A three month vacation? Your arm healed a long time ago.¡±


    ¡°Yeah and? You¡¯re not the boss of me,¡± Nila stuck her tongue out, which the toddler mimicked with a laugh.


    ¡°You know, I was worried about being a bad example, but you¡¯re the truly dark one leading him astray.¡±


    ¡°I figure I¡¯m just teaching him to have fun in the way humans do,¡± Nila shrugged. ¡°Don¡¯t want him wound up too tightly.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not even a year and a half old.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. What better time to not care about what others think.¡±


    ¡°Fine. Fine. Go play. Be careful,¡± Cal waved them away.


    ¡°This is Watch territory. I know they keep it safe,¡± Nila snorted.


    ¡°Yeah, but that territory protection rule seems to be loosening. When I spoke to the governor he mentioned that the bigger monsters, like wyverns, have been actually attacking inside the claimed areas.¡±


    ¡°Better give me your moon gun then,¡± Nila held out her free hand.


    ¡°Hawkmoon,¡± he mumbled as he handed it over along with the ammo belt. ¡°Be careful.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll detect any threats well-before I¡¯d notice,¡± Nila shrugged. ¡°I trust you to come right away.¡±


    ¡°Still¡­ you shouldn¡¯t take that for granted.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Nila waved Cal¡¯s handcannon as she jogged across the street while carrying the toddler.


    Cal walked down the block, alongside the ten-foot-tall wall of concrete topped by barbed wire.


    ¡°Stop right there!¡± a voice called down from the guard tower set at the corner ahead of him.


    The young man pointed an assault rifle at him.


    He held up his hands. ¡°Hi! I¡¯m here to speak with Watch Captain Lawrence. Tell her it¡¯s ¡®Cal¡¯ and I¡¯ve got a few gifts.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Watch Commander Lawrence!¡± the young man barked.


    ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t know that and I think that¡¯s bad opsec on your part,¡± he grinned, ¡°I won¡¯t tell though.¡±


    The young man flushed and stifled a curse before calling down to someone on the inside of the wall.


    ¡°You can come around to the front gate,¡± the young man scowled down.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    He moved around the corner and was quickly ushered inside the fortified compound.


    The new Watch base appeared to have been a mixed-use set of buildings once.


    Apartments up top and a variety of old businesses on street level. He spotted restaurants, a hardware store, a martial arts gym and a few other useful places.


    He didn¡¯t recognize any of the young watch members as they led him inside what was once a real estate office. They eyed him and the floating package trailing him with awe and suspicion.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. They¡¯re safe¡­ well, not against your enemies¡­ and after you¡¯ve learned how to use them properly, otherwise you could hurt yourself,¡± he amended.


    They led him to a large office where the people he had come to see were waiting.


    Demi, Hanna and Jake.


    ¡°Yo!¡± Jake grinned. ¡°So, like, the governor¡¯s kinda pissed about this. There I said it and now they can¡¯t get mad at me for not following orders.¡±


    ¡°What the hell can he be mad bout?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know,¡± Jake shrugged, ¡°probably cause your bringing this huge secret thing, which¡ª¡± he took out a smartphone and pointed it at the bundle floating behind Cal, ¡°is whatever you¡¯ve got in there that¡¯s reading as magical.¡± He took a step forward before stopping himself. ¡°Basically, he doesn¡¯t like that your bringing this to the Watch first.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ they, along with you, I trust and you¡¯ve all got the best abilities and track records that I feel will make the most out of my little gifts. What you might learn from them, I have no problem with you sharing with the rest.¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t look little,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°I have a good idea what you¡¯ve got, Cruces, so get on with it,¡± Demi said.


    He unceremoniously dropped the bundle on the Watch Commander¡¯s desk. ¡°Congratulations on the class upgrade by the way,¡± he said as he unwrapped the blanket to reveal four weapons.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it¡­ so, magic weapons? You bought them? Cause there¡¯s no way we¡¯re going to be able to pay you back.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re a gift.¡±


    ¡°Uh huh¡­ what¡¯s the catch?¡±


    Hanna eyed the weapons. ¡°Arming sword, katana, Dane axe and I don¡¯t know what sort of bastardization this last one is,¡± she held up the blade, ¡°like a butcher knife stretched out to a shortsword length. At least it¡¯s balanced,¡± she gave the weapon a few experimental swings, ¡°whoever made this should¡¯ve put a point on the end. Leaving it blunt is just a waste.¡± She returned the blade to the desk and hefted the Dane axe with a grunt. ¡°Too heavy¡­ what¡¯s with the metal sheath, looks like the head and it were forged as one. Why not just use langets and save weight?¡± she tapped the metal sheath that ran from the bottom of the axe head for about two feet down the length of the haft.


    ¡°It¡¯s to protect the wood from the effects of the enchantment when activated.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d need a pretty high Enhanced Strength to use this effectively,¡± Hanna said.


    Jake picked up the katana and ran his smartphone over the blade.


    ¡°Can you tell what kind of enchantment?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Jake sighed. ¡°I can tell it¡¯s magical¡­ that¡¯s it.¡±


    ¡°That and the arming sword are fire, while the axe freezes and the weird short sword shocks.¡±


    ¡°How much did you spend?¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Not important.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to know anyways.¡±


    ¡°Sure, but like I said it¡¯s a gift and I don¡¯t hold you to any expectations beyond that¡­ about 75000 Universal Points.¡±


    ¡°Holy shit!¡± Jake let out a whistle.


    ¡°That¡¯s a lot. I saw some running from between 5K and 10K,¡± Hanna said. ¡°Why¡¯d you buy these ones, specifically?¡±


    ¡°I messaged the different sellers and asked them a ton of questions. Most didn¡¯t answer, some seemed to be full of shit. This one sounded the best as far as appearing to be knowledgeable about what they¡¯re selling. Sexchanter69 seemed the most credible. I¡¯m trying to set up a face to face meeting. He or she is understandably reluctant, but I can offer what most can¡¯t¡­ a fortune in Universal Points.¡± There was also one other reason, but he kept that to himself.


    ¡°That¡¯s too much. We can¡¯t take these,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Jesus, relax about the cost already. Remember, I told you about my Vegas trip? I already had a ton from the Philippines and the 75K barely touches what I got from a few months in the desert.¡±


    ¡°That new encounter challenge? Even if you didn¡¯t kill any of the bat people you still got a lot of points,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°There¡¯s value in being the first to simply discover things.¡±


    ¡°I wonder why?¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Probably because being the first to discover things means a high chance of death. I¡¯m just lucky with my abilities letting me get away with that.¡±


    ¡°So, how do I turn it on,¡± Hanna lifted the arming sword.


    ¡°The instructions were simple. Only the wielder can activate it. You focus on the trigger word, ¡®ignite¡¯, in your head and you say it out loud with the conviction that the blade will erupt. Might want to give her some space,¡± he pulled Jake away from Hanna. ¡°You should keep the blade away from your body. It flares quite a bit at first.¡±


    ¡°Ignite,¡± Hanna said.


    The blade burst into flames that caused three out of the four people in the large office to flinch.


    The fire died down until it coated the upper two-thirds of the steel blade.


    Hanna gave it a few experimental swings and thrusts, careful to keep the burning blade from touching her body. ¡°It¡¯s hot, but, sorry to say this, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s practical,¡± she said.


    ¡°What?¡± Jake¡¯s mouth dropped, aghast. His eyes had been practically glittering with joy at the sight. ¡°It¡¯s a flaming sword!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, so¡­ I¡¯ll burn you in addition to cutting and stabbing you. An enemy would be just as injured or dead without the fire,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°What about if you¡¯re fighting someone or something that you can¡¯t stab or cut, but is vulnerable to fire?¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Unlikely.¡±


    Jake sighed at Hanna. ¡°What about non-corporeal monsters? Or the undead,¡± he jabbed a finger at her, ¡°undead are vulnerable to fire. I¡¯d bet Bennett wouldn¡¯t like you waving that in his face. Or those aswang¡­ a flaming sword would¡¯ve been useful against them¡­ I bet.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know that for sure,¡± Demi said. She regarded Cal. ¡°How do you shut it off?¡±


    ¡°The shut-off word is ¡®extinguish¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Extinguish,¡± Hanna said.


    The fire disappeared and left a blade with a slight glow that slowly dimmed.


    ¡°There¡¯s your real problem,¡± Demi nodded. ¡°How long can the steel take it? How many times before it fails? You wasted your points.¡±


    ¡°I realized the issues and it wasn¡¯t a waste. I didn¡¯t buy them primarily to be used. I bought them with the hope that you guys would be able to get those R&D kids, research team, other Mages and yourself,¡± he nodded at Jake, ¡°to take a look and figure out how to replicate and improve. That way you can have flaming swords, freezing axes and shocking knives without those drawbacks.¡±


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    ¡°That¡¯s a more reasonable take,¡± Demi said after a moment. ¡°Is that all you¡¯re here for?¡±


    ¡°What? A guy can¡¯t say ¡®hi¡¯ to old allies and friends?¡±


    ¡°A guy can do multiple things in one visit,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Instincts or a Skill?¡±


    ¡°Both.¡±


    ¡°What level are you guys? I mean, just a ball park, you don¡¯t have to tell me specifically,¡± he said hurriedly, ¡°I know that¡¯s rude.¡±


    ¡°Level 35,¡± Jake said.


    The two women frowned.


    ¡°What? I don¡¯t care if he knows.¡±


    ¡°Low-mid 30¡¯s,¡± Demi said. ¡°We¡¯ve been more active going outside the safe zone and fighting stronger monsters, even if it¡¯s more costly.¡±


    ¡°Not that safe anymore,¡± Jake grunted.


    ¡°I heard,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I¡¯m almost 40,¡± Hanna said.


    Cal raised a brow.


    ¡°I¡¯ve had to go monster hunting out in the wilderness to make up for my Threnosh gear. Needed more of a challenge,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°That¡¯s putting it mildly, she killed a wyvern last week after it chewed through one of our squads,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Impressive¡­ how¡¯d you like more of those? Challenges, I mean?¡±


    ¡°The last time we went somewhere on your word people died. The Watch may not have lost as much as the rangers and the state, but we still felt it keenly,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°It could end up the same,¡± Cal admitted. ¡°Before you say anything, let me tell you a story. It starts years ago on another world.¡±


    He told them about Zalthyss and a Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy.


    Then he told them about a church with a suspicious name much closer to home.


    Of a song or music, he couldn¡¯t tell the difference, that had followed him from one world to another.


    ¡°Look, I¡¯ve got a lot of irons in the fire. This is just one of them, though it¡¯s first on the list. Strictly investigatory at first. I¡¯m looking to gather a small team or high-powered people. I won¡¯t expect any of you to tangle with Zalthyss if it has an actual, physical presence on our world.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not all you¡¯re after,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Can¡¯t get anything past you,¡± he grinned at her stony facade. ¡°I¡¯m aiming to unite distant communities in a common defense of this world. The bat people are only the first invaders and they¡¯re restricted to that encounter challenge for a generation or two. Not so the Dominion. Their cragants are already invading the Threnosh world. Our world is the next one over. The Deep Azure, the fog entity, the Vitiator¡ª¡±


    ¡°Man, elves are supposed to be good guys,¡± Jake muttered.


    ¡°Point is,¡± Cal continued, ¡°we have no idea what¡¯s out there. What¡¯s next?¡±


    Hanna regarded Demi for a moment. ¡°I can¡¯t leave. Now that the safe areas, maybe aren¡¯t so safe,¡± she said.


    ¡°I¡¯m in,¡± Jake¡¯s face fell, ¡°but only if I¡¯m allowed. I¡¯ll have to ask the governor.¡±


    ¡°Volunteers only.¡±


    ¡°You want high-leveled people, Cruces. The problem is we need our high-leveled people to fight against the monsters and the cult,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want entire squads. Just a handful of people.¡±


    ¡°What about people in their 20¡¯s?¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°I can¡¯t guarantee safety. They¡¯d be at risk.¡±


    ¡°Everyone¡¯s at risk, but if they¡¯re volunteers no one can complain about it later,¡± Hanna regarded the dark look on Demi¡¯s face. ¡°We got a lot of levels in the Philippines. I say let those that want the same opportunity make that choice.¡±


    ¡°Look, guys,¡± Cal held up his hands, ¡°it¡¯s going to be a small operation. I don¡¯t want as many people as back then.¡±


    ¡°How many?¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Three or four, you can split them up between you and the state government so no one feels left out.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell my bosses,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°You got any more business to discuss?¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Nope. If we¡¯re done then Nila¡¯s going to want to say hi for a bit before he get out of here. She¡¯s in that park across the street with the kid.¡±


    ¡°The kid? You¡¯ve still got that baby with you?¡± Hanna¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Yeah, hard to adopt,¡± Cal chuckled.


    The other three exchanged dubious glances.


    <hr>


    Now, Southern California


    ¡°Happy belated birthday!¡± Cal walked into Rayna¡¯s office in the ranger base, which was once the dean¡¯s office in the administrative building of the community college a few blocks away from the suburb their parents¡¯ home sat in.


    ¡°You¡¯re several months late,¡± Rayna said as she regarded the handful of melee weapons he had dumped on her desk. ¡°And I thought your gift was that sack of gold, silver and gems.¡±


    ¡°It was, but then I thought about it more and it was too impersonal. I might as well have picked you up a sack of rocks off the side of the road with how easy it was to get all those expensive things.¡±


    ¡°You gave me a legit sack of treasure like a pirate coming back from raiding the Caribbean. I think you¡¯ve got a skewed sense of yourself. You say it was as easy as collecting rocks, almost everyone else would say otherwise. That fighting monsters and claiming dozens of stores alone is impossible.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t alone¡­ Nila and the little guy helped¡­ some¡­¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Rayna sighed, ¡°you just need to give him a name already, since you guys are obviously going to keep him. It¡¯s unfair to him. He¡¯s definitely imprinted on the two of you at this point.¡±


    ¡°Have you been talking to Jayde?¡±


    ¡°The Punch Mage girl? Not that often. The Furies only spent a few weeks training with us, before they demanded the opportunity to and I quote ¡®fuck shit up¡¯. So, I¡¯m having them kill HVT¡¯s down on the outskirts of San Diego.¡±


    ¡°That sounds serious.¡±


    ¡°Yes and no. HVT¡¯s means slightly more intelligent undead monstrosities.¡±


    ¡°I can¡ª¡±


    ¡°No! No, thank you¡­ I appreciate it, but it is our thing to deal with. You have your own concerns, right?¡±


    Cal nodded.


    ¡°Exactly. The rangers will deal with what¡¯s going on down south, while you find out if there¡¯s a golden-winged invasion going on. Now, are these what I think they are?¡± Rayna gestured to the two swords and two axes on her desk.


    ¡°Enchanted weaponry by one Sexchanter69. They¡¯re legit. I already tested them. Expect, they¡¯re not really practical. I got them for you so your smart and magical people can maybe learn how to do it and do it better. Fire, fire, electricity and freezing,¡± he pointed at the two swords and two axes in succession.


    ¡°Sounds like a neckbeard,¡± Rayna scoffed, ¡°but if you¡¯ve tested them and they work, then congrats are in order to Mr. Sexchanter69, whomever he is.¡±


    ¡°Could be a woman.¡±


    ¡°Sure, she could be trying to throw curious parties off the trail of her true identity,¡± Rayna said.


    A loud screech-roar shook Rayna¡¯s window as a dark shadow quickly flew past it.


    ¡°Like a bird mixed with a tiger. Was that¡ª¡± Cal reached out with his telepathy.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you didn¡¯t already know.¡±


    ¡°I was purposefully not casting a net with my thoughts out of respect for your rangers and their thoughts. So, your babies are getting bigger.¡±


    Rayna shook her head. ¡°Don¡¯t even start.¡±


    ¡°Problems?¡±


    ¡°Not since I established dominance unless you count the dozen times I¡¯ve had small mutant animal and monster corpses dumped in front of me,¡± Rayna¡¯s button nose wrinkled. ¡°The smells¡­¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t fight each other?¡±


    Rayna laughed bitterly. ¡°Oh, they do, just not seriously enough that death is a possibility. We¡¯ve established the hierarchy. Wyverns and Drakes on the bottom, then the trainers, then me at the top.¡±


    ¡°Where do random people fit?¡±


    ¡°In the not food domain. That¡¯s the most important thing I¡¯m having the Drake Trainers and Wyvern Trainers drill into those stubborn skulls.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, class upgrades. That¡¯s good. What about the whole riding thing?¡±


    ¡°Working on it. The beasties are still too small for that so we¡¯ve got time to figure out a saddle system and how we¡¯d even use them in the first place. I¡¯ve been doing a deep dive into historical mounted combat, something I never expected I¡¯d have to do and it¡¯s looking like the drakes will be like a combination fighter-bomber and horse archers, quick skirmishers and scouts. The wyverns will be big and strong enough to carry a squad so, we¡¯re thinking bomber, mobile weapons platform, rapid deployment vehicle and smash and grab machine. All in a three dimensional space.¡±


    ¡°What about falling?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the biggest issue. Parachutes don¡¯t work unless you¡¯re high enough. We¡¯re hoping that there¡¯s something like a flight spell waiting to be discovered or purchased. Or even something like featherfall or slowfall.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d bet on it¡­ eventually.¡±


    ¡°Got to keep leveling.¡±


    ¡°How are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Busy as I¡¯ve always been for the past decade and change.¡±


    ¡°I meant personally. Now that Mom and Rynnen are with Dad in Manila.¡±


    ¡°House has been quiet, but I didn¡¯t spend much time there anyways. I was mostly in here or out there.¡±


    ¡°You know it¡¯s alright, even good to take breaks. You don¡¯t want to burn out.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t physically burn out. I just need a few hours of sleep here and there and I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, but not mentally, emotionally. Take it from me you need to relax enough.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve learned that if I relax people get hurt or die.¡±


    ¡°In the early days, sure¡­ but people are getting stronger. Trust them to be able to defend themselves while you take a rest.¡±


    ¡°Look¡­ I try, but whenever I do it seems like shit happens. I lay out on the beach, landsharks attack. I go for a hike, undead monstrosities attack. I try to watch some old anime, gangs attack.¡±


    ¡°That last thing isn¡¯t a huge problem anymore. The undead are contained thanks to that wall we put up.¡±


    ¡°The Orange Wall,¡± Rayna snorted, ¡°it¡¯s not even orange.¡±


    ¡°I think the rangers called it that as a joke on purpose.¡±


    ¡°I know¡­ doesn¡¯t make it a good one.¡±


    ¡°What I¡¯m saying is, now¡¯s the time. You¡¯ve got the house to yourself. Watch that anime, cook something fancy just for yourself, read a book¡­ for fun,¡± he amended. ¡°I left a wide selection of paperback science fiction and fantasy, plus a ton of comic books and trade paper backs. Classics and new stuff¡­ er¡­ new at the time¡­ you know what I mean?¡±


    ¡°A couple of rangers are actually publishing a comic book as a side hobby. Loosely based on my adventures,¡± Rayna rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Wait¡­ why is this the first I¡¯m hearing of this?¡± Cal¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°I have to see this.¡±


    ¡°Only if you pay them. It¡¯s annoying as fuck, but I have to admit the art and story are pretty good, even if it makes me cringe down to my core.¡±


    ¡°Comic book style art?¡±


    Rayna nodded.


    Cal laughed. ¡°So, like skintight costumes and shit?¡±


    ¡°Shut up¡­¡±


    Cal gasped for breath while Rayna glared daggers into his very soul.


    ¡°The way you focus with that ill intent in your thoughts¡­ I¡¯d almost think you were doing it on purpose,¡± he said after what felt like an eternity.


    ¡°I was. I wanted to stab my displeasure right into your brain, asshole.¡±


    ¡°Worth it. I haven¡¯t laughed like that in a long time,¡± he sighed happily. ¡°Definitely going to buy up all the back issues of this comic I can get. How many, by the way? Issues?¡±


    ¡°Nope. Not helping you.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay, I can tell you¡¯re salty, so I¡¯d better cut this short before you really get mad. So, weapons delivered,¡± he gestured to Rayna¡¯s desk, ¡°check. Last thing, can I take the Furies with me?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going now?¡±


    ¡°I still need to finish prepping the bus. So¡­ a few weeks? Or a month, but I¡¯m willing to wait a week beyond that if what they¡¯re doing in San Diego is important.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re helpful, but your thing is more critical. I¡¯ll recall them. You should give them a few days to rest and relax, like you said. It¡¯s important.¡±


    ¡°What about Fin?¡±


    Rayna mulled it over for a while. ¡°No. Sgt. Butcher tells me that he¡¯s been much improved in the teamwork and listening to orders department. I don¡¯t want to mess with that for now. If it changes then you can scare him straight or whatever. I¡¯ve already got a ton of volunteers. Everyone wants the chance to gain levels like Sgt. Butcher¡¯s squad did in the Philippines, despite the fact that only half of them came back.¡±


    Silence descended on the two siblings for good amount of time.


    ¡°Alright¡­ that¡¯s about it for me. Thanks and maybe Nila, the little guy and I will move in with you for a few days to help you do the same.¡±


    ¡°Nila and the toddler are cool, but you¡¯re lame and you¡¯ll probably only want to play Zombicide or Sentinels or something equally dork-ish.¡±


    Cal snapped his mouth shut.


    ¡°Don¡¯t need to be able to read minds to know you,¡± Rayna smirked. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s a good idea, Nila and the toddler can stay¡­ you can visit,¡± she dropped the hammer.


    ¡°It¡¯s not your house,¡± Cal narrowed his eyes.


    ¡°After Mom and Dad, I¡¯m next on the house hierarchy based on length of stay and most recent occupancy,¡± Rayna said smugly. ¡°I didn¡¯t make those rules,¡± she threw her hands up.


    ¡°Very cold, so cold¡­ after I brought you such an awesome birthday present.¡±


    ¡°And I appreciate it,¡± Rayna smiled sweetly.


    ¡°Terrible, just terrible,¡± Cal mumbled as he got up and walked toward the door.


    ¡°Tell Nila and the little guy they can come over whenever,¡± Rayna twisted the knife one last time.


    Betrayed, Cal moped around for a bit as he wandered through the rangers¡¯ training grounds.


    What had once been athletic fields had been transformed for deadlier pursuits.


    There were firing ranges for guns, bows, crossbows and spells.


    There were rings in which people sparred with melee weapons.


    There were obstacle courses and mock ups of various environments in which teams practiced fighting their way through or to accomplish a variety of objectives.


    He let his mind guide him to the person he was specifically searching for.


    Prim moved with a squad of young people her age as they fought with blunted weapons against their trainers pretending to be monsters through a setting that resembled a small apartment building made out of plywood.


    It wasn¡¯t the best display of combat prowess and the youngsters were defeated in short order.


    Things would¡¯ve been different had they been allowed to use their magic and Skills, but such was training.


    To learn the basics you had to be restricted to said basics.


    Cal agreed in principle.


    It was always good to know how to fight for when you couldn¡¯t use spells and Skills.


    He watched for a bit more before flying away unnoticed.

 6.18

    Now, Kansas


    Heddy carved her symbol for the Fire spell into the arrowhead.


    It was simple work, a few deft strokes with the engraving tool and she was done.


    The next part was more difficult.


    She cast the spell, but not into the world. She did it into the arrowhead.


    To enchant it took three things.


    One was the spell itself.


    Two was the command word that she had to hold on to and focus with all of her concentration. Ignite, the word blazed in her mind¡¯s eye.


    Three was¡ª


    Never mind that one.


    She realized that she had been an idiot this whole time.


    Why did she need to add a shut-off word to an arrowhead.


    Presumably, it¡¯d be fired from a bow or crossbow and that was that.


    The shooter wouldn¡¯t be touching it, so there was no need.


    The poor bastard the got shot, well, why would she want them to be able to extinguish the flaming arrowhead. Plus, it¡¯d be stuck inside of them, so that would probably be their main focus.


    It was much harder to do it in this way.


    The same spell drained more of her mana when she had to focus it inside of another object.


    At least it was better when dealing with something so small.


    Minutes passed before she deemed it done.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Heddy said as she wiped her freckled forehead free of the thick sheen of sweat.


    Casting the Fire spell over and over again in her small workshop was hot work.


    The arrowhead clattered against the rest of its kind in the basket on the counter top.


    ¡°Wasted much time and effort,¡± she muttered.


    Not that she wanted to be efficient.


    Those Jesus freaks could go suck it.


    If they had a problem with her work output then they could kick her out of the city just like the others.


    With her luck the arrowheads she had been enchanting would be used on her people instead of the cannibals, monsters and mutant animals like the church assholes claimed.


    The bell at her shop¡¯s door rang.


    ¡°Just in goddamn time,¡± she grabbed the basket and headed out to the front.


    ¡°Hey, enchantress!¡± Joseph waved a meaty hand.


    ¡°It¡¯s Enchanter!¡± Heddy thrust the basket into the big, young man¡¯s stomach.


    ¡°But¡­ you¡¯re a woman?¡± Joseph frowned.


    Big, young and dumb.


    Just the way the church liked it, so they wouldn¡¯t question things when they were having them commit crimes against humanity, like kicking anyone that didn¡¯t fit into their little box out of the city to face the monsters and mutants.


    ¡°My Personal Account Page says Enchanter, so you can take it up with the spires.¡±


    ¡°Jeez, sorry, I didn¡¯t know,¡± Joseph eyed the basket of arrowheads.


    ¡°What? Need to count them?¡±


    ¡°Nah, I trust you. 50 enchanted arrowheads, right? What kind are these?¡± Joseph struggled to pull out a small notepad from his pocket.¡±


    ¡°More or less and those are fire. I¡¯ll have freezing by Thursday and electric by Sunday.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay, got it,¡± Joseph jotted it down. ¡°Oh, um, don¡¯t worry about getting done by Sunday,¡± he cleared his throat, ¡°you shall rest on the Sabbath¡­ so Monday is good.¡±


    ¡°Fine with me.¡±


    Joseph stood there blinking nervously.


    ¡°What? We¡¯re done.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ yeah, I was wondering¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Heddy sighed.


    ¡°Can you do bigger stuff? Like swords? I¡¯ve seen them in the spires marketplace. I mean the ones other enchanters out there are putting up for sale. If they¡¯re legit¡­ like you, I mean¡ª¡±


    ¡°I already explained this to your leaders,¡± Heddy interrupted the young man before he could ramble. She also tried to moderate her tone. Tried to remind herself that Joseph might¡¯ve been a better person had he been raised by non hate-filled bigots. He didn¡¯t deserve her bitterness like they did, at least until he truly did something despicable and irredeemable, like kicking out people like her.


    ¡°Oh¡­ sorry,¡± Joseph¡¯s face fell.


    ¡°I can enchant a sword, but it¡¯d take me days, a week and it¡¯d leave me drained that it¡¯d take twice as long to recover enough to start another one. They can get two swords a month or a few hundred arrowheads.¡±


    ¡°That makes sense. Would be pretty cool though to have a flaming sword. Like archangels,¡± Joseph grinned.


    ¡°Trust me, it¡¯s not as cool as it sounds. Arrowheads are the superior application.¡± Heddy didn¡¯t add the for now. She couldn¡¯t let them know what she was truly capable of.


    ¡°Maybe when you level up!¡± Joseph smiled. ¡°Thanks for the batch. Oh right,¡± he took a small stack of twenties out of another pocket and left it on the counter, ¡°your pay for the week. If you could sign that you received it,¡± he place a receipt booklet next to the cash.


    Heddy signed and Joseph ripped her copy and handed it to her.


    ¡°See you in a few days!¡± Joseph smiled and departed with a wave.


    ¡°Poor dumb bastard,¡± she sighed.


    However much she could¡¯ve liked the young man for his earnest niceness was tempered by the imagined picture of him throwing her out past the walls on the word from one of the pastors.


    Ironically, she would¡¯ve left had she the choice.


    But unfortunately for her she had a valuable skill which allowed the bigots to overlook her nature.


    And thus she was stuck for as long as that remained true.


    ¡°Sword of goddamn Damocles over my head,¡± she muttered as she went back into her workshop to get started on the next batch.


    She tried not to think about why they wanted so many arrowheads and so quickly.


    No sane person thought about the Meat Parade when they didn¡¯t have to.


    <hr>


    Now, Missouri


    ¡°We consume this flesh so that it may strengthen us,¡± the Flesh Priest raised a razor-sharp skinning knife above his head reverently.


    The steel blade caught the light from the torches just so that it seemed to Michael that a sun shined a brief light in the darkness.


    His eyes fell on the bound man strapped to the wooden rack next to the Flesh Priest on the temporary stage. Despite the gag, he could hear the man¡¯s curses.


    ¡°Do not look away,¡± the Flesh Priest continued. ¡°We must honor the sacrifice.¡±


    Michael focused on the bound man with renewed vigor. His shame at almost averting his eyes burned like a brand on his shirtless back. So much so that he felt as if the people surrounding him had seen his momentary weakness.


    ¡°We gain strength from this man so that we may continue to cleanse this Earth of the invaders. Is it not right that humanity sacrifices to protect our world? The source,¡± the Flesh Priest gestured to the bound man, ¡°is not the only one that must face the sacrifice. We all do.¡±


    ¡°Our strength is their strength!¡±


    Michael added his voice to the chorus.


    The Flesh Priest nodded solemnly. ¡°Their strength is our strength,¡± he echoed.


    ¡°All are one flesh!¡±


    Michael roared as loud as he could to outdo the others.


    ¡°The flesh is all,¡± the Flesh Priest said. ¡°Come, rise and partake. Grow. Become ready to face the evils that assail us all.¡±


    The Flesh Priest strode over to the bound man.


    Curses turned into wide-eyed whimpering as the Flesh Priest held the skinning knife to the man¡¯s tightly-bound arm. ¡°Your sacrifice will sustain us. Will give us strength. In time we will grow strong enough to take back what is ours. Brandon Martinez, that is your name, isn¡¯t it? It will not be forgotten. You are a powerful Warrior and that will be shared with the hundreds you see before you. Your strength will be shared, even if only a fraction.¡±


    The Flesh Priest sliced a thin strip out of Brandon¡¯s arm to be presented to the first that stepped up on the stage.


    The young woman took the bloody meat from the Flesh Priest.


    ¡°May his strength become yours,¡± he intoned.


    ¡°I accept his sacrifice,¡± the young woman bowed her head before consuming the flesh.


    Brandon screamed around his gag.


    Pain, indignation, horror.


    Michael couldn¡¯t help but think it sounded like all three.


    He forced himself to keep his eyes on the struggling man while he waited for his turn to climb the stage and partake.


    Agonizing time passed.


    Brandon¡¯s body was a butchered piece of meat by the time Michael¡¯s turn came. The only part of the man¡¯s naked body that wasn¡¯t carved up meat was his head and face.


    The stench filled Michael¡¯s nose and he fought the urge to gag.


    ¡°You are new to us,¡± the Flesh Priest said kindly.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Michael nodded with shame.


    ¡°Be not ashamed. It was the same for us all in the beginning. In time there will be no sweeter scent than the glorious sacrifice of our fellow men and women.¡±


    Michael could only nod.


    ¡°May his strength become yours.¡±


    ¡°I accept his sacrifice,¡± he said mechanically.


    The taste of Brandon¡¯s flesh in his mouth was acrid.


    He chewed and fought the urge to spit it out as he departed the stage, hoping that the Flesh Priest and the others hadn¡¯t noticed.


    Blood tasted like iron and he didn¡¯t like it.


    He couldn¡¯t shake the look in Brandon¡¯s eyes as the man stared at nothing.


    When Michael went to the spire the next morning he had a new class in addition to Archer.


    Flesh Eater Level 1.


    <hr>


    Now, Southern California


    Hayden tried to smile, but failed.


    She went to the next acceptable expression, which was neutral indifference.


    Easier than the smile, but it still felt like she was straining too hard to keep her natural frown from reasserting itself.


    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    ¡°If you say I need to smile I will hit you with electricity,¡± she said to Cal as he stood next to her.


    ¡°Haha. I¡¯m not stepping on that land mine. Just wanted to ask if you wanted cheese on your burger. We¡¯ve got cheddar, pepper jack and swiss.¡±


    ¡°All of them,¡± she said just to be difficult.


    ¡°Done.¡±


    Cal made no move to head over to the grill a short distance away. He merely stood in silence as she continued to observe the icebreaker dinner gathering of the Quest to investigate the truth behind the Eternal Church of Joyous Light.


    Yes.


    They had indeed received a Quest, which was both good and bad news.


    ¡°You should introduce yourself. I¡¯m not saying you have to make friends, but since it seems that we¡¯ll be fighting together¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know, I know,¡± she held up a hand. ¡°I¡¯m just getting warmed up and after I eat, I will do that.¡±


    ¡°Oh good, cause your cheese is properly melted and the buns are toasted,¡± Cal gestured to the grill.


    She watched as a paper plate floated from the side table to the grill. The bottom bun went on first.


    ¡°Sauce?¡±


    ¡°Mayo and ketchup.¡±


    The jar of the latter opened up by itself as a plastic knife whipped out a glob and spread it on the bun. The ketchup bottle squirted next which was also spread by the knife.


    ¡°I prefer the sauce on the bottom, spills out less on account of the flatter base than the cheese topped patty,¡± Cal continued. ¡°Veggies?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t care.¡±


    ¡°You have to eat your veggies, balanced diet and all that.¡±


    ¡°No. Lunch was all vegetables,¡± she grumbled.


    ¡°Alright, fine, then you won¡¯t be having a side of fries,¡± Cal said as the rest of the burger finished assembling and the plate floated over to land in her outstretched hands.


    ¡°What? No¡­ give me fries,¡± she thrust the plate back to him.


    ¡°Potatoes are vegetables and you said no to that,¡± he raised a brow.


    ¡°They are deep fried and delicious. They don¡¯t count. Fries. Now.¡±


    ¡°Fine. Lucky for you, there¡¯s a fresh batch.¡±


    A heaping handful of fries floated out of the deep fryer. He shook them in mid-air to get rid of the excess oil before floating them over to land on Hayden¡¯s plate.


    ¡°Ketchup?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get it myself,¡± Hayden trudge over to the condiment table before taking a deep breath and heading into the fray.


    She exchanged a tight nod with a rough looking middle-aged man.


    The woman seated next to him gave her a warm smile, which she returned with another nod as she hurried to one of the open spots at the round table.


    They were Rayna¡¯s Rangers, but she had never met them before in the three months she and the Furies had spent training and working with the group.


    ¡°Hayden, right?¡± the woman said, ¡°I¡¯m Lauren.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± she regarded Lauren for a moment. She guessed the woman could¡¯ve been any age from 20 to 40. Hard to tell with Asians. ¡°Nice to meet you,¡± she remembered to be polite. Cal was right, she didn¡¯t want to get off on the wrong foot with people she¡¯d need to fight alongside.


    ¡°I¡¯m Shrewed,¡± the man grunted.


    The man looked like a fighter. Thick-necked, cauliflower ears, a crooked nose. He held his half-eaten burger in gnarled fingers and when he made a fist, the knuckles looked flat.


    Hayden gave him a head nod. ¡°That¡¯s right, ranger names,¡± she eyed Lauren, ¡°is that yours?¡±


    Lauren laughed. ¡°No, that¡¯s my real name. Lauren Le, if you want the full one.¡±


    ¡°Call her Monsignor,¡± Shrewed smirked.


    Hayden nodded.


    After a moment she realized that she should say something to continue the conversation.


    ¡°That¡¯s like a priest thing right? Could be useful with the Quest we¡¯re going on,¡± she said.


    ¡°Coincidental. I had volunteered well before the Quest activated. Providential, if you believe in such things. As for the name, you can chalk it up to the rangers being annoying as they tend to be. You see, I¡¯m a Ranger Priest: Catholicism. A monsignor isn¡¯t an official rank or title. It¡¯s a form of address that is, was, sometimes used to denote a slightly higher ranked priest in a parish or church.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯re a woman. I don¡¯t know what your thing is, but I¡¯m pretty sure we don¡¯t get to be priests.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a long story, but as with everything, the spires brought a lot of change. I and a few other young women gained the Priest: Catholicism Class. As you might expect the old priests didn¡¯t like that. There was a schism and here I am.¡±


    ¡°Why¡¯d you join the rangers?¡±


    ¡°I felt that it was my calling and I wanted to join the woman that led us through the schism.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯d be the Ranger Captain,¡± Shrewed added.


    ¡°Kayl?¡± Hayden nodded. ¡°I understand.¡± She chewed in silence. ¡°Er¡­ I have electricity powers.¡±


    ¡°We know,¡± Lauren said.


    ¡°You Furies are semi-famous,¡± Shrewed grunted. ¡°Superpowers,¡± he pointed at Hayden, ¡°Closing on Level 40 and a weird class,¡± he pointed at Dayana and Jayde.


    The two young women were running away from the toddler chasing them with a plastic bat in his fat-fingered hands.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to see you being able to have fun despite what you¡¯ve faced and seen out there,¡± Lauren smiled.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ right,¡± Hayden nodded.


    ¡°So, you¡¯ve been around this Eternal Church shit?¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°A little bit. They had a group going around my old city doing charity stuff and preaching. I never thought they might be dangerous. There was also this Pastor guy that was with us on the Vegas expedition. He had some really good healing magic. That¡¯s about all I took away from that. He¡¯d preach and shit, but never really in your face and he wasn¡¯t a dick about people drinking, smoking and fucking,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°Smart ones know to present a pleasant face to get what they want down the line,¡± Lauren said.


    ¡°An uncomfortable mirror being held up to your face, Monsignor?¡± Shrewed grinned.


    ¡°Not at all,¡± Lauren smiled serenely. ¡°I believe that Cal¡¯s warnings about this Zalthyss and his dominion combined with the official Quest are more than enough information to be skeptical about this eternal church¡¯s true intentions.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s got you there,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Monsignor¡¯s a smart one,¡± Shrewed agreed. ¡°I¡¯m just here to hit stuff and be hit.¡±


    ¡°Fighter?¡±


    ¡°Street Brawler¡­ it¡¯s in my blood. Been doing it since before the spires showed up. Just¡­ now I¡¯m doing it for good reasons.¡±


    ¡°Good for you.¡±


    Hayden fought to maintain the conversation.


    The two rangers carried her through it as even the grizzled fighter had a better grasp of social niceties than she did. They asked her questions, but never pushed her into an uncomfortable spot. So much so that she was surprised to realize that she ended up revealing more about her history than she had intended.


    ¡°Sup, fellow Questers!¡±


    A smiling man that Hayden put at a few years older than her sauntered over with two plates. One held a burger, the other held a pile of fires. His hair was tousled, as if he had just gotten out of bed.


    ¡°My name is Trevor and you are?¡±


    Hayden added her name to the introductions.


    ¡°We¡¯re late, sorry. Passing on the message from our boss to your boss. Cultural exchange, diplomatic business, alliances, so on and so forth, you know how it is,¡± Trevor said as a second new person took the seat next to him.


    This one was a petite blond that Hayden figured was about the same age as herself.


    ¡°Hello, pleased to meet you all, I¡¯m Amber and I do magic. I hope we all have a successful Quest.¡±


    ¡°Could you be anymore of a stiff¡­ kidding, kidding, don¡¯t hit me,¡± Trevor grinned.


    The rangers patiently went through the same process with the two new arrivals that they did with Hayden.


    She followed their lead despite how impatient she felt.


    ¡°She¡¯s a Mage,¡± she nodded at Amber, ¡°what about you?¡± she eyed Trevor.


    ¡°Athlete: Baseball, Pitcher¡­ but I can do some gnarly stuff now that I¡¯m getting close to 30,¡± he added hurriedly.


    The rangers nodded at that.


    Hayden thought the same. She knew and had known people with different athlete-type classes and they all had useful abilities.


    ¡°Class don¡¯t matter much once you get enough levels in it,¡± Shrewed said. ¡°I know this Butcher that can carve the tendons out of monsters, leave them like a puppet without strings after a few passes.¡±


    ¡°I can burn and cut with baseballs,¡± Trevor said proudly.


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ve got a few like you in the rangers,¡± Shrewed said.


    Trevor deflated slightly.


    ¡°I figure you can cave a skull in with a thrown rock,¡± Shrewed continued. ¡°Good to have some ranged options on this squad.¡±


    Hayden¡¯s eyes darted to Cal as he stood next to the grill preparing plates for two more people that had just arrived.


    ¡°I¡¯m not counting on him,¡± Shrewed said.


    Hayden scowled.


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t mean it in that way,¡± Lauren said quickly. ¡°It¡¯s just that Cal will be probably busy with Zalthyss, so we can¡¯t count on his presence to assist us.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª that makes sense.¡± Hayden was forced to admit that.


    ¡°We¡¯ll know more once we get the full briefing,¡± Shrewed said. ¡°Maybe don¡¯t pay attention to what I just said.¡±


    ¡°We shouldn¡¯t count on him to save us anyways. Only we can fight for ourselves at the end of the day,¡± Amber said.


    ¡°True that,¡± Trevor added. ¡°The big guns usually have to deal with other big guns. Leaves us little squirt guns on our own.¡±


    It was a strange feeling to be spoken of as one of the little ones. Hayden had always been one of the so-called big guns.


    ¡°Big fish, small pond,¡± she whispered.


    If the others heard her they politely pretended not to.


    Fortunately, the silence didn¡¯t last long as the last two members of their Quest joined the table.


    ¡°Marci,¡± the tall, lithe young woman said.


    ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Jimenez,¡± the short, athletic-looking woman said.


    As it turned out the two knew Trevor and Amber from what sounded like a nightmare of a trip to the Philippines of all places.


    All Hayden knew was that it was country on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.


    The fact that they had gone all the way and back blew her mind.


    The story they told was even more insane.


    Weresharks.


    People with vampire-like classes.


    A fog-shrouded city that sounded like a nightmare beyond anything she had ever experienced.


    ¡°So that¡¯s where he got the baby,¡± she said.


    ¡°Lucky little guy,¡± Trevor nodded.


    ¡°Or unlucky,¡± Amber said. ¡°He¡¯ll never know his true parents¡­ what happened to them,¡± she explained.


    ¡°Better than being dead or taken by the fog,¡± Marci said.


    ¡°At least all those shades are free now,¡± Jimenez said.


    ¡°You lost so much in the act, my sympathies and prayers,¡± Lauren said.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Jimenez replied.


    ¡°Death sucks, but if it was me I¡¯d take that kind of death. It means something,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°So¡­ I know the whole funny names thing you rangers do¡­ what¡¯s with yours?¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°An awful ex-wife.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t get it,¡± Trevor said flatly.


    Hayden blinked, she didn¡¯t understand either.


    ¡°You young people need to read some classics. That¡¯s all I¡¯m going to say on that,¡± Shrewed smirked.


    ¡°I got the reference,¡± Jimenez said.


    She didn¡¯t elaborate despite the expectant looks from several of the others.


    Cal stepped into the silence with a plate of fries that he plopped down in the middle of the table. ¡°Everyone good, right?¡±


    Nods.


    ¡°Guys! Your burgers are ready when you want them!¡± he called out to Jayde and Dayana.


    They came over followed by the toddler.


    Cal scooped the little guy up before he could smack someone with the plastic bat. ¡°Bad influence,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Nila? I thought she was coming with,¡± Amber said.


    ¡°Girl¡¯s night with Rayna and Kayl or something. She¡¯ll be with us tomorrow morning when we leave.¡±


    ¡°That party bus you set up is sweet!¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a vacation, Trevor,¡± Amber rolled her eyes.


    ¡°I know that. Doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t enjoy traveling in style. A real adventurous journey sucks, remember hiking through that jungle? I remember. A nice, AC¡¯d bus will be a dream compared to that,¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°It will be comfortable¡­ in between the monster attacks that is,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Got to get those levels,¡± Marci said.


    ¡°That¡¯s why we¡¯re here¡­ that and alliance building,¡± Trevor said.


    Dayana and Jayde returned to the table with their food at that point and introduced themselves to the newest arrivals.


    ¡°No offense¡ª¡± Trevor began.


    ¡°What have I told you about that?¡± Amber punched him in the arm.


    ¡°Owww¡­ why? Okay, okay¡­ yes, I remember. It¡¯s never not offensive if you have to preface a question or a statement with those words,¡± he recited by rote. ¡°Sorry,¡± he cleared his throat. ¡°I have a respectful question due to my curiosity.¡±


    Jayde stared at him through narrowed eyes. ¡°Your smarter friend just saved you, but go ahead.¡±


    ¡°Dude, it¡¯s not bad or anything¡­ I¡¯m just wondering how and what is a Punch Mage?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s obvious¡­ I hit stuff, then the magic happens,¡± Jayde snorted.


    ¡°I¡ª I guess that makes sense,¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this great!¡± Cal stood to one side with the toddler in his arms. ¡°Brave adventurers about to venture out into the wilderness.¡±


    ¡°Not a game,¡± Lauren held up a finger.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Cal said quickly.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s definitely an adventure. Just that those aren¡¯t fun, in reality, cause of all the killing and deaths,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°And¡­ mood ruined,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°I think as long as we all know what we¡¯re heading into. That we acknowledge that we might die, then you can enjoy it as much as you want. If that¡¯s your thing,¡± Amber said.


    ¡°Got to do it to get them levels,¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°The way I see it, I can die on this adventure, but I could also have a wyvern land on me while I¡¯m walking down to Rick¡¯s Diner. That happened to someone we know,¡± Marci glanced at Jimenez.


    ¡°Three times now,¡± Jimenez sighed. ¡°Things we thought were safe aren¡¯t looking so good anymore. So, we need to level and,¡± she nodded at Cal, ¡°we need to make allies. Because I¡¯ve personally seen really scary things in action and I¡¯m not naive enough to think that we can always rely on people like you.¡±


    ¡°Same here. I would like it if I could kind of step out of that role,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What level would you say someone like me would need to hit before we¡¯re on the same level?¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°Honestly, I have no idea. Highest leveled people I know are touching 40, and that¡¯s not close to me. No one knows what the level cap is, if there is one. None of the tutorials I¡¯ve bought have even given a hint.¡±


    ¡°40, huh? We need to catch up,¡± Trevor elbowed Amber.


    She eyed him and raised a fist, but caught the toddler out of the corner of her eye and lowered it.


    ¡°That¡¯s something for tomorrow, meanwhile, let¡¯s just enjoy my awesome burgers and cold beers, not mine,¡± Cal said. ¡°Anyone want more?¡±


    Hands went up.


    The cooler lid opened and cold bottles distributed themselves around the table.


    They talked of past adventures, lost comrades and hopes for the future long into the night.

 6.19

    Now, Missouri


    Michael woke to the sound of the roosters they had in the sprawling camp.


    He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.


    Memories of the last night flooded his thoughts.


    His first night as a true part of the Blessed Sacrament of the Flesh.


    He felt the new class as a warm, comforting glow within him.


    He was just a little bit stronger than he had been before he had confused the man¡¯s flesh.


    No.


    The man had a name.


    He needed to remember that.


    To honor that.


    Brandon Martinez.


    He remembered the name.


    Then thought better of it and took out the small notebook that the Flesh Priests had given him on the day he joined the movement.


    He wrote the name down on the first page.


    The first of many to come.


    Each a sacrifice for the betterment of the world, of the human race.


    He took a long drink from the canteen of water next to his sleeping bag before he rose, dressed and stepped out of the tent.


    The cool air washed over him. A product of being close to the banks of the Mississippi River.


    All around him, brothers and sisters began to rise just as he had.


    He exchanged warm smiles and greetings with those around him as he made his way to the mess tent.


    He collected a hearty breakfast of oatmeal, eggs, bacon, toast and fruit as he made his way through the different stations.


    He found the nearest open seat and began to eat.


    The taste was¡­ muted and he found himself struggling to force the food down.


    ¡°Tastes different, doesn¡¯t it,¡± a woman sat down across from him.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ sorry?¡± Michael couldn¡¯t look at the woman¡¯s face. She was too beautiful.


    ¡°The food. Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s normal after your first time taking the sacrament. Nothing will ever compare to that again,¡± the woman smiled.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡ª I remember the priests saying that when they were telling me about what it¡¯d be like. I¡¯m okay with it.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to play the tough guy. We all deal with it differently. Honestly, I missed it for the first few months. I had my doubts,¡± the woman said.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been here awhile?¡±


    ¡°Yes, so feel free to ask me any questions you might have. Concerns, whatever¡­ oh, my name is April, by the way,¡± she held out a hand.


    ¡°Michael,¡± he shook it lamely.


    Soft, but firm.


    ¡°Is it always the same? The ceremony, I mean?¡±


    ¡°The first time is always special. That¡¯s not to say that we don¡¯t honor the sacrifices. We always honor them. But, sometimes circumstances dictate how much,¡± April shrugged. ¡°Receiving the sacrament in battle is a different matter. I¡¯m going to warn you now¡­ it¡¯ll be intense your first few times, but remember there is always honor in the sacrifice.¡±


    Michael nodded as he absently shoveled food into his mouth that he had already dismissed from his notice.


    ¡°The flesh will taste sweeter as you grow stronger.¡±


    ¡°How strong can I get?¡±


    ¡°No one knows the limit. For my part, just a few months and the people that¡ª that hurt me before couldn¡¯t touch the me I¡¯m now,¡± April nodded solemnly.


    ¡°That¡¯s good, I mean that¡¯s what I want. I need to be strong enough to fight for our world.¡±


    ¡°And you will be, just don¡¯t forget that you don¡¯t have to do it alone. We¡¯re all one in this together. Where one falls, hundreds stand.¡±


    April was a gregarious sort and Michael eventually forgot how beautiful she was as she drew him out of his shell.


    They talked for what felt like hours. He only had dim impressions of the others coming in and going out of the mess tent even as they took the seats around him.


    He exchanged polite greetings, but only had eyes and ears for April.


    The spell was broken when the horn rang out across the camp.


    ¡°Time to break camp,¡± April said.


    ¡°Right, got to pack up my tent and stuff,¡± Michael said.


    ¡°Well, Michael, like I said, come find me if you ever need to talk about anything,¡± April waved as she left the table to deposit her tray with the cleaners.


    He waited awkwardly for her to finish before he, too, rose from the table to return his tray.


    When he returned to his tent he found his section leader gathering the others around.


    ¡°Ah, Michael, we can start the briefing,¡± Fred said.


    ¡°But¡ª my tent¡ª¡± he closed his mouth when he realized that the others hadn¡¯t packed up their gear.


    ¡°That can wait,¡± Fred smiled. ¡°I¡¯ve got our marching orders.¡±


    Michael¡¯s gaze drifted to the slowly moving brown waters of the river several hundred yards away.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got the honor of being part of the vanguard. Scouting mainly, but skirmishing if necessary. You¡¯re new to this and we don¡¯t want to throw you into the deep end right away, but we do want to get you combat experience and the chance to partake in the sacrament. It¡¯s always better and more impactful when you take it in honorable battle.¡±


    Combat.


    A chance to partake of the sacrament outside of the safe confines of the ceremony.


    Fear.


    Eagerness.


    He didn¡¯t know which held the reins.


    ¡°I can¡¯t stress enough how big and important this Crusade is. Our oracles all agree that there¡¯s something terrible brewing somewhere to the west of us. The pictures are hazy, but it¡¯s looking like we¡¯re going to Kansas. This is huge. Like, Earth-threatening huge. But don¡¯t let that freak you out. Remember, we¡¯re one big team. All you have to do is your part, no matter how small or big, you do what you can do. No more, no less,¡± Fred continued.


    Michael nodded along with the other fifty or so people in his section.


    ¡°We¡¯re just part of one finger, many others are all moving westward, but I¡¯d like to think that we¡¯ll get the first crack at whatever evil is out west. So, keep that in mind. Anyways, pack up your stuff, but leave the big and heavy stuff. We¡¯re traveling light to the next settlement. Scouts have picked out a small town about 30 miles west on the interstate. About a thousand people. We¡¯ll give them a chance to become part of the movement. As sacrifices or as one of us, but be ready for a fight. As much as it might bother me, experience has shown me that large communities tend to reject our gift, unlike smaller groups.¡± Fred clapped his hands. ¡°Alright, that¡¯s all I¡¯ve got, let¡¯s get it done.¡±


    The vanguard was around 200 people. A full fifth of the main fighting complement of this particular finger. Half of them were newer recruits like Michael.


    They rode in a wide variety of vehicles.


    Michael sat uncomfortably in the back of a truck, unstrung bow in his hands and traveling pack between his legs.


    They covered the distance quickly.


    Fortune was with them as no monsters or mutant animals bothered them.


    The vanguard¡¯s leader brought them to halt several miles out from the town.


    The scouts appeared a short while later.


    Michael watched them speaking to the leader, but couldn¡¯t hear what they said.


    The leader gathered the section leaders around him next.


    ¡°Wonder what they¡¯re saying?¡± a fat young man sitting next to Michael whispered.


    ¡°I think the scouts just gave them the report on the situation in the settlement,¡± Michael said. He tried to remember the young man¡¯s name.


    ¡°No shit, man, but the important question is what¡¯re we going to do. I¡¯m thinking we should just roll in there and,¡± he ran a finger across his throat, ¡°you know, do what we do.¡±


    ¡°This is my first combat mission. You¡¯ve been on one before?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ no, but this is the Meat Parade¡ª¡±


    Michael bristled.


    The fat young man recoiled. ¡°What¡¯d I say?¡±


    Michael calmed himself. ¡°Sorry, but that¡¯s what outsiders named us. It isn¡¯t the truth.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah totally, my bad, just nervous¡­ it¡¯s pretty cool sounding though,¡± he noticed the look on Michael¡¯s face, ¡°gonna shut up now¡­¡±


    Fred returned from the meeting with word.


    ¡°Listen up people! The speaker is going to give them the offer, but we¡¯ll move into position regardless. They¡¯ve got a wooden wall encircling the center of the town and they¡¯ve already retreated their people behind them. Your part in the plan is simple, since we¡¯re a ranged group, we¡¯ll be softening up the section of the wall that we¡¯re going to climb over. Once we¡¯ve established a breech, I¡¯ll turn you loose. You¡¯ll be free to pursue the sacrament as you wish. I¡¯d recommend you move in groups since you¡¯re noobs to this, but it¡¯s not our way to keep a tight grip, so do as you will, just don¡¯t do it until I give the okay,¡± Fred said.


    Michael frowned.


    That didn¡¯t sound like a wise battle plan to him.


    Regardless, he strung his recurve bow and checked the rest of his gear.


    He felt the newness of the Flesh Eater Class and what it gave him.


    He wished it didn¡¯t feel like an ill-fitting pair of boots.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do this, let¡¯s do this, let¡¯s do this,¡± the fat young man muttered under his breath.


    Donald.


    That was the fat young man¡¯s name.


    ¡°Relax, Donald. Remember the training and the practice,¡± Michael said.


    ¡°Yeah, man¡­ I will, I mean, I do. We¡¯ve got this,¡± Donald cracked his knuckles.


    ¡°We just need to stick together,¡± Michael locked eyes with the others sharing the truck bed with him. ¡°This is just the first battle. There¡¯ll be plenty more if we work as a team.¡±


    Nervous nods.


    Fred beamed. ¡°See¡­ that¡¯s what I like. There is no ¡®I¡¯ in team, after all. Don¡¯t worry too much, I¡¯ll try to keep an eye on all of you guys, but don¡¯t count on me to bail you out. There are fifty of you in just this one section and I¡¯ve got a couple of them,¡± he shrugged.


    Michael didn¡¯t know how to respond to that.


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    All he could do was to give a wordless nod.


    The truck suddenly jumped into gear and just like that he was about to begin his first fight as part of something greater than himself.


    <hr>


    Now, Kansas


    Heddy woke with a groan.


    Something pounded in her head.


    Her eyes were crusted over, her mouth tasted like something had died and her throat felt like she had swallowed sandpaper.


    Too much to drink last night, she belatedly remembered.


    The pounding wouldn¡¯t stop.


    Then she realized that it was coming from downstairs.


    The front door of her shop.


    She tried to ignore it as she staggered to her bathroom.


    She gulped down several handfuls of water in an attempt to quench the desperate thirst that her booze-addled mind just noticed.


    Several minutes later her eyes were free, but still bleary. The headache was worse, just like the pounding on her door.


    She staggered down the steps and unlocked the door.


    ¡°What do you want? It¡¯s Sunday! The Sabbath! No work!¡± she snarled.


    ¡°Maybe, but you need to go to a service and seeing as it¡¯s almost five, there¡¯s only one left,¡± Knox said.


    She glared at the slim, middle-aged man with his perfect black and silver hair.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Heddy, you¡¯ve missed too many services. They¡¯re starting to notice.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s cause I¡¯ve been working so hard to supply their war machine,¡± she shrugged as she stepped back to let Knox enter her shop.


    He sniffed the air. ¡°I can smell the cloud of bourbon you¡¯re exhaling with every word.¡±


    She cupped a hand over her mouth and checked. ¡°Damn it. I just brushed my teeth.¡±


    ¡°You drank so much last night that you¡¯ve still got a puddle of liquor sitting in your belly,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure that¡¯s not how it works.¡±


    ¡°Well, whatever,¡± he waved a hand, ¡°just go shower. You smell worst than I do after a bender.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t. Head hurts too much. Going back to bed.¡±


    ¡°None of that. Did you drink water yet?¡±


    She grumbled a nod.


    ¡°Well, drink more. I¡¯ll cook you up some breakfast¡­ or dinner, technically.¡± he smoothly slid past her and up the stairs despite her effort to block him. ¡°Go, shower,¡± he called down.


    She did as she was told and climbed into the shower. It took time for the cold water to turn warm, but she felt so bad that it didn¡¯t really matter. Too much effort to do anything about it.


    The smells from her kitchen soon reached her nose.


    Her stomach roiled unpleasantly in response.


    She tried to fight it, but a combination of water, bile and last night¡¯s booze came hurtling out of her mouth like a river breaking through a dam.


    It burned her already raw throat and watered her eyes so much that she couldn¡¯t see.


    She collapsed to her hands and knees in the shower.


    Time passed. She had no idea how much. It was a vague experience. She washed her hair and body. That much, at least, she made sure to do.


    She toweled off and nearly fell again as the bathroom swayed.


    She managed to avoid such an ignominious fate as falling over with her underwear half on and Knox having to run in and clothe her. Not that either of them cared about the sight of her naked body.


    It was the dignity of it and their kind had precious little of it ever since the church became so powerful.


    ¡°Well¡­ that sounded awful,¡± he said as she stepped into the kitchen. ¡°You aren¡¯t dressed properly for service,¡± he injected the word with venom.


    ¡°What?¡± she regarded the sweats, ¡°I¡¯m wearing a bra,¡± she said flatly as she staggered over to the table and collapsed into the chair. Bacon, eggs and toast. ¡°How typically American,¡± she scoffed, ¡°and you burned the toast.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll help with the hangover.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve carbonized it,¡± she held up the black slice of bread.¡±


    ¡°Well, carbon is used to filter out impurities in water.¡±


    She glared at her friend as she bit into it. ¡°Tastes like charcoal,¡± she said around a mouthful.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know,¡± he arched a brow.


    ¡°That¡¯s cause you wouldn¡¯t know fun if it came up and smacked you in the dick.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a fun time,¡± he said seriously.


    She groaned. ¡°Don¡¯t. My head hurts enough as it is.¡±


    ¡°Heddy, I¡¯m worried about you. You can¡¯t be this reckless. If they find out the truth¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a valuable Enchanter,¡± she threw her arms out wide. ¡°They need me, so they will overlook my sinful ways,¡± she said bitterly.


    ¡°Until they don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Then they¡¯ll ¡®exile¡¯ me,¡± she rolled her eyes, ¡°like the rest of us sinners. Would be nice not having to live with a sword hanging over my head.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a good life outside the wall. Monsters, mutants and the lack of supplies.¡±


    ¡°That reminds me,¡± she pointed to the stack of cash on the kitchen counter.


    ¡°How much should I take?¡±


    ¡°All of it. I¡¯ve got enough stuff to last till my next payment.¡±


    He thrust the stack into his jacket pocket. ¡°Thanks. This will help a lot.¡±


    ¡°You know it¡¯s funny that you¡¯re telling me to be careful. Yet, you¡¯re the one placing yourself in danger to smuggle supplies out to our people.¡±


    He blew her a raspberry. ¡°Oh, please,¡± he waved a hand dismissively, ¡°there¡¯s a long chain from me to the people actually doing the work. I just distribute the money and coordinate a little. If the seekers come sticking their piggy snouts around I have nothing to give them. I collect money for charity and give it away to sooo many different people that I can¡¯t possibly remember them all. More importantly, I give money to everyone that needs it. Even true believers,¡± his face twisted in distaste.


    ¡°Yeah, not a fan of that, but I get why it¡¯s necessary.¡±


    She took a long time to finish her food.


    Each bite threatened a rebellion in her stomach.


    ¡°Thanks for the meal,¡± she said.


    ¡°Good, now let¡¯s go to church.¡±


    ¡°Fuck that noise,¡± she sneered. ¡°I¡¯m too busy, got too many important things to do in order to keep them supplied with enchanted arrowheads.¡±


    ¡°Heddy¡ª¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care, Knox. The seekers can suck it. If they come around bitching I¡¯ll tell them if they want me to spend two hours in church then they can expect less production.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Sunday. No one works today.¡±


    ¡°Except people in the groceries and the restaurants,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°Yes, yes, they¡¯re hypocrites, but they¡¯ve got the power to kick us out or worse.¡±


    ¡°Just like the old days.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ much worse on account of the monsters.¡±


    ¡°I actually prefer my monsters to be explicit in their horribleness, so that¡¯s an improvement. Monsters in human skin pretending to be all about love and Jesus, while condemning anyone that doesn¡¯t fit their views to death, oh and the torture conversion bullshit,¡± she shook her head, ¡°they¡¯re worse than the Meat Parade.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that. They actually eat people.¡±


    ¡°But they¡¯re honest about it. And it¡¯s a quick death¡­ probably.¡±


    ¡°Still horrible¡­ okay, I guess I¡¯ll be off to church then. What¡¯ll you be doing?¡±


    ¡°Knox, man, I know you can¡¯t help yourself. You¡¯re a natural momma bear, but I¡¯m an adult and I¡¯ve got a valuable class. No one is going to touch me.¡±


    ¡°Can you please just stay in today?¡±


    ¡°No can do. I¡¯ve got to visit the foundries¡ª oh look at that, another place that doesn¡¯t shut down on their precious Sabbath¡ª need to sort out my work supplies for the week. I think the bastards would rather my output not drop after all.¡± She grimaced. ¡°Not that I¡¯m looking forward to it. That place is too loud when I don¡¯t have a pounding headache.¡±


    ¡°Maybe the two will cancel each other out. Just be careful. I¡¯ll check in on you in a week. Toodles!¡± he waved goodbye with his fingers.


    She spent the next ten minutes slowly sipping water before heading out.


    The foundries was a metal working factory complex that had expanded to include other factories and warehouses in a several block radius.


    She rushed through the sounds of the pounding hammers as fast as she could while maintaining her sweats-clad dignity of a fast walk, rather than an all out run.


    Naturally, the latter, in her condition, would¡¯ve had her puking her breakfast-dinner out, which was bad for said dignity.


    There was a row of smaller smithies outside the back of the main foundry building. These were personal spaces allotted to Blacksmiths of high skill and level.


    She made a bee-line for her friend¡¯s smithy while avoiding eye-contact with any of the dozen or so people she passed.


    They were used to her presence and ways so they noted and dismissed her presence quickly.


    Deandre was in the middle of beating the crap out of glowing piece of metal.


    A spearhead from the shape of it.


    She waited.


    As a fellow craftsman she knew not to interrupt in the middle of the work.


    The sound of the hammer on the hot metal and anvil struck a spike into her brain with every strike.


    She contemplated walking as far away as she could when Deandre stopped to place the cooling piece of metal back into the blazing forge. He took off his goggles and stepped away for a glass of water when he noticed her waiting out in the cooler dusk air.


    He grinned and waved a meaty hand as he approached. ¡°Tommy, you can take over,¡± he directed one of his apprentices. ¡°What can I do for you, Heddy? Problem with the last batch of arrowheads?¡±


    She regarded the big, bear-like man with a wrinkle of her nose.


    ¡°Oh, sorry, but you know how it is,¡± Deandre gestured at his sweaty shirt and thick leather apron. ¡°Smithing is a wet and stinky job.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, actually I¡¯d like to discuss the arrowheads,¡± she said, ¡°but not here. I¡¯ve got a terrible headache and the hammering¡­¡± she had to be careful of listening ears. You never knew what might reach the seekers.


    ¡°Sure, why don¡¯t we go to my office.¡±


    She followed him to the small trailer across from the smithy.


    She took a seat in front of the desk and waited for him to take his spot behind it before speaking. ¡°Did it work?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, but working the blade basically wiped out the symbol you carved into it.¡±


    ¡°Can I see it?¡±


    Deandre smiled apologetically. ¡°Sorry¡­ but I keep our ¡®special projects¡¯ at home. I can¡¯t leave them here. I¡¯m pretty sure the seekers look through my shit regularly.¡±


    ¡°Damn it¡­ okay, that¡¯s fine,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°We¡¯ve tried it at different stages of the forging process and nothing¡¯s worked so far. I think we have to do it together. While I forge, you do your thing.¡±


    ¡°I already told you that sounds like too much work. It¡¯s too inefficient if my enchanting work is wiped out every time you stick the blade in the forge and hammer it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d say we can take our time to figure it out, like we usually do, but¡­¡±


    ¡°What? C¡¯mon, man¡­ that look on your face is scaring me and I¡¯m way to hungover to deal with random shit.¡±


    ¡°It ain¡¯t random. I¡¯ve heard some concrete news on the reason they¡¯ve got as working overtime making arrowheads, spearheads and chainmail. The Meat Parade¡¯s coming to town and there are a lot more of them than the last time.¡±


    She groaned.


    ¡°The exiles are fucked. They¡¯re going to be left to hang. I¡¯m not saying this cause you¡¯ve got connections with them¡­ cause I have no knowledge of that one way or another, but they should be warned so the ones to the east of the city can move to the west or better yet, clear out of the area entirely.¡±


    ¡°Where else can they go? The monsters and the random biker assholes are already problems. They¡¯re not strong enough to make it to the settlements that will take strangers in.¡±


    ¡°Enchanted weapons and armor could give them a chance.¡±


    She dropped her head into her hands. ¡°I should¡¯ve worked harder instead of taking it easy. I didn¡¯t want to put too much product out on the spires marketplace. Didn¡¯t want to flood the market. Got greedy and now people are doomed. I made almost a100K Universal Points, but I¡¯ve already shared most of it and it didn¡¯t make much of a difference.¡±


    ¡°Wait¡ª here¡¯s an idea,¡± Deandre¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°That dude who bought your enchanted weapons. Why not ask him for help?¡±


    ¡°No way! I can¡¯t trust some random guy!¡±


    ¡°He ain¡¯t some random dude. He¡¯s a paying customer. A very wealthy and powerful one if he¡¯s willing to throw that many points on¡ª no offense¡ª weak enchanted weapons.¡±


    ¡°None taken. I know what I made, but in my defense the other ones on the marketplace are worse.¡±


    ¡°Right, so he¡¯s also smart enough to realize that.¡±


    ¡°Or he¡¯s so rich that he can buy a sampling of everything.¡±


    ¡°That only helps my point. If points are meaningless to him, then it means he can get them easily, which means power.¡±


    Heddy mulled it over.


    Was revealing the true person behind Sexchanter69 worth the risk?


    ¡°What if he or she can¡¯t or won¡¯t help?¡±


    ¡°You got to try, right? Especially, if you can¡¯t come up with anything else to help the exiles.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll think about it.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t take to long.¡±


    ¡°Right. So, what else can we do? What about that other thing?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m willing to give it a shot. Although, maybe not tonight.¡±


    She nodded. Then stopped. ¡°Tonight¡¯s perfect.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, girl. I can tell you¡¯re hungover as fuck.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter for what I need to do. I just need to expel mana and I can do that in my sleep.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but we can¡¯t do it when there are other people around. Word will definitely reach the seekers. I only trust my apprentices so far and I don¡¯t trust the other Blacksmiths or any number of randos walking around this place.¡±


    ¡°Service is starting in like thirty, right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. We¡¯ll be taking a break to go, like usual,¡± he nodded.


    ¡°How far is the closest church?¡±


    ¡°Fifteen minute walk. A few minutes by car. Most of us will be walking, of course.¡±


    ¡°Then they¡¯ll have to eat dinner after. Before getting back to work.¡±


    ¡°I see where you¡¯re going, but I can¡¯t miss the service. It¡¯ll be noticed.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a one time thing. You can blame me. I had issues and wouldn¡¯t let you go. That¡¯ll give us at least two hours alone.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but with that much time I can only complete something smallish.¡±


    ¡°How small are we talking?¡±


    ¡°Without Skills, a knife with a 3 to 4 inch blade is probably best,¡± he held his thumb and index finger apart. ¡°With Skills¡­ maybe double the length.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯ll do. Come get me when everyone¡¯s gone. I¡¯ll be in here, hydrating,¡± she reached for a water bottle from the pile next to the door of Deandre¡¯s small office.


    ¡°Alright, but you better not puke in my smithy,¡± he said before leaving her alone.


    She took several deep, steadying breaths.


    There wasn¡¯t much time.


    And even if this experiment turned out to be successful, repeating it without being discovered wasn¡¯t going to be possible.


    Which narrowed her options to help the exiled people down to one that was very unlikely.

 6.20

    Now, Las Vegas


    ¡°I don¡¯t get it,¡± Hayden swept a hand over the two dozen or so chained together grocery carts filled with raw meat, vegetables and other items.


    ¡°The bat people farm mushrooms, so they, presumably, are capable of digesting veggies. Although, I went heavy on the mushrooms just in case,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant and I¡¯m pretty sure you know that,¡± her eyes narrowed.


    ¡°I¡¯m playing diplomacy rather than murder hobo. They saw the worst of our kind with the Dread Paladin, so I¡¯d like to provide the counter example to that. Hopefully, when they do eventually gain the ability to exit the encounter challenge they won¡¯t be hostile to humanity in principle.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re invaders from another world. Here to take our land or something like that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m seeing them more as refugees fleeing from even worse things that could be coming after them¡ª¡±


    ¡°Well shit! All the more reason to not be friendly.¡±


    ¡°So, your plan is genocide?¡± Cal said mildly.


    Hayden couldn¡¯t keep the scowl from her face. However, she managed to stifle her instinctive answer and reflect on the many lectures from the last few months. ¡°What you¡¯re trying to do is to gain information about potential threats because you see the bat people as a lesser one compared to what drove them from their world. It makes sense because we gain nothing if we simply get rid of them all¡­ at least right now.¡±


    ¡°And this,¡± Cal gestured to the carts, ¡°costs me nothing, except for the time and effort it¡¯ll take to fly it to the encounter challenge, which is largely negligible.¡±


    ¡°Not true,¡± Hayden turned to regard the Vegas strip a short distance away, ¡°it¡¯ll cut into your pool time.¡±


    ¡°A sacrifice I¡¯m willing to make.¡±


    ¡°You sure you don¡¯t want company?¡±


    ¡°Nah, go enjoy yourself. This¡¯ll be the last guaranteed break and fun times before we head east.¡±


    ¡°After I take care of business stuff. I need to touch base with the Golden Eagles. See how things back in Texas have been,¡± Hayden walked to her motorcycle.


    ¡°Ugh,¡± Cal grimaced. ¡°I¡¯ll have to do that too, thanks for the reminder.¡±


    ¡°No problem,¡± Hayden grunted as she kicked the motorcycle to life. The engine¡¯s high-pitched whine turned into a roar as she rocketed down the street.


    The ride was over all too quickly.


    She pulled up to the front of the Golden Eagle¡¯s base in Vegas, the Mandalay Bay, and strode into the lobby.


    The benefits of keeping their contract open and active meant she didn¡¯t need specific permission.


    A teenage boy she didn¡¯t recognize waved at her from behind the front counter.


    She walked over with a curt nod. ¡°I¡¯m¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the MVS!¡± he said with wide-eyed awe.


    Ledge, you bastard, she thought.


    If he was around she was going to shock him until he pissed and shit himself.


    ¡°Hayden is my name and I¡¯m meeting with Elliot.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± he blanched, ¡°I¡¯ll let him know right away!¡±


    The teenager disappeared into the back and Hayden sighed.


    It wasn¡¯t the poor kid¡¯s fault.


    She resolved to smile when he returned.


    It didn¡¯t work.


    The kid practically shook with nerves as he gestured for her to follow him.


    They walked through the maze-like warren of back offices in silence until Hayden decided to try again with the being nicer.


    ¡°So, I haven¡¯t seen you around before. You¡¯re new. What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am, I¡¯m new, I mean, I¡¯m Khalid, but I¡¯m also new. I mean, I just arrive two weeks ago with the relief convoy.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in Ledge¡¯s group?¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good. He¡¯ll do his best to keep you alive.¡±


    Khalid visibly swallowed a lump in his throat.


    ¡°That¡¯s important, staying alive, you can¡¯t level and get stronger if you¡¯re dead.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Stop with the ma¡¯am. I¡¯m not that much older than you¡ª how old are you anyway?¡±


    ¡°15, ma¡ª Hayden.¡±


    Hayden stifled a curse.


    That was almost ten years younger than her.


    Ma¡¯am might be acceptable.


    Was it?


    The kid brought her to Elliot¡¯s office.


    ¡°Thanks, Khalid.¡±


    ¡°No problem, ma¡ª Hayden!¡±


    She pushed through the closed door before he could knock.


    ¡°As insubordinate as always. Glad you haven¡¯t been changed too much by your months with a supergod,¡± Elliot sighed.


    ¡°Nah, he¡¯s just a guy. Why would that be enough to change me? No one¡¯s changing me.¡± Hayden sat and propped her boots up on Elliot¡¯s desk.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Hayden eyed him with a bland expression.


    ¡°Fine, whatever. Not like it¡¯s my desk anyways. Been here for months and it still feels like I¡¯m stealing a dead man¡¯s office.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s cause that is exactly what you¡¯re doing.¡±


    ¡°True, so, what do you want? I don¡¯t have anything for you since I know you¡¯re otherwise engaged.¡±


    ¡°Just looking for some news.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to be more specific.¡±


    ¡°Did it stick?¡±


    Hayden had been there when the mayor¡¯s fighters tried to attack Cal when he had delivered a couple of ultimatums.


    Tried, being the operative word.


    Hundreds of men and women being held completely helpless in midair was quite the sight.


    ¡°I just got back a few weeks ago and you¡¯ll be happy to hear that the mayor is sticking to the rules. A minimum, comfortable level of food, housing and other supplies that are no longer tied to the money.¡±


    ¡°What about the pervy bullshit?¡±


    ¡°You took the victims with you to California. As for it continuing, I can¡¯t say for sure. The mayor made a decree that it¡¯s all prohibited, but I¡¯d suggest to Cal that he make a point to periodically check to make sure it isn¡¯t going on. I don¡¯t believe that rich pervs can hold themselves back forever.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s in their nature,¡± she agreed.


    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t know why he didn¡¯t just kill them. That¡¯d be a good example for the rest.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not a dictator.¡±


    ¡°Could¡¯ve fooled me,¡± Elliot snorted.


    ¡°Is Ms. Daniels okay?¡±


    ¡°The girls¡¯ orphanage mistress? Yeah, as far as I know. As part of our contract with Cal, we¡¯ve got a few squads acting as security at both the girls¡¯ and boys¡¯ homes. That¡¯s why I¡¯m fairly sure that the grooming shit has been stopped¡­ for now.¡±


    ¡°It better stay that way. Next time it might be me dealing with the pervs instead of Cal and I can promise that I won¡¯t be merciful,¡± she growled


    ¡°Whoa!¡± Elliot held up his hands as he recoiled. ¡°I¡¯m with you on that. Please don¡¯t shock me. I¡¯ll look ridiculous with a fro.¡±


    Hayden jolted with surprise.


    A momentary lapse of control after all the practice and effort she had been doing over the past several months had her cursing herself.


    ¡°Anything else I should know about?¡± she spoke quickly to cover up her slip.


    ¡°Actually, I was going to discuss something with Cal, but maybe if you get a word in his ear to help me out?¡±


    ¡°Depends¡­¡±


    ¡°Scouts have spotted the Meat Parade moving.¡±


    Hayden¡¯s eyes grew flinty. ¡°How big? Are they headed toward San Antonio?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a bad news, good news sort of thing. For the good¡­ they¡¯ve been spotted skirting through the north of the state. They seem to be moving up into Oklahoma. Bad news is that there have been multiple, distinct fingers spotted in the last month. Estimated total numbers range is from 4K to 5K.¡±


    ¡°That is a lot,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°We¡¯re very concerned. They could swing south at any moment. You know how random the crazy cannibal bastards are¡­ which is why Leon would be grateful if your supergod could maybe, sorta, take care of them before that happens. The last time they attacked us there was only a couple of hundred of them and you remember what happened¡­¡±


    Hayden put the pieces together. ¡°We¡¯re headed to that area.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s a fine coincidence.¡±


    ¡°Not my information to share. You can ask Cal.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t really concerned. I don¡¯t care too much about whatever it is y¡¯all are doing in flyover country, but it¡¯d be nice if you could take care of the Meat Parade. It¡¯ll do every normal person in the area a solid.¡±


    Hayden nodded. ¡°Alright. That¡¯s all I needed,¡± she rose. ¡°Thanks, Elliot. Cal said he¡¯ll be by at some point to touch base with you.¡±


    ¡°Right, I got the message. I¡¯ll be here or around,¡± Elliot shrugged. ¡°Take care of yourself and tell Dayana and Jayde I said ¡®hi¡¯. Not that they¡¯d care.¡±


    Elliot was right. They wouldn¡¯t care, but it would be impolite to tell him that.


    ¡°I will,¡± she replied truthfully.


    She waved bye to Khalid and stepped out into the sandy street.


    She supposed it was too much to ask of the Golden Eagles to sweep the streets, at least around the claimed hotel casinos.


    They had enough work to do with the monsters and mutant animals.


    A load roar shook the air.


    Speaking of which¡ª


    Hayden pulled the small pistol-like weapon from the holster around her left thigh while rushing to her motorcycle to grab the long, thin chain from the plastic compartment on the side.


    ¡°What was¡ª¡± Khalid rushed out of the lobby.


    ¡°Get inside!¡± she waved him back.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get help!¡± he disappeared as quickly as he had appeared.


    A massive mutated white lion padded toward her from the south side of the street.


    It might have looked regal, but for the mouth grotesquely twisted by the irregular dagger-like teeth that crowded for space and the oozing wounds from split skin due to the over-sized, bulging muscles.


    She pulsed the electricity within her to the surface.


    The air around her crackled with static as arcs ran up and down her metal armor and weapons.


    She had to be careful.


    The lion was a huge mound of muscle and it could crush and maul her before her power could do its work.


    Her first instinct was to charge it and hit it with her new weapon and chain.


    Catch it by surprise.


    Instead, she did the smart thing and slowly backed toward the hotel¡¯s doors.


    There was no need for her to take the mutated lion on solo. It¡¯d be safer to work with the Golden Eagles that were no doubt on their way.


    Her best intentions were for naught when she felt a tingle run along the right side of her body.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    She remembered her recent training in that split-second.


    Living things had electrical fields and she had been working hard on learning how to detect them or rather pay attention to what she had been thinking was instinct.


    She half turned and lashed out with her electrified chain catching the mutated lioness in the face.


    The massive beast was mid leap as her body shuddered and locked up from thousands of volts of electricity flowing into it.


    Hayden had to throw herself backward and to the ground to avoid the hundreds of pounds of muscle flying in her direction.


    A roar and the scrabble of paws on the ground was her only warning of the male charging her.


    She didn¡¯t have time to aim her pistol-like weapon so she pointed at the car-sized beast bearing down on her and squeezed the trigger.


    The cartridge released the gas and pressure which shot the barbed spike out almost as fast a bullet.


    An impossible stroke of luck had the spike pierce the lion¡¯s eye.


    Hayden sent the remainder of her electric power into her left hand. Through the metal frame of the pistol-like weapon. Transmitted through the thin wire connected to the spike. Into the lion¡¯s eye.


    The world¡¯s most powerful taser was what they had taken to calling it.


    The lion seized up and began to convulse just like his mate.


    Hayden poured everything she had into the pair.


    Their bodies began to smoke.


    Gunshots rang and red bloomed from the lions¡¯ bodies.


    Throughout it all Hayden kept her power flowing.


    ¡°Hayden! That¡¯s enough!¡±


    Elliot¡¯s voice.


    She shut it off and rose to her feet.


    Steady and not empty.


    ¡°Sorry about that. I promise we don¡¯t usually get random attacks, at least on this stretch of street,¡± Elliot said.


    The gathered Golden Eagles eyed her with undisguised awe.


    ¡°No problem. It was a good chance to see how far I¡¯ve come with the training and practice.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d say you¡¯ve come pretty far,¡± Elliot regarded the smoking lion corpses, ¡°jeez, like a terrible BBQ.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we can gain power by eating them?¡± one of the Golden Eagles said.


    ¡°Shut up, moron!¡± another snapped. ¡°That¡¯s the kind of thinking that led to the Meat Parade.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t eat mutated animals. That¡¯s a good way to get sick and maybe die, as we are all aware of,¡± Elliot shook his head.


    ¡°You can keep the bodies,¡± she ejected the spent cartridge from her pistol-like weapon and replaced it with a new one.


    ¡°Thanks, I guess, we can make weapons out of their bones, claws and teeth. Speaking of¡­ that¡¯s new?¡± Elliot said.


    ¡°Cal got it for me. More range, more accurate and much faster than the chains,¡± she thrust the weapon back into its holster. ¡°Alright¡­ I¡¯m out of here,¡± she mounted her motorcycle and sped away lest more lions appear.


    ¡°I call dibs on one of the thigh bones and some teeth and claws,¡± a Golden Eagle said. ¡°Might make for a wicked club.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, just get a forklift out here and get those inside before something else shows up,¡± Elliot sighed.


    <hr>


    Now, Missouri


    Michael had keen Archer eyes, so he noticed something off with the derelict car parked at the corner of the intersection ahead.


    He rode in a truck toward the rear of the convoy and had no chance at passing a warning to the lead truck before it drew close.


    A massive explosion shattered the remaining windows of the buildings on each side of the narrow street.


    The lead truck was thrown into a donut store, while the two trucks following it were sent spinning onto their roofs.


    Bodies went flying as the rest of the convoy screeched to a halt.


    Thick, dark smoke shrouded the way forward.


    ¡°¡­ and there goes any hope of a proper tactical battle,¡± Fred sighed.


    Michael thought that his section leader sounded much too calm after witnessing their leader get blown up. He was about to voice a question when loud roars shook the air.


    The shattered truck was pushed free from the crater it had made in the front of the store. It scraped against the asphalt with the unpleasant sound of rending metal.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t hear it from me, but why would you put a berserker-type in charge?¡± Fred said.


    The vanguard leader and his 4 bodyguards emerged from behind the crumpled truck that they had just pushed out of the way like a shopping cart.


    It was the first time Michael had seen the transformation of those deep within the sacrament.


    They had swelled to great size. Muscles bulged and threatened to split their skin. Clothes had been shredded and they were left clad in nothing but their underwear.


    ¡°Props to the guy that suggested they wear stretchy and over-sized briefs. Let me tell you what, looking at their pork and beans flapping in the wind isn¡¯t a fun sight,¡± Fred said.


    Michael was struck by how their skin had taken on a chalky, almost white appearance.


    Their leader turned to face the rest of the convoy. ¡°Charge!¡± he bellowed in an inhuman sounding voice due to how grotesquely large his mouth and jaw had grown filled with sharp, shark-like teeth.


    The five transformed men covered ground with frightening quickness that belied their huge bulk.


    Spells, gun and arrow fire erupted from the ten-foot-tall wooden fence that the settlement had erected around the town center as their last-line of defense fortress.


    The vanguard leader and his bodyguard took dozens of hits, but refused to fall as they reached the wall and clambered over in a single leap.


    Fred pounded the roof of their truck. ¡°Let¡¯s go, driver. Might as well take us in close. Those poor bastards in there have more important things to worry about than us.¡±


    Michael heard the screams, smelled the metallic tang of freshly-spilled blood in the air.


    His Skills kept his arms steady despite the rocking of the speeding truck. He nocked an arrow and drew back in one smooth motion before letting fly. He watched it take a rifle-wielding woman in the eye.


    She fell forward over the wall and down to the street.


    ¡°Nice shot!¡± Fred crowed. ¡°That one¡¯s Michael¡¯s! His kill, he gets to each as much as he wants before the rest of you can jump in. You hear me? Blond woman with an arrow in her eye,¡± he slapped Michael on the back.


    The truck skidded to a halt next to the dead woman¡¯s body in the shadow of the wall.


    ¡°Go on!¡± Fred practically shoved him out of the truck bed.


    Michael almost fumbled the knife as he drew it from the belt sheath. He was torn between excitement and nausea.


    ¡°Hurry it up!¡±


    He didn¡¯t know where to cut. All that he had been taught fled from his thoughts. So he went for the closest thing.


    The woman¡¯s arm was covered by a leather bracer, so he had to cut it loose, as he did with the sleeve beneath.


    The first bite was wet and slimy, acrid with the iron-taste of blood.


    He struggled to chew it properly, so he ended up swallowing too-big chunks.


    The second was only marginally better tasting.


    The third and the fourth were palatable.


    The fifth¡­ was good.


    ¡°You done?¡±


    He blinked at the looming Fred.


    ¡°Just saying, you should hurry it up. We might miss out on the fight in there,¡± Fred gestured to the top of the wall.


    ¡°No¡ª I mean, I¡¯m good.¡±


    Was he?


    Michael felt good.


    The nausea was gone, as if it had been a memory misremembered.


    His stomach felt warm.


    He felt energized.


    Stronger.


    Senses sharper.


    He smelled prey on the wind. Heard them bleating in fear.


    ¡°Feels good, right? Nothing like the first time you receive the sacrament in the wild, so to speak,¡± Fred said. ¡°You¡¯re looking pretty fierce,¡± he gave a sharp-toothed grin.


    Michael blinked.


    He felt at his face and flinched at an accidental cut.


    He stared at his fingers.


    His nails had thickened and sharpened to a point.


    His fingers had lengthened and had taken on a chalky white color towards the tips.


    He felt at his face again, carefully this time.


    His mouth and jaw felt bigger.


    He gingerly ran his tongue over his teeth.


    Sharp.


    ¡°Good change, man!¡± Fred gestured to the rest. ¡°Everyone else grab a bite! Then I¡¯m cutting you loose. Remember what I said, best you form up into teams, but I¡¯m not holding you to it.¡± He continued to speak as the rest of Michael¡¯s section gathered around the woman¡¯s corpse and shared. ¡°Your only order is to take captives if people surrender. Anything else is at your discretion. Follow your instincts. Partake of the sacrament. Grow stronger.¡±


    Michael collected his bow from the truck bed and regarded the wooden wall.


    ¡°Hey, man¡­ wanna team up?¡± Donald approached him.


    The fat young man had undergone a muted version of the change Michael had. The same chalky white tinge to his lower face and fingers, but less pronounced sharpness to teeth and nails. He did add a fearsome looking hand print of blood on his face.


    ¡°Sure, we should probably find a few others. Get a well-rounded team going,¡± he said.


    ¡°Totally! I¡¯ll ask around.¡±


    Donald came back with four other people.


    Three young women and one young man.


    Michael vaguely recognized them, but didn¡¯t remember their names.


    The prettiest one gave him a bright, blood-stained smile. ¡°Hi, Michael. I¡¯m Britt. Is anyone else here on the leadership track?¡± she regarded the others with confidence. When the rest answered in the negative she smiled. ¡°Then I should take charge.¡±


    ¡°That sounds fine for now¡­ unless you screw it up,¡± the slightly less pretty one said.


    ¡°Whatever. Let¡¯s hurry before they eat everyone,¡± the cute one twitched.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m with her,¡± the young man said.


    ¡°Awesome! Let¡¯s do this!¡± Donald punched his fists together.


    ¡°Introductions first and tell me what you can do,¡± Britt eyed Michael, ¡°I know you¡¯re ranged, but the rest of you¡­¡±


    It turned out that everyone had a level in Flesh Eater, which was obvious based on their physical appearance. Though Michael had the most noticeable changes. They were all also under 20 when it came to their best class.


    Britt was a Mage. Her normally dark skin tone provided a stark contrast to her partial transformation.


    The slightly less pretty girl, Charlie, had an athlete¡¯s build, which was fitting for a Fighter.


    Michael didn¡¯t think the undercut was flattering for her straight black hair.


    Sunny was the shortest and smallest of the bunch. She was also a Mage. She gave off a vibe that echoed something like a particularly vicious squirrel with the way her eyes darted from person to person and her forward lean. Almost as if she was on the verge of launching herself at them.


    Lincoln was a big-bodied young man, which fit his class, unfortunate as it was.


    Michael wondered what the story behind a Heavy Laborer was.


    Donald turned out to be a Soldier, which he seemed to be ashamed off by the way his shoulders slumped slightly and his eyes darted to the ground when it was his turn to share.


    ¡°Great! Um¡­ Lincoln,¡± Britt pointed, ¡°I don¡¯t want to assume, but tell me if I¡¯m wrong¡­ you¡¯ve got Skills that make you strong and tough, I mean, more so now that you have the blessing of the sacrament?¡±


    Lincoln gave her a silent nod.


    ¡°And you,¡± she turned to Donald, ¡°same?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ no, sorry. Most of what I can do is with this,¡± he held up his M-4 carbine.


    ¡°Well¡­ the blessing should help you. So, I¡¯m thinking Lincoln for primary tank. Charlie will be secondary tank. Donald, you¡¯ll be emergency tank. The rest of us will shoot from the back.¡±


    ¡°Plans won¡¯t matter too much. We¡¯ve got the blessing on our side. We get hurt, we just need the flesh,¡± Sunny grinned viciously.


    ¡°Yeah, I guess, but it¡¯s a good idea to practice what we¡¯ve learned in tactics class for the real fight,¡± Britt said.


    ¡°Alright, kids! This is your first real battle! Don¡¯t fuck it up!¡± Fred cackled as he removed his boots. He transformed. His light brown skin turned a chalky white as his limbs lengthened. Fingers and toes grew longer as did his nails, which thickened and sharpened into deadly claws. His face changed the most. Mouth and jaw grew grotesquely larger as sharp, triangular teeth pushed the normal human teeth out to clatter on the ground. A long tongue licked his lip-less mouth as he gave them a ghastly smile. ¡°Good hunting!¡± he said in a guttural tone before he leapt up to grab the top lip of the ten-foot-wall before vaulting over and disappearing into the fortified compound.


    Michael watched as the other veterans changed to join Fred in the hunt.


    The noobs were left to stare in awe for a silent moment.


    Britt cursed. ¡°We better hurry before they take everything.¡±


    Despite being slightly better in a physical sense they couldn¡¯t quite vault the wall the same way the others had. It took teamwork to boost and then lift each other up.


    ¡°Wow¡­¡± Donald stared down at the fierce battle.


    The veterans had already carved a hundred yards into the enemy, but they weren¡¯t sticking in one place long enough to wipe them out completely.


    Were they leaving the rest for the new recruits?


    ¡°Why are you surprised? You should¡¯ve been able to smell and hear it this whole time,¡± Michael said.


    ¡°I¡ª I was kinda distracted,¡± Donald frowned.


    ¡°Mage Shield,¡± Britt conjured a blood red magic shield to block the incoming fireball before it splashed all over them. ¡°Pay attention! That¡¯s like the first thing they taught us.¡±


    Chagrined, Michael loosed an arrow at the old man that shot the spell at them, but was blocked by a similar magic shield.


    Donald¡¯s carbine barked a three round burst and the old man fell with a bloody stain in his chainmail shirt.


    ¡°Teamwork,¡± Donald nodded.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get down there!¡± Britt said.


    ¡°On it!¡± Lincoln jumped down. His boots hit the ground with a thud.


    Michael and hundreds of his brothers and sisters followed, swarming down the wall like an avalanche.


    The landing was surprisingly easy.


    ¡°Hey! That¡¯s ours!¡± Donald pointed.


    Michael loosed an arrow into a thick-necked man in even thicker armor, which was a waste as the arrow bounced off before he turned his attention to the source of Donald¡¯s ire.


    A small group of their brothers and sisters had rushed toward the old man Donald had killed. In their haste to consume the sacrament they had forgotten about the enemy.


    ¡°Fucking Meat Parade!¡± a young woman swept her arms wide, ¡°Force Wave!¡±


    The air between her and the cluster of Michael¡¯s brothers and sisters distorted as pure force washed over them.


    Their broken bodies landed a dozen feet back.


    ¡°Light Arrow!¡± Britt thrust her hand toward the young mage.


    A sickly yellow arrow of light sped across the dozen yards and plunged into the young Mage¡¯s shoulder.


    She spun and fell with a cry.


    A group of men and women rushed forward with shields raised to pull the young Mage back.


    Michael¡¯s senses were much sharper than they ever had been, but it was difficult to adjust. The arrows he loosed were off by inches.


    Screams of rage and fear freely mingled.


    He was surprised to note that he could tell the difference.


    Flesh Eaters surged forward, many forgetting their weapons, Skills and spells in favor of tooth, claw and physical might.


    The problem was that they were newly-minted in the sacrament.


    Unlike the veterans, they couldn¡¯t shrug off damage long enough to feed and heal, nor were their claws and strength enough to rend armor to get to the protected flesh.


    The mad rush pushed against a hastily formed shield wall.


    They fell in the dozens from the bullets and spells shoot into the tightly packed mass.


    ¡°Grab her!¡± Britt called out.


    Charlie¡¯s strong hand shot out as quick as a snake to the back of Sunny¡¯s collar.


    The small girl was snarling, her clawed hands grasping toward the melee.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got spells! At least use them up before you throw yourself into it!¡± Britt spat.


    ¡°Uh, why are we holding back?¡± Lincoln grunted.


    Michael could see the tension in the big man¡¯s posture. Lincoln¡¯s arms practically vibrated as he held tightly to his round shield and long-handled axe.


    ¡°Because this is Main Street and it¡¯s a kill zone. We go in there and we¡¯ll take a fireball to the head,¡± Britt gestured toward the bloody battle. ¡°They¡¯ve got the better idea,¡± she pointed to several other groups as they skirted the main press and melted into side streets and alleyways, using the buildings as cover.


    ¡°Better hunting,¡± Michael agreed. ¡°Maybe we should start up there,¡± he pointed to the rooftops overlooking the wide street.


    There was enemy up there, shooting down.


    ¡°Yes! We can get kills and achieve a tactical objective!¡± Britt beamed. ¡°We¡¯ll use the alleys. Find the back doors.¡±


    Donald snickered, but was properly ignored.


    ¡°We can take them by surprise, Lincoln in front. Followed by Donald.¡± She eyed Sunny, who had calmed down, ¡°are you good or should we just let you waste your life in that mess?¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± Sunny growled.


    ¡°Listen, I get it, I feel the hunger, but look at the rooftops. We can have them all to ourselves without getting blown up, shot or trampled,¡± Britt said.


    ¡°I think we should move now,¡± Michael said.


    Tactically, it¡¯d be good to take away some of the pressure the rooftop enemy was placing on their brothers and sisters.


    ¡°Just one more thing,¡± Michael whistled to catch the attention of another group like his huddled behind the corner of a building across the street from them. With vigorous gestures he conveyed the idea that they too should take to the rooftops. ¡°They¡¯ll take the other side,¡± he explained.


    ¡°Good, good,¡± Britt nodded.


    They slipped into the alley like the predators they were.

 Interlude: Rain God 0

    Outside Mexico City


    Skeletal fingers scrabbled in the dirt and gravel of the mountain side.


    He focused on the eight digits. Four on each hand. Minus the pinkies.


    How had he lost them?


    The memories flitted away as they did whenever he tried to remember anything beyond what the master demanded.


    The iron collar¡¯s magic pulsed with warmth and comfort.


    Somehow, a part of him knew that was a perversion.


    His sun-browned skin was withered, like leather, after so long without proper clothing or shelter.


    All he knew were the master¡¯s fields.


    Farming.


    For necessity.


    For pleasure.


    The drug cartels of old had changed some after the spires had appeared.


    How long?


    Five years? Ten? Fifteen?


    He wasn¡¯t allowed to remember.


    Just the tasks.


    That was all.


    No thoughts of escape. Not even into the better memories of the past.


    It had been better once¡­ hadn¡¯t it?


    He wasn¡¯t allowed to remember.


    Sometimes faces flashed in his thoughts.


    Young, old and in between.


    Parents? Wife? Children? Grandchildren?


    He was old enough.


    Wasn¡¯t he?


    The wrinkles on his body suggested it.


    Then again, those could¡¯ve been from the harsh life he lived.


    He had lived.


    Recent memories flooded his mind.


    Howling.


    Wolves.


    Not wolves.


    At least, not normal wolves.


    Swarmed the ranch.


    Killed the slaves.


    The master and his men.


    Even the cartel¡¯s special force.


    At least that was what he remembered.


    It was hard to trust his thoughts.


    For so long they hadn¡¯t been his own.


    Love the master.


    Do what he was told.


    Be happy in the doing.


    He deserved the lash for being too slow.


    Deserved poor rations for poor performance.


    Live for the master.


    The collar pulsed warmth.


    It helped slightly with the chill of the mountain especially with the drizzle that had started a short while ago.


    Wait?


    When had that happened?


    The sun had been beating down on his bare back. Half-healed wounds stinging with the pain of his own sweat and the exertions of climbing up.


    Why had he been climbing?


    He forg¡ª he remembered.


    The monstrous wolves.


    Escape.


    Blind, heedless flight.


    The master was dead.


    He wanted to cry.


    Wanted to laugh and cheer.


    No master to enforce the collar¡¯s magic.


    Free.


    Not free.


    The heavy weight dragged around his neck. The unforgiving metal chafed even his weathered and calloused skin.


    Bloody fingers pulled him up.


    Why?


    Why keep moving?


    Just rest. Close his eyes. Let the all of the pain end.


    A quick bite or slash from any of the monsters and mutant animals would end his suffering.


    He remembered more.


    He saw a woman¡¯s face. Smiling, toothless. Brown skin weathered and lined. The memory brought him warmth.


    Was she a grandmother? His?


    Tears blurred his vision.


    That he didn¡¯t know the answer to the question caused more pain than any of the hundreds of lashes that had graced his back.


    She told him a story of this very mountain.


    He thought and hoped that it was true. That the memory was real.


    Her voice drove him onward and upward.


    There was a proud people once in these lands before invaders, conquerors from across the ocean brought disease and death.


    He was of both their blood.


    They had many gods once until the invaders brought just the one.


    The mountain itself was named for one of the old gods of a vanished people.


    The god was one of protection. He brought rain and with it sustenance and life.


    The god was one of fear. He brought hail, lightning and thunder. He shook the earth.


    There was a place at the top of the mountain whose name he couldn¡¯t remember.


    It was a place of safety in the god¡¯s name.


    Even if it turned out otherwise then it would still be a good place to die.


    He wanted to prove that the old woman in his memories was real as one last act before he found freedom at the teeth and claws of some terrible beast.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    He climbed accompanied by the sounds of creatures in the darkness.


    He thought he caught glimpses of them in the flashes of lightning.


    The light drizzle had given way to a deluge.


    The wind whipped wildly threatening to blow him off the mountain.


    The torrent stung him like needles, yet he felt strength flowing into his old limbs.


    He went from a desperate crawl to a determined walk.


    The growls and snapping teeth kept their distance.


    He paid them no heed.


    Let them kill him.


    He lost nothing that was worth keeping if they overcame whatever was holding them back.


    Climb, the raging storm seemed to say. Climb or lay down and die.


    A shrine waited for him at the top. Just like the old stories.


    An old place, an ancient place.


    Made out of stones.


    A remnant of what looked like a small house. Perhaps for the keeper.


    More stones piled on top of one another.


    A raised platform.


    The shrine itself to the god he couldn¡¯t remember.


    He staggered forward leaning into the wind.


    Lighting flashed to reveal the creatures a dozen feet away from him. Circling, menacing, yet keeping their distance from the shrine.


    Thunder shook the sky drowning out their hungry growls.


    He had made it to the top.


    He sank to his knees.


    Mission accomplished.


    The stories were real.


    He could die now and be free.


    Rise, the mountain exhorted.


    He listened without conscious thought.


    His body decided.


    Up on two feet.


    Forward.


    One foot after the other.


    Toward the shrine.


    He noticed it then.


    It wasn¡¯t bare.


    A black axe stood at the very center like a tree growing out of the stone.


    It shined and shimmered in the flashes of lightning.


    Black glass.


    Obsidian.


    He remember the word.


    The entire weapon was obsidian even the haft.


    It was almost as tall as he was.


    The single-edged blade was enormous. Much larger than any proper axe had the right to be. It was the size of his torso.


    It reminded him of¡ª he forgot.


    The surface of the weapon was comprised of irregular planes with sharp edges all over.


    He reached out and touched the handle recoiling suddenly at the stinging pain in his palm.


    Obsidian could be razor sharp.


    He remembered that.


    Take it or lay down and die, the storm roared.


    He leaned toward the latter.


    He was so very tired.


    The iron collar weighed down on his soul.


    Take it and be free.


    He wavered.


    Take it and have vengeance.


    His eyes widened snapping to the axe. He grabbed it without hesitation.


    Pain and power surged through him.


    The rain crashed down in a torrent of stinging needles.


    The winds became a hurricane.


    The thunder deafened.


    The lighting blinded.


    He watched skeletal arms suddenly swell with muscle. A back bent by years of unjust toil straightened. His sunken chest became barrel-like.


    Much of his past was like seeing through shattered glass repaired with tape and spit but he was certain that he had never been a physical specimen even in his prime.


    He looked down at his bare torso and the rags that barely covered chiseled thighs the size of small tree trunks.


    Power flowed.


    It felt completely different.


    He wasn¡¯t a mere man any longer.


    He was godlike


    He flexed his bare toes digging them into the ground.


    Stones cracked.


    Thick, corded muscles in his arms hardened as he gripped the obsidian haft.


    The sharp edges no longer cut him.


    Energy flowed through his body. The aches and pains of years in slavery washed away by the cool, soothing rain that washed over him.


    The collar choked his now much bigger neck.


    Free yourself.


    The voice that always reminded him to love and serve the master had vanished. He hadn¡¯t noticed. Its absence illuminated its perversity.


    He reached up and hesitantly grabbed the collar.


    Free yourself.


    ¡°I¡ª I can¡¯t. It¡¯ll explode.¡±


    Free yourself.


    What did it matter if it blew his head off? Alive or dead, he would be free.


    Fingers sank into the iron as if it was made out of butter.


    He took a breath and tore it from his neck.


    The iron collar. Fetters of enslavement. Magical. Impossible to remove by any other than the master. The iron collar¡­ crumbled like paper.


    The explosion echoed the thunder in the sky.


    He flinched and coughed as smoke briefly filled the space around his head until the rain washed it away.


    Like a grenade.


    He remembered that was what he was told when it had been first affixed around his neck.


    And yet, he felt no pain.


    He touched his neck, his face. Unmarred aside from smudges of black soot.


    He let the crumpled remnants fall to the ground.


    Freedom.


    Fight.


    Whatever had kept the monsters away on his trek up the mountain faded away like smoke in the wind.


    They charged in a howling, snarling mass.


    So many different kinds.


    Later he would wonder what had kept them from attacking each other.


    For now, he would fight.


    To his surprise he knew exactly how.


    Unfamiliar knowledge sang in his head.


    He had never been a fighter. That much he remembered.


    The first monster to reach him was a twisted puma. Swollen and oozing with pus from where the muscles had grown too large to be contained by the skin and fur.


    He struck with the gigantic obsidian axe nearly as quick as the blink of an eye.


    The two halves of the puma slipped past on each side of his body covering him in blood and gore.


    A once proud jaguar roared as it leapt on his back.


    A thousand pounds of weight and he wore it like a light cloak.


    Teeth clamped around the back of his neck with a feathery touch.


    Claws scratched at his chest and legs.


    He reached back and dug his fingers into the mutant jaguar¡¯s skull.


    Surprisingly easy.


    The mutant jaguar jerked and went slack a moment after his fingers reached its brain.


    The next to reach him was a great black bear the size of a small car.


    This time his axe only managed to cleave through the head and partway into the neck.


    A flock of monstrous crows swarmed around him. Their black feathers impossible to see in the dark, cloudy night.


    Knowledge filled his mind.


    He called on the power that was now his.


    Lightning erupted down from above and cascaded all around him.


    Not the blue-white in the natural storm but red for the rage of all that he had lost¡ª no, all that he had been forced to forget.


    The crows barely had time for an aggrieved squawk before they became cinders.


    Not all of those that sought to kill him were once natural inhabitants of the land. Others were different. Once thought to be the stuff of myths and legends or crazed conspiracies.


    He remembered the pack of chittering things charging at him from the old woman¡¯s stories.


    Loping like twisted dogs. Gruesome faces filled with jagged teeth. Mostly fur-less, aside from stray patches of ugly, rough fur. A ridge of curved, thin spines protruding from their back.


    Chupacabra.


    Over a dozen.


    Once again the course of action came to him unbidden.


    He hurled his axe.


    It spun and cleaved through the lead chupacabra before planting in the ground like a flag.


    He reached a hand toward the haft and willed it.


    The axe didn¡¯t fly to him.


    He flew to it.


    His godlike body broke the chupacabras that were in his way. He barely felt the impacts. Like raindrops.


    As soon as he reached the axe he took it and spun it in a wide circle.


    Blood, gore and monster parts splashed around him staining the puddles red.


    There was more he could do. More in his memories.


    The rain gave him strength and healed him just as it weakened his enemies. Where he was buoyed they were slowed.


    It was a good thing for he saw more shapes climbing toward him.


    The demons from the old woman¡¯s stories.


    He remembered.


    He raised his obsidian axe to the heavens and the storm answered.


    There was no more fear in him as he leapt to meet the demons.


    Once he was done with the mountain there was more work to be done.


    He wasn¡¯t truly free.


    Not yet.


    ¡°So long as one person in this world is in chains then so am I. None are free¡­ unless all are.¡±


    He remembered one last thing.


    A name.


    The mountain. The shrine. The god.


    They all shared the same name.


    His name was no more. Gone along with everyone he had ever cared about.


    The storm answered his call.


    Tlaloc¡¯s call.

 Interlude: A Relentless Day in the Life 1.1

    Norway


    Eron descended from the sky into the clearing just outside of the walled village.


    He amended that in an instant.


    ¡°I think I need to upgrade this place into a town.¡±


    What had been a village in his memory had expanded in the two years since he had last visited.


    The inner section, which was the old village, was now encircled by a tall, stone wall and made him think of a fort or a castle. There were more buildings inside than he remembered, but it was nice to notice that the old shipping containers he had flown in long ago were still in use.


    Outside the stone wall were more structures. These looked to be constructed from the wood undoubtedly harvested from the surrounding forests judging by the cleared areas. Encircling that was another wall. This one was made from the same stout timbers.


    ¡°Eron!¡±


    A girl cleared the wooden wall in a single leap.


    A cloud of snow bloomed when she landed.


    He could see the faint glow of magic surrounding her entire body as she bounded across the few hundred yards to him in a few leaps.


    ¡°Deirdre!¡± he smiled and realized that they were on eye level. ¡°You¡¯ve grown, like, a foot! Are you a teenager now?¡±


    ¡°Well, since I don¡¯t turn thirteen until July you¡¯re wrong.¡±


    He made a show of incorrectly counting on his fingers. ¡°Still closer to that than twelve¡­ so I¡¯d say I¡¯m only twenty percent wrong.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not how that works,¡± she snorted. ¡°And where have you been? We thought something happened to you,¡± she hugged him.


    ¡°Is everything okay? Did anyone¡ª?¡±


    ¡°The old team is fine. We¡¯re better than fine, actually!¡± she turned and spread her arms toward the town. ¡°We¡¯ve gotten bigger! Sven¡¯s always moping about wanting to show you how well we¡¯ve been doing.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s impressive. I thought that I had the wrong place for a second. I guess you probably don¡¯t need the supply runs anymore,¡± he eyed the shipping container. ¡°I can always spread the stuff out to the other places.¡±


    She laughed. ¡°I mean, only if they really need it. We farm a bit, hunt, trap and fish. We also do expeditions to the closest towns and cities. We¡¯re strong enough now that casualties tend to be light. No one¡¯s died in over three months.¡± She knocked on the small, wooden wolf¡¯s head medallion around her neck.


    He grimaced. ¡°My fault for being gone so long.¡±


    Confusion flashed across her face.


    ¡°You had to go on expeditions,¡± he explained.


    ¡°Oh, no. We would¡¯ve even if you hadn¡¯t missed the drops. Have to level and get better,¡± she shrugged. ¡°No big deal.¡±


    He disagreed, but remained silent.


    ¡°Well, where should I put this?¡± he patted the container.


    ¡°The same place is fine.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure with all the changes.¡±


    ¡°We decided to keep that spot just for you. Regardless of all the changes. Eron¡¯s Place. Olga made a sign and everything.¡±


    He sighed.


    ¡°You should see it. Pretty nice. Lots of pink and sparklies. Magical,¡± she smirked.


    ¡°Of course,¡± he smiled. ¡°I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll love it.¡±


    ¡°Great! You go drop of your presents. Although, you visiting is better than evil Santa Claus.¡±


    He regarded her grin. Saw the buried pain barely peeking through and decided that was good. Perhaps with more time and distance from the horrors she had seen and experienced in her childhood it might vanish completely. He hoped the same for all the kids that shared those weeks, months in that monster¡¯s clutches.


    ¡°I¡¯ll race you there.¡±


    ¡°Hah! You¡¯d win, but I¡¯d still try. Sadly, I must go tell Sven and the others. They¡¯ll want to see you right away.¡±


    With that she bounded back to the town.


    He heard the excited and worried conversations of the men and women manning the wall.


    Plenty of faces he didn¡¯t recognize.


    He smiled and waved for their benefit.


    More the latter than the former. Unless someone had enhanced vision they probably couldn¡¯t make out much of his face from that distance.


    Show them that the flying man carrying a shipping container wasn¡¯t a threat.


    Although, they probably all heard the stories about him.


    The familiar creeping sensation of embarrassment climbed up his back.


    Sometimes it sucked when people looked at you like you weren¡¯t a fellow human.


    After dropping off the supplies Eron was hustled into what amounted to the central structure of the town.


    Part home for the children and part main administration building.


    Nostalgia flooded him.


    He had done a lot of the work on making the place.


    Liberal use of his strength and heat vision to move and weld several shipping containers into a five-story structure that rivaled the pyramids.


    At least that¡¯s how he liked to describe it to others.


    It only sort of looked like a pyramid.


    Definitely a lot smaller and the random nature of the childish paintings on the outside didn¡¯t help impart a sense of grandeur or gravitas.


    To be fair, children were responsible for most of the artwork.


    A happy reunion welcomed him into the main meeting hall.


    He was beyond relieved to see most of the kids that he had pulled out from deep beneath the earth there.


    ¡°Where¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°Eric and Ingri are out investigating something weird in the forest,¡± Sven said.


    This time Eron found himself looking up. ¡°You¡¯ve definitely grown a foot since I last saw you.¡±


    The boy¡ª the teenager grinned sheepishly. ¡°I believe it¡¯s closer to ten inches.¡±


    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    ¡°That is what she said,¡± Thor laughed.


    Eron laughed in turn.


    Their voices had the hilarious breaking quality that one got when going through puberty.


    The girls rolled their eyes while the boys elbowed each other and grinned.


    It was good to know that some things didn¡¯t change.


    ¡°How do you even know that joke?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I may have put an emphasis on collecting entertainment items as part of our supply runs. For morale purposes,¡± Sven added hastily. ¡°Plus getting electronic items to work again and maintaining them helps people with related classes improve and level. There is also a clear strategic and tactical value in regards to communications. I don¡¯t want to rely strictly on one thing. It¡¯s good to have both magic and technology,¡± Sven said.


    ¡°And magitech,¡± he nodded.


    ¡°Yes¡­ though that one is harder to earn progress in.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to justify anything to me, Sven. From the looks of it you¡¯ve¡­ all of you have done well without me. You¡¯ve all grown. I¡¯m happy to see that! And I recently met some people that might be able to give some pointers on the magitech stuff.¡±


    He told them a long story about a terrible fog. The cause of his long absence.


    By the time he finished dinner had crept up.


    The children¡ª he couldn¡¯t see them as anything else despite their growing lankiness and the sparse beginnings of facial hair for the boys¡ª shared tales of their own adventures. Exciting and terrifying. Joyous and sad. There was never a lack of tragedy in the post-spires world.


    He was glad that they were all still alive.


    They showed him their newest runes. Magic spells tattooed on their skin. A legacy of their shared horror.


    Jonas flew around the space with a spell for flight glowing on his limbs. Along with his back and chest judging by what Eron could see through the teen¡¯s shirt. There also seemed to be glow coming through the thick brown mop of hair on his head.


    ¡°Is there a rune on your head?¡± he raised a brow.


    Jonas winced. ¡°Yeah. Had to get it on, like, all of my body parts. Didn¡¯t work properly until I figured that out.¡±


    ¡°You should¡¯ve seen him crying,¡± Olga grinned. ¡°Like a baby.¡±


    ¡°Took you all day, didn¡¯t it, Jonas?¡± Deirdre jabbed him in the arm.


    ¡°Okay¡­ first of all, it hurt, like the worst place you can get a tattoo. And I had to do it while looking through, like, three mirrors,¡± Jonas complained.


    ¡°Should¡¯ve just put it on your face like I told you,¡± Deirdre said. ¡°Then you¡¯d just have to deal with doing it backwards.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯d be that guy with a face tattoo,¡± Jonas scoffed. ¡°Better on the top of my head. Hair covers it and even if I go bald everyone shorter than me won¡¯t see.¡±


    Eron agreed with the assessment. From the looks of it there wouldn¡¯t be a lot of people that would qualify to see Jonas¡¯s head rune once the boy was fully grown.


    ¡°By the way, Olga, nice touch on that unicorn on my sign,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°You liked it? Everyone was saying that it was too¡­ girly,¡± Olga shot a triumphant look at the rest.


    ¡°I¡¯m way too mature to have a problem with pink and sparkles, especially magic sparkles that actually sparkle. The way the unicorn moves is pretty cool. Like when I watch it flap its wings I can think that an animal like that could exist somewhere out there.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I really thought about the anatomy of it,¡± Olga beamed.


    ¡°But unicorns don¡¯t have wings,¡± Thor threw his hands up. ¡°Pegasus! A pegasus has the wings!¡±


    ¡°So what? Unicorn and pegasus have a baby and there you have it,¡± Deirdre shrugged. ¡°I¡¯d say Olga¡¯s got it right, probably.¡±


    ¡°Fair,¡± Thor conceded, ¡°but I will never not complain,¡± and retracted in the same breath.


    Eron cleared his throat. ¡°Say, Olga, if you do happen to run into a unicorn or a pegasus or the hybrid¡­¡±


    She looked at him expectantly.


    ¡°¡­ just don¡¯t run up to hug it right away. I get that unicorns are supposed to be good, but that¡¯s just stories. I¡¯ve read other stories where they¡¯re¡­ not so good.¡±


    ¡°I know, I¡¯m not a kid. Always confirm if something is a threat before letting my guard down,¡± Olga pipped.


    ¡°Ugh¡­ you are not supposed to let your guard down at all,¡± Sven sighed.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Yes, okay, fine,¡± Olga rolled her eyes.


    They were partway through dinner when Eric and Ingri returned and promptly tackled Eron in fierce hugs.


    ¡°Sven, we tracked it and found its lair,¡± Eric said after relinquishing the bear-like clasp.


    The dark-haired boy hadn¡¯t grown quite as fast as the rest. He still had that chubby cheeked-look of childhood. Broad and stout though. Still had that piercing glare that seemed to suggest he hated you.


    Eron knew otherwise.


    The boy always looked that way. Happy, angry and everything in between the facade rarely cracked.


    The thought made him sad.


    They all wore the marks of their time beneath the earth in different ways.


    ¡°The goats?¡± Sven said.


    ¡°All of them,¡± Eric replied.


    ¡°Goats?¡±


    Sven gave him a quick recap.


    An actual troll had stolen the goats from the shepherds tending them on their path to a grazing area a few miles to the northeast.


    ¡°It didn¡¯t kill anyone?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I thought it weird too. Shepherds have Skills to protect their flock and they always have a team of dedicated fighters with them. Not to mention the guard dogs and Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder. That¡¯s usually enough to handle things. This troll didn¡¯t seem interested in a fight. Even after taking a lot of wounds it didn¡¯t attack. Sorta just walked right on through if they could be believed,¡± Sven said.


    ¡°They wouldn¡¯t lie,¡± Deirdre crossed her arms.


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying they did. Just saying that people don¡¯t always remember how fights actually went. I can speak for myself on that account,¡± Sven said.


    ¡°I thought the entire flock scattered? What are they doing with the troll?¡± Thor said.


    ¡°Milling about,¡± Ingri said. ¡°Not scared of it at all. If I had to say, I¡¯d say that they were sticking to it out of fear. For protection from the monsters in the forest.¡± She turned to Sven. ¡°And they¡¯re not goats. They¡¯re sheep. How you still can¡¯t get that right, I just can¡¯t?¡± she shook her head like a disappointed schoolteacher.


    ¡°What? You said Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder are goats,¡± Sven said.


    ¡°Wargoats,¡± she corrected.


    ¡°That isn¡¯t a thing,¡± he complained.


    ¡°No, no, you see, sheep are, like, the female goats,¡± Jonas chimed.


    ¡°Oh,¡± Deirdre exchanged a look with Olga, ¡°and male goats are just goats?¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t they?¡± Jonas looked to Eron for support.


    He sighed. ¡°Sheep are sheep and goats are goats. Different animals. I¡¯m mature enough to admit that I didn¡¯t learn this until somewhere in my 20¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°It was strange. We watched it for awhile,¡± Eric continued. ¡°But it didn¡¯t touch the sheep and two goats.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about? It tied my babies up,¡± Ingri scowled.


    ¡°Yes because they kept trying to gore and bite it. All things in consideration I took that as a rather¡­ nice¡­ thing from a monster,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°It is sounding like you don¡¯t want to attack,¡± Deirdre frowned.


    ¡°No. I think discretion is best. It doesn¡¯t seem all that violent at first look. Maybe communicate first?¡± Eric said.


    ¡°What else did you observe?¡± Sven said.


    ¡°Not much. It walked around ripping branches off the trees and eating them,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°Be more specific,¡± Ingri chided. ¡°It only took the branches off from the highest point it could reach at each tree. Ate everything too. The pine needles, the bark, the branch.¡±


    ¡°I thought trolls ate meat?¡± Thor whispered to Eron.


    ¡°Fictional ones. I¡¯ve never seen a real one,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Anyways¡­ it¡¯s very tall and very strong. About 3 to 3.5 meters. Very long arms and legs. Blue-ish skin, wiry muscles. Ripped branches as thick around as my arms without effort. Like snapping toothpicks. We should be very careful whatever we decide to do,¡± Ingri said.


    Well, that settled it for Eron.


    ¡°What direction was it?¡±


    The kids looked at each other.


    He could see the desire to appear as capable adults war with prudence.


    The former won out.


    Eric and Ingri gave him directions and he was soon flying over to visit the troll.


    He heard the monster long before he saw it.


    Heard bleating sheep too. They didn¡¯t sound scared, but what did he know about sheep vocalizations.


    Once he descend to the forest floor he saw it.


    The troll was as the kids had described it.


    Tall and lanky with obvious strength in its defined musculature.


    Its gray skin had a bluish tint.


    Hands ended in long fingers. Only three and a thumb. The fingernails looked¡­ manicured.


    Its feet were longer and broader in proportion to the rest of its body.


    ¡°Oh¡­ greetings,¡± the troll waved hesitantly as it chewed on a thick branch.

 Interlude: A Relentless Day in the Life 1.2

    The troll¡¯s voice was a deep rumble.


    ¡°Huh? You don¡¯t sound like a monster,¡± Eron said


    ¡°And what pray tell does a monster sound like?¡± the troll sounded insulted.


    ¡°Excuse me. Apologies, assuming you aren¡¯t one and aren¡¯t simply trying to lull me into a false sense of security in order to better devour my precious man-flesh.¡±


    ¡°I might daresay that I am the one that should be concerned. Considering you flew out of the sky at considerable speed and are now,¡± the troll wiggled fingers in Eron¡¯s vicinity, ¡°giving off what seems to be a significant amount of heat from the way the snow is melting. Admittedly, I am not a native of this world¡­ though in my defense humans on my world don¡¯t tend to do that. The ones that do are quite rare and quite high-leveled. On the order of once in a generation and with how the privileged few tend to extend their natural lifespans above their lessers¡­ well a generation might well span centuries. In fact with how war-like and violent you lot tends to be, I can be excused for said concern about my personal well-being. Further point, your kind recently attacked me not two days ago for the crime of simply walking down a path. The way they screamed and shot me with spells, Skills, arrows and primitive firearms,¡± the troll tutted, ¡°didn¡¯t even give me the opportunity to state my peaceful intention to, you know, walk.¡±


    ¡°In their defense¡ª¡± Eron shook his head. ¡°You know what. You¡¯re right. I¡¯m not going to make excuses for other people.¡±


    ¡°Politeness is as easy as an apology.¡±


    He studied the towering monster.


    Sapient. Not a monster.


    A person like him¡­ possibly.


    The face was disconcertingly human-like in a way that he had never seen before in other invaders. There was a gauntness to it that suggested recent lean times. A long nose hooked slightly at the tip. Long, knife-like ears twitched nearly imperceptible as if scanning the surroundings.


    He knew nothing about troll biology considering this was the first one he had seen, but it seemed to be telling the truth judging by the heartbeat.


    It was also hard to see a monster when there was obvious intelligence in the eyes and bearing. Then again the fishmen and several other monstrous species were just as intelligent as humans. And if he was being honest, normal humans had the propensity to be monstrous.


    The troll was wearing clothes. Finely made ones from the look of it. A kilt and a vest. Both with many pockets. And a monocle.


    How had he not noticed that right away?


    There was a faint glow to everything when he looked closer.


    Magical.


    ¡°I can¡¯t really apologize for something I had nothing to do with, right?¡±


    ¡°You have me there, good sir. I am as guilty of painting your species with as broad a brush as yours does mine,¡± the troll chuckled ruefully as it ran a hand over its bald head in a very human-like way. ¡°I¡¯ve always done my best to not be a speciesist. Speciesism is truly an odious thing. Born of ignorance. Wouldn¡¯t the worlds be a better place if we could all simply practice a little empathy.¡±


    ¡°Agreed. So, what are you doing here? Aside from walking, that is.¡±


    The troll raised a brow. ¡°Are you the king of these lands?¡±


    ¡°No. We don¡¯t really have kings.¡±


    ¡°Tyrants? Mageocracy? Cabals? Covens? Magical Construct Intelligensia? Gods? Demigods? Overmind?¡±


    Eron shook his head at each one.


    ¡°Ugh¡­ democracy?¡±


    ¡°Our world has never been unified enough to have one thing.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you mistake me for an unlearned sort. I meant for this particular region,¡± the troll spread its arms wide to display a truly impressive wingspan. ¡°My world is hardly unified. Too many species vying for power, let alone the petty squabbles within my own kind,¡± it sighed.


    ¡°Look, uh, I don¡¯t know if you¡¯re friend, foe or something in between. So, I¡¯m not going to be giving out too much information. I¡¯m just here to make sure that you aren¡¯t a threat¡­ and to get the sheep,¡± he eyed the two goats tied to a tree a short distance away. The animals were enormous and enraged from the looks of them, ¡°and them,¡± he gestured to Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder.


    ¡°Are they yours?¡±


    ¡°No. They belong to a friend.¡±


    ¡°This friend must be a fierce individual. Those two would fit right in with the Butcher Goats on my world. Just as fond of biting and goring. These specimens are much bigger though.¡±


    The two goats were indeed as large as the largest bulls.


    ¡°In answer to your questions. Yes. You may take them. I¡¯ve no use for them. They¡¯re just underfoot. And I simply wish to live, unbothered for now. I had thought to make contact with the locals, but the unfortunate experience soured me on the prospect.¡±


    ¡°Your regeneration? Magic? Spells? Items? Or an intrinsic ability?¡±


    ¡°I daresay I¡¯m not inclined to simply answer your questions. If I asked for the source of your flight and heat, would you share? I can tell you aren¡¯t using spells or Skills. In fact, you don¡¯t have a class and I might be willing to an exchange of information. You tell me about yourself and I do the same in reciprocity.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯d be foolish of me, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°I assure you that I mean you no harm. In fact, I mean none harm. I will only defend myself if necessary. One would think my recent display of restraint vouches for my intentions better than mere words.¡±


    ¡°No deal.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough. Then perhaps a simple introduction. Unless humans of this world dispense with social standards of proper behavior.¡±


    ¡°We have that. It¡¯s just¡­ Witches¡­ I have it on good authority that they can do things with your true names. If they can then other magic users can. Which means any eldritch being, lesser godlings, dragons and everything else might be able to do the same.¡±


    ¡°Then get a charm to guard against that. Granted it is an expensive thing, but I¡¯m sure a human of your abilities simply needs to work hard for a year or two to afford it,¡± the troll snorted. ¡°I daresay you don¡¯t fear much.¡±


    ¡°What makes you say that?¡±


    ¡°For one, you came all the way out here searching for a terrible ¡®monster¡¯ in what appears to be regular clothing. I¡¯ve a sharp eye. You¡¯ve no arms or armor. No magic. No class. That tells me much.¡±


    ¡°And your excuse for being unarmed and unarmored?¡±


    ¡°My intent to appear peaceful to the sapients of this world. Besides, though I¡¯m not a true warrior, I am not without the physical gifts of my kind¡­ and other more esoteric abilities. I¡¯ve already bludgeoned and throttled a few corrupted specimens of your natural fauna. I¡¯ve yet to encounter anything that required more. Ah,¡± the troll¡¯s smile revealed teeth that eerily resembled a human¡¯s, just larger, ¡°you¡¯ve been studying me intently. Your assessments.¡±


    ¡°Same as what I¡¯ve already been told.¡±


    ¡°Those belligerent fellows that attacked me? Or those two younglings that observed me for quite a length of time?¡±


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°Both.¡±


    ¡°See. At every encounter I¡¯ve done all I can to avoid provocation.¡±


    ¡°All part of your plan?¡±


    The troll shook his head ruefully. ¡°Very well. A proper introduction. Freely given, no exchange asked for. I am Gruntlerionadras, Third Prince of¡­ bla bla bla. It¡¯s a very long and pretentious thing. My name suffices.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Gruntlerionadras. I go by,¡± Eron cleared his throat, ¡°Relentless.¡±


    The Troll¡¯s laugh was like the grinding of two great boulders deep in the earth. ¡°Oh my¡­ you¡¯re one of those,¡± it raised a brow.


    ¡°Witches¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, of course, whatever helps you rest at night,¡± the troll idly waved a hand. Before suddenly stopping and peering at Eron. ¡°Humans of this world do that, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, normally, but we can rest whenever we feel like it.¡±


    ¡°Good, good. You can never be sure what sorts of differences emerge across worlds.¡±


    ¡°How many worlds have you been to?¡±


    ¡°Counting this one?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Two.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡±


    ¡°How many have you been on?¡± the troll challenged.


    ¡°One.¡±


    ¡°Hmmph.¡±


    ¡°Alright, so, don¡¯t take this the wrong way¡­¡±


    ¡°In my experience that is like saying ¡®I don¡¯t intend to offend¡¯. Very rarely does the speaker fail to do just that.¡±


    ¡°Look, you¡¯re the first¡ª¡± he hesitated then sighed. ¡°You¡¯re the first troll¡­ is that the right word? I¡¯ve spoken to. The only reason we¡¯re communicating is the Universal Translation System and I know it¡¯s not perfect.¡±


    ¡°Understandable. I¡¯m speaking my language and I¡¯m certain you¡¯re speaking yours. But yes, the word you just used to refer to my species is the same in mine.¡±


    ¡°Likewise with your word for human. Next question. What are you? I mean¡­ is gender a thing for you?¡±


    The Troll raised a brow in a very human-like manner. ¡°Do you see a pair of nursing glands on my chest?¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯re wearing a vest¡­¡±


    ¡°Are you asking me to disrobe?¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t.¡±


    Gruntlerionadras snorted. ¡°Well, it would be no concern of mine since I am a male, like you.¡±


    ¡°Bit unfair. You already know about humans.¡±


    ¡°True enough. Fair warning though, if you ever encounter a female of my species¡­ maintain eye contact. Staring is frowned upon and they will vigorously defend the ownership of their physical form.¡±


    ¡°Noted. Next question.¡±


    ¡°You are asking a lot without reciprocity.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m determining if you are a threat,¡± he said flatly.


    ¡°And you¡¯re the sort of man that deals with threats,¡± Gruntlerionadras nodded levelly. ¡°Yes, I can see that. You might find that I¡¯m not an easy fight, but go ahead. In the interest of my, hopefully, peaceful existence on your world, continue.¡±


    ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already told you. A peaceful existence is all I aim for. No more, no less.¡±


    ¡°What led to that?¡±


    Gruntlerionadras mulled it over for what felt like a long time.


    The sheep continued to mill about him in apparent ease as they dug through the snow for what forage they could find.


    The two giant goats were less sanguine. They struggled against their bindings and glared rage-filled daggers at the massive troll.


    ¡°You must understand my reluctance to share my tale. It is a difficult thing.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t judge. If you aren¡¯t a threat, as you say, then you¡¯ve nothing to fear from me. I might even be able to help you find that peaceful life and get you an apology or a dozen.¡±


    ¡°Shameful exile,¡± Gruntlerionadras sighed. ¡°Though, aren¡¯t they all?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say that. Maybe the people exiling you are evil.¡±


    ¡°Ah, but what is evil if not selfishness taken to extremes?¡± Gruntlerionadras mused. ¡°Excuse my philosophical ramblings. Indeed, one of the marks against me. To think my siblings would use it against me to such cutting effect.¡±


    ¡°Power struggle, then? Did your father,¡± he narrowed his eyes, ¡°or mother die without designating an heir? Or maybe they did, but a power hungry brother or sister didn¡¯t like that and you got caught up in it?¡± he probed.


    Gruntlerionadras wagged a finger. ¡°That information is too important to give freely when you aren¡¯t willing to be as forthcoming as I already have.¡±


    ¡°Does your,¡± he waved at the tree branch idly resting in the Troll¡¯s hand, ¡°vegetarianism¡­ is it the norm? Or not?¡±


    Gruntlerionadras grimaced. ¡°I don¡¯t like to judge others for their differing ways and I try, I truly do¡­ but¡­ and I don¡¯t mean to offend,¡± he gave a wry smile.


    ¡°You¡¯re all vegetarian?¡±


    ¡°Most. Only the¡­¡± the Troll cleared his throat with an engine-like rumble, ¡°backwards looking sorts partake of the meat from sentient creatures, such as these lovely and annoying things,¡± he gestured to the sheep. ¡°There¡¯s always been a movement to return to the old ways. As in multiple millennia ago when our kind ruled our world. A time of savagery best left forgotten.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ no offense, but I have to ask. You would never eat a person.¡±


    The Troll gasped. ¡°I¡¯d have words with you if I didn¡¯t know you say such a thing out of ignorance. Kindly desist repeating that question, good sir.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t. Just expect a lot of that from the rest of my people. We¡¯re not exactly paragons when it comes to the willingness to understand and accept relatively minor differences in skin tone and beliefs.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes,¡± the Troll waved a hand, ¡°small slights and small bigotries exist amongst my species as well. The humans on my world also fight over the most ridiculous things. Does their holy prophet speak through the purple gemstone or the yellow one? That one triggered the Holy Wars of 9069-1025. Even spilled over into the southwestern boundaries of our lands. It was only stopped when a mixed-species party led by the Great Hero, Sanandras discovered that the voice in both gemstones belonged to an aberrant godling harvesting power from all the death and suffering. The story of that thing being put down spans seven epics.¡±


    Eron blinked at that for several seconds.


    ¡°Then¡­ you¡¯re not all gray-blue?¡±


    The Troll rolled his eyes. ¡°Look to your own species for the answer. You¡¯re the only brown-skinned one I¡¯ve encountered so far. The rest have been rather pinkish.¡±


    ¡°Alright, so, circling back to what you intend.¡±


    The Troll shrugged. ¡°Peace is what I want and perhaps eventually cordial relations with the locals and you. I¡¯m not so naive as to have the expectation of peace from this entire world. Monsters and such, you know. Not to mention I¡¯m certain that my hide is worth something in Universal Points thanks to the spires, what with their purpose.¡±


    ¡°Right. Driving conflict.¡±


    ¡°I am heartened to see that you¡¯re aware of that,¡± the Troll nodded. ¡°Suffice to say. I do not wish to seek out conflict, but I suppose I will defend myself if necessary.¡±


    ¡°And you aren¡¯t a spy for your kingdom?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    The heartbeat remained steady.


    Eron thought the Troll told the truth.


    ¡°Okay. How about this¡­ I¡¯ll introduce you to the people they belong to,¡± he gestured toward the sheep. ¡°They won¡¯t attack if you don¡¯t. Anything more than that will be up to you and them. My one warning is that if you plan betrayal I will kill you.¡±


    ¡°Rather dark, but I appreciate the forthrightness. I strike an accord with you. I pledge to do no harm to your people, er, specifically the ones that own these sheep, unless they first do harm,¡± Gruntlerionadras placed his arm on his chest.


    ¡°One last question. Do you have a class?¡±


    ¡°That would be telling. I believe I¡¯ve shared more about myself than you have. From this point on I require reciprocity. I simply must have balance.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough,¡± he regarded the sheep and the two enraged wargoats. ¡°I suppose the sheep will stick close to you.¡±


    ¡°Yes, that seems to be the case. I imagine they sense safety in my presence considering all of the hungry mouths surrounding us earlier. Although,¡± the Troll¡¯s ears twitched, ¡°the predators seemed to have cleared out upon your arrival.¡±


    ¡°It tends to happen. I suppose I¡¯ll have to grab the goats.¡±


    ¡°I would be delighted. They¡¯ve already put holes in my favorite skirt and needless to say that is irreplaceable for the foreseeable future.¡±


    ¡°Then, if you¡¯re willing, I¡¯ll lead you to the town and get you introduced.¡±


    ¡°Delighted!¡± the Troll smiled.


    It seemed genuine to Eron.


    ¡°I¡¯m trusting you.¡±


    ¡°An accord was struck. Only the vilest blackguard breaks an accord.¡±


    ¡°Sorry. I didn¡¯t know that.¡±


    ¡°Apology accepted,¡± the Troll dipped his head before rising to his full height. ¡°Lead on.¡±

 6.21

    Now, Missouri


    Donald kicked the door open then moved aside to let Lincoln charge out.


    The enemy had their backs to them focused on the melee down on the street.


    Donald shot one in the back.


    Britt and Sunny killed another two with spells. A light arrow for the former and a thin stream of acid from the latter.


    Michael was slower because he had to take care to avoid cutting his bowstring with his sharp nails, nonetheless he felled a fourth.


    Half of the enemy downed in seconds.


    Lincoln was on them next.


    He bull-rushed into one with his shield and knocked the man off the roof. His axe hacked deep into the chest of another. The woman¡¯s chainmail barely slowed the large blade.


    Lincoln¡¯s display revealed to Michael that the big man had a passive Skill that enhanced strength. It made sense.


    Two enemies left.


    Michael shoot one in the throat.


    While the last shattered Lincoln¡¯s shield with a thunderous blow of his sledgehammer.


    Lincoln struck with a downward hack, but the man caught the haft.


    He raised his sledgehammer with a snarl, but choked as the unnoticed Charlie darted in and stabbed her short blade into the man¡¯s armpit.


    ¡°Quickly! Drag the bodies inside!¡± Britt said.


    Michael saw that their fight, short as it was, hadn¡¯t gone unnoticed.


    Enemies on the other rooftops, both across the street and on their side, shifted their attention to them.


    They hurried to follow Britt¡¯s command as the whiz-crack of bullets, arrows and bolts began to buzz all around them.


    Lincoln grunted with pain as they reached the door.


    ¡°Fuck! He¡¯s hit!¡± Donald caught the big man and staggered under the weight, but managed to get inside even as a giant rock shattered against the doorway.


    They staggered down to the lower landing and listened to the storm of fire dwindle to nothing.


    They stood for a moment. Simply breathing hard from the exhilaration of a successful fight, barring Lincoln¡¯s gunshot wound.


    Michael stared at the dead bodies thrown haphazardly on the floor.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Lincoln growled as he shrugged off Donald¡¯s help.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± Donald muttered.


    ¡°I mean, thanks, but I¡¯m really fine. Doesn¡¯t even hurt that much and without my shield it don¡¯t matter that I can¡¯t use my left arm.¡±


    ¡°Come here. I need to get the bullet and all the crap out,¡± Britt took a first aid kit out of the pack at the small of her back.


    ¡°Why bother? He just needs to eat and it¡¯ll heal,¡± Michael said.


    Sunny was already shoving mouthfuls of raw flesh into her mouth. The small woman hadn¡¯t bothered with a knife, she just gouged out chunks with her sharp nails.


    Charlie reached toward the pile of bodies, but Sunny snarled and snapped at the outstretched hand.


    ¡°Damn it, Sunny! There¡¯s plenty for everyone!¡± Britt snapped.


    Sunny eyed her balefully, but relented and dragged her body out into the hallway.


    Donald and Charlie eagerly claimed theirs, while Michael barely hesitated.


    The smell was alluring.


    He forced himself to eat properly. To savor the blessed sacrament.


    There was something in the way Sunny was cramming flesh into her mouth, stuffing so much that her cheeks bulged like a chipmunk¡¯s, that didn¡¯t sit well with him.


    But the concern faded away with the sweet taste in his mouth.


    Everything faded away.


    He was only dimly aware of Britt finally digging out the bullet and bits of chainmail and padded cloth out of Lincoln¡¯s shoulder before the two also claimed their own bodies for the feast.


    He didn¡¯t know how much time had passed before Britt¡¯s clapping hands broke him from the reverie of the feast.


    Blood was smeared around Britt¡¯s mouth as she licked her hands clean. ¡°Wow! I¡¯m feeling much stronger! I¡¯d love to keep eating, but we have to keep the Quest in mind. There are still several rooftops that need clearing after all,¡± she said.


    Michael felt the stickiness coating his hands, so he licked them clean too. ¡°They¡¯ll be ready for us now. Probably set up an ambush inside the building.¡±


    ¡°Which is why we¡¯ll do something unexpected,¡± Britt regarded Lincoln. ¡°How you feeling, big guy?¡±


    Lincoln grinned a too-wide grin, blood dripping down his chin, flesh stuck between his sharp teeth. He swung his arm around. The wound was closed, all that remained as evidence of the gunshot was a hole in his armor and a red welt on his chalky white skin. ¡°Strong,¡± he growled.


    ¡°Awesome! Here¡¯s my plan. Feel free to add suggestions at the end,¡± Britt said.


    She laid it out quickly and no one had anything to add or, in Sunny¡¯s case, didn¡¯t care.


    Once again, Lincoln led the way out of the rooftop door.


    This time, instead of a shield, he held two of the most intact corpses in front of him.


    They took the brunt of the incoming fire as Lincoln leapt across the twelve foot gap to the other building with ease.


    Michael had been right.


    There was less of the enemy on the roof.


    ¡°Remember, don¡¯t stop! We clear the rooftops first!¡± Britt roared as she leapt and fired a light arrow.


    Each of them, newly empowered by fresh meat, cleared the jump with ease.


    Michael loosed a mundane arrow that sank into a woman¡¯s shield.


    Sunny leapt on her, but couldn¡¯t bring the big woman down.


    A fighter likely had the enhanced strength passive Skill and despite her boost, Sunny was still a small young woman.


    She snarled and slashed as she tried to pull the woman¡¯s shield down.


    The woman stabbed her blade through chainmail into Sunny¡¯s gut before shrugging her off.


    ¡°Get everyone up here!¡± the woman roared.


    Another man rushed to the doorway, but was clobbered from behind by a corpse.


    Lincoln had hurled it like the sack of meat and bone that it was.


    Michael loosed another arrow, but the woman blocked it again.


    ¡°Chain Lightning!¡± a young man thrust his hands out.


    ¡°Mage Shield!¡± Britt screeched.


    She would have blocked the arc of bright blue electricity, but it had already split.


    Michael¡¯s body seized up.


    The smell of burnt flesh filled his nostrils.


    ¡°The big one isn¡¯t falling!¡± the young man cried.


    ¡°Go! Get inside and get the others! I¡¯ll hold them off,¡± the big woman banged her blade and shield together. ¡°Fight Me! You monsters!¡±


    Even with the painful spasms wracking his body, Michael had one thought.


    Kill her.


    He fumbled the arrow several times before he managed to nock it to the string.


    Lincoln was the closest, so he was on her first.


    ¡°Shield Bash!¡±


    The woman charged inside the arc of his wild slash and slammed the metal boss into his chest.


    ¡°Bleeder Cut!¡±


    She slashed her blade across his inner thigh.


    Lincoln roared and threw himself at the woman ignoring the fountain of blood spurting out of his thigh.


    She deftly backpedaled while meeting his wild strikes with her shield and slicing his unarmored parts.


    Charlie and Britt reached them at that point. Both snarled like feral animals. The latter had forgotten her magic.


    ¡°Cleave!¡±


    The woman swung her blade in a low, wide arc in front of her.


    All three didn¡¯t have armor on their lower legs apart from tough work pants.


    The woman cut them to the bone and sent them falling to their knees with their necks exposed.


    She drew her blade back.


    Donald fired.


    The bullets tore through the woman¡¯s shield and knocked her back several steps.


    Michael saw dents in her chest plate, but the lack of blood meant no penetration.


    He loosed his arrow.


    Skill or luck, the woman turned her head enough to take it on the side of her steel helmet rather than in the eye.


    A momentary distraction.


    Lincoln lunged forward and grappled the woman¡¯s legs.


    Donald fired again turning the woman¡¯s face into a bloody ruin.


    All of this had happened in such a short span of time that the young mage was still at the door, having been slowed by the mistake of helping the other man.


    ¡°Light Arrow!¡± Britt regained her senses and sent the spell piercing through the back of the young mage¡¯s exposed neck.


    He toppled along with the half-broken man he had been trying to save.


    Michael regarded the rooftops across the street.


    Battle had broken out there as well.


    His other brothers and sisters were doing their part, so he raised his bow and nocked another arrow despite the pain radiating throughout his entire body.


    Arms trembling, he was forced to rely on a Skill. ¡°Steady Aim,¡± he whispered.


    He loosed.


    The arrow streaked across the gap and silenced a mage on the verge of casting something large from the feeling in the air.


    ¡°Donald! Make them keep their heads down!¡± Britt pointed to the next rooftop where a handful of enemy fighters were aiming.


    Donald rushed to the doorway for cover even as he sent controlled bursts across.


    Britt ripped a chunk out of the fallen fighter¡¯s arm and hurried to Sunny¡¯s side before cramming the meat into the small woman¡¯s distended mouth. ¡°Need to eat to heal.¡±


    Sunny didn¡¯t need to be told twice. Her mouth worked reflexively even as Britt hurriedly dug fingers into the stab wound in her stomach. ¡°This is a mess. Going to be a pain to get all the metal and cloth out.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t care, do what you can. Worry about rest later,¡± Sunny growled around a mouthful.


    Michael scrambled to the half-broken man while the rest, aside from Donald, ate and healed in the cover of a large air conditioning unit. ¡°What about this one? I think Lincoln broke his back with that throw.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not much of a threat right now. Tie him up. He¡¯ll choose his fate later,¡± Britt said.


    ¡°Lucky you.¡± Michael zip-tied the man¡¯s wrists together.


    ¡°I¡¯m never going to join you monsters!¡± the man spat.


    Michael ignored him.


    Instead, he gouged a chunk out of the dead young mage¡¯s cheek and ate it.


    The man sobbed and looked away.


    He didn¡¯t understand the truth of the sacrament.


    The strength it gave one to fight back against the true monsters in the world.


    The ache in Michael¡¯s muscles faded away.


    Just in time as Britt called them to attention. ¡°Alright, same plan, Lincoln¡­¡±


    ¡°Got it,¡± Lincoln picked up the big armored woman and held her body in front of him as he charged and leapt across to the next rooftop.


    ¡°What about the ones downstairs?¡±


    ¡°If they haven¡¯t come up yet then I¡¯m betting they¡¯re waiting for us. I don¡¯t want to engage on their terms,¡± Britt said.


    They followed Lincoln across the gap.


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Michael went last loosing arrows alongside Donald¡¯s bullets to keep their enemy¡¯s from getting uncontested shots on the other four.


    The fights on the remaining two rooftops went much easier.


    They took a moment to eat and rest on the last rooftop while watching the veterans fighting to break through the defense around city hall.


    ¡°Most of the people are crammed in there,¡± Britt said.


    ¡°Can¡¯t be that much left. I thought there was only supposed to be a couple of thousand total people in this settlement?¡± Donald reloaded a fresh magazine.


    ¡°There¡¯s an easy thousand out here fighting.¡± Michael had a quick eye when it came to estimating crowd sizes.


    ¡°Then it¡¯s all the non-fighters in there. Old people and kids,¡± Charlie said.


    ¡°Not worth¡­ too weak¡­¡± Sunny was barely understandable with how grotesque her tooth-filled maw was compared to the others.


    ¡°New brothers and sisters?¡± Lincoln added.


    Michael eyed Britt. ¡°What¡¯s the plan?¡±


    ¡°For clearing the buildings? They¡¯ll expect us to come down the stairs, so why don¡¯t we go in through the back door. Easy enough to just jump down now that we¡¯re so much stronger and tougher,¡± Britt replied.


    ¡°Faster too,¡± Lincoln stared at his chalky white hands and arms. ¡°I don¡¯t even feel like the same person.¡±


    ¡°Like you can rip them apart with your bare hands,¡± Charlie nodded.


    ¡°I need to eat more,¡± Donald gingerly poked his fat belly jingling his chainmail shirt in the process.


    ¡°Counterintuitive?¡±


    ¡°I guess so, Mike, but they said that our bodies would eventually reach way beyond human potential,¡± Donald shrugged.


    ¡°Eat more¡­ eat more¡­ eat more¡­¡± Sunny giggled.


    Britt fixed her with a baleful glare. ¡°Remember your magic. It¡¯ll be easier for you if you soften them up first before turning into an animal.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not an animal,¡± Charlie scowled. ¡°We are not to lose our rational selves to the hunger. Remember the words.¡±


    Sunny pouted, but nodded after a moment.


    She remembered, but whether she could control herself was the question.


    ¡°Gear check,¡± Britt barked.


    ¡°I¡ª I lost my axe somewhere back there,¡± Lincoln¡¯s sheepish grin was ghastly with a too-wide mouth filled with sharp teeth.


    ¡°Last mag on my carbine, still got my Glock with four mags, then its machete time¡­¡± Donald considered the sharp nails poking out of his gloves, ¡°and claws¡­¡± he amended.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget the teeth,¡± Charlie said as she waved her bloody short sword, ¡°oh¡­ and I also have a pistol, totally forgot.¡±


    ¡°Sunny, I know you¡¯ve got a lot of mana left,¡± Britt sighed, ¡°so, please use some magic. As for me, I¡¯m good for awhile, unless the next engagement is a rough one. However, I¡¯ll try to conserve my mana. I¡¯m stronger and faster, so I really should lean on that. It¡¯s hard because I¡¯m not used to fighting hand to hand.¡±


    Michael eyed the quiver at his belt. ¡°Down to almost half.¡±


    ¡°Stay back and pick your shots. Focus on taking out mages and other shooters. Don¡¯t worry about us too much,¡± Britt pointed at the hole in Sunny¡¯s chainmail and padded shirt. ¡°We can survive a lot if we partake of the sacrament fast enough.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t wait to be like them,¡± Donald gestured down to the battle around city hall.


    One of the veterans, a hulking monster, tossed grown men and women like toy dolls while several spears stuck out of his body.


    ¡°Eat more,¡± Britt said. ¡°Lincoln¡­¡± she gestured.


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    Lincoln leapt off the roof.


    The rest followed the big man into the first floor business. Some kind of clothing store.


    They were instantly met by the enemy.


    Michael didn¡¯t have much to do besides shoot arrows into his priority targets.


    The others did most of the fighting and killing as they went from business to business, apartment to apartment.


    The enemy fought fiercely, but the tight spaces worked against them.


    With all the flesh they had taken, Michael¡¯s team was a lot stronger and faster than they had been less than an hour ago.


    A strong young man sunk an axe deep into the side of Lincoln¡¯s thigh.


    The wound healed with the chunk Lincoln bit out of the young man¡¯s throat.


    In an apartment one building over and two floors up, Charlie cried out as gashes suddenly appeared on several of her exposed areas.


    Her fingers speared out and caught a young woman in the arm.


    The woman slashed a curved blade, but Charlie pulled her closer to take a chunk out of her cheek.


    The woman screamed. She stabbed and slashed in a blind panic.


    Charlie simply slashed her throat open.


    Several bites later, the wounds on Charlie¡¯s body began to slowly close.


    A fireball exploded in the confined hallway.


    Jagged splinters pelted the entire team.


    Michael found that he could ignore the pain as he shot the mage in the throat.


    Sunny, her face blackened and charred from being the closest to the blast, charged the rest of the enemy.


    Britt sighed as she pulled huge splinters out of her body, but Sunny surprised them all.


    ¡°Acid Jet!¡± Sunny snarled as she thrust a hand out.


    The thin stream cut into the chest plate of the warrior in the front.


    The man screamed as the substance began to burn into his body.


    Sunny lashed out and cut the man¡¯s eyes in passing as she leapt on the others hiding behind him.


    ¡°See! Much better!¡± Britt clapped.


    Michael pulled the last bits of wooden splinters out just in time to shoot the woman about to plunge her spear into the oblivious Sunny¡¯s back.


    Lincoln, Charlie, Donald, and Britt joined Sunny to finish the rest of their enemy off.


    A short while later, they had mostly healed their wounds after eating their fill.


    ¡°I¡¯ve eaten literal pounds, but I¡¯m not full,¡± Donald said.


    ¡°Must be cause of all the healing. Like, we¡¯re using it up faster than we can fill our tummies,¡± Lincoln said.


    ¡°One last building,¡± Charlie said.


    Britt put her ear to the wall and held up a hand for silence. She backed away after a moment and whispered something in Lincoln¡¯s ear.


    ¡°I think so,¡± he nodded.


    Michael regarded the big man.


    Lincoln was noticeably bigger. His muscles bulged as he flexed himself up to a rage. Which he let loose with an explosion of power as he sprinted at the wall.


    ¡°On him! Strike fast and hard!¡± Britt roared.


    Lincoln plowed straight through the wall like it was paper.


    Michael was last through the huge breach.


    The scene in the next space was chaotic.


    It was some kind of studio or gym. For yoga, dancing or something along those lines.


    There was a lot of people huddled against the far wall with a half dozen hard-eyed men and women standing protectively in front of them.


    ¡°Seems like they couldn¡¯t fit everyone in city hall,¡± Charlie said.


    True enough.


    Michael noted that most of the huddled group were kids with a smattering of elderly people.


    ¡°You¡¯ll not harm them, monsters. You die here,¡± a tall, broad-shouldered man with an impressive beard pulled the visor of his helmet down over his eyes. His curved sword wove a mesmerizing pattern with the shorter curved blade in his other hand.


    ¡°Careful,¡± Britt hissed. ¡°These ones are different.¡±


    ¡°So she says,¡± a narrow-eyed woman smirked.


    An older woman poked her head out from behind a man wielding a tower shield. She looked more like a librarian or a school teacher despite her gear. ¡°You¡¯re young. It might not be too late. You can still turn away from the evil path. Just put down your weapons and allows us to chain you and we¡¯ll be able to join the fight outside to put an end to this senseless violence.¡±


    The old woman¡¯s voice held steel.


    Michael was wary.


    Instincts rang the alarm in his head.


    ¡°Why not fight out there from the beginning? Why waste your time protecting these people?¡± Britt frowned.


    The sword-wielding man snorted. ¡°Listen to her. They¡¯re too far gone. Kid, we were hired to protect people first. Except the rich fuckers thought we¡¯d leave kids out here while we protected their cowardly asses up in city hall. Fuck that noise. We¡¯ll gut you lot, then take care of the rest of your cannibal buddies.¡±


    ¡°Too much, bro,¡± a slim gun-toting young man said.


    Michael didn¡¯t recognize the young man¡¯s gun. He had it aimed like a rifle, but the magazine was a round drum.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do this, boss,¡± the sword-wielding man said flatly.


    ¡°They¡¯re children. We have to give them a chance,¡± the older woman said.


    ¡°More kids behind us and those don¡¯t have bloody mouths filled with shark teeth,¡± the narrow-eyed woman said.


    Michael nocked an arrow, but didn¡¯t draw his bow. He waited on Britt to give an order.


    She glanced back toward the hole in the wall then seemed to come to a decision.


    ¡°They¡¯re going to attack,¡± the sword-wielding man said calmly.


    ¡°Close your eyes, cover your ears and open your mouths, children,¡± the old woman held up a hand.


    Michael realized that the instructions weren¡¯t for them, but for the ones huddled against the wall.


    A bright light and a loud bang filled the room.


    The old woman had cast a spell with saying the words.


    That meant a higher level.


    That meant this team was definitely too strong for them.


    He could see nothing through the blinding whiteness in his eyes as he tried to blink it away.


    The sounds in his ears were muffled, but he thought he heard gunfire and the sound of roars, angry and filled with pain.


    ¡°Light Barrage!¡±


    Britt¡¯s voice was a harsh snarl.


    ¡°Acid Spray!¡±


    Sunny¡¯s guttural voice growled at the same time.


    ¡°Greater Mana Shield.¡±


    He recognized the older woman¡¯s calm voice. As if she was doing story time for the kids.


    Loud barks filled the air, one after another in quick succession.


    He realized that it sounded like shotgun blasts, but in semi auto.


    Blades sliced into flesh at high speed, blood splattered across his lips. The taste was different. Not human, not entirely. One of his own. Lincoln¡¯s or Charlie¡¯s since they were closest to the sword-wielding man.


    He drew and aimed where he had heard the old woman¡¯s voice.


    ¡°None of that,¡± the narrow-eyed woman¡¯s voice sounded close. Too close.


    His bowstring snapped¡ª no, it was cut¡ª before he could lose.


    He spun and swung the bow and stabbed with the arrow.


    ¡°Tsk, tsk. Bleed¡­ for me.¡±


    Stinging pain and hot liquid suddenly ran down the back of his leg.


    The woman had cut through his tough work pants like they were made of silk.


    He fell to one knee.


    His forehead jerked back roughly. A knee jammed in the middle of his spine.


    His vision cleared to see the mirthless smile on the narrow-eyed woman¡¯s face.


    ¡°Sorry, kid, but better dead than a cannibal monster,¡± the woman drew her large knife across his throat.


    Hot blood, life blood gushed down Michael''s chest.


    He sputtered and choked as the woman released him.


    He desperately and futilely clamped his hands around the deep gash.


    But the woman had used a Skill and no amount of pressure would stop the bleeding.


    He was going to die.


    The flow of time slowed.


    He watched the rest of his newly-formed team join him.


    The older woman set Sunny and Britt on fire with the snap of her fingers.


    Lincoln was bleeding from dozens of cuts as he tried and failed to grapple the sword-wielding man.


    Charlie leapt at the young man with the weird gun, but was sent hurtling toward the wall with blasts that came as fast as the man squeezed the trigger.


    Donald fired his carbine, but for some reason was shooting directly into the tower shield despite the presence of so many other open targets. The fat young man didn¡¯t see the narrow-eyed woman darting at his back, blade in hand.


    Michael thought with some sadness that they could have been great together given time and practice.


    A bunch of noobs thrown together by chance and they had killed dozens of hardened fighters.


    They had simply run into opponents that were too high level for them.


    Their moment of doom had come.


    Heralded by the wall to their right exploding in a spray of wood and brick.


    Not doom.


    Time resumed its natural course.


    Three figures sped into the room.


    One was a massive behemoth of bulging muscle, while the other two looked thin by comparison.


    Michael blinked as one of the leaner ones moved to intercept the narrow-eyed woman.


    He slashed clawed hands faster than Michael could follow.


    The woman parried and cut nearly as quickly.


    Almost as fast wasn¡¯t enough.


    The woman spun away trailing blood from a nasty gash through the side of her padded armor. ¡°Van¡ª¡±


    ¡°Nope,¡± a guttural growl accompanied a chalky white arm striking like a serpent and stifled the word in the woman¡¯s throat.


    Michael recognized Fred more from his section leader¡¯s pants than the voice or the physical appearance.


    Fred dripped in blood. His distended mouth opened wide and bit a chunk out of the woman¡¯s face, slowly healing the dozens of cuts on his body.


    Michael was shocked to see the other two senior flesh eaters had already moved the rest of his team closer to the hole in the wall and place themselves protectively in front.


    ¡°Thought I smelled some powerful prey,¡± Fred grunted as he regarded the older woman, ¡°you most of all.¡±


    ¡°Let her go and we won¡¯t destroy you,¡± the older woman¡¯s voice was steel.


    ¡°You¡¯re mercenaries? I have a better offer. This battle is over. We¡¯ve breached the city hall defenses and taken your leaders. All that¡¯s left is mop up time to deal with the unwilling, which we¡¯re leaving to the newbies. So, join us and become stronger.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯d diminish us beyond imagining.¡±


    ¡°You must be very unimaginative,¡± Fred regarded Michael and the others. ¡°Saw your handiwork on the roofs and smelled them in the other buildings. Well done, but you¡¯re out of your league.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re dying,¡± the sword-wielding man smirked.


    ¡°Not for long.¡±


    Fred acted in the blink of an eye.


    He tore the narrow-eyed woman to pieces and threw an arm, a leg, a head to Michael and each of his fellow brothers and sisters.


    ¡°Eat. Heal. Get out there and leave this to us.¡±


    Michael ate desperately as he pressed himself against the wall and watched the carnage ensue.


    The older woman pointed and blew out a large hole in the wall behind the huddled children.


    ¡°Retreat! I¡¯ll join you after I take care of them,¡± the sword-wielding man said.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but we need you,¡± the older woman said.


    Michael tracked her eyes and saw that she spoke to someone in the huddled crowd.


    A slight, young man stood and began to transform.


    In seconds he went from frail weakling to a furry ball of muscle, teeth and claws.


    ¡°It¡¯s a holding action! Fight only to delay then escape. You know the rendezvous point,¡± the older woman called after the werewolf.


    Not werewolf, Michael amended. Weredog?


    The brown-furred beast man leapt past the sword-wielder and collided with the other lean flesh eater. The two tore into each other savagely with teeth and claws, faster than Michael¡¯s eyes could follow.


    ¡°Follow after me,¡± the older woman urged the huddled mass of mostly children, ¡°trust me. I¡¯ll catch you with magic. Then we can escape in our van.¡± She jumped through the hole.


    Three stories up.


    Michael wasn¡¯t familiar with any spells that could help kids take that kind of drop, nevertheless when presented with the option of taking a leap of faith or staying in an enclosed space with them the people jumped.


    ¡°Dismember!¡± the sword-wielding man snarled as he sidestepped the behemoth¡¯s rush. His curved sword flashed in the sunlight shining from outside the destroyed wall.


    The behemoth¡¯s arm crashed to the ground with a wet thud.


    The sword-wielder pivoted and slashed low with the shorter curved blade in his other hand. ¡°Hamstring!¡± The Skill allowed him to cut through supernaturally tough skin and muscle, all the way to the bone.


    The young man with the weird shotgun opened up on the behemoth, peppering his hugely muscled back. Bright red pinpricks quickly dotted the chalky white expanse like splatter art on a blank canvas.


    The sword-wielding man swept in smoothly as if he was performing a dance. ¡°Decap¡ª¡±


    The behemoth moved with stunning quickness as she swung an arm the size of tree clipping the sword-wielder and sending him crashing through the far wall just behind the last of the people they were protecting.


    Fred sprang toward the shotgun-wielder, who clicked on empty. ¡°Shi¡ª Automatic Reload!¡±


    ¡°Taunt!¡± the man with the tower shield stepped forward. ¡°Target Shield!¡±


    Fred growled, but had no choice but to slash away at the immense shield even as the young man filled him with iron pellets.


    A loud roar filled the air.


    Michael saw the weredog, badly cut with chunks of fur and flesh missing hold up the other flesh eater¡¯s severed head.


    The shield-wielder, buckling under Fred¡¯s assault, hissed desperately at the weredog. ¡°Hel¡ª¡±


    The words were buried underneath the behemoth¡¯s remaining hand as it engulfed the man¡¯s head like a tennis ball.


    A quick squeeze and it was over.


    The Skill was broken and Fred was free to turn his attention to the shotgun-wielder and the weredog.


    The former ran, firing all the way as he dived out of the hole in the wall yelling for a catch. The suppression fire was enough to keep Fred and the behemoth from catching up.


    As for the latter, the furry beast man had jumped out of the other destroyed wall.


    ¡°Two for one,¡± Fred growled. ¡°We¡¯ll do better next time. Tiffany,¡± he nudged the behemoth with a foot, ¡°you can eat that one, since you killed it and you need to reattach your arm,¡± he pointed at the shield-wielder¡¯s corpse at her feet. He turned his gaze to Michael and the rest. ¡°What¡¯re you sitting around for? Get out there! You don¡¯t want miss out!¡± he gave them a ghastly, bloody smile.

 6.22

    Now, Kansas


    ¡°Are you sure I don¡¯t have to do anything special?¡± Deandre said.


    ¡°No Skills. Nothing that could add another element on top of my mana going into it,¡± Heddy said.


    ¡°Feels counterintuitive.¡±


    ¡°If it doesn¡¯t work this time then we try other things next time.¡±


    ¡°Alright, just stand over there,¡± Deandre pointed to the other side of his anvil.


    Heddy moved over and fidgeted with the heavy leather apron and sleeves Deandre had made her wear.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be going from forge to anvil over here, so you¡¯ll be fine if you stay there.¡±


    ¡°Do I really need to wear all this?¡± she gestured to the heavy clothing and the welding mask flipped up on her head. ¡°I¡¯m already sweating like a pig.¡±


    ¡°Not unless you want to possibly get some hot metal on your bare skin or eyes. Good way to ruin your concentration and get burned.¡± Deandre picked up a flat metal bar with a pair of iron tongs and buried it inside the pile of hot coals in his forge. He pumped the bellows a few times to turn up the heat. ¡°So¡­ I just do my thing?¡±


    ¡°Pretend I¡¯m not here.¡±


    Heddy focused on the magical energy inside of her.


    The pounding headache slowly faded. Not into nothingness, but rather into a manageable annoyance. Like having a squiggly line in her eye.


    She lost track of time and was jarred only by the sound of Deandre¡¯s hammer striking the heated metal.


    Eyes opened to the bright hot bar sending sparks like little stars out in the dark night sky outside the smithy.


    She held her hands out in front of her toward the metal.


    Almost immediately, she realized something was off.


    She took the thick leather gloves off and cast them aside.


    Deandre eyed her, but remained silent as he continued to hammer.


    Much better.


    The mana flowed from her and into the metal.


    It was holding.


    She could feel the magic infusing the metal.


    Clang!


    A portion of the magic flaked away with the rest of the impurities.


    She continued to pour it in.


    Clang!


    Two steps forward. One back.


    She fought against the attrition that accompanied Deandre¡¯s rhythmic hammer.


    Sweat poured from her, but her only thought was on the flow of mana from her to the slowly shaping bar of metal.


    The hammering stopped suddenly.


    Deandre thrust the vaguely knife-shaped bar of metal back into the intense heat of the forge.


    Heddy barely noticed the roar of the air the Blacksmith pumped to fuel the flames.


    Her breaths came in deep gasps.


    ¡°You okay?¡±


    She could only nod.


    Too much mana spent, too quickly.


    If a third of it was being lost with each hammer blow, then she needed to tighten the flow.


    The most important thing was to get as much mana into it throughout the forging process until the bar of metal was turned into a proper knife.


    When Deandre resumed hammering, she slowed the flow of mana.


    From anvil to forge and back again.


    For close to hours, Heddy stood in the sweltering heat pushing her mana into the knife as it took shape.


    It ended with suddenness.


    ¡°Time to quench,¡± Deandre said.


    As previously discussed, Heddy rushed to quenching tube while increasing the pace of her mana transference.


    So lost in her task that she didn¡¯t flinch from the flames that shot up as Deandre plunged the knife blade into the oil.


    Deandre finished the process by running a file across the edge of the 4-inch blade. ¡°We have a proper knife. Just need to sharpen the edge, polish it and do the handle. Any preference?¡±


    Heddy gasped and sat down on the ground. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    ¡°Shit! We¡¯re running out of time,¡± he eyed the clock on the wall. ¡°Gonna have to do it rough and dirty,¡± he hustled to the worktable and grabbed strips of leather, paracord, grip tape and a water bottle. ¡°So, did it work?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I can feel the mana in it. Doesn¡¯t seem to be leaking away.¡± Heddy downed the bottle Deandre handed her. ¡°My theory is that what matters is the conceptual. The idea is that mana placed in the object as it is slowly turned into the finished form. By doing this you place the magic into the cellular makeup of the object. Or something like that.¡±


    ¡°Kinda like how adding carbon to iron turns it into steel,¡± Deandre said. ¡°In this case the mana placed into it makes it¡­ magical?¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t do it with a finished product because it¡¯s a fixed thing on a conceptual level. That knife, is a knife. A mundane, non-magical object. That is its identity and that is not malleable.¡±


    ¡°Then how do you enchant stuff? I¡¯ve seen the flaming weapons.¡±


    ¡°Trade secret, but I¡¯ll explain since you¡¯re a friend and ally. Think of it like painting. You¡¯ve got a sword. You want a red sword, you spray it in red paint. The problem with that is¡ª¡±


    ¡°Paint won¡¯t last. You hit stuff and it chips.¡±


    ¡°Right, eventually the enchant will fail or the blade will. It¡¯s not meant to be heated or frozen or electrified repeatedly,¡± she shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯m not a high level in Enchanter, so it¡¯ll probably be better as I level up. Or the way I do it needs to improve too.¡±


    ¡°Okay, now that we¡¯ve got a knife¡­ invested with mana¡­ what does it do?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I was hoping you could test that out for me.¡±


    Deandre grinned. ¡°I was hoping you¡¯d say that. I¡¯ll have to take it home and do it in secret, but I¡¯ll start as soon as I get back tonight.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good. Just keep it a secret.¡±


    ¡°No problem. I live alone.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t come back here too soon or go to your house. It¡¯ll draw attention.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do a write up on my testing results. Have it delivered to your shop with the next batch of arrowheads.¡±


    ¡°Too risky. I don¡¯t trust the delivery person.¡±


    ¡°What if I do the delivery? It¡¯s been a while since I last went to your shop. I¡¯ll just say that I want to touch base about my work. That shouldn¡¯t be suspicious. Kinda like why you visited tonight.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that sounds good. It¡¯s an already established pattern.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll give me a chance to properly finish this,¡± Deandre wrapped the knife in a towel and hid it in the bottom of his tool bag.


    ¡°I¡¯d better get out of here before the rest of them come back.¡±


    Deandre bid her goodnight and she walked back to her shop.


    She had underestimated the drain on her mana and the last few blocks had been an ordeal of placing one foot in front of the other while fighting off the darkness that pushed in around the edges of her vision.


    She reached her front door and noted with relief that the tape she had placed over the keyhole was undisturbed.


    She staggered up the stairs to her apartment.


    A different lock, undisturbed tape.


    Inside and into bed.


    Into the relief of darkness.


    Short-lived as it was.


    The same soft, tempting song layered over dreams she wouldn¡¯t remember.


    Always the same.


    Only the song would remain.


    A thin thread drifting in the breeze in the back of her thoughts.


    So faint that her awake self was never sure that it existed.


    <hr>


    Heddy spent the next week fulfilling her arrowhead quotas.


    She had fallen a day behind due to her experiment investing mana into the knife blade and pushed herself into a ragged state to catch up.


    ¡°Hey! Hedd¡ª¡±


    She pushed the basket of arrowheads into Joe¡¯s arms and slammed the door in his face. Then locked it.


    ¡°Uh¡­ thanks?¡± Joe called from outside.


    She didn¡¯t have the time and the mental bandwidth to play nice, so she went back to her workshop to start on the next batch only to be greeted by Knox.


    The silver-haired man was absent his customary warm smile.


    ¡°The back door was locked and barred.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got Skills,¡± Knox shrugged.


    ¡°This is too soon. I don¡¯t get paid until tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not here about that.¡±


    ¡°I might have something, but Deandre hasn¡¯t been able to get away from his work. They¡¯re pushing them real hard.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m aware and I¡¯m here to share what I¡¯ve learned on the whys¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, fuck! Out with it! I¡¯m dealing with mana drain and my head is killing me. I don¡¯t have the patience for your cryptic stuff right now.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ then I¡¯ll get right to it with none of my usual flair for making the horrible at least somewhat palatable, so as to not send you into the depths of crushing despair¡ª¡± he caught her eyes and cleared his throat. ¡°It¡¯s not just a Meat Parade¡­ it¡¯s many and they¡¯re all converging here,¡± he pointed to the floor. ¡°I mean, not in your shop, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°I get it!¡± she snapped. ¡°How much time?¡±


    ¡°Our leaders,¡± he sneered, ¡°are hoping a month at the earliest. It is their sincere, god-fearing hope that the multiple parades take their time with the settlements on the way that they are rolling through as we speak.¡±


    He explained the news from the scouts and other sources, including desperate survivors that had started trickling in from the east. Dozens of settlements in what was once the state of Missouri had already fallen.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Everyone knew that not all of those poor people would go into the Meat Parade¡¯s belly, some would be given the choice to join their ranks.


    ¡°How can there be so many? The fuckers have never been seen in groups of larger than a few hundred.¡±


    ¡°I believe there¡¯s an accurate report that the largest known cannibal gathering was just shy of a thousand. All incinerated by some kind of fire guy in Colorado. Hmm¡­ wonder what it¡¯ll take to get him to help us out?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just a myth. It was probably dozens of mages casting fireballs and sprays. We can¡¯t put our hopes on one powerful savior.¡± She put her head in her hands. Tears threatened, but she angrily forced them away. ¡°I can¡¯t do anything, not in a month. They have to run now.¡±


    ¡°We wouldn¡¯t make it far without your superweapons,¡± he patted her on the back. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. If only we had more time.¡±


    ¡°The cannibals will eat everyone outside the walls!¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a tentative plan to move everyone east of the city to the west. Except¡ª¡±


    He sighed. ¡°A little birdie let slip a bit of evil news. The church won¡¯t let that happen. They¡¯re planning for our people to serve as delaying snacks, so to speak. Not only will they prevent movement from east to west, but they¡¯re actually going to force the settlements on the west side to move to those on the east.¡±


    ¡°Why are they so evil? That wouldn¡¯t serve any purpose than to give them a handful of days while the Meat Parade tortures and eats us.¡±


    ¡°Or convert,¡± he shrugged. ¡°What does it matter in the end? Death of the body or death of the soul? It sucks either way.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I think there¡¯s a big difference!¡± she snapped. ¡°Better to die than destroy our souls by becoming one of those monsters.¡±


    ¡°Monsters beyond the wall. Monsters within,¡± he mused.


    ¡°We can¡¯t let them use us as sacrificial fodder.¡±


    ¡°Agreed, but we don¡¯t have much time. They¡¯re planning to start moving our people as soon as they spot the first parade. Say when they¡¯re a couple of days out. That would give them a day to forcible place people in the cannibal¡¯s path.¡±


    ¡°You said there was multiple groups converging. What if they don¡¯t attack from one direction? It¡¯d make more sense for them to encircle the city.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but it¡¯s the Meat Parade. They¡¯re not the thinking kind. They¡¯ll take the most direct route.¡±


    ¡°You guys have a plan, right?¡±


    ¡°Nothing any of us really like. It¡¯s a matter of weighing who are the worst monsters and getting away from those.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to sneak everyone back into the city?¡± she couldn¡¯t believe the stupidity. Where they truly that desperate? ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡± Yes. They had to be. She imagined what it must¡¯ve felt like to be stuck on the wrong side of the walls with looming doom just hundreds of miles away. She laughed bitterly. ¡°I thought this was the wrong side¡­¡±


    ¡°It still is¡­ it¡¯s just not as bad as the side where the cannibals are,¡± he smiled sadly.


    ¡°There¡¯s no hope¡­ we can¡¯t stay¡­ we can¡¯t leave¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to lie and say that there¡¯s a chance, cause even I¡¯m struggling to see a way out for most of us to get through this alive and unhurt¡­ any more than the church has already done¡­ but you¡¯ve got to have faith,¡± he snorted. ¡°Ugh¡­ I guess I¡¯m trying to say that if we don¡¯t have a chance then why not just off ourselves¡­ although, on a personal level, that¡¯s my plan if it looks like I¡¯m about to fall into the Meat Parade¡¯s claws. I¡¯d suggest you have one too.¡±


    Heddy stared at the floor for a long moment. Then she looked around her workshop. To the pile of arrowheads on one of her tables. To the bundled up swords on the floor, carelessly shoved up against one of the walls.


    ¡°They won¡¯t make much of a difference. Our best fighters are significantly lower in level than the most basic church guard. They made sure of that years ago.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t thinking of that. I was thinking of doing something else with them¡­¡±


    The silence stretched.


    ¡°It¡¯s so awkward when you get to thinking. Like you forget about everything else around you,¡± he sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll take that as the note to leave.¡±


    ¡°What? Note?¡± she blinked, but the thought slipped from her grasp just as quickly as it had appeared. ¡°Yeah, sure. Be careful.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll try to keep you abreast of any new information as I get them. I know you¡¯re not really plugged into the movement¡­ by choice, but with what¡¯s on the horizon,¡± he shrugged. ¡°I guess I think you should pay more attention to the details on what our people are dealing with. Not that we aren¡¯t ungrateful for the supplies your cash buys us.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s another thing I can try. I don¡¯t want to get hopes up, because I¡¯m sure it won¡¯t work, but¡­¡±


    ¡°Anything is better than nothing, as my grandmother used to say when I¡¯d always half-burn the cookies,¡± he waved a hand.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see,¡± she grabbed her sword bundle and rushed out of her shop ahead of her perplexed friend.


    <hr>


    Now, New Mexico


    ¡°This is boring. We should¡¯ve taken a different highway. This is the same one we took to get from Texas to Vegas. Boring,¡± Jayde said. ¡°Hey, driver?¡± she called up to the front of the bus.


    ¡°We¡¯re not there yet,¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°I poop on that¡­ and the stupid flat desert scenery. It¡¯s just all brown and hot,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°We have AC in here and comfortable couches,¡± Dayana sighed.


    ¡°And snacks and games,¡± Trevor stood and checked one of the overhead compartments, ¡°wow, so many. Is this a Quest or a vacation?¡± he grinned, but none of the others responded. ¡°Okay, no games then. I¡¯m going to get something from the fridge. Anyone want anything? Beer?¡±


    ¡°No. Be serious!¡± Amber snapped.


    Trevor grumbled as he made his way toward the rear of the large bus.


    Hayden opened her eyes.


    Sleep turned into wakefulness quickly.


    She had years of practice at that.


    One never knew when they¡¯d be fighting for their lives upon waking up.


    What she woke up to was the nameless toddler picking his nose as he stared closely into her face.


    She sat up with a jolt.


    ¡°Good job, kid,¡± Jayde grinned at the boy.


    That was when Hayden realized that she felt something sticky on her cheek. She bared her teeth at Jayde. ¡°Oh, you dumb bi¡ª¡±


    ¡°Language,¡± Dayana reached over and flicked her ear.


    The toddler had been shocked by the sudden static in the air and he recoiled, stumbling into Jayde¡¯s arms.


    ¡°Look what you did,¡± Jayde said reproachfully. ¡°Picking on the little guy.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she said to the toddler as she picked the booger off her cheek. ¡°I know it¡¯s not your fault,¡± she tried to smile. ¡°You were led astray by a manipulative and evil influence. Who will pay the next time we spar.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t wait,¡± Jayde smirked.


    ¡°Perhaps it isn¡¯t the best thing to bring the child into your childish games,¡± Lauren or Monsignor, since they had taken to using the woman¡¯s ranger name, said. ¡°And I realize my wording needs work,¡± she amended as the others burst out into laughter.


    ¡°It¡¯s probably better this way. Less violent for sure,¡± Dayana said.


    Monsignor tipped her head. ¡°You might be right at that.¡± She had seen the Furies sparring, if one could call it that, several times.


    Hayden¡¯s focus went to the window.


    The conversations in the bus became a vague murmur in her ears as the passing of the open desert drew her in hypnotically.


    Jayde was right.


    There wasn¡¯t much to see in the bland brownness of the landscape.


    Spring was turning into summer and what color the foliage had was already gone underneath the baking sun.


    The haze of the heat rising from the ground obscured what could¡¯ve been a splash of green from a patch of cacti or two.


    Jayde wasn¡¯t right, after all.


    ¡°Hey, I saw some cacti, so you were wrong, Jayde. It¡¯s not all brown out there.¡±


    Jayde blew her a raspberry, which the toddler copied with delight.


    ¡°Heads up everyone, we¡¯re going to reach Albuquerque in fifteen minutes,¡± Cal called back from the driver¡¯s seat.


    That drew her attention.


    The people of that city hadn¡¯t been welcoming when the Golden Eagles¡¯ expedition had gotten close. They had been forced to go around rather than stay on the highway that cut through the city.


    She rose from the couch and made her way to the front.


    ¡°They¡¯re not going to be friendly,¡± she said.


    ¡°Yup, didn¡¯t forget your notes on that,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Elliot said that they set up barricades on the roads around the city edges. Forced them to off-road for a bit after the first trip through.¡±


    ¡°Got those notes as well.¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t mentioned a plan.¡±


    ¡°Love?¡± Cal glanced at Nila in the shotgun seat.


    Nila swiveled around and held up a sizable sack. ¡°We¡¯ll bribe them with a generous toll fee.¡±


    ¡°What if they decide that they want more?¡± Jimenez said from the seat directly behind Cal¡¯s. Unlike most of the others the woman was in full armor. The combination riot gear and chainmail getup didn¡¯t look comfortable, but far be it for Hayden to remark on it. She understood seeing as how the only piece of armor she wasn¡¯t currently wearing was her chest and back plate.


    ¡°They won¡¯t,¡± Cal said lightly.


    That was enough for them all, Hayden included.


    She had seen what Cal could do. So she nodded and went back to her seat.


    ¡°I¡¯m just saying, we should¡¯ve gone a different route. I planned one through the Rockies. Definitely better scenery than the stupid desert,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Still on that? It¡¯s done, stop bit¡ª complaining.¡± Hayden plopped herself back into the couch.


    The argued in a somewhat good-natured manner under the scrutinizing eye of Monsignor.


    The woman was only in her early 30¡¯s, but there was a weight, a gravitas to her that even Jayde found she couldn¡¯t just ignore.


    The bus slowed to a stop.


    Cal stood up and took the sack of gold, silver, jewelry and gems from Nila. ¡°I¡¯ll be back,¡± he said in a strange accent.


    ¡°Lame,¡± Nila said.


    Hayden donned her chest armor in a hurry before rushing to the front of the bus.


    She had to vie for a spot, but fortunately she was taller than most so that she could just look over their heads.


    A barricade made out of twisted metal stood a few hundred yards down the road.


    ¡°I count around 200 people. On the barricade and hidden in ground bunkers on both sides off the road. They must¡¯ve seen us coming. I doubt that they had this many people just sitting out there in this heat as a normal thing,¡± Jimenez said.


    A Scout¡¯s eyes.


    Hayden nodded approvingly.


    Cal causally approached with hands held out wide, one with the sack of loot.


    The silence in the bus was only broken by a rhythmic squeaking sound.


    Monsignor cleared her throat pointedly.


    ¡°What?¡± Shrewed stopped squeezing the grip strengthener in each of his meaty hands.


    ¡°Yeah, maybe stop for now? Pick it up after the tense moment is done,¡± Jayde gave him a scrunch-faced smile.


    Shrewed snorted. ¡°Tense? The only tension is in whether those people are dumb enough to try anything. I was there when we crushed the cabal. I saw what he can do.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s right!¡± Jimenez¡¯s eyes widened as she actually broke into a smile. ¡°My danger sense isn¡¯t going off. Like, a complete zero. Oh my god! How haven¡¯t I noticed? Like this whole drive¡­¡±


    Hayden continued to watch as Cal walked close enough to yell and be yelled at.


    After a few minutes of back and forth several men and women approached from the barricade.


    Cal placed the bag on the ground and slowly backed away a dozen yards.


    One person examined the bag, while the rest kept their weapons or hands pointed at Cal, who merely stood there with open arms.


    More yelling ensued, but the end result is what Cal had said would happen.


    He made it back to the bus unharmed and drove them through the opened barricade.


    ¡°I even got us an escort,¡± Cal pointed at the truck of armed men and women in front of them.


    A glance out the side window and mirror showed that there were trucks on both sides and behind them.


    ¡°At least they aren¡¯t pointing their guns at us. Not very friendly-looking though,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°All this for a sack of jewelry. The bastards fired on us when he tried to approach under a white sheet,¡± Hayden said. ¡°What¡¯d you say to them that they even let you get close?¡±


    ¡°I told them the benefits of not making me an enemy¡­ and I might¡¯ve cheated just a little bit,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Probably the first time they saw so many people with melanin in their skin in a long time,¡± Dayana said.


    Hayden wasn¡¯t sure if the venomous looks had anything to do with her slightly darker skin tone and curly black hair. Not that she cared. She had always dealt with the challenges of being only half of the dominant majority of what was once a country. ¡°They probably just hate all outsiders.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps not entirely hate. There is a lot of fear in them. Marauding biker gangs, monsters in human form and few other things over the years will condition people to be distrustful of those that come from outside the tribe,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Without the social contract of an ordered society it¡¯s no surprise that humans revert,¡± Nila said.


    Hayden went back to her spot on the couch once again. She tried to smile at the toddler Jayde cradled protectively on her lap, but he turned away.


    ¡°This is your fault,¡± she glared balefully at her friend.


    ¡°To the victor¡­ the spoils,¡± Jayde shot her a feral grin.


    The drive through the city wasn¡¯t as tense as the circumstances should¡¯ve made it.


    The eastern barricade was moved and they where through.


    Hayden half-expected gun fire to send them off, but there was only silence.


    Cal drove through the rest of the day without stopping.


    They ate lunch as they traveled and found other ways to pass the time when staring at the unchanging landscape got boring.


    The sun began to redden the sky when Cal made another announcement.


    ¡°There¡¯s a rest stop type area about ten minutes up ahead. Just a small one. A gas station, a diner, a mechanic¡¯s shop and a trashy motel. We¡¯re going to stop. I¡¯d like to fill up without dipping into the reserves. I¡¯m thinking we spend the night there.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in charge,¡± Hayden said.


    Why ask the rest of them for their opinion?


    ¡°No objections?¡± Cal continued.


    Predictably, there were none.


    Jayde raised a hand. ¡°Do we get to fight?¡±


    ¡°Up to you,¡± Cal said.


    Hayden regarded her fellow Furies.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Duh,¡± Jayde echoed.


    ¡°Okay, but we should mix the teams up. Practice isn¡¯t a substitute for live combat,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Any objections?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s a good idea,¡± Marci said.


    ¡°We are in agreement,¡± Monsignor said.


    ¡°Whatever you think is best,¡± Amber eyed Cal, then Nila.


    ¡°I¡¯ll join in too,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Two teams of five seems the safest,¡± Monsignor said.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m good with that,¡± Hayden said.


    They went over possible team compositions all the way to the point that Cal stopped the bus just outside the rest area.


    ¡°Two teams, four places to claim. Don¡¯t worry about monster or mutant animal adds from surrounding desert. The little guy and I will wait in here. Good luck! You¡¯re on your own for this one,¡± he smiled as he floated the toddler out of Jayde¡¯s lap and into his arms.

 Interlude: Spears and Spells 0

    2035, Deep South, America


    ¡°Look at these assholes. So many chins. Practically drooling like do¡ª check that. Dogs are great. These guys are worse than animals. At least animals just follow their nature. Don¡¯t care what anyone says, if it¡¯s in your nature to want to own other people then it¡¯s on you to suppress that shit. Not go all in on it. I¡¯d like to kill everyone in this room, but since the boss didn¡¯t want to roll with that I¡¯m not.¡±


    His eyes had progressively widened while her whispered rant progressed.


    ¡°These people are, like, a disease and I¡¯m the cure. Hmmm¡­ shit, I sound like¡ª¡± she shook her helmeted head, ¡°never mind. As I was saying. Fuck these pervs. You can tell their pinkie dicks get especially hard when they bring out the girls and boys. We should just kill em all. Then roll right down into America¡¯s dangling taint and take care of the rest of these slaver fucksticks. I¡¯ve got so many punches to give.¡±


    His eyes were saucers.


    ¡°You know what¡ª¡±


    ¡°Quiet! They can hear us!¡± he hissed.


    ¡°Relax, Sticksies. I¡¯m whispering. Been ranting for like two minutes now and no one¡¯s even looked our way. The boss said they wouldn¡¯t pay us much attention. I¡¯d have to be screaming and dancing down the aisle or some shit like that.¡± As if to demonstrate, she turned her head to one of the other mercenary guards arrayed around the edges of the small auditorium. The double doors separated them from each other. ¡°Hey, you should be ashamed of yourself for protecting these assholes. Actually, be ashamed for being part of this whole operation. Just cause you might not be directly involved in the acquisition and enslaving of people doesn¡¯t mean you escape complicity. I¡¯m going to punch you so hard,¡± she waved and smiled.


    ¡°Oh god¡­¡± he gawped then tightened his grip on his spear.


    The guard frowned. ¡°Quiet,¡± he hissed. ¡°Now¡¯s not the time to pitch a resume. We¡¯ve got a recruitment tent set up in our camp for walk-ons if you¡¯re interested in joining.¡±


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± he hissed while the other guard turned away and studiously ignored her existence.


    ¡°First time?¡± she snorted.


    ¡°Yes. You know that.¡±


    ¡°Boss is clouding their minds or something. He says he¡¯s not a Jedi, but¡­¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°What the hell is that?¡±


    ¡°Oh shit. That¡¯s right. You¡¯re a young one. What were you like 3 or 4 when the spires showed up? There was this movie and TV show franchise. Pretty awesome overall! Though the animation stuff was better than the real life stuff.¡±


    ¡°What are you even talking about?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ shit. You really are new. No laptops? Computers?¡±


    ¡°I know what those are.¡± He had seen them in the possession of others back at base and in the dorms. Remembered stories from back in his old community told by the older people.


    ¡°Shit¡­ sorry.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± He tried to control his expression. Hide the sadness.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bottle that shit up.¡±


    ¡°How did you know?¡±


    ¡°Briefing. Didn¡¯t single you out, but I got told that some of the newbies might¡¯ve come from a place that got dest¡ª that got got by monsters. My bad. If you ever want to vent¡­¡±


    ¡°Thanks. It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ve got it under control.¡±


    His fault. His pain.


    He had been gone when the monsters had attacked. Too busy trying to get stronger in an encounter challenge too far away from his home. He had outgrown all of the nearby ones. By the time he had returned¡ª No. Best not to remember what he had seen during his waking hours. Considering that he couldn¡¯t stop seeing them when he slept.


    ¡°Anyways¡­ as long as we whisper they¡¯ll think we¡¯re just talking about normal stuff. Nothing for them to be concerned about. They won¡¯t even really notice us. Won¡¯t be able to remember what we look or sound like. So just try to relax. All that tension is sapping your energy. We¡¯re just chilling and waiting for the signal. Then we can fuck these assholes up.¡±


    She had raised her voice enough that one of the prospective buyers sitting in the last row turned to glare. The look turned into a leering one once the man really saw her.


    She shot the man a finger.


    The man licked his lips in response.


    ¡°See¡­ they see what they want.¡±


    ¡°Why did the boss want no casualties?¡±


    ¡°Not ¡®no casualties¡¯ just no outright deaths. He wants to interrogate everyone. Learn everything they know about the slaver kingdom bullshit.¡±


    ¡°Ladies and Gentlemen we have a real treat for you!¡± the auctioneer¡¯s voice boomed.


    ¡°Good acoustics,¡± she murmured. ¡°The outside guards will come quick once the beatings start.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s our teammates¡¯ job.¡±


    ¡°This young woman is a treasure in multiple respects. Her appearance? Well, you can see that for yourselves. A classical beauty¡­ but not in looks alone. She is also a trained Pianist. Her Skills and skills are capable of so many things. Her music can inflame your passions, sooth your hurts, inspire your creativity. She can truly make you and anything you do better. Any questions before the bidding starts?¡±


    One of the men in the audience raised a hand. ¡°The collar doesn¡¯t interfere?¡±


    ¡°Rest assured that she has been properly broken of the will to resist by our finest trainers.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to puke.¡±


    He regarded his partner. She didn¡¯t look sick. She looked murderous.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Punchy,¡± he hissed, ¡°you¡¯ll get your chance any second now.¡±


    ¡°Tsk¡­ I¡¯m going to rip that smug smile of the auctioneers face.¡±


    He regarded the man down on the stage. Perfect suit, perfect slicked-back blond hair and, yes, a smug smile that had never wavered as he had enticed rich garbage to bid on other human beings.


    ¡°I¡¯ll pin him in place for you.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Sticksies.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s start the bidding at 10000 Universal Points!¡± the auctioneer grinned.


    The young pianist simply stared down with dead eyes as the auditorium erupted.


    A second auctioneer, called out the bids as they came. It rose fast and furiously over the next few minutes until it was well over a hundred thousand.


    The sickening experience continued for close to an hour until finally the last person was brought up on stage.


    ¡°A special gift from the King!¡± the auctioneer boomed.


    Excited murmurs from the buyers.


    ¡°What the fuck? A baby?¡± he whispered in horror.


    ¡°Nah¡­ looks like two-ish. That¡¯s a toddler,¡± she nodded sagely. ¡°Poor thing looks terrified.¡±


    ¡°Do they even know what¡¯s going?¡±


    ¡°Kids are smart. They can sense evil.¡±


    ¡°The product of a high-level paring. The mother¡­ a Level 30 Mage¡ª¡±


    ¡°Pfftt¡­ high level,¡± she snorted.


    ¡°¡ª but the real significant one and the one you¡¯ll be excited about is the father.¡± The auctioneer paused to build anticipation. ¡°Undefeated against all challengers in Hard Rock Stadium! Victorious against monsters and men in every battle he was ever fought! Over Level 40! None other than the King¡¯s Champion!¡±


    ¡°Look at them. So excited. Over Level 40?¡± she scoffed. ¡°They have no idea. Going to be fun to open their eyes¡­ right before we shut them forever.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ no deaths,¡± he said.


    ¡°¡­¡± she cleared her throat, ¡°they don¡¯t need their eyes to talk, do they?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I don¡¯t think the boss would appreciate unnecessary cruelty. Even if this garbage deserves it.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a good kid, Sticksies,¡± she patted him on the arm.


    ¡°That¡¯s not my codename. None of what you call us are our codenames.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but mine are better.¡±


    ¡°Punchy? Sticksies?¡± he raised a brow.


    ¡°It¡¯s what I do and as for you,¡± she pointed at his spear and the short ones at his back and the small javelins in the holder at his waist, ¡°all of that amounts to sharp sticks.¡±


    ¡°Agree to disagree.¡± He mulled over his concerns about the entire plan. ¡°It¡¯s just the two of us, maybe three or four, against the entire auditorium. There¡¯s six guards at the doors and everyone down there has their own bodyguards. Not to mention the ones guarding the people we¡¯re here to rescue in the back.¡±


    ¡°Relax. Level difference, remember? You¡¯re almost 40 and that¡¯s a big spike. Me and Shootystabby are over that. Sparky doesn¡¯t have a class, but she¡¯s, like, over 40 if she had one. No one here is even higher than 30. All things being equal-ish it¡¯d take ten Level 30¡¯s to match up fifty-fifty to one Level 40. Ten Level 20s to match a Level 30. Which means a hundred Level 20¡¯s for one Level 40. It¡¯s a logatheorem or something like that. Don¡¯t you know simple math?¡± she regarded him like an especially slow child.


    He knew simple math and even a bit advanced.


    Her explanation was generally correct in regard to differences in class power level. In theory, at least. Her terms, however¡­ well, she was a senior on the team and from experience quick to punch for slights, perceived and legitimate.


    Stolen story; please report.


    He remained silent and simple nodded.


    ¡°Relax,¡± she repeated. ¡°None of the merc groups or teams in town have anyone over 40.¡±


    The auction for the toddler concluded at a higher price than for the Pianist.


    They wheeled the toddler off stage and the auctioneer gave yet another speech thanking everyone and letting them know about potential dates for future auctions.


    ¡°The slavery business must be booming. Get ready.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± He strained his ears waiting for the signal. ¡°Are the¡­ people¡­ in the back really going to be okay?¡±


    ¡°The boss won¡¯t let anything happen to them.¡±


    ¡°If he¡¯s so good then why can¡¯t he handle these guys and the mercs outside?¡±


    ¡°He can. Just that we need opportunities to improve and level. Can¡¯t get our hands held. We need that threat and danger.¡±


    ¡°Not complaining about all that,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Now get ready. Shootystabby should just be about done with the fighters guarding the enslaved¡­¡± she paused, ¡°Sparky should just be about ready to overload the¡ª¡±


    The auditorium plunged into darkness.


    ¡°Leatherskin.¡±


    A loud slap echoed over the surprised gasps in the audience.


    He touched his cheek through his open-faced helmet.


    Indeed, it felt different.


    ¡°Haste.¡±


    Punchy slapped hands to both her legs before sprinting off down one of the aisles.


    He remembered his promise and one of the people on stage had been kind enough to cast a light spell.


    ¡°Enhanced Aim.¡± He pulled a javelin out. ¡°Perfect Throw.¡±


    It arced over the auditorium and lanced into the smug auctioneer¡¯s foot pinning him to the stage.


    The scream of anguish on the man¡¯s once perfect, smiling face was satisfying.


    ¡°Hey¡ª¡±


    ¡°Magic Missile.¡±


    Bright marbles burned the mercenary guard¡¯s face.


    He lunged and thrust his spear into the man¡¯s knee. Withdrew in one smooth motion and thrust it into the second guard¡¯s knee.


    ¡°Stay down and stay alive.¡±


    ¡°My knee¡ª¡±


    ¡°Can be healed. Are you going to give me problems? I can maim you worse. One knee shouldn¡¯t be too hard to heal. I could cut your spines?¡±


    The guards dropped their weapons and raised empty hands.


    That took care of both guards at this door so he ran around the auditorium¡¯s edge toward the next set of guards.


    Meanwhile, Punchy moved through the seats faster than fat men that couldn¡¯t fight could react to.


    ¡°Slap Shock!¡± she grinned ferally as her hand whacked the back of a man¡¯s head.


    The man convulsed and fell into a seat.


    She slapped her way through them contemptuously. Both hands lashing out like she was giving high fives to her fans.


    Thwack went her hand across a heavyset man¡¯s face.


    ¡°Bitch!¡±


    He fought the convulsion.


    It appeared that not all of them were combat-useless.


    A ham-sized fist rushed at her face with respectable speed and technique.


    She slipped it and aimed a punch for his liver. ¡°Fireball.¡±


    Orange light bloomed in the darkness and sent the man tumbling across the seats. His big body bowled over several others.


    That shouldn¡¯t have been enough to kill any of them¡­ probably.


    She shrugged and continued her part of the plan.


    Gunfire boomed.


    ¡°Mage Shield.¡± Sticksies spun his spear creating a glowing magic shield in front of him. Bullets plinked off it. Every hit created a tiny crack.


    ¡°Suppression Fire!¡±


    ¡°Shit,¡± he muttered. He tried to move forward and failed. An invisible force kept him rooted in place. It was like chains holding him to the floor.


    ¡°Trample Charge!¡± the second guard bellowed.


    The gunfire stopped.


    He dropped his magic shield and threw his spear.


    Over the charging guard¡¯s head.


    The man smirked.


    The spear struck the wall next to the gun-wielder¡¯s head.


    The woman blinked and sneered as she clicked a full magazine into place.


    He thrust his hand toward the charging guard as if he was reaching for an object. ¡°Spear Teleport.¡±


    A tiny pop.


    The faint displacement of air.


    He reappeared with spear in hand.


    The gunwoman cursed and stumbled back bringing her submachine gun to bear.


    He knocked it to the floor then stabbed her in the knee.


    The charging guard skidded to a halt and turned his way.


    There was a flicker of movement behind the man.


    The man went down with a scream.


    ¡°You got the rest of the guards? I¡¯d like to help cut those bastards down there.¡±


    He spun and saw Shootystabby kicking the gun away from the downed woman¡¯s reach.


    ¡°Huh? Did you kill that guy?¡±


    It was hard to tell in the dim light from the windows high above, but it seemed that the charging guard wasn¡¯t moving.


    ¡°Cut his hammys and knocked him out with the new poison,¡± Shootystabby shrugged. ¡°You got the rest of the guards or not?¡±


    He eyed the doors on the other side of the auditorium while the dark-skinned woman sliced a shallow cut on the gunwoman¡¯s arm.


    ¡°Are the people in the back okay?¡±


    ¡°Yup. Already long gone from here.¡±


    ¡°The collars?¡±


    ¡°Boss put them to sleep.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not enough! I thought¡ª¡±


    ¡°Relax. It didn¡¯t turn out like the first time. Don¡¯t know what he did, but the boss made it so the collars didn¡¯t go boom.¡±


    ¡°Great. I¡¯ll handle the rest of the guards.¡± He threw his spear across the auditorium and into a guard¡¯s shoulder. ¡°What about the mercs outside?¡±


    ¡°I took a quick look. It¡¯s a fight, but the rest of our team has it covered.¡±


    ¡°Good. Thanks, Shootystabby.¡±


    He vanished with a pop and appeared at his spear.


    ¡°Shooty¡ª oh¡­ fuck you and your stupid names!¡± she called down to the young woman slapping everyone into a stunned state.


    ¡°You¡¯d better get down here if you want the chance for some guilt free slicing and dicing, Shootystabby!¡± Punchy cackled.


    ¡°That¡¯s not my codename,¡± she sighed as she flickered her way to join her teammate.


    Sticksies stabbed the guard in the knee. Parried a Skill-enhanced axe chop with only a little difficulty. The level difference was no joke.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re just doing a job,¡± he stabbed the guard in the knee, ¡°but maybe you should reconsider the types of jobs you take.¡±


    The guard cursed before he knocked him out with a blow from the butt of his spear.


    The door burst open to reveal a tall woman armored in nearly full plate and wielding a longsword.


    The high level alarms rang in his head as he backed up to create distance.


    Spear beat sword as long as he kept her at the pointy end and didn¡¯t let her close.


    Dark eyes regarded him through the full-faced helmet¡¯s narrow slit. ¡°Lucky you,¡± she said flatly.


    Those alarms blared.


    He shifted his grip to free his right hand to pull a javelin out from the holster. ¡°Fire Spear.¡±


    The javelin streaked through the air. Burning bright just like the fireball spell. Just as powerful too.


    The woman¡¯s sword flicked out faster than he could follow and sliced the burning javelin.


    The spell winked out of existence.


    The swordswoman closed quickly.


    ¡°Double Thrust.¡±


    Her stride didn¡¯t alter as she parried the first¡­ then parried the impossibly fast second thrust.


    He backpedaled desperately mindful of his footwork.


    The woman¡¯s speed made it a tough thing. He just barely managed to avoid the mistake of crossing his feet.


    ¡°Triple Thrust.¡±


    One, two, three in quick succession.


    Silently parried.


    He gasped.


    It took more out of you to use Skills. His stamina drained significantly more versus thrusting three times without the Skill. Granted the Skill moved a lot faster and with as perfect technique as he was theoretically capable of.


    ¡°Mage Shield!¡±


    It shattered in what felt like an instant as the feedback stabbed into his brain with painful needles.


    The swordswoman regarded him as he staggered.


    He hadn¡¯t even seen her strike.


    The only evidence of it, aside from his broken magic shield and raging head pains, was the angry glow and heat radiating off her blade.


    Was she even using Skills or magic?


    She dashed forward and kneed him in the gut.


    Chainmail didn¡¯t do much to help. Neither did the tough padded shirt he had on underneath.


    ¡°Unlucky for you,¡± she whispered. ¡°It¡¯s going to be harder to make this look good. Carne Asada Burrito, Lakers, Indignance.¡±


    The code words for everyone taking part in the mission.


    ¡°Do your best. Don¡¯t worry about me.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s really kinda crushing, you know,¡± he whispered.


    ¡°No offense, kid. One of the girls would¡¯ve been better to at least make me work for it. You¡¯ve got good basics and abilities. Mage and spear class combo. Magespear? Spearspell? Something like that?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, something like that.¡±


    ¡°Well, don¡¯t hold back.¡±


    So, he didn¡¯t.


    Partly because she asked and partly because she had been condescending even if that hadn¡¯t been her intention.


    It didn¡¯t matter though.


    She cut through his spells and spear techniques.


    Even cut him from a distance without the sword coming close.


    At least all of the cuts were shallow. Not that she had spared his armor and clothing.


    He leaked blood from a dozen wounds after what felt like an eternity, but was really only a minute or two at most.


    The ceiling suddenly tore open like a can of beans.


    Sun light flooded the once darkened space to reveal every slaving piece of crap bound and gagged on the auditorium floor.


    Punchy and Shootystabby watched him with appraising eyes.


    ¡°Not bad, Sticksies,¡± the former waved happily. ¡°You really gave that mysterious and obviously skilled and powerful swordfighter a run for his or her money!¡±


    The swordswoman took a deep breath.


    ¡°You tried¡­ your best,¡± Shootystabby said.


    ¡°They aren¡¯t good influences,¡± the swordswoman whispered.


    ¡°I¡ª I¡ª don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    The swordswoman looked up into the sky.


    He followed the look and squinted up at a silhouette floating with the sun to its back.


    ¡°Try not to break anything. It¡¯ll make my job harder,¡± the swordswoman whispered.


    He blinked in confusion.


    The swordswoman vanished.


    He realized a split-second later that she, along with the other mercenary guards went flying out through the gaping opening that was once the roof and out to¡­ elsewhere.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get those cuts taken care of,¡± Shootystabby suddenly appeared next to him. ¡°She didn¡¯t need to go that far,¡± she tsked.


    ¡°Had to make it look good,¡± he shrugged. He didn¡¯t have the details on the unknown woman¡¯s part in the overall Quest, but he could guess that it involved some kind of infiltration. Too bad it was at the expense of his confidence.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. Quest accomplished. More importantly no one on our side died.¡±


    He blinked.


    He hadn¡¯t noticed the notification.


    He took a moment to read and listen to it.


    ¡°One step closer to freeing everyone,¡± he said.

 6.23

    Now, American Southwest


    ¡°Only five rooms,¡± Jimenez said.


    The twitchy woman seemed relieved at that from what Hayden could tell.


    She didn¡¯t see it the same way.


    They needed to be tested. Challenged. Otherwise they wouldn¡¯t develop their abilities to their full potential.


    And they needed to be at their best when they made found the eternal church¡¯s main base of operations.


    Cal had been reticent about what he expected to find there, but she could read between the lines.


    A threat that concerned even him was something that she needed to be at her best to stand a chance against.


    ¡°I can almost smell the decades of cheap booze and cheaper hookers soaked into this place,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Got that right,¡± Shrewed grunted.


    ¡°What is your danger sense at, Jimenez?¡± Marci said.


    ¡°Three-ish.¡±


    Hayden suppressed a sigh. She wondered if each of them could just take a room and be done with it.


    Well¡­ maybe not Jimenez.


    ¡°What kind of monsters do you think are in there?¡± Jimenez said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know, gremlins were the starter ones back home, but this is the first time I¡¯ve been in a different state than California since the beginning,¡± Marci said.


    ¡°It was the same in SoCal,¡± Shrewed said. ¡°You guys from these parts?¡± he regarded Hayden.


    ¡°Texas had gremlins, but I¡¯ve seen other things in other towns,¡± Dayana said. ¡°Hayden?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re supposed to be learning to fight together, so let¡¯s treat this like a really serious thing, despite the three on the danger scale,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Rooms look tiny. Gonna be a tight fit. I¡¯m thinking Marci goes first since she¡¯s got that huge shield,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°I can taunt,¡± Marci said.


    ¡°Same¡­ I¡¯ll follow right behind you and take whatever¡¯s on the right,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°I can shoot whatever¡¯s on the left, where Marci is,¡± Jimenez volunteered.


    Hayden eyed the woman¡¯s crossbow. ¡°You can probably save your alchemical stuff for the boss and secret boss.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°Then, I¡¯ll cover Shrewed¡¯s side of the room,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll need to get in close, so I¡¯ll just pick up whatever you two miss,¡± Dayana drew her Colt .45¡¯s.


    ¡°Two-fisted shooting, huh?¡± Shrewed eyed her skeptically.


    ¡°I don¡¯t shoot them at the same time. It just gives me 16 rounds before I have to reload,¡± Dayana frowned.


    ¡°That¡¯s the problem with the 1911¡¯s. You¡¯re better off looting a pig pen and getting a Glock or something. 17 rounds in the mag, you get more with one pistol than you do with two. Hell, pick up two of them and you¡¯ve got 34 shots.¡±


    ¡°I like the weight, feel and reliability,¡± Dayana said stiffly.


    ¡°Far be it for me to question someone else¡¯s swag,¡± Shrewed said as he put his steel helmet on. ¡°Let¡¯s do this! Haven¡¯t fought a real monster in way too long.¡±


    The stocky man¡¯s feral grin was visible through the narrow T-shaped opening in his helmet.


    He was the most heavily armored of the bunch. His torso was protected by a chain shirt that fell almost to his knees. Over that was a plate, front and back. Pauldrons covered his shoulders. Thick, spiky bracers enclosed his arms. More metal extended to cover the back of his gloved hands with smaller spiky protrusions. Steel greaves around his lower legs completed the ensemble.


    He pulled a trench knife out of the sheaths on each side of his waist. One he held in a standard grip and the other in an ice-pick grip. The spiked knuckle guards looked more dangerous than the short, stabbing blade.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready when you are,¡± Marci already had her shield and spear ready.


    Hayden nodded at the only woman taller than her in the group. ¡°You lead the way.¡±


    Marci strode to the door and kicked it open. She stepped inside and was greeted by a handful of pale white humanoid monsters.


    Black beady eyes, sharp teeth and claws in a smaller than human average package.


    Disgustingly naked.


    Not a gremlin.


    Something else just as awful to behold.


    Marci didn¡¯t bother with Skills, perhaps sensing the lack of true threat.


    She simple stepped in and speared the closest monster in the chest.


    Shrewed, true to his word, was just behind her. Stepping to the right and meeting a leaping monster with a punch followed by a downward stab that plunged his knife blade into the top of its head.


    The loud bang of Dayana¡¯s pistol blew the head off one, while Jimenez¡¯s bolt took another in the chest.


    They were nice enough to save one for Hayden. She considered using her all metal taser, but decided not to waste the cartridge since she wasn¡¯t going to be getting anymore on this Quest. Instead she struck it dead with her thin chain and a few thousand volts of electricity.


    ¡°That was¡­ disappointingly easy. Sorry, but I don¡¯t think we¡¯ll learn much from this,¡± Shrewed grunted.


    ¡°It¡¯s practice,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Same thing in the next room?¡±


    She nodded at Marci.


    The next four rooms went much the same way.


    Dead monsters in seconds.


    They gathered in the parking lot in front of the rooms and prepared for what came next.


    ¡°I know I shouldn¡¯t be saying this, but I hope the bosses are a little bit tougher,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Dayana turned to Hayden. ¡°One big thing or one big thing accompanied by a bunch of these little¡ª whatever they are.¡±


    ¡°They look like ghouls, but a lot smaller and weaker. Not that I¡¯ve ever seen an actual ghoul. I mean a real one. Not a fictional one,¡± Jimenez said.


    ¡°I have,¡± Shrewed said. ¡°We¡¯ve got an undead thing going on in San Diego. I¡¯ve seen a few of those game books and I¡¯d say the real ghouls look pretty much like those. These tiny things are close, but not quite the same.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to know more about this undead issue,¡± Marci said.


    ¡°Sure, if you tell me about how your thing in the Philippines went. The guys that went aren¡¯t talking much about it,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°Fair trade of information. After this,¡± Marci nodded.


    Hayden stared at the spires notice hovering in front of her eyes.


    She knew that the others saw the same thing if in slightly different forms as filtered through an individual¡¯s perceptions and thoughts.


    ¡°Everyone ready for the boss?¡±


    Dayana loaded a fresh magazine.


    ¡°One second,¡± Jimenez hurried as she dipped the tips of several bolts into a variety of bottles. The contents of each bottle was a different color and looked gooey. The twitchy woman drew her crossbow¡¯s string back, but didn¡¯t load a bolt. ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Hayden eyed the words. ¡°Yes,¡± she accepted the boss fight.


    The others echoed.


    The countdown began.


    ¡°Keep my distance until we know what we¡¯re up against?¡± Dayana whispered.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Hayden nodded.


    ¡°Silent Shots.¡±


    When the timer hit zero all hell broke loose at the dingy motel.


    The small ghoul-like monsters burst out of each motel room.


    The neon light of the sign cast a garish light over the two dozen monsters.


    ¡°Taunts!¡± she called out.


    Marci stepped toward the rush and banged her shield. ¡°C¡¯mon!¡±


    The monsters focused on her.


    ¡°A lot of little ones it is,¡± Shrewed stepped toward another thick knot of the snarling things. ¡°Over here!¡± he stowed one trench knife and drew a large-bodied pistol.


    ¡°And he had something to say about my choices,¡± Dayana snorted. ¡°Compensating much?¡± she called out.


    As if to answer, Shrewed¡¯s Desert Eagle rang like thunder in the cool night desert air.


    Dayana fired with soft pops as she circled to Marci¡¯s left.


    ¡°Fire in the hole!¡± Jimenez sent a bolt flying into the thick mass of monsters behind the ones just reaching Marci.


    The bright explosion had Hayden blinking away white spots.


    ¡°A warning next time,¡± she said.


    ¡°Sorry, explosive gel,¡± Jimenez said.


    The shooters emptied their magazines.


    Shrewed punched and stabbed the ones that got close to him.


    Marci sent handfuls flying with her shield bashes, while sticking others with her spear like little piglets.


    Hayden stayed close to Jimenez.


    The twitchy woman hadn¡¯t loosed another bolt. It seemed that she was thinking the same thing.


    Where was the boss?


    A loud sky-shaking roar announced it¡¯s appearance.


    Such was the way of things.


    Hayden wasn¡¯t surprised. She had cleared enough places to expect a certain standard unfolding of the process.


    The boss, perhaps unsurprisingly, was a much larger version of the pale white humanoid monsters.


    It looked to be a bit taller than her, but a lot wider and with more muscles.


    ¡°Got another explosive bolt?¡±


    ¡°I can make one, but I think I should save the gel for when we really need it.¡±


    ¡°Your danger sense isn¡¯t going crazy, is it?¡±


    Jimenez nodded. ¡°At about a five. You know, I think I lost perspective after so many events in which it was staying over ten.¡±


    The twitchy woman sounded downright calm as the large ghoul-like monster leapt down from the motel roof and charged.


    Jimenez aimed and sent a bolt into the monster¡¯s chest.


    A thick purple goop suddenly engulfed most of its chest.


    It swiped with a clawed hand only for it to get stuck.


    ¡°All yours,¡± Jimenez grinned.


    The monster kept charging.


    Hayden shot it with her taser right in the face.


    Thousands of volts sent it to the ground, twitching even as its face smoked and blackened as she cooked it.


    Several seconds later the spires informed them that they had defeated the boss and asked them if they wished to face the true boss to claim the motel.


    ¡°Yes,¡± they replied.


    Hayden pulled the others closer to her as they prepared for the final challenge.


    Dayana vanished with a nod.


    The countdown hit zero.


    The boss monsters corpse suddenly began to writhe.


    ¡°Oh¡­ seven,¡± Jimenez whispered.


    ¡°This is going to be one of the more disgusting things to stain my memory,¡± Shrewed grunted.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Hayden found herself in agreement.


    The corpse flopped around until it settled on its front when its back suddenly exploded in a spray of gore.


    ¡°Yup,¡± Shrewed nodded sagely.


    Another ghoul-like humanoid stood in the scattered blood and guts of the boss monster.


    Its pale white skin was drenched in blood and adorned with entrails and organs.


    There wasn¡¯t much in its features to differentiate from the other white ghoul-like monsters aside from its body being gaunt, almost desiccated in appearance.


    It moved in the blink of an eye and covered the ground between it and Shrewed before anyone could react.


    The stocky man brought his arms up reflexively.


    Sparks flew as the true boss¡¯ claws cut into his bracers.


    ¡°Intercept.¡±


    Marci covered the distance in a blur. Her body moved faster than she could¡¯ve otherwise on her own.


    She stabbed her spear into the monster¡¯s side.


    It screeched and slashed out, cutting through the haft of her spear.


    ¡°Shield Slam!¡± Marci grunted and sent the monster flying a dozen feet.


    Shrewed chased after it. ¡°Face-breaker Punch!¡±


    Spiked knuckles shattered the left side of the monster¡¯s face and sent sharp teeth flying.


    Hayden aimed her taser, but Shrewed got in her way as he hunted for another shot.


    A mistake.


    The monster slashed out and caught him in the bicep. At a spot that wasn¡¯t protected by chainmail. The padded fabric of his sleeve was tough, but nothing compared to supernatural strength and sharp claws.


    Shrewed suddenly toppled over like a puppet without strings.


    The monster reached down to rip his throat out when Marci crashed into it with her shield for the second time.


    It responded by pulling her off-balance and slashing her gloved hand.


    Just like Shrewed, Marci toppled to the ground, unmoving.


    Jimenez fired a bolt at the opening.


    The monster caught it in one hand and snapped the composite shaft.


    Hayden was a beat slower with her taser.


    The monster dodged out of the way.


    Instinct or intelligence?


    It didn¡¯t matter, did it?


    The monster charged her and Jimenez.


    The latter was still reloading, while the former knew that she didn¡¯t have time to reload a new cartridge.


    Hayden lashed out with her electrified chain.


    The monster dodged again going underneath the arc.


    It was within steps of Hayden when she heard Dayana¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Flicker Movement.¡±


    Hayden backpedaled and dragged Jimenez along with her as Dayana intercepted the monster.


    It was like watching a series of still photos mixed in with video in fast forward.


    The monster was almost a blur in Hayden¡¯s eyes as it flailed around.


    Despite its speed it couldn¡¯t quite land a touch on Dayana.


    Each time Dayana appeared it was in a pose of simultaneously avoiding a slash, while firing both guns.


    The bright flashes of orange were accompanied by the smaller eruptions of sickly red blood.


    Seconds felt like an eternity to Hayden.


    Dayana¡¯s Skill was on a timer.


    She knew from countless hours of practice and combat together how much longer.


    She dashed forward whirling her chain.


    Dayana¡¯s guns clicked on empty just as her Skill ended.


    Exposed.


    The monster raised a clawed-hand to end the dark-skinned young woman.


    A frozen moment in time.


    The chain struck like a serpent, coiling around the upraised arm.


    A predatory grin crossed Hayden¡¯s face as she sent electricity into the monster.


    Its body seized up.


    White flesh smoked and blackened.


    The true boss monster hit the ground a charred and cooked mess.


    ¡°Nice!¡± Dayana shot her a grin.


    ¡°You okay?¡±


    Dayana nodded.


    Jimenez rushed over to the deathly still Marci.


    Hayden followed.


    ¡°She¡¯s still breathing,¡± Jimenez pronounced after a handful of seconds.


    Hayden exhaled. ¡°What about¡ª¡±


    Jimenez had already moved over to Shrewed. ¡°Same, breathing, but¡­ they¡¯re blinking, but not moving their eyes. I think they¡¯ve been paralyzed. Breathing and blinking are automatic.¡±


    ¡°That thing barely cut them,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Magic or poison,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Jimenez replied. She took out a small glass bottle from the small pack at her waist. There was a slight glow to the green gel. ¡°Santi based this on the healing spell.¡±


    ¡°Which speeds up the body¡¯s natural healing processes. You think it¡¯ll be enough to get that thing¡¯s poison to run out?¡± Hayden frowned. ¡°It could also just speed it up to the point that they die from their heart stopping.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it works that way. Ghouls in fiction are said to have a paralyzing touch,¡± Jimenez said.


    ¡°Figures. They¡¯ve rather take their victims intact to preserve that sweet, sweet meat,¡± Dayana shrugged.


    ¡°It will work,¡± Jimenez said.


    The twitchy woman didn¡¯t waste anymore time as she smeared a small bit of the green gel over the cuts on Marci¡¯s hand and Shrewed¡¯s arm.


    ¡°And now we wait,¡± Dayana murmured.


    ¡°I¡¯m claiming this place in our names,¡± Hayden said. She didn¡¯t want to think about the two of them dying, so she focused on something she could do.


    The spires notification hovered in her vision as soon as she focused on it.


    The motel was theirs along with five figures in Universal Points to be divided five ways¡­ hopefully.


    She looked across the darkened two lane highway at the diner next to the gas station.


    The only thing she could make out were flashes of light from the interior.


    The other team was fighting too.


    She couldn¡¯t envision anything other than success for them since they had Nila.


    ¡°This is the worse,¡± Shrewed slurred.


    The weight lifted off Hayden¡¯s shoulders.


    ¡°What are you feeling?¡± she approached the supine man.


    ¡°Nothing¡­ these¡­ just¡­ ghouls¡­ San Diego¡­¡±


    ¡°I think he¡¯s saying that the monsters here are similar to the ones he was talking about earlier,¡± Dayana added unhelpfully.


    ¡°The healing goo looks like it¡¯s working,¡± Hayden patted the man¡¯s pauldron, ¡°just let it work.¡±


    ¡°Is¡­ fine¡­¡± Marci slurred as Jimenez rolled her over onto her back with a grunt.


    ¡°Do you have any idea how long until they¡¯re back to normal?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Hayden, but I don¡¯t,¡± Jimenez shrugged.


    ¡°We might lose out on our shot at the gas station,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. Our lives come first. Besides, we can reshuffle the teams. The other team might take injuries too.¡±


    <hr>


    Nila clubbed the pasty white monster, popping its head like a melon before taking a step back to observe her team in action.


    Jayde was strange for a Mage.


    Armored, she fought on the front line.


    Punching a hole in a monster¡¯s chest with a stone spike that flew through to clip a second monster in the shoulder.


    Perhaps, Jayde wasn¡¯t so strange. Next to her, Amber cleaved through a monster¡¯s chest with a conjured sword of the same color as her name. Another monster slashed at her side, but was rebuffed by the translucent amber mage armor resembling knightly plate covering her body.


    Trevor stove that monster¡¯s head with a small rock. ¡°All skill baby! Don¡¯t even need to use Skills,¡± he scoffed.


    Lauren or Monsignor, Nila was inclined to refer to the woman as the latter from her familiarity with the rangers she had developed since moving down to Southern California, wore a padded priest¡¯s cassock in black with a chain hauberk layered on top, split at her legs to align with the fabric. Her black pants were covered by riot gear thigh protection and steel greaves over the lower legs. Steel gauntlets and bracers protected her arms while the open-faced steel helm protected her head.


    The woman stayed on the defensive, standing protectively in front of Trevor.


    She jabbed the sharp point of her triangular shield into a monster¡¯s chest before crushing its head into its body with a downward stroke of her flanged mace.


    ¡°I lost the true boss!¡± Amber¡¯s voice was high and tight.


    Nila hadn¡¯t.


    The small thing was crouched near the ceiling on top of one of the diner¡¯s long light fixtures.


    It leapt.


    Nila hurled her baseball bat-like club and clipped it out of the sky.


    ¡°Found it!¡± Trevor hurled a stone that the true boss caught in one, tiny, clawed hand.


    It leered a sharp-toothed smile in his direction as it crushed the stone into powder.


    ¡°Uh¡­ it¡¯s very strong,¡± Trevor said.


    Nila dashed forward at the same time that the monster leapt again.


    She punched it in the chest even as it slashed across her faceplate.


    Threnosh make proved superior to supernatural monster claws.


    She sent it flying over the front counter of the diner and into the kitchen.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± she muttered.


    That was an amateurish mistake.


    She could hear it scuttling around back there, but it didn¡¯t reemerge.


    Amber cut the last ghoul-like monster down.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get the ghoulie!¡± Jayde grinned like a hungry leopard.


    Nila suppressed a sigh.


    Much too aggressive.


    ¡°Wait¡ª¡±


    Jayde was already leaping over the counter.


    The true boss monster jumped out from the order window.


    Jayde snapped out a jab, but had been taken completely by surprise. She neglected to punch with a spell.


    Nila cursed silently as a loud crack echoed through the dimly-lit diner.


    Jayde swallowed a shout as she raised her unbroken arm to block the ghoulie¡¯s attempt to sink its teeth into her face.


    ¡°Heater!¡±


    Bright light flared as a baseball with flames trailing burned itself into the monster¡¯s face.


    Nila had already been in motion and she pulled Jayde back over the counter like a small sack of potatoes.


    The monster snarled as it leapt.


    ¡°Magic Missile.¡±


    Amber-colored orbs the size of marbles streaked around her and struck the monster.


    She heard a soft prayer begin and end in one breath with two words.


    ¡°Smite Evil.¡±


    Monsignor¡¯s whisper was clear thanks to her helmet¡¯s auditory enhancements.


    A bright ray of yellow-white light descended from the ceiling like sunlight.


    For a moment, night turned to day.


    Nila¡¯s faceplate darkened automatically to preserve her vision.


    She was the only that was able to watch as the monster burned.


    She took up her club and finished it off with a half dozen tile-shattering strikes.


    ¡°I¡¯m claiming this place in all of our names,¡± she said as the notification scrolled in her vision while the voice spoke in her ears.


    ¡°A little help?¡± Jayde waved her broken hand toward Monsignor. ¡°I can heal, but you¡¯re a lot better than me at it and I think I¡¯ve got a lot of little broken bones, which will be a bitch to set properly.¡±


    ¡°My prayer will take care of all of that. However, it¡¯ll take time¡­ the rest of the night and into the early morning,¡± Monsignor said.


    ¡°Shit! That means we¡¯ll be out of the next fight. Forget it. Just help me wrap this up.¡±


    ¡°Please heal her,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°What? No!¡± Jayde whined.


    ¡°You¡¯re not fighting with one hand. There¡¯s no reason to risk it. We¡¯ll touch base with the other team and go from there.¡±


    Monsignor knelt down next to the complaining Jayde. ¡°Shush¡­ Lay on Hands,¡± she began to pray.


    A soft glow surrounded the woman¡¯s hands as she placed them over Jayde¡¯s broken one.


    Nila exited the diner and jogged across the road to the other team.


    She threw a quick wave at the bus a short distance away.


    The headlights blinded her from her two precious guys inside, but she could imagine them watching.


    The other team was gathered around two bodies on the ground and her heart skipped for a moment until she caught their words.


    Paralyzed, but not dead.


    It sounded temporary.


    ¡°Ours didn¡¯t have a paralytic touch,¡± Nila said. ¡°Fast, vicious and strong. Broke Jayde¡¯s hand, but Monsignor is healing her. Unfortunately, that means the both of them are out for the rest of the night.¡±


    ¡°Ha! Sucks for her,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°We¡¯re down two. Marci and Shrewed are only regaining movement in their fingers and toes,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Let¡¯s combine teams to tackle the last two places.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I was thinking,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Jayde and Monsignor can¡¯t move so let¡¯s move them into the diner.¡±


    Nila bent over and lifted the stocky Shrewed over one shoulder with all the ease of a mother picking up a child.


    Jimenez lifted Marci from under her arms, while Hayden picked up the woman¡¯s long legs.


    <hr>


    The toddler burbled a string of almost words.


    Cal eyed the little guy.


    He had to admit that he had screwed the whole adoption thing up.


    They had kept the little guy for around six months. Had seen him through his estimated first birthday.


    The dude was basically his and Nila¡¯s kid at this point.


    He was of two minds about it.


    Positive and negative.


    All from the little guy¡¯s perspective since that was the most important one.


    What he thought or wanted was secondary.


    The little guy repeated the almost words. This time with more urgency.


    Cal noticed that the little guy was pointing a chubby finger out the bus¡¯ windshield.


    The headlights illuminated Nila and the others as they crossed the road and went into the diner.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. They¡¯re fine. No one got killed. Just paralyzed¡­ temporarily.¡±


    The gibberish became clearer the more he paid attention to it.


    ¡°A cow?¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Oh¡­ you can see that?¡±


    Out in the desert, many hundreds of yards away in the darkness, was one of those weird headless moose monsters.


    He had marked it with his mind¡¯s eye and had subtly influenced it to keep its distance from the little rest stop stretch of the highway.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a cow, but close enough. Your words are getting very good!¡±


    The toddler laughed and did a happy little wiggle as he stood on Cal¡¯s lap and slapped the steering wheel in excitement.


    ¡°Good eye¡­ not humanly possible, but okay¡­ what do you think about your name?¡± he changed the subject. ¡°Am I being stupid by not giving you a name? Would you think it¡¯s cooler that you can pick your own name when your old enough to understand? Or would it be weird and you¡¯d be all bitter about it in ten to fifteen years?¡±


    The toddler replied with words that sounded like actual words.


    Something about juice.


    ¡°Peach, orange, or strawberry?¡±


    The toddler replied with something that sound like ¡®yes¡¯.


    Cal reached to the back of the bus with his telekinesis.


    He filled a sippy cup with equal parts of the three flavors before floating it into the toddler¡¯s grasping fingers.


    Something like ¡®thank you¡¯ was the reply.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± he smiled. ¡°So well-mannered¡­ I have no idea who you¡¯re getting that from.¡±


    He watched as two teams turned into one minus the injured and otherwise occupied headed for the gas station.


    ¡°I really hope they don¡¯t accidentally blow the place up. That kind of damage won¡¯t reset before tomorrow morning. Nah, Nila won¡¯t let that happen. Those ghoul things are almost the same as the ones in San Diego. I wonder if there¡¯s a connection. Types and sub-types. That sort of thing,¡± he shrugged. ¡°I need to visit the spire. Luckily, there¡¯s one only a quarter mile away from here. I think I¡¯ll go after they¡¯ve claimed the rest of the buildings and we can move the bus into the motel parking lot. That should keep you guys safe from all the terrible things out there roaming around in the desert. Would you like to try driving?¡±


    Cal saw them all with his mind¡¯s eye.


    The giant headless moose monster was just one and it wasn¡¯t the worst of them.


    ¡°That cow!¡± the toddler pointed.


    ¡°Yes! You said ¡®cow¡¯, but it isn¡¯t really! I have no idea what it¡¯s called!¡± he paused a moment. ¡°Let¡¯s not tell anyone how high my voice just got.¡±


    Peals of laughter filled the bus.


    ¡°You know¡­ I just realized that this much sugar, this close to bed time, was probably the wrong move,¡± he regarded the toddler with scrutiny, ¡°was that the plan all along?¡±


    ¡°Like juice!¡±


    ¡°That you do,¡± he nodded proudly.

 6.24

    Now, Missouri


    Michael Donner.


    Archer, Level 21. Flesh Eater, Level 5.


    He stared at the top of his Personal Account Page.


    The font was nice and neat, easy to read.


    The ethereal mist in the interior of the spire flowed around him as he stood and studied what he had gained from the battle at the settlement.


    Seven total levels from less than an hour of combat.


    A Level 20 Skill to improve the striking power of his arrows.


    One Flesh Eater Skill to improve his senses when in the transformed state. He figured it would also help his archery. There wasn¡¯t a lot of available Skills below 20 from what the others had told him. The transformation simply became stronger, more pronounced and lasted longer.


    He had learned in the post-battle briefing that his squad of newbies had only managed to hold on to their forms for so long because they were constantly eating as they fought and that several of the ones they had consumed were strong, high-leveled. And as they all knew you gained more from the strong than you did from the weak.


    With that done he went to the spires marketplace to do what he usually did.


    He stared at all the cool enchanted gear he couldn¡¯t afford. Not even with the huge, for him, amount of Universal Points he had received from the battle and his important part in it.


    He had bookmarked the ones that looked promising and legit.


    Sexchanter69 had put up a bunch of new swords for sale after someone had bought everything they had in their store.


    B4llsLif3 specialized in ranged weaponry and Michael drooled at the fire arrows available.


    Sadly, he couldn¡¯t afford a quiver and he doubted that the seller would be willing to sell him a handful.


    Perhaps after they successfully completed their Quest to take the city from the betrayers?


    He stepped out of the spire and was greeted by Britt¡¯s smiling face.


    He blushed and looked away.


    ¡°So, how¡¯d it go? Unless you want me to go first.¡±


    ¡°No¡ª I mean if you want¡ª whatever you want to do¡­¡±


    ¡°Sure. I got Mage up to 18 and picked up the Paralyzing Touch spell. I thought it¡¯d be useful since I¡¯ll find myself in close combat more now that my Flesh Eater is up to 5. For that I got the Skill that lets you heal faster from the sacrament.¡±


    Britt blinked up at him expectantly.


    Michael cleared his throat and looked anywhere but at her pretty face. ¡°Same¡ª I mean, the level¡ª five. For Flesh Eater, that is. Improved my senses when in the true form. For Archer, I passed 20.¡±


    ¡°Nice!¡± Britt clapped. ¡°That¡¯s a good Skill then. I wish I got to 20,¡± she pouted.


    ¡°Er¡­ yeah. Power Shot. My arrows will hit a lot harder.¡±


    ¡°Awesome! I wonder what the others got?¡±


    Michael eyed the spire.


    It had surprised him when their impromptu team had decided to stay together. They had moved their tents closer and had started practicing team tactics together.


    He and Britt waited for the rest to finish.


    ¡°Do you think we¡¯ll have more chances to level up before we reach the city?¡± Britt said.


    Michael ran a hand through his hair and realized he needed to get it cut. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he shrugged. ¡°The map says there are a few more settlements on the way, but the other noob sections are going to get their turn. I don¡¯t think they¡¯re big enough for multiple sections to share.¡±


    Britt sighed. ¡°I guess that means our best chances to level will be fighting monsters on the road and through training. We won¡¯t get nearly as much from the latter though and the veterans take care of the former. I got 6 levels in an hour-long battle.¡±


    Michael nodded. ¡°Maybe now that we aren¡¯t complete noobs they¡¯ll let us help fight the monsters. I¡¯d think they¡¯d want us to get as strong as possible before we get to Wichita.¡±


    Donald was the next to step out of the spire. More accurately out of the space in front of the gleaming, sometimes iridescent surface of the towering structure.


    ¡°Check it out!¡± Donald said.


    ¡°What is that?¡± the smile melted from Britt¡¯s face.


    ¡°This is a lightning sword,¡± Donald swung the straight, double-edged blade in question as small arcs of blue-white energy crackled across the steel surface.


    ¡°You used all your points?¡±


    Michael remained silent.


    ¡°Well¡­ not all. Most, but it¡¯s a good buy,¡± Donald said. ¡°It¡¯s basically a taser, but better. Stunning the enemy will make it easier to take the sacrament,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Yes, but you¡¯re a Soldier. You fight with a gun. At a distance.¡±


    ¡°My main is Flesh Eater now. Level 5 and going up!¡± Donald grinned.


    ¡°We need ranged attackers.¡±


    ¡°I figure you and my man Mike have got that covered. But don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t just drop my carbine. I¡¯ll still shoot, but ammo¡¯s getting harder to get and I don¡¯t want to be useless. I¡¯m even practicing with the crossbow, like you said.¡±


    ¡°Yes. You are. And I appreciate the effort,¡± Britt said.


    Apparently that was all that needed to be said as their impromptu leader gave a stiff nod and found something else to focus her attention on.


    ¡°Nice, but you might want to turn that off,¡± he said.


    ¡°Oh¡­ right. Off,¡± Donald deactivated the enchanted blade.


    ¡°What¡¯s the activation word? ¡®On¡¯?¡± he snorted.


    ¡°Actually, yeah. Makes it simple and easy. You don¡¯t want complicated words,¡± Donald said.


    ¡°How long does the mana last?¡±


    ¡°About 20 to 25 full powered hits, but I think I can stretch that to 30 if I just, sorta, tap people. The seller¡¯s note said it¡¯ll recharge slowly over time or I can have anyone capable of focusing mana into it do the recharge.¡±


    ¡°What else did you get? How many more levels in Soldier?¡±


    ¡°Nothing for Soldier, but I don¡¯t care about that,¡± Donald¡¯s tone was light, but Michael was more perceptive now. He noticed the forced nonchalance like a flashing sign in the dark.


    ¡°Yeah, you don¡¯t need it now that you¡¯re a Flesh Eater.¡±


    ¡°Truth,¡± Donald nodded. ¡°Anyways, I got that up to 7.¡±


    ¡°Woah! My man! That¡¯s two more than me and Britt,¡± he slapped his friend on the back.


    ¡°Really?¡± Donald¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°Ah. It¡¯s not big deal. I think it¡¯s just cause I want this so bad. I bet you guys got levels in your other classes too, so it¡¯s not like I gained more than you. I probably actually got less.¡±


    Truth, but Michael didn¡¯t see the need to confirm it.


    He shot the shit with Donald while waiting for the rest of the team to emerge from the spire.


    Sunny, Charlie and Lincoln joined them and they headed back to their temporary housing.


    The town they had conquered had an excess.


    So much so that they had an entire three bedroom house to themselves.


    A taped notice on the front door was waiting for them.


    ¡°Section meeting at city hall after dinner,¡± Britt said.


    ¡°That¡¯s it? Nothing about the day¡¯s assignments?¡±


    That seemed odd to Michael. He was used to a regimented schedule where every hour was accounted for.


    ¡°It says we have a free day,¡± Britt said.


    ¡°A reward for yesterday¡¯s win? I¡¯ll take it,¡± Sunny yawned and unlocked the door before stepping inside. ¡°I¡¯m going to sleep. Wake me up for dinner.¡±


    Britt¡¯s eyes narrowed on the smaller girl¡¯s back.


    ¡°She healed a lot of damage during the battle. Took a bigger toll on her than the rest of us,¡± Charlie said.


    ¡°There¡¯s a grill out back and some burgers in the freezer. I¡¯m going to make a few. Does anyone else want some?¡± Lincoln said.


    ¡°We just had breakfast, like, two hours ago,¡± Charlie said.


    ¡°Need protein cause I¡¯m going to workout,¡± Lincoln shrugged.


    ¡°Yeah man. I saw the power cage in the garage,¡± Donald gave him thumbs up. ¡°I¡¯ll get in on that!¡±


    ¡°Which? Burgers or lifting?¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ both¡­¡±


    ¡°No problem,¡± Lincoln grunted as he followed Sunny into the house.


    ¡°What about you, Mike?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good, Donald. I¡¯m thinking of going to supply. I need to get arrows,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Shit! I need more ammo, but they¡¯ll probably be out. Gunsmiths struggling to keep up,¡± Donald shook his head.


    ¡°I can check for you.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, dude!¡±


    Britt sighed.


    ¡°What?¡± Charlie said.


    ¡°I wanted to go over our battle. We did good, but there¡¯s a lot we can do better next time.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ uh¡­ I can go after we talk.¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s okay. We need to do it as a full team. You go do your thing,¡± Britt smiled.


    He waved awkwardly, turned around and headed to city hall.


    The wall around the small downtown had been relatively undamaged during yesterday¡¯s assault, so they had moved their supplies inside.


    The gates were wide open and was busy with the comings and goings of his fellow brothers and sisters.


    Dried blood stains painted the street and the walls.


    He had missed much of the melee on main street and had only overheard scant snippets of conversation from those that survived it. From appearances it had been a fierce and bloody battle. He still didn¡¯t know what the casualty count was.


    The smell of death was enticing.


    A tingle of hunger rattled around in his stomach despite a large breakfast.


    He hurried to the huge supply tent set up in the city hall parking lot.


    A line stretched out to the sidewalk and ran next to part of the street set up as a large holding area for the enemy that had survived or surrendered.


    Fearful eyes stared out from behind the chain-link fence.


    He knew their fear from the smell in the air. It was stronger than he had remembered. Or rather, he was better able to notice and parse it know that he had leveled up.


    There wasn¡¯t a lot of fighting age people in the captive crowd.


    They were mostly the old and the young.


    He regarded them as the line slowly inched forward.


    How many would join his family?


    The kids were a certainty.


    As for the adults¡­ how many would decide to take the sacrament?


    A beautiful smiling woman emerged from city hall, flanked by a pair of hulking young men armored only in a vest with strips of iron sewn into the thick fabric. It looked a few sizes too big for them, but he knew that was to accommodate their transformation.


    ¡°Heya, Michael!¡± April waved as she walked past him.


    He stammered a greeting, surprised that she remembered him, but she was already headed into the holding area.


    He listened as she addressed their captives with a warm and happy voice.


    ¡°How was breakfast? Good, I hope? Did everyone get enough to eat and drink? We don¡¯t want you to go hungry or thirsty¡ª¡±


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°You fed us with our food and water and you expect gratitude?¡± an older woman pushed her way to the front of the crowd to shove her finger in April¡¯s face.


    April¡¯s smile never wavered. She simply held up a hand to signal her two bodyguards to step back.


    ¡°That is accurate. We fed you¡­ with your supplies.¡±


    ¡°We know what you want from us. We¡¯ll never join you. We¡¯ll continue to walk in Jesus¡¯ light,¡± the older woman snarled.


    ¡°Then you have much in common with our blessed sacrament.¡±


    ¡°The blasphemy spewing out of your pretty mouth. But I know the true ugliness just hidden beneath. I saw it yesterday.¡±


    ¡°Uh huh¡­ don¡¯t you eat the body of Christ? Drink his blood? Literally, too. There¡¯s a word for it...¡± Britt snapped her fingers until she recalled it, ¡°transubstantiation, right?¡± Silence. ¡°Well¡­ anyways¡­ the update. Normally, these things will take more time. Perhaps, days or even weeks. We want those that join us to fully understand their commitment. However, unfortunate circumstances require sacrifices. But, be assured that each and every one of you will be given a choice. We would never remove that agency from your hands.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re joking. You¡¯d have the children choose? They don¡¯t understand the evil you things are. You¡¯ll just frighten them, mislead them and damn them to hell!¡±


    ¡°Oh no,¡± April shook her head sadly, ¡°we explain things. Patiently and thoroughly. See, that¡¯s where we¡¯re different. We don¡¯t indoctrinate based on lies.¡±


    Other people emerged from city hall.


    The women were a mixture of ages, but all had one thing in common.


    A warm smile in an attractive package.


    They were accompanied by noobs bearing folding tables and chairs, which they began setting up outside the fenced area.


    ¡°Our knowledgeable members will be ready to answer any of your question about what it takes to become part of our sacrament. They¡¯ll go over details. What you can expect to happen. Obligations. Most importantly, benefits.¡±


    ¡°We refuse,¡± the older woman said through grit teeth.


    ¡°You may certainly do that. Each individual here has the choice.¡±


    He didn¡¯t observe what happened next as his turn to enter the supply tent came.


    Later that evening he stood in a knot with his team within his larger section a short distance away from the mess tent.


    It appeared that several other such teams formed during the battle had decided to stick together as they had.


    ¡°How many do you think we¡¯re down?¡± Charlie whispered.


    He glanced around and did a quick count. ¡°There¡¯s about 30 left.¡±


    Almost half his section was missing.


    He wondered if he had seen the last of those faces and heard those names.


    ¡°Gather round newbies,¡± Fred said. ¡°I¡¯ll make this quick since I don¡¯t care much about these things. I lie. I do care, but its time to let you go.¡±


    A susurration of concern spread through the gathered crowd.


    ¡°You have survived and leveled from your first real battle. Monsters don¡¯t really count. There¡¯s nothing quite like facing another thinking being to challenge you,¡± Fred continued. ¡°And so, you¡¯ve graduated. Normally, there¡¯d be a huge ceremonial feast thing, but that¡¯ll have to wait until after we complete our main Quest.¡±


    ¡°What does this change on an operational level?¡± Britt raised her hand.


    ¡°Uh¡­ usually you raise your hand first, then I point at you, then you ask your question¡­ but I¡¯ll allow it since you¡¯re full-fledged members now. Blooded and all that. You and your team did good work, Britt.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ my question¡­¡±


    ¡°Right, yeah, so, it¡¯s like this. Basically, you¡¯ll be assigned into a squad if you aren¡¯t already. That¡¯ll be the base unit for anything we need. We generally know what you can do, so you¡¯ll be assigned tasks that fit your abilities, but please feel free to voice any concerns you might have. We don¡¯t want to waste lives on doomed missions. Your daily schedule will no longer be controlled on an hourly basis. Eating times are the same. Training is the same. Prayer and reflection is the same¡ª huh? I guess it¡¯s not that different. You¡¯ve got a few extra hours to do with as you will now that you¡¯re done with the newbie stuff.¡±


    ¡°When¡¯s our next fight?¡± a brawny young man said.


    Michael didn¡¯t know his name.


    ¡°Nothing currently scheduled. There are several settlements on the way to our target, but we need to get the other newbie sections blooded like you guys did yesterday.¡±


    ¡°But we need combat to gain experience and levels,¡± Britt frowned.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s not ideal for you, personally, but think of the whole. The others deserve the same opportunity you got.¡±


    ¡°What if we¡¯re too weak when we get to Wichita?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t promise anything, but I imagine you¡¯ll get opportunities to fight monsters we come across. According to our scouts there are more spawn zone towns than there are claimed ones on the way. So, turn that frown upside down,¡± Fred shot Britt finger guns.


    A tight smile crossed her face.


    ¡°Can¡¯t we just go to those places then?¡± Michael said.


    ¡°Time is a concern.¡± Fred gave them a conspiratorial look and beckoned them closer. ¡°I¡¯m not supposed to talk about this, yet, but we¡¯ve got a prophecy. I don¡¯t know the full details, myself. Something about a song that will end our world by burning it in fire or covering it in molten gold if we can¡¯t get to Wichita and stop it.¡±


    ¡°How much time do we have?¡± Britt¡¯s eyes widened.


    Fred shrugged. ¡°Now that is a question. There are conflicting words on that. Could be months. Could be a year or two. Leaders figure we should be early, not late. That¡¯s why we¡¯re rushing.¡± He grinned. ¡°To be honest, I like it this way. Reminds of the early days when we were smaller and less organized. When we went where the sacrament called us.¡±


    ¡°My team requests a spot in the vanguard,¡± Britt said.


    ¡°Hold on! You¡¯ve got good guts and you guys kicked ass yesterday, but don¡¯t bite off more than you can chew,¡± Fred laughed as if only he got the joke. ¡°You leveled, but you¡¯re still too weak to take on the top level.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Britt frowned.


    Michael¡¯s thoughts turned back to the fight against the high-leveled mercenary team. If it could be called one.


    ¡°We got our assess kicked by those guys,¡± Donald said as if he had read Michael¡¯s thoughts.


    ¡°Look, you¡¯ve memorized the chart. I don¡¯t need to tell you this,¡± Fred said.


    ¡°Flesh Eater levels are equal to the basic warrior type at roughly ten levels higher,¡± Britt said.


    ¡°Those guys I saved you from¡­ I¡¯d put them somewhere in the thirties. Learn to walk before you run,¡± Fred nodded sagely. ¡°Well, anyways. You are no longer ducklings. You are ducks. Enjoy dinner, have some fun tonight, but get enough sleep. You¡¯ll probably be getting your next orders tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s so weird,¡± Donald whispered.


    Michael shrugged.


    ¡°That¡¯s what you took away from that?¡± Sunny flashed her teeth in a mocking smile.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Apparently there¡¯s a prophecy¡­ an actual prophecy¡­¡± Britt frowned.


    ¡°How does that even work?¡± Lincoln said.


    ¡°Someone cast a spell, probably,¡± Charlie shrugged.


    ¡°Whatever¡­ let¡¯s eat. I¡¯m starving,¡± Sunny stalked into the mess tent, pushing her way past several much larger people.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Michael waved apologetically.


    They grumbled, but let it go.


    ¡°Yeah, me too,¡± Donald patted his ample belly.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been hungry all day,¡± Lincoln said.


    ¡°You ate like 6 burgers and a pile of fries and chicken nuggets,¡± Charlie followed the two into the tent.


    ¡°What do you think, Michael?¡± Britt held him back.


    ¡°About?¡±


    ¡°The prophecy thing¡­¡±


    He thought for a moment. ¡°I guess they¡¯ll tell us what we need to know,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°We should try to find out more. It¡¯s important,¡± Britt nodded.


    <hr>


    Now, Oklahoma


    Loud roars, snarls and growls echoed across the flat plain.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ you don¡¯t see that everyday.¡± Cal watched the awesome scene unfolding a few thousand yards away.


    ¡°See what? I can¡¯t see anything. It¡¯s just a cloud of dust. Is it a stampede? Mutant longhorns? But we¡¯re not in Texas? Weird.¡± Jayde¡¯s head appeared next to his as she forced her way past others and into the front of the bus before practically pressing her face against the windshield.


    ¡°It¡¯s not like they can¡¯t cross state lines,¡± Dayana said. ¡°Moron,¡± she added under her breath.


    ¡°I can barely see anything through the cloud. Just very large shapes. Shouldn¡¯t we back up?¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Nah, it should be fine. I can keep them from noticing us. Besides, they¡¯re occupied with each other,¡± he replied.


    ¡°They?¡± Nila eyed him before reaching over and taking the toddler from his lap and moving to the back of the bus.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ what they?¡± Jayde said.


    More heads poked out of the back, everyone, except Nila, cramming into the front area for a look.


    ¡°Do any of you remember those movies with the dinosaurs?¡±


    ¡°I remember a lot of those,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°The one with the genetic engineering dinos for a theme park.¡±


    Everyone replied in the affirmative.


    ¡°Alright, so one sorta looks like the T-Rex from those movies, minus the tiny arms, plus a clump of tentacles in place of said arms. It¡¯s also pitch black, like inky, almost seems like its skin is dripping oil.¡±


    ¡°That sounds properly terrible,¡± Monsignor said.


    ¡°What¡¯s your danger sense at?¡± Marci said.


    ¡°It¡¯s not,¡± Jimenez shrugged. ¡°I know it should be, but¡ª it¡¯s not.¡±


    ¡°Skills don¡¯t break,¡± Shrewed grunted.


    ¡°That we know of,¡± Trevor added.


    ¡°What¡¯s the other one?¡± Amber¡¯s voice was a whisper.


    ¡°Not as weird¡­ it looks like what I¡¯d imagine bigfoot would look like were he real¡ª¡±


    ¡°Sasquatch is real, man,¡± Trevor pronounced. ¡°The spires turned our myths and legends real. Sasquatch is definitely out there¡­ like, literally in front of us in that dust cloud,¡± he pointed.


    ¡°Look, dude¡­ bigfoot is supposed to be a missing link apeman-type deal. Like, 9-feet-tall. That thing out there is closer to 20-feet-tall and is yoked as fu¡ª crap.¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we be doing something?¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not interrupt a giant monster fight, please,¡± Amber said. ¡°I just¡ª what if they turn on us¡­ together.¡±


    ¡°King Kong and Godzilla have been known to put aside their differences to work together against a common enemy,¡± Trevor nodded. ¡°Good thinking, Amber.¡±


    ¡°Man, I¡¯d love to watch this,¡± Shrewed eyed Cal. ¡°Might be¡­ uh¡­ informative,¡± he nudged Monsignor.


    Who sighed. ¡°That is correct. However, one must weigh the risks of getting closer.¡±


    Jayde nudged Cal. ¡°You can fly us closer, but high enough that they won¡¯t notice or even reach us.¡±


    He considered it.


    The two giant monsters weren¡¯t dangerous to him.


    And the two rangers had been right, which was why he was committing everything to his memory.


    The dust cloud wasn¡¯t a hindrance when he could watch with more than his physical eyes.


    Then again.


    Many of the others really wanted to see what he saw.


    He didn¡¯t need telepathy to know that.


    A thought blew the dust cloud away to reveal¡­


    ¡°Awesome!¡± Jayde squealed. ¡°Now, move us closer!¡± she pointed imperiously.


    ¡°Sorry, but that¡¯s not happening.¡±


    ¡°I can barely see,¡± she whined.


    ¡°Better get some binoculars.¡±


    There was a mad scramble as Jayde, Dayana, Trevor and Amber rushed to the back.


    ¡°Dignity,¡± Monsignor warned.


    Shrewed grumbled as he restrained himself.


    ¡°I can see fine. They¡¯re really scary,¡± Jimenez shuddered.


    ¡°I have a camera, but it¡¯s too far,¡± Marci said.


    ¡°Give it to me.¡±


    Marci returned with the other four, only three of which managed to procure binoculars.


    ¡°Three binoculars doesn¡¯t seem like enough,¡± Trevor grumbled.


    The three young women crowed into the front compartment.


    ¡°Jesus Christ! Look at those teeth!¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Bigfoot¡¯s got guns and abs,¡± Dayana said.


    Cal took the camera from Marci and floated it out the window toward the giant monster fight. ¡°Can I get a copy of this?¡±


    ¡°Sure. After I get it back to R&D. They¡¯ll have to do their magic,¡± Marci said. ¡°Do you guys want a copy too?¡± she turned to Monsignor and Shrewed.


    ¡°We have the same capability¡­ assuming Cal will share?¡± Monsignor ventured.


    ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t worry about it,¡± he replied.


    A loud crack echoed across the plain.


    ¡°Ohhhh!¡± Jayde, Dayana and Amber echoed.


    ¡°Can one of you at least give me the play-by-play?¡± Trevor grumbled.


    ¡°You can watch the recording,¡± Amber said.


    ¡°Yeah, but on a tiny screen,¡± Trevor whined.


    ¡°Giant bigfoot just cracked tentacle T-Rex across the side of her head. I think I saw teeth flying. We should grab those later, we can make swords out of them,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°T-Rex just shot out his¡ª¡± Cal began.


    ¡°Her,¡± Dayana said


    ¡°Her tentacles, but Big bigfoot blocked it with his right arm¡ª you okay with that?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, he obviously has a dong,¡± Dayana scoffed


    ¡°It¡¯s a tug-of-war now. Tentacles versus muscle. The brown-haired destroyer seems stronger. Oh! And he just pulled T-Rex hard enough to send her flying toward him. He winds up for a punch¡­ and, what a twist, T-Rex slips her head to the side and bites down on the arm heading toward her head like a missile. Is it just me or did her neck stretch impossibly longer?¡±


    ¡°It looked like it,¡± Amber said.


    ¡°Oh shit¡ª¡±


    ¡°Cal! Language! He can hear you!¡± Nila¡¯s voice came loud and clear from somewhere in the back of the bus.


    ¡°Sorry, Love, but it¡¯s an epic battle¡­ anyways¡­ BB just bit down on the T-Rex¡¯s nose? Snout? Nose? Whatever¡­ they¡¯re really digging into each other! The blood is flowing!¡±


    ¡°T-Rex is winning though. More blood,¡± Jayde said.


    A small earthquake shook the bus.


    ¡°Wow!¡± Cal and three young women echoed.


    ¡°BB just did a trip takedown. The impact jarred T-Rex! And he¡¯s got his arm out of her mouth! Bang! Hammerfists to the face! Those look painful! I can hear bones cracking and breaking! God all mighty!¡±


    ¡°Seriously, Cal?¡±


    Nila again.


    ¡°T-Rex is trying to defend with her right tentacles, but noodly arms aren¡¯t meant to stand up against rock-hard muscle!¡±


    ¡°What the fuck!¡± Jayde, Dayana and Amber echoed.


    ¡°Girls!¡±


    Nila again.


    ¡°Sorry!¡± they called back.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Trevor and Shrewed echoed.


    Cal cleared his throat. ¡°Some of the tentacles appeared to turn into hardened spikes and there are a few of them in BB¡¯s gut. Yeah¡ª sorry guys, but I¡¯m going to stop.¡±


    The fight lasted surprisingly longer despite what appeared to be several fatal wounds.


    The giant bigfoot did everything he could.


    He threw dirt in the tentacle T-Rex¡¯s eyes. Jammed a cactus in her mouth. Ripped up a chunk of road and slammed it on her head.


    In the end the spearing tentacles brought the dinosaur-like monster the victory.


    The battered monster settled down to replenish the energy she had just spent in the hours long contest.


    ¡°Oh god,¡± Amber gagged as she put the binoculars down.


    Trevor grabbed them with the speed of a cobra. ¡°Oh¡­ that¡¯s gross,¡± he put them down.


    Cal brought the camera back and returned it to Marci.


    ¡°Are we going to have to wait for it to finish?¡± Amber grimaced.


    ¡°Nope. She won¡¯t notice us. On top of what I¡¯m doing, it¡¯s way too hurt and tired. All it wants to do is eat and sleep,¡± he said.


    ¡°How do you know that?¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°I mean, look at her.¡±


    ¡°You know how fights go. You want to eat and sleep after,¡± Shrewed said


    ¡°Eating¡¯s the last thing I want to do after a bloody fight,¡± Hayden frowned.


    ¡°Smarter to replenish the energy you dumped,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Do we¡ª do we¡ª do we need to collect samples?¡± Jimenez said.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a whole specimen kit,¡± Marci rolled her eyes.


    ¡°I suppose we can wait for it to finish then kill it.¡±


    They could collect samples from both monsters and get on with their trip through Oklahoma.


    The further along they went the more he was able to zero in on where they needed to go.


    The eternal church was based somewhere in Kansas or Oklahoma according to the information the Golden Eagles had.


    He was certain that they had to travel north.

 Interlude: Dance of Death 0

    2030, America, Underground


    Nicholas tore the list from the bulletin board. He ignored the protests from the other kids as he stomped away toward the coach¡¯s office a short distance away.


    His steps on the metal floors echoed through the cylindrical-shaped bunker tunnels that had been home for as long as he could remember.


    The wind rustling the amber waves of grain beneath the wide, blue sky was only a story told by the older people. The ones that had walked through that world before the spires and the monsters had driven them underground.


    For the good of the country.


    So that its leaders could emerge again one day to take it back from evil.


    He knew the words. Said them everyday as part of the pledge.


    Remember what the world once was, so that you can set things right.


    Bring the country back to what it should be.


    One nation under God.


    He barged through Coach Broderick¡¯s door and slammed the crumpled paper on the bull-necked man¡¯s desk.


    ¡°God damn it, Nicholas,¡± the man said flatly.


    ¡°My name¡¯s missing,¡± he said quickly.


    Rage ran hot in the boy.


    Got him in trouble.


    It was hard to stop himself when he started seeing red.


    The coach scowled.


    ¡°You ever stop to think about what I¡¯d do to you if you weren¡¯t my brother¡¯s son? Really stop? No of course not. Saint Nicholas they call you¡­ cause of the way your face gets as red as jolly old Santa¡¯s clothes.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the best fighter in my class,¡± Nicholas crossed his arms and puffed his chest.


    ¡°Debatable. Maybe overall. I¡¯d say George¡¯s got you beat technically, Betsy¡¯s quicker, Samuel¡¯s craftier,¡± Coach Broderick ticked off names on his fingers. ¡°But you know that has nothing to do with why you¡¯re not on the list. You don¡¯t have a class. No matter how good you are¡­ you¡¯ll just be fodder for the others in the proving grounds.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not my fault!¡± he whined. ¡°I passed the test. I killed the monster. It¡¯s not my fault the stupid spire didn¡¯t give me anything!¡±


    ¡°No one is saying that it is. Listen. Just, breathe. It¡¯s not that big of deal¡ª¡±


    ¡°But if I do well in the proving grounds then I can be part of the first expedition outside the bunker!¡± he snapped.


    ¡°Don¡¯t take that fucking tone with me!¡± Coach Broderick snapped back. ¡°I just might decide to forget you¡¯re my nephew. I¡¯ll have you run laps all weak between stints in waste composting! Do you want to shovel shit?¡±


    ¡°No sir!¡± he straightened reflexively.


    The coach sighed. ¡°I spoil you.¡±


    He kept his mouth shut.


    The rage melted away. He had forgotten himself and his surroundings again. Taken advantage of his relation to the coach. He knew that he wouldn¡¯t have talked that way to any of the other coaches.


    ¡°As I was saying,¡± the coach smoothed his blond hair back, ¡°we¡¯ll try to get you a class in a few weeks. For whatever reason, it wasn¡¯t your time.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s never happened before.¡±


    ¡°First time for everything,¡± the coach shrugged. ¡°What I¡¯m telling you is that this isn¡¯t an all or nothing situation. There will be other proving grounds and eventually, depending on what the situation looks like above ground, everyone that wants to will get to go outside. I¡¯d bet we¡¯ll need all capable hands to get the shitshow fixed. Get this country back and running properly.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll miss out on the glory and clout of being one of the first?¡± the coach snorted. ¡°Tough. This isn¡¯t about getting to pat yourself on the back. This is bigger than the individual. We all need to act as one.¡±


    ¡°I know that,¡± he said through grit teeth. ¡°It¡¯s just that since I¡¯m the best¡ª¡±


    ¡°You need a class. I hate to say it, but it¡¯s the reality now. Your impact will be limited without one.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s enough. I¡¯m busy. Get out of my sight before I changed my mind about composting duty.¡±


    The finality of a bulkhead door thudding into place cast a deep shadow over him.


    He snatched the crumpled paper off the coach¡¯s desk and saluted before turning smartly on his heel.


    ¡°Put that back. The others need to see if they made the cut.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir!¡±


    Nicholas did as he was told ignoring the glares his classmates shot him.


    He trudged off toward the training chambers as he always did whenever he had free time or when he was angry. Both things tended to occur concurrently especially over the last six months.


    If only he had gotten a class like literally everyone else over the 10 plus years since they had taken refuge in the expansive bunker complex from the monsters.


    Then he wouldn¡¯t have to deal with extra bullshit.


    Three weeks until the proving grounds.


    He¡¯d have to pester one of the coaches to take him out to try again.


    Kill a monster.


    Get a class.


    Take his rightful place at the head of his class.


    Probably not his uncle though.


    Time passed in the blink of an eye.


    Classes continued regardless of the impending challenges.


    They needed to learn more than just how to fight.


    At a minimum, they had to learn the basics in multiple disciplines. Math, science, history, sociology and so on and so forth.


    Rebuilding proper American society would take more than strength. It¡¯d take things like diplomacy and conflict resolution. Admittedly, not his finest subjects. He still struggled to grasp them.


    No one knew how things outside the bunkers had changed since the spires had appeared.


    It had likely devolved into a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Where monsters and madmen ruled the land. A once united land fractured into thousands of petty warlord-ruled domains.


    The teachers speculated as much.


    Community shrunken down into hundreds, maybe a few thousands where the strong ruled the weak.


    They likened it to old prisons.


    He had no concept of the things. Had only their stories to go by.


    They sounded like terrible places. Full of the scum of the Earth. Evil getting stronger by devouring weaker evil.


    It made sense to him.


    Only the strong could survive and thrive in the world of spires.


    The day finally came.


    He had sunk into a deep depression as all his efforts to gain permission to go beyond into the wild tunnels had failed.


    His uncle had seen through him.


    And so he stood in the large chamber where the first event of the proving grounds was set to take place.


    The multiple classes stood at attention arrayed in perfect rows as the president gave her address.


    He ignored the woman¡¯s words.


    All he could think about was the moment when she finished.


    He pictured it.


    They¡¯d lead him out of the chamber to watch along with the rest of the losers that weren¡¯t good enough to qualify.


    Everyone would know that he was the weak link.


    Useless.


    ¡°You are our future! You will do us proud!¡± the president finished.


    He followed the girl in front of him as they filed out of the chamber to get ready.


    His classmates would don armor and pick their practice weapon of choice.


    Coach Broderick stood with the other coaches.


    They were having an animated discussion with a woman in a pristine suit.


    He recognized her. One of the president¡¯s aides or something.


    He stood awkwardly, unsure of where to go now that his part of the ceremony was done.


    Did he just leave?


    He was spared when the conference broke off and his uncle hurried over.


    ¡°Fucking bullshit,¡± Coach Broderick muttered.


    He remained silent. Hope started to bloom in his chest.


    ¡°What the fuck are they thinking? Shit! Fuck! Alright¡­ you got what you wanted.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in the proving grounds. The president¡¯s people didn¡¯t like the optics,¡± he spat the word, ¡°of one bright star sitting on the sidelines.¡±


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    He smiled.


    ¡°God damn it, kid! Don¡¯t think that they¡¯re doing you a favor. Remember you don¡¯t have any Skills or spells!¡± the coach snapped. ¡°Listen. The first round is a free for all¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t interrupt me¡ª it¡¯s anything goes. Healers are watching closely and you¡¯re using training weapons, but you take a Power Strike to the back of the neck and you¡¯re never walking again. Kids have died before.¡±


    That dampened his excitement for a moment.


    ¡°Listen. Just try not to get killed or maimed. You¡¯ve got skills so use them to minimize and mitigate damage. No shame if you get knocked out of it early. No one will hold it against you. After, I promise I¡¯ll take you out everyday to kill a monster until you get a damn class.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir!¡± he snapped a salute.


    ¡°Alright, go get geared up,¡± the coach waved him away.


    He rushed over and quickly got into a brigandine with help from one of the attendants. A pair of steel greaves went on next. Then he grabbed an open-faced steel helm and a round shield.


    He hustled to the weapons area. As one of the last kids his choices were limited. He settled on a long spear and two short ones. He took it as a sign of luck. Those where sort of his signature weapon.


    He cast around for a group to join up with.


    At least at the start.


    George shook his head when they locked eyes.


    ¡°Sorry, Nicholas. You¡¯re a liability without a class. Not fair, I know,¡± Betsy shrugged.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Samuel agreed. ¡°If you want I¡¯ll tap you out. It¡¯ll be a real knock out, but not fatal. I doubt any of the other classes will be as nice.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you guys!¡± he snapped.


    ¡°Suit yourself,¡± Samuel shrugged.


    George strode over. Tall for his age. Imperious. ¡°This¡¯ll be good for that attitude,¡± he said in a low voice. ¡°I sincerely hope you don¡¯t get too badly hurt.¡±


    ¡°Fuck. You. Too,¡± he whispered.


    George shook his head.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know why you thought you¡¯d find a team with that attitude,¡± Betsy snorted. ¡°This. Is. A. Lesson.¡± She punctuated each word with a clap. ¡°I hope you learn something from it.¡±


    He stewed in silent anger as they were led back out into the large chamber.


    Fifty kids from different classes.


    Those deemed the best in combat.


    All with a newly gained class except for him.


    The president smiled and preened.


    The coaches spread them out along the lines that demarcated the battlefield.


    The huge space was about the size of a football field.


    A fact he only knew from his uncle¡¯s stories.


    They all knew the rules.


    Namely that there wasn¡¯t much beyond no intentional killing or maiming and stepping out of bounds took you out of it.


    Everyone knew that was the coward¡¯s way out.


    He had no team so he tried to move away from the others.


    A small team from one of the other classes eyed him with undisguised eagerness.


    The price of being the best for so long had painted a huge target on his back. Especially, since everyone knew that he lacked a class.


    It didn¡¯t matter.


    He¡¯d show them.


    ¡°Children¡­ begin!¡± the president smiled down from the high platform.


    He darted across the line toward the closest group. His only chance was to force the others on the back foot and not allow them to surround him.


    ¡°Magic Missile!¡±


    A bright little marble arced at him.


    He blocked it with his shield.


    At this level it couldn¡¯t burn through the wood.


    He aimed his blunt wooden spear at the girl mage.


    ¡°Taunt!¡±


    At the last second another girl drew the thrust to her own shield.


    He cursed at the jarring impact and tried for the mage again.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡± a large boy brought his hammer down on the spear shaft knocking it out of Nicholas¡¯ hand. ¡°No offense, kid, but you shouldn¡¯t be out here without a class.¡±


    He glared as he feinted pretending to reach for the spear before drawing and throwing one of the short spears from his back in one smooth motion.


    ¡°Fu¡ª¡± the large boy¡¯s curse was silenced by the thwack of the blunt tip against his helmet.


    Talking during a fight was stupid.


    Nicholas picked up the long spear and lunged with a thrust.


    ¡°Parry!¡± another boy slapped it aside with a wooden sword.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡± the large boy growled as he slammed a mighty blow that Nicholas barely raised his shield in time to block.


    The Skill enhanced impact was shocking. It was just like taking an unenhanced strike from one of the adult soldiers.


    ¡°Lands different, don¡¯t it?¡± the large boy sneered.


    A second blow knocked him to the floor.


    He was only dimly aware of the other fights going on around him.


    Skills and spells flew with abandon. There was more enthusiasm than technique on display to the mild disappointment of the coaches.


    Childish excitement at getting to play with new toys tempered by the underlining deadliness to it.


    It wouldn¡¯t be long before they¡¯d be using them against monsters.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to knock you out now,¡± the large boy said.


    Nicholas tried to thrust with his spear but another kid kicked it aside.


    The large boy stepped on the shield pinning it to his chest and him to the floor. ¡°Or you can admit you¡¯re my bitch and I¡¯ll let you crawl out of the arena without a broken jaw and a concussion.¡±


    Nicholas struggled with futility.


    The large boy raised the hammer.


    It wasn¡¯t fair.


    He wasn¡¯t especially gifted or more talented. The coaches had deemed him as average.


    He had worked harder than everyone else to become the best. He had stayed longer in the gym, on the mats, in the ring than the rest. He had studied film when the others rested and relaxed. He didn¡¯t deserve to be the best. He had taken the mantle through countless hours of blood and sweat. Puke and tears.


    And now he was going to lose and be shamed just because the stupid spires didn¡¯t give him a class like the rest.


    Fuck them all!


    The fires of rage swelled within him.


    The coaches had always been on him to control it. To apply it with proper direction.


    They watched from the stands.


    He saw them out of the corner of his eye.


    His uncle.


    The rest of the coaches.


    Everyone else that had enough status to attend the proving grounds in person.


    He knew that almost everyone else in the bunker complex watched on monitors.


    His entire world watched him be defeated and humbled in less than a minute.


    Loser.


    It was as if he could hear them all jeer.


    The rage swelled and swelled until it finally crested over the dam.


    Strength flowed into his limbs.


    He pushed the large boy off and sent him flying.


    He kipped to his feet, armor, shield and all.


    Move while the enemy was caught off guard, stationary. A sin in a fight.


    He leapt and somersaulted over their heads to land in the middle of their formation. Their front line fighters behind him. The back line, mages and such, in front of him.


    He whirled the spear over his head cracking helmeted heads.


    Most of them dropped like puppets without strings.


    He didn¡¯t know his own strength anymore.


    Oh well.


    The proving grounds was a harsh place. They all knew that. They all entered willingly.


    ¡°Sandbagging motherfucker!¡± the large boy snarled. ¡°Power Strike!¡±


    This time, Nicholas properly moved and angled his shield to deflect the blow rather than absorb all of it.


    The large boy was off balance.


    Bad footwork.


    Nicholas thrust his spear between the large boy¡¯s legs and flipped him like a practice dummy.


    He sensed an attack from directly behind him. He couldn¡¯t explain how he knew. He just did.


    The wooden blade slashed just over his ducking head.


    He spun and lashed out with his shield.


    The other boy screamed as Nicholas heard the crack.


    He didn¡¯t have eyes on the boy but again, somehow, he knew that the boy went flying several dozen feet to land in a crumpled heap outside the boundary.


    Too strong.


    Oh well¡­ the healers would take care of it.


    If they didn¡¯t?


    Well¡­ not his problem.


    Everyone joined the proving grounds on their own free will.


    That meant they accepted the consequences. No matter what they turned out to be.


    He turned back to the large boy.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± the large boy said.


    Again, Nicholas knew attacks were coming at him from where he couldn¡¯t see them.


    He darted forward kneeing the large boy in the face.


    Teeth flew.


    A blunt arrow skimmed just past his ear while a dart of flame licked across his backside.


    He didn¡¯t have eyes on either projectile but he was certain.


    How?


    He scanned the battlefield.


    The other kids moved slowly.


    He saw them all.


    Even the ones behind him.


    Well¡­ he didn¡¯t actually see the latter. Just knew where they were and what they were doing in relation to his position.


    Confusion dampened the rage.


    His mind cleared.


    He looked for the next best target to knock out of the fight.


    Perhaps his classmates?


    ¡°Cadet Broderick!¡±


    A voice crushed his plans.


    He thought to object or ignore. Pretend he hadn¡¯t heard.


    ¡°Get off the proving grounds, now!¡±


    The fight left him like the air out of a balloon.


    He couldn¡¯t go against the voice¡¯s ironclad authority.


    His uncle stared at him.


    ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡±


    ¡°My office.¡±


    He followed his uncle down empty tunnels.


    Everyone was watching the fight.


    ¡°You can¡¯t have a class. We would¡¯ve known if you had snuck out to kill a monster and go to the spire.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t.¡± He stared at white knuckles, at veins popping out the back of his hands. ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Then what the hell was that?¡±


    He forced his hands open and gripped his knees. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ at least you didn¡¯t kill anyone. Just broke a bunch of kids, but anything¡¯s better than dead,¡± his uncle shrugged. ¡°You really have no idea where that display of superhuman strength, quickness, coordination and what looked like 360 degree awareness, came from?¡±


    ¡°I swear¡­¡±


    ¡°Okay, I believe you. You¡¯re going to get a full check up. Medical and magical. Then a debrief. It¡¯s going to suck.¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t¡­ do stuff¡­ like experiment on me?¡±


    ¡°No. Yes. Nothing bad for you. You¡¯re an asset. You seem to be the first we¡¯ve got in this complex. NORAD has a couple, so we¡¯ll need to let them know and see if they can help with the assessment.¡±


    It took a moment for Nicholas to register his uncle¡¯s words through the swirl of conflicted emotions in his head. ¡°Wait¡­ what¡¯s a ¡®norad¡¯?¡±


    ¡°A different bunker complex, like us, but in a different part of the country.¡±


    He blinked.


    ¡°There¡¯s another¡ª¡±


    ¡°Top secret¡­ on a need to know basis. Congratulations, you¡¯re now one of those people.¡±


    His uncle gave him a mirthless smile.


    He didn¡¯t know how to respond.


    The knowledge that there was another place just like his home somewhere out there led him to wonder what else didn¡¯t he need to know.


    ¡°You might as well go shower and get changed. Once the first round of the proving grounds is done we¡¯ll get you started on those tests.¡±


    A worrying thought entered his head. ¡°The proving grounds¡ª I failed¡­¡±


    His uncle snorted. ¡°Depending on what you¡¯re capable of those rules don¡¯t apply to you anymore.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡±


    Nicholas stood and saluted.


    He pretended not to hear his uncle¡¯s sigh as he pulled the door shut on his way out.

 Interlude: The Desert Wind 0

    2035, Egypt, Sahara Desert


    ¡°Welcome!¡± the strange creature beamed a sharp-toothed smile seen clearly despite the insect-like mandibles on both sides of their human-adjacent mouth.


    There was a buzzing quality to their voice.


    Although, that could¡¯ve been from the four insect-like wings that moved in a blur of motion as the creature fluttered from one side to the other of the rocky platform that shouldn¡¯t have existed. Which itself was in front of the massive building-like formation that definitely shouldn¡¯t have existed.


    The harsh glare of the rising sun peeked out over one corner. It wouldn¡¯t be long until they would no longer be protected in the great shadow of the immense structure.


    This part of the desert should¡¯ve been nothing but sand dunes as far as the eye could see.


    Khamaseen studied the blend of human and insect with intense concentration from the back of the gathered crowd. She trusted in the cloth wrapping to conceal her features in the same way that it protected her from the hot wind and sand.


    ¡°First of all,¡± the creature continued, ¡°we come in peace. Now, with that out of the way, I¡¯d like to tell you about this magnificent structure behind me,¡± they gestured chitinous arms with a flourish toward the structure that dwarfed anything Khamaseen had ever seen before.


    She had visited the Burj Khalifa once as a child. The tallest building in the world. This reminded her of that as she craned her neck back to take its height in. However, unlike skyscrapers, the structure was just as massive in width.


    ¡°How wide do you think it is, Khamaseen?¡± Marwan said.


    ¡°Quiet! Watch and listen,¡± she hissed.


    ¡°This is Shalindren! The first of, hopefully, many Faeran dungeons on your world. Face its challenges for the chance at great rewards! Defeat monsters! Solve puzzles!¡± the creature said.


    ¡°How the fuck does that even work?¡± a bearded foreigner said.


    Khamaseen pitied the man. Many foreign soldiers had been stranded when the spires had appeared. What she didn¡¯t have sympathy for was the soldiers, foreign and domestic, that had turned into marauding banditry. Those had forced her to bloody her hands on many occasions.


    ¡°Simple, you enter the dungeon and succeed or fail on the strength of your abilities.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but¡­ details, bro. We¡¯re going to need more. Like, what do you¡­ things¡­ people? Whatever you are¡­ get out of it?¡±


    ¡°We are the Faeran. The rules will be laid out to all that enter the dungeon. I will add that it is integrated with the spires, so you don¡¯t have to worry about tricks and falsehoods, aside from the sanctioned challenges within. Success means Universal Points, items, mundane and magical, and perhaps greater answers to questions that we¡¯ve all grappled with once the spires appeared. Guaranteed!¡±


    ¡°Right, I got that, but what do you Faeran get out of it? I¡¯m pretty sure this dungeon isn¡¯t going to be non-fatal.¡±


    ¡°Correct. Death is always a possibility within. As for us¡­ we will gain from your failures.¡±


    ¡°So, that means we¡¯ll be fighting you people?¡±


    The Faera alighted in front of the bearded soldier. ¡°Enter and discover the answer.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ crap,¡± Marwan whispered.


    Khamaseen blew air out of her nostrils like an angry bull.


    A gust of wind suddenly swept across the entire group.


    They cursed at the stinging sand it brought.


    ¡°Calm down, Khamaseen!¡± Marwan hissed.


    The wind died to unnatural stillness.


    Several eyes in the disparate crowd narrowed as they scanned each other with suspicion.


    The Faera¡¯s multiple eyes joined the search. A pair of human-like eyes and another set that resembled an insect¡¯s.


    ¡°Look normal!¡± Marwan urged.


    ¡°How does this work? Does the difficulty scale? Will you adjust the challenges depending on our Levels? The number in a group?¡± a veiled woman said.


    ¡°I am but a simple herald. Enter the dungeon. It will tell you all you need to know. If you find it not to your liking then you can simple turn around and leave,¡± the Faera said.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do it, Captain,¡± a second bearded foreign soldier said. ¡°At least check it out. See what the rules are.¡±


    The first bearded soldier chewed and spat a foul brown goop on the sand before nodding. ¡°Carver, Jackson, Ramirez, Evans you¡¯re with me. The rest of you keep an eye on things out here.¡±


    The group climbed the stone steps toward the marked entrance to the dungeon.


    ¡°They even got the name carved into the rocks,¡± Marwan said.


    ¡°I do not think it is made out of rocks.¡± Khamaseen regarded the immense structure. ¡°The surface almost looks like a hive.¡±


    ¡°The Faera does look like a wasp mixed with a human. Is it wearing a helmet? Or is the carapace part of its body? Like insects, you know. I don¡¯t think I see hair underneath. I¡¯d bet it¡¯s part of the body. Weird that its got pointy ears like an elf. You think they have magic bees inside? Magic bees means magic honey.¡±


    ¡°Shut up, Marwan. Now is not the time. This cannot be allowed. Not in our land.¡±


    ¡°No, please Khamaseen, not now! Let us wait to find out more, yes? Perhaps, these Faeran aren¡¯t so bad.¡±


    ¡°No. Not when I have power now.¡±


    Marwan groaned before hurrying away to a stout rock formation fifty meters away.


    The wind gust returned with sudden violence.


    Khamaseen walked toward the Faera, untouched by the wind and sand.


    The others in the crowd stopped their discussions on whether to try the dungeon as the sand began to swirl around them.


    ¡°What is this? I sense no magic,¡± the veiled woman said.


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°It¡¯s her!¡± another pointed at Khamaseen.


    ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± one of the foreign soldiers snapped.


    ¡°Flee if you do not want to get hurt,¡± she said flatly.


    The Faera landed and folded four transparent, veiny wings flat against their back to protect it from the sand and grit. ¡°We come in peace. There¡¯s no need for this.¡±


    ¡°Lies. Generations of foreigners have come to these lands. To take what is ours. To make us bleed for the privilege.¡± Khamaseen said. ¡°I see you. I see the faces of the British, the Americans. I hear your words. I hear their lies. No more.¡±


    ¡°If you own this land then we can come to an equitable agreement. I speak no falsehoods. The spires attest,¡± the Faera said.


    ¡°I am the desert wind, the scorching heat of the dry sands. I will scour the land clean of all invaders.¡±


    Khamaseen thrust her arms toward the Faera and the structure.


    The team of foreign soldiers hit the ground as flat as possible to avoid the biting sands propelled by her wind.


    The Faera buzzed. Their mouth moved and mandibles clacked together urgently.


    A bright yellow shield of translucent interlocking hexagons sprang to life in front of them. ¡°I insist you cease this at once. I have given no offense. I will be forced to defend myself,¡± they pleaded.


    ¡°You do not have permission to be here. To set up this¡­ perverse game,¡± she roared as the wind did.


    ¡°Crazy bitch!¡± the captain aimed his gun at her. ¡°You¡¯ll kill us all!¡±


    The veiled woman had conjured a shield to protect a large number of people. The rest huddled low to the ground doing their best to cover their faces against the hot, swirling wind and sand that had already torn red streaks in some of them.


    ¡°Perhaps you should leave us out of your quarrel with the Faeran?¡± the veiled woman said.


    Khamaseen gave a curt nod.


    She tightened the wind. Compressed it into a smaller area. Created a narrow tornado.


    The Faera took the opportunity to drop their magic shield and fly away on four buzzing wings.


    She sent the tornado chasing with a gesture.


    ¡°Captain! What do we do?¡±


    ¡°Get in the dungeon! The rest of you take cover! And wait!¡± he called out to the other half of his team.


    They sprinted across the desert toward the same rock formation that Marwan crouched within for safety from the sandstorm.


    The rest of the gathered crowd split in two directions.


    Some rushed up the stone steps to the dungeon entrance on the heels of the soldiers that had just disappeared inside while the rest dashed toward the rock formation.


    ¡°Foolish girl,¡± the veiled woman shook her head in disgust.


    ¡°You fall for honeyed words. Your greed blinds you. They dangle the promise of reward¡­ but think! When have they ever given more than they¡¯ve taken? It is ever the way of the invader. They are here because they want what we have and they believe that it will cost them less to gain greater profit,¡± Khamaseen snarled.


    The veiled woman held her head high. ¡°I will take from them.¡±


    ¡°Just like the elite. You¡¯d sell everyone else to enrich yourself.¡±


    The veiled woman gave her once last disdainful look before disappearing into the dungeon.


    ¡°I do not know what you intend to accomplish.¡± The Faera uttered words she couldn¡¯t understand. A coruscating spiral of magic zipped out of their outstretched hand. It cut into the tornado.


    She strengthened her efforts. Now that the rest of the people were no longer in the immediate area she could attack freely. She whipped up a sandstorm buffeting the Faera as it struggled to stay in the air.


    The chitin covering their body appeared to be proof against the scouring sands, yet they still had to cover their eyes with their arms.


    The Faera tried to yell something at her over the roaring winds.


    She didn¡¯t care.


    Let the wind provide her answer.


    It struck at her command battering the Faera across the sky.


    Skittering things crawled out of the sand.


    Beetles, scorpions and other insects.


    Biting, pinching, stinging at her boots.


    She blew them away and rose up into the air.


    Thousands of insects were shredded by the whirling blender of sand around her.


    The Faera fired a spell that splashed against the wall of wind protecting her.


    She responded by aiming a thin stream of sand at the invader¡¯s face.


    They whirled away in dismay. Turning and abandoning the fight. Flying toward the dungeon.


    She sent several lance-like streams of sand after the Faeran.


    Only for them to be dashed upon several of the hexagonal magic shields.


    Three Faeran descended from above.


    It was difficult to discern their faces through the swirling sandstorm but she thought they looked identical to the first one.


    They sent spells in unison threatening to break through her wind wall.


    She responded by surrounding them in a separate sphere of air. She changed the flow drawing the desert¡¯s heat into the sphere. The temperature rose rapidly like a convection oven.


    The Faeran tried casting magic shields but they were flat panes, useless. They tried to attack the bubble with spells but she redoubled her efforts to keep the wind circling. Finally, they tried to push through physically. They failed.


    The three fell unconscious in quick succession.


    She let them drop out of the air to crash into the sand.


    Whether alive or dead¡­ she didn¡¯t know.


    She scanned the sky for the first Faera and found nothing.


    They must¡¯ve made it into Shalindren.


    She regarded the massive structure.


    What could she do?


    Destroy it?


    People had gone inside.


    What would happen to them?


    Could she even destroy it?


    Her sandstorm could scour rock though it¡¯d take time and stamina she didn¡¯t have.


    She turned her focus toward the three Faeran.


    Better to take them, dead or alive, for study.


    Learn about her new enemy.


    A new foreign invader.


    Just the next in a long line.


    The only difference now was that she had the power to do something about them.


    She eased the swirling storm.


    She heard it then.


    A loud buzzing.


    She realized what it was split-second before a great shadow descended over her.


    ¡°Marwan!¡± She gathered the three Faeran in a small tornado pulling them behind her as her wind carried her to the rock formation. ¡°We must leave!¡±


    Marwan scrambled up to the highest point just as she flew overhead.


    He jumped into her wake.


    They soared across the desert with a great cloud of Faeran in pursuit.


    Good, she thought, come after me and die.


    The Sahara was vast. Its dunes endless.


    The searing desert heat and wind would cook the invaders alive if they followed her too far.


    It seemed they realized the same.


    They gave up and turned back.


    ¡°Khamaseen! What are we going to do with them?¡± Marwan gestured at the three Faeran.


    ¡°If they are alive¡­ we ask questions.¡±


    ¡°They might be dead¡­¡±


    ¡°Then we study them. Find weaknesses. They cannot be allowed on our land. Our planet. That dungeon is a trap. If they create more¡­¡±


    It needed to be destroyed.


    She knew that with certainty.


    Let the foolish be lured in with the promise of rewards.


    She would never be taken in by strangers bearing gifts.

 Interlude: Skyway Danger Zone 0

    2032, Over the Pacific Ocean, Several Miles off the Southern California Coast


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna hit the brakes, he¡¯ll fly right by¡­¡±


    ¡°What? Valentine? What brakes! She¡¯s a drake! They don¡¯t have brakes!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, ma¡¯am¡­ er¡­ Ranger Ophrys¡­ we were born to fly.¡±


    Rosie ¡°Ophrys¡± Patel made a small sign of the cross over her forehead, then another over her chest. Her life was in the hands of a 16 year old boy and a young drake.


    She glanced back. Saw the sword-length teeth in a gaping mouth big enough to swallow her whole and nearly crapped herself again.


    And to think the day had been so relaxing.


    A simple practice scouting flight with a ranger trainee and his mount.


    It was so freeing to fly through the clear blue skies with nothing but the dark blue ocean far below.


    Until she had caught a small dot in the distance.


    A small dot that had grown larger rather fast.


    Her danger sense had triggered at the same time that she had used her Telescopic Vision Skill for a better look.


    A better look at a dragon!


    It was hard to tell scale in the open sky, but her Skills helped. The monster was about as large as one of those private jets the rich people used to fly around in to avoid the unwashed masses.


    Dark blue dorsally and a light, sky blue ventrally.


    It had six limbs. Four arms/legs ending in wicked looking claws and two impressively broad wings that propelled it forward at tremendous speed.


    It had gotten much closes in the few seconds it took her to get over her shock and warn Valentine.


    The chase had begun in earnest at that point.


    Despite the huge head start they weren¡¯t going to win.


    She clung to the saddle handlebars. Not that it would¡¯ve helped if the straps failed. Her eyes fixed on the speckled greens and browns of the scales on the back of the drake¡¯s sinuous neck.


    They dived toward the ocean surface.


    The two riders bent forward as close to the drake¡¯s body as possible.


    The drake¡¯s wings folded close to her body. A missile knifing through the air.


    The huge dragon rapidly gained on them.


    ¡°Okay, Maverick¡­ get ready,¡± Valentine muttered, ¡°you can do this girl. Now!¡±


    The drake¡¯s wings snapped open.


    Rosie felt death walk over her grave.


    Rather, she felt the massive bulk of the dragon displacing the air as it streaked past them.


    ¡°Go, girl! Let¡¯s get some altitude! We can lose it in those clouds,¡± Valentine pointed.


    Rosie snapped her head toward the ocean.


    The dragon was just pulling out of its dive.


    ¡°Trainee Valentine¡­¡±


    ¡°Ma¡¯am?¡±


    ¡°Can this thing go faster?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s going as fast as she can!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have that Skill?¡±


    ¡°I need to save it for emergencies.¡±


    ¡°I think this qualifies.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°Evasive!¡±


    The dragon zoomed up. It opened its mouth and breathed.


    A sharp spike of ice as big as a small tree only moved slowly in her enhanced vision.


    Fortunately, Valentine and/or Maverick had good reflexes.


    They went into a roll that had Rosie clenching her cheeks lest she embarrass herself like several fellow rangers with unfortunate sobriquets. Her current ranger name was bad enough.


    The spike zipped past them with a dozen feet to spare.


    Unfortunately, they stalled their climb allowing the dragon to gain on them.


    ¡°Maverick: Speed Boost!¡± Valentine screamed high and tight.


    With a mighty flap of her wings the drake zoomed toward the thick clouds.


    Rosie¡¯s guts got left behind.


    To her shame a little bit squeezed out.


    Wind and moisture pelted them as soon as they entered the clouds.


    She thanked her helmet and high quality googles.


    The drake¡¯s wings beat urgently.


    The dragon roared.


    She risked a glance back and saw a dark shape parting the clouds behind them like an ancient ocean predator.


    ¡°We¡¯re still 10 miles away from home!¡±


    ¡°How do you know?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a sense!¡±


    They screamed at each other to be heard over the rushing wind.


    ¡°How long will the Skill last?¡±


    ¡°Almost done! She¡¯ll be really tired after!¡±


    ¡°Just get us as close as possible! I set off the emergency signal as soon as I saw the dragon!¡±


    The Skill ended and Maverick visibly flagged.


    Rosie was about to tell Valentine to dive when the boy did it before she could speak.


    Good instincts.


    The only way the tired drake could manage any kind of speed was with gravity¡¯s help.


    It still wasn¡¯t going to be enough.


    The dragon burst through the clouds with a roar of triumph.


    A worthy chase, but you are mine, a voice like a young girl¡¯s, high-pitched and squeaky.


    ¡°Wait? What?¡± she glanced back. ¡°You can talk!¡±


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Of course.


    ¡°Why are you chasing us?¡±


    You are warriors of the land I intend to claim as my own. I must decimate your army to cow the civilian population so that they¡¯ll accept my rule.


    ¡°What? No! We come in peace!¡±


    Then you surrender and place yourself under my authority.


    This was the strangest experience of her life.


    The ocean loomed large ahead of them.


    ¡°Wait? Why are you trying to kill us? Maverick¡¯s your people!¡± Valentine screamed.


    It seemed that the dragon was speaking in both their minds.


    How dare you, tiny worm! the dragon roared in their minds.


    Pain.


    Are the chittering monkeys ¡®your people¡¯? The impudence¡­ hmph!


    ¡°Wait, please! Can¡¯t we discuss this?¡±


    No. Enough mewling. You die now. Be honored for you are the first to fall to my claws.


    The dragon closed with a mighty flap of its wings.


    Clawed forelimbs reached out.


    Rosie couldn¡¯t take her eyes off the dragon¡¯s face.


    Giant eyes shined with intelligence.


    She could see the magic that suffused its, her entire being.


    Dragons were real. They were sapient. They were magical. Important bits of information that she failed to bring back.


    She closed her eyes.


    Felt cold breath wash over her.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, girl! Faster! You can do it! No points for second place,¡± Valentine muttered.


    Impossibly, Maverick shot forward and upward with burst of speed even greater than the boost Skill.


    The dragon howled in disbelief as they evaded it yet again.


    Valentine whooped and laughed.


    She opened her eyes.


    ¡°Glorious leader!¡± Valentine roared. ¡°There¡¯s a dragon!¡± he pointed urgently


    ¡°I saw,¡± Rayna said.


    The namesake of Rayna¡¯s Rangers, if not the actual leader, at least according to her. Floated in the sky. Pulling them toward her with her power of and over gravity.


    ¡°She, the dragon, is capable of breath attacks. We observed an ice spike moving at speeds equivalent to a crossbow bolt,¡± Rosie said.


    ¡°Got it,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°She can also communicate through some kind of telepathy. She can understand our words, but she speaks directly into our heads,¡± she explained.


    ¡°Good to know. Now, keep your distance and watch. The others need to know what to expect just in case.¡±


    ¡°Copy that, sir.¡±


    ¡°Get her!¡± Valentine growled. ¡°Er¡­ sorry, I mean¡ª¡±


    ¡°Focus trainee,¡± Rayna said.


    The dragon came toward Rayna like a missile while Rosie kept her eyes on the pair as Valentine directed Maverick farther away toward home.


    I challenge you, ruler of this land! the dragon roared in Rayna¡¯s head.


    The dragon breathed a spike of ice as large as a tree.


    Rayna raised a hand and the spike shattered into a thousand pieces that orbited at a radius of several hundred feet from her before falling to the ocean.


    The dragon breathed a thin stream of water with pressure that could cut through thick steel.


    Rayna¡¯s upraised hand bent the stream around her. It completed the circle before lancing back toward the dragon.


    She roared in anger more than pain as she was forced to block it with the armor-like scales on one forelimb.


    A cloud of hissing steam spewed forth next as the dragon drew closer.


    It engulfed Rayna obscuring her from sight.


    The dragon swooped in then turned to lash its whip-like tail through the steam.


    The force cleared it to reveal empty air.


    Rayna hovered above the dragon.


    She pointed.


    The dragon suddenly grew heavier. Too heavy for her wings and magic to keep her aloft.


    The pillar of water that erupted in the wake of the dragon crashing into the Pacific rose as high as skyscrapers.


    The dragon burst out of the ocean a moment later.


    Rayna grit her teeth and pushed down.


    The rapid ascent slowed.


    ¡°I¡¯m not the ruler,¡± she grunted.


    The dragon¡¯s scaly brow furrowed as it averted its attack path to circle around Rayna. But you have great power?


    ¡°Still not the ruler. How about a momentary cessation of hostilities?¡±


    Agreed. Are you a champion then?


    ¡°Not really,¡± she shrugged.


    Vexing, the dragon huffed.


    Somehow, Rayna got the impression of a young person whining.


    ¡°Listen, I don¡¯t really want to fight you. That¡¯s way too stereotypical for me. It¡¯s something my brothers would do.¡±


    Yes. That is what they do.


    ¡°Right, so glad we¡¯ve got something in common.¡±


    Hrrmm¡­


    ¡°So¡­ how can we avoid useless macho junk?¡±


    Your lands and people belong to me. If all bow then I will refrain from decimation.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ that won¡¯t work either. We don¡¯t really do queens, overlords and tyrants.¡±


    Then how does your nation function?


    ¡°We vote.¡±


    Oh¡­ you¡¯re those kind of people.


    ¡°It works well enough. Most people are satisfied with their lives. If not outright happy. It¡¯d be great if it wasn¡¯t for the monsters.¡±


    I am no monster, the dragon¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°I never said you were. Although, you did try to kill my friends.¡±


    Warriors fight and die.


    ¡°I¡¯ll consider it a misunderstanding if we stop this now.¡±


    Hmm¡­ the dragon thought for what felt like an eternity. Very well. There are other settlements. Though my finely-honed combat senses tell me that there is no doubt of my victory over you it will be a costly battle that will leave me vulnerable to others seeking to claim what I have won. Perhaps to the north. I sense a population with potential.


    ¡°Um¡­ not them either.¡±


    You claim them as well? the dragon¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°No, but my brother would take offense.¡±


    Then¡ª


    ¡°Not this land.¡±


    You presume much. You are mighty for a human, but you are no dragon. Tread carefully.


    ¡°Listen¡­ you¡¯ve proved reasonable. I¡¯d hate for you to cross claws with one of my brothers. If I may make a suggestion.¡±


    I will allow it.


    ¡°Find a population¡ª not on this continent¡ª that is in dire straights. Maybe they¡¯re besieged by monsters or ruled by a wicked tyrant. One that¡¯ll be happy to have a benevolent dragon guardian to watch over them and help them get stronger. After all¡ª¡±


    Yes. That is how some do it, the dragon nodded.


    ¡°The important part is the benevolence. So, if you happen to meet my brothers there won¡¯t be any issues.¡±


    I fear no lesser creature.


    ¡°Absolutely, but such a battle would cause untold damage to your lands and the people you have sworn to guide and protect.¡±


    Sensible. Very well. You are wise for being tiny and short-lived. I will seek a destitute people to uplift. Perhaps in time we can form an alliance.


    ¡°Yes¡­ in time.¡±


    The dragon turned and with one last nod zoomed toward the west with one flap of its wings that would¡¯ve sent Rayna tumbling through the sky had she not been anchored in place by her gravity field.


    I would¡¯ve defeated you if I had used my magic spells.


    The dragon got the last word.


    Rayna saw the toothy smirk clear as day in her mind.


    Valentine brought Maverick into a close circle around her.


    She expanded the gravity field to give the young drake a rest.


    ¡°Thanks, Glorious Leader!¡± Valentine said.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t call me that,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°But Ranger Colonel Kayl said¡ª¡±


    ¡°Trainee Valentine¡­ you shouldn¡¯t always believe what she says when it involves me.¡±


    ¡°Sorry¡ª ma¡¯am¡ª sir¡ª understood,¡± Valentine snapped a salute.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do that either. You should probably get out of the habit of doing it in the field.¡±


    Valentine flushed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much about it, trainee. That¡¯s why you¡¯re out here in the first place. To learn.¡±


    ¡°The trainee and his mount performed admirably,¡± Rosie said.


    ¡°Good. Though the fact that you¡¯re alive is proof enough. Let¡¯s head back home. Valentine, get Maverick to relax. She¡¯s done enough today I¡¯ll carry you the rest of the way. You guys need rest and a meal before the debrief.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± Valentine stopped his arm halfway up to a salute.


    ¡°How did you convince her to leave?¡± Rosie said.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t hear her?¡±


    ¡°Nothing in my head and you were too far away to get more than every fifth word or so.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you on the way back. Ophrys, I think we just fought what is basically a preteen dragon.¡±

 6.25

    Now, Kansas


    ¡°Hey,¡± Deandre said.


    He had a box in his hands


    ¡°Relax. You look way too nervous,¡± Heddy hissed.


    She rushed to unlock the door to her shop before ushering the big man in.


    Deandre placed the box on the counter. ¡°Sorry¡­ I¡¯m stressing out about the seekers getting on to me¡ª and you. It¡¯s this thing,¡± he pulled out a sheathed knife from his pants and held it out to her.


    She reached out, but stopped herself. ¡°That was next to your junk.¡±


    ¡°Outside the underwear.¡±


    She sighed, but accepted the knife.


    The handle felt good in her hand. The wood was textured. Grippy, but comfortable.


    ¡°I used a Skill when I made the handle. It should feel like it¡¯s custom-made for your hand,¡± Deandre eyed her expectantly.


    ¡°Yeah, it feels perfect¡ª wait, how did you know what my hand fit is like?¡±


    ¡°I shook your hand once.¡±


    ¡°Just from that?¡±


    ¡°Skills are bullshit,¡± Deandre shrugged.


    ¡°Okay¡­ so, what¡¯d you find about the blade?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ it¡¯s amazing! But, that¡¯s not even the biggest thing¡­¡±


    ¡°Get on with it. I have to get back to work.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ get this. My class changed¡­¡±


    ¡°Get the actual fuck out of my shop,¡± her eyes widened. ¡°Into what?¡±


    ¡°Invested Weaponsmith¡­¡±


    ¡°That sounds weird. Did you lose your other non-weapon Skills?¡±


    ¡°No. All still there. Just lost a few levels. Gained something though¡­¡±


    ¡°Mana,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°Shit! How¡¯d you know?¡±


    ¡°It makes sense. You¡¯re not a mage¡­ or an enchanter.¡±


    Deandre shook his head.


    ¡°¡­ so you can¡¯t cast spells. Figure your mana is strictly for the forging of weapons. Have you tried it out yet?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t I¡¯m too scared. If the wrong people find out¡­¡±


    She took a closer look at Deandre. ¡°I didn¡¯t notice before, but now that I¡¯m focusing¡­ there¡¯s definitely mana in you. It¡¯s not much, so you should be fine unless a mage-type really takes a look.¡±


    ¡°Or someone with Skills specialized at digging out secrets.¡±


    ¡°Stay away from seekers,¡± she shrugged. ¡°About the knife.¡± She focused on the blade. It looked just like any other steel blade, but just like with Deandre, when she focused her other sense into it she felt the magical energy suffused into the steel. It resembled a faintly glowing lattice just underneath the surface.


    ¡°No showy magic powers from what I could find. It¡¯s just better in every way compared to a plain knife. I mean, I beat the hell out of it. Any other knife would¡¯ve snapped.¡±


    She examined the knife. ¡°It¡¯s straight. The edge is perfect. Looks brand new.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the thing. I did managed to chip it by hitting it on my home anvil. Aannddd¡­ it got better.¡±


    She took that in stride. It was an enchanted¡ª no, make that an invested blade. A self-repairing function wasn¡¯t too far out of the realm of magical possibility.


    ¡°It¡¯s tougher, cuts better, edge-retention is better¡­ just everything about it is better,¡± Deandre threw up his hands. ¡°It sorta makes a mockery of my forging.¡±


    ¡°How so?¡± she frowned.


    ¡°That adding some magic to the process results in a product that¡¯s miles ahead of what I can possibly craft with my own skills and experience.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t know you were one of those human skills are better type,¡± she snorted. ¡°Skills change it up anyways. You¡¯ve just added another tool to your bag.¡±


    ¡°I get that and I¡¯m going to use it¡­ doesn¡¯t mean I have to like it.¡±


    ¡°Actually, you probably should embrace it. Classes benefit from our embracing them. That¡¯s part of how we advance. You¡¯ll struggle if you try to fight it.¡±


    ¡°Just cause it¡¯s a class doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s a good thing that needs to be embraced.¡±


    ¡°Agree to disagree.¡± She sheathed the knife and handed it back to Deandre.


    ¡°It¡¯s yours,¡± he pushed it back.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± she shrugged and placed it on the counter. ¡°You¡¯ve delivered the¡­¡±


    ¡°Arrowheads? Same as it has been for the last few weeks. I¡¯ll need a receipt to make it official in case I need to account for my whereabouts.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    She filled out a receipt to maintain the charade.


    ¡°Layers on layers. I¡¯m not cut out for this spy shit,¡± Deandre shook his head. ¡°So, what¡¯s next?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. It¡¯ll draw attention if I go back to your forge or if you come back here. Maybe in a month, but we might not be alive at that point. You¡¯ve got mana now, so why don¡¯t you use it. Make more weapons at home. If anyone asks, you¡¯re just working that much harder.¡±


    ¡°You know something?¡± Deandre narrowed his eyes.


    ¡°The Meat Parade time line is a lot sooner than our leaders are telling us.¡±


    ¡°Fuck! They ain¡¯t telling us shit! I was figuring that the first I¡¯d hear about them reaching us is all the screaming. Damn¡­ what are they going to do about all the people outside the walls?¡±


    ¡°Nothing good.¡±


    Deandre didn¡¯t need to know the details.


    He was an ally, but needed to be kept in the dark about certain things. For everyone¡¯s sake.


    ¡°Less we all know about everyone else the less we reveal if the seekers get us.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, totally, I get that. Just that¡­ they won¡¯t leave them out there¡­ will they?¡±


    ¡°Why not? They¡¯ve already left them to the monsters and mutant animals. Meat Parade¡¯s just another set of monsters,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°Would more invested weapons help?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s great, but it¡¯s not like it does more damage or protects the wielder.¡±


    ¡°What if you enchant an invested weapon?¡±


    She blinked. It was a mark of her depression and exhaustion that the thought hadn¡¯t occurred to her. ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I¡¯ll find out.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll start churning them out. Invested ones and plain ones. Do em at home. Off the books. You enchant them and smuggle them out to your peeps. It can only help, right?¡±


    ¡°Just don¡¯t do anything that¡¯d put you at risk.¡±


    ¡°Fuck that noise. People are going to die. I can¡¯t sit safe behind the walls without doing something.¡±


    ¡°Alright¡­¡± she thought hard. ¡°I just put up the rest of my enchanted swords up for sale.¡± She didn¡¯t mention the message she had sent. ¡°So, I¡¯ve contracted with you for more weapons.¡± She went behind the counter and scribbled into her receipt book, tearing the copy out and handing it to Deandre. ¡°Open contract. Costs, payments, whatever¡­ all to be negotiated at a later date. Because we are concerned about the Meat Parade and took it upon ourselves to arm our defenders.¡±


    ¡°If we get discovered,¡± Deandre nodded in understanding.


    ¡°Be careful.¡±


    She let him out and locked the door.


    The knife beckoned.


    She took it into her workshop, unsheathed it and placed it on her main table.


    She decided quickly.


    The Shock Spell made the most sense to her.


    Deft fingers carved her symbol for the spell into the base of the knife blade.


    She pushed the spell into the symbol over and over throughout the process.


    The passage of time was amorphous as it always was when she was in the throes of enchanting.


    She blinked back to reality.


    She was sweaty, but she wasn¡¯t completely drained.


    She felt the mana still inside of her.


    The handle felt perfect in her hand.


    ¡°On,¡± she said.


    Blue-white arcs of electricity ran up and down the blade.


    She cursed happily. ¡°It worked!¡±


    She examined the enchantment with more than her physical sight.


    The spell appeared as another lattice, interwoven with the investment of magic that had already been in there.


    ¡°Enchantment¡­ investment¡­ did I just create a thing?¡± A thought for later. A huge secret that gave her the edge over all the other enchanters out there.


    ¡°Think of all the Universal Points¡­ which I can¡¯t use cause the goddamn cannibal freaks are on their way.¡±


    She turned the electric enchantment off and put the knife aside.


    There was a bunch of arrowheads that needed her attention.


    The following weeks continued the pattern that she had been living under for months.


    She spent it isolated in her workshop enchanting weapons for the eternal church. The only difference were the handful of different weapons Deandre had surreptitiously passed along to her.


    Those were much more interesting.


    She had tested them and found them better in every way to the old enchanted weapons she had been making.


    Most of them had already been dispersed to the exiles by way of Knox¡¯s smuggling network, at least that¡¯s what he had told her the last time he had visited.


    That was about the only bit of good news.


    Word through the city was spreading.


    The multiple Meat Parades were closing in by way of several neighboring states.


    There had been hope that they could¡¯ve been headed for one of the other large settlements in the north of the state, but that had turned out to be false.


    All indications now pointed to Wichita being their target.


    It was the church¡¯s fault. Heddy knew this with certainty. She just didn¡¯t know how or why.


    On another note, she had received a response to the spire message she had sent to the buyer of most of her older style enchanted weapons.


    It had been prompt. The next day.


    The response was noncommittal.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    A real non-answer.


    Like that email from a co-worker that really didn¡¯t want to commit to getting sucked into helping you out with your job.


    Granted, begging for help from some man or woman, just cause they had a lot of Universal Points and you thought they had power or were connected to power was always going to be a long shot.


    Honestly, she didn¡¯t know what she had been thinking at the time.


    She blamed the desperation.


    The doorbell broke her out of her reverie.


    She tossed the warm towel on her table and wiped her face with a dry one before heading downstairs.


    ¡°Hey, ¡®Enchanter¡¯!¡±


    It was Joseph¡¯s big dumb, smiling face.


    ¡°Ahem,¡± he cleared his throat. ¡°I know it¡¯s early, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know. I got the message,¡± she pointed to the basket on the countertop near the door. ¡°Obviously, there¡¯s less, but that¡¯s what happens if you want to collect daily. I only have so much mana and it only recharges so fast.¡±


    ¡°Sorry. I just do what I¡¯m told,¡± Joseph said sheepishly.


    ¡°Eh¡­ not blaming you. So, the Meat Parade¡ª Parades are getting here soon then?¡±


    ¡°Um¡ª I¡¯m not supposed to say.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ what for?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve given me the answer I need.¡±


    ¡°But I didn¡¯t say anything,¡± Joseph gaped and blinked like a fish.


    ¡°Exactly. I need to stock up on food and water.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, but there¡¯s limits on what you can buy from the stores.¡±


    ¡°Since when?¡± she snapped.


    ¡°The notice went out, uh, like, last Wednesday.¡±


    ¡°Must¡¯ve missed it.¡±


    ¡°They announced it at the services and had people going around announcing it all over the place and uh¡­¡± Joseph opened the door and pulled a sheet of paper from the glass surface, ¡°here it is.¡±


    ¡°Too busy doing the lord¡¯s work to notice,¡± she said.


    ¡°And it is very much appreciated,¡± Joseph nodded earnestly.


    ¡°Say¡­ Joseph¡­ what¡¯re they having you doing when the Meat Parades get here?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fighting for us all. I¡¯ll be on the wall,¡± he straightened out of his customary slouch.


    Her face twisted despite an effort to keep it neutral.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Joseph smiled. ¡°We¡¯ll have the immortal light on our side against those cannibal monsters.¡±


    ¡°Light¡¯s not going to stop one of them from chomping your face off,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°There are light spells,¡± Joseph blinked.


    ¡°Okay¡­ you¡¯re right. I was wrong, but that¡¯s not what I meant.¡±


    The big, dumb young man blinked at her with such guilelessness that she was compelled to actually explain.


    ¡°There are spells, but there isn¡¯t an ¡®immortal light¡¯. That¡¯s more of a faith thing.¡±


    ¡°Nooo,¡± Joseph¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°That¡¯s not true. I¡¯ve seen them do it. The pastors, acolytes, seekers and others holy enough to wield the immortal light. And you shouldn¡¯t say that¡ª¡± his voice dropped to a whisper, ¡°you might get in trouble.¡±


    ¡°Joseph¡­ those are just regular spells and Skills. I mean, how would you know the difference?¡± she said.


    ¡°Because you feel it. You feel the music in your head and it makes everything feel like it¡¯s going to be okay,¡± he replied with such sincerity that it made her want to gag.


    The poor, brainwashed idiot was going to get eaten.


    ¡°Okay¡­ just¡­ be careful. If you find yourself on the wall and don¡¯t see any pastors, acolytes and seekers standing next to you, then consider taking care of yourself first,¡± she said.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got nothing to worry about. I¡¯ve been training hard and I¡¯m ready. I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to keep you and everyone else in town safe from those evil bastards!¡±


    She barely managed to keep the grimace off her face.


    She didn¡¯t trust herself to say another word so she smiled and hurried him out of her shop.


    <hr>


    Cal pulled the bus over to the side of the highway.


    They had just crossed from Oklahoma into Kansas.


    Hayden saw the expression on the man¡¯s face and felt relief.


    It was time for things to get serious.


    Much of the trip had that vacation road trip vibe that brought up uncomfortable memories of her childhood with people, many of which died horribly after the spires had appeared.


    Violent combat was a much more comfortable coat to wear for her.


    ¡°Team meeting. I wish we could relax for longer, but it¡¯s time for the purpose of this whole Quest,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°But we haven¡¯t found the location of the eternal church,¡± she said.


    ¡°It¡¯s not in Oklahoma.¡±


    ¡°How do you know? We basically just drove around all the settlements. We didn¡¯t get to take a look or ask questions.¡±


    ¡°Not a lot of friendly people in middle America,¡± Shrewed grunted.


    She couldn¡¯t argue with that.


    Their welcome, if it could be called that, from the places they got close to had ranged from aimed weapons to being shot at.


    ¡°The details aren¡¯t important. Well, except for one thing, I got a weird message via the spires. Wichita, Kansas is about to be attacked by this Meat Parade thing. The Furies are familiar with them. The rest of you ask them questions later, but for now, just know that they basically have a cannibal class,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Like, Flo!¡± Jimenez¡¯s eyes widened.


    Marci frowned. A question formed on her lips.


    ¡°Yes, but again, talk about that amongst yourselves later,¡± Cal said.


    Hayden caught the momentary pang of something like pain flash across his face as he spoke.


    ¡°The reason we¡¯re going there is twofold. I have this feeling of responsibility in regards to doing something about these cannibals. And the message. It was from the person I bought all those enchanted weapons. He or she asked for help,¡± he continued.


    ¡°But the church,¡± she said.


    ¡°I believe it is in the very same place¡­ and before you ask, I¡¯m not telling at this time. I¡¯m keeping this close to the vest for a very important reason¡ª¡±


    ¡°Which you obviously can¡¯t or won¡¯t share,¡± she said.


    ¡°Absolutely¡­¡±


    ¡°Whatever,¡± she shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s why we¡¯re out here in the first place. So, lead on.¡±


    ¡°Anyways,¡± he continued, ¡°we¡¯re driving straight on till we get there. I¡¯ll let you know when we¡¯re close so you can all gear up. We might be heading into a dangerous situation so please prepare yourselves properly.¡±


    Hayden was always in most of her armor, so it didn¡¯t take long to put her front and back plates on.


    It was a bit uncomfortable, but she managed.


    She spent the rest of the drive seated on the couch and staring out at the flat landscape.


    Green and yellow fields as far as the eye could see.


    So boring.


    She only partially listened to the conversation as Dayana and Jayde filled in the rest about the Meat Parade.


    Dangerous because of the partial transformation that their cannibal class gave them.


    Quicker, stronger, regeneration.


    But for her money the most terrifying thing about them was the way they ate chunks of their opponents while in the middle of battle.


    Jimenez then relayed the story of a girl, Florence, who seemed to have had a similar class.


    There was some kind of history with Cal.


    She made a note to ask him about it later.


    ¡°That¡¯s some kind of coincidence,¡± she grunted.


    ¡°I know,¡± Jimenez nodded.


    The twitchy woman was paler than usual.


    ¡°You should know how to fight them then,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°One was terrifying enough, but a lot of them. I had no idea that was possible,¡± Jimenez said.


    ¡°How come I didn¡¯t know about this Florence?¡± Marci said.


    ¡°She was our best fighter. Our superstar. No one wanted to talk about it after. I only knew because I was attached to the governor¡¯s security detail at the time,¡± Jimenez said. ¡°I was at the capitol. I saw what she did. An entire army of that¡­¡±


    ¡°Damn. She must¡¯ve been like a super cannibal. We¡¯ve fought the Meat Parade once before. Not a lot of them though, like a handful,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°They were gross and they did kill a bunch of people, but we killed them all,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°We were lucky that we didn¡¯t face the main group,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°I get it,¡± Jayde said defensively, ¡°I saw what that group did. I was cleaning up right next to you.¡±


    ¡°San Antonio is separated into walled settlements. Suburbs basically. They got into one. Breached the defenses before our main fighting force could get there. Less than fifteen minutes and¡­¡± Dayana explained.


    ¡°It was¡­ a mess,¡± Jayde finished.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be a tough fight. A good opportunity to level,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°We shouldn¡¯t look forward to a situation with great potential for carnage. Especially for the innocent and defenseless,¡± Monsignor said.


    ¡°Shades don¡¯t seem as bad in comparison. At least those just killed you dead. They didn¡¯t eat you¡­ unless you count your soul being used to fight for an eternity as part of the fog¡­ and that sounds just as bad,¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°Why is everything so terrible?¡± Amber said.


    ¡°Spires want conflict. Everyone knows this,¡± Shrewed said. ¡°What better way to generate that than creating a world in which a horrible fate is always circling around you like a landshark sniffing your blood.¡±


    ¡°Those don¡¯t circle. They just attack,¡± Monsignor said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been circled before,¡± he grunted.


    ¡°My mistake.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d be more worried about the eternal church. If what Cal suspects is true then we might be in trouble,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°He¡¯s all being super secret about it,¡± Jayde rolled her eyes.


    ¡°What¡¯s there to know. They might be the front for some kind of golden angel from another world trying to invade our own,¡± Trevor said. ¡°You see one eldritch invader from outside the world, you¡¯ve seen them all.¡±


    ¡°We should¡¯ve brought Alexa instead of you¡­ or me,¡± Amber said.


    ¡°She¡¯s good with the eldritch stuff, but they need her more back home and we need to finally get over that 30 hump,¡± Trevor said. ¡°I¡¯m so close. I can feel it. Thought that fight at the rest stop would¡¯ve done it. Maybe if we had stopped to fight more monsters on the way¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, man,¡± Dayana said. ¡°You¡¯ll get a few levels if you survive the Meat Parade.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m with you. There¡¯s been a disappointing lack of leveling on this trip,¡± Jayde said. ¡°How much do you think we¡¯ll get when we help put this Zalthyss thing down?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so eager to face that one. A being capable of taking fingers from him,¡± Monsignor nodded toward Cal, ¡°is beyond us.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but we still get a share if we contribute. Big challenges mean big levels. I¡¯d bet we¡¯d get a lot even if we just do a little damage. It¡¯s like bees. One sting hurts, but a hundred will kill,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°I just hope that it¡¯s not there. It¡¯s going to be dangerous enough to navigate the church and the cannibals,¡± Amber said.


    Hayden agreed.


    It was better to take care of one threat at a time.


    That was the smart way to fight.


    The ideal outcome was that they¡¯d arrive after the church and the cannibals had hurt each other.


    That would¡¯ve been bad for all the innocents, but she knew that you couldn¡¯t save everyone.


    Bad things happened in this world.


    It didn¡¯t matter whether you deserved it or not.


    When it was your time to pay the price of living, you paid it.


    The world didn¡¯t care that you were nice or kind or whatever.


    <hr>


    Wichita was surrounded by a ten-foot-tall wooden fence.


    Made from great posts driven into a slightly sloped mound of earth.


    The wall was topped with barbed wire.


    Cal stopped the bus on the other side of the bridge over the river.


    The interstate also had a wall.


    ¡°Are we going to be able to drive through?¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Looks like there¡¯s a gate,¡± he said.


    ¡°I guess you¡¯re going to go out there,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± he gave her a quick peck on the lips.


    ¡°I can worry when there are people pointing guns at you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m in no danger whatsoever¡­ pull back if they start shooting, just in case.¡±


    Cal walked down the highway with his hands raised above his head.


    It was a long walk.


    The sun shined down on him.


    A nice day.


    He sincerely hoped that the people in the gun tower on the wall didn¡¯t ruin it for themselves.


    He had already scanned the city.


    A quick, faint, cursory touch.


    He didn¡¯t want to risk the chance of alerting Zalthyss or anyone like it to his presence, which was why he kept an especially tight grip around his thoughts. Discretion was important while he didn¡¯t know the exact nature of the threat he faced.


    All he knew at this point was that this place was indeed the home of the Eternal Church of Joyous Light.


    The exact nature of their connection to Zalthyss and the dominion was unknown.


    Best case scenario was that the church was basically a franchise on Earth.


    Worst case¡­ the connection was direct and Zalthyss was already on his world.


    His three-fingered left hand unconsciously clenched into a fist.


    He opened it quickly.


    ¡°Hold it!¡± an aggressive voice shouted down from the top of the wall.


    ¡°Peace. We¡¯re just passing through. We can pay for services. Food, shopping, gas. That sort of thing,¡± he said. He didn¡¯t exert his powers. Better to see if he could get inside the city through the powers of commerce first.


    ¡°We¡¯re not taking tourists right now.¡±


    ¡°Not even ones with wealth? We¡¯ve got cash, gold, jewelry, diamonds and other crap to spend.¡±


    A feathery touch on the angry young man¡¯s mind yielded an unfortunate answer.


    Cal nudged the young man just a bit.


    ¡°Um¡­ how much?¡±


    ¡°Whatever you think is fair for a place to park and time to resupply.¡±


    The other fighters on the wall turned concerned eyes to the young man, but Cal knew that the young man had the authority to let them in and even give them passes to travel through the city.


    ¡°How many people do you have in that bus?¡±


    ¡°Captain¡ª¡± a different young man started.


    ¡°We can always use that stuff,¡± the young captain cut his subordinate off.


    ¡°Yeah, but he¡¯s not¡ª¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± the young captain regarded Cal with a hostile, but greedy gaze. ¡°Two days. I¡¯ll give you two days. That¡¯s it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Very kind of you,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°Just to be clear, safe passage and the right to purchase supplies and gas in exchange for a small entrance fee.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°And you won¡¯t need to search our bus or our persons because that same fee provides for that privilege?¡±


    The young captain hesitated, but a slight nudge helped him along. ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    The other men and women unconsciously nodded along thanks to the same nudge.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been so friendly. I hope the rest of your city is the same.¡±


    All that was left was to negotiate the reasonable price.


    He had seen their thoughts toward him.


    He wouldn¡¯t feel guilty about fleecing them.


    Racists and bigots deserved nothing less.


    We¡¯re in. Bring the bus up, he thought to Nila while beckoning to her with huge gestures.

 Interlude: Two-Fisted Vengeance 0

    14/07/2026, Spain


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Paola? Why are ruining my day like this?¡± Javier groaned theatrically.


    ¡°The client did that.¡±


    ¡°They pulled the offer?¡±


    ¡°Oh no. It¡¯s still open. They just said no to you specifically after they got your details. They didn¡¯t think a Wand Fighter could get the job done.¡±


    ¡°That seems to be a recurring thing¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but don¡¯t worry,¡± the Guild clerk smiled, ¡°you just need to prove yourself.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t do that if no one will give me a Quest.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps¡­ a few pro bono¡­¡±


    ¡°I cannot feed myself on charity.¡±


    Paola raised a brow.


    ¡°I cannot feed myself by being charitable.¡±


    ¡°Well, you won¡¯t be able to feed yourself at this rate.¡±


    ¡°Damn soldiers guarding all the stores,¡± he muttered.


    Paola¡¯s eyes widened darting over to the soldiers stationed in key areas of the Guild¡¯s front lobby, which was once a luxury hotel.


    ¡°It looks like I¡¯ll be sneaking into a spawn zone again. Thanks for that, Paola. You are a pretty woman, but you have just sent me to my untimely death.¡± He solemnly made the sign of the cross over his chest. ¡°I wonder¡­ what would Jesus do in your position?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯d feed you fish and bread, then turn your water into wine. But, alas, I am no Jesus and so I shall have to tell you to move for the next person in line.¡±


    Javier glanced back, then looked down.


    The next in line was a dirty, disheveled girl, 8-ish, maybe 10? Hard to tell with how malnourished the street urchins always looked.


    He cleared his throat uncomfortably.


    Yes¡­ he had to remember that there were those less fortunate than him.


    He smiled at the girl and got a two-fingered salute in return.


    That only made him smile wider.


    He nodded his head in respect before dipping out the front door before the soldiers really paid attention to him.


    ¡°What to do? What to do?¡±


    He sat down at an empty table a short distance from the Guild entrance. The broad umbrella provided a welcome respite from the sun¡¯s heat. Black was perhaps not the right clothing to wear at such a time. Something lighter would¡¯ve been better. Or would it? He remembered that there were competing theories. Ah, to go back to the simpler days when people worried about pointless things.


    He had been young in the days before the spires. On this kind of day he would¡¯ve been pondering what flavor gelato to get. Now, he was braving a monster infested area against going hungry for the third consecutive day.


    ¡°Damn soldiers¡­ I don¡¯t care how hungry I am¡­ I¡¯ll never sign up just for some canned soup,¡± he muttered.


    His eyes scanned the area. There were a lot of soldiers and fighting-type people around, but one could never be too careful even this deep in human-controlled territory. Much like the Inquisition, monsters could pop out at any time and in any place.


    Vigilance dictated that he keep a hand on one of the wands holstered at his hip.


    He spent several minutes mulling over his anti-starvation options when the girl urchin came stomping out of the Guild and right up to him.


    Brown eyes that seemed over-large for her gaunt face stared at him through a curtain of matted black hair with an intensity that actually caused him to lean back in his chair.


    ¡°You don¡¯t look like much,¡± the girl said after a long moment.


    ¡°Pot,¡± he pointed at her, ¡°kettle,¡± he pointed at himself.


    The girl blinked.


    He faltered.


    ¡°What I mean to say is that you shouldn¡¯t be throwing stones in your glass house, young miss. Also, that is very rude. Please, apologize.¡±


    ¡°The lady said you were weird, but that you could help me,¡± the girl growled.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but the lady is a terrible liar.¡±


    ¡°She said you needed money.¡±


    ¡°Or gold, silver, cash, coins or a bag of food. Although, Universal Points is the best¡­ as always.¡±


    ¡°If you help me I can give you that.¡±


    He wanted to laugh but something in the girl¡¯s stare made him believe.


    ¡°Well then¡­ what is the job?¡± he decided to humor her for a bit. It wasn¡¯t like he was going to be able to sneak into the nearest spawn zone during the day.


    ¡°The Ultras killed my family. I want you to kill them. I want revenge. I need to avenge them.¡±


    Javier blinked.


    Something tickled his senses.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to have a¡­ Quest?¡±


    The girl nodded.


    Opportunity!


    The girl looked around before leaning forward and opening her tattered jacket.


    He stared at the handful of jewelry she quickly took out of her pocket.


    ¡°Put that away. I¡¯m not too interested in that anyway. Points are the best. Tell me more about this Quest.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but you have to tell me what your class is first.¡±


    ¡°It is a deal.¡±


    He stuck a hand out.


    The girl spat in hers before shaking his.


    ¡°That part was entirely unnecessary,¡± he grimaced.


    15/07/2026


    The girl, Iria, led him through a series of twisting alleys.


    Vagrant-types eyed him with a mixture of fear and hunger.


    Oddly enough, they ignored the tiny 8 to 10-year old.


    They stopped at a rather dank and dirty dead end.


    It occurred to Javier that this was the perfect ambush spot.


    ¡°You know I¡¯m poor, right? And no one else will be able to get my wands to work? Maybe if they have my class, but I¡¯m pretty sure it¡¯s really rare. Haven¡¯t seen anyone else using wands in the entire city.¡±


    ¡°How will you make them pay?¡±


    ¡°Well, assuming you can prove to me that they are the ones that killed your family¡­ I will set them on fire. Enough fire kills most things.¡±


    ¡°Show me.¡±


    An imperious child.


    He shook his head and drew the wand from his left hip. He pointed it at a pile of detritus. ¡°Gasoline.¡±


    A small globule splashed over the garbage.


    He drew the wand from his right. ¡°Fire.¡±


    A small orb flew out not quite as fast as a bullet.


    The garbage pile ignited.


    No sense in using up mana and wand charges for a tiny demonstration.


    ¡°That¡¯s not enough.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ obviously I can make a bigger one. I can do a wide-angle spray, a mist cloud, high-pressure stream and others.¡±


    ¡°How big?¡±


    ¡°Really big.¡±


    ¡°Those are weird weapons. They look like someone just cut them out of tree,¡± Iria squinted, ¡°kinda like pirate guns¡­¡±


    ¡°Technically they are wands.¡±


    She looked at him expectantly.


    ¡°You know, like in Harry Potter. When I was still a mage and a fighter I thought that here I am doing magic¡­ why don¡¯t I have a wand like Harry. It was one of my favorite stories from before.¡±


    She looked at him blankly.


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know what I¡¯m talking about, do you?¡±


    She shook her head.


    ¡°What about wizards? No? Okay, well, they do magic spells, but they sometimes use wands¡­ or staffs. Anyways, I really wanted it so one day I leveled up went into the spires and was a Wand Fighter. No idea how that happened. Spires barely gave me anything to go on, but enough that I knew to carve these babies,¡± he twirled his wands like a gunslinger, ¡°and put the spells into them.¡±


    She regarded him dubiously.


    Javier threw his hands up. ¡°Whatever. Don¡¯t care about my origin story,¡± he muttered. ¡°Well¡­ your turn.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll share the Quest.¡±


    Congratulations!


    You have been offered a Quest.


    Aid Iria Soldado in her Quest to avenge her murdered family.


    Success Parameters: Kill the Ultras Members Responsible.


    Failure Parameters: Any Ultras Escape. Your death. Iria¡¯s Death.


    Reward: 10000 Universal Points


    Bonus Rewards: 50 Universal Points for each Ultras Member killed.


    ¡°Jesus¡­ that¡¯s dark. The spires can¡¯t lie. I believe you and I¡¯m sorry for what they did to your family. Okay. I¡¯ll do it.¡± A chime and subsequent notification accompanied Javier¡¯s acceptance. ¡°Where was the last place you saw them at?¡±


    ¡°My home¡ª¡± Iria¡¯s eyes turned misty, but she fought it off while he looked on uncomfortably. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. I can track them. They can never escape me¡­ I¡¯ll follow them until they¡¯re all dead.¡±


    ¡°I guess I¡¯ll follow you then.¡±


    19/7/2026


    It took longer than Javier expected.


    Iria led him to the northern section of the city. There were a few close calls over the days with soldiers and monsters, but they managed to avoid them all.


    The girl seemed to have an uncanny sense that led her to take the perfect routes. To know when to stop and remain silent and when to dash from one alley to another.


    A thought occurred to him as they followed the trail.


    How did a large, loud, violent group like the Ultras evade the soldier patrols?


    An unfortunate answer greeted him when they finally caught up.


    At least some of the soldiers were working with the Ultras.


    Thick as thieves the two groups drank, brawled and whored in the courtyard of a mansion.


    Huge bonfires lit the entire space up and left little to the imagination.


    ¡°Perhaps you shouldn¡¯t be watching this?¡±


    ¡°No. I need to see them pay. Go¡­ avenge my family!¡± she hissed.


    They crouched behind overgrown bushes in front of another mansion on the opposite side of the street.


    ¡°No monsters in this area,¡± he mused. ¡°They¡¯ve been working with the soldiers for some time¡­ probably.¡± He regarded the girl. ¡°When they¡ª uh¡ª attacked your family. No soldiers came?¡±


    The girl looked at him like he was stupid.


    ¡°Of course¡­ I know that, but what I¡¯m trying to understand if the soldiers knew about it and purposefully turned away.¡±


    The girl gestured at the partying groups.


    She definitely regarded him as a moron.


    ¡°And you said your house was in the northern part. Maybe not all soldiers are complicit then,¡± he sighed.


    It sounded like a mess.


    Then again he never liked the soldiers.


    It made sense that there was an overlap between them and the gangs.


    ¡°Okay¡­ what about the¡­ uh¡­ ladies of the night?¡±


    The girl shrugged.


    ¡°They might not be doing that by choice.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t harm them.¡±


    ¡°Yes, thank you for the advice. It didn¡¯t occur to me until you voiced it,¡± he scowled down at the girl. Then felt bad and tried to smile. ¡°Fine¡­ you hide here. I¡¯ll sneak around and get up on the roof. Then I¡¯ll burn only the bad guys.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going with you.¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°I have a Skill¡­ it might keep the ladies safe.¡±


    ¡°You have a¡ª you¡¯re only 8 to 10 years old.¡±


    ¡°I got it when my family¡ª¡±


    He raised a hand. ¡°Got it¡­ let¡¯s go then.¡±


    He took the lead this time.


    It was ridiculously easy.


    The bad guys hadn¡¯t set a guard.


    Everyone was getting drunk and having their fun.


    It didn¡¯t take long for them to get to the back of the house and climb up to the roof.


    The tiered structure made it relatively easy even for the girl with his help.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m ready. Do your Skill,¡± Javier aimed.


    ¡°Mark of Vengeance,¡± Iria growled.


    An angry red symbol appeared on each Ultras¡¯ forehead.


    It hurt to look at.


    Despite how brightly it glowed he couldn¡¯t have copied it had he tried.


    Something about the marks rendered them incomprehensible to his normal human eyes.


    The women remain unmarked. As did the soldiers.


    The latter would be a problem.


    ¡°Kill them! Avenge my family!¡± Iria roared.


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    Javier said the magic word.


    A wide spray erupted from his left wand drenching everyone in the courtyard as he swept it over them.


    Some of the liquid splattered through the bonfires catching those unfortunate enough to be nearby.


    To his relief, Iria¡¯s mark, or rather, the lack thereof kept the women safe.


    They ran screaming into the night.


    The ultras that hadn¡¯t been ignited looked around frantically.


    They stumbled and swayed in an alcohol-addled daze.


    Always have a watch.


    Even he knew that.


    Unfortunately, the lack of marks had also protected the soldiers.


    They grabbed their weapons and were already searching the mansion¡¯s rooftops.


    ¡°Get down!¡± he urged Iria.


    ¡°I need to see! Hurry up and burn them!¡±


    ¡°Jesus¡ª¡±


    He aimed his right wand.


    ¡°Fire!¡±


    Unlike the gasoline, the fire didn¡¯t have quite the range to reach in spray form.


    He went with a thin, high-pressure stream of flame that behaved more like a water from a hose than actual fire.


    He swept it across the Ultras and the soldiers.


    The latter remained safe.


    The former¡­ screamed.


    ¡°Iria! Can you stop your Skill?¡±


    Indiscriminate gun fire raked the rooftops.


    The darkness and the drunkenness helped, but all it¡¯d take was one lucky hit. He didn¡¯t have a shield spell.


    ¡°No! I have to avenge my family!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s done! The Ultras are burning! I have to get the soldiers or they¡¯ll kill us!¡±


    Iria closed her eyes and grit her teeth.


    After a moment she swayed and would¡¯ve slid down the roof had he not used his leg to hold her in place.


    He cursed.


    Though, that probably meant the Skill was off.


    Such a powerful Skill¡­ it made sense that it¡¯d take a lot out of the 8 to 10-year old.


    ¡°Light!¡± a soldier pointed. ¡°There they are!¡±


    Javier squinted as the bright beam of light blinded him.


    He aimed his fire wand in the general vicinity of the soldier and willed a wide spray of flames.


    The soldier was close enough now and he was still drenched in gasoline.


    The light cut out as the soldier screamed and dropped to the ground rolling around in vain.


    Bullets sent chips of terracotta flying in Javier¡¯s face.


    A stream of curses flew from his mouth as fast as he blindly sent gasoline and fire pouring down on the soldiers.


    He didn¡¯t stop until the gun fire fell silent.


    Iria came to. ¡°You got them all,¡± she said with certainty.


    They descended.


    The stench of burning gasoline mingled terribly with that of cooked human flesh.


    ¡°This is no place for a little girl.¡± He looked at his handiwork with complicated feelings. He had killed before. People trying to kill him. But never this much and in such a terrible way.


    Iria stood and stared at the burning flames.


    Suddenly, a man of fire came roaring toward them.


    ¡°Get back!¡± Javier pulled Iria behind him and emptied his fire wand off everything.


    The man finally crumbled a few feet before reaching them.


    He pushed Iria back.


    The girl was mumbling something.


    He listened.


    ¡°Papa, Mama, Gael, Auntie Fatima, Uncle Antonio, Alma, David¡­ you are avenged¡­¡± she sniffled, ¡°did I do good?¡±


    ¡°Yup¡­ you did.¡± He didn¡¯t know what else to say.


    They watched the fires burn until nothing was left but smoldering ashes.


    Once people, now charred, unrecognizable.


    Iria suddenly dashed toward a pile of equipment partially scorched by the fires.


    ¡°Hey! Careful! It¡¯s hot!¡±


    She ignored him as she grabbed and sifted through the equipment.


    He rushed over. Saw her grimace and hiss with pain as she grabbed too hot weapons.


    An axe, a machete and a knife.


    ¡°Gael¡¯s, Papa¡¯s and Mama¡¯s¡­¡±


    His magical sense was weak since he wasn¡¯t a full mage-type and yet he thought there was something in those three weapons.


    Something to do with the girl¡¯s class that she had refused to divulge?


    A legacy of vengeance?


    The chime and spires voice sounded in his ears.


    A Quest completed and plenty of Universal Points to eat well for a long time.


    Now his only problem was getting away with killing a bunch of soldiers.


    He was pretty sure that the rest wouldn¡¯t care that they had been working with a violent gang.


    In this case his relative anonymity worked to his advantage.


    Hopefully, they¡¯d attribute it to a monster or a turf war.


    ¡°What are you going to do now? I can take you to one of the¡ª¡±


    ¡°No. My family has been avenged, but there are other bad guys out there doing bad things.¡±


    ¡°Wait? Do you still have a Quest? To¡­ uh¡­ avenge people? Like, an ongoing on?¡±


    Iria nodded.


    Javier went through moral and ethical considerations in a few seconds.


    More Quests meant more points, more levels and a better life.


    He¡¯d be killing people, but they were scum and since Iria¡¯s class took out the ambiguity on who is guilty and who is innocent then he should be in the clear, right?


    He remembered school lessons from long ago.


    Even the Church said that war was just, sometimes. It was, like, in the Bible. Probably?


    He had seen Priests and Nuns going out and fighting monsters.


    Hell he had heard the stories about how the Vatican guards got all badass with their pikes.


    Apparently, they were keeping everyone and everything out of the Vatican City without problems.


    Not to mention it¡¯d be a dick move to let an 8 to 10-year old girl go out by herself on a Quest for avenging.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he decided, ¡°I¡¯m in.¡±


    Iria blinked up at him in confusion.


    ¡°Your Quest. I¡¯ll help you avenge¡­ er¡­ as long as they¡¯re bad guys and they deserve it.¡±


    Iria gave him a curt nod before heading out into the dark street.


    Javier followed.


    The acrid stench of burned flesh wafted after them on the wind.

 6.26

    Now, Kansas


    ¡°For information gathering and grocery shopping we¡¯ve got¡­ let¡¯s see¡­ Shrewed, Jayde, Amber, Marci and Trevor. Everyone else stays with the bus. Walking will give you a good excuse to explore the place and get a lay of the situation. Make multiple trips back here,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Full gear?¡± Marci said.


    ¡°The nice gate captain gave us full passes. Show them if anyone questions you.¡±


    ¡°What if it ain¡¯t enough?¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t start any violence. Cooperate, wait and I¡¯ll take care of it.¡±


    ¡°Got it. Get stuff. Find out about the church. Don¡¯t ask about a golden angel. Can we go now?¡± Jayde said.


    The young woman exuded sheer excitement at simply getting off the bus and stretching her legs.


    ¡°Unless anyone has more questions¡­¡±


    They had none, so he bid them good luck as they departed.


    ¡°We¡¯re going for a walk.¡± Hayden¡¯s tone brooked no dissent.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go too far and don¡¯t get into a fight. They gave us passes, but they¡¯ve got plenty of eyes on us. If you leave the RV park they¡¯ll make their presence known.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t care what the racists want,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Just don¡¯t start a fight. I don¡¯t care about the church and their thugs, but we don¡¯t want to draw any undue attention from something else that might be out there. I¡¯d like to be the one to get the jump on it this time.¡±


    ¡°If it helps, my danger sense isn¡¯t going off right now,¡± Jimenez said.


    ¡°Okay, but stay close to the bus.¡±


    Hayden muttered something inaudible and he pretended not to hear it as the two young women left.


    Nila and the toddler followed Cal to the front of the bus.


    ¡°Be ready for anything. I¡¯ll keep an eye on you guys, but I need to be careful and minimize the impact of my thoughts. I don¡¯t know if Zalthyss is already here in a physical sense¡­¡±


    ¡°Sometimes I notice the music in the back of my thoughts,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m doing what I can to shield you. Most of the others haven¡¯t consciously noticed yet. Just doing this might reveal me,¡± he grimaced.


    ¡°Are you sure about this? Maybe we should just go straight to the top. Hit them hard, force Zalthyss into the open if he is present,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°There¡¯s one other thing I picked up. The people in this city are scared. They think that the Meat Parade is close. I can¡¯t risk seeing what the leaders know¡­ at least not yet. I¡¯ll learn more after I talk to ¡®Sexchanter69¡¯,¡± he shook his head, ¡°the odds that he or she was based in the same place as the eternal church¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s that weird. They¡¯d need a relatively safe-ish place to be able to focus on enchanting rather than survival.¡±


    Cal gave her a kiss and tousled the toddler¡¯s curls. ¡°He needs a haircut.¡±


    ¡°I like it this way. So cute!¡±


    ¡°Maybe a buzz cut,¡± he mused as he grabbed to long, thin package wrapped in brown paper.


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    Nila practically pushed him out of the bus.


    Cal walked the streets of Wichita.


    It was a surreal experience for him. It almost brought him back to the world before.


    Cars and people zipped and walked by him.


    They paid him no attention as he exerted the tiniest bit of his power.


    It wasn¡¯t the same as before.


    The amount of vehicles on the road was sparse.


    The number of people was noticeably less. They were all armed and armored to varying degrees.


    Occasionally, he came across men and women patrolling in pairs or small groups. These ones all had a symbol painted on their armor or stitched into clothing.


    A golden cross with golden wings radiating rays of light.


    He avoided touching their minds.


    Still¡­ he could feel and see the familiar song, the music suffusing their very beings.


    He had to stop.


    The memory stung him.


    He glanced at his left hand and the lack of a pinky and ring finger.


    At times he could almost forget.


    Would this be the time and opportunity to redress the loss?


    It took an effort not to do as Nila had suggested and simply force Zalthyss, if it was present on the planet, to appear by going straight to the eternal church¡¯s leadership.


    He thought of the others.


    Not just the people he had brought with him and was responsible for, but also of the tens of thousands of people residing in the walled city.


    He carried on.


    Moving forward.


    Following the thread of a mind.


    The only Enchanter of note in the entire city.


    <hr>


    ¡°Are we supposed to just¡­ go up to people and, what? Ask questions? Like¡­ ¡®hey, whassup? So, you guys got a golden angel calling the shots? Is that cool or what?¡¯ I don¡¯t know, dudes, but that¡¯ll draw the wrong kind of attention,¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°Yup, pretty much, but not as stupid as that,¡± Amber said.


    They walked into a shopping center with a large local grocery store, a Home Depot, a handful of restaurants, fast food places and a billiards place.


    There was a good number of people that eyed them curiously, but not enough to stop them and strike up a conversation.


    ¡°We need to split up,¡± Jayde snapped her fingers. ¡°Guys do the supply shopping. Girls gather info.¡±


    ¡°Fine with me,¡± Shrewed said. ¡°Let¡¯s go, kid.¡±


    The stocky man strode toward the grocery store like a man on a mission or in this case a Quest.


    Trevor sighed. ¡°You just don¡¯t want to carry things,¡± he jabbed a finger at Jayde.


    ¡°Why not both?¡± she shrugged.


    Trevor hurried after Shrewed.


    ¡°You have a plan,¡± Marci said.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be weird if we approach people, so why not have them approach us. Three attractive young ladies that are new to the area. The boys will be all over us,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Ugh¡­ no thanks,¡± Amber said.


    ¡°Just, like, smile and pretend to be nice and interested. The morons will think they¡¯re special.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯ll work,¡± Marci nodded. ¡°That bar looks like the best place,¡± she pointed her spear to the other side of the shopping center.


    ¡°It¡¯s lunch time. Who¡¯s going to be looking to talk to girls in the middle of the day?¡± Amber said.


    ¡°Uh¡­ guys,¡± Jayde blinked.


    ¡°I see a bunch in there right now,¡± Marci said.


    ¡°Perfect! Let¡¯s get this done so we can cut to the fighting part!¡± Jayde clapped and strode toward the bar and grill.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather go shopping,¡± Amber said.


    ¡°Same, but this is important to the Quest,¡± Marci said.


    The two young women reluctantly followed.


    At the grocery store entrance, Shrewed and Trevor had been stopped by the armed guards.


    The small group of men had an unfamiliar symbol painted on their armor, stitched into their clothes or was present in the form of an emblem around their necks.


    ¡°Hold up right there, big man,¡± the lead guard, a scarred man with a bushy beard, held up a hand to Shrewed¡¯s armored chest. ¡°Don¡¯t recognize your face.¡±


    Shrewed reached into his pocket.


    This set the guards off.


    Shouts filled the air as they aimed weapons and thrust hands toward him and Trevor.


    Contradictory commands.


    ¡°Raise your hands!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t move, motherfuckers!¡±


    ¡°Get on your knees!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll blow your fucking brains out!¡±


    ¡°Which one?¡± Shrewed grunted calmly. He noted that Trevor had fully stepped behind him. ¡°Look, we¡¯re just passing through. We need to get some supplies. I¡¯ve got a pass from the south wall guard captain. Would you like to see it?¡±


    The bearded guard regarded him with a cold, reptilian stare for a long moment. ¡°Alright, let me see it, but slow¡­¡±


    Shrewed complied and handed the pass over.


    ¡°Relax,¡± Shrewed whispered back to Trevor.


    Last thing he need was one of the kids to get twitchy.


    That¡¯d blow the whole thing open.


    He wasn¡¯t too concerned thanks to how strong Cal was, but it¡¯d hurt the Quest if they ended up starting the fight in a grocery store parking lot.


    The bearded guard glared at him one last time before raising a fist.


    The other guards eased up.


    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Shrewed took the pass back.


    ¡°Take care of your business quickly. I don¡¯t want you hanging around,¡± the bearded guard growled.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± he replied as he walked through the guards and into the store


    ¡°How are you so calm?¡± Trevor hissed after they had gotten far enough away.


    ¡°I trust the big guy,¡± he said.


    ¡°Now what?¡±


    ¡°We shop,¡± he handed the kid the list.


    ¡°Seriously?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, what else did you think we were going to do?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ get intel?¡±


    ¡°We already got a bit of that.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°The guards are twitchy. I know the feeling. It¡¯s like a twisting in your guts when you know there¡¯s a threat out there and it¡¯s headed your way, but you don¡¯t exactly know when it¡¯s coming.¡±


    ¡°That Meat Parade thing¡­ shit!¡±


    ¡°Why you so scared? I thought you¡¯ve seen some real shit.¡±


    ¡°I have. Went up against fishmen, bloodsuckers, shades and all sorts of mutant animals,¡± Trevor said defensively.


    ¡°Then a bunch of cannibals shouldn¡¯t be so bad.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s different cause all those other times I was with a lot of people. This time there¡¯s, like, twelve of us.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t think we can count on the little guy.¡±


    ¡°Fine, eleven, whatever. Eleven against thousands of eternal church weirdos with their maybe he¡¯s here, maybe he¡¯s not golden angel guy was bad enough. Now you got to factor in how many thousands of cannibals.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re looking at it the wrong way. We don¡¯t have to fight all of them when they¡¯ll be busy fighting each other.¡±


    ¡°I know that¡­ just feeling isolated so far from home.¡±


    ¡°I get that,¡± he empathized, ¡°it¡¯s a definitely a trip being out here. I was almost sure that there wasn¡¯t much left outside of our place and here we are. A walled city with thousands of people, sorta just going about their business like it was yesterday. Almost¡­ almost fooled me into thinking things were back to normal. That the last twelve years was a bad dream.¡±


    ¡°Then you realized that everyone is carrying a weapon. That there aren¡¯t enough people around for a city this size. That they built a wooden wall around it. That you saw a spire a few blocks back.¡±


    Shrewed grunted an assent.


    There was nothing more to add, so they got on with the shopping.


    Back at the bar Jayde and the others had been approached by a small group of young men.


    Judging by the uniformity to their gear they were part of the eternal church¡¯s military arm.


    She didn¡¯t know what the organizational breakdown was and she didn¡¯t care too much.


    All she cared about was getting that sweet, sweet intel.


    ¡°What¡¯d you say your name was? It¡¯s hard to hear cause of the music,¡± she pointed to the ceiling.


    ¡°Joseph,¡± the big dumb-looking young man said with a smile.


    ¡°And you¡¯re, like, a soldier?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a Fighter, but I¡¯m hoping that I can turn that into Fighter of Joyous Light soon!¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡± she faked an interested smile, hoping that the young man wasn¡¯t savvy enough to pick up on it. ¡°That sounds cool! What is that?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s kinda hard to explain. Like, first I need to raise my level, but then I also have to be really connected to the light. The song has to really fill me up and, like, become a part of me. But it can¡¯t be bullshit. I have to genuinely believe and feel it.¡±


    Jayde frowned, but she recovered quickly by taking a sip of her beer to hide the moment.


    As Joseph spoke, she had almost heard something like music in the back of her mind.


    It was fleeting thing. There and gone so fast that she chalked it up to loud music in the bar and grill, even if the other sound had been¡ª


    ¡°If you have time later tonight, I can take you to a service and you can hear the song¡¯s light for yourself. Like I said, it¡¯s hard to explain, but it¡¯s like nothing I¡¯ve ever known before. Like, I just feel all safe and warm,¡± Joseph continued.


    ¡°Is it like magic?¡± she tilted her head to one side and played with a stray lock of her hair.


    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s more than that.¡±


    They conversed for the entirety of Joseph¡¯s lunch break.


    Jayde continued to grill the affable young man on the eternal church and what he did as one of its low-level fighting people.


    ¡°Finally¡­¡± Amber let out a long breath as soon as the group of young men departed. ¡°I am not going to one of those service whatevers.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯d be a good way to learn more about the joyous light,¡± Marci said.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m with her,¡± Jayde gestured to Amber. ¡°There¡¯s some weird vibe going on with those meatheads.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a fucking cult,¡± Amber hissed. ¡°They reminded me of the Deep Azure cult.¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Marci said. ¡°We take this back to Cal and go from there.¡±


    ¡°What now?¡± Amber said.


    ¡°We wait for the guys to finish shopping,¡± Marci said.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been here a half hour,¡± Jayde turned her head to look at the grocery store across the parking lot. ¡°How long does it take? Is it supposed to take this long?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve got a long list,¡± Marci shrugged.


    <hr>


    Heddy jolted in her seat at the sound of her shop¡¯s doorbell.


    She laughed bitterly when she realized that she had been conditioned to fear the sound like a dog being shocked with an electric collar.


    Every visitor over the last several days had only ever brought news that she didn¡¯t need nor want to hear. Even if all of it was important to people like her that weren¡¯t lucky enough to have an in-demand ability that kept them in safety, dubious as it was, behind the city¡¯s walls.


    She rose and peeked through the blinds before opening the door.


    A short man stood calmly outside.


    Open hands at his side.


    Short black hair, brown skin, muscular with an unmarred face.


    Which was odd.


    Most of the men she had come across with that thick-necked build had scars on their faces from getting cut. Noses that weren¡¯t straight and ears that were a disgusting, puffy mass.


    ¡°Hello?¡± the man made eye contact.


    Shit, he saw me, she thought. ¡°What do you want? I¡¯m not open for walk-ins.¡±


    ¡°Not even for your biggest customer?¡±


    ¡°Bullshit! Prove it!¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I can, but I¡¯d like to know if you¡¯re the person I need to speak to. Are you that person? Are you ¡®Sexchanter69¡¯?¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re¡­¡±


    ¡°I put myself down as ¡®Honor¡¯, but the real name is Cal.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ still not enough for me to open this door. You could¡¯ve just magicked that information out of my head.¡±


    ¡°Then how about this,¡± the man grabbed the long package he had propped up against the wall and unwrapped it to reveal a sheathed sword. He drew the blade and ¡°Ign¡ª¡±


    ¡°Okay! Don¡¯t do that! I don¡¯t want the attention.¡±


    The man glanced down both sides of the street. ¡°There doesn¡¯t seem to be a lot of people on this street.¡±


    ¡°I recognize my work seeing as how I just put that on the spires marketplace less than two weeks ago. Wait a second.¡± She closed the blinds and rushed back to her workshop she found her special knife and tucked the sheathed blade into the back of her pants. She unlocked the front door. ¡°What the actual fuck are you doing here? How is that even possible? Have you been local the whole time?¡±


    ¡°Uh, no. I¡¯m from the west coast,¡± the man, Cal, smiled.


    She relaxed in the man¡¯s presence.


    He exuded trust and she felt safe.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    ¡°Would you believe serendipity? I was already on my way to the general area when I read your message,¡± Cal¡¯s eyes darted to her waist and narrowed for a split-second.


    ¡°I¡ª I don¡¯t know where to start. I mean, how did you even get here?¡±


    ¡°Drove a bus,¡± he looked her in the eyes, shrugged and didn¡¯t elaborate.


    ¡°But¡ª how¡ª the dangers? If it isn¡¯t monsters then it¡¯s raiders and cannibals¡­¡±


    ¡°You mentioned the latter in your message¡­¡± he prodded.


    ¡°The Meat Parade¡¯s coming. More of them than they¡¯ve ever been known to have. Thousands of them. Any day now.¡±


    ¡°I heard a bit just walking through town. Is it true that there are a lot of people living in the suburbs and tent cities a few miles beyond the wall¡ª weird structure, must¡¯ve taken a lot of effort to put that up.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. When the church took full control a year and a half or so ago they started kicking out the undesirables. If you were LGBTQIA you had to leave unless you were lucky enough,¡± her face twisted, ¡°to have value to the community.¡±


    ¡°How did they survive?


    ¡°By banding together and the ones stuck in the walls, either through being valuable,¡± she pointed to herself, ¡°or living a lie, smuggle supplies out to them when we can.¡±


    Cal nodded at that. ¡°I noticed that I got a lot of dirty looks.¡±


    ¡°You must¡¯ve gone through the wrong parts of the city by yourself. You don¡¯t have the right skin tone to go wherever you want. Your kind is supposed to stick to your areas.¡±


    ¡°Why not kick them out as well?¡±


    ¡°The church tolerates darker skin as long as you buy into their bullshit. Go to the services, praise the light and all that bullshit,¡± she spat. ¡°It¡¯s just people like me that are doomed sinners.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ the Eternal Church of Joyous Light¡­ is a relatively new thing? Have they always been called that?¡±


    She shook her head. ¡°It was just one of those regular churches. Barely worth notice. The need to survive actually made them bearable. They were willing to work together with everybody against the monsters, mutant animals and bastards like the Meat Parade. That all changed with the re-branding.¡±


    ¡°Right, a year and a half ago.¡±


    ¡°Their people started getting stronger. Better Skills and spells. They took power or those in power, shit, a whole lot of people started converting for real. I knew some people that were only doing it for the power boost, but within a few months they were true believers. Like they had been indoctrinated since they were kids.¡±


    The man sighed.


    ¡°I can offer you and those not welcome here a home where you¡¯ll be free to be your true self. The only problem is transport. I¡¯m here for a specific reason and I can¡¯t leave until I see that through.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t matter. We¡¯re going to get eaten anyways.¡±


    ¡°The walls¡ª¡±


    ¡°Might be enough, but it won¡¯t help everyone outside.¡±


    ¡°Then move them inside.¡±


    She laughed bitterly. ¡°That¡¯s not happening. The church is planning to use them to slow the Meat Parade down.¡±


    Cal nodded. As if he expected that answer. ¡°Would you and your smuggling network be able to hide them if they were brought into the city?¡±


    ¡°How¡ª¡±


    ¡°No details. Can you hide them?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ probably.¡±


    ¡°Good. I¡¯ve got more questions.¡±


    ¡°Anything.¡± She trusted this man, even though she had just met him. Talking to him was lifting the cloud that had surrounded her for so long.


    ¡°Can you tell me everything you know about the eternal church? As many details as you can remember.¡±


    She did.


    For what felt like hours she told Cal the rest of what she knew.


    Her fear of the seekers discovering their smuggling operation.


    The sheer terror she felt at one day being forced to attend a service.


    Of being unable to escape from her gilded cage. Of the illusion of safety that she saw wherever she looked.


    She spoke until her throat ran dry.


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s good for now. Why don¡¯t you get a drink of water and you can answer one last question. It¡¯s about this,¡± Cal held up the enchanted sword.


    She took a long pull from her water bottle. ¡°What about it? I appreciate the help, but I¡¯m not just going to give out my trade secrets.¡±


    ¡°What would it take for you to share your expertise? I¡¯m willing to pay.¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯ve given me more than enough Universal Points. Which I¡¯m using to buy supplies and sharing with the others so that they can get just a little bit stronger out there. Thank you for that, by the way.¡±


    Cal inclined his head.


    ¡°Look, if you can get me and the rest out of here and to this safe place then I¡¯ll tell you whatever you want about my enchanting.¡±


    ¡°I was more hoping you¡¯d be willing to share your knowledge and lead others in this field since you appear to be the foremost expert at the moment.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I¡¯d go that far. There could be people that are a lot better than me, only they aren¡¯t dumb or greedy enough to put it out there like I did.¡±


    ¡°You aren¡¯t the only one putting enchanted gear up for sale.¡±


    She shrugged. ¡°Just get us out of here. Anywhere would be better.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll try, but first I need to work on getting them inside the walls.¡±


    ¡°I need to introduce you to Knox. He¡¯s my contact to the network. He¡¯ll know where to hide our people.¡±


    ¡°I can wait here.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t work that way. I have to open my windows a certain way then he¡¯ll know to come, but it might not be today. It might not be tomorrow. I don¡¯t know, but he¡¯s got a system he uses that lets him know when it¡¯s safe.¡± Her eyes widened. ¡°Shit! The church has people watching me! They¡¯ve already seen you!¡±


    Cal raised a hand. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. They didn¡¯t notice. I¡¯ve got my own tricks. Trust me.¡±


    ¡°Damn it! We don¡¯t have time. If only you came sooner.¡±


    ¡°Can you tell me where I can find this Knox? Perhaps you can write a note telling him to work with me?¡±


    ¡°Sorry. That¡¯s something I can¡¯t share.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ how about this¡­ tell him you need to start planning for a huge road trip. Vehicles, supplies, all that stuff. My bus is in an RV park a short distance from the south gate near the interstate. You can find me or my people there. Our passes are only good until tomorrow at sunset¡ª¡±


    ¡°What? But that¡¯s not enough time!¡± she wailed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how much my word is worth to you¡­ but I promise that I¡¯ll do my best.¡±


    For some reason she believed the man even though he was little better than a stranger.

 Interlude: Daughter of the Raven, Daughter of the Sun 0

    2045, Ireland


    ¡°Young lady, I am very upset with you,¡± she wagged the gun toward the girl in question like an old woman wagging a finger. Which wasn¡¯t that far off considering her actual age. ¡°If your mother won¡¯t spank you, then I will.¡±


    The girl narrowed her eyes. ¡°She won¡¯t like you pointing your gun at me like that,¡± she crossed her arms.


    ¡°The safety¡¯s on¡­¡±


    ¡°Everyone knows you only point your weapon at things you¡¯re going to kill.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s magical. Zero percent chance of accidental discharge¡­ anyways¡­ we have more important concerns. Did you forget the wild hunt between us and Sanctuary?¡± she thrust her other pistol out past the tree line where a motley assortment of fae-looking thugs hooted and hollered menacingly in the middle of a wide clearing.


    ¡°Mother will make them leave.¡±


    The certainty of children.


    Evangeline cursed being the one to find the wayward scion of their little witchy haven.


    The brat had zero sense of fear for her personal safety. It would¡¯ve been foolish back in the old days. Now? It was double, nay, triple or even quadruply idiotic to run about in a world filled with actual monsters.


    ¡°If they won¡¯t¡­ then father will crush them all.¡±


    So certain.


    ¡°Yes, yes¡­ that would make things easier for me,¡± she mumbled as she looked up. She couldn¡¯t see the sky through the dense tree cover. Then again with how fast he moved all she¡¯d hear was the sonic boom and the clearing would be empty by the time she blinked. ¡°Got your mother¡¯s protection charm?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    The girl clutched the small stuffed raven woven from black-dyed yarn. Its googly eyes pointed in different directions.


    For all her magical power, the head witch of their coven was a passable knitter at best. Probably, cause she refused to get a class in it.


    Evangeline eyed the ring of raven feathers she had scattered around the two of them. Darker than black, they seemed to suck in what little moonlight managed to filter through the foliage.


    She hoped that the head witch¡¯s charms would keep them hidden.


    ¡°This is what happens when you sneak out,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°It¡¯s not fair that I have to stay in the sanctuary all the time. It¡¯s soooo boring. I should be able to fly like my father.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t yet¡ª can you?¡±


    The girl¡¯s big, brown eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Lera? Have you been lying about your abilities?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± the girl huffed. ¡°I can¡¯t fly¡­ yet.¡±


    ¡°I see you¡¯ve been practicing your ominousness with Rupert.¡± She waited for the girl¡¯s smug grin to appear before dashing it. ¡°It¡¯s just as non-threatening as when he does it. So cute!¡± she pitched her voice to a sickly sweet height.


    The girl pouted.


    Ah, children¡­ so enjoyable to take them down a peg.


    Did that make her petty?


    Yes.


    Did she care?


    No.


    Especially, since the kid in question might¡¯ve just gotten the both of them killed¡­ or worse.


    ¡°I¡¯m stronger and tougher than almost everyone in the sanctuary.¡±


    ¡°Maybe¡­ but you¡¯re also seven. So, I¡¯ll give you 2 points for what you said and a minus 35 points for being a literal child.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, well I¡¯m not dumb like the other kids.¡±


    Evangeline groaned theatrically.


    ¡°I¡¯m not!¡± Lera stomped her foot with sent a small tremor through the carpet of fallen leaves on the forest floor.


    ¡°Shhh!¡±


    The wild hunt had heard or felt that despite the hiding charms around them. Several heads turned toward them.


    Human-ish faces seemed to waver in the moonlight.


    Evangeline was a Witch, so she had a built in ability to see through glamour spells to a certain extent.


    She saw green-skinned faces with mouths filled with sharp teeth, yellow eyes and leather caps dripping in red. Perfect alabaster faces that sparkled with eyes that glittered malevolently. Small, spritely faces with pointy ears and pointier teeth. And much more.


    ¡°Unicorn? Sharp teeth though¡­¡± she mumbled. ¡°Shoot the horn, maybe?¡±


    A very human figure stepped out from the throng.


    The young man wore jeans, combat boots and a black leather jacket studded with spikes and metal plates like armor. He had blond hair spiked up like horns and dark glasses that were too large for his gaunt face.


    ¡°Come out, come out, child of the sun! Come out, come out, child of the raven! Witch of the gun! Be bold, be brazen!¡± the young man¡¯s voice warbled into the night.


    ¡°Oh god.¡± Evangeline tapped the barrel of one pistol on her helmet.


    ¡°That¡¯s Drake! Why is he with the wild hunt?¡± Lera¡¯s head vacillated from witch to witch.


    ¡°Well¡­ he¡¯s a moron, so¡­¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°He disappeared and no one would tell me why?¡±


    ¡°You keep squinting like that and you¡¯ll end up with a wrinkled face. Take it from me, you don¡¯t want that.¡±


    Drake¡¯s hands began to trace an intricate dance in the air. ¡°Reveal to me what is hidden. Turn it into a midden.¡±


    ¡°Oh shi¡ª¡± Evangeline gagged.


    ¡°It smells!¡± Lera pinched her nose.


    She felt the once fairly solid ground turn soft, like mud. ¡°Be glad you can¡¯t see and that you¡¯re wearing boots¡­ you are wearing boots, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh good. It¡¯s always fifty-fifty with you. Sometimes in proper footwear, sometimes running around barefoot like Mowgli.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s faster, but icky.¡±


    Drake and the wild hunt continued to search the trees.


    ¡°Okay. Your mother¡¯s hiding charms are still working. It stinks in here, but I say we wait as long as¡ª¡±


    ¡°Witch¡¯s charms be undone. With my curse let there be none,¡± Drake unleashed a bright snake of light with a flourish. It slithered through the air weaving around trees and branches.


    ¡°Damn it! Stay hidden. I¡¯ll distract them and when you see an opening run for the sanctuary as fast as you can.¡±


    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Wide-eyed Lera nodded.


    ¡°Listen, these aren¡¯t small monsters and mutant animals. They are fae¡­ probably, maybe¡­ whatever, point is they¡¯ve got magic and who knows what other kinds of powers. You might be vulnerable, so don¡¯t try to fight. I can take care of myself.¡± Evangeline switched out her magazines and popped out the chambered rounds.


    The curse struck with a blinding flash of light.


    One of the dark feathers on the ground lit up and burned to ash.


    ¡°Ah, I thought I smelled your powder, though I expected you to be louder,¡± Drake said.


    ¡°Let me guess¡­ you¡¯re still a simple Rhyming Witch, Drake? I suppose I shouldn¡¯t be too surprised. Five years of trying and failing to become a witch of poetry should¡¯ve given you the hint. You¡¯re no The Bard. The wild hunt though? Really?¡± she called back.


    ¡°And you? Still using that glamour as your armor? You can never cloak the truth of time with the illusion of your prime.¡±


    ¡°Low-hanging fruit, Drake,¡± she tsked. ¡°How about this? Let us be on our away, lest mother and father ruin your day. See, it¡¯s not so hard. Even I can do that two-line bullshit. That¡¯s why you¡¯ll never improve your class, Drake. You aren¡¯t composing real poetry. Where¡¯s the meter, the iambic pentameter, the sonnets and soliloquies¡ª¡± she lowered her voice, ¡°Lera, what else do poems have?¡±


    The girl shrugged.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have lit class with all this crap?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t pay attention¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m telling your mother.¡± Evangeline aimed at Drake¡¯s smiling face. The young man¡¯s teeth were helpfully white, almost shining in the dark night. ¡°Not yet,¡± she muttered.


    The wild hunt hadn¡¯t moved so that meant they were still hidden to a degree.


    ¡°At least my craft is worthwhile and full of class unlike yours which is just trash,¡± Drake smirked.


    ¡°Yup,¡± she nodded. ¡°This is why I wasn¡¯t too sad when you disappeared, Drake! Pretentiousness is the worst trait in a person. Doubly so when it¡¯s unearned. The Bard cringes in his grave at your word vomit.¡±


    ¡°Lera. Come with me to save your mom. Come with me and save everyone,¡± Drake said.


    ¡°What is he saying, Eva?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t listen to him. Remember what we say about the fae?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t listen to them.¡±


    ¡°Right and Drake¡¯s with them now, so¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t listen to him,¡± Lera echoed.


    ¡°What do you want with Lera?¡±


    Keep him talking. Keep them searching.


    Every second bought gave the head witch and the others time to find them.


    The wild hunt¡¯s presence so close to one of the sanctuary¡¯s entrances wouldn¡¯t have gone unnoticed.


    ¡°A hostage for the court, a serious matter. Not for sport, she won¡¯t be baked in batter.¡±


    Lera scowled.


    ¡°Which court?¡±


    ¡°All of them,¡± Drake grinned. ¡°You¡¯ve¡ª¡±


    ¡°Enough of this idle banter,¡± a looming, impossibly thin figure materialized or stepped in front of Drake. ¡°Witch, I respect your craft, but the wild hunt has stood in place for long enough. We must hunt and I smell our quarry.¡±


    Evangeline regarded the looming figure in its armor of tree bark and leaves, writhing and moving even though it stood still. Its unearthly voice made it impossible to tell if it was male or female, if that even mattered to the fae.


    ¡°You, witch in the woods. You reek of anathema and the foulness of this world. I grant you passage. Leave the child. The witch of rhymes speaks the truth. She will be unharmed¡­ for a time.¡±


    ¡°What do you want with her?¡±


    ¡°The mother will do what she must to ensure the spawn¡¯s safety. The mother will do what the courts demand. You are unwelcome squatters in our lands. You will leave or bend knee and provide tribute. As it should be. As it has always been.¡±


    ¡°You lot didn¡¯t show up until years after we made our sanctuary. Don¡¯t try to pretend that you had a prior claim. We know that you fae came when the spires opened Earth up to those with special dispensation. You¡¯re the squatters!¡±


    ¡°Chattering cow,¡± the looming figure seemed to grow even larger, ¡°bite your tongue, lest I do it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be generous. Leave now and live another day.¡±


    ¡°The raven witch¡¯s charms are strong, but I have found you. Death it is for you, witch of powder and iron.¡± The looming figure gestured with a blade of wood and leaves.


    The wild hunt howled and darted forward like a pack of hounds.


    Evangeline felt like a cornered fox just like her father and uncles hunted a long time ago when she had been a child. She had hated it then. She instinctively knew that it had been most unfair.


    ¡°Eva, I lied¡­¡± Lera said.


    ¡°You can fly! Then fly home!¡±


    ¡°Not that¡­ another thing, but it gets me really tired after.¡±


    ¡°Whatever you can do, do it now!¡±


    The wild hunt crashed through the dense undergrowth.


    Huge things bowled trees over.


    Small things slipped through thickets with barely a brush.


    Everything in between came for them.


    Evangeline fired two-fisted death.


    Instead of hot lead, she used cold iron.


    The fae things didn¡¯t like that.


    Her craft made her more accurate than she should¡¯ve been while dual-wielding.


    Every squeeze of the trigger was a hit.


    They howled in pain.


    An ugly, wicked sprite-thing was blown away into a fine mist leaving only tattered remnants of gossamer wings to drift to the forest floor.


    ¡°Fuck you, Tinkerbell.¡±


    ¡°Watch out, Eva!¡±


    She dived out of the now useless charm circle. Specifically, so that she got out of the midden Drake had turned the ground inside into.


    Night turned into day as Lera screamed.


    Evangeline had shut her eyes tight on reflex but she still had to wait for what felt like an eternity for the all-encompassing white in her eyes to dissipate.


    When she could see again the fae had scattered or simply had been incinerated. Along with a huge swath of forest all the way out into the clearing.


    Small fires burned around the path of devastation.


    ¡°Lera¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t feel so¡ª¡±


    Evangeline darted toward the girl catching her before she fell face first into the midden. ¡°You¡¯re a lot heavier than you look. Makes sense.¡±


    She ran for Sanctuary.


    The dead weight on her shoulder slowed her down but it was a mark of the girl¡¯s powerful display that she made it past the tree line before Drake and the fae things, the ones still living, reacted.


    ¡°A curse of¡ª¡±


    ¡°Anti-curse Bullet.¡±


    She shot the building spell in Drake¡¯s hands along with his left hand.


    The looming fae chased with strides that seemed too long.


    She hit it with a double-tap.


    It cut the cold iron bullets out of the air with its blade of wood and leaves.


    The remnants of the wild hunt filled the night sky with a cacophony that promised her death.


    She had only made it a third of the way through the clearing.


    ¡°Rocket-jump Bullet.¡±


    She fired into the ground at an angle behind her.


    Despite the spell granting protection she felt the strain in her arm and shoulder as it propelled her and Lera high into the air.


    They landed in a rolling heap.


    She came up firing.


    ¡°Multi-bullet.¡±


    Two became eight.


    Seven fae fell or slowed.


    One simply cut the bullet out of the air.


    She had made it three-quarters of the way to Sanctuary.


    She ran out of time.


    The impossibly tall and thin fae was a stride away from her and Lera.


    The air rippled behind her. She felt it. So close, yet so far.


    ¡°A Murder of Crows.¡±


    A rush of wind and wings brushed around her.


    They swarmed the fae thing pecking and clawing, cawing all the while.


    She turned and rushed to Lera, hefting the unconscious child like a sack of potatoes over one shoulder.


    ¡°Wytchraven. Your daughter is¡­ something else,¡± she said as she rushed toward the young-looking woman dressed in black with a raven on each shoulder.


    ¡°Thank you for keeping her safe, Eva. I can never repay you for that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d take a long vacation, but it seems like that¡¯s not in the cards.¡±


    ¡°The fae?¡±


    ¡°Well, Drake is alive and with the wild hunt.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I see him over there trying to stop the bleeding, but he¡¯s a lesser concern. That¡¯s a noble, summer court from the feeling I¡¯m getting. Yet, it¡¯s with the wild hunt?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the problem. All the courts are out to get us.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it in Sanctuary. Get Lera inside.¡±


    Evangeline hurried through the invisible gateway.


    ¡°You¡¯ve attacked my blood. I don¡¯t take that lightly,¡± Wytchraven said.


    ¡°Charlatan wench,¡± the impossibly tall fae growled even as it stabbed and slashed crows out of the air, ¡°you will regret your unearned arrogance.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see, won¡¯t we.¡± She turned and walked into her sanctuary.

 6.27

    Now, Kansas


    They swept westward like a tsunami.


    Not even the smallest settlement escaped their hungry maw.


    The people they defeated ended up in their stomachs or ended up joining the blessed sacrament.


    A scant few ran to the west for their lives and the closest large settlement that they knew about.


    Was it coincidence or design that it was the very place the Flesh Eaters were going to?


    The landscape was dotted with farms.


    One such large farmhouse loomed at the top of a small, grassy hill.


    The fields surrounding it were overgrown.


    The moon wasn¡¯t visible in the night sky, but Michael could see well enough with the natural night vision provided by his transformed state. He heard the movements of creatures out in the darkness. They kept their distance. He smelled the iron tang in the air and putrid remains of dead carcasses leading up to the farmhouse.


    ¡°Why does it smell so bad?¡± Donald whined.


    ¡°Monsters or mutant animals,¡± Lincoln grunted.


    ¡°Yeah, I know that, but you¡¯d think it¡¯d smell like the fl¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t compare the sacrament to filthy meat!¡± Sunny snapped.


    ¡°Okay, jeez, sorry¡­¡±


    ¡°Quiet,¡± Britt hissed. ¡°I¡¯m trying to listen.¡±


    Several teams were gathered together. Hidden by a large oak and a dense patch of bushes. Not that any hiding place was guaranteed when you were up against Skills and spells. For all they knew the people holed up in the farmhouse already knew they were there.


    The leaders argued over a plan to storm the farmhouse.


    A large group of people had escaped from the last settlement they had conquered.


    The chase had gone down the road a few miles to the north before a lucky set of shots had stopped two of the vehicles forcing the enemy to continue on foot.


    ¡°Michael, you have the best ears. What are they saying?¡± Britt whispered.


    ¡°They¡¯re deciding who gets to go first.¡±


    ¡°What else? What about tactics?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all they¡¯re talking about.¡±


    He listened and sighed. ¡°All junior members are going to form a perimeter to make sure that no one escapes.¡±


    Several of the people around him growled in displeasure.


    ¡°What? Why? This band is basically all junior members,¡± Donald whined.


    The not so fat young man was right.


    Out of the 70 or so people circling the farmhouse, only 20 weren¡¯t considered junior members.


    ¡°Not enough meat to go around,¡± Sunny pouted.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. We earn our status. We do our best at the tasks assigned to us,¡± Britt said.


    The leaders broke apart and gave their orders.


    The woman leading the collection of teams that Michael¡¯s was a part of wasn¡¯t anything at all like Fred.


    She was a serious-faced old woman that looked like she had been carved out of granite.


    She explained their part of the plan in terse terms and left them to their devices as she and the handful of senior level members went off to begin their assault on the farmhouse.


    ¡°This is bullshit,¡± Donald whispered.


    ¡°Don¡¯t sweat it,¡± Michael soothed. ¡°We¡¯ll be hitting Wichita after this.¡±


    ¡°I know, which is why we need to level. They don¡¯t need to. None of us have hit ten yet.¡±


    ¡°Three levels in a couple of weeks isn¡¯t bad,¡± Lincoln said.


    ¡°I know that, I¡¯m just saying we should¡¯ve gotten the chance at more if they were being fair.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s enough, Donald. We have a job to do. So quit whining and get it together,¡± Britt said.


    ¡°Sorry¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Just don¡¯t lose focus. This might be our last chance at a live combat situation before the real battle and I want this team to do it perfectly¡ª¡±


    Any other words Britt was going to say was swallowed by the eruption of gun fire and spells from the farm house.


    ¡°I knew it,¡± Michael said.


    The enemy hadn¡¯t been taken by surprise. Despite the darkness they knew that an attack was coming.


    Michael¡¯s senior brothers and sisters abandoned stealth.


    They transformed fully and charge up the small hill, through the thick grasses and stalks of various vegetables grown wild.


    Flames illuminated the dark landscape as fireballs streaked down from the second floor windows.


    Big-bodied Flesh Eaters plowed right through the enemy fire and through the wooden walls like they were made out of cardboard. The thinner, quicker ones used the distraction to scale the walls and penetrate through the windows to silence the mage-types and shooters.


    The fight was short and violent.


    In a matter of seconds several fires doted the landscape.


    ¡°There,¡± Michael pointed.


    A small group of figures escaped from the side of the house and down through the tall grass.


    Right toward his team.


    ¡°Lucky!¡± Sunny gave him a feral grin.


    ¡°No, Sunny! I see children. We take them alive. Lincoln, Charlie, go, we¡¯ll back you up,¡± Britt barked.


    The team sprang into action, but the time it took to give orders cost them.


    Another team reached the escapees first.


    Desperate shouts.


    Growls, snarls.


    Screams.


    Gun fire.


    Skills.


    Spells.


    Silence.


    When they reached the site they were greeted by smiling faces smeared with blood.


    The sweet tang on the air cause Michael¡¯s stomach to rumble.


    ¡°Want some?¡± one of the other team beckoned.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± Britt snapped.


    ¡°Uh¡­ offering to share, but you can just say no instead of being a bitch about it. What¡¯s your problem?¡±


    ¡°Those are¡ª were kids. Our orders are to take them alive.¡±


    A shrug. ¡°Yeah¡­ so, we screwed that up. Got a little excited for the action. You can report me. I¡¯m the lead, so it¡¯s my fault. I¡¯ll own it. Look, just to show that I¡¯m not a dick or anything, your team can share.¡±


    ¡°No thanks.¡± Britt eyed her team. ¡°You can do whatever you want.¡± She stalked away.


    Michael followed her immediately.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Donald muttered before he too left.


    Lincoln and Charlie were next.


    Sunny gave a disgruntled growl as she, too, joined the rest of her team.


    ¡°Thank you. You didn¡¯t have to do that. I would¡¯ve been fine with you staying and eating,¡± Britt said.


    ¡°We¡¯re a team,¡± Sunny said unhappily.


    ¡°Yeah, what she said¡­ except without the bitterness,¡± Donald said.


    ¡°Shut up! Fatso!¡±


    ¡°Whatever, midget! And I¡¯m getting there,¡± Donald poked his belly.


    ¡°Let¡¯s head to the farmhouse. Maybe they¡¯ll share,¡± Lincoln ventured.


    They climbed the small hill, skirting the growing fires.


    The stone-faced old woman met them. She was drenched in blood though she had already returned to her human form. ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°Orders, ma¡¯am,¡± Britt said stiffly.


    ¡°More like you¡¯re hoping for a free bite, like the rest,¡± the old woman tsked.


    ¡°No, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ there won¡¯t be any. They had a couple of high-leveled people going by the casualties we took,¡± the old woman grunted. ¡°We need all that meat to heal up.¡±


    ¡°Losses, ma¡¯am?¡±


    ¡°Five veterans. Gone to the next world. Where prey is plentiful and the hunt is eternal.¡±


    ¡°Our condolences.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t want it, don¡¯t need it,¡± the old woman scoffed. ¡°This is what we do for the sacrament. We eat or die. Nothing more. Nothing less. You young people will get it one day. If you survive that long. Eat and grow strong. That¡¯s all that matters in the end.¡±


    The old woman turned her glare to the spreading fire and paid them no more attention.


    The next morning found them back on the road in a familiar place.


    The back of the truck was an uncomfortable ride, but they didn¡¯t mind it so much this time.


    They were headed to the destination they had set out for over two months ago.


    Wichita awaited.


    A large city with over ten thousand people.


    How many levels would they gain?


    How much strength and power?


    <hr>


    ¡°Well¡­ shit¡­¡±


    Cal drifted high in the sky.


    When he had first heard of the Meat Parade he had pictured Flo in her monstrous form. Pale-skinned, sharp teeth in a mouth much too-large, sharp claws, wiry muscles that contained superhuman physical strength.


    The thought of a parade of such beings running down the street in a mad rush to cram human flesh into their mouths was properly horrifying.


    Watching a convoy of assorted vehicles stretching for miles on the highway was uncannily normal.


    It could¡¯ve been a mundane militia group with their mismatched weapons and armor.


    There wasn¡¯t any sign of monstrosity. At least not physically.


    The contents of their thoughts was another matter.


    There was no mistake that this was the Meat Parade.


    One of them.


    He sensed the others traveling on different roads all coming from the east.


    They were going to come at Wichita from every direction.


    He couldn¡¯t take obvious action.


    The slightest misstep might alert Zalthyss, if it was on Earth, to his presence.


    He flew closer to the ground miles ahead of the convoy and utterly ripped the road apart with his telekinetic power. Then he placed several spike strips taken from police stations across the roads. He repeated the actions in front of every convoy moving through the state.


    The lead vehicles would get flat tires, then they¡¯d notice the torn road. They¡¯d think of enemy action. Of the potential for an ambush. That would make them more cautious. Slow their advance as they sent scouts ahead.


    The eternal church should¡¯ve been doing this already. It boggled his mind that their plan had been to sacrifice innocent people to slow the advance while they defended from their wooden walls.


    First of all, they didn¡¯t have enough people to defend every inch of the wall since it surrounded the entire city. Sure, they had good sight lines from the watch towers, but so did the Meat Parade.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    It was either malice or incompetence and he couldn¡¯t risk scanning deeper to find out which.


    In any case a half hour¡¯s work would hopefully give him more time to discover the truth about the eternal church. If Zalthyss was already here. Hiding, waiting.


    He flew to the eastern most settlement from the city.


    It was a small suburb protected by barricades made out of car wrecks and other junk.


    The metal was scored by numerous cuts and gouges.


    He had flown slowly and in sight, allowing the people to see him coming.


    Armed men and women met him as he landed in the middle of the street.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have time to explain. There¡¯s something called the Meat Parade¡ª¡± a burst of fear and sheer terror flooded his thoughts, ¡°¡ª coming down the road. Might be hours away. If we¡¯re lucky that could stretch to a day or two. Please gather your essentials and meet up right here,¡± he pointed to the ground.


    A young man with hair dyed a fiery red pointed a finger at him. ¡°Yo, you¡¯re saying a lot of weird shit, so I¡¯m gonna have to ask you to repeat that in normal human.¡±


    ¡°You know Heddy? A Knox? I¡¯m saving you cause I made her a promise. Well¡­ actually, I said I¡¯d ¡®try¡¯. So, one could argue that this is enough. I mean. Is it really my fault if you refused my help? Anyways,¡± he floated back into the air, ¡°I figure there¡¯s about forty people here, so I need to find a bus. It¡¯ll be easier for you. Everyone needs to be here when I get back. You¡¯re all racing death or worse, so please move with a purpose.¡±


    The words, along with the slight mental push, worked.


    When he returned with the bus the entire community was where he had told them to be.


    ¡°Where are you taking us?¡± the fiery-haired young man said as they began the boarding process.


    ¡°Back behind the walls.¡±


    ¡°Into the city? Fuck, bro, they kicked us out. No way they¡¯ll let us stay.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a plan. Some tricks to let you hide.¡±


    He didn¡¯t answer any other questions.


    Telepathic walls kept most of their fear from reaching him beyond the level of whispered murmurings.


    Time, practice and experience helped with that.


    It was constant effort on his part, though in recent times it had gotten easier.


    Although, after spending time away from large groups of people the burden on his walls had noticeably increased after reaching a city with over ten thousand souls.


    That was one of the reasons why he lived 30 miles away from his family when he was in SoCal. Just him, Nila and the little guy in a shitty hotel casino.


    He flew the bus through the air shielding it from being noticed by anyone that happened to look up. Which was surprisingly few. He supposed it made sense. He hadn¡¯t seen any large flying monsters in the area. Merely mutated birds and the occasional mutated flying insect. Dangerous in their own right to the weak and careless, but nothing compared to wyverns, drakes or thunderbirds.


    He brought them down in the RV park. Near his own bus.


    Nila met him.


    ¡°Sorry for dropping this on you, but I need to get the others. The Meat Parade¡¯s coming and they¡¯re coming from all directions,¡± he said.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, but shouldn¡¯t we warn them,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°The eternal church? At best they won¡¯t listen. Since they planned to leave them out there,¡± he gestured toward the people disembarking the bus. ¡°At worst they¡¯ll want to question us and that¡¯ll bring a whole set of new complications.¡±


    ¡°Where are we supposed to go now?¡± the fiery-haired young man scowled.


    He pointed to the empty, abandoned RV¡¯s scattered throughout the park. ¡°Hide in those for now. Wait for Knox. Listen to Nila. She¡¯ll keep you alive if anything goes wrong.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll stick to the plans,¡± Nila said. ¡°Hurry! But be careful. Love you,¡± she kissed him.


    ¡°If you hear¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know. I¡¯ll scream in my brain as loud as I can,¡± she smiled.


    ¡°I¡¯m serious. It¡¯s fast. If I¡¯m faraway¡ª¡±


    ¡°I can handle it long enough for you to get here, no matter how far you are.¡±


    ¡°I love you too. Take care of yourself and the little guy.¡±


    He zipped back into the sky, dragging the empty bus behind him.


    The people already knew about the incoming Meat Parade. So it only took a small nudge to get them to cooperate. It still took time for the suburbs and tent cities to gather their things and their people.


    Precious time that ran out.


    The Meat Parade hadn¡¯t reacted to the broken roads and traps as he had hoped.


    Instead of proceeding cautiously they did the opposite.


    They didn¡¯t slow their advance. Didn¡¯t send out scouts and skirmishers.


    They rushed forward going around the impediments with their off-road capable vehicles.


    Cal got four bus loads of people back behind the walls when the Meat Parade reached the areas just outside of the city.


    There were still three settlements he needed to evacuate.


    <hr>


    ¡°They¡¯re here!¡± Knox gasped in her face as Heddy opened the door to head down to her shop.


    Heddy jumped back with a scream, fumbling at the knife tucked in the back of her belt. ¡°What the actual fuck! I could¡¯ve stabbed you!¡± she finally succeeded at drawing the knife.


    ¡°The Meat Parade¡¯s coming. They¡¯re hours away.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? How do you know?¡±


    ¡°This lovely young black lady appeared in my house and told me that I needed to hide our people like that guy you sent my way¡­ Cal¡­ he brought them into the city somehow. The young lady didn¡¯t elaborate beyond telling me that they were hiding at an RV park near the south gate and that more would be coming.¡±


    ¡°How are you going to move them?¡±


    ¡°I have no idea!¡± Knox threw his hands up. ¡°I thought Cal was going to sneak people in small groups, like four or five people at a time.¡±


    ¡°With the Meat Parade almost here the church will put most of its fighters on the walls¡­ probably¡­ less eyes on the street¡­ but it¡¯s still daytime. You¡¯ll have to wait till it¡¯s dark.¡± Heddy thought. Focused on this one problem. She didn¡¯t know if she could function if she truly allowed her mind to think on the Meat Parade and what was surely to come once they reached the city.


    ¡°The alarms haven¡¯t gone off yet. Do they even know that they¡¯re coming? What if they don¡¯t know?¡± Knox muttered curses beneath his breath as he paced in Heddy¡¯s apartment. He snapped his fingers. ¡°We have to wait till the alarm. They¡¯ll tell people to go to their homes or to one of the shelters in the city center. That¡¯ll be our window. I¡¯ll have our people move from the RV park in small groups. They can avoid notice in the chaos. The problem is our network doesn¡¯t have enough places to hide that many people. We were struggling to find more.¡±


    ¡°I can cram a lot of people in here,¡± she offered.


    ¡°What¡¯s the maximum occupancy for your shop?¡±


    ¡°Downstairs? 40, but you can fit more if they don¡¯t mind standing. They can also stay in my apartment. The buildings on this block are empty, but the church owns them.¡±


    ¡°Those are no good. They¡¯re vacant, but someone will be alerted if we try to break in. Your plan is good, but there¡¯s no going back for you if the church finds out.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter anymore. One way or another my days are done here.¡±


    In another place a hammer beat rhythmically on a heated chunk of steel.


    Deandre struggled to maintain his concentration.


    Hammering was normally automatic, but trying to infuse his nascent mana at the same time was akin to patting his head with one hand, rubbing his stomach with the other, all while riding a unicycle for the first time.


    Still, he persevered and the metal slowly took the shape of a bearded axe head.


    More importantly, he could see the mana slowly fusing into it.


    He stayed at his home forge for hours, completely forgetting about the need to go to work.


    Not even the blaring of the sirens could pull him from his moment of inspiration.


    ¡°They¡¯re finally doing it,¡± Shrewed grunted. ¡°There is no war in Ba Sing Se¡­¡±


    ¡°The fuck?¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°The alarm. The church called it late. The Meat Parade is outside the city and they¡¯re only warning their people now.¡±


    ¡°I get that, but what was that other stuff, about Ba¡ª whatever?¡±


    ¡°Nothing¡­ damn kids,¡± Shrewed muttered.


    ¡°Danger sense picked up a few notches,¡± Jimenez said.


    They were hiding on a roof top across from city hall.


    The fourth member of their little group was currently inside, hopefully unseen.


    ¡°For us specifically? Or Dayana? Or in general cause it¡¯s cannibal time?¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°Dayana¡­ I think we need to¡ª¡±


    A burst of light out one of the street-facing windows sent glass shards flying.


    ¡°Get down!¡± Shrewed pulled Trevor down behind the rooftop wall.


    ¡°So much for the advance warning,¡± Trevor whispered.


    He peeked over the wall and saw Dayana flicker across the street and into the alleyway on their left.


    A group of armed men and woman poured out of city hall in pursuit.


    ¡°Guys, I think it¡¯s time to go.¡± Trevor pulled a smooth stone from his pack. ¡°Multi-projectiles,¡± he hurled it at the church fighters. One became many.


    They ran for it.


    Across rooftops and through alleys and streets.


    The alarm provided the perfect cover.


    They became just another group of people trying to get off the streets.


    Several miles later they gathered in a deserted alley.


    Dayana popped out of nowhere beside them.


    Weapons relaxed.


    ¡°I hate you stealthy types. I¡¯ve nearly crushed so many of you, so many different times. Then it¡¯d be my fault,¡± Shrewed growled.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you wouldn¡¯t hit me,¡± Dayana smirked.


    ¡°What¡¯d you find out?¡± Jimenez said.


    ¡°Like Cal said. These church fuckers are dicks. They aren¡¯t going to do anything about the people outside the walls. They¡¯re planning to let the cannibals have their way. They¡¯re just going to defend the walls. They think it¡¯ll just be a simple matter of shooting bullets and spells as the cannibals charge like animals,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Morons,¡± Shrewed scoffed. ¡°Their own scouting reports said that the Meat Parade was rolling over all the towns to the east. That don¡¯t sound like the work of simple animals to me.¡±


    ¡°Cal thought the same,¡± Dayana agreed.


    ¡°What else did you find out?¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°The church is planning to conscript non-fighters. Everyone that doesn¡¯t fit what they like,¡± she pointed to herself, ¡°are about to find themselves armed and up on that wall.¡±


    ¡°Shit! That sucks!¡± Trevor snapped.


    ¡°And there¡¯s another thing¡ª it¡¯s hard to explain, but¡ª there¡¯s like this music I¡¯ve been sorta hearing in my head since we got here. It was like barely there, in and out sorta thing, that I thought I was just imagining¡ª and, like, I heard it for real while I was sneaking through that building. Like music, but I did and didn¡¯t recognize it.¡± Dayana said.


    Eyes darted to one another.


    No one wanted to be the first to voice what they thought or recognized in her description.


    ¡°We need to get back to let everyone know,¡± Jimenez said.


    <hr>


    Hayden woke to the stench of acrid smoke.


    It burned her nose and stung her eyes.


    She coughed and wiped to no avail as she jolted out of bed.


    Instinct called on the lightning that ran through her body like blood.


    Nothing came.


    Heart heart raced.


    The sheets tangled around her as she tried to stand.


    Hearts and cartoon ponies caught her eye.


    She looked around through the smoke and the tears in her eyes.


    At the stuffed ponies scattered on her childhood bedroom¡¯s floor.


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    Her voice sounded different in her ears.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t how it happened. There was no fire!¡± she snarled with all the rage at a memory she had long buried.


    The night the spires had come.


    A gremlin clawing at her.


    Tangling up in her sheets as she thrashed and fought desperately.


    Worried shouts from her parent¡¯s bedroom next to hers.


    An eternity as a small, strong monster, clawed and bit at her.


    Her father and mother rushing in. The former roaring with desperation while he battered the monster


    But what she tried to forget the most was the sound of her baby brother crying in the next room.


    Until there was a wet sound followed by silence.


    She heard the song then.


    No.


    The music.


    Discordant strings.


    Melodic ones.


    Back and forth.


    As if struggling to determine who would rule.


    She recognized it.


    It was new to her.


    Moment by moment it changed.


    Maddening.


    She called on her power.


    Nothing.


    Only through me will you prevent this.


    Words in the music.


    No.


    Music in words.


    A feeling.


    Certainty in knowledge.


    Both.


    Neither.


    Open yourself and be freed from the cage of your memories.


    Her bedroom wall and part of the roof ripped open with a cacophony of music.


    She screamed in genuine terror.


    The young girl¡¯s voice filled her with disgust.


    She had been so weak.


    Why had her parents saved her instead of her brother?


    The question haunted her.


    Their deaths had forever sealed the answer.


    Let the light of my song fill you.


    Golden rays of light cut through the smoke and smothered the fires.


    Wings unfurled as if to embrace her.


    She felt the warmth.


    Comforting.


    Soothing.


    ¡°Hayden! Wake up!¡±


    Her eyes snapped open.


    Sleep to wakefulness in an instant.


    Lighting crackled around her.


    Nila¡¯s armored hand held her by the front of her chest plate.


    ¡°Wha¡ª¡± she was pressed to the back of the bus.


    A burning smell and smoke filled the interior.


    Amber was sheathed in her colored mage armor as she beat at the fire engulfing the couch.


    Hayden had been taking a nap on it. She remembered.


    Jayde and Marci rushed to open windows.


    At the front of the bus, Monsignor cradled the crying toddler. A barely-perceptible yellow glow surround the pair.


    ¡°Stop. It. Now.¡± Nila¡¯s voice was hard as steel.


    ¡°I¡ª¡± Hayden scowled. The instinct to attack welled up within her. As it always had since she had lost everything she had known. She had learned that the only way to avoid pain was to inflict on your enemies before they did it to you. Then she realized that the toddler¡¯s clothes were singed. The fight went out of her. ¡°Sorry. I don¡¯t¡ª I¡ª what happened?¡±


    ¡°I knew that you had issues with your powers and your temper. A little bit of static or a tiny jolt was one thing, but this¡­¡±


    She couldn¡¯t look at the smaller woman¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°I¡­ it was a dream.¡±


    She explained everything that she had seen.


    Nila remained angry, but that became mixed with concern as she told the woman about the golden wings, the song, the light.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean¡ª¡± she began.


    Nila cut her off. ¡°You have to be in complete control when you have the kind of power that you do. You almost killed my s¡ª the little guy. If I had been any slower or if Monsignor didn¡¯t have the ability to heal¡­¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t happen again. I¡¯ll be ready for the enemy the next time it happens.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll need to start sleeping away from others.¡± Nila turned to the others. ¡°Anyone else having dreams with golden-winged figures and strange music?¡±


    No one else raised a hand.


    ¡°I have been feeling a sense of¡­ pressure,¡± Monsignor said. ¡°Like all my doubts pressing in on me from all directions. Whispers hidden in¡ª a song I can¡¯t remember.¡±


    ¡°Does this mean that Zalthyss is here?¡± Amber¡¯s voice was a horrified whisper. ¡°Right, Cal warned us about this. He¡¯s started his attack. Will we be next?¡±


    ¡°That isn¡¯t certain,¡± Nila said. ¡°You can¡¯t let the fear¡ª that¡¯s what he wants.¡±


    ¡°The voice or song¡­ or whatever, I can¡¯t remember, but I think that¡¯s exactly it. Like a bullshit, join me or suffer deal,¡± Hayden said. The exact details of the dream were vague and continued to slip from her grasp as the seconds passed.


    ¡°Easy then, if you find yourself in a horrible nightmare, just reject whatever the golden guy is offering,¡± Marci laid a hand on Amber¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Perhaps faith and prayer will help us fight this temptation,¡± Monsignor said.


    Dubious glances.


    The woman sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t mean you have to be the same as me. I¡¯m just suggesting you hold on to whatever it is you believe in. Basically, be true to yourself.¡±


    ¡°No, yeah, that¡¯s good,¡± Marci nodded quickly.


    Nila regarded Hayden. ¡°I¡¯ll let Cal know. And don¡¯t be too hard on yourself,¡± she sighed. ¡°He¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°Guys! We¡¯ve got a problem!¡± Jayde called from outside.

 6.28

    Now, Kansas


    ¡°Stay inside and keep my little guy safe. I¡¯ll handle this.¡±


    Nila stepped out of the bus.


    ¡°What¡¯s the plan?¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Get on the bus and stay out of sight.¡±


    Surprisingly, the young woman merely nodded and climbed aboard. She must¡¯ve heard something in Nila¡¯s voice or seen something in her eyes.


    Three trucks peeled into the parking lot and screeched to a stop in front of her.


    Twenty men and three women.


    All armed and armored to varying degrees.


    They all had that golden cross and wings symbol somewhere on their gear and clothes.


    Nila maintained her calm.


    Knox had already come to instruct the people Cal had brought in from beyond the walls on the plan.


    They began sneaking into the city to their hiding places as soon as the alarms had started blaring.


    There was still a lot of people hiding in the various abandoned RV¡¯s scattered across the huge lot.


    All she could do was trust that Cal¡¯s slight clouding effect on the church¡¯s fighters held.


    Otherwise they¡¯d have questions about her futuristic Threnosh armor.


    The leader of the church group was an older man. He hopped out of the truck and strode imperiously toward her.


    No look of surprise on his face at the sight of her.


    So far so good.


    She needed to keep the focus on her, so that they wouldn¡¯t notice the rest.


    ¡°What the fuck is this? We¡¯ve got passes. They¡¯re good till sunset,¡± she challenged.


    ¡°Not anymore,¡± the man eyed her contemptuously. ¡°What are you supposed to be? Some kind of tiny knight?¡±


    She didn¡¯t deign to reply to the barb. ¡°We paid you tens of thousands of dollars in cash and jewelry.¡±


    ¡°We are under a state of emergency. As such, the conscription act is in effect. You and everyone else you¡¯ve got on that bus are coming with us to be assigned to the defense of our great city. You¡¯ve got that fancy knight¡¯s armor or whatever, so you should be good¡­ little lady,¡± the man winked.


    ¡°We aren¡¯t part of your little community. We haven¡¯t sworn any oaths of any kind.¡±


    ¡°Typical of your kind. Come to this country and take advantage of every opportunity, but when it comes time to earn your keep. You don¡¯t wanna do your duty.¡±


    ¡°And what country is that?¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m not arguing with a tiny bitch. You do what I say. I tell you to get on the wall and you do it!¡± the man snapped.


    ¡°What will it take for you and your men to go away?¡±


    ¡°Normally, I¡¯d say some more cash and some time with that pretty mouth of yours, but this ain¡¯t normal. It¡¯s a damn waste in your case, but we need bodies on the wall.¡±


    ¡°All the more reason for you to turn around. I count twenty-three bodies that won¡¯t be able to fight after I get through with you.¡±


    The older man blinked and gaped like the mouth breather he was in confusion for a second before his brain processed her words. His face turned red when he finally caught up.


    ¡°Hold on,¡± she said lightly, ¡°you¡¯ve got healing magic. So, as long as I don¡¯t kill anybody¡ª¡±


    ¡°Fucking bitch!¡±


    The older man threw a punch.


    Nila didn¡¯t move.


    The steel gauntlet clanged off her faceplate with a loud crack


    The older man cried out.


    She kicked his knee and bent it the wrong direction.


    The others moved.


    Too slow for her.


    She dashed to the side of the lead truck, braced one foot against the ground and kicked with the other, sending the truck full of people spinning ninety degrees.


    ¡°Stay inside!¡± she snapped at Hayden and Jayde.


    The two young women had appeared at the bus door.


    She drew her baseball bat-like club from her back as she leapt into the lead truck¡¯s bed.


    She swung a circle over her head, breaking jaws and faces.


    A lucky shot plinked of the Threnosh-made armor.


    The other vehicles needed her attention.


    She somersaulted through the air to land in the second truck¡¯s bed.


    Second one, same as the first.


    In both cases the church fighters went down easily.


    Too consumed by the pain to fight back.


    ¡°Healing Li¡ª¡±


    She cut the woman¡¯s words off with a jab from her club.


    The woman gasped for air.


    Nila broke the woman¡¯s leg with a follow up strike to give her something else to fix before she could help the rest of them.


    The last vehicle was an SUV.


    Church fighters piled out, but they were too slow.


    She was in their midst before they do more than get a few errant shots and spells off.


    They all had broken bones when she was finished.


    ¡°You are a vile excuse for a human being,¡± she lifted the leader by the front of his armor. ¡°Come after us again and I won¡¯t hold back.¡± She tossed him into the back of the truck like a bag of tiny potatoes.


    She did the same for the rest. Cramming them unceremoniously back into their vehicles with little regard for their injuries.


    She didn¡¯t feel too bad about it.


    These people sucked.


    Leaving innocents outside the wall to die just because of orientation was odious.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t touch you because I needed you to drive back,¡± she addressed the three drivers. ¡°Don¡¯t make me regret that decision. You head straight back to your base and tell everyone the truth.¡±


    They left even faster than they had come.


    ¡°Jesus-fucking-Christ! I knew you were good, but that was brutal!¡± Jayde beamed at her.


    ¡°We¡¯re moving to the backup spot.¡±


    ¡°What about them?¡± Hayden gestured toward the head poking out from the scattered RV¡¯s


    ¡°This might actually work in their favor. The church will be looking for our bus now. I¡¯ll tell them to keep their heads down and stick to Knox¡¯s plan.¡±


    ¡°Dayana and the others?¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°They¡¯ll know where to go once they see that we aren¡¯t here.¡±


    Nila eyed the rapidly shrinking vehicles as they fled down the street.


    Her main responsibility was to keep the little guy and everyone else safe, in that order.


    She didn¡¯t like being violent, but she had no regrets in this case.


    <hr>


    The sweet smell of fear was thick in the air.


    It made it hard for Michael to concentrate on his role.


    He had to keep an arrow on his bow ready to take out enemy ranged fighters that might have a bead on his teammates. It was tough when all he wanted to do was to join his fellow brothers and sisters in the hunt and the feast.


    The tent city was filled with the exciting sounds of prey being chased down, killed and devoured.


    ¡°Focus everyone!¡± Britt barked. ¡°I know you want to join in, but don¡¯t give in to the desire for instant gratification. If we do as we¡¯re supposed to we¡¯ll show that we can be trusted when it comes time to select which teams get assigned to the best Quests when we take the city.¡±


    Sunny gnashed her teeth and made to dart off as a crying man ran past them with a pack of their feral brethren on his heels.


    Charlie caught the back of her collar just in time.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother!¡± Charlie snapped. ¡°They got him,¡± she gesticulated toward the man being taken down and torn apart.


    The sweet tang of blood¡ª


    Michael shook his head and tried harder.


    ¡°What are we even doing?¡±


    It was a bit hard to understand Donald due to the not as fat young man¡¯s distended jaw and mouth filled with sharp teeth.


    ¡°Children. We are supposed to be capturing children. Ugh!¡± Britt stomped her feet. ¡°Is it so hard? There!¡± she snapped.


    Michael followed her pointed finger.


    A teenage girl was trying to run, dragging a young boy in their wake.


    He could hear their panic, smell their fear.


    So sweet.


    ¡°Get them before one of the others tears them apart!¡± Britt barked.


    Lincoln and Donald sprang into action.


    Charlie needed to keep her hold on Sunny lest the latter beat the others to the kids, while Michael did his job and kept an eye out for threats.


    He missed it.


    He had one job.


    But didn¡¯t notice the man streaking out of the sky to land between his brothers and the two kids.


    The man was clad in jeans, a t-shirt and a motorcycle jacket.


    Lincoln leapt.


    Huge, clawed hands grasping to tear into the short man.


    A loud crack like thunder filled the air and Lincoln went flying dozens of feet back.


    Michael and the others just barely managed to dive out of the way.


    Donald squeezed bursts of gun fire into the man, who simply raised a hand.


    Somehow the man stood unharmed as the bullets dropped to the grass.


    Donald went flying just like Lincoln. His shattered carbine pressed against his armor.


    The man¡¯s face looked troubled. ¡°You¡¯re just kids,¡± he said in a deep voice.


    Another of Michael¡¯s brothers came barreling from one side, tearing through tents in his path.


    It was a veteran, a hulking powerhouse that moved with quickness that belied his muscular bulk.


    Blood flew from the brother¡¯s stained mouth.


    The man¡¯s face remained calm as he drew the impossibly large revolver from a thigh holster and fired.


    A cloud of blood and brain¡¯s erupted.


    The body ran on for several steps before the man swept an arm and sent it tumbling to the side.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be this. Don¡¯t be monsters.¡±


    It felt like the man was speaking directly into his soul.


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen where your path ends. You can see it all around you. There¡¯s still a chance you can change that. Just turn around and walk away.¡±


    He sighted and drew back his arrow.


    ¡°Your Flesh Priests are lying to you. There¡¯s nothing special or sacred about it. It¡¯s just another class. A monstrous one.¡±


    ¡°Power Shot!¡±


    His arrow streaked across the space with a speed comparable to a bullet.


    The man caught it with his left hand.


    Sad eyes pierced into Michael¡¯s soul or so it felt.


    ¡°I can¡¯t make you do the right things. It has to be your choice.¡±


    ¡°Light Arrow!¡± Britt thrust her hand forward.


    A sickly yellow light flashed.


    He could track the magic arrow with the enhancements his transformed state granted to his perceptions.


    It struck the man¡¯s face¡ª


    But nothing happened.


    The man didn¡¯t even blink as the arrow burst into nothing.


    More of Michael¡¯s brothers and sisters finally noticed the mysterious man¡¯s presence.


    A dozen rushed him from multiple directions.


    The man moved quickly, even in Michael¡¯s perceptions.


    The massive gun cracked the air like a cannon.


    Ten times it boomed.


    Ten bodies practically exploded.


    Some yet lived, he could tell. If they could get fresh flesh to them, they could heal.


    The man¡¯s eyes narrowed. He pulled something from one of the small compartments at his belt.


    Glittering lights danced through the air.


    Michael realized too late.


    It was the sun¡¯s light reflecting off flying pieces of steel.


    Blades and spikes that cut throats and plunged through eyes.


    The wounded became dead in an instant.


    He shot another arrow to no avail. It just bounced off the man¡¯s jacket.


    ¡°Damn it. This is too soon, but you¡¯re not giving me much of a choice,¡± the man glanced at the cowering kids behind him.


    Michael heard the whispered words.


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    Then he felt an invisible weight suddenly crush him to the ground.


    He tried to fight it but his new strength served only to sink his hands into the soft grass and mud beneath.


    He managed to turn just enough to keep his eyes on the man.


    He caught the twinkle of glittering stars in the man¡¯s eyes as the man, the cowering kids and a handful of other survivors of the tent city rose into the sky leaving his surviving brothers and sisters without the ability to do anything other than roar in impotent rage as they had their faces shoved into the mud.


    He thought of the prophecy Fred had mentioned.


    The song was there. On the outer edges of his thoughts.


    Where was the gold?


    Where was the fire?


    <hr>


    Cal touched base with Nila when he got closer.


    She filled him in so he made sure the RV park was clear of church presence before he dropped the traumatized handful of survivors off before heading to the backup site.


    His mind itched to scan deeper and search for Zalthyss¡¯ presence.


    Had he alerted it to his presence through his actions at the tent city?


    He reached the empty parking lot tucked between two tall buildings in the city¡¯s mostly abandoned downtown area.


    The bus was there and he was relieved to note that everyone was safe.


    Nila met him outside.


    ¡°You have that look on your face. Did something go wrong?¡±


    ¡°I made a mistake. I underestimated how fast they¡¯d move. I was too slow. Too late at two settlements to save anyone and too late at the last one. I only got a handful out.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault.¡±


    ¡°I had to use more of my power than I had planned, which means I wasted lives. I should¡¯ve gone all out from the beginning.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s something you need to know¡­¡±


    Nila told him about Hayden¡¯s nightmare.


    ¡°But it hasn¡¯t shown its face yet?¡± he glanced at his left hand.


    Nila reached out and held it, gently, but firmly. ¡°Dayana has some information from her spying thing.¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± he let her lead him to the bus.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± Hayden blurted as soon as he stepped into view.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you about it later,¡± Nila waved it away.


    ¡°How did it go?¡± he said as Dayana came over.


    ¡°Getting in was easy. I ended up hiding in the ceiling right above where they had their little planning sesh. Like all Spider-manning up in the lights and wires, above those tile things. You know like the cardboard, but not, ceiling panels in offices. Getting out was the hard part. I sorta fell and there was this whole thing with them shooting holy rays and other bullshit, but I made it out,¡± she grinned.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad. What¡¯d you learn?¡±


    ¡°Pretty much what we already knew. The church leadership is basically the same as the military leadership, so they suck. Their banking everything on the walls and their faith magics,¡± she snorted.


    ¡°Anything about Zalthyss?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. They never once mentioned that name. The closest they got was, like, praying to Jesus and God. That doing that was enough to bring them deliverance from the evil sinners and shit like that.¡±


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s good. Seems to indicate that it hasn¡¯t made its direct presence known, which could be a sign that its not actually physically on our world. Good job to the spy team,¡± he acknowledged Dayana, Shrewed, Trevor and Jimenez in turn before focusing on Hayden. ¡°Your dream?¡±


    She told him. Haltingly, but completely. She apologized for hurting the little guy.


    He didn¡¯t blame her. Told her what Nila eventually did. That the important thing was to not repeat it and to be thankful that the little guy was fine.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to work harder to shield you¡ª all of you¡ª from something like that happening again.¡± He didn¡¯t elaborate further.


    ¡°How can they still believe that they worship the true God?¡± Monsignor said. ¡°The music in my thoughts does nothing but bring disquiet to my soul.¡±


    No one felt comfortable enough to venture an answer.


    ¡°It¡¯s an ability. As real as our powers, our magic, our Skills,¡± he said after a moment. ¡°Zalthyss is just like us. A physical entity. I¡¯ve beaten it before. Even captured it. Sure another one showed up later, but that¡¯s explainable since we know a lot of impossible things are now real.¡±


    ¡°So, what now?¡± Jayde said. ¡°Do we help fight the Meat Parade? Cause, like, I know the church is fucked up, but not everyone in the city suck like they do. I don¡¯t know, man. It feels like it¡¯d be bad not to try.¡±


    ¡°I still have a promise to fulfill. We¡¯ll need to defend long enough to arrange transport for Heddy, Knox and all their people.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be hard to find buses that actually run. All the vehicles I¡¯ve seen running have been private ones. Cars, trucks, bikes,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have anyone with a class that can get a dead one started again,¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°Can we ask them if they have someone?¡± Amber said.


    ¡°That¡¯s probable. You said they had working vehicles out there, right?¡± Nila regarded Cal.


    ¡°Yeah, they definitely did. I should¡¯ve checked for Mechanics,¡± he shook his head. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. If we can¡¯t get them started we can chain them together and I¡¯ll pull them myself.¡±


    ¡°I can look for them. I¡¯m the only one here, except you, I guess, that can go around unnoticed,¡± Dayana volunteered.


    A loud chime suddenly rant out in Cal¡¯s ears.


    Congratulations!


    You have received a Quest.


    Defend Wichita.


    Success Parameters: Prevent the city from falling to the attackers.


    Failure Parameters: Lose the city to the attackers and/or Exceed minimum number of casualties among the inhabitants (????) or Death or Capture.


    Reward: 1000000 Universal Points.


    Bonus Reward(s): Contingent on performance.


    Will you accept?


    ¡°That¡¯s another huge one on top of the one we already have to investigate the eternal church,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°You all got the same one?¡± he asked.


    Nods all around.


    ¡°Do we accept it?¡± Amber said.


    ¡°Can we think about it first?¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°I¡¯d imagine we have until the actual attack on the city starts, which means whenever the Meat Parade hits the walls.¡±


    ¡°Cal¡¯s right. Getting this Quest right now¡­ it¡¯s starting soon,¡± Nila said.


    Let people die when he had the power to do something about it?


    Did he really have a choice?


    ¡°You can all do whatever you want,¡± he said.


    ¡°I¡¯m in if you¡¯re in,¡± Trevor said.


    A sentiment echoed by the rest.


    ¡°I¡¯m accepting it, but the rest of the plan doesn¡¯t change. Priority is to get Heddy¡¯s people to some form of safety. Saving the rest of the city comes next. Dayana find me those buses. Nila, you¡¯re the fastest and toughest, I need you to go to Heddy to let her know what we¡¯re planning. The rest of you stay here for now and keep my little dude safe. I¡¯ll keep an eye on the attack and see if I need to step in.¡±


    ¡°Zalthyss?¡± Nila said.


    ¡°If it appears, I¡¯ll have to focus on it. If that happens and the Meat Parade overruns the city then you¡¯ll all have to get out with as many people as you can take with you. I trust you to find a way.¡±


    <hr>


    Trevina stood on the wall next to her husband and two oldest children. A son, 15, and a daughter, 13. Their youngest was in the one of the emergency shelters under the care of a stranger.


    She had always prayed and given thanks to God for the miracle that had seen her entire family make it through the apocalyptic appearance of the spires and the monsters. Through the dark days in the aftermath as society crumbled and slowly rebuilt.


    She had deeply-concealed misgivings and concerns about the change to the church when it became the Eternal Church of Joyous Light.


    The song, oh she heard the song, but unlike how it was with most of the others, it struck a discordant tune within her.


    It was wrong, though she¡¯d never give that a voice.


    It was too important for her family to have a safe and stable place in a world gone mad.


    The walls and the church had provided that.


    Now the church had put her and her family on the wall to face the coming cannibal horde.


    Sure, everyone over the age of ten had been given training with the rifles in their hands and the spears at their feet.


    But what use was one weekend a month?


    She had three levels in Militiawoman.


    What good was that?


    Her hands shook and the bile rose in her throat.


    The wooden stock of the hunting rifle grew slick. She wiped her hand on her shirt.


    They hadn¡¯t even given her armor.


    The only thing they gave her was a hockey helmet.


    The clear plastic facemask fogged up with her frantic breathing.


    The Meat Parade was drawing close.


    Dozens of vehicles filled with hundreds, maybe thousands of howling, pale-skinned monsters in the guise of men.


    ¡°They¡¯ve got guns, Dad,¡± Trevonte, her son whispered in horror.


    ¡°Keep your heads down, kids,¡± Derrick said.


    Her husband, strong and steady.


    She gazed over and saw the whites of his wide eyes behind the football helmet.


    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m scared,¡± Derina, her daughter, said.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be okay. Just fire all your bullets and you can duck down behind the wall.¡±


    The Meat Parade drew ever closer.


    She could see their too-wide mouths, filled with sharp teeth, smeared with blood. Long arms, longer fingers ending in nails that looked more like claws.


    ¡°Why are our babies up here?¡± she whispered in dawning horror at the reality.


    It couldn¡¯t be real.


    They had always gone to the services.


    Followed the rules.


    Did everything the church told them to do.


    And yet, they placed her babies on the wall.


    She looked left and right.


    All along the wall.


    People that looked just like her.


    Young and old.


    ¡°Nothing changed,¡± Derrick rumbled in that deep voice that she loved so much. ¡°The God damn apocalypse happens and people stay the same.¡±


    ¡°We shouldn¡¯t be here!¡± she hissed, careful to keep her voice low enough so that her babies wouldn¡¯t hear her terror.


    Derrick looked back.


    She knew what he saw.


    Others with better guns than them standing on the rooftops.


    Why weren¡¯t they on the wall?


    ¡°They won¡¯t let us leave,¡± Derrick said simply.


    ¡°Ready your guns!¡± a loud voice jolted her.


    She looked instinctively to the guard tower a short distance away.


    The men and women inside had automatic rifles and were protected by the narrow openings and the steel plates affixed to the outside of the enclosed perch.


    She thought to run, use her body to shield her babies, but there was a wide space between the walls and the buildings. They¡¯d never make it back into the safety of the city.


    ¡°Fire!¡±


    She aimed like she had trained.


    The iron sight shook no matter how hard she tried to steady her arms and her breathing.


    She squeezed the trigger.


    Whether she hit her target was an open question.


    It didn¡¯t matter.


    She could her her baby girl crying in between the ragged burst of ear-splitting gun fire.


    ¡°Get down!¡± Derrick shouted.


    Return fire from the cannibals tore into the top of the wooden wall.


    It felt like she was wearing earmuffs but she could still make out the sounds of bullets splintering the thick wood, people screaming, praying, crying.


    ¡°Fire, you cowards! Or I¡¯ll shoot you myself! Useless n¡ª¡±


    Her world was swallowed by a great explosion that shoot her insides as heat washed over her back.


    Her babies screamed.


    ¡°Stay down!¡±


    Was that her husband, her love?


    He was right next to her, but he sounded so far away.


    She tried to blink away the tears, felt at the wetness flowing from one ear.


    How much time had she stood, then cowered on the wall?


    An hour of standing and waiting.


    Minutes as the Meat Parade became visible in the distance, spreading out from road to the flat fields to the east of the city.


    Seconds of combat.


    An eternity.


    ¡°Fire your guns damn you!¡±


    She didn¡¯t even know how many times she had fired.


    Did she have any bullets left?


    There had only been five in the gun.


    They hadn¡¯t given her more.


    The platform they were on shook with tremendous impacts.


    A pale-skinned face smeared in blood appeared over the wall. Snarling with a mouth that was too big. Sharp teeth like an animal¡¯s rather than something that belonged in a human¡¯s.


    She fell back with a scream, instinct thrust her rifle out like a barrier held in both hands.


    A heavy weight bore her down.


    The platform atop the wall was only ten feet wide.


    Her head and shoulders hung over nothing.


    Clawed hands cut her deep through her sleeves. Cloth, just normal clothing. They hadn¡¯t given her any armor. Not like they provided for themselves.


    Teeth snapped at her face.


    Terror gave her strength to push up with her rifle. Luck that the once human monster bit down on the wood and iron.


    ¡°Mom!¡±


    ¡°Mommy!¡±


    Voices she couldn¡¯t comprehend.


    Then a loud roar.


    Anger more than pain.


    The weight lifted off her a fraction.


    She looked to the left.


    Her son and daughter held spears thrust into the human monster.


    Their wide eyes filled with tears of terror, rage and everything else that made them human.


    Innocent.


    Her babies shouldn¡¯t be up here.


    Why did they make them fight?


    Her precious babies should¡¯ve been protected not thrown to the monsters.


    ¡°Trevina! Kids! Power Strike!¡±


    Her husband swung his rifle.


    A loud crack.


    The monster¡¯s head twisted.


    Teeth flew.


    Jaw hung broken.


    She found her wits somehow.


    Thrust the barrel of the rifle into the gaping maw full of blood and bits of flesh.


    Find the trigger.


    Squeeze.


    Pray she still had bullets.


    The head exploded.


    Showering them all in blood and gore.


    Her husband smiled in shock and relief.


    She fought the bile down.


    A pale white hand as big as a tree trunk swept out of nowhere.


    Her husband didn¡¯t have time to do anything.


    Her last sight of him was his blood-splattered face smiling the smile that had never failed to set the butterflies fluttering in her stomach.


    The monster¡¯s hand pulled him back over the wall.


    Her babies screamed.


    The monster pulled itself up.


    The wooden platform shook and cried out in protest at the weight of its massive bulk.


    A grotesque mockery of humanity even worse that the others.


    Huge muscles, an impossibly large shadow that loomed over her screaming babies.


    That huge arm descended.


    Her son dived and knocked her daughter out of the way, off the wall.


    She screamed.


    Her daughter screamed.


    Her son died.


    All across the wall the same scenes repeated.


    People that shouldn¡¯t have been there died.


    No.


    That wasn¡¯t right.


    They were murdered.


    The towers still stood.


    Guns, arrows and spells flew.


    The monsters left those alone for the most part.


    There was more than enough flesh exposed on the walls for them to focus on.


    The monster turned to her with a grin wide enough to bite her in half.


    It suddenly rose in the air as if plucked by an invisible giant¡¯s hand.


    Across the entire expanse of the wall, as far as she could see all the other monsters rose into the air.


    They snarled and struggled.


    Hundreds of them.


    Then the invisible hands squeezed and crushed.


    The angry roars turned into ones of pain, agony.


    The dark part in her relished it.


    They had taken away two of her lights. Snuffed them out forever. Let them suffer. Please! Let them feel what she felt.


    Loud cracks echoed across the wall.


    Silence.


    The monster¡¯s corpses were dashed across the ground knocking the rest of their kind to the ground like bowling pins.


    Her daughter!


    She realized¡ª


    She frantically looked to the ground.


    Ten feet wasn¡¯t a fatal fall¡­ was it?


    There was no sign of her baby.


    Where was her baby?


    ¡°Mommy!¡±


    Her daughter¡¯s voice.


    She followed the sound upward.


    Her daughter floated next to a flying man.


    Gentle hands she couldn¡¯t see suddenly pulled her into the air. To her daughter¡¯s embrace. She held on as tight as she could.


    ¡°You should be ashamed of yourselves.¡±


    The man spoke in a voice as harsh as frozen mountain peaks.


    She would¡¯ve recoiled but somehow she knew with certainty that the words weren¡¯t meant for her.


    Across the wall the survivors, like her, were pulled into the air.


    Gun shots rang out.


    She flinched but no bullets reached her or the others.


    A sudden flash of rage pulsed through her. Gone so fast that she thought she had imagined it.


    The monsters climbed the wall.


    They were thrown back, crushed to the ground by invisible hands.


    ¡°Save your ammunition for the monsters,¡± the man growled.


    She didn¡¯t understand.


    Weren¡¯t they already doing that?


    Realization dawned on her a moment later when the armed men and women bearing the golden cross and wings suddenly floated from the rooftops across the street to the wall.


    They cried out in dismay.


    She felt no empathy.


    This was what they deserved.


    The same fate they had forced on her family.


    ¡°Defend your city like you should¡¯ve done in the first place.¡±


    The man flew and they floated in his wake.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I was too late. This is happening all over the city. The Meat Parade is attacking from every direction and the eternal church is sacrificing people like you.¡±


    He set them down a few miles from the wall.


    The sounds of gunfire and spells exploding lessened.


    ¡°Listen, I need to go. I¡¯m not going to tell you what to do, but I¡¯d suggest you avoid the church¡¯s people or they¡¯ll throw you back into the grinder to save themselves. Go to this place¡­¡± he gave them directions. ¡°Tell the people you find there what happened. Tell them I sent you. They¡¯ll do what they can to protect you.¡±


    She recognized the cross streets.


    Somewhere downtown.


    She thought of her youngest. Stuck in the shelter. A hostage. She realized that now.


    What could she do now?


    A song¡ª music¡ª played in the back of her thoughts.

 Interlude: Basilisk Child 0

    2035, Deep South America


    ¡°Boom, bitches! Guess who just hit 40!¡± Jeff crowed before stabbing the cold beer can and shotgunning it.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m talking about!¡± Chandler pounded the other man on the back.


    The rest of their team popped their own beers to join the celebration.


    ¡°Looks like I¡¯m top dog again! Take that, Brett!¡±


    The man in question smirked and raised his beer to the sky. ¡°To Jeff and being the first of our illustrious group to hit 40¡­ now, anyone want to take bets on how long before I pass him?¡±


    ¡°You ain¡¯t never passing me, bro,¡± Jeff sneered.


    ¡°Bro, you know you¡¯re going to spend the next two weeks in Creamland fucking those fine bitches,¡± Chandler said. ¡°Brett¡¯s panties are all twisted up now, despite him trying to keep it cool. He¡¯ll definitely grind to get to 40 and past you.¡±


    ¡°No way, bro! I¡¯ve changed. Sure, I¡¯ll take a few days to celebrate, but I¡¯m all about the grind now. Going through the Cabal training showed me my real me.¡±


    ¡°Hey, bitches! Look what I found!¡± Robert sauntered out of the partially destroyed home with huge cooler in his hands.


    ¡°Need some help with that?¡± Chandler said.


    ¡°Nah, I got it.¡±


    ¡°You sure, you look like you¡¯re struggling?¡± Brett said.


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯ve missed the last, like, five lifting sessions. Got all pussy-weak,¡± Jeff said.


    Robert held the cooler up and extended both middle fingers. ¡°Weak enough for you, cunt.¡± He dropped the cooler with a thud then lifted it up again. He did a few squats and pressed it over his head a few times.


    Boisterous laughter erupted from the two dozen men of various ages gathered around the huge bonfire they had created in the middle of the cul-de-sac.


    ¡°Fuck it! What¡¯s in there? It better not be people parts,¡± Chandler warned.


    Faces grimaced.


    ¡°Nah, this wasn¡¯t a Meat Parade settlement,¡± Robert said.


    ¡°No shit. Way too weak for that,¡± Jeff said.


    Chandler shook his head. ¡°They were decent. We¡¯ve just gotten much stronger with the levels and the Cabal training.¡±


    ¡°So worth it!¡± Jeff crushed the empty beer can against his forehead and belched. ¡°Beer me!¡±


    ¡°Get it yourself,¡± Chandler said.


    ¡°I am the highest leveled. First to 40. I am your master now,¡± Jeff pitched his voice deeper. A beer can thunked off the side of his head. He caught it before it could fall to the street. ¡°Thanks, whoever that was¡­ I will find you and punch you later.¡±


    Chandler wiped his eyes. ¡°Fucking smoke.¡±


    ¡°Sure¡­ the smoke¡­ pussy,¡± Jeff snorted.


    ¡°Fuck off! We should¡¯ve set up the party a few streets over. You know, not in the middle of a bunch of burning homes,¡± Chandler said.


    ¡°Just man up, pussy,¡± Jeff said. ¡°Fires will keep the monsters away and let us enjoy this night without worrying too much about guard duty and shit.¡± His eyes drifted over to the trucks a short distance away. ¡°Hey, Brett¡­ I know we get paid based on their condition, but if I promise to be careful¡­¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t wait a few weeks?¡± Brett rolled his eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s been weeks since I last wet my dick. It¡¯s not good for my class,¡± Jeff said.


    ¡°I thought you¡¯d have gotten off enough from the battle?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a constant chase, my man. The price of power.¡±


    ¡°The Cabal did warn us. That¡¯s why I haven¡¯t tried to specialize like you,¡± Brett sighed. ¡°This might be a problem if you can¡¯t control yourself.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the point, bro. I¡¯m not supposed to do that. I¡¯m supposed to lean into it. That¡¯s where the power is. Like the Vitiator said.¡±


    ¡°Fine, but just one and do not damage them. I want to maximize profits,¡± Brett said.


    ¡°Wait? What about us?¡± Robert said.


    Twenty-odd sets of eyes turned to Brett.


    ¡°Seriously? No!¡± he snapped. ¡°Once we get back home everyone is off for the next week. You can go spend it in Creamland or wherever else you degenerates want to get off.¡± He held his arms out wide to bask in the curses they sent his way. ¡°Bitch all you want. We don¡¯t need a reputation for bringing damaged goods back to the market. The Slaver King won¡¯t like that and if we piss him off then it¡¯s a short road to the collars. Do you want that?¡±


    Robert shrugged then he bent down and opened the cooler. ¡°Meats. Beef, pork, chicken. Steaks, sausages and other shit. Good quality too.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d now what with how much you love sausage,¡± Jeff smirked.


    Robert shot him two fingers.


    The others roared with laughter.


    ¡°You ain¡¯t gonna be the only one at 40 for long,¡± Robert said.


    ¡°40 today. 50 tomorrow,¡± Jeff replied.


    ¡°Alright. Cook that shit up and we can relax.¡± Brett whistled. ¡°Tony, Neal.¡± Two of the youngest members of the team hustled from where they had set up a beer pong table. ¡°Bad news¡­ you two are on guard duty.¡±


    Their faces fell, but they knew better than to argue.


    ¡°This is a very important task. You two are going to be responsible for our potential profits,¡± he gestured toward the cluster of trucks and the iron cages carried in their beds.


    People.


    Mixed ages and genders.


    Some diversity.


    They shared bandaged injuries.


    Some stared out into nothing.


    Some glared with the promise of vengeance.


    ¡°Just watch them and yell if they try anything.¡± Brett said. ¡°Which they won¡¯t if they¡¯re smart!¡± he raised his voice. ¡°We¡¯ve already shown them what happens if they piss us off.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m picking,¡± Jeff said.


    ¡°I get the last word,¡± Brett warned.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, don¡¯t cockblock.¡±


    ¡°Profits,¡± Brett said flatly.


    ¡°What difference does one make?¡±


    Jeff slowly walked around the trucks.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    A few spat at him.


    He smirked at them.


    They were lucky that he was in a good mood.


    He had kicked ass in that battle and hit Level 40.


    He couldn¡¯t wait to hit the spire and find out what his options for Skills were.


    Too bad he had to wait till tomorrow when they¡¯d pass one on their way back.


    Long minutes stretched as he struggled with his selection.


    He had to balance his personal wants with what his class wanted.


    The Cabal teachings had hammered that point in.


    The more one embodied their class the quicker they rose and the stronger they became.


    Proof in the fact that he was the first to 40 in his team.


    ¡°Any day now,¡± Brett sighed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t rush me¡­ fuck it. Find Victim.¡±


    ¡°The fuck you going to use a Skill for this,¡± Brett threw his hands up.


    ¡°Shut up!¡±


    Jeff followed the feeling his Skill provided. Like a warm feeling in his stomach or an inviting scent in the wind.


    He strolled to one of the trucks in the center.


    The people stared at him.


    They stood shoulder to shoulder¡­ like a wall or a barricade.


    ¡°Move,¡± he growled.


    ¡°Go fuck yourself!¡± a young woman snarled.


    He drew his sword in the blink of an eye and held it to her throat.


    A small bead of red wet the tip.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t you done enough?¡± the young woman glared at him.


    ¡°No damage, damn it!¡± Brett roared.


    ¡°Move.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Oh for fuck¡¯s sake¡ª¡± Brett pointed. ¡°Stun Bolt.¡±


    Bright light shot out and struck the young woman.


    She collapsed like a puppet without strings to reveal children.


    Jeff found what he wanted instantly.


    ¡°Damn it, no,¡± Brett said. ¡°Kids, untouched ones, are the most profitable.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, my man. My class is singing right now. I might fight you for this.¡±


    ¡°Fine, whatever. Just don¡¯t leave marks,¡± Brett stomped away.


    Jeff hopped up to the truck bed with ease despite his heavy armor.


    He opened the cage.


    The people tried to fight, but they weren¡¯t fighters or were spent from the battle.


    He tried to cut Brett some slack and did his best not to damage them too much.


    After a few shoves, slaps and kicks he dragged the girl out of the cage.


    She screamed, kicked, punched and bit.


    He grinned as he chained the cage door.


    ¡°Your anguish sustains me,¡± he said to the crying and screaming people. ¡°Hey, noobs!¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡± Neal said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get any ideas. Profits and all that shit.¡±


    ¡°Bit hypocritical of you,¡± Tony smirked.


    He didn¡¯t like that.


    He slapped the teen across the mouth. Lightly.


    Tony spun and barely managed to keep from hitting the ground.


    ¡°Big words. Big mouth. Get stronger so you can back it up.¡±


    Tony glared at him, but kept his bloody mouth shut.


    ¡°Good. Your not a pussy, but you¡¯re smart enough to know when not to throw hands. Know your place. Work hard. One day you¡¯ll be where I¡¯m at.¡±


    ¡°Let go, monster!¡± the girl kicked at his shin clanging off his greaves.


    He shifted his grip to hold both of her wrists in his one big hand. He lifted her up and headed to the least undamaged-looking house.


    Whistling all the way.


    The front door was already partially off its hinges so he kicked it off and strode in with the wriggling girl held at arm¡¯s length.


    He climbed the stairs and into the master bedroom.


    ¡°Hey, girl¡­ was this your house? Did you still have parents? Brothers? Sisters? Not everyone¡¯s got a full set of those these days.¡± He peered into her face. ¡°Although, you do look young. Before or after the spires?¡±


    She spat in his eye.


    He leered not bothering to wipe it off. He squeezed his hand and relished the pain in her tightly shut eyes.


    ¡°Better for me,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Yeah. You look like a post-spires baby. 11? 12? Are your mommy and daddy alive? Or did a monster get them? Or maybe we did?¡±


    ¡°Fuck you! I¡¯ll kill you!¡±


    ¡°Those are my words. At least the former,¡± he sneered.


    He tossed her onto the bed and climbed on after her with a grin.


    ¡°Man, how the hell am I supposed to do this without damaging the merchandise,¡± he muttered.


    Distraction cost him.


    The girl kicked him in the nuts.


    ¡°Sweet, sweet pain,¡± he grunted. ¡°My class likes it,¡± he snaked his tongue over his lips. ¡°I¡¯m better than the others. I¡¯m special. Would you like to know why?¡±


    The girl tried to get way.


    He ignored the kicks as he pulled her back and slammed her into the bed.


    ¡°I¡¯m a Sadistic Warrior of Lust,¡± he said into her ear.


    She froze.


    ¡°You¡¯re a smart one if you understand what that means. You¡¯d be surprised how often I have to explain to others.¡±


    He gazed into her eyes.


    Bright blue.


    So pretty.


    He raised a hand to stroke her blond hair.


    The girl¡¯s eyes flashed.


    He froze.


    A sudden weight settled on him.


    As if every part of him was suddenly several times heavier.


    The girl reached for his belt.


    He tried to move but it felt like he was stuck in glue.


    Hot, biting pain flared across his face. From cheek to forehead. Through his right eye.


    The girl stabbed again, but he was a warrior and she was a child.


    He caught the blade.


    This time he hadn¡¯t been caught off-guard.


    Tough Skin kept it a thin scratch.


    He ripped the knife out of her hand.


    She squealed at the pain of broken fingers.


    He drew strength from that.


    She twisted away and slipped out from under him.


    He moved slowly with the fatigue of someone that had been fighting for days without rest.


    ¡°Second Wind.¡±


    Reinvigorated, he rushed after the girl catching her at the foot of the stairs.


    He shoved her to the ground.


    She rose and the loud crack of his palm on her cheek sent her spinning back down.


    ¡°Stupid. Now you¡¯re really going to see what I¡¯m all about,¡± he growled as he planted a huge boot on her chest. ¡°Lust is just about the sexual stuff. It could be anything really. For power, recognition, shit, even things like booze. As long as I can indulge in my pursuit of whatever it is. Sadism is taking pleasure in pain. Mine. Yours. Doesn¡¯t have to be physical. Could be emotional and shit. I just like dealing it out,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Although, I have to give you yours. You might¡¯ve ruined my eye.¡± He couldn¡¯t see anything out of his right eye. He touched it experimentally and came away with bloody fingers. ¡°Damn. The guys won¡¯t ever let me hear the end of this. It¡¯s probably too late. Our healers aren¡¯t exactly that great and it¡¯s a long trip back to civilization. So¡­ what¡¯s with that shit you hit me with? Was it a spell or a Skill? You didn¡¯t say anything. Are you one of those?¡±


    The girl spat at him.


    One side of her face had grown puffy with an ugly purple bruise.


    The sight made him happy.


    ¡°Whatever¡­ it¡¯s not my deal. Brett¡¯ll figure it out. It might be enough to keep him from bitching about ¡®damaging your value¡¯,¡± he snorted. ¡°Now, before we really get started. I¡¯d like to tell you about the good book. Do you know it? Well, there¡¯s a thing in there that I¡¯ve always liked. Something, something¡­ ¡®an eye for an eye¡¯.¡± He leaned down and grabbed the girl¡¯s face roughly. Held the knife to her uninjured eye. ¡°Brett¡¯ll be pissed, but like another thing the good book says¡­ ¡®better to ask for forgiveness after then to ask for permission before.¡±


    The girl whimpered.


    The Sadistic Warrior of Lust grinned.

 6.29

    Now, Kansas


    ¡°Listen up!¡± Fred barked.


    Michael regarded his former section leader.


    The wiry man was covered in partially healed cuts, burns and bullet wounds.


    ¡°That did not go as planned but that¡¯s okay. No plan survives contact with the enemy. You¡¯ve got to adjust and be flexible. So, that¡¯s what our commanders are doing.¡±


    That was an understatement.


    Michael had watched the fight to breach the city¡¯s eastern wall. It had been going well until that flying man had shown up and killed hundreds of his brothers and sisters in a matter of seconds.


    He had recognized the man from a distance when his team hadn¡¯t.


    The same one that had handed them their asses in the tent city.


    He found out later that the scene had been repeated all around the city.


    Where the man showed up they were thrown back.


    ¡°Here¡¯s what¡¯s going to happen tonight. We¡¯re going to attack again. While the enemy is occupied you will slip into the city. They can¡¯t cover every inch of the wall. Always seemed stupid to me. Why build a wall around the entire city when there¡¯ll be inevitable gaps. It¡¯s not like they¡¯ve got millions of people in there,¡± Fred shook his head. ¡°In any case. Once you¡¯re inside it¡¯s guerrilla tactics. You¡¯ll proceed in small teams. Complete autonomy. Cause as much chaos as you can. Eat and get stronger.¡±


    ¡°The flying man¡ª¡±


    ¡°None of that,¡± Fred cut off the voice. ¡°I know the rumors are going around. This isn¡¯t the same ¡®flying man¡¯ from the stories the vets tell you to make you piss your pants. Multiple sources have confirmed it. They know what the real guy looks like. They were there back in the day. Not the same guy. That one was all about punching and tanking shots like nothing. No telekinetic bullshit like this one. Anyways, the plan accounts for him. We¡¯ll keep him occupied while you slip in. Then you¡¯ll draw his attention to let us breach the walls. He can¡¯t be everywhere and if we move fast enough we can kill, eat and take prisoners.¡±


    ¡°What are our real objectives?¡± Britt said.


    ¡°Remember that prophecy thing I told you about?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°Not for you or me to know the full details. Just know that we are all playing a vital role in the ultimate success of a huge Quest.¡±


    ¡°But we don¡¯t have it?¡± Britt said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the rewards. Everyone will get a share equal to their contributions.¡± Fred waved them away. ¡°That¡¯s it. No more questions. You¡¯ve got your locations. As soon as it gets dark, sneak into position and wait for the flares.¡±


    The briefing broke apart and Michael joined the rest of his team as they moved through the camp to reach their tents.


    ¡°I see this as a good thing. We do not want to tangle with that flying dude,¡± Donald said.


    ¡°I¡¯m concerned that we don¡¯t know what the real objectives are. It feels like we¡¯re just distractions,¡± Britt said.


    ¡°That¡¯s what Fred basically said,¡± Michael nodded.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t it bother you?¡± Britt said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t worry about things above my level,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°We get to hunt without worrying about the complicated stuff,¡± Sunny said.


    ¡°We¡¯d already be dead if we had joined the vets in the attack on the walls earlier today,¡± Lincoln said.


    ¡°I passed by the prisoner cages and there aren¡¯t a lot left,¡± Charlie said.


    ¡°So what?¡± Donald said.


    ¡°Fred still looked pretty messed up,¡± he said.


    ¡°It means they had to use too much to heal, which means we¡¯re out of healing for the next attack,¡± Charlie continued.


    ¡°Again, so what? The main force is coming in, like, a week. They¡¯ll bring more,¡± Donald scoffed.


    ¡°Charlie¡¯s right. I don¡¯t know the exact plan, since we¡¯re too low level,¡± Britt rolled her eyes, ¡°but if I had to guess. We should¡¯ve breached the walls and taken territory in the city with the first attack. That means we should¡¯ve had more prisoners by now. Not less.¡±


    ¡°Like Fred said, we just got to be flexible,¡± Donald said. ¡°We go in tonight, like ninjas, and get it done.¡±


    They spent the time remaining to them getting ready. They couldn¡¯t eat since the last of the prisoners were undoubtedly being saved for higher ranking brothers and sisters. They checked their equipment making sure that everything was in the best possible condition it could be in.


    Time flowed strangely.


    It simultaneously felt like forever, yet when the call came they didn¡¯t feel like they had enough time to prepare.


    They ran into position under the cover of darkness and the renewed assault on the wall.


    Michael didn¡¯t need his darkvision to see the action in the distance thanks to the spotlights shining down from the guard towers and the flashes from the weapons and spells.


    He scanned the dark sky for the flying man but saw nothing.


    The flare came all too quickly and they were sprinting across the open ground.


    Fred was right.


    What was the point of a wall when you were going to be forced to leave sections of it unguarded due to lack of personnel?


    The whiz-crack of a gunshot sent a shower of dirt flying at his feet.


    ¡°Guard tower,¡± someone in his thirty-strong group hissed.


    ¡°Light Arrow,¡± Britt said.


    A dozen spells and gunshots joined hers in striking the guard tower.


    ¡°Leave the tower to me!¡± one of the vets roared. ¡°Get in the city!¡±


    The vet transformed into her hulking form and leapt all the way to the top of the tower.


    Michael didn¡¯t see the rest as he sprinted for the wall.


    He transformed as he reached it.


    Claw-like nails and enhanced strength made it a simply matter to scale the ten-foot-tall wooden wall.


    Britt was just behind him.


    The others had already scaled over the top.


    ¡°Alright. Split up into your teams. No orders. Just cause as much chaos as you can,¡± another vet said. ¡°Don¡¯t count on any backup to bail you out if you get in trouble. For the blessed sacrament.¡±


    ¡°For the blessed sacrament!¡± they all echoed.


    ¡°Over there!¡± Britt urged them toward a dark alley. ¡°Okay, stop. It¡¯s time to make a plan. I¡¯m betting most of the people not fighting on the wall will be in their homes or in shelters,¡± she pulled out a map of the city. ¡°I don¡¯t know exactly where people are living since I¡¯m a noob,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go for the rich people. They¡¯re fatter,¡± Sunny growled.


    ¡°There¡¯s a bunch big houses over here,¡± Donald tapped the map.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know if there¡¯ll be people there,¡± Lincoln said.


    ¡°Oh, people will definitely in the big houses. Whether rich or not. The best places always get taken,¡± Charlie said.


    ¡°They¡¯ll be better defended. I think we¡¯re better off doing what Britt planned,¡± he said.


    She gave him a grateful look. ¡°Michael¡¯s right. We have no idea if the homes are held by people stronger than us. We might not even be able to get inside. So, I thought it¡¯d be best if we followed our orders and created chaos. Start fires. Draw attention to them and set up ambushes. Pull guards away from the weaker people. Then hit the homes.¡±


    There was some grumbling, but the team backed their leader.


    They ran through dark streets until they spotted a good target.


    A corner gas station beckoned.


    Lincoln pulled two gas cans from his large pack and handed them out.


    ¡°Can you get them open?¡± Britt pointed to the metal lids set in the concrete concealing the tanks buried underground.


    ¡°Easy,¡± Lincoln pulled a crowbar from his pack and transformed.


    He pried the caps open with brute force and did the same to expose the gas in the tanks.


    ¡°Do we just drop a match¡ª¡± Donald said.


    ¡°No!¡± Britt snapped. ¡°Give me the rope?¡±


    Lincoln handed it over.


    She unrolled it and lowered one end into the tank.


    Lincoln passed out bundles of rope as they copied Britt with the other tanks.


    They then used the gas cans to drench the ropes as they pulled them out into the middle of the street.


    ¡°Is this far enough?¡± Donald said.


    ¡°No, but we can run pretty fast,¡± Britt struck a match and lit the ropes.


    They ran for it.


    The gas-soaked ropes lit up.


    The trail of fire was slower than them as it ran down the ropes and into the tanks.


    They reached the cover of a large building when an ear-splitting boom shook their insides and shattered windows in the immediate area.


    Michael looked back.


    The gas station was a flaming ruin.


    The fires had spread to the stores in the same corner shopping center.


    ¡°It worked!¡± Britt clapped in delight.


    ¡°Awesome!¡± Donald¡¯s sharp-teeth gleamed in the fire light.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get into position, Michael and Donald up there,¡± Britt pointed to the second level of a two-story building directly across the street from the burning gas station. ¡°The rest of us will wait there,¡± she pointed to the alley behind the burning stores. ¡°We¡¯ll go on you guys.¡±


    They didn¡¯t have to wait long.


    An actual fire truck, no sirens, rolled up.


    A dozen men and women hopped out warily.


    The ones with shields protected the rest as they observed the raging flames.


    ¡°Do we shoot?¡± Donald whispered.


    Michael stood in the shadow of the wall. Arrow nocked, but not drawn. ¡°Not yet. They¡¯re on guard.¡±


    He could hear them talk clearly despite the distance thanks to his hunter¡¯s ears.


    ¡°What the fuck happened?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got infiltrators. Stay on your toes!¡±


    ¡°Do we put it out?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but keep your head on a swivel.¡±


    Michael peeked to take a quick glance.


    He noticed one detail.


    They all had a golden cross and wings somewhere on their armor or clothing.


    He realized they were part of the eternal church.


    A big, bearded man barked instructions while he gestured emphatically.


    A handful of them began to take the hose from the fire truck.


    The ones with shields stuck close to them making sure to keep their backs protected. The rest took up defensive positions using the fire truck as partial cover.


    ¡°We should send a runner to let them know about this.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sending anyone out there on their own. We stay together. Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll put this out and head back.¡±


    The hose men got to work turning the stream of water to the fires on the stores.


    ¡°Get ready,¡± Michael whispered.


    Donald took a knee at the broken window and raised his carbine.


    ¡°Power Shot.¡±


    Michael stepped from cover and drew in one smooth motion.


    The arrow streaked through the air with a bang.


    The bearded leader crumpled to the ground.


    The arrow¡¯s fletching quivered out from his iron helmet like a tiny flag.


    Donald¡¯s carbine barked in three round bursts a split-second later.


    Michael drew another arrow and loosed.


    A shield-bearing woman fell to the ground with a second flag planted in her eye.


    He ran to the other side of the room and took cover behind the brick wall as something hot exploded through the broken window and into the ceiling.


    Donald cursed as he threw himself behind the wall patting his burning sleeves frantically.


    ¡°We need to keep their attention on us!¡± Michael snapped a quick shot out of cover and struck a shield.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The return fireball sent flames splashing near him.


    Dueling gun¡¯s barked at each other.


    ¡°I¡¯m hit!¡±


    Donald came out the loser on that exchange.


    Michael drew another arrow and loosed.


    Another miss.


    Not so for the enemy.


    Hot pain lanced through his chain shirt and into his shoulder.


    The bow fell from his hand.


    He pressed himself back into cover.


    ¡°We need to heal!¡± Donald called.


    A high-pitched roar suddenly filled the sky.


    The impacts on their cover stopped.


    Michael risked a look.


    Sunny had already leapt on top of a big man¡¯s shield. She tore into his face with frenzied slashes.


    The drawback of an open-faced helm was death for the man as Sunny leaned close and bit with an impossibly huge mouth.


    Charlie and Lincoln were several steps behind Sunny.


    The latter barreled toward an axe and shield wielder.


    ¡°Bulwark!¡± the woman screamed.


    The impact knocked her back a few steps while doing the same to Lincoln.


    An archer near the firetruck drew her bow and whispered something Michael didn¡¯t catch.


    The arrowhead burst into flames.


    She loosed and struck Lincoln in the upper chest.


    Michael picked up his bow and drew his own arrow.


    His wounded shoulder rebelled.


    Charlie charged a man in chainmail wielding a two-handed axe. ¡°Rend Armor!¡± claw-like nails in her right hand shredded the steel rings protecting his stomach. ¡°Gutting Slash!¡± her left hand swept across his gut. Tough, padded fabric parted like paper. His flesh did the same. ¡°Here!¡± she tossed a handful of guts to Lincoln, before shoving the rest into her mouth.


    A burning arrow pierced through the tough fabric into her thigh. She finished swallowing, dug the arrow out and charged the archer.


    Lincoln did the same and punched the woman¡¯s shield.


    The wood shattered.


    ¡°Quick Chop!¡±


    Her downward stroke flashed too fast for Lincoln to follow.


    He raised an arm but realized a split-second too late that the axe had struck him in the collarbone.


    His chainmail held but he heard the crack, felt the bone break.


    ¡°Light Arrow!¡±


    Britt¡¯s spell hit the woman in the face.


    Lincoln dashed forward to grab the stunned woman. He bit her face off then ripped her throat out, swallowing with relish.


    He felt the broken bone begin to heal.


    The pain spiked but he relished it.


    It fed his hunger for the kill.


    ¡°Get me closer!¡± Britt called out.


    ¡°Follow me,¡± Lincoln held the dying woman in front of him like a shield and charged.


    ¡°Repel Evil!¡±


    Michael watched as the air around a woman distorted along with a burst of golden light that dwindled to a soft glow that settled into a spherical aura around ten feet from her body.


    His entire team recoiled, turned and ran.


    They took several hits but managed to turn the corner and disappear into the darkness.


    ¡°Damn it! We¡¯ve got to get out of here!¡± Donald said.


    Michael lingered to cast one last baleful look at the woman and the glow around her.


    Instinct told him that he hated it.


    He followed Donald out of the building.


    He led the way.


    He had a better sense of smell than Donald.


    His brother and sisters scent was clear beneath the sweet scent of flesh.


    They caught up quickly in the shadows of a Walmart.


    The other four were sharing the dead woman¡¯s corpse.


    Lincoln had carried it with his great strength.


    ¡°You¡¯re wounded!¡± Britt said. ¡°Here have some,¡± she handed him a bloody chunk of meat.


    ¡°I got shot too,¡± Donald whined.


    ¡°Grab a bite,¡± Britt gestured toward the corpse.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind if I do,¡± Donald winced.


    ¡°Did you get the bullet out yet?¡± Britt said.


    He shook his head.


    ¡°Here, let me help.¡±


    Britt worked quickly and efficiently.


    She scoured his wound, pulling out broken chainmail, fabric and finally the bullet.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± he muttered before swallowing the meat whole.


    It was strange how the pain of healing was worse than the pain of being wounded.


    ¡°Was that a win?¡± Donald said.


    Sunny grunted something unintelligible. She was in the throes of her transformation more than the others.


    ¡°I shot one guy, well I shot a few, but I¡¯m only sure that I killed one,¡± Donald continued.


    ¡°I killed two,¡± Michael added.


    ¡°Lincoln, Charlie and Sunny each got one, so that¡¯s half their number and Michael got their leader. That¡¯s a win,¡± Britt pronounced.


    ¡°Yeah, but we only got one and we¡¯re sharing,¡± Charlie sighed. ¡°We need to partake of the sacrament to get stronger and we definitely need to get stronger or the next fight will go bad for us. We¡¯re not going to heal completely from this,¡± she pointed at the partially eaten corpse.


    ¡°What happened down there? That woman said ¡®Repel Evil¡¯ and you guys ran,¡± Michael said.


    ¡°We already talked about this, but to catch you up¡­ it was like the opposite of a taunt. We just knew that we had to get away from that woman. I¡ª we tried to fight it,¡± Britt shook her head.


    ¡°Maybe we can go back later and take the sacrament,¡± Lincoln ventured.


    ¡°No¡ª that¡¯s a good idea¡ª but they know about us now. Even if they¡¯re the kind of people that¡¯d leave the bodies of their comrades, they know that the sacrament gives us strength,¡± Britt said. ¡°We need to move on and find other targets.¡±


    They used the remaining gas in their cans to start several fires.


    At each location they waited for another ambush opportunity that never came.


    The night stretched on as they continued to prowl the empty city streets.


    It was on the wrong side of midnight when they reached a street that was pitch black with one exception.


    A two-story building was lit up from within.


    Michael heard the conversations, smelled the fear.


    Britt stopped suddenly. ¡°Guys, check out that building¡­ the owner is weaker than us¡­¡±


    ¡°Hell yeah!¡± Donald pumped his fist.


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure there¡¯s, like, a hundred people crammed in that place,¡± Michael said.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter, let¡¯s go!¡± Sunny vibrated in place.


    ¡°No! We need a plan first!¡± Britt snapped.


    ¡°What¡¯s there to plan? There¡¯s a front door and a back door and the upstairs window and maybe a fire escape in the back¡­ okay¡­ what¡¯s the plan?¡± Donald shrugged.


    ¡°It¡¯s packed. I say we all just get in there and cause as much panic as possible. I doubt there are strong fighters inside. Those would be on the wall or out in the city. It should be easy,¡± Britt beamed a bloody, sharp-toothed smile.


    <hr>


    Heddy navigated through the press of bodies in both her shop and apartment.


    It wasn¡¯t standing room only, but it was close.


    People found places to sit, leaning against walls and furniture.


    They saved the most comfortable spots, like chairs, the couch and her bed for the old and the young.


    Knox had made sure that there was plenty to drink and eat. Though that wasn¡¯t a big concern since their plan had been to slowly funnel people out to the downtown location that Nila woman had given them as a gathering spot for their eventual escape from the besieged city.


    She joined the rest in flinching and looking to the windows whenever a particularly loud explosion shook the air. The sounds of gunfire had long ago dwindled to something like background white noise.


    The heat inside was unbearable and she had the others crack the windows open a few inches.


    She wanted them out. She had never been one to be comfortable without plenty of personal space and she was finding it a challenge to have so many people in her one safe space. She had offered though and she wasn¡¯t one to go back on her word.


    At least it wasn¡¯t as packed as it had been earlier in the day.


    Unfortunately, when the sun had gone down Knox had decided that it was too dangerous for people to move through the city in the dark especially when it seemed like there were sounds of fighting inside the walls.


    The back door jingled and everyone held their breaths.


    Those closest tried to shy away but they didn¡¯t have room.


    She gripped the handle of her knife.


    The door opened quickly.


    A sigh of relief passed through the room.


    It was Knox.


    He gave a tired smile. His usually perfect silver and black hair was mussed and she couldn¡¯t help but notice there was noticeably more silver than black.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening out there?¡± an old man sitting next to the door said.


    ¡°They¡¯re in the city,¡± Knox replied. ¡°Please, don¡¯t panic,¡± he soothed as worried gasps filled Heddy¡¯s shop.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°My sources are pretty certain. There have been fires and explosions all over the place. The church has been sending out response teams and not all of them are coming back. The ones that do¡­ are coming back hurt and with missing people.¡±


    ¡°We need to get out of here!¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s the worse time to be out on the streets,¡± Knox shook his head.


    ¡°What about those people that are supposed to help us?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m hoping they can provide an escort or something, but I can¡¯t go to them until tomorrow morning. It¡¯s too dangerous out there in the dark,¡± Knox said.


    Heddy caught his eye and dragged him to a corner behind her main worktable for as much privacy as could be managed in the packed space.


    ¡°They got past the walls? How?¡± she demanded.


    ¡°Sources¡ª¡± he lowered his voice, ¡°my sources say that the church thinks they sneaked small teams in at lightly defended spots. The main attack hasn¡¯t breached the walls. Your friend, Cal, it¡¯s not clear¡­ but the word is that he¡¯s all over the place keeping the Meat Parade from getting through. They¡¯re attacking from all sides, Heddy!¡± he hissed. ¡°There shouldn¡¯t be this many of them¡­¡±


    ¡°Should we just make a run for it? We¡¯re not safe here. What if our best chance is to stay with Cal¡¯s people. That Nila had some kind of futuristic armor and I saw her jump from the ground to the roof.¡±


    Knox nodded. ¡°I know. There was some kind of fight at the RV park earlier today. I don¡¯t have details, but a lot church fighters came back busted up pretty good.¡±


    ¡°Maybe a few of the fastest or sneakiest people here try to make it to them and then they can escort the rest of us.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    ¡°How can you not? You¡¯ve got all the plans!¡± Heddy hissed.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡ª¡± Knox voice dropped to a whisper. ¡°I¡¯ve lost contact with a lot of the network. I don¡¯t know if its the seekers or the cannibals¡­¡±


    ¡°You have to do something. We can¡¯t stay in my shop forever.¡±


    ¡°In the morning¡ª¡±


    ¡°What if it¡¯s too late?¡±


    ¡°Look, Heddy, I¡¯ve got nothing¡ª unless,¡± Knox sighed. ¡°Do you have paper?¡±


    ¡°What for?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a terrible plan, but better than nothing. I¡¯m going to give everyone in here the address of the gathering spot. If something goes wrong at least some of us might make it out of here.¡±


    Heddy helped Knox write the directions down and passed them out to everyone inside her shop and apartment.


    The work took her mind of the unpleasant stuffiness of the air, so much so that when they finished she felt a spike of despair.


    She was desperate for a breath of fresh air that she consider stepping out into the alley behind her shop for just a few seconds.


    Her hand drifted toward the doorknob as if with a mind of its own.


    ¡°Heddy! What are you doing?¡± Knox hissed.


    She pulled her hand back and turned away when the door suddenly exploded open knocking her aside.


    A loud roar filled the space.


    Screams.


    The press of bodies trying to get away.


    Gunfire.


    Heddy¡¯s head spun as she tried to get up from the wall she had been slammed into.


    ¡°Heddy!¡±


    She dimly heard Knox¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Meat Parade! Run!¡± a voice she didn¡¯t recognize shouted.


    Her vision cleared just in time to see a small, pale blur dash past her to jump on a screaming man.


    Teeth tore into throat and swallowed greedily.


    ¡°They¡¯re coming from the front!¡±


    She fought the bile in her throat and pushed her way toward the doorway from her backroom workshop to the front.


    The press of desperate bodies pushed up against the walls as they tried to funnel themselves away from the cannibalistic monsters.


    A big bodied cannibal reached out and grabbed a small woman by the back of her neck.


    The poor woman screamed as sharp nails cut her flesh.


    ¡°Help! They¡¯re up here too!¡±


    Heddy looked back and watched in horror as the cannibal¡¯s bloody mouth opened impossibly wide and bit half the back of the woman¡¯s head off in one go.


    Most of the people taking shelter in her shop weren¡¯t real fighters.


    Knox¡¯s network had split the most capable ones to ensure that all the different safe houses were somewhat protected.


    Where were the ones supposed to protect her shop?


    The small cannibal lashed out and opened up the back of a man pushing against Heddy¡¯s back.


    She could see the whites of his eyes as he gazed at her, pleading, before a pair of clawed hands dug into his face and pooped his eyes like grapes as he was dragged back down.


    ¡°My sword!¡± she pointed at the sheathed blade propped up against the wall on the other side of the room near her main work table. ¡°It¡¯s enchanted! Someone¡ª¡±


    A snarl cut her off as the big bodied cannibal leapt and dragged the old woman crying next to her into a final embrace.


    A young woman, a girl really, turned from the press with scream of terror and rage and took up the blade, frantically drawing it from the sheath. ¡°How?¡± she screamed at Heddy.


    ¡°Say ¡®Ignite¡¯!¡±


    The girl screamed and the straight blade burst into flames.


    She recoiled and almost fumbled it.


    The magic or the light or the heat, whatever the case, the girl attracted the attention of both cannibalistic monsters.


    Their heads turned to regard her as they swallowed chunks of bloody flesh.


    ¡°Stay back!¡± the girl waved the burning blade.


    They advanced on her, forgetting the rest.


    ¡°Now¡¯s our chance. Out the back!¡± Knox yelled over the press from where he was stuck just on the other side of the doorway.


    Heddy stumbled toward the open back door.


    The others were slow to catch on but they did and the trickle turned into a tide as terrified people stampeded out the door.


    She stopped and was roughly jostled.


    She only had eyes for the young girl and the burning blade.


    Her blade. Her words.


    They put the girl in the path of the monsters.


    One life to save dozens.


    Was that fair?


    ¡°Heddy! C¡¯mon!¡± Knox grabbed her arm and tried to drag her along with the tide. ¡°They¡¯re everywhere! They came in through the front and upstairs, in your apartment!¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I¡ª her¡ª she¡¯s¡ª¡± she gestured.


    ¡°I know, but what else can we do!¡±


    Heddy felt the hammering in her chest, the hot bile in her throat.


    She felt the warm handle of the knife tucked into the back of her belt.


    The crowd thinned.


    ¡°Get back!¡± the girl swung the burning sword in wide arcs.


    The small cannibal monster hissed in anger as she got over eager and earned a hot cut to her clawed hand.


    ¡°We need to go!¡± Knox hissed in Heddy¡¯s ear.


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shit!¡± Knox cursed.


    Another cannibal monster appeared at the cleared doorway to the front.


    He had the same too-wide mouth filled with sharp teeth and smeared with blood, but unlike the other two he wielded a weapon and was chubby with none of the hardness of the other two.


    She watched in slow motion as he raised the gun. Pointed it at her and squeezed the trigger.


    The loud bang felt cataclysmic in the enclosed space.


    She was pulled back roughly.


    Knox was suddenly in front of her.


    He collapsed into her arms.


    Three red flowers slowly bloomed on his once pristine white shirt.


    His eyes stared up into hers for a moment before they stared into nothing.


    The gun-wielding cannibal approached and pressed the barrel to her head.


    Heddy slapped the barrel aside with a cry of rage and threw herself at the cannibal monster.


    The knife was in her hand without conscious thought and she plunged it down into his forehead, all the way to the hilt.


    It wasn¡¯t her own strength, which was meager, that allowed the blade to part the steel helmet, tough skin and bone like paper. The magic in the blade had done the work.


    The cannibal monster¡¯s body jerked and seized up from the shock enchantment.


    Teeth broke on teeth and severed his long tongue as his jaw clenched out of his control.


    The dead body toppled as she pulled the knife free and¡ª


    She suddenly spun through the air from the heavy punch near her left shoulder.


    The knife clattered on the floor.


    Pain unlike any other she had ever known radiated from her shoulder.


    She felt the hard shaft and soft fletching with her hand.


    An arrow had gone all the way through her shoulder.


    Her vision dimmed.


    The fire light from the burning blade as the girl waved it in front of her frantically reminded her of childhood fireworks.


    The sheer terror on the girl¡¯s face reminded her of her own.


    The two cannibal monsters menaced ever closer just out of the blade¡¯s reach. Like lions toying with their prey.


    She looked up and saw another cannibal at the front door to her shop. He nocked another arrow to his bow.


    Heddy closed her eyes and waited.


    ¡°Flicker Movement.¡±

 6.30

    Then, Kansas


    ¡°Listen up, Lincoln and Sunny start it off. You guys go in through the back. Donald you wait for people to bunch up in the front, then you go in. Watch out for friendly fire. Charlie and I will hit the upstairs from the fire escape. Michael, you¡¯ll be out front covering Donald. Look, it¡¯s fine if a bunch of them escape. That¡¯ll actually be good for us from a chaos spreading standpoint,¡± Britt said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to let any prey get away,¡± Sunny pouted with her too-wide mouth.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get more than enough!¡± Donald gave her a toothy grin. ¡°We all will!¡±


    ¡°Any questions?¡±


    Lincoln, always serious, shook his head.


    ¡°I¡¯m good,¡± Michael said.


    The rest concurred.


    ¡°Remember to take the sacrament as your first move. We haven¡¯t healed to a hundred percent and even if the people in there seem weak, you never know when someone could get lucky,¡± Charlie said.


    They sat and observed the shop from the rooftop on the opposite side of the street.


    It wasn¡¯t smart to keep the lights on. It lit them up like a beacon considering the rest of the buildings on the street and the immediate area were dark.


    The others left to sneak around to the shop¡¯s back leaving him with Donald.


    ¡°I¡¯ll stay here then I¡¯ll move in if I need to,¡± Michael said.


    ¡°Hey, man, uh¡­ when was I supposed to move in again?¡± Donald said.


    ¡°After Lincoln and Sunny hit the back door.¡±


    Donald snickered. ¡°Sorry¡­ that was a good one.¡±


    He caught it too late but laughed when he realized what he had said. ¡°Seriously, though, I thought you were paying attention?¡±


    ¡°I was, just dipped in and out cause I¡¯m hungry as fuck. Being wounded sucks shit. Man, like I can¡¯t concentrate. I just need that sweet sweet sacrament in my belly.¡±


    ¡°Same.¡±


    ¡°No? Really? You¡¯re like supercool about it. Ain¡¯t twitchy like the rest of us.¡±


    ¡°I just think of it this way¡­ to get the sacrament I need to do my part perfectly. The better I do my job the sooner I can satisfy the hunger. Actually helps me focus¡­ most of the time,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Good deal! You¡¯ll have to teach me how you do that later. I better get in position.¡±


    ¡°Heh¡­¡±


    ¡°What? Bullshit, bro. That¡¯s not even close. Not like your ¡®back door¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Get them good!¡±


    He bumped fists with Donald before his friend leapt from the one story roof down to the street and headed toward the front of the shop.


    He heard the mass of people crammed inside the two story building.


    They milled around while speaking of their worries and hopes.


    He smelled them.


    The fear was palpable, just simmering, ready to boil over into pure terror once his team struck.


    He saw them through the upstairs windows.


    Some foolish person had opened them and drawn the blinds up for fresh air.


    So many people for the space.


    A target rich environment.


    He stayed his hand and ignored the hunter¡¯s voice in his head telling him to kill and feed.


    Soon enough.


    The plan would work and he would partake of the sacrament.


    <hr>


    Now, Kansas


    Michael heard sudden, multiple loud crashes.


    A door breaking.


    Windows shattering.


    He watched Britt and Charlie tearing and biting their way through the people in the second level living area.


    At street level the front door burst open.


    Donald calmly shot the first person to dash out.


    A dozen scattered down the dark street after the unfortunate man hit the ground.


    Donald shot a few more, but focused on rushing to the door to stem the tide of escapees.


    He watched his friend disappear inside.


    The sound of screaming was music in his ears.


    The stench of bodily waste mingled with the sweetness of fear exploding into terror as the prey found themselves trapped by their predators.


    The sacrament belonged to his team.


    It seemed that he wouldn¡¯t be needed to provide cover.


    He stood up from his crouch, drew and shot a fleeing man in the side.


    He leapt down and ran toward the downed man, slashing him across the neck before taking the sacrament.


    There was no need for cruelty.


    He silently thanked the dead man before eating as much of the blessed flesh as he could.


    The healing began with a jolt of pain that carried straight through the entire process.


    It hurt more to heal than it had to receive the wounds.


    When he stood up with blood smearing his transformed face and hands he felt renewed.


    Time to join his team, his friends.


    He was just in time to see Donald topple to the ground.


    A woman pulled a knife that looked and felt odd to him out of his friend¡¯s head.


    ¡°Power Shot!¡± he drew and loosed before he realized it.


    The woman spun around and hit the ground with a thud.


    He nocked another arrow.


    Eyes scanning the space looking for more threats.


    He couldn¡¯t see his teammates but he could hear them.


    He tried not to look at Donald¡¯s body.


    It would be fine.


    Once the fight was over they could just feed him the sacrament and he would heal.


    ¡°Flicker Movement.¡±


    A dark-skinned woman appeared like a still photo crouched down next to the one he had shot.


    He blinked and both were gone.


    He blinked again and the dark-skinned woman lunged through the door.


    Another blink and she was gone again.


    He thought she had gone to the right of the room.


    He was wrong.


    Blink.


    Blades sparked against his chainmail. His bowstring snapped.


    He felt a stinging heat stab through the thick fabric of his pants.


    The dark-skinned girl appeared for an instant before flickering to the back room.


    He felt the fresh sacrament in his stomach go to work on the wound that would¡¯ve otherwise seen him bleed to death in minutes.


    Instead, he healed in seconds. He rushed forward knowing that Lincoln and Sunny were there as well.


    Britt and Charlie almost collided with him as they flew down the stairs to his left.


    ¡°Bleed.¡±


    They could only watch as the dark-skinned young woman weaved around Lincoln and Charlie appearing like still photos as she cut and stabbed them with short blades in each hand.


    The two of them appeared like statues despite the enhanced speed that their transformed forms gave them.


    ¡°Help them!¡± Britt called out.


    ¡°What about the girl with the flaming sword?¡± Charlie said.


    He hadn¡¯t even realized that there was a girl with her back pressed up against the wall.


    ¡°Donald needs the sacrament!¡± he said.


    ¡°You do it!¡± Britt growled.


    Their leader raised a hand trying and failing to track the dark-skinned young woman as she danced around Lincoln and Sunny shedding their blood like fountains.


    He scrambled toward Donald.


    Turned his friend over.


    He saw the sightless, unblinking eyes. The oozing would in his head.


    Donald had lost his helmet in their first fight and had forgotten it in that office.


    It was too late.


    ¡°Ding dong, bitches!¡± a loud high-pitched voice rang out from the front door.


    Two young women.


    One was heavily armored in plate and chain. A spear in her hands. Thin chains wrapped around each armored arm.


    He sensed tangible power coming from her body in waves. It was like being near the strongest power generator he could imagine.


    A snarl visible through her helmet¡¯s opening marred the young woman¡¯s pretty, tan face.


    The other was lightly armored and didn¡¯t carry any visible weapons.


    She punched her bare fists together and sneered.


    ¡°We¡¯re getting out of here! Michael, grab Donald¡¯s gun and cover us!¡± Britt thrust out her hand. ¡°Light Dart Barrage!¡± her newest spell sent dozens of sickly yellow darts of magic light at the two young women.


    ¡°Mage Shield!¡± the unarmed young woman slapped herself and jumped forward to intercept Britt¡¯s magic.


    The darts peppered her body and shattered the faint glow around her but failed to do more.


    ¡°That was your best?¡± the young woman grin was feral. ¡°I¡¯m guessing your only Level 20 in Mage and whatever else you¡¯ve got in cannibal. Not enough. Earth Wall.¡± The young woman punched the floor.


    Britt was knocked off her feet by the sudden upwelling of hard dirt that rose up to about waist-high.


    Michael reached for the first weapon he saw.


    Donald¡¯s lightning-enchanted sword.


    His friend had never had the chance to use it in actual combat.


    ¡°YAAAA!¡±


    An arc of flame passed just over his head, singing his helmet.


    What was the activation word?¡±


    ¡°On!¡± he cried.


    Blue-white arcs cascaded up and down his blade as he raised it blindly to block the descending fireblade.


    Fighting on his knees wasn¡¯t smart.


    It made the girl a threat even if she lacked skill and was only propped up by the adrenaline flooding her body as she fought for her life.


    She hammered at him desperately.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    He pushed back, sending her flying, windmilling her arms the flaming blade clattered out the open door into the alley.


    ¡°D! The girl!¡± the heavily armored young woman roared as she leapt forward and thrust her spear.


    The weapon stabbed into Sunny¡¯s back and pinned her to the floor.


    Arcs of electricity crackled along the metal-wrapped shaft and into Sunny.


    Her body locked up.


    The dark-skinned young woman abandoned Lincoln and appeared next to the knocked out girl.


    She picked the girl up and disappeared out the back.


    Lincoln leapt at the heavily armored young woman.


    There was a flash, the spell of ozone and burnt flesh.


    Lincoln flew, crashing into the back wall and breaking a table as his heavy body slammed down.


    Arcs of electricity surged around the surface of the heavily armored woman¡¯s gauntleted fist.


    Charlie attacked. ¡°Rend Armor.¡±


    She tore deep gouges in the young woman¡¯s plate even as her body seized up.


    She recovered quickly with the sacrament in her stomach.


    ¡°Gutting Sl¡ª¡±


    ¡°Nope! Stone Spike!¡±


    The unarmed young woman¡¯s fist crashed into Charlie¡¯s cheek.


    He watched as she spun away with a spray of broken teeth and a huge hole in her left cheek.


    ¡°Fireball!¡±


    The next punch struck Charlie in the chest and sent her flying in a huge explosion of fire.


    ¡°Retreat! We need to run! They¡¯re too strong!¡± Britt called wildly.


    Michael finally climbed to his feet.


    He knew it was a terrible idea to shout that.


    ¡°Go! I¡¯ll keep them busy,¡± he said. Not that he believed he had a chance. The best he could do was get in their way for a bit. Maybe that¡¯d be enough for the team to escape.


    ¡°Light Arrow! Light Arrow! Light Arrow!¡± Britt ran over to Charlie and helped her too her feet.


    Lincoln was right with them.


    ¡°Help her up! Michael and I will cover you!¡±


    ¡°What about Sunny?¡± Lincoln said.


    Their smallest and fiercest teammate was stuck to the floor as the heavily armored woman continued to funnel electricity into her through the spear in her back.


    ¡°She took a lot of the sacrament, but I don¡¯t think she can keep healing from that. That was the hardest I¡¯ve ever been hit by anything,¡± Lincoln said. ¡°It¡¯s taking everything I just ate to heal and it¡¯s taking time.¡±


    ¡°Give up and we¡¯ll make your deaths fairy quick,¡± the unarmed young woman sneered.


    ¡°They¡¯re just kids,¡± the heavily armored young woman said.


    There was something in her eyes.


    Michael thought he saw reluctance or resignation.


    ¡°They decided eating other people was the way to go. Fuck ¡®em.¡±


    ¡°J.¡±


    ¡°What¡­ H?¡± J rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Maybe there¡¯s a way back for them.¡±


    ¡°Look around you, they literally ate all these people. Their prions are all fucked up. You don¡¯t get better from that. Like Ca¡ª like C said, it¡¯s, like, a class. It¡¯s part of them now. And the only good cannibal is a dead one.¡±


    H¡¯s attention wavered a split-second.


    The electricity flowing into Sunny stopped for an instant.


    ¡°Acid Spray!¡± She thrust her hand back toward H.


    H cursed and recoiled back, but not before the acid splashed against her right arm.


    The thin chain and the steel armor sizzled and smoke as the magic acid ate through them.


    She no longer had a hand on the spear.


    Sunny tore herself from the floor with a roar filled with rage and hunger that Michael felt in him.


    ¡°Now¡¯s our chance!¡± Britt screamed.


    They moved, but Sunny was quicker than them all.


    Spear still sticking out of her back she leapt on J, who fell back while throwing an uppercut.


    ¡°Stone Spike!¡± she screamed.


    Her fist hit Sunny in the chest.


    A spray of blood, bone and lung erupted from Sunny¡¯s back.


    She bore J to the ground and bit down on the upraised arm.


    Shark-like teeth ground into iron bracers.


    There was a crack and J screamed.


    ¡°Big mouth motherfu¡ª Fireball!¡± J punched Sunny in the side of the head.


    The explosion threw her off, but she recovered quickly and leapt at J before the young woman could do more than scoot back toward H near the opening to the front of the shop.


    Sunny¡¯s mouth gaped wide enough to swallow J¡¯s head, which meant it was wide enough for H to punch a steel-clad fist into the back of her throat.


    ¡°Eat this.¡±


    Before Sunny could bite down Michael sensed the power in H surge into her fist.


    Sunny shook as electricity funneled into her body.


    In the span seconds her body was a charred ruin.


    H had cooked his teammate from the inside.


    Sunny had run out of the sacrament.


    Lincoln¡¯s meaty hand descended on H.


    ¡°Mage Shield!¡± J slapped her teammate¡¯s leg.


    Lincoln broke the shield, but didn¡¯t touch H.


    H touched Lincoln and caused his body to seize up.


    ¡°Run¡­¡± Lincoln managed to get out through a clenched jaw as he slowly, agonizingly fought his own muscles. They tore as he reached out to grapple H.


    ¡°Grab the sacrament!¡± Britt pointed to the body at Michael¡¯s feet.


    He numbly listened and followed Britt as she half-carried, half-dragged Charlie out the back door.


    ¡°Shit! They¡¯re getting away!¡± J said.


    ¡°They¡¯re not part of the Quest,¡± H said.


    Michael¡¯s last view was of the heavily armored young woman laying a hand on Lincoln¡¯s forehead.


    <hr>


    ¡°Bitch broke my arm!¡± Jayde got up cradling said appendage to kick the smoldering corpse of the small cannibal. ¡°Oh shit¡ª¡± her eyes widened. ¡°She bit me! I¡¯m going to turn into one of them!¡±


    Hayden regarded her acid eaten bracer.


    The chain was a loss and the upper part of the bracer was mostly gone so she took it off. Only a small part of the gauntlet¡¯s cuff had been eaten away while the chainmail and clothing underneath were untouched.


    ¡°No you aren¡¯t. No one¡¯s ever seen that happen,¡± she kicked the smoldering corpse of the largest cannibal before heading over to the strange knife laying near the open door. It was giving off some kind of energy that she couldn¡¯t quite describe. ¡°How many people died because we were too late?¡± she whispered.


    ¡°Too many¡­ could¡¯ve been worse. What if we didn¡¯t come? I mean, we only went cause Jimenez happened to hit 30 and boosted her danger sense to heretofore unknown heights.¡± Jayde winced. ¡°This really hurts.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s probably a first aid kit in here somewhere. Maybe check the upstairs. I think Heddy lives up there. Wash it out with some alcohol or something.¡±


    ¡°Good idea. Those teeth probably had all sorts of bacteria¡­ and not the beneficial kind.¡±


    Hayden picked up the knife and tucked it into her belt.


    She found the flaming sword and deactivated it before spotting the empty sheath amidst the carnage on the floor.


    ¡°How many dead?¡± Dayana appeared at the rear door.


    Hayden looked around. ¡°A lot¡­¡± she replied with a sigh. ¡°Where¡¯d you put the girl?¡±


    ¡°Put her and a woman, who fits the description of Heddy, in an empty store a few doors down. Didn¡¯t pick up any monsters around and it¡¯s a claimed building. Whoever the owner is wasn¡¯t strong enough to keep me out, but from the looks of the inside it should be safe for a bit.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s Knox,¡± Hayden pointed to the silver and black-haired man laying near the door.


    ¡°Yeah, I recognized him. I was close. A few more seconds¡­¡±


    ¡°At least he didn¡¯t go as bad as the others. Jesus Christ. We didn¡¯t see anything like this the other time we fought the Meat Parade.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not surprised. They¡¯re worse than animals. Kill them or they kill everyone,¡± Dayana shrugged. ¡°Where¡¯s Jayde?¡±


    ¡°Upstairs¡ª¡±


    The person in question came rushing down the stairs with a small first aid kit in one hand.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to go up there,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Oh good, you found a kit. Heddy¡¯s got an arrow wound in the shoulder and the girl¡¯s out cold, probably concussed,¡± Dayana said.


    Jayde went to the table and began working on her broken and bitten arm. ¡°Went right through my bracer¡­ it¡¯s fucking solid metal¡­¡± she muttered.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be a hard to get back to base while dragging two dead weights with us,¡± Dayana said. ¡°Plus all the people that escaped from this slaughterhouse are running around out there like rabbits while the wolves are hunting.¡±


    ¡°We help who we can. We pick up the rabbits we can, avoid the wolves and get back to base,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°We¡¯re vulnerable as fuck right now. Heddy can walk, but the girl needs carrying. Jayde¡¯s got a busted arm, which leaves you, but you¡¯re our biggest gun,¡± Dayana said.


    Jayde snorted.


    ¡°Cal said we help everyone we can.¡±


    A loud chime sounded in their ears.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Jayde perked, ¡°would you look at that?¡±


    ¡°Creepy ass spires,¡± Dayana spat. ¡°We¡¯re going to get points for every person we bring back alive¡­ there¡¯s something¡­ obscene about that.¡±


    Hayden regarded the Quest notification.


    She was disgusted, but it didn¡¯t stop her from accepting.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s do this,¡± Jayde waved her newly-bandaged arm then winced.


    ¡°Dumbass, who waves a broken arm around,¡± Dayana laughed.


    ¡°Whatever, bitch. I¡¯m gonna heal sleeping beauty up so she can walk. I¡¯ll do the same to the Heddy lady so at least they can move without needing help.¡±


    ¡°How bout you heal yourself?¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Nah¡­ I don¡¯t have enough mana to do a broken bone, plus there¡¯s probably some weird cannibal bacteria deal. I don¡¯t want to turn into one of them. I¡¯ll wait till we get back. Monsignor¡¯s Jesus-magic is way better than my heal anyways,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get moving.¡± Hayden threw the enchanted sword to Dayana. ¡°You¡¯re better than us with that.¡±


    ¡°Yo, you know we need better battle names, like the rangers,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°No, that¡¯s dumb. I don¡¯t care if you use my real name,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°But the witches¡ª¡±


    ¡°Have you ever seen one?¡±


    ¡°No, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°Thought so.¡±


    Hayden gave the carnage one last look before following her team out into the night.


    <hr>


    Jimenez closed her eyes and turned her head to the bus¡¯ left side.


    She opened them and quickly focused on the map of the city spread out on the small table.


    ¡°Here,¡± she pointed to a spot roughly 4 miles to their northwest, ¡°it feels like there is a great danger coming from somewhere in this area.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Amber consulted a small notepad for what felt like a long time. ¡°Dayana¡¯s scouting notes said that place is a residential ghetto¡­ she underlined the word and drew what looks like angry faces,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°Yeah, we know what that means,¡± Shrewed scowled.


    ¡°Those that proclaim they are the holiest are often the blindest to their sins,¡± Monsignor shook her head sadly.


    Jimenez closed her eyes again.


    A minute passed as she slowly turned to face the front, right and rear of the bus before opening her eyes back to the front.


    ¡°Er¡­¡± she traced her finger across a wide swath to their east. ¡°People in danger¡­ I feel like the Furies¡­¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°Heddy¡¯s place is in that direction. Can you tell if it¡¯s connected to the danger you felt coming for them?¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Yes¡ª maybe¡ª sorry, this is new and my head is really hurting,¡± Jimenez said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be. You¡¯re doing great.¡± Marci eyed the rest as if challenging them to say otherwise.


    ¡°Anything else as specific as these two?¡± Nila said.


    Jimenez shook her head. ¡°Just the same general danger all around us.¡±


    ¡°The one in the north is definitely coming toward us?¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m pretty sure.¡±


    ¡°We need to get eyes on that,¡± Shrewed said to Nila.


    ¡°Dayana¡¯s our only scout that can confidently avoid or escape from threats. The Meat Parade are too fast for any of you to get away from. Not to mention their superior senses. They¡¯ll get the jump on everyone, but Jimenez,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be a bloodbath if they get the jump on us here. There are way too many people outside for us to defend,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we put them in one of the buildings? The owners aren¡¯t strong enough to stop you from just going inside, Nila,¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°I¡¯d have to bring each person in with me and it would alert the owners. We don¡¯t want to draw church attention,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°The Meat Parade isn¡¯t a disciplined force if the danger to the north is indeed them then they may just as easily strike out in a different direction. Perhaps we should focus on fixing the buses Dayana marked for us. I spoke to the people Cal rescued and there are a handful with mechanic-type classes or adjacent Skills. A team to escort them is doable,¡± Monsignor said.


    ¡°That¡¯ll thin our defense,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°The people outside can help. There ain¡¯t a lot of dedicated fighters, but something is better than nothing,¡± Shrewed said.


    Nila took a step back, physically and mentally as the others continued to trade ideas.


    Cal? she reached out with her thoughts.


    Yeah, Love?


    How is it going?


    It¡¯s going¡­ they keep throwing themselves at the walls. I keep killing them, but more keep coming. They¡¯ve slipped into the city, but I don¡¯t see any near you.


    Jimenez picked up danger from the north. About four miles.


    Church and cannibals are fighting. Too close to call. Her boost is brand new. It¡¯ll take her time to get it down.


    Okay¡­ good¡­ the Furies went to Heddy¡¯s¡­


    ¡­


    Cal?


    Sorry, had to check. That was a good call. It was close and¡­ well¡­ Heddy made it along with a few others. They¡¯re in danger though and I can¡¯t leave the walls or more and stronger flesh eaters will break into the city. Damn it¡­ should I stop holding back?


    What if Zalthyss¡ª


    People are dying¡­


    What happens if you tire yourself out when he appears? What if that¡¯s what he¡¯s waiting for?


    Damn it¡­


    Just stick to the plan. We¡¯re going to get more buses ready.


    Okay¡­


    Be careful, love you.


    Love you too.


    Nila took a deep breath. ¡°We¡¯ll go with Monsignor¡¯s plan and get the people outside organized defensively. Jimenez will monitor the situation to the north and we¡¯ll wait for the Furies to get back before deciding how to proceed with that,¡± she said.


    ¡°Works for me,¡± Shrewed said.


    There was no dissent.


    So it fell to selecting the team to escort the mechanic-types to the bus.


    Shrewed, Marci, Amber and Trevor went almost by default.


    Jimenez wasn¡¯t really meant for combat she just had the misfortune of finding herself in it more than she wanted.


    Nila was the strongest and she could hit the threat coming from the north as a one-woman army if they came closer.


    Monsignor calmed the people gathered outside the bus just by being present.


    If they had to fight then they needed her steadying presence.


    Nila regarded the sleeping toddler on the couch.


    What kind of terrible parents brought their child into a war zone filled with cannibals and religious zealots that worshiped an alien masquerading as an angel?


    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to the people. Tell them they need to get ready to defend themselves,¡± Monsignor said.


    ¡°They like you. Even after what the eternal church did to them¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t represent the same church. I don¡¯t represent a church at all. Faith is faith it doesn¡¯t need men spewing rules and regulations. It doesn¡¯t need self-appointed middle men gate-keeping the path to salvation. One just simply needs to do good. I try to exemplify that. My hope is that it comes through to others,¡± Monsignor said.


    ¡°Do only good everyday,¡± Nila laughed.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. There was this thing when I was pretending to be a knight. I came up with a whole back story on how I got the class. Something about swearing vow. It never came up,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°There are worse things to live by. I prefer something like ¡®Jesus wouldn¡¯t be a dick about any of this¡¯,¡± Monsignor laughed.


    ¡°How does that one play?¡±


    ¡°Sadly¡­ mixed.¡±

 6.31

    Now, Kansas


    They failed the sacrament. They weren¡¯t strong enough. Their levels were lacking. They fled into the night.


    Fear nipped at their heals.


    The hunters.


    The prey.


    They hide in the garbage as night turned to day.


    ¡°Charlie¡¯s in trouble,¡± Britt whispered.


    ¡°She needs the sacrament,¡± Michael stared at Donald¡¯s sword. His hand hurt from gripping it so tightly. He felt hollow.


    His friend was dead.


    Sunny.


    Lincoln.


    His friends were dead.


    Didn¡¯t the sacrament promise eternal life?


    His mind didn¡¯t let him think of the three young women that had made sport out of him and his friends.


    ¡°We have to go back,¡± Britt said.


    Fear spiked in his heart at the thought of facing those women again.


    ¡°They won¡¯t be there.¡±


    ¡°How do you know that?¡± he snapped.


    Charlie coughed, blood dribbled out her mouth. ¡°I¡¯m not dead yet,¡± she managed to get out.


    ¡°They were there to save the people. There¡¯s no reason for them to stick around. Charlie and I left a lot of sacrament in the upstairs apartment.¡±


    He nodded and bent over to lift Charlie onto his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.


    She hissed in pain then sagged as consciousness left her again.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he said.


    The three women were gone, but the sacrament remained.


    Charlie would live and all three would be much stronger from all the lives they consumed and made a part of their strength.


    Michael still felt hollow.


    He couldn¡¯t avoid seeing the faces and hearing the voices of the friends that he could no longer hunt with.


    The song played in the background. It played through the thoughts of the three young Flesh Eaters, even if they didn¡¯t consciously recognize it.


    It played throughout the entire city under siege.


    It tried to worm its way into the minds of four fighters far from home.


    The walls around their minds proved too strong.


    ¡°More incoming!¡± Trevor pointed down the straight street.


    ¡°Fuck if I can see that far, but you haven¡¯t been wrong yet,¡± Shrewed grunted.


    They had dragged the dead bodies of their enemies to form a macabre wall in front of them.


    The Meat Parade had attacked in small, sporadic groups starting just before dawn.


    Judging by the sun¡¯s position in the sky only a few hours had passed since the first fight.


    ¡°Yo, you guys any closer to finishing?¡± Shrewed called back to the small team of Mechanics frantically working to get the bus working.


    They ignored him. They knew what was at stake. They had been a mere dozens of feet away from several fierce and terrifying fights. The thought of cannibal teeth and claws sinking into their bodies had lent them laser-like focus on the Quest.


    Get the bus started. Earn Universal Points.


    Fail?


    You died¡­ or worse.


    ¡°Leave them alone. They¡¯re doing their best,¡± Marci said.


    ¡°Sure, whatever¡­ but it¡¯s been hours and I¡¯m starting to think we should call it and get out of here before we gas out,¡± Shrewed shrugged.


    Marci picked her large round shield off the ground and pointed her spear at the incoming cannibals. ¡°I¡¯ve got left enough for those trash.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m good for a couple more. They aren¡¯t as strong as I heard Flo was¡­ right, Amber?¡± Trevor grabbed a few baseballs from the pack at his feet.


    ¡°My mana is running low,¡± Amber said.


    ¡°Alright, hang back to start and just jump in if it looks like me and Marci need help,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°What about me?¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°Grab your balls and get back on top of the bus. Don¡¯t know why you came down here in the first place.¡±


    ¡°It was getting hot up there. White roof reflects the heat right back to me,¡± Trevor grumbled but grabbed his gear and hurried to the bus.


    ¡°Start slinging your balls around whenever you want!¡± Shrewed called out.


    ¡°Only five of them. Hopefully, they aren¡¯t stronger than the ones we¡¯ve already dealt with,¡± Marci said.


    ¡°They¡¯ve all looked pretty ragged. I¡¯m thinking they¡¯ve been tangling with the church and what we¡¯ve been getting are the survivors,¡± Shrewed said.


    The Meat Parade ran toward them without any sense of cohesion. Their armor and clothes were bloody tatters or in some cases looked to have been partially torn off. None of them held weapons. Several had empty sheaths. One had a machete still in the sheath at their side. One had an M-4 dangling as an afterthought from the strap around their chest. They looked like a disparate collection of rabid animals rather than thinking beings.


    A flaming baseball streaked over their heads and nailed one right in its too-wide mouth, shattering sharp teeth and causing the cannibal to tumble to the street and roll like a ragged doll with a face on fire.


    Marci rushed to the low cannibal corpse wall and hit her shield with her spear. ¡°Taunt!¡±


    The cannibals zoomed in on the tall athletic woman.


    Shrewed darted to her right with quickness that belied his stocky build. It was time to try out the Level 30 Skill he had just received a few fights ago. ¡°Dirty Fighting.¡±


    He moved and struck with a precision that he knew he couldn¡¯t have managed on his own.


    The iron knuckle guard of his trench knife popped a cannibal in the eye, bursting it like a grape. His knee spiked one between the legs. A blade slipped through another one¡¯s teeth and hooked into the cheek, turning the head before cutting through the tough flesh. An iron-knuckled punch to a throat. A rabbit punch to the base of a neck. A stomp to the front of a knee.


    He perfectly performed every dirty street fighting technique he had ever learned.


    The cannibals were tough and resilient, a likely product of their class-gifted transformation.


    A clawed hand blocked Shrewed¡¯s downward stab by taking the blade through the palm and squeezing around the hilt and his hand. He tried to continue the push toward the cannibal¡¯s eye but found himself stalemated.


    Despite the many wounds the small cannibal still proved his equal in physical strength.


    He probably had a hundred pounds on the wiry thing and he had the Enhanced Strength passive.


    ¡°Watch it!¡± Marci called out. ¡°Taunt!¡±


    A one-eyed cannibal had been about to give him a bloody necktie.


    Marci drew the heat away from him and allowed him to stab his free blade into the cannibal¡¯s remaining eye.


    ¡°Here! Let me return the favor!¡± Shrewed shifted his weight forward and instead of trying to drive the knife down into the cannibal he pushed forward and in doing so moved the cannibal¡¯s right arm to a vertical position.


    ¡°Thanks!¡± Marci thrust her spear into the cannibal¡¯s armpit.


    A baseball whizzed between them, cutting into the throat of another cannibal.


    The last one snarled, then gurgled as a steel blade emerged from her throat.


    The body slid off and hit the ground to reveal Amber breathing heavily.


    ¡°Well done, everyone,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°But don¡¯t get overconfident. I¡¯m pretty sure these are the weaker ones,¡± Marci said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care! I¡¯ll take it!¡± Trevor waved from atop the bus.


    ¡°Anyone level?¡± Shrewed said.


    No one had.


    The others were still stuck on the wrong side of 30.


    ¡°Probably soon then,¡± Shrewed regarded the corpses. ¡°Notice anything weird?¡±


    ¡°They fought with teeth and claws even though those two have weapons,¡± Marci said.


    ¡°They didn¡¯t use any spells or Skills like the earlier groups,¡± Amber added.


    ¡°Let that be a lesson, I guess. Going cannibal might make you stronger, tougher and faster with killer claws and teeth but at the cost of turning you into an animal.¡±


    ¡°No. You¡¯re wrong about that. They¡¯re worse than animals. They¡¯re monsters!¡± Amber spat.


    ¡°I stand corrected.¡± Shrewed eyed he crew working on the bus. ¡°Yo! You guys done yet?¡±


    The song lingered as it sought to dig in deeper in those minds not protected by the wall. It failed to take hold. These minds had never truly felt the truth the song promised. Not when those that embraced the song had caused them much pain and grief.


    The song traveled, though time and space didn¡¯t truly hold dominion over it.


    The song left the faithless and focused its weaving in the hearts and minds of those that had welcomed it completely.


    These men faced a dire threat and drew strength and certainty from the song.


    Eleven men sat around an ornate table in an ornately-decorated room.


    There was space for twelve. A chair stood empty.


    One of their number had gone forth to spread the word.


    The men ranged in age from young to old.


    United in a common belief. A faith given manifest in a truly tangible and quantifiable way for perhaps the first time in human history.


    They believed in their Lord God and Jesus Christ.


    The specifics of that relationship might¡¯ve differed depending on the one asked, but it was close enough for them.


    Some dressed in the most expensive suits, bespoke by the best Tailor in the city. Some settled for less expensive suits taken from the stores. Others wore whatever they felt most comfortable in. There were those that never went anywhere unless armed and armored. While one wore a robe of the finest purple fabric, inlaid with gold thread and other such opulence.


    Even the rest thought that one was a bit much.


    And yet despite their differences and petty jealousies they were united in one thing.


    The eternal truth to their eternal church.


    God was truly real.


    He had sent his golden angels to sing his song of truth into their very minds.


    And if that wasn¡¯t proof enough to the unbeliever and the sinner, then their class shouted it to the world.


    Pastor of Joyous Light.


    ¡°Three days!¡± an armored fist pounded on the table, ¡°and we¡¯ve already given up the walls.¡±


    ¡°On the third day he ro¡ª¡±


    ¡°Not the time, Joel!¡±


    ¡°It is always time for the Lord, Pat!¡±


    ¡°Stop it, please. We need to focus.¡±


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°The plan was working until that flying spi¡ª¡±


    ¡°Brother, Billy¡­ you¡¯ve been asked to¡­ moderate your language.¡±


    ¡°Screw you, Jim. There ain¡¯t none of them coloreds around. I can say whatever I want. Anyway¡­ we had them n¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah. You had your human shields on the wall and see what happened. I was against that plan from the start.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right? Cause you knew a flying man would show up, save the ni¡ª them and put the faithful to die in their place.¡±


    ¡°Maybe¡­ I had this dream¡­¡±


    Unity was fleeting.


    Some saw the others as going too far. Others thought their fellows were guilty of not going far enough.


    Preconceived beliefs and notions guided them as they tended to do when it came to humanity.


    Some let the desire for superiority mingle with their hate into a toxic sludge.


    Others saw their superiority as a right of birth. As a divine mandate to guide and control the inferior lest those sorts fall to sin.


    It took honest and hard introspection to cure oneself of their worst aspects.


    This was something no man at the table had yet come to understand.


    ¡°The enchanted arrowheads are at least proving somewhat useful.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯d better after how much we paid that whore fa¡ª¡±


    ¡°Damn it, Billy!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll burn in perdition for your softness on these sin¡ª¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s past has passed. The Meat Parade is in our city. What do we do about it?¡±


    ¡°I hate that name¡­¡±


    ¡°Why is this even a question? We already have our defenses set around the faithful.¡±


    ¡°The ghettos¡­¡±


    ¡°Who cares about those?¡± a snort. ¡°We put most of those people on the wall. The ones that made it are that flying man¡¯s problem now.¡±


    ¡°We still have a number of their children and elderly in the shelters.¡±


    ¡°Could be good leverage against the flying man? He cared enough to help those people, so it stands to reason that he¡¯d do the same for the rest.¡±


    ¡°Should¡¯ve put them all on the wall¡­¡±


    ¡°The flying man did manage to keep the cannibals from breaching the walls for three days.¡±


    ¡°Then he disappeared and here we are.¡±


    ¡°With luck he died.¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t matter now. What¡¯s important was the valuable time we bought through our struggles over the last few days. Each and every cannibal death, regardless of the killer, has brought the most Holy Quest closer to fulfillment. Our Universal Point total continues to rise. I think we can reach it soon with one last round of tithes from the faithful.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll see to it quickly. Wouldn¡¯t want the faithful to die before contributing their part in the ushering of God¡¯s Dominion on this sinful world.¡±


    ¡°It is always darkest before the dawn, my brothers of the Light. Rejoice for soon we shall know salvation.¡±


    ¡°Then the world.¡±


    They would be saved because they had faith.


    Those that didn¡¯t would burn and be cleansed by God¡¯s golden light.


    The song swelled with joy everlasting as it echoed in the room.


    Each man trumpeted it loudly in their thoughts, some did it more consciously than others, but none truly understood.


    The song strengthened the faithful, beckoned to the wavering and weakened the unprotected enemy.


    There was no place in the mind of the unbeliever for the song.


    No place in the joy and light for these minds filled with hunger.


    The song only cared for those that it could fill.


    For those that could in turn spread it to the rest.


    Battles raged through the city.


    Wielders of the joyous light clashed with those that hungered and devoured.


    Reports of the flying man were fleeting, but his hoped for demise was proved false.


    It was said that he swooped down in the darkest moments to slay the Meat Parade and to take people to safety.


    The warriors of the faithful hated him.


    For he only saved those that were inferior to them.


    As for the faithful that didn¡¯t fight?


    They gave him thanks, but only in silence.


    Though he saved their lives, everyone knew that it wouldn¡¯t have been wise to speak loudly of it.


    The seekers were always watching, listening for sinfulness.


    A Spotter sat in the tallest building in the city.


    Down at the base faithful warriors threw back the random assaults from the Meat Parade at great costs to both sides. Prayers and Light clashed with tooth and claw.


    He sat on the highest level, moving from one room to another in order to gaze at the horizon several miles in the distance.


    Intelligence had suggested that this Meat Parade was exponentially larger than any of the other ones in the past.


    How much larger could it be?


    Over 5000 had already breached the city walls.


    Sure they had suffered immense casualties in the doing, but so had the faithful.


    He didn¡¯t know the numbers. He wasn¡¯t high enough up the hierarchy for that privilege. All he had to go on were the rumors that the occasional messenger brought along with any updates to his orders.


    He watched the horizon with eyes more powerful than any traditional battlefield optics.


    Hours and hours of unending tedium.


    ¡°See anything?¡± one of the messengers attached to him said.


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°Figured.¡±


    ¡°Then why¡¯d you ask,¡± he snapped.


    His patience had been worn raw sometime yesterday.


    Good ears meant he could hear the sounds of the battle through the many floors that separated him.


    It didn¡¯t provide him with confidence.


    All it did was make it so that he¡¯d know when the Meat Parade finally got past his defenders.


    Then he¡¯d have a simple choice.


    Stay and fight or out the window for a quick, clean end.


    He didn¡¯t know if he had the courage to choose the right option.


    ¡°I hate awkward silence.¡±


    ¡°Then talk to the others,¡± he gestured to the other two messengers in the room.


    ¡°Nah, they suck.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you!¡± one of the other messengers spat.


    He was about to tell them to shut up when something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye.


    A faint cloud at the horizon.


    ¡°Telescopic Vision. See Over the Horizon.¡±


    He followed the dust cloud to a convoy of vehicles that stretched out for miles like a cannibalistic serpent.


    Then he noticed several clouds across the eastern expanse.


    Different highways.


    Same picture.


    Multiple convoys many miles long.


    He cursed an instant later and fell back over his chair.


    The messengers jumped.


    ¡°Shitshitshitshit¡ª huge army! More Meat Parade! Tell them!¡± he screamed at the messengers.


    ¡°Yeah, relax,¡± one said with a shiver. ¡°We need details! How many? How far away?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t fucking know! I can¡¯t count them all in a second¡ª there¡¯s a lot!¡± he hated how high-pitched his voice sounded.


    ¡°Right, so a lot,¡± the messenger nodded.


    The wide eyes and the slight quiver to the young man¡¯s voice told the Spotter that he wasn¡¯t the only one freaked out.


    ¡°They¡¯re like a hundred miles away!¡±


    They could all do the math.


    Two hours, maybe three. Four if they were lucky.


    The messengers ran out of the room.


    He wanted to join him, but there were seekers down below and he had orders, so he continued to watch as the snaking convoys drew closer by the second.


    The song did its best to bolster flagging courage. However, some were simply weak and it could only do so much.


    The messengers ran.


    They split into different routes to maximize the chances of getting the message back to the pastors.


    One was a Runner. She was fast and nearly tireless. She could run a four minute mile pace for over an hour. She ran past several battles.


    Unfortunately for her something about seeing a fleeing person triggered the cannibals.


    Many abandoned their fights and gave chase.


    She screamed and sprinted for all she was worth.


    That was enough for a time to keep her free from her pursuers.


    Until she turned one corner and ran right into a group of cannibals in the middle of devouring defeated faithful.


    The second runner heard her screams.


    He was a Freerunner and he had taken to the rooftops. He had loosely shadowed the young woman as a method to use her as bait to draw the cannibals away from him, thought that was something he was never going to admit to anyone. Especially after the cannibals got her.


    He bounded over AC units and vents.


    He leapt a ten foot gap between buildings.


    The next building was shorter so he had to roll to protect his feet and legs from the impact.


    He never felt freer than with the wind blowing through his hair as he leapt across nothing but open air.


    A hard impact hit him in the side as he arced over another gap between buildings.


    It threw him off-balance, but a Skill managed to salvage the jump so he only landed on the rooftop in a rough tumble rather than slamming into the edge and plummeting to the ground.


    The roof shook.


    He rolled over and saw his death¡­ or worse.


    Two cannibals.


    One was a hulking monster.


    The other was leaner with limbs that looked too long to belong on a human form.


    ¡°Where you off to in such a hurry?¡±


    He could barely understand the words because of the cannibal¡¯s grotesque mouth filled to bursting with sharp teeth.


    He couldn¡¯t breathe.


    ¡°We got your tongue? Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll loosen you up.¡±


    A pale-skinned hand tipped with thick claws reached for him.


    The last messenger, the young man that didn¡¯t like awkward silences, was unlike the other two. He was a Messenger so he delivered one to the seekers in the buildings lobby.


    ¡°I thought that since it was so important that the pastors get this information as soon as possible and I saw you guys, so¡­ who better to take it to them,¡± he smiled.


    Faces carved out of stone glared down at him for a long moment.


    ¡°That¡¯s your job,¡± the seeker growled.


    He didn¡¯t dare breathe.


    ¡°We¡¯ll get you there,¡± the seeker said after a moment.


    The word spread.


    The Meat Parade wasn¡¯t done. More were on their way.


    The word spread.


    The faithful prayed for salvation.


    The word spread.


    The faithful died.


    The word spread.


    The sinful died.


    A team once six, now three, reinvigorated, but heavy of heart, stalked the streets to fill the hunger for the sacrament and vengeance.


    A Blacksmith fought for his life with others like him as he swung an axe that seemed to shimmer in the air as it rose and fell like a hammer in the forges behind him.


    Another team on neither side of the conflict over the city rejoiced as a long dead bus rumbled to life.


    The pastors gathered around the spire. A ring of guards around them as the lucky one ventured forth.


    They had failed to come to a consensus on who would hold the honor and had been reduced to drawing lots.


    The lucky stepped into the spire.


    Hours they waited for the man to reappear.


    When he did he wasn¡¯t alone.


    A golden light filled with warmth and comfort turned night into day around the spire.


    The golden-winged angel of their dreams floated above them sending the song in their souls to a crescendo of ecstasy.


    ¡°Messenger of the Lord, will you save us from the wicked beasts ravaging our home?¡± the lucky pastor genuflected before the angel.


    It turned a beatific smile on them all.


    If they noticed the sharp teeth they gave no indication.


    The being¡¯s words were as music.


    ¡°Rejoice for you have been found!¡±


    All the choirs sang in their minds, bodies and souls.


    ¡°You are of the Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy! I will tender to you my most gentle of ministrations! I will grant you strength and together we will bring all under our dominion!¡±


    The music swelled to a fever pitch.


    They all roared with rapturous joy.


    The word had spread.


    ¡°I hear a familiar song¡­ I follow its string to¡­ others¡­ two others,¡± the golden angel¡¯s head quirked to the west, ¡°what symphony can I wrought through such¡­ strong connections¡­¡± it drifted toward the west.


    ¡°Holy One! Wait! What are your commands? Where are you going?¡±


    ¡°My commands are simple. Fight! Let the song fill you with the strength to cleanse our dominion of the hungry deaf! As for me¡­ I go in search of Honor.¡±


    The air boomed in the golden angel¡¯s wake as it streaked to the west.


    The stunned faithful picked themselves up off the ground and went forth to holy battle.


    All across the city those that carried the Joyous Light within in them were bolstered to new heights.


    Power grew.


    Spells became more potent and effective.


    Skills pushed, then broke through limits.


    Would it last?


    The faithful didn¡¯t know and didn¡¯t care.


    The only thing that mattered was the terrifying cannibals became¡­ less so.


    The song didn¡¯t only affect the fighters. It reached all of the faithful.


    They emerged from their homes and shelters in the thousands. Young and old with whatever they could get hands on as weapons. They fought without thought or fear.


    They died with the song of joy in their heads.


    Monsignor gasped.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Something¡­ something familiar. Like faith. A very strong spike that is sustaining itself, but it¡¯s¡ª not¡ª it¡¯s falsehoods coated with a veneer of truth. Strong, solid at first sight, but scratch the surface and you learn what it really is.¡± She crossed herself. ¡°Get ready. I¡¯m afraid that I feel the source heading in our direction.¡±


    ¡°That don¡¯t sound good. Don¡¯t like when you talk all biblical and shit,¡± Shrewed grunted.


    ¡°Nila!¡± Jimenez rushed out of the bus wide-eyed and gasping for air. ¡°My danger sense is going off! I¡¯ve never felt it this bad. I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s cause its more powerful now or¡ª I don¡¯t know. It wasn¡¯t this bad when I was in Frisco or Manila.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Trevor exchanged a look with Amber.


    ¡°¡­ that¡¯s definitely bad,¡± Amber finished.


    Nila wasn¡¯t stupid. She had been dreading this. ¡°Stay in the bus and please protect my baby,¡± she said to Jimenez. ¡°Monsignor¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get the people ready. Whatever this is,¡± Monsignor shook her head, ¡°if it is that which we¡¯ve been waiting for¡­ we¡¯ll be ready. You won¡¯t fight it alone.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m hoping none of us will have to,¡± Nila said. ¡°Cal will handle it.¡± She thought very hard at Cal, but didn¡¯t get an immediate answer. ¡°Damn it¡­ Shrewed, the Furies are patrolling a few blocks to the north, please send the flare.¡±


    He shot the bright red beacon into the dark sky.


    Elsewhere.


    A flying man wavered in the air.


    The discordant sound tore through his mental wall and sent him reeling.


    He nearly lost his hold on the handful of people he was flying to safety.


    ¡°Too close¡­¡±


    He lowered the people to a nearby rooftop and told them where they needed to go.


    Then took a moment to rebuild his mental wall and send out a warning to Nila.


    He knew the sound.


    The music that was a song.


    The song that wasn¡¯t music.


    Zalthyss had arrived.


    Westward.


    The air broke before him as he sped toward his most precious people.

 6.32

    Now, Kansas


    ¡°Become one with the Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy.¡±


    Nila heard the voice accompanied by the most beautiful music.


    She closed off her Threnosh-made helmet¡¯s audio with a cybernetic thought.


    The otherworldly invader appeared just as Cal had described it.


    An ivory-colored androgynous body, perfectly smooth like alabaster or porcelain. Unnatural with no hint of reproductive organs. Large golden wings sprouted from its back, they rustled in the wind like true feathers despite metallic sheen. Strangely, it hovered above them without flapping its wings.


    Zalthyss¡¯ mouth moved to reveal rows of sharp teeth, but the words didn¡¯t reach her.


    The music, however, still ran through her thoughts.


    She raised her SAW and squeezed the trigger.


    Superstrength allowed her to hold the stream of bullets steady on the golden-winged angel.


    They plinked off doing nothing more that leaving smudges on Zalthyss¡¯ pristine surface.


    She emptied the drum magazine in seconds.


    Zalthyss didn¡¯t allow her to reload another.


    It swooped down faster than anyone in the parking lot could react.


    Strong hands gripped her throat.


    The SAW broken as it was torn from her superstrong grip.


    Nila was up in the sky in a split-second.


    Zalthyss spoke.


    She couldn¡¯t hear.


    A confused look briefly flashed on its perfect mask-like face.


    Its mouth opened.


    Her faceplate cracked.


    The music grated in her ears.


    The sound of the wind rushed through along with the voice of music.


    ¡°Better. You are clad in the toys of the deaf ones. You will find that it will serve you as well as it did them.¡±


    Her left arm was held immobile in a vise-like grip she couldn¡¯t fight.


    She punched it in the side of the head with her right.


    One after another.


    Her fist blurred as thunder boomed in the dark night¡¯s sky.


    A slight smile crossed its unmarred face.


    ¡°How will the ceasing of your song change Honor¡¯s?¡±


    Black closed in around the edges of her vision as the grip around her throat tightened.


    ¡°Mach Throw!¡±


    A loud boom shattered all the windows at street level.


    Metal plinked of both Zalthyss and her armor.


    Ineffectual¡ª


    Not entirely.


    It had happened too fast for the normal human perceptions to follow, but she wasn¡¯t normal. She was better.


    Trevor had thrown a handful of the bullets she had wasted on Zalthyss.


    Her mistake had been aiming for center mass when she should¡¯ve aimed for the wings.


    Tiny holes marred the golden feathers.


    A flash of something on Zalthyss¡¯ face.


    She hoped it was pain.


    The moment of distraction gave her a split-second to throw her legs up and around the arm squeezing the life out of her.


    She grabbed the wrist with her free hand and pushed with her hips and legs.


    The alabaster arm straightened with agonizing slowness as she fought against going into that long dark corridor. The elbow stopped. The arm was straight, but she couldn¡¯t move it further.


    A large fireball consumed them.


    The heat washed over and the flames singed her face through the cracks.


    Down below, Jimenez loaded another bolt into her crossbow.


    A second thwang echoed in the strained silence while dozens of people watched from behind what cover they could find.


    The purple goop expanded quickly to engulf Zalthyss¡¯ head.


    It released Nila¡¯s left hand to pull at the gunk.


    She now had her entire strength to put into the flying armbar.


    Its elbow began to move.


    She was suddenly shaken off and found herself plummeting to the street.


    It freed itself from the goop and turned its attention to Jimenez.


    Zalthyss opened its mouth and sang to the woman.


    ¡°Intercept!¡± Marci moved faster than she could¡¯ve otherwise. Impossibly fast.


    She beat the song to Jimenez taking it on her large round shield.


    The wood began to disintegrate.


    ¡°Reinforced Shield!¡± she grit her teeth.


    The song rose.


    The wood melted.


    Followed by Marci¡¯s armor. Then her clothes. Then her flesh.


    Jimenez screamed.


    Nila hit the ground with her legs, bending to absorb the impact. She leapt to the lowest rooftop, drawing her baseball bat-like club from the magnetic sheath on her back. It was too far up for her to reach from the ground, but if she could reach the tallest building¡­


    Shrewed barreled through the song, tackling both Marci and Jimenez out of the cone. ¡°Monsignor! They need heals!¡± he roared in mingled desperation and pain


    ¡°Heater! Cutter!¡± Trevor hurled baseballs at the Zalthyss one after another.


    Dayana¡¯s rifle shots did nothing.


    ¡°I can¡¯t reach him,¡± Hayden whispered.


    ¡°Trevor!¡± Jayde snapped.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Can you throw people?¡±


    ¡°¡­ no! Why would you think that?¡±


    ¡°Forget it¡­ useless,¡± Jayde muttered.


    Monsignor reached Marci and Jimenez.


    Patches of bloody muscles greeted her.


    A warm light surround her and the agonized women as she began to pray.


    ¡°She¡¯ll take care of them,¡± Shrewed grabbed Amber¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re a Mage, can¡¯t you hit him with something?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got the basic spells every Mage gets, but I haven¡¯t focused on making them stronger. Not like with my sword and armor,¡± Amber said.


    A loud crack echoed above them.


    Nila sent Zalthyss toward the ground with one swing of her bat.


    ¡°Close enough,¡± Hayden shot it with her custom taser.


    The prongs caught on the metallic feathers.


    She had taken Cal¡¯s stories to heart.


    Understood the danger from what she had just seen take place over the course of less then a minute.


    She put all of the lightning in her body into Zalthyss.


    Arcs of electricity coursed down the metal wires and flowed across Zalthyss¡¯ perfect wings and body.


    Nila leapt in and slammed it into the street.


    Hayden¡¯s electricity played harmlessly across the surface of Nila¡¯s club and armor.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Jayde leapt in despite the fact that one arm was in a sling. ¡°Fireball!¡±


    Hayden cut her power.


    Jayde¡¯s punch landed on Zalthyss head.


    The explosion rocked it back a few steps.


    Jayde was caught unprepared. She was protected from the effects of her spell punches for a few moments after casting them. Unfortunately, her usual targets tended to get sent flying much further away.


    She tumbled across the asphalt. Eventually coming to a stop in an unmoving heap.


    ¡°Flicker Movement!¡±


    Dayana appeared.


    ¡°Bleed!¡±


    Sparks flew as her blades struck perfect skin.


    Zalthyss¡¯ hand shot out.


    Dayana kicked, stabbed and slashed to no avail.


    Zalthyss pulled her arm to his mouth and bit.


    The scream chilled Hayden to her soul.


    She had already reloaded another cartridge but couldn¡¯t shoot now that it had her friend in its grasp.


    It swallowed the chunk. Armor, clothes and flesh.


    Nila stepped in and struck its arm, getting Dayana free before grabbing her and sprinting back to Monsignor.


    Hayden fired again.


    To the same effect.


    The other people in the parking lot finally joined in.


    Gunfire erupted.


    Fireballs.


    Magic Missiles.


    Bolts of magic ice, fire, earth and wind.


    All converged on the golden-winged angel as it slowly floated off the ground.


    ¡°Open yourselves to the song and find eternity.¡± Zalthyss raised its arms out wide. ¡°Remain deaf and know the end.¡± It opened its mouth to sing.


    ¡°False idol!¡± Monsignor stepped forward with a prayer on her lips. ¡°You prey on our fears. You subvert the truth of the Lord. Your lies stop here! I strike you in the name of my faith! Smite Evil!¡± she raised her flanged mace.


    The bright yellow-white ray descended from above and struck Zalthyss.


    Discomfort flashed across its perfect face.


    Finally.


    Monsignor roared but the light flickered, then vanished.


    ¡°There will be no eternity for one such as you.¡± Zalthyss sang at Monsignor.


    The song ripped through the air.


    Nila wavered as the pain of it nearly brought her to her knees even though she wasn¡¯t in the direct path.


    The rest weren¡¯t as resilient.


    Everyone else fell to ground screaming in agony. Blood flowed from their eyes, noses and ears.


    With one exception.


    Monsignor climbed to her feet. Her armor and clothes disintegrated but her flesh healed even as it flaked away. She raised the remnants of her triangular shield with a prayer. ¡°My faith is my shield. My faith is protection for all under his eyes. It matters not if they believe. For I believe. Barrier of Faith.¡±


    A warm yellow-white light shined from her.


    It pulsed and radiated in all directions.


    The air roiled where it met the song.


    Back and forth they went.


    Zalthyss brow creased as it sang with greater intensity.


    The song no longer reached them physically.


    The song continued to play in their thoughts.


    Monsignor faltered.


    She teetered for a moment.


    Then fell.


    The air rippled as the song spread out to engulf them all.


    Sudden silence.


    Nila tilted her head to the sky.


    A loud bang shook the sky.


    Zalthyss¡¯ head snapped back.


    The golden-winged angel suddenly vanished from sight.


    The only marker of its passage was the large gaping hole through the building across the street and many others behind it.


    Cal dropped out of the sky landing in an eruption of asphalt.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    The unseen song crashed against his telekinetic barrier.


    Sorry.


    Nila heard the voice in her head.


    Took your time, she thought back.


    The eternal church and the cannibals slowed me down¡­ but that¡¯s no excuse. I almost lost you.


    No, you didn¡¯t.


    I¡¯m sorry, but there¡¯s no time. You guys need to get out of the city. 15000 more Meat Parade are already here and they¡¯re headed this way.


    They¡¯ll have to go through the church.


    They¡¯re coming too. Zalthyss put out a call. Every true believer is coming and the cannibals are going to go where there are people to murder and eat.


    We don¡¯t have enough vehicles. We only got one other bus working and only a few cars and trucks that Knox¡¯s and Heddy¡¯s group brought. We¡¯ll have to leave a lot of people.


    Don¡¯t worry. I put out my own call. The ¡®unbelievers¡¯ will get here first. You¡¯ll have minutes to cram everyone into the vehicles, but it¡¯s the best I could do. Get out of the city. The east side has the least amount of Meat Parade. I¡¯ll take care of Zalthyss and catch up with you later.


    Please¡ª be careful.


    He tossed his handcannon to her.


    I love you.


    Love you too.


    The conversation had taken place in the span of a second.


    Cal disappeared after Zalthyss as quickly as he had appeared.


    Nila roused the wounded, which was everyone in the area.


    It was a miracle that no one had died.


    She told them what was happening in the city.


    Bloodied and beaten they moved with urgency.


    They were racing death¡­ or worse.


    No one wanted to lose.


    <hr>


    Cal cursed himself.


    He had been delayed.


    Nila, the little guy and the others had been moments away from death.


    Both the eternal church and cannibals had tried to bring him out of the sky.


    They had shot at him with guns, arrows, spells and even Skills.


    And they had been strong enough that he hadn¡¯t been able to simply block them and brush them off.


    Something in the song, the music that had consumed the entirety of their thoughts had boosted the eternal church faithful beyond their limits.


    In his desperation he had done something he had never wanted to do.


    He had tried to control their minds.


    But, the song had stopped him.


    He had left them and the cannibals alone after that.


    Let them fight and occupy each other.


    He had reached those that didn¡¯t believe in the church¡¯s lies. Those that only pretended to go along out of fear.


    He had showed them the truth of everything.


    Zalthyss.


    The Meat Parade¡¯s true numbers.


    He had left them instructions to follow if they wanted to escape. Directed them to the emergency shelters in order to free those being used as hostages.


    Not everyone would make it.


    Many would die in the attempt to commandeer vehicles from the church.


    They would die to the roving packs of cannibals infesting the city. They would die to the church murdering them rather than allowing desertion.


    It was out of his hands now.


    He had to kill Zalthyss or none would escape.


    The false angel burst out of a crumbling building.


    He hit it with an invisible fist while reaching inside its mind to rend its thoughts.


    The song, the music, shredded his own telepathic walls.


    It didn¡¯t have a mind, at least not in a way that he understood.


    Something told him that he wasn¡¯t going to have the time to unravel that mystery.


    Zalthyss opened its mouth to sing.


    The air rippled as it swept toward him.


    The song broke on the telekinetic wall.


    Zalthyss was fast.


    The weakened wall shattered and sent a spike of stabbing needles into Cal¡¯s brain.


    Zalthyss appeared in front of him with sharp fingers spearing for his eyes.


    A hasty wall slowed it enough for him to slip his head to one side and land a telekinetically-enhanced punch to the stomach, followed by another to the face.


    Sharp teeth shook loose.


    A mighty gust of wind blew him back as Zalthyss flapped for distance.


    He sent a shower of blades, spikes and ninja stars to swarm around Zalthyss.


    He knew they wouldn¡¯t pierce the alabaster skin but needed the distraction to grab those golden wings in telekinetic hands.


    He pulled with all his might.


    The wings strained, then started to give.


    A look of unmistakable pain crossed Zalthyss¡¯ face.


    It opened its mouth.


    He filled it with as much flying metal as he could stuff.


    The song erupted free regardless.


    Pain struck his brain as his telekinetic hands were disintegrated.


    A moment¡¯s distraction on his part almost proved costly.


    Zalthyss swooped down with a mighty flap of its wings. Straight for Nila, the little guy and the others.


    The air burned in their wake as Cal gave chase.


    He reached out and wrapped thin metal wires on every part of its body that he could.


    Several wires snapped as he pulled Zalthyss up into the dark night sky.


    Enough held.


    Cal spun the partially bound false angel in a wide circle before letting it fly toward the eastern horizon. He added a telekinetic shove that would¡¯ve toppled the strongest building.


    Zalthyss broke the sound barrier several times as it hurtled through the sky.


    He chased after it.


    The landscape miles below him blurred as he pushed his speed up to and then beyond his limits. A telekinetic shield around his body kept his clothes from catching fire or simply being torn off.


    The great Mississippi river flashed below him.


    Tiny lights sparkled in the distance below. They stood out in the darkness as stark reminders of how little remained of the old world.


    Settlements.


    He felt their minds wake at the loud booms disturbing their slumber. Their wonder at the streak of golden light in the night sky as they frantically searched for the source of the noise.


    Zalthyss fought the spin and righted itself.


    He didn¡¯t allow it.


    A telekinetic punch forced its flight to continue.


    The music raged in discordant unhappiness as he continued to pummel it through the sky.


    Mountains loomed ever closer as the minutes flowed forward.


    The Appalachians?


    He sensed thoughts, presences hidden in those mountains.


    Not human, nor animal.


    Monsters.


    Other outworld invaders.


    Sapient.


    He thought to hurl Zalthyss at one of the stronger feeling ones.


    Decided against it.


    He didn¡¯t know what the song, the music might do.


    There was a chance that he¡¯d hand Zalthyss another powerful being to use against him.


    Instead, he aimed for a mind that had no room for conscious thought other than the next prey to kill.


    He punched Zalthyss into deep, dark woods that covered a small valley nestled between steep, rugged terrain.


    Coils scraped through trees.


    Tongue lashed out to taste the air.


    The deep thrum of a beating heart. A mighty engine that gave life to the massive creature.


    A fanged mouth snapped out from the canopy and swallowed Zalthyss whole.


    Slitted eyes regarded Cal with malice as he floated several hundred feet above.


    The great horned serpent flicked its tongue out before slipping back down into the forest.


    It sounded like a rumbling train as it slithered away.


    He tracked its passing by the violent shaking of the trees.


    ¡°That actually worked? No way¡ª¡±


    The song burst into life across all his senses.


    Zalthyss was a golden streak of light as it burst out of the forest and crashed into him.


    It reeked of blood, guts and stomach acid.


    ¡°Indignities matter not to the dominion.¡±


    Zalthyss spun him around and threw him with a song that he barely managed to block with a telekinetic shield.


    The closely projected shield saved him his skin but he still went spinning into the sky.


    It flew after him and continued to bombard him with the song that wasn¡¯t a song.


    It was all he could do to maintain the shield.


    He couldn¡¯t fight the spin nor escape the song.


    They ate the distance like a starving man.


    The miles flashed by in a dizzying mix of ground and sky.


    The stars left light trails in his vision, just as the scant lights on surface did.


    Finally, he caught Zalthyss with a telekinetic punch buying him the moment he needed to bring a halt to his spinning body.


    Zalthyss blasted him closer to the ground.


    He caught a huge statue standing in the middle of the ocean.


    The headless statue held up a giant torch.


    There was no time to ponder that.


    Zalthyss blasted him again.


    Cal expected to crash into something hard.


    He didn¡¯t expect his end to be on something bouncy and sticky.


    He felt the creatures simple minds and wondered if Zalthyss was the petty sort.


    Thousands of legs skittered across the finger-thick strands of webbing that had caught him and saved him from a painful landing. Only if it was to provide sustenance for the dog-sized spiders heading toward him.


    The web stuck to his skin and his clothes.


    He pulled but he lacked proper leverage.


    The best he managed to do was break a few of the parts were the webbing was connected to the sides of the buildings.


    He pushed the spiders away from him with a telekinetic burst.


    Zalthyss swooped in.


    He threw a bunch of spiders on the false angel.


    He bought himself a second.


    It was enough as he sped up his perception of time.


    Everything around him seemed to slow to a crawl.


    Using his telekinesis he broke the webbing down on the molecular level and freed himself.


    Time returned to normal.


    Zalthyss song washed over him and the chaotic mass of webbing strung up across several blocks of city skyscrapers.


    Cal flew deeper into the mass weaving through the tangled strands.


    Zalthyss disintegrated everything in a wide cone in front of it in pursuit.


    Cal reached out with telekinesis and grabbed two skyscrapers on each side of the street in front of him.


    Steel groaned then gave way.


    He flew through just as he pulled both buildings down on Zalthyss.


    A great cloud of dust and debris rose up to choke several city blocks.


    He flew above it, circling, searching for the false angel.


    The cloud dispersed with a burst of the song.


    Zalthyss suddenly appeared behind him and struck him down toward the street.


    He tumbled through the debris of the two collapsed buildings.


    Zalthyss was on him before he could get to his feet.


    A golden hand pulled his left arm out to the side.


    ¡°Two lost. Two taken. Three remain. Yet to be taken.¡±


    Zalthyss regarded Cal¡¯s three-fingered left hand for a moment before opening its mouth to sing.


    He grit his teeth.


    The telekinetic shield around his hand held¡­


    Until it didn¡¯t.


    The shield shattered.


    Cal saw white stars.


    He felt a flash of pain as the skin of his left hand disintegrated.


    The muscles followed.


    The pain stopped at his wrist when the nerves melted away.


    His vision cleared just soon enough to see the bones crumbled into dust.


    Zalthyss was done with the hand, but not with the rest of him.


    The song moved past his wrist and up his arm.


    The pain returned as a throbbing thing of fire.


    He shunted it into a space in his mind and locked it away.


    He needed to concentrate.


    Zalthyss had given him an idea.


    He remembered how had once reshaped the metal and earth deep within the depths of Orchestral Meridian.


    He hadn¡¯t simply just torn and moved with invisible hands like a child playing in the dirt.


    He had moved molecules once.


    Senses beyond the physical allowed him to see past the cells that comprised the nearly impervious alabaster skin.


    His arm continued to slowly disintegrate beneath the beautiful sound.


    He sped up his perceptions.


    It felt like an eternity to move the molecules that comprised Zalthyss¡¯ shell.


    He was certain of that now.


    There was nothing within.


    Only the song, the music.


    It fought him while he split the shell.


    The song sought to pull it back together.


    They fought for an eternity.


    Then, without warning, it broke.


    Cal pushed himself back. He skidded across the ground, slamming debris out of the way.


    The song, the music, flowed out of the infinitesimal crack in the middle of that perfect alabaster shell.


    Golden light filled the area with blinding intensity.


    Cal struggled.


    Limits had been brushed against¡­ then pushed through.


    Crimson streamed from his face. It soaked the tattered remnants of his clothing as he cradled his left arm to his chest.


    Consciousness wavered.


    The song rose to a crescendo as it seemed to fill the air around Zalthyss.


    ¡°The Dominion is immortal.¡±


    Sharp, pointed finger tips speared into Cal¡¯s stomach crashing into a telekinetic shield that didn¡¯t budge.


    Zalthyss sang.


    His shield cracked, then broke an instant later.


    The piercing pain was a distant thing automatically moved to a place where he wouldn¡¯t truly feel it.


    Red streams flowed down alabaster fingers to pool in a once pristine palm.


    ¡°Nothing lasts forever,¡± he coughed and painted a once pristine alabaster face in speckled red.


    ¡°Each time we meet less of you remains. What will you lose the next time?¡±


    ¡°I killed you!¡± he snapped. ¡°This,¡± he thrust the bloody stump forward, ¡°is nothing! It¡¯s worth it just to rid the worlds of you!¡±


    Zalthyss regarded him with a serene look. ¡°There are more things I can take than your simple shell of flesh and blood.¡±


    ¡°Just die already!¡± he reached out with a snarl grasping the edges of the crack in the false angel¡¯s chest.


    He ripped it open.


    Perception slowed.


    Debris, spider parts and other detritus hung in the air.


    The wind stilled.


    Crumbling buildings defied gravity.


    ¡°I am eternal.¡±


    The song burst free in an explosion that shattered the sky.


    ¡°No¡­ you¡¯re dead.¡±


    Cal saw nothing. Heard nothing.


    Everything in a half-mile radius of Zalthyss¡¯ shell went flying.


    When the cloud cleared many hours later there was a huge crater in the middle of New York City.


    The ground had been scoured clean of everything with one exception.


    A twisted black shell stood in the center.


    It had been mangled beyond recognition but if one squinted and turned tilted their head to the side it nearly looked like an angel.


    <hr>


    Jimenez found herself in the lead truck with Trevor.


    They stood in the back hanging on to roof rack for dear life as terrified people clung to each other behind them.


    ¡°Can you make the shot! It¡¯s kinda dark!¡±


    Jimenez aimed her crossbow and squeezed the trigger.


    The bolt streaked through the air and exploded against the wooden gate that blocked their road out of Wichita.


    ¡°Shit! Not enough! Need a bigger boom!¡± Trevor screamed in her ear over the whipping wind.


    She held the glass container filled with Santi¡¯s exploding gel.


    ¡°There isn¡¯t enough left!¡± she screamed.


    ¡°Give it to me!¡± Trevor snatched it out of her hand. He took aim and hurled it at the gate with his cannon for an arm. ¡°Multi-projectiles!¡±


    One glass container became many.


    The explosions ripped across the entire expanse of the gate and shattered it into a thousand pieces.


    Jimenez and Trevor ducked down as the truck zipped through the opening.


    Behind them a ragged convoy of assorted vehicles follow.


    People died as eternal church fighters fired down at them from atop the wall.


    One huge lifted truck ate an enormous fireball that flipped it end over end to crash into the side of a building.


    The Mage of Joyous Light that had cast it suddenly toppled off the wall minus his head.


    ¡°Nice shot,¡± Hayden said as she held Dayana steady.


    Both of them were on top of the bus secured in place with a hastily-constructed set of straps and chains.


    The dark-skinned young woman didn¡¯t say anything. She was sitting on her butt and had the rifle balanced on her wrist. Monsignor had managed to heal her enough to be useful before the woman had passed out.


    Hayden regarded her friend.


    Dayana''s ashen face was covered with a sheen of sweat.


    ¡°Are you sure¡ª¡±


    Dayana didn¡¯t say anything. She simply looked for another good target on the left side of the gate since Nila was about take care of the right side.


    Nila leapt from moving vehicle to moving vehicle. She left deep dents in the roofs but figured they had more important things to worry about.


    A pillar of stone shot up from underneath the car she was on sending it into the air. She rode it like a surfboard before kicking off and launching herself at the Mage on the wall.


    The car hit the street in a violent rending and crushing of metal.


    She felt for the people that had been inside, but there was nothing she could do for them.


    She aimed Cal¡¯s handcannon and avenged their deaths with a shower of blood, bones and guts as the contents of the Mage¡¯s chest cavity exploded out the back.


    She landed on the wall, fought her momentum and the wooden surface breaking beneath her to stay on top. She ran a short distance knocking church fighters off with swings of her club.


    The rest of them fled so she went back to take care of the other side.


    Down on the street the convoy thundered through the shattered gate harried by their pursuers like cattle being hunted by wolves.

 6.33

    Now, Kansas


    The Meat Parade caught up to the rear of the convoy.


    Hulking, pale-skinned, barely human monsters jumped from rooftops to crash down on vehicles.


    They ripped people out through windows and tossed them to be torn a part by others.


    The smaller cannibals dived into the vehicles to savage the passengers inside.


    Deandre had found luckily found himself inside the second bus.


    The terror threatened to choke him.


    It was different now.


    Before when he had fought in the desperate defense of the foundries with his apprentices and fellow blacksmiths he had given up on his life and had resolved to go down swinging.


    Then the voice had spoken in his head.


    Told him that there was still a chance to live.


    He had taken the offer like a drowning man grabbing a line.


    Now?


    Now he wanted to live.


    The terror had returned.


    His invested axe thrummed with power that only he could feel. Meaty hands shook around the handle but he swung with the strength that pounded metal into shapes.


    The blade rippled through the air as it sunk deeply into a hulking cannibal¡¯s skull.


    He had seen those monsters take high caliber bullet rounds without flinching.


    ¡°Nice axe¡­ magic? I can feel it¡­ I think¡­ whatever¡­ it¡¯s weird¡­ keep doing that.¡±


    The pretty young woman said from a nearby seat.


    Her arm was in a sling and she looked like she had gone through a rough time of late.


    She had road rash across her face and several bandages on her limbs that leaked red.


    ¡°Here¡­ Mage Shield,¡± she reached over and slapped him on the face.


    He blinked and looked at his arms.


    A soft glow lined his body.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ thanks.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. It¡¯ll take a shot or two, but don¡¯t think you¡¯re inv¡ª¡±


    The window next to the young woman shattered.


    A cannibal grasped for her.


    ¡°Stone Spike!¡± she snapped out a punch.


    The cannibal fell away from window with blood trailing from its eye.


    The bus suddenly swerved from side to side.


    The people packed inside screamed.


    Some fell into the cannibals¡¯ grasps and were dragged out to their deaths.


    Others continued to fight for their lives.


    ¡°Shit! Amber! The driver!¡± the young woman called to the back.


    An amber glow dashed past Deandre.


    He watched as another pretty young woman rushed to the front.


    She was covered in glowing translucent knight¡¯s armor with a translucent blade of the same color in her right hand.


    The bus driver screamed for help while cannibals bashed at the windshield like rabid animals.


    The young woman raised a hand. ¡°Magic Missile!¡±


    Amber orbs the size of marbles streaked through the interior, burst through the glass and drilled the cannibals.


    She followed it up by running a cannibal through knocking it loose.


    The second cannibal swiped a clawed-hand against her magic armor before she cut it in half at the waist.


    ¡°I thought you can¡¯t cast attack spells when you¡¯ve got defensive ones up,¡± Deandre said.


    ¡°Huh? She must¡¯ve hit 30.¡±


    ¡°Jayde! I need help back here!¡± the third outsider bellowed.


    Deandre saw that the stocky man was single-handedly holding the line at the back of the bus.


    Several cannibals had managed to get inside and most of the people where frantically pushing to the front to get away.


    The man fought in the middle of the aisle. Punching, stabbing, gutting, gouging and even biting.


    The cannibals were taking fatal wounds but they kept fighting long enough to find the gaps in the man¡¯s thick armor.


    The pretty young woman, Jayde, scrambled over the seats as the people clogged the aisles.


    Deandre was climbing over the seats on his side before he realized what he was doing.


    ¡°Heal!¡± Jayde slapped the back of the stocky man¡¯s exposed neck. ¡°Mage Shield!¡± she slapped him a second time.


    A cannibal snarled and snapped at her.


    She fell back into a seat and upkicked the cannibal under the chin.


    The blow left it open for Deandre to behead it with a single swing.


    ¡°Thanks!¡± Jayde pulled herself up and punched a fireball into the side of a cannibal¡¯s head.


    Deandre planted his feet. He was stuck between seats but there was no place he could go.


    The axe rose.


    The axe fell.


    Just like a forging hammer.


    It was familiar.


    The terror slipped away as he fought alongside strangers.


    Back in the first bus, Heddy found herself holding a little toddler as they cowered low to the ground next to the couch.


    The unconscious Asian woman laying on the couch groaned and stirred but didn¡¯t wake.


    Heddy forgot the woman¡¯s name and felt really bad seeing as how the woman had been the one that had healed the arrow wound in her shoulder.


    The bus shook from impacts and she could hear what sounded like claws trying to tear through.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, little person,¡± she murmured more for her own benefit than his. In fact, he was strangely calm. Just looking around with wide, dark eyes.


    One of the side windows shattered and a cannibal tried to climb through.


    Heddy screamed along with the others crammed into the back of the bus.


    A tall, athletic looking woman, Marci, if she remembered correctly stepped forward with a spear in one hand.


    ¡°Power Thrust!¡±


    The spear struck the cannibal in the chest and sent it flying violently away.


    Marci¡¯s face was drawn and pale.


    Heddy was shocked that the woman was even standing.


    Marci¡¯s left arm was wrapped with a thick covering of bandages that were soaked through in red. She only had the tattered remnants of armor over similarly tattered clothing also soaked in blood. Here and there were spots of exposed flesh and muscle as if something had flayed the skin.


    Heddy looked away and buried her face behind the toddler.


    On top of the bus, Dayana had switched to her Colt 1911, singular, since her left arm was useless.


    A cannibal tried to climb to her with its too-wide mouth filled with sharp teeth, snapping open and closed as if it was imagining her sweet, sweet flesh in his mouth.


    She timed her shots for when the mouth opened.


    Bang!


    The cannibal fell away with a hole in the back of its neck.


    ¡°Heal from that, fucker,¡± she muttered.


    Hayden stood protectively over Dayana. The heavily armored young woman lashed her electrified chain and thrust with her electrified spear.


    The last cannibals on top of the bus fell off when their bodies suddenly seized up.


    ¡°You sure you¡¯re okay,¡± Hayden said.


    Dayana waved the concern away without answering. Truth was she figured talking was a waste of what little strength she had left.


    Inside the bus, Heddy cringed with every loud crackling discharge of electricity. The unpleasant stench of burned flesh permeated the interior.


    A heavy impact landed on top of the bus.


    Heavy steps moved toward the open sky light.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. Those scary young women are on top. They¡¯ll take care of it,¡± she whispered.


    The toddler burbled something she did understand. Though he sounded delighted for some reason.


    An armored form dropped down from the opening and she understood.


    ¡°We¡¯re through the gate. There¡¯s just the Meat Parade camps to get past then we¡¯re clear,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Until we run into monsters and mutant animals,¡± Marci grunted.


    Heddy didn¡¯t like how hard the woman was leaning on her spear. It looked like Marci could barely stand and she was the strongest fighter inside the bus.


    The babbling toddler reached out for Nila.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, baby. Almost done. Just stay with Heddy for now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got him.¡± Heddy hadn¡¯t known what else to say.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    They were indeed clear.


    The Meat Parade hadn¡¯t left much in their camps.


    It seemed that none of them wanted to miss out on the buffet that was once the city of Wichita.


    Heddy could finally relax.


    She wasn¡¯t entirely safe but she was finally free.


    <hr>


    The man charged them with a kitchen knife


    Michael shot an arrow into his chest.


    The man kept coming.


    Britt hit him in the face with a light arrow.


    The man kept coming.


    Charlie finally stepped in to finish him off by stabbing her short blade into his throat.


    ¡°Ow!¡±


    The man sliced a thin cut across her face with his last gasp.


    ¡°He¡¯s an old, scrawny guy¡­ how did he not drop from your arrow?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Charlie?¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°They¡¯re all like¡ª us¡ª I mean when we get caught up in our hunger from the sacrament,¡± Britt said.


    She sounded subdued without her usual enthusiasm.


    Michael felt it as well.


    The loss of Donald, Sunny and Lincoln had stung.


    They had managed to escape and even heal their wounds while leveling up past the 10 benchmark in the time since but they didn¡¯t feel the joy and excitement they should¡¯ve.


    It was different when he saw the missing faces and heard the missing voices in his head.


    They had linked up with other groups that had joined with yet more into a band of several hundred.


    One of many that were converging on the fancy cathedral that a lot of the church people had gathered in.


    It had been a great shock when the people inside, non-fighters from the looks of them, had burst out in a maddened charge.


    The church people seemed to be possessed. They were stronger, tougher and refused to immediately drop from fatal wounds.


    It had been enough to scatter the band into smaller groups as they fled into the city streets.


    The battle had then ebbed back and forth as the night continued.


    This was even with the added numbers of their full army.


    Many of Michael¡¯s brothers and sisters had lost themselves to the hunger.


    They forgot their weapons, spells and Skills as they threw themselves on the church people.


    Frenzied hunger met crazed religious fervor and the victory was yet unclear.


    Britt steered them away from the thick of the fighting. She kept them on the edges. The two of them picked off enemies from a distance, while Charlie stood guard and protected them from any that got close.


    Thus, they remained alive when an old man in ridiculous purple and gold robes appeared in the back of truck.


    The lines parted for him.


    Michael¡¯s brothers and sisters charged.


    The old man raised his arms and said a prayer.


    Bursts of gold light shot from his hands and turned everyone they touched into bloody lumps on the ground.


    They fled and joined another battle several streets away.


    This one went better and they found themselves overwhelming the church people.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    There was no retreat. They fought to the last child.


    ¡°Why?¡± he couldn¡¯t understand. He had never seen anything like it.


    Even the children had fought with ferocity and strength that didn¡¯t belong in their small bodies.


    ¡°It had to be that golden light. That music we heard,¡± Britt said. ¡°Some kind of faith-based magic berserk boost¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡±


    They stayed on the outer edges of the feeding frenzy.


    Which saved them when a fireball the size of small car plummeted into the thick of their feeding brothers and sisters like a meteorite.


    The explosion knocked them to the ground.


    They rose just in time to watch the smoke clear.


    Not all of their brothers and sisters had been killed.


    Many were high level and they had the sacrament in their stomachs.


    The church people charged.


    They followed a heavily armored man.


    Plain steel turned into shining gold as he reached Michael¡¯s brothers and sisters.


    What he cut and stabbed didn¡¯t heal while he shrugged off strikes with ease.


    Michael loosed an arrow.


    It shattered before it even reached the golden-armored man.


    Britt sent a light arrow barrage to cover their retreat.


    They had enough.


    The heavy weight that had settled over them with the deaths of their friends turned crushing for every moment they spent near those that exuded that golden light.


    What they didn¡¯t realize was that it wasn¡¯t just the light.


    A wordless song and music that wasn¡¯t music played through it all.


    They were deaf to it, but that didn¡¯t mean it didn¡¯t affect them.


    They joined many of their brothers and sisters retreating to the eastern side of the city where they had established a base camp in the parking lot of a Walmart.


    The only ones that continued to fight were the ones that had lost themselves to the hunger.


    Nothing would pull those away from the hunt for the sacrament.


    They grabbed rations, normal food, and hydrated.


    They ate in silence.


    What was there to say?


    ¡°Hi!¡± April¡¯s smiling face only made Michael feel worst. ¡°I know the fighting¡¯s been tough, but I just need to ask you about your¡­¡±


    ¡°Donald, Sunny and Lincoln are KIA,¡± Britt said without looking up from her pouch of lukewarm pasta. ¡°It was a three person team. High level. At least over 30¡­ probably. A rogue-type with a high-level movement Skill. A mage-type that used punches for some reason. The last one was heavily armored and she used electricity. I¡¯m pretty sure it wasn¡¯t magic. I would¡¯ve felt it otherwise. They all looked to be in their 20¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. That¡¯s very thorough. Did you happen to catch their faces?¡±


    ¡°Only the punching mage-type. She was white, pretty. The electric woman had a full helm, I only saw her eyes and they glowed with lightning.¡±


    ¡°The rogue-type was black, didn¡¯t get a good look at her face the way she was flickering around,¡± he added.


    ¡°Okay. Thank you¡­ condolences for your teammates. Their sacrifices won¡¯t be forgotten. If you¡¯re up to it there¡¯s a briefing in that tent,¡± she pointed across the parking lot, ¡°in fifteen. I¡¯m not supposed to say,¡± she leaned forward and lowered her voice to a whisper, ¡°we¡¯re looking for volunteers for a special Quest, but it means you¡¯ll be able to head home for a bit.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± he nodded numbly.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do it,¡± Charlie said after April had moved on to her next targets.


    ¡°Why?¡± Britt said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like this place. I feel like something is smothering me. I can¡¯t fight like this.¡±


    ¡°You have to fight through adversity. Battlefields, by their very nature, are never ideal,¡± Britt said.


    ¡°I know that!¡± Charlie snapped. ¡°But this¡ª this is different. You know what I mean, right, Michael? You¡¯ve got the best senses.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°I guess it can¡¯t hurt to find out what it is,¡± Britt sighed.


    They ate in silence until it was time to head to the briefing.


    The huge tent was packed to bursting and they had to squeeze in.


    ¡°Here¡¯s the deal,¡± Fred stood at the front, ¡°I¡¯ve been authorized to share key information with you so that you know how successful this Quest has been.¡±


    Michael frowned.


    Success?


    It didn¡¯t feel that way to him.


    ¡°The prophecy has been averted. I know the churchies are going crazy, but believe me, it¡¯s all mop up from here. No golden flames sweeping the land. However, the city is still church territory and we need to completely wipe them out to make sure we aren¡¯t burned to ash or something like that. To that end most of us are sticking around.¡±


    Michael felt a pit in his stomach grow to life at those words.


    ¡°However, we¡¯ve got a new prophecy to worry about. So¡­ we need volunteers. You¡¯ll head back home where you¡¯ll get the details. No level restrictions. The idea is that you¡¯ll level up over the course of this Quest. You don¡¯t have time to think about it. Sign up at the quartermaster¡¯s tent after this meeting. If you aren¡¯t interested then you¡¯ll get your orders within the next few hours.¡± Fred clapped his hands. ¡°Dismissed.¡±


    ¡°Well?¡± Charlie looked at Britt expectantly.


    Britt chewed the inside of her mouth for a moment. ¡°Charlie¡¯s in, obviously¡­ what about you?¡± she turned to Michael.


    ¡°You¡¯re the leader. I follow you,¡± he replied without hesitation.


    ¡°Okay¡­¡± Britt chewed the inside of her cheek, ¡°let¡¯s go home.¡±


    <hr>


    His eyes opened to the light.


    The bright orb in the sky burned harshly down on him.


    It cared nothing for the throbbing pain in both his mind and body.


    He closed his eyes and laid there, unmoving.


    The pain pulsed incessantly.


    It reminded him of his mother pulling the covers off on Saturday afternoons a lifetime ago.


    ¡°Get up! You¡¯re wasting the day!¡± she had said.


    His father would then chime in from the hallway. ¡°It¡¯s the weekend, let him sleep,¡± he had sighed.


    His parents had bickered then, but he had never heard any real heat in their voices.


    Needles in his brain that hurt on a level beyond the physical accompanied those stabbing into his muscles and bones.


    The warm light prodded.


    He ignored it.


    The voice he couldn¡¯t ignore.


    ¡°You are awake, yes?¡± a woman spoke.


    Accented English.


    Not the universal translations system¡¯s work.


    He knew that somehow.


    He brought his left hand toward his face to clear the crust around his eyes.


    The moment in time froze.


    Ah¡­ that was right.


    There was no more hand even though it hurt just as the rest of his body did.


    He wondered if there were there any other parts missing?


    He touched his right hand to his face and found relief as he felt fingers.


    He planted his left on the ground before he realized¡ª


    A jolt of pain radiated up his arm.


    He tasted blood.


    He deliberately and carefully pushed himself to a seated position using his right hand. The left he held close to his stomach to prevent future accidents.


    ¡°You look like you are in need of healing, friend.¡±


    He reached out with his telepathy and felt like he had stuck his brain inside a box of filled with needles. He pushed through the pain.


    There were a handful of wary minds in the immediate area and a few more in the surrounding wilderness.


    As for the speaker¡­


    Her thoughts were hidden by a wall.


    He probed a moment.


    It was strong, but not enough to stop him if he had been inclined.


    ¡°That is not so friendly.¡±


    He turned his head to her for the first time.


    She was a few yards away standing with open hands at her sides. Her sun-browned face watched him warily. She wore khaki colored clothing, as though headed out on safari. No armor, no weapons aside from a knife at her belt. She looked older, probably in her fifties, judging by the wrinkles around her scowling eyes. Wrapped cloth covered her hair.


    Orbiting around her and glaring at him were ten eyes.


    They were larger than a human¡¯s. Around the size of a tennis ball.


    One in particular drew his attention.


    The source of the wall.


    ¡°I¡¯ll concede that, but one can¡¯t be too careful when waking up in a crater in the middle of the woods surrounded by potentially dangerous people,¡± he said.


    The woman inclined her head. ¡°Introductions first then?¡±


    Cal returned the nod.


    ¡°I am the Magus of the Ten Eyes,¡± she said.


    He couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°In that case I go by, Hon¡ª screw it. You¡¯re not a witch. My name is Cal.¡±


    ¡°I offer you healing, Cal.¡±


    ¡°In exchange for?¡±


    ¡°Freely given¡­¡± she paused. ¡°That is not entirely true,¡± she gestured to the surrounding area.


    Cal stood and looked beyond his crater. There were dozens and dozens of monster and mutant animal corpses in varying stages of completeness.


    ¡°You were not aware of this madness? I had assumed¡ª never mind. Your injuries must be seen to first.¡±


    She wasn¡¯t entirely correct.


    He hadn¡¯t been aware in the moment.


    Then the memories came flooding back.


    His mind had partitioned itself. A defense mechanism to protect the whole from the damage and strain sustained from the fight with Zalthyss.


    Blocking a massive explosion of its song with a telekinetic shield had almost broken his powers. It had struck him on levels beyond the physical.


    While most of him passed out one part remained to safeguard his unmoving body from those that would¡¯ve done him harm.


    The creatures had been drawn by the impact he had made into the ground, by the smell of his blood. He had been a wounded and vulnerable animal.


    Except for one thing.


    Mental powers.


    They hadn¡¯t been able to get within a hundred yards of him.


    Every time they had tried they had suddenly found themselves underneath one simple command.


    Turn around.


    And so they had.


    Several steps until they had realized that a powerful and wounded thing was lying vulnerable in the ground.


    They had turned back and the cycle had repeated.


    Cal followed the woman to a large tent pitched in a space free from the corpses.


    ¡°You set up camp in the middle of all this,¡± he said.


    ¡°We have ways to deal with the ghastly odor,¡± she pulled a small bottle from one of the innumerable pouches on her body, ¡°have some, yes?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he waved it away. ¡°Why are you harvesting the bodies?¡± he already knew the answer from the cursory scan he had performed on the woman¡¯s people.


    She eyed him like an intriguing puzzle. ¡°Why need to ask that question when you already know?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± he said flatly.


    She shrugged. ¡°I suppose it is the least of what is owed to you.¡±


    ¡°Owed?¡±


    ¡°We slew none of them.¡±


    The pieces of memory returned to him as the woman spoke.


    ¡°They were mostly dead when we arrived. Slaying each other. The ones that we had dispatched provided no resistance. It was quite interesting to see. They rushed toward you. Stopped at the same exact spots. Turned around and walked away as if under a spell. It allowed us to attack first. You see, I offer healing, but in truth it is not out of altruism. It is merely what is owed, yes?¡±


    Cal looked down at the stump of his left arm. The blood had already scabbed over. He could see bits of bone poking out at the wrist.


    ¡°You are dealing with the pain well?¡±


    ¡°Experience,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°So¡­ healing?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t really need it. Thank you for the offer.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡± the woman scowled. ¡°Then what is owed¡­¡±


    ¡°There were a lot of powerful monsters and mutant animals out there. And, tell me if I¡¯m wrong, but your class has something to do with turning their parts into gear,¡± he gestured at the ten eyes orbiting close to the woman¡¯s body.


    ¡°And you are certain of this because?¡±


    He pointed at the eyes. ¡°And your people out there are harvesting parts.¡±


    She stared at him impassively for a long moment. ¡°Yes. You have provided a bounty I could not have scarcely imagined when I decided to travel to your country.¡±


    ¡°Healing would be appreciated, but what I¡¯d really find valuable is information.¡±


    ¡°For what is owed?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ obviously I don¡¯t know how valuable creature parts are. I haven¡¯t seen them up on the spires marketplace.¡±


    ¡°That is because I may be the first and only one of my kind.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll trust you. You decide what¡¯s fair to exchange for all that stuff out there.¡±


    The woman didn¡¯t look pleased, but nodded after a moment. ¡°Then I will need to provide you with Universal Points.¡±


    He raised a hand. ¡°That doesn¡¯t hold value to me. Neither does cash, gold or jewels.¡±


    ¡°You remind me of another I met once,¡± she shook her head. ¡°Then will you take items? What I will create out of the monsters?¡±


    ¡°That works.¡±


    ¡°It will take time.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. You can send it to me through the spires when you¡¯re done.¡±


    ¡°The bargain is struck.¡±


    They shook hands.


    The woman and her ten eyes exited the tent. She shouted a name.


    A young man followed her back inside.


    The young gestured toward the chair next to the small desk. ¡°Please place your arm there,¡± he pointed.


    Cal followed the instructions.


    ¡°I can¡¯t bring your hand back,¡± the young man said.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting you to.¡± He pushed the dark thoughts away. The hand was gone. Obliterated by a song. He needed to focus on what could turn out to be valuable information.


    ¡°This will hurt.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. Just do your thing.¡±


    The young man¡¯s words were in English, but he knew that it had been the work of the translation system. There was just something different about the way he had spoken when compared to the woman. The feeling he had was that the young man¡¯s mouth movements weren¡¯t perfectly in-sync with the words coming out.


    Cal suppressed the wince as the young man began to scrape away the scabbing covering his right wrist.


    ¡°What did this?¡±


    ¡°I thought I was going to ask the questions?¡±


    ¡°Surely, you can indulge some of my curiosity?¡±


    ¡°Maybe later. My first question is where did you come from?¡±


    ¡°The Middle East.¡±


    The woman didn¡¯t elaborate.


    He didn¡¯t care enough to push.


    ¡°How did you make it all the way from there?¡±


    ¡°Walked, drove and then took a boat. It was a costly journey.¡±


    ¡°Why even make it?¡±


    The woman paused and chewed the inside of her cheek before answering. ¡°For opportunity and to find a great threat.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ you¡¯re going to have to elaborate on that.¡±


    ¡°I cannot. It is not my knowledge to share.¡±


    He reached out to the other people in the area. Their minds weren¡¯t protected like the woman¡¯s.


    Unfortunately, they didn¡¯t know anything.


    They were here because they followed the woman for a variety of reasons.


    ¡°What exactly don¡¯t you want to elaborate on? The nature of those two things? Or the source of this knowledge?¡±


    ¡°In regards to the former, I cannot. I only know that I will find what I am here for in the middle of your country. Where you have your ¡®amber waves of grain¡¯ or so that song went. As to the latter. I am sworn to secrecy.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Well, that¡¯s interesting. I might be able to help you out if you share a bit more. Like, say, be a bit more specific about said opportunity and threat.¡±


    The intensity in the woman¡¯s eyes was mirrored by the ten grotesqueries orbiting around her. ¡°There was a song that swept through your country in great flames of gold that in time would cover all the nations in the world.¡±


    Cal laughed.


    The woman frowned.


    He told her that she might have wasted her time.


    That song was dead.


    Cast into nothingness at his hands.


    ¡°That explosion?¡±


    ¡°That was your golden threat.¡±


    ¡°You will tell me more, yes?¡±


    ¡°Trade goes both ways. I respect that you won¡¯t tell me about how you even learned about Zalthyss, but all I¡¯m willing to share is that it was from another world with designs of adding ours to its dominion.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ very well. Although, perhaps you would do well to consider a collaborative relationship to your benefit. Your current state suggests you would benefit from us fighting alongside you the next time.¡±


    ¡°I saw the damage to your people¡¯s gear. The looks in their eyes are those that went through some crazy stuff. Your journey turned into a one way thing, didn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°That remains to be seen.¡±


    ¡°Well, not right now, but I might be able to help you with that once I¡¯ve healed up.¡±


    ¡°I will consider it.¡±


    ¡°You might want to avoid heading to flyover country. I can give you the exact location, but there¡¯s a battle going on last I was there. The eternal church versus thousands of cannibals.¡±


    The woman¡¯s face twisted. ¡°There are ghouls here as well? Unwelcome news.¡±


    ¡°Humans turned monsters through a class. Flesh Eater.¡±


    ¡°I am aware, yes. I¡¯ve encountered and destroyed both ghouls and Ghouls. These spires¡­¡± she shook her head. ¡°Not enough to flood our world with monsters, but it turned us into them.¡± The woman eyed him. ¡°I have a question for you. Where did you slay this Zalthyss?¡±


    ¡°New York City. Just follow the devastation and maybe watch out for big spiders. If they¡¯re still alive. Another question for me.¡±


    The woman nodded.


    ¡°The eyes¡­ what kind of monster did they come from?¡±


    ¡°A floating eyeball, much bigger than these,¡± she held up a hand and one of the eyes floated around to land in her palm, blinking. It almost looked alive. ¡°These were set into tentacle-like stalks protruding from its round body. The man that aided me called it a ¡®Beholder¡¯. Though, I imagine that is not its true name.¡±


    ¡°Did it talk?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It had a mouth. Its words were not kind.¡±


    ¡°What do the eyes do?¡±


    ¡°I will not say to maintain my advantage.¡±


    ¡°Fair.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯d you turn them from monster eyes to that?¡±


    ¡°That is a trade secret.¡±


    ¡°Fair. It seems that I¡¯m out of questions that you¡¯re willing to answer. So, I guess we¡¯re done. I¡¯d like to keep in touch. For mutual benefit.¡±


    ¡°That is agreeable. We may exchange words through the spires.¡±


    ¡°Best way I suppose,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°I have one last question for you.¡±


    Cal nodded.


    ¡°I think you remind me of another. It is hard to say with how beaten up your face is. Are you familiar with a man that calls himself Relentless?¡±


    Cal couldn¡¯t help but laugh.

 6.34

    Now, Texas


    Texas was hot in the summer.


    Nila wouldn¡¯t know.


    She hadn¡¯t set foot off the bus without wearing her Threnosh-made armor.


    The mayor had said all the right things when they had rolled into the settlements on the outskirts of San Antonio at the head of a ragged convoy.


    The memories of what Cal and she had done during their first visit must¡¯ve been fresh.


    She drummed her fingers on the table.


    Her eyes drifted toward the back of the bus where the little guy was playing with Trevor and Amber.


    Monsignor and Marci were in the Golden Eagles¡¯ base receiving extended healing alongside the Furies.


    Shrewed had gone with them to keep an eye on things. She hadn¡¯t ordered him to. He had taken it on himself to watch out for potential wrong doing.


    He didn¡¯t need to.


    It wasn¡¯t that she trusted the mercenary company.


    What she trusted was their fear of Cal and their greed.


    They wouldn¡¯t risk dirty tricks because of how he had proved beneficial to them in the past and for future collaborative opportunities.


    ¡°We need to start planning the trip back.¡±


    ¡°What? Why? Everyone¡¯s still hurt,¡± Jimenez said.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a week. Our welcome will start to run thin soon.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not like they¡¯re giving us free supplies. You¡¯re paying for everything.¡±


    That was true. The sacks of Vegas money and jewelry had been useful.


    ¡°People say the right things about taking in refugees, but¡­¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°I thought we were waiting for Cal?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll find us no matter where we are.¡±


    ¡°But the road dangers?¡±


    ¡°Are a risk, but we can do it.¡±


    Nila wasn¡¯t too confident with her words.


    The trip from Kansas hadn¡¯t been without casualties.


    ¡°It¡¯d be easier if it was just us,¡± Jimenez said.


    ¡°They¡¯d rather come with than stay here.¡±


    The Kansas people had seen much of the same in the San Antonio communities than they had in Wichita. It was better in the sense that they weren¡¯t going to be exiled for simply being themselves.


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to compete when you tell them that they get guaranteed food and housing in exchange for contributing whatever they want. It¡¯s like that old take a penny leave a penny thing. Instead it¡¯s have a life and leave¡­ whatever.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not too familiar with how it is in Sacramento.¡±


    Jimenez rubbed her head. ¡°It¡¯s pretty much the same. Except everyone¡¯s got a job. I mean, it¡¯s not bad, you get to choose what you want to do and it¡¯s not like 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. They want us to develop our best classes, so you¡¯re supposed to focus on doing things that help that. The work stuff is simple. Like, you spend an hour or two a day putting together supply boxes or delivering them. When you¡¯re done, you¡¯re done. No sticking around till 5 doing busy work.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll probably have less of that now that you¡¯ve gotten past 30 and powered up your Danger Sense.¡±


    Jimenez groaned and placed her head in her hands. ¡°I know it¡¯s useful and that¡¯s what I want¡­¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s¡ª I¡¯ll have to go on the most dangerous Quests. And it¡¯ll be even worse now¡­¡±


    ¡°It must be hard to be constantly aware of danger. I don¡¯t understand the Skill¡­ I don¡¯t understand them in general, but can¡¯t you turn it off?¡±


    ¡°I wish I could,¡± Jimenez shook her head.


    ¡°There has to be a way. Otherwise it seems like a liability.¡±


    ¡°I know, but I haven¡¯t been able to find one. None of the R&D geniuses have either.¡±


    ¡°Your Skill, your solution. Don¡¯t let it control you. Control it. I know,¡± she smiled to soften her words, ¡°easy to say, hard to do.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Jimenez sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve thought about it a lot. I know all the theories about classes and Skills. They¡¯re based on how you see yourself and what you want and need. Maybe not consciously, necessarily. And I¡¯ve always been a scared and anxious person. It¡¯s hard to change.¡±


    ¡°Our situations aren¡¯t the same, but before the spires I¡¯d never thrown a punch in anger. Look at me now¡­¡±


    Elsewhere, three young women wandered the walled suburbs that had once been home.


    They stopped at homes turned into restaurants.


    They visited Ms. Daniels at the Home for Fortunate Girls and Young Women.


    They were relieved to learn that things hadn¡¯t changed.


    The mayor was still sticking closely to her deal with Cal.


    Hayden had been prepared to hurt pervy old men had she discovered differently.


    Their wanderings ended up at their old favorite.


    A home turned bar and grill that catered to the Golden Eagles.


    ¡°We lost that Quest. Tons of points and a bonus reward,¡± Jayde groaned.


    ¡°It got replaced,¡± Dayana said. ¡°We still got a ton of points and your slow ass finally hit 30.¡±


    ¡°True that. I can combo my spell punches now. But I can¡¯t stop thinking about that bonus. Trevor and Amber were talking about that one badass lady that trained them. She got attribute bonuses. Like, automatically stronger, faster, whatever in an instant. That¡¯s what you really want. Literally, make everything about you better in one go.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t change the past. We failed one Quest, but succeed at a slightly less valuable one with our lives,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Lives,¡± Hayden said. ¡°That¡¯s what it comes down to. We managed to save a few hundred when we could¡¯ve saved a lot more. Who knows what¡¯s going on in Wichita right now? Did the Meat Parade eat everyone? Recruited them? Is there a city with tens of thousands of cannibals just sitting out there? How much more can they grow?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know if that¡¯s the worse case scenario. The church might¡¯ve been worse,¡± Dayana said. ¡°That Zalthyss thing was¡ª something¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m more worried about Cal. No one wants to talk about it, but it¡¯s been a week and nothing. Don¡¯t think I can¡¯t tell everyone is freaking out on the inside,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°The road trip was a lot different when he was with us. That¡¯s all I¡¯m going to say about that,¡± Dayana said.


    Hayden scowl hadn¡¯t left her face since they had escaped from Wichita. The memories of Zalthyss nearly killing them all had replayed themselves in her thoughts over and over again.


    She couldn¡¯t touch that height of power. Not as she was.


    The problem was that she didn¡¯t know if she ever could.


    She didn¡¯t like the feeling of knowing that there were things out there that could kill her so easily.


    ¡°Ugh¡­ let¡¯s talk about something happier,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°I know what my Level 40 Skill does,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°No! No way I¡¯d just try out something called Shadow Wound. I paid to unlock the tutorial. Cheap-ass microtransactions,¡± she muttered. ¡°Anyways, I can use it to attack a person¡¯s or monster¡¯s shadow to deal the damage. Bypasses defenses, but at the cost of damage. I can¡¯t add Bleed to it, but maybe once I level and it gets stronger.¡±


    Hayden considered the tactical applications. ¡°What kind of defenses? Armor? Magic? Skills?¡±


    ¡°All of the above. The limitation, like with everything, comes down to personal power. The more powerful someone is than me in terms of level or whatever the less damage I¡¯ll do. And even then there¡¯s, like, a general decease in damage.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ so a deep cut becomes a shallow cut,¡± Jayde nodded sagely.


    ¡°Better than not cutting at all when up against someone in thick plate and chain,¡± Dayana challenged.


    ¡°Useful,¡± Hayden nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯d want to get stronger before trying it on the guy you¡¯re thinking about,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes you were¡­ we all were¡­¡± Jayde said. ¡°Annnddd we¡¯re back to unpleasant topics. Shame!¡±


    ¡°They saved Marci¡¯s arm,¡± Dayana ventured.


    ¡°And Monsignor is not going to die. Which is great, because she is awesome,¡± Jayde added.


    ¡°How¡¯s your arm, Jayde?¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Tender, but I¡¯ll take it over being broken. I could do without the tender patches where they healed the skin back. Let me tell you, it sucks having all the grit scraped out of you.¡±


    ¡°We know,¡± Dayana said flatly.


    ¡°Oh, right. Both of you have eaten road before.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you and the others all got stronger and that no one died. It means it was worth it,¡± Hayden said.


    That¡¯s all that mattered to her. Survive and become stronger than you were.


    A long, silent moment passed.


    ¡°40¡¯s not high enough,¡± Dayana said.


    No one responded to that.


    They ate and drank in extended silence until they managed to bring the conversation back to lighter fair.


    It was a time to rest and recharge.


    They all knew that one couldn¡¯t run on adrenaline for long.


    They had seen bodies and minds break from being constantly in survival mode.


    Days passed.


    Nila and Hayden sat in Leon¡¯s office.


    The leader of the Golden Eagles was in the uncomfortable position of saying no.


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, but our next scheduled changeover with Vegas isn¡¯t for another two months. We¡¯ve settled on a quarterly rotation,¡± Leon said.


    ¡°Then I¡¯d like to hire you for an escort. I can pay,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t even be primaries. We can cover the toughest monsters and assholes. We just need enough skilled and experienced people to cover the gaps and watch over things while we rest,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Your people only need to go as far as Vegas.¡±


    ¡°Normally, I¡¯d take you up on that, but with the situation up north the mayor has strongly encouraged us to stay close to home in the event that the shit starts to flow downhill, so to speak.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Leon. Those two assholes are going to be fighting each other for awhile. They aren¡¯t going to travel hundreds of miles south. Besides, there are plenty of settlements in between here and there. Not to mention the monsters on the road. You¡¯ll have plenty of warning to get your guys back and ready,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Your business deal with my partner¡ª¡±


    ¡°Is still on,¡± Leon said hastily. ¡°The Golden Eagles are nothing but happy and appreciative of our interactions with Cal¡­ and yourself, of course.¡±


    ¡°Then¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, but my hands are tied in this case. If you can wait two months then I¡¯m more than happy to have your convoy join ours.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to leave sooner than that.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want our welcome to run out.¡±


    ¡°As long as you¡¯ve got money there won¡¯t be a problem with the locals. They might grumble a bit, but so what. What are they going to do? Kick you out? The mayor isn¡¯t going to forget the ass-kicking you and your partner laid down. Word is her asshole rich friends are pissing themselves trying to figure out if you¡¯re here for them.¡±


    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°And that¡¯s a potential problem.¡±


    ¡°Scared animals tend to lash out,¡± Hayden added.


    Nila wouldn¡¯t go as far to call them animals. At least not out loud, but the young woman nailed her concerns.


    ¡°I¡¯m not worried about them in regards to myself, Hayden and the others,¡± she continued. ¡°I¡¯m worried they might do something stupid and hurt one of the people that have gone through a horrific series of events to make it all this way. Which would then force me to do something they will regret.¡±


    ¡°The mayor might be amendable to easing the leash on the company if I put it to her in those terms,¡± Leon mused. ¡°I¡¯ll have to get back to you on that.¡±


    ¡°Okay. That¡¯s fine.¡±


    Nila and Hayden made their way from Leon¡¯s office to the medical house.


    The Golden Eagles had their own section of the tract separated from others.


    ¡°Um¡­ I know you and Cal have a way to communicate,¡± Hayden ventured.


    ¡°What makes you say that?¡±


    ¡°This is going to sound weird, but I sometimes, maybe, remember a voice in my head during the hardest fights¡ª¡±


    ¡°What does that have to do with me and Cal?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Hayden shrugged. ¡°Just back when we were fighting Zalthyss. I almost thought I heard the two of you talking.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s weird,¡± she said lightly. ¡°I remember the song from Zalthyss.¡±


    ¡°I know, maybe it was that¡­ like connecting all of us? I¡¯ve talked with the girls and they sorta remember the same, but it¡¯s not clear. Like trying to remember a dream. It fades and wriggles away like a slimy worm.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I can honestly tell you that I don¡¯t know where Cal is right now.¡±


    Openly saying words caused the pit of fear that had been growing in her gut to swell.


    ¡°He¡¯s right behind you guys.¡±


    The voice caused her to spin around and throw a punch.


    Hayden was a beat slower but she had her custom taser out ready to fire.


    ¡°Ow!¡±


    Cal took the punch on his arm.


    ¡°Just kidding,¡± he grinned and raised his hands. ¡°Sorry I couldn¡¯t resist.¡±


    No.


    Nila realized with delayed horror.


    Not hands.


    Hand.


    His left arm ended in a bandaged stump.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Love,¡± he said softly. ¡°I don¡¯t look at is as losing a hand. I look at it as losing three fingers¡­ and a palm¡­ I guess¡­ I actually don¡¯t know what that part is called. I was already down two fingers, so the way I see it, losing the other three to destroy Zalthyss was worth it.¡±


    ¡°You killed it? How!¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you later. First, let¡¯s go see how Marci and Monsignor are do¡ª¡±


    Nila lifted him up in a crushing hug.


    ¡°No stupid jokes. Not now,¡± she whispered after putting him down.


    He embraced her then.


    Tighter.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Hayden cleared her throat. ¡°Um¡­ I¡¯ll head over to the clinic first,¡± she broke into a fast walk.


    Cal broke the kiss.


    ¡°I have a lot to tell you,¡± he said.


    ¡°That¡¯s my line,¡± she replied.


    ¡°I may have done a quick surface scan of this entire area. I¡¯ve got most of it. You did great in getting so many people out of there and all the way down here.¡±


    Nila shook her head.


    ¡°Nope. Don¡¯t even think it,¡± he forestalled her words. ¡°You and the others saved a few hundred lives.¡±


    ¡°So many died.¡±


    ¡°They all would be dead if it wasn¡¯t for you guys.¡±


    ¡°I thought¡ª you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Me too, but I had enough power and good fortune to still be here. This,¡± he held up his left arm, ¡°is a small price to pay for seeing you again.¡±


    ¡°The little guy¡¯s been asking for you. He refuses to sleep. He keeps waiting for you for bedtime. Stays up as long as he can before passing out.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. No life threatening excursions for awhile.¡±


    She didn¡¯t say anything. She knew intellectually that you couldn¡¯t plan that sort of thing.


    Their world wasn¡¯t a safe one where existential threats were mostly consigned to the conceptual realm.


    They were real and they were out there.


    ¡°One bit of good news, well two, but they¡¯re sort of connected. I¡¯ve got some magic gear coming my way and I met someone that might make a good ally. I¡¯ll tell you about it later, but let¡¯s go see how the others are doing. Then we can figure out how to bring all these people back to SoCal.¡±


    The pit in her stomach vanished but her heart ached when she had to move to his right side in order for them to walk hand in hand.


    How much more of himself would Cal lose the next time?


    Would he return at all?


    <hr>


    ¡°How are you not sweating, bro?¡± Jake said.


    ¡°My superior body deals with extremes well,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°That¡¯s bullshit. It¡¯s like a hundred right now.¡±


    ¡°At least it¡¯s a dry heat,¡± he shrugged. ¡°There was some humidity back in Kansas, or so the others told me.¡±


    ¡°Or so the others told me,¡± Jake mocked Cal¡¯s words by deepening his voice to a comical level.


    ¡°Terrible impression.¡±


    ¡°Whatever¡­ I¡¯ll be glad when summer¡¯s over. Nothing¡¯s worse than sweat running down to my taint when you¡¯re fighting a mutant black bear.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I definitely used to prefer being cold over being hot. Hated getting sweaty just walking or sitting around.¡± He reached into the small cooler and pulled out another bottle, twisting the cap off with his left hand.


    ¡°Bro? Why not?¡± Jake pointed the beer bottle toward Cal¡¯s prosthetic hand.


    ¡°The spell isn¡¯t as common as you think,¡± he said. ¡°Besides,¡± he wiggled the skeletal fingers made out of hard metal and softer composites, ¡°I can move them just fine without it.¡±


    ¡°Powers are bullshit,¡± Jake grinned.


    They bumped prosthetic fists.


    ¡°So¡­ I heard about the thing from Marci and Jimenez,¡± Jake ventured.


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re still fighting over Wichita, bro¡­ that¡¯s just wild. A church worshiping an alien fighting a cannibal army over a bunch of farms.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a city, just like any other.¡±


    ¡°But, still¡­ it¡¯s like in the middle of nowhere. Whatever dude, point is, are you going to, like handle that? Cause I want to come with. Marci and Jimenez flew past Level 30. They¡¯re like a couple below me now and I need to keep my lead. I can¡¯t let them hit 40 before me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a race,¡± he laughed.


    ¡°It totally is! Might be different with you being a superstar franchise player, but it¡¯s different for us role players.¡±


    ¡°How different are we? Huh?¡± he pointed a prosthetic finger to Jake¡¯s prosthetic hand.


    ¡°That¡¯s easy,¡± Jake snorted. ¡°You lost a hand. If I went up against that thing there¡¯d be nothing left. Blocks and buildings vaporized! A giant crater! Like, literally nothing of me would¡¯ve been left.¡±


    ¡°Fair point. I concede,¡± he took a swig.


    ¡°So, I¡¯m in. Whatever it is. Just say the word.¡±


    ¡°There isn¡¯t going to be one. Zalthyss is gone and that was the most important part. I¡¯m okay with letting the assholes kill each other over the city. It¡¯ll keep them too busy to terrorize other people.¡±


    ¡°Aww, man. That¡¯s a bummer.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying you can¡¯t go do whatever you want.¡±


    ¡°Nah. Too far. Plus, the big shots see it the same way as you. Besides, too much going on around here. You and your bro got rid of the Deep Azure and the fishmen, but the human cult¡ª and I¡¯m using the word loosely¡ª dicks that they are, refuse to just give it up.¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be leveling from that?¡±


    Jake shook his head and took a swig before replying. ¡°There isn¡¯t much fighting. They stick to their territory. We stick to ours. Every once in a while we¡¯ll get people fleeing from Frisco and then it¡¯s a fucked up three way race. The cult tries to stop them while we try to help them.¡±


    ¡°You said three?¡±


    ¡°Monsters and mutant animals try to eat them. We call the 80, the ¡®Freeway of Death¡¯ now,¡± Jake shrugged.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be leveling more from doing your magitech stuff anyways?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I can¡¯t just focus on that. Since I¡¯m one of the higher leveled dudes, I¡¯m spending most of time responding to threats in the city and outside,¡± Jake sighed. ¡°Bunch of spawn zones started popping up out in the wilderness. Totally sucks, man! Fucking hate camping. No showers and shit.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like you should be leveling from that.¡±


    ¡°I guess I¡¯m too high level for them,¡± Jake shrugged. ¡°The monsters or mutants don¡¯t pose that much of a threat to me. Don¡¯t get me wrong, they suck, but it ain¡¯t that hard to kill them. Marci and Jimenez got like 5-6 levels from, like, a month of being with you. I could¡¯ve gone over 40.¡±


    ¡°Tell your bosses you need to focus on the R&D.¡±


    ¡°Nah. I can¡¯t. Don¡¯t get me wrong, I¡¯d love to, but I just can¡¯t. If I¡¯m not out there then some weaker bastard gets dead,¡± Jake shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s whatever. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve got better things to do than listen to my bitching. So, if you aren¡¯t going to head back then what¡¯s next?¡±


    ¡°I need time. Wichita and Zalthyss took a lot from me mentally. What I really need is a few months of solitude to rebuild¡­ everything,¡± he gestured vaguely at nothing. ¡°Can¡¯t really do that, so I¡¯m going to try to have my cake and eat it. Taking Nila and the kid on a road trip with no destination in mind. We¡¯re going to go were fate decides.¡±


    ¡°Ah. So you¡¯ll be like the wandering gunslinger.¡±


    ¡°I guess. I say all this, but, like, obviously, if we come across bad shit we¡¯re not going to just turn around and leave cause we¡¯re on ¡®vacation¡¯. But at the same time, if, for example, we see a horrible monster in the middle of nowhere not doing anything, then we¡¯ll leave it alone.¡±


    ¡°Bro, how can you do that?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got a good point there. I¡¯m just saying this now. I might not be able to resist,¡± he laughed.


    ¡°I figure taking a monster out is a net positive for humanity, but its not like I¡¯m telling you what to do. You got to take care of that mental health. Don¡¯t want you going nuts or something.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, I¡¯m not planning on ditching everything. I¡¯ve got responsibilities. One place on the list is where the Dread Paladin lived. I haven¡¯t forgotten about the Vitiator. Going to try to pick up the trail from there.¡±


    ¡°Elves are real and they¡¯re evil,¡± Jake sighed.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know if they¡¯re all like that. It seems likely that they wouldn¡¯t be all the same. A species isn¡¯t a monolithic thing in terms of alignment.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah. I know that this isn¡¯t a game. But what if it¡¯s, like, the only ones that have the power and points to actually travel to our world are those predisposed to being evil fucks? Like, the spires are all about conflict. This whole claiming territory shit,¡± Jake shook his head. ¡°There weren¡¯t any good colonizers in our own history. We¡¯re the same species and we did all sorts of shit to each other. It makes sense that when we¡¯re dealing with different species it¡¯ll be worse. Like, legit, we might as well be cows to them.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ it¡¯s not entirely bad. The Threnosh are mostly cool and they aren¡¯t the colonizing-type. As for the others¡­ I¡¯d like to think I¡¯ve given them something to think about in regards to Earth¡¯s difficulty level.¡±


    ¡°Dude, I¡¯d love to go to the Threnosh world. That¡¯s some real super science shit! I¡¯d definitely level there!¡±


    ¡°I could write you a letter of recommendation.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    He nodded.


    ¡°Hell yeah! I¡¯ll take you up on that! Just need to convince the bosses.¡±


    ¡°Bro, you¡¯re not a slave.¡±


    ¡°I know, but I can¡¯t just bail. One day,¡± Jake sighed.


    ¡°Frame it as part of a diplomatic mission to build ties and eventually obtain better gear. Shit, you might even generate an actual Quest out of it.¡±


    ¡°I thought that stuff you brought over for the Watch was super expensive.¡±


    ¡°Maybe there¡¯s a way to lower cost through treaties? An alliance? Or even a trade agreement? That there are tutorials on those topics suggests that there are things we still don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°The geniuses figure we know, like, less than 5% of what the spires have,¡± Jake snorted, ¡°spending Universal Points for everything is probably the brute force option.¡±


    ¡°The thought had occurred to me.¡±


    ¡°Eh, it¡¯s working for you so far, so why change, right?¡±


    ¡°Because I can¡¯t protect the world by myself. My family can¡¯t do it. This world needs everyone it can get to step up when all of the spire¡¯s restrictions are lifted. Because I can see a world without humanity. A world filled with the worst things and me, alone.¡±


    ¡°Whoa¡­¡± Jake said after a long moment. ¡°That got dark¡­¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t know where that came from.¡±


    ¡°Jeez, bro, tell me what you really think,¡± Jake chuckled nervously.


    ¡°My worst case scenario,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Realistically, I¡¯d definitely be able to protect a small pocket of humanity¡¯s remnants. Say, a city.¡±


    ¡°Or a megacity,¡± Jake nodded sagely.


    ¡°Or an island, but a big one.¡±


    ¡°Like Australia.¡±


    ¡°Not that one. It was a death land before the spires showed up. I don¡¯t know what it is like now, but¡­¡±


    ¡°Right, everything there was venomous. Probably a lot worse now that those animals mutated. Mutant platypus,¡± Jake shuddered.


    ¡°Venomous, egg-laying duck mammal. It was already WTF when it was normal,¡± he shook his head.


    ¡°Wait¡­ hasn¡¯t your brother been all over the world?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve never sat down and talked about everything he¡¯s seen. Haven¡¯t talked about Australia.¡±


    ¡°You should tell him to write a guidebook. He¡¯s got the only information about what¡¯s happened in the rest of the world. Shit, we barely know what¡¯s going on in the rest of North America.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m working on that.¡±


    ¡°You might, could maybe pick up the pace. What¡¯s it been? Like, six months and you¡¯ve gone across the southwest to Texas and a bit of the midwest to Kansas.¡±


    ¡°I crossed the Appalachians up to New York,¡± he added.


    ¡°Right and the governor was very disappointed in the lack of information you had for him,¡± Jake laughed.


    ¡°Well, he can go fuck himself. I was kind of busy at the time. Had more important things to do than try to find the remnants of the federal government in their secret bunkers.¡±


    ¡°Probably dead. Those definitely turned into spawn zones. Like, don¡¯t tell anyone I said this, but we¡¯re better off that those politicians and rich guys aren¡¯t around to call the shots. They¡¯d be charging for the free food like that dumbass mayor in Texas you told me about. Like, bro¡­ it just shows up the next day. Who the fuck is making it? The spires, that¡¯s who and they ain¡¯t charging points.¡±


    ¡°Hopefully that doesn¡¯t change.¡±


    Jake winced before rapping knuckles on the wooden table. ¡°That¡¯d suck if all that is tied to the tutorial period.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s probable.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why we¡¯ve set up farms for veggies and normal animals. Not to mention, creating stockpiles of supplies.¡± Jake let out a long breath. ¡°Medicines will be a problem. Stockpiles will only last so long. Really, hoping that the healing magic can take over for the stuff we won¡¯t be able to manufacture. Still, it might not be so bad. We¡¯re finding that leveling up seems to have a great impact on overall physical health. Like, I¡¯m in great shape.¡±


    ¡°I imagine that might have something to do with your lifestyle.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, but I don¡¯t exactly watch what I eat. I eat a ton of crap, like, chocolate, candy and shit. I mean, it¡¯s all free, so why not?¡± Jake shrugged. ¡°Check ups still keep coming back golden¡­ oh, sorry,¡± he cringed, ¡°too soon?¡±


    He raised his left arm and telekinetically pulled all the fingers of his prosthetic, except one, closed.


    Jake broke out into raucous laughter. ¡°So unfair,¡± he wiped the tears out of his eyes. ¡°You move it so smoothly. It took me time to get mine down and it still doesn¡¯t feel like my old hand.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve got the ghost hand thing too.¡±


    ¡°The itching is the worse.¡±


    He nodded.


    ¡°Cause you can¡¯t scratch it.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°Just checking. Thanks by the way.¡±


    ¡°For what?¡±


    ¡°Giving me the day off.¡±


    ¡°No problem.¡±


    The bottles clinked.


    The sun slowly drifted down the western horizon.


    They spoke of many things.


    About the eternal church and their strange magic.


    About the Flesh Eaters and their monstrous class, the different variations he had seen.


    He had prepared a comprehensive briefing package that he had already shared with the state government and the Watch just so that he wouldn¡¯t have been forced to spend hours going over the events in Wichita.


    He had even given them everything he knew and experienced with Zalthyss.


    This was different.


    This was chatting with a friend and despite the subjects he didn¡¯t find it to be an onerous task.


    Besides, he couldn¡¯t predict the future and he wanted his friends to be prepared for all the threats that lurked in the darkness.

 6.35

    Now, Middle America


    The tableau of suffering laid out before Cal made him hesitate.


    An old memory of what had been perpetrated by an evil cabal inside the farmhouse waited for him.


    A young woman restrained on a table.


    A handful of robed cultists gathered around her.


    An impossibly tall figure standing off to the side.


    The Vitiator.


    Cal didn¡¯t want to become part of the memory.


    To share the young woman¡¯s experience.


    To share the cultists¡¯ experience.


    He took a deep breath.


    ¡°Damn it¡­¡±


    A thought set the motionless figures into movement and he became part of the scene.


    Terror became pain.


    The defilement of the young woman¡¯s body became that of her soul. She fought with the hope that someone, anyone, would save her.


    Her mind broke and she went into shock long before it failed.


    That had been a small mercy.


    He felt the cultists¡¯ eager hunger, excitement and satisfaction turn into mild disappointment.


    It wasn¡¯t as pleasurable for them when their victims couldn¡¯t fully comprehend the debasement.


    Suffering made into a commodity. Tangible power gained.


    The cultists¡¯ minds were vile places. Like fetid swamps full of decaying life and poisonous fumes. Venomous serpents lurked everywhere. Each step could¡¯ve been his last.


    He was them.


    He was the young woman.


    He was not the towering invader from another world.


    The Vitiator was the sole mind he couldn¡¯t grasp.


    There was no experiencing the memory from that perspective.


    He caught the Vitiator turning his head toward the dining room window from the perspective of the young woman.


    Mercifully, much of her thoughts had drifted away from the suffering. It was only with dim recognition that she followed the Vitiator¡¯s gaze as he turned his large amber eyes toward the young man watching from outside.


    Cooper.


    She saw him as if in a dream.


    Despite the distance her mind had taken her in instinctive defense, Cal still felt her worry. A part of her screamed for the young man to run away.


    He had enough at that point.


    Seen and felt enough.


    He shut the psychic imprint off and was greeted by the darkened farmhouse dining room.


    The stains on the large wooden table took on greater significance now that he had experienced the echoes.


    He took a long moment to compose himself before walking outside.


    ¡°As bad as we expected?¡± Nila said.


    He didn¡¯t reply immediately.


    ¡°Cat!¡± the toddler pointed toward the overgrown field of wheat a few dozen yards to the left.


    He scanned the area.


    ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯ll be damned,¡± he whispered.


    ¡°What? I¡¯ve been hearing movement, but it¡¯s been keeping its distance,¡± Nila picked up the toddler.


    ¡°No! Cold!¡± he tried to squirm out of her arms.


    ¡°Sorry, little guy, but it might be dangerous,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Mountain lion, normal, not mutated. It¡¯s curious. Not in hunting mode.¡±


    ¡°I go ground!¡± the toddler continued to struggle while pointing down and looking at Cal with a furrowed brow.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to the RV. I¡¯ve got everything I¡¯d want out of this place.¡±


    ¡°So? What¡¯d you find?¡± Nila finally gave the little guy what he wanted.


    Cal watched him walk on unsteady legs toward the small couch and climb up to press his chubby face up against the window searching for the kitty hiding in the tall stalks.


    ¡°The Dread Paladin was born in this place. Another sin to lay on the heads of the Vitiator and his cabal.¡± He explained what he had experienced leaving out the specifics.


    ¡°Do you have their trail?¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t get any psychic memories from the Vitiator¡¯s perspective. As for the cultists, there are more than there were before. Most of them are new. I only recognized a few. They spread out from this place. In all directions.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a problem.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I did pick up a bit that showed the Vitiator headed north.¡±


    Nila embraced him.


    ¡°The armor is cold,¡± he teased.


    ¡°Whatever, it¡¯s in the 50¡¯s outside and you¡¯re wearing a t-shirt.¡± She squeezed him tighter.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. The memories were ugly, but necessary. It¡¯ll be worth it once we find the cabal.¡±


    The farmhouse had been the site of terrible acts. Just like the other farmhouses in the area.


    The people had put up a fight, but the Vitiator and the magic he had taught his cabal had overwhelmed them.


    ¡°The cabal took a few people away. It¡¯s probably too late for them,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°You¡¯re not responsible for their evil.¡±


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have let him get away. Everything he does, every life he takes, every life he ruins¡­ I could¡¯ve stopped it all. Cooper doesn¡¯t become the Dread Paladin. He doesn¡¯t kill Hayden¡¯s friends. How many other stories like that are out there? How many have already happened? How many will happen? A chain of suffering built link by link and it can all be traced back to my failure.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t blame yourself. You don¡¯t know the full story. I imagine that the Vitiator was doing the same on his world. By your logic the blame should fall on someone there that had failed to stop him. After all, if a good elf killed him then he wouldn¡¯t have come to our world in the first place.¡±


    ¡°I can only control what I do.¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡±


    ¡°I accept that intellectually, but I struggle to do the same emotionally,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Which is fine¡­ as long as you don¡¯t let it turn into guilt that eats away at you. The most important thing to remember is that you tried your best. If you fail, then do better the next time.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    Nila squeezed him even tighter.


    ¡°You know that the armor isn¡¯t exactly comfortable¡­¡±


    ¡°It is for me,¡± she replied.


    ¡°There! Teddy!¡±


    The little guy¡¯s excited squeal broke the moment.


    ¡°Teddy?¡± Nila eyed him.


    ¡°Mutant bear coming out of the tree line. I sensed it coming a mile away. Nothing to worry about.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say something?¡±


    ¡°There was time,¡± he shrugged as he went one of the overhead compartments to pull out his handcannon.


    ¡°No, no. Give me that. I¡¯ll take care of it,¡± Nila¡¯s tone brooked no dissent.


    ¡°Why? You have your own machine gun.¡±


    ¡°I have to conserve ammunition,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°Then just hit it with your club.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to dirty up my armor on the first day of our trip.¡±


    ¡°Fine. Then I¡¯ll go take care of it.¡±


    ¡°No. You just had an emotional moment. You need to not do any violence for a bit when you don¡¯t have to. It¡¯s just a mutant bear, so I can take care of it.¡±


    ¡°One shot,¡± he warned. ¡°You used up all the ammo back in Kansas and the replacements are expensive.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s cause you offered to pay,¡± she snorted.


    ¡°It¡¯s a lot of work for Mr. Del Campo. Only he can make them and it takes a lot of time and effort on his part. Each round he makes for me is, like, 5-10 of a normal rifle round.¡±


    ¡°Relax.¡±


    Nila took the handcannon and exited the RV.


    ¡°Teddy!¡±


    ¡°Oh no. You¡¯re not going to watch this.¡±


    Cal grabbed the toddler and took him away from the window despite the squirming protests.


    ¡°No! Want watch teddy!¡±


    ¡°Cover your ears.¡±


    The little guy pressed his palms to his ears.


    A loud bang rattled the windows.


    A second shot rang out a moment later.


    ¡°Damn it¡­ that¡¯s two. Can you believe that?¡±


    ¡°Damn!¡± the toddler said.


    ¡°You¡¯re teaching him bad words again,¡± Nila said as she climbed back into the RV.


    Cal decided not to mention the two shots. ¡°Hey look at you! No blood and brains on your armor! Awesome!¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t curse around him. The Furies and the rangers are bad enough,¡± Nila stowed the handcannon and stepped out of her armor before strapping it against the wall.


    Cal moved to the driver¡¯s seat to get out of the way.


    ¡°Vroom!¡± the toddler immediately grabbed the wheel and made car noises.


    ¡°Ready to go?¡±


    Nila plopped down next to him.


    ¡°Yeah. Listen, no more bad words.¡±


    ¡°What? I didn¡¯t¡ª ¡®damn¡¯ isn¡¯t a bad word.¡±


    ¡°Yes it is.¡±


    ¡°No it isn¡¯t.¡±


    They continued to bicker over what constituted a bad word as he lifted the RV off the ground and headed north.


    <hr>


    Now, Michigan


    ¡°Look, all I¡¯m saying is that a word is only bad if enough people decide collectively that it¡¯s bad. I can point out dozens and dozens of historical examples of words that were considered curse words at one point or another, but aren¡¯t necessarily seen as such today and vice versa.¡±


    ¡°Are you still on this?¡± Nila snorted.


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    They had flown in a generally northeasterly direction. Passing through Illinois, Indiana and into Michigan.


    Cal kept their presence hidden from the dozens of small communities they investigated for the presence of the cabal. He had found signs, but old ones.


    The memories were similar.


    Random people disappeared over a few weeks.


    Fear gripped the communities, but when it had seemed to reach a boiling point the disappearances had stopped as suddenly as they had started.


    Cal discovered much more.


    He had experienced what the cabal had done to those unfortunate few.


    Perhaps, more troublesome was the fact that not all those that vanished suffered terrible fates.


    Some had been recruited.


    The cabal grew.


    ¡°We¡¯re almost there.¡±


    ¡°Where exactly?¡± Nila leaned over him to gaze out of the driver¡¯s side window.


    ¡°Hey! I can¡¯t see!¡±


    ¡°Like you need your eyes to know where we¡¯re going,¡± she snorted. ¡°That¡¯s one of the great lakes, isn¡¯t it?¡± she disappeared into the back of the RV and came back with the toddler. The two of them piled on top of Cal¡¯s lap.


    ¡°Seriously?¡± he sighed.


    ¡°See that?¡± she ignored him. ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Water!¡± the little guy pointed.


    ¡°It¡¯s a lake, can you say ¡®lake¡¯?¡± she sounded out the word.


    The little guy copied her perfectly after a few tries.


    ¡°Can you say ¡®great lake¡¯?¡± She turned to Cal. ¡°Which one is it?¡±


    ¡°Lake Michigan.¡±


    ¡°Can you say ¡®Lake Michigan¡¯?¡±


    The little guy struggled with that one.


    ¡°There¡¯s a small city on the eastern bank of the lake. Built around the mouth of a river. The people live in the northeast corner and expanded out. The expansion started out as a tent city but over the years has been upgraded into permanent construction.¡±


    ¡°Tents would suck with the winters.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve been cannibalizing the buildings close to the lake.¡±


    Nila¡¯s face twisted.


    ¡°What? Too soon?¡±


    She rolled her eyes.


    ¡°The lake monsters and mutants are too dangerous for them to live close,¡± he continued. ¡°Anyways, there are a little under four thousand people. There isn¡¯t much interaction with the other settlements and cities in the state. The in-between lands are dangerous as always, especially in the winter.¡±


    ¡°All that from a quick scan.¡±


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m getting better at balancing my reluctance with the need. The Vitiator and the cabal need to be stopped as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°Same procedure?¡±


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    Nila sighed.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I get the need for secrecy¡­ but it¡¯d be nice to explore the town. Eat and drink at a local cafe. That sort of thing.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t be anything like it was before the spires.¡±


    ¡°It might be. Some places have been pretty close. You could almost imagine it was how it once was.¡±


    ¡°I know, but this place won¡¯t be one of them. Main street and all the good places are close to lake. They¡¯re completely abandoned and have been mostly taken apart.¡±


    ¡°Then they probably rebuilt them in the safer area, right?¡± Nila smiled.


    ¡°You can do all that but then I¡¯d have to erase people¡¯s memories of us. That doesn¡¯t seem right, just so you can enjoy tea and cake.¡±


    ¡°Then don¡¯t. We¡¯ll do what we did in Vegas. You just do a slight Jedi mindtrick. No need to go all out Professor X.¡±


    He eyed her.


    ¡°We looked through your old comic books that weekend we stayed at your parents,¡± she explained.


    ¡°We?¡±


    ¡°Me and the little guy. He was interested.¡±


    ¡°You let him read my comics?¡±


    ¡°Some pages may have been crumpled.¡±


    Cal groaned.


    ¡°What? It¡¯s not like they¡¯re worth anything. The pages were already yellowing. I didn¡¯t know they used newspaper-style paper.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s cause those were really old. Like almost 40 years old now¡ª Jesus! I¡¯m old.¡±


    ¡°At least you don¡¯t look it. Anyways what¡¯s the big deal?¡±


    ¡°History. Those comics might be the last comics ever created.¡±


    ¡°Then maybe you need to take care of them better. Cardboard boxes don¡¯t cut it if you really want to conserve them.¡±


    ¡°Some of them are in mylar bags.¡±


    ¡°I know and those are barely better since they aren¡¯t airtight.¡±


    ¡°Damn it¡ª¡±


    ¡°Language!¡±


    ¡°Fine, sorry. I guess I¡¯ll need to add that to the list. Unless¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Comic book stores¡­ I need to claim them.¡±


    ¡°I question your priorities.¡±


    ¡°Why? They¡¯re basically libraries. And claimed stores seem to exist in a sort of stasis. I need to send Rayna a message.¡±


    ¡°She definitely has more important things to deal with.¡±


    ¡°Claiming small stores are perfect for noobs.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t argue with that. So¡­ about our exploration¡­¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°What? Really?¡± Nila blinked. ¡°Why?¡± she narrowed her eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m not opposed to treating parts of this trip like a semi-vacation. We can¡¯t be in fight mode all the time. It¡¯s bad for the psyche.¡±


    ¡°Then why did we just hover over all those other settlements?¡±


    ¡°The people in those wouldn¡¯t have been friendly to the sight of us for a variety of reasons and I didn¡¯t want to touch their minds enough to deal with that.¡±


    ¡°And this place will be different?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    She raised a brow. ¡°That¡¯s good?¡±


    ¡°Some good, some bad, some¡ª¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± she eyed him with concern.


    ¡°Mysterious disappearances¡­ except I can¡¯t tell how for some of them.¡±


    He deepened the psychic scan of the city thousands of feet below the flying RV.


    ¡°Not all were disappearances. They¡¯ve found bodies and they have no idea who or what has been killing their people.¡±


    ¡°The cabal haven¡¯t been leaving bodies.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°Then this is something else.¡±


    ¡°Except I can see memories of the cabal.¡±


    ¡°What else do you see?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just it. I can¡¯t see anything. There¡¯s like a blank space around the dead bodies.¡±


    ¡°We need to start with the bodies.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll be naturally suspicious of us. More so if we simply arrive and say ¡®hey, I know you¡¯ve got some unsolved murders. I can¡¯t tell you how I know, but I¡¯d like to help.¡¯ I doubt that would get us far.¡±


    ¡°Then do a mindtrick. Convince them we¡¯re a trusted pair of wandering crime-solvers¡­ with a toddler.¡±


    ¡°What that?¡± the little guy pointed out the window.


    ¡°Giant eagle.¡± He convinced the huge, mutated animal to go elsewhere.


    ¡°Bye bye bird!¡± the little guy waved.


    ¡°Yes! It¡¯s a bird!¡± Nila squeezed the little guy¡¯s cheeks despite his efforts to wiggle away.


    ¡°Okay. We¡¯ll go with your plan. Except minus the mindtrick. These people are decent enough that I don¡¯t want to lead with that. We¡¯ll land right outside the community leader¡¯s office and make your pitch.¡±


    <hr>


    A murderer stalked the streets.


    They constantly kept an eye on potential victims. The stronger the target the more they leveled.


    One such target was dancing in the lonely dance studio across the street.


    Interior lights shined out like a lighthouse amid the rest of the dark buildings on the street.


    They knew the target.


    They had spoken on several occasions.


    The Mage, Kimberley, was one of the more powerful ones in the city. Though the woman had another class. The one she truly cared about. She had been a dancer before the spires. Now she was also a Dancer.


    The murderer¡¯s class provided Skills and abilities that allowed them to discover vital information about their potential targets.


    Profile Prey.


    With enough time and observation, they could discover strengths and weaknesses. They learned habits and tendencies. Everything they needed to secure the kill.


    Kimberley never failed to spend one night a week in the dance studio. The woman had powerful magic, which meant that she didn¡¯t fear the larger gremlins that sometimes roamed this part of the city. Other people didn¡¯t risk the same.


    They were alone in this part of the city for many blocks in all directions.


    The preparation for the fall harvest festival was another advantage for them.


    Most everyone¡¯s attention was currently devoted to setting up the fairgrounds and carnival.


    The noise and the bustle would cloak their activities on this night.


    The murderer watched Kimberley dance from the shadows of a broken store on the other side of the street. Their Skills told them that there were no gremlins or any other monsters on this night. She waited like a mountain lion in the brush.


    Kimberley finished and stood in the middle of the well-lit studio sweaty but happy and mentally refreshed if physically fatigued.


    The murderer knew that the studio had a small shower in the back so they made their move. Their dark cloak rustled like a whisper in the wind as they dashed across the dark street and climbed up the side of the building to disappear over the roof.


    Kimberley hit the showers.


    Hot water washed over her body.


    Age had added wrinkles but an active lifestyle post-spires meant that she was in the best shape of her life. Being a Dancer helped greatly with that. Her body was as strong and supple as it had been when she was in her twenties. If only there was a Skill or spell that could¡¯ve done something about her gray hair.


    The shower stall steamed up quickly.


    She would¡¯ve enjoyed staying longer but she had her duties. The graveyard shift guarding the festival grounds wasn¡¯t fun. At least it wasn¡¯t boring with the increased monster activity during those hours.


    She turned the water off with a sigh and stepped out reaching for a towel.


    A sudden rush of movement accompanied a stinging pain in her hand.


    She stared in shock at the blood-squirting stumps at the tips of her four fingers.


    A dark cloaked figure partially-obscured by the steam held a bloody knife over their head and stabbed down.


    ¡°Mage Shield!¡± Kimberley screamed.


    A rose-colored magic shield sprang to life around her.


    The knife struck, but didn¡¯t bounce off like she expected.


    The tip dug into the shield and slowly began to pierce it.


    She thought quickly.


    The first thing she did was wrap her spurting fingers in the towel. Then she stepped back into the stall and prepared herself.


    She dropped the shield and thrust her uninjured hand at the cloaked figure. ¡°Force Shove!¡±


    The cloaked figure flew back crashing into the wall with a loud thud.


    Before Kimberley could attack again the figure disappeared to the left in a swirl of cloak and steam.


    She cast her shield again before cautiously stepping out of the shower stall.


    The thick steam obscured her vision.


    She heard the water pouring down in the other stalls.


    How had she not noticed that earlier?


    A quick glance behind her revealed the tiled wall. She always used the last stall in the row so she only had to worry about threats from one side. Paranoia had kept her alive for the last twelve years.


    She tightened the towel around her maimed fingers before creeping forward.


    Rose-tinted steam parted as she cleared each shower stall on her way to the door.


    It was ajar and creaked audibly as the escaping steam pushed it back and forth.


    The door had always been in need of a proper oiling. She had purposefully left it alone as an alarm.


    Why hadn¡¯t she heard it open earlier?


    She continued forward letting her magic shield push the door open.


    The hairs on the back of her neck rose


    She spun and thrust her uninjured hand out.


    Nothing.


    But she trusted her instincts, so she backed out into the narrow hallway.


    The rustle of cloth reached her ears. So faint that she almost dismissed it as imagined.


    After all, she had cleared the shower stalls and couldn¡¯t see anything in the steam.


    She almost made a mistake.


    Instead, she looked up.


    A dark shape fell on her. Like one of those mutated ravens.


    The knife blade glinted in the hallway lights as it struck into her shield once again.


    She got a better look at the cloaked figure out of the steam.


    A dark hood covered their head and where the face should¡¯ve been was a black void that seemed to suck in the light. There was no hint of features.


    She would¡¯ve questioned the humanity of the cloaked figure had they not carried an unmistakably human form.


    The knife was definitely wielded in a black-gloved hand.


    Her shield shattered to her shock.


    She raised her right arm and took the stab while thrusting her left hand to the cloaked figure¡¯s stomach to cast another forceful shove.


    The knife had pierced down to the bone but the pain was a distant thing as her adrenaline flowed.


    She ran naked and wet.


    She left her clothes and gear on the bench.


    Her instincts told her that she wasn¡¯t going to have time to get dressed.


    As for her weapons?


    They were inferior to her magic.


    The back of her neck prickled.


    She spun.


    Nothing.


    The rustle of cloth tickled her ears.


    This time she was too slow.


    Stinging heat pierced her lower back.


    ¡°Mage Shield!¡± she screamed.


    Rose-colored light flared as she spun again.


    Nothing.


    Not even the hint of the dark cloak.


    She pressed her injured hand to the wound in her back hoping that the towel would help staunch the warm blood already running down the back of her leg.


    She staggered into the dance room.


    Her breaths came in ragged gasps despite her efforts to control it.


    Panic lost fights.


    Lost fights meant lost lives.


    She had seen it happen to many others over the years while she remained in no small part to her ability to stay calm, act and react in a fight.


    The bright lights gave her comfort as she moved into the center of the large space.


    The mirrors on the walls would let her see her assailant coming.


    She waited inside her shield ready to fire a spell.


    Nothing.


    Seconds turned into minutes.


    The wound in her back began to hurt as the adrenaline drained.


    Her eyelids grew heavy and her vision dimmed.


    She couldn¡¯t wait any longer.


    Perhaps her assailant had been injured.


    She had hit them twice with powerful force.


    Naked, wet and bleeding wasn¡¯t how she wanted to walk out of the dance studio and into the dark city streets.


    She was sure to attract monsters and mutant animals.


    If the assailant had fled then she could take a moment to get dressed and use the first aid kit to treat her stab wounds. It¡¯d be enough to get her to someone that could heal. It had to be.


    She inched back toward the hallway leading to the showers. Dropping her shield, she snatched her bag off the bench then recast her shield. She retreated back into the well-lit space and frantically dug through her things for the first aid kit.


    She rushed through the process fighting unconsciousness the entire way.


    Bandages.


    Clothes.


    She looked around for her chainshirt and helmet cursing when she saw them back on the bench.


    There was no time.


    She staggered out into the dark street running toward safety.


    Several blocks.


    She made it several blocks when her instincts screamed out.


    She spun around.


    The cloaked assailant was peeking out of an alley half a block behind her.


    She thrust her hand out. ¡°Force Bolt!¡±


    The invisible projectile punched a fist-sized hole in the brick.


    The cloaked figure was gone. As if they had never been there.


    Kimberley cast her shield again. Rose-colored light flickered for a moment then died.


    ¡°No!¡± she wailed. ¡°Why? I should still have eno¡ª¡±


    Footsteps echoed from behind her.


    She turned.


    The cloaked assailant approached.


    ¡°How?¡± she whispered.


    They had just been behind her. Now they were in front of her.


    ¡°Two of you?¡± she glanced back quickly but found nothing.


    She turned back toward the cloaked assailant.


    Her eyes widened.


    The cloaked assailant was close enough to touch.


    Kimberley thrust her hand out desperately.


    The knife slashed out.


    Stinging pain carved its way up her arm.


    Something hot plunged into her stomach.


    Once.


    Twice.


    Thrice.


    Blood bubbled out of her mouth.


    The magic on her lips died.


    Kimberley¡¯s last sight was of the rapidly growing sidewalk.


    <hr>


    ¡°Mr. Gaarane¡­¡±


    A head poked through his bedroom door.


    ¡°Bailey, you¡¯ve been my assistant for months and everyday I have to tell you none of the mister crap. It¡¯s Sadiiq.¡±


    ¡°No can do, sir. Not while I¡¯m on the job. It¡¯s either that, sir or mayor,¡± Bailey said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not the mayor and ¡®sir¡¯ isn¡¯t much better,¡± he sighed as he slowly sat up.


    The young man¡¯s bright smile was undiminished. ¡°Uh¡­ but you won the election for mayor?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t even remember running. Apparently, I¡¯m a Community Leader, so I can¡¯t deny that.¡±


    ¡°But that¡¯s two words. Why use two when I can use one? You always tell me to be economical with my reports.¡±


    ¡°Voted in against my will,¡± he shook his head. ¡°How many more years do I have left?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a ten year term,¡± Bailey said.


    ¡°Huh? So that¡¯s¡­¡± he counted on his fingers. ¡°Nine and some change left¡ª wait? Since when was mayor a ten-year term?¡±


    ¡°Since now, I guess,¡± Bailey shrugged.


    He glared at the young man but without true ire.


    Bailey was a good kid. Hard working. Took a lot of the slack. Probably would make a better not-mayor from an organizational and management standpoint.


    ¡°Say¡­ I think we need a vice mayor,¡± he ventured.


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure that¡¯s not in the rules.¡±


    ¡°Then we change them.¡±


    ¡°I think something that big would need an election. Or maybe the city council could vote on it.¡±


    ¡°Great! Let¡¯s get that going right away.¡± He could resign once there was a vice mayor to take his place.


    ¡°Nope,¡± Bailey shook his head.


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Next election isn¡¯t for nine and some change years.¡±


    He stifled a curse. Couldn¡¯t be a bad example for the impressionable youth. ¡°Then we can have the city council¡ª¡±


    ¡°Sorry, sir,¡± Bailey smiled.


    Punk wasn¡¯t even hiding it anymore.


    ¡°Well, why not?¡±


    ¡°There is no city council. No one wanted to run.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t I know this?¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t speak as to your mindset at the time of the election.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t even know there was an election.¡± This was a small lie. He knew there was one, but he had been too busy keeping the community organized on a day to day business to pay attention to it. Everyone else had just decided that he was the only candidate.


    He dropped his head back into his pillow.


    ¡°Anyways¡­ today¡¯s business,¡± Bailey continued.


    He waved the young man on.


    ¡°There¡¯s a guy wanting to meet with you. He¡¯s waiting at your office.¡±


    ¡°Always with the meetings. I can¡¯t get anything worthwhile done,¡± he muttered. ¡°Okay, let me shower first, I guess.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­¡± Bailey hesitated.


    ¡°What¡¯s the issue?¡±


    ¡°He¡­ uh¡­ came in a flying RV¡­ landed it in the parking lot.¡±


    Sadiiq blinked for several seconds. ¡°You should¡¯ve led with that,¡± he said. ¡°The guards?¡±


    Bailey hesitated and cleared his throat. ¡°They may have taken a few shots.¡±


    ¡°You should¡¯ve led with that! Is anyone hurt?¡± he jumped out of bed. ¡°Shit! No time to shower! A flying RV sounds legit. Did we just start a war? Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ there wasn¡¯t any damage and the guy was pretty understanding. No one got hurt. He just wants to talk to you.¡±


    ¡°Damn it! That might be even worse! Now we owe him for attacking!¡± he pulled his hair.


    ¡°Well, to be fair, sir, he didn¡¯t announce his presence or anything. You could use that as a counter in case he tries to blame us.¡±


    ¡°Good idea, Bailey.¡± He took a deep breath. ¡°It is an unannounced visit. I shouldn¡¯t rush it.¡±


    ¡°Right you are, sir. He¡¯s on your schedule.¡±


    ¡°Great. I¡¯ll shower and have breakfast first then.¡±


    ¡°What would you like?¡±


    ¡°Damn it, Bailey. I told you that you¡¯re not a servant.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ but I¡¯m your assistant.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, for business work stuff. Cooking definitely isn¡¯t part of the deal.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯ll you have me do then?¡±


    ¡°Let the guy know that I¡¯m on my way, but since he came in unannounced the wait is regrettably unavoidable.¡±


    ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll see if I can get anything out of him while you get ready.¡±


    ¡°Just be careful. Don¡¯t reveal anything about us. He might be an enemy scout.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°Flying-fucking-RV, huh? That one wasn¡¯t on my list.¡±


    Bailey rushed out while not-Mayor Sadiiq hit the shower.

 6.36

    Now, Michigan


    ¡°You and your wife¡ª¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not legally married. I¡¯d say common-law, but does that even exist anymore?¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ yeah, maybe, maybe not, but anyways. You and your¡­ partner¡­ just travel the land solving problems?¡±


    ¡°Trying.¡±


    ¡°In your flying RV¡­¡±


    ¡°It was in the sky,¡± Cal agreed.


    Sadiiq regarded the man seated on the other side of the desk.


    Cal stared back mildly.


    ¡°Seems like that¡¯d be a good cover if you wanted to do bad things. For all I know you¡¯re one of those cannibals. Sweep into town. Eat a few people while pretending to search for the perpetrators. Bounce when people start to figure it out.¡±


    ¡°Then it¡¯s pretty brave of you to be alone with me in here,¡± Cal said flatly.


    He shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ve got guys one shout away. You try anything and you¡¯ll be hit with so many bullets, arrows and spells.¡±


    ¡°For the record, you¡¯ve got nothing to worry about from me. You seem like a good guy. No abuses of power from what I can tell.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been checking our city out?¡± he narrowed his eyes.


    ¡°A cursory examination. You can¡¯t fault me for wanting to know what I¡¯m getting into. It¡¯s nice to find a community that is generally good to everyone in it regardless of differences. It¡¯s sad that¡¯s not the norm these days.¡±


    ¡°Like it was the norm back in the old days,¡± he snorted. ¡°Regardless, it¡¯s hard for me to believe that you¡¯re some kind of knight errant wandering the land looking to do good deeds and slay evil.¡±


    ¡°Not quite so romantic, but close enough.¡±


    ¡°Eh, so why here?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m on the trail of some really bad people.¡±


    ¡°You going to specify? Cause we haven¡¯t had any problems like that.¡± Sadiiq stifled the urge to swallow the lump in his throat. He was and had never been a good liar.


    ¡°No missing people? Robed cultists? An impossibly tall humanoid?¡±


    Sadiiq blinked and cursed. ¡°Are you shitting me?¡± he scowled.


    ¡°Absolutely not,¡± Cal said.


    Sincerity oozed out of the man.


    Sadiiq wanted to discount it but couldn¡¯t. ¡°There¡¯s been an uptick in deaths from monsters or mutant animals in the last few months. You can investigate it if you want, but understand we aren¡¯t paying you or owe you anything. It¡¯s tragic but people are just being careless. They shouldn¡¯t be out after sundown anyways. We do our best to patrol, but our fighters can¡¯t be everywhere all the time.¡±


    ¡°How are you sure that monsters or mutants are the cause?¡±


    ¡°We find people in alleys or in parks all cut up. What else could it be?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a little surprised that you aren¡¯t more concerned about this.¡±


    ¡°Oh no,¡± he shook his head. ¡°We are very concerned, but¡­¡± he sighed, ¡°one body every few weeks isn¡¯t that bad compared to how it used to be, so¡­¡± he shrugged.


    Cal regarded him with a flat expression.


    Somehow, he knew that he was being judged.


    ¡°We¡¯ve increased patrols around the housing area,¡± he said a touch defensively.


    ¡°Must be difficult juggling that with that carnival thing you¡¯re setting up.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well¡­ it¡¯s important. First bit of fun and maybe normalcy we¡¯re going to have in over a decade. We¡¯ve worked hard to clear the city and the surrounding area of the worst things. Thought we were finally getting some time to breathe, until the killings started.¡±


    ¡°What about the lake?¡±


    ¡°Minus the lake,¡± he amended, ¡°can¡¯t really dive down to kill the stuff in there. We learned our lesson when a giant fish overturned a thirty-foot boat and ate everyone on board. We keep our distance from the lake. You can fish the streams though. Nothing too big in those.¡±


    ¡°Well, in that case, I think we can be helpful to you. We¡¯ll look into these killings and it won¡¯t even cost you anything, aside from some cooperation.¡±


    ¡°Wait a second. What was that about a cult?¡±


    Cal told him the long story.


    A fucking torture elf of all things.


    ¡°God damn it. Of course the elves are bad guys. Why can¡¯t it ever be something good and friendly?¡±


    ¡°The spires promote conflict,¡± Cal said.


    The man spoke with the matter of fact tone that one used when describing the weather.


    Sadiiq nodded along.


    It made sense and he had conversations with others over the years that speculated the same.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t seen a Vitiator or cultists. Although, I don¡¯t think they¡¯d be stupid enough to announce themselves by walking around in robes or walking around at all in regards to the elf. Plus, we haven¡¯t had any missing people. We find everyone. The only problem is we find them dead and sliced up.¡±


    ¡°Then you won¡¯t mind if we do some looking around?¡±


    ¡°Sure, but to be clear, we don¡¯t owe you anything.¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯d like to start with what you¡¯ve already discovered in your investigation. May I speak to the people you have conducting said investigation.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s fine. Just¡­ uh¡­ Well, I don¡¯t know what your background is, but if you¡¯re expecting like police detectives¡­ um¡­ we don¡¯t have that here. The cops were assholes back when the spires showed up. They decided to embrace the whole thin blue line thing and take off the masks. It was them standing on the line and everyone else could go fuck themselves. They openly became the gang they always pretended they weren¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°I remember a similar experience,¡± Cal nodded sympathetically.


    ¡°Eh, it didn¡¯t last long. There were dark times, but the gangs killed each other, then the monsters killed the gangs. We survivors managed to keep our heads down long enough to pick up the pieces and get strong enough to become what we are today.¡±


    ¡°That is commendable.¡±


    ¡°Anyways, what I¡¯m trying to say is that our investigative team isn¡¯t what you¡¯d call traditional,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°That won¡¯t be a problem,¡± Cal smiled.


    ¡°Okay, just warning you. I¡¯ll have my assistant, Bailey, take you to them.¡±


    ¡°Great. The quicker we can get started the sooner we can stop the killings.¡±


    <hr>


    The not-Mayor¡¯s assistant was a young man. Bailey was his name. He was the smiling gregarious sort. Genuinely so. Which was good as far as Cal was concerned. It might be an over-exaggeration but there was nothing worse than a fake.


    ¡°Er¡­ sorry,¡± Bailey shrugged as he led Cal into a mostly empty office building. ¡°This is sorta like our police station, but not, cause we don¡¯t have that anymore. We¡¯ve been trying to come up with a better name, but no one can agree on it. I personally like Protectors. Some people like Guardians, but that¡¯s too video game-y, you know?¡±


    ¡°The former sounds like something out of a comic book,¡± he replied.


    ¡°I know, right?¡± Bailey grinned.


    ¡°So? I take it there are usually more people in here?¡± he regarded the perplexed look on the young woman manning the front counter.


    The open concept floor space was filled with empty desks. Not empty in the sense that they were vacant. There was plenty of evidence that people used them.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ let me find out what¡¯s going on.¡± Bailey rushed to the young woman while Cal waited near the front door.


    He listened in with ease despite the hushed tones.


    ¡°Hi, Charlotte¡­ where is everybody?¡± Bailey said.


    ¡°Um¡­ you didn¡¯t hear,¡± she sighed. ¡°They never do what they¡¯re supposed to do and then I get in trouble. But, if I do it then I also get in trouble. They found another body.¡±


    Bailey gasped.


    ¡°I know¡­ it¡¯s getting scary. Holly had one of her vision things,¡± Charlotte scribbled something on a piece of paper, ¡°here¡¯s the address. Everyone¡¯s over there right now.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. Can you call the Mayor and let him know? I have to take that guy over there.¡±


    Charlotte leaned her head to one side to look at Cal. He gave her a smile and a wave which she returned with a slight blush.


    ¡°Who is he?¡± she whispered back to Bailey.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Has a flying RV. Mayor said he¡¯s going to try to help,¡± Bailey shrugged.


    Charlotte¡¯s eyes grew wide like saucers. ¡°Flying¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know. I wouldn¡¯t have believed it if I hadn¡¯t seen it myself. Anyways, thanks. We¡¯ve got to go,¡± Bailey waved goodbye.


    ¡°Problem?¡± Cal said as the young man approached.


    ¡°Yeah, there¡¯s been another killing.¡± Bailey¡¯s thoughts were a turbulent mess of uncertainty dominated by the fear that this victim might be someone he knew, which was likely considering the relatively small size of the community. One might not know everyone directly but it was likely that the degrees of separation were a lot smaller than six.


    He pulled the door open and ushered the taller young man through. ¡°Let¡¯s not waste time then. Tell me where we need to go.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Oh my god!¡± Bailey yelped as they floated into the sky.


    Less than a minute to cover a handful of miles.


    ¡°Sorry about that,¡± he said.


    Bailey had screwed his eyes tight and screamed for much of the quick flight.


    ¡°I should¡¯ve warned you.¡±


    ¡°No no¡­ that¡¯s okay,¡± Bailey collapsed to his knees as soon as Cal lowered him to the sidewalk. ¡°You were right. Saved time. Just¡ª give me a second.¡±


    To his credit the young man rallied after only a handful of deep breaths.


    ¡°This way,¡± Bailey led him toward a dance studio of all things.


    He reached out with his mind.


    There was a good chance that the murder site held the imprint of the act. Both murderer and victim. Violence tended to leave strong memories¡­ or not. He had seen it work both ways. To date he hadn¡¯t figured out the why.


    What he wasn¡¯t expecting was to find something like a blank spot in the dance studio.


    He sensed the handful of people investigating the body. A light touch on their thoughts cleared them as suspects. They were all a mixture of anger, worry and disgust at what they were looking at.


    The sight of which assaulted him as soon as he reached the large floor to ceiling window frontage.


    Kimberley was the middle-aged woman¡¯s name.


    She was naked. Posed in a mockery of a graceful dance through the use of ropes tied to the ceiling. There was nothing artful about the way her head lolled, nor the dozens of bloody slices covering her.


    ¡°Oh¡ª¡±


    Bailey was immediately sick all over the sidewalk.


    ¡°You can stay out here,¡± he patted the young man on the back.


    He scanned the studio again.


    No imprinted memories.


    However, the absence of such was different from what he had experienced before.


    There was a deliberate feel to it. As if someone or something had draped a curtain over everything and was holding it down even as he tried to peek underneath.


    He opened the door to be greeted by pointed weapons and hands.


    ¡°Who the hell are you?¡± an Asian man regarded him coolly.


    The man was built like a wrestler. Thick-necked, muscular, even moreso than Cal. The cauliflower ears were a dead giveaway that the man practiced. Unlike Cal, who had last done so back in high school.


    He smiled and extended a hand. ¡°My name is Cal and I¡¯m here to help. Just talked to Sadiiq. Bailey can give you confirmation once he¡¯s done¡ª¡± he tipped his head toward the window where Bailey threw a quick thumbs up before continuing to throw up his breakfast.


    ¡°I¡¯m Min. I lead the combat elements here.¡±


    The man took Cal¡¯s hand and bore down.


    He returned the strength exactly. Not one bit weaker or stronger.


    The man had an enhanced strength passive.


    ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯m assuming you¡¯ve got some kind of law enforcement background if Sadiiq thought you could help¡­ so do your thing,¡± Min said.


    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    The man didn¡¯t bother to introduce the handful of people standing around the body and the pool of dried blood on the floor.


    Truth be told, Cal had been counting on getting everything he needed to know from the psychic imprint. Without it he was going to rely on what he had learned from the occasional episode of Law and Order from over two decades ago. It was a terrible idea.


    He regarded the body¡ª no¡­ that wasn¡¯t right.


    Kimberley.


    The woman had a name.


    ¡°I¡¯m assuming you didn¡¯t touch her.¡±


    ¡°No shit, Sherlock,¡± a young-looking woman eyed him with crossed arms and a scowl. Her mail vest left her muscled upper arms bare.


    A fighter type.


    He forced himself to look at the slashes on Kimberley¡¯s body as he circled around to her back giving the blood pool a wide berth. He had seen the damage claws did. Had experienced them on his own body over the years. He reviewed those memories in perfect detail in the span between seconds. It wasn¡¯t a pleasant thing.


    ¡°Not claws,¡± he said.


    The others remained silent.


    ¡°It was a straight blade or two,¡± he eyed a puncture wound in Kimberley¡¯s lower back. There was a handful of similar ones in her stomach. ¡°Stabbed to murder. Most of the others were done after.¡± He tracked the bloody footprints that led into the back of the studio. ¡°This place has showers?¡±


    ¡°She was obviously coming out of the showers when she was attacked,¡± the young woman snorted.


    ¡°Who claimed this building?¡±


    ¡°Kimberley did,¡± Min gestured toward the woman.


    ¡°How powerful was she?¡±


    Min looked like he was chewing on a lemon for a long moment. ¡°Level 32 Mage and a handful in Dancer. She¡¯s in the top tier here. There aren¡¯t any monsters or mutant animals that can breach her ownership. Something strong enough would just attack. It wouldn¡¯t do all¡­ this,¡± he thrust a finger toward Kimberley.


    ¡°The situation isn¡¯t static. We can¡¯t assume that.¡±


    ¡°You said it was a knife?¡± a chubby, black-haired man with a styled undercut said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a forensic expert,¡± he admitted, ¡°but I¡¯ve seen many wounds done by claws, teeth and blades. These look more like the latter.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯d you miss that, Nando? You¡¯ve got the class,¡± the young woman glared at the third man.


    The young man, Nando, sighed. ¡°Cause I just got it, like, a month ago. Plus, it¡¯s only a student and Level 1.¡±


    ¡°Quiet!¡± Min snapped.


    ¡°Opsec,¡± Cal nodded sympathetically. ¡°Someone, I guess that¡¯ll be you,¡± he nodded at Nando, ¡°will need to examine the wounds. You can determine the nature of the weapon used.¡±


    ¡°Why? You already said it was a blade, knife, whatever. It¡¯s all the same,¡± Nando said.


    ¡°No it isn¡¯t,¡± Min said. ¡°Do you need to do anything else? She¡¯s been up like that for too long,¡± his face twisted.


    ¡°Yeah, go ahead. I¡¯ll check out the rest of this place while you take care of her,¡± he said.


    They hastily cut Kimberley¡¯s body free and quickly carried her to the truck parked out front.


    The pain writ in their expressions and body language conveyed the depths of their emotions. They had known and liked Kimberley. He didn¡¯t need to scan their thoughts to see that.


    He found more blood in the connecting hallway and in the showers, but nothing else that led him to even an inkling of an answer.


    Bailey waited for him out front when he emerged a few minutes later.


    The young man was ashen.


    ¡°They went ahead?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re taking Kimbe¡ª the body to the grocery store. The morgue¡¯s downtown and that¡¯s a no go. Too close to the water,¡± Bailey said. ¡°Min wants you back at the office.¡±


    ¡°I do need to talk to him.¡±


    ¡°Can we¡­ walk? I mean, cause they have to drive to the store first and get it¡ª her situated. I figure the timing will work if we walk.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Fifteen minutes later, Cal sat across from Min¡¯s flint-eyed stare.


    ¡°You know the mechanics of claimed structures,¡± Min said.


    He nodded.


    ¡°Then you¡¯re seeing my people as suspects.¡±


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I?¡± he said. ¡°You own a building and you can set who is allowed access. All sorts of restrictions or permissions, depending on how one looks at them. One simply can¡¯t enter a building owned by another unless they are significantly more powerful otherwise.¡±


    ¡°I know all that. Someone close can challenge for ownership, but that wouldn¡¯t explain any of what happened to Kimberley. She was murdered inside her own space. Could someone have a Skill that let¡¯s them bypass restrictions without alerting the owner?¡±


    ¡°I think the most straightforward course of action is to question the people that she had given access to. I understand that you¡¯d find that¡­ unpleasant, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Min waved it away, ¡°however, I know¡ª knew Kimberley and that studio was her space. You understand? She¡¯s a professional. Always cordial and polite, but not one to make close friends. I¡¯m almost positive that no one else had access to her studio.¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t detect any deliberate falsehoods in the man¡¯s words and surface level thoughts.


    ¡°But you aren¡¯t certain and you can¡¯t be until you ask everyone.¡±


    ¡°The festival is a week away. I need all hands to keep it safe.¡±


    ¡°Then wait till after¡­ with the knowledge that you risk other murders. A big festival sounds like a hunting ground with all the chaos of people moving about, drinking, dining. Their guards down.¡±


    ¡°Or it¡¯ll be easier to protect them since most everyone will be in a relatively small area. Kimberley was isolated. Blocks from anyone else.¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯d be best if we could clear anyone that might¡¯ve had access to the studio. Then we¡¯d know that the murderer is either ridiculously powerful or can bypass ownership protections in a way that is new and different. In either case, it means that none of your people are safe.¡±


    ¡°How are you even going to help? Why would Sadiiq allow a rando flying out of the sky in a fucking RV of all things to get in on this? What can you do?¡±


    ¡°My goals potentially align with catching the murderer or murderers and ultimately, I can do something about it, which means I have an obligation to try.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I don¡¯t like it and I don¡¯t trust you, but I have my orders. However, you and your wife and kid can¡¯t just walk around the city unattended. I¡¯m putting people on you.¡±


    ¡°Acceptable¡­ I¡¯m assuming you aren¡¯t going to count the privacy of our RV?¡±


    Min nodded.


    ¡°Good. Now, I understand that there have been several of these murderers over the past year.¡±


    ¡°Less than a year, but yeah. Although, we were operating on the assumption that it was monsters or mutant animals. Kimberley was the first we found inside a claimed place.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t realize that the wounds were inflicted by a blade?¡±


    Min glared, but spoke after a moment. ¡°Nando mentioned something about it a while back, but he didn¡¯t get his Forensic Student Class until after he had examined a few¡­ bodies. He said he was studying to become a forensic scientist back before the spires. I guess doing the job kicked it in. Too low level to matter though. Besides, the others were in a lot rougher shape owing to being outdoors. Other¡­ things¡­ got to them before we found them.¡±


    ¡°I heard a name earlier, Holly, I didn¡¯t quite catch it, but it sounded like she pointed you toward Kimberley.¡±


    Min¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°It¡¯s bullshit¡­ she¡¯s some kind of fortune teller with the carnival. I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s a class or just that cold reading stuff. She¡¯s been right about a few things, but also wrong just as much. She¡¯s been giving us warnings for a few months, but nothing that panned out. This was the first.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like something that needs investigating.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re building the festival grounds around the carnival¡¯s permanent tents. Since most of my people are around the area you can do your thing. That¡¯ll make things quicker for you. Just don¡¯t go around accusing my guys. Tia and Carlos are your minders. They¡¯re waiting out front.¡±


    Cal recognized the dismissal. He departed without further word.


    The festival grounds were awash with chaotic activity.


    Tents and booths were in the process of being set up within a tall, stout wooden wall topped with barbed wire and well-spaced watchtowers.


    ¡°They think they¡¯re going to use this place like an emergency fort in case a really bad monster attacks,¡± Carlos said.


    Cal had already made the chubby man¡¯s acquaintance in the dance studio.


    ¡°Waste of time. We should just wall off the city,¡± Tia, the fighter type, said.


    ¡°What that!¡± the toddler squealed at the giant gray animal inside a fenced enclosure.


    ¡°That¡¯s an elephant!¡± Nila said.


    The little guy drummed on her head with delight as he pointed and urged her toward it. ¡°I go!¡±


    ¡°Where did you get an elephant?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Carnival was in the area when the spires showed up. Rufus was a baby back then. He was one of the lucky survivors,¡± Carlos said.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to say hi to Rufus,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Carlos said.


    She strode off with the delighted little guy on her shoulders.


    ¡°You go with them,¡± Tia sighed.


    Carlos hurried after the two.


    ¡°Guess I¡¯m stuck with you. You going to interrogate all of Kimberley¡¯s friends?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just going to ask questions.¡±


    ¡°Well, you can save it. There¡¯s no chance any of us did that,¡± Tia spat, crossed her arms and challenged him to suggest otherwise.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have access to her studio?¡±


    Tia shot him a rude gesture.


    ¡°No?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± she snapped. ¡°I didn¡¯t know her that well. We didn¡¯t hang out or anything. I think she mostly kept to herself outside of duties.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for answering,¡± he said mildly. ¡°I think I¡¯d like to speak to Holly first. Do you know where I can find her?¡±


    Tia didn¡¯t as it turned out, but a few questions led them to the right place.


    ¡°The carnies have nice tents,¡± Tia said.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s a yurt.¡±


    ¡°A what?¡±


    ¡°A tent, but nicer, more permanent.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I said.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a difference.¡±


    ¡°Whatever,¡± Tia snorted.


    Cal knocked on the yurt¡¯s entrance flap. He felt many thoughts focusing on him, but Tia¡¯s presence kept them from challenging his presence.


    A pretty young blond peeked her head out. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Hi, are you Holly? My name is Cal and I¡¯ve got a few questions if you don¡¯t mind.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­¡± she eyed Tia.


    ¡°Hey, Holly. What¡¯s up? It¡¯s about Kimberley,¡± Tia said.


    The young woman¡¯s eyes widened in alarm. ¡°It was her¡ª I mean you found¡ª is she¡ª¡±


    Tia shook her head. ¡°We were too late.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª wow¡ª that¡¯s¡ª sorry¡ª sure, I mean give me a second.¡±


    Holly disappeared back into her yurt.


    Cal didn¡¯t detect any purposeful falsehoods on the surface of the young woman¡¯s thoughts.


    She emerged a few minutes later in a thick winter coat with the hood up. ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s been getting cold out here lately.¡±


    He eyed the people milling about. Most of them wore jackets or thick sweaters and sweatshirts. Belatedly, he realized that being in jeans and a t-shirt looked odd. Perhaps that had contributed to the looks he had received.


    He regarded Holly for a moment. The young woman was waif-ish, which made her look much younger than she was. She looked like a teenager, but was in her early twenties from what he had picked up.


    ¡°What happened to your hand?¡± Holly said.


    Cal opened and closed his skeletal left hand with an application of telekinesis. The blend of steel and composite materials moved smoothly. He had been practicing. There was nothing magical or high tech about the prosthetic, but he let everyone think otherwise.


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± Tia snapped. ¡°How¡¯d I miss that?¡±


    ¡°You must¡¯ve not been paying attention,¡± he said mildly.


    ¡°I¡¯m a very attentive person. You get dead if you aren¡¯t,¡± Tia narrowed her eyes.


    ¡°Well, understandably, you had other things to occupy your attention this morning,¡± he turned to Holly. ¡°You tried to warn them about Kimberley¡¯s murder.¡±


    ¡°A murder?¡± Holly whispered. ¡°I mean¡ª you mean that it wasn¡¯t a monster?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it appears that she was murdered with a blade. How exactly did you know that it had happened?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­ know, I mean¡­ I have a class that sometimes, maybe lets me see the future, but it doesn¡¯t work all the time or it works, but I don¡¯t know until after it¡¯s already happened.¡± Holly took a deep breath. ¡°Last night I had a dream, but it wasn¡¯t a dream and I didn¡¯t realize until this morning. I saw the street and there was a red blackbird. It flew across and dripped red over the buildings. Then it wasn¡¯t a bird. It was a bird puppet on strings. Then it did a dance¡­ then I woke up.¡±


    ¡°Fuck! No offense, but your class sucks,¡± Tia said.


    Holly shrank into her over-sized coat.


    ¡°How did you know to send them to that specific dance studio?¡± he said.


    ¡°Dance studio? I didn¡¯t see that. I just recognized the street from before when I was younger when we first came here before the spires.¡±


    He continued to detect truth in the waif¡¯s thoughts. ¡°Okay. Thank you for your time.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ I guess¡­¡± Holly eyed Tia. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡ª if I had told you sooner¡ª¡±


    ¡°You couldn¡¯t know. We probably wouldn¡¯t have believed you right away anyways. We¡¯d have been too late,¡± Tia scowled.


    ¡°Still¡ª¡±


    ¡°Forget it!¡± Tia snapped.


    Holly shrank back.


    ¡°Fuck¡­ sorry. Not your fault.¡± Tia eyed Cal like it was his. ¡°You done here?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± he regarded Holly, ¡°if you have any other strange dreams or visions¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell them right away,¡± Holly nodded fervently.


    Tia led Cal back out of the carnival living area only to be met by a large group of people.


    Four stepped forward, along with a grizzly bear.


    ¡°Why are you bothering Holly?¡± a young Hapa-looking man crossed massive arms over a barrel-like chest as he loomed over Cal.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ you are?¡±


    ¡°Outsiders don¡¯t get our names,¡± the young man growled.


    ¡°Fuck off, Quinn,¡± Tia said flatly.


    ¡°Damn it, Tia! He might be a Witch!¡± Quinn snapped.


    ¡°That is bullshit! It¡¯s never happened,¡± Tia gestured toward the leading foursome. ¡°Just cause they¡¯re like the most powerful carnies or some bullshit they think they¡¯re the shit. Muscle head¡¯s the strongman, I don¡¯t know if that¡¯s also a class.¡±


    ¡°I take it he¡¯s strong.¡±


    ¡°Strongest guy around here,¡± Tia nodded. ¡°The midget is Ash, she does flips and shit.¡±


    ¡°Oh that¡¯s nice, you bigot,¡± Ash rolled her eyes.


    The young woman was merely short. She reminded Cal of an Olympic gymnast with her powerful and compact build.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t use that term,¡± he warned.


    Tia shrugged. ¡°The bear is Pooh and her human is Val.¡±


    The young man shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s a pretty accurate description. Although, to be entirely accurate I train several different animals in our meager menagerie. Predators mostly,¡± he stared at Cal with unblinking eyes. A look mirrored by Pooh.


    ¡°Beastmaster?¡±


    Val didn¡¯t respond.


    ¡°Kamila over there, throws things,¡± Tia gestured toward the dark-skinned young woman with closely cropped hair.


    The young woman stood with the bear¡¯s bulk between her and Cal. She waved at him with a smile and flicked her wrist. He almost didn¡¯t catch the throwing knives come out of her sleeve to settle in her fingers.


    ¡°Okay¡­ now that the intros are done¡­ what were you bothering Holly for?¡± Quinn growled.


    ¡°Tia will explain,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Official investigation into a murder. That¡¯s all you¡¯re getting,¡± Tia crossed her arms.


    ¡°Why are you bothering Holly?¡±


    Cal detected a very bulldog-like mindset in Quinn. Stubborn and protective. He really hoped that he wouldn¡¯t need to flex on them. They were just looking out for one of their own.


    ¡°You deaf?¡± Tia glared.


    He stifled a sigh. She needed to work on her conflict de-escalation.


    He stepped forward to look up into Quinn¡¯s eyes. ¡°It¡¯s as Tia said. Holly had information about a murder and I needed to ask her about it.


    ¡°You trying to put it on her?¡± Val said.


    Pooh growled a deep rumble like the sound of an engine.


    He really didn¡¯t want to hurt the bear.


    ¡°No. Actually, maybe you guys can help us out in this. Holly might¡¯ve predicted the murder. It means that she might be in danger.¡±


    ¡°We take care of our own,¡± Ash said.


    ¡°Good, but I think,¡± he eyed Tia, ¡°that Holly needs extra protection. Not to mention that it¡¯s a good idea that if she has another vision someone is there to get it right away.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that probably makes sense. I¡¯ll tell Min,¡± Tia said.


    ¡°Hold on,¡± Quinn raised a meaty paw, ¡°you can¡¯t just have your guys in here. We have a deal.¡±


    ¡°Above my level,¡± Tia shrugged. ¡°You guys can argue with Min¡­ or Sadiiq.¡±


    ¡°Anyways, I have more people to question and it seems that you guys are very busy getting ready for the festival,¡± he pushed a bit of calm into the gathered minds. Light as a feather.


    They parted after a moment and let him and Tia pass without another word.


    ¡°That was a little tense.¡±


    ¡°Nah, I thought for sure you¡¯d have to brawl a bit. That¡¯s what usually happens when the carnies think people are trying to screw with them,¡± Tia said.


    ¡°Well, hopefully your fellow fighters are a bit more reasonable.¡±


    ¡°You start accusing any of us of doing that to Kimberley then I¡¯ll be first to take you out,¡± Tia grunted.

 6.37

    Now, Michigan


    Several days of fruitless questioning and near round the clock scanning of the small city and the surrounding area led Cal to nothing.


    He decided to take a break and enjoy a meal with Nila and the toddler at an old fashioned American diner.


    Well¡­ not entirely nothing. There was one tiny lead. A gossamer-thin strand that might be connected to¡­ something.


    ¡°There was one guy. A fighter type. Something was off with his memories.¡±


    ¡°The cabal? Or the murderer?¡± Nila said.


    The little guy muttered something that sounded too close to the latter word for Cal¡¯s liking.


    ¡°Maybe we don¡¯t use those words?¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Nila raised a brow. ¡°Who¡¯s worried about language now?¡±


    ¡°Me. I am,¡± he replied flatly.


    ¡°Hypocrite,¡± she smirked.


    ¡°Hippos?¡± the little guy looked around and pouted when he didn¡¯t find any giant, fat animals in the diner¡¯s outdoor dining area near the sidewalk.


    ¡°Sorry, dude. No terrifying super mammals here. Much too cold.¡±


    ¡°Yeah cold,¡± the little guy nodded in agreement.


    He was bundled up in a thick jacket with a wool cap, much like Nila and unlike Cal.


    ¡°This good!¡± he beamed with a greasy, gravy and curd smeared face as he thrust a thick fry into the air.


    ¡°You like the poutine!¡± Nila smiled as she took a napkin and wiped the little guy¡¯s mouth and cheeks. Tossing it next to growing used pile on the table.


    A look of grave concern crossed the little guy¡¯s face. ¡°It¡­ poop? No!¡± he shook his head vehemently.


    Cal laughed. ¡°No it isn¡¯t,¡± he agreed.


    That appeared to be enough as the little guy resumed stuffing his face.


    ¡°So¡­¡± Nila continued, ¡°what was off with this guy?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I didn¡¯t do a super deep dive, but he wasn¡¯t being deceitful. Answered all the questions truthfully to his best knowledge. That sort of thing. There was just something weird that I can¡¯t articulate and I¡¯m struggling to move beyond the conceptual.¡±


    ¡°Oh? How vague and unhelpful. Was it similar to the blank thing you found at the dance studio?¡±


    ¡°Nope. Completely different. It was like the absence of nothing,¡± he raised a hand, ¡°I know, vague. Also, it could¡¯ve been magic.¡±


    ¡°You say that for everything you don¡¯t have an answer for.¡±


    ¡°A Skill?¡±


    ¡°Or super powers,¡± Nila wiggled her fingers.


    He mulled it over while she took another chunk out of her quad-stacked cheeseburger. He absentmindedly worked through his pile of chicken tenders and fries as the other diners kept shooting glances over.


    This time it wasn¡¯t the way they looked, well, maybe in his case, considering the cold wind blowing through the street while he was clad in a t-shirt.


    It definitely wasn¡¯t his prosthetic, he kept that on his lap underneath the table.


    Process of elimination suggested that what drew their interest were the piles of food on the table.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather not do it but I¡¯m going to have to invade that guy¡¯s privacy more than I already have,¡± he sighed. ¡°Too much is at stake. Or am I being all ¡®the means justify the ends¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Why not both?¡± Nila shrugged. ¡°You¡¯re the one that has to make and live with the decisions.¡±


    ¡°Thoughts?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad I¡¯m not faced with the decision,¡± she smiled sadly, ¡°but, whatever you do, I¡¯ll always trust it. If I ever have concerns¡­ I¡¯ll tell you.¡±


    ¡°And in this case?¡±


    ¡°The Vitiator and the Cabal are doing harm to others right now somewhere out there and there¡¯s a serial killer in this city. I hate it, but who else is going to stop them?¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Love.¡±


    ¡°While you keep playing detective, me and the little guy will check out the festival.¡±


    ¡°I thought that doesn¡¯t start until Friday?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. We¡¯re going to watch them practice.¡±


    ¡°The carnival?¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s technically a circus.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯d you get the invite?¡±


    ¡°I asked the not-Mayor. Me and the little guy have been getting bored sitting around in the RV for most of the day.¡±


    ¡°What? I thought you guys were doing some small town exploration?¡±


    ¡°We finished two days ago. A behind the scenes look at the circus should be fun for us. Plus, I¡¯m going to try to make friends with the fortune teller girl. She predicted that poor woman¡¯s murder. I want to see if I can get something out of her since you¡¯re staying away.¡±


    ¡°They asked nicely. Apparently, I scared her,¡± he shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s a good idea. In case she gets another vision then maybe you can stick close to her and catch it right way?¡±


    ¡°Her name¡¯s Holly, right?¡±


    ¡°Yup, billed as ¡®The Clairvoyant¡¯.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see how legitimate she is based on her reaction to me,¡± she regarded the little guy, ¡°do you think it might be dangerous if she is legit. She might be able to see his, uh, origins.¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t be a problem. Remember, there¡¯s nothing in him physically, mentally, or magically that is connected in any way to the fog.¡±


    ¡°Hopefully, he finds it fun. Maybe we¡¯ll ride the elephant or a lion.¡±


    ¡°Meanwhile, I¡¯ll be busy watching a guy and invading his privacy. If I don¡¯t find anything then I¡¯ll give the area another check. I probably won¡¯t see you guys until tomorrow morning then.¡±


    ¡°Maybe you don¡¯t need to patrol throughout the night anymore. We¡¯ve missed you the last several nights.¡±


    ¡°Missed you too. Have to do it though. I can¡¯t miss the chance to catch the murderer if they decide to strike again. I could save a life. And if my vigil is what¡¯s keeping things quiet then it¡¯s worth it.¡±


    ¡°Well, you haven¡¯t slept since we got here.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine I¡¯ve got at least a few more days before I start getting sleep deprived. Even then I can compartmentalize my thoughts to stretch that out for weeks without any real bad side effects popping up.¡±


    ¡°Right, but you don¡¯t want to be compromised in case we do find the Vitiator.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take a nap tomorrow morning.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°No nap! Eat¡­¡± the little guy yawned.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got a lot to finish,¡± he gestured at the plates of chicken tenders, fries and burgers.


    ¡°No! That you! This mine,¡± the little guy pointed at the plate in front of him. Then he looked to Nila for confirmation.


    ¡°Yes it is,¡± she smiled. ¡°Are you going to finish?¡±


    ¡°Going finish,¡± he nodded.


    Cal relaxed for the rest of the hour it took to clear the table.


    Then he had to bid two of his most important people goodbye as he paid the bill and took to the sky.


    He spent the rest of day and into dinner time scanning the entire city and surrounding area once again.


    There was nothing to indicate the presence of the Cabal or the murderer.


    Observing and scanning the guy he had singled out earlier hadn¡¯t change anything.


    No signs of wrongdoing or anything suspicious aside from that strange feeling he couldn¡¯t articulate.


    So, he decided to try a straightforward approach.


    He knocked on the man¡¯s door.


    The man was in the middle of dinner. He grabbed a shotgun before heading to answer it. He looked through the peephole and frowned. He took several deep breaths. Looked at the gun in his hands for a long moment before leaning it against the wall. He composed his features. Then he opened the door.


    Cal saw it all through his mind¡¯s eye.


    ¡°Um¡­ is there a problem? They told me I was done with the questions,¡± the man said.


    ¡°Yeah, you were, but I found something I¡¯d like to follow up with you. John, right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. What¡¯s this about?¡± John hadn¡¯t opened the door fully. He was positioned in a way that he could slam it shut or grab his gun in an instant.


    The man was nervous.


    Paradoxically, his thoughts contained nothing that accounted for it.


    Like looking into the mind of a man who was telling the truth with nothing to hide.


    Cal¡¯s instincts sang a warning.


    He placed a hand on the door.


    John tried to shut it but found himself trying to shove a mountain.


    ¡°Why are you nervous?¡±


    ¡°Cause you¡¯re creeping me out, man. Please leave.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t go for the gun.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t¡ª¡± he scowled. ¡°Leave me alone. I answered all your questions. You said I was good.¡±


    The man was starting to sweat.


    Cal could sense his heart rate spike, yet the thoughts remained calm. ¡°Then why are you freaking out. If you have nothing to hide then you won¡¯t mind answering a few more questions.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you! I don¡¯t have to do anything. You¡¯re just some outsider. When Min finds out¡ª¡±


    ¡°I imagine he might have some questions for you,¡± he pushed through the calmness in John¡¯s thoughts.


    Nothing.


    The mind didn¡¯t match the body.


    He didn¡¯t have time to be nice. He grit his teeth and pushed forward.


    ¡°Listen, John. I¡¯m not a nice person when I¡¯m after even worse sorts.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re talking about that cult. I told you I have no idea what this cabal even is.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. They¡¯re dangerous. Outright evil and I understand that there is a certain nuance to human beings. Fortunately, pure evil is a rare thing. They¡¯ve done and continue to do terrible things. They spread pain and suffering wherever they go. Do you want that?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± John snapped. ¡°Why the fuck would I want that? I fight monsters and shit! I risk my life!¡±


    ¡°Then a few questions shouldn¡¯t be too much for you.¡±


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    Something broke in John¡¯s thoughts.


    The calm was replaced by turmoil.


    Regret.


    Guilt.


    Memories suddenly appeared.


    Clandestine meetings with mysterious individuals from outside the community.


    Promises of power.


    Then nothing.


    They had vanished as mysteriously as they had appeared.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know they were¡ª I didn¡¯t know they did all those things you said.¡±


    John sat on his couch while Cal regarded him from the other side of the living room where he leaned against the fireplace. The distance eased the man¡¯s fear so he had given John that much.


    ¡°And you did nothing beyond listening to their recruiting pitch?¡±


    ¡°Yes! I swear! If I knew what they were really like I¡¯d never¡ª¡± John pleaded.


    Truth.


    ¡°I believe you and I¡¯ll tell Sadiiq as much. Why didn¡¯t you say anything when the murderers started?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I was freaked out. I thought if I did then I¡¯d be next.¡±


    ¡°All of the victims were well-known members of the community. Do you know if any of them were approached like you?¡±


    ¡°I have no idea, man.¡±


    ¡°So, these mysterious people showed up out of nowhere, recruited you. Then disappeared at around the same time that the murders started.¡±


    ¡°I think so, I mean, we found the first body a few days after the last time I spoke to one of them.¡±


    ¡°And there¡¯s nothing else you can remember?¡±


    ¡°I think so¡­ at least right now. I¡¯ll try to think more.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Thanks for being honest. Let¡¯s go,¡± he moved toward the door.


    ¡°What?¡± John gaped.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to have to tell Min everything. The retelling might loosen your memory. Maybe you¡¯ll remember more details around people you know and trust. I¡¯ll also want drawings of their faces.¡±


    ¡°Drawings?¡± he blinked.


    ¡°Of the people that tried to recruit you. You know, like wanted posters.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, man. You want to make amends, right? Min will probably be pissed, but I¡¯ll vouch for your honesty. Even if it was a little late.¡±


    John hung his head for a long moment. ¡°Can I finish my dinner?¡±


    ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll just wait here,¡± Cal plopped down on the couch. ¡°Seriously, dude. You¡¯ll catch some shit but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a career killer. Probable confirmation that the cabal isn¡¯t tied to the murders is good.¡±


    ¡°How can you know that for sure?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t. At least not yet. The more info I get the closer to the truth. And you¡¯ve helped with that.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll tell Min that?¡± John ventured.


    ¡°I already told you that,¡± he nodded. ¡°Now eat up. I can wait, but my patience does have limits.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°You don¡¯t really have to do this, Sir. I can observe and take notes. Not that I¡¯d do any better than the official report they¡¯ll give to you,¡± Bailey said.


    Sadiiq would rather not watch the autopsy on the latest murdered victim, but he owed it to Kimberley as he did for all the previous victims and any other member of their community. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Bailey.¡±


    The driver turned into the parking lot and pulled up right at the entrance of the Walmart.


    The not-Mayor followed his bodyguards inside.


    He waved and exchanged quick greetings with the people grabbing food and other supplies. Despite having to use one of the freezers in the back as a temporary morgue he didn¡¯t close the rest of the store. That would¡¯ve been too much of a disruption for the people.


    As they neared the walk-in freezer, he noticed someone run in from the open loading door way in the back.


    The young woman rushed up to Min, who stood near the freezer with a small group of people.


    He picked up his pace in the hopes of catching what was being said. He didn¡¯t like the look on Min¡¯s face.


    ¡°¡ª I don¡¯t know what else. He just brought John in and said that you needed to hear what he had to say,¡± the young woman said.


    Min noticed his approach and gave him a curt nod.


    ¡°Something wrong?¡±


    ¡°Possibly, but I need to hear it for myself,¡± Min replied. ¡°Sorry, but I need to head back to the office. Nando will take you through what he discovered,¡± he gestured toward the nervous man standing to one side.


    With that Min and most of the gathered fighters departed leaving him with Nando, Bailey and his bodyguards.


    ¡°I understand you reached a breakthrough?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Mr. Mayor,¡± Nando said.


    He suppressed a sigh. ¡°Please, show me.¡± He didn¡¯t have the time to waste on correcting the man. With the festival set to start soon he was busier than ever.


    ¡°Are you sure? I mean I did all the uh¡­ autopsy stuff. I could just tell you and there¡¯s also the report I¡¯ve written up.¡±


    He reconsidered his stance on viewing the actual body.


    Did he really want that to be his last memory of Kimberley.


    The woman was one of the instrumental pillars of their community¡¯s survival and success.


    ¡°You know what¡­ yeah, that¡¯s a better idea. I don¡¯t need to see¡­ her. Just give me what you¡¯ve learned.¡±


    Nando let out a breath. ¡°Right, um, follow me. I¡¯ve got my notes in the office.¡±


    He followed the man to an office near the loading docks. His bodyguards took up positions just outside the office and on the loading dock. The outdoor lights lent a warm-looking glow to the cold night air.


    Bailey pulled up a seat next to him while Nando rustled through the pile of papers on the desks with shaking hands.


    ¡°Relax, Nando. I¡¯m not judging you or anything like that. You¡¯re the closest thing to an expert on this and all you need to do is tell me what you¡¯ve discovered. I understand you experienced a breakthrough with your class?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ I¡¯m still a student, but I leveled up,¡± Nando replied defensively, ¡°and I got a Skill. Novice: Identify Murder Weapon.¡±


    ¡°How does that work exactly?¡± Bailey interjected.


    Nando explained briefly.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ so not a hundred percent accurate. What¡¯d you put it at?¡± Bailey continued.


    ¡°It feels like around thirty percent.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not very high.¡±


    They couldn¡¯t accuse anyone with that.


    ¡°What¡¯d the murderer use to kill her?¡±


    Nando placed a piece of paper in front of him.


    He regarded the sketch. ¡°It¡¯s a kitchen knife¡­¡±


    ¡°Is that to scale?¡± Bailey said.


    ¡°Yeah, based on my Skill and examining the wounds.¡±


    An average-sized kitchen knife.


    How had that been enough to murder someone with Kimberley¡¯s magical ability?


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure about this, but I think that I can use the Skill to actually identify the murder weapon if I had it in front of me,¡± Nando said.


    ¡°At a thirty percent accuracy?¡± Bailey said.


    Nando shrugged.


    Good news, but not great.


    It was an avenue toward finding the murderer. Not a smoking gun like he had hoped.


    ¡°What else did you discover?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­¡± Nando rustled the papers on the desk. ¡°Most of the stabs and cuts look like they were done after Kimberley¡ª after she was¡ª¡± the man swallowed visibly. The muscles of his jaw clenched.


    Sadiiq waited patiently.


    ¡°Sorry¡­¡± Nando shook his head. ¡°Most of the wounds were done after she was already dead. I think there are a few defensive stab wounds on her arms, which makes sense. But the ones that really did the most damage were stab wounds in her back and stomach. Going by the feeling I got from my Skills is that the stomach ones are what killed her.¡±


    ¡°Can you elaborate?¡± Bailey said.


    Nando spent a long time going over his thoughts as they were written done on several sheets of paper.


    A lot of it was conjecture based on Skills more than the man¡¯s own limited knowledge of the science. Nando prefaced everything with the admission that he had only been a studying to become a forensic scientist for a little over a year when the spires had appeared.


    Sadiiq couldn¡¯t really follow much of what the man said.


    Bailey¡¯s hand didn¡¯t stop moving as he took notes.


    ¡°Well¡­ good job,¡± he said as Nando finished and gazed at him with an expectant look. ¡°Keep at it. That accuracy rate will improve the more you improve and level. You might even be able to lead us straight to the murder weapon eventually.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I can only do that by doing autopsies and obviously, I¡¯m not looking forward to more because that means people are getting murdered,¡± Nando said.


    ¡°I know this might be morbid, but what about the¡­ uh¡­ her,¡± Bailey pointed back to the freezer on the other side of the warehouse. ¡°I mean, you can keep examining her, right?¡±


    Nando scowled.


    Sadiiq sighed at his young assistant. ¡°It¡¯s been long enough. Kimberley needs to be buried as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°Right, sorry,¡± Bailey said sincerely. ¡°Sir, we¡¯re kinda running long,¡± he whispered, ¡°you¡¯ve got that meeting with the festival committee.


    ¡°Here,¡± Nando thrust folder into Bailey¡¯s hands. ¡°My report. I guess that¡¯ll be all I have to say on it.¡±


    ¡°Let Min know right away if you have any other insights.¡±


    Sadiiq rose and shook Nando¡¯s clammy hand.


    The man led them to the door and suddenly stopped as soon as he opened it. He drew his pistol and gestured for them to move back.


    ¡°What¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shh¡­ your bodyguards¡ª they¡¯re gone,¡± Nando whispered.


    He looked over Nando¡¯s shoulder to see the empty and dark warehouse.


    It hadn¡¯t been like that earlier.


    ¡°The lights¡­¡± Bailey said.


    ¡°Oh man. This isn¡¯t good,¡± Nando muttered.


    ¡°We¡¯ll follow your lead,¡± he tried to keep his voice calm.


    Nando carefully closed the door and backed away from it.


    The office had a small window but looking through it was like staring into a black void.


    ¡°But we¡¯re inside a claimed building. It can¡¯t be a monster there¡¯d be, like, a notice or something, right?¡± Bailey hissed.


    ¡°You guys are armed, right?¡± Nando said.


    Sadiiq drew his pistol. As did Bailey after a nudge.


    Once a week practice had never felt so inadequate as it did in the moment.


    ¡°Maybe the lights went out and they just went to check it out?¡± Bailey ventured.


    Sadiiq shook his head.


    ¡°The entire team wouldn¡¯t leave.¡± Nando gave voice to Sadiiq¡¯s thoughts. ¡°I think we should wait in here. Only one way in and they¡¯ll come looking when you don¡¯t show up for your meeting and I don¡¯t go back to the office like I¡¯m supposed to.¡±


    ¡°What about the people getting food?¡± he replied.


    ¡°Probably safer than us,¡± Nando shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m no fighter, at least not even close to someone like Kimberley. Trying to cross a dark warehouse with a murderer waiting is suicide.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but how do we know it¡¯s them?¡± Bailey said.


    ¡°It¡¯s the logical assumption,¡± he said.


    ¡°If it¡¯s okay with you, sir, I say we keep our eyes on the door and window. Then blast anyone we don¡¯t recognize,¡± Nando said.


    ¡°That sounds¡ª¡±


    The office lights winked out followed by the sound of breaking glass.


    Something heavy hit Sadiiq and knocked him into the desk.


    Cries of alarm ushered him into unconsciousness.


    <hr>


    They hurled the body through the window then dropped to the floor as the bullets went flying through the flimsy office wall. They activated a Skill to let them see their potential victims through the wall.


    The three men¡¯s hearts beat bright and red as the terror surged through their bodies like a burst of electricity.


    One of the men slumped to the ground and fell still while another rushed over screaming.


    The third emptied his pistol and reloaded frantically.


    They drew power from the fear.


    They had never been more powerful.


    Killing the bodyguards had given them a level in their class. A part of them wanted to run straight to the spire to pick their bonus reward.


    The Quest to sow terror in the community had yet to fail to provide dividends.


    There were many VIP targets for them to take out. One of which was in the office.


    While another was a threat to their secrecy.


    Killing the former would definitely draw every resource the community had down on their head.


    They debated letting that one live for now while they slowly crept to the side of the office.


    The latter had to die.


    They climbed up the side of the wall like some kind of skittering insect.


    A gun barked and bullets just missed them.


    They weren¡¯t as silent as they had thought.


    They moved quickly, slamming the axe into the thin roof.


    The gun replied angrily but they were already on the move.


    They slipped through the window like an acrobat and slashed their knife into the man¡¯s throat.


    He went down clutching his neck, gurgling his life away.


    Another pistol spat hot lead that hit them in the shoulder and sent them spinning.


    The pain lanced through them but it was a small matter. They could take much worse and they healed quickly.


    The flash revealed a young man¡¯s face bared in a rictus of equal parts rage and terror. Tears glistened in the young man¡¯s eyes as he frantically tried to track them as they rushed forward and struck.


    They clubbed him in the temple with their knife handle.


    The young man crumpled over the already unconscious older man.


    The not-Mayor, Sadiiq, one of their prime targets.


    Kill him now and reap immediate benefits in points and progress to the next level or wait and use him for potentially greater future gains.


    Despite the darkness they could see the two unconscious men with eyes like a predator¡¯s.


    They made a decision in an instant.


    One needed to be decisive in their position.


    They stalked over to the desk and found a blank sheet of paper.


    They took up a pen and scribbled a quick message.


    They pinned the paper to the dead man¡¯s forehead with one of the few remaining nails from the ones they had used to kill a couple of the bodyguards outside.


    Now all they had to do was set the trap.


    The outsider had scared them. Their senses normally gave them a good idea on a person¡¯s vulnerabilities, how best to hunt and kill them. Not so for the man. He had been like a blank wall.


    The other outsiders had not been the same. Those cultists had been dangerous despite the silliness of late night meetings in abandoned basements while wearing those ridiculous robes. They had only triumphed through surprise. That had been some time ago and they had grown progressively stronger with every kill.


    So why, at the height of their confidence, had one single man shaken them so much?


    It was a leap of logic that the outsiders were connected to each other. Still, they couldn¡¯t discount the possibility. Perhaps they could use it to their advantage.


    They decided that until they knew more about the man then it would be in their best interest to avoid a direct confrontation.


    Perhaps the things in the lake could take care of him?


    It¡¯d take some doing to get everything ready before someone found the note, luckily they were much stronger than they looked and had the ability to walk through the dark streets without attracting monster or mutant animal attention.


    They tossed an unconscious man over each shoulder and rushed out of the warehouse into the night.


    As always, time was their greatest enemy. They couldn¡¯t be gone for too long otherwise someone might notice.

 6.38

    Now, Michigan


    Cal scoured the waterfront.


    The cold dark waters of Lake Michigan roiled with concealed creatures of great ferocity and size. They would¡¯ve surge out to rend and tear had he not been actively hiding his presence from their minds.


    He was relieved to find no sign of fishmen or the Deep Azure.


    The only problem was that he wasn¡¯t finding anything in his search.


    The note the murderer had affixed to the dead Nando¡¯s forehead¡ª the poor man¡ª had instructed them to go to the lake if they wanted to find Sadiiq and Bailey.


    He started on the buildings farthest from the waters. Then worked his way closer until he was left with a lakefront restaurant near one of the largest docks.


    The structure was a partially collapsed husk that was empty to all of his senses.


    Not that he could trust them.


    After all, he hadn¡¯t detected the murderer killing Nando and taking the other two from the grocery store despite being only a few miles away in Min¡¯s office waiting with John.


    The murder site had been just as blank as the dance studio.


    Five people dead, yet no imprints of their violent ends.


    He descended through the gaping hole in the roof and into the huge dining area. Broken tables and chairs littered the space.


    He spotted the large box immediately.


    A plain cardboard box from the grocery store was his first guess.


    If the murderer was playing games then he was the wrong person.


    The box held no surprises for him.


    He knew what was inside as soon as he laid eyes on it.


    Three dark robes. Covered with slashes and stab holes. Stained in blood.


    At least he had an answer on what happened to the cabal members that had tried to recruit John.


    He floated the box behind him as he flew back into the dark night sky.


    A moment later, he landed in front of Min and a small contingent of fighters stationed at an intersection a few blocks away. They hadn¡¯t been willing to get closer to the water.


    He laid the box down in front of Min.


    The man cursed. ¡°This better not be some seven shit!¡±


    ¡°Nope, but there¡¯s a note.¡±


    Min opened the box and pulled out the slip of paper placed on top of the robes. ¡°What the hell is this?¡± he snapped.


    Find them before it¡¯s too late.


    ¡°That¡¯s not a clue.¡± Min crushed the note in a meaty fist. ¡°You can fly. That means you can cover a lot of ground. Can you find them?¡±


    Cal stared up at the moon.


    How late was it?


    He had picked up John at dinner time.


    The messenger had gone to Min at the grocery store immediately after he had brought John to the office.


    Min had left Nando, Sadiiq and Bailey with four bodyguards just as quickly.


    They had spent the next few hours forcing John to go over his story repeatedly looking for any clues into the cabal and the murderer.


    Were there links?


    Min had felt that there had to be some connection if the cultists had disappeared at around the same time that the first murder was discovered.


    Cal could tell that the man blamed himself for thinking that monsters or mutant animals had been the responsible parties for many months.


    They had noticed that Nando was overdue at roughly the same time that someone from the not-Mayor¡¯s office arrived.


    Sadiiq and Bailey had failed to show up for a meeting with some sort of festival committee.


    From then they rushed to the grocery store only to find the carnage in the warehouse.


    He couldn¡¯t tell them that he had already scanned the settlement and found no sign of Sadiiq and Bailey. ¡°I¡¯ll try.¡±


    ¡°Take Carlos with you. I want you to search every place. He¡¯ll get you inside,¡± Min said.


    ¡°Um¡­ what do I tell people?¡± Carlos said.


    ¡°Official business. You have my authorization to not take ¡®no¡¯ for an answer,¡± Min addressed the latter portion to Cal.


    ¡°Listen, there was a similar situation I went through a while back.¡± He told them about Flo. About a killer disguised. It wasn¡¯t a pleasant memory, but lives were at stake. ¡°Is there anyone that might fit?¡±


    Min mulled it over for a long moment before shaking his head. ¡°People that can turn into monsters? No. Nothing like that.¡±


    ¡°Well, start thinking out of the box. Meanwhile, we¡¯ll start our search,¡± he turned to Carlos. The chubby young man eyed him warily. ¡°Best clench those cheeks.¡±


    ¡°Wha¡ª¡±


    The scream echoed into the night as he flew up into the sky with Carlos in tow.


    <hr>


    Nila woke to the little guy bouncing around on the bed.


    Cal? she thought.


    Their last conversation had been close to midnight. He had telepathically informed her about what had happened while she and the little guy had been watching the circus go through their practice. That he was going to have to search the city the old fashioned way since his telepathic scans had kept coming up empty.


    Which was concerning to the both of them.


    Yeah, Love.


    She sighed with relief.


    Did you find them?


    Still searching. What¡¯re you guys going to do today?


    The festival starts at lunch time so I was going to take the little guy to that. Eat fair food. Deep-fried Snickers and Twinkies. That sort of thing. Maybe play some carnival games¡­ but things are getting dangerous. It¡¯s probably safer if we stay inside the RV.


    I can¡¯t imagine this murderer is a huge threat to you. Especially in your armor¡­ but it¡¯s different for the little guy. I¡¯d say you¡¯re probably safer out in the open surrounded by lots of people. All the murders have been of isolated people. Maybe wear your armor just in case.


    Hmm¡­ don¡¯t know if drawing attention would be a good thing for him. Might be better to be under the radar. I could park the RV close to the fairgrounds. That way I can just run back and get into my armor quickly if there¡¯s trouble.


    That¡¯s a good idea. Just call for me if you need me.


    Okay. Be careful, Love.


    You too.


    I hope you find the murderer.


    Thanks.


    ¡°What do you want for breakfast?¡± she smiled up at the bouncing toddler.


    ¡°Pancakes!¡±


    A fun-filled day followed breakfast. Terrible, but tasty food filled their bellies. The little guy wanted to try everything, which was fine with Nila cause so did she and she had the appetite to make sure nothing was wasted.


    They rode age appropriate rides.


    Pet some baby farm animals.


    Wasted cash on rigged carnival games. Even though Nila¡¯s superhuman physical abilities countered some of the cheating.


    Their minder, Tia, stuck to them without once lightening up despite Nila¡¯s best efforts.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to want to watch the show aren¡¯t you,¡± Tia grumbled as they strolled through the bustling fairgrounds. The giant stuffed giraffe she had to carry wasn¡¯t improving her mood.


    Nila regarded the young woman over the giant stuffed bear in one arm and the toddler in the other. ¡°I told you¡­ you don¡¯t have to follow us around. Do you really think we¡¯re going to do anything bad?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s also for your protection. There¡¯s a murderer out there if you forget.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in more danger than me.¡±


    ¡°I doubt that¡­ can I at least put this back in your RV or something? Dropping it in case we get attacked will cost me valuable seconds.¡±


    ¡°Sure. The circus isn¡¯t supposed to start for another twenty minutes.¡± Nila eyed the orange and red streaks in the darkening sky. The cool fall air was going to be cold soon. ¡°He¡¯ll need some warmer clothing anyways.¡±


    A long walk. A quick change. A dumping of prizes.


    They were back at the main circus tent in time for the start of the show.


    The little guy loved it. As did Nila. It reminded her of normalcy. No monsters. No fighting. For a few hours she could just enjoy the show and the little guy¡¯s reactions to all the acrobats, non-mutant animals and other attractions.


    ¡°I don¡¯t remember it being this amazing,¡± she whispered as one of the acrobats, a short, compact young woman, did a twisting, quintuple back flip from the back of one running horse to another.


    ¡°Skills,¡± Tia snorted.


    ¡°They were holding back in practice,¡± she nodded.


    A knife thrower came out and flung blades with hands that almost blurred to Nila¡¯s superior perceptions. The steel caught the lights like twinkling stars as they curved impossibly through the air, through spinning hops and into the target, which was another performer standing on one leg while holding up wooden disks. One in each hand, one with a foot and another with their mouth.


    ¡°She¡¯s wasting her time in the circus,¡± Tia gestured at the dark-skinned woman. ¡°Kamila should be fighting with us full-time.¡±


    ¡°She looks like she¡¯s having fun.¡±


    The smile on the young knife-throwing woman¡¯s face looked genuine to Nila.


    When the ringmaster closed the show and the performers came out for one final applause Tia bolted to her feet.


    ¡°We¡¯re done, right? It¡¯s probably bedtime or something for him?¡± she pointed at the little guy.


    For his part, he was clapping along with everyone else. No signs of slowing.


    ¡°Actually, yeah, after one last thing,¡± Nila said.


    Tia groaned.


    Was she a bodyguard or an angry teenager?


    Nila was struck by the thought.


    Tia did look rather young once you got past the armor, weapons and deadly glare.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be quick. I just want to talk to that fortune teller, Holly? I think that was her name.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Tia regarded her with narrowed eyes. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Cal didn¡¯t get anywhere with her. I think a friendlier face is worth a shot.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I get you, like a good cop thing. Some of the older folks mentioned that. Okay, not my problem,¡± Tia shrugged. ¡°I mean. I don¡¯t care if you piss off the other carnies. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Tia led them to the performer¡¯s living area. ¡°Official business,¡± she puffed up her chest to the man at the entrance. ¡°She needs to talk to Holly,¡± she jerked a thumb at Nila.


    Nila smiled.


    A petite woman with a toddler in her arms should¡¯ve disarmed all but the most misanthropic or dedicated to their jobs people.


    The man was neither. ¡°Whatever,¡± he waved them through.


    ¡°Worst gate guard ever,¡± Tia muttered under her breath after they were far enough away.


    Holly¡¯s yurt was surrounded by several others.


    Indeed, it appeared to be in the center of the camp.


    ¡°They prioritize her safety.¡±


    ¡°What? Yeah, I guess¡­ she¡¯s like their precious baby or something. Even if she¡¯s the most useless,¡± Tia said. ¡°Not that it¡¯s her fault,¡± she added hastily.


    Holly¡¯s yurt stood silent.


    Nila strained her ears but couldn¡¯t pick up any movement from the inside. ¡°Maybe she¡¯s out doing her fortune telling.¡±


    ¡°Nah, I¡¯m pretty sure she only works during the day. Like I said, she¡¯s the baby. Probably sleeps super early like one. Tough luck for you though. Let¡¯s go. Your baby looks like he¡¯s tired.¡±


    ¡°Not tired,¡± the little guy yawned.


    ¡°Yeah, bro, no. You¡¯re about to pass out,¡± Tia said.


    Nila turned to leave until she caught something in the breeze.


    She sniffed then turned back toward the yurt.


    There was a faint hint of iron in the air.


    ¡°Do you smell it too?¡± Tia whispered.


    ¡°Maybe¡­¡±


    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    ¡°I know what blood smells like¡­ shit!¡± Tia said. ¡°Alright, we¡¯re going to get you and the baby out of here and come back with more guys.¡±


    ¡°She might be hurt.¡±


    ¡°Or she¡¯s already dead and the murderer is waiting to stab us in the face.¡±


    Nila weighed her options.


    Keeping the little guy safe was always the priority.


    However, could she ignore the possibility that Holly was bleeding out inside?


    Sure she couldn¡¯t hear anything, but that could¡¯ve been the result of a Skill or spell or simply because the girl was unconscious.


    ¡°Here, keep him safe at all costs,¡± she placed the little guy in the protesting Tia¡¯s arms.


    Nila moved quickly. Faster than Tia could react to.


    She burst through the yurt¡¯s flap ready for anything.


    Except she found nothing.


    No sounds.


    No presences in the dark interior.


    ¡°What the fuck is going on?¡± a booming voice shattered the silence.


    She carefully backed out of the yurt not taking her eyes off the dark interior as she moved to stand near Tia and the little guy. Only then did she half turn to regard the speaker.


    A big, strong young man loomed over her. His face was red.


    She recognized the strongman from the circus by the costume he was still wearing.


    ¡°I said¡ª¡±


    ¡°Holly isn¡¯t in her yurt. I need a light. If you can smell it there¡¯s a hint of blood in the air.¡± She took control.


    Someone came running with a lantern, which she snatched out of the man¡¯s hand before anyone could react.


    She strode back into the yurt while the strongman and a few others shouted demands for an explanation.


    The light filled the large interior.


    It was comparable in size to a living room. Slightly smaller than a studio apartment.


    There wasn¡¯t much in the way of decorations or anything that would mark it as a girl¡¯s home, at least to Nila¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Stop ignoring me, you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Think carefully on your words. In fact, instead of complaining why don¡¯t you guys help. I smelled blood, but I don¡¯t see anything.¡± She shined the light on the well-made bed. The covers were perfect. ¡°Is it typical for Holly to be absent at this time?¡± She moved to the desk. It didn¡¯t appear to see much use based on the dust that came away on her finger.


    ¡°No¡ª¡± the strongman blinked. ¡°She doesn¡¯t like the cold and the dark scares her.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t look like there was a struggle. Everything is in place. Nothing broken.¡± She couldn¡¯t find the blood that she smelled. ¡°You do smell that?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, shit¡­ start looking!¡± the strongman snapped at the others.


    They poured over the place for what felt like an eternity until one of them, the acrobat, Nila realized, called for the lantern.


    She passed it to the young woman, who was crouched next to the bed.


    ¡°Oh man,¡± the acrobat¡¯s voice was a horrified whisper.


    ¡°What did you find?¡± the strongman practically dived to the floor next to the acrobat.


    ¡°It looks like blood stains,¡± the acrobat said.


    Nila moved the big man out of the way so that she could take a look.


    Small splatters of red stained the beige rug. She reached out and touched one. ¡°It¡¯s still wet-ish. I¡¯m not an expert, but that means it¡¯s not that old.¡± She jumped to her feet.


    ¡°Fuck! Ash,¡± the strongman said to the acrobat, ¡°go tell Val we need one of the dogs. The rest of you go spread the word. Holly¡¯s missing and it might be that killer. Search the entire fairgrounds. I¡¯ll wait for Val.¡± He glared at Nila. ¡°You stay. Until I know you aren¡¯t a part of this¡ª¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± she waved dismissively.


    Safety in numbers.


    The little guy was safer surrounded by a large number of people. Even if they weren¡¯t exactly friendly.


    She strode out of the yurt and took him back from Tia before explaining what they had found inside.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Tia said. ¡°I need to report this.¡±


    ¡°Then go. We¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not supposed to leave you.¡±


    Nila shrugged. Cal¡­ something might¡¯ve happened to Holly. I found a small blood splatter in her yurt. She¡¯s missing, she thought.


    No response.


    Cal?


    <hr>


    ¡°Waste of time, huh?¡± Carlos chuckled nervously.


    ¡°Never. Not when lives are at stake,¡± Cal replied.


    They had searched all day.


    The entire inhabited portion of the city and the newer construction.


    Any place that people lived in and all the other structures.


    Then he had tried the abandoned areas.


    He had wasted no time.


    He had found nothing.


    ¡°What now?¡± Carlos ventured.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try the surrounding areas outside the city. You get to go back to your office. I don¡¯t need you anymore.¡±


    ¡°Cool, cool, cool¡­ I¡¯m useless, I get it.¡±


    ¡°You hung in there and you got me into people¡¯s houses.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ nope¡­ I¡¯m pretty sure you didn¡¯t need anyone¡¯s permission. I¡¯ve got a ton of questions by the way. Like, what¡¯s your class?¡±


    ¡°Another time.¡±


    Cal dragged Carlos back to the office only to find it mostly empty.


    He scanned the building.


    A handful of minds.


    The receptionist, Charlotte, sat at the front desk.


    John was in one of the offices they had converted to serve as a holding cell, where he had been since Cal had brought him in.


    A few fighters were scattered around.


    ¡°Where is everyone?¡± Carlos said to the woman guarding the front doors.


    ¡°You just missed them,¡± she replied. ¡°Something happened at the festival. I didn¡¯t catch what, but Min took most everyone.¡±


    Cal blinked.


    He hadn¡¯t noticed that.


    Blank.


    All of that had been a blind spot in his thoughts.


    Nila? he thought.


    Silence.


    He spun on his heel.


    The lights went out.


    ¡°What the fuck¡ª¡± Carlos said.


    Cal was already moving.


    A gust of wind knocked the others back.


    He blew through the doors and into the stairs. He tracked the other minds inside the building. They were all still there.


    John was the priority.


    Just as he reached the floor John¡¯s mind disappeared.


    Nothing.


    One moment there. The next gone.


    Like a blank wall.


    A person¡¯s death should¡¯ve been one of the most powerful and unpleasant things a telepath could pick up.


    He punched through the locked door.


    John¡¯s limp body was hanging from the electrical cables and wires pulled down from the ceiling.


    The man had a second smile across his throat. Red and gaping.


    A scream from the first floor was accompanied by another mind vanishing.


    He made it just in time only for another mind to disappear.


    He pulled Charlotte to him just as a dark shape seemed to flow over the front desk.


    He reached out to grab the shape with his telekinesis only to realize that it was gone.


    The sobbing young woman clutched at the back of his shirt as he strained all his senses, physical and otherwise, to be ready for it to reappear.


    At the same time he kept an eye on the other minds still in the building as they made their way toward him.


    ¡°Careful,¡± he warned as the handful of fighters entered the front area. ¡°It might still be in here. Watch her,¡± he gently pushed Charlotte toward the fighters.


    He moved toward the front doors.


    The woman that he had never been introduced to stared up into the darkness. She was armored in thick plate, but that had done nothing to protect her. Blood flowed from the stab wound to her heart.


    Carlos was a more gruesome sight.


    His face had been flayed. Eyes pushed in.


    Cal took the old flag hanging on a pole next to the door and draped it over the young man.


    Nila, are you okay? The murderer just attacked the main office.


    Silence.


    ¡°What the fuck happened?¡± one of the fighters said.


    The group had formed up in a circle with Charlotte in the center.


    ¡°The murderer killed John and these two.¡±


    ¡°Where did he go?¡±


    Cal scanned for thoughts. First, in the immediate area, then the entire building, followed by several miles in every direction.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. C¡¯mon,¡± he beckoned the others over. ¡°Let¡¯s get you guys with the rest of your group. Safety in numbers and all that,¡± he regarded the two dead a moment before picking them up in a telekinetic bubble.


    He flew into the dark sky with the others in tow.


    Nila and the little guy were at the festival. So that¡¯s where he went.


    <hr>


    ¡°Look, you thick-necked ass! They¡¯re not that kind of dog! How many times do I have to tell you that! They¡¯re for guarding and fighting, not tracking.¡±


    ¡°What difference does it make? They¡¯ve can smell good and you¡¯ve been boosting them with your Skills. Even if they aren¡¯t meant to track then shouldn¡¯t their sense of smell be better than usual?¡±


    Nila listened to the two men arguing in the shadow of Holly¡¯s yurt.


    The latter, Quinn, loomed over the slighter man. His features suggested full Vietnamese descent. However, if she had been expecting a more cordial interaction due to their shared Asian background, she was disappointed. He hadn¡¯t tried to disguise the suspicion he held toward her. Which, given the circumstances of their encounter, was understandable.


    The former, Val, held two calm dogs on leashes. Extra large mastiff-types. She had seen the same back in California. Skills somehow allowed the animals to surpass their pre-spires size potential without the added drawbacks to things like heart and joint health. In fact they were healthier than they would¡¯ve been otherwise.


    The huge dogs weren¡¯t the strangest sight.


    It was the grizzly bear that sat next to the young man. The animal was huge as far as she could tell. She hadn¡¯t had much experience with seeing the animals in person pre-spires to judge whether this specimen was larger, smaller or typical in size.


    ¡°Just have them sniff the blood and tell them to follow the trail! It¡¯s not that hard!¡± Quinn, the strongman, huffed.


    ¡°They¡¯re smart, but not that smart. It¡¯d be like telling you to go do math!¡± Val snapped.


    Quinn lowered his voice. ¡°Holly¡¯s missing. Every second you waste is her possibly getting closer to death.¡±


    ¡°Fine¡­ I¡¯ll try,¡± Val took the dogs into the yurt.


    Quinn glowered at Nila as two young women approached him.


    She recognized the acrobat and the knife thrower from the show that seemed like hours ago.


    The two were armed and armored.


    ¡°Keep an eye on things. I need to gear up too,¡± Quinn said.


    The big man stomped away.


    Tia wore a furrow into the short grass. ¡°They can¡¯t keep me here,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°They did say you could leave.¡±


    ¡°I have orders to keep you in my sight at all times.¡±


    ¡°Then you¡¯re stuck with us.¡±


    ¡°This is your fault,¡± Tia jabbed a finger in her face. ¡°You just had to go into the tent. Of course they¡¯d think you were a suspect. It¡¯s obviously super suspicious. You should¡¯ve waited like I told you.¡±


    She looked up at the taller, younger woman. ¡°Someone was in danger.¡±


    ¡°Whatever¡­ Min needs to know about all this,¡± Tia gestured toward rest of the living area. It was awash in activity. People rushed around. Getting armed and getting into assigned positions. Like an anthill kicked open.


    Quinn returned in heavy-looking plate and chain with a large round shield and a long-handled axe with a broad head resting on his shoulder.


    Val emerged from the tent a few seconds later.


    ¡°Well?¡± Quinn growled.


    ¡°It might work,¡± Val shrugged.


    ¡°Then lead on,¡± Quinn said.


    ¡°Wait? What about the team?¡± Val said.


    ¡°Boss said, I can¡¯t take anymore than us four. She wants the camp searched, cleared and protected. Whoever did that,¡± he gestured at Holly¡¯s yurt, ¡°might still be around.¡±


    ¡°What about them?¡± Ash, the compact acrobat, said.


    Eyes turned to Nila.


    ¡°Let me go to my RV to get my gear and I¡¯ll help,¡± she said.


    ¡°No. I don¡¯t know you. All I know is that you¡¯re the one that pointed out the blood,¡± Quinn regarded her coldly. ¡°You could be in on it.¡±


    ¡°She isn¡¯t!¡± Tia snapped. ¡°I was with her all day.¡±


    ¡°You could be working together,¡± Ash said.


    ¡°Are you stupid? Why the fuck would we hurt your fortune teller?¡± Tia sneered.


    ¡°They do have a kid with them. It¡¯d be kinda weird to pull a kidnapping with an actual kid,¡± Kamila, the knife thrower, pointed to the little guy.


    ¡°Like I said what¡¯s our fucking motive for doing anything in the first place?¡± Tia growled. ¡°I¡¯m an official fighter for fuck¡¯s sake.¡±


    ¡°Maybe you think Holly¡¯s responsible for the killings. She¡¯s the one that warned you. It makes sense on your part, even if you¡¯re wrong, that she¡¯d be a suspect,¡± Ash said.


    ¡°We¡¯re wasting time,¡± Val said.


    ¡°You can leave your kid here. I can promise that he¡¯ll be protected,¡± Quinn said.


    Nila didn¡¯t even give it a second¡¯s thought. ¡°He stays with me.¡±


    ¡°Fine, but his safety is on your head. And no getting armed. I don¡¯t trust you with a weapon.¡±


    She considered objecting.


    She was quick and fast beyond normal human limits.


    35 mph in a sprint with the stamina to keep it up for a long time.


    Problem was those dogs and the bear were probably just as fast if not faster when accounting for Val¡¯s Skills.


    She didn¡¯t want to hurt any of them.


    Cal? she thought.


    Nothing.


    ¡°Okay. I don¡¯t want to fight here¡­ but my lack of gear will mean I will be less effective because I¡¯ll have to be more conservative to keep my little guy safe. Which means that you¡¯ll be at greater risk.¡±


    ¡°Right, whatever, we¡¯ll try to keep you safe, but you¡¯re not a high priority. It¡¯ll be Holly and us, followed by the kid and Tia,¡± Quinn snorted.


    Nila kept Tia to her left and slightly in front. She held the little guy in her left and she intended to use the young woman as a shield for him.


    Val¡¯s dogs led the way, straining on their leashes. While the bear walked closely on the man¡¯s left, between him and the open street.


    The man¡¯s lantern light swept from one side to the other to illuminate the darkness.


    They had traveled several blocks away from the fairgrounds and had found nothing but silence.


    They crossed railroad tracks and moved from an empty commercial area and into an inhabited residential area judging by the lights in windows of the homes.


    Nila heard the faint rustling of leaves in the massive oak tree as she walked underneath.


    The reds and yellows of the fall foliage had been nice to look at during the day. One didn¡¯t really get true seasons back in Southern California. The north of the state was a bit better for that but she hadn¡¯t lived there in over two years.


    ¡°Did you hear that?¡± Tia whispered.


    ¡°Quiet!¡± Quinn snapped.


    Tia shot him the finger. ¡°You don¡¯t ignore sounds in the dark. If you were a real fighter you¡¯d know that.¡±


    Nila placed her hand over the little guy¡¯s beanie-covered head. He had fallen asleep on her shoulder. Undoubtedly drooling on her jacket.


    Quinn grumbled, but he pulled a flashlight from his belt and shined it up into the tree. He played the bright, white beam back and forth. ¡°See¡­ nothing¡ª¡±


    ¡°Wait¡ª¡± Ash began.


    The dogs started barking and the bear growled.


    Nila tightened up as she peered into the thick knot of twisted branches.


    A few leaves drifted into Quinn¡¯s beam.


    Movement.


    The dogs reacted a hair quicker than Nila.


    They tore free from Val¡¯s grip, nearly pulling him off his feat as they lunged toward her.


    She jumped back a dozen feet.


    A dark shape slashed through her spot a split-second later.


    The dogs lunged with snapping jaws.


    She caught a glint of steel in the light.


    The dogs yelped in pain before they crashed to the floor.


    ¡°No!¡± Val screamed.


    Curses filled the once quiet night air.


    The shape looked like a pool of night on the sidewalk until it stood to its full height.


    Nila frowned.


    It was a small person in a black cloak. They appeared smaller than her and she wasn¡¯t a big person by any metric.


    And yet, the kitchen knife dripped red down to the concrete while two gigantic brutes of dogs lay unmoving behind them.


    ¡°It¡¯s the killer!¡± Tia fumbled at the blade on her belt.


    ¡°Get ¡®im!¡± Val roared.


    The bear echoed as it charged faster than almost everyone else could react.


    The cloaked figure moved surprisingly quick as they kicked one of the dead dogs into the bear¡¯s face. They turned and charged toward Nila.


    She responded by sprinting in the other direction.


    She¡¯d keep the little guy safe while drawing the murderer away from the others.


    She sprinted down the street.


    When she heard nothing behind her she chanced a glance back. Only to find the cloaked figure a few arm length¡¯s behind. Their face was obscured in a hooded void of pure black.


    Nila used a rusted car to leap up to the top of a single-story building.


    The jostling woke the little guy, who started crying.


    Another glance.


    The cloaked figure was gone.


    She would¡¯ve kept running had she not heard the roars and gunshots from a few blocks away.

 6.39

    Now, Michigan


    The woman with the small child had been fast. Impossibly so.


    Their Skill, Slasher¡¯s Stride, allowed them to stay close, but the stamina cost was too great at that speed.


    They gave up and turned back for the others.


    There were five possible targets to take and one bear.


    They didn¡¯t need them all.


    Just a few for the strength to get away and hide.


    That other man in the office¡­


    They had realized back then that he was their problem.


    Another of their Skills had allowed them to hide their very identity from discovery. However, something about the man had pushed it near to the breaking point. It had made them weak and threatened to reveal them to Skills and spells.


    They cursed Cal Cruces.


    Why had he come?


    Did he know?


    No.


    He hadn¡¯t given any indication when he had stood in front of them.


    But¡­ they could feel their anonymity slowly breaking.


    They needed to kill to keep it strong.


    The heavy tread of running people reached their ears through the soft breeze.


    They slipped into a dark alley and hid behind a crumpled dumpster.


    They stared at the wall and the bright red heart beats of the five people and one bear.


    Close.


    Out of the six, they didn¡¯t care about one. They cared about the other five to varying degrees and would rather spare a few of them if there was a choice.


    ¡°Damn it Pooh! Slow down! Don¡¯t get too far from me!¡± Val called out.


    The bear rumbled past the alley mouth.


    They let the beast go.


    A long gap followed before the first person crossed.


    A short compact woman, Ash.


    Then a big man, Quinn.


    They knew the next one was their priority target.


    They darted from behind the dumpster with their knife aimed at Tia¡¯s neck.


    ¡°Watch out!¡±


    The warning came after a different knife struck them in the side.


    ¡°The fuck! My danger sense wasn¡¯t¡ª¡± Tia cursed. ¡°Quick Cut!¡±


    The blade darted for their face.


    They stepped back to avoid it by the barest margin.


    ¡°Unerring Aim!¡±


    Kamila¡¯s second knife would¡¯ve hit them in the chest had they not twisted their body and used their cloak in an attempt to wrap it up.


    As it was, they had to settle for a gash across their collarbone.


    They pulled the first knife out of their side.


    The pain was a distant thing when they were in their true state.


    They threw it back to the owner with supernatural strength and precision. They were already stronger and more precise than they had any right to be. Their class made them even deadlier all around when it came to killing.


    Kamila threw another knife to knock the first out of the air. The young woman cursed and barely dodged her head to the side. Despite her skill and Skills the first knife still managed to cut the side of her face.


    ¡°Pooh! Get back here!¡± Val screamed.


    The young man was last in the formation. He stood near the corner of the building at the intersection.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Holly?¡±


    A huge axe cleaved the air above their ducking head.


    ¡°Tell me or I¡¯ll take your head,¡± Quinn growled.


    They sighed.


    The strongman had never been one to fully understand what he said sometimes.


    Still, he hadn¡¯t been a bad sort. Like a dumb, protective older brother.


    They used their cloak to obscure his vision for the moment it took to sneak around to his side. His large frame made a good human shield as it forced Tia and Kamila to stop attacking.


    They cut through the man¡¯s hamstrings in a flash. Their mundane knife blade made impossibly lethal by their class.


    Strength was useless when you couldn¡¯t move.


    Quinn roared as he fell to the ground. He twisted around threw himself forward to grab them around their waist.


    The man¡¯s immense strength threatened to pull them to the ground.


    They overpowered him after a few seconds and ripped his ham-sized hands loose.


    A few seconds in a fight was an eternity.


    Crack!


    Their head twisted to one side.


    Ash stood in front of them with a hammer in hand.


    They lashed out reflexively.


    Ash flipped out of the way.


    She blinked at them for a moment.


    A thin red line appeared on Ash¡¯s throat.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± Quinn snapped.


    Meaty hands pulled him up their back. He didn¡¯t have a large amount of distance to cover in order to reach their head.


    They stared at Ash as the young woman toppled to the ground like a felled tree.


    They snapped out of it and muttered a curse.


    Ash had been okay to them.


    She hadn¡¯t been one of those that she had been willing to kill.


    It wasn¡¯t their fault. They didn¡¯t know. They only reacted to the attack. It hadn¡¯t been under their complete control.


    The kill filled them with strength as it always did.


    They grabbed Quinn¡¯s fingers and twisted.


    The man grunted but didn¡¯t cry out.


    He pulled at their hood with his other hand.


    They fought him but the man popped a blood vessel in his forehead to fight back.


    The hood came loose.


    They¡ª She stood revealed.


    ¡°Holly¡­¡± Quinn looked like someone had stabbed him in the back. ¡°What¡ª¡± he screamed as her knife traced a red line across his face from one cheek to the other across the tip of his nose.


    He clutched his face and fell to the ground.


    ¡°You can¡¯t see my face. You can¡¯t know. No one can know!¡± She hated how high her voice sounded. Like a little girl¡¯s not an apex predator.


    ¡°You¡¯re the murderer?¡± Tia growled.


    ¡°What is this, Holly?¡± Kamila said.


    It was too late now. None could live to reveal her secret. That would only weaken her to her core.


    ¡°No. Not a murderer¡­ a Slasher.¡±


    She dashed forward.


    ¡°Shit! We¡¯ve got to retreat and get help!¡± Tia turned and ran.


    Kamila¡¯s throwing knives sparked against the ground as the Slasher zig-zagged her way forward.


    ¡°Pooh! Get her!¡± Val screamed.


    The bear thundered out of the darkness forcing her to dodge out of the way of a clawed paw the size of her chest. She lashed out, but thick fur and dense skin and muscle were better protection than armor.


    The trio escaped down the street. Quinn hobbled as Val struggled to support the big man.


    She dodged another paw swipe and drew a small knife from her cloak and let it fly.


    Two could play at knife throwing.


    Kamila toppled without a word.


    ¡°Wait! Help me! She¡¯s down!¡± Val said.


    ¡°She¡¯s dead!¡± Tia jabbed at the knife sticking from the back of Kamila¡¯s head.


    They ran down the street and turned into an alley out of physical sight but not out of her sight.


    Pooh roared and swiped again.


    She slashed at the paw. The impact almost tore the knife from her hand.


    Poor roared in pain.


    ¡°Go away, Pooh. I always liked you and I don¡¯t have to kill you to keep you quiet. Go run away and be free. Live in the forest. You won¡¯t have to put up with stupid Val after I kill him.¡±


    The bear didn¡¯t like that. She reared up to her full ten-foot-tall height to swipe with her uninjured paw.


    Holly cut that too.


    Then she disappeared from Pooh¡¯s sight.


    One step took her several dozen yards down the dark street and around the corner.


    Another step with Slasher¡¯s Stride took her farther down the alley.


    Her targets were connected to her by a red string only she could see and each stride brought her that much closer. If they weren¡¯t looking at her she could get up to a few arm¡¯s lengths behind them.


    She reached them quickly.


    She thrust her knife toward the back of Tia¡¯s neck.


    An instant away from the kill¡ª


    She suddenly flew into a storefront window.


    The air left her lungs in a rush. Her chest felt like it was in a vise.


    What had hit her?


    A car?


    Those cultists had hit her with a car once. The fools had thought her dead and had gotten out to investigate her crumpled body. It had been a fatal mistake for the trio. She healed quickly especially when people thought her dead and lowered their guard.


    Broken ribs and torn muscle re-knit even as she rose up from the ruin of broken chairs and tables.


    She picked up a jagged shard of glass as she did so and threw it at the woman with the kid in her arms.


    The woman dodged out of the way with a quickness that made even her wary.


    Strong and quick.


    She already knew the woman could run at speeds beyond what seemed possible even if you had a Skill.


    Still¡­ who went into the fight carrying a kid?


    Tia and Val ran up to stand behind the woman.


    She could see and hear the bear struggling to join from them several blocks away. A red thread connected her to Quinn several blocks away hobbling.


    The woman handed the crying kid to Tia. ¡°Stay back, but not too far away. I¡¯ll keep her busy until Cal gets here,¡± she said.


    ¡°He won¡¯t be joining us,¡± Holly said. ¡°I left him with quite the mess to clean up.¡± She hoped that was true. She wasn¡¯t sure how she¡¯d handle a guy that could fly and wasn¡¯t afraid to go down to the docks.


    ¡°Why are you doing this, Holly?¡± the woman¡¯s voice was calm. ¡°You are Holly, right? I¡¯m not talking to someone¡­ or something else.¡±


    She laughed at that. High and unbridled. An exaltation of the truth that she had been hiding for so long. ¡°It¡¯s nice not having to pretend at being the small, frail waif for once. Sadly¡­¡± she pouted, ¡°it can¡¯t last. Sad for me and for you. Because I have to kill you all. Well¡­ except the kid. He won¡¯t be able to tell anyone about me.¡±


    ¡°What? He can talk. He¡¯s like two,¡± Tia said.


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Val hissed.


    The other woman¡¯s gaze hardened.


    ¡°Let me kill you and I promise I¡¯ll leave the little man alone. He¡¯s young. It¡¯s dark and scary out here. It¡¯s not hard to think that all he¡¯ll be able to tell anybody is that the shadow monster killed his mommy,¡± she spread her arms out wide angling her knife so that the stainless steel blade glinted off Val¡¯s lantern light.


    ¡°Is it your class? Is it making you do this? You know that¡¯s a thing, right?¡± the woman continued bleating.


    Such a weak-willed soul for one with enviable physical ability.


    She wondered how much stronger she¡¯d get after killing the woman.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s possible, but we can try to help you overcome it or control it so that you don¡¯t hurt innocent people.¡±


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Innocence?


    Only children were innocent.


    ¡°Slasher¡¯s Domain: Blood Night,¡± she replied.


    <hr>


    The little guy wailed in primal terror.


    Tia and Val were right with him.


    The three of them had fallen into a tight huddle behind Nila around the once bright lantern.


    She felt her knees shake and sweat run down her back.


    The night had already been dark despite the light from the lantern.


    Now it was much worse.


    Dark shadows tinged with blood red streaks seemed to press in on them from every direction.


    Holly¡ª


    Was no longer a tiny, waif-ish blond girl in a dark cloak that was too big for her.


    She loomed inside the bloody shadows of the store interior.


    The cloak seemed to writhe as if it had a mind of its own.


    It stretched and snapped hungrily toward Nila.


    She had one thought.


    How could she have been so stupid?


    She should¡¯ve gotten into her armor.


    Should¡¯ve waited for Cal.


    Made sure the little guy was safe first.


    Too late.


    Holly attacked.


    Too quick.


    Nila barely managed to cup the sides of her neck.


    She felt the sting on the back of her hands.


    A flash of movement.


    The same stinging pain cut across her forehead.


    She lashed out with a fist.


    Holly dipped low and slashed across her side. Thick jacket and clothing parted like silk. Hot liquid poured down her side.


    The rush of the girl¡¯s cloak obscured her vision as Holly continued around her¡ª toward the others. Toward the little guy.


    She grasped out in desperation and snatched Holly¡¯s writhing cloak.


    It felt like something alive.


    Just touching it sent a paroxysm of sheer terror coursing through her body.


    She almost released her hold and turned to run.


    The little guy¡¯s cries pierced through the blood-red darkness.


    ¡°Get him out of this thing!¡± she roared and yanked.


    Tia and Val ignored her plea. Their eyes were round as saucers as they huddled together with the little guy.


    Holly turned and leapt using Nila¡¯s superhuman strength to her advantage.


    She thrust her knife forward aiming for Nila¡¯s heart.


    The stainless steel blade carved through skin and muscle only stopping when it hit bone.


    Nila shifted her grip from the cloak to Holly¡¯s wrist.


    It was the Slasher¡¯s turn to be surprised by the other woman¡¯s quickness.


    Nila pulled her arm free from the knife with a sick squelch. She ground the bones in Holly¡¯s arm. It was almost hard to believe that such thin arms contained such strength. Then again the same could be said of her. ¡°Stop this. We can find a way to help you.¡± She wiped at her eyes. The cut on her forehead leaked blood over her face like a waterfall.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want your help!¡± Holly hissed in a voice that reverberated from multiple directions. ¡°I don¡¯t need your help!¡±


    A second knife flashed out of the cloak.


    Nila hissed as it kissed the back of her fingers. She let go. Not by choice.


    She reached for the cloak and earned more slashes on her hands and arms. Still, she caught it. Ignoring the knives, she spun and hurled Holly back into the storefront.


    ¡°Get up! Move!¡± Nila snatched the little guy from Tia. ¡°We need to get out of this¡ª whatever this is!¡± she pushed and pulled Tia and Val up urging them down the street.


    Bloody darkness and shadows pressed in on them with a tangible weight.


    It made their limbs feel heavy. It made them feel like they were submerged in deep, dark waters.


    Nila half-dragged, half-carried the rest as she desperately sought an escape from the Slasher¡¯s Domain.


    There had to be a boundary.


    That¡¯s how these things were supposed to work.


    A domain was a new thing, but experience had taught her that every spell and Skill had limits.


    Half a hundred yards down the street.


    She glanced back.


    Saw Holly cloaked in bloody shadows walking after them.


    Not running. Walking. As if she had all the time in the world to catch up.


    Cal! Where are you! We¡¯re in trouble! she thought.


    Boots pounding on the pavement mixed with sobs and gasping breaths.


    She felt it in her own chest.


    She shouldn¡¯t have been out of breath already. She had stamina to fight for hours.


    Another glance.


    Holly had halved the distance at a walk.


    Another Skill.


    It made sense.


    Slasher.


    Nila had seen movies.


    That¡¯s what slasher¡¯s did.


    The little guy clung to her neck. His wailing had petered out to hiccuping sobs.


    She didn¡¯t want to be the final girl.


    The rustle of a flapping cloak tickled her ears just as a pair of blades touched her lower back.


    She reacted with a kick.


    A loud and satisfying crack greeted her.


    Another glance behind her revealed Holly crashing to the ground a dozen yards away.


    The knives hadn¡¯t penetrated deeply.


    ¡°Hurry!¡± she urged Tia and Val.


    She fought the urge to look back.


    She had to believe that they were close to the edge of the domain. They must¡¯ve covered several blocks already.


    Unless the domain moved with Holly.


    ¡°Shit,¡± she muttered.


    She considered trusting Tia and Val to get the little guy away while she tied Holly down until Cal finally showed up.


    A quick glance to check and sure enough Holly was half a dozen yards behind.


    Tia and Val were quivering messes barely able to keep running forward.


    Without Nila¡¯s forceful hands they¡¯ve would¡¯ve collapsed from terror.


    It ended suddenly with a rush of air into her lungs.


    The oppressive weight of unnatural fear vanished along with the blood-red darkness.


    Instead, they ran in regular darkness.


    Nila handed the little guy to a shaken but standing Tia. ¡°Get him to safety.¡± She turned to face Holly.


    Nila! Are you guys okay?¡±


    Where were you?


    I couldn¡¯t find you.


    The girl, Holly¡¯s the murderer! Some kind of Slasher class! Scan my memories!


    An instant.


    Got it. Get to safety.


    There was a rush of wind and she watched Cal descend into the blood-red domain.


    <hr>


    Grasping shadows that smelled and felt like fresh-spilled blood seemed to drag him toward the ground as soon as he entered the Slasher¡¯s Domain.


    It was a powerful thing.


    It took a moment of effort, of will to shift his perceptions until the oppressive weight of fear vanished from his shoulders.


    ¡°You said you were a clairvoyant, not a Clairvoyant. How¡¯d you manage to fool me?¡± Cal said into the empty darkness.


    ¡°My real class shrouds the truth just the way I need.¡±


    Despite scanning his surroundings he couldn¡¯t locate where the voice had come from.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ a class, huh? Kinda sucks what it¡¯s made you do.¡± He kept a psychic watch on everything around him. Especially, Nila and the little guy as they continued to run away. ¡°I don¡¯t want to make promises I can¡¯t keep¡ª¡±


    ¡°People that say that never do. Disgusting! At least have the conviction to stand behind your claims.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t said¡ª¡±


    ¡°Your wife already did. You think you can help me?¡±


    Laughter echoed and sent a shiver up his spine.


    ¡°Why would I want your help? I¡¯m better off now than I have ever been since the start of this. No one can hurt me now. I¡¯m the predator not the prey¡­ never again.¡±


    ¡°Your safety doesn¡¯t have to be tied to murder.¡± He walked down the dark street. Clouds obscured the moon and stars. Not that he needed his eyes to see everything around him. However, Holly continued to evade him. ¡°You don¡¯t need that class to be safe. We can help you find another.¡±


    ¡°Oh come on,¡± she scoffed. ¡°Just like that. I¡¯ve killed a lot of people. You might be willing to overlook that since you probably want to control my power but the others won¡¯t and you¡¯re just an outsider. Like they¡¯d just do what you tell them? They¡¯ll want my blood and I wouldn¡¯t blame them. Kill or be killed. The strong survive and remain safe. That is what the spires want.¡±


    ¡°You can atone.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to.¡±


    The voice came from just behind his right ear.


    He spun, stunned that he hadn¡¯t been able to read her thoughts, and found nothing.


    Stinging pain slashed across the left side of his neck.


    He sent a burst of telekinetic force in all directions.


    The brief sense of a fluttering cloak flashed across his mind¡¯s eye.


    A quick touch confirmed that the cut was shallow.


    ¡°I can tell that you¡¯re not used to being touched like that.¡±


    ¡°Actually¡­ quite the opposite. Been cut, stabbed, burned, disintegrated. Lost body parts, so on and so forth. Although, getting cut with a regular kitchen knife is¡­ unexpected.¡±


    ¡°I can cut anything. Kill anything. That is what you want me to give up with your asinine offer.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s what you want then I¡¯d say you can still keep killing. Just¡­ not innocent people. What difference would it make if your targets were monsters and evil people?¡±


    Once again he failed to catch her striking him like a viper.


    A knife slashed across the front of his neck. While another stabbed into his lower spine.


    Both struck his telekinetic shield.


    ¡°How¡ª¡±


    He reached out with his mind and grabbed Holly holding her in place.


    He regarded her for a moment.


    The image of a frail waif blurred warring with that of a lean predator in a cloak that seemed to writhe with a mind of its own.


    ¡°How are you doing this!¡± she screeched like a child in the throes of a tantrum. ¡°This is my domain! Why aren¡¯t you scared of me!¡±


    He saw the monster.


    Remembered another girl years ago.


    Another one turned into a monster by a class. By his failure.


    He desperately didn¡¯t want another one¡¯s blood on his hands. He sought for something, anything that would let Holly live.


    Was it selfish?


    He dived into her memories.


    Unpleasant was an understatement.


    A happy life turned into a nightmare by the appearance of the spires.


    Violence and death.


    Things done to her that no one should suffer.


    Until she snapped one day.


    The last bit of happy memories she owned opened the path to the class that gave her the strength to go from prey to predator.


    ¡°What are you doing! I can tell you¡¯re doing something to me! Let me go! You can¡¯t touch me! I didn¡¯t say you could touch me! You¡¯re not allowed to when I say that! Let me go! I¡¯ll kill you! Mommy! Daddy! I¡¯ll kill you for what you did to them! I¡¯ll kill you for what you did to me!¡±


    Holly frothed at the mouth. Her eyes burned with rage, hate and terror.


    He was ashamed to look into them.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I won¡¯t hurt you. Please go to sleep.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± she roared.


    ¡°I promise there won¡¯t be any nightmares. Only dreams of better times.¡±


    Holly sagged instantly.


    Cal kept his word.


    He soared into the sky with the sleeping Holly in tow.


    He knew where she had stashed Sadiiq and Bailey. He needed to get them before it was too late.


    <hr>


    They had secured Holly with what looked like every thing they could get their hands on. Thick chains, cuffs and multiple locks. The sleeping girl looked like Houdini getting ready to perform.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Sadiiq said.


    The not-mayor looked down at Cal with dark-ringed eyes. The cuts on his face had just been bandaged.


    ¡°She won¡¯t wake up anytime soon.¡±


    ¡°And if I ask how you can guarantee that¡­¡±


    He gave the taller man a flat look.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡± Sadiiq regarded Holly from outside the ring of armed men and women surrounding the young woman with weapons and hands ready. ¡°And you won¡¯t say how you¡¯re certain that she¡¯s the murderer? About how you know that she¡¯s got this¡­ Slasher class that you claim is at least partially to blame for what she¡¯s been doing to our community. To what is supposed to be her community.¡± He punctuated his words with a jabbing finger toward Cal then Holly. ¡°It sounds like bullshit. That¡¯s what I think.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to rely on solely my word. Tia and Val¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Sadiiq swiped his arm with a violent motion. ¡°I heard what they said. But Val¡¯s friends with the murderer. It¡¯s normal for him to want to mitigate the punishment.¡±


    ¡°Holly also killed two of their mutual friends and injured another.¡±


    ¡°I see what you¡¯re trying to do. Don¡¯t bother.¡±


    ¡°Why not? Doesn¡¯t it suggest that there is something to Holly¡¯s class influencing her if she murdered two people that, by all accounts, were her genuine friends.¡±


    ¡°Friends that were only in a position to be murdered because of their concern for their murderer. Ultimately, this isn¡¯t your community. You don¡¯t have a say.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I¡¯m trying to do.¡±


    ¡°Then why are you telling me that there are mitigating circumstances. Even if I accept your claims as factual you refuse to elaborate on how you know what you¡¯re telling me. And to be honest even if you did spill why would I believe you?¡±


    Cal shrugged.


    ¡°I recognize your power, whatever it is. I¡¯ve seen it. I¡¯m fairly certain that you could just do whatever you want and there¡¯s nothing we could do to stop you. But I don¡¯t think you¡¯re that kind of person. So, I ask you to respect our decisions. Like I said. You aren¡¯t a part of our community. Holly murdered people we care about. She¡¯s a threat to us all. Justice has to be done.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t disagree on that. I just think you shouldn¡¯t rush things. Maybe justice can be served better than by simply executing a young woman that has been treated with great injustice in the past.¡±


    ¡°If what you say is true,¡± Sadiiq shrugged. ¡°What people did to her in the past was wrong, but that doesn¡¯t excuse her doing the same to my people.¡±


    ¡°She was a child when her community was attacked. She saw everyone she ever cared about abused and murdered in the vilest ways you can imagine. She spent three years suffering in their hands. Until one day she snapped¡ª¡±


    ¡°Stop! You¡¯ve already said all that. It¡¯s tragic¡­ but again, it doesn¡¯t excuse anything she did after.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but maybe it should mitigate it. If we can help her. Find a way for her to lose the class or point it away from the innocent.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯d turn her into a weapon. That¡¯s not a better solution. It¡¯d be better for everyone, even her, if we just ended it.¡±


    Cal opened his mouth to argue further.


    ¡°No. I¡¯m done with you. The decision¡¯s been made. Holly pays for her crimes and we try to move on. You¡¯ve found the information you needed, right? You said she killed those cultists you¡¯re after? You can stay or go. I don¡¯t care.¡±


    Cal headed to the front lobby and was immediately accosted by Tia, Val and Quinn.


    The big man hobbled with the help of a spear and placed a hand on Cal¡¯s chest. ¡°You aren¡¯t leaving until you give us some answers.¡± Burning eyes glared from behind blood-soaked bandages.


    Quinn was a Circus Strongman but Cal could¡¯ve simply walked through. Instead he pointed to the chairs along the closest wall. ¡°You should get healing for that.¡± He nodded at Quinn¡¯s bandaged leg.


    ¡°It can wait,¡± Quinn scowled then winced in pain.


    ¡°Is it true?¡± Val said. ¡°Nila said that Holly¡¯s class was what made her do all this. Made her kill¡ª¡±


    Cal regarded the young man¡¯s red-rimmed eyes. ¡°Yes and no. I¡¯m sure that there¡¯s a level of influence that some classes exert. It¡¯s just that I can¡¯t tell if there¡¯s a line that separates the person from the class. Classes are based on what people do and how they see themselves, right?¡±


    ¡°Slasher? Holly¡¯s a Slasher. What does that mean?¡± Tia said.


    ¡°Old movies,¡± Quinn said. ¡°They¡¯re murderers might be human or not, but with maybe supernatural powers. Even if they¡¯re supposed to be regular humans they don¡¯t act like them. They can shrug off bullets and shit.¡± He laughed bitterly. ¡°When they chase their victims they can always stay on their trail even if they¡¯re just walking and the victim is sprinting all out.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡±


    Val interrupted Tia. ¡°Sounds like what Holly was doing.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯re her friends why would she attack you?¡± Tia said.


    Quinn thumped the back of his head against the wall and closed his eyes. ¡°That¡¯s usually in those movies too.¡±


    ¡°She loved those movies,¡± Cal said.


    Val¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°How do you know that?¡±


    ¡°Her and her dad watched them. At least once a month for horror movie night. It was one of the last good memories she managed to cling to as those marauders abused her.¡±


    Cal told them much of what he had experienced from Holly¡¯s memories. He ended it on the day she finally broke and gained the class that allowed her to escape captivity. Her most favorite memories before her world was ruined by the spires and evil men. She had been the victim. The prey. A single moment had changed her perception of herself. She needed to be the predator. Like those in the movies. They were the ones that dealt pain and terror. Their victims could never truly hurt them and stop them. They never lost in the end. Holly would never lose again.


    ¡°You¡¯re just making shit up!¡± Quinn snapped.


    ¡°Does it matter,¡± Val hissed. ¡°This could be the only way she can live.¡±


    Tia shook her head. ¡°It won¡¯t make a difference. Even if he¡¯s right,¡± she scowled at Cal, ¡°we can¡¯t keep Holly in a jail cell. We don¡¯t even have one. That room would be easy for her to escape. She¡¯s way too strong. We¡¯d need five to ten people on her at all times and even then it¡¯d just take one moment for her¡ª it doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    ¡°So that¡¯s it? You¡¯re just going to kill her?¡± Quinn said.


    ¡°She killed Ash and Kamila. She sliced you up and would¡¯ve done the same had Nila not shown up,¡± Tia said.


    ¡°She¡¯s our friend,¡± Val said in a soft voice.


    ¡°Was she? Was she ever really a friend? Real friends don¡¯t kill friends,¡± Tia shot up from her chair and rushed away.


    ¡°Was she?¡± Quinn echoed.


    ¡°Yes. A part of her saw you as friends.¡±


    ¡°But you won¡¯t say how you know that and why would we believe you?¡± Quinn snarled and almost lunged over if not for Val placing himself in the way. It wouldn¡¯t have mattered had Quinn¡¯s heart been in it. The big man slumped back into his chair. ¡°Ash¡­ Kamila,¡± he sobbed into his hands.


    ¡°Did we ever really know her? I mean, was the Holly we knew¡­ real?¡± Val¡¯s eyes searched Cal¡¯s.


    ¡°She¡¯s Holly and she¡¯s the Slasher. I don¡¯t know if a line exists and if it does, where,¡± he replied.

 6.40

    Now, Michigan


    They saw the axe descend and separate the young woman¡¯s head from her body.


    They watched the flames consume her until only ash and scattered fragments of bone remained.


    They found no pleasure in seeing the dirt bury those remains in a deep grave.


    They couldn¡¯t understand how such an innocent seeming girl could¡¯ve been capable both in body and mind of killing so many. There was no satisfaction when they were done. Just sadness at the loss and relief in the knowledge that at least this one specific threat was gone forever. Perhaps with that her victims could rest in peace.


    They didn¡¯t look away until concrete was poured over the unmarked grave.


    They seared the sight into their memory for fear that the nightmare wasn¡¯t truly over.


    They¡¯re eyes had lied to them.


    Elsewhere, in a small RV driving down the highway Nila shot her hundredth angry glare at Cal.


    ¡°This is the most recklessly dangerous thing you¡¯ve ever done. I¡¯m counting you going into the spire to another world as part of that.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s chained up and I¡¯m keeping her asleep. There¡¯s no chance of her waking up or getting away.¡± He lifted the RV into the sky once he deemed them far enough away from potential watchers. ¡°Just a few hours to get back home. The rangers have enough high level people to keep her properly contained while we figure out how to help her.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s even possible,¡± she covered the little guy¡¯s ears with her bandaged hands, ¡°she was going to kill him,¡± she hissed, ¡°he had a nightmare about it last night.¡±


    ¡°I know. I was the one that got him out of it before it really got started.¡±


    ¡°Then why? Wouldn¡¯t it have been better to let them do what they were going to do?¡±


    ¡°Would it? I don¡¯t know¡­ she was an innocent little girl.¡±


    ¡°Was being the key word. If you¡¯ve forgotten I think I got to know her pretty well while she was slicing me up and trying to kill us.¡±


    ¡°I know, okay, I¡¯m sorry,¡± he glanced over to the passenger seat. The little guy clung to Nila tightly as he had done at every waking moment since that traumatic night. ¡°I just¡ª if there¡¯s a chance that Holly can be turned around¡­ if my powers can help with that¡­¡± he shook his head. ¡°I have to try. Don¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯d agree¡­ in a vacuum. Except that¡¯s not how things work in reality. If you fail or slip up in anyway people will get hurt and die. I¡¯ve seen those movies. People in them try to cure the slashers. Just ends up with a ton of death and the slasher getting away to kill another day.¡±


    ¡°This is real life.¡±


    ¡°There might not be that big of a difference considering how classes work. You said it yourself, she got it from the movies she used to watch with her dad. That means she got her Skills straight from them.¡±


    ¡°There are hundreds of rangers and many of them have more levels than her. She was the big fish in a small pond. It won¡¯t be the same. And I can do things to make sure¡ª to make it less likely that she¡¯ll be able to escape.¡±


    Nila regarded him with concern. ¡°You don¡¯t want to use your powers that way.¡±


    ¡°No, but I will in order to hinder her ability to kill any other innocent people. I want to help her, but I won¡¯t be reckless about it,¡± he gave her a wry smile.


    ¡°What will you do if your sister doesn¡¯t agree?¡±


    ¡°Rayna¡¯s always been the more compassionate one. She¡¯ll hear me out and give it real thought.¡±


    Cal was right in the end.


    Rayna agreed after much pleading and promising on his part.


    The rangers created a special prison to hold Holly and they began the long, arduous process of rehabilitation.


    What form would that take?


    Whether it meant getting her to lose the Slasher class or to control it¡­ no one knew.


    Cal also did something he had never wanted to do. He used his powers to create blocks in Holly¡¯s mind. To prevent her from committing violent acts on innocents.


    He told no one aside from Nila and his sister.


    He was ashamed of it.


    Knowledge of his full abilities had always been a closely guarded secret.


    Nothing good would come from others knowing his full truth.


    <hr>


    Now, Southern California


    Cal felt the faint pull from somewhere above him a moment before his sister¡¯s voice popped up into his head. ¡°I¡¯ll be back,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Nila waved. She didn¡¯t take her eyes off the little guy as she very gently nudged him on the swing despite his calls to go higher.


    Cal soared up, up and up until he was above the thick layer of clouds to find Rayna waiting for him. He braced himself to stay in place otherwise he would¡¯ve been sucked into her gravity field to orbit around her. It was a trick she liked to do whenever they had these high altitude meetings. She thought it was hilarious to send him spinning around.


    ¡°Why not just walk up to me? We¡¯re literally three blocks away from the house.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m hiding,¡± Rayna said. ¡°Just some me time. You know how it is.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ what¡¯s up? Problems with Holly?¡±


    ¡°Aside from the creepy dead-eyed staring? No. She¡¯s locked up tight. Who knew a re-purposed bank vault would make a good prison cell?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t get complacent with her. She¡¯s got Slasher Skills.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Rayna¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°You said you blocked those somehow.¡±


    ¡°I did, but like I said, I can¡¯t guarantee how long it¡¯ll last or there¡¯s the possibility that she¡¯ll overcome it on her own. Everyone knows slasher¡¯s always escape.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve developed protocols. The guards know to do the opposite of what they do in the movies. Plus they¡¯re all equal or higher level than the girl. Plus there are more of them than her. Plus we¡¯ve set up a system where I¡¯ll know as soon as something weird happens. I can lock down her domain from a distance easily enough. We¡¯ll see if the Psychiatrists, Psychologists and Therapists can help her. So far it¡¯s just a lot of staring and silence on her part. Better than violent stuff. Even if it¡¯s creepy as fuck.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re my oldest brother,¡± Rayna shrugged. ¡°Although, this ask was a tough one. A lot of risk to my rangers and other innocent people if Holly can¡¯t be rehabbed. And to be honest I¡¯m skeptical. I know you can refuse a class. No one¡¯s been able to remove a class no matter how much manifesting or neglectfulness they¡¯ve tried. Kayl¡¯s got a level in Mother that still pisses her off.¡±


    ¡°Sooo¡­¡± he ventured. ¡°I hear you¡¯ve been seeing someone¡­¡±


    ¡°You hear?¡± Rayna snorted. ¡°Like you haven¡¯t already checked him out.¡±


    ¡°I would never admit that,¡± he said solemnly.


    ¡°Well, since you haven¡¯t said anything I¡¯m going to assume that you approve.¡±


    ¡°Hypothetically speaking¡­ you could do worse.¡±


    ¡°Huh? I kinda want to ask details, but that¡¯d be wrong,¡± she rolled her eyes. ¡°Anyways¡­ I didn¡¯t call you up here for any of that. I actually have information you might be interested in.¡±


    ¡°Go on.¡±


    ¡°One of our Mages had a weird ass dream.¡±


    ¡°As opposed to a normal ass one? Who am I to judge what people are into?¡±


    ¡°You know¡­ what is it about dads and thinking that it¡¯s okay to just suddenly start making lame jokes once they¡¯re dads.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not¡ª¡±


    Rayna barked a laugh. ¡°Give it up, bro! There is no ¡®adoption¡¯. Just give him a name already. It¡¯s weird that I have to keep calling him ¡®little guy¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Anyways¡­ this weird ass dream?¡±


    ¡°He dreamt of an impossibly beautiful dark-skinned woman, but not¡ª¡± she raised a hand to forestall the words on his lips. ¡°Let me finish¡­ I swear, you¡¯ve always been bad about interrupting, but after you got powers¡­¡± she shook her head. ¡°Anyways¡­ this ¡®woman¡¯, in addition to having a slight glow to her skin was also extremely tall and a lot thinner. Gave that uncanny valley feeling. She didn¡¯t say anything just stared and somehow imparted a location to him. Now you may give me your thoughts.¡±


    ¡°How tall?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s about six feet and he said he had to look up a bit to gaze into her eyes. Incidentally, he said they gave off a great sense of age and power.¡±


    ¡°The eyes?¡±


    ¡°Larger than ours in regards to facial proportions and such.¡±


    ¡°Did he see her ears?¡±


    Rayna nodded. ¡°Long and knife-shaped. Perfect black hair, oh, which also gave off a shine. Sounds familiar, right?¡±


    ¡°An ¡®elf¡¯, at least what we call them. Except, I don¡¯t remember the Vitiator giving off a glow aside from the usual magic spell stuff.¡±


    ¡°She could be one of the good ones. Didn¡¯t give off any bad vibes. My Mage said he woke up with a feeling of peace that he hadn¡¯t had since before the spires.¡±


    ¡°Manipulative tricks and magic. Besides, good doesn¡¯t necessarily mean an ally or even nice. Where does she want us to go?¡±


    ¡°Somewhere in Tennessee or Kentucky. We¡¯re still trying to narrow it down. You¡¯ll check it out when we do? Or since you¡¯re still technically on vacation, I can send a message to Eron even if it¡¯ll take forever for him to get back to me?¡±


    ¡°No, no, I¡¯ll check this one out. This could be Vitiator-connected.¡±


    ¡°Also the mind stuff.¡±


    ¡°Also that.¡±


    ¡°Great! That¡¯s one less thing I have to worry about,¡± she smiled. ¡°You¡¯re still going to Washington, right?¡±


    ¡°Seattle and yeah. I can¡¯t not go. Doing a favor for our allies up north.¡±


    ¡°I feel like I should be more involved in that, but I don¡¯t want to and since I¡¯m not technically in charge of the government junk I no longer feel like I need to be more involved. Well¡­ I glad I resolved that.¡±


    ¡°That is a little frightening how quickly you did that. Lucky for you there are others more responsible. I¡¯ve already gone over it with Graeme and his staff. Got the official papers. I¡¯m all set to get diplomatic relations started with whoever is running Seattle.¡±


    ¡°Whomever.¡±


    ¡°I knew that. I did that on purpose because no one likes a grammarian.¡±


    ¡°Sure you did,¡± she smirked. ¡°Okay, well¡­ that¡¯s all I have. You may get back to your family playground date.¡±


    ¡°How are things going with your op in San Diego?¡±


    ¡°Lol! Like you don¡¯t already know. It¡¯s fine. Ranger business.¡±


    ¡°I can help,¡± he ventured.


    ¡°Thanks, but we¡¯ve got it handled. Don¡¯t worry, if things go apocalyptical you¡¯ll hear a high-pitched screaming voice in your head.¡±


    ¡°But the undead¡ª¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re making them dead-dead¡­ er¡­ re-dead? Whatever¡­ you¡¯re still on vacation. Mental health is important,¡± she narrowed her eyes. ¡°For you more than most. Feel free to help once you¡¯re ¡®back¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Number 4.¡±


    ¡°Oh my god¡­ you¡¯ve been trying to make that happen for literal decades now. We aren¡¯t buying. So lame!¡±


    Rayna gave him a lazy wave as she drifted back down toward the Earth.


    ¡°Let me know as soon as you have that location!¡± he called down.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± her voice drifted back to him.


    He flew back down to the park only to see the little guy launch himself from the swing¡¯s highest point with a laugh. Pudgy little arms out wide and legs kicking like he was belly-flopping into a pool. Except, here the grass loomed.


    He reached out, but pulled back as Nila cursed and leapt into action.


    She caught the little guy with a few feet to spare rolling as she cradled him to her chest.


    ¡°Again!¡± he squealed.


    ¡°This is your fault,¡± Nila looked up at him through hard eyes.


    ¡°I¡ª I was going to catch him¡­¡±


    <hr>


    Now, Seattle


    ¡°Fancy,¡± Nila remarked.


    ¡°Mom, what that?¡± the little pointed into the dusky gloom overhead.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a monster, but it¡¯s far away and it¡¯s not going to bother us,¡± she eyed Cal, ¡°right?¡±


    ¡°It just realized it has somewhere else to go far away from here.¡± He stepped up to the host. ¡°Hi. I¡¯m here to meet a Ms. Sofia Freeman.¡±


    ¡°Right this way, Sir,¡± the young man smiled and led them inside. ¡°The Madam and the young Sir can wait here,¡± he brought them to a table, ¡°everything on the menu is on the house. Ms. Freeman is waiting at the bar.¡±


    Cal had already scanned the entire area upon approach.


    Most of the people in the restaurant were just that¡­ normal people enjoying a nice dinner. There were only a few scattered in strategic spots that were present in case of violence. It was a mark of their professionalism that the presence of Nila and the little guy changed nothing.


    The woman in question was alone at the bar.


    He scanned and studied her in a brief moment.


    Tall, long-limbed. Light brown hair cut short. Mid-twenties.


    Half white, half hispanic.


    Powers, no class.


    He introduced himself and shook the woman¡¯s hand.


    The woman regarded him suspiciously. ¡°You don¡¯t feel that?¡±


    ¡°What? You¡¯re hand? It¡¯s warm.¡±


    The woman sat down and he followed suit


    ¡°Is that a real baby?¡±


    Cal blinked. ¡°As opposed to a fake one?¡± he kept his tone as light as the grin on his face. ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s a real kid. Not a baby though. He¡¯s, like, two and some change.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a little weird that you¡¯re traveling through monster land USA with your wife and toddler.¡±


    ¡°Is it really?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but whatever. You do you as long as it keeps working¡­ so, before we get down to the politics B.S. what¡¯ll you have?¡± she gestured to the wall on the other side of the bar.


    Cal studied the vast array of whisky bottles. Fitting for a whisky bar.


    ¡°This is a strange place for diplomatic talks,¡± he said as he carefully scanned through the selection. He took it very seriously.


    ¡°It¡¯s better than a stupid conference room, no?¡±


    ¡°Agreed¡­ and I¡¯ll have that one,¡± he pointed and thanked the bartender as the man poured him a generous glass.


    The young woman likewise made her selection.


    They clinked glasses before each took a sip.


    The taste took him back to the very night the world broke. He had been sipping the same exact vintage of Scotch whisky while going over his fantasy football picks. In one instant, such pointless banality was gone forever.


    ¡°So¡­ he¡¯s a real human baby?¡±


    ¡°Yeah and that¡¯s a really strange question.¡±


    ¡°Just wanted to be sure. You never know these days.¡±


    The woman wiggled her fingers and Cal felt a surge of energy. A quick scan of her surface thoughts eased his concern a split-second later. He turned to watch Nila and the little guy at their table on the other side of the restaurant.


    The candles on their table flared to their surprise and fright. This gave way to delight on the little guy¡¯s part as the flames turned into miniature animals that began to soar and prance over the table.


    ¡°That¡¯s impressive. Pyromancer?¡±


    ¡°Nope and I¡¯m not telling.¡±


    He didn¡¯t need to pry further. He knew enough to know that she meant no harm and wouldn¡¯t allow any to occur¡­ at least in the moment.


    There was something strange about the tiny flame animals. It was almost as if their was a sliver of conscious thought in their actions. It was obvious to him that the woman wasn¡¯t actively controlling them. She had merely given them a broad set of instructions, which they were now following.


    ¡°You¡¯ve come across¡­ fake¡­ babies?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s say¡­ if you ever come across a baby alone in an odd location¡­ just make sure that they¡¯re an actual, real human.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep it that in mind¡­¡±


    ¡°Cool. Cool cool cool.¡±


    ¡°Right, anyways, I¡¯m not big on the political stuff either. Thankfully, the people that are knew that and gave me these to give to you,¡± he slid a pair of thick envelops across the bar top. ¡°So, read at your leisure. I can wait a few days if you want to send back a reply or you can do a spires message. Blah, blah, blah. Ex chetterah, ex chetterah.¡±


    Sofia eyed him with approval. ¡°A man of culture and substance. Speaks well of the group you represent. Although, why two?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, about that. One is from the people who first contacted you. The other is from separate group in Southern California.¡±


    ¡°We weren¡¯t aware of them.¡±


    ¡°No big deal. There¡¯s pretty much an alliance between north and south. I¡¯m totally being nonthreatening by the way. Neither side wants your land or people or whatever. It¡¯s more like they don¡¯t want conflict. Especially, since you guys are doing good things up here in Seattle.¡±


    ¡°We try,¡± she shrugged. ¡°I hope that you people are of the same ethos, but,¡± she pointed at the letters and a small flame arced from a nearby table to turn them into ash in a shocking second, ¡°hope is the enemy of action or something like that. I¡¯d rather your people and my people prove ourselves to each other through the latter. Besides, my brother is even worse than I am when it comes to all the politics crap and he¡¯s technically in charge. We¡¯ll probably send a spires message, but basically you can tell everyone that we¡¯re cool as long as you¡¯re cool. Don¡¯t be dicks and we won¡¯t have any problems. Naturally, we¡¯ll also endeavor to not be dicks.¡±


    ¡°Naturally¡­ can I meet your brother?¡±


    ¡°Nope. He hates people¡­ I mean, he doesn¡¯t like people he doesn¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough.¡±


    ¡°Great!¡± Sofia grinned. ¡°Dinner and drinks are on me. You and your cute little family eat and drink as much as you want. Stick around as long as you want. I¡¯m sure you want to make sure we¡¯re not running a cult-style thing or a military dictatorshit thing. I figure one day we¡¯ll want to check out your places to do the same.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, feel free, though you should set that up with them. I¡¯m just a messenger.¡±


    ¡°Sure you are.¡± Sofia took her glass and sauntered toward the exit. ¡°You look just like your daddy,¡± she winked at the little guy as she passed their table. ¡°Enjoy the show!¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting that,¡± Cal said as he joined his family.


    ¡°Dad! Look! Fire-mals!¡± the little guy beamed up at small flame animals over their heads.


    Cal¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Those are wolves¡­ are they hunting a moose?¡±


    ¡°You just missed the bear killing and eating a reindeer,¡± Nila sighed.


    ¡°Nature is scary,¡± he shrugged.


    <hr>


    Now, Tennessee


    ¡°You the dumbest, laziest sumbitch that I¡¯d ever seen come through here, Casey. Git up! You smushin¡¯ dem cookies!¡±


    The young man in question shot up from the box he had been resting on. It was hard, tedious work taking foodstuffs out of their boxes only to then put them in other boxes. Intellectually, he knew the why of it. It was easier to control what the people took from the grocery store when they packaged what they needed in a box. That way there was no issue with individuals hoarding the more desirable items which was what would¡¯ve occurred had people been simply allowed to take what they wanted.


    ¡°Least you could do is not crush them cookies.¡±


    The old man grumbled and gazed at Casey with such contempt that the young man had to count to twenty before opening his mouth lest the witless, beer-bellied asshole learned a difficult lesson about showing the proper respect.


    In the end, Casey remembered what he was here for and what lay at the end of failure.


    And so he stammered an apology and got back to work half-hoping that the slack-jawed hick pushed it.


    To his disappointment the old man simply sighed and went back to shuffling around the warehouse bothering the other workers to justify a sad and pathetic existence.


    After his shift ended he stomped back to the small apartment he shared with the others, but not before picking up a few hot dogs from the street cart on the way. The extra stipend was just enough to allow him the luxury, if boiled mystery meat could be called that.


    ¡°Why the long face? Bad day at work?¡± Sandy snickered.


    ¡°Shut up, stupid bitch!¡± he snapped.


    ¡°Is it that time of the month again, Casey?¡± Brent said.


    ¡°That¡¯s not my name, Brent,¡± he sneered.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t earned a true name yet, Casey,¡± Brent returned the sneer, ¡°You¡¯re Casey as long as we¡¯re on this Quest.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, moron. You better not screw this up for the rest of us or I¡¯ll¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll what? Use your magic and ruin things by blowing our cover?¡± Casey snorted. ¡°It¡¯s quite serendipitous that you¡¯re Sandy, because that¡¯s what you¡¯ve got in your head. I¡¯m doing my part and none of you can complain. I¡¯ve got the worst job. You get to sit behind a desk and flash your tits at everyone that walks into the mayor¡¯s office,¡± he glared at Sandy, ¡°and you, Brent, what the fuck do you even do? Handjobs behind the bar?¡±


    ¡°Sometimes,¡± Brent shrugged, ¡°I do what I can to spread my influence in this shithole.¡±


    ¡°We are not supposed to openly use our magic. Cambion warned us,¡± Scarlett sashayed into the living room still in her pajamas.


    ¡°Don¡¯t say his name!¡± Sandy hissed. ¡°We¡¯ve been warned! We don¡¯t know who could be listening!¡±


    Scarlett pulled her necklace out to show the large diamond. ¡°What do you see?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the bad color again?¡± Brent said.


    ¡°Red!¡± Casey was echoed by Sandy.


    They locked eyes, then shot each other the finger.


    ¡°I¡¯ll drown you in your nightmares!¡± he snapped.


    ¡°I¡¯ll turn you into yours!¡± she fired back.


    ¡°Children¡­¡± Scarlett sighed.


    ¡°Whatever, you whore,¡± Casey snorted. ¡°Must be nice get to sleep around all day. After a long night of had work.¡±


    ¡°I have my role, which I perform better than the rest of you. I¡¯ve heard all about your poor attitude. Mr. Johnson is this close to letting you go, Casey. Did you know that?¡±


    ¡°So, what? Like I care. I¡¯ll just find another job.¡±


    ¡°You gonna work in the fields? Or the mine? I don¡¯t see it. You can barely keep up when all you have to do is put food in boxes,¡± Brent laughed.


    ¡°I am better than menial labor,¡± Casey said through grit teeth. ¡°Better than you, spreading your legs for everyone that pays, Scarlett.¡±


    ¡°I spread my influence,¡± she smirked.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Brent said.


    ¡°I use none of my magic.¡± Scarlett made her way to the couch forcing Sandy and Brent to shift to the ends by mere dint of her presence. ¡°I¡¯ll take that hot dog,¡± she held her hand out.


    Casey scowled but handed it over after a moment.


    ¡°Thank you. Now that everyone is back let¡¯s start our daily meeting. Did anyone learn anything new?¡±


    ¡°Same thing as usual. Some of the patrons at the bar are always bragging about how great their kids are doing at that magic school,¡± Brent said. ¡°Can¡¯t get any details though. They¡¯re not allowed to talk about it and they¡¯re taking it seriously. I can¡¯t get anything more than it exists and it¡¯s great for their kids. Even when I get the NPC¡¯s pissed drunk they don¡¯t spill information.¡±


    ¡°Not even with your magic hand?¡± Casey sneered.


    ¡°Nope,¡± Brent replied blandly.


    ¡°Casey?¡± Scarlett looked at him expectantly.


    ¡°What the fuck am I supposed to learn in a warehouse all day?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve warned you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Relax, you massive whore!¡± Casey snapped. ¡°It¡¯s not like I¡¯m not trying. My mouth breather of a boss is always on everyone. You merely look like you¡¯re going to talk to someone and he¡¯s starts bleating like a sheep. Even if I could ask around the hicks all look at me like I¡¯m some kind of freak.¡±


    ¡°Maybe cause you are,¡± Sandy said.


    ¡°Sandy, that is not productive,¡± Scarlett warned.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s true. Casey would probably do better if he didn¡¯t walk around with a scowl and stare at everyone like they were garbage. Have you tried smiling?¡±


    ¡°Everyone in this shithole is garbage! A bunch of inbred hillbillies!¡± Casey snapped.


    ¡°That¡¯s true, but your poor attitude isn¡¯t helping our Quest,¡± Sandy looked down her nose at him.


    One day he would make her pay for the disrespect. They¡¯d all pay once he earned his true name.


    ¡°What about you, Sandy? The mayor has a couple of grandkids in this magic school. Have you learned more?¡±


    ¡°Nope,¡± Sandy sighed. ¡°Same thing as before. All I¡¯ve found out is that he¡¯s proud of the little shits.¡±


    ¡°We should just go to the school and see what¡¯s going on for ourselves,¡± Casey said.


    ¡°And we¡¯ve been over this,¡± Scarlett said. ¡°None of us have access to the inner town.¡±


    ¡°Thought you¡¯d have it by now. All the big shots have had access to your inner parts,¡± Casey mumbled.


    ¡°What was that?¡± Scarlett said. ¡°I don¡¯t think I caught what you just said.¡±


    Her eyes darkened, reddened.


    Casey bristled but backed down.


    It wasn¡¯t his time¡­ yet.


    ¡°Thought so,¡± Scarlett continued. ¡°As for myself, I am disappointed to report that I, too, haven¡¯t learned anything to further our goal. Which is why I think that there is something more going on here.¡±


    ¡°No shit. Sheep can¡¯t keep secrets. Not for this long. They all talk about the magic school and how great their kids and grandkids are doing, yet they don¡¯t reveal anything really important. You can feel the magic flowing around this place just like the rest of us. I¡¯d have thought you could do it better. Track the source or something since you¡¯re higher level. It¡¯s fucking obvious there¡¯s a spell or spells hiding the truth,¡± Casey rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Which would be doing the exact opposite of Cambion¡¯s instructions. We keep the diamond on us at all times. We do not use our magic. We maintain the technique we were taught to conceal our truth.¡±


    ¡°And we continue to waste our time. I say we need to get to this magic school. It¡¯s obvious that we¡¯ll find what we¡¯re looking for there. Is it only obvious to me?¡± Casey gazed with contempt at the others.


    ¡°We were talking about it before you got back,¡± Sandy said.


    ¡°Yup, I mean it was obvious to me, like, a week ago,¡± Brent said.


    ¡°Three for me,¡± Scarlett added. ¡°And before you add something else obvious and inane,¡± she held her hand out at Casey, ¡°we will not deviate from our instructions just because you have a problem putting canned goods in boxes.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a waste of time. People need to get their own shit. Fucking weak sheep,¡± Casey mumbled.


    ¡°What¡¯s he muttering about now?¡± Sandy rolled her eyes.


    ¡°I kinda agree. These people are sheep. Getting fat for the slaughter, which I¡¯m not really complaining about now that I think about it. This town is almost perfect for us. If we can only figure out how they¡¯re still alive without anyone over Level 30.¡±


    ¡°That we know off. It¡¯s obvious that there is something or someone that we can¡¯t see. I mean, why are we here in the first place?¡± Scarlett said.


    ¡°Because Cambion sent us to find¡­ something¡­¡± Casey said. ¡°Fuck. I need to get something to eat since you took my dinner,¡± he glared blades at Scarlett as he stood and slammed the door as he left the apartment.


    ¡°Is it safe to let him leave? He seems close to bursting, which would be bad for the rest of us,¡± Sandy said.


    ¡°Yeah, might have been a bad idea to live in the same place. We should¡¯ve stayed separate like we were when we came in,¡± Brent added.


    ¡°Are you questioning my decisions?¡± Scarlett said idly between bites of Casey¡¯s hot dog.


    ¡°Never. Well, anyways I have to get ready for work,¡± Brent said as he practically ran to his room.


    ¡°Sandy, I think it¡¯s time for you to make a move on the mayor. Try to get invited into the inner town. The school is the key and children are always what makes people vulnerable,¡± Scarlett said.


    ¡°Finally! I call dibs on the mayor¡¯s grandkids. I¡¯m sick of hearing about the little shitheads,¡± Sandy chuckled.

 6.41

    Now, Tennessee


    ¡°I call on the power of Jesus¡­¡±


    A withered voice rang out breaking the soothing quiet of the large park next to the small school compound.


    ¡°Sumbitch! Not this again.¡±


    ¡°I got her last time¡­¡±


    ¡°Ugh¡­ Mage Shield.¡±


    A soft red glow surrounded his body.


    Red.


    Definitely not pink.


    A person would have to be color blind to think it was the latter.


    ¡°Mrs. McCarthy this ain¡¯t right¡­¡±


    ¡°Begone foul agent of Satan! I Smite you!¡±


    The old woman¡¯s bony hand shot out and a yellow orb slammed into his chest washing over him. His shield flickered but held.


    ¡°Okay¡­ I¡¯m bout done with this bullsh¡ª crap. Every week, Ma¡¯am. Same thing every week. She ain¡¯t doing no harm to no one. Just making our kiddies better able to defend themselves. Don¡¯t you think Jesus would be good with that? I¡¯d like to think the good Lord wants our young¡¯uns taken care of, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°He will come to you clad in a pleasing form! The better to lead the faithful astray and into damnation! I reject you devil! Smite!¡±


    T.J. let the orb hit him. ¡°Now, Mrs. McCarthy, you can see that it ain¡¯t doing me no harm.¡± Better him than the kids currently learning their lessons in the middle of the park. Not that the tall lady would be much bothered by the old woman¡¯s weak spells. It was more of an embarrassment for the community than anything else.


    ¡°Stop that right now, Mrs. McCarthy!¡± a big-boned woman came thundering up the sidewalk with a pair of young men flanking her.


    ¡°Mrs. Jessup,¡± T.J. nodded. ¡°She got away again,¡± he stated the obvious.


    ¡°Yeah and I¡¯m right sorry about that. It¡¯s just¡­ the spells¡­ you turn your head an instant and she¡¯s gone.¡±


    ¡°Unhand me, Satan¡¯s whores!¡± Mrs McCarthy screeched as the burly young men picked her up and carried her back the way they had come. ¡°This is what happens when you let the blacks and gays¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry about that,¡± Mrs. Jessup shook her head. ¡°Mrs. McCarthy¡¯s got it in her head that the tall lady¡¯s Lucifer himself come to corrupt our children.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, I figure she¡¯s got a lot of wrong ideas rattling around in her head,¡± T.J. frowned.


    ¡°Yet somehow she¡¯s got holy power,¡± Mrs. Jessup raised a brow.


    ¡°Any Mage-type can cast spells. If you¡¯re insinuating that the old racist bigot¡¯s got a direct line to Jesus then I¡¯d tell you to have a chat with the tall lady. What you keep letting get out from under your watch is just a delusion old woman. There ain¡¯t nothing holy about her.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, but age¡¯s messing with her mind¡­ you might show more respect for your elders.¡±


    ¡°I always figured respect is earned not given and you might be right bout that¡­ but it ain¡¯t no excuse to come out here and throw spells around while kids are trying to learn.¡±


    ¡°And what are they learning from? Think about that¡­ maybe it ain¡¯t right to learn from that¡­ outsider,¡± Mrs. Jessup stomped away before T.J. could reply.


    ¡°You notice how when people ain¡¯t got the confidence in their own words how quick they are to scoot?¡± T.J. glanced at his fellow guard.


    ¡°Huh? What?¡±


    ¡°Caleb, your eyes ain¡¯t looking in the right direction,¡± T.J. warned.


    The other guard was indeed watching the group of children gathered around a tall, cloaked figure a distance away in the middle of the park.


    ¡°What I wouldn¡¯t give to get a couple of lessons from the tall lady,¡± Caleb muttered before tearing his eyes away and turning around to resume his watch.


    ¡°Just lessons?¡±


    Caleb laughed. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t turn down anything from her eminence and before you say nothing, I know for a fact that you and every other red-blooded American man in this town, not to mention a few women would do the same.¡±


    T.J. shook his head. His head wanted to deny it, but his heart¡­ ¡°It¡¯s the way she glows.¡±


    ¡°The most beautiful thing I have ever had the privilege to lay my eyes on,¡± Caleb agreed. ¡°Learning magic from her would be a bonus, don¡¯t get me wrong.¡±


    ¡°Them kids are going to be better than you and me before the year is out¡­ seems unfair.¡±


    ¡°Ain¡¯t got any control over the lady. She¡¯s got her reasons. One night¡­ just one night and I¡¯d die happy.¡±


    ¡°You hornier than a two-dicked goat. Scarlett not scratching that itch no more?¡±


    ¡°That one is a mighty fine woman and a great fuck, but she only human. The lady¡¯s magical.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯d be easier to do our jobs if they didn¡¯t always come out here to do their learning.¡± T.J. took one last look at the outdoor class before returning to his duty.


    <hr>


    ¡°My teacher, isn¡¯t there a spell that can help Mrs. McCarthy?¡±


    ¡°My student, what is wrong with your elder can only be truly fixed by a conscious choice on her part. Only she alone can be better.¡± The cloaked woman¡¯s voice seemed to twinkle with gentle, delicate musical instruments. The soft glow from her impossibly perfect face radiated outward despite the hood doing its best to hide the distraction.


    ¡°But aren¡¯t there spells¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes, however those are not the kind that I teach, nor would I encourage them. Still, as you grow, you will make choices in your path through the world of magic. I am only a guide to the beginning of that great journey. Now, back to the lesson.¡±


    What T.J. and Caleb saw whenever they glanced at the class was different from reality. The two guards saw a small group of children clustered around the tall, robed figure seated in the grass. The former listened attentively, while the latter spoke in a voice like music.


    Instead, the children spread out in case they lost control of the spell they were about to try. Not that their teacher would let true harm occur. She could heal anything short of explosive bodily dismemberment.


    There was a soft thump of an exploding fireball followed by a loud cry of pain that no one outside the teacher¡¯s zone of magic heard.


    ¡°William,¡± she sighed. ¡°Untempered eagerness is reckless and will inevitably lead to poor outcomes for the wielder.¡±


    ¡°Yes, my teacher¡­ sorry,¡± the boy said through tears in his eyes. His hands were charred and blackened. Soot covered his entire front and the bottom half of his face.


    The teacher healed his burns with a gesture. She even fixed his clothing so that it was as if a fireball hadn¡¯t just exploded in his hands.


    ¡°Now, everyone begin.¡±


    Faces scrunched with intense concentration.


    One by one the children conjured small orbs of fire in their hands.


    Not a one had spoken a word.


    ¡°There is no need to speak the word. That is the first fetter that the spires impose. What do we do with those?¡±


    ¡°We break them!¡± the children spoke in unison.


    ¡°Good, my students. When you have mastered the language of the spell you will be able to conjure it in an instant. The act of visualization that takes you seconds now will be done in a¡ª¡± she snapped her long fingers creating an explosive sound.


    Multiple fireballs exploded as most of the children lost their concentration.


    ¡°Well done, Jennylyn, Rupert, Emma.¡±


    The teacher took a moment to heal the others.


    Poor William, twice in minutes. He wavered but rose back to his feet and tried to bring another fireball into existence. The rest recast theirs while the boy continued to struggle.


    The teacher opened her mouth to speak when the fiery orb flared into existence in the boy¡¯s hands.


    ¡°Well done, William. Your minds must be mithril. Casting the magic in this fashion is akin to grasping a verdant eater¡¯s tail. Now, dismiss the spell¡­ properly.¡±


    One by one the fireballs winked out.


    Not all the children were successful.


    The sky lit up with bright flashes of yellow, orange and red.


    ¡°Sit down and recover mana.¡±


    The teacher was once again forced to heal a handful and repair their clothing. It wouldn¡¯t do well to let the human elders know that truth of her lessons. Experience had shown her that most sapient beings were squeamish with her methods. An unavoidable instinct to protect their progeny even if it weakened them in the long run.


    ¡°True magic is not packaged in boxes as the spires would have you believe. It would have you reliant upon it. A true master is not constrained to purchasing and receiving spells. A true master can learn anything¡­ with some restrictions of course¡­ but perhaps one of you will rise to such heights that you will discover a way to take what is rightfully ours.¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t, my teacher?¡± William said.


    ¡°Not yet, my student. Mastering magic is the endeavor of multiple lifetimes. I have lived long and know much, but what I don¡¯t know is the most important thing of all.¡±


    A hand shot up.


    ¡°Yes, Emma.¡±


    ¡°What don¡¯t you know?¡±


    ¡°Many things. Too many to regale you with in our allotted time for this lesson.¡±


    ¡°You said that we can learn any spell, but then you said we can¡¯t?¡± Rupert¡¯s face twisted in confusion.


    ¡°The class system cages us as much as it supposedly gives us power. As you¡¯ve learned, specialization strengthens you in one path while weakening you in others and perhaps barring the way down others completely. You cannot learn from two antithetical ways. Of course there are exceptions, however rare and difficult they are to achieve.¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡±


    ¡°That, I cannot teach. It is for the individual practitioner to discover.¡± She stared into the sky, noted the sun¡¯s position and promptly pushed some of her own mana into the children. It was a small matter. Akin to a few drops from a massive lake. ¡°Now, what spell shall we try next?¡±


    ¡°Lightning Bolt!¡±


    ¡°Withering Lash!¡±


    ¡°Conjure Food: Ice Cream Sundae!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re such a child, Rand. Grow up!¡± Emma snapped.


    Snickers.


    ¡°Fine, then we should try Sticky Glob,¡± Rand said.


    ¡°So you can put it in my hair again?¡±


    ¡°Emma, Rand. That¡¯s enough,¡± the teacher¡¯s tone was gentle yet firm. ¡°How about we try Mage Hand. I¡¯d like to see the results of your home practice.¡±


    The children cast their spells.


    Rand promptly sent a rude gesture with the ethereal hand at Emma¡¯s back.


    The teacher had always found it interesting that the young of different sapients were much alike. Then again they weren¡¯t that different if the capacity to interbreed existed. At least when it came to humans and her kind.


    She idly mused if the same could be said of the cragants.


    It was a shame that the dominion had always kept a tight grasp on the giant humanoids¡¯ movement through her home world. They briefly set foot on her world only to travel to a different world where the dominion continued its pointless conquests. Too brief to study. She would¡¯ve liked to learn more about them.


    Knowledge and magic were the two things that she held in her soul.


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    The cost to travel to this untouched world had been immense, but it had been worth it.


    Now, she could shape an entire peoples¡¯ understanding of magic.


    If only there weren¡¯t so many different competitors out there.


    Soon she could take another step toward the well-deserved destruction of one of them.


    Kin.


    Her face twitched. The slightest of movement to show how much that one disgusted her.


    That one was a true perversion of her kind.


    Still, it wasn¡¯t her way to stain her hands unless absolutely necessary.


    Why bother after all?


    This world had its own defenders.


    She¡¯d simply point one in the right direction.


    <hr>


    ¡°Stupid Emma and her stupid face always thinking she¡¯s better than me!¡± Rand spat.


    ¡°Gross!¡± Jennylyn said. ¡°Anyways, what¡¯s your problem with her? She¡¯s nice. Right, Cammi?¡±


    Three chubby-cheeked faces turned to the fourth expectantly with all the gravitas of mathematicians about to learn whether or not they were about to discover an entirely new number hitherto unknown to mankind.


    The girl in question adjusted her glasses and rolled her eyes. ¡°Emma helped me figure out the spell orb, so she¡¯s okay with me,¡± Cammi gave the others a thumbs up.


    Rand made a disgusted noise. ¡°That¡¯s just cause you¡¯re girls and everyone knows you stick together. Anything to put a man down,¡± he nodded with all the assurance of a 10 year old that thought he knew everything. ¡°Rupes agrees¡­ right, Rupes.¡±


    Rupert sighed. ¡°Objectively speaking, Emma isn¡¯t stupid. She¡¯s like the number one student¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah, just cause she kisses the teacher¡¯s ass.¡±


    ¡°Uh oh! You said a bad word. I¡¯m telling the teacher,¡± Jennyln laughed.


    ¡°Yeah, Ms. Teacher said that¡­¡± Cammi cleared her throat to adopt a more refined, stately tone, ¡°Profanity is the harbor of the small-minded. The small-minded have no place traveling the paths of magic.¡±


    ¡°Snitches,¡± Rand scoffed. ¡°All I¡¯m saying is that Emma shouldn¡¯t think she¡¯s better than me¡ª us. It¡¯s not cool.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ she doesn¡¯t,¡± Rupert frowned.


    ¡°She¡¯s always trying to raise her hand first to answer all the questions and she¡¯s always making me¡ª us look bad when we get an answer wrong and she just jumps in, like, she already knew the answer, but she let us get it wrong just so she could jump in and make herself look better,¡± Rand said in one breath.


    ¡°You¡¯re the stupid face,¡± Jennylyn rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Yeah, Rand. What you said literally doesn¡¯t make sense. There were at least two contradictions,¡± Cammi said.


    ¡°Whatever. Like, I¡¯ll listen to you two snitches and nerds.¡±


    Three of the children bickered and called each other names for a couple of blocks. The fourth one merely sighed and tried not to think about how pretty one of the other three looked when she stuck her tongue out and made that face.


    Rupert considered asking his older brother about how one knew when they liked someone. He¡¯d be asking for a ¡®friend¡¯ of course. Yeah, for a friend because he suspected that Rand¡¯s dislike of Emma was probably the opposite.


    ¡°You talk about her a lot,¡± Rupert mused.


    Rand rounded on him with narrowed eyes. ¡°What you trying to say?¡±


    ¡°Nothing¡­ just¡­ you¡¯re always talking about Emma,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Rupert¡¯s right!¡± Cammi beamed as she patted Rupert on the arm.


    He decided than that he would never wash that arm again.


    Okay.


    Maybe not never.


    At least a few days.


    His mom and dad would notice.


    Could he ask Ms. Teacher for a spell to somehow preserve his arm¡¯s state without it getting gross and smelly?


    No.


    He decided that probably fell under frivolous use of their arcane might.


    Then again, she always encouraged experimentation.


    ¡°Rupes? You okay,¡± Rand blinked.


    ¡°Yeah, what?¡±


    ¡°You spaced out? Oh, was it a vision?¡± Cammi said. ¡°I try to get visions, but nothing so far.¡±


    Jennylyn gave Rupert a knowing look and giggle. ¡°Keep trying, girl! It¡¯d be so awesome if you could become a seer or an oracle!¡±


    ¡°I know, right!¡± Cammi¡¯s pigtails bounced along with her head as she nodded.


    Rupert felt his face get hot while Rand scrutinized him.


    ¡°OMG! He¡¯s turning red,¡± Jennylyn snickered under her breath.


    ¡°What¡¯d you say?¡± Cammi said.


    ¡°Nothing! She didn¡¯t say nothing! I mean¡ª homework! I mean, what do you guys think of our homework!¡± Rupert said.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to try it out!¡± Cammi said.


    Jennylyn gave Rupert a deliberate, knowing look as if to say, I¡¯ll let you loose¡­ this time. ¡°It¡¯s a little scary,¡± she said.


    ¡°PFFTTT!¡±


    ¡°Ugh¡­ gross, Rand. You¡¯re the worse,¡± Jennylyn wiped the spittle off her cheek.


    ¡°Er¡­ sorry, that wasn¡¯t on purpose,¡± Rand grimaced.


    ¡°Well, since you think you¡¯re number 1, which you aren¡¯t, since everyone knows it¡¯s Emma, what¡¯re you going to do for the assignment?¡±


    ¡°Well, Jennylyn, I¡¯m not going to tell you since you¡¯re a snitch and you¡¯ll probably tell Emma,¡± Rand crossed his arms triumphantly.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to use Play-Doh. Do you think that¡¯s a good idea, Cammi?¡± Rupert ventured nervously.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Cammi adjusted her glasses, ¡°yeah! That¡¯s a great idea! Ms. Teacher said that for now the simpler the physical form the easier it¡¯ll be to bind the summoned spirit into it. I¡¯ll try Play-Doh too!¡±


    ¡°Lame,¡± Rand snorted.


    Several beats passed.


    ¡°And what are you going to use? Your superhero toys?¡± Jennylyn scoffed.


    ¡°No¡ª yes¡­ and they¡¯re not toys.¡±


    ¡°Oh, sorry. Action figures,¡± she rolled her eyes.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯ll work,¡± Cammi said.


    ¡°Shut up! You¡¯re stupid!¡±


    Rupert frowned at Rand and took a half-step toward him.


    ¡°You¡¯re stupid!¡± Cammi fired back. ¡°Otherwise you¡¯d remember what Ms. Teacher said.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    ¡°She only taught us how to summon the simplest of spirits from the closest plane to existence.¡± She sighed at the uncomprehending look on Rand¡¯s face. ¡°Simple forms! Ugh!¡± she stomped her foot. ¡°Simple forms and we have to shape them ourselves or it won¡¯t work.¡±


    ¡°Action figures won¡¯t work¡­ stupid!¡± Jennylyn added.


    The anger on Rand¡¯s face slowly turned into the excitement that one could only get after coming up with an idea that they thought was genius.


    ¡°Oh no¡ª¡± Jennylyn began.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Rand said.


    ¡°And there he goes¡­ I don¡¯t even¡ª¡±


    ¡°I can make a tiny poo guy!¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Rupert groaned.


    ¡°It¡¯s not against the rules. Ms. Teacher didn¡¯t say anything about what we could make them out of,¡± Rand forged ahead. Oblivious to the mingled looks of disgust and exasperation on his friends¡¯ faces. ¡°Then when I bring it to class tomorrow. It¡¯ll accidentally jump on Emma¡¯s head and accidentally smear itself on her hair and face.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s gross,¡± Cammi said.


    ¡°Even for you,¡± Jennylyn shook her head.


    ¡°Only girls would be too grossed out to explore the true paths of magic,¡± Rand said smugly.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re gonna just what? Grab your shit and sculpt a small man out of it?¡± Jennylyn said.


    Rand shrugged. ¡°Or a dog¡¯s, a cat¡¯s, whatever?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll take your hands and grab shit?¡± Jennylyn continued.


    ¡°I¡¯ll wear gloves.¡±


    ¡°But the smell?¡± Rupert said.


    ¡°A mask.¡± Rand eyed them like they were the ones talking about using excrement to house a tiny summoned spirit. ¡°We¡¯ve dissected all different kinds of animals and you¡¯re grossed out by shit. The thing that comes out of our asses everyday! This is why I should be the top student. Only I¡¯m willing to get my hands dirty for the sake of my path.¡±


    ¡°Poop-o-mancer?¡± Cammi eyed him like he was a slimy worm.


    ¡°You two better watch your tone or you might get a little visit from my shit golem,¡± Rand smirked.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Cams. Boys are gross. Let¡¯s go.¡± Jennylyn took her friend¡¯s hand and power-walked away.


    Rupert sighed as he waved at the two girls as they went on ahead.


    ¡°Rupes, it¡¯s genius,¡± Rand said.


    ¡°No. It really isn¡¯t. Ms. Teacher will turn you into a pig¡­ like she did to Old Man John.¡± Rupert shuddered at the memory. Not that the pervy old drunk didn¡¯t have it coming. Plus, it hadn¡¯t been permanent. Just a few days.


    ¡°What?¡± Rand dismissed Rupert¡¯s concern immediately. ¡°No she won¡¯t. It¡¯s totally different. Old Man John was running around with his dick flapping around while trying to grab peoples¡¯ asses. Ms. Teacher probably only bothered cause he was stupid enough to try to run up to her. This is different. It¡¯s experimentation and magic.¡±


    Rupert watched his friend clench a fist and shake it to sky for some reason.


    ¡°It won¡¯t work,¡± he said after a few moments of thought. ¡°Emma¡¯s the best for a reason. You won¡¯t catch her off guard. She¡¯ll get a mage shield up in an instant to block your shitman. And then Ms. Teacher will punish you. If you¡¯re lucky it¡¯ll only be time out. But, Rand, she might expel you for this. Or she¡¯ll make your shitman do it¡¯s thing on your face.¡±


    ¡°Then that is my sacrifice,¡± Rand intoned. ¡°I can¡¯t be afraid to fail, like Ms. Teacher always says. To advance on my path is to stumble. All that matters is that I rise and continue the journey. She¡¯ll understand.¡±


    ¡°And your path is summoning poo elementals?¡± Rupert tried.


    ¡°No way!¡± Rand scoffed. ¡°Unless¡­¡±


    Rupert groaned.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ why not? No one would want to fight a poop elemental. While they¡¯re all grossed out and distracted that¡¯s when I nail them,¡± Rand nodded.


    ¡°Please think about this,¡± Rupert resumed walking.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Rupes, I might need your help. I¡¯ve got an idea. A smaller shit man within the first shit man. Emma will drop her shield after the first one fails only for the second to burst out!¡± Rand cackled.


    ¡°Noooo¡­ that¡¯s an even worse idea,¡± Rupert ran a hand through his hair.


    ¡°It¡¯s perfect. Like that movie you love so much. I¡¯ll call the technique, Shitception!¡±


    Rupert was a boy and yet, he was a traitor to his kind.


    For at this moment he had to agree with Jennylyn¡¯s cruel and perhaps unfair assessment.


    Boys were, indeed, gross.


    <hr>


    Cal drove the RV up to the barricade with one hand held out the open window.


    Men and women with guns were never a threat but it would¡¯ve made things harder to get into the town if shooting broke out.


    ¡°It¡¯s lightly defended,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°What that?¡± the little guy said as he stood on her lap to get a better look.


    ¡°.50 Cal machine gun,¡± she replied.


    ¡°You¡¯re thinking what I¡¯m thinking?¡±


    ¡°Dream elf lady,¡± she nodded sagely. ¡°Scans?¡±


    ¡°Just a light a touch. I don¡¯t want to give anyone the wrong impression. Nothing I¡¯d consider worrisome. No duress or mental control as far as I can tell.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good. Just a quiet mountain valley town. Hopefully, they aren¡¯t racist.¡±


    Cal¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Mildly¡­ low diversity¡­ but I¡¯m happy to note there is no slavery¡­ a few dozen virulent racists, but they¡¯re mostly keep it in check because the majority of the people are more concerned about putting on an organized front against the monsters and raiding types.¡±


    ¡°Cannibals?¡±


    ¡°None.¡±


    ¡°Zalthyss church?¡±


    ¡°Also none.¡±


    ¡°Undead?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°Skin monsters?¡±


    ¡°No¡ª what?¡±


    ¡°You know¡­ that one Eron fought a long time ago. He was telling one of the junior rangers classes about it. I happened to be sitting in as a favor to your sister. She didn¡¯t want him to say anything that was too scarring.¡±


    ¡°And he¡ª and you¡ª¡± Cal shook his head. ¡°You guys thought the skin monster was an okay story for the kids?¡±


    ¡°Well, I made sure that he didn¡¯t go into detail about the¡ª¡± she covered the little guy¡¯s ears, ¡°about the little boy being the skin monster the whole time.¡±


    ¡°I guess it¡¯s better than the whole Santa demon, monster, thing, whatever,¡± he sighed. ¡°Couldn¡¯t he have talked about flying or something.¡±


    ¡°Rayna wanted the kids to learn some of the realities of what they could face out there. Kind of like a scared straight thing. She¡¯s hoping most of them decide to take a non-combat route as their primary.¡±


    ¡°That is the ideal.¡±


    Cal slowed the RV to a halt a few feet in front of the barricade.


    It was a positive mark on the armed guards¡¯ behalf that their weapons weren¡¯t pointed at them.


    ¡°Um¡­ alright, I ain¡¯t gonna sugarcoat it, but what in the hells are you doin¡¯ out in these parts?¡± the lead guard, a scar-faced woman drawled.


    ¡°You don¡¯t get a lot of visitors?¡±


    ¡°No sir, we most definitely do not. Not the least bit a family drivin¡¯ up in an old camper like it were ten, fifteen years ago. So, please don¡¯t take no offense to my brusque tone, but what in the hells are you doin¡¯ out in these parts?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ it¡¯s just as you see,¡± Cal smiled. ¡°My family and I are on vacation and we¡ª¡± he noticed the woman glance down at her wrist to the small clear diamond set in a watch band, ¡°got a dream message from a very tall lady. She might¡¯ve been glowing, big eyes, long, knife-shaped ears. Impossibly beautiful. So on and so forth. Anyways, I hope I¡¯m not wrong, but I think she might¡¯ve been inviting us here. Sound familiar?¡±


    Nila gaped at him.


    He shrugged.


    It was terrible opsec but he had a good feeling about it.


    Notably, the diamond on the guard¡¯s wrist remained clear as she had glanced back and forth from it to him.


    ¡°Listen, we mean you no harm, we come in peace¡­ and such, so¡ª¡±


    ¡°Just hang on a sec, sir. I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    The guard hurried to the other side of the barricade disappearing into the gatehouse.


    ¡°What the hell was that?¡± Nila hissed.


    ¡°Well¡­ it was an invitation and everyone agreed that it didn¡¯t seem hostile.¡±


    ¡°Seem being the operative word.¡±


    ¡°I figured since everything with the people in this town seemed okay that we could just cut straight to the important stuff. We meet this elf lady, hopefully get some good info on the Vitiator annnndddd get back to our vacation. It¡¯s over halfway through November and we have to get back to ¡®real life¡¯ after the new year.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but if they start shooting, I swear¡­¡± Nila shook her fist.


    ¡°Mom, no swear, bad,¡± the little guy gazed at her with grave disappointment.


    ¡°Ha!¡±


    The guard came back with a map.


    ¡°Go to the motel and wait to be contacted.¡±


    She had helpfully drawn arrows and circled the location.


    ¡°It¡¯s free.¡±


    ¡°We can pay.¡±


    ¡°Nah, the lady said so, so¡¯s you ain¡¯t got to pay. Listen up. Don¡¯t go exploring around until you¡¯re contacted. We¡¯ll be keeping an eye on you. Just follow instructions and we ain¡¯t gonna have no problems. Got that?¡±


    ¡°Understood. Thank you and have a nice day!¡± he smiled.


    The guard stared at him with too-wide eyes but nodded and managed a strained smile directed toward Nila and the little guy.


    ¡°See,¡± he said after they entered the town.


    ¡°You can¡¯t gloat until after we don¡¯t get attacked in some shoddy motel. I¡¯m going to get into my armor,¡± Nila sighed as she plopped the little guy on Cal¡¯s lap and headed to the back.

 6.42

    Now, Tennessee


    ¡°Motherfu¡ª¡±


    ¡°Wassup?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Casey mumbled.


    ¡°Oh? Thought you was sayin¡¯ some shit. You should announciate yo words.¡±


    ¡°Enunciate,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Casey regarded the much larger man stabbing the stick into the muck slowly drifting down the nearly stagnant sewer water.


    ¡°Nothing. I was just saying that this is a bullshit job, no?¡±


    ¡°Better than that farm shit or the mine. You ain¡¯t gonna fuckin¡¯ find me crawlin¡¯ in the dark with all those monster. ¡®Sides, big boy like me ain¡¯t supposed to be in no tiny tunnels. Only thing I¡¯d be gettin¡¯ in that tight be a woman,¡± he chuckled.


    Casey pretended to laugh along. He agreed with the general sentiment. It was just that he absolutely despised this mouth-breathing hillbilly despite only knowing him for a few hours.


    They continued breaking up the most egregious chunks of sewage in relative silence until they reached the end of the tunnel. That was just about the only good thing about this particular part of his new job. The section of sewers that people had to physically move through wasn¡¯t that large.


    ¡°Hey?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You new ¡®round here, yeah?¡±


    Casey nodded.


    ¡°How¡¯d you end up here? It ain¡¯t exactly a prime postin¡¯.¡±


    ¡°What about you? Why are you here?¡± Casey didn¡¯t want to admit that he had been essentially fired from the grocery store warehouse job. The worst part had been the smug look on that old fuck¡¯s face. He hadn¡¯t been fooled. The old man had said all the right words. Talking about it was ¡®just a bad fit¡¯ and that ¡®he hoped that Casey would find the right place¡¯. Fuck that guy. Once the cabal moved in Casey vowed to make the old man eat his words.


    The big hick shrugged.


    Casey hadn¡¯t bothered to remember the man¡¯s name. There wasn¡¯t a point.


    ¡°Like I says¡­ ain¡¯t wanted to be on no farm or mine. Ain¡¯t got the patience for any of the other shit. This ain¡¯t bad. Ain¡¯t got to deal with no bosses. So long as I do wut I¡¯m ¡®posed to they don¡¯t bother me none.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but you¡¯re breaking up chunks of shit all day, all week. The fucking stench.¡±


    ¡°It ain¡¯t just that. Ain¡¯t actually most of the day. A lot of makin¡¯ sure dem gutters and drains ain¡¯t clogged. I¡¯ll learn ya.¡±


    Casey blinked and spent too much effort translating the hick-speak.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ okay.¡±


    ¡°Wut you do before?¡±


    Fucking hick didn¡¯t want to drop it.


    ¡°Grocery store.¡±


    The hick nodded like that was something profound.


    ¡°Inside or warehouse?¡±


    ¡°What does that matter?¡± Casey tried to keep the irritation from escaping.


    ¡°Damn kid, you wound up. Just makin¡¯ conversatin¡¯ is all. Tryin¡¯ be friendly and shit,¡± the big man shook his head. ¡°They was sayin¡¯ you got an attitude problem.¡±


    The irritation became hate in an instant.


    A spell of pure, crippling pain was on the tip of his tongue ready to make the big hick regret ever opening his dumb mouth.


    Somehow, Casey managed to pull back from the edge.


    He feared the consequences of failure more than putting up with the countless indignities these backwoods people had inflicted upon him in just a few short months.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to go check again. Make sure we didn¡¯t miss anything.¡±


    ¡°Whatever you want, kid. It¡¯s ¡®bout time for my break anyways. You got fifteen then we got to start our rounds before lunch.¡±


    Casey¡¯s gaze stayed locked to the big hick¡¯s back as the other man exited the sewer.


    ¡°You¡¯re on the list too,¡± he mumbled.


    Casey took his stick and trudged back to the other end of the sewer tunnel. The fetid, slow-moving water could only be loosely called that. It was entirely too brown and thick.


    The smell was truly horrendous.


    Not that he hadn¡¯t smelled terrible things as part of being in the Cabal.


    But at least that was in the service of gaining greater magical power.


    He didn¡¯t mind it too much that tortured people pissed and shit themselves.


    The power, the levels gained outweighed all other concerns.


    What he had to endure in this backwoods town¡­ now that was true torture.


    So many soft people going about without a care in the world.


    He couldn¡¯t understand how they had survived this long. Why the mutant animals and monsters in the surrounding woods and mountains hadn¡¯t swept through and ate every last one of the useless sheep.


    There was something that they weren¡¯t seeing. Something they had continually failed to discover. After all, they had been sent here for a reason and he wanted to be the one to discover it.


    Which wasn¡¯t going to be likely considering how they kept conspiring to push him further away from the important parts of the town.


    ¡°Fucking Scarlett, slut spends her nights getting trains run on her. Bitch Sandy¡¯s sucking off old dicks. That pussy Brent just jerks off¡ª¡± a slight surge of magic danced across his fingers. ¡°Shit!¡± he clamped down on it. Their instructions from Cambion had been to not use any magic at all. The 1st Finger had claimed that the Vitiator had said it himself. ¡°Fuckfuckfuck!¡± he scarcely dared breathe. He eyed his surroundings waiting for¡­ something.


    The hyperawareness was the only reason that he caught the movement of something small in the turgid water.


    He deftly stabbed his stick out and fished the object out of the muck.


    It was¡ª ¡°¡­ a piece of shit, of course,¡± his lip curled in disgust, then wonder when he realized that the piece of shit was loosely-shaped in a humanoid form and was moving its arms and legs as though it was swimming. ¡°The fuck!¡±


    Back at the apartment Scarlett crawled out of bed and slinked into the kitchen.


    ¡°Any luck last night?¡± Brent was already eating at the table.


    ¡°Where¡¯s mine?¡±


    He shot her a two-fingered salute, which she returned blandly.


    ¡°So?¡±


    ¡°Food first. Since you didn¡¯t make me any you¡¯re going to wait like the bitch you are.¡±


    ¡°We all know you¡¯re the biggest bitch there is.¡±


    Scarlett snorted.


    Brent and the rest had gotten comfortable around her over the last few months sharing a living space. She couldn¡¯t do anything about it now, but once the Quest was over she¡¯d remind them of her higher standing.


    She took her time preparing her lunch drawing it out. She could feel Brent¡¯s discomfort at the wait. Good.


    She sat down to eat across from Brent and spent several minutes eating. She chewed slowly and deliberately. She held Brent¡¯s gaze with her own until he looked away.


    Dominance asserted, at least for now.


    ¡°I have nothing different to report,¡± she said lightly.


    ¡°Thought as much. I can¡¯t say any different. We need to get into the inner town.¡±


    ¡°The magic school is the key. One of my¡­ clients¡­ related a story about it. A few days old and I don¡¯t know if it matters.¡±


    ¡°What was it?¡±


    ¡°The class tends to take place in the park next to the school. Rain or shine, and yet the kids never get wet. There was some sort of disturbance. A crazy old person. Apparently, it¡¯s a pretty regular thing.¡±


    ¡°Could we maybe use that? As a distraction,¡± Brent mused.


    ¡°We can¡¯t sneak into the inner town without using spells or Skills, which is a failure condition for the Quest.¡±


    ¡°Is it though?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± she blinked at Brent, regarded him as the himbo he was, ¡°it is. The Quest literally warns of the dangers of being discovered using them.¡±


    ¡°I guess. It¡¯s been another week and everything¡¯s still pointing toward that school. So, we need to actually get eyes and ears on it. Which we can¡¯t do unless we get into the inner town. I don¡¯t know about you but I¡¯d like to get done with this sooner rather than later. The Quest might be worth a ton of points but we¡¯re also wasting away doing nothing here.¡±


    ¡°We have time. We¡¯ll still come out ahead if we succeed within the next two months. Maybe, Sandy will have better news now that she¡¯s going to be more¡­ assertive.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s about all that bimbo is good for,¡± Brent snorted. ¡°You know, I thought it was gonna be her doing whore duty at the brothel instead of you. It was surprising that you picked that one. I never took you for a slut,¡± he grinned lightly.


    She regarded him mildly. ¡°Then you truly have no idea what I¡¯m capable of.¡±


    Brent¡¯s eyes narrowed. He stood without a word and left his empty plate.


    Yes. She was going to need to teach several lessons when they completed their Quest.


    For her part, Sandy had failed. She had been failing all week. A progression of shorter and tighter dresses had done nothing to tempt the eyes of her target.


    The mayor was old, but he wasn¡¯t that old¡­ was he?


    She wasn¡¯t sure. She didn¡¯t normally bother with anyone over the age of 40.


    She vaguely knew that old people had drugs for that and Skills.


    Actually, she knew that latter existed for a fact through her experiences in the Cabal with its older members.


    Perhaps the mayor wasn¡¯t into women?


    But then again he always talked about his grandchildren.


    It was all too confusing and hard for Sandy.


    She wasn¡¯t supposed to be stuck behind a desk doing monotonous tasks for eight hours a day, five days a week. Who did that anyways? It was such a boring way to live. It wasn¡¯t truly life as far as she was concerned.


    She couldn¡¯t wait to stop doing it. She had so much frustrated energy to expend.


    The mayor¡¯s grandchildren were a perfect target.


    He always bragged about how good they were with their magic.


    Well, she¡¯d show them what real magic could do.


    Their pain and suffering would make her own grow.


    She wanted to use a spell to entrap the mayor¡¯s mind, but that was a big no no.


    Cambion had so. As did the Quest.


    She might¡¯ve ignored or ¡®forgot¡¯ to listen to the former. Not the latter.


    ¡°Hey, Sandy!¡± the mayor smiled as he approached her desk.


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Mayor,¡± she fluttered her eyes and leaned forward pushing her chest out by squeezing her arms together.


    The old man didn¡¯t even break eye contact for a second.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you go home early,¡± he smiled. ¡°My grandkids have a special presentation and I¡¯m calling it a day.¡±


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°Oh, really! What kind of presentation? It¡¯s at that special magic school thing right?¡±


    ¡°Yup!¡± he beamed proudly. ¡°I don¡¯t know much about magic stuff, still can¡¯t believe it¡¯s real, but you can¡¯t really deny it can you?¡± he laughed.


    Sandy laughed just as heartily.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what it¡¯s all about but they¡¯ve been working all weak on getting their little Play-Doh men¡­ oh, make that ¡®woman¡¯ for Jennylyn¡¯s, not that I can tell the difference. Between you and me, it looks like a lump with arms and legs. They¡¯ve been doing something to make them move around. Darnedest thing. I know I¡¯ve seen some weird things since those god-forsaken spires showed up, but my precious babies making Play-Doh dance around¡­¡± he shook his head.


    ¡°Oh, but isn¡¯t that dangerous?¡±


    ¡°Some folk might think so. Call it the Devil¡¯s work, but I don¡¯t. I¡¯ve seen enough to know that we need that magic if we¡¯re going to survive. The kids¡¯ll need it more. That¡¯s why Ms. Teacher is a godsend far as I¡¯m concerned. I don¡¯t care much about me. I¡¯m old and seen more than I¡¯d want. I just want Jennylyn and Willy to get the same chance that I did.¡±


    ¡°Awww¡­ I¡¯m sure they will,¡± Sandy beamed.


    ¡°All we can do is pray to Jesus that¡¯ll be true,¡± the mayor smiled. ¡°I¡¯m off, lock up when you¡¯re done and have a good weekend. I¡¯ll see you Monday.¡±


    ¡°Good luck¡­ I mean for you grandkids¡¯ presentation! They¡¯ll do great!¡±


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t I know it! See you, Sandy!¡±


    ¡°Bye bye, Mr. Mayor!¡±


    Sandy cursed as soon as the mayor had left the office.


    That news sounded important.


    Unfortunately, what could she do with it without access to the vaunted magic school?


    Oh well.


    All she could do was report back to the others.


    On the plus side she had only been forced to do her stupid job for a little over half the day.


    It was the most excitement she¡¯d had in a while.


    <hr>


    ¡°It¡¯s been three days and we¡¯ve been stuck in this motel room the whole time,¡± Nila mused.


    ¡°There¡¯s a pool,¡± Cal replied warily.


    ¡°I¡¯ll cut you some slack since you can¡¯t gauge the temperature, but did you forget it¡¯s November.¡±


    ¡°Yeeessss¡­¡±


    ¡°That means it¡¯s cold,¡± she eyed him.


    ¡°There¡¯s a hot tub¡­¡±


    ¡°And the one time I used it a bunch of guys watched me from behind their curtains.¡±


    He had been aware. There was no right thing to say so he remained silent.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have anything to say about that?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re strong¡­¡±


    She nodded seemingly satisfied.


    He was tempted, but refrained from taking a peek into her surface thoughts. That would¡¯ve been wrong and disrespectful even if it would¡¯ve made things easier.


    ¡°How much longer are we going to be stuck in here? I¡¯d like to at least walk around and explore the town a bit. I¡¯ve never been in a place like this.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s there to discover? It¡¯s a quiet mountain valley town. The setting of many a movie, TV show and novel.¡±


    ¡°We all don¡¯t have mind powers that lets us learn all that there is to know in a few seconds, right?¡±


    ¡°Right!¡± the little guy said. ¡°What right?¡± he eyed Nila.


    ¡°See,¡± she nodded toward the little guy jumping up and down on one of the beds, ¡°he gets it.¡±


    ¡°I could go force a meeting with the elf lady¡­ except I feel like that¡¯d be the wrong move. This is just a test, probably. You know one of those measuring contests. Testing guest etiquette. Manners. Respect. That sort of thing. In a way, I don¡¯t mind. It hasn¡¯t been too bad just sitting here without having to deal with horrible people or monsters.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s getting boring, right?¡±


    ¡°Yay! Boring!¡± the little guy dived across the gap to belly-flop onto the other bed.


    ¡°See,¡± Cal remarked lightly, ¡°he¡¯s enjoying himself.¡±


    ¡°Children are innocent. He enjoys an empty cardboard box.¡±


    ¡°That labyrinth we made was fricking awesome!¡±


    ¡°You filled two floors.¡±


    ¡°Awesome!¡±


    ¡°You cut holes in the floor,¡± she rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Had to put in some slides.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how he wasn¡¯t traumatized by those puppets you,¡± she wiggled her fingers, ¡°puppeted around.¡±


    ¡°Cause he¡¯s a brave monster slayer, right?¡±


    ¡°I slay monster!¡± the little guy roared then leapt off the bed.


    Nila caught him with enhanced reflexes. ¡°I think you need to start learning what is and isn¡¯t dangerous, right?¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    Come to me.


    ¡°Oh¡­ seriously¡­¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Nila¡¯s finely honed intuition didn¡¯t miss much when she wanted to pay attention.


    ¡°Well, you got you wanted. Just got a cryptic message in my head.¡±


    ¡°Through your walls?¡±


    ¡°Not exactly. It¡¯s like someone whispering from the other side of them.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s not supposed to work that way.¡±


    ¡°Nothing¡¯s perfect,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Off I go.¡±


    ¡°Be careful. I¡¯ll armor up just in case,¡± she eyed the Threnosh-made armor standing next to the television.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m getting the impression that we aren¡¯t meant any harm.¡±


    He bid them goodbye and walked out the door and into the sky.


    He landed in a park next to a school just as the message instructed.


    To his surprise there was a fairly large gathering.


    A bunch of adults in chairs sat watching a slightly raised stage with a large table in the middle.


    Children sat next to the stage in orderly rows. They all had boxes on their laps.


    ¡°Show and tell, really?¡±


    Watch.


    ¡°I don¡¯t¡ª¡±


    Or leave¡­ without answers.


    He walked over and found the closest empty chair.


    People eyed his t-shirt and jeans but didn¡¯t remark.


    He didn¡¯t see any sign of a tall, glowing elf lady.


    He considered scanning the crowd but decided against it.


    ¡°We shall begin. I ask that you refrain from cheering until after each child finishes their presentation,¡± a voice like music spoke from nowhere and everywhere.


    He stiffened.


    It was a little too close to the way Zalthyss spoke.


    Although, he felt no danger at the moment.


    ¡°Jennylyn, please step up to the stage.¡±


    The girl stood from her seat and rushed up the steps.


    He didn¡¯t need powers to see that she was nervous.


    She laid the box on the table and stepped to the side.


    ¡°Um¡­ hi¡­ um¡­ my name is Jennylyn and this is my project.¡± Her voice wavered and her hands shook as she held them toward the box.


    A pregnant pause ensued then the box suddenly began to shape.


    The crowd gasped.


    Strangely, he didn¡¯t detect fear or concern, but rather delight and excitement.


    It was odd that an ostensibly god-fearing town didn¡¯t appear to have any problems with the summoning and binding of spirits.


    He supposed small clay figures didn¡¯t really inspire fear.


    For that was what climbed out of the box to totter back and forth across the table.


    He felt a surge of energy and a projection of the six-inch-tall clay figure appeared several feet above the stage.


    The crowd clapped and cheered as though Jennylyn had just managed to spell squamulose to win a spelling bee.


    The tiny clay golem was misshapen but he could clearly tell that it had a body, two arms and two legs, and a lump of a head. It marched back and forth in front of the box swinging its arms stiffly like a soldier on parade.


    ¡°Well done, Jennylyn!¡±


    The disembodied voice spoke with genuine pleasure from what he could tell.


    The girl beamed as she picked up the golem and placed it back in the box before returning to her seat.


    Cal had a ton of questions.


    How?


    How were kids doing that?


    What level were they?


    And what was the cost for them?


    What did the elf lady gain?


    Unfortunately, for him he was going to have to wait for the 30 children to finish their presentations before he could try to get those answers.


    <hr>


    ¡°Psst!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Rand whispered.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do it, everyone¡¯s watching, you¡¯ll be grounded for life, you¡¯ll be expelled!¡± Rupert hissed.


    ¡°Shut up! I¡¯m already grounded,¡± Rupert muttered.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Nothing¡­¡±


    ¡°Randall, it is your turn. Please step onto the stage.¡±


    Ms. Teacher¡¯s voice jolted the two boys to attention. Hearing her as though she was standing right behind them made their hearts race like when they were caught sneaking cookies and candy out of the cupboard.


    Indeed, Rupert turned around in his seat reflexively.


    Cammi waved with a smile.


    Which he returned after a moment of the heat rushing to his face.


    He spun back around just as quickly. His heart hammered faster.


    Rand shook his head and with one last disgusted look rose.


    Rupert watched the gigantic projection above the stage as Rand sullenly dumped his creation onto the table.


    He couldn¡¯t help but groan for his friend.


    It was definitely the worst one so far.


    Still a small, guilty part of him was relieved. Rand¡¯s creation was also worse than his.


    The small pile of dirt and mug had two twigs sticking out of each side as if they were supposed to be arms.


    Rupert wasn¡¯t sure.


    The thing remained still until Rand prodded it with his finger.


    It moved¡­ slowly. Like a slug trailing residue across the table.


    The twig arms waved, although that might¡¯ve just been an incidental part of the dirt pile¡¯s lurching crawl.


    It could¡¯ve been worse, Rupert told himself. He hadn¡¯t smelled anything amiss earlier, but he sniffed the air again just to make sure.


    ¡°Thank you, Randall. Please return to your seat,¡± Ms. Teacher said. ¡°Rupert, please take your turn.¡±


    The crowd¡¯s applause was¡­ polite.


    The red never left Rupert¡¯s face as he displayed his own creation.


    The tiny Play-Doh man wasn¡¯t as good as someone like Jennylyn¡¯s but it walked across the table at his prompting. One leg was longer while the other was fatter which gave it a limping gate and one arm had partially fallen off. Still, all things considered he was satisfied.


    He rushed off the stage when he was finished with his older brother¡¯s loud roars drowning out the rest of the crowd¡¯s polite claps.


    ¡°Nice one!¡± Cammi smiled as she went up to take her turn.


    ¡°Thanks, you too¡ª uh¡ª I mean good luck¡ª¡± he stammered out barely coherent word mush.


    ¡°You¡¯re being weird,¡± Rand eyed him.


    ¡°Shut up!¡± he hissed as he took his seat.


    Cammi¡¯s tiny man was pretty good. Better than Jennylyn¡¯s and almost everyone else.


    It wasn¡¯t too surprising that Emma¡¯s turned out to be the best. Her little Play-Doh man ran, jumped and did flips across the table.


    With the end of the presentations the children and their families mingled in the fields.


    Snacks and juice were served from several tables along the edge of the park while the children ran and played in and around the playground.


    Many eyes searched for Ms. Teacher but she wasn¡¯t anywhere to be found.


    ¡°I made, like, a simple skeleton for him out of paperclips!¡± Emma beamed with her Play-Doh man sitting on one of her shoulders. It waved at the other kids gathered around her.


    Rupert watched and listened from the swings. Well, he listened, but he really only had eyes for one person, which filled him with confusion.


    Why?


    ¡°Ugh¡­ look at her, acting like she¡¯s the queen or something stupid,¡± Rand said.


    ¡°Huh? What?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯re you looking at? Who are you looking at?¡± Rand regarded him suspiciously.


    ¡°Nothing. No one. I mean¡ª Emma¡¯s golem was something else, right? I bet she summoned a stronger spirit than we did.¡±


    ¡°Than we¡¯re supposed to!¡± Rand¡¯s eyes gleamed. ¡°Ms. Teacher would¡¯ve had to know, right? Emma¡¯ll get in trouble for breaking the rules.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible,¡± Rupert shook his head. ¡°Ms. Teacher taught us the spell. We can¡¯t summon anything stronger than the spirit we did. It should be all the same. She wouldn¡¯t let us do something stronger. She said it¡¯s dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Emma obviously cheated. She¡¯s delving into things beyond her. Just like Ms. Teacher warned.¡±


    ¡°No she isn¡¯t,¡± Rupert rolled his eyes. ¡°C¡¯mon, Rand. Ms. Teacher wouldn¡¯t let that happen. She¡¯s probably watching us.¡±


    ¡°All of us?¡± Rand scoffed. ¡°No way. She¡¯s powerful or whatever but one person can¡¯t watch what all of us are doing all of the time.¡±


    ¡°How can you be so sure? My brother says he heard from the senior guards that she¡¯s, like, protecting the entire town. How can she do that if she isn¡¯t keeping an eye on everything?¡± he spread his arms out wide.


    ¡°Exactly! How can she watch us when she¡¯s got more important things to watch!¡± Rand crowed.


    ¡°Whatever. I¡¯m just saying what my brother said.¡±


    ¡°Look at her. She wouldn¡¯t be so proud if my dad didn¡¯t catch me.¡±


    ¡°You always talk about Emma. Jennylyn says it¡¯s cause you like her.¡±


    ¡°What? No!¡± Rand snapped. ¡°Ew¡­ gross!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just glad you didn¡¯t go through with your plan.¡±


    ¡°It was working. Then my dad caught me.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ did it?¡± Rupert gave Rand a flat stare. ¡°You summoned a spirit and binded it into poop?¡± he sighed. ¡°What kind of poop¡ª nevermind, I don¡¯t want to know. What did your dad do?¡±


    ¡°Made me flush it. Now, I¡¯m grounded for a month and my dad¡¯s going to talk to Ms. Teacher,¡± Rand said.


    Rupert nodded and said nothing.


    Upon reflection his friend had been getting a little obsessed with the one-sided rivalry with Emma. Everyone knew that there was no rivalry possible. If the rest of them were shooting stars in the sky then Emma was the sun.


    Ms. Teacher was the only one that could nip things in the bud before Rand did something really stupid.


    ¡°Who¡¯s that guy?¡± Rupert pointed across the field by way of distraction.


    An unfamiliar man walked toward the school buildings.


    ¡°Dunno,¡± Rand shrugged.


    The man wasn¡¯t dressed nicely like the other adults. He had black hair and brown skin, which was pretty rare.


    ¡°That¡¯s weird,¡± Rand said.


    The man walked right past the guards and into the school.


    Everyone knew that Ms. Teacher didn¡¯t take random visitors. You had to ask and only then would she maybe let you see her.


    ¡°They weren¡¯t even looking at him.¡±


    ¡°I know, right,¡± Rand agreed. ¡°Do you think he¡¯s a bad guy?¡±


    ¡°No. Even if he was then Ms. Teacher will just blast him.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. Maybe she¡¯s interviewing for a gardener or something.¡±


    ¡°Maybe¡­¡± Rupert wondered.


    Come to think of it. He had never seen anyone cutting the grass. Yet, it was always short.


    ¡°Okay¡­ maybe I can¡¯t use shit. That¡¯s kinda messed up,¡± Rand mused, ¡°but what about glue? What do you think?¡±


    Rupert sighed.

 6.43

    Now, Tennessee


    The little golem presentations by the little children were very interesting. Unfortunately, he couldn¡¯t learn anything from how they did it since he lacked the capacity for magic. All he picked up was that there was magic inside the little clay and one dirt figurines, although to call the latter that was a stretch. It was more of an amorphous blob. Slime-like even, if he had to describe it to someone else.


    Cal walked across the field while shrouding his presence from everyone. The ones that had noticed him would soon forget they had ever seen him. Even the two boys on the swings. They had good eyes to see and notice him from so far away in the middle of all the commotion.


    He walked right past the guards stationed at the fence gate leading into the school compound.


    The pair had Skills that aided their attentiveness but they weren¡¯t high level enough to bother him in the slightest. It was easy to convince them that it was just a slight breeze rustling their clothing.


    One guard blinked and looked around with a furrowed brow.


    ¡°Did you¡ª¡± T.J. said.


    ¡°Just the wind,¡± Caleb said. ¡°You¡¯re always too wound up. Ain¡¯t good to be tighter than a rusted nut. Might consider bustin¡¯ one. I could put in a good word for you with my Scarlet. She¡¯ll loosen you up for¡ª¡±


    ¡°Thanks, but no thanks. My girl might have a problem with that.¡±


    ¡°Then maybe she ought to be takin¡¯ care of you better.¡±


    ¡°I ain¡¯t talking to you about this.¡±


    ¡°Just sayin¡¯,¡± Caleb shrugged. ¡°Offer¡¯s there if ya want some¡ª¡±


    ¡°Caleb,¡± T.J. sighed. ¡°It ain¡¯t never happening.¡±


    Cal moved into the school unlocking a door and pulling it open without laying a hand on it.


    The magic hit him immediately.


    Strong.


    Very strong.


    Akin to what he had felt only a handful of times in the past.


    And, yet¡­ it didn¡¯t have the same flavor as the Vitiator¡¯s.


    ¡°Hello?¡± he called out. ¡°I¡¯m not really in the mood for any sort of test thing. I¡¯m an adult. Not one of your kids. Not really magical either, but I¡¯m pretty sure you can tell¡­ isn¡¯t that right, Ms. Teacher?¡± his steps echoed through the empty hallway. Lockers on either sides took him back. Almost all the way to the beginning in fact. The last time he had been inside a school was probably back in the earliest days after the spires had appeared. The high school encounter challenge. ¡°That¡¯s what you go by, right. At least as far as I heard from the parents conversations out there.¡±


    A location appeared just outside the walls around his mind.


    ¡°Okay¡­¡±


    He entered a classroom.


    It wasn¡¯t anything special. Just like any other classroom. Desks in neat rows with chairs pushed in. All covered in a layer of dust.


    ¡°I heard you didn¡¯t teach class inside.¡±


    ¡°It does not do well for malleable minds to be caged in such unnatural environs.¡±


    The speaker was standing behind the teacher¡¯s desk.


    She was tall and thin just like the Vitiator.


    Her proportions seemed off. Her limbs gave the impression of frailty as if they could be snapped like twigs. He knew that wasn¡¯t the case.


    There was great physical strength in her if she was anything at all like the Vitiator.


    Too-large eyes sparkled with the stars in the sky as they regarded him unblinking.


    The hood of her robe rested against her back so her impossibly beautiful face shined down on him. She had dark-skin and long black hair, yet there was a glow to her that seemed to illuminate the dimly-lit classroom.


    ¡°What? The classroom isn¡¯t good enough for you. Not that I¡¯m judging. I¡¯m all for learning outdoors. Probably healthier anyways. Who knows what kind of chemicals are in the building materials.¡±


    ¡°Yes, there is much that is poison in what your people have wrought.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s kind of how our society used to do things. All about profits and such. If you ever wonder why someone did something the answer usually comes down to someone wanted to make more money. Even this school wasn¡¯t really about educating kids. It was more about indoctrination so they¡¯d be loyal to the country and be exploitable workers. Make them too smart and capable of critical thinking and they wouldn¡¯t do the bullshit jobs you needed them to do so that you could get rich.¡±


    ¡°Humans are not so different across worlds.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve met other humans?¡± he spoke slowly. ¡°As in¡­ not from this world?¡±


    She inclined her head a fraction.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I should introduce myself¡­ but you first since you¡¯re technically a guest.¡±


    ¡°Interesting thought. Odd, considering that you are here at my invitation.¡±


    ¡°Technically true and yet you¡¯re from a different world. Not the Threnosh one, but the Dominion¡¯s. Which means I need to be careful,¡± he shook his head. That was right. He was being entirely too relaxed. Odd. ¡°I hope you aren¡¯t using magic on me. I might take that the wrong way.¡±


    ¡°No more nor less than what you¡¯ve been doing or attempting to do.¡± Her smile made his stomach flutter. ¡°I¡¯m no master, but I¡¯ve had dealings with mind mages and the like in the past. I have learned ways to defend my mindscape,¡± she touched her forehead. ¡°Your touch has been light and I deem it respectful considering the circumstances, but don¡¯t mistake my largesse for inability.¡±


    ¡°Noted, but same to you.¡±


    ¡°Teacher will suffice.¡±


    ¡°Witches?¡±


    ¡°Not solely. There are many that can use one¡¯s true name against oneself.¡±


    Cal nodded. ¡°My name is Cal¡­ it is definitely not my true name.¡± Technically, he had a much longer real name. He had reminded himself of that periodically over the years ever since Eron had first warned him of the possibility of witches.


    ¡°I make your acquaintance Cal and welcome you in peace.¡±


    ¡°I accept¡­ in peace.¡±


    She smiled at him.


    ¡°Why did you enter their dreams? Why invite me here?¡±


    ¡°I did not invite you. Not specifically. I sought the ones that defeated the Vitiator and drove him away.¡±


    ¡°If you were watching then you were aware of what he was doing. Why didn¡¯t you do anything to stop him? So many people suffered at his hands. Children included.¡±


    ¡°I was aware of him as you would be of a monster lurking somewhere in the wilderness. I did not watch him act for I did not wish to alert him to my presence.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fair. It was probably dangerous for you. If he discovered you then he would¡¯ve come for you.¡±


    ¡°Fear was not my motivation.¡±


    ¡°Then what?¡±


    ¡°It is not my way. I am not a fighter. I exist for my path. To spread knowledge of magic. Direct conflict hinders that and so I will only defend myself and those that are currently under my protection.¡±


    ¡°The Vitiator is one of you, yeah? Don¡¯t you have some kind of responsibility for what he does?¡±


    ¡°Do you have the same for the worst examples of your kind?¡±


    ¡°I would¡¯ve said no once, but now¡­ yeah, I kind of do.¡±


    ¡°Then I have made the right decision.¡±


    ¡°Okay, so I take it you¡¯re going to point me in a direction. But first, I¡¯ve got some questions.¡±


    She dipped her head.


    He stared up at those twinkling, luminous eyes and almost forgot what he had planned to ask.


    ¡°Your people¡­ what do you call yourselves?¡±


    ¡°Humans,¡± a wry twist of her perfect lips, ¡°are always so concerned with classifying themselves into their little boxes. It is one of the reasons why it is so difficult for your kind to join mine at the heights of the paths. Granted you have but a fraction of our lives to gain mastery. To answer your question. We have no word to place our kind in fetters. We exist and that is enough.¡±


    He was going to ask her what the humans on her world called her people, but then realized that would¡¯ve proved her point and he didn¡¯t want to give her that.


    ¡°These ¡®humans¡¯ on your world¡ª¡± he belatedly realized that she was speaking English. The signs of the universal translation system at work had been missing throughout the entire conversation. ¡°They didn¡¯t call themselves ¡®humans¡¯, did they?¡±


    ¡°The word in their languages are as different as they are in your many ones. It is what the universal translation system uses. As a whole the different cultures use the word for the planet to encompass all of humanity. Naturally, it varies according to the particular language.¡±


    ¡°What are they like?¡±


    ¡°You would find many similarities and many differences.¡±


    She didn¡¯t elaborate and he knew that she wasn¡¯t going to.


    ¡°You come from that world? The one the Dominion holds? The one Zalthyss rules?¡±


    Her eyes widened an infinitesimal fraction.


    ¡°You know them? Are you part of the Dominion?¡±


    ¡°Never. I belong to no faction. I have risen above such petty concerns.¡± She regarded him speculatively. ¡°I felt the herald¡¯s demise a short time past. You speak of it. Yet, I do not hear its song within you.¡±


    ¡°Good thing you¡¯re not with them,¡± he flexed his artificial left hand. ¡°That would¡¯ve been awkward considering that I killed Zalthyss. Cost me a hand, but it was worth it.¡±


    ¡°I did not see that thing of metal and poison,¡± she regarded him with what felt like respect. ¡°I commend you for ridding this world of the herald¡¯s presence. You would do well to keep the Dominion from spreading its influence at all costs. I will speak no more of them. Nor will I give too freely of the knowledge you seek.¡±


    ¡°Trade?¡±


    ¡°You do not have much that I want.¡±


    ¡°What about the Vitiator¡¯s head¡­ on a stick? A platter? A bag?¡±


    ¡°Barbaric, though that is not unexpected. It is in your own interest to separate the Vitiator¡¯s head from his shoulders. Is that not why you have come?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, okay. Then tell me more about him. So, you guys aren¡¯t part of the same faction because you yourself aren¡¯t a part of any?¡±


    ¡°That is correct. I do not know the Vitiator personally. I only know the stench of his foul magic, his deviant path. He walks in corruption of all kinds. Of himself and all other sapient beings that he ensnares.¡±


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°Is he working for someone else? Another of your people¡¯s factions?¡±


    ¡°That is likely. He is too young and weak to be working alone. I will not speculate further in that regard as it serves no purpose to you at this moment and in the foreseeable future.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s here on our world, killing, torturing and corrupting people. And he¡¯s doing that under someone else¡¯s orders. That makes them an enemy and I want to know my enemies.¡±


    ¡°I do not know and I will not speculate.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ next question. What are you doing here with those kids?¡±


    ¡°It is as it appears. I am a simple teacher.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I think you¡¯re underselling yourself.¡±


    ¡°I intend to set them on the paths of their choosing. My tutelage will eventually lead them to become the foremost authorities in magic among your people.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it? You¡¯re not taking a piece of their souls? Some kind of mana-tithe thing? You¡¯re not using them to remain young?¡±


    ¡°I assure you that I do not harm them under any reasonable standard. I treat them no differently than I have treated the thousands of students I have taught over the ages.¡±


    ¡°Ages? How long is an age? As measured in my years?¡±


    ¡°I am 3276 measured in your years.¡±


    ¡°And yet you don¡¯t want to fight. All that time I figure you¡¯re a master in a lot of disciplines. Never mind the magic stuff. You could¡¯ve spent a few decades mastering close combat, ranged combat and everything in between each. Is it rude amongst your people to ask about class and levels? Do you even have them?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    He waited for her to elaborate.


    ¡°Yeah. Right. Okay. So, from what I¡¯ve heard you¡¯ve got those kids up to nearly level 20 in less than a year.¡±


    ¡°One doesn¡¯t need to do something so crass as to fight to gain levels. Study and true understanding is enough. Tell me, do you think one gains more from casting a fireball by rote a hundred times to slay a hundred gremlin monsters or do they gain more from truly understanding how they impose their will on reality to conjure a ball of magical fire?¡±


    ¡°The latter¡­ obviously. Would you be willing to relocate? I mean, after you¡¯re done teaching here.¡±


    ¡°Is that what you would hold in trade for the act of excising the tumor that is the Vitiator?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no¡­ he¡¯s gone regardless.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ perhaps. You will need to craft a compelling reason for I go where I deem I belong.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ve still got a lot of questions, but you¡¯re not going to answer them to a satisfactory level. So¡­ where is the Vitiator and his cabal?¡±


    ¡°Your answer lies far to the south. However, a small part may be much closer.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Will you take offense if I searched for that answer?¡±


    She answered with a beatific smile.


    He reached out with his mind instantly touching the entire population of the small town. ¡°Would you look at that,¡± he murmured.


    ¡°You work faster than any mind mage I have ever known. Will you consent to my exploration of your capabilities?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have people like me where you come from?¡±


    She shook her head once. ¡°In my personal experience you and your kind are unique to this world.¡±


    ¡°No trade on letting you poke and prod me like an experiment. It would take a lot more than a few answers for that to ever happen.¡±


    ¡°Very well. I respect your wishes. Perhaps, there are others that will be more amenable.¡±


    ¡°Well, if you¡¯ll excuse me¡­ I have some people to question. I¡¯ll be back for the Vitiator¡¯s location in a little bit.¡±


    ¡°I shall accompany you. These vermin have been underfoot for long enough and their presence has been an annoyance.¡±


    She didn¡¯t move an inch but a sudden rip in reality opened up between them.


    He had seen its like once before when the Vitiator had fled him.


    ¡°You cast spells just like that?¡±


    She didn¡¯t reply, merely gestured toward the portal where he saw what looked like the roof of an apartment building.


    From his experience mages cast spells by speaking the word and doing their gestures. The latter varied, it seemed like a personal thing. Like how people had different forms when it came to shooting a jumpshot or throwing a punch. It might¡¯ve looked different but the end result was the same. The ball went into the net, the fist landed on a face, the magic missiles shot forward.


    He knew that the more powerful ones could cast their spells without verbalizing, but they still thought the word.


    He had detected none of that from her.


    ¡°What are you? An archmage? Archwizard?¡±


    She flinched¡­ or did she?


    He wasn¡¯t certain.


    She didn¡¯t carry herself like humans. There were no micro expressions on her face. Her body didn¡¯t move unless it was a deliberate action. She didn¡¯t so much as shift her weight. Even the rare blink looked controlled.


    Like watching a statue come to life.


    ¡°Or is it a different prefix? Great? Grand? Super? Immortal?¡±


    A blank stare answered him.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he stepped to the portal.


    He couldn¡¯t detect anything to give him pause. It didn¡¯t feel like a trick or trap.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get some answers,¡± he gave her a tight smile.


    <hr>


    ¡°I¡¯m going to kill you, Casey. You¡¯ve continuously failed throughout this entire quest. You couldn¡¯t make it make on a grocery store floor, you couldn¡¯t make it in the warehouse and now you bring me this,¡± Scarlet glared at the small piece of crap roughly-shaped into a humanoid form after Casey had placed the box he brought it in on top of the kitchen table. It did seem to move and she could feel the magic within it. ¡°You broke our one rule for what? A stupid joke?¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯d you even get it? Did you use your own?¡± Sandy¡¯s face twisted in disgust.


    ¡°Why put it on the table? We eat here, fucker!¡± Brent snapped.


    ¡°Fuck you, Brent!¡± Casey fired back. ¡°We can just Lysol this shit later. And I didn¡¯t make this. I already told you, Sandy. I guess you¡¯ve got too much jizz in your ears.¡±


    ¡°Casey¡­ you¡¯re this close to dying,¡± Scarlett thrust a manicured finger into his face.


    ¡°It¡¯s moving! And I know you can feel the mana leaking out of it,¡± he said.


    ¡°I do feel something coming out of it¡­ might just be the smell though,¡± Brent said.


    ¡°Are you now a shitomancer?¡± Sandy laughed.


    ¡°Or an excrementalist?¡± Brent snickered.


    ¡°Turd mage!¡± Sandy doubled over.


    ¡°Fuck the two of you bitches up your leaky assholes! I fucking told you motherfuckers that I found it in the sewer. And I didn¡¯t do any magic. I remember the Quest.¡±


    Scarlet held a hand toward the disgusting object. It moved weakly in the box smearing parts of itself on the cardboard surface. She pulled her hand away after a moment of hesitation. ¡°Okay. Fine. It¡¯s worth investigating. Except, we can¡¯t. Not without using magic.¡±


    ¡°So? We just stash it and bring it back when we¡¯re done here. It¡¯s got to be worth something to the inner council and the Vitiator.¡±


    ¡°Do not say his name!¡± Scarlett hissed.


    ¡°As long as you keep it in your room. I don¡¯t want to smell shit more than I already do,¡± Sandy said.


    ¡°It¡¯s leaking mana. It¡¯ll just be a piece of shit by tomorrow. Get rid of it,¡± Brent said.


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    Casey complaint was drowned out by the sound of the living room wall tearing open.


    The cabal members cursed and sprang into action.


    Two figures floated into their apartment.


    One was just a man.


    The other looked alien but familiar.


    ¡°Oh shit!¡± Brent said.


    ¡°Wait! We serve another like you,¡± Scarlett said. She had felt the power disparity. The strength of magic emanating from the tall, impossibly thin female was unlike anything else she had experienced before. She knew that they couldn¡¯t fight. And so she rest her hope on a long shot.


    ¡°I am nothing like the depraved thing you serve.¡±


    The female dashed her hopes.


    ¡°Truly?¡± Scarlett thrust her hand forward with a snarl. ¡°Agony Lance!¡±


    Dark, angry energy coalesced in her hand and¡ª


    Winked out just as quickly as she had conjured it.


    The female stood like a statue. Not a word. Not a movement. Yet, Scarlet knew. Her spell had been unraveled as she had tried to cast it.


    ¡°Renzavore¡¯s Claw!¡±


    Black, crackling energy in the shape of terrible creature¡¯s claw erupted out of Brent¡¯s arm as he leapt at the two invaders.


    Before it could strike the short man it bounced off nothing well-short of the target.


    The man side-eyed the much taller female and sighed.


    Scarlett couldn¡¯t comprehend what she had just seen.


    Brent¡¯s spell had shattered on nothing.


    She had felt nothing.


    There had been no magic shield conjured.


    The man didn¡¯t feel of magic like the female.


    Brent tried again but was suddenly slammed into the carpeted floor.


    ¡°Sorry, not sorry, Brent. Pain Siphon,¡± Casey touched Brent¡¯s bare ankle.


    Brent screamed.


    It was perhaps paradoxical that a spell that took pain away from another to strengthen the caster still caused pain.


    Casey surged forward with engorged muscles while Brent writhed in agony even as he was held to the floor by something.


    Scarlett couldn¡¯t detect anything.


    ¡°We should scatter! The Quest is blown!¡±


    Sandy, the coward, went for the door.


    She slammed face first into it before she could open it.


    Golden bands of shining light wrapped her up like a mummy.


    Casey lashed out with a punch that could shatter concrete only for it to thunder off that same invisible shield that blocked Brent¡¯s spell.


    Scarlett felt his pain radiate as the bones in his hand shattered into a dozen pieces.


    Casey was suddenly lifted up by nothing to slam into the ceiling then back down to the floor where he joined Brent. He tried to push himself up with his uninjured hand but whatever held him there was too strong.


    ¡°Okay. Surrender, yeah?¡± the short man regarded her with contempt.


    Scarlett held his dark brown eyes. The sneer on her mouth never came. True fear flooded through her. Greater than what she had felt during the ordeal of her initiation into the Cabal.


    She slowly raised her hands.


    ¡°Very good,¡± the man said in his deep voice. ¡°You want to ask your questions first?¡± he eyed the much taller female.


    Scarlett stared at the dark-skinned woman¡¯s impossible beauty. Instinctive jealousy made her want to cut that face up at the same time as she wanted to lose herself in lust. There was no doubt in her mind that the woman was of the same species as the Vitiator. Never mind that the Vitiator had light skin, after all, humans came in a variety of shades. Why would it be different for the Vitiator¡¯s species?


    ¡°There will be time for me later. Not that I anticipate these wretches will have much to teach me. You are the guest and your need is pressing. I cede to you.¡±


    Unlike the Vitiator, the female¡¯s tones were like music to Scarlett¡¯s ears.


    ¡°Right¡­ I¡¯ll make this quick,¡± the man said.


    Rough hands she couldn¡¯t see manhandled Scarlett into a seated position on the couch. Sandy, Brent and a now-deflated Casey joined her.


    She tried to struggle but there was nothing to struggle against. It was as though every part of her was encased in a skin-tight suit. She couldn¡¯t understand how the man was doing it. It had to be him. She felt no magic.


    ¡°We¡¯re not saying shit to you, motherfucker!¡± Casey slurred through a partially-broken jaw.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re¡ª¡±


    Scarlett blinked in shock. She had been about to tell the man everything. She couldn¡¯t turn her head to look at the others but she had heard them speak. They all had been about to break just like that.


    It beggared belief.


    To be a fully-blooded Cabal member required proficiency in torture techniques. As both a torturer and as the victim. She had been confident of her ability to resist anything no matter how horrible. After all, that was a normal day in the Cabal.


    ¡°My mistake. You look like the leader.¡±


    Somehow, Scarlett knew that the man was speaking to her.


    ¡°Why are you here? And be as succinct as you are capable of.¡±


    ¡°We were ordered to investigate a potentially noteworthy use of magic,¡± she replied. Once again she was shocked at the words even as she spoke them. She had thought to give false information or simply refuse to answer and yet the truth spilled out of her.


    ¡°Where is the Vitiator?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Where would you go if you needed to speak to him?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t do that. He finds us.¡±


    ¡°To the best of your knowledge, where would you go if you needed to to speak to him?¡±


    ¡°Miami.¡±


    ¡°Is that the location of the Cabal¡¯s main base of operations?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Where are your other bases, camps, safe houses, et cetera located?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Can you elaborate?¡±


    ¡°I am not ranked high enough. I would only know specific locations if someone higher up told me. It wasn¡¯t necessary for this Quest. Except for the main base, those locations periodically change.¡±


    ¡°How do you report back to them?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t. No communication until after the successful completion of the Quest.¡±


    ¡°You have no way of contacting them?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°How long until they send someone to check on you?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Tell me what you know about what the Cabal and the Vitiator¡¯s been up to.¡±


    Scarlett told the man everything.


    Strangely, she didn¡¯t get the impression that he was paying a lot of attention to her.


    It was almost as if he wasn¡¯t as concerned with the words coming out of her mouth.


    She knew that she was finished.


    Even if they escaped the others wouldn¡¯t hesitate to sell her out like she sold out the Vitiator and the Cabal.


    She could only hope that the man would ask the same questions of the others.


    That way they¡¯d all be complicit.


    If her life was over then at least she could take solace in the fact that she wouldn¡¯t be alone at the end.

 6.44

    Now, Tennessee


    Cal put the four Cabal members to sleep as soon as he finished questioning them.


    He took a moment to run through what he had learned.


    The Cabal had a main base in a fancy Miami hotel.


    He filed that bit of information away as misleading.


    These four were low level members. Any conspiracy worth their salt didn¡¯t give away their important secrets to junior members. That meant the main base was probably for show. The Vitiator and the inner council likely kept their true main base at another location. Each high-ranked member probably had their own little secret base they tried to keep hidden from the others. The Cabal had been like vicious cats in a bag, while the Vitiator was the asshole that held the strings and occasionally kicked the bag to harvest all the hatred, pain and suffering that ensued.


    More worrisome was the information that the Cabal didn¡¯t control the enormous so-called kingdom that had arisen centered around the city.


    They were merely one of the power players thriving underneath the rule of the Slaver King.


    Was this the price of his inaction?


    Yeah¡­ it kind of was?


    Could he partially blame Eron? His brother had spent all of his time away from the American continent over the last five, six years. Just enough time for a slaver kingdom to arise, apparently.


    The kingdom was slowly expanding. The wealthy and powerful were given the chance to become part of the kingdom freely. The weak and any that opposed them weren¡¯t as lucky. If someone with higher status wanted you for whatever purpose then you became a slave.


    It went from bad to worse.


    They made slave collars. Forcing people to get the slave class was bad enough. The collars sounded truly heinous.


    ¡°Do you know anything about these collars?¡±


    ¡°Not this specific version. However, I have studied my world¡¯s ancient history,¡± Ms. Teacher said.


    ¡°How ancient?¡±


    A nearly 4000-year-old being calling something ancient meant a span of time that a human would find difficult to comprehend.


    ¡°Roughly dating back to 500 millennia when the last slavers were vanquished and their secrets utterly scourged from existence. As such, I cannot speak on these collars without examining one. Preferably, in all of its existing states. Without that, I can only speculate.¡±


    ¡°Please?¡±


    ¡°It is a creation of artifice, magic and, likely, Skills to bridge that gaps that your people will have. Your kind is weak and low-leveled. This fact suggests that no single individual is responsible for these collars. There will be a need for one to forge the physical object. Another to invest the controlling magic. And another to merge the two. I suggest that this Slave King is involved throughout this process.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ I just need to bring you one of these things,¡± he spat the word, ¡°and you¡¯ll be able to figure out a way to break it?¡±


    ¡°Do not mistake my current involvement as tacit agreement for your causes.¡±


    ¡°The slaver kingdom is expanding. What will you do when they reach this community? Will you defend them or will you move on to another place?¡±


    ¡°You are the defender of this world. Defend it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m going to do. You can make that go¡­ smoother. Besides, I¡¯m going to do a lot that will benefit you. That is owed reciprocity.¡±


    ¡°I have heard many such pleas over the ages.¡±


    ¡°Not a plea. It¡¯s simple truth. What do you gain by spending all this time and effort to put your kids on their paths if a slaver kingdom is just going to slap collars around their necks? You invited me here in the first place. You¡¯re invested in seeing these problems taken care of. It doesn¡¯t take much to see that. You¡¯d just rather have someone else get their hands bloody.¡± He was pretty sure that she could single-handedly find the Vitiator and kill him. Judging by what he had seen of her magic and the way she spoke of the Vitiator as though he was a child.


    ¡°You are a child with a child¡¯s understanding of reality,¡± she sighed. ¡°As it seems all that I interact with are.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re thousands of years old. Might consider factoring that into your expectations. You don¡¯t want to help out of duty? Then what about self-interest? What will it cost me for you to consult? For services or fees¡­ you¡¯ll study these collars and give me a way to remove them without harming the enslaved, a way to disable them, anything useful.¡±


    ¡°And what can you offer?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already provided a service,¡± Cal pointed at the sleeping people on the couch, ¡°and I¡¯m going to take care of the Vitiator and this slaver kingdom.¡±


    ¡°I argue that those are your aims.¡±


    ¡°Why not both of ours?¡±


    ¡°Very well. Bring me these collars and I will endeavor to glean their secrets and break them.¡±


    ¡°Thank¡ª¡±


    The dark-skinned beauty raised a glowing finger forcing Cal to look up into her too-large eyes and the stars held within.


    ¡°You will perform a task for me in exchange.¡±


    ¡°Right, I already said that I¡¯m going after the Vitiator¡ª¡±


    ¡°That is expected and that is not the exchange I seek. Do not interrupt me again. Youth. It will take over a century for you to outgrow your natural impatience,¡± she shook her head once, deliberately.


    Cal was taken all the way back to grade school for a moment.


    ¡°You will perform a service for me tomorrow¡­¡±


    She told him.


    It was a little weird, but he was okay with it.


    ¡°Agreed, but you¡¯re also going to deal with these guys,¡± he pointed at the sleeping Cabal members. He had read their minds and found nothing he thought redeemable. Bad people turned monstrous. It was surprising that they had managed to stay under the radar for so long in the small town. ¡°You knew they were here the whole time. That makes them your responsibility.¡±


    ¡°Very well. I will instruct the human leaders to decide their fates.¡±


    ¡°Great!¡± he floated out the ruined wall. ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow. I¡¯ll need my rest if I¡¯m going to traumatize children.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°Come children. Face your doom.¡±


    The man¡¯s voice sounded bored and he looked vaguely embarrassed.


    Rupert thought that this was the weirdest test Ms. Teacher had set before them and that was saying a lot.


    ¡°Um¡­ Ms. Teacher?¡± Cammi raised her hand.


    ¡°You will not be able to ask questions in a real fight, child, but I will indulge you,¡± Ms. Teacher said from the sidelines where she stood with the rest of the class.


    Rupert exchanged worried looks with Jennylyn.


    Rand had a wicked gleam in his eyes to go along with the feral grin on his face.


    ¡°Um¡­ is it really okay to not hold back?¡± Cammi continued.


    ¡°That is correct, Cammi. That man is a foul miscreant that will not hesitate to inflict grave injuries upon you.¡±


    The man in question gave Ms. Teacher a flat stare holding her gaze without wavering.


    That was new.


    No other adult had ever been able to look Ms. Teacher in the eyes for more than a second or two. They had always been nervous, awed, scared or a combination. Rupert remembered seeing it happen more times than he could remember. Even the strongest fighters were no match for their teacher.


    Ms. Teacher cleared her throat.


    ¡°Yes, yes¡­ I am the bane of all eight to ten year old''s in existence,¡± the man sighed. ¡°To face me is to court painful boo-boos that may require band-aids and ice packs. There will also be orange slices.¡±


    A brief flash of something like irritation crossed Ms. Teacher¡¯s face. ¡°Enough¡­ the battle is joined,¡± she clapped and a loud boom shook the silence of the park.


    ¡°Your dire foe readies himself to attack you with devious intent,¡± the man said as he stood a few dozen yards away.


    ¡°What¡¯s the plan?¡± Cammi turned to him and Jennylyn.


    ¡°We should cast shields. We don¡¯t know what he¡¯s capable of,¡± Jennylyn said.


    Rupert did sense any mana in the man. Though that might not have been an indication that he was a fighter type. Ms. Teacher could completely hide her mana. Did that mean that the man was also a powerful magic user?


    ¡°I¡¯ll do one, get behind me.¡±


    Cammi took a deep breath and focused.


    Rupert felt her drawing on her mana.


    He sort of saw her shaping the spell into existence in front of her hands.


    A glowing wall of magical energy appeared in front of her.


    ¡°Now what?¡± Rupert said. The thought of firing dangerous spells at the man made his stomach do unpleasant flips.


    ¡°We attack!¡±


    Rand stepped out from behind the shield and conjured a spell.


    One second.


    Two.


    Three.


    Four.


    Five.


    A small ball of fire streaked across the field headed straight for the man.


    It splashed against his face in an obscuring explosion.


    When the smoke cleared the man greeted them with a smile.


    His face wasn¡¯t even singed. His short black hair was intact.


    ¡°Decent¡­ but too slow. If that is your best then your doom is assured.¡±


    The man bent down and picked up a small rock.


    Without warning he hurled it.


    Cammi screamed when the rock shattered her shield.


    The man winced.


    ¡°Scatter!¡± Rand scampered off to the right.


    Cammi and Jennylyn went left.


    Rupert remembered something his older brother told him about not running in straight lines so he turned¡ª and suddenly found himself flying backward! Toward the man!¡±


    ¡°Rupert!¡±


    Cammi¡¯s shout somehow made him feel happy despite the fact that an invisible hand was slowly pulling him toward the man.


    Toward doom!


    ¡°Your comrade faces his sudden and inevitable fate,¡± the man said in that bored tone. ¡°What will you sacrifice to save him?¡±


    Cammi skidded to a halt from her flight.


    One second.


    Two.


    Rupert had halved the distance to the man while being rotated so that he could see his fate draw nearer.


    Three.


    Cammi¡¯s fireball was a brighter color verging on pale pink.


    This time the man made to dodge.


    Only to notice the ghostly shackles around his ankles.


    ¡°Curses you have hobbled me.¡±


    The man tumbled to the ground.


    Rupert frowned. That had looked really fake.


    The fireball struck the man to no effect.


    The man rose to one knee, somehow shattering the magic shackles with a simple touch. He pointed at Jennylyn. ¡°Child of golden hair, though art fair. Yet, yon perfidy¡­ damn it! I hate poetry,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Lame!¡±


    Rupert glanced over at the source of the voice.


    It was the other stranger. A small Asian woman carrying a baby stood on the sidelines along with the rest of the observers.


    ¡°I curse you,¡± the man continued, ¡°to feel the weight of the world on your shoulders.¡±


    Jennylyn cried out as she was suddenly pressed into the grass.


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    Rupert saw nothing, felt nothing.


    What was the man doing?


    ¡°Now, child of quick wit,¡± he pointed at Cammi, ¡°uh¡­ you¡¯re turn.¡±


    No!


    Rupert had to act!


    But he couldn¡¯t move his arms!


    Unless¡ª


    Ms. Teacher¡¯s lessons.


    Of course!


    A true master could cast spells with little more than an exertion of their will on reality. One didn¡¯t need to say the words or make the gestures. All of that was just a crutch. The cage the spires tricked them into entering.


    Rupert concentrated as hard as he had ever done.


    First, he held the name of the spell in his thoughts.


    Freeze Beam.


    Then the shape of it.


    He formed it through sheer force of will and imagination.


    One second.


    He covered another five feet toward the now-standing man.


    Two seconds.


    The man¡¯s finger pointed toward Cammi, whose eyes were screwed shut. Her arms out in front of her. No doubt trying to conjure another magic shield.


    Three seconds.


    A scintillating blue-white beam of cold magic lanced out from in front of Rupert.


    Triumph soared in his chest as the beam struck the man in the side.


    The ice rapidly spread on the man¡¯s body.


    ¡°Curses. I have been frozen.¡±


    Rupert suddenly dropped to the grass.


    The ice engulfed the man¡¯s entire body in the span of a few seconds.


    Rupert rushed over to Cammi¡¯s side.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± she nodded.


    They both helped Jennylyn up since she was no longer burdened by the man¡¯s curse.


    ¡°Uh¡­ did we win?¡± Jennylyn said.


    ¡°Not yet!¡± Rand growled. ¡°We need to shatter him!¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Rupert wasn¡¯t so sure about that.


    This was just a test, right?


    ¡°Let¡¯s hit him with our strongest spell! Together!¡± Rand continued undaunted. ¡°We¡¯ll show Emma,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Ms. Teacher won¡¯t let anyone really get hurt?¡± Jennylyn ventured.


    ¡°Together?¡± Cammi said.


    ¡°I guess,¡± Rupert focused his attention on the ice-covered man.


    ¡°On three,¡± Rand said.


    ¡°Make that five, because you¡¯re slower than us,¡± Jennylyn said.


    ¡°Shut up, stupid!¡±


    ¡°No, you shut up!¡±


    ¡°Guys!¡± Cammi was ever the voice of reason.


    Rupert focused along with the others.


    They gathered their mana and formed their spells.


    A spray of needles.


    A ball of fire.


    A buzzsaw of energy.


    A frozen spear.


    They all struck the ice-covered man within split-seconds of each other shattering him.


    When the dust and debris cleared they saw¡ª


    ¡°Vicious lot, aren¡¯t you?¡± the voice came from behind them.


    They spun to see the man grinning at them. ¡°Fair is foul and foul is fair!¡± He no longer sounded bored. ¡°This will be a valuable lesson¡­ if harsh.¡±


    The ground underneath them suddenly tore.


    Clods of dirt and grass pelted them within a whirling tornado of bruising pain.


    Concentration was impossible.


    Rupert lost track of his friends.


    He tried to run free of the tornado but was driven to his knees by the debris striking him from all directions. He refused to give up as he continued to crawl toward what he hoped was daylight.


    The torturous experience lasted an eternity.


    It was as though he had been dropped into the hell that his grandmother was always warning him about.


    He thought of Cammi and bemoaned that he had never told her how he truly felt.


    ¡°And¡­ you¡¯re all dead,¡± the man¡¯s voice spoke just as suddenly as everything stopped.


    Rupert found himself breathing hard on his back and staring up at the blue sky.


    ¡°What?¡± the man said.


    Rupert turned his head and saw through bleary eyes.


    The man was looking at Ms. Teacher. ¡°Look, five seconds in that was four seconds too long for a bunch of kids.¡±


    Rupert found himself floating over to the sidelines on what felt like a comfortable recliner, like his dad¡¯s.


    Cammi, Rand and Jennylyn joined him.


    Ms. Teacher regarded them briefly. ¡°Adequate performance. Your thoughts?¡±


    Rupert realized that she had asked the man.


    ¡°Impressive for kids and I¡¯m not being patronizing. You¡¯re all in the late teens in terms of levels, right? That¡¯s already something at your age and amount of time with your classes. Casting spells without gestures and words is also good, but not at your current speeds. So, if you find yourself in an actual fight. Use the words. At least until you can cast silently as fast as or faster. What else?¡± the man mused. ¡°Practice team tactics. You don¡¯t really want to spend time talking about what you¡¯re going to do during a fight. Monsters and bad guys won¡¯t stand there waiting for you to make the first move.¡±


    ¡°An adequate assessment,¡± Ms. Teacher said.


    Rupert felt her eyes fall on him as a feeling of warmth spread through his body.


    The painful bruises faded away before his very eyes.


    ¡°Which team will brave this blackguard¡¯s challenge next?¡± Ms. Teacher said.


    Eyes widened then quickly darted away to anything aside from Ms. Teacher.


    The desperate hope of school children throughout history to avoid notice.


    ¡°You might as well get it over with,¡± the man said.


    No one was foolish enough to listen to their sworn nemesis.


    In the end Ms. Teacher picked the team.


    And the unlucky few trudged out to the field.


    ¡°Thank you for healing us, Ms. Teacher,¡± Jennylyn said.


    ¡°Of course, child. It would not do for you to be less than physically perfect for the crucible.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Rand whispered.


    The pit in Rupert¡¯s stomach grew.


    He had a pretty good idea what that was.


    ¡°Now, meditate, replenish your mana. Going first has given you an opportunity that you must not waste.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this a little too much for them? And why use Cal? You could do it yourself,¡± the Asian woman eyed Ms. Teacher with displeasure.


    Rupert didn¡¯t hear whatever else was said.


    In fact none of the children did despite the fact that Ms. Teacher and the woman stood just a few feet away.


    <hr>


    A wooden fort in miniature had appeared out of nothing to cover one end of the large field.


    It had most things one would expect.


    A ten-foot-tall rampart surrounded a couple of small buildings.


    There was even an iron gate barring the entrance.


    No moat though.


    So, Cal mentally docked a point for that.


    Still it was a rather impressive display of magic for the Teacher to simple create it out of apparently nothing.


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°You have your secrets. I have mine.¡±


    ¡°Is it technically wood? Is magically-conjured wood different?¡± If you took a cutting from the wall and looked at it under a microscope could you tell the difference? Where did it come from? Did she have some kind of extra dimensional space where she stored it?


    He stood with the Teacher while the nearly three dozen children familiarized themselves with the fort and argued over how best to defend it from the invading horde.


    Naturally, his eyes drifted over to said horde.


    They resembled goblins as commonly thought of in popular culture.


    Short, green, pointy teeth.


    Crude arms and armor.


    They stood in a ragged clump on the opposite end of the field.


    A hundred.


    The fort was one thing.


    This was another.


    He scanned their minds and was relieved to find nothing more than something akin to an advanced chatbot from the old days. A fairly complex set of programmed actions all geared towards assaulting the fort and ¡®killing¡¯ the occupants.


    There was no independent will.


    No sapience.


    If there had been then the Teacher would¡¯ve had problems with him.


    He noted that the goblins didn¡¯t blink nor breathe.


    Lifelike automatons.


    ¡°Do goblins exist? As in, the real ones look like those? Or did you create them using our world¡¯s image of them?¡±


    ¡°Secrets.¡±


    He had so many questions.


    Did her creations require a constant influx of magical power to maintain? Or was it a one time expenditure?


    In other words were they sorcery or instants versus enchantments, to use an old game¡¯s mechanics.


    He tried to scan the Teacher but learned nothing.


    She had mana.


    That was just about all he could tell without digging deeper.


    ¡°You know, I thought you were being a little dramatic calling this a Crucible¡­ but, you¡¯re serious about this.¡±


    ¡°Why would I not? I teach all my students the same way. I introduce the true nature of combat early. It will separate those that are meant for combat from those that are not. I have learned that it is only a waste of time, energy and lives to let them discover that on their own.¡±


    ¡°This is¡­ wrong¡­¡± Nila scowled up at the woman a foot and a half taller than her. ¡°You¡¯re really going to hurt your own students?¡±


    ¡°Everything short of death,¡± she agreed.


    ¡°You¡¯re forcing them!¡± Nila snapped.


    ¡°I gave them a choice. None refused,¡± she said with pride.


    ¡°Of course, they wouldn¡¯t. They worship you.¡±


    ¡°No. They have trust in themselves and what they have learned.¡±


    ¡°Seriously?¡± Nila turned to Cal.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m not very cool with this. But from a rational, cold-blooded standpoint it¡¯s a better way to learn. Pain is temporary. Death is permanent. This way they won¡¯t become teenagers thinking they¡¯re hot shit and they won¡¯t go looking for fights. This is as controlled as an experience that¡¯s as close to reality as one can probably get. The Threnosh have the training chambers, but this is a step above that. And if she,¡± he regarded the teacher, ¡°keeps up her part. Then injuries will be gone in minutes.¡±


    ¡°It would be a foolish waste to permanently damage my students.¡±


    ¡°Physically, but not mentally,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Think of it like sparring,¡± Cal said. ¡°You¡¯ve broken a few bones before.¡±


    ¡°Of adults! Not children!¡±


    ¡°Enough,¡± the Teacher proclaimed. ¡°The crucible begins as soon as the sands disappear.¡±


    A giant, ethereal hourglass appeared in the sky.


    Cal sighed.


    Nila gave him one last look of displeasure as he marched over to take his place as the horde lord or something like that.


    He felt like such a dick.


    ¡°Uh¡­ attack,¡± he ordered the fake goblins forward.


    He shook his head.


    They even had crude ladders.


    Was this the height of Ms. Teacher¡¯s powers? Was she capable of more? If so, was she truly content to teach children?


    He pondered the possibilities with one part of his mind while idly observing the siege battle commence. He could give the fake goblins fairly detailed instructions but was content to let them assault the walls in one giant mass. It was thematic after all.


    That bratty kid, Rand, silently cast a fireball that exploded on a fake goblin¡¯s face.


    The creature¡ª was it a creature? Or were real goblins sapient? The bat people were sapient, why not goblins? He¡¯d ask Ms. Teacher later.


    The fake goblin hit the ground and went still after a few seconds thrashing.


    The acrid stench of burned meat filled the park field.


    A bit too accurate. They really were going to traumatize the kids.


    Rand had gone for the kill. He hoped that Ms. Teacher intended to rein that in. Otherwise she was going to put a lot of magical power into vicious hands.


    Some of the fake goblins fired back with slings.


    Rocks peppered the magic shields that several of the children had cast over the ramparts.


    They had left gaps that others fired spells down from.


    More fake goblins fell dead from spells of every element and one swarm of insects conjured into existence.


    The first ladder hit the wall and it quickly became apparent that the children had no idea how to properly defend a fort siege.


    Cal tsked.


    Spells were great and all but there was something to be said about a long, pointy stick.


    The kids could¡¯ve stabbed down at the vulnerable fake goblins as they climbed. It was clearly a mistake on their part to not bring any sort of weapon.


    Ideally, they would¡¯ve pushed the ladders off. Their magic shields gave them plenty of coverage that they could¡¯ve done so with worrying too much about taking a rock to the head.


    As it was the fake goblins were heavier and stronger than the kids.


    They tried to fire spells down the ascending goblins but a few seconds was more than enough time for the first goblin to reach the top.


    It took a spray of flames to the face but it managed to fall on the caster and clear space for its fellows to join it.


    A fake goblin raised a crude, chopping blade as the kids screamed and tried to back away.


    ¡°Shit,¡± Cal muttered. ¡°No cutting or stabbing! Use the flat! Use only the flats!¡± he called out.


    He felt the displeasure radiate from Ms. Teacher on the sidelines.


    The fake goblin bonked the kid on the head.


    The girl¡¯s glasses went flying.


    ¡°This is the worse thing I¡¯ve ever been a part of.¡±


    He remembered the girl¡¯s name, Cammi or something like that. She went down like a puppet without strings.


    ¡°Nooo!¡± the boy that had a huge crush on her ran to her side while swiping his arm across. Rupert, that was his name, conjured a scintillating blue-white arc of energy that flash-froze five of the closest fake goblins.


    The other kids jumped into action and shattered the fake goblins with spells.


    ¡°That was pretty cool.¡± Cal disgustedly admitted from a rational, asshole-ish standpoint, traumatizing the kids was a good way to push them past their current limits. Hence, calling it the Crucible. They¡¯d either be forged stronger or shattered.


    It still didn¡¯t make him less of a dick.


    The kids bought themselves some time on that portion of the rampart. Tragically for them, two other ladders hit the wall.


    The fake goblins surged up and began to overwhelm them.


    So many concussions and traumas, physical and mental were inflicted in the following seconds.


    He telekinetically floated each unconscious kid back to the sidelines. ¡°What? They¡¯re ¡®dead¡¯,¡± he regarded Ms. Teacher. ¡°Don¡¯t use the spear points! Use the butt!¡± he called out.


    ¡°You should trust my word that none of them will die,¡± Ms. Teacher said.


    ¡°Nope. I don¡¯t care if you can heal a rusty chopper to the head. They don¡¯t need that kind of memory.¡±


    ¡°Retreat to the keep!¡± one of the kids called out. Her voice was scared, high-pitched but steady. Emma was her name. ¡°Use light slides!¡±


    Kids took precious seconds to cast the spell while others sacrificed themselves to buy time.


    Bright, translucent slides came into being connection the top of the rampart to the ground.


    ¡°Gogogogogo!¡± Emma roared. ¡°Rand!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not running from these monsters!¡± Rand growled while he sent tiny marbles of magic energy to burn through fake goblin armor and flesh.


    Emma reached out with a ghostly mage hand and pulled the insubordinate brat back before shoving him down the light slide.


    ¡°Drop the spells!¡± she called down to the light slides casters as the kids ran for the fort and their lives.


    ¡°But¡ª¡± a girl, Jennylyn, cried out with anguish.


    ¡°Do it!¡±


    The light slides winked out leaving Emma alone with two dozen menacing fake goblins.


    She pointed and a small mote of darker than black energy zipped into the middle of the fake goblins.


    The mote suddenly expanded and when it vanished the fake goblins where gone.


    The few caught on the outer edge of the sphere fell with a sickening squelch as their innards spilled out. Half their bodies gone in an instant.


    ¡°Holy shit!¡± Cal looked over at Ms. Teacher. ¡°What are you teaching them?¡±


    The millennia old woman arched a brow and gave him the smuggest look he had ever received.


    Emma tottered a moment before falling off the rampart.


    Several kids pointed at her to slow the fall.


    They picked her up together and ran for the fort.


    ¡°Okay¡­ I guess that means it¡¯s time for stage two. Time for the horde lord to personally join the attack.¡±


    Cal ripped openings in the wooden wall for the rest of the fake goblins.


    He was down to half their number for the final assault on the fort.


    Let the final battle commence.

 6.45

    Now, Tennessee


    Cal ripped the stout wooden doors off their hinges.


    The screech of the rent iron echoed into the fort.


    He could tell that the kids inside were terrified, yet they all grimly readied themselves for their last stand.


    They trusted in Ms. Teacher and her words that none of them would die but the fake goblins looked and felt so real. And hadn¡¯t they seen several of their classmates clubbed to unconsciousness?


    Every one knew that was why one wore helmets in battle.


    Why weren¡¯t they wearing helmets?


    Why didn¡¯t they have weapons?


    Cal withdrew his gaze from their surface thoughts. He had to be fair. The horde lord didn¡¯t have mental powers. He just had dark and fell magics. Speaking of which.


    ¡°Surrender and I will grant you safe passage,¡± he called out. Had to play the role.


    ¡°Fuck off, old man!¡± a boy¡¯s voice shot right back.


    He snorted.


    ¡°Alright, not-goblins¡­ begin the assault. Remember, flats and butts only. No stabbing and biting.¡±


    The fake goblins poured into the entry way.


    He knew that the kids had set up a trap.


    Hot oil rained down on the first group of fake goblins.


    ¡°Fall back!¡±


    Fireballs fell from the murder holes above.


    A dozen screaming fake goblins went silent as the blaze scorched them in seconds.


    Why did she have to make them scream like that? Wasn¡¯t the stench of their too-realistic skin and flesh enough to traumatize the kids?


    He sniffed the air.


    At least she hadn¡¯t simulated piss and crap.


    He smothered the flames and ordered the fake goblins forward again. ¡°Shielders¡­ testudo formation.¡± That was what that was called right?


    Apparently, there was something lost in the language.


    Shield-bearing goblins did move to the front of the mass. However, they failed to do so in any semblance of a formation.


    ¡°Shields forward on the front line. The rest of you hold them over your heads,¡± he sighed.


    No more attacks met them.


    They reached an iron gate.


    He ripped it out of the wall and let it crash to the floor on the other side¡­ carefully.


    The fake goblins advanced only to be met by a cloud of white powder.


    ¡°Where¡¯d they get flour?¡± he sighed. He knew what was coming next.


    More fire spells sparked a huge explosion.


    He was down to less than thirty fake goblins.


    ¡°Attack¡­¡±


    The fake goblins spread out into the side passages from the great hall.


    Tunnels and hallways were interspersed with closed doors leading into rooms.


    There was nothing more brutal than close combat in confined spaces. It was a real knife fight. Dogs in the trenches. Tigers in the jungle. So on and so forth.


    Cal watched everything closely to make sure that the fake goblins stuck to his orders.


    Children fired spells from one end of a long corridor then ducked back around the corner as the surviving fake goblins gave chase.


    The ambush was perfectly set up.


    They rounded the corner right into a barrage of magic attacks.


    In another area the fake goblins finally succeeded in battering a barred door down only to find an empty room. When they turned to search another room one of the kids dropped her concealment spell. The two other kids with her opened up with their magics.


    And so fell a handful of fake goblins.


    The best¡­ er¡­ worst action took place inside what looked like a lord¡¯s council chambers.


    The expansive space had a large round table in the middle with filled book shelves against two of the walls.


    An enormous fireplace was set into the far wall. The roaring fire crackled and spat sparks as a kid standing next to it stoked it with gestures.


    ¡°They¡¯re gonna break through!¡±


    ¡°Shields up front. Fire at will.¡± Emma¡¯s voice was weak. She remained standing solely due to Jennylyn¡¯s support.


    Kids cast translucent shields just in time for the door to burst open in a shower of jagged splinters.


    One thin, long piece was headed straight for a gap between shields and into the kid standing there concentrating on his attack spell.


    Cal nudged it with a thought and sent it swerving through the thick knot of children to strike the back wall.


    ¡°Use mage hands,¡± Emma wheezed. ¡°Bring the bookshelves down on their heads.¡±


    One second.


    Two.


    The first fake goblins slammed into the mage shields. Battering them with crude weapons.


    The shields wavered and began to crack under the assault.


    Ghostly hands appeared and grasped the nearest bookshelf.


    Cal saw the strain on the children¡¯s faces. Saw the blood begin to leak from their noses. ¡°Been there¡­¡± he nodded sympathetically.


    With a collective roar the children toppled the heavy shelf filled with heavy books.


    Cal wondered if they were only for display. He didn¡¯t recognize the titles. Books from another world sounded interesting.


    The avalanche buried the first rank of fake goblins.


    The rest swarmed over the top to continue the assault.


    One shield shattered a few seconds later.


    A fake goblin leered. Sharp teeth gleamed in the dancing fire light. It leapt toward the nearest kid arm cocked back to land a devastating blow with the flat of its rusty cleaver-like blade.


    One of the kids pointed at it.


    A harsh yellow beam shaped like a ragged knife blade materialized. It lanced into the fake goblin¡¯s chest with a sickening squelch.


    A mixture of triumph and disgust mingled on the kid¡¯s face.


    The rest of the shields broke.


    The fake goblins were too quick.


    They concussed kids left and right. Taking more than they lost.


    ¡°Rupes! Watch out!¡±


    The boy in question turned too late. He had just sent a fake goblin to the grave with a touch that sent freezing magic into its eyes through to its brain.


    The butt of a spear conked him right between the eyes.


    Cal winced.


    He heard the crack of a broken nose.


    Rupert wasn¡¯t out yet.


    Unfortunately, it was his first experience of true pain. He wasn¡¯t going to be able to concentrate enough to fire of another spell.


    Rand tried, but his magic missile got intercepted by another fake goblin¡¯s shield.


    The spear¡¯s butt descended once eliminating Rupert.


    It looked like the kids were running out of juice.


    ¡°Everyone, come to me!¡± Emma called.


    A handful made it through the fake goblins.


    Shields went up around the last remnants of the defenders.


    Cal regarded the boy doing something with the fire place.


    Uh oh.


    They were either dangerously reckless or they really believed Ms. Teacher when she had said that death wasn¡¯t a possibility in the crucible.


    For his part, Cal didn¡¯t.


    He gathered the unconscious kids in the chamber and placed a telekinetic shield over them. He also readied one over the boy and another over the kids huddled behind their magic shields.


    ¡°Do it, Willy!¡± Emma rasped.


    The boy by the fireplace sucked the roaring flames into a ball in between his hands. He pointed it toward the fake goblins and let it loose.


    An inferno filled the chamber. Burned the books, the shelves, the table and most of the fake goblins.


    A few had ducked behind their crispier comrades.


    Cal¡¯s telekinetic shields protected the children from their foolishness. He had just about had enough.


    The last handful of fake goblins advanced on the kids.


    They didn¡¯t have anything left besides the magic shields.


    Cal caught a glint in the air. Then he saw the tiny clay golem soaring through the air.


    Emma pointed toward the fake goblins.


    A ghostly mage hand appeared for the clay golem to leap off and plunge the long needle into a fake goblin¡¯s eye.


    More mage hands joined the first acting as platforms for the clay golem to dance around the fake-goblins faces.


    The red-slicked needle plunged into an ear.


    Another eye.


    Up a nostril.


    The ordeal was finally over.


    Cal walked through the ruined doorway and snuffed out the fires with a thought. He noted the kids trying to sneak up behind him.


    ¡°Congratulations, I guess. This has been terrible display of child abuse, but you¡¯ve all done pretty good. Very brave.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to attack?¡± Jennylyn said.


    ¡°Nope,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t trust him!¡± Rand warned. ¡°He can¡¯t take all of us!¡±


    ¡°Young man, you have a lot to learn about what a real fight is. Anyways. This crucible,¡± he rolled his eyes, ¡°is over. For what is a horde lord without a horde?¡±


    A hand shot up.


    Emma.


    ¡°The polite young lady has an answer. Go ahead.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ a¡­¡± she hesitated, ¡°lord¡­¡±


    ¡°Absolutely,¡± he pointed at her. ¡°Good leadership. That was very reckless though, with the explosion.¡±


    ¡°We won?¡± Rand regarded Cal with suspicion.


    ¡°That¡¯s up to your teacher. Though¡­ don¡¯t get too cocky, kid,¡± he didn¡¯t need to read Rand¡¯s mind to see what the little brat was thinking, ¡°if this was a real battle. You¡¯re going to have to bury,¡± he looked around, ¡°21 of your classmates. Actually, nope, none of you would be around to do the burying. If it wasn¡¯t for me that stunt at the end would¡¯ve finished the rest of you off.¡±


    ¡°Just us in the room,¡± Rand pointed at the kids coming in from the hallway, ¡°they¡¯d be alive.¡±


    ¡°Nope, they be dead too when my next army came.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have one. We killed them all.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the horde lord. It¡¯s in the name. That means I¡¯d have reinforcements.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well¡­ so do we!¡±


    ¡°No you don¡¯t. You have one class and they¡¯re all here.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not fair you can¡¯t just make up new rules in the middle of the game!¡±


    ¡°Rand,¡± Cal eyed the brat, ¡°this isn¡¯t a game.¡± He waved as he left the chamber. ¡°Alright, game¡¯s over.¡±


    Ms. Teacher agreed.


    The fake goblin bodies vanished. Followed by the chamber. Then the entire fort.


    In a few seconds they stood in the middle of a grassy field.


    True to her word the children that had been knocked out of the battle earlier stood next to her on the sidelines.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    They looked to be in perfect health to all of Cal¡¯s senses.


    The ones that fell in the keep slowly roused from unconsciousness blinking in shock then amazement.


    There was no pain at least not physical.


    Cal knew that some if not all would have nightmares over the following days.


    ¡°Trade fulfilled?¡±


    ¡°Your performance was adequate. You coddle too much. True enemies will not be as kind.¡±


    There was something like sadness in those too-large eyes that sparkled with the stars in the night sky.


    ¡°They can learn that when they¡¯re older.¡±


    ¡°Age is not a shield from the horrors across the worlds.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll bring you enslaved and the collars.¡± He didn¡¯t want to debate. He wanted to move forward.


    ¡°As bargained. I offer you additional information that will be helpful in your Quest.¡±


    ¡°What Ques¡ª¡±


    A loud chime rang in his ears.


    He dismissed the notice for later.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to explain that, are you?¡±


    ¡°Why ask a question you already know the answer to?¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ what do you have for me.¡±


    ¡°Two places. I strongly suggest you travel to them before you seek battle with the slaver kingdom.¡±


    ¡°I should just fly straight there. Kill the king. Free the people.¡±


    ¡°You would kill one and in doing so doom ten thousand.¡±


    ¡°You know this for a fact?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ it is a suspicion. To learn the truth I will need to examine the enslaved and their collars.¡±


    ¡°Where do you want me to go?¡±


    ¡°The first is to the south of our location. May I?¡± she gestured to his head.


    He nodded and cautiously opened a sliver of space in his mental walls.


    An image appeared in is thoughts.


    A large sign.


    Blocky, white letters on green.


    ¡°Atlanta?¡±


    ¡°You must go there first. You must depart within the hour.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ and that¡¯s it? No other hints. You do know that since we¡¯re sorta working together on this it¡¯s in your best interests that I get as much information as possible. Being cryptic is not good.¡±


    ¡°The impertinence of youth.¡± She regarded him with mild disappointment. ¡°The second location.¡±


    He saw another sign.


    He didn¡¯t recognize the name of the city or town.


    ¡°In Mexico?¡±


    ¡°You do not need to go there immediately.¡±


    ¡°Why there?¡±


    ¡°I believe you will find something beneficial toward your Quest.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Thank you for your assistance. I will return with enslaved. Our goal is to free them, understand? Learning how the collars work is complementary to that singular goal.¡±


    ¡°Of course. None shall be in fetters without just cause.¡±


    ¡°Also,¡± he lowered his voice, ¡°these kids are going to need emotional support. Making them strong magically is pointless if you make their minds brittle.¡±


    ¡°Do not lecture me on my purpose. I have created many great individuals over millennia. My students are strong and resilient.¡±


    ¡°Just making sure.¡±


    He glanced at Nila, who glared at him.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just go,¡± she said.


    ¡°Big boom!¡± the little guy threw his hands into the air.


    He reached down to pick him up but Nila beat him to it.


    She stomped off toward their RV parked in the school lot.


    ¡°This is your fault,¡± he said.


    Ms. Teacher regarded him with mild amusement.


    <hr>


    Now, Atlanta


    The drive south to Atlanta was done in frosty silence. Except for the little guy, bless his heart, he had no idea that Nila was mad at Cal.


    A few encounters with monsters didn¡¯t do anything to cool the one-sided tension.


    ¡°None of them got permanently hurt. I went out of my way to make sure that nothing too traumatic happened,¡± he tried to explain for the dozenth time.


    ¡°You let institutionalized child abuse occur. Worse you participated.¡± Nila¡¯s tone was frosty.


    ¡°She was going to put them through that regardless.¡±


    ¡°You could¡¯ve tried to stop her.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not fighting someone that can create pseudo-life out of nothing, matter out of nothing. At least, not until I know what she¡¯s really capable of. Besides, she¡¯s teaching the kids pretty good. They¡¯re, like, the equivalent of people a handful of levels higher. Plus, she¡¯s protecting the town. The kids love her. The whole town loves her. I didn¡¯t find anything weird or suspicious in any of that. It seems genuine. Besides, this slave kingdom is a bigger problem. You have to agree with that, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but still¡­ those kids were barely ten.¡±


    ¡°I agree, but it¡¯s the world now. We teach our kids to fight at a young age.¡±


    ¡°Not like that!¡±


    ¡°Maybe, but this might be better. You weed out the ones that aren¡¯t meant to fight. They can then be guided to their true passions. Listen, we took my nieces to kill their first monsters at around that age. They fought and survived some crazy stuff. There were a lot of close calls. I wonder if they had that same kind of training would they have been safer?¡±


    ¡°And look at what they did.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, okay, so them and their friends are stupid reckless. Remy and Megan will track them down before they get in real trouble.¡±


    Nila looked back to the sleeping little guy strapped into his car seat. ¡°Is he going to have to go through the same things?¡±


    ¡°We have time to make things better.¡±


    ¡°Do we? Cannibals. A Zalthyss cult. A fishman cult. The Cabal. A city of undead. Now a slave kingdom.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget the bat people?¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t funny.¡±


    ¡°Sorry¡­ I¡¯m actually hopeful that the bat people won¡¯t be an automatic threat. They seemed reasonable and they¡¯re stuck in that cave system for awhile.¡± Cal stared out at the open road. There had been a lot of rusted vehicles that he had to push to the side along with the occasional monster that jumped out of the overgrown foliage on the side of the road or swooped down from the sky. ¡°We¡¯re doing good work. Took care of the Deep Azure. Of Zalthyss. Now on to the Vitiator, his cabal and the slaver scum.¡±


    ¡°The fishmen are still out there.¡±


    ¡°Oceans are huge¡­¡±


    ¡°The cannibals are still fighting the church.¡±


    ¡°I see that as a win. They¡¯ll weaken each other for us to finally smash them later.¡±


    ¡°What about all that other stuff around the world that Eron mentioned?¡±


    ¡°Hey¡­ it¡¯ll be fine,¡± he rubbed her arm.


    She didn¡¯t try to move away.


    Progress.


    ¡°That¡¯s why we¡¯re traveling, right? We find allies. Build alliances and such. Unless you¡¯d rather I do like Eron and fly all over. Only stopping long enough to say hi and grab some rest in between putting down the next evil that rears its head.¡±


    ¡°You better not leave me and the little guy alone.¡±


    ¡°And I won¡¯t, which is why I¡¯m trying to play nice with the ancient elf lady Archwizard.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t?¡± her eyes widened.


    ¡°I did,¡± he smirked. ¡°Turns out her mind magics weren¡¯t quite up to my level after all. Just had to be super stealthy about picking out that bit of information. It¡¯s also why I think she¡¯s on the level¡­ at least on this. She genuinely wants to turn those kids into archmages, archwizards, archwarlocks¡­ well, you get the point. And I figure that it might be a good thing that they¡¯ll remember me from that ridiculous crucible and those matches.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, as the mean old man that hurt them and made them cry.¡±


    There was less of an edge to Nila¡¯s voice then there had been all day.


    ¡°They¡¯ve got to learn not to cry in the middle of battle,¡± he shrugged.


    The tension in the RV ebbed away as they talked of lighter things and future plans.


    Nila expressed excitement at traveling to Mexico. She had never been, but had always wanted to visit.


    Cal had been to Tijuana once back in college.


    The less said about that the better.


    She was in the middle of pressing him to spill when he suddenly slammed on the breaks.


    They were about an hour north of Atlanta.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± Nila regarded the hand-shaped dent she had put in the dashboard when she reflexively braced herself. ¡°That¡¯s your fault¡­¡±


    Cal cursed.


    ¡°Language!¡±


    ¡°Get in your armor. Get ready to drive back the way we came.¡±


    ¡°Cal, what is it? We¡¯re not leaving you.¡±


    ¡°If it was just you, I¡¯d agree,¡± he glanced to the sleeping little guy. They really needed to give him a name. He could talk, maybe it was time to ask him what he wanted. ¡°There¡¯s a huge battle going on ahead.¡± He grabbed a plain black baseball cap and a black cloth face mask from the back.


    ¡°Your gun?¡±


    He shook his head. ¡°I want to retain my anonymity until I know more about the situation.¡± He already knew that one side had to be from the slave kingdom. He saw the collars. Their thoughts were incongruous. They didn¡¯t fit the situation. He didn¡¯t know the other side. Eron had told him a little bit about his travels through the former USA from years ago. There had been a story about what his brother had gotten involved with in this general area. ¡°Just wait here.¡± He sent a powerful thought radiating out in all directions. ¡°Nothing will bother you for awhile. I should be back way before that wears off.¡±


    ¡°Be careful, Love,¡± Nila kissed him.


    ¡°You too, love you.¡±


    He stepped out of the RV and up into the sky.


    Battles always smelled terrible.


    You had the acrid smell of fire, natural and magical, mingled with all sorts of esoteric aromas from the dozen spells criss-crossing the air. You didn¡¯t really need to add the stench of human waste.


    The defenders had a five to one edge.


    About 500 fighters were close to encircling 100 fighters, a pair of buses and a few other vehicles that the latter had used to reach just outside of Atlanta.


    The collars on a majority of the beleaguered force were what drew his eyes.


    He probed the enslaved¡¯s thoughts and was disturbed to gain confirmation on what he had first picked up on several miles ago.


    Without exception, every enslaved individual was happy. Even as they died for those that put them in chains, there was no other place in the world they would¡¯ve rather been in at that moment.


    He itched to break the collars but remembered Ms. Teacher¡¯s warning.


    He needed to stop the battle quickly.


    But how to do it without revealing his true self?


    He remained hovering above the battlefield.


    The combatants down below suddenly found their strikes missing by the barest margins, their spells going astray.


    ¡°Please stop.¡±


    Everyone heard him.


    They hesitated as he descended into view.


    Each side backed away from each other eyeing him warily.


    Barked orders to the fighters.


    Demands directed to Cal.


    Their thoughts laid bare to him.


    He nudged them just a bit away from the red rage, away from the rush of adrenaline.


    One huge man stepped into focus.


    He had a huge mane of curly black hair and a thick beard, which made him resemble a lion. Tattoos covered the dark surface of his bare torso.


    One had to watch out for anyone that went into battle without a shirt let alone any other kinds of protection.


    Cal had already scanned the surface of the man¡¯s thoughts.


    Around 30 years old.


    No class.


    A bruiser. A brick.


    The result of a magical ritual years ago. The sacrifice of dozens in the past then hundreds more over the years.


    The Atlanta community¡¯s single greatest protector.


    Cal knew of the man, though vaguely, from Eron¡¯s story.


    The man should be fairly reasonable.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to¡ª¡± he began.


    The car rocketed toward him like a missile.


    The superstrong man had thrown it at him.


    He let it fly right by him because he wasn¡¯t in the exact position that he let them think he was.


    Anonymity was great but not at the cost of unnecessary violence.


    He descended ripping every weapon out of each fighters¡¯ hands.


    He then put the enslaved to sleep and held the slavers in place.


    ¡°I¡¯m not on their side,¡± he addressed Atlanta¡¯s defenders.


    ¡°I thought you were him, but you look different,¡± the muscular man said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± he lied. ¡°But I¡¯m not here to hurt anyone¡­ except, maybe them,¡± he jabbed a thumb back toward the slavers.


    ¡°Whoever you are we can offer you anything want!¡± one of the slavers said.


    ¡°Quiet you,¡± he shut the odious woman¡¯s mouth shut. ¡°Listen, I want to help them.¡±


    The muscular man immediately knew what he meant. ¡°You can¡¯t. Those collars ain¡¯t no joke.¡±


    ¡°Yeh, bruh,¡± a younger woman stepped up to stand in front of the muscular man. She was almost as tall but about a third as wide. ¡°You ain¡¯t got nothing to do for them.¡±


    The muscular man stepped in front of her with a sigh. ¡°We tried everything before. Ain¡¯t nothing worked. The magic¡¯s too strong.¡±


    Cal eyed one of the collars.


    ¡°You best not try nothing less you wanna blow the poor bastard¡¯s head off,¡± the young woman said as she tried and failed to get back in front of the huge man.


    ¡°Easy enough to break. I can do it with my bare hands. Ain¡¯t gonna make that mistake again,¡± the muscular man said. ¡°Tried putting a shield around them. That kept them alive but their minds were never the same. Either they went crazy or they went vegetable.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ what about him?¡± Cal pointed to one of the slavers.


    The man was trying to make himself as small and unnoticeable as possible which was impossible considering Cal was holding him immobile.


    Cal walked over and grabbed the man by the screw of his neck. ¡°You tried using this?¡± he pulled the metal baton from the man¡¯s belt. It was as thick as a thumb and a little shorter than an arm.


    ¡°Control rod. Yeh, bruh, we done tried. Ain¡¯t no good. Only slave lords and masters use em. Anyone else and the poor bastards go crazy or¡­ boom,¡± the young woman opened her fingers wide.


    ¡°Slaver¡­ is that true?¡± he held the man¡¯s double-chinned, pasty face up to his own. ¡°Only you can set those people free?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ only the King,¡± the slaver hissed.


    ¡°Guess you¡¯re useless then,¡± he tossed the man to the ground.


    ¡°If you ain¡¯t an enemy then I¡¯ll kindly ask you to get going,¡± the muscular man said. ¡°We got business to take care of.¡±


    The defenders picked up their weapons from where Cal had dropped them and cautiously advanced toward the slave kingdom¡¯s force.


    ¡°What are you going to do?¡±


    He already knew the answer but he wanted to force them to say it out loud.


    The muscular man looked down at him with wary determination.


    The defenders eyed the grim and unpleasant business in front of them.


    Many hoped that perhaps, this once, the stranger would somehow spare them their grisly duty.


    ¡°The slavers get interrogated. The ones that ain¡¯t complete shits get prison and maybe a chance to redeem themselves. The ones that are get executed. The slaves¡­ they get the only freedom anyone can give them,¡± the muscular man said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about the slavers, but here¡¯s a deal. I take the enslaved so you don¡¯t have to kill them and you share everything that you know about the slave kingdom. And maybe we work together to end them.¡±


    The big man mulled it over for an uncomfortably long time.


    ¡°Aight¡­ I ain¡¯t in charge, but you can take em. You¡¯ll have to come back later for word on the rest of your deal.¡±


    They shook on it.


    Cal sensed that the big man was relieved that he wasn¡¯t going to have to kill any enslaved people today.


    The muscular man¡¯s bear paw-like hand completely engulfed Cal¡¯s hand and he had to use telekinesis to bolster his strength up to an equal level.


    Grudging respect emanated from the muscular man.


    ¡°The King will put you and everyone you care about in chains. You¡¯ll serve and you¡¯ll be happy!¡± the slaver man spat.


    The muscular man reached down and picked the slaver up by the throat. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you can do for them poor bastards,¡± he eyed the sleeping enslaved, ¡°but maybe if you keep that thing close to them nothing bad will happen,¡± he nodded at the control rod in Cal¡¯s hand. ¡°As for this trash¡­ I¡¯ve interrogated plenty of his kind.¡±


    ¡°Yeh¡­ we don¡¯t really need that doughy white boy,¡± the young woman grinned.


    ¡°Hear that, slaver shit¡­ we don¡¯t need you. You ain¡¯t worth nothing.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a Slave Lord! I can pay you! Make you richer than you could ever hope to be!¡±


    ¡°Lord?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Yeh, like one of dem things. Masters ain¡¯t lords, but lords be masters,¡± the young woman said.


    ¡°Ain¡¯t none of that complicated logic stuff,¡± the muscular man shook his head. ¡°There are slave lords and slave masters. They¡¯re all masters. Least that¡¯s what they like to think of themselves as. Ain¡¯t that right?¡± he tightened his grip around the slaver¡¯s neck and lifted him so that they were eye to eye. ¡°Naw¡­ I forgot. I don¡¯t care what you got to say.¡±


    ¡°Ni¡ª¡±


    The rest of the slaver¡¯s vile words vanished almost as quickly as the man did into the sky.


    The muscular man eyed Cal with a challenge.


    ¡°They attacked you and they¡¯re slavers,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Maybe just don¡¯t torture cause that doesn¡¯t give you good intel anyways.¡±


    ¡°We ain¡¯t no CIA,¡± the muscular man snorted. ¡°What you gonna do with the slaves?¡±


    Cal glanced at the buses.


    There were less than 50 enslaved left alive.


    He sent Nila a telepathic message.


    It was only a three hour drive back to Ms. Teacher.


    With luck they¡¯d be back there before sunset.

 6.46

    Now, Southern California


    ¡°Ah¡­ is this the infamous ¡®Plane-arium¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Rayna¡¯s head swung around. ¡°Damn you, old brother! Can you not sneak up on me?¡±


    A raised brow. ¡°Hrrmmm¡­ you didn¡¯t sense me? Good to note.¡±


    ¡°What do you want?¡± she blinked. ¡°Did you just say ¡®plane-arium¡¯?¡±


    ¡°I recently developed a bone disease that makes it impossible to pronounce the ¡®T¡¯,¡± Cal pouted.


    ¡°Ha ha¡­ your dad-lameness continues to progress,¡± she waved a hand dismissively.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s all this?¡± he gestured toward the small group of teens reenacting the solar system a dozen feet above the ranger¡¯s main training grounds. He recognized a few faces, including Prim as what appeared to be one of Neptune¡¯s moons judging by her positioning in relation to the rest.


    ¡°Academy rivalry got a bit out of hand. It¡¯s just a little lesson in not acting like idiots. Kayl¡¯s idea.¡±


    The Ranger Colonel was indeed off to the side hurling water balloons at the slowly orbiting teens. ¡°This is what happens when you fuck around! You find out!¡± she jeered.


    He also noticed the Furies lobbying water balloons at Prim.


    ¡°We¡¯re very disappointed in you, young lady,¡± Jayde tutted.


    The girl¡¯s long blond hair clung to her face in wet clumps.


    ¡°I think this is child abuse,¡± he whispered to his sister. Thoughts of the crucible were fresh in his mind even though several weeks had passed since he had dropped off some of the collared enslaved with Ms. Teacher so that she could begin her research.


    ¡°Some people wanted to use fruit and vegetables. Some wanted those old dodgeballs. I put my foot down. This seemed a good compromise. This is what they get for turning a simple food fight into a brawl. We are now down one cafeteria. Which leaves us with zero,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°Okay¡­ then why are they up there too? They aren¡¯t junior rangers,¡± he gestured toward Venus and Mercury, also known as Ambrose and Rai.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, guys! Not in the ear!¡± Rai pleaded.


    ¡°Bad luck for them. Normally, they¡¯d get crap duty like graveyard watch over at the hills or manning the help desk at one of our kiosks. They ignored a retreat order. Almost got themselves and the rest of their squad killed down in San Diego. Sergeant Mouthy wanted five minutes alone with them. The timing worked out so, I decided that this was better for everyone involved.¡±


    The woman in question hurled a water balloon at Ambrose¡¯s face with all her might, followed by a second into Rai¡¯s face. ¡°You lucky shits! Disobey my orders again and it¡¯ll be my fist if the zombie hippos don¡¯t get you first!¡± she stomped away.


    ¡°Hippos¡­ second most dangerous land animal in the world,¡± Cal nodded in agreement. ¡°How long are you going to keep them up there? It¡¯s kind of nippy out here. They¡¯ll catch a cold.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, okay, Mom,¡± Rayna rolled her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s supposed to be a punishment. Getting a cold is the least of their concerns when they¡¯ve already got my disappointment and disapproval.¡±


    ¡°Spoken like Mom. You tell them how much you¡¯ve sacrificed for them yet? How many hours you spent in labor?¡±


    ¡°Whatever?¡± she scoffed. ¡°How¡¯s little ¡®Super Dinosaurman¡¯?¡±


    ¡°We vetoed that name,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°You really dropped the ball with the whole ¡®I¡¯ll let him pick his own name, doesn¡¯t that seem the most fair¡¯,¡± she laughed.


    ¡°Turns out that for all the stupid names that parents give their kids¡­ kids are even worse at it. Who could¡¯ve foreseen such an unexpected development?¡± he sighed. ¡°Maybe we¡¯ll call him ¡®Rayn¡¯ or ¡®Rayna2¡¯ or since he likes dinosaurs, ¡®Raynasaurus Rex¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Rayna Lizard King¡­ that¡¯s dumb, even for you. The first one would be an honor,¡± she nodded solemnly.


    ¡°Or maybe ¡®Nil¡¯ after Nila, though she hates that one.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, cause it literally means ¡®nothing¡¯,¡± she stared at him as though he had just sprouted a second head.


    ¡°Nah, it means ¡®Zero¡¯, plenty of cool comic and anime characters call themselves that.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t name him after fictional pop culture characters.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s tough. Might have to put together a brainstorming committee. Would you be interested?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± she said flatly, ¡°I absolutely don¡¯t have more important things to worry about.¡±


    ¡°What about ¡°Alin¡¯? It sounds like a real Earthian name?¡±


    ¡°Stop trying to make ¡®Earthian¡¯ happen,¡± she shook her head. ¡°For someone that¡¯s supposed to be smart you come up with dumb ideas. I know some of it is on purpose to get a laugh, but then sometimes I wonder if I¡¯m wrong. And you can¡¯t just reverse names people already have. It¡¯s a stupid way to go about it.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of ideas¡­ I really came here because I wanted to touch base concerning the enslaved people I brought back.¡±


    Rayna sighed. ¡°We tried to follow Galadriel¡¯s instructions, but our magic users just aren¡¯t remotely near her level. And so we had to fall back on the good old medically induced coma. You said that if they were awake they¡¯d go crazy doing anything to escape and get back to this slave kingdom,¡± her face twisted like she just smelled open, stagnant sewer water in the heat of summer. ¡°We can keep them like that for awhile, but it can¡¯t be healthy for them. I don¡¯t know why you didn¡¯t just make that elf lady wizard take care of them all.¡±


    ¡°She flatly refused to take more than 10. The other 40 are my responsibility.¡±


    ¡°Ours.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡­ thank you, most generous sister with too much on her plate.¡±


    ¡°Yet, you keep putting brussels sprouts on it.¡±


    ¡°Look, when I¡¯m around I¡¯ll make sure to reinforce the whole coma thing. Keep them in a pleasant dream state.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to Mexico,¡± she pouted.


    ¡°Not until after the new year.¡±


    ¡°Oh good then you¡¯ll be around for a month.¡±


    ¡°Closer to two.¡±


    ¡°Great! Then you can help me out!¡±


    ¡°Whatever you want.¡±


    ¡°Soccer mom duties.¡±


    He raised a brow.


    ¡°You can transport rangers to and from the undead front. Oh, we also want to expand our wyvern and drake program. You can grab some more eggs. Help with the aerial combat training. We¡¯re thinking of starting a breeding program. Help with training in general. The academy could use you as a sparring partner. Nila told me about Crucible thing. Sounds like child abuse, but those kids leveled up. I figure you can, like, push the academy kids to brink and maybe that¡¯ll help them get a few levels. Might even work with full Rangers. Nothing like a life or death challenge to gain levels. And the landsharks have been increasing in numbers. You can take care of that. Mom¡¯s been bugging me about the guy I¡¯m dating.¡±


    He held up a hand. ¡°I can help with most of that. But what do you want me to do about Mom? She¡¯s still in Manila with Dad.¡±


    ¡°She sends a spires message everyday,¡± she grabbed his shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t you see? I only check once a week. There¡¯s over two hours of Mom messages waiting for me every time and for some stupid reason the messaging system tells the sender if I¡¯ve watched a message in its entirety, even if I¡¯ve fast forwarded. She knows, Cal! Mom knows! And she lets me know!¡± her shoulders slumped. ¡°And then Dad will send a message. You have to do that older brother thing.¡±


    ¡°What thing?¡±


    ¡°Fix it!¡±


    He patted her on the head. ¡°Heavy is the crown¡­ maybe you can take a few days. Fly over th¡ª¡±


    ¡°No!¡± she hissed.


    ¡°Okay,¡± he held up a real hand. ¡°I¡¯ll message her. As for the rest¡­ no problem, minus the child abuse and fighting your rangers to the point that they think they¡¯re going to die. I¡¯ll train with them, but like a normal person. I need to wait on Ms. Teacher¡¯s findings in any case.¡±


    ¡°You got a preliminary plan? Invading a kingdom and freeing thousands of slaves isn¡¯t something you just do on a whim. You got to have a plan for before, during and after. The after being the most important part. You can¡¯t just go in, blow everything up and be all ¡®mission accomplished¡¯ like some kind of butthole.¡±


    He looked at his sister with puppy-dog eyes.


    ¡°Well, obviously any freed person that wants to can move here,¡± she rolled her eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯re the best¡­ around¡­ nothing¡¯s ever gonna keep you down¡­¡±


    ¡°And you made it lame¡­ shoo, I¡¯ve got a solar system to concentrate on.¡±


    A ranger hurled something red at Ganymede.


    The tomato swerved away and curved back in an arc to slam into the ranger¡¯s face.


    ¡°Ranger Dillon, you dick!¡± Rayna roared. ¡°Up you go.¡± She put the young man into orbit at the very outer edge of the model solar system.


    The young ranger protested.


    ¡°You know the rules! Water balloons only!¡±


    ¡°Which one is he supposed to be?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know,¡± she shrugged, ¡°asteroid? Comet? Whatever.¡±


    ¡°He can be the Gah Lak Tus swarm.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± she feigned incomprehension. ¡°I don¡¯t speak dork.¡±


    ¡°Mogo?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t take the dork elective in college. Please go away now,¡± she shooed him.


    He watched Kayl, the Furies and every other ranger currently in attendance eagerly line up to pelt Ranger Dillon. The young ranger¡¯s thoughts were filled with deep, heartfelt regret.


    <hr>


    Now, Mexico


    The year was 2033.


    The place?


    Mexico City.


    The temperature in January?


    A nice, comfortable 69¡ã.


    ¡°Nature really did heal,¡± Cal idly remarked.


    ¡°That¡¯s not funny,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Billions of people died.¡±


    ¡°I know that. I¡¯m just remarking on a factual thing. People died, which was terrible and I¡¯m not minimizing that. Survivors suffered, yet the environment is doing better.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a bad example for¡­ him,¡± she nodded surreptitiously toward the little guy in his booster seat.


    ¡°Mom, I¡¯m Super Dinosaurman,¡± he said reproachfully.


    She sighed.


    This is your fault, she thought.


    Sorry¡­ which is why we need to get ¡®Alin¡¯ to stick before it gets even harder.¡±


    We are not naming him with my name, but just backwards. Why not ¡®Lac¡¯ then? Or ¡®Nimlac¡¯?


    Because those are obviously not Earthian-sounding names. This isn¡¯t a fantasy world.


    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m Super Dinosaurman!¡±


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ and that¡¯s an awesome code name, but you know that¡¯s different from a real name, right?¡±


    ¡°No. is name,¡± the little guy tapped a pudgy hand to his chest.


    A grease-covered hand on his formerly clean white shirt.


    Great save¡­


    ¡°You¡¯ll understand one day.¡± Cal cleaned the little guy¡¯s hand with a napkin. ¡°So, Nila, how do you like the food? Authentic Mexican food for the first time ever. Since the SoCal stuff is technically a different thing.¡±


    There was a broad array of antojitos spread out on the table.


    The waiter had looked at them oddly when they had ordered.


    The odd looks spread to the other diners as Cal and Nila proceeded to eat everything without showing any signs of slowing down.


    The little guy loved the birria tacos. Unfortunately, the lack of fine motor control in his child hands meant that he spilled as much of the sauce that he got on the taco with each dip.


    ¡°It¡¯s great,¡± she sighed. ¡°I always wanted to travel here, but¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? We haven¡¯t had to fight anyone or anything. The roving gangs aren¡¯t roving and they¡¯re surprisingly decent overall. I don¡¯t speak from first hand knowledge but from the looks of things it¡¯s much more safe and peaceful in this entire region than it was back in the old days.¡±


    That wasn¡¯t entirely accurate.


    The city itself wasn¡¯t the violent, lawless hellhole that the ignorant believed it to be. Like any major city there had been good parts, bad parts and everything in between.


    Now however?


    It was mostly good.


    Granted, like every other place it had been drastically depopulated.


    The locals¡¯ main worries now came from monsters, mutant animals and bad actors in other areas.


    The areas not under the protection of the individual that Ms. Teacher had apparently sent Cal here to meet.


    His only problem was that he couldn¡¯t find the man or woman in question.


    Which was unexpected.


    He had scanned the entire city, every small settlement they had passed on the way down and entire swaths of land miles around.


    Asking around hadn¡¯t yielded much information beyond confirmation that there was a protector and that if they were nice then they were free to spend their gold and silver to enjoy their vacation.


    ¡°Everyone¡¯s so nice,¡± he mused.


    ¡°It helps that there¡¯s no language barrier. Everyone can be comfortable speaking their own language. It puts people on equal footing,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°I¡¯m enjoying the peaceful family time, but it¡¯s been a few days and we did come here for multiple reasons. I need to find this mysterious protector.¡±


    The people in the restaurant tried to play it cool but he picked up some concern at his words. He had already scanned the surface of their thoughts and no one knew anything in regards to their protector¡¯s identity only that his arrival was always heralded by a sudden downpour and the crack of thunder and lightning.


    Reddish-pink lightning.


    ¡°I mean I just want to talk. Ask some questions about collars. Maybe get some help,¡± he continued.


    ¡°Well, we¡¯ve had our fill of food and the local attractions. Why not try something more historical?¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Go on¡­¡±


    ¡°Rain storms. Reminds me of Tlaloc.¡±


    ¡°Right, Aztec god of rain and other stuff.¡±


    ¡°Why not visit Aztec pyramids? Teotihuac¨¢n has the Pyramid of the Sun. Chich¨¦n Itz¨¢. Palenque. There¡¯s a bunch. We could learn more at a museum. This protector could be based out of one of those places. It¡¯d be thematic.¡±


    ¡°They also make perfect lairs for eldritch evil and cults. Or they¡¯re probably encounter challenges and spawn zones.¡±


    ¡°Maybe the ones not in the areas the protector is supposed to watch over.¡±


    ¡°So? We start with the closest ones?¡±


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    They finished their meal and headed out.


    A quick stop at the National Museum of Archaeology in the city yielded maps and brochures for the most notable ancient sites in the country.


    Their initial assessment proved correct.


    The archaeological sites that fell with the protected areas had been either completely claimed by Tlaloc or were encounter challenges that groups were actually in the process of using.


    It was different at Chich¨¦n Itz¨¢ out in the Yucatan Peninsula.


    That was a spawn zone.


    Cal took an hour to clear it back down into an encounter challenge while Nila and the little guy waited in the RV. A fair amount of universal points was his only tangible reward.


    Much of the peninsula was devoid of human life.


    Monsters and mutant animals had overrun it.


    They killed their way to Tulum seeking the ruins at the location.


    Another spawn zone awaited them.


    Cal cleared it quickly and they decided to take a break on the beach.


    Landsharks immediately came charging out of the water.


    Cal broke them with a thought and hurled the bodies far out into the ocean, past where the currents would take them back to the shore.


    A thought sent the rest of the monsters and mutant animals in the immediate area scurrying away from the presence of a greater predator.


    ¡°How bout we spend the rest of the day enjoying the beach? Look how nice the sand and water look,¡± he said.


    ¡°Can we make sandcastle?¡± the little guy said.


    ¡°Yes, we can!¡± Nila smiled. ¡°Are you sure those bodies won¡¯t come back?¡± she whispered to Cal. ¡°I don¡¯t want him swimming in corpse-y water.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re like a mile out.¡±


    ¡°Okay, then we¡¯re changing into our swimsuits.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll claim one of the hotels so we can get some fancy snacks and drinks. I¡¯ve already sent every dangerous thing in the area running, so you don¡¯t have to worry. I¡¯ll keep an eye on things anyways and let you know if there¡¯s an emergency,¡± he tapped his temple.


    ¡°Hurry up and join us.¡±


    Several hours later as the sun set the little family gathered around the fire pit. Piles of skewered meat and vegetables stacked high on multiple trays beside them.


    Cold drinks in hand, Cal watched the sunset.


    ¡°So pretty,¡± Nila said.


    The warm yellows and oranges slowly gave way to reds and cool purples.


    He looked at her. ¡°Absolutely.¡±


    The little guy drooled as he slept on her chest while the two reclined on the beach chair.


    ¡°So, Palenque tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Nila yawned.


    ¡°You¡¯re tired? You haven¡¯t exactly done much today. What happened to that superhuman stamina?¡±


    Nila snorted. ¡°It¡¯s more draining sitting around in the RV while you¡¯re fighting. More tense for me and I can¡¯t expend that energy.¡±


    ¡°Playing on the beach?¡±


    ¡°Keeping up with a 2 year old is tough,¡± she smiled. Tired, but content.


    The kebabs rose into the air and hovered over the fire.


    Cal leaned back into his chair.


    Powers did make things easier.


    It would¡¯ve been perfect if he didn¡¯t need them to fight.


    ¡°So, ¡®Alin¡¯?¡± she mused. ¡°It¡¯s better than ¡®Nil¡¯.¡±


    They discussed the name and others as they ate and drank at their leisure.


    Night descended in full.


    ¡°I love staring up at the stars,¡± Nila said.


    Cal agreed even as he sent out a powerful telepathic blade to slice the psyche of a nameless horror slowly sneaking up on them from the jungle.


    No interruptions.


    Not this night.


    Time slowly ticked away.


    The fire dwindled along with the food and drink.


    Cal kept it alive by floating more wood into the pit.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind this lasting forever,¡± he said dreamily.


    That was when a bright reddish flash from the east briefly lit up the darkness.


    The crack of thunder followed several seconds later.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°I guess I should get changed and get the little guy to a safe spot. I¡¯m not getting into a fight in a bikini,¡± Nila rose.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. There won¡¯t be a fight. This Tlaloc guy is a protector. We¡¯ll just chat and be buddies.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not how that works. I¡¯ve read more than enough of your nerd comics to know that,¡± Nila cradled the little guy protectively as she sprinted back to their hotel room where her armor and weapons waited.


    The rain fell a moment later.


    <hr>


    Cal sprinted through the jungle.


    When the undergrowth became too dense he took the treetops leaping from branch to branch until he reached the edge of a clearing.


    The rain had strengthened pouring in thick sheets of stinging drops.


    The thick canopy kept him somewhat dry.


    He wanted to keep things as close to the vest as possible so he had refrained from using his powers beyond keeping a mental eye on his surroundings, on his family a few miles back at the hotel, and a feathery touch on the approaching man¡¯s thoughts.


    He sat on the thick tree branch and waited.


    A thick bolt of red-pink lightning crackled down from the sky.


    That was right.


    He had sped up his perceptions.


    The lightning came down from high up in the sky.


    Not like actual lightning that sorta does both with the visible part coming up from the ground to meet the path of invisible negative energy from the clouds.


    A giant, yoked specimen of a man appeared in the center of a wide circles of scorched grass and earth in the clearing. Dark skin the color of bronze glistened beneath the rain. He planted an enormous axe of obsidian like a flag at his side then crossed arms with biceps as thick as Cal¡¯s thighs across a chest that was as broad as one and a half Cals.


    ¡°Everyone¡¯s so fucking huge,¡± Cal grumbled.


    The man wasn¡¯t only huge, he was also ripped. He glared out to the tree line, dark eyes scanning down over an aquiline nose. Long, coarse, thick black hair was plastered to his wide forehead. That broad-featured face carried all the promise of the violent storm raging overhead.


    He looked chiseled out of stone. Like the statues and carvings Cal had seen plenty of during the day.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you one warning!¡± the man¡¯s voice boomed like thunder.


    No accent.


    The slight, uncanny valley feeling when the listener was really paying attention.


    Something to do with how the order of a noun and a verb in a sentence differed across the various languages.


    The universal translation system at work.


    ¡°Leave! You have till the sun rises!¡±


    Cal leapt down to the ground and slowly emerged from the shadows with his hands open and held wide. ¡°Just want to talk.¡±


    ¡°You have till sunrise,¡± the man repeated.


    ¡°How are you breaking the slave collars without breaking the people¡¯s brains?¡± he decided to get right to his most pressing question.


    ¡°What are you talking about, little man?¡± dark eyes narrowed.


    Cal held off from scanning deeper into the man¡¯s thoughts.


    There was something like great age in that look.


    The bone-weary feel of a long life lived through tough, grueling work. Completely incongruous with the towering form a man in the prime of life.


    ¡°You¡¯re their ¡®protector¡¯, they call you Tlaloc or do you call yourself that? You¡¯ve set hundreds free with the twist of a wrist. Removed the slave class? How?¡±


    ¡°You want them back?¡± the man bared perfect, white teeth in a feral snarl. ¡°They¡¯re under my protection. You¡¯ll never have them again!¡± the man, this Tlaloc pointed.


    Cal cursed.


    Nila was right.


    He threw himself into the muddy ground to avoid the bolt of red-pink lightning.


    The axe that was almost as tall as him came next.


    He rolled to the side in a shower of grass and mud.


    The obsidian blade trembled the earth as it sank deep.


    Too close.


    Time to use his full powers?


    Tlaloc held a hand toward the axe.


    The giant man shot forward like a cannonball.


    Almost too fast for Cal to follow with his normal vision.


    In a second the man grabbed his axe, ripped it free from the earth, whirled it overhead and slashed exactly where Cal had been.


    The god of rain didn¡¯t want to talk?


    That was fine.


    The man had Eron-like strength?


    Less fine.


    The rain carried an enervating effect?


    That was a problem.


    Cal put up a telekinetic shield to outline his body and keep the rain from touching his skin. He instantly felt refreshed. The fatigue had crept up on him like an insidious snake.


    The axe descended again.


    He caught the blade in his hand millimeters from his bare palm.


    He had to bolster his physical strength with mental power to stop and hold the axe in place.


    Taut cords of muscles bulged visibly in Tlaloc¡¯s bare torso. He tried to pull the axe back and failed. He added his other hand to the handle.


    Cal held it in place.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not do this, yeah? I¡¯m not one of those slaver scum. I¡¯m here because I need to destroy their kingdom and find a way to forever ruin those collars. Otherwise some piece of garbage will just try again in the future,¡± he said. ¡°We¡¯re on the same side on this.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not falling for your lies!¡± Tlaloc unleashed a lightning covered punch into Cal¡¯s face.


    Tlaloc was much faster than he looked.


    Cal tumbled across the mud. Telekinetic shield kept him uninjured.


    The axe descended.


    He shunted it to one side and moved forward with a telekinetically-empowered punch.


    Tlaloc flew right into it. Took it in the throat.


    A momentary look of surprise on the man¡¯s face turned into anger.


    Cal ducked and weaved around around two wide, looping punches ending up behind.


    Like dodging swinging tree trunks.


    He dug hooks into Tlaloc¡¯s lower back. Right in the kidneys.


    Like punching an anvil.


    Cal flowed up the man¡¯s back grabbed his head and swung him up into the air like one of those crazy strong man events with them trying to throw a keg over a high bar.


    A dozen feet.


    A hundred.


    A thousand.


    Tlaloc spun like a frisbee until he crashed somewhere in the distant jungle.


    Cal regarded the huge, obsidian axe.


    The blade was almost as big as his entire torso.


    He carefully grabbed the handle.


    ¡°Ow!¡±


    One of the jagged edges actually cut through the protections of both his shield and his superhumanly tough skin.


    ¡°That¡¯s some magic bullshit,¡± he muttered.


    He grabbed it with telekinesis and sent it flying in the opposite direction from Tlaloc.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see if that¡¯s the source of your power,¡± he said.


    It seemed like a reasonable assumption without digging deeper into the man¡¯s thoughts.


    Cal wasn¡¯t yet at the point that he¡¯d be willing to go that far against someone that he wanted on his side.


    He didn¡¯t want to chance burning that bridge.


    Back at the hotel several miles away Nila stood in her armor making sure to keep the little guy covered. She gazed out the window as it rattled in its frame. ¡°It¡¯s raining sideways,¡± she muttered.

 6.47

    Now, Mexico


    An enraged howl rang out over the sound of thunder.


    Tlaloc wasn¡¯t happy.


    The man hadn¡¯t yet displayed the ability to summon the axe to his hand, but why not just make it just a little more difficult.


    The little Cal had read about the mythological Tlaloc back at the museum didn¡¯t mention anything about an obsidian axe with special powers. At least nothing named and famous like another mythical weapon and god that he couldn¡¯t help but notice bared some thematic resemblance to the actual man currently thundering through the jungle like an enraged elephant.


    ¡°You threw my axe into the ocean, contemptible person!¡± Tlaloc roared.


    The big man barreled toward Cal.


    Predictable¡­ however it was a feint.


    Cal cheated. He scanned thoughts. Unfair? Yeah.


    He jumped forward instead of to the side or back.


    The spears of water missed him completely.


    Mythological Tlaloc was the god of rain. He was also considered a giver of life and sustenance. The god of fertile earth and water.


    The rain water turned into a battering ram that sent him into the air before he could give Tlaloc another throat punch.


    A precious second of making Cal take a turn at being a frisbee allowed Tlaloc to super jump half way to his axe.


    ¡°Can¡¯t get separated too long? Or too far? Mix of the two,¡± Cal mused.


    Cal had the advantage of flight.


    He cut Tlaloc off at the beach.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get the axe back for you if you promise that you¡¯ll give me that sunrise you said you would.¡±


    ¡°Get out of my way, prostitute,¡± Tlaloc said.


    Cal blinked. ¡°Oh¡­ I get it. You shouldn¡¯t use words like that. There¡¯s no need for slurs.¡±


    Tlaloc frowned. ¡°I forget sometimes. You young people. Changing things. It¡¯s good. Just hard for old men like me. Get out of my way, asshole.¡±


    The storm overhead grew stronger.


    Cal had to brace himself against the hurricane winds to stay in place.


    Lightning painted the sky in eerie reds.


    Thunder threatened to drown out the sounds of crashing waves.


    ¡°You know, I¡¯ve been holding back,¡± he said lightly. ¡°I¡¯m not above knocking you out.¡±


    Tlaloc crossed his arms. ¡°I¡¯ve also been holding back.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯ve been holding back more.¡±


    ¡°No. That¡¯s wrong. I have.¡±


    ¡°No way, old man. I¡¯ve obviously been the one holding back the most. You¡¯re the one that started the fight. A fight that I¡¯m talking in the middle of¡­ talking¡­ in the middle of a fight¡­¡± he crossed his arms, ¡°I have the literal and moral high ground.¡±


    Tlaloc said nothing.


    The big man suddenly leapt leaving great cloud of sand in his wake.


    Cal dropped down to avoid the crushing bear hug.


    Tlaloc hit the ocean.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t fight over the ocean if you can¡¯t fl¡ª¡±


    Cal ate his words.


    Tlaloc was standing on the surface of the water.


    ¡°Right, you control water too,¡± he sighed.


    Tlaloc leapt again.


    Cal dodged again.


    Angry red lightning struck out of the clouds.


    Too fast to dodge.


    Not strong enough to pierce his telekinetic shield.


    Strong enough to stab a slight twinge of pain into his brain.


    Lightning strikes bombarded him.


    He swerved and dodged only taking less than a third of the strikes.


    Red arcs played across the surface of the ocean like spreading cracks in a damaged window pane.


    Tlaloc stood like an impassive statue as the arcs danced across his wet skin.


    It seemed that the so-called god of rain couldn¡¯t attack with multiple abilities at the same time. It was either the lightning or the water.


    On the downside it didn¡¯t look like Tlaloc was in that big of a hurry to get his axe back.


    Cal reached out with his mind and churned the waters underneath Tlaloc¡¯s feet in an effort to break the surface tension.


    Once again magic triumphed over science as the attempt did nothing.


    Even as the waters roiled, Tlaloc stood unbothered.


    ¡°You run around like a scared cat!¡± Tlaloc jeered.


    He pulled up a literal ton of water and swamped Tlaloc by way of a reply.


    Tlaloc didn¡¯t look amused. ¡°I control water. That accomplished nothing.¡±


    ¡°You look like a wet cat,¡± he shrugged.


    Tlaloc shot him the middle finger and turned the sideways rain drops into deadly sharp needles¡ª


    They broke on his telekinetic shield.


    The magic or power simply turned the water into sharp objects. Sure, it made them as strong or stronger than something like steel, but that made them just as easy to block as bullets.


    Now, if Tlaloc had been able to imbue an added magic bonus to them then maybe they¡¯d be a bit harder to deal with.


    ¡°Look, old man. This is just a waste of both our time and energy. Why don¡¯t we just sit down and have that chat? Then we can both get back to beating up the scumbags that actually deserve it.¡±


    ¡°You come to my place and make demands? You Americans have always been like this. Throwing your weight around, thinking everyone should kiss the ground you walk on just because your ancestors got lucky and stole our lands.¡±


    Cal blinked. ¡°Dude, look at me¡­ I¡¯ve got more in common with you. Colonizing bastards screwed both our ancestors.¡± Literally and figuratively.


    ¡°And you¡¯ve gotten even worse. You bring your collars. You take people. You make the world even worse than it already is. You¡¯d think the spires and monsters would make you change. But it only made you worse!¡± Tlaloc spat. ¡°Or maybe it just gave you the excuse to show your true selves.¡±


    ¡°Dude! Are you deaf? I¡¯m going to fuck those shits up! But I need to do it without killing the enslaved or destroying their minds. You can do that. Tell me how? Help me.¡±


    ¡°Lies. That is all you people have brought with you. You won¡¯t trick me again.¡±


    Pillars of water surged out of the ocean stabbing toward Cal. He shattered them with a thought.


    Lightning struck dancing through all the water in the air, conducted to the water on the surface of his shield. Reddish pink arcs played over his vision, across his body.


    ¡°Pretty lights¡­ kinda tickles.¡±


    ¡°You mock me,¡± Tlaloc growled.


    ¡°Willful dumbasses get clowned, bro.¡±


    He chopped Tlaloc¡¯s legs out from under the man and punched him into the turbulent waters. All while flying a hundred feet away.


    He put out a call while he waited for Tlaloc to swim back up.


    The seafloor wasn¡¯t too deep this far out, only about 30 feet.


    Tlaloc hit the bottom, immediately planted his feet and jumped. He shot out of the surface like a cruise missile.


    Cal slapped him farther out. Where the water was deep, dark, cold and full of terrible monsters.


    It¡¯d be a good test of Tlaloc¡¯s capabilities and tire him out enough that Cal could restrain him enough to force an actual conversation like proper adults.


    This whole misunderstanding fight thing was just stupid.


    Tlaloc pulled himself out to stand on the surface and shake a fist at Cal.


    Cal raised a brow.


    He knew what was about to happen.


    A 20-foot-long great white landshark swam through the depths. The mutant creature was slower, less agile than a true shark owing to the fact that it had four legs. However, it was still incredibly powerful. It surge almost vertically with great sweeps of its muscular tail and swam like a swimmer with its legs.


    Jaws opened wide it clamped down on half of Tlaloc¡¯s body.


    Cal saw it all in slow motion.


    Rows of razor-sharp teeth closed on dark, bronze skin. Then shattered. Leaving tiny indentations.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t even break his skin,¡± Cal mused.


    The landshark trashed as it continued to bite down, too stupid or maddened to care about its broken teeth as it descended deeper.


    Tlaloc reached around its huge head and ripped its eye out.


    The god of rain forced the landshark¡¯s mouth open and ripped it apart in an impressive display of strength and savagery.


    Blood reddened the waters in a wide swathe around him as the landshark¡¯s body slowly sank.


    More predators swam in from the deep.


    Cal had merely drawn them in.


    The blood and violence merely set them off in a frenzy.


    More landsharks swam in.


    Some went for the corpse.


    Others went for Tlaloc.


    They bit his arms, his legs.


    He flexed his muscles, harder than steel.


    Teeth broke, jaws broke.


    He tore chunks out of their tough skin and flesh with his bare hands.


    Normal and mutant sharks moved in as well.


    Everyone fought everyone for a bite.


    Cal flew overhead watching the action from a safe distance.


    The storm continued to rage above.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, man¡­ is this really how you want to spend your time?¡± Cal made sure Tlaloc could hear the words despite being under water in the middle of a feeding frenzy. He also made it so Tlaloc wouldn¡¯t question the fact. ¡°Look, I¡¯ll pull you out. You listen to me for a few minutes over some drinks and grilled meats. You help me, I help you. We destroy a bunch of slavers. Free the enslaved. Make a better world for everyone¡­¡±


    Tlaloc roared by way of response sending enraged bubbles to the roiling surface.


    Cal felt a surge of power radiate from the man.


    Something tore through the water like a supersonic torpedo.


    It cleaved through the press of creatures around Tlaloc breaking and cutting through tons of thick skin and muscle to fit in his hands.


    The obsidian axe.


    ¡°Okay, okay,¡± Cal nodded, ¡°it can do the whole returning to the hand thing,¡± he marked the box on the mental checklist.


    Tlaloc whirled the axe around him moving nearly as fast as he would¡¯ve out of the water.


    Gibbed chunks of monsters and animals swirled around Tlaloc like he was in the middle of a blender making the most disgusting meat smoothie in the world.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    He swam to the surface surrounded by a chum slick hundreds of yards in diameter.


    ¡°Is that all you have? Summoning monsters? And you expect me to believe that you aren¡¯t evil?¡± Tlaloc roared. ¡°Contemptible person! Fight me properly and I¡¯ll make the world a better place by separating your head from your neck!¡±


    ¡°For the record, I didn¡¯t magic summon anything. Also, I had zero involvement in what¡¯s coming. That was all you. All that blood and action was what brought it over.¡±


    Something worse than the landsharks and other predators drew closer.


    It was larger than even the largest great white.


    The front half was that of a shark, while the back half was that of an octopus¡¯ tentacles.


    ¡°What?¡± Tlaloc¡¯s eyes narrowed. He scanned the waters around him, head on a swivel.


    Tentacles as thick around as the big man¡¯s massive thighs struck dragging him back into the water.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Cal realized something. ¡°Am I the boss monster?¡±


    In for a penny, in for a dollar.


    He cast his thoughts farther out. Tlaloc was still going strong. This sharktopus probably wasn¡¯t going to be enough. A grin spread across his face. He found something several miles away, nearly a thousand feet down on the sea floor. Hidden within a seafloor canyon was a settlement filled with some old acquaintances.


    ¡°Well, look at that¡­ a lucky coincidence.¡±


    Are you there, Deep Azure? It¡¯s me, he thought. No?


    Silence.


    <hr>


    Tentacles wrapped around every inch of him. Even his head.


    Sharp teeth in the suction cups rasped against his skin. Tearing his pants. Scratching him. An annoyance.


    He struggled for the leverage to tear free but the strange monster made it difficult spinning him through the water toward its waiting teeth-filled mouth large enough to swallow him whole.


    He had seen strange monsters and mutated animals.


    This blend of shark and octopus was somewhere near the top of that list.


    He let the lightning within loose.


    The monster didn¡¯t react.


    Perhaps its skin protected it somehow?


    It was an unnatural creature. Nothing said that it had to have the qualities of a real animal. Indeed, it appeared to be resistant to thousands of volts of magical lightning.


    Tlaloc opened his mouth and bit down on part of the tentacle covering his face.


    He worried his head back and forth.


    The monster flesh was rubbery and tasted foul.


    He spat it out and sent the lightning into the open wound.


    The monster spasmed.


    Immense pressure gripped Tlaloc as the tentacles tightened reflexively.


    He readied himself.


    The instant they relaxed a fraction he surged with all his strength.


    He pulled free enough to get a good angle with his axe.


    The dark water churned with the monster¡¯s blood mixed with a dark, inky substance that clung to Tlaloc and irritated his eyes.


    Lightning surged forth with his will boiling the water around him and burning the substance away.


    The shark mouth came from behind.


    He struck it with a fist sending it deeper.


    Its remaining tentacles came for him again.


    He sliced them to bits.


    He had always hated seafood.


    It came for him one more time crazed beyond reason.


    That¡¯s how he could tell the difference between a natural animal and a monster.


    The former didn¡¯t attack without cause. Hunger or fear. They didn¡¯t simply kill for the sake of killing. More importantly, they did their best to avoid injury and death.


    This monsters bled from its severed tentacles. Its jaws flopped oddly from where he had broken some bones with his punch. And yet it came on.


    He ended it, like many things, with an axe to the head.


    The impossibly sharp obsidian blade sunk deep into the shark head.


    Red arcs of lightning danced across his arms, up the haft, to the blade and into the monster charring it from within.


    The blackened carcass slowly sank into the dark depths.


    Tlaloc swam upward for what felt like the tenth time.


    The noisy American was no longer a simple annoyance. He was a dangerous threat that needed to be dealt with lest he cause pain and suffering for the people.


    They may have shared a similar skin tone, but Tlaloc knew the man for what he was as soon as he had spoken. He heard the English beneath even though the universal translation system had made the man¡¯s words come out in Spanish.


    The lies wouldn¡¯t fool him.


    The Americans were the ones that had brought slaves to their country centuries ago so he wasn¡¯t surprised that they were the ones to bring it back.


    His time under the collar was a vague haze in his memories but he knew that he had suffered.


    The knowledge that the man he was had actually loved that existence fueled the storm within him.


    Never again!


    No one would live in chains!


    Let those that held them die!


    He surfaced.


    ¡°Ready to talk?¡± the short man said from where he floated in the sky unbothered by the rain and wind.


    Tlaloc climbed out of the water hardening the surface for him to stand on.


    No more talk.


    He thrust his axe to the sky and called down the lightning.


    A gigantic bolt of dark, angry red shattered the sky and struck the man in the back.


    The man fell, tumbling for a dozen feet before righting himself.


    Tlaloc mastered his expression. He couldn¡¯t let the shock show. He had felled a giant, feathered serpent with a similar bolt.


    The man didn¡¯t look bothered.


    Even his shirt looked pristine aside from being muddy and wet.


    ¡°Guess you¡¯re not tired yet,¡± the man sighed. ¡°So¡­ there¡¯s a bunch of bad men down on the ocean floor. I call them ¡®men¡¯, but they¡¯re more like fishmen. Anyways, they worship this sort of eldritch godling. Bad news. Cults with gifts that turn them into part seafood. Enslaving innocent women to¡ª¡± the man grimaced, ¡°breed. I know you¡¯d hate that sort of thing. So¡­ deep breath and have at it.¡±


    Before he could react, Tlaloc found himself thrust roughly back into the ocean.


    He was getting tired of that.


    He struggled but he couldn¡¯t fight against the force shoving, dragging him deeper into the cold darkness.


    His one consolation was he did get that deep breath and he could hold it well beyond the limits of human possibility.


    In fact, he wasn¡¯t certain, but his recent experience made him think that he might not have needed to breathe.


    A dim glow shined ahead.


    It came from a narrow canyon on the ocean floor.


    As he got closer he saw clumps of things that resembled grass on the rocks.


    They glowed.


    How was that possible?


    Magic¡­


    Then he them.


    Structures.


    Like coral reefs.


    A net-like dome surrounded the tiny settlement.


    He felt the magic emanating from it.


    It felt dangerous.


    He realized what it was.


    Like an electric fence to keep out animals.


    Except this was meant to keep out things like those landsharks and that strange blend of shark and octopus.


    Shapes swam inside the dome.


    Humanoid.


    The fishmen.


    Did he believe the man?


    Were they truly guilty of such a heinous crime? Did they serve a great evil?


    It would be very American for the man to pit his enemies against each other. Divide and conquer. That¡¯s how they always did things.


    The point would become moot as things came out of the deep.


    Giant creatures resembling crocodiles but with flippers instead of feet came at him.


    Two of them.


    The size of small buses.


    Each ridden by a dozen fishmen.


    Thin, sharp spines fired from weapons of bone and sinew peppered him.


    They stung but failed to penetrate his flesh.


    One of the creatures swung around him allowing the fishmen to continue to fire.


    The other came straight on mouth opened wide.


    Teeth the length of his arm didn¡¯t bother him.


    Not with the power of the storm in his veins.


    A bolt of red lightning lit up the darkness for a moment before it lanced into the creature¡¯s throat.


    The creature spasmed throwing the fishmen off.


    Tlaloc ignored the fired spines and swam forward with mighty kicks.


    The fishmen were adapted to the ocean.


    Their bodies were strong to withstand the pressures. Their hands and feet were over-sized and webbed to propel them with great speed. They even had magic suited to the environment.


    None of it mattered.


    He was more powerful in every way.


    He controlled the water.


    He pulled the fishmen to him.


    His axe colored the water with their blood.


    The other creature veered away and swam for the domed settlement.


    That¡¯s how Tlaloc knew that these fishmen were thinking beings.


    They knew an impossible fight when they saw it and they didn¡¯t waste their time.


    He regarded the dome and the fishmen within.


    They rushed about like a school of fish with a shark circling around them.


    The American had called them evil.


    He couldn¡¯t trust the man¡¯s words even though the fishmen had attacked him.


    Truthfully, he would¡¯ve done the same if he saw a power-filled stranger approaching at high speeds.


    There was no way for him to talk to them to find out the truth.


    The irony wasn¡¯t lost on him.


    It was too hard.


    He didn¡¯t want to think too hard.


    He preferred killing slavers.


    There had been no question in that.


    Those that held the chains to collars died.


    He freed the enslaved and brought them under his protection.


    One day he¡¯d free all his people.


    Then he¡¯d move on to the rest of the world.


    He turned and swam for the surface.


    The American wasn¡¯t to be trusted.


    However, Tlaloc decided that he¡¯d be a fool not to examine the man¡¯s words.


    If what the man said about the source of the collars was true then it was his responsibility to go to it and destroy their makers.


    All he need to do was to properly beat the man and restrain him.


    Bring the American to one of the mages he knew that could cast the truth spell.


    He shot out of the surface toward the man.


    Obsidian axe crackling with red lightning as the storm¡¯s winds propelled him higher, further, faster.


    <hr>


    Cal flew through the sky dodging lighting strikes and that ridiculously large axe.


    Tlaloc pursued him. Running and jumping on platforms of hardened water.


    The magic of Tlaloc¡¯s ability made it too hard for Cal to disperse them quickly enough.


    Cal couldn¡¯t help but be exasperated.


    The rain god had actually spared the fishmen settlement.


    He supposed it made sense since Tlaloc didn¡¯t trust him.


    It actually spoke well to the man¡¯s character. He hadn¡¯t taken Cal¡¯s words at face value, which was actually the ethical course of action.


    Tlaloc wanted confirmation.


    Fair enough.


    Cal was inclined to give it to him.


    The idea of using a truth spell was a good one. He just wasn¡¯t willing to go along with it under the duress of being beaten up.


    The irony didn¡¯t escape him.


    Still, it was a good display of character on Tlaloc¡¯s part. It made it that much more desirable for Cal to get the rain god on the same page.


    Now¡­ how did he get to the part with the truth spell without taking some hits?


    He led Tlaloc back over land.


    The miles passed quickly.


    The raging storm followed.


    Monstrous minds littered the jungles below. They inhabited the abandoned towns and cities on the Yucatan.


    Cal remembered the map and his plans.


    They were going to check out the ruins of Palenque.


    It was undoubtedly a spawn zone by this point judging by the lack of humanity in the general area.


    A thought occurred to him.


    He had failed to get Tlaloc to destroy the fishmen settlement.


    There was no ambiguity with monsters.


    Not when the spires would provide all the confirmation one wanted.


    The red lightning and enervating rain continued to batter his shields.


    He felt a trickle of wetness leak from one nostrils.


    Tlaloc grinned.


    ¡°The air is a little dry,¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°You¡¯re a terrible liar, contemptible person. But don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll teach you to tell the truth.¡±


    ¡°Huh? You just reminded me of something,¡± he snapped his fingers.


    Tlaloc leapt off a water platform and swung his axe.


    He flew backward out of reach.


    ¡°I know mages that can cast a truth spell. I¡¯d be willing to tell you all about the slave kingdom with one of them around to verify.¡±


    Tlaloc regarded him with suspicion. ¡°Yes¡­ after I subdue you.¡±


    Red lightning streaked from multiple directions bombarding Cal¡¯s telekinetic shield.


    He continued to fly westward.


    There!


    He saw it in the distance.


    The ruins of Palenque.


    Mayan. Not Aztec, like Tlaloc. Er¡­ the mythological Tlaloc.


    He flew lower.


    Tlaloc leapt in pursuit.


    He spun, grabbed the man with telekinesis and threw him at the ruins.


    Tlaloc crashed through one of the pyramids. Stone shattered and sent a great cloud of dirt and debris up.


    ¡°Oops¡­¡±


    The spires would probably repair that.


    But¡­ did that mean that the original ruins would be forever altered. No longer original, just a copy magically brought into existence by the spires.


    Was it so bad if it was an exact copy?


    They had done experiments before.


    Breaking stores and buildings.


    Having the spires system repair them.


    They couldn¡¯t tell the difference underneath the microscopes, through spells and Skills.


    It had been as if nothing had changed.


    Then again the one of a kind ruins of human history occupied a few notches up the rung of importance compared to a Walmart or a random apartment building.


    Cal descended to the ground and calmly watched Tlaloc climb out of the crater in the side of the pyramid.


    ¡°Typical American. You care nothing for other people¡¯s heritage.¡±


    ¡°You keep going on about that. Do I look like kind of guy that brought ¡®freedom¡¯ to brown people¡¯s countries while not so secretly taking every valuable resource they had? Besides, there is no more America. Like there is no more Mexico. Or every other country in the world. We are all just trying to stave off extinction.¡±


    ¡°If you aren¡¯t that¡­ then what are you?¡±


    ¡°Just a dude trying to do only good¡­ everyday¡­¡±


    ¡°Attacking me is good?¡±


    ¡°Okay, dude¡­ you attacked me first.¡±


    ¡°But you invaded my cou¡ª land, foreigner,¡± Tlaloc grunted. ¡°You asked no permission.¡±


    ¡°Well, sorry about that. There wasn¡¯t any place to get my passport stamped,¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°Permission from me,¡± Tlaloc growled.


    ¡°Oh? You aren¡¯t exactly easy to find. It¡¯s not like you have an office.¡±


    The spires spoke suddenly. Words in their ears and text in their vision.


    Palenque: Active Spawn Zone.


    ¡°Why did you bring us here?¡± Tlaloc said.


    ¡°To prove you wrong.¡±


    That was when the monsters attacked.

 6.48

    Now, Mexico


    Mockeries of men. Of ancient Mayan warriors, priests and regular people poured out of the ruins. Their weapons, shields and armor appeared fused to their bodies. Their flesh looked bright red, though it was hard to tell through the markings in what looked and smelled like blood.


    Red lightning struck from the sky. A dozen bolts raked the entrances of the ruins as the monsters charged out leaving charred corpses.


    Cal sighed.


    He held up a hand stopping the obsidian axe aimed for his head. He noted that Tlaloc had aimed to hit him with the flat of the blade. Progress.


    He pulled Tlaloc¡¯s fingers open with a thought and with another he sent the axe spinning into a clump of monstrous warriors bisecting them horizontally.


    The giant rain god leapt in with wild, looping haymakers.


    Cal was much closer to the ground than his counterpart, which made it easy to duck under the punches and circle to the side and land a pair of his own hooks.


    He had the speed edge even without boosting his physical capabilities with his mental powers.


    Tlaloc definitely had the strength and durability edge.


    He would¡¯ve broken his hands on the rain god¡¯s rippled midsection had it not been for the telekinetic shield lining his entire body.


    Tlaloc clipped Cal on the head with a wild backhand sending him spinning and stumbling across the muddy ground. The strength of the blow momentarily overpowered his ability to fly.


    Cal looked up to see Tlaloc leaping with axe in hand once again. ¡°Damn you and such.¡± He grabbed Tlaloc with invisible hands and threw the man into the thickest group of monsters. ¡°C¡¯mon, dude! You¡¯d fight me in the middle of all this?¡±


    The monsters slashed, stabbed and clawed at the towering figure in their midst.


    Tlaloc ignored them all for none of their weapons could do more than scratch his skin.


    The rain god glared down at Cal from a hundred yards away. ¡°These insects are no concern.¡± He punctuated the statement with a burst of red lightning that charred the monsters surrounding him into ash. ¡°You¡¯ll have a chance to tell the truth.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ great¡­ but¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to knock you out first.¡±


    ¡°Awesome,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°You might want to look up there first,¡± he pointed to the top of the partially ruined pyramid.


    A cluster of monstrous priests gathered around a stone altar where another monstrous humanoid lay on his back.


    They chanted to the stormy sky.


    Cal felt the magic in the air begin to take shape as the main priest pulled a jagged bone knife out of his own arm. ¡°Your magic rain can do anything about that, rain god?¡± he said lightly. ¡°Should I? I mean this is your land and I wouldn¡¯t want to overstep.¡±


    ¡°Contemptible person!¡± Tlaloc snapped.


    Red lightning streaked down from the dark clouds only to shatter on a magic shield over the ritual.


    A spell cast by the other priests.


    Monstrous humanoids continued to pour out of the ruins.


    Cal had scanned beneath the surface.


    The spawn zone stretched out nearly a mile beneath the entire ruins complex.


    There were thousands of the monstrous humanoids swarming to the surface.


    He continued to build the mental threads connecting all of their minds to his own.


    The rain began to fall like needles. The drops stabbed into the monsters even as they continued to threw themselves at Tlaloc while the rain god ran toward the ritual pyramid.


    The chanting swelled to its zenith just as the main priest cut the sacrificial monster¡¯s heart out of its chest.


    The dark organ pulsed its last as the priest raised it high.


    It exploded into a bright yellow light that coalesced into an orb.


    The priest pushed it upward.


    The orb slowly rose until it settled at the top of the pyramid¡¯s highest point.


    Cal strengthened his telekinetic shield.


    The light wasn¡¯t the sun¡¯s comforting warmth.


    It was the harsh glare. The kind that scoured and made it impossible for life.


    Except for the monsters, the light burned what it touched.


    ¡°How you doing there, rain god?¡± Cal called out.


    He watched the giant man continue to push forward shielding himself as best he could behind the broad head of his axe. Steam began to rise from the Tlaloc¡¯s bare arms and torso. The last tattered remnants of his pants burned away to ash.


    The storm roared in protest.


    The torrent of rain somehow grew even more powerful.


    Those with eyes wouldn¡¯t have been able to see beyond their own noses.


    Cal saw it all.


    Tlaloc tried to drown out the burning orb.


    Pillars of water turned to steam before they could reach it.


    The monstrous priests continued their chants as another monstrous sacrifice took her place on the altar.


    ¡°Might want to hurry. They¡¯re doing another one.¡±


    A growl was Tlaloc¡¯s answer.


    Red lightning burst from the rain god even as bolts lanced down from the sky.


    The monstrous warriors barring his path with their bodies vanished into ash.


    Tlaloc picked up the pace as he climbed the pyramid steps against the burning glare.


    He reached the priests just as the main one pulled the sacrifice¡¯s heart out.


    The obsidian axe fell once shattering the magic shield protecting the monstrous priests.


    Tlaloc roared as spells struck his body with barely any effect.


    He cleaved the priests with a handful of wide swings.


    The axe rose and fell.


    The main priest¡¯s body fell in two parts like a split log.


    The burning orb winked out in an instant.


    Yet, a glare remained.


    This was from Tlaloc to Cal.


    The rain god stood naked and sun burnt. He had lost some of his long, coarse black hair.


    ¡°Those priests made you work.¡± Cal clapped. ¡°Nice job, though!¡± he gave the rain god two thumbs up.


    Angry thunder cracked the sky.


    ¡°What? You did fine and you¡¯re the one that doesn¡¯t want my help.¡±


    A bolt of lightning hit him in the chest and knocked him through a stone wall.


    More ancient heritage destroyed.


    Cal pulled himself out of the rubble and flew up to hover above Tlaloc. ¡°There are thousands of those things underground. They¡¯re all coming. You still think you can handle them and fight me at the same time?¡±


    Tlaloc glared.


    ¡°These monsters have spread out from here, right? I saw the recognition in your eyes. How many people have they killed? How many do they continue to threaten? Wouldn¡¯t it be best if we cleared this place? I won¡¯t contest your claim. Like you said, this isn¡¯t my land. You can turn it back into an encounter challenge or turn it into a safe place.¡±


    ¡°I can handle it after I deal with you.¡±


    ¡°Will you have enough left for the boss and true boss?¡±


    ¡°You bargain to stop great evil,¡± Tlaloc scoffed.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to be honest since you keep calling me a liar. No, I won¡¯t. I¡¯d clear this place regardless of you.¡±


    Monstrous humanoids emerged from the ruins at a run.


    They quickly filled the complex grounds with their foul presences.


    Over a thousand and quickly growing as they swarmed toward the pyramid Cal and Tlaloc occupied.


    ¡°We¡¯ve kicked their hive open,¡± Cal nodded sagely.


    ¡°Ants die when you step on them,¡± Tlaloc said.


    The rain slowed the monstrous humanoids. Made their limbs heavy with fatigue.


    ¡°That¡¯ll do. I¡¯m getting tired of this. So, I¡¯m going to end it. You can keep being an asshole and try to stop me, but this place needs to be cleared. Help would be nice, but I don¡¯t need it. The least you can do is not try to kill me while I¡¯m dealing with the bosses,¡± Cal snapped his fingers and sent a single thought through the thread connecting his mind to every single monstrous humanoid in the Palenque spawn zone.


    He shredded their minds in an instant.


    Thousands dropped where they stood.


    Their minds empty of all conscious thought.


    Their bodies would continue to breathe for a time but Cal had wasted enough of it.


    He stopped their hearts in the next moment.


    A loud chime rang in Cal and Tlaloc¡¯s ears.


    The spires message flowed in their vision.


    ¡°What? Was that you? What did you do? How?¡± Tlaloc regarded him with surprise verging on horror.


    ¡°Got rid of evil. Made the world just a little bit safer. Isn¡¯t that what you¡¯re trying to do?¡±


    The message asking them if they wanted to fight the boss monster floated in their vision.


    ¡°Stay and fight or leave,¡± Cal said as he accepted.


    Tlaloc nodded stiffly but made no aggressive move toward Cal.


    The earth rumbled.


    ¡°Get ready. I¡¯m¡­ sensing something big, possibly a giant snake¡ª with wings and feathers¡­ a feathered serpent,¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°A difficult fight,¡± Tlaloc nodded.


    The earth exploded.


    Out came an enormous feathered serpent.


    Brilliantly-colored feathers rustled in the strong winds. Gleaming scales shined in the red lightning that struck it.


    It screeched more like a bird instead of hissing like the snake it resembled.


    The feathered serpent reared up to its full height with might flaps of its four wings.


    ¡°Small,¡± Tlaloc said.


    Cal thought of looking up at a redwood. ¡°Saw a dragon snake once¡­ that one was much bigger,¡± he said.


    The feathered serpent attacked with a mighty gust of wind that buffeted the two superhumans off the top of the pyramid.


    Cal went tumbling through the sky before he was able to right himself and fly out of the wind path.


    Tlaloc was less fortunate. He crashed into the jungle several hundred yards away.


    The feathered serpent went after the target it could see.


    Balls compressed of air struck Cal driving him higher into the stormy sky.


    A fanged mouth opened wide enough to swallow him whole, probably poisonous too.


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    He snapped the mouth shut with a thought and punched it right in the snout. Added telekinetic force shredded steel-tough scales right off the feathered serpent.


    It whipped around lashing with its tail.


    He moved with the strike flying up the serpents long back until he reached its lower set of wings. He grabbed them with a thought and pulled.


    They held for only a moment before coming loose in a torrent of blood.


    The feathered serpent thrashed knocking Cal of its back.


    A slight smile crossed Cal¡¯s face as he let gravity take hold.


    The monster gave chase, if a bit slower and less graceful than it had been.


    Balls of compressed air splashed against his telekinetic shield.


    A bolt of red lightning struck the feathered serpent.


    Tlaloc bounded out of the jungle covering dozens of feet with each leaping stride.


    He roared as he arced into the air axe held with both hands behind his head to land a shattering blow on the feathered serpent¡¯s back.


    The magical obsidian bit deep through the scales and into the thick muscles.


    The feathered serpent screeched and whipped around to bite Tlaloc.


    Once again, Cal forced its mouth shut.


    Tlaloc pulled his axe free and fell.


    Cal caught him and pushed him back onto the feathered serpent¡¯s spine¡­ right next to its remaining pair of wings.


    Tlaloc knew what to do.


    The axe rose twice.


    The feathered serpent plummeted with Tlaloc hacking into it all the way to the ground.


    Mud, rocks and monster parts flew in one giant, disgusting cloud of debris.


    The feathered serpent screeched as it coiled around Tlaloc.


    Cal flew in and battered its head with invisible force to stop it from biting the rain god¡¯s head.


    Tlaloc burst free from the coils with godly display of physical strength. His fist cracked like thunder against the monster¡¯s scales breaking them. Red lightning scorched deep into the flesh.


    Cal gripped the feathered serpent¡¯s head and held it in place.


    Tlaloc¡¯s axe rose and fell the once.


    ¡°Would you look at that¡­ teamwork,¡± Cal said.


    Tlaloc grunted.


    The spires congratulated them and asked how they wanted to proceed.


    ¡°Your call, Tlaloc.¡±


    ¡°We destroy the true boss monster and reclaim this place.¡±


    The air seemed to shudder at the words.


    The ground in front of the largest temple pyramid opened up.


    It made Cal think of the mouth to hell yawning wide to spit out something truly heinous.


    ¡°Alright, here¡¯s the plan. I¡¯ll play defense until we get a good look at what it can do. Then you¡¯ll¡ª¡±


    Tlaloc leapt into the sky with a roar axe held high.


    The storm of thunder and lightning carried him into battle.


    <hr>


    A sudden explosion rattled Cal¡¯s guts even through his telekinetic shield.


    Tlaloc was blown into the jungle again.


    A wide swath of monstrous humanoid corpses around the gaping hole in the ground had erupted in a spray of bone, viscera and blood. The latter of which sizzled as it ate away every thing that it landed on. The grass, mud and even the stone ruins.


    The true boss monster that slowly climbed out of the hole was¡­ underwhelming at first glance.


    It resembled a monstrous priest except smaller and more wizened.


    Cal couldn¡¯t tell if it was male or female based solely on appearance.


    It wore the same mockery of Mayan attire.


    Tattered robes.


    Blasphemous jewelry made out of dripping bone and body parts.


    A giant headdress with a human skull for a center piece.


    It reminded Cal of some of the sculptures and iconography he had seen back at the museum.


    ¡°Truly a mockery.¡±


    He crushed the monstrous humanoid with an invisible grip.


    Brittle bones cracked then broke.


    The bones of its exposed lower jaw clattered as it whispered in a language that made Cal wince.


    He felt hands grab his legs with surprising strength.


    More surprising was that he hadn¡¯t seen it coming.


    The dead rose.


    A momentary distraction.


    The true boss erupted with a burst of magic power that disrupted Cal¡¯s telekinesis long enough to escape. It hobbled over to a small pile of corpses. It reached out and an ugly glow from its hand consumed the bodies of its fellow monstrous humanoids. Broken bones and dislocated joints twisted back into their proper position.


    It chanted in that ugly tongue.


    The corpses surrounding Cal exploded.


    The good old needles in the brain started prodding softly at first.


    A second corpse explosion turned the prodding insistent.


    He avoided the third explosion by flying into the sky.


    The monstrous humanoid chanted something different.


    Unmoving corpses suddenly convulsed. An ear-splitting sound emerged from their dead throats. Ethereal forms ripped themselves free and flew after Cal, howling all the way.


    Ghosts.


    The true boss was attacking him with ghosts.


    He sent a barrage of telekinetic force at the ghosts. Invisible spikes tore through their translucent forms only for them to quickly re-form.


    Cal flew faster.


    If the ghosts could take the hits then why not just kill the one that summoned them?


    He strafed the true boss with telekinetic spikes.


    It blocked them with a dome of corpses.


    That was fine.


    It wanted to hide under the dead.


    He helped it out.


    A thought pulled hundreds of corpses and body parts over the true boss burying it under several tons or leaking, rotting flesh and bone.


    He continued to circle and add to the pile as the slow ghosts struggled to keep up.


    A sudden explosion rocked him back momentarily.


    He really should¡¯ve expected that.


    The true boss climbed out of the hole in the top of the small hill of corpses and gestured at Cal.


    A chill touch started at Cal¡¯s back and ran through his body to the front of his chest and out. When he looked down he saw a withered ghostly hand pulling, clutching.


    Cold and dead.


    He felt cold and dead inside.


    He flew forward with a frantic burst of telekinesis. More reflex than a conscious decision.


    The feeling of the ghost¡¯s hand and arm leaving his body was most unpleasant.


    Red lightning scorched all of the ghosts out of existence.


    Tlaloc bounded into view.


    The rain god didn¡¯t look pleased.


    Cal couldn¡¯t blame the man.


    Tlaloc was naked. He had been sunburned.


    And now?


    He had patches of skin missing, melted away by the true boss¡¯ explosive and corrosive attack. Bits of monstrous humanoid bones stuck in him like the world¡¯s largest, most muscular pincushion.


    Tlaloc had discovered that he wasn¡¯t completely invulnerable.


    The true boss¡¯ magic had been strong enough to penetrate his inherent defenses.


    ¡°Looking rough there, rain god,¡± Cal said lightly.


    ¡°I saw the look on your face. You feared the weak spirits,¡± Tlaloc said.


    ¡°That was a look of surprise.¡±


    ¡°Sure, contemptible person, whatever you say.¡±


    ¡°No, whatever you say. Let¡¯s just finish this. The stench is starting to get through to me.¡± He had been filtering the less desirable sensory elements of any battlefield. However, recent events had driven him to distraction, what with the burgeoning headache, and forced him to prioritize how he allocated his brain power.


    ¡°Fly like the tiny hummingbird. I will finish it,¡± Tlaloc intoned.


    The giant rain god leapt toward the true boss with a thunderous roar.


    Red lightning burned a path through the army of corpses given new life.


    Sharp rain drops shredded their bodies.


    Muddy water turned red.


    The true boss chanted.


    A hundred ghosts emerged to flow through Tlaloc grabbing and grappling. They managed to bring the rain god down before he could reach their master.


    The true boss chanted.


    The thick press of corpses around Tlaloc¡¯s legs exploded.


    He closed his eyes and steeled himself for the pain of his skin dissolving.


    Nothing.


    He opened them to see the corrosive blood and viscera sizzling on him.


    No.


    That wasn¡¯t correct.


    They sizzled and popped centimeters off his skin. As though on an invisible shield.


    His gaze drifted over to the short American.


    The man shrugged and made a shooing motion toward the tiny true boss.


    The ghosts continued to grapple with the rain god but they couldn¡¯t fully penetrate the magic of his body. They had greater weight than their ethereal nature but he had the strength to shatter and pull mountains. He spun his axe.


    The magic blade sundered the ghosts sending them back to whatever hell they belonged to.


    Not to Mictlan.


    Foul monsters didn¡¯t belong in the same place as his people.


    He had to believe that.


    He willed the rain to weaken his foes. Begrudgingly, he spared the American. Though he wasn¡¯t willing to heal the man as he did himself.


    The soothing rain warmed him. The jagged bones of his enemies were pushed free. Skin regrew. His wounds slowly healed.


    ¡°Axe it to the head!¡± the American called out unhelpfully.


    The true boss raised withered hands to the sky.


    The ground shook.


    Dozens of rents opened up like hungry mouths.


    ¡°That¡¯s, like, phase 3!¡±


    He ignored the American.


    Corpses began to claw their way out of the yawning mouths.


    The American hadn¡¯t lied there had been thousands of the monstrous humanoids underground.


    A true hell?


    Or the hell the spires had created on his land?


    The answer didn¡¯t matter.


    All he needed to do was close the way to the surface.


    He leapt hanging in the air for a longer than it seemed physically possible. His axe glowed as it drew in the power of the storm raging overhead.


    When he came down it was with the strength of all the thunder and lightning in the sky.


    He slammed the butt of his axe¡¯s haft into the ground.


    A great earthquake shook an area thousands of feet in all directions.


    The earth buckled and broke.


    Stone ruins crumbled.


    Thousands of moving corpses found themselves thrust back deep into the ground, buried.


    The true boss chanted in that odious tongue.


    ¡°You don¡¯t belong in my lands, bastard!¡± Tlaloc spat.


    ¡°You tell it, big guy!¡±


    The American continued to observe from a safe distance in the sky.


    It was unfortunate that he had to reveal more of his powers when he still didn¡¯t fully comprehend what the much smaller man was capable of.


    Corpses continued to throw themselves at Tlaloc.


    The true boss pointed and chanted with increased urgency as he continued to walk toward it.


    He didn¡¯t flinch even as the blood and viscera sizzled mere centimeters off his skin.


    It wasn¡¯t his doing, so he attributed it to the American.


    A form of shielding.


    Not magical, since he couldn¡¯t see or feel it like he had been able to with mages¡¯ spells.


    The true boss hobbled toward the largest pyramid.


    Tlaloc increased his pace as he scythed through the mass of moving corpses and ghosts with broad sweeps of his axe. ¡°Are you tired?¡± he called out to the American. ¡°Nothing good will come of allowing that thing to reach the altar. Did you already forget the spell those priests cast?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to steal¡­ your thunder,¡± the American raised a brow.


    ¡°Now isn¡¯t the time for jokes! Help me end this horror!¡±


    The true boss had ascended to the first landing.


    It suddenly jerked back to tumble down the stone steps of the pyramid. As though an invisible rope had just been yanked roughly back.


    Bones broke, joints dislocated as the monstrous humanoid tumbled back to the ground.


    Tlaloc wondered.


    How had the American done that?


    He had sensed nothing.


    He marched inexorably toward the true boss as it reached out to heal itself by consuming the corpses around him.


    Did it only consume the flesh or did it also take the spirit?


    ¡°Watch out!¡± the American barked. ¡°It¡¯s going to ult!¡±


    ¡°What? Speak normally!¡± Tlaloc snapped.


    Damnable universal translation system.


    He didn¡¯t have time to guess at what the American had meant.


    The true boss¡¯ chanting reached a different pitch. High and painful, even to his ears.


    Great rents opened out of nothing all around the true boss.


    Dread ghosts emerged, howling and screeching. They flowed toward him like a rushing river.


    They struck him with the same strength and forced him back.


    He struggled to find his footing in the mud as the river of ghosts tried to drown him.


    Drown him!


    Water was his to command!


    Ghostly fingers clawed at his naked flesh cutting him through his protections, through whatever the American had done before to protect him.


    They gouged at his eyes through his eyelids.


    They reached into his closed mouth and tore at his tongue.


    The inherent magic that had made him all but impervious to injury had somehow been overcome.


    Pain was a long forgotten thing.


    Now¡­ now he remembered.


    ¡°Well¡­ shit,¡± Cal said.


    He watched Tlaloc vanish beneath a river of ghosts.


    A river that snaked through the ruins toward his position.


    He rose higher into the sky.


    Fingers, claws, tentacles and appendages he didn¡¯t have names for reached out of the river¡¯s surface toward him.


    Fortunately, it seemed that the ghost river was somewhat earthbound.


    He had lost track of the true boss despite using all of his physical and psychic senses.


    Tlaloc¡¯s presence was faint, but he was able to latch on to it.


    He dragged the rain god out of the dreadful churn and was rewarded with a painful stabbing feeling in the brain. It had taken a similar level of effort to that time he had to keep half of a building from falling.


    Tlaloc choked and sputtered like a drowning man just pulled out of a river despite the fact that his lungs weren¡¯t filled with water.


    ¡°I¡ª thank you,¡± Tlaloc grunted after he had emptied nothingness.


    ¡°Can you do your ult again? Disperse this stuff?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Tlaloc eyed Cal as if he was a moron.


    ¡°The earthquake attack. Can you do it again? The ghost river seems to run on the ground like an actual river made of water,¡± he shook his head. He really shouldn¡¯t be surprised by anything he saw. ¡°Break the ground. Force the ghost river to sink. Reveal the true boss.¡±


    Tlaloc hesitated.


    He scanned the surface of the rain god¡¯s thoughts.


    So, he couldn¡¯t do it in quick succession.


    ¡°Never mind,¡± he waved it away. ¡°Makes sense you can¡¯t spam your strongest move.¡±


    ¡°It isn¡¯t my strongest move. And stop treating this like a game. It¡¯s real,¡± Tlaloc growled.


    ¡°Whatever, dude. New plan then,¡± he pointed to the ghost river snaking its way through the ruins, ¡°hit it with your magic rain and lightning. That should shake the true boss up and force it to reveal itself.¡±


    ¡°That, I can do,¡± Tlaloc nodded.


    The storm over their heads roared with thunder in reply to its master.

 6.49

    Now, Mexico


    Tlaloc hurled his axe into the raging river of ghosts.


    Nothing happened.


    Cal waited.


    ¡°¡­ so, magic axe, huh?¡±


    ¡°Your mouth never stops. Like my aunties at a party.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t help but wonder about,¡± he gestured at Tlaloc, ¡°how all this happened.¡±


    ¡°Will you share your truths. About how you¡¯re able to fly? How you are holding me in the sky? It is your doing, isn¡¯t it? That seems obvious, but I¡¯ve seen plenty of things I can¡¯t explain since the fucking spires showed up.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t trust you yet.¡±


    ¡°Same.¡±


    The silence was punctuated by the crack of thunder and the flash of lightning.


    A red bolt pierced the river of ghosts and revealed the obsidian axe stuck in the ground.


    The black, glassy surface glowed as red arcs played across its surface.


    ¡°Nice trick.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to concentrate.¡±


    Sure enough, Tlaloc¡¯s eyes were screwed shut, one meaty hand thrust toward the axe.


    Lightning began to strike the river in multiple locations punching holes through the grasping, wailing ghosts.


    The heavy rain slowly turned into a deluge.


    Steam seemed to rise from the river¡¯s surface.


    Cal blinked.


    It appeared that the steam was also made up of the spirits of the monstrous dead.


    He eyed Tlaloc. ¡°Are you flexing your whole body on purpose? Like, dude, I get it you¡¯re swole and shit, but man, you don¡¯t want to be too tense or you¡¯ll blow out your muscles. Bad for your concentration. It¡¯s magic, right? Shouldn¡¯t have anything to do with the physicals¡­ unless it does for you¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Tlaloc grit his teeth.


    The man flexed even harder.


    Cal shook his head.


    The obsidian axe slowly built up power until it was lit up like a bright red neon sign.


    It bathed the entire area.


    ¡°Worst red light district ever,¡± Cal muttered as he watched the thousands of undead monsters and thousands of ghosts rushing about like angry ants.


    ¡°Get ready,¡± Tlaloc growled.


    Cal already was.


    The rain god¡¯s surface thoughts had told him what was about to happen.


    Wind and rain swirled around them with the strength approaching a hurricane.


    The axe glowed so bright that it was impossible to see with physical eyes alone.


    Tlaloc roared.


    Cal threw a telekinetic bubble around both of them a split-second before all of the magical power gathered in the axe exploded.


    Red lightning burst free in all directions.


    It arced through the entirety of the river of ghosts.


    The ghosts screeched as they boiled into steam, dispersed up into the raging storm.


    The true boss monster stood revealed at the steps of the largest pyramid once again.


    ¡°It really wants to get up there, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    Tlaloc sucked in deep breaths.


    It was like standing next to a huffing bear.


    ¡°All worn out?¡± Cal reached up to pat the rain god on the shoulder.


    Tlaloc slapped his hand away.


    ¡°Well¡­ why don¡¯t you just take a break. You put in good work. I¡¯ll take care of it from here.¡±


    ¡°This is my land, not yours!¡± Tlaloc growled. ¡°I will finish it.¡±


    The true boss continued to hobble up the steps. It had reached about a quarter of the way to the top.


    ¡°I cede it to you.¡±


    Tlaloc muttered something.


    ¡°What? Say again. Didn¡¯t quite catch it,¡± Cal lied.


    ¡°Throw me¡­¡± Tlaloc gestured toward the true boss.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t fly¡­¡±


    ¡°You can super jump.¡±


    Tlaloc muttered something else.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ a little tired. I don¡¯t want to waste time and energy walking through all of that,¡± Tlaloc gestured to the tightly-packed mass of undead below them.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say so?¡± Cal grinned. ¡°Where do you want to end up?¡±


    ¡°Throw me at the monster.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    He didn¡¯t warn the rain god. Just chucked him like a fastball at the true boss.


    The impact was spectacular.


    Brittle bones shattered.


    Weak flesh tore.


    Tlaloc grabbed the true boss¡¯ head in one hand and crushed it.


    Cal waited for the chime.


    Nothing.


    The rest of the undead swarmed up the temple steps toward Tlaloc.


    Cal shoved them back to the ground with a thought as the rain god sat down.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t over yet. The rest of these foul things need to be destroyed.¡±


    There were thousands more buried underground.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get this over with then.¡±


    ¡°I leave that to you,¡± Tlaloc said.


    ¡°What happened to all that talk about this being your land?¡± he snorted.


    ¡°You have my permission,¡± Tlaloc waved.


    ¡°Very magnanimous of you. So, we¡¯re going to talk properly after this?¡±


    Tlaloc nodded.


    ¡°Just so you don¡¯t get any ideas. I¡¯m not even remotely tired.¡± Cal snapped his fingers. A wide swathe of the undead monsters suddenly exploded into chunks.


    Tlaloc glared at Cal the entire time it took for the latter to clear the spawn zone.


    <hr>


    ¡°What happens next?¡± Tlaloc said.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Now that I¡¯ve claimed this place.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡±


    ¡°Why else would I be asking you, contemptible person?¡± Tlaloc spat.


    ¡°You¡¯re being serious?¡±


    Tlaloc muttered a curse.


    ¡°You¡¯ve never claimed a place?¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯ve only ever let the few spawn zones I¡¯ve fixed return to encounter challenges. It is what the others wanted. They wished to face the challenges to gain levels, universal points and other rewards.¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯ve never claimed anything?¡±


    ¡°That isn¡¯t what I said. I¡¯ve claimed homes, apartments and other places to provide safe spaces for the people under my protection to live and get food and supplies.¡±


    ¡°Must be tough covering that amount of territory without being able to fly.¡±


    ¡°I cover enough ground simply by jumping.¡±


    ¡°You sure you don¡¯t get around any other way? Perhaps some form of magical travel? Like, say riding the winds? The lightning? Or throwing the axe?¡±


    ¡°How would that even work?¡±


    ¡°You throw it and hold on.¡±


    Tlaloc regarded him with a flat stare.


    ¡°Fine, fine, whatever,¡± he waved the rain god away. ¡°Anyways. To answer your question¡­ all of this,¡± he spread his arms out wide to encompass the Palenque ruins, ¡°will go back to the way it was sometime after midnight.¡± He glanced up at the night sky.


    The storm had vanished almost as quickly as it had appeared back at the beach.


    ¡°Say, does calling a magic storm have any knock-on effects on natural weather patterns?¡±


    Tlaloc thought for a moment. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I haven¡¯t ever considered it,¡± he replied with a shrug. ¡°What happens to all these bodies?¡± he gestured at the layer of dismembered corpses and viscera covering much of the ground.


    ¡°Same thing that happens to any monster body you leave inside one of these places.¡±


    ¡°They disappear¡­¡± Tlaloc nodded as his eyes drifted over to the corpse of the feathered serpent.


    ¡°Yup¡­ so, you might want to drag that one out of the zone if you want to turn its scales into armor and its teeth into weapons.¡±


    ¡°How far?¡±


    ¡°Outside of Palenque, er¡­ probably outside of the national park boundaries.¡±


    Tlaloc strode toward the enormous corpse.


    ¡°Hold up! You owe me some answers.¡±


    The towering rain god stopped and turned slowly. ¡°You want my secrets? So you can beat me?¡±


    ¡°Not for that reason. I mean, I think we can both agree that I was winning that fight.¡±


    Tlaloc crossed his massive arms across an even more massive chest and snorted. ¡°American arrogance at its best. You may claim to be otherwise, but your words show the truth. A real contemptible person.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to lower myself to your obvious bait. Just answer me this¡­ how did you break slave collars without killing the person or ruining their minds?¡±


    Tlaloc shrugged. ¡°They¡¯re just metal. Easy enough to rip apart. You seem strong enough, despite being a tiny man,¡± Tlaloc shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know anything about this killing and mind thing.¡±


    ¡°Let me start over,¡± he sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve spoken with others that have done the same. They tore the collars apart with their bare hands, which resulted in a magical explosion that killed the poor person. They tried to use magic to block or contain the explosion, however that only resulted in the enslaved going violently insane or being turned into a vegetable.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t give you an answer. I simply break the disgusting things. I break their magic. No chains will exist while I live.¡±


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Awesome¡­ this is your chance to help thousands of people.¡±


    Tlaloc stared into the sky for a long moment. ¡°I can¡¯t leave. My people need protection.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean right this instant and I¡¯m not necessarily talking about you going with when I ruin the Slaver King¡¯s entire existence. I¡¯m asking for a few days. That¡¯s all. I¡¯ve got 40 people back in California under medically-induced comas and another 10 in Tennessee in magically-induced ones being studied by a lady elf wizard.¡±


    Tlaloc raised his brows. ¡°This universal translation system is shit,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°The hope is that she can find a magic solution to the collar problem. Maybe, if she gets a good look at you in action she can use that¡­¡±


    ¡°I would help if the circumstances were different. Only my presence is keeping the cartels, the monsters and all the other scum from preying on my people.¡±


    ¡°They can¡¯t defend themselves for just a few days? A week at most?¡±


    ¡°Not without me.¡±


    ¡°The downside to being too over-protective.¡±


    Tlaloc scowled.


    ¡°No offense, but that¡¯s a mistake. You got to build them up while keeping them safe.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve no right to tell me what to do, American contemptible person.¡±


    ¡°That has nothing to do with what I¡¯m saying. It just makes sense. You and me¡­ we take on the worst things out there. Each fight could be our last. If the people you care about aren¡¯t strong enough to survive without you then¡­¡± he shrugged, ¡°they won¡¯t. The next monster or scumbag that¡¯s stronger than them will do whatever they want. Just like this Slaver King piece of shit. That fucker is doing whatever he wants because no one strong enough has stood up to him¡­ yet.¡±


    ¡°No one lives in chains,¡± Tlaloc nodded.


    ¡°How about this? I get someone to take your place while you help me out?¡±


    ¡°No one can do what I can.¡±


    ¡°Me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d need to take me to Cali and, what did you say, Tennessee? I don¡¯t know where that is.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s in the sort of middle east of America¡­ thereabouts.¡±


    ¡°And this slaver kingdom?¡±


    ¡°Miami, Florida.¡±


    ¡°I know where that is.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d suggest we head on over there, but I¡¯m not willing to risk thousands of innocent lives. I want an airtight solution to the collar problem first. It¡¯d be pointless to kill all of the slavers only for the enslaved to die along with them or go mad.¡±


    ¡°Obviously,¡± Tlaloc nodded. ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll help you free the people you have. I¡¯ll do it in front of this wizard, but I will not stay while she pokes and prods at me like an animal. She can watch. I won¡¯t conceal anything, but as I¡¯ve told you¡­ I don¡¯t know how I¡¯m able to break the collars without hurting the people. It hadn¡¯t realized that was a possibility. And when the time is ready I will help you bring the storm to the slavers. They have been responsible for much pain and suffering and for that they must die. There will be none in chains while I live.¡±


    ¡°Great, thank you¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll hold you responsible for the safety of my people. If any of them get hurt in my absence,¡± Tlaloc loomed over Cal, ¡°then you will pay.¡±


    Cal had to crane his neck back to look into Tlaloc¡¯s eyes.


    He returned the dark-eyed glare with one of his own. ¡°No offense¡ª¡±


    ¡°No one that says that ever means it,¡± Tlaloc growled.


    ¡°Yeah, well, you¡¯ve been giving a ton of it. Like, this whole time. It¡¯s one offense after another. I¡¯m being very magnanimous about the whole thing because the safety and freedom of the enslaved are more important than my pride,¡± he snorted. ¡°So, as I was saying¡­ the person I¡¯ve got in mind as your temporary substitute will do a better job than you at keeping your people safe.¡±


    Tlaloc leaned forward. ¡°Then I would be grateful to this person.¡±


    ¡°Listen, I know we got to a rocky start, but I¡¯m hoping that we can work together in a more professional manner moving forward. This world needs a lot of help. There are things out there that I don¡¯t think you¡¯ve seen. Things that could threaten all of us on an existential level. Like, those fishmen you let live for example. Not only are they evil, but they also serve an even darker god that I¡¯m pretty sure is still somewhere out there. You don¡¯t have to take my word for it. I could introduce you to people that have suffered greatly at their hands. And that¡¯s just one of the threats already on our planet. There could be an infinite number of them just waiting to come through the spires. Ten years loosened travel restrictions. How many more do we have until those are completely gone?¡±


    ¡°You talk about other worlds. I saw in the spires that was possible¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been to one and obviously, back. Let¡¯s say you want to give it a shot or know people that will¡­ don¡¯t start a fight with the natives. Even with your power I wouldn¡¯t guarantee a win. Besides, they¡¯re decent sorts. Probably, better than us when it comes to xenophobia. Tell them you know me and don¡¯t act like an asshole.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t leave. I have too much to protect here,¡± Tlaloc regarded Cal with disappointment.


    ¡°If I hadn¡¯t gone I wouldn¡¯t have learned about the threats waiting for us on other worlds. The biggest one actually already came. Don¡¯t worry. I killed it.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t. If it had come here then I would¡¯ve killed it myself,¡± Tlaloc scoffed.


    ¡°Maybe, maybe not,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Anyways, I can tell you all about it while we drag that feathered serpent off the grounds.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it myself.¡±


    ¡°Sure? You don¡¯t want a hand? You were running on empty back there.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine and you will leave.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡ª¡±


    ¡°Now. You will leave my country and not return until it is time for me to help you.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, dude,¡± he waved the towering rain god away. He slowly rose into the sky. ¡°When you say country? That means the areas that are under your protection, right? Not the old borders. I mean, can you truly call it yours if you¡¯re letting cartels, raiders, monsters and all assorted garbage roam freely?¡±


    ¡°You know what I meant.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I can¡¯t hear you over the wind!¡± he steadily rose and cupped one ear, ¡°can you repeat that?¡±


    ¡°You have one day!¡± Tlaloc gave him one last glare before stomping away.


    <hr>


    ¡°I¡¯ve never been in a hurricane. Now, I know what it¡¯s like,¡± Nila sighed.


    ¡°Could you get out of your armor so I can hug you, please?¡± Cal grinned.


    ¡°Is it safe?¡±


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you after the hug.¡± He glanced at the little guy sleeping on the bed in a veritable fortress of pillows and sheets.


    The Threnosh-made armor hissed as its seals opened for Nila to step out.


    Cal swept her up in a hug and a kiss.


    ¡°Shhh,¡± Nila hissed. ¡°He only just got to sleep. The storm was scary.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll bet. Sorry about that. It kind of got out of hand.¡±


    He told her everything that had happened over the past few hours.


    ¡°It was worth it. I found someone that can get those collars off at a minimum with a chance to come up with a more permanent solution for the slave kingdom. I just have to convince one of my siblings to patrol a quarter of Mexico for a week. Should be the easiest part of this whole thing.¡±


    ¡°So, there is an Aztec rain god and he just wants us to leave by tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°What a jerk! After you helped him claim a spawn zone. Those monsters sounded really strong.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve had a long time unbothered. Which worries me about all the other spawn zones that haven¡¯t been touched. I¡¯ll have to ask Eron if he¡¯s noticed an increase in spawn zone strength based on age, for lack of a better word.¡±


    ¡°He might not notice. Not if all he does if fly in, kill everything and leave.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, his perception of strength is probably off. Anyways¡­ kid¡¯s asleep,¡± he raised a brow.


    Nila grinned. ¡°Not in the same room.¡±


    ¡°I own this whole hotel¡­¡±


    ¡°Monsters?¡±


    ¡°I killed the worst ones and sent the rest running on my way back. We have several hours of complete safety.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not too late,¡± Nila mused. ¡°We never did get to enjoy the bonfire.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s do that then.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s,¡± she agreed.


    The next morning a contented little family winged their way to the southwest roughly following Mexico¡¯s pre-spires border.


    ¡°Sorry about Palenque¡­¡±


    ¡°I was looking forward to going through it after you cleared it, but it sounds like that would¡¯ve been a difficult fight. So, I¡¯m glad that you had Tlaloc help you. I can visit it another time after you do your alliance thing.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that. He didn¡¯t seem like the allying sort.¡±


    ¡°He will, once he realizes how much you can help his people.¡±


    ¡°There a bird!¡± the little guy pointed out the window.


    Nila squinted at it. ¡°Giant bird.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, little guy. It can¡¯t see us.¡±


    Anything that was remotely dangerous was encourage to look the other way.


    They were back in vacation mode.


    ¡°So, I was thinking we fly southwest until we hit the coast. Then we follow it up until Baja. That should satisfy Tlaloc¡¯s demands.¡±


    ¡°From what you said, the western part of the country isn¡¯t under his control.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s less of a control thing and more of a protection thing. He doesn¡¯t do a lot of ruling type stuff. He mostly kills monsters and bad guys that threaten his people,¡± he explained. ¡°I don¡¯t want to risk our deal.¡±


    ¡°Not that he¡¯ll actually be able to keep an eye on us,¡± Nila said. ¡°There are still a bunch of places I wanted to visit.¡±


    ¡°Sorry we can¡¯t check out Central America.¡±


    ¡°I understand. Getting those collars off is obviously our first priority. We can always come back.¡±


    ¡°I want sandcastles! I like beach cause its fun!¡± the little guy said.


    ¡°I know, right!¡± Cal grinned. ¡°That was your first time and we live close to the beach.¡±


    ¡°To be fair, most places are close to the beach when you can fly us there.¡±


    ¡°True¡­ I¡¯m going to have to add beach clearing duty to my list, aren¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°It would be good for morale,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Alright¡­¡±


    ¡°Yay! Beach is fun!¡± the little guy bounced on Nila¡¯s lap. ¡°And ice cream! Mom, can we get ice cream?¡±


    Cal held a hand toward the back of the RV where the small fridge sat.


    ¡°Cal! It¡¯s nine in the morning!¡±


    ¡°He already had breakfast, which I might add was pancakes with berries and whipped cream.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°He just had dessert for breakfast. What¡¯s wrong with another one a few hours later?¡±


    ¡°It just is. No dessert until after lunch.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s ice cream, not a cocktail,¡± he scoffed.


    ¡°Mom, not a coptail, pease?¡± the little guy looked up at Nila with his chubby cheeks and big eyes.


    Nila was made of sterner stuff. ¡°After lunch,¡± she said.


    Much pouting was had by two-thirds of the RV¡¯s population.


    Which turned into sticky-faced smiles after the post-lunch triple scoop ice cream cones as they sat on the beach under the umbrella¡¯s shade.


    The little guy sang a song about his love for the cold, sweet treat. Naturally, the words and the tune shared nothing with any of the music they had been listening to through the RV¡¯s decades-old CD player.


    ¡°I think he¡¯s got musical talent,¡± Cal said. ¡°Good lyrics.¡±


    ¡°¡­ yes, he does,¡± Nila replied.


    The little guy ignored their conversation. He was lost in contentment. Or was that the food coma?


    ¡°Uh-oh¡­¡±


    ¡°I hate when you do that,¡± Nila sighed. She rose from her beach towel. ¡°I¡¯ll get my gear.¡±


    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s nothing like that¡­ er¡­ just¡­ uh¡­ hold your breath. You too, little guy.¡± Cal mimed pinching his nose.


    ¡°This better not be¡ª¡±


    A dark shadow suddenly blotted out the sky.


    ¡°Oh my god! What is that?¡± Nila gagged.


    ¡°Give me a second¡­¡±


    The shadow descended with the speed of Earth¡¯s gravitational pull only to splatter against Cal¡¯s hastily erected telekinetic bubble.


    A rancid stench filled the air.


    ¡°Is that¡ª do something!¡± Nila demanded.


    ¡°Stinky!¡± the little guy grimaced despite squeezing pudgy fingers around his nose like a clamp.


    ¡°Breathe through your mouths. I¡¯m cycling the air.¡±


    ¡°Oh my god¡­ it¡¯s running down the sides,¡± Nila gagged.


    The little guy gagged.


    ¡°No one throw up. Or I will,¡± Cal warned. ¡°Don¡¯t look at it. Close your eyes.¡±


    The thick, greenish substance was indeed beginning to run down the invisible telekinetic bubble.


    Cal sent the crap flying out to sea.


    The smell lingered a fraction longer before the onshore breeze blew it farther inland.


    ¡°God, that was awful.¡± Nila took a deep breath. ¡°Is it going to be a problem?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve encouraged the giant bird monster to go drown itself far from here.¡±


    ¡°Just like that?¡±


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    ¡°And it¡¯ll actually do it?¡±


    ¡°Probably not. I¡¯ve tried it before. Planting the suggestion for a monster to suicide doesn¡¯t stick. The will to survive tends to be ingrained in living things. It¡¯ll probably snap out of it at some point, but that will be awhile from now and maybe we¡¯ll get lucky and it¡¯ll get krakened when it dives into the water. Doubly lucky if the two monsters off each other.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s too bad. It¡¯d make things easier.¡±


    ¡°Things can¡¯t always go exactly the way we want,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Also, it doesn¡¯t work on all monsters. Like those spirits back at the ruins. They were very resistant to the mind stuff.¡±


    ¡°The weirder things,¡± Nila nodded in agreement.


    ¡°We should probably get back on the road.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s do that.¡±


    ¡°Where big bird?¡± the little guy peered up into the sky.


    ¡°The monster is going for a swim.¡± Nila gathered the toddler up and headed for the RV and left it to Cal to pack up the rest of their stuff.


    Back on the road, in this case the sky, they continued to move north along the western coast.


    They came across a running battle on the highway hundreds of feet below.


    The sounds of distant gun shots and explosions drifted into the RV.


    ¡°I want see!¡± the little guy struggled in Nila¡¯s grasp. He was desperate to press his face up to the window. ¡°Boom booms!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a couple of cartel remnants fighting over territory. They¡¯ve been fighting for years over an encounter challenge that sits in between them.¡±


    ¡°Do we need to intervene?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯d be pointless. There are no innocents in immediate danger. Tlaloc will eventually get to them. Or one side will win and Tlaloc will eventually get to them.¡±


    They descended a little while later to lend a hand at a small community built around the central plaza of a medium-sized town under siege by scraggly-furred quadrupeds with bloody-gummed mouths of jagged teeth, razor-sharp spines on their backs and a gaze that seemed to inspire something akin to primal terror in anyone lower than Level 20.


    They helped the townspeople kill the monsters.


    Cal helped them expand to claim several vital buildings. A clinic, a grocery store and a hardware store that had long been a source of back and forth struggle for the people to access.


    He offered to add his name to the ownership list to strengthen their claims. An offer they took with some hesitation. It was difficult to turn down a chance at food security for the first time in over a decade.


    He also took a group of their strongest fighters to the quadruped¡¯s spawn zone located in a cave a few miles outside of town. He kept them alive and they leveled some while turning the spawn zone back into an encounter challenge. They would¡¯ve gained more of everything, levels, universal points and other rewards, if they had gone on their own at the cost of lives.


    In gratitude, the townspeople threw a great party that lasted into the early morning hours.


    The next day they continued their journey back home and crossed the Sea of Cortez into Baja.


    That portion of the trip was uneventful.


    Before they knew it they had reached California.


    And so ended their short vacation.

 6.50 Epilogue

    Now, Southern California


    The loud boom rattled the building.


    Dust clouds bloomed inside the labyrinth.


    The brave little boy sneezed mid-slash.


    The monstrous, stitched-together man, bear and pig roared and bopped him on the head.


    ¡°And¡­ you¡¯re dead.¡±


    ¡°Not fair!¡± the little hero pouted.


    ¡°That¡¯s a fight for you,¡± Cal shrugged as he squeezed into the cardboard tunnel from where he hid and controlled all of the monsters the little guy had to vanquish to proceed on his quest to obtain the Blade of All Heavens. A regular sword with a shiny coat of gold paint and random precious gems glued to the hilt. Nila had whipped it up in an hour.


    He regarded the grotesque monster he had let collapse to the floor.


    The man, bear and pig stuffed animal was an inspired custom job from a ranger with a sewing-related side class.


    The ranger had a talent there.


    ¡°I heal?¡± the little hero tried.


    ¡°Okay¡­ but we have to take a break. I need to do something.¡±


    Cal gathered the protesting hero and carried him up to their suite in the hotel.


    Nila was busy elsewhere so he plopped the hero on the couch and put the little guy¡¯s favorite movie on the TV.


    ¡°I¡¯ll just be on the roof. Don¡¯t do anything dumb,¡± he said.


    ¡°Okay, Dad.¡±


    The little guy was already fully engrossed on the battle between elves and orcs raging on the screen.


    Was it safe to leave a small child alone?


    No.


    Unless, you had powers.


    Cal walked out to the balcony, locked the door and flew to the roof where Eron waited.


    ¡°You can come in, you know,¡± he said.


    ¡°Not yet,¡± Eron said lightly.


    ¡°It¡¯s been over two years. No signs of fogginess. He¡¯s just a normal human child. I¡¯ve kept you up to date with the test results.¡±


    ¡°Yeah and I¡¯m not the kind to reject the reality staring me in the face in favor of what I want it to be,¡± Eron sighed. ¡°But that isn¡¯t what this is about. Honestly, I just can¡¯t look at him without remembering the fog.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve never actually been in the same room as him this whole time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve occasionally checked in from a distance. From a very long distance. Anyways, I¡¯m not really here about him. I¡¯m choosing to trust you and all the experts when you say he¡¯s a normal human. So, be happy. I¡¯m dropping the requirement that you have to be close enough to monitor him at all times.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ what with what you¡¯ll have to do with the slave kingdom,¡± Eron shook his head, ¡°my conscience won¡¯t allow me to make you bring him along. Not that I think you¡¯d do it. And I¡¯d rather not start something over that.¡±


    ¡°You went there? What¡ª¡±


    ¡°Relax. I listened to your message. I didn¡¯t do anything to risk the slave collars going boom. I just watched from a very long distance,¡± Eron scowled. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t known about the collar issue I might¡¯ve ruined everything and killed ten thousand innocent people. Just would¡¯ve grabbed the king and thrown him into space. That place¡­ I¡¯ve seen some terrible things all over the world,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°There are potential solutions and I¡¯ll need your help to try them.¡±


    Cal related the details of his more recent activities across the land once known as the United States of America and Mexico.


    ¡°Black Galadriel and Tlaloc? I¡¯ve seen weirder. Alright, I¡¯ll patrol Tlaloc¡¯s lands. As long as it doesn¡¯t take more than a few days. I¡¯m busy.¡±


    ¡°You could treat it like a small vacation.¡±


    ¡°Nope. Can¡¯t do that. Say? I¡¯d like to bounce some things off you.¡±


    ¡°Literally?¡±


    ¡°Is that a dumb dad joke?¡±


    Cal sighed.


    ¡°Whatever¡­ listen? What¡¯s the difference between a demon and a devil?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve¡­ seen one? Both?¡±


    Eron nodded.


    ¡°How the hell should I know?¡±


    ¡°I know the difference in RPG terms, but what about in religious and cultural terms?¡±


    ¡°Again¡­ how the hell should I know?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve always read a lot and I thought you¡¯ve been doing that even more after the spires showed up. Part of our plan to prognosticate on the threats that might appear. Or are you too busy playing labyrinths now?¡±


    ¡°Devils are more religious. Fallen angels residing in Hell. That sort of thing,¡± Cal mused. ¡°Demons are, like, any sort of evil and supernatural entity,¡± he continued.


    ¡°So, like, devils can be demons, but not all demons are devils?¡±


    ¡°I guess there¡¯s some of overlap¡­ maybe?¡± he shrugged. ¡°Ultimately, our labels don¡¯t matter compared to whatever they call themselves. We¡¯d just have to find out if they¡¯re vulnerable to holy stuff. Should I be worried?¡±


    ¡°Maybe, it could just be a regular old monster. Something was killing people in the woods around this settlement in Siberia. I couldn¡¯t find it. Just got glimpses out of the corner of my eyes. Probably, magic shit.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ you left without killing it?¡±


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t stick around for too long. I¡¯ll check again when I loop back around. Hopefully, my presence scared it off.¡±


    ¡°You mentioned something about Hawaii in your message?¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡­¡± Eron sighed. ¡°Yeah, just don¡¯t go without properly announcing yourself.¡±


    ¡°The dragon?¡±


    ¡°She has things in order¡­¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t¡­ punch her?¡±


    ¡°I wanted to, but I couldn¡¯t find an excuse. Life for the people in her domain, which is basically the main island, is looking pretty good. Plenty of everything they need. All they have to do is exalt her existence, which seems to amount to prayer, offering the regular pig, sheep or cow and keeping other things from annoying her. She¡¯s pretty claws-off as a supreme ruler. In exchange, they get prefixes to their classes that just make them better. Like, Dragon-touched Fighter or Dragonfire Mage. There¡¯s even a class called Dragonblooded.¡± He snorted at the look of incredulity on Cal¡¯s face. ¡°She deigned to allow me to look around and told her people to answer all of my questions.¡±


    ¡°Power move.¡±


    ¡°Definitely,¡± Eron agreed. ¡°Showing me that she had zero concern about me.¡±


    ¡°I guess we¡¯ll see if a benevolent dictatorship is possible.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d have said no, but this is a dragon. They aren¡¯t human. What they want out of their lives is probably completely different from us. So¡­ I hate it¡­ but, there could be the possibility of a completely beneficial symbiotic relationship.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see you bowing your head to a dragon.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I never would, but I¡¯m willing to leave them alone as long as there isn¡¯t a problem as I see it. I have way too many places to be. Speaking of¡­ Mom and Dad said ¡®Hi¡¯ and are asking about¡­ well, everything,¡± Eron wiggled his fingers.


    ¡°I know. I get their spires messages.¡±


    ¡°Then maybe you should reply.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t reply to every one of Mom¡¯s messages.¡±


    ¡°Just the messenger,¡± Eron stared off into the sky for a moment. ¡°She¡¯s worried about Tessa and Veronica.¡±


    ¡°Stupid kids,¡± Cal muttered.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ Mom didn¡¯t say it outright, but I can¡¯t help think she¡¯s blaming me¡ª us. Something, something¡­ bad influences.¡±


    ¡°I killed Zalthyss. If they only waited¡ª¡± Cal shook his head. ¡°I still don¡¯t know if there¡¯s a weird time thing between the different worlds. I sent a message to Remy as soon as I could¡­¡±


    ¡°I am a little worried about the lack of messaging from him and Megan, from the kids,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°It¡¯s expensive to send a message between direct-connected worlds. It might be exponentially more when you have to do it from two worlds away. They also have to save up to travel back to the Threnosh world.¡±


    ¡°Here¡¯s a dark thought¡­ what if Zalthyss isn¡¯t really dead?¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I cracked its shell. Made it explode like a nuke in the middle of Manhattan. I turned several city blocks into a smoking crater. Even if it was capable of transferring its consciousness¡ª and I still don¡¯t know if that¡¯s what it did¡ª then the consciousness should¡¯ve been destroyed. Unless its consciousness is capable of traveling through the spires or some other method,¡± Cal shrugged, ¡°I don¡¯t know in that case. I was unconscious. Didn¡¯t see the aftermath.¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°Remy¡¯s got it covered,¡± Eron nodded.


    They stared into the distance for a long moment.


    ¡°You need my help for this slave kingdom? Cause, I really wouldn¡¯t mind some conscience-free smashing. Nothing redeemable about slavers,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°I thought you¡¯re always busy.¡±


    ¡°I know I said that I¡¯d leave North America to you, but I thought about it and that¡¯s not fair to you. You¡¯ve got a family and you need time with him to make sure that he¡¯s brought up right. So, I¡¯m planning to do a quick flyover on my way to South America. Although, this Tlaloc guy sounds good. I won¡¯t have to worry about Mexico and maybe Central America if he¡¯s willing to move beyond his old country¡¯s borders.¡±


    Cal thought about it for a moment. ¡°I¡¯ll have to get back to you on that. I still don¡¯t have a full plan. Everything hinges on being able to destroy the collars without hurting the people.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but it¡¯ll probably be a better idea to leave me out of the planning as a crucial piece since I can¡¯t guarantee my availability. But, if you give me enough notice I¡¯ll do my best to help out,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Thanks. You¡¯re help would probably make things much easier. The Slaver King does need to be flown into space.¡±


    ¡°I was thinking of just giving him a push toward the Sun.¡±


    ¡°The after stuff will be the biggest headache. We¡¯re going to have to do something about all of the people we free and that¡¯s not covering the others in Miami.¡±


    ¡°You take the enslaved wherever they want to go, leave everyone that benefited from slavery to their own devices. As for the worst of the slavers, let their victims decided what to do with them. Not that complicated.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll either get killed without the enslaved fighters they¡¯ve been relying on all this time. Or they¡¯ll try again. Which is why it¡¯s really important we do this right. We need to, somehow, make the creation of these collars impossible.¡±


    ¡°Easy again. You can just mind wipe the knowledge from their minds.¡± Eron held up a hand. ¡°I know you don¡¯t want to do that sort of thing, but that¡¯s the best way outside of just killing them all. Or at least the ones with that knowledge.¡±


    ¡°That is definitely on my short list. On the bottom though. I¡¯m hoping that Galadriel will come up with a less invasive solution.¡±


    ¡°Actually, I just had a thought. If you do find this Vitiator dude in the slave kingdom. I put myself forward as the one to deal with him. That should free you up to focus on saving the enslaved people. I owe him for trying to kill Mom and Rynnen.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s all yours if that turns out to be the case.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯d be great if he was. I¡¯ve got two hands. One for the Slaver King and one for the Vitiator.¡±


    ¡°If everything works out how we want it then you¡¯ll get your chance to send them on a trip to the Sun,¡± he patted his youngest brother on the shoulder and sighed in relief when Eron didn¡¯t flinch away. It had been a long two years since they had fought and somehow it felt like he had his brother back. ¡°How long are you staying?¡±


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Not long. I¡¯m going to visit Rayna. I know she had her own dragon encounter. Hoping to compare some notes. And I¡¯ve got a longer more detailed message from Mom to pass on to her. Something about a new boyfriend?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve met him. Seems alright¡­¡±


    Eron¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°You didn¡¯t check him out? I mean, really vet him?¡±


    ¡°Rayna warned me not to. She¡¯s not a baby. She can handle herself.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the dude like?¡±


    ¡°Normal,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Just ask Rayna.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough. There¡¯s also this undead thing in San Diego I can maybe help with,¡± Eron raised a brow.


    ¡°The rangers have it under control. If you fix it then they¡¯ll miss out on Quests, points and levels.¡±


    ¡°And people die¡­¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t keep everyone safe because they¡¯ll be too weak to save themselves when we aren¡¯t around.¡±


    ¡°God¡­ that¡¯s such a punchable statement.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I felt a shiver of disgust run up my back as I said it.¡±


    ¡°You should be ashamed of yourself. Soon, you¡¯ll be talking about how we are guard dogs keeping the sheep safe from the wolves,¡± Eron snickered.


    ¡°Or that hard times need hard men making hard decision,¡± Cal laughed.


    ¡°Or we¡¯re the thin line that stands between civilization and anarchy!¡±


    They had a good laugh and spoke for close to an hour catching each other up on their more recent activities.


    ¡°¡­ and could you put a little bit more into your reports. I do appreciate you keeping me up to date on the geopolitics of the places you visit, but you¡¯ve got to put more down than, ¡®Don¡¯t kill the blue-gray troll guy¡­ he¡¯s alright¡­¡¯.¡±


    Eron tapped his bare wrist. ¡°I don¡¯t have time.¡±


    Speaking of which¡­ it passed too quickly for Cal.


    ¡°Got to go,¡± Eron rose into the sky. ¡°One last thing!¡± he called down.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°He needs a name!¡±


    The air shook in Eron¡¯s wake.


    <hr>


    Cal heard the ringing of hammers on steel from miles away.


    He descended to the rangers¡¯ foundry complex.


    It had once been several square blocks of mixed industrial and commercial businesses. Auto repair, fabrication and welding, steel works and others.


    Curious thoughts and eyes swiveled in his direction as soon as they noticed him.


    He landed so he could walk and get out of view.


    People were busy and he didn¡¯t want to ruin their flow.


    ¡°Um¡­ what happened?¡± Heddy¡¯s eyes widened into saucers when she looked up from her worktable at the dinging of the bell on her workshop¡¯s door.


    ¡°Uh, nothing. Just wanted to check in with you. See how you¡¯ve been doing.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re great! Everyone¡¯s been great! Thanks again for bringing us all here! What do you need? Whatever it is I¡¯ll do my best to make it happen!¡± The woman¡¯s smile didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. The strain of trying to put a happy face on sheer nerves showed in the wrinkles around them. ¡°I¡¯m working really hard with Andre to churn out gear.¡±


    ¡°I heard that your newest flaming weapons are a huge help with some of the undead monsters.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Investing the spell during the forging process is a lot better than enchanting it onto an already completed weapon. The magical effect and the steel lasts longer.¡±


    ¡°And just a straight investment works against non-corporeal monsters.¡±


    ¡°Fucking ghosts,¡± Heddy muttered. ¡°I mean, yeah, at least that¡¯s what the reports say. I¡¯ve never seen it firsthand.¡±


    ¡°Hopefully, you never will.¡±


    ¡°God, I hope so,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°Well, everyone¡¯s been happy about your work. But, I¡¯m not here about that. I just wanted to make sure you knew that you can relax. You don¡¯t have to work so much that you aren¡¯t sleeping.¡±


    Her eyes narrowed. ¡°How do you know that?¡±


    ¡°People have eyes and Andre might¡¯ve mentioned something when I had to tell him that he didn¡¯t need to work 16 hour days. I¡¯m pretty sure they told you that unless there was some kind of emergency you can take it as easy as you want. Your safety isn¡¯t dependent on working. Remember, you¡¯re not in Kansas anymore,¡± he grinned to no reaction from the woman. ¡°You left that behind, what, nine, ten months ago?¡±


    ¡°Nine months, twenty-seven days. I remember¡­¡± she said. ¡°It¡¯s just, you saved us all, took us in. I owe that. And I need to do this to get better, advance my skill and Skills, gain levels. I have Quests that revolved around it. I get points and bonuses for my quantity and quality. I need the points to buy better enchantments. I can learn them by learning spells, but that takes time and I think it¡¯ll strengthen my mage class at the expense of my enchanter one. They tell me that it¡¯s fine because I might be able to eventually consolidate the two into one better, but I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s a risk. I need to get better. The better I get at this, the better armed the people keeping me and everyone safe are.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a reasonable take. However, burnout is a thing, yeah? So, my suggestion is work hard, but also relax. You can¡¯t just work and then sleep when you¡¯re exhausted.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ have nightmares¡­¡±


    ¡°There are people that can help with that.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know. We all got the list. They¡¯ve helped others. I know that. I just¡­ can¡¯t bring myself to go.¡± She scowled at nothing in particular. ¡°It just doesn¡¯t seem fair. This whole time you guys were out here and life is great¡­ or at least as great as it could be with fucking monsters and horrible people out there¡­ and we had to live under the church persecuting us, using us¡­ I just¡­ I just wish that Knox could¡¯ve made it too. He worked harder than anyone else trying to keep us alive.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t speak for him¡­ from what you and others had said I¡¯d like to think that he was the kind of man that would¡¯ve done anything to see all of you have better lives. And he did that. So, take that gift he left you. Don¡¯t run yourself into the ground. Live as he would¡¯ve wanted.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I have that right.¡±


    ¡°Only you can decide that. Although, try looking at it this way. All the things you want to accomplish?¡±


    Heddy nodded.


    ¡°Which version of you can do them better? The tired, burned out one? Or the one rested, in a good place, physically and mentally?¡±


    ¡°Obviously, the second one,¡± she frowned. ¡°But, it¡¯s easier to say all that than to do it. Like, I get the words that you are saying. I just can¡¯t do it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve read before that it takes about three weeks to create a habit. So, why not try that. Starting tomorrow you only put in 8 hours of work a day for 4 days a week. With the freed up time you¡¯ll see a therapist, do things that you used to do for enjoyment before the spires and you¡¯ll try new things.¡±


    ¡°Like what? I wouldn¡¯t even know were to start.¡±


    ¡°There are groups with people that can understand what you¡¯re going through. You aren¡¯t the only one having nightmares. Talk to Andre. Don¡¯t forget that you aren¡¯t the only that survived Wichita. You aren¡¯t alone in that suffering. Beyond that, most everyone here survived the spires¡¯ appearance.¡±


    ¡°How do you do it?¡± she eyed his prosthetic. ¡°I mean, I heard stories¡­ how do you sleep with all of the horrible things you¡¯ve actually faced up close. That fake angel,¡± she shuddered, ¡°I only saw it and heard it. That song¡ª the nightmares¡ª I can¡¯t get it out of my thoughts. The worst part is that part of me wishes it had gone the other way. Like, I should¡¯ve given in to the music. If I had then I would be happy.¡±


    Cal mulled over what to say.


    ¡°It was a lie. Are you truly happy if it is enforced by an outside source?¡±


    ¡°Does it matter if I didn¡¯t know the difference?¡±


    ¡°Like the slave collars?¡±


    Heddy¡¯s face twisted. ¡°It¡¯s different when you can¡¯t see it clearly.¡±


    ¡°Chains are chains whether physical or otherwise. At least that¡¯s how I choose to see it,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to see it that way too¡­¡±


    ¡°Zalthyss was insidious like any being that seeks to control another. It¡¯s gone and the slave kingdom is next.¡±


    ¡°Right, so I need to get better and work harder. You¡¯ll need all the gear you can get to take them on.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the best at what you do and I¡¯d welcome your best work for it, but you have time. I¡¯d rather you focus your energy on healing. You lived under siege for so long. The damage to your physical and mental health from the constant stress and pressure of life under a society that hated you needs to be healed. Look, I¡¯d never tell you what to do. I¡¯m just asking you to try.¡±


    Heddy sighed. ¡°I guess I¡¯d have to. I can¡¯t exactly ignore the guy that I owe my life to.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve told you all before¡­ you don¡¯t owe me anything. Just live how you want. Be happy. Don¡¯t harm others. That sort of thing.¡±


    ¡°The basics,¡± she nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll take your words into consideration,¡± she turned back to her worktable.


    Cal cleared his throat.


    ¡°I need to finish this one thing, then I¡¯ll call it a day. Maybe go for a walk¡­ used to like doing that, I think?¡± she waved him away.


    He departed without a word, but not before making sure that Heddy would sleep free from her nightmares, at least this night.


    He decided to visit the mental health center.


    He couldn¡¯t stop everyone¡¯s nightmares.


    There might be negative long-term consequences in the act.


    And it would¡¯ve made him no different from Zalthyss and the slave collars in enforcing a fake sense of contentment.


    It was a slippery slope down the path of a mind-controlling tyrant.


    But, perhaps he could occasionally help in providing a restful slumber for those suffering the most.


    <hr>


    Now, Central California


    Cal, his passengers and several crates flew south. He followed the I-5 as it traced its way across the landscape. The view was mostly yellow and brown with the occasional patch or strip of green.


    The Furies had completed the Quests they had to aid the NorCal people. Both the Watch and the California State Government. It had been mostly skirmishes with the Scions of the Deep Azure cult clinging to their power in San Francisco along with monster attacks.


    In their downtime they had done nothing but train with Hanna and the rest of the Watch.


    ¡°I learned a literal ton of stuff,¡± Jayde said with all of the energy of a kid telling her dad about everything she did at summer camp. ¡°Kinda like how much you can bench? I¡¯ve seen Nila get around there. You¡¯re weaker than her, right? Haven¡¯t ever seen you lift. Those muscles all show, no go? Am I saying that right, Jake says it a lot. I think he gets butt hurt that Rino and Kare out lifts him by a lot.¡±


    ¡°They have supernatural strength,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Yeah, but they do it even when not in full weredog form,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°The half-form is plenty strong. Seeing them rack a thousand pounds on the bar for reps when they¡¯re in human form would¡¯ve been impressive had I not already seen Nila do it. And she¡¯s the most pettite-est, most,¡± Jayde said. ¡°Anyways¡­ I learned a ton from Hanna. I could¡¯ve picked up a Swordfighter Class, but since that¡¯d only slow down my Punch Mage gains I didn¡¯t. There¡¯s no synergy anyways. I hit things with my hands. Swords are cool and all, but that just isn¡¯t me, you know? But it was like Sensei Hanna says, even if I won¡¯t use a sword or a sword and a shield in a fight the knowledge of how to use them is valuable in that I¡¯ll know how my enemies will fight with them. Although, I don¡¯t know how I can fight someone that can cut you with an aura like she does. Goes right through my mage shield. Do you know her level? She won¡¯t say, but it¡¯s got to be over 40, right? Right? Hey? Are you listening?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re doing this on purpose,¡± he sighed.


    Jayde beamed. ¡°So¡­ where was I¡ª¡± she continued.


    Hayden cleared her throat. ¡°What she really means to say is¡­ what¡¯s next?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have any ongoing Quests. Will we be helping with San Diego?¡±


    Dayana and Jayde gagged.


    ¡°Please, no¡­ at least give us a few more months. The smell¡­¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°The masks do nothing,¡± Jayde agreed.


    ¡°And it¡¯s a pain in the ass having to fight wearing them,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Anything new with Kansas?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re still fighting each other. We are going to keep letting them do that.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure that¡¯s a good idea? They¡¯ll just keep leveling,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°While thinning their numbers and there¡¯s a more pressing concern.¡±


    ¡°The slavers,¡± Hayden nodded. ¡°Are we ready to go?¡±


    ¡°Not nearly close and I haven¡¯t decided on who exactly will be going.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re definitely in!¡± Jayde slapped Cal on the back. ¡°Slavers means conscience free killing!¡±


    ¡°The best kind,¡± Dayana agreed.


    ¡°The primary goal will not be killing. It¡¯ll be freeing the enslaved,¡± he said.


    ¡°Yeah, right, but slavers gonna slave,¡± Jayde shrugged, ¡°only way to stop them is to kill them.¡±


    ¡°Wyvern!¡± Dayana barked. ¡°I got it!¡± she pulled her high-powered rifle from her back, chambered a round and sighted a shot.


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯ll go away.¡±


    So spoken, the wyvern banked and disappeared into some clouds.


    ¡°Probably a nest nearby. Do we see if there are eggs? Add more to what we got from NorCal,¡± Hayden gestured to the crates flying along with them.


    ¡°They get enchanted gear and the rangers get eggs¡­ seems like a weird trade,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°That¡¯s cause it isn¡¯t,¡± Dayana said. ¡°It¡¯s more like a goodwill thing, right? You¡¯d give them gear even if you get nothing in return?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ it benefits everyone,¡± he said. ¡°And in answer to your question, Hayden, the Golden Eagles are due for a shipment in a few weeks. I can take you guys along on the delivery.¡±


    ¡°They need help?¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°No, not from the last I heard, but you three are going to be free for the next while.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°You can do whatever you want. You can help the rangers. The Golden Eagles. Continue to train. Keep trying to gain levels. Well, at least in Jayde and Dayana¡¯s case. For you it¡¯ll be the continued mastery and strengthening of your powers.¡±


    ¡°I only got 1 level from all the stuff we did in NorCal,¡± Dayana sighed. ¡°It¡¯s been hard and slow post 40.¡±


    ¡°I thought that¡¯s how you liked it?¡± Jayde snickered.


    ¡°Shut up, bitch!¡± Dayana threw a peanut M&M at Jayde¡¯s face¡­ hard.


    ¡°Fuck! Ow! You¡¯re just jealous that I got a whole 4 levels, slut!¡± Jayde sneered.


    ¡°That¡¯s cause you aren¡¯t even 40, whore!¡±


    Cal sighed.


    Women in their 20¡¯s acting like teenagers¡­


    ¡°This is what I have to deal with,¡± Hayden nodded without sympathy. ¡°We¡¯d like to train with you and you have to go hard. Don¡¯t hold back. Fight us like you did Zalthyss. Don¡¯t give me that look,¡± she scowled. ¡°The harder the challenge, the greater the danger the more you level and get stronger. We need to be pushed past our limits.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, bro¡­ you¡¯re way too soft,¡± Jayde threw an arm over Cal¡¯s shoulder, ¡°we aren¡¯t your kids.¡±


    ¡°It was humbling to get our asses kicked by a supermodel with a sword,¡± Dayana¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°sometimes not even with one.¡±


    ¡°Or the supermodels that can turn into dogs,¡± Jayde added.


    ¡°Or the creepy vampire guy that hates fighting and spends most of his nights reading and researching,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Nah, Bennett wasn¡¯t that creepy. He¡¯s nice. I definitely didn¡¯t feel like he wanted to suck my blood,¡± Jayde pouted.


    ¡°Even that cute, tiny Filipina vampire gave us tough fights,¡± Hayden sighed.


    ¡°Oh oh!¡± Jayde waved her hands. ¡°Or that kid with the dogs. She was good too. I mean, beat her, but it was way too close, you know?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a way bigger challenge than anything else out there,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°I mean, we¡¯d ask your sister, but we stand zero chance against her,¡± Jayde smirked, ¡°at least with you¡­ there¡¯s a shot.¡±


    Cal took a slow and deep breath.


    ¡°Alright, more serious training for you guys and everyone else that wants it,¡± he said.


    They cheered.


    ¡°However, you asked for a real challenge¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Duh,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Um¡­ did I?¡± Dayana said. ¡°That was mostly them two.¡±


    ¡°Right, to make real I¡¯ll have to stop just short of the possibility of death. That means things like broken bones are on the table. It does makes sense. The healing types will get levels from fixing you up. The worse the damage the better for them and you.¡±


    ¡°Damn it, Hayden!¡± Dayana snapped.


    ¡°I¡¯ll start a class or program,¡± Cal mused, ¡°I¡¯ll call it Epic Combat Training: How to Survive¡­ or something like that. Thanks, you three! A truly wonderful idea! You¡¯re going to learn so much!¡±

 7.0 Prologue

    Miami, Florida, New American Republic, November 2035


    In a towering office building, inside a top floor boardroom, the Slaver King held court.


    ¡°God, what a view!¡±


    ¡°Sir?¡±


    ¡°Nothing better than looking out over all this while doing your job!¡± he threw his arms wide to encompass the massive window and the ocean views beyond. ¡°Makes the boring shit bearable,¡± he grinned before turning back to the large oak table and his inner council. He walked leisurely to his proper place at the head to take his seat. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get this meeting over with,¡± he clapped. ¡°Essential workers, please wait outside¡­ and no listening in,¡± he winked at the attractive young woman that had just placed a glass of something colorful, fizzy and alcoholic in front of him.


    The collared young woman nodded and beamed with a smile that betrayed nothing other than open genuineness.


    He watched the young woman¡¯s backside as she sashayed out of the room. He turned to the man seated closest to his right. ¡°And you wanted them in bikinis and lingerie.¡±


    ¡°King,¡± the balding man smirked, ¡°I wanted them naked. Thongs were my compromise.¡±


    A disgusted noise came from the woman seated closest to his left. He didn¡¯t need to look at his long-time second to see the daggers glared in his direction.


    ¡°Yes, Kim?¡± he snorted.


    ¡°Efficiency¡ª¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve heard this speech, like, a dozen times¡ª¡± Eric began.


    ¡°Efficiency is important,¡± Kim, as she often did, plowed right over the man. ¡°Time is a finite resource. We waste it for you to spend precious seconds watching them take their time performing their duties. Tight miniskirts, tube tops and 4-inch heels slows them down. For you men to get off on it is a pointless exchange to sacrifice our efficiency. We¡­¡± she paused and gazed at Eric pointedly, ¡°most of us are busy people. Time can¡¯t be wasted.¡±


    ¡°This argument is pointless by your standards,¡± Eric grinned smugly as he looked to the King like a favored child looks to the more malleable parent.


    ¡°He¡¯s got a point there, Kim,¡± King shrugged, ¡°yet, am I not magnanimous in listening to my trusted advisers?¡±


    Nods around the table.


    ¡°They do walk slowly with those heels,¡± he mused. ¡°Fine, Kim, I¡¯ll back you on this. Henceforth, our staff will no longer be required to wear high heels. They will now wear comfortable shoes. Perhaps tennis shoes?¡± he looked expectantly at Kim.


    ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Any complaints? Suggestions?¡± King made eye contact with each person seated around the table.


    ¡°What about those heels that are, like, solid? Those would be easier to walk in,¡± Eric said.


    Kim snorted.


    ¡°What? Their legs and butts look so much better in heels,¡± Eric shrugged.


    ¡°Athletic shoes are still better than wedged heels if what you¡¯re looking for is quicker and efficient movement,¡± Alexandria said.


    ¡°So speaks the King¡¯s Champion,¡± King nodded. ¡°Let it be done!¡± he proclaimed.


    His assistant copied down his words to be officially codified later.


    ¡°Now, who wants to go first?¡± he said.


    Kim raised her hand. ¡°This tournament¡ª¡±


    ¡°Freedom Championships,¡± Eric cut in.


    ¡°The branding is important, Kim,¡± King said.


    ¡°Freedom Championships then¡­ I have concerns¡ª¡±


    ¡°Same ones, I bet,¡± Eric sneered.


    King snapped his fingers, ¡°let her talk.¡±


    ¡°First, the one-year timetable is too short. We lose a year of expansion and properly strengthening our forces. Collecting monsters for the events is riskier than killing them outright. We¡¯ll probably lose some of our strongest people. At least, we¡¯ll lose more of them this way. Second, preparing the venues for the events is an inefficient use of manpower and resources better put toward expansion. Third, it¡¯s a huge risk to bring powerful outsiders into our nation. I can guarantee that some of them will not like our essential worker system. These people have gotten used to using their power to do what they want. If one of them decides she doesn¡¯t like the collars¡­¡± she spread her hands as if laying cards on the table.


    King drummed his fingers against the oak. ¡°Good points. I agree. However, the rewards outweigh the risks as far as I see it. Thoughts?¡± he regarded the others.


    ¡°We lose people no matter what we do,¡± Mark grunted. The scarred Slaver General cleared his throat. ¡°As long as the nobles pitch in with their own troops then I¡¯ve got nothing to complain about on this point. It¡¯ll be good to spread around the dying for a change. Same with all those merc companies, adventuring bands and other bullshit. Should just let me fold them all into our army, King.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve been over this, General. Not everyone thrives in your more ordered environment. We¡¯d stifle their growth. Our champion is a perfect example. She got her start in a band of her friends. Would she have risen to become the number one fighter in our entire nation had she been forced to follow orders? I doubt it.¡±


    Mark eyed the champion with reluctant respect. ¡°Fair enough. As far as Kim¡¯s third point, I¡¯ve got no worries. We aren¡¯t allowing the outsiders into our city in problematic numbers. We house them in kill boxes surrounded by our slave soldiers¡ª¡±


    ¡°Essential fighters,¡± Eric cut in.


    Mark regarded the man like the dog crap he accidentally stepped on for a moment before continuing. ¡°The outsiders won¡¯t be able to cause any trouble. The moment it looks like they might I¡¯ll bury them in ordinance before sending in the spears to finish off the survivors.¡±


    ¡°Your thoughts on outsider recruitment possibilities?¡± King prodded.


    Mark shrugged. ¡°Too powerful and they won¡¯t want to follow orders. I¡¯ll take anyone you slap a collar on. Although, you¡¯d make a weaker individual fighter.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what the prizes are for. They¡¯ll beg us to let them become a part of our nation. We¡¯re throwing everything at the most powerful. Wealth, privilege, mansions complete with a full staff of essential workers. If that doesn¡¯t work then we can give them noble titles,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°Too many of those already,¡± Mark snorted.


    ¡°That won¡¯t be enough for everyone,¡± Alexandria said.


    ¡°Then they¡¯re free to go with their prizes and our goodwill,¡± King said. ¡°Unless¡­ Noel? Noel¡­ Noel!¡± he clapped.


    ¡°Huh? What?¡± the man in question blinked.


    Sighs echoed around the table.


    ¡°The collars? Remember what I asked you to do at the last meeting?¡± King said in a calm, even tone.


    ¡°Collars? Yeah, yeah,¡± Noel blinked repeatedly. ¡°Right, got it, I remember. Can I make them stronger and better. I can definitely do that. I¡¯m constantly iterating. Building on the last. Improving on strengths. Fixing problems.¡±


    ¡°Noel!¡± King snapped his fingers. ¡°Can you do it in a year? Can you do it before the championships?¡±


    ¡°Maybe?¡± Noel shrugged.


    ¡°Okay, we¡¯ll table that issue for after the meeting when Noel and I''ll have a one to one,¡± King sighed. ¡°Now back to the championships. Mark, how is the prep going for our expeditionary forces?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll be ready on schedule,¡± Mark said.


    ¡°Eric?¡± King turned to his longtime friend.


    ¡°Your diplomats are ready to go. The recruiters for the championships and the spies. We¡¯ll bring in the best fighters across the land and we¡¯ll learn everything we need to know about the communities out there for future¡­ opportunities,¡± Eric waggled his bushy brows.


    ¡°My concerns are with infrastructure improvements,¡± Kim said.


    ¡°We¡¯re just getting to that,¡± King sighed.


    Most things he had to listen to and address in these meetings were boring, yet he sat and gave it his full attention. He could do no less. Heavy was the crown¡­ or something like that.


    <hr>


    Sacramento, California


    The chill January air threatened to steal the breath out of their lungs.


    Hanna watched as her young students moved through their sword forms with great puffs of misty breath with each strike and parry.


    ¡°Control your breathing and your movements!¡± she barked. Kids never lacked for enthusiasm. They tended to put everything into each movement. ¡°Apply your energy properly! Not too much or too little! Just enough for what you need!¡±


    Decent footwork kicked up small sprays of dew from the green grass.


    She watched closely and mentally marked which students were doing well and which ones needed a bit more attention. Footwork was, perhaps, the most important part of single combat. You couldn¡¯t touch your opponent without proper distance and they couldn¡¯t touch you if you stayed out of theirs.


    Part of her mind wandered to the passage of time.


    Sixteen years had passed since the spires had appeared across the world.


    It was a terrible age, filled with so much death and killing. Monsters and people fell to her blade, while comrades had fallen to theirs.


    From swordswoman to swordmaster, she had grown ever stronger. Now close to Level 50. The others were excited about that. They thought she might be the first to cross that number. She realized that she didn¡¯t much care about the number. As she watched her students she knew that they were what she truly cared about.


    Make them strong and skilled so that they wouldn¡¯t fall like so many others.


    That realization had led to her current class.


    The crunch of the thin layer of frost on the grass behind her drew her from her thoughts.


    ¡°Too damn cold,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Watch Commander,¡± Hanna nodded.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t official.¡±


    ¡°Demi¡­¡±


    ¡°This is your passion,¡± Demi regarded the kids going through their forms with blunt swords. ¡°Looks funny with how short they are and how long the swords are.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re called ¡®longswords¡¯ for a reason. Besides, get them started young and they¡¯ll build up all the right muscles.¡±


    They watched in silence until Hanna deemed the practice enough. ¡°Break time!¡± she barked. ¡°Drink your water and stay loose! Sparring in 10 minutes!¡±


    ¡°No safety gear¡ª right, your Skill. Too bad you can¡¯t use it on anyone and anywhere, damn waste,¡± Demi said.


    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    ¡°Only on my students and in a learning environment. Well?¡± she turned to the other woman and was surprised to see the lines on Demi¡¯s face and the gray in her hair.


    ¡°What? I can¡¯t just check-in with you? With my future fighters?¡± she waved an arm to encompass the children a short distance away. Demi¡¯s face twisted at that. ¡°That¡¯s the damn waste,¡± she lowered her voice, ¡°too many threats¡­ always something new.¡±


    ¡°The slavers arrived yesterday,¡± Hanna nodded.


    ¡°Not that they call themselves that,¡± Demi grunted. ¡°They met with the governor just like Cal said they would. 2036 and people decided it was the right call to reinstate slavery. I don¡¯t care that the collars make it so the poor people actually enjoy it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all false, so long as it¡¯s imposed by an external force out of the person¡¯s control,¡± Hanna agreed.


    ¡°So, it¡¯s a moral and ethical imperative to put a stop to it¡­¡±


    ¡°For someone capable¡­ but does that mean us? That¡¯s what you want me to answer?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I know my answer and you know that I leave you to your own.¡±


    ¡°Like Cal said in the message.¡±


    ¡°¡®Strictly volunteer¡¯,¡± Demi echoed the words in the messages they had received a few days ago. ¡°Bit unfair really. How do you refuse the call to end slavery?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°For you? I can make the case against it. You¡¯re a swordmaster. You¡¯re meant to train the future. One Hanna today,¡± she gestured toward the kids, ¡°Twenty Hannas tomorrow. You¡¯d risk that taking this Quest on. No matter how good you are¡­ alone in a place like that¡­¡± Demi shook her head.


    ¡°He shared his plan for me with you?¡± Hanna frowned.


    Demi shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m your commander. I¡¯d tear him a new one¡ª verbally¡ª had he tried to go over my head in regards to one of my people.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t decided what I¡¯ll do. I¡¯ve got a few months.¡±


    ¡°Your absence will be felt here.¡±


    ¡°I know that. But then I think about what my absence means to the thousands of people forced into collars.¡±


    ¡°I agree, but nothing¡¯s set in stone. This stupid tournament gives us an in, but Cal¡¯s still waiting on that wizard for a way to kill the collars without killing the people.¡±


    ¡°Then this conversation is premature.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, but I just wanted to let you know that if it was my call I¡¯d keep you here doing what you love. It¡¯s a great coincidence that it¡¯s also the best way for you to help the entire community. I say this as not only your commander, but also as a friend. Think very hard about it,¡± Demi waved as she walked away.


    Hanna would do just that.


    <hr>


    Across the former United States of America


    Soldiers of the legitimate US Government made their temporary base inside a mcmansion in the suburbs just outside of the city.


    It was the ideal location from which to raid the spawn zones and encounter challenges in the city.


    ¡°Hey, DD. Captain wants us out there for some kind of meet-up. People from that slaver kingdom found us somehow.¡±


    Nicholas looked up from the book he was reading. He had found it in the home¡¯s library. The title sounded cool and the cover looked just as cool. Unfortunately, he wasn¡¯t enjoying it. ¡°I¡¯m busy,¡± he said. Reading was still better than standing around looking intimidating for however long that conversation took.


    ¡°Captain¡¯s orders,¡± Mary scowled down at him from her impressive height.


    ¡°Uh oh, she¡¯s flexing those guns. Better get to it or she¡¯ll carry you out there like a baby, DD,¡± Rico said.


    He glared at the only other member of his squad currently in the expansive living room with him.


    ¡°Fine,¡± he rose from the couch.


    ¡°Full kit,¡± Mary grunted.


    ¡°Got it, got it,¡± he grabbed his spear and American flag skull mask from the glass table.


    They exited the house and stepped into the cold January air.


    The dark sky told him that some rain was on the way. He hoped that this meeting didn¡¯t take too long. He already missed the heated home. ¡°Listen, you¡¯ve got to stop calling me ¡®DD¡¯. My codename is ¡®Death¡¯s Dancer¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Too long and dumb,¡± Rico smirked.


    ¡°How bout, Double D¡¯s?¡± Mary said.


    ¡°I thought that was yours? Oh, wait¡­ that¡¯s only what we call you when you aren¡¯t listening.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got good ears,¡± Mary loomed over him with a feral grin.


    ¡°It¡¯s fitting,¡± Nicholas pointedly looked at her chest. The plate carrier didn¡¯t do much to hide what she had.


    ¡°How¡¯s that book, DD? You were making some weird faces back there,¡± Rico said.


    ¡°Not that great. Hard to understand. Too much rape. Man on man and animal on man.¡±


    Mary regarded him like the dog crap she had stepped on a few days back. The beasts they had with them were capable of some epic turds.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I said. The main character keeps getting ass raped by men and hyenas and hyena men¡­ it¡¯s weird,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Better get that mask on, pervert,¡± Mary said as they drew closer to the barricades.


    ¡°That¡¯s a lot of them. See those collars? Slave soldiers. Infiltrators were spot on,¡± Rico whispered.


    ¡°Disgusting!¡± Mary spat.


    ¡°Keep it calm. We only act on the Captain¡¯s say so,¡± Nicholas pulled his mask on.


    They stepped up to flank the captain along with the other supersoldiers that had already been.


    The lead slaver glanced at him with appraising eyes.


    He felt the back of his neck shiver.


    Instincts warned him.


    Something real. A spell or a Skill, he didn¡¯t know, but he¡¯d bet a month¡¯s stipend that the slaver had just taken his measure. The only question was how much had the fuck picked up.


    The slaver regarded Mary and Rico in turn before addressing the captain.


    Nicholas paid close attention to what was said.


    Finally, it was time to deal with the traitors. And maybe, just maybe they could use those collars. Not to make slaves, but to make better soldiers.


    Elsewhere, all the way across the land to the northwestern coast a different New America Republic recruiter found herself in a heated situation despite the cold and wet weather outside the open windows.


    ¡°Your majesty? Sir? Er¡­ Mr. Freeman, please, you don¡¯t want to do this.¡± Sweat poured off of her in sheets. The heat stole the oxygen from her lungs. She was being smothered in hell¡¯s blanket itself. ¡°Don¡¯t shoot!¡± she warned the small escort she had taken into the meeting with the leader of the Seattle community. She had thought that taking only a few bodyguards was a sign of peaceful intentions. The bulk of her fighting men and women were outside, too far away to be of use. ¡°We come in peace!¡± she tried.


    ¡°You come to me with people in collars and you say you come in peace?¡± the dark-skinned man snarled. ¡°Look at my face! What do you see.¡±


    The raging fire, she thought, the tall, dark-skinned man¡¯s eyes were gone. All she saw was the fire itself. She said a prayer to Jesus. She had miscalculated. Off course, someone like him wouldn¡¯t take kindly to people in collars. Never mind the fact that he had no idea what they truly meant. ¡°Like I explained¡ª¡±


    ¡°Try something else, cause that was a terrible explanation,¡± the dark-skinned woman said from where she sat with her boots up on the table.


    ¡°Kill me and they all die!¡± the recruiter screeched. ¡°Everyone with a collar! In here and outside!¡±


    The fires surrounding her vanished in an instant.


    The demonic lions, tigers and bears that had just been menacing her winked out as quickly as they had appeared from the candles arranged throughout the conference room.


    She had thought it strange to see the candles at first.


    ¡°You handle this. I¡¯m this close to burning her to ash,¡± the dark-skinned man, eyes still aflame, strode out of the room.


    She¡¯d remember him and the insult.


    The dark-skinned woman remained lounged at the table. ¡°So, just anyone can take part in this tournament of yours?¡±


    The recruiter took a moment to compose herself. Her hair was plastered to her forehead with sweat, her clothes were wet and heavy. The dignity she had prided herself on burned away by the terrifying flames.


    Oh, she¡¯d remember the insult, but for now, she had a job to do and she had to do it without being murdered by these crazy people.


    She briskly and professionally outlined how the Freedom Championships would be conducted.


    ¡°So, anyone can sign up?¡±


    ¡°Level 20 and up, or the equivalent as in your case.¡±


    The dark-skinned woman raised a brow.


    The recruiter said a silent curse. She had just accidentally revealed her appraisal Skill. The strength of those in the NAR¡¯s recruiting corps.


    ¡°All we have to do is cross monsterland USA to get to Miami.¡±


    ¡°I offer the escort of our essential soldiers if desired.¡±


    ¡°Is that what you call them?¡± the dark-skinned woman said flatly. ¡°It¡¯s a long time until the Freedom Championships,¡± the woman smirked.


    ¡°We have valuable goods and services to trade for housing and necessary supplies. It is understandable that may not be possible in light of our unfortunate first impression, in that case we will find a place nearby to await your decision. Unless you tell us that you won¡¯t be needing our escort.¡± She wanted nothing more than to be on her way from these people.


    ¡°Good idea that. We¡¯ll need to talk your offer over. Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll find you and your ¡®essential soldiers¡¯ a place to stay and spend your valuables. There¡¯s been a wendigo or four sighted out in the forests. You might be good for that,¡± the dark-skinned woman¡¯s smile didn¡¯t reach her eyes.


    Somewhere in big sky country a small town sat like a forlorn child in the middle of nowhere. Wide open, grassy plains surrounded it with mountains barely visible in the distance.


    The people of this town had survived many years. They had managed to keep the monsters at bay and carve out a semblance of life.


    All of which ended this night when a group of marauders attacked.


    Too many and too high level to fight off.


    The town burned and the people suffered.


    A dread figure in dark gray plate astride a demonic horse of shadow rode into the town.


    Too late.


    Too late to help the people.


    Not to late to feed his vow.


    The marauders were lax in defense. They let their gluttonous lust override their caution. They thought nothing could challenge them.


    He spurred his steed forward conjuring a spear out of the shadows as he approached the half-drunk sentries.


    He speared one in the chest and let his steed bite the other¡¯s head off as they passed.


    ¡°Go,¡± he rasped, ¡°kill the strong, spare the weak.¡±


    The small, eyeless, nose-less monsters climbed out of his shadow. They clicked sharp teeth together as they spread out across the town to carry out his will. They knew his will, what he wanted. Kill the marauders, spare their victims.


    He rode down main street killing the occasional marauder that crossed his path until he reached the place where the stench of fear and terror was the strongest.


    ¡°The fuck are you?¡± a big, bearded man came out of the town¡¯s small hotel hastily tugging on his body armor.


    ¡°Dread,¡± he rasped in reply.


    The man laughed, but he couldn¡¯t hide the fear in his eyes.


    The Dread Paladin hurled his spear straight through the marauder¡¯s armored chest pinning him to the wall.


    He jumped off his steed and silently told it to join the dreadlings.


    There were eyes on him from inside the hotel. The surviving townspeople that the marauders had been busy using for their depraved pleasure.


    More armed marauders rushed out of the building.


    He felt the terror waft off them in strong waves.


    Seeing their powerful leader stuck to the wall like a pig had that effect.


    He held a hand out and dissipated the spear back into the shadow while a sword appearing in his right hand replaced it along with a shield in his left.


    ¡°Time for all of you to die.¡±


    The next morning a recruiter from the New American Republic arrived to an oozing, buzzing mound of marauder corpses piled on the side of the rode just outside the town.


    The Dread Paladin sat astride his steed and greeted the man.


    Despite the sun in the sky, his shadow brought the night where he stood.


    ¡°Er¡­ are you in charge here?¡± the recruiter said.


    ¡°What do you want here?¡± he already knew what man was going to say. Cal had told him about the slavers and the collars. He saw them, arrayed behind the odious man in their perfectly ordered ranks. Men and women, strong in body with a vaguely happy look shared on their faces.


    ¡°I will join your contest of champions¡ª¡±


    ¡°Freedom Championships¡­¡± the man trailed off as the shadows seemed to stretch out toward him.


    ¡°Go away, slaver,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped.


    ¡°We¡¯d be happy to escort¡ª er¡­ just¡­ when you get there and sign up, tell them ¡®Jeff Hicks¡¯ recruited you. I get a bonus depending on how well you do¡ª okay, got it, we¡¯re leaving now,¡± the man gestured and the hundred plus group turned smartly and marched back the way they had come.


    The Dread Paladin would wait in the town to keep the survivors safe. Their dread filled his vow. It was a small matter to wait for Cal to come and get them to safety. Then he could head south, spreading his dread to those that deserved it, like the marauders, as he had done since his encounter with Cal.


    Now, it was time for the man to fulfill his promise from years ago.


    Finally, he was going to the place where the men responsible for his existence waited.


    Over two thousand miles to the south another recruiter looked up through bloody eyes.


    A towering man god stood over him.


    They should¡¯ve known better than to enter his land.


    ¡°Please¡­¡± the recruiter held up a shaking hand.


    ¡°All will be free,¡± Tlaloc said simply before planting his obsidian axe in the recruiter¡¯s chest.


    He regarded the scorched road and the motionless bodies scattered throughout.


    Those in collars stirred.


    Those without had been turned into charred corpse by his lightning storm.


    He grudgingly sent Cal a silent thanks for the man¡¯s counsel of patience through the last few years.


    All they needed now was for the elf bruja to fulfill her promise.


    He would free a hundred men and women this day.


    Thousands more would join them soon.


    Finally, he would shatter their chains.

 7.1

    Southern California


    What were the ethics of changing how a person thought?


    Bad?


    Yes?


    What if you changed them for the better?


    And who could judge what better meant?


    Turn a murderer into a non-murderer?


    Surely, that was a good thing?


    Why would he stop at one in that case?


    Make it so that no one could do bad things.


    Well, maybe that¡¯s why he hadn¡¯t tried to find out if he was even capable of fundamentally altering the way people thought. Slippery slopes and that sort of thing.


    Cal looked through several layers of iron bars and shatterproof glass at the unassuming young woman. So small and thin, yet so dangerous.


    The modified bank vault that had been Holly, the Slasher¡¯s home for the last 3 years remained as empty and devoid of personality as the day they had imprisoned her inside of it. Not that he hadn¡¯t tried. He had given her the option to decorate and add any personal touches that might¡¯ve made it a little less like the cell it was and a bit more like a studio apartment. He had hoped treating her like a human being would¡¯ve been helpful at rehabilitation, at putting her on a path to remove her murderous class.


    Many different therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, behavioral health specialists and such had tried their hand. All had failed.


    Holly was as she had been since the day Cal had put an end to her murder spree.


    Still, they hadn¡¯t given up.


    The daily sessions continued.


    Until this day.


    Holly watched him blandly. She hadn¡¯t reacted with any outward indication of surprise at his appearing instead of the doctor scheduled for her session.


    Her mind, however, was different.


    There was a tiny bit of surprise, followed by a hunger brought on by her class stirring from dormancy.


    She remained silent as she regarded him.


    He knew that she was marking vulnerable points on his body for her knife with all the dispassion of a butcher marking the next carcass hanging on the hook.


    ¡°Finished?¡±


    ¡°How do you do that?¡± Holly said flatly.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re different from everyone else I¡¯ve ever seen. No soft spots for me to pierce.¡±


    He shrugged.


    ¡°Are you even real?¡± a slight crease formed on her smooth forehead.


    Child-like. Though, not in the eyes.


    That flat stare that failed to see him and any other human being as like her. Holly was a singular existence in her mind. She wasn¡¯t like anyone else and they weren¡¯t like her. All separate, without anything to share. Simply things to end to feed her class. To her, taking a life was akin to eating a bag of chips.


    ¡°Real enough the last time I checked. Just like you, two eyes, ears, a nose, two arms connected to a body, connected to two legs. A brain, thoughts, hopes, dreams, that sort of thing.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t lie, we both know that you have those too.¡±


    Nothing in her reactions.


    No spike in anger or the urge to object on principle.


    His words might as well have been the bleating of a sheep to her.


    He stared at her in silence for several minutes. Her eyes never left his.


    Was this a mistake? What he intended?


    All the justifications and rationalizations that he had wrestled with over the last several weeks ran through his mind. A familiar refrain, a well-trod path that took him back to where he stood.


    Did he really need her for his plans?


    Wise counsel had been split.


    Some thought that it was a terrible idea.


    Others agreed.


    Unleash the murderer, the Slasher, on the slavers.


    Conscience-free killing, as some had said, but what did they know? They were young and all they had known was the violence of the post-spires world.


    Some had argued that the world before the spires had been just as, if not worse. They had just been fortunate to live in places without that casual cruelty and violence where they could readily see it.


    ¡°I will release you.¡±


    A barely perceptible arch of her brow.


    ¡°You will follow rules.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not your assassin,¡± she said after a moment.


    ¡°Then you can stay here and continue your therapy sessions,¡± he turned.


    ¡°Wait¡­¡±


    A spike of eagerness and¡­ yes¡­ hope.


    Holly wasn¡¯t quite the inhuman murder machine.


    That the hope was tied to finally getting to sink her knife into a person¡¯s neck made his skin crawl.


    It was never pleasant to take in such thoughts.


    He turned back.


    ¡°The rules?¡±


    ¡°If I don¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll put you back in this place.¡±


    No other threat, not to her life, had even the slimmest hold on her.


    ¡°You will never leave it. One instant. I will tolerate nothing except for the strictest adherence to the rules.¡±


    She stared at him. That brief flash of emotion a distant memory.


    ¡°You will kill only those that deserve it.¡±


    Coward, he thought. Use the right word. What you mean for her to do isn¡¯t to kill in the heat of battle. What you mean for her to do is murder. Cold, calculated. Murder to remove threats and obstacles. Never mind that you¡¯re trying to free over ten thousand enslaved people.


    ¡°And you¡¯ll decide who I get to knife?¡± she said.


    ¡°At times. At other times you¡¯ll be free to choose your target according to strict guidelines.¡±


    ¡°Your guidelines?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I agree,¡± she said without hesitation.


    There was never going to be any other answer.


    Three years trapped, Holly could only have agreed to the chance to feed her class.


    ¡°Who do you want me to murder? Multiple people from what you¡¯re saying. Enemies, obviously¡­ but, what kind?¡±


    ¡°Slavers.¡±


    The word felt hollow on his tongue.


    A slight smile split her lips revealing perfect, white teeth.


    ¡°Oh, so that makes it okay to you,¡± she nodded. ¡°Makes sense¡­ you wouldn¡¯t let me out to murder innocent people. Only bad people, definitely evil people.¡±


    Perhaps he had been wrong.


    Perhaps they had both been wrong.


    She had found a vulnerability after all.


    ¡°Okay,¡± she nodded again, ¡°give me your guidelines. I wouldn¡¯t want to stray from the road you¡¯ve set out for me. I wouldn¡¯t want to accidentally cut up the wrong person now that I¡¯m to be your knife.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have the pages sent to you,¡± he said. ¡°Read them carefully, memorize them. There will be test. Fail and our agreement is void.¡±


    With those words he left Holly, the Slasher, the murderer to her solitary cell.


    The bank vault¡¯s heavy door groaned and closed with a thud.


    The bolts locked in place with the heavy sound of finality.


    <hr>


    Pryce glanced at the fire place.


    A brief thought that he¡¯d rather enjoy its warmth with a glass of whisky than being in his current situation.


    True, he had the fire and the whisky, unfortunately he also had to sit with his withered father and a slavemaster of all things. The fact that the class existed offended him on a level he hadn¡¯t known existed.


    All the possibilities that the spires brought and some bastards out there decided that it was a good idea to go back centuries to one of his country¡¯s darkest sins.


    Pryce glanced at his father.


    He suddenly felt old.


    Closing in on 50 and in the best shape of his life thanks to training and a class, yet here he sat. His father reminded him of the old world in the way the old man clung to it and all its faded privileges.


    The irony that his father had failed to realize was that they were no less richer than they had been. They had the same mansions. The same expensive cars in the garage. The gold, the silver, the cash hidden in multiple safes. He was certain that their valuables in all their different banks were still there. Sure, they lost things like stocks, the value of their real estate investments, tenant rent, so on and so forth. Yet, he found that he didn¡¯t care, not like his father.


    Nothing cost anything anymore and that fact had broken his father.


    It took years for Pryce to realize this about the once intimidating old man.


    ¡°You see the perfection of the collars!¡± the Slavemaster beamed at the young woman pouring Pryce¡¯s father a drink.


    The old man leered.


    ¡°They are truly happy to serve,¡± the Slavemaster continued.


    ¡°No thanks,¡± Pryce held up a hand to forestall the dark-skinned beauty in a dress that was too tight and too short for his comfort. The entire thing revolted him in a way that he found surprising.


    The young woman gave him a guileless smile before carefully shuffling on those high heels to stand behind the Slavemaster¡¯s chair.


    ¡°I must say, not to offend,¡± the Slavemaster said, ¡°I was surprised to find that you didn¡¯t have servants of your own,¡± he regarded the opulent living room, ¡°you have wealth and power.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the damn socialists!¡± Pryce¡¯s father spat. ¡°They made everything free. Anyone can just live in any empty house they want. They can get whatever they want from all of the stores. No one has to work for a living like God intended. Not like how it used to be.¡±


    ¡°The rangers?¡± the Slavemaster nodded.


    ¡°Will not find your slaves to their liking,¡± Pryce said with forced calm. He didn¡¯t find them to his liking.


    ¡°Essential workers or employees, if you will. That¡¯s what they are. Slave is not only an ugly term, but inaccurate. Our essential workers are happy to wear the collar, as you can see. As I hope to prove to all those I visit.¡±


    ¡°But you didn¡¯t meet with the rangers?¡± Pryce knew that another representative of this New America Republic had gone to Kayl. He wondered if that one was still in one piece.


    ¡°Yes. That duty fell to a colleague of mine. A recruiter for our Freedom Championships, as I¡¯ve already spoken to you about. I am merely here to speak to like-minded individuals. Those that understand the past glory and greatness of this country and the importance of recapturing it once again. That is why our king formed the New American Republic after all. With the aid of people like you across this once great nation¡­ well¡­ we can all be great again, together!¡±


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Here here!¡± Pryce¡¯s father raised a withered, shaking hand to clink glasses with the Slavemaster.


    ¡°You do understand that the rangers will have problems with that?¡± Pryce said.


    ¡°Of course. People with power tend to resist losing it.¡±


    Hypocrite, Pryce thought. Am I this man¡¯s mirror? He glanced at his father. He certainly is.


    ¡°Do you have any idea what kind of people you¡¯re facing here?¡± Pryce said.


    The Slavemaster¡¯s easy smile didn¡¯t leave his face as he raised a hand. ¡°My apologies. You misunderstand. Violence is a last resort for us. We will simply show people why life as citizens of our nation is better than all other alternatives.¡±


    ¡°Listen, I¡¯m not gonna spy for you,¡± Pryce said. ¡°The rangers will know, they probably already know that you¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°Pryce, shut¡ª¡± his father began.


    ¡°No, Dad. We¡¯re not doing this.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, you misunderstand me again. I had no intention of asking you to spy for us right now. I simply wanted to introduce myself and meet like-minded individuals. And perhaps leave this,¡± he placed a thin, silver rod on the table, ¡°and them with you,¡± he gestured to the two collared young women.


    Pryce studied the silver rod. It was as long as his arm and as big around as his thumb. Faint lines, intricately-carved into the surface seemed to glow with power.


    Magic?


    That magitech stuff that was hard to get a hold of?


    He reached for the rod then stopped. ¡°It controls them?¡±


    ¡°I hesitate to use the word¡­¡±


    Pryce nodded in understanding.


    ¡°Can it free them?¡±


    He had heard about the collars through his informants. Although, he was pretty sure that the information he got was what the rangers allowed.


    One couldn¡¯t free a slave without either the collar exploding or their minds being destroyed.


    Though, that didn¡¯t explain why there were about a hundred former slaves without exploded heads or ruined minds now part of their community.


    ¡°No,¡± the Slavemaster laughed. ¡°It¡¯s forever.¡±


    The words were pronounced with all the certainty of the arrogant.


    A lie or ignorance? Pryce thought. He considered entertaining the man. Be a spy, but not in the way the Slavemaster thought. He could learn everything he could about the slavers. Give it to the rangers. Slavery had to be stopped. A dangerous game. One he realized that he didn¡¯t have the stomach for.


    Did age strip him of his ambition?


    Or did he realize that it wasn¡¯t his to begin with.


    He glanced at the withered husk of his father.


    Old man¡­ it was all yours, he thought. I don¡¯t even know what I want. Bitterness seeped into him. Almost half a century of life and he didn¡¯t know himself. All he¡¯d done was live as his father expected. Just like the collared young women, smiling down at him with the promise of whatever he wanted them to be.


    That¡¯s what people like his father, the Slavemaster wanted. Control. Their kind couldn¡¯t fathom existence without someone else to step on.


    A sudden urge to grab the Slavemaster¡¯s head and slam it into the table. Grab the control rod and try to free the women. That was something at least.


    Instead, he looked over at Derek standing protectively at the archway.


    A slight nod, a prearranged signal.


    Derek silently moved away.


    The Slavemaster didn¡¯t notice.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to lie,¡± Pryce began. He had to be honest in world where truth spells and Skills existed. It hadn¡¯t escaped his notice that the slavemaster occasionally glanced at a diamond-encrusted watch and the slight twinkling of those tiny gems. ¡°There¡¯s no way we can be spies for you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Again with that word¡ª¡±


    ¡°Information procurers, whatever word you want. It doesn¡¯t matter. You don¡¯t understand the rangers. It can¡¯t work.¡± Pryce thought about Rayna¡¯s brother more than the actual rangers. His gut told him that man was already doing or planning something in regards to the slavers. He wondered about the timeline. They had been aware of the slavers for several years now. Maybe they hadn¡¯t acted because the rangers had been engaged in that terrible war with the undead pouring out of San Diego. With that victory a few months past, perhaps they¡¯d turn their attention to the other coast.


    ¡°Okay, I won¡¯t speak on that for now. Maybe at a future date. For now, will you let me speak about the greatness of my nation?¡±


    ¡°Pryce, there¡¯s no harm in simple talk. Those bitches can¡¯t complain about us entertaining a guest,¡± his father said.


    Pryce nodded. Talk all you want. I wonder if you¡¯ll keep the smile on your face when you have your chat with Rayna, he thought. Slavery might be legal in your N.A.R. but you aren¡¯t there, are you?


    <hr>


    Rayna touched down on the mansion¡¯s enormous driveway.


    She had only brought two rangers along.


    ¡°Sir, those fu¡ª bastards aren¡¯t even touching their weapons,¡± Sgt. Mouthy said.


    ¡°Seems that they were being honest. Not that they have the guts to try anything,¡± Sgt. Aims said.


    Pryce¡¯s fighters stared, pointedly keeping their hands off their weapons.


    The two enslaved fighters standing outside the front door were another matter.


    One brandished a spear from behind his large, rectangular shield.


    The second held a smaller, circular shield and pointed a hand toward Rayna.


    ¡°They¡¯re so fu¡ª goddamn stupid bringing enslaved here,¡± Sgt. Mouthy shook her head.


    ¡°Remember, the enslaved are innocent in this.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true, Sir, but that doesn¡¯t make them any less dangerous. Those hundred got their licks in before we could subdue them,¡± Sgt. Aims said.


    ¡°Lucky we didn¡¯t lose anybody,¡± Sgt. Mouthy agreed. ¡°Would¡¯ve gone smoother if your brother had been around to put them to sleep.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, he had to fly to Montana on short notice,¡± Rayna sighed. Why did she feel the need to defend her brother? They were all grown adults. ¡°Let¡¯s get this done with.¡±


    ¡°On it, Sir,¡± Sgt. Aims said.


    ¡°Hey! You poor bastards!¡± Sgt. Mouthy barked. ¡°Drop the weapons and no magic, either!¡±


    ¡°What is this?¡± the enslaved woman, a mage of some kind said warily. ¡°We¡¯re on a diplomatic mission. We¡¯ve done nothing to give offense.¡±


    ¡°Poor bastards don¡¯t even know what¡¯s wrong,¡± Sgt. Mouthy muttered.


    ¡°Slavery is illegal,¡± Sgt. Aims said.


    Rayna almost said that she was going to get those collars off them. Free them. She knew a guy. Well, Cal did. A surly giant of a man that threw around red lightning and conjured storms. Sadly, from experience those words sent the collared into a rage. Truly evil, whomever made the collars was truly evil.


    ¡°Just drop your weapons and we¡¯ll resolve this peacefully,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°No,¡± the enslaved man said. ¡°Lunging Thrust!¡± he covered the large distance with surprising quickness. The spear reached for her throat like a striking viper.


    He managed to catch the rangers off guard. He must¡¯ve been pretty high level. Had to be to cross Monsterland USA in one piece.


    Rayna blinked.


    The spear and the man stopped.


    Gravity altered around him. He floated in a slow orbit around Rayna and the rangers.


    ¡°Agony Wave!¡± the enslaved woman snarled.


    Dark, coruscating energy lashed out from the woman¡¯s hand.


    Pure pain washed over Rayna, the rangers and the helpless enslaved man.


    Rayna clenched her teeth and almost dropped to a knee.


    The enslaved man howled.


    The two rangers dropped to the hands and knees.


    ¡°Mouthy!¡± Sgt. Aims managed to grunt.


    The burly sergeant, the Ranger of Grief, bit back a curse. ¡°I Take Your Pain!¡± she roared.


    Mouthy thrashed as the others exhaled in sudden relief, like a gulp of cool water after a hike through a scorching desert.


    ¡°That spell felt familiar,¡± Sgt. Aims gasped.


    ¡°More confirmation of what we already knew. We¡¯ve got old enemies in the slaver kingdom,¡± Rayna said.


    The enslaved woman raised her hand to throw another spell.


    Rayna pointed.


    Gravity engulfed the enslaved woman forcing her to the ground. Her hands and face pressed down by just enough weight that she didn¡¯t have the strength to overcome.


    ¡°Pain Is Strength!¡± the enslaved woman grunted.


    ¡°None of that.¡± Rayna increased the downward force. ¡°Sgt. Mouthy, you okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Sir, I am.¡± Sgt. Mouthy rose and shook her head. ¡°Jesus-fucking-Christ stick, that was worse than I remember.¡±


    ¡°I guess waves are stronger than bolts,¡± Sgt. Aims said.


    ¡°Can you go inside and secure this Slavemaster and his two women,¡± Rayna scowled. She had no doubt what that disgusting man used those poor enslaved for.


    ¡°Yeah, Sir,¡± Sgt. Mouthy took a deep breath.


    Her class made her enduring for all her ranger sisters and brothers she had lost, for all that she would lose, until it was her turn to have her name carved into the wall.


    Pryce¡¯s fighters gave the rangers a wide berth as they walked into the mansion.


    It didn¡¯t take long.


    Rayna heard the sounds of a brief scuffle.


    Then Sgt. Mouthy appeared with two young women in too tight dresses in headlocks, one under each arm. They bit and scratch like cats at scarred, muscled arms.


    ¡°Bit of trouble there, sergeant?¡± Rayna nodded at the small, red welts on Sgt. Mouthy¡¯s cheeks.


    ¡°Hardly any, ma¡¯am.¡± Sgt. Mouthy dragged the two young woman into Rayna¡¯s orbit.


    She took hold of them and sent them to join the enslaved spear-wielder.


    It was disconcerting to see the pure hatred in their eyes as they futilely tried to reach for her.


    Sgt. Aims followed with the Slavemaster, one hand roughly pulling the man while the other pressed a revolver into the man¡¯s ribs, hard.


    ¡°What is the meaning of this? I¡¯m a diplomat¡ª¡±


    ¡°Slavery is illegal. You¡¯re being arrested,¡± Rayna said flatly.


    ¡°I brought a hundred of the strongest soldiers of the land. They¡¯ll¡ª¡±


    ¡°Already dealt with,¡± Sgt. Aims said lightly.


    ¡°Lies¡­¡± the Slavemaster paled. ¡°I have diplomatic immun¡ª¡± he tried.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t Die Hard,¡± Sgt. Aims tightened his grip as he brought the Slavemaster to stand before Rayna.


    ¡°Free them,¡± she said.


    ¡°Impossible,¡± the Slavemaster scoffed. ¡°The collars can¡¯t be removed. Perhaps the king can, but no one has ever asked. Look at them!¡± he spat. ¡°Do they look like they want your freedom?¡±


    ¡°You messed with their minds, fuckstick!¡± Sgt. Mouthy growled.


    ¡°This is an act of war!¡± the Slavemaster thrust a finger in Rayna¡¯s face, which earned him a hard poke with the barrel of Sgt. Aims¡¯ revolver. The man¡¯s face twisted in pain. ¡°War¡ª¡±


    ¡°Will it be that?¡± Rayna said. ¡°War¡­¡± she mused, ¡°with slavers¡­¡±


    ¡°The New America Republic won¡¯t be bullied! I have rights! The finest soldiers. The most powerful man will answer this insult.¡±


    ¡°Doubt it, but I hope you keep your promise,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll knock the mage out,¡± Sgt. Mouthy said.


    With that Rayna took them to the sky.


    <hr>


    ¡°His hair¡¯s getting long. You should cut it.¡±


    ¡°Why? I like the wavy-ness. It looks cute, just like you,¡± Nila ran a hand over Cal¡¯s closely cropped hair, ¡°until you chopped it all off.¡±


    ¡°Long hair is just going to be a hassle on the Quest.¡±


    ¡°He thought you were mad at him, you know?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± he said in alarm.


    ¡°Thought that¡¯s why you cut your hair.¡±


    ¡°Damn it. I¡¯ll have to postpone my departure. I¡¯ll tell him tomorrow when he wakes up¡­ or¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not waking him up, Cal. Saying goodbye once was bad enough. Besides, I already got him to understand that you cut your hair for the Quest.¡±


    ¡°A sensitive soul our son,¡± he nodded.


    ¡°Takes after me¡ª¡± they echoed each other.


    Nila raised a brow.


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying you aren¡¯t sensitive, but I literally need to put effort into keeping everyone¡¯s thoughts and emotions out of my head. Otherwise, I¡¯d be feeling all your emotions all the time.¡± He effected a pompous tone. ¡°I¡¯d daresay I am the most sensitive person alive, most.¡±


    ¡°Ah, but you do a good job at that. Plus, that¡¯s cheating. So, clearly he takes that from me,¡± she nodded, smug, satisfied. She tightened her embrace around his stomach. ¡°Do you really have to bring her?¡±


    The same argument.


    Though it wasn¡¯t much of one.


    ¡°Yeah. She¡¯s the only one I can take for this.¡±


    ¡°What about Dayana? Or any of a dozen rangers? I heard Bennett was thinking of going. Rino and Kare are definitely going. You know any number of stealthy killers you can ask instead of a murderer.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just it. They might be killers, but they aren¡¯t murderers and I don¡¯t want to turn them into that,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°The Furies keep going on and on about the conscience-free killing to be had. I had to yell at them. He¡¯s old enough to understand that sort of thing. God¡­ it was like I was channeling my mother. When did I get old?¡±


    ¡°The passage of time does that¡­ urk!¡± he gasped at the sudden tightening of Nila¡¯s arms. She had the strength to bend metal pipes. ¡°Er¡­ what I meant to say is that chronologically, yes, time passes unabated. However, physically you look at least 10¡ª¡± another squeeze, ¡°15 years younger. After all age is just a number. The most important thing is how you look¡­ er¡­ feel.¡±


    ¡°Easy for you to say. You haven¡¯t changed since the spires appeared. Over 15 years. I¡¯m aging, even if it is slow.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter to me.¡±


    That¡¯s all he felt that he needed to say.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to miss his birthday, Halloween, Christmas and New Year¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°I know¡­ that¡¯s why I recorded all those messages.¡± He stared at his son. Almost 6, probably. Definitely not a clone. The tests, magic, scientific and a mix of the two had all agreed. The boy was his own independent human being. Not Cal¡¯s biological son though, even if the little guy looked it. ¡°Listen, Nila this is very important,¡± he paused. ¡°If he wants to cut his hair short, let him.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± he turned and planted a kiss on her lips, savoring the feel of her soft lips, ¡°I have to go. Need to pick up Tlaloc before heading to Miami.¡±


    Nila scowled.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°That man isn¡¯t a god. He has a real, human name.¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t remember.¡±


    ¡°Sure¡­¡±


    ¡°Look¡­ he¡¯s a huge dick, but he¡¯s been a great ally with this slavery thing. Single-handedly broke, like, a hundred and fifty collars. Those people get to live free because of him.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t trust someone carrying themselves as a god.¡±


    ¡°I need his help,¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°Just be careful around him and her. They won¡¯t care for your well-being.¡±


    ¡°Listen, there¡¯s a path were this whole thing will be over faster than expected. Ms. Teacher is, like, 90% sure that her magic crystal thing will work. If I can find the central control unit for all the rods and collars then I can disrupt the connection long enough to kill the Slaver King, which should destroy the whole system without killing the enslaved or shredding their minds.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a huge if. You still don¡¯t know what the central unit is or if one even exists.¡±


    ¡°Ms. Teacher is 80% sure there is one. I¡¯m going to find it. With the chaos Holly will cause and the chaos of this stupid tournament I¡¯ll be free to use my powers. I won¡¯t have to be as wary about triggering the defensive magics and Skills in the collars, control rods, slavemasters and the king.


    ¡°Make them pay, then, but you better come back. I¡¯m too young to be a widower raising a boy all by myself. You don¡¯t want that, do you?¡±


    ¡°Never.¡±


    One last kiss.


    He ruffled the sleeping boy¡¯s unruly hair.


    He walked to the balcony, fixed the images of his family into his memory then took to the night sky.


    <hr>


    Congratulations!


    You have received a Quest.


    Destroy the Slaver Kingdom (New American Republic).


    Free the enslaved.


    Success Parameters: Multi-part Quest. Contingent on completion of attached Quests.


    Rewards: 10 Million Universal Points.


    Bonus Reward(s): Contingent on performance.

 7.2

    Miami, Florida, New American Republic, November 2036


    Adal woke to the familiar and pleasant weight on both his sides. Soft in all the right places.


    He smiled at his two girls.


    ¡°Wake up my darlings. We¡¯ve got a busy day today,¡± he whispered.


    Talia was the first to stir. She sat up revealing her nakedness as the light sheet slipped down to her lap. She stretched her arms over her head and tossed her thick mane of auburn hair.


    Adal had the urge to run his finger through it, but he knew that¡¯d lead to other things and they had a schedule to stick to.


    ¡°Master!¡± Talia beamed down at him. ¡°I¡¯m so happy that your face is the first thing I see in the morning. What do you want me to do?¡±


    ¡°Shower and get ready for training,¡± he smiled. ¡°We need to eat a big breakfast.¡±


    Talia sniffed. ¡°Bacon, yum,¡± she grinned as she bounced out of bed and to the bathroom.


    Oh, how Adal loved the way she bounced.


    He stroked his other girl¡¯s bare back.


    ¡°Mmmm¡­¡± Mena stirred.


    She rose with a yawn shaking her long, straight blond hair. She fell back into him rubbing her chest on his own while muttering something unintelligible.


    ¡°Time to get up sleepy head,¡± he said. ¡°We¡¯ve got a lot to do today. Need to go to the auction then a full day of training.¡±


    ¡°Poop!¡± Mena pouted. ¡°I want to stay in bed with you.¡±


    ¡°Later tonight.¡±


    ¡°But we¡¯ll be too tired.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t have a choice if we want to do well in the championships. Now, go shower and get ready.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but only if you join us.¡±


    ¡°If I do that, then we¡¯ll be late.¡±


    ¡°Fine¡­¡± Mena stuck her tongue out at him before she too bounced to the bathroom.


    Adal thanked his luck as he did every morning.


    Two loving girls, naked except for the metal collars, only for him.


    He got out of bed and threw on a pair of shorts.


    One hundred push-ups was followed by one hundred squats.


    By the time the girl¡¯s were done he was ready to take their place in the shower.


    ¡°Get dressed and go get breakfast. I¡¯ll be down after I shower.¡±


    He hurried through the process, brushing his teeth, a quick shower and clothing.


    Less than ten minutes and he was out of his room and down the long hallway, down two floors at a brisk pace.


    He slammed into his younger sister as she rounded the stairs from the first floor of their mansion.


    ¡°Watch it!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one that ran into me, Amelia,¡± he sighed.


    He was surprised to see true venom in his sister¡¯s eyes.


    She said nothing as she stomped up the steps.


    He entered the dining room to find his father, mother and older brother already eating at the main table.


    His girls smiled at him from were they sat at the island.


    ¡°Did something happen with Amelia?¡± he said as he took his seat.


    ¡°A difference of opinion,¡± his father grinned ruefully.


    ¡°Our dear sister has somehow gotten it into her head that our essential staff are ¡®slaves¡¯,¡± his brother said.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s just wrong. Why does she think that, Cedric?¡±


    ¡°Too much reading in the library,¡± his mother said. ¡°I blame that on my side of the family. We¡¯ve always been voracious readers.¡±


    ¡°But slaves were abused and forced into slavery,¡± Adal frowned. ¡°We treat our staff well and they¡¯re all happy, right, girls?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Master!¡± Talia and Mena said.


    The cook and the server placing a full plate in front of Adal nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Adal, I¡¯ve scheduled a date for you with¡ª¡±


    ¡°Mom!¡±


    ¡°No, don¡¯t you ¡®Mom¡¯ me!¡± she glared. ¡°You¡¯re eighteen now. It¡¯s time to explore potential matches. Now, I¡¯ve found a beautiful girl, she¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°Can this wait until after the championships?¡± he huffed. ¡°I need to focus on training. There¡¯s less than a month left.¡±


    ¡°Dear, the boy has a point,¡± his father chimed in.


    His mother shook her head. ¡°Fine, but as soon as the championships are over or you¡¯re no longer capable of competing¡ª¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay,¡± he waved his hands. This was a conversation he hated. What did he need a wife for? His girls were enough to keep him happy.


    ¡°Adal, you don¡¯t want to blow this off,¡± Cedric said.


    He tried not to roll his eyes.


    ¡°Good job not rolling your eyes, by the way,¡± Cedric smirked. ¡°But, listen. You need to start early on the wife. You want to be on the same page,¡± he glanced at Talia and Mena, ¡°some women won¡¯t be okay with them. Some will. Better to find out as soon as possible and set those expectations to what you want. That¡¯s what I did.¡±


    He tried not to frown at his brother. Cedric spoke sense if his relationship with his fiance was as it appeared.


    Adal resolved to keep an open mind. Meeting a prospective match didn¡¯t mean he was locked into it. After all, the wedding wouldn¡¯t take place until he was at least 23, like his brother.


    ¡°Okay, Mom, I¡¯ll meet with anyone you want, but after the championships.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m only trying to make sure that you end up with the best woman for you,¡± his mother patted his arm.


    ¡°You ready for today, son?¡± his father said.


    ¡°Yes, sir. I¡¯m to go to the auction and listen to Silvio.¡±


    ¡°Pay attention to him, now that you¡¯re old enough you¡¯ll be taking on real duties for the family,¡± his father said.


    ¡°Not that you¡¯ll be that busy,¡± Cedric snorted.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°That lech, Don, he¡¯s been buying up close to 50% of the supply at all the lower tier auctions. I have no idea why?¡± Cedric said.


    ¡°It¡¯s strange, Don¡¯s always been about buying the highest quality,¡± his father mused.


    ¡°Young and female,¡± Cedric agreed. ¡°The only thing I can think of is that he¡¯s doing it for the championships. Maybe he thinks throwing as many fighters into it will get him the most rewards.¡±


    ¡°When did he change?¡±


    ¡°Not sure, Dad, I¡¯d have to look over records, but I¡¯d guess in the last month or two.¡±


    ¡°Do you think he¡¯s using them as feeders to boost his best fighters, his champion?¡± Adal scowled. That was one thing he didn¡¯t like. It wasn¡¯t fair and it was wasteful. His girl¡¯s would¡¯ve been feeders had they not been attractive. He took pride in how they had grown in strength together.


    ¡°If he is, then he¡¯s dumber than I thought,¡± his father said. ¡°A few months isn¡¯t enough time and diminishing returns won¡¯t let him get a fighter to a high enough level to make it worth it.¡±


    ¡°He should¡¯ve started last year like the others serious about taking the top prizes,¡± Cedric said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll win my division,¡± Adal proclaimed.


    ¡°Sure thing, buddy,¡± Cedric said.


    ¡°Just don¡¯t get hurt, son,¡± his mother said.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been working hard,¡± his father nodded. ¡°That¡¯ll show true.¡±


    Adal vowed to win.


    To surpass his brother.


    To show his mother.


    To make his father proud.


    He meant to be his family¡¯s shield against all threats.


    <hr>


    ¡°What do you mean we can¡¯t be the ¡®Furies¡¯?¡± Jayde pounded the table.


    The registration attendant flipped the tablet¡¯s screen to her. ¡°That name was taken two days ago. Sorry, Ma¡¯am, but you have to register with a different name,¡± the young man rolled his eyes.


    ¡°What do you mean ¡®Ma¡¯am¡¯ and don¡¯t you roll your eyes at me young man!¡± Jayde pounded the table.


    Hayden partially tuned out Jayde¡¯s rising voice and the attendant¡¯s exasperation to take in the crowded convention hall.


    The air seemed charged and it wasn¡¯t her doing.


    Too many fighters that weren¡¯t familiar with each other in an enclosed space. It was a good thing that weapons hadn¡¯t been allowed, though when one had magic or Skills that wouldn¡¯t preclude the possibility of deadly violence. She certainly didn¡¯t need a weapon to kill things.


    She eyed the others around her briefly, she didn¡¯t want to linger on one person for too long, it could be taken as a threat or a challenge.


    Others eyed her.


    Trying to gauge strength.


    Was that muscled mass in the shape of man higher leveled?


    What about that tall woman in sleek, green armor and garish mask partially hidden under a purple hood?


    Or that smug-looking blond guy juggling glowing balls of different colors?


    Or that huge woman with dark brown skin that seemed to shine like metal underneath the bright lights?


    Or that steampunk looking cyb¡ª


    ¡°Hayden,¡± Dayana snapped her fingers.


    ¡°Huh?¡± she noticed that Jayde and the attendant were looking at her expectantly.


    ¡°Hayden, this rude flunky won¡¯t listen to me, which means he is deaf to reason,¡± Jayde huffed. ¡°Tell him that we have been the Furies for nearly 8,9, 10, 11 or 12 years now.¡±


    ¡°Are you even real¡ª¡± the attendant shook his head. ¡°Okay, I don¡¯t have any reason to disbelieve you and I don¡¯t really care. You¡¯re the ¡®Furies¡¯¡ª¡±


    ¡°Thank you¡ª¡±


    ¡°But not for the purposes of the Freedom Championships.¡±


    The term made Hayden grind her teeth. The air around her crackled and Dayana hopped out of range.


    A passerby wasn¡¯t as lucky, he jumped with a curse and a look of confusion.


    Strong man not to be dropped by that.


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    She had accidentally discharged enough electricity to match a taser.


    Calm, she thought. ¡°What about ¡®Avenging Furies¡¯?¡± she said for every man, woman and child with a collar around their necks.


    ¡°Sorry, we can¡¯t have names that are too similar.¡±


    ¡°Dark Furies?¡± Jayde tried.


    The attendant shook his head.


    ¡°Furies of Vengeance,¡± Dayana chimed in.


    ¡°No,¡± the attendant took a deep breath. ¡°No prefixes or suffixes to the word ¡®Furies¡¯ or ¡®Fury¡¯.¡±


    ¡°¡®Heartfuries¡¯,¡± Hayden said after a moment.


    ¡°I said¡ª¡±


    ¡°Ha!¡± Jayde thrust a finger in the attendants face. ¡°You said no words before or after ¡®Furies¡¯ or ¡®Fury¡¯. Hayden just gave you an entirely different word. You have to accept,¡± she glared.


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    Angry tapping on the tablet ensued.


    ¡°There¡­ your team name,¡± the attendant thrust the tablet in Jayde¡¯s chest, ¡°please, enter your names, tap the check box, then sign on the next screen.¡±


    Once the three woman finished the printer behind the attendant whirred.


    ¡°Take those to one of the assessment stations on the list.¡±


    ¡°What does that mean¡ª¡± Jayde began.


    ¡°Next!¡± the attendant craned his head around Jayde and desperately beckoned to the next person in line.


    The black man inclined his head to the trio as he walked through them.


    ¡°Hot?¡± Dayana murmured.


    ¡°Keep it in your pants, we aren¡¯t here to make friends,¡± Jayde smirked.


    ¡°Not what she meant,¡± Hayden said as they walked to the exit, ¡°hot as in the temperature around that guy was noticeably warmer.¡±


    ¡°Fire mage,¡± Jayde nodded sagely, ¡°probably.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t like the sound of this assessment thing,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°We knew what we¡¯re walking into. The boss gave as the whole lowdown,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Nothing we can do about it if we want in on this bullshit tournament,¡± Hayden agreed.


    ¡°Hopefully, their appraisers aren¡¯t higher level than us. That way we¡¯ll be able to keep somethings hidden,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Boss said they aren¡¯t supposed to pry, just get our level and class,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Except, they¡¯ll dig for all they¡¯re worth,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Let¡¯s force the issue with our truth stones,¡± Hayden held up the paper, ¡°just like the boss said. They only mention assessment for level and class to put us in our proper divisions.¡±


    ¡°Gold,¡± Dayana nodded.


    ¡°What about Swanny and Sticksies? I thought we where thinking of doing that weird MOBA event with them. The two aren¡¯t high leveled enough for the gold division,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°They do a combined average for that, we can be in gold with them. We have to, the three of us are too strong for silver,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a couple of weeks to decide. We can add them to the team later, though I¡¯d rather we kept them out of the bloodsport bullshit,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°You know if we do that, Swanny will join a ranger team and Sticksies is brave and dumb enough to do a solo event,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Stick ¡®em with the boss?¡± Jayde ventured.


    ¡°No contact rules from our end. He reaches out to us¡­ besides, we don¡¯t even know where he is,¡± Dayana shook her head.


    ¡°Tell Captain Butcher to keep Swanny with the main force? Punch Sticksies until he promises not to be stupid?¡± Jayde tried again.


    ¡°They¡¯re adults, that won¡¯t work, I hate it, but I think they¡¯ll be safer with us, as stupid as it sounds coming out of my mouth,¡± Hayden scowled.


    They walked in silence toward the closest assessment area.


    ¡°¡®Heartfuries¡¯, huh?¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Seemed fitting,¡± Hayden replied.


    ¡°They would¡¯ve been all over this Quest,¡± Jayde agreed. ¡°Conscience-free killing!¡± she added.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s why,¡± Dayana sighed.


    ¡°Por que no los dos?¡±


    ¡°What? Your voice just went weird,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°I spoke Spanish, I said¡ª¡±


    ¡°Why not both? I know. Did you forget about the universal translation system?¡±


    ¡°Been working on my Spanish.¡±


    ¡°Again, universal translation system. Why bother?¡±


    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t kill you to learn some culture¡­ you stupid bitch.¡±


    ¡°Fuck off!¡±


    The two bickered the rest of the way to the assessment center.


    <hr>


    ¡°What are we looking at?¡± Hardhat chewed the inside of her cheek.


    Mouthy regarded the enslaved soldiers on the roofs of the buildings on the other side of the street. She took the same time to eye the soldiers on the rooftops on the buildings on both sides of their motel. She muttered a curse. ¡°Depends on what the buildings behind us look like.¡±


    ¡°About the same.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ fucking dicksacks have got us inside our very own killbox.¡±


    ¡°Could¡¯ve been worse,¡± Hardhat shrugged. ¡°We did arrest their peeps. Thought for sure they¡¯d at least try to return the favor rather than let us walk in and set us up in this nice place,¡± she gestured at their ratty motel.


    ¡°Bit suspect that these slaver fucks didn¡¯t even question us about that whole thing,¡± Mouthy said, ¡°which tells me that we¡¯re in for a bad time once these stupid Freedom Championships are close to over.¡±


    ¡°Having second thoughts about volunteering? Wishing you were back with the captain at the reservation?¡±


    ¡°Not even a fucking moment. You know what I do, Hardhat?¡± Mouthy bared her teeth. ¡°I take the heat for my rangers and endure. Figure that¡¯s why you volunteered too.¡±


    ¡°You raised your hand, I raised my hand. Once 13th Squad, always 13th Squad.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t hurt that you can take hits with that weird ass hat. It¡¯ll be useful when they start blasting.¡±


    ¡°What the hell are you two doing? Get inside or at least don¡¯t stand where they¡¯ve got sight lines to shoot you,¡± Aims said from the doorway of one of the rooms.


    ¡°They aren¡¯t going to shoot us just after they set us up in these fine, piss-soaked accommodations,¡± Mouthy scoffed.


    ¡°Probably gonna wait till closer to the end of the festivities or if our contestants look like they¡¯ll win,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Just get in here, us sergeants have to talk, go over our plans,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°What¡¯s there to talk about?¡± Hardhat grumbled as she stomped into the room.


    Mouthy shut the door behind her.


    Dastardly nodded from the small desk where she was tinkering with her monstrosity of a crossbow. The latest in combined magic and technology courtesy of the greatest enchanter alive, Heddy, or as the rangers referred to her, behind her back and to her face, ¡®Sexchanter69¡¯ in collaboration with the nerds up in NorCal.


    Aims eyed Dastardly. ¡°You sure that¡¯s safe?¡±


    In response, Dastardly took one of her bolts and hit the small glass container set in the middle of the arrowhead on the desk, hard.


    The other three sergeants flinched, Skills on the tips of their tongues.


    Hearts skipped beats until they realized that they were still alive and nothing had exploded or melted or disintegrated.


    ¡°Practically indestructible,¡± Dastardly smirked, ¡°won¡¯t pop unless I fire it from my baby,¡± she caressed the wooden stock of her massive crossbow.


    ¡°Damn thing lit up like it was alive,¡± Hardhat muttered.


    Mouthy regarded the glowing script carved into the wood. The symbols had appeared to pulse at Dastardly¡¯s touch. Or maybe that was just her? ¡°Kinda like that weirdass hardhat of yours. How old is it now? 20-30 years? Seems like it looks brand new and I know I¡¯ve seen it torn up before,¡± she scoffed.


    Hardhat shot her a two-fingered salute.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s got your taint sweating, Aims?¡± Mouthy said. ¡°Plan¡¯s the plan. We¡ª¡±


    ¡°Hang on to that thought,¡± Aims held up a finger. He went to the newly-torn hole in the wall connecting them to the next room. ¡°Hey, Babyapple? You done with those wards?¡± he barked.


    ¡°Yes, Sergeant!¡±


    Aims regarded the wiry young man¡¯s failed attempt at a beard. Since when had the rangers gotten so young? He shook the thought from his head. ¡°Molds! What about the tech side?¡±


    ¡°All set, Sir. Outside eyes and ears are blocked or at least all they¡¯ll get is a blurry look or garbled audio if they happen to be better at this than us or our gear, which they might be because they¡¯ve got over a million people here and statistically that¡¯ll mean the probability of high level people and¡ª¡±


    ¡°That¡¯ll do, Ranger. That¡¯ll do. Just do your best,¡± Aims said. ¡°Let me know if you think we¡¯re being breached.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be bad news if they can pierce our covers,¡± Dastardly said.


    ¡°Captain Butcher¡¯s got way more than us,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°If they find her then we¡¯re in trouble since we¡¯re only the distraction.¡±


    ¡°The Captain won¡¯t fuck us. Besides we¡¯ve got air and artillery superiority. We can bring the thunder and shit on their heads,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°As far as we know,¡± Dastardly shrugged.


    ¡°It¡¯s intel from the boss and he¡¯s never wrong,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°All good, but I¡¯d rather not get us all killed being the distraction, which is why we need a plan to make that happen,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°Why bother?¡± Hardhat said. ¡°We¡¯re here to draw eyes and back up our entrants in the contests so the slavers don¡¯t get any cute ideas.¡±


    ¡°You know they¡¯re itching to slap those collars on each and every one of us,¡± Dastardly sighed.


    ¡°The boss is pretty sure they aren¡¯t planning to do that until at least after the championships or maybe at toward the end,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Can¡¯t we at least figure out how to not be in this killbox when that happens? I figure the boss will give us a heads up if the collars are coming for us. Shouldn¡¯t we already have a plan for our next moves?¡± Aims said.


    ¡°The way I see it we¡¯ve really only got one option and it¡¯s tits up,¡± Mouthy said. ¡°We know the captain¡¯s target, right?¡±


    Three nods.


    ¡°Then all we need to figure out is what¡¯s the best way we can help her hit it.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°Elder Cambion, I¡¯m sorry to interrupt¡ª¡±


    ¡°Chance¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, elder?¡±


    ¡°What do I want out of my chosen apprentices?¡±


    ¡°Intelligence and wisdom.¡±


    ¡°Correct. Have I not made myself clear before?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡± the man hesitated, ¡°Cambion.¡±


    ¡°Proper address is appropriate in the situations and settings that require it. When we¡¯re alone then I don¡¯t care about honorifics. Besides, you¡¯re only a year younger than me and neither of us are old,¡± he smiled. ¡°Now, you¡¯re wise and smart, so there can be only one of two reason why you¡¯re interrupting my meditation.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡ª¡±


    Cambion held up a hand as he rose from his seated position in the middle of the glowing circle inscribed on the cold, tiled floor. ¡°Let me guess¡­ hmm¡­ you feel¡­ excited, eager, a tinge of fear¡­ you¡¯ve found Shania and she¡¯s dead, as I suspected.¡±


    ¡°No, er¡­ Jared and he¡¯s dead. We found his body in the Everglades, just outside N.A.R. claimed territory. The autopsy is starting in 10 minutes. I came to you as soon as I learned of it.¡±


    ¡°Shax wanted to get a jump on the rest of us,¡± Cambion nodded. ¡°No matter. I imagine that Jared¡¯s corpse is a swollen mess, partially eaten?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Chance nodded eagerly.


    ¡°Go on¡­¡±


    ¡°They said that there looked like a few dozen stab wounds.¡±


    ¡°And when you say ¡®they¡¯¡­¡±


    ¡°The ones that found the body. I asked them.¡±


    ¡°Chance, it is important to be specific when giving reports on important matters.¡± Cambion mulled his next course of action. He didn¡¯t expect to learn anything new by viewing the autopsy. The previous three had been sufficient. ¡°Alright, I want you to go watch in my stead. Take accurate and detailed notes. Have it to me by tomorrow morning.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get right on it, Cambion,¡± Chance bowed and departed the inner sanctum.


    With the discovery of Jared¡¯s corpse it meant that Shania was the only Cabal member still missing.


    When the first couple had disappeared they had thought that some among their number had decided to strike out on their own. The assumption was that they had grown greedy, which was encouraged by the Vitiator after all. The Cabal inner council members thought to prepare themselves for knives and spells from the dark as others sought to supplant them. Such things tended to move in cyclical ways. A man or woman hit a certain level and they decided it was time for them to climb the ladder. It was only natural.


    Their minds changed when the first body turned up in a canal, mutilated.


    The second followed a week later.


    Then a third a few more weeks after that.


    And now?


    Jared was the fourth.


    Shania was either the culprit or would be the fifth.


    That was Cambion¡¯s assessment.


    Perhaps, she sought to level by killing her peers. Others had done it before with varying levels of success.


    He only wished that she or whomever was responsible had picked a better time.


    The Freedom Championships was close to starting and the Cabal needed to be as unified as they were capable of being. The prizes were too good to let the usual infighting in intrigue derail their hopes. The spires had sought fit to add to the already generous prizes that the N.A.R. put up.


    Free attribute points was not a common reward from the Quest system.


    Cambion was sorely tempted to enter as many of the Gold Division events as he could just for that reason alone.


    The chaos caused by the murders was ill-timed¡ª


    Or?


    Perfectly timed?


    He scowled.


    The championships by its nature would and had already upended the order of the Slaver King¡¯s republic. Cambion smirked, the games these people play to rationalize their actions and policies, he thought. He only held vague memories of his time as a boy before the spires had appeared. Was the ruling system the same?


    He needed to dig deeper into the murders of his colleagues. Yet, his greed pulled him toward the contests.


    Who benefited from this?


    There were any number of potential suspects.


    The so-called nobles? It was natural for the most powerful houses to see the threat the Cabal posed as the home of the most leveled and skilled magic users in the entire region, if not the land.


    The Slaver King wasn¡¯t free from suspicion. The man had to fear the Vitiator as his superior. Had to fear the inner council¡¯s collective might. Men with power always feared the potential loss of it. Perhaps the Cabal had grown too strong for his liking? Perhaps their beneficial relationship had run its course? Perhaps it was time to take the secrets of the control rods and collars for their own?


    Cambion forced himself to relax and breathe evenly. The excitement, the rush of blood through his veins had threatened to get away from him as it tended to do with thoughts of inflicting pain. He focused back on the facts of the issue.


    Four, possibly five Cabal members, all at least Level 30 in their primary class had turned up dead within the last two months. All from an excessive amount of stabs and cuts.


    None of their attempts at investigation, mundane and magical had yielded any hint of evidence pointing to the culprit.


    That told him that magic or Skills were involved.


    Powerful ones at that.


    If this wasn¡¯t just about internal fighting for position then an outsider was deliberately targeting the Cabal, his Cabal.


    Regardless, it couldn¡¯t be allowed to continue.


    Punishment and pain would need to be administered.


    Preferably, before the Vitiator saw fit to get involved.


    Cambion relished inflicting pain.


    Receiving it held it¡¯s own value.


    However, he was getting too powerful to simply take what the Vitiator gave him.


    Unfortunately, he still wasn¡¯t strong enough to be the giver when it came to his master from another world.

 7.3

    Her name was Starshine.


    Her master gave it to her because he had said that she smiled like the sun and her eyes twinkled like stars in the night sky.


    Her real name was Tabitha.


    Her parents had given her that.


    She remembered everything from before. Remembered the smell of fire in the air on the night the men had come to her small community. Remembered the screams, the gunshots, the explosions of magic. Remembered the men killing her father as he fought to keep them from entering their home. Remembered being torn from her mother¡¯s arms. Remembered the long journey to her new home. The auction. The collar. The master.


    She remembered it all without emotion.


    Intellectually, she knew what had happened to her, what had been done to her.


    The facts of her past were just that.


    Facts.


    She saw it as simple things to take for granted.


    Like the sky being blue or rain making you wet.


    Nothing to care about.


    She was a girl back then.


    She was still a girl today.


    The master had changed.


    Two, three, four months ago.


    She wasn¡¯t good with time.


    Days moved on in a blissful haze of happiness.


    Vague, unless she interacted with the master, then it was all-consuming.


    Whatever the master wanted, she was never happier then when she was doing his will.


    She had been happy when the master called her to her chambers on certain nights. She was happy that he had plenty of other girls and women. She felt not an ounce of jealousy.


    She had been happy when the master had told her to entertain his fighters.


    Whatever the master said filled her with joy, with purpose.


    Her only purpose.


    The change didn¡¯t matter.


    Her happiness remained the same.


    The master never called her to his chambers anymore.


    Never called anyone.


    He never so much as laid a hand on her and the others.


    The fighters weren¡¯t allowed in the house.


    They stayed outside on guard or out at the pubs and brothels. The master was a lot freer with his wealth these days.


    His spending was marked by the increase in the number of people like her joining the household.


    So many small and weak people, just like her.


    Unlike her, they were ugly or injured or sick.


    She remembered.


    The master used to only ever buy beautiful and young girls and boys, cute at a minimum, as he often called her when he squeezed her cheeks.


    He hadn¡¯t done that in a while.


    He hadn¡¯t touched her. Hadn¡¯t touched anybody.


    She didn¡¯t care about any of that.


    She was just happy to be owned by the master.


    ¡°Tabitha?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Master!¡± she beamed as she stood by the front door.


    The master and his old, tottering husk of a manservant approached.


    ¡°Uh¡­ is everything okay,¡± the master said.


    ¡°Yes, Master! How may I be of service today?¡±


    The old manservant¡¯s gnarled hand twitched as though to reach out toward her neck.


    ¡°Bitterman¡­ patience,¡± the master raised a hand. ¡°Tabitha, please follow your schedule.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m happy to do as you command, Master,¡± she skipped away as the master and the old man exited the mansion.


    <hr>


    Two men exited the mansion¡¯s front gates and entered the street.


    It was a short walk to the car service that served this wealthy enclave.


    Even then, upon seeing a withered old man and a fat, middle-aged man one might¡¯ve questioned their capability to walk those few blocks.


    And yet, none that saw them thought anything of the pair at all.


    The two slipped through their notice like gossamer strands of spider¡¯s silk.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to kill them all¡­ all that hold chains,¡± Bitterman seethed.


    ¡°Remember the priority, free the enslaved with their lives and minds intact.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a contemptible person for not at least allowing me to break the collars of those poor children and people you¡¯ve bought,¡± Bitterman spat.


    ¡°I¡¯ve explained this to you, like, a hundred times,¡± the man within a man sighed. ¡°You do that and they¡¯ll know.¡±


    ¡°The storm can¡¯t be kept at bay forever, not even you can do so.¡±


    ¡°Two months. Maybe even less. Let these contests consume all attention. Let our agents get into the places they need to. Let me find the central control unit and¡ª¡±


    The old manservant cursed.


    ¡°Have a good one!¡± a passerby said with a tip of his cowboy hat.


    ¡°I¡¯d be more at ease if you explained how you are making them see us as different people. You!¡± Bitterman barked at another passerby. ¡°I find you oily and repulsive.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s great that the heat and humidity have died down! I hope you fellas have a good day!¡± the passerby waved.


    ¡°What are they hearing?¡±


    ¡°Relax, Bitterman. They hear what they need.¡±


    ¡°And what is this name you call me?¡±


    ¡°I thought about it last night. Seemed fitting, Bitterman.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re mocking me,¡± narrowed eyes.


    ¡°Fair is foul and foul is fair,¡± the man in the guise of a wealthy noble lord, a slavemaster, shrugged.


    A car took the pair to the auction site.


    This one was for the dregs.


    People with defects according to the N.A.R.¡¯s written standards.


    ¡°They assess their fellow humans like livestock,¡± Bitterman¡¯s face twisted.


    ¡°If you can¡¯t keep it together, then I¡¯ll have to send you back. I warned you what this place was like.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand how you sit here and watch this happen when you have the power to kill all this filth and free the innocents.¡±


    ¡°I told you¡ª¡±


    The old manservant waved him away with a disgruntled snort.


    ¡°Some of those old memories coming back?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I don¡¯t know. Something about this,¡± he gestured at the crowd in their raised seats and the stage down below where the slavers were getting ready to bring out the goods, ¡°seems familiar.¡±


    ¡°Maybe you were a rancher or farmer back in the old days, before¡­¡±


    ¡°Before I was enslaved, like these people will be shortly.¡±


    The false slavemaster nodded at that.


    He regarded the crowd.


    Many of the same faces and thoughts.


    A few new ones.


    He noted a young man with two enslaved girls on either side of him, clutching his arms.


    The sight brought on revulsion.


    The young man listened intently to the older man whispering in his ear from the row above him.


    That man, he recognized.


    Silvio, one of the main procurement agents of a mid to high tier noble family.


    Which meant that the young man was¡­


    A light touch on thoughts, followed by knowledge.


    Adal Jefferson, middle son of Davis and Laura Jefferson.


    ¡®Good¡¯ slave owners by the region¡¯s standards.


    He scoffed at that.


    There were no good slave owners.


    It was simple.


    Good people didn¡¯t own other people.


    Good people didn¡¯t desire to own other people.


    ¡°Kill them all,¡± Bitterman muttered.


    He was inclined to agree.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen!¡± the auctioneer intoned. ¡°Welcome! You all know how this works. Bit of bad news. We only have 32 essential employees up for sale today. As you know with the 1st Freedom Championships about to begin our king has been buying up as many jobbers and feeders as he can for the events. Luckily for you, our rightful sovereign is an understanding and generous man. He knows that his citizens have a need and so he left some for us. One other thing. There is now a five purchase maximum.¡±


    The auctioneer and the crowd turned their eyes up toward the false slavemaster.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Lord Wynn, but you have to share! Words straight from the king!¡±


    Laughter.


    He gave them a false laugh.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get this show started!¡± the auctioneer banged his gavel on the podium. ¡°Our first subject is¡­¡±


    He stretched with his mind.


    Scanned the scared and despondent people in the back awaiting their collars, awaiting their enslavement.


    How could he pick just five to save from the abuse?


    ¡°You must save the children. The youngest. And then women. In that order, do you understand?¡± Bitterman hissed.


    He nodded.


    Two months. Maybe even less.


    Cal needed patience.


    <hr>


    Hanna kept an impassive look on her face while a collection of ragged men, women and children were roughly man-handled into the locker room by the staff of this arena.


    What was once home to a professional baseball team, some kind of fish, judging by the battered and faded signs and banners outside and in the interior, was now a place of blood and death where men, women and children, willingly and not fought each other and monsters for the entertainment of the crowd.


    She had found employment through her connections with the mercenary company that Cal had inserted her into many months ago. It had been a trying struggle to keep her cover surrounded by such brutality and she realized that she was about to be sorely tested.


    ¡°What a shitty group,¡± Jayden, the head trainer spat at the closest man. ¡°What do you think, Hanabi? You¡¯re supposed to be an expert. Think you can turn these feeders into jobbers.¡±


    Laughter rang out through the locker room.


    Ugly, mocking.


    Hanna regarded the man without expression.


    Jayden reminded her of the old days. Of the high school jocks that peaked at 18 and never grew past that point.


    They had either become high school coaches or cops. At least in her high school.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do my best to make them something,¡± she said.


    ¡°Eh, good luck with that.¡±


    ¡°Hey, Jay?¡± Chad, a brutish guard, said.


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Can I get a few minutes with this one?¡± Chad grabbed a rail-thin arm and yanked roughly.


    The girl had a scarred face.


    One eye was missing.


    Hanna knew the blade.


    She knew that those cuts were deliberate work.


    ¡°Ugly,¡± Jayden said.


    ¡°Not if I bend her over,¡± Chad shrugged.


    ¡°Sure¡ª¡±


    ¡°That is girl,¡± Hanna said flatly.


    ¡°No shit,¡± Chad smirked. ¡°I ain¡¯t into boys like Blake over there.¡±


    ¡°One time! And I was drunk! Fuck! I stopped as soon as I realized!¡± Blake said.


    Laughter.


    ¡°That. Is. A. Girl.¡±


    ¡°Get off it, Hanabi,¡± Jayden warned.


    ¡°A girl. A child.¡±


    ¡°Feeders don¡¯t count,¡± Chad smirked.


    ¡°Get your hands off her.¡±


    The half dozen men sensed something in the air.


    Like a razor-sharp blade laid against their throats.


    ¡°You¡¯re new here, Hanabi,¡± Jayden said. ¡°Chad¡¯s right. It¡¯s an actual law. Feeders don¡¯t count for anything. You can do whatever you want with them.¡±


    Did she really want to risk the Quest before it had even begun?


    For a girl that looked dead inside that one good eye?


    ¡°Last warning.¡±


    ¡°Fuck off, bitch!¡± Chad snapped. ¡°You¡¯re lucky we ain¡¯t bending you over. So you best shut your mouth like a good girl and do your job like you¡¯re supposed to.¡±


    Out came Hanna¡¯s longsword.


    The blade carved a line in a flash.


    Chad and the girl were a dozen feet away.


    Too far for the blade.


    Not for her Skill.


    I Cut What I See.


    Chad blinked.


    He screamed right after the blood from his severed wrist began to spurt.


    The other guards roared into action.


    They drew truncheons and came for Hanna.


    She moved and cut them down with ease.


    Her skill and technique trumped their Skills and brutality.


    ¡°What the fuck!¡± Jayden stared at her with wide eyes. He had failed to draw his weapon.


    ¡°They¡¯ll live. I only cut tendons, ligaments, that sort of thing,¡± she said lightly.


    ¡°Why? For a feeder? You¡¯ll get the collar for this, you stupid whore!¡±


    Jayden turned to run for the door only to slam face first into a muscled chest as hard as iron. He fell on his butt clutching a busted nose.


    The newcomer clapped. ¡°Wow! That was great! Not gonna lie. Even I couldn¡¯t have done something like that. So graceful, such an economy of movement.¡±


    Hanna regarded the unarmed man warily.


    He was tall, muscular with an easy smile that seemed genuine.


    Cocky.


    Hanna was reminded of the star athlete, like she was a long time ago.


    Mixed race from the looks of him. One Black parent, the other probably white or a light-skinned Hispanic. He could pass as the saying went.


    ¡°I¡¯m ¡®Malcolm King¡¯, newly appointed King¡¯s Champion after that unfortunate business with the old one. Gladiator by trade and training. Though my actual class is Undefeated Champion of the Hard Rock.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a mouthful,¡± Hanna said.


    The big man shrugged. ¡°I didn¡¯t really choose it. Sorta fell into it.¡±


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°If you could maybe not point that sword at me. I kinda saw what you did, bit hard to follow to be honest, and it¡¯s making me a little nervous.¡±


    ¡°Champion! Kill the bitch! She attacked us!¡± Jayden managed to burble out through the blood running down the back of his throat.


    ¡°You should get that nose fixed before it stays that way. Unless you like that look? Some people do go for that ¡®I get into bar fights¡¯ aesthetic. Not me, but you know¡­¡± he shrugged. ¡°Well, miss, uh?¡±


    ¡°¡®Hanabi¡¯,¡± Hanna said. Truth. She had three names on her birth certificate after all, wherever it was these days.


    ¡°Well, Miss Hanabi, I heard news about this high level swordmaster that for some reason applied to just train jobbers and feeders,¡± his grimaced, ¡°instead of using those obviously great abilities at more¡­ profitable ventures, so to speak.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about all that.¡±


    ¡°Why carve these chuds up?¡±


    ¡°Rapists.¡±


    ¡°Why not kill them?¡±


    ¡°I taught a lesson. If this one didn¡¯t sink in. Then that¡¯ll be the next one.¡±


    Malcolm mulled that over for a little bit. ¡°You must be alone. No one relying on you. I think I¡¯d be like that if it was the same for me. Alas, I have family and friends. For them, I fight, I inspire, I put on a show. Good to meet you,¡± Malcolm bowed. ¡°Maybe one day we can spar or something. Or an arena match. I think that¡¯d be dynamite! The greatest show!¡± he turned to leave.


    ¡°Wait! Aren¡¯t you going to do something about this!¡± Jayden clutched at Malcolm''s pant leg.


    The big man made a face like he just stepped in pile of crap. He lifted up Jayden like a man lifting up a toddler in the midst of a tantrum. ¡°Look, Jaime, I¡¯m going to do something about it. I¡¯m going to go up to your boss and tell him that he needs to get some healers or first aid down here before your morons bleed out. Then I¡¯m going to tell him that Miss Hanabi is a singular talent and more valuable than the rest of you combined. I can¡¯t beat her with a sword in her hands. I might have a chance if you gave her a different weapon. So, stay out of her way or she¡¯ll probably kill you. And best leave her students alone,¡± he ruffled Jayden¡¯s hair before leaving.


    Hanna regarded the feeders and jobbers.


    No.


    Her students.


    She ignored the moaning of the badly injured guards.


    ¡°Listen up. I¡¯m not going to lie to you. These people only want one thing from you¡­ death.¡±


    21 men, women and children.


    Ages 13 to 60 from the looks of them.


    They stared at her with incomprehension.


    Most of them had already accepted their fates.


    None dared to hope despite the brief respite she had just provided.


    She regarded her students.


    The bruises on their bodies.


    The disfiguring injuries that marred each of them in some fashion.


    A map of the evil done to them by the slavers on every link in their depraved chain as they turned a human being into a thing to be owned.


    Yes, their journeys had been set.


    Could she change their destination?


    21 lives didn¡¯t equate to thousands.


    Would she sacrifice them for the Quest?


    She couldn¡¯t do the opposite.


    Too soon to act.


    Not enough time.


    ¡°We have one week before it begins. Follow me.¡±


    Hanna led them out to the field.


    To the racks of battered armor, shields and blunt weaponry.


    No guns of course.


    Guns gave feeders and jobbers the wrong kinds of ideas.


    ¡°I am a swordmaster. If you have a fighter class I can turn you into a swordfighter within days. Up to level ten if you have a modicum of talent and if you really apply yourself. However, with our limited time frame I intend to train most of you in the spear and shield. A few in polearms.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see any ranged weapons,¡± a long-limbed man with a Glasgow smile said.


    ¡°They prefer you fight in melee range unless¡­ anyone here a mage-type?¡±


    A few hands rose.


    ¡°Then we have ranged options.¡±


    ¡°You said we had a week,¡± the one-eyed girl with crudely cut sun-kissed hair said.


    ¡°6 days of hard training. Then 1 day of rest.¡±


    ¡°Oh, dear, I don¡¯t think they¡¯ll let us rest. Like you said, they just want our blood. I¡¯ve heard the stories. We¡¯re food for monsters and entertainment for the human ones,¡± an old woman said.


    ¡°From now on, as far as your concerned, I make the rules.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll fight them all?¡± the one-eyed girl said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll kill them all.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re dead one way or another,¡± a bald man with puckered burn scars on his head gave her a ghastly smile, his mouth was a checkerboard of missing or broken teeth. ¡°Pretty lady, if doing what you tell me let¡¯s me stick a knife up these slavers¡¯ assholes then I¡¯m all ears¡­ er¡­ ear, on account that they chopped it off,¡± he gestured at a missing right ear that had been crudely hacked off.


    Hanna thought she saw something like a spark in the girl¡¯s eye.


    Long dead embers blown to life by a chance breeze.


    <hr>


    December 1st, 2036.


    Day 0, Opening Ceremony, Freedom Championships


    The streets of Miami were filled with one giant party or multiple smaller ones depending on perspective.


    To commemorate the official start of the championships the slaver kingdom didn¡¯t hold anything back.


    Live and recorded music.


    Food.


    Drinks.


    Games and attractions for their citizens.


    All culminating in the parade of champions into the old stadium that was now their most prestigious arena. Contestants marched behind performers of all kinds. Who followed a line of fearsome beasts, trained animals and barely-controlled monsters that were to play a variety of roles in the championships or were simply on display as a show of the slaver kingdom¡¯s power.


    Once all the contestants had been shown to their prime seating section and the last of the dancers, singers and sundry performers had cleared the massive field of dirt and sand the first events could begin.


    ¡°What¡¯s up with that fish?¡± Drake had to shout to be heard over the roaring of the crowd.


    Jayde blinked at him before a feral grin broke across her face. ¡°You are so dumb, Sticksies!¡± she laughed in delight.


    He shrugged off her headlock before she could mess up his hair.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a fish,¡± Prim said from his other side.


    ¡°What are you talking about? It¡¯s got fins and no legs. If it isn¡¯t a fish, how can it walk on land. It doesn¡¯t look like a snake, too fat.¡±


    Jayde cackled.


    Prim shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s a mammal that lives in the water, like wh¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know what whales are,¡± Drake scowled.


    The two bickered while Hayden tuned them out.


    She kept her eyes to the field. Committing the various trained and semi-trained creatures to memory before they were led away into the bowels of the arena. It was likely that those were going to be used in the events. Whether in the events she and her team had entered into was unknown. The boss hadn¡¯t given them the heads up on that. In fact, they hadn¡¯t gotten anything from him.


    Elsewhere in the contestant seating area another young woman, still technically a teenager, held a smartphone up above her head trying to record over the head of the tall man standing in front of her. ¡°Jake! Can you sit down!¡± she barked.


    ¡°Sorry, Hillary, but I can¡¯t see over this guy!¡± Jake gestured at the even taller and wider man standing in front of him.


    ¡°Then take this,¡± she thrust the smartphone into is meaty hands.


    ¡°What do I do with this?¡±


    ¡°Record the monsters and whatever else is about to happen. It¡¯ll be good info.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s okay, right, Commander?¡± Hillary turned to the scowling woman standing next to her.


    Demi grunted assent.


    Standing next to Hillary, Del twitched as he had ever since they had started the parade.


    To many potential threats all around wasn¡¯t good for someone with a well-developed sense of danger as a Skill.


    ¡°Maybe turn it off?¡± Max laid a hand of wood and earth on his teammate¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Can¡¯t,¡± Del flinched at imagined, yet real danger from somewhere behind him, ¡°I need it as sensitive as possible.¡±


    ¡°There is such a thing as over-sensitive,¡± Amber said from Max¡¯s other side. Her posture belied her words. One hand unconsciously kept reaching to her side and the absent sword she usually wore wherever she went.


    ¡°Guys, nothing is going to happen in the middle of their big triumphant show,¡± he spat. ¡°Just like the Olympics¡­¡±


    Demi¡¯s eyes flicked to the tall, unnaturally pale man swathed in gray clothing. The hood shaded red eyes above the scarf that covered the rest of his face.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Demi,¡± Bennett said. ¡°It was overcast and the sun is dying over the horizon. Just a little burned.


    Demi looked past Bennett to the petite, yet shapely, dusky-skinned young woman. Ginessa didn¡¯t share the much taller man¡¯s¡­ allergy issues.


    The Watch Commander checked each of her people and the allied folks from the California State Government seated or standing nearby.


    Rino and Kare book-ended their fellow contestants seated on either side of Jake.


    All too young.


    Demi hadn¡¯t taken her younger people with a few exceptions.


    It was for a good cause, but now that they were in the belly of the beast, committed, she had regrets.


    A lot rode on the forces they had hidden outside of the slaver kingdom¡¯s claimed territory.


    Too much really.


    Alexa laid a hand on her shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m sure Hanna¡¯s fine, the boss wouldn¡¯t let anything happen to her.¡±


    The woman had an annoying way with guessing Demi¡¯s thoughts.


    She looked back and gave Alexa a curt nod.


    Trevor, standing next to Alexa, flashed a grin and a thumb-up. ¡°No crazy ass monsters or angels here, commander! People aren¡¯t so bad compared to those things!¡±


    No, Trevor, you¡¯re wrong, Demi thought.


    To scan the crowd of contestants was to see a confusing, disjointed mess of thoughts. Motivation, fear, eagerness and everything else a human produced.


    A pair of women with a sense of smell comparable to dogs caught a whiff of something in the air. They exchanged a glance and began to look around. They had distant and more dangerous cousins somewhere out there. An impossibility, they had thought and believed. Yet, the scents didn¡¯t lie.


    Above the masses luxury boxes contained the wealthiest of families.


    That is, most of them did.


    A few contained contestants that for one reason or another couldn¡¯t be placed within the rest down near the arena floor.


    For some, like the fire in the shape of a man, it was for the comfort of those that would¡¯ve been forced to endure the heat wafting off him.


    For others, it was a matter of making sure that the blood didn¡¯t spill too soon and outside of the sanctioned event. For those that lived and died by the sacrament of the flesh being pressed close to such a gathering of high leveled power would have been nearly too much.


    Another group was afforded the respect and insult befitting their claims to a legacy. One that paved the path for the rise of the New American Republic. A young man with a red, white and blue-colored skull mask propped on his head gazed down at the crowd. Vague memories returned of a father¡¯s lap and Sunday¡¯s spent in front of the TV as gridiron gladiators crashed against each other. Old stories told by the old-timers back at the bunker of the glorious days of yesteryear. He thought that those days were infinitely preferable to what was about to take place. This is what you want to replace us with? Nicholas thought. Right then and there he vowed that he¡¯d dance to these slavers¡¯ deaths.


    Lastly, a middle-aged woman with sun-browned skin tucked a stray lock of hair back into her hijab. A traveler from across the ocean and what a perilous journey it had been only to end in painful and unnecessary death, imprisonment and the bloody farce below her. She stood in a luxury box surrounded by enslaved soldiers. She watched the arena floor with twelve eyes watched. Important lives were at stake. She refused to lose another one. Not for her sake.


    ¡°Betrayers! Traitors!¡± a disembodied voice boomed through the packed arena.


    The crowd fell silent.


    ¡°Magitech,¡± Jake muttered as he continued to record the field.


    People began to file out from one of the tunnels.


    Armed and armored.


    He was surprised to realize that they looked to be in good shape. No evidence of torture and the like one would expect to see on traitors being led to their deaths.


    ¡°Hillary,¡± he turned. The words died on his lips at her fixed gaze on the field.


    Right, he thought, she¡¯s not a kid anymore. Damn it, Ron! Don¡¯t hate me too much for letting her come. She¡¯s old enough now and she¡¯s been on plenty of dangerous Quests. Besides, she¡¯s part of the Watch. Blame the Watch Commander if you want to be mad with someone. Still, Hillary hasn¡¯t seen an execution.


    Neither had he, come to think of it.


    Sure, he had seen tons of violent deaths. Came close to a few himself.


    What he was about to see felt worse than all of that.


    People were about to die for the entertainment of a braying crowd in the ten¡¯s of thousands in person and probably a million more on screens and magical projections throughout the city.


    ¡°They have turned their back on us, fellow citizens of this New American Republic! They have spat in our faces! Thrown the prosperity that was given to them! It. Is. Sad. Yet, they must be punished and justly at that. And they will. Yet, our great king is not without mercy. Though traitors deserve the nothing. Our king has decreed that they will have opportunity to pull themselves up from the wretched filth that they have covered themselves in by their actions. Fight! And fight well, traitors! You may still live and join the hallowed ranks of our beloved gladiators!¡±


    The crowd roared for excitement and blood.


    ¡°So¡­ what¡¯d these traitors do?¡± Trevor said. ¡°I didn¡¯t hear anything in all of that word garbage.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? This is a nation of slavers. What is the worst thing you could do in a place like this?¡± Alexa grimaced. She didn¡¯t want to watch this, but she would. It was important. It needed to be marked and remembered.


    ¡°Try to free slaves, er¡­ enslaved,¡± Trevor nodded grimly.


    A monster was led out of a gate opposite the huddle people.


    It was a muscled thing of horns and gaping mouths, vaguely deer-like.


    ¡°That¡¯s a new one,¡± Rino muttered


    Its screeched echoed with dissonance that stung her ears.


    The condemned people on the arena floor felt it differently, worse.


    Several fell to the ground clutching ears that bled.


    The monster charged.


    The screams of the dying were drowned out by the cheers of the crowd.

 7.4

    December 1, 2036


    Day 0, Freedom Championships


    Alexandria Cortez stood chained in the arena tunnel.


    She had a decent view through the metal bars as people died because of her.


    Monsters and gladiators, some she knew and had cordial relationships with, spilled the blood of her allies.


    The underground railroad was broken.


    Friends and strangers, allies all giving their lives for the cause.


    The one just cause she had to cling to in this terrible world.


    She thought of her life.


    She had thought of nothing else during the weeks she had spent imprisoned awaiting her fate.


    A lot had changed in a year.


    She had sat at the king¡¯s table lending her input for the championships.


    Now, she was to become part of it and in a way that no one had expected.


    Instead of challenging for glory and power she was now a feeder.


    Guilt filled her as it had for a long time.


    How many feeders had she bled as an arena champion?


    Nameless faces twisted in fear and pain or worse, no emotion at all, flashed across her thoughts.


    Your blood¡­ now mine, she thought, it¡¯s just.


    Creating the railroad hadn¡¯t been enough to assuage the guilt. She had known that there was nothing she could do to clean the blood from her hands.


    No number of people she had smuggled out to Atlanta before they could be collared would ever be enough.


    She thought of long ago before the spires had ruined it all.


    There existed a college freshman, excited for independence, the sun, the beach, fun.


    There existed a junior national archery champion.


    ¡®Mija¡¯ to her doting father, ''my baby'' to her proud mother.


    They had spared no expense to nurture her talent.


    Tens of thousands spent on the best equipment. The best teachers.


    After all, her parents had reasoned, if my baby wants to go to the Olympics then what better people to learn from then those had made it before?


    She hadn¡¯t realized her life was one of privilege.


    Not until it was all ripped away by the spires.


    She had chosen Florida because of the beaches and the fun. Her parents had agreed because they had a lot of family there to keep an eye on her.


    Uncles, aunts, cousins¡­ all dead now. Most in the early days, some had lasted a few years longer with her, but they too left her alone.


    A Junior National Champion Archer had advantages.


    In time she became a Champion Archermage. Levels meant strength and years after the apocalypse she was strong enough to make her way back north toward home.


    Only to find an empty home torn to pieces.


    Blood stains turned brown by age.


    Scattered bones.


    Her parents.


    Her younger siblings.


    She had never known for sure.


    She had buried them in the backyard.


    Burned her home.


    Turned her back to forget the pain.


    Strength.


    That was all that mattered now.


    She had returned to Florida after a few years wandering looking for a new place to call home.


    She had found nothing else.


    Things had changed.


    A man she had known as one of the strongest warlords in an uneasy, tense cauldron of simmering violence had become the sole king.


    The collars.


    The king had used the collars on his enemies first. The ones that were too much of a threat or refused to bow.


    After consolidating his power he had looked outward.


    Invite those that fit his profile of a proper citizen to the newly formed New American Republic. Make slaves out of the rest.


    That name was a joke.


    But where else could she go?


    What choice did she have?


    Too strong and valuable for the collar so long as she knelt and bowed her head.


    Better to have a semblance of freedom than being forced to spread her legs.


    A pretty face and a hot body left her no doubts what being enslaved would have meant for her.


    When did it change?


    After all, she had shed innocent blood in the arenas for years. The only thing those people had been guilty off was being born with the wrong skin color or refusing to hold chains.


    She had thought she was numb to the violence.


    Survive.


    That¡¯s all that mattered.


    Get stronger.


    Always get stronger.


    Was that it?


    Had she thought that she was strong enough?


    She had remembered words from somewhere.


    Something about the only thing evil needing to thrive was for good people to do nothing.


    And there she was¡­ actively doing evil.


    Her parents hadn¡¯t raised an evil person.


    So, what else could she do but fight the evil. And in the slaver kingdom there was one great evil.


    Slavery.


    She thought of her parents.


    She shed a tear when she realized that she couldn¡¯t quite remember her parents¡¯ faces, the sounds of their voices.


    ¡°Are you watching, Mama, Papa?¡± she whispered. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I know I¡¯ve been messing up¡­¡±


    ¡°Prayer won¡¯t save you now, traitor!¡± one of the guards spat.


    She gave no reaction to the glob that hit her cheek. She merely straightened her bowed head as the last of her allies, friends, gurgled their last under the claws of a reptilian monster.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I tried¡­ I know it¡¯s too late and I¡¯m not asking for forgiveness. I did what I did because I thought I had no choice, but I realized that there was always a choice. What I was afraid¡­ and, Mama, Papa¡­ I¡¯m not afraid anymore. See you soon. I love you guys.¡±


    The cheering from the crowd shook the tunnel.


    The rumble of their stamping feet was like an earthquake above her head.


    ¡°There you go,¡± the guard sneered, ¡°see what happens to traitors,¡± he yanked the chain leading to her wrist and dragged her back down the tunnel.


    The guards handled her roughly as they shoved her into an old trainer¡¯s room.


    Two men awaited her.


    One stood tall and strong with an easy smile.


    ¡°Malcolm, congrats,¡± her smile didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°New King¡¯s Champion. You must be proud and happy,¡± she sneered.


    The smile vanished. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have done that,¡± he chided.


    ¡°And they call me a traitor,¡± she smirked. ¡°Are you colorblind, Malcolm? Do you see something different in the mirror? Different from the vast majority of the people we slap those collars on?¡±


    The tall, muscular man swallowed.


    ¡°Slaves, Malcolm. Like your ancestors. Funny how history runs in a circle. I forgot how that worked,¡± she laughed bitterly. ¡°Did you forget?¡±


    ¡°Enough, traitor bitch!¡± the second man slapped her.


    ¡°Eric,¡± she sneered. ¡°Barely felt that. What are you doing here? One last look? I saw you watching eagerly when they were beating me last week. You hid in the back, but don¡¯t think I didn¡¯t see your hand down your pants.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s lying. I was there, but that wasn¡¯t¡ª¡± Eric stuttered to Malcolm.


    ¡°Your kinks are your own, but there won¡¯t be any of that here,¡± Malcolm grunted. ¡°Alexandria was a champion of the arenas. Once a champ always a champs. Plus, the king ordered she was to be kept in top physical condition for the fight.¡±


    A spark of hope blossomed in Alexandria.


    The way Malcolm had said that. The look he gave her.


    A fight?


    Not an execution or squash match or a feeding.


    Eric sputtered. ¡°I know that!¡± his face turned red all the way to his balding head. ¡°Bitch! If it was up to me all I¡¯d give you was one night then in the morning you¡¯d get a long rope and a short drop!¡±


    ¡°How long have you been practicing that?¡± Alexandria smirked. She eyed Malcolm. ¡°3 out 10 and that¡¯s me being generous.¡±


    ¡°2 out of 10,¡± Malcolm grinned. ¡°He should¡¯ve gone low and menacing for the first half. The second half should¡¯ve been loud, angry and ended with a sneer. He would¡¯ve maximized the heat.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s right, Eric. You sounded like a shrill woman there. Pathetic and not at all threatening. I¡¯m more sad for you than anything.¡±


    Eric raised a hand and struck.


    He yelped in pain.


    Malcolm had his wrist in vise-like grip.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, man¡­¡±


    ¡°Let go! You¡¯re new, you jumped up nig¡ª¡± Eric sputtered as the grip tightened.


    ¡°Best be moving on old man,¡± Malcolm growled. ¡°I¡¯m new, but I¡¯m the champion.¡±


    Eric practically ran out of the room as soon as Malcolm released him.


    ¡°Straight to daddy to complain,¡± Alexandria said.


    Malcolm shook his head. ¡°The king¡¯s getting ready.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ I understand.¡±


    ¡°Oops,¡± Malcolm shrugged. ¡°You know. I always admired you. You did whatever you wanted. No noble too big to take down a peg. Everyone knew that there was only one person you didn¡¯t give crap too. I always figured that¡¯s why you were always alone. No family. Didn¡¯t make friends. Nothing to give them leverage.¡±


    ¡°Careful there, champion. We both know there are always eyes and ears around.¡±


    ¡°Just making an observation on a dead woman,¡± Malcolm shrugged. ¡°Nothing for anyone to get their panties in a twist over!¡± he gazed at the ceiling. ¡°Anyways, that might¡¯ve been an uncharitable assessment of you. It seems that you did have friends after all. I heard that no one gave you up. You might have been able to get out of this had you kept quiet and not tried to free them. You killed two Level 40¡¯s, seven 30¡¯s and two dozen other fighters. An entire company of essential soldiers disabled, but not killed. Took the king himself to stop you.¡±


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°And it looks like I¡¯m about to have my rematch.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve watched the recordings dozens of times. You were great, but¡­ you weren¡¯t close to the king,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°I knew he was over Level 50. We all knew that.¡±


    ¡°You pushed him though. Further than I¡¯ve ever seen in one of his monthly exhibitions.¡±


    ¡°In your professional opinion. How would it have gone if it was the two of us? Together?¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± Malcolm nodded. He strode over to the cloth covered table and unfurled it with a flourish. ¡°Your gear. Repaired. The ones that couldn¡¯t be fixed replaced by good quality stuff.¡±


    She regarded the weapons and armor.


    A pang washed over her at the absence of her bow. She supposed that she shouldn¡¯t have expected to see it. Not with the way the king had broken it into a half dozen pieces.


    ¡°I¡¯d wish you luck, but that¡¯s bad luck. So, the only thing I can do is to tell you this.¡± Malcolm grasped her hands in his mitts. Surprisingly gentle. ¡°Die well. I¡¯ll be watching closely. We all will. Give it 110% champion. Leave it all out on the floor.¡± Malcolm unlocked the cuffs, removed the chains. ¡°Why?¡± his eyes searched hers.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to be selfish anymore.¡±


    He gave her one last nod before leaving her to prepare.


    <hr>


    The stadium, the arena shook with the stomping and jeering of over 70,000 people.


    Music accompanied the highlight package of the ex-champion up on the scoreboard screen and the other giant screens around the rim.


    Cal only had eyes and ears for the two people standing within punching distance of each other in the middle of the dirt field.


    ¡°Right at the fifty yard line, like a damn coin toss,¡± he muttered.


    He was alone in the luxury box. Lord Don Wynn¡¯s luxury box.


    He had brought only enough of the noble¡¯s men to guard the door to keep up the sake of appearance.


    The Slaver King didn¡¯t look remarkable.


    A white man with dark hair.


    Somewhere between 40 and 50 year¡¯s of age.


    In great shape.


    Which made sense since the man wasn¡¯t shy about making sure everyone got to view his long catalog of fights. Everything from arena exhibitions to fights against wandering monsters, encounter challenges and spawn zones was easily available.


    The prideful moron just gave away hours of tape for anyone wanting to scout him out.


    The ex-champion was a woman in her 30¡¯s.


    Quite attractive.


    Fit.


    An athlete. A fighter.


    An heir to Harriet Tubman and abolitionists from long ago.


    And he was going to watch her die.


    Sacrifice her on the altar of the greater good.


    The thought sat heavily on his mind and left an ugly feeling.


    She didn¡¯t deserve to die.


    None of those people he had watched get torn apart by monsters and cut down by gladiators did.


    They did the right thing and he let them die for it.


    The promises on his tongue rang hollow.


    And so he had watched.


    Committed every single one of those brave people to memory.


    Marked the way they ended their lives for their righteous cause.


    They deserved more, but that was the most he could do¡­ for now.


    Oh, he¡¯d carry out their legacy, but that too felt like too little, too late.


    He watched and listened as the king conversed with a lost woman that had found her way.


    ¡°Rebel Champion Archermage,¡± the Slaver King remarked, ¡°bit of a mouthful, clunky¡­ I wonder how we missed that.¡±


    ¡°Took you a long time. I got that little addition 6, 7 months ago.¡± Alexandria regarded the crowd. ¡°The irony is that this is why.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ please explain. We¡¯ve got time,¡± he gazed up at the scoreboard, ¡°you¡¯ve got a long, storied career to get through. Am I not generous? It wouldn¡¯t be fair if they didn¡¯t know exactly what you¡¯ve meant to our republic. Your legacy is only second to mine, after all. I couldn¡¯t have built this without your power.¡±


    ¡°A great regret in my life. It might have taken me longer to realize hadn¡¯t it been for these ridiculous, self-fellating championships. You woke me up. The rush to expand and steal more people to enslave for this!¡± she spat. ¡°I have to thank you, really, for leading me to where I stand right now. Even one life spared from the collar or death in this arena is worth mine. And we helped hundreds escape this past year.¡±


    ¡°Hate to burst your bubble, but I knew. Sure, I¡¯ll give you about a month or two before I caught on, but the rest. I let you do that,¡± he grinned. ¡°What¡¯s a few hundred dregs lost in exchange for completely cutting the rot out of my republic. Root and stem. It did hurt to learn that you were behind it. Had I not treated you well? We¡¯ve fought together. Leveled together. Defeated encounter challenges, cleared spawn zones. You saved my life against that demon.¡±¡°


    ¡°One of my greatest regrets in life.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, to be accurate. If I had died there, then you would¡¯ve been next. Really, you saved yourself,¡± he smirked. ¡°Because that¡¯s what you were all about. Saving yourself. This whole time. Your whole life. You cared for no one, but yourself. Really, this is like a deathbed confusion. You suddenly finding a conscience. Well, Alex, bit too little, too late.¡±


    ¡°You always talked about building a future. Better, bigger, more prosperous. Then you stumbled ass-backwards into the collars,¡± Alexandria spat.


    The Slaver King bristled at the glob at his feet.


    ¡°You¡¯ve gone backwards. Embraced an evil legacy. The evil legacy of our past. Nothing good ever came from slavery.¡±


    ¡°Hypocrite. You lived a good life for years on the backs of our essential soldiers and workers.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, King, use the real word. Call them what they really are. Or did you forget?¡± she locked eyes with the taller man. ¡°I know what your real class is.¡±


    ¡°This is your last fight. Your last act on this world. I don¡¯t know and I don¡¯t care if there¡¯s something for you after, but I¡¯d suggest you make this count,¡± he gave her a feral grin. ¡°We¡¯ve sparred before, but I¡¯ve always wanted to go at. I mean, really go at you. No holding back. Strength against strength. Life or death.¡± He shivered. ¡°The thought¡­ excites me.¡±


    ¡°That much, we have in common,¡± she said flatly


    He turned and walked to the other end of the arena as did she.


    The highlight package soon ended and the announcer¡¯s booming voice took over.


    ¡°And there you have it ladies and gentleman. The greatest traitor of our young nation. The greatest champion to have ever graced the arenas. Alexandria Ortega Cortez!¡±


    Cheers and jeers as the spotlight fell on the ex-champion. The abolitionist. The last of a brave group of people that tried and failed to defy the odds at the cost of their lives.


    ¡°Now she faces her just punishment. Now she faces the sole arbiter of justice. Our sovereign ruler! The one and only, King!¡±


    Cheers as the fit man remove his shirt to reveal a bare chest underneath the bright light.


    ¡°Am I not merciful!¡± the king threw his arms out wide. ¡°Traitors deserve nothing and yet have I not been fair? Have I not given them hope?¡± he bowed his head solemnly, ¡°slim as it is. As it was.¡± His head rose suddenly. ¡°And thus, witness! How I stand across from my old friend in the distance. The distance at which she is unparalleled in dealing death. And yet, here I stand! Am I not fair?¡±


    The cheers were deafening.


    The luxury box shuddered.


    Cal rose before he remembered what he was here to do. Who he was pretending to be. He sat down with a sigh. A heavy thud.


    The judge¡¯s gavel had fallen on the ex-champion long ago and the sentence was death.


    And yet, she had been a champion.


    She understood the show. Had a Skill or two to enrich the experience for the fans.


    ¡°My adoring fans!¡± her voice boomed out to every ear in the stadium.


    The king scowled was faint thing. Gone in an instant.


    ¡°You have watched me. You have cheered as I bled, as I made others bleed. I have made your hearts race. I have brought you to the unsurpassed heights of joy in victory such that you could do nothing else but cheer and smile. How long have I entertained? How long have I given you something to look forward to? The monsters that terrified your every thought? I have slain them. The raiders and marauders that once preyed on you? I have slain them.¡± She bowed her head a moment before looking back up at the crowd. They each all felt as though she was looking only at them, speaking only to them. ¡°Have I not driven away the nightmares?¡±


    Yes! the crowd thought.


    ¡°Yes!¡± the crowd roared.


    ¡°That is all that I¡¯ve ever done,¡± she sighed. ¡°And so it is that I continue to do so. I fight to slay my greatest monster. Your king¡­ your Slaver King. We¡¯ve lied to ourselves long enough! Listened to lies! ¡®Essential workers¡¯, ¡®essential soldiers¡¯. They are slaves in all but name. It is time you remove the blindfolds. See your home for what it is!¡±


    The crowd¡¯s cheers dampened.


    Murmurs began.


    The ex-champion spoke what they all knew.


    A thousand different rationalizations and justifications rushed through their heads.


    A third of the crowd didn¡¯t care. The New American Republic only followed the natural order of things. Some people were simply superior to others and so it was right that the latter served the former.


    The rest feared the collars and liked the safety, the comfort.


    Better them than me, they thought, besides, aren¡¯t the slaves happy? That¡¯s what makes the collars so good.


    The king smiled with sadness. ¡°My people! Our champion has fallen. Her mind twisted against us. Do not listen to her words. She seeks to drag you down with her. Are not our essential employees happy? Ask one yourselves. They are in our homes, our stores, our restaurants. Do they serve with a smile? Have I not brought happiness to all of us? The older among you will remember how different it used to be in our old country. Is it not better now that I have brought the collars?¡± he spread his arms to encompass the crowd. ¡°I love you, my citizens! I dedicate my performance to you!¡±


    A wave traveled through the crowd.


    Cal felt it the moment the energy had emanated from the Slaver King.


    A Skill? A spell? A mixture?


    The effect was quick.


    The crowd turned on the ex-champion they had just cheered a moment ago. Had genuinely given their support. They booed and cursed her name.


    Alexandria¡¯s face gave nothing away. She only had eyes for the king over a hundred yards across the dirt field from her.


    ¡°It was a good try,¡± Cal sighed.


    ¡°Any last words, old friend?¡± the king said.


    ¡°I give my blood, my life so that no man, woman or child will live in chains!¡± Alexandria roared.


    ¡°Let the countdown begin!¡± the announcer boomed.


    A magical projection appeared above the stadium.


    One minute.


    The Slaver King exhorted the crowd. Bouncing around and shadow boxing. He held no weapon, bore no armor. He would face his opponent bare-chested.


    45 seconds.


    Alexandria strung her bow.


    The ex-champion was lightly armored, thin chain over padded cloth. An open-faced helmet. Several quivers of arrows. A machete and a tomahawk at her belt. Several smaller blades hidden on her body.


    30 seconds.


    She drew an arrow and nocked it.


    15 seconds.


    The king bounced lightly on his toes. His mouth moved in a whisper.


    10 seconds.


    The ex-champion spoke softly. Skills activated.


    0:00.


    The fight began.


    <hr>


    ¡°MIRV Shot: Explosive.¡±


    She loosed an arrow into the sky.


    The crowd lost it in the clouds.


    ¡°Leading with that? Seems desperate,¡± the king smirked. ¡°King¡¯s Decree: Cheer your loudest.¡±


    Arrogant ass, Alexandria thought.


    The louder and more fervent the fans cheered the better she performed, the better her performance the louder and more fervent the fans cheered.


    A feedback loop that all arena fighters understood to some extent.


    It didn¡¯t matter if they cheered against her.


    It only mattered that they were emotionally invested in the contest.


    Her hands blurred.


    Nock, draw, loose.


    Three arrows in quick succession.


    She roared with each release.


    ¡°Sticky Arrow! Flash Arrow! Fatal Piercing Arrow!¡±


    She didn¡¯t need to speak, but that was what the crowd expected.


    The first arrow stuck the king¡¯s feet to the ground in white goop. The second blinded him for an instant. The third hit his chest and sunk all the way down to the fletching.


    Each shot perfectly placed.


    Skills made a mockery of her skills.


    The king winced as he pulled the arrow free.


    She had punched straight through thick steel plenty of times in the past.


    The wound closed in a second.


    The crowds cheers deafened her. Invigorated her. It had been a while since she had last fought in front of them.


    ¡°My turn!¡± the king grinned.


    He burst toward her with a great cloud of dirt.


    Too fast.


    A second to reach the halfway point to her position.


    She had already nocked another arrow, raised her bow to the sky and loosed.


    ¡°Arrow Rain!¡±


    She dashed to her right.


    Greater Enhanced Reflexes.


    Ankle bracelets enchanted with the Haste spell.


    The Slaver King¡¯s punch left a small crater where she had been.


    A hundred arrows identical to the one she had just loosed poured down from the sky.


    The Slaver King was caught right in the center of the storm.


    ¡°Classic, Alex!¡± he resembled a pincushion. His white pants turned red and pink by his blood.


    She moved with supernatural alacrity in a bid for distance to avoid what was about to¡ª


    Her first arrow lanced down from the sky like the fist of God. It whistled and screeched as the arrowhead split into multiple pieces to impact the king.


    When the dust cleared he stood burned inside a much larger crater.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t seen that one in some time,¡± he coughed. His wounds healed as rapidly as before. ¡°You¡¯re really making me work for this, Alex. I love it!¡± he taunted. ¡°Let¡¯s give my people a real show!¡±


    Alexandria ran and dived as the Slaver King hurled a hand full of dirt at her back.


    She grimaced at the stinging pain.


    Like being sandblasted or shot.


    The damned bastard could throw projectiles at a speed just shy of a gunshot.


    She picked herself up, turned and loosed blindly.


    She hit the charging king in the chest.


    Spell Arrow: Slow.


    She had cast the spell silently. Didn¡¯t have enough time to do it verbally.


    Give the crowd a show. Give them what they expected.


    The king slowed.


    Their speed closer to equal.


    She bought time.


    For whatever reason, the king couldn¡¯t shrug off magical effects and wounds as quickly as he could purely physical ones.


    She backpedaled, nocked, drew and loosed.


    ¡°Spell Arrow: Immolate!¡± she smiled with feral joy.


    The king roared with genuine pain as he went up like a dry Christmas tree wrapped in string lights stripped of insulating rubber by age and use.


    ¡°Your Slaver King burns at my just cause!¡± she pumped her fist to the crowd.


    The burning king dropped to the dirt and rolled.


    Magical fire is a bitch to put out without other magic, isn¡¯t it? she thought as she ran as far away as the arena¡¯s massive space allowed.


    ¡°Yes, king,¡± she sneered allowing her voice to reach the crowd. ¡°You wanted a show? Well, I was the greatest champion for a reason.¡± She regarded the crowd and projected majesty with all her experience, skill and Skills.


    Give the crowd what they want. Make them eat out of your hand like a flock of chipmunks, she thought, feed them and they feed you in turn.


    Her heart pumped liquid fire through her veins.


    Yet, her mind remained cold as the snow that covered her old family winter vacation home on the slopes of the mountain.


    Hmm¡­ that would be a good next shot, she thought.


    The Slaver King finally succeeded in smothering the flames out. ¡°Seen that before,¡± he rasped.


    Charred, blackened pieces of skin flaked off only to be replaced by the pink of brand new skin.


    ¡°Then you¡¯ll be disappointed. I don¡¯t have anything new to show you,¡± she pouted with feigned sadness.


    Well, that was a lie, she thought, I do have one new thing. Just the one, but it¡¯s a good one, my best and I hope you like it.

 7.5

    The Slaver King exploded out of the icy prison.


    Precious seconds gave Alexandria more space.


    Close to a hundred yards.


    Blurring hands, a steady stream of arrows almost as fast as a semi-automatic gun.


    Mundane. No spells nor Skills. Had to start managing her stamina and mana supply.


    Distraction.


    Shit aim to the side quickly.


    ¡°Back Piercing Shot, Spell Arrow: Viper Venom.¡±


    As silent as the serpent, her arrow arced to one side in a wide circle.


    She emptied her first quiver as the Slaver King contemptuously slapped or took the mundane arrows on his arms.


    His eyes widened as the venomous arrow struck him in the back and just managed to kiss his heart. He dropped to his knees gasping and choking as his veins visibly bulged with sickly green light pulsing in time with each rapid beat.


    Did she dare to hope?


    No.


    Hope had no place on the field.


    There was only the fight.


    And this one could only end when one of them was a rapidly cooling corpse.


    She loosed an arrow.


    The Slaver King caught it an inch from his eye. He spat a disgusting mixture of bloody biological matter and green venom and shook his head.


    He rose and flicked his arm.


    Enhanced Reflexes barely saved her life.


    Her own arrow struck her bow right above her hand.


    The wood splintered.


    Her old one wouldn¡¯t have broken as easily the standard replacement. It had taken the king¡¯s own hands to rip it to pieces.


    She ran as far away as the arena walls allowed.


    The Slaver King laughed.


    She still had her machete, tomahawk and a number of knives. Those might have been good enough for weaker opponents, but not the king.


    The king charged. Great puffs of dirt flying with each bounding step.


    She hurled the tomahawk.


    He caught it with contemptuous ease.


    She dived out of its return path.


    It shattered against the arena wall showering her in steel shards that sparked against her mail and cut her through her clothing.


    I Am The Bow, she thought.


    The ghostly outline of her old weapon appeared in her hand. A sight for only her eyes.


    The king was close.


    She ran up the side of the wall.


    Five steps before leaping out and contorting her body as she pulled an arrow from her second quiver, nocked it to a ghostly bowstring, drew and loosed.


    The king flinched as the arrow took him in the eye.


    Sadly, he managed to catch it before it penetrated through to his brain.


    Though, she wasn¡¯t sure if that would¡¯ve been enough.


    The king could heal from tremendous amounts of damage.


    She had no idea how he did it. Though what little she had managed to learn in recent months gave her suspicions.


    The king pulled out the arrow and the eye and held both up to the crowd. ¡°The greatest champion in our history! Alexandria Ortega Cortez!¡± he roared as he stuck his tongue out and swallowed the eye like a meatball. ¡°Are you not entertained!¡± he bared a bloody mouth in a ghastly display.


    The crowd¡¯s cheering reached a frenzied pitch in response.


    The arena rocked beneath ten¡¯s of thousands of stomping feet.


    They chanted for the king.


    For her.


    How deplorable, she thought, how have we lost our way?


    She wanted to scream out in repudiation of their obscenity.


    Instead, she ran.


    Her breathing grew labored, her limbs heavier. Her clock ran down faster.


    Her best Skill was also the most draining.


    Correction¡­ her second best Skill.


    That had been her last hope¡­ she laughed bitterly¡­ there was no hope.


    Only victory or death.


    Her last chance for victory was gone.


    Death.


    Make it matter, she thought.


    She sent arrows flowing at the king as she ran.


    Each shot echoed the ticking of the clock.


    The Slaver King batted the arrows aside. He basked in the adoration of the crowd. His skin had healed from fires, the explosions, the ice, the acid, the venom. Even his eye was back. He stood in all his naked glory. Unashamed. Arrogance beyond belief. He knew he was the greatest of them all.


    He spoke and she knew that it was only for her.


    ¡°Alex, it¡¯s time. I hope you¡¯ve got something special for the fans. You don¡¯t want to go out like a weakling. Give them and me something special to remember.¡±


    She stopped running.


    She stood in the center of the arena.


    The greatest champion understood the show.


    She pulled her last arrow. Slowly, deliberately she nocked it on the string only she could see.


    She raised the bow only she could see to the sky.


    Dark now.


    The stars swallowed by the arena lights.


    It would¡¯ve been nice to see them twinkling.


    ¡°When my bow sings, freedom rings,¡± Alexandria intoned.


    A hush fell over the crowd as her voice reached each and every one of them.


    The Slaver King¡¯s eyes widened, a snarl spread out over his face. He moved toward Alexandria as time slowed.


    What did this champion rebel against?


    She knew it in her heart and soul.


    No one lives in chains.


    If only she had more time perhaps she could¡¯ve seen an end to the slave kingdom.


    Instead, this was the best she could do.


    Such a small gesture, maybe futile in the end.


    She would never know.


    Alexandria drew and loosed in one smooth motion.


    The arrow shot straight into the sky.


    It glowed for a moment before splitting into dozens. Twinkling stars that weaved through the air in search of their targets.


    She didn¡¯t see them hit their targets.


    The Slaver King¡¯s hand speared through her armor and out her back.


    Each of her stars found a collar. Struck it. Broke it.


    ¡°What did you do?¡± the Slaver King snarled.


    Once enslaved, dozens of freed men and women howled in collective rage over what had been done to them. The truth of their memories returned. They lashed out at anyone within reach.


    ¡°My triumphant moment,¡± she coughed blood in the king¡¯s face, ¡°their triumph.¡±


    ¡°A thief to the end. I¡¯m disappointed,¡± the Slaver King sighed. ¡°All you¡¯ve managed to do is kill people.¡±


    One by one, they died inside the arena and out on the streets.


    If only she had been stronger she could¡¯ve freed hundreds, thousands.


    ¡°They were happy and you¡¯ve killed them.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all a lie. You¡¯re a lie,¡± she spat.


    ¡°All of this¡­¡± the Slaver King pulled her close to whisper in her ear. ¡°You¡¯ve hurt them. Not saved them.¡± He released her then. Let her fall to ground as he looked to the stunned crowd. ¡°King¡¯s Decree: Listen to me!¡±


    Eyes and ears only for him.


    The brief and violent chaos forgotten.


    ¡°And so falls our once champion,¡± he said solemnly. ¡°A traitor to the end. I know not what made her betray us, but I promise to find out why so that it can never happen again. She was a traitor, but we can¡¯t forget the good she did for us. She always fought bravely. We must honor that,¡± he pointed at Alexandria. The spotlight followed.


    She didn¡¯t hear his words as the blood flowed out of her body to stain the dirt where she had bled so many other people.


    It was just, she decided, that she end the same way.


    ¡°Are you proud of me?¡± she whispered weakly. ¡°Papa did I do good?¡±


    Yes, Mija¡­


    She thought she could hear his voice in her head.


    Tears flowed from her eyes.


    She had forgotten what he sounded like.


    ¡°I messed up¡­ didn¡¯t try to fight this from the beginning¡­¡±


    You strayed from the right path, but you found your way back. That¡¯s all we can do.


    ¡°I did, didn¡¯t I¡­¡±


    You saved over a hundred people from slavery. Did your best. Gave your life. You couldn¡¯t have done anymore.


    ¡°Not all of them, I ki¡ª¡± she choked on her own blood. She blinked up through blurred vision. A bright golden disk was all she could see shining down upon her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I never won¡­¡±


    We never cared about winning. We just wanted you to be happy.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ did I do good? Papa, tell Mama I¡¯m sorry¡­ I messed up¡­¡±


    No, Mija, you didn¡¯t. We¡¯re proud of you, always and forever¡­ now, close your eyes.


    ¡°I wanted to win for you¡­¡± she reached for the golden disk as a dark shadow slowly loomed over her blocking it from her vision.


    Close your eyes!


    Her father¡¯s voice was insistent. So she did what a good girl does and listened.


    ¡°Papa, Mama¡­ I¡ª I did it¡­ I¡¯ll see you soon¡­¡±


    She didn¡¯t feel the boot smashing her head into the ground.


    Didn¡¯t hear the frenzied roar of the crowd as their king pranced around her body.


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Did the king know?


    Did he realize?


    How his actions marked him for death in dozens of eyes?


    You should¡¯ve been paying attention king. Should¡¯ve marked the ones watching you in silence.


    <hr>


    ¡°That was a waste,¡± Kim said.


    The other members of the king¡¯s council sucked in their breaths.


    They had finally gotten to the elephant in the room.


    And to think they had almost gone all the way through the meeting without the subject being broached.


    King drummed his fingers on the oak table.


    ¡°Explain your thoughts,¡± he said lightly.


    ¡°They were more useful alive, especially Alexandria, she was our second highest-leveled person. Why not collar her? Use her abilities for our benefit?¡±


    ¡°I thought about it, but she was a Rebel. Doesn¡¯t that suggest that the collar might have failed? Perhaps, when I least expected it to? Perhaps, to fatal effect for me? Which is why I decided death was better for all involved. Some of her lackeys also had the rebel prefix. I¡¯m not blind. We are the empire in this analogy and they lost to the rebellion. Killing Alexandria Skywalker before she really got going was the right call. I mean, shit, you all saw what that Skill of her did. Imagine that, but powered up and on a wider scale,¡± he spread his arms wide. ¡°But, please, I want you all to share your thoughts on how we could¡¯ve proceeded differently. It¡¯ll be a good exercise for the future.¡±


    ¡°Cut off her fingers,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°That would¡¯ve made her useless,¡± Kim said.


    ¡°For fighting, sure¡­ but not for the breeding program,¡± he leered.


    Next to the balding man, Malcolm bristled.


    ¡°Your thoughts, Champion?¡± King prodded.


    ¡°Alex would never have bowed her head. You did the only thing you could,¡± Malcolm said after a moment.


    ¡°Well said.¡±


    ¡°Execute the ones with rebel in their class, use the rest as fodder to spearhead dungeon operations,¡± Mark said.


    ¡°Thank you, general.¡±


    ¡°Give them to the Cabal. They¡¯ve been pressing for more bodies,¡± Meadow, the liaison to said cult, ventured.


    The king nodded.


    ¡°I said my peace on it,¡± Kim said.


    ¡°Noel?¡± King said.


    ¡°Er¡­ more test subjects for me, I guess? If you didn¡¯t care about what happened to them then I can really experiment. Wish I could¡¯ve gotten some data from Alex¡¯s Skill. That¡¯s the thing with them. You never know what¡¯s gonna pop out. Hard to build safeguards, you know?¡±


    ¡°That, I do,¡± King sighed. ¡°Right, that¡¯ll conclude this meeting. I¡¯d like to watch some of today¡¯s events. I suggest you all do the same. I know we¡¯ve got talent scouts and appraisers, but I want my inner council to have thoughts of their own. Dismissed.¡±


    The room cleared quickly with one exception.


    ¡°What is it, Kim?¡±


    ¡°Last night cost us.¡±


    ¡°I know that better than anyone.¡±


    ¡°You lost close to 500.¡±


    ¡°I did,¡± he agreed. ¡°Although¡­¡± a smile slowly crossed his face.


    ¡°You leveled,¡± Kim¡¯s expression remained steady.


    ¡°Can¡¯t ever surprise you,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°Well, what did you get?¡±


    ¡°I think I need to keep that a secret for now. Too many unknowns out there in my nation right now. Perhaps, after the championships.¡±


    ¡°Then I have to proceed with the knowledge that you¡¯re 500 weaker right now and I¡¯m concerned because it looks like domestic supply is running low. Going international will need a lot of lead up time. Which means, if we want to keep up with attrition and grow our supply numbers then we need to start now.¡±


    ¡°After the championships.¡±


    ¡°Two months delay on the front end can set us back years on the back end with all the unknowns of the potential the international market.¡±


    ¡°The magus gave us some good info about the places she¡¯s traveled through.¡±


    ¡°Suspect information¡­ and she¡¯s definitely holding a lot back about whatever happened in New York three years ago.¡±


    ¡°Our truth spells and interrogators thought otherwise.¡±


    ¡°She has ten monster eyes. We don¡¯t know what she¡¯s truly capable of. She¡¯s only playing along because we have what¡¯s left of her group dangling over a pit of spikes. I mean, we all saw that explosion from here! It turned night into day!¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ why have I never thought of that,¡± he mused. ¡°Perhaps, a literal pit of spikes would be more persuasive than a figurative one?¡±


    ¡°I will have that prepared right away,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°Listen, it was probably a nuke,¡± King waved it away. ¡°And forget the pit spikes, too crude¡­ listen, Kim, I think you¡¯re being too premature on the supply issues. There are, after all, other large communities out in our soon to be reclaimed lands. 30K in Seattle, 50K in that mess in Kansas, 100K in Northern California, a bit more in Texas, a few thousand to ten plus in scattered locations. Atlanta. And close to half a mil in Southern California. And that¡¯s not even going into what we can find in Canada and Mexico.¡±


    ¡°There is a thin line between opportunity and threat. Southern California and the rangers are an outright threat. I don¡¯t understand why you¡¯re allowing them to walk around our city. They arrested our people for Christ¡¯s sake!¡± she snapped. ¡°We should¡¯ve arrested them as soon as they arrived.¡±


    ¡°I want to see how good these rangers are in a fight,¡± he shrugged, ¡°besides, it¡¯s a good thing.¡±


    ¡°How? You¡¯ve lost contact with the hundred essential soldiers we sent with the diplomatic team.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯ll learn how when we question the rangers¡­ after the championships are over,¡± he explained.


    ¡°We can¡¯t ignore the insult¡ª¡±


    ¡°And we haven¡¯t. We¡¯re just taking our time to formulate a response. Besides, it¡¯s a perfect cassus belli. We demand they return our people. They refuse. We are left with no choice but to defend our sovereignty against a belligerent, rogue nation¡­ or something like that.¡±


    ¡°The military and old government remnants?¡±


    ¡°And how many are there? I lost count. They¡¯re irrelevant. The last gasps of a dying man. Let them force the issue. We have the most people, the strongest people. We have thousands of soldiers that fight without fear. They are happy to shed the blood of our enemies without regard for their own.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay, you don¡¯t need to shove my own words into my face. In case you forgot, I write most of your speeches.¡±


    ¡°Which, I¡¯m forever grateful for. So, try to relax a bit, enjoy the events. Scout out any potential that you¡¯d want for yourself.¡±


    ¡°The general¡¯s concerns?¡±


    ¡°Are his business. Not yours.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me? I should be concerned if he thinks that there are hidden forces somewhere on the edges of our territory.¡±


    ¡°Let him do his job. If they¡¯re out there, he¡¯ll find them.¡±


    ¡°And Atlanta?¡±


    ¡°what about those losers? It looks like they¡¯re getting ready for something, but they¡¯re always doing that. Probably, something to do with our late Alexandria¡¯s underground railroad. They don¡¯t have the numbers to openly attack us. The best they can do are those annoying raids. They can¡¯t commit any more forces. They need to keep enough back to deal with monsters, raiders, cannibal or otherwise. Kim, I¡¯m starting to feel like a broken record. This is partially why we¡¯re holding the championships.¡±


    ¡°I know. We show them all how strong we are. Show them what they can have by joining us. I believe I wrote the prospectus?¡± Kim said. ¡°Yeah, yeah, I did, didn¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°No need for sarcasm,¡± King sighed. ¡°We show them how strong we are and I show them how strong I am. They¡¯ll have no choice but to bow down to the New America Republic. One citizen at a time,¡± he grinned. ¡°I can feel it, Kim! We¡¯re on the cusp of great things. A past cruelly taken from us, becomes a future reclaimed!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll workshop it. We¡¯ll get you a better statement. You planning to say it to close out the championships? Or after you win the last fight?¡±


    ¡°Why not both?¡± he mused. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll let the words flow for right after the fight. That¡¯s how you put on a show. It¡¯s got to come from the heart. The official speech later, well, I¡¯ll leave that to you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll add it to my list,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°Thanks, Kim. You¡¯re the best! I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d do without you, truly,¡± King smiled.


    Kim sighed as she gathered her things.


    ¡°Oh, Kim?¡±


    ¡°Yes, my king?¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯m going to watch the events from here.¡±


    ¡°A good idea. Since they¡¯re preliminaries it sends a message that your time is valuable if you only attend matches of consequence. Although, a public appearance in the next few days would also be good. You don¡¯t want the last sight of you being a naked and bloody mess.¡±


    ¡°Agree to disagree. I think I¡¯ve never looked stronger,¡± he grinned. ¡°After all, there I was¡­ exploded, burned, frozen, shot, poisoned and yet I stood triumphant over my foe¡¯s corpse. It sends the right message to my potential enemies. That they can hurt me, but I¡¯ll keep coming. Unrelenting, unstoppable¡­ until I¡¯ve bathed in their blood.¡±


    ¡°Charming¡­ enjoy the events.¡±


    ¡°And Kim¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, my king?¡±


    ¡°Please let the Queen know that I want her here.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°Can¡¯t you just, like¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­ kill him?¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°He¡¯s strong, fast and heals quick,¡± Dayana ticked each attribute off with her fingers, ¡°but we¡¯ve seen you deal with worse.¡±


    ¡°The collars¡­¡± Hayden said. ¡°Did you at least learn something new about them? You were there, weren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°I was,¡± Cal said, ¡°and I did.¡±


    ¡°But, no closer to what we need to do away with this farce and just kill the bastard,¡± Jayde sighed.


    ¡°Right, so what this about. Risky meeting in person,¡± Hayden said.


    Cal eyed the opulent hotel suite.


    The benefits of being Gold Division contestants.


    ¡°As far as eyes and ears are concerned, a local nobleman, Don Wynn, is extending an offer of patronage,¡± he said. ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t have to decide right now. This is merely a prelude. You¡¯ll probably get an invitation to his mansion at a later date, especially as you continue to advance in the tournament. The three on three matches? I would¡¯ve thought you would¡¯ve gone with the MOBA-style event with Prim and Drake.¡±


    ¡°Our average level would¡¯ve been high enough for gold, but that would¡¯ve put the kids up against forty pluses. Too risky. They¡¯re better off in the Silver Division. They¡¯re at the upper ranges of that,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t want to babysit,¡± Jayde shrugged.


    ¡°Drake¡¯s doing the one on ones. Prim¡¯s doing the MOBA with some of her ranger squad. They know how to work together,¡± Dayana said.


    Silence.


    ¡°We almost jumped in, you know,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Like, six times,¡± Jayde added.


    ¡°Instead, we stood and watched. We did nothing as that woman died to free dozens of enslaved people only for them to be killed in the aisles and on the streets.¡±


    ¡°Hayden, you did exactly what you should¡¯ve done.¡±


    ¡°Sacrifice the few to save the many,¡± Dayana nodded.


    ¡°Still feels wrong,¡±Jayde added.


    ¡°Because it is and you have consciences. Good ones¡­ mostly.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, my conscience is going to be free when I can finally start killing these slaver shits,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t take too long, Boss,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know how long we can keep standing by and watching,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Two months at the longest.¡±


    With that Cal left the Furies to get ready for the first match later in the afternoon.


    He quickly flew to the next group on his list.


    ¡°Bro, that was some gnarly shit,¡± Jake said. ¡°Almost jumped in, but then saw that Rino and Kare were about to and I had to grab them.¡±


    ¡°Perv!¡± Rino snapped as she walked through the suite¡¯s living room into the kitchen.


    ¡°I accidentally, grabbed boob,¡± Jake whispered.


    ¡°Accidents happen,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Accident my ass,¡± Rino came back with a cold beer and plopped down on the couch.


    ¡°Uh¡­ shouldn¡¯t you get dressed?¡± Jake ventured.


    ¡°Towel¡¯s covering all my bits¡­ why¡¯re you looking anyways¡­ perv,¡± she smirked.


    ¡°Whatever!¡± Jake threw his hands up and fixed his eyes on Cal. ¡°Everything¡¯s good, all things considered. Most of us are used to traumatizing things, so that wasn¡¯t all that bad considering. We¡¯re sticking to the plan. Watch Commander Lawrence is with our guys at their first event. Kare and Ginessa are scoping out the targets you set. Bennett¡¯s under a bed, but he¡¯ll start once the sun goes down. I¡¯m just here monitoring the equipment. Trying to zero in on the strongest magical signature like you said.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s somewhere in a five mile radius centered on the king¡¯s castle,¡± Jake handed Cal a tablet.


    An aerial view of the enormous mansion was mostly obscured by a bright yellow glow, like the glare from the sun.


    ¡°Zoom out.¡±


    Cal did as instructed.


    Sure as Jake had said.


    A five mile radius covered by that bright glare.


    ¡°There¡¯s a few other glowing spots if you go max zoom out.¡±


    There were about a dozen scattered sites throughout Miami that glowed faintly compared to the area around the king¡¯s castle


    ¡°I see, I think I know what those are,¡± Cal mused.


    Silence.


    ¡°You going to share?¡± Rino scowled.


    ¡°Something I learned last night from the fight. Can you send Bennett to those sites? Just to look.¡±


    ¡°Sure, but what¡¯s he looking for?¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Tell him to expect enslaved.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t get it. Those poor bastards are everywhere,¡± Rino said.


    ¡°I think these ones might be in a different situation.¡±


    ¡°Hey, so any word on the rest of our backup?¡± Jake said.


    ¡°They¡¯ve set up base outside the city and remain hidden. ¡°


    He flew to his next impromptu meeting.


    The rangers were in a kill box.


    Just as expected, just as planned.


    The slaver kingdom soldiers saw nothing, heard nothing of his presence.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± Mouthy snapped. ¡°You do that on purpose, asshole!¡±


    Cal had appeared in their midst. ¡°Yeah,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Something changed?¡± Hardhat said. ¡°Thought you were going to keep quiet for a while.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a fluid situation.¡±


    ¡°Nothing to worry about, Sir. We know the plan, as much of it as you¡¯ve shared,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°So¡­ did it change?¡± Dastardly said.


    ¡°No. I just wanted to inform you that a nobleman, Don Wynn, may, upon seeing your rangers¡¯ performances in the championships, decide to approach you with an offer of employment.¡±


    ¡°And, you want us to accept this offer?¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Aims said.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Cal turned to leave.


    ¡°Ghost Sorcerer still alive?¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°Fin¡¯s getting ready for his match. He¡¯s focused on his goal. On what he was promised.¡±


    ¡°Good, we¡¯ve put a lot of work into that little prick. Hate for it to be a waste,¡± she said.


    ¡°You think this is a waste, Sergeant?¡±


    ¡°Only if we don¡¯t save more people than we lose.¡±


    ¡°Trading lives?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s usually what it comes down to.¡±


    ¡°What would you say to that woman in the arena last night?¡±


    ¡°I heard she and her people got over a hundred out,¡± Mouthy said. ¡°They won¡­ barely.¡±


    ¡°Well, we don¡¯t intend to barely win, do we?¡±


    ¡°Fuck no!¡± Mouthy bared her teeth. ¡°We¡¯re tearing this shit hole place to the ground.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going to free people¡­ alive, Sergeant.¡±


    ¡°Well, no shit, but we¡¯re also doing the other thing.¡±


    He had a few more people to see, but he did it quickly.


    He had a secret to find and the events of last night had finally given him a clue.


    It was a razor¡¯s edge he trod.


    Find his target without alerting the enemy that he was even looking.


    That he was right inside their house.


    The others had been right though.


    He too had almost jumped down on the field to save the doomed woman.


    Yet, at her end all he had to give her had been a cruel lie.

 7.6

    December 2, 2036


    Day 1, Freedom Championships


    Hanna stood in the empty dugout watching her terrified students gathered around where home plate used to be when the place was still a baseball stadium.


    The grass had been replaced with coarse dirt.


    Tall, iron fencing had been placed all along the edges of the field to keep the monsters and mutant animals from reaching the crowd. Partially-trained or not the slaver kingdom wasn¡¯t going to take any risks.


    She wondered if they had learned that through experience.


    Speaking of the crowd.


    The stadium was almost full.


    The feeder fights and jobber matches served as warm-ups to get the crowd¡¯s juices flowing for the more important events to follow.


    Her students had the dubious honor of being the opening act for the 3v3 Silver Division fights in this stadium.


    She thought back to the previous week.


    Training hadn¡¯t gone great.


    It was too much to expect for a group of traumatized and abused people to get anywhere close to ready.


    They had been broken mentally and physically.


    The healers fixed the latter. The slaver kingdom wanted a good show after all.


    But no one could do anything about the former.


    She remembered the first day when they had been barely strong enough to get through an hour of learning to hold their shields and thrust their spears.


    An hour¡¯s practice, followed by an hour¡¯s rest.


    They were spent by lunch time.


    She had pushed them past that wall with a Skill.


    Cruel, but necessary.


    To their credit no one quit.


    They went till their bodies simply refused to work anymore.


    Day by day their physical condition improved.


    The learned to stand together with their shields forward and spears out.


    She put together a simple tactic.


    Present the spear wall to the monster while the handful of mages hammered it with all their spells.


    If they killed it¡­ great. If not, then the spear wall would advance to finish the job.


    The oldest woman turned out to be the highest leveled mage. Level 17.


    None of the rest was over 20 in their primary class. And most of them didn¡¯t have more than a handful of levels in a combat class.


    The one-eyed girl didn¡¯t have a class at all.


    No Skills or spells, yet the nameless girl threw herself into the training. She had wanted it more than any of the others. She had the fire in her eye.


    Hanna remembered her desperation as the day drew near.


    She lit the candle in her window at her hotel room near the stadium. The prearranged signal she had with Cal in the event that she needed something or she had information for him.


    Not one hour later a small young woman in a dark cloak that seemed to writhe in the candle light had appeared inside her room.


    She hadn¡¯t even noticed, which was troubling.


    Her every instinct had told her to be on guard.


    The young woman had a familiar look in her eyes.


    She was assessing Hanna.


    Looking for weaknesses.


    ¡°Well. What do you want? I¡¯ve got a busy night¡­ hunting,¡± the young woman said.


    ¡°Carne Asada, Lakers, Indignance.¡± Hanna pulled her aura close to the surface.


    ¡°Turd Sandwich, Celtics, Delusion,¡± the young woman said. ¡°Checked and verified, let¡¯s get on with this.¡±


    ¡°The first feeder match at Marlin¡¯s Stadium¡­ if possible I¡¯d like to know what monster or mutant animal will be used.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    The young woman rushed to the open window.


    ¡°I need to know as soon as possible.¡±


    She vanished in a rush of cloak and shadow.


    Why was the young woman in such a hurry?


    The hunger in her eyes.


    What or who was she hunting?


    Troubling thoughts that made sleep even more difficult.


    She received her answer on a piece of paper left on her desk a day later.


    It wasn¡¯t enough to change the tactics she had settled on.


    Her students weren¡¯t capable of more anyways.


    A loud horn pulled Hanna back to the present.


    Time was up.


    The announcer blathered on about honor and how great their king was.


    Each word made her grind her teeth.


    And, yet, the crowd cheered.


    It was easy to do that when you didn¡¯t have a collar around your neck.


    When you weren¡¯t the one sent out to die in the teeth and claws of monsters.


    ¡°You¡¯re supposed to fight monsters to save people. Not feed your weakest to them for entertainment,¡± Hanna said.


    The outfield wall had been modified as well.


    Instead of the green padded wall in center field there was a thick iron gate.


    It slid open with ponderous doom.


    ¡°Formation!¡± Hanna barked. ¡°Two deep.¡± It was all they could manage with the numbers.


    Her students struggled to comply.


    ¡°Hold your ground! Let it come to you!¡±


    The gate clanged.


    Two roars, so close after each other that it sounded like an echo.


    Her students were too slow.


    ¡°Get in formation!¡±


    A great black bear came thundering out of the gate.


    Two misshapen heads on one over-sized body.


    ¡°Shields forward, spears out! Or you will die!¡±


    They got it together a bare second before the bear hit their front line.


    The mutant bear scattered her students like bowling pins.


    ¡°Fuck this,¡± she muttered as she reached out with her aura.


    The mutant bear was just at the edge of her range.


    She sliced the eyes of the right head just before it chomped down on a downed student.


    She couldn¡¯t reach the left head and an old man paid for it with his life as the mutant bear bit his head off.


    A few of her students managed to recover. They charged in and thrust their spears into the mutant bear¡¯s flanks.


    Mere pinpricks against an unnaturally tough hide.


    One man had a combat Skill. He stepped in and drew real blood from the mutant bear¡¯s chest.


    Then paid for it when a paw splintered his shield and the arm behind.


    ¡°Spells!¡±


    The old woman¡¯s magic missile took the form of two small orbs that swirled with blue and white like a snow globe. They burned holes in the mutant bear¡¯s blinded face.


    A young man with glasses flicked an ice dart that shattered against that tough hide.


    A magically conjured stone broke a fang.


    An orb of light flashed in the left head¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Pull it this way!¡±


    Her students didn¡¯t listen.


    She couldn¡¯t fault them.


    They were in survival mode.


    The temporarily-blinded mutant bear could still smell and hear.


    It mauled two men that had been stunned by its initial charged.


    It ripped open a woman¡¯s lightly-armored chest with a single swipe.


    More spells struck it to little effect.


    The mages were weak.


    Their bodies and spirits had been broken many times over.


    If only Hanna had more time to build them back up. If that was even possible.


    The mutant bear lumbered toward the back line.


    Spears jabbed at its flanks, but it only had eyes for the old woman.


    Her magic fizzled.


    She fell to her back.


    Ready for the end.


    Eyes closed.


    A peaceful look graced her scarred, weathered face.


    The one-eyed girl darted in. She had cast aside her shield to wield her spear in two hands. She looked so small against the massive mutant animal.


    Hanna watched in fear that turned into shock and wonder as the mutant bear suddenly faltered.


    Its left side collapsed bringing it face to face with the girl.


    She screamed with pure hatred as she drove her spear with strength that belied her size into the left head¡¯s eye. Deep, all the way to its brain.


    ¡°Go! Go! Go!¡±


    Her students pounced like lions.


    Spears found the right head¡¯s brain.


    The huge mutant shuddered and died.


    It took a moment for Hanna to realize that the roars were coming from the crowd. She slumped onto the bench and held her head in her hands for a moment before rising and clapping for her surviving students.


    15 remained.


    Against all odds and expectations.


    Now they had a reprieve.


    Another week.


    To heal.


    To train.


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    To improve.


    Hanna needed to ask the one-eyed girl how she had done that.


    <hr>


    ¡°Wow! Did not see that coming. Did you, Lanny?¡±


    ¡°No, Chip. The first highlight of the first inaugural Freedom Championships and it came from a feeder match!¡±


    ¡°Bit redundant there, Lanny?¡±


    ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about, Chip. I¡¯m still shaking from that match. Did you see that girl? Just¡­ shivers.¡±


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, if you¡¯re just tuning in, this is Chip Hern with my partner, Lanny Stewart coming straight from the Hard Rock. We¡¯re honored to be your main broadcast team for the Freedom Championships beaming in right to every screen in the nation.¡±


    ¡°Thank you to the king for giving every household access free of charge.¡±


    ¡°Right you are, Lanny. Is there a more generous man? I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯ve we got for our viewers today, Chip?¡±


    ¡°Events, events and more events! In stadiums, arenas, gyms and parks all across the city. Bronze, Silver and Gold Divisions. We¡¯ve got full coverage across all our different channels. There¡¯s something for everyone!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, Chip. But, we¡¯ve got the main event for Day 1, don¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡°That we do, Lanny! Team fights! Gold Division! Three versus Three! Eight teams begin their climb for riches, rewards and glory!¡±


    ¡°This is the pinnacle, folks. All at least Level 40 or the equivalent. And we¡¯ve got unclassed competitors! That¡¯s right! A true rarity brought to you by the king!¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we break down the competitors for our viewers, Chip? And to do that we have a special guest.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s welcome the king¡¯s champion, Malcolm King!¡± Chip said.


    ¡°Thanks guys!¡± Malcolm took a seat behind the broadcast desk. ¡°Glad to be here!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get right to it!¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you go first, Champ!¡± Chip said.


    ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯d like to get the worst ones out of the way¡­ so¡­ the Meat Parade,¡± Malcolm said.


    ¡°I think everyone knows what those monsters are about,¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°Won¡¯t they be at a disadvantage? These aren¡¯t death matches. They can¡¯t eat anyone,¡± Chip said.


    ¡°You can eat parts of people without killing them,¡± Malcolm said.


    ¡°Looks like their first round opponents have something to watch out for,¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°A team you¡¯re familiar with, Champ,¡± Chip said. ¡°Aptly named, The King¡¯s Chosen.¡±


    ¡°Right, I¡¯ve fought against and with those guys. They¡¯re great!¡±


    ¡°I know that our viewers are familiar with them. Thousand Cuts, The Broken and Soul Netter. Long, storied careers across all the different arenas,¡± Chip said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve always wondered¡­ how do you guys come up with those names? The nom de guerre, so to speak,¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°Well, it depends on the individual. It could be from a fighting style or a favorite weapon. It could come from the fans. Or an iconic moment,¡± Malcolm said.


    ¡°Where did you get yours?¡± Chip said.


    ¡°From my middle name, Xavier,¡± Malcolm grinned sheepishly, ¡°I know, it¡¯s lame,¡± he shrugged.


    Chip and Lanny laughed.


    ¡°I¡¯m just lucky that there¡¯s no one left to sue me for infringement,¡± Malcolm chuckled.


    ¡°Or a country and courts where that matters,¡± Lanny added.


    ¡°So, Champ, prediction?¡± Chip said.


    ¡°Easy, I¡¯ve got to go with my guys. Although, I am a little worried about the no enchanted or otherwise boosted gear rule, not to mention the no health and mana potions rule. I make use of them for the worst monster kill matches, myself.¡±


    ¡°As we said at the top of the program, if you¡¯re just tuning in. It¡¯s important to note that weapons and armor are equalized. No enchantments unless it comes inherently from the wielder himself. So, you¡¯re going to get the purest possible expression of a person¡¯s abilities,¡± Lanny said. ¡°Naturally, we¡¯ve generously offered to provide high quality gear to replace those, but from my understanding most of the contestants haven¡¯t availed themselves of the offer.¡±


    ¡°Well, they¡¯ve had close to a year to get regular gear and if I¡¯m being honest I¡¯d probably do the same if I didn¡¯t already know that I can trust the quality of our smiths¡¯ work,¡± Malcolm said.


    ¡°I¡¯d have to agree with the champ, can¡¯t see us losing to a bunch of crazy cannibals,¡± Chip said.


    ¡°Agreed, though I¡¯m concerned about the shape we¡¯ll be in after. You¡¯re right, Champ. You don¡¯t need to kill a person to take a bite out of them and I don¡¯t care how good the healers we¡¯ve got in the locker rooms you can¡¯t regrow a chunk of muscle,¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°Alright, moving on,¡± Chip said, ¡°the Furies¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I got confused about that, there¡¯s a Furies and a Heartfuries,¡± Malcolm said.


    ¡°According to this,¡± Chip held up a piece of paper, ¡°the Furies claim to be a grandmother, mother and daughter, three generations of¡­ well¡­ fury. They embody the Greek Furies. Alecto, unceasing anger. Megaera, jealous rage. Tisiphone, vengeful destruction. The appraisers didn¡¯t get much more than their levels, all 46. Nothing on their Skills, spells and classes.¡±


    ¡°And why is that, Chip? For the viewers,¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°Levels matter, folks. And these contestants are some of the highest you¡¯ll find. Our appraisers can¡¯t match them.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve got a cool gimmick,¡± Malcolm said. ¡°Do we know which is which?¡±


    ¡°Do you mean, which is the grandma, mom and daughter?¡± Chip said.


    Malcolm nodded.


    ¡°No idea,¡± Chip shrugged.


    ¡°They look pretty close in age to each other,¡± Lanny said. ¡°They might not actually be related.¡±


    ¡°True that, could be part of their gimmick, fierce looking,¡± Malcolm said.


    ¡°And their first round opponents¡­ The Mongols,¡± Chip said.


    ¡°From the steppes of Mongolia?¡± Lanny chuckled.


    ¡°Nope, the empty highways of old America, where they kill monsters and pillage like their namesakes once did. Nothing much to say, two Level 41 marauders and one Level 44 raider. Skills to ride in fast, hit hard and spread terror.¡±


    ¡°No bikes in the arena is going to hurt them, Chip,¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°Easy pick for me,¡± Malcolm said. ¡°The Furies have the levels and The Mongols are used to punching down. They aren¡¯t facing scared women and children here.


    ¡°I think Lanny and I are in agreement,¡± Chip said. ¡°Up next, Blackstar 3.¡±


    ¡°Another cool gimmick,¡± Malcolm chimed in.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got ourselves an unclassed,¡± Chip raised a brow. ¡°Blackstar, shoots concussive blasts shaped like black stars from her hands. At least strong enough to be in the Gold Division. Her teammates are Blackstar Warrior and Blackstar Mage.¡±


    Malcolm grimaced. ¡°I see what happened there. They got put on the spot. Didn¡¯t have names already picked out. Word of advice, you would¡¯ve been better off using your real names. Let the names come from the fans, your actions or a big event. Better chance to get something iconic that way.¡±


    ¡°Right you are!¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°So, the warrior looks to be a defensive tank-type, Level 43. While the mage is Level 40, focused on healing and defense,¡± Chip said.


    ¡°I see how they¡¯ll fight. They¡¯ll rely on Blackstar to dish out the damage. The warrior will hope to draw and absorb threats, while the mage will keep them all in the fight, occasionally taking or blocking anything that gets past the front-liner. Decent set-up, but it¡¯ll all hinge on Blackstar. They better hope she can pump out enough damage.¡±


    ¡°Might be a glass cannon,¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°That¡¯s usually how it is,¡± Chip said.


    ¡°Their opponents?¡± Lanny prompted.


    ¡°Stars and Stripes¡­¡±


    ¡°The last gasps of a dead country,¡± Lanny said solemnly.


    ¡°I wonder about that. We¡¯ve got sideline reporters and they¡¯ll be trying to bring us interviews from some of the teams throughout the day. Stay tuned and find out,¡± Chip said. ¡°As for the team¡­ we¡¯ve got another unclassed. Death¡¯s Dancer and¡­ our appraisers got nothing except that this young man is strong enough for the Gold Division.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ that¡¯s ominous,¡± Lanny said. ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem fair for the other competitors to know absolutely nothing about this guy. And that old American flag skull mask is in bad taste.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right about that. Fortunately, we know more about his teammates. Both share an interesting class, something new and different. Soldier: Tier 1 Patriot.¡±


    ¡°What does that even mean?¡± Lanny shook his head.


    ¡°Well from what little our appraisers managed to get, it means that they¡¯re deadly killing machines. First is a towering specimen, a real life amazon, Lt. Contrary. The second is Lt. Johnny, he looks just like you¡¯d expect.¡±


    ¡°Sticking with the old military theme. It can work,¡± Malcolm said.


    ¡°I just hope they don¡¯t call in an air strike. Some of the younger folks won¡¯t remember, but I do not want to end up as collateral damage along with the seventy thousand fans in attendance,¡± Lanny shuddered.


    Chip blinked. He slowly turned to Malcolm. ¡°Is that even possible?¡±


    ¡°Sure, why not?¡± Malcolm shrugged. ¡°We¡¯ve got a few working old attack helicopters and artillery pieces. If Stars and Stripes is really from what¡¯s left of the old government then I don¡¯t see why they couldn¡¯t have the same.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure our own military¡¯s got that covered,¡± Lanny said hastily.


    ¡°Predictions?¡± Chip said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go with Stars and Stripes. This Death¡¯s Dancer guy has a cool gimmick and I think he¡¯s a wildcard while his teammates have what sounds like a good class. I¡¯m thinking they¡¯ll show good teamwork. Blackstar 3¡¯s feels like they¡¯re too reliant on one person to do their damage,¡± Malcolm said.


    ¡°Going to disagree with the champ, I¡¯m picking Stars and Stripes to go down,¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go with my partner on this one,¡± Chip said.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we move on to the next match, Chip?¡±


    ¡°Right, Lanny. We¡¯ve got the Heartfuries versus¡­ Tears of the Clown¡­¡±


    Lanny chuckled, while Chip¡¯s face went from confused to horrified in the span of three seconds.


    ¡°Chip?¡±


    ¡°I just remembered that I was afraid of clowns when I was a kid. Now¡­ as an old man, I¡¯m terrified. These poor women,¡± Chip shook his head.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see it, Chip.¡± Lanny checked his notes. ¡°The Heartfuries have the level advantage, barring the one called Sparky, she¡¯s another unclassed. Electricity generation, whatever that means. Shootystabby is some kind of upgraded rogue and at Level 48 has the highest out of all our Gold Division teams. While Punchy is a Level 45 Punch Mage.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry those are terrible names,¡± Malcolm said. ¡°Interesting classes though. As for the clowns. I think if you survive this long with clown as a primary class and you get it past 40¡­ these ladies should take them seriously.¡±


    ¡°I really wish we could show you folks at home their pictures. I¡¯m told the tech boys are working on the graphics and hope to have them ready for the actual fights later today,¡± Chip said.


    ¡°Nothing on the clowns abilities? That¡¯s strange,¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°Going by these pictures, I¡¯d guess that they¡¯ve can heal quick. They aren¡¯t wearing armor and their costumes are patched up. And I¡¯m pretty sure those are bloodstains,¡± Malcolm said.


    ¡°For the fact that they are facing clowns, I¡¯m going to put my support behind the Heartfuries,¡± Chip said.


    ¡°I¡¯m picking them too, but because they¡¯ve got the levels and proven combat classes,¡± Malcolm said.


    ¡°I think these clowns will be crying after the Heartfuries send them home,¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°Well, there you have it folks. The eight teams competing in the Gold Division. I¡¯d like to thank the king¡¯s champion for taking time out of his busy schedule to break things down with us,¡± Chip said.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re coaching The King¡¯s Chosen anything you¡¯d like to share about your strategy?¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t go quite that far. The guys are pros and they know how to use their abilities to the fullest. I¡¯m only offering what support and insight I might have. Obviously, I can¡¯t give anything away,¡± Malcolm chuckled.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Chip said.


    ¡°Any last words you¡¯d like to share with our viewers?¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°Please send your support to The King¡¯s Chosen and for my fans, get ready to see my complete my Quest to become the champion of the Gold Division one versus one competition. I¡¯m counting on all of you to push me to the top,¡± Malcolm said.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got it from us, Champ,¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°Now, we¡¯re going to cut to a break as we get ready for the first team match of the day. Furies versus The Mongols. Don¡¯t go away, we¡¯ll be right back to bring you all the action!¡± Chip said.


    <hr>


    ¡°Wow! What a match! So close!¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°Blackstar 3 almost had it, but Death¡¯s Dancer with his invisibility for the clutch takeout of Blackstar. Once she was down the other two had no chance of doing enough damage,¡± Chip said. ¡°We¡¯ll get into a bit of analysis while they clean up the arena for the next match,¡± Chip said.


    ¡°So, that moves Stars and Stripes into the next round along with the winner of our first match, The King¡¯s Chosen. Just two more matches to go to see who will join them. I hope the losers can recover quickly enough to join one of the other events. Especially the one versus one. I understand that the organizers have kept slots open for that reason.¡±


    ¡°I just want to remind our viewers to tune in to this channel at 8 pm for a full analysis of today¡¯s matches with our panel of experts. Now¡ª¡± Chip touched his ear piece. ¡°Excuse me, but I¡¯ve just got word from our field reporter Harley Kevins, she¡¯s managed to secure an interview with the Heartfuries. Still waiting on word from field reporter Andrew Niers on whether he¡¯s been able to do the same with Tears of the Clown¡­ good luck and godspeed to the brave man,¡± Chip said solemnly. ¡°Now, on to Harley,¡± he smiled.


    ¡°Thanks, Chip and Lanny,¡± a beautiful woman in a tight dress stood outside a locker room door with a microphone in her hand. Another woman stood next to her. This one was geared for battle. ¡°I¡¯m here with Punchy. First of all, thanks for agreeing to speak with me.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I saw that the cannibal freaks gave you an interview, so we figured it¡¯d look bad if we didn¡¯t do the same, you know?¡± Punchy shrugged.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re facing the clowns¡­ care to share anything about your strategy?¡±


    ¡°Well, Harley, the thing is¡­ clowns aren¡¯t real,¡± Punchy stared into the camera, ¡°they¡¯re imaginary, don¡¯t exist, which means we just have to hit them and they go pop.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ I see¡­ um¡­ I understand you¡¯re originally from the Austin area in Texas.¡±


    ¡°Yup,¡± Punchy made a sign with her hand, middle and ring finger down, thumb and the rest pointed up, ¡°the old timers did this a lot, don¡¯t actually know what it means,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°Right¡­ you¡¯ve been in New American Republic for a few weeks now. How would you compare the two?¡±


    A feral grin split Punchy¡¯s mouth. ¡°Glad you asked, Harley,¡± she grabbed the microphone from the field reporter. ¡°I have no idea what that is. I was pretty sure this place was Miami, that¡¯s what all the maps said.¡±


    Harley tried and failed to pull the microphone back.


    ¡°What do I think of this place? You ask me¡­ well, it¡¯s fucked. You¡¯ve got enslaved people everywhere I look. What the fuck is up with that? Haven¡¯t you people heard of the Constitution or something? Do you have anything you¡¯d like to say to all the watchers? Thanks for asking, Harley. Well, I say that we¡¯re going to win this ridiculous contest and when we do we¡¯re going to ask the king for a boon, since that¡¯s one of the prizes. And that boon will be th¡ª¡±


    ¡°That isn¡¯t one of the prizes!¡± Harley blurted out.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got it wrong, Harley. This is how this works. A king holds a contest. The winner gets to ask for a boon. And we¡¯re going to ask for the freedom of everyone you¡¯ve got in a collar. You listening, spires?¡± Punchy cackled. ¡°Emancipation Proclamation 2, baby! Wooo! Dread it, run from it, freedom is inevitable! We¡¯re gonna style! Profi¡ª¡±


    The camera cut back to a stunned Chip and Lanny.


    ¡°What a rude woman?¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°Is it too late to change my pick,¡± Chip chuckled nervously.


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t lack for confidence.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d say delusionally so.¡±


    ¡°What are the rules for disqualification? Can I get someone on that?¡± Lanny looked off camera.


    ¡°While our staff gets on that let¡¯s go to Andrew,¡± Chip said.


    The camera cut to a perfectly coiffed young man standing in the middle of three garish and ghastly clowns.


    Two had their arms around his shoulders on both sides while the largest one loomed closely behind.


    Andrew¡¯s face had been painted white with tears of different colors running down his cheeks. A red ball was fixed over his nose.


    ¡°I¡ª I¡¯m here with Tears of the Clown,¡± he stammered. ¡°I¡ª I don¡¯t get it but I¡ª I think I¡¯ve been initiated into the troupe¡ª I¡ª I got a level in clown¡ª¡±


    ¡°Probationary,¡± the round-faced clown on his right said in a deep baritone, ¡°pending survival¡­¡±


    The camera cut back.


    Lanny stared in open-mouthed shock.


    ¡°Can we get security down there right away¡­ more security! I golf with Andrew¡¯s father. Lord Niers, we will do everything in our power to keep your son safe,¡± Chip said. ¡°Let¡¯s cut to commercial.¡±


    The screen went black for a moment before cutting to a man in a dark purple robe, he flipped his hood to reveal a red devil mask. Eerie chanting echoed in the background. A scream. Sobs.


    ¡°Hello, citizens of the New American Republic. I am Mammon, member of the inner council of the Cabal. Do you think you have what it takes to delve into the mystical arts? Arts brought here by an immortal being from another world. If you do, come join us. For a small fee you can be initiated into our mysteries. Gain power beyond imagining! Take the reins of the world into your hands!¡±

 7.7

    Hayden half-listened to the referee go over the rules.


    Pointlessness all around.


    They had gone over what little rules there were inside the locker room and the zebra-stripped shirt wearing man wasn¡¯t actually going to do anything during the match. He was going to be off the field and only show up after to raise the victors¡¯ hands. They were just keeping up appearances for the show, fulfilling the expectations of the crowd and the supposed millions watching at home.


    Instead, she studied their opponents.


    Clowns, make that clowns.


    The fat one and the skinny one fit the profile of what she remembered about clowns.


    The tall, muscular one did not.


    Flanking her, Jayde and Dayana remained silent.


    ¡°Defend yourself at all times!¡± the referee barked. ¡°Understand?¡±


    She grunted acknowledgment.


    The fat clown flourished an artful bow.


    ¡°Go to your sides of the arena! Do not cross the starting line until the siren rings!¡±


    A one minute countdown appeared on the scoreboard and all the other big screens scattered throughout.


    ¡°Let¡¯s mark them happy, sad and angry,¡± Dayana suggested.


    Going by their face paint.


    ¡°That¡¯s too basic,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Fine. Morose, ebullient and infuriated. You happy?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d be ebullient if that wasn¡¯t too stuck up.¡±


    ¡°You name them then.¡±


    ¡°How about¡ª¡±


    ¡°Fat, thin, big,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°That¡¯s too basic,¡± Jayde complained.


    ¡°The blood will wash or obscure the face paint.¡±


    ¡°Hayden¡¯s right,¡± Dayana sad.


    ¡°Fat, thin, big, it is,¡± Jayde sighed.


    ¡°I¡¯m worried that all they seem to have are kitchen knives.¡± Dayana chambered a round in her rifle. ¡°I can knee-cap them all in three seconds.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re over 40. They¡¯ll have a couple of tricks that defy the laws of physics,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°They heal fast, but they have to have limits. Focus on the fat one, keep him down until it looks like he¡¯s done before switching to the big one. I¡¯ll keep them focused on me while Jayde looks for her openings. Like we talked about.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t forget. We win without getting too badly hurt and not revealing our full strength,¡± Jayde grumbled. ¡°I still think we¡¯re better off just worrying about the first part.¡±


    ¡°Too late to change the plan,¡± Dayana said.


    The clock hit zero.


    An ear-splitting siren blared.


    Dayana¡¯s rifle barked.


    The fat clown went down clutching a ruined knee.


    The thin one started flipping toward the Fu¡ª Heartfuries.


    ¡°Go get her, tiger!¡± Jayde slapped Hayden on the butt.


    The soft glow of the mage shield lined her body.


    She checked her grip on her wire-wrapped spear as she dashed forward to meet the thin clown.


    The big one thundered forward.


    ¡°You and me, big guy,¡± Jayde beckoned as she angled off to the left.


    Dayana¡¯s rifle barked again. ¡°Damn that¡¯s some Wolverine-level healing,¡± she muttered.


    Thin arcs of electricity danced up and down the thin copper wire around the haft and to the steel head. Hayden thrust up at the thin clown.


    The angry-faced woman had made the mistake of committing to an impossibly high, quadruple flip and twist in a bid to get behind Hayden.


    Hayden aimed for a shoulder.


    Only to blink in confusion as her spear vanished only to reappear in the clown¡¯s hands a split-second later.


    She stumbled forward as her own spear shattered Jayde¡¯s magic shield and skidded off the steel backplate.


    The thin clown landed perfectly and twirled Hayden¡¯s spear in with a flourish accompanied by laughter.


    Hayden saw red.


    Jayde sent the big, smiling-faced clown flying with a pillar of dirt she punched into the ground from fifty feet away.


    The clown smacked face first into the magical barrier that protected the crowd. He left a smear of blood for a moment before the barrier vanished as he fell away.


    Dayana¡¯s gun barked again.


    The fat clown¡¯s sad face was twisted with pain as first one knee then the other healed from a bullet flying through. He pointed at Dayana and started laughing.


    The laughter built with surprising quickness.


    It took a moment for Dayana to realize that the laughter was also coming from her.


    Incomprehension gave way to horror.


    She couldn¡¯t stop laughing.


    She could barely gasp for breath in the gaps between roaring laughter.


    The fat clown stood. His bare knees were bloody, but whole through the holes in the yellows and blues of his clown pants.


    His belly shook with his roaring, Infectious Laughter.


    Dayana writhed on the ground.


    Her laughter crossed the bounds of what was possible, or what was endurable for the human body, even with Skills that enhanced it. She writhed in laughter that strained her bones and joints, arms bending in ways they couldn¡¯t, muscles tearing as they squeezed and twisted bones.


    Jayde shut the laughter off with a flaming fist to a fat face. ¡°That¡¯ll give you something to be sad about,¡± she snarled.


    The fat clown pouted as he picked himself up off the ground a dozen feet away, though it was hard to be sure with how charred the fireball left his face.


    Jayde sprinted back to Dayana with the speed from her Haste spell still in effect.


    It was nice how long it lasted at her high level.


    ¡°Hang on, you! Cackling is my thing,¡± she pulled Dayana¡¯s helmet up to slap her cheek. ¡°Heal.¡± Slapping the cheek guard or literally anywhere else would¡¯ve been fine, but skin to skin was the most effective and there was something satisfying about hitting someone else¡¯s face.


    ¡°My¡ª ribs¡ª¡± Dayana gasped. ¡°Broke¡ª all¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut up and let the spell work. They¡¯ll be cracked in no time.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª can¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know you can push through it for a bit, but then you¡¯ll be useless. Don¡¯t worry about it. Hayden¡¯s got thin and I¡¯ll keep fat and big busy. Fatty can¡¯t talk right now and big¡¯s kinda slow.¡±


    Jayde sprinted off, while Dayana lay back and tried to breathe without pain. It was going to feel like an eternity before she could get back into the fight. She could only hope that her friends could handle it without her.


    Hayden was not handling it particularly well.


    The thin, angry clown¡¯s laughter seeped into her soul.


    She couldn¡¯t think, couldn¡¯t plan.


    All she wanted to do was make it stop.


    She charged blindly after the flipping clown.


    Her own spear had cut and stabbed her in the gaps of her plate and chain, through the tough, padded clothing.


    Her electricity stunned the clown each time, but the infuriating woman recovered quickly enough to dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge again out of her grasp.


    ¡°HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, HAAAA!¡± the thin clown showered Hayden¡¯s helmet-covered face in spittle as she twirled and flipped over to her back landing a thudding blow with the butt of the spear.


    ¡°AAARRRGHHHH!¡± Hayden spat as a large burst of electricity exploded from her body.


    The arcs sizzled up the spear and to the clown¡¯s hands sending her into seizures.


    ¡°GONNNAAA KILL YOU!¡± she grasped the sides of the clown¡¯s head and squeezed with all the might of a woman enraged.


    Hayden was about to release enough electricity to power a large town when the red abruptly faded from her vision.


    A voice pierced through the sound of the blood rushing through her ears.


    The stupid referee¡¯s warning about breaking rules 1 through 5.


    No killing.


    Automatic forfeiture and depending on the circumstances she could end up with new jewelry around her neck.


    Within minutes of their first fight and she was already about to ruin Cal¡¯s plans.


    Hayden pulled back.


    Instead of a body charring amount of electricity, she let just enough loose to stun the thin clown.


    Then another just in case.


    She looked up to the field to her friends.


    Dayana was down.


    Jayde was engaging the other two clowns.


    She wanted to go help, but she couldn¡¯t leave the clown at her feet to heal. Couldn¡¯t accidentally kill her with electricity. It was fine line between overloading whatever the clowns had that let them heal quickly and killing them permanently.


    ¡°You going to be good in a bit?¡± she called to Dayana.


    Thumbs-up and a pained smile.


    That would have to be good enough.


    Hayden settled for sending a pulse of electricity into the thin clown periodically while keeping an eye on Jayde¡¯s fight.


    Jayde punched the ground.


    Thirty feet away a thick wall of earth sprang up at about shin height.


    The big clown crashed into it stumbling slightly as he powered through.


    ¡°At least act like that hurt!¡± Jayde threw her hands up. ¡°No, you don¡¯t, fatty!¡± she spun and swiped her hand in the dirt sending a shower of grit into the fat clown with a magical gust of wind. ¡°What? Don¡¯t like the taste? Then you shouldn¡¯t be a mouthbreather!¡± She sprinted toward the choking clown and away from the big one.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    A running punch to a jiggling belly landed at the same time as the knife that appeared out of nowhere in the fat clown¡¯s hand sparked against a cheek guard.


    A stone dart flew out of the clown¡¯s back in a spray of blood and gore.


    Jayde snarled in his face. ¡°You heal fast? That shouldn¡¯t kill you, right?¡± she spun around the clown¡¯s considerable bulk and shoved him hard. ¡°Eat a sad fat sandwich!¡±


    Another mighty gust of wind propelled him like a fastball straight at the big clown.


    <hr>


    ¡°Ouch! I guess we now know what happens when the unstoppable force meets the immovable object. Right, Lanny?¡±


    ¡°But which was which, Chip?¡±


    ¡°I guess it doesn¡¯t matter to anyone else but the sad clown. The fat man isn¡¯t going to be walking that off too easily.¡±


    ¡°To add insult to injury he barely slowed the happy clown. What do think, Punchy just did there, Chip?¡±


    ¡°Looked like some kind of wind spell.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure it wasn¡¯t something like a Force Push?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s a mage, Lanny, not a Jedi.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯d sure be easier to call this match if they called out their abilities like we suggested,¡± Lanny sighed.


    ¡°Can¡¯t fault them for wanting to keep things close to vest. They want to win,¡± Chip shrugged.


    ¡°The King¡¯s Chosen don¡¯t have that problem,¡± Lanny pointed out.


    ¡°And they¡¯re gladiators. From what I¡¯ve been told before it benefits them to be as showy as possible.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s a shame for the viewers at home. At least Punchy seems to have a bit of that flair,¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°She banters decently, nothing like our champions for sure, but not bad for an amateur,¡± Chip agreed.


    ¡°Looks like Shootystabby is just about done with her timeout, she¡¯s climbing to her feet and getting that rifle ready again. Let me tell you, Chip, I¡¯d like to see more stabby and less shooty, there isn¡¯t a lot of excitement in watching someone shoot a gun,¡± Lanny said. ¡°What do you think that laughing attack the sad clown sent her way?¡±


    ¡°Well, since we have to guess,¡± Chip sighed as the screen split to show a replay of the sad clown pointing and laughing at Shootystabby, ¡°you see that the laughter starts with the clown but quickly spread to Shootystabby. The Skill or spell, I have no idea, clearly makes the body laugh so hard that it, literally, hurts.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Chip, back to the action then¡­ it looks like Sparky is still keeping the angry clown down¡ª¡±


    ¡°She shook off what looked to be a rage-inducing laugh attack, good sign of control and restraint,¡± Chip cut-in, ¡°good show of mental fortitude from the angry woman.¡±


    ¡°How do you know, Chip? She¡¯s wearing a full-helmet. I can barely see her eyes.¡±


    ¡°Production meeting notes,¡± Chip tapped the papers on the desk in front of him, ¡°Sparky¡¯s always got a scowl on her otherwise pretty face. She¡¯d get a lot of fans if she smiled more.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t let her catch you saying that, Chip,¡± Lanny chuckled, ¡°it makes them mad.¡±


    ¡°Back to the action, Lanny,¡± Chip said, ¡°But first, kudos to the production team and all the eggheads for the split screen. Viewers at home can follow all the action at the same time!¡±


    ¡°The big clown¡¯s coming in for some payback!¡± Lanny said. ¡°Let¡¯s see what Punchy thinks about that.¡±


    ¡°A big swing with that meaty fist¡ª wait! Where did that rusty cleaver come from? Punchy ducks under it! Sparks fly from her helmet!¡±


    ¡°That isn¡¯t rust, Chip. Its dried blood!¡± Lanny cut in. ¡°So horrifying!¡±


    ¡°Punchy jabs to the wrist holding the cleaver!¡±


    ¡°Weird spot to throw a punch if you weren¡¯t a punch mage.¡±


    ¡°Big explosion from what was probably a fireball! The big clown and Punchy stagger away from each other. Here comes Shootystabby! Where did the black woman come from? Did you see, Lanny? One moment nearly on the other side of the field and the next darting in with what looks like a pair of long knives to carve up the big clown¡¯s hamstrings!¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s got those fast-twitch muscles,¡± Lanny nodded sagely, ¡°very athletic.¡±


    ¡°The big clown falls to his knees¡­¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s got a reason to frown if Shootystabby¡¯s knives have anything to say about it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, Lan¡ª wait? What? I thought, he had the smiling face paint. But¡ª no¡ª he¡¯s definitely got the sad face.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, Chip. The fat one was sad, the woman was angry and the big guy was happy. I¡¯m sure of it.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s all academic folks, as Shootystabby is about to take him out of this fight. The refrigerator door is closing, the light¡¯s about to go out¡ª folks the clown is crying! Real tears! Not just the ones painted on his face.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯ll stop Shootystabby, she¡¯s got a real angry look on her face¡ª wait! Are those tears? Is she crying? What am I watching, Chip?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Lanny, but you¡¯re right. Shootystabby¡¯s definitely tearing up and those long knives are shaking like that jello I was just about to close the door on. Folks! The big clown isn¡¯t done yet!¡±


    ¡°Looks, like Punchy is just as confused as we are,¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°Well, she better get her teammate back into the match or¡ª ohhhh!¡± Chip winced. ¡°Just like that! Shootystabby goes for a ride! The big clown just sent her flying with a mean backhand.¡±


    ¡°Back to the kitchen to make that sandwich!¡± Lanny added.


    ¡°Punchy didn¡¯t like that! She¡¯s running right in and¡ª Boom! Goes the dynamite! She rocks the clown with a fist to the side of his face!¡±


    ¡°But here comes the fat clown, jiggling like that jello! For a fat guy, he¡¯s got some acrobatic moves!¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°It¡¯s the class, Lanny¡­ it¡¯s got to be,¡± Chip said. ¡°Triple cartwheel into a flip over Punchy! She tries a jumping uppercut! Too high to reach! Punchy screams in pain and turns away cradling her left arm!¡±


    ¡°That was too fast to follow with our normal human eyes,¡± Lanny said. ¡°Can we get a slow-mo replay?¡±


    The screen cut to the fat clown throwing a pair of knives mid-flip that Punchy barely managed to block with her chainmail-covered arm.


    ¡°Those knives just appear in their hands, don¡¯t they?¡± Lanny shook his head.


    ¡°Skills or spells at this level violate the laws of physics,¡± Chip nodded sagely.


    ¡°Can we call them laws if they get broken repeatedly?¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Lanny, but I¡¯m not ashamed to admit that it keeps me up at night sometimes,¡± Chip nodded.


    ¡°Same here, buddy, same here¡ª¡±


    ¡°Punchy¡¯s in trouble, folks! The big clown recovered quickly as expected and he¡¯s got her wrapped up tight, kicking her legs at air. The fat clown is coming in with yet another bloody knife flipping in his hand. Looks like he¡¯s saying something with that happy face of his. Can we boost the audio?¡±


    ¡ªcan you fight in anger? Or sadness? No? I think it¡¯s only joy for you. Well, let me give you a permanent smile¡­


    ¡°Do we cut away?¡± Lanny looked off camera.


    ¡°No we don¡¯t, but I¡¯m not going to describe what we¡¯re about to see.¡±


    ¡°Damn shame to see such a pretty woman get disfigured,¡± Lanny said.


    The broadcaster¡¯s face twisted in disgust.


    ¡°Wait a minute! It¡¯s not over for Punchy! Sparky¡¯s coming in for the partial save! She grabs the fat clown¡ª¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s jiggling like that jello! How many volts do you think she¡¯s putting through him?¡±


    ¡°Enough to cook him from the looks of that smoke and blackened skin!¡±


    ¡°I wonder if it¡¯s true what they say, Chip¡­¡±


    ¡°What is, Lanny?¡±


    ¡°Does it smell like bacon?¡±


    Chip stared into nothing for a moment. ¡°It kinda does, Lanny. But, back to the action.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to wonder if Sparky made a mistake leaving the clown woman¡ª¡±


    The screen split to show the thin clown. She writhed and clutched at the spear stabbed into her shoulder and into the ground.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s brutal. Remind me not to open my big mouth around these very angry women, Chip.¡±


    ¡°Punchy¡¯s still not out of trouble, she¡¯s got an arm the size of a man¡¯s thigh around her neck annndddd¡­ she¡¯s out, folks! Punchy is out! The big clown drops her in the dirt and now he¡¯s set his eyes on Sparky. The electrifying woman whips a chain at the big man. One touch! One touch is all it takes and the man is down to one knee!¡±


    ¡°His body is locked up tighter than my first girlfriend before I¡ª¡±


    ¡°You spoke too soon, Lanny! Sparky just took a fistful of dirt in her face! How the big clown managed to move with all that electricity running through him, I¡¯ll never know¡ª check that¡ª now that his face paint is angry, I¡¯ll say rage let him power through. A moment¡¯s distraction is all the clowns need. The fat one is stabbing like a madman.¡±


    ¡°Finding trouble getting through Sparky¡¯s plate and chain. That blackened skin is going back to its proper color right before our very eyes! You¡¯ve got to wonder how much longer they can keep that up. Using abilities comes with costs as everyone knows,¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°They don¡¯t look to be slowing down. The big clown¡¯s about to go for his patented choke hold.¡±


    ¡°Would you say it¡¯s a¡­ showstopper?¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°Not a simple choke hold, but from the way it looks like he¡¯s about to open his mouth to laugh, we might be about to see and hear the end of the Heartfuries.¡±


    ¡°Ohhhh!!!¡± the two broadcasters echoed.


    ¡°My God! Where did she come from?¡± Lanny roared.


    ¡°Shootystabby out of nowhere to plunged one of those long knives right down the big clown¡¯s gullet!¡±


    ¡°I thought we told the contestants there was a definite no killing rule?¡±


    ¡°They were definitely informed,¡± Chip said.


    ¡°Well¡­ it looks like my wallet is about to get a lot lighter,¡± Lanny said. ¡°These Heartfuries will be worth bidding on when they¡¯re collared. You won¡¯t have to worry about monsters or raiders, not that you do if you live in the safe embrace of our king,¡± he added hastily, ¡°but let¡¯s say you wanted to venture out or something like that. It also doesn¡¯t hurt that they¡¯re easy on the eyes. Even the black one.¡±


    ¡°You might be getting ahead of yourself. The big clown is down and he¡¯s gurgling, but he doesn¡¯t look dead yet. Surprisingly, cerebral move by Shootystabby there, leaving her knife in his mouth. It¡¯s a continuous cycle of being cut and healing. Can we get a replay? I¡¯d like to see where she came from¡­¡±


    The screen changed to show Shootystabby appearing out of nowhere to plunged her knife into the big clown¡¯s open mouth.


    ¡°Sorta, like, a little flicker there¡­ I think?¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°Inconclusive, she¡¯s keeping a tight hold on her secrets, that¡¯s for sure,¡± Chip said.


    ¡°What¡¯s the fat clown going to do here, Chip? He¡¯s facing a two on one and he¡¯s got to have burned through a lot of his stamina to heal what has been a horrific amount of damage already.¡±


    ¡°He hasn¡¯t tried a laugh attack since the first one. It might¡¯ve been a one time thing on a long cool down or he doesn¡¯t have enough juice left.¡±


    ¡°That tracks. If you remember the woman clown only did one laugh attack and she¡¯s still struggling with the spear in her shoulder. You¡¯d think she¡¯d pull another laugh out now that things aren¡¯t looking good for the clowns.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re on to something, Lanny. The big clown also only tried one laugh attack.¡±


    ¡°Bad luck Shootystabby got that knife down his throat.¡±


    ¡°Which leaves, the fat clown and those endless knives. Two come flying out faster than I can follow!¡±


    ¡°But not for Shootystabby!¡±


    ¡°She parries one with her own knife and catches the other, sending it back!¡±


    ¡°Airmail with a one way ticket to ouchtown!¡±


    ¡°A knife to the knee. That woman sure has something against knees,¡± Chip said. ¡°Down goes the fat clown! Down he goes!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s he got left in the tank? Any last tricks? Everyone knows never to count out a clown. Can he pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat? Or do the clowns end their tournament early and in real tears?¡±


    ¡°I think you¡¯re thinking of magicians, Lanny,¡± Chip said.


    ¡°You sure? I¡¯ve got memories, Chip and I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯ve seen a clown pull a rabbit out of a hat once.¡±


    ¡°I guess it doesn¡¯t really matter, Lanny. Sparky and Shootystabby are spreading out to take the clown from both sides. I can¡¯t see her face because of the helmet, but I¡¯m sure the latter has a very angry look on her face.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d have said that based on those arcs coming off her armor. What¡¯s a happy clown to do in this situation? Balloon animals that come to life to devour souls? A never-ending rope of handkerchiefs that steals souls? A tiny car out of nowhere with more horrifying clowns?¡±


    ¡°God, I hope not¡­¡± Chip said.


    ¡°Chip! He¡¯s doing something!¡±


    ¡°Folks, the fat clown is down on one knee and he¡¯s reached into one of his many pockets! What¡¯s he got up his sleeve¡ª¡±


    ¡°Thought that was magicians, Chip?¡±


    ¡°Out comes his hands! As quick as a cobra! He sure moves fast for a fat man! And he¡¯s¡­ waving a white flag¡­ he¡¯s holding up his other hand¡­¡±


    The crowd in the arena fell silent. Hushed confusion taking over from ferocious and bloodthirsty cheers and roars.


    Suddenly, a loud siren rang and confetti fell from the open air.


    Ladies and gentlemen! the announcer¡¯s voice boomed. You¡¯re winners¡­ The Heartfuries!


    The camera¡¯s continued to capture the action on the arena floor as medical personnel and armed guards entered.


    ¡°What a match! What a privilege!¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°A reminder, folks at home,¡± Chip said. ¡°We¡¯ll have a full recap and analysis of all of today¡¯s action later tonight one hour after the last match.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got goosebumps, Chip! So many momentum swings!¡±


    ¡°It really could¡¯ve gone either way.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to ask, why did the clowns give up?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Lanny, it seemed obvious to me that they were running right up to their limits on healing. The fat clown seemed to be their leader and I think he saw the writing on the wall and made the call to save themselves for the one versus one event.¡±


    ¡°It would spread their chances of finishing in the top places and winning it all, but only if they can heal quickly enough,¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s why the one versus one isn¡¯t starting until day four of the Freedom Championships. It¡¯ll give the first round losers the chance to heal and compete if they¡¯re interested,¡± Chip said.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m saying this, but I wouldn¡¯t mind seeing these clowns in action again. Maybe, it won¡¯t end in tears for them the next time they enter the field.¡±


    ¡°I completely, disagree with you, Lanny,¡± Chip said. ¡°I can still hear the laughter in my head¡­¡±


    ¡°Right, well, moving on. Harley¡¯s going to try to get an interview with our victors, the Heartfuries. Andrew, understandably, will not be interviewing the losers. The ground crew is going to be busy getting the field ready for the next and last match of the first round. Punchy left a lot of those dirt walls up,¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°With each match we learn more about the contestants and with that knowledge we can bring a better quality to the calls we¡¯re giving you, our valued viewers,¡± Chip said.


    ¡°I hope we get more information in our production meeting for the next round¡¯s matches,¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°The team does what they can with what the contestants are willing to share. We¡¯ve got a good team backing us, right Lanny?¡± Chip said.


    ¡°Of course we do. The best for the best. We¡¯re the premier broadcast team for a reason,¡± Lanny grinned.


    ¡°Right, you are Lanny,¡± Chip turned to the camera. ¡°Stay tuned for the next match coming up in an hour. It¡¯s the Meat Parade versus our very own, The King¡¯s Chosen for the last spot in the semi-finals.¡±


    The screen went black for a moment before cutting to a man in a dark purple robe flipping his hood back to reveal a red devil mask. Eerie chanting echoed in the background. A scream. Sobs.


    ¡°Hello, citizens of the New American Republic. I am Mam¡ª

 7.8

    Florida, New American Republic, November-December 2036


    ¡°You¡¯ll be mostly on your own, Captain.¡±


    ¡°I understand, Sir. Your brother made it clear that support from him will be limited to things in Miami,¡± Captain Butcher said.


    ¡°Just wanted to make sure you knew to be cautious. You¡¯re far from home and there won¡¯t be any reinforcements or emergency support. Eron can¡¯t stay home for too long. He said that he¡¯s been hearing about something weird popping up somewhere in Egypt. I need to get back so he can check it out,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t need an escort, Sir?¡±


    ¡°No, thanks. Cal will keep my presence hidden. It¡¯ll be a quick exchange. Just one more drop off.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got this, sir. Your cousin¡¯s presence will be a big help.¡±


    ¡°True.¡±


    Captain Butcher watched their unofficial leader, figurehead and all around inspiration disappear into the night sky.


    She headed to the building she had claimed as a command center.


    It had been some kind of community center for the long-empty reservation.


    Rangers hustled about the place clearing it of monsters and cleaning it up.


    There had been way too many scattered human bones.


    The thought that they had likely been there for over a decade was sobering.


    She would never truly get used to the state of the world.


    Given the choice she wouldn¡¯t have undertaken this operation, this Quest.


    They had just started to recover from a brutal year¡¯s long war with the undead in San Diego and sending 500 rangers to the opposite coast was beyond risky. It was a quarter of their numbers on paper, but closer to half of their effective numbers when accounting for rangers still in recovery. Some of whom would never truly get all the way back.


    Still¡­ the cause was just and her leaders had decided. It was simply duty that she had volunteered to lead since she was the objectively best woman for the job.


    ¡°Captain Butcher!¡± a messenger ran up to her.


    Ranger Sweet Teats was assigned to the squads taking the northern sector of the reservation.


    ¡°North is clear! Securing buildings and a perimeter. Sigilists beginning concealment.¡±


    ¡°Very good. My complements to their quick and quiet work.¡±


    ¡°Sir!¡± the tall, thin man saluted and hurried off to return the message.


    She was met by Lt. Muttley at the command center. Several squads ringed the largest building on the reservation.


    The squat, brawny, bulldog-like man saluted as soon as he saw her approach.


    ¡°Status?¡±


    ¡°Captain, she kicked everyone expect Groundpound out. Said our mages mana signatures would muddy things up for the wards or something like that,¡± Lt. Muttley said.


    Captain Butcher frowned. ¡°Groundpound?¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ Rayna¡¯s cousin, Sir¡­ respectfully.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not a ranger.¡±


    ¡°Honorary, then¡­ it just ain¡¯t right to be calling someone by their real name in a scrap. Never know when a witch might be around¡­ er¡­ not counting our witches, of course.¡±


    ¡°Right, but I¡¯d suggest you ask her instead of just giving her one. I¡¯ve heard that she¡¯s got a temper,¡± Captain Butcher said. She regarded the community center. There was a pronounced yellow-gold glow emanating from the building. The arcane symbols painted on the walls seemed to pulse as if the building concealed a beating heart. ¡°Can¡¯t be helped,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°Sir?¡±


    She looked up to the night sky. ¡°A little bit of light goes a long way in the dark.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be too worried, Captain,¡± Lt. Muttley said. ¡°You can see Miami lit up from all the way here. That means anyone in the city isn¡¯t going to be seeing much else even if they were looking in this direction. Besides, we¡¯ve got eyes in the sky and if there are any eyes out there then we can scoop them right up and shut them up. Not to mention that we¡¯ve got miles of swamp between us and them.¡±


    She nodded. ¡°I¡¯m going to make a circuit, counterclockwise from here. Send for me after she finishes in there. I¡¯d like to speak to her.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Sir. Do you want an escort?¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary.¡±


    She headed up the dirt path.


    Rangers had roughly hacked through overgrown grass and weeds.


    There had been a lot of snakes hidden, but the girl had spared them from having to hunt every single one with a ward that had driven all the unwanted animals out into areas where it was easier to deal with them.


    Unfortunately, some slipped through the girl¡¯s magic.


    A low rattling sound was the only warning she got.


    It was enough.


    She drew her saber with a whisper and a brief, silvery flash in the moonlight.


    The snake¡¯s head went flying away from the rest of its body.


    A quick flash of her light to make sure that it only had one head¡­ and body.


    Satisfied that was the case she listened for any other signs of danger.


    There was only the rustling of the tall grass in the breeze.


    Captain Butcher continued up the path but kept her sword in hand.


    A few days later the Ranger Captain sat in her temporary office in her temporary command center.


    ¡°You should dust,¡± the athletic-looking woman said as she ran a finger across the surface of a bookshelf. ¡°I see a spider¡­ I see many spiders. Could be venomous? Poisonous? What¡¯s the difference?¡±


    Captain Butcher didn¡¯t quite catch every single the word through the woman¡¯s accented English. It would¡¯ve been more efficient for the woman to speak in her first language and let the universal translation system take care of it. Though, she¡¯d never voice that opinion. For one, the woman was Rayna¡¯s cousin. And she was the physically strongest person in their contingent by a wide margin. Strong enough to bend steel like it was foam and throw cars over buildings.


    ¡°I have no idea,¡± she answered honestly.


    ¡°They aren¡¯t dangerous,¡± the young woman that looked like a girl said from the chair on the other side of Captain Butcher¡¯s desk. ¡°The wards will keep any living creature that poses a danger to a normal human outside.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re looking much better today, Lilah,¡± Captain Butcher said.


    ¡°Pushed it too hard,¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°Ay, stop it, Maddy! I¡¯m not a kid anymore,¡± Lilah said.


    ¡°Yeah, well, I had to carry you around for a day, so¡­¡± Madalena shrugged.


    ¡°And you won¡¯t need to push yourself as hard again. I promise you that,¡± Captain Butcher said. ¡°We can handle it from here.¡±


    ¡°No worries, Captain. It¡¯s always harder to do the wards the first time than it is to maintain them,¡± Lilah said.


    ¡°Which, other mages can do so now, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Lilah shouldn¡¯t need to lift a finger moving forward,¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t listen to her, I intend to inspect the wards daily and make sure they¡¯re working as they¡¯re supposed to.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of¡­ I want an escort for her,¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°Of course, that¡¯s in-line with my thoughts. Two squads¡ª¡±


    ¡°Three¡ª¡±


    ¡°One¡ª¡±


    Madalena and Lilah cut-in.


    ¡°Three it is,¡± Captain Butcher said. ¡°Madalena, can I factor you into strategic and tactical considerations?¡±


    ¡°My priority is Lilah¡¯s safety. However, if something particularly horrible shows up then I will be happy to lend my strength.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Now, I have a few questions about your wards.¡±


    The conversation was quick, perfunctory.


    They had already gone over expectations beforehand and the captain was satisfied to learn that it had gone as Lilah had promised.


    The wards did push dangerous creatures away.


    Though, their main function was to conceal their presence from prying eyes, magical, technological and a blend of the two. Scrying spells would show nothing. Drones and camera¡¯s would likewise find themselves blind whenever they turned toward the reservation.


    What they wouldn¡¯t do was hide their presence from physical eyes. A person could simply walk up and look.


    They were counting on being surrounded by dangerous wilderness for that.


    Furthermore, they expected the Freedom Championships to put in a lot of work toward keeping their presence hidden until it was too late for the slaver kingdom. All their attention would be turned inward to all the exciting events.


    All the rangers needed to do was wait and look for the opportunities that Cal had told them about while not losing their edge to boredom.


    ¡°This is boring,¡± Curious said. She sat with her muddy boots propped up on the mess table while twirling a leaf-bladed knife by the ring at the end of its handle. ¡°I should¡¯ve stayed home.¡±


    ¡°Jesus-fucking-Christ, get your boots off the table,¡± Oatmilk slapped her boots off the table. He wiped the mud off as best as he could before dropping his MRE tray and sitting down to eat.


    ¡°Getting tired of your blasphemy, Oats,¡± Curious spun her knife faster as she leaned to stare at Oatmilk¡¯s face.


    ¡°I¡¯ve actually read the Bible,¡± Oatmilk scoffed as he pointedly kept his eyes on his meal.


    ¡°There¡¯s a library in this place, Curious¡­ I saw a Bible there, you could go take a look. Finally get genuine religion,¡± Sketchy Panda looked up from a thick book to peer at the others. The ranger was either lucky or unlucky to get that name. He had been a new recruit a few years back and as chance would have it he had taken a good hit to the face right before naming day which left him with an ugly, purple mask around both eyes. The sergeant had thought he also looked ¡®sketchy¡¯ and hence a new name for the rest of his life.


    It could¡¯ve been worse, Sketchy Panda knew, he could¡¯ve ended up like Wet Dreams over to his left.


    ¡°There for the grace of God¡­¡± he muttered.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Wet Dreams said.


    ¡°This book,¡± Sketchy Panda said. ¡°It¡¯s interesting, serendipitous even, that I found it in a reservation of all places.¡±


    ¡°Uh oh¡­ Professor Panda¡¯s getting ready to put his glasses on. Time for another boring lesson, yawn.¡± Curious yawned for effect.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    ¡°Well, you all know the history of this place, right?¡± Sketchy Panda said.


    ¡°Panda, we were all like four when the spires showed up¡­ well, except for Oatmilk, he¡¯s old,¡± Curious said.


    ¡°I forgot everything I learned in school and the old country¡¯s education system was atrocious,¡± Oatmilk said.


    ¡°Not bad enough that you don¡¯t know them big words,¡± Wet Dreams chuckled.


    ¡°I learned to actually read after I joined the rangers,¡± Oatmilk said. ¡°Anyways, no, I don¡¯t really know the history of this place. Though, I think, Panda¡¯s about to make me feel bad about that unfortunate fact.¡±


    ¡°Right, well, you see the history of this world is all about civilizations rising and falling, right? Whenever civilizations meet, one always kills the other and takes their shit, basically.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like a gross oversimplification,¡± Curious said.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to dumb it down to your level.¡±


    Curious grabbed a piece of corn from Oatmilk¡¯s tray and flicked it as Sketchy Panda.


    ¡°Use your own corn!¡± Oatmilk snapped.


    ¡°If I did that then I¡¯d have to wait a couple of hours,¡± Curious said.


    ¡°That¡¯s what your book¡¯s talking about then?¡± Wet Dreams said.


    ¡°Look, it always comes down to three things to determine who wins and who loses. Guns, germs and steel,¡± Sketchy Panda said.


    ¡°That sounds like a gross over¡ª ow! Goddamn you, Oatmilk!¡±


    The much older man had flicked the younger woman¡¯s ear.


    ¡°I just got a new piercing, asshole!¡±


    ¡°Should mind your surroundings then,¡± Oatmilk shrugged.


    ¡°You can¡¯t ever read the room right, Curious,¡± Wet Dreams nodded.


    ¡°Look, smart guy over there talking about guns, germs and steel, well, how does he explain the facts that guns and steel weren¡¯t always around. There was something called the Bronze Age and guns were invented, like, two hundred years ago by the cowboys to kill the Native Americans.¡±


    Sketchy Panda sighed. ¡°How can you be so right and yet so wrong in the same sentence.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Curious, even I know guns go way back. It was the Chinese that invented them.¡±


    ¡°Everyone knows muskets aren¡¯t real guns. That single shot shit don¡¯t count as proper guns,¡± Curious said flatly.


    ¡°It¡¯s not necessarily literal, right. Guns and steel just means being technologically ahead. A civilization beats another by being technologically ahead and having better diseases. That¡¯s what happened to the natives of old America. Europeans had better tech and better diseases.¡±


    ¡°Smallpox, I remember that much,¡± Oatmilk said. He leaned forward toward Wet Dreams conspiratorially. ¡°Their white ancestors,¡± he gestured toward the other two rangers, ¡°put the disease on blankets and gave them to the Native Americans, I remember that too. Then they enslaved our ancestors,¡± he shook his head. ¡°Terrible, shameful.¡±


    ¡°They taught that at the academy,¡± Curious nodded.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s good then, we barely learned about it back in the old days,¡± Oatmilk said. ¡°Shit, I was from Tulsa and I didn¡¯t know about the Tulsa Massacre until I was an adult.¡±


    ¡°Learned about that too,¡± Curious said, ¡°I think? I slept a lot,¡± she shrugged, ¡°didn¡¯t seem that important.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s were you¡¯re wrong,¡± Sketchy Panda intoned. ¡°You see, when people are ignorant of history they repeat the mistakes. Hence, slavery being a thing again. Although, arguably you could say that it never left. Just changed slightly or happened in secret and in different places. But, that¡¯s getting into too many details. Point is, clash of civilizations. We¡¯re living it right now. We¡¯re on the right side of history. And it¡¯s important to have knowledge because there¡¯ll be plenty more and it¡¯s not only going to be different human civilizations, but also inhuman civilizations from other worlds¡­ possibly, probably.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t get too ahead of yourselves, children,¡± Oatmilk said. ¡°Fight the enemies in front of you. Don¡¯t waste bandwidth on enemies you don¡¯t even know exist.¡±


    ¡°You people did my country dirty.¡±


    A man dropped a tray next to Oatmilk and took a seat.


    Curious, Wet Dreams and Sketchy Panda scrambled to stand and salute.


    ¡°On behalf of my colonizer ancestors, I apologize, Sgt. Spiritwalker,¡± Sketchy Panda said stiffly.


    Oatmilk hadn¡¯t risen and had only thrown out a haphazard salute.


    He broke out in laughter echoed by the sergeant.


    ¡°Thanks, Ranger, but I¡¯m only kidding. Well, not really, because you snakes did sneak in there and snatch our land out from under us after he had already sent the Spanish packing. Killed a few hundred thousand of our people too, but hey you brought us crony capitalism, corruption and freedom or something like that, so¡­¡± Spiritwalker shrugged.


    ¡°They didn¡¯t teach that in school,¡± Oatmilk chuckled.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t teach it in my school either, but that¡¯s cause you people controlled those too. Just always going on about freedom and liberation,¡± Spiritwalker chuckled. ¡°You had to do your own research to get the full picture. So, Sketchy Panda, good for you. But remember you can¡¯t believe everything you read. Every author comes with their own biases.¡±


    ¡°Hey, Sergeant, how come Oatmilk doesn¡¯t have to get up and salute,¡± Curious frowned.


    ¡°Literal seniority trumps technical seniority for me, Ranger,¡± Spiritwalker said.


    ¡°Copy that,¡± Curious saluted.


    ¡°At ease everyone,¡± Spiritwalker said. ¡°Just here to eat and see how things are going.¡±


    ¡°Now, why you doing that? We ain¡¯t your squad, young man,¡± Oatmilk said. ¡°Last I checked, you ain¡¯t got no squad. You freelance.¡±


    ¡°Nothing¡¯s changed on that account. Just making sure that we aren¡¯t losing our edge. I know how boredom can dull away at things. It¡¯s been three weeks of sitting around and doing nothing,¡± Spiritwalker said.


    ¡°I¡¯m really bored, Sir,¡± Curious said.


    The sergeant listened to complaints while he finished his lunch. He left them with a promise to see if he could find them something to do besides sitting around.


    Oatmilk had remained silent. He was a veteran.


    The other three were relatively new to being rangers. They had seen a little bit of action at the tail end of the undead war and this was the first time they had been away from their home for an extended length of time.


    They¡¯d learn a valuable lesson that one never voiced their boredom. One never asked for something to do.


    Case in point, a ranger that should¡¯ve known better was stuck in a tree blind staring out into the darkness and straining his ears. All he could pick up was the sound of insects and the heartbeat of the ranger sharing the blind with him.


    Ambrose cursed himself.


    This was what he got after days of pestering Rai about being bored.


    ¡°Stupid Sgt. Spiritwalker,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Quiet, Creepy Chipmunk!¡± the woman next to him hissed.


    Well, night duty wasn¡¯t all bad if you could be shoulder to shoulder with someone like Ranger Spicy.


    It was definitely better than patrolling in all the mud with all the insects and snakes in the grass.


    Although, he could do with topping up his supply of shrunken heads.


    ¡°Say, Spicy, what¡¯re you doing after we get off shift?¡±


    ¡°Going to sleep.¡±


    ¡°What about after? We¡¯ve got the day off.¡±


    Another advantage of the overnight shift.


    ¡°Gonna check out the movie room. It¡¯s just a room with an old TV and a DVD player, but I heard one of the techs got it working.¡±


    ¡°Great, I can¡ª¡±


    ¡°By myself.¡±


    ¡°Got it,¡± Ambrose sighed.


    He let silence descend. Not that he had a choice since Spicy apparently wasn¡¯t interested in talking to relieve they¡¯re boredom. So, all he heard was the sound of the wind rustling the grass, branches and leaves mingling in with random insects and random animals and maybe monsters out in the distance.


    ¡°Shit! Got a hit on my danger sense, but it¡¯s gone,¡± Spicy whispered. ¡°Use those super senses of yours.¡±


    Night vision taken from the shrunken head of an owl pierced the darkness.


    Hearing from the shrunken head of a bat picked up the minutes vibrations of sound in the air.


    Smell from¡ª


    Ambrose gagged.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Spicy said.


    ¡°You don¡¯t smell that?¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    ¡°Jesusmaryosep¡­ I can taste it. Came out of nowhere. Like a skunk that died in a bag full of skunks that also died in a bag full of skunks. You can¡¯t see it, but there are tears in my eyes¡­ where the fuck did this come from? And what the hell could be making this smell.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s it coming from?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re downwind so,¡± he waved a hand vaguely toward the dark wilderness in front of them, ¡°out there somewhere.¡±


    ¡°Estimated distance?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I need to turn this off,¡± he shut down his enhanced sense of smell, ¡°much better,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°I¡¯m sending this back.¡± Spicy took out her powerful flashlight and making sure to hide the beam with the tree trunk and her body sent back the message through good old Morse code. She repeated it two more times before stowing her light and putting her night vision optics on as she scanned the distance with her assault rifle.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother. You¡¯ll just drain your batteries. I¡¯ll let you know if you need it.¡±


    ¡°Not taking that chance,¡± Spicy slowly swept her weapon back and forth. ¡°Say, Creepy Chipmunk, how¡¯d you get that name anyways?¡±


    Ambrose sighed. ¡°It was 13th squad, well, the old 13th squad. Sergeants Mouthy, Hardhat and Aims couldn¡¯t decide between Creeper and Chipmunk, so as a compromise¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, shit. Those heads in those pouches on your belt. You were that Filipino headhunter that was with them during the Fog Quest? They taught that in ranger academy.¡±


    ¡°I heard,¡± Ambrose said flatly.


    ¡°You sound salty.¡±


    ¡°They could¡¯ve mentioned me by name. I did help out a lot.¡±


    ¡°Old 13th Squad is legendary. That¡¯s why I volunteered for this Quest. All of them did and it was a chance to get to work under Captain Butcher for the first time.¡±


    ¡°That was the last Quest for them, you know? I mean, as a team. Lost Chains and Catscratch to the aswangs and then Smores and Two-toes to the fog later on.¡±


    ¡°Why¡¯d you join up? Moving all the way from there to here?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t have much there. All my family and friends were dead. Just me and Rai were left, er¡­ that¡¯s Spiritwalker. I thought it¡¯d be a good chance to start over somewhere new without those memories, which was naive of my younger self. Turned out I still have sad memories. Plus, 13th Squad died to help out my people, so, I figure part of it is trying to pay that back.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I get that. I can only hope that when it¡¯s my time to go out I do it like them, like real rangers,¡± Spicy said.


    ¡°How about not going out at all? Make the other guy go out and live to tell stories to your grand kids or something like that. If you wanted kids, I mean, that¡¯s cool if you don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Nah. No kids for me. I¡¯m going to die like I¡¯ve lived. With a weapon in my hand and an enemy at my feet.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ cool¡­¡±


    The rest of the night shift passed without incident.


    Ambrose occasionally enhanced his sense of smell only to find that the foul odor had vanished and never returned.


    It wouldn¡¯t be until about two weeks later at the same time that the Freedom Championships began that he¡¯d find out what had made the smell.


    As it turned out, the rangers had a bit of a heads up courtesy of ranger Four-toes, a young man with a passing fascination with the fringe pseudoscience of cryptozoology.


    ¡°I got into some crypto once. Had a couple of bitcoin, got in when it was, like, 10K, was about to sell when the spires showed up,¡± Sgt. Brighteyes said.


    ¡°Always knew you were a privileged son of a bitch,¡± Lt. Muttley said.


    ¡°Literally, my mom¡¯s family basically owned the town,¡± Sgt. Brighteyes shrugged. ¡°All that money didn¡¯t save them from the monsters.¡±


    ¡°My bad.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it L.T., we¡¯re all survivors here.¡±


    ¡°Okay, enough of that,¡± Captain Butcher said flatly. ¡°Four-toes, you were saying?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Sir. It¡¯s sort of a hobby I had from when I was kid. You know, all those weird creatures, like bigfoot, mothman and dogmen.


    ¡°Those are real. They¡¯ve got a couple of them up north. Pretty sure they¡¯re in the city for the championship bullshit,¡± Sgt. Brighteyes said.


    ¡°Shrewed tells a story about a giant bigfoot out in the desert fighting a T-Rex,¡± Lt. Muttley shrugged.


    ¡°Damn shame we are going to miss out on him kicking slaver ass in the arena,¡± Sgt. Brighteyes said. ¡°Hell, I was gonna get in on that but I lost the trials,¡± he shook his head.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s just like that. What¡¯s the point of reading about all that stuff when they¡¯re actually real now,¡± Four-toes sighed. ¡°So, I pretty much gave it up. But, well, I got injured really bad in San Diego and so I had a lot of downtime, so I kinda got back into it. Looked through all my old books, notes and shit, er, stuff.¡±


    ¡°And?¡± Captain Butcher said.


    The young man lacked his late older sister¡¯s succinctness.


    They did have the same eyes and nose.


    She could see echoes of Two-toes nervously standing in front of her.


    ¡°Well, Sir, this area, the swamps, I mean, they were known for something called a skunk ape. It was kinda like a bigfoot or an ape, but all the stories agreed that it smelled terrible,¡± Four-toes said.


    ¡°Like a skunks in a bag, that¡¯s in a bag of other skunks,¡± Sgt. Brighteyes said. ¡°That¡¯s what rangers Spicy and Creepy Chipmunk said about the first night they caught the scent.¡±


    ¡°Just Creepy Chipmunk,¡± Lt. Muttley corrected. ¡°Spicy said she didn¡¯t smell anything.¡±


    ¡°Could Creepy Chipmunk be wrong?¡± Sgt. Brighteyes said.


    ¡°That man doesn¡¯t make mistakes when it comes to his class,¡± Lt. Muttley said. ¡°And now other people are catching the scents. Sir,¡± he turned to Captain Butcher, ¡°I think we have to assume we¡¯re dealing with skunk apes or something close. It feels like they¡¯ve been probing our perimeter the last couple of weeks.¡±


    ¡°Scouts haven¡¯t detected anything,¡± Captain Butcher said.


    ¡°These skunk apes have magical powers in your stories?¡± Sgt. Brighteyes said.


    ¡°Not that I remember,¡± Four-toes said.


    ¡°These ones might,¡± Sgt. Brighteyes nodded.


    ¡°I guess,¡± Four-toes shrugged.


    ¡°Let¡¯s up the alert level,¡± Captain Butcher said. ¡°Pull in the scouts, I don¡¯t want anyone isolated out there and get a rotation going with the air corps. I want eyes up there at all times.¡±


    ¡°Sir, we risk them getting spotted by the slavers,¡± Lt. Muttley said.


    ¡°Damn shame the same magic that¡¯s hiding us from their scrying is preventing us from scrying for these smelly apes,¡± Sgt. Brighteyes said.


    ¡°We still prioritizing quiet, Sir?¡± Lt. Muttley said.


    ¡°Just so,¡± Captain Butcher said. ¡°Dismissed.¡±


    The timing was unfortunate.


    She had received an unwelcome messenger in her quarters the previous night.


    A message from Cal.


    There was an incoming slaver kingdom convoy coming from the north scheduled to cross the old state boundary in roughly two weeks time.


    He had strongly suggested the rangers make sure that convoy never made it to Miami.


    These damned, stinky apes could throw a kink into their plans.

 7.9

    Miami, Florida, New American Republic, December 2036


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this just a crazy coincidence!¡± Jayde called out.


    The tall man seated at the sidewalk bar and grill table turned.


    The smile dropped into horror. ¡°Oh my god! Your face!¡± Ledge gasped.


    ¡°Is it that bad?¡± Jayde said as she gingerly touched the stitched line going from the left side of her mouth halfway up her cheek.


    ¡°Yes! What the hell happened!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s called the Freedom Championships, Gold Division,¡± Jayde rolled her eyes.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t been watching?¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°No. I liked Bloodsport as a movie. Not as real life and especially not when old friends are fighting insane clowns for the entertainment of the disgusting masses,¡± Ledge said. ¡°I¡¯ve heard all about it form the rest of my guys. Lots of people have lots of money, gold, silver and universal points riding on you three, you know?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we were just at your little hotel,¡± Hayden grimaced.


    Ledge raised a brow.


    ¡°Keeping up appearances,¡± Hayden shrugged. ¡°We put down Austin as our hometown and the Golden Eagles as our latest employers until going freelance. It¡¯d be odd if we didn¡¯t go over and say what¡¯s up.¡±


    ¡°I guess that¡¯s how you knew where to find me,¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Dayana said. ¡°We followed your not so secret bodyguards.¡±


    ¡°Look at you, actually in charge of an entire operation,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°I had no choice. Drew the short stick,¡± Ledge shrugged.


    ¡°Hello! Will you be joining your father!¡± a waitress came over.


    They eyed the young woman¡¯s collar.


    ¡°Er¡­ yeah, sure,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°We can eat,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Put it on his bill, please,¡± Dayana added.


    ¡°Right away!¡± the enslaved waitress smiled. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back with plates and menus!¡±


    Ledge waited until she had walked back into the interior before speaking. ¡°I¡¯ve heard about this place for a while. Can¡¯t believe it¡¯s real. Like I¡¯m inside some kind of surreal hell.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve been here a few weeks and what bothers me the most is that it¡¯s starting to feel normal,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Like, I don¡¯t want to think about what those collars mean and what it means for the people, so I¡¯m trying to not even notice them, which is wrong,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Then, let¡¯s not talk about it. Especially not in the open. There are definitely ears we don¡¯t want catching us being negative about the whole¡­ slavery thing,¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°You mean ¡®essential workers¡¯,¡± Dayana¡¯s face twisted.


    ¡°Might not have to worry about that too much,¡± Hayden pulled out a small ruby from her pocket before stashing it again. ¡°A little gift from a wizard. Should keep magical eyes and ears off us.¡±


    ¡°What about people just listening in from the next table?¡±


    ¡°Not so much,¡± Hayden conceded.


    ¡°Okay then¡­¡±


    ¡°Do you have anything to say? In regards to your ¡®Boss¡¯ and why the Golden Eagles are here?¡± Hayden said. ¡°Cause, I¡¯m surprised to see all of you here.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯m here with most of the Austin-based eagles. Vegas has been growing in recent years, as you know, and it¡¯s taking more of us to keep things under some semblance of control. Lots of biker-types, marauders, raiders, wandering adventuring bands, murderhobos coming in and out. It¡¯s starting to be a pain to keep them out of the bat people¡¯s encounter challenge. So, when our sometimes other ¡®Boss¡¯ came by with a new Quest, we couldn¡¯t quite go all-in. Still, these championships are a legitimate opportunity to level and get good rewards even in the lower divisions.¡±


    ¡°I noticed that you didn¡¯t have anyone in the Gold Division contests. Too chickenshit?¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°We need all our 40-pluses in Vegas to keep things from devolving.¡±


    ¡°Why not ask the rangers for help or something?¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°We need to show we can handle it ourselves.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough,¡± Dayana said.


    They fell silent when the waitress returned with plates, utensils, menus and drinks.


    ¡°Our latest batch! Micro-brewed by the master, citrus sour beer!¡± she smiled.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t order¡ª¡± Ledge began.


    ¡°Complements of the master!¡± she pointed to the bar where a fat man waved. ¡°For the Heartfuries!¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ thanks,¡± Hayden said.


    They waved back hesitantly.


    ¡°Are you ready to order?¡±


    They ordered quickly to get the waitress away so they could get back to their conversation.


    ¡°Fat fuck¡¯s going to want autographs and pictures,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to play the game you signed up for,¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t have to like it,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°You think if I knock out that slaver fatty it¡¯ll stop this sort of thing from happening? I don¡¯t want them to think I¡¯m okay with them,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Worth a shot,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Look, keep your heads down¡­ as much as you can. That¡¯s what I¡¯m doing. We¡¯re here to participate in the Freedom Championships and maybe pick up some contracts for mercenary work as befitting a real life mercenary company.¡± He lowered his voice, ¡°until the sometimes ¡®Boss¡¯ gives the word and hopefully some instructions.¡±


    ¡°So, Ledge, you¡¯ve got quite a bougie setup over at that hotel. Nice pool, restaurant and bar on the ground floor, nice ring of protection around the whole area,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Bougie?¡± Ledge raised a brow.


    ¡°She¡¯s trying to impress this guy back in SoCal. So, she¡¯s reading now,¡± Dayana snorted.


    ¡°As in books? Actual books,¡± Ledge gasped.


    ¡°Shut the fuck up, you two,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Wow! Things have changed since I last saw you,¡± Ledge paused to sip the citrus sour beer. ¡°Bit sour¡­ you can taste the orange though¡­ yeah, they set us up pretty nicely. Trying to impress. Got all the different outsider merc groups gathered in a centralized location surrounded by regular and slave soldiers. Seems reasonable. Can¡¯t say I blame them. Some of these groups are just one step above from being raging crazies. Some are literal cannibals.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a powder keg though, right?¡± Hayden said. ¡°I know you¡¯ve been taking the pulse. How much would it take?¡±


    ¡°To get things hot and boiling out of the pot? At this stage? A lot. Everyone¡¯s here for the championships. Those rewards are too good. Even at the Bronze Division level. No one is going to willingly screw things up¡­ at least while the events are still going on,¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°Thanks, Ledge,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°No prob¡ª¡±


    ¡°You are useful at times,¡± she finished.


    Ledge sighed.


    ¡°That¡¯s a bit unfair, Dayana,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t help,¡± Ledge put his head into his hands.


    ¡°You see, at least he¡¯s mostly not unuseful¡­ most of the time,¡± she continued.


    ¡°I don¡¯t even¡­¡± Ledge groaned. ¡°Okay, change of topic. You¡¯re face. Why isn¡¯t it fixed? My understanding was that healing was to be provided.¡±


    ¡°They did. I refused,¡± Jayde shrugged. ¡°I figure we¡¯ve got at least one more match. Better wait till after we¡¯re done. And maybe I don¡¯t want to be healed by slavers or enslaved people. Makes me complicit, you know. Besides, there¡¯s healers back in SoCal and a bunch of, like, actual plastic surgeons.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s also pretty intimidating,¡± Dayana said. ¡°You look at her and you know she¡¯s seen and done some shit.¡±


    ¡°Clowns, huh? Didn¡¯t know that was combat-viable, in retrospect I probably should¡¯ve,¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°I owe that fat freak. Too bad winning means we can¡¯t get into the 1v1¡¯s like them,¡± Jayde said.


    Their food arrived and they ate and spoke mostly about the championships.


    The Heartfuries wouldn¡¯t know their next opponents until the random draw later that evening.


    ¡°Heartfuries, huh? I got confused when I saw that there was another team called Furies and it wasn¡¯t you. The fact that they¡¯ve got promo packages of you three like you were pro athletes from the old days,¡± Ledge sighed.


    ¡°Yeah, it was pretty stupid having to shoot that,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°I just added it to my list of grievances with the slaver kingdom,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Guys,¡± Hayden gazed up at the big screen TV inside the bar and grill, ¡°it¡¯s about to start.¡±


    ¡°What is?¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t think we came here just to have lunch with you, did you?¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°SwannyP¡¯s got a match,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Swanny¡ª you mean Prim?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s in a ranger team doing the MOBA competition, Silver Division. They¡¯re going up against a team from the Meat Parade,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°What? Why are you letting her do that?¡± Ledge¡¯s voice got high.


    ¡°We¡¯re not. She¡¯s 18 now,¡± Hayden said flatly.


    ¡°But, she¡¯s facing the Meat Parade!¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°They¡¯ve got rules and they¡¯re following them so far,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Even if they don¡¯t, Swanny and the rangers can handle this,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°God damn it. She shouldn¡¯t even be doing this shit. Hell, neither should you three. Fuck! I hate all this killing and dying and getting cut up,¡± Ledge looked up to the sky, ¡°fuck you, God!¡±


    ¡°If he exists¡ª¡±


    ¡°She,¡± Jayde corrected.


    ¡°God wouldn¡¯t have a gender,¡± Dayana corrected.


    ¡°If, they exist,¡± Hayden continued, ¡°they don¡¯t give a fuck about us. Otherwise, none of this fucked up shit would be happening.¡±


    ¡°Always and forever,¡± Dayana nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯m not watching this, let¡¯s switch,¡± Ledge said.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    He swapped places with Hayden so that his back was to the TV.


    Fortunately for him the ambient sounds of the sidewalk traffic and the packed bar and grill meant that he wasn¡¯t going to hear the broadcaster play by play of the upcoming match.


    ¡°So, they lost their first match, right?¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Yeah, but it¡¯s a group stage format, so they¡¯ve got two more matches. Win both and they¡¯re a lock to advance to the knockout rounds. Win one and it¡¯ll depend on tiebreakers,¡± Dayana said. ¡°There¡¯s a formula using total match time and the team¡¯s KDA.¡±


    ¡°I have no idea what all that means,¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°Kills, deaths, assists ratio,¡± Dayana said.


    It took a while to explain how that worked to the older man.


    <hr>


    Everglades, Florida, December, 2036


    The MOBA-style event was held far to the southeast of Miami in the Everglades.


    The national park had been home to encounter challenges and spawn zones after the spires had appeared. It had been a constant struggle for the people in the area until the slaver kingdom had arisen to force it into a mostly controlled region meant for farming levels, universal points and the occasional bonus rewards.


    It had been a monumental undertaking to turn parts of it into a handful of arenas for the competitions.


    A MOBA-style event required a much larger space than those provided by the sports stadiums and arenas already located in the city and surrounding areas.


    So, the slaver kingdom made them.


    Through a combination of magic, Skills and good, old-fashioned heavy machinery they had built several battlegrounds roughly a square mile in size with varied terrain within to create three lanes and a small river bisecting the square at a forty-five degree angle. Trees served as walls, creating twisted jungle paths that hid monster camps and ambush points.


    Many architects, construction workers, builders, earth mages, geomancers and the like leveled up quite well from the nearly year long project. Beast tamers, monster handlers, wranglers and more leveled up from the work they put in turning all manner of creatures into serviceable creeps and¡­ well¡­ jungle monsters.


    In a normal world the cost would¡¯ve been staggering to the slaver kingdom.


    After all, just to build a few stadiums for a ball kicking competition you had to sacrifice the lives of a few thousand migrant workers in addition to spending millions. An acceptable amount of blood and gristle to mix into the mortar for the foundations of worldwide entertainment and money. Not to mention the added bonus of reputation laundering.


    A time-honored tradition.


    Spend money to hide your evil dealings.


    Donate to the arts and education to distract from the fact that you gained that wealth through creating a legal drug epidemic that ruined hundreds of thousands of lives that didn¡¯t need to be ruined.


    Well¡­ since when did lives need to be ruined in the first place?


    Spend a billion on sports teams to hide the abuses and sometimes murder inextricably linked to your fortunes.


    Or hold a competition to make collars around the necks of human beings look different from what it truly was in reality.


    The slaver kingdom got off cheaply in that regard.


    They didn¡¯t have to pay much to their people.


    The spires took care of most it.


    Quests.


    Universal points, the odd bonus.


    Levels.


    The bit of cash the slaver kingdom threw on top of all that was like extra sprinkles on a five-layer cronut.


    The start countdown hit zero.


    The siren rang.


    Prim, Swanny, SwannyP, Swannysaurus Rex, officially Swan Princess sprinted up the middle lane.


    She stifled the urge to slap the small camera drone hovering above.


    Her teammates rushed down their own lanes.


    She eyed the monsters running in front of her. Waist-high bipedal things she had never seen before their first match on the first day of the championships.


    She was leery of the slaver¡¯s assurances that the collars wouldn¡¯t fail. That the monsters, creeps, would do as they were programmed.


    Attack the opposing team creeps, unless an opposing competitor attacked her, at which point they¡¯d switch their focus.


    Ranger Neckbeard had given the team a crash course on the history of the video game genre this ridiculous event was based on. Along with principles and something called a ¡®meta¡¯.


    She got it.


    She was sharp, quick on the uptake when it came to strategic and tactical combat. Lots of hard work and practice. First, in the ranger academy, then through the brutal grinder that was the undead war.


    A stupid game wasn¡¯t something that gave her pause.


    Then, why did they lose the first match?


    ¡°This is just a game,¡± she muttered.


    She had identified their problem.


    The ranger team hadn¡¯t treated it like a game.


    It was all so stupid to her.


    They didn¡¯t start out with any weapons or most of their armor.


    They only had their abilities and their base layer.


    To get their stuff they had to earn gold by killing creeps and knocking out opposing players.


    The HUD in the AR glasses provided by the slaver kingdom gave her everything she needed to know.


    She reached the middle of the arena.


    Her melee creeps clawed and bit at the opposing teams melee creeps, while the ranged ones shot out little spines from their arms.


    The plan for her was simple, earn gold to get her gear before really engaging her opposing mid.


    The Meat Parade were not as gear dependent as the rangers thanks to the cannibals¡¯ ability to assume an eater form.


    And she was fairly sure that they wouldn¡¯t go into a match without full stomachs to power said transformation.


    Sure enough her opposing mid went eater transforming into a hulking woman beast with a massively distended jaw, gaping with sharp teeth. Muscles bulged grotesquely all over the flesheater¡¯s body as clawed fingers tore deep furrows into the dirt.


    Prim aimed a spell as the woman knocked through all of the creeps like a bowling ball.


    The tall grass in the low river a dozen feet to her left rustled in warning.


    She was already sprinting back down her lane as a second flesheater burst out of the grass.


    This one was much leaner, but no less grotesque.


    Prim pointed a hand at each flesheater.


    Dual-casting.


    ¡°Spectral Chains!¡± something she gained as a reward from San Diego for the quick, agile flesheater.


    Ghostly chains manifested out of nothing to wrap the eater up like Prim¡¯s favorite weighted burrito blanket.


    ¡°Fireball!¡± a classic for the slower, stronger eater.


    The flaming ball exploded in the eater¡¯s face.


    Time to go for a knockout and send the two eaters back to base for their death penalty.


    Got a bit lucky to down two of them so early.


    It¡¯d give her enough gold to get some of her armor.


    The tall grass in the river to her right rustled.


    What the fuck! she thought. They sent three? Goddamnit Neckbeard! I asked you and you said this doesn¡¯t happen!


    A pretty, black woman emerged into the lane.


    To Prim¡¯s surprise the woman didn¡¯t transform.


    ¡°Light Arrow Barrage,¡± the woman thrust her hands at Prim with a flourish.


    Caught off-guard Prim dived to one side.


    A few light arrows pierced straight through her padded gambeson to draw blood.


    Her HUD flashed red in warning.


    How the slavers managed to create something that could track damage was worrisome.


    Though, in the moment she was more bothered by the fact that they had decided that she was on the low end of the scale when it came to hit points.


    To be fair, she was basically just a normal human in a physical sense, sure she was in great shape, but she didn¡¯t have any passives that made her stronger or tougher like some of her fellow rangers.


    A few more arrows and she¡¯d have to head back to base to wait out her knockout timer.


    ¡°Fuck that!¡± she snapped.


    One hand thrust at the flesheater mage. Another at the behemoth. The agile one was still wrapped up.


    She cast her specialty.


    ¡°Spell Orb: Fire.¡± For the latter. ¡°Spell Orb: Ice.¡± For the former.


    The flesheater mage threw up a hasty magic shield to block the jagged shards of ice shooting out of the white-blue orb orbiting her in an evasive pattern.


    The behemoth roared as the orange-red orb blasted her with small bolts of fire.


    Prim fell back to her first tower as more creeps appeared.


    These ones made a beeline for the lean flesheater. They fell upon the chained up man biting, clawing and spiking.


    Prim gasped for air.


    Too many quality spells in quick succession had left her winded.


    She¡¯d have to wait a bit before casting another one.


    For now she was content to wait in the safety of her tower.


    The eater mage looked like she had no trouble blocking the ice shards, but with luck the fire orb would finish off the big eater. Or send her into a rage as they tended to do. At that point she¡¯d charge into the tower¡¯s range and finish herself off.


    Flesheater Randall, you are out. Return immediately to your base to serve the penalty. Ranger Swan Princess, please remove your root spell, the referee¡¯s voice rang loud and clear through out the whole battleground.


    First KO gold bonus on top of the regular KO gold. Prim took it with a feral smile. Just a bit longer and she could finish off the big eater.


    ¡°Wow! That was awesome! Way to go SwannyP!¡± Jayde whooped and cheered. She ran up and high-fived random people inside the bar.


    The bar and grill was digging all the action.


    Ledge had his head buried in his arms laying on the table.


    ¡°She handled that as well as she could¡¯ve,¡± Dayana said. ¡°So, she can go back to base and get healing? Her gear?¡±


    Hayden merely grunted as the screen shifted to a different part of the battleground.


    A young woman with blond hair that trailed into flames screamed while she punched a flaming fist into a creep¡¯s sharp-toothed mouth.


    Across from her, the flesheater, a young man slashed a clawed finger across a creep¡¯s throat.


    The pair kept a wary distance between each other while they focused on killing each other¡¯s creeps.


    Until, the eater suddenly grabbed his own creep and hurled it at the fiery ranger.


    Caught off-guard the young woman fell to the ground with the creep stabbing her with the spines in its arms.


    ¡°Cheap ass, motherf¡ª¡±


    Monster flesh sizzled and cook as she shoved it off with flaming hands.


    The eater pounced ignoring the flames to stab tough and sharp finger nails into her palm.


    ¡°I¡¯m sending you back to your base,¡± the flesheater growled.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting so long to pay you back for what you did to my family!¡± she snapped back with a upkick to his groin. She scrambled to her feet and chased after the retreating flesheater with fiery punches.


    A KO here and she could go back and buy her sword.


    Then she¡¯d cut the flesheaters up.


    There was a no killing rule, but they didn¡¯t say anything about dismemberment.


    The camera cut away as the next wave of creeps arrived to join the brawl in the top lane.


    It joined a ranger notably in his middle years. A stark contrast to the rest of his team young team. The stocky, bearded man bludgeoned dog-sized mutant squirrels with a large rock and a thick branch he had picked up in the twisting forest pathways in the space between the top and middle lane.


    It was his second such camp. A few more and he¡¯d clear this section of the battleground allowing him to earn enough gold to go back to base and buy his first piece of gear.


    The camera switched to the bottom lane where a lone flesheater stayed close to her tower letting it shoot bolts down at the opposing creeps battling her creeps in its shadow. Occasionally, she darted forward to land the killing blow on a creep.


    Sometimes that earned her a low-powered magic missile from the ranger mage standing just outside the tower¡¯s range.


    The dark-skinned ranger conserved her mana by doing much the same as the eater. She waited till an enemy creep was close to death before finishing it with a magic missile.


    A second ranger stood to the ranger mage¡¯s left placing himself between the tall grass in the low river and his teammate.


    Back in the middle lane, Prim gained enough gold, so she ran back to base.


    It took her a few minutes.


    Normally, she was in great shape.


    Now?


    She had a few light arrow wounds leaking blood.


    ¡°I need healing,¡± she called out to one of the healers stationed at the back of the base next to the shop, ¡°wait!¡± she went straight to the shopkeeper instead. ¡°Give me my armor and a mana potion.¡±


    The silent shopkeeper quickly placed the requested items on the counter and the appropriate amount of gold was deducted from her HUD.


    Just enough left for healing.


    ¡°Healing!¡± she hurried over to the next station.


    The healer said the magic word. His hands glowed as he ran them over Prim¡¯s wounds.


    She felt the uncomfortable sensation of open wounds closing.


    Neckbeard came running up to the shopkeeper. ¡°My coat!¡±


    ¡°You said it wasn¡¯t the meta!¡± Prim snapped.


    ¡°What?¡± Neckbeard blinked.


    ¡°They ambushed me, triple team.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not¡ª do you know which ones?¡±


    ¡°I think it was the jungler coming from the top side river and a mage coming from bottom side.¡±


    ¡°Wait? Who was in mid?¡±


    ¡°Behemoth-type.¡±


    ¡°I have no idea,¡± Neckbeard shrugged. ¡°I guess they were feeling spicy. You got out of it okay, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Knocked out the jungler and forced the behemoth-type to run back to base. Didn¡¯t see where the mage went. I think she went back into the river.¡±


    ¡°Damn. This is hard without communication. I really need to know how the other guys are doing. If they sent three to mid then bot probably had a man advantage. Wonder why Wichita and Tuxedo Cake aren¡¯t back yet? I hope they didn¡¯t go with a jank strategy and double-teamed Chandra in top,¡± Neckbeard¡¯s brow furrowed in thought. ¡°Alright, so when you get back to lane shade to the left, see if you can draw whoever their actual mid is to our side of the river. I¡¯ll try to gank them.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Prim muttered.


    The terminology sounded so dumb, but she had to buy in if she wanted to win this stupid game.


    Properly armored and back to full mana she hustled to her lane.


    Neckbeard, buoyed by his armored and enchanted long coat sprinted back into the jungle. The magic in his coat made it as protective as a thick layer of steel plate while adding extra weight to all his strikes.


    He breezed through the smaller creep camps with a big rock in one hand and a thick branch in the other.


    The ambush point he had picked out contained a small opening through the thick hedges that allowed him to see into the middle lane.


    Just as he had planned, Swan Princess shot low-powered spells aiming to last hit the creeps, while the behemoth-type flesheater inched closer to the young ranger.


    Neckbeard moved closer to the open pathway as Swan Princess slowly pulled back, letting the eater kill her creeps. He got ready to spring when a rustling sound tickled the back of his neck.


    He turned just as a dark shape hit him hard knocking him into the middle lane a few feet away from the melee.


    ¡°No!!!¡± Jayde groaned. ¡°C¡¯mon, man! Everyone knows you ambush the ambusher! What are you doing? Are the cannibals cheating? Do they have someone watching the broadcast and then feeding them info through their psychic cannibal bond?¡±


    The bar and grill¡¯s patrons cheered.


    They were just happy to see violent action.


    ¡°Hey, guys¡­¡± Dayana said. ¡°Do some of those cannibals look familiar to you?¡±

 7.10

    ¡°Remember when we saved Heddy and Chandra, the girl on fire in¡­ er¡­ top lane?¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°I thought rangers get different names. That sounds like a normal person¡¯s name?¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°No idea how she got that,¡± Dayana shrugged.


    ¡°Which one is Chandra again?¡± Jayde sat down with a thud.


    ¡°The one that fights with the flaming sword,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Narrow it down.¡±


    ¡°The best one possible. She gets Heddy¡¯s best work. All the Kansas survivors do?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d think she¡¯d show some appreciation for the people that saved them,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°We get a discount,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Thirty percent¡­ that¡¯s it!¡± Jayde huffed.


    Up on the screen Neckbeard jammed his fist and arm into the flesheater¡¯s open mouth.


    The eater tried to bite down but Neckbeard¡¯s coat sleeve was proof against his teeth.


    ¡°Some help!¡± Neckbeard called out.


    The ground rumbled.


    Swan Princess blasted the eater with spells, but the behemoth-type flesheater was more effective.


    She kicked Neckbeard in the side of his head.


    Miraculously, she appeared to have pulled her kick.


    Ranger Neckbeard is knocked out, the referee¡¯s voice broke in, Flesheater Randall, Flesheater Sarah, move away from Ranger Neckbeard.


    Prim was surprised by the two eaters actually complying. She had been ready to throw everything she had at the pair to stop them from taking a bite out of Neckbeard. She had seen replays of the Meat Parade¡¯s first match and a few of them had taken chunks out of their unfortunate opponents.


    The fighting continued as Flesheater Randall killed a few creeps in passing before he entered the pathway into Prim¡¯s side of the jungle between the middle and bottom lane.


    A pair of slaver kingdom mages slowly floated down from the air to pick up the unconscious Neckbeard to take him back to base for his penalty and revival.


    Wichita and Tuxedo Cake were about to get ganked. Plus the flesheater mage was probably down at bottom lane too.


    She sent a fireball flying in their direction to explode high in the sky over the bottom side jungle hoping that her teammates would understand the warning for what it was.


    The match ebbed and flowed for the next fifteen minutes.


    Both sides scored knockouts.


    Both sides disabled a few towers.


    Both sides found themselves meeting in force at the big monster¡¯s lair located in the middle of the upper side of the river between top and middle lane.


    ¡°Damn, they had the same idea,¡± Chandra whispered.


    ¡°It¡¯s the meta,¡± Neckbeard said.


    ¡°What the fuck is your nerd speak?¡± Wichita frowned.


    Tuxedo Cake murmured either agreement or disagreement.


    To what question?


    Only he knew.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got another idea,¡± Swan Princess whispered. ¡°Let them have the big monster. We¡¯ve got the inside track. Let¡¯s go straight up the middle, bypass the towers and take out their base.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t work. By the time they do that they¡¯ll have killed the big guy, gotten the bonus gold and strengthened their creeps. Then they can rush back to defend,¡± Neckbeard said.


    ¡°This whole thing is just similar to your old games. My idea takes advantage of reality to cheat it,¡± Swan Princess said.


    ¡°I think I know what you¡¯re thinking about,¡± Neckbeard mused, ¡°but wouldn¡¯t you rather save that for a more important match?¡±


    ¡°If we lose here then we¡¯re pretty much out and I don¡¯t want to go out to the fucking Meat Parade. I owe them for my dad and brother,¡± Wichita said.


    Tuxedo Cake nodded.


    ¡°Listen, we¡¯ve got most of our gear and they have to have used up a good chunk of whatever they ate beforehand,¡± Neckbeard said. ¡°We can take them in the team fight. I mean, it looks like some of them can barely hold together a partial transformation.¡±


    The Meat Parade decided at that moment to seize the initiative.


    ¡°Michael, focus on the black mage!¡± the dark-skinned beauty of a cannibal barked. ¡°I¡¯ve got the white one!¡±


    An arrow that hit with the strength of a cannonball shattered Wichita¡¯s hastily cast magic shield.


    Tuxedo Cake appeared in front of her in a flash to take what was left of the arrow on his tower shield.


    The impact still knocked the two of them back a good five feet into the ankle0 deep waters of the slow-moving river.


    The flesheater mage sent a snarling monster of nausea-inducing yellow light swimming through the air like a shark straight for Swan Princess.


    She countered by clasping her hands together and thrusting them forward with the index fingers pointed.


    An expanding orb of swirling darkness shot out and into the light monster¡¯s gaping jaws.


    The light lost to the darkness as the orb exploded into pitch-black shadow.


    Neckbeard took out a pocket watch and clicked it a few times waving it vaguely in Chandra¡¯s direction. ¡°You¡¯ve got ten seconds of Haste.¡± He drew a gnarled twig from an underarm holster and sent a dart of fire at the charging behemoth-type. ¡°Take the fast one. I¡¯ll keep the other two busy. Remember¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know!¡± Chandra snarled. ¡°No killing!¡± she took of her helmet to let her long blond hair loose. It rose in the still wind as it slowly turned into fire. ¡°They owe me!¡± Her sword blazed even brighter.


    ¡°Just don¡¯t get us disqualified!¡± Neckbeard pleaded.


    ¡°RRAAARRRGHHHH!¡± Chandra dashed forward with inhuman speed. Her sword scorched the air as it arced toward Flesheater Randall¡¯s legs.


    Randall was still just a hair quicker. He leapt over the flaming blade and reached out a clawed hand for Chandra.


    She whipped her flaming hair forward.


    Randall yelped and pulled his hand back instinctively allowing Chandra to slice a deep, cauterized wound into his chest.


    Neckbeard cursed.


    Tuxedo Cake was busy shielding Wichita from the archer and Swan Princess was in the middle of her own mage duel.


    Which left him with a two on one.


    Two women, one of him.


    Normally, that would sound like a good night.


    Two flesheaters changed the equation.


    The odds were against him in this two on one.


    ¡°Sorry, Chandra!¡± he called out.


    He clicked his stopwatch and pointed it at the charging behemoth-type. ¡°Slow down, big girl.¡±


    The behemoth suddenly began moving at half speed.


    The spell wouldn¡¯t last more than thirty seconds at its top end and ten if the flesheater was stronger in comparison to to him, which was a good bet.


    He had to deal with the more normal looking one quickly. He aimed his wand¡ª


    Bang!


    Something punched him in the chest knocking the wind out of him and maybe cracking a rib or two.


    The flesheater stared at him from behind the barrel of an impressive-looking revolver.


    He went to tip his tricorne to the woman out of respect for an unexpected play when he realized that it was still back at the base shop.


    The flesheater rolled her eyes and squeezed the trigger.


    Neckbeard felt the heavy impact in his side.


    At least, she wasn¡¯t hitting spots not covered by his long coat.


    It seemed that she was also sticking to the rules.


    ¡°Charlie! Knock that weirdo out of the game and help Randall!¡± the flesheater mage called out even as she cast a withering hail of yellow light over Swan Princess who attempted to swallow it all up with another orb of swirling darkness.


    ¡°Almost, Britt. I just need to keep him occupied until that slow spell runs out, then Sarah can smash them both,¡± Charlie said.


    ¡°We need to knock out at least two of them, so we can kill the big monster and push to end this stupid game!¡± Britt snapped.


    ¡°Michael¡ª¡±


    ¡°Is keeping two pinned down all by himself and is also maybe running out of normal arrows,¡± Michael said.


    The Swan Princess usually moved with long-limbed grace. However, all grace vanished in her frantic movements to dodge that sickly yellow light magic.


    Still, she liked it when enemies talked during a fight. It meant that they were just that little bit distracted. So that they only saw her spell orb flying overhead and not the one she sent through the shallow water like a torpedo.


    It reached the space between the ones called Britt and Charlie before it rose and exploded in a flash of bright light and an eardrum-breaking noise.


    Spell Orb: Flashbang.


    She had made that one herself.


    The spell had caught the two intended targets and even briefly blinded the one called Michael.


    Wichita leapt out from behind Tuxedo Cake with a furious snarl. ¡°Lightn¡ª¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Swan Princess and Neckbeard said in unison.


    ¡°We¡¯re standing in water!¡± Neckbeard said.


    ¡°Then jump!¡± Wichita snapped.


    ¡°Wait¡ª¡± Neckbeard tried.


    ¡°On three!¡± Swan Princess said. ¡°Chandra!¡±


    The fiery young woman was blind and deaf to everyone and everything that wasn¡¯t the lean and agile flesheater she was trying to carve up.


    ¡°Three!¡± Wichita said. ¡°Lightning Bolt!¡±


    Bright magical lightning flash from her outstretched hands into the broad chest of the behemoth-type slowly making her way to Neckbeard.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Neckbeard and Swan Princess had leapt out of the water.


    The veins in Chandra¡¯s neck and face grew taut as her muscles clenched involuntarily for an instant.


    Tuxedo Cake lifted Wichita by the back of her collar taking her out of the water then releasing her just as the electricity coursed through his big body.


    All of the cannibals cried out in surprise and pain.


    The behemoth-type fell to one knee.


    The smell of burnt bacon filled the battleground.


    ¡°Get the murdering bastards!¡± Wichita snarled.


    ¡°No killing!¡± Neckbeard warned. He had to rush over and stop Chandra from taking Randall¡¯s head off.


    One by one ranger AR glasses flashed red accompanying the referee¡¯s voice warning them to back away from the Meat Parade and allow them to be transported back to their base or walk, if they were still conscious and able.


    ¡°Do we take out the big monster?¡± Wichita said.


    ¡°How is everyone? Got enough juice left?¡± Neckbeard said.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just go for it. Running back to base will take too long and we¡¯ll head back anyways after we kill it. Then we can just rush down mid with boosted creeps and end this before they get out of the penalty box,¡± Swan Princess said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got no arguments,¡± Neckbeard said.


    ¡°Tuxedo, tank it. Wichita and I blast it. Chandra and Neckbeard, look for openings,¡± Swan Princess said.


    The rangers rushed the big monster confined to its large alcove by the magic in the massive collar around its scaly neck.


    Snarls and bellows clashed with bright magic and powerful Skills.


    ¡°They grow up so fast,¡± Jayde wiped a tear as she watched the action on the big screen.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know,¡± Ledge mumbled.


    ¡°You should watch, she¡¯s doing good,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°It¡¯s taking them too long to run back to base and it¡¯s a half-mile plus of wasted energy. Why don¡¯t those levitating mages transport them like they do for the knocked out ones?¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°It¡¯s all over!¡± Jayde crowed. ¡°SwannyP and the rangers!¡±


    On the screen the people in question rushed up the middle lane straight to the last tower before the Meat Parade¡¯s base.


    Their boosted creeps helped them make short work of the enemy creeps and the tower.


    They did the same to the large statue representing the base¡¯s life total just as the first of the Meat Parade became eligible to leave their penalty box.


    ¡°Winner! Rayna¡¯s Rangers!¡± the broadcaster screamed.


    ¡°One more win and they¡¯re in the knockout rounds!¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Ledge abruptly stood. ¡°While, I¡¯m happy she¡¯s okay, that was a bit too much for my old heart to listen to.¡±


    ¡°Almost like it¡¯s worse letting your imagination paint the picture instead of actually watching what was happening,¡± Dayana chided.


    ¡°You¡¯re probably right, but that¡¯s okay, part of getting old is becoming stubborn. Entrenched in your ways,¡± Ledge nodded sagely. ¡°Thanks for keeping me company, but I¡¯ll need to head back before they start getting worried.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got five of your people watching you,¡± Hayden frowned.


    ¡°Yeah, I know, standard operating procedure. I thought it¡¯d be prudent that we didn¡¯t walk around by ourselves just in case someone became tempted and decided to slap a collar around our¡ª my neck. I still like to pretend otherwise though,¡± Ledge shrugged.


    ¡°Awww¡­ don¡¯t worry, Ledge,¡± Jayde soothed. ¡°No one would want to own you.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, I almost thought you were about to make me feel better,¡± Ledge grinned. ¡°Good luck with your match. Don¡¯t take this the wrong way, but I won¡¯t be watching.¡±


    ¡°It was good to see you,¡± Hayden said. ¡°We won¡¯t meet until after this is all over.¡±


    ¡°Jeez, way to make it all ominous and shit,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°It¡¯s necessary to avoid drawing unnecessary and dangerous attention on Ledge and the Golden Eagles. They¡¯ll be at greater risk if the wrong people suspect that there¡¯s a greater connection between us than we said.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ Hayden, you¡¯re right, but I¡¯d still rather not say goodbye¡­ seems too final and I¡¯m planning to live way past this point. I¡¯m still holding the same hope for you three, Prim and all the other kids that are too young for this shit,¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°I think you¡¯ll be fine unless you started going on about how ¡®too old for this shit¡¯ you are,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Oh yeah, I¡¯m definitely not remotely close to retiring,¡± Ledge rapped his knuckles on the table.


    ¡°That¡¯s plastic,¡± Jayde said flatly.


    He reached over and before she could react, knocked on her head a few times.


    ¡°See you later, girls,¡± Ledge waved and walked away at a brisk pace.


    ¡°Motherfucker didn¡¯t leave any money, did he?¡± Jayde said.


    They scanned the table.


    Amidst the empty plates and glasses, the used napkins there was a glaring absence of any sort of cash or precious metals.


    The waitress picked that moment to approach with a smile¡­ and the bill.


    ¡°It¡¯s not like we aren¡¯t loaded,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°True,¡± Jayde echoed.


    ¡°It¡¯s the principle of the thing,¡± Dayana sighed.


    ¡°The owner is probably going to want a picture and an autograph,¡± Hayden grimaced.


    ¡°Just think of where he¡¯ll be in about two months,¡± Jayde said. ¡°That¡¯s what I do whenever I get an urge to punch one of these slavers.¡±


    <hr>


    Key Biscayne was a small island a few miles southeast from mainland Miami.


    It wasn¡¯t part of the Florida Keys despite having the word in its name.


    Cal wasn¡¯t sure what was up with that.


    Key Biscayne wasn¡¯t that far away from the actual Florida Keys.


    Maybe it had something to do the Florida Keys being part of one single coral archipelago. That was what he had learned as part of his research into the region.


    Ultimately, the names of the places didn¡¯t matter to him.


    In time, those would be forgotten or altered by whomever was around, assuming there was anyone left after he had dismantled the slaver kingdom.


    That was a looming problem that he had consistently pushed to the back of his mind despite several warnings from his sister and brother about having a plan for after.


    He agreed.


    History had repeatedly shown that everyone had a plan for before and during, but tended to fall short for the after.


    It was like the dog chasing the car. All well and good until the former actually caught the latter. Then what?


    An answer to be shelved for another day as he flew down from the night sky toward a resort hotel.


    A quick psychic scan confirmed what he had picked up a few miles back.


    There wasn¡¯t a lot of mental activity on the key. Mostly soldiers, enslaved and free, patrolling the road leading from the mainland to the island as well as the grounds of the resort.


    A handful of enslaved with a single slavemaster were stationed inside the main hotel building while a few more did rounds through the other buildings.


    Jake¡¯s tablet had highlighted this place as one of the multiple locations in and around Miami that emitted a similar energy signature that the king¡¯s so-called castle had in much greater intensity.


    Cal already had a suspicion on what he¡¯d find inside. Had confirmed it on the flight over.


    Now, he needed to learn why exactly there were hundreds of enslaved people kept in comas at these sites.


    Surveillance cameras and equipment suddenly found themselves moving to keep him out of view as he opened a window into the hotel and floated inside.


    He touched nothing physically.


    The nearest room¡¯s door opened with a thought.


    Inside he found two beds.


    Two people.


    Unconscious.


    Collared.


    They were hooked up to medical life support. An IV that fed them nutrients and a mask over their face that helped them breathe. Several tubes were connected to their midsection and pelvic area. He assumed those were to put food inside and to take waste out.


    Warily, he touched their minds. Light as feather. He didn¡¯t want to trigger the collars¡¯ defensive mechanisms. Didn¡¯t want to accidentally make them explode or shred the enslaved people¡¯s minds.


    Not that there was anything inside their thoughts. Not that they had any thoughts.


    Their minds were completely blank. No evidence of activity.


    He was struck by the thought that he truly had no idea who these two people were.


    The silence was deafening.


    He withdrew from their emptiness and floated the medical chart attached to the closest bed to his face.


    Neat handwriting marked a regular and perfectly followed schedule of checking the equipment, the enslaved¡¯s condition, turning them to avoid the formation of bedsores and treatment for any found.


    Nothing to give a clue as to their purpose.


    He pulled the smartphone Jake had given him from his pocket and tapped and swiped until he activated what he needed. He scanned the room and quickly located the same energy flowing from the collars down through the floor.


    Using the phone he saw the same energy flowing from the rooms on this floor and even down from above. All heading lower.


    He floated out into the hallway and made his way down the stairs and to the first floor.


    Surveillance cameras and what looked like magic-powered mirrors that served the same function were nudged aside to keep them from capturing his presence.


    He came across an enslaved worker pushing a cart toward the elevators and let the young man pass before continuing to follow the energy trail leading toward the front lobby.


    The slavemaster sitting in one of the back offices twirled his control rod and debated calling one of his enslaved over to perform her duties. He decided against it. She had work to do and he had already gotten talked to about keeping work and pleasure separate.


    Disgusted, Cal planted a subtle thought in the man¡¯s brain.


    The slavemaster suddenly realized that he didn¡¯t feel like doing anything sexual to his enslaved. At least for awhile.


    The temptation to make it permanent lingered, but Cal let it go.


    Wouldn¡¯t that make him just like them?


    Did different motives matter in the moral and ethical sense?


    Collars took away free will.


    Permanently altering someone¡¯s mind did the same.


    Could one excuse it if it was turning a bad person into a good one?


    Could he?


    Well¡­ he decided that it would be a moot point if all went according to his plans.


    In less than two months, there would be no collars, no enslaved, no slaver kingdom.


    He floated above the fine marble tiles in the opulent front lobby and down a hallway.


    The signs said that he¡¯d find the restaurant and bar, the pool, the gym, several conference rooms and one large conference hall.


    The energy trail led him right to the latter.


    He pushed the doors to the conference hall open with a thought.


    The smartphone¡¯s screen suddenly shattered.


    Fortunately, he didn¡¯t need it anymore.


    There, in the middle of the conference hall was a machine.


    It roiled with an unpleasant feeling energy.


    It sucked in the energy coming from the enslaved¡¯s collars through small intakes near the bottom and sent a concentrated stream from the large glassy sphere set in the middle up through the high roof and beyond.


    It was hard to grasp and visualize it with his nonphysical senses.


    Power.


    It felt like power.


    A part of it similar to how he perceived magic through his many extra-sensory perception abilities.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± he whispered.


    An unpleasant revelation suddenly struck him like inspiration.


    This energy felt like the one he picked up from the Slaver King as the man had fought the brave Rebel Champion.


    He needed more to confirm the hypothesis.


    He had asked Bennett to scout more of these types of places.


    There was a cluster of them in the northern part of the city.


    If they all contained the same thing then he¡¯d have his answer.


    If they all led to the king¡¯s castle where the energy was the strongest.


    Was this some kind of satellite control unit? he thought as he floated closer to the machine fixing every aspect of its appearance into perfect memory to describe it to Jake later. Then¡­ what¡¯s the point of keeping enslaved in comas? There are almost three hundred of them in this one building alone.


    The childish urge to break it filled him.


    Instead, he decided a question and answer session was in order.


    He completed a circuit around the device then floated to the office for a chat with the slavemaster.


    ¡°Who¡ª¡±


    The slaver managed to blurt out before Cal seized him in an invisible grip.


    The man¡¯s eyes widened with fear.


    His glance darted to the control rod on his desk.


    ¡°Listen, all those things running through your cesspool of a brain on how you can get out of this¡­ none of them will work. I¡¯ve been through this hotel. There are exactly 10 people within screaming distance. Well, not counting the hundreds of enslaved you¡¯ve got in the rooms. So¡­ what the fuck is up with that?¡±


    The man mumbled something unintelligible.


    ¡°Right, my bad, Bro. Before I unseal your mouth, don¡¯t forget that the nearest patrol is quite far away.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t hurt me!¡± the slaver blubbered as soon as Cal unsealed his mouth.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I should do, but I¡¯ve got a greater good thing to take care of first.¡±


    ¡°Then, I¡¯m not saying shit. Stupid to tell me you won¡¯t hurt me. My dad¡¯s a noble! I¡¯m a noble! I¡¯ll have our men fuck you up!¡± the slaver¡¯s voice progressively grew louder as he grew bolder.


    ¡°You¡¯re floating in an invisible grasp. Why don¡¯t I just break every bone in your body¡­ or not¡­¡± Cal mused. ¡°Hmm¡­ how about I make your greatest fear a reality?¡± he forced the slaver to stare into his eyes. ¡°That¡¯s your greatest fear? The same thing you do to your enslaved on a daily basis? Fine¡­ don¡¯t answer me and I¡¯ll make you do things with that control rod.¡±


    The slaver eyed the object in question as it floated off the desk and slowly moved to his back.


    ¡°How about I record it and show it to everyone you know? They¡¯ll see you taking a rod up¡ª¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay! Wait! What do you want!¡± the slaver pleaded.


    ¡°What are you doing to them?¡±


    ¡°What? To who?¡±


    ¡°The enslaved in the rooms. Why are you keeping them in comas?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know! All I¡¯m supposed to do is make sure they stay alive! They don¡¯t tell me anything!¡±


    Unfortunately that was the truth.


    There would be no answers tonight.


    ¡°Listen, you¡¯re a waste of a life. Rapist, slaver and half a dozen other shitty things. You¡¯ve made me disgust myself just in briefly touching the level of filth you occupy. Like, dipping my toe in sewer water, where there¡¯s more piss and shit than actual water. Still¡­ you get a temporary reprieve, but I promise you will be held accountable for your choices. Not tonight, but soon,¡± he snapped his fingers and put the slaver to sleep. He erased the last few minutes from the man¡¯s brain and quietly floated out and back into the dark sky.


    There were several more sites he needed to investigate.


    He hoped that he¡¯d find more knowledgeable people to interrogate.

 7.11

    Bennett stepped out of the shadow and onto the rooftop.


    The moon was bright and the cloud coverage was minimal, not that it mattered.


    His abilities meant that he could practically disappear inside a well-lit room so long as there was a shadow.


    Hunter¡¯s instincts prickled the back of his unnaturally pale neck.


    Red eyes flashed in the darkness as he spun and grabbed.


    A kitchen knife sliced into his wrist.


    His grip slackened just a fraction but it was enough for the small, cloaked figure to slip out and seemingly disappear from his supernatural sight.


    Strange.


    That wasn¡¯t something that normally happened.


    That same prickling.


    Bennett spun and¡ª


    ¡°Sorry. I didn¡¯t realize who you were at first,¡± the cloaked figure threw back her hood to reveal a cute face, petite, almost like a girl if it wasn¡¯t for those dead eyes that reminded him of those shark documentaries. The young woman held up her knife and the almost imperceptible trickle of his blood clinging to the edge. She brought it to her lips. ¡°If I drink this, do I become a vampire?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Too bad, it feels like it¡¯d be a good combination with my class. It¡¯d make a pretty killer consolidation eventually. My employer told me about you.¡±


    ¡°And what did he say?¡±


    ¡°To keep my distance and stay out of your way,¡± she shrugged, ¡°I had to try though¡­ it made me.¡±


    ¡°You must be Holly, the Slasher.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s got a big mouth. I thought I was supposed to be a secret. Maybe he was worried I¡¯d get the drop on you,¡± her smile didn¡¯t reach her eyes.


    ¡°He may have told me about you, but I didn¡¯t make him any promises as to your safety. Especially, considering how you¡¯ve attacked me, unprovoked.¡±


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t an attack. That was me saying ¡®hello¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Hello,¡± Bennett said flatly.


    ¡°And goodbye¡­ I¡¯m off to stab someone a lot.¡±


    ¡°I know what you¡¯re here for. I¡¯ve sensed some of what you¡¯ve been up to the past few nights.¡±


    ¡°I can tell you don¡¯t like it,¡± she shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m doing what my employer instructed. I haven¡¯t deviated from it this entire time. What else can you do besides stepping out of shadows? Stronger, faster? That¡¯s boring. Better senses? Boring. Turn into mist? Bats? A wolf? Less boring. What else?¡±


    Bennett gave her a slight smile to reveal sharp fangs.


    ¡°Sharp teeth are a given. How did you become a vampire? Will you turn me into one? I can trade expertise. I have a Domain Skill. It¡¯d fit you. I can try to teach it to you in exchange¡ª¡±


    ¡°No. You¡¯re a murderer.¡±


    ¡°And you don¡¯t kill?¡± she said flatly. ¡°How do you get your blood?¡±


    ¡°Hospitals and blood banks. We aren¡¯t similar.¡±


    ¡°I guess not. We¡¯re both killers, but you¡¯re a predator, like a tiger. You kill because you have to. For survival. It¡¯s partially out of your control. Me? I¡¯m in complete control of everything I do,¡± Holly shrugged before disappearing over the side of the roof in a rustle of the dark cloak that seemed to writhe with shadows.


    The idea of kinship with that young woman disturbed Bennett.


    Perhaps it wouldn¡¯t have a few years ago, but lately, as his levels continued to rise¡­


    He focused on his job.


    One site down.


    Several more to go.


    All of them had contained the same things.


    Enslaved people in forced comas being drained of some type of energy that was fed into a machine which beamed that energy up into the sky and toward the king¡¯s castle.


    Wireless transmission of power, just like Tesla had once tried to bring to the masses.


    Instead, what they had here was the Slaver King draining what was probably the life essence of other human beings.


    Slavery was bad enough.


    A magic collar-enforced version took it up another level or down depending on perspective.


    This¡­


    Bennett felt his hunger keenly.


    There were many people in this city that deserved the Slasher¡¯s attentions.


    Perhaps, they deserved his as well.


    <hr>


    Miami, Florida, New American Republic, December 8, 2036


    ¡°Reflective Shield,¡± Adal pointed to Talia as they rounded the corner store and into the first set of monsters inside the mall spawn zone. Translucent red light lined the tall, lithe warrior as she leapt toward the human-sized gremlins. ¡°Go! Mena, get ready to pull her back as soon as the shield breaks!¡±


    ¡°On it, Master!¡± Mena fixed a determined look on her youthful face.


    Talia laid into the gremlins with wide, two-handed swipes of her sword. Adal¡¯s magic shield removed the need for her to be cautious.


    The gremlins struck with claws and teeth.


    Adal¡¯s shield absorbed the damage until it reached its limit and exploded outward with magical energy that raked the gremlins.


    ¡°Wind Whip!¡± Mena lashed a hand out from which a long whip of air appeared wrapping around Talia¡¯s waist. Mena grunted with effort as she pulled Talia out from the midst of the gremlins.


    Adal recast the shield on Talia and sent her forward to finish off the remaining wounded gremlins.


    ¡°Mena, I want you to make us quicker as soon as Talia¡¯s done. We need to¡ª¡±


    Jake changed the channel.


    ¡°Hey! I was watching that,¡± Cara said.


    Jake eyed the massive cat in the young woman¡¯s lap and the massive dog at her feet. Both eyed him in their too-intelligent ways. There was displeasure there. Some disappointment. And perhaps, a bit of warning.


    ¡°We¡¯re all on the same team here,¡± he said. ¡°The Bronze Division stuff doesn¡¯t matter. We don¡¯t have any teams in the time trial competition anyways. We need to focus on the Silver Division three on three and the Gold Division one on one.¡±


    ¡°I know that. I¡¯m actually on the Silver Division team.¡±


    ¡°And you guys have been doing great so far.¡±


    ¡°Del and Max are watching on the other TV¡¯s. This is the only available one for me.¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be resting anyways or at least scouting your potential next round opponents with Trevor and Amber?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s Amber¡¯s job and she¡¯s better at it than me and Trevor.¡±


    ¡°Bronze Division time trial is dumb anyways,¡± Jake shrugged.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to watch it for myself to decide that.¡±


    A massive golden eagle landed on the back of the couch behind Jake¡¯s left shoulder. He felt the heat radiating from the bird. Its sheer presence loomed over him like the Sword of Damocles.


    ¡°There¡¯s not much to see. The slavers set up, like, a course inside a spawn zone and the teams race to see who can complete it quicker. They don¡¯t even race simultaneously, so it¡¯s kinda boring to watch them mowing down gremlins as fast as they can. I¡¯ve watched enough of it on the first day,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°I have so many questions about that¡ª¡±


    ¡°They limit it to a single floor. There¡¯s a maximum time limit. Spawn zones replenish monsters at a quick rate so they can run a three teams through it in an hour depending on how fast the teams finish the course. I think they basically created this to have an extra event for all the Level 20¡¯s to 29¡¯s that didn¡¯t get into one of the better events. I mean, they¡¯re letting losers of the other events enter this one if they want. No real limitations aside from a maximum team size.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ fine. Thank you for the mansplanation. What are we going to watch instead?¡±


    ¡°Hey! Del!¡± Jake called out to one of the bedrooms.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°What channel are you on?¡±


    ¡°Channel 9!¡±


    ¡°Max!¡± Jake called to the other bedroom.


    ¡°I¡¯m on 4!¡±


    Jake consulted the printed schedule guide the slaver kingdom had provided. ¡°I guess that covers all the live Gold Division one on one matches today.¡±


    ¡°Then switch back to what I was watching,¡± Cara said.


    Her cat hissed what sounded like an agreement to Jake.


    Her dog barked and thumped its thick tail on the carpet.


    ¡°Watch the 1st Round matches that have already happened,¡± Demi said from the kitchen counter top where she had her face buried in reports from the people she had scouting out locations in the city.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got it, Commander!¡± Jake saluted.


    ¡°You¡¯re not technically under my command, Jake¡­ as I¡¯ve told you repeatedly,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Technically, I¡¯m attached to the Watch for this Quest. So¡­¡± he shrugged. ¡°Your word is command and I shall obey,¡± he flipped the TV to the channel devoted solely to replays, recaps and highlights.


    Cara grumbled, but remained quiet.


    ¡°Oh¡­ good timing. This fight was one of my favorites,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°That¡¯s a girl!¡± Cara pointed at the screen.


    ¡°Uh¡­ yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°I thought you had to be an adult.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I said, but she obviously made it through. They used truth spells and appraisal Skills at registration according to Rino. So, the only thing I can think of is that the girl has ways to trick those or it¡¯s, like, that condition.¡±


    ¡°What condition?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know what it¡¯s called, but it¡¯s like a person stops physically growing or something. So, they still look like a kid, but are actually 30.¡± Jake grabbed the legal pad and pen on the coffee table and used the movement to subtly shift toward the middle of the couch and away from the looming eagle on his left.


    The damned bird shifted over to maintain her closeness.


    And now another cat squeezed into the space he had opened up on his left. He felt their displeased eyes on him.


    On the TV a blue-haired girl that was supposedly an adult, but looked 14, stood across the arena floor from a big, biker-looking man.


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    It looked like a mismatch.


    On one side a slim girl and on the other a brawny, barrel-chested man with a power belly.


    ¡°Hell¡¯s Angel?¡± Cara said.


    ¡°That is, was, is?¡± Jake shrugged. ¡°A big biker gang from the old days. Makes sense that they¡¯d still be around. The biker demographic is well-represented in this tournament,¡± he mused. There were several gangs represented throughout the different competitions, though mostly in Silver and Bronze Division.


    As soon as the siren blared the blue-haired girl sprinted forward.


    50 yards in a couple of seconds was superhuman.


    The burly Hell¡¯s Angel lumbered forward whirling a chain in one hand and holding a two-handed sledge hammer in the other.


    The blue-haired girl opened her mouth and breathed out a thick, billowing cloud of mist that quickly engulfed a large expanse of space around Hell¡¯s Angel.


    She plunged into the obscuring mist.


    The crowd cheered.


    The drone cameras picked up the sounds of grunting, yelling and hard impacts on flesh as they failed to provide any images from inside the mist.


    The mist dispersed to reveal the blue-haired girl standing triumphantly with her foot on the prone Hell¡¯s Angel¡¯s back.


    ¡°Arms and legs aren¡¯t supposed to bend that way,¡± Cara said.


    ¡°Bastard¡¯s going to get a lot of crap from his buddies.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°He got his ass kicked by a girl.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s clearly superhuman at a minimum. Anyone in Gold Division is really powerful.¡±


    The camera showed a close up of the blue-haired girl revealing dark, blue eyes that seemed to whirl with ocean waves.


    She bared vivid white teeth with canines that were slightly sharp.


    ¡°Kinda like Bennett,¡± Cara said.


    ¡°But, she¡¯s out in the sun, so definitely not a vampire.¡±


    ¡°Bennett can sorta handle the sun¡­ for a bit. And she could be a different vampire. Like a daywalker or something.¡±


    ¡°Maybe¡­¡±


    ¡°How come she doesn¡¯t have a name?¡±


    ¡°They interviewed her after this. Apparently, her true name is unpronounceable in the ¡®inferior human speech¡¯ and she¡¯s not willing to pick a make believe name like the others because she¡¯s ¡®above such petty mortal concerns¡¯.¡±


    ¡°I hope Rino won¡¯t have to fight her.¡±


    ¡°Not till the finals, if they both make it. They¡¯re on different sides of the tournament,¡± Jake handed Cara a printed out sheet containing the brackets.


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t have a class listed.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°The blue-haired girl.


    ¡°No idea, probably has a Skill or spell that hides it.


    ¡°Or she¡¯s too high level for the appraisers.¡±


    ¡°Probably. A lot of the Gold Division contestants have only partial profiles. Rino said that they only got her class and a couple of her weaker Skills.¡±


    A brutal display from one of our most enigmatic competitors, the broadcaster said, stay tuned for our next highlight after a short break.


    ¡°This cabal motherfucker,¡± Jake muttered. ¡°He¡¯s on every commercial break.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like them,¡± Cara said.


    The dog at her feet growled at the TV.


    ¡°We might have to fight them later¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been studying the breakdown Cal gave you?¡±


    Cara nodded.


    ¡°Good, then you¡¯ll be as prepared as possible if that match happens.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re creepy and disgusting.¡±


    ¡°A lot of these people are,¡± Jake nodded sagely.


    ¡°I hope we don¡¯t have to fight enslaved people.¡±


    Jake didn¡¯t have an answer to that, so he remained silent as the commercial break finished.


    The broadcaster immediately threw it to the next highlight.


    This match had been longer, so they didn¡¯t show it in its entirety.


    The Sadistic Warrior of Lust hacked wildly at a nimble fencer.


    The latter leaked blood from a dozen wounds poked by the former with their rapier through gaps in plate and chain armor.


    But, as time went on Skills were expended and stamina depleted for the quick, agile young man.


    The sadistic warrior grabbed the rapier¡¯s blade and pulled the nimble fencer off-balance allowing him to gut the young man with a slice from a thicker, heavier blade.


    The sadistic warrior spat in the fencer¡¯s face before holding his bloody weapon to the cheers of the crowd before licking it with a feral grin on his face.


    Medics and healers rushed to the downed fencer¡¯s side.


    ¡°Gross!¡± Cara said.


    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t like the sound of that guy¡¯s class.¡±


    The next highlight featured a towering black woman shrugging off every dazzling spell fired at her by a mage. The woman strode steadily across the field, each thudding step seemed to shake the dirt ground. She reached the young man and shattered a hastily conjured magic shield with three punches.


    The young man cried out as the woman lifted him up by his collar and flicked a finger on his forehead.


    She laid him down on the dirt and walked toward the tunnel ignoring the cheering crowd.


    ¡°Her skin¡¯s kinda shiny,¡± Cara said.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t take any visible damage,¡± Jake nodded while jotting down notes, ¡°Superstrong, metallic skin¡­ is it just the skin? Or does it go deeper? Bones, muscles and internals have to be just as strong to withstand the concussions and her own superstrength. Possible weaknesses? Eyes¡­¡±


    ¡°Magnets? Electricity?¡± Cara chimed.


    ¡°Good ones,¡± Jake added them to the legal pad.


    ¡°Oh¡­ how about mud! Or, like, quicksand. If she¡¯s really heavy¡­¡±


    ¡°Depends on how long she can hold her breath or if she even needs to breathe¡­ and someone with a spell or ability to churn up the arena floor. Although, I can¡¯t imagine it being deeper than a handful of inches.¡±


    The next highlight piqued Jake¡¯s interest.


    He hadn¡¯t seen this match.


    A woman in sleek green armor with purple highlights soared over the arena floor on a flat, angular wing powered by what looked like a small jet engine.


    ¡°Oh wow! That gear looks like magitech,¡± he scribbled furiously.


    Thrusters on the underside of the wing fired visible puffs of air that appeared to help steer the flying machine in conjunction with the armored woman¡¯s movements. She banked above her opponent, an axe and shield wielding man, and tossed a small globe containing a sloshing orange liquid.


    ¡°Improved Block!¡± the warrior took it on his wooden shield.


    The explosion pushed the warrior back a few paces.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t fair!¡± he called. ¡°Why don¡¯t you come down and fight?¡±


    She ignored him as she continued to bank around until she reached the far end of the field. Straightening her flying wing, she lined it up with warrior.


    ¡°Shield Art: Attract Projectiles!¡± the warrior said.


    An instant later the flying wing¡¯s jet roared and the armored woman shot forward spitting bullets from the barrel set underneath the center of the fly wing.


    Each bullet plinked off the shield¡¯s wooden surface.


    ¡°I can keep this up all day!¡± the warrior called out. ¡°You think you¡¯ve got enough ammo?¡±


    He turned out to be terribly wrong.


    The armored woman tossed down a few more bombs and conducted two more strafing runs to knock the warrior out of the fight.


    She did a victory lap waving to the crowd, while the unconscious man lay on the ground singed, concussed and with a few bullets in his muscular body.


    ¡°You should talk to her,¡± Cara said. ¡°Find out how she made that flying thing. It¡¯d be cool to fly with my eagles since we still haven¡¯t been able to copy the rangers¡¯ flying mounts.¡±


    ¡°Something about her seems familiar,¡± Jake muttered. ¡°Nah¡­ I bet you everything I own that she won¡¯t share any of the secrets that went into her gear. Same reason I wouldn¡¯t share how I make my best stuff with any rando that asks.¡±


    The next match showed a short, stocky, hairy man with sharp fangs and fingernails trading blows with a tall, broad woman in full plate wielding a thick, metal heater shield and a heavy, spiked mace.


    ¡°Lots of the fighter-types appear to have the enhanced strength passive judging from them using two-handed weapons like they were one-handed,¡± Jake muttered.


    The hairy man¡¯s wounds visibly healed and he appeared to have a pronounced advantage in all physical attributes.


    The woman¡¯s armor was covered with dozens of dents from the man¡¯s fists and her shield had been rent into two pieces when she finally fell to one knee and yielded.


    The hairy man hesitated a moment before landing an earth-shattering punch to the side of her full-faced helmet.


    The crowd¡¯s cheers turned into boos while the hairy man looked up and sneered for the camera.


    ¡°What a dick!¡± Cara consulted the bracket. ¡°Different bracket from Rino, but that ranger guy is in the same.¡±


    ¡°Let me see,¡± Jake leaned over. ¡°Shrewed¡­ yeah, he¡¯s a ranger. Brawler, one versus one format should be good for him. He¡¯s only the 10 seed though. Hairy guy is 1 in Shrewed¡¯s bracket.¡±


    The next highlight featured a red-eyed man or woman. It was hard to tell through the black, armored clothing, complete with a hood and mask that only revealed a sliver of their eyes.


    ¡°Blood-soaked Assassin class,¡± Cara said.


    ¡°Not a ninja, damn. I wanted to be a ninja when I was younger. This guy has an upgraded class¡­ what seed is he?¡±


    ¡°Number 3 in the same bracket as that hairy guy and Shrewed.¡±


    The assassin made quick work of their opponent with a pair of short blades that had a pronounced forward curve and a large belly, which made it a great cutter as evidenced by the gruesome wounds they made. They dipped a hand in their opponents blood and held it up to the cheering crowd before slipping bloody fingers underneath their facemask.


    The next highlight was interrupted by the door to their suite opening.


    Hands went to weapons, but relaxed when they saw who it was.


    Hillary, Kare and Ginessa entered the large, luxury hotel suite burdened to varying degrees with bags of hot and tasty smelling food.


    Though she was the smallest of the three, Ginessa carried the largest load.


    ¡°Lunch time!¡± Kare beamed as they placed the bags on the counter and table.


    ¡°Max! Del! Food!¡± Hillary bellowed.


    ¡°Watching a match!¡± Max said.


    ¡°Same here!¡± Del echoed.


    ¡°How¡¯s Rino?¡± Demi said.


    ¡°She¡¯s at the arena getting ready,¡± Kare said.


    ¡°Are we going to watch in person?¡± Ginessa said. ¡°Do we have tickets?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to be in Rino¡¯s corner,¡± Kare said. ¡°Captain Doran¡¯s taking twenty people just in case there are shenanigans and we need back up. We have extra tickets if you guys want to come along. The more the merrier!¡± she smiled.


    ¡°Do you think you¡¯ll need the extra muscle?¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Nope! I think we¡¯ve got things covered,¡± Kare said.


    ¡°Alright, then, I¡¯ll leave it up to you guys if you want to go¡­ except for Jake and Hillary I need you to keep working on the info Cal and Bennett brought back. I want to make sure that we¡¯ve got each one of these sites mapped. I don¡¯t want to miss even one of these goddamn places,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go,¡± Ginessa volunteered.


    ¡°Oh good!¡± Kare threw an arm over the shorter woman¡¯s shoulder. ¡°With our supernatural senses combined the slavers definitely won¡¯t be able to slip any tricks past us!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d go too, but I have a practice session with Amber and Trevor,¡± Cara said.


    ¡°No worries!¡± Kare said.


    ¡°Thanks for picking up some grub. I was getting tired of the hotel food,¡± Jake rummaged through the bags coming up with a few sandwiches and a carton of french fries before heading back to the couch. ¡°Mine,¡± he glared at the assorted animals staring at the food in his hands with disturbing interest. ¡°Cara! Tell them this is people food.¡±


    ¡°They can understand you.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but they only listen to you,¡± he pleaded.


    ¡°Fine¡­¡± Cara rolled her eyes. ¡°Guys, leave Jake alone. You¡¯re scaring him.¡±


    If animals could roll their eyes¡­ some of them did.


    Ginessa made her way to the fridge and pulled a few blood bags out to take to her room.


    ¡°Awww¡­ I told her we don¡¯t care about that,¡± Kare said.


    ¡°Leave her be. She¡¯s doing what she¡¯s most comfortable with,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Yeah, I hate how you guys stare at me when I eat,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°That¡¯s cause you chew loudly and with your mouth wide open, like some kind of goober,¡± Hillary said.


    ¡°Shhh¡­ I¡¯m trying to take notes,¡± Jake said with a mouth overfull with sandwich and fries.


    The highlight was in the middle of a cagey tactical battle between two evenly matched fighters.


    Each took potshots with submachine guns from behind ballistic shields.


    ¡°First one to run out of ammo loses,¡± Jake said.


    The fight devolved into a slugfest with both fighters trying to hammer each other with their shields and fists.


    It was the first one that went the distance and the judges had to decide the winner.


    ¡°I think the guy with the gun and shield won,¡± Hillary said flatly.


    ¡°Want to bet?¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Which one?¡± Kare said.


    ¡°The one with the gun and shield,¡± Hillary said.


    ¡°They both have a gun and shield,¡± Kare said.


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Cara said.


    ¡°Hey? Where¡¯s Rebekah, Alexa and the other guys?¡± Hillary said.


    ¡°Rebekah¡¯s checking something out and the others are watching her back,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°There¡¯s a group claiming to be the legitimate U.S. Government,¡± Jake said. ¡°Rebekah¡¯s going to find out if they¡¯re real or full of shit.¡±


    ¡°So, what if they are?¡± Hillary said. ¡°It¡¯s not like we¡¯ll suddenly obey their orders. We can trace a direct line to the old California State Government.¡±


    ¡°They might think otherwise and even if they agree I can bet that they¡¯ll pull the Federal card,¡± Jake said. His eyes widened. ¡°Shit¡­ that¡¯d make us the ¡®state¡¯s rights¡¯ guys,¡± he groaned.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about all that. They¡¯ve been gone for years. I won¡¯t listen to them now,¡± Kare said.


    ¡°They could be useful allies against the slavers. I mean, slavery was illegal back in the old country,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°They haven¡¯t done anything so far,¡± Hillary pointed out. ¡°I¡¯m thinking that if they were strong enough then they wouldn¡¯t have been hiding this whole time.¡±


    ¡°Strong enough to have a few fighters in the Gold Division,¡± Max said as he emerged from the room. ¡°And as it turns out the one going by True Patriot is very strong¡­ and she and Rino are in the same bracket. I just watched her demolish one of those Mongols from the team competition.¡±


    ¡°Notes?¡±


    ¡°Took a ton,¡± Max held up a legal pad in his hand of twisted wood and hard earth.


    ¡°Man, if we had more time and data I could write an algorithm that builds up a full profile. Strength, weaknesses, tendencies¡­¡± Jake sighed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget what we¡¯re really here for,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Yessir!¡± Jake saluted looking like a chipmunk with too much food in his mouth.

 7.12

    Rebekah had been a soldier before the spires had appeared. She became a soldier: infantry. At times in the years since she had wondered if that would change or disappear.


    After all, what was a soldier without a country to serve?


    To ease her turmoil a wise person had once told her that you didn¡¯t really need a country to be a soldier and a soldier.


    All you truly needed was a leader and a cause to believe in.


    She had found the former quickly in Demi Lawrence, from Officer to Watch Captain to Watch Commander.


    As for a cause?


    Well, that was all around her.


    Evil threatening from all directions.


    Monsters.


    Other humans.


    It was in the faces she had said goodbye to. In the new faces that needed her strength.


    Ron. Hillary.


    Many other fellow fighters lost over the years. Many more rising to take their places.


    ¡°You sure about this,¡± Alexa said.


    Rebekah glanced at the other woman. She nodded.


    ¡°Mr. Bigglesworth has eyes on them. They¡¯ve just entered the park and are alone as promised. Two people. A young man and a young woman. I think they¡¯re the ones on their Gold Division three verse three team.¡±


    ¡°How can you tell? They were wearing masks or full helmets,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°Body language and how they move. Mr. Bigglesworth is, like, ninety percent sure about this and he gets salty when you question his info,¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°You tell that cat demon of yours that if he¡¯s got a problem with questions then he¡¯d better bump that up to a hundred percent,¡± Rebekah said. She regarded the other two Watch members seated on the other side of the park table. ¡°Go for a walk,¡± she said.


    ¡°Why?¡± Oscar frowned. ¡°We¡¯re supposed to back you up in case they try something funny.¡±


    ¡°Two of them two of us,¡± Rebekah said.


    She was a soldier and the Watch was a lot looser when it came to rank and insubordination.


    ¡°Should we stay close?¡± Tobin said as she rose.


    Rebekah regarded the young woman a moment before shaking her head. ¡°Take a walk. Make a circuit of the park and note anything that might be important later.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just a park,¡± Oscar grumbled. Still, the young man stood.


    ¡°Which is a few blocks from where the king conducts official business,¡± Tobin said. ¡°C¡¯mon, Oscar, you never know who we might see out for a lunch time stroll.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s sharper,¡± Alexa said after the two had walked down the cement path.


    ¡°She heard that.¡±


    ¡°Occasional praise is good,¡± Alexa shrugged.


    ¡°You might want to keep Mr. Bigglesworth away.¡±


    ¡°I was planning on having him keep an eye on the entrance in case we get a few late additions to this meeting,¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°Nothing will happen. They won¡¯t risk their standing in the competition. And there are plenty of those cops roaming the place.¡±


    ¡°I believe they¡¯re calling them ¡®guardians¡¯,¡± Alexa said. ¡°Did you know a lot of the policing in this country evolved from slave catcher patrols back when slavery was still legal?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know that. I went to a lot of schools in Texas and all over the South for a good chunk of my childhood cause I had to move around a lot. Slavery wasn¡¯t really covered in great depth.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s cause your dad was military, right?¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°Yup¡­¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ should I be concerned?¡±


    ¡°About what?¡±


    ¡°This meeting?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ you¡¯ve got a soldier class. What if a higher ranked person gives you an order and you can¡¯t refuse?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not worried about that. I¡¯m just a soldier. Not an American Soldier or a U.S. Army Soldier. I¡¯m just here to see if these people are who they claim to be and¡­¡±


    ¡°If they know what happened to your brother,¡± Alexa nodded.


    ¡°He was stationed in D.C. If a remnant of the government survived in a bunker than there¡¯s a chance he¡­¡± she shook her head.


    ¡°Game faces, they¡¯re coming,¡± Alexa said.


    They stood as the two young people approached.


    One was a tall, broad-shouldered young man with closely-cropped blond hair.


    The other was a young woman, a little shorter, but more muscular with short, dark hair.


    ¡°Lieutenant Death¡¯s Dancer,¡± the young man introduced himself with a curt nod. ¡°Lieutenant Contrary,¡± he nodded to the young woman. ¡°Corporal Rebekah Court?¡± he regarded Rebekah warily.


    ¡°Weird that the military would be using make-believe names,¡± Alexa said. ¡°And how do you know I¡¯m not Rebekah.¡±


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, you¡¯ve got pink streaks in your hair and eye-liner,¡± Lt. Contrary said.


    ¡°So, it¡¯s been a long time. Things change,¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°Corporal Court, still stands like a soldier of the US Army,¡± Lt. Death¡¯s Dancer said. ¡°And¡­ it took some digging and luck, but we found your file and got a copy.¡±


    Lt. Contrary handed the large envelope over.


    Rebekah took it and briefly glanced through what was indeed a copy of her old personnel file.


    ¡°That was fast. We only reached out to you a few days ago and you managed to contact, what? The army base or building that had all the files¡­ the Pentagon, right? Then got a copy all the way down here?¡±


    ¡°Something like that, Ma¡¯am,¡± Lt. Death¡¯s Dancer said. ¡°It¡¯s important for us that we welcome home our wayward and lost soldiers.¡±


    ¡°Any way you can prove that you are who you say you are? You¡¯d have been around two year¡¯s old when the spires appeared,¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°The spires never broke the chain. We¡¯re proof enough of that,¡± Lt. Contrary said.


    ¡°All of your questions and concerns will be answered. All the proof you want, provided, Cpl. Court,¡± Lt. Death¡¯s Dancer said.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time,¡± Rebekah said. ¡°I¡¯ve finished my active duty and reserve time.¡±


    ¡°Every citizen a soldier,¡± Lt. Contrary said.


    ¡°The United States of America is in a state of war. It has been since the spires appeared. A law was passed extending your service indefinitely,¡± Lt. Death¡¯s Dancer said.


    ¡°You need congress and a president to do that,¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°We have the latter and a smaller version of the former. We have elections and everything,¡± Lt. Death¡¯s Dancer flashed perfect white teeth. ¡°It¡¯s a bit hard to find people from every state.¡±


    ¡°Do you really think you can just come in sixteen years later and assume people will just do what you tell them because you claim you¡¯re from the old government?¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, not the old government, but the same one. As a citizen you have a duty to obey,¡± Lt. Contrary frowned.


    Lt. Death¡¯s Dancer laid a hand on her shoulder. ¡°We¡¯re not exactly going to force anything right now. Wrong place, wrong time. I¡¯m sure you¡¯re here for¡­ reasons¡­ just like us¡­ but, you did swear oaths or are subject to them by virtue of being born here.¡±


    ¡°Those died when you weren¡¯t there to fight the monsters. When cops put us in a rape camp. When we had to fight the monsters ourselves. You ever been in tunnels beneath the ocean? Carved by an eldritch godling¡¯s dark magic? Fighting fishmen? See the birth of said godling live? We were there by ourselves. The Watch. The California State Government. We¡¯re the ones that carved out a safe place for our people,¡± Alexa said. ¡°You¡¯ve kept things going in your secret bunkers, but so what?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve done good, but we are part of the greatest country in the history of the world. That needs to be brought back to face the challenges of this spires world. And we¡¯re running out of time to be united. 10 years eased restrictions, more things, more monsters, more powerful, more dangerous, have appeared. How much longer until more restrictions are lifted? Everyone got that message, so you know what I¡¯m talking about. We need our soldiers back in the fold. We need everyone,¡± Lt. Death¡¯s Dancer said.


    ¡°Look at this place,¡± Lt. Contrary said. ¡°Sixteen years without us in charge and they bring back slavery worse than ever.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve proven effective as we are,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°Then why did you reach out?¡± Lt. Death¡¯s Dancer said.


    ¡°My brother? Marine, Lance Corporal Darren Court. He was stationed in D.C. when the spires appeared.¡± Rebekah steeled her features to betray nothing of her rapidly beating heart.


    Lt. Death¡¯s Dancer cleared his throat. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to inform you that we have no information on your brother. Officially, he¡¯s MIA.¡±


    Hope for the first time in years was a cruel thing.


    Even crueler to have them snuffed out in a perfunctory statement.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Rebekah said. ¡°That¡¯ll be all.¡±


    ¡°Are you disobeying orders, Corporal Court?¡± Lt. Contrary said.


    ¡°You tell a good story, but I have no confirmation that your words are true. I¡¯d be stupid to just go with you and start following orders from a pair of kids when I don¡¯t even know what branch you belong to,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°New branch, actually,¡± Lt. Death¡¯s Dancer said. ¡°Sort of like a special special forces. We have a large amount of autonomy when it comes to dealing with anything related to the spires. If you¡¯ve really gone through the things you say you have and you¡¯ve got a high level then there¡¯ll be a place for you with us.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a ton about your story that stinks,¡± Alexa said. ¡°You can¡¯t just say that you¡¯re the government and you¡¯re in charge and everyone just has to do what you say,¡± she snorted. ¡°It doesn¡¯t even matter if you¡¯re telling the truth. The social contract was broken. Those oaths¡­ broken.¡±


    ¡°Admittedly, it¡¯s been an uphill struggle to survive and grow strong enough, but the time has come and you don¡¯t want to be on the wrong side of history,¡± Lt. Death¡¯s Dancer said.


    ¡°You know, I see you up on the TV, fighting for the prizes the slavers are throwing out there, what I don¡¯t see is the so-called US Government doing anything about it. Slavery¡¯s illegal, why aren¡¯t you doing something about it?¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°It¡¯s a delicate situation and my instinct tells me that you probably know more than us. I¡¯d shoot that same question back to you, but¡­ I think neither of us wants to lay out all our cards,¡± Lt. Death¡¯s Dancer said. ¡°We do have a message to take back to your leadership,¡± he handed a thick envelope to Alexa. ¡°It¡¯s a bunch of diplomatic words, but soldier to soldier,¡± he regarded Rebekah, ¡°groups like your Watch and the others from California are currently classified as illegitimate militias. There¡¯s a grace period in which you will be given the opportunity to return to the legitimate fold of the USA. Honestly, not much will change on your end from an operational standpoint. If groups are effective and doing things in line with the laws of the country then we won¡¯t interfere.¡±


    ¡°The amnesty period isn¡¯t as long for soldiers that know what they need to do, but refuse,¡± Lt. Contrary glared at Rebekah.


    ¡°We¡¯ve said our piece,¡± Lt. Death¡¯s Dancer said.


    ¡°As have I,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°I hope, Corporal, that you¡¯ll do the right thing. Good luck to your teams¡­ though it¡¯s a little weird that you¡¯d come all the way across the country for a few entrants in the Silver Division. Gold, I¡¯d understand more,¡± Lt. Death¡¯s Dancer said.


    With that that two soldiers walked away.


    ¡°Sorry about your brother,¡± Alexa finally said.


    Rebekah nodded. ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting otherwise.¡±


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°Sure¡­ but, it¡¯s not over. There¡¯s probably a lot of those secret bases and bunkers that even they haven¡¯t kept contact or reconnected with,¡± Alexa said


    ¡°Yeah¡­ you might be right, but I¡¯m not going to expect anything. My brother is dead, until I find out otherwise,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°Or they¡¯re lying. Maybe they know what happened to your brother and they¡¯re going to hold that information over your head for something later.¡±


    ¡°What? Turn me into an asset?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. You can¡¯t trust the government. Especially now that they¡¯re desperate to grab the power that they¡¯ve already lost forever. Fuck ¡®em!¡±


    ¡°They weren¡¯t wrong about one thing,¡± Rebekah said. ¡°The hammer could fall soon. The spires will throw things into disarray again at some point. The twenty year mark seems likely. And we aren¡¯t getting any younger. It¡¯s the young people, like those two, that¡¯ll decide things.¡±


    ¡°Hey! I¡¯m not even 40 yet! I know you¡¯re past that, but you¡¯re still in great shape. Those Skills are clearly helping you feel and fight like a younger person.¡±


    ¡°Sure, but do you really want to be fighting at 50? 60?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ Mr. Bigglesworth does mention retirement a lot,¡± Alexa mused.


    ¡°I guess it makes sense that a demon cat thing would be a lazy bastard,¡± Rebekah said.


    <hr>


    ¡°His Silver Edge Skill sounds like trouble,¡± Kare said.


    Rino grunted.


    The two weredogs sat in a small locker room. One of several dozen in the Hard Rock Stadium that the slavers had created or modified from the old, larger locker rooms to give the individual Gold Division fighters privacy before their matches.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve never been hit with the stuff before, have we?¡± Kare said.


    ¡°If I did then I didn¡¯t notice anything different from regular steel or lead.¡±


    ¡°We aren¡¯t wolves,¡± Kare nodded. ¡°Then you don¡¯t have to worry about that Skill¡­¡± her face scrunched, ¡°but we are ¡®weres¡¯¡­ so, maybe you do have to worry about it?¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°It won¡¯t matter either way if he can¡¯t land a hit on me.¡±


    ¡°Then it was a good idea that you wear that armor,¡± Kare grinned.


    Rino tugged at the collar of her chain shirt. The sleeves ran all the way to her wrists and she had a few other pieces of steel plate covering the usual areas. A helmet was the other concession she had agreed to.


    Her strength meant that the added weight was negligible, however she simply didn¡¯t like the feeling of being constrained.


    A full transformation in armor would¡¯ve just made an already uncomfortable experience worse.


    Chainmail and fur didn¡¯t go together.


    ¡°Remember the game plan,¡± Kare warned.


    ¡°I get it!¡± Rino snapped.


    ¡°Then repeat it to me.¡±


    ¡°Punch the other guy until he¡¯s out or gives up,¡± Rino shrugged.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°Only transform if necessary and try to keep it as subtle as possible.¡±


    ¡°Right! It¡¯ll keep your full abilities a surprise for the next round.¡±


    ¡°That really won¡¯t matter if I don¡¯t win.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of possible future opponents¡­¡±


    ¡°Out with it.¡±


    ¡°I was doing some sniffing around the training area earlier today and I think I found the smell that we smelled during the opening ceremony,¡± Kare said gravely.


    ¡°Let me guess, it¡¯s that Rou guy, the number one seed in Bracket 3.¡±


    ¡°No, actually, it was another guy. Gator, second seed, Bracket 2. Big, hairy guy, looks like he rolls around in the swamp. Smells like us, but different, wilder, scarier,¡± Kare shuddered.


    ¡°Can¡¯t be that much tougher. I got ranked 3rd in my bracket,¡± Rino tried to push down the instinctive surge of fear that had accompanied her first detection of the scent that Kare had confirmed to come from the man calling himself Gator. ¡°This Gator connected to Rou?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t found out for sure, but I think it¡¯s obvious. They both sorta look like we do when we start transforming. Fangs, claws, more hairy, beasty faces,¡± Kare shrugged. ¡°Maybe they¡¯re just like us, just¡­ dirty?¡±


    ¡°Nah,¡± Rino said. ¡°You smelled the same thing I did. Close, but definitely different. You felt it too. The fear¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡± The door banged open causing Kare to jump. ¡°Knock please,¡± she chided.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°Tch¡­ don¡¯t worry about it, we¡¯re just being scared bitches,¡± Rino grunted.


    ¡°I got some info,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°Out with it.¡±


    ¡°Silver Axe¡¯s Skills lets him keep a flask of liquid silver, well, liquid. Then when he pours it on his axe the edge hardens just as good as steel. It¡¯ll last a while, although using it will cause it to slowly flake off,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°How many swings?¡± Kare said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but it sounds like it tends to last him long enough where he only needs to apply it once per fight.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯d you find this out?¡± Rino said.


    ¡°I asked around,¡± Ginessa shrugged. ¡°Arena staff mostly, a few fighters that trained at the same time as him.¡±


    ¡°Ginessa!¡± Kare chided. ¡°You know you¡¯re not supposed to risk your class being discovered.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t,¡± Ginessa smiled. ¡°I just batted my eyes and spoke in a higher pitched voice. No charm magic or Skills at all. So, are you guys vulnerable to silver?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know,¡± Rino shrugged.


    ¡°It sounds like magical silver, so that might make a difference,¡± Ginessa said. ¡°Even if you aren¡¯t vulnerable to regular silver, this stuff being magical is something you should be careful with.¡±


    ¡°He must use it on his weapons for a reason,¡± Kare agreed.


    ¡°I doubt he goes up against werepeople on a regular basis. We¡¯re half of the only weredogs in existence.¡±


    ¡°That we know about,¡± Kare said. ¡°And you met a lot of weresharks in Hawaii.¡±


    ¡°There is an aswang type in my home that I think is closer to your type of shapeshifter than a vampire,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°Might not even be people with classes this Silver Axe deals with wherever he¡¯s from. Could be shapeshifting monsters,¡± Rino said.


    ¡°Or ghosts and spirits. Silver is supposed to be useful against them,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°Right, so don¡¯t take a hit if I can help it,¡± Rino said. ¡°Learn anything else useful?¡±


    Ginessa didn¡¯t have much more to add. She had tried and failed to get closer to Rino¡¯s upcoming opponent.


    They discussed the game plan multiple times while they waited for the match to start. They went over the limited scouting information that the slavers provided for each fighter from information gleaned during the registration and assessment process.


    Silver Axe had a few levels on Rino.


    However, not all classes were equal.


    As evidenced by their comparative seeds.


    Silver Axe may have had an upgraded warrior-type class, but that was only good for a 14 seed.


    A staffer knocked on the door and voiced notice that the match was about to begin and for Rino and her corner to head for the tunnel to the arena floor.


    They walked leisurely, lightly behind the attendant.


    Two of them did, that is.


    Ginessa stared at everything with wide eyes and a keen eye would¡¯ve noticed her tightly clenched fists.


    Rino sauntered, while Karen practically hopped and skipped past the arena staff roaming the hallways.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, right over there,¡± the attendant pointed to a curtained off area to the side of the hallway leading up to the tunnel. ¡°Quick pre-match interview,¡± he added hastily at Rino¡¯s unblinking stare. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ a requirement,¡± he shrunk away like a squirrel underneath an angry dog¡¯s eyes. ¡°Really, quick, just a couple of questions,¡± he stammered.


    Rino growled, but went behind the curtain only to be assaulted by bright lights, a camera crew and a heavily made-up woman in a too-tight dress.


    ¡°Hi! I¡¯m Harley Kevins. Just a few questions, please,¡± the woman said.


    Rino smelled the fear, read the body language.


    The sideline reporter was terrified.


    A few bad experiences with powerful and volatile people would do that to a person.


    ¡°Relax, I¡¯m not going to bite you,¡± Rino said flatly.


    Unmollified, Harley, shifted a half step away before extending the microphone to Rino¡¯s face.


    ¡°In three, two, one,¡± someone behind the lights said.


    ¡°Hello everyone! Harley Kevins here with one of our contestants for the upcoming Gold Division one versus one match. Number three seed, Rino!¡± she paused. ¡°So, people have been wondering, why not a more colorful name like the other contestants?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not scared.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in the fourth bracket. One of the last of the first round matches. Have you watched any of the previous matches? Looking ahead to possible future opponents?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Your opponent for tonight, Silver Axe¡­ any thoughts?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Rino turned and went back behind the curtain. ¡°Waste of time, tell them no more interviews,¡± she loomed over the attendant.


    ¡°Er¡­ yeah¡­ sure¡­ tunnel,¡± the young man pointed a shaky finger to his left.


    ¡°Thank you!¡± Kare patted him on the head as she followed Rino and Ginessa.


    The sound built up surprisingly quickly.


    The stadium shook with the stomping feet of tens of thousands.


    Their voices filled the dark tunnel.


    ¡°Shit,¡± Rino cursed.


    ¡°What?¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°Nothing¡­ caught me off-guard. A little loud.¡±


    ¡°This is just a match. You¡¯ve faced real danger,¡± Ginessa said. ¡°This is nothing compared to the fog.¡±


    ¡°Or the bear demon king that almost ripped your arm all the way off,¡± Kare added.


    ¡°Or¡ª¡±


    ¡°I got it!¡± Rino snapped. ¡°It just hit me how fucked up this is. I¡¯m about to beat the shit out of some rando for the entertainment of a stadium full of slavers.¡±


    ¡°Think of our long term goals,¡± Ginessa whispered.


    The gate slowly slid open.


    Rino nodded.


    ¡°Good luck!¡± Ginessa patted her on the arm.


    ¡°Rip and tear!¡± Kare grinned. ¡°I meant not literally,¡± she added hastily.


    Rino jogged out into the arena.


    As the gate began to close, Ginessa eyed Kare. ¡°Rip and tear?¡±


    ¡°Some of they guys say that when we¡¯re about to kill some monsters,¡± Kare shrugged.


    Welcome, ladies and gentlemen! Tonight you have the privilege to witness, firsthand, an epic clash! the announcer¡¯s voice boomed throughout the stadium as clear as a crystal lake. The King and the New American Republic proudly brings to you a first round match in the Gold Division one versus one tournament! In one corner we have the Silver Axe! Aptly named, the Silver Axeman from Pennsylvania steel country brings his magically-enhanced weapon to our arena! Give a warm welcome to the Silver Axeeeee!


    The crowd roared.


    The crowd always roared from the few matches Rino had bothered to watch back at the hotel.


    And in the other corner! All the way from sunny California! Bearer of a rare class! Possibly one of a kind! Is this statuesque woman as deadly as she is stunning? Give a warm welcome to the weredog! Rinoooooo!


    Rino gazed up at the screens showing her scowling face. Fuckers, she thought, you cheer for blood while you¡¯ve put people in collars to serve you. Enjoy your fun while it lasts.


    The three seed versus the fourteen seed for the right to advance into the second round! Let the battle begin!


    The countdown began.


    Over a hundred yards away, Silver Axe held up a double-edge axe toward Rino. It¡¯s edges already gleamed silver sparkling when it caught the stadium lights just right.


    She gave him a head nod.


    He returned it before banging the axe on his round shield to exhort the crowd.


    They roared louder.


    The man was heavily armored, but that¡¯d make him even slower.


    All she needed to do was get around the axe and shield and punch the guy in the back of the head. Helmet or not, a superstrong punch should knock him out.


    As soon as the siren blared, she took off in a sprint that left great clouds of dust and dirt flying in her wake.


    Silver Axe dropped his weapon and reached to his belt as Rino drew close.


    She leapt over him.


    At the same time, he threw a cloud of sparkling dust over his head while ducking.


    Rino¡¯s hand swiped in empty air as she flew through the cloud.


    Instantly, her eyes and nose stung.


    She came up in a roll.


    Sneezing uncontrollably.


    Her eyes half-blinded by tears.


    She felt them swelling shut.


    In her nose the myriad of scents she had been smelling burned away to nothing except pain.


    ¡°Wow! I didn¡¯t know if that¡¯d work for sure. You¡¯re supposed to be a weredog, so I thought there was a chance. Don¡¯t worry though, I¡¯m not some kind of were-killer. Unless they¡¯re a monster. You¡¯re obviously not, it¡¯s just a class. Though, I haven¡¯t come across that before. I do have so many questions. Maybe, we can get a drink after this?¡±


    ¡°Are you fucking serious?¡± Rino growled. She backed away from the indistinct blur in her vision.


    ¡°Yeah, why not? This is just a match. Not to the death or anything. I¡¯m definitely not hitting on you or anything, I¡¯m gay,¡± he shrugged as he picked up his axe. ¡°Call it a professional courtesy. My hometown has this ongoing problem with were-like monsters. And you might have some insight into that.¡±


    ¡°Fine, okay, I¡¯ll give you a few minutes after I knock you out,¡± Rino grunted.


    Silver Axe chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s my line. Just tap out and I won¡¯t have to hit you. And if I¡¯m right, it¡¯ll take a lot to actually knock you out and I¡¯d hate to ruin that perfectly symmetrical face of yours. You¡¯re like a model? Were you a model? Before, I mean.¡±


    Rino grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it at the man¡¯s voice.


    He cursed and blocked reflexively with his shield.


    Rino darted in.


    She couldn¡¯t smell and could barely see, but she could hear just fine.


    ¡°Perfect Block!¡± Silver Axe said desperately.


    Rino¡¯s fist rang like a hammer on an anvil.


    ¡°Shimmer Strike!¡±


    She vaguely saw what looked like three separate axes descending on her. She heard just one.


    Rolling out of the axe¡¯s path, she came up in an impossible quick leap over Silver Axe.


    ¡°Perfect Bl¡ª shit!¡±


    She ripped Silver Axe¡¯s shield out of his grip, straps and all.


    ¡°Silver Axe Ar¡ª¡±


    The problem with verbalizing Skills and spells at high levels was displayed as Rino used her superior speed and strength to bull forward before Silver Axe could activate.


    She slammed his own shield into the man, knocking him to the ground.


    Pinning him down with her strength and weight she pressed his axe arm to the ground. ¡°This is were you give up,¡± she raised a fist. ¡°Keep in mind that you¡¯re a little blurry, so my aim might be a bit off.¡±


    Silver Axe sighed. ¡°I guess that¡¯s why you¡¯re a 3 and I¡¯m a 14. I surrender, tap or whatever!¡± he called out.


    Silver Axe concedes! the announcer boomed. What a fast and furious fight! Congratulations to our winner, Rinooooo!


    ¡°So¡­ about that drink?¡± Silver Axe said as Rino let him up.


    ¡°No¡­ but if you¡¯re town¡¯s problem is really serious then I think there¡¯s someone I can introduce you to. He¡¯ll probably help, depending on what you and your town are like. As people, I mean,¡± she said.


    ¡°Um¡­ okay, that¡¯s weird, but I¡¯m not too proud to ask for help,¡± Silver Axe said.


    ¡°Hrrmmm, stick around the city for awhile.¡±


    ¡°I was planning to anyways. There¡¯s still opportunities to make some points. Not to mention being an alternate, though I don¡¯t think I had a good enough showing,¡± he sighed. ¡°Thanks for the restraint in not smashing my face like some, most of the others would¡¯ve.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for the face full of silver dust,¡± Rino resisted the urge to rub her eyes.


    ¡°Yeah, you should wash that out.¡±


    The crowd continued to cheer while Rino headed back to the tunnel.

 7.13

    ¡°You can¡¯t call it that,¡± Rai said.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°You can¡¯t call it ¡®Indian¡¯.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s on all the signs.¡±


    ¡°The right term is Native American. It¡¯s like the Negritos back home,¡± Rai explained.


    ¡°Okay¡­ I kinda get it,¡± Ambrose nodded.


    ¡°So, any luck with Spicy?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°Good, because you shouldn¡¯t be trying to hook up with girls in the middle of a dangerous quest.¡±


    Ambrose chuckled. ¡°My experience has been the exact opposite. You definitely can and you definitely have more luck. I think it¡¯s cause of the danger. You might consider it. You¡¯ve been on a long cold streak.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve had more important things to worry about. Undead before and now, slavers.¡±


    ¡°But what about after. You should at least lay down the ground work.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t talk about after,¡± Rai frowned.


    ¡°Superstitious nonsense,¡± Ambrose waved a fork dismissively, splattering a bit of chili mac and cheese on Rai¡¯s face.


    ¡°You¡ª¡± Rai stiffened. ¡°Putang!¡± he shot up from the bench. ¡°We¡¯re about to be attacked! Alert the camp!¡±


    The rangers in the mess hall sprang into action. It was as though a malicious child had kicked open the top of ant¡¯s nest for giggles.


    Ambrose shoveled the last of his chili mac and cheese before rushing out after Rai. ¡°What the hell!¡±


    The ranger¡¯s alarm system rang through out the reservation areas they had claimed.


    ¡°My spirits¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, the ones you set up outside the perimeter?¡±


    ¡°Several just warned me that fast, big and hairy things ran by them heading toward us.¡±


    Ambrose cursed. He took out a shrunken animal head from one of the pouches at his belt. It crumbled to dust in his hand as he drew its power into his body. He raised his nose to the air and took a tentative sniff gagging immediately.


    ¡°Same smell as that night?¡± Rai said.


    ¡°Yup¡­¡± Ambrose grimaced, ¡°tell the captain that I think that skunk ape theory is a good one.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll probably find out first.¡±


    Ambrose drew his Igorot axe from its sheath and a large caliber revolver from his holster. ¡°I¡¯ve got to go to my station.¡±


    ¡°Be careful.¡±


    ¡°You too.¡±


    Ambrose reached the defensive position with time to spare, so he stuck his axe in the soft dirt and quickly absorbed power from several shrunken animal heads.


    Speed, strength, agility, quickened movement and perception.


    He did kill his enhanced sense of smell, however. It was too distracting.


    ¡°You ever try a person¡¯s head?¡± Spicy said.


    Ambrose regarded her with shock. The thought had occurred to him, but he¡¯d never voice it out loud. Though he was a headhunter and historically they were known for taking and shrinking human heads that was a line he didn¡¯t really see himself crossing.


    ¡°What? Obviously, I mean bad guys¡¯ heads,¡± Spicy continued. ¡°You should look into it. You could steal Skills or even spells.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ sure,¡± he nodded.


    ¡°Maybe one of these slavers. The captain probably won¡¯t have a problem with that.¡±


    Loud hooting accompanied by thrashing leaves and snapping branches interrupted his answer.


    There was a fifty yard gap between the rangers in their defensive positions and the tree line.


    Ambrose held the rear entrance to the earthworks bunker where Spicy and two other shooters waited to open fire through the narrow slits facing the tree line.


    The building a few dozen yards behind the three bunkers had shooters on the roof and melee fighters on the ground currently staying in cover behind the small wall of raised earth.


    This setup was repeated throughout the old reservation turned ranger base camp.


    ¡°What do you think we¡¯re facing,¡± Corpse Flower said as he loaded a special bolt into his custom X-bow.


    ¡°Spiritwalker said it was skunk apes,¡± Ambrose said.


    Corpse Flower cursed.


    ¡°You owe me 50!¡± Spicy crowed from where she aimed down the sight of her assault rifle. ¡°I had it pegged from when you smelled them that first night, Creepy Chipmunk.¡±


    ¡°So, I should get some of that then?¡± Ambrose said.


    Spicy only laughed.


    The trees continued to shake as the hooting sounds seemed to grow louder and more numerous.


    ¡°I can smell them from here,¡± Tenor said from her position behind the .50 cal. ¡°Almost as bad as Corpse Flower.¡±


    ¡°That was one time,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°What are they waiting for? I¡¯m already intimidated,¡± Tenor said flatly.


    All defensive positions hold fire until they attack! Captain Butcher¡¯s voice crackled over the radio.


    ¡°We should hit them first. Take the initiative,¡± Corpse Flower said.


    ¡°That¡¯s what we¡¯re doing,¡± Ambrose tilted an ear to the sky. He gazed up, but couldn¡¯t see anything. The clouds were thick and low on this day. Dark. Rain was on the horizon. He heard a bit of rumbling, but over that he heard the beating of enormous, leathery wings.


    The tree line suddenly erupted in fire.


    ¡°Well¡­ shit,¡± Spicy gaped.


    ¡°Boom!¡± Corpse Flower cheered.


    All around the ranger base death rained from above.


    Wyvern and drake riders dropped explosives onto their still hidden enemies.


    ¡°I hope those magic squigglies that friend of yours put up all over place will do their job. Otherwise we might¡¯ve just let the slavers know we¡¯re out here,¡± Tenor said.


    ¡°No worries, Lilah kept an all-powerful fog entity away with those squigglies. And that was when she was a little girl,¡± Ambrose said with pride in his fellow countryman¡­ woman.


    ¡°Just saying,¡± Tenor muttered. ¡°Here they come!¡±


    The monsters charged out of the dense undergrowth, some with their thick, matted hair on fire.


    Skunk ape was an apt description.


    They resembled a great ape, if twisted into a more monstrous physical appearance. They were as big as gorilla¡¯s but leaner. Sharp fangs promised death and clawed fingers tore up the ground as they charged across the open space.


    The stench they gave off was enough to water the eyes at fifty yards.


    Tenor had the ma deuce sing as she weaved a stream of bullets across the skunk apes like an old woman stitching a seam in a quilt.


    Ambrose cut his enhanced hearing a bit too late, which left his head ringing and swimming.


    A stupid oversight not to have ear protection like the other three.


    Corpse Flower¡¯s bolt exploded into an expanding green mist that melted flesh.


    Spicy emptied her magazine in a few seconds and continued to fire for another three seconds before reloading.


    The rangers in the other bunkers and the rooftop added to the withering fire cutting the skunk apes down by the dozen with every yard they covered while their fliers continued raining death from above.


    Valentine guided Maverick into a wide, circling bank around the mass of charging skunk apes with a light pull on the reins.


    The she-drake responded with perfect precision earned after years of training and practical experience.


    Behind him in the second flight saddle, Griddle, sprayed bullets from his M249 SAW.


    Valentine felt an urgent tap. He glanced over his shoulder to see Griddle flashing hand signals. He turned his gaze to the burning tree line. Beyond it the treetops shook.


    More skunk apes.


    He pulled on the reins.


    Maverick leveled out from her bank and shot forward with a mighty beat of her wings.


    Griddle readied a grenade while they flew threw the plume of smoke.


    Valentine urged Maverick to drop elevation.


    The treetops suddenly exploded with a spray of branches, leaves and skunk apes.


    Valentine cursed as he yanked the reins back in desperation to regain altitude.


    The skunk apes made what should¡¯ve been an impossible leap.


    Nearly fifty feet straight up.


    Taken by surprise and jostled by the chains and straps securing him to the saddle, Griddle dropped the grenade without pulling the pin.


    Valentine triggered their Speed Boost Skill.


    Maverick shot forward, but a couple of skunk apes reached them.


    The drake¡¯s mouth snapped shut like a steel trap around a skunk apes torso, piercing with dagger-like teeth and crushing bone. Her forelimbs snatched a pair of skunk apes, one in each clawed grasp.


    The monsters bit and punched at the drake, but her scales proved tougher.


    Their weight, however, slowly dragged her toward the ground.


    ¡°Drop them, Girl!¡± Valentine yelled as he frantically wiped skunk ape blood from his goggles.


    Maverick felt and understood Valentine¡¯s thoughts more from the bond they shared than from the words that struggled to be heard in the loud chaos of a battlefield.


    She discarded the dying skunk apes and climbed.


    Grenades, then strafing, Valentine flashed hand signals over his shoulder.


    Affirmative, Griddle relied.


    Valentine brought Maverick around, but this time he kept her out of the skunk apes¡¯ reach.


    Back at the open field, Skyrat urged Neo Bahamut lower with the reins and through their bond. ¡°Hold fire, we¡¯re coming in low and hot,¡± he spoke into his throat mic to warn the rangers on the ground and the rangers seated behind him on the wyvern¡¯s wide back.


    A wyvern was the tank to a drake¡¯s fighter jet.


    Neo Bahamut loved nothing more than plowing into enemies, crushing them with powerful muscles and armor-like scales.


    Skyrat brought Neo Bahamut down to a few feet off the ground and let the wyvern take it from there.


    He snapped a skunk ape in half with a bite while smashing several with his chest and trailing hind legs. He whipped his long, spiked tail back and forth as he zipped across the open field killing several more before rising back into the sky with a powerful beat of his wings.


    Skyrat loved how a wyvern could get the enemy coming and going.


    And he hadn¡¯t even had to use any Skills.


    A tap on his shoulder.


    More enemies, tree line, Kettleball, his co-pilot signaled.


    He guided Neo Bahumut over so that the rangers riding him could drop more munitions.


    Back at the bunkers individual skunk apes were beginning to breach the firing lines.


    One landed heavily on the reinforced roof of Ambrose¡¯s bunker. Thudding steps brought it to the rear entrance, only for it to eat an Igorot axe to the head. The heavy, concave blade sunk deep into the monster¡¯s brain.


    Ambrose had to plant a foot on the dead ape¡¯s chest to pull his axe free.


    He eyed the ape¡¯s face with discomfort.


    The eyes were almost human-like.


    Another thud on the roof.


    He shot the skunk ape as it landed in front of him.


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    .44 magnum blasted through the monster¡¯s face leaving behind a bloody, gaping hole with bits of brain, skull and teeth splattering against the dirt wall.


    ¡°How¡¯s it looking?¡± he called back without taking his eyes off the bunker¡¯s entrance.


    ¡°Like a horde mode!¡± Spicy said.


    He heard the smile in her voice. He did like them crazy.


    The afternoon turned out to be a long one for the rangers.


    Captain Butcher sat at her desk taking reports as the sun slowly began its descent over the western horizon.


    So, many skunk apes.


    An impossible number if one considered the food needs of the typical predatory creature.


    But, reality stared her in the face as it always did, so she wasn¡¯t surprised.


    ¡°There¡¯s a spawn zone somewhere out there,¡± Lt. Muttley said. ¡°Might be a couple that we¡¯re right in the middle off. Why haven¡¯t the slavers dealt with them? We never let spawn zones exist for too long this close to our borders.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re using the monsters for their tournament,¡± Captain Butcher said without taking her eyes of the reports on her desk.


    Plenty of casualties, but thankfully no KIA¡¯s.


    Ammunition was a problem.


    And their entire complement of wyverns and drakes took injuries, nothing serious, which was, again, fortunate.


    ¡°Damned stinky apes,¡± Sgt. Brighteyes muttered as he entered the office.


    ¡°Sergeant?¡± Captain Butcher said.


    ¡°Sorry, sir, just that there¡¯s too many to burn without risking concealment according to the girl,¡± Sgt. Brighteyes said.


    ¡°Lilah said it held through the battle,¡± Lt. Muttley said.


    Sgt. Brighteyes shrugged.


    ¡°This is going to hurt our ambush op, Sir. One week isn¡¯t enough time to even begin replenishing ammo and munitions. After the op we¡¯ll be looking at around 40% of our small arms being as useful as clubs and rocks,¡± Lt. Muttley said.


    ¡°We¡¯ll just need to lean heavier on arrows, bolts and spells,¡± Captain Butcher said. ¡°Get me a personnel list by tomorrow. I want light duty for them so that they¡¯re fresh for next week.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Lt. Muttley saluted and left.


    ¡°Sergeant?¡±


    ¡°Yessir?¡±


    ¡°Please have Madalena come to my office. I need a word.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ yessir, right away!¡±


    ¡°Is there a problem?¡±


    ¡°No, sir¡­ well¡­ I don¡¯t think she likes me.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound like a problem, Sgt. Brighteyes.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s only cause she can turn me into a pretzel and I¡¯d like my limbs to work properly.¡±


    ¡°Dismissed.¡±


    <hr>


    Georgia-Florida border, North of Jacksonville, December 14, 2036


    The slaver kingdom convoy was led by two old military Humvees. One had a .50 Cal on the turret, while the other had a 40mm grenade launcher.


    Naturally, they had to go.


    Ophrys, Ranger Scout, acted as the coordinating spotter from atop a drake circling miles overhead. High enough that any eyes that spotted them in the clouds would assume they were a bird. Telescopic Vision combined with another set of Skills relayed the precise location of the convoy and all the vehicles positioning as it snaked southward on the interstate.


    In the distance to her southwest, hidden behind an embankment along the interstate, was a small cadre of artillery mages and their escorts.


    The class was only a few years old. Discovered or perhaps created during the height of the undead war.


    These mages specialized in combining their spells and mana to create more powerful versions of the typical attack spell greatly enhancing range and damage potential.


    They began to cast as Ophrys relayed coordinates.


    A mile away a large orb of ice magic shattered upon the two lead Humvees encasing them and the slavers inside in a mound of ice.


    The trailing vehicles slammed on the brakes but didn¡¯t have enough time to avoid crashing.


    The rest screeched to a halt and immediately crossed the median to use the northbound side of the interstate.


    A second orb barred their path.


    Before the convoy could backtrack two more orbs completely sealed them in.


    Slave soldiers poured out of old military troop trucks to take up defensive positions. Shields and spears out front with ranged fighters behind.


    Slavemasters barked orders while protected behind magic shields cast by their enslaved bodyguards.


    Non-collared fighters spread out behind the lines.


    The typical slaver force tended to have a 10:1 ratio of enslaved to free people.


    This particular convoy had 500 of the former to roughly 50 of the latter with the remaining few dozen comprised of the masters and noncombat personnel.


    Clouds of smoke suddenly engulfed the embankments on both sides of the trapped slaver convoy.


    Arrows and bolts whizzed out a moment later.


    Explosive ones knocked holes in the lines of slave soldiers.


    Acidic ones forced them to cast their shields aside lest the liquid ate through their arms.


    Gas ones stung their eyes and forced them to their knees, coughing uncontrollably.


    The slavemasters exhorted their slaves ferociously.


    That was the thing about the collars. It made a person incapable of breaking. The pain meant nothing. There was no fear. The only thing in their minds was the happiness that came with obeying their masters.


    The slave soldiers that were still capable of physical movement charged into the smoke heedless of the danger.


    Captain Butcher had taken that into account.


    Her mandate had been to do her best to avoid casualties to the collar-wearing soldiers so long as it didn¡¯t endanger ranger lives.


    The rangers had already melted away from their positions.


    Illusion spells and faked-voices Skills filled the shrouded areas with confusion.


    Slave soldiers stabbed spears into bodies of light.


    They wasted Skills on shadowy figures.


    And in one case a winking young woman that turned into a small log with a loud pop after taking a spear to the chest.


    Captain Butcher directed Skyrat to take his wyvern to the rear of the convoy. Her Skill, Company: Seamless Coordination kept the chances for friendly fire down to nearly zero. ¡°A single truck with our targets is trying to get around the northbound barricade. Skyrat, keep it in the party,¡± she said into her throat mic.


    ¡°Copy that,¡± Skyrat replied.


    The young ranger practically dropped his wyvern on top of the big troop transport.


    The driver slammed to a halt before hitting the enormous winged beast.


    Perched precariously on the grassy embankment, the truck threatened to tip over to its side.


    ¡°Skyrat, don¡¯t let it fall!¡±


    The wyvern used its powerful head and neck to brace the truck and keep it steady.


    ¡°Secure the targets and move them to safety!¡±


    The squad of rangers on the back of the wyvern jumped off and rushed the truck.


    The two slavers in the cab threw out their weapons and held up their hands as the rangers circled the truck.


    Captain Butcher took a moment to watch her men and women quickly ushering the bound people out to lead them behind the embankment.


    She saw the whole battlefield with the near perfect awareness through the eyes and ears of her rangers.


    A large chunk of the slave soldiers were busy fighting nothing inside the smoke.


    The slavemasters were arrogant in their perceived superiority. They had been unchallenged for too long. Gunfire, arrows, bolts and spells fired into the smoke, heedless of their own soldiers.


    A few turned their fire to the icy mounds blocking their way.


    There was no coordination.


    ¡°Move in.¡±


    A second wyvern dived out of the sky, slamming onto the roof of an SUV that was serving as cover for what appeared to be the lead slavemaster judging by the apparent quality of his bodyguards and the large number of slave soldiers that he surrounded himself with.


    The wyvern screeched as it bit a slaver down to his waist. The man¡¯s scream was still on his lips when the wyvern swallowed the top half of his body.


    Ambrose leapt from the wyvern¡¯s back with a loud war cry to bury his Igorot axe blade through an uncollared neck. He darted through the middle of the enemy formation with all the quickness of a jittery chipmunk, slashing with the axe and stabbing with a long knife, never staying in one place for more than a split-second.


    The rest of the rangers were a step behind him.


    ¡°Taunting!¡± Oatmilk called out. ¡°Bulwark!¡±


    Everything the slavers threw out went to him and his massive tower shield.


    The shield¡¯s metal coating cracked and failed. The stout wood base barely held.


    ¡°Go! I can¡¯t take another one like that!¡± he cried out. His arm felt broken. ¡°I¡¯m too old for this shit,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Don¡¯t say that!¡± Curious darted out from behind the big man with a knife twirling around each index finger. ¡°Duplicate Knife Throw.¡± Two became four. One found a slaver¡¯s eye. Another found a neck. The last two were intercepted by slave soldiers at the cost of grievous injury.


    Curious cursed. ¡°My bad! Sorry¡­¡±


    ¡°Never mind that, ranger,¡± Sgt. Useful said. ¡°Our safety comes first.¡± The highest level mage in the attacking force hurled spells with precision and power.


    Slave soldiers and slaver mages could only defend.


    The slavemaster¡¯s face displayed a mixture of fear and fury. The former at what was obviously a losing battle, even to him. The latter at the audacity that people dared to attack him. A nobleman. The first son of the third most powerful noble in the New American Republic.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Sgt. Useful snapped. ¡°I don¡¯t like the look on that shithead¡¯s ratface. They¡¯re supposed to have an ability to enrage their slaves. Is this one high enough level?¡± she spoke more to herself than the ranger squad around her even as she continued to bombard the magic shields protecting the slavemaster. ¡°Panda!¡± she barked.


    ¡°Sir?¡± Sketchy Panda appeared at his side.


    ¡°Your mind whammy goes through magic shields, right?¡±


    ¡°Yessir.¡±


    ¡°Good. Use it on that bunch around the slavemaster,¡± Useful pointed. ¡°Multicast: Fireball.¡± Three fireballs shot out from her hand in quick succession.


    Sketchy Panda focused ignoring the explosions that rocked the air. He thought of the appropriate words for the situation. His type of magic wasn¡¯t as straightforward as the standard mage. There was a necessary feel to its casting. Themes needed to be adhered closely to. The better the words the more powerful the effects. The more precise the words hewed to his intent the more the effects were what he intended them to be.


    ¡°Witchcraft: Those that forget history are doomed to repeat it.¡±


    Good enough.


    Close enough.


    A glowing spectral tome book appeared in his hands.


    The pages flipped on their own.


    The pages suddenly tore loose and flew toward the men and women behind the magic shields.


    They passed through and adhered to each face.


    ¡°They¡¯ll only forget for a few seconds!¡± he warned.


    ¡°Good enough. Ambrose get in there and make sure that slavemaster can¡¯t give orders!¡± Sgt. Useful barked. ¡°The rest of you back him up!¡±


    The rangers charged as the magic shields vanished.


    Looks of confusion appeared on faces of the slavers and the slave soldiers, but only for a moment.


    That moment was enough.


    Ambrose darted through the midst headed for the slavemaster.


    Curious¡¯ knives sprouted out of a pair of slavers baring the path.


    ¡°In the Zone!¡± Wet Dreams. ¡°Sweeping Strikes!¡± he bludgeoned everyone in a wide arc in front of him as he ran into the enemy formation.


    ¡°Confusion Aura,¡± Oatmilk said.


    The slavers and the slave soldiers acted slower.


    A slave soldier stabbed a slaver in the back.


    A slaver mage cast a magic shield that blocked a blow meant for Wet Dreams¡¯ back.


    The slavemaster was too high leveled to be affected for long. He drew a rapier and a pistol.


    Ambrose was quicker with the stolen attributes of a forest rodent.


    Bang!


    His revolver barked.


    The slavemaster swayed to one side, impossibly quick.


    Improved Dodge. Greater Enhanced Reflexes.


    ¡°Triple thrust!¡±


    The rapier snaked out once but struck three times in quick succession.


    Ambrose practically ran right into it.


    The first strike dented his chestplate.


    The second pierced it.


    The third drove the tip through tough, padded clothing and into the flesh of his shoulder.


    He drove his Igorot axe upward from right to left on the counter.


    ¡°Expert Riposte,¡± the slavemaster sneered.


    The clang of steel meeting steel was loud in Ambrose¡¯s enhanced hearing. His right arm flung to the side, almost sending him into a spin.


    ¡°Heartseeker Thrust!¡±


    The impossibly quick blade sought the center of his chest like a viper.


    That insignificant forest rodent saved his life by giving him just enough agility to slip and dodge.


    The blade scored a line across his cheek and tore through his ear as it slipped beneath his helmet.


    He darted back.


    The slavemaster took aim with his pistol.


    Ambrose was a hair quicker with his.


    Shots fired.


    Shots exchanged.


    Both men too quick to eat a bullet despite the close range.


    Ambrose dropped the revolver to reach into one of the pouches on his belt.


    ¡°Triple Thrust!¡± the slavemaster used the momentary distraction to strike.


    The same shoulder, right through the hole.


    The blade ground into bone.


    But, Ambrose already found what he was looking for.


    His newest addition to his shrunken head collection.


    Great strength surged through his body along with a terrible odor.


    Though a tenth of the full skunk ape¡¯s, it was still strong enough to sting the nose and water the eyes.


    Ambrose grabbed the rapier blade and ripped it out of the gagging slavemaster¡¯s hand.


    He lunged in and severed the man¡¯s left hand at the wrist causing the pistol to drop to the ground.


    He grabbed the man by the throat with a grip that could crush coconuts and placed the tip of his Igorot axe to the side of the man¡¯s head.


    ¡°Tell them to drop their weapons and surrender or you¡¯re dead,¡± he growled.


    The slavemaster spat in Ambrose¡¯s eye.


    He blinked as though it was nothing.


    ¡°Dead it is¡­¡± he pressed the axe point until it drew blood.


    ¡°Wait¡­ okay,¡± the slavemaster wilted. He cleared his throat. ¡°My slaves¡­ Die for your mas¡ª¡±


    ¡°Putang!¡± Ambrose snapped. He dropped his axe and choked the words out of the man¡¯s mouth. ¡°You asked for this.¡± He took the man¡¯s tongue between his fingers and pulled.


    In the end without the higher level slavers the slave soldiers couldn¡¯t put up a fight against the rangers.


    They were disarmed and bound as rangers came out of the smoke to lend a hand to the squads fighting on the interstate.


    Captain Butcher oversaw the separation of the enslaved soldiers and the surviving slavers.


    ¡°Administer the substance,¡± she ordered.


    The rangers went through the ranks of bound enslaved soldiers and anointed them with the liquid given to them by Cal.


    The effect was nearly instantaneous.


    They dropped into a deep, magically induced coma.


    As for the much battered and abused people in the transport trucks.


    They were the reason for both the convoy and the ranger operation.


    People taken from communities throughout the region, bound for the auction houses in Miami.


    ¡°Listen up, pay attention, no questions,¡± she addressed the hundred plus people. ¡°I¡¯m going to need some drivers. We¡¯re going to take you back up north. We¡¯ve got an agreement with Atlanta. They¡¯ll provide food, water, protection while we wait and see what we can do about getting you back to your old homes if that¡¯s what you want. Alternatively, I¡¯m authorized to inform you that Atlanta is willing to take you in on a permanent basis as long as you agree to live by their rules. You¡¯re also invited to move to our community under similar conditions. Details of that will be provided at a later date. Make sure you register your information when you get to Atlanta. Of course, you are free to go to your homes right away. We will provided vehicles if possible, however, you will not have an escort in this scenario. You will have an escort to Atlanta. Thank you. Anyone willing to drive, please speak to Sgt. Useful,¡± she gestured to the woman beside her. ¡°The rest of you, please stay together and wait.¡±


    Captain Butcher oversaw the rest of the mop up.


    The handful of surviving slavers were already on their way back to base camp hanging underneath Neo Bahamut in uncomfortable harnesses.


    The remaining wyvern and two drakes were going to accompany the convoy back north to Atlanta.


    The rangers needed to drive and provide ground bound protection for the freed people and the unconscious enslaved would need a quick and safe-ish method of travel to get back to base. What was safer then a big, dangerous, flying beast.


    They crammed people into vehicles and sent the convoy on its way.


    ¡°What about the bodies?¡± Sgt. Useful said.


    ¡°There are Skills and spells that allow the dead to tell their stories,¡± Captain Butcher nodded. ¡°The river is close. Have the drakes drop them there. They¡¯ll either be taken out to sea or be eaten.¡±

 7.14

    Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida, New American Republic, December 14, 2036


    Shrewed tuned out the rocking crowd.


    They didn¡¯t matter.


    The only two people in the arena that mattered was him and the fat clown standing on his head over a hundred yards across the dirt field.


    Objectively, his only mandate had been to not die or get horribly maimed.


    Leadership didn¡¯t care if he won or loss.


    His main goal was to be and remain an asset to the overall Quest objectives.


    Personally, he wanted to win as much as he could.


    Competition brought him back to his youth. Of bare knuckle brawls in alleys or out of the way fields and barns for bragging rights and a few bucks.


    Now, he was fighting for the biggest bragging rights in the land and more than a few Universal Points.


    His first round win over that quick boxer had netted him 10K universal points, half from the spires and half from the slaver kingdom. Plus one free attribute point from the spires. Which he immediately added to his strength.


    Welcome, ladies and gentlemen! Today you have the privilege to witness, firsthand, an epic clash! the announcer¡¯s voice boomed throughout the stadium as clear as a crystal lake. The King and the New American Republic proudly brings to you a second round match in the Gold Division one versus one tournament!


    Shrewed focused on his opponent.


    The fat clown had happy face paint on.


    He had plugged his ears in the hopes that the infectious laughter the clown had hit the Furies with would at least be weakened.


    The fat clown¡¯s first round opponent was a mage-type that had used magic to deal with the laughter. Unfortunately for the young woman she hadn¡¯t been able to figure out how to deal with the clown swallowing her spells with the stained sack at his belt and sending them right back at her.


    Shrewed had left most of his weapons back at the hotel.


    He had seen how the clowns were capable of snatching a weapon right out of a person¡¯s hands on enough occasions to know that he had no counter.


    So, he¡¯d rely only on his plate and chain and his spiked gauntlets since the latter counted as armor and he hadn¡¯t seen them steal armor right off the body.


    As for the rest?


    All he needed were his natural weapons. Skills and Skills.


    He had been a street brawler long before the spires made him a street brawler.


    Years of heavy mileage separated him from those days.


    The age weighed on him.


    Pushing 50, he was long past his prime even with his class turning back the clock in some ways.


    Now, here he was a grizzled street brawler with years of hard living and tough scraps littering the winding road he had traveled.


    One last hurrah.


    One last chance to go out on top.


    To become more than a has been, a never was.


    He fought for a good cause.


    Had been since the spires appeared.


    The guilty voice inside whispered that this fight was all for him.


    The countdown hit zero.


    The siren blared.


    The fat clown rolled head over heels toward him.


    Shrewed ran forward to close the distance.


    The rolling clown suddenly put on a burst of speed forcing him to dive to one side.


    The fat bastard had some kind of rolling attack Skill.


    Shrewed cursed.


    He should¡¯ve expected something stupid and dangerous from a high level clown.


    Needing to dictate tempo, he charged like a bull.


    Shoulder Tackle to cover the space quicker than normal.


    He drove his armored shoulder into the clown¡¯s back just as the clown straightened from the roll.


    The clown tried to roll again as they hit the ground, but Shrewed secured a back mount and started to land spiked punches on the clown¡¯s head.


    The clown convulsed and Shrewed had a moment where he thought that he might¡¯ve gone too far. Then he realized that the clown was wracked with laughter.


    Ear plugs did their job.


    He couldn¡¯t hear anything.


    A spiked gauntlet raised up for another blow¡­ a stinging pain lanced through his side in the gap between his plate, through chain and tough, padded clothing.


    A glint flashed in his vision.


    He turned his head reflexively.


    Sparks forced his eyes closed.


    The clown bucked like a maddened horse and threw him off.


    He rolled and surreptitiously grabbed a handful of dirt.


    The clown stood in front of him, head quirked to the side with a quizzical look, as if to ask him, why aren¡¯t you laughing?


    The face paint had shifted to one of sadness, an exaggerated pout that fit the multi-colored tears better than the smiley face.


    Shrewed eyed the knife dancing over the clown¡¯s shoulder.


    The clown snapped his fingers.


    A knife appeared in each hand.


    The dancing knife flew at Shrewed¡¯s face.


    He swiped it with his gauntlet.


    The clown came in behind with surprising speed for his bulk. His belly jiggled visibly beneath his dirty, bloody patchwork costume.


    Shrewed threw dirt in the clown¡¯s face.


    Dirty Fighting.


    His body acted with the barest of conscious input.


    An armored boot swept up into the clown¡¯s most precious possessions.


    The clown bent over with wide eyes and an open mouth.


    An armored fist crunched a bulbous, red-painted nose.


    Followed by two fingers in the mouth.


    Shrewed yanked hard on the inside of the clown¡¯s cheek forcing the clown¡¯s head to turn.


    He flowed from one dirty attack to another.


    An armored fist raked across a fat cheek tearing red tracks across white paint.


    A hard knee between the legs.


    An armored hand quickly cupped the side of his neck.


    The clown¡¯s knife sparked off the thick steel.


    A steel-clad headbutt to the once broken, now twice broken nose.


    Shrewed had to keep up the pressure.


    Don¡¯t give the clown¡¯s quick healing ability to kick in.


    Try to overwhelm it¡­ if that was possible.


    He grabbed a Thai clinch and dug a knee into the solar plexus.


    The belly jiggled as the clown gasped and choked on his own blood.


    He pulled down hard and planted a second knee into the clown¡¯s face.


    All traces of white and color were lost beneath the red.


    Knives slashed and stabbed, but couldn¡¯t get past Shrewed¡¯s armor.


    He gripped one side of the clown¡¯s head while landing elbows repeatedly on the other.


    He gouged at the eyes digging and ripping.


    The clown tried to bite his armored hand.


    He jabbed his fist into the clown¡¯s throat.


    Then, he picked the fat man up with a burst of aggression before slamming him head first into the dirt.


    Normally, he would¡¯ve worried about breaking a skull or a neck by spiking a man like that, but the clown healed fast.


    The clown¡¯s nose was already starting to straighten and those tears on his cheek were beginning to close.


    Dirty Fighting ran out of time.


    Yet, Shrewed still had plenty of juice. He had close to a year to prepare for this competition and he had made good use of his time. Cardio wasn¡¯t going to let him down here.


    ¡°Face-breaker Punch!¡±


    The impact echoed across the arena floor.


    The crowed roared.


    He knew that he had broken some orbital bones and cheek bones from the deformation in the clown¡¯s face and from the way the red eye bulged out of the socket.


    The clown laughed and laughed and laughed.


    Shrewed raised his fist for another blow when strong arms grabbed him around the neck.


    He threw himself back and landed on top of a jiggling belly.


    Surprisingly strong arms tried to choke him.


    He grabbed the arm around his neck and pulled, while pulling at the other arm behind his helmet.


    Desperate Strength Surge.


    He ripped free and rolled off just as he caught a large shadow eclipse the bright stadium lights.


    Shrewed heard the knife sink into flesh.


    He came up and saw that the fat clown had just stabbed a second clown.


    Identical clowns?


    Illusion with physical presence indistinguishable from the real thing?


    He had felt the second clown.


    Clown number 2 pulled the knife from his chest and flipped it to hand it to the original clown.


    Shrewed was now faced with two clowns and seven knives.


    When had the latter happened?


    He tucked his chin and cupped his armored hands around his neck to present fewer vulnerabilities as the knives came in for a dance.


    He kept eyes on the clowns as they erupted in belly-shaking laughter that he was deaf to.


    On the plus side their wounds didn¡¯t seem to be healing anymore.


    ¡°Charge.¡±


    A simple Skill to get him into range quicker.


    He timed the cut-off point just a few steps outside of what he judged to be the second clown¡¯s reach.


    Shuffling in, he slipped a knife thrust and ducked under a second slash.


    The clown was a wild fighter relying on the quick healing ability. Taking damage to give damage.


    Shrewed went under the clown¡¯s arm landed a pair of digging hooks into the belly.


    The clown doubled over.


    He spun to the clown¡¯s back, grabbed the neck and turned the big body to keep the original clown from stabbing him.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    He squeezed the neck tight ignoring the second clown¡¯s desperate stabs and cuts against his armored hands and arms.


    Since there were two clowns and the one in his grasp was obviously the product of a Skill. Then, he reasoned, that it wouldn¡¯t break the no killing rule to break the clone¡¯s neck.


    The body disappeared in a puff of smoke.


    Shrewed ducked slashing knives and took the fat clown back down to the ground.


    The clown bucked and stabbed, but, like the dancing knives, couldn¡¯t land anything substantial through heavy armor.


    He punched the clown in the face. Slapped the knife out of the clown¡¯s left hand.


    He shifted his hips scrambling to get perpendicular to the clown. He kept his weight heavy on the clown¡¯s chest and brought his outside leg up to trap the clown¡¯s head behind his knee. While doing this he grabbed the clown¡¯s left arm in a kimura. Twisting it toward the clown¡¯s back.


    Normally, in training he¡¯d do it slowly to give the other person a chance to tap.


    This wasn¡¯t training, this was in front of 70 thousand screaming people, this was a crazy clown that had shown zero compunctions about maiming an opponent, like the clown had done to his first round opponent.


    Shrewed put his full strength into twisting the arm back.


    He felt several pops and a bone or two break.


    ¡°Give up, bro. You ain¡¯t healing anymore. It¡¯s over,¡± Shrewed said.


    The clown laughed with madness in his eyes.


    ¡°Fuck this!¡± he snapped.


    Shrewed spun around to grab a kimura on the other arm.


    Did the same to it.


    Stood up.


    Kicked the clown in the ribs a few times.


    Stomped the face.


    Through it all the clown brayed with maddened laughter that he was glad he couldn¡¯t hear.


    A kick between the legs before grabbing an ankle lock to break the right ankle.


    Followed by the left.


    He stood and looked up.


    Finally, the unseen referee called the match.


    Shrewed advanced to the next round.


    He spat before walking back to his tunnel.


    A younger him would¡¯ve reveled in the superiority he had just displayed.


    The younger him had dreams just like this.


    Standing in triumph over a defeated opponent while thousands of screaming fans heaped cheers down on him in the cage.


    Now, he was just tired and disgusted at the bloodthirstiness around him.


    <hr>


    Up in the most luxurious of the luxury boxes a phone rang.


    ¡°What?¡± the Slaver King said.


    The voice on the other end sounded rushed and worried.


    ¡°What do you mean¡­ an ambush? Hold on. My mandate for this phone call is for you to give me your report with the goal that I won¡¯t have any questions when I hang up.¡±


    Eric strained his ears in an attempt to listen in on the king¡¯s conversation.


    Naturally, he failed.


    However, the pensive look on King¡¯s face gave him a good enough hint that something had gone bad.


    With a sigh, he chewed the grape the scantily clad slave girl on his lap fed him before pushing her off. He signaled the rest of the hanger-ons and slaves to leave the luxury box immediately.


    He gave the slave girl one last grope before putting on his serious face.


    King¡¯s conversation lasted several minutes during which Eric poured himself another glass of champagne while silently cursing having gotten rid of the slaves too quickly.


    He couldn¡¯t remember the last time he had poured his own glass and the idea that he had broken that streak irked him.


    His eyes strayed down to the arena floor where that ranger from California had just brutalized the fat clown.


    Another source of frustration for the balding, middle-aged man.


    He had bet on the clown.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± King spiked the phone on the floor scattering it into pieces.


    Eric shrugged.


    ¡°We¡¯ve lost a shipment.¡±


    Eric wracked his brain.


    There was only one sort of shipment that they¡¯d care about. He tried to remember the schedule. Maybe it hadn¡¯t been a good idea to start drinking so much so soon.


    ¡°Essential workers?¡± he said.


    ¡°Everything we¡¯ve collected over the past week,¡± King nodded.


    ¡°Um¡­ how?¡±


    That didn¡¯t seem possible.


    Supply shipment convoys traveled with strong protection.


    Multiple slavemasters, at least one over Level 30.


    500 slave soldiers.


    50 regular soldiers and fighters of at least Level 20.


    Sure, they¡¯d suffered losses and damage from monsters and raiding types over the years, but never a total loss.


    ¡°My people are still investigating.¡±


    ¡°Why? Shouldn¡¯t there be evidence already? Bodies? Survivors?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, nothing and nothing,¡± King waved a lazy hand. ¡°No bodies, no survivors, not even damaged vehicles. The only hint that the convoy was attacked comes from significant environmental damage.¡±


    ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    ¡°The highway was broken in places. Scorch marks. Evidence of fires along the embankments. That sort of thing. They were hit a few miles after they crossed the old border.¡±


    ¡°Atlanta?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve never struck out too far from their home territory.¡±


    ¡°Some kind of powerful rogue wandering monster?¡±


    ¡°Use your head, Eric. There¡¯d be blood and guts all over the place. Smashed trucks. Shell casings all over. Probably piles of monster shit!¡± King snapped.


    Eric winced.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re a little buzzed, but your thoughts, Eric?¡± King regarded him with a flat stare.


    He looked away and focused on the empty arena floor and the packed stadium.


    ¡°Lack of evidence tells me that we¡¯re either dealing with people or a monster that devours everything in its path, like a giant version of those slimes in the sewers. Obviously, the former is more likely. And the only reason to hit a supply convoy is to deprive us of what rightfully belongs to us,¡± Eric said. ¡°Maybe we were wrong about Rayna¡¯s Rangers.¡±


    ¡°That was thought number one in my head,¡± King smiled. ¡°Good job. They could be more capable of projecting their forces than we had initially assumed.¡±


    ¡°They could also be working with Atlanta,¡± Eric ventured.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to want to tap into our spy network. We can get confirmation if our property turns up in Atlanta,¡± King said.


    They both stared down at the pieces of King¡¯s phone.


    Eric pulled his out. ¡°I¡¯ll get that started. We should also scout the surrounding area where the ambush happened maybe we can get lucky and find whoever did this. I¡¯ll order our forces in Jacksonville to get scouts on the ground, drones in the air and the scrying.¡±


    ¡°Good. This sucks, bro,¡± King said. ¡°And after a fucking banger of a match,¡± he sighed.


    Eric tapped away on his phone. ¡°That Shrewed guy is a ranger, maybe we should ask him some hard questions?¡±


    ¡°Ha! You¡¯re just salty you bet on the clown! Nah, I¡¯m not going to undermine the integrity of the championships only two weeks in,¡± King shook his head. ¡°Plenty of time for that later. Let¡¯s leave Shrewed alone. I like his style. A real fighter. Knows how to fight in the cage and on the streets. I want to see how he handles fighters that aren¡¯t crazy enough to get in a phone booth dog fight.¡±


    ¡°Alright, texts sent away. General Mark is on it,¡± Eric put his phone away and sank back into the comfortable lounge chair. He took a big gulp of his champagne. ¡°I still say it can¡¯t hurt to ask a few question under truth spell or Skill.¡±


    ¡°Nah, I don¡¯t want to rattle him. He needs to be focused to be at his best and I want everyone competing to be at their best.¡±


    ¡°As long as the ones I bet on win,¡± Eric snorted.


    ¡°Who do you have?¡±


    ¡°For today¡¯s slate? I¡¯ve got Rou to win within 5 minutes. That guy that shoots glowing balls to win straight up. And that assassin that I can¡¯t tell if he¡¯s a dude or a chick to win within 10.¡±


    ¡°And you bet on the fat clown? All the higher seeds,¡± King shook his head.


    ¡°Listen! That fat fuck shouldn¡¯t have fucked around. He should¡¯ve gone with that clone Skill right away. And maybe not eat a hundred punches to the face. Or maybe wear some motherfucking armor! Fat ass cost me big!¡± Eric drained the rest of his champagne.


    ¡°This is why I don¡¯t bet,¡± King chided. ¡°You need to just appreciate the display of blood and guts from both fighters.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve always been the fight-crazy guy. Fuck, I remember those fights you organized in our frat,¡± Eric shook his head.


    ¡°I remember you punking out after one slap fest with that fat-ass, what was his name?¡±


    ¡°Donald, I think or Daniel, much of my time in college is lost in a haze of cold booze, hot joints and even hotter pussy,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°The look on your face when he sat on it,¡± King chuckled.


    ¡°I forgot that¡­ thanks,¡± Eric rolled his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m going to call our entertainment candy back¡­ is that cool?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± King waved dismissively.


    The introductions for the next match were about to begin and he fixed his attention back to the arena floor.


    <hr>


    Miami, Florida, New American Republic, December 15, 2036


    The sun hid behind thick clouds.


    It looked and smelled like rain was going to put a slight damper on the day¡¯s full slate of Freedom Championship events, at least the ones open to the elements.


    The park was fairly empty.


    On normal days it would¡¯ve been filled with young lovers having picnics, families doing the same, flying kites, tossing balls, kicking balls, doing things with all different kinds of balls. Probably, also throwing them to dogs.


    The smell of grilled meats would¡¯ve filled the air.


    The sounds of people enjoying the elements without the fear of a random monster showing up to eat them.


    That was the kind of safety that they owed to the king and his fighters.


    Those with collars and those without.


    It was, perhaps, easy to overlook certain truths when you didn¡¯t have to fear something you couldn¡¯t see coming until it was too late.


    After all, didn¡¯t you deserve to have a return to a normal life?


    Yeah, Kim thought, we deserve the best lives.


    She liked to take a brisk walk through the park during her morning break from her busy duties as the chief executive officer of the New American Republic.


    All the better that it was empty now that people were busy watching the events in-person or in their homes.


    She walked the winding concrete path thinking about what she needed to accomplish when she went back to her office when she heard cheering.


    Rounding the bend, she came across a couple seated on a bench watching what sounded like a Freedom Championship event on a large tablet.


    Her lips twisted into a sneer.


    Why come to the park when you¡¯re just going to bury your faces into a screen?


    She realized that the two didn¡¯t look like they belonged here.


    ¡°Appraise,¡± she whispered.


    The lack of information she received surprised her.


    Her brows narrowed and her lips pursed.


    No names.


    Merely a range of ages.


    The man was from 50 to 80 year¡¯s old. While the woman was from 48 to 81 year¡¯s old.


    This is ridiculous! she thought. How can it be only a range? And why is it so spread out?


    No classes were displayed either.


    She couldn¡¯t accept that they were unclassed.


    Everyone knew how rare that was.


    She regarded the people with a critical eye. If her Skill failed than years of experience judging others would have to do.


    She studied the man first.


    Brown skin, short gray hair and a moustache. His hair was cut short and neat. Same with the facial hair.


    She¡¯d put him at around 50, just on the gray hair and the wrinkles on his face.


    Although, his body threw her off.


    The man was absolutely the picture of physical perfection. He had broad shoulders and a strong chest that pulled his polo shirt tight. Arms rippled with muscles as he held the tablet up. Shorts road up to reveal the impressive musculature of his thighs. She could see his calves from the front.


    His face and hair told her 50, but the rest of him was on par with the most statuesque gladiators.


    She shifted her attention to the woman in similar attire. Polo-style shirt and shorts.


    The woman also had brown skin.


    Her hair was long and straight, tied up in a pony tail.


    Black as midnight.


    Probably dyed, she thought.


    Laugh lines around the woman¡¯s mouth and a few wrinkles around the eyes put her in that 50 year old range.


    Though, just like that man, it was a great 50 going by the shape of her body.


    Kim suddenly felt terribly self-conscious by comparison.


    She worked out diligently, but she wasn¡¯t even close to the woman despite being much, much younger¡­ probably.


    A thought hit her and she straightened triumphantly.


    Brown.


    That was a rare sight in this part of the city where the king held his business and the large opulent homes of the nobles circled.


    This part of the city was for the better sorts of people.


    Honestly, she wasn¡¯t racist or anything. It was just that you didn¡¯t see brown people often and it was only natural to question their presence, especially if you didn¡¯t recognize these two.


    She didn¡¯t have a problem with the minorities.


    In fact there were people like this couple in other parts of the city and the other, smaller cities, towns and settlements in the New American Republic.


    She welcomed their presence¡­ just as long as they understood the proper order of things.


    With the strength of certainty in her heart she straightened her back and held her head high as she marched toward the couple on the bench.


    ¡°Excuse me,¡± she smiled.


    ¡°Hello?¡± the man said with a deep voice.


    ¡°Hi! You¡¯re not from around here,¡± she maintained the smile, ¡°I don¡¯t recognize you. Do you live in a¡­ different part of the city? Where?¡±


    ¡°Oh, we¡¯re not from here,¡± the man said.


    She waited for him to elaborate.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ see, that¡¯s strange to me, because we don¡¯t really get tourists,¡± she said after an awkward silence.


    ¡°We¡¯re not tourists.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡± her brow furrowed. ¡°You¡¯re competitors? Or with one of the merc groups?¡± she said a silent curse. It would¡¯ve been an impossible task to learn what every outsider looked like by herself. That was what her staff was for. Could she force these two to wait for her to summon a squad of guardians?


    ¡°Honey,¡± the raven-haired woman patted her husbands muscular arm, ¡°I think we might be tourists.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± the man frowned.


    ¡°Yes, explain yourselves,¡± Kim felt the heat rising to her face.


    The smile was long gone replaced by a scowl.


    The man gave her a wry smile. ¡°I guess so,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°We¡¯re from California,¡± the woman said. ¡°We¡¯ve, sort of, been helpful presences during the rebuilding process post-spires. So, when the invitation from your, um, republic,¡± the woman raised a brow.


    Kim¡¯s hackles rose.


    The woman was mocking her.


    ¡°¡ª arrived, we were asked if we wanted to come along and see what things were like on the east coast. We¡¯ve never actually been this far before.¡±


    ¡°You know how it is,¡± the man smiled, ¡°I never thought there was anything worth seeing.¡±


    ¡°Who are you with?¡±


    ¡°We didn¡¯t say,¡± the man replied.


    All of Kim¡¯s Skills couldn¡¯t get anything out of the couple.


    They weren¡¯t lying outright, but she knew they were hiding things.


    ¡°Tell me.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ this is getting combative and I don¡¯t have to tell you anything,¡± the man stood.


    Kim backed up.


    The man loomed without effort.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to head back to our hotel,¡± the woman rose with a smile.


    ¡°Do you know who I am?¡± Kim frowned.


    The couple exchanged a bemused look.


    ¡°I¡¯m the CEO of the New American Republic! Second only to the king!¡± Kim¡¯s voice rose an octave.


    ¡°Oh, good for you,¡± the woman smiled as though a small child had just told her that he was a dinosaur now.


    Hand in hand the couple walked away from her as she could only managed to sputter half-uttered threats.


    Her hands shook as she pulled out her phone to dial the nearest guardian substation.


    She tried to keep the image of the two people in her thoughts, but for some reason failed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what they looked like!¡± she snapped at the exasperated guardian officer trying to take her statement. ¡°The guy was 50 to 80 and really muscular. I had to look up to look in his eyes, so probably your height. The woman was old and wrinkly. She had a bad dye job. They were brown.¡±


    ¡°Hispanic, Latin, Black?¡± the guardian said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know! They all look the same!¡± she huffed. ¡°Not Black¡­¡± she said after a moment.

 7.15

    Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida, New American Republic, December 15, 2036


    ¡°Are you ready for some exciting action tonight, Chip!¡±


    ¡°I have been waiting for this day for two weeks, Lanny! We¡¯ve got the semi-final round of the Gold Division three versus three just about ready to kick-off.¡±


    ¡°The first match of the evening will pit perhaps the fiercest trio of women this side of the Mississippi against soldiers clinging to a long-buried past,¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°The Furies versus Stars and Stripes!¡± Chip said.


    ¡°In our second match we¡¯ve got the Heartfuries taking on The King¡¯s Chosen!¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°What are you expecting to see tonight, Lanny?¡± Chip said.


    ¡°Mayhem, blood, action! But most of all I¡¯m looking for our guys to pull off a win!¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°It¡¯s interesting how the tournament has shaken out so far,¡± Chip said. ¡°You could say that two of the teams fighting to advance came into their first round matches as underdogs, yet they managed to pull it off.¡±


    ¡°You could say that again. I was definitely surprised to see two teams of three women each beat out what looked like more dangerous teams. I mean, the Mongols looked like real killers, they probably are too. Just like the clowns.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a different world, Lanny. You can¡¯t just look at the biggest man anymore. Skills and magic have leveled the playing field more than well-meaning, but misguided feminism ever did,¡± Chip nodded sagely.


    ¡°You can say that again, Chip! Four teams and only three out of the twelve competitors left are men,¡± Lanny said. ¡°I don¡¯t envy the odds makers.¡±


    ¡°Your predictions, Lanny,¡± Chip said.


    ¡°For the first match I¡¯m going with Stars and Stripes. I think Death¡¯s Dancer is a real star. The Furies are vicious, but I don¡¯t know if they have the abilities to deal with Death¡¯s Dancer¡¯s speed, strength and invisibility.¡±


    ¡°Being able to vanish from sight is definitely an ace in the hole,¡± Chip said.


    ¡°That¡¯s right! You can¡¯t hit what you can¡¯t see!¡±


    ¡°What about the second match?¡± Chip said.


    ¡°I have to go with the hometown guys. The King¡¯s Chosen. They¡¯ve got the experience of hundreds of arena fights. They seen everything that their opponents could possibly throw at them. As for the young ladies on the Heartfuries, well, you have to wonder how they¡¯ve handled the brutal fight with the clowns. I saw Punchy the other day and she¡¯s still got that nasty scar on the side of her face from when the clowns made her eat a knife. That sort of thing messes with even the strongest wills.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t say that I see it any differently, Lanny,¡± Chip said. ¡°I just want a pair of action-packed, fun battles. With more reversals, turns and twists than the pretzels over at Pretzel Larry¡¯s Pretzel Emporium!¡±


    ¡°I love their sauces! Garlic parmesian¡­ mwah!¡± Lanny smacked his lips.


    ¡°What¡ª¡± Chip blinked. ¡°oh¡­ parmesan...¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I said, Chip,¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°¡­ alright, the producers are telling me it¡¯s almost time to throw it down to the field for the pre-match concert,¡± Chip touched his ear piece. ¡°We¡¯ll be back to commentate on all the action. Remember to stay tuned after the second match for our expert panel¡¯s in-depth analysis of tonight¡¯s matches. You won¡¯t want to miss out.¡±


    ¡°Live! Straight into your homes, courtesy of the king! Casey Cool and the Glitter Bombs!¡± Lanny said.


    <hr>


    A blond bombshell in a tight yellow dress smiled into the camera. ¡°This is Kandis Crawford, your host for the show that brings you expert analysis of the day¡¯s marquee matches! Welcome to The Four!¡±


    The screen shifted to fast cuts of highlights from the first two weeks of the Freedom Championships.


    Pay close attention and you could catch a glimpse of your favorite Gold Division competitors.


    The show returned with a close up of the beautiful host. ¡°With me tonight, as usual, is Trent R. Thompson,¡± she gestured to her right, ¡°expert analyst!¡±


    ¡°Pleasure to be here as always, Kandis!¡± Trent boomed.


    ¡°And please give a warm welcome to our guest analysts¡­ Reggie Jordan, who you all know as gladiator Boo Jordan¡­¡±


    ¡°Thanks for having me!¡±


    ¡°And at the end of the desk we¡¯ve got a frequent guest¡­ Lord Hop Lochmoore¡­¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to dive into tonight¡¯s fights!¡±


    ¡°Alright, so why don¡¯t we get right into it,¡± Kandis said.


    ¡°Kandis, let me start¡ª¡±


    ¡°As usual¡­ have at it Trent R.¡±


    ¡°Can I just say something? I cannot believe what I witnessed in that first match! It was absolutely egregious! A crime against all sense of fair competition! What we had was three absolute clowns¡ª not those clowns and God knows I¡¯ve said enough about them¡ª I¡¯m talking about those clowns claiming to be from old America! There¡¯s no way, no way! I can¡¯t believe I witnessed that! I¡¯m just going to give it you straight,¡± he turned to the camera and thrust a finger, ¡°Stars and Stripes quit! They just quit!¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ we don¡¯t know that for sure. Andrew tried to get an interview, but, maybe predictably, Stars and Stripes wasn¡¯t interested.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the shame, Kandis!¡± Trent R. bellowed. ¡°That¡¯s the streak of yellow running down their backs!¡±


    ¡°What do you think, Boo?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ well, I don¡¯t know if I¡¯d go as far as calling them cowards. They showed a lot of grit in their first match and in the second one. From my own experiences in the arena, not all fights are too the death. I mean, watching live, I thought that they had a few chances, especially Death¡¯s Dancer with his invisibility, to land really crippling blows on the Furies, but he pulled back every time. So, all I can say is that they weren¡¯t going for the kill, so to speak, not like the Furies.¡±


    ¡°Lord Hop?¡±


    ¡°As someone who¡¯s also spent some time battling in the arenas, of course not quite to the level of competition as Boo,¡± Hop smiled, ¡°I¡¯d have to agree. Stars and Stripes weren¡¯t willing to take it to the limits. Theirs and their opponents.¡±


    ¡°You are being way too nice!¡± Trent R. pounded the table. ¡°They knew full well that death wasn¡¯t likely. Maybe a percent chance. A percent! Do you know how little that is! It¡¯s like the very edge of my fingernail!¡± he held up a pinkie finger.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we go to the highlights before we break down the match,¡± Kandis said.


    Two teams of three stood over a hundred yards apart on a dirt field.


    Magic crackled around three women that appeared to be close in age. Open-faced helmets revealed a familial resemblance. Each had a whip in one hand and a knife in the other.


    Standing against them was a team of two young men and one young woman. The latter was the biggest of the three while the other two weren¡¯t that far behind. They were clothed in black with a small patch of old America¡¯s flag in the center of their chest plate carrier. Unlike the women, their armor closely resembled what soldiers wore in the pre-spires era.


    One of the young men wore a skull-faced helmet painted like the old American flag.


    The two other members of Stars and Stripes opened fire with their assault rifles as soon as the countdown hit zero and the siren blared.


    The Fury clad in green stepped forward and raised a hand.


    Mist appeared in front of her the bullets suddenly dropped to the ground as they passed through.


    The screen changed.


    The two gun-wielders had spread out to opposite ends of the arena.


    An orange-red magic circle appeared beneath the towering young woman.


    She dived out of it just in time to avoid the pillar of flames that burst upward.


    A yellow circle appeared beneath the gun-wielding young man.


    He, too, dived out.


    However, the burst of yellow lightning spread outward, not upward.


    He convulsed while wafts of smoke streamed from his body.


    Another shift.


    The skull-helmed young man hurled a long spear across the field.


    His target, the woman in red vanished.


    His spear pierced the thick arena wall behind her.


    The yellow magic circle behind him exploded with lightning.


    The red-clad woman appeared in the center of it.


    She waved a hand sending out a spray of disk-shaped yellow lightning.


    The skull-helmed young man weaved his way through them untouched with as much grace and precision as a professional dancer.


    A grenade landed at the feet of the blue-clad woman.


    She appeared to absorb the subsequent explosion with a clench of the hand, but suffered injuries from the shrapnel.


    Multiple circles appeared under and around Stars and Stripes.


    Flame, lightning and cold filled the arena with their fury.


    The skull-helmed young man vanished in a pillar of flame.


    The young woman found her boots frozen in ice while the frost slowly crept up her body.


    The other young man¡¯s exposed face was singed and blistered where the lightning had struck him directly.


    Through it all the gun-wielders continued to pour accurate fire that was stopped by magical cold and walls of fire.


    Each highlight captured a moment of action in the violent fight.


    The skull-faced young man suddenly appeared behind the red-clad woman, but instead of stabbing her in the back with his short spear, he grabbed the back of her collar and pulled her roughly to the ground.


    He vanished from sight just as the blue-clad woman shot a volley of four fireballs.


    They impacted the dirt floor sending a great cloud of dust into the air and leaving small craters.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The gun-wielding young woman, slammed the butt of her rifle in the back of the red-clad woman¡¯s helmet as the latter was about to strike the gun-wielding young man with a whip sheathed in crackling lightning.


    The young man returned the favor by hurling a knife into the arm of the blue-clad woman as she was about to lash out with a burning whip.


    The skull-faced young man appeared in front of the green-clad woman sending her tumbling across the arena floor with a shove. He swayed to one side to dodge a volley of fireballs.


    The air around the green-clad woman grew misty as she spun around whipping in random directions. The dirt floor slowly became covered in frost.


    A small puff of mist appeared behind the green-clad woman. She spun around and thrust a hand out.


    The skull-helmed young man suddenly appeared with ice spreading across his chest.


    He hammered the butt of his short spear into the side of the green-clad woman¡¯s helmet. She crumpled like a puppet without strings.


    The young man brushed the ice off before disappearing again.


    He appeared behind the red-clad woman again. He punched her in the back of her helmet. She stumbled and vanished, reappearing inside one of magic circles a dozen yards away in a burst of lightning that caught the gun-wielding young woman¡¯s arm.


    The gun-wielding young man shot the green-clad woman in the leg.


    He was trapped in a ring of magic circles at his feet and a ring of disk-shaped lightning at chest level.


    He was on the ground, unmoving.


    The skull-faced young man and the gun-wielding young woman raised their hands and weapons over their heads.


    ¡°We¡¯re done,¡± the skull-faced young man said.


    The camera returned to the analysts.


    ¡°Quitters! That¡¯s what I¡¯m saying. That¡¯s what they are,¡± Trent R. shook his head. ¡°They didn¡¯t have the balls!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that,¡± Boo Jordan said. ¡°They clearly took a ton of damage from all those elemental circles, I guess that¡¯s what I¡¯ll call them¡ª¡±


    ¡°The Furies haven¡¯t been forthcoming with their abilities,¡± Kandis said.


    ¡°The guy with the gun¡­ Lt. Johnny,¡± Boo Jordan consulted his notes, ¡°Rico¡­ I thought he was actually dead for a second after getting caught in fire, lightning and frost.¡±


    Hop chuckled. ¡°I get the reference.¡± He didn¡¯t elaborate.


    ¡°But, they also had one of the Furies down! And the other two were looking pretty rough! Swaying around on noodle legs after Death¡¯s Dancer kept ringing their bells! Which is my point exactly! He was getting the jump on them repeatedly! But all he was doing was punching them, slamming them or hitting them with the wrong end of his short spear! Tell me, Boo, is that how you¡¯d have done it?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I would¡¯ve been looking to hurt them through gaps in the armor, maybe try to disable by stabbing or cutting the hamstrings,¡± Boo Jordan said.


    ¡°The Furies didn¡¯t display any healing magic,¡± Hop chimed in. ¡°That would¡¯ve been the optimal choice.¡±


    ¡°Exactly, Hop! Exactly!¡± Trent R. pounded the desk.


    ¡°We all know what Trent R. Thinks, so, let¡¯s shift the discussion. Lord Hop, anything else from the match that stood out to you? Kandis said.


    ¡°Kandis, what struck me is what Boo said earlier. As you know, he and I have fought in the arenas¡­ and death matches are exceedingly rare. The way Death¡¯s Dancer fought reminded of some of that. He clearly was trying to limit the amount of damage he inflicted.¡±


    ¡°The lord¡¯s right about that. I re-watched Stars and Stripes first match against Blackstar 3 and I saw much the same as in this match,¡± Boo Jordan said.


    ¡°Exactly!¡± Trent R. Cut-in. ¡°They were out of their minds to come into this with kid¡¯s gloves!¡± he shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s like they didn¡¯t come all this way to win!¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t go that far,¡± Hop chimed. ¡°They just weren¡¯t willing to put everything on the line like true gladiators, like Boo and myself.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we dive into the analysis for real?¡± Kandis said as she stood and sashayed to the huge screen at the back of the studio.


    The other four followed her but the camera kept one focus.


    ¡°So¡­ let¡¯s start at the beginning.¡±


    The screen showed a paused wide shot of the two teams separated by over a hundred yards.


    ¡°Stars and Stripes opened up with the guns courtesy of Lt. Contrary and Lt. Rico¡­ pause it. With our projectile tracking technology we can see that the shots were clearly aimed low.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, they were doing that with most of their shots,¡± Boo Jordan said.


    ¡°Take out the legs and a man can¡¯t move,¡± Hop nodded sagely.


    ¡°Now¡­ if we replay this in slow-motion¡­ you can see the bullets slowing down before suddenly dropping out of the air,¡± Kandis said. ¡°How did the Furies do that?¡±


    ¡°Well, Kandis,¡± Hop began, ¡°you clearly see the one in green stepping forward and casting a spell or a Skill. And we see it multiple times later in the fight. Looks, like a freezing or cold aura, perhaps a persistent area of effect spell. Although the bullets are too small to see if they got covered in ice.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t necessarily have to be a visible physical effect. My guess is that Tis¡ª Tisi¡ª phone, am I saying that right?¡± Boo Jordan said.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got it!¡± Kandis said.


    ¡°I¡¯m no good with the Greek. I¡¯ve been calling her ¡®green¡¯ or what it is in American according to my notes, ¡®Vengeful Destruction¡¯,¡± Hop said.


    ¡°Right, Tisiphone,¡± Boo Jordan said. ¡°My guess from the way the condensation in the air moves with her then it¡¯s like Lord Hop says. The aura or spell creates cold that¡¯s capable of sapping the kinetic energy from the bullets. It¡¯s in that faint mist.¡±


    The screen switched to later in the match with the camera focus on the same green-clad woman spinning around lashing her whip in random directions before Death¡¯s Dancer appeared behind her.


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s physical invisibility, nothing like intangibility or a ghost spell. I didn¡¯t see it live, but when you slow it down you can see footprints in the dirt and his breaths inside Tisiphone¡¯s cold aura,¡± Boo Jordan said.


    ¡°I think she must¡¯ve heard his steps, perhaps some frost or ice had formed on the ground,¡± Hop said.


    The highlight played out as before.


    Boo Jordan shook his head with a chuckle.


    ¡°Anything you¡¯d like to share with us?¡± Kandis said.


    ¡°Oh¡­ nothing big, just that I realized what was bugging me about the Furies,¡± Boo Jordan shrugged. ¡°They¡¯re colors don¡¯t match their abilities.¡±


    Hop laughed.


    ¡°The one in red¡ª¡± Boo Jordan continued.


    ¡°Alecto,¡± Kandis said.


    ¡°She uses yellow lightning magic.¡±


    ¡°Blue¡ª¡±


    ¡°Megaera.¡±


    ¡°Fire magic.¡±


    ¡°The one in green uses cold,¡± Hop chimed in. ¡°You¡¯d think she had earth, plants or maybe poison as her main focus.¡±


    ¡°I get it from a tactical perspective. You can throw people off using their pre-conceived notions,¡± Boo Jordan said. ¡°But, it¡¯s not good for your branding. You¡¯re just confusing the fans,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°And us,¡± Hop said.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t see a lot from Death¡¯s Dancer¡¯s teammates, why do you think that was? I would¡¯ve guessed they wanted to save something moving from match to match¡ª¡±


    ¡°Kandis! What we saw is exactly who they are!¡± Trent R. cut-in.


    ¡°They¡¯ve got soldier-types classes, so it¡¯s probably that they¡¯re best Skills and abilities are geared toward that. Their best stuff is probably too lethal for this competition,¡± Boo Jordan said.


    The Four broke down the rest of the match.


    Kandis kept the discussion flowing.


    Boo Jordan did his best to provide insight from someone that knew every aspect that surrounded an arena fight while Hop chimed in often echoing the more legitimate gladiator.


    Trent R. interrupted often and loudly.


    A commercial break took them to the second and final Gold Division three versus three match of the night.


    Heartfuries versus The King¡¯s Chosen.


    ¡°Camera on me guys, camera on me,¡± Trent R. said. ¡°I¡¯m only going to say this once¡­ this was the match. This was the match! Both teams showed me everything you could want from people competing for all the prizes!¡± he whooped. ¡°Heartfuries! The King¡¯s Chosen! Wow! I¡¯ll be watching this match over and over again while we wait for the Finals!¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we get right down to it then,¡± Kandis said.


    ¡°Our guys almost had it,¡± Boo Jordan sighed.


    ¡°Those girls were fierce!¡± Trent R. said. ¡°They¡¯re women that can roar!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not so sure about that Trent R. The King¡¯s Chosen are gladiators, just like myself and Boo. And we always keep the show in the forefront of our thoughts. It¡¯s not enough just to win. We have to do it in style,¡± Hop said. ¡°I can¡¯t help but think that showmanship cost us this match.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll push back on that a little,¡± Boo Jordan said. ¡°They started the match that way, but clearly changed it up when they needed to. At around the five minute mark you could tell that the show was put on the back burner in favor of getting the win. It¡¯s just how it goes that you come up short sometimes.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you take us through the action here,¡± Kandis said.


    ¡°Okay, right¡­ so,¡± Boo Jordan took a deep breath. ¡°You see The Broken and Thousand Cuts working together to close the distance on the Heartfuries, while Soul Netter looks to circle around unnoticed. Shootystabby hits The Broken in the leg, but as we all know a simple bullet won¡¯t be enough to slow her down with the way she turns damage into strength¡­ for a time. Here, you see Punchy punching the ground to try to trip them up with an earth wall, something we saw her do in the match against the clowns. Right, so, The Broken¡¯s amped up with the bullet wound so she plows right through the wall. Thousand Cuts then uses The Broken to leapfrog up and over Sparky as she tries to come in with her spear. Thousand Cuts comes in with her fists of fury, breaking through Punchy¡¯s magic shield. This was where I thought for sure we¡¯d get a knock out. Punchy isn¡¯t that tough without her spells and Thousand Cuts can land a dozen hits in under a second. And I know what that feels like. Those spiked knuckles and bladed bracers are no joke.¡±


    ¡°Shootystabby really came in clutch here with an ability none of us knew she had,¡± Hop said.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, Lord Hop,¡± Boo Jordan said. ¡°Shootystabby, appeared out of nowhere. It was like watching someone dancing under a strobe light. You can see how she¡¯s fast enough, maybe even faster, to keep up with Thousand Cuts¡¯ fists as she uses a pair of long knives to deflect and parry.¡±


    ¡°We were wondering where the ¡®stabby¡¯ part of her name came from,¡± Trent R. said.


    ¡°This is where this is important. You see, the fight could¡¯ve been over there if Thousand Cuts had gotten the K.O., cause while this was happening, The Broken powered through Sparky¡¯s electricity and had knocked her down. One more hammer blow to the head probably would¡¯ve been enough.¡±


    ¡°Then it would¡¯ve been three on two, our guys,¡± Lord Hop chimed in.


    ¡°Right, Lord¡­ but, since Punchy was in the clear, she was free to send The Broken flying fifty yards away with one of those earth pillars,¡± Boo Jordan said. ¡°Which left Thousand Cuts with a one on three. She made the right call in disengaging, but that meant a reset to the field state when we had a huge advantage just a few seconds earlier.¡±


    ¡°The match went quiet for a few minutes with the teams trading distance shots for a¡ª¡± Kandis said.


    ¡°A gun tends to beat javelins unless the thrower has some really good Skills,¡± Hop said.


    ¡°None of our guys are specialized toward ranged attacks. Soul Netter has his ghost net and he can throw his trident with speed, accuracy and distance, but that¡¯s a one time thing. It was fortunate that Thousand Cuts can actually aim dodge and The Broken was still getting stronger with each hit¡ª¡±


    ¡°You can tell that Shootystabby has a good tactical mind when she went away from targeting The Broken after the first few hits. It was her bad luck that Soul Netter was smart enough to hide behind The Broken,¡± Hop said.


    ¡°Right, they let Shootystabby use up most of her ammo,¡± Boo Jordan said.


    ¡°Listen!¡± Trent R. said. ¡°The Heartfuries played a good shell game. They made us all think that Shootystabby was a shooter when she was actually a very fast, very dangerous cutter and stabber¡ª¡±


    ¡°If I can get back to my point,¡± Kandis said. ¡°They traded shots until Shootystabby stopped to reload. Then Thousand Cuts used a Skill to get right in Shootystabby¡¯s face.¡±


    ¡°Yup, really caused confusion in the Heartfuries¡¯ formation. The Broken and Soul Netter charged in with the latter using his ghost net to wrap Sparky up. He would¡¯ve been able to pin her with his trident had Punchy not come in with a quick wall to block both him and The Broken.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been in his net before,¡± Kandis said. ¡°Can you share what that was like?¡±


    Boo Jordan¡¯s easy smile suddenly dropped. He gazed off into nothing. ¡°It was cold. Very cold¡­ and I knew that I would never feel the warmth of being alive again¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad I¡¯m not you,¡± Hop said.


    ¡°The feeling went away after a while,¡± Boo Jordan shrugged. ¡°But, let me just say I completely understand why Sparky was slow and out of it for the rest of the match.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to the end of the match,¡± Kandis said.


    ¡°Here you can see that both teams are sucking wind. They¡¯re on their last gasps,¡± Boo Jordan said.


    ¡°I know that feeling. When you know that you¡¯ve got to dig for something that might not be there,¡± Hop said.


    ¡°Both teams still had something!¡± Trent R. said.


    ¡°Yeah, absolutely. You can see Sparky¡¯s armor is dented all over from The Broken¡¯s hammer, Thousand Cuts¡¯ fists and Soul Netter¡¯s trident. Her clothes look soaked in blood. The only reason she¡¯s still in it was Punchy¡¯s healing. This is where Punchy breaks her hand and The Broken¡¯s jaw, finally pushing my friend past the limits of her Skill. Thousand Cuts would¡¯ve had Punchy here, but¡ª I¡¯m repeating myself¡ª Shootystabby was right there in a flash. I had to re-watch in slow motion to see what had happened. Through out the fight Shootystabby was cutting and stabbing at Thousand Cuts¡¯ arms.¡±


    ¡°Why do you think she went for that tactic?¡± Kandis said.


    ¡°She was trying to get the straps, which she finally did at that point. Then she was able to go for the tendons in the wrist. Taking Thousand Cuts¡¯ best weapons out of action,¡± Boo Jordan said.


    ¡°That was two out of three down and out,¡± Kandis said.


    ¡°Which left Soul Netter. His net had recharged by that point, but he whiffed on the toss, which gave Sparky a chance for a bit of revenge,¡± Boo Jordan said. ¡°Look, Soul Netter¡¯s an okay guy, but I have to admit that I was kinda with Sparky there having once experienced the ghost net. So, I can¡¯t really get too salty with how she went about shocking Soul Netter until he went out.¡±


    ¡°And there we have it, folks at home!¡± Kandis smiled to the camera. ¡°The final for the Gold Division three versus three event is set. It¡¯s going to be the Furies versus the Heartfuries.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be a little confusing, not going to lie about that!¡± Trent R. said.


    ¡°January 1st, New Year¡¯s Day! The pre-show starts at 5:00 pm. Don¡¯t miss our comprehensive coverage! Have a wonderful night!¡± Kandis said.

 7.16

    Miami, Florida, October 31, 2036


    Fin waded through the throng of costumed kids.


    Detecting 50% enhanced size to chocolate bars compared to your home, the voice in his head said.


    He eyed the gated mansions lining both sides of the wide street. ¡°That¡¯s what happens in rich neighborhoods, I think.¡± Memories of his pre-spires life were still vague and difficult to grasp. His time under the Cabal¡¯s abuse had been a consistent wall that kept him from trying too hard to remember.


    Incongruity. Stores are free. Therefore, there is no cost limit to amount of chocolate and candy a household can provide.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t participate in Halloween.¡±


    Good. Unnecessary.


    ¡°Are we close?¡±


    500 meters on your left according to the message.


    Fin had awoken to a slip of paper plastered to his forehead by the sweat from his recurring nightmares.


    Again, I can prevent you from remembering. It is a simple modification to prevent them from being stored¡ª


    ¡°And I told you, I want to remember, I need to remember so I don¡¯t forget what was done to me. I¡¯m more concerned with the fact that neither you or I noticed someone placing the message.¡±


    Sentry wards showed faint signs of tampering.


    ¡°Which in itself should¡¯ve woken me up¡­ and you never sleep.¡±


    I have a rest state, the voice sounded defensive.


    ¡°No excuses¡­¡±


    Fin reached their destination according to the coded message.


    Two armed guards stood at the gate.


    He couldn¡¯t see anything beyond because of the thick, tall hedges standing behind the equally tall, iron fence.


    ¡°Move along, kid. There¡¯s no candy here,¡± the guard said.


    Fin didn¡¯t appreciate they way the loomed over him with contempt.


    Calm. Remember purpose.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± he muttered. ¡°I¡¯m here to see a Lord Wynn.¡±


    ¡°No one just ¡®sees¡¯ the lord,¡± the guard scowled.


    ¡°By invitation.¡±


    The second guard snorted. ¡°Oh yeah, what¡¯s your name.¡±


    ¡°Ghost Sorcerer.¡±


    That changed their attitudes.


    ¡°Must be here for the Freedom Championships,¡± the first guard muttered.


    ¡°All right, hang on¡­ I need confirmation,¡± the second guard went through the gate door and vanished behind the hedges.


    ¡°So you looking for a patron? the first guard said.


    Danger alert!


    Fin spun the magic inside his chest flaring to life.


    A tall, imposing figure in dark gray plate had seemingly materialized out of the shadows cast by the gate lights.


    Move away! Detecting¡­ presences¡­ in his shadow.


    Eyes flashed with eerie light through the thin slit of the full helm as the figure stepped up to the guard ignoring Fin completely.


    ¡°Lord Wynn,¡± he rasped, ¡°invitation.¡±


    ¡°Jesus¡­ another one,¡± the guard muttered. ¡°Okay¡­ just wait a sec. I can¡¯t leave my post.¡±


    The armored figure merely continued to stare down at the guard.


    The second guard chose that moment to emerged. He half raised his carbine. ¡°Shit!¡±


    ¡°Another invitation!¡± the first guard slapped the barrel down.


    The second guard swallowed the lump in his throat. ¡°I have to confirm your identity.¡±


    ¡°Dread Paladin.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± the first guard muttered.


    ¡°Right, great, the lord¡¯s expecting both of you,¡± the second guard moved out of the way and gestured to the open door, ¡°just head up the walkway. The guards at the front door will let you in.¡±


    ¡°Wait, what about their weapons?¡± the first guard said.


    The Dread Paladin stood as still as a statue.


    Fin couldn¡¯t even tell if he was breathing.


    ¡°He¡¯s unarmed,¡± he said. ¡°Just like me,¡± he spread his arms out wide. ¡°Pat me down if you want, but you¡¯ll have to buy me a drink after.¡±


    The guards¡¯ faces twisted.


    Recommended walking behind the Dread Paladin¡­ at a distance.


    Which turned out to be easy as the towering armored figure strode through the door with great long strides that meant Fin would¡¯ve had to jog to keep up.


    They were escorted into the mansion and into a sitting room off to one side of the great entrance way which was about the same size as Fin¡¯s studio apartment back in SoCal.


    The Dread Paladin continued his statue imitation standing near the cold fireplace where he could keep an eye on both ways into the room.


    Fin took a chair facing the Dread Paladin. He¡¯d rather keep his eyes on the Dread Paladin, while his partner could keep watch on the two doorways.


    Enslaved women and what was clearly a girl entered and left trays of cookies and what smelled like tea on the table. They smiled, which he returned reflexively.


    He did his best not to look at them too closely.


    The last week had been a struggle. Living in a place where slavery enforced by magitech collars was so deeply ingrained in everyday life tested his control and patience. The abuse he had witnessed reminded him too much of his own past.


    The Cabal fits in this New American Republic.


    ¡°Not for long,¡± he whispered.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to have any of the cookies?¡±


    Fin turned to see a bent old man, bronze skin, leathery, wispy gray hair.


    ¡°I¡¯m not hungry. This place has a way of making me lose my appetite.


    Warning. Use magic sight.


    It took all his self control not to conjure a shield and jump back.


    The old man contained power.


    Immense magical power. Lightning¡­ no¡­ all aspects of a raging storm runs through him.


    Fin thought he could see another person superimposed over the frail-looking old man.


    This one was a towering mountain of muscle that made the Dread Paladin look small.


    ¡°The invitation,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped.


    ¡°Formality must be observed,¡± the old man said.


    Fin heard the disdain in the voice.


    ¡°Since you won¡¯t be eating or drinking, then follow me, the ¡®lord¡¯ is a busy man.¡±


    The old man led them through a long series of hallways and into an office buried somewhere deep in the mansion.


    Seated behind a desk was someone Fin should¡¯ve expected. ¡°Cal¡­ you¡¯re Lord Wynn?¡±


    ¡°As far as anyone sees, hear and even smells,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°Thanks, Bitterman,¡± he regarded the old man, ¡°why don¡¯t you distribute the cookies to the staff and have a few for yourself.¡±


    ¡°I will not eat what chained hands were forced to make,¡± the old man said.


    ¡°Listen, we have to keep up appearances to some degree,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give them to the ¡®staff¡¯, since they made them in the first place they deserve to reap the full benefit of their unjust labor.¡±


    ¡°Seriously, how long have you been pretending?¡±


    ¡°About two months before I flew back to pick you up,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Then why drop me off to make my own way into the city. Why not just bring me with you?¡±


    ¡°Appearances,¡± Cal shrugged.


    ¡°Okay¡­ now that I¡¯m here, what¡¯s the real plan?¡±


    ¡°Nothing¡¯s change. You and Cooper here,¡± Cal nodded to the Dread Paladin, ¡°are going to form a duo team for the Gold Division time attack event.¡±


    ¡°A waste of time,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped, ¡°you promised me the Cabal.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯ll get your chance, but first¡­ Cooper¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the Dread Paladin.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but at least 70% Cooper would be better for this conversation, so¡­¡± Cal said.


    Fin wondered at how Cal could stare into those eerie glowing eyes without apparent concern.


    The Dread Paladin¡¯s helmet suddenly melted away into shadow to reveal a young man with a pale complexion and an enviable jaw-line. Those eyes looked shockingly normal.


    ¡°The Dread Paladin, who is also Cooper, meet, Ghost Sorcerer, who is also Fin,¡± Cal said. ¡°You both seek vengeance against the Cabal.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, so what¡¯s your actual plan, not this Freedom Championships nonsense,¡± Fin said.


    ¡°That is the plan. You two compete. Gain rewards, levels, points, become as strong as possible, while I find all the dark places in and around the slaver kingdom where the vipers are hiding,¡± Cal said. ¡°Sometime in, maybe, January when I¡¯ve sorted out the collar problem and when everyone is celebrating a successful championships and distracted, we will all move. You get your revenge and I free the enslaved, safely.¡±


    Fin frowned. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have told us that. There¡¯s magic, torture¡ª we could reveal¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Cal cut him off. ¡°I¡¯m not going to rope you into that stuff. You¡¯re strictly to focus on your goals. And I¡¯ve got a way to protect what you do know from outside eyes, regardless of means.¡±


    ¡°Okay, so me and Cooper need to train together¡ª¡±


    ¡°I work alone,¡± Cooper said.


    ¡°I work in a team, mostly,¡± Fin replied.


    ¡°Cooper, your chances of success go up exponentially if you two work together,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Not disagreeing, but I¡¯m starting to think this plan, these plans are too complicated. We rangers don¡¯t like complicated. Too many things go wrong and you throw everything off.¡±


    ¡°Well, Fin, the difference is that I¡¯m overseeing these Quests,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Just tell me where I can find the Cabal,¡± Cooper said.


    ¡°You¡¯d kill a lot of them, but then the Vitiator and the inner council would stop you. If you¡¯re lucky you¡¯ll die before they torture and experiment on you,¡± Cal said, ¡°and that would be a waste of everything you¡¯ve gone through and done in your pursuit of revenge.¡±


    ¡°Look, dude, I want them dead just as bad as you,¡± Fin said.


    ¡°I doubt that,¡± Cooper said.


    ¡°We can compare horror stories if you want?¡± Fin raised a brow.


    ¡°No. I can see the pain in your eyes. Feel it, behind that thing in your chest that beats instead of a heart,¡± Cooper said.


    ¡°Cooper, bro,¡± Cal said. ¡°I¡¯m only asking you to spend a few months getting stronger so you can do it properly. Think about it? How many years have you been searching? You¡¯re at the finish line. Two, three months of patience, that¡¯s all that¡¯s left.¡±


    ¡°Fine, I agree,¡± Cooper said.


    ¡°Okay, so how does this work?¡± Fin said.


    ¡°Right, officially, Lord Wynn has extended you patronage, which means you get to come and go here without drawing too much suspicion. You also get the best training times and locations that Lord Wynn¡¯s wealth and influence can buy. The best gear, potions, so on and so forth, not that either of you rely on that sort of thing.¡±


    ¡°Healing and mana potions wouldn¡¯t be bad. I only have a few and if we¡¯re spending this slaver lord¡¯s money then that¡¯s better,¡± Fin said.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    ¡°Get strong, try to stay under the radar as much as possible, stay away from any Cabal you might happen to come across. I¡¯m looking into a way to help you out when the time comes,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Revenge is mine,¡± Cooper said, ¡°I¡¯ll only share it with you,¡± he nodded to Fin, ¡°because you have also suffered under their hands.¡±


    ¡°Rayna¡¯s Rangers would have a claim to that too,¡± Fin said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to give away too much. Like I said before, the less you know the better,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Alright, so, do we get to live here or what?¡± Fin said.


    ¡°If you want. Extra protection for the enslaved would be welcome,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Okay, then I¡¯ll move in,¡± Fin said.


    ¡°No for me. I don¡¯t like being around the people in collars. It¡¯s¡­ wrong,¡± Cooper said.


    ¡°Same here, but since I can¡¯t free them then I¡¯d rather do what I can to protect at least the ones in this house,¡± Fin said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a protector,¡± Cooper turned to leave, ¡°I¡¯ll be back tomorrow morning so we can begin training, Fin.¡±


    ¡°Alright, see you then.¡±


    ¡°Let me show you your room,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that your butler¡¯s job?¡±


    Cal chuckled.


    <hr>


    A month later¡­


    The Dread Paladin hesitated.


    Gremlins mobbed him biting and clawing breaking their teeth and claws on his plate.


    He glanced back at his partner.


    Fin.


    Ghost Sorcerer.


    Rayna¡¯s Ranger.


    Fellow victim of the Cabal.


    The slight, young man wiggled his fingers and waved his arms in an elaborate pattern to cast a small dart of fire that burned through one gremlin¡¯s head, one.


    He sensed the thing in Fin¡¯s pulse with magic. Two heartbeats in one.


    A gremlin tried to dig its claws into his helmet.


    He crushed its throat.


    Punched his spiked gauntlet through another¡¯s face.


    He itched to summon his long-handled axe. A few swings would¡¯ve cleared the half-dozen gremlins in seconds.


    Instead, he materialized a shortsword in his right hand.


    Stab.


    Cut.


    His arm moved mechanically, much slower than he was capable of moving.


    ¡°And this cluster is done¡­¡±


    Fin¡¯s eyes glazed over with the look for a moment.


    He had noticed that happened fairly often.


    A less perceptive person would¡¯ve missed it.


    ¡°¡­ we¡¯re on schedule. Next cluster is inside the Footlocker.¡±


    The Dread Paladin stomped ahead.


    They cruised through the spawn zone race? Time trial? Time attack?


    He hadn¡¯t really paid much attention to the details.


    It was all a ridiculous waste of time.


    But¡­


    Cal had promised.


    All he had to do was be patient.


    Later still¡­


    ¡°Here,¡± Cooper threw the sheet of paper on the table.


    Fin scanned it. ¡°3rd place¡­¡±


    ¡°We could have easily beaten the top time had we moved quicker like I said.¡±


    Fin regarded the pale, tall, broad-shouldered young man.


    Cooper looked weird without that ever-present dark gray plate.


    Cal had insisted since it was frightening the mansion¡¯s staff.


    Which was why they were sitting in the backyard.


    Although to call it a yard didn¡¯t do it justice.


    It seemed to go on forever and there was a huge pool with a mini-waterfall fountain and slide.


    He tried not to look at the collar-wearing enslaved as they occasionally brought snacks and drinks for him and Cooper.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± he said finally. ¡°3rd is good enough to move on to the next round.¡±


    ¡°How many of these rounds do we have to go through?¡±


    ¡°One week on trials. One week off. So¡­¡± he counted on his fingers, ¡°two more. Or you could look at the sheet. Schedule¡¯s right on the top.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about this thing¡­ it¡¯s a farce,¡± Cooper said. ¡°We waste time. If I even tried just a little bit harder we¡¯d be in first and more importantly we wouldn¡¯t be wasting time.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not the plan,¡± he said. ¡°We¡¯re keeping a low profile because we don¡¯t want anyone, specifically the Cabal to have any ideas about our true power.¡±


    ¡°Is that why you do that ridiculous finger waggling and arm circles to cast your spells?¡±


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    ¡°Tell me that you can at least cast spells more powerful than fire darts and stone bullets¡­¡±


    ¡°I can cast spells more powerful than fire darts and stone bullets,¡± he said flatly.


    ¡°Good¡­ cause when we move on the Cabal I won¡¯t waste my strength to protect you,¡± Cooper said.


    ¡°Well, if that¡¯s your concern than you should have even more incentive to make sure that we do well in this competition. I¡¯ll need all the rewards and bonuses I can get to have a chance at keeping up with your dread might and avoid being a burden,¡± he rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Are you mocking me?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky Cal told me to avoid purposefully hurting you,¡± Cooper rasped.


    ¡°Do you talk like that because you¡¯re trying to be intimidating?¡±


    Cooper regarded him with an unblinking stare.


    Undeterred he continued. ¡°My theory is that you go months between actually speaking since you clearly don¡¯t interact with other humans.¡±


    ¡°I encounter humans frequently.¡±


    ¡°Sure, but only to kill them or terrify them to spread your dread cause of that Vow.¡±


    ¡°How do you¡ª¡± a flash of genuine emotion crossed Cooper¡¯s face for the first time in the week and a half Fin had spent in close proximity.


    ¡°We have a file on you,¡± he shrugged lightly. ¡°Nothing personal of course. We keep files on all potential threats. Pretty sure I¡¯ve got a file too.¡±


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t want to become that in my eyes.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen¡­ and fought some things¡­ a lot much worst than you.¡±


    ¡°No, you haven¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I have.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Have you ever faced something like a undead abomination made up of the amalgamated flesh of dozens and dozens of humans, animals, mutant animals and monsters. What¡¯s worse? It could use the spells, Skill and abilities of all that.¡±


    ¡°Sounds easy to defeat. I would just use my dreadlings to distract it while I sought out its core for destruction. Have you single-handedly faced an entire colony of bat¡ª¡±


    ¡°Oh, that?¡± Fin waved a hand dismissively. ¡°That attempted and failed genocide is in your file.¡±


    ¡°Fine¡­ have you killed anything like a demon spirit that can jump to another body when killed?¡±


    ¡°Let me guess on how you handled that? You killed every living thing in range?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem that hard to do¡­ have you ever destroyed an ancient pillar that constantly generates death magic, which means it creates endless undead, while continuously regenerating them within its immediate vicinity?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ but I have killed a creature that was half-bear, half-dragon.¡±


    ¡°Which half was which?¡±


    ¡°Front bear, back dragon.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ did it have wings?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Then how do you know it was half-dragon? It¡¯s more likely that it was half-lizard?¡±


    ¡°It breathed fire and it was bigger than a house.¡±


    ¡°Sure, dangerous, but at our levels? Not that dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Its roar shook the skies. Its steps shook¡­ the ground.¡±


    ¡°My flesh abomination sounds scarier.¡±


    ¡°Then, how about a summoned godling of the forest, summoned through a profane blood ritual using babies?¡±


    Fin raised a brow. ¡°That wasn¡¯t in your file.¡±


    ¡°It was fairly recent. In Canada, across the Montana border. A group of warlocks.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like something that needs to be on file. Tell me.¡±


    ¡°I killed them all.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but others could try again.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°At least tell me how you killed the godling.¡±


    ¡°I stabbed, cut and told my dreadlings to eat it before it was fully materialized.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ so it wasn¡¯t that hard of a battle. Got it.¡±


    Again¡­ later¡­


    ¡°We need to pick up the pace!¡± Fin said.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯ve been saying,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped. ¡°Can I try harder?¡±


    ¡°You may.¡±


    He released his shortsword back to shadow bringing forth a long-handled axe a second later.


    One sweeping strike bisected six gremlins.


    Behind him, Fin did those ridiculous arm circles, multiple arms appearing like afterimages, to cast a small fireball that blew apart a second cluster of gremlins.


    ¡°Run to the next point. We¡¯re about thirty seconds off the last qualifying spot for the next round,¡± Fin said.


    The Dread Paladin waded into the store behind wide, horizontal swings of his axe.


    The monsters inside were grotesque versions of plush teddy bears.


    One tried to stab its long tongue into his helmet¡¯s eye slits.


    Fin blasted it away with an ice bullet.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t even buy you an iced coffee first.¡±


    A teddy bear oozing from multiple pulsating growths tried to hug the Dread Paladin¡¯s face. He grabbed it and splattered it against the far wall.


    ¡°They really want to fuck your face,¡± Fin snorted.


    ¡°You rangers talk too much in battle,¡± he rasped.


    ¡°Only if it isn¡¯t serious¡­ make that always¡­¡±


    They cleared the store quickly.


    ¡°Time?¡±


    Fin¡¯s stride never broke even as his eyes glazed over.


    ¡°We¡¯re back on track. Just two more stores then we can trigger the boss monster.¡±


    Later¡­


    Fin felt them before he saw them.


    Calm. Remember plans. Quest. Purpose, the voice in his head said.


    Fin took a deep breath and turned to Cooper, ¡°we¡¯ve got Cabal incoming. Don¡¯t do anything stupid.¡±


    The tall, broad-shouldered young man bristled.


    His shadows writhed.


    Fin had never seen such agitation even in the middle of a moderately difficult boss fight.


    A trio of Cabal members walked onto the practice field.


    They wore training clothing, but the colors and the symbol on their shirts were unmistakable even if he couldn¡¯t feel the nature of their magic suffusing their entire beings.


    So many different and familiar flavors.


    Sadism, lust, rage were the most prevalent though there were plenty more.


    Corruption, domination, envy, selfishness. Every worst aspect of humanity taken to its zenith. All wrapped up in with the Cabal¡¯s unceasing depravity.


    Bad memories rushed to the surface.


    Calm. Forget past. Remember today. Future. The plan. Patience.


    The Cabal walked straight for him and Cooper.


    He could hear Cooper¡¯s teeth grind, the tension in the body as muscles clenched, the heartbeat race in preparation for violence.


    ¡°Remember the plan. Patience. For a few more weeks,¡± he hissed.


    Cooper relaxed slightly.


    ¡°You guys are done,¡± the lead Cabal mage said.


    Fin mastered the urge to send a conjured claw through the man¡¯s chest. ¡°That sounded like a statement, not a question,¡± he replied.


    ¡°You¡¯re a smart guy, huh?¡± the second Cabal mage, a woman, said.


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± the leader continued, ¡°this is our practice area now.¡±


    ¡°We still have time,¡± Fin said flatly.


    ¡°Five minutes practice won¡¯t make a difference for you in the final round.¡±


    Fin narrowed his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re in the Gold Div contest?¡± he honestly hadn¡¯t recognized the Cabal team without their masks and hoods. ¡°I didn¡¯t know that. Are you still in?¡±


    ¡°We had the second fastest time in the second round!¡± the leader snapped.


    ¡°While you two came in eighth,¡± the woman sneered.


    ¡°Last place,¡± the third Cabal mage added.


    ¡°Two of us, three of you,¡± Cooper rasped. ¡°Not good odds¡ª¡±


    ¡°Hey, Bro¡­ don¡¯t complain if you¡¯re the dumbasses that decided on only having a team of two¡ª¡±


    ¡°Not good odds for you,¡± Cooper finished.


    ¡°Relax, big guy,¡± the leader¡¯s smile didn¡¯t reach his eyes, ¡°we¡¯re not going to do anything that risks our spot in the final round. So, why don¡¯t you be a good little pasty-faced bitch and clear out for your betters.¡±


    Cooper stood like a statue.


    Fin couldn¡¯t tell if that was a good thing or a bad one.


    ¡°We¡¯ve still got time, so¡­ why don¡¯t you wait for your turn,¡± he said.


    ¡°You don¡¯t seem to be understanding. Are you retarded or something? Your big and tall boyfriend looks special, but a skinny, pretty, little thing like you looks fairly normal although¡­ I¡¯ve been wrong before,¡± the leader smirked. ¡°Listen, clear out or we¡¯ll show you what we do to people like you¡­ after the competition, of course.¡±


    Calm. Only powerless words, the voice in his head pleaded.


    Fin looked around for one of the practice field¡¯s attendants.


    ¡°Going to cry to one of the refs?¡± the third Cabal mage said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother, they know who we are,¡± the woman said.


    Sure enough the closest attendant was pointedly ignoring Fin¡¯s waving arm.


    ¡°We¡¯re not leaving,¡± Cooper rasped.


    ¡°What? You¡¯re just going to stand there and stare at us?¡± the woman said.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Fin said.


    ¡°Fine, waste your time,¡± the leader crossed his arms.


    ¡°Fine¡­¡± he replied.


    He regarded the third Cabal mage, a young man. ¡°Why are you holding your arms like that?¡±


    Oh, he knew why.


    Had seen that common affliction that possessed many an insecure man.


    ¡°He has invisible lats,¡± Cooper said flatly.


    Fin laughed.


    The last later¡­


    The final round.


    The unlikely duo was ready.


    They had decided to go for victory reasoning that they needed to maximize their rewards.


    Free attribute points were there for the taking.


    Universal Points to purchase better abilities.


    A free bonus ability choice.


    A level up for the Dread Paladin.


    For Ghost Sorcerer, the possibility of upgrading the beating source of his magic.


    The wealth and status the slaver kingdom offered meant nothing to the pair.


    All they wanted was revenge.


    Weeks of practicing, running through spawn zones and waiting was almost at an end.


    Cal had delivered what had been promised.


    The Cabal¡¯s main base no longer held secrets.


    The inner council¡¯s secret sanctums had been discovered.


    Dozens of safe houses scattered throughout Miami and the rest of the region had been marked.


    The noose around the Vitiator¡¯s neck slowly tightened.


    Soon, they¡¯d finally be able to spring the lever.


    ¡°May I try?¡± the Dread Paladin rasped.


    ¡°I¡¯d say we go 80-85% of our max capabilities. This is only the first spawn zone. We¡¯ve got two more after,¡± Ghost Sorcerer said. ¡°I¡¯m going to keep my best stuff hidden unless we need it to win. Winning means we¡¯ll probably get something better or more upgrades, so I think it¡¯s worth it. But, you do you, like usual.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll try to do what you said.¡±


    ¡°Get ready,¡± the referee said.


    They regarded the starting line and the digital clock standing to the side.


    The mall¡¯s entrance gaped open into a dark, shadowy, monster-filled hell.


    Ghost Sorcerer nodded.


    The Dread Paladin stood like a statue, black spear planted into the concrete.


    The bell rang.

 7.17

    Miami, Florida, New American Republic, December 16, 2036


    ¡°Hey, Hayden?¡± Jayde poked her in the side.


    ¡°What?¡± she sighed.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go for a walk. Get some sun. Some ice cream,¡± Jayde continued.


    ¡°Both of your arms are in casts.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s why I need you to hold my cones.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon¡­ it¡¯s not good to sit around on the couch all day.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re supposed to be resting. Your hands and wrists are broken. Dayana tore an ACL. And I¡¯m¡­¡±


    ¡°All that¡¯s going to be fine for the finals. We¡¯ve got two weeks and ¡®Lord Wynn¡¯s¡¯ paying for the best medical and magical treatment his wealth and connections can buy.¡±


    ¡°Look, I just want to sit here and¡ª¡±


    ¡°Stare at the TV? The TV that is currently off?¡±


    ¡°Yeah!¡± she snapped.


    ¡°Look, I get it. I really do, but that Soul Netter guy said that you need to do things to get over it quicker.¡±


    ¡°Since when did you talk to him?¡±


    ¡°In the hospital, after. While waiting for X-rays and these babies,¡± Jayde held up her casts. ¡°Magical depression is better than the normal kind, apparently, it¡¯ll go away completely¡­ eventually,¡± she shrugged.


    Hayden heard the words, but she didn¡¯t really process them.


    The words made sense, but she simply didn¡¯t have the will or energy to listen to them.


    ¡°So¡­ you need to move around¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m covered in bruises and dozens of microfractures. My head hurts and I just don¡¯t want to.¡±


    ¡°Get some sun, smell the ocean, sugar¡ª¡±


    A knock on their door.


    ¡°You should get that,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Casts, remember?¡± Jayde waved them in her face.


    ¡°Fine!¡± she snapped and stomped to the door. She cautiously looked through the peephole. ¡°Fuck¡­ just perfect,¡± she opened it with a frown.


    ¡°Hello!¡± Cal said.


    ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°Caught your match last night. Thought to check-in. See how you guys are doing.¡±


    ¡°Fine, come-in, whatever,¡± she flounced back to the couch.


    ¡°Hey, Boss,¡± Jayde said. ¡°Hayden won¡¯t take me out for ice cream.¡±


    Cal held up the grocery bag. ¡°What a lucky coincidence, huh?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Jayde practically ripped it out of his hands.


    ¡°Careful, you¡¯re hurt,¡± he said.


    ¡°Not badly enough that I can¡¯t spoon myself some ice cream,¡± Jayde rummaged through the bag and came out with carton of the cold, sweet, creamy treat. ¡°Strawberry Cheesecake? Weird, but I do like all those elements¡­¡± she disappeared into the kitchen.¡±


    ¡°I knew she was exaggerating,¡± Hayden muttered.


    ¡°She was just trying to help. So, how¡¯s Dayana?¡±


    ¡°Knee got jacked pushing herself past limits. She¡¯s asleep right now. Should be good for the final match. We all should be fine. Thanks to you. I guess.¡±


    ¡°Magically-induced depression, huh? Want to talk about it?¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s here. It¡¯ll be gone. There done.¡±


    ¡°Want to talk about anything else?¡±


    Hayden glared at the man.


    ¡°You know what¡­ why the fuck not!¡± she snapped. ¡°I was watching TV and guess who I saw running through a spawn zone?¡±


    ¡°I made sure that you were aware of all aspects of his involvement in the overall plan. You had agreed.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I did, but I¡¯m feeling like a hypocrite right now, just like you,¡± she said.


    ¡°You still want revenge?¡±


    ¡°I never stopped. Just cause I¡¯ve kept quiet about it for the last few years doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ve forgotten what he did to Kath and the Hearts.¡±


    Cal nodded.


    ¡°You can¡¯t expect me to forget about it when the guy that murdered my mentor is out there working on the same side that I¡¯m on.¡±


    ¡°I agree¡ª¡±


    ¡°Sure, you¡¯ve turned him into your attack dog. Killing only bad people and monsters. Sure, I get that his power is an asset to what we¡¯re trying to accomplish here. But, it still stinks of hypocrisy. I don¡¯t believe he can ever make up for all the good people he¡¯s killed. There are no amount of evil assholes that he can kill to make up for what he took from the world when he murdered Kath.¡±


    ¡°I agree¡ª¡±


    ¡°Which leads back to the hypocrisy. I hear all about the greater good, but can you really do that when you¡¯re using an evil guy? Isn¡¯t it tainted?¡±


    ¡°You can ask the enslaved people we free.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a cheap shot.¡±


    Cal shrugged. ¡°Have I ever encouraged you to forget?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Revenge¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t compare me to him!¡± she snapped.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t going to¡­ I say this strictly to you. Revenge is entirely up to you. I had only asked you to reconsider in light of a potential greater good,¡± he held her gaze. ¡°Which, we are now on the cusp off. I know you wouldn¡¯t argue against freeing these people, and destroying evil, like the slavers and the Cabal.¡±


    ¡°After¡­¡±


    ¡°You can seek revenge. Although, I¡¯d discourage it.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t think we can kill him,¡± she narrowed her eyes.


    ¡°Not at all. I think you would kill him. It¡¯s just that¡­ you wouldn¡¯t be able to do it unscathed. The three of you have grown stronger, but so has the Dread Paladin. You, Dayana, Jayde¡­ one or more of you will join him. And that would be a waste.¡±


    ¡°Why do you always do that? Cooper? Dread Paladin? You always talk like he¡¯s two different people.¡±


    ¡°Because that¡¯s what they are. The latter created from the trauma inflicted by the Cabal on the former when he wasn¡¯t even a man. With a large dash of the Vow, I¡¯m still not sure what that is exactly. Could just be a class thing or something worse, something purposeful with a will of it¡¯s own.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not making a case for letting him live to continue to get stronger.¡±


    ¡°You got me there,¡± Cal shrugged. ¡°Or maybe I¡¯m banking on Cooper coming back after getting the one thing he cares about. After he gets revenge, I hope he¡¯ll come back fully and realize what he¡¯s done and become in his quest. The guilt will drive him forward to atone, but he¡¯ll know that he can never truly make up for all the murders and terror he¡¯s caused innocent people.¡±


    ¡°Well, shit, you almost make it sound like I¡¯d be doing him a favor by killing him. That doesn¡¯t seem like much of a life. Traveling the land, fighting evil in a never ending Quest until you eventually run into something you can¡¯t kill.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s speculation,¡± Cal admitted, ¡°but, I think it¡¯s the most likely outcome of his path.¡±


    Hayden stared at her dark-eyed reflection in the TV screen.


    ¡°I¡¯m still focused on the plan. At least in my part of it. God knows how many different pieces you¡¯ve got circling around in this shithole.¡±


    ¡°America¡¯s dangling turd,¡± he nodded.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what Shrewed calls it.¡±


    ¡°I can see that,¡± she nodded. ¡°I saw his match with the clown. If you¡¯re going to check on him, tell him thanks from us, especially Jayde. Fuck that fat clown.¡±


    ¡°I can do that.¡±


    ¡°Okay, you can leave now. I¡¯ll be fine. I understand what¡¯s at stake and I won¡¯t let myself get distracted. We free the enslaved and destroy the rest.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ not everyone. There are some people here that don¡¯t agree with slavery and they do try to avoid benefiting from it.¡±


    ¡°That seems nearly impossible from what I¡¯ve seen. The enslaved are doing all the work. Stores, restaurants, cleaning. Nine times out of ten its a person with a collar.¡±


    ¡°We have to understand that not everyone has the power to openly defy it. And those that do end up dead.¡±


    Hayden shrugged.


    ¡°Give my regards to Dayana when she¡¯s awake.¡±


    She watched him leave.


    ¡°Hey, Hayden!¡± Jayde called from the kitchen. ¡°Come eat some ice cream before it¡¯s gone!¡±


    Her limbs felt heavy and the couch exerted a gravity-like pull on her, but she fought it and rose with a groan.


    <hr>


    Miami, Florida, New American Republic, December 2036


    ¡°I don¡¯t know who you sucked off last night, Hanabi, but you must¡¯ve done a great job. You¡¯re the luckiest bitch I¡¯ve ever had shit luck to lay my eyes on.¡± Jayden blinked those porcine eyes as he waited for a reaction. The bruising under his eyes and around his bandaged nose hadn¡¯t faded much.


    Hanna regarded him as she always did when they crossed paths in the stadium. She looked at him as he truly was. A turd on the sidewalk. Not even in the grass.


    ¡°Tch,¡± he snorted. ¡°You¡¯ve got another fifteen feeders waiting for you to train up. Someone with money and connections must¡¯ve liked that shitshow your students,¡± he sneered, ¡°put on yesterday. Even paid for standard gear for your feeders. Plus, you¡¯d been pushed back in the schedule. Your next fight isn¡¯t in a few days. It¡¯s in a week. Not that it¡¯ll make a difference. Next monster you fight will tear the rest of them ugly wastes to shreds and then maybe this secret nobleman that¡¯s taken a liking to you will slap a collar around your neck and save me from¡ª¡±


    Hanna turned and left the foul man¡¯s office.


    ¡°Hey! I¡¯m not done with you¡­¡±


    Oh?


    But she was.


    The information was a surprise.


    She thought about Cal.


    Was this his influence?


    The note she had found on her forehead this morning made no mention of it.


    The sole instruction was to pay special attention to the one-eyed girl and keep her safe.


    Easier asked than done.


    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    How was she going to keep any of them safe?


    She reached the practice field to find that her students had indeed doubled.


    The 15 survivors of the monster match stood together in five neat lines, three deep. While the ragged newcomers were huddled together uncertainly near the left dugout under the cruel eyes of the trainers.


    ¡°Lift those sticks and you lose a hand like, Chad,¡± she said flatly.


    The trainers bristled.


    ¡°You¡¯re done here.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got our eyes on you. Anything suspicious and you¡¯re done,¡± one of the trainers said as they moved into the stands.


    ¡°We¡¯ll get you back for Chad,¡± another said.


    Hanna had already dismissed them from her focus. She strode to the new arrivals. ¡°You know why you¡¯re here?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going to be fed to the monsters!¡± a young man spat.


    He looked strong. Not as malnourished as the majority of the others.


    ¡°That is their intent. Mine is to make it as difficult for them.¡±


    ¡°By what? Training us? I don¡¯t need training,¡± the young man said.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°Lance¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s your class? Level?¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask your bosses? They should know.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m asking you, Lance.¡±


    ¡°What does it matter? You¡¯re feeding us to monsters.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s so I know how to integrate you into our tactics,¡± she gestured toward her first batch of students. ¡°You see them? Fifteen. Fifteen when there were twenty-one. Six dead against a mutated bear with two heads. Just like you, they only had a week to train under me. Now there are thirty of you.¡±


    The young man glared at her. ¡°Axeman, Level 19.¡±


    ¡°Axe and shield?¡±


    ¡°Of course, what else would I use?¡± he scoffed. ¡°I need an actual defense since I¡¯m not high enough level to have those Skills.¡±


    ¡°Enhanced Strength passive?¡±


    ¡°Lesser¡­¡±


    ¡°So, you can wield a two-handed axe with one hand,¡± she nodded. ¡°Alright, Lance, fall in over there,¡± she gestured toward her original students. ¡°Deirdre,¡± she addressed the old woman mage, who had taken on a leadership role for the group of fifteen, now thirty condemned men, women and kids, ¡°lead them through the warm-ups while I get the rest of their classes down.¡±


    ¡°You got it, Hanabi,¡± Deirdre said.


    Hanna steeled herself once again to wring life and hope out of over a dozen forlorn faces that had none.


    How many would make through the next fight?


    She kept the two groups as separate units at first to assess their options.


    The second batch was worse than the first. There were only a handful of people with combat classes.


    She integrated those into the first group while training the rest up as best she could.


    Luckily for them, she had a Skill that sped up the learning process and by the end of the first day everyone had the generic fighter or warrior class depending on how they saw it.


    As her students showered before heading back to their bunks deep in the stadium¡¯s bowels she waited in the small, dingy office Jayden had placed her in.


    She kept the door open to listen and make sure that none of the trainers and guards decided to have fun with her students. She had already caught a few of them in the early days trying even after she had taken Chad¡¯s hand and left many others wounded. She had thrashed those to make an example.


    None had tried since the last piece of filth, but she wasn¡¯t taking chances.


    A knock on the door frame.


    ¡°Please, come in and have seat.¡±


    ¡°Deirdre said you wanted to talk to me,¡± the one-eyed girl said flatly.


    ¡°You still don¡¯t want to share your name? Not even with Deirdre?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s nice, but I don¡¯t have a name.¡±


    Hanna nodded. ¡°We need to be able to call you something. At least for the fights.¡±


    ¡°Whatever is fine,¡± the one-eyed girl kept her gaze locked on the surface of Hanna¡¯s desk.


    ¡°Do you know about the basilisk?¡±


    The girl said nothing.


    ¡°It¡¯s a mythological creature. Some myths said it was a snake, others said it was more like a lizard. They said that it had breathed poison and could kill with its eyes. I¡¯m almost sure that the spires probably put this creature somewhere out there, probably around Greece. Now, I know you don¡¯t have a class. I know people like you.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know me.¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t, but I have eyes. I see that you¡¯ve been made to suffer. I saw what you did to that bear thing. I want to help you, all of you, survive this and I need to know your abilities to do that.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I won¡¯t push, but can I teach you to look out for the right moments to use your ability?¡±


    The girl nodded after a long moment.


    ¡°Without a class you have to rely on your ability and your strength and skill. I¡¯m a swordmaster. I can teach you the blade. I can do it in a condensed time frame. You won¡¯t learn as fast as those with classes, but a week of hard training with me is like a month with any other teacher.¡±


    ¡°You cut off that man¡¯s hand. You stopped him from¡­ hurting¡­ me. Why don¡¯t you just kill all the bad men?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t.¡±


    The girl nodded at that. She stood and walked out of the office.


    They trained everyday, all day long.


    Physical training in the morning. Followed by simple formation drills with spears and shields while mages and ranged fighters worked on their accuracy at the far end of the field.


    The afternoon was devoted to specific tactics, which tended to be holding the spear and shield wall, while the ranged group fired from behind.


    Which left a few hours as the sun began to dip for Hanna to teach the sword to those that wanted to learn or she deemed would benefit from it. There were things for even the axeman to learn.


    ¡°The most important thing about melee combat is distance. You must understand when you can land a strike and when your opponent can do the same. Footwork is the key to this. Proper movement will take you from being out of your opponent¡¯s range to in for a strike and back out again before receiving on in return,¡± Hanna said as she demonstrated basic footwork.


    Forward and back.


    Then side to side.


    Angles.


    Never crossing her feet.


    Always keeping a balanced stance.


    Light on her toes.


    Her students copied her.


    A few moved confidently and correctly.


    The rest needed work, but were picking it up.


    ¡°Now,¡± she took up a practice longsword, ¡°watch me.¡±


    She moved and cut with a few simple strikes.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to swing with your arms and body like a baseball hitter. If your blade is sharp, then simple, precise technique is all you need.¡±


    She kept her promise.


    When fight day arrived many of her students had new or changed classes.


    Swordsman, swordswoman, sword warrior, sword fighter.


    All under Level 10, but to turn a person without a combat class into that within a week or two?


    Unheard of.


    Jayden wasn¡¯t happy.


    The nobles keeping an eye, however, were of a different mind.


    They saw potential.


    Potential in the people they had deemed useful only as fodder.


    Potential in the woman responsible for the growth.


    Greedy eyes licked their lips in anticipation at the bidding wars to come.


    ¡°I hear they¡¯ve got something special for you special little students, Hanabi,¡± Jayden sneered.


    She ignored him.


    Her focus was on her thirty out near where home plate used to be.


    The stadium was full and rocking.


    She could barely hear her own thoughts over the roaring crowd.


    Jayden took a seat on the bench. ¡°I¡¯m going to be right here. Don¡¯t want to miss a thing. Yup, going to be a brutal bloodbath. I hear you¡¯ve got a lot of interested people watching today. Normally, the really big boys don¡¯t care about feeder matches, but you¡¯ve changed all that. You should be proud. Rumor is that if any of your students survive to the end of the championships then they¡¯re going to go on auction. I figure the nobles will want them as gladiators or for their own household guards. There¡¯s some kinky fucks out there trying to breed them like dogs. Thinks if you put two high level people together, you increase the chances the kid will turn out high level. Or if you¡¯ve got an upgraded class¡­ that sort of thing. Say? Kinda like you, swordmaster? You know that sounds weird to me¡­ master¡­ shouldn¡¯t it be mistress? Or ma¡¯am¡­ swordma¡¯am sounds more normal. Or swordbitch. Swordslut. Swordwhore.¡± He chuckled. ¡°There is one exception¡­ your little, one-eyed pet. She don¡¯t have a class. She¡¯s useless. No one will want her. That means she¡¯s stuck here. And when you move on. She¡¯ll be alone. You won¡¯t be around to protect her. Chad¡¯ll get what he wants first for payback. Then the rest of the guys,¡± he leered. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll make sure to use her up before we feed her to the monsters. She¡¯s ugly as fuck, but she¡¯s got three warm holes and that¡¯s all you really ne¡ª¡± he yelped.


    The bench and wall behind him were shredded into splinters by dozens of invisible swords.


    Hanna turned to face him.


    ¡°You fucking bit¡ª¡±


    His head whipped to the side as a thin cut appeared on his cheek, followed by a second on his other cheek.


    ¡°What I¡¯m hearing, Jayden, is that I have to kill you, Chad and everyone else in this place before I leave. Is that right?¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t get away with it!¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t I? From what you¡¯re saying, I¡¯m very valuable. Wouldn¡¯t it be easier to find replacements for you and yours? There¡¯s already a so-called noble paying quite a lot for what I¡¯m doing, isn¡¯t there?¡±


    Jayden scrambled from the dugout and back into the tunnel like a terrified gopher.


    Hanna turned a stoic face back to the field just as the large iron gate in the modified outfield wall began to slide open.


    Five monsters sprinted out of the dark tunnel.


    ¡°Circle formation!¡± she called out.


    Her students responded instantly.


    Spears and shields surrounded the ranged and those with different weapons.


    Sharp, iron spearheads bristled outwardly like an agitated porcupine


    She had never encountered these monsters before.


    They contained physical characteristics of mammals and reptiles. Thick fur sat in random-seeming patterns. The rest of the body was covered by scales. They had long, low heads, square jaws, a mouth filled with jagged, knife-like teeth. Some featured four legs, some six. Their forelegs were longer resembling arms.


    They loped across the arena floor like primates. Strong, lean muscles rippled beneath strong, supple scales.


    There was a lack of uniformity in coloration.


    Most were a combination of greens, browns and yellows that reminded her of military camouflage.


    Two monsters were slightly different in the splashes of red and blue, respectively, on their muzzles.


    She learned why when the former got within 15 feet of her students¡¯ spear and shield wall.


    It spat a glob of flaming mucus that struck a shield, which went up like an old, dry Christmas tree that should¡¯ve been thrown out as soon as the first day of the year rolled around.


    The wielder cried out with pain and fear casting then burning shield away.


    The man and woman on either side tried to shift to cover the weak point in their circle.


    The monsters didn¡¯t give them the time.


    One hurled itself at the shield-less man.


    Momentum carried the monster into the spear.


    Sharp iron punctured its scale-armored chest and found its heart.


    Momentum carried the monster¡¯s snapping teeth into the man¡¯s head.


    The helmet failed to protect him.


    The dying monster clawed at the dead man¡¯s body in its last moments before falling still.


    Another monster made it through the gap before they could close it. The one with splashes of blue scales on its head. It spat a glob of blue-white mucus that turned into ice the instant it hit Deirdre¡¯s face.


    The old woman fell to her knees tearing frantically at the ice.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡± Lance rushed in and drew blood with an axe hit to the flank.


    The monster swiped but the young man¡¯s long-handled axe kept him out of range.


    Mages shot spells.


    The monster reared up and charged the closest mage.


    ¡°Block!¡± Lance stepped in to take the bow and was sent stumbling away.


    The monster grabbed the mage with its forelimbs crushing and piercing through chainmail.


    Other mages continued to hit the monster with spells while the man in its grasp screamed for help.


    The sword fighter darted in aiming for the softer spot underneath where a forelimb connected to the torso. ¡°Piercing Thr¡ª!¡±


    The monster reared up on its hind legs and kick out with its mid legs.


    The sword fighter failed to anticipate the blow. His shield was out of position.


    The bone-crushing hit sent him rolling across the dirt.


    A swordswoman came in from the opposite side hacking at the monster¡¯s hind leg with more enthusiasm than skill or Skills.


    Meanwhile, the one-eyed girl methodically chipped away at the ice covering Deirdre¡¯s face. She tried not to see the pleading in the old woman¡¯s wide, frozen eyes.


    Hanna struggled to see what occurred inside the circle formation.


    The three remaining monsters menaced the ring of spears jutting out from a tightly-packed barrier of shields.


    Her students thrust while the monsters swiped at the hardwood shafts.


    The crowd suddenly roared.


    The blue-splashed monster reared up.


    Its head and upper torso smoked and burned, blood flowed from numerous stabs and cuts, two swords planted in the sides of its neck.


    Hanna watched it topple like a felled tree back out of view.


    Good, she thought.


    Her ranged fighters could now focus on the three remaining monsters.


    Arrows, bolts and spells launched out from the middle of the formation peppering the monsters.


    Maddened by the wounds inflicted, they threw themselves onto the spears.


    Each monster died.


    They died hard, however, taking a handful of her students in their last frenzied moments.


    Hanna threw the heavy iron door open and rushed out onto the field.


    The crowd bayed for blood.


    The excitement in the announcer¡¯s voice filled her with rage.


    The formation parted way for her.


    What she beheld was carnage.


    The foul stench of blood and waste assailed her nose.


    Everywhere she looked she saw an unmoving body or a bloody limb.


    She searched desperately for the one-eyed girl.


    Found her surrounded by others.


    The girl crouched beside a body.


    Deirdre.


    Hanna relaxed when she saw that the old woman¡¯s armor-covered chest rise and fall.


    Deirdre¡¯s face was a red mask of cold burns and blistered, peeled skin.


    ¡°Quickly! Stabilize the worst injuries!¡± she directed the few mages with the basic healing spell and those with useful Skills or training.


    The stadium had an attached medical staff. A doctor, some with healing magic, others with varying levels of medic and first-aid Skills.


    However, they were always slow to act when it came to feeders and jobbers.


    Hanna had seen it often over the past weeks.


    A few of her students would die if they waited for treatment from the slavers.


    She ignored the crowd while she helped.

 7.18

    Miami, Florida, New America Republic, December 2036


    General Mark Johnson strode into the workshop with straight-backed purpose.


    He ignored the slave assistants performing their duties as he did with any unused tool. They existed only when he needed to utilize them.


    When he didn¡¯t?


    They stayed where they belonged, forgotten in the toolbox.


    ¡°Noel!¡± he barked.


    No answer.


    He continued to stride through the aisles of worktables, cabinets and machines that seemed to litter the place in a haphazard manner.


    He ground his teeth at the disorder.


    A magitech fabrication device sat on a stout work table next to what looked like a mundane air fryer.


    Yes¡­ he caught the sent of french fried potatoes wafting in the air created by the giant AC vents in the ceiling.


    ¡°Noel!¡± he snapped.


    The slaves ignored him busy in their own worlds.


    Tasks ordered by their master.


    He passed a large cage with a dozen uncollared people seated on the concrete floor.


    He paid them scant attention.


    They had been broken. Useless until they were fitted with a collar. Then and only then would they bring value to the New American Republic.


    He could tell by the way their heads hung low, their jaws slack, eyes staring at nothing.


    More walking.


    More time wasted.


    He was a busy man.


    His plate had already been filled to overflowing with everything he had to deal with because of the Freedom Championships. Another shit sandwich had been added to the pile with the recent attack on a supply convoy by an unknown group of assailants that left barely a thimble full of evidence for them to track.


    ¡°Noel!¡±


    He finally found the annoying man hunched over a worktable.


    ¡°Slaver General!¡± Noel threw a lazy salute blinking through a goggle-like contraption with multiple lenses that glowed with different colors.


    ¡°That¡¯s General Johnson,¡± he said reflexively.


    The punk did it on purpose.


    He knew it for a fact.


    Noel knew what he liked to be called as he had made it clear on multiple occasions.


    ¡°Okay¡­ General Johnson,¡± Noel shrugged.


    ¡°Did you forget something, Noel?¡±


    Noel scratched his head. ¡°If I forgot something¡­ then I wouldn¡¯t know what it was until I remembered it,¡± he spoke as though to a slow child.


    General Johnson stifled the urge to slap the younger man. ¡°I scheduled a meeting with you in my office,¡± he said through grit teeth.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t do that,¡± Noel said lightly. ¡°Bad for your teeth and it¡¯s probably why you¡¯re always getting headaches.¡±


    ¡°I do not¡ª the meeting!¡± he snapped.


    ¡°I guess I forgot,¡± Noel shrugged. ¡°Sorry about that Slaver General Mark, let¡¯s reschedule. Just check my availability with Sheryl out front.¡± Noel returned to his work with a dismissive wave.


    ¡°Listen hear you little shit! I¡¯m not done talking to you!¡± he grabbed Noel¡¯s shoulder and spun the punk around.


    ¡°Hey, careful! This is sensitive stuff I¡¯m working on,¡± Noel gestured to the spread on his work table.


    It looked like a disassembled slave collar.


    ¡°No need to get your panties all twisted up, Slaver General Mark Johnson.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s General Johnson or sir!¡± he snapped.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get the big deal. It¡¯s your class,¡± Noel shrugged.


    The slaver general thought back to the days before the spire.


    He had been career army.


    Never wanted anything else.


    He had never advanced beyond lieutenant despite close to two decades of active service.


    Inappropriate behavior toward the women beneath him, above him and on the same level, they said.


    What was inappropriate was having women serving alongside men in the first place.


    War was no place for them.


    They were weaker, softer.


    He was proved right when the base he was stationed in crumbled within a year after the spires had appeared.


    It was luck that landed him in his current position and rank.


    ¡°Um¡­ you were about to say something?¡± Noel blinked.


    ¡°Take that ridiculous shit off your face!¡±


    ¡°Jeez, someone¡¯s wound up tight. I know you¡¯ve got some lovely ladies on your essential support staff. Seems like you need to wet your dick. I do it a couple of times a day. Takes the edge off whenever I¡¯m feeling brain-locked.¡±


    ¡°The collars for the monsters and animals¡­¡±


    ¡°What about them? They¡¯re working great. Haven¡¯t you watched the MOBA events? Too busy?¡± Noel shrugged. ¡°Not one failure¡­ that resulted from my collar malfunction. It¡¯s not my fault if some dumbass accidentally fries it or cuts it off. Even then the monsters are supposed to fight anyways so it¡¯s not, like, a big deal.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about the little ones. I want to know how close you are to getting the bigger ones on-line.¡±


    ¡°No idea,¡± Noel shrugged. ¡°Trialing the middleweight version in about a week or two. It¡¯s kinda bottlenecked at that size. Not really worth moving forward with the heavyweight version until we get a breakthrough on the mid beasties. Like I told you and everyone else at the last meeting,¡± he rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Can you get something good enough in the next few days?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I need magic trackers I can control.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°The mana hounds. You remember? They were one of the monster species that we made a priority to get control of.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Noel waved, ¡°they¡¯re also the ones giving me the most problems. The mana-sensing organ in their heads interferes with the collar¡¯s magic. So¡­ that¡¯s not happening, not in days or even weeks, give me a year or two,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have a year or two. Or were you not paying attention in the meeting. The king wants us to find our property and find who took it.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like a you problem,¡± Noel shot finger guns.


    ¡°I¡¯m making it your problem.¡±


    ¡°Pfftt¡­ whatever, bro¡­ oh, sorry, Slaver General Johnson. I¡¯ll give it a shot. An impossible challenge is just what I need to get my brain flowing. Haven¡¯t had that in awhile. Or course, I¡¯m going to have to ease back on my other projects¡­ which I¡¯m doing on your authority, right?¡±


    ¡°Just get it done.¡±


    <hr>


    All across the Miami area in scattered stadiums and arenas the Freedom Championships continued into its third week.


    ¡°Master! Watch out!¡± Mena cried.


    Adal turned to a rogue dropping out of concealment lunging with a sword aimed at his chest.


    ¡°Protect My Master!¡± Talia appeared out of nowhere to take the thrust for him. She cried out in pain as it plunged through her chain and padded clothing into her shoulder.


    ¡°Reflective Shield!¡± Adal held a hand up while he supported Talia.


    The rogue sneered and took a deep breath before vanishing from Adal¡¯s notice.


    ¡°Mena! Wind! Around us!¡± Adal ordered.


    The rogue¡¯s two teammates, a hammer and shield wielding fighter and a basic mage, advanced. They stayed their hands for the moment having already once felt the sting from Adal¡¯s shield.


    ¡°Wind Wall!¡± Mena thrust her staff into the air.


    A small, weak tornado encircled the trio.


    It wouldn¡¯t keep the other team from attacking, but that wasn¡¯t why Adal had ordered Mena to cast it.


    ¡°Keep an eye out for the rogue, Mena, while I help Talia,¡± Adal said. ¡°Here,¡± he poured a healing potion over the wound.


    He had gotten disgruntled looks from the team they had defeated in the previous round.


    Potions were costly.


    One didn¡¯t see them often in Bronze Division matches and events.


    Being the son of noble lord had its perks and the other teams were just jealous and sore losers anyways.


    ¡°Thank you, Master,¡± Talia winced as the potion went to work sealing the bloody wound. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for failing you.¡±


    ¡°No, you didn¡¯t. You saved me,¡± Adal said. ¡°Now, are you ready?¡±


    She nodded earnestly.


    ¡°Taunt when I say.¡±


    Adal watched the swirling winds as Talia and Mena stood in front of him barring the path of the fighter and mage. He didn¡¯t care about them at the moment. He wanted the rogue.


    And he found the young man¡¯s form revealed by the cloud of dirt whipped into the air by Mena¡¯s spell.


    ¡°Got you, asshole,¡± he muttered. ¡°Master¡¯s Mark!¡± he pointed at the rogue. ¡°There, Talia, taunt him! Take him out, Mena, wind whip!¡± He stepped forward as his girls dealt with the rogue to face the fighter and the mage as they abandoned caution and charged through the swirling dust. ¡°Force Shield!¡± he knocked them off their feet.


    In a larger stadium, a team waited in the tunnel for their match to start.


    It shook with the stomping of thousands of pairs of feet.


    The cheering forced them to raise their voices.


    ¡°Cara, remember to keep Licorice and Goldy back. Team Alpha Sigma are a bunch of sadistic bastards, they¡¯ll target them just to get to you,¡± Amber said.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t help that the no-killing rule doesn¡¯t apply to pets and summons,¡± Trevor added.


    ¡°I know,¡± Cara scowled.


    ¡°Those douchebros really get off on making people feel pain,¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°We know, Trevor, we¡¯ve seen their previous matches,¡± Amber said. ¡°Now, Cara, I¡¯m not saying keep Licorice and Goldy out of the fight, just pick their spots and minimize their risks.¡±


    The huge, black, mastiff-like mutt barked an affirmative before rubbing his big, blocky head against Cara¡¯s side.


    The huge golden eagle perched on the young woman¡¯s shoulder screeched in agreement regarding Amber with disapproval. As if to say, we¡¯re warriors too, we understand and accept the compact. Death was ever present in the fight.


    ¡°It shouldn¡¯t be a big problem,¡± Trevor said.


    Amber scowled at the man.


    Where had that annoying perpetual grin gone?


    ¡°This is a team we don¡¯t have to hold back against,¡± he continued. ¡°You got that, Amber? Cara? Dog? Bird?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you?¡± Amber said. ¡°We¡¯ve all seen the same report on them and how they normally act. They deserve nothing from us.¡±


    ¡°Good, just so we¡¯re all on the same page.¡±


    The gate slid open ponderously.


    ¡°They made it slow just to mess with us,¡± Trevor muttered.


    The announcer¡¯s voice cut through the crowd noise.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°¡­ all the way from sunny California¡­ The Watch! The Amberknight, Cy and Dr. Doolittle!¡­ Versus!¡­ Team Alpha Sigma! Brett, Chandler and Robert!¡±


    The Watch didn¡¯t listen to the rest of it.


    They focused solely on the timer counting down.


    The siren blared.


    Trevor snatched a rock from one of the many pouches on his belt.


    Mach Throw.


    Over a hundred yards away the other team didn¡¯t have time to react.


    The projectile crossed the distance in the blink of an eye with a loud boom that silenced the crowd.


    The enemy mage¡­ Brett? Chandler? Trevor couldn¡¯t remember, took the rock to and through his knee.


    ¡°Just wanted to make a point,¡± Trevor shrugged.


    The other two men roared with rage. One visibly swelled in size as a reddish haze wafted off his body.


    ¡°Rage Skill,¡± Amber said. ¡°I¡¯ll deal with him. Trevor, can you keep the other one busy?¡±


    ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll even toss a few over to one-knee every once in a while to keep his head down.¡±


    ¡°Cara¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know, Amber¡­ I¡¯ll watch for a good, safe-ish opening,¡± Cara sighed.


    Amber strode forward then broke into a run.


    Ghostly plate armor appeared over her body in her name¡¯s color. Followed by a ghostly longsword of the same.


    Unburdened by the physical weight of mundane armor she dived into a roll underneath the raging warrior¡¯s wild stroke of his blood-stained axe.


    She came up behind slashing through his thick pants severing both hamstrings.


    It didn¡¯t matter if you were temporarily immune to pain if your body was damaged enough that no amount of Skills or magic could compensate and allow you to go beyond what was biologically possible.


    ¡°Haste!¡±


    Amber heard the pained voice.


    The enemy mage.


    A heavy impact to her back ragdolled Amber across the dirt.


    She came out of it and blindly stop-cut her longsword in front of her.


    The clang of steel and magic rang out.


    The third Alpha Sigma member wielded a steel sword and shield.


    The man leered as he slashed and stabbed with impossible speed.


    She was pushed into survival mode. For every strike she managed to parry, three more got through to score lines on her magic armor.


    A baseball streaked over her shoulder and beaned the man in the side of his helmet.


    ¡°Licorice¡­ Iron Fur! Go get him!¡±


    The giant, nearly 300 pound dog bounded over Amber and latched on to the man¡¯s sword arm.


    She heard the crunch of the steel gauntlet or maybe that was bone.


    ¡°Disarm!¡± Cara bellowed.


    Hopefully, not literally or¡­ there weren¡¯t any rules against maiming.


    A huge wave of fire suddenly erupted from the downed Alpha Sigma mage¡¯s hands.


    Amber rushed forward to block for Licorice and the chew toy he was currently shaking violently.


    Her magic armor could take it.


    She wasn¡¯t as confident in the dog¡¯s ability, despite Cara¡¯s Skill.


    The heat was unbearable sapping her will but it passed quickly.


    Amber blinked.


    It felt as though she had lost the will to live. That the only thing she wanted to do was lie back and give up. Let it happen.


    She made a mental note to bring it up with Jake and Hillary back at the hotel.


    The spell had been more than just magical fire.


    The mage¡¯s face was a mask of pain and hatred as he pointed a finger at her. He opened his mouth just as a baseball beaned him in the face.


    He dropped like a sack of potatoes.


    ¡°My bad!¡± Trevor called out.


    Amber waved him away. She approached the Alpha Sigma fighter in Licorice¡¯s mouth and laid the edge of her magically-conjured sword on his neck. ¡°Give up.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you, cunt! We¡¯re going to f¡ª¡± he yelped as Licorice shook him.


    ¡°Your team likes taking trophies. It looks like he¡¯s found a new favorite chew toy. Isn¡¯t that right, boy?¡±


    Licorice nodded causing the man to whimper.


    ¡°I might want some trophies myself. What do you think? A hand and an arm, like this goodest of boys? Maybe a foot? How bout the shriveled up excuses you¡¯ve got between your legs?¡±


    ¡°OkayokayokayIquit,¡± the man sobbed.


    ¡°The Watch wins!¡±


    The crowd roared.


    ¡°I¡¯m satisfied,¡± Trevor said as they walked back to the tunnel.


    Amber didn¡¯t think she could agree with that.


    Just being in close proximity to those men had left her feeling disgusted on an impossibly deep level.


    It was almost instinctual, primal.


    ¡°I need a long bath,¡± she said.


    ¡°Licorice needs to wash out his mouth. That man tasted wrong,¡± Cara said.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Trevor blinked. ¡°I didn¡¯t know that was possible. For humans to taste wrong. Clearly, I¡¯m missing out by not trying to get the flesh eater class.¡±


    The huge, black dog barked.


    ¡°Normally, people taste like pork,¡± Cara said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ uh¡­ try to forget that,¡± Trevor said.


    In yet another arena, this one with the old hardwood floor long gone in favor of a layer of blood-stained dirt, two men fought.


    ¡°This is kinda boring, sarge¡­¡±


    ¡°Tough dick, Greygrass, you volunteered,¡± Mouthy said around a mouthful of popcorn.


    The two sat high up in the stands surrounded by empty seats.


    The arena wasn¡¯t nearly to capacity and everyone else sat as close to the action as possible.


    ¡°I was getting bored just sitting around the motel.¡±


    ¡°You bored? then make yourself useful and get me some fucking nachos¡­ with cheese and those hot things.¡±


    The young ranger blinked. ¡°You mean jalapenos?¡±


    ¡°Look at you, fancy as a bunch of cats at a motherfucking tea party,¡± Mouthy snorted.


    ¡°A young woman like me¡­ alone in a place like this? You¡¯re the one that said us fragile ladies shouldn¡¯t be going around by ourselves.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t order that cause you¡¯re a chick. I ordered that cause these slavers had it in for us rangers. You see how they did X-Ray dirty down there,¡± mouthy gestured toward the arena floor.


    The man in question was trying and failing to catch a mage.


    The crowd was actually booing.


    ¡°The spells are doing shit to X-Ray, as expected. He¡¯ll catch the mage once he runs out of mana for the haste spell.¡±


    Rangers Bluesilk and Timber chose that moment to return.


    The two young men were burdened with drinks and more snacks.


    ¡°No nachos,¡± Mouthy scowled, ¡°no beer¡­¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ Sarge, you¡¯re the one that ordered no booze while outside,¡± Bluesilk said as he handed sodas over.


    ¡°Nachos, sarge,¡± Timber handed the large cartoon to Mouthy.


    ¡°What¡¯s this green shit?¡±


    ¡°Jalapenos,¡± Timber blinked, ¡°like you asked.¡±


    ¡°Just testing,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°X-Ray still trying to get his hands on that scared dude?¡± Bluesilk said.


    ¡°Yup, round and round they go,¡± Greygrass sighed.


    ¡°Go get him, X-Ray,¡± Mouthy cheered flatly.


    ¡°You could be more enthusiastic, sarge,¡± Timber said.


    ¡°Why? I hate that fucker.¡±


    ¡°Then why are we here?¡± Timber¡¯s brow furrowed.


    ¡°Got to support our fellow rangers, even if they¡¯re like that piece of shit that gets stuck in your asshole hairs,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°Dingleberries, sarge?¡± Bluesilk said.


    ¡°What have I told you about make believe words, ranger?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ all words are make believe, sarge,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Good memory.¡±


    ¡°X-Ray needs to trap him against a corner,¡± Timber said.


    ¡°It¡¯s an oval,¡± Greygrass sighed.


    ¡°Ovular?¡± Timber said.


    ¡°There you are with those made up words again,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°The mage¡¯ll run out of mana eventually,¡± Bluesilk nodded.


    ¡°Throw dirt in his eyes!¡± Mouthy bellowed.


    Down on the arena floor, Ranger X-Ray took every spell his opponent hurled on his bare chest. His ability to absorb magic attacks kept him safe and uninjured while increasing his physical attributes by a fraction of each absorbed spell.


    Unfortunately, for him and the entertainment of the crowd the mage seemed to be going with the tactic of low-powered spells to make his mana supply last longer.


    The booing was starting to get to the man.


    ¡°Stand and fight, puto!¡± he shot rude gestures at the mage as the young man ran away on haste- empowered legs while shooting small darts of magic fire that were simply absorbed. ¡°C¡¯mon, I won¡¯t even hit you that hard.¡±


    ¡°This is getting embarrassing,¡± Greygrass said.


    ¡°More for the other guy, than X-Ray,¡± Timber said.


    ¡°I¡¯m embarrassed for both of them,¡± Bluesilk said.


    ¡°For fuck¡¯s sake,¡± Mouthy said. ¡°Ranger Sergeant¡¯s Command: Hear me. Hey, dumbass, find a rock,¡± she whispered.


    X-Ray¡¯s eyes darted up to the crowd finding Mouthy despite the fact that she was all the way up in the nosebleeds.


    He took a barrage of magic missiles to the face for that but the purple marbles disappeared into him.


    His skin glowed with a faint rainbow of colors from all the different attack spells he had absorbed.


    He scanned the ground and found one as a fireball splashed into his bare chest.


    He rushed over, picked it up, turned and hurled it.


    It clanged off the mage¡¯s helmet like a gong.


    The young man staggered and dropped to one knee.


    ¡°Tsk¡­ finally, asshole couldn¡¯t do it without me,¡± Mouthy snorted.


    X-Ray pounced on the mage battering him into the dirt with, perhaps, excessive force.


    ¡°Pendejo¡­ make me look stupid in front of the fans¡­¡± he spat as the young mage flailed trying to block the rapid-fire punches.


    ¡°You never want to block punches with your face,¡± Timber said.


    ¡°It took you six months to learn that shit,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    ¡°Why do you think I gave you that name?¡±


    ¡°Cause of the way I chop down monsters like trees?¡±


    Mouth snorted.


    ¡°Sorry, dude, but you might want to review your timelines,¡± Bluesilk said.


    ¡°It¡¯s useless,¡± Greygrass smirked. ¡°His memory is shit with all those shots he took,¡± she laughed.


    Far down below, X-Ray raised bloody fists to an unappreciative crowd.


    ¡°Hey, sarge?¡± Greygrass said. ¡°Can I go watch Shrewed¡¯s next fight?¡±


    ¡°Nope, you fucking volunteered for today, so you¡¯re gonna have to watch that on TV,¡± Mouthy said. ¡°The others are gonna get a turn.¡±


    ¡°The motel TV¡¯s are shit, sarge,¡± Bluesilk said.


    ¡°Not my problem. you¡¯re squid shit at thinking long-term.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°They¡¯re mass monsters,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Yeah, they look huge.¡± Hillary leaned toward the TV with tablet and stylus in hand. ¡°Seems like they¡¯d be slow.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d think so, but they¡¯ve advanced this far.¡±


    ¡°What div?¡± Alexa hopped over the back of the couch to plop in the middle. ¡°Del! Grab me some pizza and a beer!¡±


    ¡°What kind?¡± Del called back from the kitchen.


    ¡°One of each and something light!¡± she replied.


    ¡°Silver Division three on three,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s so special about these meatheads?¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°One, they¡¯re from the old government, at least that¡¯s what they claim.¡±


    ¡°Like the Stars and Stripes team and the blind-folded woman,¡± Hillary added.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Jake continued, ¡°and two, they should be physically impossible from the few highlights I¡¯ve caught. I¡¯m pretty sure they don¡¯t have magic or Skills from what I¡¯ve seen.¡±


    ¡°So, they lift weights and take steroids, I remember that being a thing,¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°That gets you huge, not necessarily athletic. Bodybuilders don¡¯t usually focus on things like cardio and flexibility. Normally, and I use the term in a pre-spires sense, guys that huge and bulky would be sucking wind after thirty seconds throwing punches. They definitely weren¡¯t as quick and agile as these guys. You¡¯ll see.¡±


    The match began.


    The three hulking men in a mix of plate armor and combat fatigues sprinted across the arena floor. Two ran side by side behind huge, heavy shields. The third was close on their heels.


    Their opponents fired spells and sprayed bullets that the thick, metal shields blocked.


    ¡°See, no Skills, just really, really strong and fast.¡±


    They closed the distance in seconds.


    The opposing team¡¯s mage cast a magic shield at the last moment.


    The two shield-bearing behemoths slammed into it creating cracks that spider-webbed across the glowing surface.


    The third behemoth leapt high into the air. An impossible leap for a human without magical or Skill enhancements. He slammed a gauntleted fist the size of a ham into the cracked magic shield shattering it.


    The mage cried out from the feedback and was silenced a moment later as the behemoth landed on him.


    ¡°Ouch,¡± Alexa winced, ¡°still don¡¯t see why you¡¯re so interested in this. No class just means they¡¯re probably like Nila, physically superhuman.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but she looks normal, not like these freaks,¡± Hillary said. ¡°Based on size, my calculations are saying that they¡¯re around 500lbs. Normal human hearts can¡¯t handle that size. Think of all the blood and oxygen that needs to be pumped to those muscles. They should be dying of heart attacks right now, not beating up those poor bastards.¡±


    ¡°Jeez, they¡¯re moving really fast,¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°According to the slavers¡¯ assessment there is nothing magical or class-ish in them,¡± Jake said. ¡°Hillary, how¡¯d you explain it?¡±


    ¡°Simplest conjecture is that they are superhuman, like Nila, except visibly bigger,¡± she shrugged. ¡°Or, alterations. Magic and/or Skill-based chemistry. Alchemy, like Santi does. Healing and mana potions effect changes on the physical body without leaving long term traces of magic. Enhancement spells and Skills can and do demonstrate temporary physical changes. So, something along those lines, but permanent. Strengthening bones, muscles, organs everything really, otherwise the body couldn¡¯t handle the weight and power it generates.¡±


    ¡°Silver Div, huh? So, these gorillas are Level 30 to 39 equivalent,¡± Alexa mused. ¡°When does our team fight them?¡±


    ¡°Different bracket. Semi-finals if they both make it that far,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°I mean, it¡¯d be a tough fight, but these guys don¡¯t look unbeatable,¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°I¡¯m more interested in the whole mechanics of it,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Are you jealous?¡± Alexa grinned. ¡°Feeling a little small?¡±


    ¡°Nah.¡±


    ¡°Thinking there¡¯s a super soldier serum out there somewhere?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want to get that bulky and huge anyways. Probably a pain to wipe your own ass.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Jake, they seem pretty flexible. That one guy did a splits-kick to avoid a fire spear.¡±


    ¡°When you¡¯re a quarter ton you¡¯ve got to be careful where you walk, sit¡­ even your bed needs to be reinforced. Their gear and clothing have to be custom.¡±


    ¡°I think it wouldn¡¯t work for you anyways,¡± Hillary said. ¡°You have a class and that takes precedence. Any changes would be temporary. Although, it would be useful to turn into that if you needed to by drinking a potion or taking a pill. But then, what are the possible negative side effects on the body of rapid, violent change,¡± she muttered, ¡°Skills and spells alleviate problematic issues automatically¡­¡±


    Del finally emerged from the kitchen with a plate piled with pizza slices and several beers. ¡°Is it over already?¡±


    ¡°Team USA stomped,¡± Alexa said as she grabbed the plate out of his hand. ¡°What¡¯s the next match?¡±


    ¡°A slaver team against a slaver team,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Ugh¡­ change the channel,¡± Alexa said. ¡°It¡¯s bad enough that I see enslaved people everywhere when I go outside¡­¡±


    ¡°Go to the one versus one Silver Division tournament,¡± Hillary said.


    Jake complied.


    ¡°Oh¡­ hey,¡± Del thrust a finger at the familiar young man on the screen, ¡°it¡¯s that kid Cal brought up to train with the Furies awhile back. What was his name?¡±


    Alexa raised a brow at Hillary.


    ¡°Sticksies¡­ er¡­ Drake¡­¡± Hillary said nonchalantly.


    Jake frowned.

 Interlude: Silver Axe

    Pennsylvania, North America, 2030


    ¡°You hear that, Ray?¡±


    ¡°Pete¡­ I can¡¯t hear nothing.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s coming from the tree line¡­¡± Pete¡¯s voice was a hushed whisper as if he was afraid of being heard despite the fact that they were the only two people on the stretch of wall.


    Ray pulled his carbine from his shoulder and slowly raised it toward the same direction that Pete¡¯s eyes focused like lasers on. He glanced over quickly and saw that his friend¡¯s eyes were wide open, unblinking.


    Pete¡¯s breaths grew heavier, deeper.


    ¡°Calm down, bud. I can¡¯t hear shit,¡± he soothed.


    ¡°No way, man¡­ I can hear it¡ª¡± Pete cursed. ¡°I think it¡¯s my mom!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible,¡± Ray frowned as he scanned the mist-shrouded trees several hundred yards distant through his carbine¡¯s night optics.


    ¡°No! It¡¯s her! We need to go help her!¡± Pete vibrated.


    ¡°I¡¯m telling you, bud! I don¡¯t hear anything!¡± he snapped. ¡°Think, Pete! Why would your mom be outside the walls? No one out unless they¡¯re a fighter or escorted by a fighter and no one goes out at night!¡±


    ¡°I can hear her!¡± Pete hissed. ¡°Listen!¡±


    Ray did against his own will.


    There was something in the calm air carried by the thin mist that seemed to always press in on the town¡¯s boundaries after the sun fell.


    Grasping fingers.


    That¡¯s what the mist looked like to him.


    Hungry from the moment it began a few months ago.


    No one went out a night.


    They manned the walls and fought the monsters.


    The mists seemed to stay back when they did that.


    No eyes meant that the mists crept all the way up and over the walls.


    One brutal time had taught them that lesson.


    ¡°Help me, my son!¡±


    Ray heard it then.


    His hands rattled his carbine against his shoulder and cheek.


    ¡°I twisted my ankle on a root. You know how clumsy I am¡­ I just need you to help me back. Please, my son.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t Pete¡¯s mom.


    It was his.


    Impossible.


    He just had dinner with his mom before starting his overnight shift.


    Her voice sounded concerned, but not panicked.


    Logic dictated that this was impossible.


    No one out after dark.


    The gates were always guarded.


    The walls too high for an older woman to climb down.


    Neither his nor Pete¡¯s mothers could be out there.


    And yet¡­ the voice¡­


    He fought the urge to leap over the edge and rush into the dark, misty forest.


    ¡°Pete, I¡¯m hearing my mom too¡ª¡±


    ¡°No! It¡¯s mine! I need to help her!¡±


    Before he could act, Pete vaulted over the edge.


    His friend was a warrior with a few Skills enhancing his physicals.


    Fifteen feet down was easy.


    Pete hit the ground and rolled to soften the impact.


    He sprinted across the clearing.


    Fifty yards in a handful of seconds.


    ¡°Pete!¡±


    His shout fell on deaf ears.


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    Fingers of mist welcomed Pete into the dark forest as he reached the tree line.


    Silence.


    Not even insects.


    Ray blew his whistle while he swept his carbine across the spot Pete had vanished into.


    He waited for the bark of Pete¡¯s gun or the snarls of a monster.


    Nothing.


    Fellow guards came running a short time later.


    ¡°Pete jumped over and ran into the forest,¡± he said blandly staring at the forest. He expected Pete to pop out at any moment. He didn¡¯t notice someone waving a hand over his eyes.


    ¡°Ray, you need to unfuck whatever this shit is and tell me what the fuck is going on!¡± a gravelly voice snapped.


    Dom, the guy in charge of this side of the wall, put a firm hand on his shoulder.


    He blinked and felt like he had just woken from a deep sleep. From a dream¡­ nightmare.


    Mists of confusion swirled in his head.


    ¡°I¡ª I¡­¡± he took a deep breath.


    ¡°That¡¯s good. Breathe. Focus. Go step by step. What happened? You said Pete ran into the forest. Start there,¡± Dom said.


    ¡°He heard a voice. His mom. Then I heard it too, but it was my mom.¡±


    ¡°Go check on them,¡± Dom glanced at two other guards. ¡°You know that¡¯s impossible right, Ray?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah¡­¡± he shook his head, ¡°wait? We need to go get Pete!¡±


    Dom¡¯s eyes darted away from his to stare out into the dark beyond the torch light. ¡°Where did he go?¡±


    ¡°There!¡± he pointed.


    ¡°Get me a light.¡±


    Another guard turned on a staggeringly bright spot light following Ray¡¯s direction.


    The light cut through the mist and stopped at the tree line.


    The forest remained black as night.


    ¡°It should be in range,¡± Dom murmured.


    ¡°We need to get a team and help Pete!¡±


    ¡°No one goes out at night, Ray,¡± Dom shook his head. ¡°You know that. Pete knew that.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll go at first light.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°Go back to the office. I want to ask you more about this. You two take over,¡± Dom gestured to the other guards, ¡°keep a sharp eye out for Pete and if you hear any any voices, even Pete¡¯s, coming from the forest ignore it and blow your whistles.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ Pete?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, kid, we¡¯ll just be throwing lives away if we go out there now, c¡¯mon. Let¡¯s get you something warm to drink,¡± Dom ushered him down the steps and back into town.


    Ray didn¡¯t want to sleep, not with Pete still out there, but Dom eventually made him go home with the threat that if he didn¡¯t get some rest he wasn¡¯t going to be part of the group that was going to go out at dawn.


    His worried mom met him at the door having been given a fright by the men banging on her door while she slept.


    Relief flooded him at the sight of her face and the sound of her voice.


    What he had heard on the wall seemed so real.


    He didn¡¯t have it in him to tell the story yet again, so he assured her that everything was fine and he¡¯d tell her about it in the morning before heading to his room.


    Still, the voice he had heard, the look in Pete¡¯s eyes haunted him.


    It took a couple of sleeping pills to finally knock him out.


    It was still dark when his mom roused him from the deepest slumber swimming in nightmares.


    The voice from the forest.


    Pete¡¯s panicked pleading and wild eyes as he ran into the grasping hands of the mist.


    Ray ate quickly and was out the door within ten minutes.


    It was still dark but he had to reach the station in time to join the others.


    They waited for the first rays of the sun to peak above the mountains to the east and shine down on the valley forest where Pete had disappeared into.


    Ray piled into the back of the truck with a dozen others.


    Two trucks rolled out the eastern gate.


    It was only a few hundred yards to the tree line but experience had taught them that monsters tended to run faster than men.


    ¡°Listen up!¡± Dom barked. ¡°We¡¯re going in together. Watch each other¡¯s backs. You hear anything, ignore it. I don¡¯t care if it¡¯s your mom, wife or kids. You left them all at home, right? There¡¯s no way they¡¯d be out here.¡±


    Weapons drawn, they moved cautiously into the forest.


    The night mist had receded from the sun¡¯s touch.


    Oh, there was still a thin layer, but it felt normal. It didn¡¯t set your teeth to chattering or send shivers up your spine. It was just natural condensation in the cold fall air.


    They hadn¡¯t searched for long when a whistle went up from the front of the group.


    Ray pushed his way forward and regretted it immediately.


    In an open space underneath the tangled branches of two oak trees was carnage.


    The ground was torn.


    Leaves, bushes, branches broken and scattered.


    A carbine lay broken and twisted.


    He turned away and emptied his breakfast.


    From the sound of it he wasn¡¯t alone.


    ¡°Jesus¡­¡± Dom crossed himself.


    Ray had seen shredded clothing, camo, like they all wore.


    The rest¡­ the rest was bloody chunks and bits of hair.


    Blond.


    Pete¡¯s.


    ¡°Most of him¡¯s gone,¡± Dom said. ¡°Alright, I don¡¯t want to stick around too long. Gather¡­ Pete¡­ gather him up. At least his mom¡¯s got something to bury, Christ.¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we, like, investigate this? Figure out what did this?¡± Taran said.


    Dom regarded the weathered woman for a moment. ¡°Later. With more people.¡±


    ¡°Dom¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Look up in the trees,¡± keen-eyed Joe said.


    Ray followed Joe¡¯s gaze.


    Squirrels.


    Some with gray fur, some with red, others with a mix of the two colors.


    Except something was odd about them.


    ¡°What? It¡¯s just squirrels¡ª¡± Dom realized something.


    The decade after the spires appeared hadn¡¯t been good for the local wildlife, especially the smaller ones. They either mutated, got bigger and worse or were eaten.


    These squirrels were much bigger than they should¡¯ve been and the way they looked at him reminded him of those big brown bears in Alaska.


    It reminded him of the feeling he got when something looked at him like food.


    ¡°Dom, they¡¯ve got blood on their muzzles,¡± Joe said.


    ¡°Weapons hot!¡± Dom shouted.


    The squirrels leapt a split-second before the guns barked.


    Dom went down under a handful.


    Joe went next.


    Taran pushed Ray back with one hand while firing with her other. ¡°Get to shooting, kid!¡±


    Ray staggered back as others pushed past him.


    The cracks of the gunfire deafened him.


    ¡°Back to the trucks! On me! We need covering fire!¡± Taran roared.


    ¡°Leap frog!¡± another person urged.


    ¡°Fire Missiles!¡±


    Spells scorched the mist as their mages opened up.


    A bloody-fanged squirrel the size of a large cat leapt up into Ray¡¯s sight line.


    He kept the red dot on the animal, no, the monster and squeezed the trigger.


    Three round burst.


    Red bloomed from the squirrel.


    He continued to fire as he ran alongside the others.


    ¡°Covering fire!¡±


    He listened to the voice.


    Stopped.


    Turned.


    And fired.


    The squirrels were hot on their heels.


    Another man went down underneath a furry whirlwind of ripping and tearing teeth and claws.


    Taran hesitated slowing to reach out for the desperate man¡¯s outstretched hand before it too disappeared in the furry pile. ¡°Fuck!¡± she snapped a burst across the pile.


    ¡°They¡¯re not dying!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, they¡¯re fucking healing!¡±


    Ray caught the words over the staccato.


    He noticed it then.


    A squirrel that had taken a burst twitched on the dead foliage covering the forest floor. Bullet wounds covered its body.


    Slowly, it stopped twitching.


    The bullets pushed out of the wounds as they closed.


    It was like watching something in reverse.


    ¡°Shit! Taran, we¡¯re being flanked! Freeze!¡±


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    More monsters stopped under the Skill.


    They had crept through a thicker portion of the undergrowth.


    Small, like children.


    Squirrels.


    Or rather a gruesome blend of the two.


    Bipedal.


    Crude weapons in their claws.


    ¡°Hit them!¡±


    ¡°Needle Spray!¡±


    ¡°Fireball!¡±


    ¡°Automatic Reload!¡±


    ¡°Incendiary grenades out!¡±


    The new monsters vanished in the conflagration.


    ¡°Keep running!¡± Taran said.


    Ray was out, so he shouldered his carbine and drew his one-handed battle axe and small round shield.


    He kept looking back as more men and women vanished underneath the furry horde that wouldn¡¯t die.


    Something was happening to those squirrels.


    They were changing?


    ¡°Fuckfuckfuck, those things aren¡¯t dying!¡±


    They finally hit the tree line.


    ¡°Gogogogogo!¡± Taran urged the drivers.


    Good training meant that they didn¡¯t hesitate.


    The trucks roared to life and were already rolling by the time what remained of their group clambered into the beds.


    ¡°What the hell were those thing?¡± Taran said to no one in particular.


    Ray could see them hovering just beyond the trees.


    Their eyes shined red with malice and hunger as some brandished crude weapons in their claws.


    Back at the station, Ray tried to keep his hands from shaking as he struggled to thumb rounds into a magazine.


    ¡°Fuck, you¡¯re rattling more than my baby.¡±


    ¡°Shut it, Neil!¡± Mills snapped. ¡°It¡¯s normal,¡± he nodded to Ray, ¡°adrenaline dump. It¡¯ll pass.¡± The deputy sheriff raised his voice for the rest of the room. ¡°If any of you feel like puking, do it. Don¡¯t try to fight it.¡±


    ¡°Hey, man. I ain¡¯t taking a shot or nothing,¡± Neil held up a quivering hand. ¡°I ain¡¯t doing much better. What the fuck were those things?¡±


    ¡°Mutated squirrels?¡± Benny said.


    ¡°They were on two legs and I think they had weapons,¡± Lewis said.


    ¡°Weresquirrels,¡± Ray muttered.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Mills said.


    ¡°Shit, yeah, that¡¯s what they looked like!¡± Benny brightened. ¡°Like werewolves, but squirrels. They had that backwards knee thing¡­¡± he trailed off as the others stared at him.


    ¡°He¡¯s an idiot, but I can get on board with that,¡± Neil said. ¡°So, weresquirrels¡­ I guess, that¡¯s better than werewolves.¡±


    ¡°How is that better?¡± Lewis said. ¡°They killed Dom, Joe¡­¡±


    The deaths replayed in Ray¡¯s mind again.


    It had all happened so fast.


    Ten people gone in a handful of minutes.


    Faces and voices he¡¯d never see or hear again.


    No.


    That wasn¡¯t right.


    He¡¯d see them again in his nightmares.


    Their deaths.


    ¡°If it was werewolves none of us would¡¯ve made it,¡± Neil said. ¡°What now?¡± he turned to Mills.


    ¡°That¡¯s for the bosses to decide.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t think we¡¯ll catch a break and maybe get the rest of the day off to process all that shit?¡± Neil said.


    ¡°We¡¯re needed on the wall. Those things might attack.¡±


    ¡°Kid won¡¯t be shooting straight with the shakes,¡± Neil nodded at Ray, ¡°same for the rest of us. Except you, maybe, cold as ice, as usual.¡±


    ¡°Not my call.¡±


    ¡°What does it matter if we¡¯re up on the wall? Those things¡¯ll just roll right over us,¡± Benny said.


    ¡°They weren¡¯t dying,¡± Ray said.


    He remembered.


    Lewis shook his head. ¡°He¡¯s right. I¡¯m sure I saw them healing from everything we hit them with.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know that for sure. Maybe they just need to be killed twice,¡± Mills said.


    ¡°Cut off their heads?¡± Neil said.


    ¡°We need silver bullets,¡± Lewis said.


    ¡°Where are we gonna get silver?¡± Neil said.


    ¡°Coins, spoons and forks,¡± Lewis shrugged.


    Ray thought of the stockpile of coins his dad had left. ¡°I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Knock it off with that fantasy shit,¡± Mills sighed. ¡°Just focus on what¡¯s real, what¡¯s in front of you. We have a new type of monster. They caught us off guard out in the open. Now, they didn¡¯t follow us out of the forest. So, that¡¯s something. We can get up on the walls and see them coming. They heal fast? So, what? I¡¯m willing to bet they can¡¯t do that easily when they¡¯re blown to bloody chunks by the mines and grenades. Don¡¯t build them up into unkillable monsters. Remember¡­ there is nothing we can¡¯t kill with enough firepower. Now, I¡¯m going to make an executive decision. Once your done reloading go home and hug your loved ones. You¡¯re off for the day unless I get word from above.¡±


    ¡°I though we were needed for the wall?¡± Ray said.


    ¡°Shut up, kid,¡± Neil chuckled. ¡°We need this,¡± he nodded at Mills. ¡°Boss man says to go home, we go home.¡±


    Ray gave his mother a brief explanation on why he was home so early.


    He didn¡¯t mention Pete or the other deaths. He just couldn¡¯t bring himself to say the words as if doing so would make it real. His best friend was gone. Torn apart, devoured in the dark alone, while he had stood on the wall and did nothing except shake in fear.


    ¡°Mom, do you know where Dad kept all those coins?¡±


    ¡°Coins?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ the silver ones?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ somewhere in the basement.¡±


    His mom¡¯s face fell. The way it always did when she thought about his dad.


    ¡°Sorry¡­¡± he mumbled.


    She sighed. ¡°No, don¡¯t be. It¡¯s not your fault. It¡¯s been five years, but¡­ I still keep thinking that he¡¯ll walk in here and ask where the maple syrup is even though it¡¯s always in the same place. If he was still here you wouldn¡¯t have to be out there.¡±


    ¡°I know how to fight. I¡¯ve trained hard.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but you shouldn¡¯t have to. Back in the old days, you¡¯d barely be driving. Worrying me and your dad with whatever trouble you and your friends would be getting up to. Parties, girls, beer, weed. Instead, it¡¯s monsters.¡±


    ¡°World¡¯s changed,¡± he shrugged.


    Stories of the old world always made him uncomfortable.


    His mom didn¡¯t mean to, but it felt like he was just being reminded how much better it was and that he¡¯d never experience something like that. All he had to look forward to was watching her die at some monsters claws or if he was lucky, he¡¯d die first, but then that¡¯d leave her alone, which he had vowed on his dad¡¯s grave would never happen.


    The new monsters had been a claw¡¯s length away from doing just that.


    He stood abruptly.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to finish?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not too hungry. Sorry, Mom¡­¡±


    ¡°No that¡¯s okay¡­ just¡­ well, I¡¯ll always be here if you need to talk about what happened. When you¡¯re ready.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Mom. Is it okay if I take the coins? The silver ones, I mean?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ sure¡­¡±


    He felt a pang at the look of sadness on his mom¡¯s face.


    ¡°They might help me,¡± he didn¡¯t elaborate.


    ¡°Of course,¡± his mom rallied, ¡°they¡¯re basically worthless anyways. If they can help you then your dad would want you to use them.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Mom. I need to go out¡­ if anyone comes looking for me tell them I¡¯m probably at the forges. I also might have to go back on duty later, so, don¡¯t wait up.¡±


    ¡°Be careful¡­¡±


    His mom hugged him tight.


    The dark basement welcomed him like a tomb.


    It had been his dad¡¯s place and had remained untouched, barely used.


    Too painful for his mom.


    Too daunting for him.


    It turned out that turning several pounds of silver dollars into bullets wasn¡¯t going to be as simple as he had thought.


    ¡°Kid, I¡¯m just saying that it¡¯ll be a waste to just melt all that down and cast them into bullets,¡± Cassidy, one of the lead blacksmiths said.


    ¡°But¡­ why? Just melt them and put them in the mold. I¡¯ve seen you guys doing it dozens of times.¡±


    The woman rolled her eyes. ¡°I didn¡¯t say we couldn¡¯t do that. Just that it isn¡¯t an effective use of our time. We just got word that we need to up production, like, right now,¡± she scrutinized him like a red hot bar of iron, ¡°this got anything to do with the rumors going around?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ what¡¯s going around?¡±


    ¡°Something bad happened during a dawn op in the forest. You didn¡¯t happen to be part of that, did you?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t say anything.¡±


    ¡°Uh huh, well, then there¡¯s nothing I can do for you today. Too busy and like I said. It¡¯d be a waste. A pure silver bullet would be too soft. Sure it¡¯d go through regular skin just fine, but I have no idea how it¡¯d do against anything with some bullshit supernatural toughness to their hides. You getting me?¡±


    Ray nodded.


    ¡°How would it compare to normal bullets? Like, let¡¯s say, a normal bullet went in deep enough to hit an organ, or something. What would a silver one do?¡±


    ¡°Listen, you shoot me with a silver bullet and I¡¯ll be in just as much trouble as if it was a normal one.¡±


    ¡°Okay, then I think you really want to help me out with this.¡±


    He told her about the weresquirrels.


    ¡°Do you even know if silver will work on them?¡± she said after a long moment.


    ¡°No, but it wouldn¡¯t be the first time that mythical shit worked.¡±


    ¡°Damn it. That¡¯s why they¡¯re on our asses today. You guys burned through a lot of ammo. Need to know bullshit. They should¡¯ve just told us. You think we¡¯re getting hit tonight? And you said they wouldn¡¯t die after getting bodied?¡±


    ¡°I swear. I put a burst into one and I saw the bullets get pushed right out of the holes.¡±


    ¡°The mine field¡ª¡±


    ¡°Might not be enough.¡±


    Cassidy chewed the inside of her cheek.


    ¡°It¡¯d be better if you jacketed a silver core or just mixed a little of it into the lead. Better penetration. Plus, we¡¯d get more bullets out of your coins. Although, going by story rules, mixing is probably out. You¡¯d want the silver to remain ¡®pure¡¯ and we have no idea if the amount of silver in a bullet matters,¡± she snorted.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have time to test.¡±


    ¡°My boss will be pissed if I take one of my guys off bullet production to make yours. You remember the seminar?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    Everyone in town had gone through a lesson on how to make a bullet.


    ¡°Great. I¡¯ll set you up with a station. Burner, crucible, molds. You can cast your silver bullets yourself.¡±


    ¡°Okay, yeah, that¡¯ll be great.¡±


    ¡°Try not to burn anything, alright?¡±


    ¡°I promise.¡±


    Ray spent the rest of the morning sweating in the forge.


    When lunchtime arrived he went down the block to find a gunsmith to turn his bullets into complete rounds.


    Lewis and Benny found him outside the gunsmith¡¯s building hours later loading his new silver rounds into his magazines.


    ¡°There you are. You¡¯re a hard motherfucker to find,¡± Lewis said.


    ¡°Checked your mom¡¯s, then the forge and now here, so, really more like three places and the last two are basically the same, so¡­¡± Benny shrugged.


    ¡°Sup,¡± he nodded.


    ¡°All hands on deck for tonight,¡± Lewis eyed the sun over the western horizon.


    Ray¡¯s breath caught in his throat. ¡°Is something wrong?¡±


    Benny eyed the gunsmiths having their break a short distance away. He lowered his voice. ¡°Maybe, probably.¡±


    ¡°What he means is that danger sensers all across town started pinging a little bit ago. Even the civvies that have it. They¡¯ve been rushing into our stations. Bosses don¡¯t want to start a panic, so, us fighters need to get ready and up on the wall,¡± Lewis said.


    ¡°Everyone,¡± Benny nodded.


    ¡°They¡¯ll start ringing the alarms in, like, thirty. Get the civvies into the shelters,¡± Lewis said.


    ¡°My mom! She doesn¡¯t have a car!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Plenty of time,¡± Lewis said. ¡°So, are these the silver bullets?¡± he picked one up from the pile. ¡°5.56¡­ got any other kinds?¡±


    ¡°No, sorry, it¡¯s what I use,¡± he patted his M4, ¡°and it¡¯s what most everyone else uses.¡±


    ¡°Bad luck you love your AK so much,¡± Benny said.


    ¡°Tch. At least the kid¡¯s using his brain. Better than you and your grandma¡¯s forks,¡± Lewis said. ¡°Get this, kid, Benny¡¯s got a bunch of forks in his pack,¡± he laughed.


    ¡°Silverware. Didn¡¯t think to melt them down. Didn¡¯t want to piss my grandma off,¡± Benny explained.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t she dead?¡±


    ¡°Before I was born. Don¡¯t want to take the chance that her ghost is out there watching. Never know with the spires.¡±


    ¡°Benny, you¡¯re a moron. There¡¯s no way that¡¯s possible. Even if ghosts are a thing now, your grandma died before the spires,¡± Lewis said. ¡°Anyways, you weirdos can keep your silver. I¡¯m not that worried. I thought about it harder and I¡¯m, like, ninety percent sure that the weresquirrels we hit with magic didn¡¯t get back up. So, mages just need to blast them and they¡¯ll stay down. The ones that manage to make it past the mines.¡±


    Ray started tossing the loose rounds into his dad¡¯s old ammo case. ¡°I¡¯ll finish this at the station. Since you guys drove, can we stop by my house and take my mom to the shelter. It¡¯s on the way.¡±


    ¡°Sure, don¡¯t see why not,¡± Lewis said.


    ¡°Did you eat yet?¡± Benny said as they walked to the car.


    Ray pointed at the food truck parked along the block.


    It had a semi-permanent spot serving the busy people responsible for keeping them armed and armored.


    ¡°Had a couple of hot dogs for lunch,¡± he said.


    ¡°Shit, do we have time to grab a couple?¡± Benny said.


    ¡°We don¡¯t to go into battle on a full stomach,¡± Lewis warned. ¡°It¡¯ll just sit heavy in there weighing you down. You¡¯re body will want to get rid of it when things get hairy.¡±


    Ray was well aware of that fact. There wasn¡¯t a fighter in town that didn¡¯t puke or shit themselves right before a fight. It was their body¡¯s way of lightening the load for that good old fight or flight.


    That¡¯s why he had decided to skip dinner.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got two hours before sundown. Plenty of time to digest,¡± Benny said. ¡°I don¡¯t know that I want to go into this on an empty stomach. This might be my last chance to eat something good. Lunch was shit.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I guess, go grab a couple of dogs for me too,¡± Lewis said.


    Benny hurried over to the food truck while Ray followed Lewis to the car.


    ¡°Kid, good initiative on the silver bullets, but I hope we don¡¯t actually need them,¡± Lewis said.


    ¡°Yeah, sorry I didn¡¯t make any for you.¡±


    ¡°No worries, I guess Mills¡¯ got a point about us using guns with the same calibers,¡± Lewis sighed. ¡°It¡¯s just that, I got my AK from my great grandpa. Original from the war. Sentimental value, you know?¡±


    Ray nodded. ¡°I used the coins my dad collected.¡±


    ¡°Your dad was an old numismatists, was he? Didn¡¯t know that.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ yeah¡­ I guess.¡±


    Lewis chuckled. ¡°Coin collector.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that. I think it was more, like, for an emergency. Just in case credit cards stopped working or paper money became worthless.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ one of those. Well, I guess that¡¯s what sorta happened. We just got really lucky that stores magically stock themselves otherwise we¡¯d have starved years ago. Hey, if those bullets do work, mind making me a couple of mags worth?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I mean, if you have silver. I used up my dad¡¯s old coins.¡± The thought sent a pang through his chest. Each coin turned into a bullet was one less piece of his dad¡¯s presence in the world. He suddenly felt really guilty. He hoped his mom was okay with it.


    ¡°Bet there¡¯s a lot at the bank. Shit. You think the bank¡¯ll re-stock itself after we empty it. Weird. All this time and no one¡¯s thought to grab some stuff out of there. Like a gold bar or two. Not that they¡¯re worth anything. It¡¯d just be kinda cool to have a couple laying around the hou¡ª¡±


    An ear-piercing sound split the cool air.


    The sirens.


    Lewis cursed. ¡°Too soon¡ª Benny! Get your ass back here! We need to go! Hey!¡± he waved at the gunsmiths and other workers, ¡°get to the shelter!¡±


    He needn¡¯t have done so.


    The men and women were already scrambling.


    ¡°My mom!¡±


    ¡°Shit, yeah, no worries, she¡¯s on the way. We¡¯ll take her and anyone else in your neighborhood we can cram into the car,¡± Lewis said.


    Ray had just jumped into the back seat when the sounds of distant explosions began. Followed shortly by the faint pops of frantic gun fire.


    White-knuckled driving got them to Ray¡¯s neighborhood in good time.


    Lewis drifted the car around the corner and slammed on the brakes just in time to avoid slamming into the rear end of a truck filled with people. ¡°Shit! Get to the shelters!¡±


    The truck suddenly accelerated turning sharply.


    ¡°Watch out!¡± Benny said.


    Lewis cursed throwing the car in reverse, barely avoiding a collision.


    ¡°What the fuck!¡± Benny pointed at several people thrown out of the truck scattered on the street like produce off a truck.


    ¡°Jesus, I¡¯m going to find that driver and smack him. Now, we¡¯re going to have deal with this,¡± Lewis said. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m going to have to go get the medics. You two are going to have to stabilize them and secure the area.¡±


    ¡°Can you take my mom to the shelter?¡±


    ¡°No time.¡±


    ¡°What spooked the driver?¡± Benny¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Oh shit!¡±


    Time slowed for Ray.


    He followed Benny¡¯s sight line to the far end of the long, straight street.


    People screaming as they ran from a handful of weresquirrels.


    He hadn¡¯t gotten a good look at them during the frantic fight beneath the shadows of the treetops.


    Now, they loped across the streets in the light of the sun.


    ¡°Oh shit! Too late. We¡¯re retreating!¡± Lewis spun the wheel.


    ¡°Wait! Those people!¡± Benny said pointing.


    There were only five weresquirrels, but they were already reaping a bloody harvest.


    They easily overtook the people with their loping strides despite being the size of children.


    Strength beyond that small size combined with wicked teeth and claws made short work of a man or woman before the monster moved on the next target.


    They weren¡¯t acting like animals looking for food.


    ¡°We can¡¯t do shit for them! We need to warn the others! Come back in numbers! Fuck!¡± Lewis skidded around the corner slamming on the brakes to avoid a parked car.


    Ray took the opportunity to kick the door open and rush out into the street.


    His mom was in their house.


    ¡°Kid! Get back here!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s got the right idea, Lewis. Don¡¯t be a pussy!¡± Benny made sure a round was chambered in his carbine before following.


    ¡°We can¡¯t kill them!¡± Lewis let out a roar before joining the other two.


    Ray sprinted down the street past the people that had fallen out of the truck and dropped to one knee raising his carbine to his shoulder.


    Lewis tossed the car key to the least injured-looking woman. ¡°Everyone get in the car and get to the shelter. Tell them what¡¯s happening here and that we need help immediately!¡± he snapped.


    Ray put the red dot on a weresquirrel savaging an older man.


    The man was a fighter to the end stabbing with a knife even as the monster dug into his guts.


    Ray squeezed.


    Three round burst.


    Red mist painted the air from where the weresquirrel¡¯s fang-filled muzzle was.


    He held his breath for a moment.


    The monster¡¯s body toppled and didn¡¯t rise.


    He sought the next target.


    One after another, he killed the remaining monsters.


    ¡°Damn! Hey, can I get a mag?¡± Benny said.


    Ray tossed him one before rushing to his mom¡¯s house.


    ¡°Well, shit¡­ it looks like it worked. Give my one of those forks of yours?¡± Lewis held out a hand.


    Benny dug into his belt pouch for one. ¡°We should probably make sure they¡¯re really dead. I don¡¯t want to waste rounds, so,¡± he handed a silvered fork over before pulling out a knife, ¡°we¡¯ll need to stab them.¡±


    ¡°I should probably head to the station and warn everyone that they¡¯re inside,¡± Lewis turned and cursed.


    People were getting into the car. The less injured helping the one¡¯s that couldn¡¯t walk.


    ¡°They probably already know. We heard the mines go off and shots. The monsters obviously attacked the wall and if they¡¯re inside¡­¡± Benny shrugged.


    The implication was clear.


    ¡°They would¡¯ve heard Ray¡¯s shots.¡± Lewis looked to the sky. ¡°I¡¯m not hearing anything¡­¡±


    Ray¡¯s mom met him at the door.


    ¡°What is happening?¡±


    ¡°No time, Mom. Grab your B.O.B. we need to get you to a shelter.¡±


    ¡°I heard¡ª¡±


    ¡°Monsters are inside the walls! We need to go now!¡±


    The frantic run to the nearest shelter was followed by a desperate and bloody night.


    Ray defended the shelter with accurate fire until he ran out of silver bullets.


    It was there that the weresquirrel¡¯s intelligence failed them for they had ceased their attacks to seek easier targets.


    And so, Ray could do nothing but listen to the sounds of battle and pray that he wouldn¡¯t see his mom get eaten alive along with the dozens of people huddled in a barricaded conference hall.


    When dawn broke and the monsters retreated he realized that his class had changed at some point in the night.


    No longer a simple fighter, he was now a silver arms fighter.

 7.19

    The siren blared.


    His opponent held up a hand leaving the axe in its belt loop and shield at his side. ¡°Quick talk before we start!¡± the brawny young man said.


    Drake shrugged and put his spear up on his shoulder before walking forward to meet the man in the middle of the field. He stopped about fifteen feet away. ¡°That¡¯s far enough for me,¡± he held a palm to his opponent.


    ¡°What? Why¡¯re you worried? You¡¯ve got reach on me.¡±


    A hush fell over the crowd as the drone cameras focused on the two young men¡¯s faces. Their expressions visible through open-faced helmets and their words audible in the many giant screens throughout the arena.


    ¡°I just had one question?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°Are you retarded?¡±


    Drake raised a brow.


    ¡°Sticksies¡­ sounds like a retard picked it,¡± the young man sneered.


    ¡°It¡¯s cause I use a spear, which is basically a stick with a point,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Yup, I figured I was going up against a tard,¡± the young man snorted. ¡°Don¡¯t think I¡¯m going to go easy on you because you¡¯re special.¡±


    ¡°Are you a sadistic bastard because of a poor upbringing or is it the class? Nah, classes are just who we are on the inside. Since we¡¯re being talkative I¡¯m going to work you over for each opponent you¡¯ve unnecessarily hurt.¡±


    ¡°Weak man¡¯s mindset. That¡¯s why I¡¯m gonna tear you up like those other pussies.¡±


    ¡°Hey, I was wondering¡­ Team Alpha Sigma¡­ what the fuck does that mean? Team AR? Team 1200?¡±


    ¡°The fuck you talking about?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Greek right? Do you even know it means?¡±


    ¡°Whatever, bro. I¡¯m gonna make you my bitch.¡± He drew his axe and slammed it against his round shield. ¡°C¡¯mon, pussy! I¡¯ll even let you take the first shot! C¡¯mon! Bring it! Bitch! Bring it! Let¡¯s rock, motherfucker!¡±


    Drake threw his spear.


    It thunked into the dirt next to the Team Alpha Sigma fighter¡¯s right boot.


    ¡°Seriously? What a noodle-armed little bitch!¡± he laughed. ¡°Do you even lift, kid!¡± he held his shield and axe arms out wide as he exhorted the crowd to join in the mockery. ¡°Is this pussy for real?¡±


    Drake drew his thin, double-edge dagger with his left hand. He held his right out toward his spear.


    ¡°What? You some kind of retard Thor?¡± the young man sneered. ¡°Thor¡¯s yoked. He ain¡¯t a limp-wristed bitch like you!¡±


    Drake smirked.


    Spear Teleport.


    He vanished with a pop and appeared an instant later with a hand on his spear.


    The Alpha Sigma fighter stumbled back in surprised.


    Drake was quicker.


    He stabbed the dagger into the young man¡¯s thigh piercing through tough, padded fabric. He cut deep before pulling it out and drawing back.


    The fighter swung his axe with a curse, but Drake was already out of range.


    ¡°You should give up,¡± he said lightly, ¡°cut your femoral¡­ that¡¯s an artery¡­ vessels in your body that carry blood to and fr¡ª¡±


    ¡°Fuck you, cheap ass bitch! I know what that is!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, then you know you¡¯ve got like minutes maybe less before you bleed out. Unless you¡¯ve got healing abilities, but if you did then you¡¯d be using it right now,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Only chance to live is to tap out, like a bitch, and get some healing.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s against the rules! You can¡¯t kill on purpose!¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t, though. I just stabbed you. There¡¯s plenty¡ª less time now¡ª for you to get it fixed.¡±


    ¡°Brutal Throw!¡± the Alpha Sigma fighter hurled his axe.


    Drake was quicker.


    He spun his spear conjuring a magic shield.


    The axe broke the shield but fell to the dirt.


    Drake winced.


    The Alpha Sigma fighter clamped a hand over his gushing wound. He cursed Drake to suffer anatomically impossible indignities before finally signaling his surrender.


    ¡°You better watch your back, noodle bitch! Me and my boys are gunning for you now!¡±


    Drake smirked as the stadium medics rushed toward the Alpha Sigma fighter.


    He waited for them to surround the fighter before walking back to his tunnel.


    No reason to risk taking a cheap shot to the back.


    <hr>


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that the kid Cal brought in?¡± Aims said.


    ¡°Yup, Drake-something,¡± Dastardly said. ¡°He¡¯s, like, the Furies¡¯ puppy or something.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s got some good moves. We should recruit him,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°What¡¯re you lazy a-holes doing over there? Get in here!¡± Hardhat snapped from the adjoining room.


    Dastardly shut the TV off before following Aims.


    The other motel room was packed with their combined squads, minus the few that had gone with Mouthy to ¡®scout¡¯ matches in person.


    Dastardly knew that Mouthy had cheated the rock-paper-scissors match. She knew it for a fact. ¡°Give me some room,¡± she scowled at her young squaddies. Goddamn, did she hate tightly-packed spaces, especially if what it was packed with was other people. ¡°Any reason we can¡¯t do this outside?¡±


    Hardhat stared at her like she had sprouted a third boob in the middle of her forehead.


    ¡°Aside from the slavers watching,¡± Dastardly waved her idea away, ¡°carry on.¡±


    ¡°Alright, who wants to go first?¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°I will, sir,¡± Ranger Lasik said.


    ¡°Go on then.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± the young ranger mage adjusted her heavy duty combat glasses and took a deep breath, ¡°we, um, Squad 105 scouted sites B-1, B-2 and B-5. Confirmed intelligence received from source. They are¡­¡± her face twisted, ¡°birthing sites. We observed intermittent traffic in and out. Mostly non-collar wearing people, manager-types. Most of the regular staff live on site and are collared¡­ er¡­ enslaved. There are only one to three slavemasters per location at any one time. We¡¯d need more observation to confirm this last bit, but, we think that they bring pregnant women¡­ er¡­ with collars, enslaved¡­ you know what I mean¡­ they bring them in at about a month out from birth. Without going inside we don¡¯t know how they handle all the¡­ uh¡­ post-birth stuff.¡±


    ¡°No babies taken out?¡± Dastardly said.


    ¡°Yeah, but they looked a few months old. Hard to tell how old babies are, sir,¡± Lasik said.


    ¡°Good, thanks Lasik, Squad 105,¡± Hardhat said. ¡°That leads us perfectly to Squad 87, Ranger Vicks.¡±


    ¡°Sir,¡± the young man saluted. ¡°Nursery sites marked as N-3, N-6, N-12, N-17. Confirmed. N-3 had 10 children. N-6, 7 children. N-12, 11 children. N-17, 14 children. Same age range for all sites. Youngest was a baby and oldest looked 3.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Vicks,¡± Hard hat said. ¡°Cheery Chapstick, you¡¯re up.¡±


    ¡°Sir,¡± the young man stood up from where he was seated at the small table.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, ranger, you look like you walked in on mommy, daddy and the mailman,¡± Dastardly said.


    ¡°I wish, sir,¡± he exchanged looks with his squad. He exhaled. ¡°Squad 73 observed sites A-1 and A-2. We found¡­ what we expected according to our source. They keep people on site in shitty cages like they were animals. They do their fucking auctions twice a week. The people get collared right on site and get taken by the winning bidders or delivered later by auction house staff, some of whom are enslaved themselves.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re going to postpone some of those sales thanks to Captain Butcher¡¯s guys,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°No offense, sir, but that feels like barely any consolation when we watched a couple of hundred people get sold into slavery in just the last few weeks,¡± Cheery Chapstick said.


    ¡°The plan¡¯s on track,¡± Hardhat said. ¡°We just need to do our jobs and all of this will be over soon. Christmas, then New Year¡¯s, then a few more weeks after that we free the enslaved and make the slavers pay.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ not that we¡¯re doubting, sir, but¡ª¡± Lasik began.


    ¡°Yo, Lasik, that¡¯s basically saying you¡¯re doubting, smh,¡± Ranger Timber said.


    ¡°Let her speak,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to see that happening when we don¡¯t know the actual plan. Aside from surveillance, what else is expected of us when all the shit goes down, as it always does. I mean, we¡¯re in the middle of slaver land surrounded by a few hundred soldiers. That¡¯s not even accounting how we¡¯re supposed to handle the collared ones. Doesn¡¯t seem right to just kill them.¡±


    ¡°You kill them if they¡¯re trying to kill you,¡± Dastardly said. ¡°We¡¯ve been over this. You can¡¯t help anyone if you¡¯re dead. Your lives come before any man, woman or child that¡¯s trying to stick a spear in your guts, even if they¡¯re wearing a collar.¡±


    ¡°We recognize that it is impossible to expect to save everyone,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°I know, sir, I remember our orders,¡± Lasik said.


    ¡°Good, just stick to them and you¡¯ll be in the best position for success,¡± Hardhat said. ¡°Any other concerns of this nature? No? Good¡­ on to next week¡¯s surveillance targets. First of all, Squad 73, you¡¯re off surveillance duties. Squad 39 will take over. You¡¯ve got the option of going to watch Shrewed¡¯s next match in person. Squad 105 you¡¯ve got the auction sites. Squad 39, the rest of the nursery sites. Squad 87, start scouting the quickest, safest route to where the NorCal companies are staying at.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the priority on that, sir? Quickest or safest?¡± Vicks said.


    ¡°Quickest, followed by safest,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, squad on me,¡± Dastardly rose and headed back through the adjoining door, ¡°let¡¯s figure out how you¡¯re going to do this.¡±


    Busy was good for all of them even if the work and the environment was objectively terrible for a person¡¯s soul.


    At least for those with human souls by Dastardly¡¯s reckoning.


    You didn¡¯t have one if you didn¡¯t bat an eye at the auction houses, the breeding hospitals.


    It took a special kind of bastard to think to breed humans like cattle.


    Three weeks in.


    Christmas around the corner.


    New Year¡¯s a little after.


    A few more weeks¡­


    She couldn¡¯t wait to see what Rayna¡¯s brother had really planned for these slaver shits.


    Whatever it took from her, she was willing to give it, however small a part she played.


    It was right. It was enough.


    <hr>


    The hotel¡¯s large banquet hall was filled with the sounds of battle.


    Not the kind that led to fatal wounds.


    Just the kind that led to bruises, knocks and, if you were unlucky, concussions and maybe a broken bone or two.


    Dull practice weapons clanged against each other, against shields, against padded clothing and the person beneath.


    Fighters worked hard to keep their edges keen.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Marci flicked the tip of her practice spear up underneath her opponents guard, tapping him on the chest. At the same time she slipped her head to the side to avoid her second opponent¡¯s thrust. She pivoted on her rear leg and smoothly slid the butt of her spear between the second opponent¡¯s legs sweeping him to the ground. She spun the spear tip around and tapped the man¡¯s helmet.


    The man cursed.


    She held out a hand and helped him to his feet.


    ¡°That was¡­ not bad,¡± she said.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to make us feel not bad,¡± Julio said.


    ¡°We¡¯re learning a lot more getting our asses kicked on a daily basis,¡± Owen said.


    ¡°Thanks, guys¡­ next!¡±


    Marci sparred for the next hour and a half with the more daring members of the spear company.


    She faced them two, three and even four at a time.


    It was the only way for a Level 40 expert spearwoman to build up a sweat.


    The California State Government had sent a mixed company of 200 spears and 150 ranged and support under the command of Spear Captain Doran to, ostensibly, support Rino in the Gold Division and a handful of others in the lesser divisions.


    If that raised suspicions in the slaver kingdom they had yet to give any indications in that regard.


    The slavers had put them up in a hotel along with all of the other outsider forces.


    Luckily for them, their size meant that they had the place to themselves. Unlike the other, smaller companies, bands and parties that had to share.


    A lot of fights had broken out over the last few weeks.


    Contests on the fields had spread to supporters.


    It was almost nostalgic.


    Surprisingly, there hadn¡¯t been any fatalities.


    The slave soldiers were quick to come in overwhelming force to stop said fights before they got out of control.


    Spells and Skills kept people from dying from wounds that would¡¯ve done them in during the old days.


    And there was something unmanning about facing the people in those collars.


    There was no fear in their eyes.


    Doran knew that when the time came the slave soldiers would be their biggest problem.


    He put his practice spear up on the rack and grabbed a towel wiping off the thick sheen of sweat on his face.


    The bane of any commander waited for him back in his suite.


    He made his way through the lobby and made an effort to look every collar wearing hotel staff member in the eyes.


    Not that they cared.


    It was eerie to see them with almost identical smiles on their faces.


    He and his officers had made sure to drill it into their men and women to be on their best behavior despite what the slavers had said upon welcoming them.


    As representatives of the California State government, they would not avail themselves of the added free ¡®amenities¡¯ the enslaved could provide upon request.


    He found his best scout and his two best killers waiting for him as soon as the elevator doors slid open.


    Jimenez, Selena and Rowen saluted.


    The latter¡¯s was terrible as always.


    Doran let it go.


    Rowen and Selena weren¡¯t technically part of his company.


    They reported directly to the governor.


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk inside,¡± he said. ¡°Report,¡± he ordered as soon as he sat down at his desk.


    ¡°The king¡¯s castle, the port and the Cabal¡¯s HQ. Those tripped my danger sense the worse, in that order. There are dangers everywhere around us, captain,¡± Jimenez said.


    ¡°No access to the first and the last,¡± Doran said.


    ¡°I could give it a shot,¡± Rowen said.


    ¡°No, there¡¯s a bigger plan in play and we¡¯re only playing a small part. We don¡¯t do anything beyond marking out potential threats and targets unless I get told otherwise.¡± Doran joted notes on the map laid out flat on his desk. ¡°The port¡­ did you get a closer look?¡±


    ¡°No. Access across the bridge was strictly monitored. I didn¡¯t want to risk drawing attention,¡± Jimenez said.


    ¡°How close did you get?¡±


    ¡°As close as I thought safe.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, captain,¡± Rowen said. ¡°As far as anyone looking was concerned we were just a local family out for a stroll. A big, fat woman,¡± he nodded at Selena, ¡°a short, fat man,¡± he tapped his chest, ¡°and their sullen, teen daughter that clearly needs to eat more,¡± he nodded at Jimenez.


    ¡°I told you that was a mistake. How many fat people do you see walking around out there?¡± Selena said.


    ¡°I literally based those illusions on people I saw the other day.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ that¡¯s just great, you just, maybe, implicated an innocent family in espionage,¡± Selena said.


    ¡°Not so innocent,¡± Rowen said flatly. ¡°They had a slave carrying their bags.¡±


    ¡°Back to the report,¡± Doran said.


    ¡°The king¡¯s castle is the biggest mansion in the richest part of this place. And they built an actual wall around it. Twenty feet high at the lowest. Full-on gatehouse thing with an iron gate and doors. That¡¯s just the outer wall. There are more walls inside, though not as tall or thick, sectioning off the property. Don¡¯t know what for,¡± Jimenez said.


    ¡°Reminded of prison,¡± Rowen said.


    ¡°It looked like they added to the original house, even though it looks seamless. It¡¯s huge,¡± Jimenez said.


    ¡°Noted,¡± Doran said. ¡°The Cabal?¡±


    ¡°Office tower,¡± Jimenez shrugged. ¡°Posted guards at external doors, but nothing else to indicate it as the Cabal¡¯s main base of operations.¡±


    ¡°A lot of unsightly magic coming off of that place,¡± Rowen shuddered. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want to go in there uninvited¡­ and especially, invited, going from the reports SoCal shared with us about what those degenerates do with their magic.¡±


    ¡°They shouldn¡¯t be our problem. I¡¯m just covering angles,¡± Doran said. ¡°I¡¯ll pass on what you found at the port. Knowing him, he probably already knows.¡±


    ¡°Then if he hasn¡¯t told us¡­ doesn¡¯t that mean that he doesn¡¯t expect us to face it?¡± Jimenez said.


    Doran saw the plain hope on her face. ¡°Most likely, but you were in the Philippines, plans are good¡­ until they aren¡¯t.¡±


    Jimenez nodded.


    ¡°Alright, is that all?¡±


    Nods all around.


    ¡°Jimenez, you¡¯re off for the rest of the day, except¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know, sir, I¡¯m always paying close attention to my danger sense.¡±


    ¡°Not to the detriment of your mental well-being. I need you sharp for the weeks to come. Besides, we have plenty of other hands to handle the load. Try to relax a little. It can¡¯t be easy handling the strain of this place,¡± Doran said. ¡°Selena, Rowen, I¡¯ve got a job for you. I need you two to be my go-between to the Golden Eagles.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the merc company that Cruces guy handed Vegas to,¡± Rowen frowned.


    ¡°You will ask to speak to their commander, a man named Ledge. You will say this phrase exactly¡­¡± Doran hesitated. ¡°The stick up my butt is straight and stiff.¡±


    Rowen laughed.


    Selena nodded.


    ¡°And in reply, he will say that is why I always look like I smelled something bad¡­ repeat it,¡± he kept a straight face. The mark of a true professional was remaining one, especially, when those around you refused to do the same.


    Selena uttered the pass phrase verbatim.


    ¡°Yeah, she¡¯ll handle that part,¡± Rowen chuckled.


    ¡°Repeat it,¡± Doran said flatly.


    The man shrugged then did it just as perfectly.


    ¡°This is only to establish contact. In the coming days we¡¯ll be sharing information back and forth. It is vitally important that no outside observers make the connecting between us and the Golden Eagles. Is that understood?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m nearing Level 40. It¡¯d take someone in their mid 40¡¯s and with specialized spells or Skills to see through or break my illusions without a lot of effort,¡± Rowen said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep him alive, captain,¡± Selena said.


    ¡°Yes, please. My body needs guarding, bodyguard,¡± Rowen grinned.


    ¡°You¡¯re all dismissed.¡±


    Doran waited for them to leave before relaxing.


    He took that shower and then heated up some leftover pasta.


    They were hypocrites for eating the food prepared and cooked by the enslaved.


    It saved them from dipping into their own supplies and gave their support staff more time to put toward other pursuits.


    One might ask how could he trust the slavers¡¯ food?


    Simple.


    They inspected it and they had those with danger sense try them first.


    A new take on an ancient concept.


    Except, their food tasters didn¡¯t actually have to eat the possibly poisoned meals.


    Just sitting down with the intent was enough to trigger the Skill or not.


    He sat down at the table and only then noticed the giant, monster of a bird staring at him from the balcony.


    ¡°Damn it! You just about gave me a heart attack, Goldy.¡±


    The eagle tilted her head and blinked then pointedly turned her piercing gaze toward the sliding door handle.


    ¡°You¡¯re too damn smart,¡± he muttered as he let the, possibly, largest eagle in modern history, waddle into the suite. ¡°Well¡­ what is this about?¡±


    Goldy hopped up onto the table with a flap of her wings.


    The gust was strong enough that Doran had to lean into it to avoid stumbling back a step or two.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±


    Goldy pecked at his pasta.


    ¡°¡­ my lunch,¡± he sighed.


    He watched her pick out the larger slices of Italian sausage until none remained.


    Satisfied, Goldy waddled toward Doran and used her beak to untie the cord fastening a plastic tube to one leg. She presented the message to him with an almost military air.


    Back straight, head held high.


    ¡°Did you know there¡¯s a merc company called the ¡®Golden Eagles¡¯?¡±


    Goldy nodded.


    Doran frowned. ¡°It¡¯s like you can actually understand me,¡± he muttered.


    This was the first time he had been up close to actual evidence of such. Knowing there were classes that allowed a person to make their pets stronger, smarter and better in practically every way didn¡¯t prepare one to witness it first hand. He was aware of the Hillary girl¡­ He was there in the Philippines when her older brother, Ron had been killed in action by a cannibalistic aswang. The man had died bravely, Doran remembered.


    Bravery ran in that family.


    Goldy screeched.


    It sounded indignant or insulted.


    ¡°Sorry¡­ you do understand me. So, thank you for delivering Jake¡¯s report. Wait a moment while I get my update for Watch Commander Lawrence.¡±


    Doran strode back to his office.


    When he returned with the message tube his pasta was gone.


    Goldy stood still as a statue on the opposite side of table looking out.


    Doran¡¯s eyes narrowed at the flecks of marinara sauce on the eagle¡¯s huge beak. ¡°Can you even digest pasta?¡±


    Goldy simply held out her leg.


    He gingerly tied the message keeping clear of her talons. ¡°Bigger than my hands,¡± he shook his head. ¡°Listen up, soldier,¡± he said as Goldy hopped down to the floor. ¡°I know Hillary¡¯s got a Skill to make it so that a giant dinosaur like you is harder to spot up there, but don¡¯t showboat. Don¡¯t take risks. We cannot have our messages fall into enemy hands. Understood?¡±


    The damn eagle moved one wing in what almost looked like a salute before waddling out onto the balcony and taking off.


    It was a strange sight, but if he was being honest it didn¡¯t even crack the top 5 of his personal list.


    He went back into the kitchen and warmed up another plate of pasta. He ate as he read Jake¡¯s update.


    <hr>


    ¡°Another Christmas party invitation?¡± Cal said.


    Tlaloc or Bitterman as he was currently known tossed the letter onto the desk before slowly sitting down in the chair.


    ¡°Contemptible people,¡± Bitterman spat.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t spit inside. You¡¯ll just have to clean it and getting down there¡¯s going to be killer on your knees and back.¡±


    They eyed the glob on the hardwood floor. Then each other.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not going to do it and are you really going to let one of the maids do it?¡±


    ¡°Tch¡­¡± Bitterman groaned out of the chair and wiped his spit up with a handkerchief.


    ¡°Any more problems with Don¡¯s free guards?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ only the most dutiful ones are staying in their posts. The rest spend their days and nights in the bars and brothels. I hear them talking about this place called ¡®Creamland¡¯. It sounds disgusting, a place for contemptible people.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m aware.¡±


    ¡°Are you?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°And you will deal with it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s on the list. It holds one of the highest concentrations of enslaved men, women and children in one place at any one time outside of the king¡¯s castle and those other places.¡±


    ¡°And they will all continue to suffer while we wait for the perfect moment.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, man¡­ how many times do I have to explain this.¡±


    ¡°We know that the central control unit thing is in the king¡¯s castle.¡±


    ¡°We suspect it is,¡± he pointed out. ¡°We don¡¯t know it for a fact.¡±


    ¡°Then find out! And don¡¯t say it¡¯s on the list!¡± Bitterman snapped.


    ¡°Look, dude¡­ there¡¯s a central control unit, but there¡¯s also all those other units coma-draining enslaved scattered through the city. I want some clarity that those things can¡¯t act as temporary backups or something like that. Now, I¡¯ve got some smart magic-technology guys looking into that.¡±


    ¡°We should just attack the castle. We don¡¯t even need all your allies. I¡¯ll crush the king, while you destroy the slaver machine with the elf¡¯s magic thing, yeah, yeah,¡± Bitterman forestalled his objection, ¡°I¡¯ll wait for you to tell me that it worked before I separate his head from his body. I¡¯ll simply break him and keep him broken before then.¡±


    ¡°I wish it was that easy, but don¡¯t underestimate him. He¡¯s a shit person, but that doesn¡¯t make him weak and not dangerous. From what little I¡¯ve dared to look into, he¡¯s pushing Level 50 if not over already. Remember the scale. It¡¯d take ten Level 40¡¯s to match one Level 50 in the same class.¡±


    ¡°Fights aren¡¯t linear. It isn¡¯t simple math.¡±


    ¡°I know that. That¡¯s why you don¡¯t always go with what¡¯s on paper. Heart, preparation, luck. So many different factors outside of physical stats determine winners and losers. We¡¯re just trying to push as much of that to our side as possible before we strike. And ultimately, our goal is to free people without hurting or killing them.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡°Good, cause it feels like I¡¯ve been trying to talk you down from doing something stupid way too much these days.¡±


    ¡°Months in this shithole has made me angry,¡± Bitterman said.


    ¡°Well, keep control of it and harness it for when you actually need it, which will be soon. Christmas is coming up and I¡¯m going to make use of the distraction.¡±


    Bitterman¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Tell me, the other nobles¡¯,¡± he snorted, ¡°messengers¡­ did they say anything about Don not throwing a party this year?¡±


    ¡°You already know the answer,¡± Bitterman frowned.


    ¡°Yeah, they¡¯re expecting another massive orgy, but that¡¯s not happening here.


    ¡°I¡¯d kill them all first¡ª¡±


    ¡°Soon enough¡­ you see, everyone¡¯s going to be busy with something on Christmas. Big matches to watch during the day and big parties to attend during the night. The king¡¯s throwing one,¡± he plucked the invitation from the pile on his desk and tossed it to Bitterman, ¡°I¡¯m going.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll be going?¡±


    ¡°No. You¡¯re staying here to protect the people and our little secret down in his little dungeon. I¡¯m going as Don¡­ at first. Then as myself while I search.¡±


    ¡°Finally¡­ I¡¯ve been getting sick of your cowardice.¡±


    He ignored the jibe. ¡°Once I confirm the location of the central control unit we can solidify our plans to put an end to this place.¡±

 7.20

    King¡¯s Castle, December 19, 2036


    The Slaver King¡¯s living room was larger than a small house.


    He sat in the most comfortable couch in the world. And that was a fact. He didn¡¯t expend a massive amount of time and resources to turn a carpenter into a high level master couch craftsman. The same with an upholsterer made into a master upholsterer.


    The bespoke couch was made for him and him alone to exacting measurements that were impossible without the aid of Skills.


    The way it held him like a baby in his mother¡¯s arms was heavenly.


    Scantily clad slave women fed him snacks and massaged his feet, legs and neck.


    He had been tense when he should¡¯ve been relaxed and happy with how well his Freedom Championships had been going.


    Three weeks in and he couldn¡¯t remember how many epic and exciting action he had the privilege to witness. From the strongest in the Gold Division to the lower levels in Bronze there was something that got his blood pumping. There was even that group of feeders that just refused to die. Thrice now, they¡¯d won and killed monsters, granted they lost people each time. However, someone with deep pockets and influence continued to provide them with replacements.


    He had ordered his people to look into it. Though, not as a priority.


    It was a curiosity, but not the first time that one of the nobles decided to deal with their boredom through anonymous acts of excess.


    Shake the box of ants and see what happens.


    He understood the sentiment.


    Had done so himself on occasion.


    The Freedom Championships owed its genesis to it.


    He focused his attention back to the match replay on his projector.


    The screen took up most of the massive wall opposite from him.


    It was like having a movie theater all to himself. Almost like the theater in his childhood home. Though that one only sat twenty people. He could fit five times that number in his living room.


    The third round match or the Sweet Sixteen, as he privately referred to it, was between the Blue-haired girl and Blackstar. 1 seed versus 5 seed.


    He had already seen it live earlier in the morning, but he wanted to watch it less as a fan and more as a potential opponent.


    ¡°Excuse me, your majesty,¡± his slave butler said in a stately voice.


    ¡°What?¡± he tilted his head back.


    ¡°Your guest has arrived.¡±


    ¡°Which one?¡±


    ¡°The large man that appears to roll around in mud.¡±


    ¡°Bring him in. Ladies, leave.¡±


    His smiling slaves followed his command as they always did.


    The slave butler escorted the man into the living room.


    Big was an understatement, as was muddy.


    The man¡¯s clothing was tattered and covered in brown streaks.


    It wasn¡¯t all mud, at least if his sense of smell was correct.


    The man¡¯s gray hair was a wild, tangled nest. Quite literally, there were leaves and small bits of bark sticking out. His thick beard was in even worse shape. His ruddy complexion was another indicator that the man spent a lot of time exposed to the elements.


    The man went to sit down on one of the comfortable lounge chairs.


    ¡°No,¡± King said.


    The man shrugged and simply stood in a slouched stance eyes drifting over to the huge projection where the Blue-haired girl was punching Blackstar¡¯s eponymous concussive blasts out of the air.


    ¡°What¡¯cha want with me,¡± he slurred.


    The man wasn¡¯t drunk.


    King knew that for a fact.


    The man¡¯s type needed to down an entire keg just to get buzzed. Their class supercharged their entire system. You¡¯d need an equally supercharged toxin to make a dent.


    ¡°You enjoy the hunts, Garou?¡±


    ¡°Yeh¡­ ain¡¯t got much to complain bout on that account,¡± he shrugged boulder-like shoulders.


    King gazed up at the beady eyes hidden in the shadow of a sloped brow.


    ¡°Too bad about your boy, Gator. Ran into my new champion.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know nothin¡¯ bout that.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t watch?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t care none.¡±


    ¡°I wondered why you didn¡¯t enter. Why only Gator and Rou did? Aren¡¯t you worried that they¡¯ll take the rewards they¡¯re going to get and take over your pack? Unseat you as the alpha.¡±


    ¡°Ain¡¯t how that works.¡±


    Garou didn¡¯t elaborate.


    ¡°How does it work?¡±


    ¡°Strongest leads. Make the strongest submit, you lead.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that what being an alpha means.


    ¡°Dem¡¯s jus words. Ain¡¯t meanin¡¯ nothin¡¯ to us true swamp folk. You civilized folk be the ones worryin¡¯ bout what to call dem things.¡±


    Blackstar did a nifty tactical trick blasting at the charging Blue-haired girl¡¯s feet making her face plant into the dirt.


    ¡°You do you. It¡¯s clearly working for you guys. Gator¡¯s out, but Rou¡¯s got a match coming up in a couple of days.¡±


    Garou shrugged.


    ¡°Have you even seen any of your boys¡¯ fights?¡±


    A shake of the head.


    ¡°Then what are you doing when you aren¡¯t¡­ hunting?¡±


    ¡°Doin¡¯ wut we¡¯s agreed on. I stickin¡¯ around case you need muscle, so¡¯s long as you givin¡¯ me prey to hunt when I¡¯s needin¡¯ dem.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m also generously providing you with as much land as you want in the everglades. Although, I think it¡¯s time that you started providing returns on my investment.¡±


    ¡°Cain¡¯t jus bite dem civilized folk to make ¡®em like us. Cain¡¯t be civilized like to git our class.¡±


    ¡°I know that, but how about I start by sending out people to live with you in the swamp. You make them uncivilized and then turn them like you.¡±


    ¡°Ain¡¯t sure that¡¯s how dem things work.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine, we¡¯ll still try.¡±


    Another shrug.


    ¡°I invited you into my castle for an additional reason.¡±


    King shut off the replay just as the Blue-haired girl punted Blackstar like a football. He put on another replay.


    In this one an attractive, if somewhat slightly furry woman savaged her opponent with quick and powerful swipes of her thick, sharp fingernails.


    Garou perked up.


    His eyes zeroed in on the screen.


    Mouth opened to bare sharp canine teeth in an unconscious gesture.


    ¡°Got your hackles up?¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°Rino, from California. Don¡¯t get the wrong impression. She¡¯s not like you.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°We appraised her. Her class is weredog. Yeah, we didn¡¯t know that was possible, but then again you learn something new everyday and I¡¯m not using that like the tired cliche from the old days.¡±


    A low rumble slipped out of Garou¡¯s broad, barrel chest.


    ¡°Is that an angry growl or a horny one?¡±


    ¡°Dogs is for civilized folk. I ain¡¯t civilized. I be pure. I be the wilderness.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I hear you. So, are you going to run off to kill her?¡±


    A shrug.


    ¡°Well, don¡¯t. She¡¯s a contestant and under my rules of hospitality. As long as she remains a good and proper guest, she¡¯s untouchable, like all guests in my domain.¡±


    ¡°So¡¯s why you be showin¡¯ me?¡±


    ¡°Well, you see, I was wondering¡­ wolves and dogs can breed¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know if this be somethin¡¯ you can pass on to yer youngins.¡±


    ¡°Just a thought.¡±


    ¡°So¡¯s what¡¯cha want from me?¡±


    ¡°Keep close and maybe sniff around where this Rino comes and goes. I¡¯ll give you the addresses she¡¯s been observed around.¡±


    ¡°You ain¡¯t tellin¡¯ me somethin¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Nothing big, really, just that my eyes and ears are starting to pick up connections among some of my guests.¡±


    ¡°Then I be goin¡¯. If¡¯n ya need somethin¡¯ else¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know where to find you¡­ oh, and please don¡¯t attack my men. I¡¯m providing you with prey so that you can satisfy those urges on the right people.¡±


    ¡°Ain¡¯t none smart enough to be puttin¡¯ dem hands in the wolf¡¯s jaws.¡±


    Garou left without another word.


    ¡°For such a big man, he sure moves quietly,¡± King said.


    ¡°It helps that he doesn¡¯t wear shoes.¡±


    A woman¡¯s voice, sultry and inviting.


    Tempting as all good traps tended to be.


    He turned to his left.


    An exquisite woman sat in one of his lounge chairs at a safe distance.


    He wondered for whom.


    ¡°Lady Velvet. You¡¯ve let yourself in as always. Had I known you¡¯d be like this I never would¡¯ve invited you in the first place.¡±


    ¡°That only works in stories,¡± she threw her head back in laughter letting her vivid red mane toss invitingly


    The woman was tall, shapely. The picture of perfection. Like a painting, a sculpture. Her pale skin evoked alabaster. Her red eyes danger.


    A dark veil across her face covered her mouth.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Another predator in his living room.


    Unlike the brutish, wild man, this was the elegant dagger slipped into your neck.


    ¡°Sun¡¯s not fully set,¡± he said lightly.


    ¡°Its hate for us is not equal, as I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve seen in your little tournament.¡±


    ¡°Blood-soaked assassin. I guessed it was one of you,¡± he nodded, ¡°would you tell me how he managed to fool my appraisers?¡±


    ¡°Would you share the secrets of your collars?¡±


    ¡°Fair,¡± he conceded. ¡°Although, how is he spending so much time out in the sun. One of his matches was at noon.¡±


    ¡°Full-coverage clothing, strong sunscreen and a Skill or two, but you didn¡¯t call me here when you would¡¯ve just called him if these mundane questions are all you¡¯re after.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re sharp as a fang, as always.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re not nearly as funny as you think¡­ as always.¡±


    King snorted. ¡°Alright, then, answer this question. Have you or any of your little¡ª what do you call it, again? Oh, that¡¯s right, coterie, have you been indulging in your more predatory instincts in say the last two months or so?¡±


    ¡°You mean in addition to our arrangement?¡±


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    He pulled a truth gem out of his pocket.


    It remained dull.


    Velvet raised a brow. ¡°I thought a king knows when his subjects are untruthful?¡±


    ¡°That works fine for normal people. The higher the level the dicier it gets, but since I¡¯m so high-leveled it¡¯s really a non issue most of the time. You might be different. Your class might give you something that lets you hide your true nature. I mean, that¡¯s, like, built into your kit. Melting into shadows, hiding in mist, turning into small animals.¡±


    ¡°We are happy with our arrangement. Indeed, it¡¯s provided pleasure and purpose. We get to indulge our true selves without having you people trying to burn us and such. Besides, we aren¡¯t wasteful. Blood is plentiful, thanks to your generosity.¡±


    ¡°No big deal, tons of hospitals and blood banks all over the place. Zero labor involved beyond packing them up and sending them to you.¡±


    ¡°Yes and we¡¯ve found that it is more beneficial for us to let the prey live with only a little bloodletting. The ones we¡¯ve used the longest even develop Skills and classes tailored to thwarting our hunt. It makes for a truly exhilarating experience. The excitement! The challenge! As we all know, with challenge comes gains.¡±


    ¡°Between you and me. I¡¯m much happier with our arrangement than I am with what I¡¯ve got with the furries. You make good, proper use of my essential supply. They just eat them.¡±


    ¡°It is time then?¡± she said.


    ¡°Time for?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t play coy. I may have¡­ accidentally overheard portions of your conversation with that brute¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I think so. Expansion is on the horizon and there are powerful forces out there in my yet to be reclaimed republic. A force of people with your class is crucial to our continued lives of privilege.¡±


    ¡°There is wisdom in what you say, your majesty. However, there is also danger. Our class is unpredictable. You¡¯d risk turning some people into monsters. No better than the real ones.¡±


    ¡°Sure, but there¡¯s no reward without risk. What we do is mitigate. You do your thing, but in a controlled environment. We watch your little ones closely until we know they can control themselves.¡±


    ¡°There is also an issue of blood supply. I¡¯ve talked about this with my coterie and there is a number that we can¡¯t cross.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I get that. It¡¯s like with wolves. You need a hundred sheep for, say five wolves. The ratio needs to stay stable. If the predators start to out compete the prey then you¡¯ll eventually end up with all predators no prey.¡±


    ¡°Just so,¡± Velvet inclined her head. ¡°But, I¡¯m willing to undertake this experiment¡­ slowly, carefully.¡±


    ¡°Of course. That¡¯s how I do things. There¡¯s no need to be reckless.¡±


    ¡°I sense that there is another matter playing on your thoughts.¡±


    ¡°You sense? Or is it something else.¡±


    Velvet arched a perfect, red brow.


    ¡°Back to my first question. The reason I asked is because it looks like there¡¯s a serial killer in my city. The center of my kingdom. And my men are proving useless.¡±


    ¡°This is the first I¡¯ve heard of this¡­ troubling news.¡±


    ¡°Bodies in the woods, in the canals and now inside their own locked homes.¡±


    ¡°How were they killed?¡±


    ¡°Cut and stabbed.¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡± Velvet clapped delicate-looking hands. The red on her fingernails just as bright and vivid as her hair. ¡°Then it couldn¡¯t have been one of us. We would never waste the blood.¡±


    ¡°Which, brings me to the next point I wanted to cover,¡± he grinned. ¡°It occurs to me that you and your coterie are the perfect people to solve this problem.¡±


    Velvet¡¯s eyes stared into his.


    He steeled his will.


    He knew a little bit of what she could do. It shouldn¡¯t be a problem for him, since he was a king and higher leveled.


    The struggle he anticipated never emerged.


    She looked away.


    He realized that she didn¡¯t blink like a normal person.


    ¡°A true hunt then,¡± she nodded.


    ¡°Great! Bring them in alive if possible. I have so many questions for them and depending on what I get there could be a job offer. Feel free to share that information when you catch them.¡±


    ¡°As the king commands,¡± she inclined her head a fraction.


    ¡°Cool! I¡¯m going to turn my head now and you do that thing were you vanish without a trace¡­¡± he slowly turned his head. The reflection on the glass cover of his giant wall painting showed Velvet sitting on his lounge chair.


    He blinked.


    She was gone.


    He spun around.


    Velvet was probably right.


    An army of vampires was too risky.


    Same with the werewolves.


    Too easy for both to get out of control.


    However, a small, loyal force of elite spies, assassins and special forces on steroids was perfect for his needs.


    The problems with SoCal revealed the need.


    In the world made by the spires, power was in the hands of the individual.


    To bring about his kingdom, his New American Republic, he needed more power in his hands.


    He and Noel just had to make collars that worked on nonbasic humans.


    Dozens of hopes, dreams and plans danced through his head as he went back to the replay he had been watching when Garou had come in.


    The Blue-haired girl held a fist to the cheering crowd as it rained adulation down. She had a foot planted on Blackstar¡¯s chest.


    The woman was alive, if badly beaten up.


    He wondered about the girl.


    She had refused to even acknowledge the invitations and messengers he had sent. She was yet another mystery brought to him by the championships.


    A child in appearance, yet the appraisers were certain that she qualified over the minimum age. That they didn¡¯t get anything else from her only added to the mystique. No class, no Skills, not even a name.


    He made a note to extend an invitation to Blackstar. She had fought well in both the team and one versus one events in the Gold Division. An unclassed. Superpowered. The true divide in humanity. You either had one or the other. With the latter being extremely rare.


    In any case, it was in his best interest to get most of these competitors to bend the knee and come work for him.


    He wouldn¡¯t force it. Just make it clear that it was in their best interests in terms of their long-term prospects. He had plans for what was once America and after that?


    Well, the world awaited.


    ¡°We need to find out if it¡¯s hereditary,¡± he muttered.


    Would matching a werewolf and weredog result in one or the other? A half version? Or did it follow normal class rules where what you did and how you saw yourself tended to be the determining factor?


    ¡°Excuse me, your majesty. Your last guest of the evening has arrived. Shall I send her in?¡± his slave butler said.


    A woman with twelve eyes walked stiffly into the living room and refused to take a seat even though he was magnanimous enough to offer her one.


    He regarded her brown skin and almond eyes.


    The years were writ upon her weather-lined face.


    The eyes, though, held power and anger.


    He wouldn¡¯t have known that she was a lot more dangerous than her 50 plus years suggested had he not seen her in action.


    Magus of the Ten Eyes.


    She had refused to divulge any other name.


    None of his appraisers and interrogators had succeeded in prying it out of her.


    Indeed, outside of himself and maybe a few others there were none that could compel her to do anything against her will.


    Which was why he had used the safety of her own employees against her.


    Ten eyes from some unknown monster orbited around her.


    Four glared balefully at him.


    The other six spun to provide coverage in every direction.


    ¡°We really didn¡¯t get to talk much the one time we were fact to face,¡± he began.


    ¡°I remember your words,¡± she said flatly. ¡°Fight in your little farce or my friends, the ones you didn¡¯t murder, suffer,¡± she spat.


    ¡°Good, good. I won¡¯t have to rehash the details of our agreement.¡±


    ¡°It is not an agreement when one party is unwilling and under duress. Though, from the country you¡¯ve created, it¡¯s obvious that you lack an understanding of the word¡¯s definition.¡±


    ¡°You could¡¯ve just walked or flew away,¡± he shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m honest enough to admit that we couldn¡¯t have stopped you. Don¡¯t get me wrong, if it came down to a fight, I¡¯d destroy you. It¡¯d be hard and I¡¯d take shots, but¡­ well, you know¡­¡± he leaned forward and stared into her human eyes, ¡°except you couldn¡¯t run and take your employees with you.¡±


    ¡°What is the purpose of this waste of time?¡±


    ¡°Revisiting said agreement,¡± he smiled.


    ¡°I¡¯ve done as you asked.¡±


    ¡°Have you, though? Two fights and I can tell you¡¯re barely putting in effort. The first guy you just put to sleep. And the second guy, you just hit him with tiny little beams that barely burned him while floating around. The poor bastard quit out of frustration. His wounds? Barely as bad as scalding water. That is not what I want to see. It isn¡¯t t part of our agreement. I specifically told you that you would do your best.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not my concern if my opponents are not to your satisfaction.¡±


    ¡°Listen, Arab,¡± he dropped the amiable facade. ¡°I know your story. I know you came from Egypt. Walked across North Africa, up into Spain, England, Ireland, Greenland or Iceland, whichever, down though Canada and finally into old America. Figured you¡¯d take the chance to immigrate now that the borders aren¡¯t secure, did you?¡±


    ¡°Your racism reveals a small, petty, ignorant mind¡­ or is it the other way around. I suppose it doesn¡¯t matter, does it?¡±


    ¡°You think you¡¯re so smart¡­ well, who¡¯s got whose balls in a vise?¡±


    ¡°Neither of us is so equipped.¡±


    ¡°For an old lady, it seems like you¡¯ve got a pair,¡± he laughed. ¡°Now,¡± he dropped his smile, ¡°answer my questions or else your employees, friends, whatever, suffer¡­ more.¡±


    Several eyes narrowed. ¡°More?¡±


    ¡°It depends on your willingness to answer questions and fight to your best ability.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t hurt them. Their safety is your only leverage. As soon as you hurt them I will no longer have anything holding me back from, say, turning your degenerate arena into a charnel house. What would your people say when they realize that you can¡¯t protect them?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s those balls again, well, I anticipated you¡¯d be a little difficult, so¡­¡± he snapped his fingers. His slave butler approached with a covered plate placing it down on the glass table in front of the old woman. He gestured for the butler to leave it. ¡°I don¡¯t really like doing this sort of thing. It¡¯s like you said before, too crude. But¡­ needs must¡­¡± he lifted the cover to reveal a small pile of finger tips.


    It was with some satisfaction that he watched the woman go from confused to horrified in real time.


    Multiple eyes widened.


    Two focused on him and began to shine with inner light.


    ¡°Careful, what you do to me I¡¯ll do to them and they can¡¯t heal like I do, as you know,¡± he chided. ¡°Now, it¡¯s not as bad as it looks. I only took their fingertips and not all of them came from one person. You¡¯ve got a number of friends that are my current guests. I couldn¡¯t tell you which finger tip belongs to which person. Only that I took one, two at most, from¡­¡± he counted the bloody digits on the platter, ¡°seven¡­ ten people.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not surprised. You¡¯ve displayed the bearing of a true monster. It¡¯s in evidence everywhere I turn in this kingdom of slaves.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re all happy to serve,¡± he said simply. ¡°In fact, I¡¯m considering giving your friends the same honor. It¡¯s why I only took a fingertip or two. I don¡¯t believe in maiming our essential workers. It¡¯d only make them worse at their jobs. Wasteful.¡±


    The old woman calmed.


    Her eyes followed suit.


    ¡°I will try harder in my next match,¡± she said through grit teeth.


    ¡°Good. Good. I¡¯m hoping the steampunk cyborg can push you better than your first two opponents,¡± he nodded. ¡°Now, to my next issue. In speaking to your friends. I¡¯ve learned some interesting things about what you¡¯ve been up to in my lands these past four years. Specifically, who and what you encountered about four years ago. You remember New York, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ I know you¡¯ve tortured my friends, so they would¡¯ve told you everything there was to know about our studies and exploration. I left instructions that they cooperate.¡±


    ¡°And they did.¡±


    ¡°And you cut of their fingers.¡±


    ¡°Just the tip, right to the knuckle, basically just a finger nail or two, not that big of a deal,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°There is nothing I can add to the story.¡±


    ¡°Just give it a shot. We paint a more complete picture when we collaborate. I remember that night. Everyone around here has a story about being awoken by the flash of light that turned night into day. Then the thunder a few minutes later. I thought someone had popped a nuke, but then the light didn¡¯t go away. Don¡¯t get me wrong, I¡¯ve never seen a nuclear bomb go off before so I have no idea how long the light stays, but over a few minutes seems too long for an explosion, even as powerful as a nuke. There was the lack of a mushroom cloud and so I started thinking that it had to be something else. Magic was the only other rational conclusion. Unfortunately, we weren¡¯t as strong back then as we are today. I sent a few teams north to try to investigate, but never heard from them again. So, I stopped, why waste my people needlessly? And then you came down the coast,¡± he raised a brow.


    ¡°Get to your point. I have to prepare for the match tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°The man with one hand. You found him in a field. Unconscious and yet, untouched by the monsters and mutants that presumably came to eat him. They slaughtered each other or simply stood and waited, which is where you and your friends came in. They said you spoke to the man before you went to New York to investigate the explosion. Some kind of being from another world. I knew that the possibility of intelligent alien life shot up when the spires told us that we could travel to another world.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯d enslaved them as well.¡±


    ¡°Trust me, Arab, they¡¯d do the same to us if they could. But, luckily for you, I¡¯m here to stand in their way. A guardian for humanity standing on the wall to keep the monsters at bay.¡±


    ¡°Is that what you call it? Luck. I¡¯m lucky to fight for the braying, bloodthirsty masses? I¡¯m lucky to sit here with a plate of my friends¡¯ fingers in front of me?¡±


    ¡°You know, it¡¯d be easy for me to just put collars on their necks. I¡¯d lose you as a participant and a resource, but there are alternates,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°There is nothing for me to add to the story. I spoke to the man. He revealed nothing beyond what you¡¯ve already taken from my friends. I kept no secrets from them. There was an alien being. The man killed it, which resulted in the energy release that turned night into day and turned much of Manhattan into a smoking crater.¡±


    He chewed on the information for a few minutes.


    ¡°Normally, I¡¯d push you harder on this, but you do have a match tomorrow and I want you at your best,¡± he said. ¡°Go on, get out of here and don¡¯t disappoint me. Your friends only have so many fingertips.¡±


    The old woman stood and followed his slave butler out.


    Ten eyes gazed at him as if they could see right into his soul.


    ¡°Can¡¯t wait to see what those things can really do!¡± he said.

 Interlude: Bloodstained Hammer

    Chicago, USA, 2021


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget, I need them green apples for the pie, honey.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll just get the pies already made, Grammy.¡±


    ¡°That frozen stuff? Child, you know there¡¯s nothing like home-baked love. Especially, times like this.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to make everything yourself, Grammy. The store¡¯s got ready made stuff. Why can¡¯t we just get those? All we have to do is heat them up and boom! Thanksgiving dinner without all that work!¡±


    ¡°The little ones need a loving, home-cooked meal.¡±


    Her grammy¡¯s warm smile hid the iron in the soul.


    She regarded the dozen or so noisy children in her grammy¡¯s small apartment living room and tried to remember why they were there in the first place to stamp down on the annoyance in her heart.


    It wasn¡¯t their fault that keeping them fed was slowly draining the strength from her grammy.


    Still, it was a close thing on whether their noise bothered her more than the ever-present rumble of the diesel generator out on the balcony. The sliding door was closed to keep the heat in and winter out, but she could still hear it puttering away, shaking the glass and floor.


    Although pushing 80, her grammy had been a vibrant, boisterous woman that loved to dance.


    The nearly two years since the spires popped up had turned her grammy into a thin, bent old woman that needed the help of a walker to putter in her kitchen in the constant struggle to feed, not just the kids she had taken in, but the others in the rest of the apartment building.


    Sure, she tried to help when she could, but that was in the brief snatches of time she had between killing monsters and warning off the gangs and random crews that seemed to keep popping up like those mutant rats in the basement apartments.


    Too many fools kept trying her.


    She took a moment to breathe.


    It was a trying existence. Living with the constant aches of her body. Muscles, joints, even bones seemed to be always nagging her in that incessant way.


    She couldn¡¯t remember what it was like to feel normal.


    Not since the first time she had stepped into a spire.


    ¡°Alright, Grammy, but maybe we get some of those moochers to help out?¡±


    ¡°You know there¡¯s only one queen in my kitchen.¡±


    ¡°Queen¡¯s got servants,¡± she shrugged.


    She grabbed her grammy¡¯s fold-up shopping cart in one hand and the splitting axe in the other before stepping out into the dark hallway.


    She sighed.


    Couldn¡¯t anyone do what they were supposed to?


    Was it so hard to make sure the lanterns stayed lit?


    Nothing jumped out of the shadows as she took her lighter to the candle lantern near her grammy¡¯s door.


    Her irritation only grew when she checked the kerosene one and found it empty.


    She wasted time moving across her floor on the way to the stairs lighting lanterns and banging on doors yelling at people to keep their lanterns lit.


    ¡°Yo, girl, why you¡ª¡± a young man peeked out from behind his door.


    ¡°Lanterns. Lit. Monsters.¡±


    She continued down several flights of stairs.


    Noting the lack of lantern awareness on each floor with a shake of her head.


    And they complain when there¡¯s an attack.


    The cold air greeted her on the street.


    Well, that wasn¡¯t true anymore.


    It was supposed to be cold, sometimes near-freezing at night.


    She knew this from the thick coats and caps the rare person she saw outdoors wore. From each visible exhale. From the morning frost.


    Except, here she stood in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt.


    The slight metallic sheen to her skin protected her from the elements just as well as it protected her from violence.


    She crossed a dark alley.


    A gremlin leapt on her.


    It bit down on her raised arm.


    She grabbed its throat and crushed it before flinging the dying monster out into the deserted street.


    She held her torn sleeve up to the moonlight and found tiny indentations in her skin.


    No penetration.


    The attack itself had been surprising only in that such attacks had been becoming rarer as time went on and she grew stronger.


    Gremlins, big and small, didn¡¯t usually lurk alone, especially out on the streets.


    Nothing troubled her as she continued on her journey.


    Dark, silent blocks with the only sounds to accompany her were her boot steps and breaths.


    A long walk in the winter.


    She used to love strolling through Millennium Park during the rare day when she had the time.


    It had been a rare treat since she had to work multiple jobs, while studying for school just for the desperate chance that she¡¯d find a way out and not end up like her mama, who had ended up dying from overwork at forty-five.


    She crossed a street and was approached by a group of men, ten visible and probably more hiding in the alleys or derelict vehicles.


    ¡°Yo, lemme hol¡ª¡±


    ¡°Fuck. Off,¡± she stared eye to eye with the thick-necked bruiser.


    She recognized the face ink and the shiny grill, but didn¡¯t remember the name.


    The last time she had faced off with this particular gang had been a month or two ago.


    Back then she had been looking up into the man¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Listen, I ain¡¯t gonna be extendin¡¯ the olive branch forever, so to speak.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t thinking that we had a problem?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t¡­ least not at the moment. Things change,¡± he shrugged.


    With that he gestured and the group parted before her like the sea did for Moses.


    ¡°Jus¡¯ think about it. We can be good for each other!¡± he called after her.


    Just another gang looking for what scraps of power and control they could grab.


    North, west, east, south-siders. Numbers. Streets. Animals.


    They melded together and split apart like a school of fish. Each little one trying to stay alive the longest all while the sharks snapped in from out of the depths.


    As she kept walking she entered the nicer area, well, what was once the nicer area. The monsters didn¡¯t care if you had gentrification money. Rich or poor, it didn¡¯t matter. Meat tasted the same.


    Ironically, these blocks were largely abandoned.


    The rich people that had managed to survive the early days fled to the government shelters and safe-ish zones. And there they remained. Still waiting for the government to come swoop in and fix things like it always did for their kind.


    No one was coming.


    She knew that.


    It was how she and those like her had lived all their lives going all the way back to the beginning when their ancestors were placed in chains.


    Millennium Park was one such place protected by a mixture of military and police, at least the ones that kept to the veneer. Many of them decided to remove the masks. These ones grabbed for their own power and control. Ruling small tracts of territory like the gangs they had always been.


    She encountered more people lurking in the darkness.


    The sounds of a fight filtered in from an alley.


    Growls meant monsters.


    She was thankful for that.


    If it was a rape she¡¯d have to do something about it.


    ¡°Hey, girl, lemme¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut up! It¡¯s her!¡±


    Young men, boys really, ducked away.


    She turned the corner and saw something that hadn¡¯t been there on her last shopping trip.


    ¡°They put it up last week.¡±


    A familiar face stepped out of an alley.


    Did everyone lurk in alleys now?


    What about the monsters?


    She supposed people were getting strong enough with those classes that they could handle the bigger gremlins.


    ¡°Caleb,¡± she gave him a head nod, ¡°who put it up?¡± she gestured at the chain-link fence topped with barbed wire blocking the street.


    ¡°Sup, Wonder Woman. Who do you think? Cops, army, national guard. Take your pick, they be lookin¡¯ alike these days.¡±


    She cursed.


    She¡¯d have to find a way around wasting valuable time.


    Her grammy¡¯s apartment should¡¯ve been safe in her name, but she didn¡¯t like trusting the spires¡¯ rules.


    From her experience rules were only there for the ones that had made them in the first place.


    They could be changed in an instant or ignored outright.


    ¡°You going on a food run?¡± Caleb regarded the folded-up cart in her hand. ¡°You¡¯re gonna have to go somewhere else. They¡¯ve fenced it off. Created a little pocket around it running all the way to the freeway. Got a whole bunch of pasty shooters manning the place. They emptying it out on the daily. Rest of us can¡¯t even get close without catching a bullet.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re killing¡ª¡±


    ¡°Not so far. Warning shots. But, you know that ain¡¯t gonna last long. Say¡­ there¡¯s a party back at¡ª¡±


    ¡°Not. Interested.¡±


    ¡°I ain¡¯t fitting to get at you. Thinking we can get a collab going. People need that store. Food¡¯s gonna run out. Already did for them¡¯s that ain¡¯t forward thinking enough to grab more than they need. That shiny skin of yours bulletproof? You¡¯d be helping a lot¡ª¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t join gangs.¡±


    ¡°Not saying you got to put in the shit with us¡­ just thinking that you can¡¯t pull that Geneva Convention shit forever, you feel me? Word is some of the OG¡¯s are starting to think they¡¯re getting strong enough, you know, leveling. Some might be putting together lick squads just to test you out. Me and my boys ain¡¯t cause we don¡¯t roll that way. And we¡¯d never mess with your grandma and what she¡¯s doing for all them kids,¡± Caleb crossed himself, ¡°God bless her. Reminds of my own. Rest her soul.¡±


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to have names?¡±


    ¡°I might, but I ain¡¯t sharing. Gotta look out for my own, you feel? Nothing personal, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°Caleb, the moment I take a side is the moment the rest won¡¯t have a reason to hold back and I ain¡¯t no fool. You spread the word¡ª words,¡± she bared her teeth. ¡°Fuck around and find out! That¡¯s for them fools thinking they¡¯re hard enough. Ain¡¯t no one harder than me, you feel?¡±


    ¡°Ain¡¯t never thought otherwise,¡± Caleb raised his hands and backed a step away from the looming young woman.


    ¡°Two¡­ you might want to get your people heading to the store. Bring bags,¡± she strode to the fence, placed her axe and cart on the ground and ripped the fence down.


    This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    Greedy, racist fuckers would see to it that her grammy and the kids would starve.


    They had earned what she was about to give them.


    The entire shopping center with the grocery store was surrounded by another chain-link fence.


    A handful of military trucks armed with roof guns and regular trucks armed with guns in the back sat in the parking lot. There was a truck at each entrance where a movable barricade sat closed.


    She strode right to the closest one.


    Men dressed in combat gear barked orders as they trained their lights and guns on her.


    ¡°Stop right there or we¡¯ll shoot!¡± one barked the loudest. ¡°This is property of the United States Government under the authority of the Mayor of Chicago. As a citizen of said entity you are obligated to obey. Turn around and clear the area or we will forcibly remove you.¡±


    ¡°By what right do you take away our one source of food?¡±


    ¡°You deaf, you dumb nigger. I just said¡ª¡±


    ¡°I heard. That sounds like a rule. I asked what right you had? There¡¯s a difference. Not that you¡¯d ever have to think about that.¡±


    ¡°Move along. We don¡¯t have to pretend anymore.¡±


    ¡°Like you ever did. I¡¯m asking you, again, what right do you have to leave us to starve?¡±


    ¡°We aren¡¯t doing anything of the sort. You¡¯re free to go get food¡­ somewhere else.¡±


    ¡°It. Is. Thanksgiving.¡±


    ¡°I know and we had a great Thanksgiving lunch. Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, pie, the works. And my family, back home, is having a great Thanksgiving dinner with all the food we¡¯ve sent back. That¡¯s our right,¡± the man raised his rifle.


    She looked down at the red dot on her chest.


    Several red dots.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to get food for my grandmother and the children,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°You stupid, girl. I said git or get shot. I¡¯m already being nice. You understand me? We have orders to blow away anyone that even remotely looks like a threat and the only reason you¡¯re still standing there giving me lip is cause it¡¯s Thanksgiving and I don¡¯t want blood on my hands.¡±


    ¡°Or you just don¡¯t want to attract monsters.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got no rights here. Go home. Hug your mammy and your four kids with four different guys,¡± he sneered.


    ¡°Last chance,¡± she said flatly.


    Blood on her hands.


    Human blood.


    She¡¯d shed her fair share since the apocalypse started.


    Law and order had been a thin strand of thread easily snipped.


    The strong killed, raped and did whatever else they wanted to the weak.


    As far as she was concerned the monsters weren¡¯t new.


    They had always been around her.


    As they were now.


    She had always hated the gangs.


    In their reds, whites and blues.


    Making things harder than they had to be.


    She had always been powerless.


    Kept her head down and pray that they didn¡¯t notice you and decide to ruin your life.


    Like swimming through a sea of sharks.


    Now, she was the biggest shark.


    ¡°Hey, hold up, sarge,¡± another man leered down from the truck¡¯s roof-mounted gun, ¡°she¡¯s¡ª what do their people call em? There¡¯s that song¡­¡±


    ¡°Built like a brickhouse or something like that,¡± another said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know about that, but she¡¯s stacked,¡± yet another smirked.


    The sergeant regarded her with a roving eye. ¡°Listen, we don¡¯t do that sort of thing. We¡¯re better than them. However, if you want to earn some food then you can work something out with my boys,¡± he raised a brow.


    She let the fold-up cart fall to the ground.


    She took one stride.


    Superhuman muscles propelled her across the distance before the men could react.


    She crushed the sergeant¡¯s face with her free hand hurling him at the gunner on the truck.


    The man¡¯s dead body crushed the gunner.


    Shock wore off for some of the men.


    Their training kicked in.


    Guns barked.


    Bullets tore through her clothing and¡ª bounced off her flesh.


    The sound reminded her of rain drops hitting the roof of her mama¡¯s beater as they drove to school.


    It hurt in the same way that someone flicking her with a finger hurt.


    Which was to say, not very much.


    She raised the splitting axe and brought it down on the closest man.


    The young man¡¯s helmet did nothing to prevent his head from being split, turned into pulp.


    She reached out with a wet, stained hand and used the body as a shield.


    Monsters came in many forms.


    These men learned that fact in the moments before they died.


    Every move she made left one less man barring her path to food for her grammy and the children.


    A ball of fire exploded against her face.


    Thankfully, her eyes had closed reflexively.


    Still, she choked and coughed smoke. Some of it had gotten into her mouth and lungs.


    It was a bad habit, she knew, to let her mouth open in a fight.


    More men and a few women began to emerge from the grocery store.


    Spells bombarded her.


    Okay¡ª


    Those hurt more than the bullets.


    She ran behind the truck to catch her breath while patting out the flames on her tattered shirt.


    They moved to surround her.


    She didn¡¯t give them time.


    She pushed the truck into their midst, quicker than they could reasonably expected to anticipate from the sounds of impacts and shouts.


    She kept pushing.


    The truck jolted as if rolling over a speed bump.


    Bodies appeared.


    They were still moving.


    She stomped until they stopped.


    Up the truck she went.


    Into a flying leap.


    Another fireball exploded.


    This time against her outstretched palm.


    She landed on the mage.


    The man¡¯s cry was silenced by the loud cracking sound of his ribs going into his lungs and heart.


    At least that¡¯s what it looked like from the deep red liquid bubbling out of his mouth.


    She put him out of his misery with a punch.


    She had always hated them, but she didn¡¯t want to be cruel.


    Cold comfort.


    What would grammy say if she knew what her precious honey had done?


    ¡°Weapon Break!¡± a high-pitched voice.


    Her axe¡¯s handle shattered at the hit.


    She swung the broken half and silenced the voice.


    ¡°Piercing Stab!¡±


    Pain, actual pain.


    Wetness trickled down her back.


    She spun with a backhand and hit air.


    ¡°Something¡¯s up with her skin! Like barkskin or ironskin!¡±


    ¡°Those aren¡¯t spells!¡±


    ¡°That we know of! Look at her! She¡¯s shiny!¡±


    ¡°But, I¡¯m not sensing any mana in her!¡±


    ¡°Has to be a Skill!¡±


    ¡°Cover me! I¡¯ll try again!¡±


    Stupid to talk.


    Spells and bullets peppered her.


    She rushed forward with a punch that left bone and brains on her fist.


    ¡°Pier¡ª¡±


    Stupid.


    She knew rogue-types.


    They always liked going for the back. She¡¯d have seen it coming the second time even if the idiot hadn¡¯t broadcast his intent.


    She held the young man tightly in a bear hug with arms as strong and hard as steel.


    He stared up at her with wide eyes.


    So much fear.


    Young.


    Her age.


    Had the spires not appeared would they be sharing the same college classes?


    She hesitated.


    His gaze hardened.


    ¡°Gutting Slice!¡±


    Somehow, he had managed to get his blade across her stomach.


    Stinging pain, but less than he had hoped for.


    She squeezed.


    Crack!


    She let the limp body fall to the ground.


    The others cursed at her promising violent retribution.


    She closed her ears to their words. Her heart to their faces.


    Remembered her hatred. Remembered the countless injustices of the past done to her, her family, her people. Remembered how they would happily make the only person she had left starve to death.


    Spell and Skills barely got through skin like metal.


    Muscle and bone of the same make smashed and crushed.


    She knew what she was.


    The spires had told her.


    A woman transformed.


    Made of biological metal.


    A woman growing further away from her humanity by the day.


    It ended abruptly.


    The last fighter in a crumpled heap at her feet.


    She stared down at herself.


    What was left of her torn and burned shirt hung in tattered threads.


    Her sports bra had weathered the violence in better shape.


    Blood soaked it as it ran down her body to her legs where most of her jeans remained to preserve some semblance of modesty.


    Most of the gore wasn¡¯t hers.


    She bled from a handful of shallow stabs and cuts.


    The burns from the spells hurt more.


    Though not as much as the sickness welling up from her stomach as the full magnitude of her slaughter began to dawn on her.


    She had killed, yes, but never on such a scale.


    How many dozens lay in broken piles all around her?


    ¡°Forget Wonder Woman. Skinny white girl ain¡¯t got nothing on you!¡±


    She blinked as if waking from a nightmare.


    Caleb walked toward her holding out her grammy''s fold-up cart.


    Dozens of other people flowed cautiously into the light of the grocery store¡¯s sign.


    Looks of disgust mingled with shock on their faces.


    Do you see me for what I am now? I¡¯ve been holding back, she thought.


    ¡°Hold up,¡± Caleb said.


    ¡°You ain¡¯t our shotcaller,¡± a tattooed man smirked.


    ¡°We got to get in there, grab our shit and bounce before they bring in reinforcements and shit,¡± another said.


    Multiple gangs and groups had converged once Caleb had spread the word.


    ¡°She killed them all. Ain¡¯t no backup coming for awhile. Sides, she gets first pick,¡± Caleb jerked a thumb toward her.


    ¡°I ain¡¯t bout to stand in no freezing ass¡ª¡±


    She silenced the huge man with a look.


    ¡°Aight, queen gets to go first,¡± he backed away.


    ¡°You wanna get cleaned up before you grab your grub, girl?¡± Caleb lowered his voice. ¡°I can get you some healing?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Caleb followed her into the grocery store. ¡°You ain¡¯t got nothing to be ashamed of. They got plenty of stores in their territory. That¡¯s how they set it up back then, ain¡¯t no surprise that they¡¯d do the same now. They brought you down on them like the wrath of God. Ain¡¯t your fault they got greedy like always. We¡¯d be starving over the winter if it wasn¡¯t for what you just done. You find out who people are when things ain¡¯t so nice and comfortable no more.¡±


    He didn¡¯t mean her, but she knew better.


    ¡°Course, we still got a problem,¡± he continued. ¡°They¡¯re gonna be gunning for payback. Blood¡¯s running the streets anyways. Only difference now is that it¡¯s gonna be on for real. Us against them. Blood¡¯s gotta be earned. So¡­ I¡¯ll have my boys run the food to your grammy¡¯s¡­¡±


    He chirped like an incessant bird on her shoulder while she stomped through the aisles filling the cart up with the items on her blood-stained list.


    ¡°Don¡¯t want nothing from you,¡± she glared down at him. ¡°The only side I¡¯m on is my grammy¡¯s and those kids.¡±


    ¡°Whitey ain¡¯t gonna see it that way. Like I said, blood¡¯s flowing from us to them and now them to us thanks to you. They¡¯re gonna want to get one or a hundred back. Your grammy and those kids gonna get caught in it.¡±


    ¡°You planning on letting word slip out?¡±


    ¡°Nah. Too late for that. Plenty of eyes seen what you done out there. Word like that don¡¯t stay quiet for long. Listen, ain¡¯t no going back for you. You really gonna keep your head down while they roll in here and kill us? The way I see it, you¡¯ve got a responsibility now.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t start a war.¡±


    The words tasted bitter on her tongue.


    ¡°I¡¯m not fighting a war.¡±


    ¡°Nah. You have. We all have. Even before them spires bullshit. They¡¯d been fighting us from the beginning. They ain¡¯t never stopped. Just kept making it sound all legitimate with their laws. It¡¯s all out in the open now. Ain¡¯t no use in hiding and pretending any different. Sides, ain¡¯t no one time thing. Food runs out. What¡¯s the point if you ain¡¯t gonna hold on to this place? They¡¯ll be coming to take it back. Remember, we don¡¯t got this place¡­ we die. You gonna do your people like that?¡±


    ¡°Caleb. I¡¯m going to finish. Then I¡¯m going to go home and have Thanksgiving dinner.¡±


    ¡°Sure, ain¡¯t saying you can¡¯t. Just really hoping that when you¡¯re done with fam time, you¡¯ll be right back here. Cause this is yours now. They took it from the Southside Bulls and now you took it from them.¡±


    That¡¯s right.


    In her numbness she hadn¡¯t processed the text and voice telling her that the corner shopping center was now hers.


    She had a few options.


    Give it up and let someone else reclaim it.


    Transfer it back to the southsiders or¡ª


    ¡°You can have it, Caleb.¡±


    ¡°You fitting to get me and my crew killed,¡± he laughed.


    Or¡­ she could keep it.


    ¡°I¡¯m thinking of proposing a palaver with all the gangs. Make you a queen. Thinking after seeing what you can really do they¡¯ll be cool with it. You wouldn¡¯t even have to do more than you already do. Kill monsters. Keep the worst shit in line. Fight the government. Might be good to get under one leader, so we can stop just hanging and actually start doing shit. We¡¯ve fallen behind. They¡¯ve got more people, more weapons, better classes, higher levels. That¡¯s what happens when they¡¯re spotted with a huge lead.¡±


    ¡°Caleb¡ª¡±


    ¡°Nah, girl. Let me say my piece,¡± he sighed. ¡°We¡¯re bleeding out slowly. Won¡¯t be long before they can just roll up here and start taking people. I¡¯m talking slaves. They ain¡¯t never stopped wanting to keep their boots on our necks and their chains on our wrists. You can stop all that by showing them that they ain¡¯t got shit on you.¡±


    She had no words.


    Caleb made sense.


    She could see it happening.


    ¡°Listen, I ain¡¯t telling you what to do. Ain¡¯t no way I can make you do shit. I¡¯m asking. Begging. Don¡¯t let them step on us like they always did. You¡¯ve got the power now. Ain¡¯t no one had it like you before. Go home, have dinner with your grammy, but come back here before more of them show up. I¡¯m thinking you¡¯ll need a repeat, but let some of them go back home to tell their homies what¡¯s what. You feel me?¡±


    She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.


    ¡°You want a queen? Then spread the word. I¡¯m making the rules from now on. No more fighting for scraps of territory. No more rapes. Shakedowns. All that bullshit. I don¡¯t got no more time for fools. You tell them anyone that comes after me and mine get done like I did those¡­ those guys outside. If you got a problem with that then you can fuck off,¡± she loomed over him.


    ¡°Ain¡¯t no problems on my end,¡± Caleb took a step back.


    She could still hear the sounds of her fists hitting those people.


    Like a hammer.

 7.21

    Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida, New American Republic, December, 2036


    ¡°What a fine day for action!¡± Chip looked into the camera. ¡°We¡¯re coming to you live from the Hard Rock! The weather is Florida perfect! Right, Lanny!¡±


    ¡°You said it, partner! Nothing quite like a comfortably sunny Saturday in December! Christmas is just around the corner and our king¡¯s got several great early presents for the tens of thousands in attendance and the million watching at home!¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°Third round action in our Gold Division one versus one tournament! Or as Lanny and I like to call it, the Sweet Sixteen!¡± Chip said.


    ¡°Our older viewers will remember the good old days. You might even remember Chip here, calling those games. The New Year¡¯s bowl games were my thing. Called a few of those myself¡­¡± a faraway look crossed over Lanny¡¯s face.


    ¡°The good old days,¡± Chip agreed. ¡°But, that¡¯s long gone and buried. We are here to bring you the great new today and hopefully for many tomorrow¡¯s to come!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, Chip. Today we¡¯ve got two awesome matches to determine who advances into the next round. In our first match it¡¯s the street fighter from sunny Southern California, Shrewed versus our own homegrown Blood-soaked Assassin! What do you think, Chip!¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°We¡¯re supposed to be impartial, so I should say that I just want to watch a good, hard fought match with exciting action. Not like yesterday¡¯s matches where The Magus of the Ten Eyes dismantled Gearlok and the Emerald Bomber took down Steel Hammer going the distance. Not to take anything away from the winners, but those weren¡¯t enjoyable matches to watch for two reasons. One was too quick and one was too long. But¡­ I have to support our hometown competitor.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to finding out the Blood-soaked Assassin¡¯s identity. He or she promised to remove the hood and mask if he or she makes it to the Final Four.¡±


    ¡°Did you bet on the identity pool?¡±


    ¡°I sure did!¡±


    ¡°Good luck with that! And for last match of the day. It¡¯s the man with the glowing balls, Orb versus the brutal, bestial, Rou!¡± Chip said.


    ¡°Would you consider Rou a hometown fighter? Lanny said.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯d say so. He lives out in the Everglades, but that is part of our territory.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Chip, word behind the scenes is that he isn¡¯t great to be around and I¡¯m putting that lightly.¡±


    ¡°Well, Lanny¡­ these are fighters. They¡¯re not supposed to be nice. I want them as mean as possible when they¡¯re out there killing monsters and defending us from the bad guys. So, I¡¯m backing Rou¡­ is what I¡¯d say if I wasn¡¯t being impartial,¡± Chip winked to the camera.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have have any problems saying it. Hey, Rou, if you¡¯re watching this¡­ kick ass out there today!¡± Lanny laughed.


    ¡°Alright, folks. That¡¯s all from me and Lanny for now. We¡¯ll be back to call the action in an hour,¡± Chip said.


    ¡°Remember to tune in for all the post-match analysis from our panel of experts after each match today. Later tonight we¡¯ll have even more in-depth coverage brought to you by Kandis Crawford and Trent R. Thompson along with expert guest analysts on our comprehensive coverage show, The Four.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got extra special treats courtesy of the king for the people in attendance and watching at home. An opening concert by the Tempertones¡­ and that¡¯s not all. Stick around after the first match for another mini-concert staring one of the hottest rising singer-songwriters out there, Tyler Hasty!¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s good,¡± Lanny added, ¡°same with the Tempertones.¡±


    ¡°I hope she sings Walk It Off.¡±


    The camera faded to black transition to the view from a drone camera down on the field.


    Loud smoke and fireworks filled the stadium.


    A band rose up from beneath the temporary stage and began to rock!


    <hr>


    In a locker room three rangers huddled together for some last minute preparation.


    ¡°This is straight from the boss. He said to strongly consider stripping the skinny fucker,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna need an elaboration,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t give one,¡± Hardhat sighed, ¡°the message just said to tell you to expose the Blood-soaked Assassin¡¯s skin to the sunlight.¡±


    ¡°Are you kidding me? So, he¡¯s a he and a vampire? Or is it vampire?¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°Woke up to the note stuck to my forehead and let me fucking tell you that didn¡¯t put me in a good mood,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°Right through all the wards and magitech alarms,¡± Shrewed whistled.


    ¡°Yeah, so, you¡¯re fighting a vampire,¡± Hardhat said. ¡°No big deal, sun¡¯s out even though it¡¯s almost Christmas.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Florida, weird shit down here in America¡¯s dangling turd,¡± Shrewed shrugged. ¡°I knew a few guys from here back in the old days¡­ smacked them around, come to think of it.¡±


    ¡°Floridaman shit,¡± Mouthy nodded. ¡°Had to explain what that meant to the kids. Hey, Hardhat, since when did we get old?¡±


    ¡°Since it¡¯s 2036 or 16¡­ P.S.,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t start with that P.S. bullshit,¡± Shrewed laughed.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? It¡¯s one thing too many for your Neanderthal brain to process?¡± Hardhat snorted.


    ¡°I can deal with all the monsters and magic, but don¡¯t change the year system on me,¡± he chuckled.


    ¡°Fuck it, I might go with the new way¡­ easier to write two numbers instead of four on all my taint- cutting reports. Shrewed, do yourself a favor¡­ if they offer to promote you, turn it down,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°Oh, I made it clear I wasn¡¯t interested in any sort of command. I¡¯m a weapon. Point me at something you want busted up or dead,¡± he replied. ¡°So, all I got to do is get this guy naked? Sounds easy enough. Though, I got my doubts about that. Just wearing black shouldn¡¯t protect him from the sun. It¡¯s not like he¡¯s in an astronaut suit.¡±


    ¡°Could be magical thread or Skills,¡± Hardhat said. ¡°Blood Assassin dude isn¡¯t wearing goggles or anything. Eyes and a thin strip of his face is exposed and he isn¡¯t bursting into flame.¡±


    ¡°Shit, can¡¯t believe everything you see in the movies. Maybe it ain¡¯t about catching on fire. Might be more like a really bad sunburn. Like a few minutes for him is like a whole day out in the sun for someone with your pale, pasty ass, Hardhat.¡±


    ¡°Been using a ton of sunscreen the last few months. Again, in December,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give it a shot. I have to grapple him anyways to stand a chance. He¡¯s too quick otherwise,¡± Shrewed shrugged.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. Don¡¯t let him slice you to ribbons like the last guy he fought. Clinch, takedown, work him over on the ground, like you did that creepy, fat taint smear last week,¡± Mouthy said.


    A knock on the door.


    The stadium attendant ushered them down long, twisting corridors down to the tunnel leading up to the field.


    The roaring crowd¡¯s singular voice echoed down into the tunnel even as their stomping feet simulated an earthquake.


    ¡°Bloodthirsty animals,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Ain¡¯t much different from cheering an old boxing fight,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, man, but it seems a little different to me,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Nah, he¡¯s right, the crowd wants to see some pain dished out, same way it¡¯s always been,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°Might actually be better nowadays with all the healing magic and Skills. Don¡¯t think I have to worry about CTE,¡± Shrewed said.


    The gate slowly slid open.


    ¡°Go get ¡®em, tiger,¡± Mouthy slapped Shrewed¡¯s butt.


    ¡°Thought they talked to us about that sort of thing,¡± he shook his head.


    ¡°We ain¡¯t on official ranger business. You¡¯re about to go one on one with a maybe-vampire. You need all the motherfucking help you can get,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°Aye, aye, Sergeant,¡± Shrewed threw a passable salute to the two sergeants before jogging out of the tunnel and into the sunlight.


    ¡°I Share Their Pain,¡± Mouthy whispered.


    ¡°Really?¡± Hardhat said. She lowered her voice. ¡°Isn¡¯t that against the rules?¡±


    ¡°I had Molds and Babyapple go over the rules. They didn¡¯t say shit about this,¡± Mouthy shrugged.


    ¡°Might get awkward if you pass out and start bleeding all over the place,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m wearing red and long sleeves.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Thought it was because you were getting into the Christmas spirit.¡±


    ¡°I want a pile of motherfucking dead slavers for Christmas, but since that isn¡¯t looking too likely until late January, then I¡¯ll settle for Shrewed getting the fucking ¡®W¡¯.¡±


    Shrewed threw a cloud of dirt in front of him before the black-clad ninja assassin crossed where the fifty yard line used to be.


    The maybe-vampire had displayed impossible speed.


    Like a 1 second 40.


    The dirt was enough to confuse and slow Shrewed¡¯s opponent.


    Shrewed laid a cut with his heavy cutting blade across the chest.


    Black cloth parted to reveal thin steel.


    The Blood-soaked Assassin¡¯s red eyes seemed to flash.


    Shrewed flinched, turning his head to the side to take the return slash of a long knife on the side of his helmet¡¯s cheek guard.


    He activated Automatic Block with a thought.


    His free arm shot up to his face to catch the second long knife on his thick, steel bracer.


    He snaked his arm around his opponent¡¯s wrist and pulled, trapping it and the blade between his own arm and body.


    Dirty Fighting.


    A knee to the groin.


    The sound the Blood-soaked Assassin made suggest that his junk worked fine, which was weird for a vampire then again that was for fictional ones. Real, class-based ones where probably different. Those flesheaters were cannibal monsters but he was pretty sure that they still fucked.


    A second knee shot was followed by jabbing the pommel of his short chopping blade into one of those red eyes.


    ¡°Dirty fucker!¡± the Blood-soaked Assassin growled.


    Talking in the middle of a fight?


    Rookie move.


    Shrewed brought his blade down into the crook of his opponent¡¯s elbow. He pushed and cut.


    Cloth parted to reveal chainmail.


    The Blood-soaked Assassin pulled him off-balance and into a stab aimed for the chainmail-protected gap at his armpit.


    The poke hurt, but didn¡¯t penetrate.


    He responded with a steel-clad headbutt to the face.


    The crunch of a smashed nose was music to his ears.


    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    His opponent cursed instead of fighting for a better position.


    Another mistake.


    Shrewed landed knee strikes, elbows and continued to cut and stab searching for a weak spot with his blade.


    So far all he found was more thin plates of steel and chainmail.


    His opponent was wrapped like a mummy aside from the thin slit for the eyes.


    Time to go with the boss¡¯ suggestion.


    He grabbed his opponent¡¯s hood and pulled.


    It didn¡¯t go.


    Is it a onesie? he thought.


    The Blood-soaked Assassin¡¯s eyes widened surging with impossible strength, he ripped free of Shrewed¡¯s hold and punched.


    The air left Shrewed¡¯s lungs and he was suddenly weightless.


    Confusion was followed by the realization knocked into him by the ground as he slammed into it a dozen feet away.


    He rolled and came up desperately, blade held wardingly toward the Blood-soaked Assassin.


    Even through the steel plate and thick, padded clothing he had felt the hit..


    Still¡­ flying that distance should¡¯ve hurt a lot more.


    At a minimum it should¡¯ve resulted in broken ribs and organ damage.


    Instead, he had just gotten the wind knocked out of him.


    His grip on his blade felt off as he tried to shift and fix it, but couldn¡¯t.


    A quick glance down revealed black cloth twisted in his fingers.


    He looked to his opponent.


    ¡°And so, I am revealed,¡± the Blood-soaked Assassin spread his arms wide to the crowd.


    The man sounded like a man, but he was a pretty man.


    Pale skin like he spent his days indoors.


    Black hair that had been messed up by the rough handling, but looked to Shrewed like those fancy styles the younger people got.


    Those weird red eyes.


    And yeah, some sharp fangs in that perfect, red mouth.


    Fuck, he thought, vampire. Then why isn¡¯t he on fire?


    ¡°Yes, the Blood-soaked Assassin is none other than Lord Alain de la Sangre,¡± he basked in the crowd¡¯s cheers.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t ask, don¡¯t care,¡± Shrewed pulled a trench knife from his belt.


    What a poser, he thought as he charged. Play to crowd, lower your guard. You aren¡¯t looking too comfortable with your head in the sun. Let¡¯s see how long you can stay out here.


    When he got within a few strides, he threw his heavy blade.


    The lord was caught off guard. He tried to parry but his long knife was thin and light.


    Shrewed¡¯s blade powered right through the heavy pommel striking the lord right on the forehead.


    The lord¡¯s face reddened with anger.


    No¡­ it looked more like a sunburn.


    The boss was right.


    Shrewed brought his charge up short. He backed away.


    Let the sun do its work.


    De la Sangre bent down and picked Shrewed¡¯s sword up before tossing it at Shrewed¡¯s boots. ¡°A brutish weapon for a brutish man. I know what you¡¯re thinking. Let that hateful orb in the sky win the fight for you. It won¡¯t. You don¡¯t have the time,¡± he blurred forward.


    What followed was a one-side beatdown.


    Slashing knives carved Shrewed up finding gaps in his armor.


    He felt the kisses from dozens of stinging wounds.


    And yet, he felt like he could still keep going.


    The pain was there, but muted beyond what he was accustomed to when the adrenaline flowed.


    Dirty Fighting couldn¡¯t keep up.


    Oh, he landed the occasional hit, but it wasn¡¯t going to be enough.


    Teeth and a sharp fang went flying from a collision with the spiked knuckle guard of a trench knife only to grow back whole in a second.


    The lord gave him a bloody-fanged smile before lifting him up like small child and slamming him into the ground.


    Shrewed kicked at the lord¡¯s ankle only for the lithe vampire to simply lift his foot up and bring it down with a crunch on Shrewed¡¯s lower leg.


    Pain flared, but again, it became muted. Not as bad as it should¡¯ve been.


    The lord lifted Shrewed up by the front of his chest plate.


    Shrewed stabbed and punched to no avail.


    ¡°You¡¯ve lost and you¡¯ve been a terrible opponent. No grace at all. Worst of all, you¡¯ve revealed me before I was ready. My revelation was meant to be in the finals and now my future opponents know who I am.¡±


    ¡°Just shut up!¡± Shrewed snapped.


    The lord backhanded him sending teeth flying.


    ¡°The crowd expects a show,¡± the lord held a hand out to the side with his thumb pointed horizontally.


    ¡°This ain¡¯t no Roman death match,¡± Shrewed laughed. ¡°Killing¡¯s against the rules.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t intend to kill you.¡±


    The crowd continued to cheer.


    Whether or not more people held their thumbs up or down didn¡¯t matter.


    The lord intended to put on a show.


    Intimidate his future opponents and make sure that the crowd and those watching at home had something to talk about.


    He knew that his name would be on their lips in the days to come.


    Perhaps he would gain fans, a following, groupies.


    His thumb turned to the ground.


    The cheers erupted like a volcano.


    The sound in the arena became deafening.


    ¡°The crowd has spoken.¡±


    Shrewed threw one last punch.


    The lord blocked it. A look of pain crossed his fine features a split-second later.


    Shrewed had stabbed him in the side of the neck.


    The lord pulled the blade out. ¡°You¡¯re lucky that¡¯s not fatal for me.¡±


    ¡°I was pretty sure it wasn¡¯t,¡± Shrewed spat a glob of blood into the lord¡¯s face.


    ¡°You really are an annoying bastard, you know that?¡± the lord sighed as he ripped Shrewed¡¯s collar to expose the neck.


    ¡°What the fuck! You can¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°I need to heal all these wounds.¡±


    The lord hissed, baring fangs before sinking them into Shrewed.


    Later in the stadium¡¯s bowels, Mouthy and Hardhat waited outside the medic¡¯s station.


    The former sat heavily in a chair. Her clothing looked damp in spots.


    ¡°You think he¡¯s going to get vampire now?¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Why the fuck would you think that?¡± Mouthy scowled.


    ¡°The vampire guy bit him,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°You can ask him when he wakes up¡ª¡±


    ¡°He won¡¯t¡ª¡±


    The rangers jolted at the voice.


    Lord Alain de la Sangre stood a short distance away.


    They hadn¡¯t sensed him coming at all.


    Mouthy bared her teeth in a snarl as she stood.


    ¡°At least not for some time,¡±Alain continued, sniffing the air. ¡°You¡¯ve been in a fight?¡±


    ¡°You ain¡¯t the bloodfucker that can ask the questions here,¡± Mouthy spat. ¡°We¡¯ll be the ones asking.¡±


    ¡°Did you give Shrewed a vampire class?¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°No. It takes more than a bite. It needs a willing embrace from both the giver and the taker. I would never grant your friend the blood kiss. He is too brutish, inelegant.¡±


    ¡°Okay, lucky for you then. You can take your leeching ass out of here,¡± Mouthy waved dismissively. ¡°Pucker-faced freakshow,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°I heard that,¡± Alain bristled.


    ¡°That was the point,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°I came to tell your friend that despite his dirty style and underhandedness¡­ I hold no ill will. I recognize that not all competitors in this tournament holds to the same standards as I do. It is sad, but those are the rules that I agreed to follow. Pass my message along. And ladies,¡± his red eyes narrowed, ¡°it¡¯d behoove you to remember that you speak to a lord.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t do lords. None of that stupid divine right bullshit,¡± Mouthy smirked.


    Alain returned a toothy smile. ¡°What your kind does is irrelevant to mine. I suggest that you don¡¯t stick around too long after the championships end or you might find out the truth of my words.¡±


    ¡°Fuck around and find out, yeah, yeah. Been threatened by lots worse than you,¡± Mouthy snorted.


    ¡°Alain,¡± Hardhat said. ¡°I, too, have a thinly-veiled threat couched in substandard words of wisdom,¡± she cleared her throat, ¡°something, something big fishes in small ponds¡­ so on and so forth.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯ll surely spend agonizing hours pondering that pearl,¡± Alain snorted before turning and walking away.


    ¡°Notice how he doesn¡¯t make any sounds,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°That¡¯s them vampire Skills¡­ maybe Shrewed should get the class,¡± Mouthy mused.


    <hr>


    Three women and one man stood in the tunnel watching and listening to the musical act perform.


    ¡°All these guys have been great,¡± Jake bobbed his head along with the music. ¡°It¡¯s all live too, you can tell! No stupid auto tune. No lip syncing. You think it¡¯s Skills? It¡¯s got to be Skills, right?¡±


    ¡°Where the hell have you been?¡± Rino frowned. ¡°We¡¯ve got the same back home.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, there¡¯s the Saturday concert in the park at the Capital. There¡¯s open mic nights at a few clubs. There¡¯s musicals at the theater. There¡¯s random musicians on the street,¡± Kare ticked off each one with a finger.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Jake blinked. ¡°Okay¡­ I guess I just never noticed¡­¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re talking about weaponizing it, cause if the singer or musician is high enough level or has the right set of Skills it gives you tangible beneficial effects,¡± Rino said.


    ¡°That actually makes sense,¡± Jake nodded like he had just realized that the sky was blue, ¡°it could probably also have negative effects on enemies, like a bard buffing his party and debuffing his enemies. Why haven¡¯t I thought about this before?¡±


    ¡°You should turn in your nerd card,¡± Kare said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°It¡¯s probably better that way,¡± Kare patted the short young woman on the head.


    ¡°Shit! Is that why I¡¯m feeling pumped right now?¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Rino shrugged, ¡°or you just haven¡¯t listened to live music in over fifteen years.¡±


    ¡°True that¡­ don¡¯t have space on my devices for music, man¡­ I can¡¯t believe this never occurred to me,¡± Jake sighed.


    They listened to the concert wind down.


    The crowd cheered the band and dancers off the field.


    The stadium¡¯s enslaved ground crew quickly and efficiently disassembled the temporary stage.


    ¡°They look so happy,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°It¡¯s all fake. The collars make them do that,¡± Rino growled.


    ¡°I know, that¡¯s why it¡¯s so sad and terrible. I just think about what if it was me. I wouldn¡¯t even know that what they were doing to me was wrong,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°Yes, yes, slavery bad,¡± Kare said. ¡°That¡¯s our problem for later. Right now we need to focus on Rino¡¯s fight.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s head back to the locker room,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Nah¡­ I¡¯m good here,¡± Rino stared with laser focus on the enslaved out on the field with the disturbingly uniform smiles on their faces. Men, women, young, old. It made no difference.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Jake shrugged.


    ¡°Remember, you don¡¯t have to win,¡± Kare said.


    ¡°Good pep talk, glad we had it,¡± Rino snorted.


    ¡°I¡¯m serious!¡± Kare pouted.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ we do have more important goals¡­ but, I¡¯ve gotten more Universal Points in the two fights I won than I have all year doing the normal shit back home. Also got bonuses,¡± she shrugged.


    Jake let out a squeal that didn¡¯t fit such a big man. ¡°Really? What are they? Tell me¡­ we need to optimi¡ª¡±


    ¡°Too late, spent them.¡±


    Jake let out a breath. ¡°What¡¯d you get?¡± he said flatly.


    ¡°A secret for now. I got one with an eye toward future possible opponents¡­ in the arena or outside of it.¡±


    ¡°True Patriot wears a blindfold, but she doesn¡¯t move like a woman that can¡¯t see,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°Her eyes or whatever¡¯s in the sockets glow,¡± Rino nodded.


    ¡°Just don¡¯t get hit with her glowy stick and maybe take away her blind¡ª¡± Kare said.


    ¡°She could have a petrification gaze, like Medusa, or something lethal, which is why she keeps them covered up. Big no no for the tournament,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°So, don¡¯t take away her blindfold,¡± Kare added.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter too much, I guess. You¡¯re right, winning isn¡¯t the priority. I¡¯m gonna hold back and if I can¡¯t win, then so be it.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ don¡¯t get hurt too badly, either,¡± Kare chided.


    The gate slowly slid open.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be a quick fight, one way or another,¡± Rino jogged out onto the field to the roars of the crowd.


    True Patriot emerged from the tunnel on the opposite side of the field with her American flag blindfold.


    Rino¡¯s opponent was clad in a mixture of plate, chain and the combat harness of a 21st century soldier. Just like every competitor representing the supposed true U.S. Government. With one exception. The True Patriot¡¯s gear was in pure white.


    Well¡­ not so white after two matches.


    The pistol and knife on her hips didn¡¯t concern Rino.


    The faintly glowing stick did.


    She had seen highlights of True Patriot¡¯s previous matches.


    The stick looked like it had been picked up off the ground. It was thin, gnarled and still had bark. It had smacked a huge, grotesquely muscled man into the arena wall. It had cratered the arena floor forcing a slight delay in the next match while the ground crew frantically rushed to fix it.


    The announcer did his thing.


    The countdown began.


    True Patriot wasn¡¯t wearing a helmet. She had her brunette hair tied in a ponytail.


    She regarded Rino impassively. Blindfold-covered eyes shined with faint, white light as Rino felt hackles rise.


    Not so blind.


    True Patriot inclined her head slightly.


    Rino shot back with a curt head nod.


    She called on her beastly class.


    Muscles grew.


    A thin layer of black hair sprouted across her body.


    The pixie-styled hair on her head grew longer, wild and thick.


    Nails thickened, lengthened and sharpened.


    She flexed her bare toes, digging into the dirt.


    A feral grin split her mouth to reveal sharp canines as she crouched into a sprinter¡¯s stance.


    Halfway between woman and weredog.


    She didn¡¯t need to win, but she wasn¡¯t going to just roll over and show her belly.


    The siren blared.


    She shot forward with a cloud of dirt and dust.


    The white light behind True Patriot¡¯s blindfold flared simultaneously with the light around her stick.


    She leapt forward with great bounding strides.


    The two powerful women met where the fifty yard line once sat with a crash that silenced the roaring crowd.

 7.22

    The crowd roared.


    Rino blinked the stars out of her eyes.


    She was on her back in the dirt.


    What had happened?


    Foggy thoughts wafted through her head.


    It took a moment for her quick healing to kick in.


    True Patriot had cracked her upside the head with that damn stick while she had landed a crushing punch to the side of that blindfolded head.


    She shook her head.


    It was quiet.


    Had the hearing been smacked out of her ears?


    It felt like cotton had been stuffed into her ears.


    She rose on shaky legs.


    Her vision cleared.


    True Patriot was a good distance away, also climbing to her feet.


    The crowd suddenly roared.


    Rino grimaced.


    She clenched her fists.


    The beast within wanted to come out all the way. Wanted to rip and tear.


    True Patriot waved her stick around, miming throwing it for a game of fetch.


    A growl escaped Rino¡¯s throat.


    The wry grin on the other woman¡¯s face pissed her off.


    Stupid wry grins!


    She charged, snarling.


    She came in low and hurled a cloud of dirt in True Patriot¡¯s blindfold.


    The glowing, white stick swept down through it with unerring accuracy.


    Rino was quicker. She spun letting it slam into the ground with an earth-cracking thud. Getting behind, she kicked back planting her heel in the woman¡¯s back.


    A solid connection was always satisfying.


    True Patriot tumbled across the ground like a boulder rolling downhill.


    Rino leapt after her.


    True Patriot came out of the roll with a superhuman display of agility catching Rino out.


    The stick lashed.


    No time to dodge!


    Rino deflected with her arm.


    The shock reverberated through her body.


    That¡¯s a crack, she thought grimly.


    When hurt, attack!


    An axiom she lived by.


    She slashed at an armored thigh carving through to touch the flesh.


    She slipped her head to the side, letting the stick whistle past her ear.


    True Patriot was a lot stronger, but Rino was quicker.


    She pulled True Patriot off-balance with a rough jerk on the woman¡¯s arm. Got behind and grabbed the back straps of the combat harness.


    She spun round and round building up momentum before letting go.


    True Patriot¡¯s curse was swallowed by the wind.


    Rino chased after the spinning woman like a dog after a frisbee.


    True Patriot hit the ground, rolling.


    Rino was right behind.


    Sharp nails flashed in the sunlight.


    The crowd roared.


    True Patriot caught one wrist in a crushing grip and blocked the other with her stick.


    ¡°You¡¯re quick and strong. Would you be interested in a job?¡±


    ¡°Already have one,¡± Rino growled.


    She tried to wrench her arm free but the grip was immovable.


    ¡°Trade,¡± she grabbed the stick.


    True Patriot¡¯s blindfold covered eyes flashed white.


    ¡°Not a fair trade,¡± she kicked Rino¡¯s legs out from under her.


    Rino fell right into a triangle choke.


    True Patriot¡¯s muscular legs felt like steel cables.


    The squeeze was quick and powerful.


    Rino¡¯s vision flickered black.


    A full transformation would give her much greater strength and ferocity.


    No!


    She resisted the incessant push in her mind.


    Remember the real goal!


    Besides, that form was meant for true battle. It was a killing machine. Not a sport fighter.


    Instead, she got her feet under her, planted them into the dirt and surged up.


    True Patriot was superstrong and she was a lot heavier than a woman her size looked, but she wasn¡¯t too heavy for Rino.


    She lifted True Patriot high in the air.


    Her vision went black just after she slammed True Patriot into the dirt.


    It cleared a split-second later with the slight bit of space the impact created.


    The grip on her wrist slackened for an instant.


    Enough for her to rip free.


    She stumbled back trying to keep from going down that long, dark hallway.


    The glowing stick tried to help her along.


    Rino blinked.


    She woke up near the arena wall.


    Oh¡­ right, I got cracked¡­ again.


    A dark shadow blotted out the sun.


    She rolled forward.


    True Patriot stomped a boot into the dirt.


    Still groggy, Rino lowered her shoulder and crushed True Patriot into the wall.


    The crowd rained cheers or curses, depending on the nature of their bets, down on the two women fighting for their entertainment.


    An elbow hammered Rino¡¯s backplate leaving a dent.


    She shoved True Patriot into the wall cracking it.


    She slashed wildly at the other woman¡¯s extremities where the armor was lighter or non-existent, where fatal and disfiguring wounds were less likely.


    Steel rings, canvas, cloth and blood flew.


    ¡°Vicious,¡± True Patriot grit her teeth as she drew her pistol and emptied it into Rino¡¯s chest.


    The steel plate wasn¡¯t enchanted.


    It did nothing.


    Rino felt 17 stings of hot lead piercing her torso.


    ¡°You¡¯ll heal from that?¡± True Patriot quirked her head to one side.


    She staggered back and wiped the trickle of blood leaking from her mouth. ¡°Bitch,¡± she spat. ¡°I surrender,¡± she raised her hand.


    ¡°What?¡± True Patriot¡¯s frowned. ¡°Is that your your limit?¡±


    ¡°No, but I¡¯m not willing to take this further.¡±


    The crowd¡¯s cheers turned to confusion, then anger at the abrupt ending.


    They felt robbed.


    The boos rained down on Rino.


    She raised a two fingered-salute before heading back to her tunnel.


    The slugs in her torso moved agonizingly slow as the healing pushed them back out.


    A full transformation would¡¯ve been her only way to keep the fight going.


    It was academic at that point since she wouldn¡¯t go that far.


    ¡°Hey! You made it to the Sweet Sixteen¡­¡± Jake gave her a hesitant smile.


    ¡°Bringing a gun to a fist fight is cheating,¡± Kare pouted.


    ¡°Are you injured bad?¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°I did what I had to¡ª¡± she blinked at the chime only she could hear, at the voice and text only for her. ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°What is it? Did she use silver bullets!¡± Kare gasped.


    ¡°I thought that doesn¡¯t work on you guys?¡± Ginessa perfect brow furrowed.


    ¡°Oh yeah. That¡¯s right¡­ phew,¡± Kare wiped her forehead.


    ¡°Spires message,¡± Jake nodded sagely.


    ¡°Losing still pays,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, let¡¯s get you cleaned up,¡± Kare ushered her down the tunnel with the nervous energy of a mother hen sheltering her chicks beneath her wing.


    <hr>


    Christmas Eve.


    The Freedom Championships matches and events ended in the early afternoon to give competitors and spectators time for parties and family gatherings.


    One such party was taking place inside the New American Republic¡¯s premier brothel, Creamland.


    The converted mansion was an ode to debauchery.


    It was filled with enslaved men, women and children of all types.


    The owners had two rules.


    Don¡¯t leave marks that can¡¯t be healed or fixed.


    Don¡¯t kill any of the essential workers.


    Everything else was available for the right price.


    After all, collared people didn¡¯t count.


    It was a law and everything.


    There was even a section staffed solely by enslaved without collars for the truly sadistic that needed to see the fear and pain in their victims.


    One such man, stumbled out of a room, leaving a crying girl covered in bite marks, bruises and cuts.


    The man¡¯s pants were left unbuttoned. His shirt was long forgotten.


    Jeff, a sadistic warrior of lust, had spent over a week in Creamland taking out the frustrations of his loss to the werewolf, Gator, in the second round.


    His team had joined him after they¡¯re own losses.


    Team Alpha Sigma had claimed a small wing paid for by their winnings.


    ¡°This is the last night,¡± Brett said.


    Jeff grunted as he sat down and flagged a topless enslaved waitress for a cold beer. He slapped the giggling girl¡¯s bare bottom as she went to another table.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been warned about messing with the waitress,¡± Brett said.


    ¡°I know that,¡± Jeff snapped. ¡°Ain¡¯t fun when they¡¯re wearing collars anyways. So, what¡¯s this about?¡±


    ¡°This place is expensive and I kinda want our guys to spend their winnings on getting stronger instead of on pussy and ass,¡± Brett said.


    ¡°Fine¡­ tell ¡®em to get their last spurts out. Vacations over. We get back to gains starting tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Christmas.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ do the guys care about that?¡±


    ¡°I think most of them still have family.¡±


    ¡°Day after tomorrow then.¡± Jeff took a long swig of beer, belched and cast his eyes at the cages on the raised stage for his next plaything.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been asking around,¡± Brett said.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, man!¡± Jeff whined. ¡°You¡¯re killing my buzz.¡±


    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    ¡°I got the address of the hotel the Watch are staying at.¡±


    ¡°The what?¡±


    ¡°The team that beat us.¡±


    ¡°Kicked your asses, you mean,¡± Jeff chuckled.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to keep eyes on them.¡±


    ¡°Hey, bro. I¡¯d love to tear them up with you, but the king made it clear that we better keep our noses clean during the championships.¡±


    ¡°He didn¡¯t say anything about after.¡±


    Jeff nodded at that, clinking bottles with Brett.


    He emptied it in one gulp and looked around for a waitress until something on the big screen over the bar across the room.


    ¡°When was that?¡± he pointed.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°The feeder match on the TV.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the Four¡­ probably this morning.¡±


    Jeff stared at the screen.


    There, in the middle, fighting with other feeders was a one-eyed girl that looked familiar.


    He rubbed the scars around his ruined right eye.


    Brett regarded him before grinning. ¡°No way! That¡¯s the girl that gave you that!¡±


    He grunted.


    ¡°She¡¯s still alive¡­ bro, we got robbed. Sold her for a feeder price, but we should¡¯ve gotten the full gladiator price considering how good she¡¯s doing. Motherfucker! I¡¯ve seen their highlights before. Apparently, some anonymous noble sponsored this bunch of feeders. Got them training from some kind of expert and decent gear. They¡¯ve been fighting and winning feeder matches for the whole month.¡±


    ¡°Do you remember who we sold her too?¡±


    ¡°It was a bulk sale. If she¡¯s a feeder then the government paid and the feeders got sent to one of the arenas.¡±


    ¡°Find out,¡± Jeff hurled the empty beer bottle shattering it over the bartender¡¯s head.


    The enslaved young man simply smiled the uniform smile that was the default expression for all collared people.


    Elsewhere, outside the city a much higher caliber of people quietly celebrated Christmas Eve.


    Rayna¡¯s Rangers played cards, drank water, juice or soda, one didn¡¯t get drunk in an active combat zone when they could be attacked by monsters or slavers at anytime.


    They played cards, traded bragging exploits and talked about the loved ones they had left back in California.


    For the vast majority of the rangers under Captain Butcher¡¯s command this was the farthest and longest amount of time they had been gone from home.


    Even the undead war was only a few hours drive down the freeway. It was even quicker on wyvern or drake-back. Hell, if they had been lucky enough to hitch a ride with Rayna or Cal, then it was a handful of minutes or less.


    The rangers took the night to lighten their burdens and relax just a bit.


    For even hardened fighters got homesick.


    Except for those on sentry duty.


    They couldn¡¯t relax.


    Ambrose fingered his left ear¡­ half a left ear with a sigh.


    ¡°Stop doing that,¡± Spicy whispered.


    ¡°I had two ears, now I have one and a half,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°And you¡¯ve been moaning about it for almost two weeks. They can probably fix it when we get back home.¡±


    Ambrose stared out from their camouflaged tree platform into the dark woods.


    Night vision taken from a woodland critter made things almost as clear as day thanks to the clear skies and full moon.


    Silence reined for a time.


    ¡°I think it makes you look dangerous,¡± Spicy said.


    ¡°Does it?¡± Ambrose perked up.


    Back in the city the other portion of the Rayna¡¯s Rangers gathered in their motel.


    They had torn larger holes in the walls so that they could better enjoy their Christmas Eve party.


    ¡°Alright, you assholes!¡± Sgt. Mouthy barked. ¡°Get the dice. Squads are gonna do rollys to pick out the designated drunks. You all know the rules. Highest two wins. They¡¯re the lucky ones that can get shit-faced. Lowest two, sucks to be you. You poor fucks are strictly non-alcholic


    ¡°I picked up some non-alcholic beer too,¡± Timber said.


    ¡°Why would you do something stupid like that?¡± Wichita said.


    Timber shrugged. ¡°Thought it¡¯d be nice for the guys on guard duty so they wouldn¡¯t feel left out.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re all heart, you big lunkhead,¡± Sgt. Mouthy said. ¡°Everyone that rolls in the middle, you¡¯re on a one drink an hour maximum! Let me repeat that for you hard of hearing types. Maximum! The opposite of minimum! Sgt. Aims will be watching, so don¡¯t test him.¡±


    Aims pointed two fingers to his eyes then swept it across the nearly 50 rangers.


    ¡°Can he do that?¡± Tuxedo Cake whispered.


    ¡°Yeah, he can,¡± Prim nodded.


    She had seen Sgt. Aims take out a flock of 53 undead swallows with his old revolvers back at that old mission.


    He had called out the number before and they had counted after.


    Exact.


    The squads split apart to get the rolling done.


    ¡°Sergeants are exempt!¡± Sgt. Dastardly called out.


    Dice clacked against plastic tables.


    ¡°No! Shit! Fuck! Shit!¡± Neckbeard tossed his tricorne in disgust.


    ¡°Why you wearing that coat inside, Neckbeard?¡± Lasik adjusted his thick glasses.


    ¡°No reason to take it off now that I¡¯m on guard duty,¡± Neckbeard said.


    ¡°Here you go, Beard,¡± Babyapple handed his tricorne back, ¡°you¡¯ll need your full kit¡­ though, I wouldn¡¯t sweat it too much. I¡¯ve got wards all over this place and out to the parking lot. We¡¯ll have plenty of warning and enough defensive shielding to get ready.¡±


    Molds held up her tablet. ¡°Drones and surveillance up and down the streets. Eyes and ears on all the soldiers surrounding us,¡± the chubby-cheeked, frazzled hair-having ranger said.


    ¡°What are they doing right now?¡± Sgt. Hardhat said.


    ¡°Enslaved are doing what they always do, watching our building, so creepy,¡± Molds shuddered. ¡°Slavemasters aren¡¯t paying attention. Most of them appear to have brought in,¡± her face twisted, ¡°entertainment.¡±


    ¡°Give me that. I¡¯ll take over for you,¡± Sgt. Hardhat sighed.


    ¡°Thanks, Sarge,¡± Molds said.


    ¡°You¡¯re 18, but you¡¯re too young to be seeing that sort of thing¡­ hell, I¡¯m too young to be seeing that sort of thing,¡± Sgt. Hardhat said.


    ¡°Heavy is the mantle of responsibility,¡± Sgt. Dastardly toasted nobody with her half-finished beer.


    Cheers and cries of anguish mingled with that of mild disappointment as the rollys finished.


    Greygrass strummed a tune on her banjo.


    Rangers winced.


    A quirk of the young woman¡¯s Skill versus her lack of skill when it came to playing the instrument. She was great when using the former and not so good when solely relying on the latter.


    ¡°Use your Skills!¡± Sgt. Mouthy snapped.


    ¡°Aye, Aye, Sarge,¡± Greygrass threw a lazy salute before resuming her strumming.


    ¡°Much better,¡± Sgt. Mouthy nodded.


    ¡°Who want¡¯s my dice?¡± Prim raised it high. ¡°I don¡¯t drink.¡±


    ¡°I believe the word is die,¡± Bluesilk nodded sagely.


    ¡°Yes, Bluesilk,¡± Chandra eyes lit up, ¡°that is the right word¡­ for you¡­¡±


    ¡°Shit, relax,¡± he chuckled nervously, ¡°I don¡¯t even really care that you all can¡¯t use the right words. It¡¯s always who this, who that when it should be whom, but you don¡¯t see me complaining.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re literally complaining right now. You always complain. That¡¯s why you have a few levels in grammarian¡­ useless,¡± Vicks muttered.


    Bluesilk considered correcting Vicks, but decided to keep his mouth shut.


    ¡°Swan Princess!¡±


    ¡°Me!¡±


    ¡°What do you want for it?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re on the same team!¡±


    Rangers rushed Prim.


    Sgt Mouthy cleared her throat. ¡°You pathetic taints know how to settle this,¡± she grunted.


    ¡°Sudden death rollys!¡± Sgt. Dastardly raised two beer bottles to the ceiling.


    Prim found a spot from where she could cover the windows and door with her spells. She dragged a chair over and sat down. She trusted Babyapple¡¯s and Molds¡¯ security measures, but that didn¡¯t mean she could abdicate her responsibilities.


    ¡°Hey! Listen up!¡± Sgt. Dastardly had climbed onto the table. ¡°First thing, big ups to our team for continuing to kick ass and take names! Neckbeard, Chandra, Tuxedo, Wichita and Swan Princess¡­ hey? Where are you? SwannyP, where¡¯d you go?¡±


    Prim raised her hand with a sigh.


    ¡°Get over here! Take your accolades!¡±


    ¡°Leave her be, Dastardly, she¡¯s on guard duty,¡± Sgt. Mouthy said.


    ¡°Fine, fine, we love the work you¡¯ve been doing Swanny! Never doubted you for a second,¡± Sgt. Dastardly raised her beer bottles. ¡°To our team! For showing these slavers real fighters! Kick their asses tomorrow!¡±


    The rangers cheered.


    ¡°To Shrewed!¡± Sgt. Mouthy said. ¡°Who gave it his all, but just ran into a bullshit, leech-dicked vampire! He isn¡¯t here with us, but he¡¯ll be fine recovering with the boss.¡±


    ¡°Safest place in the city,¡± Wichita said. ¡°Boss won¡¯t let anything happen to him.¡±


    The rangers cheered.


    Sgt. Dastardly narrowed her eyes. ¡°Hey, Neckbeard¡­¡±


    The man hastily chugged his bottle.


    ¡°Stop him! He¡¯s got a match tomorrow!¡±


    Neckbeard slumped in defeat¡­ belching his hastily downed beer.


    ¡°Who came in second to him?¡± Sgt. Dastardly said.


    ¡°Me, Sarge,¡± a long-haired ranger with a bad attempt at a beard waved his hand.


    ¡°Neckbeard, give your rollys to Bootleg Jesus,¡± she ordered.


    Outside on the southern boundary of the city where the landscape turned into mangroves, waterways and the swamps of the Everglades a man woke to a new reality, his old reality.


    He remembered who he was.


    He had never forgotten.


    Bryce Clark. Level 30 Fighter. Plus a few levels in inconsequential things he picked up before he learned that was a mistake. Husband. Father.


    He remembered his wife, Sammy and her inviting smile whenever she was about to kick his ass in sparring.


    His daughter, Sally and her sun-kissed hair flying free as she leapt up into his arms for one of her patented baby bear hugs.


    He had never forgotten them.


    He just hadn¡¯t¡­ cared.


    Not when the collar had been around his neck.


    Now, he was free.


    Armed with the shield and spear that they had given him as one of their slave soldiers.


    That class had vanished along with the shackles.


    He stood in the harsh glare of spotlights high up on the walls along with a dozen other men and women that looked as horrified and confused as he felt.


    A short, squat man atop the wall brought a megaphone up to his mouth. ¡°Don¡¯t get any ideas. We didn¡¯t let you keep the armor for a reason. If you even think about trying anything you¡¯ll be filled with so much lead you¡¯ll be unrecognizable lumps of meat.¡±


    Bryce eyed the machine guns pointed at him.


    He remembered it all.


    It wasn¡¯t that he had forgotten how a huge band of raiders attacked and overpowered his community. How he was beaten and thrown into a cage. How he hadn¡¯t seen what had happened to his wife and daughter.


    Where they dead?


    He hoped so.


    He had seen what the slavers did to pretty women and girls.


    He remembered it all.


    He just hadn¡¯t cared.


    It was the collar and the slaver¡¯s Skills or magic or both.


    It made him happy to be of service. To be enslaved.


    His hand tightened around his spear.


    Throw it.


    Kill the slavemaster as one last act of rebellion.


    To show them that they hadn¡¯t beaten him.


    ¡°¡­ run away, fight, hide, I don¡¯t care. Just try to make it last. We¡¯re wasting enough of you as it is,¡± the slavemaster said.


    ¡°We need to work together,¡± an angry-faced woman said.


    ¡°That won¡¯t matter,¡± a big, burly man sneered. ¡°We all know what those freaks can do. I know you all remember, cause I do. Shit, I was at an actual hunt before. Dumb morons tried to do just what you said. They formed a little spear wall. That monster just tore through them. Spears barely got through his fur. It was like armor. So, I suggest we all split up and maybe some of us will make it.¡±


    ¡°Where would we go?¡± the woman said. ¡°It¡¯s the fucking Everglades. The only directions we can go all lead to the ocean.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather die clean than messy,¡± a thin young man said. ¡°I die a free man! You hear me!¡± he hurled his spear at the slavemaster.


    It clanged off the shield of a slave soldier that suddenly appeared.


    ¡°You die a free man,¡± the slavemaster sneered, ¡°but you don¡¯t die easy.¡±


    ¡°Great job, moron,¡± the big man said.


    A wolf¡¯s howl pierced the clear dark night.


    It was deep.


    From a massive set of lungs.


    Bryce couldn¡¯t help but glance up at the full moon.


    His skin tingled.


    The fear of the hunted.


    He had felt it plenty of times.


    He knew what was coming.


    Level 30 wasn¡¯t enough.


    12 people at that level wasn¡¯t enough.


    The others edged toward the darkness of the Everglades.


    They all knew that a few miles along the border was continuously cleared of monsters and dangerous animals to create a buffer zone. He had been part of one such sweep himself.


    ¡°Wait! Let¡¯s work together. Maybe we can lure him into an ambush, set a trap,¡± he said.


    A second howl, not as deep, but just as spine-chilling.


    Then a third.


    ¡°Fuck me, all of them,¡± the big man paled.


    ¡°We can still¡ª¡± Bryce began.


    The big man lashed out with his axe.


    ¡°Block!¡±


    Bryce took it on his shield.


    He stabbed his spear into the man¡¯s unarmored thigh.


    The big man roared in pain. ¡°Motherfucker!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s on you,¡± he replied.


    ¡°He tried to hurt you to give the swamp wolves something to keep them busy for a bit,¡± the thin young man said. ¡°The old bear safety tactic. I don¡¯t have to outrun the bear, I just have to outrun you¡­ you know?¡±


    Bryce nodded.


    ¡°Scatter!¡± someone shouted.


    ¡°Wait, goddamnit!¡± the angry-faced woman spat.


    Only the four of them remained.


    They eyed each other and nodded.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a weapon,¡± the thin young man said.


    Bryce clubbed the big man on the head with the butt of his spear and kicked the axe over to the young man.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go¡­ try to find a thick tangle of mangroves. Get them stuck in, so we can stick them. It¡¯s our best chance,¡± the woman said.


    Bryce nodded.


    He prayed.


    Soon.


    Soon he¡¯d be with his wife and daughter again.


    Wait for me Sammy, wait for me Sally.


    This Christmas Eve, while a city celebrated, blood ran in the Everglades.


    A swift figure bounded across the city¡¯s rooftops, searching for the scent of freshly spilled blood. Her elder had mandated it and so she obeyed.


    Annoying, but also fun.


    Hunting was one of her life¡¯s true pleasures.


    This was even better because it felt more real than their normal, controlled hunts.


    That was more like a game or sport than the true struggle of predator and prey, of life and death.


    Doubly better that what she hunted was another hunter.


    A hint of that tantalizing scent in the air piqued her interest.


    Sweet and tangy failed to describe the blood when she drank deep.


    Blurring, she leapt toward it with leather jacket flapping in the wind.


    Another night hunter slipped out of shadow hidden in an alley.


    Bennett was mindful of Cal¡¯s warning to keep his distance from the slasher. The girl, Holly.


    Not that his old friend was afraid for his safety, but rather for the murderer¡¯s.


    Which, was odd to say the least.


    He supposed she was necessary for Cal¡¯s full plan, whatever that may be.


    Bennett didn¡¯t question. He was content to do his part. He trusted that Cal was doing his best to free the enslaved people while limiting the threat to the various agents scattered through the city helping him.


    Bennett had spent the last week spying on a list of targets Cal had given him.


    What he had observed left him no illusions on how his detailed information was going to be used.


    After all, why employ a slasher if not to slash her way through even worse people.


    He thought of Flo.


    A girl made into a monster by her class long ago.


    He understood a bit of why Cal had Holly around.


    Even if he didn¡¯t think you could redeem such a person.


    Howling wolves in the distance.


    Bennett shrank back deeper into the ally instinctively.


    Predators recognized predators.


    He recognized dangerous ones.


    The matches were informative.


    Blood scented on the wind.


    He focused.


    A large amount had been shed far to the south.


    He recalled Cal¡¯s briefing with disgust.


    The slaver king fed people to the werewolves.


    Yet, another crime against humanity to punish.


    His thoughts turned apprehensive when they remembered another briefing.


    He wanted to make contact out of curiosity, but that would jeopardize the mission, so he would do as Cal had asked and simply stay hidden and observe.


    He slipped back into the shadows and resumed his journey toward the mansion where one Lady Velvet, Lord de la Sangre and Lady Rebel.


    They were the first people like him.


    And, like him, they were threats.

 7.23

    ¡°You been living here this whole time?¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Fin replied.


    ¡°Did you get used to it?¡±


    ¡°Nope¡­ it sorta weighs on you. Seeing them with that smile. Like, they aren¡¯t people anymore.¡±


    ¡°You ain¡¯t wrong,¡± Shrewed grunted, ¡°but it ain¡¯t their fault.¡±


    ¡°No, but that doesn¡¯t make me feel comfortable eating the food they cook or having them do my laundry.¡±


    ¡°Tell me about it. I feel dirty having them changing my bandages and shit,¡± Shrewed nodded. ¡°I figure Cal¡¯s got his reasons, but why?¡±


    ¡°Why what? Why he¡¯s having the enslaved people continue to work?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ it¡¯s fucked up taking advantage of them.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not sure if the collars gather data.¡±


    ¡°What? Like those health tracker watches?¡±


    ¡°Something like that. He¡¯s ruled out direct surveillance from the collars. No one¡¯s listening or watching through them. But he¡¯s not sure if they can track how busy a person is. So, he didn¡¯t just order them to relax and watch TV or something,¡± Fin sighed.


    ¡°Easy fix. Just have them walk around the mansion a couple of times every few hours. It¡¯s big enough.¡±


    ¡°Has to fit expected patterns. So, like, it doesn¡¯t stand out when compared to the enslaved staff of all the other nobles,¡± Fin snorted. ¡°Bunch of bullshit. They just decided they¡¯re all lords and ladies now.¡±


    ¡°I figure that¡¯s how it¡¯s always been done. You say your noble if you¡¯ve got the wealth and power to back it up.¡±


    ¡°Anyways, the enslaved staff of this house needs to act like the enslaved staff of other houses just in case.¡±


    ¡°Minus the rape and torture,¡± Shrewed nodded.


    A dark shadow crossed Fin¡¯s face momentarily.


    ¡°Yo, I caught your last time attack thing. Looking good out there. What¡¯s up with your partner? Is it the same guy we¡¯ve got a file on?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Cooper¡­ er¡­ Dread Paladin. He¡¯s¡­ kinda like how I was before the rangers finally kicked my ass enough to wake me up.¡±


    ¡°So, listen, I know Cal¡¯s got a dozen plans going on and I figure you and this Dread Paladin have your own part to play like the rest of us, but is it good for you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking about that a lot and I decided that, yeah, I still need my revenge, but even if I didn¡¯t the Cabal needs to die.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I figured you were here for,¡± Shrewed nodded. ¡°When I saw that you were on the roster for this Quest, but not with Captain Butcher or with us at the motel I got curious. Then I saw you on TV and I got even more curious.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Cooper¡¯s got the same score to settle with the Cabal. We¡¯re going to get our revenge, which I think Cal¡¯s going to use as a distraction for the whole free everyone and kill the slavers thing.¡±


    ¡°Like spraying this whole place with oil and lighting it on fire.¡±


    ¡°The trick will be to make sure that most of us don¡¯t get burned along with the rest.¡±


    ¡°That was my biggest problem growing up. Always starting fires that ended up singing me a bit,¡± Shrewed chuckled.


    Fin jerked back.


    ¡°Bro, I didn¡¯t mean it literally. I¡¯m talking about how often I¡¯d get into fights.¡±


    ¡°I guess that¡¯s a little better than arson¡­ or is it?¡±


    ¡°Honestly, with age comes hindsight and no. Both are bad, but I wouldn¡¯t be in the position I¡¯m in today without all that street fighting experience and I¡¯d like to think I¡¯ve finally done some good with those skills,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°Balancing the scales,¡± Fin nodded. ¡°Cooper¡¯s going to have to deal with that after.¡±


    ¡°So, what¡¯s up with that butler? He keeps calling me a ¡®pendejo¡¯, like I don¡¯t know what that means,¡± Shrewed grunted. ¡°Dude always looks at me like he wants to take a shot. I haven¡¯t done or said shit to him. Fuck, I was out cold the first day and half I was here.¡±


    ¡°Bitterman? Yeah, I have no idea why he¡¯s here. Cal obviously has a use for him. He¡¯s like that with everyone not wearing a collar, which is basically, Cal, me, Cooper and the Furies that one time they were here and, well, you¡¯re now part of that list. It took me a week to figure it out, but he hates slavery, like really hates it. I think we¡¯re on the same page in regards to having the enslaved people work. So, when he sees us eating the food they cooked or them changing your bandages, we¡¯re basically almost as bad as the slavers.¡±


    ¡°Fair¡­ but he needs to stop mad dogging me when I ain¡¯t got a choice in the matter or he might catch these hands,¡± Shrewed held up bandaged hands.


    The door to the room barged open.


    The inside of Fin¡¯s chest swelled with power as he readied to cast.


    Shrewed tried and failed to get up off his bed.


    ¡°Sup, bitches!¡± Jayde threw a head nod at Fin and then Shrewed.


    ¡°Jayde,¡± Shrewed nodded, ¡°this is ¡®Fin¡¯,¡± he pointed.


    ¡°What up? You¡¯re ¡®Ghosty¡¯, right?¡±


    ¡°Ranger Ghost Sorcerer and you¡¯re ¡®Punchy¡¯, we¡¯ve never met, but I¡¯ve heard about you and the Furies, plus I saw your fights,¡± Fin held a hand out.


    Jayde slapped it palm to palm first then back of the hand to back of the hand.


    Fin blinked.


    ¡°Good to see that Shrewed isn¡¯t alone up in this slave house. You rangers are like those birds.¡±


    Fin glanced at Shrewed, who shrugged.


    ¡°What birds?¡± Fin said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know what they¡¯re called, but you know, the ones that die when you don¡¯t have at least two of them. Their hearts break, you see?¡± Jayde said. ¡°So, Ghosty? You want an autograph? Been having to sign them whenever we¡¯ve gone out. I had to sign, like, two of them on the walk over.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ no thanks.¡±


    ¡°No problem, but that was your one freebie. Next time is gonna cost you,¡± Jayde grinned. ¡°Shrewedy, I¡¯ve got one question.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t really go anywhere can I?¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°Captive audience, best kind,¡± Jayde said. ¡°My question is¡­¡± she pointed at the slightly bloody bandage on the side of Shrewed¡¯s neck, ¡°are you a vampire now?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Shrewed replied flatly.


    ¡°Good,¡± Jayde pulled a roughly-sharpened stick from the back of her belt and tossed it on the floor. ¡°Continuing¡­ did he slip you a little tongue with that bite?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ and that¡¯s two questions,¡± Shrewed said.


    Fin picked up the stick and flipped it in to the small trashcan near the desk.


    ¡°More like 1a and 1b, so¡­¡± Jayde raised a brow.


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, I guess that means I owe Dayana,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°You bet¡­ on those two things?¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°It gets boring sitting in the hotel room,¡± she shrugged. ¡°So, for my question,¡± she presented the puckered, scarred line running from the corner of her mouth almost up to her ear, ¡°how do I look?¡±


    ¡°Terrible,¡± Shrewed said. ¡°But it makes you look dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± she smiled, ¡°that¡¯s why I¡¯m keeping it until we¡¯re done here.¡±


    ¡°I fucked up that fat fuck for you,¡± he nodded.


    ¡°I saw! Thanks for looking out. Fucking clowns, Ghosty, never fight clowns. They¡¯re crazy,¡± she nodded sagely.


    Footsteps in the hallway.


    Fin relaxed this time.


    It was the rest of the Furies.


    Introductions were made, followed by proper handshake with Dayana.


    Hayden left Fin hanging and barely acknowledged him.


    The brief look reminded him of how Bitterman always looked at him.


    ¡°What are you guys doing here, anyways?¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°Cal invited us for a Christmas Eve party,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t know you¡¯d be here. Good fight. Could you have won if there were no rules?¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Jeez, Hayden, let the man forget for a few days before you force him to re-live such a brutal defeat. A vampire sucked his blood, for Jesus¡¯ sake!¡± Jayde sighed theatrically.


    ¡°Nah. I want to hear his insight. We might have to fight this vampire later. Since, he¡¯s also a ¡®lord¡¯, which is weird, but these assholes brought back slavery, so I guess it¡¯d make sense some of them would call themselves ¡®nobility¡¯,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°I would¡¯ve gone straight for the throat, the eyes, would¡¯ve shoved my knife in his mouth with all the openings I got, but I don¡¯t think I could¡¯ve won if it was a real fight. He was a lot stronger and faster. I think he was healing quick too, it was hard to tell in the middle of the fight.¡±


    ¡°Guys, we just need to stab him in the heart with a wooden stake,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Bennett doesn¡¯t think that¡¯d work on him,¡± Dayana pointed out.


    ¡°Yeah, but he¡¯s never actually tried it out, has he?¡± Jayde re-pointed. ¡°He could just be saying that. I wouldn¡¯t tell anyone if there was this super secret way to kill me. That¡¯s just common sense.¡±


    ¡°Garlic, silver, rice,¡± Fin said.


    ¡°Weird recipe for garlic fried rice¡­ but you do you,¡± Jayde smiled at him.


    ¡°No, I mean¡ª¡±


    ¡°She knows what you mean, Ghost Sorcerer,¡± Dayana patted his shoulder.


    ¡°You know, Ghosty, you got a pretty cool ranger name, not like¡­ well¡­¡± Jayde gave Shrewed a significant look.


    ¡°Uh¡­ thanks,¡± Fin said.


    Hayden continued to grill Shrewed about his fight with the vampire.


    Jayde and Dayana spoke with Fin, pointedly not asking him about his own Gold Division event.


    Finally, Bitterman came up and grunted something about the food being ready.


    ¡°Someone will bring you food, pendejo,¡± Bitterman growled at Shrewed.


    ¡°Puto!¡± Hayden snapped. ¡°Watch your mouth! Show some respect! You¡¯re the pendejo!¡±


    ¡°Ni?a, respect is earned not given,¡± Bitterman squared up to her.


    She glared down at the old man. ¡°What¡¯ve you done, huh?¡±


    ¡°More then you, muchachita¡±


    Fin frowned.


    The words the two were speaking sounded off, stilted.


    ¡°Does she speak Spanish?¡± he whispered.


    ¡°She¡¯s, like, half Dominican, you know, that¡¯s why she¡¯s tan,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°I thought, her mom was from Puerto Rico,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Pretty sure it was New York,¡± Jayde shrugged.


    ¡°Universal translation system,¡± Fin nodded with realization.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, guys, seriously?¡± Cal came around the corner. ¡°Same team¡­¡±


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Bitterman grunted as he turned and marched down the hallway.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t fight,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I won¡¯t start anything,¡± Hayden snorted.


    ¡°Seriously, you don¡¯t want to take him on. Understand?¡±


    ¡°You sound serious, why?¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Because you¡¯re all on the same side and he¡¯d kill you.¡±


    Hayden scowled, but nodded.


    Fin followed the Furies downstairs while Cal entered Shrewed¡¯s room.


    ¡°Hey, man, I¡¯ll be going out in a bit, but I¡¯ll bring you dinner before I leave. Any requests?¡±


    ¡°What do you have?¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°Like, six different pizzas, three different wings, fries and celery. Oh¡­ there¡¯s also salad.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a weird Christmas Eve dinner.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s what the young people asked for.¡±


    ¡°Not that young anymore.¡±


    ¡°Tell me about it, seeing them makes me feel old.¡±


    Shrewed laughed. ¡°You look in the mirror lately? You look the same as you did when you first moved to SoCal. I remember Rayna introducing you to all of us. Damn, six years now. Meanwhile, my busted up face has just gotten more busted and my hair line keeps going the wrong direction.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all about how you feel on the inside.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ve got a foot in the grave.¡±


    ¡°Nah, not when you¡¯re getting a new crop of younger rangers joining up every year. They¡¯ll need old vets like you to teach them how to last long. You can pass on what you know. Make a new generation of the dirtiest, street fighting motherfuckers on both sides of the Mississippi.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like a decent retirement plan.¡±


    ¡°When you¡¯re ready¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ when I¡¯m ready,¡± Shrewed agreed.


    ¡°So, I¡¯ll just grab you a little bit of everything from downstairs?¡±


    ¡°That sounds good¡­ minus the salad.¡±


    ¡°What do you want to drink?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like beer, but I need to heal if I¡¯m going to be useful, so, water, I guess,¡± Shrewed sighed.


    ¡°There¡¯s punch, non-alcoholic, I¡¯ll bring you some of that too.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, man.¡±


    ¡°Anything else?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ nah, but thanks for doing this¡­¡±


    ¡°No problem, I know that you aren¡¯t comfortable with the¡­ uh¡­ staff.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but don¡¯t worry about that. It¡¯s a me thing. I ain¡¯t judging you or nothing, not like that old Mexican dude. It¡¯s just¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­ you¡¯ve got a ton of little girls here and¡­ it¡¯s just¡­ it ain¡¯t right, man.¡±


    ¡°Tell me about it, but you know what, it¡¯s better here than in any other house out there. I¡¯d bring in more except they¡¯ve put limits on me, well on the sick old bastard I¡¯m pretending to be, and people are starting to ask questions and look a little closer. It¡¯s a small part of why I¡¯m going to the Slaver King¡¯s party. Show Lord Donald Wynn¡¯s face and convince them that everything¡¯s normal here and there¡¯s no reason to poke around.¡±


    ¡°Still don¡¯t know how you¡¯re doing all that,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°Yup,¡± Cal nodded.


    ¡°Good luck.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. Be right back with your food. I¡¯ll have Fin come in and check on you. Take your empty dishes or bring you more if you want.¡±


    Cal hurried to the kitchen, quickly passing smiling young women and girls as they went about their duties.


    He had done all he could to lessen those duties, which was still more than he was comfortable with.


    He grabbed a quick word with Fin and the Furies asking the former to take care of Shrewed.


    ¡°Guys, you don¡¯t have to, but I¡¯d suggest you moving in here now that you just have the final fight left,¡± he said.


    ¡°Why?¡± Hayden frowned.


    ¡°Attention. Many nobles have already approached you, right?¡±


    ¡°Messengers,¡± she shrugged, ¡°we turn them all down, since we¡¯re supposed to be signed up with your Lord Wynn.¡±


    ¡°Eventually, some of them will get insistent. They aren¡¯t used to being refused. You¡¯re untouchable by king¡¯s decree, but that¡¯ll only last until the tournament¡¯s over. You getting into a fight with some degenerate noble house prematurely would be bad for the plan.¡±


    ¡°Alright¡­ we don¡¯t really care too much about all that crap anyways. We¡¯re here to help you free people,¡± she said.


    ¡°But,¡± Jayde raised a finger, ¡°the points and bonus rewards we¡¯re getting for winning will be very good for that, so we must win.¡±


    ¡°Not to mention a guaranteed seat in the big dinner at the end of all this, just a knife¡¯s throw away from the king, himself,¡± Dayana winked.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ a discussion for later,¡± Cal said. ¡°Okay,¡± he had piled pizza, wings, fries, celery and a small salad into a basket, ¡°I¡¯ll be back in a few hours. Don¡¯t start a fight with Bitterman,¡± he grabbed a few drinks off the counter before heading back to Shrewed.


    ¡°Here you go, sir!¡± a girl with a dazzling smile placed a plate of food in front of Fin.


    Hayden scowled at him.


    ¡°I can¡¯t do anything about it,¡± he whispered.


    ¡°Why you whispering? Cal said they won¡¯t care about what we say and the collars can¡¯t spy,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ it¡¯s weird, okay?¡± he snapped.


    ¡°Whoa! Relax, Ghosty,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Sorry¡­ it¡¯s¡­ uncomfortable being around¡­¡± he eyed the girls and women moving around the table serving food and drinks.


    ¡°We can¡¯t do anything about it right now, so save your worrying for when it counts,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°You teamed up with the Dread Paladin,¡± Hayden said.


    Fin recognized the hidden blade in the flat tone. Though he didn¡¯t know why. He thought quickly. The file the rangers had on Cooper had said that up until meeting Cal in Vegas, the young man had been indiscriminate in sowing and reaping dread throughout the land. From the innocent to the undeserving, none had been spared. It hadn¡¯t mentioned a connection with the Furies, but they had met Cal at the same time and place.


    There was history there and he guessed that it wasn¡¯t good.


    ¡°It was Cal¡¯s idea,¡± he said. ¡°We gain strength through all the rewards from participating and advancing, hopefully winning or finishing in the top three. Meanwhile, he has people, I¡¯m assuming the other rangers in the city and others, scouting out all the Cabal hiding places. Being visible in the contests gives us cover. So, whenever Cal says it¡¯s time, me and Cooper will go get our revenge.¡±


    ¡°Leave Ghosty alone, Hayden,¡± Jayde said lightly.


    Hayden held his gaze for a long, unpleasant moment before finally nodding.


    ¡°You know where he¡¯s staying.¡±


    A statement, not a question.


    The Dread Paladin is an ally of convenience. You owe him nothing, the voice in is head said.


    ¡°Actually, no,¡± he said. ¡°Probably wherever they assigned him to. I¡¯m pretty sure he just sits in his hotel room when we aren¡¯t at the events or practicing,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Hayden, just leave it for now, alright?¡± Dayana said. ¡°We¡¯ve got two things to focus on. Our final match on New Year¡¯s and the plan that we don¡¯t know the full details yet.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ you guys are fighting the Furies, right?¡± he saw a lifeline and took it.


    ¡°Yup, bitches stole our name,¡± Jayde shrugged.


    ¡°So, are you, like, fighting for the name?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ but we might keep Heartfuries from now on,¡± Jayde said. ¡°It¡¯s a good tribute,¡± she glanced at Hayden.


    ¡°Oh? To what?¡±


    Dayana and Jayde eyed Hayden.


    ¡°We¡¯ll tell you some other time,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve watched all the matches and I¡¯ve got some ideas about how you can fight them, if you want, I mean,¡± he ventured.


    ¡°Sure, that¡¯d be great, but not tonight,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s supposed to be a party,¡± Jayde grinned. ¡°Although¡­¡± she smiled hesitantly at a little girl holding a glass up to her.


    ¡°Your juice, ma¡¯am,¡± the girl had that same eerie smile.


    ¡°Um¡­ thanks. Why don¡¯t you, like, go eat your dinner,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°They only listen to Cal and Bitterman,¡± Fin whispered.


    ¡°Fucked up, dude,¡± she whispered back.


    The little girl didn¡¯t react as she went back into the kitchen.


    ¡°I was saying¡­ well¡­ I guess it can¡¯t really be a party. Those are supposed to be happy and there¡¯s no way I can be happy with the whole slavery stuff around us,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°You can relax at eight,¡± Fin said.


    ¡°Why is that?¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°That¡¯s when they¡¯re off the clock. This mansion is so big that they have a wing all to themselves where they can do whatever they want.¡±


    ¡°I was under the impression that the collars didn¡¯t allow for independent thought separate from the slavemaster¡¯s needs,¡± Hayden frowned.


    ¡°That¡¯s right¡­ Cal had to do all that for them. Basically, he scheduled out their leisure time for them. I¡¯d like to think they like it, but from how the collar works it doesn¡¯t matter. They like everything the slavemaster tells them to do,¡± he shook his head with disgust.


    ¡°That¡¯s just depressing,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°One more month,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°So, Ghosty, when¡¯s your next time trial thingie?¡± Jayde waved a pizza slice in his face.


    ¡°Next week and then, if we qualify, finals week is the second full week of January.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ we¡¯ll be done by then. We just might watch,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Um¡­ yeah¡­ that¡¯d be cool,¡± his eyes darted to Hayden.


    He didn¡¯t like what he saw in her eyes.


    Do not get between an avenger and their target, the voice in his head said. You know the lengths one will go for righteous vengeance.


    <hr>


    ¡°Ayyyyy! My boys from Alpha Sigma bout to tear that motherfucking pussy up!¡± a man that appeared to be in his 30¡¯s whooped as a couple of younger men swaggered into the huge yard already filled with revelers being serviced by almost-naked, collared young women and girls. ¡°Robert! Chandler! Glad you could make it¡­ where¡¯s Jeff and Brett?¡± the man frowned.


    ¡°Apologies, bro. We didn¡¯t get your invite before we reserved a couple of rooms in Creamland. Already paid for it and everything¡­¡± Robert shrugged.


    ¡°Cost us a good chunk of what we¡¯ve gotten so far from the championships. You know how it is? Shit, bro, you know Alpha Sigma wouldn¡¯t miss one of your fucking insane parties!¡± Chandler grinned.


    ¡°Yeah, can¡¯t hate on the rest of the boys, I paid for a couple of girls from Creamland for my party, so I got you,¡± the man grinned ruefully. ¡°No worries!¡± he smiled, ¡°there¡¯s always the next party! So, come on in and enjoy yourselves! This is gonna be the most lit triple X-mas party ever!¡±


    ¡°Same rules as always?¡± Robert leered at a naked girl passing by carrying a tray of shots while on an unsteady pair of high-heels.


    ¡°Yeah, bro. You can use any of the marked rooms. Sock on the doorknob means it¡¯s occupied. Red sock means no go. Green sock means feel free to get in there and join in. Don¡¯t disfigure my girls or hurt them too badly that they have to spend the rest of the night on the bench. The Creamland girls are over in the east wing master bedroom, but you¡¯re probably tired of that pussy.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll never get tired of high quality pussies, asses and mouths!¡± Chandler whooped.


    ¡°Fuck yeah, bro!¡± the man nodded. ¡°Best girls come from Creamland.¡±


    The trio of men nodded solemnly.


    ¡°So¡­ booze is¡­¡± the man waved vaguely around him, ¡°¡­ everywhere. I¡¯ve got a coke room and a room for the good horse, same ones as usual¡­¡± he dropped his voice lower, ¡°also got a hold of some magic powder. It¡¯s on the quiet though, so don¡¯t go talking about it. I was saving it for you guys, Jeff and Brett. Alpha shit for the alphas,¡± he nodded.


    ¡°Respect the alpha,¡± Robert grinned.


    ¡°That¡¯s how a bro looks out for a bro!¡± Chandler hugged the man.


    ¡°Ayyyy¡­ C-Horse, you thinking what I¡¯m thinking?¡± Robert said.


    ¡°Sure as shit, Red Rob¡­¡± Chandler laughed.


    ¡°Lord Wildcock, my liege,¡± Robert bowed, ¡°we¡¯d be honored to ride the magic lightning¡­ after we¡¯ve spent our loads in at least a couple of girls.¡±


    The nobleman nodded with understanding. ¡°Three hole challenge?¡± he raised a brow.


    ¡°You know it, bro!¡± Chandler slapped the lord on the back.


    ¡°See¡­ I know my bros!¡± the lord laughed. ¡°I saved a bunch of girls just for us, but without Jeff and Brett¡­¡±


    ¡°More to go around!¡± Robert nodded.


    ¡°They¡¯re gonna be mad they¡¯re missing out!¡± Chandler said.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go! Time to send it!¡± the lord thrust a finger toward the interior of his mansion.


    ¡°Wooo!¡± Robert dashed ahead.


    ¡°Bro! Red Rob! We all got to start at the same time!¡± Chandler called out.


    The grown men rushed inside with the enthusiasm of kids rushing to open their presents on Christmas morning.


    Holly, the Slasher, observed them from the roof overlooking the expansive pool.


    A normal person would¡¯ve felt repulsed by the booze and drug-fueled orgy involving enslaved young women and girls.


    The only thing she felt was eagerness.


    She ran through the checklist Cal had impressed upon her.


    Rule Number 1: Don¡¯t harm innocents, which meant anyone in a collar, through direct and indirect actions.


    Rule Number 2: Only kill assigned targets. Unless given the okay to kill other targets of opportunity.


    Both rules had a longer set of rules attached in regards to what constituted an ¡®innocent¡¯ and an ¡®acceptable¡¯ target.


    She added the two new arrivals to her mental list with a Skill.


    Their life essence would now appear as a beating crimson warmth as long as they were in range.


    She regarded her targets and mentally assigned them their special places on her kill priority list.


    The soft, doughy men with pale, pasty flesh thrusting away in to enthusiastic girls went populated the lowest portion. They were weak and unaccustomed to fighting. Adult children of the various noble houses in the New American Republic. They were pampered by their parents and had known years of privilege and safety.


    A few of these men did ping as greater threats in her Skill. She examined them closer.


    Mages.


    Slightly more dangerous, but nothing she couldn¡¯t kill quickly since their levels were lower than hers.


    Four years imprisoned in a vault had stunted her growth, but just two months in Miami had put her back on track.


    Three levels attested to the difficulty of a hunting ground filled with potential threats.


    The men with fit bodies and numerous scars went higher on the list.


    They moved like fighters, warriors.


    No strangers to fights to the death.


    There were a few of those that registered.


    One or two were higher level than her.


    Except, her targets had already made a mistake.


    Everyone, aside from a boxer and mixed martial artist, needed gear.


    They had left their weapons and armor in the designated room just inside the mansion¡¯s front doors.


    At the top of her list, the reason she was here, was Lord Wildcock himself.


    The son of a top five noble house in the New American Republic, whose father was currently embroiled in a bitter dispute with another top noble house over the results of several matches between competitors each house had sponsored.


    Like any childish dispute over things that didn¡¯t truly matter, both sides accused the other of cheating, bribery and any number of random criminal acts.


    It exemplified the reason that the root word of ¡®fan¡¯ was likely ¡®fanatic¡¯.


    Holly¡­ no¡­ the Slasher settled in her perch on the roof, counting on her Skills and the darkness to conceal her from the dozens of security measures deployed the household guards and the revelers.


    Neither magic, Skills or something mundane like alarms and security cameras pierced her shroud.


    The full moon loomed in the sky.


    Some would think that the light it provided would bother the Slasher.


    In truth, she found it perfect for when it was time to use her domain.


    Soon, she thought, they will taste my knives and my terror will be unleashed on this place.


    The only true emotion she felt coursed through her.


    Hunger.


    She was hungry.


    The earlier killings had been mere appetizers.


    Enough to sate the urges.


    She licked her lips eagerly at the approaching feast.

 Interlude: Colin and Father

    Alabama, USA, Summer 2020


    ¡°Congratulations, Colin!¡±


    The colorful, hand drawn sign hanging on the wall echoed the words from the packed living room.


    Colin¡¯s eyes darted from face to face.


    His enormous extended family greeted him with happy smiles and congratulatory words.


    ¡°Do you like it, Colin? I did most of it,¡± his little sister gestured to the sign and its many colors and drawings of graduation, football and engineering related things.


    He picked her up in strong hands and spun her around before hugging her tightly. ¡°It¡¯s awesome!¡±


    A long round of hugs, handshakes and slaps on the back followed as he made his way through the gauntlet.


    ¡°You sweatin¡¯, C-boy?¡± his uncle chuckled.


    ¡°I got to get out of this gown.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t wait to get out of this suit and tie, myself,¡± his dad said.


    ¡°No!¡± his mom snapped. ¡°We¡¯ve got pictures.¡±


    ¡°Well, you best get on with that, sis,¡± his uncle said. ¡°We¡¯re gettin¡¯ hungry and your boy here¡¯s drippin¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Momma,¡± Colin began, ¡°I¡¯ll put it back on later for picture. You know, when the sun goes down and it isn¡¯t so damn hot.¡±


    ¡°Watch your mouth, child,¡± his grandmother smacked the back of his head.


    She must¡¯ve been in a good mood because she didn¡¯t bring her usual windup and follow-through.


    Must¡¯ve been really happy to see a second generation continue the tradition of going to college.


    ¡°Sorry, grandma,¡± he said sheepishly as his elders laughed.


    ¡°Alright, everyone, listen up!¡± his mom clapped her hands. Conversation hushed as dozens of people gave her their attention. ¡°You know where the food is¡ª¡± she gestured to the backyard where tables had been set up. They greeted that announcement with cheers. A few edged their way toward the sliding doors, including his uncle. ¡°Wait! We¡¯re doing pictures in the living room, so line up if you want one. You can¡¯t eat until you get your picture taken. I¡¯m not having my baby boy sit and wait to eat at his own graduation party.¡±


    ¡°But that¡¯s what¡¯s going to happen,¡± his sister whispered in his ear.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ but what am I gonna do,¡± he shrugged.


    Pictures followed.


    Took way too long.


    His stomach started grumbling halfway through, but his mom had no chill.


    They didn¡¯t stop until the last person that wanted one with him was done.


    The smile never left his face.


    Hunger was an easy thing to endure when you knew that piles of the best home-cooked food waited. Plus, he had done it. Graduated high school with honors. Headed to university in his major of choice all on a full-ride for football. It wasn¡¯t going to cost his parents a dime. Not that they hadn¡¯t already splurged for his new car, laptop, phone and anything else they thought he might need.


    Colin ditched the cap and gown, ditched the tie and rolled up his sleeves to dig into the food.


    ¡°C-boy, over here!¡± his uncle beckoned him over to a table.


    Uncles, cousins and other relatives made room to squeeze him in.


    ¡°Proud of you!¡± his uncle slapped him on the back. ¡°So, tell me what you think about them red beans and rice. I tried somethin¡¯ different this time.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, unc!¡± he took a spoonful. ¡°I don¡¯t know, tastes good as always,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Smart and strong, but ain¡¯t got no culinary sense,¡± his uncle sighed.


    ¡°Hey, C,¡± one of his cousin¡¯s gave him a head nod.


    ¡°Sup, Vic, thanks for coming. Didn¡¯t know you were gonna be here.¡±


    ¡°Nah, ain¡¯t gonna miss this. Can¡¯t wait to catch your games next year. You think you gonna get playing time?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know. There¡¯s an all-conference senior¡­ so he¡¯s gonna be the starter.¡±


    ¡°Quincy Byrd,¡± his cousin nodded.


    ¡°Whatcha doin? Scouting?¡± his uncle laughed.


    ¡°You know it, unc!¡± his cousin grinned. ¡°Wanted to see who¡¯s gonna be in the trenches with my little cuz.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Quincy¡¯s gonna start, but there isn¡¯t much depth behind him. Just me and another freshman.¡±


    ¡°Colin should get some good playing time,¡± his father laid a hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°C-boy¡¯s got that versatility, can play up and down that line,¡± his uncle said proudly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you mean left and right, unc,¡± his cousin teased.


    ¡°It¡¯s all the same,¡± his uncle shrugged, ¡°all in how you flip the picture.¡±


    ¡°I heard you got an offer from Bama?¡± another cousin said.


    ¡°Should¡¯ve gone there, boy,¡± another uncle grunted. ¡°Bigger school, better connections. Don¡¯t matter if you aren¡¯t going pro.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Les,¡± his dad frowned.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mean anything by it. Nothing wrong with where the boy decided to go.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t a full scholarship,¡± Colin shrugged.


    ¡°Les, you just salty you can¡¯t ¡®roll tide¡¯,¡± his uncle said.


    ¡°I was just looking forward to free tickets,¡± Uncle Les said.


    ¡°Too bad, Les, guess you gonna be missing out on the next four years,¡± his uncle said.


    ¡°Now, now, let¡¯s not talk crazy. I¡¯d love to go to your games, C-boy. Roll Jaguars!¡± Uncle Les laughed.


    The food, drink and laughter flowed well into the evening.


    Colin couldn¡¯t wait to get started with the rest of his life.


    <hr>


    Early 2021


    ¡°Nothing¡¯s coming, right?¡± Colin said.


    ¡°Stop asking, man. You¡¯ll know if something¡¯s coming,¡± Jalen said.


    Colin was underneath his car hurriedly tightening bolts and nuts, reconnecting hoses and making sure nothing in the engine bay would slip loose.


    ¡°How¡¯s the reboot coming?¡± he said to distract himself from the knowledge that they were exposed out in the parking lot. The others were on the opposite side of the dorms fighting to draw the gremlins¡¯ attention.


    ¡°It¡¯s coming,¡± Grady said.


    He heard the clacking of fingers on the laptop.


    ¡°You nerds even sure this is gonna work?¡± Jalen said.


    ¡°Stop asking. You¡¯ll know if it does.¡±


    College had been great.


    He had no complaints.


    Even though it had been super busy juggling football, class and trying to talk to girls.


    Colin had moved onto campus about a month after his high school graduation party for summer training camp.


    He had gone home one last time in the short break between that ending and classes beginning.


    After that it had been full-speed ahead.


    Good work in practice meant that he had beat out the other freshman to backup the starting left guard.


    The coaches were happy with how he had performed the first two months of the season.


    His class work was just as good according to his standards.


    Nothing worse than a B and he had been really trying his best.


    His parents had drilled it into him that his studies were just as important as football. He never knew when an injury could end the latter. Plus, he wasn¡¯t good enough to go pro anyways.


    The degree and the connections he made were going to set him up for life.


    He was only a little homesick.


    The cute girl he had started talking to helped a bit with that.


    Still, he had been looking forward to Thanksgiving break to see his family again.


    Seeing them at a few home games was good, but it wasn¡¯t the same as really spending time with them.


    The world came crashing down.


    The spires ruined everything.


    Monster attacking him while he was in bed.


    Screams throughout the dorm.


    Blood.


    Desperation.


    Death.


    So many of his classmates and friends gone.


    He had no idea what had happened to many more.


    All technology failed in those first weeks.


    Phones.


    Cars.


    Nearly everything.


    And yet, while the spires stole, they also gave.


    Classes.


    He didn¡¯t get it at first.


    The nerds in his dorm had to explain.


    But he was smart, quick, adaptable.


    Kill a tiny gremlin. Go to the spire. Get a class.


    Student: Engineer. That was what he had always thought of himself as. Not Athlete: Football like most of his teammates¡­ the ones that survived.


    He was mostly fine with that. Magic would¡¯ve been nice. A fireball or magic missile would¡¯ve been better than the lead pipe.


    A Skill and instinct gave him an inkling that he had pieces of how to get his car working again.


    Before he could get started different monsters appeared outside the dorms.


    The first dark nights hid tiny gremlins.


    What followed were gremlins as big as people and much more dangerous.


    More death.


    The cute girl?


    All he had found in her dorm room was torn cloth and blood stains.


    They had learned the rules at great cost.


    Claim structures to keep them safe.


    The nerds had been right from the beginning.


    But you had to kill worse monsters.


    Bosses. True bosses.


    They had managed to do that for their dorm even though it cost them.


    Now? A few dozen of them remained out of the hundreds in his dorm building alone and they were running out of supplies.


    There were other students holding out in other dorms and apartment complexes but contact was sporadic. The spaces between were too dangerous to cross even for armed groups.


    Colin took the guts of his car apart and put them back together over the course of a week.


    The concept was solid.


    He had dismantled and reassembled a solar charger to get juice back into his car battery.


    The spires hadn¡¯t been forthcoming.


    They wanted Universal Points for everything.


    He couldn¡¯t afford to unlock anything beyond the most basic bits of a tutorial.


    Who would¡¯ve figured the apocalypse would run on microtransactions?


    ¡°I¡¯m done down here,¡± he pushed himself out from under his car. ¡°Grady?¡±


    ¡°Ninety percent.¡±


    ¡°I hope this shit works,¡± Jalen said.


    ¡°It¡¯ll work. The solar panels work. The batteries work. The lights. The generators¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yo, I get it¡­ sorry, I¡¯m just a little tense, that¡¯s all. Nothing to be worried about. Just the three of us in the middle of the parking lot a hundred yards away from the dorm. Why the fuck did you park all the way out here, C?¡± Jalen said.


    ¡°I¡¯d have parked closer if I knew monsters were gonna happen, fucker!¡± Colin snapped.


    ¡°Calm down, boys,¡± Grady murmured. ¡°A wise man once said don¡¯t worry about outside shit, just worry about inside shit.¡±


    Colin tried to parse that and failed.


    He didn¡¯t have the bandwidth. He had given everything to getting his car running.


    Once he did that, he could do the same for a few other cars.


    Then he could go home.


    His family waited for him.


    They had to be.


    It had been months, but his dad was a cop. His dad had guns. His dad could keep his mom and sister safe.


    He thought of the rest of his family. His grandma, his uncles, aunts, cousins.


    Almost everyone had guns and knew how to scrap.


    Surely, his dad would¡¯ve gathered everyone together.


    Safety in numbers, like him and his classmates.


    He tried not to think about how the sound of gunfire was a near constant presence in the days after the spires had appeared. Then it had abruptly stopped. One of the kids in another dorm had claimed that he had picked up a gun from a dead cop, but that it wouldn¡¯t work. It had rounds in the magazine, but when the kid had squeezed the trigger nothing happened.


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    He had displayed the gun and rounds as proof.


    Colin knew guns.


    The glock was in working order. As were the rounds. The primer had been struck.


    He had pried the bullet off one and emptied out the powder.


    It lit fine with a match.


    None of them knew what to make of it.


    ¡°Done!¡± Grady pumped his fist. ¡°Your car¡¯s computer is rebooted.¡±


    ¡°This is why I¡¯m getting my grandpa¡¯s chevelle. None of this computer bullshit,¡± Jalen said.


    Colin took a deep breath and reached into his pocket for the keys.


    It was time to find out if his car would start.


    Life and death hung in the balance.


    <hr>


    One Week Later


    Colin fought to control the steering wheel and keep his car from slamming into the parked cars on both sides of the street.


    One of those damn gremlins had slashed his right rear tire.


    He was so close to home.


    Just a few more turns.


    The silence and emptiness in the suburban tract hadn¡¯t filled him with confidence.


    Nevertheless, he still clung to the hope that he was about to see his family.


    He hadn¡¯t waited too long before leaving his college.


    He had only spent enough time to fix another car while showing his classmates how to do it.


    The nerds theorized that it wouldn¡¯t be enough to know how to do it. One needed a class linked to the action. In this case getting a car working again.


    Based on his own experience he agreed. It wasn¡¯t enough to have the knowledge and skill, you needed Skills.


    That alone wouldn¡¯t have stopped him from leaving.


    In the end it turned out to be a moot point.


    A couple of the guys he showed what to do picked up a mechanic class and solved the issue.


    They had no reason to try to keep him there with people to take his place.


    None of his friends or classmates volunteered to go with him.


    Not that he had asked.


    They had their own families to worry about or they didn¡¯t want to leave the relative safety of the college.


    Now that they had a much safer way to go out and gather supplies their prospects didn¡¯t seem as dire.


    When he had left they were planning on moving the scattered groups on and around campus closer together.


    The gremlins recoiled from the headlights.


    It hurt the big ones, but didn¡¯t kill them in seconds like the little ones.


    He caught their pale flesh in the mirrors as they gave chase.


    ¡°Fuck!¡±


    What the hell was he going to do to get from car to house safely?


    What if there was no one there waiting for h¡ª


    He shut down the thought.


    They had to be¡ª


    They had to be okay.


    He didn¡¯t know what he would do otherwise.


    He threw the car around the corner, barely slowing.


    The wounded tire thumped and lurched. Until it finally gave way.


    The car¡¯s rear end dropped and an ear-rending screeched assaulted him.


    The right rear rim sent sparks flying.


    There it was!


    Home!


    It was in his headlights.


    Just like he remembered¡ª


    No.


    It was different.


    A chain-link fence blocked off the front of his home, enclosing the lawn and driveway all the way down to the street.


    The car screeched to a halt.


    He was out the door before it had fully stopped.


    He had to climb.


    ¡°Fuck!¡±


    The fence was topped with barbed wire.


    There were lit lanterns hanging from the light fixtures on the exterior of the house but the light didn¡¯t quite reach the street.


    The gremlins came, snarling, snapping their razor-filled mouths.


    He had seen them tear into his classmates.


    ¡°Fuck you!¡± he brandished his trusty lead pipe and a heavy-duty maglite.


    The first gremlin reached him.


    He shined the light in its face, forcing it to recoil.


    He stepped in and put his weight into an overhand swing.


    He didn¡¯t have combat Skills, but he was a big, strong, athletic young man.


    Teeth went flying, jaw went slack.


    The rest reached him.


    He waved the flashlight desperately.


    The gremlins stayed back, warily.


    They tried to circle around the wide beam.


    He heard sounds from the other end of the street.


    His heart sank.


    He knew it well.


    Claws on concrete.


    So close¡­


    Bang!


    Bang!


    Bang!


    The quick retort of an AR-15.


    He¡¯d recognized the sound of it anywhere.


    Multiple bursts.


    Gremlin blood painted the dark street.


    ¡°Colin!¡±


    He turned.


    ¡°Dad!¡±


    His dad stared at him like he was a ghost for a moment before snapping out of it. ¡°Here!¡± he pressed a key through the fence into Colin¡¯s chest.


    He grabbed it awkwardly while holding on to the pipe.


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep them back! Hurry! Unlock the door!¡± his dad pointed.


    The gun barked repeatedly as his dad held the weapon along with a kerosene lantern.


    Colin was forced to drop his pipe as he struggled to open the padlock with one hand while sweeping the flashlight across the gathering crowd of gremlins with the other.


    Finally, he succeeded and pushed through, hurriedly closing the door and snapping the lock shut.


    The gremlins gnashed their teeth and flexed their claws, but stayed back from the lights.


    His dad helped him up.


    ¡°It¡¯s you, son, Colin!¡± his dad hugged him tight. ¡°I thought I¡¯d lost you.¡±


    He was happy to return the hug with all his strength.


    Eventually, his dad stepped back. ¡°Let me look at you¡­ okay, okay, you look good. Lost some weight.¡±


    Colin regarded his dad.


    ¡°You too,¡± his voice caught in his throat.


    His dad¡¯s eyes were sunken with dark, deep bags underneath them. Unkempt curly hair once black, was streaked with gray. As was the wild beard. His dad had been a big man. Thick, barrel-chested and broad-shouldered. An older version of Colin.


    Now, his dad looked more like a lanky runner than a stout lineman.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, son, let¡¯s get away from these monsters. No matter how many you shoot, more always show up,¡± his dad spat.


    Colin took one last look at the sea of gremlins milling just outside the lights before following his dad inside.


    His dad bolted several locks and slid three iron bars across the front door.


    The living room was not how he remembered it.


    The furniture was gone. Replaced by the power cage, bench and weights that had been in the garage.


    The windows were boarded up.


    Yellow-orange light flickered, sending their shadows to dance on the walls and ceiling.


    ¡°Dad?¡± he walked into the kitchen.


    The table was covered in tools including his father¡¯s reloading stuff.


    Was that how his gun still worked?


    Just like his car and the computers.


    Someone with the right expertise and Skills had to basically take them apart and reassemble them.


    It made sense and it didn¡¯t.


    Colin thoughts ran away from the one question he feared to ask. Though, it was the most important one to his heart.


    The house was quiet.


    It wasn¡¯t that late.


    His mom wouldn¡¯t have ever allowed his dad to use the kitchen table that way.


    It was a place for eating with family, not all their dirty hobbies.


    His sister¡¯s room would be shaking from the music and her dancing feet pounding on the floor.


    He ran away from questioning why?


    ¡°Son,¡± his dad held him by his shoulders. ¡°I¡ª¡± his dad struggled with the lump in his throat. ¡°Your mom¡ª sister¡ª¡±


    He closed his eyes, felt his face twist as anguish dripped wet tracks down his cheeks.


    ¡°Maya¡ª the first night. It was my fault. Too slow. I killed the gremlins in your mom¡¯s and my room. Too late. Too slow. Didn¡¯t get to Maya¡¯s room before¡ª¡±


    ¡°And mom?¡± Colin¡¯s mouth formed the words, but he didn¡¯t understand what he was saying. It was like he was watching and listening to a stranger.


    ¡°She kept me alive, us, alive for weeks. Kept pushing me. I shut down or I would¡¯ve if it wasn¡¯t for her. I don¡¯t know when it happened. I¡¯ve lost track of days and weeks¡­ months,¡± his father¡¯s voice was hollow. ¡°My fault again. I didn¡¯t keep your mom safe. We¡ª we¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I get it. You don¡¯t have to say¡­¡±


    ¡°No!¡± his dad snapped. ¡°I mean¡­ sorry¡­ the monsters got her when we went to get food and stuff from the store. It would¡¯ve been before Thanksgiving. She wanted to do a proper one¡­¡±


    ¡°Mom loves Thanksgiving.¡±


    ¡°She does.¡±


    ¡°Are they¡­ where?¡±


    ¡°I buried them in the backyard. Under the tree.¡±


    ¡°Can I¡­¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow. It¡¯s not safe at night and I need to conserve ammo. Listen, you hungry? I¡¯ve got some¡ª it¡¯s not your mom¡¯s cooking, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Dad, but I¡¯ll pass. I¡¯m just glad your alive.¡±


    ¡°Same here, son. Not knowing how you were was the only thing keeping me going.¡±


    Colin collapsed into the kitchen table chair.


    He stared at nothing, trying to remember the last moments he had spent with his mom and sister.


    His dad joined him in silence.


    <hr>


    Months Later


    Colin and his father were alone.


    Their family was either dead or missing, which was as good as former.


    He had fixed his dad¡¯s truck and they had used it in a fruitless search for them or any other survivors.


    His grandmother. His uncles. Aunts. Cousins.


    Some had made it past the first night, only to die in the subsequent weeks.


    Some, like his grandma, the only sign of her fate that his dad had discovered was the blood-soaked bed in her house.


    Some left no traces in their homes and apartments.


    Colin spent most of time in the garage. He had converted it into a workshop with equipment looted from a dozen different places.


    He pushed his welding mask up and laid down the thin rods to grab a quick drink from the kitchen.


    ¡°How¡¯s it coming along?¡± his dad was busy with his own project, which was reloading ammo.


    The story was that his dad could¡¯ve picked up a police officer class, but went with the generic fighter and gunsmith. The way he had explained it was that being a cop was just a job. The best he could get at the time that would allow him to take care of his wife and soon to be born son. His dad held no illusions about the job, but it had a good salary, benefits and a pension. He just kept his head down, stayed away from the rampant corruption and tried not to make waves so that he wouldn¡¯t get hurt in any training ¡®accidents¡¯.


    The latter two, well, he fought the gremlins and he tinkered with guns as one of his hobbies. Fisherman was an option, but useless for his situation.


    ¡°Finishing up the right leg frame. Once I do the left we can start testing it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to believe what your making with your Skills,¡± his dad frowned.


    ¡°Spells would¡¯ve been more useful.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s even harder to believe.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Dad¡­¡±


    His dad raised a hand. ¡°No, I believe you. The spires said it. Skills and magic. Well, I¡¯m amazed that you built tiny, light and powerful motors for that exoskeleton of yours. Your mom would¡¯ve been disgruntled to find out that those video games you used to play amounted to something.¡±


    A shadow descended on his dad¡¯s face.


    Just like his.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that big of a deal.¡±


    ¡°No, son, always be humble, but let others give you credit when it¡¯s due. Our garage might not be a cave, but you did build something awesome with a box of scraps,¡± his dad smiled.


    He tried to return it.


    ¡°It won¡¯t be like that. My calculations are putting it at about fifty pounds for carrying capacity. I still have to work out the machine gun rig.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s nothing to sneeze at. That¡¯s a lot of ammo and gear we wouldn¡¯t be able to ruck around normally. We just have to find a machine gun. It¡¯s a trip to the closest army base.¡±


    ¡°I might be able to make one. I can probably use the AR as a base and scale it up. I¡¯ve got all the design programs I need on my laptop.¡± Courtesy of Grady as an exchange for his own work on the cars.


    ¡°Can you rig a frame for something like steel plates? Like, old school armor. Bulletproof vests are better than nothing, but those gremlins don¡¯t use guns.¡±


    ¡°Like knights and shit, yeah,¡± he nodded, ¡°I already did, but I don¡¯t know how to make armor, so the best I could do was build spots where we can attach stuff to the frame.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s bomb disposal gear at the station. It¡¯s way too hot, heavy and cumbersome as it is, but do you think you could take it apart and use it as armor for your exoskeleton?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I mean, there¡¯s no reason not to try. Aside from the problem of actually getting it.¡±


    ¡°I think we can do it.¡±


    Time flowed forward. Simultaneously slow and fast.


    Colin¡¯s exoskeleton improved with each iteration.


    Tiny motors that output more power than they would have in the world before physics-breaking Skills.


    Metal tubes that materially improved after being worked in his Skill-backed hands.


    An agonizing move from their home to Colin¡¯s college finally took place.


    Neither wanted to leave a wife and daughter, a mother and sister.


    Fate forced their hand.


    Encounter Challenges became Spawn Zones and they couldn¡¯t handle those by themselves.


    Colin¡¯s college was populated.


    Some faces he knew were missing, but they had been replaced by others and more.


    Hundreds.


    He expanded his knowledge. His class. His skills and Skills.


    Grady and the other computer nerds had regained access to the university¡¯s databases.


    Colin dived back into the track he was on before the apocalypse while adding new disciplines to serve his new goals.


    Metamaterials. Robotics. Artificial muscles. And more.


    He had even entered the field of human anatomy and biology.


    The nerds had the right ideas.


    Why limit himself to what he had previously learned about the boundaries of science when magic and Skills bent and broke the rules?


    <hr>


    Years Later


    Disaster struck.


    ¡°Dad! Dad! Don¡¯t leave me, please!¡± he pleaded as he ran alongside the stretcher, feeling the strength in his father¡¯s remaining hand slowly fade.


    The other side of his dad¡¯s body was half gone. The lower leg. The entire arm. A chunk of the upper torso down to the waist and upper thigh. Everything had been ripped or sheared off.


    There was so much blood.


    He focused on his dad¡¯s remaining eye, trying not to look at the ruined side of his face, willing his dad to cling to his life.


    ¡°Don¡¯t give up, Dad! I can fix this. Remember what I was telling you about! I can do it! I just need you to hold on!¡±


    He felt his dad¡¯s big mitt squeeze.


    So weak.


    ¡°Colin! Colin!¡± Dr. Schwartz snapped. ¡°You can¡¯t be in here.¡±


    He was in the emergency wing.


    It was only then that he realized several people around him were trying to push him back.


    He let go, hoping that wasn¡¯t the final goodbye.


    ¡°Colin¡ª¡±


    ¡°Dr. Schwartz, you have to keep him alive. I¡¯ve got stuff. I just need to get them.¡±


    ¡°Go, Colin,¡± the old woman sighed. ¡°We¡¯ll do what we can.¡±


    He rushed back to his workshop.


    The next few hours were a frantic blur.


    He didn¡¯t notice that several people had entered.


    ¡°What is it?¡± his eyes widened. ¡°My dad¡ª¡±


    ¡°You need to see him, before it¡¯s too late,¡± Delia, the leader of the civilian side of their community, gave him a sympathetic look.


    ¡°But, I told Dr. Schwartz¡ª¡± he hadn¡¯t noticed the small, old woman standing next to Delia. ¡°What¡¯re you doing here? You should be keeping my dad alive,¡± his eyes narrowed.


    ¡°We are, but he¡¯s fading. He shouldn¡¯t even have lasted this long. You understand? One lung gone. Almost all his internal organs, catastrophic trauma.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a fighter, over Level 30. He¡¯s got Skills that let him go past his limits,¡± he explained.


    How did she not know this?


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Colin,¡± Delia said. ¡°Yes, those allowed him to hold on instead of dying immediately, but time¡¯s running out and you need to go say your goodbyes.¡±


    ¡°No, fuck that!¡± he gestured to his workshop. ¡°I can fix it. I just need more time. Don¡¯t you have Skills to keep him alive longer?¡± he eyed Dr. Schwartz.


    ¡°Yes, but I have to prioritize patients with the best chances of survival,¡± Dr. Schwartz said.


    ¡°Look, I just need you to keep him alive so I can finish these machines that will keep him alive while I work on better stuff.¡±


    Delia¡¯s gaze sharpened. She cut the doctor¡¯s protest off. ¡°Your work? What will it do for your dad?¡±


    ¡°Save his life!¡± he snapped.


    Nothing else mattered.


    ¡°Will he be forced to live in this¡­ machine?¡± Delia said.


    ¡°At first, but I¡¯m confident that I can get him back on his feet¡­ eventually. I don¡¯t have time to explain, okay? Just¡ª I¡¯m going to build him a new arm and legs.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not listening, Colin,¡± Dr. Schwartz said softly. ¡°His internal organs should¡¯ve stopped functioning the moment those monsters did that to him.¡±


    ¡°No, you¡¯re not listening! That doesn¡¯t matter. I can replace them all with machinery.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°Not impossible, doctor. Nothing¡¯s impossible. Not anymore. I just need time, please.¡±


    The doctor wavered. Then she steeled herself. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Colin. I have an oath. And a class now. I can¡¯t choose to prolong his life at the expense of another more likely to make it.¡±


    ¡°What if I make it an order?¡± Delia said.


    ¡°You can¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Dr. Schwartz. Luther is our best fighter and our combat leader. I don¡¯t speak in hyperbole when I say that Mr. Collins is the single, most important factor in our community surviving this long.¡±


    ¡°Ma¡¯am,¡± Colin blinked. He had just remembered something. They were still in a battle for their lives. Those creepy, floating gray-skinned bastards had come out of nowhere and attacked. They had nearly killed his dad with some kind of invisible force. ¡°The monsters?¡±


    ¡°All dead or gone,¡± Delia said. ¡°I¡¯m still parsing through the reports, but it appears that two guys and a girl came out of the sky. Human-looking. One of the guys was observed in multiple locations running really fast and jumping really high. He, uh, smashed the gray monsters while seemingly being unaffected by their attacks. A report on the girl suggested she used magic in the shape of those black birds, but bigger and apparently she also had a literal black bird, much bigger, helping her out. As for the second guy,¡± she shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m waiting to find out more, but it¡¯s looking like they didn¡¯t stick around.¡±


    ¡°So, we¡¯re safe?¡± he scarcely believed.


    In his concern for his dad he had completely forgotten they were in the middle of a fight for their lives.


    ¡°For the moment, but we lost a lot of good men and women, which is why, Dr. Schwartz, I want you to use all of your abilities, your best Skills, to help Colin save his father.¡±


    Delia didn¡¯t say that she wanted Luther back and still useful.


    Colin knew his dad. He wouldn¡¯t want to live a life in bed hooked up to a bunch of machinery.


    ¡°This is nothing against you or your dad, Colin, but I only do this under protest,¡± Dr. Schwartz said.


    ¡°I understand, doctor, but I don¡¯t care what you want. Just do your best. Now, please leave. I need to build.¡±

 7.24

    The Slasher slipped in through the window using Skills to remain unnoticed and to avoid tripping the alarms.


    Weapons and armor, mostly the former, sat in orderly racks. Each was tagged with the owner¡¯s name.


    She locked the door and pushed the closest rack against it.


    First task done, she slipped back out the window, stepped over the dead guard and climbed back onto the roof.


    It had taken almost two hours before the orgy in the backyard pool area slowed down and broke apart.


    Most of the enslaved followed their instructions.


    They went into the house to clean up in one of the many bathrooms. Then ate and drank water to replenish the energy they had been forced to spend. Special ointments were liberally applied to ease the raw pain in their bodies.


    As for the men, most of them took their breaks. They had Skills and spells that gave them much greater stamina than they had in the old days, but those had their limits.


    Only a handful kept going.


    The Slasher followed one such man, carrying a giggling girl to the hedge maze toward the back of the huge yard.


    The maze had a small fountain and seating area in the middle she had scouted out earlier.


    The soft rustle of her black cloak was the only sound as she flowed above the hedges and onto the large statue of a naked goddess pouring water from a pitcher into the fountain¡¯s pool.


    The man emerged with the enslaved girl in hand.


    ¡°Put your hands on the edge and bend over for me,¡± the man¡¯s voice hungered.


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± the enslaved girl giggled.


    The Slasher felt nothing beyond anticipation for her first of many kills of the night.


    She consulted the checklist in her thoughts.


    The girl wore a collar.


    An innocent to leave unharmed.


    The man had been engaged in actions that made him a valid target and was about to resume.


    Before he could move, the Slasher leapt.


    A dark shadow descended.


    The rustle of cloth.


    A knife¡¯s whisper against a throat.


    She savored the man¡¯s wide eyes.


    Two pools reflecting the moonlight slowly growing dark.


    She stab him in the chest once and kicked him to the ground.


    The enslaved girl hadn¡¯t moved from her position.


    The Slasher snaked a thin, but impossibly strong arm around the enslaved girl¡¯s neck above the warm metal collar and squeezed.


    She carried the unconscious girl deeper into the maze


    Belatedly, she touched a finger to the enslaved girl¡¯s neck and detected a pulse.


    When the girl woke she¡¯d default to the personality and general behavior traits that the slavemaster had selected.


    This Lord Wildcock wasn¡¯t a diligent man.


    The Slasher suspected that the enslaved girl would simply return to the mansion and await new commands.


    Task done, she returned to the fountain and kicked the cooling corpse into the fountain, careful to avoid the foulness leaking out of him.


    The last thing she did was place a torn piece of clothing with a logo prominently displayed in the center in the man¡¯s hand.


    It looked like some kind of animal, stylized as it was.


    The mansion beckoned.


    Another window, in which she saw an enslaved woman lying under a pale, fat man.


    The man had fallen asleep snoring and drooling onto the enslaved woman, who stared at the ceiling with that blank smile that seemed to be the default expression of all those forced into the collars.


    Neither noticed the Slasher opening the window to slip inside.


    She struck like a viper kicking the man over and plunging her knife into his throat while covering the enslaved woman¡¯s mouth with her free hand.


    This one had sucked in a mouthful of air to scream.


    The enslaved woman struggled, hitting and pulling at the Slasher¡¯s arm while the fat man choked on blood and steel.


    She kicked him off the bed and choked the enslaved woman into unconsciousness.


    Not taking any chances she bound the enslaved woman¡¯s mouth, wrists and ankles with the towels piled on the table next to the bed.


    She stuffed the fat corpse into the closet.


    She stepped carefully around and over the spot on the hardwood floor where the man had voided his bowels.


    Two down.


    Back out the window.


    She cleared several more rooms in quick succession.


    Some rooms had multiple targets that she dispatched with ease before any of them even realized that their deaths had arrived.


    She choked or struck the enslaved women and girls into unconsciousness.


    The last thing she did was leave more torn pieces of clothing in the hands of her victims.


    Within an hour all that was left where the men scattered throughout the rest of house and those that had gone back out to the pool. They were all in various states of inebriation and a drugged out haze or amped up on a different kind of drug. The lord liked to provide his party guests with options. Whatever their vice he was proud to provide.


    The lord, her main target, hadn¡¯t left his master suite.


    She would draw him and the other two men out with the terrified screams of dying men.


    Slasher¡¯s Domain: Blood Night.


    The world plunged into writhing shadow, dark and red.


    A drug-addled man in the hot tub noticed something odd out of the corner¡¯s of his eyes. He took his gaze from the back of the enslaved woman¡¯s neck up to the moon.


    It glared down at him in judgment and cast its verdict in crimson light as red as the second smile the Slasher traced across his neck.


    The enslaved woman screamed a second after she noticed the hot tub water change color. She stumbled out and rushed into the mansion.


    The Slasher allowed her to spread terror.


    For with terror came chaos.


    A mage blasted spells wildly at shadows that mimicked the Slasher¡¯s shape.


    The less-addled men rushed for the room holding their weapons.


    Panic and terror made them forget their Skills as they desperately tried to batter the locked, barricaded door down.


    She had re-entered the mansion through a window.


    The mage was her first target, he was the only one in the living room coherent enough to pose a semblance of a threat.


    Slasher¡¯s Stride brought her within arm¡¯s reach of his pale, pasty back.


    She stabbed her knife up and under his ribs to kiss his heart.


    Enslaved women and girls had scattered leaving naked men on the couches and chairs.


    She swept through them in seconds.


    They died confused. The scent of their filth was the last mark they left on the world.


    She focused on another target, the muscular boxer.


    The man had joined the crowed hallway.


    ¡°Get the fuck out of the way!¡± he cried.


    They reeked of desperation as the door splintered but remained blocked by the heavy rack of weapons on the other side.


    ¡°I can see them!¡± another man cried. ¡°Shit! Pull the wood out of the way and we can reach them!¡±


    She stepped up to the boxer¡¯s back and stabbed low, in the kidney.


    He turned with surprising quickness and hit her with a four punch combo.


    Two struck her in the face, while the other two glanced off her shoulders.


    The boxer would¡¯ve only seen a writhing, bloody shadow. He should¡¯ve missed all of his punches.


    No matter.


    Pain was fleeting for the Slasher in her domain.


    She cut and stab with even greater speed.


    The boxer yelped and fell away trying and failing to keep his guts from spilling to the floor.


    Men scattered farther into the hallway.


    A few eyed her with wide-eyes while they tore fingers in their mad rush to clear enough space to reach the weapons.


    So close to their hands, so tantalizing.


    The Slasher swept forward.


    Her knife flashed in quick succession.


    Fingers flew, scattering like a spilled plate of cocktail wieners.


    A stroke of inspiration struck her.


    She cut low.


    There¡­ franks and beans plopped to the floor.


    The sweet smell of fear mixed with the foul stench of death squirting out of the men as they lay dying or dead.


    She flowed over them like a dark reaper in pursuit of the others that had fled into the adjacent wing.


    ¡°Power Double Leg Takedown!¡±


    The mixed martial artist planted his shoulder into her hips, lifted her up and drove her to the floor, splintering the hardwood and knocking the breath from her.


    ¡°Accurate Ground and Pound!¡±


    Fists battered her shrouded face and head.


    Until she placed her knife in the path.


    The man screamed as he split his fist on the impossibly strong and sharp kitchen knife.


    She bucked and rolled him over so that she straddled him.


    Thumbs pressed into his eyes.


    He screamed as she popped them like grapes.


    Soft, gooey, warm liquid ran down the man¡¯s face and over her hands.


    Her Skills warned her a second before the fireball would¡¯ve exploded on her back.


    Instead, she rolled the maimed mixed martial artist over to use as a human shield.


    The explosion momentarily drove away the blood red shadows of her domain.


    The dead man in her grasp stank of burned skin and filth.


    She took her knife back and hurled it at the mage on the other side of the room.


    ¡°Mage Shi¡ªurrkk.¡±


    The man swallowed the blade.


    He tried to pull it out but the Slasher forced it all the way down to the end of the handle.


    She retrieved her knife from the dead man and swept through the wing for the rest of her targets.


    It was easy.


    They couldn¡¯t hide when she saw their life essence beating a warm red even through walls and doors.


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    They couldn¡¯t fight without their gear and with the way the domain slowly leeched them of their strength and ability to think through the fear it created.


    She returned to the central wing of the mansion with a bloody blade and soaked sleeves.


    Her lips slowly split into a ghastly smile for Lord Wildcock and his two friends.


    She knew what they saw.


    A writhing shadow.


    The dark, blood-soaked cloak.


    Stark white teeth set in a black void.


    All within the blood red tinge of her domain where every shadow seemed to be stretching out to grasp them tight and drag them into nothingness.


    ¡°Who the fuck are you?¡± Robert brandished his axe.


    The men had managed to throw on some clothes and retrieve weapons.


    Lord Wildcock raised a pistol and fired.


    She spread her arms out wide angling the knife to catch the glint of the bloody moon through the large skylight.


    Bullets passed harmlessly through her cloak.


    Her body was never where you thought it was in her domain.


    The wide-eyed lord cursed. ¡°Guards! Guards! Guards!¡± he screamed in a high-pitched voice.


    ¡°Bro, they¡¯re dead,¡± Chandler eyed her over the edge of his shield, sword pointed in her direction.


    ¡°My neighbors! No way they didn¡¯t hear any of that!¡± the lord gesticulated wildly, ¡°they¡¯ll send their guards! If they don¡¯t my father will¡ª¡±


    ¡°Nah, bro,¡± Robert said. ¡°I don¡¯t think anyone¡¯s hearing nothing out there, look at all this shit,¡± he gestured at the bloody shadows writhing on the walls, floor and ceiling, ¡°even the fucking moon is bleeding.¡±


    ¡°Yo, bro, you go run to your neighbor and get help while me and Red Rob keep this thing busy,¡± Chandler said.


    ¡°You serious¡ª¡±


    ¡°Ayyy, your lordship,¡± Robert nodded with a feral grin, ¡°something tells me turning and running will just let him stick a knife through our back just like the poor fucks pissing and shitting all over your furniture. So, get yourself go¡ª¡±


    Lord Wildcock turned and ran like a pig on fire.


    Chandler chuckled.


    ¡°Cool to party with, but a bitch when it¡¯s time to throw hands,¡± Robert nodded.


    ¡°Same?¡± Chandler said.


    ¡°Same,¡± Robert agreed.


    ¡°Hey! Whoever the fuck you are¡­ you¡¯re gonna learn why you don¡¯t fuck around with Team Alpha Sigma!¡± Chandler called out to the Slasher.


    ¡°Rage!¡± Robert roared.


    His muscles swelled and a haze seemed to waft off his bare torso.


    Spittle flew as he charged.


    His axe rose and fell on the Slasher only to split shadow and sink deep into the hardwood floor.


    Chandler cursed.


    Automatic Block quickly turned his shield arm and body without conscious thought.


    Knife sank into stout wood.


    The force of the impact nearly drove the point into his face.


    He shuffled back ripping the knife out of the Slasher¡¯s grip.


    ¡°RAARRGGHH!¡± Robert leapt over him in one bound and slashed down with an overhead chop.


    Again he only split shadow.


    ¡°Taunt!¡± Chandler cried out desperately as he turned in a circle chasing shadows.


    Everything seemed to be reaching for him.


    He could hear whispers from every direction and none at all.


    ¡°Spin Slash!¡± he spun in a desperate circle, sword cleaving shadows.


    A glint in the corner of his eye.


    He turned toward it and¡ª


    Fiery pain for an instant.


    Warmth down the front and back of his pants.


    Followed by nothing.


    Chandler¡¯s body toppled to his knees then face first onto the floor driving the small knife deeper into his cooling brain.


    Robert laid about him with his axe in a blind rage.


    To him, he was killing a shadowy foe with every blow.


    The Slasher watched from a safe corner of the living room with disappointment.


    These men had been too easy to kill.


    Her leveling would have to come not from the killing but from the impact the slaughter would leave on the city once the sun rose.


    The raging Robert was spent after a few minutes.


    His arms hung low and heavy.


    She approached.


    ¡°Weak,¡± she hissed.


    He spat, too tired to speak.


    Arm¡¯s trembling he tried to raise his axe.


    She stabbed him in the chest and pushed his forehead, toppling him like a tree.


    She left the knife.


    She left him to die in his own filth.


    Slasher¡¯s Stride allowed her to catch up with the lord while he waited for the gate to open.


    His eyes widened and he shit himself when he saw her white teeth in his rear view mirror.


    Tears flowed down his cheeks as a plea for mercy died on his tongue.


    She left Lord Wildcock in the seat of his Lamborghini with his head back and a thin, double-edged dagger in one eye.


    A dagger she had stolen from another lord¡¯s office.


    The same one that was embroiled in a dispute with Lord Wildcock¡¯s father.


    It was too obvious for a rational mind, but such things fled when heated emotions were poked and prodded.


    Chaos would ensue and the Slasher would have more targets to fill her hunger.


    Her work done, she flowed over the city¡¯s rooftops like a shadowy wraith taking a circuitous route to thwart potential pursuit back to the mansion she called home.


    She had senses beyond the physical so she was quite surprised to be knocked into an AC Unit atop an office building by a blow that cracked several ribs.


    An extremely pale young woman stood over her.


    The sides of the woman¡¯s head were shaved bare. Brown hair on top spiked up like an agitated porcupine.


    Her face looked average.


    She wore a leather jacket, studded with spikes and open at the front to reveal a small bra and a toned stomach.


    Her pants were red leather and her dark combat boots had razor blades embedded in the thick soles.


    She flashed a smile to reveal four sharp fangs, two on top and two on the bottom.


    ¡°You smell delicious!¡± she said with hungry eyes.


    The Slasher flicked a wrist.


    The woman¡¯s hand blurred. She regarded the knife. ¡°Did you get this from someone¡¯s kitchen?¡±


    The Slasher burst into action leaping for the edge of the roof in a bid to lose this woman in the alley.


    She found herself yanked back roughly by her neck.


    The woman pulled her cloak and spun her around grabbing her neck in a grip like iron.


    Another knife flashed from voluminous sleeves.


    A hand blurred to crush the wrist.


    ¡°The king just wants you alive. He didn¡¯t say you had to be unbroken. So,¡± the woman brought her arm up and sniffed the bloody sleeve, ¡°not yours¡­ lots of different people. Who did you kill tonight?¡±


    The Slasher twisted but couldn¡¯t budge the woman¡¯s iron grip.


    ¡°C¡¯mon¡­ I kinda like what you¡¯re doing, making the uptight fucks in their mansions piss their panties. They¡¯ve gotten too comfortable thinking that their power¡¯s secure. Between you and me this place could do with a little uprising. So, tell me what your deal is and I might just let you go if I like what I hear. So far you¡¯ve killed a bunch of those freaks with their lame-ass candle ceremonies and a useless wannabe noble or two¡­ or maybe more? Huh? Are there other victims we don¡¯t know about? Did you stash their bodies somewhere else? Maybe in your basement to reenact that family you lost? Or for something kinkier?¡± the woman bared sharp fangs, ¡°from one night hunter to another, you can tell me. If I like it I might consider making you my childe. Think of how much more of a killer you can be with my class combined with yours.¡±


    The Slasher said nothing.


    From where she dangled over the rooftop edge she didn¡¯t have much to lose.


    The vampire did as promised and she¡¯d change, but would fundamentally be the same, a hunter, a killer.


    Get captured and taken to the king.


    Same difference.


    She was sure that Cal wouldn¡¯t leave her there if only to keep them from torturing vital information out of her.


    So¡­ she shrugged with the one shoulder that could still move.


    ¡°Suit yourself¡­ I think I¡¯ll take you home. We¡¯ll question you first,¡± the woman smirked.


    Then the woman was gone.


    The Slasher grabbed the edge and pulled herself up.


    She looked into the sky.


    The full moon hung low and she could see a flailing vampire hurtling through the air.


    ¡°Did you accomplish it?¡±


    She greeted the voice with a knife.


    Cal.


    How did he always surprise her?


    ¡°Figured that was you,¡± Holly nodded toward the vampire. ¡°You kill her?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯ll survive the fall.¡±


    ¡°Shame, you should¡¯ve killed her. She¡¯s a threat.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, probably, but from the looks of it they¡¯re also a threat to the king.¡±


    ¡°I got the Quest done. Lord Wildcock is dead. Obvious evidence planted.¡±


    The chime rang in her ears but she dismissed the notification for later.


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°Killed everyone in the mansion according to your checklist. No enslaved permanently harmed, some terrified.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t read anything in the man¡¯s face or body language.


    He gave nothing away.


    ¡°Good job,¡± he said finally. ¡°Return to base. We have some guests and they¡¯ll be staying permanently, but it doesn¡¯t affect you. There¡¯s pizza, wings and fries. Just have it sent to your room like usual.¡±


    ¡°Enjoy your party,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± he rose into the sky.


    She winced at the pain in her chest as she continued her journey back to the mansion.


    <hr>


    Bennett slowed when he saw the sign.


    The scent of freshly shed blood came from somewhere inside the water park.


    Someone had painted over G, the first letter of the park¡¯s name.


    He stepped into the shadow under the sign and emerged a short time later underneath a tall, corkscrewing water slide.


    Bright light forced him to close his eyes for a moment to adjust back to normal vision.


    The sounds of a distant fight rang loud in his supernatural ears.


    When he blinked the light revealed itself to be from a single solitary torch burning in the middle of the wide pathway.


    Orienting toward the sounds he stepped back into the shadows¡ª to emerge to the sight of a vampire sucking the blood out of a man¡¯s neck.


    He was on the verge of dashing forward to save the man when the vampire released her hold. Licking her blood-covered lips with obvious relish, she gently lowered the man into a seated position. ¡°Do take a moment to recover. We shan¡¯t have you faint and crack your skull on the ground.¡±


    The man glared up at her.


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be like that,¡± she tsked, ¡°You live, you level and perhaps one day you¡¯ll turn the tables, eh? The hunter becomes the hunted. A classic trope,¡± she tittered.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± the man spat as he stood up only to wobble unsteadily.


    The vampire sighed and lifted the well-built man like he was a toddler, carrying him to a nearby bench. ¡°Return to the mansion as you please, but do be careful tonight. Blood has been spilled in other places tonight. There are predators out there besides myself and they don¡¯t hold the same fondness I have for you, my little pet.¡± She turned causing her thick mane of vivid red hair to cascade around her perfect, alabaster features. Hips swaying, she left the man on the bench as she made her way to the exit.


    ¡°One day¡­¡± the man muttered.


    The vampire woman laugh sounded like tinkling wind chimes.


    Bennett followed.


    The man seemed okay and he needed to gather more information about the vampire woman for both himself and the overall plan.


    He tamped down his excitement at discovering the first person that was like him.


    The vampire woman moved leisurely, sure-footed on high heels.


    ¡°Do come out¡­ I won¡¯t bite,¡± she teased.


    Bennett slowly stepped out of the shadows with open hands in front of him.


    ¡°Are you the one that¡¯s been hunting in the city?¡± she looked up into his red eyes with her own.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t hurt anyone,¡± he said after a moment¡¯s struggle to find the words.


    The vampire woman oozed presence in a way that made him want to do anything for her, anything she wanted.


    Her posture, her voice, her perfect face, those eyes.


    Anything for her.


    ¡°Yes, that rings of the truth to my ears. Hmm¡­¡± she tapped a manicured finger to her chin, ¡°I do smell blood, as I¡¯m sure you do as well.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why am here. I tracked down your¡­ hunt?¡± he searched for the right words. He had so many questions and he didn¡¯t want to burn his chance before he could ask them. ¡°That man wasn¡¯t wearing a collar and yet he didn¡¯t seem like a fully willing participant.¡±


    ¡°Because he isn¡¯t,¡± she grinned, ¡°but, that said, he benefits. He¡¯d be in a collar otherwise. Isn¡¯t it better to be a valued pet than a slave?¡±


    ¡°I say he should be neither. He¡¯s in a cage even if it¡¯s a better one.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ why don¡¯t we debate this in a more comfortable setting? I invite you to my home,¡± she tilted her head lower and bit her lip as she kept her eyes on his.


    Something made him want to jump at the opportunity.


    The eagerness to fall into the vampire woman¡¯s gaze was overwhelming.


    He remembered what he was here for, what he had seen.


    Breaking the gaze with immense effort he shook his head. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Okay, be that way,¡± she pouted. ¡°Still¡­ you¡¯re the first one of us that I¡¯ve encountered and I shan¡¯t let you go that easily. How about a little game? You ask one of those questions I can see struggling to leap from your tongue and then I¡¯ll ask one of my own?¡±


    ¡°I agree to those terms.¡±


    ¡°So stiff,¡± she smiled, ¡°relax! Like I said, I won¡¯t bite¡­ unless you ask¡­¡±


    ¡°Sorry, but¡­ no. How are you, well¡­ you.¡±


    ¡°I imagine the same way you became you. I luckily killed the gremlins on that first night and somehow managed to reach the closest spire and¡­ well, here I am,¡± she ran a hand down her body.


    He kept his eyes on hers.


    That dress was entirely too revealing.


    Much of her perfect alabaster skin was on display.


    ¡°My turn,¡± she said. ¡°What clan do you belong to?¡±


    ¡°None¡­¡± he blinked.


    Was that a thing?


    He thought back to his character sheet in the spire.


    There wasn¡¯t any mention of a clan.


    ¡°Well, what disciplines do you possess?¡±


    Again he pictured his sheet in his mind¡¯s eye.


    Nothing about ¡®disciplines¡¯.


    ¡°You¡¯re abilities?¡± she rolled her inviting eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m quick, fast, strong. Tougher. Healing,¡± he ticked off the list on his long fingers, ¡°sharp nails when I want, fangs. Um¡­ I can do stuff with shadows, supernatural senses, command ani¡ª¡± he stopped.


    The corners of the vampire woman¡¯s mouth turned upward slightly.


    ¡°Clearly, you¡¯ve got some kind of supernatural charming ability. Please don¡¯t use that. I might get offended.¡±


    ¡°I cannot help being me,¡± she shrugged bare, perfect shoulders. ¡°Hmm¡­ you¡¯re the same as me with the only differences being in your disciplines. Mine are Presence, Celerity and Auspex, there a fair trade. It seems that we have one in common. Your other two sound like Obtenebration and Animalism. An odd combination no clan starts with.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about clans or disciplines. I picked my abilities from a skill tree. It looks like a branching¡­ well¡­ tree.¡±


    ¡°The spires, our classes, everything is as we perceive it, which accounts for the differences,¡± she nodded. ¡°Then that means I didn¡¯t need to be locked into my discipline set. We¡¯ve been trying and failing to learn more. Perhaps with your help¡­¡± she batted her long lashes.


    ¡°Lady, I don¡¯t even know you¡¯re name.¡±


    ¡°Ironic,¡± she tittered. ¡°You may call me ¡®Lady Velvet¡¯. And you?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s ¡®Bennett¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Well then¡­ Bennett¡­ I must insist on hosting you at my home. The others would love to meet you and we can have a mutually beneficial chat about our classes. As far as I know, we are the only four vampires in existence and we simply must stick together. Prove your worth and an invitation into our coterie may be yours.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for invite, but I don¡¯t know anything about half the terms you¡¯re using. And I¡¯m going to stop talking because I¡¯m finding it hard to concentrate and keep my mouth shut, which, I¡¯m sure, you know exactly why.¡±


    Bennett stepped back into the shadow of a large tree.


    ¡°Next time then!¡± Lady Velvet watched him leave with the intensity of a tiger staring at a newborn fawn.

 7.25

    Lord Wynn¡¯s armored SUV slowed to a stop at the designated checkpoint in front of the massive gatehouse.


    The thick stone walls encircling the king¡¯s sprawling estate were plated with a layer of iron.


    Armed men and women stood on watch atop the 40-foot-high wall. Most wore collars.


    The gate guards inspecting the vehicles waiting to enter didn¡¯t have collars.


    Cal felt the tingle of Skills, spells and mundane devices scanning the SUV and its occupants for threats.


    It was a small matter to reach into the guards¡¯ minds and enforce the thought that the droids they were looking for were definitely not inside.


    They were quickly waved through.


    A second search at a second gatehouse followed a few hundred yards later.


    This wall was shorter than the outer one.


    Built first, he knew from a cursory scan at the thousands of minds in his vicinity.


    No threats.


    No droids.


    The guards waved them through.


    A shorter drive brought them up to the entrance of the king¡¯s castle.


    It was more of a mansion. Just like many of the others in this once rich section of the city.


    Multiple additions had been made to increase the place¡¯s sprawl.


    A touch on thoughts revealed that the additional structures had also been built down into the ground.


    Must¡¯ve been difficult with the type of land, he thought.


    He tried to poke into these sub-levels but couldn¡¯t see anything with his mind¡¯s eye through the glaring orb of power radiating energy like a small star from one of the buildings.


    At least he knew where to start his search for the slavery system¡¯s central control unit.


    ¡°Wait for me. I¡¯m an old man and I can¡¯t stay up too late anymore,¡± he said to the driver and the bodyguard.


    ¡°Yes, Lord Wynn,¡± they echoed.


    ¡°Feel free to eat¡­ no drinks.¡±


    ¡°Of course, sir,¡± the driver said.


    An attendant opened the door.


    Cal stepped out and walked up the broad steps.


    To all eyes, he was the old, doughy Lord Don Wynn.


    Wispy tufts of white hair on his mostly bald, liver-spotted head.


    Multiple chins.


    A slouched, unsteady walk.


    ¡°Don¡¯t announce me,¡± he said to the doorman.


    ¡°As you wish, Lord Wynn.¡±


    The doors opened for him to reveal an enormous space.


    The entry way was the size of his first one bedroom apartment back in college.


    Finely-dressed men and women mingled beyond in a living room that rivaled a deluxe-sized theater.


    The far wall was a screen playing highlights of Freedom Championship events.


    Scantily clad waiters and waitresses traversed the space.


    Those identical smiles never left their faces as they served hors d''oeuvres and drinks while enduring grabby hands from so-called noblemen and noblewomen.


    He carefully searched for the Slaver King finding him in another room sharing whisky and cigars with the slaver kingdoms most powerful noblemen.


    From their demeanor, what the Slasher had done this remained unknown.


    Two of those noblemen would be truly at each other¡¯s throats by Christmas morning.


    He briskly made his way through the throng of filth.


    Only stopping to have quick words with those that Lord Wynn would be expected to acknowledge.


    ¡°Merry Christmas!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been buying up all the girls, you horny old dog! How about you leave some for me? I¡¯ve been getting bored of my current stable.¡±


    ¡°I was surprised to learn that you sponsored the Heartfuries. I tried to get the Furies, but they turned me down. They turned everyone down, so it¡¯s not me.¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t thrown a party in awhile! You¡¯ve got to do it soon. The last one was back in September. Still got that girl with the dazzling smile? I might have to buy her from you.¡±


    ¡°Lord Wynn, have you reconsidered my daughter. A man like you has to consider a proper succession. Otherwise the jackals are just going to tear everything you¡¯ve built apart.¡±


    ¡°As long as I get that girl!¡±


    Disgust roiled within him as he was forced to smile and pretend that he didn¡¯t want to wipe the whole place out.


    It had been a difficult time copying and maintaining the odious man¡¯s mind pattern for the last several months. A necessity required by the need to take possession of the man¡¯s slave control rod without triggering the security measures and harming the enslaved.


    Lord Don Wynn made his way through the crowd and became someone to ignore as he stepped into the expansive backyard.


    He pushed the sights and sounds of what was going on in the pool¡¯s isolated grotto, in the many hidden alcoves and dead ends of the hedge maze to the recess of his mind.


    He walked briskly to a large, square building down the path from the other end of the maze.


    The building was an ugly, squat thing of unpainted concrete.


    Heavily guarded by stationary sentries and roving patrols.


    None of them noticed Cal walk right up to the door and open it with a thought.


    Inside, cameras suddenly shifted their focus to empty space.


    Alarms, mundane or magical, failed to trigger.


    Men and women watching from the central security room noted the strange, sudden camera movements on the bank of screens, but just as quickly forgot about them.


    Cal was surprised to find what he was looking for almost immediately.


    The central control unit was housed inside a room in the very center of the ground floor.


    It resembled the device he had found at the various locations the slaver King kept enslaved people in comas, except much larger.


    The glowing orb of¡­ energy nestled in the gleaming metal housing was too large to encompass with his hands. He estimated that it¡¯d take at least five people linking hands to embrace it around the circumference.


    Glowing lines and script wove together into complicated patterns on the metal surface.


    A marriage of technology and the arcane put to use to enslave thousands.


    What a waste.


    He took everything in with his eyes then switched to other senses to see deeper into the ugly, white light emanating from the orb.


    The light became more distinct.


    He could count thousand of thin strands flowing up and out through the small opening in the high, domed ceiling.


    Connections.


    A bastardized version of the threads of fate.


    All of the threads looked the same to him. Felt the same.


    Threads to the collars.


    Threads to the control rods.


    A thread to the slaver king.


    He couldn¡¯t find a distinction.


    All functionally the same?


    Well¡­ it was good news.


    The Archwizard had made the magical device with a hypothesis that the collars and control units functioned in this way.


    Touch the device to the central control unit and sever all links.


    He couldn¡¯t do it at the moment. Not without the crystals.


    She had warned that she couldn¡¯t account for any interactions involving powerful Skills, which the Slaver King undoubtedly possessed.


    There was a possibility for any number of last ditch, break through your limits bullshit that could ruin all their plans.


    Sever the threads?


    The king might still be able to pull off one last spiteful act to burn them all rather than see them go free.


    Such was a slaver¡¯s mind.


    Cal searched for any sort of data he could find in the building.


    Nothing.


    What he did find was something disturbing.


    Unsurprising from a nation of slavers.


    He headed for the stairs.


    Downward.


    Through a long tunnel and into one of the sections he had noted on the drive up.


    It was a prison.


    A dungeon.


    Fitting for a king¡¯s castle.


    Most of the prisoners had angered the king in some way, yet he had decided that imprisonment was a more fitting punishment than enslavement or participation in a feeder match.


    A few of the prisoners were different.


    He recognized some of them by their thoughts.


    Those he would pick up on his way out.


    But first, he went to a young woman imprisoned in a clear enclosure inside a large chamber behind a thick iron door and armed guards.


    It was a strange sight.


    It looked like a TV show set.


    A nice-looking two bedroom apartment with a small home gym.


    He completed a circuit around it and saw that the woman had no real privacy.


    Every room¡¯s outer wall had been replaced by the thick glass.


    His thoughts darkened.


    She was being treated like a zoo animal.


    He went back to the living room where the woman was seated on the couch watching TV.


    Dropping his psychic concealment he waved.


    The woman blinked.


    Stared at him for a few seconds before removing her blanket and rising with a groan.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    She was pregnant.


    He hadn¡¯t noticed because of the blanket.


    He didn¡¯t like where this was going.


    ¡°You¡¯re not one of my jailers,¡± the woman said as she approached.


    He touched the surface of the woman¡¯s thoughts.


    ¡°Do you want out?¡±


    She arced a brow. ¡°Is the sky blue? I mean, is it still blue, I¡¯ve been down here for almost four years.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, why wouldn¡¯t it be blue?¡±


    ¡°Four years is a long time for a god demon to not turn it red.¡±


    ¡°Right¡­ um¡­ so, out?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ but,¡± her shoulders slumped, ¡°I¡¯ll just get captured again and I don¡¯t think I can go through another round of punishment. Besides, unless you can cut out the GPS tracker¡­¡± she held up her arm.


    ¡°I can,¡± he scanned her body, ¡°also need to take the ones in your thigh and back out¡­ and there¡¯s a small explosive in the back of your neck, Suicide Squad-style.¡±


    She almost laughed. ¡°You¡¯re not joking¡­ those bastards. I guess that¡¯s it for my escape,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°I can disable them right now. The explosive will take a little longer, but I can do it on the move.¡±


    ¡°Never mind. I don¡¯t have the time. Guards are probably on their way to kick your ass,¡± she looked to the thick iron door at the far end of the chamber. Eyes narrowed. ¡°How¡ª¡±


    ¡°Guards are not a concern.¡±


    Her eyes widened and fell. ¡°Even if you got me out of here, he¡¯ll find me.¡±


    ¡°The king? I can keep you hidden even from him.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not willing to bet more torture on a rando¡¯s word. He made me swear to him. I did it cause it doesn¡¯t matter, right? Well, I was wrong. First time I escaped, he tracked me down within ten minutes even with how fast I can glide across the ground. He¡¯s got a Skill. Locate Subject or something like that.¡±


    It was Cal¡¯s turn to have wide eyes.


    Good thing he was copying Lord Wynn¡¯s thought patterns.


    Although, that would¡¯ve meant that Lord Wynn had been in two separate locations multiple times over the last several months. Just like tonight.


    Lord Wynn was at his home and at the king¡¯s castle, now standing in a place he definitely didn¡¯t belong.


    The young woman nodded. ¡°I don¡¯t even know if you¡¯re for real or this is a sick game, but thanks if you are. My name¡¯s ¡®Lyta¡¯ and I think I have to stay. Unless¡­ say¡­ someone kills the king¡­¡±


    ¡°I can only say that is a possibility. Why are you here, Lyta?¡±


    ¡°Breeding,¡± her face twisted, ¡°I¡¯m just like a dog to them. Just because I got lucky with superpowers. They want to breed superpowered people. I¡¯ve already given¡­¡± her eyes fell.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to finish that thought, I can guess.¡±


    ¡°They say that they¡¯ll let me go as long as I swear complete allegiance and shit. Some bullshit about a New American Republic, like the old one was any good. Five kids or ten years, whatever comes first.¡±


    ¡°And you believe them?¡±


    ¡°Fuck no!¡± she spat. ¡°They already tried to collar me. Didn¡¯t work cause I don¡¯t have a class. I¡¯m just hoping that once they have their kids I can pretend to go along with their sick shit and take off first good chance I get.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want out right now?¡±


    ¡°Kill the king first.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Seriously, just like that.¡±


    ¡°Yup¡­ not right now¡­¡±


    Her eyes fell. ¡°Get my hopes up¡­¡±


    ¡°But soon, Lyta, you¡¯ll be free, I promise. And I¡¯m sorry but you¡¯ll forget this entire conversation until the next time I see you. I can¡¯t risk alerting them to my presence here.¡±


    ¡°Hey, listen, don¡¯t worry, fuck them. I¡¯m not telling them shit¡ª¡± she blinked. ¡°Huh?¡±


    Why was she standing at the glass?


    Hadn¡¯t she just been sitting on the couch?


    Cal walked past the guards as the thick, iron door shut in his wake.


    They paid no attention to him or the heavy click of the door¡¯s locking mechanism.


    He ascended to the first level having gone straight down to the bottom floor first.


    The guards noticed nothing.


    He turned the cameras away from his passage.


    He stopped at a traditional cell.


    Iron bars, concrete floor several rows of purposefully uncomfortable bunk beds. Toilets and sinks stood against the back wall.


    He counted nine people.


    Much less than what the Magus of the Ten Eyes had brought with her from the other side of the Atlantic.


    Now, he understood why the magus was participating in the tournament.


    He cleared his throat.


    A young man, well, not so young anymore.


    The passage of time and rough treatment had aged Waleed.


    The once fresh-faced healer looked rough.


    Waleed¡¯s eyes widened and he shot out of his couch to reach through the bars.


    Cal grasped his arm.


    ¡°You! You¡¯re real! I mean, you¡¯re here! Standing in front of me!¡± Waleed shouted before sucking in a lungful of air as his eyes darted down both sides of the hallway.


    ¡°They can¡¯t hear any of this, so don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m going to get you out of here. All of you¡­¡± he lowered his voice, ¡°¡­ is this everyone? Are the others being held in a different cell?¡±


    Waleed¡¯s eyes watered as he shook his head. ¡°They attacked us in your Carolinas. The slaves¡­ they knew no fear and the Magus¡­ it hurt her to kill them when they knew not what they did. By the end we were all that remained and the Magus surrendered rather than see us all die. Now she is their slave in all but name, just so that we didn¡¯t get the collars.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Waleed. I had no idea,¡± he didn¡¯t ask about their missing fingers. ¡°The last time I messaged her was earlier this year when she sent the latest batch for testing. I wasn¡¯t expecting any contact for awhile.¡±


    ¡°It isn¡¯t your fault. It¡¯s the vile slavers, but you¡¯re here now. To take vengeance!¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ pretty much. The collars are a complication, which gets closer to being solved every day,¡± he regarded the hopeful looks in the men and women¡¯s eyes, ¡°okay, I¡¯m getting you out of here, but you¡¯re going to have to trust me.¡±


    ¡°Anything!¡± Waleed nodded.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to walk out of here. All you need to do is avoid bumping into any of the guards.¡±


    They nodded.


    He scanned the other cells.


    The occupants didn¡¯t merit his help.


    Although¡­ he eyed one man.


    The man was short and muscular, perhaps an inch or two shorter than Cal. The light brown skin of his bare torso was covered by coarse black hair. The hair on his head hung long and lank over his face as he sat with his back to the wall and head down. Until he looked up and sniffed the air.


    Cal scanned the surface of the man¡¯s thoughts.


    Violence.


    Violence under a thin veneer of a pseudo-code.


    Hurt those that try to hurt me.


    The man was strong, slightly into the superhuman territory. He was tough with a high tolerance for pain, which came in handy with how he fought.


    The man healed quickly which meant that he threw himself into fights without regard for defense only stopping when his enemy was dead.


    The man had superior senses, stronger than an animal¡¯s.


    Ah¡­


    A feral-type.


    Eron had installed one such woman as one of the protectors of Davao in the Southern Philippines.


    Cal had never interacted with the woman or her team, but he hadn¡¯t heard anything bad about them in the intervening years.


    However, just because one feral-type worked out didn¡¯t mean that all of them would.


    The man was an unpredictable variable at best.


    At worst?


    He could blow everything up by going on a rampage in the party above them.


    Cal opened the cell door with a thought, ushering Waleed and the others out. ¡°Follow me, don¡¯t talk, try not to touch anyone.¡±


    The journey out of the prisoner was more nerve-wracking for them than it was for him.


    He took them topside and then flew them up into the sky all while keeping anyone else from noticing.


    He dropped them off at Lord Wynn¡¯s mansion with a quick explanation for the Furies, Fin and Bitterman before heading back to the king¡¯s castle to complete his charade.


    Lord Don Wynn, due to his age and terrible physical shape, had to depart earlier than expected, which was a disappointment for the Slaver King because he had wanted to chat about a few things.


    <hr>


    Cambion pointed at the round pit dug into the front lawn of his mansion.


    ¡°You all know what this is.¡±


    The pit was about the size of an old mixed martial arts cage.


    ¡°This represents rebirth.¡±


    It was deep enough that one had to jump to reach the top edge.


    ¡°Your rebirth¡­ from weak nothing into wrath made flesh.¡±


    The small group of young men and boys stood with bare torsos to the cold night air.


    Scars adorned their bodies.


    Some old, some new.


    ¡°Today is a special day,¡± Cambion intoned. ¡°For the winners¡­ a present to celebrate the birth of a weak god. A reminder of what we strive to become more than. For the losers¡­ a few days with one of my fellow inner council members. Perhaps, Elder Shax? Or Elder Gremory? Or any of the others willing to house the wretched wastes. Survive them and you may gain one last chance to prove yourself to me. To be worthy of my wrath.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ and you¡­¡± he gestured.


    The two boys jumped into the pit and circled each other.


    ¡°Begin.¡±


    They roared at each other and collided with the thud of flesh and hard muscle.


    Cambion felt the rage flowing through and from them, but rage wasn¡¯t enough.


    He wanted their wrath.


    And so, he carefully pushed a little bit of his own into each boy.


    He saw their spirits flare red and angry.


    They punched, kicked and gouged without regard for Skills or skills.


    It was a clash between two animals, all human reason driven from their minds by the Wrath Mage¡¯s magic.


    And how sweet was the harvest.


    Cambion took a deep breath savoring the energy flowing up from the pit.


    He took it in, harnessed it, converted into his own and made himself a little bit more powerful.


    A thimbleful didn¡¯t sound like much, but it added up over time.


    He spent less than he gained through this method, which was why he employed it.


    The second benefit was the addition of wrath-capable fighters to his personal force.


    Only a handful to date, but he had only started a few months ago and growth took time.


    The two boys hadn¡¯t advanced to the point that they could generate the wrath on their own.


    They only had rage, which was dangerous in its own right, if a lesser power.


    One boy sunk his teeth into the other¡¯s neck.


    Death was wasteful.


    Cambion drained the two boys of their rage with a gesture.


    The boys slumped against each other, punching and grabbing feebly.


    He signaled for Chance to pull the boys out of the pit.


    They staggered to him.


    He gazed down at the loser. ¡°Elder Gremory for you.¡±


    The boy simply stared ahead with dead eyes.


    ¡°And you,¡± he raised the other boy¡¯s arm, ¡°the winner! Your prize is healing so that you can get back into the pool.¡± He sought his next pair and found them. ¡°You¡­¡± he pointed to a young man, muscular thick-necked, ¡°and¡­ you,¡± he pointed to a scrawny boy.


    A mismatch on the surface if you simply went by their physical shape.


    However, the boy had recently returned from time with Zepar and Cambion wanted to see if that elder¡¯s attentions had broken the boy or lit the potential fires of wrath in his belly.


    If Cambion looked closely, he could almost see a faint, flickering flame.


    <hr>


    Christmas Morning.


    Jackson Stephens walked with a purpose through the crowd gathered on the street in front of a lord¡¯s mansion.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have that information yet, my lord,¡± he fended off a self-important lord, ¡°the army will be here soon to make sure nothing like this happens again. Please, direct questions about your protection to the commander when he arrives,¡± he slid around a hysterical lady.


    Several questions and demands later he finally reached the yellow caution tape tied around traffic cones to create a wide perimeter around the mansion¡¯s front gate.


    Slave officers stood as still as statues facing the crowd.


    Each smiled that same empty smile.


    He stepped over the tape and directed his own slave officers to follow.


    ¡°Bout time you get here, Captain Stephens.¡±


    ¡°Sir, I came as soon as possible. I was opening presents with my wife and kids,¡± he saluted.


    His boss spat. ¡°Now that you¡¯re here you can take over so I can get back to opening presents with my family.¡±


    ¡°What are we looking at?¡±


    ¡°A dead lord and a mansion full of dead V.I.P.s¡­ a lot of nobles aren¡¯t going to be happy once they find out,¡± he gestured to the Lamborghini, ¡°Lord Jeb Stuart¡­¡±


    Jackson kept his distance.


    ¡°Who called it in?¡±


    ¡°A Creamland slavemaster, she was coming to pick up a few of her girls. Lord Stuart here hired them for his Christmas Eve orgy,¡± his boss said.


    The stench of decay mixed with piss and shit lingered heavily in the air.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard about those.¡±


    ¡°Everyone has,¡± his boss snorted.


    The lord had a dagger planted in his eye. A torn piece of cloth was tied around the grip making it look like a little flag. His remaining eye was wide open, just like his mouth. This was a man that died in terror.


    ¡°Stuart? As in¡ª¡±


    ¡°Youngest son,¡± his boss whistled. ¡°Notice the little flag?¡±


    Jackson was forced to move in for a closer look. He pulled his small pocket knife out and used it to reveal the logo obscured by the folds.


    ¡°This looks like¡ª¡±


    ¡°Lord Lee¡¯s crest¡­¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t make sense?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, found more of them scattered around the house. A lot of dead hands were holding something similar.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too obvious, sir,¡± he pointed at the dagger flag, ¡°whoever did this left it like this for us to find.¡±


    ¡°I ain¡¯t stupid, Stephens. Did you think that didn¡¯t occur to me? There¡¯s an orgy of evidence in that orgy and you don¡¯t get an orgy of evidence unless it¡¯s on purpose.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t handle this,¡± Jackson said. ¡°We don¡¯t have any detectives. We¡¯ve never had to investigate anything like this.¡±


    ¡°Here¡¯s what I want you to do,¡± Jackson¡¯s boss said. ¡°Have some of your essential officers take over for mine out front. Have the rest secure the mansion¡¯s perimeter. I don¡¯t want anyone thinking they can sneak in for a look. Keep the scene clean. I already called the king¡¯s office and they¡¯ve got one of their investigators or detectives coming.¡±


    Jackson repeated the orders to his slaves.


    The control rod in his pocket warmed slightly.


    ¡°What about the essential employees inside?¡±


    ¡°Mostly, fine. They defaulted to whatever their masters set as an idle¡­ which is what¡¯s bothering me.¡±


    ¡°Then they¡¯ve already contaminated the scene?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t be helped,¡± his boss shrugged, ¡°I took over as emergency master and sent them all to their quarters. I figure the king¡¯s people will come collect them before sending them to next of kin.¡±


    ¡°What do I report to them?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, just do what he says and don¡¯t make us guardians look bad. Consider yourself lucky that you won¡¯t have to go in there,¡± his boss gestured toward the mansion. It¡¯s all cut up bodies, blood, piss and shit all over the place¡­ even on the walls and ceilings. Just what I wanted to have stuck in my head for Christmas,¡± he grimaced. ¡°Keep up the good work, Captain Stephens, send me your report when you¡¯ve got time. With luck the king¡¯s man won¡¯t keep you around too long, so you can get back to your wife and kids,¡± his boss patted him on the back, ¡°I¡¯m going back to my family. Had to postpone opening presents for this bullshit¡­¡± he muttered as he headed out the front gate.

 7.26

    A god pretending to be the old man he once was, pretending to be a man who didn¡¯t exist.


    Tlaloc. A forgotten name. Bitterman.


    The mockery annoyed him like like an eyelash in his eye.


    As did his duties around the fat slaver¡¯s mansion.


    He entered the basement locking the door behind him.


    The slaver had modified the space into some kind of sex dungeon.


    Just being inside disgusted him.


    The space was as large as a three bedroom apartment.


    Full living area, kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms.


    One of these bedroom was his destination.


    The real Don Wynn lay in a coma.


    They needed him alive and thus it fell to Bitterman to occasionally descend into this place of depravity to refill the nutrient bag and to replace the waste bag.


    Task done, he glared down at the unconscious slaver. ¡°Today is Christmas. Christ¡¯s day. It is truly a great gift what we¡¯ve done to you. The women and girls,¡± his face twisted with rage, ¡°you¡¯ve abused have known none of your touch for months. We will destroy everything you stand for, everything you hold dear in your twisted heart. I will destroy everything of this place. I will burn it to the ground and salt the earth so that none will remember. My only regret is that you won¡¯t know. But, soon, I will wake you and before I kill you¡­ you will know why. The people you¡¯ve hurt will know no more pain. When we shatter your collars they will know freedom.¡±


    Bitterman shuffled back up the basement steps on aching knees.


    Soon he would be able to return to his true form and leave behind the weight of his mortal burdens.


    ¡°Jeeves,¡± Jayde nodded as he emerged. ¡°This place has basement?¡± she tried to look over his shoulder as he locked the door. ¡°What¡¯re you keeping down there?¡±


    He turned and glared eye to eye with the woman. ¡°Something important to what we are all doing here.¡±


    ¡°So, if I try to sneak down there it¡¯d be bad?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Good enough for me¡­ where do you guys keep the tortillas, we¡¯re running low?¡±


    ¡°In the cabinet.¡±


    ¡°There are a hundred cabinets in this kitchen,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°I¡¯ll bring them out,¡± he said through grit teeth.


    ¡°Thanks, Jeeves!¡± she smiled and patted him on the head, ¡°Merry Christmas!¡± she spun on her heel and sauntered back to the dining room.


    The woman was doing it on purpose. He knew this. She mocked him because he appeared old and weak.


    He retrieved several boxes and bags of tortillas carrying them into the dining room.


    The short American, Cal, sat, not at the head of the table, but on the side.


    Their other guests where all there.


    The three women, the Furies or Heartfuries, it wasn¡¯t clear to him.


    The man, Fin.


    A young man, Drake.


    And the nine men and women that Cal had brought back last night.


    What he didn¡¯t see were any of the enslaved women and girls serving.


    ¡°It¡¯s Christmas,¡± Cal said, ¡°they¡¯re having lunch on their own. I¡¯m giving them the day off.¡±


    He scowled.


    ¡°It shouldn¡¯t be more than a small blip on the slavers¡¯ radar if they are monitoring physical activity through the collars. Besides, I gave them a few more important things to worry about,¡± Cal said. ¡°So, try to relax, have a seat, enjoy lunch,¡± he grinned, gesturing to the empty chair at the head of the table, ¡°since you are the oldest person here¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll eat elsewhere.¡±


    ¡°Really, c¡¯mon, man¡­ I made tacos for you.¡±


    ¡°These aren¡¯t tacos.¡±


    ¡°Sure, they aren¡¯t authentic Mexican tacos, but they¡¯re close, I got the ingredients from a Mexican grocery store,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You flew to Mexico?¡± Drake blinked.


    ¡°I went to one in the city,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I eat alone,¡± Tlaloc piled a plate with meat and salsa, grabbed a stack of tortillas and left. ¡°Thank you¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Have you told the magus yet?¡± Waleed said.


    ¡°Not yet, soon.¡±


    ¡°But, she needs to know that she doesn¡¯t have to fight anymore,¡± Waleed said.


    ¡°Her next fight isn¡¯t until the 2nd.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°Waleed¡­ you¡¯re as safe as you can be while in this place and she¡¯s safe as long as the slavers think she¡¯s still playing ball. They¡¯ll want to be extra careful with her now that they don¡¯t have you guys as leverage. So, they¡¯re going to keep acting like they¡¯ve still got you, while trying to figure out how you escaped and who was responsible. Look, I¡¯ve got a couple of ideas on an exit plan for you guys and the magus, but I want to talk to her first and see what she wants to do.¡±


    ¡°Just fly them out to wherever the rangers are at,¡± Jayde said around a mouthful of food.


    ¡°He can¡¯t,¡± Hayden said. ¡°Something to do with how you¡¯re pretending to be this lord.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to tell you how.¡±


    ¡°Why not? We¡¯re all on the same side and I¡¯m super curious. It¡¯s creepy how they act like you¡¯re some other dude,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Opsec,¡± Fin nodded sagely.


    ¡°Oh¡­ I know this,¡± Drake raised a hand, ¡°because other people knowing that part of the plan isn¡¯t necessary. And more people knowing increases risks, like, say we get captured and tortured.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d just make up all sorts of crap if they tried that on me. I¡¯d be dropping nobles¡¯ names like I ate some bad tacos,¡± Jayde scoffed.


    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t matter with the right Skills or spells and we know that those exist,¡± Fin said.


    Cal subtly studied Waleed and the magus¡¯ friends.


    Their surface thoughts were a swirling maelstrom of fear and relief.


    The latter at their freedom.


    The former at what came next.


    None of them believed they were truly safe at the moment. Not while they were still in the middle of the slaver kingdom. Not while the magus was still fighting on their behalf.


    He had eased their slumber by keeping their dreams pleasant and stopping the nightmares before they began, but it¡¯d take more than that to undo what the slavers had put them through.


    <hr>


    ¡°I know it¡¯s hard having Christmas so far away from home,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°Not really, commander. Everyone here is basically my family. We¡¯ve had Christmas at your place the last, like, three years. So, it¡¯s not that different,¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°I know¡­ it¡¯s going to be nice not having to clean up after you messy bastards for once,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°The chicken smells good,¡± Cara said.


    ¡°Thank you to Oscar for cooking them,¡± Demi pointed to the young man.


    He blushed at the applause. ¡°Um¡­ no big deal, I just did what my dad does. Uh¡­ beer can chicken from his dad before him¡­ um¡­ that sort of thing.¡±


    ¡°I was wondering why you were putting a can of beer inside the chickens,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°It¡¯s supposed to make the meat really moist,¡± Oscar said.


    ¡°Moist¡­¡± Trevor chuckled.


    ¡°Trevor, you¡¯re over 30,¡± Amber frowned.


    ¡°I¡¯m only as old as I feel,¡± Trevor nodded sagely.


    ¡°And that¡¯s why you can¡¯t keep a relationship longer than three months,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°Says the person that struggles to make them last longer than two,¡± Trevor raised a brow.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay with that. I¡¯m comfortable with that aspect of my life,¡± she replied.


    ¡°And that¡¯s why it isn¡¯t any fun trying to get a rise out of you,¡± he said.


    ¡°Hey, are we watching the matches today?¡± Tobin said.


    ¡°Boo!¡± Max said.


    ¡°Max!¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°What, no offense, kid,¡± he said to Tobin, ¡°but I am not watching bloodsport on Christmas.¡±


    ¡°Not that¡­ I meant your arm,¡± Alexa sighed.


    ¡°What about it?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re shaking bark and dirt on my plate and is that a bug?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m one with nature, which we should be grateful for as we partake of its bounty,¡± he waved his arm of wood and earth over the spread.


    ¡°Damn it, Max!¡±


    ¡°But, the ranger team has a playoff match,¡± Tobin said.


    ¡°You can watch if you want, Tobin,¡± Demi said. ¡°Max, stop sprinkling dirt and bugs on our food. I appreciate nature as much as you, but I don¡¯t want living things and not-food things going in my mouth.¡±


    ¡°Aye, aye, commander,¡± he saluted.


    ¡°Commander, do I really have to keep them outside?¡± Cara pleaded.


    Demi looked over at the young woman¡¯s animals staring at her forlornly from the balcony. ¡°You bunch had your chance,¡± she addressed the animals. ¡°I warned you, but you kept messing with the food. So, this is your punishment for misbehaving like children. Sorry, Cara, but I have to be firm on this.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡± Cara pouted.


    ¡°They¡¯ll get their food after we¡¯re done,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°So, I made the mashed potatoes,¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°You mean you added water to the mix and put it on the stove,¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°Exactly,¡± she smiled.


    ¡°So¡­ can we start? I missed breakfast,¡± Tobin said.


    ¡°Should¡¯ve woken up when I told you,¡± Amber said.


    ¡°I had the late shift,¡± she complained.


    ¡°We¡¯re just waiting on Hillary and Del,¡± Trevor said, ¡°I guess I¡¯ll go get them.¡±


    He went to Hillary¡¯s room because that was going to be easier.


    The girl was probably on her computer.


    ¡°Hey, Hillary!¡± Trevor knocked.


    ¡°What!¡± she screamed back.


    ¡°Lunch!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m busy!¡±


    ¡°Lunch!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be out when I¡¯m done!¡±


    ¡°No good! I¡¯m coming in¡­ slowly¡­ so if you¡¯re in you¡¯re underwear or something you¡¯ll have time to¡ª¡±


    The door swung open.


    ¡°I¡¯m busy,¡± Hillary glared up at him.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, kid, Christmas lunch is getting cold and everyone¡¯s getting impatient and you know how they all get,¡± he lowered his voice.


    ¡°You mean, you¡¯re hungry¡­ and I¡¯m not a kid, turned eighteen remember?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, otherwise you wouldn¡¯t have been allowed on this Quest. But here¡¯s the thing. I remember you as this tall,¡± he lowered his hand to about thigh height, ¡°so¡­ you and your kind are always going to be kids to me,¡± he grinned.


    ¡°I¡¯m busy.¡±


    ¡°Programming spells?¡±


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Well, you do that all the time, so you can take a break and have lunch with us. Don¡¯t make the watch commander issue an actual order. Remember what happened last year when Emilio and Lucy wouldn¡¯t stop bickering over who got the last slice?¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± Hillary flounced to the dining room.


    Trevor found Del in the room they shared staring out of the window.


    ¡°Bro, lunch is ready,¡± he said lightly.


    ¡°Yeah, I heard,¡± Del sighed.


    ¡°You coming? They¡¯re waiting on you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not really feeling up to it. Not in a good head space right now, you know how it is sometimes.¡±


    ¡°No, no, I totally get that. Um¡­ are you gonna want some food? I can grab you a plate?¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Trevor, but I¡¯m not hungry right now. Later,¡± Del managed a weak smile.


    ¡°Alright, bro, I got you¡­ but you do know that as your friend I¡¯m morally obligated to check again in, like, a couple of hours. You didn¡¯t eat breakfast and you¡¯ve got to stay hydrated.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯ll drag myself out there if I have to. I¡¯m not going to be a liability by starving myself.¡±


    ¡°Nah, bro, you ain¡¯t ever that. Hey, listen, maybe I can talk to the commander and you can, maybe, turn off the danger sense for a break. It¡¯s probably wearing you out having it be going off all the time.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s really not, Trevor. I can handle that and it¡¯s not that bad. More like a low level ringing. Like tinnitus.¡±


    ¡°God, I have that sometimes and it bugs the hell out of me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not keeping it up at max level.¡±


    ¡°Alright, cool. Just checking, cause you know that Hillary¡¯s got surveillance all the way down the hotel and out to the streets. We¡¯ll have plenty of warning if the slavers move on us. Plus, Ginessa¡¯s got her senses, not to mention Cara¡¯s pets.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°Alright, bro¡­ just¡­ uh¡­ if you need to talk, I¡¯m here, we¡¯re all here. Listen, bro, I know I don¡¯t say this, but we¡¯re family, all of us and I love you and they love you too.¡±


    Del blinked. ¡°Jesus, Trevor! I¡¯m just feeling a little down. That¡¯s all.


    Trevor looked at him expectantly.


    ¡°Er¡­ I love you too¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s a little awkward, I know,¡± Trevor grinned sheepishly, ¡°something my last girlfriend said I need to work on, be more emotional and shit,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Figured you guys are the most important people in my life, so¡­¡±


    ¡°No, your right. Sometimes it¡¯s hard to recognized that you¡¯re not alone,¡± Del said. ¡°Thanks¡­ you should get back to lunch before someone comes looking for you.¡±


    ¡°Later, bro.¡±


    Trevor returned to the dining room and shared a knowing look with Demi.


    The watch commander nodded.


    ¡°Del¡¯s not hungry?¡± Tobin said.


    ¡°Yeah, he¡¯ll eat later,¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°Everyone eat and please try to act like you know what table manners are,¡± Demi said.


    <hr>


    The California State Government contingent held their Christmas lunch in their hotel¡¯s largest banquet hall.


    Enslaved hotel staff cooked and served the meals to dozens of large round tables filled with men and women clearly uncomfortable with the set up.


    Their captain, Doran, had tried and failed to get the enslaved the day off by telling the slavemaster that they would handle all the food prep, cooking and that they could serve themselves.


    The slavemaster insisted otherwise.


    Thus, conversation at the tables was guarded.


    Their captain had ordered them in the severest of tones that anyone that gave away crucial information accidentally would regret it in the window of time before the slavers came down on their collective heads with overwhelming numbers.


    Kare¡¯s face broke into a goofy grin when the enslaved waitress placed a second plate of ribs in front of her.


    ¡°Yup,¡± Jake said after the waitress moved on to the next table, ¡°that¡¯s exactly how many you asked for.¡±


    The blond weredog nodded. ¡°I thought I¡¯d make her job easier.¡±


    ¡°Maybe you shouldn¡¯t be giving her a ¡®job¡¯,¡± Rino bared her teeth.


    ¡°Don¡¯t flash your fangs at me. They have to work anyways,¡± Kare said. ¡°Even if I told her not to bring me food. There¡¯s hundreds of other people she¡¯d need to help.¡±


    ¡°Maybe Doran should¡¯ve told the slaver scum to fuck himself. We should¡¯ve just ate our own supplies in our rooms,¡± Rino said.


    ¡°Captain Doran wanted to boost morale by having most everyone share Christmas together,¡± Jimenez said.


    ¡°It¡¯s not working. Everyone looks hella awkward,¡± Xing said.


    ¡°That¡¯s cause we¡¯re participating in slavery,¡± Audra said.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to need to turn in our cards,¡± Tre nudged her with his elbow.


    ¡°I¡¯m this close to just going back to my room,¡± Audra held her thumb and index finger close together.


    ¡°Gonna be a bitch to explain this to my ancestors after I die,¡± Tre said.


    ¡°You can tell them it¡¯s for a greater cause,¡± Marci said.


    The table of people that survived the Philippines Quest kept up with their less than guarded conversation.


    They ate and drank¡­ lightly¡­ as they reminisced about the comrades they had lost across the ocean.


    Of their present and near future they spoke in unfinished sentences in fear of revealing too much to the slavers¡¯ ears.


    ¡°How¡¯s the holding bags thing you¡¯re working on?¡± Marci said.


    ¡°Bag of holding,¡¯ Jake corrected. ¡°I¡¯m on schedule. Hillary¡¯s been a huge help in churning them out.¡±


    ¡°Hopefully, they won¡¯t be necessary,¡± Jimenez said.


    Jake regarded the small woman.


    Her eyes continually darted to the banquet hall¡¯s entrances.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ the Watch will only need them in one of the potential outcomes on Cal¡¯s conditional chart,¡± he eyed Rino.


    ¡°I¡¯m out of the stupid tournament. Probably not going to get invited to the king¡¯s closing banquet,¡± she shrugged ¡°I wouldn¡¯t need one of your sacks anyways.¡±


    ¡°I bet that¡¯s something Jake hears a lot,¡± Xing grinned.


    ¡°I¡¯m a gentleman and all I¡¯m going to say on that is that how many points do you want to bet?¡± Jake waggled his brows.


    ¡°Men,¡± Audra exchanged a look with Marci.


    The expert spearwoman smirked.


    ¡°Rino,¡± Xing began, ¡°on a scale of one to Eron how strong was that True Patriot woman?¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s he on that scale?¡± she said.


    ¡°No one really knows,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Strong enough to rip Cal¡¯s super special alien armor like it was made out of tin foil,¡± Tre said.


    Jimenez frowned. ¡°I thought the fog monster did that.¡±


    Xing leaned forward. ¡°I heard from someone that got a close look at it and he said that it looked like the damage was made by fists and fingers,¡± he whispered.


    ¡°Yeah, sure, ¡®someone¡¯,¡± Audra sighed.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to name sources. It¡¯s stupid when you make a statement of fact based on ¡®hearing¡¯ from ¡®someone¡¯. That¡¯s like saying ¡®I heard from someone that using healing and mana potions changes your DNA¡¯,¡± Marci said.


    ¡°I agree with the gist of what you¡¯re saying Mars, but that was a bad example, we literally don¡¯t have conclusive information on potions changing our DNA,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°What about strength and the skin altering ones? I feel like my skin temporarily changing to the consistency of wood or stone is definitely hella messing with my DNA,¡± Xing pointed out.


    ¡°The key word is ¡®temporary¡¯, but you¡¯ve got a point,¡± Jake shrugged.


    ¡°None of that has anything to do with what you were talking about in the first place,¡± Jimenez sighed.


    ¡°Yeah, so¡­ name your source,¡± Marci said.


    Tre and Xing exchanged looks.


    ¡°I heard it from you,¡± they said in unison.


    Laughter erupted around the table.


    ¡°If Eron¡¯s a 100, then I¡¯d have to put True Patriot somewhere in the 30¡¯s or 40¡¯s,¡± Rino said.


    ¡°Nah, I heard he¡¯s way over 9000,¡± Xing grinned.


    Blank looks greeted him.


    ¡°What? Don¡¯t tell me none of you gets that?¡± Xing complained.


    ¡°I did, but that was cringe, fool,¡± Tre chuckled.


    ¡°I also did, but didn¡¯t want to seem like a weeb,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Just knowing that word puts you way ahead of the others on the weeb scale,¡± Xing said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know and please don¡¯t explain it to me,¡± Audra said. ¡°People in their 30¡¯s and 40¡¯s shouldn¡¯t even be talking about anime.¡±


    ¡°Ha!¡± Xing thrust a finger in Audra¡¯s face, ¡°you know too!¡±


    ¡°Who cares, I know what you meant and it was stupid,¡± Rino said.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­ please explain,¡± Kare raised a half-eaten pork rib.


    Xing explained.


    ¡°Yup¡­ stupid,¡± Audra said.


    ¡°People should be allowed to be enthusiastic about what they like,¡± Kare chided.


    ¡°Yo, it could be into so many worse things and that¡¯s just in anime,¡± Xing said.


    ¡°There¡¯s an easy way to resolve this,¡± Audra said. ¡°Jake, Rino, you guys are pretty tight with Cal, right?¡±


    ¡°I mean, I¡¯d consider us friends, but I don¡¯t know if I¡¯d say we¡¯re ¡®tight¡¯,¡± Jake shrugged.


    Rino grunted.


    ¡°Just ask him,¡± Audra said.


    ¡°Nah, that¡¯d be weird, I can¡¯t just a¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll ask next time I see him. Haven¡¯t seen him in awhile,¡± Rino said.


    ¡°Uh oh¡ª we¡¯ve got incoming,¡± Jimenez said.


    Surprisingly, there wasn¡¯t a lot of fear in the woman¡¯s voice.


    Rino and Kare perked up at the sound of dozens of booted feet coming through the hotel lobby.


    All across the banquet hall, dozens of Danger Sense Skills triggered.


    A few dozen armed and armored men and women marched into the banquet hall.


    ¡°You think you can just do that to the Crimson Tide!¡± the stout, tall man at the head barked.


    ¡°What the hell is this?¡± Jake said.


    Each of them carried some sort of blunt instrument.


    Each carried a small piece of red cloth with a stylized A somewhere on their body or clothing.


    ¡°Ah¡­ I think I know what this is,¡± Marci said. ¡°A couple of our teams and fighters beat theirs in, like, the last week. Bronze mostly, a few in Silver.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re a merc company or band or adventurers or whatever they¡¯re calling themselves. Levels mostly in the 20¡¯s, a few 30¡¯s. Based out of somewhere in the southern part of Alabama.¡±


    ¡°Crimson Tide,¡± Tre nodded in recognition. ¡°Old college football team, University of Alabama,¡± he explained.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t into football. No teams in Sacramento. And there was no way I was rooting for the Niners or the Raiders. More of an NBA guy myself¡­ Kings¡­ not Warriors¡­ I didn¡¯t do bandwagons,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Nothing wrong with rooting for a team you like,¡± Xing said.


    ¡°Sounds like someone that climbed on that Warriors bandwagon,¡± Jake grinned.


    ¡°I was a fan of them for as long as I can remember. Not my fault they got good,¡± Xing raised his hands defensively.


    Jake snapped his fingers. ¡°These guys are dojo storming us,¡± he laughed.


    ¡°Stupid and lame,¡± Rino grunted.


    ¡°Crimson Tide is calling you out!¡± the man continued to rant.


    ¡°Get the fuck out of here!¡± Doran stood from his table and marched up to them flanked by dozens.


    ¡°What? Scared of a real fight,¡± the man sneered down at the grizzled old spear captain.


    ¡°You forget the rules,¡± Doran grunted.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be scared, grandpa, we ain¡¯t aiming to kill any of you¡­ on purpose.¡±


    ¡°No fighting,¡± Doran said flatly.


    ¡°I see the yellow running down your leg. Is that cause you can¡¯t control it no more? Or are you just a bitch?¡±


    ¡°You attacked us. We just defended ourselves. That¡¯s in the rules,¡± Doran smiled mirthlessly. He raised two fingers and gestured to the Crimson Tide mass.


    A partially-transformed Rino and Kare leapt over their table and started laying waste with their fists.


    Thus, did their Christmas lunch ended with giving the Crimson Tide a one-sided beating.


    <hr>


    ¡°Merry Christmas!¡±


    ¡°Happy Holidays!¡±


    ¡°Krazytimes with Krampus!¡±


    Rayna¡¯s Rangers exchanged greetings as they entered the reservations events hall for their Christmas night celebration.


    ¡°Krampus, what¡¯s that?¡± Rai said.


    ¡°I had it explained to me,¡± Ambrose said, ¡°it¡¯s an evil Santa Claus. Like, this demon that takes away bad children in his sack instead of bringing present. Also something about hitting them with coal, I think?¡±


    ¡°American¡¯s have some weird traditions,¡± Rai said.


    ¡°Not like we don¡¯t have some crazy ones. Back home people used to re-enact Jesus¡¯ crucifixion,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°Krampus is more of a Euro thing. This real crucifixion stuff, now that sounds crazy! Tell me more,¡± Spicy approached with two beers, handing one to Ambrose. ¡°Like, with real nails? As in, through their hands? What about the thorn crown? The whipping?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re sounding too excited about this,¡± Rai said.


    ¡°Why not? It sounds fascinating.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, whipping for sure, that¡¯s like the go to. Sometimes crown. The nails depended on how crazy the guy was,¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°Wow! You guys are hardcore! All I remember from Christmas back then was that church was extra long because they had to sing everything for some stupid reason and there was the plastic baby Jesus in the bad plastic manger. Someone was always stealing him, so the church had like shelves just full of baby Jesus dolls,¡± Spicy said.


    ¡°Oh, you were Catholic?¡± Rai said with a significant look at Ambrose.


    ¡°On, like, Easter and Christmas,¡± Spicy shrugged. ¡°I know you guys are all Catholic, right?¡±


    ¡°Like, 99%,¡± Ambrose said. ¡°But, you kinda fall away from that when the spires and monsters appeared. That stuff wasn¡¯t in the Bible.¡±


    ¡°I get that. I dropped what little attachment I had to religion when an actual apocalypse happens and it¡¯s nothing like they said it would be,¡± Spicy said.


    ¡°Better this than the apocalypse in the bible,¡± Rai said.


    ¡°I guess¡­ I never really read it,¡± Spicy said.


    ¡°To summarize¡­ it would¡¯ve been bad for us humans and there wouldn¡¯t have been anything we could¡¯ve done but suffer before being killed in the wars,¡± Rai said.


    ¡°It could¡¯ve been worse,¡± Ambrose laughed, ¡°only you, my friend, could see the positives in the Spirepocalypse.¡±


    ¡°Hey, Creepy Chipmunk, I¡¯ve got something I want you to see,¡± Spicy said.


    ¡°What?¡± Ambrose said.


    ¡°It¡¯s a plant, but I guarantee you have to see it.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± he shrugged.


    Rai was left alone as Spicy dragged his friend away.


    ¡°Bout time,¡± Sgt. Useful said as she sidled up to him.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, uh¡­ Sir.¡±


    ¡°None of that, Spiritwalker. We¡¯re the same rank.¡±


    ¡°But you lead a squad. Multiple right now.¡±


    ¡°Needs of the Quest. Besides, you could have your own squad again if you wanted. Not to rush you or anything, but we do need talented squad leaders. What happened to your old squad¡­ well, you aren¡¯t alone in that.¡±


    ¡°Thanks¡­ er¡­ Useful. I know. The needs of the rangers outweigh my own concerns, but I¡¯m not ready and I believe that I¡¯ll only cause more harm by forcing it.¡±


    ¡°Again, not rushing you, just poking a little,¡± she shrugged. ¡°Say¡­ I heard you talking about Krampus. Well, get this, he¡¯s real.¡±


    Rai nodded, politely managing to keep his eyes from narrowing.


    The thing with the rangers was that they were always yanking each others chains.


    Pranks.


    Tall tales.


    Almost anything was on the table.


    ¡°I can tell you don¡¯t believe me,¡± she raised a brow.


    ¡°I¡­ am¡­ cautiously open to the possibility of said demon Santa Claus existing.¡±


    ¡°Well, I was there, heard it with my own ears. Do you want to hear more?¡±


    ¡°I think I will¡­ regardless¡­¡±


    Useful laughed. ¡°Anyways¡­ it was at a Christmas thing back home, kinda like this. I was sitting at a table right near Rayna¡¯s family. Her brother, Eron was visiting that year, Cal hadn¡¯t moved south yet. And he was telling Rayna about some of the stuff he saw flying around the world. You know, I used to dream about traveling when I was a kid. I guess that¡¯s dead now. Do you know Eron?¡±


    ¡°I stood close to him a few times back in the Philippines.¡±


    ¡°Right, the Fog Quest¡­ must¡¯ve been crazy.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°Do you think he¡¯s single?¡±


    ¡°You mean, Eron? I wouldn¡¯t be the person to ask.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right, well, whatever¡­ so, my story¡­ Eron was telling this story about an evil Santa Claus that was kidnapping kids and putting them in, like, a bag of holding, from how he described it. Like, it remained the same size on the outside, but this monster was putting like a dozen kids inside and taking them to its lair miles underground.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s terrible. I¡¯m guessing Eron saved them.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, at least some of the kids. I didn¡¯t catch the whole story cause of the music and loud conversations happening around us,¡± Useful said. ¡°You got any interesting stories from when you were in the Philippines?¡±


    ¡°A few.¡±


    Rai shared his own experiences with all manner of horrors.

 7.27

    The plus to having the match go long was that they had unlocked radios with which they could communicate across the entire square mile of battleground.


    The minus was that Prim was on her fourth mana potion and she was starting to get that feeling like when she hadn¡¯t slept in days, but had to take stims because the undead wave was coming back for another go at the barricade.


    It was a sort of pinched feeling behind the eyes.


    The vague throbbing in her head.


    The simultaneous leaden weights around her limbs while they felt like vibrating out of her skin.


    The¡ª


    ¡°Swanny? You there?¡± Neckbeard¡¯s voice crackled through her radio.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ what?¡±


    ¡°Do you have eyes on the mid?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Shit¡­ how long has he been missing?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, a couple of minutes. He wasn¡¯t here when I got back from base.¡±


    ¡°Damn it¡­ you¡¯ve got to call that out!¡±


    ¡°Mid is missing,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°Everyone got that? Watch out for ganks!¡±


    ¡°Copy that.¡±


    ¡°Copy.¡±


    ¡°Yo, there¡¯s only one guy down here,¡± Wichita said.


    ¡°Which one?¡± Neckbeard said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. They were both jacked bodybuilder dudes with huge shields and guns.¡±


    ¡°Swanny, be careful¡ª¡±


    Whatever else Neckbeard said was lost in the whirl of sudden combat.


    Prim cast a magic shield to block the burst of assault rifle fire from the side path leading into the enemy¡¯s top side forest. Dropping the radio to let it dangle from its cord she pulled her pistol and fired while running behind her creeps.


    The second enemy burst out of the path leading into the enemy¡¯s bottom side forest throwing a flashbang at her feet.


    She covered it in ice a split-second before it exploded.


    Jagged shards pelted her but a few grazing cuts was the worse of it.


    A second grenade landed in the middle of her creep formation exploding into thick, white smoke that stung her throat and brought tears to her eyes.


    Blinded, she sent a spell orb spinning around her firing magic missiles.


    Those found their targets on their own.


    Coughing and choking she raised her radio to her mouth. ¡°Got¡­ three¡­ mid.¡±


    ¡°Copy that, Wichita, Tuxedo, let¡¯s gank bot. He¡¯s isolated. Take him out and we can finish off that second tower and maybe even the base one,¡± Neckbeard said.


    ¡°What about Swanny?¡± Wichita said.


    ¡°Try to keep them busy for as long as you can, Swanny. This is a great opportunity to pressure their base,¡± Neckbeard.


    Fucking asshole! she thought.


    She sprayed bolts of fire at the enemy creeps freeing up her own to go distract her opponents.


    Stumbling out of the smoke she heard more than saw one of the musclebound meatheads thundering toward her.


    She raised a shield to block his charge.


    It cracked, but held.


    The second meathead did an impossible run and leap high over her head spraying bullets from an assault rifle held in one hand, while covering with that huge, heavy shield in the other.


    Conventional wisdom suggested that most musclebound bodybuilders lacked for cardio and athleticism.


    These soldiers claiming to represent the true U.S. Government had proved otherwise.


    Prim traced his arc with her hand conjuring an orb of the deepest, darkest black into which every bullet vanished.


    She dismissed the black orb before the man landed, meeting him with an orb that sprayed flames as it rotated around him.


    The man tried to swat at it with his shield, but she kept it moving in an erratic pattern.


    Time and space bought, she staggered toward the indistinct blob a few hundred yards away. She hoped that it was her tower.


    The other two soldiers had finally finished off the creeps attacking them and chased after her.


    She conjured another magic missile spell orb and sent it back to keep them occupied as she cast a gentle spray of water into her face. It sucked that no one had figured out how to cast a milk spell yet.


    At least the water did enough.


    It still stung, but she could now see.


    Another wave of her creeps met her and instead of rushing to the cover of her tower she cast a cloud of mist over her opponents.


    She dipped into the right side forest and crept around to emerged back where the enemy had ambushed her. She crouched low hiding behind the wall of earth and grass.


    The three men had set up in a triangle formation covering each other with those huge shields as they searched for her while the creeps battled farther down the lane.


    Prim conjured one of her nastiest spell orbs.


    The vivid green orb zipped over their heads and dropped in the middle of their formation.


    It spun, spraying magical acid all over the three.


    Armor and clothing melted with alarming speed.


    The men didn¡¯t panic. They had thick armor and thick clothing. They banked on the acid using itself up before it got to the skin.


    What they did was to scatter away from the acid orb.


    She dismissed it and unloaded with all the mana she had left.


    A spell orb for each man zipped out and showered them with magic missiles.


    The barrage was unrelenting.


    Each time the men tried to pivot and shield themselves, she had her orbs fly around to their backs to continue firing.


    The men¡¯s assigned health totals reached their limit before her magic.


    The referee¡¯s voice informed them of their defeat and ordered them to return to base.


    Though obviously battered and injured, but not knocked out the men simply laid down on the ground forcing the battleground mages to come pick them up to serve their penalties.


    Smart.


    It was faster than walking back on their own and it saved them energy.


    Time to put on a show for the viewers.


    ¡°I am the god of combat!¡± she roared up at the drone camera.


    She promptly took out her pistol and shot the enemy creeps in their backs.


    Then she sat down and began the process to speed up her mana regen.


    ¡°Swanny? You there? Over,¡± Neckbeard¡¯s voice crackled over the radio.


    ¡°No thanks to you!¡± she snapped.


    ¡°You okay? What happened?¡±


    ¡°Three on one and I smoked them! Suck on that U.S. Government!¡± she shot a rude gesture toward the enemy base.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ let¡¯s not provoke an unknown quantity. We¡¯ve pushed all the way to their base down here. Chandra, how¡¯s it going up top?¡±


    ¡°I may have gotten carried away and I might have burned a guy¡¯s eye out¡­¡± Chandra replied.


    ¡°They can fix that now,¡± Tuxedo Cake said.


    ¡°Focus, guys! Swanny, Chandra, their death timers are super long now, so knock down their second towers and rotate to the big monster. We¡¯ll join you after taking out the base tower.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m low on mana and I¡¯m getting mana sick,¡± she said.


    ¡°Fuck! Okay¡­ forget your tower. Head to the big monster and wait. Stop using pots. Try to recover as much as you can before the rest of us get there.¡±


    ¡°I know that!¡± she snapped.


    She stomped back down her lane and into the top side river to wait and recover what mana she could.


    <hr>


    ¡°Yo, anyone want anything from the kitchen?¡± Timber said.


    ¡°A bucket of chicken,¡± Cherry Chapstick said.


    ¡°That¡¯s gross, dude,¡± Greygrass said.


    ¡°I¡¯m hungry.¡±


    ¡°Anyone else?¡± Timber said.


    ¡°Nah, dude, we can get our own shit, not lazy, like Chapstick,¡± Greygrass said.


    ¡°It¡¯s no big deal to me,¡± Timber said.


    ¡°We¡¯re good,¡± Vicks said. ¡°Don¡¯t know how you can even eat right now, anyways.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m hungry.¡±


    ¡°My tummy is not doing good,¡± Greygrass said.


    ¡°Same,¡± Vicks said.


    ¡°I drank too much,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Same¡­¡± he echoed.


    ¡°Weakgrass and Weaks,¡± Cherry Chapstick grinned.


    ¡°You wasted a Skill slot so you wouldn¡¯t have hangovers. That¡¯s not something to be proud of,¡± Greygrass said.


    ¡°The Skill improves my overall constitution. It has proven useful on all sorts of legitimate things. Remember when I got bitten by a ghoul? Barely any effect,¡± Cherry Chapstick said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that. I distinctly remember you trying to bite Sgt. Spiritwalker¡¯s face,¡± she said.


    ¡°Yeah, but it only lasted a few hours,¡± he said.


    ¡°SwannyP looks mad,¡± Timber said as he placed the bucket of cold chicken on the coffee table.


    ¡°Thanks, man!¡± Cherry Chapstick grinned as he grabbed a once crispy leg.


    ¡°Gross!¡± Greygrass said. ¡°You¡¯re not even going to heat it up?¡±


    Cherry Chapstick mumbled something unintelligible around a mouthful of chicken leg.


    ¡°You think so?¡± Vicks said. ¡°The broadcast isn¡¯t picking up what they¡¯re saying. She looks mad, but she did just survive a gnarly three on one.¡±


    ¡°She stomps when she¡¯s pissed,¡± Timber gestured at the TV.


    ¡°Hey, Timber?¡±


    ¡°What, Grass?¡±


    ¡°When you going to cut that fro? You¡¯re starting to look like a tree?¡± she said.


    ¡°Nah, dude you look like a broccoli,¡± Cheery Chapstick said.


    ¡°Or one of those super-tall cactuses we passed driving through the desert,¡± she said.


    ¡°Or that painter guy the old guys like to watch for some reason,¡± Vicks said.


    ¡°Dude! That guy is so relaxing!¡± Greygrass said.


    ¡°It¡¯s good for extra cushion with my helmet,¡± Timber said.


    ¡°Very grabable, though,¡± Cheery Chapstick pointed out. ¡°No arrows, you know I wouldn¡¯t hit you for your personal style choices. I¡¯m talking about a combat issue.¡±


    ¡°I figure if I lose my helmet then I¡¯m already fucked,¡± Timber said.


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°Good point. I withdraw my objection to your righteous fro,¡± Cherry Chapstick tossed a finished leg bone onto a napkin and reached into the bucket for another one. ¡°You want one?¡± he waved it in front of Greygrass¡¯ face.


    She blanched and punched him in the arm.


    ¡°Rude,¡± he smirked.


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna rudely puke all over your face if you do that again,¡± she said.


    ¡°Biological attacks roll right off my Iron Constitution,¡± he nodded.


    ¡°This match is pretty much over,¡± Vicks said.


    ¡°The US Government isn¡¯t going to be happy with us,¡± Timber said.


    ¡°If they¡¯re even telling the truth,¡± Greygrass said.


    ¡°What do you think they¡¯re on?¡± Cherry Chapstick said.


    ¡°Probably magic steroids since the real ones back in the old days didn¡¯t turn bodybuilders into peak athletes,¡± Timber said.


    ¡°And you know all about that? Dude, you were, like, two when the spires appeared. We were all little babies,¡± Vicks said.


    ¡°My dad used to body build. He said the stuff he took basically made it so that he could lift more often and, like, make his muscles bigger or something like that. It didn¡¯t necessarily make him strong, I mean, he got strong cause he lifted weights. You couldn¡¯t just take the stuff and sit on your ass. You had to put in the work. It also killed you earlier. Made your organs get bigger or something,¡± Timber said.


    ¡°And I bet he wasn¡¯t running and jumping around like that. I¡¯m having a hard time accepting that they¡¯re moving like that with all that weight. That¡¯s not even counting their gear,¡± Vicks said.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m not disagreeing with you, dude,¡± Timber said. ¡°I¡¯m just pointing out that it¡¯s got to be something magic or Skill related. Maybe both?¡±


    ¡°You think they¡¯d share if we asked them?¡± Cherry Chapstick said.


    ¡°No way!¡± Greygrass said.


    ¡°Just thinking¡­ obviously, I wouldn¡¯t take it if there were side effects, like the dying early thing,¡± Cherry Chapstick said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I think Chandra burned our bridges by cutting that guy¡¯s eye out,¡± Timber said.


    ¡°Did she cut it or burn it?¡± Greygrass said.


    ¡°That poor fuck doesn¡¯t care,¡± Vicks laughed.


    ¡°They can heal that,¡± Timber said.


    ¡°Annnddd it¡¯s done!¡± Cherry Chapstick clapped.


    The commentators narrated the end of the match in their hyperactive and over-exaggerating way as Rayna¡¯s Rangers ¡®destroyed¡¯ the so-called U.S. Government team¡¯s base.


    ¡°Quarterfinals next! They¡¯re kicking ass and taking names!¡± Greygrass whooped. ¡°So, how many matches until the finals?¡±


    ¡°Seriously?¡± Cherry Chapstick stared blankly at her.


    ¡°What I don¡¯t know how they name these things. It was all group stage, then first round, second round, third round, then instead of fourth round, they call this the quarterfinals. It¡¯s confusing for no reason,¡± Greygrass narrowed her eyes back at him.


    ¡°It goes quarterfinals, semifinals and finals,¡± Timber said.


    ¡°It¡¯s how they used to do the old sports stuff back before,¡± Vicks said. ¡°My dad watches old recordings,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Who¡¯s next?¡± Greygrass said.


    ¡°The last match of the day will determine that,¡± Vicks said.


    ¡°Anyone want anything from the kitchen said,¡± Timber said.


    <hr>


    ¡°Turn that off and come to dinner,¡± Adal¡¯s mother said. ¡°And tell your girls to eat with the rest of the help.¡±


    ¡°You heard my mom, Talia, Mena,¡± Adal said.


    ¡°Yes, master!¡± they chorused.


    ¡°Hey, little bro! Haven¡¯t seen you in awhile,¡± Cedric said as he took his seat.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s been kinda crazy being in a couple of different events. Then practicing and recovery between matches and time trials,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Dad¡¯s been keeping me updated since I¡¯ve been so busy coordinating our recruitment and meeting with prospective hires. You¡¯re doing great! It¡¯s good for our house¡¯s rep! So, what I¡¯m saying¡­¡± Cedric leaned forward, ¡°don¡¯t lose,¡± he grinned.


    ¡°That¡¯s the idea¡­¡±


    ¡°Your brother will do his best and that¡¯s all we want from him,¡± his father said.


    ¡°Oh yeah, totally,¡± Cedric nodded. ¡°Getting good rewards too, I bet.¡±


    ¡°Good points and a couple of bonus spells and Skills, but the best stuff has been the two levels. One away from 30!¡± he grinned proudly.


    ¡°We¡¯ll have a big celebration when you do, son,¡± his mother said.


    ¡°Nah, you don¡¯t have to do that.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense,¡± his father said. ¡°Level 30 at barely older than 18! You don¡¯t do that without natural talent and hard work.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll be one of the top young nobles to know in the entire republic. Houses will be falling all over themselves to match their daughters with you. The marriage contract will be very favorable to us,¡± his mother said.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Mom,¡± Cedric¡¯s eyes darted to Adal, ¡°let¡¯s not distract him with things that are years away. He needs to concentrate on the championships. Think about how much higher his ranking would be if he actually won one or even both his events.¡±


    ¡°Of course, keep performing to your best ability, honey,¡± his mother patted his arm.


    ¡°I will, Mom.¡±


    ¡°Naturally,¡± she smiled primly, ¡°good breeding results in high quality individuals.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of individuals,¡± Cedric eyed the empty seat to his right, ¡°where¡¯s Amelia? The turkey looks and smells great¡­¡±


    ¡°A childish tantrum,¡± his mother sighed. She gestured to one of the collared servants standing far enough away to be unnoticed, but close enough that there would be no delay in service. ¡°Jane, tell my daughter that if she doesn¡¯t come down right away, you and the rest of our help will not be allowed to eat tonight.¡±


    ¡°Yes, mistress,¡± the smiling woman bowed and departed the dining room.


    ¡°Mom¡ª!¡±


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t mean it, Adal,¡± Cedric said.


    ¡°Of course not. Our house doesn¡¯t abuse our essential staff,¡± his mother said.


    ¡°Treat them well and you get their best,¡± his father said. ¡°Think of how far you¡¯ve built up Talia and Mena in just four years.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ sorry, Mom.¡±


    ¡°Apology accepted,¡± she smiled.


    They heard Amelia before they saw her.


    ¡°Dear, what are we going to do with our daughter?¡± his mom said.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a phase. She¡¯ll grow into the realities of our world eventually,¡± his father said.


    ¡°But think of how it makes us look. Do you know how many people saw her and her little friends holding up those signs outside of the auction house? The king is patient and indulging, but only to the young. Not to mention how the other houses will definitely use our daughter¡¯s behavior to undermine our position,¡± his mom said.


    ¡°I¡¯d be more concerned about that if several of the high houses didn¡¯t have their own children participating in this little abolitionist group,¡± his father said.


    Amelia stomped into the formal dining room, pulled her seat out before one of the essential servants could and plopped down with violence.


    ¡°There, I¡¯m here, so you can¡¯t starve your slaves anymore!¡± she spat.


    ¡°Amelia, don¡¯t speak like that to your mother,¡± his father said.


    ¡°That attitude can get you in trouble, young lady. I let you get away with speaking to me with disrespect because you are my child. The king¡¯s men won¡¯t if you continue to push this ridiculous thing of yours,¡± his mother said.


    ¡°Good, then maybe when they torture and put us in the dungeon, it¡¯ll wake you up!¡±


    ¡°Amelia, I admire you¡¯re guts and conviction. When I was your age, I wanted to be an arena champion¡­ a childish dream since I didn¡¯t have the talent,¡± Cedric said. ¡°But, have you considered about where you¡¯re wrong?¡±


    ¡°Me and my friends are the only ones in this whole place that aren¡¯t wrong! You make people into slaves!¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ but consider this. There has been slavery throughout the whole of human history. Hundreds, maybe thousands of different cultures across all races enslaved people¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut up, Cedric!¡± Amelia snapped. ¡°You can¡¯t say that it¡¯s okay for you to make people slaves because other random people out there also did. It¡¯s not an excuse. It just means that you¡¯re just as wrong and evil as them.¡±


    ¡°Ouch¡­ my dear little sister, called me ¡®evil¡¯. I think I¡¯m actually hurt,¡± Cedric sighed.


    ¡°They¡¯re not slaves because real slaves don¡¯t want to be slaves and they aren¡¯t happy,¡± Adal frowned. ¡°Talia and Mena are happy. All of our staff is happy. We treat them well. We don¡¯t whip them or starve them or make them work all day without rest.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, Adal¡­ they¡¯re only happy cause the collars make them that way. Did Talia and Mena ask for their collars when they were twelve, thirteen year¡¯s old? I don¡¯t know why you can¡¯t see that. Can you even picture it being done to you? Or to me?¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t control other people, Amelia,¡± his father said. ¡°We can only control what we do and hopefully, set an example for others to follow. Do you think you¡¯re improving the lives of essential workers by holding up signs and yelling at people?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a start,¡± she huffed. ¡°The first steps to wake everyone up to the lies.¡±


    ¡°Are you serious!¡± Adal scoffed. ¡°What¡¯s going to happen is your going to get rebel and get killed by the king in the arena like the old champion and then we¡¯ll be screwed by association.¡±


    ¡°Good¡­ then you¡¯ll do something to avenge me or not, since you love your slaves so much,¡± she sneered.


    ¡°That is enough!¡± his mother slammed a fist on the ebony dinner table. ¡°This is Christmas dinner and you¡¯ll not ruin it like you did Thanksgiving!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not hungry, may I go to my room?¡± Amelia said flatly.


    ¡°No!¡± his mother snapped. ¡°Honestly, dear,¡± she turned to her husband, ¡°what are we going to do about her before she moves from being an embarrassment to being a threat to not only her own safety but also our house?¡±


    ¡°Maybe a week working a menial job at one of our businesses? It might make her appreciate her privileges more,¡± his father said.


    ¡°It¡¯d keep her out of trouble,¡± Cedric nodded. ¡°Though, instead of a week, I suggest extending it until the championships are done. The king probably doesn¡¯t want anything controversial to take attention away from the events.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe he cares much about Amelia¡¯s protests. He didn¡¯t say anything to me the last time we met,¡± his father said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll speak to her friends¡¯ mothers, perhaps, we can arrange some sort of joint punishment,¡± his mother said.


    ¡°At the very least they won¡¯t have time or energy left to organize another one of these misguided protests,¡± his father said.


    ¡°You¡¯re just going to talk about me like I¡¯m not here?¡± a scowling Amelia crossed her arms and glared at her empty plate.


    ¡°Until you¡¯re ready to participate in a proper manner,¡± his mother said.


    Amelia wasn¡¯t ready.


    She didn¡¯t eat the food placed on her plate by Jane.


    She didn¡¯t move.


    She simply glared down at the table.


    Adal rolled his eyes.


    His sister was truly a child.


    Although, he realized that she had only just turned thirteen, so it made sense she was this way.


    Still¡­ she couldn¡¯t stay that way for much longer.


    His parents were right.


    The king was lenient with children.


    Adults?


    Not so much.


    Amelia could drag their whole house down if she didn¡¯t get smart or if someone didn¡¯t make her see reason and truth.


    The dinner went well enough, minus Amelia¡¯s childish tantrum.


    He played his part.


    Speaking when spoken to.


    Asking questions.


    Feigning interest in things he didn¡¯t care about, like gossip about other noble houses, the day to day functions of his own house, business dealings and any number of things his parents and older brother focused on.


    Adal cared for none of that.


    All he cared about were his girls and growing stronger together so that by the time the next Freedom Championships arrived they could compete in the Gold Division like the competitors he idolized.


    <hr>


    Cal met up with Jake on the latter¡¯s balcony outside his hotel room.


    ¡°Here,¡± he tossed a bottle of amber liquid as he touched down.


    ¡°Oh shi¡ª¡± Jake fumbled it before cradling it to his chest like a baby.


    ¡°Merry Christmas.¡±


    ¡°You gonna bring freedom down the slavers¡¯ chimneys like Abe Lincoln in a Santa suit?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re making Lincoln Santa then I¡¯m more like one of the elves.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know we were doing presents. I didn¡¯t get you anything,¡± Jake eyed the whisky, ¡°what¡¯s a Macallan M?¡±


    ¡°Expensive whisky. Straight from a slaver lord¡¯s locked cabinet.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can drink this. Seems wrong.¡±


    ¡°Stealing the guy¡¯s booze is the least of how I¡¯ve wronged him, at least from his perspective.¡±


    ¡°Guess so,¡± Jake shrugged, opened the bottle and took a swig. ¡°Damn! That¡¯s good¡­ but don¡¯t ask me to describe the notes or shit.¡±


    ¡°Same. I¡¯m limited to three things. Good, okay and bad,¡± he took the bottle and tried it. ¡°That is good!¡±


    ¡°It better be, probably cost over a grand.¡±


    ¡°Probably more. It was locked up pretty tight. Still, bet you could find it at any high-end liquor store and bar out there. Get as much as you want for free.¡±


    ¡°Or one of those whisky bars. Never had a chance to go to one back then, though I didn¡¯t have the money anyways,¡± Jake shrugged. ¡°So, what¡¯s up? You wouldn¡¯t have risked coming here for a couple of drinks.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re at maybe the halfway point of this whole Quest and I wanted to check in with you guys here.¡±


    ¡°Are we? I¡¯ll take your word for it since you¡¯re the only one with the whole picture. We¡¯re on schedule with our parts. Have you been keeping up with the events?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Cool, then you know where our teams are at. Um¡­ the slavers are keeping an eye on us, but in the same way that they¡¯re sorta keeping an eye on all the outsiders here for the championships. I¡¯m pretty sure they aren¡¯t extra suspicious or anything like that. This place sucks and it¡¯s starting to wear on some of us. Everywhere you go there¡¯s enslaved people and we¡¯re using their services, so that¡¯s good for feeling guilty. Just the other day I saw this fat fuck slap his enslaved assistant for something stupid. Knocked her down to the ground and split her lip. Barely anyone even paid attention. But the worst part was the enslaved girl just kept smiling that creepy smile they all have. I almost jumped in, but I didn¡¯t cause I remember the Quest. Let little evils go to stop a bigger one. At least that¡¯s what I keep telling myself,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°It was unfair to ask this of you guys.¡±


    ¡°Nah,¡± Jake waved his prosthetic right hand, ¡°you made it clear that it was a volunteer thing. No one¡¯s blaming you. At least I¡¯m not. And you said that chances of success go up higher the more help you have. I don¡¯t know about the rest, but I can¡¯t say no to that. Whatever happens, I know that I did all I could to put a stop to slavery and that¡¯s something you can do without regrets or complaints,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Even if you and others you care about don¡¯t get to see the results?¡±


    ¡°A little grimderp of you, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve wondered lately if I undersold the dangers of this.¡±


    ¡°Oh, we knew. Only a moron or someone with a reckless disregard for their personal safety wouldn¡¯t see how going into the heart of the enemy¡¯s territory with a comparative handful of people wasn¡¯t dangerous. My only request is that if it goes tit¡¯s up, you get Hillary out of here safely. It wasn¡¯t my call, but I wouldn¡¯t have brought her along even though I needed her to get the bags of holding done.¡±


    ¡°Demi has an exit plan for Hillary and anyone else that needs to get out if things go bad. And I¡¯m working on adding more hands to our side. Strong hands. Which is partially why I¡¯m here,¡± he handed Jake a small notepad, ¡°some notes. I may need your help with someone depending on how the dominoes fall.¡±


    Jake flipped through the pad eyes widening as he figured it out. ¡°Is this for¡ª¡±


    ¡°Possibly¡­ though I have a good feeling he¡¯ll be willing to lend a hand.¡±


    ¡°Alright, alright,¡± Jake nodded deep in thought, ¡°how did you get his measurements?¡±


    ¡°The same ways I get most of my information,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Whatever¡­ yeah, maybe, probably, quality might not be the best, but I can do some work. We brought small fabrication and machining equipment. I even brought one of the newer portable magitech 3d printers, Lexi and Lewis said they¡¯d program an itching curse on me if I broke it.¡±


    ¡°You can make the spells work? The same way you did for Detective Ordonez¡¯s spell gun?¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, totally. You haven¡¯t been up north in awhile. Our magitech R&D office finally succeeded at making them reliable. Way better than what I made a long time ago. That piece is actually up in a glass case in the museum. My name under it and everything!¡±


    ¡°Congrats!¡±


    ¡°Leaving a legacy, man! Never thought I¡¯d do anything like that,¡± Jake nodded.


    ¡°You essentially started a whole¡­ thing.¡±


    ¡°Yeah man and you¡¯re going to see the latest fruits of it soon.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t wait!¡±


    They traded the bottle until it was empty.


    It didn¡¯t take long, which wasn¡¯t surprising when one of the drinkers couldn¡¯t get drunk and the other had a big body to help absorb the alcohol.


    They then spent way too much time discussing hypothetical match-ups of Gold Division competitors that hadn¡¯t faced each other and to people not in the tournament.


    Their conclusion was that Cal would¡¯ve won¡­ easily.


    But that was only if Eron wasn¡¯t in it as well.


    ¡°No offense, bro,¡± Jake slurred, ¡°but you gotta admit that he¡¯d kick your ass. I¡¯m meaning that he already done it once. Your armor and face wuz all busted and he wuz pretty mush fine.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t trying to actually hurt my own brother.¡±


    ¡°Suuuurrrreeee¡­ wha¡¯ever you says,¡± Jake winked.

 7.28

    Congratulations!


    You have received a Quest.


    Powerful forces seek to destroy everything that you have built.


    Stop them.


    Success Parameters: Uncover the plot. Capture or kill the conspirator/s.


    Failure Parameters: Lose your slaves, kingdom and life.


    Rewards: 10 Million Universal Points. 5 Levels.


    Bonus Reward(s): Contingent on performance.


    You will accept.


    ¡°There you have it, people. This is what I woke up to. We are officially dealing with enemy action,¡± King said.


    The Slaver King had shared the contents of his Quest with his inner council to start their day after Christmas emergency meeting to address the murders that had rocked the nobility to the core.


    ¡°I¡¯m not getting a Quest,¡± Eric said. ¡°What about you guys?¡±


    General Mark shook his head.


    ¡°Nothing for me,¡± Kim said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll probably need to give explicit orders to delegate pieces of this pie. Something that fits your specific roles and areas of expertise,¡± he said. ¡°So¡­ brainstorm with me.¡±


    ¡°Simple, round up all the outsiders and interrogate them. Under truth spells, Skills and everything at our disposal. We need to respond with strength and conviction. We can¡¯t let them think they¡¯re better than us,¡± General Mark said.


    ¡°That¡¯ll work with the bronzes and silvers, but trying that with the golds is asking for a massive loss of essential resources and collateral damage to our city and citizens. If you¡¯re lucky then someone like the Emerald Bomber will just get on her wing and fly away. Try it on someone like the Sapphire Slayer or the fireman and¡­¡± Eric let out a low whistle.


    ¡°That¡¯ll be the unnamed blue-haired girl that somehow passed all our age appraisals and Isaac Freeman from Seattle,¡± Kim whispered.


    He nodded, though he already knew that.


    In fact he had suggested the name for the girl to the marketing division himself.


    ¡°How likely is it that it¡¯s one or several of the contestants?¡± Kim said. ¡°Why would they bother competing if they¡¯re here to¡­ um¡­ destroy us?¡±


    ¡°For distraction,¡± General Mark said. ¡°While we¡¯re all too busy paying attention to games the enemy can run around like mice in our walls.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not stupid, general,¡± King said. ¡°And I¡¯m not blind or distracted. I simply wasn¡¯t concerned about this sort thing. Although, now that the spires is telling me to be concerned¡­ well, I¡¯m not too proud to change my mind. How is your investigation of the attack on our supply convoy going?¡±


    ¡°Nowhere. The trail didn¡¯t go far before it dried out,¡± General Mark said.


    ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°So, does that mean we¡¯re not going to resume procurement? The other nobles are starting to get¡­ concerned¡­ about that dwindling supply. Restricting purchases at the auction bought us time, but that¡¯s about to run out. They¡¯ll realize something is up,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°And what are they going to do? Complain?¡± General Mark scoffed.


    ¡°That¡¯s how it starts. Followed by the plotting behind our backs,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°There are always plots and I don¡¯t worry about them,¡± King said.


    ¡°That¡¯s cause you¡¯re the big dick around here and everyone knows it. The rest of us on your council aren¡¯t quite as untouchable. If you know what I mean?¡± Eric said.


    ¡°They all know better than to go at you to get to me. General, stop the search for now. Bring in as many of my soldiers into the city as you can without compromising defenses at my other cities and outposts.¡±


    ¡°Understood, your majesty.¡±


    ¡°Now, about the murders. My investigators have done their preliminary investigation and concluded that the murderers are most likely the same ones that¡¯s been working in my city for the last two months. First, they killed Cabal and now my nobles. The trail will be followed and the culprits captured so that I may punish them myself after finding out everything in their tiny heads.¡±


    ¡°That was Lord Stuart¡¯s youngest son,¡± Kim said.


    ¡°There was talk that it was Lord Reagan¡¯s doing, something about their dispute over bets?¡± Eric said.


    ¡°There was evidence left to that effect, but my investigators were clear in that the evidence was obviously planted. Comically so. Whoever did this wanted to spark that little squabble into an actual fire. I¡¯ve spoken to both lords and made it clear that there won¡¯t be anymore fighting between their houses. And to leave retribution to me.¡±


    ¡°This is obviously part of the plot, right?¡± Kim said.


    ¡°Probably,¡± Eric agreed.


    ¡°Could it be one of the golds? They¡¯re the only ones strong enough to kill an entire house. Maybe one of the wolves finally snapped,¡± Kim said.


    ¡°Not them,¡± King said, ¡°if it was then there wouldn¡¯t be anything left except bloody chunks. This was done with knives and precision once you see past how the scene was stage after the fact.¡±


    ¡°The vampires,¡± Kim ventured, ¡°they grew tired of their play hunts and wanted the real thing? They used knives to cover the bites?¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Kim. You can¡¯t just name everyone that makes you wet your panties,¡± Eric scoffed.


    ¡°Like you don¡¯t shit your pants whenever the wolves look at you!¡± Kim snapped.


    ¡°Enough about the murders. My investigators are on the trail and they¡¯ll resolve it.¡±


    ¡°So, what do you want us to do moving forward?¡± Kim said.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s time we took a closer look at our guests. Kim, I want you to organize a survey inspection of all guest quarters.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll frame it as us wanting to make sure that everything is up to our standards and their expectations. That we want to ensure that their stay has been pleasant and that they don¡¯t have any complaints and if they do then we¡¯ll address them immediately,¡± Kim nodded.


    ¡°Eric?¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°Start the recruitment process now. We¡¯re not waiting till after the championships are over. Focus on the ones we¡¯ve profiled as the best fits in our republic. Bring them on board. I want extra muscle in my pocket for when we flush out these rats. As for the ones we¡¯ve profiled as potential problems¡­ have your recruiters dig and push. Might get lucky and get one of them to play their hand too soon. I¡¯m almost certain we¡¯ll find some of these conspirators among the golds. Speaking of which, general, I¡¯ve got two orders for you. One, up surveillance on anyone from Southern California.¡±


    ¡°What about the Northern California group? They have to be working together,¡± General Mark said.


    ¡°Not necessarily. The southerners arrested our people, but the northerners left them alone. The irony of that,¡± Eric chuckled.


    ¡°Observe the proper forms of diplomacy. The north did not insult us, so they are afforded respect. The south, however, have done nothing but disrespect us. I¡¯ve been lenient so far, but that ends now. I believe we put the rangers in a quality motel? Let¡¯s inspect it and find a reason to kick them out and force them into a crappy one and increase the guard around them. Don¡¯t bother trying to disguise it anymore. I want them to know that I know. If they¡¯re involved in the plot then it might spook them enough to reveal themselves.¡±


    ¡°And the second order?¡± General Mark said.


    ¡°Prepare a convoy from Disney World. I want my fists closer to me.¡±


    ¡°Timeline?¡±


    ¡°Plan for a week or two from now. I¡¯ll let you know.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have it ready to go by this time next week.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± King said. ¡°One last thing, Eric.¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°All the locally based bands, adventuring companies, mercenary companies, whatever they call themselves¡­ I want them brought into the fold. They¡¯ve benefited long enough from our backing without being fully under my control.¡±


    ¡°Some¡­ hell¡­ most of them won¡¯t like that. That sort likes the illusion of independence,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care. Make the reality of their existence clear to them. They bow and swear an oath to me like all citizens or they can leave and never return.¡±


    ¡°If they refuse either option?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s one of those or the collar,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°I think a lot of those teams will join up. One of them has being putting out feelers at something more official for a few weeks now,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, they aren¡¯t particularly great. Team Alpha Sigma. Their leader was the only one over Level 40, won his first round match in the Gold Division one versus one, then got smacked around by Gator in the second round,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°I remember. Big warrior. Fucked up eye and face.¡±


    ¡°The rest of the team is in the Level 20-30 range with a couple in the mid to high 30¡¯s,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°They sound adequate.¡± King clapped his hands. ¡°You have your orders¡ª¡± He stopped as the others suddenly jerked in their seats and stared at nothing. ¡°¡ªand your Quests,¡± he finished.


    What he hadn¡¯t shared with them was that for the first time in history people had escaped from his personal dungeon.


    Nine, in fact.


    And there was nothing on camera.


    No alarms had been tripped.


    Spells and Skills had proved equally useless.


    Even interrogating the other prisoners yielded nothing.


    It was an impossibility and yet, he couldn¡¯t deny reality.


    An empty cell.


    A loss of leverage over the powerful Magus of the Ten Eyes.


    He kept the news from his inner council.


    Swore the guards with the knowledge of the escape to an oath of secrecy enforced by a Skill.


    It would take a spell or Skill from one significantly more powerful than him to countermand his command.


    Only he knew that there was nothing preventing the magus from fleeing or taking revenge now.


    He had already ordered surveillance on the magus increased.


    It was likely that whoever freed her employees would contact her at some point to tell her.


    He¡¯d catch them then.


    <hr>


    Miami, Florida, New American Republic,


    Former Miami Marlins Stadium, Current Combat Arena,


    December 27, 2036


    Hanna had learned to tune out the baying crowd and their lust for blood. She only had focus for her students and their battle to the death with the monsters.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    Their fifth fight in as many weeks had cracked the fragile hope she had been building in them and in herself for their chances at living long enough to see freedom.


    The hardest part were the looks they had been giving her over the past few weeks as each fight saw them emerge with less losses than the new arrivals their unknown benefactor added.


    It was belief and trust in her.


    A look that said, ¡°I¡¯ll listen to you because you will help me survive the monsters.¡±


    Yuki had looked at her like that.


    Even as the demon bear had ripped the man she thought she could love in half.


    Did you regret the trust you put in me, Yuki?


    At the moment you knew that you were going to die?


    Or did you expect me to save you as I had done before?


    How much of that trust had been broken by the skunk apes in front of her students?


    Monsters or mutant animals, it wasn¡¯t clear to her. Sometimes the line blurred.


    They were the worst combination of strong, fast, tough and vicious.


    The noxious spray they excreted out of their anal glands choked the breath out of your lungs and stung the eyes even at a distance.


    A full spray to the face was devastating.


    How many of her students had been permanently blinded?


    Would the stadium¡¯s healers fix their sight?


    Were they even capable?


    She had seen their work.


    They were no Megan, who was worlds away.


    The girl with no name stung back with her one eye.


    She had no class, but Hanna had used her teaching Skill to bring months of understanding the sword in weeks.


    The girl didn¡¯t level from training like the others, but she grew skilled.


    Skilled enough to cleave through a skunk ape¡¯s thick, muscular neck with the strength she had stolen from it with her power.


    Her gaze swept across a cluster of apes slowing them noticeably.


    Sinclair, the long-limbed young man with a Glasgow smile, loosed two arrows from his bow simultaneously.


    One pierced a skunk ape¡¯s eye while the other flew into a second creature¡¯s mouth.


    Bernard, a battered old man whose bald head was covered in ugly, puckered burn scars bared a mouth of half-missing teeth as he lunged in to skewer a skunk ape in the throat with his blade.


    Lance fought with an axe in one hand and a sword in the other. Hanna¡¯s training had given him a swordsman class, which he took alongside the axeman he already was. He had shared his dream with her. Of rumored freedom through sponsorship into the ranks of the arena gladiators. He dreamed of becoming a weaponmaster. To that end he had even started training with Sinclair and the other ranged fighters.


    Deirdre, a grandmother whose family was somewhere out there in the slaver kingdom toiling beneath the collars, fired spell after spell in a desperate attempt to kill the skunk apes before any more of her comrades died.


    They learned and advanced in the knowledge of the sword as much in a handful of weeks as Hanna had done in her younger days before the spires, before the classes and Skills.


    They had leveled.


    At least one after every fight.


    And another one or two through her training.


    For many, it still wasn¡¯t enough.


    The last skunk ape fell.


    Hanna was deaf to the crowds roars.


    She exited the dugout to take the latest toll.


    To add names to the growing list she carried in her soul.


    Later, Hanna saw to it that her students received proper care and ensured that they weren¡¯t abused by the arena staff.


    Jayden approached with a smug grin on his face. ¡°Damn shame about that mauling. You¡¯re down to 24 by my count.¡±


    She ignored him.


    ¡°Just wanted to deliver a message,¡± his grin grew into a ghastly smile, ¡°no more replacements. So, you¡¯re stuck with what you got and from the looks of it you¡¯ve got a couple of blind folks. They were already rejects and now they can¡¯t see,¡± he chuckled. ¡°If you don¡¯t want them I¡¯ll take them. It¡¯s getting hard to fill the roster slots for real feeder matches.¡±


    She stared at the odious man until he left.


    Blind.


    She had seen a movie once with a blind swordsman.


    Why not a blind swordsman?


    She went to the three permanently blind fighters. Two men, one woman.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to cut us loose, aren¡¯t you?¡± the woman said bitterly.


    ¡°Never. You¡¯re going right back to the training field tomorrow,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Why bother? Just kill us,¡± one of the men said.


    ¡°Fuck that, give me a sword and point me at the monster. I¡¯ll at least be a meatshield for the rest of you guys. Might even take one down with me,¡± the other man grinned weakly.


    ¡°I won¡¯t be sacrificing anyone. Blindness doesn¡¯t make you useless. I want you three to think very hard about this concept. The blind swordsman or swordswoman in your case. Believe that it is probable for you to become this.¡±


    ¡°Shit! It can¡¯t get any worse,¡± the woman said. ¡°I¡¯ll manifest this shit so hard.¡±


    ¡°I saw that movie,¡± the older of the two men said, ¡°this blind samurai dude kicking ass. Yeah,¡± he nodded with renewed hope, ¡°I can see myself doing that.¡±


    ¡°Movie?¡± the younger man said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you all about,¡± the older man said. ¡°Thanks, Hanabi, you really do care. I don¡¯t understand why you¡¯re working for these people. You¡¯re better than all of them.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want them to win.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve been doing pretty good making them choke on their own monster flesh,¡± the woman said. ¡°So, I¡¯m not going to let this stop. I¡¯m going to die before I give up.¡±


    ¡°One fight at a time. Now, try to rest. It¡¯s going to be a tough day tomorrow.¡±


    Later, Hanna walked through the rows of bunk cots in the spartan barracks.


    It was more like a prison.


    She checked on each student until she came to the last cot in the far corner of the room where the one-eyed girl with no name sat.


    The others had placed her there to keep her safe from the stadium staff.


    A pact had been made if any of the staff decided to risk Hanna¡¯s wrath.


    They would all rather die fighting than stand by and let the girl be hurt further.


    ¡°Good job today,¡± she said.


    The one-eyed girl stared at her for a moment before nodding.


    ¡°Your power is getting stronger and your blade work is improving. My one criticism is that you leave yourself open. You¡¯re cutting with too much power. Is it an issue with the amount of strength you drain?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not mine, so I don¡¯t know how much I use,¡± the one-eyed girl said.


    ¡°Would you like to practice that?¡±


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°I can ask for volunteers for you¡ª¡±


    ¡°No!¡± the girl snapped. Then she ducked her head. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hurt them. They protect me. I protect them.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ what if I volunteer?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ you protect us.¡±


    ¡°Then, what about the men who work here?¡±


    Her eye lit up.


    She nodded vigorously.


    The staff had been instructed to provide Hanna with whatever she requested so long as it was reasonable.


    Surely, having a few of the staff stand at the edge of the field was reasonable.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see what I can do. Is there anything else you want to tell me? Your thoughts on the battle?¡±


    Haltingly, the one-eyed girl slowly opened up with questions on how she did, what she could¡¯ve done better. She shared how she felt. How her power kept growing stronger the more she used it, the more she embraced it.


    Hanna shared a little of what she knew about superpowers through the people she knew that had them.


    That sparked the girl¡¯s interest.


    It took will for Hanna to stick to her cover and not give the girl more hope that freedom could be weeks away.


    Because then she¡¯d have to voice the reason why the girl and the others had to suffer, had to fight and die for the entertainment of the crowd when one man could that very instant fly overhead rip the stadium apart and carry them all to safety.


    No.


    They died so that many more might live.


    The greater good.


    The thought left the bitter taste of ash on her tongue.


    ¡°I watched movies with my mom and dad. Movies from before I was born. When there wasn¡¯t the spires and monsters.¡± the one-eyed girl spoke like she didn¡¯t fully believe.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. The world wasn¡¯t always like this.¡±


    ¡°The movies had these people with costumes and powers. I always dreamed of them coming down to kill the monsters and make the world safe like they did, but it was only movies. And then I turned out to be one of them, but not until the bad men came and hurt everyone¡­¡±


    Hanna had no words so she sat down next to the girl and hesitantly put an arm around the girl¡¯s shoulders.


    The girl stiffened instinctively but then softened and leaned into Hanna.


    ¡°They didn¡¯t come save us because it was me. I was the one that was supposed to save my friends, my mom and dad, but I didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have your powers when it happened, so how could you have saved them?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I should¡¯ve tried harder to get them sooner.¡±


    ¡°Listen to me,¡± she held the one-eyed girl¡¯s scarred gaze, ¡°you didn¡¯t know you had this. You couldn¡¯t have known how to even try. There is only one thing to blame for what they did to you and your family. The monsters that pretend to be men. They¡¯re responsible. Not you. Not your mom and dad. Not your friends. No one else. Just the human filth that chose to act as monsters.¡±


    The one-eyed girl sniffled.


    In the next cot, Deirdre rolled over to give Hanna a slight nod before rolling back.


    The girl had been born after the spires. Her parents had raised her for thirteen years against all odds in a world overrun with monsters, mutant animals and darker things. Only for evil men to do what those foul things had failed to do.


    Hanna held the one-eyed girl for what felt like hours before the girl fell asleep.


    She tucked her in and headed to her quarters.


    The next morning the one-eyed girl approached Hanna the moment she stepped on the field.


    ¡°Good morning.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t have nightmares,¡± the one-eyed girl said. ¡°I always have nightmares¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s very good,¡± she smiled with genuine joy.


    ¡°My name¡­ you asked me before. I want to be ¡®Basilisk¡¯. From the story you told,¡± the one-eyed girl said with her head held high.


    ¡°Alright, Basilisk! Let¡¯s introduce you to everybody!¡±


    The one-eyed girl, Basilisk, nodded.


    <hr>


    ¡°Open the door!¡±


    The fist pounded incessantly.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Hardhat whispered.


    ¡°We under attack, sarge?¡± Greygrass idly strummed her banjo.


    ¡°I¡¯m the King¡¯s inspector and this is an inspection! Open up or I¡¯ll use my Skill!¡±


    ¡°Is that a thing?¡± Hardhat hissed at Dastardly.


    ¡°Everything is a thing,¡± Dastardly nodded sagely.


    ¡°Thanks for nothing¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got seniority,¡± Dastardly shrugged.


    Hardhat thought about it for a moment.


    No one¡¯s danger sense had gone off.


    The rat-faced man outside wasn¡¯t armed or armored.


    He had one armed bodyguard and the slaver¡¯s soldiers hadn¡¯t moved from the surrounding buildings.


    All signs pointed to the inspection being just that and not a prelude to an attack.


    ¡°Alright, hold on!¡± Hardhat said. ¡°Okay, guys. They know we¡¯re armed, but let¡¯s not give them any excuses. We are peacefully complying, so on and so forth. Got it?¡±


    Affirmative nods.


    ¡°Greygrass, play something¡­ but no using Skills,¡± Hardhat said. ¡°And somebody get me my hat.¡±


    The first request cleared the motel room as the rangers groaned in dismay.


    Timber rushed through the hole in the wall to fulfill the second.


    ¡°Open this door, now!¡±


    ¡°Jesus Christ, man! I¡¯m getting dressed! Why don¡¯t you pick your panties out of your crack!¡± Hardhat snapped.


    She didn¡¯t open the door until Timber brought her hardhat.


    The rat-faced inspector blinked, eyeing her pristine yellow hardhat.


    She stood as a bulwark in the doorway barring the man¡¯s path.


    ¡°What¡¯s this about an inspection? I believe there were promises made about the sanctity of our space. That it¡¯d remain safe for us. Did your king lie? Or is this him going back on his royal decrees and whatnot?¡±


    In the background Greygrass began a song, strumming slightly off-tune and singing slightly off-key.


    The Devil went down to Florida,


    He was lookin¡¯ for a soul to steal,


    He was in bind cause he was way behind,


    And he was willin¡¯ to make a deal¡­


    The inspector winced. ¡°Can you please tell your musician to stop that.¡±


    ¡°Stop what?¡± Hardhat stared at him without expression. ¡°Please focus and do your job.¡±


    The inspector scowled. He held up a clipboard. ¡°The housing agreement you signed specifies that we have the right to inspect the premises at will.¡±


    ¡°I signed no such thing.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t your signature?¡± he pointed triumphantly at the illegible scrawl on the bottom of the sheet.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°The notes specifically state that a woman wearing a construction worker¡¯s helmet signed it.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s wearing what now?¡±


    ¡°You are!¡± the inspector jabbed a finger at her hardhat.


    ¡°Oh, this? This isn¡¯t a construction worker¡¯s helmet. It¡¯s a family artifact. Magical. Passed down by my father. It carries the will and spirit of the men that built this land. Indeed, this very motel we are standing in.¡±


    ¡°You know what. No. I don¡¯t need to see anymore. I already see enough to know that you¡¯ve violated nearly every rule you agreed to.¡±


    ¡°And what rules might those be?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve torn down that wall!¡± the inspector thrust his hand at the gaping hole leading to the next room. ¡°And that one!¡± he pointed to the hole in the opposite wall.


    ¡°That was already here¡­¡±


    The Devil bowed his head because he knew that he''d been beat


    And he laid that golden fiddle on the ground at Johnny''s feet


    Johnny said, ¡°Devil, just come on back if you ever wanna try again


    I done told you once, you son of a bitch


    I''m the best that''s ever been" he played¡­


    ¡°You rangers have one hour to vacate the premises!¡± the inspector sneered triumphantly. ¡°You may relocate to this location,¡± he thrust a piece of paper into Hardhat¡¯s hands. ¡°Refusal will be treated as an act of war.¡±


    ¡°Ain¡¯t that a little extreme?¡± Timber said.


    The inspector whirled on his heel and stomped off with his bodyguard.


    ¡°Crap! Mouthy¡¯s not going to ever let me forget this,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± Dastardly patted her on the back.


    ¡°Alright¡­ Molds, Babyapple¡­ pack up our toys and scrub those wards! The rest of you make sure the rest of our gear is ready to go!¡± she barked. ¡°Looks like we¡¯re moving.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll call Mouthy and Aims so they can get their squads back here. I don¡¯t want to move without our full complement in case this is an excuse to ambush us,¡± Dastardly said.


    ¡°I¡¯m more worried about how shitty our next place is going to be,¡± Hardhat said. ¡°The boss won¡¯t let them pull an ambush without some kind of warning.¡±


    ¡°True that,¡± Dastardly nodded.

 7.29

    The Magus of the Ten Eyes studied the man with an eye dedicated to piercing through subterfuge.


    The eye revealed nothing.


    It was like staring at a blank canvas.


    It confirmed his identity.


    He had been the only being in her experience to display that ability.


    ¡°I check out?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she pulled the eye back from its orbit around him. ¡°It is exactly how it was when we first met. Four years and you haven¡¯t aged a day.¡±


    ¡°Lucky genetics,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°No. It is more than that. My eyes see in great detail and with discernment. You have not aged a day.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡±


    ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    ¡°I wanted to tell you that your people are no longer unwilling guests of the Slaver King. They¡¯re, I hope, willing guests of myself.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    He had no reason to lie.


    Though they hadn¡¯t met in person since that day long ago outside of New York City they had maintained sporadic contact through the spires¡¯ messaging system as she sold some of the gear and items she and her companions made out of monster and mutant animal parts. As such, despite her inability to see beneath his surface, she extended a level of trust.


    ¡°What do you want to do?¡±


    ¡°Did you free all of them? There would be nine,¡± she hoped.


    All that remained of the people, friends, many of whom had been with her since Egypt. Few had been lost along the way. Most had made it across multiple continents, seas and an ocean only to perish at the hands of slave soldiers and their masters.


    There had been no warning. No indication of a threat.


    They had been willing to simply turn around despite their distaste for slavery.


    The slavers had attacked them even as they held their hands open.


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°Then, can I ask for further aid in helping all of us leave this evil place?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a given¡­¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    ¡°I want your help to free everyone.¡±


    ¡°You have a way to destroy the collars?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not enough just to break them.¡±


    ¡°I know. The Slaver King described how they worked to me in great detail. It was one of his threats. Do as he said or he¡¯d place my friends in them. Forever enslaved because to forcefully remove the collars meant death, emptiness of the mind or worse.¡± She nodded thoughtfully, ¡°how will you overcome it?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t say. The less people know the better.¡±


    ¡°Of course. And what aid can I offer?¡±


    ¡°I need your power and seeding.¡±


    She frowned.


    ¡°I mean, your performance in the tournament has earned many of the other competitors¡¯ respect. I¡¯d like for you to use your clout to recruit a few of them to my cause. As part of my plans I¡¯ve been impersonating one of the so-called ¡®nobles¡¯. Don¡¯t ask me how, because I won¡¯t say.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see how that will be possible.¡±


    Even if other competitors didn¡¯t like slavery, they were still alone in the midst of enemies.


    Power wasn¡¯t enough for an individual to risk the consequences. As her own situation attested.


    ¡°I doubt that any will take the risk of angering the slavers. And you haven¡¯t accounted for the competitors that will or have already aligned themselves with this place. The king¡¯s representatives have been incessant in their recruitment effort. They¡¯ve been offering the world and I¡¯ve already seen many accept.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m aware, hence why I¡¯m asking you to help tip the balance back the other way.¡±


    ¡°If I refuse?¡±


    ¡°Then you tell me how you want me to get you and your people out of here. I can¡¯t take you very far. I need to stay close enough to maintain my little charade, but I can take you to the edge of their territory. I¡¯d recommend the road leading out to the west. You¡¯ll have to hike through wilderness but there¡¯s an old reservation to the northwest that you could hide in while you figure out your next moves.¡±


    ¡°Just like that? Even though you stated a need for my power?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m not looking for leverage. Asking you to help means that I¡¯m asking you to risk your life for an uncertain reward. We might succeed or we might fail. Or we can end up anywhere between the two extremes. To that end I¡¯m only looking for volunteer help from people that are capable and that know they¡¯re risking their lives or worse.¡±


    ¡°All my life before the spires. I saw it everyday. Experienced it. Oppression based on being born a girl. I thought often that I had been so unlucky. Why couldn¡¯t I live with the same freedom as my brothers? Why did I need to dress a certain way? Why couldn¡¯t I drive a car? Why did I need a man¡¯s permission to simply go outside? And so and so on. Then the spires arrived. They took so much from this world and yet, I saw myself as lucky, they brought me power and now, well, up until recently, freedom. I go where I want. I do what I want¡­ but once again I was shown what it was like to be powerless. I had almost forgotten the feeling.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s always a bigger guy,¡± Cal nodded.


    ¡°That is only an issue if the bigger guy decides to make it one. You and I¡­ we don¡¯t rule or enslave. So, how can I turn my back now?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a choice we all have to make each day.¡±


    ¡°Mine is to aid you. So long as you keep my friends safe.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re as safe as I can make them. Which is to say that they¡¯re as safe as they can be while being hunted in the middle of this shit hole. I have a plan to get everyone out that relies on the chaos that we¡¯ll create when it¡¯s time.¡±


    ¡°I can only ask you to do your best. I¡¯m not naive to the reality of our situation,¡± she nodded. ¡°What am I to do in this plan of yours?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t write this down for opsec reasons, but I know you¡¯ve got a great memory thanks to those eyes of yours. So, pay close attention. I¡¯ve identified a number of Gold Division competitors that share our anger towards the slavers. I want you to approach them using your magic to keep your conversations out of the slavers¡¯ ears.¡±


    ¡°I will need more than moral outrage to recruit them. They all understand the deadly consequences of open action against the slavers.¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t have a choice in truth. The Slaver King¡¯s about to get more pushy. To the surprise of no one, those promises about the freedom to leave after the tournament aren¡¯t exactly ironclad. Tell them you¡¯ve got a reliable source that their continued freedom is contingent on tying themselves to the king. He¡¯s planning to have everyone swear an oath or two. And swearing an oath hits differently when he uses his Skills, especially with his level.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m aware. He tried to force me to swear fealty, but I managed to fight him off¡­ it was a close thing.¡±


    ¡°It might be a good idea to share your story with them. Do you have a truth spell or gem?¡±


    ¡°I do and most people in my level range have some way to discern lies from truths.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s useful.¡±


    ¡°But not infallible. Nevertheless, my story has been circulated by the king¡¯s men. I suspect as form of cautionary tale and to show how powerful the king is in comparison to myself.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯ll work to our advantage. The slaver¡¯s gave your words more credibility. Anyways, are you ready to go over the plan?¡±


    She willed the magic in one of her eyes to life.


    What Cal said wouldn¡¯t be forgotten.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ so, you¡¯re going to have to carrying on with this farce, but winning isn¡¯t that important unless you really want the rewards. I¡¯d ask that you and the ones you manage to get on our side minimize the injuries you take even if it means losing. Now, if they¡¯d rather not lose out on winning rewards, then you can counter with the fact that if they sincerely jump on board with me there¡¯ll be a Quest. Its got multiple parts and conditions to fulfill and once you get it you¡¯ll see that the rewards are just as good as the ones the tournament offers with the added benefit of doing the right thing. With the added bonus of avoiding slavery in all but name to the king. Obviously, if we fail then it¡¯s death or worse.¡±


    She paid close attention as he laid out his plans.


    <hr>


    Cal found Holly sitting in Lord Wynn¡¯s office when he returned.


    The room hadn¡¯t seen much use when Don wasn¡¯t in a psychically-induced coma, which incidentally made it the least disgusting room in the sprawling mansion.


    ¡°Did you know there was a vampire other than your friend?¡± Holly said.


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°How did they get the class?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Probably the same way anyone gets a class. They met the necessary requirements, whatever those are.¡±


    ¡°If one of them bit me, will I become a vampire or a vampiric slasher?¡±


    The woman¡¯s internal monologue weighed the potential benefits and drawbacks.


    I operate at night, so the loss of the day won¡¯t matter. The vampire woman was a lot stronger and faster than me. I¡¯ll be better if I had that too. The need for blood is a tether, which is irrelevant since I hunt people anyway. As a vampire I¡¯ll drink their blood then kill them or kill them by drinking their blood. No¡­ I¡¯ll need to maintain balance between slasher and vampire or I¡¯ll risk losing one or the other. I could end up having two classes. An additional vampire to slasher. That¡¯ll slow overall growth until consolidating the two. Then again what if vampire replaces slasher, like slasher did for my old classes?


    ¡°I¡¯d imagine it takes more than a bite. Otherwise there¡¯d be more vampires out there, right? So, that implies that transmission isn¡¯t automatic, like rabies, which makes me think that it would require a conscious effort on the vampire¡¯s part. Some vampire myths say that to become a vampire a person must also drink the vampire¡¯s blood. That it requires willingness on both parties. And no, I¡¯m not going to ask my friend to try it out on you.¡±


    Simply telling her that she couldn¡¯t do something wasn¡¯t going to work. Holly didn¡¯t care about what he wanted. She was only going along and listening to his instructions because it benefited her in the moment.


    Who could¡¯ve foreseen that employing a sociopathic murderer would present difficult challenges?


    ¡°Chasing after a new class or upgrade isn¡¯t in our agreement,¡± he targeted her pragmatism. ¡°Deviate and I¡¯ll put you to sleep. Where you¡¯ll remain until we¡¯re done here and then you¡¯ll go right back into your cell.¡±


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    No more opportunities. No more kills. No more strength and levels. I¡¯ve already gotten 7. Almost to 40. That many levels in two months is worth following his rules. Appeal to the Quest? The arguments I can make are based on conjecture. Just as many potential negatives as positives. He only cares for the Quest. I can¡¯t show that I¡¯ll endanger that. I need to kill and gain as much as possible before we¡¯re done here. He¡¯ll put me back in my prison until the next time he needs me to kill. Until I¡¯m capable of securing my long-term freedom I need to maintain the current state.


    Cal suppressed the urge to rub his eyes.


    Mistakes had been made.


    Although, he couldn¡¯t deny that Holly, the Slasher¡¯s murder spree was doing as intended.


    She had stuck to the agreement.


    No innocents had fallen to her knives.


    Only the worst kind of people.


    Still¡­ he didn¡¯t feel good about himself for being directly responsible for her rising kill count and levels.


    He took a moment to check the hidden safe guards he had placed in Holly¡¯s mind.


    They were in place.


    He considered adding a few more but decided against it.


    Her surface thoughts revealed that the vampire fascination was buried for another time.


    The less he tampered the better as far as he was concerned.


    He was already violating his self-professed standards and slippery slopes concerned him.


    ¡°Okay. That¡¯s all,¡± Holly abruptly stood. ¡°I¡¯ll be in my room waiting for my next target.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    He spent the next hour in his mindscape reviewing the secondary set of potential allies.


    He had sent the magus to recruit three initial candidates.


    Blackstar, the woman with the ability to fire black, star-shaped blasts that hit with concussive force.


    The towering woman with dark, metallic skin and tremendous strength and durability.


    And in a bit of irony, the magus¡¯ next opponent. The woman going by ¡®Emerald Bomber¡¯.


    That was a bit of unfortunate luck.


    He wouldn¡¯t blame the woman if she wasn¡¯t receptive to the magus. It would only be natural for her to think the magus was just plotting to gain an advantage for their match.


    He dismissed the unsuitable ones for a variety of reasons.


    The werewolves were monsters pretending to be men.


    The clowns were insane.


    Malcolm, the king¡¯s champion gladiator, possessed the right mindset to be of use. Unfortunately, the man was already a slave to the king even without a collar.


    Some were bad people. Murderers, rapists and the like.


    Others, like the ones from the old U.S. Government had their own agenda that didn¡¯t align with his plans to free the enslaved and destroy the collar system. True to form, they wanted to steal its secrets.


    He made a note to watch out for them when the time came.


    They¡¯d move in the chaos and try to escape with said secrets, perhaps a person or two, though they didn¡¯t know that there was really only one man behind the collars¡¯ creation. And that man needed the Slaver King to make it work.


    Others had already thrown their lot in with the slaver kingdom.


    There was only one that he knew for sure was on his side. Even if Isaac¡¯s help was volatile and had a chance of erupting in everyone¡¯s faces as fire in the shape of a man struggled to reign in his nature.


    Cal welcomed the man from Seattle¡¯s help.


    Isaac was likely the second most powerful fighter in the Gold Division one versus one tournament.


    The first was a massive headache for him.


    The blue-haired girl¡­ the less energy devoted to her the better.


    His only real plan for her was to hope that she¡¯d get bored after winning the whole thing, which itself was contingent on her not being pushed hard enough to reveal her true self and destroy the stadium along with a good chunk of the city in the process.


    He briefly toyed with the idea of setting her on the king.


    Then decided against it.


    It would¡¯ve been the ultimate distraction, but he was trying to free the enslaved, not kill them and everyone else.


    With his work done he rose and made his way to the wing where the magus¡¯ friends were staying.


    He had good news and bad news.


    The magus knew they were safe.


    She was going to help him.


    Which meant that they were stuck in the mansion for the foreseeable future.


    <hr>


    The day after Christmas had passed and so to did the break from the Freedom Championships.


    On December 27, 2036 at stadiums, arenas and other venues the events commenced once again.


    ¡°Reflective Shield! Get in there, Talia! Cut them up!¡± Adal pointed to a cluster of monsters resembling twisted rat-people. ¡°Reflective Shield! Go, Mena! Wait for my shield to break and do it¡¯s damage then cast Wind Wall to scatter them!¡± he pointed to the second cluster.


    He needed to shave time of this run if he wanted to advance to the next round.


    As the competition winnowed down the times it took to stay in it shrank.


    This round had seen them near the bottom after the first two runs.


    They only had two more runs to improve enough to secure one of the qualification spots.


    Fail and they¡¯d miss out on the final run and a chance to win the top prize for the round.


    The shield around Talia exploded dealing damage back to the monsters.


    The long-limbed girl whirled her sword around imitating a blender.


    Red chunks sprayed in all directions.


    Mena¡¯s shield did the same.


    Her wind wall scattered them.


    Two went flying over the railing to fall three stories down to the mall¡¯s first level.


    One landed at Adal¡¯s feet.


    ¡°Shield Strike!¡± he slammed the metal-lined edge of his shield on the back of its neck.


    The loud crack brought a smile to his lips.


    They were gaining so much from the championships.


    Levels, spells, Skills and Universal Points.


    The latter wasn¡¯t as important as the rest.


    He always had access to all the points he needed thanks to his parents.


    But this?


    This was all his doing.


    In a small stadium that was once a college basketball gym, X-Ray hit the dirt.


    He had finally run into an opponent he couldn¡¯t beat.


    A fighter that didn¡¯t use magic.


    Without spells to absorb, X-Ray was merely a strong, well-trained man, which was nothing to a strong, well-trained man that had Skills.


    He rolled over with a groan to stare at the spinning lights in the ceiling.


    Like little fairies taking him home to rest.


    ¡°Disappointing to come out here for that display,¡± Aims said, ¡°but I did win some Universal Points on the bet.¡±


    ¡°How much?¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°Five thousand.¡±


    ¡°Fuck! Fuckity fuck! I was this close to betting, but I figured it was shit to bet against a fellow ranger,¡± Mouth said.


    ¡°I won too, sarge,¡± Bluesilk said.


    Several of the other rangers nodded.


    ¡°Traitors,¡± Mouthy muttered.


    ¡°Eh¡­ not really, we all knew that X-Ray was going out as soon as he got matched up with a non magic-type,¡± Aims shrugged. ¡°It was a foregone conclusion, so my conscience is clear.¡±


    ¡°Are we gonna have to carry him back?¡± Cherry Chapstick said.


    ¡°Nah, they¡¯ll heal him up first. Fucker can walk back like the rest of us,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°Damn, do you think this means X-Ray doesn¡¯t have that hotel room anymore?¡± Bluesilk said.


    ¡°It he doesn¡¯t then that means he¡¯s going to stay with the rest of us at our new, even shittier motel,¡± Mouthy said.


    She exchanged a look with Aims.


    They knew what the sudden inspection and eviction really meant.


    The slavers had finally found a smell they didn¡¯t like in their sniffing around.


    The clock was ticking and all they could do was keep waiting on Cal to give the go ahead.


    On the once grassy field of a high school football stadium dirt bloomed in great clouds with each teleport Drake, better known as ¡®Sticksies¡¯ to the spectators, performed.


    He had scattered several javelins around the field when it had become clear to him that he wasn¡¯t going to penetrate the heavily armed fighter¡¯s defense. The stout woman was clad in thick steel like a walking tank.


    She had blocked all his spear strikes with her shield and Skills while proving tireless as she plodded after him.


    He was reduced to keeping his distance and firing spells that she took on her shield.


    Regardless, the match was his to lose.


    He was the only one doing damage no matter how little and the judges would have no choice but to declare him the winner.


    Then again one never wanted to let it go to the judges if they could help it.


    Thinking better of it, he decided to take a risk.


    Spear Teleport brought him to a javelin sticking out of the ground behind the heavily-armored woman.


    Double Thrust scored two strikes in one on the woman¡¯s thick back plate.


    The screech of metal on metal along with the sparks provided an impressive display that he and the woman knew was ineffective.


    The judges couldn¡¯t dock him for not engaging.


    He spun his spear to cast a magic shield that blunted the woman¡¯s follow up hammer strike.


    Again the impressive bang of the hammer on his shield created the illusion of action and excitement.


    From the roars of the crowd he had achieved the desired effect.


    He dismissed his shield and backpedaled twirling his spear with a flourish.


    Again, more for looks than efficiency.


    He would never had done so in a real fight or against an opponent fast enough to make him pay for showboating.


    The woman¡¯s scowl was barely visible behind the thin eye slit of her helmet.


    Sorry, Drake thought, bad match up for you¡­ and me¡­ but I¡¯m not standing still so you can smash my head with that hammer.


    He teleported to a distant javelin to catch his breath and recover some stamina and mana.


    A quick glance at the fight clock on the scoreboard told him he only had to keep it up for a few more minutes.


    A few miles away in yet another stadium Trevor hurled a handful of ball bearings as a distraction.


    The opposing warrior shielded his mage teammate behind a large round shield.


    Goldy, the unnaturally huge golden eagle swooped in with an ear-splitting shriek, huge talons outstretched for the mage¡¯s eyes.


    That was also a distraction.


    Their opponents weren¡¯t evil assholes like Team Alpha Sigma, they were just regular people trying to win and improve.


    The mage woman didn¡¯t deserve to lose her eyes and be badly scarred.


    Goldy closed her talons and bonked the woman on the forehead.


    The hard, but smooth side of her talons clanged against the steel helm.


    The mage woman¡¯s eyes crossed before she fell over backward.


    Goldy flapped powerful wings to soar out of the warrior¡¯s reach.


    That was when Licorice struck.


    The impossibly huge dog rammed the warrior in the back.


    To the man¡¯s credit he stumbled but didn¡¯t fall.


    He spun and aimed a slash with his sword, which clanged against Licorice¡¯s coat of layered steel scales.


    The dog yelped at the impact even though it didn¡¯t penetrate his armor.


    ¡°Hey! That¡¯s messed up! Don¡¯t kill my dog!¡± Cara called across the dirt field.


    ¡°Fuck! That isn¡¯t a dog! It¡¯s a lion! And it¡¯s trying to kill me!¡± the warrior snapped.


    ¡°No he isn¡¯t! He¡¯s just trying to knock you down, so he can sit on you!¡± she snapped right back.


    ¡°That¡¯s bullshit! These giant animals are fucking bullshit! This isn¡¯t three on three! It¡¯s five on three!¡± the warrior ranted.


    ¡°Cara,¡± Trevor sighed, ¡°please don¡¯t talk to the opponent in the middle of a fight and please don¡¯t tell him what you¡¯re trying to do. Now, get Licorice ready.¡±


    Cara nodded.


    Trevor hurled a baseball over the warrior¡¯s head.


    The man was wise to Trevor¡¯s tricks but he couldn¡¯t turn to block the baseball on its return because doing so would expose his back to the giant dog. He also had to account for the dark shadow circling above him.


    The baseball drove into the back of his knee forcing him down.


    ¡°Now!¡± Trevor said.


    ¡°Go get¡¯em, Licorice! Mass Increase!¡± Cara pointed.


    The black monster of a dog leapt and flattened the warrior beneath the man¡¯s own shield.


    The warrior struggled, but even with an enhanced strength passive there was no budging the much heavier dog. ¡°This is bullshit,¡± he muttered as the dog dripped great globs of slobber on the man¡¯s face.


    On the other end of the field Amber dueled a swordswoman.


    The flash of blades, one steel, one magic, dazzled in the sunlight.


    They went back and forth.


    Each scoring hits on the other.


    Magic and steel vying for supremacy.


    It looked as though they could¡¯ve battled until they reached the time limit.


    And then a baseball struck the swordswoman on the back of the head.


    It rang her metal helmet like a gong.


    She stumbled.


    Amber capitalized, disarming the swordswoman and tripping her to the ground.


    ¡°Yield,¡± she touched the tip of her glowing amber sword to the swordswoman¡¯s neck.


    The Watch team advanced to the next round of the Silver Division three versus three event under the rabid cheers of thousands.

 7.30

    ¡°They¡¯re screwing us, Dad!¡± Colin slammed the hotel room door shut.


    ¡°No luck on renting out shop space?¡± Luther lay on the bed. The left side of his body was a ruin of scorched metal, exposed wires and broken gears. The left sleeve of his shirt hung loose without the mechanical arm, as did the left leg of his pants without most of the mechanical leg. ¡°I figured¡­¡±


    ¡°Naw, that wasn¡¯t the problem. I went to a dozen different shops. They all would¡¯ve rented us time and space, but they would¡¯ve charged us both arms and both legs. Funny thing was they all said the same shit. Pricing was the same. It was like I was having the same conversation a dozen times.¡±


    Luther nodded.


    Gears whirred and power sources whined as he shifted slightly to relieve some of the pressure the hard sections on the left side of his torso placed on his fleshy parts.


    ¡°The slavers came by when you were gone. Same offer. We join up and swear an oath to the king they¡¯ll give us whatever we need to get me fixed up.¡±


    Colin cursed. ¡°Ain¡¯t no way we¡¯re signing up with slavers. No self-respecting Black man would.¡±


    ¡°I told them as much, like we did before. Second offer was to rent us space and equipment, plus sell us what we need.¡±


    ¡°Did the price go down?¡±


    ¡°Motherfuckers actually raised the price,¡± Luther sorted. ¡°They tell me that if we can¡¯t afford it then it¡¯s no problem. We can buy what we need on credit.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a new one. Let me guess? Twenty percent interest rate?¡±


    ¡°Higher.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit! They trying to do a debt trap.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re running out of options. I figure we have until the championships are over to get me fixed up enough that we can walk out of here and survive the trip back home. After that¡­¡± he sighed.


    ¡°They¡¯ll stop asking nicely,¡± Colin agreed. ¡°Sorry, Dad. Coming here was my idea.¡±


    ¡°Not your fault. It was worth the risks. Winning two fights got us the same amount of Universal Points we got this year doing the usual. I got a couple of free stat points and you got a few levels and a bonus Skill. I got stronger practically over night.¡±


    ¡°All that¡¯s worthless if we end up in those collars. We can¡¯t become slaves to these bastards.¡±


    ¡°What if we just play along until I¡¯m fixed up? What¡¯s stopping us from just walking away?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t think that¡¯ll work. They¡¯ll want you for fighting and me to maintain and upgrade you while I level. I¡¯ll be stuck here, probably under guard for the rest of my life while they send you out to kill monsters or capture slaves. They¡¯re insisting on an oath to the king. I¡¯d bet my left nut that¡¯s a Skill. Enforced obedience even without a collar. We¡¯ll be stuck here doing shit for these bastards until we die,¡± Colin said. ¡°Hell, I¡¯d bet my right nut that they¡¯ll want me to make more people like you.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s time to consider what she suggested.¡±


    ¡°The woman with the monster eyes? The one that put us in this position in the first place? That one?¡± Colin scowled.


    ¡°I signed up for the fight. She followed the same rules as me. She was just way out of my league.¡±


    ¡°True, but fuck her. She didn¡¯t need to cripple you and you want to listen to her?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re out of options,¡± he sighed.


    A knock on the door.


    ¡°You order room service?¡± Colin said.


    ¡°Nope,¡± he grabbed his pistol off the nightstand.


    ¡°Slavers don¡¯t come twice a day,¡± Colin nodded.


    Luther moved into a seated position.


    The damage caused by the mage with ten monster eyes caused gears to click and grind, power sources and motors to struggle and whine. Faint light glowed underneath his shirt.


    ¡°What do you see?¡± Colin drew the pistol tucked into the back of his pants.


    Luther¡¯s mechanical left eye whirred as he focused on the door. ¡°Big guy. Lots of heat. Electromagnetic signals mixed with magic energy.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t sound like the same guys,¡± Colin said.


    ¡°Be careful, son.¡±


    Colin cautiously approached the door with his pistol pointed forward and slightly down.


    Luther¡¯s arm was steady as a statue as his son gingerly looked through the peephole.


    Colin moved out of the door¡¯s center line and nodded back to him.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± Colin said.


    ¡°Um¡­ hey¡­ this is gonna sound weird, but I¡¯m here to maybe help you guys out,¡± the big man said.


    Luther nodded to his son.


    ¡°Alright, but drop those bags and step back against the wall with your hands up, palms open facing me,¡± Colin said.


    ¡°Okay¡­ just don¡¯t shoot me. It¡¯ll cause problems.¡±


    Colin opened the door.


    ¡°See¡­ no weapons in my hands,¡± the man said.


    Luther couldn¡¯t see past the doorway.


    Colin pulled the door open all the way, keeping his pistol trained at the man¡¯s feet. ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°Can we do this inside? I don¡¯t want the slavers knowing about this and I don¡¯t know how long they¡¯re going to be blind and deaf.¡±


    ¡°Bring him in, son,¡± he said.


    ¡°Can I grab my bags?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, whatever, but one shady move and I¡¯m blasting,¡± Colin said.


    His son backed into the room followed by the man.


    A big man, about the same height and frame as Colin, but in better apparent shape.


    His son was stout and carried extra weight around his midsection, which was deceptive.


    In the old days, Colin was just starting his college ball career as a lineman when the spires ruined everything.


    Colin moved around the man while Luther covered him.


    The door slammed shut.


    ¡°Talk,¡± he said.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ so, you¡¯ve talked to the old lady with the monster eyes, right?¡± the big man said.


    He nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯m the help she was offering.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like bullshit. You showing up just at the right moment,¡± Colin said.


    ¡°I know, but I was told to come here at this time and no, I can¡¯t say by who.¡±


    ¡°¡®Whom¡¯,¡± Luther muttered. ¡°Truth gem?¡± he eyed his son.


    Colin pulled a small diamond out of his pocket.


    ¡°You with the slavers?¡±


    ¡°Nope,¡± the big man shook his head, ¡°fuck those guys!¡±


    The diamond glowed a bright white.


    ¡°Uh¡­ is that the kind that lights up at the truth? Or a lie?¡±


    ¡°That was true,¡± Colin nodded without taking his eyes of the man.


    ¡°What do you want with us?¡±


    The big man seemed relaxed despite having two guns pointed at him.


    ¡°Like I said, I¡¯m here to help you¡­ if I can.¡±


    The diamond glowed.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what you want to do, but what¡¯re you hoping to get out of it. In my experience people don¡¯t just show up offering the world without wanting something just as big back,¡± he said.


    ¡°Fair question. Let me think¡­ uh¡­ basically, I¡¯m gonna try to help you regardless of what you say to the ask. Bottom line, we don¡¯t want you guys getting enslaved,¡± the big man shrugged.


    ¡°How the fuck are you even gonna help us?¡± Colin snapped.


    ¡°Check the left bag,¡± the big man suggested.


    ¡°Go ahead, I¡¯ve got him,¡± he said.


    Colin tucked his pistol into his pants before taking the bag and heaving it on the other bed with a grunt. He opened it and his eyes widened as he pulled out a metal tube. ¡°Is this titanium?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t ask me where it came from cause I don¡¯t know for sure. That is to say, the actual material. I know, vaguely, how it got machined into those parts in there.¡±


    ¡°Fuck me¡­ Dad. These look like just what we¡¯d need to get you moving,¡± Colin said. ¡°How¡¯d you get the specs?¡± his eyes narrowed at the big man.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    The gem on the other bed lit up.


    ¡°You¡¯re gonna have to do better than that,¡± he said. ¡°We ain¡¯t trusting some random good Samaritan.¡±


    ¡°Like I said, again, you don¡¯t really have to. Worst case scenario is I just leave that stuff and you guys can fix¡­ yourself¡­ and take your chances getting out of this city,¡± the big man shrugged.


    ¡°Best case?¡±


    ¡°I lend my magitech expertise to possibly make you better than before and I¡¯ll even through in a few surprises for the slavers when you attack them.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s your price? A suicidal attack?¡± he laughed.


    ¡°No. Definitely not. There¡¯s a plan. It¡¯s just that only one person has the whole thing. You and me, we¡¯re just waiting on instructions.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s stupid,¡± Colin said.


    ¡°It¡¯s been working so far.¡±


    ¡°What sort of plan?¡±


    ¡°Basically¡­ end slavery permanently, so that means getting rid of this place¡¯s power structure. Your role in that is to be determined later, from what I know¡­ but, you can also just take the stuff we made for you and do whatever you want.¡±


    The gem glowed.


    ¡°Thoughts?¡± he eyed his son.


    Colin grimaced. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure this stuff will put you back into optimum condition. But that¡¯s only one part of the problem. We¡¯d still be trapped in the middle of a city where everyone is going to do what they can to keep us here. It¡¯s long odds that we¡¯ll be able to get out.¡±


    ¡°Well, the whole ending slavery thing might help you out with that. It¡¯ll be easier to slip out in the chaos,¡± the big man said.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    ¡°And if we help you out, it¡¯ll add to the chaos. Your best case scenario means that we won¡¯t have to fight our way out. If you win? Free the slaves and kill all the higher ups¡­¡±


    ¡°Solves most of your problems,¡± the big man nodded. ¡°You¡¯ll also do a good thing and there¡¯s this massive multi-section Quest attached to the whole thing. Huge rewards. I¡¯m talking huge! If that¡¯s the sort of thing that moves your needle. Me personally, I¡¯m happy with putting an end to slavery.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s telling the truth,¡± Colin nodded at the glowing gem. ¡°Dad, this might be our only shot at staying free.¡±


    ¡°What do you want and be exact?¡± he regarded the big man.


    ¡°I¡¯m just repeating what I was told, by the person I can¡¯t answer any questions about. Basically, you¡¯ll probably be asked to hit slavers and maybe fight the Gold Division competitors that took the king¡¯s offer. At some point you¡¯ll get instructions and it¡¯s gonna be weird and out of nowhere, a voice in your head. If you¡¯re willing all you need to do is listen to it,¡± the big man said.


    Luther nodded.


    That didn¡¯t sound too weird.


    Sure, it would¡¯ve sounded insane before the spires, but he had seen plenty stranger since then.


    Colin shrugged.


    ¡°We won¡¯t be doing no suicide missions,¡± he said. ¡°And if we don¡¯t like the instructions we¡¯re taking our chances and getting out of this shithole.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough,¡± the big man shrugged. ¡°Before I can help you I¡¯m gonna need to ask about your classes and how this¡­¡± he waved a hand toward Luther, ¡°¡­ actually works.¡±


    ¡°Biomechanical Engineer. Most of my shit is devoted to making sure my dad works properly. Otherwise his body would reject all the parts I built,¡± Colin said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a class. I had a couple, but when¡­ this¡­ happened they went away,¡± he said.


    ¡°Thank you for sharing. I guess I should introduce myself before we get started, I¡¯m Jake from¡­ not here,¡± the big man grinned.


    ¡°¡®Luther Collins¡¯ and that¡¯s my son, ¡®Colin¡¯. Also not from around here.¡±


    ¡°Did you come up with ¡®Gearlok¡¯?¡± Jake said.


    ¡°It was that or ¡®Steamborg¡¯,¡± Colin said.


    ¡°That was all the slavers¡¯ idea. For marketing purposes according to them,¡± he said.


    Jake raised a brow at Colin. ¡°So, you¡¯re ¡®Colin Collins¡¯?¡±


    ¡°It was funny for about two weeks whenever I had to change schools,¡± Colin said. ¡°I¡¯m a grown-ass man, so it ain¡¯t funny no more,¡± he said flatly.


    ¡°Only if you don¡¯t have a sense of humor,¡± Jake said. ¡°But you do you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need your help installing these parts,¡± Colin said.


    Jake eyed the old, damaged parts on the desk. ¡°That looks like mostly steel. Hard to tell with all the scorch marks. The new stuff is probably heavier. I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re using as a power source, but there could be issues there.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s proprietary. My own design and build. It¡¯s basically a battery, chargeable through nearly anything, solar, electric, kinetic,¡± Colin said.


    ¡°Cool, cool,¡± Jake nodded. ¡°Good thing I brought mana batteries to power the surprises. Neither of you have any mana, so you¡¯ll have to find someone to recharge them when they run out or you can let the ambient mana in the environment soak into them, though that¡¯ll take a very long time. I¡¯m talking months, if not a year or two.¡±


    ¡°What are these surprises you keep talking about?¡± Colin frowned.


    ¡°Magitech¡­ that¡¯s sorta my deal, spells cast through technology. You want to shoot a lightning bolt out of your hand, I got you. You want a magic shield, I got you. You want to speed yourself with a Haste spell, I got you too. Plus a few more. I saw your fights. You¡¯re all conventional weapons. I can give you magical ones, if you want it?¡± Jake said.


    ¡°There¡¯s one huge problem you haven¡¯t mentioned,¡± Colin said. ¡°The slavers ain¡¯t going to standby and do nothing once they see my dad walking around. As far as they know he¡¯s jacked up and they¡¯ve made it impossible to get him fixed.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t ask me to explain, but I have it on good authority that all the surveillance they had on this room stopped mattering as soon as I walked into this hotel.¡±


    Luther stole a glance at the glowing truth gem.


    ¡°And once we¡¯re done¡­ well you¡¯ve got pants? You¡¯ve got shirts with long sleeves? They¡¯ll see you walking around they won¡¯t be able to do anything without attacking you outright. We figure they¡¯ll want to hold off on doing anything like that until after the championships are over,¡± Jake continued. ¡°You need ammo? I¡¯ve got a place you can go to.¡±


    ¡°What else can you do for us?¡±


    ¡°Well, Luther, I¡¯ve go ceramic plates to cover the titanium limbs if you want. I don¡¯t have anything for your cheek and jaw, but I did bring a magitech 3D printer,¡± Jake opened his other bag and pulled out a small device. He placed it on the dresser and pressed a button. It whirred to life and unfolded. What had been small enough to hold in one hand now covered three quarters of the dresser top. He took off the glove covering his right hand and wiggled artificial fingers. ¡°I¡¯ve got a lot of experience with prosthetics. And not just any prosthetics. It¡¯s almost as good as the real thing. Sometimes I forget. I¡¯ve replaced dozens of limbs for people over the years. Fingers, hands, feet, entire legs.¡±


    ¡°Holy shit!¡± Colin blinked. ¡°That¡¯s fucking awesome!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll share what I can in the limited time we¡¯ve got. And, assuming we all make it through this, I¡¯d extend an invite for you guys to come over to California. I think if we work together,¡± he nodded at Colin, ¡°we might be able to improve on the cool stuff you¡¯ve already done for your dad.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get started. I¡¯ve been laying in bed for too long,¡± Luther said.


    <hr>


    ¡°Oh my god! You¡¯re her! You¡¯re Rino! Can I have your autograph!¡± the little girl grabbed a card from the shelf, realized she didn¡¯t have a pen, ran down to the end of the aisle, tore open a pack and came back out of breath.


    Rino shrugged as she took the card and pen and scrawled her name.


    When was the last time she signed her name?


    She had to do reports for her official activities, but she just initialed those.


    ¡°Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You¡¯re so cool! Everyone is going to be so jealous! Can I take a picture with you!¡± the girl held out a fancy-looking phone. The kind that folded in the middle of the screen.


    Those had just been starting to come out back when the spires had showed up.


    That was the thing about magically refilling stores.


    It created a kind of stasis for human society of the early 2020¡¯s.


    You could get sixteen year old technology, brand new!


    All you needed was the right person with the right class and Skills to get the thing to start working. That wouldn¡¯t be too hard to do in a place like the slaver kingdom and its 1 million population.


    ¡°Sure! She¡¯d love to take a picture with an adoring fan!¡± Kare stuck her tongue out at Rino while taking the phone from the girl.


    ¡°You just have to touch the square on the screen!¡± the girl beamed up at Rino.


    She sighed bending down so that her head was level with the girl¡¯s.


    ¡°Okay! On three. One, two, three, cheese!¡± Kare¡¯s shit-eating grin triggered Rino, but she forced herself to ignore it.


    The girl smiled.


    Rino smiled¡­ barely.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ you can do better than that, Rino,¡± Kare tutted. ¡°One more time.¡±


    Her smile promised retribution.


    The girl didn¡¯t notice.


    She was thrilled at the chance encounter.


    Who would¡¯ve thought she¡¯d run into one of her favorites from the Freedom Championships while out grocery shopping with her mom?


    ¡°Thanks so much!¡± the girl hugged Rino around the waist.


    ¡°Uh¡­ yeah, thanks¡­ uh¡­ be good,¡± Rino said.


    The girl skipped off, clutching her phone and autographed card.


    ¡°You signed a condolence card,¡± Kare said.


    ¡°That fits. I aim to cause some deaths,¡± she growled.


    ¡°You think that girl¡¯s family owns slaves?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know. It was probably in the info packet the boss gave us.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ approximately one million total population. Roughly twenty-thousand enslaved people. Half that as soldiers in their army. You figure the rich nobles own a disproportionate number of enslaved. So, unless that girl was a noble, then odds are her family doesn¡¯t own any.¡±


    ¡°Bad luck for them then,¡± Rino shrugged. ¡°We¡¯ve seen plenty of enslaved working everywhere. All the stores, restaurants, shops, whatever. It¡¯s like five to one.¡±


    ¡°Depends on who owns the place. Small business owner or the king, like this place.¡±


    ¡°All I know is what I see and that¡¯s people in collars manning the registers and the hot foods section. They don¡¯t need to be doing any of that.¡±


    ¡°They have to create work to justify the need for essential workers,¡± Kare¡¯s pretty face twisted.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, let¡¯s get what we need and get back to the cart,¡± Rino pulled her hood over her head and put her head down. She didn¡¯t want to get recognized a second time.


    They found the liquor aisle and grabbed an armful each of champagne and wine.


    She¡¯d rather have a beer, but orders were orders.


    They followed their noses to the vegetable section where they met up with rest of their grocery shopping band.


    Del stared at the floor with head bowed and shoulders hunched.


    She smelled the sadness coming off the man.


    He had better get it together soon.


    Being depressed in the middle of enemy territory weeks away from action would get him and others dead or worse.


    Rebekah and Alexa consulted the list as they debated over the merits of one potato versus another while Oscar leaned against the nearly full cart with his chin resting on his hand.


    The young man looked bored and angry.


    That was something Rino could address.


    She snapped her fingers in his ear. ¡°You¡¯re not only here to push the cart and carry bags. You¡¯re here to fight if you have to. So, wake the fuck up and pay attention to your surroundings.¡±


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Oscar straightened and immediately oriented himself toward the front of the store.


    ¡°Hey, Del!¡± Kare skipped next to the man. ¡°What¡¯s going on with them?¡± she whispered with a nod toward Rebekah and Alexa. ¡°They look like they¡¯re having a serious discussion.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Oh¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Something about what kind of potatoes we need. It doesn¡¯t really matter anyways. We¡¯re making fries and roasting them.¡±


    ¡°But I thought some potatoes are better than others for certain things?¡± Kare said.


    ¡°Probably, I¡¯ve never really noticed,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°They need to hurry it up. I don¡¯t like being out for too long. It¡¯s giving them openings,¡± Rino scowled at the man as she strode past him. She wanted to tell him to get his shit together, but she knew that¡¯d only drive him deeper into the hole he had jumped in. ¡°Yo, ladies. It¡¯s potatoes. Just pick one and grab a bunch or grab a bunch of both, whatever, let¡¯s just get this done so we can get back. I don¡¯t like splitting up like this. We¡¯re exposed. They¡¯re exposed back at the hotel.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I was saying,¡± Rebekah frowned.


    Rino bristled at the implied challenge but tamped down on the feeling.


    Rebekah had done it instinctively not intentionally.


    ¡°I said we should just grab whatever,¡± Alexa rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Fine, then let¡¯s do that,¡± Rino grabbed a five pound bag of potatoes and flicked it over head.


    ¡°Got it!¡± Kare caught it in one hand before placing it in the cart.


    ¡°What about the mini potatoes?¡± Alexa said. ¡°They¡¯d be good for roasting.¡±


    Rino grabbed two bags and flicked them back to Kare who leapt to snatch them out of the air.


    ¡°We done?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Rino, we¡¯re done,¡± Alexa said.


    She narrowed her eyes at the other woman¡¯s flat stare. ¡°I¡¯ll check for ambush outside the store and make sure our ride isn¡¯t compromised,¡± she grunted.


    She passed the little girl on her way out.


    The girl waved excitedly.


    She forced a smile and waved back, but didn¡¯t stop.


    She sniffed the air and strained her ears.


    Outside was clear of potential threats.


    She marched right up to their slaver issued SUV and driver.


    She smelled the young man¡¯s fear as she approached the driver¡¯s side window.


    It slid down.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am¡­ uh¡­ what can I do for you?¡± the young man gulped.


    He was obviously a spy for the Slaver King, so she didn¡¯t show him any regard.


    She stared at him, unblinking.


    The driver¡¯s eyes darted to anywhere but her own.


    After what must¡¯ve felt like an eternity to the driver she grunted. ¡°Unlock the back. They¡¯re coming out with the supplies.¡±


    ¡°Right away, ma¡¯am!¡± he squeaked.


    She continued to stare at the driver until the rest of her team emerged from the grocery store and loaded their purchases.


    She took shotgun and continued to stare at the driver until they made it back to the hotel.


    ¡°You scared him so much,¡± Kare said.


    ¡°He¡¯s a spy. If he¡¯s terrified of me then he won¡¯t be paying as much attention to the rest of us.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I know. I was just making an observation. Hmmm¡­ where are you going to spend New Year¡¯s Eve?¡± Kare said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll stay with the Watch. They¡¯ll need me more than Doran in case the slavers try something.¡±


    ¡°You think they will?¡±


    ¡°They did that surprise inspection for a reason,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°Hey, um¡­¡± Oscar ventured, ¡°can I get some help with these?¡±


    The young man was burdened with most of the heavier bags as the other three had already made their way into the hotel leaving him at the curb.


    ¡°You know, cause, you guys are, like, superstrong.¡±


    Kare growled at him. ¡°That¡¯s not very gentlemanly of you to ask two ladies to carry heavy groceries, hmph!¡± she spun on her heel and flounced into the lobby.


    ¡°You paid attention?¡± she grunted.


    ¡°Er¡­ we had a car following us. Beige. Don¡¯t ask me what kind. And there are people watching us from, like, two of the cafe¡¯s across the street. And that guy reading the magazine in the lobby hasn¡¯t turned the page the whole time we¡¯ve been out here.¡±


    ¡°Good enough.¡±


    Rino lightened his burden, but only just enough.


    The young people these days had to stop looking to people like her to carry them.


    She wasn¡¯t going to be around forever.


    Before she followed Oscar to the elevator she detoured toward the man reading the magazine.


    ¡°Tell your bosses I don¡¯t like being watched,¡± she growled.


    The man stammered a denial.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother with the lies. I can smell them.¡±


    With that she stalked down the lobby and into the elevator that fortuitously opened with perfect timing.


    ¡°Uh¡­ not that I¡¯m questioning you¡­ but what was the point of that?¡± Oscar said.


    ¡°I¡¯m angry.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡±


    What she didn¡¯t say was that it was mostly because of the collars.


    Intellectually, the enslaved should¡¯ve been miserable, hopeless, angry and so on at the situation they were forced to endure.


    They didn¡¯t smell that way. They smelled happy, content.


    Even the ones where she could see and smell the abuse they suffered behind closed doors.


    The dissonance bothered her to her core.


    This place was fundamentally wrong.


    An aberration that needed to be cleansed from the world.


    And as the days went on that urge grew stronger.

 7.31

    Cal piled food on a plate, found the guy he was at the party for and sat down next to him.


    ¡°What¡¯s up, Del?¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± the man glanced over briefly before returning to stare listlessly at his food, ¡°nothing much,¡± he shrugged.


    Depression was a natural thing people had to suffer through.


    Normally, he wouldn¡¯t interfere beyond just being willing to lend an ear if wanted.


    The situation wasn¡¯t normal.


    The stakes were too high.


    He nudged Del just a little.


    ¡°I know we aren¡¯t close and we haven¡¯t talked much in the last couple of years. Anything you want to talk about?¡±


    ¡°Actually, yeah,¡± Del blinked. ¡°I¡¯m just struggling to see the point. Why am I here? I can help a little, but what does it matter? Even if things go great people are probably going to die and the ones that make through to see tomorrow will just have to live with the guilt while preparing and waiting for the next terrible thing. Monsters, fish people, the fog, demon animals and now, slavers. There¡¯s always something following the last horror. I¡¯m just, like, really tired of it all,¡± he sighed. ¡°And, yeah, I know¡­ I volunteered, but then how can I not, you know? Because if I don¡¯t the only people I have left will die and that means that I¡¯ve wasted the sacrifices of everyone else that died before. I¡¯ve wasted¡ª¡± he began to sob softly.


    He patted Del on the back and continued to listen.


    ¡°Keisha, Rory¡­ so many others¡­ I can¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°You feel like you have to do this or their deaths become meaningless? I don¡¯t think that¡¯s right and I don¡¯t think any of them would see it the same way. We need their deaths to mean something and to me¡­ I¡¯d like to think of that something as life. Us. Living. And you don¡¯t feel alive, from what you¡¯re saying.¡±


    Del nodded slowly.


    ¡°Then that is the true waste. Listen, I can take you out of here. Put you in Captain Butcher¡¯s ranger base camp outside of the city. It¡¯s not exactly safe and you¡¯ll still be involved in this Quest, but the being there won¡¯t carry the same risks as being here. Understand?¡±


    ¡°I know. I know that I¡¯m endangering the others, but I just can¡¯t leave them like that.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re here for a reason. You¡¯re important and losing you would hurt, but that¡¯s with you in the right frame of mind. Not like this.¡±


    ¡°Fuck! I know that. It¡¯s just been so hard,¡± Del shook his head, ¡°it¡¯s the time of year. Christmas, New Year¡¯s¡­ reminds me of loss. I had a huge family once. The holidays were always my favorite time of the year. We¡¯d always come together at my grandparents¡¯. All the uncles, aunts, cousins. Loud, great food and laughs. It¡¯s different for you. You didn¡¯t lose most of your family. You didn¡¯t lose everything. I had just graduated college. Had a great job lined up. Went to bed one night and lost it all when I woke up to a gremlin trying to bite my face off. It¡¯s like my whole life stopped then and there. Fuck! I¡¯m almost forty and I¡¯ve never fallen in love for real. I should have a loving family of my own right now. I always imagined marrying a great guy, having three wonderful children. Adoption or using a surrogate, it didn¡¯t matter. Just having children to share our love with was enough.¡±


    ¡°None of that is impossible¡­¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it, though? The world is full of monsters, human and not. How can I raise kids in that? How can I even find love? I could die at any moment. They could¡­ just like Rory. It was so stupid. The fishmen got both of us and it should¡¯ve been me,¡± Del sobbed. ¡°I never told anyone this. I don¡¯t even know why I¡¯m telling you. They were going to grab me for the torture, but Rory jumped them. He forced them to take him instead. And then he died. I heard his screams¡ª I never told him¡ª not that I could¡¯ve. He wasn¡¯t gay. There was nothing there. Just a stupid crush. After that¡­ I sorta just stopped¡­ living.¡±


    ¡°Your feelings matter and if he was a good friend he¡¯d have understood. If he was a good friend he wouldn¡¯t want his death weighing on you like this. It¡¯s been over six years and I know it¡¯s easier for me to say this than it is for you to accept it¡­ there is nothing wrong with moving on. You remember the people you lost. In continuing to live you honor them, their memory, their sacrifice. I¡¯d imagine you¡¯d feel the same way if fate had taken the other path and you were the one that died in those tunnels.¡±


    ¡°I know all of that on an intellectual level. Emotionally? I just can¡¯t. So, what should I do?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all up to you, man,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Get yourself back to your best mindset, easier said than done, and stay here. Or I take you to the rangers¡¯ camp if you think that¡¯s something you can¡¯t do within the next week. No one¡¯s going to judge you either way.¡±


    Del stared at his plate for a long time.


    Tears dried.


    Cal didn¡¯t touch his food, merely sat there.


    The others in the suite kept a respectful distance, but they had all listened in on the conversation.


    How could they have not?


    Some understood what Del was going through.


    After all, they¡¯d been there before.


    They had bled alongside him. Had lost the same people. Lost other people.


    Some days, weeks or months were good. Some weren¡¯t.


    It was a matter of pushing yourself through the bad times. They used the techniques that worked for them.


    Some didn¡¯t understand, but they didn¡¯t begrudge him the pain.


    He had proved himself in the past and they knew that he¡¯d prove himself in the future.


    Everyone went through tough patches, even if they didn¡¯t do it in the same way.


    If Del pulled himself together soon¡­ then good. They needed him.


    If he couldn¡¯t?


    Then it was a good thing that Cal was offering him a different path.


    ¡°I¡¯m staying. I¡¯ll get it together. I won¡¯t screw it up for anyone else,¡± Del said.


    ¡°If that¡¯s what you really want to do.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ it is.¡±


    He ate in silence next to Del slowly, subtly pulling the man out of the drowning depths.


    Rino caught his eye and nodded in approval.


    ¡°Dude, how much longer do we have to be here? It¡¯s been over a month and I¡¯m getting kinda tired of the slavery,¡± Trevor sat down next to him.


    ¡°A month at the longest. Three weeks at the earliest.¡±


    Alexa sat down across from him. ¡°So, now that we¡¯ve got you here. How about you tell us the whole plan? And none of that opsec crap,¡± she said.


    ¡°It¡¯s best that you don¡¯t see the whole picture.¡±


    ¡°In case they torture us for it,¡± Kare nodded sagely from where she and Rino stood at the kitchen nook.


    ¡°They¡¯re growing suspicious.¡±


    ¡°The surprise inspection in which they found nothing,¡± Hillary said.


    ¡°They won¡¯t find anything as long as you guys don¡¯t do anything too obvious. No yelling on the street corner about how you¡¯re here to free enslaved, that sort of thing.¡±


    Conversation ebb and flowed through dinner and desert.


    Demi cornered Cal in the kitchen as he was making himself a banana split.


    ¡°How¡¯s Hanna?¡± she said.


    ¡°Struggling a little mentally. Fine physically.¡±


    ¡°I have concerns.¡±


    ¡°Me too.¡±


    ¡°Do they involve your willingness to sacrifice people to succeed?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m number one on that list.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not reassuring.¡±


    ¡°It isn¡¯t supposed to be. We been through several of these things. I¡¯d like to think you¡¯ve got a good idea of how I operate.¡±


    ¡°Time and age have a way of wearing on a person. It¡¯s made me understand why people get more conservative as they get older. It¡¯s the fear, you see? We get closer to death, so we become more afraid of everything. You start looking for comfort wherever you can find it. You pray for the past that your memories make seem better than it probably was,¡± she said. ¡°Although, I¡¯ll rip anyone that says things are better now than they were before the spires a new asshole. That¡¯s a hill I¡¯m dying on.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m biased on that one. I¡¯ve been through some shitty things because of the spires, but I have powers, which helped me survive them. Sure, I suffered, but I¡¯m never truly powerless to do something about it in this world. Not like in the old world. So, good overall for me. Terrible for the billions that died. Terrible for those that suffered and continued to suffer. Then again, I could argue that human life was suffering for the vast majority of people. It was only really good for those that were lucky enough to be born in the right places and in the right classes. For the rest, there was no compassion or empathy. Their value lay strictly in what the upper classes could extract out of them,¡± he shook his head, ¡°kind of what I¡¯m doing with all of you, but I tell you and myself that it¡¯s for a good cause.¡±


    ¡°No one can argue with that. I only hope that you¡¯ll never forget that we aren¡¯t like you. What would you have done if no one volunteered? What if we all had told you to pound sand when you asked for help?¡±


    ¡°Plans would change, but the objectives would remain the same. Slavery existed before the spires. It was always a part of our world. It wasn¡¯t as openly done where we lived, but it was still there. Openly in other parts of the world, hidden in plain sight in our cities and towns. Or called something else to make us feel good about ourselves. There¡¯s a reason the constitution had an amendment that kept slavery legal as a punishment for crimes. People just couldn¡¯t help themselves. Profits over all.¡±


    ¡°None of that really matters anymore. There is no more America as a country.¡±


    He raised a brow. ¡°You didn¡¯t see those guys claiming to be from the real U.S. Government?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no. I know about them. They reached out to Rebekah. Had a chat with her. Made some noise about her and us owing them allegiance. As far as I¡¯m concerned they lost that right by hiding themselves in their bunkers and leaving the rest of us to survive on our own. If they¡¯re even telling the truth. Wouldn¡¯t be the first time a group tried to claim they were the legitimate Feds.¡±


    ¡°Rebekah was a soldier. What¡¯d she have to say?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s still with us, isn¡¯t she?¡± Demi nodded over to the woman seated on the couch chatting with Max. ¡°What¡¯s your take on it?¡±


    ¡°Same as yours,¡± he ate a spoonful, ¡°they¡¯ll want to return to the status quo pre-spires. That¡¯s simply impossible now. That society is dead and gone. Not with people being individually powerful enough to ignore things like the good old monopoly on force that the government had. Nor can they force people into working multiple, crappy jobs for crappy pay by holding basic necessities like four walls and a roof, food and medical care over their heads now that all of that is essentially free. I mean, they can try to force people to live how they want, like these slavers, but as long as I¡¯m around I¡¯ll have something to say and I don¡¯t intend to be nice or respectful about it. People should be free, as long as that freedom isn¡¯t oppressing others.¡±


    ¡°What happens if you get tired of doing stuff like that? What if you start thinking that the only way you can get some rest is to make people live how you want them to?¡±


    ¡°Because I don¡¯t want that kind of power. I don¡¯t like fighting other sapients. I¡¯d rather not fight at all. I wish I could use my powers to explore this world with my family. There are so many things I could be doing instead of this. Things like, finding Atlantis, seeing what¡¯s on the bottom of the Marianas Trench, finding out if there¡¯s something under the ice in Antarctica, is the Earth actually hollow, you know, stupid curiosity stuff. Hell, I can fly to the moon. Find out if there¡¯s an alien base. Although, the spires kinda make all that sound a little trite,¡± he shrugged. ¡°It¡¯d be enough if I could simply spend my days with my family traveling the world and experiencing all the natural and remaining man made wonders the world has to offer.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d settle for being able to retire one day,¡± Demi said.


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°You can. No one says you have to work till you die.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not simply work, is it? Watch Commander is my class. And a class is who you are. I¡¯m needed to keep people safe. To give my guys the best chance to survive so that one day they can retire.¡±


    ¡°Sure¡­ if that¡¯s what you want. Although, you aren¡¯t locked into that. Who you are changes, like you said, with time and other things. There¡¯s nothing saying that your role has to stay the same. It can change. It can remain valuable to others. When it starts dragging on you. When the weight on your shoulders begins to get too heavy. I¡¯d suggest you already have a succession plan in place. You¡¯d feel a lot better about it if you did. You can slowly share the burdens of command until you¡¯re truly ready to let them go.¡±


    ¡°Maybe one day¡­ but that¡¯ll only happen if we make it to that day and I¡¯m concerned about this Quest.¡±


    ¡°No lies, so am I.¡±


    ¡°But we¡¯re committed.¡±


    ¡°Not necessarily. If you ask, I¡¯ll take the Watch out of here. Like I told Del, I¡¯ll move you to the ranger camp outside of the city. You can stay there and play defense for the rest of this Quest.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯ll upend your plans.¡±


    ¡°Your sudden disappearance will cause the slavers to really pay attention and start looking. It will make the Quest more difficult to successfully pull off for everyone else.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not really giving us a choice then.¡±


    ¡°I mean this in the most sincere way possible¡­ I won¡¯t judge you for it.¡±


    ¡°Just tell me that the role you¡¯re having us play is vital to freeing these people.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have asked any of you in the first place if it wasn¡¯t. It¡¯s not enough just to free them. We need to make sure it can¡¯t be repeated.¡±


    ¡°I know I can¡¯t demand anything from you, but I will anyways,¡± she said. ¡°Don¡¯t waste our lives. I¡¯ve been at this long enough to know that nothing is guaranteed to us. If some of us do die, then make sure it matters or I will turn into an actual ghost and I will haunt the hell out of you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d hope that you wouldn¡¯t. Good people deserve to move on to whatever is next and not stick around this place. Besides, do you want some necromancer to enslave your ghost for eternity? Because that¡¯s a thing, not the ghost enslavement part, but the necromancer part. A few rangers got the class from the San Diego undead war. They¡¯re not summoning ghosts¡­ at least people¡¯s ghosts, but I can¡¯t say that it¡¯ll be the same for other necromancers that lack good moral and ethical foundations.¡±


    ¡°Keep an eye on Hanna. She¡¯s alone out there. Don¡¯t hang her out to dry if things go bad,¡± she said.


    He nodded.


    Demi wasn¡¯t entirely convinced, but he couldn¡¯t say the words because he couldn¡¯t guarantee it.


    The Quest took priority.


    Thousands of enslaved people¡¯s lives hung in the balance.


    Many thousands more if the slavers were allowed to continue their existence.


    What was one life weighed against that?


    Even if it was someone he had fought beside for years. One of the few people he had learned to trust.


    The best he could tell himself was that he¡¯d put his own life first on the chopping block before the others.


    He knew that the watch commander wouldn¡¯t be happy to hear that.


    So, he remained silent and focused his attention on his banana split.


    It didn¡¯t taste good.


    Not anymore.


    The guilt led him to interfere with their natural thoughts.


    He eased their worries so that, at least for the night, their anxiety for themselves and for each other seemed like distant things pushed to the backs of their minds where they became less real.


    For the first time since they set out for the slaver kingdom their minds were at ease.


    When it was time for him to leave he left one last present.


    Their dreams would be warm, happy ones and they¡¯d wake refreshed.


    <hr>


    Jayde screamed.


    She sat up and started punching the air, punctuating the loud explosions that rattled the bedroom windows.


    ¡°What kind of moron schedules the finals on New Year¡¯s?¡± she snarled.


    Hayden snored like a bear from the other bed¡­ or like train rumbling down a tunnel.


    Jayde was used to that.


    The fireworks reminded her too much of battle.


    The door swung open.


    Dayana.


    A flick of the wrist.


    Something soft hit her face.


    ¡°The fu¡ª¡± she peered at a small plastic bag through blurry eyes.


    ¡°Use them!¡± Dayana snapped before slamming the door shut.


    Two soft squishy things.


    ¡°Oh¡­ yeah,¡± she muttered.


    They had ear plugs.


    Shrugging, she tore the packet open and stuffed her ears.


    She fell back onto her pillow and was snoring within minutes.


    <hr>


    Jackson Stephens, police officer, formerly of the Miami PD, which had ceased to exist in the weeks after the spires since it turned on itself. Some officers saw the apocalypse as a chance to remove the thin veneer they hid behind to become worse than the actual monsters. Some went the other way. They fought the monsters. Most did what came naturally to humanity. They tried to take care of their own families and friends.


    Jackson had been part of the latter group.


    He had been a young rookie back then. His oldest was just a few months old. Only a little older than his marriage.


    And thus he had survived to the present day alongside his family.


    The majority of the former two groups had died long ago.


    Jackson Stephens, police officer, king¡¯s guardian.


    Husband and father.


    Slavemaster.


    And here he was again, having to interrupt family time on New Year¡¯s Eve for a murder.


    The king¡¯s investigator, a man by the name of Benoit had sent a message for Jackson to meet him outside a home.


    ¡°What¡¯s this about?¡± Jackson eyed the one dark home on the block. Light shined from the rest and he could hear the sounds of people enjoying family time as he should¡¯ve been.


    The sound of distant fireworks filled the night sky.


    He was supposed to light some with his kids and wife.


    Nothing big, sparklers, a few roman candles and tiny firecrackers.


    ¡°This is inside your area of responsibility as a guardian, isn¡¯t it? Or did I make a mistake?¡± Benoit said.


    He only knew the investigator in passing.


    He wasn¡¯t familiar enough with Benoit to know if the man was being a smart ass.


    ¡°Yeah, it is. So, why¡¯d you call me out here.¡±


    ¡°Your responsibility and manpower,¡± Benoit gestured toward the dark house. ¡°I might¡¯ve tracked that murderer that did in that orgy on Christmas.¡±


    Jackson paled in the dim street light.


    He remembered the scene.


    The slaughter.


    And this stupid investigator called him out here with only a handful of slave officers to keep them both safe.


    ¡°I need to get in there to pick up the next piece of the puzzle, but it¡¯s looking mighty dark and my inquisitive Skills are telling me that I don¡¯t want to be walking up in there with only one slave bodyguard,¡± Benoit gestured to the brawny, collared man flanking him protectively.


    ¡°I only brought five of my officers!¡±


    ¡°Thought you¡¯d have more with you,¡± Benoit nodded. ¡°I can wait while you holler for more.¡±


    Jackson made the call and within ten minutes had 15 slave officers to add to his original 5.


    ¡°This is your thing. What do you want me to order them to do?¡± he said.


    ¡°That there house belongs to Lord Stuart¡¯s money man¡ª¡±


    ¡°The king already warned the lords that they¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t interrupt me, son,¡± Benoit chided. ¡°You always do what your daddy told you when you were young?¡±


    ¡°Just get to the point.¡±


    ¡°Them lords will nod and tell the king what he wants to hear while going right behind his back. You think Lord Stuart¡¯s just gonna let it go? Someone carved up his youngest boy like a Sunday Turkey. That demands a response and now that someone¡¯s coming after the rest of his people¡­¡±


    ¡°You think Lord Reagan¡¯s behind this?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t rightly know, but I aim to find out. So, send in a couple of your slaves. I want them to trip any traps or ambushes in that there dark, foreboding home¡­ but tell them to do their best not to step or touch anything. I need any evidence that might be in there to be in decent shape to stay on the trail.¡±


    Jackson regarded the house.


    It seemed to warn him off.


    A shiver went up his spine and he had the sudden urge to turn around.


    He should¡¯ve been at home embracing his wife and kids.


    Instead, he took a deep breath and addressed his slave officers. ¡°George, Herbert¡­ you heard the man.¡±


    ¡°Yes, master.¡±


    The two dark-skinned men gave him that eerie smile and saluted.


    They readied their weapons and quickly approached the front door, which was, fittingly, ajar.


    ¡°You ever envy that?¡± Benoit said.


    ¡°What?¡± his focus had been strictly on his two slaves as they entered the house.


    ¡°The lack of fear. Sometimes I get jealous. Then I remember that they¡¯re slaves and I¡¯m not,¡± Benoit gave a crooked smile.


    He remained silent.


    What kind of stupid question was that?


    Of course he didn¡¯t envy them.


    They were slaves.


    Who in their right mind would think that was a desirable situation to be in?


    Better them than him or his family.


    That was for sure.


    Time seemed to pass with the agonizing pace of an old, decrepit tortoise trying to cross a baking desert road.


    ¡°No explosions, no screams¡­ should be alright,¡± Benoit said.


    ¡°Wait for them to come back.¡±


    The last thing he needed was for a king¡¯s investigator to get killed while he was with him.


    He kept a low profile for a reason.


    Nothing good came out of getting dragged into the king¡¯s and nobles¡¯ notice.


    Guardian Captain of a precinct was the highest position he had aspired to.


    High enough to give his family a good and safe life.


    Not too high that they¡¯d get entangled in all the bullshit.


    The two slave officers emerged from the home.


    ¡°What did you see?¡±


    ¡°Deceased male in the master bedroom, suspended from the ceiling with ropes,¡± George said.


    ¡°Essential employees?¡± he frowned. The main financial adviser to one of the top lords would have servants and guards. If not his own, then definitely on loan from the lord.


    ¡°None present,¡± Herbert said.


    ¡°Well, I suppose I need to go take a look at the body,¡± Benoit sighed. ¡°You mind?¡± he gestured toward the dark, yawning void that was the open doorway.


    ¡°George, Herbert, accompany Investigator Benoit. Protect him, follow his commands.¡± He addressed the rest of his slaves, ordering them to establish a perimeter around the house before entering it himself.


    The investigator had turned the lights on.


    It made things better, but Jackson still couldn¡¯t shake the crawling sensation along his spine.


    ¡°Well¡­ shit,¡± Benoit said as the two of them stared at the dead body through the doorway.


    Just like the slaves had said it was suspended from the ceiling with ropes.


    ¡°Is he¡­?¡±


    ¡°Captain Stephens, I do believe he is supposed to be in the middle of some sort of sexual act. It¡¯s the only reason that could go toward explaining why there¡¯s a string holding his little member up,¡± Benoit said. ¡°As to the why? I haven¡¯t the faintest clue¡­ except¡­ perhaps there isn¡¯t a reason. It¡¯s just one big mockery.¡±


    ¡°Of him? Lord Stuart?¡±


    ¡°Of¡­ everyone¡ª¡± Benoit¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Danger sense,¡± he hissed, ¡°get the rest of your slaves in here, now! They need to protect us!¡±


    ¡°What¡ª¡±


    Before he could say more the lights flickered and died.


    An unnatural silence descended over them.


    He drew his pistol silently cursing having left his heavier weapons in the truck.


    He had grown too secure.


    ¡°What is this?¡± Benoit whispered.


    The shadows on the walls danced as if alive.


    Everything he saw had a crimson tint to it. As though splashed with blood.


    Death to the masters.


    A hushed whisper in his ear made him spin, pistol forward.


    The shadows on the bedroom wall giggled at him.


    ¡°Do something, boy!¡± Benoit huddled behind his big bodyguard.


    ¡°Cover the hallway!¡± he shouted at the man. ¡°Herbert, check under the bed. George, the bedroom.¡± He covered the entryway into the master bathroom. He¡¯d send one of his slaves to check it once they were done. ¡°You! I order you to Cease and Desist!¡±


    No collar, no orders, the whisper giggled in his ears.


    This time he didn¡¯t fall for it, he kept his eyes and pistol aimed into the master bathroom.


    ¡°Under my authority as Guardian Captain appointed by the king, I hereby, place you Under Arrest! You will immediately show yourself and comply!¡±


    Not my king. Not your authority. No authority. No command¡­ all slavers die,¡± the voice whispered in his ear.


    He grabbed his control rod, felt the reassuring warmth and raised his voice. ¡°Code Blue! All units on me¡ª¡± his eyes widened as something sharp and hot kissed his lower back slipping up and under his armored vest.


    A small hand grabbed his forehead and pulled his head back with surprising strength.


    ¡°You should¡¯ve stayed for the fireworks.¡±


    A blade caressed his exposed throat.


    He tried to shout, but only a wet gurgle came out.


    ¡°No more fireworks with the kids. No more daddy for the kids. Collars for the kids? The wife?¡± the voice teased. ¡°Never know¡­ happy New Year, Guardian Captain Jackson Stephens. Bad luck that the investigator was sharper than most. Just a few minutes later and I would¡¯ve missed you.¡±


    The last sight in Jackson¡¯s vision was the blood-red shadows dancing on the walls.


    The last sound was the desperate scream of Investigator Benoit.


    The last thing he felt was the hot lifeblood flowing down his chest as he fell.


    Jackson Stephens didn¡¯t feel his face slam into the hardwood floor.

 7.32

    Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida, New American Republic, January 1, 2037


    ¡°Any last words, Lanny?¡± Chip said.


    ¡°I think I¡¯ve said all I¡¯ve wanted to, Chip,¡± Lanny replied.


    ¡°Then it¡¯s time to give the fans what they want. What they¡¯ve been waiting for since day one of the Freedom Championships! All the analysis and predictions by our expert analysts are in. The teams are inside their locker rooms getting ready to come out to the arena field. It¡¯s all been leading up to this moment. Two teams remain out of the original eight. Only one will leave the field today with their arms raised. For the losers, the knowledge that they were so close to the mountain top. For the winners, victory and all the glory and riches that comes with it. We are proud to bring you the final match of the Gold Division three versus three competition. The Furies versus the Heartfuries! Who will claim the name? Tune in and find out right after this short break!¡± Chip said.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait! It feels just like the Superbowl!¡± Lanny grinned. ¡°Kids, ask anyone over forty and they¡¯ll tell you what I mean.¡±


    The screen went black for a moment before cutting to a man in a dark purple robe, he flipped his hood to reveal a red devil mask. Eerie chanting echoed in the background. A scream. Sobs.


    ¡°Hello, citizens of the New American Republic. I am Mammon, inner council of the Cabal. Do you think you have what it takes to delve into the mystical arts? Arts brought here by an immortal being from another world. If you do, come join us. For a small fee you can be initiated into our mysteries. Gain power beyond imagining! Take the very reins of the world into your hands!¡±


    <hr>


    The dark tunnel shook with the combined strength of nearly one hundred thousand people stomping and cheering.


    ¡°Remember, winning isn¡¯t a hundred percent necessary,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it though?¡± Jayde¡¯s face scrunched up.


    ¡°No, it isn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but, actually, if we win then we get to, like, sit at the table closest to the king¡¯s table at that post-championships dinner celebration thing,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Coming in second will get us close enough,¡± Dayana said, ¡°Hayden, help me out here. I thought this was settled?¡±


    ¡°Look, I¡¯m just saying that winning will give us huge rewards. The spires dropped that extra good stuff. We¡¯re going to need everything we can get for later,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°I¡¯m starting to think those weirdos that say the spires can think are right,¡± Hayden mused. ¡°It¡¯s almost like they knew that we weren¡¯t going to go for it so they dropped those last minute extra rewards on us just to force us to try harder.¡±


    ¡°Exactly!¡± Jayde said. ¡°An extra level on top of what¡¯s already been offered! A flat ten percent increase to my max mana and your max stamina! An extra Skill or spell that¡¯s supposed to be a higher tier? Hayden¡¯s getting an extra five distributable stat points! And a flat twenty percent increase to her electricity power¡¯s max output! These things are too good to pass up! Think of the main Quest. Odds of success goes up alongside our strength.¡±


    ¡°It does represent potentially years of hard work condensed down to one fight,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°What about keeping our true strength hidden?¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°The boss hasn¡¯t contacted us to warn us off it or anything. That means, according to the plan, we can do what we want,¡± Jayde pointed out. ¡°Plus, we win and we take our name back. I heard that¡¯s a rule.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about that. They can keep it¡­ but, I want those new rewards. It¡¯ll make us a lot stronger, practically overnight,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Our actual Quest¡­¡± Dayana tried, but her tone had wavered into uncertain territory as the conversation continued.


    ¡°You can¡¯t argue that us getting almost instantly stronger will only make our success more likely,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°And it doesn¡¯t matter if we go all out. As long as we win, we pick up new ultimate abilities,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°We won¡¯t know how to use them effectively without a lot of practice and training,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Yo, that¡¯s like an easy problem to fix,¡± Jayde sighed. ¡°Quit trying to find holes. All them downsides aren¡¯t that bad and they¡¯re definitely not even worth considering with all the upsides. Right, Hayden?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Dayana, but I¡¯m with Jayde on this one¡­¡±


    ¡°Wow¡­ such a ringing endorsement,¡± Jayde snorted. ¡°Try not to look so defeated by it,¡± she chuckled. ¡°Right, so that¡¯s settled then? We¡¯re going to go all out.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Okay¡­ I¡¯m all in too,¡± Dayana nodded. ¡°We need to change the fight plan. Let¡¯s get these chicks out of there quick.¡±


    ¡°Death from above?¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Sounds good, but which one do I take out first?¡± Dayana said. ¡°Not the lightning one. Hayden¡¯s partially immune to magic electricity. So, that¡¯d be a waste.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯d be the one in red, Alecto, right?¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°Unless they change up the color scheme¡­ that¡¯s what I¡¯d do. Mix it up randomly, keep everyone guessing,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°They haven¡¯t yet. And the surprise will only last until they use their abilities,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°The fire pillars are slow enough that we can just jump out of the spell circles. That¡¯s Megaera, the one in blue. So, I vote for taking the cold aura one, Tisiphone,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°She¡¯s in green,¡± Dayana nodded. ¡°That aura was pretty effective against that invisible skull mask guy. I¡¯m pretty sure it¡¯ll be just as effective against me.¡±


    ¡°So, her first, followed by the fire one, then lightning,¡± Jayde said. ¡°I¡¯ll set up death from above for you,¡± she nodded at Dayana, ¡°while throwing up some distractions for them. Hayden, you stand there and maybe get the lightning one to throw a few of those discs your way,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°I¡¯ll spread us out some,¡± Hayden said.


    The motors powering the sliding iron gate whirred to life with the great groaning sound of the chains protesting against the strain.


    ¡°Helmets on,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°It¡¯s go time!¡± Jayde clapped. ¡°Heartfuries!¡± she whooped.


    They strode out of the dark tunnel and into a cacophony of cheers and jeers rained down upon by the tens of thousands in attendance.


    Jayde grinned and flashed the crowd a two-fingered salute.


    Over a hundred yards away on the other end of the arena their opponents emerged from the tunnel with eyes only for them.


    A brief thought flashed through Hayden¡¯s mind.


    What was their story?


    How had they gotten to this point in life?


    The search for power didn¡¯t spring forth out of nothing.


    What drove those three women?


    How much did they have in common?


    None of that mattered in the moment.


    The only thing she cared about was victory.


    For the fight, for the greater Quest.


    Failure meant death or worse as these things tended to go.


    Her and her friends had been lucky so far in continually coming out of horrible fights alive and stronger when so many others had fallen along the wayside.


    She thought of Kath and the Hearts.


    Their legacy she carried.


    The spark that drove her forward more than even the source of her electric power.


    ¡°Focus on the moment,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°I am now.¡±


    ¡°Just in time too,¡± Jayde pointed at the countdown hovering above the stadium in huge, glowing numbers, ¡°pulling out the big magic for this, aren¡¯t they?¡±


    Hayden frowned.


    Her mind had completely wandered. So much so that she had missed the announcer¡¯s introductions and hyping up the crowd, not that it needed any.


    Tens of thousands of people united in a near-froth for excitement and blood.


    ¡°We rush them,¡± Dayana said. ¡°I¡¯ll be ready for the launch.¡±


    ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll hit them with the distraction first. Then send you up,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go wide to the right and try to circle around to their flank or rear depending on how they decide to start things,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go left in that case,¡± Jayde said.


    The countdown hit zeroes and they sprinted forward just like the other team.


    At 50 yards apart Jayde skidded to a stop and punched the ground casting a small wall of mixed earth and stone out of the arena¡¯s dirt floor.


    It forced the Furies to split their tight formation.


    Two went right, while the last member, green-clad Tisiphone stumbled to the left.


    With her other fist Jayde punched the ground and launched Dayana up high into the air with a small pillar of dirt that crumbled as it shot up at an angle toward Tisiphone.


    Dayana scattered a spread of smoke grenades down. Then switched to her assault rifle firing several bursts before flickering and disappearing from sight.


    She reappeared a second later behind Tisiphone slicing low with her long knife.


    The green-clad Fury hissed as she fell hard on her knees both hamstrings cut.


    She turned and lashed out with a whip sheathed in frost.


    Dayana flickered behind the Fury and brought her bloody blade around to press it against the Fury¡¯s neck. ¡°Tap out,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°You can¡¯t kill me,¡± Tisiphone chuckled, ¡°it¡¯s against the rules.¡±


    ¡°Cutting your throat won¡¯t kill you right away,¡± she drew her blade across the woman¡¯s neck. Lightly, not too deep.


    Tisiphone clutched the sudden red smile on her neck.


    Dayana flickered to avoid the rapid stream of fiery bolts from Megaera.


    The blue-clad Fury forced her farther away while Tisiphone murmured.


    ¡°You okay?¡± Megaera said as she reached her teammate¡¯s side. She lashed her flame-covered whip menacingly toward Dayana and Jayde.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Tisiphone rasped. She moved her hand from her neck to reveal an ice covered wound. ¡°Can¡¯t move,¡± she gestured toward the ice-covered slices in her hamstrings.


    ¡°You don¡¯t move much anyways,¡± Megaera said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡­ the black one is too quick¡­ I¡¯ll try¡­ catch Punchy¡­ freezing circles,¡± Tisiphone said.


    ¡°What are they saying?¡± Jayde said.


    The two Furies¡¯ lips where moving, but the crowd noise made it impossible to hear their words.


    ¡°Watch your feet. She¡¯s going to try to get you in one of her frozen circles,¡± Dayana had read their lips. ¡°Tch, should¡¯ve used Bleed.¡±


    ¡°Watch out!¡± Jayde punched the ground.


    An earthen wall sprang to life eating the blue-white beam from Tisiphone¡¯s outstretched hand.


    Ice and frost crystallized on the surface of Jayde¡¯s wall.


    They glanced down at the red-orange magic circle underneath their feet.


    ¡°Shit! Move!¡± Dayana shoved Jayde out of the circle before diving.


    Flame shot out of the ground like a pillar reaching for the sky.


    The heat singed their exposed faces like standing too close to a forge fire.


    ¡°Give me a shield!¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Here you go!¡± Jayde slapped her.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to see about putting the ice one out for real,¡± she peeked around the earthen wall pulling her head back quickly to avoid the lancing blue-white beam. ¡°The fire one can¡¯t get too close to her because of that cold aura.¡±


    ¡°You sure?¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°I think so,¡± Dayana nodded. ¡°I just need to move quickly enough to get back into knife fight range. I¡¯ll stab the shit out of her until she gives up or the refs decide it¡¯s enough.¡±


    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    ¡°Good luck! I¡¯ll stay here and try not to get burned. Shi¡ª!¡± Jayde scrambled to avoid getting cooked by the second pillar of flame. ¡°I hope Hayden¡¯s doing better.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t see what was happening on the other side of the arena through all the smoke.


    Hayden powered through the disk of whirling magic lightning.


    She was immune to mundane electricity while only being partially immune to the magical kind.


    Thus, she got a small taste of her own medicine as her body momentarily seized up. Muscles spasmed painfully for a split-second as the magic coursed through her body.


    The red-clad Alecto lashed out with a whip crackling with arcs of magic.


    Hayden raised her arm to block.


    Steel was a good conductor, but that went both ways.


    She willed the electricity within her to pulse out with violence.


    Magical and mundane warred on the surface of her body.


    Neither proved dominant, achieving a sort of stalemate that allowed her to continuing sprinting forward with only a little pain.


    She got in range and drew her custom taser.


    A squeeze of the trigger sent the tiny barbs flying into Alecto.


    She sent a pulse of electricity down the trailing wires, into the barbs, into Alecto¡¯s body.


    The woman jerked and spasmed.


    Huh? Hayden thought. You cast lightning magic, so you should have some kind of immunity, but apparently not enough to shrug me off. Are you only immune to your own? Or only to the magical kind? Her helmet hid her feral grin. Let¡¯s find out.


    She poured enough electricity to down an elephant through the wires as she closed the distance.


    Alecto fell to the ground sending up a cloud of dust with her convulsions.


    ¡°Give up or I keep shocking you.¡± Hayden looked down at the sudden orange glow beneath her boots. She jumped back losing her taser wires to a pillar of intense flame.


    Alecto gasped with a laugh fixing Hayden with a smirk before vanishing.


    Only to reappear behind Jayde with a burst of lightning that fried the magic shield around her body.


    The woman had made a bit of a mistake.


    She had failed to take Jayde out with the burst as she had clearly expected to, which left her unprepared for the counter.


    Jayde threw a lazy jab into Alecto¡¯s breastplate.


    Fireball from someone over Level 40 was the bundle of dynamite to the firecracker that was fireball from someone under Level 10.


    Alecto was momentarily swallowed by the explosion of fire and smoke before being sent tumbling across the arena floor.


    Jayde winced.


    Some of the woman¡¯s limbs looked to be bending the wrong directions.


    Meanwhile, Hayden sprinted in an erratic pattern trying to avoid the barrage of fire Megaera shot at her.


    ¡°That¡¯s it, Sparky! Zigzag! Zigzag!¡± Jayde called out. ¡°Now¡­ what to do? What to do?¡±


    Tisiphone knelt in the middle of a frozen zone shooting beams of freezing cold at the flickering Dayana trying to get closer.


    ¡°That¡¯s gonna be a pain¡­¡±


    Jayde made a decision. She slapped another magic shield around her body before heading toward Megaera. With luck the blue-clad Fury would be too intent on burning Hayden to notice the attempted back attack.


    The heat from the billowing tongues of flame stole the air from Hayden¡¯s lungs.


    ¡°Give up or I¡¯ll burn your flesh off!¡± Megaera said. ¡°They might be able to heal you, but take it from me, it¡¯ll be an agonizing time either way. You don¡¯t want that pretty face of yours ruined, do you?¡±


    ¡°Back attack, bitch!¡± Jayde, propelled forward by a pillar of crumbling earth, punched the blue-clad woman. Her fist rang against the steel helm creating ice that quickly encased the woman¡¯s entire head. ¡°Best surrender before you¡ª¡± she slapped the woman all over her body creating more ice, ¡°die¡­ of¡­ uh¡­ no oxygen. Seriously, tap out. I left your one arm free for that. C¡¯mon,¡± she circled the mostly-frozen statue to stare into the woman¡¯s face, ¡°do you really want to risk leaving it up to the refs. These assholes are a bloodthirsty lot and they might leave it too late. I heard you can get real brain damage from being without air for just a few seconds.¡±


    Megaera face grew bluer by the moment, glaring through the ice. Her free hand thrust a spray of fire forcing Jayde to dive.


    The blue-clad woman turned her own fire on herself slowly melting the magically-created ice.


    ¡°Hardcore,¡± Jayde muttered. She didn¡¯t like people that were as crazy as she pretended to be.


    ¡°Watch up!¡± Hayden called.


    Jayde blinked.


    Shouldn¡¯t that be ¡®watch out¡¯.


    On instinct she looked up.


    A swallowed curse then iron in her mouth as she tasted her own blood from biting her tongue.


    Her body seized and convulsed as lightning coursed through her.


    Magical lightning in the shape of large disk had appeared a few feet above her head.


    Out of which dropped the red-clad woman.


    Hand on Jayde¡¯s helmet, Alecto grinned. ¡°Same to you. Best surrender before the lightning fries your brain.¡±


    Jayde saw nor heard anything beyond the pain and the slight stench of burned ozone. She couldn¡¯t move. Couldn¡¯t have tapped out even if she wanted to.


    The pain felt eternal.


    Until it wasn¡¯t.


    Jayde collapsed to the dirt like a puppet without strings as Hayden tackled Alecto.


    She let the electricity in her body surged as she grappled with the other woman.


    Alecto tried to jam a thumb through her helmet¡¯s eye slits.


    She twisted her head and heard the woman¡¯s hiss along with the thumb breaking.


    Electricity as a superpower versus magical lightning.


    An age old question that the nerdiest mages she knew had always tried to debate and test with her.


    A stupid pursuit that she¡¯d never bothered with.


    Perhaps, that had been a mistake.


    Alecto¡¯s magic lightning warred with Hayden¡¯s power.


    Each displayed an incomplete resistance to the other as both struggle to keep their muscles from spasming.


    Smoke wafted from their bodies as they wrestled on the ground and tried to out electrocute each other.


    Somehow, amidst the gouging and elbowing, Hayden ended up on Alecto¡¯s back.


    She cinched her legs around the woman¡¯s waist.


    ¡°Should¡¯ve worn a full chest piece,¡± Hayden hissed as she slipped an arm underneath Alecto¡¯s neck, ¡°and neck armor,¡± she squeezed.


    Alecto tried and failed to pull Hayden¡¯s arms off.


    Hayden focused her electricity to her arms causing the muscles to lock up.


    Alecto¡¯s magic weakened as she lost air.


    ¡°Tap or go¡ª¡± she felt the woman go limp. She kept the hold. It could¡¯ve been a trick.


    ¡°Alecto is out!¡± the announcer¡¯s voice rang through the arena drowning out the roaring crowd.


    ¡°Let her go!¡± a squad of mages in the zebra-stripped shirts of a ref descended from out of nowhere.


    Hayden complied and pushed the limp woman off her.


    ¡°Stand aside!¡±


    She stood and looked for her next target as the refs levitated up and away with the unconscious, but still breathing Alecto.


    ¡°Super-powered lightning, one¡­ magic lighting, zero,¡± Jayde jogged over.


    ¡°Electricity.¡±


    ¡°Whatever¡­ let¡¯s go double-team Fire Fury.¡±


    Hayden glanced over to the woman, Megaera, only just freeing herself from the ice.


    Then she glanced over to the other end of the arena where Dayana and Tisiphone battled.


    ¡°I see a solution,¡± she said.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ I do to. Same as earlier?¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Yeah, on thr¡ª¡±


    An orange-red light shined up from the ground.


    ¡°Oh shit! Move!¡± Jayde dived to the right.


    Hayden went left.


    Megaera, free of the ice, held hands out to them like talons, face twisted like an enraged tiger.


    The pillar of flame stole the air from the lungs and the sound from their ears.


    Jayde beckoned urgently as more pillars erupted from the ground forcing them to keep scrambling.


    The one good thing was that there was delay between the magic circle appearing and the magical fire shooting up.


    The two women wove their way through a forest of burning pillars that seemed to appear as fast as they dissipated.


    ¡°Mage Shield,¡± Jayde slapped Hayden on the chest, hard. ¡°For the landing.¡±


    ¡°Right, on three,¡± she nodded and readied herself, knees slightly bent, ready to absorb the sudden force. ¡°One¡ª¡±


    That orange-red light shined up into her eyes.


    ¡°No time. Three!¡± Jayde punched the ground before throwing herself out of the fiery circle.


    Hayden left her stomach on the ground as Jayde¡¯s earth pillar launched her into the air just ahead of Megaera¡¯s fiery one.


    The heat licked at her boots making the magic shield flicker.


    Hayden swallowed a curse.


    She needed it or the landing was going to hurt in a more permanent manner.


    ¡°Dayana!¡± she called down. ¡°Switch!¡±


    Dayana gave no indication that she had heard, but nonetheless she flickered and vanished from where she was shooting at Tisiphone.


    The green-clad woman looked up and locked eyes with Hayden.


    Bitter cold. Colder than anything she had ever known suddenly assaulted her.


    It stole her breath.


    Formed frost on her lashes.


    Ice crept along her body causing the magic shield to flicker and finally fail.


    Shit.


    The ice began to form on her armor and sting the exposed skin on her face and fingers.


    She flared her electricity, pushing her internal temperature dangerously high, melting the ice faster than it could form.


    The problem was the landing.


    Without the Jayde¡¯s shield all she could do was try to roll and disperse the force.


    She was stronger and tougher than she looked, but landing from over a few hundred feet away wasn¡¯t within her tolerances.


    Nothing left, but to¡ª


    She landed on her feet and rolled forward.


    The stabbing pain up her right leg told her that it hadn¡¯t worked enough.


    She rolled, then slid across the ice.


    Good thing that Jayde had good aim.


    She headed straight toward the green-clad woman.


    Tisiphone lashed that whip of hers.


    Hayden raised an arm and took it on her steel bracer.


    Ice burned as quickly as it formed.


    Tisiphone thrust a hand toward her.


    Too late.


    The wave of cold struck her to the core, but the electricity in her veins fought it.


    Hayden slammed into Tisiphone.


    The green-clad woman lasted longer than most, but Hayden eventually shocked her into unconsciousness.


    Another one down.


    One to go.


    Hayden stood, then immediately crumpled to the ice-covered ground with a cry.


    Her leg had given out.


    She cursed.


    It was up to Jayde and Dayana to finish the fight.


    The latter skidded to a dead stop just as a pillar of flame erupted in front of her.


    The former slapped the ground creating a wall of dirt to absorb a volley of fire spears. The subsequent explosion spent her flying heels over head. She came out of the violent roll to punch the ground.


    Megaera burned the jagged wall of earth headed her way to ash.


    Dayana fired a burst only to see the bullets swallowed up by a pillar of flame. When it vanished Megaera stood unharmed.


    The blue-clad woman cracked her whip twice forcing Dayana to flicker, evading two crescent-shaped blades of flame that burned despite not being close to hitting.


    Should they wait for Megaera¡¯s mana to run out?


    Dayana thought hard even as she kept moving to stay out of the orange-red magic circles that chased her across the arena floor.


    She glanced around for Hayden.


    Found her sitting.


    There was no sign of Tisiphone.


    Good.


    That meant it was three on one.


    Except, Hayden wasn¡¯t making an effort to get up.


    Which meant that Hayden couldn¡¯t.


    Broken leg or legs, Dayana decided.


    Hayden didn¡¯t have Skills to handle death from above without hurting herself.


    Which meant Jayde¡¯s magic shield had failed.


    There¡¯d be no further help from Hayden and she was a liability if Megaera noticed her.


    Which meant she needed to keep the pressure on.


    Her assault rifle barked.


    Bullets disappeared into fire.


    Click on empty.


    Reload on the move.


    Flame erupted just a few feet behind her.


    Intense heat singed her armor and clothing. Stole the breath out of her lungs. Stung her eyes.


    Last magazine.


    Quick bursts emptied it in seconds.


    No hits.


    Distraction.


    Toss empty rifle far away.


    Draw 1911.


    Flash hand signals to Jayde.


    See the acknowledgment.


    Flicker Movement.


    Orange-red magic circles surrounded Megaera, yet didn¡¯t erupt into pillars.


    She whirled her fiery whip over her head.


    Jayde slapped the ground then punched the subsequent pillar of dirt sending hard-packed spikes shooting at Megaera.


    The blue-clad woman ignited the magic circles to swallow them.


    Dayana appeared on the other side, firing.


    Impossibly quick, the magic circles on that side erupted.


    The fiery whip lashed to keep her back.


    She flickered again and moved even quicker to the opposite side.


    No more magic circles.


    The pistol barked twice.


    Two bullets into the back of Megaera¡¯s legs.


    The blue-clad woman screamed in rage, spun and lashed with an inferno¡¯s intensity.


    Flicker.


    The long knife flashed out of its sheath quicker than the unenhanced human eye could follow.


    Slash across the wrist.


    The fire-sheathed whip slipped out of suddenly weak fingers.


    The flame died before it hit the ground.


    Megaera hissed.


    A pillar of flame centered on the blue-clad woman erupted.


    Flicker.


    Out.


    One last flicker.


    Back in.


    Slashing. Stabbing.


    All in the span of a second or two.


    ¡°That¡¯s it!¡± the referee screamed. ¡°It¡¯s over! All combatants stop!¡±


    Dayana stopped.


    Jayde whooped throwing her fingers up to the roaring crowd.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Dayana blinked.


    ¡°Your winners! The Heartfuries!¡± the announcer¡¯s voice boomed across the arena almost swallowed up the cheers.


    The medical staff rushed onto the field to see to the badly injured Megaera, who glared daggers at Dayana.


    She ignored the blue-clad woman and brushed away the medics hovering around her.


    ¡°Go take care of my teammate first!¡± she snapped gesturing toward the other side of the arena where Hayden sat.


    ¡°She¡¯s being taken care of,¡± one of the medics rolled his eyes.


    Dayana saw that medics were, indeed, clustered around Hayden.


    ¡°Now, are you going to let us do our jobs,¡± the medic sighed, ¡°or do you want to keep your burns?¡±


    ¡°Give it up, ladies and gentlemen! Your champions of the Gold Division three versus three contest¡­ the Heartfuriessss!¡±


    Now that their part in the farce was over it was time to focus on the real reason they were here.


    Time to heal up.


    Rest.


    Gather their rewards.


    Get stronger.

 7.33

    The world within the spires always reminded Hayden of walking in a dream.


    Floors and walls appeared tangible one moment, immaterial the next, and sometimes a mix of the two.


    Ceilings existed or they didn¡¯t.


    Lights hung down from them.


    The lights were from the stars visible in the open sky.


    Descending steps hovered over a wispy void.


    Ascending steps were grounded in solid architecture.


    None of which she would ever be able to describe if asked.


    It was the same with everyone that had ever been inside the spires.


    It was different for them all.


    She had been walking for hours before she reached the room she had been looking for. Wandering an ethereal maze, a labyrinth grounded in reality.


    Both.


    Neither.


    She had walked through a short corridor, down an equally short staircase, up, down, straight, right, left, right.


    She entered the room.


    She had always been inside.


    Somehow her mind had accepted the differences, reconciled multiple experiences.


    She stared at a screen that had appeared out of the ethereal mists swirling around her.


    No.


    The screen was on a computer monitor.


    She was sitting at a desk.


    Plain.


    Stark.


    Clear.


    Clean.


    Her fingers moved across the keyboard clacking loudly.


    They swiped through mist without a whisper.


    The rewards from winning the championship flashed in front of her eyes.


    The voice spoke in her ears.


    Universal Points, a portion of which contributed by the slaver kingdom. Equivalent to the usual haul from a year¡¯s worth of activity.


    The bounty was less useful for her than for her friends since she didn¡¯t have spells and Skills to spend it on.


    So, she shared it, sending tidy sums to Dayana, Jayde, Prim and a few others.


    Gear didn¡¯t matter. What she had was already better than what she could find on the marketplace.


    What mattered was the 20% increase to the maximum amount of electricity she could generate.


    It wasn¡¯t a flat, one time increase either.


    It would always be there. Tacked on top of any natural increases she¡¯d make in the future through practice and exercise.


    From now until her death her electricity power was 20% stronger.


    Next came the free attribute points.


    She had already gained a couple from the first two matches.


    An extra five at one time was unheard of in her experience.


    She stared at the screen.


    ¡°Direct allocation,¡± the voice spoke at the same time.


    She tapped on the keyboard that was and wasn¡¯t there.


    She answered in voice or in thought spreading the points equally across her physical attributes.


    She expected to feel¡­ something¡­ different.


    Nothing.


    It was a little disappointing.


    She¡¯d have to test it out later.


    See how much heavier her lifts were. How much her endurance improved.


    Those were easy enough to gauge.


    The rest would be more difficult.


    After all she wasn¡¯t about to stab herself to see how much a difference a point made when it came to her natural durability.


    Finished, she walked to the marketplace room.


    No.


    She was already there. She browsed the items people had put up for sale. Considered buying some food from thousands of miles away. They didn¡¯t have that back home or in Miami and she had never tried it before. It¡¯d give her something to do while she waited for her friends to finish their own upgrades. It always took longer since they had classes.


    In the same, but different world Jayde stared and listened. Her face screwed in intense concentration. She couldn¡¯t mess this up. One choice. Skill or spell. Higher tiered as promised.


    She had already gotten the level up and the 10% increase to her maximum mana, which to her surprise and delight wasn¡¯t a one time, flat increase, but a persistent one.


    She also had a lot more Universal Points to spend, which increased even more with a chime in her ear and a notice in her vision.


    ¡°Awww¡­ thanks, Hayden ( ?? ? ?? ),¡± she replied in both thought and word and text.


    How did that work? She didn¡¯t know and it had always made her head hurt to think about it, so she accepted it as it was or wasn¡¯t.


    Whatever.


    Did it really matter?


    ¡°No,¡± she decided. ¡°Back to the most important decision in the history of myself,¡± she muttered.


    A spell¡­ or a Skill.


    Which one?


    ¡°Arrgggh!¡± she punched the ethereal mists or rather the computer screen, which was actually ethereal mist the whole time¡­ or not. ¡°I hate you¡­¡± she sighed.


    The spell.


    ¡°Kohalun¡¯s Punch. Instant death for corporeal entities 1-50% weaker than your overall rating. Pain and fatigue for corporeal entities 51% and above your overall rating proportional to the difference. Casting restriction: Closed fist physical contact.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, no shit. Figured that out from the name¡­ what the hell¡¯s a ¡®Kohalun¡¯ anyways¡­ weird ass name. It¡¯s basically just a death touch or a death punch. Why not just call it that?¡±


    ¡°Creator: Kohalun Gun.¡±


    ¡°Obviously,¡± she rolled her eyes. ¡°What¡¯s the difference? Is it just, like, flavor?¡±


    ¡°Created to bypass magical forms of shielding and to function without the need for contact with bare skin, chitin, scales, slime, crystal, rock, liquid, bark, grass, sem¡ª¡±


    ¡°Okay, I get it. I can use it even if I¡¯m wearing gloves or gauntlets. Which sucks because I can¡¯t wear them to use the rest of my punchy spells, so hand protection is still out, unless¡­¡± she mused staring at the Skill being offered.


    ¡°Unrestricted Impact Casting.¡±


    Like the weird ass voice said.


    No more restrictions to her punch casting, as she called it.


    If she picked it then she could wear gloves and gauntlets to get extra protection from the spell blow back.


    ¡°Stupid physics,¡± she muttered.


    Even if that wasn¡¯t entirely accurate.


    The magic definitely made the effects on her much less than on her targets.


    None of that equal and opposite reaction force bullshit.


    ¡°Fuck¡­ higher tier means it might be awhile before I get access to these two and since the spell seems to be pretty unique, there¡¯s no guarantee that it¡¯ll circle back around. This might be my one chance to get it. Super useful too, for the future and now¡­¡±


    Now that she was Level 46, that meant anyone Level 23 and lower was dead in one punch. Sounded pretty useless on first thought since those levels weren¡¯t huge threats to her anyways.


    But, the mana cost for the Kohalun''s Punch was shockingly low for the instant kill potential. And since a lot of the slaver scum were in that mid 20¡¯s to mid 30¡¯s range it¡¯d be super useful in the immediate. Even if it wasn¡¯t instant kill, the majority of the people she¡¯d be fighting would be in for some great pain and fatigue. Might even be enough to put them down as good as dead.


    ¡°I am a Punch Mage. This seems tailor made for that. So, that means I should lean into it to keep progressing along the line, whatever it¡¯ll lead too.¡±


    Thoughts of classes like Punch Archmage, Archfist of Boom, The Endfist of the End, One Punch Mage, and more danced through her head.


    She giggled.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take the punch.¡±


    She felt warmth and a tingling sensation run through her body up from the floor, into her torso, down her arms, ending in her fists.


    The spell, Kohalun¡¯s Punch, now belonged to her.


    The knowledge on how it worked nestled into her mind.


    She¡¯d test it out in the practice chamber for as long as it took to cast without having to verbalize it.


    But first¡­


    ¡°Yo, this is my first special spell,¡± she addressed the spires, ¡°anything else I need to know?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s up with this Kohalun Gun¡­ person? He or she¡­ or it still alive? Dead? Undead?¡±


    ¡°Unlock information through spell mastery.¡±


    ¡°Cool cool. Didn¡¯t know this was a thing. I¡¯ll need to remember this. Seems important, probably huge,¡± her eye¡¯s lit up, ¡°am I the first?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean? Not the first to get this spell? Or not the first to get something with a unique name?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for that,¡± she said flatly.


    While Jayde practiced her new spell Dayana did the same with her new Skill.


    Flicker Movement, which she got at 30 had been her most impactful Skill during the tournament. Shadow Wound, which she got at 40 was a little too lethal with its ability to bypass defenses to varying degrees.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The reward was stated to be a higher tier Skill, which meant it was something she could get in the 50¡¯s, presumably. As was typical of the spires, things weren¡¯t exactly clear.


    The extra level pushed her up to one level away from the mythical 50. As far as she knew no one had reached it. Could she be the first?


    It was doubly awesome because once she did she¡¯d have two Level 50 tier Skills.


    Flicker Clone.


    Now, when she used Flicker Movement an afterimage remained behind long enough to perform a single action, lasting no more than a second or two.


    Getting it right was proving tricky.


    She had to fully form the intent for said action before flickering.


    It sort of tore her mind in two. It was as if she was two people at the same time for that split-second.


    Very distracting.


    It was slowing down her reactions coming out of the flicker.


    She didn¡¯t want to leave the practice chamber without cutting down that hesitation.


    The margins were razor thin in a fight.


    Taking a bullet or fireball to the face was decided in those split-seconds.


    Hayden was going to be pissed, like she always was when forced to wait outside, but there was nothing for it.


    The stakes were too high.


    This Skill could be the difference between life and death, victory and defeat for all of them.


    Outside the spire, seated on a nearby park bench, Hayden ate.


    Lamb was new to her. As was falafel. And pita bread. The tzatziki sauce was great. And she didn¡¯t know how she could¡¯ve lived this long without the garlic sauce.


    Normally, waiting for the other two was a test of patience.


    Now¡­ well, it seemed like she had found herself a new post-spires upgrade ritual.


    There was a whole world¡¯s worth of food from many cultures around the world. Some that she had no idea even existed.


    It¡¯d be a shame if she didn¡¯t get to sample from all of them before she died.


    <hr>


    The Magus of the Ten Eyes levitated two feet off the ground using the magic inside one of her eponymous eyes.


    The tennis ball-sized orb glowed with power as it orbited around her body along with the other nine.


    Each one capable of a specific magic.


    The bulbous monster she had taken them from had done great harm to the village she had found herself stuck in when the spires had appeared all those years ago.


    Reminiscence.


    The monster would have been the death of them all had not the sun itself flown down to lend his aid.


    The man hadn¡¯t stayed long after the epic battle.


    It would be years before she learned that he had been brother to the man she had encountered in the aftermath of another calamitous clash as evidenced by the devastation she had investigated in what was once the heart of Manhattan.


    That man was now her best hope to escape this wretched place of slavers.


    The best hope for what remained of her friends to escape.


    And¡­


    A darker thought filled the recesses of her mind.


    Revenge.


    He could bring her revenge for the friends murdered by the slavers.


    Thus, despite her misgivings she moved at Cal¡¯s request.


    Wide eyes tracked her as she floated through the maze-like hallways of the training stadium.


    Competitors, guards, staff, all gawked as they parted before her passing.


    Her true eyes stared straight ahead, giving no indication that she noted their presence.


    It was a defensive measure. Stuck in the heart of evil. Make them fear. Glare with the ten monster eyes. Pierce into their hearts. Show them threat.


    That, along with her victories in the contest meant that they all gave her a wide berth, even the Slaver King¡¯s watchers kept their distance.


    It would prove useful in her tasks.


    It would be easier to use her magic to conceal the contents of the conversations she sought.


    The first ran in the middle of the dirt field pulling a contraption made from a huge, tire-less truck piled with hunks of scrap metal with a harness made out of thick chains.


    Dark skin gleamed in the sun.


    It wasn¡¯t sweat.


    Through one of her monster eyes, the magus saw strange skin.


    Biological and metallic.


    She didn¡¯t know enough about the latter to recognize what type of metal or if it was even like anything known on Earth.


    A deeper look yielded muscles with that same metallic nature.


    An act of will activated yet another eye.


    It opened wide flashing as it spun around her faster than the rest.


    Now, she was safe from prying eyes and ears of all types.


    She levitated closer to the dark-skinned woman.


    The woman stopped her sprint and straightened.


    Despite levitating two feet of the ground, the magus found herself looking directly in the woman¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Hello.¡±


    ¡°You best back up a bit. Those eyes ain¡¯t doing any good for my inner well-being, you hear?¡± the woman said.


    The magus inclined her head and gave the woman more space.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± the woman pursed her lips, ¡°so, what do you want?¡±


    ¡°First of all, I¡¯ve cast a spell. You can speak freely. They don¡¯t have the power to pierce my concealment. Now¡­ I come as a representative of another¡ª¡±


    ¡°Get the fuck out of here with that. Imma tell you what I told the others. Why the fuck would you think I want to be part of your little slaver nation? Look at me. I ain¡¯t about to betray my ancestors and you be putting out them slaves that be looking just like me. Ain¡¯t you ashamed of yourself, you look and sound foreign. Arab, right? They be putting us black and brown folk in them collars. So, why you carrying their water?¡±


    ¡°That¡­ is completely inaccurate. I am not here by choice. Nor do I sanction any of this filth,¡± she snapped.


    ¡°Oh¡­ okay,¡± the woman shrugged, ¡°what do you want then?¡±


    ¡°I am the Magus of the Ten Eyes.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I knew that.¡±


    ¡°And you are Miss¡­ Steel Hammer¡­¡±


    The woman¡¯s face twisted. ¡°Fucking slavers made that nerd shit up.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ then what is your name?¡±


    ¡°I ain¡¯t know you,¡± the woman crossed impressively muscled arms over an equally impressive chest. ¡°Sides, don¡¯t want my real name getting out to the slavers. Don¡¯t know what kind of magic bullshit they could get up to with it.¡±


    ¡°An understandable concern. ¡®Steel Hammer¡¯ will have to suffice.¡±


    ¡°Just ¡®Hammer¡¯,¡± the woman spat. ¡°So, Magus, if you ain¡¯t with the slavers, then who you with?¡±


    ¡°Someone that can help us get what we want for a price.¡±


    ¡°Ain¡¯t no one knows what I want,¡± the woman snorted.


    ¡°Are you certain of that? I understand that you were denied the right to leave now that you are out of the tournament.¡±


    ¡°Stupid flying bitch,¡± Hammer muttered, ¡°she didn¡¯t do shit to me. Only reason I lost was I couldn¡¯t lay a hand on her. Her little bullets and bombs barely scratched me, but that was enough for the judges. Racist fucks. Aight, since you beat that green bitch, I¡¯ll give some time.¡±


    The magus cleared her throat. ¡°Yes, of course. The slavers¡­¡± she searched for the right words, ¡°strongly encouraged you to remain, correct?¡±


    Hammer nodded. ¡°Said that I needed to stay for the closing ceremony. Plus, some kind of awards night. Then some big dinner party at the castle,¡± she spat. ¡°Motherfuckers actually call it that. You believe that? Yeah, said that they got more gifts for me. Promising points, wealth, power, mansions, slaves! Motherfucker said that to me with a straight face. Believe that? I told them to go fuck themselves with a rusty wrench. I¡¯m starting to think that if I ain¡¯t willing to play ball the only thing they¡¯ll have for me is a collar. Should¡¯ve seen it coming.¡±


    ¡°Then why enter the competition? Surely, you knew what these people were like.¡±


    ¡°Gains were too good to pass up. I hit a ceiling years ago. Wasn¡¯t getting stronger even though I kept pushing it. Didn¡¯t really lock in until the first time I got a random percent increase on the toughest Quest ever. Got a couple more after that, but three percent didn¡¯t seem like much for how hard those were. I only won two fights, but I got five percent. Stronger, tougher. Everything with the body. Five percent for two fights that weren¡¯t all that hard. Even losing to that cheap ass bitch didn¡¯t hurt me none.¡±


    ¡°All accurate, but knowing the slavers. How they work¡­¡±


    ¡°Yo, honestly, I thought they was a little overrated. Figured I could just walk out of here like the bad bitch I am. Plan was to go for the win and bounce. I was also scouting out the place, like, secret agent style. I got a couple of peeps gave me good rolls of Universal Points to do it. Half up front. Seen enough. Lost a fight. So, I was out the window like a deadbeat baby daddy when his baby mama¡¯s all banging on the door with the kids. Tried anyways. The Slaver King, himself, paid me a visit just as I was about to bounce. Listen, fuck that guy, but I wasn¡¯t going to be winning that fight. Plus he rolled up, like, fifty deep. Had a couple of those hairy rednecks with him. A few other gold div bangers. No chance against all that¡­ figured I¡¯d keep it on the low. Sign up, but bounce first good chance I got,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°You do realize that they won¡¯t allow you the opportunity?¡± she held Hammer¡¯s gaze. ¡°Your¡ª our only chance to remain free¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah and this guy that¡¯s got you being all secret agent-ish can make that happen?¡± Hammer nodded. ¡°I can smell bullshit,¡± she tapped her nose, ¡°and you ain¡¯t stinking¡­ yet. What you got for me? And what do I got to do?¡±


    ¡°A request and an offer. Not without risk. Grave risk, to be honest. There will be fighting.¡±


    ¡°Always is,¡± Hammer shrugged.


    ¡°The last banquet at the castle. The one to celebrate this¡­ farce. We will need to fight the king and his people.¡±


    ¡°Yo, did you trade your ears for all those eyes? Didn¡¯t I just say that I was about to eat a beat down from those fucks?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but you were alone then.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Who else your boss picking up?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t say. Only that this will not be one of those hopeless last stand fights. There are plans and there are powerful people behind them.¡± She hoped her words contained truth. Cal hadn¡¯t filled her in completely. She only knew her part. The Quest notification she received when she had agreed had filled in a little bit more of what was to come. ¡°If you agree, you¡¯ll receive a Quest notification, like I did. All that will be expected of you is to be at the banquet and fight as hard as you can when the time comes. You will not be alone, like I said, there will be others.¡±


    ¡°They better be straight killers,¡± Hammer sighed. ¡°Exit plan? I ain¡¯t fitting to be all ¡®hold the door¡¯ and shit. Ain¡¯t down to be snacked on by the wights.¡±


    ¡°Victory.¡±


    Hammer blinked and cocked her head to one side. ¡°Yo, that ain¡¯t good enough. You always got to have an exit plan for if things go bad. Just cause I¡¯m as hard as metal don¡¯t mean I¡¯m stupid. Haven¡¯t lived this long for nothing.¡±


    The magus pondered the question in uncomfortable silence.


    Cal hadn¡¯t given her an exit plan.


    He had told her she was free to leave under her own power if things turned bad.


    ¡°I can take you with me in the event that running away is the only option.¡±


    Hammer mulled that over.


    The magus felt sudden, sharp pressure from behind.


    The slavers.


    They had abandoned finesse in their attempts to pierce her concealment spell and were resorting to desperate, brute force.


    How many mages were they devoting to the effort?


    At least a dozen, maybe more from the different mana signatures she could parse through her eye.


    She could hold out for much longer, but no reason to give them more data points to calculate the limits of her capabilities.


    ¡°So long as I am able, I promise that I will not leave you there to die or be enslaved.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the first part that¡¯s causing me problems,¡± Hammer gave her a wry smile. ¡°You seem like a straight bitch so, I¡¯m down. Just don¡¯t know if you¡¯ll be alive to deliver.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve watched my fights?¡±


    Hammer nodded.


    ¡°Then, tell me, at any point, did I ever look like I was having difficulty?¡±


    ¡°Good point. Aight, I¡¯m in¡ª¡±


    The magus exhaled.


    ¡°For now,¡± Hammer finished.


    Eleven eyes narrowed.


    ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s creepy as fuck,¡± Hammer muttered as she took an involuntary step back. A great cloud of dust billowed from underneath her boot. ¡°Listen, I ain¡¯t fully committing to nothing until I speak to your boss or whatever. For all I know this is just some kind of slaver trick.¡±


    ¡°Why would I ever work for them?¡±


    ¡°You fighting in the tournament, ain¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Only because the filth had what¡¯s left of my friends in his dungeon,¡± she hissed.


    Hammer¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Wait? You mean he¡¯s keeping pieces of your friends¡ª nah, that don¡¯t make sense. Had? What?¡±


    The magus calmed herself with a reminder that her friends were as safe as they could be under Cal¡¯s aegis.


    ¡°The slavers killed a number of my group. The survivors were then taken captive. Hostages held for my ¡®willing¡¯ participation. They have since been freed and are hiding in what amounts to safety in this wretched place. I have been promised that their escape will be seen to.¡±


    ¡°Why not just take them and fly out of here? Fuck, take me too. I¡¯ll help you out as far as Atlanta.¡±


    The magus closed her eyes. ¡°Part of me wants to do just that. However, another part of me can¡¯t leave this place while thousands of people are in collars. Forced to live a lie for the benefit of craven filth. I¡¯ve always endeavored to be selfless rather than selfish. To only care for myself and my friends would be to embrace the latter. I fear falling down that path for only evil lies at the end of it.¡±


    ¡°So, fly us out and you can come back or whatever.¡±


    ¡°Although I can carry us all. I cannot do so fast enough to outrun their helicopters. And with the added burden I don¡¯t think my magic will be enough to fight them off. Let alone the added threat of flying monsters.¡±


    ¡°Imma need to speak to your boss first,¡± Hammer shrugged.


    The magus nodded.


    There was no point in trying to persuade the towering woman.


    She¡¯d have done the same if she was in Hammer¡¯s boots.


    ¡°I¡¯ll convey your request.¡±


    ¡°Who else you be hitting up?¡±


    Eleven eyes blinked.


    ¡°I meant who else you be asking?¡±


    ¡°That, I cannot say. Will there be an issue in our potential allies?¡±


    ¡°Nah, just wanting to figure out our chances of getting out of here alive. I¡¯d feel a lot better if you got that little girl and the hot guy. Those bad bitches that won the three v. three would be good too.¡±


    ¡°I cannot¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Hammer waved her away bending down to lift chains with links thicker than the magus¡¯ arm. ¡°Tell you boss I want a talk before I really agree to this shit.¡±


    ¡°I will.¡±


    ¡°We done, right? I¡¯ve got a workout to finish.¡±


    ¡°We are.¡±


    ¡°Aight, peace.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah. I ain¡¯t saying shit about this to nobody. Fuck the slavers.¡±


    With that Hammer continued her sprints while pulling an enormous truck loaded down with great weight.


    The magus slowly rose up into the air.


    From her vantage point above the arena she could see that Hammer had made a mess of the dirt floor dragging long and twisted gouges for the slaver¡¯s to fix.


    Who was next?


    She hadn¡¯t mentioned it to Hammer, but the little girl and the hot guy, Isaac Freemen, weren¡¯t on Cal¡¯s list.


    ¡°Blackstar or the Emerald Bomber,¡± she said. Who was closer? ¡°Show me,¡± she murmured unnecessarily. Her acquired eyes were a part of her as much as the two she was born with. Intent and will were enough.


    Her magic flared and she saw where she needed to go.

 7.34

    ¡°You in or what?¡± Rino said.


    Ray¡¯s eyes swept across the sidewalk cafe as they had done repeatedly throughout the angry woman¡¯s pitch.


    And what a strange pitch it was.


    Help for his home town in exchange for taking part in some kind of fight later at the Freedom Championship¡¯s closing banquet.


    Naturally, he was skeptical.


    Only a naive, trusting fool would¡¯ve agreed.


    The most cursory assessment of the deal came to the conclusion that it was a bad one.


    It had to be some kind of trick.


    Not from the slavers.


    They had been transparent in their attempts to get him to swear allegiance to the king. Wealth, powers, slaves and even a noble title.


    They had also offered the same thing as the angry woman.


    The only thing that could sway him.


    Help for his town in the form of enough fighters to clear the surrounding area of the evil creatures that constantly plagued them.


    Of course that was contingent on the town becoming part of the New American Republic.


    The angry woman and the slavers weren¡¯t the only ones promising salvation at a price.


    People claiming to be the actual American government had done the same.


    Though the blindfold-wearing woman hadn¡¯t framed it as an offer.


    He sat heavily in his chair.


    The weight of being alone and far from home pressed.


    He eyed one of the slaver¡¯s minders scowling at him from a table on the opposite side of the cafe.


    Was the minder pissed because the angry woman, Rino, had just openly pitched what was basically an attack on the slavers or was it because the minder wasn¡¯t getting anything despite whatever Skills or spells they had to spy.


    ¡°Um¡­¡± he cleared his throat.


    ¡°They can¡¯t listen in. I already told you that! Yes or no!¡± Rino snapped.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to get in trouble.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re already fucked. You were fucked the moment you step foot in this place. They¡¯ve got their claws in you. Your town¡¯s already in their jaws. It just hasn¡¯t snapped shut yet.¡±


    ¡°I might be screwed, but my home¡¯s hundreds of miles away.¡±


    ¡°So? If the slavers aren¡¯t stopped they¡¯ll just keep getting stronger. How much longer until they reach you?¡±


    His eyes scanned the area around the cafe.


    People walked without armor and he saw that the most anyone carried for protection were handguns and knives. A good portion of them weren¡¯t even armed.


    The cool breeze and pleasant sunshine almost made him forget that there were monsters out there.


    The sight of a collar around a young woman burdened with shopping bags jarred him back to reality.


    ¡°That¡¯s what your people will get if they don¡¯t join the slavers ¡®willingly¡¯,¡± Rino snorted. ¡°But then if you do that you¡¯ll make an enemy of me and mine.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a threat,¡± he scowled and casually let his right hand drop toward the handle of his axe.


    Rino rolled her eyes. ¡°No. Statement of fact. Slavers can¡¯t be allowed to exist. And relax,¡± she regarded his axe, ¡°why would I attack you here? Besides, I already kicked your ass in the arena.¡±


    He kept his hand on the butt of the axe handle. ¡°You¡¯re only one¡­ concern¡­ I have right now.¡±


    ¡°Dude, I keep repeating myself. All the people the slavers got watching us aren¡¯t picking up shit. They¡¯re all panicking and pissing themselves.¡±


    ¡°Well, I guess I don¡¯t have a choice, since I can¡¯t do anything about it,¡± he sighed. ¡°Your offer sucks. Promise to fight the slavers here in the heart of their city and in exchange your ¡®people¡¯ will help my town. I¡¯m guessing I¡¯m not the only one you¡¯re trying to recruit.¡±


    Rino shrugged.


    ¡°You see why this is a problem for me, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Another shrug.


    ¡°For all I know it¡¯s going to be me¡­ you, I guess¡­ and, like, five other guys against thousands. I¡¯m not stupid.¡±


    ¡°Just go to the meeting.¡±


    ¡°Right, at a location I¡¯ll receive at a later date,¡± he nodded. ¡°Sounds like bullshit. You know, back home sometimes you¡¯ll hear a voice shouting for help just behind the tree line. Picture it, you¡¯re standing on the wall, the mists keep rolling in and out, like a wave on the beach. Then you hear your mom calling for help. Intellectually, you know it isn¡¯t her. You just saw her safe at home a few hours ago. Except, the voice sounds just like her. You go before you know what you¡¯re doing. Instinct kicking in. You sprint across the open ground. Hit the tree line ready with your weapons, spells, Skills¡­ everything you have to save your mom. Then you find that she isn¡¯t there. It¡¯s one of the shapeshifters or spirits. Happens at least once a month, sometimes more. All we¡¯ll find are blood and a few bits of hair, maybe bone. The worst is when we find nothing at all because when that happens there¡¯ll be a new voice to hear.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like you¡¯ve got some spawn zone maintenance to do.¡±


    ¡°We try to do that to the closest ones, but we¡¯re surrounded by miles and miles of forests. We know that there are more out there, but we just don¡¯t have the numbers to go searching for them, let alone put together an expedition. We need to protect our town.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like you could use our help.¡±


    ¡°Again, you promise to help, but I don¡¯t know you or your people. I have no reason to trust anything coming out of your mouth.¡±


    ¡°Look, dude, I get it. You¡¯re in a bad spot. Been there. Just take the meeting. Hear him out. I¡¯m probably not supposed to say this, but he¡¯ll help your town even if you don¡¯t agree to help us fight the slavers. Naturally, that¡¯ll require us actually winning and not getting killed or enslaved. Which, should sort of push you into doing everything you can here to help make that happen.¡±


    ¡°You see why that¡¯s a huge risk for me,¡± he eyed the minder. ¡°They¡¯re watching and listening. You too.¡±


    Rino snorted. ¡°Yeah, so, they aren¡¯t getting any of the important stuff and they aren¡¯t even realizing it. Even if they¡¯re pissing themselves right now, after I leave, it¡¯ll be like nothing happened. It won¡¯t occur to them that anything was suspicious. They¡¯ll file it away as you and I coincidentally running into each other at this cafe and having lunch together. One competitor to another. The better fighter graciously giving tips to her defeated opponent.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t go all out.¡±


    ¡°Like I did?¡± Rino raised a brow.


    ¡°Did the silver even affect you?¡±


    ¡°Did you think it should¡¯ve?¡±


    He shrugged. ¡°I thought it had a chance. You sort of remind of those other two monsters. Rou and Gator. I¡¯m pretty sure I know what they are. You and the blond in your corner feel similar, but¡­¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re definitely on the king¡¯s payroll. They run in a pack of three. The alpha is a worst monster. Goes by Garou. You¡¯ll know him when you see him.¡±


    ¡°Let me guess, if I hypothetically agree to help, I¡¯ll be put up against them?¡±


    The thought was concerning since he wasn¡¯t entirely sure his silver would work against them. It hadn¡¯t against Rino.


    Even with the silver he knew that he wasn¡¯t up to even one of them judging by the fights he had watched.


    ¡°Look, I can¡¯t beat one, let alone three.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t be a straight, square up fight like in the stadium. You won¡¯t be alone. You just need to help enough.¡±


    He mulled his options.


    Something told him leaving on his own wasn¡¯t going to be easy.


    He had only made it to Miami because the slavers had provided an escort.


    Logic dictated that they¡¯d need to escort him back, which had been promised.


    What would happen once he was returned to his town by a large group of soldiers?


    It seemed obvious.


    Perhaps, they¡¯d generously offer to stay and help fight the monsters.


    And once there, they¡¯d never leave.


    ¡°I¡¯ll hear you out,¡± he said. ¡°Seems that I don¡¯t really have a choice. Either I throw in with you guys or the slavers.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll be contacted soon with a location.¡±


    Rino stood and strode out of the cafe.


    He glanced at his minder.


    The man¡¯s scowl instantly vanished, like it had never been there in the first place.


    <hr>


    The Slaver King surveyed the bloody scene.


    Multiple dead bodies sprawled in the hallway leading into the master bedroom where more bodies lay with one strung up with ropes attached to the ceiling.


    ¡°They took the time and effort to punch holes,¡± he murmured.


    ¡°We think the perp killed Lord Stuart¡¯s money man first. Set him up like that. Then when your investigator and Captain Stephens came to investigate, bang, ambush. Damn shame. Captain Stephens was one of my¡ª er¡ª your best guardians. Don¡¯t know how I¡¯m going to break this to his wife and kids,¡± Guardian Chief Lee said.


    ¡°Your report said that Captain Jackson¡¯s log stated that he was accompanying Investigator Benoit to this house on New Year¡¯s Eve.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, your majesty.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s five days later. Why didn¡¯t you find this until now?¡± he loomed.


    The chief swallowed. ¡°Er¡­ Stephens was supposed to be on vacation. Wasn¡¯t due back on duty until a couple of days from now. I¡¯m thinking since he was handling the murders at the Stuart boy¡¯s place that investigator called him in to check this place out. None of us thought anything was up. I would¡¯ve definitely been on it as soon as he didn¡¯t show up when he was supposed to.¡±


    ¡°Then why didn¡¯t his wife report anything.¡±


    ¡°That, I don¡¯t know, your majesty. I¡¯ll definitely ask her when I bring her the bad news.¡±


    ¡°Bring her into the station. I¡¯d like to be present when you interrogate her.¡±


    ¡°Of course, your majesty.¡±


    ¡°Tell me, Chief Lee, using your gut instincts from decades as a police officer before I made you a guardian, why did it take this long?¡±


    ¡°Magic or Skills,¡± he replied without hesitation. ¡°That''s the only thing that can explain why none of the neighbors reported anything until this morning. I¡¯m sure you noticed, but the smell¡¯s terrible. They should¡¯ve realized something was wrong at least a couple of days ago.¡±


    ¡°Very good, chief, now, clear out and take all the neighbors in for questioning.¡±


    The chief was an intelligent man in as much that he knew the value of keeping his questions to himself while obeying commands.


    King was alone inside the home in short order.


    Just him and the bloated, decaying bodies releasing slowly feeding the foul miasma in the air.


    He regarded the dead man hanging from the ceiling.


    ¡°Why tie a string around the dick?¡± he scowled.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Murder had been nearly unheard of in his city at least with higher status individuals as the victims.


    Now? Multiple high level employees of several lords and ladies. A son of one of the more powerful lords. And this, that lord¡¯s head accountant.


    What was the game?


    Was it just a serial killer? Or killers?


    Over twenty dead bodies in the house suggest the latter.


    He made sure that his guardians had decently leveled slave officers.


    He glanced at one leaning against the hallway wall.


    The metal collar bit into the woman¡¯s swollen neck. Congealed blood and pus spread where the skin had split.


    The killers had to have high levels.


    It was the only explanation for their ability to avoid detection for so long.


    He focused on the dead accountant¡¯s bloated face, ignoring the blue, swollen tongue hanging out of a slack mouth.


    ¡°King¡¯s Command: Tell me who killed you.¡±


    Nothing.


    He felt nothing for the Skill to latch on to.


    Was it because of the length of time from the murders?


    Was it the killers¡¯ abilities?


    ¡°King¡¯s Due: I take it all.¡±


    Again, there was nothing.


    The dead bodies were just empty husks.


    He hadn¡¯t expected anything different. That Skill required immediacy.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to find you fucking bastards! No one gets one up on me. Not in my nation!¡± he snapped.


    Later in a guardian station, he stood behind mirrored glass watching and listening to Chief Lee questioning Captain Stephen¡¯s widow.


    ¡°Damn, what a milf,¡± Eric said. ¡°She¡¯s gonna need a sympathetic shoulder to lean on and a good, strong man to take care of her and her kids now that the poor captain is eating dirt.¡±


    ¡°Eric, shut up.¡±


    ¡°Just saying¡­¡±


    ¡°My guardians have generous pensions. Captain Stephen died in the line of duty carrying out my will. His family will be taken care of properly. And one day when his children are old enough they will continue on where their father left off.¡±


    ¡°Jeez, alright, I wasn¡¯t going to do anything,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Pay attention.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I know this is hard, Taylor, but I¡¯m going to have to run through it again,¡± Chief Lee said.


    The woman¡¯s tear-streaked face was shadowed by her blond hair as her head hung a lost gaze on the cold, metal table in front of her. Her shoulders shook slightly from an escaping murmur of a sob as it had done throughout the entire interrogation.


    Not that the chief was treating it like an actual interrogation.


    ¡°So, the last time you saw Jackson was on New Year¡¯s Eve night,¡± Chief Lee prompted.


    ¡°Yeah. We were about to go watch the fireworks at the park in our neighborhood when he got a call. He said that it was just something he had to take care of really quick and that he¡¯d try to be back as soon as possible. So, I took our kids to the show.¡±


    ¡°And when Jackson didn¡¯t return¡­¡± the chief sighed, ¡°see, I don¡¯t understand why you didn¡¯t call us.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I¡­ I don¡¯t know. I just thought that he was going to be back any minute. It didn¡¯t feel weird. None of us thought anything of it. I can¡¯t explain it. It was only this morning when¡ª when¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Taylor, deep breaths. Like I said, we¡¯re going to get to the bottom of this and anything you can give us will help.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what else to say. It doesn¡¯t even seem real. Like, the last four days was dream and now I¡¯m waking up, but into a nightmare. I don¡¯t know if this is even real,¡± she screwed her eyes shut. ¡°This is the nightmare. I just have to wake up and my husband will be fine,¡± she grabbed her arms tight to her body, nails digging deep as she rocked back and forth. ¡°He¡¯ll be fine¡­ he¡¯ll be fine¡­¡±


    Chief Lee choked, hesitated before rising and circling the table to lay a hand on her shoulder. ¡°Okay, okay, I think you¡¯ve had enough. Thanks for doing this. We¡¯ll catch his killers and make them pay. Just wait a little and I¡¯ll have someone take you to your kids and then home.¡±


    ¡°My kids? That¡¯s right. Mine and Jackson. What will I tell them?¡±


    ¡°That their daddy was a brave man and that we¡¯ll get the guys that did this.¡±


    King watched the woman sob quietly while the chief exited the interrogation room. ¡°Damn it. She¡¯s telling the truth.¡±


    ¡°You sure? Seems fishy as a corner skank¡¯s pussy that she goes half a week without wondering why her husband hasn¡¯t come back. Doubly so when you figure that she didn¡¯t check in with the station. That doesn¡¯t sound like normal behavior. My theory is that she¡¯s in on it.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Why don¡¯t you tell me the rest of your theory?¡±


    ¡°The killers paid her off to stay quiet,¡± Eric shrugged.


    ¡°Do continue.¡±


    ¡°Stephens went into that house on New Year¡¯s Eve, but he didn¡¯t die at that time. They kept him alive for as long as they needed to torture information out of him. Since he was supposed to be on vacation no one else would¡¯ve thought to ask where the fuck he was¡­ except for his wife.¡±


    ¡°And so his wife, who secretly wanted him dead, kept quiet for money, which she didn¡¯t need.¡±


    ¡°Could¡¯ve been other reasons.¡±


    ¡°Like?¡±


    ¡°Maybe Stephens smacked her around when he drank too much.¡±


    ¡°Do you see any evidence of that on her face?¡±


    ¡°Body shots or healing, I don¡¯t know. I figure it¡¯s about forty percent that he beats, well used to beat her. You know how it is, forty percent of cops beat their wives.¡±


    ¡°An old statistic for a dead world. We don¡¯t have cops. We have guardians. And for those with the inclination¡­ well, that¡¯s what the house servants are for. Why do you think I made it so that every guardian is guaranteed one as a job perk?¡± King snorted. ¡°Your stupid theory doesn¡¯t account for the kids or their essential worker. None of them noticed anything wrong, just like Mrs. Stephens there,¡± he gestured at the broken woman being gently led out of the room by a woman guardian.


    ¡°Hey, you asked and I never said I was good at this detective shit. You have actual detectives and investigators for that,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°Investigator Benoit was the only one that found an actual lead, which turned out to be a trap and now he¡¯s dead and we¡¯re back to zero.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just set our own trap and be done with it. I¡¯ve got a bigger issue. Your champion.¡±


    ¡°Malcolm?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, dumb nigger lost to a little girl. Cost me big. I have to give my Lambo to that dick-sucker, Johns.¡±


    King frowned.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Careful with your mouth. Malcolm could carve you up like that,¡± he snapped his fingers.


    ¡°Yeah, but you won¡¯t let him. Besides, it¡¯s just us two in here. Don¡¯t have to watch my mouth.¡±


    ¡°Which John?¡±


    ¡°The queer.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t narrow it down. Lord Johns has, like, a dozen kids.¡±


    ¡°Danny. Limp-wristed little bastard has been on my ass about it the last couple of days. It¡¯s like I¡¯ve got a ¡®fuck my asshole¡¯ sign hanging from my back.¡±


    ¡°Give him the Lambo, you can always get another one.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the principle of the matter.¡±


    ¡°You lost a bet. A stupid one. Why did you take it? That girl was ranked one for a reason. Haven¡¯t you been watching her steamroll everyone?¡±


    ¡°Johns gave me great odds,¡± Eric crossed his arms, ¡°plus, Malcolm is your fucking champion. The best gladiator we have. Plus, he beat Gator and we know what a killer that swamp hick is. Plus, that girl looks 12 and a malnourished 12 at that. Skin and bones. Like a stick person.¡±


    ¡°Who stomped every person put in front of her. Give Johns your car. It¡¯ll be a good lesson about gambling.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah? What lesson am I supposed to learn?¡±


    ¡°That you shouldn¡¯t gamble if you suck at it.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you,¡± Eric said flatly.


    King laughed.


    ¡°Fuck yourself, you dumbass. Enjoy the thought of Danny Johns giving and getting head in your car up and down Ocean Drive.¡±


    Eric threw him a one-fingered salute. ¡°That¡¯s it, bro. I¡¯m out of here. You can watch the rest of the interrogations yourself.¡±


    ¡°Danny better have your car when I check later,¡± he chuckled as his longtime friend slammed the door.


    ¡°Er¡­¡± Chief Lee cautiously peeked around the door a moment later.


    ¡°Nothing for you, chief. So, I¡¯m inclined to believe Stephens¡¯ widow. Make sure she and her kids are fully supported. Station some extra protection around their home and have them followed whenever they go out and about.¡±


    ¡°Will you be watching the next interrogation?¡±


    ¡°One of the neighbors?¡±


    ¡°Yes, your majesty.¡±


    ¡°What have you learned from the others?¡±


    ¡°The same story. They didn¡¯t see, hear or smell anything strange until this morning when they immediately notified us. As you know.¡±


    The king nodded.


    ¡°Very well. Release the ones you¡¯ve already questioned. Finish up with the remainder, but don¡¯t push them too hard. It¡¯s looking like we¡¯re dealing with a spell or Skill. A very strong one. Maybe something like mass confusion or memory alteration. Keep eyes on all of them just in case.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°It was the same as the rest. Enslaved people in comas being fed into one of those magitech devices,¡± Bennett said as soon as he stepped out of the deep shadow in the corner of Lord Don Wynn¡¯s office.


    Cal regarded the scarecrow-like vampire looming in the dancing lights from the crackling fireplace.


    ¡°Plastic surgeon¡¯s office¡­¡± he consulted his notes, ¡°number 7?¡±


    ¡°Yup¡­ plenty of those around in this city. Already having medical equipment makes them desirable locations. The king¡¯s going with two competing tactics. Keep your lots of valuable resources in one place so you can guard them easier and keep them in small numbers spread out in multiple locations so that the loss of one or a few isn¡¯t a deadly blow. What does strike me was strange is a relative lack of protection.¡±


    ¡°Skeleton crews to keep watch over the enslaved and only a few guards,¡± he nodded. ¡°Although, most of these spots are close to guardian stations or disguised soldier barracks.¡±


    ¡°This last location was close to one of the latter. An office building in the same complex. About a hundred slave soldiers and a handful of slave masters. You know, I don¡¯t like that these classes exist.¡±


    ¡°The spires don¡¯t have morality and ethics. They exist to further conflict.¡±


    ¡°Interesting you say that. It¡¯s like you always know what¡¯s on my mind.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never had cause to question yours. Morality and ethics¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve crossed some of my lines,¡± he admitted.


    ¡°Then you knew she¡¯d do that?¡±


    ¡°Holly¡¯s a slasher. She fulfills her class.¡±


    ¡°It can be managed with enough effort and desire.¡±


    ¡°As you do, I know and I think highly of you for that.¡±


    ¡°Then she can do the same.¡±


    ¡°You met her. Does she strike as someone with your restraint?¡±


    ¡°She needs someone else to provide that. And we both know that you are more than capable. I get that you need her to kill certain people to keep the slavers off-balance, to get the so-called lords to take blades to each other, to keep the king¡¯s eyes off of us. But she went too far this time. I saw what she did.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been following her?¡±


    ¡°Sometimes and with difficulty.¡±


    ¡°You thought to stop her in case she went after innocents.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that what slashers do?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a problem with that. Just don¡¯t get yourself killed or discovered.¡±


    ¡°Most of those people didn¡¯t need or deserve to die. The enslaved certainly didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Guard Captain Jackson Stephens was a decent man by most accounts. He had a slave master class, but he obtained it out of a desire to secure a safe place for his family not out of a desire to own another human being.¡±


    ¡°The investigator?¡±


    ¡°Benoit? A lesser man. Mildly racist. Slavery to him was just a fact. Something that made life in this place as good as it was.¡±


    ¡°And the accountant?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ you couldn¡¯t tell?¡±


    ¡°I have suspicions, but why not just ask you.¡±


    ¡°That man was filth. A pedophile. He took children between the ages of 7 and 10. No younger. No older. He used them until there was nothing left to use.¡±


    ¡°I thought so. I smelled young blood in a home without evidence of children.¡±


    ¡°A combination of our efforts and the freedom championships deprived him of the opportunity to purchase his next victim. Listen, Bennett¡­ I don¡¯t like some of what I¡¯m doing here, but I¡¯m not going to rationalize or justify them.¡±


    ¡°Just don¡¯t lose sight of what¡¯s right and wrong. We both know the only thing that keeping you from crossing lines is you and by your own words you¡¯ve already done so. It only ever gets easier from there. Slippery slopes and all that.¡±


    ¡°I appreciate your concern.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s out of the way,¡± Bennett took a deep breath. ¡°We¡¯ve marked all the places the king¡¯s keeping his batteries,¡± his face twisted, ¡°in. They¡¯re sparsely guarded considering their importance. It speaks of a man¡¯s arrogance in the security of their position. Are we close?¡±


    ¡°There are more than expected, I don¡¯t have enough of the magic items from our wizard friend. I¡¯ve contacted her and she¡¯ll have more ready soon. I¡¯m going to have the rangers fly up there to get them.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you do that yourself?¡±


    ¡°Too far. I¡¯m not a hundred percent sure that I can maintain my efforts obscuring all of our activities from prying eyes. Anyways, once we have what we need to cut off the king from his power supply without killing the people. we can get ready. I¡¯m still targeting the closing banquet at the castle. The chaos of the event will allow me to destroy the central control unit and then pivot to putting down the king before he can set off all his doomsday contingencies¡­ hopefully.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a big hope. It¡¯ll be a bloodbath for us and them if you can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Well, the more everyone else can keep him occupied while I work the better. To that end, how have your chats with your fellow denizens of the night gone?¡±


    Bennett let out a breath. ¡°It¡¯s like being in one of those insufferable vampire movies. Remember those? It¡¯s all about the ennui of immortality. The vitae and so on and so forth.¡±


    ¡°Like larping, but real.¡±


    ¡°Except they hunt humans for sport. Literally.¡±


    ¡°I know. Lucky for them they don¡¯t kill anyone. Not like those werewolves.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not so sure. I feel like they only do that because they choose to. They see humans as beneath them. They could easily change their minds one day and choose to kill.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the class and like you said. It¡¯s a choice. You can only control yours.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but it was disappointing. They¡¯re the first people I¡¯ve met with the same class.¡±


    ¡°Ginessa?¡±


    ¡°Similar, same tree, but different branch. She¡¯d be like a distant, distant cousin. These guys would be like first cousins or even siblings,¡± Bennett shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s been hard not having anyone that could truly understand what it was like to be a vampire. Very lonely. And now that I¡¯ve met them¡­ somehow feel even more alone.¡±


    ¡°You have to think in a longer time scale. You¡¯ve stopped aging. Possibly forever. Vampire is a class. We¡¯d always figured more would pop up eventually. You found three. Sure, they aren¡¯t like you, but maybe the next one will share more of your outlook on the night life.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know if you¡¯re trying to make a joke. Ever since you got that kid,¡± Bennett shook his head.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°Sure. So, how are the other guys doing? Hanna?¡±


    He spent the next few hours filling Bennett in before the vampire was forced to retreat to his hotel room before the dawn arrived.

 7.35

    Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida, New American Republic, January 4, 2037


    ¡°Folks at home, my producer is telling me that the slight delay is over and the fighters are about to take the field. Still no word on what the problem was, but it doesn¡¯t matter now. Any last thoughts, Lanny?¡± Chip said.


    ¡°I think we¡¯ve covered most of it. Although, I still can¡¯t figure out what Lord De la Sangre¡¯s class is?¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s the same as the pseudonym he chose to hide his identity under before getting unmasked by Shrewed in the last match. ¡®Blood-soaked Assassin¡¯ does seem to fit. Hopefully, we¡¯ll learn more from the match, since Lord De la Sangre was been coy about it. Rou is going to make him work for a win.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, Chip. No more holding your best Skills and spells in reserve. We¡¯re in the Elite Eight now. The cream rising to to the top as the dregs have all fallen to the bottom. Both better give it all if they want to reach the Final Four and keep their hopes for the championship alive,¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°Well said, partner. With that let¡¯s send it down to the field,¡± Chip said.


    The lord, clad head to toe in dark clothing and light armor, held his arms out wide with one blade in a standard grip, the other in an icepick grip. He sauntered toward the middle of the dirt field.


    His opponent growled as his body contorted and swelled. The sickening sound of popping joints and bulging muscles was accompanied by a rapid growth of hair all over his bare torso, arms and face. Fingernails lengthened and thickened into sharp claws.


    The man, known as ¡®Rou¡¯, locked yellow eyes on the casual, confident lord. A feral smile revealed sharp teeth with the canine fangs resembling a wolf¡¯s.


    ¡°Beastly,¡± the lord stopped a dozen yards away. ¡°You might as well go all the way. It¡¯s your only chance.¡±


    Despite the dark cloth covering the lord¡¯s mouth, Rou had no trouble picking out the words amidst the roaring crowd. ¡°Ain¡¯t needing ta. Not fer a faggot leech,¡± his guttural words were made even more difficult to understand due to physical changes.


    ¡°The correct term is ¡®omnisexual¡¯,¡± the lord said.


    ¡°Da fuck is at? More a yer faggy woke gatorshit,¡± Rou bent down to grab a huge handful of dirt.


    ¡°I suppose it makes sense coming from you. Once a man, now regressed to little better than a wild animal,¡± the lord twirled the twin short blades in a blindingly fast motion before gesturing up to the tens of thousands in attendance and the millions watching at home. ¡°I will make you less of the man you think you are in front of them all.¡± Blood red eyes shined from the thin opening.


    ¡°I¡¯s gonna eat you an shit you out.¡±


    ¡°No, no, no,¡± the lord wagged a finger. ¡°Did that animal brain of yours forget the rules?¡±


    ¡°Nah, bitch, I¡¯s member em fine,¡± Rou tapped a thick claw to his brutish, hair-covered brow, ¡°ain¡¯t no killing. Nuthin'' gainst tearin'' chunks outta ya when ya can survive jus fine. Time fer ya to git in ma belly, meat,¡± he threw his head back and howled.


    The beastly man hurled the dirt.


    The lord blurred around stabbing and cutting.


    One blade into a broad, hair-covered stomach. The other slicing the back of a thigh.


    Supernatural strength and speed went up against supernatural toughness.


    The result was a wash.


    The first blade failed to get through thick fat and muscle while the second easily parted tough jeans before drawing a thin red line across the skin.


    A spinning backhand hit air as the lord nimbly danced away.


    Rou snarled and gave chase with wild swipes.


    The lord dodged while cutting thin lines all over the much larger Rou¡¯s hairy arms and torso.


    He gracefully spun around an overhand slash dodging claws and a spray of spittle.


    ¡°You rage like a beast. Your tainted blood runs hot, doesn¡¯t it? Like a simmer,¡± he said. ¡°Can you handle a boil?¡±


    The viewers watched Lord De la Sangre point.


    They saw Rou double over and roar.


    Those that had fought and killed monsters and mutant animals recognized the tenor.


    Pain.


    ¡°Hahahahahaha!¡± the lord gestured to crowd. He spoke whispered words only for one other. ¡°Submit and I¡¯ll stop.¡±


    Rou laughed through the pain. His body twisting and contorting with such violence that a great cloud of dust bloomed around him. ¡°This ain¡¯t nuthin'',¡± he grunted. ¡°I¡¯s got worse rollin'' round with ma boys.¡±


    The beastly man suddenly sprang from the ground with quickness that belied his bulk.


    The lord blurred but was a fraction of a second slow.


    Rou had caught him off guard.


    Clawed fingers sank through light armor into a chest. The sharp digits hooked into the lord¡¯s ribs and held fast.


    Rou took care not to dig too hard lest he accidentally tear the chest open.


    He knew that the lord could survive many things. He just wasn¡¯t certain if complete evisceration was one of them. Despite the difficulty in pushing down the beast within¡¯s hunger for blood and death he managed. The rules were clear and his alpha had made it clear they were to be followed. He wasn¡¯t about to piss off the only two men he feared.


    With his other hand he grabbed the lord¡¯s head and squeezed. Again, not hard enough to crush the skull.


    He pulled the lord closer so that he could peer into those blood-red eyes.


    ¡°No tricks? Not like that alpha bitch of yours?¡± he sneered.


    ¡°We are not animals, like you and your kind.¡±


    ¡°You hunt meat jus the same, cept you do it all faggy cause yer a pussy,¡± he spat.


    The lord continued to carve at Rou¡¯s chest and arms. He ignored the bladed reply. Barely scratches and he healed fast anyways. He guessed that the leeches didn¡¯t know about the silver.


    ¡°Yer tricks ain¡¯t worth shit,¡± he raised the lord high as if presenting a kill to the crowd then planted him into the dirt with a thunderous slam.


    The lord choked. Blood stained the dark cloth around his mouth and where Rou¡¯s claws dug into his skin.


    A howl heralded another ride.


    Up then down.


    Twice.


    Thrice.


    The crowd bayed for more.


    Rou held the lord up like a dead rabbit as though presenting a kill. He didn¡¯t notice the lord¡¯s dark blood slowly flowing down his fingers, through the crevasses of his muscled arms, until finally reaching the boulders near his neck.


    The blood reached up toward Rou¡¯s neck in thin streams, like cilia reaching for nutrients.


    They struck suddenly snaking their way through the beastly man¡¯s thick, tangled beard.


    Rou¡¯s triumphant sneer became a rictus of rage as his body was invaded.


    Sensing something, the crowd hushed.


    Rou screamed as a hundred streams of his blood burst forth from all over his body.


    The lord landed lightly as the big man¡¯s hands relinquished their hold. He loomed over the fallen Rou and reached down. He brought his hand to his nose. ¡°Unpleasant. How do you like it? The Quietus,¡± he whispered. ¡°You don¡¯t even understand the word. I doubt you¡¯re literate. You inbred swamp dwellers only use book pages to wipe, after all.¡±


    Rou was on his hands and knees, thick hair matted with red.


    ¡°Like a wet dog,¡± the lord sniffed as he laid his blades against both sides of the beastly man¡¯s thick neck. ¡°Submit!¡± he raised his voice.


    ¡°I feel yer arms shake through them pig gutters. To bad ya ain¡¯t got the right shit to put me down fer long. Wut¡¯s a little blood when I¡¯s got gallons of em to spare,¡± Rou¡¯s ham-sized hand shot out like a snake.


    The lord blurred out of reach.


    Rou rose. ¡°See,¡± he held his arms out wide. ¡°Them little holes already closed up. Ain¡¯t nuthin'' ya got fer me.¡±


    They came together in a blur.


    Both moving too fast for the normal human eye to follow.


    Half the crowd looked up to the huge screens for the slow motion video.


    The rest were content to try and fail to keep up with the action.


    Blades cut and stab a dozen times a second.


    Claws swiped almost as quickly.


    Teeth snapped on a steel blade.


    The weapon resisted for a moment.


    Rou spat out a broken blade.


    He struck¡ª


    Air?


    The lord had vanished.


    He spun.


    Nothing.


    Everywhere he looked.


    There was no sign of his opponent.


    The crowd murmured.


    He felt their confusion.


    Saw some of them pointing behind him.


    He spun again.


    Nothing.


    The lord was making him look stupid.


    He howled as something stung his lower back.


    Blind swipes came up empty. Checking his back didn¡¯t. He brought back red-tipped fingers.


    Thousands of yammering voices filled his sensitive ears.


    He tried to tune them out and focus on his immediate surroundings.


    He remembered watching that smug kid that could turn invisible.


    Ears straining, he listened for steps on the dirt.


    Nothing.


    He tried his nose.


    Blood, sweat, adrenaline and half a dozen other scents mingled around him. Most of it came from him.


    A trick like with the blood?


    Well¡­ the lord wasn¡¯t the only with bullshit tricks.


    He took a deep breath ignoring the cuts across his broad, muscled back.


    The howl ripped through the arena.


    Unlike the normal howl, this was a Skill.


    There!


    He marked the lord.


    His opponents presence should¡¯ve stood out like a bloody beacon in all of his senses. Instead, it flickered in and out of his perceptions like a candle flame in a light breeze.


    It was better than nothing.


    ¡°Yer ain¡¯t gonna hide from me,¡± he pounced.


    Lord De la Sangre was caught off guard as the big, hairy monster in the guise of a man bore him to the ground.


    His Skill had been working to obfuscate his presence from even the keenest of natural scents.


    And yet?


    That howl?


    It was only fair that the beastly man had his own Skills.


    The only question now was how many of his abilities did he want to reveal.


    One meaty hand held him down while the other battered his head.


    The blows stung, but he was tougher than he looked.


    He stabbed and cut at the hand pushing on his chest like an industrial press to no avail.


    The damn bastard healed too fast.


    He regretted not listening to that annoying punk¡¯s suggestion to find some silver.


    Admittedly, his personal disdain for his disrespectful coterie member often clouded his judgment when it came to not listening to anything out of Rebel¡¯s foul mouth.


    A hiss escaped his lips as something stung the side of his head.


    It could only be one thing.


    That cursed sun.


    It¡¯d burn him to ash if he sat in direct contact with it for more than a handful of minutes.


    Sigh, Velvet warned me about this, he thought. Called him a fool for risking combat in the daylight. To be fair it had been fifty-fifty. His first two matches had taken place near dusk and at night.


    It looks like his run was about to be undone by bad luck.


    Still, he had gained much from his three previous victories.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    There was no shame in bowing out gracefully.


    ¡°I yield,¡± he said.


    Rou¡¯s beady black eyes blinked at him in confusion for a moment. Followed by a thudding punch to the face.


    The crack of the lord¡¯s nose sent a spasm of pain radiating through his face.


    ¡°Stop! Fight¡¯s over!¡± the referee¡¯s voice snapped.


    Multiple referees rushed onto the arena floor.


    Rou reluctantly allowed himself to be pried off by a dozen hands. ¡°Get off me! Yer a pussy faggot!¡± he spat at the lord.


    ¡°Get it right. ¡®Omnisexual¡¯,¡± the lord mocked. He held one hand over the tear in the side of his head covering and raised one to the crowd. He listened to the cheers and ignored the boos.


    With one last flourish, he strode toward his tunnel.


    ¡°The winner and moving on to the Final Four¡­ Roooouuuuuuuu!¡± the announcer¡¯s voice echoed.


    The lord let the sting of it was over him.


    A loss in the arena didn¡¯t matter than much.


    This was a game.


    Sport.


    It wasn¡¯t real.


    He vowed when that time came he¡¯d be the only one walking away.


    <hr>


    Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida, New American Republic, January 5, 2037


    It¡¯s said that the eyes were the windows into the soul.


    What did that say about the two competitors battling for the last spot in the Final Four?


    One was a dark-skinned man in his thirties with eyes of fire.


    The other was a pale woman whose eyes glowed with white light beneath a white blindfold.


    Issac Freeman.


    True Patriot.


    The air shimmered around Issac was though he was standing in the middle of a desert highway in the heart of summer.


    True Patriot brandished a stick while she cautiously moved forward testing the boundaries of the oven-like heat.


    Though it glowed with the same white light leaking through her blindfold the crooked stick resembled a snapped branch. As if she had picked it up at the park on her way to the stadium.


    She reached out carefully. Then snatched her hand back as if she had just touched a hot cast-iron skillet handle.


    This was a lot hotter than she had expected.


    She had studied the videos of her opponent¡¯s previous matches.


    His opponents had been weaker than her and they had managed to penetrate the heat and last long enough to at least attempt a few attacks. Granted they hadn¡¯t lasted long.


    Issac hadn¡¯t given any interviews.


    The commentators and analysts had speculated that he had given his opponents heat stroke.


    A theory confirmed by the information her team managed to get out of the medical staff reports, which were supposed to be kept secret. The slavers didn¡¯t want to give competitors advantages over their opponents.


    Fair play rules. In her estimation? A farce.


    Rules were meant for games and sports that didn¡¯t truly matter in the greater scheme.


    Despite the packaging and marketing from the slavers, the Freedom Championships¡ª what a hypocritical name¡ª was no game.


    It had real world stakes.


    The New American Republic was a vile construct made by the darkest hearts of her country. The all-consuming greed that spurred men to treat other men as things, assets to be used for their own benefits. The selfish rot that had always wound its way through the core like a worm inside an apple.


    She was here to work towards its eventual destruction for the true America and its people. To build a better nation. The spires had given them that chance. A clean slate to start over.


    To that end she needed to win it all.


    For herself.


    For her mission.


    Strengthening herself strengthened America.


    In a just world Issac Freeman would be fighting at her side against the slavers.


    Instead, they fought for their entertainment.


    ¡°Give up,¡± she said.


    Issac said nothing.


    Stared at her with those eyes.


    No, not eyes.


    She saw no pupils, no sclera.


    There was only flame.


    It licked at the edges of the openings.


    She stared into the blazing heart of a forge.


    ¡°Then don¡¯t take this personally,¡± she hurled her stick like a javelin. It flew straight and true despite being crooked.


    The white light within her, the power, would remain in the stick long enough to make its passage through the hazy distortion separating her from Issac.


    Flame flashed.


    Her eyelids closed reflexively even though there was nothing to protect. Even though she could see regardless. The darkness had been illuminated for her years ago. The day she had gained her powers was the day that her eyes would forever remain open.


    Heat washed over her face.


    She watched as fire poured from the twin holes in Issac¡¯s face.


    It streamed out like water from a hose drenching her stick burning it to nothing in an instant.


    Her trusty stick that had made it through the entire tournament.


    Unfortunate that she¡¯d have to reveal more of what she was truly capable of.


    She drew a pistol from the concealed holster at the small of her back. Fed her power into the bullets, took careful aim and squeezed the trigger.


    The fire burned, but her white light protected them long enough to become molten bits of metal that streaked across Issac¡¯s face.


    They cut his dark skin.


    Flame, rather than blood, leaked.


    Interesting.


    She reloaded.


    If he was content to stand like a stationary target then she was happy to treat him as such.


    She took aim and stifled a curse.


    He sprinted toward her.


    The painful heat enveloped her forcing her to leap back.


    A dozen yards in one with the power flowing through her body.


    His eyes flashed, sending streams of flame that bloomed into a tsunami-like wave.


    It was too wide to dodge around and too fast to run away.


    So, she jumped over.


    20 yards straight up shooting all the way.


    Empty.


    Eject mag.


    Reload.


    Shoot.


    Brace for the heat.


    It enveloped her while she was still in the air.


    Confirmation achieved.


    It extended the same distance above as it did on the horizontal pane.


    Did it do the same below?


    She held her breath, was forced to by the heat stealing it from her lungs.


    Her pistol grew hot, as did her armor.


    Her clothing smoked.


    Her body¡­ that would last longer than everything else.


    Her vision blurred, which should¡¯ve been impossible since she no longer had physical eyes.


    Somehow, she located Issac in the haze. She aimed, squeezed the trigger¡ª


    Her pistol exploded.


    The heat had cooked the powder.


    That had hurt.


    She flexed her fingers experimentally.


    Still working.


    Thinking quickly she pulled the remaining magazines from her belt and tossed them at Issac.


    They exploded before they got close.


    A wave of flame washed over her.


    The pain¡­


    Ignore it.


    Draw on the white light.


    She pulled out the collapsible baton, fed it, made it exponentially stronger. Powering through the fire she landed a cracking blow upside Issac¡¯s head.


    Dark skin cracked and flaked at the impact revealing more of the inferno seemingly contained within the man¡¯s mortal form.


    She struck him over a dozen times in a handful of seconds.


    Issac took the blows without concern.


    He barely felt them.


    His flesh was just a temporary shell after all.


    The blind-folded woman was strong.


    Stronger than anyone he¡¯d ever faced before. Even that true boss made out of iron at the rail yards hadn¡¯t hit as hard.


    No matter.


    His victory was a forgone conclusion.


    The woman couldn¡¯t last forever with as hot as he had made it.


    He just had to be careful not to accidentally turn her to ash.


    The slavers didn¡¯t have the kind of healing that could fix that. No one did.


    It took him three tries and cost him another dozen hits to the head before he managed to grab the woman¡¯s arm.


    Which was a mistake.


    He lacked physical strength and was a lot lighter than he looked.


    The woman shook him like a terrier did a rat.


    He hung on and turned up the heat to his hands.


    The woman¡¯s arm guards began to melt.


    She grimaced.


    ¡°Give up before something permanent happens.¡± He had given all of his opponents the opportunity to quit and they all had taken it after it became clear that they couldn¡¯t hurt him. The fear of fire was deep in the subconscious of normal people. Ask anyone and they¡¯d say that being burned alive was one of the most painful ways to go.


    The woman couldn¡¯t talk, holding her breath as she was, but the look on her face made it clear that quitting wasn¡¯t on the table.


    He let go and went for a short flight landing in a heap a dozen yards away.


    Victory wasn¡¯t worth maiming the woman.


    She didn¡¯t deserve it.


    Not like the slavers.


    He turned his burning gaze to her and hit her with another low-powered stream of fire.


    She pushed through it.


    The white orbs hidden beneath the blindfold glowed brighter underneath the assault.


    Her armor and clothing burned. Fair skin smoked and began to blister.


    She hastily removed her helmet lest it turn into a molten crown.


    The crowd roared.


    Disgusting.


    He reined the fire in with difficulty.


    Once the veneer of humanity cracked it had always been a hard thing to pull it back. To remember that he wasn¡¯t the inferno. That he was a man in mind if not in body.


    Issac Freeman.


    Sophia¡¯s brother.


    Remember yourself¡­ for her.


    He shifted his gaze to the ground in front of the woman.


    He traced a line of flame across her path.


    His fire wasn¡¯t natural.


    It burned without the need for fuel for as long as he desired.


    It burned as strong or as weak as he chose.


    True Patriot recoiled from the wall of flame.


    Against expectation and logic it stayed in place. Twice as tall as her.


    She moved to the left.


    Another flame wall cut her off.


    She looked to the right.


    Of course, she thought, just as another one flared to life.


    Issac left her one way out, so she took it.


    She sprinted back and out of the scorching heat.


    A deep breath to fill her lungs.


    Her skin felt raw despite the white light inside suppressing the pain, healing, though not quickly enough for the fight. She felt as tired as she had ever been in a long time.


    Facing this man was like the worst true boss fight she had ever done.


    That one she had barely triumphed over even with a full support team.


    She was alone in the arena.


    Her and Issac with tens of thousands of bloodthirsty bastards braying from their blood.


    This was a battle of attrition.


    And her tank was the one dropping quickly.


    Issac stood within the shimmering haze of his heat.


    She had marked his head and face with a spiderweb of cracks. Dark skin had flaked in patches, but he looked unbothered by it all.


    How much further did she want to push?


    Winning had been Priority 1A¡­ 1B loomed in the back of her mind.


    The other, equally important reason they were in the so-called New America Republic.


    She couldn¡¯t spend her strength here. She needed it for later.


    There was no shame with how far she had come.


    She had tested herself against the strongest people in the land and had compared favorably against them until this one.


    Time to take her winnings while she was ahead.


    Like the smarter of her soldiers liked to say when gambling with each other.


    She looked up to the crowd.


    Then to Issac giving him a slight nod.


    ¡°I withdraw from the fight,¡± she raised a hand.


    <hr>


    ¡°That¡¯s two quitters in a row,¡± Shrewed said.


    Cal watched the aftermath of Issac¡¯s win on the massive screen taking up an entire wall.


    ¡°Still salty?¡±


    ¡°A little. That bloody lord sucked my blood. I feel a little violated. Least he could¡¯ve done was try harder,¡± Shrewed shrugged.


    ¡°How you feeling by the way? Hungry? Thirsty? For the red stuff? I noticed you took that steak pretty blue.¡±


    Shrewed chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s how I always like my steak. Just a few degrees above mooing. No worries on that account. I¡¯m feeling almost a hundred percent. Going to be ready for our move. Speaking of which¡­ got any insight on why Captain Patriot up there gave up?¡± he gestured to True Patriot brushing past the bleach blonde woman in the too-tight dress angling for an interview.


    The heat around Issac had been too much for them to even approach, which Cal knew was intentional.


    It was a good thing that Issac hadn¡¯t had to go hard. The next fight against the other werewolf should be easier.


    The finals against the ¡®girl¡¯ was going to be a problem.


    The blue-haired terror was set to face the Magus of the Ten Eyes in the other Final Four match, but that result had already been determined. The magus needed to save her strength for their true goals. Not waste them for entertainment. The victory rewards might¡¯ve been everything to another person but the magus cared more about her friends and doing what was right than gaining personal power.


    ¡°They¡¯ve got plans,¡± he said.


    ¡°Our old government has plans? That can¡¯t be good. Is it going to mess ours up?¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°They¡¯re looking to get out of here with the secret to the slavery collars. Plans and blueprints at a minimum. Taking the people with the knowledge is their optimal goal.¡±


    ¡°Let me guess, they¡¯re wanting their own collars.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re telling themselves that they don¡¯t want to use them in the same way. They¡¯re looking to give collars to volunteers in order to create soldiers that feel no fear. That¡¯ll fight past their limits all the way to the end.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t sound much different to me,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s basically the slave soldiers. They¡¯ll call it something else but it¡¯s still slavery in the end.¡±


    ¡°Like putting a dress on a pig.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Something my grandpa used to say. Said putting a dress on a pig didn¡¯t make it a woman.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, he was from Texas. Never got it myself. Made me look at farmers differently.¡±


    ¡°And now I see it. Thanks for that.¡±


    ¡°Heh¡­ welcome. So, what¡¯re we gonna do about them?¡±


    ¡°The government? Let them add to the chaos, but make sure they don¡¯t get what they want. It¡¯ll be a moot point if we destroy the whole collar system as planned.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t take care of those that knows,¡± Shrewed tapped his head, ¡°up here, I mean. If they ain¡¯t dealt with permanently they¡¯ll just start over for the Feds or someone else.¡±


    ¡°America did that after World War II. Took the Nazi scientists and gave them jobs. Won them the space race among other advances, but I don¡¯t think I¡¯m interested in these slavers¡¯ advancements.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll volunteer to put them down. In case you didn¡¯t want to cross those lines,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯ll be necessary, at least for most of them. I can make sure that their knowledge is destroyed before they face justice.¡±


    ¡°We going to put them on trial? With what court? Send them prison? What prison?¡±


    ¡°I was planning on letting the people they enslaved decide their fates, minus letting it devolve into indiscriminate bloodshed. Guilt flows throughout the people that live in this city, however, that guilt isn¡¯t parsed out equally. Many went along out of fear. It¡¯s a relatively small percentage that chose to be monsters to the enslaved.¡±


    ¡°How you going to separate them all out? I can¡¯t say I¡¯d be okay with letting anyone off that got something out me being in one of them collars. Forced to do¡­ to do all those things. I¡¯d be wanting blood from everyone and everything.¡±


    ¡°Understandable, but that can¡¯t be allowed to happen. Each individual should get what their actions earned them. Thankfully, I have the ability to actually see that they get them without any of the uncertainty of how our world used to be before the spires.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, truth spells and Skills are fucking awesome for that. Man, the cops in the old days would¡¯ve hated them. They couldn¡¯t sprinkle crack on people or drop a gun next to them.¡±


    ¡°It would¡¯ve fundamentally changed our entire society. I can¡¯t see how politicians could exist if they couldn¡¯t lie. In any case, we have them and I have my own ways that are even better.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ okay then. I ain¡¯t gonna push back on that. You haven¡¯t done us wrong yet.¡±


    Cal rose from the couch. ¡°I need to go check on the preparations for our little party tonight.¡±


    ¡°Man, I¡¯d be worried about all them Gold Div ass-kickers in one place if you weren¡¯t here to keep them all in line,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll protect you from all those scary women,¡± he laughed.


    ¡°I do like them dangerous,¡± Shrewed raised his hands at Cal¡¯s look, ¡°don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll keep it strictly professional until after we finish the Quest.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not. You¡¯re the example of professionalism. Many of the other rangers could do better following that.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, man,¡± Shrewed pounded a gnarled fist to his chest, ¡°means a lot coming from one of the top dogs out there.¡±

 7.36

    Starshine. Tabitha. Starshine. Tabitha.


    The young girl was overburdened with three large plates of food. One more than she could handle safely.


    So, it was perhaps expected that her straining hands and arms would give.


    A plate teetered and in an effort to save it the other two joined it.


    Oh no!


    A mess and a waste was moments from hitting the floor.


    The master would be unhappy with her.


    Until¡­


    The plates returned to her followed by the food to the plates.


    They sat in her hands and arms.


    Stable and steady.


    Light as a feather.


    She carried them to the table and placed them at the direction of the woman in charge of setting.


    Tabitha paid no attention to what had just happened.


    Neither did any of the other collared women ferrying items from the kitchen into the formal dining room for their master¡¯s dinner party.


    Their master appeared as soon as they had finished.


    He smiled down at her.


    It gave her the happiest feeling she had ever felt in the world.


    ¡°Thank you, all. Please go to your wing and continue as instructed,¡± he said.


    She beamed up at him and skipped ahead of the others.


    She had a desk just for her in the room she shared.


    A stack of coloring books. Paper and every color of crayon awaited.


    Doing anything the master told her to do always filled her with joy.


    This, however, something about it made her even happier.


    She colored and drew. Taking frequent breaks to drink water and eat the cookies one of the others had placed next to her.


    In the main part of the mansion an old man greeted every guest that came through the front door with a scowl of pure disgust.


    Bitterman. Tlaloc. Bitterman. Tlaloc.


    His original name was long forgotten.


    He saw himself as the god of rain. Of life.


    He had vowed freedom for all chained, collared as he had once been.


    The time drew near for this farce to end. For the masks to drop. For the slavers to die.


    ¡°Dining room,¡± he grunted vaguely pointing toward the back of the grand entry way.


    The tall woman with a metallic sheen to her carved physique carefully scanned the space. Seeing nothing to concern her she pointed at the central opening beneath the twinned stair case. ¡°Through there?¡±


    Tlaloc as Bitterman grunted.


    ¡°Look, old man,¡± she loomed, ¡°there¡¯s three different hallways. I¡¯m not about to wander around your slave master¡¯s mansion. So, if this is some kind of tr¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yo, hi!¡± a smiling young man appeared at the top of the staircase.


    She blinked. Eyes narrowed.


    He hastily held his hands open as he slowly, casually moved down the left staircase.


    No visible weapons, but that didn¡¯t mean much.


    ¡°You¡¯re ¡®Steel Hammer¡¯?¡± the young man¡¯s easy smile never wavered as he stopped just outside her reach. He had to crane his neck back to look up into her eyes. ¡°I go by ¡®Ghost Sorcerer¡¯. I¡¯m Gold Division, like you, well¡­ not like you, since I¡¯m only in the timed event.¡±


    ¡°Hammer¡¯s fine,¡± she grunted taking his outstretched hand very gently, ¡°and I¡¯m not calling you that. Too long.¡±


    ¡°Some people call me¡­ ¡®Ghosty¡¯,¡± he sighed. ¡°Sorry about Bitterman, he¡¯s not enjoying this whole thing,¡± he waved a hand vaguely.


    The old man bristled.


    She felt something in the air around him on her altered flesh. Like when there was a thunderstorm about to hit.


    ¡°Er¡­ I¡¯ll take you to the meeting if you don¡¯t mind,¡± Ghost Sorcerer said.


    She followed him into a long corridor with her eyes and ears open. ¡°If this is a trap, I¡¯m not going to pull my punches just cause he¡¯s an old man and you¡¯re a kid.¡±


    ¡°No trap and I¡¯m not a kid. I¡¯d say we¡¯re here for mostly the same reasons. You¡¯ll find out more in a little bit. I think we¡¯re only waiting on a few more people before we can start.¡±


    The kid led her into a dining room just as grand as the entry way.


    She had never known such luxury.


    It was more like a full restaurant than a private home¡¯s dining room.


    Hell, all her life the kitchen and the dining room were basically the same things. It wasn¡¯t until after the spires had appeared and she had gained her powers that she learned otherwise.


    Even then she never sought luxury.


    Something about it made her mad.


    A flash of green and purple out of the corner of her eye.


    Another thing that made her mad.


    ¡°You,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°You,¡± the Emerald Bomber pointed mockingly.


    She clenched her fists and took a step forward only for a grotesque monster eye the size of a soccer ball to descend in front of her.


    She recoiled, fists up as the orb blinked at her with its iris made of three rotating circles each with a pupil of the blackest void.


    ¡°Please, we are all in common cause,¡± the magus said.


    The older woman sat at the enormous table.


    The magus¡¯ head was uncovered revealing curly hair more gray than black.


    The soft light smoothed out the wrinkles on her sun-browned skin.


    She decided that the magus looked a lot more at ease than in their previous meeting.


    ¡°Pick a seat, any seat,¡± Ghost Sorcerer gestured.


    There were enough seats for a few dozen people around the vaguely oval-shaped table.


    She went around until she found a spot where she could keep an eye on everyone else and the three open doorways. She reached for the chair, then hesitated.


    The chair looked expensive, solid wood.


    Strong enough?


    It wasn¡¯t something she could take for granted.


    ¡°It¡¯s strong enough. The shit bag that paid for it wanted solid ebony for the whole set,¡± a man said.


    She shrugged. Pulled the chair out and carefully sat ready for it to break underneath her weight.


    It creaked and groaned as if complaining, but held.


    Still, she sat lightly.


    She studied the man that had spoken.


    Black hair, brown skin. Short, but with broad shoulders and muscles visible through his suit jacket. He looked young, but the eyes said otherwise. Might not have meant much. People grew up quicker in the post-spires world. She decided he was probably in his thirties.


    She studied the rest of the people around the table.


    The Emerald Bomber surprised her, being a fellow sister and looking older than expected without her devil-shaped helmet and mask. Tall for a woman, but still at least a foot shorter and a few hundred pounds lighter, judging by her slim figure in that form-fitting green armor that shined like metal, but moved with a flexibility closer to cloth.


    She already knew the magus and creepy ten creepy monster eyes floating close to the ceiling like birthday balloons.


    Perhaps, she shouldn¡¯t have been surprised to see other Gold Division fighters among their number.


    The three Furies traded daggers with their eyes across the way from the three Heartfuries.


    How were they not at each other¡¯s throats after that vicious fight in the finals?


    She recognized the burly brawler seated next to Ghost Sorcerer, though she couldn¡¯t recall his name. The bald, scar-faced man with a crooked nose and notches out of his cauliflower ears was hunched over a plate from which he was shoveling food in his mouth like a man coming off a soup diet. Probably, still recovering from the injuries he had picked up against that wannabe vampire assassin lord.


    A few seats from the two men, Blackstar sat with her team trying to keep an eye on everyone else at the table.


    The angry woman, Rino, sat sandwiched between a young man that looked familiar, Silver-something and a smiling blond that she didn¡¯t recognize.


    The blond waved.


    She moved on to the next person.


    A dark-haired young man that she didn¡¯t recognize looking very nervous, though if it was because of the powerful and dangerous assortment of people gathered around him or because of the waif-ish blond seated next to him, wasn¡¯t clear.


    The small blond¡¯s gaze sent a shiver up her spine.


    Thankfully, she had an excuse to look away as a pair of people were led into the kitchen by the old Bitterman.


    She recognized Gearlok, another stupid name courtesy of the slavers, walk in with a young man even bigger than him.


    The man with machine parts moved with audible whirring and clicking from the what had to be the motors and gears moving his artificial leg and arm.


    Huh?


    She had seen his fights seeing as how he had been in her bracket and was a potential opponent.


    His mechanical leg was hidden beneath his pants, but his short sleeves revealed the mechanical arm.


    It looked different.


    Sleeker. Newer.


    ¡°Great, that¡¯s everyone!¡± the short man seated close to her stood. ¡°So, I invited you all here and I¡¯d like to start with a question.¡±


    She held her breath.


    This was the one that the magus trusted enough to risk going against the slavers in the heart of their main city?


    ¡°Would you rather eat first or hear what I have to say?¡± he grinned.


    ¡°Who the fuck are you anyways? Not the lord that owns this place? I did some checking around and Lord Don Wynn is a fat, old, white fuck that likes to diddle young women, girls and sometimes boys,¡± Emerald Bomber said.


    ¡°My name is ¡®Cal Cruces¡¯, as a sign of trust and the seriousness of this, that¡¯s my real name.¡±


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°Bold of you, if that¡¯s true,¡± Blackstar said.


    Cal Cruces shrugged.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about the food,¡± she said. ¡°You saying you can get me out of this place, so talk about that.¡±


    ¡°Does everyone else agree with Ms. Hammer?¡±


    ¡°Whatever, old man,¡± Tisiphone said, ¡°not like we can¡¯t eat and talk, look at Shrewed over there, he¡¯s halfway through his second plate.¡±


    ¡°Respect the strength, Tisi,¡± Alecto chided.


    ¡°Sorry, grandma,¡± Tisiphone inclined her head to Cal.


    ¡°Okay, feel free to eat and I¡¯ll start,¡± he said. ¡°I just want to be clear, I¡¯m not going to just take you out of here. Selfishly, I need your assistance for a selfless purpose. We are here to free everyone in a collar, whatever it takes. To that end, I¡¯m asking you to fight, specifically during that last banquet at the king¡¯s castle. The more he and his people are occupied the easier it¡¯ll be to achieve our goals. That¡¯s the general shape of our plans. I¡¯ll answer any questions you have for further details, but you¡¯ll understand that some things I¡¯ll have to keep from you.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s stopping one of us from going to the king with this?¡± Emerald Bomber said. She looked at the rest of the table. ¡°C¡¯mon, I know I¡¯m not the only one thinking it.¡±


    Hammer scowled down at the woman. ¡°Because you wouldn¡¯t want to be a traitor to your own kind by helping a slaver,¡± she growled.


    ¡°Fuck that bullshit! I¡¯ve got people back home that need me. I can¡¯t be stuck here.¡±


    ¡°Having trouble leaving? Can¡¯t you just fly away on your wing?¡± Rino grunted.


    ¡°My N.A.R. liaison suggested that it¡¯d be in my best interests to stay and be celebrated for my performance. More gifts at the awards night ceremony and a place of honor at the king¡¯s banquet. She also suggested that when I return to my home it¡¯ll be with an escort of N.A.R. soldiers to help for protection and the transition, if we want, of course,¡± Emerald Bomber sneered, ¡°she told me all this while giving me a tour of the airbase. They wanted to see if I could share my expertise to improve their attack helicopters.¡±


    Hammer didn¡¯t like feeling sympathy for the cheap bitch that had beaten her by cowardly decision. Still, Emerald Bomber¡¯s experience was similar to hers. ¡°The slavers are going to do us and our people just like the poor bastards in the collars even if we play along.¡±


    ¡°I agree on that,¡± Gearlok said. ¡°You lighter folk might not have to worry about it as much as us, but I¡¯m betting that they might play nice at the beginning, but we¡¯ll eventually be wearing collars,¡± he nodded to her.


    ¡°They can try,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°They will, which is why I¡¯m thinking our best shot is to take it when they ain¡¯t looking. It¡¯s the punches you don¡¯t see coming that knock you out,¡± he said.


    ¡°We don¡¯t agree with the collars or anything they¡¯re doing here, but we aren¡¯t looking to get into a suicide quest,¡± Megaera said.


    ¡°Like you all, we also have a responsibility to protect our homes,¡± Alecto said.


    ¡°You guys are way different than you were in the arena,¡± Punchy said. ¡°Less¡­ angry.¡±


    Tisiphone shot her the finger.


    ¡°Ah¡­ there it is, good,¡± Punchy nodded. ¡°What?¡± she looked askance at Cal Cruces, ¡°I just thought it¡¯d suck if it was all for show, you know? Fine¡­ I¡¯ll shut up now¡­¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not agreeing to help you without more details, but we don¡¯t like what this place is about either, so, if we end up being out we won¡¯t say anything to anybody,¡± Blackstar said.


    ¡°Fuck slavery and slavers,¡± Rino said.


    ¡°She means we¡¯re already all in,¡± the smiling blond said.


    ¡°Same,¡± Ghost Sorcerer said.


    Shrewed raised a hand as did the dark-haired young man and the disturbing waif next to him.


    ¡°Cal, if you could perhaps tell us more,¡± the magus said.


    ¡°Well, first of all, it¡¯s only as much of a suicide mission as you make it. I¡¯m asking you to back up the forces we already have in play. You¡¯ll all be invited to the king¡¯s castle for the banquet. You¡¯ll all be seated in the main dining chamber where the king will be. If you¡¯re in then you¡¯ll have to fight the king¡¯s forces and the competitors that did decide to join the slavers. But only long enough for me to destroy the whole collar thing. At that point, you can stick around and continue to help get things under control, leave on your own or be included in our exit plan, if necessary.¡±


    It sounded so easy the way Cal Cruces described it.


    She wanted to agree right then and there.


    ¡°If it gets too much for you or you feel like your about to die then I have no problem with you withdrawing and using the chaos to escape the city. In that event I¡¯ll even provide directions to those other forces that can help you and you them as it pertains to slaver forces or monsters beyond the city boundary,¡± he said. ¡°I want to make it clear. You don¡¯t have to join up. There will be a ton of chaos that skilled and motivated people, such as yourselves, can use to get out. I just believe that it¡¯s worth the risk to free these people. No one should live in chains. And since we have the power to do something about it¡­¡±


    ¡°The Quest!¡± Punchy snapped her fingers.


    ¡°Oh right, there is a Quest,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°It should not be required. To do the right thing is enough reward,¡± the magus said.


    ¡°Not that I don¡¯t disagree, but a Quest would tip things your way,¡± Blackstar said.


    ¡°You willing to share those details?¡± Emerald Bomber said.


    ¡°It¡¯s a multi-part Quest. I expect the spires will parse out specific parts to you individually by whatever metric it decides these things. The only stated reward is ten million universal points total for the overarching Quest. It promises more based on performance and for those specific parts.¡±


    ¡°A cut out of ten million might not be that much if you¡¯ve got a lot of people in those forces,¡± Blackstar said.


    ¡°Can I tell them?¡± Punchy said.


    Cal Cruces nodded.


    ¡°One part is killing the slaver king. One million to share and bonuses to stats, Skills and spells. The more you contribute the more you get,¡± Punchy said.


    ¡°Yes, but you will also have taken part in stamping out the evil of slavery,¡± the magus said. ¡°For the older ones, you remember the old world, when such things existed, but we, as individuals were powerless to do anything about it. Women and girls trafficked. Children forced to harvest chocolate. Mine sand, lithium and other things. Work in sweatshops and factories. This happened all over the world. I see you shaking your head, American,¡± she regarded Emerald Bomber, ¡°but your country was no exception.¡±


    ¡°Look, I¡¯m that cause they enslaved my ancestors, but that was, like, hundreds of years ago,¡± Emerald Bomber said.


    ¡°We still had sweatshops, massage parlors, farms, selling women, girls, boys,¡± Shrewed said. ¡°Saw some of it for myself. Didn¡¯t do nothing about it cause I was a miserable bastard and figured it wasn¡¯t my problem. It was just how things worked. Strong, weak¡­ all that was garbage. Now, I¡¯m staring that evil in the face and I can finally do something about it. Fuck it, honestly, don¡¯t care if it turns out to be a suicide Quest. All that hurt I dished out before,¡± he shook his head, ¡°been trying to make up for it all. Don¡¯t think I can, but I ain¡¯t ever gonna stop until I¡¯m dead.¡±


    ¡°Not a suicide mission,¡± Cal Cruces regarded Shrewed. ¡°To die prematurely will rob the world and its people of what you could do for them. Death is a possibility, but we won¡¯t seek it our, right, Shrewed?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I didn¡¯t mean it like that,¡± the scarred brawler said.


    Hammer digested the words as she absently chewed on a chunk of steak.


    She knew the history of her ancestors in a broad sense even if she knew nothing of her own family line beyond her grandmother. The part of her that had thought about it had always seen it as a tragedy. The rest of her had been too busy and too tired working so many jobs while trying to get good enough grades in junior college to get into the local university.


    Then the spires appeared and ruined all her hustling.


    Turned her into a superhuman though, so that was a plus.


    Eventually killed all her family.


    So, by her count, she was in the negative.


    Her powers meant nothing in that calculus.


    She had to make them count.


    Helping the small community she had come to call home was a start.


    ¡°I¡¯m in. All the way,¡± she said surprising herself at the conviction in her metallic heart.


    There was justice in her being a part in putting an end to slavery.


    ¡°Same,¡± Gearlok said. ¡°As long as my boy isn¡¯t part of the fighting.¡±


    ¡°Dad¡ª¡±


    ¡°We talked about this, Colin,¡± he turned to Cal. ¡°Can you guarantee me my boy will be safe?¡±


    ¡°If he stays here he¡¯ll be evacuated with the enslaved when the time comes.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not a guarantee,¡± Colin scowled, ¡°c¡¯mon, Dad, you need me with you. What if something goes wrong with the new stuff?¡±


    ¡°I know you can fight, but not this time. It¡¯ll be too dangerous for me to have to worry about you, while trying to put the king down,¡± Gearlok said.


    Colin fell silent but the look in his face said the argument wasn¡¯t done.


    ¡°Ain¡¯t no guarantees the moment we set foot in this place,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°Okay, I have a question,¡± Tisiphone raised her hand. ¡°Lord Don Wynn,¡± she nodded to the Emerald Bomber, ¡°obviously, you aren¡¯t him¡­ what the fuck is up with that?¡± she eyed Cal expectantly. ¡°How are you pretending to be him? The guards outside look like they came with the place. ¡®Lord Don Wynn¡¯s¡¯ been buying slaves and sponsoring you,¡± she pointed to the Heartfuries. ¡°I know some of how the collars work. They need a slave master with a control rod thing. They have to have security measures. Probably, biometric and magical, if I had to guess. It means you can¡¯t just take his control rod and use it.¡±


    ¡°That I won¡¯t share. Operational security.¡±


    Hammer was surprised when the others didn¡¯t push further.


    She found that she didn¡¯t need to know the details either.


    ¡°Can we get some time to think about it?¡± Blackstar said.


    ¡°You have until you leave this place. You can have a room to discuss it with your team after dinner,¡± Cal Cruces said.


    ¡°Thanks, appreciate it.¡±


    ¡°The same offer for you,¡± he regarded the Emerald Bomber and the Furies.


    ¡°No need for us,¡± Alecto said.


    ¡°Slavery¡¯s shit,¡± Tisiphone said.


    ¡°We¡¯ll fight with you, but we won¡¯t sell our lives,¡± Megaera said.


    ¡°Bad bitches teaming up!¡± Punchy pumped a fist.


    ¡°I got one problem with your plan,¡± Emerald Bomber said. ¡°They aren¡¯t just going to let people walk into that party armed. That might not be a problem for some of you,¡± she shot Hammer a baleful glare, ¡°but I want my full gear if I¡¯m going to be doing a last stand thing.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll be provided with devices to smuggle your gear inside and I will make sure that you won¡¯t have any problems getting them in past security,¡± Cal Cruces said.


    ¡°Yeah? That¡¯s great, but I¡¯m going to need proof,¡± Emerald Bomber said.


    ¡°Dayana, please,¡± he said.


    The dark-skinned Heartfury pulled out an old smartphone and held it up.


    ¡°Magic users, what do you sense when you look at it?¡± he said.


    Blackstar turned to one of her teammates.


    ¡°It¡¯s got mana,¡± he said.


    ¡°We concur,¡± Megaera spoke for the Furies.


    ¡°Yeah, same,¡± the dark-haired young man said.


    ¡°I sense the same,¡± Ghost Sorcerer said.


    ¡°Me too, but y¡¯all probably don¡¯t care what I have to say on it,¡± Punchy said.


    ¡°You a techmage?¡± Emerald Bomber said.


    Dayana shook her head.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see what the big deal is. I started as a techmage and I had phones, tablets, laptops with spells¡ª¡±


    Dayana tapped and swiped on the phone¡¯s surface before plunging her hand into the screen surface to pull out an assault rifle.


    She handed the gun to Sparky and proceeded to pull out a pair of long knives in quick succession.


    ¡°Bag of holding,¡± Emerald Bomber muttered. ¡°How did you do that?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see it,¡± Alecto said. ¡°We have bags of holding. I¡¯m certain that the guards would confiscate them if we tried to use them to smuggle weapons into the banquet.¡±


    ¡°Bags are a known quantity. The slavers will be looking out for them,¡± Blackstar said.


    ¡°You can buy them on the spires marketplace. Stupid expensive, though,¡± her warrior teammate grumbled.


    ¡°But they won¡¯t be worried about phones or tablets,¡± Emerald Bomber said. ¡°Those are new¡­ I want a deal,¡± she turned to Cal Cruces.


    ¡°Teach me that spell and I get to keep what you¡¯ll give me to smuggle my gear in. Er¡­ I need my flying wing. A gun¡¯s one thing, but can you give me something that I can fit my wing into that won¡¯t be suspicious to the guards. It¡¯d be suspicious if I tried to walk in there with a computer tower, monitor, keyboard and mouse.¡±


    ¡°I believe a tablet is enough for your wing. The rest of your gear can fit in a phone or two. And like I said, I¡¯ll make sure that the guards won¡¯t think anything is strange with you carrying multiple devices. Although, you¡¯re right, an entire desktop setup would be a bit too much,¡± Cal Cruces said.


    ¡°The spell?¡± Emerald Bomber leaned forward eagerly.


    ¡°That isn¡¯t mine to share. I¡¯ll have to ask. If you give me time I can find out before you leave.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll want to test it to make sure it works, plus the spell and I¡¯m in,¡± she said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll be a problem to get you the first. The second depends,¡± he said. ¡°One last thing. I believe that we can have world where people don¡¯t live in fear and suffering. That everyone can find their own happiness¡ª¡±


    ¡°Unless you¡¯re happy with eating other people or being a rapist,¡± Punchy chimed in.


    ¡°Yeah, that goes without saying,¡± Cal Cruces stared at her like a disapproving father.


    To Hammer¡¯s surprise, Punchy actually looked sheepish.


    ¡°As I was saying. The world needs to be better. It¡¯s hard enough with the monsters. Evil people will always exist. I¡¯d just like to stop them before they do things like this,¡± he gestured to encompass the slaver lord¡¯s mansion, ¡°even as I speak, countless people in collars are being abused in the most mundane of ways, in the most vile of ways. Don¡¯t we have to do something about it? I¡¯ve decided that I do. For those of you uncertain, I present the same question. Will you do something about it? Still, regardless of your answer and assuming I survive this Quest. I¡¯d like to extend my hands to you and your homes, your communities. If you want the same things that I want, then I¡¯d like to do what I can to help you achieve that safe, happy, content, fulfilling life you deserve. We work together here and now, we work together for the future.¡±


    Hammer watched Punchy biting her lip and squirming in her chair.


    The one called Sparky elbowed her in the side.


    She didn¡¯t see the problem.


    The speech was good enough for her.


    She had heard similar sentiments in the old world, but you couldn¡¯t actually do anything about it.


    The rich and powerful had been too entrenched and changes that threatened their control, even if it would¡¯ve bettered lives were snuffed out.


    That¡¯s why she barely had anything to eat growing up.


    Her school cafeteria had thrown away food rather than give it to her just cause her mom had been short thanks to Walmart always messing with her schedule so she couldn¡¯t get enough hours to be full-time. Her mom had to work three jobs and it was never enough. The strain ruined her health at forty. And since part-time meant no health insurance her mom dropped dead at forty-five.


    She had worked so hard to avoid the same fate, but it was ever enough.


    Things always just got more expensive while the pay stayed the same.


    She had read, studied.


    She knew what the rich and powerful were doing.


    Just couldn¡¯t do anything about it.


    Sometimes in her darker moments, she wondered about the spires.


    Had they destroyed the world?


    Or had they saved it?


    Cal Cruces¡¯ words pushed her toward the latter.


    And now¡­ now she had the strength to do something about it.


    Rich men made it so her mom and her lived a hard life.


    Rich men were doing the same to the enslaved.


    The spires had given them the ability to rip their veneer off.


    The spires had given her the ability to do the same to their heads.

 7.37

    ¡°Excuse me,¡± Cal rose, ¡°I need to make your call,¡± he nodded to Emerald Bomber.


    ¡°No deal unless I get that spell,¡± she said.


    He spent a moment reinforcing the fiction he had placed inside the minds of all the eyes and ears the slaver kingdom had watching and listening.


    Magical or mundane it didn¡¯t matter when they all saw and heard what he wanted them to.


    Lord Don Wynn entertaining Gold Division fighters in an effort to lock them to his service before the other nobles and even the king. Such audacity wouldn¡¯t go unchallenged for much longer, but it didn¡¯t matter. Months had become weeks. Only three left.


    He just needed a few more pieces in place then he all he had to do was wait for the king¡¯s banquet.


    He heard the young man¡¯s thoughts following him into the hallway before the young man in question actually caught up.


    ¡°Um¡­¡±


    ¡°Silver Axe,¡± he said.


    ¡°Uh, yeah, ¡®Ray¡¯, it¡¯s actually ¡®Ray¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Ray, what can I do for you?¡±


    ¡°About the thing¡­ uh¡­ I just want to make sure¡­ since you didn¡¯t mention it¡­ Rino said¡­¡±


    ¡°Your hometown? Rino was supposed to say that we would be willing to help you out with your shapeshifter issue.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ good¡­ I just wanted to make sure¡­ she wasn¡¯t that clear¡­ and it¡¯s not just the were-stuff. There¡¯s, like, spirits too, er¡­ non-corporeal monsters. That¡¯s why I got my silver stuff. Works on them.¡±


    ¡°I know a group that has familiarity dealing with non-corporeal monsters. I promise, we¡¯ll help.¡±


    ¡°Thanks¡­ I¡­ if we survive this¡­ I mean¡­¡±


    ¡°Ray, I¡¯m biased, but I¡¯d say we¡¯ve a good chance at pulling this off. I didn¡¯t say it in there because I wanted you all to go into this with open eyes.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ um¡­ if we, like¡­ die¡­¡± the young man winced.


    ¡°Before I go into the castle, I¡¯ll tell my group about everything I¡¯ve promised here. They¡¯ll carry on for me,¡± he knocked on the wall, ¡°in case I don¡¯t make it.¡±


    ¡°Great¡­ um¡­ thanks¡­¡±


    ¡°Eat, get to know the others, start talking about how you can complement each other in a fight. I¡¯ll suggest you train with each other.¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t they get suspicious?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll pretend you¡¯re thinking of signing up with Lord Wynn.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯ll work¡­ probably¡­¡± Ray nodded and hurried back.


    Cal walked into his office to find a monster¡¯s eyeball blinking.


    Can you hear me? the magus spoke in his mind.


    Interesting.


    Interesting, he thought back, telepathy¡­ spell?


    It was how the monster communicated its threats and demands. You are familiar? she poked.


    He tested her and found that it was only telepathy.


    Communication through thoughts.


    She could read his mind, nor could she protect her own had he wished to probe.


    It felt like magic, not like his own power.


    Telepathy as a spell.


    I had suspicions.


    But you didn¡¯t pry.


    I try to respect others. How did you kill the beholder?


    That¡¯s what the flying man called it. We couldn¡¯t have without his aid.


    Interesting, I believe you met my brother.


    Truly? I don¡¯t recall his face. He moved too quickly and didn¡¯t linger.


    He told me the story of helping a group of people somewhere in Egypt or Libya kill a giant floating eye monster, which in a game is called a beholder. You know, ¡®eye of the beholder¡¯, at least I think that¡¯s what the creators named it after. On account of the many eyes. Ten in this case. I hadn¡¯t heard the story when you found me outside New York. It was that first meeting that prompted his tale when I had told him about you and your ten eyes.


    Eleven. The main eye was¡­ smashed. In any event, I doubt that I could¡¯ve used it. It had too much magical power compared to the smaller eyes.


    I¡¯d like to know how you did that, one day and if you¡¯re willing to share. Obviously, your secrets are yours and I won¡¯t pry.


    Perhaps.


    So¡­


    My fight with the dragon? I have concerns.


    Fair. But you minimize the danger by presenting token resistance before conceding, like we planned.


    Not for my safety, but for my eyes. She can damage them, even destroy them. That will weaken me for the battle.


    Battle? I thought the plan was for you to evacuate with your friends when the rangers come for them and the others?


    Your words¡­ I decided that I can¡¯t walk away when I have the power to make a difference.


    There are other ways and other places where you can do that.


    I can¡¯t walk away from this. Not after what I said. I meant it. My conviction stands and you can¡¯t influence me otherwise.


    The choice is yours. As for the dragon¡­ she knows my sister. I¡¯ll try to leverage that for some¡­ concessions.


    ¡­ you have a strange family.


    To our collective regret, he sighed.


    The plans are in place. I¡¯m glad everyone appears to be with us.


    It¡¯s lucky that the majority of the strongest Gold Division fighters have enough of a moral and ethical core to be repulsed by slavery. The rest¡­ the best of them are too scared to act, the rest are indifferent, the least want their own slaves.


    We are still outnumbered.


    Quality over quantity. We still have moves to deal with the latter. Issac will do his best to put Rou on the shelf or at least weaken him. The worst will be taken off the board in the days leading up to the banquet. Plus, I have another meeting that could add more weight on our side of the scales.


    I trust that you will not become like them to battle them.


    Death or crippling. It won¡¯t be done by my direct hand, but my order, so, I won¡¯t shy away from that responsibility. No excuses. No rationalizations. No justifications.


    I understand pragmatic needs. We do serve a greater good, but many tyrants have used the same justification for terrible deeds. Take care that you don¡¯t grow accustomed to it.


    The eye floated out of the office.


    ¡°Heavy,¡± he said.


    But accurate.


    He pulled the phone from his pocket and made a call.


    <hr>


    Rayna¡¯s Rangers Base Camp, Florida, New American Republic, January, 2037


    Sometimes the world looks perfect¡­


    A catchy theme song played, a bit warbled due to the age of the television they were using to watch the DVD.


    ¡°What is this old shit?¡± Sweet Teats folded his scarecrow-like body down to fit into the low chair as the other rangers snickered. ¡°Thanks, by the way for leaving me the kid¡¯s stool, assholes¡­¡±


    ¡°Some old TV show from before our parents were born. Got it from Panda. You know how he is, loves anything old, cause it¡¯s ¡®history¡¯,¡± Curious spun a pair of knives around each index finger. She had them going in the same direction, then opposite and back again with silky smoothness.


    ¡­ no matter what the odds¡­


    ¡°Let¡¯s watch something else, this is ancient,¡± Four-toes complained.


    ¡°Ya¡¯ll wanted something new,¡± Curious flipped one knife to her left and spun both on one finger like helicopter rotors.


    ¡°We¡¯ve already watched everything thing they had in this place,¡± Wet dreams sighed.


    ¡°Shhh¡­ this is the best part of the song,¡± Sketchy Panda said.


    Standing tall, on the wings of my dream.


    Rise and fall, on the wings of my dream.


    ¡°Anyone else cringing so bad internally that they might squeeze a turtle head out?¡± Curious said.


    ¡°That¡¯s just you and that¡¯s cause you always eat too much,¡± Wet Dreams said.


    ¡°Say¡­ this sorta sounds familiar?¡± Sweet Teats said.


    ¡°Yeah!¡± Curious said. ¡°It does, don¡¯t it? Where have I heard this stupid song before?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not stupid. It¡¯s inspirational,¡± Sketchy Panda sighed, ¡°and Greygrass plays it sometimes to fire us up.¡±


    ¡°Yup¡­ that¡¯s it!¡± Sweet Teats snapped his fingers.


    ¡°Quiet up front,¡± Creepy Chipmunk said. ¡°Stupid kids,¡± he muttered.


    Curious tilted her head back over her chair. ¡°Oh? Sorry? Didn¡¯t mean to cock block you there, sir.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky we¡¯re off duty,¡± Creepy Chipmunk said.


    Beside him, Spicy laughed, then punched him in the arm.


    ¡°What¡¯s up, bitches!¡± Griddle barged into the old conference room waving a small plastic stick like a winning lottery ticket. ¡°Forget that old shit! I¡¯ve finally got the fights!¡±


    The others regarded him blandly.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. We already know what happened,¡± Curious shrugged and went back to twirling her knives.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to watch them?¡± Griddle pouted.


    ¡°Seems kinda wrong from an ethical standpoint,¡± Sweet Teats said.


    ¡°Not if we watch it for educational purposes. It¡¯ll be like scouting,¡± Sketchy Panda said.


    ¡°That¡¯s a flash drive, Griddle. You need a USB port,¡± Creepy Chipmunk said.


    ¡°Yeah, I can just plug it in.¡±


    ¡°To the old box TV? Or the DVD player¡­¡± Creepy Chipmunk raised a brow.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    Sketchy Panda pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°Griddle, they don¡¯t have USB ports. They pre-date the creation of¡ª¡±


    ¡°What Panda¡¯s going to boringly explain is that they¡¯re too old. Come back with one of the laptops if you want to watch the fights,¡± Wet Dreams said.


    Griddle cursed, unceremoniously turning around and slamming the door shut.


    ¡°If they have recordings then command staff¡¯s probably already scouting potential threats,¡± Creepy Chipmunk leaned over to whisper in Spicy¡¯s ear.


    ¡°Do you think Spiritwalker can get us in on that?¡± Spicy said.


    ¡°Dunno¡­ maybe, why?¡± Creepy Chipmunk stretched his arms up.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to see for myself.¡±


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°I guess I can ask him.¡± Creepy Chipmunk wavered between completely his stretch by dropping his long arm around Spicy¡¯s shoulders or getting up.


    The choice was made for him by the door slamming open again.


    ¡°Griddle! Can¡¯t you open the door like a normal person!¡± Curious snapped. She had a knife poised for a deadly accurate throw.


    ¡°Um¡­ yeah¡­ not Griddle. Please don¡¯t blind me, Curious,¡± Valentine covered his face. ¡°Sorry, dudes, but I¡¯ve got orders. Looking for Spicy. Griddle said he saw her here,¡± he scanned the room.


    Spicy shot up from the couch.


    Creepy Chipmunk stifled a curse.


    ¡°Mission on?¡± Spicy said.


    ¡°Yup¡­ getting Maverick ready to fly right now. Wings up in ten. So, uh, you should gear up,¡± Valentine said.


    ¡°Did you get it as a Quest?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ you¡¯ll probably get it now that you know¡ª¡±


    Spicy¡¯s eyes got the faraway look of someone listening to a voice only they could hear and reading text only they could see. She blinked after a few seconds and turned to Creepy Chipmunk. ¡°Sorry¡­¡± she grinned sheepishly.


    ¡°No worries. You got this,¡± Creepy Chipmunk gave her thumbs up.


    ¡°Let¡¯s try this again tomorrow when I get back,¡± Spicy followed Valentine out.


    Curious mimed the thumbs up, except with a pair of knives spinning on her thumbs.


    ¡°Sorry, sir, but you¡¯re cockblocking yourself,¡± Wet Dreams said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear that from you. Dream women don¡¯t count as experience,¡± Creepy Chipmunk said.


    ¡°Got you there,¡± Sweet Teats ducked a light swipe. He was already precariously perched on the small stool. The blow missed, but made him tip over and end up sprawled on the floor to the raucous laughter of his fellow rangers.


    <hr>


    ¡°First time we¡¯re using this gear,¡± Valentine stuttered.


    ¡°What¡¯re you talking about? I¡¯ve got thirty training hours logged,¡± Spicy said. ¡°Ten of that with you and Maverick,¡± her eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Valentine blinked. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right¡­¡± he chuckled. ¡°I just meant first time on a real mission.¡±


    ¡°Dangerous skies out here. Not like back home,¡± Spicy nodded.


    Valentine¡¯s chuckle trailed away to nothing and he willed himself to relax.


    He wasn¡¯t a noob.


    Maverick was a drake in her prime.


    A lean, mean flying machine.


    He focused on stripping out of his outer layer of clothing to don the high altitude gear.


    Made of lightweight composites and super metal that would keep him warm and dry, the sleek suit included an integrated waste collection system. The helmet could be sealed completely in order to use the system that converted his own breath back into oxygen.


    It was all purely technological. Not a hint of magic.


    Impossible to achieve with their level of technology, decades and even centuries beyond their capability at their height in the post-spires world.


    Which made sense because the gear came from another world. A technologically advanced one.


    Courtesy of Cal Cruces¡¯ alien friends.


    The cost of transferring them through the spires had been astronomical.


    Valentine had seen what just one set of the high altitude gear cost.


    It would¡¯ve taken him years to afford it on his own.


    ¡°You ready?¡± Spicy said.


    He pressed the button in the collar to seal the suit grabbing the small, flat canister of emergency oxygen to slide into its compartment on his chest. He donned the helmet next, holding off on sliding the adaptive faceplate into place.


    The machine pistol and knife went into their holsters.


    Followed by a flashlight-like spell rod.


    Then the pouch of enchanted gems.


    Spicy tapped her boot impatiently. She had a scout rifle slung over one shoulder and an experimental spell staff in hand.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± he took a deep breath, ¡°let¡¯s go.¡±


    Maverick trilled as soon as she caught scent of him approaching.


    ¡°Alright, girl, you ready to kick some ass,¡± he rubbed one side of her draconic head carefully avoiding the sharp spikes that ringed the upper half of her head like a sun burst.


    He moved methodically checking the straps holding the drake¡¯s armor pieces in place.


    Thin, segmented plates fit snugly below her long neck flexed with her movements.


    ¡°Sup, Valentine, Spicy,¡± Jenius said.


    The other drake rider leaned back on his own drake, Vermillion, like he was chilling at a picnic.


    ¡°Sup, yourself, Jenius,¡± Spicy nodded. ¡°Looking forward to trying these things out for real, Wriggles?¡± she held the spell staff up toward the other ranger standing nearby.


    ¡°You know it, girl! Can¡¯t wait to be a regular Gandalf!¡± the tall, thin man grinned as he tapped his own staff against hers.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t fun times,¡± Sgt. Useless clapped.


    ¡°No, sir!¡± the rangers echoed.


    ¡°Good. This is going to be a long flight. You¡¯re crossing close to a thousand miles of unfriendly skies. You¡¯re going to need to be constantly sharp. Gear check.¡±


    The sergeant regarded each ranger in turn.


    ¡°Vermillion¡¯s all set, sir,¡± Jenius said. ¡°Same here. Got oxygen. Pressurization system is all green.¡±


    Wriggles and Spicy were also set.


    Valentine closed his faceplate and went through the checklist.


    The HUD was green.


    Oxygen recycling system. Green.


    Pressurization. Green.


    Parachute. Green.


    He peeked inside his gem pouch.


    They were all in place.


    He took the slow fall one out and pressed it into the slot in his chest next to the emergency oxygen canister.


    ¡°All good, Valentine?¡± Sgt. Useful said.


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± he saluted.


    ¡°You all know your Quest. So, I don¡¯t need to remind how important this is. I know you¡¯re excited about the rewards, but remember the reason they¡¯re so good is because it¡¯s going to be dangerous. So, be prepared for anything up there and don¡¯t let your guard down when you land to rest. Constant vigilance!¡± Sgt. Useful barked. ¡°Godspeed and good luck. Break their legs!¡± she smiled.


    Maverick lowered her sleek body to the ground so that Valentine could mount. He helped Spicy up to the saddle behind his.


    He strapped her in place before doing his own.


    ¡°You ready, girl.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. The staff¡¯s strapped to my wrist. Only way I¡¯m losing it is if something takes my whole arm,¡± Spicy said.


    He had been speaking to Maverick.


    ¡°Er¡­ hopefully that won¡¯t happen.¡±


    Congratulations!


    You have received a Quest.


    Retrieve Nullification Crystals (x20) from Emma Larkin.


    Return Nullification Crystals (x20) to current base camp.


    Success Parameters: Deliver Nullification Crystals (x20).


    Failure Parameters: Death. Loss of all Nullification Crystals (x20).


    Rewards: 40000 Universal Points (minus 2000 Universal Points per Nullification Crystal lost or damaged). 1 Level.


    Bonus Reward(s): Pending results of Quest: Destroy the Slaver Kingdom (New American Republic). Free the enslaved.


    Will you accept?


    ¡°Up we go, girl,¡± Valentine said at the same time he pictured the image of Maverick taking off.


    The feeling of leaving his stomach on the ground never got old.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t die!¡± Sgt. Useful called out.


    Two drakes carried their riders into the night sky on mighty beats of leathery wings.


    ¡°Comms check,¡± Spicy said.


    ¡°Copy,¡± Jenius¡¯ voice came in clear.


    Followed by Wriggles¡¯.


    ¡°Check good,¡± Valentine said.


    ¡°We¡¯ve already got incoming, 7 o¡¯clock low on you guys. Mutant birds,¡± Wriggles said.


    Valentine glanced in that direction.


    The HUD¡¯s automated targeting system highlighted the flock of small birds in red. It fed him their flight speed and projected path.


    ¡°Negative on the engage. They can¡¯t catch us and we can¡¯t risk lighting up the sky,¡± Spicy said.


    ¡°Copy, moving above the clouds.¡± Valentine passed the instruction to go higher through the drake-rider bond. He felt something like indignant resignation from his drake. The mutated birds did look like good bite-sized snacks. ¡°There¡¯ll be more chances for that later, girl.¡±


    Their suits automatically detected the change in altitude and switched on the oxygen and pressurization system.


    The drakes soared the dark sky with only the occasional beat of their broad wings.


    Hours passed in peace and quiet as they flew out of Florida and into Georgia.


    Valentine tracked their flight path through his HUD.


    Maverick could¡¯ve definitely gone faster than their average soaring speed of just over 60 kilometers per hour, but he had to slow her down to conserve her stamina and allow Vermillion to keep up without blowing his wings out. The other drake was bigger, stouter and more heavily armored. Not to mention that he and Spicy were much lighter than Jenius and Wriggles.


    ¡°My danger sense just pinged,¡± Spicy said.


    ¡°Nothing on mine, but you¡¯ve got yours more upgraded,¡± Wriggles said.


    ¡°Maverick¡¯s not picking up anything,¡± Valentine said.


    ¡°Same with Vermillion,¡± Jenius said.


    ¡°It¡¯s vague, no specific direction,¡± Spicy said.


    They were cruising at about 3000 meters, well within the drake¡¯s capabilities without using a rider¡¯s Skills to boost.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go up to 6000 meters,¡± Valentine said.


    The higher they went the less monsters they had to worry about.


    They rose slowly and evenly to allow the suit¡¯s systems to help their bodies against.


    Abrupt changes would normally be deadly.


    The superior technology of the Threnosh practically eliminated those dangers in controlled changes in elevation. It made rapid changes survivable.


    ¡°Everyone still green?¡± Spicy said.


    Affirmatives.


    ¡°Good, cause my danger sense just ticked up a few notches. Eyes up. Whatever it is is coming from,¡± she jabbed the spell staff, ¡°above.¡±


    Valentine looked over his shoulder at Spicy¡¯s face lit in shadowed green by the lights in her transparent faceplate.


    He heard nothing beyond the whipping wind and Maverick¡¯s occasional flap.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like it. Let¡¯s find some cover in those clouds,¡± he pointed at the dark, roiling thunderhead looming in the distance.


    ¡°Spicy, is flying into a storm a bigger danger than what you¡¯re picking up above,¡± Jenius said.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡ª¡± Spicy hesitated. ¡°It¡¯s the same.¡±


    Valentine mentally ran through the ranger catalog of known, potential dangers flying thousands of meters in the sky.


    There wasn¡¯t many.


    In fact he could count them on one hand.


    High altitude.


    A storm.


    ¡°Thunderbird!¡±


    Curses filled his helmet.


    The others had been working their own way through their bestiary studies.


    ¡°If it¡¯s a thunderbird we can¡¯t fly into the storm. So, over, under or around?¡± Jenius said.


    ¡°Protocol says we land and hide. There¡¯s an unclaimed town not that far away. Monsters there shouldn¡¯t be too hard to handle. We can clear a gym or something and try to wait it out. We won¡¯t have to fight the bosses and we¡¯ve got about two hours until the midnight reset.¡± Wriggles said.


    Their first scheduled rest stop wasn¡¯t that far off anyways.


    ¡°I vote for that,¡± Valentine said. He wasn¡¯t going to throw their lives away by trying to fight or out fly a thunderbird.


    He urged Maverick into a dive that was quicker than safe judging by the yellow warnings flashing in his faceplate.


    Spicy swallowed a curse. ¡°Warn me first next time!¡± she snapped.


    Vermillion dived in their wake.


    They didn¡¯t find a gym.


    They found several farms surrounding a small town. The kind with one dusty street running through the middle.


    Maverick roared a challenge.


    He felt what she had seen or smelled.


    Monsters and mutated farm animals infested the place.


    ¡°According to notes. The slavers deliberately keep this place and others like it stretching all across their north, Georgia and some of Alabama, as spawn zones for farming levels and as a buffer to slow Atlanta down in the event they attack,¡± Spicy said. ¡°There,¡± she pointed to a farm with a large brown barn, ¡°least amount of mutants.¡±


    He brought Maverick around over the town to line up an attack approach.


    The mutants farm animals marked with red in his HUD stared up with mindless rage and hunger.


    The fight, if it could be called that, didn¡¯t last long.


    A few bombing runs to drop grenades and a few strafing passes to spit bullets cleared most of the farm.


    Maverick and Vermillion were let loose to rend and tear what was left.


    ¡°We should be clear since this farm is large enough and far enough away from the others to be considered it¡¯s own mini-zone, like a zone within a zone,¡± Jenius said.


    They all knew that so, his words were unnecessary.


    The barn had been big enough for a dozen horses, which meant it was more than enough for two drakes.


    Maverick and Vermillion could spread out which was good because the former didn¡¯t like the latter and was prone to snapping if he invaded her space which appeared to be anything that fell within her vision.


    ¡°Just in time,¡± Wriggles said as the first rain drops began to pelt the barn¡¯s roof.


    ¡°If it is a thunderbird then hopefully it won¡¯t be able to pick us out amongst all the other monsters,¡± Spicy said. ¡°Might as well call this our first rest break.¡±


    Valentine rubbed Mavericks wing muscles as she trilled. ¡°Feels good, huh?¡±


    She snorted hot air in his face.


    ¡°Sorry, girl, but you¡¯re gonna have to deal with being uncomfortable for a while. I know the reset isn¡¯t for a few hours, but I can¡¯t take your armor off in case that thunderbird drops in on us.¡± Once he finished the rub down he pulled a vacuum-sealed pig haunch from one of the large saddle bags hanging over Maverick¡¯s rear flank. ¡°If you want water you can stick your head out the door. I¡¯m not hauling buckets or dragging a trough over,¡± he said as he unwrapped the raw meat.


    Satisfied that Maverick was settled he went over to Spicy, who sat on a hay bale.


    ¡°We dropped pretty quick, how you feeling?¡±


    ¡°Fine. This Threnosh stuff is the shit,¡± Spicy said.


    ¡°Yeah, I remember when we didn¡¯t have oxygen. It was rough training for that. I got sick a lot. Totally sucked, wouldn¡¯t recommend. This stuff,¡± he gestured to his high-tech suit, ¡°like magic, which is weird, cause it¡¯s definitely not magic.¡±


    ¡°Clarke was right,¡± Spicy said.


    ¡°Who?¡± Did he know anyone by that name? Was it a ranger¡¯s real name? Or not a ranger at all. He didn¡¯t interact much with non-rangers aside from people at the grocery store or restaurants. Come to think of it, he didn¡¯t interact much with anyone at all. Most of his off-duty conversations were with Maverick.


    ¡°An old author, sci-fi. Said that, basically, if tech was advanced enough it¡¯d look the same as magic. It kinda loses a bit of impact when magic¡¯s real.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ve got more things to parse. Is it magic? Is it technology? Is it both¡­ cause that¡¯s a thing.¡±


    ¡°I know, take this,¡± she held up the spell staff, ¡°enchanted gem, wood, metal, shoots lightning. Magic. Take spell phones. Not technically enchanting, I think. Metal, plastic, microchips, shoots lightning. Magitech.¡±


    ¡°Where do you draw the line? It¡¯s basically anything goes. Super chaos, which the spires like.¡±


    ¡°Well, maybe not so much. I can use this because I¡¯ve got levels in the mage class. I can¡¯t use the spell phones, since I don¡¯t have techmage. But then again, I can use some magitech devices just like people without a mage-type class. On second thought, I can use some spell phones, just the super basic ones. So, I guess you¡¯re right. The spires decide things at random. Why don¡¯t you try to get some rest. I¡¯ll take the watch. Tell the other two. Hopefully, the storm and the bird, if it¡¯s out there, will clear out before the midnight reset and we can get back in the air. The quicker we get there the quicker we can get back.¡±

 7.38

    The storm moved at a frustratingly slow pace.


    Wind howled while needle-like raindrops stung the barn¡¯s aluminum roofing.


    Lightning flashed, briefly illuminating the surrounding farm land as thunder rattled the sky in pursuit.


    The clock was ticking down to midnight, which meant that the reset wasn¡¯t far behind.


    Spicy glanced at the other rangers.


    All three napped alongside the two drakes.


    Vermillion had his long neck curled around Jenius while Maverick stared out into the storm with eyes that shined in the darkness.


    ¡°You better not be too tired to fly,¡± Spicy said.


    She settled back into the hay bale and continued her vigil.


    The sky cleared slowly, but surely. Enough that she roused the others with minutes to spare.


    ¡°Wazzat¡ª¡± Valentine jolted at the staff poke to his side.


    ¡°Wake up. We¡¯re leaving.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± he wiped at the drool on his cheek.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Jenius, Wriggles. We should get in the air before the reset.¡±


    ¡°Your danger sense?¡± Wriggles said.


    ¡°Low grade buzzing. I know it¡¯s not from the monsters in this farm. So, it¡¯s probably the storm, which is moving south.¡±


    They climbed into the night sky to continue their journey.


    It was about an hour in that the familiar buzzing in Spicy¡¯s head started to pick up again.


    She looked back and used her HUD to see that the storm had changed direction.


    Natural storms didn¡¯t tend to do that.


    ¡°Head¡¯s up, guys, it¡¯s back,¡± she said.


    ¡°Confirmed,¡± Wriggles said.


    ¡°No towns or farms to land and hide,¡± Jenius said.


    ¡°No idea what kind of monsters we might find down there. It¡¯s open land. Could be easy shit like squirrel monsters or bad stuff like those ooze dinosaurs,¡± Valentine said.


    ¡°Can we get over Atlanta before it catches up to us?¡± Wriggles said.


    That sounded like their best option.


    The original plan didn¡¯t include a stop in Atlanta for secrecy¡¯s sake, but as everyone knew, plans changed.


    ¡°They don¡¯t know we¡¯re coming. They might take shots at us,¡± Valentine said.


    A valid concern since they didn¡¯t have a way to call ahead.


    ¡°It might be good enough to just fly over. Depending on how strong the city is overall, the monster could give it a wide berth. So, we just need to get high enough that they can¡¯t get a good shot,¡± Jenius said.


    ¡°Do we use Skills?¡± Valentine said.


    ¡°No. The storm¡¯s still twenty-five kilometers behind us. We¡¯ll keep an eye on it and reassess if it starts gaining on us,¡± she said.


    The night flight became even more tense than it already had been.


    Multiple threats pinged in her HUD as she split her time between checking on the chasing storm and scanning the distant ground.


    Various winged monsters and mutant animals all made their bids to get a taste of that sweet, sweet ranger blood.


    All failed. They were either too slow, incapable of reaching their altitude or scared off by the storm.


    ¡°Shit. Do we even know for sure that it¡¯s a thunderbird?¡± Valentine said.


    ¡°It¡¯s the only thing we have confirmation on that can create storms and fly at this height.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that we know of. Could be all sorts of other things,¡± he continued.


    ¡°Like what?¡± Jenius chimed.


    ¡°An Articuno?¡±


    ¡°Nah, more like a Zapdos judging by the lightning in it,¡± Wriggle said.


    Spicy didn¡¯t remember those names from the ranger bestiary.


    ¡°Those aren¡¯t real monsters,¡± Jenius said.


    ¡°That we know of,¡± Valentine retorted.


    ¡°You motherfucking dorks! I swear if an ice bird monster appears and you get it named ¡®Articuno¡¯, I¡¯ll punch each and every one of you in the junk!¡± Jenius snapped. ¡°Besides¡­ a storm means it¡¯s Lugia¡­¡±


    ¡°I already regret this, but someone explain,¡± she said.


    ¡°In my defense I only know of them because of watching those cartoons with my little brother,¡± Wriggles said.


    Between Valentine and Wriggles they managed to explain in fairly succinct terms while she continued to track the speed at which the storm was gaining on them.


    She was correct.


    There was regret.


    Though not nearly as much as the realization that the storm had picked up speed.


    ¡°We need to move faster. It¡¯s catching up.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ like, how much faster?¡± Valentine said.


    Spicy did a quick mental calculation using their current speed, the storm¡¯s and their distance to the city.


    ¡°Fifty percent or it¡¯ll catch up to us before we reach the city.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ that¡¯s¡­ gonna be hard.¡±


    ¡°No way Vermillion can fly that fast for long,¡± Jenius agreed with Valentine.


    ¡°You guys keep heading straight for the city. We¡¯ll draw it off,¡± Valentine said. ¡°Er¡­ is that okay, Spicy?¡±


    ¡°Only one of us needs to make the pick-up and finish the delivery. Do it,¡± Spicy said.


    Under Valentine¡¯s direction, Maverick tilted to the left dipping one wing to bank away from Vermillion.


    Spicy¡¯s hands instinctively tightened around the handlebars on the front of her saddle. The chains and straps kept her attached firmly to the saddle, but it took a very experienced flier to fully trust in those.


    They cut to the west, perpendicular to their original flight path.


    ¡°Is it following us or them?¡± Valentine said.


    ¡°I can¡¯t tell yet.¡±


    ¡°We should probably get its attention.¡±


    It was too far to shoot.


    Flares might work, but some monsters possessed human-level intelligence.


    Would it take the obvious bait when it could likely tell that one of the drakes was slower than the other?


    Spicy struggled with the spell staff for a moment before pulling it out of its secure holster on the saddle. She made sure to fix the strap to her wrist before doing anything else with it. Last thing she wanted was to have to explain losing it because of the wind and her butterfingers.


    Thunderbirds did storms. Rain, thunder and lightning.


    How would it react to a lightning bolt fired in its direction?


    Maybe it¡¯d see it as a challenge?


    She raised the staff toward the dark, roiling clouds in the distance.


    An act of will to inject her mana into the wood, into the thin gold wire set inside that ran all the way up to coil at the base of the small diamond set at the tip within an artfully carved raptor claw.


    The bang, crack of the lightning bolt lit up the night sky and momentarily darkened her faceplate.


    ¡°Did it work?¡± Valentine said.


    ¡°Hold on. The helmet¡¯s calculating its track¡­ and¡­ it¡¯s moving toward us¡ª¡± she spat a curse, ¡°really, really fast! I made it mad!¡±


    ¡°Faster, girl! Up! Up!¡± Valentine¡¯s voice took on a higher pitch.


    Spicy¡¯s stomach lurched as a smooth, leveled flight turned into a painful, violent climb as the drake¡¯s wings beat frantically. She struggled to keep her upper body from falling backward with only one hand on the handlebar, while the other squeezed around the spell staff.


    ¡°We¡¯re slowing down!¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t be helped. We¡¯re in the danger zone. Need to gain as much altitude as possible before it catches up.¡±


    ¡°Why? Thunderbirds can almost touch space.¡±


    ¡°Only way to get speed later for when we turn back north. They should have enough of a lead to make it by then. Don¡¯t worry. This isn¡¯t the first time me and Maverick have had to get away from a huge flying monster.¡±


    Every ranger knew that story thanks to how often Valentine had told it.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t get away from that dragon. Rayna saved you!¡± she snapped.


    ¡°We could¡¯ve totally gotten away. Maverick¡¯s quick and sleek¡­ like a leaf in the wind.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª never mind. Just do your best.¡±


    Her HUD blared warnings as they reached Maverick¡¯s flight ceiling.


    She kept eyes on the chasing storm as it loomed larger and angrier by the minute.


    The drake reached her peak at the same time that the leading edge of the storm enveloped them.


    Visibility instant plummeted to zero while powerful winds lashed them with rain. Yellow lightning flashed, followed by thunder that rattled them to the core.


    Spicy¡¯s HUD struggled to get a lock on anything physical in the deep, dark storm clouds.


    ¡°We need to get out of this!¡±


    ¡°I know!¡± Valentine said. ¡°You ready, girl? Hold on and tuck forward, Spicy! We¡¯ve got to help her be as aerodynamic as fuck!¡±


    Spicy leaned forward tightening her grip on the bar, like she was riding a motorcycle. She tucked the staff under her under arm like a couched lance, except she pointed the business end behind her.


    ¡°Okay, hold on to your shit! Maverick¡­ Supersonic Dive!¡±


    The drake beat her wings once, tucking her wings close to her sides and diving like a missile.


    Wind washed over them like a crashing wave.


    Something big and fast had just missed them.


    Spicy grit her teeth. She wanted to look back and finally get eyes on the thunderbird, if it was that, but she couldn¡¯t fight the forces exerted by the drake¡¯s impossibly fast dive.


    A loud boom was muffled by her helmet.


    That wasn¡¯t thunder.


    The altimeter in her HUD dropped frighteningly quick.


    She had left her stomach thousands of meters up in the sky.


    Her vision darkened around the edges despite the protections of the Threnosh-made suit.


    The drake and her riders streaked across the night sky like a meteorite headed for earth.


    Their sudden descent brought them clear out of the storm cloud.


    ¡°Strengthen Wings!¡±


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Maverick¡¯s wings shot open to bring them out of the dive with a few hundred meters to spare.


    Spicy¡¯s stomach caught up with her.


    She was thankful that she hadn¡¯t eaten something heavy before.


    The drake turned back toward the north under Valentine¡¯s direction beating her wings for everything she was worth.


    ¡°I need eyes on it!¡± Valentine screamed.


    Spicy craned her neck to look above and behind them.


    The storm clouds continued to bear down on them like an angry wave, but they had managed to gain some distance.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡ª¡±


    A bolt of lightning lanced out of the storm and scorched the air a few dozen meters off their left side.


    ¡°No worries, our suits can take lightning strikes. Same with Maverick thanks to our Skill,¡± Valentine¡¯s tone suggested that he was worried.


    She shared his concerns.


    Their suits were rated up to a certain wattage, but that was in testing against non-magical lightning.


    They didn¡¯t know what kind of extra punch a thunderbird packed in its lightning.


    Speak of the devil.


    The dark clouds roiled like a frothing wave on a steep shore break.


    A huge, winged shaped emerged.


    It was shrouded in darkness, but was unmistakable.


    Huge eyes flashed as another bolt of lightning struck a dozen meters off Maverick¡¯s tail.


    Spicy felt the wind from the thunderbird¡¯s massive wings buffet her in the saddle.


    Valentine cursed. ¡°Stable Flight! The next one won¡¯t get us, right, girl!¡± he patted the drake¡¯s neck reassuringly.


    She roared her defiance but kept her eyes fixed firmly straight ahead.


    True enough, the thunderbird flapped again, but this time the mighty winds barely jostled the drake.


    That wasn¡¯t the case for Spicy.


    She was thrown about in her saddle violently. The chains and straps straining to keep her in place pulled and pinched around her waist and shoulders.


    The thunderbird opened its beak and sent forth a crack of thunder that exploded trees a dozen meters below them.


    ¡°Speed Boost! We can¡¯t keep this up!¡±


    ¡°I know, Valentine!¡± she snapped.


    What could she do?


    It was difficult just holding on to the speeding drake, let alone trying to keep track of the giant bird monster above them. Her helmet helped some with that, highlighting it in red and providing measurement estimates.


    Its size was shocking in person.


    Maverick seemed huge with a body frame similar to one of those giant horses. Add a long neck, tail, plus the wings and it was intimidating to be in her close presence.


    The wyverns were even bigger.


    The thunderbird made Maverick look like a sparrow next to an eagle.


    A single flap of its wings would¡¯ve thrown them around as if they were flying in a tornado if not for Skills.


    Huge eyes flashed bright lightning.


    The crackling bolt lit up the night as it zipped meters off Maverick¡¯s tail.


    It was getting closer.


    Spicy risked letting go of the handlebar to draw the flare gun from one of the small saddle compartments.


    The chains and straps pulled taut as she rose from her leaning position in order to turn and locate the thunderbird.


    ¡°Aerodynamics!¡± Valentine said through grit teeth.


    Enhanced Aim, she activated her Skill as she tried focused on the huge, dark shape lined in red by her HUD.


    She squeezed the trigger.


    The modified flare streaked toward the thunderbird.


    It screeched ignoring the dim, flickering light that was too small and weak to pose a threat.


    Until it exploded, sending a searingly bright light into those huge eyes gleaming in the darkness.


    The thunderbird turned away instinctively as eyes that let it see in the dark were overwhelmed for a moment.


    Spicy had no illusions that she had bought them more than that.


    She reached into the compartment and struggled to load a second modified flare.


    Valentine and Maverick used the moment to increase their lead.


    It didn¡¯t last long.


    A screech of thunder heralded the thunderbird¡¯s return, ripping into the forest trees below them.


    Spicy turned, aimed and fired.


    This time the flare canister erupted into thousands of reflective metal particles.


    The chaff cloud proved useless as the thunderbird¡¯s lightning bolt blew right through it.


    ¡°I¡¯m out of ideas!¡± Spicy stowed the flare gun.


    ¡°The spell staff¡ª¡±


    ¡°Even if it was in range it probably wouldn¡¯t do shit. That thing flies in the middle the storms it makes.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s flat land all around us. There¡¯s the forest, but we can¡¯t fly down there even if there weren¡¯t monsters that¡¯d slow us down or worse. Can¡¯t you just shoot it? With your gun?¡±


    ¡°Too hard to hit reliably and won¡¯t do any real damage.¡±


    Valentine didn¡¯t respond.


    They continued to flee northward from the thunderbird while barely dodging its attacks.


    For some reason it was content to remain above them on their tail and not close with its huge talons or beak.


    One by one, Valentine¡¯s and Maverick¡¯s Skills expired.


    The drake slowed.


    Spicy didn¡¯t like the way Maverick¡¯s head began to droop. The way the wing beats grew ponderous. The way she could feel and hear the drake¡¯s lungs labor.


    Valentine had taken them back on their original flight path over Atlanta.


    ¡°We¡¯re not going to make it,¡± he said. ¡°If we fly low enough you can jump off. We¡¯ll lead the thunderbird away while you hide. Once we shake it we¡¯ll double back for you.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she said flatly.


    One, there were monsters down there.


    She¡¯d rather deal with a single known monster rather than multiple unknown monsters.


    Two¡ª there was no two.


    Rangers didn¡¯t abandon rangers.


    ¡°C¡¯mon¡­ you¡¯ll lighten Maverick¡¯s load.¡±


    ¡°We both know that won¡¯t make a difference. Besides, I outrank you and I say we stick together.¡±


    ¡°I can see the city, but we aren¡¯t making it at this rate. So, unless you¡¯ve got any other ideas¡­¡±


    Spicy wracked her mind for anything, but came up empty.


    Doom loomed over them growing bigger by the second as talons large enough to grab her, Valentine and Maverick grasped hungrily.


    ¡°Hang on and fly as fast as you can,¡± a voice filled her helmet.


    Wriggles?


    ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be in the city by now.¡±


    ¡°Was almost there¡­ then saw the storm moving our way. Figured that meant you guys were alive and you know how it is, can¡¯t leave a fellow ranger hanging,¡± Wriggles said.


    ¡°Almost changed our minds when we saw the big bird,¡± Jenius said. ¡°Listen up, we¡¯re going to get its attention while you head for the city.¡±


    ¡°What about you guys?¡± Valentine said.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be right behind you.¡±


    Spicy looked back and saw Vermillion outlined in green diving like a hunting hawk right for the thunderbird¡¯s head.


    The drake threw his leathery wings open at the last second.


    Four clawed feet struck and raked across the back of the thunderbird¡¯s head before the drake folded his wings again to dive for speed.


    The thunderbird blasted lightning at the drake¡¯s wake.


    Unlike her, Wriggles was a full mage.


    A magical shield manifested above his outstretched hand.


    She heard his muffled curse over the comms as the shield shattered.


    The remnants of the lightning fizzled harmlessly past Vermillion¡¯s tail.


    Free from the thunderbird¡¯s attention, Valentine was able to steady Maverick¡¯s flight.


    The monster was too far for the spell staff, but not for her gun. She secured the former to the saddle and pulled the latter from her shoulder.


    Steady Aim. Enhanced Aim. Taunting Fire, she activated her Skills.


    She sighted through the scope and stitched a steady stream of bullets across the thunderbird¡¯s flight path. She emptied the drum magazine in a handful of seconds.


    She couldn¡¯t tell if she had landed any hits but the thunderbird suddenly turned its head away from the others to fix her with a baleful stare from one massive eye.


    It wavered in its pursuit of Vermillion, flapping its wings to re-orient itself toward her. Then back to Vermillion. As if caught in indecision.


    She reloaded and emptied a second drum.


    That did it.


    The thunderbird screeched thunder in their wake.


    ¡°What?¡± Valentine said.


    ¡°I got it¡¯s attention.¡±


    ¡°Why¡ª okay, okay, I think we can beat it to the city.¡±


    ¡°Wriggles, do you copy?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I copy.¡±


    ¡°I got it¡¯s attention.¡±


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t the plan.¡±


    ¡°There was no chance you were getting away from it. Now, we¡¯ve both got a shot to make it to the city.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough. I thought I could block it¡¯s lightning.¡±


    ¡°You did.¡±


    ¡°Barely¡­ and some of it still got through. I¡¯m tapped out and my head is killing me. Don¡¯t let it catch you.¡±


    ¡°Same to you.¡±


    The thunderbird dragged the storm behind it as it chased them all the way to the city limits before abruptly turning away with one last crack of lightning and thunder.


    ¡°Take us down.¡±


    ¡°Where? I don¡¯t want Maverick to get shot?¡±


    ¡°Find a spot that¡¯s far away from anyone. It don¡¯t want to spook them. Give them time to see that we don¡¯t mean no harm.¡±


    ¡°Yup, pass phrase isn¡¯t going to be too useful if they shoot us first.¡±


    <hr>


    Drake¡¯s spear lashed out like a striking viper. It struck from multiple angles, from high to low and back.


    His opponent blocked with a shield and patiently waited for an opening.


    No Skills.


    Not from Drake, nor his opponent.


    Both sought to bait each other into committing first.


    Drake decided to go for it.


    His heavily armored opponent fought relying on tanking hits with his durability and outlasting opponents with his endurance.


    The scouting report and video were clear.


    He danced away to make space then threw his spear behind the warrior.


    He made a show of thrusting his hand toward the spear.


    ¡°Spear teleport.¡±


    The warrior turned to the spear.


    He too had read scouting reports and watched replays.


    Except, Drake hadn¡¯t cast his spell.


    He pulled one of his short throwing spears out and hurled it at the warrior¡¯s armored back.


    The throwing spear burst into flames before exploding against the warrior sending the stout man staggering forward. He turned and raised his shield.


    ¡°Spear Teleport.¡±


    Drake blinked out of existence only to reappear with his hand around the shaft of his spear.


    ¡°Double Thrust,¡± he lanced into the back of his opponent¡¯s knee.


    The spearhead dripped red on the dirt.


    The warrior turned.


    ¡°Stunning Shout!¡±


    Drake¡¯s body froze against his will.


    He could do nothing for the few seconds it took his opponent to limp over and strike him with the hammer side of a poleaxe.


    He heard the clang and the next thing he knew he was down on the ground with blurry vision, a pain in the side of his head and an urge to vomit.


    He forced it all down and climbed to one knee.


    A dark blob limped toward him.


    ¡°Mage Shield,¡± Drake spun his spear.


    ¡°Magic-breaker Strike.¡±


    Drake blacked out again alongside his shattered magic shield.


    When he came to split-second later, his spear was in two pieces.


    Not a problem.


    A spear was just a pointy stick after all.


    This was a truism he had internalized just like the certainty he had in the knowledge that the sun rose in the east and set in the west.


    ¡°Mage Shield,¡± he spun the lower half of his spear in his left hand while throwing the upper half of it as far as he could.


    ¡°Magic-Breaker Strike.¡±


    He thrust his free hand out at the same time that his opponent¡¯s weapon descended.


    Spear Teleport.


    He blinked, dizzy and disoriented some 50 yards away with the upper half of his broken spear in his hand. He had left the lower half behind to be turned into so much kindling by the warrior¡¯s strike.


    The crowd¡¯s cheers quickly turned into boos as Drake retreated from the limping warrior.


    The man didn¡¯t have a charge Skill, at least from what he had seen of the warrior¡¯s previous matches. If the man had been saving it for a surprise then maybe the stab wound to the back of his knee disabled it.


    Drake was still wobbly, definitely concussed, but he could play keep away just fine.


    His problem was that he only had so many throwing spears to use and his main spear had been broken. It was still usable. It was just that being half as long removed all the advantages that a spear had.


    He could try the same trick and take out his opponent¡¯s other knee, but he judged that the man wouldn¡¯t fall for it twice and getting in close range was asking to get clobbered again.


    Outside of that he didn¡¯t have any way to finish the fight within the distance.


    His basic spells wouldn¡¯t do anything beyond scuffing his opponent¡¯s thick armor.


    The spear was central to his best stuff.


    Drake thought hard.


    At this rate he¡¯d lose the decision.


    It was anyone¡¯s guess which the judges would score higher. A double stab to the knee or a heavy hit to the head?


    The warrior definitely had control. He kept moving forward while Drake kept backing away.


    He could hit him with throwing spears but the warrior would just block them with his shield.


    Ineffective attacks counted for nothing and might even be deductions depending on how pathetic and useless they appeared.


    He had to do something substantial and impressive if he wanted to make the final match.


    Drake threw his broken spear into the air.


    The crowd¡¯s booing hushed as if they sensed something was about to happen. Weeks of fights had given them an instinct for impending blood shed.


    Spear Teleport.


    He appeared with a hand on his spear falling in gravity¡¯s grasp.


    Fire Spear.


    A red meteorite descended on the warrior.


    Unnoticed by many in the arena, he had thrown a second spear.


    The first exploded against the warrior¡¯s shield.


    The second pierced the earth.


    He held his left hand out, readied the broken spear in his right.


    Spear Teleport.


    He blinked out of the air and reappeared a split-second later on the ground, behind the warrior.


    ¡°Triple Thrust!¡± he aimed at the back of the warrior¡¯s good knee.


    ¡°Iron Skin!¡± the warrior said at the same time.


    Instead of sinking into soft skin, Drake¡¯s spear clanged off hard metal.


    ¡°Shield Crush.¡±


    A huge, dark shadow descended over Drake.


    There was weight, pressure, then nothing.


    And that was how Sticksies was knocked out of the Silver Division one versus one tournament and a chance to fight for the championship.

 7.39

    The thunderbird battered the city with its storm until mid-morning the next day before finally growing bored and returning to its southeasterly track.


    The rangers waited it out with their drakes inside a parking structure.


    The people of Atlanta weren¡¯t hostile, but weren¡¯t exactly welcoming.


    It had been a tense few minutes while they shouted the pass phrase to each other as rain, lightning and thunder assailed them.


    In the end the name of Cal Cruces was enough to buy them a place to dry out.


    They were somewhere in Kentucky or maybe that was Tennessee by midday.


    The town they needed to reach was near the border of those two old states.


    They stopped for lunch spending it under a highway overpass and were back in the air in an hour without incident.


    Spicy periodically checked the sun¡¯s position in the sky as it traveled along its daily arc.


    She had a clock in her HUD, but it provided her comfort to see the visible passage of time in the environment. It was a good reminder that every mile they flew north meant they were that much closer to their destination. The half way point of their Quest.


    The thought made the pit in her stomach grow again.


    Not even halfway.


    And what if they ran into that thunderbird again?


    Clearly, they needed better protocols for dealing with that thing.


    Perhaps flying in squadrons of no less that five or ten drakes with a few wyverns thrown in. Then again that was just about all they had brought with them to Florida.


    A proximity warning beeped in her helmet taking her out of her ruminations.


    She followed the blinking red arrow in her HUD to Maverick¡¯s right front quadrant. Down to a river winding around small hills dotted with shrubbery and the occasional tree.


    She zoomed in to a dark cloud.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Valentine sounded exhausted over the comms.


    ¡°You got contact,¡± Wriggles said.


    The other drake, Vermillion, trailed after them within spitting distance.


    It was the first time she had laid eyes on the giant insects, but she knew what they were immediately from the pictures in the bestiary.


    Flenser Ladybugs.


    She didn¡¯t know what the name meant, which didn¡¯t matter.


    The only thing that mattered to her at the moment was that they could swarm a man and cut him up into thin slices like one of those deli slicers.


    The mutated animals looked exactly like ladybugs with their rounded red shell thing with black dots and buzzing wings underneath. They differed in that they were as big as a soccer ball and had a different style of mandible to help them make those long, wide, thin cuts to flesh.


    The swarm flying up to meet them looked big enough to cover both her and Valentine.


    She told the other rangers.


    ¡°Terrifying, but I¡¯m strangely not as worried,¡± Wriggles said.


    ¡°Yeah, nothing¡¯s going to top that thunderbird,¡± Valentine said.


    ¡°Zap them,¡± Jenius suggested.


    ¡°Easy enough,¡± she concurred.


    When the swarm got within range Valentine had Maverick roll slightly to the right to give Spicy a shot.


    Lightning Bolt crackled out of the spell staff.


    It seared through the swarm with a blinding flash.


    Half dropped toward the ground.


    Maverick shot forward with a mighty beat of her wings allowing Wriggles on Vermillion to finish of the rest with an enormous fireball from his staff.


    ¡°Yeah! Suck it!¡± he whooped. ¡°Love this thing! Makes way bigger booms than I can on my own!¡±


    ¡°Rein it in. We aren¡¯t out of the shit yet.¡±


    A second proximity alert beeped.


    Then a third.


    Followed by a fourth.


    More swarms rose from the landscape ahead of them.


    ¡°Climb. They can¡¯t go as high as we can. You¡¯re slower, Jenius, take the lead, I¡¯ll be on your six,¡± Valentine said.


    ¡°Copy that,¡± Jenius said.


    Maverick slowed to let Vermillion overtake.


    The two drakes gained altitude with each flap of their broad wings.


    Wriggles burned off a huge chunk of the closest swarm.


    Spicy followed it up with another bolt of lightning.


    The leading edge of the closest swarm caught them.


    ¡°Oh shit!¡± Valentine said.


    Maverick¡¯s jaw snapped shut on a handful of flenser ladybugs.


    The drake¡¯s knife-like teeth popped them like jalapeno poppers.


    Some of the juice and bits splashed against Spicy¡¯s faceplate.


    ¡°Help! It¡¯s on me!¡±


    One had latched on Valentine¡¯s back.


    She drew her knife and slashed only for the blade to clang against the black-dotted red shell thing.


    The flenser ladybug switched targets and latched onto her faceplate trying to flense it with those terrible mandibles.


    The buzzing filled her ears.


    She poked and prodded until she succeeded at getting her blade into the softer underbelly.


    Blood, guts and other liquids gushed over her faceplate and down her front.


    Maverick roared.


    ¡°Shit! Spicy, some of those things are on Maverick¡¯s tail!¡±


    She looked back.


    Several flenser ladybugs were busy trying to get through the tough layer of scales on the upper part of the drake¡¯s tail.


    Not very smart it seemed.


    They¡¯d have an easier time of it had they tried for the comparatively softer skin on the Drake¡¯s underside.


    She switched her staff out for the rifle.


    Activating her Skills she took care of the problem with a few squeezes on the trigger.


    ¡°Thanks¡­ Maverick says ¡®thanks¡¯ too. Are we clear?¡±


    The swarms looked to be struggling to climb after them.


    ¡°I think so.¡±


    ¡°Copy that,¡± Jenius said. ¡°Let¡¯s level out. There¡¯s some clouds up ahead and I don¡¯t want to run into any more surprises.¡±


    ¡°Over is better than under,¡± Valentine said.


    ¡°That¡¯s getting up into oxygen altitude,¡± Wriggles warned.


    ¡°It¡¯s no problem for our drakes. Less air resistance will save their energy and give us a bit more speed,¡± Valentine said.


    ¡°Can we go around?¡±


    ¡°I vote over. If there¡¯s something in the clouds I¡¯d rather they have to come at us from below than drop on us from above. It¡¯s your call, though,¡± Jenius said.


    ¡°You two are the fliers. Over it is.¡±


    The rest of their flight was mercifully uneventful and they landed on a winding mountain road right outside the barricade leading into their destination.


    Spicy held her empty hands open and over her head as she dismounted. ¡°We¡¯re Rayna¡¯s Rangers. Here to meet with Ms. Teacher or an Emma Larkin on behalf of Cal Cruces. We¡¯re picking some stuff up.¡±


    The men and women on the barricade kept their weapons pointed away from the rangers and the drakes.


    One stepped forward. ¡°Um¡­ yeah¡­ we were told to expect you. Just, uh, go ahead and fly in. The kid said that you can just follow the signs,¡± he shrugged.


    They followed the glowing, magic arrows to a large park next to what looked like a school.


    A giant, glowing smiley face and pointing fingers hovered directly over the large grassy field.


    ¡°I guess that¡¯s where we¡¯re landing?¡± Valentine said.


    ¡°She¡¯s supposed to be some kind of archmage running a school for kids. I wasn¡¯t picturing an actual elementary school.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I thought there was gonna be, like, a huge tower or a castle.¡±


    ¡°In Tenne-tucky?


    ¡°If she¡¯s supposed to be a super high level mage, then I figured, you know, magic¡­¡± Valentine waved vaguely toward the school as Maverick circled around the smiley face to come in for a safe, cautious landing.


    He had seen the small figures standing on the grass waving.


    Didn¡¯t want to spook them.


    That was a good way to get a fireball to the face.


    Vermillion landed a short distance away putting himself between Maverick and the approaching people.


    Not people.


    Kids.


    Spicy disembarked and hurried forward with her hands open and at her side.


    ¡°O.M.G!¡± a girl squealed. ¡°Are these the drakes? Can I pet them?¡±


    The fuck? Spicy thought.


    ¡°Jennylyn!¡± a second girl hurried to cut-off the first girl.


    Three other kids, two boys and a girl in glasses approached in a more dignified manner.


    Spicy regarded the kids.


    Teens.


    They were in that gangly, awkward stage post-childhood and in the throes of puberty.


    Most of the baby fat was in the process of being cannibalized to fuel their lanky growth.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± the second girl grabbed the first girl¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Ow! What the hell, Emma?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re embarrassing us,¡± Emma hissed.


    Jennylyn scowled.


    Spicy cleared her throat. ¡°Are you going to take us to your teacher?¡±


    ¡°No, she doesn¡¯t really see visitors unless she wants to,¡± Emma said.


    ¡°Ah, okay, and you¡¯re Emma Larkin? The Quest said we can get the crystals from you.¡±


    ¡°Yup, I have them right her,¡± Emma pulled a tiny box from a waist pack at the small of her back and held it out.


    ¡°Box of holding?¡± she took it and opened it.


    Plain, clear crystals sat inside.


    She pulled one out held the apple-sized crystal in the palm of her hand.


    That was the magic.


    The transition was seamless.


    The crystals looked about as big as a blueberry inside the box and yet when she pulled it out¡­


    Emma smiled.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± she ignored the chime in her head, ¡°I guess that completes part of our Quest. Did you get one too?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but it wasn¡¯t a big deal. Ms. Teacher just challenged me to fit all nullification crystals into a small box without messing up their enchantment and keeping bleed-off below five percent. The standard bag of holding enchantment leeches up to thirty percent over, like, a week.¡±


    Spicy hadn¡¯t known that.


    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Oh¡­ cool, thanks for, uh, taking care of it.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome! It was a good exercise.¡±


    ¡°Sup,¡± a boy approached and gave her a head nod.


    He sized her up.


    She raised a brow.


    ¡°You¡¯re a ranger?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Cool.¡±


    ¡°Rand, you¡¯re being weird,¡± Emma sighed.


    ¡°Can I¡ª¡±


    ¡°No, Jennylyn!¡±


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, may I approach your drakes?¡± Jennylyn ignored Emma.


    ¡°Jenius, Valentine! Can the kid say hi to Maverick and Vermillion?¡± Spicy barked.


    ¡°What a pretty name!¡± Jennylyn said.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s cool,¡± Valentine said.


    The two drake riders were rubbing down the drakes¡¯ tired and sore muscles.


    ¡°Ask them if there¡¯s a place they want us before we start taking off the saddles or are we supposed to camp out here?¡± Jenius said.


    ¡°What he said.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Emma said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. We can camp right here. Unless that¡¯s a problem?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to ask Ms. Teacher.¡±


    ¡°Emma, what about this?¡± the second boy tapped the girl on the shoulder.


    Emma took a second small box and handed it over.


    ¡°What¡¯s this one?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Ms. Teacher said that you have to give it to someone called ¡®Ghost Sorcerer¡¯ or the Dread Paladin and tell them that they should only open it when it looks like,¡± Emma cleared her throat. ¡°That which your heart desires is about to slip from your grasp,¡± she intoned. ¡°Well, anyways, she wants you to say it exactly like that.¡±


    Spicy had felt the magic in the words and somehow she knew that she wouldn¡¯t forget them even if she tried.


    It was a little disturbing.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do that.¡±


    ¡°Um, excuse me, Miss Ranger?¡± a glasses wearing girl approached hesitantly.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°I, uh, is it okay if I may take a look at your staff?¡±


    Spicy followed the pointed finger to the spell staff on Maverick¡¯s saddle.


    She mulled the request over for all of two seconds before she whistled. ¡°Hey, Valentine, toss me the staff.¡±


    Captain Butcher had told them to play nice with potential allies especially the powerful Ms. Teacher.


    It wouldn¡¯t hurt to leave a good impression on the mysterious woman¡¯s students.


    Not to mention the chances that these gangly teen were on the path to being future magic powerhouses.


    She caught the spell staff and handed it over.


    ¡°Cammi¡­¡± Emma warned.


    ¡°I¡¯m just going to take a quick look,¡± Cammi said.


    The girl¡¯s eyes glowed faintly. Her glasses seemed to magnify the glow as her gaze swept up and down the spell staff.


    ¡°How long do we have to hang around here, Emma?¡± the boy, Rand frowned.


    ¡°What are you talking about? You were super excited to meet them.¡±


    Rand blushed then turned his frown into a scowl.


    ¡°Miss Ranger. Sorry about him, you know how boys his age are,¡± Emma smiled. ¡°Believe me, we were all excited to meet you. We¡¯ve heard bits and pieces about some of the things you guys have done. We had a year long course studying your war against the undead. More from a magical lens than a strategic or tactical one. That course is scheduled for the spring.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not as big of a mage as you guys, more of a fighter. But I did see a lot of action down in San Diego. We all did,¡± she jabbed a thumb toward the other rangers.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, um¡­ can we¡­¡± the other boy stammered.


    ¡°Out with it, kid.¡±


    ¡°Me and Rand¡­ we¡­ uh¡ª¡±


    ¡°Jeez, Rupes, just get on with it!¡± Rand snapped.


    ¡°Kid, you¡¯ve got an attitude problem,¡± she raised a brow. ¡°That isn¡¯t the way to talk to a brother in arms.¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t mean anything by it, ma¡¯am. Um¡­ if it¡¯s cool with you, we¡¯d like to ask you questions about¡­ everything,¡± Rupes said.


    ¡°Sure. If he apologizes first,¡± she regarded Rand with her best hardened stare.


    The boy glared at her.


    It wasn¡¯t a contest.


    She had seen some of the worst shit out there.


    He had been protected by his teacher.


    Rand blinked first and looked away mumbling something unintelligible.


    ¡°What?¡± she said.


    ¡°Sorry, Rupes. That was a dick move.¡±


    She raised a brow.


    ¡°And I¡¯m sorry, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Good enough. Well, we¡¯re going to be here for awhile. Drakes need a good long rest before we fly back. Emma¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes, Ms. Ranger?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d appreciate it if you confirmed our accommodations with your teacher. We¡¯re fine with camping out here, but we wouldn¡¯t say no to a warm room, bed and shower. We¡¯re going to need the drakes close to us. That¡¯s non-negotiable. We can bargain for the costs.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do that,¡± Emma turned and walked a short distance away.


    ¡°Ms. Ranger?¡± Cammi raised a hand.


    ¡°Er¡­ yeah?¡±


    ¡°Is this a ¡®Sexchanter69¡¯?¡± she held up the spell staff.


    ¡°It might be¡­¡±


    ¡°We bought a few of her items from the spires marketplace and I think I can see her signature, but this is way better.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it is.¡±


    ¡°Can I borrow this?¡±


    Make a good impression.


    Build a connection if possible.


    The instructions scrolled through her head.


    ¡°You want to copy the enchantment?¡±


    ¡°I want to learn,¡± Cammi¡¯s eyes shined through her glasses.


    Spicy weighed the request.


    Enchanters probably got touchy about their proprietary rights.


    So that was a minus.


    Making a good impression on a kid that might be huge in the future was a plus.


    She could ask the enchanter herself for permission.


    They had time for her to go to a spire and send a message.


    But then, the Heddy woman might say no.


    Not asking meant there was ambiguity.


    Spicy didn¡¯t know the details of their deal with Heddy.


    The woman enchanted items and they paid her for them.


    Gave her pretty much whatever she wanted.


    Spicy made a decision.


    There was a saying about permission and forgiveness.


    ¡°Alright, just don¡¯t mess it up. And you have to do it right here or wherever we end up staying for the night,¡± she said.


    Her report kept getting longer.


    ¡°Thanks so much!¡± Cammi beamed and promptly set her small pack down on the grass and sat down with the spell staff in front of her. The girl pulled out a variety of magical-looking tools and went to work.


    Spicy regarded the two boys. ¡°Rupes, Rand, right? Since it looks like I¡¯ve got to wait might as well get started. What¡¯d you want to hear about?¡±


    <hr>


    Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida, New American Republic, January 12, 2037


    ¡°You can feel the atmosphere! There¡¯s a charge running in the air!¡± Chip said.


    ¡°It takes me back! Do you remember the Madness? The Final Four? The National Championship? Well, if you do, they had nothing on this!¡± Lanny said.


    ¡°We¡¯re getting closer to crowning a champion for this, our premier event. The Gold Division one versus one tournament has come down to four mighty competitors!¡±


    ¡°The savage man-beast, Rou versus the man of fire, Isaac Freeman! The tiny titan, the Sapphire Smasher versus the Magus of the Ten Eyes! You can¡¯t see it at home, but I¡¯m practically vibrating with excitement, Chip!¡±


    ¡°Oh, I can tell, Lanny! And I¡¯m in the same boat. I just want to give thanks to our king for making this all happen. Such vision, such strength to be able to put it all together.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely! I predict that the Freedom Championships will be for the new world what the Olympics was for the old world. And I wouldn¡¯t trade anything for the gracious opportunity the king gave us to play our small, humble part in bringing it to all the viewers at home.¡±


    ¡°And with that let¡¯s throw it down to the field.¡±


    The werewolf wore a furrow into the dirt as he glared at his opponent a hundred yards away.


    The announcer¡¯s prattling fell on deaf ears.


    The crowd¡¯s frenzied cheering faded into the growing pit in Rou¡¯s stomach.


    What was that unfamiliar feeling?


    It belonged to his old self.


    Something he had thought dead and buried for nearly two decades.


    Fear.


    He felt it flowing into him from the waves of shimmering heat wafting from his opponent.


    The damn nig¡ª


    ¡°Mr. Rou, do not activate any abilities until the match begins,¡± a voice spoke in his ears.


    His head turned to the referee seated in the box over the tunnel on his side of the field.


    The man had used a Skill to be heard over the cacophony in the arena.


    Rou bared fangs, flexed finger nails turned into sharp claws.


    Forcing calm over the beast within was usually nearly impossible, but some outside force, forces helped him.


    ¡°Fucking refs,¡± he spat.


    He vaguely remembered that they could do things to make people follow the rules in the arena.


    Maybe, he¡¯d track them down later to teach them a lesson.


    The wild couldn¡¯t be tamed and controlled.


    They could only hope to appease it with bloody sacrifices.


    He growled and resumed pacing while glaring at his opponent.


    He had one chance at victory.


    Swift and overwhelming violence.


    Isaac Freeman¡¯s black skin was unmarred, but Rou had seen the fire that roiled just beneath the surface.


    He had to avoid breaking the skin. Avoid those flaming pits Isaac had for eyes.


    Batter him.


    Get behind.


    Choke him out.


    If that was even possible.


    Did a man of fire need to breathe?


    To do any of that needed his full strength. To let the beast run free.


    He¡¯d only want to rend and tear at that point.


    Damned if he did and damned if he didn¡¯t.


    He¡¯d need the beast¡¯s strength, but, and he hated to admit it, he needed his weaker self¡¯s brain.


    Still¡­ the fear continued to stab into him.


    It poked and prodded at the beast.


    Mocking.


    Laughing.


    The pot had been simmering at first and with how slow the pre-match bullshit was going it threatened to boil over.


    Let the beast out, he thought. No, control it.


    The announcer stopped speaking.


    The siren blared.


    Let it¡ª


    The beast always won.


    Rou¡¯s body contorted.


    Joints cracked, bones lengthened, muscles grew.


    All changed shape as dark brown hair sprouted from all over his body turning into fur.


    His head grew and his face lengthened. Mouth turned into a muzzle filled with knife-like teeth.


    He threw his lupine head back and howled striking something deep in the hearts of the suddenly silent crowd.


    Rou was a relatively short and stocky man, though burly and muscular.


    In his full werewolf form he stood several feet taller although he was no less powerful looking.


    His long arms ended in clawed fingers.


    His feet and legs had changed to better let him chase down prey.


    They coiled beneath him as he eyed Isaac Freeman across a hundred yards of dirt.


    The fear remained.


    And what did beasts do when afraid? When they couldn¡¯t run away?


    Rou sprang forward covering close to 30 yards in one bound.


    The intense flare of heat suddenly sapped the strength in his limbs, the air from his lungs.


    He was already too late to do alter his path.


    The beast had been set loose.


    Eyes like the heart of an industrial forge flared as Rou bounded closer.


    Pain! Pain! Pain!


    The beast was confused.


    It yelped and whined.


    An unfamiliar sound uttered from deep in its muzzle.


    Only prey made those noises.


    He couldn¡¯t see his opponent.


    All he knew was heat and fire.


    Hot tears ran down the fur covering his face.


    He smelled something burning.


    Fur and flesh.


    Tasted something unfamiliar as the tears dripped into his mouth


    He couldn¡¯t see.


    Couldn¡¯t smell.


    ¡°Primal¡­ Rage¡­¡± he growled out with a guttural tongue.


    The pain was washed away by the comfortable red.


    ¡°True¡­ Senses¡­ of¡­ the¡­ Hunter¡­ Wolf¡­¡±


    They returned to him.


    He didn¡¯t need eyes to see or a nose to smell or ears to hear while the Skill was active.


    His opponent stood revealed.


    Isaac Freeman gazed streams of billowing flames bathing Rou in fire.


    All beasts feared fire.


    At least part of him did.


    But normal beasts didn¡¯t have Skills.


    They didn¡¯t have the Rage.


    Rou burned. Rou attacked.


    He bowled Isaac over.


    Slashing.


    Biting.


    All plans had fled from the red rage.


    The soft, dark skin parted with ease underneath Rou¡¯s savagery.


    Instead of that sweet blood and tasty meat, he tasted burning fire.


    The weaker part of Rou expected this. Only the stronger part was surprised, not that it stopped the beast.


    His rage was such that pain was no longer but a faint suggestion banished to the furthest reaches of his mind.


    The man of fire was weak. He couldn¡¯t fend off the beast.


    Until the wisps of flame licking at the edges of his torn skin turned into a torrent.


    The crowd¡¯s frenzied cheering suddenly stopped as they shielded their eyes from the eruption of fire.


    Such was its strength that they felt the heat even through the magic shields protecting them.


    Several of the mages fell unconscious, blood leaking from their face holes at the backlash.


    Fortunately, their backups were quick to take their places.


    Isaac stood.


    A man of fire.


    The werewolf had torn him up.


    Much of his clothing was gone. What hadn¡¯t been shredded by the monster¡¯s teeth and claws had been burned to nothing.


    His torso was more fire than flesh. Along with the right side of his face.


    The fire needed to be fed.


    It wanted to burn.


    The werewolf was a writhing chunk of burned meat that seemed to be healing.


    Although, much slower than Isaac had seen in older matches.


    Was it quantity or quality?


    His flame had both.


    ¡°Surrender,¡± he said thankful that his mouth and tongue had been untouched by the monster¡¯s savage assault.


    Charred, blackened flesh began to flake away to reveal fresh pink.


    Brown fur began to grow back.


    The werewolf¡¯s eyes, which Isaac had melted, slowly emerged in the hollowed out sockets.


    The look of rage in them¡­


    Isaac shook his head.


    There would be no communication possible with a monster.


    He bathed the werewolf in fire.


    Burned away that which he had just healed.


    He¡¯d be careful to use just enough flame.


    His well was as deep as the deepest magma chamber.


    He could burn nonstop for weeks.


    But that wouldn¡¯t be necessary here.


    There was a time limit to the fight and they would call it in his favor when it became clear that the werewolf wasn¡¯t going to do anything except be the roasted pig at a barbecue.


    There was an irony to that.


    Isaac clung to it to re-affirm that he was in control of the fire and not the other way around.

 7.40

    Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida, New American Republic, January 12, 2037


    The Magus of the Ten Eyes stared across the arena.


    Her opponent, dubbed the ¡®Sapphire Smasher¡¯ by the slavers, didn¡¯t make sense.


    Outwardly, she was a small girl. Ten year¡¯s old. Maybe an underfed twelve?


    Blue hair that fell in waves.


    Cerulean eyes that swirled like the ocean¡¯s surface fixed on her with an unblinking stare.


    The girl grinned, revealing sharp canine teeth, like a snake¡¯s fangs. She flexed thin, wiry arms, flashing sharp claws at the end of her fingers.


    She wore no armor, held no weapons.


    Her shirt featured a cartoon mouse.


    Her pants were the standard American blue jeans.


    Cal Cruces had said that the girl was a dragon.


    A very young one.


    He hadn¡¯t elaborated beyond that.


    The man had no reason to lie, yet, she found it hard to believe.


    How could such a large creature take the shape of a small human?


    Magic.


    Obviously.


    Nonetheless, despite everything she had seen, despite the monster eyes orbiting around her protectively, she still had doubts.


    The magus tried to see deeper using her monster eye with that ability.


    Magic flowed through the girl.


    That was all she could glean.


    It reminded her of staring down at the ocean¡¯s surface. That dark blue barrier that concealed so much.


    The girl held up an imperious hand as soon as the siren blared signaling the start of the match.


    ¡°I¡¯d speak words with you.¡±


    The girl¡¯s voice was high, yet it sent a shiver down the magus¡¯ back.


    It felt much older.


    She managed to dip her head.


    ¡°Will you be the one to finally challenge me?¡± the girl growled.


    Twelve eyes struggled to hold the gaze of two.


    The girl didn¡¯t blink, the magus realized. She hadn¡¯t blinked the entire time they had stared across the arena while the announcer blathered on.


    The crowd¡¯s cheers hushed as they strained to listen to the two competitors¡¯ words.


    Those watching at home had no such problem thanks to all of the microphones in the arena.


    ¡°I do what I must,¡± the magus replied.


    ¡°Fight well. Show me something I have not seen and there will be a place of honor for you in my eventual domain.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t fight for myself.¡±


    ¡°Then fight for your clutch. Earn their place through your deeds.¡±


    She didn¡¯t know what to say to that.


    ¡°I grant you the first blow as I have done to my previous challengers. Do not disappoint.¡±


    She had been expecting this.


    The plan, stick to the plan, she thought. Fight long enough to satisfy the king. Allay his suspicions. Let him think that he still has a hold over you. Don¡¯t reveal that you know he no longer has your friends. Don¡¯t concern yourself overmuch with your opponent¡¯s safety. The girl¡ª the dragon could handle it.


    One monster eye orbited into place in front of the magus. It swiveled to face the Sapphire Smasher.


    The orb opened.


    The pupil focused.


    A brief light was the only warning. The only herald of the destruction at hand.


    A thin beam lanced out of the eye.


    The girl dragon¡¯s arms snapped up into an X across her face with supernatural quickness.


    For a moment the magus saw sun-browned flesh shimmer into scales the same cerulean color as the eyes.


    The girl dragon sniffed. ¡°Disintegration? I approve, but is that the limit of your strength?¡±


    It wasn¡¯t¡­ but not far off.


    The magus willed a magic shield into life around her through yet another monster eye.


    A feral smile baring small, but sharp fangs was the only warning for the magus.


    She saw a cloud of dust and heard a loud boom.


    A tiny fist cracked the magic shield sending a spike of pain into the magus¡¯ head.


    The fight had truly begun.


    ¡°Ohhhh!¡±


    Fin echoed Shrewed as the Sapphire Smasher sent the magus careening into the magic walls protecting the crowd.


    ¡°It¡¯s like an air juggle combo,¡± Fin said.


    ¡°The hell is that?¡± Shrewed said.


    Fin gestured toward the huge screen.


    ¡°Video game stuff,¡± Cal said. ¡°Although, I¡¯ve done it a few times on monsters and other things.¡±


    ¡°Never seen it,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°And how many times have you seen me fight things that required effort?¡± Cal said.


    Fin thought about it and realized that he could count on one hand the number of times he¡¯d seen Cal in a fight. Most of what the man had done was cut monsters up with those flying knives or blow their heads off with that ridiculous handcannon. He had never seen Cal get his hands dirty. Let alone uppercut and kick a monster into the air like the girl dragon was doing to the magus.


    Fortunately, the magus¡¯ shield was holding despite the visible cracks in the glowing, transparent surface.


    ¡°There was that time in Kansas, but I didn¡¯t see much to be honest. It was more like a blur,¡± Shrewed said.


    The three men fell silent as the fight erupted into blistering violence.


    ¡°Man, watching ain¡¯t nothing like being in it. I keep wanting to take cover when I hear the hits and spells going off, but then I realize that I can¡¯t smell the burned ozone or people shitting themselves. Can¡¯t feel the heat or tingles. The rumbling in my chest from the explosions,¡± Shrewed said.


    Monster eyes shot beams and sprayed fire.


    A gray beam struck the girl dragon in the face causing her skin to lose color and harden.


    She ripped it off with a happy roar before launching herself after the floating magus.


    The other two men didn¡¯t see it because it had happened to quickly, but Cal saw the flash of glittering blue scales beneath the sun-browned skin before the latter regrew.


    ¡°I thought the magus wasn¡¯t supposed to go that hard?¡± Fin said.


    ¡°Kid, I don¡¯t think she¡¯s got a choice. She needs to make it look good, but she can¡¯t take it easy or the dragon¡¯ll take her head off,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°The magus might look like an archaeology professor, but she¡¯s tough. Tough enough to get here all the way from Egypt. More than that she was good enough to bring, like, twenty people with her,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You think she¡¯d answer some questions about her eyes?¡± Fin¡¯s hand drifted to his chest in an unconscious gesture.


    ¡°Can¡¯t hurt to ask,¡± Shrewed shrugged. ¡°Thinking of picking up a few spells? That stone beam looks like a killer. Bet if that hit anyone else¡­¡± he shook his head.


    The girl dragon delivered a front flip kick that finally shattered the magus¡¯ magic shield.


    The older woman¡¯s face twisted as the impact sent her toward the arena floor.


    ¡°Don¡¯t we need her in pretty good shape for later?¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°She¡¯ll be fine. We¡¯re still good with the plan,¡± Cal said.


    When the girl dragon opened her mouth wide the magus expected fire.


    After all that¡¯s what dragon¡¯s did, they breathed fire, right?


    What came out was a wave of water.


    The deepest, darkest blue.


    It swept across the arena floor and over the magus.


    Cold.


    So cold.


    It stole the breath from her lungs and sent sharp spikes into her skin.


    Salt.


    She tasted salt.


    Desperate will sent a command to her elemental eye.


    It orbited above her head and poured out a wide stream of fire.


    Ironic that.


    The deep ocean water boiled into steam.


    She called on another eye to sweep over her.


    There was something in the cold wet that sapped her spiritually as well as physically.


    It felt like magic.


    Her anti-magic eye flashed and she instantly felt buoyed. Still cold and wet, but nothing beyond the physical.


    ¡°Such varied magics,¡± the girl dragon gave her a fang-toothed grin. ¡°Serve me and my domain will weather the trials to come. Think hard on it human female. Time draws near for the spires to unleash everything. You do not know what hungers for that which you think belongs to you.¡±


    For a reply she sent a wave of her own.


    One of fire.


    This dragon didn¡¯t breathe flame, she breathed bone-chilling water.


    It stood to reason that an opposite element could be a weakness.


    What did Waleed call it?


    Ah, yes!


    Water-types were weak against fire-types.


    Or was it the other way around?


    The girl dragon grinned at the onrushing fiery wave that covered a good thirty yards along its leading edge as it billowed out from the magus¡¯ monster eye.


    She met it with another torrent of deep ocean water.


    The explosion silenced the crowd filling the arena with thick steam.


    The magus recast her magic shield as she levitated back away from the huge steam cloud covering much of the arena center.


    The crowd roared as the girl dragon leapt out of the cloud with one fist pulled back.


    ¡°Show me more!¡±


    Could the magus?


    The plan had been to hold back and only use the eyes that the slavers had already seen in action.


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    She was too slow. The girl dragon too fast and too strong.


    Her magic shield cracked beneath the tiny fist, sending painful feedback.


    She could slow the girl dragon, but didn¡¯t want to reveal that eye.


    The fist landed again.


    More cracks, more pain.


    She had never faced anyone or anything like this girl.


    Something told her to drop the shield and move her head to the left.


    She obeyed without hesitation.


    A blur.


    A powerful gust of wind across the side of her face.


    The girl dragon went flying past her.


    The magus levitated up and away in an effort to gain distance.


    She fired beams of disintegrating and petrifying magic behind her.


    She saw them hit without the need to look back.


    The girl dragon shrugged them off again.


    Sun-browned skin turned into blue scales for a moment.


    The magus caught the girl dragon mid-leap with a ray of frost.


    The ice cube fell to the ground only to explode sending icy shards in all directions as the girl dragon continued the chase.


    Time lost meaning for the magus.


    She glanced at the clock on the scoreboard.


    Five minutes had passed.


    Less than a third through the match.


    It simultaneously felt like the longest and quickest five minutes of her life.


    Fighting the girl dragon took her back to the days before she obtained her ten eyes.


    Not even the worst monster fight since then compared to the storm she was barely surviving inside the arena.


    There was so much space for the two combatants, yet it felt so small, claustrophobic as the girl dragon didn¡¯t give her a moment¡¯s breath.


    Her spells were mostly ineffective, barely slowing the girl dragon.


    She could go stronger, but it wouldn¡¯t matter.


    How much longer did she need to keep up the charade?


    Surely, it had been long enough to satisfy the slavers.


    The crowd certainly seemed to love the violence judging by their rabid cheers.


    How much¡ª


    The king¡¯s satisfied.


    The magus stopped and raised her hands up to the girl dragon while dropping her cracked magic shield.


    The girl dragon¡¯s punch went wide. Her cerulean eyes widened in surprise. She had missed.


    ¡°I surrender,¡± the magus said.


    The girl dragon pulled her fist back and scowled.


    The announcer made the call inciting the crowd to erupt.


    ¡°They¡¯re happy,¡± the girl dragon quirked her head to one side looking up to the magus studying the older woman like prey, ¡°I¡¯m not. You have more to show me. You only used half your eyes.¡±


    A statement, not a question.


    ¡°They aren¡¯t suited to this type of battle.¡±


    ¡°Very well. You¡¯ve been my most enjoyable opponent. You are not up to my standard. Still, your efforts have earned you the opportunity to petition me to be one of my chosen few when I claim my domain. You must pass the trials¡­ once I have¡­ er¡­ settled on their nature. They will be challenging, but fair. I only want the exemplars among your kind, remember that.¡±


    The girl dragon, the Sapphire Smasher, turned away from the magus and raised her skinny arms basking in the adulation of the crowd.


    That was¡­ unpleasant, the magus thought.


    But, you did it. The king¡¯s suspicions have been quieted. He won¡¯t be paying as much attention to you. He¡¯s confident that you don¡¯t know that he no longer has your friends. Time for you to rest and recover. That was a rough fight.


    I felt like I was close to death. I know that is against the rules and that there are safe guards, but¡­


    That¡¯s reasonable. She has shown that she¡¯ll take her opponents as close to that line as possible. In any case, it¡¯s over. You don¡¯t have to deal with her.


    Is she a threat to our plans?


    Possibly. I don¡¯t see her as the type to care about being celebrated at the king¡¯s banquet. She strikes me as the type to take her rewards and move on to whatever¡¯s next. Which might be a problem if that¡¯s sticking around. Then again, if the slavers become too insistent at recruiting her and keeping her here then that would be helpful to us. She would act with swift and overwhelming violence at the first hint that they¡¯re trying to dominate her. It¡¯s an instinctual thing. My only concern at that point would be the collateral damage.


    The lose of life would be regrettable, but I¡¯m of the mind that this place has brought that upon themselves by their evil.


    Some¡­ many¡­ but not all deserve to die.


    Those weighty concerns are yours. I just want my friends to be free and safe.


    <hr>


    The Slaver King waited for the small contingent claiming to be the rightful U.S. Government to get comfortable before activating his aura.


    He started it slowly.


    ¡°True Patriot,¡± the king inclined his head to the tall, blindfolded woman, ¡°great job! Made it all the way to the Elite Eight. Ran into a real killer. Between you and me, even I¡¯d have a tough time with Mr. Freeman. Death¡¯s Dancer, lieutenants, Rico and Contrary, decent showing beating the Blackstar 3. It was a pretty good fight. Bit disappointing with the Furies fight. Let me tell you, I¡¯m a little surprised at the lack of killer instinct you showed for being special operators.¡±


    ¡°Killing was against your rules,¡± Death¡¯s Dancer said.


    ¡°True, but my healers can fix quite a lot of damage.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t share those details. We weren¡¯t going to risk collateral damage. This was a tournament not real combat,¡± True Patriot said.


    ¡°Fair enough. Nevertheless, I¡¯m surprised that you three didn¡¯t enter the speed run contest.¡±


    Silence.


    The pressure built.


    Imagine it as though one was descending deeper into the ocean.


    It became harder to move.


    Breathing grew more difficult as though a vise was around one¡¯s chest. The screw slowly turned, unrelenting.


    ¡°Would you say you¡¯ve had a good championships? Overall? Good rewards?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± True Patriot said.


    ¡°Good, good. I take pride in my generosity.¡±


    ¡°The spires put up the really good stuff and most of the points,¡± Death¡¯s Dancer said.


    ¡°Well, not even the New American Republic can compete with the, uh, entity or system, or what have you that completely altered the fundamental realities of our entire planet,¡± the Slaver King said lightly. ¡°Still, I am proud for our added contributions, both in points and potential opportunities.¡±


    ¡°Your opportunities are a nonstarter for us,¡± True Patriot said.


    ¡°Yes, well, that¡¯s the reason I asked you to come here today,¡± he rose and walked over to the enormous wall of windows on the east side of his top floor boardroom. ¡°I love the view. Look at the ocean. You¡¯d have to be crazy to want to live in any other place,¡± he turned his gaze back to the people seated at the table. ¡°Like say an underground bunker or so I¡¯ve heard. Tell me, did you have to drink your own piss? What¡¯d you do with the shit? Probably used it to grow mushrooms or something, like in that old movie. What¡¯ll it take to get you on board? True Patriot?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already told your sales reps that I¡¯m not interested,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°Not even a noble title?¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, you can¡¯t just tell people they¡¯re dukes or whatever and make it true!¡± Lt. Contrary snapped.


    ¡°Oh? But that¡¯s exactly how it¡¯s been always done. The people with the strength says they have divine rights and the rest of the people follow along,¡± the Slaver King said.


    ¡°Because of the armies,¡± Lt. Contrary said.


    ¡°Exactly,¡± the Slaver King smiled. ¡°You get a mansion, essential workers to staff it and see to your day-to-day needs. You can treat them as you will. And with time and proof that I can trust you, I¡¯ll even put you in charge of my military. Think about it, you can lead our righteous Quest as the true inheritors of Old America in reclaiming our land and more.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m loyal to my oaths,¡± True Patriot said.


    ¡°Look, the only oaths that matter to me are the ones people swear to me. Besides, generals were getting bought by everyone and their mothers back in the old days. Military industrial complex, I mean, even you can¡¯t deny there was a pipeline from the Department of Defense to the big weapons companies and even other sovereign nations. My dad was a CEO, ran a hedge fund and stuff like that. So, I know what I¡¯m talking about. Had an uncle married to my aunt that got paid huge money by the Saudis to lobby congress. I¡¯m talking millions just for that. The weapons deal he got started was worth half a billion. So, if you think you¡¯re some kind of moral arbiter then you need to open your eyes. You do have them right?¡± he peered into the blindfold.


    The glow intensified, pushing back against the Slaver King.


    The man¡¯s face remained unreadable, but his thoughts were another matter.


    Frustration.


    True Patriot and the rest should¡¯ve been thoroughly intimidated by the current strength level of his commanding aura even if they weren¡¯t his sworn subjects.


    ¡°You¡¯re a slaver,¡± Death¡¯s Dancer said.


    The king gave the young man an easy smile. ¡°Essential workers. Words are important. They can be twisted to create a narrative. I don¡¯t blame you for your mistake since you don¡¯t know better. You are, after all, a product of your upbringing. I can only imagine what they taught you in those bunkers. You look like you would¡¯ve been around three when the spires appeared. They raised you to be ignorant. Probably, had you doing the pledge every day before school. Those old men that used to run things. They use you to maintain their control.¡±


    ¡°The sky¡¯s blue, grass is green and people put in collars are slaves. You call them whatever you want. Anyone can see the truth with their eyes,¡± Death¡¯s Dancer said. ¡°It¡¯s easy enough to prove. The people in collars¡­ are they essential workers? No? They¡¯re slaves.¡±


    The Slaver King¡¯s aura flared.


    The pressure grew crushing.


    They struggled to pull oxygen into their compressed lungs.


    The buzzing in their ears became overwhelming.


    Lt. Rico and Lt. Contrary¡¯s muscles strained as they fought to keep from being pressed into the hardwood table.


    True Patriot and Death¡¯s Dancer fared better.


    They kept their straight-backed bearing.


    ¡°Is this an act of war?¡± True Patriot said as she flared her inner light.


    The two lieutenants gasped, sucking in a deep breath.


    They didn¡¯t know how long their captain could push back against the Slaver King.


    ¡°No, of course not,¡± the Slaver King said lightly. The pressure vanished. ¡°I want a peaceful transition for the New American Republic. Bloodshed would be a waste. There are so few of us left out there. Our estimates put the current population of the old country at just around three million.¡±


    ¡°Then you won¡¯t prevent our departure,¡± True Patriot said.


    ¡°What would give you that idea?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve prevented other competitors from leaving.¡±


    ¡°Different situations. Not at all like yours. You¡¯re free to go whenever you want. I would encourage you to wait until after the award¡¯s dinner and the celebration at my castle. As Gold Division competitors you have a place of honor and there might be an added surprise,¡± he winked. ¡°After that I¡¯d like to send you back to your leaders with gifts and an offer. You may not want to be a Lady, but others will.¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t,¡± Death¡¯s Dancer said.


    ¡°You¡¯re young. You¡¯ll learn,¡± the Slaver King sighed. ¡°In any case I¡¯d like to establish diplomatic channels. I¡¯m not going to bullshit you though, we¡¯re patient, but we¡¯re not that patient. So, in conclusion, hang around, enjoy all our amenities. See everything, hear everything. Learn why the New American Republic is the future. Don¡¯t get left behind on the shit pile of history.¡±


    The Slaver King dismissed them with a genial wave that was only on the surface level.


    He fumed on the inside.


    So much so that he delayed his next meeting by fifteen minutes so that he could calm and refocus himself.


    The blind-folded bitch asked if it was war?


    The answer was yes if her leadership was stupid, which, knowing how old politicians were like was probable.


    He called for his essential assistant to bring the next meeting in.


    The sight of her swaying hips in that tight dress never failed to make him relax. Well, at least, some of him relaxed.


    The man that followed her into the boardroom was a grizzled sort. His face was scarred and craggy like he had been hacked out of stone with crude tools.


    ¡°Spear Captain Doran. Welcome.¡±


    The man watched the Slaver King warily as if the latter was a hungry lion.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Doran said.


    ¡°Please have a seat,¡± the Slaver King gestured.


    ¡°I prefer to stand,¡± Doran held the same straight-backed bearing as True Patriot and her little soldiers.


    ¡°What is with you soldiers? A rhetorical question,¡± the Slaver King waved a hand. ¡°I won¡¯t waste your time, spear captain. Since I can already tell what you¡¯ll answer. I¡¯ve spoken to that watch commander and she said she can¡¯t answer for your governor. And that brings me to you. You know I¡¯m surprised that your governor didn¡¯t send a representative that could speak on his behalf.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s above my pay grade, so I can¡¯t talk about that.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, my representative brought back your governor¡¯s words that he wasn¡¯t interested in anything beyond non-aggression. I¡¯d like to ask you to help me and help yourself, your community. When it¡¯s time for you to go home, we will, of course, send additional soldiers to make sure you make it back safely. It¡¯s a long and dangerous drive, as we both know. My soldiers were a great help in fighting monsters, raiders and other dangers, were they not?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t say they weren¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Glad to hear it from you directly,¡± the Slaver King slid a thick envelope across the table. ¡°I don¡¯t give up easily. For your governor and maybe for you and anyone else interested. I¡¯m not above headhunting. You¡¯re a leader of men. My people only had good things to say with how you handled your spears out on the road. I¡¯d love to bring you on board along with your best and brightest.¡±


    ¡°Your people¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know, they¡¯ve already tried recruiting you. I figured it¡¯d land differently if it came from me. Don¡¯t answer now. Take your time. The New American Republic isn¡¯t going anywhere.¡±


    The spear captain took the envelope and tucked it under one arm. He gamely stared at a point directly over the Slaver King¡¯s right shoulder.


    Doran had been warned about what he could¡¯ve faced inside the boardroom and waited patiently.


    ¡°Thank you for your time, spear captain. I hope you continue to enjoy our hospitality. I promise that the celebration will be a night to remember. I hope it speaks well of what we can offer you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Doran didn¡¯t breathe easily until he was well on his way back to his hotel.


    The Slaver King shrugged.


    That went as expected and planned.


    The spear captain from Northern California wasn¡¯t an individual threat, unlike the True Patriot and her child soldiers, so he didn¡¯t need to show off his aura. Neither, were the hundred plus fighters the man had brought with him.


    They were grossly outnumbered by his regular force alone.


    Not to mention his special secret reserve.


    Those were real monsters.


    The Slaver King called for his next meeting.


    The faster he could get done with it the faster he could blow off some steam with his essential assistant.


    Disgusting filth, Cal thought.


    He was high above, hiding in the clouds.


    Was it worth the risk?


    He had done nothing even as countless abuses were perpetrated every hour of every day on the thousands of enslaved people.


    What was one young woman¡¯s violation compared to the chance to free them all in a few weeks?


    After all, she had been violated countless times.


    He hadn¡¯t stopped any of those.


    Was it different because he was there, in the moment?


    All he had to do was leave after the last meeting.


    Hide behind the walls around his mind.


    Or do something with the powers he was given.


    It¡¯d be easy to make the Slaver King forget about the young woman and move on with his day.


    What if the king realized something was amiss later?


    The man was a Slaver King over Level 50.


    Cal hadn¡¯t risked probing deeper to get a full profile of the man¡¯s class, Skills and other abilities.


    Some people said that there was a Skill or spell for everything. He wasn¡¯t inclined to argue against that hypothesis.


    Perhaps a distraction.


    A convoluted chain of events beginning with a slight nudge or a loosened screw or a suddenly enraged arena monster that eventually led to the Slaver King being called away to deal with the problem.


    Or he could do the equivalent of pulling the smoke alarm for the high-rise building.


    Force everyone to evacuate.


    Yeah, he thought, that should be okay.


    Right, once he was done with that he had to take a quick trip out to the ranger base camp to pick up the items he had requested.

 7.41

    The Freedom Championships drew to a close.


    The last events in all three divisions fell like dominoes as they progressed into the latter half of January.


    The fans fervor hadn¡¯t lessened, it had only increased as they watch the approaching crescendo.


    If the Slaver King had a tangible hold on his sworn subjects then what difference did it make? They were all excited and happy. More than they had ever been in the close to two decades since the spires had appeared. He had delivered exactly what he had promised and tightened his hold on their loyal adoration.


    Citizens of the New American Republic, subjects of the Slaver King cheered their favorites and booed their most hated from arena stands across the city and from their homes.


    They watched the finals of the Silver Division MOBA between a team from Southern California, Rayna¡¯s Rangers¡ª and who was this ¡®Rayna¡¯? A question with no answer for the many that had asked¡ª and a team from the notorious Meat Parade. It was a tight, heated contest. Each side pushed lanes in, took towers and threatened each other¡¯s bases in turn.


    Momentum seemed to swing each time one side seemed to be on the cusp of gaining an edge.


    Such violence displayed!


    It turned out that there was a thing as too much violence.


    It was stunning to watch it unfold.


    A very keen-eyed viewer would¡¯ve seen it coming.


    A fiery-haired young woman with an equally fiery sword grew more heated, if that was even possible, as the match went on. Her attacks slowly increased in viciousness as recognition dawned on her.


    Her name was Chandra.


    Her flaming hair erupted like a volcano as she slashed her sword across the Meat Parade flesheater¡¯s chest scoring a red-hot line across armor.


    ¡°You! I remember you now! You were there!¡± Chandra snarled.


    ¡°Oh¡­ shit!¡± the ranger, Neckbeard, said. A strange name to pick. For though the man was stocky, he wasn¡¯t out of shape. He did have a beard, but it didn¡¯t cover his neck because having only one chin didn¡¯t necessitate concealing others. He held up a wooden staff flaring bright light that forced the other two flesheaters back. ¡°Swanny! They¡¯re the ones from Kansas!¡±


    The third ranger, Swan Princess in full, but ¡®Swanny¡¯ in the interest of battlefield efficiency, spat a curse. She fired spells from the back line through the spell orbs floating around her.


    They were too far and too slow to prevent the logical conclusion.


    Imagine a young girl.


    In a city besieged by cannibals.


    Picture a young girl huddling with her family, friends, the only people she knew in a world filled with monsters and bad men.


    She hid inside an enchanter¡¯s shop waiting for the promised safety while monsters in the thin disguise of men roamed the streets.


    See these monsters break into the shop.


    Watch the unfolding massacre.


    Imagine a young girl, friends and family brutally murdered, partially devoured.


    Watch her take up the sword.


    Uselessly.


    For she had nothing.


    No class to fight.


    No strength of her own.


    The girl was saved in the end only to be left asking herself one question.


    Why me?


    Time passes as it does.


    Four years spent becoming strong.


    No longer useless.


    To come full circle and face the monsters that had plagued her for years.


    The rules?


    Fuck them!


    Chandra¡¯s rage fueled her magic fire.


    She broke through the flesheater¡¯s guard and nearly halfway through the cannibal woman¡¯s neck.


    She drew her back for another strike to finish it when she was flung back into the dirt.


    She coughed and choked out water.


    Her flames were dampened but flared back as she sought the attacker.


    Mages floated above.


    One shined a red light on her.


    ¡°Personal foul. Intentional attempt to kill. Competitor Chandra, you¡¯re disqualified!¡± the head referee¡¯s voice boomed across the battle arena. ¡°Both teams return to your base. Match reset.¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Neckbeard said.


    Chandra was undeterred she stalked toward the wounded flesheater. Cauterizing the wound had slowed her healing.


    The mages raised their hands in Chandra¡¯s direction.


    Swan Princess rushed forward using one of her spells to douse Chandra¡¯s flames.


    The latter turned to the former with a snarl.


    Neckbeard grabbed Chandra. ¡°Not now¡­¡± he hissed.


    They dragged the frothing young woman back to their base.


    The match resumed, but the conclusion was foregone with Rayna¡¯s Rangers down one fighter.


    They gave a spirited defense, then tried to backdoor the Meat Parade base in a last ditch effort to win a base race.


    They failed.


    The Meat Parade team won.


    Despite being only in the Silver Division, the match was the talk of the city the next day.


    Such drama.


    Everyone wondered what that had been about.


    Interviewers tried, but Chandra skipped the post-match press conferences and the other rangers refused to comment.


    Attention shifted to another final.


    This one was also in the Silver Division.


    Three versus three.


    Outsiders from Northern California, The Watch against the hometown favorites, The King¡¯s Blades.


    The latter team was comprised of up and coming local gladiators plying their trade in the multiple arenas throughout the city. And they had the backing of thousands in the arena and millions watching at home.


    It was enough to power The King¡¯s Blades to victory.


    A much needed win for the hometown fans.


    Too many outsiders had been winning.


    The Meat Parade had won the Silver Division MOBA.


    The Heartfuries had taken the three versus three contest in the Gold Division.


    The one versus one was going to feature two outsiders. The Sapphire Smasher and Isaac Freeman.


    Local gladiators had won the team fight competition in the Bronze Division, but who cared about the lowest tier?


    They had a few prospects still alive in the time trial competition across all three divisions. Although, most saw that format as a lesser one.


    Speaking of which, Fin, the Ghost Sorcerer, and the Dread Paladin fought through a spawn zone.


    They tried, if not at their best, then fairly close.


    It wouldn¡¯t do to reveal their full capabilities when there were so many eyes watching.


    The Cabal was everywhere.


    Not only in the finals with them, but watching through the orbs that followed them as they rushed through the old mall and killed monsters.


    The rewards had been good. Worth it, but winning balanced against secrecy came second.


    As did they, ironically.


    Time drew near.


    Time for revenge.


    For the both of them.


    They knew where they had to go to reach the one that was ultimately responsible for their past and present suffering and lost loved ones.


    For Fin, killing the leadership of the Cabal and as many of its members as he could represented finally putting that past where it belonged. To remove the weight he had carried. To finally sleep without the nightmares.


    For the Dread Paladin, vengeance meant that he had been right to take the Vow. That the evil he had done wasn¡¯t for nothing. He did not seek nor want atonement. To him the ends justified the means. He knew to his core that there would be no redemption for his crimes. All he wanted was to erase the Cabal from the world before facing whatever reckoning awaited at the end of his journey. A small part of him feared that the Vow wouldn¡¯t allow him to rest. It was a small voice. Easy to miss in the ever-present chitters in his thoughts.


    While much of the civilian population of Miami was consumed by the championships, there were others less caught up in the fervor. They had important work to do and they couldn¡¯t watch all of the action. That wasn¡¯t to say that they weren¡¯t allowed to watch some of the action on their breaks and such. The king was generous as always.


    Staff in various secret facilities throughout the king¡¯s territory, in the city and out, went about their work while keeping an eye and an ear on the screens covering the championships.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Eric, you¡¯ve got to help a bro out,¡± Noel said.


    ¡°I would, but this isn¡¯t my area, you know? Besides, I know for a fact you already brought this to the king and he shut you down,¡± Eric said.


    The two men took a leisurely place through the sprawling factory and warehouse complex located at the port.


    ¡°Look, bro, I¡¯m swamped with getting the collars on all the monsters and mutant animals for the king,¡± Noel whined.


    ¡°You¡¯re just bitching now. It¡¯s not all,¡± Eric consulted his notes, ¡°it¡¯s only an additional one thousand creatures to be collared.¡±


    ¡°On top of normal attrition through training and leveling. Plus, replacements for fodder matches, which have been increased by two-hundred percent for the championships. Which, I can¡¯t fully enjoy because I¡¯m so fucking busy!¡± Noel threw his hands up. ¡°On top of all that, General Mark won¡¯t leave me alone about the mana hounds,¡± Noel said.


    ¡°We¡¯ve lost three supply convoys. It¡¯s been almost a month since we had to postpone them. Mark¡¯s got the biggest dildo up his ass, but the old fuck isn¡¯t wrong. Between you and me,¡± Eric lowered his voice, ¡°the only reason the king isn¡¯t putting more of his time into this is because of the championships. If you think the general is being a naggy little bitch, then wait till the king can give this his time. Just a head¡¯s up.¡±


    ¡°Where is my time, huh, Eric? Where is my time to enjoy the party? I missed out on a rager last week during the Final Four, which I missed most of¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey, bro¡­ that¡¯s how it is when you¡¯re irreplaceable,¡± Eric shrugged. ¡°Anyways, don¡¯t see what¡¯s your problem. You¡¯re obviously not being efficient¡ª¡±


    ¡°The fuck you say?¡±


    ¡°Just going by your past metrics. You¡¯ve been allocated enough additional essential staff to fulfill all the king¡¯s demands and they are demands, just to be clear, not requests. So¡­ do your job and quit bitching at me about it. If that¡¯s not good enough for you then take it up with the king.¡±


    ¡°Nah, bro. You don¡¯t go to him more than once or twice for something. I¡¯m not stupid.¡±


    They reached their destination.


    A huge warehouse had been converted into a mix between a zoo and an armory.


    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Thick-barred cages were arranged in neat rows.


    Each contained a vicious monster or mutant animal.


    Strangely, they all sat or stood listlessly.


    None growled or snapped at the workers, enslaved and free, that moved through the aisles inspecting them and taking notes.


    ¡°This batch is almost ready to go. Just doing final checks before moving them. Here,¡± Noel ripped a flash drive out of the computer set up on a table, ¡°details for your tracking whatever.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take that,¡± Eric snatched the drive and placed it in his breast pocket.


    ¡°You gonna inspect them all?¡± Noel pouted.


    ¡°Nah, I¡¯ll take your word for it. The king trusts you,¡± Eric shrugged as he turned to leave.


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯ve got to go up to Orlando and I want to get that done so I can get back here for the final.¡±


    ¡°Who do you got?¡±


    ¡°Thinking of laying off this one. Too close to call.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, you? Lay off a bet? Get the fuck out of here,¡± Noel laughed.


    ¡°You want to lay something down?¡± Eric challenged.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take the Sapphire Smasher straight up,¡± Noel grinned.


    ¡°She¡¯s the fave, you cheap ass,¡± Eric scowled.


    ¡°A slight favorite. I heard you were looking to transition. Didn¡¯t know you already got your dick chopped off. How¡¯s the new pussy feeling?¡± Noel sneered.


    ¡°Fuck off. Figures you¡¯d put money on the little girl,¡± Eric shot the other man the finger.


    ¡°Bro, she isn¡¯t a minor. That¡¯s a proven fact.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, pedo. I¡¯ll take that bet, straight up,¡± he grinned. ¡°Isaac Freeman to burn the Sapphire Smasher. What¡¯re we betting?¡±


    ¡°How about your best girl for my best girl?¡±


    Eric mulled it over.


    ¡°Deal.¡±


    They shook hands.


    Losing even their best girl wasn¡¯t that big a loss.


    There were always plenty of girls and both men were among the wealthiest in the New American Republic.


    Another place. It was once called ¡®The Most Magical Place on Earth¡¯, now it was something else.


    Oh, it was still magical in that magic happened on a daily basis on its sprawling grounds, which covered about 40 square miles. It had been like a small city once.


    Now it was a mix of encounter challenges and spawn zones containing the secret high level training grounds of the New American Republic.


    It was here that the potential elite was sent to prove themselves.


    Failure meant¡­ well¡­ not death.


    That was a waste of perfectly serviceable fighters.


    The king wasn¡¯t a moron.


    He had never understood having a training course with a high or even moderate chance of death.


    Eric made the trip by helicopter.


    It was a fairly uneventful ride.


    There was a flock of mutant crows, but the gunner and the escort took care of them.


    He had been honest with Noel.


    It was only going to be a quick trip to pass along the king¡¯s instructions in person.


    The king could¡¯ve called it in over the phone or through magical methods, but something was bothering the man. Though the king hadn¡¯t said anything, Eric had gotten the barest of inklings.


    A little worrisome niggle that threatened to dampen the excitement for the closing matches.


    Such secrecy suggested that the king was worried that there were eyes and ears that didn¡¯t belong.


    Part of Eric was bothered that the king, his friend going all the way back to their frat days, hadn¡¯t seen fit to mention just exactly what the threat was.


    Part of him was glad that he didn¡¯t have to deal with whatever it was.


    Let the king take care of it like always while he partied.


    He took a truck from the landing pad straight to the commander of the special training facility.


    He handed the stone-faced man¡ª why were all the command level officers like that? It was like someone had carved them out of rock¡ª the king¡¯s orders.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you a quick breakdown, but please read that,¡± Eric cleared his throat, ¡°the king requests the return of his true champions at once. In fact, have someone get on that right away. Time¡¯s ticking,¡± he tapped his rolex, ¡°and I¡¯ve got to get back to the city with them.¡± He waited for the commander to make the call before continuing. ¡°As for the rest¡­ you¡¯re going to truck the collared monsters you have here back to the city. Dispersement is outlined in the packet.¡±


    The commander scowled.


    Eric thought he saw flakes chipping off the craggy brow.


    ¡°How many?¡±


    Even the man¡¯s voice sounded like rocks being rolled together.


    ¡°All of them or as much as you can fit in the vehicles you have here. The king wants them ASAP.¡±


    The commander¡¯s brow wrinkled even further.


    ¡°Earliest I can send them down is the twenty-third,¡± he grunted.


    ¡°That¡¯s five days!¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t come out here much,¡± a statement, not a question.


    ¡°Yeah, so?¡±


    ¡°We are surrounded by encounter challenges and spawn zones. We house hundreds of collared monsters. We don¡¯t have the manpower to get this down any quicker. I can pull guys from their other jobs, which are making sure the encounter challenges don¡¯t become spawn zones and the spawn zones don¡¯t overrun everything. That¡¯s not even counting the number of men I need to keep on that damn demon just in case it decides it wants out¡­ again.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that reminds me. The king wants it sent down too.¡±


    The commander¡¯s face grew ashen.


    ¡°It¡¯s very important that it gets to its destination, which is in your official orders. Don¡¯t let it escape. Good luck with that. I¡¯ll be waiting at the helipad. Hopefully, not too long.¡±


    Eric didn¡¯t bother to wait for the commander¡¯s reply.


    The man thought he was better? Just cause he was military?


    Fuck that.


    Who had the king¡¯s ear?


    Eric did.


    Maybe he¡¯d drop some words about the commander when he got back.


    Plenty of military types around.


    One was just as good as the other.


    All they needed to do was follow the king¡¯s orders.


    Any moron could do that.


    Elsewhere, at about the same time Captain Butcher strode into her temporary office greeted by salutes from her command staff.


    ¡°Got new intel this morning.¡±


    ¡°Another note to the forehead, sir,¡± Lt. Muttley chuckled.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Sgt. Brighteyes muttered.


    ¡°It thought you said you improved our security?¡± Sgt. Useful grinned.


    ¡°I did¡­¡±


    ¡°Looks like I won the bet,¡± Sgt. Useful held out her hand, ¡°pay up¡ª¡±


    ¡°Take care of that later. We¡¯ve got more important things to talk about.¡±


    The Ranger Captain¡¯s words instantly cut off the impending bickering.


    The two sergeants nodded like chastised children.


    ¡°He wants us to hit another convoy,¡± Captain Butcher continued.


    ¡°Slavers starting it up again?¡± Lt. Muttley said.


    ¡°No. This is a different kind of convoy. They¡¯re shipping collared monsters into the city.¡±


    ¡°Sounds a lot easier than the ones we hit. We won¡¯t have to worry about collateral,¡± Sgt. Useful said.


    ¡°I like the sound of killing everything,¡± Sgt. Useful said.


    ¡°It¡¯s both easier and more dangerous,¡± Lt. Muttley said.


    ¡°You¡¯re right on both. No collateral damage concerns. More enemies to fight.¡±


    ¡°I guess this is confirmation that they can control monsters, which is fucked,¡± Sgt. Useful said.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t full control. More like pointing the monsters at targets.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s our timetable?¡± Lt. Muttley said.


    ¡°Somewhere between four and five days from now.¡±


    ¡°Plenty of time to set up an ambush.¡± The lieutenant moved to the large map on the wall. ¡°We¡¯ll want to hit them in the middle of nowhere so they can¡¯t get reinforcements in quick enough¡­ but we¡¯ll need a place that isn¡¯t flat, open land,¡± he mused.


    ¡°Gonna need to clear the ambush site of monsters first,¡± Sgt. Brighteyes said.


    ¡°Or we do a death from above ambush. Drop in, hit them hard, draw in wild monsters and get out in the confusion while they fuck each other up?¡± Sgt. Useful said.


    ¡°Are there any other complications, captain? I¡¯m sensing that you aren¡¯t telling us everything,¡± Lt. Muttley said.


    ¡°The convoy will contain an especially dangerous monster, a demon.¡±


    ¡°Oh shit! Demons are a thing now?¡± Sgt. Brighteyes¡¯ eyes grew wide as saucers.


    ¡°A demon¡­ demon¡­ or is that just what they¡¯re calling it?¡± Sgt. Useful said.


    ¡°My understanding is that its classification came straight from the spires. The reason the slavers call it a ¡®demon¡¯ is because its capture was part of a Quest. Its subsequent usage is a persistent Quest. And both refer to it as a ¡®demon¡¯. Specifically, a ¡®violence demon¡¯. Ultimately, I don¡¯t care about names. What I care about is how dangerous is it and how to kill it without losing people.¡±


    ¡°We should¡¯ve brought Monsignor,¡± Sgt. Useful said.


    ¡°Demons are different for devils¡­ er¡­ probably, since we haven¡¯t come across devils,¡± Sgt. Brighteyes said.


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing their control over this thing isn¡¯t as good as what they¡¯ve got with the rest of the monsters?¡± Lt. Muttley reined them in back on track.


    ¡°That¡¯s what the intel said.¡±


    ¡°This might make things easier. We might not need to do more than break its cage and let it go crazy,¡± Sgt. Useful said.


    ¡°Brilliant idea,¡± Sgt. Brighteyes said. ¡°Let a real life fucking demon loose.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be easier to deal with on its own. Weakened after it takes out the rest of our problems,¡± Sgt. Useful shrugged, ¡°better than having it get loose in the middle of a potential three-way battle. Us versus the slavers with their monsters versus wild monsters.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m seeing a numbers problem, captain. We need people for the ops in the city, people to protect our base and people for the ambush. With this new intel,¡± Lt. Muttley shook his head, ¡°I¡¯m thinking that we¡¯re going to need way more than what we normally bring if we don¡¯t want massive casualties.¡±


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s war game this out and come up with a good plan that takes all of that into account,¡± Captain Butcher slid the notebook that had accompanied the note she found stuck to her forehead when she had woken up. ¡°Detailed information on the convoy. Troop disposition. Probable numbers and types for the monsters. The demon¡¯s known strengths and weaknesses.¡±


    Of which there were much more of the former.


    Days later.


    The demon dug its clawed fingers into the thickly muscled neck of the enormous mutated boar. Sleek muscles rippled beneath pale, pink flesh as it flexed its arms, twisting and turning until the squealing boar fell silent. It held the severed boar¡¯s head up and let the blood gush into its mouth. Rows of sharp, triangular teeth snapped and gnashed as its mouth shot out like an eager shark.


    It turned its attention to the huge, mutated snake latched around its digitigrade lower leg. Coils strong enough to crush every bone in a human body with one errant squeeze did nothing to the demon.


    It pried the coils off until it revealed the snake¡¯s head.


    One hand grabbed.


    The snake thrashed, trying to throw its coils around its head for protection.


    The struggle was short. The conclusion foregone.


    Nothing defeated the demon.


    It bit a chunk out of the dying snake and proceeded to eat the entire forty-foot length.


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna hurl, but I can¡¯t not watch,¡± one of the guards observing from high above the pit and behind many layers of defense said.


    ¡°You¡¯re new. You¡¯ll get used to it,¡± another guard said.


    The demon heard the words despite the distance and security measures separating it from the soft primitives.


    It stared up with eyelid-less eyes.


    Orbs of pure black pierced deeper then they knew.


    The primitives looked away.


    Multiple layers of steel bars, mesh, bullet-resistant glass and magic forcefields stood in its way.


    Kept it prisoner.


    It knew it could escape given time and desire.


    But, why?


    It was fulfilled.


    The primitives threw all manner of creatures for it to fight and kill. Sometimes they threw their own kind for it to fulfill its purpose.


    It had all it wanted.


    Let the primitives think they had it imprisoned. That their flimsy metal bands were more than mere annoyances.


    Still, being content didn¡¯t mean it wouldn¡¯t decide to seek greater entities to fight and slaughter.


    It sensed them out there. Like shining beacons in the dark.


    Somewhere in the distance to the south.


    Where there had been one source there were now many.


    A long forked tongue snaked out from between rows of teeth and tasted the air.


    The original¡­ the one that had barely succeeded in imprisoning it with the aid of countless others¡­ was present.


    It was thankful for that.


    The defeat needed to be returned.


    Another presence, like the cold ocean.


    The opposite, like a blazing inferno.


    Yet, another¡­ this one was a raging rainstorm.


    The strongest presence flickered in and out of existence.


    The demon didn¡¯t know what to make of that one.


    ¡°Is that normal?¡± the guard said.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± the other guard scribbled into a notebook.


    ¡°What¡¯d you just write?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re supposed to log whenever it sticks its tongue out and faces south. Don¡¯t ask, cause I don¡¯t know. We¡¯re just here to watch and make sure it doesn¡¯t try to escape.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, got it, I read all the stuff. You can count on me to do my job to the best of my ability!¡±


    ¡°Jesus-fucking-Christ, kid. Tone that shit down. All you need to do is follow the rules and don¡¯t get the rest of us killed.¡±


    ¡°Sorry¡­¡±


    ¡°Forget about it. Listen, the biggest challenge is not puking and you¡¯ve got over that, so just don¡¯t fuck it up and you¡¯re good.¡±


    Mewling primitives, the demon thought.


    Such a fresh and fertile world for it to bathe in blood.


    It resolved to make the most of being the only one of its kind on the landmass for as long as it could.


    Once more of its kind made the journey then it would have to share.


    A concept its kind was incapable of comprehending.


    A strange sound escaped its throat.


    Piercing, like its gaze, the sound touched something deeper in the soft primitives.


    It heard their curses as more than half the watching guards, close to two dozen, fell to their knees and retched up foul-smelling liquid.


    ¡°The fuck¡­ was that¡­¡± the older guard wiped his mouth.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I don¡¯t feel good,¡± the younger one¡¯s face had turned green, but he had kept the contents of his stomach in place. He went to help the older guard up, but the man thrust the logbook in his hands.


    ¡°Log¡­ it¡­¡±


    ¡°What do I put?¡±


    ¡°Just¡­ what¡­ happened¡­¡±


    The younger guard remembered the protocol.


    Each pair of guards watching the demon carried a log book in which they were supposed to note anything and everything the demon did.


    He proceeded to scribble away.


    The task helped him focus on something, anything other than those black orbs and that sound that defied description.


    ¡°Weird? Scary? Sound¡­ terrifying?¡± he muttered as the pen scratched across paper.

 7.42

    Wake up!


    Hanna jolted out of bed with a start.


    Instinct¡¯s voice was worried, urgent in her head.


    Your students are in danger.


    She rose, wiping the sleep out of her eyes, not bothering to put on other clothes over her shorts and t-shirt. Aside from putting on shoes the only thing she grabbed on her way out of her room was a longsword.


    Her room had been converted from one of the stadium¡¯s offices.


    She moved quickly through the dark hallways, down stairs and into the bowels of the stadium where the so-called fodder lived.


    Her instincts urged her on to move quicker.


    What now? she thought.


    They had just finished their last monster match.


    Some of her students had died.


    More than any expected had survived.


    The talk amongst the stadium¡¯s staff was that her surviving students had done it. They had exceeded all expectations as fodder and were in line to be picked up as gladiators, taken directly by one of the noble houses or by the king to join their forces.


    A lucky fate, according to the slavers.


    Tch¡­


    The slaver kingdom wasn¡¯t going to last beyond the next handful of days.


    Their clock would run down to zero sometime during the king¡¯s big party.


    An iron tang stung her nose as she exited the stairs into the stadium¡¯s lowest floor.


    She found the source a little ways down the hallway.


    A body was slumped against the wall. Red dripped down the man¡¯s shirt, pooling in between his spread legs.


    She approached cautiously, longsword held on guard in front of her.


    She used the flat of her blade to lift the dead man¡¯s chin.


    His throat leaked from a smile sliced into his neck.


    A very sharp blade from the looks of it.


    She recognized the young man.


    One of the stadium¡¯s guards.


    She continued down the corridor toward her students¡¯ quarters. Her only company was the sound of her footsteps echoing off the plain concrete.


    It wasn¡¯t strange for the place to be mostly deserted. The hour was late.


    The only people other than her students that would be down here were the slaver guards.


    Could they be stupid enough to mess with her students?


    No, she decided.


    She had punished enough of them for trying in the past. Never mind the fact that several of her students had grown exponentially and had surpassed the basic guard.


    Faster!


    Her instincts screamed in the back of her mind.


    She hurried to her students¡¯ quarters.


    The door had been replaced by iron bars some time ago.


    A clear sign as any that this was a prison in all but name.


    It remained locked and chained.


    That wasn¡¯t out of the norm.


    What made the growing pit in Hanna¡¯s stomach sink heavier was the three people trying to break free.


    Deirdre, Sinclair and Bernard.


    The leaders of her students.


    They bore the marks of a fight on their faces.


    The old woman¡¯s right eye was closed, that side of her face was an ugly, swollen bruise.


    Sinclair¡¯s face was reddened with cuts across his brow and the bridge of his nose to complement the old puckered scars on both cheeks.


    Bernard¡¯s face was no better. One arm hung in a makeshift sling.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Deirdre, hurry!¡± Sinclair urged.


    ¡°I can¡¯t get it hot enough,¡± the old woman¡¯s replied in an anguished voice.


    A small stream of flame poured from her finger into the large chain.


    It glowed red, but looked to be a long way from being cut.


    Bernard noticed Hanna. ¡°Hanabi!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± she hissed.


    ¡°They took Lance and the girl, Basilisk,¡± Bernard said. ¡°Alpha Sigma bastards!¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re going to¡ª¡± Sinclair let out a growl. ¡°Jayden brought them in. They wanted people for some fun,¡± he spat.


    ¡°No, their leader, a one-eyed bastard wanted Basilisk specifically. I think he knew her and she him,¡± Bernard said.


    Hanna realized instantly what it meant.


    ¡°Lance attacked. Then the rest of us jumped in. Or tried¡­ guess we¡¯re still weak,¡± Sinclair said flatly.


    ¡°As you can see, Hanabi, we failed our brother and sister,¡± Bernard said.


    ¡°They¡¯re going to hurt them,¡± Deirdre wailed even as she poured everything she had into the flame at her fingertip.


    ¡°How long ago did this happen?¡±


    ¡°Ten¡­ maybe fifteen minutes. They said they¡¯re going to party up in one of the luxury boxes,¡± Bernard said.


    ¡°Stand back.¡±


    The sword flashed.


    The chains fell along with the lock.


    The iron-barred door slowly swung open with a groan.


    There was finality in that sound.


    Send them to the armory. The way is clear of guards. The doors unlocked.


    How did she know that? It was so clear in her mind.


    Do your best to escape the city. Head north. Take the 75 East.


    Yes, that was right.


    She had forgotten that Rayna¡¯s Rangers had set up a secret camp in that direction.


    But¡­ the plan? she thought.


    Save your students, her instinct urged.


    ¡°Go to the armory, get armed, grab supplies and wait for me at the loading docks.¡±


    ¡°Hanabi¡ª¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no time to explain. You can stay here or you can go. I can¡¯t promise anything, but that I¡¯ll do everything I can to take you out of the city,¡± she interrupted Bernard. ¡°Oh¡­ and grab me a set of armor and a shield.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    She didn¡¯t hear the rest of the old man¡¯s words since she had taken off in a sprint back the way she had come.


    You¡¯re on your own.


    <hr>


    Brett was full of regrets.


    He cradled his broken arm as he watched Jeff menace the two fodder bitches they had just taken up to the luxury box suite.


    The Team Alpha Sigma leader was going through his typical warm up before starting the fun. It was a part of the man¡¯s class. Sadism in lust or lustful sadism?


    Whatever.


    Brett winced.


    He wouldn¡¯t admit it out loud, bet he had to give the fodder some credit.


    The slave bitches took their shots and landed them.


    He got the worst of it, but most of his team bared injuries.


    ¡°I remember you, little bitch!¡± Jeff grabbed the girl¡¯s shirt, lifting her up to his face. ¡°Yeah,¡± he licked his lips, ¡°I remember you,¡± he slapped her hard, drawing blood before throwing her back to the floor, ¡°I remember you when I look in the mirror,¡± he traced the scar running down his ruined eye. ¡°Hey, bros! This is the bitch that got one over on me!¡± he laughed.


    ¡°It¡¯s like you¡¯re twins,¡± Tony chuckled.


    Brett raised his hand, but one of his other teammates struck first.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Tony scowled at the surprise slap to the back of his head.


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Brett said flatly.


    ¡°What¡¯d I do¡ª¡± the teenager quailed when he noticed Jeff glaring daggers at him.


    ¡°Listen up, you two little bitches are gonna be our guests of honor at this little party,¡± Jeff turned back to the girl and the young man seated on the luxurious couch. He gestured to the liquor they had taken out of the cabinets and placed on the table. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you two, we won¡¯t start right away. You got to start with the foreplay. Alpha Sigma!¡± he whooped.


    The two dozen men whooped in response before rushing for the booze like a pack of rabid coyotes.


    ¡°Watch them!¡± Jeff snapped at Tony gesturing toward the two little fodder bitches. ¡°They do shit and it¡¯s on you.¡±


    Brett waved his leader over to a corner.


    ¡°Bro, you got fucked up,¡± Jeff snorted.


    ¡°We need to hurry up with this,¡± he replied.


    ¡°The class gets what it wants,¡± Jeff shrugged.


    ¡°It¡¯s gonna get us in trouble. Why are we doing this again? We should be looking for the fucks that got Chandler and Robert.¡±


    Jeff thick brow furrowed. ¡°Because I thought the girl that did this to my face was getting bent over and shit on everyday as a fuck slave. Not getting stronger and cheered while fighting in front of a million people. I¡¯d rather suck a dick than let her become a gladiator. The fuck is wrong with you anyways? You¡¯re the one that tracked her down and set this up. Did you switch your cock out for a pussy when I wasn¡¯t watching, cause¡ª¡±


    ¡°I thought we were just going to grab the girl and go. Not, grab an extra and fuck up a bunch of them. They¡¯ve got a noble patron,¡± he hissed.


    ¡°This is more fun,¡± Jeff swept a hand to encompass the luxury box.


    ¡°That booze belongs to the stadium, which belongs to the king.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve paid more than enough for their use, ain¡¯t that right, Jayden?¡± Jeff raised his voice.


    The stadium¡¯s lead trainer and security man perked up at the sound of his name.


    ¡°Sup, bros,¡± Jayden approached with a couple of beers to hand over.


    ¡°You said it was cool, right?¡± Jeff grinned.


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re paying, so it¡¯s cool. Rich people party like this all the time. Can¡¯t see why my bosses are gonna complain, so long as they get their cut,¡± Jayden said. ¡°Thanks for letting us party with you guys. Alpha Sigma¡¯s coming up. That¡¯s what everyone says.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got some useful Skills, yeah?¡± Jeff said.


    ¡°Yeah?¡± Jayden shrugged.


    ¡°We¡¯re always looking for new alpha badasses, right, Brett?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Brett grimaced. His arm throbbed. He made a mental note to recruit a couple of men with legitimate healing abilities.


    ¡°So, Jayden, no problems with this?¡± Jeff said.


    ¡°We¡¯re good,¡± Jayden grinned. ¡°Me and my boys can¡¯t wait. These fodder bitches have been pains in our asses since they got here. Messing up the natural order of things. Thinking they¡¯re worth anything more than being meat for monsters. You see Chad over there?¡± he pointed to a one armed man struggling to open a beer, ¡°got it chopped right off just cause he wanted to have a little fun with that little one-eyed bitch.¡±


    ¡°Bro¡¯s in good company, bitch got me too,¡± he nodded sympathetically, pointing to his ruined eye.


    ¡°That must be a crazy story¡­ so, you did her face?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you all about it, c¡¯mon,¡± Jeff threw arms around their shoulders to pull them into the party.


    Brett winced.


    ¡°Fuck, bro, you should take care of that arm. Neal!¡± he whistled at the second noob.


    The teenager put his beer on the table and hurried over.


    ¡°Get Brett a splint or a sling or something,¡± Jeff said.


    Neal nodded, looked around, frowned.


    The teen looked down at his shirt.


    Brett could see him working through the problem as the teen dismissed that idea.


    He was about to tell Neal to forget it when the teen¡¯s eyes brightened.


    He rushed over to the couch and unceremoniously ripped the girl¡¯s shirt off.


    That was how Brett got a sling for his arm.


    It didn¡¯t really help with the pain.


    He sighed and downed a beer as he listened to the rowdy conversations filling the suite.


    ¡°Why¡¯d you grab the guy? I thought you said you only wanted the bitch?¡± Jayden said.


    ¡°Bitch broke his arm,¡± Jeff gestured to Brett, ¡°you don¡¯t get away with that. You pay.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but¡ª and I don¡¯t mean nothing¡ª but, he¡¯s a guy?¡± Jayden said.


    ¡°We aren¡¯t fags,¡± Jeff chuckled. ¡°He will be after we¡¯re done with him.¡±


    Jayden nodded.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. If you ain¡¯t into that, no judgments. The girl¡¯s got three holes. Everyone¡¯ll get a chance to wear them out,¡± Jeff laughed.


    <hr>


    She fought them.


    Kicking, punching, biting.


    Their laughter filled her ears as their hands grasped, held and tore.


    ¡°And you fuckers thought I was fucking with you!¡± their leader laughed. ¡°Told you she was stronger than she looked!¡±


    Her scarred face¡­ and a lost eye mirrored in the brutish man.


    She had seen this moment in her nightmares.


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Always knew that one day the man would be back to hurt her again.


    ¡°It¡¯s more fun this way!¡± another man leered down.


    She desperately tried to will the power in her eye to awaken.


    She had used it up in a panic when the men had come to take her from her friends.


    Friends that had fought for her, but proved too weak.


    ¡°Let her go! I¡¯ll kill you all! Let her go!¡± Lance roared as he too fought desperately.


    They had been so proud of their growth.


    Of how many monster matches they had triumphed over.


    Some dared to hope of a future other than one in collars or in a monster¡¯s claws.


    She never did.


    Deep in the back of her mind she knew that one way or another her future led to this. It always did for those like her.


    Small.


    Weak.


    Lance punched and kicked, but he too had spent his best Skills down in their quarters.


    ¡°Power Punch!¡±


    Fist connected with jaw and crumpled Lance.


    Weak.


    ¡°Shit. Why¡¯d you knock him out for?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Not fun when they¡¯re not awake.¡±


    ¡°Eh¡­ he can wait. Rather do the girl anyways.¡±


    She screamed.


    Her eye flashed.


    Instinctively, she knew that a limit had been reached and broken.


    The grasping hands weakened.


    The laughter vanished.


    Greater strength surged through her body.


    She punched up into a man¡¯s throat, causing him to sputter and choke, face turning purple, eyes bulging, mouth working like a fish out of water.


    ¡°Shit! She¡¯s did¡ª¡±


    She jammed her thumb in another man¡¯s eye, popping it like a grape.


    The men sagged.


    Their bodies suddenly heavy.


    A weakness had seeped into them.


    It was like blowing their muscles out after hours of lifting and running a marathon.


    She screamed like a cornered beast, surging off the ground and leaping on the closest man.


    Teeth bit into nose, leaving a gaping wound spurting blood.


    She spat, but the iron tang remained.


    ¡°Jesus fuck!¡±


    Another man tried to back away. He stumbled.


    The filth had already taken his pants off.


    That thing she hated flopped like a small, nubby worm between his legs.


    She grabbed with all of her hatred and ripped.


    The man screamed.


    She shoved it in to shut him up.


    ¡°Do I have to everything myself?¡±


    She half-turned.


    The lights went out.


    She blinked.


    Stars.


    Spinning.


    She wanted to vomit.


    A familiar one-eyed face leered over her.


    ¡°Nice try, but you¡¯re still too weak,¡± he bent down to lick the tears running down her cheek. ¡°I told you the last time that I own you. Forever. And you know what? I¡¯m going to make it permanent. I¡¯m gonna buy you so I can do you just how I want for the rest of your life. But that¡¯s for tomorrow. Tonight? Tonight you be a good little slut and give my boys a good time, slave bitch!¡± he spat in her eye.


    She snarled.


    Writhing, twisting.


    The strength was gone.


    Strong hands held her wrists above her hand.


    More hands pried her legs apart.


    ¡°I¡¯ll kill you!¡±


    ¡°Listen, slut,¡± Jeff sighed. ¡°You just had to make it harder for yourself. If you just did what you were supposed to from the beginning then none of this would¡¯ve happened. Your eye? Face? Your little bitch friend? All of that cause you just didn¡¯t let yourself enjoy it like a proper slut.¡±


    ¡°Kill!¡± she bellowed.


    Hands eagerly tore at her remaining clothing.


    She turned away from the leering faces over her and happened to see the suite door.


    It seemed to rattle for an instant.


    What?


    A loud crash shook the room.


    The door splintered¡ª


    No.


    It was cut.


    <hr>


    I Am The Sword.


    Hanna cut the door to pieces without laying a blade or hand on it.


    The force sprayed jagged wooden splinters into the luxury box.


    Men in various states of undress screamed.


    A man¡¯s head splashed red across the window as she strode forward.


    Red splashed her boots as she stepped over and thrust her sword into a man¡¯s bare chest.


    A Skill died on his lips a moment before he did.


    She spotted Lance near a table filled with discarded bottles and cups.


    The young man¡¯s face was awash in blood and an ugly, dark mark marred one cheek.


    Yet, he struggled to his feet, catching her eye.


    ¡°A Sliver of My Skill,¡± she murmured while kicking the headless man¡¯s sword into Lance¡¯s outstretched hand.


    Mere seconds had passed.


    ¡°Kill her!¡± a vicious-looking warrior pointed.


    Somehow, she knew the man.


    Recognized him from the Gold Division tournament.


    But the knowledge went deeper.


    She regarded the ruined eye, the scar.


    Saw its worse mirror on Basilisk¡¯s face.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one,¡± Hanna murmured.


    ¡°The one what? You¡¯re gonna fucking pay for this,¡± Jeff, the Sadistic Warrior of Lust said.


    Somehow, she knew his name and class.


    ¡°Orgasmic Chains!¡± a man with one arm in a sling pointed.


    Glowing, pale red chains flew out of his outstretched hand to bind her limbs.


    A familiar feeling welled up deep in her gut.


    Disgusting.


    She fought it.


    Spells weren¡¯t automatic.


    They could be fought off with will alone depending on their nature.


    Classes and comparative levels also mattered.


    And was there anyone with a stronger will than her? With a higher level?


    Two more men rushed her with weapons held high.


    Poor technique.


    ¡°Brutal Charge!¡±


    ¡°Heavy Axe Chop!¡±


    Other men fired guns or loosed arrows and bolts.


    The charge would land home first as the man put on a burst of speed.


    Hanna was a swordmaster close to Level 50.


    What was the general rule of thumb again?


    Oh, that¡¯s right, it¡¯d take ten Level 40 swordmasters to equal one of her.


    How would a bunch of undisciplined warriors and fighters below 40 do?


    Terribly.


    She broke the mage¡¯s foul magic with will alone.


    A stop cut with her longsword, one the charging man ran into, split him from crown to crotch.


    Gore splattered everything.


    Her aura diced dozens of projectiles into nothing well before they got close to her.


    The last man chopped into the floor, sinking his axe head deep.


    She had shifted with exacting precision to avoid the axe¡¯s arc.


    A Quick Cut resulted in another beheaded man.


    ¡°Fireball!¡±


    She cut the spell out of the air with plain steel.


    Out of the corner of her eye Lance dueled with another sword-wielding man.


    Her young student was wounded and spent, but her Skill lent him more than enough of her skill to give him a pronounced edge.


    They traded cuts and parries until Lance baited the Alpha Sigma fighter into overextending.


    A cut to the neck ended it.


    ¡°Wait!¡± the man with an arm in a sling raised his good hand.


    ¡°The fuck, Brett! Blast her!¡± Jeff snarled.


    ¡°Hold on! Just hold on!¡± he pleaded with Hanna. ¡°There¡¯s no reason to keep this going, yeah? Just, back off and you can take your people. We won¡¯t bother you or them again. I swear. Just¡­ stop before it gets out of hand.¡±


    Hanna raised a brow.


    ¡°It¡¯s too late for that, Brett!¡± Jeff snapped.


    The odious man was right.


    She had cut down several.


    She intended to do so to all of them.


    She took another step forward.


    ¡°What do you want? Money? Points? Anything you want,¡± Brett continued to plead.


    ¡°Fucking pussy! What the hell is wrong with you?¡± Jeff spat.


    ¡°She¡¯s too strong for us!¡± Brett hissed.


    ¡°Fuck you! Kill the bitch!¡±


    Violence resumed.


    Hanna slowed her advance to cut the spells and projectiles out of the air.


    Jeff had Basilisk dragged to him and he began to cut with a knife.


    ¡°Siphon Pain.¡±


    The man¡¯s face twisted with pleasure.


    ¡°Pain is Pleasure.¡±


    He seemed to glow with dark and ugly power.


    ¡°Pleasure is Power.¡±


    I Cut What I See.


    Hanna¡¯s blade rose and fell.


    Jeff grunted.


    Blood spurted from of his hand forcing him to drop his knife.


    A shallower cut than expected.


    Basilisk bit down on the arm around her neck.


    The man held fast.


    Hanna¡¯s sliced her blade in a horizontal arc.


    A red smile opened beneath the man¡¯s chin.


    Basilisk scrambled for the knife, fighting till the end.


    Spells and smoke filled the luxury box.


    Lance leapt over the couch, hacking a man to the floor.


    ¡°Power Strike!¡±


    Jeff caught the blade.


    A blow to the chest cracked Lance¡¯s ribs and sent him flying back over the couch.


    Basilisk found the knife and did as she was taught.


    She stabbed up.


    Jeff grunted, staring down at the small girl like a lion to a lamb. ¡°Gonna give you more than the tip,¡± he sneered.


    Hanna slashed.


    A magic shield blocked it.


    ¡°Pay attention if you want to actually do this!¡± Brett snarled. ¡°Forget the girl! We need to hit the woman with everything!¡±


    So said, but utterly pointless.


    Hanna¡¯s aura remained strong. She had more than enough stamina.


    Everything Alpha Sigma threw got cut to nothing.


    ¡°Nothing¡¯s working!¡±


    ¡°How is she doing that!¡±


    She backed them to the large windows overlooking the dirt field.


    The same place where her students, like Basilisk and Lance, bled and died weekly.


    There was no justice in the world that they suffered through all that and even when they triumphed against all odds evil men could take it all away on a whim to fulfill twisted desires.


    One man had enough, he turned his gun on the windows and tried to leap out.


    She laid his back open with a distant cut.


    Brett shot orbs of ugly magic.


    She cut them all out of the air.


    The feel of the blade in her hand told her that it had been chipped.


    Basilisk went down from Jeff¡¯s backhand.


    The girl pushed herself up off the floor.


    Hanna saw the stirrings of something in Basilisk¡¯s eye.


    ¡°Oh my god! What is that?¡± she pointed.


    Most of the undisciplined scum actually followed her finger¡ª right to Basilisk.


    Her eye flashed.


    Alpha Sigma sagged.


    Weapons suddenly felt too heavy to lift.


    ¡°You, little slut!¡± Jeff grabbed a thick-bladed sword from the floor. ¡°Keep the bitch busy, while I take care of this bitch!¡± he snapped.


    Basilisk held the knife in front of her.


    A tiny blade for a tiny girl against a mountain of a man with an equally large blade.


    ¡°Basilisk!¡± Hanna threw her longsword.


    The girl caught it and parried a heavy, downward cut from Jeff while stepping to an angle.


    It was a deflection meant to redirect the force rather than absorb it.


    Even then Hanna saw the girl¡¯s arms shake under the blow.


    The fact that Basilisk had held on to her sword was a testament to a level of strength beyond what those thin arms appeared capable of.


    Classes leveled.


    Powers changed, evolved, became stronger.


    Basilisk smoothly transitioned from parry to cut, slicing to the inside of Jeff¡¯s elbow.


    ¡°Oh, you a sword fighter now? Barely a scratch,¡± he gave her a hungry grin. ¡°Can you handle a Level 1 Skill? Power Strike!¡±


    Basilisk was already dancing back off the line of attack.


    The heavy blade shook the luxury box as it thunked deep into the floor.


    Jeff ripped it forward, sending bits of flooring into Basilisk¡¯s face.


    The girl took an angle, pivoting past Jeff¡¯s charge and slashing across the back of his leg.


    Hanna could tell it was a shallow cut.


    ¡°Team Alpha Sigma Skill: Second Wind.¡±


    Brett.


    Reinvigorated, Alpha Sigma picked up their weapons and attacked.


    ¡°Thanks, bro!¡± Jeff laughed.


    Brett sagged to one knee. He still managed to raise his good hand to Hanna. ¡°Agony Wind Discs!¡± he toppled face first.


    Hanna couldn¡¯t easily cut these down.


    A few slipped through.


    She stumbled.


    Pain flared.


    Every nerve felt like fire.


    ¡°Dismembering Slash!¡±


    She sliced the man¡¯s hand¡¯s off with a gesture.


    ¡°Double Thrust!¡±


    Two in one.


    The pain made it difficult to concentrate.


    She parried the first, but was too slow with the second.


    Fire in her shoulder.


    The man¡¯s triumphant grin vanished along with half his head.


    She shoved the man¡¯s body into the path of others.


    One leapt over with cat-like agility, rolling and coming up in front of her. ¡°Cunt Uppercut!¡± he aimed between her legs.


    Her bladed aura split his fist down the middle, all the way to his elbow.


    The next cut took his head.


    The melee specialists were dead.


    Only the ranged remained.


    She advanced on them.


    They tried to bail out the broken windows.


    They were dead before they hit the floor.


    That left¡ª


    Jeff had Basilisk in trouble.


    He was using his size, strength and ability to ignore shallow cuts to pin her into a corner.


    The man was so focused on the girl that he hadn¡¯t realized that he was basically alone.


    Basilisk deserved revenge, but Hanna wasn¡¯t above cheating.


    In an instant she carved dozens of cuts all over Jeff¡¯s muscular body.


    He roared and turned, maddened.


    A steel blade came up between his legs, cutting his worst weapon.


    Hanna used her aura again. This time slicing at tendons and ligaments in Jeff¡¯s extremities.


    What use was an empowered body when he couldn¡¯t physically move it?


    It didn¡¯t look like his Skills included quick healing, so Hanna was content to leave him lying on the floor staring up into the ceiling lights.


    She approached, picking up dropped weapons.


    Basilisk stood near the wall, bloody sword steady in her hands. Eye balefully staring at Jeff.


    Hanna took a spear and stabbed it into Jeff¡¯s right arm, down into the floor. She took a sword to his left arm. Another through his right knee, followed by the left.


    She looked at Basilisk. ¡°I can¡¯t tell you what to do. He hurt you. Only you can decide what you want to do.¡±


    The girl¡¯s face twisted with rage as she approached the fallen man.


    ¡°What the hell? You can¡¯t do this to me! I¡¯m Alpha Sigma!¡± Jeff wailed. ¡°People like me don¡¯t lose to people like you!¡±


    Basilisk raised her sword.


    Hanna turned away, moving toward the other side of the sprawling luxury box.


    She heard them then.


    She sliced the bathroom door to shreds.


    Jayden, Chandler and a few other stadium guards and trainers cowered before her.


    She cut them down before they could even beg for their lives.


    Whether they were in a state of war or not, didn¡¯t matter.


    The men were eager participants in slavery.


    They had benefited from and took pleasure in the systematic degradation and exploitation of others.


    They were rapists and murderers.


    They didn¡¯t deserve the mercy of the quick death she had delivered.


    Jeff¡¯s death wasn¡¯t as quick or as clean.


    Basilisk¡¯s hacked into him with steel over and over again.


    Jeff couldn¡¯t move.


    The girl screamed with desperate rage.


    The greatest monster of her life pleading words turned into gurgles as he choked on his own blood and bile.


    Ironically, Jeff¡¯s Skill kept him alive longer than he had any right to be.


    The girl was blind and deaf to everything else.


    In the end, Basilisk took her revenge.


    Team Alpha Sigma ended with what was once a monster in human guise, turned into an unrecognizable mass of cut and pulped meat in a pool of dark blood.


    ¡°What about him?¡± Lance held a blade to Brett.


    The man was still alive. Unconscious after overdoing his Skills and magic.


    Hanna took the spear and stabbed him in the back, through the heart.


    The longsword slipped from Basilisk¡¯s hands. She fell to her knees and wailed. The kind that came from the deepest places of the soul. The kind that hurt more the longer one kept it down.


    Hanna knelt down and embraced the girl.


    Basilisk clung to her and bawled.


    ¡°We should probably go,¡± Lance said hesitantly.


    ¡°We will, in a bit,¡± she said.


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°Go to the armory if you want. The others are there. They¡¯re supposed to wait for us at the loading docks.¡±


    ¡°The fight. They had to have heard all that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure that all the guards in this stadium are already dead.¡±


    Hanna didn¡¯t explain.


    ¡°I¡¯ll watch the hallway,¡± Lance said.


    Hanna simply held onto the girl as the girl did to her.


    It was the only thing she could do.

 7.43

    ¡°Well¡­ what a clusterfuck, huh?¡± the Slaver King said.


    The entirety of his inner council avoided meeting his eyes by pretending to consult their notes or staring somewhere else.


    ¡°Relax, people. Head¡¯s aren¡¯t going to roll¡­ yet,¡± he continued. ¡°I know you¡¯re all operating on not enough sleep, but I have you here because I want your input. You know what I think of yes men. So, what should we cover first?¡±


    ¡°Have you decided?¡± General Mark said.


    ¡°We are not hitting him with everything we¡¯ve got¡­ unless the situation changes. Speaking of which, Kim?¡± he pointed. ¡°You¡¯ve got the latest news on the stadium? My last update was about an hour ago.¡±


    ¡°Firefighting efforts have proved useless. Fortunately, the fires haven¡¯t advanced since then,¡± Kim said.


    ¡°Just the stadium then,¡± he nodded. ¡°Conditions?¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ it¡¯s hard to see through the flames, but it looks like the stadium is a total loss,¡± Kim said.


    ¡°Seriously?¡± Eric¡¯s laugh verged on hysterical.


    ¡°Its hot enough that the iron and steel frames have melted, while the concrete¡¯s still exploding,¡± Kim said.


    ¡°Bullshit,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°What do you think the loud bangs all night where?¡± Kim scowled.


    ¡°Fireworks,¡± Eric shrugged.


    ¡°And our Mr. Freeman?¡±


    ¡°Again, it¡¯s almost impossible to see through the flames with standard eyes. Our mages are also having trouble scrying¡ª¡± Kim said.


    ¡°What about those weird floating mage eye things?¡± Eric said. ¡°They should be able to fly through it since they¡¯re partially immaterial or whatever.¡±


    ¡°They can¡¯t. Not through this flame. And Eric, stop interrupting me!¡± Kim snapped.


    ¡°Thought you don¡¯t get your time of the month anymore,¡± Eric muttered.


    ¡°Enough,¡± the Slaver King eyed his longtime friend. ¡°This isn¡¯t the time for your usual banter. We need to focus.¡±


    ¡°As far as they can tell, Mr. Freeman is still where he has been since the incident during his match.¡±


    ¡°Sitting in the middle of a firestorm,¡± Eric nodded. He snapped his fingers, ¡°we should¡¯ve called him that.¡±


    ¡°And the Sapphire Smasher?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve confirmed from multiple reliable sources that after she leapt out of the arena she headed straight to the west. Lost her after that,¡± Kim said.


    ¡°Damn shame. Their fight was shaping up to be epic.¡±


    ¡°What do we do about the championship, King?¡± Eric said.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a couple of options,¡± he said. ¡°One, we declare it a draw. Isaac and the Sapphire Smasher are co-champions. Two, we call it a forfeit and have the magus and Rou fight for the championship. Three, we go to the judges. Whoever they had winning at the time things¡­ got out of hand¡­ is the champ.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d be concerned about pissing one or both of them off,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°Do we have time to hold a replacement match? Our schedule is tight. We¡¯d have to hold it today. Early tomorrow is possible, but difficult,¡± Kim said.


    ¡°What do the rules say?¡± General Mark said.


    ¡°Technically, both can be disqualified. Isaac, for destroying the stadium and endangering the spectators. Sapphire Smasher for leaving the designated battlefield before the match was officially over,¡± he said. ¡°We¡¯ll circle back to that. Kim, I should¡¯ve asked this first, but what about my subjects?¡±


    ¡°Miraculously, no deaths. Lots of injuries, but mostly from the panic to get out of the arena at first. They calmed down though and made an orderly exit, which was strange,¡± Kim said.


    The Slaver King nodded. ¡°Yeah, I saw it myself. Definitely weird. Eric, you were there with me. Your thoughts about their behavior?¡±


    ¡°What Kim said,¡± Eric replied.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got my people working on interviewing everyone. We¡¯ve gone through about three thousand and they seem to have similar stories. Initial panic as the flames broke our magic shields. Flames coming for them and then being stopped by our secondary line of magic shields.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ I thought we only had one line of shields?¡± Eric said.


    ¡°There was panic and terror¡ª until there wasn¡¯t. All the people we¡¯ve talked to said the same thing. It was like a peaceful calm came over them and they knew just what to do. They ran for the exits, but they were all in sync. No one tripped and fell. No one bumped into each other. There was no stampede after the initial rush,¡± Kim said. ¡°Honestly, I thought you used a Skill, my king. Perhaps one you¡¯ve kept secret for a reason. If so, I thank you. The death toll would¡¯ve been in the thousands otherwise.¡±


    The Slaver King nodded.


    Eric looked at him expectantly.


    ¡°No comment,¡± he grinned. ¡°Now, General Mark, our prisoners?¡±


    ¡°In your cells,¡± General Mark said.


    ¡°A man of many words as always.¡±


    ¡°Noel!¡±


    ¡°Huh? What?¡± Noel jolted to attention. It appeared as though he was doodling something in his notebook.


    ¡°Pay attention. This concerns you. I need you to shift your priorities. I want a collar that¡¯ll work on someone over Level 40. And I want it yesterday.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible¡ª I mean, yes your highness. I¡¯ll get right on that,¡± Noel rose slowly.


    ¡°After the meeting,¡± he sighed. If only Noel wasn¡¯t the only one that could make collars¡­ ¡°Yesterday should¡¯ve been the culmination of all our hard work. A triumphant celebration of the New American Republic¡¯s rise to greatness. Instead, we don¡¯t have a winner. Our main arena is ruined. Fodder killed my men and almost escaped. How did I not know about this Hanabi?¡± his voice rose as he pounded the hardwood table, shaking it violently enough that water glasses toppled. ¡°This woman cut bullets out of the air with nothing. She cut my men down from a distance, again with nothing.¡±


    ¡°I heard she cut a tank in half,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t a tank. And she didn¡¯t cut it in half,¡± General Mark grunted. ¡°Just the sabot and the barrel.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s got a big gun in a turret and treads. That¡¯s a tank,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°The Bradley is an infantry fighting vehicle with a 25mm gun. A tank, the Abrams, has a 120mm gun.¡±


    ¡°25mm sounds like a big gun to me, general,¡± Eric smirked.


    ¡°I want a full audit. How did someone so obviously powerful end up with a job training fodder in one of my arenas?¡± the Slaver King said.


    ¡°I dug deeper and found reports that there were complaints from the arena staff. There was an incident. One of the trainers lost a hand to this woman,¡± Kim said.


    ¡°That seems like an important thing to note. Why didn¡¯t it get to the king?¡± Eric said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have an explanation for that. My people are still tracking the chain of custody on the report. I also found that Lord Don Wynn has been providing monetary and material aid to the group of fodder under the woman¡¯s authority,¡± Kim continued. ¡°Aside from that, we¡¯ve traced the woman¡¯s entry point into our city through one of the mercenary companies operating in and around our country.¡±


    The Slaver King stared expectantly at his right hand woman. ¡°Well? Don¡¯t keep me in suspense. Which group?¡± he said after a long, silent moment.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know. That information is missing,¡± Kim said.


    ¡°That¡¯s weird too,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°Too many coincidences lining up. I¡¯d start thinking enemy action,¡± General Mark said. ¡°I¡¯d ask Wynn some hard questions.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± the Slaver King thought for a moment. ¡°Keep digging, but it isn¡¯t a priority. After all, we have the woman and her fodder in my dungeon. We can question them at our leisure. Let¡¯s focus on making sure that we close the championships the right way. I want the next three days to be something my citizens will remember for the rest of their lives.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ don¡¯t we need a Gold Division one v. one champ? It¡¯s gonna be notable if we¡¯ve got champs for every other contest except the biggest one,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°If you want us to hold a new match between the magus and Rou then I¡¯d prefer to know right away, so I can start organizing,¡± Kim said.


    ¡°Are they even fight ready? It¡¯s been a week, but they both got kinda bodied. I know Rou heals quick, but what about the magus?¡± Eric said.


    ¡°Malcolm.¡±


    ¡°Yes, your majesty?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the only other person here with an arena fighter¡¯s mindset. What do you think?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re asking about the girl and Freeman. Hard to say,¡± the champion gladiator shrugged. ¡°They might hold a grudge if they think you robbed them. But the rules are the rules and they signed off on them. But that might not matter. The stronger people get the less likely they¡¯re gonna care about stuff like that. It might come down to if they think they can take us in a fight. So, one way or another, it won¡¯t matter what you decide to do.¡±


    ¡°My thoughts exactly. Here¡¯s my decision, Kim, right this down,¡± he cleared his throat, ¡°Sapphire Smasher and Isaac Freeman violated the rules of conduct in the arena. Isaac Freeman endangered spectators and destroyed Hard Rock Stadium. In my magnanimity, I will not seek damages from Mr. Freeman. I understand better than most what can happen in the heat of true battle. The Sapphire Smasher exited the field of battle while the match was still underway. That is grounds for immediate disqualification. However, extenuating circumstances and such moves me to leniency. I declare that the match will be determined by the judges¡¯ score.¡±


    ¡°So, who won?¡± Noel looked more interested than he had been the entire meeting.


    ¡°The Sapphire Smasher was leading on the cards.¡±


    Noel and Eric cursed.


    ¡°A little girl!¡± Eric snapped. ¡°I don¡¯t care what the appraisers said. You need to disqualify her for being, you know, a little girl!¡±


    ¡°I warned you about your gambling, you fucking degen,¡± he chuckled. ¡°How much have you lost betting against that girl?¡±


    Eric grumbled.


    ¡°Your majesty,¡± Kim began, ¡°we still haven¡¯t come up with a solution for Mr. Freeman.¡±


    ¡°I have several,¡± General Mark said. ¡°If you¡¯ll let me try, sir,¡± he inclined his head to the king.


    ¡°No, general, I won¡¯t have you waste ammo and trigger him even more. Imagine what would happen if he decided that he didn¡¯t want to stay seated in the middle of the stadium.¡±


    ¡°Yes, general, burning whole chunks of our capital city would be bad,¡± Eric chided.


    The old soldier bristled.


    ¡°We monitor the situation and leave him alone. Hopefully, he runs out of juice sooner rather than later. Then we inform him of his second place finish. Give him his prizes and happily send him back to Portland with best wishes, so on and so forth. Now isn¡¯t the time for other actions. We¡¯ll wait until we¡¯re ready to deal with him. Good thing he lives on the opposite coast,¡± he said. ¡°I think that¡¯s all for this morning. Don¡¯t hesitate to get in touch if anything new pops up. You all know your responsibilities. Now that the championships are officially over it¡¯s time to celebrate!¡± he smiled. ¡°I¡¯ll be at my castle if you need to reach me.¡±


    The Slaver King already had too much on his plate prior to the chaos of the previous night.


    He had some prisoners to interrogate.


    I¡¯ll have that hard word with Don¡ª, he thought. After my party, he amended. Yeah, I worked hard to pull this off. I deserve to relax and let loose for a week or three. It¡¯s not like Don¡¯s going anywhere. And I¡¯ve got that woman chained up in a cell. She¡¯s neutralized for now.


    <hr>


    Malcolm King.


    Gladiator.


    King¡¯s Champion.


    Undefeated Champion of the Hard Rock.


    That last one was on his mind.


    After what had happened in the final¡­ was it going to change?


    How could he be a champion of a place that was basically destroyed?


    He stood at a tall, round table by himself.


    He picked from a plate of hor d¡¯oeuvres and sipped from a flute of champagne.


    The convention hall was filled with Gold Division competitors and their assorted groups enjoying the post-awards night party.


    Things were peaceful and he wondered how long that would last.


    These people had fought each other. Dished out real damage. Took real damage. Sure, they got healed, but that was a recipe for grudges.


    He had to give it to the king for being able to keep them all under control.


    How long was that going to last?


    Perhaps that concern was why the back of his neck felt tight.


    Too many threats milling around him.


    He was plotting his exit when a cocky-looking white girl sauntered up to him.


    ¡°Sup,¡± she gave him a head nod.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the king¡¯s champ?¡±


    She leaned on the table in such a way that presented the scar across one cheek.


    ¡°Yeah. No autographs.¡±


    ¡°Heh¡­ not unless I go back to your place?¡± she raised a brow.


    ¡°Ah, I¡¯m not interested in anything like that.¡±


    ¡°Is it the scar?¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m married.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t interested anyways. Just testing you to see if you were one of those,¡± she nodded sagely. ¡°¡®Punchy¡¯,¡± she held her hand out.


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    ¡°I know,¡± he shook it. ¡°You should get it fixed,¡± he gestured to the puckered line running from the corner of her mouth to nearly her ear. ¡°Or go full Joker¡­ if you¡¯re one of those.¡±


    ¡°Those?¡±


    ¡°Some gladiators lean into the scarring stuff for the intimidation factor.¡±


    ¡°Nah. Not for me. I¡¯ll get it fixed after this is all over. Yo, so, I¡¯m gonna cut to the chase. I¡¯m not good with the talking. What would you do if someone offered a way out of this place for your family?¡±


    Eyes widening, he hissed, ¡°don¡¯t even joke about that here. They¡¯re listening and watching. Skills, spells, anything else you can think of.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I know,¡± she waved her hand dismissively, ¡°all that stuff isn¡¯t working right now. Trust me. As far as they think they know we¡¯re just swapping fight stories and tips. So, how about it? You and your family can leave this place and move to a better one. All the same safety and conveniences, minus the slavery and other bullshit you have to do.¡±


    Eyes narrowed.


    ¡°No judgments from me. I get you doing whatever you have to so that your family doesn¡¯t have to. These nobles are a bunch of degenerate shits,¡± Punchy said.


    He had other duties beyond fighting in the arena and fighting monsters.


    These he kept buried deep inside.


    He didn¡¯t want his family to know.


    Despite himself. Despite the fear of the king¡¯s hidden watchers he found himself wanting to hear more.


    So, he asked for details.


    Punchy¡¯s explanation was quick and to the point.


    ¡°Anyways¡­ that¡¯s most of it. You can get more details after.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t quite believe his ears.


    They thought they were going to kill the king and destroy the collars.


    He told her as much.


    ¡°That shit¡¯s going down¡­ er¡­ both shits. Trust me.¡±


    ¡°You see why that¡¯s a problem? I don¡¯t know anything about you. You just come up to me talking treason¡ª¡±


    ¡°Whoa! Hold up. Treason for you, maybe, but not for me. It¡¯s more of an act of war. Or maybe subversion? Sabotage?¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°Whatever you call it leads to you getting killed or worse,¡± he hissed.


    ¡°Pffttt¡­ we¡¯ve dealt with scary things,¡± she chuckled.


    ¡°Could you please lower your voice.¡±


    ¡°Why? Told you anyone listening is just going to hear us talking shop. One fighter to another.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s stopping me from warning the king? For all I know this is another one of his tests.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t.¡±


    She didn¡¯t elaborate.


    They couldn¡¯t kill him.


    It would be noticed.


    They must have another way to ensure his silence.


    Magical means most likely or another sort of leverage.


    ¡°You stay away from my family.¡±


    ¡°Listen, between you and me, even if you say ¡®no¡¯ to helping rid the world of slavery, you¡¯re family¡¯s still going to get help. I¡¯m just thinking that it¡¯d be better if you and them were on the same page. Less chance of some stupid misunderstanding leading to tragedy. You know, like your family drinking fake poison to make them look dead, but they¡¯re just basically in a coma, but then you don¡¯t know that was the plan, so you go on a suicide quest to kill the king, which actually screws up the actual kill quest. Stuff like that.¡±


    ¡°That''s¡ª¡±


    ¡°Terrible, I know.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    Another woman approached their table.


    This one looked Asian of some sort.


    She stalked forward like an animal on a hunt.


    ¡°Hello, fellow Gold Division contestant. I am known as ¡®Punchy¡¯. You may recognize me from the three versus three winning team, the ¡®Heartfuries¡¯. I believe I recognize you as ¡®Rino¡¯ from the one versus one tournament.¡±


    He stared at the young woman¡¯s robotic delivery. A stark contrast from her earlier casual insolence.


    Rino regarded the shorter Punchy for a moment before turning to him.


    ¡°You should do what she says. It¡¯s the best chance your family has to stay safe.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re both in on it!¡± he gaped.


    ¡°I don¡¯t really know her that well,¡± Punchy frowned, ¡°just by bitchy reputation. Anyways, it¡¯s too suspicious if the both of us are talking to you. So¡­ bye,¡± she sauntered back to her team.


    ¡°She¡¯s not giving the situation the seriousness it deserves. Things are going to happen in a couple of days. It¡¯s going to be dangerous for everyone in the city. You¡ª¡± she stopped, sniffed and turned.


    Gator stomped by, glaring at him. ¡°Pussy ass, bitch,¡± the wild man grumbled.


    Rino scowled at the dirty man¡¯s broad back all the way across the hall.


    ¡°Oh, great,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°He wasn¡¯t talking or looking at me,¡± Rino said.


    ¡°I beat him.¡±


    ¡°So?¡±


    ¡°I went for his balls. Don¡¯t feel bad. He deserves worse. The three of them aren¡¯t better than monsters. The king lets them get away with¡­ things.¡±


    ¡°I know and you fight on the same side,¡± Rino said.


    ¡°To keep my family safe.


    ¡°Punchy told you that can change and all you have to do¡ª¡±


    ¡°Is risk my own life? Not that I¡¯m not already doing that. So, I have till tomorrow to decide and someone is going to visit me at home to get my answer and give me all the details?¡±


    Rino nodded.


    ¡°And there is no way that the king¡¯s going to find out before?¡±


    ¡°No one¡¯s grabbed us yet.¡±


    ¡°You know, you people are terrible at recruitment pitches.¡±


    ¡°I guess it¡¯s cause we don¡¯t really need you,¡± Rino snorted. ¡°It¡¯s more like a bonus to have you on board. It¡¯s pretty simple. Whatever you do, we¡¯re going to try to help your family in a general sense that we¡¯re trying to help everyone that deserves it. Not everyone living here is a piece of shit slaver. Your help gets your family priority. They¡¯ll be taken care of either way.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve sworn oaths to the king. Everyone living here did. Do you understand what that means? Even if¡ª¡±


    ¡°Those can be countered or weakened.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a lot to take on faith. Since, neither of you have actually said how,¡± he shook his head.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get more tomorrow. If you accept,¡± Rino strode away.


    The fancy food bites tasted like ash in his mouth.


    The champagne like piss.


    He hated himself for knowing what that tasted like.


    ¡°Might I have a moment of your time?¡±


    He blinked at the voice.


    He had a Skill that gave him great situational awareness.


    An older woman with twelve eyes stood on the other side of the table.


    It was very hard to catch him by surprise.


    ¡°Magus of the Ten Eyes,¡± he nodded warily. ¡°Congratulations on coming in third. You didn¡¯t hear this from me, but there were discussions about having you and Rou fight for the championships before the king ultimately decided to go with the judges¡¯ scorecards.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t concern me. I have more important matters to speak to you about,¡± the magus said.


    ¡°Just how deep is this conspiracy,¡± he put his head in his hands.


    ¡°Quite and I couldn¡¯t help but note the other two lacking in persuasiveness. If you¡¯ll allow me to share my own experiences it may prove helpful in your decision.¡±


    ¡°Sure¡­ why not? I¡¯m not being hauled away by the king¡¯s secret police, so, by all means¡­¡±


    <hr>


    It was a bright January morning when an unwelcome knock sounded on her door.


    Mouthy already knew who it was thanks to their own surveillance methods.


    ¡°Relax, we don¡¯t fucking start blasting first¡­ we let them start it,¡± she said to the handful of rangers in the motel room.


    She greeted the Slaver King¡¯s representative with a scowl.


    The representative opened his mouth then shut it when he noticed the hole in the motel¡¯s wall.


    ¡°You gonna kick us out of the city this time?¡± she smirked.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to pay for that. Literally. We will bill you!¡± the man snapped.


    ¡°Yeah, okay, not like I don¡¯t have fat stacks of cash laying around. The fuck do you want now? Freedom Championships are over.¡±


    ¡°An invitation,¡± he handed her a fancy envelope.


    She tossed it over her shoulder.


    None of the other rangers made a move to catch it before it landed on the floor.


    The representative let out a long breath. ¡°Since, I¡¯m not sure you¡¯re going to read it,¡± he sighed. ¡°All Rayna¡¯s Rangers competitors are invited to the main banquet hall for the celebration at the King¡¯s Castle. You may bring two additional guests. Your tickets are in the envelope,¡± he pointed.


    ¡°Thought that was only for winners if you weren¡¯t in the Gold Division,¡± Mouthy frowned. She didn¡¯t like this change. Someone had gotten suspicious.


    ¡°The king decreed it.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Seems like it¡¯d be lame stuff and full of bullshit being spewed around, what with all the noble fucks all over the main hall. Like trying not to step on piles of shit in a cow field¡­ I mean that the nobles are piles of shit, in case you didn¡¯t get¡ª¡±


    ¡°I get it!¡± the man snapped.


    ¡°We humbly decline. We¡¯d rather dine outdoors with the rest of the proletariat,¡± she grinned.


    ¡°The king has decreed¡ª¡±


    ¡°Not my king,¡± she made to shut the door.


    The representative actually threw his shoulder against it.


    The large group of armed people, most in collars, standing in the parking lot shifted their grips on their weapons.


    ¡°The king demands your presence. He will provide an escort on the night of to take you straight to his hall. One way or another you will attend,¡± the man hissed.


    ¡°Jeez, no need to be a little bitch about it, we¡¯ll be there, you little fuck suck,¡± she smiled.


    The man¡¯s eyes widened, he sputtered, trying to recover, but she slammed the door on his face.


    ¡°Well?¡±


    ¡°Slaver fucks trying much harder to pierce the wards with spying spells, but they¡¯re holding,¡± Babyapple said with a grimace.


    ¡°Electronic countermeasures working as intended. Anyone with enhanced hearing Skills are getting nothing but noise,¡± Molds said.


    ¡°The invite?¡± she held out a hand.


    Bootleg Jesus flipped it with his foot and kicked it into her hand with the skill of an expert hackey sack-er.


    ¡°SwannyP, Neckbeard, Chandra, Wichita, Tuxedo Cake and, for some reason, X-Ray. You¡¯re all special. Dickless King¡¯s wanting your presence,¡± she said.


    ¡°Can we just¡­ not?¡± Neckbeard said.


    ¡°Sure, if you want to start a fight before scheduled,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°I say we go, get us in on the real show,¡± X-Ray flexed.


    ¡°We have a plan for a reason,¡± Aims said. ¡°Others have the king and his castle. Our primary is to secure the kids and pregnant women. Secondary is to backup Ghost Sorcerer.¡±


    ¡°You forgot the third and most important bit,¡± Dastardly said. ¡°Stay alive. This is obviously some kind of trap.¡±


    ¡°Boss hasn¡¯t said anything, so the fucker clearly doesn¡¯t have a problem or doesn¡¯t care enough to do something about this shit,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°It¡¯s early,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°We wait for word, but I want plans anyway,¡± she said.


    ¡°Do you think this has anything to do with Hanna¡¯s capture?¡± Swan Princess said.


    Mouthy knew that the young woman knew the swordmaster from annual training seminars, so she chose her words carefully. ¡°No idea. Seems like it, though,¡± she shrugged.


    That was a bad bit of news.


    One couldn¡¯t help but think about what the slavers were doing to the woman and others they took alive.


    Still, it wasn¡¯t her responsibility.


    Cal would take care of it.


    ¡°Terrible timing that,¡± Aims said lightly. ¡°Just as we were getting all our pieces into place.¡±


    ¡°I could call Big Dad and Big Mom now that they made contact. They can easily deal with the soldiers, while we go do what we¡¯re supposed to,¡± Molds said.


    ¡°We¡¯re supposed to avoid killing the enslaved unless absolutely necessary,¡± Timber said.


    ¡°Yeah, I know. Big Mom can just trap them in one of her forcefields,¡± Molds countered.


    ¡°They have their own roles to play, whatever that might be,¡± Aims chided.


    ¡°So, I guess that rules out asking Captain Butcher,¡± Neckbeard muttered glumly.


    ¡°Listen up, bitches. We¡¯re on our own on this until the boss says otherwise, so use those passably smart clumps of goo in your heads and start storming up some brains, fuck. Unless, I got to do everything around here, like you were little babies with your little peckers pissing while I¡¯m trying to change your shit-filled clothe diapers,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°That was oddly specific,¡± Babyapple whispered to Molds.


    ¡°I think I heard stories about that,¡± Molds shrugged.


    Mouthy left her rangers to the planning session while she strode to the window to open the curtains wide enough for the slavers to see her giving them a two-fingered salute.


    <hr>


    ¡°This is far enough. I can no longer see land?¡± Bitterman groused.


    ¡°Dude, you¡¯re like my son. We go fifty miles in, like, seconds and you¡¯re going ¡®are we there yet¡¯,¡± Cal shook his head. ¡°He¡¯s six, going on seven, by the way. What I¡¯m saying is, you, rain god, have the patience of a¡ª¡±


    ¡°I understand your words, contemptible person!¡± Bitterman snapped.


    ¡°Good thing we¡¯ve got common cause or I¡¯d be concerned about you punching me,¡± he eyed the old man¡¯s raised fist. ¡°Then again, do you pack the same kind of punch in this¡­ form?¡±


    Bitterman didn¡¯t answer.


    ¡°Relax, man. Same team. Saving enslaved. Getting rid of slavers. Remember?¡±


    ¡°Yes, finally. The day draws near.¡±


    Cal flew them out over the Atlantic to the east of the Florida coast.


    Dark shapes of varying sizes swam beneath the turbulent waters.


    ¡°You doing that?¡±


    Bitterman ignored him.


    All creatures great and small dwelt in the ocean.


    The malicious intent he sensed caused him to fly a bit higher.


    His brother had told him about a kraken.


    And he remembered his other encounters with things from the deeps.


    ¡°Hey, man, remember that sharktopus?¡±


    ¡°The monster you threw me at,¡± Bitterman said flatly.


    ¡°Yeah, good times. I ever tell you about the Deep Azure.¡±


    ¡°You know you have. You don¡¯t forget.¡±


    ¡°And that¡¯s why you can¡¯t let the fishmen live.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d kill them regardless of your warnings. They earned their deaths by attacking my people.¡±


    ¡°Damn shame they couldn¡¯t be as cool as the bat people¡­ well, we¡¯re far enough, I think. What do you think?¡±


    ¡°Finally.¡±


    Bitterman reached into his shirt and ripped a small obsidian object from his chest.


    Cal shook his head.


    So gruesome.


    Blood dripped from the tiny, black axe while the red spot on Bitterman¡¯s shirt grew.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t bring a change of clothes.¡±


    Bitterman ignored him.


    The old man held the obsidian axe to the sky and chanted something the Universal Translation System didn¡¯t translate.


    Cal floated away, surrounding himself with a telekinetic shield while maintaining the invisible platform the old man stood on.


    The sky was clear. Until it wasn¡¯t.


    Dark clouds gathered as if from the aether.


    They swirled above Bitterman.


    Rain began to fall.


    Winds whipped.


    A bolt of red lighting struck.


    The flash of light obscured Bitterman.


    When it cleared, Tlaloc stood in all his towering glory, enormous obsidian axe in hand.


    ¡°That¡¯s why you wear those spandex shorts!¡± Cal shouted over the raging storm.


    Tlaloc ignored him.


    The rain god spoke and waved his axe.


    The storm answered.


    Cal, protected by his telekinetic shields, flew above it for a better view.


    Tlaloc had formed a hardened platform of water to stand on as he directed the storm on a path directly west.


    It was something to watch a man create a massive weather event and direct it toward a specific place.


    He returned to Tlaloc¡¯s side, pointedly floating higher so that he could look the giant in the eye.


    ¡°Insecurity is a weakness,¡± Tlaloc said.


    ¡°I just don¡¯t want to strain my neck looking up at your face.¡±


    ¡°Believe what you will, contemptible person.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t become a hurricane, right?¡± he pointed to the storm.


    ¡°I made it weak. It may strengthen or weaken depending on the environment. I don¡¯t know enough to say which.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I kinda thought you would, cause I didn¡¯t check ocean temps. Can you adjust it when it gets to Miami?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the god of rain, of the storms!¡± Tlaloc boomed like thunder.


    ¡°That¡¯s a yes?¡±


    Tlaloc nodded.


    ¡°Good, good, good. It should hit land at the right time. You sure it¡¯ll do what it¡¯s supposed to?¡±


    ¡°Stop doubting me, contemptible person!¡± Tlaloc snapped. ¡°I¡¯m more concerned about your role. If you fail to destroy the slavers¡¯ machine¡­¡±


    ¡°I worry about my thing. You¡­ yours.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I control the storm. The rains will strengthen our allies and weaken our foes. However, the effect will be muted because of the number of people and the size of the area.¡±


    ¡°Alright, all according to plan. Let¡¯s head back. Uh¡­ you going to transform? C¡¯mon, man. You¡¯re giving off power. I can¡¯t keep you hidden on top of all the obfuscation I¡¯m already doing, do you see this vein?¡± he pointed to his forehead. ¡°That means I¡¯ve got already got a gorilla banging on drums in my brain. Don¡¯t want to add another big ape like you.¡±


    ¡°Weak,¡± Tlaloc snorted. ¡°I will transform when we get closer. I want to guide the storm for as long as possible.¡±


    ¡°Damn it¡­ fine¡­ but you can¡¯t laugh when I start bleeding from my head holes again.¡±


    Tlaloc¡¯s laughter boomed like thunder. ¡°No,¡± he said flatly.

 7.44

    The Slaver King was intercepted by both Kim and Eric on his way to an after dinner interrogation.


    ¡°Walk and talk. I¡¯ve got a tight schedule,¡± he said. ¡°You first, Kim, good news, I hope.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she said.


    ¡°Straight and to the point. So, hit me with it.¡±


    ¡°Nothing new on the people from California. We can¡¯t get anything on them. They¡¯ve been blocking all surveillance attempts this whole time. I thought if we stopped being nice, hands-off and turned up our efforts then we could get through whatever it is they¡¯re doing. Still nothing. Your invitations have been received and I suppose the next move is on them.¡±


    ¡°It would simplify things if they tried to make a break for it, but I¡¯m not hugely concerned. We have them surrounded, after all,¡± he smiled.


    ¡°There¡¯s been another development. A storm¡¯s coming. From the Atlantic. I¡¯ve talked to our news meteorologist¡ª¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s got a great rack and that ass,¡± Eric whistled.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, bro.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, King¡­ er¡­ and sorry to you too, Kim. I meant that she¡¯s great, not solely for her body, but also for the way she turns perfectly when she does the weather report,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°I checked with a few others with the class or something similar. Consensus says that it¡¯ll come ashore tomorrow night, anywhere from between five and seven,¡± Kim said.


    ¡°That¡¯s weird as fuck. It¡¯s not hurricane season,¡± Eric said. ¡°Why did we just see it now?¡±


    ¡°We lack the old technology. Namely, satellites,¡± Kim said.


    ¡°How strong do they think it¡¯s going to be?¡±


    ¡°Not a hurricane. Tropical storm, but not particularly dangerous. Lots of rain and winds topping out at around forty miles per hour,¡± Kim said.


    ¡°Quite a coincidence¡­ well, can¡¯t do anything about it. I believe we already have canopies over our outdoor seating areas for my guests.¡±


    ¡°Not for all of them. I¡¯ll make sure the rest get covered,¡± Kim scribbled in her notebook.


    ¡°Thanks. As for the other stuff. I¡¯ve already got my forces on high alert. Maybe, put more first responders on alert, but I¡¯ll let you make that call, Kim.¡±


    ¡°My turn?¡± Eric said.


    ¡°The shipment?¡±


    Eric cleared his throat. ¡°Yeah, about that¡­ they ran into some problems. So, anyways, the you know what is kinda crazy strong, right?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like where this is going.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s mostly cool,¡± Eric held up his hands. ¡°It didn¡¯t get away or anything like that. It only, sorta, maybe killed a few people and damaged a few trucks¡­ but they got it back into its cage. And none of the other monsters escaped. Anyways, the captain assures me that they¡¯re doing repairs and getting replacements. They¡¯ll be on the road as soon as all that mess is taken care of,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°What¡¯s the new timetable?¡±


    ¡°Anywhere from midnight to nine in the morning¡­¡±


    ¡°That is not soon.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ uh¡­ call the captain and tell him you want him to do it quicker,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± the king sighed. ¡°Any other bad news?¡±


    Kim and Eric shook their heads.


    ¡°Great!¡± he stepped into the elevator and waved them off.


    His dungeons lay beneath his castle home.


    It encompassed several levels where he kept particularly irksome individuals and special projects that were known to only a handful of trusted subjects.


    Tunnels connected it to the most important building on his compound. The place that held the thing that made his kingdom work. Without it he would be nothing. Which was why he had quadrupled the guard in and around the building.


    Armed guards on patrol greeted him as he made his way deeper.


    He entered a long corridor with cells on both sides.


    Most were empty.


    The Freedom Championships had consumed his life nearly two years. It didn¡¯t leave room for dealing with enemies. Lucky them.


    He passed an occupied cell to his left.


    The feral, unkempt man growled.


    He stopped and regarded the man for a moment.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to have more free time soon. I think we need to revisit our prior discussions and tests. Unless, you¡¯ve decided that sitting in a cell for the past six, no, I believe it¡¯s closer to nine, months is still preferable to swearing an oath to me for a place of honor and purpose. Not to mention all the ancillary benefits.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d never shake hands with a slaver,¡± the man spat.


    King reacted quicker, jerking his head to the side.


    ¡°You and yours are filth. Gonna get outta here and gut you like the animal you are.¡±


    ¡°So very angry,¡± he chuckled. ¡°Can¡¯t wait to renew our¡­ conversations.¡±


    He continued on, passing more empty cells, until he neared the end of this wing.


    One cell.


    Nine people in various injured states.


    The survivors of the escape attempt.


    Such a shame.


    They were fodder, but they had beaten the odds and survived several monster fights.


    In the fullness of his generosity, he had halted their monster fights and made them available to be drafted as gladiators or into noble household guards as free people. No collars.


    Obviously, he couldn¡¯t overlook their little revolt.


    Still, it¡¯d be a waste to collar them when they showed such promise.


    He needed a proper punishment to discourage future rebellions, while not ruining them.


    Perhaps, they could be marketed as rebel gladiators.


    He smiled.


    The story lines wrote themselves.


    A scar-faced, one-eyed girl glared balefully up at him.


    The others strong enough to stand moved to shield her from his gaze.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got a good look for a gladiator,¡± he said to the long-limbed young man with a Glasgow smile.


    He left them to think about what they did and dread what he was going to do to them.


    Past the wing, through several turns, found him at a special chamber for more dangerous individuals.


    Guards saluted and opened the thick, steel door taken from the prison.


    The center of the chamber contained a small cell. Large enough for a cot, a toilet and not much else.


    It was enclosed in multiple layers of thick, bulletproof glass sandwiching iron bars.


    Four mages sat at each side ready to cast shields.


    ¡°No escape attempts?¡± he said.


    ¡°No, your majesty.¡±


    He tapped the glass. ¡°Hey, you, wake up!¡±


    The woman on the cot turned and eyed him with¡­ nothing.


    He had expected hatred, defiance. The usual.


    Instead, he got the sense that she saw him as¡­ what?


    ¡°Hanabi, if that¡¯s your real name. I have an offer for you. Normally, I¡¯d be really mad about what you did. You killed a lot of my subjects in your stupid escape attempt. Destroyed several trucks and guns. One armored vehicle. Do you know how hard it is to keep those running? It¡¯s a total loss the way you sliced it up. Ironically, that¡¯s why I¡¯m going to be magnanimous and offer you the world. Swear an oath to serve me and I¡¯ll give you whatever you want. A noble title? Wealth, status, power? You can take your trainees with you. I¡¯m sure they¡¯d make a great household guard, sponsored gladiators or any other useful position. Quite a long way from being fodder or collared.¡±


    ¡°You mean slaves,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°Essential workers.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s their class?¡±


    When he didn¡¯t reply she continued.


    ¡°Thought so.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a debate. It¡¯s a job offer. So, that was the carrot. This is the stick,¡± he sighed ruefully. ¡°Why do you people make it hard on yourselves? Your alternative is more pain than you can ever imagine. You see, I have to make an example of you, but I¡¯m not one for wasting human capital. You¡¯d agree that it¡¯s the most important asset to have in our ongoing quest to reclaim our world and prepare for future invaders. So, you wouldn¡¯t get a collar. It¡¯d ruin you. Ruin your class. Swordmaster. First I¡¯ve ever seen and so powerful. On an individual basis and as a force multiplier. You turned fodder into something with potential. Think of what you could do for high quality people.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know what that means.¡±


    ¡°Actually, I have a good eye for talent. It¡¯s part of being a king. I have to know if people can be assets to my kingdom,¡± he chuckled. ¡°As for this example? There¡¯ll be¡­ realignment. We¡¯ll break you down and build you back up. Same for your fodder. Although, I might use them in your process. In that case, well, no guarantees for them, right? But, I wouldn¡¯t stop with just them. You see, I¡¯ve got a whole host of useful people under my command. Appraisers, diviners, profilers, analysts and so on. I¡¯ve had them working overtime on you. Do you want to know what they¡¯ve discovered?¡±


    ¡°Nothing useful. Otherwise we wouldn¡¯t be having this conversation.¡±


    ¡°True, but they¡¯ve come up with some stuff. Some interesting discoveries. It¡¯s about links in the chain of you. Officially, you joined up with some mercs somewhere in Louisiana. Ended up here. Somehow flew under the radar and got a job training fodder. Up until that escape attempt. I was watching the video of it when I got an idea. An itch in the back of mind. A lot of things I hadn¡¯t been paying attention to because I was so busy with everything else. Anyways, something about your fighting style¡­ so, I had my people really look at it. Then compare it to all the fights we¡¯ve recorded for the championships. Had some nerds program an algorithm and boom! Something interesting,¡± he grinned. ¡°You see, I figured you¡¯re a natural teacher. So, you taught somewhere else, yeah? Maybe¡­ California?¡± he watched for a reaction. She was as still and cold as a statue. Impressive control. ¡°The algo hit in a couple of cases. Subject 1: Amberknight part of the Watch from Northern California. Over ninety percent match to your style. Subject 2: Chandra, Rayna¡¯s Rangers, Southern California. Subject 3: Swan Princess, also of Rayna¡¯s Rangers. Both under sixty percent, but close enough for me when I consider the problems I¡¯ve been having with those people. Did you know that I¡¯ve lost contact with the ambassadors and soldiers I sent there?¡±


    She stared at him.


    ¡°Strange that I had no problems with the northerners,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Anyways, I tell you this because they¡¯re all in my hands. Even though they¡¯re Silver Division competitors and they didn¡¯t win their events, I¡¯ve invited them to my party. Nothing? No denials? No threats?¡±


    She said nothing.


    ¡°Worried about truth spells,¡± he nodded, ¡°smart.¡±


    ¡°I will kill you.¡±


    ¡°Now that¡¯s the truth¡­ as you see it, but as I imagine you know, the spell isn¡¯t perfect. Delusion can fool it. Just because I think there¡¯s a conspiracy against me doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m paranoid,¡± he chuckled. ¡°And, you¡¯re adding to the pieces of the puzzle just by being in there. Whether you talk or not,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Hell, maybe I use you to flush the rats out of my walls? Instead of the other way around. Ultimately, you have two paths before you. One is good. One sucks. And it¡¯s not just for you. You want to drag those people, that one-eyed girl into the worst hell you can imagine? She¡¯s already had a rough go of it from the way her face is carved up. Hmm¡­ your profile says you¡¯ve got a thing for helping poor little females get strong enough to protect themselves from the big, bad males. That¡¯s what prompted you¡¯re escape attempt after all.¡±


    ¡°Only your kind would have an issue with girls and women having the power to deny you.¡±


    ¡°Not true at all. I have plenty of capable women I rely on. Many of my finest gladiators are female. Even my first champion. Until she stabbed me in the back. So selfish. Are you selfish? Will you stand by and watch while your little girls pay for your stubbornness?¡±


    ¡°I already told you what I would do.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in the real world now, girl. Not your make-believe fantasy land. There are consequences for your actions. I will hold you and yours accountable. You won¡¯t destroy all the good I¡¯ve built here. Frankly, the fate of the world rests on my shoulders and challengers like you only push our species closer to the brink. You have one hour to decide your fate. You can tell one of these guys,¡± he gestured to the mages.


    The steel door shut with the sound of doom.


    Not for him, but for Hanabi and the rest of her co-conspirators.


    <hr>


    ¡°I know it¡¯s part of the plan, sir, but we don¡¯t like the look of those clouds.¡±


    Captain Butcher glanced to the east. Her HUD outlined the dark clouds approaching from the east many miles away.


    ¡°Scared of a little rain, Skyrat?¡±


    ¡°Not me, sir. Not with this awesome flight suit. I¡¯m never taking it off again. It¡¯s Neo Bahamut, he hates getting wet, right, my dude?¡±


    The brown and green wyvern spat.


    Fortunately, he had aimed down.


    ¡°I¡¯m more worried about the lightning,¡± Kettleball, the co-pilot and gunner said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It won¡¯t touch allies.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not doubting that, captain, just thinking that things get hectic in a battle. You know, friendly fire and such,¡± Kettleball said.


    ¡°You just have to be professional. Do you job and trust the others to do theirs.¡±


    ¡°Aye, aye, captain.¡±


    Captain Butcher didn¡¯t trust Tlaloc, but she trusted Cal Cruces and that was enough for her.


    Not that she could do anything about it either way.


    Do her job to the best of her ability.


    That was the only thing in her control.


    Their current Quest was an example of things going off plan, out of control.


    They had been set for their ambush when word came in that the demon got a little loose and set the slaver convoy back hours. They hadn¡¯t gotten back on the road until almost dawn.


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    Damn shame that the demon hadn¡¯t just killed all the slavers.


    That had forced her to head back to base because they¡¯d attract attention otherwise outside Lilah¡¯s wards.


    And so, her attack squadron had to stand down and try to dial it back down to zero while they waited.


    It wasn¡¯t good to be sitting at a hundred for hours while you waited.


    ¡°Can¡¯t wait to try this out,¡± Kettleball¡¯s gloved hands mimed holding a mounted machine gun. ¡°This AR shit is too cool! It¡¯s, like, I¡¯m the gun!¡± they said.


    The reason that Captain Butcher was the only other passenger on Neo Bahamut was the alien weapon mounted in a harness below his chest.


    They had done testing with mounting weapons on the wyverns and drakes, quickly running into obvious problems.


    The weight of the weapon and the ammunition was one.


    The other was the recoil causing flight problems.


    It had appeared that whatever magic allowed such heavy creatures to defy Earth¡¯s gravity couldn¡¯t compensate for that pesky third law.


    Hence, weapons that broke said law.


    Threnosh-made recoilless rifles, except scaled up significantly.


    The weight remained an issue, which was why it could only be mounted on a wyvern stripped of all excess, like riders and armor. The lack of the latter wasn¡¯t going to be an issue since they were going to remain high up off the ground.


    It was a shame that they could only afford one, which meant the other wyverns and most of the drakes would have to fly lower when they attacked the slaver convoy.


    Two wyverns, Neo Bahamut and one other with a full ranger complement, along with five drakes and their riders winged their way northward.


    They intended to hit the convoy at a point where it was farthest from possible reinforcements. On a stretch of freeway, out in the open, no cover.


    ¡°Captain Butcher, Ophrys has got eyes on the convoy, over,¡± Ace-2¡¯s voice was crystal clear in her helmet.


    Her advance scout pinged the location on the map overlay in her HUD.


    ¡°Copy that. All units prepare for combat. Hold nothing back.¡±


    This wasn¡¯t like the other ambushes when they had to take care not to hurt the people they were rescuing.


    The demon was very dangerous according to Cal.


    If they couldn¡¯t kill it from a distance then they needed to drive it away from Miami.


    The squadron reached attack range quickly.


    Cloud cover was light.


    The sun still shined brightly.


    If the slavers were alert they should¡¯ve spotted them already.


    Dark specks in the sky to those without something to enhance their vision.


    ¡°Target the lead vehicles, Kettleball. Then prioritize disabling the rest if they try to get around. Do not shoot the cages until we have confirmation on the target. Remember, once you hit fifty percent ammo you¡¯re to stop. We¡¯ll need it for the demon.¡±


    ¡°Got it, captain. Everyone, stay out of my lane,¡± Kettleball said.


    The ranger¡¯s fingers squeezed.


    The recoilless cannon would¡¯ve been quiet as a buzzing bee if it wasn¡¯t for the hand-length flechettes breaking the sound barrier.


    ¡°Wooo! Eat lead, slaver fucks!¡± Kettleball whooped.


    Captain Butcher patched into the gun camera to watch the lead truck explode into a ball of fire.


    Every fifth flechette carried an explosive.


    Kettleball was judicious with their ammo expenditure.


    Five more shots.


    Another truck gone.


    The remaining vehicles swerved around the flaming wrecks, all cohesion lost.


    Panicking¡­ amateurs, she thought.


    Another burst.


    Kettleball cursed.


    A magic shield ate the shots before shattering.


    ¡°Fifth truck, blue big rig!¡± Ace-2 warned.


    ¡°Ranger!¡±


    ¡°On it, captain,¡± Kettleball located the target.


    The huge trailer was covered in a tarp, which men were frantically cutting loose to reveal dozens of cages filled with monsters and mutant animals.


    She saw the metal collars around their necks glow with light.


    ¡°Take them all out.¡±


    ¡°Aye, aye, captain,¡± Kettleball squeezed their fingers and metal death rained from the heavens.


    Too late.


    Enough of the cages where opened.


    The slavers pointed thin, silvery rods to the sky.


    Toward Neo Bahamut and the others.


    Monsters and mutant animals leapt into the air on twisted wings, magic or other impossible abilities.


    Most were smaller than the drakes, none compared to the wyverns, but they were many.


    The ranger mounts roared challenges as their rider fired bullets, loosed arrows, bolts and spells.


    A Skill confused a gruesome mockery of a human-sized heron with two heads as it tried to lance its impossible sharp beaks into a drake¡¯s neck, allowing him to tear it apart with his dagger-like teeth.


    A monstrous winged mountain lion, weaved through fire to latch on to another drake¡¯s neck with fang and claw only for the co-pilot to lance it with glittering ice.


    A half-man, half-moth monster spread spores from its wings only for a wyvern on a flyby to batter it out of the sky with a blow from her iron-spiked tale.


    The soporific spores made her yawn a little.


    The rangers on her back were protected by their sealed flight suits.


    ¡°Ace-2, Ophrys, have you found the HVT?¡± Captain Butcher was above the rest of the aerial battle. She heard gagging, followed by a splashing sound before the communication was abruptly cut off. ¡°Ace-2, Ophrys, copy, over?¡±


    ¡°I copy,¡± Ace-2 said. ¡°Uh¡­ Ophrys just hurled all over my back, over.¡±


    ¡°Sorry¡­ captain¡­¡± Ophrys sounded sick. ¡°Pinging¡­ target¡­ going to¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shit! Ophrys! Ophrys! Uh¡­ captain, she passed out,¡± Ace-2 said.


    ¡°Explanation. Quick.¡±


    ¡°We were getting weird readings on one of the trucks. Heat signatures flickering from really hot to really cold and everything in between. Ophrys used her Skill to take a closer look. That¡¯s when¡­ you know.¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t get mark it, captain,¡± Kettleball said.


    ¡°Which truck, Ace-2?¡±


    ¡°Crap, I¡¯ll ping it. Black cab, white container.¡±


    ¡°Got it. Should I try to use a Skill?¡±


    ¡°Negative, Kettleball. Blow it to hell.¡±


    ¡°Copy that, captain.¡±


    The recoilless cannon spat death, stitching a line of devastation from the cab through the container.


    The demon leapt out of the fire.


    It landed on the road, cracking pavement.


    ¡°Backward knees¡­¡± Skyrat murmured.


    ¡°That¡¯s what you notice!¡± Kettleball laughed.


    ¡°You know it¡¯s dangerous cause of that¡­¡±


    ¡°Just bring us around. Circle it. I¡¯m gonna blow it to bits.¡±


    Skyrat directed Neo Bahamut into a circular orbit hundreds of feet above the demon.


    Captain Butcher studied the monster.


    They had been warned about its dangerous voice, but their helmets had an automatic auditory shut off feature for over-loud sounds that could hurt their ears.


    Its pale, pink flesh rippled with sleek muscles that writhed like it had worms under its skin even as it stood motionless like a statue staring up at them with black orbs set into a face that was uncannily close to a human¡¯s minus the nose and a mouth. Over-long arms ended in human-looking fingers tipped with sharp nails. Its toes also mimicked a human¡¯s with the exception of sharp, hooked claws.


    ¡°Eat future alien bullets, demon!¡± Kettleball didn¡¯t hold back.


    A steady stream of projectiles raked the demon.


    Captain Butcher lost sight of it in the bloom of fire and smoke from the explosive rounds.


    They circled it twice before Kettleball clicked empty.


    ¡°I¡¯m out!¡±


    ¡°Did you kill it?¡± Skyrat said.


    ¡°For sure¡ª¡±


    The thick, dark smoke cleared in the breeze.


    ¡°Rangers, what have I told you about this,¡± Captain Butcher said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t assume something is dead even if it¡¯s in pieces,¡± Kettleball said.


    The undead war in San Diego had taught them that lesson over and over again.


    Non-corporeal monsters, though rare, existed.


    The demon was definitely corporeal.


    The rangers¡¯ problem was that it had been barely affected by the storm of supersonic metal and high-explosive power.


    Pale, pink flesh was smudged with black and gray.


    Tiny holes covered its body.


    Captain Butcher zoomed in.


    Her HUD flickered.


    The demon vanished from sight for a split-second before reappearing so fast that she decided that she was seeing things.


    No blood.


    The holes revealed nothing.


    No bones and internal organs.


    They closed right before her eyes, pushing out hundreds of flechettes.


    Captain Butcher was about to order Skyrat to take Neo Bahamut higher when the demon suddenly keeled over.


    ¡°¡­ is it dead now?¡± Kettleball said.


    ¡°Anyone with a spike in their danger senses?¡± she said into the comms.


    One by one, rangers reported back that no, there was no spike, just the same buzz not out of place in a standard battle.


    Captain Butcher ordered Skyrat to continue circling the motionless demon while the rest of her squadron finished off the flying monsters and mutant animals.


    She noted a handful of trucks screaming south like whipped dogs tucking their tails.


    The freeway below was ruined.


    Craters from their munitions dotted the road interspersed by the twisted, burning wrecks of vehicles.


    The smoke reaching into the sky like fingers would¡¯ve been a problem if not for the seals and filtration system in their helmets.


    Dead and dying, men and monsters, littered the road.


    The demon vanished and reappeared again.


    ¡°Captain¡­¡± Kettleball ventured.


    ¡°Did you see it too?¡±


    The ranger nodded.


    ¡°Our skies our clear, captain, over,¡± Ace-2 said.


    She checked Ophrys¡¯ status.


    Still out.


    Unfortunate.


    She debated ordering the other scout-type rangers to use their Skills to determine if the demon was truly dead. Decided against it because she didn¡¯t want them to end up like Ophrys.


    ¡°I want eyes on the demon. No Skills.¡±


    The rangers immediately chimed in that they too were experiencing the same visual issues.


    ¡°Useful, hit it with something strong,¡± she ordered the strongest mage she had at her disposal.


    ¡°On it, sir,¡± the sergeant replied.


    Useful was riding on the second wyvern in the squadron along with a full squad of rangers.


    Sudden, the wyvern pilot, guided her wyvern, D.F.A., lower to get Useful in range.


    100 meters.


    75 meters.


    50 meters.


    The comms erupted with the voices of a dozen rangers.


    Frantic warnings.


    Captain Butcher didn¡¯t hesitate.


    ¡°Abort! Ab¡ª¡±


    Too late.


    The demon vanished.


    A split-second.


    It wasn¡¯t prone on the road.


    It crouched low, gathering its legs beneath it to¡ª


    Useful¡¯s spell hit it mid leap.


    D.F.A.¡¯s teeth-filled mouth snapped shut like a bear trap.


    He chomped on air.


    ¡°Where did it¡ª¡±


    Useful¡¯s voice was drowned out by an ear-splitting shriek instantly cut off by the helmets.


    The demon clung to the wyvern¡¯s thick, muscular neck, biting, clawing, digging.


    ¡°D.F.A., Ironscales!¡± Sudden¡¯s voice was high, panicked. ¡°Get it off him!¡±


    The wyvern shrieked. Its wing beats grew erratic as it instinctively tried to climb into the sky.


    The rangers on the wyvern¡¯s back didn¡¯t have an angle for shots.


    The ones attached to the harness on the wyvern¡¯s underside peppered the demon with spells and bullets, which it ignored.


    ¡°Bail out!¡± Useful ordered.


    As if the demon heard and understood, it turned its attention to the riders.


    It rushed up the wyvern¡¯s back, tearing deep gouges in thick, armor plate-like scales


    ¡°Stunning Strike!¡± Bonker planted his spiked mace into the side of the demon¡¯s face.


    It deformed like putty as Bonker pulled his arm back.


    The demon¡¯s face was fine.


    ¡°What the fu¡ª¡±


    ¡°Down!¡± Useful barked. ¡°Multicast: Fireball!¡±


    Bonker ducked back into his saddle.


    Thoom! Thoom! Thoom! Thoom!


    The spells impacted and exploded against the demon¡¯s face and chest, rocking it backward, but failing to dislodge its clawed toes from D.F.A.¡¯s back.


    Rangers leapt off the wyvern, trusting in their magic gems to slow their descent into something manageable and not instantly fatal.


    The demon reached for Useful.


    She couldn¡¯t help but be drawn to the strange lines on its otherwise smooth palm. Perfectly symmetrical, they converged in the exact center as if it was the vanishing point on a drawing.


    Bonker surged up, having removed his saddle restraints, with an upward sweep of his mace.


    The blow took the demon on its human-like chin, rocking its head back.


    It stared into Bonker¡¯s eyes with those black orbs an instant later.


    Bonker brought his mace down on the top of its bald head.


    ¡°Falling Star Smash!¡±


    The spiked ball seemed to glow and trail flames like a meteor streaking through the atmosphere before landing like a meteorite on the demon¡¯s head.


    No blood, no brains, no bones.


    Bonker dented the demon¡¯s head for a split second.


    The demon suddenly appeared uninjured.


    It grabbed Bonker¡¯s wrist and ripped.


    A blur of pale pink swept Bonker¡¯s head away.


    Bullets peppered its body as rangers on drake-back circled.


    The demon held Bonker¡¯s decapitated body with one hand.


    Useful screamed.


    Shining light lanced from her hand.


    The demon quirked its head.


    There was a smoking hole big enough to fit a man¡¯s arm through its chest.


    It was gone in the blink of an eye.


    So fast that Useful wasn¡¯t certain if she had hit it.


    ¡°Multicast: Mage Shield!¡±


    Bright, translucent light winked into existence in front of Useful¡¯s outstretched hand.


    Three panes solidified.


    The demon hurled Bonker¡¯s big body with a loud crack resonating through the clear sky.


    Useful¡¯s shields shattered.


    Her pained cry silenced by the armored body hitting her so hard that it ripped the restraints tethering her to the saddle.


    The demon scanned the back of the wyvern.


    It was alone with Sudden.


    The ranger drew a pistol and opened fire while urging her wounded wyvern to dive.


    The demon was caught off-guard, losing its footing.


    It flailed and clawed in an effort to cling to the wyvern¡¯s back, but D.F.A. had enough of the unwelcome passenger.


    He lashed his spiked tail like a whip, cracking the demon and sending it spinning to the ground like an out of control helicopter.


    The wyvern¡¯s blood fell from gaping wounds in his neck like hot rain.


    Sudden knew that she still had a handful of rangers stuck in the belly harness. The same way that she knew D.F.A. wasn¡¯t going to be able to pull out of his dive safely.


    ¡°Emergency Landing,¡± she whispered. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, D.F.A., Take One For The Team.¡±


    Massive wings opened.


    The wyvern pulled up, defying death for a few more moments with a surge of strength.


    Taloned feet dragged deep furrows through the dirt before D.F.A. came to a stop several hundred meters away from the freeway.


    Miraculously, the rangers escaped with only a few bruises.


    ¡°You have incoming on your six, rangers!¡± Captain Butcher shouted.


    The demon streaked across the ground like a cheetah, sending up a cloud of dirt in its wake.


    Rangers scrambled out of their harnesses.


    Sudden turned the dying wyvern toward the demon.


    They didn¡¯t have much left.


    ¡°Predator¡¯s Leap!¡± Sudden blinked.


    She tried again.


    D.F.A. roared a challenge.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    The Skill wasn¡¯t working.


    Predator¡¯s Challenge.


    Sudden found herself flying through the air.


    D.F.A. had slashed the straps securing the saddle to his back


    She landed with a thud.


    The demon only had eyes for the wyvern many times its size.


    They meant in a thunderous collision of slashing claws and biting teeth.


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    Rangers reached Sudden and pulled her out of her saddle.


    The fight was as quick as it was brutal.


    The demon¡¯s flesh was torn and pierced.


    D.F.A.¡¯s upper jaw was ripped off.


    The demon¡¯s flesh was unmarred.


    It turned pure black orbs to the grounded rangers, ignoring the projectiles falling on it from the rangers on drake-back.


    A line that hadn¡¯t been there before split its face vertically to reveal rows of jagged teeth.


    Its cry was unlike anything any of the rangers had heard before.


    It ripped them to the core.


    Some merely felt on overwhelming nausea that caused them to retch.


    Others were less fortunate.


    Stomachs emptied into helmets for those too slow to open their faceplates.


    The demon turned its feature-less face to the grounded rangers.

 7.45

    The demon was in the rangers¡¯ midst in an instant.


    Sudden raised her pistol, but couldn¡¯t fire for fear of hitting one of her own.


    Spells and Skills activated.


    Sudden found herself in a swirling storm of blood, guts and dismembered limbs.


    She screamed.


    The demon suddenly stopped.


    Its gore-smeared head slowly turned, settling toward the south.


    Captain Butcher recognized the look, the posture. She had seen it many times before. It reminded her of when a monster was drawn to a target, whether purposefully, through a taunt Skill or spell, or unintentionally when it found something else it preferred.


    Sudden and the surviving rangers sprinted for their lives.


    The demon ignored the aerial bombardment from drakes and riders daring to swoop closer, willing to risk their lives to protect and avenge their comrades on the ground.


    It gazed upward at Captain Butcher.


    The moment was over in an instant.


    Before she realized it the demon was already halfway back to the ruined convoy.


    ¡°What¡¯s it doing?¡± Kettleball said.


    ¡°Um¡­ oh shit! It¡¯s going to let the other monsters out!¡± Skyrat said.


    ¡°Rangers! Hammer those cages with everything you have!¡±


    The demon ran through the burning wrecks, ripping cages open as it passed them.


    Collared monsters and mutant animals dashed and immediately ran south down the freeway.


    They ignored the dead and dying scattered across the road.


    ¡°I guess those collars work, right, captain?¡±


    ¡°Seems like it, Kettleball. Where¡¯s the demon?¡± she lost sight of it in the tall plumes of dark, billowing smoke.


    ¡°I got eyes on it, heading west!¡±


    ¡°What? It¡¯s going south!¡±


    ¡°No way, it must be using an ability to mess with you guys, it¡¯s obviously going north!¡±


    ¡°My tracking Skill¡¯s got it eastbound!¡±


    Nervy chatter filled the comms.


    Captain Butcher dispatched one drake team to follow each demon.


    ¡°Skyrat, Kettleball, what do you see?¡±


    ¡°North.¡±


    ¡°South.¡±


    ¡°I see it heading east.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t believe her eyes.


    For some reason, even as she tracked the demon through her HUD, it continuously appeared to flicker in and out of existence.


    She could¡¯ve sworn that it was there and she was looking at it, while simultaneously being certain that it wasn¡¯t there at all.


    ¡°Skyrat, circle them,¡± she pointed to the grounded rangers. ¡°Keep eyes out for the demon and other monsters.¡± She directed all the grounded rangers to quickly, but cautiously link up so that they could take stock of the situation and implement a plan to get everyone back, including collecting the bodies of the dead. ¡°Ace-2. Do you have eyes on Useful?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, captain. Sergeant¡¯s in a tree. Her arm¡¯s twisted the wrong way, but she¡¯s moving, over,¡± Ace-2 replied.


    ¡°Pick her up and head straight back to base. It¡¯s not too far. Your drake can handle the extra weight.¡±


    ¡°Copy that. You can count on us, captain.¡±


    Rangers didn¡¯t leave rangers behind.


    The ambush was a failure.


    They had lost a wyvern and multiple rangers.


    A few trucks had escaped.


    Controlled monsters and mutant animals ran to join their masters.


    More importantly, the demon was on the loose.


    ¡°We can catch them, captain,¡± Skyrat said.


    ¡°No,¡± she shook her head, ¡°the intercept point will be too close to populated territory.¡± The landscape and the path of the freeway worked against them. ¡°They¡¯ll run southeast until they get close to the coast and from there it¡¯s straight down to Miami through a bunch of dense, populated city streets. We can¡¯t get away with flying over that many eyes.¡± She didn¡¯t add that they were bloodied and beaten.


    The loss of one wyvern was devastating when you only had a dozen fully-grown adults in combat ready shape.


    Dead rangers were an even greater blow.


    She had to warn base camp.


    The demon was heading south, she was almost certain.


    And that meant there was a chance it could run right into the rest of her forces.


    <hr>


    ¡°I don¡¯t need no weapons,¡± X-Ray crossed inked arms across an equally inked chest.


    ¡°Good for you,¡± Sgt. Dastardly rolled her eyes.


    Prim, Swan Princess, sort of agreed with the abrasive man.


    The rangers had been trying to come up with a workable plan to smuggle weapons into the banquet for a couple of days after they had decided that dodging the party invite wasn¡¯t possible.


    She was fine with the sacrifice play. Plus, the Furies where going to be there and she¡¯d rather be there for them anyways.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. We can take weapons from the guards,¡± she suggested.


    Neckbeard raised an objection. He needed all his gear to be effective.


    ¡°Fair,¡± she replied.


    ¡°At least it¡¯s only weapons,¡± Wichita said.


    ¡°Yup, they won¡¯t stop us from wearing armor, right?¡± Tuxedo Cake said.


    ¡°Hold up. We don¡¯t know if there¡¯ll be, like, a weapon check-in desk,¡± Chandra said.


    ¡°We¡¯d be stupid if we trusted the slavers not to mess with our stuff,¡± Neckbeard said.


    Prim looked to the sergeants for some guidance and found them more interested with playing cards at the kitchen table.


    ¡°I still think my bag of holding idea is your best bet,¡± Timber said.


    ¡°Molds, you¡¯re braiding his hair too tight, he¡¯s not getting enough oxygen to his brain,¡± Wichita said.


    ¡°That¡¯s not how that works,¡± Molds replied.


    ¡°Uh¡­ it is a little tight,¡± Timber said.


    ¡°Then have Wichita do it!¡± Molds snapped.


    ¡°Um¡­ sorry?¡± Timber shrugged. ¡°Please continue¡­ I really appreciate it.¡±


    Molds grumbled, but continued her work with Timber¡¯s thick fro.


    ¡°They¡¯re definitely going to search bags,¡± Chandra said.


    ¡°Sergeants, any suggestions?¡± Prim prodded.


    ¡°None whatsofuckingever,¡± Sgt. Mouthy waved a hand.


    ¡°They¡¯re being very chill about this,¡± Wichita whispered.


    ¡°They¡¯re not the ones entering the viper¡¯s pit in a few hours,¡± Neckbeard muttered.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Lasik snapped his fingers. He pushed his glasses up significantly.


    ¡°Well?¡± Neckbeard sighed.


    ¡°Molds¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m busy, Lasik. What is it this time?¡±


    ¡°That technomagic version of bags of holding you were talking about?¡±


    ¡°I heard the Norcal people are close to getting it right.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ can¡¯t you make a couple? You¡¯re a techmage.¡±


    Molds slowly turned her glare of disdain to Lasik.


    The young man¡¯s glasses proved no barrier.


    He shrunk into himself like a frightened hedgehog in a desperate attempt to protect himself.


    ¡°You want me to just¡­ do that? In a couple of hours?¡± Molds said flatly.


    ¡°I withdraw my idea,¡± Lasik muttered.


    There was a sudden knock on the door.


    It sounded weird to Prim.


    Not like knuckles rapping, but more like something sharp gouging the wood.


    Three of the sergeants laughed.


    One groaned.


    ¡°Pay up, Dastardly!¡± Sgt. Hardhat chuckled.


    ¡°No. We don¡¯t know if¡ª¡±


    Sgt. Mouthy shook her head with a wry smile as she went to open the door.


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± several rangers echoed.


    What the fuck, indeed.


    Prim stared at the largest eagle she had ever seen that wasn¡¯t a twisted mutation.


    Its head came up well-past Sgt. Mouthy¡¯s waist.


    It carried a large bag in its beak, dropping it at the sergeant¡¯s feet.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Sgt. Mouthy said.


    The eagle nodded and took to the sky with a gust of wind that pushed the brawny sergeant back a step.


    Sgt. Mouthy picked the bag up and peeked inside.


    She pulled out a tablet with a sticky note on it.


    ¡°What the heck was that? My surveillance stuff didn¡¯t notice it,¡± Molds¡¯ eyes were wide.


    ¡°It didn¡¯t trigger my wards, so that means it was an ally?¡± Babyapple scratched his sparse beard.


    Sgt. Mouthy tapped and swiped, holding the tablet up for Prim and the others.


    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s Hillary,¡± Chandra said.


    A nervous-looking young woman waved.


    ¡°Wait¡ª¡± the screen flipped to show a big, bear of a man. ¡°I want to make a legally binding statement. As one of the main developers of this new and exciting magitech, I reserve the right to give it an official name¡ª¡±


    ¡°Hey! I put in just as much work as you!¡± Hillary¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Hurry it up!¡± a woman¡¯s voice off-frame, older.


    Prim realized what this was before the girl on the tablet launched into a detailed instructional about how to use the phones and tablets of holding in the bag Sgt. Mouthy tossed at Neckbeard.


    A little later, Prim approached the card-playing sergeants.


    ¡°Did you know?¡±


    ¡°Know what?¡± Sgt. Aims said.


    ¡°About the solution to the problem we spent a couple of days agonizing over.¡±


    ¡°Nope,¡± Sgt. Hardhat said.


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°We didn¡¯t know for sure,¡± Sgt. Aims clarified, ¡°but we had an idea that something would pop up.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s sorta how it is when you¡¯re working a quest with Cruces. Fucker always seems to come up with some serendipitous bullshit,¡± Sgt. Mouthy grunted.


    That sort of tracked with how the Furies talked about working with him.


    ¡°Get your shit ready, Swanny. We¡¯ve got a dubious fucking honor waiting for us. A promotion to the main part of this shitty Quest,¡± Sgt. Mouthy said.


    ¡°Sirs,¡± Prim nodded.


    She returned to her prep.


    Only an hour left until they were going to be picked up for the party.


    On the other side of the city another brave group made their own preparations.


    ¡°What happens if the spell fails?¡± Amber said.


    ¡°The items you¡¯ve stored essentially, fall out,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°So, the phone is in my pocket¡­¡±


    ¡°Say goodbye to your pocket,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°That¡¯s why we¡¯re going to keep them in a pocket outside of our armor,¡± Hillary said.


    ¡°You guys don¡¯t seem to be getting my concerns,¡± Amber said.


    ¡°It¡¯ll come out of the screen, so just make sure you don¡¯t have the screen facing you, besides the item exits the same way you put it in, so don¡¯t put your sword in pommel first, think of the phone as a scabbard if that helps you build your mental image,¡± Jake said.


    ¡°Hey, I just got an idea for your next update, here me out,¡± Trevor said. ¡°Do exactly that. Put it in pommel first. Then you make it so the sword shoots out? Awesome, right, right?¡±


    ¡°That sounds pointless,¡± Hillary frowned. ¡°You want the sword in your hand and if you want to shoot something just use a projectile weapon.¡±


    ¡°But the surprise factor!¡± Trevor waggled his brows.


    ¡°I guess, but I¡¯d use arrows, bolts or darts. Although, even that seems redundant. Hmmm¡­ the damage those things do have to be efficient for the cost. Which in this case is the mana infused into the phone¡ª¡±


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    ¡°Less theory crafting and more getting ready,¡± Rebekah chided.


    The old soldier was already in most of her gear, minus her helmet and body armor.


    Ginessa walked into the living room. The young woman was the only one not geared up for a fight. Unless one counted the hemline of her black dress as a deadly weapon.


    The men¡¯s eyes darted to and away from her repeatedly like an impatient tongue testing a hot cup of coffee.


    ¡°Tch,¡± Rino snorted.


    Out on the balcony, Demi stared at the western horizon.


    Home.


    Would she see it again?


    Would they?


    What about Hanna?


    ¡°Commander,¡± Rebekah stepped onto the balcony, sliding the door shut.


    Demi raised a brow.


    Rebekah used her title, not her name.


    It meant that the soldier was in operations mode.


    ¡°How are the preparations going?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re nervous.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s normal.¡±


    ¡°Worse,¡± Rebekah shook her head.


    ¡°Understandable.¡±


    She didn¡¯t need to innumerate the reasons why.


    ¡°Anything new on Hanna?¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°Nothing. She¡¯s alive. Cruces says he¡¯s planning to get her out while he hits the main target.¡±


    Rebekah nodded.


    Those words were enough to assuage the soldier¡¯s concerns.


    Demi wished she could do the same, but something inside continued to gnaw at her guts with worry.


    Too many variables against them.


    Surrounded by over a million enemies.


    Headed for the heart of a lion¡¯s den with the king of the beasts himself.


    The slavers had hyped up the feast.


    She wondered if it was going to be more like a last meal for her and her people.


    The condemned marching off to¡ª


    No.


    They would be closer to martyrs, wouldn''t they?


    Trading their lives for a righteous cause.


    What use was upholding justice, what was right, when you lost the lives you were responsible for?


    ¡°We shouldn¡¯t have brought the kids,¡± she regarded Hillary through the glass. ¡°What would Ron say?¡±


    ¡°He would¡¯ve tried to keep her home, but he would¡¯ve failed cause it¡¯s her call,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°We promised to take care of her.¡±


    ¡°I figure that¡¯s what we¡¯re doing. We¡¯re setting her up for her best chance at a future when we bite it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s still so faraway isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°A world where kids aren¡¯t fighting for their lives.¡±


    ¡°Maybe for us. We lived in one of the best places on Earth. When I was in the army I saw different places. Kids in those places had to grow up fast. They fought for their lives in a way us soft people never had to. From where I¡¯m standing the spires just brought everyone to the same shitty level.¡±


    ¡°Dark.¡±


    Rebekah shrugged. ¡°Coping mechanism for the stuff I saw and did in the army.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve always been one of the most level-headed people I¡¯ve been around.¡±


    ¡°I went from the Afghanistan to the spires in about a year and a half. I never got the chance to adjust to a peaceful life.¡±


    ¡°A sixteen year deployment is bullshit, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Honestly, I can¡¯t see myself doing anything else. I¡¯m a fighter and a defender. I exercise, I practice. All things I¡¯d be doing anyways. I¡¯m not going to pick up a hobby like knitting. A job? I wouldn¡¯t trade being stuck in an office or dealing with bitching customers freaking about the fact that they need a specific brand of cheese or I¡¯ve ruined their day for what I¡¯m doing now.¡±


    ¡°Making a real difference.¡±


    Rebekah nodded. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought I was getting into when I joined the army. When what I was really doing was risking my life for a bunch of rich people so that they could get even richer. I was killing people that only wanted to live their lives in their countries without us taking anything they had that was worth something. So, yeah, I wouldn¡¯t be doing anything else. I figure that I¡¯m making up for what I did before the spires and I¡¯m going to keep doing it until I can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Just remember that you can¡¯t do that if you¡¯re dead. We don¡¯t waste our lives.¡±


    In an opulent mansion, enslaved women and girls went about their duties with an eerily similar smile on their faces.


    ¡°Soon¡­¡± Hayden muttered.


    ¡°Getting that game face on, I see,¡± Jayde nodded sagely.


    Dayana strolled past the living room and into the kitchen.


    ¡°Grab me some juice!¡± Jayde called out.


    Drake pulled his spear out of the smartphone.


    ¡°How does it know what I want?¡± he said.


    ¡°It¡¯s magic, silly Sticksies,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Yeah, but it¡¯s not like the bag. At least with that when I put my hand inside I grab what I want.¡±


    ¡°And it¡¯s not weird that you just happen to grab exactly what you intended to,¡± Dayana tossed a bottle at Jayde. ¡°Listen, it¡¯d be even weirder if you stuck your hand inside the phone, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°You cast spells and this is what you¡¯re having a hard time with,¡± Jayde chuckled.


    ¡°Stop wasting mana,¡± Hayden said.


    Drake nodded, putting his spear back into the phone.


    It just went straight in.


    No distortions.


    No lights or sparkles.


    Nothing to draw attention from one¡¯s eyes.


    Like putting it in a bag.


    ¡°Like magic! Oooooo¡­¡± Jayde wiggle her fingers.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Dayana raised a brow.


    ¡°Being spooky, look at his face. It¡¯s freaking him out,¡± she said.


    ¡°No it isn¡¯t,¡± he replied flatly.


    ¡°Are you up for this?¡± Hayden regarded him. ¡°Cause there¡¯s no shame in bowing out. This is the most dangerous thing you¡¯ve ever been a part of. If you¡¯re going to be shaky then you should go with the rest of them when the rangers come to pick them up.¡±


    ¡°No! I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ve got this.¡± The words came out a bit higher and shakier than he had wanted.


    ¡°Puberty¡¯s gonna get you,¡± Jayde cackled.


    ¡°Not helping,¡± Hayden glared.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, he needs to lighten up. We all do. If we¡¯re committed then we¡¯re committed. No use in worrying about it. Just need to worry about what we¡¯re gonna do, you know,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°You¡¯re not done with puberty?¡± Dayana gazed at him with deadly seriousness.


    ¡°I¡¯m eighteen,¡± he scowled.


    ¡°I know,¡± she said. ¡°So, was that a lie? Seems odd that Cal didn¡¯t catch that.¡±


    ¡°Because it¡¯s the truth.¡±


    ¡°Ignore them,¡± Hayden continued. ¡°Look, you¡¯re gonna have Shrewed with you and he knows what¡¯s up. You¡¯re going with Cal, which might be the safest place to be in this whole Quest¡ª¡±


    ¡°Or the worst,¡± Jayde chimed in.


    ¡°Yeah, if you start hearing an orchestra or music that transcends existence then head on a swivel,¡± Dayana added.


    ¡°Also visions. Music, but the kind that¡¯s on fire, Jayde continued.


    ¡°Wha¡ª¡±


    ¡°Golden Angels are evil. If you see one¡­ just try to make yourself look non-threatening,¡± Hayden said.


    Drake¡¯s head spun.


    He lapsed into silent contemplation.


    Focus. They¡¯re just being how they always are before a big fight. Humor to deal with the fear. That¡¯s what everyone tells me. That¡¯s what they¡¯ve told me. Just stick to your role. You can¡¯t worry about everyone else is going to do. Would it be bad if I bailed and went to the ranger camp? Shit! Can¡¯t look like a coward. They¡¯ll call me a little bitch for the next couple of months. Cal¡¯s all-powerful, Shrewed¡¯s an experienced badass, we¡¯re getting some extra superpowered back up. I¡¯m just gonna play a supporting role.


    ¡°Great,¡± Hayden let out a long breath, ¡°you guys broke him.¡±


    ¡°Nah, he¡¯s fine,¡± Jayde waved a dismissive hand. ¡°More importantly, Dayana.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Your hair is out of hand. You look like a dark version of those little flowers. You know, the one you blow and all the little fuzzies go flying.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, so?¡±


    ¡°Want me to braid it?¡±


    ¡°Nah, I¡¯m good. It¡¯s extra padding for the helmet.¡±


    ¡°Suit yourself.¡±


    Upstairs in a master suite the size of a three bedroom apartment, Cal gave out final instructions.


    ¡°Good news, bad news.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ bad first,¡± Fin said.


    Silent Cooper loomed beside the slim ranger.


    ¡°The Vitiator is spooked. Not sure how or why, but he¡¯s called an all hands at the Cabal¡¯s central base.¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t that piss the king off, them ditching his big party?¡± Fin said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care, but the king will grow suspicious,¡± Cooper said.


    ¡°That could go our way just as easily. He might start thinking that the Cabal was the one behind all the murders and troubles he¡¯s been having.¡±


    ¡°It changes nothing for me,¡± Cooper said.


    ¡°Same,¡± Fin said.


    ¡°Well¡­ it does for me. I¡¯m not letting you do a suicide thing. You¡¯re getting help.¡±


    ¡°My vengeance¡ª¡±


    ¡°Is still yours, Cooper. You¡¯ll just have to share it a bit. You¡¯re not the only two people in the area with claims on the Vitiator, though you¡¯re the ones that really want it.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± Fin said.


    ¡°Opsec. Just proceed as planned and they¡¯ll be there. Don¡¯t let that thirst for revenge cause you to do stupid shit. Be smart about it. Here,¡± he handed a small box to Fin.


    ¡°This is some serious magic,¡± Fin said.


    ¡°From Ms. Teacher.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Cooper said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. She specifically sent it to you two. You¡¯re not supposed to open it unless,¡± he cleared his throat, ¡°¡®That which your heart desires is about to slip from your grasp¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Okay, vague and ominous, but we¡¯re going to listen,¡± Fin said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± Cooper said.


    Fin and Cooper left quickly.


    They¡¯d scarcely gone done the hall when a tall, scarecrow-like form unfolded out of the shadows in one corner of the large living room.


    ¡°Bennett,¡± he nodded.


    ¡°Cal.¡±


    ¡°Sun¡¯s still mostly out.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s harder and unpleasant, but travel through shadow made it doable. I didn¡¯t want to leave things too tight,¡± Bennett said.


    ¡°The other vampires?¡±


    ¡°One is attached to the lord nonsense. One is mostly concerned with her own position. Only one was amenable due to her intrinsic nature. Which is to say that, no, we can¡¯t count on their support.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d settle for them staying out of it.¡±


    ¡°They will be at the banquet. As will I, assuming I can finish my deliveries quickly.¡±


    He handed Bennett a small box.


    It looked like a toy in the vampire¡¯s long-fingered hand.


    ¡°Box of holding,¡± Bennett said. ¡°I can sense the magic. This is from¡ª what do you call her? Ah, ¡®black Galadriel¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Not me. I¡¯ve never called her that. Ms. Teacher is the only name she¡¯ll answer to.¡±


    ¡°Even I can tell that the quality of the spell is orders of magnitude greater than ours. Odd,¡± Bennett¡¯s head quirked. ¡°I can tell that the mana is strong and of great quality, yet there is no signature or maybe it¡¯s hidden?¡±


    ¡°Yup, that¡¯s what every mage that¡¯s looked at Ms. Teacher¡¯s work says.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunate that she isn¡¯t helping us tonight.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s done more than enough for me. She¡¯s the only reason we¡¯ve got a chance at avoiding a bloodbath. Besides, she might help more than she had agreed to.¡±


    ¡°Well, that is good news. Good luck to you,¡± Bennett shook Cal¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Same.¡±


    The vampire vanished into the shadows.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to amend our deal,¡± Holly appeared leaning against the fireplace.


    If Bennett had noticed her slinking into the room he hadn¡¯t given an indication.


    Her abilities didn¡¯t conceal her from Cal¡¯s extra sensory perceptions.


    ¡°I want him to turn me into a vampire,¡± she said.


    ¡°No. We don¡¯t know if it works that way.¡±


    ¡°Why haven¡¯t you tried to find out?¡±


    ¡°Because Bennett is a responsible person.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a night hunter, like me.¡±


    ¡°Superficially. You enjoy hunting and killing. He doesn¡¯t. He gets his blood from bags.¡±


    Holly dropped it.


    ¡°Orders for tonight?¡±


    ¡°Follow your list. No deviations. Self-defense is acceptable. However, you will not intentionally engineer situations placing yourself in said position.¡±


    ¡°The demon isn¡¯t on my list.¡±


    He winced internally.


    Tracking that damn thing was like trying to grasp the wind.


    All he was certain of was that it was close to Miami.


    ¡°I can feel it coming. One night hunter to another. Like, it¡¯s going to take my territory. You know, like I do with Bennett and the other vampires. Or your dogs and those swamp wolves,¡± Holly grinned equal parts eagerness and trepidation.


    He kept a light touch on her thoughts.


    The mind of a slasher wasn¡¯t a pleasant place to share.


    Satisfied that she wasn¡¯t on the verge of losing control, he nodded. ¡°You can add it to your list, but only if it comes after you. You will not seek it out. It¡¯s too much for you.¡±


    She stared at him with a shadowed gaze.


    Dead eyes.


    Like a shark.


    A feral grin slowly split her face.


    She slipped out of the room, though not as unnoticed as she normally moved, not to someone that saw with more than just his eyes.


    He wondered if that was the way to free Holly of her murderous class.


    Could vampire be used to replace slasher?


    Not likely if it needed her to make a choice.


    Holly and the Slasher were one and the same in her mind.


    Time was drawing near.


    He regarded the small pile of nullification crystals on the table before floating them into a small bag, non magical, the rest had gone with Bennett.


    The sun slowly settled into its slumber, painting the dimming sky in red and purple beauty.


    The storm reached the opposite shore and began to pelt Miami with rain and lash it with wind.


    Not enough to dissuade a million people from their festivities.


    The Slaver King wasn¡¯t the only one throwing a party.


    Bars and restaurants across the city were having watch parties to watch the king¡¯s party.


    Yes, it was being covered and broadcast like award shows and gala dinners. The decadence of the old world brought forward into the new.


    People gathered in homes to do the same.


    If they couldn¡¯t score an invite, then it was the next best closest thing.


    One group wasn¡¯t in a celebratory mood.


    They were anxious, concerned, angry.


    Some had given up their place of honor at the king¡¯s party for this.


    The Cabal¡¯s inner council sat around their round table.


    Candle and torch light flickered, casting garish shadows across the dark-painted walls adorned with all manner of skulls, bones and flesh.


    ¡°Well¡­ are we really going to stay here all night?¡± Mammon said. ¡°I¡¯m missing out on the greatest networking opportunity of my life.¡±


    ¡°There is an orgy hall,¡± Zepar said. ¡°An entire hall, thousands, tens of thousands of people are going to be at the king¡¯s party. All that lust and debauchery¡­ wasted.¡±


    Cambion schooled his expression to portray an apathy he didn¡¯t feel. ¡°The Vitiator does not command.¡±


    ¡°Blasphemy,¡± Shax hissed.


    He gave the older woman a tired expression. ¡°I only speak the truth. He¡¯d say the same thing. He guides. He doesn¡¯t rule.¡± The reality was more muddled than that. Cambion had learned that the Vitiator wasn¡¯t that different from humans despite being from an immortal species. Their leader, teacher, guide was just as selfish and petty as any rich and powerful man. The Vitiator was most concerned with gaining power and keeping it. ¡°Fellow Elders,¡± he said mildly, ¡°even the least of us felt that, right? Something in that storm is off. Something to the north¡­ also off. Something still hunting people down and killing them in the dark, some of the victims were our brothers and sisters. And you want to fuck and suck,¡± he tipped his head to Zepar, ¡°you want to network,¡± he nodded to Mammon, ¡°I don¡¯t know what you want, Shax. Is this taking time away from your failed experiments?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re an insolent boy,¡± Shax grumbled.


    The rest of the elders murmured at his words.


    ¡°It¡¯s obvious to me that our leader simply wants us to be united in the face of threats that are about to hit us,¡± he continued.


    ¡°My divinations have been troubled for months,¡± Gremory said. ¡°Two of my oracles went mad.¡±


    ¡°Maybe cause you think they can live off of breathing air,¡± Mammon muttered.


    ¡°What was that?¡±


    ¡°Peace, Elder Gremory,¡± Cambion raised a hand. ¡°Whatever threats are coming, whether specifically for us, then we stand a better chance of weathering the storm by presenting a united front.¡±


    ¡°So, what you¡¯re saying is no backstabbing?¡± Mammon said.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t need to say that,¡± Zepar said.


    ¡°Do we have an accord, at least for tonight?¡±


    Shax stood and regarded him coldly for a long moment before leaving the room.


    A few other elders followed suit.


    Cambion regarded those that stayed.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got a good track record at surviving shit,¡± Mammon shrugged.


    ¡°Can I interest you in¡ª¡± Zepar began.


    ¡°No,¡± he said flatly.


    ¡°While we wait for whatever this is, we can¡ª¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not one of your children, Zepar,¡± Mammon chuckled.


    ¡°And what about you?¡± Zepar leered.


    ¡°You can¡¯t afford me,¡± Mammon snorted.


    ¡°Oh? Name your price.¡±


    Mammon sat up. He looked deep in thought. ¡°We can bargain after tonight.¡±


    ¡°The offer isn¡¯t good tomorrow.¡±


    Cambion cleared his throat.


    ¡°I foresee¡­ problems,¡± Gremory intoned.


    ¡°Did you foresee that storm?¡± Mammon said.


    ¡°Enough. I suggest we consolidate our forces,¡± he said.


    ¡°Yes. Keep them close to us and hold them back. As reserves. Let the others bear the brunt of this supposed threat,¡± Gremory said.


    ¡°Agreed. We will gather around the Vitiator to ensure his safety as is paramount for without his guidance the Cabal is nothing,¡± Zepar said.


    Cambion nodded in agreement.


    He had already sent his best and brightest followers to his secret hideout in the southern part of the city.


    All he needed to do was present a token defense and retreat the coming chaos.


    Whatever was about to hit them he was positioned to come out of it better than the rest of his fellow elders.

 7.46

    ¡°Don¡¯t free them until I let you know it¡¯s okay,¡± Cal tapped his temple.


    ¡°I will not risk their lives,¡± Tlaloc loomed like an elephant in a suddenly cramped office.


    The acrid smell of burnt carpet filled the air.


    Don Wynn probably paid a lot of money for that.


    The massive obsidian axe stood like a flag planted deep into the hardwood floor.


    Cal opened the window with a gesture.


    Rain lashed down from the dark sky.


    Lightning flashed.


    Thunder cracked.


    Not red, which meant¡ª


    ¡°It is a natural storm,¡± Tlaloc scowled.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t going to say anything.¡±


    ¡°Yes, you were, contemptible person. You were going to warn me about expending my power too soon.¡±


    ¡°The demon is somewhere out there. Can¡¯t lock it down. I¡¯m pretty sure¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes,¡± Tlaloc waved a ham-sized hand.


    ¡°The rangers are landing in about fifteen.¡±


    ¡°I know not to strike your flying lizards.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve given all of Don¡¯s guards the night off.¡±


    ¡°Lucky them,¡± Tlaloc growled.


    ¡°Once you free the women and girls, see that they take off safely. Then finish everything here. We won¡¯t be coming back.¡±


    ¡°He will be punished for his evil.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m largely indifferent to how you do it¡­ just¡­ no torture, yeah?¡±


    ¡°His death will be quicker than he deserves.¡±


    ¡°On that note, good luck.¡±


    ¡°It is in our hands. Do not fail the people. Break their chains.¡±


    Tlaloc stomped out of the office.


    The floor groaned in protest.


    Shrewed and Drake squeezed against the hallway wall to let him pass.


    He stopped and glared down at them.


    ¡°Show no mercy to all those that hold chains.¡±


    Lightning and thunder shook the skies as if in response.


    ¡°Um¡­ yeah,¡± Drake gulped.


    ¡°We¡¯ll do our jobs. You do yours,¡± Shrewed nodded.


    The rain god continued down the steps and into the living room.


    The mansion was all but empty except for the collared women and girls.


    They gathered in the living room under orders to relax.


    The thought sent a paroxysm of anger through Tlaloc.


    Muscles bulged as he clenched his massive fists.


    It had been years since he had broken his own collar.


    Soon he would grant them the same gift.


    As for the slavers?


    They faced a red wrath.


    Doom would fall on them like rain drops in a storm.


    <hr>


    Eric watched the bank of security screens showing everything in and around the king¡¯s castle.


    The main hall was filling with VIP guests.


    As were the secondary halls and outdoor tents set up across the estate¡¯s massive grounds.


    Vehicles lined the roads leading up to the outer gates and the road to the inner gates.


    ¡°Damn rain¡¯s making it hard to see,¡± one of the security tech¡¯s muttered.


    ¡°That¡¯s no excuse. The king¡¯s expecting this to go smoothly. You don¡¯t want to be the one that screws something up!¡± Eric snapped.


    The tech sheepishly bowed her head.


    Eric¡¯s fingers twitched toward the small container in his pocket.


    The stress was getting to him.


    King expected too much.


    High alert?


    In the middle of the biggest celebration in their nation¡¯s young history?


    And it had to go perfectly?


    ¡°Fuck¡­¡± he muttered.


    There was the king¡¯s surprise to also worry about.


    He had counseled against it.


    Too many dangerous people that could be triggered by it.


    It was just asking for trouble to do it in the middle of a dinner party surrounded by hundreds.


    Eric wanted to just handle all their potential problems quietly, after the party. Get them drunk or something then grab them quietly.


    But, no¡­ King just had to show who was the alpha.


    In retrospect losing the convoy was a bigger blow than Eric had realized at first.


    ¡°On top of it all, there¡¯s a demon running around¡­¡±


    ¡°Sir?¡±


    ¡°Nothing!¡± he snapped. ¡°Listen up!¡± he gazed across the security command center. ¡°Make sure you guys are watching everything like your lives depended on it¡­ because they do. The slightest thing that looks weird, you bring it up!¡±


    He slammed the door on his way out.


    ¡°Fuck¡­¡± he gave in and popped a tablet. A small one. Just enough to take the edge off and level him out.


    His next visit was to the oracles and those weirdos freaked him out on the good days.


    <hr>


    ¡°No animal companions allowed on the grounds,¡± the guard said.


    Demi silenced Cara¡¯s violent retort with a gesture. ¡°The invitation said otherwise.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sorry, they should¡¯ve told you that at the second gate, but since you¡¯re VIP¡¯s they must¡¯ve waved you straight through,¡± the guard glanced at the limo the Slaver King had sent to so ¡®graciously¡¯ escort the Watch directly to their honored table inside the king¡¯s main hall. ¡°We¡¯ll provide you an escort to where they¡¯re supposed to stay.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Cara hissed. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving them. They¡¯re going to put them in cages so they can kill them easier.¡±


    ¡°Damn shame,¡± Trevor shook his head ruefully, ¡°I guess we¡¯ll just have to leave and go back home.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that won¡¯t be necessary,¡± a smiling middle-aged woman with short blond hair approached along with a well-armed escort. ¡°You must be the Watch? I¡¯m ¡®Kim¡¯, CEO of the New American Republic. The king sent me to welcome you on his behalf. He¡¯d do it himself, but you know how it is¡­ he¡¯s a busy man and there is a ceremonial protocol that I insist must be followed.¡±


    The escort fanned out, not quite surrounding the Watch.


    ¡°Young lady,¡± she smiled at Cara, ¡°I assure you that we will take great care of your animal companions. We are well aware that they are more than pets. As you can see,¡± she gestured toward one of her guards.


    The man grinned. The giant Malinois next to him growled.


    Licorice returned it in kind.


    Goldy squawked something rude at Kim from her perch on Cara¡¯s shoulder.


    The woman¡¯s eyes narrowed while Cara soothed the eagle¡¯s ruffled feathers.


    ¡°If you¡¯ll follow,¡± she gestured toward a pair of guards, ¡°they¡¯ll show you to the animal fun zone.¡±


    ¡°Rino, Kare, go with her,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°That won¡¯t be ne¡ª¡±


    ¡°Kim, is it? Why don¡¯t take us to our table,¡± Demi said.


    The fake smile slipped for a fraction of a second.


    ¡°Right this way,¡± she gestured to the grandly decorated entrance, ¡°you¡¯ll be able to check your weapons inside.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Demi said.


    They went armed and armored even though they knew that they were going to be searched.


    It would¡¯ve been more suspicious had they gone unarmed.


    There was a line to get into the hall, but Kim got them through without waiting.


    Richly dressed nobles and other VIP-types eyed them with a mixture of disdain and curiosity.


    The entry way stretched out for about fifty yards.


    Stanchions created a maze leading to multiple security stations on both sides of the wide space.


    ¡°Man, this takes me back,¡± Jake nudged Hillary with his prosthetic hook, ¡°you wouldn¡¯t now, but this is just like how everything used to be. Airports, conventions, games.¡±


    ¡°If any one of these bastards feels me up they¡¯re losing that hand,¡± Amber said.


    ¡°This way,¡± Kim led them to a station that didn¡¯t have a line waiting.


    The guards placed plastic bins on the table.


    ¡°Weapons inside, you¡¯ll get a ticket to pick them up later,¡± the guard said.


    ¡°How do I know it won¡¯t go missing?¡± Jake placed an axe into the bin.


    ¡°We lock them up,¡± the guard gestured to the curtained area behind the station. ¡°The king guarantees their safety. In the unlikely event that your weapon is damaged or lost, you will be compensated more than its worth.¡±


    ¡°How do you know¡ª¡±


    ¡°I have an appraisal Skill,¡± another guard raised her hand.


    In a way, walking into a trap was a good thing.


    The Watch didn¡¯t need to pretend that they weren¡¯t nervous because it was expected of them.


    And so, they turned their hastily obtained weapons over with what appeared to be genuine reluctance.


    The slavers didn¡¯t force them to take off their armor.


    Indeed a few of the guards made snide remarks about them being uncomfortable for the rest of the night.


    Most importantly, the slavers didn¡¯t even ask for their phones and tablets.


    ¡°Follow me to your table. It¡¯s quite close to the central dais where the king will be dining,¡± Kim smiled.


    ¡°I¡¯ll wait for the rest of my people,¡± Demi crossed her arms.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Kim nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll leave them to guide you,¡± she gestured to a pair of guards. ¡°The hall is quite large. Filled with over a hundred tables. I wouldn¡¯t want you to get lost.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Outside the grand hall Rino kept her senses tuned to their maximum sensitivity.


    The rain was a problem, making it harder to see, hear and smell.


    Fear.


    From Cara walking ahead with Licorice close to her side and Goldy on her shoulder.


    The two cats, Cinnamon and Chocolate, were the picture of languid boredom from where they sat on the huge, black dog¡¯s broad back, but a sniff told Rino that they were ready to throw themselves at the closest guards.


    Speaking of which, they were the most afraid of them all.


    She glanced back at the two behind her, flashing sharp canine teeth.


    That¡¯s right.


    They had watched the championships.


    They knew what she could do to them.


    At the head of their little escort, Kare skipped around the frightened guards asking inane questions.


    ¡°Wow! You guys put a tent over all the paths? That, like, must¡¯ve been a lot of work,¡± Kare said with awe.


    ¡°Um¡­ not really. We¡¯ve got a lot of essential workers,¡± the guard shrugged.


    ¡°Oh, yeah! It must be nice that you can make them do all your work for you! And you don¡¯t even have to pay them!¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ I guess,¡± the other guard said.


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    ¡°Hey? What happens if you guys, like, screw up? Do you get to become essential too?¡±


    The guards stammered, but luckily for them they had reached their destination.


    It was an enormous tent, like something out of the circus Rino had vague memories of attending when she was a kid.


    It stank of musk.


    Dozens of animal companions where already inside.


    And none of them were happy to be consigned to cages while their human companions got to enjoy the party.


    Licorice¡¯s lip twisted.


    Goldy glared balefully at the attendant that approached as soon as they entered the tent.


    The two cats remained above it all.


    Rino smelled Cara¡¯s fears as the young woman bombarded the attendant with questions and demands.


    Until the other woman finally had enough and snapped.


    ¡°They won¡¯t fight if you have them trained properly! And would you take off their weapons and armor. The king guarantees that they will remain safe until you return to reclaim them. Any damage or loss will be compensated beyond their value.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯d want them unarmed and defenseless, wouldn¡¯t you!¡± Cara snapped back.


    ¡°They have teeth and claws!¡± the attendant said flatly.


    ¡°Be nice,¡± Kare warned.


    Though to which one was unclear.


    Rino itched to get back with the rest of the pack.


    They were vulnerable in the grand hall by themselves.


    She leaned down to whisper in Cara¡¯s ear. ¡°No choice. Trust them to take care of themselves.¡±


    Cara looked like she was going to argue for a moment before bending down to huddle with her animals.


    Words were spoken.


    Barks.


    Meows.


    Screeches.


    Rino helped the young woman disarm and remove armor from her pets.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. They¡¯ll be okay. They¡¯re strong and smart,¡± Kare patted Cara on the head as they watched Licorice, Goldy, Cinnamon and Chocolate led into cages.


    <hr>


    ¡°The fuck?¡± Sgt. Mouthy said around a mouthful of something pretentious, expensive and not at all filling.


    ¡°Sarge?¡± Prim said, a spell at her fingertips.


    ¡°Relax, ranger. You don¡¯t want to be the first one to start blasting. And I just recognized someone I haven¡¯t seen in six years and across big ass ocean. She doesn¡¯t look a day older,¡± she muttered.


    Prim followed her sergeant¡¯s gaze to a table at their nine o¡¯clock.


    The Watch.


    She recognized a few of them from Hanna¡¯s seminars.


    ¡°Um¡­ who?¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask Neckbeard and Cake, they know,¡± Sgt. Mouthy snorted.


    ¡°Perv,¡± Wichita elbowed the latter.


    ¡°What¡¯s the big deal, lots of women wearing fancy dresses,¡± Chandra eyed the sea of rich people dining all throughout the massive hall.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s whatever,¡± Neckbeard shrugged.


    ¡°You¡¯re staring the worst,¡± Wichita said.


    ¡°I was just trying to figure out why that one young lady is the only one at their table not in armor of some kind. Instead, she¡¯s in a little black dress,¡± Neckbeard explained.


    ¡°Cause she doesn¡¯t need armor,¡± Prim said.


    It seemed pretty obvious.


    ¡°Ah, distraction,¡± Neckbeard nodded sagely.


    ¡°Worked on you two,¡± Wichita said.


    ¡°What I want to know is where is the king?¡± Chandra nodded at the large, circular stage in the middle of the hall.


    It was completely empty.


    ¡°Dinner¡¯s halfway done.¡±


    ¡°More like a third. Three courses down out of nine, plus dessert,¡± Tuxedo Cake studied the menu.


    ¡°You kids always babble like a bunch of babies? You scared or something?¡± X-Ray grunted.


    ¡°No, shut up!¡± Chandra snapped.


    ¡°Then why you ain¡¯t eating,¡± X-Ray said.


    ¡°Like you are,¡± she countered.


    ¡°Not cause I¡¯m scared. Cause I don¡¯t want a heavy stomach.¡±


    ¡°Look around,¡± Sgt. Mouthy began. ¡°You can tell who¡¯s expecting some trouble by how much they¡¯re leaving on their plates.¡±


    ¡°What about those guys?¡± Chandra glanced at three, dirty, disheveled men a few tables away.


    Sgt. Mouthy¡¯s hand flashed a sign.


    Shut up about them. Danger.


    There had been a lot of that.


    Somehow the sergeant knew which tables they had to watch out for and which ones contained allies.


    The ratio leaned heavily toward the former, but Prim was surprised that they and the Watch weren¡¯t completely alone.


    She had tried and failed to find the Furies.


    That meant that their table must¡¯ve been on the opposite side of the central platform, obscured from her view.


    ¡°I hate waiting,¡± Neckbeard said glumly.


    ¡°Hey, ese, least you trying out some good food,¡± X-Ray said.


    ¡°You just said not to eat,¡± Chandra said.


    ¡°Eating and tasting is different.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Wichita snapped her fingers, ¡°that¡¯s why you¡¯re spitting some of it out. Disgusting, but it makes sense.¡±


    The dinner continued as expected for the next few courses.


    Hundreds of voices lent to the vague buzz of conversation hanging in the air.


    The lights suddenly dimmed, silencing them all.


    A bright spotlight shined down on the empty stage.


    It moved with a great groaning sound.


    Prim¡¯s hand snapped up.


    Her nerves were too tight.


    She almost thought it was a monster.


    As the circular platform opened she¡¯d learn that it was much, much worse.


    <hr>


    Waleed huddled with his friends.


    He rubbed the stump of his missing pinkie finger.


    They stood in an enormous garage filled with expensive cars.


    The kind he had only seen on TV or in pictures when he had been a child.


    To think that such things still existed¡­


    They stared out the open door into the dark and stormy night.


    Rain lashed the ground while lighting flashed and thunder boomed, periodically causing some of their number to jump and cast about with wild eyes at an attack that only existed as ghosts in their minds.


    It didn¡¯t help that the towering, bronze, god of a man hadn¡¯t explained anything.


    He had merely grunted that they were to put on warm clothing and rain coats before going to the garage.


    It hadn¡¯t helped that the first thing he did after he followed them was to plant that enormous, obsidian axe into a Ferrari, cleaving it almost in half.


    The man had remained there, standing with arms the size of Waleed¡¯s thighs crossed across a chest about thrice the size of his own.


    He clung to Cal¡¯s promise of safety.


    A light in the sky appeared.


    Faint.


    Flickering in the streams of rain.


    They knew it from the moment they had spotted it.


    ¡°Praise Allah,¡± someone whispered.


    ¡°Magus,¡± Waleed whispered.


    She came out of the darkness, untouched by the rain.


    ¡°My friends,¡± she smiled.


    Her eyes looked so tired.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for abandoning you for so long.¡±


    ¡°No, you saved us. It is we who are ashamed for being too weak to prevent the Americans from using us against you,¡± Waleed said.


    Each reached out to clasp the magus¡¯ hands and arms, to embrace her.


    The ten eyes roamed over them protectively, widening when they fell on missing fingers.


    ¡°I carried hope that the odious man had faked¡ª¡± she hook her head, ¡°I¡¯ve truly failed you all¡­¡±


    ¡°You will take us to safety?¡± Waleed hadn¡¯t liked the look in the magus¡¯ eyes.


    ¡°I cannot. Others will see to you. I have been promised. The king owes me, us, a debt. I intend to collect for you and our friends no longer with us.¡±


    They protested, but it was fruitless.


    ¡°I regret that we aren¡¯t strong enough to fight by your side,¡± he replied with tears in his eyes.


    ¡°There are few who are¡­ for this battle. Go with Allah, live. I will see you when the task is done.¡±


    The magus turned to the towering man.


    ¡°I will keep them safe until it is time for them to leave.¡±


    ¡°My thanks.¡±


    ¡°Fight well, magus. Let those that hold chains burn under your many-eyed gaze.¡±


    The magus floated back into the sky, swallowed by the dark storm.


    Long minutes passed.


    ¡°We must hold on to our courage.


    ¡°The magus fights for us. Should we not do the same?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re too weak. We all remember what happened when we tried to fight the American slavers.¡±


    Waleed half-listened to his friends¡¯ whispers. ¡°What are we waiting for?¡± he finally worked up the courage to ask the man.


    The man loomed over him like a dreadful statue.


    ¡°That.¡±


    They heard it before they saw it.


    Great wings beating against the wind.


    A terror out of any nightmare descended.


    A scale-armored beast stared down at them with reptilian eyes.


    A huge mouth grinned, revealing dagger-like teeth slavering with hunger.


    Broad wings folded on clawed talons as the beast planted them, holding its body off the wet ground, spiked tail lashing behind it.


    It was then that Waleed noticed there were things hanging off the beast¡¯s torso and riding on its back.


    What he took for spines moved and took shape.


    People.


    They unhooked themselves from harnesses and rushed toward the open garage.


    A tall, lanky young man smiled at them before bravely stepping up to the tower of muscle. ¡°You must be Tlaloc,¡± he nodded, ¡°I¡¯m Sgt. Spiritwalker, Rayna¡¯s Rangers. We got their transport out of this shithole.¡±


    What?


    Waleed looked from the sergeant to the huge beast and back. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, excuse, but did you say that¡ª¡±


    ¡°I was told there would be another,¡± Tlaloc rumbled.


    ¡°They¡¯re dropping some people off. They¡¯ll be here in a bit. Where¡¯s the rest of them? The¡­ uh¡­ collared,¡± Sgt. Spiritwalker said.


    ¡°They will be out shortly,¡± Tlaloc turned and stomped back into the mansion. He had received the signal. It was time.


    ¡°Hey, listen, guys, I know she can look scary, but Belladonna is the nicest wyvern we¡¯ve brought with us,¡± Sgt. Spiritwalker said.


    Waleed nodded.


    ¡°So, um, I¡¯d suggest you get on board,¡± he lowered his voice conspiratorially, ¡°even thought its raining, riding on the back is way better than being harnessed below. So, let¡¯s get you guys harnessed up.¡±


    Inside the mansion, Tlaloc regarded the two dozen women and girls with the hateful collars around their necks.


    They were already wearing their warm clothing and raincoats as per Cal¡¯s last commands.


    He approached the closest one.


    She smiled vacantly.


    He gingerly grasped the thin, metal collar with his fingers.


    The warmth pulsing through it sickened him.


    He did what he had itched to do since the first day he had set foot in this vile nation.


    The magic lightning coursing through his body flared into the collar, counteracting its magic.


    He burned it out with all his rage at being forced into a life of chained servitude.


    The collar tore like tin foil in his fingers.


    The woman blinked.


    Tears welled in her eyes.


    He stepped back in an attempt not to frighten her further.


    He remembered what it was like to be freed from the collar.


    The woman gasped, her head darting to the others in the living room, to him. Like a frightened rabbit ready to bolt.


    Tlaloc held up his hand.


    Thunder boomed and lightning cracked.


    When the smoke cleared, Bitterman stood in his place.


    ¡°Please, I know what you¡¯re going through,¡± he pointed to the discolored scar around his thin, wrinkled neck. ¡°There is no time if you want freedom. Explanations for later, yes, ni?a?¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± the woman nodded.


    ¡°You know them and they know you,¡± he gestured to the other collared women and girls.


    ¡°Yeah, I mean, yeah. I remember. It¡¯s a nightmare. I don¡¯t know. Is this real? Was that the nightmare? Or is this it?¡±


    ¡°Calm,¡± he soothed. ¡°I must transform again to free them. You must keep them calm.¡±


    Tlaloc quickly freed them one by one.


    Screams turned into quiet weeping for some once the first woman he had freed managed to explain their situation.


    He led them to the garage.


    More rangers on their flying beasts had arrived.


    Sgt. Spiritwalker exchanged a nod with Tlaloc.


    The affable young man explained the way to freedom was being borne aloft into a storm on the wings of scary looking beasts.


    That had gone over well, but in the end it was not a surprise that the formerly enslaved would take any chance to leave the place that had violated them for so long.


    Wyverns and drakes leapt into the storm bearing frightened passengers until only two remained.


    The youngest, Tabitha, clung to the leg of the first woman, Tlaloc had freed.


    Her knuckles were white around the clothe.


    Tears filled her eyes.


    ¡°Jeez, she¡¯s got the snot and everything, poor girl,¡± one of the rangers whispered.


    ¡°Might have to hit her with a sleep spell,¡± another responded.


    ¡°Probably for the best.¡±


    The last drake grumbled at being forced to wait in the rain, finally having had enough it walked over and stuck its head into the garage.


    The little girl screamed.


    ¡°Damn it, Maverick!¡± the rider shook his fist.


    He unhooked himself from the saddle and jumped down, approaching the little girl like he would a skittish rabbit.


    ¡°Hi!¡± he waved. ¡°My name¡¯s ¡®Valentine¡¯, this is my friend, ¡®Maverick¡¯, she doesn¡¯t like rain.¡±


    The little girl buried her face in the woman¡¯s side.


    ¡°She¡¯s¡­ we¡¯re¡­ not comfortable with all these men around,¡± the woman said.


    ¡°What? There¡¯s like half dudes, half ladies,¡± Valentine said before fully understanding what the woman meant. ¡°Aww, shit, sorry. Well, uh¡­ Maverick¡¯s a girl,¡± he tried, ¡°she knows that people aren¡¯t food¡­ unless they¡¯re bad guys¡­ yeah, um, she¡¯s definitely going to eat a few of these slavers after we take you to a safe place. Doesn¡¯t that sound good?¡±


    Tabitha looked at the drake, who for her part kept her mouth closed.


    The little girl nodded.


    ¡°So, I think it¡¯ll be less scary for you if, my friend over there, Panda,¡± he pointed to another ranger, ¡°made it so you can sleep through the flight.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± the woman smoothed Tabitha¡¯s hair. ¡°I¡¯ll be with you the whole way.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to tell you a story,¡± Sketchy Panda said. ¡°It¡¯s about a brave little rabbit¡­¡±


    Tlaloc felt the soothing magic in the young man¡¯s words.


    Tabitha¡¯s eyes drooped quickly.


    By the time the short story finished she was out in the woman¡¯s arms.


    Valentine took the girl and strapped her into the saddle in front of the woman.


    ¡°No harm will come to her,¡± Tlaloc loomed over the slim young man.


    The ranger swallowed the lump in his throat. ¡°If that happens, it means the me and Maverick are already dead.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    He watched them climbed into the storm.


    His will entered it.


    The wyverns and drakes, the rangers and their passengers, would be just that much stronger and braver.


    ¡°That¡¯s pretty cool,¡± Sgt. Spiritwalker said. ¡°How much mana does it cost?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know magic as you do.¡±


    ¡°Okay, well, we have our orders. The mansion is clear, yeah?¡±


    ¡°Of all that matter.¡±


    ¡°Hey, it¡¯d be cool if you could boost all of us. It¡¯s going to be a bloody night.¡±


    ¡°Rely on your own strength first.¡±


    ¡°Just a thought.¡±


    Sgt. Spiritwalker gave the signal and two dozen rangers melted into the night, concealed by the rain and darkness.


    Tlaloc returned to the mansion.


    The basement door.


    There was no more need for the act.


    The door splintered at a light touch.


    He descended into Lord Don Wynn¡¯s foul basement dwelling where he had performed hundreds of deranged acts on countless women and girls.


    The fat man lay in his bed where Cal had put him in coma.


    ¡°You don¡¯t deserve this mercy.¡±


    He reached down and crushed the man¡¯s head.


    He wiped the filth off his fingers on the man¡¯s sheets.


    He reached out and called his axe.


    It crashed through the ceiling.


    He threw it straight up through several floors to hang high above the dead lord¡¯s mansion


    A thought pulled him to it.


    His body tore through the hole, widening it.


    There he stood, upon a platform of hardened rain water.


    ¡°All those who hold chains, dies,¡± he intoned.


    Red lightning lanced into the mansion, tearing it asunder.


    The rain god leapt away.


    He ached to punish this degenerate nation, but even he understood the wisdom of their plan.

 7.47

    Fin hopped off the giant, demonic-looking horse¡¯s back for the first and, hopefully, last time.


    The Dread Paladin had brought them to a dark alley across the street from the Cabal¡¯s main base.


    Riding on a horse running vertically up and down the sides of buildings had certainly been a novel experience for Fin. That was taking into account that he had ridden on drakes and wyverns more times than he could count.


    The horse neighed and stomped its hooves.


    Eager, bloodthirsty thing that it was.


    Fin cautiously scried the outer edge of the building perimeter.


    Magic.


    The familiar stench of the Cabal brand was all over the place.


    Slave soldiers patrolled the parking lot and guarded the entrances.


    The Dread Paladin inched his horse toward the Cabal.


    ¡°Not yet,¡± Fin whispered.


    ¡°My vengeance¡­¡± the Dread Paladin rasped.


    ¡°It¡¯s mine too and if I can wait a bit more, then so can you. Our chances will be better,¡± Fin clenched his fist.


    Focus. Calm. You are prepared for this.


    The object in his chest pulsed with warmth and power.


    The Dread Paladin¡¯s eyes glowed with unholy light through the thin helmet slit as they regarded him.


    ¡°I will not wait much longer.¡±


    Inside the building, Cambion ordered his acolytes to hold their defensive positions.


    A shiver had run up his back.


    Nerves or something more?


    He wasn¡¯t certain and he wasn¡¯t going to risk complacency like some of his fellow Elders.


    ¡°You feel¡­ tense¡­¡± Zepar probed.


    ¡°No. I don¡¯t want a massage,¡± he replied flatly.


    ¡°This better not be a waste of my time, Cambion,¡± Mammon said. ¡°I could be sinking my claws into wealthy, powerful people right now.¡±


    Gremory muttered something under her breath.


    Cambion regarded the closed door leading to the stairs up to the top floor where the Vitiator was working a great spell judging by the mana flowing upward throughout the entire building.


    ¡°Does it feel like a waste of time, Mammon!¡± he snapped. ¡°Tell me, would our great master be drawing on months of stored mana for no reason?¡±


    Mammon shrugged, but tellingly, he kept his mouth shut.


    ¡°If you want to do something that isn¡¯t a waste of time, then go make sure your acolytes are alert and ready for anything. The other elders¡¯ unconcerned demeanor requires countering.¡±


    ¡°¡­ dreadful¡­¡± Gremory mumbled.


    ¡°What are you babbling about?¡± he turned on the other elder.


    ¡°Trying to see. Nothing but darkness. I dread what lurks within,¡± Gremory¡¯s eyes had rolled up into the back of her head.


    ¡°Future trance,¡± Zepar said.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯ll go make sure my guys are on their toes,¡± Mammon headed for the elevator.


    ¡°Have them turn off the elevator after you use it,¡± Cambion said.


    He gazed out the window.


    Rain blanketed the city in darkness occasionally illuminated by branching arcs of lightning as thunder rattled the windows.


    ¡°Something about the rain,¡± Zepar murmured.


    ¡°Red fingers stealing,¡± Gremory continued.


    Zepar exchanged a look. ¡°Fine, fine, I¡¯ll take notes while you brood, Cambion.¡±


    His fellow elder went in search of pen and paper.


    Elsewhere in the city, Aims put a silent shot into the forehead of a slavemaster.


    The slave soldiers erupted into action, covering the rapidly cooling corpse with their shields and bodies, while searching for the shooter.


    ¡°I hate how they aren¡¯t even concerned about their own safety,¡± Hardhat viewed them through the thermal binoculars. ¡°Well, looks like they won¡¯t be leaving the body any time soon. Nice of them to cluster around so closely together. Dastardly should be just about to¡ª¡±


    A red object arced across the street, exploding above the slave soldiers.


    Hardhat saw the warm cloud, striking in the cold, blue rain, settle on the collared men and women.


    One by one they toppled over and remained still.


    Rangers flowed across the rain-slicked road like wraiths to bind the sleeping slave soldiers and into the small clinic.


    They had dealt with the defenses and it was just a matter of securing the skeleton crew of nurses and a doctor to keep them from raising the alarm.


    Dastardly called it in a matter of minutes.


    ¡°Site three is secured, copy,¡± Hardhat spoke into comms.


    ¡°On our way, over.¡±


    They weren¡¯t going to wait for the other rangers with the stolen vehicles.


    Their timetable was tight if they wanted to get in on a little revenge.


    Aims, Hardhat and Dastardly all owed the Cabal for several dead friends.


    Back at the king¡¯s castle, Cal led Shrewed and Drake into the sublevels.


    He blocked the guards and various staff from noticing their presence, all while keeping a distant eye on dozens of disparate elements throughout the city.


    The king was getting ready for his big entrance and there was nothing he could do for Hanna without endangering the Quest.


    A handful of lives weighed against twenty thousand.


    ¡°Man, this is creepy,¡± Drake flinched out of the way of an armed patrol.


    ¡°First time?¡± Shrewed snorted. ¡°Relax, kid. You could run them over and they wouldn¡¯t notice, right, boss?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but let¡¯s not take chances,¡± Cal replied.


    They entered the king¡¯s dungeon.


    Cal went straight to the lone occupied cell.


    ¡°You? I remember you,¡± the disheveled occupant said. ¡°Somehow¡­ I swear this is the first time I saw you, but I saw you a while back. Yeah, you freed those Arabs. Didn¡¯t free me.¡±


    The cell opened with a click.


    ¡°There you go. You can do whatever or you can come with me. There¡¯ll be fighting. You can personally pay the slavers back while helping me free thousands of enslaved people.¡±


    ¡°Fuck, I don¡¯t know you, but,¡± he sniffed, ¡°you smell honest. Name¡¯s ¡®Howard¡¯,¡± he stuck out a hand.


    Cal shook it.


    A calloused hand and a hard squeeze.


    Stronger than the man¡¯s short, stocky build suggested.


    He stood eye to eye with Howard, which was a nice change from usually being the shortest one around.


    ¡°Do you need a weapon?¡±


    ¡°Nah,¡± Howard flexed his hands, displaying thick, sharp nails, ¡°got these. I figure I can grab the first slaver¡¯s I kill.¡±


    ¡°Okay, two more stops before we hit the central control unit,¡± he led them deeper into the underground complex.


    Guards stood outside the chamber.


    A deep, feral growl emerged from Howard¡¯s throat.


    Cal held the man back with a thought.


    With the next thought he put all of the guards in the immediate area to sleep.


    ¡°Grab any weapon you want. I¡¯ll destroy the rest. Wait here,¡± he opened the thick, steel door with a gesture, stepping through.


    The pregnant woman, Lyta, stared at him with wide, hopeful eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s time if you want.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, absolutely, I don¡¯t even care if we don¡¯t make it. I¡¯d rather die than stay here and be treated like an animal.¡±


    He split the clear wall of her prison disguised as an apartment.


    ¡°Wait, the trackers¡ª¡±


    ¡°Disabled, along with the explosive. We¡¯ll take them out later.¡±


    Lyta stepped through the smooth opening and followed him out of her prison.


    ¡°The fuck?¡± Howard said.


    ¡°Walk and talk.¡±


    Cal strode with a purpose.


    The timing needed to be nearly perfect.


    He kept a mental eye on the party above.


    Hanna and her students were¡ª


    He wanted to look away, but he needed to watch to honor their sacrifice for his plans.


    ¡°Uh, what about the guards?¡± Lyta said.


    ¡°They won¡¯t be waking up until I decide.¡±


    ¡°Hey, lady, you might want to grab some shoes. Reckon it ain¡¯t smart to be running around barefoot, especially in a combat scenario,¡± Howard said.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I can¡¯t wear shoes if I want to use my power,¡± Lyta said.


    They had to backtrack to reach the castle¡¯s security command center.


    ¡°I can take the lead. Bullets don¡¯t scare me,¡± Howard said.


    ¡°That¡¯s okay,¡± Cal opened the door with a thought.


    Inside a dozen security staff slumped in their chairs, heads on their desks or laid flat out on the floor as if they had decided to go to sleep where they stood.


    Cal pulled a phone out of the security chief¡¯s pocket.


    ¡°Mr. Griffin, we have something you might want to see down in com-sec,¡± he said.


    ¡°Fuck¡­ this better be good.¡±


    He dialed another number.


    ¡°Ms. Pond, you are needed in the command center.¡±


    ¡°What is this about, chief?¡±


    ¡°Something, something, important,¡± he added a touch of mental compulsion.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m on my way.¡±


    He turned to Shrewed.


    ¡°They¡¯ll have an escort. Two guards each. I¡¯ll give you first move.¡±


    ¡°I got this. No mercy?¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°Quick and clean. I¡¯ll need you at the central control unit.¡±


    Cal dropped the patrols they passed.


    ¡°Say, what¡¯s up with¡­ uh¡­ that?¡± Howard pointed at Lyta¡¯s pregnant stomach.


    ¡°I¡¯m pregnant,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°Howard, how¡¯d you end up in that cell?¡± Cal knew that the woman didn¡¯t want to talk about it, so he redirected.


    ¡°Long story,¡± Howard grunted.


    ¡°We still have some walking to do.¡±


    ¡°Suit yourself, ain¡¯t that big a deal. I knew some good folk up north. They got a buncha their people taken. Tracked them down to here. Was lurking around trying to narrow down where them people got taken to. Ended up running into a buncha bastards that I thought might¡¯ve been like me at first. Thought we had some similarities¡­ my mistake. I don¡¯t transform for one and I ain¡¯t into eating people¡­ unless she wants it¡­ you understand?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Drake said.


    ¡°Smart kid. Ended up helping some of their ¡®prey¡¯ escape¡­ not that they got far¡­ fucking slavers slapped collars on them. Tried to do me the same way. No idea why, but it didn¡¯t take. Guess I¡¯m just too good at doing what I do and that¡¯s staying free. Been in here since then. Used to run tests trying to get the collar to work. See how far they can push my healing,¡± he regarded Lyta. ¡°You must the one they wanted me to,¡± his face twisted, ¡°breed with. Told the king I¡¯d rather ass fuck him. Sick fucks made me¡­ uh¡­¡± he scratched his wild mane of black hair, ¡°donate¡­ sorry.¡±


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s not do this,¡± Lyta said.


    The reached an intersection where the corridor split into three directions, like a cross.


    ¡°Drake?¡±


    ¡°I got this.¡±


    ¡°The guards are asleep and they have the key cards you need to get through. Don¡¯t mess around. Go, get him and head right to the central control unit.¡±


    The young man jogged down the left corridor spear in hand.


    ¡°Wait a minute, am I going to have to fight? You do know I¡¯m pregnant?¡± Lyta said.


    ¡°No. The other three will do the fighting. I¡¯m planning to find a safe place to hide you. Or you might decide to take your chances out there.¡± Cal led them to the elevator leading up to the building where his target sat. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t recommend it though. It¡¯s going to be a dangerous night out there.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m getting that feeling. I¡¯ll stick with you for now,¡± Lyta said.


    As soon as the elevator doors slid open, Cal felt a flicker of thought on the edge of his perception.


    Strange.


    It took time and effort to hone in on it, so it was fortunate that they were headed to the same place.


    Like before, he felled the guards in their path.


    ¡°Seems like there won¡¯t be much fighting,¡± Howard said.


    ¡°There will be once I¡¯m inside the chamber,¡± he pointed.


    He felt the presence somewhere in his immediate area.


    ¡°Howard, I¡¯d like you to stay out here and guard the door. Lyta, follow me,¡± he went to the door and laid a hand on the handle.


    He suddenly spun and reached out with his mind.


    ¡°Drop it or I¡¯ll make you.¡±


    Howard and Lyta looked at him like he was out of his mind.


    Until a figure dressed in black body armor wearing a skull-faced helmet painted in the red, white and blue appeared suspended in the midair.


    ¡°And you are?¡± Cal already knew everything he needed to know with a light scan.


    The young soldier, Death¡¯s Dancer, glared impotently.


    Cal held him perfectly still.


    There was nothing the young man could do. No way to find leverage to use his considerable strength.


    ¡°Let me guess? You¡¯re here to steal the secrets to the slavery collars,¡± Cal sighed. ¡°Naturally, you don¡¯t want to enslave people, but you can¡¯t resist the potential military applications. The thought of making soldiers without fear, willing to give over a hundred percent, obey orders without question, is too good to pass up, isn¡¯t it? Well, that¡¯s not going to happen. What¡¯s going to happen is that I¡¯m going in there and I¡¯m going to blow the whole thing up. No more collars, no more slavery. What do you have to say for yourself?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t let you do that,¡± Death¡¯s Dancer said.


    ¡°Yeah, I guess that¡¯s what you have to say. But¡­ let me ask you this. Orders or conscience?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m loyal, unlike you.¡±


    ¡°Ah, but consider that your orders are impossible to complete. What then? Will you still try to carry them out even when that means that you¡¯ll fight me as I try to end slavery? A fight you¡¯ve already lost if that¡¯s the route you intend. Orders over conscience¡­¡±


    ¡°Fuck you. You don¡¯t know anything about me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wasting my time. The slavers could be getting wise to what we¡¯re about to do.¡±


    He followed the surface level thoughts of the young man.


    Loyalty to the ideals of a nation that, to him, wasn¡¯t dead yet.


    Deeper than that.


    The desire to do right.


    To be the hero that saves the day.


    Like in the comics hidden underneath a little boy¡¯s bunk back in his bunker home.


    ¡°This is your chance, Death¡¯s Dancer. You can follow orders doomed to failure,¡± he gestured toward the sleeping slaver guards, ¡°you can spend the next few hours with them in dreamland or¡ª¡±


    ¡°Better than they deserve,¡± Howard spat.


    ¡°You stand shoulder to shoulder with people willing to lay their lives on the line to do what¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°Say the word and I¡¯ll let you go or put you to sleep.¡±


    The moment seemed to stretch out to eternity for Death¡¯s Dancer.


    The young man agonized for what felt like hours to him.


    He blinked.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it,¡± Death¡¯s Dancer said softly, ¡°I¡¯ll help you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m trusting you,¡± he released the young man. ¡°That makes four of you to defend this chamber. Shrewed and Drake will be here shortly. C¡¯mon, Lyta.¡±


    The central control unit was behind another set of heavily reinforced doors, yet he could sense the strings rising out of it, connecting to every collar and to the Slaver King.


    ¡°The guard station is probably the best place for you to wait this out.¡±


    ¡°Um, what about the guards? What if they wake up?¡± Lyta said.


    ¡°They won¡¯t, but you can cuff them if it¡¯ll make you feel safer.¡±


    Cal left the woman to approach the central control unit.


    ¡°Almost time¡­¡±


    He placed Ms. Teacher¡¯s nullification crystals just as she had instructed.


    The special device to start the process hovered in invisible hands. Not quite touching the glowing orb.


    Now he just needed to wait for Bennett to finish placing crystals at the other locations.


    From the looks of it, Bennett was almost done.


    Back at the security command center, Kim and Eric ran into each other.


    None of them had noticed all the sleeping people they had stepped around in the corridors.


    ¡°What¡¯s this about? I¡¯m missing the good stuff,¡± Eric scowled.


    ¡°Sick bastard,¡± Kim said. ¡°I thought this was your fuck up, like usual.¡±


    Eric opened the door.


    ¡°Whatever, bitch¡ª¡±


    The thick blade sunk deep into his forehead.


    Kim screamed and stumbled on her high heels, trying to run back the way she had come.


    Their bodyguards were slow to attack as if they were just waking up from a nightmare.


    Shrewed moved economically through them.


    Stab here.


    Cut there.


    Four down in seconds.


    The screaming woman had barely gotten twenty feet down the corridor.


    He drew his pistol and squeezed one round.


    The woman dropped and lay still.


    Shrewed didn¡¯t like shooting someone in the back, let alone a woman.


    Then again, these two were part of the ruling elite of the slaver kingdom.


    Ugly ends for ugly people.


    ¡°Fuck around and find out,¡± he sighed.


    He ignored the chime in his ears.


    Subquest done.


    No time to review it now.


    He ran to rejoin Cal.


    <hr>


    Hours Earlier.


    Hanna set in a cell.


    The bars didn¡¯t keep her there.


    It was the threats to those she was responsible for and the knowledge that she just had to be patient.


    The time approached when the slavers would have a lot more to be concerned about.


    She¡¯d use the chaos to escape along with what was left of her students.


    Oh, but how she longed to cut the bars and take her freedom back.


    Her body groaned in protest from the injuries she had taken.


    Nothing debilitating, bruises, contusions, what felt like cracked ribs and perhaps a slight fracture in her right arm judging by the shooting pain when she flexed it.


    Enough to slow her down¡­ slightly.


    Footsteps on the cold tile heralded visitors.


    ¡°I¡¯ve finally decided on a punishment.¡±


    The Slaver King appeared with a smile.


    A dozen bodyguards fanned out behind the man as he stood in front of her cell.


    She stared at him without expression.


    Not as a human being, but as something that needed to be killed, a monster.


    ¡°You know, I agonized for hours over my decision,¡± he continued. ¡°It had to be visible to match your crimes. And since your failed escape attempt has been viewed over a million times by now, well¡­¡± he shrugged. ¡°So, I thought my party would be the perfect time. Hundreds of my nobles and most powerful citizens gathered in one space. The entire thing being broadcast on screens to the thousands gathered on my estate and to everyone else watching at home or in bars and watch parties throughout much of my territory. That¡¯s right, not just here in Miami and the surrounding cities and towns. We went through quite the struggle to get the signal out to the rest. I¡¯m not going to bore you with the details, I¡¯m sure you don¡¯t care. Point is, almost everyone in the New American Republic will see what happens to those that reject my kindness and spurn our way of life. So, it had to be memorable and what is more memorable than brutality?¡±


    She said nothing.


    ¡°I considered taking a finger or a toe, since normal people would be greatly affected by that. It¡¯s the empathy, you see, most can¡¯t watch something like that without picturing themselves going through the same thing. The problem is that I¡¯d diminish your ability too much if I took a few fingers. You could compensate pretty easily without, say, a pinkie¡­ but then that wouldn¡¯t get me the desired impact. I mean, if you ask someone, which finger they¡¯d give up, it¡¯s always the pinkie. It¡¯s my most common punishment. You need your hands to be at your best, which is what I want. What¡¯s the use of a cripple? I might as well slap a collar on you and call it a day,¡± he sighed. ¡°I considered other things before I finally settled on something that fits my objectives. With a small spark of poetic inspiration. I decided that you¡¯ll mirror that girl you¡¯re so fond of. Granted, it¡¯s not ideal and it¡¯ll certainly weaken you as a fighter. Plus, you¡¯re so pretty that it¡¯ll be like taking a knife to the Mona Lisa, a hammer to the statue of David, a missile to Mount Rushmore. Every time you look in the mirror you¡¯ll remember your crime. Each time another person looks at your face they¡¯ll remember what it means to betray their king and nation. A shame, but needs must. What do you think about your punishment?¡±


    ¡°The word is torture.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°Not punishment.¡±


    ¡°It is what I say it is. The powerful decides what is reality. When I speak, everyone obeys. I don¡¯t even need to use King¡¯s Decree. That¡¯s how the world worked before the spires,¡± he grinned. ¡°Classes just ripped that thin coat of paint right off. Superiority is quantifiable, verifiable. People aren¡¯t equal, they never have been. There have always been people better than the rest of the flock. Now, we can see it as clear as day on our personal account page. It can¡¯t be denied any longer. You of all people should understand that. Isn¡¯t that right, swordmaster?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Eloquently put,¡± the Slaver King chuckled. ¡°You¡¯ll be taken to receive your punishment in a few hours or more. Timing is important, after all. Anything else to say? No last minute begging? Threats? No? Okay¡­ one last thing. Try to escape and your precious fodder will suffer ten times what you will. Remember, most of them aren¡¯t that important to me in terms of keeping them intact. Hell, I¡¯ll even let you pick parts. I¡¯ll see you at dinner,¡± he waved.


    Now.


    Everything was cold.


    The manacles on her wrists and ankles.


    The metal ¡®X¡¯ they had attached her to.


    Even the blood dripping down her face onto the rest of her naked body didn¡¯t stay warm for long.


    It hurt.


    One side of her face was a throbbing, stinging pain.


    She strained to look to her right.


    The girl, Basilisk, was chained to a pole.


    Mercifully, the slavers hadn¡¯t added to the girl¡¯s injuries.


    The rest of Hanna¡¯s students were likewise arranged on the edge of a circular platform, facing out.


    She didn¡¯t know who was on her left.


    That side was dark.


    She tried to turn her head, but the mundane iron collar kept her chained tightly to the ¡®X¡¯.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be okay,¡± she rasped.


    Her mouth was dry.


    The slavers hadn¡¯t given her anything to drink for hours.


    She licked her lips and tasted iron.


    Her students remained silent. Undoubtedly readying themselves for the worst.


    A loud rumbling sound elicited gasps from some.


    The sudden vibration sent a jolt of pain through her.


    It took a moment to realize that they were moving.


    Up.


    Bright lights shined from above.


    Murmuring voices, turned into cries of dismay and shouts of anger.


    It was hard to focus.


    Her eye was blurry.


    The lights harsh.


    The platform stopped with a jarring thud.


    A great hall filled with hundreds of dining people greeted her.


    ¡°My citizens,¡± the king¡¯s voice, ¡°this is what happens to those that threaten our way of life. This is what happens when you kill one our own. For our enemies, this is a warning. See the consequences of unjustly attacking the New American Republic. We will defend ourselves with righteous fury against all enemies, foreign and domestic.¡±


    I¡¯m sorry, the little voice in her head said, you¡¯re the only one that can free yourself. Wait for the moment. Catch them off guard. Don¡¯t hesitate. Strike decisively. They¡¯ll be slowed for only an instant. You¡¯ll know when the time comes.


    The voice in Hanna¡¯s head fell silent.


    It had helped her get through the torture with its comforting presence.


    Its absence had left a void.


    She tested her bonds.


    The metal around her limbs felt magical.


    The one around her neck did not.


    I Am The Sword.


    She began to cut at the insides of her manacles with small, precise movements, less sword and more scalpel.


    The Slaver King continued his speech.


    Time felt like an eternity.


    Her eye roved across the diners.


    Recognition.


    Her friends.


    Allies.


    Horrified shock on their faces.


    Barely repressed rage.


    Don¡¯t throw your lives away for me, she urged silently. Escape in the confusion when I strike.


    The Slaver King strode into her view. Winking, he turned his back to her.


    ¡°I hope everyone is enjoying dinner. My chefs worked really hard at it. I apologize for the brutality of this display,¡± he gestured to encompass the circular platform, ¡°but, it¡¯s necessary. Feel free¡ª¡±


    Hanna cut her bonds.


    She slashed at the king¡¯s exposed back.


    Jacket and shirt parted.


    A thin red line appeared on his flesh.


    He turned with a grin. ¡°Ah, ah¡­ before you try again, why don¡¯t you take a look at your feeders.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t help herself.


    She had only seen Basilisk.


    The others¡ª


    Were also chained to a pole¡­ with slave collars around their necks.


    ¡°I told you the rest weren¡¯t as important to me,¡± the Slaver King took a small device out of his breast pocket. He released everyone except for Basilisk with a click. ¡°It seems that you haven¡¯t learned your lesson. Now, I can¡¯t take away your remaining eye, so¡­ your punishment¡­ you¡¯ll have to kill the very people you¡¯ve tried so hard to strengthen. Attack her,¡± he pointed at Hanna.


    Old Deirdre shot a fireball, which Hanna cut out of existence.


    Sinclair, Lance, Bernard and the others fanned out to surround her.


    They all had that same vacant smile.


    ¡°Stop it! Don¡¯t listen to him!¡± Basilisk thrashed against her chains.


    ¡°The strong do what they want to the weak. It is reality,¡± the Slaver King said. ¡°You¡¯re strong, Hanabi, but I¡¯m stronger.¡±


    Hanna cut the king a dozen times in a second.


    He merely held his arms out wide, smiling.


    His jacket and shirt fell off his bloody torso in shreds.


    ¡°Not strong enough,¡± he smirked


    The cuts healed before her eyes.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need to be.¡±


    Her path was clear.


    Time.


    They needed more of it.


    She wanted to give her students a chance to escape with her friends and allies.


    A glance showed them on the verge of jumping to her aid.


    She couldn¡¯t allow them to throw their lives away when only one was needed.


    Chaos.


    ¡°I have something to say, Slaver King,¡± she sneered.


    ¡°Ohoho¡­ an inspiring last gasp? Fine,¡± he shrugged. ¡°It¡¯ll make good drama for everyone watching.¡±


    ¡°I have decided that while I live, chains won¡¯t,¡± she locked her gaze on the Slaver King. ¡°I had a choice presented to me when your torturer was doing this,¡± she pointed to the lines of cut skin on the left side of her face. To the bloody hole that was her eye. ¡°I make it now. I, Hanna Gozen, swordmaster¡­ reject everything you and your so-called nation stand for. Until I die, there will be no chains in this world. That is my promise as the¡­ Sword of Freedom.¡±


    She flared her aura farther than ever before.


    First¡­ the collars around her students¡¯ necks and the chains around Basilisks wrist.


    ¡°Moron, you just kill¡ª¡± the Slaver King frowned.


    They didn¡¯t go berserk or drop dead.


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible,¡± his jaw dropped.


    Second¡­ everyone else that she could see in the grand hall.


    Enslaved waiters and waitresses carrying food to and from the tables through a gauntlet of roving hands.


    Enslaved bartenders serving drinks from the half dozen bars scattered throughout the hall.


    Enslaved men and women keeping the place spotless as drunk nobles and other elites spilled their drinks without concern while their children ran around undoing the cleaning work almost as quickly as it was completed.


    ¡°You are all free!¡± Hanna roared. ¡°And you¡­¡± she glared at the Slaver King, ¡°are mine.¡±


    ¡°What a waste of a fine woman,¡± he sighed.


    Chaos erupted in the great hall as freed people ran or sought revenge on the nearest slaver as security forces rushed to action.


    ¡°I¡¯ll free the rest over your corpse,¡± she snarled.


    ¡°No. You. Won¡¯t,¡± he wagged a finger before charging.

 7.48

    Jake tried not to look at Hanna¡¯s face.


    He focused on removing his hook and attaching his magitech hand.


    Everyone seated at the table frantically pulled their weapons out of the phones and tablets of holding, counting on all eyes being drawn to the Slaver King¡¯s disgusting display.


    When Hanna had first risen out of the floor they had almost attacked right then.


    The voice in their heads held them back¡­ barely.


    Amber would¡¯ve launched herself at the Slaver King had it not been for Trevor¡¯s death grip around her arm.


    Del and Hillary sobbed quietly.


    Oscar and Tobin had gone as pale as ghosts.


    A low growl rumbled out of Cara¡¯s throat.


    Ginessa had gone as still as a statue.


    Alexa¡¯s eyes had gone black.


    He could feel her magic simmering just below the surface, an instant away from boiling over.


    Vines writhed around Max¡¯s arm of wood and earth. Thorns growing on their surface.


    Rebekah went cold.


    Watch Commander Lawrence¡­ she only had eyes for Hanna.


    She gave him a silent signal with a calm gesture.


    One shot.


    They had discussed this.


    One of many potential plans.


    A decapitation strike.


    His strongest spell.


    Go for the head or center mass?


    They had seen the king heal from what had looked like fatal damage.


    The first target seemed more certain, but the king was supernaturally quick.


    It didn¡¯t take much effort to slip one¡¯s head to the side.


    The second would be harder to dodge, but the king had taken arrows to the chest without flinching.


    They needed to destroy a vital organ, brain or heart, in one massive burst of damage.


    Jake wasn¡¯t sure that he could do it, but it looked like he was about to find out.


    Their jaws dropped as Hanna freed every enslaved person in the great hall.


    The Slaver King charged Jake¡¯s friend as the hall erupted into chaos.


    He didn¡¯t need the order.


    He rose, thrusting a smartphone from beneath the table, aiming for the center of the king¡¯s broad, muscular back.


    ¡°Mana Laser.¡±


    A bright blue-white beam scorched the air, burning through the king¡¯s back and out his chest.


    Jake had the satisfaction of looking straight through the charred hole the size of a fist in the king¡¯s torso.


    Then he passed out.


    The spell was all or nothing.


    Instantaneous expenditure of all one¡¯s mana, even with the addition of the stored amount in the device, tended to be hard on the body.


    He didn¡¯t see the king rise as the hole slowly closed.


    He also missed the opening stages of the battle as all the king¡¯s men joined in.


    ¡°Incoming!¡± Trevor called out.


    A grenade arced through the air.


    Who the fuck would throw a grenade in the middle of a crowded dining hall filled with people, children included?


    ¡°Delay Detonation,¡± Rebekah pointed.


    ¡°Thanks!¡± Trevor snatched it out of the air, spun and threw it back to the biker. ¡°Catch, bitch!¡± he laughed as a Skill turned the one grenade into several.


    Explosions shook the air.


    N.A.R. citizens screamed in panic as they rushed for the exits, running into more of the king¡¯s fighters and the nobles¡¯ bodyguards trying to get inside.


    Freed slaves either tried to flee as well or turned on their tormentors with anything they could get their hands on.


    Spells splashed against magic shields, creating a dazzling show of lights that would¡¯ve been a wonder to watch if it wasn¡¯t for the dying.


    Watch Commander Demi Lawrence took command.


    ¡°Max, wall!¡±


    He thrust his arm of wood and earth.


    Thorny vines snaked forward, forming a large, curved wall and shielding the Watch¡¯s six from incoming fire.


    ¡°Rebekah, suppression!¡± she tossed her recoilless rifle over without looking.


    The old soldier caught it and brought it into firing position in one smooth motion. She squeezed the trigger while sweeping the weapon across a group of the king¡¯s fighters. Several dropped, the rest scrambled for cover.


    ¡°Del, status of priority threats?¡±


    ¡°King¡¯s down, but not out. Swamp wolves are¡ª they¡¯re just watching. Same with the gladiators. I can¡¯t find the vampires¡­¡±


    She listened while throwing out orders.


    They acted and reacted with perfect coordination as they followed without hesitation under the effect of her Skill.


    ¡°King¡¯s getting up!¡± Del screamed.


    She cursed.


    That was too fast!


    Jake¡¯s ultimate spell had burned right through the slaver¡¯s heart.


    ¡°I¡¯m going for his head,¡± Amber, shining brightly in her mage armor, tightened her grip on Hanna¡¯s Threnosh-made longsword.


    ¡°Shared Skills,¡± Demi pointed.


    She boosted Amber with strength from Rebekah, hand-eye coordination from Trevor, agility from Tobin and speed from Oscar. Gave her Del¡¯s ability to hide from the enemy¡¯s notice. And through Cara, Licorice¡¯s dogged determination and ferocity.


    Amber shot across the space between her and the Slaver King faster than any Olympic sprinter.


    Demi caught a glint out of the corner of her eye.


    ¡°Commander!¡± Cara reacted with cat quickness, yanking her to the floor.


    Ginessa covered them with Hanna¡¯s Threnosh-made round shield.


    The bullet spray raked across the Watch¡¯s position.


    Partially-transformed Rino and Kare growled as they took hits.


    ¡°Get in your armor already!¡± Rebekah grunted.


    ¡°Here!¡± Hillary thrust a tablet into Demi¡¯s hands.


    The Watch Commander kept one eye on the battle while she hurriedly began extracting her Threnosh-made armor out of the tablet of holding.


    The Slaver King was on his hands and knees.


    Amber roared, bringing Hanna¡¯s sword straight down on the slaver¡¯s neck.


    She sheared through¡ª


    The blade cut down to the bone and stopped.


    The vibration traveled up her arms.


    The slaver grabbed the blade and pushed it out.


    ¡°Amberknight,¡± he grunted. ¡°Interesting weapon. I¡¯m looking forward to studying it,¡± he yanked, ignoring the blade cutting into his hand.


    Amber wasn¡¯t going to let go.


    Time slowed.


    Wide eyes stared at a fist heralding doom.


    Out of nowhere a huge, golden-furred dogwoman clamped down on the slaver¡¯s arm.


    Kare¡¯s teeth sank into tough flesh.


    ¡°You bit¡ª¡±


    Rino leapt in, scoring five thin, red lines across the slaver¡¯s face.


    Amber pitched backward, recovering quickly she lunged in with a thrust even as the slaver backhanded Rino into a fleeing mass of people fifty feet away.


    The weredog¡¯s heavy, muscular body crushed dozens as she knocked them over like bowling pins.


    Amber twisted and pulled the blade out of the slaver¡¯s chest.


    ¡°You people are costing me a ton of resources.¡±


    The wound healed before their eyes.


    Kare grabbed the king¡¯s head in one huge, clawed hand.


    The weredog pushed while pulling the arm in her mouth the other way.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± he stabbed his thumb into Kare¡¯s eye.


    She yelped, releasing her bite.


    The Slaver King broke her muzzle with a punch that sent teeth flying.


    He was on Amber before she knew it.


    A lazy punch shattered her magic armor and sent her flying.


    ¡°Amber! Throw the sword!¡±


    Though she was on the verge of unconsciousness, Amber heard her commander. Somehow, she knew where to toss the sword. Her body obeyed as her vision went dark.


    ¡°Am I paying you to just stand around!¡± the Slaver King roared.


    Flechettes perforated his body.


    Followed by a barrage of pale, pink eldritch darts.


    The huge, golden-furred weredog, jaw hanging loosely, rammed the slaver into the path of a descending blade.


    Too fast to dodge.


    The slaver raised a hand.


    Superior alien metal combined with the skill and Skills of, perhaps, the greatest sword in the world cut right through the arm and into the head.


    ¡°Heal from this!¡± Hanna roared.


    Vibrating Blade.


    She worked it slowly into the slaver¡¯s skull like an electric knife through a turkey breast.


    Their enemies chose that moment to finally act.


    Orb hit Hanna in the shoulder with a fist-sized orb glowing with blue-white light that turned into spreading ice on impact. He followed it up with a stream of yellow-orange orbs that scorched her naked skin and blew her away from the Slaver King.


    Disarm Immunity.


    She took her sword with her, painting the metal ¡®X¡¯ she had just been chained to with blood and gore.


    The Slaver King grabbed his severed arm and held it to his bloody stump.


    Nearby, Hammer slammed a bearded biker into the floor, cratering him.


    The man sputtered, choking on blood and teeth, trying and failing to activate a Skill.


    She ended it by stomping her boot through his chest.


    The magus had conjured a magical forcefield from one of those creepy orbiting eyes to protect the Emerald Bomber while the green and purple armored woman was still trying to get her flying wing out of the tablet of holding.


    ¡°Tsk.¡±


    That¡¯s what happened when one relied on their gear too much.


    Speaking of which¡­ Gearlok, Luther, shot magic from his mechanical arm and bullets from the assault rifle he wielded one handed. The man-machine¡¯s son, Colin, took potshots while using his father¡¯s body as cover.


    Hammer scanned the battlefield.


    Too many people running around like their lives were in danger or something.


    Too easy for someone to catch a stray bullet or spell.


    A loud explosion rang in her ears.


    ¡°They using grenades now? In here?¡± she muttered.


    ¡°Yo, skyscraper!¡±


    The Emerald Bomber¡¯s voice grated.


    ¡°Catch!¡±


    Hammer looked into the bag.


    The bomber¡¯s bombs.


    ¡°What? You can¡¯t throw them yourself?¡±


    ¡°The king, moron!¡± the Emerald Bomber snapped. ¡°Grab him and make a bomb sandwich. I know you can take it, but can he? I¡¯d like to see him heal up when he¡¯s in a hundred pieces.¡±


    Well¡ª fuck!


    That was a decent idea.


    ¡°The fuck do I trigger them?¡±


    ¡°Leave it to me, you gigantic bitch.¡±


    Hammer rumbled across the great hall with floor-shaking steps.


    King¡¯s fighters barred her way with a line of shields and spears. Behind these, fighters sprayed her with bullets.


    She raised an arm to protect her eyes while holding the bad of bombs behind her.


    A touch of the coldest winter washed over the back of her head.


    It made her shiver.


    It froze the king¡¯s fighters.


    She glanced back only to find herself staring into a levitating monster¡¯s eye.


    Its pupil glowed a faint blue.


    It blinked.


    The glow had turned red to bathe a bestial-looking man charging from her left.


    Hammer continued her charge, breaking through the frozen line.


    A whirling disk of lightning skimmed her front on its way into a group of the king¡¯s gladiators.


    Tiny arcs played across her metallic skin.


    Unpleasant, but not enough to slow her down.


    The Furies were indiscriminate with their magic.


    Pillars of fire erupted out of glowing spell circles at Megaera¡¯s direction.


    The woman scorched just as many nobles and VIP¡¯s as she did the king¡¯s fighters.


    The blue-clad Tisiphone had frozen a dozen people in her ice-cold aura.


    Hammer shrugged.


    As far as she was concerned the slavers had fucked around and they were finding out.


    The only thing that tugged at her conscience were the kids getting caught up in it.


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Not their fault that their parents were slaver scum.


    She was within touching distance of the Slaver King when sharp claws shredded the back of her shirt, drawing blood.


    Hammer went for a short flight.


    She smashed a table and destroyed the floor when she landed a few dozen feet away.


    ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon!¡± the Emerald Bomber¡¯s annoying voice whined.


    Hammer rose to her feet quickly.


    It¡¯d take more than that to rattle her even a little bit.


    A werewolf lifted the bag of bombs and sniffed it.


    ¡°Eat shit, furry!¡±


    The Emerald Bomber triggered the explosion, swallowing the werewolf in fire and knocking the Slaver King and everyone in the vicinity to the floor.


    On the other side of the central platform clowns had gotten the jump on the Heartfuries.


    ¡°Get off!¡± Jayde grunted, struggling to keep the thin clown¡¯s knife from sinking into her eye.


    The clown squeezed bony legs around her stomach, making it hard to breathe despite the chainmail and padded armor.


    She held the clown¡¯s knife arm off while fighting to pull a bony arm from around her neck.


    That fat clown¡¯s laughter reverberated through them.


    Hayden bit down on the inside of her cheek.


    It wasn¡¯t going to work on her this time.


    She was ready.


    Pain made a good focus to ignore the urge to fly into a frothing rage.


    Unfortunately, there were plenty of people around for the clown to affect.


    Nobles and VIP¡¯s in the immediate vicinity of the fat clown erupted into an orgy of violence.


    Wife attacked husband.


    Children attacked parents.


    Freed people and slavers tore into each other.


    Dayana flickered around the big clown like the world¡¯s most dangerous hummingbird.


    Her knife painted his stained, patchwork costume with new blood.


    Nearby, Mouthy tried to find a shot through the thick melee surrounding the clowns. ¡°Fucking taint smears,¡± she muttered.


    Rayna¡¯s Rangers huddled low to the floor crouched in the shadow of overturned tables and scattered chairs.


    The Watch had done them a favor by being so violently noticeable.


    ¡°The king¡¯s healing from everything,¡± Neckbeard said. ¡°The explosion burned him, but he¡¯s already getting up.¡±


    ¡°Should¡¯ve gone for the head,¡± X-Ray said.


    ¡°Hanna did!¡± Swan Princess snapped.


    ¡°Nah, I meant you got to cut it off, like, all the way, you know?¡± X-Ray traced a finger across his neck.


    ¡°Less talk, more gearing up,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°Almost done¡­¡± Chandra, Tuxedo Cake and Wichita echoed.


    ¡°I been ready,¡± X-Ray pounded his muscular chest, flexing the eagle tattoo. ¡°One of you just got to get me started.¡±


    ¡°Not it!¡± Chandra and Wichita echoed, both pointing at Swan Princess.


    ¡°I¡¯m putting on my armor,¡± Chandra added.


    ¡°Same,¡± Wichita said.


    ¡°Just do it, Swanny,¡± Mouthy sighed. ¡°The sooner you charge this mouth-breather up the sooner he stops breathing on me.¡±


    ¡°Hey, that¡¯s, like, harassment. Don¡¯t matter if you a sergeant. They made me take classes about that shit,¡± X-Ray said.


    ¡°Fine!¡± Swan Princess blasted X-Ray in the chest with a barrage of magic missiles.


    The man¡¯s skin glowed with magical energy before dimming.


    One could almost see his skeleton and internal organs glow through.


    More absorbed spells and he¡¯d resemble a walking X-Ray.


    ¡°Alright, you degenerate puto. Go find some enemy mages to beat up,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°That¡¯s racist bullying, sergeant. I¡¯m gonna have to report you later,¡± X-Ray whooped before running off.


    ¡°Joke¡¯s on him, I¡¯ve got dozens of complaints on my record and only half of them are bullcock,¡± Mouthy said. ¡°Alright, everyone ready?¡±


    ¡°Almost, just one last thing,¡± Neckbeard pulled his tricorne hat out of smartphone and donned it. He thought better of its placement and moved to adjust.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even think about tipping or doffing it you incel,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°I would never¡ª¡±


    ¡°If ¡®milady¡¯ is the next word out of your mouth I¡¯m throwing you into that,¡± Mouthy gestured at the ball of insanity around the clown.


    ¡°Well¡­ my hat does have an enchantment to protect my mind from influencing-type spells and Skills,¡± Neckbeard said.


    ¡°His long coat might keep him from being torn to pieces long enough to get close to the clown,¡± Swan Princess volunteered.


    ¡°Might, being the operative word,¡± Neckbeard said.


    ¡°Only one dumbass here is gonna go for any sorta bullshit sacrifice plays,¡± Mouthy said. ¡°King¡¯s too dangerous for you kids,¡± she muttered, scanning the battle for heavy hitters that she didn¡¯t personally care about.


    ¡°It¡¯s them¡­¡±


    Chandra¡¯s voice went flat.


    Mouthy snapped to attention.


    She followed Chandra¡¯s gaze.


    Flesheaters fought through the mass of people trying to squeeze through an exit.


    The bottleneck had been made worse by king¡¯s fighters trying to get inside.


    ¡°Chandra¡ª shit!¡±


    Too late.


    The young woman ignited her sword and hair, trailing flames as she charged.


    ¡°God-fucking-damn it!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the Meat Parade, sergeant,¡± Wichita quivered with rage. ¡°They killed my dad and brother.¡±


    ¡°Wichita, Tuxedo, help Chandra.¡±


    ¡°What about us?¡± Swan Princess said.


    ¡°You blast the king¡¯s face, while me and Neckbeard watch your back,¡± Mouthy said. Goddamn clusterfuck. This was definitely not according to Cruces¡¯ plans, she thought.


    Orb shielded his eyes from the explosion that ate up that werewolf.


    When his vision returned to normal he resumed shooting elemental orbs out of his hand.


    The hot, half-Asian chick cut them out of the air with her sword even though she was down to one arm after he had frozen her other one at the shoulder.


    He blamed her nakedness for his inability to land a hit.


    Way too hot and distracting¡­ as long as he didn¡¯t look at her face.


    That bloody mess killed his chub worse than a hairy, fat chick.


    Not getting anywhere with the sword chick, he looked for another target.


    Right¡­ the fodder.


    Hit them, force the hot chick to protect them, then nail her when she left herself open.


    He wondered if he could ask the king for some time with her after.


    That fine body was too good not to give a little ride.


    The face issue was easily solved.


    He just had to bend her over or put a bag over it.


    He sent a stream of orange balls at an old woman and a man with a gnarly scar on both cheeks.


    Fire-aspected, a tried and true classic when you wanted straightforward damage.


    They exploded.


    He blinked.


    Too soon.


    He fired again.


    Blackstar shot the balls, detonating them in midair with her black, star-shaped blasts of concussive force.


    ¡°Taunting!¡±


    ¡°Stun Bolt!¡±


    Her teammates kept her back clear as she dueled Orb.


    The effects of the clown¡¯s maddening laughter had began to spillover into the rest of the battle.


    Crazed and enraged people began to attack the Blackstar 3.


    ¡°There are kids!¡±


    ¡°Keep stunning them!¡±


    ¡°On our four!¡±


    ¡°Crap! It¡¯s that Gator asshole! Shield of the Immovable Hill!¡±


    Two-hundred and fifty pounds of solid muscle and fat crashed into the shield like a truck into a concrete pillar.


    Gator bounced backward onto his ass.


    ¡°Dang, boy, you a hard one ain¡¯tcha,¡± Gator shook the stars out of his eyes, ¡°bet that makes ya slow as molasses in winter.¡±


    The hairy, bestial man began to shift.


    ¡°Blackstar! Some help here!¡±


    ¡°Nah, big boy, that fine piece of ass gonna be too busy with that ball-shooting queer. You and me gonna dance. Imma gut ya, then imma breed yer two bitches like they deserve,¡± Gator said.


    ¡°No means no, you monster!¡±


    ¡°I told you, you inbred redneck!¡± Blackstar snapped. ¡°I¡¯d die first before letting you lay one greasy hand on me.¡±


    ¡°You only be dyin¡¯ after I¡¯d done had my fun.¡±


    Gator completed his transformation with a howl.


    The grey-furred werewolf loomed over the Blackstar 3.


    Blackstar split her fire. One hand aimed at Orb¡¯s balls, while the other switched over to Gator.


    The werewolf continued to advance despite taking hits that were strong enough to break concrete and dent iron.


    Ray, Silver Axe, cursed from underneath the table. He had one primary job as part of the plan that was now a fucking shitshow. It was so important and integral to him that he had gotten a sub-quest out of it.


    Kill a werewolf or three.


    He coated his bearded battle-axe with his special liquid silver.


    A Skill kept the substance liquid under any temperature.


    A Skill hardened it to a razor edge after he coated the edge of his weapon.


    He pulled his shield out of the phone and ran out of reasons to stay hidden.


    In theory he had a great counter to the werewolves. The silver would stop their ability to heal quickly, while causing greater pain.


    In practice, he realized that a werewolf was orders of magnitude larger and scarier than the wererodents he had to deal with back home.


    Gator looked to have grown to ten-feet tall with teeth as long as knives and claws that looked like they could gut a man with a glancing blow.


    Silver Axe regretted coming out from under the table.


    But like many things in life, it was always too late to take it back after jumping off the branch.


    His silvered axe bit deep into Gator¡¯s hamstring.


    The werewolf snarled and whipped his clawed hand back.


    A glancing blow staggered him and made his shield arm throb.


    Shimmer Strike!


    Three axes struck from varied angles.


    Which one was the real one?


    Only Silver Axe knew.


    Gator blocked the wrong ones.


    The axe blade sank into the side of Gator¡¯s thickly muscled neck. Grey fur grew matted with deep red blood.


    A swipe caught Silver Axe cleanly, splintering his shield and knocking the air from his lungs.


    The man turned monster loomed over him with hunger in those yellow eyes.


    Assholes finally decided to earn what he was paying them.


    The Slaver King spat blood.


    It had been awhile.


    How many slaves had he lost healing from all that damage?


    Probably too much.


    Humans were a finite resource in the world post-spires. Too many dangers out there added to the spires pushing people into seeking out said danger meant population growth would remain static in the near to medium term.


    At least that was what his numbers nerds had mapped out.


    The problem was compounded by the fact that he didn¡¯t get much out of children. He needed full-grown adults to fuel his personal power. It took over twenty years to grow one human into their prime.


    How many years had these outsiders set him back?


    He saw it now.


    The obvious conspiracy.


    California had to be behind it. Then they brought in the other Gold Division competitors.


    What had they promised that was better than his offers?


    He regarded Steel Hammer bludgeoning a gang of bikers.


    Gearlok and son trading fire with his fighters.


    Emerald Bomber strafing and dropping bombs from her flying wing.


    The magus¡­ that one was easier to understand.


    ¡°I suppose it makes sense that they wouldn¡¯t be cool with slavery.¡±


    He found Hanabi, still naked, still fighting.


    The woman was badly wounded, yet she moved with precision and grace as she cut down his fighters while they fought with the fodder.


    He climbed up the steps of the circular platform, pulling out a slightly singed phone.


    Eric didn¡¯t answer.


    Neither did Kim.


    Something was wrong.


    Were they lying dead in his great hall?


    Trampled?


    Murdered by one of their enemies?


    He rang General Mark.


    ¡°Sir,¡± the voice sounded breathless.


    ¡°Where are you, general?¡±


    ¡°On my way to the command center. I¡¯m following protocol¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know, I know. Listen, this is too fucked. My gut¡¯s tingling and not in a good way. I want you to send all available forces to the central control unit. Then, prep Clean Slate Protocols. If I call you again, you are to enact them without hesitation.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I¡ª understood.¡±


    ¡°Oh, one last thing. Send my fists up,¡± he terminated the call and tucked the phone back into his pocket. ¡°Now, who do I kill first?¡±


    The fighting lulled under his commanding aura.


    Combatants warily backed away from each other and gave him their attention as was his due in this the heart of his kingdom.


    He loved fighting, but things had gotten real.


    One last chance to honor the guts shown to attack him in the middle of his kingdom.


    ¡°Listen to me, now!¡± They did. Even the ones still trying to get out of the great hall. He¡¯d take care of his nobles and important subjects first. ¡°You will evacuate in an orderly fashion.¡± They did, at least the ones that could still walk. There were too many dead and broken bodies around the exits from them stampeding like animals. His fighters streamed in as the people walked out. He focused on his enemies, surprised that his aura hadn¡¯t driven them to their knees. Sure, a few of them were strong enough to resist, but even the young women and lower leveled ones stayed on their feet. ¡°There are limits to one¡¯s usefulness. However, I am a merciful king and I¡¯m giving all of you one last chance. Surrender and swear allegiance to me and you get to live. There¡¯ll be punishment, but you¡¯ll have the chance to earn my people¡¯s forgiveness. And eventually all the generous rewards you¡¯ve thrown in my face. I¡¯m not so small and petty that I¡¯d let personal insult stand in the way of bettering the New American Republic. You can be a part of that or your blood and bones can be the mortar and brick of its foundation. What say you all?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯d never willingly join slavers,¡± a middle-aged woman wearing intriguing-looking armor stood at the forefront of the Watch.


    Their Watch Commander.


    A former cop according to his spies¡¯ reports.


    ¡°Well, yeah, that¡¯s kind of how it works if you reject my overly generous offer. And that¡¯s if you manage to survive this fight,¡± he shrugged. ¡°You people are always so naive. Leaving aside the fact that I¡¯m only following the course of human history, what is better about how you¡¯re doing things? Over fifteen years since the apocalypse happened and I¡¯m the one rebuilding human society. The New American Republic is larger than all of your little settlements combined. Seriously, I¡¯m just talking facts. Verifiable numbers. If we do it your way then we¡¯re doomed the next time the spires pulls the rug. You live a lie, always have. We never got rid of slavery. African kids picked our chocolate. Asians made our clothes and iPhones. There were countless prostitutes and brothels all over the world. You think those were really choices? It was even in the Constitution. You just need to be convicted of a crime and we all know how easy that was. But you couldn¡¯t see it because you weren¡¯t at the same level as I was. You thought you were better than all those people, but you were really just a few steps ahead of them and thousands of steps behind me.¡±


    He felt something creep up the back of his neck. He reached for it then stopped, suppressing a shiver. It was just the moment getting to him. The tension that had been building over the last few months. He pushed it aside. This was his triumph. He wouldn¡¯t allow them to ruin it.


    ¡°Your kind had college loans, car loans, a mortgage, things you could never pay off in one lifetime, and so you worked, put up with whatever your bosses, your masters shit on your plate because if you didn¡¯t you were out on the street. How could you call that anything else but slavery. You were slaves to your wages. There was only ever the wealthy and everyone else. If you weren¡¯t sure where I stood then you were a slave. You just had a few extra steps letting you pretend otherwise.¡± He locked onto the Watch Commander¡¯s hard-eyed glare. ¡°You were a cop. Did you realize back then that your job, your true job was to protect my interests? To keep my wealth in my hands and to make sure that the masses didn¡¯t stray from the path we forced on them? Protect and serve. You cops did that wonderfully. You protected my wealth and served my interests. Just what we created you for. So, kneel and do what you¡¯re meant to. It¡¯s only natural.¡±


    Silence greeted him.


    A long moment.


    An instant of eternity.


    Until¡­


    Someone coughed.


    ¡°Dude, you just explained why I keep saying this was conscience-free killing time,¡± Punchy smirked. She used the moment to flip the thin clown over her shoulder and send her shooting at him like a cannonball with an explosive punch.


    He slapped the clown away.


    ¡°Thanks for volunteering,¡± he stepped toward the insolent woman.


    He suddenly stumbled.


    Pain, bright and sharp stabbed behind his eyes.


    A migraine?


    Impossible.


    It should¡¯ve been shunted to one of his slaves.


    Instead it grew stronger.


    His skull suddenly felt too small for his brain.


    As though a spiked balloon was being inflated within.


    ¡°Let me free you from your pain.¡±


    The last sensation he felt before going dark was an impossibly sharp sword stabbing into his chest.


    <hr>


    The elevator stopped.


    The door opened.


    Drake was so close to salvation.


    The toddler had been crying in his ear and hitting his face the entire time.


    He was greeted by Shrewed and two temporary allies, Death¡¯s Dancer, a lesser spear user and the short, hairy, feral dude, Howard.


    Weird name for the look. Didn¡¯t really fit.


    ¡°The hell is this?¡± Howard bristled.


    The man looked like an angry little badger ready to tear someone¡¯s face off.


    ¡°Relax,¡± Shrewed threw an arm out to bar Howard¡¯s path. ¡°We¡¯re rescuing the kid. King¡¯s breeding program.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s dark,¡± Death¡¯s Dancer said.


    ¡°I smell blood,¡± Howard sniffed.


    ¡°It¡¯s mine,¡± Drake sighed.


    ¡°You ran into trouble? It should¡¯ve been easy, what with Cal knocking out the guards,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°Uh¡­ he missed the nanny. She had a knife¡­ and teeth,¡± Drake pointed to his cheek.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I wear a full mask,¡± Death¡¯s Dancer said.


    ¡°I prefer an unobstructed field of view,¡± Drake scowled. ¡°Here,¡± he tried to pass the little boy to Shrewed.


    ¡°Yeah, go ahead and put him over there,¡± Shrewed gestured toward the chamber holding the central control unit.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, man¡­¡±


    ¡°Sorry, kid, we¡¯ve got to get these guards into the elevator,¡± Shrewed smirked.


    ¡°Hang on,¡± Howard sniffed the crying boy, ¡°ain¡¯t mine.¡±


    ¡°Whose is it then?¡± Death¡¯s Dancer said.


    ¡°The king¡¯s,¡± Shrewed said.


    ¡°We going to use him to force the king to surrender? Cold, but efficient,¡± Death¡¯s Dancer said.


    ¡°Naw, we¡¯re keeping him,¡± Shrewed said.


    Drake left them to their task.


    The three men stacked unconscious guards like sacks of rice in the elevator.


    They sent it back to the lowest level before Death¡¯s Dancer forced the door open and cut the cable with his short spear.


    ¡°Hey, uh, where¡¯s Cal?¡± Drake said.


    Lyta¡¯s eyes narrowed as they flicked to the crying boy.


    ¡°He said he¡¯s going to start destroying that slavery machine.¡±


    ¡°Not much time left then,¡± he nodded. ¡°Here,¡± he held the crying boy to her.


    ¡°What? No,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°You got to keep him safe.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not even fighting. Just take him and hide in the command room or something. Maybe in an armory if there is one in this chamber,¡± Drake placed the boy on the cold floor. ¡°We¡¯re going to be under attack at any moment,¡± he ignored her protests, ¡°lock the door and probably, barricade it if you can find something.¡±


    Drake absently twirled his spear as he walked back to the other three men.


    ¡°Do you guys have a plan to defend this place?¡± Death¡¯s Dancer said.


    ¡°Elevator¡¯s out. So that leaves the main entrance, the back entrance and the stairs,¡± Shrewed said. ¡°Drake here does better in open spaces with his spear.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take the stairs. I¡¯ll start at the bottom and make em bleed all the way up,¡± Howard grabbed several guns and melee weapons from the pile they had taken from the guards.


    ¡°I can just break the stairs then jump back up,¡± Death¡¯s Dancer said.


    ¡°Alright, so that just leaves the front and back,¡± Howard said.


    Shrewed nodded. ¡°Back entrance is at the end of a decently narrow hallway. Good spot for me.¡±


    ¡°Three up front then, fine with me,¡± Howard grunted.


    ¡°Fight smart, kid,¡± Shrewed bumped fists with Drake. ¡°See you on the other side.¡±


    ¡°See you on the other side.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ I think, you should let me draw their attention and take shots with your spells. Since I¡¯m a lot stronger and tougher than you,¡± Death¡¯s Dancer said as they walked to the main entrance.


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    That worked for Drake.


    This wasn¡¯t going to be one of those doomed last stands.


    He just had to stay alive long enough for Cal to finish ruining the Slaver King¡¯s life.

 7.49

    The vampire punk stood with her arms crossed and legs spread wide.


    ¡°Lady Rebel, please move,¡± Bennett said.


    She blocked his way to the last of the Slaver King¡¯s slave siphoning magitech devices.


    The voice in his head urged him to hurry up and get the nullification crystals in place.


    ¡°Been following you this whole time, you know?¡± she bared fangs.


    ¡°Actually, yes. Which begs the question, why pop up now?¡± he kept his own fangs hidden.


    ¡°Instinct.¡±


    ¡°Can I ask you to continue following that for, say, one more minute?¡±


    ¡°Just got a call that your friends turned that big party into a bloodbath. Sucks that I¡¯m here. Wouldn¡¯t mind seeing all those blood bags thinking they¡¯re powerful just cause they¡¯re rich and got connections running like chickens when a fox gets into the coop,¡± she sneered.


    ¡°This might be presumptuous, but from my understanding of your¡­ kind¡­ kings and slavery aren¡¯t compatible with your worldview.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. It is presumptuous. I also hate this place. Slavery. A king. Lords and ladies,¡± she laughed. ¡°It¡¯s grating that they¡¯re pulling that shit today. I¡¯d rather they all just died. No more rulers. No more government.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll be stepping aside then?¡±


    Rebel uncrossed her arms and walked forward.


    Bennett moved away from the doorway. He relaxed, readying himself to react.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to enjoy a drink while I watch you and your friends burn this place down,¡± she waved on her way out.


    He rushed to the king¡¯s device and placed the crystals.


    The chime of a completed Sub-quest chased him as he stepped into a shadow.


    Time to rejoin his friends.


    Hopefully, he¡¯d get there in time.


    Cal had tracked the vampire¡¯s progress, waiting for the exact moment to place Ms. Teacher¡¯s magical artifact into the large, glowing orb.


    He opened his mind to a staggering number of thoughts.


    For the first time he saw it clearly in the mindscape.


    It was a formless void.


    The only things present were his mental image, which wasn¡¯t different from his physical form, and a bright orb pulsing with ugly white light.


    The sight, the feel of it permeated him with disgust.


    Thousands of threads flowed out of the orb, connecting every collar to the control rods, to the central control unit in the physical realm and finally to the Slaver King.


    They were all linked to him on a deep level.


    Essences, souls or whatever else one wanted to call them, forcibly tethered to one evil man.


    The connection was strongest with those enslaved forced into comas so that the king could steal their strength and give them his hurts.


    This was the truth of ruler and ruled taken to its inevitable end.


    Hope filled him as he watched Ms. Teacher¡¯s magic begin severing the threads.


    There was an immediate response.


    The magic in the slavery system combined with the Slaver King¡¯s Skills fought back.


    It didn¡¯t look conscious to Cal, but why not do something to help?


    He reached out to the king¡¯s mind.


    What an odious place to touch and share.


    He used that disgust to further strengthen his psychic assault.


    The process sped up.


    Nearly a thousand threads had been cut.


    ¡°What is this? Who are you?¡±


    Cal turned at the voice.


    The Slaver King.


    The mindscape wavered, shifting back and forth from void to an exact copy of the great hall.


    ¡°When I ask a question you answer?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m your conscience. The weight of your countless sins becoming too heavy to bear.¡±


    The king laughed. ¡°My conscience is clear. I have no regrets. Never have. Never will. So, that makes you my enemy. Now, what is this? It feels¡­ familiar.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s judgment. You died in that fight. So, just stand there and wait to be judged.¡±


    The king dismissed him, choosing to focus his gaze on the ugly white orb.


    He saw all that transpired in the king¡¯s fetid swamp of a psyche.


    Doubt.


    Confusion.


    Familiarity.


    Certainty.


    Rage.


    ¡°It¡¯s you. You¡¯re the one behind all of this,¡± the Slaver King¡¯s voice grew cold. ¡°You killed my nobles. Stole my property. Now you¡¯re trying to destroy everything I¡¯ve built.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just a figment of your imagination. A subconscious construction your mind created in an attempt to make sense of your death.¡±


    ¡°No! I see your lies! That is mine!¡± he jabbed a finger toward the ugly white orb. ¡°It¡¯s a part of me. I¡¯d recognize it anywhere.¡±


    More threads were snipped with every passing second.


    ¡°Other people don¡¯t belong to you. They don¡¯t belong to anybody. What makes people like you think like that? Let¡¯s review. Prescott Herbert Wilson IV, this was your life.¡±


    An eight-year-old Prescott heard the sound of slapping flesh mixing with grunts and moans coming from his father¡¯s study. Naturally, he was curious.


    He entered to the sight of one of the younger maids bent over the desk with his father behind her.


    Both were red in the face with a slight sheen of sweat glistening in the sunlight shining through the wall-sized windows.


    ¡°Damn it, Prescott!¡± his father snapped. ¡°We¡¯ll finish this later,¡± he said to the maid as the young woman rushed out while he pulled up his pants. ¡°Not a word of this to anyone. You understand me?¡± his father loomed, a shadow falling over his stern visage.


    Wide-eyed Prescott nodded, too scared to utter the question on his lips.


    ¡°Eh¡­ might as well get this talk over with,¡± his father sighed.


    The world shifted.


    Family mansion became void became the side of a dark city street.


    Red and blue lights flashed, giving a sense of unreality to the gruesome scene.


    He tried not to look at the lump covered by the dark sheet a few dozen feet in front of his damaged Ferrari.


    ¡°My dad¡¯s going to kill me.¡± He struggled to focus. The world spun. His eyelids drooped. He just wanted to surrender to sleep. ¡°Call my dad, Prescott Wilson,¡± he said for the hundredth time to the cops around him.


    ¡°Fucking rich kid¡¯s gonna get away with this,¡± one of the cops muttered.


    ¡°He¡¯s a minor and he¡¯s three times over the limit,¡± another cop said.


    Prescott scowled, tried to stand.


    Didn¡¯t they know who his father was? Who he was?


    The words twisted in his mouth.


    He sat back down.


    Dark city street returned to the void turned into a room in Prescott¡¯s fraternity house.


    ¡°Damn, she¡¯s fine,¡± Eric said. ¡°Big tits, thin body. Perfect combo.¡±


    ¡°Real or fake?¡± a faceless frat brother said.


    ¡°Real,¡± Eric said. ¡°You can tell by the way the flatten out when she¡¯s on her back.¡±


    ¡°No way, bro. Thin chicks don¡¯t got big tits,¡± another faceless voice said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll put a grand down on it,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°You¡¯re on!¡±


    ¡°How are you even gonna verify that shit? You can¡¯t ask her, she¡¯s blasted.¡±


    ¡°I know her friends. They¡¯re downstairs. I can ask one of them.¡±


    ¡°Gentlemen, less talking, more fucking,¡± Prescott said.


    The freshman girl¡¯s friends were probably already looking for her. They seemed like cockblockers.


    ¡°I got a better bet. One that we can actually verify without a shadow of a doubt.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Eric rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Virgin or not.¡±


    ¡°That is better. I¡¯m gonna go with not a virgin. That body is made for fucking,¡± Eric said.


    The freshman stirred.


    Prescott wasn¡¯t worried. She was drunk as fuck and he had slipped a little extra something in her last drink.


    ¡°Shit! Put a towel under her ass. I don¡¯t want blood on my sheets.¡±


    ¡°Guys¡­ is this smart? We could get in trouble.¡±


    Laughter.


    ¡°Good one, Bart,¡± Eric said. ¡°She¡¯s blasted out of her mind. Look at what she¡¯s wearing. No one¡¯s going to believe her even if she remembers. All we have to say is that ¡®it was consensual¡¯. Besides, if it becomes a problem my dad can pay her off. Shit it¡¯ll be down right cheep if all our dads pitched in. So, who¡¯s going first?¡±


    Prescott snorted.


    He always went first.


    Fraternity house.


    Void.


    Father¡¯s study.


    ¡°I don¡¯t get it. I never resorted to getting them drunk and drugging them,¡± his father sighed. ¡°You¡¯re young, handsome, an athlete, wealthy. Girls should be throwing their pussies at you.¡±


    They did, Prescott thought.


    ¡°Do you understand how this reflects on our family? On your future?¡±


    ¡°Yes, father.¡±


    Better to agree to everything. It went quicker that way.


    ¡°Not just monetarily, but in reputation. That is the true currency that runs the world. I¡¯m going to have to donate more to the university. The police chief. The district attorney¡¯s office. The judge, if it goes to trial. Make no mistake, your opponents will dig this up and use it against you in the future.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It was a lapse of judgment. I won¡¯t do it again.¡±


    ¡°Well. It won¡¯t come to that. If the girl is intelligent she¡¯ll take the money. Get out of my sight.¡±


    The void returned.


    ¡°Unsurprisingly, you never had a chance to be anything other than a piece of shit. I guess there¡¯s a sense of poetry, a shitty one, in that your family started its fortune on slavery and here you are doing the same thing a few hundred years later. Are the spires being ironic on purpose or is it a matter of your inner self rising to the surface?¡±


    ¡°Listen, you fucking beaner manlet, I¡¯m not ashamed of anything. Like I already told you. We took because we were better than you. I take because I¡¯m better than you.¡±


    The Slaver King rushed forward.


    Only to end up right were he started.


    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Not that I wouldn¡¯t kick your ass, but I don¡¯t need to. Plenty of other people doing that already. So, just keep running in place while we free the people you enslaved and kill you.¡±


    The Slaver King laughed.


    Cal felt a worrying tingle.


    ¡°The collars just makes it easier for me. Gives me more slaves. Lets me own them despite the distance. Fine, take them away. You won¡¯t be quick enough,¡± the Slaver King gathered countless threads in his hands. ¡°Everyone in my republic belongs to me. The collars. The oaths my free citizens swore. They are mine!¡±


    Cal fought to pull the threads away.


    Some came free, allowing Ms. Teacher¡¯s magic to sever them.


    Many more remained in the king¡¯s greedy grip.


    ¡°Without the collars the transfer from them to me is a one time thing. I get most of their strength and they get to be vegetables. I thought it was a waste. Better that I only get a sliver while they get to remain alive.¡±


    ¡°Not much of a life being in a coma.¡±


    ¡°I had a rotation. I periodically cycled them out. You know, to be fair.¡±


    ¡°You actually believe in what you¡¯re saying.¡±


    ¡°I did. I do. But you¡¯ve fucked them over now. I have no choice. The fate of my New American Republic, the world, requires their sacrifice. King¡¯s Due: Your Soul Feeds My Power.¡±


    Cal felt them die.


    Thousands of enslaved people¡¯s souls flowed through the threads into the Slaver King.


    They came from to Miami from hundreds of miles away.


    Cal stretched his mind as far as he could reach in a desperate attempt to stop them.


    He acted instinctively.


    Not knowing exactly how, he managed to reach some of the souls, barring their path to the king, encouraging them to return to their bodies.


    It became clear to him what he was doing.


    It wasn¡¯t a matter of forcing the enslaved souls to return.


    It was being the voice in their head encouraging them to fight the collars and the king¡¯s Skills.


    Sadly, more failed than succeeded.


    The king¡¯s form was lost in the ugly white light turned blindingly bright.


    ¡°It¡¯s over!¡± the Slaver King laughed, drunk on power.


    ¡°For you. This isn¡¯t enough to beat me. You could drain every enslaved person and it wouldn¡¯t make a difference.¡±


    ¡°Somehow, I believe you, but that¡¯s not a problem. If twenty thousand slaves aren¡¯t enough. Then a million subjects will do.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d kill your own people?¡±


    ¡°Not all of them. Just as many as it takes to end you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d cannibalize your own kingdom.¡±


    ¡°I can always rebuild¡­ starting with your friends and family in California. After I teach your friends here a lesson in knowing their place.¡±


    The Slaver King vanished from the mindscape as Cal was forced to focus all his attention on the losing battle to deny the king¡¯s greed.


    The strain was comparable to holding a tsunami back.


    So much so that he was only able to send out a feeble warning.


    <hr>


    The chaotic fighting in the great hall had spilled out to the grounds of the king¡¯s estate.


    Adal had been forced to stab a fork into the eye of an essential worker that had tried to throttle his mother.


    He couldn¡¯t understand the hatred he had seen in the young man¡¯s eyes.


    Together with his father and brother, Adal managed to shepherd his mother and sister in-law through the melee and into the open.


    Talia and Mena found him shortly after through their bond, bringing along the rest of his father¡¯s bodyguards.


    They had been eating and waiting in their assigned pavilion.


    He eyed the essential soldiers among their number warily. Their collars were in place and they looked as loyal as they always had.


    Talia and Mena only looked at him with loving concern.


    ¡°Bring the car around, captain and get us out of here,¡± Adal¡¯s father said.


    ¡°Sorry, Lord Jefferson, but it¡¯s parked near the outer wall. It¡¯s too dangerous for your family to wait here.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Dad, we need to get away from this place,¡± Cedric, Adal¡¯s older brother, said.


    ¡°Our lives are in your hands, captain,¡± Adal¡¯s father said.


    The guard captain barked orders.


    Bodyguards fell into formation around Adal¡¯s family.


    Talia and Mena stuck close to his side.


    Lesser guests, the ones not given the honor of dining in the great hall, eyed the fleeing nobles.


    Some decided that they too needed to flee.


    More milled about uncertainly.


    Adal knew that there were dining pavilions scattered all over the king¡¯s estate.


    The distant ones would only have the barest inkling that something had gone so terribly wrong.


    How had that one-eyed woman destroyed all the collars in the great hall?


    He regarded the ones around Talia¡¯s and Mena¡¯s necks with concern.


    No.


    He would never lose them.


    He loved them and they him.


    Their bond was special.


    It was a pulse-pounding walk to the parking lots but they made it without incident.


    They were getting inside the SUV when the shadows underneath the lights suddenly began moving like a monster¡¯s claws reaching for their throats.


    Screams of fear filled the parking lot.


    Adal noticed the rain water in his hands.


    Blood red.


    He looked at his parents.


    Their faces were streaked with red tracks.


    ¡°Go, go, go!¡± the guard captain urged them into the SUV. ¡°Head to the estate! Don¡¯t stop for anything!¡± he barked at the driver.


    The SUV squealed as it peeled out of the parking lot, swerving around frantic nobles and VIP¡¯s trying to get into their own vehicles.


    Adal¡¯s face was glued to the window.


    A shadowy streak, like a large piece of cloth fluttering in the wind, appeared to envelope one of the fleeing nobles.


    A frantic drive found them back home.


    None had dared say a word.


    Adal held his mother¡¯s hand to help her out of the car when an ear-piercing shriek filled the air.


    He spun.


    That sounded like¡ª


    Mena was on her knees on the cold, wet driveway, clutching at her neck.


    ¡°Mena!¡± he rushed to her side.


    Talia screamed.


    ¡°What the hell, Adal?¡± Cedric said.


    ¡°Adal, get away from them. Everyone inside now,¡± his father said.


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°Leave them, Adal, now!¡± his father snapped.


    Hot pain penetrated him.


    He looked down in shock.


    A knife in his side.


    Mena¡¯s hand held the grip.


    ¡°Wuh¡ª Mena¡ª?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not my name!¡± she screamed in his face with tear-filled eyes.


    ¡°The collars!¡± Cedric cried.


    ¡°You made us slaves!¡± Talia roared, hacking Cedric in the neck with her sword.


    The driver pulled out a gun.


    ¡°Wind Wall!¡± Mena cast it underneath the man¡¯s feet, sending him flying dozens of feet in the air. He spun wildly, landing on his head with a loud crack.


    Adal¡¯s mother and sister in-law screamed.


    ¡°Get behind me! In the house now!¡±


    His father¡¯s voice.


    Adal raised his hand at Talia¡¯s back as the young woman raised her sword with an inarticulate roar.


    So much hate and fury.


    He hesitated.


    He loved her.


    He loved them.


    ¡°Wind Whip!¡±


    Mena struck his outstretched arm.


    Talia¡¯s sword descended with righteous vengeance.


    Once, twice, thrice.


    Adal fell to his back, staring up into the rain.


    His lifeblood running down the driveway like paint.


    Mena stood over him.


    Talia came next.


    ¡°Why¡­¡± he croaked. ¡°Lov¡ª¡±


    ¡°You enslaved us, you sick bastard,¡± Talia said.


    ¡°You raped us!¡± Mena snarled.


    ¡°We¡­ happy¡­¡±


    ¡°Lies. Only because the collars made us. I¡¯d never let someone like you touch me if I had the choice,¡± Talia said.


    ¡°Here, I¡¯ve got something for you to suck.¡±


    Adal¡¯s last sight was Mena reaching down with a bloody knife in one hand.


    The two girls entered the home to find people like them, newly freed, fighting with people like they used to be.


    ¡°Don¡¯t kill them!¡±


    They helped knock out and restrain those still enslaved before heading upstairs where they found a group of people surrounding a dark-skinned woman guarding a door.


    An artful sign indicated the room¡¯s owner.


    Amelia.


    They recognized the head maid, Jane, which was her real name just as much as theirs were Talia and Mena.


    The group parted for them.


    They had weapons and everyone knew they were fighters.


    ¡°It looks like you¡¯ve already got your blood,¡± not-Jane said with an eye to their weapons. ¡°Amelia is innocent.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I believe that anymore,¡± Talia¡ª no, Cally said.


    ¡°We were innocent. Then they took us,¡± Mena¡ª no, Faith said.


    ¡°You¡¯d be just like them. She¡¯s a child,¡± not-Jane said.


    ¡°It¡¯s justice!¡± one of the others said.


    The rest agreed.


    ¡°I suffered the same as the rest of you and yet I¡¯m not willing to stain my soul like those people did. We have to be better. Please,¡± not-Jane brandished a kitchen knife.


    ¡°Okay, fine,¡± Cally said. ¡°But I¡¯m not raising a finger to defend her. It¡¯s on you if you want.¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°They owe us!¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Faith snapped. ¡°I want this off in case whatever freed us is temporary,¡± she grabbed at the cold metal collar. ¡°And we need to tie up everyone that didn¡¯t get woken up.¡±


    ¡°We need to grab weapons, armor. Get ready to defend this place,¡± Cally said.


    ¡°Fuck that, I¡¯m taking a car and getting out of here.¡±


    ¡°And where the hell do you think you¡¯ll go, huh?¡± Cally said.


    ¡°We need to defend and maybe try to group up with others. Something happened at the king¡¯s party. I¡¯m pretty sure that the slavers are under attack. It¡¯s the only possible explanation,¡± Faith said.


    ¡°Hey, you can do whatever you want, but me and her are the best fighters here, so maybe you should stick with us,¡± Cally nodded at Faith. ¡°Let¡¯s get a group going. I want to get the armory. The guards you haven¡¯t killed are probably regrouping there.¡±


    A few people grumbled, but they heeded the words and headed down after her.


    Faith stayed behind to have a word with not-Jane.


    ¡°My name¡¯s ¡®Faith¡¯, not ¡®Mena¡¯, that¡¯s what that sick bastard named me. Like I¡¯m a pet to do whatever with,¡± she spat.


    ¡°¡®Latasha¡¯, my name is ¡®Latasha¡¯. I know. I think we all do. Everyone that¡¯s got one of these,¡± she touched the collar.


    ¡°Listen, if this goes bad, you don¡¯t owe that girl in there your life. I just want to make it clear. We¡¯re in this together so, I¡¯ll fight my hardest to help one of us, but I¡¯m with Talia¡ª fuck, I don¡¯t even know her real name,¡± Faith sighed. ¡°I¡¯m not fighting for any nobles,¡± the word tasted like rotten meat, ¡°ever again.¡±


    ¡°Children don¡¯t chose their parents,¡± Latasha said.


    ¡°Thanks to Amelia¡¯s parents I don¡¯t know if mine are still alive,¡± Faith said.


    <hr>


    Hanna twisted the blade, pulled it out and slashed the Slaver King¡¯s neck.


    The impact jarred her hands and arms like she had just hit granite with a normal steel blade and not flesh with a blade made out of alien super metal.


    The king gazed up into her eyes as he pushed the blade out of the side of his neck, revealing a thin cut which sealed up quickly, just like the wound in his chest.


    She slipped the blade out of his grasp, slashing quicker than the eye could follow.


    Vibrating Blade¡ª


    Blocked by a muscular arm.


    She withdrew before he could grab the blade again.


    Even with the Skill the cut was shallow, perhaps a tenth of an inch deep and gone in less than a second. The only evidence she had cut him was the blood.


    A baseball curved around her body, becoming a dozen that cut and burned the Slaver King.


    ¡°Hanna! Over here!¡± Hillary waved the gauntlet of the Threnosh-made armor.


    Basilisk and the rest of her students had gathered with the Watch they waved her on urgently as they cast spells and used Skills.


    An island under siege in the middle of a chaotic melee.


    ¡°Yeah, less naked fighting!¡± Trevor said.


    The Slaver King leapt for her.


    Only to be knocked back by a pillar of stone shooting out of the ground.


    ¡°Hurry up!¡± Jayde called out from the other side of the central platform.


    Hanna retreated to the Watch.


    ¡°Armor up,¡± Demi said. ¡°Listen up,¡± she addressed Hanna¡¯s students, ¡°if you¡¯re willing, I¡¯m inducting all of you into the Watch.¡±


    ¡°Her Skills will affect you,¡± Hanna said as she struggled into her undersuit. The lack of vision on her left side kept forcing her to compensate by moving her head around more than she was used too. The concussion made her dizzy. She was just noticing it in the lull. ¡°Can I get a heal?¡±


    Max waved a hand in her direction.


    She saw green sparklies dance from his fingers to her head.


    The dozens of stinging cuts in her face slowly closed and scabbed. A week¡¯s worth of healing in seconds.


    The throbbing in her empty eye socket faded.


    The itch, however, remained.


    Finally, her head cleared.


    It was like she had been viewing the world through foggy glasses while having cotton stuffed in her ears.


    Her students eagerly agreed to Demi¡¯s offer.


    Hope when there had been none, no matter how thin the rope, was something a person would always reach for.


    ¡°I hereby grant you Temporary Induction Into The Watch,¡± Demi said. ¡°We can make it permanent after we get out of this.¡±


    ¡°Oh, shit! This is great! It¡¯s like I know exactly what to do!¡± Lance said.


    Hanna donned her Threnosh-made armor.


    Sliding the helmet on last.


    The HUD lit up, tracking allies, enemies and neutrals with the appropriate colored outline.


    ¡°Here!¡± Ginessa tossed the Threnosh-made round shield.


    ¡°Watch Commander, I¡¯ll engage the king while you retreat from here. Find a better place to fight,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°No. We do this together,¡± Demi said.


    ¡°I got a short message,¡± she tapped the side of her helmet. ¡°The plan worked¡­ then there was a complication,¡± she nodded to the Slaver King. ¡°The enslaved are being freed, but he¡¯s still got hooks in a lot of them. And he¡¯s a lot worse then I ever imagined.¡±


    The king climbed the circular platform.


    His expensive suit was bloody tatters though his skin was unmarked aside from the blood of wounds long healed.


    He pulled a phone from his pocket and sent a message.


    ¡°That was too close,¡± he whispered. ¡°You won¡¯t take it away from me!¡± he roared. ¡°I need more¡­ I can always start over¡­ I can always get new subjects¡­ by my authority, I withdraw protections from all occupied structures within my domain.¡± He cast around the melee until he found what he was looking for.


    A camera crew, up on the second level mezzanine, one of several filming the great hall so that the masses could watch and be envious of how their betters partied.


    ¡°Focus on me!¡±


    They obeyed.


    He stared up into the camera as it zoomed down.


    ¡°My people. Enemies have invaded our city. They came accepting our gifts and hospitality. They repay us with treachery and blood. They would undo everything we have accomplished. Will you let them take away your God given rights and freedoms? I call upon you all to fight! Teach them what it means to dare rise up against the New American Republic! So long as you fight with me in your hearts and minds you will do so to the utmost of your potential. King¡¯s Command: Fight For Your King!¡± He raised his fist triumphantly, keeping his gaze locked on the camera. Then he turned slightly, hiding his lips from view and spoke in a soft whisper only a handful of people in the great hall caught. ¡°King¡¯s Due: I Activate The Soul Tithe.¡±

 7.50

    ¡°That hypocritical bitch!¡± Ledge threw the remote into the TV screen. He regarded the rest of the Golden Eagles¡¯ command staff.


    ¡°So¡­ does it sound like that we¡¯re about to get attacked by an angry mob?¡±


    ¡°That was one of the possibilities in the scouting report¡­ way down on the list though,¡± Jimenez chewed her lip.


    He eyed the twitchy woman from the California State Government.


    A liaison, along with the other two, a young man and another woman.


    Jimenez¡¯s impressive ability to sense danger in specifics unsurpassed by anyone else with the same Skill was supposed to keep him safe long enough for the Golden Eagles to link up with Spear Captain Doran¡¯s larger and better armed force.


    ¡°We were only supposed to fight the slavers after the slave soldiers were freed throwing their forces into chaos. Instead, not all of them are free.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re fighting right now. We need to move to support them before the slavers put them down and turn their attention on us. Not to mention all the regular people right behind them. The mob¡¯s already on its way,¡± Jimenez said.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Ledge cautiously peeked out the hotel window.


    Fires burned across the entire street.


    Multiple mercenary groups, adventuring bands and assorted wild cards were already fighting.


    Some fought for the slavers for promised pay and reward.


    Some fought against.


    Others sought to settle grudges.


    While more fought in a panic to get out of the cordon the slavers had placed around the entire hotel district.


    ¡°Gonna be a bloodbath,¡± Ledge sighed. ¡°I¡¯m too old¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t finish that!¡± Jimenez snapped. ¡°You just triggered a spike,¡± she grimaced, clutching her head.


    ¡°Yeah, dude, let¡¯s not tempt fate. The spires are always listening,¡± Rowen said.


    ¡°Idiot!¡± Selena slapped the young man upside the head.


    The woman was a stone-faced killer.


    Ledge knew her kind.


    He was glad they were on his side.


    ¡°Okay, we¡¯re moving out,¡± he barked orders. ¡°We¡¯re going to get a bloody nose just crossing the street.¡±


    Doran¡¯s forces were a few hotels farther down the street.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give us an opening and a head start,¡± Rowen said.


    Time passed in a blur and Ledge found himself in the hotel lobby.


    The rest of the Golden Eagles, roughly 300 men and women, gathered in the expansive space.


    They were alone.


    Everyone else had already fled or was dead.


    The latter wasn¡¯t their work, unless it was to defend themselves.


    Ledge had made that clear and his company was a disciplined bunch.


    ¡°Open the barricades,¡± Rowen said.


    The young man closed his eyes and spread his arms wide.


    A glow emerged from both hands.


    Like a shimmering rainbow.


    ¡°Mass Illusion,¡± he whispered.


    The Golden Eagles ran screaming out of the doors, Ledge in the lead.


    The people fighting took one look and decided to be elsewhere.


    Ledge led his company down the street, eastbound.


    Ledge stood in the shadows of the open doorway.


    The night sky poured as it had been for hours.


    ¡°Bad visibility helps. It¡¯d be pretty obvious if it was day time and the sun was shining,¡± Rowen grinned.


    ¡°Jimenez?¡± Selena said.


    ¡°We¡¯re good, but let¡¯s not wait too long,¡± Jimenez said.


    ¡°You heard her, Golden Eagles. Let¡¯s get moving,¡± Ledge led them out into the dark rain.


    In a different place, out of the whipping winds and lashing rain, liquid splashed across the True Patriot¡¯s blindfold.


    It wasn¡¯t cold like the rain, but hot, leaving an iron tang on her tongue when stray droplets fell into her mouth.


    Caving the crazed man¡¯s face in had bought her and her two super soldiers space to back into one of the dining alcoves set at semi-regular intervals along the walls.


    An over-turned table and broken chairs partially masked the blood-covered bodies.


    One was noticeably smaller than the rest.


    The enslaved¡¯s thirst for vengeance knew no mercy.


    She weighed their options.


    Death¡¯s Dancer had gone off script.


    The primary objective sacrificed for what the young lieutenant had called a ¡®greater good¡¯.


    He had urged her to pursue the secondary objective as the first was no longer possible to achieve.


    His words had said much if he was certain that her considerable strength and power wasn¡¯t enough.


    For the first handful of years after the spires had appeared she had thought herself, perhaps, the physically strongest person in the country.


    That notion had been squashed by a flying man.


    A traitor, but one beyond their means to punish and control.


    It had been further made clear to her in these death games masquerading as a celebration of freedom.


    The gall of the slavers to use that word in any way to describe their so-called New American Republic.


    If it had been up to her and had it been within her capabilities she would¡¯ve burned this entire place to the ground.


    She would¡¯ve completed the task, utterly, unlike General Sherman, who stopped too soon on his march through the south.


    If she couldn¡¯t do that, then perhaps she could help put the Slaver King down.


    The man stood in the eye of the hurricane.


    Spells and bullets struck him from every direction.


    Glowing balls of magic orbited around him, showering with magical bolts of fire like a comet¡¯s debris tail bombarding the planet.


    He took it all.


    He healed from all.


    He grappled with a towering Amazon whose dark skin shined like metal underneath the bright lights.


    Steel Hammer.


    A woman stronger than the True Patriot.


    That strength proved lacking.


    The Slaver King gained the advantage and flipped the titan over his shoulder, throwing her into the Watch.


    They were only saved from being crushed by multiple layers of magic shields. The emitters burning out with the effort.


    Magitech.


    True Patriot recognized their like, though these looked much more advanced that then ones the techmages back home were capable of building.


    So many talented people working at cross purposes.


    They should¡¯ve been all underneath the aegis of the United States of America where they belonged. If they had been together from the beginning they would¡¯ve already reclaimed their country from the monsters and taken control of the spires.


    The woman with the sword returned to battle the king. This time with a shield and wearing advanced-looking armor.


    The king¡¯s punches boomed like artillery as they struck, but to her shock the shield and armor took them.


    The woman¡¯s dull, dark blade carved into the king¡¯s bare skin, drawing thin red lines that vanished almost as quickly as they had appeared.


    No.


    The True Patriot decided that joining the fight wouldn¡¯t guarantee the king¡¯s death.


    She made her decision.


    It was at that moment that Lt. Rico and Lt. Contrary returned from the weapon¡¯s check-in area with their gear.


    True Patriot gave new orders as the two distributed the weapons.


    To their credit neither questioned.


    Though she could see the unasked ones in their eyes.


    What about Death¡¯s Dancer?


    ¡°You have your mark on the secondary objective?¡± True Patriot said.


    ¡°Yessir, I can track him. He¡¯s not that far, but down,¡± Lt. Contrary pointed.


    ¡°We pursue,¡± True Patriot took the lead as they skirted the chaotic battle that had consumed the entirety of the king¡¯s great hall.


    The overall plan hadn¡¯t changed despite Death¡¯s Dancer throwing a wrench in their primary.


    The rest of her elite forces, regular and super soldiers, were already getting in position beyond the king¡¯s outer walls securing their egress out of the castle grounds, then the city.


    The chaos only aided them.


    As for the young lieutenant?


    She trusted in his abilities.


    She¡¯d wait for him at the extraction point outside the city.


    When the American soldiers fled the battle another fully-committed herself to it.


    She saw with more than her own two eyes.


    The Magus of the Ten Eyes had pierced through to glean enough of the truth behind the Slaver King¡¯s second Skill.


    Though his people were willing subjects she couldn¡¯t find it in herself to take pleasure in their impending doom.


    They knew not the fate that hung over their heads.


    The Sword of Damocles.


    ¡°He¡¯ll draw strength from the souls of everyone that dies tonight!¡± she yelled down to her disparate allies. ¡°Everyone that swore an oath to him! We must kill him! Quickly!¡±


    A thought, as easy and instinctive as raising a finger, triggered one of her monster eyes.


    The large pupil flashed.


    A bright, thin line lanced across the king¡¯s raised fist before he could land a blow on the one-eyed Sword of Freedom.


    The beam disintegrated skin, muscle and bone, severing the arm.


    An instant.


    Bloody threads pulled the limb back into place as if nothing had happened.


    A blur of movement.


    Too fast for the magus to follow.


    A heavy impact on her magic shield sent her careening all the way through the enormous glass dome high up in the center of the great hall.


    The Sword of Freedom tumbled back down to the floor.


    Rain pelted the magus¡¯ shield while the winds forced her to anchor herself in place.


    From her vantage point, she saw the entirety of the vicious battle centered on the Slaver King.


    Sparky, Hayden had the big clown on the floor, pinning him with her knee while grasping his head with armored hands.


    The clown laughed maniacally even as she poured electricity into him.


    White painted face blistered and bubbled, charring black.


    Hayden¡¯s face was a rictus of desperate rage.


    Somehow the clown continued to stab with his knife despite the thousands of volts flowing into his body, cooking him from within and forcing his muscles to contract.


    He succeeded even as she turned him into an acrid, smoking corpse.


    The knife had found a gap in between Hayden¡¯s front and back plate.


    It pierced through chainmail beneath.


    Through tough, padded cloth.


    Into flesh.


    Up under the ribs.


    Hayden staggered away, coughing blood.


    The woman needed healing, but she had time.


    Not far away, a golden-furred weredog, newly healed, launched herself at the Slaver King¡¯s back only to be intercepted by a pair of even larger, more fearsome melding between man and animal.


    The difference was apparent to even a non-magical eye.


    One looked almost friendly, despite her size.


    The other two triggered the primal fear in all men from the days their ancestors feared the night as prey for the predators.


    The weredog wore clothing, armor while the two werewolves were clad in only their gray fur.


    They rolled across the floor in a ball of snapping teeth and slashing claws, claiming those unlucky or too slow to get out of their way.


    The werewolves were bigger, heavier and stronger.


    One bit down on the golden-furred weredog¡¯s arm, tearing it too shreds.


    The other grasped her muzzle, pulling upper and lower jaw wide.


    Muscles in the weredog¡¯s neck and face bulged and clenched as she fought against the inexorable power in the werewolf¡¯s arms.


    Salvation came from an unlikely source.


    A young man, scared, overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the power being hurled violently around, rushed in.


    He struck with a silver-coated axe.


    Powered by a Skill the axe blade cleaved through the supernaturally tough fur, skin and muscle of the werewolf¡¯s arm to sink into bone.


    The wolf yelped. An animal sound of pain. He released his hold on the weredog.


    She lunged forward, closing her jaws around the thick neck of the werewolf savaging her arm.


    Growling, she bit down and shook her head like a dog with a rat in her mouth.


    Silver Axe faced the other werewolf.


    Over ten-feet-tall, the monster loomed over the young man.


    Silver was anathema to the werewolves.


    The gaping wound in his arm didn¡¯t heal, it gushed blood, matting his fur.


    He was no less dangerous.


    He rushed forward with quickness that belied his size.


    By some miracle, Silver Axe blocked the claw swipe.


    A Skill saved his shield and shield arm.


    The young man wasn¡¯t the only one with Skills.


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    The werewolf¡¯s next strike flashed double.


    Two strikes in one.


    The shield and Skill took the first, but failed on the second.


    Silver Axe gave a great cry of pain that was drowned out by the tremendous crash of clawed-hand on stout wood.


    Armor and arm broke.


    The werewolf¡¯s feral grin was full of triumph.


    He rushed forward to snap his jaws over the young man¡¯s head.


    The silver-edged axe blurred.


    A Skill.


    A last ditch effort to save his life.


    The blade sang as it cleaved through the werewolf¡¯s lower jaw, sending teeth flying in the spray of dark blood.


    Triumph was short-lived.


    The werewolf lashed out instinctively.


    Silver Axe caught the blow on his armored chest.


    The young man vanished into a crowd of fighting people several dozen feet away.


    The Emerald Bomber zipped across the magus¡¯ vision, drawing her eyes.


    The flying wing¡¯s engine whined, flames, blue in the core, turning to orange at the edges, pulsed from the main thruster.


    The green and purple-armored woman strafed a thick knot of the king¡¯s fighters as they poured into the great hall from one of the side doors. She caught them by surprise before they could cast spells or active Skills.


    The magus looked away.


    She didn¡¯t have the stomach to see people turned into bloody chunks.


    Emerald Bomber continued her aerial assault, throwing bombs that dissolved an enemy mage¡¯s shield before dripping down on the young man¡¯s face.


    His screams turned into gurgles as he died horribly.


    She threw another bomb that exploded into something resembling a spider¡¯s web.


    It reminded the magus of the remnants of such webs that the giant spiders weaved in their Manhattan territory before Cal¡¯s battle with the golden-winged alien angel had wiped most of the area out.


    This web fixed a dozen king¡¯s fighters to the floor.


    Shootystabby, Dayana flickered into view.


    Even with her monster eyes the magus struggled to follow.


    Dayana moved too fast.


    The magus only saw still frames of action at the beginning and ending of movement. She missed everything in between.


    Dayana flickered through the king¡¯s fighters, somehow avoiding the sticky webbing on the floor.


    Where she passed, men and women died with fountains of blood from opened throats and stabbed eyes.


    The magus descended back into the fray, focusing on saving the lives of her allies rather than taking the lives of her enemies.


    A monster eye flashed a sickly light across the slavers mobbing Silver Axe.


    Arms grew heavy, bodies weakened, fingers let weapons slip to the floor.


    The young man looked up at her with gratitude as she levitated him off the ground.


    She moved over to Hayden next.


    Arcs of electricity danced across the young woman¡¯s armor.


    Nevertheless, the magus lifted her up despite the protests.


    She carried them above the battle toward the Watch.


    A dark blur flowed across the floor, up a pillar and toward her only to strike her magic forcefield to reveal himself as the Blood-soaked Assassin, the Lord Alain De la Sangre.


    Red eyes glared at her from beneath dark hood and mask.


    ¡°You¡ª¡±


    His words were lost, swallowed by the explosion that rocked the magus back.


    The Emerald Bomber swooped past on her flying wing, giving a thumbs up.


    The woman had fired a miniature missile without regard for the magus or her two passengers.


    If the magus was willing to be charitable then she¡¯d accept that the Emerald Bomber knew that the magic shield was strong enough to handle the explosion.


    As for the vampire lord?


    He fell to the floor, trailing smoke from the fire.


    ¡°That won¡¯t be enough to keep him down for long, magus,¡± Hayden said, spitting blood.


    ¡°Then, perhaps, this will,¡± she replied.


    An act of will.


    A monster eye zipped down to face the fallen vampire.


    The pupil flashed a gray ray, striking armored chest.


    It spread quickly.


    Steel, cloth, flesh.


    Nothing was spared.


    Lord Alain De la Sangre sat in a half-crouch, rising from the floor. He was gray. Like a stone statue.


    ¡°Uh¡­ what was that?¡± Silver Axe coughed. The young man wheezed, his breathing labored.


    ¡°Petrification.¡±


    ¡°Permanent?¡± Hayden grunted.


    ¡°That depends on the level of his constitution.¡±


    ¡°You should make it permanent then.¡±


    ¡°That isn¡¯t my concern at this moment. Your lives are,¡± the magus dropped them off with the Watch so that they could be healed and sent back into the battle before she went in search of others she might save.


    It started as an itch in her eyes.


    All twelve of them.


    Like a mote stuck in the middle of her pupils.


    She saw it coming from outside, from the broken skylight.


    Dancing motes flowing down toward the Slaver King.


    The man battled with the Sword of Freedom in the middle of the raised platform.


    A punch hit her shield with such force that the shockwave knocked over all but the strongest for a hundred feet in all directions.


    Even the magus was forced to brace herself in the air.


    The Sword of Freedom¡¯s armor and shield bore multiple fist-shaped dents, still she fought on.


    The air around her dark gray blade shimmered and glowed with energy.


    The magus didn¡¯t need to use her eye to see it.


    It carved a chunk out of the Slaver King¡¯s shoulder only for the gaping wound to heal nearly instantaneously.


    Dancing motes continued to flow into the man.


    They were streaming from every door and window.


    The magus blinked all twelve eyes.


    The motes didn¡¯t vanish. They became more distinct. Larger. Taking disturbingly familiar forms.


    A small girl rushed in behind the king and tried to run him through with a sword.


    The blade merely nicked his back.


    The king kicked the Sword of Freedom off the platform, turning to the one-eyed girl.


    ¡°Good guts!¡± he grinned. ¡°You¡¯ll make a great gladiator!¡±


    The girl¡¯s eye flashed.


    The magus saw it taking the king¡¯s strength and funneling it into the girl.


    ¡°You¡¯re trying to empty the ocean with a cup!¡± the king laughed, holding his arms out wide.


    The girl snarled, thrusting the blade.


    The king took it on his muscular chest.


    The blade sunk perhaps a few centimeters.


    His hands blurred.


    Steel snapped.


    The one-eyed girl tripped backward.


    The magus fired a beam of disintegration.


    The king slipped his head to one side. ¡°Don¡¯t think I didn¡¯t see you up there, magus. Your actions will not reflect well on your friends.¡±


    ¡°My friends are safe from your grasp.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ you know? I¡¯ll have to ask you how they were taken out of my custody under so many layers of security without a trace of anything.¡±


    The motes swirled around the king.


    Was she the only one seeing them?


    The one-eyed girl leapt a dozen feet with stolen strength and a broken blade.


    All the rage from what had been done to her, her parents, her community laid at the feet of the one man that had made it all possible.


    The blade shattered on the king¡¯s face, drawing a thin red line down the center of his forehead.


    He grabbed the girl¡¯s throat.


    ¡°Ten out of ten. Considering how young and skinny you are. Truly, I can¡¯t wait to see you fight when we¡¯ve trained you up properly and fed you a few steaks,¡± he squeezed.


    The girl¡¯s eye rolled up into the back of her head.


    He dropped her limp form on the platform.


    ¡°Relax, magus. She¡¯s too valuable to kill. As for you¡­ I need information. And since you¡¯re all about those eyes, I think you could do without an arm or a leg.¡±


    The Slaver King blurred across the floor.


    The magus shot red beams, gray rays, fire and frost as she floated back and higher.


    She laid down a field of malaise. Tried one of anti-magic.


    Nothing worked.


    The king was too fast, too strong.


    He leapt, landing an earth-shattering punch on her magic shield, cracking it, sending a spike of pain through her head.


    The next punch broke it and caused her vision to darken for a moment.


    She came to as she slowly floated toward the floor with the king¡¯s grinning face in hers as he reached for her.


    Instinctively, a monster eye placed itself between them.


    He popped it with a punch.


    She screamed, clutching her face.


    That had¡ª


    It had felt like her own eye!


    The king¡¯s body suddenly sprouted dozens of shallow cuts.


    The Sword of Freedom glared at him from the distance.


    Not enough.


    The king almost had the magus¡ª


    The king was gone from her sight.


    It had happened too fast, but her eyes caught it.


    A body had broken as it slammed into the king like a missile, knocking him away.


    She looked down.


    Hammer had thrown one of the slavers.


    The magus¡¯ head spun.


    She blinked away the pain.


    There was a void.


    She had lost an eye.


    The Slaver King laughed as he threw the dead body back at Hammer. ¡°You people have no idea who you¡¯re fucking around with, but you¡¯re going to find out. I¡¯m only getting stronger and stronger as the night goes on.¡±


    He crashed into Hammer.


    The two traded blows the sent shockwaves through the great hall.


    Blood and teeth flew.


    Though the latter only grew back for one of them.


    The magus struggled to understand what she saw entering the king¡¯s bare torso.


    Not motes in her eyes.


    Not anymore.


    She had seen and fought inhuman spirits during her journey through several continents.


    These resembled those superficially, but something about them called to her own spirit. Her own soul¡­


    Dawning horror filled her.


    The king¡¯s Skill.


    She saw them with certainty.


    The souls of the king¡¯s subjects flowing into him.


    In part or whole, their ethereal forms gave him strength, allowing him to heal from seemingly anything.


    It had started as a trickle, but they were coming in faster now.


    Ghostly forms emerged from the king¡¯s back.


    She saw the anguish in the dark hollows where their eyes should¡¯ve been.


    Their mouth¡¯s opened in soundless wailing at their fate.


    Their hands grasped and reached as if they were drowning, fighting against being dragged into the depths of hell.


    She wasn¡¯t fighting one man.


    She fought an entire nation.


    ¡°He¡¯s stealing the souls of the enslaved! Maybe even anyone that¡¯s sworn an oath to him!¡± she called out.


    Hammer lost despite the strength to throw cars, the durability to shrug off powerful guns and spells and the toughness to ignore the pain.


    The Slaver King took everything she hit him with and came back with more.


    Metallic skin bruised and split under his assault.


    Her nose was smashed.


    One eye swollen shut.


    A dent in her cheek from broken bones stronger than steel.


    She smashed her forehead down on his face, deforming it for only a moment.


    He kicked her between her legs, lifted her up and slammed her to the floor, cratering it. He grabbed her arm, stepped over and twisted it.


    She roared defiance.


    He responded with one of triumph as he broke the arm and popped the elbow.


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky you got good genetics,¡± he sneered down at Hammer. ¡°Makes you useful to me in more ways than one. So¡ª¡±


    A giant rock bowled the Slaver King over.


    ¡°You are just the skeeviest perv in the world,¡± Punchy, Jayde, smirked.


    The young woman punched the floor.


    A pillar of stone shot the prone king into the air.


    ¡°Air combo!¡± she pointed.


    The magus bombarded the king with spells, sending him spinning higher.


    A large, golden blur leapt.


    Claw slashes were slowed by the wailing souls emerging from the king¡¯s back.


    The weredog felt a bone-deep chill run into her fingers along with the hot blood from parted skin and muscle.


    She kicked the king toward the floor right into the path of a second leaping weredog.


    Black and white-furred Rino carved into the king¡¯s chest before striking him back into the air with a two-footed kick.


    A much larger gray blur came out of nowhere, crashing into Rino and disappearing with her into the second level mezzanine.


    The king crashed into the ceiling, sending glass and wooden shards down along with the rain pouring from other holes.


    Gravity asserted itself pulling the king down.


    Right into the path of the Emerald Bomber¡¯s attack run.


    The green and purple armored woman strafed the king with her flying wing¡¯s gun.


    Blood spun, spiraling out like a blooming flower.


    She zoomed over him, tossing a few bombs in her wake to consume the king in explosive fire.


    An arm of wood and earth shot thorn-covered vines, snaking up to coil around the king before cracking like a whip to keep him aloft.


    The rest of them opened fire from the floor.


    Jayde missed most of it.


    Strong hands ripped the steel protecting her neck off like it was made of tin foil.


    A warm arm as hard and unyielding as marble snaked around her exposed neck.


    ¡°Relax, let me taste you,¡± a soft, sibilant voice whispered huskily in her ear.


    Jayde¡¯s eyes widened. She had been warned about this. She tried to fill her thoughts with everything else rather than listen to the compelling voice.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want the kiss?¡±


    Something wet and sinuous swirled in her ear.


    ¡°I bite, but you¡¯ll love it.¡±


    Hard, warm hands pulled her head to one side exposing her bare neck.


    ¡°Damn you!¡± Jayde struggled to concentrate. Her will became a ponderous, heavy thing to hold. The spell kept slipping from her thoughts like a slimy fish through her fingers. ¡°Stone Spike!¡± she punched back over her shoulder.


    Thank you to the spires for making spell casting automatic when you said the words.


    Sweet, sweet contact!


    A pained yelp.


    Freedom!


    Jayde turned to face the vampire, Lady Velvet.


    Form-hugging dress revealed a perfect, voluptuous body.


    Red hair fell perfectly on bare, alabaster shoulders.


    ¡°Hot, if you¡¯re into that sort of thing¡­ even with the hole in your eye,¡± Jayde smirked.


    ¡°It will heal,¡± Lady Velvet hissed, baring fangs. ¡°I shan¡¯t say the same for you.¡±


    ¡°¡®Shan¡¯t¡¯? The fuck? Pretty sure we haven¡¯t circled back to medieval times or the Renaissance or whatever,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°Surrender yourself to me. Let me embrace you and fix that ugliness on your face.¡±


    Lady Velvet¡¯s words filled the vampire with a presence that overwhelmed Jayde.


    The Heartfury reacted, relying on muscle memory to carry her through the muddled cloud that was her thoughts.


    She dashed the few steps separating the two.


    At the last moment she went low with an uppercut between the vampire¡¯s legs.


    The fireball boomed Lady Velvet all the way up to the third level mezzanine.


    ¡°Uppercunt!¡± Jayde smirked. ¡°I shadn¡¯t be doing such a thing¡­ pip, pip, cheerio.¡±


    Her triumph was short-lived.


    A blur bull-rushed her through the wall into one of the private dining rooms.


    Jayde rolled awkwardly, punching the ground to cast a magic wall of hard-packed earth from floor to ceiling between her and her attacker.


    She came up slowly, spitting blood.


    She took a moment to pull a finger-long splinter out of her cheek.


    ¡°One day I¡¯ll get a full-faced helmet,¡± she muttered.


    The earth wall exploded.


    ¡°What the hell? Is my blood that tasty?¡±


    A second vampire stepped through.


    This one was in rough shape.


    His clothing and armor was ruined, flaking off with each movement.


    His skin wasn¡¯t in much better shape. Gray flakes shed to reveal the raw red of muscle and glistening blood.


    Lord Alain De la Sangre coughed gray dust, vomiting more flakes.


    ¡°No. It isn¡¯t, but beggars can¡¯t be choosers. I need you to heal, so that I may repay that Arab.¡±


    Jayde raised her fists.


    The vampire lord blurred underneath her strikes, cutting where she wasn¡¯t covered by armor.


    Too fast for her to hit consciously.


    She couldn¡¯t use her newest and most powerful spell on the decidedly corporeal vampire.


    Spell-Punch Combo!


    She triggered her old Level 30 capstone with a thought.


    It had only gotten stronger as the levels and years passed.


    A flicked jab encased the vampire lord¡¯s raw-red face in ice.


    A straight left punched a spear of wood through the chest.


    A right hook shot a stone spike into an ear.


    A shot of explosive fire to the liver.


    Three more punches crushed ribs and throat with added magic.


    ¡°Fuck! I got you in the heart with a stake! Why aren¡¯t you turning to ash?¡± she stepped back warily.


    He ripped the ice from his face, taking a layer of flesh with it.


    The vampire¡¯s cough was wet with blood and rasped with the stone flakes from the magus¡¯ petrification spell.


    It took her a moment to realize that the strange warbling rattle was his laughter.


    From the holes in his lungs and throat?


    ¡°Not¡­ natural¡­ the wood¡­ conjured¡­ requirements¡­ not met¡­¡±


    ¡°Gonna punch your head off,¡± Jayde slammed her fists together. ¡°That should work.¡±


    The vampire pointed. ¡°Distant Touch of the Leech,¡± he said.


    ¡°Hey!¡±


    The blood from Jayde¡¯s wounds streamed like tiny rivers from her to the vampire¡¯s fingers.


    She rushed forward, but was too slow.


    He healed quickly. Enough to tear the wood spear out of his chest.


    ¡°I¡¯m connected to your blood now,¡± he bared fangs, ¡°Blood Explosion.¡±


    Jayde¡¯s left arm turned into fire.


    A sick squelching sound, like a wet balloon popping assaulted her ears.


    She looked down in shock.


    Pain radiated up from her elbow.


    The floor was painted in bright red.


    She spied bits of meat and ivory glistening underneath the lights.


    She dropped to her knees.


    Lord Alain De la Sangre approached slowly, blood flowing into him, healing him by the second.


    He reached down and almost gently grasped Jayde by the chin slowly lifting her up until he could stare into her eyes.


    Blood red pupils shined.


    ¡°I¡¯m not too clear on where exactly you rank on the king¡¯s list. It¡¯s the pain you see. Makes it hard to focus on anything but the blood I need to stay alive. I suppose it¡¯s better to ask for forgiveness after rather than permission beforehand.¡±


    His mouth distended impossibly wide enough to swallow two fists.


    Fangs lengthened.


    ¡°Inferno Burst!¡± Jayde punched her fist into the vampire¡¯s mouth.


    The explosion scorched her up the elbow despite the inherent protection from her spells granted her and sent her crashing into the large round table.


    Glass shattered around her.


    She blinked the white glare out of her eyes.


    Grimacing, she slapped fire on her bloody stump.


    There¡¯d be time to take care of that later.


    Her friends still needed her.


    Now¡­ about that vampire?


    The smoke slowly cleared to reveal the Lord Alain De la Sangre standing in the middle of the large dining room.


    The upper half of his head was just gone.


    All that remained was bloody gore.


    The body took a step.


    ¡°Seriously?¡± Jayde snapped.


    The body crumpled to the floor.


    She waited for it to turn to dust.


    It didn¡¯t, so she settled for hacking the limbs off with her machete before she stepped back into the great hall.


    Where she¡¯d spit at the irony that while she no longer had both a right and a left fist, only the former remained, the Slaver King, rat bastard that he was, had been keeping his Right Fist of the Slaver King and Left Fist of the Slaver King in reserve.


    Their entrance proved to be the stuff of nightmares.

 7.51

    Drawn to power, it moved swiftly through dark streets.


    Stinging rain sought to sap it of its strength to no avail.


    It headed toward the source of the storm¡¯s magic, reaching a broad intersection.


    Bright lights and loud voices emanated from dozens of the strange, square containers filled with infinitesimally weak things.


    Perhaps it would reap them after it had taken its fill from the mighty few.


    The protections around the containers wouldn¡¯t have lasted long against it when they were still up. Now that those were gone nothing could stop it from simply tearing through the sides to get to the weak ones within.


    But, those were held at a distance in its thoughts.


    It only had eyes for the true power, which, it realized was directly above.


    Lidless black orbs gazed skyward¡ª


    The power was out of reach high up in the dark, roiling clouds spitting needle-like rain drops.


    It dashed down the street, scattering chunks of asphalt in its wake as it headed for another.


    It felt heat great enough to melt sand into glass before it saw the conflagration.


    Steam rose from the raging fire in a plume that rivaled any awakened volcano.


    A wide swathe of land around the massive fire was bone dry despite the torrential downpour.


    It understood why when it moved closer.


    Pale, pink flesh steamed, drying almost instantly.


    The soles of its feet sizzled with each step forward.


    Pain was distant, irrelevant when hunger drove it forward.


    The source lay in the middle of the raging inferno.


    It dared the flames, diving in like a starving beast.


    A dozen yards?


    Two dozen?


    Pale, pink flesh burned and healed, burned and healed, burned and healed.


    Black ichor boiled and steamed before it could run tracks down its face. Black orbs melting and reforming in a quick cycle.


    A small hill of melted rubble rose up ahead.


    Molten metal stuck to its feet like tar as it ascended.


    Reaching the peak, it let out a guttural moan, which was cut off as the fire burned the air inside.


    The power was still so far away.


    Two, three hundred yards, though it had no concept of the measurement.


    From its perspective the distance was negligible. It knew it could cover it quickly under even the most difficult circumstances.


    However, this fire was beyond that.


    Normal flames meant nothing to it.


    Only the hottest natural flame could burn it and even then it healed just as quickly.


    It knew instinctively that it couldn¡¯t remain in this impossible fire long enough to cover the distance to the kneeling figure in the distance.


    Such power!


    It hungered.


    Yet, it wasn¡¯t to be.


    It turned and ran, leaping, loping until it was free of the inferno and back under the unpleasant rain.


    A moment to heal.


    The expenditure of power made it even hungrier.


    Three remained from what it had sensed earlier when the bright yellow orb had been rising in the sky.


    The one that tasted of the cold depths and crashing waves was likewise out of reach.


    The strongest¡ª flickered in and out of existence, intertwining with that of the one it had once encountered.


    The latter ebbed and flowed. It weakened for a span, but then grew stronger with startlingly speed.


    It understood.


    Strength taken from death.


    Similar, yet different from its own ways.


    A thought struck it like one of the occasional bolts of pale red lightning that branched in the storm like a twisted tree.


    The power it knew grew stronger whenever one of the weak ones in the surrounding area perished.


    It was like fattening up a cow for the slaughter.


    Kill the weak ones to make the strong one even stronger.


    Then and only then would it harvest.


    The demon tore through the container¡¯s side like it was made out of thin leaves.


    The mewling weak ones inside cried out in terror.


    One, a flickering candle in the cold dark, screamed out.


    ¡°Holy Smite!¡±


    Warm, yellow light tickled pale, pink flesh.


    A clawed swipe separated head from shoulders in the blink of an eye.


    The rest scrabbled to flee like those small, furry things skittering inside the walls of its former prison.


    Claws swiped.


    Mouths bit.


    White walls turned red.


    Furry floor grew damp and sticky as the red seeped in.


    It sensed, rather than saw the power flowing from the cooling corpses out into the storm.


    A bare trickle, but there were plenty more.


    It went to the next container on the street.


    Its prey would be well-fed before the demon would claim it all.


    <hr>


    Fin, Ghost Sorcerer doubled over with a cry.


    ¡°Quiet,¡± the Dread Paladin hissed.


    ¡°What was that?¡± he spat bile.


    Great danger! Recommend avoidance. Recommend informing Cal Cruces.


    ¡°He¡¯s busy¡ª¡±


    A sudden thought barged into his head like a battering ram through a castle door.


    The Dread Paladin grabbed his helmeted head.


    ¡°You too?¡± Ghost Sorcerer took a swig of water, cleansing the filth in his mouth.


    ¡°Your rangers¡¯ failure is going to cost me my vengeance,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped. ¡°The demon is beyond either of us.¡±


    ¡°Not even together,¡± he agreed.


    Distant. Will know if it is coming toward us. Moves fast. Scant warning.


    ¡°I know. We can¡¯t do anything about it,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Agreed. My purpose remains the same. You can do what you want.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s way past my pay grade. The plan remains the same.¡±


    ¡°Then we should hurry before it turns its attention to us.¡±


    ¡°Impatience kills.¡±


    ¡°Not as well as a demon.¡±


    Ghost Sorcerer could agree with that.


    ¡°Fine. How about this? Impatience lets the filthy mice, at least some of them, get away.¡±


    A strange sound emanated from the Dread Paladin¡¯s helmet.


    Eerie light regarded Ghost Sorcerer from behind the narrow eye slit.


    When the dark gray-armored man spoke the rasp felt, rather than sounded, hollow.


    ¡°We only need one tonight. The rest can be hunted down later like the rats they are.¡±


    ¡°I want as much of them down tonight as possible and if we have to wait a little bit then we¡¯re waiting a little bit.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t control me,¡± the Dread Paladin loomed.


    Ghost Sorcerer¡¯s heart flared hot in instinctive anticipation.


    ¡°And a fight out here¡­ between us¡­ how does that impact our chances against the Cabal?¡± he snorted.


    ¡°It¡ª¡±


    ¡°Lovers spat?¡±


    A voice from the shadowed end of the alley broke the tension.


    ¡°Sgt. Aims,¡± Ghost Sorcerer nodded and flashed a hand signal.


    The lanky ranger removed his hands from the holstered antique revolvers at his hips.


    ¡°Finally,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped.


    ¡°Hold on there, big guy,¡± Sgt. Aims held up a hand, gesturing for the rest of the ranger squad to approach, ¡°planning first¡ª¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m not going to wait. The Cabal dies. For my family,¡± the Dread Paladin called forth his dark, terrible steed.


    She climbed out of his writhing shadow, neighing maniacally as he leapt on her broad, muscular back.


    ¡°Oh, shit¡­ guess we¡¯re doing this without a plan,¡± Sgt. Aims said.


    ¡°Wait! The enslaved!¡± Ghost Sorcerer reached a hand toward the Dread Paladin.


    ¡°Are unaffected by the dread vow. I will¡­ avoid them¡­ but I won¡¯t wait for the rest of you. Do you want to come with me?¡± the Dread Paladin gestured behind him.


    ¡°Plenty of room,¡± Sgt. Aims shrugged. ¡°Up to you. We¡¯ve got a score to settle,¡± he nodded to Sgt. Hardhat and Sgt. Dastardly, ¡°though not as unresolved as yours.¡±


    He pointed across the street to the parking lot where slave soldiers patrolled, unaware of what was about to hit them. ¡°What about them¡ª¡±


    ¡°I got it,¡± Sgt. Dastardly hit a button on her enchanted arbalest-like crossbow.


    The mechanism pulled the string back, but instead of letting the magazine feed a bolt from beneath, she replaced it with one from the quiver at her waist.


    ¡°Is that new?¡± Ghost Sorcerer said.


    ¡°Yup. Custom Sexchanter69 work. Best she can make. Semi-auto. Ridiculously increased draw weight. Draw assist even in manual mode. All the optics. Same with the heads. Plus got a few alchemical ones from Santi up north,¡± she aimed and squeezed the trigger in one smooth motion.


    The bolt flew with a whisper, landing in the midst of the slave soldiers.


    A beat¡­


    An explosion.


    Thick, cloying gas bloomed.


    The slave soldiers crumpled to the ground.


    ¡°Sleep gas,¡± Sgt. Dastardly said.


    ¡°You coming or what?¡± the Dread Paladin rasped.


    Ghost Sorcerer leapt up onto the dread steed¡¯s back. He ignored the baleful glare from those eerie, glowing eyes.


    ¡°Horses can¡¯t turn their heads that far,¡± Sgt. Hardhat muttered.


    ¡°She is not a horse,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped.


    ¡°Intel said the Vitiator¡¯s sanctum-whatever is on the top floor. Intel also says your horse can run straight up the side of the building,¡± Sgt. Aims said.


    ¡°The entire building has magical defenses on top of the ownership protections,¡± Ghost Sorcerer said.


    ¡°Neither will stop me,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped.


    ¡°Yeah, but they might force us to go through the main entrance since it¡¯s a challenge. I could try a brute force attack, but I want to save it for inside,¡± Ghost Sorcerer said.


    ¡°Head for the top floor. We¡¯ll do the brute force thing, then hit the main entrance to keep them guessing. On my ma¡ª¡± Sgt. Aims said.


    Ghost Sorcerer missed the rest as the Dread Paladin urged his steed forward like a rocket.


    The only sound in his ears was that of the wind rushing past them.


    ¡°Damn. Fast,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Dastardly, I¡¯m shooting on your lead,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°Figure I wait till the last second, you think? So that we don¡¯t give whatever magic those degenerates have around the building time to recharge,¡± Dastardly said as she loaded another bolt. This one seemed to vibrate with power. The glowing liquid in the small glass cylinder behind the head shined like a torch as soon as she had pulled the protective covering off.


    ¡°They¡¯re going awfully fast,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Your call, Dastardly,¡± Aims switched out a round in his revolver and aimed up toward the largest window on the top floor. He activated Nightvision and Perfect Aim, holding off on one more.


    ¡°Still Breathing,¡± Dastardly whispered.


    Aims closed his eyes just as the whisper of Dastardly¡¯s arbalest touched his ears.


    He didn¡¯t watch the glowing bolt zip through the rain-blanketed night sky like a rocket launching into space.


    The countdown in his head was about to hit zero when he opened his eyes and squeezed the trigger.


    Special Round: Explosive Thermite.


    Dastardly¡¯s bolt burned as a second sun on the side of the building.


    As expected a magic shield shimmered to life, cracking under the strain.


    Aims¡¯ round finished it off.


    The rest of the mixture scattered on the remaining surfaces, burning and melting through the wall and what remained of the window.


    Just in time for the Dread Paladin and Ghost Sorcerer to flow into the building atop the terrifying steed.


    ¡°It¡¯s like it swims through shadows,¡± Dastardly shivered as she lowered her arbalest to reload.


    ¡°Alright, I guess we¡¯re attacking,¡± Hardhat said. ¡°Hey! Greygrass! A tune!¡±


    ¡°Do I need to, sarge? This rain¡¯s already doing a little bit of work,¡± Greygrass said.


    ¡°¡®Little being the operative word. The wide area is causing massive diffusion to¡­ er¡­ to,¡± Lasik sighed, ¡°¡®Tlaloc¡¯s magic¡­¡±


    ¡°Listen, you¡¯re terrible unless you¡¯re using Skills. Now¡¯s your chance. Also¡­ it¡¯s an order,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Should¡¯ve led with that,¡± Greygrass muttered. She pulled the lute from her back and began strumming. ¡°Something, something¡­ uplifting? But only in an in the background sort of way. Want to save the good stuff for when we really need it,¡± she cleared her throat, then started singing softly.


    Sometimes the world looks perfect,


    Nothing to rearrange.


    ¡°I like this one,¡± Timber nodded.


    ¡°It¡¯s so weird that she sucks when she¡¯s not using Skills,¡± Babyapple said.


    ¡°Shut it!¡± Hardhat snapped. ¡°No time wasting. Tanks¡ª¡±


    Bootleg Jesus and Timber hurried up to Hardhat.


    ¡°Babyapple, ward us,¡± she said.


    The young man hurried to trace glowing sigils on the surface of the trio¡¯s helmets.


    ¡°Babyapple, when you¡¯re done with that you¡¯re on magic defense with Molds. The two of you will stick to Sgt. Dastardly and Sgt. Aims,¡± Hardhat said. ¡°Lasik, magic offense supporting the sergeants. Bluesilk, Vicks, the two of you are behind the shields. Look for openings, but your primary job is to handle back attacks. Which means, Cherry Chapstick, you¡¯re tanking the back door. Your favorite,¡± she grinned.


    ¡°You¡¯re just doing that on purpose, sarge,¡± Cherry Chapstick sighed.


    ¡°It¡¯s what you¡¯re best at,¡± Vicks laid a solemn hand on the other young ranger¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°We are trusting our back doors to you, Godspeed,¡± Bluesilk held a hand over his heart.


    ¡°My children, shall we pray,¡± Bootleg Jesus said.


    Eyes rolled.


    ¡°Stopped being funny the hundredth time you did it,¡± Lasik said.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    Standing tall, on the wings of my dream.


    Rise and fall, on the wings of my dream.


    Babyapple finished the wards over the three, then did the same for Cherry Chapstick.


    Molds tapped and swiped at the phones affixed to her armored arms and thighs before taking a large tablet out and getting it ready.


    ¡°Our goal is to make as much noise and commotion as possible to draw attention away from those two,¡± Hardhat said. ¡°Dastardly?¡±


    ¡°On it.¡±


    Dastardly¡¯s bolt zipped across the parking lot and exploded the front doors wide open, sending shards of glass and building material scattering.


    Rayna¡¯s Rangers entered the battle against an entire building of degenerate mages with spirits boosted by a very old song.


    Near the top floor, Ghost Sorcerer found himself in a large office space.


    Their explosive entrance had scattered the desks, chairs and cubicle walls.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t where I intended to enter,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped.


    ¡°We definitely hit the top floor,¡± he replied.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t it. The Vitiator is above us. Multiple floors at least. This is the closest I have ever been. I¡¯m not wrong.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say you were¡­ but, I remember hitting the top floor and this is not it. What¡ª¡±


    Magical perception alteration.


    ¡°Some kind of spell messing with our perceptions,¡± he continued.


    ¡°I¡¯m resistant to magical illusions.¡±


    ¡°Up to your level and maybe above depending on the class and individual. Specifically, humans. The Vitiator isn¡¯t,¡± Ghost Sorcerer shrugged. ¡°Anyways, I¡¯m also resistant to that sort of thing. Therefore this was something different or stronger than what we¡¯ve experienced before.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. We just have to go up,¡± the Dread Paladin punched. The ceiling was well-within reach while on the back of the huge steed.


    Cheap ceiling material fell as the dark gray gauntlet went all the way through to the next floor.


    Supernatural strength widened a hole with a few sweeping motions.


    Hostiles detected!


    Ghost Sorcerer pointed to the door at the far end of the open space.


    The warmth in his chest flared hot.


    A bright red orb shot through the door.


    The delayed explosion rattled the entire floor.


    Three life signs extinguished. Seven injured. Unknown number converging from above and below.


    ¡°They know we¡¯re here,¡± he said flatly.


    ¡°Yes. The explosion would have done it,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped.


    ¡°Well, up we go then,¡± he stood and used the Dread Paladin¡¯s shoulder to boost himself through the hole and into the next floor. ¡°Can your, uh, horse follow?¡±


    ¡°No, she will spread dread to the rest of the Cabal.¡±


    The people in question rushed through the scorched doorway behind shields, physical and magical.


    Offensive magics lit up the darkness as they arced into the Dread Paladin and his steed.


    An angry neigh quailed the attackers momentarily.


    ¡°Lots of dread to go around,¡± Ghost Sorcerer muttered.


    ¡°I Summon Black Fog,¡± the Dread Paladin pointed.


    Writhing shadows spewed forth thick, soot-like smoke to quickly fill the large space.


    The Cabal¡¯s counters fizzled out or failed to eat through the fog.


    ¡°Summon Dreadlings.¡±


    Small, dark, misshapen creatures emerged from every writhing shadow.


    Screams and shots filled the air as the Dread Paladin leapt through the hole, landing with a heavy thud next to Ghost Sorcerer.


    ¡°They won¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°They know not to attack your rangers.¡±


    ¡°Alright, just checking. So, I¡¯m thinking stairs are better than elevators. Unless you want to climb the cables. Or we can repeat the trick. Punching through the ceiling, floor is probably not high on their list of expectations.¡±


    ¡°No. Let them know we are coming. Let their dread fulfill my Vow.¡±


    ¡°Okay. We better hurry then. The Vitiator¡¯s a slippery fuck. I¡¯m not picking up any big magics up there, but he fooled us with that trick,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Go, kill everyone above us,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped.


    More dreadlings emerged from the looming man¡¯s writhing shadow to rush, snarling, snapping, cackling up the stairs and¡ª


    A group clustered around the elevators.


    Boosting each other they pressed the button and waited.


    ¡°Disturbing,¡± he muttered.


    Summoned creatures fall on every part of the intelligence scale.


    ¡°Follow,¡± the Dread Paladin crouched, then leapt straight through the ceiling.


    Ghost Sorcerer conjured spectral chains to pull himself up.


    Two floors up they ran into trouble.


    Open floor plan office spaces.


    Heavy Cabal presence guarding the central hallway containing the elevators and stairs.


    A lesser amount guarding the secondary stairs in each office space.


    Dreadlings losing.


    Ghost Sorcerer cast ethereal body on himself before crouching behind a row of cubicles to find a better spot to attack from.


    ¡°Agony Wave,¡± a familiar, contemptuous voice turned a cluster of charging dreadlings into a twitching, wailing mass.


    ¡°Cambion,¡± he hissed.


    Focus. Controlled vengeance is successful vengeance.


    He took comfort in the warm pulses originating from his chest where his heart once sat.


    The Dread Paladin strode into a barrage of spells and bullets behind a summoned tower shield of dark gray and shadow. He reached out with a gauntleted hand. ¡°Shadow Grasp,¡± he rasped. Writhing tendrils yanked a handful of Cabal out of their defensive barricade. Some fell into the claws and teeth of the dreadlings. The Dread Paladin broke one on the spikes covering his shield¡¯s surface.


    Fear and terror were thick enough to touch.


    Ghost Sorcerer saw it more clearly with his magical eyes.


    The problem was that though it empowered the Dread Paladin, it also did the same for some of the Cabal mages.


    Red tinged his vision.


    It took a moment to realize that it was only in the air around Cambion.


    Rage, wrath flowing out of the Cabal mage and into his disciples.


    Bodies swelled, distorted with emotion turned physical might.


    They roared, snarling and spitting like rabid animals. Eyes only for the Dread Paladin.


    The first one struck the massive shield with an equally massive hammer, sending a crack of thunder that blew out the remaining windows on the floor.


    The Dread Paladin summoned a spiked mace mid-swing and pulped the man¡¯s head like a ripe tomato.


    Though already dead the man continued to fight, grabbing the Dread Paladin¡¯s shield and allowing another to land a crushing blow with a thick blade to the side of the helmet.


    A third tackled him into the wall without concern for the spikes on his armor.


    They buried him in a mass of muscle, punching, stabbing, ripping, tearing.


    Help?


    He can handle it for a bit longer, Ghost Sorcerer thought.


    Indeed, the dreadlings had gone to the aid of their summoner.


    The ranger decided to take advantage of all the attention on the Dread Paladin.


    He snuck around to the flank of the main group guarding the central hallway, which coincidentally brought him close to the much smaller group at the stairwell set against the outer wall of the office space.


    He dropped the ethereal state and cast in the next breath.


    Sinaht¡¯s Razor Birds.


    He didn¡¯t know who ¡®Sinaht¡¯ was, but they must¡¯ve been vicious judging by the spell.


    Faint light pulsed from behind Ghost Sorcerer¡¯s chest armor as a rip opened up in front of him.


    He spread arms out wide as a cloud flew out of the hole in space.


    The swarm glittered in the ceiling lights.


    Tiny birds the size of bees.


    Covered in edges as sharp and hard as their namesake.


    They flowed over the cabal guarding the stairs.


    Through eyes and ears. Into open mouths and other orifices. Or just through skin.


    Rending and shredding inside and out.


    A fine red mist filled the air, while bloody gibbets scattered amidst glistening bones fell to the floor.


    Ghost Sorcerer was satisfied.


    The Cabal deserved no mercy.


    Not from him.


    Not for all the countless others like him that didn¡¯t have the same luck.


    He carried their vengeance alongside his own.


    The flame of which threatened to burst from his chest with maddened, unceasing ra¡ª


    Focus! Magical aura attack. Rage¡­ wrath. Classification: Wrath Mage, Cambion. Correction: class upgrade, undetermined.


    He couldn¡¯t concentrate.


    There was only one thing in his red-tinged vision.


    That mocking smirk on the man¡¯s face as he pointed from the behind his disciples.


    Controlled vengeance¡ª


    ¡°I know!¡± he snapped. ¡°Malaviransor¡¯s Rebuke,¡± he flipped Cambion off.


    The red wrath vanished.


    Cambion doubled over with blood pouring out of his eyes, ears and a few other openings.


    Mana expenditure warning.


    ¡°Renzavore¡¯s Claw!¡± a sneering voice said.


    He turned.


    A magic shield cast around him by the artifact in his chest shattered as it took the black, crackling magical claw.


    One of the other Cabal elders had managed to sneak up behind him.


    Zepar.


    The man leered down at Ghost Sorcerer in a familiar way that took him back to memories he had thought left behind.


    And yet, he was back to those days in the Cabal¡¯s clutches all those year¡¯s ago as an abused boy.


    ¡°I can make you feel really good,¡± Zepar liked red lips and flicked a finger in his direction.


    He felt a stirring in his groin.


    Magical attack. Forced trigger of reproductive function.


    Not again, he thought. ¡°Never again,¡± he growled.


    Valynn¡¯s Bindings.


    Simple ropes summoned out of the ether.


    What made them special was that they were near unbreakable as long as you fed mana into them.


    One rope went around Zepar¡¯s wrists and ankles.


    ¡°What the hell¡ª¡±


    He tied the left side ropes around the nearest load-bearing pillar and sent the right side ropes flying across the open office space into the hands of the Dread Paladin.


    The Cabal had failed to notice the dark gray-armored terror finally dealing with the magically enraged.


    An agony lance pierced through Ghost Sorcerer sending spasms of excruciating pain racing up and down his body.


    Temporarily disconnecting nerves.


    Sweet relief.


    He sent a wall of flame racing toward the Cabal.


    They threw hasty magic shields up.


    ¡°Pull!¡± he shouted, though he needn¡¯t have.


    The Dread Paladin complied with Class 7 strength.


    ¡°Wait¡ª¡±


    Zepar didn¡¯t finish.


    The pillar cracked, but held.


    The ropes never frayed with the amount of mana Ghost Sorcerer fed into them.


    The Cabal Elder came apart in three pieces.


    ¡°Pain Siphon!¡± another elder, Mammon cried triumphantly pointing at his fellow elder. ¡°Yeah!¡± he vibrated. ¡°You really hurt Zepar, I mean right before you killed him, but as I¡¯ve always said, when another loses, I gain.¡±


    ¡°Shut your filthy mouth, murderer,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped. ¡°The only thing you¡¯ll gain here tonight is my hand crushing your face. Dread Smite.¡±


    A wide beam of dark light shined down from the ceiling to encompass the entire Cabal formation.


    The lower leveled cried out in terror and tried to flee.


    The higher leveled quailed, but fought it off.


    Cambion, Mammon and the remaining elder, Gremory protected themselves with their spells or relied on what he had just taken from the departed Zepar to weather the dark assault.


    ¡°Dreadlings. Kill,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped.


    Ghost Sorcerer held off on the area attack spell in favor of a targeted beam of disintegrating light in order to avoid the dreadlings.


    Not that he liked them or anything.


    They were useful in keeping the majority of Cabal occupied.


    He turned a young woman into ash even as the Dread Paladin waded in with sweeps of long-handled axe in one hand and punishing blows with spiked shield in the other.


    ¡°This is fucked!¡± Gremory said. ¡°Acolytes! Protect me!¡± she turned and dashed for the broken window.


    Ghost Sorcerer sent spectral chains rising up from the floor, but she banished them with frantic gestures.


    It appeared that he wasn¡¯t the only one with counterspells.


    Axe became spear and in one smooth motion the Dread Paladin hurled it at the fleeing Gremory¡¯s back.


    It sank into flesh, but not the elder¡¯s.


    One of her acolytes had used a Skill to throw himself in the way.


    The dark spear melted into shadow.


    The Dread Paladin split a young man in the next breath.


    As for Gremory?


    Well, she was out the window.


    Ten floors up, but Ghost Sorcerer was sure she had some way to deal with that.


    Slow Fall, Feather Fall and other derivatives were lower tier spells after all.


    ¡°That bitch ditched us!¡± Mammon said.


    ¡°You going to join her? You¡¯ve always been a pussy,¡± Cambion nodded. ¡°Go on, run away, I¡¯ll remain to protect our master.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit! If I can sense that he¡¯s opening a portal then so can you. You¡¯re a survivor, Cambion. I know you¡¯ve already got an out and I¡¯m not about to be a bag holder.¡±


    ¡°Surprisingly sharp for you,¡± Cambion snorted.


    ¡°I¡¯m a selfish man and there¡¯s nothing I¡¯m more greedy for than my continued existence. I can¡¯t gain anything if I¡¯m dead,¡± Mammon said.


    ¡°That is all you have left here,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped, batting aside a nauseating fireball with his shield.


    ¡°Let¡¯s work together, yeah?¡± Mammon said.


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Cambion nodded.


    ¡°Acolytes, listen up¡­¡± Mammon cleared his throat. ¡°Influencer¡¯s Golden Tongue,¡± he whispered. ¡°You only want one thing. Protect your elders. Enflame Heart¡¯s Desire. Greed is good,¡± he intoned.


    ¡°Unending Wrath,¡± Cambion waved a hand dismissively over the Cabal acolytes.


    Red motes of light sprinkled over them like a dusting of snow.


    People turned into raving mob nearly instantaneously.


    They threw themselves at the Dread Paladin, heedless of the shadowy blasts and devastating blows.


    A few rushed Ghost Sorcerer only to run into a conjured wall of piercing needles.


    Combined Skill and spell effects. They will not cease until they are dead.


    Obviously, he thought.


    Mammon fled to the other end of the corridor and out of sight.


    Tracing mana signature. Target: Mammon is running down the outer east stairs. Target: Cambion¡­ has been lost.


    He didn¡¯t sense anything of his second most hated person.


    ¡°We need to hurry!¡± he called out.


    His first most hated person was trying to escape according to the elders¡¯ words and his own magical senses.


    A lot of power was being generated at the top of the building.


    His gut told him that they needed to hurry.


    He couldn¡¯t tell how clos¡ª


    ¡°Shadow Spike Explosion.¡±


    The Dread Paladin cleared the Cabal out in one instant.


    Shadowy spikes jutted out of his writhing shadow.


    The acolytes wriggled on them, lifeblood pouring down the spikes like waterfalls.


    They refused to die.


    Wrath sustained them.


    Ghost Sorcerer gestured.


    A shining buzz saw of magic ripped through the air and through several dozen necks.


    Heads hit the floor.


    Bodies continued to fight.


    The Dread Paladin dismissed his spikes and commanded his remaining dreadlings to occupy the headless bodies as he strode to the stairwell.


    Ghost Sorcerer followed.


    They reached the top floor.


    ¡°The door is magically sealed,¡± Ghost Sorcerer said.


    ¡°I sensed the same,¡± the Dread Paladin said.


    ¡°The wall isn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± the Dread Paladin plowed right through behind his shield.


    Automated spells fired from what seemed like every direction.


    Dark gray plate chipped and cracked under the onslaught.


    ¡°Crasnadora¡¯s Comprehensive Counterspell.¡±


    Ghost Sorcerer gasped, sagging against the wall of the now quiet corridor.


    Tiny flames licked against the floor and walls as acrid smoke filled the air.


    ¡°That took a lot more than I expected,¡± he tried to breathe deeply.


    ¡°I¡¯m not waiting,¡± the Dread Paladin strode off.


    Ghost Sorcerer followed on unsteady legs.


    Use mana siphon.


    ¡°No. I¡¯m not putting this filth inside of me,¡± he muttered.


    The trail of magical energy led to what was once some fat CEO¡¯s office.


    The doors and walls shined with magic.


    The Dread Paladin regard him with those eerie glowing eyes.


    ¡°I weakened the protection. You can¡ª¡±


    A great boom rang out.


    The shockwave buffeted him back several steps.


    When he blinked the massive, hardwood double doors were nothing but splinters.


    There he stood.


    Impossibly tall, but not ungainly.


    He moved with a grace beyond even the greatest ballet dancers in human history.


    Dark robes fluttered in a non-existent wind as the Vitiator moved around in a shielded spell circle.


    He had bled a dozen small forms.


    Ghost Sorcerer recognized them as children arrayed around the outer edge of the huge circle.


    Slit throats poured blood, streaming to the center where a glowing doorway was coalescing out of the ether.


    He peered through the static in the doorway.


    It looked like a forest.


    The Vitiator held something small, something wriggling in one long-fingered hand.


    He turned too-large eyes toward the two interlopers.


    Flaxen hair swirled to reveal long, knife-like ears.


    Impossibly beautiful, yet alien.


    The face that had been haunting the Dread Paladin and Ghost Sorcerer for what felt like forever.


    ¡°Understand,¡± the Vitiator spoke with a melodious voice.


    One could be fooled into thinking it was a thing of beauty had they not known the depravity that hid beneath the beautiful veneer.


    As if to punctuate that thought, he turned and held up the thing in his hand.


    It was a baby.


    Practically a new born from what Ghost Sorcerer knew.


    Tiny arms and legs waved and kicked without conscious control as he or she laid in the cradle of the Vitiator¡¯s hand.


    The Dread Paladin¡¯s axe became a spear, striking out toward the monster, only for it to spark off the magic dome around the spell circle on the floor.


    Ghost Sorcerer watched the arcane symbols flow from the impact point before vanishing. He regarded the floor. Also protected.


    They weren¡¯t going to be able to try the Dread Paladin¡¯s earlier trick.


    ¡°You know that you can¡¯t escape. I¡¯ve marked you,¡± Ghost Sorcerer lied. He had tried and failed. ¡°No matter where you run from us, I¡¯ll track you down like the animal you are.¡±


    ¡°Understand¡­ I don¡¯t flee from you two. You are still too weak. Beneath my notice,¡± the Vitiator said.


    He regarded the looming figure in the spell circle.


    So tall that he made the Dread Paladin look short in comparison.


    ¡°I simply can¡¯t abide inelegant brutality.¡±


    ¡°You are fleeing in fear,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped. ¡°I can feel it. I can taste it alongside your foul essence in the air.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯d know,¡± Ghost Sorcerer agreed.


    ¡°Perhaps¡­ but not of you two.¡±


    ¡°Put the baby down and fight us if you¡¯re not scared.¡±


    Laughter like the tinkling of wind chimes.


    It sent a shiver of disgust up Ghost Sorcerer¡¯s back. Of the Vitiator, the Cabal and himself.


    The memories¡­


    ¡°Children. That is what you are. When you are old, gray and withered, gasping for the last bit of air into your failing lungs, you will have lived but a fraction of my years. You are nothing. You will be nothing. Insects. Born, live, die. In a blink of my eyes.¡±


    The Vitiator raised the baby cupped in his hand.


    He raised his other, conjuring a glowing blade, delicate, beautiful.


    A flick of the wrist, almost too quick to follow.


    The mewling silenced.


    Blood streamed to join the rest at the foot of the flickering doorway.


    The Dread Paladin hammered the magic shield with fury and desperation.


    Ghost Sorcerer had nothing.


    His mana had recovered some, but he knew that even at his maximum capability he wouldn¡¯t have been able to pierce it in time.


    The doorway solidified.


    The Vitiator discarded the baby like an empty husk. ¡°Do get stronger if you plan to find me again. Otherwise I will find you first. A lesson. Don¡¯t reveal yourself to your enemy unless you are certain of victory. I look forward to teaching you why,¡± he stepped through the glowing doorway and into a forest.


    ¡°No¡­¡± Ghost Sorcerer whispered.


    They were so close.


    Work done the spell circle died with a faint hiss.


    The Dread Paladin rushed in, but the magic doorway was already gone.


    That which your heart desires is about to slip from your grasp.


    The inner voice echoed Ms. Teacher¡¯s words.


    It had already slipped out of the noose.


    Or had it?


    Ghost Sorcerer desperately searched his belt, finding the small box he had received from a traveler from another world.


    Just like the Vitiator.


    ¡°What¡ª¡± the Dread Paladin rasped. ¡°Yes, the message. Open it!¡± he hissed.


    Ghost Sorcerer did just that.


    Radiant light filled the cavernous office.


    When their vision cleared the glowing doorway was back in the middle of the circle.


    The Vitiator turned in the distance.


    ¡°Vengeance,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped, diving through.


    Ghost Sorcerer was but a few steps behind.

 7.52

    Timber toppled like a felled tree, crashing into Hardhat.


    She had messed up, was too slow.


    She should¡¯ve been in the lead when that dark cloud had snaked down the stairs.


    Instead, Timber ran right into it.


    And now the young ranger was dead. His front half a red, oozing ruin.


    Armor, clothes, skin, muscle, bone, it had all been eaten away as if he had been splashed with the most corrosive acid in the world.


    An instant.


    He was gone.


    All of his Skills had failed to save him.


    All their defensive spells had failed.


    ¡°Air Blast!¡± Lasik pushed the cloud back, but not quickly enough.


    It touched Bootleg Jesus¡¯ arm.


    The man screamed.


    Skills did nothing.


    Armor, clothes, flesh, bone dissolved in two blinks of the eye.


    Hardhat pushed Timber¡¯s body aside.


    It was too late for him.


    She pushed Bootleg Jesus down toward the rest of the squad.


    The cloud reached her.


    She felt her dad¡¯s old construction hat vibrate.


    She couldn¡¯t see it, but she knew the bright yellow surface was cracking, flaking.


    ¡°Sarge! Sustained Air Blast!¡±


    Lasik¡¯s spell buffeted Hardhat and the cloud up the stairs.


    A hand yanked on the back of her armor.


    ¡°Setting up magic shield! Sealing the stairwell!¡± Molds swiped frantically on a tablet, placing it on the landing. ¡°Watch your step!¡±


    Hardhat stumbled over it.


    She was fine, but that instant in the cloud had hurt.


    ¡°Heals on the sarge!¡± Bluesilk called.


    The tablet¡¯s screen flashed a magic shield into existence, sealing the cloud to the upper stairs.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay! Fall back to the next landing!¡± Hardhat snapped. ¡°Babyapple, I want a ward! It¡¯s eating through the shield.¡±


    ¡°On it!¡± the young ranger frantically traced arcane sigils on the wall and floor as the rangers above him rushed down.


    Mold¡¯s shield sparked and cracked as the dark cloud pressed against it.


    ¡°Done!¡± Babyapple said.


    The sigils flared just as the tablet exploded.


    ¡°Oh shi¡ª¡±


    ¡°Down, down, down!¡± Hardhat dragged Babyapple.


    ¡°It¡¯s holding!¡± Babyapple whooped.


    They retreated several floors before halting to reassess.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Greygrass scowled. ¡°Where¡¯s Timber?¡±


    Hardhat exchanged flinty gazes with Aims and Dastardly.


    ¡°Some kind of cloud with a melting effect,¡± she said after a moment. ¡°Ate through Skills and spells in an instant.¡±


    ¡°Awww, man¡­¡± Greygrass sighed.


    ¡°Molds, can you scan above us?¡± Aims said.


    ¡°Uh¡­ yeah, that flare of mana sorta cleared out the interference,¡± she pulled out a laptop, ¡°hey, Bluesilk, I need you to hold this for me.¡± Fingers flew, clacking away. Those with the capacity for magic saw the telltale glow of active mana around the device. ¡°What am I looking for, sir?¡±


    ¡°Vitiator?¡±


    ¡°Traces, but I¡¯m pretty sure he¡¯s not up there anymore.¡±


    ¡°Ghost Sorcerer?¡±


    ¡°Also gone.¡±


    ¡°Gone ¡®gone¡¯?¡± Dastardly said.


    ¡°Traces, but nothing more.¡±


    ¡°Shit!¡± she replied.


    ¡°Um, ma¡¯am, doesn¡¯t mean he¡¯s ¡®gone¡¯ gone.¡±


    ¡°What about that Dread Paladin asshole?¡± Dastardly said.


    ¡°Same.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like we have no reason to be here anymore,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°Timber¡­¡± Hardhat said flatly.


    Aims nodded. ¡°Can you trace the cloud to its source?¡± he said.


    ¡°On it,¡± Molds tapped away.


    ¡°Wards are holding, but I¡¯m having to actively fuel them,¡± Babyapple warned.


    ¡°How long?¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Couple minutes,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Head back down,¡± Aims said. ¡°Dastardly with me. Any second now, Molds.¡±


    ¡°Got it, sir. Likely source seems to be five floors above us,¡± she pointed.


    ¡°Alright, we¡¯re coordinating. Squad Skill,¡± Aims activated it, linking him to Molds and Dastardly. He aimed his revolver at the direction Molds was pretty sure their target was located. ¡°Ready?¡±


    Dastardly loaded a special bolt in her enormous arbalest with a nod.


    ¡°You two, head down,¡± Aims waited for the two young rangers to disappear down past the next landing. ¡°Fire in the hole.¡±


    The thermite-like round burned through concrete and iron like a hot knife through butter.


    Dastardly¡¯s bolt screamed behind it after waiting a few seconds to let the small tunnel cool.


    Several floors above, Cabal Elder Shax licked her lips.


    That had been tasty, though she was disappointed that she hadn¡¯t tasted more than the one. Anticipation built for more. That strange magic shielding wasn¡¯t going to last much longer. She¡¯d taste the rest then.


    ¡°What are you doing? We need to get out of here. The master isn¡¯t in danger anymore,¡± Mammon huffed as he came down the stairs.


    Shax ignored him, intent on her hands curled like a raptor¡¯s talons as she pushed the dark cloud.


    ¡°Elder Mammon, Master Shax is killing our enemy as we speak. They¡¯re learning what it means to face the Cabal,¡± one of the acolytes sneered.


    ¡°Okay, good,¡± Mammon nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll just head to the other si¡ª¡±


    His words and everyone on the floor were swallowed up by the explosion.


    Dastardly stumbled as the stairwell rumbled.


    Aims grabbed her and threw the both of them out into the corridor.


    Fire chased them, licking at their backs.


    The lights blinked, then went out.


    Emergency lights at the end of the corridor came to life.


    ¡°C¡¯mon. I don¡¯t think we want to stick around too long,¡± Aims coughed.


    ¡°Yeah, we should get out of here before the whole thing comes crashing down,¡± Dastardly said.


    They raced out into the front lobby where the other rangers had gathered.


    Dead Cabal bodies littered the space.


    The burning smell masked that of piss and shit.


    ¡°We left Timber,¡± Greygrass said.


    Aims saw Hardhat¡¯s jaw clench. ¡°There was nothing we could¡¯ve done,¡± he said. ¡°Focus now, grieve later. The next spot on our quest tree is¡ª¡±


    A screech reached into his ears and wrung his brain like it was a wet rag.


    He staggered.


    ¡°Danger!¡± someone screamed.


    Was the building about to come down?


    It was shaking or maybe that was just him.


    ¡°Out, now!¡± Hardhat barked.


    Aims hung back, doing the head count.


    Minus one, he reminded himself.


    He was the last one out, boots crunching on the shattered glass.


    The rain felt good, almost soothing. Warmer than it had any right to be.


    ¡°It¡¯s not going away!¡± Vicks said. ¡°I can¡¯t¡ª it¡¯s all around me. Worse that ever before!¡±


    ¡°Oh God!¡± Babyapple¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Molds, get a shield around everyone!¡±


    Rayna¡¯s Rangers acted without hesitation.


    Training and experience showed their value and saved lives.


    At least for the moment.


    Molds held a smartphone over his head, casting a bright dome over everyone.


    Babyapple frantically traced sigils on the parking lot asphalt. ¡°Stay inside!¡± she snapped.


    ¡°Aww¡­ fuck,¡± Dastardly muttered.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Aims had a feeling and it wasn¡¯t good.


    A pinkish blur streaked out of the darkness, parting the curtains of rain.


    Molds cursed as the shield broke an instant before the smartphone exploded.


    That wasn¡¯t good.


    From what Aims knew that only happened when the damage far exceed the shield¡¯s capacity in an instant.


    ¡°I¡¯m not ready!¡± Babyapple screamed.


    Aims fanned his revolver.


    Not where the blur was, but where his finely honed instincts and Skill guided his hand.


    It recoiled away from the young ranger¡¯s exposed back.


    Babyapple gasped at the demon revealed.


    It stalked around them.


    Just beyond the lights from Babyapple¡¯s sigils.


    ¡°Finish your wards,¡± Hardhat¡¯s voice was steel as she stepped out of the partially completed circle.


    Earlier


    Rai stood in the rain, overseeing the loading of confused pregnant women into the vehicles. He constantly checked the southeastern end of the street despite the fact that he couldn¡¯t see that far with his natural eyes through the thick curtains of rain.


    The warm and soothing rain, which didn¡¯t track with how he had imagined the rain was in this part of the world. In a way it reminded him of home and its tropical rain forests.


    ¡°Not as humid here, which is nice,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°We¡¯re almost done, Sgt. Spiritwalker,¡± Sakura whispered into his ear.


    He stood like a statue, not willing to give the woman the satisfaction of seeing him jump.


    She had beaten the eyes and ears of his guardian spirits¡­ again.


    ¡°Good. And the exit route?¡±


    ¡°Ophrys said it was clear the last time I checked in. I¡¯ll check again before we leave. It shouldn¡¯t be a problem,¡± she gestured toward the east where the lights from the fires lit up the night with a deceptively warm glow.


    The city was fighting.


    At the king¡¯s castle.


    The hotel district where the outside forces were staying.


    Not to mention the stadium that had been burning for some time.


    Collared monsters have been released. Slaver King withdrew home protections.


    The words in his head were accompanied by flashes.


    The images were too quick to consciously process, but burned into his memory nonetheless.


    Sakura grimaced. ¡°Did you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ not our problem. None of those places are on the exit route.¡±


    ¡°Nursery site 3 is,¡± Sakura said.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing we can do from here. We load the cars and get them to the camp like planned,¡± he glanced down the street and caught the frantic flashes of light. His eyes widened. ¡°Incoming!¡± he snapped. ¡°Hurry up the boarding process!¡±


    ¡°Danger sense!¡± a shout went up.


    Ambrose¡¯s usually steady hand was shaking from the way the lights wavered.


    Spiritwalker drew on one of his bound spirits.


    His eyes shined underneath the streetlight.


    An angry mob marched up the street.


    ¡°They even have the torches,¡± he muttered.


    He blinked.


    The mob was gone.


    In its place was a thick red cloud.


    Another blink.


    He stared into a pale, pink chest, human-like.


    A blink.


    Disorientation.


    Emergency substitution technique was unpleasant when one was a passenger.


    Spiritwalker tried not to vomit as Sakura tugged at his arm.


    The demon held a cut log in its clawed hand, staring it with something like confusion.


    Its face was smooth aside from the two black orbs for eyes.


    A mouth split the smooth surface.


    ¡°Oh shit. That¡¯s the demon, isn¡¯t it?¡± Sakura hissed in his ear.


    It focused on the two of them with a sharp-toothed leer.


    The log in its hand exploded, showering them with splinters.


    Spiritwalker had already acted.


    A thought called on one of his spirits.


    A shimmering form coalesced mid-leap, meeting the blurring demon a bare dozen feet from the two rangers.


    The spirit wrapped a thick tail around the demon¡¯s legs.


    ¡°Fuck! It¡¯s fast with those backwards knees,¡± Sakura said.


    The spirit sank claws into the demon¡¯s body and teeth around its head.


    Dark fur glowed with ethereal light.


    The giant binturong spirit from his homeland struggled to grapple the demon.


    ¡°Get on the truck,¡± Spiritwalker said.


    Only one remained.


    The rest of the vehicles were red tail lights in the distance.


    Rayna¡¯s Rangers rushed to join him and Sakura.


    Useless.


    They were just going to die.


    Everyone had been fully-briefed on the demon¡¯s capabilities.


    They were dead.


    Spicy and Creep Chipmunk came running up the street, behind the demon.


    The former paused to fire bursts into the demon¡¯s back.


    The latter put on a burst of speed, stolen from one of the shrunken animal heads on his belt.


    He cut an ugly gash into the pale, pink flesh with his Igorot axe.


    The cut healed as it was made.


    ¡°Get on the damn truck!¡± Spiritwaker snapped.


    Oatmilk rapped the truck¡¯s side, signaling the driver to take off. ¡°Sorry, Sgt. Spiritwalker. Couldn¡¯t hear you over the rain,¡± the stocky middle-aged man shrugged apologetically.


    Spiritwalker¡¯s head snapped back to the demon.


    He felt his spirit¡¯s destruction the instant it happened.


    The demon blurred.


    Sakura appeared in front of him.


    Fingers moved quickly in front of her mouth.


    She breathed a plume of fire.


    The demon struck through the flames.


    It paused with another log in its grasp.


    The rangers opened fire.


    Bullets peppered its flesh, only to be pushed back out in the next instant.


    Spells scorched it, only for the effects to vanish in the next instant.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The demon hurled the log.


    Spiritwalker sent a large, glowing catfish to swallow it before aiming for the demon.


    It shredded his spirit into nothing from the inside.


    Too fast.


    Too close.


    Creep Chipmunk dashed in with quickness and agility beyond human capability.


    Two ineffective slashes.


    Spicy screamed.


    One effective back hand crushed Spiritwalker¡¯s oldest friend through the window of the office building across the street.


    The demon ignored Spicy¡¯s taunting fire as it loomed over Spiritwalker.


    Its black orbs seemed to sparkle with something like wry amusement.


    Spiritwalker wondered briefly if his class gave him that particular insight.


    ¡°Take The Blow,¡± Oatmilk beat the falling hand.


    Spiritwalker found himself behind the dark-skinned man.


    The enchanted round shield was doubly strengthened by a Skill.


    The strike against its surface brightened night into day for an instant.


    Everything broke.


    The enchantment.


    The metal.


    The wood.


    The arm.


    The Skill.


    The demon plunged its hand into Oatmilk¡¯s chest, treating his thick plate like paper.


    The ranger choked blood, but fired back. His submachine gun spat a steady stream of bullets into the demon¡¯s smooth face.


    Creepy Chipmunk appeared out of nowhere, blood in his mouth.


    Igorot axe carved straight through the demon¡¯s arm, only for it to completely heal the instant after.


    He cursed.


    ¡°Headhunter¡¯s Decapitation!¡± he snarled.


    The concave edge carved through the pale, pink neck.


    Once again, it healed instantaneously.


    Oatmilk twitched.


    The other rangers gave everything they had.


    The demon ate the man¡¯s chest from within, leaving a gaping hole when it let him drop to the slick ground.


    ¡°Get clear!¡± Corpse Flower called out. He barely waited for Creepy Chipmunk to get out of the demon¡¯s vicinity before he fired an acid mist bolt from his X-bow.


    ¡°Hold it!¡± Spiritwalker pleaded.


    Spirits erupted from his body.


    Their ethereal nature made them invulnerable to the acid.


    Two knives spun out of Curious¡¯ hands, sinking into the black orbs.


    The demon struggled with the spirits as the acid mist continually ate away at its pale, pink skin.


    ¡°Panda! Can you lock it down?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, sir, maybe, I¡¯ll need time to find the right story,¡± Sketchy Panda said as a spectral book appeared in his hands, pages turning rapidly.


    ¡°Carnifex, I need a weakness.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been trying, sarge,¡± the brawny woman said. ¡°I can¡¯t get anything. It¡¯s like it doesn¡¯t have bones, muscles or tendons to target. Either that or it¡¯s way too strong for my level.¡±


    ¡°A story about imprisonment, but a just one,¡± Sketchy Panda murmured.


    ¡°Hurry it up!¡± Curious threw a second pair of knives to replace the ones the demon pushed out.


    The demon suddenly broke the spirits, rushing toward Sketchy Panda.


    How was it determining its targets?


    ¡°In the Zone. Sweeping Strikes,¡± Wet Dreams strode in behind his shield and axe.


    He lasted a full second before the demon threw him into the clinic.


    ¡°Oh fu¡ª¡± Sketchy Panda stumbled back, spectral book vanishing.


    The demon struck¡ª air.


    It found itself inside a building.


    Something tingled on its back.


    It pulled a small strip of cloth with a strange symbol written in red ink free.


    Back on the street a few blocks away, Sakura gasped for breath. ¡°Sorry¡­ plant¡­ tag¡­ run back¡­ line of sight. Never¡­ substitution¡­ distance before. Give¡­ second¡­ lead¡­ away¡­¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll lead it away,¡± Corpse Flower said.


    Creepy Chipmunk hobbled over supported by Spicy. ¡°I can do it, if I get a heal,¡± he grunted.


    ¡°You¡¯re bleeding internally!¡± Spicy snapped.


    ¡°Just need it fixed enough and I can push the limits for a while longer. Me and Sakura are the only ones that have a chance to last long enough with that thing chasing us for the rest of you to get away.¡±


    Spiritwalker shook his head.


    The demon had been toying with them.


    He didn¡¯t doubt that it could catch them without much trouble.


    How much time did they have?


    ¡°Wet Dreams is busted up bad,¡± Four-toes came out of the clinic.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got it!¡± Sketchy Panda said. ¡°Paradise Lost. Where the devil is imprisoned in hell,¡± he read from a spectral book in his hands.


    Spiritwalker blinked.


    A pair of arms arced through the rain, blood spraying in their wake.


    He didn¡¯t know whose.


    One was thin and lightly armored.


    The other was muscular and heavily armored.


    Rangers screamed.


    A pale, pink blur was in their midst.


    A headless, legless torso landed in front of Spiritwalker.


    The armor¡ª it was¡ª


    A spirit boiled out of him instinctively, blocking the demon¡¯s grasping hand.


    In its palm a circular mouth appeared, filled with rows of jagged teeth.


    ¡°Of Man¡¯s first disobedience, and the fruit of that forbidden tree¡­¡± Sketchy Panda read.


    Spectral pages flew from the book, affixing to the demon as the young ranger continued.


    More and more swirled around the demon, wrapping it up like a mummy.


    ¡°It¡¯s working,¡± Spicy whispered.


    Spiritwalker dared to hope. ¡°Everyone that can, go! I¡¯ll stay with Panda. Call it in to command. Tell them we made contact with the demon and to send the countermeasures. We¡¯ll hold it here for as long as we can.¡±


    So said, a great explosion in the distance jarred them all, causing Sketchy Panda to lose his concentration.


    The story wavered and stopped.


    The demon burst loose from the pages.


    Spiritwalker readied himself for death.


    One that didn¡¯t arrive.


    The demon vanished with a gust of wind.


    ¡°There,¡± Spicy pointed in the distance.


    A tall building was on fire.


    Spiritwalker consulted the map he had memorized.


    He realized what that building contained.


    The surviving rangers scanned the darkness warily.


    The danger sense had lessened greatly.


    ¡°What the hell just happened?¡± Sakura said.


    ¡°It found something more interesting,¡± Spiritwalker said. ¡°Get this to command, now!¡± he snapped. ¡°Tell them that the demon is heading for the Cabal HQ.¡±


    ¡°Aims¡¯ and Hardhat¡¯s squad,¡± Creepy Chipmunk caught his eye.


    ¡°We can¡¯t warn them,¡± Spiritwalker said.


    There was too much interference generated by the Cabal¡¯s heinous rituals.


    ¡°Try anyways,¡± Creepy Chipmunk said.


    <hr>


    They crashed into the battle like lightning and thunder.


    The Left Fist of the Slaver King was an enormous man clad in a mix of thick steel and ceramic plates. He stood taller than basketball players of old and wider, stouter than the football linemen from the same era. All while being much faster and more athletic than any of those professionals judging by how quickly he moved through the melee without trampling over his own allies¡­ much.


    Sometimes it was just unavoidable and he had only one imperative.


    Protect his king.


    He clipped a fighting noble with the side of his armored leg, breaking bones and knocking her into a thick knot of people fighting. Slavers and former enslaved scattered like bowling pins in his wake.


    ¡°I can¡¯t see the king,¡± he said.


    Riding on his back and shoulders the Right Fist of the Slaver King stood higher. ¡°On your nine o¡¯clock,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°They¡¯re in the way,¡± he stared at the group firing spells and weapons from behind glowing magic shields.


    ¡°Not for long,¡± she fired a grenade into their midst.


    A lanky young man caught it and hurled it back.


    The grenade went high then suddenly sank straight back to them.


    The Left Fist of the Slaver King struck it with the hammer side of his over-sized poleaxe.


    The explosion showered him with ineffective shrapnel.


    Thoom!


    The Right Fist of the Slaver King fired another.


    This one was melted out of the air by a young woman wielding a futuristic-looking pistol.


    ¡°How strong are those shields?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s magitech. I can¡¯t tell exactly, but judging by the shots they¡¯re taking¡­ not a problem for you.¡±


    ¡°Hang on.¡±


    The king needed them and the quickest way to his side was in a straight line right through their enemies.


    ¡°Trample Charge,¡± he muttered as he shot forward like a dragster launching off the line.


    A man with an arm of wood and earth tried to trip him up with thorn-covered vines.


    He barely slowed as he ripped through them with steps that shook the floor.


    A middle-aged woman in strange armor and wielding a rifle sprayed him with an impossible stream of sharp projectiles.


    They cut through his thick plates of steel and ceramics like they were cloth, drawing pinpricks of blood when they struck his Skill-toughened skin.


    ¡°Armor For King,¡± he muttered.


    The rest of the projectiles bounced off.


    Clinging to the handles and stirrups built into his backplate, the Right Fist of the Slaver King stuck a hand over his shoulder. ¡°Acid Missile Barrage,¡± she said with that dead tone of hers, like she was reading out a recipe for pie rather than condemning a group of people to painful deaths.


    Small orbs sizzled past his ear, trailing bright green light as they flew in multiple arcs.


    ¡°Mouth of the Endless Hunger,¡± a woman with pink-streaked hair raised her hands, conjuring a rip in space that made him sick to look at.


    A hint of teeth, tongues and an endless void, into which the barrage inexorably flowed.


    ¡°I lost control of them,¡± the Right Fist of the Slaver King said.


    The vague, nauseating mouth vanished as the woman sagged to the floor.


    ¡°Oh well,¡± she said flatly. ¡°I¡¯ll just do it again,¡± she cast the same spell.


    This time there was no counter.


    The green orbs struck the magic shields, causing the tablets emitting them to smoke and whine as the magical acid ate them.


    ¡°Slow down if you don¡¯t want to get any on you,¡± she said.


    He didn¡¯t.


    His armor was thick enough that the acid would fizzle out before it got close to his skin.


    The young woman with the futuristic pistol fiddled with it frantically as he drew closer with frightening speed.


    A big man rose to his feet, shaking his head groggily, before pointing a hand of metal and plastic.


    Lighting arced through the rapidly dwindling space between them, playing across the surface of his armor, barely affecting him.


    The Right Fist of the King wasn¡¯t as tough, she gave out a strangled cry of pain.


    Still, her presence remained clinging to his back, so he ignored her.


    A wall of wood, earth and thorny vines erupted under his boots.


    He stumbled, but only for an instant.


    The young woman raised the pistol.


    The fireball exploded in his face. Searing heat stole his air even as the flames found their way through the thin eye slits and small mouth holes to burn.


    ¡°Fast Heal,¡± the Right Fist of the Slaver King said.


    Hot pain dissipated into cool comfort.


    ¡°Rapid Retreat!¡± the woman in the strange armor spoke quickly.


    He crashed through a magic shield, shattering it like glass.


    They had scattered just in time thanks to the aid provided by the Skill to avoid being trampled underneath his steel-clad boots.


    Their leader continued to fire her strange rifle as she scrambled back.


    He lashed out with his over-sized poleaxe one-handed, extending his reach.


    Impossible strength hammered the axe head into the woman¡¯s chest, cleaving straight through her rib¡ª


    Was what he had expected.


    Instead, he hammered her into the floor, flat on her back.


    When he pulled back his weapon all he saw was a small indentation in the woman¡¯s strange armor.


    He glanced at his steel edge.


    It was ruined.


    At least the woman wasn¡¯t moving.


    A small shape leapt on his face.


    Something sharp and wet tried to stab into his eye slit.


    He reached up with his free hand and ripped the attacker off.


    What he held surprised him.


    It was a petite, yet curvaceous young woman in a black dress. Perfect raven-black hair framed a beautiful face. Long lashes fluttered up at him. She graced him with a shy smile.


    He felt a sudden urge to protect this woman from anything and everything.


    ¡°Charm magic or something,¡± a flat voice said from behind his shoulder, ¡°Fire Spray.¡±


    For the second time in a handful of seconds, great heat washed over his face.


    The charming young woman in his hand screeched like an animal as the flames engulfed her head.


    He tossed her writhing body to one side, shaking his head as the cloud of confusion cleared. ¡°Thanks,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°You men are vulnerable through your dicks,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°Ginessa!¡± the young woman fiddled with her futuristic pistol and drenched the burning woman with water.


    It wasn¡¯t a pretty sight, but the woman was still moving.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go. The king needs us.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    ¡°No. You stay and fight us,¡± another middle-aged woman, rough, scarred, a soldier from the cast of her features and the confident way she stood, gun in her hands.


    The Left Fist of the Slaver King heard the taunt and had no choice but to turn and face the soldier.


    She had to be at least Level 40 in her class if he couldn¡¯t just outright ignore her.


    He took a step.


    She squeezed the trigger.


    He stopped underneath the barrage of bullets.


    ¡°What are you doing? Just charge through like you usually do,¡± the Right Fist of the Slaver King said.


    The bullets plinked off his armor.


    She was right.


    It shouldn¡¯t have been a problem.


    Yet, he couldn¡¯t take a step forward.


    All he could do was stand tall to keep his partner safe and cover his face with his arms.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll go when she needs to reload.¡±


    The soldier¡¯s assault rifle had a drum magazine, but it wouldn¡¯t take long for her to empty it from the way she kept her finger on the trigger.


    Yet, the stream didn¡¯t stop when it should¡¯ve.


    Skills.


    One suppressing him in place.


    Another keeping the gun firing.


    Something like automatic reload.


    The woman went through what felt like another magazine when a hand darted from over his shoulder.


    Green orbs streaked out, only to be blocked by sudden magic shields.


    ¡°Oscar, Tobin!¡± the soldier barked, ¡°we¡¯re coordinating. Spell guns first.¡±


    Two others, a young man and woman flanked the grizzled soldier, raising those futuristic looking pistols.


    The soldier stopped to reload.


    He tried to charge and failed as Oscar fired a barrage of magic missiles from his spell gun.


    When that stopped, Tobin fired small bolts of fire.


    ¡°The king needs us,¡± the Right Fist of the King said flatly as she risked raising her hand over his shoulder to launch acid magic missiles that where blocked by another magic shield.


    He saw that those were the work of the big man with the metal and plastic hand. The man discarded a burned phone with each spell blocked, but it looked like he had a lot of those.


    The soldier reloaded and resumed firing.


    The other two holstered the spell guns and leveled their own assault rifles.


    It appeared that the former couldn¡¯t be reloaded. He filed that information away for later. It would be valuable to the king.


    Together the three kept him pinned in place for what felt like an eternity.


    ¡°The king¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know!¡± he snapped.


    Use a Skill?


    Or wait them out?


    He decided on the latter.


    The soldier couldn¡¯t keep it up forever and the king was mighty.


    ¡°Counting down!¡± the soldier barked. ¡°Commander!¡±


    The woman in the strange armor sat up with a groan.


    She should¡¯ve been dead, chest smashed by the force of his blow even if he failed to do more than scratch her chest piece.


    Instead, she stood, picking up her strange rifle.


    ¡°We can¡¯t let them get to the Slaver King,¡± she coughed. ¡°Oscar, Tobin, Cara, Hillary, exit plan. Take Ginessa with you.¡±


    They stepped back and vanished.


    ¡°Magitech. Stealth field,¡± the Left Fist of the King said.


    There was something like a ripple in the air, like wavering haze off a hot road moving away and through the chaotic melee.


    ¡°Also an ignore effect.¡±


    Let them run away.


    It didn¡¯t matter.


    The king took priority.


    Soon.


    The woman in strange armor continued to bark orders. ¡°Del, I¡¯m linking everyone to you. Can you handle it?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Watch Commander,¡± a sad-eyed man said.


    No.


    Not just sad.


    There was a familiar look in the man¡¯s weepy eyes.


    He had seen it before in his own mother¡¯s eyes nearly ten years ago.


    When she stood in front of her children¡­ what remained of her children.


    His father was in pieces a short distance away.


    The terrible monster had triumphed after a fight that felt like an eternity.


    His mother held her axe.


    Her look had said ¡®no more¡¯.


    She had already lost her oldest.


    His brother.


    Brave.


    Her husband.


    Strong.


    ¡°You won¡¯t take them away,¡± she had said.


    It was grim determination in the certain knowledge that she¡¯d die before the monster killed her remaining children.


    Which is what happened.


    She had succeeded.


    In part.


    Out of her three remaining children, only he had managed to escape the monsters claws long enough for help to save him.


    The sad-eyed man had seen death and he¡¯d do everything in his power to go first.


    ¡°I¡¯m out!¡± the soldier said.


    The Left Fist of the King suddenly felt free.


    He stepped toward the soldier letting his grip slip all the way to the bottom of his long-handled poleaxe as he swung it. ¡°Expanded Cleave.¡±


    He aimed to catch more than the soldier with the table-wide extension to his axe head''s cutting edge.


    Eyes widened in surprise as the soldier and the others in his targeted arc ducked under the sweep a split-second ahead with perfect synchronization.


    He wasn¡¯t certain, but it looked as if they were already in movement before he had even began his strike.


    ¡°Solat¡¯s Mire,¡± the Right Fist of the Slaver King pointed. ¡°Do it again.¡±


    The enemies boots sunk into the ugly morass that had replaced the hardwood flooring in a wide area.


    ¡°Expanded C¡ª¡±


    The Watch Commander cut through the wood haft of his weapon with an impossibly accurate stream of projectiles from her strange rifle.


    Light and heat flashed across the corner of his eye.


    A magic shield shattered, but blocked the spell before it could strike the Watch Commander.


    The big man with the metal and plastic hand cursed as the phone in his hand burst into flames.


    The Left Fist of the Slaver King glared at the soldier, pointing at her even as he shifted his grip on his weapon¡¯s broken haft. He made his intention clear as he raised the splintered wood like a javelin.


    He hurled it with the speed and power of a ballista bolt¡ª right at the sad-eyed man.


    The feint proved fruitless.


    The man with the arm of wood and earth had somehow seen through it. He had already raised a wooden barrier.


    Jagged splinters showered the area.


    A dark beam of thin energy shot through the hole in the barrier.


    The Right Fist of the Slaver King¡¯s spell trailed his javelin.


    Extensive practice and Skills allowed them to work in concert with perfect coordination without the need for words just as a man¡¯s hands did.


    The beam zipped over the sad-eyed man¡¯s helmet as he ducked, continuing until it melted another person fighting in the chaotic melee.


    Again, their enemies displayed their own perfect coordination, but it was more than that. They anticipated everything. As if they knew the attacks were coming.


    ¡°Max, can you do something about this mire?¡± the Watch Commander said.


    ¡°It feels beyond me, but I can try to harden it,¡± he plunged his wood and earth hand down into it. ¡°Rest is up to you.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s going to do it¡­ slowly,¡± the Right Fist of the Slaver King said.


    ¡°Then stop him.¡±


    Spells flew and were blocked or countered.


    ¡°I understand now. Foresight or precognition Skill,¡± she pointed at the sad-eyed man, ¡°shared with everyone through her command and control Skill,¡± she pointed at the Watch Commander. ¡°Recommend killing him. Her armor will take a lot of effort to breach.¡±


    Meanwhile their king needed them.


    How much time had passed since he called for them?


    Minutes.


    Too much time.


    Fights could be decided in seconds.


    He made a decision.


    ¡°The king needs us. You¡¯ll go first.¡±


    The Right Fist of the Slaver King¡¯s protest was cut off by the force of his throw.


    Their enemies fired at her as she arced through the air.


    She blocked every shot with a magic shield until she was out of sight, hopefully close enough to aid their king.


    He picked up the broken remains of table and hurled it at the sad-eyed man.


    A crackling blue-white claw of lightning rent it asunder.


    The big man had freed himself from the hardened mire.


    That took strength beyond the norm.


    ¡°Go for the eyes, Mr. Bigglesworth!¡±


    A flash of movement.


    Followed by pain.


    He swatted at his face.


    Blinking the tears away.


    He felt his helmet.


    It was intact.


    His vision cleared, though the pain remained.


    A small, twisted thing sat on the pink-haired woman¡¯s shoulder.


    Like one of those hairless cats, except bipedal and with a smug look on it¡¯s face.


    It waved it¡¯s claws mockingly, trailing ethereal wisps of pinkish magic.


    A growl escaped his throat.


    He raised a foot and brought it down.


    Earthshaker Stomp!


    Violent shaking broke the floor and knocked everyone off their feet in a hundred-foot radius¡­ with one exception.


    The Left Fist of the Slaver King¡¯s boots broke the hardening mire, it couldn¡¯t hold him.


    He kicked the soldier¡¯s assault rifle into pieces, then stomped into her armored chest.


    Bone broke.


    Blood from her mouth painted his greaves.


    She grasped his ankle, but he tore free with ease, breaking fingers in passing.


    The grasping vines cast by the one called Max barely slowed him.


    The big man with the claw of crackling lightning was the quickest to his feet.


    They traded blows.


    Lightning scorched thick steel plate, while the sledgehammer-like punches of spiked gauntlets burst magic shields and the smartphones that cast them.


    He reached down and ripped the man¡¯s helmet off before backhanding him.


    Cheek flesh ripped, teeth flew, and jaw shattered as the man spun like an out of control top before crashing to the ground in an unmoving heap.


    He reached the sad-eyed man, who glared up at him defiantly.


    Raised his fist.


    A looming shadow of doom fell on the man¡¯s face.


    He saw his mother.


    Hesitation.


    Thorns bounced off his armor.


    An unearthly shriek.


    Instinct forced him to spin.


    Impact!

 7.53

    Alexa watched in horror.


    The armored mountain of a man had just probably killed Jake after stomping Rebekah. The latter was spitting up so much blood, but she was still trying to get to her feet, while the former wasn¡¯t moving.


    And now Del stared up at his own descending death.


    Max was trying, but more of the Slaver King¡¯s men had decided to jump in and he was hard pressed to keep them from simply running over everyone.


    ¡°Mr. Bigglesworth, we have to try it,¡± she whispered.


    Dangerous? her familiar gave her a quizzical look, only chance! though he couldn¡¯t hide his eager excitement at the prospect.


    ¡°Two becomes¡ª¡± Alexa started.


    ¡ªone, Mr. Bigglesworth finished.


    Nauseating pink light flared around the two until it became impossible to see them.


    As quickly as it appeared the light vanished to reveal a walking nightmare.


    Half pink-haired woman, half hairless demonic cat familiar.


    Much bigger than either had been.


    The twisted eldritch abomination shrieked, touching the primal part in the human mind that feared the unknown darkness.


    The armored mountain spun, the whites of his eyes large and visible through his helmet¡¯s eye slit.


    Alexa and Mr. Bigglesworth hit him like a pouncing tiger. Their claws tore chunks out of the thick armor like it was paper.


    Pink light manifested around their wicked claws striking through the armor to cut the man¡¯s essence, his very soul.


    Dagger-like fangs plunged through thick bracers and into skin and muscle almost as tough.


    The man had saved his face with the hasty block.


    The clock ticked down on their ability.


    Fun! Fun! Fun!


    Her familiar¡¯s excitement bled over into Alexa¡¯s thoughts became her own.


    She tried to focus.


    To rein him in.


    She risked losing herself.


    They both did.


    A ham-sized fist pounded into their side. Spiked gauntlets split their flesh and broke ribs.


    They fought like a crazed animal, biting and slashing.


    He slammed them to the ground, kicking them a dozen feet away.


    ¡°Eldritch Tendrils,¡± their discordant growl reverberated deeply.


    Pink tentacles lashed out of their outstretched hand, pulling them back into a grapple with the armored mountain.


    Kill! Kill! Kill!


    His voice or hers?


    Both?


    They continued to rip into the mountain, cutting it down, piece by bleeding piece.


    Until he roared.


    ¡°I am the left hand of the king! Duty Before Death!¡± he swelled with power, striking them down with a single blow. He grabbed them by the throat, lifting them up. He clenched his left hand. ¡°Fist of the King.¡± His punch caved their face in.


    Cast aside, they inched quickly toward death.


    One becomes two¡­ say it!


    Mr. Bigglesworth?


    Hurry and say it with me! One becomes¡ª


    ¡ªtwo, she finished.


    Familiar¡¯s Sacrifice, I die for my master¡­ goodbye.


    Alexa came to, injured, but alive, reaching out for Mr. Bigglesworth, but he vanished in a flash of pink light.


    She called out, but only heard silence in the void.


    ¡°Max!¡± Watch Commander Lawrence cried out as she cleared the group of king¡¯s men trying to hack their way through his thorny vines with a sweep of her recoilless rifle and a grenade. ¡°Stop the bastard!¡±


    The armored mountain stomped toward Del, who had backed all the way up to the broken remnants of Max¡¯s first wood and earth wall.


    Max tried.


    Vines wrapped around legs and arms like a snake. More vines stabbed into the floor to anchor him against the Left Fist of the Slaver King¡¯s strength.


    They struggled for what seemed like an eternity.


    The Watch Commander knew that her people were still alive, if barely, with each labored breath bringing them closer to death. The linking Skill erased any doubts she might have had. Any hesitation.


    She dashed toward the armored mountain, scaled him using the stirrups and hand holds that other fist had used to cling to the broad back. She jammed the muzzle of her recoilless rifle into the gap in the thick armor at the back of his neck and squeezed the trigger.


    The man roared, breaking the vines and taking half of Max¡¯s arm with the thorn-covered tendrils.


    He whipped the broken wood and earth down.


    Del was already moving, forewarned by his danger sense pushed to its limit.


    Unfortunately, his body wasn¡¯t quick enough to follow the warning.


    The crack of his back breaking was like a stab to the Watch Commander¡¯s heart.


    Her rifle was wrenched out of her hands.


    A crushing hand around her wrists flipped her over the armored mountain¡¯s head.


    He held her out at arm¡¯s length like a trophy bass.


    ¡°It¡¯s finished,¡± he touched the back of his neck and came away with blood-stained gloves, ¡°you got close, but as long as my king lives and my loyalty remains you cannot kill me.¡±


    ¡°Fireball!¡±


    The smartphone fixed to her stomach fired it into his face.


    His grip slackened enough for her to free one arm.


    A drawn blade, thin, stiff and enchanted for potency lanced into his eye slit hidden by the fire and smoke.


    He roared again and punched, breaking the smartphone and bruising her internal organs even through the Threnosh-made armor.


    The smoke cleared.


    The blade stood like a flag planted in his eye.


    Her heart sank.


    Despite the enchantment it still failed to penetrate far enough to bring the armored mountain down.


    She reached out in a desperate attempt to push it deeper.


    He caught her hand, twisting it back.


    The armor held, but her elbow and shoulder failed.


    She grit her teeth against the spike of pain.


    A cybernetic thought triggered the spike in her boot as she brought it up to his chin.


    He wrenched it out.


    ¡°Not enough.¡±


    Demi knew his words to be true.


    She thought hard.


    Are you there? We could use your help? One of those last minute saves?


    Silence.


    He punched her.


    Her face-plate held, but the impact rocked her head.


    Vision blackened for a moment.


    Please?


    She was alone with her thoughts.


    Just her and the ticking clocks.


    Rebekah was the closest.


    Followed by Alexa.


    Then Jake.


    Max would be okay assuming he could get away.


    Del was crippled, not that it¡¯d matter. Once the armored mountain killed her, he¡¯d crush Del like a bug.


    ¡°I still have to give it to you though. Ain¡¯t no quit in you. Any last words?¡± the armored mountain rumbled.


    ¡°Just a few,¡± she took a breath to steady her resolve. ¡°I name my successor. Upon my death, Rebekah Court, will be the Watch Commander.¡± She locked eyes with Rebekah. Bloody tears flowed down Rebekah¡¯s face.


    ¡°Looks like it¡¯s going to be a short reign.¡±


    She ignored him.


    Mortality¡¯s fingers had strengthened their hold on her thoughts in recent years.


    Though her Watch had grown, not a year had gone by where she had lost people.


    Sure, not many of those that had been with her since the earliest days.


    But, the thought of losing them, her family, touched something within her, became too loud to push aside with hope and proper planning.


    She knew that sooner, rather than later, their time would come.


    If only there was a way she could cheat their deaths.


    At least once.


    And the spires, as was their wont, responded to her subconscious desires with her Level 40 Skill.


    ¡°Watch Commander¡¯s Last Command, give me your wounds.¡±


    Watch Commander Demi Lawrence died instantly.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± the armored mountain scowled at the lifeless body in his hand.


    He dropped her and kicked her aside like a broken puppet.


    There were a few more he needed to make sure were dead before¡ª


    Crackling pain struck the back of his neck.


    The lightning claw scorched his flesh, but more importantly sheared through the thick straps holding his helmet in place.


    He lashed his arm back, meeting the crackling blue-white magic surrounding the big man¡¯s metal and plastic hand.


    ¡°Bear¡¯s Strength!¡± the big man growled.


    One of his smartphones glowed, casting the spell and giving him enough to hold.


    A weight landed on the armored mountain¡¯s back. Rough hands grappled his head, struggling for a moment, but succeeding in pulling his helmet off.


    ¡°The Watch stands united!¡± Rage and anguish colored the soldier¡¯s voice. ¡°Together we can kill the strongest monsters! Watch Commander¡¯s Commands: Stand Your Ground, Know No Fear, Surpass Your Limits!¡±


    ¡°Get back, Commander Court!¡± the pink-haired woman fingers twisted, pointing toward the armored mountain, ¡°Lament¡¯s Chains of Corruption!¡±


    Hooked chains glowing with nauseating pink light erupted out of the woman¡¯s fingers, lashing around his head.


    Hooks sank into his eyes.


    They dug into his lower and upper lip forcing his mouth open.


    His skin bubbled and blackened at the touch, like a slowly spreading cancer.


    ¡°Unstoppable Force of the King!¡± he roared.


    The chains began to break as he pulled his head forward.


    The big man wrestled his arm, trying to twist it behind his back. All while the crackling lightning filled his nose with the scent of burned bacon.


    ¡°Immovable Object of the King!¡±


    Chains broke.


    ¡°Suppression Fire!¡± the soldier had taken up her dead commander¡¯s strange rifle.


    The stream of projectiles painfully urged him to stop moving. Though, it was only a suggestion this time. One he overcame.


    The sad-eyed man shot him in the face with one of those so-called spell guns.


    The fire blinded him. Hot liquid dribbled down his face like tears.


    They had pushed him to his own limits.


    He was taking serious wounds and they weren¡¯t healing quickly enough, if at all.


    ¡°Max, go internal!¡± the soldier, the new Watch Commander screamed.


    The Left Fist of the Slaver King looked down with his one good eye.


    A hand of wood and earth speared into his mouth.


    The taste was bitter at first then it became tinged with the iron tang of his own blood.


    Splinters and thorns cut the inside of his mouth.


    The vines grew, snaking in the only direction they could go.


    Downward.


    He choked.


    ¡°This is for Demi!¡± Max snarled up into his face. ¡°Thorn Explosion!¡±


    He bit down, severing the hand at the wrist.


    He lunged forward, shattering the chains of corruption.


    His fist crashed into Max¡¯s hasty wooden shield.


    He kicked back, breaking the big man¡¯s mana shield with one blow and knocking the air out of him.


    He reached out and¡ª


    Stopped moving.


    He fell to his knees, slumping over as though in prayer.


    ¡°Fuck! He¡¯s dead!¡± Max snapped. ¡°He was already dead when I porcupined him from the inside!¡±


    ¡°Guess that confirms that rumor,¡± Jake gasped for air.


    ¡°High levels can keep fighting for a little bit even with death wounds,¡± Alexa said.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s more than that. He kept fighting after he died,¡± Rebekah said softly. Her eyes fell on Demi¡¯s body. ¡°Mourn later. This fight isn¡¯t over. I¡¯m taking her armor, unless¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re our commander now,¡± Del said.


    ¡°She¡¯d want you to wear it,¡± Max said.


    ¡°What are we going to do?¡± Alexa¡¯s eyes seemed to stare at nothing.


    ¡°Amber¡¯s somewhere in this mess,¡± Max gestured to the melee.


    ¡°Hanna too,¡± Del added.


    ¡°This ends with the king. He dies,¡± she knelt down to begin the process of taking Demi¡¯s Threnosh-made armor off, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, commander,¡± she whispered, ¡°I can¡¯t promise that all of them will make it out of this¡­ but, I guarantee that I¡¯ll be first to go and join you wherever you are now. You life for ours, mine for theirs.¡±


    <hr>


    Spear Captain Doran gazed out over his spear wall.


    The hotel lobby floor was carpeted in corpses oozing blood, guts, piss and shit.


    Monsters, mutant animals and people.


    Some of the latter had been his own before they had been dragged back, but most were from the slavers.


    A partially unpleasant thought. Not all of the slavers were combatants. Some had appeared to be regular people whipped up into a mob-like frenzy.


    Still, better them than his troops.


    The majority of his forces held the lobby, turning it into a killing ground.


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    His individually stronger fighters patrolled the rest of the hotel, dealing with the monsters that tried to invade from above street level.


    Their allies, the Golden Eagles, had taken the responsibility to defend the smaller entrances at the sides and rear of the hotel.


    A few stragglers from the other mercenary groups had joined them in the lulls between attacks when they had realized that it was their best chance to make it through the blood-drenched night.


    ¡°Don¡¯t like the look of that red lightning,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°But, he¡¯s on our side¡ª¡±


    He waved Marci away. ¡°I know, just an old man griping. Ain¡¯t natural, is all.¡±


    ¡°The rain¡¯s keeping morale up. We¡¯re wet, but warm,¡± she pointed to the broken skylights letting the drizzle inside. ¡°Sir, it¡¯s been awhile since the last attack, maybe it¡¯s time we do what we were supposed to do?¡±


    ¡°Negative on that.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª we¡¯re meant to engage the bulk of slavers¡¯ regular forces in this sector. Now that they lost control of their slave soldiers it¡¯s the perfect time. We can outright smash them, instead of just tying them down.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to run into more mobs. Civilian blood isn¡¯t what we¡¯re here for.¡±


    ¡°If we don¡¯t then they¡¯ll be able to rally to the king¡¯s castle.¡±


    ¡°What do you see, lieutenant?¡± he gestured to the foul carpet covering the expansive lobby and even out into the parking lot and street.


    ¡°Disarray,¡± she replied after a long moment.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. The slavers, former slaves, monsters and everyone else, are fighting out there. It¡¯s a shit soup and I¡¯m not going to jump us into that. Besides, if there was a problem, we¡¯d have gotten word by now,¡± he nodded to the Rayna¡¯s Ranger sitting on a plush chair she had dragged over to be close to his command staff.


    Ranger Sudden stared out into nothing.


    He recognized the look. Had seen it in his own men and women. In the mirror.


    Traumatic loss.


    ¡°Huh? What?¡± Sudden blinked.


    Marci scowled down at the young woman.


    ¡°Anything new to report?¡± he said.


    ¡°World isn¡¯t ending last check-in. Although, with all that shit in the air, comms aren¡¯t working that great,¡± Sudden shrugged. ¡°Relax!¡± she snapped, forestalling the words on Marci¡¯s tongue. ¡°Proximity comms are fine. Aerial overwatch on this location is fine,¡± she muttered.


    They might not have night vision, thermals or any of the old optics he had used back in the marines, but Skills were just as good or better in some cases. Just had to level up enough.


    Minutes passed in relative silence.


    Close to two hundred spears and half as many ranged tried to relax while maintaining their defensive formation.


    A sudden shout went up across the three hundred fighters.


    Danger Senses had triggered.


    ¡°Yellow!¡± the sergeants barked the alert level.


    Doran felt the lack of his best early warning system since Jimenez was up closer to the roof. She had been pulled up there by instinct about half an hour ago and he knew better than to question her. So, he had sent most of his elite fighters along.


    He glanced at the ranger.


    Sudden was already speaking into her comms.


    He waited patiently, even as Marci shifted in place like an impatient leopard.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got problems. A bunch of mercs tried it. They ran into a mess between enslaved and king¡¯s fighters about half a mile to the northeast. An angry mob joined in. Then monsters. Long story short, a couple of mercs are headed back this way, what¡¯s left of the rest is right behind them. And I¡¯ll let you guess where all the monsters are,¡± Sudden said.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got minutes, get on it,¡± he directed his command staff.


    The fleeing people almost made it inside.


    Sudden gave him the play by play as relayed from her eyes in the sky.


    Monsters ran them down one by one as the blocks between them and the hotel shrank.


    ¡°First rank! Volley fire!¡± he barked.


    The spell attachments near the end of their spears fired.


    Fire, lightning, magic missiles, acid and other direct damage spells nailed the first group of monsters that came snarling through the shattered windows and broken walls.


    Courtesy of R&D team, namely Jake and two kids, the attachments only had enough stored mana for a few shots at a lower power tier, but it gave the spears extra damage at range.


    ¡°Fire at will!¡±


    The spears emptied before the first monster met the wall of spears and shields.


    Orders flowed.


    Skills activated.


    Monster died.


    The collars the slavers had put on them hadn¡¯t made them smarter.


    In Doran¡¯s opinion it made them easier to fight.


    Gone was whatever cunning they once had, replaced by simple directions.


    His ranged fighters stationed on the walkways overlooking the lobby joined in with thunderous intensity.


    Bullets, arrows, spells poured down into the greater mass of monsters bottle-necked just outside of the entrance.


    ¡°Are we getting any spill over anywhere else?¡±


    ¡°Negative, sir,¡± his communications officer said.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Sudden¡¯s voice went high.


    Doran opened his mouth¡­ and was silenced by Sudden holding up a finger.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Ophrys, how can you not see something?¡± she paused to let the other ranger on the comms elaborate. ¡°Great. Just great,¡± she sighed, turning to Doran. ¡°Incoming. Something flying. Possibly more than one. We have, like, a minute or two. Dark shadows, bla, bla, bla. That¡¯s all I got.¡±


    ¡°Tell the team on the roof to get inside. Tell all the teams inside to get away from windows and prepare for incoming,¡± he directed his comms officer.


    They came through the skylights from within shadows that felt like the flapping of dark-feathered wings and with the cawing of the largest murder of crows in history.


    Black feathers like daggers rained, shredding those that were too slow or too occupied with ground bound monsters to get their shields up.


    The flying monsters landed in the midst of their formation.


    Toothed-beaks snatched heads off shoulders, while taloned hands cut through shields and armor.


    The spears stabbed back, only to be rebuffed by the steel-hard feathers hanging from below their long, gnarled arms and covering their bodies.


    Doran¡¯s eyes widened.


    He had seen things in the past.


    These two weren¡¯t even top five in horribleness.


    They looked like humanoid vultures. Enormous in size, despite being thin, even hunched over they towered over his fighters.


    ¡°Skeksis! I knew it! They¡¯re real!¡±


    ¡°Stow it!¡± Doran silenced the voice. ¡°You¡¯ve seen one monster, you¡¯ve seen them all¡­ and we¡¯ve seen many.¡±


    He barked orders.


    His spears responded.


    Driving a wedge between the two monsters and encircling each.


    ¡°Another one¡¯s on the roof!¡± his comms officer said.


    ¡°Valentine and Ophrys are gonna help out with that one if you want to let your people know,¡± Sudden raised a finger before disappearing deeper into the hallway.


    ¡°Appraisal, now!¡± Doran regarded the two monsters as they swatted at the stabbing spears and fired those feathers into shields.


    ¡°30 to 40 threat!¡±


    He saw the battle play out in his mind¡¯s eye.


    The majority of his spears were in the tier below that, which meant they¡¯d take more casualties than he¡¯d like in the killing of the two vulture-like things.


    His elites were closer, but most of them were probably heading up to the roof.


    Rowen and Selena were sticking to Jimenez per his orders, which left him with Marci.


    This was also a leveling opportunity and possibly, steps towards a class upgrade down the line.


    ¡°Lieutenant.¡±


    ¡°Sir,¡± Marci tapped spear shaft to round shield¡¯s iron edge.


    ¡°Assign Temporary Champion,¡± he murmured, ¡°Expert Spearwoman Marci Brown.¡±


    With the boosts Marci cleared over a dozen feet with one mighty leap.


    The vulture-like monster raised a curtain of steel-hard feathers over its face.


    Piercing Thrust parted it like fabric.


    Down the spear went into the toothed beak.


    Marci deflected a taloned strike with a perfectly angled shield.


    A second spear slid into her hand from a spearman behind the ring.


    She thrust up, angling for what she guessed was beneath the monster¡¯s ribs.


    This time the point barely penetrated the feathers.


    She danced back, deflecting quick strikes.


    The monster snapped the shaft in his mouth.


    She took the opening to ram it with her shield while stabbing at a knee.


    Success!


    She drove the broken spear deeper into its throat, while causing it to stumble to one knee.


    ¡°Collapse!¡± Doran barked.


    Marci back flipped, armor, shield, spear and all, as the ring of spears closed on the vulnerable monster.


    Skills activated.


    It took some time and a few casualties, but the monster ended up like a pincushion.


    Marci had already engaged the second vulture-like monster.


    She weaved through its strikes, deflecting with her shield when necessary, all the while thrusting her spear.


    Dark blood leaked from dozens of pin pricks in the tough feathers.


    It shrieked.


    Marci ducked behind her shield and triggered a Skill.


    Those behind her caught in the cone fell to their knees with eyes and ears bleeding.


    She could barely hear, felt the wetness in her own ears.


    The monster charged.


    Deflect a taloned strike just enough to avoid a splintered shield and broken arm.


    Dance back at an angle to avoid the second.


    Wait for the beak to open¡ª


    There!


    Spear Flurry down its gullet.


    Her spear blurred.


    She left it after the Skill finished.


    Blood fountained as the monster stumbled and sagged.


    ¡°Collapse!¡±


    Doran¡¯s order was muffled, but she leapt out of the way as her fellow spears converged on the weakened monster.


    A medic hurried to her side, ushering her away from the fighting.


    The front line continued to hold the lobby from the dwindling number of monsters and mutant animals coming in from outside while the ranged fighters poured fire from above.


    Healing warmth spread from the medics hands.


    It¡¯d take awhile, but she was glad that she wasn¡¯t going to be permanently deafened.


    ¡°Sir, Jimenez reports that the third monster is dead. It was a close thing, but Rowen tricked it off the edge and with its arm-wing feathers ruined it couldn¡¯t fly properly. The ranger drake fucked it up on the way down and apparently it¡¯s a bloody pancake now. Heavy casualties. Five dead. Tre got mauled and Xing lost an arm, but they should make it,¡± the comms officer said.


    A Skill told Doran that they had suffered similarly with the two down here.


    ¡°Tell Ranger Sudden that I want more warning for the next attack,¡± he said.


    He couldn¡¯t afford more attrition.


    The straggler mercenaries were poor substitutes for his highly trained and disciplined men and women.


    <hr>


    It took some effort, but Britt kept control over the hungrier members of her team.


    That leadership Skill she had gained from advancing in the tournament paid dividends.


    It was tempting, but the rational part of her brain overruled the eater.


    The Meat Parade didn¡¯t have any friends back in the great dining hall.


    In fact they had many enemies.


    Not them specifically, but the greater movement.


    There weren¡¯t many communities out in monsterland USA that hadn¡¯t been graced by the parade and the blessed sacrament.


    Many survivors.


    All refusers.


    ¡°We¡¯re missing out on a lot of powerful meat,¡± Randall growled.


    He was already partially transformed into his flesheater form. Lean, wiry, almost emaciated. Much larger mouth and jaw with sharp teeth in two rows.


    ¡°Too powerful for us,¡± Michael, ever solid and stable, for a flesheater, said flatly.


    ¡°We grab our gear and put distance between us and this place. Then we¡¯ll talk about the possibility of going hunting,¡± she said.


    ¡°I smell blood in the air,¡± Charlie said.


    Sarah grunted assent.


    ¡°What do you think the others are doing?¡± Michael said as they hurried to their gear check-in station.


    Randall snapped out at a passing person.


    Nobles and other VIP¡¯s had mostly streamed out of the great hall when things had gone to shit.


    Only a few stragglers remained.


    Some fought with the suddenly freed slaves.


    Most, on both sides, ran for it.


    ¡°Grab him!¡± she snapped.


    Sarah partially grew into her large, muscled form, snatching Randall back by the back of his neck.


    The attendants and guards had either joined the exodus or had rushed into the hall, leaving their gear unattended.


    Charlie ripped the curtain aside and began breaking the lockers open, quickly distributed their weapons and heavier pieces of armor.


    They had just finished when a shout filled the mostly empty hall with fire.


    ¡°Cannibal filth!¡±


    A young, fair-skinned woman with her hair on fire pointed a flaming sword in their direction.


    Britt narrowed her eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯ll burn for what you did to my family!¡± the young woman snarled.


    ¡°Us? Specifically?¡± Britt smiled and batted her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not saying it¡¯s not possible. We¡¯ve done some stuff to families. I¡¯m sure some survived. Escaped or hid. Those things tend to happen.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d be surprised how often,¡± Charlie shrugged. ¡°Even when we¡¯re warned about it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a thing,¡± Randall sneered.


    ¡°There are inherent difficulties in keeping an eye on details for us when we¡¯re eating,¡± Michael said as he nocked an arrow.


    ¡°Well¡­ good,¡± the young woman¡¯s voice went cold in contrast to the heat haze around her. She began to stalk toward them, flames trailed as she slowly swept the flaming sword from one side to the other. ¡°I was never going to forgive you, but it¡¯s been drilled into my head that I need to be careful. That I shouldn¡¯t take pleasure in the act. Not let it consume me. Kill you quick and clean to prevent future atrocities. Not kill you for myself, but you¡¯ve just made it easy. No guilt. As someone said¡­ this will be a conscience-free killing.¡±


    ¡°Young lady,¡± Britt sighed, ¡°we have no conscience. We are flesheaters of the Meat Parade. We exist to partake of the blessed sacrament¡­ and if that¡¯s so wrong, then why do we keep getting stronger for it?¡±


    ¡°Gonna¡­ eat¡­ you¡­ up¡­¡± Randall¡¯s words slipped into incoherence between the jaw, the teeth, the snaking tongue and the hungry slobber.


    ¡°Randall, wait¡ª¡± Britt sighed.


    He bounded toward the fire-haired young woman in a zig-zag pattern, transforming into his full flesheater form. Lean, agile, quick, he leapt on check-in tables and even skittered across the wall like a nightmarish spider.


    ¡°Michael, see if you can eat her flames!¡± Britt barked. ¡°Before he¡ª¡±


    Too late.


    Britt sighed.


    Randall sprang off the ceiling with a shower of splinters and broken lights down toward his prey.


    The fire-haired young woman pointed her flaming sword lazily.


    A great gout of thick red-orange streamed up to engulf Randall.


    She dodged to one side, avoiding the falling meteor that was Randall and Michael¡¯s arrow.


    The projectile skimmed just past the side of her unprotected head, sucking in her flames.


    Eyes widened, then narrowed.


    She slashed her sword in a horizontal arc.


    Britt met the half-moon shaped arc of fire with a sickly yellow light wave.


    ¡°Pin her down, Michael!¡± she snarled.


    His arms blurred.


    A dozen arrows loosed in an instant.


    Fire billowed to meet them.


    Once again the arrows ate holes through the thick cloud.


    Devouring Arrow.


    Michael¡¯s Skill that could eat almost anything.


    The fire-haired young woman had already rolled behind the curtains of one of the check-in stations.


    Britt shredded it with a hail of light needles.


    The sprinkler system chose that moment to activate.


    Smoke and steam obscured the grand space.


    Britt tapped into multiple abilities to find their flaming opponent. Standard hunter¡¯s senses and Skills that came with being a flesheater and the ability to sense magic from the mage part of her class.


    ¡°Michael, you¡¯re better than me at this. Where is she?¡±


    He nocked an arrow. ¡°She¡¯s trying to be mobile, but I¡¯ve got her. Say the word.¡±


    ¡°Keep her busy. We need to get out of here.¡±


    ¡°What about him?¡± Charlie gestured toward Randall.


    The water had doused most of the flames, leaving him a charred mess.


    ¡°He¡¯s still alive,¡± Charlie continued as an afterthought.


    ¡°You and Sarah go grab him, while Michael keeps flame bitch¡¯s head down.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a lot of arrows,¡± Michael warned as he loosed one into the smoke and steam.


    Sarah went into her full flesheater form. She grew from an average-sized young woman into a mass of twisted muscle that made the biggest normal human bodybuilders look quaint.


    Britt activated her Skill to keep Sarah from rampaging out of control like Randall had.


    She didn¡¯t anticipate the same problem. Randall was an out of control bastard when he was normal. Sarah was much better at keeping her hunger in check when necessary.


    ¡°I¡¯ll only transform if absolutely necessary,¡± Charlie said before following behind the mountain of muscle.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Britt appreciated the gesture.


    It was easier on her if she only had to worry about keeping one of them from going berserk.


    ¡°Ads! Watch out!¡±


    Michael¡¯s warning wasn¡¯t in time.


    A bright, blue-white flash seared their predator eyes.


    Sarah bellowed in pain from the lightning bolt to her face.


    Britt clamped down on Sarah¡¯s rage. ¡°Grab Randall and get back here!¡±


    Charlie cursed, dashing around Sarah.


    Her raised shield caught the next bolt.


    Gritting her teeth against the splash damage, she reached down and grabbed Randall¡¯s leg, hurling him back to Britt with inhuman strength.


    The acrid stench of burned flesh filled her nostrils.


    She had always found it telling that the cooked flesh of normal humans smelled divine, while a flesheater¡¯s made her gag. It was merely one more piece of evidence in the litany that proved the universal truth of their blessed sacrament.


    ¡°We¡¯re leaving!¡± she snapped, hefting Randall over one shoulder.


    ¡°No you¡¯re not! Monsters!¡± a voice struck back from a distance. ¡°You killed my family!¡±


    A high-pitched young woman.


    Distinct from the one on fire.


    ¡°What is it with all the angry young women?¡± Britt scoffed.


    A lightning bolt arced out of the smoke and steam.


    Michael ate it with an arrow.


    ¡°Two today. That makes six total that have gone after as for revenge,¡± he said.


    ¡°Lucky for them we aren¡¯t stupid and reckless,¡± Charlie said.


    She and Sarah had fallen back to join them on their retreat toward the front doors.


    ¡°Taunt!¡± a deeper voice.


    ¡°Fu¡ª¡± Britt cursed, suddenly finding herself turning despite her wishes.


    She felt her leash on Sarah pull, fray, then snap in a second.


    The behemoth charged into the smoke and steam.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather have her than Randall,¡± Charlie said through grit teeth, fighting the urge.


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Michael sighed. ¡°Although, again, I¡¯m running out of arrows. Just a few left.¡± His arms vibrated, holding his bowstring taut.


    ¡°Bulwark!¡±


    Sarah roared in response.


    A great bang, like an explosive filled the cavernous space.


    Smoke and steam cleared with the shockwave.


    Two new prey stood revealed.


    A tall, young man cowered behind a cracked round shield, driven to one knee by Sarah¡¯s massive strength.


    The second was a young black woman, aiming a finger¡ª


    Britt¡¯s reaction was a beat to slow.


    Lightning crackled across her body, locking her muscles tight and filling her nose with that acrid stench.


    This time she couldn¡¯t blame Randall.


    ¡°Transfer Damage.¡±


    Blessed Charlie.


    Britt¡¯s mind cleared instantly.


    Charlie snarled through grit teeth. ¡°Close¡ª losing it¡ª¡±


    ¡°Calm,¡± Britt used her Skill.


    She always strove to do unto others¡­ as the saying went. Wise words to live by.


    Spells struck across the entry hall.


    She responded in kind.


    Shields absorbed attacks until both shattered.


    Back and forth.


    Britt dueled with the dark-skinned mage.


    ¡°Shit, I recognize them now,¡± Charlie said. ¡°It¡¯s the rangers. I don¡¯t know why I didn¡¯t recognize the fire one at first. She was that bitch that tried to cut my head off!¡±


    ¡°Not your fault. All normal humans tend to look the same,¡± Michael shrugged.


    An arc of flame scorched the air.


    Britt blocked it with the bolt of lighting with a yellow dome of light. ¡°I can¡¯t rein Sarah in while blocking their attacks.¡±


    ¡°Stupid dead weight,¡± Charlie kicked Randall¡¯s weakly-moving form.


    Michael sighed.


    He knelt down and took a bloody baggie from a belt pouch, jamming the fresh human meat through Randall¡¯s cracked, blackened lips.


    The young man chewed and swallowed instinctively.


    Meanwhile, Sarah had kicked the ranger tank into a wall, before turning her attention to the other two.


    Hesitation on both sides.


    Britt took the opportunity to leash Sarah once again.


    ¡°We. Are. Leaving,¡± she sent a rain of yellow light needles across the far half of the entry hall, forcing the rangers to dive for cover or cast a magic shield.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take Randall, since I¡¯m out of arrows anyways,¡± Michael said.


    ¡°I¡¯m on point,¡± Charlie said.


    Britt went next, followed by Michael, bow in one hand, Randall¡¯s slowly healing from on one shoulder.


    Sarah brought up the rear, breaking the door way on the way out.


    The meat parade team emerged into a war zone.

 7.54

    ¡°Guys¡­ wait¡­¡± Tuxedo Cake wheezed as he struggled to keep up with the other two rangers.


    ¡°Shut up and drink your healing potion! They¡¯re getting away!¡± Wichita snapped.


    Chandra growled.


    Tuxedo Cake gulped his one potion down.


    Healing warmth spread in his chest bringing with it the ability to breathe without stabbing pain.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m saying,¡± he hurried to cut them off before they could leave the entry hall. ¡°Listen,¡± he used his big frame to block them, ¡°it sounds like a fucking battle outside. Which means they aren¡¯t getting a clear shot out of here. They¡¯ll definitely be slowed down. Which means we can get some back up at least. If you two are cool with just bailing on Sgt. Mouthy, Swanny¡­ and Neckbeard¡­ I guess. You remember them, right? They¡¯re in there,¡± he gestured back the way they had come, ¡°in the middle of a crazy battle with the most dangerous people in this shithole.¡±


    That¡¯s right, he thought, taking on the Meat Parade was actually the lesser danger.


    ¡°They killed my family,¡± Wichita said.


    ¡°Them specifically?¡±


    ¡°No, the Meat Parade. Those church freaks put us on the wall. Where the cannibals murdered my dad and brother. Me and my mom were next, but Cal saved us,¡± she ground out.


    ¡°They killed mine,¡± Chandra snarled. ¡°I remember them. Five. They slaughtered almost everyone when we were hiding in Heddy¡¯s. The Furies saved me. Killed two. The other three are getting away while you bitch. Do what you want, but get out of my way!¡± she snapped.


    It¡¯ll probably be fine, he thought. Yeah, safer out there than inside the great hall. We¡¯re not strong enough to hang with the over 40¡¯s. I¡¯ll just put in a call. The others are supposed to be flying around out there, they could back us up. But¡­ how will they spot us in the mess? It¡¯s raining. It¡¯s dark. Everyone is fighting. It¡¯ll be fine. They¡¯ll find us.


    ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s go,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine. We¡¯ve got flyers out there,¡± Wichita patted his arm, ¡°put in a call and they can back us up.¡±


    Tuxedo Cake did just that, struggling to fill the ranger in on the other end of the line as he ran to keep up with the other two.


    The Slaver King¡¯s estate was consumed in battle.


    Massive canvas tents meant to shield party goers from the rain burned. Torn flaps whipped in the winds as water pelted down from the heavens.


    The gods were angry.


    Slavers fought the recently freed.


    Collared monsters and mutant animals attacked everyone.


    A well dressed family stood surrounded by an ever-dwindling ring of bodyguards, trying and failing to keep the monsters at bay.


    They had fought well, killing monsters by the dozens in the short minutes since they had fled the chaos of the great hall.


    But, they had expended Skills, drained stamina.


    Weapons grew heavy.


    Spell use slowed to a stop as pain stabbed from the rapid expenditure of mana.


    Ugly, stinky ape-like things came hooting out of the darkness.


    Many.


    Too many.


    They overwhelmed the beleaguered bodyguards and fell on the family.


    The screams were swallowed by the storm.


    Nobles.


    Monsters cared nothing for their wealth and power, real and imagined.


    The rangers ran on.


    They passed a frothing woman astride a richly-dressed man¡¯s chest. His eyes leaked red gore around her thumbs as she frantically smashed the back of his head into the cobblestone pathway.


    So intent on her revenge, she didn¡¯t notice the stalking shadow, vaguely cat-like.


    Tuxedo Cake saw it.


    ¡°Taunt!¡±


    The monster sprang.


    Not at the woman, but at him.


    He took the whirling dervish of teeth and claws on his cracked shield.


    ¡°Some help!¡±


    Chandra slashed.


    The shadowy monster went up like dry tinder.


    The sound it made quivered Tuxedo Cake¡¯s bravery for a moment.


    ¡°Hurry they¡¯re getting away!¡± Chandra¡¯s spittle sprayed his face.


    He was about to argue.


    They couldn¡¯t just let people die¡­ right?


    That wasn¡¯t what they had been taught.


    He glanced back at the woman.


    She had to have been enslaved.


    The rich-looking fat guy was probably the slaver and all the horrible stuff that meant.


    ¡°We have to help¡ª¡±


    He saw it then.


    An armed group had joined the woman, gave her a weapon. One of many taken from dead slavers¡¯ hands.


    They regarded him with narrowed eyes.


    At least they¡¯re organizing and working together, he thought. Safer in numbers¡­


    He nodded before hurrying after the other two.


    Somehow they stayed on the Meat Parade¡¯s trail through the chaos of snarling monsters, snapping bullets and exploding spells.


    They caught up near a huge tent.


    The pet fun zone area from what he remembered from the map the slavers had provided.


    The cannibals¡¯ way down to the inner gatehouse was blocked by others.


    <hr>


    A Little While Earlier


    Things happened.


    Familiar words Hillary said to herself when things went bad.


    She didn¡¯t remember when she had started the habit.


    She thought it must¡¯ve been something her brother had said to her when trying to explain to a child why there were monsters out there and why she would never see certain people again.


    Things happened.


    Like they had back in the dining hall.


    Would she ever see her fellow Watch members again?


    Commander Lawrence, Rebekah, Jake, everyone had tried to forbid her from coming along, but she was eighteen. Old enough and more importantly the best techmage from a talent and expertise standpoint. The only thing Jake had on her was levels and experience. They had needed her. Subsequent events had proven it. They wouldn¡¯t have been able to sneak their gear into the banquet without her work.


    Most of her remaining family.


    The ones that had been with her for as far back as she could remember.


    Were they going to die like her brother?


    Things happened.


    No one had said that when they had brought her brother¡¯s body back from across the wide ocean.


    Why had Ron left her?


    She had asked before.


    He had said something about ¡®doing the right thing¡¯ and owing people for what they did in giving her a safe place to grow up and be a child as best as possible in a spires world.


    And whom did he owe?


    Stern Commander Lawrence?


    Scary Cal Cruces?


    Both and others.


    She had to live up to Ron¡¯s legacy.


    They had to succeed and she had to do everything in her power to make it so.


    Otherwise what did he die for?


    Things happened.


    Her earliest memory came back unbidden.


    Two years old.


    Sleeping in her big girl bed.


    A princess race car with toadstools.


    She didn¡¯t really remember it from that time.


    She only remembered it after she was several years older when she had accompanied her brother back to their parent¡¯s house for the last time to grab a few mementos.


    She mostly remembered the dried, dark streaks and patches on the floors and walls. The claw marks on the same.


    It took her back.


    Pain and terror in the night.


    Frantic shouts and screams.


    Arms desperately picking her up out of the tiny gremlin¡¯s grasp.


    Tossing her in the closet.


    Using their body to block the door and keep her safe.


    Snarling.


    Wet sounds.


    Hours in dark terror.


    Then¡­


    Loud bangs.


    A door ripped open.


    Her brother and his fellow cops.


    She didn¡¯t remember much from the early days.


    Things happened.


    She aimed and squeezed the trigger on her spell rifle.


    The bright beam disintegrated the Slaver King¡¯s fighter.


    Seven.


    That made seven people she had directly killed in the last however many of minutes.


    Seven more than she had on her tally.


    She felt nothing in the moment.


    Bad people.


    Kill them before they did you and your family.


    ¡°You dropped stealth,¡± Cara said.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. It was running out soon anyways,¡± she didn¡¯t see any immediate threats in their vicinity so she chanced a glance back.


    Ginessa was looking better.


    Oscar carried the short woman, while Tobin ran alongside, feeding Ginessa blood bag after blood bag.


    No more burned and charred flesh.


    She was back to her perfect light brown complexion.


    ¡°Hurry!¡± Cara urged.


    They reached the pet fun zone tent quickly.


    ¡°No guards,¡± Oscar held them up with a closed fist, gun pointed at the entrance. ¡°Too quiet.¡±


    ¡°I smell blood,¡± Cara sniffed.


    ¡°Same,¡± Ginessa said.


    Such quick healing.


    One would¡¯ve never been able to tell that she had taken a face full of magic fire a few minutes ago.


    Well¡­ not counting the burned dress.


    Thankfully, for modesty¡¯s sake, Tobin had packed an extra jacket in her smartphone of holding.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go left,¡± Hillary said, switching the disintegrate spell unit with the magic missile one.


    Multiple projectiles with auto tracking was better when breaching a large space.


    ¡°I¡¯ll cover the rest,¡± Oscar followed her to the entrance.


    He tapped her on the shoulder and she burst in, spell rifle aimed.


    No hostiles.


    Just dead bodies on the ground.


    Men and women wearing the Slaver King¡¯s uniforms.


    Cara pushed past them calling out for her pets.


    The cages in the large tent were empty.


    Movement.


    Hillary snapped her rifle to the sound.


    The lights at the far end of the tent had gone dark.


    Eye shine greeted her.


    Tall, almost eye-to-eye.


    ¡°Don¡¯t shoot!¡± Cara pushed her spell rifle down.


    Licorice padded out of the shadows.


    The massive mastiff mix¡¯s black fur was ruffled and stained wet.


    More of the red matted the fur around his mouth. When he opened it in joy at the sight of Cara it became clear that it was blood.


    The dog¡¯s back end shimmied in that happy way as he rushed up to bump his massive side into Cara.


    He was careful to avoid getting the blood on her.


    No licks or nuzzling like he¡¯d normally do.


    ¡°Where¡ª¡±


    The question died on Cara¡¯s lips as more animals came out of the darkness.


    Goldy landed next to her for scritches.


    The two cats, Cinnamon and Chocolate slinked out, purring as they rubbed against her legs.


    ¡°They are bloody as fuck. I hope that¡¯s mostly someone else¡¯s,¡± Oscar said.


    ¡°What happened here?¡± Tobin said.


    It seemed obvious to Hillary.


    Dead slavers with bite and claw marks.


    The cage latches looked torn.


    ¡°Pet rebellion,¡± she nodded sagely. ¡°Class-boosted pets realized the danger their owners were in out there, so they went to save them.¡±


    ¡°Eh¡­ then why didn¡¯t these guys come help Cara?¡± Oscar said.


    Licorice growled, giving the young man a baleful look.


    ¡°No offense,¡± he added hastily.


    ¡°They knew I was coming here, so they waited. That way I wouldn¡¯t have had to worry about finding them,¡± Cara said with a certainty that Hillary was dubious on.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    No matter.


    It was time to go.


    They took a moment to help the animals into their armor and weapons before heading out toward the gatehouse.


    The plan was simple.


    Find a secure enough landing zone and call in evac from the rangers.


    They hadn¡¯t gotten far when they ran into a small group of familiar people.


    Grotesque forms were a dead give away.


    Meat Parade.


    Things happened.


    <hr>


    Michael cursed.


    Britt agreed.


    Someone up there wasn¡¯t being very nice to them.


    She recognized the giant monster of a dog more than the people.


    Silver Division competitors, at least the young woman with the dog and the eagle and two cats.


    The Watch¡­ or something like that.


    Everyone had a name.


    Some dumber than others.


    Most tended to be pretentious, over-selling their abilities.


    The Watch had one of the tables closest to the Slaver King¡¯s little platform show.


    She didn¡¯t know the connection, but she remembered they had been really pissed off by that naked, one-eyed chick chained to the X.


    ¡°Listen,¡± she began, ¡°we don¡¯t want a fight. You go your way. We go ours.¡±


    ¡°Behind us, incoming,¡± Michael whispered, ¡°less than a minute.¡±


    ¡°Meat Parade,¡± the young woman wielding the futuristic looking rifle said.


    The weapon smelled magical.


    Dangerous.


    Britt tried to keep the irritation down.


    Meat was always acting like they weren¡¯t meat.


    She hated pretentious people.


    ¡°Little girl, all this fighting is really working up our appetites. You don¡¯t want to be the ones the fills the bottomless pit in our stomachs, do you?¡±


    The Watch remained silent, wary.


    She took the moment to study them.


    A little, hot chick in a tattered dress and an over-sized leather jacket smelled distinctly inhuman. However, she wasn¡¯t giving off really dangerous vibes.


    Two fighter looking people., a young man and a young woman with guns.


    The one with the animals, which wore armor and appeared to have weapons affixed to their talons and paws.


    Those were probably the biggest threat.


    They¡¯d have Skills.


    The Watch in their way.


    The rangers quickly catching up.


    Surrounded by fighting slavers, former slaves and monsters.


    Thousands of moving parts.


    Killing each other.


    Trying to get away.


    A single gatehouse visible in the distance, which was jammed with vehicles and people.


    Fortunately, they could just climb the walls.


    ¡°You all know the plan. If you can¡¯t control yourself then I¡¯m not waiting to drag you out with me, Randall,¡± she regarded the newly-recovered flesheater. ¡°Which is to say, transform if you haven¡¯t already. We¡¯re going for the walls. Don¡¯t stop to play with meat. Crush, kill, grab a bite, whatever, but no stopping.¡±


    ¡°Parade time,¡± Randall licked his long tongue across sharp teeth, drawing blood.


    Britt fired off a barrage of light arrows before transforming.


    The full flesheater form traded efficacy in casting her spells for an exponential increase to her physicals and the Skills connected to it.


    A magic shield flared from the young woman with the fancy rifle, eating the spray of light arrows.


    ¡°Iron Fur, Licorice!¡±


    The dog bristled, leaping in a blur of motion that belied its massive size.


    It caught Randall mid-leap, huge muzzle clamping around his shoulder and much of his chest.


    Sparks flew as Randall slashed while the pair tumbled wildly across the muddy grass.


    ¡°Prey¡¯s Terror,¡± Charlie rumbled, her words distorted by her now over-sized mouth.


    The effect was instantaneous.


    The Watch froze.


    The two cats yowled and leapt behind their owner.


    Even the eagle flapped away from its aborted attack dive, screeching in panic.


    They knew who were the true predators.


    The parade rushed forward, eager for the kill.


    Skills activated.


    The scent of fresh meat soon to be devoured filled them with sublime pleasure.


    Britt lost grasp of her plans.


    Why¡­ with the strength of a fresh meal in their bellies¡­ why not stay?


    This entire place was a feast.


    So many prey.


    So many levels.


    Just running around like bleating sheep.


    She was feet away from the girl with the fancy rifle.


    Clawed hand reaching out to rend and tear sweet sweet chunks of the blessed sacrament¡ª


    Until she tripped.


    Impossible!


    Flesheaters were super predators.


    Even the lumbering behemoths like Sarah, moved with quickness and agility beyond their sheer mass.


    The muddy ground and slick grass shouldn¡¯t have been a problem.


    Britt scowled, spitting mud.


    She could have sworn a hand had grabbed her ankles.


    When she looked up the prey was farther away.


    What had been in reach was now dozens of feet away.


    Deep furrows in the mud showed that she had been dragged.


    She looked left and right.


    The same had happened to the others.


    Charlie looked at her with a question.


    One that she didn¡¯t have time to answer for a flaming sword pierced through light armor into Charlie¡¯s back.


    The stupid rangers had caught up.


    Steam shrouded the fire-haired young woman as the rain drops sizzled.


    Although, Britt was sure that the loudest sizzling came from Charlie¡¯s flesh.


    ¡°For my family. Burn!¡± the young woman snarled.


    Fire flared blindingly bright for an instant.


    Britt failed to shut her eyes quickly enough.


    Bright spots danced as she struggled to back away from the intense heat.


    ¡°One down. Two more and my most important Quest is finished. My revenge.¡±


    Britt felt the heat heralding the sweep of the blade.


    She ducked under it with inhuman quickness, slashing blindly where she guessed the young woman¡¯s midsection was.


    Missed.


    Thundering footsteps splattered in the muddy grass.


    Britt dived to one side.


    She knew who was coming to her aid.


    Sara roared.


    ¡°Intercept!¡±


    The tall young man from the entry hall. His voice rang out right before a loud boom shook the night, echoing the sporadic cracks of thunder in the hovering storm.


    Her vision cleared.


    The fiery sword traced bright arcs in the darkness.


    The young woman¡¯s flaming hair lit her face in shadows like an avenging angel.


    Sara¡¯s massive form towered over the two rangers as she hammered into the young man¡¯s round shield while ignoring the burning cuts crisscrossing her body.


    Stinging pain in her back drew Britt¡¯s attention away from the fight.


    The little hottie in the ruined dress and large jacket retracted her tongue.


    Britt caught a glint at the end of the four-foot-long appendage.


    What the fuck?


    How had she forgotten about that one?


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to fight.¡±


    The hottie¡¯s eyes shined in the darkness.


    Britt felt the magic try to take hold. She got a sense of what it was immediately.


    It probably would¡¯ve worked on Michael. Definitely on Randall. But, she wasn¡¯t into women, so it took a little exertion of her will to break the charm magic before it could sink its nails into her.


    Before she could rend the young woman to shreds something heavy hit her in the back.


    Teeth and claws tore wildly.


    Not her own, but some kind of monster with sharp fur that added to the pain.


    Britt snarled reaching back with an over-long arm and ripping the monster off.


    She turned, slashed it and bit its throat out before tossing the dying thing to the side.


    Where was she?


    The young woman was gone.


    No visual and nothing of her scent remained.


    Blood and guts.


    It was hard to remain focused.


    ¡°Michael, Sara¡­ retreat¡­ wall,¡± her enlarge mouth and jaw made her words come out in a guttural growl.


    The former stood up from where he was crouched over one of the Watch. Blood dripped from his clawed fingers as the Watch member writhed and made mewling sounds like a dying animal clutching its guts.


    Michael turned to run toward the distant wall.


    He covered an amazing distance in just a few loping strides when bright orbs streaked from the darkness, burning through his armor and into his flesh.


    The young woman with the fancy rifle fiddled with her weapon before aiming and firing again.


    This time a beam lanced out and sheared through the back of Michael¡¯s legs just as he got up to run again.


    Sara sent the fire-haired young woman flying into the darkness with a bone-crushing kick only for a bolt of blue-white lighting to strike her in the chest.


    The dark-skinned ranger had finally made her presence known.


    Britt liked to think that under different circumstances they could¡¯ve been cool. Mage sisters should¡¯ve stuck together, after all. The brief thought to capture the other mage and take her back to be converted to the blessed sacrament crossed her mind. Sadly, it looked as though it¡¯d take everything she had just to escape.


    Seeing as how more monsters finally reached them.


    They swarmed everyone.


    Britt struck in the confusion.


    A spray of light arrows at the tall young ranger¡¯s back forced the mage to cast a magic shield, which left her open to some kind of giant rat with what looked like a baby¡¯s face.


    The creature latched on to her back and only her helmet kept her safe from its biting teeth and piercing claws.


    In her struggles she lost focus on the real danger.


    Sara leapt high, descending like a meteor.


    ¡°Switch Save!¡±


    The rangers switched places in that half instant before impact.


    Nearly a ton landed on the tall, young ranger.


    Britt doubted that someone in the Silver Division had the Skills to survive that.


    She used the monsters as cover, slashing and biting at the ones that were quick enough to touch her.


    The young woman with the fancy rifle had cast a shining magic dome around the Watch.


    Monsters swarmed over it in a frenzy of teeth, claws, horns and liquids, cracking it slowly.


    The huge eagle screeched desperately as it swooped down, snatching dog-sized monsters in its talons before taking them up to the sky and dropping them.


    She circled to their rear.


    Less monsters and less attention.


    She could escape now.


    They weren¡¯t paying attention to her.


    Maybe grab Michael on the way.


    Sara was beyond her reach, lost to the rage and hunger as she sought to crush and devour the dark-skinned mage lighting her up with spells.


    Charlie was a charred corpse.


    And Randall?


    He still fought with the dog.


    Escape was the logical, rational, optimal move.


    But, she was too far gone in the flesheater form.


    Too much pain.


    The scent of blood and guts on the wind too alluring.


    The hunger needed to be satiated.


    She struck the dome where she felt the magic weakening.


    A light arrow, followed by a fist.


    The dome shattered.


    The fancy rifle bathed the monsters in magic fire.


    But the Watch¡¯s backs were turned to Britt.


    She leapt with a silent snarl on her grotesque face.


    Two small balls of teeth and steel claws met her.


    Fucking cats! Like tiny blender tornadoes.


    They ripped their way across her arms and face.


    But, they were just cats, even if they had tiny metal claws over their natural ones and a tiny coat of mail to protect their bodies.


    She bit, jaw distending forward like a shark and caught the darker cat by surprise.


    Its yowl was cut off as she bit down.


    She spat the remaining half out.


    It was a shame that it was wearing armor.


    ¡°Chocolate!¡± a woman screamed.


    ¡°Tasty¡­ you¡­ next,¡± Britt growled.


    ¡°Cinnamon, Cat Attack Art: Claws of the Whirling Dervish!¡± the woman roared.


    The remaining cat became a tornado in truth.


    Armor, clothes, strips of flesh and muscle went flying from Britt as the cat roamed over her body.


    The attack ended just as quickly as it started.


    Britt looked down at her ruined body. She cocked her head.


    ¡°Not¡­ enough¡­¡±


    She fell on the Watch, trailing strips of bloody attire and flesh.


    One stepped forward with shield and gun.


    The former blocked her claws, while the latter filled her chest with lead.


    Not enough.


    Inhuman strength ripped the shield away, overpowering the Skill.


    A Skill-enhanced slash ripped the front of the full-faced helmet like paper along with part of the young woman¡¯s face.


    ¡°Tobin!¡±


    ¡°You¡­ screamer¡­ scream¡­ for¡­ me,¡± Britt leered at the teary-eyed pet owner.


    The remaining cat yowled and pounced, only to be slapped into the darkness.


    A rush of wings, stabbing beak and crushing talons assaulted her face.


    She bit and slashed until she was left with a mouthful and handful of bloody feathers.


    The great eagle floundered in the red-slicked mud at short distance away.


    ¡°Hillary!¡±


    The young woman with the fancy rifle glanced back with a curse.


    ¡°I can¡¯t, Cara, if I stop shooting the monsters they¡¯ll¡ª¡±


    ¡°In my belly¡­ or monsters¡­ hard¡­ choice,¡± she growled.


    Her hand blurred to the side of her head, catching the sharp-tipped tongue before it could penetrate her ear.


    The hottie had evaded her notice again.


    She regarded the tongue.


    A small, needle like protrusion peeked out of the narrow end.


    Interesting, but now wasn¡¯t the time.


    She made to rip the tongue out, but it slipped from her grasp like a slippery eel.


    She turned her attention back toward her original target.


    Cara thrust a smartphone toward her.


    An odd move for what was clearly a pet owner and not a techmage-type.


    Perhaps that momentary confusion was what made Britt react too slow to avoid the sword launched from the screen and into her chest.


    Cara drew a shotgun and started blasting.


    The young woman Britt had thought dying joined in despite only having one eye left peaking out of the bloody ruin of flayed skin, torn meat and broken bones.


    Shot and bullets peppered her body.


    She retreated, badly injured, in need of the blessed sacrament.


    More monsters charged from the distance.


    They were yards away when a whistling sound cut through the ever-present patter of hard rain. Like jets of compressed air shooting incessantly.


    Mud splattered as the aerial assault tore the ground apart.


    The monsters became red mist.


    Britt noticed the beating of what sounded like enormous, leathery wings in the darkness.


    She looked up and saw the shape.


    A flying monster¡­ firing a gun?


    Except, no gun was that silent.


    Before she could ponder it, piercing pain crushed over her shoulders and into her back and chest.


    Up she went in a rush of leathery wings.


    She slashed desperately at the arms or legs of the large flying beast, drawing blood through tough scales, but not enough to force her freedom.


    Keen ears heard the beating heart and wings of the beast as it took her up into the stormy sky.


    Whispers reached her as she strained for anything she could use to get out of this.


    ¡°Do we kill her?¡±


    ¡°Negative, Valentine. Captain wants prisoners.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but she¡¯s cutting Maverick. I¡¯m not flying her all the way to base camp like this.¡±


    ¡°Knock her out.¡±


    ¡°How¡­ okay, that¡¯s a good idea, girl, let¡¯s do this.¡±


    Wings folded in a sudden dive.


    The wind deafened Britt.


    The air was stolen from her lungs.


    She struggled to see through the tears in her eyes.


    Warm shapes of men and monsters dotted the landscape.


    Warmer still were the torches on top of the wall, which was a cold and dark thing in her predator¡¯s sight.


    A cold and dark thing that grew quickly.


    The pressure around her chest suddenly released, along with the sting of withdrawn claws.


    She¡ª


    Stone crumbled around the flesheater as she fell to the muddy ground, motionless.


    ¡°Is she out?¡± Valentine said.


    The drake vocalized.


    ¡°She¡¯s out,¡± he confirmed as he guided Maverick down to pick up their prisoner.


    ¡°Ophrys to command. One Meat Parade flesheater captured. Requesting orders.¡±


    ¡°Remain on site. Provide support for rescue operations.¡±


    ¡°Ask them if Chandra, Tuxedo and Wichita are okay?¡± Valentine said.


    Ophrys relayed the question.


    ¡°Wichita¡¯s in the yellow, Chandra¡¯s red, Tuxedo¡­ Tuxedo¡¯s black.¡±


    Valentine muttered a curse.


    ¡°Copy that, secured prisoner, we¡¯ll provide support, over,¡± Ophrys said.


    They landed in the middle of a ring of muddy ground that looked like a slaughterhouse floor.


    The gun-bearing wyvern circled overhead just in case of more monster attacks.


    A second wyvern had landed a squad of rangers, who had chained and bound two other flesheaters, though from their condition it didn¡¯t look like they needed the thick and heavy chains.


    A huge black monster of dog trotted out of the darkness to drop a flesheater¡¯s head at the feet of the other two before padding over to what had to be the pet owner.


    The Watch gathered around their own fallen.


    ¡°They need healing!¡± a young woman, a girl really, with a spell rifle slung over her shoulder harassed the medics. ¡°And don¡¯t give me that triage bullshit!¡±


    The medic pulled her aside. ¡°Listen, he¡¯s got a gut wound and a bad one, we¡¯re doing what we can, but he needs an airlift back to our base camp,¡± he explained in hushed tones.


    ¡°Okay, then do that!¡±


    ¡°We are. It would help if you didn¡¯t get in our way.¡±


    ¡°What about Tobin?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s an ugly wound, but she¡¯s not in immediate danger. She¡¯ll have to suck it up until, again, we get her back to base camp.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± the young woman stomped away to join two others.


    They knelt around a giant eagle and a cat, both badly wounded.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Cara, but they said humans get priority,¡± Hillary said.


    ¡°I understand.¡± Tears flowed down Cara¡¯s cheeks mingled with the blood of her beloved friends as she did what she could with her first aid kit to clean and bandage their wounds.


    Licorice whined as he laid against her side. His armor was torn and bloody, but he could wait. The littler and weaker ones needed help first.


    ¡°Here, healing spells,¡± Hillary handed a pair of smartphones, one to Cara and one to Ginessa. ¡°They¡¯re too weak to do anything for Oscar and Tobin.¡±


    ¡°Will they be okay? Maybe if we reach out to Cal?¡±


    ¡°If he could help he¡¯d already be here or he would¡¯ve been before all this happened,¡± Cara said flatly.


    Hillary didn¡¯t like the empty look in the other woman¡¯s eyes.


    Cara moved almost mechanically in tending to first Goldy, then Cinnamon.


    ¡°The rangers are taking everyone back to their base, you should go with them, Cara.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t we going too?¡± Ginessa¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°You can. I¡¯m going back. Everyone else is still in there.¡±


    ¡°Commander ordered us to leave.¡±


    ¡°Which we did. She never said anything about returning.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Hillary, please don¡¯t be mad at me. I¡¯m only doing what I was asked,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°Wait! Wha¡ª¡±


    Ginessa¡¯s eyes shined.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to go back into the dining hall. You want to follow the commander¡¯s orders. You want to remain with your friends to make sure they get the help they need and are safe.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ yeah, of course,¡± Hillary nodded.


    ¡°Commander Lawrence always does her best to look out for us doesn¡¯t she. Even if it all goes bad,¡± Cara said.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, let¡¯s make sure all of us have a seat on that scary beast,¡± Ginessa sighed.

 7.55

    Vitiator and the Vitiator.


    Both name and class.


    The truth of the former known only to a few of his kind by dint of distance and the inexorable passage of time. Mortals had taken it with them into their inevitable deaths. As for the long-lived and the immortal¡­ well, he had kept them away and remained in the shadows.


    All to carry the sacred charge from the Sun of his people.


    To go forth to other worlds and prepare them.


    Centuries of travel for experience and levels had brought him to this world for his first true attempt.


    Shameful failure.


    To be defeated by primitives new to the spires and forced deeper into the shadows like a parasite suckling off inferiors.


    He hadn¡¯t accounted for class-less having such power.


    Once again forced to flee, he stepped out of his conjured doorway onto the edge of a forest a vast distance away.


    Innocent blood had increased the potency of the spell.


    None on this world had the strength of magic to follow.


    He was safe from the familiar presence that had suddenly triggered the myriad of detection spells he had laid all over the slavers¡¯ city.


    It seemed impossible that one would just appear like that in the middle of all his spells.


    Was there no safe place?


    The thought chilled him. Him!


    A flare of magic interrupted his ruminations.


    Impossible! he thought.


    He recognized the way the spell felt from one instance seared into his memory from centuries ago when he was but a humble student. An archmaster¡¯s simple demonstration to show them all the possible heights they could reach after a millennia of diligent study, a ravenous hunger for knowledge and leveling to the exclusion of all.


    That was all he recognized.


    Only the sensations.


    He couldn¡¯t pierce the spell¡¯s construction. Couldn¡¯t grasp a hint of a signature.


    Its presence on this world could only mean one thing.


    The thought filled him with more dread than the Earth human.


    All this he processed in the span of a second with his superiority of mind.


    The radiant gateway disgorged the two vengeance-seeking children.


    They were of little concern.


    Many such had sought him out over the centuries.


    Whoever cast their conveyance was his only concern.


    The gray-armored one charged.


    Darkness flowed over the grass, reaching out like fingers in the clear, moonlit night.


    Shadow magic was easy enough to render impotent.


    A gesture conjured a bright orb of light to sear away the shadows.


    That was when the second child acted.


    Fingers and hands danced, magic pulsed within the child¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Terronora¡¯s Shroud.¡±


    It flared out, swallowing his orb.


    Thoughts processed.


    Magical artifact instead of a heart. He didn¡¯t recognize the spell¡¯s name, but when it came to such things there was a lot of overlap in effect even if differences existed in construction, mana consumption, signature and so on and so forth.


    Any other time he would¡¯ve hungrily taken the child and extracted every scrap of knowledge he could learn before ripping the artifact for further study.


    Instead, he would overwhelm them with his superiority.


    Fingers twisted and arms gestured.


    Each one sending a spell to burn, rend and destroy.


    The child with an artifact for a heart raised panes of magic ahead of the armored one.


    Each shattered in turn.


    A thick shield coalesced in front of the armored one¡¯s arm from the writhing shadows following him like an insipid pet.


    Solar Lance of Acanthedor burned straight through the dark gray shield. A simple Dispel Summoned Item used the opening to get rid of the shield completely. Renzavore¡¯s Claw followed an instant later to carve deep gouges into the dark gray plate.


    They closed, but not quickly enough to conceal the red.


    ¡°First blood,¡± the Vitiator sneered. ¡°Although, if what you claim is true then I¡¯ve already done that. Who are you? I don¡¯t recognize either of you. That is understandable, of course, I¡¯ve passed many chattel through these hands,¡± he spread long, thin fingers wide.


    Elvandoran¡¯s Searing Spray of Agony.


    Twisted glee spread across his face as dark red liquid sprayed across a wide arc in front of him.


    He so enjoyed sharing his knowledge with inferiors.


    The armored one ran right into the spell.


    A hiss escaped his full-faced helm.


    Glowing eyes dimmed as he fell to one knee.


    ¡°Yes!¡± the Vitiator hissed. ¡°Go, take your natural position. Such is the way of your kind.¡±


    ¡°Kill you,¡± the dark armored one rasped, ¡°for¡­ family¡­¡±


    ¡°Always that, isn¡¯t it? And yet here I stand. I¡¯ve forgotten how many inferiors have bathed me with they pain, blood and suffering. All for my power to grow. Centuries done. Centuries more to come. Then¡­ eternity.¡±


    ¡°Malaviransor¡¯s Rebuke,¡± the other child grunted.


    The powerful spray dwindled to a trickle.


    Slight pain flowed into the Vitiator.


    An irritation more than anything substantial.


    He couldn¡¯t even use it for strength or to replenish his mana.


    The armored one surged with surprising quickness.


    Mildly impressive endurance.


    A thrusting spear coalesced in his hand, hungrily seeking the Vitiator¡¯s chest.


    Trust the enchantments in his robes or not?


    He weighed probabilities in a split-second with his mind¡¯s superior processing capability.


    His initial attempts to analyze the two children had failed or rather been blocked.


    He surmised that both were in the low Level 40¡¯s or the equivalent in the case of the child with the artifact in place of a heart. He didn¡¯t know whether the latter had a class or was entirely powered by the artifact.


    Trust.


    The dark spear struck him in the chest, driving him back several steps, but failed to pierce his robes.


    Pain radiated from the impact point and knocked the air from his lungs.


    This time there was enough to immediately turn into a spell to power his own strength to catch the second thrust.


    The spear quivered in their hands as neither could budge the other.


    The weapon vanished into immaterial shadows, only to return as a descending axe.


    He raised a sleeved arm to deflect.


    ¡°Valynn¡¯s Bindings.¡±


    Ghostly ropes wrapped around his wrists and pulled taut.


    The axe fell.


    Superior strength, quickness and reaction allowed the Vitiator to shift, pulling against the magic ropes to move just enough that the axe blade missed his forehead.


    Instead, it sheared through the lesser protections around his physical body, strands of his perfect, flaxen hair and half of his left ear before glancing off his robed shoulder.


    ¡°How dare you!¡± he gasped.


    How dare they give him true pain!


    He shattered the ropes and blasted the armored one away with a wave of his hand.


    He gestured toward the other child, hand grasping.


    A dark swirl of energy coalesced into an enormous clawed hand crushing around the child, lifting him off the ground.


    Sharp barbs on the inside of the giant fingers cut armor and clothing, drawing blood.


    ¡°Yes! Struggle! More pain!¡± the Vitiator hissed. ¡°You are an insignificant child! Casting spells with words is the domain of the ignorant and weak. Learn¡­ is what I would say, if you would but have the opportunity,¡± he touched his ear. Blood darkened his fingers, followed by his features.


    ¡°We know enough to make you bleed!¡± the child¡¯s face twisted. ¡°I know enough to make you pay for what you did to me!¡±


    He pulled the child close enough to touch, so that the unfortunate one could bathe in his superior presence before death.


    ¡°I am important to you. That much is clear. And yet¡­ I don¡¯t know you. Your face is one among many. All the same. All anonymous. None worth remembering. You will all be forgotten. Mere notes in the telling of my legend. Once I deliver your world, your people,¡± he sneered, ¡°my Sun will shine his rewards down on me, bathing me in his everlasting glory.¡±


    ¡°Dreadlings, kill!¡± a raspy voice roared.


    Small, dark, misshapen creatures gibbered out of every shadow, swarming over the Vitiator, biting and clawing ineffectually against his robes.


    ¡°Summoned hordes too weak to even scratch me are a waste of energy. You fight like a petulant child, hurling everything you have with no thought to efficiency.¡±


    ¡°Distraction,¡± the dark armored one rasped.


    Neighing heralded a thunder of hooves.


    They struck the Vitiator in the back, scattering the dreadlings and driving him into the hard, grass-covered earth.


    Over and over again the demonic steed¡¯s hooves rained down like hammers on an anvil brutally forcing metal into shape.


    The robe¡¯s protections held.


    The pain grew to heights he had last experienced decades ago.


    It flowed through him and became wrath.


    Aura of the Corrupter: I Share My Wrath.


    The child cursed.


    ¡°Protect me!¡±


    The artifact in his chest burned in his chest like the heart of a furnace in response.


    ¡°Sinaht¡¯s Razor Birds!¡± he gasped.


    The spell swarmed over the dark grasp, shredding the fingers enough for the child to tear his way free.


    ¡°Dread Paladin! Keep your distance!¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± the dark armored one rasped.


    The demonic shadow steed stomped with abandon, but her focus had gone solely from the Vitiator to everything in range.


    She trampled dreadlings by the dozen even as she landed thunderous blows on the Vitiator.


    The dreadlings gibbered madly as they clawed at the steed, the Vitiator and each other.


    The Vitiator rolled away.


    ¡°Distance will not save you from my influence. You¡¯re rage for vengeance. That which you think gives you strength is mine!¡± he snarled.


    The child with the artifact in his chest flinched and backed away, averting his gaze.


    The other one roared and leapt, axe held high.


    He drew his own blade out of dimensional storage.


    Slightly curved, the impossibly long, single-edge sword swept up in a parry, followed by a diagonal cut across the chest.


    Superior metal work inlaid with enchantments cut deep into the dark gray plate and made wounds that remained open regardless of healing.


    Axe struck.


    Sword parried and returned.


    The pattern unfolded repeatedly in the span of seconds.


    He wielded a sword as long as the giant two-handed versions of the inferior species in one hand with superlative technique despite not holding a martial class.


    That was the advantage of a potential lifespan measured in millennia.


    The short-lived could only master few disciplines, perhaps only one, within the span of their lives.


    As one of the High, he had time.


    Speed, strength, grace. Every physical attribute was superior.


    Unlike those Low savages hiding in their dirty forests and jungles, who had diminished themselves over the millennia, his kind remained in the fullness of their power.


    Such was the cost of turning away from the glory of the Sun.


    Still, the armored child was much stronger.


    It took increasing his own through the pain in him and the rage in everyone to close the distance.


    A slight shift of his body to one side allowed the axe to crash into the ground, sending a shower of dirt into the air.


    He took a step up the long handle to land a kick on the full-faced helm, flip over and drag a long cut down the back plate through to the flesh.


    Delicious pain.


    A surge of wrath.


    He drew on both to gain the strength to cleave through the axe shaft as it came around for his head.


    The weapon dissipated into shadow.


    The so-called Dread Paladin charge forward, shoulder down, low to the ground.


    Had the child reached the limits of the summoned weapons?


    The Vitiator danced around the clumsy tackle on light feet that seemed to move perfectly. He bent back mid twirl to let the other child¡¯s angry red spell pass harmlessly.


    A lazy gesture returned a spell that had the child diving for his life.


    He laughed.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    It wasn¡¯t much of a challenge and he wasn¡¯t going to gain much in the way of Universal Points or levels from killing the two children, but it was certainly enjoyable.


    To be so much stronger than an opponent that one could play without concern with the outcome already decided was glorious.


    A whip lashed out of shadow.


    He cut it in twain, length-wise, both halves returned to their nothingness as they parted around him.


    The demonic steed, much hurt by the dreadlings, loomed behind.


    He spun, bending at the waist to just avoid the biting teeth. Planting one hand on the steed¡¯s head he flipped, balanced upside down for a moment before riding the head¡¯s bucking motion into a flip that landed him on the steed¡¯s back.


    A simple slash parted head from body.


    ¡°From the shadow it came, to the shadow it returns,¡± he said lightly as the dark body melted beneath his feet. ¡°Tell me, before I take your life, is the creature dead in truth? Is it a singular, unique entity?¡±


    The Dread Paladin remained silent.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know,¡± he sneered. ¡°Well, that knowledge will remain lost and unknown¡­ alongside your corpse.¡±


    Two strides carried him to striking distance.


    Sword to sword.


    The Dread Paladin parried the first and second strike.


    The third cut through his plate drawing blood across his thigh.


    Fourth. Fifth. Sixth. Seventh. Eighth. Ninth. Tenth.


    Eye blinks of time.


    Blood leaked from every limb.


    The thick plate was cut like paper.


    ¡°Know that you die to skills I have not practiced in over twice your lifespan,¡± he presented his sword with a flourish.


    A flash of movement out of the corner of his left eye.


    A sneer.


    A dark spell.


    A burning hole through the chest of the child with an artifact for a heart.


    A pity and a surprise.


    An item displaying such power shouldn¡¯t have been destroyed so easily.


    He regarded the child staring at him with with eyes and slack jaw.


    The hole in his chest smoked.


    Yet¡­ he noticed something.


    Where was the pleasant smell?


    The child shimmered and vanished into little sparkling lights.


    ¡°Quicksand.¡±


    His feet sank into the suddenly soft ground, stopping at his knees.


    He turned to his right.


    The child stood on unsteady legs.


    The heat in the child¡¯s chest stood out dangerously in the Vitiator¡¯s magic enhanced vision.


    Too much mana used in a short span of time threatened the wielder¡¯s life, class or none.


    This one was on his last gasps.


    ¡°Grease Shower.¡±


    Sticky, unctuous liquid rained down on the Vitiator.


    It had a strangely appealing odor, despite marring his fair-haired countenance as it oozed all over his robes.


    ¡°Firefly,¡± the child gasped, collapsing at the last.


    The small spark zipped across the distance.


    The Vitiator erupted like a dry tree in a firestorm.


    ¡°Mundane fire is nothing,¡± he laughed, pulling himself out of the mire even as the flames tickled and warmed him¡­ a little.


    The Dread Paladin struck.


    Swords danced in a blur of sparks until the dark gray blade snapped.


    ¡°I¡¯m on fire and yet still prove superior. Your armor, your weapons, your Skills and class. All are nothing compared to me,¡± he grabbed an arm, crushing the bracer as he hurled the armored child into a tree.


    ¡°You¡¯re wrong about one thing,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped, slowly rising to his feet. ¡°I haven¡¯t used all my abilities,¡± he raised a hand and clenched his fist. ¡°Dread Smite.¡±


    Wide beam of dark light shined down from above, bathing the Vitiator.


    He felt what it was supposed to do, but it was too weak to get past his protections and his inherent attributes.


    The dread washed off him.


    ¡°Enough,¡± he extinguished the flames with a gesture. He spun his sword in graceful arcs as he went through a few of the forms. ¡°This has been invigorating. It was good to be reminded of who I am truly. Years of hiding in fear was not me. The two of you have shown me that I am the one to be feared. And know this before you die. I will repay what you¡¯ve given me to those that you leave behind.¡±


    The Dread Paladin collapsed to his knees.


    The other child struggled to raise his head from the grass.


    ¡°Your quest for vengeance ends in failure.¡±


    He felt sudden and powerful magic swirl around him.


    Eyes widened.


    It was just like¡ª


    Multiple gateways winked into existence in a ring centered on the Vitiator.


    ¡°Ah, but failure can take many forms. In some cases they could be said to be successes.¡±


    The voice made his sound like a badly tuned violin.


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    It couldn¡¯t be?


    One of the High on this world?


    But¡­ the Sun had chosen him!


    ¡°Ms. Teacher, you¡¯re being cryptic again,¡± a child¡¯s voice, high-pitched, grating.


    The gateways winked out.


    The High stood directly in front of him within touching distance.


    When had she closed?


    The gateway had been at least five times that distance.


    He brought his sword forward in an aggressive guard.


    Perhaps a dozen others surrounded him at a much more respectable distance.


    More children.


    ¡°This is an example of those that would take your world and use you for all manner of unspeakable ends. Look at him. Take him in. Feel the nature of his magic,¡± the other High said.


    ¡°Are you¡­ lecturing?¡± he frowned. ¡°Are you teaching these¡ª these primitives our magics!¡± he snapped. ¡°That is the unspeakable!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s making me feel sick, Ms. Teacher.¡±


    ¡°Do not let his mana blend with your own, Rupert. Touch, but do not touch. Keep them separate.¡±


    ¡°You dishonorable traitor! The Sun will know of your treachery!¡± he snarled.


    She quirked her head. ¡°You do not know me? Interesting. My objectionable uncle did say he would erase me from our very history. Tell me does your ¡®Sun¡¯ still have the scar across his face?¡±


    The Vitiator¡¯s eyes widened a fraction.


    It was enough.


    She laughed like music.


    ¡°I¡¯m pleased to know that even after all this time my touch remains upon his face. Though, from your existence it appears that he failed to heed my advice.¡±


    He caught the barest hint of smug satisfaction on her dark-skinned face.


    ¡°Enough!¡± he lashed out with a spell of titanic proportions.


    Dark, ugly magic twisted from his hand to her face.


    She twirled a finger, gathering his spell and sending it skyward to dissipate into nothing.


    ¡°Did you observe, children. Rudimentary casting ability, but quite advanced for your young world. You can do the same one day, but it will likely take more years than you have. Naturally, that is.¡±


    ¡°Is that why you encourage us to learn life extension spells?¡± a glasses-wearing girl said.


    ¡°That is correct, Cammi.¡±


    ¡°But what if that¡¯s wrong, Ms. Teacher?¡± another girl spoke with concern.


    ¡°Right or wrong is a matter of perspective. I know of your religion¡¯s concerns toward¡­ what did that elder call it¡­ ¡®perversions of God¡¯s plan¡¯. Who is to say what God¡¯s plan is? Rationally, we are all far too limited existences to comprehend the thoughts of a hypothetical, omniscient entity. Even its existence is incomprehensible by our very nature. After all, how can finite beings understand an infinite one.¡±


    ¡°You are the one in the wrong,¡± the Vitiator breathed deeply. ¡°We are immortal.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps, under the right conditions. We die just as easily as all the other species.¡±


    ¡°No. That is not what I learned.¡±


    ¡°Oh? And what house of learning did you earn your knowledge?¡±


    ¡°Cornawindor.¡±


    ¡°I know that place. Fourth tier. Primarily used by the Circle of the Immortal Dawn to give their lesser members an easy path to ¡®earning¡¯ the right of admittance to¡ª¡±


    ¡°That is a lie!¡±


    ¡°Perhaps things have changed. I have been away for a very long time.¡±


    ¡°What is it you want? Let me leave and I will not inform the Sun of your presence for ten of this world¡¯s solar cycles.¡±


    ¡°Is that day or year?¡± a boy with a crooked grin said.


    ¡°I do not speak to chattel, but I refer to the latter.¡±


    ¡°Generous,¡± she said lightly, ¡°but you are in no position to bargain. Children, I present to you, your lesson for the night. Morality and ethics. A matter of perspective or immutable laws? When is it right to take the life of a sapient being?¡±


    ¡°I will not be a part of your lessons,¡± he cast his own gateway. Short ranged, but he needed space.


    ¡°No.¡±


    A gesture dispersed his gathering mana.


    She was as far above him as he was the children.


    That was obvious now.


    ¡°You will stay and be judge for the crimes you¡¯ve inflicted on this world¡¯s inhabitants by their representatives.¡±


    ¡°I will not be judged by a dishonorable traitor and chattel children!¡±


    A gesture conjured a golden cage around him.


    He felt his mana drain instantly.


    Limbs suddenly felt weak.


    He couldn¡¯t even raise his arm to strike with his sword.


    ¡°Um¡­ should we be the ones doing this?¡± Rupert said.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she said.


    ¡°I mean he¡¯s totally evil. You can tell by the spells he threw around,¡± the grinning boy said.


    ¡°It¡¯s the user and usage that weigh the heaviest on the magic being good, evil or in-between, Rand,¡± another girl rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Emma¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, of course you¡¯d say that, Jennylyn. You guys are always on the same page, like butt buddies,¡± Rand snorted.


    ¡°You let them prattle on like this?¡± he said. ¡°Disgusting. This is what you¡¯d teach the secrets of our magic to? The Sun will scorch you all from the face of this world.¡±


    ¡°He does give off an evil vibe,¡± Jennylyn said.


    ¡°I agree,¡± Emma said.


    ¡°Of course!¡± Rand threw his hands into the air.


    ¡°Ms. Teacher, we still need evidence and witnesses,¡± Jennylyn said.


    ¡°What about those two?¡± Rand pointed.


    The young men had managed to stagger to their feet, but not much more.


    The Dread Paladin leaned on his broken sword like a cane. ¡°He killed my family. My entire community. His Cabal raped and murdered everyone. I will have my revenge,¡± he rasped.


    ¡°You can barely stand, bro,¡± Rand snorted.


    ¡°Not cool,¡± Rupert whispered.


    ¡°Your cause will be given its full due,¡± Ms. Teacher said.


    ¡°He¡¯s one,¡± Jennylyn said. ¡°What about you, er, sir?¡± she asked the other young man.


    ¡°Sadly, the same story. Except it was me that spent time in the Cabal¡¯s hands. I want revenge too, but I¡¯m not as particular as my friend. I¡¯ll be satisfied as long as that piece of filth no longer exists.¡±


    ¡°Chattel will nev¡ª¡±


    ¡°Silence.¡±


    A golden plate appeared over the Vitiator¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°Now,¡± Ms. Teacher continued. ¡°We have two victims here.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but he needs a defense,¡± Jennylyn sighed.


    ¡°Does he?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s not nice, but even the worst scum need to always have a defense because sometimes the accused might not actually be guilty. At least that¡¯s how we do it here, Ms. Teacher.¡±


    ¡°Yes, you have a similar system though without methods to discern truth from falsehoods I¡¯d venture that judgments were made in error in far greater frequency than true justice demands. Fortunately, you now have them.¡±


    ¡°But you said truth spells can by fooled by those that were strong or tricky enough?¡± Cammi said.


    ¡°Perhaps, but not mine. Although I had a different lesson in mind. Some of you wish to learn magic to fight those, like this corrupter,¡± she gestured to the caged, ¡°that come to do ill on you and your world. I would be a poor teacher if I didn¡¯t show you what that truly means. Witness the crimes of condemned. See what awaits you on that path.¡±


    The Vitiator¡¯s resistance was swept aside by her spell like a wave does a sand castle.


    She plundered his memories and rendered them in perfect detail for the children to watch.


    The sights, sounds and even the smells were replicated in perfect detail.


    It was a close to being actually present for countless acts of brutal depravity carried out by the Vitiator.


    Years experienced in minutes.


    Leaving children in tears.


    Most had vomited onto the grass.


    ¡°It was harsh, but be armed with knowledge. He is one of many. That is what you choose to face. You may suffer the same fates as those you watched.¡±


    ¡°Babies¡­¡± Emma cried.


    ¡°Judgment?¡±


    ¡°He has to die,¡± Rupert said.


    ¡°But make it slow and painful,¡± Rand said.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Cammi echoed.


    ¡°No. It has to be clean and not for, like, revenge, or to make him suffer, but because it¡¯s the right thing to do so that he can¡¯t ever hurt anyone again,¡± Jennylyn said.


    ¡°You won¡¯t take my vengeance,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped.


    ¡°Nor mine,¡± the other young man said. ¡°And you had no right to make me relive that.¡± Tears streamed down his face.


    ¡°The past is behind. Do not look back to live it, but use the memory to your advantage for the future,¡± Ms. Teacher said. ¡°As for your vengeance¡­¡±


    The golden cage around the Vitiator shifted into chains pulling him to his knees.


    She freed his mouth.


    Vile curses spat forth, but nothing more. Her chains sealed his magic.


    Promises of retribution and such.


    She had heard it all before.


    He certainly was a follower of the Sun.


    She flicked her wrist stripping him of all his protections.


    ¡°It is yours.¡±


    The Dread Paladin staggered forward until he was close enough to touch.


    His helmet dissipated into shadow to reveal a youthful, tear-streaked face.


    Eyes shined with eerie light for a moment before fading to their natural color.


    ¡°I made a Vow after you took everything that mattered. I fulfill it,¡± he stabbed his broken blade into the Vitiator¡¯s gut, twisting before withdrawing. He glanced over at the other young man. ¡°Ghost Sorcerer?¡±


    Rayna¡¯s Ranger hobbled over and stared into the Vitiator¡¯s pained eyes.


    ¡°You look normal,¡± he said after a long moment, ¡°Cooper, you¡¯re entitled to whatever you feel, but I think, I agree with them. The girl¡¯s right. Kill him to save future victims. Once he¡¯s dead my revenge is finished.¡±


    ¡°Ms. Teacher,¡± Cooper turned, ¡°will he die from that?¡±


    ¡°Yes, eventually.¡±


    ¡°Can you hold him like that till the end?¡±


    She nodded.


    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯d like to watch the light go out of his eyes.¡±


    ¡°And you shall.¡±


    The Vitiator spat curses.


    Cooper never wavered, never blinked. His eyes remained locked onto the Vitiator¡¯s until the once superior being looked away.


    The words failed soon after as the Vitiator barely managed to keep gasping out breaths as the lifeblood flowed out of his gut wound to stain the grass.


    ¡°I will not fall to inferio¡ª¡± he whispered.


    Death came.


    Traumatized children wept. Not for the condemned, but for all those he had left as discarded bones in the dirt.


    Revenge?


    Justice?


    It was a matter of perspective for some.


    For others it was absolute.


    One fulfilled his Vow and felt emptier than he had ever been.


    Another saw his revenge carried out and saw the weight lifted from his shoulders after so many years.


    An unknown future awaited the two young men. For the first time in years they had nothing to drive them forward through all the painful memories.


    As for the ancient being from another world?


    She regretted the necessity of a hard lesson her students needed to learn.


    The Vitiator was just the first.


    <hr>


    In a rain-drenched city humans and monsters painted a tragic tableau of desperate and senseless violence.


    Rich and powerful nobles learned the true cost of their oaths to the king when the protection afforded their homes vanished at his will in an instant. Grand mansions that were once bastions of safety turned into besieged death traps with collared monsters or freed enslaved battering at the doors and windows. All the while a slasher prowled in their midst killing her targets one rich bastard after another.


    Regular people out in the bars, pubs, taverns, restaurants and clubs suddenly found themselves under attack as the suddenly freed vented righteous fury or collared monsters struck seemingly out of nowhere.


    One such establishment was in the middle of hosting a Freedom Championships party with a great coup.


    The small bar had somehow managed to book Casey Cool and the Glitterbombs fresh of their star-making turn opening one of the marquee Gold Division matches.


    All was going great halfway through their set when everyone got the spires alert.


    ¡°What the fuck!¡±


    ¡°Does this mean¡ª¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not safe!


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    The music stopped mid song as Casey saw the same message, heard the spires¡¯ voice in her ears.


    From the looks on her bandmates'' faces, she wasn¡¯t imagining it.


    ¡°Should we get out of here?¡± she said.


    The screaming started before anyone could answer.


    Blood-covered people poured into the bar yelling about monsters on the street.


    Most everyone inside was at least armed with something. A pistol, a machete, knives, usually a combination depending on their classes.


    Practically no one was armed with anything bigger.


    No one was armored in full kit.


    They had trusted the King¡¯s safety.


    The first monster crashed through the big window.


    A mutated panther tore the first unlucky person it saw with a swipe of its plate-sized paw.


    The people fought back.


    Skills activated.


    Guns fired.


    Blades hacked.


    The panther killed another two before going down.


    Monsters swarmed the street outside.


    Screams filled the night.


    Blood and rain painted everything.


    ¡°Use the tables to block the windows!¡± Big Tamo, the bouncer boomed over the din.


    There was no way out. They were trapped. Under siege.


    How could things turn into a nightmare so quickly?


    ¡°Guys, we have to try it,¡± Casey implored her band.


    ¡°We¡¯re not bards,¡± Rachel Rascal said.


    ¡°They¡¯re breaking through!¡± Big Tamo roared. ¡°Hold!¡±


    ¡°If I¡¯m going to die, then I¡¯m going to do it singing.¡± The glitter on Casey¡¯s cheeks sparkled in the lighting.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Rachel sighed. ¡°We can¡¯t fight worth shit, so it¡¯s either that or get chased down and eaten. Might as well do what we do. You know?¡±


    The rest of the band agreed.


    ¡°Guys, please, everyone listen,¡± Casey spoke into the microphone.


    Some heads turned her way. Others split the difference between the small stage and the breaking barricades.


    ¡°Um, I¡¯m not sure if this will work, but please listen to our song. I hope it¡¯ll help you fight,¡± she finished.


    The band shredded.


    Casey belted.


    And the half-drunk people fought like champions all night long.

 7.56

    Elsewhere in the blood-soaked city a confused melee had broken out in the street just outside Creamland.


    Patrons rushed outside in terror only to run into a mob of freed enslaved out for blood.


    Inside, the brothel¡¯s enslaved had been freed, exacting a terrible toll on their rapists.


    Lexington Clark had been a rising star in one of the adventuring bands loosely affiliated with the New American Republic. She had been a mage, rogue and martial artist: Muay TThay. She had a goal to eventually blend all three.


    Her dream was ended by cruel chance.


    There had been a party at one of the top nobles in the nation.


    Lord Reagan had noticed her.


    As beautiful, sleek and deadly as a tiger he had once hunted in his youth, according to him.


    Naturally, she wasn¡¯t interested and said as much.


    He hadn¡¯t taken it well.


    Such was the entitlement that flowed through his ilk¡¯s veins.


    Pain and suffering ensued.


    She had been abandoned by her band for they didn¡¯t want to burn their bridges, nor suffer the same fate.


    The collar stole her dreams.


    Part of her realized this, helpless to act while it created a new her to fulfill the whims of the depraved.


    After the lord had tired of her he had sold her to the brothel. Her life, once so promising was now a daily hell that only one part of her realized.


    The other was only all to happy to please.


    No longer a mage, rogue and martial artist: Muay Thai.


    They had turned her into a sex slave.


    Her true self had thought it was over.


    That her precious classes had been stolen forever.


    All of this took place within one year.


    She was wrong.


    ¡°Class removed: sex slave. Classes reactivated: mage, rogue, martial artist: Muay Thai.¡±


    The flood of emotions released by sudden realization that the nightmare had been real overwhelmed her, but she wanted to make the slavers, the rapists bleed.


    Lexington kicked the young man off her.


    A strong fighter in his own right, the young man reacted quickly jumping back on top of her.


    He seized both wrists.


    ¡°What the fuck, slut! I didn¡¯t ask for the rough stuff. Not this time,¡± he said.


    She replied with a fireball to his face.


    He screamed.


    She kicked him off again, surged forward with a knee to the solar plexus, bending him over.


    She activated a Skill, grabbing the back of his neck in a clinch that he¡¯d find impossible to break out of with a Skill of his own.


    Knee strikes followed.


    Skill-enhanced.


    She lost count, only realizing that she had caved his face in when he slumped to the ground.


    She stomped until she was sure.


    She reached for her neck after realizing that the constricting warmth was gone.


    The broken collar lay on the bed.


    She stared at it as tears welled in her eyes, pushed out by the weight of the countless evils done to her.


    A few minutes later she stalked out of the room with her eyes red, but dry.


    She knew this place intimately.


    The young section was just down the hall.


    She remembered that Creamland also catered to the most depraved.


    She wouldn¡¯t stop until every last rapist was just like the young warrior she had left like a cut of spoiled meat.


    Outside, the melee had swung against the freed.


    The brothel was located close to one of the Slaver King¡¯s barracks. It was a common pairing throughout history.


    A group of off-duty soldiers had been at Creamland. The survivors, battered and bloodied had made it back to rouse the alarm. It took minutes for a detachment to arrive.


    They surrounded the freed, pinning them against the front of the brothel.


    They sought to disable rather than kill.


    The officer in charge didn¡¯t want to risk angering anyone by killing valuable property and until he knew exactly what was going on he wasn¡¯t about to risk his neck. Let the shit climb up the ladder and ruin someone else¡¯s life.


    He¡¯d never find out.


    Pale red lightning flashed across the sky.


    ¡°That¡¯s not supposed to be red,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Nah, I¡¯ve seen ¡®em go red once or twice back in the day,¡± his grizzled sergeant said.


    ¡°Oh, yeah? What makes it that way?¡±


    The sergeant¡¯s answer was drowned out by the crack of thunder.


    The officer wouldn¡¯t have heard it anyway.


    A great obsidian axe as tall as he was had fallen out of the sky, cleaving him in twain.


    Right and left halves squelched to the slick street.


    The towering rain god landed on the sergeant, squishing the man like an ant.


    Bronze skin glistened, muscles bulged as he loomed over the rear of the slaver formation.


    They turned and fired without hesitation.


    Bullets and spells bounced off him.


    ¡°I am Tlaloc!¡± he spoke with thunder on his tongue. ¡°For the suffering! For those in chains! You all die!¡±


    The axe flew to his hand.


    The axe flew into the formation.


    He moved too fast for them to react.


    The dark, glossy blade cleaved another soldier.


    Tlaloc pointed.


    Red lighting struck the axe then arced out like hungry tendrils.


    Soldiers burned to ash in a wide radius.


    Tlaloc reached out.


    He flew to the axe, crushing soldiers against a body as hard and unyielding as granite.


    The soldiers broke and scattered.


    The largest group headed back the way they had come for the safety of the barracks and the greater balance of their forces.


    They ran right into a speeding convoy.


    Bodies went flying or were crushed underneath.


    Tlaloc regard the occupants in the SUV¡¯s.


    Formal clothing.


    Numerous, well-armed bodyguards.


    ¡°Nobles,¡± he growled.


    Fleeing the king¡¯s little party.


    The axe flew and utterly destroyed the lead vehicle.


    Armor meant nothing to such strength.


    He bounded forward a hundred feet, crushing another.


    He leapt and let another crash into his unyielding body.


    The driver and the bodyguard hadn¡¯t been wearing seat belts.


    They crashed through the windshield.


    Both had Skills to survive and take action.


    The driver drew a pistol, glass-filled face grimacing as he got three shots off.


    The other emptied a submachine gun, while drawing a knife.


    He caught them both by their necks, one in each hand.


    ¡°Endless Ble¡ª¡±


    He broke the man¡¯s neck and hurled the body through the windshield of yet another SUV.


    The driver suffered the same just fate.


    The last two SUV¡¯s swerved past him.


    ¡°Let the heavens herald vengeance and freedom.¡±


    They couldn¡¯t outrun the lightning.


    <hr>


    Hardhat pumped rounds into the demon¡¯s pale pink flesh while it stood a dozen feet away just watching her like she wasn¡¯t a threat.


    Special phosphorus pellets and slugs burned on the surface and deep inside.


    Custom rounds that could only be handcrafted by pretty high level gunsmiths and similar.


    Otherwise there was no way one could fire something like that out of a regular pump action shotgun.


    Even then, the barrel glowed red while steaming in the rain.


    The rangers informally dubbed them the war crimes special and she had three more assuming the barrel could handle it.


    Fifty-fifty on that.


    At least they appeared to be working.


    They continued to burn in and on the demon¡¯s flesh.


    Reports from the first encounter had said that its wounds vanished as if they had never been there, not that they healed quickly.


    The burning stopped.


    Rather they had never been there.


    ¡°Damn it¡ª¡±


    A blur had Hardhat flipping end over end away from the rest of the rangers protected by the sigils floating around them.


    She landed on her head.


    The impact should¡¯ve smashed her skull and snapped her neck.


    Instead, chips flew off her dad¡¯s old construction helmet.


    She couldn¡¯t see it, but she knew that cracks spider-webbed across the plastic surface.


    The demon swiped at the sigils.


    They shook and wavered.


    She regarded the protection.


    Babyapple was a ranger wardmage rather than a true sigilist like Lilah from the Philippines.


    The difference in the their work was obvious to even the untrained eye.


    It was like comparing the Mona Lisa to a crayon smeared piece of scrap paper taped to the fridge.


    ¡°Baby needs to learn that golden ratio shit or something,¡± she muttered, rising to her feet.


    No good.


    No time.


    The others couldn¡¯t fight back from behind the sigils, which weren¡¯t going to last long.


    She knew that she couldn¡¯t either.


    She sent another war crimes into the demon¡¯s sinewy back.


    Pink flesh rippled and caught fire.


    She splashed through puddles, stabbing the red hot barrel into the burning hole.


    One more round.


    Then the last on¡ª


    The shotgun exploded.


    Heat and shrapnel sprayed over her.


    More pieces flaked of her dad¡¯s hardhat.


    Out came the hatchet and stiff, stabby dagger.


    ¡°Enhanced Hack.¡±


    Crap! Barely got into the neck. Like hitting a steel post.


    The follow up with the dagger only managed to sink the tip into the demon¡¯s lower back.


    She bemoaned her lack of offensive punch. She was all about taking hits. Relied on weapons that weren¡¯t going to bother this stupid scary demon.


    It turned.


    No¡ª


    It had always been facing her.


    Aw, man, perception shit!


    Blurred movement.


    Axe and dagger took a journey into the darkness.


    Belatedly, she realized that it had hit her arms.


    Enchanted steel bracers or not, she instinctively knew that those were bone-liquefying blows.


    Instead¡­ her dad¡¯s hardhat flaked and cracked more.


    Draw pistol.


    Nothing special about these rounds. Standard hollow points for soft targets. Meant to mushroom inside the body for maximized damage.


    Empty the magazine.


    All on target.


    No effect.


    Thunder struck.


    No¡ª


    A blow.


    Flying again.


    Seemed like a long distance.


    Hints of pale pink out of the corner of her eye.


    Accelerated into the ground.


    Woke up in an asphalt crater.


    The demon stood over over¡ª had always been standing over her.


    ¡°Fuck¡­¡± she choked out.


    Head felt light.


    Dad¡¯s hardhat was gone.


    The demon opened its mouth¡ª


    Since when did it have a mouth?


    ¡ªrevealing a vortex of teeth¡ª


    Teeth shouldn¡¯t come in vortexes.


    A lame last thought to have as far as she was concerned.


    If it was her last thought?


    You see¡­ Hardhat had faith.


    Not in God.


    He obviously wasn¡¯t real judging by the spires¡¯ existence.


    She had faith in people.


    Faith in their plans.


    They even had one for the demon.


    She trusted that it was going according to¡ª


    The demon leaned forward.


    She got a really close look at the teeth vortex.


    Worst death ever¡­


    The demon bit¡­


    She was still alive.


    The pale pink thing was mouthing on air.


    Nope.


    Wrong again.


    Faint light shimmered over the prone Hardhat, between her and the demon.


    She heard cheering in her ear piece.


    Faith in people.


    Plan Big Mom and Big Dad actually worked.


    <hr>


    The monsters were new for the married couple.


    Some kind of mammalian reptile with four legs and two arms.


    Most were about the size of large dogs.


    A few loomed over him.


    Not that he was particularly tall, even after growing several inches when he became superhuman.


    One particularly large specimen opened a wide mouth for a bite.


    He fed it his arm.


    Jagged teeth dented the bracer, but that was all.


    Armor made out of those titanium bathtubs found in those old military planes was pretty strong even without enchantments.


    The monster¡¯s massive jaws exerted slight pressure.


    Noticeable.


    Reminded him of decades ago when one of his children was in the middle of teething and he couldn¡¯t find those little rubber rings, so he did the only thing he could think of and fed them his finger.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    His wife hadn¡¯t liked that when she had seen¡­ dozens of times.


    ¡°It¡¯s unhygienic,¡± she had said.


    ¡°I can¡¯t find the ring thingie,¡± he had replied.


    ¡°It¡¯s got a tie. Keep it tied to his bib. That¡¯s what it¡¯s for. Or keep it in your pocket.¡±


    ¡°Now, who¡¯s being unhygienic? Besides it¡¯s good to build up their immune system.¡±


    Ah¡­ good memories!


    Hard to believe how much time had passed.


    Now here he was.


    Past the average life expectancy of the normal human male.


    He looked and felt many decades younger.


    Just like his beautiful wife.


    A thin pane of forcefield shimmered to life in front of him.


    The monsters body dragged a smear of blood as it slid down.


    ¡°Thanks, dear¡­ but I had that,¡± he shook the head off his arm.


    ¡°Yes, dear, but our son¡¯s saying we need to move faster.¡±


    A smaller monster leapt out from behind a pile of its broken fellows.


    A lazy backhand dealt with it.


    The last group pounced on his wife, but a spiked forcefield took care of them.


    ¡°Not very smart,¡± she said.


    He wrinkled his nose.


    ¡°Do they smell bad?¡±


    ¡°You can find out.¡±


    ¡°Eww¡­ no thank you. I¡¯ll keep the helmet on. Our son¡¯s fancy alien armor is doing a good job.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± he held out his arms. ¡°Next spot.¡±


    ¡°Do you have it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, about ten blocks that way,¡± he nodded to the northeast.


    ¡°Why would the slavers use an apartment building in the middle of other apartments to stash these collared monsters?¡±


    ¡°I think we¡¯re seeing exactly why.¡±


    His wife hopped up into his arms.


    Heavy armor, heavy wife¡­ not that he¡¯d say that out loud¡­ besides it was all cause of density.


    She looked a hundred, weighed close to twice that, but might as well have been a feather in his arms.


    ¡°Is Cal serious? ¡®Raticores¡¯? I don¡¯t get it? Did the slavers name them that or is that Cal¡¯s?¡±


    ¡°You got the mental image, right? Well, they¡¯re giant rats with vaguely human baby faces,¡± his wife explained.


    She had dived right into the whole monster thing at their children¡¯s prodding. He had been content to do the cursory research other, more motivated people had done when it came to his part in monster fighting, which was punching them until they died.


    ¡°It¡¯s a play on the manticore. A creature from Persian legends that had the body of a lion, the face of a human and a scorpion tail, sometimes with wings, but I believe that was a later addition.¡±


    ¡°At least these rat things don¡¯t have poison tails and wings.¡±


    ¡°Venom.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°If it bites or stings you, then it¡¯s venom. If you bite it, then you get poisoned.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m not biting any of these things.¡±


    A single bound carried them hundreds of feet into the dark rain.


    They got there just in time.


    His wife sealed the apartment building within a massive forcefield while he dealt with the monsters.


    The raticores made it easy by coming straight for him.


    No sense of self preservation.


    He wondered if that was a function of the slave collars or natural behavior.


    It could go either way with monsters.


    Some existed to do violence.


    Others could be cunning.


    Some didn¡¯t take fights they couldn¡¯t obviously win.


    Others thought they could win every fight.


    Regardless, it was minutes work to smash them all with armor clad fists and boots.


    Easy, if messy work.


    It was a good thing that their baby faces were grotesque otherwise he would¡¯ve had nightmares about turning them into bloody pulp.


    Cal¡¯s voice rang in his thoughts.


    Terse and urgent.


    Things must¡¯ve been difficult back at the king¡¯s castle.


    He knew better than to add distractions.


    He acknowledge it and swept his wife up before leaping once more into the sky.


    ¡°Are you ready?¡±


    ¡°Yes, dear. We¡¯ve practiced for days. Are you ready?¡±


    ¡°With you at my back? Not worried at all. I¡¯m more worried for Cal and the rest of the kids.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re doing their best.¡±


    Several bounding leaps brought them to one of the most dangerous fights of their lives to date.


    Cal had been clear about that.


    The demon couldn¡¯t be allowed to roam free.


    It had the ability to kill tens of thousands in a night.


    There were only a handful of individuals that could fight it and even less that could theoretically kill it.


    The key, his son believed, was to inflict a near steady stream of significant damage in order to overwhelm whatever it did to nullify said damage.


    ¡°I¡¯m getting a call,¡± his wife said. ¡°Yes, hello, I hear you? Can you hear me¡­ did Cal tell you? We¡¯re on our way. You two be careful, okay. Wait for us first. Bye¡ª oh, sorry,¡± she laughed, ¡°I mean, ¡®over¡¯¡­ be careful¡ª she hung up on me.¡±


    They had a plan.


    The demon leaned down to devour Hardhat¡¯s face.


    Phillip cratered the asphalt.


    His wife generated a forcefield over the ranger.


    ¡°Like we practiced,¡± he placed his wife gently on the ground.


    ¡°Yes, dear.¡±


    He opened it up with a handful of asphalt thrown at faster than bullet speeds.


    The tight spread knocked the demon off Hardhat.


    A single bound brought him to the reeling demon.


    Vise-like grips on wrist and shoulder pulled hard.


    The pale, pink arm ripped loose.


    No blood.


    Rippling distortion.


    The arm was back and he held nothing.


    The demon struck, clawing deep gouges in the thick titanium composite plate on his chest.


    Another blur.


    Almost too quick to follow.


    A half turn of his head saved his eyes.


    It had aimed for the opening in his helmet.


    Sparks momentarily blinded him.


    The demon moved quickly.


    His wife¡¯s voice.


    The demon slammed into a shimmering rainbow of a forcefield.


    It reared back, raised a hand and swung on nothing.


    It pitched forward off-balance to eat a Threnosh-made axe to the face.


    It struck his wife.


    Threnosh armor proved stronger than much thicker titanium composite.


    Phillip rushed forward on thunderous steps.


    Dozens of feet in a single bound.


    He grabbed the axe and spun the demon around before slamming it into the ground.


    The earth trembled.


    ¡°Throw it up!¡±


    He listened to his wife, ripping the axe free as he did.


    She created a forcefield lattice around the demon. Multiple flat panes slid in from many angles slicing and trapping it.


    ¡°We¡¯re here! Tito, Tita,¡± Madalena¡¯s voice came in over the comms. ¡°Lilah¡¯s going to start warding right away!¡±


    ¡°Copy that, over.¡±


    Unlike his wife, he remembered the jargon.


    ¡°Go! Get Hardhat out of our area! I¡¯ll hold it!¡± his wife said.


    One bound to the downed ranger¡ª


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she said groggily.


    The ranger looked weird without the hardhat.


    Longer hair than he had thought.


    Then again he had spent most of his time in Manila and hadn¡¯t been around the rangers much in the last few years.


    ¡°Young lady, you have a concussion.¡±


    One bound back to the other rangers still hiding behind the adorably child-like sigils floating around them.


    ¡°Mr. Cruces,¡± Aim¡¯s nodded. ¡°What do we do, sir?¡±


    ¡°Watch Lilah¡¯s back¡ª¡±


    The demon¡¯s screech touched something deep inside that he didn¡¯t want touched.


    The other rangers winced, some fell to their knees.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to have company,¡± he leapt back just in time to catch the demon as it ripped itself free from his wife¡¯s forcefield trap.


    ¡°Just like we practiced!¡± he called out while punching the demon into the asphalt.


    Bloodless cuts marred the otherwise pale pink flesh.


    Rippling distortion¡ª


    He hammered the demon with his armor-clad fists.


    Some of the cuts had vanished as if they had never existed.


    The remainder were joined by fist-shaped depressions.


    It was strange.


    The demon didn¡¯t feel like it had an internal structure. No bones, nor organs. Just a mass of flash throughout.


    It kicked away, blurring for distance.


    Phillip gave chase.


    The demon touched him quickly and softly, almost like it was playing tag.


    ¡°Phillip, your armor!¡±


    His wife¡¯s warning distracted him allowing the demon to touch the side of his helmet.


    When he batted the hand away he felt wind and wetness.


    ¡°It¡¯s eating thin slices when it touches!¡±


    ¡°Thanks, dear!¡± he ducked the clawed hand. Thought he saw a circular mouth like a whirlpool lined with tiny teeth.


    He grabbed the wrist and crushed.


    Stinging pain greeted him.


    He let go and kicked out.


    The demon tore a long furrow through the asphalt as it tumbled.


    He glanced at his hand.


    The glove was gone as was the top layer of his palm.


    A perfect circle oozed red.


    His wife sent a cascade of thin panes down on the demon before it could heal.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s time for the maze.¡±


    They had practiced for days in one of Cal¡¯s mindscapes yesterday.


    Manipulated perspective.


    An hour of time in the real world, days in their minds.


    His wife created an ever shifting maze with her forcefields in a small area around Phillip and the demon.


    Phillip turned up the pressure.


    His strikes sent shockwaves that temporarily cleared the rain for hundreds of feet.


    The demon ate slices from his armor, his clothing, his skin, his flesh.


    He took it and gave more in return.


    He had the stamina to fight for days without slowing and so he held nothing back.


    All the while the forcefield maze shifted.


    Sharp spikes appeared out of every angle to spear the demon while missing Phillip.


    Flat panes momentarily trapped it to allow him precious seconds of free punching.


    Thin rods tripped it up and stabbed into the bloodless cuts and holes on its pale pink flesh to keep them open.


    Madalena kept one eye on the fierce fight and one on Lilah as the girl traced a sigil into the air.


    The rangers gathered around them in a defensive formation.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got incoming, two minutes to contact. All directions.¡±


    They all heard the comms.


    ¡°I guess that settles that,¡± Aims said. ¡°It can call monsters.¡±


    ¡°Even collared ones,¡± Dastardly sighed as she loaded her enormous arbalest.


    ¡°Done here, next spot,¡± Lilah said.


    They moved over about a dozen yards in a circle around the Cruces and the demon where she started a new sigil.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be close,¡± Aims said.


    Madalena regarded the other sigils floating in the air. Like bright signs in the dark. The promise of safety.


    ¡°She¡¯ll get it done.¡±


    ¡°Next,¡± Lilah said.


    The girl worked faster, finishing just as the howling hordes came into sight in the downpour.


    Malevolent eyes shined in the darkness as the monsters and mutant animals reappeared and disappeared each time they passed under the widely-spread street lights.


    A lightning flash illuminated them briefly.


    ¡°Contact. Free fire,¡± Aim¡¯s ordered. ¡°Play us something to steady the aim, Greygrass.¡±


    She immediately strummed a soothing melody on her banjo. No lyrics, just the strings.


    Dastardly loosed a bolt.


    An impossible shot for a regular arbalest.


    Hers was special.


    Two thousand yards.


    A fireball erupted, turning night into day for a brief instant.


    ¡°Why not blow up the front?¡± Madalena scowled.


    ¡°Too close to us,¡± Dastardly shrugged as she reloaded.


    Aim¡¯s pistols barked like a yipping little dog.


    Twelve rounds like a machine gun.


    Twelve monsters tumbled to the ground.


    He spun reloads in less than a second.


    Twelve more went down.


    Dastardly loosed a second bolt.


    This one exploded at the front of the horde.


    The sticky foam expanded rapidly into the size of a street bus in a handful of seconds, catching a good portion of the leading edge of monsters.


    ¡°Fire it up!¡± she barked.


    ¡°Don¡¯t shoot my drone!¡± Molds said.


    The buzzy little thing zipped across gamely in the wind and rain until it reached the foam.


    Molds tapped her smartphone and the little modular spell gun on the drone spat out a tiny mote of fire.


    The magic kept it alive long enough despite the rain.


    The foam erupted into a firestorm.


    Dozens screamed as they burned.


    ¡°Contact, 3 o¡¯clock!¡±


    ¡°Contact, 9 o¡¯clock!¡±


    Bootleg Jesus, face visibly pale underneath his helm, stepped out to face the pack of vaguely canid-like monsters. With a shield strapped to the bloody, bandaged stump of his arm he aimed a machine pistol. ¡°Taunt. Enduring Defensive Stance. No Enemy Shall Pass While I Stand.¡±


    A burst spat bullets into the monsters.


    They zoned in on him like an arrow.


    Madalena landed in their midst.


    Breaking bones and crushing organs with each superstrong punch and kick.


    On the other side of the ranger formation Babyapple¡¯s hastily traced sigils flew forward, searing burning brands into their fur and flesh.


    ¡°Small Tornado!¡± Lasik¡¯s spell swept up the smaller monsters, sending them on a ride to a fiery end at his direction. The small pillar of swirling air drew in licks of fire as it passed the burning foam. ¡°Oh shit!¡± Realization struck. She saw it then. Clear as day. An alteration to the spell. ¡°Small Fire Tornado!¡± she crowed triumphantly. She guided the spell back and forth sweeping up the small monsters.


    Sadly, the larger ones simply barreled through.


    ¡°Greygrass, switch it up! Give us courage and anger! Pump us up!¡± Aims barked.


    The ranger complied.


    Her strumming quickened. She opened her mouth and sang. Loud. All her fury and desperation at watching her friends die given voice.


    Danger Sense spiking, Vicks pointed at Greygrass. ¡°Chapstick! Intercept!¡±


    Cherry Chapstick acted without thinking. Intercept took him in front of the banjo-playing ranger in a split-second. Just in time to take a face full of venom spray from a monster in the darkness.


    Iron Constitution let him eat and drink practically anything. One might think it didn¡¯t have combat applications.


    Some of the spray got into his eyes through the helmet slit.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, just venom. Tastes like pepper spray,¡± he grimaced.


    ¡°Bear. Bear. Bear!¡± Vicks eloquently warned.


    Lasik was distracted from gleefully guiding her fire tornado through the ranks.


    A huge, bear-like monster barreled from her blindspot.


    Aims¡¯ snapped an accurate shot out of the corner of his eye.


    A streak of white flashed off the monster¡¯s head.


    He cursed.


    That was the bullet tearing through fur and flesh, but bouncing off the skull despite being an enhanced round.


    The bear-like monster reared up.


    Cherry Chapstick appeared in front of Lasik, shoving her back.


    He emptied his heavy caliber pistol into the monster¡¯s face.


    The bear swiped down with a paw the size of his torso.


    Shuffle back.


    Let the strike hit the ground.


    Step in¡­


    ¡°Skullsmasher!¡±


    An audible crack echoed through the din of battle.


    Cherry Chapstick¡¯s warhammer sank into the bear-like monster¡¯s forehead.


    It grunted, rearing up before anyone could react and smashed a paw down on the ranger.


    Thick plate armor and Iron Skin saved Cherry Chapstick from being turned into pulp, but they didn¡¯t save him from death.


    The monster rumbled forward, powering through a blast of air from Lasik.


    Bluesilk charged, taunting.


    The bear struck.


    He absorbed the blow on his shield with a Skill. Then stored and returned the energy through another Skill.


    The monster recoiled, more surprised than hurt.


    Bluesilk blasted it with both barrels of his sawed-off shotgun.


    His only two war crimes rounds burned sizzling holes in the monster¡¯s cheek, revealing sharp, bloody teeth and what looked like a human hand from a previous victim.


    ¡°Get back!¡± Dastardly loosed a bolt into the opening.


    Foam expanded in an instant, filling the monster¡¯s mouth and snaking down its throat.


    The monster died choking for air, clawing out its own neck.


    There was no respite.


    No time to give Cherry Chapstick¡¯s the notice he deserved for his sacrifice.


    ¡°Up!¡± Vicks shouted desperately at the incessant pinging in his head.


    A gust of wind and ruffling feathers was their only warning.


    Lasik screamed.


    Talons pierced through armor and into her shoulders.


    A bird-like monster the size of a human with the face of a beautiful woman. Until it¡¯s mouth opened wide, wide, wider than humanly possible to reveal a second mouth, a beak lined with razor-edge teeth.


    It screeched down.


    Rangers clutched their ears in pain.


    Madalena leapt.


    Ten feet.


    Twenty.


    Thirty.


    They kept rising.


    A second dark-feathered shadow struck Madalena.


    They fell back to the earth in a tangle of biting beak mouth, clawing talons and superstrong punches.


    Madalena had beaten the monster to death by the time they crashed, but by then Lasik was beyond her reach.


    ¡°They¡¯re fucking harpies!¡± Bluesilk said.


    Molds sent several of her drones in chase but the wind was too strong for the little things.


    Aims¡¯ revolvers barked tearing through one of the flying monster¡¯s ankles.


    Lasik dangled from the other, wriggling like a little mouse.


    Though this mouse was trying to hit back with spells.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a shot!¡± Dastardly aimed through her night optics, desperately willing Lasik to move just enough.


    Aims sighted then ducked at Vicks'' warning.


    A spray of spines filled the air.


    One glanced off the top of his helmet.


    A snap shot drilled the monster responsible through the eye.


    He cursed, blasting two-handed to cover everything in front of him.


    Ground-bound monsters kept him from helping Lasik.


    The music stopped as Greygrass screamed.


    A spine had managed to take her eye through the helmet.


    The rangers¡¯ wills instantly sagged.


    Limbs suddenly felt encased in lead weights.


    The music started as quickly as it had stopped.


    Greygrass played and sang with the spine still in her eye.


    A second dark-feathered harpy dived on the struggling Lasik, grasping a leg in its talons.


    The tug of war lasted an agonizing second that seemed to last forever to the rangers that had the ability to watch from hundreds of feet below.


    Lasik¡¯s scream pierced the rain and thunder.


    Her leg tore with a ghastly sound.


    The sudden slack sent the harpy clutching the ranger tumbling.


    ¡°Got it!¡± Dastardly loosed.


    The bolt struck, burning the monster to ash.


    Lasik tumbled toward the ground, trailing a bloody spiral in the rain and wind.


    More harpies appeared out of the dark clouds, swooping after the ranger.


    ¡°Reinforcements inbound! Hold on rangers!¡±


    A drake and his rider dived through the harpy swarm, scattering them with tooth, claw and crackling spell fire.


    Madalena leapt, catching Lasik, cradling her, absorbing the impact with her legs upon landing.


    ¡°She needs the bleeding to be stopped!¡±


    ¡°On it!¡± Vicks tore his medic kit open.


    Madalena leapt back into the fray, holding one side of the battle on her own.


    A strange shambling monster appeared seemingly from nowhere. It rose up, covered in wriggling forms as it flowed, rather than walked, on the ground despite having three¡ª no¡ª five legs.


    ¡°S-S-Stay back,¡± Babyapple drew a shaky sigil, pushing it forward desperately.


    It burned where it touched but was swallowed by the rest of shambling mass.


    A gaping void opened on its surface, like a mouth, spitting those wriggling things over Babyapple.


    ¡°Oh god! They¡¯re eating into me! Help!¡± he tore desperately at his armor and clothing.


    They would if they could.


    He was left to pull at the worms slowly eating their way into his belly.


    The monsters finally overwhelmed Rayna¡¯s Rangers.


    Bluesilk did what he could to taunt them away from the unconscious Hardhat next to a Vicks focused solely on searching through the torn meat of Lasik¡¯s hip to find the artery spitting her precious lifeblood onto the rain-slick asphalt.


    Greygrass had stopped playing to fire bursts from her submachine gun. She never stopped singing. Her voice remained strong and loud.


    Dastardly abandoned her arbalest, useless as it was at knife fight range. She tried to cover Babyapple. Spending the rest of her Skills like she had no tomorrow. She was overwhelmed quickly, forcing her to protect the younger ranger with her body.


    Light armor didn¡¯t provide much protection. The monsters reached her flesh within seconds. They found the latter much tastier than the former.


    Aims backed into Molds while the young woman continued to focus on ordering her tiny drones to spit their attack spells.


    He ran out of physical bullets.


    The Skill-created ones lasted a few seconds more as they barked out of the revolvers like they were machine guns.


    Squeezing on empty, he flipped them around to grasp them by their barrels. The red-hot iron elicited a hiss from his lips.


    No more Skills.


    He was forced to use precious family heirlooms as crude bludgeons.


    The monsters swarmed over him, biting and cutting, before doing the same to Molds.


    Bootleg Jesus forced his way through the chaotic mass battering with shield and hacking with axe. He had expended all his ammunition along with most of his active Skills. He only had the ones he had activated and deactivated at the start of the battle.


    The ranger was pale-faced beneath his helm. Long brown hair flowed down across his neck and shoulders like a mantle.


    He ran farther away, toward the street, perhaps twenty yards.


    He reached the place he had judged to provide the maximum effect.


    ¡°Enduring Defensive Stance,¡± he whispered. ¡°Attack Me!¡± he taunted. ¡°No Enemy Shall Pass While I Stand.¡±


    The monsters temporarily forgot about the other rangers. They swarmed him.


    His Skills kept him on his feet for long seconds after they had killed him.


    Madalena cursed.


    Her cousins wouldn¡¯t have let it turn out like this.


    She could only watch as the long-haired, laid-backed ranger vanished in a writhing mass of snarling monsters.


    The respite was longer than they had expected.


    It wasn¡¯t long enough.


    The monsters turned their attention back to the rangers.


    ¡°I¡¯m done!¡± Lilah said. Her eyes widened upon noticing the scene behind her. She traced a sigil in the air, hand steady, fingers sure.


    The script shined with a burst of golden light, growing in size, pulsing waves of magical energy with each passing second.


    Every single monster froze in place.


    Fire erupted from street side.


    Leathery wing beats filled the sky while battle cries joined the thunder.


    Reinforcements had finally arrived.


    Drakes and a wyvern cleared the sky of harpies, staining the rain with monster blood.


    Spiritwalker led a combined force of almost a hundred. Most of which was made up of recently freed enslaved, sprinkled in with a random mix of mercenaries and adventuring bands that had sought safety in numbers.


    The battle was won quickly.


    It was time to cpunt the costs.

 7.57

    Lilah rushed over to Lasik, casting a healing ward over the dying ranger. She went to Babyapple next and drew the worms out of the young ranger¡¯s stomach to levitate in mid-air for Madalena to crush.


    The healing ward pulsed, slowly stemming the bleeding.


    It wouldn¡¯t be enough.


    ¡°Was it worth it?¡± Dastardly sat on the ground. Her back was torn, partially eaten. Blood pooled in a puddle underneath her, flowing with the thin layer of rainwater to create patterned swirls that under other circumstances could be called beautiful.


    Madalena bristled, but Lilah laid a hand on her protector¡¯s arm.


    ¡°It is not my place to answer that question for you. For me¡­ I say it is never worth it. The people we care about should not die in such sudden violence. They should live with us and only die in peace after a long time. But that is only my thoughts. I would say that only the one that died can say whether it was worth it,¡± Lilah said.


    Dastardly grunted after a moment. ¡°What¡¯s it going to do?¡± she gestured at the circle of sigils slowly moving toward the Cruces and the demon mired in their battle several hundred feet away closer to the Cabal¡¯s HQ.


    ¡°I pray that it will keep the demon from going free to continue its slaughter,¡± she said. ¡°It has already killed so many.¡±


    ¡°Mostly slavers, though.¡±


    ¡°Not all in this place deserve to die at its hands.¡±


    ¡°Agree to disagree.¡±


    The conversation ended when a medic went to work on Dastardly¡¯s wounds.


    Spiritwalker took command as the most senior sergeant not badly injured.


    ¡°Casualty status?¡±


    Sweet Teats swallowed the lump in his throat.


    The tall, thin young man had been pressed into dangerous field duty by necessity and he resembled a squirrel in the middle of a circle of hungry cats.


    ¡°Nothing of note for reinforcements,¡± he stammered.


    Naturally.


    Lilah¡¯s ward had frozen the monsters.


    It was like that odd American phrase about shooting fish in a barrel.


    Though, why one felt the need to do that escaped Spiritwalker.


    ¡°The others?¡±


    ¡°K.I.A¡­ Cherry Chapstick, Bootleg Jesus and Timber, um, they lost him inside the Cabal HQ.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll get him back.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ there¡¯s nothing left. Some kind of disintegration gas spell according to Sergeant Aims.¡±


    ¡°Please continue then.¡±


    ¡°Lasik is red.¡±


    Obviously.


    ¡°Babyapple is red.¡±


    Spiritwalker frowned.


    ¡°Um¡­¡± Sweet Teat¡¯s face turned green, ¡°worm-like monsters ate parts of his internal¡­ uh¡­ cavity¡­ organs. The rest are in yellow.¡±


    Spiritwalker gave the order.


    The two worst injured were tied to drakes and winged their way back to base camp in less than a minute.


    The rest took longer to secure to a wyvern before they too were on their way.


    It was telling that no one complained about being taken out of the fight.


    Spiritwalker turned his attention to the colorful shimmering forcefield maze where the demon and a physical powerhouse battled.


    ¡°It¡¯s still alive,¡± he sighed. ¡°Now what?¡± he turned to Lilah and Madalena.


    ¡°Tito Phillip and Tita Stella kills it or Lilah¡¯s magic keeps it trapped to give us time to learn how to kill it,¡± the latter shrugged.


    ¡°What about the ground? It might try tunneling under,¡± he said.


    ¡°Of course I wouldn¡¯t forget that!¡± Lilah pouted.


    Sometimes Spiritwalker forgot how young she was.


    It was easy to see the strength of the magic rather than the girl casting them.


    ¡°Can we help?¡±


    Lilah shook her head. ¡°Nothing can pass from the outside. You would only damage my magic by shooting at it.¡±


    ¡°So, they¡¯re stuck in there? That doesn¡¯t sound good.¡±


    Another shake. ¡°Nothing can go inside. Only Tito and Tita can leave it.¡±


    The ring of sigils continued its slow constriction.


    Inside Stella Cruces¡¯ multi-hued forcefield maze, Phillip fought the demon.


    The demon was faster.


    It ate thin slices off Phillip¡¯s armor and clothing with each touch while he landed about one in five of his punches.


    The blows staggered the demon, sending it stumbling into a lattice of sharp edged forcefield panes.


    Bloodless cuts marred its pale, pink flesh.


    It surprised the two Cruces by pushing through. It should¡¯ve sliced itself like deli meat, but somehow reformed on the other side when it launched itself at Stella.


    She altered her forcefield wall, turning it into a bristling ball of sharp spikes like an angry porcupine.


    The demon impaled itself.


    Phillip was right behind it, grabbing its head to rip it off his wife¡¯s trap and slam it into the asphalt.


    A boot party followed.


    Thunderous stomps drove its face into an asphalt crater.


    The sting of its touch caused Phillip to hesitate, allowing it to get free.


    As the fight wore on he began to show angry red patches on the exposed areas of his brown skin.


    The demon couldn¡¯t take huge chunks like it had off everything else, but it was doing real damage.


    ¡°How much time?¡±


    ¡°Six minutes,¡± his wife said.


    It felt much longer.


    Three minutes later he bled more freely and Lilah¡¯s circle had finally stopped.


    The glowing sigils created a yellow-gold dome of translucent light roughly forty feet in diameter.


    Phillip wasn¡¯t breathing hard.


    He could¡¯ve fought for days, but he wondered if there would be anything left of him by then.


    The demon healed despite the relentless pressure from his physical strikes and his wife¡¯s sharp forcefields.


    The plan wasn¡¯t going to work.


    The two of them couldn¡¯t do enough damage quickly enough.


    They needed one single overwhelming burst.


    ¡°It¡¯s over. Get out of the circle.¡±


    His wife hurried out.


    Her forcefield maze dissipated.


    The demon tried to go for her again.


    He tackled it into the ground.


    It ate at him with every touch while he broke its limbs and twisted its head around. The former healed by the time he finished the latter.


    Freed from its touch, he leapt free and joined the others outside.


    As they watched, the demon stood with pale, pink fresh as pristine as it had been before their fight.


    ¡°Po, what do we do now?¡± Spiritwalker said.


    The demon touched the glowing barrier.


    The sigils wavered like they were glitching.


    ¡°Uh oh¡­¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t let it,¡± Lilah said as she fed more mana into her sigils.


    ¡°Can she keep that up?¡± Spiritwalker said.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Madalena scowled.


    ¡°How long?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been saving my mana for days just for this,¡± Lilah said.


    Sure words, yet they didn¡¯t miss the sweat beading on her dainty little forehead.


    ¡°Will giving you more mana cause problems?¡±


    Lilah shook her head.


    Spiritwalker addressed the gathering.


    ¡°Anyone with a mana transfer ability? Spell? Skill? Whatever?¡±


    A few hands went up.


    ¡°Okay, anyone with mana left line up. I want a steady supply going into Lilah.¡±


    Not just anyone could do a transfer.


    One needed an ability to take in from one source and give to another.


    The process wasn¡¯t efficient.


    It depended highly on level and skill.


    At its worst one could liken the process akin to using a spoon to carry water from the upstairs sink to put into a narrow necked bottle balanced on the edge of the kitchen table¡­ during an earthquake. A lot would be lost.


    One needed to be on the level of someone like Ms. Teacher to do it with a hundred percent efficiency.


    ¡°Are you going to go help at the castle, Po?¡± Spiritwalker returned to the Cruces¡¯ side.


    ¡°Cal wants us to stay here just in case it breaks out,¡± Phillip shook his head.


    Spiritwalker let out a breath he hadn¡¯t realized he was holding. ¡°We¡¯ll take care of setting up a perimeter.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll help you Tito Phillip if it escapes. I¡¯m still pretty fresh,¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Tita Stella, can you¡­¡± she glanced at Lilah.


    ¡°Okay naman, I¡¯ll keep her safe. You just be careful, na?¡± Stella said.


    <hr>


    Great Hall, King¡¯s Castle


    Swan Princess was fucked.


    And he had lost his tricorne hat.


    Which meant Neckbeard was royally fucked.


    His teammate was taking risks to fight by her heroes¡¯ side.


    Hayden and Dayana had engaged the Slaver King to buy Hanna some respite.


    Flicker Clones danced around while the real one slashed and stabbed.


    Electricity charged the air so much that he felt like he was in the middle of a dry desert thunderstorm.


    The Slaver King¡¯s skin bled and charred only to heal just as quickly.


    Swan Princess sent multiple spell orbs to circle the king and spray him with fire, cold and acid.


    The king slapped his hands together blowing the three off their feet.


    Swan Princess was the closest.


    He leapt.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Neckbeard clicked on one antique stopwatch. Then on another. He glanced at them. Not much magic left.


    The king slowed.


    Swan Princess sped up.


    His knee broke through the expensive hardwood floor, while she was already a dozen feet away and back on her feet.


    Spell orbs struck.


    An armored woman hurtled through the air.


    What the fuck? he gaped.


    The woman threw a barrage of green-tinted needles.


    They showered Swan Princess.


    She screamed as the acid ate away.


    Neckbeard tripped over a body in his haste to help.


    A too-tight dress and a once pretty face.


    He vaguely remembered one of the sideline reporters that did the interviews. Even interviewed his team once.


    The damage was too great for him to tell which one.


    He scrambled up only to be hit by a barrage of energy balls in a myriad of different colors.


    The impacts felt like punches on his enchanted long coat.


    The protection held.


    He pulled out a wand and sent a stream of grease at the Gold Division fighter, Orb.


    The man sniffed.


    ¡°Are you gonna cook me? Weirdo. Some kind of wannabe street wizard.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± he drew a second wand and shot a small spark, ¡°something like that.¡±


    Orb¡¯s smug face shifted to concern. He waved his hands frantically, filling the space between them with colorful energy balls.


    Neckbeard dived behind an overturned table and got showered with splinters.


    He was disappointed to see that his spark hadn¡¯t made it.


    Blackstar¡¯s concussive blasts did, however.


    They slammed into Orb with strength that could punch through steel.


    Bone and brain matter sprayed everywhere.


    Neckbeard narrowly avoided a pillar of fire that fried a knot of the king¡¯s fighters to get to Swan Princess¡¯ side. He was relieved to see her taking shelter behind a pile of broken furniture.


    ¡°You okay?¡±


    ¡°What do you think?¡± she hissed as she pulled the acid from the side of her face and upper body into a small spell orb. ¡°Going to shove this right up that bitch¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah, about that¡­ listen. This part of the fight is kinda above our level. Why don¡¯t we try to find the rest of our team? You know they¡¯ll need us against the Meat Parade.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re long gone by now. And I don¡¯t think we¡¯ll get very far. He won¡¯t let us,¡± she pointed.


    ¡°You mean they.¡±


    The king had been joined by the acid-casting woman.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    She watched his back. Cast a shield to block Hayden¡¯s taser prongs. Cast ice to freeze the follow-up chain.


    Dayana flickered between the two, slicing, dicing and disappearing before they could react.


    ¡°She must be one of the king¡¯s fists. Some kind of special bodyguard class,¡± Swan Princess grunted.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the other one?¡± he donned his special monocle for a better look. The brass-rimmed, antique-looking device allowed him to use mage sight. ¡°She¡¯s got a lot. And he¡ª¡± Wait a tick. What the fuck is that? What had the magus shouted? Something about ghosts?


    They wavered even when viewed through the monocle.


    Ghostly people flowed through the walls and ceiling, converging on the Slaver King.


    ¡°They¡¯re going into his back and¡ª Jesus! He¡¯s got people¡¯s souls or something growing out of his back. Damn, we missed the final form transition.¡±


    ¡°What are they doing?¡±


    ¡°Wailing. Uh¡­ helping him¡­ somehow¡­¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°The collar system should¡¯ve been destroyed. The enslaved were freed.¡±


    ¡°Clearly this is something else.¡±


    ¡°What if I hit the ghosts?¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t work. They¡¯re taking errant shots and they¡¯re just passing through. Oh shit! He sees us!¡± he ducked behind the rubble.


    It was too late.


    The Slaver King landed in front of them.


    ¡°Rangers,¡± he nodded. ¡°Going to send you back to Rayna in multiple small boxes,¡± he smirked.


    Swan Princess covered him in spell orbs while Neckbeard activated the last of his Haste to drag her away.


    The clattered into a pile of bodies a few dozen feet away.


    ¡°Round two, bitch!¡± Steel Hammer thundered toward the king.


    Her dark, metallic skin bore countless tears. One arm hung limp. Her face was a puffy mass of bruises so bad that one eye was buried deep within puffy flesh.


    ¡°No.¡±


    The king dodged her punch with a tilt of the head and kicked her back.


    His woman fist appeared next to him to shower Steel Hammer in a wide spray of magic acid.


    ¡°We need to help her,¡± Swan Princess shifted her orbs.


    The fist was forced to stop her attack in order to defend herself.


    Steel Hammer staggered toward the king.


    ¡°Very tough. You can be useful for my program. I commute your death sentence,¡± he cracked her in the jaw with a jumping uppercut.


    Neckbeard saw his hand break, then watched the ghosts expending themselves to nearly-instantly fix the damage.


    Steel Hammer vanished somewhere in the second level mezzanine.


    The Slaver King was on them in a flash.


    His vise-like grip yanked Swan Princess off her feet, dangling her like a prize catch.


    He ground the bones of her arm into powder.


    To her credit, she didn¡¯t utter a sound.


    ¡°Brave. Damn shame about your pretty face. I watched you fight. Thought you had promise. Could¡¯ve smiled more. Oh well. Your journey ends here. This is what happens when you fuck around.¡±


    ¡°You find out,¡± Neckbeard wound a loop of wire around the king¡¯s wrist, heating it hot enough to cut iron. He tightened and pulled.


    Swan Princess dropped to the floor.


    ¡°Go, Swanny!¡±


    She scrambled away.


    Impossibly, the king¡¯s severed hand flowed back into place pulled by several ghostly hands that had emerged from the stump.


    The vise-like grip grabbed the top of Neckbeard¡¯s head and pulled him nose to nose with the king.


    ¡°I have to give you props for that. You¡¯ve got a decent aesthetic. Like a private detective wizard. I think I read a book about that once.¡±


    ¡°You, read? No way, you¡¯re a Chad and everyone knows Chad¡¯s don¡¯t read.¡±


    The king¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Yeah, well we always rubbed your faces into the dirt or dunked you in the shitter. Once a dork, always a dork. Magic didn¡¯t change any of that. Any last words?¡±


    All things considered Neckbeard wouldn¡¯t trade being in this position for anything in the world.


    When he was in his twenties he had figured he¡¯d end up fat and alone in his mom¡¯s basement in his forties. Games would be played, noobs would be pwned, anime waifu¡¯s would dance in his daydreams, all while YouTube videos decrying the ¡®females¡¯ ran in the background.


    The spires had forced him to change his trajectory for the better.


    He had gotten in shape.


    Only occasionally grew a beard, not to hide his chins, since he only had the one, but because it made him look badass.


    He had made a difference fighting alongside his fellow rangers.


    Who would¡¯ve thought he¡¯d single-handedly bringing down a zombification pillar deep within the San Diego Underworld Dungeon?


    Who would¡¯ve thought that he¡¯d be going head-to-head with a Slaver King?


    No one¡­ that¡¯s who.


    His name was going on the wall and that was something to be proud of.


    He watched over the king¡¯s shoulder as the fist closed in on Swan Princess only to be cubed by Hanna, the Sword of Freedom, who didn¡¯t need to use her dull gray longsword.


    He laughed.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡±


    ¡°Slaver King,¡± he managed, ¡°systems like their counters. You enslave. Others free. It¡¯s like the circle of life, bro. And everyone gets eaten eventually,¡± he flashed a one-fingered salute. ¡°Cut the ghosts coming out of his back! It¡¯s how he¡ª¡±


    A loud crunch sent him into the eternal dark.


    Hanna cut from a distance, following the brave ranger¡¯s words.


    There was something there on the edge of her perception.


    Like cutting spider strands.


    Somehow, she knew that she wasn¡¯t quite touching them.


    ¡°I understand,¡± the magus hovered overhead. ¡°Let me¡­¡± she cast a spell.


    Glitter descended on the Slaver King.


    Hanna saw.


    Hanna cut.


    The Slaver King snarled, launching himself forward.


    Expecting to lay hands on the Sword of Freedom, he instead found himself inside his mansion.


    The massive living room as large as a small home greeted him with warmth and¡­ dread.


    Something was wrong.


    In the middle was the central control unit.


    Standing next to it was a short man. Muscular. Light brown skin. Black hair cut short. Eyes that seemed to pierce straight through him.


    Anger.


    Disdain.


    Pity.


    ¡°Took me some work¡­ took a lot of people working together¡­ sacrificing¡­ to bring you here,¡± the man said.


    Thin strands of light flowed into the central control unit from everywhere.


    One greater strand flowed into the Slaver King.


    It was just as he had imagined it.


    His connection to each individual piece of his property.


    There weren¡¯t as many strands as before.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to explain anything,¡± the man said.


    ¡°Did I ask? Obviously, whatever you¡¯ve done has freed most of my slaves. At least the ones in the city. You¡¯ve even done something to my banks.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you mean ¡®essential workers¡¯?¡±


    The Slaver King chuckled.


    ¡°That was marketing. Make it easier to stomach for those on the fence. They went along quick enough when they realized how much better their lives would be. You¡¯ve set me back a lot, I¡¯m man enough to admit that. But, you haven¡¯t beaten me. As you can see, I¡¯ve still got my connections to every slave outside the city. Bet that didn¡¯t go according to your plans.¡±


    ¡°It didn¡¯t,¡± the man admitted. ¡°Which is why I¡¯m going to ask you to act like a human being for once in your life and free them. The fight¡¯s over. You¡¯re just wasting lives at this point. Isn¡¯t it your responsibility to take care of your ¡®subjects¡¯? At least that¡¯s what some of your oaths say.¡±


    ¡°As long as it doesn¡¯t negatively impact me. The king takes precedence above all. You know, I¡¯m feeling generous. You did some good stuff. I didn¡¯t see it coming. Game knows game. How about we do a truce? You stay out of my territory and I stay out of yours.¡±


    ¡°What if my territory includes yours?¡±


    ¡°I can tell that¡¯s a bluff. I¡¯m a leader and I can tell that you aren¡¯t. I was born and bred for this. My family has led for generations.¡±


    ¡°Born on third, thinking you hit a triple,¡± the man shook his head. ¡°I know all about you. I know all about your family. They started your wealth with stolen land. Killed an entire village of Native Americans. Lucked into the land being oil rich decades later. Your great, great, great-whatever grandfather just had to arrange an accident for his partner and it was all yours. Children working in your coal mines. Sweatshop factories in other countries. War profiteering in every war. Stealing more oil, this time in the Middle East. No bid reconstruction contracts for the cities blown up with bombs built by companies you had a stake in. You even got into the pharmaceutical game. How many billions did your family make killing a few hundred thousand through synthetic opioids? What else? Ah yes, vulture capitalism as a side gig. Dozens of companies and livelihoods ruined to make a quick profit. You even had stakes in slavery chocolate, slavery palm oil and slavery lithium. Seriously, sand mines? What is that even about?¡±


    ¡°Winners win,¡± he shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s just how it is. How it¡¯s always been. Strong takes. Weak takes it. You just sound jealous like the little brown monkey you are.¡±


    ¡°Slavers gonna slave? Is that all you are? A strong man would¡¯ve found the strength to do better. You could¡¯ve started small I guess. Say, get rid of a mansion, a couple of yachts and a half-dozen Bugattis for a handful of plantations and mines. But that¡¯s all pre-spires. You actually decided to bring full slavery back and you made it even worse.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± the Slaver King snapped. ¡°I¡¯m bringing us back to greatness! Unlike you, who¡¯d doom us all to the monsters and invaders that are going to come.¡±


    The man raised a brow.


    ¡°Not looking forward to being on the wrong end of colonialism?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not an idiot.¡±


    ¡°And, yet, here you stand. Unable to do anything.¡±


    ¡°I can fuck you up!¡±


    He charged¡ª


    He stood where he had always been.


    He calmed himself. He wasn¡¯t going to make a fool of himself by trying twice.


    ¡°You got a name?¡±


    He had to buy time to figure out what to do.


    ¡°Yes,¡± the man stared at him impassively.


    ¡°Well.¡±


    ¡°You aren¡¯t worth sharing it with.¡±


    ¡°Smug bastard. You know, you¡¯re lucky we let you into this country.¡±


    ¡°How do you know that I wasn¡¯t born here?¡±


    ¡°Then your parents?¡±


    ¡°What if it was the same for them?¡±


    ¡°Bullshit. Then you can go back to your first monkey grandpa that flew or swam or whatever over.¡±


    ¡°What if he was here before this was even a country? What if he landed in, say, California before it was even in U.S. hands? My ancestors might¡¯ve been actually beat yours.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit.¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s history. Verifiable at that. I suppose that¡¯s why your kind loves rewriting it or burying it in favor of whatever fantasy makes you feel good about yourself.¡±


    ¡°Dick. Bitch. Pussy.¡±


    ¡°Slaver,¡± the man¡¯s facade cracked into a laugh. ¡°You really never grew up. Deep down¡ª well, not that deep¡ª you¡¯re still that cocky frat boy running his mouth without worry thanks to daddy¡¯s money and connections. How many rapes did you get away with?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t rape anyone. They all wanted a ride on my magic stick and they loved it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s long past time, but they¡¯ll get justice. You just got to hope that it¡¯ll matter wherever they are.¡±


    ¡°Well, I got some bad news for you, you little brown bitch monkey manlet,¡± he sneered. ¡°I know why you brought me here. You can¡¯t figure it out, can you? You can¡¯t cut me off from the rest of my property. I die, they die, but not before some of them go crazy and take a few others with them. I can just wait you out. I¡¯m getting stronger with every one of my subjects that gets killed out there. Their souls belong to me.¡±


    ¡°I figured that out early,¡± the man shrugged.


    ¡°Then what¡¯s the point of this. Are we just going to talk? How long can you keep this up?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the thing. Perception¡¯s tricky. A minute in one place could be a second in another. A second in one could be a minute in the other.¡±


    ¡°Wait? Is my body still out there? Is that what this is? Some kind of magic spell drawing my consciousness into a separate domain?¡±


    ¡°Your guess is as good as mine.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit. You¡¯re doing this! Tell me!¡±


    ¡°Nah. I¡¯m content to wait.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you, bitch! At least fight me, you pussy! C¡¯mon, bro, let¡¯s go!¡±


    He raged for what felt like hours.


    All the while the man regarded him with that mixture of anger and pity.


    The latter enraged him even more.


    But he was a smart man.


    He thought he saw a way out.


    But what if it was what the man wanted.


    Could he want something like that?


    It¡¯d go against why he said he was here in the first place.


    Would he sacrifice all those still wearing collars just for a chance to win?


    ¡°Fine. This is on you,¡± the Slaver King willed the remaining strands to drain everything from his slaves.


    The man¡¯s eyes widened, but not in fear. He plunged his stump into the central control unit.


    The Slaver King¡¯s connections wavered.


    The flow of life force reversed.


    He fought.


    This foreigner wouldn¡¯t take what was rightfully his.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have my Due!¡± he snarled.


    <hr>


    The room housing the central control unit had two entrances.


    One opened to a narrow hallway with several turns leading to the only back door for the entire building.


    Shrewed had appointed himself as the sole guardian.


    Drake hadn¡¯t been able to argue.


    The grizzled ranger was built for dirty fighting in tight confines, while he needed plenty of space.


    The second entrance led into the large space also with one way in and out.


    Narrow hallways branched out into various rooms, but only one led out to the front lobby.


    The three remaining defenders had decided to start their defense there.


    Death¡¯s Dancer had barricaded the windows by jamming them with every piece of office furniture he could get his hands on.


    Drake had to admit he was intimidated by the way Death¡¯s Dancer casually carried wooden desks to the windows before pushing them in like he was a child playing with toy blocks.


    The skull-masked helmet would¡¯ve been more intimidating had it not been painted like the old American flag.


    ¡°You should¡¯ve left it plain or maybe gold,¡± the third member of their impromptu team grunted.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Death¡¯s Dancer¡¯s glare bore down into the other man.


    ¡°Colors ain¡¯t scary.¡®Sides, I was military once,¡± Howard smirked.


    ¡°So?¡±


    ¡°You breaking the flag code. Lucky there ain¡¯t no more America.¡±


    ¡°What the fuck are you talking about? America¡¯s still here. We¡¯re standing on it for fuck¡¯s sake! And if you were military then after this is over you¡¯re coming back with us.¡±


    ¡°Kid, I¡¯d like to see you try. I spent the better part of a year in this dungeon. I ain¡¯t about to trade it in for the little hole you crawled out of.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a sworn citizen. Your rightful government has passed a law drafting all able-bodied men and women to defend your nation. Especially for people like you and me. We have a duty to use our god-given powers to do everything it takes to take back what is ours. You¡¯re bound doubly so by your oaths of service.¡±


    ¡°Nope. I fulfilled all of that before the spires popped their woodies. Honorable discharge. Reserve time done. Hell, going by the sound of your voice, I¡¯ve served more years than you¡¯ve been alive.¡±


    Death¡¯s Dancer vanished then reappeared looming over Howard.


    They glared at each other eye-to-eye, though Howard had to look up.


    ¡°Fancy trick, don¡¯t think it¡¯ll let you get the drop on me,¡± Howard tapped his nose and an ear.


    ¡°Guys¡­ don¡¯t forget our mutual enemy,¡± Drake said.


    ¡°They¡¯re coming,¡± Howard nodded.


    ¡°Almost here,¡± Death¡¯s Dancer agreed.


    ¡°Spread out. Let me shoot my load before you jump in. I ain¡¯t gonna be responsible if you kids cross my line,¡± Howard went over to the pile of guns and assorted melee weapons he had placed near the center of the lobby. He picked up an assault rifle in each hand and pointed them at the glass door that Death¡¯s Dancer had left open.


    Drake had his own meager pile of spears and spear-like objects. He had left his main spear back near the central control unit room.


    All he had were his javelins.


    Sadly, the vast majority of the slaver guards they had looted hadn¡¯t been armed with long, pointy sticks.


    Go figure.


    Death¡¯s Dancer moved to the opposite side of the lobby and readied two short spears.


    Which was weird to Drake.


    Why didn¡¯t the scary, skull-masked dude just use a pair of short swords. That way he could cut as well as thrust. If you wanted to use a spear why cut it in half. All you¡¯ve accomplished was to take away its greatest advantage.


    Howard sniffed.


    ¡°They¡¯re leading with those collared monsters like Cruces said they would.¡±


    Drake didn¡¯t catch what the first thing to crash through the glass doors was.


    Howard blew it away in a hail of bullets.


    More followed.


    The wooden barricades shook violently.


    Howard quickly built a pile of bullet-ridden bodies at the door while his pile of loaded guns dwindled.


    One section of the barricade suddenly exploded, showering Howard in jagged splinters.


    The man laughed, ripping them out.


    Drake watched the wounds begin to close.


    Monsters and mutant animals flowed in like flood waters.


    Slavers followed.


    Drake hurled a flaming javelin.


    A slaver mage cast a magic shield to eat the explosion.


    She missed the second javelin landing in their midst.


    One beat.


    The fireball engulfed a handful of slavers.


    Howard switched to an axe and a knife. He leapt into the mass of monsters with an animal snarl. Face twisted in glee, he stabbed and hacked, ignoring tooth, claw and venom.


    Death¡¯s Dancer vanished.


    A moment later one of the slavers was crushed into the floor.


    Warning shouts added to the din.


    Weapons pointed. Spells primed.


    They couldn¡¯t risk a crossfire.


    A slaver went flying into the ceiling, thrown by the back of his armor.


    Another went down, throat spraying blood like a garden hose.


    A third wriggled high in the air like a fish on a harpoon. Held up by apparently nothing.


    Death¡¯s Dancer suddenly appeared holding him aloft on a short spear.


    The slavers fired, heedless of each other.


    Bullets and spells pounded into body armor and burned clothing, but the young man was tough enough to survive the assault.


    Death¡¯s Dancer shucked the slaver off his spear before going invisible once again.


    ¡°I¡¯m out! Falling back!¡± Drake called out.


    ¡°Do it! We¡¯ll meet you there!¡± Howard said.


    Drake reached out.


    Spear Teleport.


    He blinked, standing with spear in hand back outside the central control unit room.


    Meanwhile, a smaller force of slavers cautiously approached the rear door into the building.


    Comms chatter from the front indicated that fighting a that location was heavy.


    They breached the door with a bang.


    Weapons didn¡¯t have much space that needed sweeping in the tight hallway.


    Lights cut through the darkness.


    ¡°Clear to the corner! Go! Go! Go!¡± the squad leader barked.


    They filed in quickly.


    The leader went last.


    A heavy impact brought a loud crash from above.


    He didn¡¯t have time.


    Pain on both sides of his neck was followed by darkness.


    Shrewed had crashed through the ceiling, stabbing both trench knives into the squad leader¡¯s neck.


    ¡°Contact!¡±


    The slavers turned and fired.


    Shrewed held the dead leader¡¯s corpse as shield, charging into the thick of the slavers.


    They had no room to maneuver.


    Face-breaker Punch did what it does to a slaver.


    An open-faced helmet had its disadvantages.


    Thin, stiff blades found openings in armpits and necks.


    Automatic fire in the enclosed space left his ears ringing, but Shrewed knew how to handle it.


    Namely, ignore it and keep moving.


    Never on a line.


    Zig zag in and out of the slavers¡¯ sight lines.


    Bullets whizzed past him.


    A few struck body armor.


    Skills made him tougher.


    Felt like getting punched.


    A lucky shot burned a line through the side of his arm.


    Cloth wasn¡¯t armor unless it wasn¡¯t enhanced in some way.


    The slaver paid for it with a blade to the groin.


    A squad downed in less than a minute.


    Good work.


    He left the bodies where they fell aside from taking a handful of grenades.


    Retreating farther into the building, he started laying his second trap with fishing line.

 7.58

    Back near the central control unit, Howard and Death¡¯s Dancer had built a wall using bodies as bricks and blood as mortar.


    Drake gagged at the stench of piss and shit.


    He kept his distance firing spells with his spear at the stray monster or slaver that managed to escape the kill zone.


    Sure, he had been in battles with other humans, but his kill count could be counted on one hand.


    Monsters were easy.


    People were not.


    Even if they were slaver scum.


    Howard snarled in a slaver¡¯s face as he gutted the man.


    Silence descended over the trio.


    That had been the last one.


    ¡°You guys aren¡¯t even breathing hard,¡± Drake shook his head.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be, seeing as how you barely did anything,¡± Death¡¯s Dancer snorted.


    ¡°Cool it, kid. Styles make fights and this kinda blender is meant for strong and tough guys that can take hits,¡± Howard said. ¡°Twitchy¡¯ll get his chance if I know anything about battles.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ thanks.¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t a compliment,¡± Howard grunted. ¡°So, we got some time. What kind of benefits do you people give?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Death¡¯s Dancer¡¯s eyes narrowed through his mask.


    ¡°If I re-up. Do I keep my old rank? What about my pension. By my count you owe me for the last seventeen years.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t fight for money.¡±


    ¡°Seriously? Just for room and board,¡± Howard laughed. ¡°Listen, my skills are valuable. I can get food and shelter anywhere. You ain¡¯t doing this right. You need to make it worth my time.¡±


    ¡°What about your duty¡ª¡±


    ¡°Not that B.S. again,¡± Howard waved his hand. ¡°I ain¡¯t a young dumbass falling for that patriotism crap. Fool me once¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have the authority¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Howard hissed. ¡°You hear that?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like a tank.¡±


    Drake strained his ears.


    Nothing.


    Howard raised his nose to the air like a hound and sniffed. ¡°Better wipe your asses, boys, we¡¯ve got incoming.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯re you talking about?¡± Death¡¯s Dancer sighed.


    Drake heard it then, along with the shaking.


    Like a small earthquake.


    Dust and debris rained from the high ceiling.


    The foul wall shook.


    The sounds of breaking wood and masonry suddenly erupted.


    ¡°No way they¡¯re driving a tank straight through here,¡± Death¡¯s Dancer muttered.


    ¡°They wouldn¡¯t risk the central control unit,¡± Drake agreed.


    It wasn¡¯t a tank or any sort of vehicle.


    The wall showered them in jagged projectiles.


    Drake dived for cover behind an overturned desk.


    When he chanced a peek, a huge monster stood in the cloud of dust and debris.


    It was a huge mass of thick gray skin and muscle.


    A huge, blocky head contained dark, beady eyes underneath a thick, protruding brow. It roared revealing tusk-like canine teeth.


    It pounded the ground like a gorilla with arms as thick around as the stocky, muscular Howard¡¯s torso.


    Short, stumpy legs, as thick as tree trunks shook the floor with each step.


    Drake didn¡¯t miss the collar around the monster¡¯s thick neck.


    More slavers appeared, but they were content to stay well behind the small hill of muscle.


    ¡°They have a troll,¡± Howard sighed.


    ¡°It¡¯s an ogre,¡± Death¡¯s Dancer muttered.


    ¡°You¡¯ve fought one before?¡±


    ¡°No, but trolls are green and more lanky.¡±


    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s a troll.¡±


    ¡°Call it a trollogre for all that it doesn¡¯t matter! Just kill it!¡± Drake snapped.


    He hurled his spear, casting a spell to increase the speed the farther it traveled.


    The spear zipped between the trollogre¡¯s legs, slamming into a slaver¡¯s chest.


    Drake reached out¡ª


    ¡ª riding the slaver¡¯s body across the blood-slicked floor like a skateboard behind their formation.


    The other slaver¡¯s turned and fired.


    He twirled the spear, conjuring a magic shield.


    Meanwhile, Howard climbed up the trollogre¡¯s arm using an axe and knife like a squirrel uses its claws.


    He aimed for the collar and if that didn¡¯t work the eyes were always a good target.


    Experience had taught him that the vast majority of monsters needed their eyes.


    Death¡¯s Dancer caught the other arm descending on him like a toppling redwood.


    Knees cracked at the impact.


    The floor broke beneath him.


    ¡°Huh? Not that much stronger than me,¡± he grunted optimistically.


    ¡°Shut up and fight!¡± Howard transitioned to the monster¡¯s broad shoulders and pried at the collar.


    Death¡¯s Dancer ignored the asshole.


    The monster pushed down while he pushed up.


    He could press a little under 10 tons.


    So, neither he, nor the monster could gain an advantage.


    ¡°Hurry up!¡± he snapped.


    ¡°Kids¡­¡± Howard grumbled.


    The collar wasn¡¯t budging, so he switched to the eyes.


    Two quick stabs and the monster was blind.


    ¡°There you go, kid, all yours,¡± Howard leapt off and went to help the other kid with the squishier slavers.


    Death¡¯s Dancer growled.


    He could turn invisible, he didn¡¯t need it blinded.


    He danced underneath the blinded monster¡¯s clubbing blows. Got in close and stabbed it in its dirty loincloth.


    Did it come with that? Or did the slavers put it on?


    Idle thoughts tended to crop up when he wasn¡¯t particularly challenged.


    The next spear thrust went underneath the trollogre¡¯s fleshy chins.


    Its face twisted in confusion before it toppled forward.


    Death¡¯s Dancer rolled out of the way.


    ¡°It looked a lot more dangerous,¡± he sighed. ¡°The smell, though¡­¡± he held his breath while he lifted its head in search of his short spear.


    He rushed to help the other two.


    If the slavers were bringing out the big monsters then they were close. Battles had a rhythm and his gut was telling him they were reaching the end.


    Meanwhile, Shrewed ducked behind a corner, plugged his ears and opened his mouth.


    The boom rattled his cage.


    Slavers had tripped his grenade trap.


    He drew his submachine and leaned around the corner, putting bursts into anything that looked like they were still moving.


    A dark spell lashed back, eating into the wall and his shoulder.


    He grit his teeth against the burn.


    A curse slipped through his teeth.


    The spell melted armor, clothing and skin.


    He tossed an incendiary around the corner and retreated to the next.


    Screams chased after him.


    Shots ripped into his backplate knocking him forward.


    The slavers were selling their lives to give chase.


    Some kind of command Skill pushing them forward through their self-preservation instincts. It had to be.


    One last hallway until the chamber.


    Just one more door between the slavers and the most important Quest of his life.


    He thought about calling for back up, but knew that if there was any they¡¯d already be with him.


    So, he turned and emptied his magazine.


    Switched to his Desert Eagle.


    More ego than function.


    Eight rounds didn¡¯t go far.


    One mag.


    Two.


    Three.


    Last one.


    Switch to the mace.


    Heavy iron head caved a skull in despite the helmet.


    Didn¡¯t even need a Skill.


    Power Strike to get through a shield on the next blow.


    A nick across the bridge of the nose with his knife. A Skill to make it bleed like he¡¯d cut an artery.


    The kid keeled over from blood loss.


    A steel-clad boot to the face finished him.


    Dirty Fighting.


    But, they were looking awfully young.


    He saw the whites of their big, round eyes in the dim light from the scattered fires and glowing remnants of errant spells on the walls.


    Shit!


    A spell seared across his face, blinding him.


    His helmet got hot.


    Too hot!


    He ripped it off, jammed it into another kid¡¯s face.


    The sizzle and smell of bacon assaulted his nose.


    The slavers must¡¯ve been pulling on reserves.


    That was good, meant that things were winding down.


    They were dragging the slavers into deeper waters.


    Wouldn¡¯t be long before they drowned.


    Spirits raised by the thought, he bludgeoned, stabbed, elbowed and headbutted his way back up the narrow corridor.


    It felt like he killed with every step.


    Dozens of wounds piled up, but he was drawing deep on every Skill he had.


    No sense in leaving anything in the tank.


    This was the culmination of everything that mattered


    All that he had done after the spires had appeared had been to balance out the scales.


    He had never been a good kid, you see. Grew up into an even worse man.


    Fighting, stealing and dealing.


    Every crime they had¡­ he had done with one exception.


    That one line he had never crossed.


    The spires opened his eyes. Gave him a second chance.


    But, the good didn¡¯t make up for the bad, not really. Although, the bad didn¡¯t cancel out the good.


    He¡¯d be judged on all of his deeds.


    The corridor ended back were he had started.


    A blown out door in front of him with a carpet of dead bodies behind him.


    He looked out at all the lights and weapons pointed in his direction.


    So many slavers.


    ¡°Fucking bastards,¡± he gasped for air. The fight had taken a lot out of him. ¡°You sent your kids to die cause you was too chicken shit to do it yourselves!¡± he snarled. ¡°Well, c¡¯mon, let¡¯s fucking go!¡± he shot a rude gesture before retreating deeper into the corridor.


    The barrage that chased after him could¡¯ve woken the dead.


    He dived behind a corner to catch his breath.


    Boot steps followed him.


    Only a moment to rest.


    Not much left.


    Damn shame he hadn¡¯t reached Level 50.


    That would¡¯ve been a great Skill.


    Roaring, he faced his end the way he had lived his life.


    Two fists clenched in front of him.


    The slavers never got past Shrewed.


    He had plugged the corridor with their dead, fighting beyond his death for a few seconds longer, as though he was reluctant to leave without getting to see what happened next and if his efforts had been worth it.


    <hr>


    Drake got shot.


    That made three times in the last few years.


    Coincidentally, that was just about how long he had been part of the team.


    Hurt just as bad as he remembered.


    From the way he couldn¡¯t move his shoulder, bullet probably shattered it.


    Howard was a cool dude for carrying him back behind that disgusting wall of monsters and slavers.


    He couldn¡¯t help but notice that the short, hairy man was covered in all sorts of bloody bits.


    There was no chance he wasn¡¯t going to be contaminated.


    A problem for after.


    The slavers pushed in force despite the trollogre dying.


    They were willing to carpet the floor with their dead.


    No sense of self-preservation.


    Howard grunted something about reinforcements before leaping back to join Death¡¯s Dancer.


    It must¡¯ve been nice to be bulletproof, Drake thought. Gamely, he leveled his spear with his good hand on top of the body wall and tried not to think about the wet stuff he was prone in.


    The battle moved back into the front lobby.


    Death¡¯s Dancer dipped in and out of invisibility, seemingly killing with each move.


    Bullets didn¡¯t bother him and though some of the spells could¡¯ve he was too quick even when not accounting for the vanishing.


    Howard, on the other hand, made for a great bullet and spell sponge.


    The slavers¡¯ problem was that they could only slow him down.


    Still, they could¡¯ve eventually buried them in bodies if it hadn¡¯t been for the timely arrival of a third faction.


    True Patriot and her supersoldiers hit the slavers in the rear.


    The statuesque woman glowed with white light as she smashed slavers with each swing of the glowing stick she had picked up back in the Slaver King¡¯s hedge maze.


    Hulking supersoldiers mowed slavers down with automatic fire.


    Magic shields and defensive Skills had limits.


    Lt. Contrary and Lt. Rico stayed close to their commanding officer. They didn¡¯t have much to do but pick off the occasional slaver that noticed them flanking the glowing white woman.


    The slaver commander met them in a clash of Skills and spells.


    A crackling black claw ripped out of his hand, tearing up the ground before turning a hulking supersoldier into bloody chunks.


    True Patriot batted the next claw with her best home run swing.


    Lt. Rico sent a burst of automatic fire at the slaver commander only to see it swallowed by a strange void and sent back his way. He hit the deck with a curse.


    Lt. Contrary had his back, triple-tapping the slaver mage with one squeeze of the trigger.


    The slaver commander exhorted his troops to fight to the death with a Skill that sent them into a suicidal rage.


    Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    Three grappled a supersoldier and despite her strength they managed to hold her long enough for a fourth to blow them all to hell with a spell that left a glowing green rent in space.


    Lt. Rico shot the mage in the back of the head.


    ¡°Fire in the hole!¡±


    The thoom of a grenade launcher sent a knot of slavers to their just reward.


    True Patriot dueled the slaver commander in the midst of the carnage.


    Glowing white stick clanged against a blade sheathed in crackling black magic.


    The slaver commander had to be high level to last as long as he did against the superstrong woman.


    In the end he lay in the middle of the concrete path with a stick planted in his head like a flag pole.


    The fight went out of the slavers.


    They threw down their weapons and fled.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am,¡± Death¡¯s Dancer saluted while Howard watched warily.


    ¡°Report, lieutenant.¡±


    ¡°Collar control unit is being destroyed, if it hasn¡¯t been already.¡±


    True Patriots brow furrowed, the white light behind her blood-stained blindfold flared.


    ¡°Your orders were to secure it. Not assist in its destruction.¡±


    Death¡¯s Dancer hesitated.


    ¡°I determined that was impossible,¡± he said after a moment. ¡°I made a judgment call that destroying it was the next best option.¡±


    ¡°Not like he had a choice,¡± Howard chuckled.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be the judge of that,¡± True Patriot brushed past them and entered the facility.


    ¡°Um¡­ ma¡¯am, not that I¡¯m ungrateful, but what are you doing here?¡± Death¡¯s Dancer said.


    ¡°I received intel that our secondary objective is beyond our reach. That our presence here would be most impactful,¡± she didn¡¯t elaborate.


    <hr>


    Lyta doubled over.


    The damn baby didn¡¯t like the sounds coming from outside.


    Too many screams of dying men and monsters.


    The show down inside the central chamber wasn¡¯t any better.


    There was something nauseating about that sickly white light pulsing off that magic machine the guy said was the source of the slavery collars¡¯ power.


    She couldn¡¯t bear to look at it for more than a few minutes before she had to turn away from the window.


    Not that it helped much.


    She had to sit down on the floor and breathe.


    Being pregnant didn¡¯t help.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± she muttered.


    The other kid sat at one of the desks.


    He didn¡¯t seem bothered by any of it. Just had his head down humming some kind of song while coloring away in his little book. She didn¡¯t look at him. Didn¡¯t want to see something she might recognize in his features.


    He was about the right age¡ª


    ¡°No, don¡¯t think about it.¡±


    She focused on the present and future.


    Soon.


    She¡¯d be free soon.


    She had to trust that guy.


    He was her only chance.


    If it didn¡¯t pan out then she¡¯d use the gun she picked up from one of the slavers.


    Whatever happened she wasn¡¯t going to let the Slaver King use her again.


    ¡°Maybe I can find someone to get it out of me. Not too late.¡±


    Although, that¡¯d be a task and a half.


    Not many clinics left out there.


    What were the chances anyone would help her?


    Not good, she figured.


    They¡¯d probably be all about repopulating the world. Never mind that it was forced into her.


    Fuck them.


    She¡¯d do it herself if it came down to it.


    The light pulsed and the windows rattled.


    They began to bow inward, like the pressure inside the chamber was growing, ready to pop like her stomach.


    ¡°Shit!¡± she saw what was about to happen.


    She rose to her bare feet and activated her power.


    Friction-free, she skated across the command center.


    The baby kicked. Made it difficult to maintain her balance. She almost face-planted, but managed to right herself.


    The windows exploded.


    She wrapped the kid up in her arms and turned her back to the spray of shattered glass.


    The shards shredded her shirt, but slipped right off her skin.


    The kid cried.


    ¡°Shut up, you¡¯re fine,¡± she tried not to snap.


    It wasn¡¯t his fault.


    The light pulsed.


    She blinked.


    A cool breeze blew in from the sea.


    The sand felt warm under her toes.


    ¡°Water!¡± the kid pointed.


    That wasn¡¯t what drew Lyta¡¯s eye.


    It was the slaver machine and the man standing next to it with his hands over it.


    Check that.


    One hand.


    One stump.


    How had she missed that earlier?


    She could¡¯ve sworn he had both.


    ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    The man turned his head at her voice.


    The kid toddled toward the ocean.


    ¡°Hey! Kid! Get back here! It¡¯s not safe¡­ probably?¡±


    ¡°It isn¡¯t,¡± Cal said. ¡°You guys shouldn¡¯t be here.¡±


    ¡°Where is here exactly? And what the fuck are those?¡±


    Strings of light flowed from the great, glowing orb that hurt her eyes to look at. One of the strings was as thick around as one of those giant snakes out in the swamps.


    A tiny hand tugged at her sweatpants.


    She looked down at the little girl.


    She thought it was her for a moment.


    Then became horrified at dawning realization.


    ¡°Aw, man. That¡¯s not good. You shouldn¡¯t be here little one. Why don¡¯t you go to sleep?¡± Cal said.


    The little girl vanished.


    ¡°You too.¡±


    The little boy disappeared before he got smashed by a wave.


    ¡°What is going on!¡± she snapped.


    The beach vanished.


    They were inside a living room.


    Her. Cal. The magic machine.


    It was hers.


    From her childhood.


    Just like it was before the gremlins scattered blood all over it.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to lose it if you don¡¯t explain,¡± she growled.


    Cal had returned his attention back to the machine. ¡°Sorry, I thought this might be more soothing. Long and short of it¡­ you got pulled in by accident. The Slaver King¡¯s doing one last fuck you to us all and I¡¯m trying to cut off the signal, so to speak, to a few thousand souls, minds, whatever you want to call it. They¡¯re going out everywhere, dozens, hundreds of miles away. Needless to say, I¡¯m being pulled in way too many directions.¡±


    ¡°Okay, you do that. Just get me out of here like you did those two¡ª just get me out of here.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m trying, but you¡¯re fighting.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not.¡±


    ¡°Yes, you are. I know it¡¯s a difficult ask, but you have to trust me. I promise I won¡¯t do anything beyond getting you out of this place.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t trust anyone.¡±


    ¡°And you have that right, but you¡¯re in danger if you stay. The backlash could fracture your mind on the low end and completely fry it on the high.¡±


    Lyta took a deep breathe.


    She hadn¡¯t realized that she had been close to hyperventilating.


    ¡°You promised to help me. Seems like I don¡¯t have a choice. I want to live. I want to get past this.¡±


    ¡°And you will. There¡¯s a place for you. If you want it. As safe as there is in this world. Where you can heal and do what you want. No one will push you to use your powers to fight or do anything you don¡¯t want. You¡¯ll be free to live as you wish. Just relax, close your eyes and breathe.¡±


    She listened to the soothing words.


    Like her father¡¯s hand rubbing her back until she¡¯d fall asleep.


    She had forgotten the feeling.


    When she opened her eyes the tears flowed freely.


    The light from the chamber was as bright as the sun.


    The little boy slept in her arms.


    As for the baby girl¡ª


    Lyta didn¡¯t want to think about it.


    <hr>


    Cal had to spend precious attention to protect the three from having their psyches shredded by all the power being thrown up by the central control unit.


    The Slaver King pulled a last second power up bullshit move.


    The odious man had come to a realization and the spires had rewarded his burning determination to win.


    Whatever kept the conflict going to greater and greater heights.


    Damn things played with lives like a gamer sitting in front of the computer.


    He fractured his mind, chasing thousands, racing the Slaver King¡¯s Due.


    It was a simple modification to the Soul Tithe.


    Instead of waiting for the subject to die, the king ripped it out.


    Cal knew that it would leave an empty husk.


    And unlike the original Skill, the modification took all of it. Not just a part.


    He didn¡¯t know what that meant.


    Would the enslaved forever be bared from any sort of afterlife?


    Assuming there was one and they wouldn¡¯t just all be recycled by the spires.


    Proponents of the simulation theory had some dark ideas.


    Distracting thoughts swarmed through his split mind.


    A hundred different things happening all over the city.


    Notice impending death for the young Watch and rangers.


    Trip and drag the Meat Parade.


    Notice too late as an old ally from the beginning sacrifices herself to save her charges.


    Father and mother battled a demon.


    Unable to lend aid.


    But the mere instant of hesitation led to a dozen enslaved in far flung places having their souls stolen by the Slaver King.


    Stop a flock of harpies from snatching Captain Butcher off the back of a wyvern.


    Fail to save too young rangers from a swarm of monsters.


    Slow a behemoth of a monster long enough for bar patrons spurred by a rocking band to bring it down.


    Fail to notice one smashing into the flank of Captain Doran¡¯s spears.


    See Rino chased by a true monster, but lose sight of her before he could do anything.


    The red tally grew frighteningly quick.


    For every command he stopped on the light string another handful slipped through his multitude of hands.


    Amber was about to die.


    A child enslaved a hundred miles away, sleeping on a pile of rags died in agony. Her tiny soul a drop in the raging basin within the Slaver King.


    Jake was going to trade his life in order to give Amber a few more seconds. It wouldn¡¯t be enough.


    An enslaved man toiled in a brothel on an island to the southeast. His soul remained his. Though it would take time and work to heal it from what evil men had done to him.


    Basilisk, Sally Clark, struck a tiny blow, but it was going to cost her her life.


    On a military base at the northern border of old Florida, her mother, Sammy, rested from her serving duties. She had a few hours before starting the overnight shift. Part of her remembered her daughter and husband, who she didn¡¯t know was killed weeks ago by a beast pretending to be a man. Part of her didn¡¯t care. A blank smile on her face at the enforced happiness in doing her duty.


    Cal raced the decree.


    Sally became an orphan in truth.


    A martially-inclined lord, competent, re-entered the fray with his best guards.


    It meant approaching death to one of the Furies.


    An enslaved bathed her young master. Her death was the baby¡¯s. He drowned in foot of water.


    Gearlok, Luthor Collins, his magitech limbs were ripped apart by powerful hands. His son, Colin, would throw his life away in a doomed attempt to save him.


    The Emerald Bomber, Marion Johnson, flying above the fray, picking her shots, having used up her best armaments. Her focus was below, which meant she didn¡¯t see the furry shadow hiding in the massive chandelier.


    The magus did, but her warning was too late.


    Ray, the young Silver Axe. Wounded and out of his depth, but he¡¯d give anything for his hometown to be finally free of the monsters. Even his life. The clown would test that resolve.


    The Blackstar 3 became the Blackstar 2.


    Malcolm, Undefeated Champion of the Hard Rock and newly appointed King¡¯s Champion made a choice based on the slim hope that his family was safe as promised. Gladiators turned on each other. Some honored their oaths to the king. Others saw their chance at true freedom.


    Tabitha sat in a warm room, wrapped in a warm blanket, drinking hot chocolate while the rangers kept her and the other freed safe from the monsters outside.


    Shrewed¡ª was gone and he hadn¡¯t noticed until it was too late.


    A few hundred feet away and the grizzled old brawler might as well have been on the other side of the Atlantic.


    Over a thousand times the story repeated.


    Succeed.


    Fail.


    More the latter than the former.


    Until mercifully, it was over.


    Now, Cal had to pull his mind together before the Slaver King killed more of his friends.


    <hr>


    Dozens of gaping wounds turned black and white fur black and pink.


    Too many, too fast, pushed her healing past her limits.


    Much of her armor and clothing had been shredded.


    She clambered up a wooden pillar to reach the second level mezzanine.


    Slavers fired down on the chaotic melee down below.


    She tore through them in passing.


    The greater beast caught up.


    Garou, the werewolf, tripped her, tearing through the back of her ankle.


    He was on her in a flash.


    Dagger teeth sank into the back of her muscular neck with bone-crushing pressure. Claws sank into her back, seeking the gaps through her ribs.


    Truth be told she would¡¯ve been dead already had it not been for her newest Skills.


    Her claws shined in the light. She ripped and tore at Garou¡¯s muzzle.


    The werewolf yelped.


    Rino pulled free and ran.


    Silver Claws.


    The werewolf didn¡¯t like them.


    They hurt more and they stopped his ability to heal quickly.


    Gray fur pressed tightly to muscled body matted by the blood from dozens of gaping wounds.


    She ran.


    Instinct triumphed over the rational part of her brain.


    Three sharp barks caught her eye amid the cacophony of the dying.


    Kare ran across ground level with another werewolf on her tail.


    The pair smashed aside people like bowling pins in their deadly game of chase.


    Rino saw the angle Kare was taking.


    A quick gauge of their relative distance forced her to turn and fight.


    Garou was faster in a flat run, but she was quicker.


    He fought like a savage animal without any of the tactical considerations a sapient being took.


    The monster had completely torn through the facade of the man.


    Rino ducked a wild claw slash, to land two of her own to the werewolf¡¯s gut.


    Claws sheathed in silver parted tough fur and dense flesh like a newborn calf.


    A backhand slammed her through the wooden wall and into a small dining room.


    Garou widened the hole, eager to end her.


    She ducked under a hardwood table, flipping it over and sending it flying with a two-legged kick.


    He caught it and tore it like paper.


    She flowed over a downward slash, tearing deep into his arm and kicking off his back to get back out on the walkway.


    Kare leapt.


    Rino sprinted to reach her packmate¡¯s outstretched hand.


    The other werewolf¡¯s snapping jaws closed over a bit of golden fur.


    Rino spun Kare, whipping the golden-furred weredog around for a two-footed kick.


    The other werewolf careened down the walkway, right into Garou.


    The two were so consumed by bloodlust that they turned on each other.


    Blood and fur flew.


    The smaller werewolf suddenly whined and tried to disengage at the realization.


    The larger alpha didn¡¯t let him.


    Rino regarded Kare.


    One arm hung on the elbow with only a few scraps of red flesh and white ligaments. The side of her head was torn open, floppy ear turned into wet strips of string.


    They exchanged a look and attacked.


    Close to two tons of teeth, claws and muscle whirled in a ball of savage violence.


    Kare fell away first with a gaping rent in the side of her neck. Her healing had been overtaxed as well.


    The smaller werewolf yelped with animal pain.


    Rino and Garou played tug of war with his body.


    The former had his leg, while the latter had jaws clamped around his midsection.


    Realization dawned in Garou¡¯s eyes.


    Rino let go first, sending the werewolves stumbling.


    A jet engine whined.


    ¡°Fire in the hole!¡±


    Fire bloomed, engulfing the werewolves.


    The Emerald Bomber banked away for another approach.


    Rino flinched from the combined heat of the explosion and the flying wing¡¯s main thruster.


    The werewolves charged out of the smoke.


    The sick stench of charred flesh and oozing blisters stung her sensitive nose.


    Despite her grievous wounds, Kare leapt alongside Rino.


    Carrion stench and heat from Garou¡¯s mouth filled her face as he opened wide for a deadly bite.


    She caught something staring at her from out of the corner of her eye. So, she stopped and pushed Kare out of the way.


    A large round eye levitating over the railing blinked.


    The werewolves froze.


    Ruined flesh and fur slowly turned gray.


    Rino leapt in, slashing with desperate fury, silver claws carving up Garou¡¯s huge head.


    Kare did the same to the smaller werewolf.


    The magus floated away, drawn back into the battle on the ground floor.


    Garou suddenly howled, driving Kare away with primal terror.


    Rino froze, but held her ground.


    Her mistake.


    The petrification spell ran out.


    The gray flaked off to reveal bloody flesh.


    The werewolves treated Rino like a rabbit.


    Kare returned, latching on to Garou¡¯s back.


    ¡°Incoming!¡± the Emerald Bomber had returned.


    The missile screamed his head off as he let go of the rope.


    Kare surged with one last gasp of impossible strength courtesy of her only remaining Skill. She pried Garou¡¯s muzzle from around Rino¡¯s stomach and twisted it around to face shining silver.


    Ray, Silver Axe, screamed, eyes wide as saucers through the slits of his helmet. He had lost his main weapon in the clown¡¯s thick skull. The crazy bastard had played one last joke even as his brains leaked around the blade of the battle axe. The spear in his hands had been taken randomly from a fallen fighter when the Emerald Bomber had yelled at him to grab the rope. The triangular head was narrow and stiff. The point shined.


    He thrust it into Garou¡¯s gaping mouth. The silver-covered point pierced through the palate, skipped off bone and finished its downward journey in the werewolf¡¯s brain.


    Garou erupted into a frenzy.


    He snapped the spear, driving it deeper.


    Kare slammed into the wall.


    Silver Axe¡¯s vision went black.


    Kare saved Silver Axe and robbed Garou of his revenge by dropkicking him through the iron railing.


    The dead werewolf crushed a handful of slavers and former enslaved. He rampaged through the melee, killing anyone within reach.


    Seconds became minutes and he continued on despite the absence of all conscious thought.


    Max spied Garou coming toward the Watch¡¯s position around their fallen Watch Commander.


    Bodies went flying.


    He turned his hand of wood and earth into a thorn-wrapped shield to protect himself and the others.


    Dull thuds shook him.


    Shield became sharp spears, stabbing across the twenty-foot distance.


    Spears piercing the werewolf became ropes fixing him to the floor.


    ¡°It¡¯s a last gasp!¡± Max cried. ¡°I don¡¯t know how long it¡¯ll last, but my vines are definitely going to break first! Someone better do something!¡±


    ¡°I got it,¡± Hammer rumbled past them, leaping into the air and landing on top of the dead werewolf. She stomped until there was nothing left but a wet smear on the cratered floor.


    Up on the mezzanine, Silver Axe woke up to the acrid stench of piss and shit. For a moment he was back in his childhood, in the caress of vague memories about how nature documentaries had never said anything about how bad animals smelled. That first trip to the zoo had been an illusion-shattering eye opener. What didn¡¯t remind him of his youth was the taste of iron choking him.


    He gagged, spitting up viscous red.


    The side of his face hurt worse than anything ever.


    Something was cutting into him.


    He touched cold steel slick with something wet and sticky.


    His vision blurred.


    Until he noticed a clawed hand at his feet.


    He scrambled back.


    The smaller werewolf was straining to reach him.


    Revenge for slaying the alpha.


    Rino had saved his life.


    She hung on to the werewolf.


    Muzzle clamped tightly to a leg, while clawed finger dug deep, red rivers down from the werewolf¡¯s buttocks to his knees.


    It didn¡¯t look like she had enough in her to do more than that and the light was fading out of her eyes as they implored him.


    Silver Axe went to his belt and came up empty.


    No more weapons.


    One last container of liquid silver.


    Kare was down. Tongue lolled out of a slack mouth. Her chest heaved, straining for air.


    The werewolf inched closer as Rino faded.


    The world spun. His vision darkened. For how long? He didn¡¯t know.


    All he knew was that the werewolf was inches away.


    He backed into a pile of debris or bodies.


    His hand fell on a jagged wooden splinter about the length of his arm.


    He needed a weapon to coat in silver and what was the oldest weapon aside from the classic rock?


    The slavering werewolf managed to sink a claw into the end of his boot.


    The steel-toe gave about as much resistance as wet tissue.


    Only luck saved his toe as the claw cut right between the big one and its neighbor.


    Coat the jagged splinter.


    Activate the Skill.


    Stab the eye.


    Find the brain.


    Kill the werewolf.


    Unlike Garou, this one didn¡¯t keep killing.


    Rino rolled over.


    He gagged at the sight and smell of what looked like ropes of sausage falling out of her stomach.


    Her eyes fluttered.


    He looked around.


    No one to help.


    Panicking he shot to his feet and almost blacked out again.


    Somehow he made to Rino¡¯s side and acted before thinking.


    One thought filled his mind.


    Inside stuff needs to be on the inside, not on the outside.


    Emerald Bomber swooped by on her next circuit.


    ¡°Two bad furries are down,¡± she spoke into the comms they had provided her. ¡°Good furries also down. One looks really bad. Get me a healer and I can fly them to her on my next pass. No eyes on the third furry.¡±


    Her last thought was prescient.


    The magus¡¯ warning was too late.


    A furry shadow clung to the largest chandelier hanging from the ceiling.


    The Emerald Bomber had her eyes on the ground.


    She didn¡¯t see him.


    Gator.


    The last werewolf.


    Despite only having half his lower jaw left he was still dangerous.


    He pounced on the Emerald Bomber and sank his claws into her green and purple armor. The light scales had been enchanted to provide a similar level of protection as thick plate. Other enchantments added impact absorption, inertial dampeners, G-force reduction and other effects to help her fly at high speed and altitude.


    She panicked, zooming up through the massive sky light and into the waiting talons of several dozen flying monsters drawn in by the battle or following slaver commands.


    For a brief time the rain falling through broken sky lights turned red with their blood.


    Out in the Everglades, howls echoed through the rain-drenched night.

 7.59

    The amber-colored magic blade cut shallowly into the Slaver King¡¯s arm.


    Amber pushed into the cut to withdraw.


    The king¡¯s fist cracked the translucent faceplate of her conjured helmet.


    He reached out and ripped it off her head.


    Amber-colored shards vanished like melting snow before they hit the blood-slicked floor.


    She stumbled back, slipping on the contents of a dead person¡¯s gut.


    The next punch cracked her conjured chestplate.


    ¡°Not bad. Decent look. Very magic knight-ish. ¡®Amberknight¡¯, right? Might need to up the creativity lessons for my marketing crew,¡± he said.


    Amber found her footing and quickly stepped into a diagonal cut.


    The Slaver King lazily raised an arm.


    The amber blade winked out just as it would¡¯ve struck. Only to suddenly reappear inside the Slaver King¡¯s guard.


    His eyes widened.


    The blade sank into the side of his neck and upper chest.


    ¡°Got you, monster!¡± Amber spat.


    Two hands on the hilt shook.


    Ghostly hands emerged from the Slaver King¡¯s bare torso to grasp her conjured blade.


    She struggled to finish the draw cut.


    Stolen souls wailed as they floated from his back and shoulders like a cape in the wind.


    More emerged from his arms to hold Amber in place.


    She couldn¡¯t dismiss her sword. Couldn¡¯t let go.


    The Slaver King grabbed her hand and almost gently pried it off. He laid his other hand on her shoulder.


    With a smile, he ripped her arm off as easily as pulling wings off a dragonfly.


    He lashed out with a foot.


    Unspeakable pain shot up her leg.


    He drew his hand back, made a fist and struck.


    The blow to cave her face in never landed.


    A crackling claw of magical lightning met it.


    Amber fell to the floor, blood gushing out of her shoulder and leg where bone had broken through skin and clothing.


    Max¡¯s vines dragged her back.


    The Slaver King¡¯s punch had blown out Jake¡¯s magitech hand.


    The follow up blew out several of his mana shield casting smartphones.


    He looked up at the king¡¯s mantle of souls and saw his death.


    Worth it, he thought.


    At least he bought Amber a chance.


    The shadows at his feet moved.


    He fell through as if into a pool of water.


    So cold and dark.


    He closed his eyes and when he opened them he was back with the rest of the Watch.


    A tall, scarecrow-like shape emerged from the shadows behind the Slaver King.


    Sharp nails on long fingers plunged into his back, through the ribs, filling his lungs with blood and reaching for his heart.


    He tore away, swinging blindly.


    Hard hits broke bone.


    Bennett hissed, healing his arms by drawing on the blood.


    ¡°You¡¯re not one of mine,¡± the Slaver King said.


    Bennett fell back into a shadow.


    He emerged behind the king.


    A fist met him, crushing his chest.


    ¡°Predictable!¡±


    He fell back once again.


    The Slaver King turned, fist cocked.


    Rats swarmed out of the shadow, biting and scratching as they flowed over him.


    Ghostly shapes pushed through, healing the wounds.


    A slaver mage turned from her duel with Blackstar to drench her king in liquid fire. A costly choice as a star-shaped blast crushed her chest.


    The Slaver King emerged, charred and cracked once again.


    He moved out of the flames healing with each step.


    Every bit of stolen souls he expended was replaced by the steady stream that flew in through the walls.


    Nothing they tried managed to stem the tide.


    The ghostly forms simply went through physical barriers, magic shields and ignored Skills.


    The king¡¯s decree and their oaths superseded everything.


    ¡°Vampire? Where are you? More importantly, where are mine? Velvet, De La Sangre, Rebel? You swore allegiance. Ladies and lord, I demand you deal with this. He¡¯s one of your own, after all.¡±


    Wind rushed past him.


    He turned finding himself face to face with¡ª


    ¡°Welllll¡­ she¡¯s gone and he¡¯s ash, somewhere over there.¡±


    ¡°Lady Rebel,¡± he narrowed his eyes. ¡°You swore an oath and I¡¯m calling on it. Kill my enemies until your dying breath.¡±


    The vampire¡¯s eyes flashed red as her face twisted, revealing sharp fangs.


    She doubled over, shattering the hardwood floor with each furious punch.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fight it, you stupid bitch! Just do what your told!¡± the Slaver King snapped.


    Bennett appeared at his back, sharp nails digging into the sides of his neck, searching for the jugular veins.


    He tore the fingers free, breaking them in the process.


    Bennett spun him around, opened wide with a hiss and bit down on his neck.


    Bennett didn¡¯t drink blood directly from living humans. Not in this way. Not with violence and the desire to kill.


    He drank deep.


    It burned in his mouth and throat. The fire spread to his stomach.


    He recoiled, body wracked by convulsions.


    ¡°My blood belongs to me. It won¡¯t serve peasants like you,¡± the Slaver King laughed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t drink your blood, noted,¡± Rebel tapped his shoulder.


    He turned and ate an uppercut that sent him to the ceiling.


    ¡°Listen, king,¡± she smirked as he hung in the air for an instant, ¡°I named myself ¡®Rebel¡¯ for a reason, you moron. Never bought into the whole authority thing. I was an anarchist before and I was just waiting for the time I could shove it into your face.¡±


    Gravity reasserted its grip.


    Rebel met the Slaver King halfway up with a knee to the face.


    She grabbed him by the hair and spun him down to the ground.


    Heavy boots stomped on his chest, breaking bone.


    ¡°Stop healing, fucker!¡± Small fists pounded his face like jackhammers. Rebel had potent strength, well-beyond her slim, slight stature.


    He tried to grab her, but celeritous movement made her a blur even to him.


    She hit him a hundred times as she blurred around him.


    Until, the blood ran out.


    She slowed.


    He caught her with a crushing backhand that sent her flying across the entire length of the cavernous dining hall and through the wall.


    He processed the scene for what felt like the first time since the fight began.


    ¡°Am I fighting by myself!¡± he roared.


    He had felt his fists die. All that work building them up only to lose them in a few minutes of battle.


    His forces in the hall had been all but wiped out.


    The nobles that hadn¡¯t been killed had fled with their household guards.


    The Gold Division fighters he had secured allegiance from at great cost had proved weaker than the ones that had the gall to turn him down.


    Even the clowns were dead.


    He bent down and pulled a silver-coated battle axe from the fat clown¡¯s forehead.


    ¡®Useless,¡± he crumpled the axe and kicked the clown¡¯s bloated corpse toward the one that had started this debacle. She shredded it into a fine mist without even raising that strange, dull gray sword. ¡°If you had only had the decency to accept your place, Hanabi. All this blood is on your hands.¡±


    She regarded him without word.


    ¡°I am the King and you attacked me in the heart of my kingdom.¡±


    ¡°Man, shut the fuck up! I¡¯m getting tired of listening to you sucking yourself off. I can smell the dick on your breath from all the way over here.¡±


    He regarded the speaker.


    A brawny woman in plain, well-worn armor, wielding a battered-looking assault rifle.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± he didn¡¯t recognize her.


    ¡°That don¡¯t matter, fucksuck. All that matters is you¡¯re about to get your shit pushed in so far up your ass that you¡¯ll taste it. Won¡¯t make a difference to the dick scent on your breathe though. Just turn it into shitdick stink. Kinda like your starfish-looking face with that taint-looking thing under your nose.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll die last. Not because I care, but because I¡¯ll forget about you the moment I¡¯m not looking at your ugly face.¡±


    ¡°Yeah? You ball-less, no dicked slaver. Well, I care,¡± she sniffled.


    ¡°Are you going to cry? What the fuck is this? Who did you come with?¡± he eyed the rest of them. For some reason they were content to let the woman speak and not attack. Foolish, they were only giving him time to rest and draw in more of the tithe. The protocols had been one of the few things that had gone right.


    Sure enough, the woman¡¯s eyes watered.


    ¡°This is just embarrassing,¡± he smirked. ¡°Women. The spires finally made you useful in a fight, yet you still can¡¯t control your emotions. Are you going to do a crying rage thing?¡±


    ¡°Not rage¡­ grief. You killed my rangers, Timber, Cherry Chapstick, Bootleg Jesus¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a ranger? You know you guys pick the dumbest codenames.¡±


    ¡°- killed many others. Maimed more. Kids. They were kids. Except for Neckbeard, he was old, but he tried¡­ and now he¡¯s gone. Another name I¡¯m going to carve into the wall. You. Killed. Them.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t remember asking you to attack my kingdom.¡±


    She raised her assault rifle.


    He smirked, spreading his arms to bare his chest.


    ¡°I want you to feel the Weight of My Grief.¡±


    The burst sounded like the mother of all bombs going off.


    The bullets hit him harder than anything he had ever felt before.


    Not even the demon had struck him a heavier blow.


    The barrel of Mouthy¡¯s gun had split open. She cast it aside and hefted a flanged mace. ¡°Well?¡± she regarded the others. ¡°I ain¡¯t gonna fucking do everything.¡±


    <hr>


    Lord Stuart marched back up the path toward the dining hall.


    Twelve of his best guards moved in a circle around him.


    He was a rarity among the nobility in that he didn¡¯t utilize collared fighters in his guard.


    His aura boosted their bravery, coordination and desire to die to protect him while strongly encouraging most of the fighting men and monsters to steer clear.


    Not much time had passed since the king had started his ill-thought out stunt.


    Less than half an hour and in that time the estate grounds had been littered with the bodies of the dead and dying.


    The toll had to be well into the thousands even if one didn¡¯t count the collared monsters.


    Something he had no idea the king had already accomplished.


    His information had suggested that monster collars were still in the planning phase of their development.


    The problem in swearing oaths had been the way they crippled his ability to push back as the king deemed such behavior disloyal.


    Still, Lord Stuart was a rational man that made decisions along the optimal paths to his success.


    The spires had rewarded him with the Skills to make that a reality.


    As such, as soon as the chained prisoners rose up from the circular platform he was already ushering his family out of the dining hall.


    They had reached the exit when all hell had broken loose.


    Once again he had picked the path that put him ahead.


    He had gathered his guards and brought his family to the parking lot.


    Two paths had presented them to him at that moment.


    One was to go back to his mansion and prepare to weather the storm to come.


    The other was to return and defend the king.


    It was hard to say what ultimately pushed him to take the latter path.


    Perhaps the oaths?


    Perhaps the optimal path was to risk his own safety in the immediate term to avoid a greater danger in the long term.


    After all, he would¡¯ve lost much of the king¡¯s favor had he failed to lift a hand in the man¡¯s defense.


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    So, he split his guard.


    Half went with his family, half stayed with him.


    He was confident that the heavily armored convoy would make it back to their estate with little trouble. After all, they had gotten a head start on the rest of the screaming people.


    Thoughts of his family invariably led him to his recently murdered son.


    It pained him to acknowledge that Jeb¡¯s death had been a net positive.


    The boy added nothing to the house while taking a toll from their wealth and reputation through his constant partying.


    He had never believed that Lord Reagan had been responsible despite the evidence.


    Evidence that had been so obviously planted.


    The murder of his head accountant had been a true blow.


    He realized that he had missed it somehow despite all of his analytical Skills.


    The unsolved murders in the months before the Freedom Championships. The strange behavior of certain nobles. Odd movements.


    It had all led up to this night.


    This chaos.


    It was like a veil lifted from his eyes.


    Connections that had been staring him in the face suddenly fell into place and made sense.


    This was enemy action.


    They were striking through that which lifted the New American Republic on its meteoric rise to strength and prosperity.


    ¡°We fight to save our nation. The king must not die.¡±


    His guard gave silent acknowledgment.


    The fighting in the great hall had dwindled in number, if not in ferocity.


    The king was down to his last handful of loyal fighters.


    A small group of gladiators crouch amidst the mounds of ruined furniture and dead bodies.


    The stench hit Lord Stuart like a punch to the face.


    He hadn¡¯t fought a true battle in a long time.


    The reminder wasn¡¯t pleasant.


    They arrived just in time to hear the end of the world heralded by a three round burst louder than any bomb.


    The last remaining windows shattered as the floor rumbled underneath their boots.


    The king made a furrow over a hundred feet long across the floor.


    Lord Stuart suppressed a wince.


    The cost¡ª


    The king rose to his feet, broken and bloodied but healing.


    The lord¡¯s eyes widened.


    Ghostly forms seemed to trail out of the king¡¯s back like a cape in the wind.


    ¡°What¡ª¡± he shook his head. Now was not the time to lose focus.


    He spied the closest threat.


    One of the Gold Division fighters.


    The blue-clad woman stood in a circle of arctic cold.


    Frozen statues stood in their death throes like silent sentinels around her.


    ¡°Thoughts?¡±


    ¡°My lord,¡± his guard captain nodded. ¡°She appears to be weakening. Long minutes of fierce battle drains mana quickly. You¡¯ll note that her area of effect appears to have shrank.¡±


    True enough. Beyond the twenty foot radius was an area filled with partially frozen bodies. They were in the process of thawing, leaving partially broken limbs littering the sodden floor with red slush and water.


    ¡°I recommend fire spells at range followed by a quick rush to prevent her and the others from retaliating. We have to be careful to avoid drawing attention since we are at a level disadvantage. Excepting you, of course, my lord.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s do it, but why don¡¯t we shrink the difference.¡±


    He beckoned the gladiators over.


    Four of them, including the king¡¯s new champion, Malcolm.


    An analytical eye regarded their bloody, nicked weapons, damaged armor and bandaged wounds.


    They had remained loyal.


    It wasn¡¯t a certainty to take for granted with these sorts.


    He knew that Malcolm had a family and it didn¡¯t take a long leap to understand the leverage that provided over him.


    His guard captain explained the plan.


    The gladiators agreed with terse nods.


    His guard moved forward in formation.


    He followed with a few more guards to watch his back.


    The gladiators moved loosely with them.


    The blue-clad woman saw them approaching and thrust a wave of bitter cold which was met by two of his mages¡¯ flames.


    Steam obscured both sides¡¯ vision.


    Advantageous.


    The blue-clad woman wasn¡¯t a mobile fighter from what he remembered of her work in the championships.


    ¡°Sand Spray,¡± his mage coated the frozen floor.


    They charged past bloody faces frozen in twisted agony.


    Magic flames filled the air.


    The steamy mist thickened.


    Vision dropped to near zero.


    He focused on his command aura to ensure that there would be no friendly fire.


    A woman screamed.


    He knew that one of his guards had just been flash frozen.


    Another guard was too slow to avoid running into her body causing it to shatter into a dozen pieces.


    He drew pistol and rapier.


    His guard captain made contact.


    Taking a blast of freezing cold on his shield with a Skill.


    Guards opened fire.


    The blue-clad woman sapped the bullets of momentum inches from impact.


    He drew closer.


    Three guards formed a wedge in front of him.


    For a moment he was back in college about to run a kick-off back to the opposing team¡¯s end zone.


    Except this time he wasn¡¯t carrying a football.


    The wedge fell away.


    Frozen.


    The blue-clad woman stared at him with wide eyes from less than a half dozen feet away.


    He pulsed his aura, forcing her to hesitate.


    ¡°Heat Blade,¡± one of his mages said.


    His rapier glowed with red hot magical light.


    ¡°Body Barrier,¡± another said.


    The blue-clad woman snarled. Her aura pulsed back.


    His rapier sizzled as he lunged into a thrust.


    The barrier shattered into a thousand flickering shards.


    ¡°I Suffer For My Lord,¡± his guard captain¡¯s sacrifice meant that he had been spared even the slightest pain.


    The blue-clad woman tried to slap the blade aside. She hissed as her cold skin cooked on contact.


    The blade struck, but not where he had intended.


    Instead of in the woman¡¯s cold heart, it pierced lower.


    Red bubbled on her lips.


    It was striking against her pale skin.


    He pointed his pistol at her head and squeezed the trigger.


    The cold dissipated as her body fell to the floor with a dull thud.


    The steamy mists cleared quickly as if with magic.


    ¡°Tisi!¡± a red-clad woman roared.


    A pillar of flame erupted around him, but Lord Stuart remained unharmed. He jumped back quickly. Hopefully it was enough¡ª


    He glanced over to where he knew his guard captain stood.


    The man was a charred statue.


    ¡°Find cover! Gladiators! We need urrkk¡­¡±


    A cold caress moved lightly against his throat.


    It turned wet and hot a moment later.


    ¡°Lord!¡±


    Spells crisscrossed before his eyes.


    He staggered.


    All strength suddenly leaving.


    His guards tried to close around him, but the gladiators had placed themselves in their formation.


    The fighting was fierce and frantic.


    The Furies struck indiscriminately to avenge their fallen.


    Somehow, Lord Stuart held his concentration together while trying to hold his slit throat.


    Arms dragged him back toward the way they had come.


    Bodies threw themselves in front of him.


    The Soul Netter¡¯s net descended over them, but Lord Stuart wouldn¡¯t let it sap their wills.


    Caught off-guard by his failure, the Soul Netter fell to multiple stabbing blades.


    Thousand Cuts shredded the guards with a flurry of strikes, bladed fists flew with fury too fast to count with the normal human eye.


    Meanwhile, Malcolm stared at the retreating lord with a bloody knife in hand. He seemed to come to a decision. ¡°Lord Stuart, I Challenge You.¡±


    The words pulled, but weakly.


    They weren¡¯t in the arena and he was a lord, not a mere gladiator.


    The Gladiator¡¯s Challenge was easily ignored.


    Malcolm cursed and gave chase only to skid to a halt.


    The king had landed between them.


    ¡°You too, Malcolm? Haven¡¯t I been good to you guys?¡± the king said.


    ¡°You call holding my family¡¯s safety over my head ¡®good¡¯?¡± Malcolm said.


    ¡°And they were safe. Untouched so long as you did what you were told like a good boy. That¡¯s over now. As for the rest of you¡ª¡± he eyed Soul Netter¡¯s corpse, ¡°he¡¯s a lost cause, but if you return to my service then I will only punish you lightly.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t touch my family anymore.¡±


    ¡°Shut up! Think, Malcolm! You¡¯re just going to end up like your predecessor.¡±


    ¡°Alexandria was the only one of us in this damn place that did the right thing.¡±


    ¡°I only went along with you slavery weirdos cause I didn¡¯t have any better options,¡± Thousand Cuts shrugged. ¡°Malcolm brought us a better one.¡±


    ¡°A real chance for freedom is worth death,¡± the Broken said.


    ¡°Then let me give you what you want.¡±


    The king struck.


    The Broken took the blow, trading damage for strength.


    Her battered chestplate shattered as did her ribs, but she returned a strike with her hammer that caved the side of the king¡¯s head in like a watermelon.


    Lord Stuart didn¡¯t see the rest as what was left of his best guards dragged him out while the rest of the enemy raced across the dining hall to join the fray.


    His healer mage had stemmed the bleeding by the time they had found a car to take back to the estate.


    The lord was content to obey his king.


    After all, he had demonstrated his willingness to die for the king and had materially affected the fight by removing a dangerous Gold Division fighter from the field.


    The streets were awash in combat.


    Figures darted in and out of the SUV¡¯s lights.


    Some weren¡¯t human.


    Rocks and other projectiles peppered the armored vehicle.


    Fires lit up the darkness through the curtain of heavy rain.


    Some mansions burned along with the nobles inside them.


    The street leading up to his estate was relatively quiet.


    Unlike the vast majority of the nobility, he had built a true wall to protect his home and family.


    Ten feet tall with enough space for his guards to fight from above.


    A handful of armored guard towers stood even higher.


    All possible avenues of attack had been covered.


    His investment had been wise judging by the dead bodies they had to drive over.


    The gates opened with a groan as armed guards covered them until they drove through.


    They drove all the way to the enormous garage.


    ¡°They haven¡¯t arrived yet,¡± he rasped.


    Concern bubbled in his gut.


    ¡°No, my lord,¡± his chief of staff said. ¡°We haven¡¯t received any word.¡±


    The old man had a bloody bandage around his head.


    ¡°Report.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say. Though, with your arrival and¡­ er¡­ state, I imagine you know more than I. But, to keep it succinct. The collars failed and the essential workers revolted. I¡¯m happy to say that your protocols minimized the damage. The guards acted swiftly and professionally. We suffered no losses. The essential workers are currently contained in their quarters under chains and guard. As for the defense from the monsters and others, the officer in charge would have the best information.¡±


    ¡°Very good¡­¡± he fought the urge to scratch the scabbed wound on his neck. ¡°Establish contact with the convoy and assemble a strike team. If they¡¯re in trouble I want us ready to get them right now.¡±


    ¡°Right away, my lord,¡± the healer mage said.


    He realized that she was the next highest ranking guard currently with him.


    ¡°Five minutes. I want things ready. We¡¯ll meet in my office in five to go over details.¡±


    ¡°My lord. Did the king really disable our protections?¡± his chief of staff said.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll cover that in the meeting.¡±


    Things had changed.


    Even if the king triumphed hard questions would have to be asked.


    The downside to being solely dependent on one man for safety and prosperity was kicking them in the stomach.


    There had to be a King.


    One way or another.


    Lord Stuart made for his office.


    He had cleaned the blood off and changed into a clean set of clothing and armor. He had picked up a new rapier from his closet and reloaded his pistol.


    So armed he headed straight for his main office.


    Five minutes on the dot.


    A tingle tickled the back of his neck.


    He suddenly realized that it was dark.


    ¡°When had the lights¡­¡±


    He glanced out the hallway window.


    The rain poured in sheets.


    Those flashes of red lightning lent an eerie tinge to the shadows, making them seem to dance.


    He flipped the light switch¡­ nothing.


    He touched the small emerald set into the leather bracelet around his wrist.


    ¡°Nightvision.¡±


    The spell turned black into shades of gray.


    His boots echoed against the hardwood.


    Silence pervaded.


    It was as though the mansion had emptied.


    He knew better than to call out.


    Drawing his rapier and pistol, he activated his Skills.


    Nothing.


    He couldn¡¯t find a connection to a single guard.


    Remaining alone in the dark wasn¡¯t the optimal move.


    He needed his subordinates to utilize his class to its fullest.


    One way forward. One way back.


    He chose the former expecting to find his people waiting for him in his main office.


    For some reason he didn¡¯t think to use his phone, nor did he question the silence.


    Rationally speaking, guards and staff should¡¯ve been shining lights and making noise to investigate the sudden darkness.


    Protocols weren¡¯t being followed.


    The door to his main office was slightly ajar.


    He pushed it open with the tip of his rapier.


    Gray tones filled his vision.


    The large round table sat in the middle of the room.


    Four of the chairs looked occupied.


    No one turned their heads toward him.


    He swept the room quickly.


    Nothing in sight, nor sound.


    A Skill came up empty.


    ¡°Stand.¡±


    His commanding aura was ignored.


    Lightning flashed red through the windows.


    They sat in straight-backed chairs.


    The young officer in charge of the defenses, the chief of staff, the healer mage temporarily in command of his protection detail and one other sat motionless, hands on the table where a map of the city had been spread out.


    He approached cautiously and tapped his chief of staff on the shoulder with his rapier.


    The man¡¯s head rolled down to his lap.


    Lord Stuart cursed, instinctively putting his back to the closest wall.


    ¡°Are you on my list?¡± a voice giggled in his ear.


    He spun and fired at the glimpse of too-white teeth smiling out of a dark shadow.


    The mirror shattered.


    The smiling shadow remained.


    He spun¡ª


    Nothing.


    Just his round table and three motionless bodies seated around.


    The shadows came alive, writhing in the gray tones of his nightvision.


    Red slowly seeped into his eyes.


    It started with the front of his dead subordinates.


    From their necks down to their laps, cool gray became warm red.


    He focused on his class, calling for assistance through a lordly Skill.


    ¡°No one left to hear you,¡± the voice echoed from somewhere out in the hallway.


    The murderer must¡¯ve been using Skills of his own to counter.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make a deal with you,¡± Lord Stuart projected his voice. ¡°I¡¯ll pay you more than whatever it is you¡¯re being paid now.¡±


    Silence.


    Movement out of the corner of his eye.


    The broken mirror displayed the smiling shadow.


    Except there was nothing in the room.


    Just three bodies seated around the table¡ª


    Hadn¡¯t it been four?


    He couldn¡¯t trust his memory.


    There were four.


    He had marked the other three. Knew where they sat.


    He forced himself to breathe steadily.


    Lunging Thrust.


    The Skill carried him across the distance to pierce the tip of his rapier into the¡ª empty seat.


    Giggling.


    The mirror!


    Empty.


    Blood red shadows pressed in from the edges of his vision.


    Nightvision was still active.


    How? Why?


    ¡°Lords and Ladies, so disappointing. So weak without their little soldiers to hide behind.¡±


    That was the general rule.


    Lord Stuart acknowledge it, which was why he had trained hard to improve upon the martial class he had started out with.


    ¡°Too much training, not enough experience.¡±


    He dismissed the smiling shadow in the broken mirror, turning his back to it.


    Small, strong hands struck his and knocked his weapons to the floor.


    A kick to the back of his knee forced him to kneel.


    Hands gripped his head.


    ¡°You were the hardest out of all the nobles on the list.¡±


    A thin blade slipped into his ear.


    Lord Stuart¡¯s last thought was of hope. The hope that his murderer was satisfied with his life. That she wouldn¡¯t still be here when his family returned.


    The Slasher watched the lord¡¯s body cool.


    The sum was greater than its parts.


    Individual nobles had been easy to kill, but the total difficulty of the Quest had made the night¡¯s work worth it.


    Only a few more left to take.


    Then it was time to wait and see which why the spilled blood ran.


    If Cruces won then it was back into her cage until he needed to use her talents once again.


    If Cruces lost then¡­ freedom?


    She shrugged.


    Either prospect worked for her.


    She activated a Skill and set out after another name on her list.


    Slasher¡¯s Stride meant that she didn¡¯t have to wait long to wet her blade, which was good because blood dried quickly.

 7.60

    ¡°You thought you were one of us,¡± Malcolm gasped for every excruciating breath. The fist-shaped dents in his breast plate pushed into broken ribs. ¡°Just because you fought in the arena sometimes.¡±


    The Slaver King cast Thousand Cuts aside like a dirty rag.


    The Broken had never been more like her name. She sat in a small crater, limbs twisted in every direction.


    Seconds.


    That¡¯s how long it had taken.


    The rest of Malcolm''s allies were too far to help.


    It seemed like they ran in slow motion.


    ¡°Time¡¯s up, Malcolm,¡± the Slaver King raised a thumb and pointed it to the ground.


    As a gladiator, he was at his best fighting inside an arena in front of tens of thousands of screaming fans. He rode the ebbs and flows of their collective energy like a wave, pushing beyond limits and pulling moves off that would¡¯ve been otherwise impossible.


    He was far from his home¡­ unless he changed his perspective.


    The floor beneath him was polished hardwood, not gritty sand and dirt.


    No audience aside from his allies and the handful of slavers trying to remain hidden behind broken tables or underneath dead bodies.


    And yet, blood and bodies littered the ground.


    They fought for their lives.


    One Skill.


    A champion¡¯s Skill


    He could bring the arena to him.


    The great hall seemed to fade.


    Wooden walls wavered and ceiling vanished, replaced by an open sky and bright lights.


    Malcolm stood in the stadium.


    The ghosts of cheers caressed his ears.


    Bloody hands tightened around weapons.


    The Slaver King¡¯s eyes narrowed as he gazed around. Recognition bloomed. He snapped his fingers.


    Malcolm was slammed back to reality.


    He wasn¡¯t in the stadium.


    There were no fans.


    ¡°I giveth and so I taketh. Or something like that. I¡¯m sorry, Malcolm, but you¡¯re just not working out. Not being a team player. I need people that are a hundred and ten percent on board. You¡¯re not my champion anymore. You¡¯re fired.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still the Undefeated Champion of the Hard Rock.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not there, are we?¡±


    The king was on him in two blinks of the eye.


    Malcolm struck quickly, reacting through muscle memory.


    Short, stabbing blade slipped underneath the king¡¯s ribs.


    It was like stabbing a steel plate, but the Skill pushed it through a few inches.


    Spiked gloved tore the side of the king¡¯s face into bloody strips.


    The ghostly hands of the soul tithe pushed the blade out and knitted the ruined cheek.


    In a second all that remained on pristine skin were red smears.


    The king¡¯s strikes landed an instant after.


    Fist crushed Malcolm¡¯s face.


    The last sensation Malcolm felt before his vision went black was the wind whipping past him.


    One of the magus¡¯ eyes flashed, catching the dark-skinned gladiator.


    ¡°He¡¯s breathing,¡± she said as she directed the eye to deposit Malcolm out of the way.


    She¡¯d have preferred to carry him to safety along with all the other wounded, but that just wasn¡¯t an option.


    The Slaver King smirked as he pulled a few teeth from his knuckles.


    He bounded into their midst, ignoring the hundred slashes criss-crossing his body.


    The mouthy ranger was his target.


    Power Strike combined with Weight of My Grief drove him into the floor underneath the head of her flanged mace.


    The tithe spent souls to heal broken bone and torn muscle in less than a second.


    The ranger struck again.


    This time he caught the mace in one hand.


    It felt like he was trying to hold up a small hill.


    A one-eyed girl caught his attention.


    One side of the scrawny thing¡¯s face was a patchwork of ugly scars surrounding an empty socket.


    Not pleasant to look at, so naturally he was drawn to her eye.


    The blue pupil flashed.


    His elbow and knees buckled, strength suddenly sapped.


    He pushed the mace to the side, spinning to land a kick into the ranger¡¯s breastplate.


    The clang deafened the closest fighters.


    He lost sight of the ranger tumbling through the piles of corpses and broken furniture.


    The one-eyed girl was on him in three blinks of an eye, stabbing into his gut with a sword.


    She actually lifted him off his feet.


    He reached down and slapped the side of her head.


    Down she went, like a puppet without strings.


    Still breathing.


    Good.


    He hadn¡¯t wanted to kill her.


    She¡¯d be useful for his breeding program.


    Dark gray blade whistled toward the side of his head.


    He slipped it, losing part of his ear in the process.


    A hundred cuts sprayed blood.


    But they and the ear had healed by the time he bobbed under a horizontal slash to land an uppercut on the Sword of Freedom¡¯s shield.


    He was rewarded with a dull thud and the woman launched into the ceiling.


    Somehow, she twisted around to plant her boots into the once pristine mural of the king and his duel with the demon. Pushing off, she shot toward him sword point aimed like a missile.


    He moved out of the way at the last instant, almost a blur to the vast majority of his enemies.


    A bounding leap carried him to the Blackstar 3.


    Blackstar pounded his flesh with accurate blasts all along the high arc, but he powered through them, letting his dead subjects take the hurt away.


    The big, tanky warrior swapped places with Blackstar to take the blow on his large, round shield.


    Fists battered the shield with a flurry that overwhelmed the warrior¡¯s Skills.


    As a Gold Division fighter, the man was at least Level 40.


    He lasted seconds.


    The Blackstar 3 became the Blackstar 2 with one final blow.


    Blackstar¡¯s eyes widened.


    The punch crashed against a magic shield.


    The mage behind her cried out as the feedback popped something in her head.


    Star-shaped blasts peppered the Slaver King¡¯s face.


    He grinned through it.


    Cuts, bruises, broken teeth and nose¡­ all healed almost as fast as Blackstar inflicted them.


    On her knees, the mage fired off one last spell before her face hit the floor.


    He fell back, vision swirling in nauseating confusion.


    Warm metal wrapped around his neck, lifting him.


    He kicked his legs.


    Vision darkened as Hammer squeezed her massive arm.


    ¡°Fuck this ghost shit,¡± she closed her eyes, being inside the swarm of wailing ghosts coming out of the king¡¯s back was wrong. It touched something deep inside her. Like, she could feel what the poor bastards felt, see some of what they had gone through, how they had died. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. Nail this fuck!¡±


    Bullets and spells peppered the Slaver King.


    ¡°Hold fire! Melee in!¡± Rebekah barked.


    Hanna¡¯s blade blurred.


    Fingers, arms and legs flew.


    Ghostly hands pulled them back into place.


    Hanna¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    She cut the ghosts with the same feeling in her heart that had freed her and the enslaved from the collars.


    Face purpling, the Slaver King¡¯s eyes widened.


    He punched over his shoulder with such ferocity that his hand blurred.


    Hammer¡¯s face deformed like steel being worked on an anvil.


    Her massive strength wavered.


    Hanna cut through a dozen ghosts in one sweep, freeing them.


    The king kicked, knocking her a dozen feet away.


    He swung his legs violently, catching purchase on the floor to flip Hammer¡¯s heavy form over him. He spun and kicked her across the hall and through a wall.


    He caught up in a single bound, punching and kicking her through several walls until she crumpled a large, industrial fridge in one of the kitchens.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to have to take you into the shop. Those dents are going to take a lot of work to hammer out.¡±


    She remained silent.


    Her jaw wasn¡¯t moving right.


    He picked a meat tenderizer and hurled it at her face.


    It plinked off.


    One arm hung loose.


    One eye had closed.


    Metallic skin was bruised, battered and split in places.


    ¡°You bleed blood. Good to know. What¡¯s wrong? No more talk? Jaw broken?¡±


    For an answer, she ripped the fridge from the wall and smacked him back toward the hall.


    Spent, Hammer fell into that long dark hallway despite struggling to hold on.


    ¡°Incoming!¡± Del warned.


    Megaera timed her fire pillar perfectly, blasting the king into the ceiling. Her face was frozen in fury at the death of her daughter. She willed all her grief and hatred into the man she held responsible for all of it until nothing was left.


    She collapsed to her knees gasping for breath.


    The Slaver King burned like a meteor falling through the atmosphere.


    Flames covered his naked body, while the souls of his subjects contained to wail as they worked to douse the magic flames.


    It was not done easily, nor quickly for they contained Megaera¡¯s rage.


    After what felt like an eternity he landed on his feet and sprang like a tiger.


    An old woman blasted him with ineffective spells right until the moment he put his fist through her bony chest.


    ¡°Deirdre!¡± a young man launched himself with axe poised over his head. ¡°Power Strike!¡±


    The axe never reached the back of the king¡¯s head.


    Wailing ghosts wrapped a dozen hands, a hundred around it before wrenching it from the young man¡¯s hands.


    ¡°Fodder,¡± he struck lazily.


    The young man closed his eyes.


    The blow didn¡¯t land.


    Three arrows sprouted out of the Slaver King¡¯s arm, deflecting it just enough.


    ¡°Move, Lance!¡± a bald old man barked next to the archer.


    The Slaver King leapt at the two fodder.


    Vines slammed him into the floor.


    ¡°The Watch,¡± he scoffed at the man with an arm of earth and wood. ¡°The arm¡¯s cool though, I¡¯m taking it,¡± he grasped the vines wrapped around his leg.


    An electric-sheathed whip pulled his left wrist, while one on fire pulled his right.


    ¡°Furies or Heartfuries? Honestly, I¡¯m having a hard time telling you apart with all the blood and how busted up your faces are.¡±


    Hands grabbed his head, fingers dug into his eyes and mouth.


    ¡°Why not both?¡± Hayden flooded him with every last bit of her power.


    Enough to light up a city.


    A smoky, pork-like scent filled the air.


    He bit down involuntarily, through a few of her fingers.


    Iron tang splashed his tongue.


    His loyal subjects shoved her away.


    He healed without her power flowing through him.


    ¡°You don¡¯t get it!¡± he roared. ¡°I am the king! They serve me in life and they will serve me in death! Forever!¡±


    Ghostly hands ripped at the bonds holding him.


    The tension went slack.


    He whipped Megaera and Alecto into the floor.


    He¡¯d have done the same to Max, had the man not abandoned part of his arm.


    The tithe of souls continued to flow from every direction.


    ¡°All your little plans¡­ were for nothing!¡±


    He felt his links to every remaining slave, out to hundreds of miles.


    Some failed, but the vast majority allowed him to siphon everything from them.


    He had the strength of thousands and it kept growing.


    ¡°There is no forever for them. Not while I¡¯m around,¡± the Sword of Freedom cut a handful free with one slash of her blade.


    He moved inside her guard in a blink, ripping her shield off her arm. He grabbed her wrist, squeezing as hard as he could.


    The strange armor groaned as the metal slowly, but surely deformed.


    ¡°What is this made of? Diamonds?¡±


    A hundred blades cut him, sending red sprays flying in curved arcs.


    He lifted the Sword of Freedom by her throat and cast about for a good target.


    ¡°The Watch, eh?¡± he smirked. ¡°Here, why don¡¯t you take your precious back,¡± he hurled her at the haggard-looking woman clad in the same dull, gray armor.


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    A teary-eyed man, gaunt, deep circles under his eyes visible through his helmet pushed the woman out of the way.


    The Sword of Freedom hit him like a speeding car.


    They tumbled together in a ball of flailing limbs until coming to a stop fifty yards away.


    Hanna gingerly disentangled herself.


    She was mostly unharmed aside from the white dots in her vision.


    Del, however¡­


    ¡°Why did you do that?¡± her vision blurred, she opened her faceplate to wipe her eyes. ¡°We were safe in our armors.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ saw¡­¡± Del choked as red bubbled form his mouth, painting his chin.


    ¡°Shhh, don¡¯t¡ª I need heals!¡± she cried out.


    The remaining Watch rushed to their side.


    ¡°Why, Del?¡± Rebekah said softly.


    ¡°The king,¡± he coughed, ¡°I saw him take your sword and¡­ stab it through both of you. This way¡­ he¡¯s far¡­ others¡­ keep him busy.¡±


    ¡°I only have a weak H.O.T.,¡± Max said.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Jake!¡± Hanna snapped.


    He had to have a few heals in one of his phones.


    ¡°Out,¡± Alexa said, staring at nothing, ¡°he had to use everything to stop Amber from bleeding out. We pulled them to the bathroom. Trevor¡¯s watching them.¡±


    ¡°Okay, we¡¯ll have to set your bones first. Hang on, Del. This is going to hurt,¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t feel anything,¡± Del coughed.


    He wheezed a handful of wet breaths before falling silent and still.


    Hanna didn¡¯t stick around, she threw herself back into the fray.


    Luther Collins, a mix of man and machinery, emptied two assault rifles into the charging Slaver King. He cast the guns aside and thrust a mechanical hand out into the king¡¯s bare chest.


    The force spell punched the king across the great hall¡¯s expanse.


    The one shot spell unit fell smoking to the floor.


    Together with Jake and his son they had figured out how to let it draw energy from the power source in his chest that drove his mechanical limbs and organs.


    Luther, Gearlok, sagged as the ever present hum of his internal engine weakened.


    The king didn¡¯t give him time to recover.


    Strong hands overpowered Luther¡¯s mechanical arm, ripping it with contemptuous ease.


    The king grabbed his flesh and blood arm.


    ¡°Think of how much better you¡¯d be with two of them,¡± he grinned. ¡°Double the firepower. I¡¯ll make use of you after we reprogram your brain. No idea how, but we¡¯ll figure it out, right?¡± he glanced back.


    Colin ran to the aid of his father, spraying bullets with desperation rather than skill.


    The king kicked Colin aside.


    ¡°Where was I?¡± the king stared into Luther¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to fuck with my head to make me serve you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m going to do. Like, I told you.¡±


    The arm tore at the elbow with wet sound.


    Luther didn¡¯t give him the satisfaction of making a sound.


    A dozen dark-skinned young women suddenly appeared around the two.


    Blades sliced and pistols fired.


    ¡°This is new,¡± the king cast Luther aside. ¡°Did you level up, ¡®Shootystabby¡¯? Terrible name by the way.¡±


    They all remained silent.


    Mouth closed, eyes focused.


    Twelve blades scored twelves thin lines through the ghosts sprouting from the king¡¯s back like blades of grass.


    Twelve pistols didn¡¯t miss.


    96 bullets struck the king¡¯s body.


    96 bullets were pushed out a second later.


    The king clapped his hands.


    A shockwave washed over the twelve young women.


    Eleven flickered.


    ¡°Found you,¡± the king pounced.


    Dayana flickered.


    Too slow.


    The king caught her by the back of her neck and lifted her to his face like a wriggling kitten.


    She flickered, but his grip remained strong and steady.


    He spun her around to block the incoming spray of sharp rocks.


    The caster canceled the spell before it could hit her teammate.


    ¡°Punchy, you¡¯ve looked better,¡± the king said.


    The fair-skinned young woman shrugged. ¡°Lost the arm,¡± she waved the blackened stump, ¡°killed a vampire lord or is it vampire lord or maybe vampire lord or mayb¡ª¡± she punched the floor.


    A wall of earth shot up between him and Dayana.


    He held on as the wall broke around his arm.


    A hundred cuts suddenly spiraled up his arm to his fingers.


    His grip loosened.


    The instant was enough for Dayana to kick off the wall to free herself.


    She flickered around to his back, stabbing deep into a kidney despite ghostly hands trying to hold her blade back.


    The hands grasped, but she flickered out of their reach, gasping for air a few dozen yards away.


    A young woman clad in steel armor rushed the Slaver King.


    Small arcs of blue-white electricity played across the battered and blood-stained steel.


    ¡°Looking tired there, Sparky. You gave it a good shot, but, as you can see,¡± he gestured to his head, ¡°skin¡¯s as fresh and smooth as a baby¡¯s.¡±


    Hayden lunged with a wordless shout.


    ¡°While you¡¯re running on empty,¡± he slapped her clumsy tackle aside and spun her around, slipping an arm around her neck and sticking a finger through her helmet¡¯s eye slit. ¡°You should¡¯ve worn something with thinner openings,¡± he slipped his finger into her eye.


    She screamed as her eye popped like a grape.


    ¡°As easy as slipping into a wet pussy,¡± he laughed. ¡°That¡¯ll be a reminder of what it means to go against your master. Every time you look in the mirror you¡¯ll remember your place. Hmm¡­ that¡¯s a good idea for the participants of the program. Every chick loses an eye¡­ nah, needlessly cruel. I¡¯ll have to save it as a serious-level punishment. A stick, not a carrot,¡± he tossed her over his shoulder like an empty burger wrapper. ¡°Stay down or I pop the other one.¡±


    He turned to take care of the last of the trio only to stare down the barrel of a .50 cal rifle.


    ¡°Eat dick, puto,¡± the tats on the glowing skin with the man¡¯s skeleton visible made for a fearsome sight.


    A grieving ranger braced her hands against the glowing man¡¯s back. Blood leaked from her mouth, but she glared at the Slaver King.


    Thunder cracked inside the great hall for what felt like the dozenth time this night.


    The impact struck the king like a falling mountain.


    The barrel exploded.


    X-Ray and Mouthy went flying back despite the superhuman strength the former had taken from dozens of spells and the latter¡¯s Skill.


    ¡°Get up, taint! He¡¯s not done!¡± Mouthy snapped.


    X-Ray groaned.


    The glow had faded almost to nothing.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to take my grief and use it to fuck him up!¡± she jabbed a finger at the king, who was pulling himself out of a distant wall.


    ¡°Fuck you, sergeant!¡± he spat blood. ¡°I ain¡¯t about to get all your feelings and shit. Hey, princess! Hit me up with some of that magic.¡±


    Swan Princess regarded him like a turd on the floor.


    ¡°Do it, but save some for yourself. We¡¯re the only rangers in here and I¡¯m fucking sharing.¡± Mouthy regarded the few fighters remaining standing. ¡°Listen up! If any of you got any magic left, I need you to shoot it into this power bottom,¡± she pointed at X-Ray.


    The two remaining furies, half dead, hit him with fire and lightning.


    Alexa¡¯s blast of pale, pink wreathed in unsettling black disappeared into his back.


    The Watch emptied the last of their spell phones.


    Blackstar raised a fist.


    ¡°Hold up! Not you!¡± X-Ray waved his hands.


    The glow intensified, radiating a kaleidoscope of colors from the mingled spell energy.


    X-Ray resembled nothing less than an irradiated skeleton wrapped in glowing light in the shape of a man as he thundered toward the king.


    ¡°Underestimated you,¡± he had time to get out before X-Ray knocked him back into the wall with a lowered shoulder.


    Booming punches rocked the king and sent broken debris tumbling in the shockwaves.


    Ghostly hands tried to block X-Ray¡¯s fists.


    The two traded furious punches for a long minute until X-Ray faltered.


    The king caught his fist. ¡°How¡¯d you fit that big ass gun in a phone?¡±


    ¡°Fuck if I know,¡± X-Ray spat, headbutting the king.


    They traded until X-Ray wobbled after one clipped his temple.


    He staggered back.


    The king rushed in, but was forced to retreat when a spell orb zipped past his face, spitting acid.


    ¡°Princess,¡± he nodded as the melted flesh healed.


    Swan Princess used the last of her mana on a handful of spell orbs.


    Ghostly hands snatched them out of the air before they could do more than spit a few measly spells at the king.


    He bounded across the distance.


    Dozens of yards with frightening speed.


    Mouthy met him with a bent mace.


    The blow broke bones in the kings face and her hand.


    Only one of them healed.


    His hand darted out like a striking viper, grasping her face, crushing the metal of her helmet. ¡°Grief huh? I¡¯ll save it for the interrogation.¡±


    She punched him, shattering her other hand.


    ¡°God damn,¡± the king pushed his jaw back into place. ¡°You hit a lot harder than you look like you should,¡± he shifted his grip to her throat and squeezed.


    Mouthy¡¯s legs kicked. She pounded broken hands on the king¡¯s extended arm while her eyes rolled into the back of her head.


    The blade cut.


    The arm fell¡­ until ghostly hands pulled it back into place.


    Swan Princess tried to drag Mouthy back.


    Glowing arms wrapped around the king¡¯s stomach.


    The blade flashed across his neck.


    He went for a ride, head cratering the hardwood floor.


    X-Ray held on.


    Up and down.


    The king crashed again.


    Twice more with the floor breaking suplex.


    The glow faded.


    A burst of strength broke glowing fingers.


    X-Ray scrambled to his feet.


    The king clapped his hands with the ranger¡¯s head in the middle.


    ¡°Like a ripe tomato,¡± the king wiped the red mess off on X-Ray¡¯s chest, marring the tattoo.


    The glow cooled and faded.


    ¡°I cut your head off,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Did you? I¡¯ll take your word for it,¡± the king shrugged.


    Rebekah advanced from the other side, firing her last magazine, using the last of her Skills.


    The king was too powerful, too high level compared to her.


    He shrugged of her suppression.


    The bolt clicked on empty.


    Hanna danced in behind her whirling blade.


    Each cut freed a soul or at least a piece of one.


    ¡°They are mine!¡± the king lashed out.


    The blow was a blur even to her.


    Her vision went black for a moment despite the Threnosh-made armor¡¯s anti-impact systems.


    Time enough for the king to reach Rebekah.


    She had discarded her empty carbine for an axe.


    He caught her power strike like it was a light tap.


    Grabbing her wrist he punched her in the face.


    The blow cracked the faceplate and made her see stars.


    Another blow cracked her ribs and stole her air.


    The Threnosh-made armor let the wearer walk away from being hit by a speeding car with nary a bruise.


    The king was going to punch her to death.


    A baseball streaked through the air, carving a long cut through the ghosts as it curved down his back.


    Alexa had returned with Trevor in tow.


    ¡°Shit! He¡¯s got a final form! What the actual fuck!¡±


    ¡°Shut up and throw stuff!¡± Alexa snapped.


    The lanky man hurled his remaining baseballs, cutting and burning through the ghosts to get through to the king.


    Max used the distraction to grab the semi-conscious Rebekah with his vines and pull her to him before retreating.


    Out of baseballs and projectiles, Trevor resorted to grabbing anything he could reach.


    Knives, forks, spoons, plates, glasses, bowls and food filled the air.


    The king sliced through it like a shark through water.


    He lifted Trevor by the front of the lanky man¡¯s armor.


    ¡°Aw, fuck,¡± Trevor muttered.


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­ whatever,¡± the king carried Trevor over to a pot of soup at one of the side stations. It had been left by the servers when the fight had started. ¡°Still hot,¡± he dunked Trevor¡¯s head.


    Was he being petty and unnecessarily cruel?


    Yes.


    They owed him for ruining what should¡¯ve been his most triumphant night.


    Now he was staring at a long rebuild.


    It was a downer.


    All the hard work of the last year and a half, ruined by a bunch of sanctimonious weaklings.


    How dare they try to destroy something that actually worked.


    ¡°The New American Republic won¡¯t fall to the jealous masses,¡± he said to no one in particular.


    The lanky man¡¯s struggles slowed.


    The bubbles floating to the surface of the lobster bisque dwindled.


    ¡°Just because you couldn¡¯t build something as great as I did,¡± he shook his head. ¡°You people are deplorable, always trying to tear down those that dare to rise above your mediocrity. Well, this is the spires world. Excellence is rewarded. It is tangible. There is no more ambiguity. The great level. You¡¯re kind can no longer make excuses.¡±


    Metal screamed.


    The bottom of the pot emptied.


    Trevor puked.


    Hanna laid the king¡¯s back open through the wailing ghosts.


    She stopped her next strike before it could cut Trevor¡¯s bisque-covered face.


    The king pushed Trevor forward like a shield.


    She was forced to spin away lest she cut Trevor or allow the king to break his body on her armor.


    She flared her aura, cutting at the king¡¯s arm.


    ¡°Damn you!¡± he cursed, forced to let go. ¡°Every time!¡±


    She launched a flurry of cuts and thrusts. Dull gray blade working with her aura.


    It was as though an entire company of the greatest sword fighters in the world swarmed over a single man.


    Each cut and thrust hurt the king and freed a stolen soul piece.


    She noticed it then.


    The wounds weren¡¯t closing as fast as before.


    The king scrambled for distance.


    Jayde tripped him with a low wall of dirt.


    Hanna descended like an angry angel.


    Fury for those the king had taken from her blazed in her eyes.


    He slapped his hands together, catching the sword point mere inches from his face.


    Blood dripped into an aye.


    Her aura sliced his hands and fingers.


    The sword slipped lower as she pushed all her hatred down onto it.


    From yards away, Jayde punched the ground with a whoop.


    A pillar of earth burst from the floor, pushing the king¡¯s head up.


    The blade pierced his eye with a satisfying squelch.


    Hanna vibrated her sword, turning his brain to pureed mush.


    His arms went slack.


    The ghosts wailed.


    ¡°It¡¯s not finished!¡± the magus warned.


    The Slaver King came to life with a burst of violence.


    Striking Hanna a dozen times in a second, sending her careening into a pile of debris.


    ¡°That was not enough damage to destroy the thousands I hold within me,¡± the king pulled the blade free and tossed it to Hanna. ¡°Do you have anything left?¡±


    The magus¡¯ remaining eyes flashed.


    The king endured the minute¡¯s long barrage until the magus had nothing left.


    She fell to the floor, clutching her head, leaking blood from her head holes.


    ¡°I know you can see it, magus. More than anyone else here. The souls of my subjects flowing into me. You¡¯ve cost me thousands, but I have many more to take.¡±


    ¡°You kill your own people. You¡¯ve sworn to protect them. You are nothing. Just another tyrant. One among the countless small men to have disgraced this world with their existence. You will be consigned to your proper place in history after you die.¡±


    ¡°From where I¡¯m standing it¡¯s looking like I¡¯ll be the one writing all this down. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be accurate. Unlike you revisionists. If I remember correctly the shithole region of the world you come from is all about tyranny and dictators. Like, going back hundreds of years. I mean, we had to keep going over there to take care of your dictators and you still kept fucking it up.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the cause of all those problems. You placed those men in power so that you could take our resources for a fraction of their worth.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s how the world works. The strong take from the weak. Don¡¯t like it? Get strong,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Now, I notice that you¡¯re down an eye. Are you the Magus of the Nine Eyes now? Why don¡¯t we make that eight. To show my magnanimity, I¡¯ll let you pick. Which one is your least favorite?¡±


    ¡°I refuse,¡± the magus willed the dregs of her mana to life.


    A red-pupiled monster eye flashed, searing half the king¡¯s torso into a blackened mess of steaming flesh and weeping blood.


    As the magus collapsed the eyes laid around her like a pack of puppies.


    A wall of earth barred his path to the fallen magus.


    Jayde breathed deeply.


    ¡°I can just tear this down,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°Distraction,¡± she muttered.


    Hanna cut.


    The king roared.


    He clubbed her to the floor.


    He raised a foot to stomp on the back of her armored head.


    A stone pillar punched him into the air, through the broken skylight and up nearly a thousand feet into the lashing rain and whipping wind.


    ¡°Send me,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°All I¡¯ve got left,¡± Jayde punched the ground and passed out.


    Hanna soared.


    She cut the king as her ascent met his descent.


    He reached out and grabbed her ankle, pulling her close.


    She stabbed and cut, while he crushed and punched.


    They hit something in midair.


    A platform of what looked like hardened water.


    Not ice.


    Water.


    A figure stood nearby, partially hidden by the darkness and curtain of rain.


    Red lighting flashed to reveal a towering mass of hard, bronzed muscle holding a massive obsidian axe like a flag.


    ¡°No man shall own another,¡± Tlaloc said.


    Lightning pounded the Slaver King into the floor, freeing stolen souls with each strike.


    A dozen strikes charged the air inside the great hall.


    The axe fell from the sky like a meteor.


    The Slaver King screamed as it cleaved through his elbow.


    Ghosts wavered and vanished as they touched the axe.


    Tlaloc zoomed to the axe and whirled it over his head.


    Hanna landed a moment later, sword poised.


    They struck together.


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    Axe and sword halted over the Slaver King.


    Tlaloc and Hanna strained, but they couldn¡¯t budge the invisible hands holding their weapons back.


    ¡°Contemptible person,¡± Tlaloc growled.


    ¡°Cal? Why?¡± Hanna pleaded.


    ¡°He¡¯ll die. That is a guarantee, but he needs to do it in a way that¡¯ll at least start the healing process for all his victims.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s hurt and killed so many!¡± Hanna¡¯s voice bared her anguish. ¡°They¡¯re gone forever. He did that!¡± she snarled.


    ¡°Then you understand why his death needs to be seen by every survivor. That thing you¡¯re feeling. Imagine how it¡¯ll linger in the thousands out there if you kill him now. It¡¯ll eat away at their souls more than he already has, festering into something ugly that they¡¯ll carry with them and spread to others. His legacy lasting longer than it should.¡±


    ¡°Talking about me like I¡¯m already dead, I¡¯ll¡ª¡±


    The Slaver King¡¯s mouth snapped shut.


    Eyes bulged.


    Muscles in his neck and face strained.


    Silence.


    ¡°It might be enough for some to know that he met his just end, but it won¡¯t be like that for all. Would it for you?¡±


    ¡°I will hold you responsible if he escapes the true justice,¡± Tlaloc said. He pulled his axe back and rested it on his shoulder. He pressed a massive foot on the Slaver King¡¯s chest. ¡°Give me an excuse to crush you like the insect you are.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Hanna,¡± Cal pleaded. ¡°The fight isn¡¯t over. Monsters are still out there killing people, some are innocent. People killing people. Not all deserve it. I need you out there.¡±


    ¡°What about him?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s done.¡±


    The king¡¯s eyes fluttered and closed.


    ¡°Trapped in a nightmare of his own making. I told you, he¡¯ll pay for what he¡¯s done from this moment till his last.¡±


    ¡°Fine!¡± Hanna snapped. ¡°We need healers. Amber¡¯s hurt bad.¡±


    ¡°Me too,¡± Jayde waved her charred stump weakly from where she lay on the floor.


    ¡°They¡¯re on their way.¡±


    ¡°Where do you need me?¡±


    ¡°Rangers need help defending a nursery from monsters. I need to deal with a demon, but I¡¯ll drop you off on the way. Tlaloc¡ª¡±


    The tower waved a ham-sized hand dismissively. ¡°I will protect the wounded and I will make sure this scum,¡± he kicked the Slaver King, ¡°can do no more harm.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Cal floated into the sky with Hanna in tow.

 7.61 Epilogue

    Perfect intel was¡­ perfect.


    Captain Butcher received information that one of their last remaining HVT¡¯s was headed for the airport with a relatively small escort.


    She rushed out of their forward command center and climbed aboard the drake, strapping herself in she tapped the rider and began issuing orders into the comms.


    The rain was only a minor inconvenience thanks to the technology in her helmet.


    They flew swiftly toward their target while other aerial assets hurried to pick up more assets before converging.


    Red lightning flashed through low and heavy clouds.


    She winced.


    If the slavers were smart they¡¯d have eyes skyward.


    The drakes¡¯ and wyverns¡¯ silhouettes would be visible if they had decent Skills or spells.


    Which was why rangers in the air corps had their own concealment abilities.


    Electronic counter warfare for the magical age.


    Several drakes and two wyverns, most of what they had left, soared above the convoy like raptors circling a snake.


    ¡°Slaver convoy sighted, marking targets by threat.¡± Ophry¡¯s said.


    Captain Butcher looked down as her pilot guided the drake into a severely-angled bank.


    Red outlined the trucks carrying anti-air weaponry. Yellow marked two tanks, one in the lead and one at the rear. One single armored SUV was in green.


    ¡°Mr. Cruces, can you handle to lead tank?¡± she said into the comms.


    ¡°I can,¡± a deep voice replied.


    ¡°Mrs. Cruces, are you ready to block fire?¡±


    ¡°Of course, captain!¡±


    Captain Butcher heard the ever-present smile.


    ¡°Everyone else?¡±


    Acknowledgment came in one by one.


    ¡°On my go. Remember, we need the HVT alive.¡±


    They needed him alive long enough to pick his brain apart.


    They wanted to come up with every possible counter to the slavery collars.


    Its creator would spill every scrap of knowledge before he would be tried and executed.


    ¡°Go.¡±


    Rayna¡¯s father leapt off wyvern back to land on the lead tank.


    He tore the turret like it was made out of cardboard and tossed it aside.


    The convoy screeched to a halt before starting up again in a bid to cross to the other side of the street.


    Roof-mounted .50 cal machine guns opened up.


    Captain Butcher watched the tracers lighting Mr. Cruces up, but they had about the same effect as the rain drops.


    He bounded across the street to shoulder check an armored Humvee into an old McDonald¡¯s.


    A second vehicle tried to run him over only for him to flip it sideways, blocking the street.


    The ruined tank followed suit, flipped upside down like a sad turtle, treads spinning.


    Whoever was in charge of the slaver escort knew her stuff and had pretty good Skills.


    They would¡¯ve gotten around pretty easily had they been faced with almost anyone else.


    ¡°Mr. Cruces, the other tank, if you please.¡±


    He leapt over the convoy.


    Tracers followed him all along the arc of his super jump.


    The second tank got a surprisingly accurate shot off.


    He slapped the 120mm shell out of the air.


    The explosion swallowed him up, but he emerged an instant later still on track.


    The barrel bent like putty in his hands.


    The second tank shared the same fate as the first.


    Tracer fire and spells lit up the rain-shrouded sky.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ they want to take some of us down with them.¡±


    Too bad.


    Many-colored forcefields protected every aerial asset the rangers had in the sky.


    ¡°Proceed bombardment.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, guys,¡± Mr. Cruces said into the comms as he used a few more vehicles to box in the rest.


    Drakes and wyverns swooped down and rained fire on the slavers, careful to avoid the green-lined SUV.


    A wyvern crushed a Humvee under its armored bulk.


    It roared a challenge as gun and spell fire bounced off the forcefield.


    The remaining slavers had enough.


    Weapons hit the slick road and hands reached for the sky.


    ¡°Mr. Cruces, if you please.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get the bastards.¡±


    He strode to the green-lined SUV and ripped its door open.


    Gun fire and spells struck his wife¡¯s forcefield.


    He reached in and tossed an old, severe-looking man face first into a dirty puddle.


    ¡°That¡¯s General Mark Johnson,¡± she said. ¡°Secure him for trial.¡±


    Rangers on the ground complied.


    In quick order, Mr. Cruces pulled slavers out of the SUV, slapping them into unconsciousness before tossing them into waiting ranger arms.


    The last was a man that appeared to have soiled himself.


    Noel Washington, along with the Slaver King, the one responsible for the collar system.


    He was zip-tied unceremoniously and left face down on the wet road.


    ¡°No casualties,¡± Captain Butcher let out a breath.


    She had lost enough.


    She thanked fortune that Rayna¡¯s parents had been made available. Otherwise her rangers would¡¯ve shed blood on this last op of this blood-soaked night.


    <hr>


    Cal studied the demon with his mind¡¯s eye.


    Most of the remaining rangers had departed when he had arrived to allow his parents to help capture the last HVT remaining loose. Only Madalena, Lilah and a handful of mages remained with him.


    The pale pink thing seemed to be there and not as it touched the sigil dome Lilah had trapped it within.


    It ate the magic both physically and conceptually with those vortex-like mouths that seemed to be capable of opening anywhere on its skin.


    ¡°You know it¡¯s eating your sigils?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m replenishing it thanks to the rangers¡¯ help and I also changed it a little so that it could take ambient mana,¡± Lilah nodded.


    ¡°Well, good job. I¡¯m pretty sure it¡¯ll hold as long as it keeps getting mana.¡±


    He hadn¡¯t seen the girl in a long time and she had grown.


    Almost as tall as him.


    Which wasn¡¯t saying much to be fair.


    Not a girl anymore.


    A proper teenager.


    All gangly limbs, knees and elbows.


    And here she was the only thing keeping a demon from going on a rampage in the middle of a slaver kingdom.


    That was his fault too.


    Just like all the deaths.


    Faces and names flashed across his thoughts.


    The ones he cared about stood out the most.


    Allies and friends.


    Gone forever.


    Many thousands followed.


    Some deserving, most not.


    The latter would¡¯ve just been anonymous names on a tally back in the old days.


    Collateral damage.


    To be ignored by military leaders and only remembered by political leaders if there was something to be gained in the act.


    The litany of their last moments, their hopes, their dreams played for him.


    Jase Hunt, 57 years old. Once a soldier, always a soldier. He hadn¡¯t much liked the whole slavery thing when it started, but he hadn¡¯t been in charge and he hadn¡¯t much liked the thought of leaving. Too many monsters out on the roads between cities and towns. Time had quickly worn away at his misgivings. Slaves made things easier and safer for everyone. Heck, they even liked it according to the king. They were always smiling, after all. Old Jase ended up commanding a company of his own. His last thought had been wondering why his essential assistant¡¯s ever-present smile had been replaced by a snarl as the knife in her hand twisted into his stomach.


    Alayah Roberson, 30 years old. The spires had forced her community to put aside petty differences and band together for survival. And for the most part, they had. Alayah had risen by dint of her determination, acumen and empathy to lead the community. All that effort had been ruined over the course of a week. They had fought their hardest, but the slavers outnumbered and outleveled them. In the end, the ones that had survived ended up with collars around their necks. What had followed was complete and utter degradation. She remembered all that she had suffered willingly and happily. She had led the rest of the freed in a slaughter that spared none in the noble¡¯s household. She had wanted blood and she had gotten it. A night of slaughter through several neighborhoods with her at its head. Freed people killed slavers and died in turn. She had met her end while locked in a duel with a high-level slaver captain when a pale pink blur came across them. Why had they taken away her dreams? Couldn¡¯t they have just left her alone?


    Future Davenport, almost 2 years old. Named for the sunny, happy times ahead his parents saw in the distance. They had dared to put the past 18 years behind them. Only children themselves when the spires had appeared, the days before had been a distant memory, growing hazier by the year. Safety, a home, a household enslaved. It was much like their old lives. Little Future died in his mother¡¯s arms, smothered before the monster¡¯s teeth could tear him apart.


    There were more.


    He allowed them to have their voices heard, even if he was their only audience.


    ¡°Can you kill it?¡± Madalena broke him free from the trap in his thoughts.


    Seconds in real time had passed while he watched and experienced hours of the last moments of the dead.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s rejecting reality in favor of its own,¡± he mused. ¡°A trick of perception. It gets cut or an arm gets torn off then it simply decides that neither ever happened¡­ but¡­ there exists a limit, like I thought.¡±


    ¡°Tito and tita couldn¡¯t kill it even though I saw them doing damage that would kill anything else.¡±


    ¡°Not enough, not fast enough. A combination of the two. I think eventually it would¡¯ve ran out of its ability. From what I¡¯ve seen it takes energy from what it kills. Anyways, with it trapped I can just damage it constantly over a few days or¡­¡±


    ¡°Or what?¡±


    He blinked.


    ¡°Kuya?¡±


    ¡°Sorry¡­ thinking.¡±


    He had gotten lost in other memories again.


    ¡°Okay, Lilah, drop your wards when I say and then everyone leave.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ how far?¡± Aims said.


    He blinked.


    ¡°Ranger base camp.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you need our help?¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°Not for this.¡± He reached out and restrained the demon in a telekinetic grasp that gave it no purchase to push against. ¡°Okay, Lilah, now.¡±


    The glowing yellow-gold script winked out of existence and left the demon floating motionless.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Madalena, go, get some rest. I¡¯ll call you if I need help.¡±


    They piled into a commandeered SUV and drove off.


    The demon was a thing of magic, thought and other things Cal couldn¡¯t describe in mere words. However, to have a presence in the world it took on physical aspects. Tangible, touchable things. Namely, something that resembled cells.


    He dived deeper and found structures similar, yet different from any biological life form.


    He took a hold of these base components and ripped them apart.


    Like splitting the atom¡­ almost.


    The effect was unsurprisingly similar.


    The explosion would¡¯ve destroyed miles in every direction.


    Instead, he contained it in a bubble and shot it into space where it temporarily turned dark, rain-drenched night into day.


    A thin trickle of blood leaked down to his lips.


    One down, a few more to go.


    Isaac Freeman was easy.


    The man just needed a little encouragement and support to draw in the inferno of his being.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Isaac muttered.


    The dark skinned man knelt in the middle of a blasted landscape as the rain steamed in the residual heat from fires hot enough to turn the ground in an area several hundred yards wide to glass.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, I¡¯ll take you to your hotel room. Luckily, it¡¯s still standing, can¡¯t say the same for a few others.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t help.¡±


    ¡°You might¡¯ve fumbled a bit at the end there, but I can¡¯t complain. You won your division. Kept the least desirable ones from winning. Had it not been you, then their rewards might¡¯ve tipped the balance.¡±


    ¡°So, the Slaver King is dead?¡±


    ¡°Not yet. We won though.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good. I¡¯ll stay here for awhile.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know when he¡¯ll shut off the water. Might be that the storm¡¯s going to stick around like a normal one.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. The cold wet will be a good reminder of how I failed.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but I don¡¯t think you need to be as hard on yourself as you think you do, Isaac.¡±


    ¡°I could¡¯ve killed everyone in the stadium.¡±


    ¡°But you didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°They might not be so lucky next time. I lost control. That can¡¯t happen. It¡¯s the one thing I need to be responsible for. All my efforts, all my thoughts, everything is focused on keeping the inferno inside.¡±


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll let you know when it¡¯s time to take you back home.¡±


    Cal left the fire in the shell of a man to steam in the rain.


    He went directly to Isaac¡¯s opposite number from the tournament.


    Strong waves crashed against the beach, threatening to reach the boardwalk.


    ¡°Might need to ask Tlaloc to take it down a bit.¡±


    He spotted the dragon before he saw her huge form slide up out of the ocean like a beached whale.


    The dark shape rose up as it stalked over the sand, occasional flashes of lightning revealed dark cerulean scales and eyes that sucked in lesser beings¡¯ wills like whirlpools. She flared her wings once for effect before tucking them tight to her sleek body.


    ¡°Cezirichella,¡± he sighed. ¡°What are your intentions?¡±


    The dragon seamlessly transitioned into the slaver-dubbed ¡®Sapphire Smasher¡¯ as she stepped imperiously up to him with a slight tilt of her head.


    The tween girl with blue hair that fell in waves and eyes like swirling ocean tides revealed sharp canines in a challenging grin.


    ¡°Good fights.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s one. I know there are others. How about you tell me that biggest one?¡±


    ¡°Tiny Earthian, I don¡¯t answer to you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not interested in a challenge right now¡­ or ever. What I will do is launch you far, far away. That way,¡± he jabbed a thumb over his soldier toward the northwest. ¡°Two thousand miles at least. You¡¯ll be in the middle of the biggest landmass on this part of the world. Flat plains in all directions. Just about as far from the ocean as you can be.¡±


    Cezirichella shivered, her face twisted in disgust before she could master it.


    ¡°I fear not that fate, nor you, tiny human.¡±


    ¡°How about the life boon you owe Rayna and Eron for protecting you from that boomer dragon?¡±


    ¡°The eater,¡± she shivered again as the dark, dreadful memory played across the surface of her thoughts. ¡°A worthy deed, yet¡­ boons cannot be claimed by nestmates,¡± she narrowed her eyes. ¡°Is this an Earth custom?¡±


    ¡°No, but what I¡¯m suggesting is that since Rayna will be here in a few hours¡ª¡±


    ¡°Very well, tiny one. I will deign to hear your words,¡± the girl dragon waved a hand dismissively.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°I seek dominion. It is our way,¡± she held up a hand to forestall his words. ¡°However, I have taken to heart Rayna¡¯s words. I will do as you Earthian¡¯s do and I will hold an election for the people of this Miami to elect me their Dragon Overlord. Today Miami, tomorrow Florida, further tomorrow the wor¡ª er¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡±


    Minus the world part, it was a few rungs on the ladder better than what Cezirichella¡¯s aunt, for lack of a better word, did in Hawaii.


    ¡°And what if I don¡¯t want you to?¡±


    ¡°Then we will do as custom dictates.¡±


    ¡°Right, battle?¡± he sighed.


    She eyed him warily while grinning.


    Even without his powers he could see that she wasn¡¯t eager for the prospect.


    The possibilities spread out in front of him in his mind¡¯s eye.


    The New American Republic was no more.


    What tended to happen when nations broke apart?


    Violence as petty warlords arose like lions, hyenas and vultures fighting over an elephant¡¯s corpse.


    He could prevent all that by taking control.


    Some would argue that was his responsibility, since he had broken it.


    He would argue that¡­ yeah, but no.


    He wanted to be with his family.


    The last thing he wanted or needed was to be surrounded with slavers and their thoughts for however many years.


    The slavers were the least of his concerns.


    ¡°Okay, you can have your election, but I have conditions.¡±


    ¡°You have no claws in the hoard.¡±


    ¡°I do, actually. I could argue that this place belongs to me now. By right of strength and conquest. Which takes us back to me and you fighting for it, which takes you to somewhere in the middle of the great plains. And I will keep you there until I get bored.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this. Listen, just a few conditions for now, though I reserve the right to add more in the future.¡±


    ¡°I deign to listen to the opening and closing of your mouth and its cow teeth.¡±


    ¡°No slavery, ever.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s wrong.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve observed it on multiple worlds. Two-legged ones often chain their own kind.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I don¡¯t care. No slavery or we fight.¡±


    ¡°Fine. What is your next demand?¡±


    ¡°Those dragon boon things¡­ you will refrain from giving them to people I deem unworthy.¡±


    ¡°No. I need them to build a strong domain.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying you can¡¯t boon people, just not all people. There can be no rewards for slavers.¡±


    ¡°That is most of these people, no?¡±


    ¡°No. There are more than enough that would fit my criteria to be booned by you.¡±


    ¡°How many?¡±


    ¡°Roughly seventy percent of the remaining population. Not counting those formerly enslaved.¡±


    ¡°Acceptable.¡±


    ¡°If you lose the election you have to accept the results. No tsunamis.¡±


    ¡°Foolish tiny one, I have studied your world¡¯s elections thanks to the writings Rayna lent me.¡±


    ¡°That isn¡¯t reassuring,¡± he sighed. ¡°Okay, one last thing. No elections until everything is settled.¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± she turned and headed back toward the Atlantic.


    ¡°I mean it!¡±


    ¡°I shall content myself with punishing the interlopers in my domain,¡± Cezirichella waved.


    Did she consider the ocean hers?


    A quick scan.


    Yes, she did.


    All of them in fact.


    A hundred-year-old dragon with the irrational bravery of a ten-year-old human.


    ¡°There¡¯s no way they¡¯ll vote for her. I¡¯ll just have to make sure the opponent isn¡¯t evil,¡± he sighed.


    Dreams of leaving Florida and never looking back slipped out of his grasp.


    <hr>


    What was a king without a kingdom?


    Just a man.


    The Slaver King was no more.


    He had lost his class and had reverted to his old ones.


    Interestingly enough, he had kept the equivalent levels. Though the parts weren¡¯t nearly equivalent to the sum.


    Not that it mattered.


    No matter how hard he tried he couldn¡¯t escape his chains.


    An irony his guards never failed to point out when they mocked him incessantly.


    All he could do was take it in silence.


    Not by choice, mind you.


    Something kept him from speaking.


    The words in his head turned into incoherent blubbering whenever he opened his mouth.


    It didn¡¯t take a genius to guess who did this to him.


    The trial took a month.


    Well, two weeks.


    He had spent the first two weeks in his own dungeon.


    Part of him had rested his hopes on his men out beyond Miami in his other settlements and of his remaining subjects in the city. Though he had directly caused many of them to die, he was fairly certain that they didn¡¯t know that and even if the invaders outed him, why would the outsiders be believed?


    His people still greatly outnumbered the enemy and so, he had waited for the sounds of violence to filter through the dungeon corridors, heralding his freedom and triumphant return to power.


    Two weeks and all he had ever heard and seen were the former slaves changing shifts and feeding him slop, mocking all the while.


    Damn them for not accepting their place in the natural order of things.


    His trial had taken place in the old courthouse packed with slaves, he had refused to see them as anything else. The judge was an old woman, a former slave by the lighter circle of skin around her neck and, it turned out, was a judge in the old days. The prosecutor, also a former slave and once a prosecutor.


    The attorney assigned to defend him?


    The same.


    He had opened his mouth to protest and demand the right to defend himself before he remembered.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    A braying sound had come out to the laughter of the packed courtroom.


    He had seethed at those beneath him thinking they were better, but he shut his mouth.


    The charges had been read quickly, professionally with no emotion.


    His lawyer had eyed him balefully before putting in a guilty plea.


    He had tried to strike the woman with his chained hands, but something held them down.


    And thus, the parade of so-called victims began.


    Two weeks of it.


    Slaves had come to take the stand and tell their sob stories under the watchful eye of multiple truth spells and Skills.


    Not like those could¡¯ve been faked or the wielder had simply lied.


    Most of the slaves had been ones that he had personally interacted with.


    Assistants and the like.


    Teary-eyed young women.


    So ungrateful.


    He had never been rough or hurtful.


    It had been a sham trial.


    A kangaroo court.


    One designed to give the slaves revenge regardless of the reality of the situation.


    Had he not provided them a safe place for so many years?


    Had he not made them happy?


    He had been miles better than the slavemasters hundreds of years ago.


    He had gone to the effort to give them collars that made their rightful servitude pleasant and fulfilling.


    He could¡¯ve just done slavery the same way old America had.


    And this was how they repaid his kindness.


    He sat in the back of an old police armored van.


    Chains forced him into a bent posture.


    Couldn¡¯t even give him the dignity of a last meal.


    Just the same slop.


    He heard the crowd filling the streets in front of the old courthouse.


    Ungrateful filth braying for his blood like savages.


    ¡°They¡¯re eager to watch justice be done.¡±


    He blinked, jerking back in surprise, chains pulling painfully at his wrists, neck and back.


    That same man sat across from him in the dim police van.


    He knew better than to open his mouth.


    This isn¡¯t justice, he thought.


    ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking. Probably, something about how this isn¡¯t justice.¡±


    Easy guess, you fucking piece of shit manlet. I should¡¯ve killed you first when I had the chance.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see how you can have any legitimate complaints about your trial. Unlike the old days, you can¡¯t really finesse things by hiding evidence or outright lying about them. And since money isn¡¯t a real thing anymore, you can¡¯t buy your way out of all those sex assault charges. Can¡¯t pay off your victims either. All the facts of your actions laid out bare without ambiguity. A truer justice this world has never seen. Objective truth. You subjective morality types hate that, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Objective morality is a fantasy of the weak and powerless.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± the man waved a hand dismissively, ¡°your take on morality is rooted in plain selfishness.¡±


    Fuck you, sanctimonious bitch!


    ¡°That selfishness brought suffering and trauma to the thousands you put in collars. Then, you released monsters on everyone just for a power boost. I don¡¯t rate monarchies. Even with the class, it¡¯s just stupid. Divine right of kings,¡± he scoffed. ¡°It was idiotic going all the way back in history. Making up new excuses to justify the value of kings and queens in our era wasn¡¯t much better. They were leeches living extravagant lives off the backs of taxpaying people for the value they brought in national pride, prestige and charitable causes. The rational mind would¡¯ve just taken those billions supporting them and given them directly to the everyone else.¡±


    Figures you¡¯d be a socialist.


    ¡°Star Trek over Star Wars,¡± he smirked.


    What is the point of all this bullshit? You just gonna rant at me about your pussy ideologies? Fuck off. Let me die in peace.


    ¡°You deserve worse than what you¡¯re getting¡­ but that would make me a savage, wouldn¡¯t it? If I acted like you and let your victims do to you what they actually wanted. No¡­ slippery slopes and all that. I¡¯ve slid down far enough because you had to just bring slavery back and make it, not exactly worse, but more insidious. It¡¯s a whole debate. I¡¯m not sure what I think yet and it¡¯ll take me time to process the absolute evil you¡¯ve done here.¡±


    Everything was fine before you showed up. Everything was great and getting better. I was going to bring back the world! I was going to lead humanity into the new era of prosperity and power! This world and others out there!


    ¡°I¡¯ve only been to one other world¡­¡±


    What?


    ¡°But I¡¯ve encountered beings from at least a couple of others. You¡¯ve got a lot of unearned arrogance if you think that you were just a few years away from playing with the big boys. Shit, look at where you¡¯ve ended up. Anyways, I¡¯ve just had about enough of time in your presence. I want you to know that I¡¯ve already¡­ pacified¡­ the rest of your settlements and such, so no last minute rescues or long simmering revenge. There will be no lost cause myths this time. Your history, everything you¡¯ve done here will be accurately recorded and re-told. I¡¯ve heard that quite a lot of people involved in toppling your little slaver kingdom are already writing down their experiences for future memoirs and more immediate books. As for the people you enslaved.


    Nothing can take away what I¡¯ve accomplished in such a short amount of time. I went big and I almost pulled it off. I regret nothing.


    ¡°Your kind tends to be delusional from my experience. The lies you tell yourselves to be the hero. The good guy. Truth is that you¡¯re a rapist. Dozens back in college and beyond. Always got bailed out by daddy¡¯s money and connections. You¡¯re a bad person. Always have been. You see, I know you better than you know yourself,¡± he leaned forward, ¡°sociopath. Your best case scenario would¡¯ve been being raised by good parents that would¡¯ve taught you to live a life that didn¡¯t hurt others.¡±


    You don¡¯t know me, bitch!


    ¡°Die. I only hope that somehow your victims know that you can¡¯t hurt anyone else.¡±


    The armored door groaned.


    The once Slaver King blinked.


    He was alone.


    Hands pulled him roughly.


    Angry voices assailed him from all sides.


    Thousands of people filled the streets in every direction.


    The crowd cried for justice.


    A raised platform waited at the end of a long walk.


    A longer rope and a shorter drop followed.


    <hr>


    Elsewhere, two Heartfuries lounged in an old haunt.


    Jayde and Dayana bounced ping pong balls into red cups.


    Juice, strictly non-alcoholic, due to being in recovery for all their injuries. There were limits to what could be healed, even with magic.


    Case in point, Jayde¡¯s stump.


    Cauterizing it hadn¡¯t done her any favors in the long-term. Gangrene had set in, but thanks to a spell it had been fixed in a few minutes. Now, all she had to deal with was a bit of tenderness¡­ oh, and the loss of a hand and arm.


    An errant toss saw her ball not even bounce on the table.


    ¡°You¡¯re not sneaking booze when I go to the bathroom, are you?¡± Dayana¡¯s eyes narrowed. The hits she had taken from the Slaver King had really done a number on her internal organs. Like Jayde, she was on the mend, but for some reason that included a bladder with the capacity of a thimble. Which was metaphorical, the x-rays showed that everything was where it was supposed to be, she had checked.


    ¡°I¡¯m using my off hand,¡± Jayde groused.


    ¡°What happened to all the ambidexterity practice?¡±


    ¡°Apparently, I needed more. Never got the stupid Skill,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°You gonna take Jake up on that offer?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll explore it. Magitech sounds awesome, but will it mess with my class?¡±


    ¡°You should be happy that you didn¡¯t get a downgrade,¡± Dayana bounced a ping pong ball into Jayde¡¯s last red cup.


    ¡°Gained levels, broke 50, but I¡¯m still behind you. Fucking spires could¡¯ve at least given me more. I mean, I sacrificed an arm and I feel like I contributed a lot. Solo-killed a vampire lord. Laid down big damage on the king. So on and so forth. Fuck! Well, I guess I¡¯m happy for you,¡± she took a drink of flavored sugar water. ¡°Surprised that you aren¡¯t rubbing it into my face. Seems out of character, you know?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to be magnanimous, also I don¡¯t want to make you feel worse about still being behind me in level.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, no, that¡¯s what¡¯s worse. Like, you¡¯re pitying me or something lame. Go on. Brag about possibly being the highest leveled person.¡±


    ¡°Maybe later.¡±


    ¡°Have you tried out your Skill? I¡¯m still debating which one to pick for mine. Skill or spell, Skill or spell?¡± she mimed juggling, which looked odd with only one hand and arm.


    ¡°Er¡­ I was advised against it considering my, uh, delicate physical state.¡±


    ¡°Lame¡­ let¡¯s switch sides,¡± Jayde gestured to Dayana¡¯s end of the table with its full complement of juice-filled cups. ¡°Also, you¡¯re gonna have to refill, on account of my stump. I swear, I don¡¯t know what¡¯s worse, the itch I can¡¯t scratch or the random stabbing pain. No, actually, it¡¯s reaching for stuff like I still have it.¡±


    ¡°You should talk to someone about it. Jake, Cal or hell, there¡¯s like a couple of dozen people here missing stuff.¡±


    ¡°Shit, that reminds me, I have to hook the Golden Eagles up with Jake and them. Spread that magitech prosthetic shit around.¡±


    ¡°No need. I talked with Cal when you and Hayden were out. It was one of the parts of the deal. They¡¯re working out a schedule.¡±


    ¡°Say? Do we need to keep an eye on Hayden?¡±


    ¡°Why? The Dread Paladin¡¯s headed back to SoCal.¡±


    ¡°Should we say something about the whole revenge thing? I mean, I¡¯ve got her back, but I¡¯m not exactly in top shape for a fight.¡±


    ¡°Neither is he from what I heard.¡±


    ¡°The fuck you mean?¡±


    Dayana shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know, just think about what¡¯d you do if you only had one goal in life and you accomplished it. What comes next? It seems that he¡¯s got nothing. Wants nothing.¡±


    ¡°What about that Vow thing?¡± she wiggled her fingers.


    ¡°A problem for a later day, according to¡ª¡±


    ¡°Okay, got it. So, I¡¯ve been thinking. Are we astronauts now?¡±


    ¡°Depends on who you ask, I guess.¡±


    ¡°We went into space!¡± Jayde threw her hand up. ¡°Rayna flew us, like, fifty miles up! It was all dark, but then colorful.¡± Her eyes narrowed, ¡°saw the curve to. Guess that kills the whole flat Earth thing. It was a cool trip.¡±


    ¡°A lot quicker too.¡±


    ¡°I know that.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You said it like you were going to explain because you thought I didn¡¯t know, bitch,¡± Jayde grinned.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t.¡±


    Dayana was in fact going to explain why a parabolic flight path into low orbit or its general vicinity was a faster trip.


    Miami to Austin was about a thousand miles as the old planes flew.


    Rayna¡¯s gravity bubble flight covered about a hundred and fifty miles, plus she went hypersonic.


    She wasn¡¯t too clear on the difference, but it was supposed to be faster than supersonic.


    It had been a stunning experience floating weightless along with everyone as they zoomed into outer space and back down.


    The only thing she¡¯d have asked for was to actually feel a little of the G-forces to really make it real.


    Then again that probably wouldn¡¯t have been good for healthy her, let alone injured her.


    ¡°Yeah, I think we¡¯re technically astronauts,¡± Jayde nodded sagely. ¡°You know what? Forget this game. It¡¯s almost dinner time. Why don¡¯t we go get Hayden and Swan Prim-cess, grab some street tacos? Haven¡¯t had Mama Rosa¡¯s in, like, a year.¡±


    ¡°Has it been that long since we¡¯ve been back here?¡±


    ¡°Just about.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m game.¡±


    ¡°Gonna be a bitch to eat tacos with one hand.¡±


    Dayana raised a brow.


    ¡°I like to two-fist my tacos. Guess those days are over,¡± Jayde scowled. ¡°Gonna get birria juice all over my Jarritos bottle¡­¡± she muttered.


    <hr>


    Time passed.


    Half a country away, Drake sat a bit uncomfortably in a sea of mourners.


    He wasn¡¯t technically a part of Rayna¡¯s Rangers.


    However, they wanted him there for he had spent the most time with Shrewed and had been the last to see the grizzled, old brawler alive.


    The memory came back.


    They had just won.


    Cal had destroyed the slavery machine and zoomed out to join the fight with the Slaver King.


    All the slavers were dead or down thanks to the timely arrival of that scary, blindfold lady with the white light.


    He had immediately tried to reach Shrewed on the comms.


    He remembered the claws clenching around his guts when there was no answer.


    He had nearly run into Lyta and the toddler when he rushed to the rear entrance of the central control chamber.


    Shrewed was buried underneath slavers.


    Bodies covered the dark hallway floor as far as his light could reach.


    He¡¯d find out later that Shrewed had laid the slavers down like carpet as he fought alone to keep them from interrupting Cal at a critical junction.


    ¡°I had no idea,¡± Cal had told him later. ¡°It was taking all my concentration to keep the king from killing the remaining enslaved that hadn¡¯t been freed yet. I owe Shrewed everything. If he hadn¡¯t kept them out then¡­ I wouldn¡¯t have been able to save the ones I did.¡±


    He vowed to remember Shrewed and the time they spent at that fat lord¡¯s mansion.


    The knowledge shared. The stories told.


    Street wisdom, Shrewed had called it.


    Drake regarded the field.


    There had to be at least a thousand people.


    Shrewed hadn¡¯t had any family from what he had said, but that was wrong, Drake knew.


    The rangers were the old man¡¯s family.


    One funeral among many.


    Cal attended them all, sometimes from a discrete distance since the fallen ranger¡¯s family wanted small affairs.


    He watched his sister solemnly standing together with Kayl, whose hair had gone mostly gray, though she was still strong and fit.


    Time passed swiftly.


    Funerals upon funerals.


    It seemed as if he was flying back and forth, north and south every hour.


    One last ceremony in Southern California.


    The names of the fallen had been carved into the massive granite wall he and Eron had flown in a long time ago from a distant mountain range.


    The old names¡­


    Iz - Ruben Villegas


    One-eye - Isis Burke


    Punchkicker - Donovan Jones


    Swampbutt - Regan Anderson


    Hammers - Frank Clay


    Three-plates - Rodrick Tran


    Smores - Amari Ball


    Catscratch - Peter Gomez


    Two-toes - Carleigh Hughes


    Chains - Willow Alvarado


    The new¡­


    Shrewed - Leonard Powell


    X-Ray - Javi Rubio


    Timber - Daren Perry


    Cherry Chapstick - Jayson Daniels


    Bootleg Jesus - Hector Duran


    Tuxedo Cake - Luke Wiggins


    Neckbeard - Evan Thomas


    Oatmilk - Dedrick Bryant


    Bonker - Kenny Henderson


    And more¡­


    Dead because he had asked of them to put the lives of strangers above their own.


    A strong squeeze of his hand.


    Nila¡¯s reassuring presence.


    Next to her, their son, Boy.


    Half a year, he¡¯d been gone and Cal was dismayed to see how much their son had grown.


    His heart sank.


    He¡¯d be soon parted from them for a span again to settle the remaining obligations from their last, terrible Quest.


    Cal was back in Sacramento within the hour.


    One last ceremony to honor the accomplishments of those that went to free the enslaved.


    The highest honors were saved for those that fell against the Slaver King.


    The Watch was distant.


    Rino bristled at the sight of him.


    He understood.


    They had lost family.


    Though they had gained a few in the form of Hanna¡¯s surviving students.


    Still, one didn¡¯t replace loved ones.


    Del had finally buried his survivor¡¯s guilt in his last moments.


    There had been no regret.


    Just relief and eagerness to see what came next.


    Watch Commander Demi Lawrence had been more than a leader. For many of them she became the mother they had lost to the monsters or bad men.


    One last sacrifice to see her children make back home.


    Most of them would¡¯ve been dead if it hadn¡¯t been for Demi¡¯s terrible Skill.


    That thought made it all the worse.


    Cal remembered the last conversations he had with them all. He¡¯d never forget them. It was the least he could do to repay them.


    It wasn¡¯t enough.


    It would never be enough.


    One couldn¡¯t repay a spent life.


    Cal left them to their grieving. He wouldn¡¯t sully their grief by artificially easing it.


    The fallen deserved more.


    Flying into the dark sky, he welcomed the silence of being hundreds of miles from other minds.


    The funerals and ceremonies had been a trying time with the rawness of their emotions.


    Too many, too painful, too sad.


    He thought about his last conversation with Hanna when they had stood on a rooftop and watched the former king hang, kicking and twitching his last moments on Earth.


    <hr>


    ¡°Was it worth it?¡± Hanna turned her head to make up for the huge blindside on her left. ¡°I only have one eye now and I¡¯m having difficulty seeing if it was or not¡±


    Jake had promised he¡¯d get started on a magitech eye as soon as possible. He had been hopeful since the Magus of the Ten Eyes was going to spend time on the west coast and he figured she¡¯d be a valuable brain to pick apart when it came to magic and eyes.


    Hanna hadn¡¯t been so certain.


    There was a large leap between enchanted monster eyes and a magitech version.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Cal¡¯s reply was simple and given without hesitation.


    She unclenched her fist.


    It was the only answer he could¡¯ve given that stayed her hand.


    It didn¡¯t matter to her that she¡¯d only break her fist on his face.


    It was the principle.


    She owed it to the dead.


    ¡°Tell me,¡± she continued, ¡°what¡¯d we buy with our lives?¡±


    ¡°12,376 people are no longer enslaved.¡±


    ¡°Just a little over half,¡± she stifled a cry. Her face twisted, the scars on her left side stung. ¡°Demi, Del, a few dozen rangers, Doran¡¯s spears, most of my students¡­ some might say that¡¯s a good trade.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not for me to say. The only ones that can say it was worth it were those that gave their lives.¡±


    ¡°Makes it easy doesn¡¯t it? You can¡¯t ask them!¡± she snapped.


    ¡°Not now, but maybe one day, when it¡¯s my turn. Then I can ask them if they thought it was a good trade. If they can forgive me for bringing them here.¡±


    She remained silent for a long while, watching the former Slaver King¡¯s body sway in the wind.


    The sight brought her no satisfaction unlike the thousands in the roaring crowd.


    ¡°I¡¯d want him alive if it meant they were too.¡±


    He wisely remained quiet.


    ¡°Even if it meant I had to watch over him in a cell. Feed him, take care of him, whatever. For the rest of my life, if only Demi, Del and the rest where right here next to me.¡±


    Congratulations!


    You have completed a Quest.


    Destroy the Slaver Kingdom (Free the enslaved).


    Re¡ª


    Congratulations!


    You have completed a Quest.


    Free yourself from the slave¡ª


    Congratulations!


    You have completed a Quest.


    Defeat the Slaver King in com¡ª


    Congratulations!


    You have completed a Quest.


    Free your students (5/66).


    Hanna Gozen.


    Sword of Freedom Level 58.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t worth it,¡± she said softly.


    Not for the lives of her family.


    <hr>


    ¡°What the hell are you doing!¡±


    Cal flew straight for his brother.


    The luxury resort housed the majority of the formerly enslaved still in Miami.


    Many had already jumped at the offer to relocate to California, which Rayna took care of.


    His sister was making several trips a day bringing them to either Sacramento or SoCal.


    Eron was painting a huge mural of a cerulean dragon looming beneficently over a grateful population.


    ¡°Dude, glad you¡¯re back, I need some of your thoughts?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t even want to know.¡±


    ¡°So, I¡¯m thinking of slogans. Like, obviously, something like, ¡®Vote Cezirichella for Dragon President! Fly into tomorrow on the wings of the future!¡¯, is a given, but what about something more tongue-in-cheek, like, ¡®Cezirichella¡­ dragon you into the future!¡¯¡± he waggled his brows.


    ¡°Damn you and such for making me consider this,¡± Cal shook his head, ¡°wait! No! This isn¡¯t a joke! This is serious!¡±


    ¡°And I am absolutely treating it as such. Face it, she¡¯s the best leader for this place once you leave. Sure you¡¯ve got these shits paying for their crimes. All the worst ones are swinging in the breeze¡­ I can smell them from here by the way¡­ maybe you should consider taking them down? So, you¡¯ve got the criminals doing their punishments. Cleaning up the place. Repair work. Food prep and service. Monster clearing duty. Dude, some of these people were rich ass nobles, but you¡¯ve got them terrified. Not one of them has spat on a single burger. Not a one. Zero violent crime. No rapes. Nothing.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not going to last. I¡¯m not watching over them for much longer.¡±


    ¡°Good¡­ I guess¡­ slippery slopes and all that, bla bla. Anyways, as I was saying, you make my own points for me. With you gone, what better guardian of the peace for these former slavers than a dragon?¡± Eron threw his hands out wide, splattering blue paint across Cal¡¯s face. The streaks slid down a telekinetic shield. ¡°Oops, sorry, but, c¡¯mon, you know I¡¯m right. Without her they¡¯ll eventually break apart into competing tribes with warlords and shit. I¡¯ve seen it all over the world. What¡¯s the point of doing all this if you¡¯re just going to leave eight-hundred thousand people to suffer. Listen, Cezirichella is really giving me young Rayna vibes. Makes sense since our little sister is mentoring. Remember Rayna¡¯s irrational confidence?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, just like that one teammate you always had that thought every shot he took was going in.¡±


    ¡°Exactly! Plus, some would argue that slavers deserve whatever they¡¯re going to get and perhaps a dragon overlo¡ª president is just that.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    ¡°Like I said, you already gave the people their justice on the worst slavers. All that¡¯s left is everyone else.¡±


    ¡°They didn¡¯t do anything to stop it or try to help like that champion, Alexandria Ortega Cortez.¡±


    ¡°Underground railroad,¡± Eron nodded. ¡°Damn shame you couldn¡¯t save her. From what I¡¯ve heard talking to a few gladiators she was a legit good person. I can only imagine what she could¡¯ve done had she not been stuck in this shithole. Irregardless¡ª¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, you¡¯re doing that on purpose.¡±


    Eron chuckled. ¡°Regardless¡­ try to have some empathy, you know? It¡¯s not really fair to ask a person with multiple or non-combat classes below 30 to rise up against a Level 50+ Slaver King and his army¡­ piece of shit even had monsters, what kind of asshole does that? My point is that it¡¯s easy for you and me to follow our consciences.¡±


    ¡°I suppose this means that whatever happens here I¡¯ll need to stay involved.¡±


    ¡°You broke it, you fix it,¡± Eron shrugged.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll push the issue of Cezirichella playing dragon overlord a little back. Number one focus will be continuing to return people to their homes and help them if needed.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll help out with that for a bit. I¡¯m already going to help that kid, Silver Axe, with his weresquirrel problem. Shouldn¡¯t take too long to clear the spawn zones down to encounter challenges. That Hammer lady¡¯s coming with. Might need to help her community too. She¡¯s been gone a while. Same for Luther and his son, poor dude¡¯s gonna be in the hospital for a bit, so I told them that I¡¯d fly up to their place and lend a hand.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for that.¡±


    ¡°No problem. I haven¡¯t been back to this place in a minute. Might need to remind the old government that I¡¯m still flying around out here.¡±


    ¡°In their defense, they did help in the act of destroying the slavery control unit. True Patriot¡¯s a decent person.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but that doesn¡¯t matter much if the people she takes orders from aren¡¯t. You think you can get her to maybe take charge?¡±


    ¡°You mean pull a military coup?¡± he said flatly.


    ¡°You said it, not me.¡±


    ¡°Anything bad or weird out in the wider world?¡± he changed the subject.


    ¡°You¡¯d learn for yourself if you crossed the oceans more,¡± Eron snorted. ¡°Nothing world shattering at the moment, otherwise I wouldn¡¯t be here, sitting in one place for days. Let me think, had to kill a kaiju in India, another warlord popped up in Western Europe, luckily she was surprisingly reasonable and had a light touch for a warlord, so I can safely punt that issue to a later date, Antarctica is still empty, no spawn zones or encounter challenges, which is creeping me out, oh, and Wytchraven¡¯s coven claimed a nice spot in the Fae Lands.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I remember you telling me about that. Still no fae issues?¡±


    ¡°Nope, they¡¯re expecting it though. There¡¯s no way that fae do not exist.¡±


    ¡°Seems dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Meh, risk reward,¡± Eron shrugged.


    ¡°You getting enough sleep?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°Eron¡­¡±


    ¡°Couple of hours a month. More than I need.¡±


    ¡°Continuous hours?¡±


    ¡°I take orbit naps¡­ dude, chill, you ain¡¯t Mom. I get it enough from her. Besides, no hallucinations¡­ except that one time, but that turned out to be a monster. Anyways, Blackstar and her mage want a word about the job you¡¯ve got them doing and future employment once this is done. That Howard dude¡¯s still looking for someone and there¡¯s like dozens of mercs, adventuring bands and what not asking questions. Don¡¯t worry, they¡¯ve been on best behavior. I think they¡¯re hoping for some kind of payment for losses and/or services rendered in your operation. Double anyways,¡± Eron handed the paint brush over, ¡°going to hit the skies. We¡¯ve just been waiting on you to get back. So, thanks for finishing this up,¡± he gestured to the mostly finished mural, ¡°and you¡¯ve got some inquiring minds,¡± he pointed down to the sidewalk in front of the hotel where a small table and plastic chairs sat. ¡°See you, big bro! Oh yeah! I almost forgot. Cezirichella¡¯s doing meet and greets around the city. Don¡¯t freak out on her. I told her it was cool!¡±


    Eron zoomed off to pick up his passengers.


    Cal devoted a little bit of his brain power to finish the mural. Brushes and buckets of paint danced around like something out of the cartoons from his childhood.


    He floated down to the table and read the sign his brother had painted.


    ¡°Immigration Services.¡±


    Of course.


    They had talked about setting something up for anyone that wanted to move elsewhere.


    The California State Government had been open to taking in anyone that he personally vetted as being ¡®not that bad of a slaver¡¯.


    Rayna had said that she was cool with whoever he thought was cool, but also that she wasn¡¯t in charge and he should talk to those people, but that she¡¯d fly people over if he thought they were good regardless.


    Other settlements, allied and not had been much less accommodating.


    Isaac in Seattle wasn¡¯t interested in taking in slavers, whether they were one of the ¡®good¡¯ ones or not.


    Atlanta was only willing to take in former enslaved.


    Austin said all the right words to make it clear that they wanted to punt the can down the road for as long as possible, but they were too scared of him to refuse outright.


    He sat down at the table with a sigh.


    A stack of blank paper and a cup of pens sat to his right.


    Five girls, young woman rather, stood on the other side.


    ¡°Um¡­ the flying guy you¡­ uh¡­ were talking to up there¡­ he said to wait here¡­ about moving to California?¡±


    He regarded the young woman with pink and silver hair, a glittering star painted over one eye trailing a stream of glitter across her face like a comet¡¯s tail.


    The other four were similarly attired and made up.


    ¡°Before we start¡­ are you performing later or something?¡±


    ¡°Actually, yeah,¡± Casey Cool said. ¡°So, um¡­ you were flying¡­ too¡­¡± her brows had risen about as high as they could go.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s keep this short, I¡¯m busy and it looks like a line is forming,¡± he glanced past them.


    ¡°That other flying dude told us all to wait,¡± Rachel Rascal said.


    ¡°Of course he did,¡± he sighed. ¡°Here, write your names, stats and any other identifying details. I¡¯ll have to figure out picture ID¡¯s later.¡±


    ¡°What, like our classes? Levels?¡± Casey narrowed her eyes.


    ¡°No. Height, weight, eye color, hair color, so on¡­ basically what¡¯s on a driver¡¯s license¡­ er, you don¡¯t have to do the weight if you¡¯re uncomfortable for that.¡±


    A good save, he thought.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± another band member whispered.


    ¡°Listen, this is just for tracking purposes. After you move I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll matter. It¡¯s just a piece of paper, after all.¡±


    ¡°So, uh, how long will the process take?¡± Casey said.


    ¡°For you five? About two seconds. You can go on the next flight if you¡¯re ready.¡±


    ¡°Just like that?¡± Casey said.


    ¡°Seems suspicious,¡± Rachel agreed.


    ¡°The flying guy said there¡¯d be like a ¡®vetting¡¯ process,¡± Casey said.


    ¡°You¡¯ve already been vetted. Let me see if I remember what the spies reported. Casey Cool and the Glitterbombs. Pop rock band. More importantly, did not own enslaved people. Did not abuse enslaved people. Rocked out all night long to provide boosts against the Slaver King¡¯s monsters. Does that sound right?¡±


    ¡°Scary,¡± Rachel said.


    ¡°But true,¡± Casey added. ¡°Okay!¡± she smiled brightly. ¡°We¡¯ll¡­ uh¡­ fill these out, sir and we¡¯ll be ready to depart as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no rush. There¡¯ll be daily flights for the foreseeable future.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have much to pack, just our gear. The sooner we get out of this place the better,¡± Rachel said.


    ¡°Same...¡±


    <hr>


    In the world of the spires there was no gain without loss.


    The question was how much was one willing to give before it became too much.


    They had seen it in the spires or in their eyes in the days and weeks after they had destroyed a nation of slavers.


    Quest rewards.


    Spells.


    Skills.


    Levels.


    A stunning bounty even for those that had pushed limits and dangers in the past.


    Silver Arms Fighter Level 40 ¨C> Silver Arms Therianslayer Level 45. Silver-blooded¡­


    One was pleased though slightly confused and concerned. He¡¯d need to consult a dictionary.


    Slasher Level 23 ¨C> Slasher Level 29. New class gained, Hidden Knife of the Psionic Prime Level 4 ¨C> Slasher Level 29, Hidden Knife of the Psionic Prime Level 4.


    Another was concerned. She had an opportunity, but did she want stronger tethers even if it led to greater strength?


    Fiery Swordmage Level 32 ¨C> Flamesword Avenger Level 38.


    Where did one go after achieving vengeance? Easy¡­ she wasn¡¯t done until she turned every single Meat Parade cannibal into ash.


    Spell Orb Mage Level 34 ¨C> Spell Orb Adept Level 40. Greater Mana Pool. Enhanced Mana Regeneration¡­


    If she hadn¡¯t run out of mana then her teammate wouldn¡¯t have sacrificed his life.


    Ranger Tank Warrior Level 38 ¨C> Artifact Bearer Level 44. I Share My Inheritance, My Father¡¯s Protection¡­


    Regrets were shared liberally. They were under her command, which meant she was responsible for them. She had been selfish to keep her father¡¯s only memento to herself.


    Undefeated Champion of the Hard Rock Level 43 ¨C> Redemption Seeker Champion Gladiator Level 46. My Integrity, My Strength¡­


    Sometimes one needed to retrace their steps to find the right path forward.


    Mage Level 24, Swordswoman Level 30 ¨C> Mage Level 29, Swordswoman Level 32 ¨C> Knightmage Level 38. First knightly vow sworn¡­ 1st Knightly Vow: I Will Protect Those I Hold Dear¡­


    She had already given one arm in failure. She¡¯d give all she had for that to never happen again.


    Dread Paladin Level 40 ¨C> Dread Paladin Level 45. Vow of Vengeance completed. Vow of Dread Sown active. 2 Vow slots open.


    One found himself hollow. What remained when one emptied the only thing that had driven him forward?


    Weredog Level 30 ¨C> Lycanbane Weredog Level 36. Natural Enemy: Werewolves. Silver Smile¡­


    Weredog Level 32 ¨C> Lycanbane Weredog Level 38. Natural Enemy: Werewolves. Silver-touched Bark¡­


    One found it interesting and cool that her teeth seemed to shine when she smiled. The other saw the pitfalls of over-specialization.


    Vampire Level 35 ¨C> Vampire Level 40. Enhanced Blood Potency¡­


    Power came at a cost. His hunger grew.


    Punch Mage Level 46 ¨C> Arcane Fist Level 51. Impact Mana Siphon. Intimidating Mien. I Bring The Boom¡­


    She debated the value of keeping the second Skill, while complaining that she got robbed. No way that¡¯s all she deserved!


    Soldier: Infantry Level 38, Watch Captain Level 10 ¨C> Soldier: Infantry Level 43, Watch Commander Level 5 ¨C> Watch Commander Level 38. Inherit all Watch Commander Demi Lawrence¡¯s Skills.


    And for the last? The leadership she had never wanted. Her closest friend¡¯s legacy. She wouldn¡¯t allow it to fall.


    Was it worth it?


    Only the individual could answer.

 Interlude: Cultivator 1.1

    Germany, Earth, 2040


    Dawn¡¯s light broke over the horizon.


    The golden wave dwindled to a dim trickle as it filtered through the thick foliage of the Black Forest.


    Men and women in the fortified camp stirred as the night¡¯s watch yawned relief at another blessedly quiet shift.


    The forest depths were not safe.


    The entire expanse was a blend of encounter challenges and spawn zones in which monsters and mutated animals roamed.


    Fortunately for this particular group, they had been provided with magic artifacts to keep the threats at a distance.


    Cages and chains rattled as the occupants woke¡­ well, some. Many had stayed awake through the night. Fear stole their sleep.


    Armed and armored, the captain strode out of his tent.


    The artifacts did what his employer had said they would, but he wasn¡¯t going to rely on them, which was why it pissed him off to see the relaxed atmosphere among his men and women.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a camping trip! Eyes up and ears open! They¡¯re out there just waiting to tear us to shreds!¡± he barked orders.


    They snapped to attention and got busy or tried to look it.


    Guards stood straighter and peered out into the dim forest with renewed focus.


    The captain was right.


    They saw the eyes surrounding them.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s been weeks and they haven¡¯t attacked once,¡± one guard said to another.


    Cooks labored over camp stoves.


    It was hard work to keep an entire company and their captives fed.


    ¡°Hey, uh, do you guys know what they¡¯re doing with all those people?¡± one cook ventured.


    ¡°You¡¯re new, right? Well¡­ just shut up and do what you¡¯re getting paid to do or you might get the chance to find that out.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I heard it happened to a couple of people that got too curious.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just, uh, when I signed up for this¡­ I didn¡¯t know we were gonna be all doing¡­ uh¡­ human trafficking¡­¡±


    ¡°Look, kid, just do your job. A couple of weeks and you can go back with a year¡¯s worth of Universal Points. Plus, you¡¯ve built a resume with the band, which means you won¡¯t end up like them.¡±


    The dark-haired cook glanced nervously at the rows of cages.


    There had to be close to a hundred people.


    Men.


    Women.


    Children.


    There didn¡¯t seem to be a pattern.


    The selection criteria appeared to be random. The only thing they had in common was that they were all from the regions surrounding the Black Forest.


    ¡°So, uh, those cages look like their getting cramped¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡±


    And so he did.


    Back inside the captain¡¯s tent, he went over operations with his lieutenants.


    ¡°One more shipment is coming in,¡± the captain said.


    ¡°When?¡±


    ¡°No timetable.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯d be better if we had a window,¡± the senior lieutenant eyed the glowing communication crystal on the captain¡¯s desk.


    ¡°I agree, but it¡¯s out of my hands. You know how it works. I get orders. I give them to you.¡±


    ¡°Boss, I¡¯m concerned about the hike. It¡¯s a long way to the mountain and I don¡¯t trust those artifacts to hold the monsters back.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯d worked this far and we¡¯re not seeing a large drain on their mana. Ambient recharge just like they said. If that changes? Well, that¡¯s why I ordered our mages to conserve their mana. We should have enough to keep them operating. Now, any issues with the cargo?¡±


    ¡°A couple of the guys got grabby,¡± the junior lieutenant said. ¡°But, I had eyes on the cages. Bull stopped them before anything could happen and gave them a lesson on the pitfalls of failing to follow orders.¡±


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    ¡°Good. Our employer was adamant that they arrived in as close to perfect condition as possible. ¡®Untouched¡¯ was the word emphasized. Let¡¯s not piss them off.¡±


    Breakfast turned into lunch when the circle of stones in the middle of the camp suddenly vibrated and glowed.


    Script unlike anything known on Earth appeared on each stone¡¯s surface.


    ¡°Incoming transit!¡± the guard charged with keeping the wide circle clear barked.


    They had learned the hard way that anything biological didn¡¯t want to be in the portal¡¯s area when it opened.


    The one armed guard in the medic tent could attest to that fact.


    A kaleidiscope of color filled the dim forest as the swirling vortex of magic drew the stones into a circle taller than the combined height of two men.


    They spun into an incandescence that temporarily blinded those that forgot to look away.


    When the light finally faded the stones vibrated in place, connected by thick strands of magic light as they contained the portal itself.


    It was like staring into a window¡­ or an open doorway.


    The other side revealed a dark parking structure and people chained together.


    Armed men and women barked, pushing the people through.


    Naturally, they were hesitant to step forward, but a few punches encouraged them.


    ¡°Clear the area!¡± the guard barked as the last chained woman stepped outside the demarcated boundary.


    ¡°Finally,¡± the dark-haired cook muttered.


    ¡°What¡ª¡± the head cook¡¯s words were swallowed by an eruption of noise.


    Twin beams of solar heat burned through the dense foliage to consume the captain¡¯s tent.


    Loud booms knocked everyone, except the dark-haired cook, to the ground.


    An invisible tornado swirled through the fortified camp, gathering fighters up to slam them into a pile of bruised flesh and broken bones.


    The violence lasted a few frightening seconds in reality, but an eternity for the band.


    ¡°Tell me you got it?¡±


    The violence spoke as a man because that¡¯s what he was.


    Dark-haired and brown-skinned, he floated above the new cook.


    ¡°The portal opening put me close enough to punch through their magical protections. I¡¯m putting every single one of their locations into your head. Remem¡ª¡±


    ¡°Kthanksbye!¡± Eron tore a smoking hole through the treetops.


    The sonic booms echoed long after he was gone.


    ¡°At least he left me the mages¡­¡± Cal sighed. He regarded the pile of mercs groaning and crying in pain. He shifted the pile with a thought and pulled the senior mage to him. ¡°I¡¯m going to fix you and your fellow mages, so that you can keep those monster away artifacts working. I need to return the people you¡¯re trafficking to their homes, you see and while I could bring the rest of you along¡­ I don¡¯t want to. Now, that¡¯s going to take a long time, which means that you¡¯re stuck here. I know that you don¡¯t have the healing capability to fix enough of your guys and I know that this portal is one way,¡± he gestured to the pile of stones in the middle of the demarcated circle. ¡°So, your choices are to wait here until I come pick you up to deliver you to prison or run, which I know, that you know is a death sentence. Besides,¡± he poked the mage in the forehead, ¡°I just marked you with magic,¡± a partial lie, one that the mage believed instantly, ¡°I can find you anywhere now.¡±


    Every mage screamed as Cal knitted their broken limbs together, but not all the way, plus he left the tissue damage in place.


    Task done, he freed the caged people and took them back to their homes.


    By the time he finished Eron found him somewhere over Eastern Europe.


    ¡°Did you get it?¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Yeah. Where do you think I¡¯m going?¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure. With how slow you were flying I figured you were still searching.¡±


    ¡°I was going hypersonic,¡± he pointed to the readout on his watch.


    ¡°Like I said¡­ slow. Anyways, who or what is behind this particular human trafficking network?¡±


    ¡°An outworld invader. High level magic user specializing in biological machine creation.¡±


    ¡°Aww, man¡­ that doesn¡¯t sound good for the people they¡¯ve taken.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s probably too late for most of them,¡± he agreed.


    The brothers fell from the sky like the hammers of God.


    They punched through thick, rocky ground and into an ancient system of tunnels, whose original purpose had never been discovered by archaeologists of old.


    The spires had turned them into an encounter challenge, which the invader had claimed for their own.


    The fight was quick, brutal and violent.


    The invader had thrown every one of their twisted abominations at Eron and Cal to no avail.


    In the end the invader had triggered a magical deadman¡¯s switch to fry their own brain and everything of potential value rather than give up secrets.


    ¡°Do you want ownership?¡± Eron ventured hopefully.


    To the victors the spoils.


    ¡°No,¡± Cal said flatly. He raised a hand before his youngest brother could whine. ¡°This is way too far for me to want to have to deal with. Since you¡¯re soooo much faster, logically, you should take it.¡±


    ¡°Or I could just let it go back to its unclaimed state.¡±


    ¡°Then it¡¯ll need constant clearing or it¡¯s back to a spawn zone.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± Eron sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll leave the rest to you. Things are happening¡­ elsewhere,¡± he waved vaguely in a direction¡­ in all directions. ¡°Oh, can you take one set of those portal stones to my runic friends? Just seems like they¡¯re a good choice to study them. The ones in the city are probably already secured. Which leaves the set in the forest and the set in the cave.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s one more set in here,¡± he pointed.


    ¡°You can do what you want with them.¡±


    Eron slowly drifted toward the hole in the cave ceiling.


    ¡°Any last requests?¡±


    ¡°Nah¡­ thanks for helping me with this. Less violence.¡±


    ¡°Glad for that. Let me know if you need me to help with something similar in the future.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯ll spires message you.¡±


    With that Eron zipped out of the cave, leaving Cal alone with the blood and filth of the invader¡¯s heinous crafting.

 Interlude: Cultivator 1.2

    Zhao Bei practiced the forms as her grandmother had taught her.


    Fists flew straight as bullets.


    Feet carved through the air like scythes through the wheat they reaped.


    Elbows smashed imaginary throats, knees crushed man¡¯s most precious equipment, fingers gouged eyes.


    She stumbled and let out a cry of frustration.


    Her long limbs felt all wrong.


    Her body was growing too quickly for her to adjust.


    Her grandmother had been wrong.


    She was definitely not blooming into a graceful and delicate flower.


    No.


    She didn¡¯t want that.


    Not with the worst parts of what her grandmother had told her about becoming a woman.


    ¡°Bei! The water truck is coming!¡± a voice shouted down into the village¡¯s inner courtyard.


    She left the stink of sweat on her as she hurried to pull her plain, baggy shirt over her tighter inner layer.


    Winter was coming as evidenced by the cloud-like puffs from her mouth.


    Her old, tattered cap went on next.


    It had been her father¡¯s. From his favorite childhood sports ball team when such things were still important to people.


    She rubbed dirt over her face, smearing it with her sweat before rubbing a bit on her teeth.


    Thus armored she grabbed the empty plastic jugs on a stick and ran out to the street.


    The other residents of the village crowded around, but quickly formed a line at Mr. Wang¡¯s, the old headman¡¯s, urging.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not give them any excuses. The more orderly we are, the quicker the process, which means they¡¯ll be on their way sooner. Bei?¡± he regarded her with a critical eye. ¡°Perhaps, we can have one of the Li boys take your water.¡±


    ¡°Poor girl, without her mother and father,¡± one of the villagers muttered.


    ¡°And her little brother, taken like that,¡± another whispered.


    Bei steeled her face, but her lips betrayed her with a slight quiver.


    ¡°No. It¡¯s my responsibility. I¡¯m all Grandmother has left.¡±


    ¡°Okay, just don¡¯t make eye contact. Get your water quickly. Remember, there¡¯s nothing we can do if you catch their eyes,¡± Mr. Wang sighed.


    The dirt to mar her face, the baggy clothes to hide her growing shape, Mr Wang¡¯s advice¡­ all together kept the men guarding the water truck from paying attention to her.


    She was already on her way back to the building when a clamorous noise arrived from farther down the street.


    Trucks and motorbikes decorated with spikes and skulls roared in to surround the water truck.


    Rough, armed men faced off against rough, armed men.


    ¡°The Golden Horde demands tribute! We¡¯ll take the water! And only five of your women¡­ if they¡¯re young¡­ ten if they¡¯re old,¡± the skull-helmed man barked from atop an armored truck.


    Bei wondered about that.


    How many Golden Hordes did this dirty, smelly bunch make?


    She had heard that several martial sects had banded together put an end to one Golden Horde a few months back.


    ¡°This is the domain of the Shining Glory Sect. You dogs would do well to tuck your tails and run away,¡± one of the water truck¡¯s guards scoffed.


    ¡°Ha!¡± the skull-helmed man scoffed back. ¡°I am the Last Khan, cultivator, I walk the Marauder¡¯s Dao! Tremble at my blade!¡± he pointed a large, curved sword meant to be wielded in two-hands with just one hand.


    ¡°It is a crime under the all laws to proclaim falsehoods,¡± the guard¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    The so-called Last Khan leered. ¡°None of you are cultivators. It is you that will tuck your tails and run like the dogs you are. This is your last warning.¡±


    The wind moved.


    Leaves danced as they were ripped from their branches.


    Silk rustled.


    A fragrant aroma filled the air.


    The clash of steel


    The Last Khan fell back off the truck.


    The men standing with him fell with red sprouting from their necks.


    ¡°You stain it with your filth, dog. Bow and I will spare your life.¡±


    He stood on the truck¡¯s roof with a thin, straight blade, wet. His silk robes of white and purple seemed to flutter in the breeze, except there hadn¡¯t been one before his arrival.


    Bei didn¡¯t recognize the young man, but she knew the symbol embroidered in gold thread on the back of his robes.


    The sun shining down on a field of swords.


    The Shining Glory Sect.


    They who controlled their village among many dozens in this section of the city.


    They who crippled her grandmother.


    They who stole her little brother.


    Her hands clenched around the stick on her shoulders. The weight of ten gallons were forgotten.


    It had to be one of the sect¡¯s young masters for only they would be powerful enough, arrogant enough, to face several dozen hardened fighters alone.


    The young master gazed across the street. His eyes took in everyone. The marauders, the guards, Bei and the villagers. None were spared his contempt.


    ¡°The pup would dare snap at a tiger¡¯s heels?¡± the Last Khan laughed as he brandished his blade.


    ¡°You are no tiger. You are not even a mangy stray. My patience wanes. Bow, all of you,¡± his voice projected with perfect clarity to all, ¡°and I will leave you your lives for the cheap price of a hand. In my mercy, I will even let you choose which one.¡±


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Bei watched as the Last Khan¡¯s bearded face reddened and she knew that violence had arrived.


    ¡°Kill everyone, my horde!¡± he roared.


    Her neighbor, Mr. Mao had the misfortune of being close to one of the horde.


    With one brutal slash of an axe, Mr. Mao¡¯s children became orphans.


    ¡°Inside, quickly!¡± Mr. Wang¡¯s Skill-empowered voice allowed them all to cut through the panic and make for the safest possible place. This horde didn¡¯t seem strong enough to bypass the sect¡¯s protective ownership of the building without a proper challenge.


    Even still, more fell.


    The horde was quick on their feet while the water truck guards were more concerned with defending themselves and their precious cargo.


    As for the young master, well¡­ he dueled the Last Khan.


    Bei tried to study their moves from the safety of the courtyard gateway despite Mr. Wang¡¯s attempts to pull her in.


    It was no use.


    They were too fast to follow for her eyes, even the fat khan.


    Blades sparked against each other as the young master seemed to dance on air like a sparrow pecking at a fat dog.


    The thin blade struck the wide one with such force that the asphalt cracked beneath the Khan¡¯s spike-toed boots.


    Lightening for certain. Could it be reversed to lend weight to blows?


    It made sense to Bei from what she had managed to see.


    She cursed the sects for hoarding cultivation knowledge.


    Her grandmother hadn¡¯t progressed far down the paths when a jealous rival had crippled her many years ago.


    If only things had gone differently.


    They would¡¯ve all been cultivators, her parents, her, her brother.


    They wouldn¡¯t have been killed.


    He wouldn¡¯t have been taken away.


    For the millionth time in her short life Bei swore vengeance on the sects.


    But that mountain was too high for her to scale.


    As if he tired of a game, the young master suddenly moved faster.


    His sword arm blurred.


    The khan roared as red arcs surrounded him.


    One last cut¡­


    The large, curved sword clanged against the road.


    ¡°Your Dao was weak. I would tell the rest of you to do better, but¡­¡± the young master laid a slim finger on the khan¡¯s forehead and pushed.


    The head fell back, the body forward.


    The remaining Golden Horde turned to run.


    Bei thought she saw a slight smile grace the young master¡¯s perfect lips.


    Wind and silk rustled.


    The blade became a brush, painting the air with great swathes of wet red.


    It ended as quickly as it had started.


    The Golden Horde lay scattered across the street like litter.


    The young master strode toward the water truck with head held high. His robes of purple, white and pink flowed in a breeze that somehow always blew toward him.


    Bei noticed that his blade remained unsheathed.


    ¡°Useless,¡± the young master sneered at the guards as they bowed. ¡°Well¡­ get on with it. You¡¯ve wasted enough time.¡±


    ¡°Young master,¡± Mr. Wang rushed out, ¡°I¡ª¡± he seemed to realize his error too late. ¡°I apologize. This one is not worthy to speak to you¡­¡± he fell to his knees and pressed his forehead to the asphalt.


    ¡°And yet, you have, peasant. Finish what you have to say for it will avail you not to silence your tongue.¡±


    Bei didn¡¯t like the glinting edge hidden in the young master¡¯s sibilant tone.


    ¡°Ah¡­ er¡­ this humble one begs forgiveness¡­ but your loyal subjects haven¡¯t finished drawing their water.¡±


    ¡°Very well,¡± the young master halted the water truck. ¡°Come peasants, let it not be said that the Shining Glory Sect doesn¡¯t look after their own.¡±


    Bei moved out of the way to allow her neighbors to approach the truck.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± the young master regarded the dead bodies, ¡°you will take care of that?¡±


    ¡°Yes, young master,¡± Mr. Wang said.


    ¡°I suppose you¡¯ll need time for funerary rites,¡± the young master sighed. ¡°Very well, starting now your village is exempt from your duties. On my word and authority. It is only right that we take care of what is ours.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Your graciousness is beyond reproach,¡± Mr. Wang said.


    ¡°You spoke to me without my leave, old one.¡±


    There it was.


    The evil masked beneath the pleasant face.


    The blade wrapped in silk.


    The truth of the sects that Bei had been waiting for.


    ¡°The error is solely mine, young master,¡± Mr. Wang said.


    ¡°Truth. Witnessed and acknowledge. Choose a finger.¡±


    Mr. Wang didn¡¯t hesitate. With head still fixed to the pavement he raised his left pinkie.


    Bei didn¡¯t even see the young master¡¯s blade flick.


    She heard Mr. Wang gasp, saw him clutch his spouting hand to his stomach, all without moving his head off the street.


    ¡°I much prefer obedient dogs to feral ones. You are a credit to your kind, old one. Although, I must warn you¡­ lose too many fingers and you¡¯ll be no good to us.¡±


    With that the young master stepped into the sky with a rustle of silk.


    Bei would¡¯ve spat in the direction of his rapidly shrinking back had one of the village aunties not covered her mouth.


    ¡°Run along, Bei. Your grandmother needs that water.¡±


    Bei returned to her apartment.


    Her grandmother hobbled over on her wooden leg.


    Bei shooed her away.


    So, her grandmother struggled to the kitchen table and sat with a groan.


    Bei eyed her grandmother¡¯s desiccated form.


    Not enough food.


    Never enough food.


    Even though the stores made them out of thin air everyday.


    ¡°Tell me about the fight,¡± Grandmother croaked.


    So she did while she boiled water for tea.


    ¡°How can you capture the spark of enlightenment when you can¡¯t see all their movements?¡± Grandmother said. ¡°Very well, you shall keep practicing the forms. Keep meditating. It¡¯s only a matter of time. Perhaps you are too young.¡±


    ¡°But the sects¡ª¡±


    ¡°Are greedy and scared. They hoard their secrets like the misers they are,¡± Grandmother spat.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do that, Grandmother!¡± Bei grumbled as she fetched a cloth to wipe the floor.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, child. My memory is not what it used to be.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a lie and you know it.¡±


    Her grandmother cackled.


    The sound warmed Bei¡¯s heart.


    Like finding gold in the river.


    Much too rare.


    She poured tea as the old woman shooed her away.


    ¡°Go, get back to your practice. I¡¯ll lead you through meditation after. Hmm, perhaps that is the problem. Finding the Dao is a challenge for the individual. Much too young,¡± Grandmother muttered.


    Bei returned to the courtyard and resumed her forms as the aunties muttered amongst themselves with concern.


    The sects didn¡¯t look too kindly on combat capable classes outside of their control. Especially, martial artists like Bei, who might, with the right circumstances, transition into cultivator and beyond.


    And yet, the aunties never spoke directly to Bei or her grandmother on the subject.


    They didn¡¯t not forget the debt they owed Bei¡¯s grandmother and parents.


    ¡°Poor girl¡­¡±


    Bei ignored the talk.


    She finished her forms.


    Dutifully meditated under her grandmother¡¯s instructions.


    Ate dinner.


    And for her last act before bed, she prayed to the god of vengeance.


    She had prayed to all the gods.


    The ones her grandmother had told stories about.


    There were gods of war, justice, sunshine, rainbows and everything she could imagine.


    She didn¡¯t know if there was one specifically for vengeance, but there had to be and it was what she wanted.


    ¡°God of Vengeance, it¡¯s me again¡­¡± Bei whispered.

 Interlude: Cultivator 1.3

    They floated high in the sky in the liminal space between life-giving atmosphere and the void.


    ¡°So, you heard a little girl¡¯s prayer?¡±


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re going to fight in some kind of tournament to win a boy?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what the weirdos are doing. I¡¯ll be a distraction.¡±


    ¡°Right, I got that. I¡¯m grabbing the boy and his village?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what they call them, but it¡¯s really an apartment building. The sects are really into the feudalism. Make people into peasants and everything. I¡¯d say we should flip everything, but then that¡¯d be open warfare with the Phoenix Dynasty.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t weaken ourselves. According to the spires¡¯ announcement there¡¯s going to be an announcement about something important.¡±


    ¡°Too bad they¡¯re assholes that don¡¯t like to give concrete dates for these things. Could be a year, could five, could be a month.¡±


    ¡°I still think fighting is a waste of time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m accomplishing multiple goals. After I kick their asses, I¡¯ll be able to threaten them into not having feudalism. I mean, it only makes senses. They don¡¯t need peasants and farmers¡­ I guess if someone wanted to be a farmer then that¡¯s cool, but not peasant. Never that. Anyways, they should be making as many of these cultivators as they can or at least useful classes. Plenty of food and supplies, yet they¡¯re keeping the masses just on the edge.¡±


    ¡°Easier to control.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, still wrong and stupid. It¡¯s the perfect way to get your asses kicked by the next superpowered monstrosity that pops up through the spires. Hell, if it wasn¡¯t for me flying around and taking care of the worst ones¡­¡±


    ¡°Might be a lesson in that.¡±


    ¡°No way, you know who¡¯ll get hurt if I don¡¯t do it? The little guy.¡±


    ¡°I concede the point. So¡­ let¡¯s switch masks.¡±


    ¡°What? No! Mine¡¯s cooler.¡±


    ¡°How do you figure that?¡±


    ¡°Easy. Mine¡¯s a dragon-serpent. Yours is a bird-dragon.¡±


    ¡°Eagle.¡±


    ¡°Whatever. Point is, dragon is the coolest out of all those animals and mine is more dragon-y, while yours is more bird-y.¡±


    ¡°Bakunawa ate the moon.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know that.¡±


    ¡°Minokawa ate the sun.¡±


    ¡°No shit? I didn¡¯t know that.¡±


    ¡°Ergo, you should be Minokawa and I should be Bakunawa. It¡¯s more thematic.¡±


    ¡°I can concede the sun part, but not the moon part. How does that tie into you.¡±


    ¡°Well, consider the word ¡®lunatic¡¯.¡±


    ¡°I get it, but you¡¯re going to explain anyways, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°In olden times people thought that the moon made people go crazy, hence the term.¡±


    ¡°Still don¡¯t get it.¡±


    ¡°Really? C¡¯mon, the moon manipulating the minds of people¡­¡±


    ¡°Whatever. We aren¡¯t trading. I am the mighty Bakunawa, dragon-serpent and you are the less mighty Minokawa, bird-dragon.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t care anyways. Don¡¯t even know why we¡¯re wearing masks. I can just make it so no one remembers what we look like.¡±


    ¡°I told you. To sow confusion and intimidation.¡±


    ¡°Okay, so, we going or what?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s your bubble¡­¡±


    ¡°Alright, we¡¯re off then.¡±


    ¡°So slow,¡± Bakunawa muttered.


    ¡°We¡¯re almost going to hit Mach 5,¡± Minokawa sighed.


    ¡°Like I said.¡±


    ¡°I already told you I can¡¯t go hypersonic and guarantee that no one will notice us. I have to block all sorts of scrying abilities. Your Phoenix Dynasty. That dragon.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s cool, probably won¡¯t do anything. He got into it with the phoenixes and took a spanking, but according to him, he didn¡¯t really want to hurt them. Wanted to be more of a shadowy benefactor than a direct ruler like the Phoenix Emperor.¡±


    ¡°Who is a woman.¡±


    ¡°Wow, look at you, finally caring about things outside his immediate circle.¡±


    ¡°Hey, I was actually the first to go to another world.¡±


    ¡°That we know of¡­ besides that¡¯s not a big deal anymore, Remy, Megan and the kids went to two worlds and did a hell of a lot more than you did.¡±


    ¡°Just¡­ shut up. We¡¯re going.¡±


    Minokawa carried them down from near orbit like a falling meteor.


    No one noticed or rather no one thought to notice.


    A few more powerful sorts sensed something was amiss, but they too pushed it out of their minds quickly.


    The pair alighted in the middle of a dark courtyard.


    ¡°Shit. We timed it wrong,¡± Bakunawa said.


    ¡°I know,¡± Minokawa sighed.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say anything?¡±


    ¡°This is your show.¡±


    ¡°Damn it! It¡¯d be rude to wake them up.¡±


    ¡°¡­ there¡¯s a raider-type camp about twenty miles to the east, near the river, hidden by some thick woods. The Golden Horde¡­ apparently there are a lot of those.¡±


    ¡°What? Like a franchise?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°Are they doing anything actively evil?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go, but it¡¯ll still leave us all night to kill.¡±


    ¡°Spawn Zones?¡± Minokawa shrugged.


    ¡°I guess it¡¯ll be good to test these masks in actual combat.¡±


    ¡°They better be worth the points we paid.¡±


    ¡°Dude does good work from what I heard.¡±


    ¡°At a lower scale of combat.¡±


    ¡°He said these were his masterpieces. I mean, I¡¯m loving it so far, it¡¯s like I¡¯m not wearing anything at all. No vision impairment. Hearing¡¯s good. Breathing¡­ not that it would be a problem for me.¡±


    As quickly as they had arrived the pair departed.


    Yet another Golden Horde met its end that night.


    Along with tens of thousands of monsters, mutant animals and several spawn zones.


    Morning came for Bei as it always did with the sounds of her grandmother striking the wooden dummy in their small living room.


    ¡°Grandmother¡­ I¡¯ll start breakfast,¡± she yawned, scratching her short, roughly-cut black hair as she staggered out of their shared bedroom.


    ¡°I already made the congee,¡± Grandmother huffed, wincing as she struggled to maintain her form. Her fists and arms weren¡¯t the problem. It was her stump. The thin layer of flesh over her bone didn¡¯t provide much cushion as it banged into the cloth covered wood.


    ¡°Grandmother¡ª¡±


    ¡°No whining. What have I told you? A fast foot¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ª arrives first.¡±


    ¡°Good, hurry and wash your face, then eat. There are two masked men wanting to talk to you. They¡¯re waiting in Mr. Wang¡¯s apartment.¡±


    Bei blinked.


    ¡°Go! Go!¡± grandmother clapped her hands.


    The sound startled Bei and caused the windows to rattle.


    An hour later, Bei found herself seated next to her grandmother on Mr. Wang¡¯s couch.


    Steam from cups of tea wafted between them and the two masked men seated across the small table.


    Bei studied the masks.


    They looked so real.


    One was a dark dragon, while the other was a bright bird, maybe an eagle from what she remembered seeing in the old books her father used to get for her.


    She wouldn¡¯t admit it out loud, but she found them scary.


    She couldn¡¯t find any hint of the men¡¯s eyes, just the masks.


    And when they spoke it came out of the fixed snarling visages, yet their voices weren¡¯t muffled like one would expect.


    The bird did most of the talking.


    She vaguely remembered him introducing himself as ¡®Minokawa¡¯.


    ¡°Bei!¡± Grandmother snapped. ¡°You are being asked a question.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Grandmother,¡± she straightened, ¡°er, what is your question¡­¡± she hesitated, uncertain on how to address him.


    Proper deference, but what exactly?


    They spoke her language, but in the odd way it sounded when the Universal Translation System was at work.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°¡®Minokawa¡¯ is fine for now,¡± the bird man said.


    Bei¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    He seemed to be very good at guessing what they were about to say.


    ¡°I was just wondering if you¡¯d be willing to tell me about your brother,¡± Minokawa said.


    Boiling rage swelled up from her belly like it always did when the subject came up.


    ¡°Bei¡­¡± Grandmother soothed.


    ¡°You¡¯re right to be angry from what I¡¯ve already heard.¡±


    ¡°Then, master, perhaps Bei can be spared having to recount the terrible tale,¡± Mr. Wang bowed deeply.


    ¡°Please stop bowing or calling us that,¡± the dragon man sighed. ¡°Besides, it¡¯s up to her,¡± he nodded to Bei.


    She steeled herself, pushed down the rage and told a story.


    How some stupid bone tosser, probably an old, toothless witch out in a shack in the woods, threw some chicken bones around and decided to tell a stupid prophecy.


    How her little Bai was destined to seed a tree that would conquer the worlds or something stupid.


    How her parents were murdered by those that wanted to possess her brother.


    How the Shining Glory Sect did nothing just because they wanted him too.


    How one of the Phoenix princes or princesses¡­ she wasn¡¯t sure¡­ came up with the decree to hold a tournament to determine which sect would have the ¡®honor¡¯ of marrying her brother into their families like he was some prized calf.


    The room suddenly warmed.


    It was a nice change from the chill in the air.


    Bakunawa took a deep breath.


    ¡°Crap¡¯s messed up.¡±


    Mr. Wang nodded uncertainly.


    ¡°Thank you for sharing, Bei,¡± Minokawa said.


    He seemed nice, but one didn¡¯t trust men that hid their faces.


    He reached up and pulled the mask off to reveal a brown-skinned face with short black hair, slightly mussed.


    ¡°Philippines?¡± Grandmother muttered.


    What was that?


    Bei didn¡¯t recognize the word.


    ¡°Yeah, by way of America,¡± Minokawa said. ¡°Will this improve trust?¡±


    Bei felt as if he was speaking to her.


    She decided to withhold judgment until she knew what they really wanted.


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep this short and to the point. You¡¯re not aware, but there are other places on this planet that are doing pretty good all things considered. Materially, better than your building. Food, medicine, and other supplies are plentiful and free. Homes are also free. People are likewise free to pursue their passions. You contribute what you want to or what you feel most satisfied with. Obviously, there are still rules. You can¡¯t just, say, go around and chop people¡¯s fingers off for, quote unquote, disrespect. You might wonder about safety in regards to monsters? Well¡­ encounter challenges are maintained to keep them from turning into spawn zones. To start, I¡¯m willing to move your entire building to Manila. Eventually, with time permitting, travel to several other places is possible depending on certain requisites. Specific details will be provided when asked at a future date.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. The important thing right now is to get you and your brother out of here,¡± Bakunawa said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard honeyed words before. Plenty of times someone has promised warmth and full bellies only for the price to only become clear after one steps into the tiger¡¯s jaws,¡± Grandmother said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take volunteers to Manila. They can spend a few days testing my claims. Once done, I¡¯ll take them back here to tell everyone else,¡± Minokawa shrugged.


    ¡°It is hard to trust a man with a made up name.¡±


    ¡°All names are made up,¡± Bakunawa nodded sagely.


    A giggle escaped her lips before Bei could stop it.


    ¡°Also witches,¡± he continued, ¡°witches can do things with real names.¡±


    That seemed to mollify Grandmother. The scowl remained, but she nodded.


    ¡°Mast¡ª misters. If it pleases you, I will gather everyone to decide,¡± Mr. Wang said.


    ¡°Do you trust that word of our presence and offer won¡¯t spread beyond this building? Because if it does then it¡¯ll endanger the other part of why we¡¯re here,¡± Minokawa said.


    ¡°Ah¡­ the tiger¡¯s jaws close,¡± Bei folded her arms and scowled like her grandmother.


    Bakunawa laughed.


    ¡°Bai?¡± grandmother said.


    ¡°To free him endangers you all,¡± Minokawa shrugged. ¡°To free you¡­ well, if the sects think he¡¯s valuable then his life is not in danger.¡±


    ¡°Being wanted for his seed is another kind of danger,¡± Bakunawa shook his head.


    ¡°It is my simple belief that we accomplish these two things at the same time. Better to remove the opportunity for the sects or others to do violence.¡±


    The silence stretched uncomfortably.


    Bei wanted to agree.


    This was their best chance to save Bai.


    A better life for them all was just an added bonus.


    She trusted their words for some reason.


    ¡°Very well,¡± Grandmother suddenly spoke. ¡°Mr. Wang,¡± she regarded the old headman, ¡°pick two others. I will go and see the truth of their words with my own eyes and return to share. If I fail to return? Then I swear on my fists that the tiger will choke on his meal.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª I swear that you won¡¯t be in danger on my account,¡± Minokawa sighed.


    ¡°Nevertheless, the heaven¡¯s have witnessed my words,¡± grandmother said.


    ¡°I¡­¡± Mr. Wang clutched his bandaged hand. ¡°Very well.¡±


    ¡°As soon as possible, please. The tournament is at the end of the week. We don¡¯t have much time,¡± Minokawa said.


    ¡°And my grandson?¡±


    ¡°Mrs. Zhao, I¡¯ll take him to you myself,¡± Minokawa said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be fighting in the tournament,¡± Bakunawa said.


    ¡°It is by invitation,¡± Grandmother said.


    ¡°Yeah, sure, but there¡¯s always a thing for surprise entrants, right? Basically, I¡¯ll beat people up until they let me in, maybe I¡¯ll take someone¡¯s spot. A lot of these sect fighters are a-holes anyways. And if they decide they don¡¯t want to let me in and try to kill me, then that¡¯ll actually make things easier. While they¡¯re busy dealing with me, Bird-dragon,¡± he jabbed a thumb at Minokawa, ¡°will have an even easier time of it.¡±


    ¡°Why not simply take my brother then?¡± Bei challenged.


    ¡°We want confusion and not just of the sects. There are many eyes on your little brother. He won¡¯t be safe until he¡¯s out of their reach,¡± Minokawa said.


    ¡°The longer these a-holes don¡¯t know what exactly is happening the better,¡± Bakunawa¡¯s draconic eye winked, which was disturbingly life-like.


    ¡°One last condition,¡± Grandmother raised a finger, ¡°you take Bei with you as a disciple.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Bakunawa said flatly.


    Minokawa was more amenable.


    ¡°Please explain why?¡± he said.


    ¡°Masters have disciples. It will not be unexpected. Their eyes will hunger for the mystery hidden by your mask,¡± she regarded Bakunawa, ¡°Bei will slip beneath their notice.¡±


    ¡°Sure, but why risk her at all. It¡¯d be better if I took her with you,¡± Minokawa countered.


    Her grandmother denied the defense and pushed through it like crashing rock through straw door.


    ¡°Safer is not better. Bei is close to stepping on her path. Observing sect masters fighting might spark her fire. Overcoming challenges and danger to grow¡­ this is the way of the spires, is it not?¡±


    Bei heard a chime and saw the text flash in her vision.


    ¡°Shi¡ª crap, I just got the Quest,¡± Bakunawa said.


    ¡°Decline it,¡± Minokawa said.


    ¡°I have it too,¡± Bei raised her hand.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean you have to accept it,¡± Minokawa said kindly.


    ¡°But¡­ I have to be a cultivator¡­ to protect Grandmother and Bai,¡± she said softly.


    ¡°There are other ways. We can help you achieve your goal, but in less¡­ foolhardy ways.¡±


    ¡°No. This is her mountain to climb. She must or the stone of her parents¡¯ deaths will weigh her down for the rest of her life,¡± Grandmother said.


    ¡°Jeez, Mrs. Zhao, that¡¯s a bit harsh,¡± Bakunawa said.


    ¡°Excuse us, clearly we have to discuss this. How about we take a break? Mr. Wang can pick the two I¡¯m taking to Manila with you, Mrs. Zhao,¡± Minokawa said.


    ¡°You may stay here if it pleases you, Mr. Minokawa, Mr. Bakunawa,¡± Mr. Wang bowed.


    ¡°Nah, thanks, but it¡¯s cool, we¡¯ll be hanging around outside,¡± Bakunawa waved vaguely in every direction as he stood.


    ¡°Is an hour enough time?¡± Minokawa rose as well.


    ¡°Yes, of course, Mr. Minokawa,¡± Mr. Wang said.


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll be back here by then.¡±


    Minokawa followed Bakunawa out the door.


    Bei rushed to the window, pulling the curtains open, but saw nothing.


    How?


    It was as if they had vanished.


    What spells or Skills had they used?


    ¡°Grandmother, are they¡­¡±


    ¡°I do not know what they are, Bei.¡±


    ¡°My prayers¡ª¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Grandmother snapped. ¡°They are men. Be certain of that. Powerful, perhaps, but men just like any other, like us.¡±


    Bei wasn¡¯t so sure.


    High in the sky, Minokawa and Bakunawa debated the merits of child endangerment, which to be clear was exactly what it was.


    The spires didn¡¯t care for anyone¡¯s safety, in fact, evidence over the years indicated the opposite. They spurred the never ending quest for power through conflict, which meant danger.


    ¡°How bout no,¡± Minokawa said.


    ¡°Agreed, but to play devil¡¯s advocate¡ª¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Seems fair,¡± Bakunawa shrugged. ¡°Anyways, Bei¡¯s not my kid, nor yours. Scary Mrs. Zhao¡¯s in charge. So, we have her position on one side and the rational one on the other.¡±


    ¡°When you put it that way the answer¡¯s obvious.¡±


    ¡°Sure, but if we got Quests for this, then I have to ask, what about the other side?¡±


    Minokawa¡¯s feathered eagle-dragon mask frowned.


    ¡°It¡¯s not likely that this Shining Glory Sect just got a Quest to stop us from taking their ¡®peasants¡¯ to a better life. They¡¯d need more concrete knowledge that it was possible and I made sure that the two informants in that building aren¡¯t going to think about going to the sect even if they find out what¡¯s about to happen. Besides, even they¡¯d jump head first on our offer once it became obvious that their lives would improve astronomically.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, a few extra handfuls of scraps are still scraps,¡± Bakunawa shook his head. ¡°Free food and the sects still keep the people just a few rungs above starvation. Morons.¡±


    ¡°So, we can rule out a counter Quest on that front. However, I¡¯m fairly certain that any number of people have Quests relating to Bai.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you, like, find out for sure?¡±


    ¡°I will once I get closer to him.¡±


    ¡°Alright, so, Bei¡¯s got this underdog vibe going for her, which reminds me of all the underdogs I¡¯ve helped before and now they¡¯re powerful and doing good stuff. And the world still needs powerful and decent people. Especially with what might be coming up in the next decade,¡± Bakunawa shrugged.


    ¡°Right, but most of those cases you and they didn¡¯t have a choice. It was fight or die or worse, from what you¡¯ve told me. This is different. There is a choice. And the smart one is to take with her grandmother to Manila.¡±


    ¡°What if they don¡¯t want to go?¡±


    ¡°They will.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, probably. Okay, I vote in favor of me having Bei as my martial disciple.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got play along for her to maximize her gains. I was going to pretend anyways. This is the first chance I¡¯ve got to go all Street Fighter without feeling stupid because stupid is the point.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Dude, being by my side is like the third or fourth safest place she could be in.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Look, I was going to wander the city a bit, beating up arrogant young masters and other assholes to build a rep so I can get into the tournament anyways.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s oddly specific.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s how it was in stories and, as it turns out, in real life. Art imitates life and all that,¡± Bakunawa shrugged, ¡°you¡¯d know what I¡¯m talking about if you had broadened your horizons more instead of being an ignorant provincial that never leaves your home region.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been to another world!¡±


    ¡°Yeah and how much of that place did you see?¡±


    ¡°Still more than you.¡±


    ¡°Cause I was busy seeing this whole world. Dude, I¡¯ve gone completely around on this. You¡¯ve convinced me. Bei should be a part of the Quest to free her brother. Think of her gains! Plus, she won¡¯t be in any real danger since you¡¯ll be right there for the tournament.¡±


    ¡°Right, so the timetable¡¯s looking like I take, say, an hour to fly the tourists over to Manila and get them set up with a tour guide.¡±


    ¡°Just have Mom do it. That¡¯s like the third safest place.¡±


    ¡°Maybe. I do that, then I head back here to keep my eyes on things and to keep their eyes off.¡±


    ¡°Which means that if it gets really dangerous for Bei, you¡¯re right there. So, I was wrong earlier. She¡¯s actually even safer. I¡¯ll just need to get her a dragon mask,¡± Bakunawa¡¯s brow raised as he regarded Minokawa.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll also pick one up for her.¡±


    ¡°Great! That¡¯ll be our gimmick. Master and disciple. Dragon-serpent and dragon-serpent baby¡­ hatchling? Does Bakunawa have kids? Can you find out?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Minokawa sighed. ¡°Wait, so who¡¯s first and second?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, we¡¯ve still got a lot of time to kill,¡± Bakunawa ignored him.


    They bickered over brotherly things until the hour had elapsed.


    Within minutes, Minokawa and three others flew into orbit inside a telekinetic sphere.


    He darkened it to spare them the terrifying sight despite one complaining voice.

 Interlude: Cultivator 1.4

    ¡°You know how to fight?¡± Bakunawa said.


    Bei grunted.


    She was wary of the masked man, but she deemed the Quest worth the risks.


    Congratulations!


    You have received a Quest.


    Participate in freeing Zhao Bai, your precious little brother.


    Success Parameters: Free your brother and escape with him.


    Failure Parameters: Die or be captured. Leave Zhao Bai in the hands of the sects.


    Reward(s): Contingent on participation level. The greater your impact the greater your reward.


    Grandmother had surprised her by agreeing.


    ¡°Grandmother taught me.¡±


    ¡°Do you have the class or did those sect a-holes force you to pick up peasant or something worse?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Cool, don¡¯t tell me if you don¡¯t want to.¡±


    ¡°She taught me Bajiquan and Wing Chun, but they¡¯re not my class.¡±


    ¡°Could be a good idea to keep it generalized, so it doesn¡¯t lock you into something you don¡¯t want. You¡¯re young, plenty of time to figure that out. You aiming to be a cultivator?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Cool cool. I know a bit about that. Knew a few of them from years back. They died though, so that¡¯s sad. That Phoenix Empress, she¡¯s a brat. Met her and her douche brother before they started the whole dynasty weirdness. She¡¯s not a cultivator though.¡±


    Bei processed the masked man¡¯s words.


    He sounded truthful.


    She chalked up the odd word he used to the translation system.


    ¡°This was like, eight years ago. We teamed up with a dragon to take on this weird insect-lich, er, sorry, arachnid-lich, from another world. Although, might not have been an arachnid as we know it, since that¡¯s an Earth thing. It was definitely a lich though, had a phylactery and everything. Super gross too, they laid it inside this poor bast¡ª guy and¡­ sorry. That¡¯s too much gross information.¡±


    ¡°It is fine. I would hear more of this.¡±


    ¡°Nah, I can hear your stomach roiling and since we just ate I know it isn¡¯t hunger. Don¡¯t want you to puke in your mask. Speaking of¡­ how is it fitting?¡±


    ¡°Strange, but comfortable. I know it covers my face and ears, yet I can see, hear and breathe as if I didn¡¯t have it on.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s enchanted. Don¡¯t know specifics and the dude wasn¡¯t going to share even if I asked.¡± Bakunawa squinted toward the east. ¡°Oh good, looks like your grandmother¡¯s info was good. I guess being a retired cultivator keeps her somewhat connected to the local scene.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°The patrol.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t see.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re a ways off. You got the zoom function figured out?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Awesome. Your grandmother wants you to observe cultivators in action so, that¡¯s what you¡¯re going to do. Make sure to record it so you can watch it in slow-mo later to see if that¡¯ll help you gain insight and such. Don¡¯t forget though that becoming a cultivator is kind of an individual thing.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I know. My grandmother is one and she¡¯s taught me as much as she can without polluting my potential path.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough. My knowledge is coming from a few conversations I had a long time ago. She¡¯s definitely more knowledgeable than me.¡±


    Bei spotted the patrol a few minutes after Bakunawa, even with the optical zoom in her mask. His must¡¯ve been a lot better.


    ¡°What sect is that? Is that a squirrel?¡± he pointed at the flag whipping a top the truck¡¯s roof. ¡°¡­ with a sword and a gun?¡±


    ¡°The Flying Marten Society.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ well, stay here. You should be safe. Hold on to my murse,¡± he handed his small bag to her before jumping over the fifth floor balcony, crushing the street beneath his boots upon landing.


    More minutes passed until the truck finally reached him.


    Her heart threatened to leap out of her chest.


    One did not simply greet a truck filled with cultivators with an insolent wave.


    ¡°Stand aside or be squashed, whoever you might be. We don¡¯t have time for you or petty challenges. We are for a hot bath, wine and women. Perhaps, tomorrow you may come crawling to the Flying Marten Society compound. We¡¯ll test you then!¡± one of the cultivators boomed.


    The crystal clear voice across the distance was the product of a Skill.


    Bei was certain.


    She didn¡¯t recognize the lithe speaker with his perfect black hair, though, his yellow and brown robes and armor were stained with battle, which lessened the grandeur.


    He must¡¯ve been one of the society¡¯s best fighters.


    How Bakunawa knew to target him and that he¡¯d exactly be at this spot, she didn¡¯t know.


    ¡°Forsooth, I was just wondering if you¡¯re the guy with a spot in that little tournament,¡± Bakunawa gestured grandly.


    ¡°I am¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t care what your name is. Just need confirmation. Wouldn¡¯t want to beat up the wrong guy. That¡¯d make me a dick.¡±


    ¡°I am ¡®Ferocious Fang¡¯ of the Flying Marten Society and you¡¯ve sealed your doom, stranger,¡± the cultivator drew twin, curved swords.


    ¡°Those will do nicely as proof,¡± Bakunawa moved with a spray of broken street.


    The sound of torn metal shrieked in Bei¡¯s ears even from her distant vantage point.


    Men and women screamed.


    A cloud of dust and debris bloomed to swallow the scene like a volcanic eruption.


    Bei missed everything.


    When the dust cleared Bakunawa stood on top of the mangled truck.


    Cultivators lay scattered all over the place.


    One hung from an old billboard, legs kicking from where he had been shoved through the faded picture of a man.


    Bei giggled at the surprised look on the long-forgotten man¡¯s face. She supposed one would be surprised to find another man shoved in their mouth.


    Another had been planted inside an old garbage container. His legs kicked in a vain attempt to free himself. The container had been crunched around him.


    The rest groaned, cradling broken arms and bruised faces.


    It didn¡¯t seem possible for so much to have been done in such a short amount of time.


    Bakunawa held Ferocious Fang¡¯s swords in one hand and the man himself in the other.


    The cultivator was still conscious, bloodied, but conscious.


    Bakunawa brought Ferocious Fang close to his dragon-masked face.


    ¡°Here¡¯s what you¡¯re going to do. You¡¯re going to go home and tell everyone that ¡®Bakunawa¡¯, that¡¯s me by the way, beat you badly and wants a spot in that tournament. In exchange, I¡¯ll let you run home. Plenty of light left and not too many monsters in this part of the city. So, agreed?¡±


    Ferocious Fang spat.


    Bakunawa dodged.


    Bei¡¯s eyes grew wide as tea saucers.


    She hadn¡¯t¡ª


    ¡°See, I was expecting that, but since this is a negotiation, let me sweeten the offer. These swords of yours, how about I break them?¡±


    Ferocious Fang¡¯s eyes grew as wide as Bei¡¯s.


    ¡°No, please, master,¡± another cultivator staggered to his feet before dropping back to his knees to press his head on the asphalt. ¡°Those are the young master¡¯s spiritual weapons. You¡¯d cripple him.¡±


    Ferocious Fang hissed.


    ¡°Silence, worm, you¡¯d be¡ª¡±


    ¡°Leave him alone, he¡¯s only looking out for you. Besides, I already knew that,¡± Bakunawa sighed. ¡°One of the drawbacks of creating a spiritual weapon, am I right?¡±


    Ferocious Fang gulped.


    ¡°How do you know? You are no cultivator. I felt no Qi.¡±


    ¡°Or¡­ maybe it¡¯s because I¡¯m so far above you.¡± Ferocious Fang¡¯s blades groaned as Bakunawa squeezed. ¡°This is a lightning deal. Time¡¯s ticking.¡±


    ¡°I must deliver your message. That¡¯s all?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right Fangy. And no lying about how I only won through deceit and treachery. You spread the word to all the sects. I get a spot in that tournament or competitors are going to end up like you. Five days to go and I¡¯ll ramp up production the closer we get.¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡±


    Bakunawa released Ferocious Fang, who stumbled to his knees.


    ¡°It¡¯s a good deal. Don¡¯t worry about the loss of face or whatever. You¡¯re the first, but I¡¯m pretty sure you won¡¯t be the last. In a way it¡¯s better for you. You know how it is, people remember the most recent stuff. Now, here¡¯s your sword,¡± Bakunawa flipped one over.


    Ferocious Fang snatched it covetously out of the air.


    ¡°The other¡­¡±


    Bakunawa laughed.


    ¡°Collateral. You¡¯ll get it back once you¡¯ve finished your part of the deal. I know you didn¡¯t swear an oath, but I¡¯m giving you a chance to be better. The arrogant young master shit is just stupid. And you¡¯re not as bad as others. If you had been¡­ well¡­ try your best not to find out.¡±


    With that Bakunawa leapt into the sky.


    Bei hurried back into the building, up the stairs and to the roof where Bakunawa waited as they had planned.


    ¡°Want a sword?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just a sword to me.¡±


    ¡°I know, I just wanted you to carry it. You¡¯re supposed to be my disciple, after all. So, did you gain any enlightenment, er, insight?¡±


    ¡°It was too fast for me to follow.¡±


    ¡°Then try playing it back in slow-mo.¡±


    Bei thought and the mask obeyed.


    A strange blend of magic and technology that she¡¯d scarcely imagined existed.


    Though, she should¡¯ve known better.


    Anything was possible in the spires world.


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The fight played out in front of her eyes.


    ¡­


    ¡°You hit them without forms. None had the opportunity to strike you back,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°My bad. Next time I¡¯ll go slower and do real moves.¡±


    ¡°You know martial arts?¡± she said dubiously.


    ¡°A little bit of different stuff. I don¡¯t really have the opportunity to use them. Monster fighting is different from humanoid fighting and most humanoids are too easy. I actually have to be careful not to accidentally hurt them too much. Picture an egg man and you have to knock him out, but without cracking the shell. It¡¯s sorta like that,¡± he shrugged.


    She sorta followed.


    So, like a good disciple she took Ferocious Fang¡¯s sword and slung it over her shoulder.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how to use it.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just holding on to it. If Fangy does his part then we¡¯ll give it back. Alright, let¡¯s head over to the next spot.¡±


    Bei never knew the exhilaration of flying through the sky.


    It was over all too quickly for her tastes.


    They landed in a different outskirts section of the city.


    ¡°I prepped a few safe houses,¡± Bakunawa led her to a small dilapidated house amidst a cluster of many more.


    She was wary, but her Grandmother had told her to trust.


    ¡°There¡¯s food, water, juice,¡± he gave her a quick tour, ¡°bedroom, bathroom, one thing I have to give to the sects. They do a pretty good job of maintaining all the old city services,¡± he flushed the toilet, ¡°see, indoor plumbing. Anyways, um, do what you want. We¡¯ll go meet our next target at dawn. I¡¯ll be out and about making sure there aren¡¯t any unwanted surprises.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to sleep?¡±


    ¡°Nah, I¡¯m good for a couple of weeks.¡±


    Bei didn¡¯t relax even though she was now alone. The one concession she made to herself was to remover her mask. She wondered what he looked like underneath his.


    The other one, Minokawa had revealed his face, but for some reason she was having a hard time picturing him.


    Black hair, brown skin was about all she could recall.


    ¡°Remove extraneous thoughts,¡± she murmured before sitting down in the middle of the dusty old living room.


    Meditation as her grandmother taught her.


    Picturing the forms in her mind.


    Trying to unlock the insight that led to true cultivation.


    She had Qi.


    They all did, according to her grandmother.


    It was just a matter of unlocking them.


    Did Bakunawa have Qi too?


    He wasn¡¯t a cultivator, yet he moved faster and hit harder than she had thought possible.


    A different class? Or something else?


    Her schooling in that regard had been stunted.


    The Shining Glory Sect didn¡¯t provide knowledge to the peasants.


    Bei¡¯s lip twisted.


    Her meditative state crashed before it had time to begin.


    She stood cursing and immediately fell into the forms.


    Short and powerful punches, elbow and shoulder strikes to start.


    Then she switched to deflecting and blocking imaginary foes to deliver her own rapid, powerful blows at imaginary vital spots on the body.


    Perhaps, therein lay her problems.


    Two separate styles, though not without similarities, might¡¯ve pulled her in two directions when she needed to start on a singular path.


    Although, Grandmother had warned against that way of thinking.


    It was the individual that determined their own path, which meant she could utilize any number of styles or blend them.


    She guessed.


    Frustration took her out the forms.


    She cursed.


    Perhaps, that was her problem.


    The lack of inner calm.


    Though, how could a brute like the so-called Last Khan rise to the status of cultivator?


    There was no way that man had ever been calm.


    She had lost hers, so she wiped her sweat and boiled water for her instant noodle dinner.


    Bakunawa had stocked the kitchen with dozens of types and flavors.


    Such choice she had only heard about from her elders¡¯ stories about stores in the days before.


    She had never truly believed them, but now¡­ now she did.


    Sleep came with difficulty as it always had.


    Nightmares of her parents and her brother dogged her while the moon¡¯s rays bathed her through the dust-covered window.


    ¡°Breakfast!¡± Bakunawa called out in a cheery voice.


    She grumbled as she first washed her face before heading to the kitchen.


    ¡°I made you an omelet,¡± he gestured at the monstrosity on the plate.


    It took up an entire plate, like no omelet she had ever had before.


    Eggs were a precious treat.


    She could count the number of times she had had an omelet on her fingers.


    ¡°Eggs, bacon, ham and, uh, vegetables.¡±


    ¡°What kind?¡±


    ¡°Green and red peppers, not the spicy kind.¡±


    Too bad.


    Spice was something she was accustomed too as it wasn¡¯t too difficult to grow chili peppers in her building, plus the sects didn¡¯t take them like they did other, more substantial fare.


    No.


    They farmed for the sects before themselves.


    Such was the lot of those with their classes.


    ¡°It¡¯s still dark,¡± she yawned.


    ¡°Sunrise in an hour,¡± Bakunawa nodded.


    Right, they had to meet the departing patrol at dawn.


    She knew that the Green Orchard Sect had dominion over this section of the city.


    Grandmother¡¯s lessons at work.


    She took the chopsticks Bakunawa held out.


    ¡°Eat up. You¡¯re way too skinny¡­ er¡­ damn, I sound like my mom. What I meant to say is that. Fighters need fuel.¡±


    She stared down at the massive omelet.


    ¡°All yours.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t finish.¡±


    ¡°Just go till you¡¯re full. There¡¯s electricity and the fridge still works so you can save it for lunch.¡±


    ¡°Are you going to keep your mask on all the time?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s safer for you if you don¡¯t know what I look like.¡±


    He didn¡¯t elaborate further.


    ¡°Okay. That¡¯s strange, but you¡¯re helping me get my brother back,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°Sure, but that doesn¡¯t mean you have to put up with weirdos. So, fill free to give me a hard time about it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already become used to it.¡±


    ¡°What can you tell me about the Green Orchard Sect?¡±


    Bei chewed quickly while she recalled Grandmother¡¯s lessons.


    The sublime flavors of the yellow gold bounty on her plate and palate threatened to derail her thoughts.


    She had never experienced such grandeur.


    The soft fluffiness, the delectable fat flavor, the crispiness.


    Is this what life was like for the sects?


    ¡°They follow the Dao of nature¡­ um¡­ more like aspects of nature.¡±


    ¡°So, like plants and junk?¡±


    ¡°All of nature. Animals too.¡±


    ¡°I guess the ¡®Verdant Viper¡¯s¡¯ name is pretty on the nose then.¡±


    Bei¡¯s eyes widened and she choked.


    ¡°Her poison is legendary!¡± she managed after a glass of water.


    ¡°Is it poison or venom?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the diff¡ª¡± Bei thought.


    Grandmother¡¯s lessons gave her the answer a split-second after Bakunawa decided to explain.


    ¡°Venom¡¯s when something bites you. Poison¡¯s when you bite something. Generally speaking,¡± Bakunawa said.


    ¡°Weapons are covered in poison and they bite.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a general rule,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°The Verdant Viper only uses her most powerful Skills against monsters or the truly evil. The other sects banded together to impose a ruling to certain of that. In fact, the Green Orchard Sect is known for clearing encounter challenges and spawn zones rather than winning competitions for that reason.¡±


    ¡°Makes sense when they can¡¯t use their best stuff unless they want to kill people.¡±


    ¡°Do you have a technique to counter her venom?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t get bit,¡± he shrugged.


    She scowled up at him.


    ¡°Relax, the Verdant Viper isn¡¯t on this patrol. It¡¯s another one of those arrogant young masters¡­ er¡­ mistresses?¡± he rolled his eyes.


    They met the patrol just as sun¡¯s first light crested over the eastern mountains.


    The Green Orchard¡¯s shielded their eyes from the glare as Bakunawa issued his challenged.


    ¡°Hey, sup? You didn¡¯t happen to get the message, did you? From Ferocious Fangy?¡±


    ¡°Mongrel dog! You think you can extort us?¡±


    Bei didn¡¯t know the young mistress wielding a spear wreathed in thorn-covered vines.


    ¡°You face Hua Mei of the Green Orchard Sect! I will repay the insult you dealt to the weaklings of the Flying Marten Society! Prepare yourself, Bakunawa!¡±


    ¡°God damn it¡­ I¡¯m beating up stupid kids.¡±


    Bei caught Bakunawa¡¯s words despite the distance to her hiding place a top a small building.


    Hua Mei¡¯s silk robes fluttered in the non-existent breeze. Her armor glittered with jade. Her raven black hair waved around smooth skin that reminded one of fresh milk.


    She was the perfect picture of martial beauty.


    ¡°Listen, young lady,¡± Bakunawa continued. ¡°I just want in on the tournament. You¡¯re set to fight, right? Don¡¯t ruin your chance. Just leave that spear and go run back to your masters with that message. You tell them I get a spot and you get your spiritual weapon back in one piece.¡±


    ¡°We won¡¯t be bullied by the likes of you. Ready yourself.¡±


    Steely eyes bore into Bakunawa¡¯s life-less dragon mask ones.


    What level was Hua Mei?


    She was young, which suggested that, like Ferocious Fang, she was likely below Level 30, thus early in her path.


    Bakunawa beckoned lazily.


    Hua Mei covered the wide distance in a flying lunge, thrusting her spear with one fully-extended hand.


    True to his word, Bakunawa moved slower.


    Bei could follow the action now.


    The spear zipped past the side of Bakunawa¡¯s head as he slipped to his right.


    Hua Mei moved fast.


    Bei lost count of how many times the spear darted back and forward in a vain attempt to pierce Bakunawa¡¯s face.


    He dashed forward and threw a lazy punch.


    Bei frowned.


    It was everything wrong in a punch.


    He didn¡¯t build power from his legs, to his hips, his back and shoulder, until finally down his arms to his fist.


    He simply flicked his arm out like he was trying to punch an¡ª Bei sighed¡ª eggman¡­


    The impact had her eyes widen like saucers once again.


    Steel dented and jade shattered.


    Hua Mei went flying toward her fellow Green Orchard Sect members.


    In fact she was going to hit one of their trucks¡ª


    Until an old white-haired man snatched her from danger in a swirl of brown and green robes.


    Bei hadn¡¯t seen him move.


    In fact, she hadn¡¯t seen him to begin with.


    He had appeared as if out of thin air.


    Bakunawa twirled Hua Mei¡¯s spear in one hand while standing insolently in the middle of the street.


    ¡°You¡¯re a master?¡± he said.


    ¡°I am. You are, indeed, Bakunawa?¡±


    ¡°I am. What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d learn it to your regret.¡±


    ¡°Let me guess. You came along in secret hoping to catch me off-guard.¡±


    The old master laughed from his belly.


    The young sect members joined in hesitantly.


    Winter was drawing close, which meant that the morning chill had been growing more potent of late. And yet, why did it feel like a warm summer day?


    ¡°So, I beat you up then I can get in the tournament.¡±


    ¡°A masked stranger doesn¡¯t simply walk into the city and make demands. Let alone enter a prestigious tournament.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about. That¡¯s, like, how it happens all the time.¡±


    The old master glared balefully, yet, strangely, to Bei, he made no move to attack. Indeed, she was no expert, but it seemed as though he stood purposefully to avoid presenting a threat what with his empty palms held out wide.


    ¡°You are no cultivator. You have no Qi. Therefore you have no right to join.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s the gatekeeping again,¡± Bakunawa sighed theatrically. He spun the spear faster and faster so that it was a blur before suddenly plunging it into the street. ¡°How much can it take?¡± he pressed a finger on the wooden shaft slowly bending it. ¡°Spiritual weapon, right?¡±


    ¡°It would be catastrophic, but a worthy challenge for Hua Mei to overcome. She may even end up stronger for it.¡±


    ¡°Cold as expected. Although, bit surprising for someone that¡¯s supposed to be all about nature.¡±


    ¡°Nature is as cold as it is warm. As kind as it is cruel. Children know this.¡±


    ¡°Got me there,¡± Bakunawa laughed. ¡°How about this? I break your limbs¡­ then I get into the tournament?¡±


    ¡°Or battle will endanger the young ones and their safety is my responsibility. We will withdraw and I believe you won¡¯t force the issue. For you strike as though you were fighting delicate porcelain.¡±


    ¡°I still have her spear. I mean, her mom and dad are fellow masters, right? They won¡¯t be happy with you for leaving it in my hands.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll understand and we will retrieve it shortly.¡±


    ¡°I wonder¡­ would you be so calm if it was your spiritual weapon. Run along old man. Tell your fellow masters that the longer this goes on the worst it gets. The ticking clock has a way of making the most careful of us reckless.¡±


    ¡°The Green Orchard Sect doesn¡¯t forget.¡±


    With that they piled back into their vehicles and turned around.


    Bakunawa joined Bei.


    ¡°Spear?¡±


    She took it with a sigh.


    ¡°Okay, that was disappointing, but not surprising. The big sects won¡¯t care about the little ones. Green Orchard¡¯s big, but the other big ones won¡¯t care until it¡¯s them. They¡¯ll probably think it¡¯s good for them that Hua Mei might be crippled as a cultivator. Bunch of dicks.¡±


    ¡°That is why we are going to fight others?¡±


    ¡°Yup. We¡¯re going to hit all sorts of sects over the next few days. Small, big, everything in between.¡±


    ¡°What if they still won¡¯t let you in to the tournament?¡± Bei worried about her brother.


    ¡°Honestly, that¡¯s, like, pretty low on the priority list. We want all their attention on us while Minokawa flies your grandmother and neighbors to Manila. Once they¡¯re all safe he can just get your brother and take the two of you to them.¡±


    She didn¡¯t dare hope that things would work out so perfectly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. That part¡¯s basically a guarantee. I just want to send a very loud and public message to the sects and a few others about the perils of running a feudal society. We shouldn¡¯t be going backwards. I mean, free food in the stores. More than enough to go around for everyone, like, thousands of times over. Smart people have been stockpiling supplies for years. There¡¯s stasis magic for fu¡ª crap¡¯s sake!¡± Bakunawa shook his head. ¡°C¡¯mon, let¡¯s go to the other side of the city,¡± he held out his arms.


    Once again Bei experienced the joy of flight.

 Interlude: Cultivator 1.5

    One day passed and Bei¡¯s collection of spiritual weapons had become unmanageably heavy.


    ¡°Good way to build overall body strength,¡± Bakunawa had said.


    Things changed on their second full day of activity.


    The sects actively sent out teams to hunt them down.


    It didn¡¯t matter.


    Bakunawa waited in a square and in view of dozens of lunch time diners smacked down cultivator after cultivator.


    Bei started to learn more after she realized in a fit of insight that she shouldn¡¯t be paying attention to Bakunawa, but rather to the cultivators.


    Too bad it wasn¡¯t true insight.


    The sects did learn something.


    They kept their spiritual weapons at home.


    Beat up sect fighters, then fly to another section of the city and do it again to a different sect.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you just go straight to the sect?¡± Bei had asked after one particularly brutal session.


    The Sect of the Smashing Fist didn¡¯t have quit in them, which, ironically, turned out to be a terrible thing for them.


    ¡°Dojo storm? Nah. They¡¯d take that way too personally and this would get out of hand,¡± Bakunawa had said.


    Day three was quieter.


    There had only been one match.


    The sects must¡¯ve decided that they couldn¡¯t afford to lose more of their potential tournament fighters.


    A true master had met them underneath the shrine dedicated to the God of War.


    The statue of his red-faced countenance glared fiercely down on the almost empty square. Long, luxuriant beard flowed down strong green-robed chest. His Green Dragon Crescent Blade stood tall and proud.


    The last remaining leaves swirled in the chill morning air.


    A zither played a soothing melody, though Bei couldn¡¯t quite locate the musician.


    ¡°Is that a Skill?¡± Bakunawa said.


    The Blind Song Master inclined his blind-folded head a few centimeters.


    Bei¡¯s mask actually measured it.


    Annoyed, she thought hard to get the numbers to go away. She didn¡¯t want to miss a moment of this fight.


    ¡°Seems like a waste of a spot unless it also gives you boosts.¡±


    Another slight inclination.


    ¡°Okay, well, let me repeat my spiel¡­¡±


    Bakunawa did so.


    ¡°Do you really want to miss out on the tournament?¡±


    ¡°Yes. My ears tell me that this is the greatest challenge I can face. The frivolity of the contest cannot compare,¡± Blind Song said serenely.


    ¡°I can respect that. Can you do something for me in return?¡±


    ¡°Ask and I will endeavor to comply.¡±


    ¡°Convince your fellow masters to concede.¡±


    ¡°Our pride blinds us to the hidden vipers in the short grass.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but even you can see that you¡¯re throwing eggs against a titanium wall here. No eggs, no tournament. And you know that if the Phoenix Dynasty gets involved, well, that¡¯s, like, a huge loss of face for this city¡¯s sects. I mean, all of you couldn¡¯t stop one mysterious masked man.¡±


    ¡°Your words are true. I will attempt as you ask.¡±


    ¡°Cool¡­ oh, I¡¯ll return all the spiritual weapons too. No ransom or anything.¡±


    ¡°Your generosity is a bountiful as the spring river. Let us begin.¡±


    The zither soared¡ª and crashed into a discordant shriek.


    One that Bei wanted to join in as she almost ripped off her mini-Bakunawa mask in frustration.


    How could she learn when she couldn¡¯t follow the action?


    Such regret, such despair.


    Master Blind Song was fast.


    Less than two seconds.


    She saw a vague blur underneath the shrine¡¯s arch as the leaves swirled around in a frenzy.


    And then?


    The blurs resolved into Bakunawa choking the master into unconsciousness.


    ¡°Yeah, you probably didn¡¯t catch any of that. The playback might not be that clear either. The dude was stupid fast,¡± he shrugged as they walked away from where he left the master in a bed of fallen leaves. ¡°He¡¯ll wake up in a bit. Hopefully, this message will stick. Otherwise we¡¯re going to have to go to plan ¡®grab your brother and run¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because I¡¯m not going to let people get turned into collateral damage. The master back there is a decent dude. He¡¯s mindful of such things. Notice how the whole area was cleared. The other masters are probably not as cool. If another one tries their luck then there¡¯s a chance innocent bystanders will get hurt. Let alone the building damage. The sects will then probably raise taxes to pay for the repairs, never mind that it was all their fault.¡±


    ¡°Or yours¡­¡±


    ¡°You have a point.¡±


    Day three ended.


    Day four began.


    Onlookers gathered eagerly despite Bakunawa exhorting them to go away.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, people! Do you want to get caught up in a fight? Buildings will be blown up! There¡¯ll probably be fire or ice or nature!¡± he leaned down to Bei. ¡°What¡¯ll make them leave?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. Martial challenges are frequent. Or so I¡¯ve heard. Our village is far from here and the Shining Glory Sect rules alone so there aren¡¯t opportunities to observe and learn.¡±


    ¡°Seems like they¡¯re here though,¡± he nodded towards a small group of young men and women in purple robes embroidered with the golden sun shining on a field of swords.


    Bei recognized the sword-wielding young master from a few days ago.


    ¡°They arrogant? They look arrogant.¡±


    Bei nodded.


    ¡°Oh, yeah, that¡¯s, like, the default.¡±


    The crowd parted to allow Master Blind Song to approach.


    ¡°The five great martial sects of the city are in accord. You, Bakunawa, are granted entrance into the tournament by our overwhelming generosity and humility.¡±


    ¡°Great! Finally, reason!¡± Bakunawa gestured.


    Bei hefted the heavy sack with a grunt and carried it Blind Song.


    The master regarded her curiously.


    The blindfold gave nothing away and she was glad that her mask did the same.


    Although, her gut clenched when Master Blind Song raised a brow at her.


    ¡°As promised,¡± Bakunawa said, ¡°all the spiritual weapons I won. None damaged¡­ I might¡¯ve accidentally dropped a few on some unknown monster or mutant animal crap.¡±


    ¡°You give no face?¡± Blind Song said, more curious than insulted.


    Bei had counseled against the defilement, but Bakunawa had swayed her with a few simple words.


    ¡°You act like shi¡ª crap, then your spiritual weapon gets crap all over it,¡± he had said when he had forced her to help.


    Such disgust¡­ such vindictive glee.


    She had prayed for forgiveness until she realized that if one god was to appreciate the act, it would be the god of vengeance¡­ if there was a god of vengeance? She had reminded herself to ask Grandmother.


    ¡°Nope,¡± Bakunawa said. ¡°You don¡¯t get respect from me for beating down on peasants. Forcing people to be peasants, well, the last few days was just a teaser of what you get for doing that. Tell all your fellow masters that. I¡¯ll reiterate my message during the tournament.¡±


    Master Blind Song bowed and departed with the bag of smeared spiritual weapons.


    The crowd grumbled with disappointment as they too left to continue on with their day.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a day to kill, what do you want to do? Any sights you want to see?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she said before thinking.


    ¡°Psst, I can fly, remember?¡± Bakunawa whispered. ¡°You can literally pick almost any place.¡±


    ¡°The tallest mountain,¡± she blurted.


    She didn¡¯t know of the tallest mountain specifically, she just loved the sensation of flight and had always wanted to look down on the world.


    ¡°Okay, maybe a tall mountain. Not the tallest.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    To be thwarted at the last instant.


    Such disappointment, such suffering.


    ¡°Your mask doesn¡¯t have an integrated oxygen system. Also it¡¯s cold up there, but I saw a store down the street, we can get you some mountaineering clothes. Which means a merely tall mountain is your current ceiling,¡± Bakunawa chuckled.


    She didn¡¯t see a cause for levity.


    This sounded more dangerous than she had thought.


    Perhaps¡ª


    ¡°C¡¯mon, those mountains look pretty tall,¡± he pointed eastward.


    Bei felt like a pillow bundled up in multiple layers wrapped in a puffy jacket and pants as Bakunawa carried her to the first tall mountain in her life.


    The view was as awe-inspiring as she had imagined.


    The giant flying monster was less so.


    Covered in monster blood, Bei didn''t find the flight back as enjoyable.


    Bakunawa called it a day.


    They cleaned up at the safe house before heading to a hotel close to the stadium where the tournament was set to take place.


    ¡°Is this wise?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s cool. Now that we¡¯re in the tournament they can¡¯t mess with us or it¡¯ll be bad ¡®face¡¯ or something like that.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°Not really¡­¡±


    ¡°The sects will leave us alone, but only the sects. Grandmother warned me.¡±


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    ¡°So, like, secret assassins?¡±


    ¡°Or other ways to get you to do something that¡¯ll allow them to kick you out without losing face.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Bakunawa spun on his heels and walked back toward the alley.


    Bei skidded to a halt and chased after him.


    ¡°Back to the old house, which is too bad. I heard that place had an awesome restaurant with good dim sum. Figured you¡¯re getting sick of instant noodles.¡±


    ¡°No! I love them! They fill me up.¡±


    ¡°I guess I can probably pick up some dim sum for breakfast tomorrow. The fights don¡¯t start until later. We can miss the opening ceremony crap. Plenty of time to find out when my match is supposed to start.¡±


    As it turned out Bakunawa had the honor of fighting in the first match.


    Bei had a seat close to the action by virtue of being his ¡®disciple¡¯.


    The stadium used to hold matches where two teams tried to kick a round ball into a net according to Grandmother.


    She was on the fence about that story.


    It sounded frivolous to her and Grandmother did occasionally like to tell tall tales.


    Be that as it may, the stadium was filled to the brim.


    The amount of people in one place stunned Bei.


    The noise of their chanting and stomping would¡¯ve overwhelmed her had it not been for the mask dulling the noise.


    Bakunawa stood on one end of the dirt-covered field.


    The master known as Rain of the Heavens stood on the other end.


    ¡°Phew¡­ made it just in time.¡±


    Bei jumped out of her seat.


    She had been alone in her section.


    Minokawa sat two seats to her left.


    The bird mask¡¯s lifeless eyes regarded her.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Grandmother?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s fine. All your neighbors that took me up on the offer are safe and sound in Manila.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Bei bowed before sitting back down.


    ¡°A deal¡¯s a deal.¡±


    ¡°Does this mean we can save my brother now?¡±


    ¡°Soon. Bakunawa wants to send his message,¡± he sighed.


    Bei nodded.


    ¡°And you¡¯re okay with waiting? Even if I can grab him and take the both of you to your grandmother?¡±


    She considered the question.


    ¡°You are both martial masters. Even if you aren¡¯t cultivators. Despite my desires, I don¡¯t have the strength to argue otherwise. It is why I seek to begin my Dao.¡±


    ¡°Feel free to argue with us if you want. We won¡¯t take it as an affront to our personal pride,¡± he snorted.


    ¡°I also would like to watch the sects humbled.¡±


    ¡°So, did you learn anything from watching Bakunawa¡¯s fights? Gain insight or insight? Or is it enlightenment?¡±


    ¡°Not much. They always move too fast and watching the recordings isn¡¯t the same.¡±


    Minokawa wiggled his fingers in front of her eyes.


    ¡°What did you do!¡± she recoiled.


    ¡°I¡¯m helping¡­¡±


    ¡°Did you cast a spell? I don¡¯t feel different!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll see.¡±


    Further complaints withered away on her tongue as the fight started.


    Rain of the Heavens flowed low to the ground like¡ª


    ¡°Rising tide drowns the shore,¡± Minokawa said.


    Bei blinked.


    She saw it¡­ she saw it!


    The master wasn¡¯t moving too fast for her eyes like the others.


    Rain of the Heavens suddenly rose skyward with a flutter of his fine, blue silk robes splashing Bakunawa with a wall of water that appeared out of nowhere.


    ¡°Like a magic spell, but different. Qi¡¯s like half mana and half stamina,¡± Minokawa continued, ¡°but completely different,¡± he sighed.


    High in the air, Rain of the Heavens¡¯ sleeves billowed as he thrust his hands down toward the waiting Bakunawa.


    ¡°Rain cleans the unwashed¡­ the names on these techniques,¡± Minokawa shook his head. ¡°So, it looks like the Qi use is mostly instinctive. The more precise the form and technique the more powerful and efficient the result.¡±


    Bei nodded.


    She could see parts of it.


    The Qi flowed through the master cultivator¡¯s body as it gathered and moved to his hands before becoming sharp droplets of water.


    Insight blessed insight!


    Water tore Bakunawa¡¯s shirt.


    Steam rose around him.


    Rain of the Heavens lightly stepped across the air, continuing to thrust his hands down to Bakunawa.


    ¡°Here it comes¡­¡± Minokawa said.


    Bakunawa turned to keep Rain of the Heavens in front of him.


    ¡°Shoryuken!¡± he yelled, jumping the height of a small building to uppercut Rain of the Heavens in the chin.


    Minokawa let out a long breath.


    Bei thanked him for whatever he had done that allowed her eyes to follow the fight.


    Ivory twinkled in the sunlight amidst the red rain.


    Rain of the Heavens crumpled to the ground. His face planted in the dirt with his butt to the sky.


    Such pain, such embarrassment.


    Bakunawa bowed to the stunned crowd.


    Bei glanced over to Rain of the Heavens¡¯ disciples.


    ¡°Honor is easily cast aside in the face of human emotions,¡± Minokawa said lightly.


    ¡°They can¡¯t attack! It¡¯d be the height of dishonor! The other sects wouldn¡¯t allow it.¡±


    ¡°They would if they could.¡±


    Bei studied them more closely.


    Muscles stood taut as knuckles whitened around weapons.


    It was as if they strained against chains though none were visible.


    Bakunawa sauntered over with all eyes on him.


    ¡°I smell Peking duck,¡± he said. ¡°Let¡¯s get Peking duck for dinner.¡±


    The masks came off for them to eat at the restaurant.


    Bei had concerns, but neither Bakunawa or Minokawa did, so she took her mask off as well.


    The aroma in the restaurant reminded her of the rare special occasions a handful of times in the year when the Shining Glory Sect felt generous and provide real food for her village to turn into a celebratory feast.


    Like Minokawa, Bakunawa had black hair and brown skin.


    She didn¡¯t find it odd that their specific features continually slipped from her grasp.


    ¡°Move go well?¡± Bakunawa said.


    ¡°Yeah. Only a few decided to stay,¡± Minokawa said.


    ¡°That¡¯s not good. Can¡¯t imagine the sect¡¯s going to be happy about losing most of an apartment building¡¯s worth of people.¡±


    ¡°Shining Glory will be surprisingly magnanimous about it. More asking polite questions than torturous interrogation.¡±


    ¡°What!¡± Bei mumbled around a mouthful of soft, fluffy bao wrapped around crispy duck skin and juicy meat.


    She had caught the last few words.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, your grandmother is safe in Manila,¡± Bakunawa said.


    ¡°Yes, but what about the others that didn¡¯t go? Maybe, I can talk to them?¡±


    ¡°Something told me that they can¡¯t be convinced otherwise,¡± Minokawa said. ¡°This place is home for them.¡±


    ¡°People got to be free to make up their own minds,¡± Bakunawa said. ¡°How¡¯s Bei¡¯s little bro doing?¡±


    ¡°Bai is fine. Untouched. The sects are taking that prophecy seriously. No one wants to screw it up. He¡¯s under constant guard by hidden masters. One from each of the big five sects,¡± Minokawa said.


    ¡°Which ones?¡±


    ¡°Thundering Rhinoceros, The Cat Sister, Gloom of the Concrete Forest, The Ice-crowned Tempest, and Happy Heron.¡±


    Legendary names.


    Bei had never seen them in person, but she had heard all the stories.


    ¡°Hmm, don¡¯t know them,¡± Bakunawa said. ¡°A couple sound like they¡¯re perfect for secret bodyguard duty. Some do not.¡±


    ¡°Just because you¡¯re a chonky bruiser doesn¡¯t mean you don¡¯t have good concealment.¡±


    Minokawa was right.


    One¡¯s Dao determined one¡¯s abilities.


    Physical appearance didn¡¯t always run in parallel with that.


    ¡°Sure, but when I think of rhinos, I don¡¯t think of stealthy shadow lurking,¡± Bakunawa said. ¡°Well, they¡¯re your problem, so give me the scouting reports.¡±


    ¡°I only have one for your next opponent.¡±


    ¡°Bullcrap. I know it took you, like, a minute to do one for all my potential opponents.¡±


    Minokawa reached into his bag and handed a small stack of paper.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Bakunawa stuffed them into his murse.


    ¡°Welcome. So, tomorrow¡­ your opponent is the Lash of the Scarlet Scarf.¡±


    ¡°Let me guess¡­ the scarf is the weapon?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but its a last resort, secret-type weapon. He uses chain whips and blood manipulation openly.¡±


    ¡°Easy.¡±


    ¡°You know, doing this whole tournament thing is a waste of time,¡± Minokawa sighed.


    ¡°Yeah, maybe, but Bei¡¯s learning from watching, right?¡±


    She glanced at Bakunawa and chewed hurriedly to answer.


    ¡°Yes. I believe I learned something today for the first time. Although, it¡¯s hard to explain.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. I figure you¡¯d have to be a cultivator-type or on the way to really get it,¡± Bakunawa patted her on the head.


    ¡°There is a bit of a complication I discovered on my way here,¡± Minokawa said. ¡°The Great Sage of Beijing is going to be here for the finals.¡±


    ¡°Old Lai Lu is still kicking around¡­ I knew him from awhile ago. Me and him talked the dragon off smacking the phoenix brat down,¡± Bakunawa whispered to her.


    She had so many questions.


    ¡°This great sage is a young woman.¡±


    ¡°Damn is the old dude dead?¡± Bakunawa¡¯s brow raised.


    ¡°Semi-retired, as far as one can be in this world,¡± Minokawa said. ¡°Apparently, he¡¯s trying to ascend beyond his mortal limits through fasting and meditation.¡±


    ¡°Ah, what level is he stuck on?¡±


    ¡°Fifty-nine.¡±


    ¡°So, I guess this means the phoenixes are interested in Bai?¡±


    ¡°Mildly, they¡¯re content to let the tournament¡¯s results decide things. The sage¡¯s coming to ostensibly be in place in case the finalists need real healing.¡±


    ¡°And the real reason is to test Bai and decide if they should take him?¡± Bakunawa snorted.


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    ¡°Figures. Is the sage going to be a problem for you?¡±


    ¡°Only to our plans of remaining completely unknown. She¡¯s got some abilities that might be able to see to the truth of things even with all my tricks.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, man, get good,¡± Bakunawa scoffed.


    ¡°It won¡¯t be an issue if we act before she gets here.¡±


    ¡°Damn, I really wanted to win the tournament and rub it in the sects¡¯ faces.¡±


    ¡°Well, you just have to weigh that desire against your identity possibly being revealed. It¡¯s your decision. Regardless, I¡¯m going to grab Bai and get the kids out of here before that happens,¡± Minokawa turned toward her, ¡°sorry, Bei, you¡¯re going to miss out on the final.¡±


    She nodded in a stoic manner, as she imagined one did.


    He was correct.


    Little Bai¡¯s freedom and safety was paramount.


    She would never place her desire to progress on her martial path above it.


    ¡°Is it wise to speak openly about this?¡± she belatedly realized that they were sitting in a crowded restaurant with many full tables.


    ¡°Too late for that,¡± Bakunawa grinned. ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be proper without a fight inside a busy restaurant,¡± he winked.


    Her eyes widened in alarm, head turned rapidly, looking for sect fighters and hidden assassins.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do that, you a-hole!¡± Minokawa snapped at Bakunawa. ¡°You scared her. Don¡¯t worry, Bei, our conversation is safe from prying ears. Besides, they¡¯re looking for people in masks.¡±


    ¡°But, you two don¡¯t look like you belong here.¡±


    ¡°Close enough,¡± Bakunawa shrugged.


    No.


    Not even close enough.


    She realized that they hadn¡¯t been drawing curious looks for they definitely didn¡¯t belong in this city at least.


    Perhaps it was different in other places, like in Grandmother¡¯s stories.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine, I promise you,¡± Minokawa continued. ¡°You¡¯ll watch the fights, gain insight and then we¡¯ll get your brother and bring the both of you to your grandmother.¡±


    Bei nodded as she continued to stuff her face with tasty, tasty food and juice.


    They talked of more inconsequential things.


    Topics concerning family, growing children mingled with talk of horrible sounding monsters and places.


    Bei was content to listen.


    Occasionally, they asked her about her own life.


    She shared little and when they noticed that she was uncomfortable they asked her about her efforts to become a cultivator.


    Such a subject was easier for her to speak of.


    Time passed slowly, yet dinner finished all too quickly.


    Bei had never eaten so well. Her belly weighed heavily and was close to bursting.


    Bakunawa had the waitress wrap up the desserts.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Bei, you¡¯re about to food coma.¡±


    ¡°Tea,¡± she mumbled.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ why not?¡± Bakunawa eyed Minokawa.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to do some more scouting,¡± the latter rose and quickly departed.


    ¡°That a-hole,¡± Bakunawa said after a moment. ¡°He left us with the bill.¡±


    Bei¡¯s eyes narrowed as she gave him a flinty gaze.


    ¡°Left me with the bill,¡± he amended. ¡°Excuse me, miss?¡± he reached out to the waitress as she returned with the wrapped up desserts, which was a wide variety of sweet pastries, cakes and such. ¡°Couple of things. Can we get a pot of tea? And, um, what sort of money do you take.¡±


    The young woman¡¯s eyes narrowed down at him.


    ¡°We prefer Universal Points,¡± she pointed to the sign hanging over the cashier. ¡°We will take precious metals, gems and anything we deem to have value. Although, there will be an extra charge due to the effort it takes to verify authenticity and figure out the proper exchange rate.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯ll be paying in Universal Points then.¡±


    ¡°Very good, young master, I will return with your bill,¡± the waitress bowed.


    ¡°Thank you for the food, Bakunawa,¡± Bei remembered her manners.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome. I can¡¯t wait to try these,¡± he peeked into one of the dessert containers. ¡°I don¡¯t get to eat that often. Let alone fancy stuff like these. It¡¯s kinda hard to find places to stop on my travels. Too busy anyways. An hour eating is an hour where something bad¡¯s happening to people and I¡¯m not there to at least try to help.¡±

 Interlude: Cultivator 1.6

    The Great Tiger Society was middling at best when measured against the totality of the martial sects across old China. This was good enough to be one of the top five sects located in this distant city from the capital.


    A cadre of their lower level cultivators returned to the compound with the night¡¯s collected taxes in tow.


    Terrified eyes revealed those who were new to the experience.


    Dead ones revealed those who weren¡¯t.


    They were still several blocks away when a simple thought entered the cultivators¡¯ heads.


    Let them go home.


    Good deed done, he returned to slurping noodles from the generous bowl.


    Warmth flowed into his stomach.


    Not that the cold night air bothered him.


    ¡°The young ones will be punished for disobeying their masters.¡±


    He regarded the old man that sat down next to him at the street food cart.


    ¡°Paying customers only,¡± he said.


    The old man ordered a bowl without hesitation. He wore simple robes of gray. A long, luxuriant beard flowed down his chest. An equally impressive mustache, like a catfish¡¯s barbels, joined it. Straight hair flowed down his back and shoulders. All the color of the purest snow.


    Oddly, the old man¡¯s facial features were perfect. Not one single wrinkle marred it.


    It was too perfect, like something done on a computer.


    A deeper look revealed the truth.


    ¡°Dragon,¡± he nodded.


    ¡°Psionic Prime.¡±


    He relaxed his features to avoid betraying surprise.


    They remained silent for several long minutes.


    The only sound was the slurping of noodles.


    Under normal circumstances the cart owner would¡¯ve cried to see that he had no customers aside from the two men. Fortunately, for him they were generous.


    The first one had paid in Universal Points. Equivalent to a month¡¯s earnings for one bowl of noodles.


    The old man, who the cart owner suspected to be a disguised master, had dropped a handful of gold coins for his bowl.


    He half-listened to their conversation about the weather as he cleaned and packed up. There was no need to stay through the night, after all.


    ¡°You have taken from me, Psionic Prime.¡±


    ¡°People don¡¯t belong to you, dragon.¡±


    ¡°I have claimed this land known as China to guide forward into a just and benevolent society.¡±


    ¡°And? They left of their own free will. Maybe if you didn¡¯t let the sects treat them terribly you¡¯d have some kind of point.¡±


    ¡°I request that you depart.¡±


    ¡°In a day or two.¡±


    ¡°Immediately.¡±


    ¡°No can do. I swore a thing and I can¡¯t go back on my word. There¡¯s a Quest.¡±


    ¡°You are not the only one that can claim the spires¡¯ privilege.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, figures. Well, I¡¯d rather not fight.¡±


    ¡°Then leave.¡±


    ¡°In a day or two.¡±


    ¡°Now.¡±


    ¡°Impasse¡­ listen, dragon. I¡¯m curious¡­ how are you and winged dragons related? I¡¯ve been wondering about it since I learned about you.¡±


    ¡°A question for a question. An answer for an answer. I will tell you what I know if you tell me how a Psionic Prime and a Solar Paragon can come out of the same womb.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s easy. I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°My answer is the same.¡±


    ¡°Figures.¡±


    ¡°There. You may depart with my generous magnanimity.¡±


    ¡°I heard you¡¯re hiding from the Phoenix Dynasty. And yet here you are in the¡­ flesh. Seems risky, especially with the Great Sage of Beijing on her way. She finds out you¡¯re here then the phoenixes will come blasting in.¡±


    ¡°All the more reason for you to depart. Unless you don¡¯t care about the common human. For a clash between powers will hurt them the most.¡±


    ¡°A clash that you¡¯re inviting.¡±


    ¡°It is you who would create chaos.¡±


    ¡°The sects enforce a feudal system unnecessarily. They weaken this entire country just to have people to lord over. It makes things easier for invaders,¡± a snap of fingers, ¡°is that why you¡¯re here? Am I threatening your plans to become the dragon emperor of China?¡±


    ¡°I am older than your civilization. My wise and benevolent rule has created enlightened civilizations across multiple worlds. I will do the same here.¡±


    ¡°Well, now I have even more important questions. And if you¡¯re so wise and benevolent then there isn¡¯t a good reason for you to demur. It sounds like you¡¯ve been around for when a world gets done with the protected phase. What can we expect?¡±


    The dragon spoke words that no native of this world could ever hear.


    ¡°You see?¡±


    ¡°Stupid spires.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t prepare. No one has been able to. You can only rebuild and fight against invaders that would destroy rather than build.¡±


    ¡°Right and you¡¯re on the build side, according to yourself. Honestly, I¡¯m skeptical just going by what you¡¯ve got here. If you¡¯re so powerful and benevolent, why let the sects rule? Why don¡¯t you force them into this enlightened civilization you tout?¡±


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m lazy and scared. It¡¯s good to know that a really old dragon can relate.¡±


    ¡°The impudence of youth. One day you will learn¡­ if you live long enough.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m thinking that we aren¡¯t that far apart on this. So, just go away for a day or two.¡±


    ¡°Your actions will ignite conflict between the sects. The people will suffer.¡±


    ¡°Good thing you¡¯ll be around to fix that. Or if you¡¯re too scared and lazy, I guess the phoenixes can do it? Though, probably not, from what I¡¯ve heard.¡±


    ¡°One does not burn the whole forest down to destroy a scattered handful of diseased trees.¡±


    ¡°Then the park ranger needs to take care of those trees himself, seeing as how he keeps claiming the forest is his.¡±


    ¡°I see that appealing to your humanity is fruitless.¡±


    ¡°As a nonhuman, you really shouldn¡¯t be doing that. As an outworld invader, you definitely shouldn¡¯t be doing that. I¡¯m more magnanimous than most. A just and benevolent society is the goal and if that¡¯s what you¡¯re ultimately going to build here then, I wish the best of luck. I¡¯m not seeing it though.¡±


    ¡°Because you are impatient.¡±


    ¡°Hard to be otherwise when we¡¯re watching and listening to people suffer unnecessarily.¡±


    ¡°And you are interfering.¡±


    ¡°That I am. Least I can do while I¡¯m in the area.¡±


    ¡°You leave tracks that can be followed by those with the right abilities and power.¡±


    ¡°Aside from you, how many others?¡±


    The sound of slurping noodles was a telling answer.


    ¡°Thought so. Listen, I¡¯m not budging on this. If you¡¯re going to attack me, unprovoked, let¡¯s at least go to a spawn zone or something. Might as well accomplish something useful while you waste my time.¡±


    ¡°The young tiger ever seeks to charge into the horns of the ox. The old tiger waits for the ox to sleep.¡±


    ¡°Point taken, which is why I¡¯m not barging into there,¡± he gestured toward the walled compound across the street, ¡°and beating everyone up. It¡¯s why I¡¯m simply going to give Cat Sister a bad case of food poisoning for the next few days. I know, you¡¯re thinking that a high level cultivator can¡¯t get food poisoning from normal food.¡±


    ¡°I was not thinking that.¡±


    ¡°Mind over matter,¡± he tapped his temple. ¡°Anddd¡­ done. One hidden guard down.¡±


    ¡°They will suspect another sect. Violence is certain to follow.¡±


    ¡°Not if she isn¡¯t the only one that gets laid out for a few days,¡± he stood and thanked the cart owner. ¡°I¡¯m heading to the Elemental Society next. You can come with if you want to continue this debate.¡±


    ¡°My warning has been delivered. The blood be on your hands. Do not expect the people to be grateful once they learn the truth.¡±


    ¡°Are you going to tattle on me? Seems weird for an ancient dragon to act like a little kid.¡±


    The dragon in the guise of the old man was gone when he glanced back.


    The cart owner hadn¡¯t noticed anything amiss. He was too busy counting the small pile of gold coins left on the counter.


    The next morning, Bei stood at the edge of the dirt field with Bakunawa and Minokawa.


    She was focused on the upcoming fight.


    It was another opportunity to learn.


    ¡°You weaponized diarrhea?¡± Bakunawa said.


    ¡°Cat Sister and Ice-crowned Tempest are down,¡± Minokawa said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t even want to know how¡­ but, how?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about belief and manifesting. These cultivators are pretty big on that sort of thing. So, it didn¡¯t take much to push their minds into thinking that they ate some bad seafood.¡±


    ¡°What about the other three?¡±


    ¡°Thundering Rhino powered through it. Crapped everything he had and just went back to business. I couldn¡¯t find Gloomy guy and Happy Heron was doing something important and I wasn¡¯t going to mess her up.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s weird. How can you not find someone? Has that ever happened before?¡±


    ¡°Sometimes. I¡¯m thinking he spends most of his time in the shadow realm.¡±


    ¡°For real? Did you confirm that¡¯s a thing? I thought it wasn¡¯t clear.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m calling it. Whether I¡¯m right or wrong¡­ I don¡¯t really care that much,¡± Minokawa shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ll pick him up the instant he steps out into the open.¡±


    ¡°Okay, so that¡¯s three guards and the three sects you hit are probably looking sideways at the other two?¡±


    ¡°Yup. It¡¯s tense at the Phoenix Dynasty building where they¡¯re keeping Bai.¡±


    ¡°What this about my brother?¡± Bei¡¯s ears perked.


    ¡°Nothing changed. The plan is still on track,¡± Minokawa said.


    ¡°The dragon¡¯s a complication,¡± Bakunawa whispered.


    Bei heard thanks to her mask.


    Dragon! What dragon? she thought.


    ¡°I doubt that he¡¯ll move on us,¡± Minokawa whispered.


    ¡°If you say so. Maybe, you should make your move now?¡±


    ¡°I need to be here for your matches.¡±


    ¡°Let me guess¡­ they¡¯re going to try to get me.¡±


    ¡°Yup. Multiple sects have hired assassins or ordered lower level members to sacrifice themselves to take you out.¡±


    ¡°So much for honor,¡± Bakunawa snorted.


    ¡°It¡¯s not all sects.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯ll bet the ones holding back know and are hoping one of these a-holes pulls it off.¡±


    ¡°Some.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll leave them to you.¡±


    Bakunawa¡¯s next match was as ridiculous as his first match.


    Bei watched him scream at the top of his lungs.


    ¡°Tatsumaki Senpukyaku!¡±


    He spun like a top in midair with one leg out, kicking his opponent across the field.


    ¡°I learned nothing from that,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°Maybe you¡¯ll have a better opportunity in the next match.¡±


    They left the stadium, had lunch and wandered around for a bit while eating snacks from the vendors lining the streets leading up to the stadium.


    The afternoon match was much better for Bei.


    Bakunawa had promised as much.


    His opponent was Twin Serpent Fangs, known for his identical sabers and venom.


    The blades flashed in the dying light, cutting Bakunawa¡¯s shirt to shreds, yet not his skin.


    ¡°How?¡± Bei looked to Minokawa.


    ¡°It¡¯s a secret.¡±


    Twin Serpent Fangs retreated with cricket flees the foot, then struck back just as quickly with viper bites through the grass.


    Bakunawa punched the blades.


    ¡°Oops,¡± Minokawa echoed the loud crack.


    The blades held, but the cultivator¡¯s wrists did not.


    Blades flopped loosely as he sent a spinning kick that glanced off Bakunawa¡¯s upraised arm.


    A flash of movement.


    Bei saw Bakunawa seize Twin Serpent Fangs¡¯ ankle and throw him like a dirty rag.


    ¡°Here it comes,¡± Minokawa sighed.


    ¡°Psycho Crusher!¡± Bakunawa launched himself with a roar.


    He flew forward, horizontal to the ground, hands out front, one held in a claw that struck the cultivator. Once again, he rotated, spinning both his entire body and the hapless cultivator.


    They flew across the field until Bakunawa slammed Twin Serpent Fangs into the wall with a loud crash.


    ¡°Well, I hope you got something out of that,¡± Minokawa said.


    Bei nodded.


    She did¡­ well, up until that last part.


    ¡°Why does he waste movement with spinning?¡±


    ¡°This is a joke to him.¡±


    Bei didn¡¯t like the sound of that.


    Cultivators deserved to be taken seriously, did they not?


    And yet, if they weren¡¯t strong enough to stop Bakunawa from making sport of them, then was it not his right to do as he pleased?


    Thoughts to ponder later when she would meditate on what she learned this day.

 Interlude: Cultivator 1.7

    ¡°You need to slurp. It¡¯s rude not to.¡±


    Minokawa was right.


    ¡°That¡¯s what she¨C¡± Bakunawa shut his mouth for some reason upon glancing at Bei.


    He was getting some unhappy looks from the restaurant staff and fellow diners.


    Bei properly slurped her gourmet ramen to show him.


    Once again she dined in a place that had only occupied her dreams and fantasies.


    She wondered if Manila was the same?


    The two men had promised her village all the food they could want.


    ¡°Dude, I¡¯m trying. The soup¡¯s just splattering all over my chin,¡± Bakunawa frowned.


    ¡°It¡¯s not like you¡¯ve never had ramen before,¡± Minokawa said.


    ¡°I used to have it all the time. Cup O¡¯Noodles, Top Ramen. The classics.¡±


    ¡°Cup Noodles.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Why would it be ¡®O¡¯Noodles¡¯? Must be that rare Irish ramen. Besides all the instant stuff isn¡¯t real ramen.¡±


    ¡°This is why I wanted to go to the BBQ place,¡± Bakunawa jabbed chopsticks in Minokawa¡¯s face.


    ¡°You¡¯re making a scene.¡±


    ¡°No I¡¯m not,¡± Bakunawa made a passable attempt at slurping up his next bite.


    ¡°So, how¡¯s the family?¡± Minokawa ventured.


    ¡°Mom asked didn¡¯t she?¡± Bakunawa sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve explained this already.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but it¡¯s like having a girlfriend, but she goes to a different school and lives two towns over.¡±


    ¡°Ha ha. Like I¡¯d make up having a daughter. You¡¯ve seen the pictures and video.¡±


    ¡°Deepfakes? We had the tech twenty years ago. The spires are infinitely more advanced. Plus, there¡¯s literal magic. Witch glamours and illusions? Any number of things.¡±


    ¡°Bro, why would I even do any of that.¡±


    ¡°No idea,¡± Minokawa shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m just saying she¡¯s what? A year and half? Two?¡±


    ¡°Lera¡¯s almost two. Okay. And Wytchraven and I aren¡¯t married in a Catholic sense.¡±


    ¡°Mom doesn¡¯t even care about that anymore. She just wants to see her fourth grandbaby. Seeing as how two of her grandkids have been gone for so long.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a safety issue.¡±


    ¡°Wild Hunt? Still?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I kill them, but they keep coming back. I can¡¯t even tell if they¡¯re the same fae.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough. I¡¯ll tell Mom if you aren¡¯t stopping over after this.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it,¡± Bakunawa sighed.


    ¡°I can lend a hand if you want. Fae don¡¯t count as people. Maybe I can get them to leave Lera alone.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯d take it personally and you don¡¯t want another distraction.¡±


    ¡°There aren¡¯t any access points to the Fae Realm where I¡¯m at.¡±


    ¡°That you know of. And that could change. Man, you¡¯d think they wouldn¡¯t be such bastards about the coven claiming a space in the Fae Realm. They weren¡¯t even using it. Totally barren.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised that they aren¡¯t attacking it directly.¡±


    ¡°Something about how the coven took it. Basically, it¡¯s technically part of the Fae Realm, but is cut-off from the rest. Which means that it can only be accessed from the real world.¡±


    ¡°Seems fair. The witches are basically squatting. Though, it¡¯s messed up that they¡¯re going after your baby.¡±


    ¡°There might be a prophecy¡­¡±


    ¡°If I had a dollar every time a prophecy screwed things up for some people, I¡¯d have five. Which is simultaneously too little and too much,¡± Minokawa sighed.


    ¡°Seven for me, counting Bei¡¯s little bro.¡±


    ¡°My offer stands. Maybe, I can take Lera and Wytchraven for a visit, while you deal with the Wild Hunt.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, actually, that sounds like a good idea. You¡¯re on the short list of people I trust to keep them safe.¡±


    Bei soaked in their words, even though she didn¡¯t understand half.


    ¡°Back to business,¡± Bakunawa said, eyes darting to the front of the restaurant. ¡°Don¡¯t look.¡±


    Bei froze, head partially turned.


    ¡°Just keep eating all casual like. What are we dealing with here?¡±


    ¡°Multiple sects. None of the top five, of course,¡± Minokawa said. ¡°They¡¯re paying or forcing others to do it for them. Phoenix Dynasty¡¯s fingers are in a few of them as well. And there are a few independents that have a nose for opportunity, fun and more importantly a chance to gain levels and points. Huh? Seems like some of us,¡± he pointed at Bei, ¡°are in a Quest. Did you get it yet?¡±


    She blinked in confusion.


    What strange words were coming out of his mouth.


    How would he know about other people¡¯s Quests without them telling him directly?


    Let alone anticipating one for her.


    Such¡ª


    Congratulations!


    You have received a Quest.


    The city¡¯s cultivator sects seek to imprison you. Evade their grasp.


    Success Parameters: Escape.


    Failure Parameters: Capture or death.


    Reward: 10000 Universal Points.


    ¡°And there it is,¡± Minokawa said. He signaled the waitress over. ¡°Hi, I¡¯d like to pay the bill now.¡±


    ¡°I have to escape!¡± Bei¡¯s eyes were as wide as the tea saucers on the table.


    ¡°Shh!¡± Bakunawa hissed.


    ¡°I have to escape,¡± she whispered.


    ¡°She can do it,¡± Minokawa said.


    ¡°What? You can¡¯t be serious? It¡¯s too dangerous,¡± Bakunawa said.


    ¡°I secured a few random helping hands. It was why I was late to dinner. They¡¯re in position.¡±


    ¡°Figures,¡± Bakunawa snorted. ¡°You already knew the sects where going to do this?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d be terrible at what I do if I didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Could¡¯ve warned us.¡±


    ¡°Better to sell the illusion.¡±


    What was going on!


    Bei wanted to scream.


    She could barely hear over the pounding of her heart.


    She glanced at the mirror behind the cashier¡¯s counter.


    The well-lit street was mostly empty, but that meant nothing when cultivators could conceal themselves.


    ¡°Listen, Bei, you don¡¯t have to do this, but it is a chance to advance toward your goal,¡± Bakunawa said. ¡°The spires reward overcoming challenges.¡±


    ¡°All you have to do is lead them on a chase. Bakunawa will take most of them on, leaving the weaker ones for you.¡±


    ¡°I take it you¡¯re going to spring her brother?¡± Bakunawa said.


    ¡°Best opportunity. They¡¯ll be focused on you.¡±


    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    ¡°This is a perfect opportunity for me to teach the sects a lesson. If they all jump me, then I can¡¯t really be blamed for breaking all their arms and legs. I mean, the brat¡¯s still going to blame me, but I¡¯ll have the moral high ground and that¡¯s all I care about,¡± Bakunawa laughed. ¡°But only if Bei¡¯s cool with it. Honestly, you should just stick with him,¡± he gestured toward Minokawa, ¡°that way you and your little brother will be with your grandmother in, like, ten minutes.¡±


    Bei wanted to be a cultivator, didn¡¯t she?


    While she deliberated her options, the waitress returned with the bill.


    Minokawa paid.


    Then he took out one of those old phones.


    Her parents and grandmother had a few collecting dust in their drawers at home.


    She only knew what they did from stories, so it was quite a shock to see Minokawa pull a slightly curved wooden sword from the phone¡¯s glassy surface.


    ¡°What the hell is that for?¡± Bakunawa said.


    ¡°Commitment to the bit,¡± Minokawa pulled out his bird-dragon mask next. ¡°I can¡¯t fight like I usually do since I¡¯m not me.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but why a wooden katana, you weeb?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, seems like it fits the aesthetic, plus I¡¯ve been trying out different weapons and styles. I learn things quickly and they stick well.¡±


    ¡°Way to undersell your cheating brain,¡± Bakunawa pulled his own mask out. ¡°What are you going to do with a wooden sword? Put a telekinetic edge on it? Make it unbreakable?¡±


    ¡°¡­ yes¡­¡±


    ¡°You should make it pink.¡±


    ¡°I can make people think it¡¯s pink, but that¡¯s not my color. If anything, I should do blue and gold.¡±


    ¡°Pfft¡­ you¡¯d do pink if you were secure in your masculinity,¡± Bakunawa slipped his mask on. ¡°Put your mask on.¡±


    Bei pulled hers out of the bag she had hung on her chair.


    The staff and the diners finally realized something was amiss as Bakunawa stood.


    ¡°Thanks for the meal!¡± he addressed the staff. ¡°Please remain inside for your safety,¡± he sauntered out the front.


    ¡°You¡¯ll know where to go,¡± Minokawa gave her one last encouraging smile before donning his own mask. ¡°Good luck! Run well!¡±


    Strangely, Bei knew exactly what to do.


    Instinct directed her toward the rear of the restaurant.


    She pulled her mask on and firmly slung her bag over her shoulder.


    Without warning, she burst out of her chair.


    She felt the rush of wind and the rustling of robes as Minokawa cut down two concealed cultivators before they could grab and spirit her away.


    The loud thunks of solid wood on hard heads echoed behind her as she kicked the door open and dashed out into the dimly-lit alley.


    She went left.


    The path was clear in her mind.


    The girl moved well for one that looked like she had missed many a bowl of rice.


    Light-footed steps carried her over garbage containers and other alley detritus as lower level cultivators gave chase.


    One reached out for the girl¡¯s bag as it trailed behind her like a flag.


    A moldy banana peel suddenly appeared beneath his foot, sending him slipping and sliding into a pile of rat-torn garbage bags.


    Another was met with a garbage lid the girl threw behind her blindly, yet hit with impressive accuracy and power.


    The young cultivator spat blood and teeth as he crumpled to the ground.


    More of them slipped in puddles of dubious water, crashing into each other and flailing about in a tangle of limbs.


    In truth, it was surprising and comical to watch.


    Cultivators were typically sure-footed.


    This was a shameful display.


    The girl burst out of the alley and into a busy street.


    Food stalls lined both sides even as vehicle and animal traffic slowly moved by.


    For those that were around before the spires this was nothing compared to how it used to be.


    Everything these days was quieter, lesser when it came to the numbers.


    Even the night sky was darker without so many blinding city lights with their harsh neon glare.


    She almost ran into the street and into the path of slow-moving donkey cart.


    The girl leapt.


    A small foot alighted on the donkey¡¯s head barely ruffling its shaggy hair and pushed off to carry her to the other side of the street in one airy bound.


    One capable of seeing Qi flow through the body couldn¡¯t miss the basics of lightening.


    The girl did it instinctively, more the first hesitant crawl of a small baby, like when they actually moved backward rather than forward¡­ still, it was a good sign.


    Less so was the middling cultivator waiting for the girl at the end of the dark alley she just darted into.


    ¡°Sigh¡­¡± the self-proclaimed Tsingtao Wanderer said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve known you for minutes and I already hate you,¡± the proclaimed Twice Clever Fox said.


    Tsingtao Wanderer took a massive gulp of his beer, draining it in a second then smashing the can on his forehead while letting an ear-rattling belch out.


    The flattened can didn¡¯t hit the ground for Twice Clever Fox couldn¡¯t abide littering, so she kicked it into an open garbage container.


    ¡°I¡¯m magnanimous toward you annoying twins¡­¡± red, bleary eyes narrowed, ¡°no¡­ wait¡­ triplets.¡±


    ¡°The girl is running into a trap. We have seconds to plan the best course of action,¡± she said.


    ¡°Which girl?¡±


    ¡°The one we agreed to help escape, without revealing ourselves, though why he thought you¡¯d be useful, I¡¯ll never know.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right, for all the Universal Points!¡± he grinned and staggered the wrong direction.


    ¡°I do it because it is right.¡±


    ¡°And because it¡¯ll tweak the high noses of the sects,¡± he staggered back in the right direction.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°Seconds are up!¡± Tsingtao Wanderer disappeared with a rustle of beer-stained robes and a strong whiff of stale and fresh beer.


    ¡°Swill,¡± she muttered before disappearing into concealment and stepping up to the roof tops.


    Bear Xi was so named for both demeanor and appearance. The big, brawny, hair-covered man was a lazy sort content to eat and drink when not training. That was until the sporadic moments when he¡¯d explode into vicious violence.


    Such unreliability meant that the Green Orchard Society only used him when they had no choice.


    In truth, they wouldn¡¯t have sent him for something as delicate as capturing a young girl without injuring her.


    It was just that he had luckily been too far away from the ramen restaurant to be caught up in the blur of violence that had already felled dozens of cultivators in the blink of an eye.


    Discretion being the better part of valor, he had remembered the other part of the operation.


    Capture the girl.


    ¡°Spread out, dogs,¡± he growled at the weaker cultivators that had joined him in cutting off the surprisingly quick and nimble girl.


    Perhaps, she wasn¡¯t a mere dirty peasant as she seemed at first glance.


    Bah!


    What did he care for the hidden plots?


    Eat, drink and rest was all he cared about.


    Training and practice to remain strong enough so that he wasn¡¯t on the lower rungs, yet not become too strong that he¡¯d get pulled into all those headaches.


    The girl sprinted into view, leaping over obstacles with ease.


    She scaled the bamboo scaffolding like a nimble monkey.


    Too good to be a simple peasant.


    ¡°Go, grab her.¡±


    ¡°Unhar¡ª¡±


    Bear Xi silenced the impudent worm standing too close to him with a growl.


    Lower level cultivators descended in a rustle of dark cloth.


    Those that carried weapons kept them sheathed or hidden.


    The girl slipped their grasping hands time and again as they moved like drunken louts.


    Hands missed holds and feet slipped, sending them plummeting to the ground to land hard.


    This shouldn¡¯t have happened with even a rudimentary ability to lighten oneself.


    ¡°Incompetent dogs!¡± Bear Xi readied himself to leap down and take her himself.


    His was not a gentle hand, yet he cared nothing for permission and even less for forgiveness.


    The girl would live with bruises and a slightly broken bone or two.


    He stepped on the ledge only for a chain to wrap around his ankle and yank him back with surprising strength, slamming his chin on the clay roof tiles.


    His useless allies, all three of them, stood with gaping mouths at the fox-masked woman clad in form-fitting cloth and light armor.


    The girl crested the roof top at that moment.


    Eyes widened at the scene.


    To her credit she acted without hesitation.


    The closest cultivator took a leaping kick to his most precious treasures.


    The blow doubled him over, placing his face perfectly for an upward elbow strike that sent a red arc glistening in the moon light.


    Bear Xi saw it then.


    The girl was using her Qi.


    It was pathetic. Like a trickle through a flattened hose.


    It flowed to strengthen her strikes and reinforce her bones and muscles.


    All wild and instinctive.


    He could relate, though he¡¯d never admit it.


    There was no better place for insight than in violence.


    The girl struck with short, powerful punches, sending the hapless cultivator back toward the edge of the roof.


    One last shoulder strike to his stomach sent him over.


    The remaining two cultivators reached for her only to suddenly slip and go flying with a meaty thwack.


    Some would¡¯ve stayed and stared, perhaps asked pointless questions, but the girl knew better.


    She didn¡¯t hesitate as she continued to flee eastward on light steps that carried her across the rooftops.


    ¡°You¡¯ll pay for this,¡± Bear Xi growled as he yanked Twice Clever Fox¡¯s chain.


    She went with it, nimbly twisting in the air as she took a step on his outstretched arm to plant her foot in his face.


    Bear Xi stumbled back only to hit something firm, yet slightly jiggly.


    ¡°Tut, tut, real warriors do not chase little girls.¡±


    The stench of stale beer suddenly filled his nose.


    How had he not noticed?


    He spun with a backfist.


    The drunkard staggered back, showing great flexibility by bending back at the waist.


    Bear Xi didn¡¯t see it with the shoe planted in his face.


    He growled, spitting teeth and blood.


    ¡°Yer gonna pay fer that.¡±


    ¡°No, it is I who is being paid,¡± the fat drunk intoned.


    ¡°This is sect business. The Green Orchard ain¡¯t gonna take kindly to yer interference. Same to you, fox.¡±


    ¡°I am going to make sure that young lady gets where she needs to be,¡± Twice Clever Fox vanished.


    ¡°Yes, yes, feel free to depart. This one faces a middling sort of cultivator. Truly a disgrace to our esteemed society,¡± Tsingtao Wanderer punctuated his words with a belch.


    ¡°C¡¯mon then,¡± Bear Xi grinned, ¡°yer belly¡¯s got a lot of fat. Ain¡¯t nothing more tasty than pork belly grilled on proper charcoal.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to settle for the fine establishments across this fair city. Perhaps, I may recommend a few places, there¡¯s a cart with rather jovial old m¡ª¡±


    The nimble fat man stumbled to one side just enough to avoid bear paw breaks the deer¡¯s back.


    ¡°Ah, yes¡­¡± he belched, ¡°we must fight and I must rejoin the chase, lest that scary bird-dragon man find my efforts lacking. He did pay me a fortune, after all.¡±


    And so the fight finished quickly.


    Bear Xi was indeed a middling sort of cultivator.


    Tsingtao Wanderer, despite his appearance, was a serious cultivator. He had found his Dao and was determined to keep progressing.


    The former had cause to reevaluate his own Dao as he lay in a pool of his blood, coughing up bits of teeth and trying to push his shoulder back into its socket.


    Such laziness, such regret.

 Interlude: Cultivator 1.8

    ¡°Greetings, I¡¯m the masked lone wandering swordsman,¡± he placed the wooden katana, also known as a ¡®bokken¡¯, which he had learned only a few months ago when he had started practicing, on the counter.


    The guards at the front should¡¯ve taken the weapon.


    The clerk should¡¯ve been concerned that they hadn¡¯t.


    Yet, neither of those things had happened.


    No one in the Phoenix Dynasty building seemed concerned.


    ¡°Purpose of your visit?¡± the clerk said.


    The eagle-dragon mask concealed the man¡¯s expression.


    Perhaps, he thought of the interesting tidbit that ¡®katana¡¯ was just the Japanese word for ¡®sword¡¯ or vice versa depending on perspective. Furthermore, ¡®dao¡¯ was Mandarin for the same, yet it also meant ¡®way¡¯, ¡®path¡¯ sometimes, specifically referring to a set of traditions and religions governing how one should live like¡­ sometimes spelled with a ¡®T¡¯. In a cultivator¡¯s case it meant specialization, much like it was for classes. A warrior was a broad generalization, while a shield warrior specialized into shields and such.


    But, such digressions were tedious and distracting when things were tense, though the Phoenix Dynasty people didn¡¯t realize it thanks to a helpful thought.


    ¡°Yeah, why am I here? Let me think? Oh, that¡¯s right. I¡¯m here for the boy.¡±


    The clerk blinked in confusion.


    ¡°As a concerned citizen of the world, of course,¡± the masked man said. ¡°Weird prophecies aren¡¯t sufficient justifications to force said boy into weird breeding programs. Now, you will remember to note that you did everything you were supposed to. You followed all regulations as set forth by the Phoenix Empress.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I always perform my duties with diligence and adherence to her divine majesty¡¯s edicts,¡± the clerk frowned.


    To suggest otherwise was to impugn his honor.


    ¡°Good to hear. Then, you¡¯ll be diligently calling it a night and going home. Just like the rest of the staff.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ yes¡­¡±


    The clerk joined the mass exodus as several dozen of his fellow men and women streamed into the front lobby and out the door.


    Deep inside the building a Happy Heron wasn¡¯t quite living up to her name going by the scowl marring her otherwise perfect brow.


    ¡°Rhinoceros! Do you sense that?¡±


    A huge shape seemed to materialize at the other end of the hallway.


    ¡°You flap your beak like a desperate songbird past her prime,¡± Thundering Rhinoceros grunted.


    ¡°Something is wrong!¡±


    ¡°Then let the blows fall impotently against my chest. It¡¯d be a proper attack, unlike the one on my innards.¡±


    ¡°We had nothing to do with that!¡± she snapped. ¡°The truthsayer absolved us of guilt.¡±


    ¡°As if they¡¯re infallible,¡± he scoffed. ¡°I see three out of the five charged with this task laid low with cowardly tactics. Common sense dictates that I place suspicious eyes on those spared such indignities.¡±


    ¡°Then why are you bothering me about it? What about gloomy? He didn¡¯t have your intestinal concerns.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d have a word with him, if I could find him¡­¡±


    ¡°There is an intruder. The building has emptied,¡± a soft voice whispered from everywhere and nowhere.


    It was a mark of their formidable natures that neither jumped.


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible. I would¡¯ve noticed,¡± Happy Heron scoffed.


    ¡°Gloomy, this isn¡¯t time for one of your games,¡± Thundering Rhinoceros said.


    ¡°No games. Listen and feel,¡± the Gloom of the Concrete Forest slipped out of a shadow on the ceiling.


    ¡°That¡¯s ridic¡ª no, you¡¯re right,¡± Happy Heron said.


    ¡°Good. I¡¯m tired of standing still and watching the little brat,¡± Thundering Rhinoceros donned his horned helmet and flexed spiked gauntlets eagerly.


    Happy Heron drew her thin jian and stalked forward.


    ¡°We¡¯ll deal with the intruder, Gloomy. You watch the boy.¡±


    The shadowy figure had already disappeared.


    ¡°The intruder has to cross the dining hall first.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll crush him there. The last thing I need is for the empress¡¯ dogs to yipping about damaging their precious shrine, forgetting that this place was just a hotel once. Not even a fancy one.¡±


    ¡°You lead, I¡¯ll wait for an opening to strike.¡±


    ¡°Very well, little songbird, ride my back to victory and honor!¡± Thundering Rhinoceros bellowed.


    ¡°You speak of honor and yet you stand guard over a little boy unjustly taken from his only family because his ¡®seed¡¯ is supposed to lead to power¡­ or something¡­ curious.¡±


    Happy Heron frowned.


    She hadn¡¯t noticed the man standing in the doorway of the large dining hall.


    He wore a mask that resembled a brown-feathered eagle crossed with a dragon and wielded a wooden katana.


    ¡°You¡¯ve better senses than me, songbird, but I¡¯m not sensing any Qi.¡±


    ¡°You aren¡¯t mistaken.¡±


    ¡°What? No way¡­ I¡¯m definitely a lone wandering masked swordsman. Yup, roaming the land on my own, righting injustices while wearing a mask. Stand aside and let me have the boy or be taught a lesson in humility.¡±


    ¡°He speaks like one of us. Such arrogance, such certainty,¡± Thundering Rhinoceros laughed.


    ¡°We are indifferent to your fate stranger. Our sole duty here is to safeguard the child, whether we agree with his fate or not. Leave in peace lest you suffer our less than tender ministrations,¡± Happy Heron said. She didn¡¯t like how her instincts were screaming at her to flee. Even still, she wouldn¡¯t, couldn¡¯t. Honor demanded she fulfill her duty lest she impugn her sect with her cowardice.


    ¡°All things considered you are not that bad,¡± the masked man inclined his head to Happy Heron, ¡°and you, loud rhino, are a dick, but not evil, so feel free to leave yourselves. So, be not the cow hiding in the bushes when the tiger stalks the jungle, be the quick rabbit darting to his burrow.¡±


    ¡°No creature is safe when the tiger hunts, run or hide, the only thing that matters is luck,¡± Happy Heron said.


    ¡°Enough of this!¡± Thundering Rhinoceros roared.


    Rhinoceros tramples the brittle.


    He accelerated from zero to sixty-five kilometers per hour in two strides.


    The relatively close distance to the masked swordsman vanished in the blink of an eye.


    And yet¡­


    The swordsman stepped to one side and sheared the thick steel horn off Thundering Rhinoceros¡¯ helmet with a practiced stroke.


    Was that a blue-gold shimmer surrounding the wooden blade?


    Happy Heron stepped on air to reach the high ceiling.


    Heron swoops on the fish.


    Her thin blade sought the masked man¡¯s shoulder.


    His parry nearly caused her to lose her grip despite her high-level cultivator¡¯s strength.


    She parried his counter cut and thrust with Heron spears the frog.


    He was too slow!


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Ha!


    She knew that he moved without true experience.


    It was like watching a machine that knew the moves and performed them exactly, but lacked the soul of a true cultivator.


    Her blade struck his shirt and glanced off.


    The counter stroke almost hit her own shoulder, so surprised she had been.


    She had struck with speed, power and technique.


    Was his clothing enchanted?


    It had to be, but if they were there should¡¯ve been some kind of reaction.


    A flash of light, a feeling in her sword hand or something.


    Thundering Rhinoceros chose that moment to pull himself out of the far wall. He charged, so fast for his size, with spiked gauntlets striking.


    The masked man backflipped over and cut the shoulder straps to Thundering Rhinoceros¡¯ thick steel plate. Front and back hit the floor with a loud clang.


    Happy Heron darted back in to sword range.


    She thrust and cut, while he was limited to the latter.


    Each parry, steel against wood, brought forth sparks and that strange blue-gold light that seemed to shimmer around the wooden blade.


    ¡°Thunder¡¯s Rage!¡±


    Curses!


    They were definitely not supposed to destroy the entire building.


    Boom!


    Thunder cracked inside the dining hall, shattering every glass and window.


    Happy Heron saw the angry red aura of Thundering Rhinoceros¡¯ Qi flowing from his body like the haze off a dark street on a hot day.


    The wooden blade sliced the side of her head, shearing through her long, raven locks.


    ¡°Pay attention please, lest you lose an ear. A tiger with one ear is¡ª¡±


    She silenced him with cutting gale thrust.


    Once again, he remained untouched while everything around him bore the brunt of her Qi technique. Tables and chairs were shredded. Deep cuts marred the floor.


    She used flashstep to gain as much distance as she could.


    It was a wise woman that stayed out of the angry rhino¡¯s path.


    Thundering Rhinoceros¡¯ face was a twisted rictus of rage. His nostrils flared, spittle flew from his mouth.


    He charged.


    ¡°The river¡¯s about¡­¡± the masked man sighed.


    Thundering Rhinoceros shot up through the ceiling like a rocket.


    ¡°Close enough,¡± he muttered. ¡°Is removing someone from the battlefield dishonorable?¡±


    Happy Heron blinked. She held her sword point toward him.


    ¡°You could¡¯ve done that from the beginning.¡±


    ¡°Spare the tiger the lash and you spoil him¡­ no, the original saying of that is just dumb. I¡¯m trying to make a point. Basically, tell your fellow sect masters that there is always someone bigger. So, reconsider how you run things. Less forcing people into peasantry and more sharing the stuff. That goes for everything. Food, medicine, homes, training. Wouldn¡¯t it benefit everyone to have more cultivators? At least let people level in the class that most calls to them. That¡¯s how you succeed as a society. Less feudalism and more socialism. Rising tides lift all crabs out of the bucket. Because, you have to understand that you are one of the crabs, not the crab fisherman. Those are things like eldritch entities and immortal beings that have already come to our world and caused suffering. Now, more are on the way.¡±


    ¡°We will not be lectured by a foreigner.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t we all foreigners?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ no we aren¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Nations are gone. I guess you can fall back on culture, but what is that? Who determines who belongs to what? Yeah, yeah, I know what you¡¯re going to say¡­ whoever holds the power, right? So, is this the best you can do?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t believe that.¡±


    ¡°Who are you to tell me what I hold inside?¡±


    ¡°As an outside observer, I think that I can be a bit more objective that someone on the inside. Someone that built an identity on all of this needs it to be right, otherwise they¡¯re the bad guy and no one actually thinks they¡¯re the bad guy.¡±


    ¡°Then what would you do in my place?¡±


    ¡°Find like-minded people and work together to do good things.¡±


    ¡°We are all beholden to the Phoenix Dynasty. We are the nail and they are the hammer.¡±


    ¡°I guess you got me there.¡±


    ¡°Nothing? No sage words? No dripping arrogance? No¡ª¡±


    ¡°Oh, sorry, your gloomy fellow was trying to sneak up on me. It didn¡¯t work out well for him.¡±


    Happy Heron stilled her features.


    The Gloom of the Concrete Forest was above her on the next floor.


    From the looks of his Qi, he was out cold.


    She was the last protector.


    To lose the boy would dishonor her and her sect.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, do a little thought exercise with me? Picture a little boy, unlucky to be the central part of a dubious prophecy. Taken from your family. Turned into a prize to be won.¡±


    ¡°He will live in luxury.¡±


    ¡°Maybe,¡± he shrugged, ¡°but, he didn¡¯t make that choice.¡±


    ¡°It is irrelevant. We all serve in our own ways. Come, let¡¯s finish this¡ª¡±


    The light went out in her eyes as she crumpled to the floor.


    The masked man left her softly snoring on the floor in the midst of a pleasant dream.


    She was truly one of the better cultivators in the city.


    He found the sleeping boy in a room deep inside the building.


    He carried him up the stairs and to the roof where he waited for the boy¡¯s sister.


    While waiting, he stretched his thoughts out citywide to see how the others were doing.


    Bakunawa had some concerns.


    He couldn¡¯t move too fast, lest he set off sonic booms at ground level where hundreds of people were slow in clearing out.


    The street was packed with restaurants on the ground floor and living spaces above.


    That was a lot of windows he could shatter, sending jagged shards into innocents.


    He took stock of his surroundings where superhumanly quick cultivators moved in slow motion to his perceptions.


    Mid level.


    He searched for the higher level ones and found them hiding in concealment at key points a good distance away.


    A net of sorts.


    Meant to allow them to collapse on him wherever he decided to flee.


    There were some hiding in the sky as well.


    They thought themselves hidden but Qi was just a form of energy that he could sense.


    Since they planned for him to flee, why not do the opposite?


    He burst into motion.


    Fast, but just a shade under the speed of sound.


    A light tap broke a cultivator¡¯s collar bone.


    A soft kick snapped a tibia.


    A grab to break an ulna.


    Clean breaks.


    None of that compound fracture nastiness where the bone breaks the skin.


    No reason to be cruel.


    Some of these kids weren¡¯t that bad.


    Well, maybe, like ten percent.


    Ninety percent fit that arrogant young master stereotype from what he¡¯d observed over the years.


    It was his civic duty to teach them humility.


    That was what he¡¯d say if someone asked¡­ who?


    He¡¯d admit that he didn¡¯t know, just that he had heard it from somewhere and it sounded pretty good in the moment.


    The violence lasted a moment.


    Dozens of young cultivators laid low.


    None had even the chance to launch an attack.


    ¡°I¡¯ll break more if you try anything. Clear the area and I¡¯ll leave you alone. Young men and women, learn from this experience. Be better. None of that arrogant young master bullshit. It¡¯s dumb and makes you look stupid, as you can see for yourselves.¡±


    Several decided to ignore his words.


    He broke their other arms, left them their legs so they could run away.


    ¡°Yeah, sorry,¡± he regarded the white-faced young man with the broken leg, ¡°can one of you help this guy before¡ª¡±


    A falling star screamed down from the heavens.


    Bakunawa had time to curse as he rushed over to the downed young man, intercepting the spear.


    ¡°What the hell, asshole?¡± he shook a fist at the master cultivator standing several hundred feet overhead. ¡°You weren¡¯t even close to hitting me¡­ unless¡­ hey, kid,¡± he eyed the white-faced young man, ¡°that old dude wouldn¡¯t happen to be part of your rival sect?¡±


    Saucer-sized eyes gazed up at him and nodded.


    ¡°So, it¡¯s like one of those taking the opportunity in the chaos to weaken an enemy?¡±


    Another nod.


    ¡°Fuck¡¯s sake. You all can¡¯t even work together in the face of a greater threat. Bunch of snake-y crabs in a bucket. Young man it seems that you now owe me a Wookie life debt. I¡¯ll find you later to explain. Best move along, lest grandpa up there, decides to take another shot.¡±


    Two other young cultivators, cradling their own broken arms, helped the third hobble away.


    ¡°Lucky you had boon companions,¡± Bakunawa called out after them.


    Well¡­ they hobbled to his perceptions¡­ they moved like Olympic sprinters to the normal human eye.


    ¡°This a spiritual weapon?¡± he held the spear toward the old cultivator standing on air. He knew that it was judging by the same Qi flowing through the weapon and the man. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t have tried to murder that kid,¡± he snapped the spear.


    Perhaps the old cultivator thought it was too strong to break or that it¡¯d hold long enough for him to take it back.


    Mistake.


    The old cultivator plummeted from the sky with an agonized scream.


    Because Bakunawa wasn¡¯t a complete asshole, he bounded across the street to catch the old man.


    A high level cultivator would¡¯ve survived a fall from that height with no problem, but that was under normal circumstances. Not right after one had their spiritual weapon broken. Best not to take the chance. He wasn¡¯t here to start any blood debts or such nonsense.


    ¡°Huh? Is this that same Green Orchard dude?¡± he muttered. ¡°I can¡¯t tell.¡±


    And that was when the other masters decided that Bakunawa was a real threat.


    Predictably, the ones that didn¡¯t belong to the same sect as the old man in his arms didn¡¯t display any concerns about friendly fire.


    In fact, it was as if they had decided to use his mercy against him.

 Interlude: Cultivator 1.9

    Heaven¡¯s thunder shatters the mountain hit Bakunawa¡¯s palm.


    The boom shook the earth and shattered the windows he had taken great care to avoid damaging.


    Screams of shock and pain filled his ears from all directions.


    Jagged glass shards pierced flesh a hundred times over.


    The sound was unmistakable.


    These assholes don¡¯t care about their own people, he thought hard, tell me you¡¯ve already cleared a spot I can take this fight to?


    The stadium and surrounding area are just about clear.


    Thanks, how¡¯s things with Bai and Bei?


    He used the master cultivator in his hand as a club to batter the other cultivators away, as for the old cultivator in his other hand, well¡­ he tossed the man into a soft-looking pile of garbage.


    I¡¯ve got him safe and sleeping. Just waiting on Bei and we¡¯re gone. I¡¯ll let you know, so you can bounce too.


    No rush. These assholes need some lessons about why collateral damage isn¡¯t justifiable.


    He tossed the bloodied and battered cultivator into a hard-looking pile of garbage before taking to the sky.


    Cloud-stepping cultivators had no hope of keeping up, which was why he moved at a snail¡¯s pace compared to what he was capable of.


    Tongues of flame burned his clothing.


    Razor-edged leaves came out of nowhere to shred what remained, leaving him clad in compression shorts and nothing else.


    Such embarrassment, such indignity.


    He listened to their heartbeats to keep track of those that tried to attack out of concealment.


    Twenty-five high level cultivators at first count.


    Maybe another couple of master level ones that were really good at stealth.


    He flew higher to take them past their capabilities.


    His body stayed warm even as the night sky became freezing.


    The cultivators fell away, they couldn¡¯t take the cold and the lack of breathable oxygen.


    He flipped over into an artful dive, resisting the urge to make fighter jet sounds.


    A stray thought remembered when, as a child, he could only dream of flying.


    Wouldn¡¯t it be nice to just be able to fly?


    See the world and once he had seen it all, see what was on other worlds or even the stars.


    He¡¯d been to the moon a few times. He¡¯d only stuck around long enough to check out the old lunar lander and to make sure that there wasn¡¯t anything like an ancient evil lurking within. Incidentally, the moon wasn¡¯t artificial. None of that ancient alien stuff. Just rocks.


    A cultivator dropped concealment to thrust a spear into his back.


    He took it and slapped the man upside the head into unconsciousness.


    ¡°Best grab him before he goes splat.¡±


    A pair of cultivators from the same sect peeled off their own attack to do so.


    He cut through the sky like an orca hunting among baby sharks.


    A slap here, a punch there.


    Every move put a cultivator to sleep.


    He took care to target those that had a fellow sect member nearby to catch them before they hit the ground.


    Sure, if one could survive a fall at terminal velocity then one could theoretically survive a fall from any height. Granted there were a multitude of other factors, such as air resistance, the landing and the type of ground.


    He¡¯d put these cultivators on the right side of the odds in this case. He just didn¡¯t want to risk an unconscious one landing on his head, on something sharp or an innocent person.


    Only a handful of cultivators made it to the stadium with him.


    ¡°This is a less¡ª¡±


    His words were drowned out by a withering gale of wind and razor-edged leaves.


    It seemed that they weren¡¯t in the mood for a lecture.


    He dug his foot into the dirt and kicked a spray at several times the speed of sound.


    The leaf cultivator cried out in pain.


    The wind cultivator moved her arms in wide circles, gathering up the dirt to shoot back.


    ¡°Like a gentle rain drops,¡± he said.


    He blurred forward through a tornado to hit the cultivator in the stomach.


    She doubled over gasping for air.


    He grabbed her by the back of her robes and threw her at the leafy one.


    Two more out of the fight.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, I¡¯ve got a whole sp¡ª¡±


    An impossibly large mace head cracked the ground where he had been standing, creating a small earthquake.


    The wielder was almost comically small compared to his spike-covered weapon.


    Two could play the same game.


    Bakunawa stomped.


    A true earthquake shook the entire stadium.


    He could play at a much higher level.


    The mace cultivator hesitated.


    The tremors were enough to slightly unbalance him.


    A costly misstep when fighting those that moved with blinding speed.


    Bakunawa punched the cultivator in the face.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I know you can probably grow those back,¡± he nodded to the shattered ivory scattered around the downed man. ¡°Three down¡ª¡±


    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Whistling wind caused him to duck reflexively.


    Not that the wide, curved blade would¡¯ve done much to his neck.


    He kicked back.


    Bare foot met impossibly sharp blade.


    ¡°Ow,¡± he said flatly.


    The cultivator¡¯s eyes widened like saucers.


    ¡°Spiritual weapon having performance issues? Don¡¯t worry¡­ happens to everyone sometimes.¡±


    The sword struck out with scorpion stings the frog.


    Except this frog was invulnerable.


    Blade met hand.


    The former cracked.


    The cultivator¡¯s eyes crossed.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been told that it¡¯s like the worse ice cream headache when a spiritual weapon gets damaged.¡±


    ¡°Shut up and take this, you worm!¡±


    The sword swept out wildly with a dozen strikes in less than a second.


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky I¡¯m not too big on crippling people for months, if not years,¡± he pulled the sword and held out his other fist for the cultivator to run face-first into. ¡°However, I¡¯m not above making you regrow your teeth. It takes time and is painful from what I¡¯ve heard. Might force you to reflect and really internalize the lesson I¡¯m trying to impart.¡±


    ¡°And what lesson are you trying to teach us, foreigner?¡±


    The cultivator was an older woman. Tall and stern-faced, reminding him of a teacher. She wore plain, gray robes with gray hair tied in a tight bun. No visible weapons.


    ¡°Now you¡¯re going to listen? Naturally, you¡¯re only doing it to buy time. After seeing me wipe the sky with your best. Did you call for help from the Phoenix Dynasty? Sects two cities over? That must sting. You do know they¡¯ll just use this as a sign of your weakness and a perfect opportunity to take over your city.¡±


    ¡°That is what you have wrought. All the lives lost in the future struggle is on your head.¡±


    ¡°No, actually, it¡¯s on your head. All the sects. It¡¯s because you decided to steal a little boy from his family, but going back to the beginning, it¡¯s because you decided to go back to feudalism. So, bemoan your sudden lack of physically capable cultivators on that. I mean, there are so many peasants that might be just like you. Maybe even more powerful if they had the same opportunity you did.¡±


    ¡°We took our chances. They did not.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, but if you truly believed in that creed then you wouldn¡¯t be putting all sorts of obstacles in their path into joining your club.¡±


    ¡°Dogs have their place!¡± a big cultivator with a wild mane of dark hair boomed. ¡°It just isn¡¯t with us lions!¡±


    ¡°Fine, then going by your logic, you all have to do what I say now. Cause, I¡¯m, like, a super lion among little kitty cats. Not even normal cats, but those poor cats we bred to have tiny legs. Who the fuck thought that was a good idea? Like breeding bulldogs to have difficulty breeding,¡± he shook his masked head.


    ¡°Are you¡­ insane?¡± the old woman cultivator said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to dignify that with a response. I¡¯m the one asking questions here, you smol cat with short legs. So, what say you? Do I have to beat you all up before you do what I say since might makes right, the strong rule and any number of petty justifications to be a power hungry ass?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps an accord is possible,¡± the last standing cultivator smoothly slid out from behind the big, lion-like man. She thrust her spear into the dirt and walked toward Bakunawa with arms held open wide. ¡°I am ¡®Radiant Liu Mei¡¯ and I ask a simple question. What do you expect for us to do? You speak of turning peasants into cultivators. Yet, would they not become one themselves if they truly desired it?¡±


    ¡°How about they get enough food to eat for starters? Stores generate food for free and I know you¡¯ve built up generous stockpiles with the excess you aren¡¯t releasing to the people. As for the farming, well, if someone wants to be a farmer then that¡¯s fine. My problem is with you forcing people into those roles. We all know by now that the best classes come from true passion. And the brothels. Fix that. Let it be a real choice.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯d want to work in a brothel!¡± the big cultivator laughed.


    ¡°You make my point for me. In fact, that¡¯s off the table. I¡¯m not going to wait on you to handle it. Once I¡¯m done with you here I¡¯m going to fix your brothel situation.¡±


    ¡°You make impossible promises. No one man can do¡ª¡±


    ¡°Quiet,¡± the old cultivator¡¯s voice was enough to silence the man twice her size. ¡°For the sake of clarity, how would you go about fixing that situation?¡±


    ¡°You might think I¡¯m a soft touch based on how I haven¡¯t killed anyone yet, but that¡¯d be a mistake. You see, I¡¯ve killed before. Unrepentant sex traffickers, rapists, murderers and the like. There¡¯s a real intersection between all those things. Real monsters. I know you know the type. You have them amongst your number. It¡¯s a real black mark on your souls that you¡¯d let them get away with it just because they have power.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t kill everyone¡± Radiant Liu Mei said.


    ¡°Can¡¯t I? I¡¯ve shown you that the only thing stopping me is me. Sure, that¡¯d be a last resort. But, think about it in this way. Eventually, I¡¯d kill all the real monsters. I can tell she¡¯s thinking about it,¡± he regarded the old, stern-faced cultivator. ¡°I¡¯d do all the work and you¡¯d reap the benefits. Secure in your power and control minus the ones that are too strong or too connected for you to go after yourself.¡±


    Silence reined for a long moment as the three cultivators still standing regarded each other.


    ¡°It won¡¯t work. We¡¯d be weakened as a whole. Vulnerable to other sects, raiders and monsters,¡± Radiant Liu Mei said.


    ¡°We¡¯d lose control of our encounter challenges without our current numbers. The spawn zones would drown us in monsters like the tides on a full moon,¡± the big cultivator agreed.


    ¡°The Phoenix Empress would burn us for aligning with a foreigner. Unless you¡¯d swear to protect us from the consequences of your desires,¡± the old cultivator said. ¡°If not, then your words are as empty as a dying man¡¯s promises.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a large world and things are going to get worse. I¡¯m needed in a thousand places.¡±


    ¡°Ha! Typical. Your dog mouth is too large for your stomach!¡± the big cultivator slapped his knee.


    ¡°That isn¡¯t an insult when you factor reality into account because dogs are awesome.¡±


    ¡°Enough! Let us end this, dog! I shall avenge the dishonor you¡¯ve heaped upon¡ª¡± the big cultivator choked thanks to the fist jabbed into his throat.


    Bakunawa stood back where he had been in the cultivator¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Forgive the foolish one, he knows not what comes out of his mouth at the best of times,¡± Radiant Liu Mei bowed at the waist. ¡°Perhaps, this one may invite you to her home in order to discuss matters further in a¡­ less fraught atmosphere. If honored elder permits,¡± she bowed to the old, stern-faced cultivator.¡±


    ¡°Elder, am I? Peh,¡± she snorted. ¡°You¡¯re only a decade behind me. I simply care not for appearances and don¡¯t waste Qi on mine.¡±


    ¡°The betrayal of your so-called wisdom stings this young maiden¡¯s heart.¡±


    ¡°The oaf was right about one thing. Enough of this. Do what you will. My sect will no longer oppose you,¡± the old cultivator said.


    ¡°Dishonor¡ª¡± the big cultivator managed to get out before the old one silenced him with a glare.


    ¡°It is dishonorable to throw our best against an unbeatable foe without a truly cause. I¡¯m leaving to prepare for the consequences of this ¡®Bakunawa¡¯s actions,¡± she vanished.


    ¡°The ancient one speaks truth. It will be difficult to perform regular maintenance on our encounter challenges with the number of higher level cultivators you have injured. Oh well, it will prove a good challenge to the young ones. The strong will rise and the weak will fall, as is our way,¡± Radiant Liu Mei bowed once again. ¡°The invitation stands,¡± she too vanished in a swirl of silks.


    ¡°I swear this insult will be av¡ª¡± the big cultivator suddenly found himself standing in a dirt field surrounded by ruined ground and unconscious cultivators.


    Bakunawa took to the sky.


    Change of plans, he thought.


    I¡¯m ahead of you. Bei¡¯s almost here. Once I take them to Manila, I¡¯ll be right back.


    Your manner of flight is more comfortable than mine.


    Less traumatic too. Slight complication though.


    Phoenixes?


    Fledgling ones.


    Ha ha. Dad jokes are lame.


    Finding yourself making them more often these days?


    Shut up.


    Doth protest too much. Anyways, kid phoenixes are flying our way. Going to be here in an hour.


    Good thing they don¡¯t know the orbital trick. How¡¯d they get word?


    I can¡¯t do anything about someone sending a spires message.


    I thought you were going to encourage people to not even consider doing that.


    I thought I did. Clearly, someone slipped through.


    You¡¯re getting old. 30 on the outside, 50 on the inside.


    You shut up.


    Alright, I¡¯m going to start.


    Good luck and be careful.


    Nothing here can hurt me.


    Physically, but I didn¡¯t mean that.


    It¡¯s fine. I¡¯m moving people out of bad places. I¡¯m not specifically out to kill the people responsible.


    I know, still have to say it as an older brother.

 Interlude: Cultivator 1.10

    Bei scampered across the roof tops.


    The cloudless night allowed the bright moon to shine down on her.


    Though she needed it not.


    All her senses seemed to be on fire.


    The darkness wasn¡¯t as dark.


    The sounds were sharper.


    The sensation of the wind on her body was stronger.


    Of course, she didn¡¯t quite consciously process all of this.


    There was the small matter of angry cultivators on her heels.


    They should¡¯ve caught her dozens of times since the greatest moment of her young life a few minutes ago.


    She had hit a real cultivator with what she had practiced thousands of times and knocked him right off the rooftop! Grandmother would be thrilled to hear the tale.


    There had been two other cultivators. She had gotten a brief glimpse of their presence. A fat man carrying a powerful scent of beer and a hint of a slight woman in a fox mask.


    At least that¡¯s what she thought.


    It had all moved too quickly for her to be certain.


    Distraction almost proved costly as her foot caught on the edge of the rooftop.


    She tumbled through the air¡­ and landed on the other rooftop.


    Curious?


    She had been certain she was about to fall three stories down to the dirty alleyway.


    Lightening?


    Was it lightening!


    Wait a minute¡­ she was feeling lighter on her feet than ever before and she was running and jumping across the rooftops.


    That was definitely new.


    A tingle in the back of her mind sent her foot lashing back without conscious thought.


    ¡°Arrggh! My treasures!¡± a cultivator cursed.


    The pursuit wasn¡¯t over by any means.


    She ran and leapt on, following the route subconsciously.


    A bamboo scaffold loomed ahead.


    She scaled it like a monkey, perhaps the iron monkey Grandmother liked to tell stories about.


    The scaffold crumbled just behind her, forcing the cultivators to take cover as dozens of poles seemed to target the space between their legs with vengeful zeal.


    ¡°Enough of this farce!¡± a hand grabbed the back of her shirt. ¡°How a dirty urchin like you could have evaded us for this long¡­¡± the cultivator¡¯s face and fine moustache were marred by what looked like especially wet garbage. There were small brown bits all over his once pristine silk robes.


    Bei wrinkled her nose and decided to breathe through her mouth.


    ¡°You have the honor of being in the presence of Glorious Gong Y¡ª¡± the cultivator choked on the brown bits suddenly vacuumed into his mouth.


    She didn¡¯t have time to ponder what the hell had happened when what felt like a large hand pulled her from the cultivator¡¯s grasp and set her back on her path.


    Three rooftops later she ran into a bulwark.


    Five cultivators dressed in matching, yet different colored robes, wielding spears wreathed in the elements.


    Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood.


    ¡°Halt child! You cannot hope to escape from the Five¡ªurk!¡±


    Metal went flying back as though a hand had roughly yanked on his collar.


    He disappeared over the edge and judging by the loud crash, landed painfully.


    The remaining four spun and launched their techniques.


    The scintillating display of elemental power punished open air.


    They too were yanked down to the ground.


    Bei leapt over the alley with all the grace of a young duckling, which was to say there was a lot of arms spinning and legs kicking.


    But¡­ she made it.


    She didn¡¯t quite know how she was doing it, but it had to be lightening.


    There was that tingling in her legs and feet.


    Grandmother had said that the sensation of manipulating one¡¯s internal Qi depended on the individual. Some likened it to the heat of the flame, others would describe it as like the creeping cold of frost forming on a window, yet more would describe it as being weird and hard to explain.


    There would be time to ask Grandmother later, she dared hope.


    The large building looming in the distance was draped in the flags and banners of the Phoenix Dynasty.


    Bright reds, oranges and yellows of the rising phoenix made for a sharp contrast on the rest of the black cloth.


    So bright, in fact, that she had no trouble seeing it with only the moonlight.


    Excitement and hope lent wings to her already lighter feet.


    She climbed the building, giving no thought to how, only too happy to see Minokawa and a sleeping boy in the masked man¡¯s arms.


    ¡°Bai?¡± she gasped.


    ¡°Safe and sound. Slept through the whole thing. Um, this is your brother right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, of course,¡± she hurried over and grabbed Bai, forgetting that she wasn¡¯t particularly strong.


    She¡¯d have dropped him had Minokawa not lent her a hand.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°Just checking. Have to make sure they didn¡¯t pull a decoy thing. Alright, time to go. Unless you need a few to catch your breath. Must¡¯ve been quite a workout¡­ the running and climbing,¡± he said mildly.


    She could only nod. She couldn¡¯t take her eyes of her little brother.


    Finally, she no longer dishonored her late parents.


    ¡°Here, I¡¯ll carry him,¡± he waited for her nod before taking Bai¡¯s dead weight off her suddenly tired arms.


    Indeed, every muscle screamed as they shook uncontrollably.


    ¡°Adrenaline dump,¡± he said.


    The sensation suddenly became bearable.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, time to get you two to Grandmother.¡±


    The outside world suddenly vanished.


    There was only her, Bai and Minokawa.


    ¡°What is happening?¡± she cried in alarm.


    ¡°Ah, sorry, thought it¡¯d be less disorienting if you can¡¯t see outside while we¡¯re flying.¡±


    ¡°I like flying,¡± she frowned.


    Was she being robbed of this thrill?


    She felt nothing amiss.


    Her stomach was definitely still in her belly.


    Her feet stood on solid ground.


    It had not been left behind like when Bakunawa had flown her around the city.


    ¡°Sure, why not,¡± he shrugged.


    The outside world reappeared.


    It took her a moment to realize because it was still dark.


    ¡°Welcome to outer space, technically,¡± he swept a hand out to encompass the vast void above them.


    Bei gazed in wonder at the vast curve of the planet for a long moment before turning her eyes to the heavens.


    ¡°Wow!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s amazing! Sorry to cut this short, but I have to help Bakunawa with a thing, so if you¡¯re ready, we¡¯re going down.¡±


    Bei felt nothing as they fell like a meteor.


    So fast, yet she might as well have been standing on the street.


    A minor disappointment in the greater picture.


    And, yet, she couldn¡¯t stop the pout from forming on her face.


    Such entitlement, such petulance.


    Minokawa laughed.


    She ducked her head, heat rising to her face.


    And then she and Bai were home.


    Their new home.


    Grandmother¡¯s bony, but strong arms, engulfed the two of them.


    Tears flowed unbidden.


    She remembered to thank Minokawa, but he was already gone when she turned around.


    Her fellow villagers emerged from their homes to join in the happy moment.


    Meanwhile, a half-naked man wearing a dragon-serpent mask cleaned his hands in the brothel¡¯s main bathroom.


    The place had been an opulent mansion once and this had been the master bedroom.


    Lots of gold everywhere.


    The age old example of wealth not necessarily accompanying class.


    Red-tainted water swirled down the drain of the gold-plated sink.


    He opened the window and tossed the body out onto the grass with the rest of them.


    He truly had went into this with an open mind in regards to mercy.


    Perhaps, he could¡¯ve taken them elsewhere to be tried and imprisoned for their crimes, but then what about jurisdiction?


    The Phoenix Dynasty would¡¯ve certainly used him taking their citizens away as justification for violence.


    Perhaps, he was just making excuses.


    He stood at the window, staring down at the pile.


    Violent rapists, the lot of them.


    He removed his mask and burned them to ash with a look.


    They deserved worse than a quick and anonymous death.


    This had been the last brothel and it had turned out to be the most violent.


    Thankfully, none of the victims had been injured.


    His brother was already collecting the others, which meant he had one more thing to do before leaving.


    He flew northeast, scorching the air in his wake.


    Two pinpricks of bright light loomed in the distance like tiny suns.


    He reached them in an instant, forcing the fledgling phoenixes to move out of the way lest they become the bugs on his windshield.


    They struck with streams of white-hot plasma.


    That was the secret about the Phoenix Dynasty.


    Their power was to generate plasma for a variety of effects.


    It wasn¡¯t true fire, sure it created fire, but he had always thought it was a bit disingenuous.


    Though, he supposed it didn¡¯t really make a difference.


    When one got hit, they burned, then died.


    He let the streams hit his body and fall away like water.


    ¡°You are but baby candles to my sun. I am ¡®Bakunawa¡¯, he who devours the¡­ moon,¡± he intoned.


    Damn it! Cal was right. I should¡¯ve been Minokawa, he thought.


    ¡°No you¡¯re not!¡± the older phoenix child, a girl snapped. ¡°You¡¯re him! Relentless!,¡± she sneered. ¡°The Divine Empress of the Eternally Burning Flames of the Phoenix told us all about you.¡±


    ¡°And you are her daughter and¡­ son?¡± he raised a dragon-serpent brow. ¡°You look like you¡¯re twelve and he¡¯s not a day over nine. And they let you fly out here all by yourself,¡± he shook his head ruefully, ¡°such shame, such parental negligence.¡±


    ¡°I am the Third Phoenix Prince! You will bow to your superior, mongrel dog!¡± the younger child snarled.


    ¡°Sorry, you¡¯ve got, like, delicate features. I thought you were sisters,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°You can¡¯t be the sun and devour the moon,¡± the Third Phoenix Prince said.


    ¡°Uh, haven¡¯t you ever heard of an eclipse? Duh¡­ what are they teaching you at petulant brat school?¡±


    ¡°Silence!¡± the girl snapped. ¡°You¡¯re under arrest.¡±


    ¡°What are the charges?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have to tell you,¡± the boy sneered.


    ¡°Yeah you do, otherwise I don¡¯t have to go with you.¡±


    ¡°Then you will come?¡± the girl said.


    ¡°Well, actually, no. I was just curious. And I¡¯m not this ¡®Relentless¡¯ guy or girl. I¡¯m obviously ¡®Bakunawa¡¯,¡± he pointed to his mask.


    ¡°You¡¯re wearing a mask!¡±


    ¡°Duh, but anyone can wear a mask, Phoenix Princess¡­ is that right? Cause if he¡¯s a prince, then-¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± she thrust her hands out and bathed him in plasma hot enough to melt iron.


    He carefully moved higher to make sure it hit his chest and not his mask.


    The stream petered out after a few seconds.


    The princess huffed and puffed as the fiery aura surrounding her body dimmed. She drifted lower like a sad balloon three days after the birthday party.


    ¡°Alright, I think I¡¯ve proved my moon eating power¡¯s superiority to your quote-unqoute phoenix flames. Tell your mom that I¡¯ve got issues with how things are being run here and it¡¯s time to address them. The spires are a handful of years away from pulling the rug out from under our feet again. Even she has to understand what that means. I¡¯m talking full on no more restrictions to invasions and all sorts of nasty monsters and such. The hints are there if you were inclined to look and pay attention. We should all try to get on the same page¡­ at the least.¡±


    The boy phoenix raised his hands.


    Bakunawa sighed.


    He blurred and grasped the boy¡¯s wrists in one vise-like hand.


    ¡°Listen, your sister¡¯s got more juice than you. Why would you think that you could do different?¡± he sighed. ¡°The clock¡¯s ticking. Tell your mom that I¡¯ll be dropping by for that talk soon,¡± he left them there, tossed and turned in the air by the wake of his sonic booms.


    A rather large and powerful monster had been drawn to the light show.


    Too dangerous for the fledglings.


    He¡¯d take care of it as a gesture of good will, perhaps make a gift of its skin.


    They did that sort of thing, right?


    Besides, though the kids were arrogant young master-types, they might grow out of it one day¡­ maybe¡­ hopefully?


    In any case, once he killed the monster his time in China was done for the foreseeable future.

 Interlude: Eidolon 1.1

    Othrys, Twenty-seventh World of Its Name


    Adras, Ninth Continent of His Name


    The shimmering spire dominated the city¡¯s skyline, but only when one was close enough for it to appear.


    Distance revealed a sprawling city of wide streets and buildings with white-painted roofs to keep the citizens cool in the bright sun.


    The city stretched out for many kilometers on both sides of a mighty river.


    Adrasia, Fifth of His Name, also known as Adrasia on the River Icthyion.


    They stepped out of the spire.


    Two towering figures.


    One man and one woman.


    Citizens stared with wide eyes and made to bow until the latter activated a magic crystal.


    Citizens blinked and continued on with their business.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have minded speaking to them. It isn¡¯t everyday that one may speak to an eidolon,¡± Theron said.


    ¡°You may bask in adulation after our business is finished,¡± Akanthe said.


    ¡°Your business, you mean.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re here to learn because in time you will be called upon to perform this task.¡±


    The two Eidolons of Adras stood head and shoulders above the crowd as it flowed around them like the river did around the mountain.


    One of the city¡¯s many market districts lay near the river to take advantage of its bounty.


    Fresh fish, shellfish and other watery treasures went straight from the boats to the docks to the vendors¡¯ stalls.


    There was no chaos in the process.


    The rules were clear.


    The forms were followed.


    The men and women didn¡¯t fish, dive, sell or cook for anything so vulgar as coin or the need to earn a living.


    The God¡¯s laws ensured that no man, woman and child went hungry, cold or hot.


    Illnesses and injuries were taken care of.


    All services were performed by people that held the passion for their classes or if they didn¡¯t they were content to contribute according to Adras¡¯ words.


    Those that didn¡¯t wish to participate in this society were free to go elsewhere.


    There were many Gods with many lands.


    Though, it was commonly known that Adras was one of the more benign and supportive of them.


    Such benevolence was personified in the pack of unruly children currently skulking about in one of the many shadowed alleys deep in the heart of the market district.


    The boys and girls wore white chitons made of good quality cloth. The mud and dirt splattered all over was the bane of their caretakers back at the orphanage.


    Their sandals were likewise well-made and well-fitted, though it might be hard to tell under the layer of dried mud.


    Their faces, knees and elbows were no less dirty.


    Chubby-cheeked children were well-fed children and these orphans were no exception.


    ¡°Oh no, Gideon! It¡¯s those kids again,¡± Kyrene said as she hurried to move the wares on the outer edges of her stall.


    The finest pastries on the block, according to her sign.


    Gideon snorted. He had already moved his oldest pastries to the edge.


    ¡°Why do you waste your time?¡±


    ¡°I know that it doesn¡¯t matter. I don¡¯t need the coin. And the Administarium always provides reparations without question. But, Gideon. It is the principle. We shouldn¡¯t be encouraging children falling into thievery.¡±


    ¡°Adrasia makes use of all,¡± he tutted. ¡°History was shown that rogues, thieves and such serve in their own ways. Besides, you never know if one of these orphans is the next great hero. Why, my grand uncle received a cloak made out of the pelt of an Nemean Liger from the great hunter, Theron, long ago and all for the cheap price of one single persimmon a day over a handful of years. That cloak has kept many members of my family alive.¡±


    ¡°There are schools for that.¡±


    ¡°Ah, but there is no substitute for the unpredictability of the wild, so to speak.¡±


    Gideon glanced at the alley.


    A tousled head of dark hair ducked back into the shadow.


    He turned his back to them.


    ¡°Eyes In The Back Of My Head.¡±


    A Skill earned from his service as a scout during the last great war nearly a decade ago.


    The unified people of Adras, Ninth of His Name had fought off an invasion from a pantheon of rival Gods.


    It had been a bloody, violent affair nothing at all like the conflicts between Adrasians, which were closer to sporting events than true combat.


    Hence, the seemingly sudden rise in orphan street stall thefts.


    For some, like Kyrene, it was an unacceptable dereliction of proper discipline.


    For others, like Gideon, who had fought, it brought back unpleasant memories and sadness.


    He kept watch while he moved his old stock back and replaced them with his freshest.


    A custodian automaton puttered across the street of perfectly cut and placed stone.


    He saw the twin gems within its gleaming brass shell pulsing. One emanated great heat and one conjured water. Together they created the steam that moved the pistons in its engine, which in turn moved the rods and gears in its limbs.


    The automaton¡¯s skeletal arms and legs moved in a stilted manner as it swept up the rare bit of litter that the citizens failed to notice and pick up.


    Adrasians took pride in all aspects of their city.


    That included cleanliness.


    The orphans were taking their sweet time.


    The crowd around Gideon and Kyrene¡¯s stalls thickened as the morning wore on.


    People with bags full of fish, vegetables and fruits went to this street for their last purchases before heading home.


    Tasty treats, sweet and savory for their children at home or for themselves.


    Kyrene¡¯s concern over the orphans faded in the face of customers.


    ¡°Come try my latest creation! Twelve layers of thin pastry, soft, but crunchy, with berry cream filling every other layer, all topped by a chocolate glaze!¡±


    ¡°Oh, that sounds delectable!¡± an old woman placed two gold coins on the counter. ¡°I¡¯ll take two. What kind of berry did you use?¡±


    ¡°I got a fresh batch of black yesterday.¡±


    ¡°Ah, perfect!¡±


    Kyrene placed two of the round pastries into a bag and handed it over.


    The new product drew the greater share of attention.


    Kyrene stuck her tongue out at Gideon.


    ¡°Act your age, woman!¡± he called out over his shoulder.


    ¡°Tch,¡± a grizzled man approached his stall.


    ¡°Aratos,¡± he nodded at the old soldier.


    They had both fought in the war, though in different theaters.


    Gideon had been luckier.


    Aratos scratched the ugly scar underneath his gemstone eye.


    The magical artifact was the least of what the Administarium rewarded him for his sacrifices.


    ¡°Not a fanatic about that new stuff, Kyrene¡¯s always coming up with. Give me the old classics just like my grandmother and mother used to make,¡± Aratos grunted.


    ¡°Same as usual?¡±


    ¡°You know me well, friend.¡±


    ¡°That I do,¡± he grinned and moved around back into his stall to wrap up a small try of his freshest baklava.


    A coin arced over the counter to land in his cup.


    ¡°Come now, friend, you know that¡¯s not necessary between old soldiers.¡±


    ¡°Eh, my pile¡¯s getting too big again. You won¡¯t be getting my coin once I¡¯ve spread it around a bit more,¡± Aratos laughed. ¡°Say, you know those kids are lurking, right?¡±


    Gideon nodded. ¡°If you hang around there might be a show. Just keep a tight grip on your bags.¡±


    Aratos moved to stand to the side of the stall, out of the street while a few more customers bought Gideon¡¯s pastries.


    ¡°Reminds me of the war,¡± Aratos muttered.


    ¡°Lots of boring waiting in between bursts of terrifying violence,¡± Gideon said. ¡°All things considered I much prefer the orphan raids.¡±


    ¡°Here we go!¡±


    Gideon could hear the smile in his friend¡¯s voice.


    It started with shouts.


    Some laughing, some angry, most in surprise.


    Gideon saw it despite the press of the shopping crowd.


    Children ran through the forest of adults.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°What are you seeing?¡± Aratos didn¡¯t have the eyes to see like Gideon. All he saw was the jostling of the crowd.


    ¡°This group isn¡¯t purloining their ill-gotten gains from any of the shoppers.¡±


    ¡°An ethical bunch, this lot!¡± Aratos chuckled.


    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s that,¡± he mused. ¡°Not a lot to like in those bags for a child. Why take a fresh fish when you can have fresh-baked baklava?¡±


    ¡°True, true¡­ feeling generous?¡± Aratos eyed the small tray of said treat Gideon placed out on the counter at the corner of the stall.


    ¡°Not at all. I just want to see how they¡¯ll handle something a little too hot for soft-fleshed fingers.¡±


    ¡°Ah, a good challenge for the young scamps!¡±


    Grinning children weaved through the forest, snatching pastries from the stalls.


    No vendor was spared.


    Though, it was a shared sort of misery.


    They only took a handful or two from each.


    That mattered not to those that believed in principle and the right way to raise children.


    Kyrene cursed them and waved a fist, even giving a halfhearted swat to the backside of one pudgy little fellow that had the daring to reach deeper in her stall for the fresh stuff.


    Still, Gideon didn¡¯t fail to notice that she didn¡¯t grab him by the scruff of his neck like she had always threatened.


    They reached his stall next.


    Beyond which lay daylight.


    A scrawny, stone-faced boy reached for the hot tray.


    He recoiled like a puppy gone too close to the iron pan on the fire, yet the only indication of pain was a slight frown.


    They locked eyes for a moment.


    Gideon raised a brow in question while Aratos laughed in the background.


    The boy tugged his sleeves over his hands and grabbed the tray.


    ¡°In here!¡± a tall, long-limbed girl dashed by with an open bag.


    The boy dumped the baklava, tray and all in one smooth motion into the small bag


    ¡°Keep the tray,¡± Gideon chuckled.


    The children scampered in a cloud of dust.


    ¡°I can¡¯t see!¡± Aratos coughed.


    Gideon watched them disappear into an alley at the end of the street.


    Incidentally, right in front of a pair of patrolling watchmen.


    ¡°Seems like one of them has a pretty useful Skill.¡±


    ¡°Not enough dust on the street for this,¡± Aratos agreed as he fanned his hands. ¡°That girl had a bag of holding.¡±


    ¡°A lot of surplus from the war.¡±


    The watchmen reached his stall at the same time as Kyrene made her way through the thick cloud.


    ¡°As late as always,¡± she regarded them like animal droppings steaming in the middle of the street.


    ¡°Apologies, Citizen Kyrene. We lost them in this cloud. Terrible visibility, you see,¡± one nodded with a grin.


    ¡°Report any lost goods to the Administarium and you will be compensated, as always,¡± the other one said.


    ¡°It is the principle,¡± she huffed.


    ¡°One of them got a good Skill,¡± Aratos said.


    ¡°Indeed¡­ now, excuse us,¡± the watchman took a breath, ¡°citizens! Calm! This will disperse on its own shortly! Please do not push! Go to the Administarium for any losses! I have already notified them of today¡¯s incident! Have a pleasant rest of your day!¡±


    ¡°There shouldn¡¯t be any incidents. Second time this week,¡± Kyrene muttered as she stomped back to her stall.


    Gideon shrugged and waved as Aratos bid him good day before ambling down the street.


    He set about dismantling his small portable ovens.


    It was then that he noticed something odd from the eyes on the back of his head.


    Down the street, near where the orphans had turned into the alley.


    A ripple of sorts in space.


    Though, there was nothing.


    But¡­ for a moment¡­ it seemed as though the empty air distorted.


    Much like a small pebble dropped into a still pond.


    ¡°Mildly disturbing,¡± he muttered then put it out of his mind.


    They were in no danger this deep inside the city.


    As always, Adras protected them with his strength beyond that of the other Gods.


    With his task done, he relaxed and waited for the rest of his stock to go into the bags of his fellow citizens.


    Filled stomachs were purpose enough for him.


    ¡°That baker makes good stuff,¡± Theron licked his lips and fingers.


    The pastry, the nuts, the honey¡­ all baked together into a perfect piece.


    Truly, it epitomized the idea that the whole could be greater than the individual parts.


    ¡°He possesses a good sensory Skill,¡± Akanthe said.


    ¡°He did indeed sensed something through our concealing gems,¡± Theron nodded.


    ¡°Citizen Gideon is, was an Argus Scout in the last war.¡±


    ¡°Interesting¡­¡±


    ¡°You weren¡¯t aware?¡±


    ¡°Should I be?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a native of this world. You became a hero here. The start of the path that led to this.¡±


    ¡°That was a long time ago and I don¡¯t remember spending much time in this region. I was born in Adrasia on the Verdant Sea and spent most of my days in and around forest. When I came back to fight the war, well, I was too busy to remember every single soldier I encountered.¡±


    ¡°The end of a war brings a time of respite. To recharge. To learn. I have spent much time in the archives to immerse myself in every aspect of the people of this world. All to better do my duties as an eidolon. The people are our most valuable resource. We must know and understand how each individual citizen can best serve.¡±


    ¡°One for all,¡± Theron hung his head. ¡°I understand the censure and take it to heart and mind. Though I have been an eidolon for nearly thirty years there is still much to learn.¡±


    ¡°I have been one for over a millennia and never have I once thought that there is nothing more to learn.¡±


    Long strides quickly carried them to the half-empty warehouse that almost all the packs of marauding orphans in this part of the city used as a base for their day time pursuits.


    They waited outside for a time to give the orphans the opportunity to enjoy their stolen treasures.


    People often asked the owner of the warehouse why he allowed the orphans access?


    Those that took it a step further asked him why had he left things like benches, tables, even comfortable couches to be ¡®found¡¯ in the warehouse?


    He never answered, merely chuckled and shook his head before doggedly changing the subject.


    Inside, Alcaestus stared at his fingers while listening intently to the dozen voices talking over, under and through each other.


    The hot tray had surprised him.


    Not the pain.


    He had experienced worse in scrapes with rival packs and within his own.


    Fortunately, one of the others had a minor healing spell.


    Thus, instead of painfully blistered fingers he merely had slightly red tender ones.


    Certainly not enough to stop him from tearing a strange round thing apart to figure out what the sweet, creamy, berry flavor was coming from.


    ¡°Miss Kyrene always has the newest, tastiest stuff!¡± Damaris loomed.


    He noted the smile on her face.


    It seemed to reach her eyes.


    He marked it as genuine.


    Experience taught him that he could answer in a multitude of ways.


    He could agree, which in this case was truthful.


    He could disagree, but he couldn¡¯t see a reason.


    The only certainty was that their erstwhile leader was expecting an answer.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he nodded. ¡°I have never had this before,¡± he held up many-layered baked good oozing dark gooey cream, ¡°and it is tasty.¡±


    She looked at him expectantly.


    He searched his memories.


    What did she seek?


    ¡°Ah,¡± he muttered. ¡°Though, I find the taste pleasant, it hasn¡¯t replaced Mr. Gideon¡¯s baklava as my preferred snack.¡±


    ¡°Worth the hurt?¡±


    He thought about it.


    ¡°No.¡±


    Pain was not to be traded for frivolous things. No matter the tastiness, no food was worth injury. He had learned this by observing those around him. Young, old and everyone in between. Also, Ms. Mirias back at the orphanage always scolded them when they hurt themselves through idiocy.


    ¡°Good. Be more careful next time,¡± she grinned.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he nodded.


    Damaris exited his attention as she went to her next person to fulfill her duties as their leader.


    Instead, he paid closer attention to the words and expressions on the interactions taking place between the others. He committed them to memory while comparing it to older ones.


    He was building a better human being as Ms. Mirias often liked to say.


    Crashing thunder interrupted his studies.


    The others screamed and scrambled for the exits while he remained seated and expressionless.


    Something told him that escape wasn¡¯t going to be possible, so with that variable taken out of the equation he shifted to the other possible paths.


    He ruled an effective fight out almost immediately as the hulking form took shape in the dust and debris from the broken roof.


    It was the largest person he had ever seen before.


    Over a head and a half taller than the biggest wrestlers at the school near their orphanage and even wider, the man grinned freely and easily as he fanned the dust away with arms that looked to be greater in circumference than Alcaestus¡¯ entire body.


    Their was something off about the man¡¯s dark brown skin and black hair.


    The latter was styled or rather not like a lion¡¯s mane, wild and unruly on his head and around his mouth and cheeks. There was a thick patch covering his otherwise bare chest, thinning as it went down his stomach and arms.


    It appeared black at first, but when it caught the sunlight just so, he saw hints of blue.


    When the dust cleared his suspicions were confirmed.


    The skin on the man¡¯s fingers were colored lavender like the flower. This continued up his hands, becoming streaks as it went up his lower and upper arms. Fainter and fainter as it moved toward his chest. The thick hair and beard made it difficult to tell, but Alcaestus would¡¯ve wagered an entire week of meals that the man¡¯s ears were also pure lavender in color.


    Eidolon of Adras!


    They had all read the stories, seen the paintings, sculptures and the rare picture and recording.


    It was an important part of their history after all.


    They said that an eidolon came to resembled their patron God with time and the strength of their deeds.


    Thus, this specimen was almost certainly one of the younger ones.


    Not so the woman that entered through the eastern wall.


    She was enormous, but certainly more feminine than the man, like a perfect statue brought to life.


    Her spiked hair was a vivid blue and her skin was entirely lavender.


    Her facial features where blunter than what he tended to observe in Adrasia, suggesting that she was from another land. Perhaps another world entirely.


    The female eidolon raised a fist and every single orphan was suddenly pulled back toward the center of their once hallowed domain as though the table piled with their purloined treasures exerted gravity like the burning orb in the sky.


    ¡°Do not run. You will not be harmed,¡± the female eidolon said mildly.


    ¡°Greetings, little brother Adrasian!¡± the male eidolon boomed.


    ¡°Yes, you appear as I do in both color and feature. That means you are likely of old Adrasian stock like me.¡±


    ¡°You talk like an old teacher,¡± he raised a brow. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°¡®Alcaestus¡¯.¡±


    ¡°That is a strange name.¡±


    ¡°I have heard that before.¡±


    ¡°Many are those with unfortunate names. As for me, I am called ¡®Theron¡¯.¡±


    ¡°The great hunter turned hero of the distant past.¡±


    ¡°Am I a simple namesake? Or him in the flesh?¡± Theron waggled his brows with a grin.


    ¡°Theron is a common name, hence the probability you are the former. However, the stories say that true heroes become eidolons at greater rates than non-heroes.¡± Alcaestus regarded the frightened looks on the others, the questioning, calculating one on Damaris. What was that she liked to say often? Ah! He remembered.


    The pack takes care of its own.


    He cleared his throat.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t here because of that,¡± he pointed to the pastries and other snacks. ¡°The Administarium compensates the bakers in full. Thus, you must be here for me. Let them go¡­ please,¡± he added.


    ¡°You¡¯re a strange child, but not wrong in this case,¡± the male eidolon said.


    ¡°The others will perhaps serve the greater purpose of Adras in the distant future. So, they will remain to observe,¡± the female eidolon said, not without kindness as she flashed a dazzling smile. ¡°Children are ever safe and cherished in our lands. You have nothing to fear, not even your daringly-gained treasures. May I?¡± she gestured to the table.


    Damaris nodded hesitantly.


    The female eidolon approached and plucked a pastry.


    The huge round bread thing would¡¯ve taken both of Alcaestus¡¯ hands to encompass, yet she held it lightly between thumb and forefinger.


    ¡°Theron, you may begin,¡± she said before nibbling daintily on the bread thing.


    The enormous eidolon approached.


    Alcaestus expected thumping, earth-shaking steps, yet Theron moved almost as quietly as a stalking tiger.


    Theron loomed, a dark shadow that seemed to blot out the sun shining through the skylight.


    ¡°Little Alcaestus,¡± he intoned. ¡°Your God has called you. Will you answer?¡±

 Interlude: Eidolon 1.2

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with the child¡¯s head, Mother Mirias?¡± Theron said.


    He had joined Akanthe and Mirias, the orphanage¡¯s head, teacher, mother and any role that the children required from her, in the latter¡¯s office.


    The two eidolons stood with Mirias at the window overlooking the yard where a few dozen children crowded around Alcaestus, bombarding him with questions and congratulations.


    ¡°Much too calm. Didn¡¯t smile or show excitement when I told him that Adras was giving him the greatest opportunity beyond any mortal¡¯s wildest dreams.¡±


    Mirias took a deep breath in a vain attempt to steady the shaking in her limbs.


    Her office was small and the eidolons loomed over her as they filled the space. She felt like a mouse trapped in a box with a pair of cats.


    ¡°He did smile and thank us at the end,¡± Akanthe said.


    ¡°Yes and I know that you know what¡¯s wrong with him. Though, you refuse to illuminate my way through the darkness,¡± Theron sighed. ¡°Little Alcaestus is to be my ward. His actions will be linked to me. I¡¯d like to know that he¡¯ll be a boon rather than a curse.¡±


    ¡°It would be a mistake to say that he doesn¡¯t feel,¡± Mirias began, ¡°oh, he experiences the same emotions that we do. He just simply cannot feel them from the perspective of other people. We have done our best to teach him techniques and rules so that he¡¯ll be able to fit into Adrasian society as a valuable contributor,¡± she hesitated, ¡°may I speak truthfully, honored ones?¡±


    ¡°Truth is expected. Do not fear reprisal. We are above pettiness,¡± Akanthe said.


    Mirias swallowed. ¡°I beg you reconsider. Alcaestus would do best in a quiet life free from violence and the weighty choices that you face.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m inclined to agree, however¡­ oracles and such,¡± Theron waved a hand dismissively as he failed to elaborate.


    ¡°The child must have his opportunity,¡± Akanthe said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve known people like him. They make great soldiers and warriors,¡± Theron said.


    ¡°Yes, but what will happen to him when there are no monsters to slay or enemies to battle?¡± Mirias said.


    ¡°It¡¯s a good thing that there are an infinite supply of those,¡± Theron said.


    ¡°Your genuine concern for his well-being will be noted as will the exemplary performance of your duties here,¡± Akanthe said.


    ¡°Speaking of exemplary,¡± Theron mused. ¡°Mother Mirias, do not fear for little Alcaestus. I will be his exemplar. The touchstone to guide him. With my example he will not stray from Adras¡¯ path.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, honored one,¡± Mirias bowed.


    ¡°We will return after dinner to take him,¡± Theron said.


    ¡°The child, Damaris, she has a valuable Skill. When she is of age she will have a place at the military academy. Until then I recommend you nurture her Skill and prepare her. The Administarium holds a list of former skirmishers and officers or both living in your city. Call on one or more of them to tutor her in their knowledge. If she doesn¡¯t desire to pursue this path then that will be her choice when the time comes,¡± Akanthe said.


    Mirias collapsed into her chair the moment the towering eidolons departed.


    Being in their presence had been overwhelming, like standing too close to a raging fire or staring into the sun for too long.


    The years passed quickly for young Alcaestus.


    Life had changed in an instant.


    From Adrasia on the River Icthyion on Othrys, Twenty-seventh World of Its Name to Adrasia beneath the Titan¡¯s Pillars on Othrys, Eighth World of Its Name.


    From a relatively peaceful place to one teeming with managed encounter challenges and untouched spawn zones.


    From a caring orphanage to a harsh academy.


    He was one of sixteen.


    One of the first in this experiment by their God.


    Of Akanthe, he saw nothing after they had departed his home world.


    Of Theron, he could count the number of visits in the seven years on both hands.


    He remembered Ms. Mirias¡¯ lessons and her words. He periodically re-read her instructions. He listened intently to Theron¡¯s words and instructions on those rare visits.


    What better individual to model yourself after then one of the eidolons?


    ¡°What are you staring at?¡±


    The truth?


    Nothing.


    However, Dorion was an aggressive sort, always looking for an acceptable excuse to challenge someone to the pit.


    Alcaestus didn¡¯t want to enter the pit at the moment. It would interfere with his plans for the rest of the week.


    He pointed to the iron bar on the stand.


    ¡°I¡¯m deciding on the weight.¡±


    Two of the heaviest plates were already on each side.


    ¡°Too heavy?¡± Dorion challenged.


    ¡°No. The ten press ups I completed weren¡¯t difficult. It felt as if I could¡¯ve done a handful more.¡±


    ¡°That was my thought as well. What do you think of adding 5¡¯s?¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    He took one 5 kilogram disc from the rack and slid it into place while Dorion did the same on the other end of the bar. He laid down on the bench and gripped the knurled bar.


    Up it went to the sky, down it came to his muscular chest.


    His arms began to shake on the third, finally failing after the fifth repetition.


    ¡°Not bad,¡± Dorion said as he helped rack the bar back on the stand. ¡°Let me show you how it¡¯s done.¡±


    He made it to eight before calling for help.


    ¡°I can do better,¡± the bigger boy spat in the sandy ground.


    Alcaestus regarded Dorion¡¯s face.


    It had been an intriguing sight at first.


    He had never seen a person that looked different from him before coming to this world.


    Dorion came from yet a different one. His flesh had been a pale pink, like one of the domesticated pigs they kept at farms back home. Time in the sun had darkened it slightly. He had broad features. A wide nose and mouth with thin, almost non-existent lips. The strangest thing was the shock of orange hair on his head. Almost like the sour-tasting fruit that grew on many trees scattered around the school grounds. He was also the tallest and broadest among the students.


    ¡°Shall we add more weight?¡±


    ¡°Nah, I¡¯m going for a personal record this weekend,¡± Dorion said. ¡°Got to save something for that, right?¡±


    ¡°Prudent.¡±


    ¡°Say, Al? What¡¯s up with your name? Why¡¯d your parents name you after a weapon?¡±


    A common question from the other students when they had first arrived.


    Truthfully, he didn¡¯t know.


    No one did.


    His parents had died in the war and he had no other family.


    He had never thought about it until coming to the school thanks to the others¡¯ poking and prodding. He almost explained, but then remembered the saddened looks on most.


    He thought of Theron¡¯s instructions.


    ¡°A warrior doesn¡¯t reveal vulnerabilities,¡± the eidolon had said often.


    Still, he couldn¡¯t think of reason not to be truthful.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. They died in the war and I have no other family.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I heard,¡± Dorion nodded.


    Then why did you ask? he almost said.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter anyways. The only thing that matters is what we do in the future with only our strength. Not our family¡¯s or anything else. Like Adras, we rise and fall, we take glory on our strength.¡±


    Dorion mentioned strength twice.


    It was odd to Alcaestus.


    He knew that Dorion was part of a powerful family that ruled over an entire region of villages, towns and cities.


    A region of snow-covered winters.


    He had seen pictures and videos.


    Which was helpful as he might¡¯ve otherwise called the proud Dorion a liar when he had described the place he had come from.


    Cold and wet sand.


    He hadn¡¯t been able to comprehend it from simple word. He was learning thanks to the lessons.


    Adras was primarily the God of physical strength, but the school sought to strengthen not just their bodies, but their minds and souls as well in this grand new experiment.


    Days became weeks became months became years.


    The beginning of their final year commenced.


    ¡°Students of the first and hopefully, not the last, class of The Eidolon Academy of Adras,¡± Headmaster Demodokos stood at the front of the small classroom. 16 pairs of eager eyes and ears focused on him. ¡°You know your general purpose here. We have kept the specifics from you because we are learning alongside you. I am pleased to announce that our collective hard work will appear to achieve our goals. You strove for excellence and are so very close. You have gained and leveled the classes we believe you¡¯ll need. This final year will be focused on fine-tuning everything. And at the end?¡± he paused to allow their anticipation to build.


    Alcaestus¡¯ heart beat stronger.


    He wondered if the other students felt the same way.


    To become an eidolon was an achievement that stood above all things possible for mere mortals.


    ¡°One of you will be granted the highest honor. Adras himself will make you one of his greatest servants. An eidolon!¡± the headmaster waited for the cheers and whoops to die down. ¡°Throughout the year you will compete in and complete your own curated version of The Thirteen Labors of Adras. You will continue to strive for excellence. Though, I don¡¯t doubt that you won¡¯t. We¡¯ve taught you well-enough to know what this means not only for you but for all that walk in Adras¡¯ mighty shadow. Now enjoy the party, for tomorrow the work begins anew.¡±


    Hundreds of people milled about in the great yard.


    All the great and powerful names of the city and from all corners of Adras¡¯ holdings on this world.


    They dined and chatted with each other and the students.


    The planting of seeds that may bear fruit in the future.


    It was something Al had learned in politics classes.


    He stood alone, eating a small pile of fresh grilled meats.


    As a growing young man he had muscles to feed.


    ¡°You are less a mighty tree than a chiseled boulder,¡± Theron¡¯s booming voice filled the air with laughter.


    Eidolons had arrived.


    Sixteen of them, dispersed in the crowd to seek their wards.


    ¡°Still, an impressive physique, nothing at all like the scrawny boy I laid eyes on all those years ago.¡±


    Al bowed.


    ¡°Bah, none of that,¡± Theron waved a hand.


    It had been almost two years since the eidolon had last visited.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been keeping an eye on your exploits. I can¡¯t say that you¡¯ve disappointed. In fact, I¡¯m proud,¡± he lowered his voice, ¡°I¡¯ve been a poor patron. You¡¯re not like the rest. They had foundations to prop them up. Be it in the form of wealthy families that can purchase whatever they need from the finest gear to high-leveled outside tutors. Or they¡¯re scions of great heroes, generals and scholars,¡± he shook his head, ¡°not like you, no. An orphan with nothing at his back. Driven only by the flame that burns within. You are here because you want to be. Not because someone out there expects it of you. That is what will drive you to become one of us.¡±


    ¡°Theron,¡± a thought struck Al as he watched the other lavender-skinned and blue-haired eidolons standing in the crowd as trees did over bushes, ¡°how many eidolons are there?¡±


    ¡°At least fifteen,¡± Theron chuckled.


    Al could count. ¡°Sixteen,¡± he corrected, ¡°Akanthe doesn¡¯t have a ward like you¡­ does she still live?¡±


    ¡°Ha! Of course! My elder is the mightiest among us.¡±


    ¡°Seventeen then, at least.¡±


    ¡°Let me share a secret,¡± Theron bent over to whisper in his ear, ¡°even I don¡¯t know. More than ten and less than twenty. That was what Akanthe told me once long ago,¡± he straightened. ¡°Adras¡¯ will must be served on many worlds and lands. None of us are privy to the totality of it. After all, only a God can know how a God thinks. You¡¯ll find out once you join our order.¡±


    ¡°I will do my best to honor your confidence.¡±


    ¡°So long as you try harder than any of the others you won¡¯t make me look bad.¡±


    Al searched for something to say to keep the conversation going as he had learned was expected as a matter of course in a standard social interaction.


    ¡°This cow tastes good,¡± he held up the skewer of thinly sliced meat.


    ¡°Indeed,¡± Theron reached over to a nearby table and ripped an entire haunch from the roast pig, ¡°I prefer this. That reminds me. I just returned from my first new world in decades. They had this strangest sea creature. Not at all a fish. It had these things called flippers. The locals said they were rather smart for being base creatures. But, get this, they didn¡¯t have scales and they breathed air, while living in the sea. Very fatty. Tasted good.¡±


    ¡°Interesting.¡±


    ¡°They also had those odd horn-less unicorns. Dumb and not in anyway magical though.¡±


    ¡°What about different monsters?¡±


    Theron shrugged. ¡°Monsters are monsters. Kill them long enough and they start to look the same.¡±


    That was wholly inaccurate.


    ¡°Er¡­¡± Theron must¡¯ve noticed something in Al¡¯s face. ¡°That is to say when one becomes as strong as me most monsters can be solved with a simple strike,¡± he held up a fist bigger than Al¡¯s head. ¡°However, that isn¡¯t to say you shouldn¡¯t be cognizant of the strengths, weaknesses and tendencies of different monsters. You¡¯re not an eidolon yet,¡± he grinned. ¡°So, how much weight are you moving these days?¡±


    Odd.


    Al knew that the results of the students¡¯ activities were made available to their eidolon mentors.


    Thus, he concluded that Theron didn¡¯t read his or the eidolon was performing the expected social duties.


    ¡°140 on the bench, 200 on the squat and deadlift,¡± he went over all his personal record numbers to Theron¡¯s approval.


    ¡°That¡¯s impressive for your age and size. And no strength enhancing Skills.¡±


    ¡°The trainers believe it will be more difficult to gain levels otherwise. I intend to obtain it once I have reached my plateau.¡±


    ¡°True, true. You are yet fully grown. Best for you to go as far as you can before taking such gifts from the spires.¡±


    Night turned to day and back again.


    They strengthened their minds inside the classrooms.


    No subject was left untouched.


    Politics, tactics, strategy, logistics, all known sciences, philosophy, art, literature.


    Everything.


    It was often said that an eidolon may be called upon to be anything and everything from a general, to a warrior, to an administrator, to a governor and even a teacher.


    All roles that Adras needed was theirs to fill.


    They strengthened their souls through meditation on the aspects that made up their universe. On the nature of the Gods that guided them on the divine paths. On the spires that served as the framework of it all.


    And naturally, they strengthened their bodies.


    They pushed and pulled great weights.


    They strained and struggled against each other. Unarmed grappling and striking, along with a variety of weapons.


    It was this physicality that was the focus of their first labor of the school year.


    It hearkened back to one of the most legendary deeds that the God of Strength was known for.


    Adras once held up an entire world on his shoulders.


    And thus, Al and his fellow students stood, sweating and straining underneath the bright sun with a large round stone on their shoulders.


    The test was simple.


    Hold the weight up.


    He tried to keep from shifting. The rough stone rubbed harshly against his bare shoulder.


    The size made it unwieldy and being dark in color it had progressively grown hotter as the labor dragged on.


    How long?


    It had seemed like hours.


    ¡°Five minutes!¡± the trainer barked.


    Al heard several of the other students grunt and curse.


    To keep things fair the stones didn¡¯t all weigh the same.


    The trainers said that they were approximately two-thirds the weight of the carrier.


    That felt about right to Al.


    He focused on the moment to the exclusion of all other thoughts.


    It was something he had never had much trouble doing.


    He thought nothing of the struggles of his fellow students.


    One by one he heard and ignored the dull thuds as stones hit the sand and the others cursed or cried out in pain.


    He thought only of the labor.


    Hold the stone up.


    He didn¡¯t think of anything beyond that.


    Why bother?


    The instructions had been clear.


    They hadn¡¯t said anything about letting it down, nothing about a length of time.


    And so those thoughts didn¡¯t find purchase in his mental calculations.


    When the stone rolled off his shoulder because his muscles failed he had the presence of mind to jump forward so that it couldn¡¯t hit him.


    He looked around.


    He was the second to last remaining student.


    Dorion stood a distance away, quivering, pink skin turned red with exertion.


    Finally, he too, dropped his stone.


    ¡°Take five minutes, then hit the track!¡± the trainer barked.


    He glanced over to the distance where the rest labored around the dirt track.


    ¡°Better hydrate,¡± Dorion jerked a thumb toward the watering station.


    Al took small sips from his cup while Dorion eyed him.


    ¡°I could¡¯ve gone a little longer.¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t.¡±


    Dorion scowled.


    The orange-haired student slammed the wooden cup on the table before jogging over to the running track.


    Al blinked.


    The cues for frustration and anger had been in Dorion¡¯s expression and actions.


    But why?


    Dorion had won the labor.


    Shouldn¡¯t that have created happiness? Satisfaction and pride at the least.


    He glanced at the trainer.


    ¡°Got a question, candidate?¡± Philo grunted.


    Such was encouraged by their teachers and trainers, so he asked honestly.


    ¡°You always go to your limits. That¡¯s got a way of sticking in the teeth of those that know that they don¡¯t. Nothing you need concern yourself with. Keep doing as you do. We¡¯ll keep teaching the rest until they finally get it.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± he bowed.


    ¡°If you can talk and bow then you can run. Get on that track!¡±

 Interlude : Eidolon 1.3

    Strategy. Tactics. Battle. War.


    Well¡­ pretend.


    It wasn¡¯t true war without the most important part.


    Mighty logistics.


    The true god of war.


    War was hell.


    All their old soldier teachers had said so. Even the old soldiers they brought in over the years to share their experiences had said so. It didn¡¯t matter their species. All agreed that war against another sapient was worse than anything else.


    Al took their word for it. Although, he decided that he would need to experience it for himself to set his thought one way or the other.


    Practice war made his heart race and his breathing hard to master even when it was nothing like the real thing.


    Today, they learned in the most basic form.


    Two opposing sides.


    Melee weapons only.


    No spell staves and sticks slinging bright spells across the grassy field. No massive balls of elemental fury arcing overhead from kilometers away. No summoned monsters or bonded creatures lending their strength. No flying machines, like the ornithopter and its buzzing wings, swooping out of the clouds to rain destruction. No mighty eidolons of opposing Gods shaking the earth and breaking the sky while they dueled in the midst of it all.


    No.


    Practice was nothing like the real thing.


    ¡°Dorion is coming for you,¡± Kallis¡¯ voice crackled through the phonogems in his helmet. ¡°Refuse the flank. Adrastrea will pivot to hit him on his. You will swing your company behind her in case they decide to charge her flank.¡±


    The teachers had set up a little light gem jamming, but their countermeasures were working and he received her without issue.


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Tellingly, she didn¡¯t direct him to use his Skills like she did a few of others.


    That told him that she trusted his judgment.


    He relayed Kallis¡¯ orders to his sergeant, who in turn barked at the ten men and women under his command.


    Practice war meant practice troop numbers.


    Ten men and women was a squad in the real world.


    Indeed, the real soldiers pretending to be bitter enemies were also from the 12th Company of the city¡¯s garrison.


    Al regarded their faces.


    Lots of grins and laughter as they banged practice swords on their shields while launching crude shouts across the way.


    Odd that they looked forward to hurting their fellow soldiers.


    Perhaps, it was because the weapons were blunted.


    They faced no true danger beyond a rung bell, broken bones and bruises. And with many healers standing all around the perimeter of the battlefield even the worse injury wouldn¡¯t last beyond the afternoon.


    ¡°Orga switch with Telegoras,¡± he directed his heavy line-breaker to rightmost spot on his line.


    The massive Torruk obeyed without question or hesitation.


    Surprising, history class implied that the species had a tendency to lose themselves in battle and always sought to be at the thickest of the fighting.


    He had been prepared to explain that, as the slowest, she needed to be at the point of the pivot so as to keep their formation intact.


    Unless she had a speed Skill?


    Al made a mental mark against himself. He should¡¯ve used their prep time to learn his company¡¯s pertinent Skills. Belatedly, he realized that was likely the purpose his teachers gave them a quarter hour with their companies. Instead, he had wasted it by making frivolous talk as social interaction required.


    ¡°Good call, cub,¡± Orga grunted as she took her position.


    The Torruk¡¯s tree brown-skinned face split into a wide grin beneath her helmet to reveal gold-capped tusks.


    ¡°Do you have a speed Skill?¡±


    Better late than never.


    ¡°Only going forward.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your candor.¡±


    ¡°Permission to get a few whacks in while the rest of the softlings pivot around?¡±


    ¡°Granted.¡±


    The opposing force marched across the field at a leisurely pace.


    Seven lines of ten men and women just like his side.


    ¡°Like an easy stroll across the plain without fire, eh?¡± Orga grunted.


    ¡°Yes. Ranged fire would change the entire equation. They would suffer loses and be forced to move faster, leaving them fatigued for the final charge and the melee,¡± he regarded Dorion at the front and center of the opposing line.


    A tactical mistake.


    Leaders needed to keep themselves alive so as to give orders.


    Which was why he stood behind his line.


    ¡°He¡¯s not breaking formation,¡± Sergeant Battos said.


    The opposing force reached the fifty meter mark to contact.


    Dorion gave no sign of charging ahead.


    Al almost requested an order from Kallis, then he remembered that she likely trusted him to make an autonomous decision.


    He debated and decided in an instant.


    Kallis¡¯ plan needed Dorion to charge ahead of the others.


    ¡°Sergeant, taunting Skills when they are in range.¡±


    Those were permitted. Anything that made a strike deadlier or defense more impenetrable were forbidden.


    ¡°Understood!¡± Sergeant Battos barked the order.


    The soldiers responded to each other with equal parts glee and vulgarity.


    ¡°Suck my sausage, Lysandras!¡±


    ¡°Hey, Myron¡­ your husband couldn¡¯t get enough of mine last night!¡±


    ¡°Your mother!¡±


    One even sheathed his sword to lift his chiton and flash his natural dagger before letting fly with a rather impressive stream that shined in the sunlight.


    Perhaps, after the practice battle, he¡¯d ask the soldier why he had done that.


    ¡°Adras damn it! Back in line, Damophon!¡± Sergeant Battos snarled at a soldier that had taken the taunt.


    Several of Dorion¡¯s soldiers broke ranks and charged, but they only got a few strides before counter Skills were activated to slow and reel them back into formation.


    Al could see the angry words spilling out of Dorion.


    He had one Skill from his tactician class.


    ¡°Induce Charge,¡± he pointed.


    ¡°That¡¯ll do it! Brace for impact, you worms!¡± Sergeant Battos hustled behind the line to stand close to Al.


    Dorion¡¯s line closed the meters quickly.


    Al¡¯s eyes darted to the rest of the enemy formation.


    They maintained their pace.


    At ten meters Sergeant Battos gave the order to fall back.


    Competent sergeants were one of the most important things to running a company.


    It seemed that the lessons they had learned in class proved true in real life.


    Al realized that he would¡¯ve waited too long to give the order had the sergeant not taken initiative.


    He thought that he should¡¯ve said something as the leader, but the sergeant knew what to do.


    Dorion¡¯s company saw and smelled blood like sharks in the sea.


    They had failed to mark Adrastrea¡¯s company pivoting.


    Her line hit Dorion¡¯s flank.


    Soldiers laughed as they bludgeoned their fellow soldiers with blunted steel. Red paint on the edges marked wounds and soon every single soldier under Dorion, including himself, lay on the grass, dead or captured.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    Al¡¯s company hadn¡¯t even finished their pivot to take Adrastrea¡¯s place.


    ¡°Charge!¡± Kallis roared.


    Orga bellowed a Torrukian war chant.


    He felt it deep in his gut.


    A thrill for the bloodshed to come.


    Except, they weren¡¯t really supposed to draw blood.


    That truth calmed him.


    Less so most of the other soldiers.


    He remained behind his line as they slammed into their opposite number.


    Shields came together with the sound of tri-horns slamming their bony shield crests together during rutting season.


    Blades clanged.


    Shouts of pain and joy joined the din.


    Birds perched in nearby trees decided to be elsewhere.


    Al found himself without much to do.


    Sergeant Battos remained at his side while exhorting the men and women.


    Orga stabbed her blade into the ground to pick up an enemy soldier by his collar like a mother cat does her kitten.


    ¡°You still owe me coin, Ismene. Gonna pay up?¡±


    ¡°You cheated!¡± Ismene slashed, but Orga took it on her shield.


    ¡°Then let your perfidy send you to Tartarus.¡±


    ¡°Wait, what? This is just practice!¡± Ismene wriggled desperately.


    ¡°Practice Tartarus,¡± Orga clarified before hurling the much smaller soldier away.


    A second soldier darted in the opening.


    Al had seen him moving, so was in position to land a cut on the man¡¯s sword arm.


    He was careful to strike lightly.


    This was practice.


    Even with healers it was prudent to avoid unnecessary damage.


    The soldier cursed and dropped his sword, allowing his arm to fall limply at his side.


    Al relaxed his guard and stepped back only for the soldier to slam a shield in his face.


    Fortunately, he had the reflexes and muscle memory to fall back and turn his head.


    A rung bell was preferable to a rung bell and a busted nose.


    Perhaps, those that argued against the merits of an open-faced helmet had their points.


    Sergeant Battos cut the enemy soldier down.


    ¡°Eyes up and ears open, young one.¡±


    ¡°Understood. Thank you, sergeant.¡±


    ¡°Orga! This isn¡¯t a game!¡±


    The Torruk nodded, picked up her sword and commenced beating down the enemy.


    Some would say that stepping into a battle was like traveling through time. If such a thing existed beyond the realm of thought exercises and idle conjecture.


    Battle could feel like an eternity, yet when it ended the soldier would realize that a bare handful of minutes had passed.


    The inverse could also be true.


    Battle could be a blur of violence and fear, yet one would find that the sun was low on the eastern horizon at the end when it had been at its zenith at the beginning.


    The only thing Al was certain of was that he wasn¡¯t certain of anything.


    It had been like that with every practice battle over the past several years.


    They all had ended the same way.


    Sitting in a tent were the teachers picked apart every mistake in excruciating detail.


    He didn¡¯t quite understand why most of the other students grumbled about this part.


    Wasn¡¯t learning the purpose of this all?


    If mistakes weren¡¯t pointed out then how would one rectify them in the future?


    The lead instructor for the military portion of their schooling paced back and forth on four stout legs.


    It had taken Al a few days to stop staring when they had been introduced to Ginnifer Mountainstomper on that first day.


    She came from a world of strange beings and even stranger names.


    Her people bore a slight resemblance to the Centaurus that originated on Othrys, Second World of Its Name. Her four legs underneath her people¡¯s version of a chiton were covered in tough, gray-colored hide that resembled armored plates in certain spots. The hide continued part way up her human-like torso. It thinned to more closely resemble Al¡¯s dark brown skin at the chest, shoulders and arms. Except her skin was closer to true black. Her head and face didn¡¯t look out of place amongst Al, the students and other teachers. They were just larger in keeping with the proportions of her body. She kept her black hair cut short to make it easier to wear a helm.


    Teacher Ginni, as she demanded to be called, was amiable at most times.


    In this tent and in this moment wasn¡¯t one of them.


    One of the foremost generals in Adras¡¯ military loomed over one student in particular.


    ¡°Candidate Dorion, what was your mistake?¡± General Ginni rumbled like a rockfall.


    Eyes darted to Al for an instant.


    ¡°I made several,¡± Dorion sat tall and stiff in his camp chair.


    ¡°Good. Start at the beginning.¡±


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have requested to be placed opposite Alcaestus.¡±


    Odd.


    Why would Dorion request such a thing?


    Positions along the battle line came with their own advantages and disadvantages.


    Those in the middle tended to require less maneuvering, though that also meant there weren¡¯t many options if things turned against you.


    Being on either wing gave greater freedom, however one traded the security of having support on both flanks.


    Indeed, Dorion¡¯s company had found themselves unsupported due to Kallis¡¯ tactic.


    Al settled on personal enmity being what had driven Dorion¡¯s decision.


    He recalled that it had only been a few weeks since he had triumphed over Dorion in the wrestling pit to take the top spot in the current cycle.


    Still, it was odd that Dorion held on to that.


    Dorion had beaten him inside the striking ring a week further back to top the class and he had already relegated it to his memories, just like the wrestling.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t adequately query my men and women on their applicable Skills before the practice battle. My sergeant possessed an anti-taunt Skill, which I should¡¯ve ordered her to engage.¡±


    ¡°Continue,¡± their teacher rumbled.


    ¡°I placed myself at the front. Had I been behind my line the efficacy of the enemy taunts may have not affected me as strongly. In that case I may have been able to counter Alcaestus¡¯ Skill with one of my own.¡±


    ¡°And you would¡¯ve saved yourself a knock on the head.¡±


    The side of Dorion¡¯s head was distorted by a lumpy bruise.


    They had healers, but the students hadn¡¯t been healed all the way back to normal.


    Their teachers thought it would be beneficial for the lesson to sink in over the next week as their injuries healed the natural way.


    ¡°Needless to say,¡± Ginni continued, ¡°this was just practice. Had this been real, Dorion would be dead as would most of you on the losing side. Why not surrender when the battle was lost?¡±


    A rhetorical question the students knew not to answer.


    ¡°Not all battles end in complete annihilation. Taking prisoners for ransom is how these things tend to be when our pantheon wars with itself. Of course there are occasions were war becomes truly bloody, when there is no quarter from either side.¡±


    ¡°How will we know the difference?¡±


    ¡°For most of you¡­ just follow your orders. For those that might rise to the highest levels of command¡­ then you¡¯ll be a party to the decision. Do not worry. You¡¯ll learn.¡±


    That didn¡¯t really answer Kallis¡¯ question.


    ¡°Now, who wants to be next on the inquisitor¡¯s stand?¡±


    Predictably, no one raised their hands.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± Ginni mused, ¡°Alcaestus.¡±


    He didn¡¯t need to think too hard.


    ¡°There were several moments that I didn¡¯t treat this exercise as a true battle,¡± he listed them as one reads out the ingredients to a simple dinner.


    Time passed quickly.


    The hot summer gave way to cool autumn as the leaves changed color before withering and falling to the ground to die.


    Winter was cold to Al.


    The heat of his original home hadn¡¯t prepared him.


    Here he was almost seven years later and he still needed a thick coat and long trousers, whereas those like Dorion remained clothed in the standard chiton. The only concession to the cold air were longer sleeves rather than bare arms.


    Al¡¯s breath came out in a white puff.


    ¡°What?¡± Dorion scowled up at him.


    ¡°The stick isn¡¯t anchored deep enough. When the snare captures the foot the animal will drag the whole thing away when it bolts.¡±


    Dorion shoved the stick deeper.


    ¡°There. Good enough?¡±


    ¡°It is.¡±


    ¡°Instead of standing over my shoulder why don¡¯t you finish setting your snares.¡±


    ¡°I have already finished.¡±


    ¡°Of course you have,¡± Dorion muttered. ¡°How are you so good at this stuff?¡±


    ¡°Theron trained me in the hunter¡¯s craft.¡±


    ¡°I know that!¡± Dorion snapped.


    ¡°Then why did you¡ª rhetorical question,¡± he nodded. ¡°You weren¡¯t seeking an answer.¡±


    ¡°And why do you call the honored one by his given name? Even I have to address the eidolons properly! Even my father does and he¡¯s lord of many cities back home! Bah, curse this pointless contraption!¡± Dorion threw the thin wire down and stomped on it for good measure.


    ¡°Theron requested I refer to him as such. I have always addressed the other eidolons in the prescribed manner. As for the snare. It¡¯s a critical aspect of woodcraft. Eidolons often work alone far from cities and easy access to sustenance.¡±


    Dorion took a deep breathe. ¡°All technically correct, as always. However, eidolons can go months between meals sustained only by the divine blood that flows through them. Furthermore, an eidolon can easily run down and snap the neck of practically all edible beasts one might conceivably find in the wilderness. Lastly,¡± he stomped over to a nearby bush and plucked a shriveled berry, ¡°though this is almost out of its season,¡± he popped it into his mouth and grimaced as he chewed, ¡°it is perfectly edible.¡±


    ¡°Eating only fruit will lead to incontinence, which will lead to dehydration, which will lead to death.¡±


    ¡°There are mushrooms,¡± Dorion pointed to a fallen log, ¡°and other sundry vegetables. Hives contain honey. What about a nice, fat, juicy grub? Perfectly edible if you can bear the wriggling, the goo and the crunchy bits.¡±


    ¡°Those aren¡¯t without risks. We¡¯re familiar with the flora of this region. However, we may be sent to a different region or a different world entirely. One where all that we have learned her may not apply in part.¡±


    ¡°Well, then it is good that we¡¯ve been taught how to identify and test for such things. As for your second and valid concern. I¡¯d say, then we do as our lessons taught. We educate ourselves with the local knowledge base before we start anything.¡±


    Al blinked at Dorion. He had nothing else to say so he remained silent.


    ¡°You know, people say you¡¯re missing something up here,¡± Dorian tapped his temple. ¡°Well, whatever, I¡¯m pretty sure that someone missing something wouldn¡¯t be in the top five. I think you¡¯re just a little strange. Probably because you¡¯re an orphan. Not having someone to raise you will mess anyone up. Actually, it¡¯s a credit to yourself that you¡¯re running neck to neck with your betters,¡± he laughed as he bent over to dig the snare out of the soft soil. ¡°You better keep it up. I want you at your best the whole way to the finish. Victory will taste all the sweeter knowing that you tried your best.¡±


    ¡°I have given my best effort since the beginning. I don¡¯t see a reason to change that.¡±


    ¡°See?¡± Dorion laughed.


    Al didn¡¯t.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got no highs and no lows. There¡¯s barely a difference in the way you look when you think no one is watching. Succeed or fail, you look the same. The only times I¡¯ve caught you otherwise I¡¯m pretty sure you had to remember to smile or frown or whatever. You¡¯re almost like one of the clockwork men cleaning up our mess.¡±


    Dorion was wrong, but Al saw no need to correct him.


    Automatons didn¡¯t feel.


    He did.


    It was just that what he felt stayed inside unless he remembered to display it.


    Dorion¡¯s words were a good reminder and notice that he could do better to act as was expected of him.


    Well, that¡¯s what he was at a school for, after all.


    To learn.

 Interlude: Eidolon 1.4

    It appeared that Alcaestus hadn¡¯t learned enough or to the satisfaction of Adras.


    Though, frustratingly for him and all but one of the students there had been zero glimpses behind the curtain.


    Till the end they didn¡¯t know why they had failed and Dorian had succeed.


    It was the tall, broad-shouldered, orange-haired young lordling from a cold land on a cold world that earned a journey to Othrys, First of Its Name and the right to be next Eidolon of Adras.


    News of Dorion¡¯s ultimate success would take years to reveal itself.


    Till then, Al bid farewell to his fellow students.


    To his surprise, several proclaimed him friend and elicited promises to meet again one day when they had risen in their chosen class and perhaps adventure or war together in the constant contests between the many Gods and pantheons vying for supremacy throughout the unnumbered worlds connected in the spires¡¯ web.


    For his part, Al found himself back on his home world in the great forests near Adrasia on the Verdant Sea.


    They establish a hunter¡¯s camp on the edge where forest met the great plains that resemble one of it¡¯s blue namesakes. Instead of cold, wet waves rising and crashing, the head-high grass undulated with the great wind blowing in from the flat coast well-beyond the horizon.


    ¡°Remember, never cross the Verdant Sea on foot or on animal back, unless you manage to tame a behemoth. Serpents thick around as my thigh slither through the stalks, packs of land raptors prey on the serpents and are preyed on in turn, giant death moles burrow deep, but are never too far away. They can sense your steps, you see and can swim through even hard dirt like the great blue deaths that prowl the seas depths,¡± Theron chuckled, ¡°made a little rhyme.¡±


    Al hadn¡¯t quite caught it.


    ¡°But we walked it? Were we unbothered because of your presence?¡±


    ¡°Correct. It does make hunting difficult,¡± Theron sighed. ¡°Normal creatures sense my somewhat divine presence and know to flee.¡±


    ¡°But monsters don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the flip of a coin when it comes to monsters, but the general rule is that the closer in power a monster is to me the more likely they are to seek their deaths. Then again some monsters will attack regardless of anything,¡± he shrugged boulder-like shoulders.


    In the years since they had first met the lavender color on Theron¡¯s arms had crept up to said shoulders and were encroaching from the edges of his face. The eidolon bore a passing resemblance to the spindly hooting creatures that dwelt in the highest, thinnest branches of the great trees in the forest.


    ¡°If crossing the Verdant Sea is fraught then how do people do it. I¡¯m aware that there are frequent trade caravans and travel to and from this frontier to the rest of Adras¡¯ lands.¡±


    ¡°And what do you know of said travel and how it is undertaken?¡±


    Al took a long moment to remember what he had seen on his journey from Adrasia on the River Icthyion through several smaller towns and villages, across the grass sea to Adrasia on the Verdant Sea and finally to this farthest frontier from civilization.


    ¡°Ships. Air and land,¡± he remembered his first up close look. Being on the Icthyion meant that regular ships and boats were what passed through. Of airships he only had vague memories of one of the other orphans pointing out the dark smudge in the sky. At the time it looked like any other bird to him.


    ¡°Why do they not use air ships exclusively? There are dangers in the air, but in lesser number than those in the Verdant Sea.¡±


    ¡°Why indeed?¡± Theron mused.


    Al couldn¡¯t remember if this was covered in his lessons, so he employed the methods he had been taught to exercise when presented with a problem and no answers.


    ¡°Sky stones are rare. The amount it takes to hold one ship aloft a thousand meters above the ground can hold many ships aloft a handful of meters. Facing danger allows for combat experience and levels. Creature parts hold further value. Lastly, deaths are factored into the counts and must be deemed acceptable otherwise the system wouldn¡¯t remain is it does.¡±


    ¡°Sure some people die, but on the whole, we Adrasians benefit more at the end of the calculation.¡±


    ¡°I have an additional question.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°We are to hunt¡­ but the creatures will flee from your presence.¡±


    ¡°Not the one I¡¯m hoping you¡¯ll get to¡­ encounter. You see, young Al, I¡¯ll share a secret with you.¡±


    He nodded.


    ¡°You thought that you failed. That your path to become one of us is closed. Well, you thought wrong. It would be a waste of seven years wouldn¡¯t it if we simply turned you loose?¡±


    ¡°The terms stated that only one would gain the honor. Dorion triumphed rightfully.¡±


    Theron snorted.


    ¡°Ah, but you don¡¯t even know the criteria that was used. I know you haven¡¯t said a word of complaint, but many of the other students did. Thank you, by the way, you¡¯re a proper stoic scholar, warrior, soldier. The others are jealous, ha! Me, the youngest, yet I have mentored the one closest to the ideal.¡± Theron cleared his throat. ¡°What do you know about how the Gods create eidolons?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct and I¡¯m sorry to disappoint, but I know just as much as you. All eidolons do. We don¡¯t remember a single thing about the process itself. Indeed, our previous life becomes akin to a history book. I remember who I was, the things I did, the people I knew, but only up here,¡± Theron tapped his forehead, ¡°not in here,¡± he touched his chest. ¡°The great hunter Theron, Hero of Adrasia on the Verdant Sea, Slayer of the Nemean Liger. He lived, he loved, he hunted. All of it remembered as though I read about the life of another person written down or drawn in a book. To me it seemed as though Theron the human became Theron the eidolon in an instant. Though, Adras told me that it took almost a whole year.¡±


    ¡°Then, I still have an opportunity?¡±


    ¡°Adras was typically vague about things, but we gather that if you rise to greatness then, yes, he may grant you the greatest honor and gift possible. Akanthe is of the opinion that graduating from the school puts you much closer than any of us old ones. After all, there wasn¡¯t much separating you from Dorion.¡±


    ¡°The 13 Labors of Adras¡­¡±


    ¡°I knew you¡¯d understand,¡± Theron smiled proudly. ¡°That is what we gathered from Adras¡¯ words. Perform 13 Labors in his honor, but also to display your worth. Becoming a hero won¡¯t hurt, but any sufficiently powerful class will probably work. Half of the eidolons I personally know never got the hero class. Oh, there¡¯s another thing. No living eidolon was below Level 60 in their primary class when Adras bestowed them.¡±


    ¡°What about those that fell?¡±


    ¡°Records¡­ aren¡¯t the best¡­¡± Theron shrugged.


    Al found that odd.


    The Administarium was ever meticulous tracking all aspects of the citizenry.


    ¡°Regardless, I won¡¯t be able to hold your hand once you start on this path. The less aid I provide the better your list of deeds will be in Adras¡¯ eyes. This will be the last we see of each other for a long time, perhaps the last ever. I live a dangerous life and so will you should you choose it. Remember, the choice is always yours. You already have the knowledge and base to rise quite high in our society. Many doors are open. I won¡¯t think less of you should you decide to become a general or hunter or humble city governor.¡±


    ¡°I will walk your path,¡± he said without hesitation.


    There was no other option in his mind.


    To become an eidolon was the reason he had chosen to follow Theron to the school all those years ago.


    Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    ¡°Good. And it¡¯s your path. Now, since you haven¡¯t technically started yet, there can be no complaints about your mentor lending a little help. One of the 13 Labors is that of hunting and slaying a mighty beast. For me it was the Nemean Liger whose pelt can be turned into clothing that cannot be cut by mundane blades. Now, it can¡¯t be cut you say? Then how did I kill it when I was a simple hunter?¡±


    ¡°A snare to strangle, poison, arrow in the eye, spear inside the mouth,¡± Al listed the possibilities on his fingers.


    ¡°Wow, four out of four, they did a good job teaching you at that school. So much for the mystery of it,¡± Theron sighed. ¡°I poisoned a fresh kill to dull his wits so that it fell for my snare trap. Then, I shot him with an arrow before it could tear loose. The mighty beast tore free and charged me with an arrow lodged in his brain. My spear found its open mouth by luck as I fell on my ass, screaming like a maiden surrounded by bandits. The impact broke my ribs and dislocated my shoulder, but the liger was dead. It took days to hike out of the forest and gather a group brave enough to help me drag the carcass back.¡±


    ¡°The scavengers wouldn¡¯t have been able to pierce the hide.¡±


    ¡°Not without magic teeth or claws, which isn¡¯t a given in this forest. But, no, the carcass was untouched. We dragged it back and found a tanner with the Skills and enchanted equipment to skin it, a monster parts smith to make weapons out of its bones, teeth and claws. There was a lot. More than I needed. I could¡¯ve sold them, but I didn¡¯t really need coin. I remembered that the men that helped me were the same men that I stole from or otherwise bothered in my youth, so as a way of thanks and amends I gave away what I didn¡¯t need. The gear I kept carried me for many years after as I continued to hunt more dangerous beasts and monsters. Heck even the meat and organs served a purpose. Prepared right and you can take in some of the liger¡¯s strength when you eat them, although it¡¯s a flip of the coin. You could get stronger or gain sharper senses or you could spend the night shitting your guts out,¡± Theron laughed.


    Nemean Ligers held a surprisingly small territory.


    Granted that didn¡¯t matter since they liked to roam and cared nothing for the territory of other monsters and beasts.


    They maintained a few square kilometers as a place of rest.


    One knew they were at a boundary by the amount of bones and piles of reeking waste littered all over the forest floor.


    ¡°That¡¯s how you know they¡¯re smarter than the average beast,¡± Theron whispered. ¡°They¡¯re like us. They don¡¯t want to eat or shit in the same place that they lay their heads down.¡±


    ¡°Why are we being quiet? My understanding was that since it can sense your divine blood from a great distance then we¡¯d be under attack right now if it was nearby.¡±


    ¡°True, however, this is a lesson, building good habits and such.¡±


    ¡°But, even if we whisper it can hear us.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but not all beasts are created equally. Take the Rhalrodont, practically deaf, but only to evenly spoken words for some reason. We could shout right next to it and it wouldn¡¯t notice. The only problem is that it can hear the slightest breath.¡±


    ¡°Magical beasts don¡¯t follow scientific convention,¡± Al nodded. ¡°They taught us this fact.¡±


    ¡°Well, in any case let¡¯s set our trap,¡± Theron rose and stepped carefully around the bones. Balls of his feet first slowly lowering the heel and repeating the process.


    For such a large and heavy man, Theron made less noise than the much smaller Al.


    Decades of experience on display.


    Al took every opportunity to sear it into his memories.


    They reached an enormous pool at the center of the liger¡¯s home.


    ¡°There¡¯s a great underground river that feeds tens of thousands of these things. Now, where should we set the trap? And best hurry. He knows we¡¯ve invaded his home and he¡¯ll be coming hard and fast.¡±


    Al scanned the area for a spot they could funnel the liger into and found none.


    ¡°Now what?¡± Theron held his hands wide.


    ¡°Retreat and create a new plan.¡±


    ¡°That is the prudent decision, yet we won¡¯t be able to get away. The beast will have our scent and it is much faster than you.¡±


    ¡°You can carry me and leap away.¡±


    ¡°True, but for the purposes of this lesson you are alone, without an eidolon to bring you to safety.¡±


    ¡°Stand there,¡± he pointed to rocks that extended into the pool like a stumpy thumb.


    ¡°Better hurry,¡± Theron grinned, ¡°I think I can hear it tickling my ears.¡±


    Al heard nothing, but instinctive fear of being eaten made the hairs on his arms and neck stand.


    He recalled what Theron had said about the liger¡¯s leaping capability, which was considerable. He counted quick strides away from Theron before halting.


    Time was the enemy more than the liger¡­ no, that wasn¡¯t correct. The liger was definitely the worse enemy.


    He hurried to set the traps.


    Borrowed from Theron, each trap consisted of a thin wire connect to a trigger plate. The entire contraption was made out of enchanted mithril. The wire strengthened to be all but unbreakable and the plate made to adhere to the ground with strength in proportion to what the trapped creature would exert in the effort to escape.


    He placed the three traps where he best guessed the liger would plant a paw before launching itself at Theron many meters away.


    ¡°Best get to your hiding spot,¡± Theron said.


    Al tossed his pack and spear into the tangled roots of the nearest tree and scampered as high as he could.


    He had yet to hear a sound from the liger as he touched the rune on his borrowed Stone Lord-made thinbow. The cool blackwood stock warmed as the rune worked to compress the powerful spring, which drew an enchanted mithril quill from the clip up into the launching slot.


    ¡°It¡¯s a big one,¡± Theron said mildly.


    For all that the eidolon had warned Al of the danger, he seemed entirely unconcerned.


    The Nemean Liger leapt out of the trees on the other side of the pool.


    ¡°So much for the traps,¡± Theron shrugged.


    The massive beast snarled as it padded toward the water¡¯s edge.


    Al studied it in the dim light filtering through the thick tree tops hundreds of meters overhead.


    Even crouched low to the ground the liger¡¯s head looked to be even with the nearly two and a half meter tall Theron¡¯s chest. The great black mane around its head and neck made it look even bigger. Muscles rippled with every micro movement beneath a hide of brown and green stripped fur, which allowed him to blend in with the forest depths. Fangs as long as Al¡¯s arms curved like daggers, while hooked claws peeked out of their sheaths in paws large enough to crush Al¡¯s chest with the lightest step.


    ¡°Smaller than I remember,¡± Theron said. ¡°One shot, Al. Don¡¯t waste it.¡±


    The liger reached the water¡¯s edge and gathered his legs beneath him. Muscles at the shoulder and haunch rippled, coiling like the mithril spring in the thinbow.


    Al aimed down the glass sights enchanted with a red dot only he could see to place on the target.


    He squeezed the trigger at the same time that the liger leapt.


    The quill stuck into the shoulder.


    Theron received the pounce and ignored the claws and teeth to hurl the liger over his shoulder like an opponent in the wrestling pit.


    The impact of the beast shook the earth and sent a cacophony of birdsong ringing throughout the forest.


    The quill exploded.


    The liger roared.


    ¡°Hold!¡± Theron roared as he leapt on the shaken liger to seize the magical beast around the neck.


    The thick mane provided no armor against the divine strength handed down by the God of Strength himself.


    The muscles in Theron¡¯s bare arms coiled like massive serpents even as the liger tore up the forest floor in an effort to escape.


    The eidolon was immovable.


    Claws strong enough to gut one of the long-necked thundersaurs in one slash tore Theron¡¯s chiton, but left nothing on his skin.


    The liger¡¯s great maw opened wide, yet no sound escaped.


    By the time Al had made it down the tree, Theron stood with one foot atop the dead liger¡¯s head.


    ¡°Well?¡±


    ¡°Well done,¡± he said.


    ¡°That¡¯s it? This is the first time you¡¯ve seen me in a real fight.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t difficult.¡±


    ¡°True,¡± Theron sighed. He prodded the liger¡¯s corpse until it rolled over to reveal the shoulder Al had shot.


    The hide was marred, leaking dark blood from a hole as big as a ten-piece gold coin.


    ¡°Disappointing for a shot that cost 10000 Universal Points.¡±


    Al¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°Yup, the Stone Lords are a greedy sort. Not that I can blame them when it comes to one of those quills. Each one is handcrafted by several master artisans. One to cut and shape it from a mithril blank. One to carve the runes. One to imbue the runes and one to make sure that it doesn¡¯t explode prematurely. I wonder how far it would¡¯ve gone into the eye. Barely penetrated the hide.¡±


    ¡°Apologies for my mistake.¡±


    ¡°Not necessary. That was a hard shot for a high level marksman-type,¡± Theron stared at the dead liger.


    Al mentally consulted the rules of social interactions.


    Theron gave of signs that he was troubled.


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡±


    ¡°Just thinking as us old people tend to do,¡± Theron said. ¡°I only ever hunted and killed that one liger long ago. The act that earned me the hero class to add to my hunter one. I picked up a few more over the years. Consolidated some. And lost them all when Adras granted me the greatest gift. This,¡± he gestured toward the liger, ¡°seems so small now. Know this, young Alcaestus, when one leaves their home, they can never return.¡±


    Al nodded and held the thinbow to Theron.


    ¡°Keep it for now. We won¡¯t hunt another liger, but there are more monsters and beasts that you¡¯d do well to practice on,¡± Theron lifted the massive liger as though it were a down-filled pillow and hefted it over his back and shoulders. ¡°Come, let¡¯s secure this back at our base camp. I think a hunt for a night howler will be fun. They like to fling their shit.¡±


    That didn¡¯t sound like fun.

 Interlude: Eidolon 1.5

    Othrys, Twenty-seventh World of Its Name


    Aethra, Twenty-first Continent of Her Name


    Goldcourt City


    The frontier city had a grandiose name that both fit and was ill-fitting. Rich veins of the ore could be found streaked all through the snow-covered mountains to the north for the former. Its general condition for the latter.


    The last great war nearly three decades ago had leveled much of the city. The only thing that had survived was the inner city where the great temple complex of Aethra the Goddess of Glittering Glory kept the white-skinned hordes at bay for years.


    Sieges were less devastating when the Goddess gifted the defenders with divine food and drink.


    Rebuilding had been slow.


    Goldcourt was the furthest northern settlement in the entire continent and it struggled to attract permanent settlers. As such only a small portion of the land around the temple had been rebuilt. The remainder of the sprawling city was filled with ruins and blasted landscapes.


    Further out in the wilderness, spawn zones had grown rampant while remnant whiteskins periodically emerged from hiding to launch raids even though the Olympians had long abandoned their goblinoid thralls.


    Al disembarked from the skyship with a pack over his shoulders, a bag of holding on his belt and a wheeled trunk trailing behind him.


    He had spent seven years hunting the great forest. Four traveling with an adventuring band to plunder encounter challenges and face spawn zones.


    He had only seen Theron once during that span, which was when his eidolon mentor told him about an opportunity to broaden his class base and perhaps, fulfill another one of Adras¡¯ 13 Labors.


    The God of Strength was not the God of Violence.


    There was a story of a fallen city, whose name only the Gods remembered. It was said that Adras guided it back to prosperity. Not with his incalculable strength, but with his unending wisdom.


    Al arrived with a magically sealed scroll from the Administarium along with an additional class.


    Magistrate Level 1.


    The current magistrate was an old man who longed for a warmer clime to thaw out arthritic joints.


    So eager in fact that he met Al at the ship berth with his own luggage ready to be loaded.


    ¡°Magistrate Lysikrates, it is my honor to carry on your great work,¡± Al had memorized what to say.


    ¡°That¡¯s soon-to-be retired magistrate,¡± the old man grinned as he took the scroll and quickly opened it. He took a pre-filled ink quill from a pocket in his thick coat and signed with more haste than flourish. ¡°There. It¡¯s official. The Administarium will receive my resignation shortly. Goldcourt is now in your, I¡¯m certain, capable hands.¡±


    ¡°If it please you, elder Lysikrates, may I ask a few questions?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t. I¡¯d like to get on the ship and be on my way.¡±


    ¡°Ah, the crew will require a full days rest and the gems need recharging.¡±


    Lysikrates frowned then sighed.


    ¡°I suppose I can help you. Although, I¡¯m not risking anything. I am not moving out of the ship¡¯s sight.¡±


    ¡°What are the greatest concerns facing Goldcourt?¡± Al went to the same place he placed his arrows, straight to the heart.


    ¡°I¡¯ve left you detailed notes. The staff at my¡ª your office has been instructed to share them with you in full. But, since you don¡¯t look like the sort to take a hint, then I¡¯ll give you a quick version, so I can get on that ship and find a seat. This cold has been goblins on my knees for the last twenty years,¡± Lysikrates spat. ¡°Problem number one. Population. Doesn¡¯t shrink. Doesn¡¯t grow. If you want to turn this place into something more than a frontier town then you¡¯ll simply need to attract more people. Problem numbers two and three are large factors in problem one. Monsters and whiteskins do well at attracting killers looking for levels, but they aren¡¯t the sort to stick around once they¡¯ve gotten what they came for. They¡¯re also a headache, but I¡¯m certain that someone of your level will have an easier time keeping the damned adventuring bands and murderwanderers under some semblance of control.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, elder. I shall leave you to your wait. May Aethra¡¯s glitter be dust upon your path.¡±


    ¡°Eh,¡± Lysikrates raised a brow. ¡°May Adras¡¯ strength hold you up on yours.¡±


    Al understood the dismissal for what it was.


    He bowed and bid the former magistrate a fruitful retirement.


    The first stop was his new office.


    He had spent the last few months studying Goldcourt¡¯s history going back to the last war, thus he already knew the challenges that he faced. Asking was a matter of fulfilling expected social interaction rules and gaining insight from those that experienced the issues firsthand.


    The texts inside the Administarium¡¯s central archive in the region could only take one so far when many of them were written from second or even third sources removed from those that had witnessed them firsthand.


    He had decided that the first problem couldn¡¯t be solved without first fixing the problem at the root of it all.


    It was why he had devoted a lot of his study time to the whiteskins¡¯ culture.


    ¡°Magistrate Alcaestus?¡±


    A young men approached him as he exited through the gates.


    ¡°I am him.¡±


    ¡°Chief of Staff Timotheos at your service,¡± the young man bowed. ¡°Please, this way.¡±


    Al followed Timotheos to a small wheeled cart attached to an automaton styled to look like one of the mighty bladeboars that roamed the vast tundra surrounding the city.


    The ride was a bumpy one.


    The street wasn¡¯t maintained as well as in most other cities he had been in.


    ¡°Most of our automatons have been modified to supplement our defenses rather than for comfort,¡± Timotheos apologized as though he had sensed Al¡¯s thoughts. ¡°We¡¯ve prepared a welcoming ceremony,¡± he hesitated, ¡°Magistrate Lysikrates¡­ will not be there. He, uh, insisted that he was done.¡±


    ¡°I encountered the former magistrate.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ good¡­ I suppose.¡±


    ¡°I will need five boars prepared. Skinned and gutted. Place the offal of each animal inside a separate golden bowl, each. Include the brain, tongue and teeth in the bowl. Do not clean the furs. Set up five large fires to roast the meat outside the old walls near the ruins of barracks number nine. How quickly can all this be done?¡±


    Timotheos¡¯ face clenched in concentration.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if we can obtain five golden bowls large enough, but the rest can be done immediately. Though, perhaps, you¡¯re unaware, but our scouts are fairly certain that the largest, fiercest tribe of whiteskins have a forward warren in the area you want to use for this¡­¡±


    ¡°The ritual peace offering will stay their hands if they haven¡¯t devolved into a primitive state.¡±


    It said much about the weight an eidolon¡¯s backing carried that Timotheos didn¡¯t question the instructions. ¡°Your will be done right away, magistrate.¡±


    ¡°You may wait till after the ceremony. I¡¯ll need to speak to the garrison commander to secure an escort. I imagine that she won¡¯t authorize soldiers unless I speak with her directly.¡±


    The ceremony was adequate.


    The office had clearly put in effort with the welcoming speech, food and drink.


    Introductions were amiable.


    The entire staff displayed eagerness.


    For his part, Al didn¡¯t speak further about his plans.


    That would¡¯ve been a breach of social interaction rules.


    First thing the next morning Al met with Commander Telesilla in her office.


    ¡°You¡¯re a young one to be appointed magistrate,¡± she said.


    The older woman¡¯s gray-streaked straw-colored hair was tied tightly at the back of her head. She sat tall and straight in her impeccable uniform.


    The long-sleeved tunic and long trousers were black with white glitter falling from the shoulders like glittering stars.


    Aethran military dressed ostentatiously when compared to the Adrasians, who wore undyed cloth unless they were in the field where they wore clothing with patterns that blended in with the environment.


    ¡°An eidolon¡­ that explains that,¡± she rolled the writ closed and pushed it back across the desk. ¡°Adrasian,¡± she mused. ¡°We¡¯ve been allied since our ancestors¡¯ days.¡±


    Al nodded at the facts.


    ¡°Still, it is odd that an Adrasian would be appointed magistrate of an Aethran city.¡±


    ¡°I undertake 13 Labors in homage to Adras.¡±


    ¡°So, it said in the writ. Very well, I officially welcome you to Goldcourt. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I have a busy day¡ª¡±


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    ¡°I accept your welcome and present a request,¡± he slid a second scroll across the desk.


    The commander¡¯s jaw worked, growing progressively tighter as she read.


    ¡°This is¡­ a plan. Peace with the whiteskins? Safe passage to their homeworlds? Impossible. If they were civilized once, they are most assuredly not anymore. You would¡¯ve been a child, perhaps not even that, just a gleam in your father¡¯s eye when the Olympians brought them to our world like vermin stowed on a ship.¡±


    That was far from the truth.


    The white-skinned goblinoids served a valuable role in the rival pantheon¡¯s armies as infiltrators, sappers and general rogues. Credible historians agreed that they likely had a comparable level of civilization back on the worlds they called home.


    However, Al sensed that reciting facts would only fall on the commander¡¯s deaf ears and lead her to tighten her grip on her soldiers.


    Soldiers that he needed.


    ¡°Nevertheless, Eidolon Theron agrees with my plans. As does the Administarium. Funds and safe passage have already been arranged for the first one hundred whiteskins that wish to depart as a trial run. If it proves successful then the program will be expanded to all whiteskins that wish to accept our generous boon.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯d just as soon dance in your entrails as talk to you. Plenty have tried over the years. We¡¯ve been willing to assimilate them into our forces, yet our generosity has been met with arrows, spears and poison. But¡­¡± she sighed. ¡°An eidolon has spoken and I must obey. You¡¯ll have your company. Three, actually. I won¡¯t send my soldiers out to die for nothing when the fighting breaks out. For your safety as well, magistrate. I don¡¯t wish to explain why one favored by an eidolon ended up skinned and roasting over a whiteskin¡¯s fire.¡±


    Al thanked the commander and departed without explaining why he thought that he had a good chance of success despite the decades of failure.


    It was simple, really.


    No one had ever thought to speak to the goblinoids in their language.


    It took two weeks to get ready.


    The sticking point had been golden bowls large enough to hold a fat child¡¯s weight in boar offal.


    Fortunately, gold was plentiful in the city¡¯s stores.


    Unfortunately, only one smith was skilled enough to make the bowls with adequate artistry, which was important.


    Any smith with a forge, hammer and anvil could pound out a rough bowl, but that would¡¯ve been insulting.


    Al stood in the biting chill smothered in a thick coat.


    He wore no armor, bore no weapon.


    Five roaring fires on which massive boar carcasses roasted did little to warm him.


    Hardy winter gnats and flies buzzed over the bloody golden bowls while young soldiers cursed as they fought a constant battle to fan them away.


    ¡°There is nothing I enjoy more than a winter roast out in the elements,¡± Telesilla said.


    Al waited for the hammer to drop.


    His short time in the commander¡¯s presence had taught him that she liked to set verbal traps as though conversation was a battle.


    ¡°Oh, me too! Especially with a lemon ouzo!¡± Timotheos, callow young man that he was, fell for it.


    ¡°Yes, I agree. A boar on the spit. Drink in hand. Inside the city walls. Safe from the elements, the monsters and our enemies,¡± she snapped the trap.


    Timotheos reddened.


    ¡°I understand that the whiteskins do well to keep the monster population in this are down,¡± Al decided to extend a branch for his chief.


    ¡°Er¡­ yes, magistrate, that is what we think.¡±


    ¡°Like they have much of a choice,¡± Telesilla snorted. ¡°Kill or be killed has always been the rule of the uncivilized lands.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not concerned with monsters or beasts. The boars have been roasting for over an hour. Any curious ones would¡¯ve made their presence known by now,¡± he glanced at the three companies of soldiers a bow¡¯s shot away, ¡°the scent of man, oiled weapons, armor and magic sours the sweet ones rising with the smoke.¡±


    ¡°Not to mention Skills,¡± Telesilla snorted. ¡°Relax Timotheos, you only have the whiteskins to fear. Well¡­ and a wandering monster strong or mad enough to attack, but if that happens then we¡¯re the ones ending up in something¡¯s belly, eh? Unless the magistrate has a secret up his sleeves?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Refreshingly, straightforward,¡± she grunted.


    They stood in silence for another hour as the sun continued its slow journey across the sky.


    Al stood motionless.


    A high level hunter¡¯s ability.


    Telesilla seemed determined to out do him for some reason.


    Timotheos paced, sat and stretched. Constant motion betrayed his nerves.


    Odd that he had insisted on accompanying them.


    Al decided that the young man had wanted to impress with diligence and toughness.


    The high-pitched scream would¡¯ve erased hours of Timotheos¡¯ efforts had Al been a typical person.


    Instead, he understood the reaction.


    It took a certain strength of will to avoid reacting to several dozen whiteskins seemingly materializing up from the cold ground.


    The largest bits of cover were the knee-high berry bushes.


    Al had failed to notice them coming despite his hunter¡¯s Skills.


    Telesilla stiffened, yet she stayed her hand from the combat spell stick in her thigh holder.


    The goblinoids stared with dark eyes.


    Their white skin made them nearly impossible to spot without Skills or spells against the snow-covered landscape.


    Blade-like ears pierced out from beneath fur-lined helms.


    Thin-lipped smiles revealed small, sharp teeth.


    He could barely see the hot puffs of breath from their small, button-like noses.


    They rose nearly as one.


    The hairless head of the tallest one would barely graze the bottom of Al¡¯s short beard.


    Al kept his features neutral as he removed his coat, then his long-sleeved tunic, and finally his woolen undershirt.


    He stood bare-chested in the biting chill, struggling to keep from shivering.


    At his gesture a soldier carried one bowl of golden offal over.


    He took it and carefully brought it exactly halfway to the loose line of whiteskins where he placed it on the ground.


    He returned for the next bowl and the next until all five were arranged in a tight circle.


    The whiteskins suddenly melted back into the ground.


    To be replaced by a massive whiteskin clad in only a dirty loin cloth.


    The goblinoid wouldn¡¯t have looked out of place in the wrestling pit. He approached with open hands, slowly, as though Al was a skittish baby calf.


    Al matched the pose.


    The whiteskin stopped close enough for Al to feel the heat emanating from the massive, muscled white-skinned body.


    ¡°I, Magistrate of Goldcourt. I, Alcaestus, hunter. I greet the elder with an offering and an offer.¡±


    ¡°You smell more the latter than the former,¡± the whiteskin said in a deep and surprisingly clear voice. In Al¡¯s language no less. There was none of the tell tale signs that the universal translation system was at work.


    ¡°I¡¯m honored that you use my tongue. I didn¡¯t have the time to learn yours.¡±


    ¡°You learned our ways through your Administarium capturing and torturing us.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°The offering earns you safety from the rise of the sun to its fall or for as long as the fires stay warm and meat remains outside our stomachs. Speak your offer.¡±


    ¡°I speak with an eidolon¡¯s hand on my shoulder. We offer free and safe passage to your home world. You pay nothing. One hundred of your chosen people to start. The rest will follow.¡±


    ¡°Home?¡± the whiteskin mused. ¡°I was a child then. Many of us know only this place as ¡®home¡¯,¡± the word spat out of his mouth like a bitter fruit. ¡°I require information about our ¡®home¡¯ before we make a decision. For we will not jump from one shit pile to another.¡±


    Al pulled out a hand-sized crystal from his bag of holding and held it out.


    ¡°Everything we know about your home world and its current situation in regards to your people. You have the means to access the information?¡±


    ¡°We aren¡¯t primitives,¡± the whiteskin plucked the crystal.


    ¡°May I inquire as to the size of your family?¡±


    The whiteskins in the region were not a unified entity.


    The one in front of him represented the tundra south of the city.


    There were unknown dozens in the northern tundra, all the way up to the dense pine forests that started at the foot of the mountains and into the snow-capped peaks.


    Rumor even placed a few scattered families all the way out in the frozen seas off both coasts and at the very top of the world where the great ice grew unchallenged.


    ¡°You may, though I won¡¯t answer. What I will share is that I shepherd all of my people that may or may not dwell in the lands that we can lay our eyes on at this very moment.¡±


    ¡°Can you spread the word to the other families?¡±


    ¡°I can, but I cannot command them in the way of your people.¡±


    That meant the ritual offering would need repeating, perhaps dozens of times.


    No matter.


    The costs were irrelevant.


    As an eidolon Theron exerted gravity, literally and figuratively, the latter had meant that the Administarium had essentially provided Al with a blank writ.


    ¡°I accept your offering. You may depart. I¡¯ll await your presence in this place after the yellow orb has completed thirteen cycles in the sky.¡±


    The whiteskin bared his back and stalked off into the flat tundra.


    Just like before, he seemed to melt into the landscape.


    ¡°Whiteys have good stealth Skills. You have to give them that. Biggest bastard I¡¯ve ever seen up close though,¡± Telesilla said.


    ¡°I had no idea they got that big,¡± Timotheos¡¯ eyes were wide as saucers.


    ¡°Let¡¯s return.¡±


    ¡°Seems like a waste of meat,¡± Telesilla said.


    ¡°They will return for it once we¡¯re gone. Don¡¯t attack.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a fool, young magistrate,¡± Telesilla scowled.


    ¡°Hands itch when fear and old hatreds rise to the surface. My concern is with the young hotheads amongst our soldiers and adventurers.¡±


    ¡°Is that why you confined them to their homes?¡± Timotheos said.


    ¡°It¡¯s crucial that the whiteskins are unmolested for the next twelve days. An eidolon¡¯s wrath on it.¡±


    ¡°My soldiers obey orders. The adventurers, however¡­ well¡­ that¡¯s why I have each and every one of them under guard, as you asked.¡±


    They marched across the tundra to rejoin the companies before crossing the several hundred meters back to the old wall.


    A large swath of the outer ring of the city had fallen into ruin from the war, raids and monster attacks. There had never been enough of a population rebound for them to rebuild.


    ¡°Why was it so big?¡±


    The walk back was long, so Al decided to indulge Timotheos¡¯ curiosity.


    ¡°He, is the leader and old. The goblinoids are like us in many ways, though different in others.¡±


    ¡°They mature quick and breed like vermin. They can start popping out young in less then five years. To make it worse, twins are common, three or more less so, one is the rarest of them all,¡± Telesilla said.


    ¡°They grow to maturity quickly. Then they age slower. When we enter our adulthood, they are as elders. Except, they don¡¯t grow weak for decades. They grow stronger. Age and class intertwined in a way that the Administarium¡¯s researchers have never managed to penetrate beyond the shallowest of stabs. Left alone, a goblinoid can live thrice our spans.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re stronger with age. The different breeds,¡± Telesilla said.


    ¡°I believe it¡¯s a misnomer to refer to the variety of higher forms as separate breeds.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen ones like that big bastard back there shrug off a dozen arrows to rip heads like plucking grapes from the vine. Lucky that we got most of them in the war.¡±


    Silence carried them back to the inner wall and the inhabited part of the city.

 Interlude: Eidolon 1.6

    It took three years to repatriate the whiteskins that accepted the offer.


    Eight out of every ten departed to no longer plague Goldcourt.


    Sadly, the last two had devolved into primitive savagery and no amount of offerings had been enough to even get them to the table for a talk.


    Nevertheless, Al¡¯s plan had been a success that not even the most speciest detractors could refute.


    Safety brought a slow and steady rise to prosperity.


    City ruins were rebuilt.


    Long abandoned mines in the northern mountains were reclaimed.


    Gold was one of the best natural metals when it came to conducting power within all manner of artifacts. Automatons, skyships and many more made use of thin strands in their inner workings.


    Naturally, the Aethrans quickly saw that there was power and prestige to be had in Goldcourt.


    Al¡¯s time ended with a joyful, but firm goodbye ceremony.


    Had his efforts been enough to measure up to the unknown standards Adras was judging him on?


    It didn¡¯t make sense to him, though he understood that a God was not to be questioned or doubted.


    A message waited for him as soon as he disembarked on his home continent.


    The scroll contained two things.


    The name of a world he didn¡¯t recognize and a single sentence from Theron.


    Become a hero.


    The world consisted of one supercontinent where a thousand known factions competed for power and control.


    A coalition of several Gods, including Adras, had laid claim to the lands around a large inland lake contained within a long dormant volcano.


    The size of it stunned Al even though he had seen many staggering things on his travels.


    As soon as he had researched the situation on the world he had understood why Theron had sent him to this place.


    How did one become a hero?


    No one truly knew.


    Certain events transpired, perhaps a village was attacked and one unsuspecting young man or woman fought like a champion to survive and at least save some of the people.


    Word spread.


    Public acclaim followed.


    Proclamations by those with influence provided legitimacy.


    Or perhaps a great beast plagued a town, killing livestock and people. Until a lone young hunter risked life and limb to hunt it down.


    The hunter continued slaying beasts and monsters that preyed on people.


    His name soon became known throughout the region, then perhaps throughout the entire world.


    A lone soldier.


    The last survivor.


    She stood alone, holding the bridge in the face of the savage horde. Perhaps it was the broken gatehouse of a besieged castle. Or she alone held the wall, banner in one hand, blade in the other.


    Somehow, against all odds, this soldier held and lived.


    The maddening thing was that all these things had happened to countless across the multiverse and yet the individual didn¡¯t become a hero or they did.


    Thus, Al sought the objectively worst place a person could find themselves in.


    Heroes didn¡¯t shy away. They ran toward the screams.


    Fort Hyperion stood deep in the heart of the pass leading into the wide open plains that led to the lake at the heart of their foothold on this world.


    Calling it a ¡®pass¡¯ was a bit of a misnomer for it was over a thousand meters wide at the narrowest point.


    Great sheer cliffs rose thousands of meters on both sides.


    There was a disturbing quality to the way they appeared to have been carved not by natural means, but by some gigantic tool akin to the trowels masons used to build walls.


    If the Gods knew the truth, they didn¡¯t share.


    Al sat in a rough chair. The wood hadn¡¯t been sanded nor sealed as attested by the splinters that threatened his hands and arms.


    The garrison recruitment officer regarded him over the scroll of his qualifications and deeds.


    ¡°Eidolon of Adras. You must be special. Hunter Level 41, Student Level 7, Magistrate Level 7, Weightlifter Level 5, Eidolon Candidate Level 1. I¡¯d guess that last one is the most important one. I didn¡¯t know that was possible.¡±


    ¡°Who are we to question our Gods?¡±


    The officer ran a hand through her shock of bright pink hair.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know Gods existed until you people annexed my country, so here we are,¡± she grunted. ¡°Listen, I¡¯m not going to question any of this God stuff. I¡¯ve seen what happens to those that don¡¯t fall in line and I have no desire to be vaporized before I can even take a breath. Tell me what you want and I¡¯ll try to comply to the utmost limit of my authority. I¡¯m just here to fulfill the terms of my contract and head back to my home world with enough coin to buy me the rest of my life in comfort and idleness.¡±


    ¡°I need danger. Specifically, monsters or beasts, natural or magical, to hunt and slay. I¡¯ll also need visibility. I need to become known for my deeds.¡±


    ¡°What? You want a recorder to go along?¡±


    ¡°Recorder?¡±


    ¡°Magic orbs to capture movement and allow everyone far from the act to watch it,¡± she shook her head, ¡°another thing I had no idea existed.¡±


    Al remembered the rare moving images he had viewed in the museums of Adrasia on the River Icthyion.


    It struck him that he had never once questioned how they were made.


    ¡°I suppose I can allow someone to accompany me on my hunts with one of these recorders.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that. Honestly, I know a bit about hunting myself. Felled my fair share of bladetooth rabbits back on the ranch. From the sounds of the kind of prey you¡¯re after, well, a bumbling recorder is a good way for both of you to get killed. That¡¯d make an exciting recording if you were into that sort of thing.¡±


    ¡°Yes. That would be unwise. Perhaps, you have recorders that are skilled in woodscraft?¡±


    ¡°Doubt it. They mostly work on the front, capturing battles and such.¡±


    The officer¡¯s eyes fell back on the scroll.


    ¡°Says here you have a steelwood shortbow with a sylph¡¯s hair bowstring? That sounds magical.¡±


    ¡°It has thrice the draw weight of an unenchanted normal wooden longbow. The bowstring remains strung without adverse effect and it adds additional flight speed along with an extra burst two to three armspans from the target.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like that¡¯d be useful on the front. I¡¯m picturing an explosive arrowhead launched from four times the distance as our longbows. You¡¯re probably pretty fast and a good shot.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I believe that is possible. Though, I¡¯m a hunter first.¡±


    ¡°What greater prey than man?¡±


    Al could think of a dozen beasts just off the top of his head.


    ¡°Well, I guess it¡¯s both our lucky days. You want dangerous beasts and monsters. I can gain acclaim and maybe an early discharge with your name and deeds attached to my ledger. It¡¯s a good thing that the Dominion makes use of monsters and beasts, magical and natural, in their war making.¡±


    ¡°That information wasn¡¯t included in the material I¡¯ve read.¡±


    ¡°Those are a few months behind. The Dominion¡¯s making a real push to take this pass from us. It used to be just Ogre legions and standard-ish humans, if you can call them that what with their weird features, skin and hair color. Honestly, black hair? Another thing I could¡¯ve done without knowing. No offense.¡±


    ¡°In my experience those words accompany an offense.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re part of the war effort now. You¡¯ll need to toughen that weird dark brown skin of yours.¡±


    The officer scribbled something on a blank sheet of paper and stamped it.


    ¡°Take this to the quartermaster. They¡¯ll get you the standard gear and assign you a bunk. Sorry if you were expecting a room to yourself.¡±


    Command assigned Al a role as a solo scout.


    Odd, since standard doctrine called for a minimum of pairs working within a larger team to cover a larger area.


    A surprise greeted him inside the scout commander¡¯s tent.


    The woman was tall, lean. She was clad in leather armor in brown with green stripes, just like his own.


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Indeed, the only clothing that he always took with him on his travels were brown with green stripes. Tunic, trousers, chiton and even his underclothes.


    The Nemean Liger had kept him from many a serious injury over the years. Be it from mundane tooth and claw to mundane blades and arrowheads in the light of day or the dark of night.


    ¡°Scrawny Alcaestus?¡± Damaris¡¯ eyes narrowed.


    She looked much the same.


    Dark hair cut short.


    The only difference was that she had picked up a few more scars.


    A big one tugged the side of her mouth up into a perpetual grin.


    ¡°Damaris,¡± he remembered what to say, ¡°it¡¯s good to see you after all this time. I¡¯m surprised to see you here.¡±


    ¡°Stole the words from my mouth. So, you¡¯re the scout they want me to send out there on his own.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡±


    ¡°Any reason why? Not that I¡¯m questioning orders, but¡­ I¡¯m questioning orders. The thing is solo scouting tends to work out badly for us. We lose the scout to those vile hierophants¡¯ cauldrons. We lose the information. That¡¯s why I changed things.¡±


    ¡°Eidolon Theron¡¯s doing. I¡¯m to gain acclaim and a hero class by honoring Adras¡¯ Labors with a lesser version of my own.¡±


    ¡°So, that¡¯s why they took you.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Are you close?¡±


    ¡°Only Adras knows.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard rumors. You know how the army is. Half-truths trickle down like piss from a leaky cock. Well, tell me what I¡¯m working with here. I don¡¯t want to throw you into the Dominion¡¯s cook pots without plausible deniability. Last thing I want is an eidolon¡¯s displeasure, let alone our God.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t see them turning their anger toward you. They expect me to hold my own fate. Rise or fall, it sits upon my shoulders, like Adras when he held up a world.¡±


    ¡°Okay, then how about I don¡¯t want to cause the death or worse of a childhood friend by placing him in a situation that doesn¡¯t fit his strengths?¡±


    ¡°I believe the greater the challenge the greater the reward.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, true. However, we¡¯re fighting a war. Yours aren¡¯t the only stakes that matter. My main concern is doing our best to contribute to victory. Now, if that isn¡¯t acceptable, then I¡¯ll have to send you to someone else and I¡¯m in command of all scouts and skirmishers in this fort.¡±


    ¡°This place sees the most activity. I need to be here.¡±


    ¡°What am I working with?¡±


    ¡°Level 41 Hunter is my only class that matters. Like you, I have light armor made out of a Nemean Liger.¡±


    ¡°Wait? Do I have you to thank? My entire team got a crate of this stuff,¡± she tapped the soft, supple, yet nearly impenetrable hide, ¡°a few months ago.¡±


    ¡°That seems likely.¡±


    ¡°Friends in high places, huh? Please continue,¡± she waved a hand.


    ¡°I have a steelwood shortbow with a sylph¡¯s hair bowstring. Five quivers of enchanted mithril arrows. Alchemical sprays and liquids to help conceal my presence in the wilderness. Assorted poison and venom. And silent step boots.¡±


    ¡°Huh? I would¡¯ve thought someone favored by an eidolon would be dripping in enchanted and magical gear. No dragontooth blade? Titan gloves? Belt of the giant?¡±


    ¡°Such would trivialize this level of challenge.¡±


    ¡°Sure, but you can¡¯t beat challenges when you¡¯re dead.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s factual.¡±


    ¡°Glad you haven¡¯t changed,¡± she snorted before pulling a thin booklet from her desk. ¡°Read this. Study it. Commit it to memory. You aren¡¯t leaving the fort until you pass the test.¡±


    ¡°Test?¡±


    ¡°Written and verbal.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°What? No complaint? I¡¯d have thought you¡¯d want to get out and start building a heroic reputation right away.¡±


    ¡°Impatience is death when on the hunt.¡±


    ¡°Good to hear. That¡¯ll cover what to expect out there.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to hear your thoughts as my commander.¡±


    ¡°The enemy is organized and professional when it comes to the work of war, which is confusing since they are led by vile, blood magic-wielding monsters. From what I¡¯ve seen, I¡¯d wager gold on the fact that hierophants tend to insanity. Guess it means that the cragants have good officers since they don¡¯t fight like they¡¯re led by lunatics.¡±


    ¡°Not ogres?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what they call themselves. The only thing they have in common with ogres is that they¡¯re big and strong. They can break you in half like a rotted stick or pluck your limbs from you body like a roast chicken and I almost prefer running into them out in the forest rather than the monsters they¡¯ve let loose.¡±


    ¡°Forest? I haven¡¯t been briefed on the environment, but from what I¡¯ve seen on my journey through the pass a forest isn¡¯t what I expected.¡±


    ¡°Took four eidolons to grow about five kilometers deep across the pass. We needed the wood to build this fort so far from our resources. Bad bit of business to watch them do it. Bled thousands. Sure, they were criminals and other scum, but it was too close to what those hierophants do for my tastes.¡±


    ¡°The natural world exists in the cycle of life and death.¡±


    ¡°That didn¡¯t feel natural to me, but here I am, blaspheming. You¡¯re not going to report me, are you?¡±


    ¡°No. Words are words.¡±


    ¡°The forest was a boon that is now a curse. We can¡¯t penetrate deeply as we did before the Dominion unleashed their monsters.


    Which means that we have no eyes on their movements beyond the pass.¡±


    ¡°Skyships?¡±


    ¡°Flying monsters are a nice counter. Command has decided that they¡¯re too costly to waste on mere monsters. Thus, the hierophants are able to bombard us with their artillery rituals with little concern on their end. You came at a good time,¡± she explained, ¡°we¡¯re between bombardments. Fortunately, our defenses have held out just fine. It¡¯s just bad for morale. Dark magic bursting against our shields for days at a time. It¡¯d be great if we could pull off a decapitation strike and bag a hierophant or two, but¡­ monsters¡­¡± she held out her hand.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have specialized monster slayers?¡±


    ¡°We did¡­ it seems that you¡¯re their replacement.¡±


    ¡°Have you considered burning the forest? With the fort built, you have less need for its existence.¡±


    ¡°That idea has been broached, but command determined that it would be a grave insult to the eidolons that spent their power to grow it. You know, it¡¯d be great if the eidolons just smashed the Dominion, but then I remember what happened to the army that was too close to an Eidolon of Simeht as she battled one of the Dominion¡¯s golden winged angels. Sort of makes all this pointless if the land gets blasted into oblivion alongside all us mere mortals. Can you turn into an eidolon that doesn¡¯t cause massive collateral damage?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll settle for you hunting down some of those monsters and maybe you can bag a hierophant too.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s about all I can ask. C¡¯mon,¡± she shot to her feet, ¡°I¡¯ll introduce you to the others.¡±


    The expected bombardment began a few days later.


    Dark magic streaked from the depths of the forest, arcing across the night sky before bursting against the magic shields protecting the fort.


    Al took a moment to watch before slipping into the forest.


    The magic hung heavy in the air.


    There was something in it that reminded him of a predator¡¯s den.


    It stank of dying and the dead.


    Which was good for him.


    It would further confuse the lurking monsters.


    Along with all the additional methods he used to conceal his presence.


    The dark night was like twilight to his Skill-enhanced eyes.


    His ears twitched as it picked up sounds beyond natural human capability.


    A tracking Skill gave him vague directions to where the dangers lurked.


    Too many.


    He focused until he found one that was close and relatively isolated from the rest.


    Target marked he moved quickly, yet quietly through the unnatural growth.


    He found his first monster within a half hour.


    To his surprise it appeared as a mortal man in his eyes, though not within his hunter¡¯s senses. With the latter he saw a great predator that devoured all it could in the vain effort to fill an unending hunger.


    The man sat in a tree branch.


    No weapons.


    Just a dirty chiton tied with a frayed and bloodstained rope around the waist.


    The man had light, wheat-colored hair that hung long and lank, encrusted with what appeared to be blood and viscera.


    His face contained the same narrow features that Al saw in the mirror, but with skin the same pink shade as Dorion.


    ¡°Come on out and play,¡± the monster wearing the skin of a man whispered. ¡°I know you¡¯re out there trying to sneak up on me like a little bitch.¡±


    Al nocked, drew and loosed in one smooth motion.


    The mithril arrow broke the night¡¯s quiet with a bang as it moved too quickly for the air to part before it. Rather the enchanted arrow broke it as though it was an invisible wall.


    The monster man cursed as his hands blurred.


    Al didn¡¯t see what happened next as he moved quickly to relocate after having revealed his position.


    The monster man touched the red line opened up on the side of his face.


    He examined the arrow. Tried to break it and failed. ¡°What the fuck even is this thing? You some kind of elite assassin?¡± he called out. ¡°A weird ass Robin Hood.¡±


    Al wasn¡¯t familiar with the manner of speech or what sounded like a name.


    He considered fleeing.


    He hadn¡¯t expected a sapient opponent.


    Such things carried greater danger.


    ¡°You got some good stealth Skills or magic-whatever. Not like those other bitches I ate. Too bad for you that I¡¯m not even in my final form, yet. So, how about it? Why don¡¯t you show yourself so I don¡¯t have to go there? Cause that¡¯s the last thing you want. When I go all the way I¡¯ll be looking to eat you alive.¡±


    The wise move was the cautious move.


    Al needed to retreat and bring news of this back to Damaris.


    Her booklet hadn¡¯t made mention of this sapient monster pretending to be a man.


    He supposed that if the monster was being honest then none of the scouts had survived an encounter to bring word back.


    But, he remembered why Theron had sent him to this place.


    To become a hero meant being bold. It meant facing and overcoming challenges beyond him.


    He nocked three arrows.


    Triple shot.


    He dipped around to another twisted tree.


    Two arrows in quick succession.


    Curving shot.


    The monster man¡¯s hands blurred, catching all three initial arrows.


    ¡°Fancy metal sha¡ª¡±


    The last two arrows completed their arc, meeting at the monster man¡¯s head.


    Dry leaves crunched beneath the fallen body.


    Al maintained his silent breathing. Not daring to even shift from his hiding spot.


    There was nothing more dangerous than a monster or beast at death¡¯s door and so he was content to wait.


    He had reached five hundred on his silent count when the monster man stirred.


    ¡°Patient motherfucker aren¡¯t you,¡± the monster man rose, ripping the arrows from his head. ¡°I¡¯ve got a bead on you now. Fucked around and now you¡¯re going to find out.¡±


    Chiton tore as he suddenly swelled in size.


    Muscles bulged grotesquely, ripping through flesh in some places, leaking red.


    Teeth sharpened and elongated.


    Jaw enlarged, unhinging wide enough to bite a man¡¯s head off his shoulders.


    Tongue lengthened, undulating like a serpent searching for prey.


    The forest exploded around Al.


    He dived out of the way.


    Jagged splinters slid across his Nemean Liger hide armor.


    The thunderous steps reminded him of a charging trihorn.


    This was no longer a hunt.


    It was a proper fight.

 Interlude: Eidolon 1.7

    The heat and sound from the monster man¡¯s breath was like a great forge¡¯s bellows. It filled the air with a predator¡¯s stench of blood and death.


    Al scrambled up a twisted, gnarled tree with branches that spread up and out like a spider¡¯s web. The spindly things snapped against his head and shoulders.


    ¡°Squirrel!¡±


    The deep voice boomed.


    ¡°Get¡­ in¡­ belly!¡±


    Al understood the meaning despite the distended maw garbling the words.


    The tree shook.


    Agility and dexterity Skills allowed him to to hang on.


    He hooked his legs around a sturdy-looking branch and allowed himself to fall backward.


    An enchanted arrow streaked down like a falling star.


    The monster man swallowed the explosion.


    Smoke streamed out of his mouth and nostrils as he staggered, shaking his head.


    Al continued his climb.


    A hundred meters off the ground, the spiderweb-like tree grew entangled with another.


    He dashed across branches that were, in some places, only as thick around as a hungry child¡¯s wrist.


    A crash ripped his feet out from under him.


    He fell, free hand desperately reaching.


    A second head-sized rock just skimmed across his back.


    Rough bark scratched and tore into the palm of his hand.


    Branches snapped beneath his boots.


    The moment he felt something solid he scrambled deeper into the tree¡¯s twisted web like a desperate spider.


    Keen hunter¡¯s ears kept track of the monster man¡¯s location as the behemoth roared, stomped and ripped up the forest floor as he tried to locate Al.


    Red-slicked hand almost caused the bottle of glowing green liquid to slip.


    Carefully, fighting the shaking of the tree, he unscrewed the mithril cap to dip a trio of arrowheads into the manticore venom.


    The tree quaked.


    The bottle slipped.


    Al foresaw it spinning toward him, giving him a chestful.


    So, he slapped it away.


    He gave a silent thanks to Adras that none of the liquid touched him.


    The effect on the branches was instantaneous.


    Healthy brown bark turned black as it died in the blink of an eye.


    He relocated and found an opening.


    The monster man rampaged around the tree¡¯s base, ripping roots out of the ground, hurling them upward.


    Triple Shot.


    Glowing green-tipped mithril arrowheads struck his chest and each upper arm.


    Pinkish skin and red muscles turned black from each impact site.


    The monster man¡¯s roars pitched higher. Anger became pain.


    He ripped the arrows free, but it was too late.


    Manticore venom had entered his body.


    The black rot spread like grasping shadows. It consumed his chest reaching up his neck to caress his monstrous face. It ate his arms, flowing down to clawed fingers and up boulder-like shoulders.


    ¡°From¡­ hell¡¯s¡ª¡± the monster man¡¯s eyes rolled as he pitched forward into the forest floor and lay still.


    Al moved higher up the tree to the opposite side of the main trunk.


    He had faced many a monster and beast that had played dead in an attempt to catch him off guard.


    This one had already tried it once.


    And so, he used the time to prepare more of his specialized arrows.


    The moons moved through the quiet sky.


    There appeared to be four of them.


    That was new to Al.


    The most he had ever seen orbiting a world in the same sky had been two.


    The forest remained eerily silent.


    He supposed that when the eidolons had grown it they hadn¡¯t included creatures.


    It was undoubtedly unfortunate for the native creatures that lived in the area. An entirely new biome sprouting up in a matter of days must¡¯ve been apocalyptic for them.


    The monster man remained still as the minutes crept toward the hour.


    Hunter¡¯s eyes revealed that the body had cooled only slightly. Hunter¡¯s ears failed to detect a beating heart or soft breaths.


    An hour crept towards two when the mass of grotesquely swollen muscle began to deflate.


    The scales shifted to favor the man over the monster.


    The man¡¯s limbs jerked as though he had been struck by a lightning bolt.


    ¡°What the actual fuck is this shit?¡± he groaned then vomited thick, viscous black.


    Al nocked three arrows and held it at a partial draw while he watched the man gag and spit for the next few minutes.


    Why not simply loose and end the man?


    His thoughts had turned toward the potential information about the enemy contained in the man¡¯s head.


    Capture rather than kill seemed more beneficial.


    ¡°Burned through my entire reserves¡­ fuck you for that,¡± the man rose to his feet, shook and swayed before steadying and raising both hands high over his head. ¡°Don¡¯t shoot anymore of that green shit. I surrender. Take me to your leader or let me go. I won¡¯t say shit about seeing you or whatever.¡±


    Al hadn¡¯t come prepared to bring in a prisoner. He hadn¡¯t expected to face a humanoid.


    He quietly switched arrows.


    Double Shot sent two stunning arrows into the man¡¯s bare feet.


    ¡°Fu¡ª¡±


    The words snapped shut in the man¡¯s mouth as every muscle in his body clenched and refused to relax.


    Hunter¡¯s ears picked up stirring in the distant forest.


    It appeared that the fight had finally drawn attention.


    Al traded caution for haste now that the calculation had been altered.


    He scrambled down the tree through the twisted web of its branches alighting on soft moss with a whisper.


    Bow drawn, his most powerful arrow nocked, he approached the stricken man.


    He¡¯d have to use his mithril snares as makeshift bonds.


    Perhaps, he could rig his short blade as a muzzle of sorts to keep the man¡¯s dangerous mouth from taking a bite as he carried the man back to the fort?


    A roaring surge.


    Quickness beyond his own finely honed senses carried him to the tree to slam painfully against the rough bark.


    Steelwood shortbow ripped from his hands.


    Somehow, he managed to clutch the arrow tight.


    Hot, carrion stink filled his face. So close that he could taste it in his mouth.


    ¡°Caught you, bitch!¡± the monster man said. ¡°I¡¯m supposed to bring back prisoners, but between you and me, it¡¯d be more merciful if I did you now. You don¡¯t want nothing to do with those pots. So how about it? I¡¯ll kill you here instead?¡± he leered. ¡°After I have a little fun with that tight ass of yours. What do you say to that? Sure, it¡¯ll suck for a few minutes, but then you¡¯ll be dead. Better than being simmered alive for a few hours.¡±


    A vise-like grip squeezed the breath out of Al¡¯s throat.


    His Enhanced Strength might as well have been a child¡¯s. His free hand couldn¡¯t budge the man¡¯s long, thin fingers.


    Long tongue snaked out of the man¡¯s mouth to caress the side of his face.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m gonna have some fun before I eat you.¡±


    The arrow grew hot in Al¡¯s other hand.


    He stabbed it into the monster man¡¯s gut.


    ¡°Just a little prick,¡± the monster man snorted. ¡°Unfortunately for you, mines bigger¡­ unless you¡¯re into that sort of thing. I mean you guys wear skirts and all.¡±


    The magic in the void arrow activated.


    The monster man¡¯s eyes widened.


    His grip slackened for a split second.


    Al ripped free and kicked away.


    ¡°What the fu¡ª¡± the monster man¡¯s words turned into a wordless scream.


    Eyes bulged, mouth opened wide.


    He pulled at the arrow, but it remained fixed inside him.


    His stomach contorted, skin swirling like water flowing into a drain.


    Al felt the pull as he clung to the tree, using the roots to pull himself behind the trunk.


    The monster man finally screamed, cutting through the dark night.


    Sudden silence.


    Al hurried.


    Every thing in the forest would¡¯ve heard that and possibly sensed the magic.


    The monster man lay on the forest floor, staring up with sightless eyes. His stomach was a gaping hole. A perfect circle large enough for Al to stick his head through.


    He cut the head off with his short blade just to be sure before wrapping the monster man in cloth and hefting him over one shoulder.


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    From what he had read in Damaris¡¯ booklet and the other reports, command had no idea something like the monster man existed.


    When he made it back to the fort they took the body from him and that was the last he knew of it.


    Command didn¡¯t deign to share any information they might¡¯ve gleaned from it.


    It wasn¡¯t his place to question. He had his role and so that was what he focused on.


    Weeks, turned into months, into years.


    His forays into the forest never yielded a repeat of that first encounter.


    Instead, he did what he was best at.


    Slay monsters and beasts.


    Not a month went by without his triumphant return to the fort with a fearsome head or other parts.


    Command sent teams out to collect the remainder of the bodies for they yielded a valuable haul in potential weapons, armor and reagents.


    Al ceded most of it to the war effort with the added benefit of cultivating an image of selflessness.


    His name grew amongst the garrison and slowly, but surely spread throughout the rest of their territory.


    But it wasn¡¯t enough to become a hero.


    There was never that one moment before many eyes that would¡¯ve cemented it.


    And, perhaps, the giant boulder blocking his path was his own inner thoughts.


    For he didn¡¯t see himself as a hero.


    ¡°That¡¯s your problem,¡± Damaris sat up.


    Al admired her bare backside while she dressed.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re too quiet. You come back with yet another terrible beast and then¡­ nothing. Straight to the showers. Too humble. Heroes are anything but. They¡¯re loud and obnoxious.¡±


    ¡°Know many heroes, do you?¡±


    ¡°At least that¡¯s what everyone says. You know, in stories and recordings. You¡¯d know better, seeing as how you¡¯ve been around actual heroes or former heroes turned eidolons.¡±


    ¡°Just Theron. And I haven¡¯t spent that much time with him.¡±


    ¡°Still, there¡¯s your exemplar to follow.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. It doesn¡¯t fit me. And classes need to come from within. They can¡¯t be gained through fakery.¡±


    ¡°Agree to disagree. One can fake it long enough for it to become real.¡±


    Al got up to get dressed.


    He had shared Damaris¡¯ bed on perhaps a few dozen occasions throughout the handful of years he had spent at the fort.


    ¡°A hero also wouldn¡¯t settle for a shared bunk in the barracks.¡±


    He regarded her intently, searching for the trap in her words.


    She was wont to do so after all.


    Saying one thing when she meant the complete opposite.


    Always testing with that permanent grin and cocked eyebrow.


    He didn¡¯t understand it and from what the married soldiers had said it wasn¡¯t something that could be understood.


    Ah!


    He recalled an old conversation.


    ¡°You said that you didn¡¯t mind us using your room.¡±


    ¡°Technically correct.¡±


    Damaris failed to elaborate as she sauntered out of her room.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget to lock up.¡±


    Al watched her leave.


    Time spent with Damaris was pleasant.


    It was the most he¡¯d had with a woman in¡­ ever.


    A life of constant travel, hunting monsters, adventuring and such left little opportunity.


    There had been a few dalliances in his years as Goldcourt¡¯s magistrate, but he had been terribly busy.


    The day was his to do with as he pleased.


    A necessary break after spending close to two weeks in the forest matching wits with an especially clever monster. Half man, half bear, half boar, the twisted amalgamation had been a surprising challenge.


    His first stop was the chest at the foot of his bunk for clean clothing, soap and mouth cleaning paste.


    The second stop was the shower.


    Cleaned and refreshed, he hurried to the meal hall to get ahead of the breakfast rush.


    He crossed the open yard, ignoring the bright lights and explosions from the Dominion¡¯s morning bombardment.


    The fort¡¯s shielding had proved impenetrable so it was easy for him.


    Less so for the others he passed.


    They flinched and struggled to keep their eyes from going to the sky.


    Must¡¯ve been new postings.


    Those that had been stationed for some time were much like him.


    Al had just collected his food and sat down to eat when the alarm blared a shrill whistle.


    ¡°Which one is that?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡±


    Two young soldiers stopped next to his table. Full trays in their hands, they looked like little rabbits caught out in the open with a hunting hawk overhead while all the older, smarter rabbits around them were rushing to their burrows.


    ¡°All soldiers to their duty stations.¡±


    Their eyes latched on to Al as though he was a God descending from on high with outstretched hands.


    ¡°But¡­ we¡¯re scheduled for breakfast!¡± the young woman said.


    ¡°Right, where are you supposed to be after? Go there, now.¡±


    They dropped their trays on his table and joined the dwindling throng.


    Al ate calmly.


    He wasn¡¯t a soldier, so he didn¡¯t have a place he was required to be.


    Still, his conversation with Damaris stuck in his thoughts like a tough piece of gristle between his teeth.


    Heroes took initiative.


    They didn¡¯t wait to be told what to do.


    They just knew where they needed to be to do¡­ hero things?


    The shrill alarm was only used for really serious stuff.


    The last time had been because the Dominion had assaulted the walls.


    He crammed the last of his pig and vegetable omelet down his gullet, barely chewing.


    The glass of goat¡¯s milk went next to force it down.


    He ate the apple on the move.


    First, to his bunk for his gear.


    Second, to the armory for extra quivers.


    Third, to the wall.


    The first or the last, depending on perspective, fort sat in the middle of the narrowest portion of the pass. Like a plug in a bottle it meant to keep the enemy from pouring into the wide open where, although other forts awaited, they couldn¡¯t completely block access into the rest of their territory.


    Al climbed the steps roughly ten meters to the top counting the foundation of hard-packed earth.


    ¡°Hunter Alcaestus,¡± the captain nodded.


    ¡°Where do you want me?¡±


    The captain gestured and a young aide rushed over with a small bag.


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave that to you,¡± the captain stuck his arm elbow-deep into the bag and pulled out a gleaming spell rod. ¡°Use this. Save your special arrows and Skills for the worst stuff on your judgment. Runners will be moving back and forth to take your empties and replace it with a charged one.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Soldiers eagerly made space for Al.


    The great hunter was well-known amongst the garrison.


    Though he didn¡¯t notice it their eyes lit up and their backs straightened.


    Nearly all of them had seen him disappear into the forest and return with the remains of some great monster or beast many times.


    Al scanned the impending battlefield.


    The wall flowed down into a steep embankment studded with defenses that ranged from the simple to complex. Spikes of wood or iron stabbed out like an angry quillwolf. Mithril wires glinted in the sun like spider webs across apparent openings. They were attached to enchanted mithril plates with straightforward, yet damaging spells.


    Every dozen meters small slots appeared at approximately ground level. Al didn¡¯t envy the soldiers stuck in the cramp and dark bunkers.


    Active defenses gave way to passive as the embankment flowed down to a wide trench deep enough that a man would need to stand on another man¡¯s shoulders to peek over the edge. More spikes and traps awaited the enemy.


    It was like a river emptied of water and filled with death.


    Beyond lay a wide open plain all the way to the foreboding tree line.


    The blasted landscape was dotted with innumerable craters from previous assaults.


    He marked the buried locations of their remaining combat automatons waiting for the moment the enemy reached their threat zone to activate.


    Fifteen remained and only one was truly powerful.


    Replacement had not kept pace with losses.


    The enemy opened things up as they always did.


    A horde of expendable creatures poured out of the forest.


    ¡°New monsters! I take the pool!¡± a soldier crowed as the rest groaned or cursed.


    Al studied them across the vast distance with his hunter¡¯s eyes.


    Small.


    They loped on four legs like dogs. Though, that was the only similarity.


    Their bodies had armor plates like an insect¡¯s chitin and strong, wiry muscles like a mammal.


    Three sets of dark eyes adorned a sleek, fish like head. Two set forward facing like a human, two set on either side and the last two to the rear.


    If he wasn¡¯t mistaken then it suggested that they had near perfect visual coverage.


    ¡°They¡¯re not stopping,¡± the soldier next to him whispered.


    Explosions rocked them back.


    Great clouds of dirt and debris clouded the battlefield like fog sweeping in from the sea as magical and mundane mines triggered.


    ¡°Eyes on!¡±


    Soldiers slipped oculus artifacts over the slits of their helmets.


    Al had no need with his hunter¡¯s eyes.


    A Skill allowed him to see the warmth of the monsters¡¯ bodies.


    A sea of bright yellow continued to pour from the trees.


    Command needed to do something before the horde stripped away their automatic defenses.


    Al¡¯s thought came a beat ahead.


    Rumbling bass rattled his core, but it came from behind.


    Artifact cannons thumped, raining fire into the great forest.


    He closed his eyes against the bright flash.


    When he opened them everything was burning as far as he could see.


    He anticipated a second volley that never came.


    Command was saving ammunition or magical power, perhaps both.


    Dark clouds suddenly gathered overhead with unnatural speed.


    The enemy hierophants responded.


    Rain doused the flames.


    ¡°Great Hunter, did that get them?¡± the soldier said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    As if to answer the soldier¡¯s question a great cry came out of the blackened forest.


    ¡°It did not.¡±


    Al knew that command would have to open up the arsenal they were hoping to save for the real threats.


    However, this many monsters would carpet the land, spend the traps and build a ramp right up to the rampart.


    Small teams of mages behind the walls worked together to cast artillery spells.


    Enormous fireballs cratered the pockmarked land, exploding and burning dozens of monsters with each hit.


    Orbs of pure winter cold swirled white and blue. When they struck everything in their area of effect froze. Blood expanded, bursting out the monsters.


    Conjured lightning crackled within spell matrices, bouncing, splitting and recombining hundreds of times as they thrashed to escape like a wild gryf chained inside a cage of adamantine bars. When granted its release the lightning feasted on the flesh of a hundred monsters.


    The barrage told.


    Only a comparative handful of stragglers made it to the edge of the dry moat.


    ¡°Hold fire!¡± the captain barked.


    The monsters were well within range of the standard spell rod, but Al understood that shots couldn¡¯t be wasted at this early stage.


    The telltale cracks of spell rods accompanied each monster sprouting a bright green bloom from the middle of their armored heads.


    Sharpshooters stationed in the spread out guard towers knew not to waste.


    One shot, one kill.


    That was their creed.


    ¡°Green blood,¡± Al muttered.


    He didn¡¯t know what that signified.


    Having killed countless creatures he had seen more colors of blood than he had fingers, yet not once had he come across blood that glowed.


    The horde vanished as quickly as it had appeared underneath the spell bombardment.


    ¡°Maybe that¡¯s it?¡± the soldier ventured.


    The smoke and debris cloud hung over the battlefield even as the rain stopped and the sky cleared.


    ¡°That was just the beginning.¡±


    There, hidden in the charred forest, were dozens of large shapes. Bodies giving off heat like the great forges.


    Al tucked the spell rod into his belt and pulled his bow from its harness on his back.


    The soldiers turned to him with wide eyes.


    The captain¡¯s hand dropped from his ear. A comms gem set into a wrist band glinted.


    ¡°Great Hunter Alcaestus! You and your kind are needed. Command says that great beasts are coming.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    Al drew an enchanted mithril arrow from his quiver, nocked, aimed and loosed in one smooth motion.


    Around a thousand meters to the tree line was within his acceptable range given the advantages afforded by his magical gear and Skills.


    A distant explosion bloomed like a tiny sunflower.


    ¡°Did you get it?¡± the soldier said.


    ¡°Slowed it down,¡± Al drew and loosed again.


    Another explosion.


    ¡°One is down.¡±


    ¡°One? How many are there? I can¡¯t see shit. This isn¡¯t working,¡± the soldier fiddled with the oculus artifact.


    Magical artifacts could be rendered inoperable by any number of magical things, from spells to monster abilities to other magical artifacts.


    He had no doubt that the Dominion had those capabilities.


    They had constantly traded counter strokes with their enemy like moves across the board in the game of Empires and Generals.


    The question know was who had the next move or perhaps more importantly, who¡¯ll have the last one.

 Interlude: Eidolon 1.8

    A blue-crested thundersaur roared as it charged.


    The gigantic beast¡¯s two legs shook the ground with each thudding step. Its clawed forelimbs jerked forward, grasping at prey that was still hundreds of meters away.


    Indeed, its movements were noticeably twitchy. Not at all like the sleek and sure-footed, for its size, apex predator that Al was familiar with.


    Upon its head, pressing down on its crown of feathers was what looked like a nest of breeding snakes.


    Blood-crusted cables glinted in the sunlight as they plunged into the poor beast¡¯s tough hide.


    On a hunch, Al shot an anti-magic arrow into the tangled nest where his Skill highlighted a weakness.


    The writhing mass of metal cables suddenly fell limp.


    The thundersaur staggered, shaking its massive head.


    Al saw the light return to its vacant eyes even as it veered into another five meter tall beast.


    The second beast was a skinless monster skittering on five pairs of legs.


    It too had a tangled nest affixed to what looked like its head.


    The thundersaur lashed out in pain and fear.


    Claws scored deep gashes in the skinless side.


    Toothy maw large enough to bite a man in two took a bloody chunk.


    Al sought another target as the two creatures turned on each other.


    A shambling mound of what looked disturbingly like twisted human babies seemed a good target.


    Three arrows in one shot.


    Spread perfectly to maximize the explosive damage.


    The mound erupted.


    Instead of one horrible monster there were now hundreds of twisted human baby things dragging themselves across the blasted landscape.


    Al aimed high.


    Arrowstorm.


    On arrow went up, a hundred came down.


    He repeated it twice more to the awe of the soldiers near him.


    ¡°I can¡¯t repeat it.¡±


    It took five explosive arrows to blow the central head off a monster with many. Which was all he needed to do to disable it. His Skill had told him that without the smallest head tucked in the chest the monster couldn¡¯t move its legs leaving the rest of its heads to writhe uselessly on long, sinuous necks.


    All across the wall, specialists like Al used their best abilities and ammunition to whittle down the large monsters.


    One massive beast, a mix between a razorbeak turtle and a mound of rocks resisted everything shot at it.


    The ground rumbled at its feet, lurching and rising to knock it back.


    Command had decided to activate their last remaining powerful automaton.


    The Hecatoncheires-type all-purpose assault automaton erupted out of the ground with weapon limbs blazing. Named after the hundred-handed Gods for its hundred limbs, each one bearing an artifact for attack or defense, the automaton crawled from the hole it had been hiding in.


    Dazzling light flashed from the spell gems in its limbs, bathing the rock turtle beast in every manner of attack spell an eager mage could dream of.


    Ice froze the beast¡¯s face.


    Heat cracked its rock-armored hide.


    Thin beams disintegrated chunks of the softer flesh beneath.


    A distortion of the air around it was the only indication of gravity used as a weapon to keep the beast in place for the automaton to carve it apart like a butcher does cattle.


    The young soldiers near Al cheered as the automaton crawled up to the stricken beast to stab adamantine-tipped tendrils into its exposed flesh.


    The manticore venom finished the job.


    Al¡¯s face remained impassive.


    He remembered.


    There had been more than one Hecatoncheires-type automaton when he had first arrived at the fort.


    For all its seeming invincibility¡­ well¡­ it just wasn¡¯t.


    There was an old maxim of the hunt he had learned early.


    The simple fact was that there was always a bigger or deadlier predator stalking the forest.


    Being at the apex was tenuous at best.


    Bright light bloomed overhead with a crash that made the mightiest thunder sound like a tiny songbird¡¯s cries.


    The soldiers ducked, covering their heads.


    ¡°The shields will hold or we¡¯d already be dead,¡± Al remained standing.


    They gazed up at him with wonder.


    He didn¡¯t know why.


    It wasn¡¯t as though he was being extra brave.


    He was merely being realistic.


    If the shields failed then the hierophants¡¯ artillery spells would wipe them off the wall in an instant.


    The shield emitters atop their tall poles grew brighter and hotter with each shot they absorbed.


    Mages raised their hands to feed mana into the artifacts.


    The fort returned fire, but without spotters it was down to guesswork.


    Kilometers of forest burned, brightening the gloom of dusk.


    Smaller, weaker automatons joined the Hecatoncheires-type as it mopped up the remaining monsters.


    ¡°Danger!¡±


    The cry went up across the wall.


    Danger Sense spiked.


    Al had dropped the Skill for a better one years ago. He trusted in his own instincts and experience.


    High up in the sky the empty air seemed to shiver.


    Al pointed and relayed what only he could see.


    The captain, voice wavering with every word, repeated the words into his comms gem.


    Empty space ripped open like torn cloth, elongating into a jagged-edge smile opening wider with every moment like a madman¡¯s crazed laughter frozen in time.


    A humanoid figure stepped through onto a glowing platform of strange script conjured out of nothing.


    It wasn¡¯t one of the golden-winged angels, which Al had expected, but rather a delicate-featured woman with perfect pale skin, long alabaster hair and knife-like ears.


    It was difficult to judge size with distance and a lack of environmental cues to compare, but Al had Skills.


    The woman, it was clear from the shape of her body he could see through her form-fitting robe that seemed to glimmer as though it was metal though it shifted with her movements like cloth, was tall, on par with Theron. In contrast, she was slender, which called to mind the automaton¡¯s farmers used to keep their fields safe from thieving birds.


    ¡°It¡¯s one of the High!¡± the captain¡¯s eyes were wide as saucers. ¡°There¡¯s a High! She¡¯s ten thousand meters overhead! I repeat! Single High at ten thousand meters above us!¡± he cried into the comms gem.


    ¡°So that¡¯s a High. The description is lacking,¡± Al mused.


    The High twisted her fingers and moved her hands and arms in an intricate pattern while her red lips barely moved.


    ¡°She¡¯s casting.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± the captain¡¯s voice had gone several octaves higher. ¡°High is casting! High is casting!¡±


    A bright pillar of light stabbed down like the finger of a God.


    It seared itself into Al¡¯s eyes and blinded everyone.


    Precious seconds passed before healers managed to reverse the effects.


    He blinked away tears.


    A wide circle of the battlefield centered on the Hecatoncheires-type had been turned into glass.


    The massive automaton had been reduced to smoking ruin. The only thing recognizable were parts of its inner skeleton and the odd gear or artificial bone and muscle.


    He snapped his gaze back toward the High.


    She was casting again.


    This time he was certain that the fort was her target.


    The shields could probably take one hit hit before most of them overloaded, which would leave them vulnerable to the bombardment from the forest.


    One chance to avert disaster.


    His best Skill, one he could only use once every few weeks, combined with a one-time activation of the magic in his sylph¡¯s hair bowstring to loose his highest grade anti-magic arrow.


    Al didn¡¯t hesitate.


    Nock, draw, sight and loose.


    The gust of wind from his shot almost knocked him back off the wall and floored the soldiers nearby.


    They screamed as their ears bore the brunt of the thunderous boom.


    Broken fingers lost their hold on the bow. It crumbled to ash before it hit his feet.


    The arrow covered the distance in three blinks of the eye.


    The High¡¯s magic shields fizzled on contact.


    Three layers as if they were as tangible as smoke.


    She reacted with impossible quickness, twisting desperately.


    A shot meant for her chest turned into one that tore through her elbow.


    Her wail was heard by everyone in the fort before she staggered back into the ugly rent, closing it behind her.


    ¡°What just happened?¡± the captain gazed at him with wonder.


    Mindful of the moment, like Theron had taught him, Al stood straighter, ignoring the throbbing of his broken and burned hands.


    ¡°I disarmed the High. She¡¯s running for her life.¡±


    The soldiers cheered.


    The captain relayed everything through the comms gem.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°Go to the hospital,¡± the captain nodded. ¡°Tell them you need priority healing. I want you back here as soon as you can. You, uh, have another bow?¡± he indicated the pile of ash at Al¡¯s feet.


    Al nodded.


    ¡°Good, good. Because this isn¡¯t over. The Dominion is really serious about it this time. Highs only show up when they¡¯re really serious, you know what I mean?¡±


    Al supposed he did.


    At least the reports had all come to that conclusion.


    In the hierarchy of power the High¡¯s stood above the hierophants and below the golden-winged angels.


    He had struck a true blow against the enemy by taking the High woman out of the fight so quickly.


    He could hear the whispers of the soldiers.


    His deed was already spreading across the wall.


    The hospital awaited.


    As it turned out the Dominion lacked the honor to wait for Al to return to the wall.


    It had taken half an hour for the highest leveled healer to fix Al¡¯s hands after which he had to run to his barracks for his spare shortbow, identical to the one he had used up. His supply of superior arrows had dwindled to almost none so he had to make due with the standard issue ones from the armory.


    His section of the wall exploded just as he got within a dozen meters.


    He dived behind a stout equipment cart on instinct.


    Body parts rained down all around him.


    The soldiers he had just stood with littered a wide swath of open ground.


    More soldiers rushed forward to plug the gaping hole when the bloody parts began to vibrate.


    ¡°Corpse explosion!¡± Al cried out as he surged up and tipped the cart over so he could crawl underneath it like it was a turtle¡¯s shell.


    Somehow, his warning was received by the closest soldiers.


    Mages cast shield domes as the rest clustered around them like frightened chicks underneath their mother hen.


    The hierophants¡¯ spell went off, turning every severed head, limb and torso into something akin to an explosive.


    Bone turned into jagged shrapnel, shredding unarmored flesh.


    Blood became caustic, like acid, melting through armor and clothing.


    An ordered maneuver was thrown into disarray.


    Instead of infantry blocks supported by ranged fire and magic protection what reached the hole was a motley collection of soldiers from different squads.


    Predictably, they served as a minor obstruction to the cragants that poured into the fort.


    The giant humanoids were led by what looked like one of the trihorns that Al was familiar with from his homeworld. Except, much larger, fiercer and carnivorous judging by the sharp teeth within its beaked mouth as it bit a soldier in half to swallow the still screaming man, armor and all.


    A cragant rode atop the doubly-armored beast¡¯s back. A banner in one hand held high to attract and absorb incoming fire and a thick metal rod in the other spraying a deadly shower of what looked like tiny metal balls.


    Al scrambled for distance, moving away from the direction of the cragant thrust.


    Thinking quickly, he understood that he couldn¡¯t hurt the lead cragant and her fearsome mount.


    The attack-soaking banner glowed hot, but it didn¡¯t look close to its capacity. While the trihorn-like beast was covered in thick plates of iron armor on top of its already formidable natural hide.


    The beast lowered its head and speared two unfortunate soldiers, one on each of its main horns, while trampling many others.


    Cragants in their orderly blocks of door-sized shields and thick armor rapidly filled the space around the breach in the wall, securing a foothold that they wouldn¡¯t easily relinquish.


    Al had one last special arrow.


    He had been saving it for a truly dire emergency.


    ¡°Al!¡± Damaris beckoned him from behind the corner of an armored bunker a distance away.


    Part of a second line of defense, soldiers rushed to it.


    He gestured toward the breach and the cragants.


    Hand signs the scouting corp used.


    She gaped, hardened her gaze and nodded.


    He nocked his special arrow, then had to dive out of the path of a cragant bolt.


    The thick thing thunked into the ground, throwing up a cloud of dust.


    The damn thing was the size of the ones they used in their heavy, mounted weapons.


    ¡°Covering Fire!¡± Damaris directed everyone in the bunker to turn their spell rods toward him.


    Cragant bolts met an impossibly dense stream of conjured stone, metal and other things.


    Al covered his face as shrapnel rained down on him.


    What was instant death became slight wounds.


    ¡°Dust Cloud!¡±


    Damaris¡¯ Skill would only buy him seconds. And with their numbers, the cragants only needed to fill the space with their bolts to get lucky.


    He ran away out of the cloud, keeping it between him and the cragants.


    Nock, draw, loose.


    The special arrow streaked on a straight line over the heads of the cragant formation.


    Al watched it closely and triggered it with a thought.


    The arrow activated as it reached the center of the cragant formation.


    A black orb suddenly appeared.


    Swirling darkness, deep, opaque, like the void above.


    The space between stars and worlds.


    It was one of the things that Adras claimed dominion over.


    One of the strongest of his gifts to all his followers from the lowliest hunter to the highest eidolon.


    The orb sucked in everything around it.


    Cragants held onto each other and dug powerful fingers into the ground as they were pulled off their boots toward the swirling void.


    Even the mighty trihorn couldn¡¯t fight its inexorable pull.


    The beast¡¯s four legs strained, dragging deep furrows into the dirt against its will.


    The mounted cragant dropped her weapon to grab the pommel of her saddle. Her legs flew back as she waved like a banner in the wind.


    Al counted.


    Ten seconds.


    The orb winked out.


    Mangled cragants compressed together with assorted debris into a disgusting ball fell with a dull thud.


    The trihorn and its rider had been spared though she had lost her grip on the banner.


    Al reacted without conscious thought and put an arrow through her helmet¡¯s eye slit.


    The cragant toppled.


    The trihorn bellowed, stomping its thick feet and shaking the ground.


    It turned a baleful glare directly to Al despite the distance and chaos of the battle.


    The way its eyes were set made a head on shot nearly impossible. That wasn¡¯t even accounting for the thick armor plate or the bony, saucer shaped crest that shielded the rest of its body.


    Al tried a curving shot, which hit, but was stopped from reaching an eye by the steel mesh over it.


    His next shot was a flare arrow.


    The bright light blinded the massive beast and sent it careening into an equipment cart to Al¡¯s left.


    He dashed for the bunker chased by jagged wooden splinters.


    ¡°Please tell me you¡¯ve got more of those arrows,¡± Damaris grinned, clasping his arm to yank him into the bunker.


    ¡°Sorry.¡±


    ¡°Eh, too bad. Mind taking a look up there?¡± she gestured to the ceiling.


    It took him a moment to realize she meant outside.


    With all the personal excitement he hadn¡¯t noticed that the night sky was lit up with what looked like a meteor shower.


    Their skyships crisscrossed cross the sky with fire, battling the Dominion¡¯s flying monsters.


    He told her as much.


    ¡°Makes sense why we aren¡¯t getting any air support,¡± Damaris nodded. ¡°Alright, I guess¡ª¡±


    The bunker shook.


    Al heard it before anyone else with his superior hunter¡¯s ears.


    A song that wasn¡¯t a song.


    Music you heard, but didn¡¯t.


    It was in your ears and inside of you.


    An image of golden fire bathing the fort filled his mind¡¯s eye.


    He saw himself, saw Damaris and the rest covered in a golden wave leaving them all as dust in the dirt.


    They heard it a few seconds after him.


    Eyes began to glaze, mouths opened, spittle dribbled down slack jaws.


    Al shook his head, then slapped himself.


    He took Damaris by the shoulders and did what one didn¡¯t do to babies.


    She jolted with a start, understanding crossed her face.


    The two of them slapped and shook the others back into reality.


    Mages cast countermeasures like they had prepared for this eventuality.


    They¡¯d muffle the song that wasn¡¯t a song some, but it wouldn¡¯t last.


    ¡°Prepare to retreat!¡± Damaris barked.


    Soldiers not under her command complained.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care!¡± she snapped. ¡°If we wait for command¡¯s orders it¡¯ll be too late. I¡¯m not ending up in an ogre¡¯s cook pot. I¡¯m not waiting for eidolons to show up and do you ass grabbers want to be around when they do? Nope, not me. I¡¯ve seen what happens when they fight the golden angel.¡±


    Al turned his gaze back to the heavens.


    A bright streak of golden light came in from a great distance, faster than it seemed possible.


    It struck a skyship, piercing through the magic shields and enchanted, reinforced hull before coming out the other side.


    The other skyships turned away.


    The golden streak was content to let them withdraw.


    It slowly drifted closer to the fort, ignoring the spells and projectiles splashing against its shining golden skin.


    Strangely, it didn¡¯t need to flap its wings to remain aloft.


    Al wondered if they were merely for show.


    The song caressed his ears like a lover. Enticing, asking to be let in.


    He wanted to fall to his knees in worship even as the golden angel smiled down upon them all.


    The fact that it had shark-like teeth slipped past his normally sharp attention to detail.


    The cragants were emboldened by its presence.


    Underneath the golden rays they charged deeper into the fort.


    Spears the size of young trees stabbed into soldiers, lifting them up like wriggling fish.


    Door-sized shields crushed through hastily formed lines.


    Boots stomped Al¡¯s fellows into the dirt, leaving deep, blood-smeared footprints.


    I should shoot it, he thought.


    The bow was in his hand and there were a few arrows left in his quiver.


    Music slackened his grip.


    He didn¡¯t notice his hairs stand on end as the buzzing in the air heralded the opening of dozens of portals all across the fort.


    ¡°You¡¯re done here.¡±


    A huge hand grabbed his shoulder.


    Al blinked.


    ¡°Theron?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Bask in Adras¡¯ divine presence to silence that bastard¡¯s singing,¡± Theron grinned. ¡°Though, how it¡¯s doing that without moving its mouth¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°No time for explanations, but I¡¯ll give you a quick one since it¡¯ll take a bit to get everyone through the portals. Your fight here is over. We¡¯re giving up the fort since that thing showed up,¡± he gestured toward the hovering golden angel. ¡°Going to try to kill it. Thought we already did, but,¡± he shrugged massive boulder-like shoulders, ¡°it appears that there is more than one or maybe it¡¯s a clone thing or a puppet master thing. Regardless, we¡¯ve been watching you. Good exploits. Taking out that High is quite an accolade. More importantly, Adras was watching. You¡¯re going to meet him. Now, I don¡¯t know why. He doesn¡¯t tell us anything. So, I don¡¯t want to get your hopes up, but just be true to yourself. It¡¯s carried you this far. Wait for Akanthe. She¡¯ll take you to our God.¡±


    Theron gently ushered Al toward the portal in the middle of the bunker.


    He watched as the soldiers quickly rushed through it.


    Damaris looked back, reluctant to leave without him, but he waved her ahead.


    An Eidolon of Ekra, the winged messenger God, the one responsible for the portals, brushed feathered wings against Al¡¯s arm as she passed.


    She was almost as tall as Theron, but slender with wiry muscles in the way of the fastest creatures.


    Her streamlined armor gleamed even in the darkness of the bunker.


    ¡°You bring pride to your God, Theron¡¯s ward,¡± she inclined her head.


    Al moved slowly.


    He wanted to see.


    Through the bunker¡¯s thin slits, he watched as Theron strode into view.


    The golden angel turned its gaze downward.


    ¡°What about the fort?¡±


    ¡°It will be rebuilt,¡± the Eidolon of Ekra said.


    Theron raised a clenched fist.


    The air around him and the golden angel pulsed in spherical waves.


    Dust and debris swirled.


    Cragants and soldiers unlucky to be too far from the many portals were pulled either toward the golden angel or Theron.


    The golden angel resisted the pull.


    Theron suddenly shot toward it.


    The impact of Theron¡¯s fist created a shockwave that knocked Al to the floor and tore a large gash in the reinforced bunker.


    The soldiers caught outside died instantly from their organs bursting.


    The cragants were made of sterner material. All they suffered were serious injuries.


    A deep, booming horn sounded from somewhere in the distance.


    The cragants had the same idea.


    The battlefield was no longer a place for mortals.


    ¡°Run along, little one,¡± the Eidolon of Ekra urged.


    Belatedly, Al realized that there was a colorful shimmer around him just as it vanished with a lazy wave of the eidolon¡¯s hand.


    She had protected him.


    He caught glimpse through the rent of other eidolons joining the fight.


    Many.


    From across the entire pantheon.


    ¡°Your part here is done. I know not what fate awaits you, but remember what you have seen and felt. There aren¡¯t many among the living that have been this close to divinity unleashed in full.¡±


    Al nodded.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± he remembered social convention. ¡°I shall repay you if it ever comes to be within my power.¡±


    The eidolon took a small rod from her belt.


    A flick of her wrist turned it into a spear.


    Though, it would be closer to a pike in the hands of a normal human like Al.


    She saluted him with a flourish before bursting through the rent with a mighty beat of her wings.


    Al staggered.


    She had moved in a blur.


    It was time for him to do the same.


    He rushed through the portal chased by another thunderous boom.

 8.0 Prologue

    Somewhere in Los Angeles, 2046


    ¡°You¡¯ve got this, Boy.¡±


    Alin¡¯s dad checked armor straps for what had felt like the tenth time as they stood outside what was once a small accounting office.


    The parking lot of the strip mall was devoid of any life other than the two Cruces.


    His dad¡¯s presence kept the minor monsters away, which was why he had to go into the office for monsters to kill.


    ¡°Remember your training. You¡¯ve had the best teachers and literal thousands of practice hours. Not to mention the hundreds of thousands of subjective hours in the mindscape. And you know what they say¡ª¡±


    ¡°Chill, Dad. I know. Mastery requires at least ten thousand hours. I feel like I¡¯ve done this fight a million times,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Beware the demon of complacency¡­ not that there¡¯s an actual demon¡­ that I know of¡­¡± his dad grinned as hands, two visible, many invisible, re-checked his armor again. ¡°Remember, you¡¯re on your own in there. I¡¯m not going to save you,¡± his dad eyed the spire rising out of an old Subway across the street, ¡°you hear that, spires! I¡¯m definitely not going to help my son in anyway.¡±


    ¡°Is this really going to work?¡±


    ¡°I have no idea,¡± his dad shrugged. ¡°Now, remember, these are little gremlins, but they¡¯ve got sharp teeth and claws. Don¡¯t underestimate them or you might lose an eye.¡±


    ¡°You and Mom handled them fine back in the old days and you didn¡¯t have anything. No weapons, armor, powers.¡±


    ¡°The lights helped, plus we got lucky. Could¡¯ve easily taken claws to the eyes or a jugular bite. We never figured out the actual numbers, but billions of people worldwide died during those first weeks.¡±


    ¡°Right, so, I don¡¯t have powers or a class, but I¡¯m covered in steel and have weapons,¡± he pulled the mace from his belt loop and hefted the small round shield.


    He¡¯d rather use the longsword. What was the point of years of lessons from the greatest sword fighter in the world if he was just going to use a weapon with a limited, if effective, array of moves? Sadly, the office was small. Tight quarters favored shorter weapons. Less risk of getting it caught on the ceiling, doorways and random furniture.


    ¡°This should be just a bit harder than those mutant rabbits.¡±


    That had been a bit of an overkill sort of experience.


    Honestly, the mindscape practices had been much worse than the real world stuff.


    Hid dad hadn¡¯t spared him from the horror factor of what was out there.


    Again, he knew that his parents were doing their best to prepare him, but he was pretty sure that a part of them didn¡¯t want him to get powers or a class that¡¯d lead to fighting.


    It was obvious from the number of non-combat people they kept having him intern under.


    Teachers, doctors, mechanics¡­ name it, he had followed all of them around.


    In fact, it was only last year that they¡¯d finally allowed him to join the J.R.R.P.


    ¡°Focus on the impending violence,¡± his dad¡¯s voice snapped him back to the present. ¡°Remember, you just need to kill one. Do that and leave¡­ but, don¡¯t leave if there are still hostiles in your immediate vicinity. Never turn you back. Kill them all. Then leave. Unless it goes really bad, then get out of there right away.¡±


    His dad sounded nervous, which made him more so in turn.


    He could probably count the number of times he¡¯d heard nerves in his dad¡¯s voice on one hand.


    ¡°Remember, little gremlins aren¡¯t that tough. You don¡¯t need to mace them to death. Bashing them with the shield is fine. Kicking and stomping them with your boots will also do the trick. Hell, punching them with your gauntlets will work.¡±


    ¡°I got it, Dad.¡±


    He didn¡¯t like the whine that came out.


    Ironic that his voice broke at the same time.


    It reminded him of being a little boy, which he wasn¡¯t anymore.


    He felt the heat rise to his face.


    Thankfully, his helmet covered it, so he could pretend that his dad didn¡¯t know how embarrassed he was.


    That was one of the downsides of a dad with mind powers.


    Even though he believed his dad when promised that his private thoughts remained that, unless it was an emergency situation, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder.


    One could argue that the fact that he had gotten away with plenty of mischief growing up, suggested that his dad had, indeed, followed said privacy rules.


    Another could counter that his dad probably just let him get away with stuff.


    After all a water balloon ambush wasn¡¯t the direst of things to suffer.


    And was sneaking small animals into their hotel really that big of a deal?


    ¡°Focus.¡±


    He listened to his dad.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡±


    ¡°Remember, one kill is all you¡¯re in there for,¡± his dad opened the door with a thought, ¡°ignore all the spires stuff. Don¡¯t take any quests¡ª¡±


    ¡°What if I get one that¡¯ll finally give me my powers? Or at least a class?¡±


    ¡°Ignore it for now. We can reassess and come up with a safe-ish plan¡­ with your mom.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°Nope, your mom was clear and you agreed. Anything that has to do with this will be properly discussed in detail as a family.¡±


    ¡°And weeks consulting with subject matter experts,¡± he sighed.


    That conversation had happened so many times that the words had been written in deep grooves into his brain.


    ¡°Good, you remembered,¡± his dad grinned and pointed an imperious finger to the shadowed office lobby. ¡°Go forth! Stalk thy prey and let loose thy talons upon the Darkness!¡±


    ¡°So lame,¡± he muttered.


    His dad recited the inscription on that ridiculous handcannon every time.


    Alin stepped inside.


    The door shut behind him with the sound of ominous and possibly certain doom.


    At least that¡¯s what all the old people always said when talking about encounter challenges and spawn zones.


    He had heard about the school his parents, uncles and aunt had cleared as their first big challenge back when they had lived up north. For his Aunt Rayna, his grandparents and the beginnings of Rayna¡¯s Rangers, it had been the mall down the street from his grandparents¡¯ house.


    ¡°Scary,¡± he whispered.


    The spires informed him through text and voice the name and stats of this particular minor encounter challenge.


    No quest, which was disappointing.


    Part of him had hoped there would be something, anything that¡¯d finally put an end to the uncertainty of his situation.


    He dismissed the spires with a thought.


    He held his shield close to his body and slightly to the right, ready to slam the steel boss into an attacking gremlin.


    In his other hand he held the mace in a firm, but relaxed gripped on his left shoulder, ready to bring down.


    The office was a sort of open floor space plan thing.


    Several desks separated by cubicle dividers all the way to the back where a closed door led to a breakroom and a bathroom.


    It wasn¡¯t anything he hadn¡¯t seen before in one of his dad¡¯s mindscape practices.


    He had also played hide and seek a ton as a younger boy in the maze-like cubicle office farms of their hotel casino home.


    The gremlins remained hidden as he stood there balanced on the balls of his feet. Light feet meant quick movement.


    After a long moment he stepped off the welcome mat.


    Gremlins leapt out of the shadows without the barest courtesy of a warning sound.


    He brought his shield up to protect his face and neck.


    Tiny claws grabbed the lip of his shield.


    The weight pulled his shield down a fraction before he could brace.


    He met the gremlin on his left with a swift downward strike.


    Mace crushed face with a wet thud.


    The sounds and the smells of a real battle often caught the inexperienced off guard, leading to potentially fatal hesitation.


    Alin didn¡¯t have that problem.


    He had already experienced the worst things possible in a make-believe place that was indistinguishable from reality.


    So, despite this being his first real life and death fight, that he could remember and actually participate in, he didn¡¯t react like a noob.


    There were several parentally irresponsible incidents when he was a baby that he didn¡¯t remember and therefore didn¡¯t count.


    He moved forward and slammed the gremlin on his shield into a cubicle wall.


    The blow loosened the monster¡¯s grip, allowing him to step back and bash it into oblivion like the first.


    Two dead in seconds.


    Not bad.


    He allowed himself a metaphorical pat on the back.


    And just like that he was done.


    It was almost anti-climatic despite the rush flowing through his veins and the rapid beating of his heart.


    More gremlins materialized out of the shadows, but he had already back to the door and was out by the time they lunged after him.


    ¡°Nice!¡± his dad greeted him. ¡°In and out in seconds.¡±


    ¡°Can you?¡± he held the gore-covered mace out.


    His dad wrinkled his nose, but cleaned it with a gesture.


    All bits of bone and brain matter, the dark blood, swept away into nothingness.


    The flanged mace head was now clean enough to eat off of.


    Not that he¡¯d want to do that.


    He trusted his dad¡¯s words, but it had been deep in gremlin brains.


    There was no way he¡¯d want it anywhere near his mouth.


    The image was still fresh, after all.


    ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± his dad gestured, ¡°let¡¯s get you into the spire and see if that worked.¡±


    As it turned out¡­ it hadn¡¯t.


    Another failure.


    ¡°Bummer,¡± his dad said after a few minutes of silence.


    Alin scowled.


    ¡°Nope for two,¡± his dad flew them slowly in one his patented telekinetic bubbles. ¡°The important thing is that we can try again later.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯ll be gone for, like, a month.¡±


    God, he hated how he sounded like a whiny baby.


    Just like his cousin.


    Lera, who could lift a car and vomit solar heat when she wasn¡¯t even ten.


    She could do all that and yet she¡¯d whine and pout when she couldn¡¯t pick the movie or eat ice cream before dinner.


    Granted, she had a point about the latter.


    One couldn¡¯t ruin an unending appetite.


    ¡°I can¡¯t be the only normal one there,¡± he whined.


    Junior rangers started up again after summer break and everyone was in the process of getting their first combat classes.


    It was bad enough that he had been the only one without at least a single class this whole time, not even student, apprentice or whatever.


    He could only imagine what it¡¯d be like to be the only one still without one.


    ¡°Actually, it¡¯d be the opposite. You¡¯d be the special one.¡±


    ¡°Special in the bad way, Dad,¡± he sighed. ¡°And don¡¯t start with the whole ¡®I¡¯m special, just cause I am¡¯-stuff.¡±


    ¡°You might not like it, but it¡¯s the truth,¡± his dad laid a comforting hand on his mop of curly black hair. ¡°Hmm, time for a haircut. Long hair¡¯s not good in a fight. Gets in your eyes, gets pulled. Good for keeping in sweat though, at least for a time. Extra padding for the helmet too.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t get it. You, Mom and everyone else got their powers right after you killed your first gremlins.¡±


    ¡°We were all fully grown adults,¡± his dad pointed out.


    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    ¡°What about my cousins? Tessa, Vee, Madalena, Rynnen, Lera and everyone that wasn¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°Could be something to do with the danger level in the environment?¡± his dad mused. ¡°Back at the beginning everything and everywhere was dangerous. You¡¯re growing up in a much safer spot. Look, look on the bright side. You¡¯re developing your skills and technique. Best teachers. Best training. Best sparring partners.¡±


    That was true enough.


    There wasn¡¯t quite like anything to prepare one for a fight than sparring with your mom.


    A mom that could dent solid iron shields and break wooden ones with fists he could barely follow.


    Not to mention experience the worst horrors in one of his dad¡¯s mindscapes.


    The Deep Azure and its fishmen.


    Mother Madrigal and her Inheritors.


    Meat Parade.


    A few different demons.


    Zalthyss.


    Yeah, he couldn¡¯t complain about the opportunity his parents had given him.


    He couldn¡¯t say that they were holding him back or trying to stop him from pursuing his dreams.


    ¡°Listen. You can contribute in other ways outside of fighting stuff,¡± his dad sighed.


    ¡°I know,¡± he mumbled.


    ¡°There are so many of them.¡±


    ¡°I know!¡± he snapped. ¡°I¡ª sorry. I just want to be like you and Mom. It feels like I can¡¯t do less.¡±


    ¡°Less is a matter of perspective. For me and your mom, you not doing what we¡¯ve had to do is not less. I mean, we¡¯ve told you this already, but we¡¯d be happiest if you never had to do anything violent. It¡¯s not something to be desired. I know you know and understand that.¡±


    Alin appreciated that his dad knew not to list off the things he could do instead.


    Intellectually, he got it, but emotionally he didn¡¯t want to hear it at the moment.


    As usual, his dad knew what to say to keep him from falling into the dark, shrouded depths that he sometimes imagined was like what a lighthouse beacon blinking on the fog-shrouded coast did for the lost ship.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about junior rangers. You¡¯re already the best melee fighter technique and skill-wise out of everyone in your year, above, below and whatever,¡± his dad waved a dismissive hand. ¡°And you¡¯re above-average with the ranged stuff.¡±


    His dad was as free with praise as he was with honesty.


    ¡°I know, but since you¡¯ll be gone most of summer this was my last chance.¡±


    ¡°Right and your mom and I are holding you to our deal.¡±


    ¡°I know. I won¡¯t run off and fight monsters on my own.¡±


    ¡°Or with your friends.¡±


    He nodded.


    ¡°Good. They¡¯ll offer. Probably encourage.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯ll say thanks, but no. I made a deal and if I break it my parents will ground me for ten years,¡± he recited the words engraved into his brain.


    ¡°Listen. I¡¯ll be back before your birthday and I¡¯ve been working on a surprise for you. Let me tell you that it isn¡¯t something you want to screw up,¡± his dad nodded sagely. ¡°Seriously, if you fumble this surprise by getting stupid impatient then a ten year grounding is going to seem like a nice day at the beach.¡±


    Alin had no idea what his dad was talking about.


    So he nodded and tried to keep the pout off his face.


    Only babies couldn¡¯t control their expressions.


    And he was no Lera.


    <hr>


    Somewhere near Washington DC., 2046


    Alcaestus stood near the flap of the tent.


    He loomed. Not in a terrifying way, but in an intimidating one, as the strategos had instructed.


    It took concentration to rein in the divine power enough that it didn¡¯t force the primitive mortals to their knees in abject awe.


    The negotiation wouldn¡¯t survive that since the line between awe and terror was thin. The latter affected all animals regardless of sapience. They¡¯d flee, freeze or fight. All three would make their mission more difficult to accomplish.


    Five eidolons representing five Gods.


    Three stood like Al.


    While their leader, an Eidolon of Sunor, sat across the ornate table from the representatives of this land¡¯s people or so they had claimed.


    The truth of the situation, as it tended to, was as fluid as a river.


    ¡°To clarify¡­ these enhancements? You intend to make them available to anyone that asks?¡±


    The voice of this land was an older man gone to seed with the soft hands of an artist, yet he moved without grace. He reminded Al of an old domesticated pig content to wallow on his fat belly next to the trough scarcely mustering more effort that what it took to raise his snout each time the farmer came around with the slop.


    It was a mistake to put forth such a weak specimen of your people.


    It made them all look weak.


    Better they had that soldier woman standing at attention on the other side of the tent.


    Her blindfold barely contained a white glow that told of power.


    The soldiers arrayed on either side of the woman were lesser sorts, but Al acknowledged their discipline.


    Hours they had negotiated and not a single soldier so much as shifted their weight.


    Idly, he wondered if their clothing and armor came from a beast similar to the Nemean Liger. They had shades of green and brown like the liger¡¯s hide, though the camouflage pattern was in irregular splotches not in vertical stripes like the hide covering his own armor.


    In many ways the eidolons had gone into this Quest blind.


    The opening of this world to all others had been announced by the voice of the spires without forewarning.


    It had forced them to act quickly if they wanted to steal a march on their enemies.


    He didn¡¯t doubt that the very scene in front of him wasn¡¯t taking place in other lands.


    Time was of the essence.


    They needed to fold the people of this land into their benevolent arms. To be strengthened and united to face the looming wars of ancient powers seeking to control this vital world.


    ¡°The Gods¡¯ gifts shall not be denied to all willing to accept.¡±


    Al didn¡¯t know how many years the Eidolon of Sunor had seen. The weight of her voice, unaugmented by her God¡¯s divine power, suggested an incomprehensible number to him.


    ¡°You see, that¡¯s a sticking point with us.¡±


    The fat ambassador¡¯s jowls quivered with every word.


    Al leaned on the patience and focus learned over many years as a hunter to avoid distraction.


    He was the youngest by far amongst the five eidolons and it was important to subvert their expectations in order to avoid dishonoring Adras through the incompetence that weds itself to callow youth.


    The Eidolon of Sunor had told him that in more diplomatic terms.


    He understood the warning and took it to heart.


    Humility told him that his ability to be patient, to consider every action and consequence couldn¡¯t be compared to that of ancient ones.


    ¡°We¡¯d like the power to properly vet the subjects for these enhancements. As visitors to the United States of America, you don¡¯t know its people. That ignorance, through no fault of your own, may lead to the wrong people being enhanced.¡±


    ¡°The request is granted,¡± the Eidolon of Sunor flicked her finger. A floating ink quill delicately inscribed the words in glowing script on the scroll hovering over the table. A second gesture sent it to the fat man.


    Seconds ticked into minutes as he shared it with the other five natives seated at the table.


    ¡°We accept this provision,¡± he said. ¡°Now, moving on. We¡¯d like target control for you eidolons. Not to question your judgment, but again, this is our world. We know where your strength would be best directed to meet our mutual objectives.¡±


    ¡°You will be granted an advisory role in regards to individual eidolon quests.¡±


    The Eidolon of Sunor didn¡¯t add the fact that only the Gods stood above the eidolons. Mere mortals didn¡¯t give them orders. Though that wasn¡¯t to say an eidolon wouldn¡¯t listen to suggestions. Only a foolish sort didn¡¯t seek out as much information as possible.


    That arrogance had led to many a hunter becoming prey.


    ¡°Full knowledge of our abilities will be withheld for the same reason we don¡¯t seek full knowledge of yours,¡± the Eidolon of Sunor inclined her head a fraction toward the blindfolded soldier woman. ¡°Respect is given, respect is received.¡±


    A sign of respect from the taciturn eidolon forced Al to adjust his assessment of the soldier¡¯s strength several rungs higher on the ladder.


    ¡°In regards to the advanced equipment you are providing¡ª¡±


    The eidolon silenced the fat ambassador with a look.


    ¡°That is not negotiable. What we can gift is dictated by the restrictions set forth by the spires. From experience it will be many years before a higher civilization can give to the lower freely. However, there are no such strictures placed on what you may purchase on the spires¡¯ marketplace. With time and the strengthening of our bond you will be able to purchase items from us at reduced cost. All is not lost, so don¡¯t be sadden overmuch. There are no restrictions in the trade of knowledge. In time we will teach you and lift you up.¡±


    The fat ambassador nodded.


    Al listened intently as the they negotiated the treaty for several more hours.


    Changes were added or struck down with a swish of a floating ink quill.


    The other three eidolons stood as still as statues and thus so did Al.


    It wasn¡¯t hard for him.


    He had spent many an hour motionless in the brush or a tree, waiting for the perfect opportunity to finish the hunt.


    As they neared the end even the Eidolon of Ekra betrayed her impatience by the soft rustling of feathered wings that only Al noticed.


    ¡°Okay,¡± the fat ambassador let out a breath.


    ¡°You are satisfied with the terms?¡± the Eidolon of Sunor said.


    Al was struck by the eidolon¡¯s mastery of the divine power flowing through her.


    She contained it so well that the mere mortal didn¡¯t struggle to crane his neck back and meet her eyes with an even gaze of his own.


    ¡°As much as I¡¯m empowered to negotiate. The terms are acceptable.¡±


    Faint praise for a treaty that¡¯d see his primitive people lifted up to heights beyond their comprehension.


    Al almost snorted at the temerity.


    ¡°I¡¯ve explained beforehand, but just to be clear, that doesn¡¯t constitute the United States of America¡¯s position on said treaty. I¡¯ll take this back to congress. They debate and vote. Enough members will need to ratify it before it¡¯ll reach the president¡¯s desk.¡±


    ¡°I understand. Democracy is the system of governance used on many of the pantheon¡¯s worlds. There is a similar system in place within my order.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how long it¡¯ll take, but I¡¯ll keep you informed. We¡¯ll meet again if changes need to be made.¡±


    The fat ambassador reached for the scroll.


    ¡°The original will remain in my possession,¡± the Eidolon of Sunor cast a spell and where there was one now lay two. She rolled the copy with a gesture and floated it into the fat ambassador¡¯s quivering hands. ¡°Note changes as you will. They will be copied in the original. We will speak over them once again if necessary. Till then, we shall remain in this place.¡±


    The natives left the tent quickly.


    The Eidolon of Sunor raised a hand to forestall the words.


    The air shimmered around her hand as faint glowing glyphs momentarily appeared on the tent¡¯s cloth walls and ceiling.


    ¡°Time is wasted,¡± the Eidolon of Ekra said.


    She was their contact point with the other Eidolons of Ekra among the other teams scattered across this world.


    ¡°No disrespect, Sunor¡¯s Will¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s strange how disrespect always seems to follow those words,¡± the Eidolon of Salla smirked.


    ¡°And is there a greater disrespect than interrupting a God¡¯s Will?¡±


    ¡°Peace, Ekra¡¯s Will, I meant no¡­ disrespect.¡±


    The smirk remained on the woman¡¯s face.


    ¡°Speak your words, Ekra¡¯s Will,¡± the Eidolon of Sunor¡¯s voice cut the petty argument before it could rise.


    It must¡¯ve been a struggle to keep eidolon¡¯s of different Gods from quarreling like street children over the freshest bit of layered pastry. He only knew the camaraderie of fellow Eidolons of Adras.


    ¡°Time spent allowing these primitives to think that they have a measure of control will put us behind the other eidolons. And I¡¯m not accounting for what our enemies are doing. Keep it in mind that I refer to known enemies. This is a Terminus World. An infinite number of worlds now have a direct line of travel to and from this place.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes,¡± the Eidolon of Salla wave a hand, ¡°an infinite number of enemies, so on and so forth. Which is why I find myself surprised to be in agreement with Ekra¡¯s Will, despite her fearful nature.¡±


    The Eidolon of Sunor raised a hand to silence the expected retort.


    ¡°I am the strategos, but you lead in matters of war, Salla¡¯s Will. Speak your thoughts.¡±


    ¡°War is simple. Consolidate. Strengthen. Do this before our infinite number of enemies so that we march first.¡±


    ¡°Adras¡¯ Will, what is your assessment?¡±


    ¡°An arrow loosed early risks a wound instead of a kill,¡± he said.


    Why had she prompted him to share his wisdom?


    Her earlier warnings had the tenor of a lecture given by one of his old teachers back at the orphanage and the academy.


    She had clearly placed him in the role of a lesser student. There to listen and learn rather than take initiative.


    ¡°Sut¡¯s Will?¡± she turned to the last eidolon.


    The thin, emaciated eidolon examined his long, almost skeletal fingers for a long moment.


    ¡°Time is wasted,¡± he pronounced.


    Silence.


    ¡°Explain,¡± the Eidolon of Sunor prompted.


    ¡°These primitives appear to be human at a cursory glance.¡±


    Al knew that the Eidolon of Sut¡¯s abilities allowed him to see into the biological nature of living things.


    ¡°Enhancements require certainty and I will need to examine their genetics¡­ unless you¡¯re willing to accept¡­ imperfect enhancements and increased failure rates.¡±


    Sut was said to be the father of Adras, which confused Al when he had first met the eidolon. He knew instantly that they shared little. Every other interaction since that first had only reinforced his assessment. He supposed that mortal children didn¡¯t always take after their parents, so it wasn¡¯t worth pondering the same dynamic within the pantheon.


    ¡°That¡¯s a great way to gain their loyalty,¡± the Eidolon of Salla snorted, ¡°turn them into abominations.¡±


    ¡°I believe that they wouldn¡¯t object if the right people were turned into abominations,¡± he said.


    ¡°Most sapients wouldn¡¯t mind the ruination of their enemies. You¡¯ll learn that truth when you¡¯ve been to as many worlds as I have, young one.¡±


    Al inclined his head a fraction.


    Enough to show deference and respect, but not too much to show submissiveness.


    Theron had been insistent that he uphold the strength of Adras¡¯ eidolons.


    ¡°We are not here to bring ruin. We are here to uplift,¡± the Eidolon of Sunor said.


    ¡°Indeed, that is my personal preference as well,¡± the Eidolon of Ekra said. ¡°But I remind you, respectfully,¡± she inclined her feathered head, ¡°that another team is led by Sesre¡¯s Will.¡±


    The sound that came out of the Eidolon of Salla¡¯s throat was almost a growl.


    ¡°Bloody war. For the sake of destruction and death. They care nothing for a proper reason. Nothing for the glory of victory and what arises in its wake,¡± she said.


    The two sibling Gods shared the concept of war as a large part of their individual portfolios.


    It was their approach to it that set them at odds.


    For his part Al didn¡¯t quite understand.


    He had fought in many battles before Adras raised him to the ranks of his eidolons and in many after.


    The one thing that every war always ended with plenty of were the bodies of the dead.


    Perhaps, he could inquire with the Eidolon of Sut. His God claimed dominion over mortality. He would know what the dead thought of the nature of war.


    Although, he had to consider the fact that both Sesre and Salla also claimed war dead as their own.


    He hadn¡¯t understood as a child that there was ambiguity and overlap in the concepts that the Gods claimed as their own. When he came to understand this as an adult it became clear why there was always conflict within the pantheon. And that wasn¡¯t adding in the rival pantheons all struggling over the same things to feed their divinity.


    Belated understanding came to him.


    That was why every team shared one thing in common.


    An Eidolon of Ekra.


    He had thought it was to facilitate communication between the different teams when comms gems failed or were disabled.


    Now, he realized that it was to have one voice that was above the rivalries.


    Ekra cared only for her role as the messenger God. A sentiment her eidolons tended toward.


    ¡°We can only control what we do and I will not allow others to force our path.¡±


    ¡°Give me a war and I¡¯ll fight it, Sunor¡¯s Will¡­ respectfully.¡±


    Al wasn¡¯t certain, but the Eidolon of Salla¡¯s bow didn¡¯t seem entirely respectful.


    Sharp senses meant that he didn¡¯t miss much in regards to the way one moved their bodies. The slight tilt of the head, an almost imperceptible breath or an upturned corner of the mouth. Brows raised or lowered. Fingers twitching toward weapons or to the spell on the tip of the tongue.


    What he lacked was the ability to place himself in an other¡¯s position.


    He could compensate by gaining a full understanding of the other, like he¡¯d study a beast he hunted. To build a map of their tendencies. The things that pushed and pulled their actions.


    The main problem was that sapients were inconsistent creatures. A slight shift in moods meant that they could be unpredictable. A trigger one day could send them into anger¡¯s grasp while the same trigger another day would slide off them like water off a fish¡¯s scales.


    ¡°Adras¡¯ Will, I have a request for you.¡±


    The Eidolon of Sunor¡¯s voice made him want to drop to one knee and immediately accept.


    He forced himself to limit it to respectful nod.


    Sunor led the pantheon, but Al was of Adras. It wouldn¡¯t do to submit completely.


    ¡°I will hear your words, Sunor¡¯s Will.¡±


    An appraising eye regarded him.


    He couldn¡¯t tell what she thought.


    ¡°Ekra¡¯s Will, seek out a great beast or monster plaguing this land.¡±


    The winged eidolon nodded.


    ¡°Adras¡¯ Will, slay it and show these people what we can do for them.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Al almost turned to leave when he realized that the Eidolon of Ekra needed to find one first.


    Instead, he stood at attention as the Eidolon of Sunor detailed their next steps while they waited for the Earth humans to come to a decision.

 8.1

    Rome, Summer 2046


    ¡°Man, sometimes I wonder if I¡¯ve wasted the last twenty years,¡± Eron gazed out into the darkness.


    The second floor apartment looked out directly down a straight street leading to a walled city within a city.


    Cal studied the wall separating Vatican City from the rest of Rome.


    He had visited once as a tourist back in the B.S. era.


    ¡°The wall¡¯s a lot more functional than I remember. Can you see the patrols?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t give me the soft handle,¡± Eron snorted. ¡°You know I can see them and I know that you know everything that you need to know about the place. Probably scanned it all out the moment you got in range, dude.¡±


    ¡°I figured a normal conversation would help keep you distracted from them dark thoughts and shit.¡±


    His brother chuckled.


    ¡°I¡¯m staring out of a dark window with only moonlight to illuminate my face. Let me brood.¡±


    ¡°Nah, you¡¯re a light-type, not a darkness-type.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, man. This is serious,¡± Eron whined.


    ¡°Fine, fine,¡± he waved his brother on.


    Eron took a breath.


    ¡°The last time I was here was, like, four or five years ago. You¡¯re thinking that¡¯s way too long¡ª¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re right. I mean, I can travel to anywhere on the planet in minutes, sometimes seconds if I wasn¡¯t being careful not to set the air on fire. So, years is too long, but I try. There¡¯s just so many things going on all the damn time. I came to this place for the first time to make sure that the Church didn¡¯t backslide to the days when they set ¡®witches¡¯ on fire and checked periodically after.¡±


    ¡°Prescient decision as it turns out.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just it though. They were generally a force for good in the area. The Pope was a fairly young dude for a pope. Third one since the spires. He was a kid back then, his parents were liberal. Euro liberal, so they brought him up progressive-style. They managed to survive until he was, like, a teenager. Anyways, the Church wasn¡¯t really in a position to be exclusionary. A lot of the older folks died in those early years. So, you had young men and women smiting monsters and bad guys with faith-flavored spells and Skills. Did a good job of keeping people mostly safe, so I figured I didn¡¯t need to come around too much. Just every few years to make sure the priests didn¡¯t go back to molesting kids, you know?¡±


    ¡°Among other things¡­¡±


    ¡°Which is brings us to now¡­¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t really blame yourself. You couldn¡¯t know that a demon would worm its way in.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d argue that it¡¯s exactly what I should¡¯ve been looking out for. I¡¯d look and listen in from a distance every time I happened to be flying in the area, but somehow I didn¡¯t notice. Two decades of hard work undone in a few years.¡±


    ¡°Demon magic.¡±


    ¡°Is that a theory?¡±


    ¡°Nope. The demon fooled your senses.¡±


    ¡°I can see bacteria if I concentrate hard enough.¡±


    ¡°Magic.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Eron grunted. ¡°It¡¯s taking a lot more effort to see and hear anything even from this close. Should¡¯ve realized something was up before. Thinking back, I didn¡¯t hear or see anything back then.¡±


    ¡°Magic to block the senses and magic to trick an observer into not noticing there should¡¯ve been something there to notice. And, like I said, not your fault. It¡¯s hard work piercing the barrier,¡± Cal wiped the trickle of blood from his nose.


    ¡°Been awhile since you¡¯ve bled from your face holes.¡±


    Eron turned away from the window, searching the darkness.


    ¡°I forget sometimes,¡± his eyes fell on the large framed picture hanging in the center of the living room wall. ¡°People lived here once. I wonder about them. What was their life like? Young looking parents. Two young kids. They looked happy. You can tell by how their smiles reach their eyes. They didn¡¯t survive the first night. I cleaned this place up before you all got here.¡±


    Cal eyed the dark stains on the floorboards, the walls, the furniture.


    Age had taken away the blood-red color leaving them closer to brown.


    ¡°There were bones in the bedrooms. Scattered all over. You know what I hate?¡± Eron sighed. ¡°That I¡¯ve seen enough places like this that I can tell what human bones look like and can guess pretty closely to how old a person was just from looking. Fuck¡­ I can see the bite marks where something gnawed on them. Even the smallest marks.¡±


    ¡°What did you do with them?¡±


    ¡°Gathered every piece no matter how small, burned them to ash and scattered them in the sky,¡± he shrugged.


    Cal¡¯s eyes drifted to the crucifix on the wall.


    ¡°Yeah, they probably would¡¯ve wanted to be buried, ash or whole,¡± Eron sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t know. It felt wrong to just dig a hole and chuck them in. Who¡¯d mourn them? They¡¯d just be forgotten like billions of other people.¡±


    ¡°The scale is staggering when you allow yourself to really think about it.¡±


    ¡°Most of the apartments in the city are the same. Bones left where the monsters discarded them.¡±


    ¡°The living need to worry about living before they can lay the dead to rest. One day there¡¯ll be time to go through places like this and do what you did. You see? You did a good thing for this family. You did the best you could.¡±


    ¡°I need to spend more time with my own.¡±


    ¡°And you will. Still bringing Lera and¡­¡± he sighed, ¡°Wytchraven to Boy¡¯s sweet sixteenth?¡±


    ¡°Dude, I told you it¡¯s weird Fae stuff. Using her real name will draw the wrong kind of attention to her and you.¡±


    ¡°How does that even work? There¡¯s got to be multiple people with her real name out there.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but you wouldn¡¯t be thinking of them. You¡¯d be thinking of her and that¡¯s what matters or so she told me,¡± Eron shrugged. ¡°All I know is that I tried it once and the Wild Hunt dropped on my head. Killed them all, but,¡± he held his hands out wide, ¡°dead isn¡¯t really dead when it comes to the faeries. They come back, different, but sort of the same. You know how it is.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take your word for it. For now.¡±


    ¡°Whatever man, just don¡¯t screw it up for her. Remember that it¡¯ll affect everyone else in her coven out in the Fae Realm.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to have to check that place out one day.¡±


    ¡°I keep asking you. Your mind powers might be useful. Get the faeries off their back. Lera¡¯ll be able to travel the real world freely without the hunt always popping up.¡±


    ¡°Maybe you guys coming isn¡¯t a good idea.¡±


    ¡°Nah, it¡¯ll only be a little dangerous since you¡¯re doing the escort. Portal gates might throw the hunt off too. In any case since I won¡¯t have to protect them, I¡¯ll be able to just destroy the hunt. So, no powers or class yet with Boy?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good¡­ no fogginess?¡±


    Two sets of eyes narrowed at each other.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Probably wouldn¡¯t be a big deal anyways. You and Nila did a good job raising him. That should counteract the¡­ uh¡­ bad stuff potential. Yup a perfectly normal teenager. Perfectly, normally, expert swordsmanly.¡±


    ¡°Great at other melee weapons too.¡±


    ¡°Still risky without any powers or a class.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m hoping he¡¯ll realize that and decide on a less violent career.¡±


    ¡°Doctor, lawyer or¡­¡± Eron scratched his head, ¡°what was the third one?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t actually remember.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, dude, you know that¡¯s bullshit. Go search in those archives you call a memory.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather not. It¡¯s best left a mystery.¡±


    ¡°Is it nurse?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. That seems redundant.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re terrible Filipinos. We should know this,¡± Eron grinned. ¡°Well at least you¡¯re setting him up with some good gear. Although, spending millions of Universal Points for a sixteenth birthday present seems a bit much. Remember that old TV show with rich brats getting, like, the wrong kind of luxury car and throwing tantrums?¡±


    ¡°Super Sweet Sixteen?¡±


    ¡°Something like that. Poor kids. Screwed up before they really had a chance to not grow up into assholes.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯re you trying to say?¡±


    ¡°Nah, Boy¡¯s situation is different. I mean it¡¯s life and death. Say, I¡¯m interested in bringing some stuff over for Lera. Defensive stuff. Power armor. Shield generators. That sort of thing. She¡¯s already got plenty of magic-based stuff, but some tech-based gear wouldn¡¯t hurt.¡±


    ¡°You can ask the Threnosh yourself.¡±


    ¡°No shit? They¡¯re actually going through with it.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve saved up the points. Earth is going to be a sort of retirement for the ones getting old.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re old,¡± Eron sighed. ¡°You¡¯re, like, eighty.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t even remember.¡±


    ¡°Liar. Can you get the senior citizen discount yet? Still have your driver¡¯s license?¡±


    ¡°Yeah and I still look like the picture.¡±


    ¡°True. No one would buy that you¡¯re an octogenarian.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, man, I¡¯m not even sixty.¡±


    ¡°Creeping up on you though.¡±


    ¡°Does it bother you?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°That we aren¡¯t aging.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about me, but I see a few white hairs on your head. Twenty to be exact.¡±


    ¡°And how many of them have been there since I hit thirty?¡±


    ¡°How should I know?¡±


    ¡°Nila¡¯s getting older. Sure, she¡¯s doing it much slower than a normal human. But¡­ I¡¯m worried about our son. He¡¯s aging at a normal rate. Growing up too fast.¡±


    ¡°So¡¯s Lera, but I figure it¡¯s one of those things were they grow to adulthood normally, but then it slows down. It¡¯d suck if puberty lasted a decade. Not looking forward to that. Can you imagine? A moody teenager with the strength of a thousand men and the ability to vomit solar heat rays.¡± Eron shook his head with a grimace. ¡°Fuck! I can hear the torture.¡±


    Cal silenced it, blocking his brother from sensing what was going on deep within Vatican City.


    The necropolis underneath Saint Peter¡¯s Basilica. A holy place desecrated by those supposed to take care of it.


    The demon¡¯s corruption ran deep.


    It had twisted itself within mind, body and soul.


    Could it be undone?


    He had tried with the flesheaters of the Meat Parade.


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Ten years of failure and yet he hadn¡¯t stopped.


    Surely, the demon-corrupted deserved the same chance.


    ¡°Damn it. I recognize that look,¡± Eron grunted. ¡°Thanks, by the way. Don¡¯t know how much longer I just stand here. If your team doesn¡¯t get here soon¡­¡±


    ¡°Patience. We¡¯re not just here to kill the demon.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I remember what you told me. We hurt the demon and it¡¯ll have its followers kill the prisoners for healing and power.¡±


    A faint thought tickled the walls around Cal¡¯s mind. He had been waiting for it, so he let it through.


    The telepathic conversation was lengthy, but with the way he could speed up perception it took place within the span between seconds.


    ¡°Speak of the devil,¡± he removed a small stone from a pouch of holding. He traced the rune on its smooth surface then tossed it into the middle of the living room.


    ¡°My kids do good work,¡± Eron nodded proudly.


    ¡°Yeah, portal stones are really useful. Especially, since they managed to make these short range, temporary ones. Not everyone has bags of holding or the strength to carry a hundred pounds worth of stones.¡±


    The portal started as a tiny pinprick of light above the stone.


    Eron pulled the curtains.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother. I¡¯m in control of this area. No one will notice.¡±


    Light grew larger and brighter in a slowly expanding circle.


    It was a strange sight as though one¡¯s mind couldn¡¯t quite understand what they saw.


    The circle was opaque, but instinct told them that they should¡¯ve been able to see through it.


    It fluctuated as one moved around.


    Stare straight on and all one saw was a circle of light.


    Move to an angle and one could almost be certain that they saw through to the other side of the living room. Or was it a reflection? One that the viewer was absent from.


    The first person stepped through with gauntlet-clad fists raised protectively over his helmed face. Thick plate covered the big man. Almost too much and too heavy to be believable. Indeed, the floorboards groaned in protest at his booted steps.


    ¡°Is that Rynnen?¡± Eron moved forward in a blur, crushing his nephew in the manliest of hugs. ¡°It¡¯s been too long! Look at you! You¡¯re so huge and built! Hey, Cal! It¡¯s Rynnen! Why didn¡¯t you tell me he was part of the team?¡±


    ¡°It didn¡¯t come up.¡±


    ¡°Please put me down Tito Eron,¡± Rynnen managed to ground out.


    ¡°Oh, right, sorry,¡± Eron sized the young man up. ¡°What are you, like, 6¡¯4¡±?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, something like that,¡± Rynnen said.


    ¡°Man, I haven¡¯t seen you in like five years.¡±


    ¡°I know. We kept missing each other.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard a lot about the good work you¡¯ve done in the Philippines.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, no big deal,¡± Rynnen shrugged pauldron-covered shoulders. ¡°Killing monsters mostly.¡±


    Cal suppressed a laugh at his nephew trying to act nonchalantly.


    ¡°Hey, Cal,¡± Eron grinned. ¡°What¡¯s it like being the only one that didn¡¯t grow?¡±


    ¡°I thought about it. Dismissed it.¡±


    ¡°I grew, like, six inches. Rynnen here¡¯s like the Juggernaut. Boy¡¯s like a head taller than you and he¡¯s still growing. Must be tough.¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡± Rynnen¡¯s eyes widened as he pulled the buzzing gem from his pocket.


    ¡°Family catch up later, quest now,¡± Eron nodded.


    They made room for the rest of Cal¡¯s team to make their way through the portal with two locals in tow.


    Unnecessary introductions were made.


    He already knew what he needed to know about the two through a surface scan of their thoughts. Just enough to make sure they weren¡¯t a threat or a trap with a minimum amount of privacy violation as possible.


    Eron surreptitiously picked up the now useless portal stone and ground it to dust.


    The casual act wasn¡¯t missed by anyone.


    ¡°Okay. We¡¯re on a timetable, so I¡¯ll make this quick,¡± Cal regarded the two locals. He focused on the woman since she was the leader.


    She met his eyes with an intense gaze. Righteous vengeance blazed from behind them as befitting her class. She removed her helmet to reveal long, raven hair tied into a tight ponytail.


    ¡°Please answer my questions quickly and too the point. Understand that we will verify truthfulness.¡±


    ¡°They already did that,¡± the man grunted. ¡°Truth gems, truth spells, truth Skills. We passed. They passed ours, so let¡¯s get going. People need us.¡± Long-fingered hands hung close, but not on the wooden weapons at his hips. They looked like old flintlock pistols without the iron barrel, trigger and lock mechanism. The thin wood looked delicate. ¡°We called you here.¡±


    ¡°No you didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Fuck off. We posted a Quest on the spires.¡±


    ¡°I already told you we didn¡¯t see it. You posted it locally or regionally or whatever. We¡¯re from much farther away,¡± Drake snapped.


    Cal sensed that there was tension between the two.


    ¡°They¡¯re here because I called them,¡± Eron said.


    The man was about to argue further when the woman raised a finger.


    ¡°I will answer your question, but answer this first,¡± she regarded Eron, ¡°are you the one that brings food and kills monsters and bad men?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit. He¡¯s been doing that for almost twenty years. You¡¯re too young,¡± the man said.


    ¡°What¡¯s that truth gem in your pocket saying?¡±


    The man pulled it out.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been helping communities all over the world since almost the beginning,¡± Eron said.


    The gem glowed bright yellow.


    ¡°Is that the kind that glows when it¡¯s true? Or the opposite?¡± Rand whispered.


    ¡°Oh my god!¡± Emma hissed. ¡°You¡¯re making Ms. Teacher look bad.¡±


    ¡°What? I¡¯m a battle wizard. You¡¯re the ¡®wizard¡¯ wizard. You keep saying that we need to honor each other¡¯s strength. So, I¡¯m asking you to lend me your expertise.¡±


    The whispered conversation drew eyes and ears seeing as how it wasn¡¯t that quiet and half the people in the room had superior senses as their baseline.


    ¡°Glowing means truth,¡± the man raised a brow, ¡°who does it the other way?¡±


    ¡°I know right,¡± Rand grinned.


    Cal cleared his throat.


    ¡°So, our plight finally drew your attention,¡± the woman nodded.


    ¡°The demon¡¯s magic concealed its activities,¡± he said.


    ¡°That became clear after the months turned into years.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to hear your story¡­ an abridged version for now.¡±


    The woman, Iria, told the tale quickly.


    Her anger grew with the telling.


    He sensed something like a raging fire in and around her.


    An aura on the verge of erupting, but kept under the control of an iron will.


    The Church had changed slowly at first.


    The unprecedented openness that the progressives had instituted in the name of survival against the monsters and evil men began to close.


    The Pope, a man in the prime of his health, grew ill then died within the span of weeks.


    The new Pope was an ancient man. One of the last surviving holdovers from the pre-spires days.


    Still, there hadn¡¯t been much worry.


    The old priest was much beloved. Even in the old days he hadn¡¯t belonged to the conservative faction.


    Unfortunately, old traditional ways thought long left behind were brought back from the refuse heap of history.


    The strictest interpretation of doctrine and dogma returned to the forefront.


    Those within the Church that didn¡¯t fit or pushed back were never seen beyond the walls again.


    And like a single pebble growing into an avalanche that could swallow an entire town things escalated with frightening speed.


    A brand new Inquisition was instituted to root out so-called evil.


    Inquisitors took people with impunity to torture until confession.


    There was talk of a new crusade and crusaders to bring the faith back to the rest of the world.


    Darker still were the rumors of depraved acts and rituals behind the walls.


    Now, the communities in Rome lived in terror as the Church could take them and their loved ones at any time of the day and at any moment to vanish forever behind Vatican City¡¯s walls.


    Iria had come to the tale late.


    She and Javier had lived in Spain along with their band.


    Several dozen strong they roamed the land as some sort of vigilante group avenging wrongs at all costs.


    Many a marauding band learned to fear them¡­ at least the survivors did.


    Word had traveled across the Mediterranean and they had come.


    The years hadn¡¯t been kind to them.


    Battles in the dark and shadow of Rome¡¯s twisted streets, underneath the watchful eyes of ancient cathedrals and coliseums ate away at their numbers.


    Only a handful of the original members remained.


    They had drawn replacements from the locals, but those lacked the levels of the dead and growth was never fast enough.


    ¡°You¡¯re an avenger. Personal grievances? Or can you act on behalf of others?¡±


    ¡°I fight for all that lack the means to gain vengeance for themselves,¡± Iria said.


    ¡°Will you take prisoners?¡±


    ¡°No. Their deeds are evil beyond doubt. That much we¡¯ve been able to discover. All those responsible must die.¡± Her glare dared him to object.


    The decision point came to him sooner than he¡¯d have preferred.


    It was a flaw from certain viewpoints.


    His need to consider consequences beyond the immediate.


    A pebble dropped in a lake ripples out.


    He needed to know what that hundredth ripple meant.


    ¡°You know what they are behind those walls. Demon-touched, Demon-corrupted. These and many more. It¡¯s a part of them now. Their class. They have chosen to embrace it. There can be no redemption in this life. Perhaps in death, but that is not for us to decide. It¡¯s God¡¯s judgment that awaits them and let them be damned for their actions.¡±


    ¡°Your band is too weak.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what you¡¯re here for, is it not? I¡¯ve heard stories of the flying man killing giant monsters with a single blow,¡± she regarded Eron. ¡°The people will rise if they know you are here to smite evil.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll just get them killed if you think you¡¯re leading them into a battle with demon-boosted bastards,¡± Eron sighed.


    ¡°She¡¯s not.¡±


    Iria¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    Cal continued.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to keep your people outside the walls at a safe distance. We will bring everyone kept prisoner to you for safekeeping. Beyond that your only role is to surround the Vatican and try to keep demon-aligned people from escaping. Now, I¡¯m not one to stand in the way of a righteous cause. That would make me a hypocrite and I try not to be. So, you and anyone over Level 40 can enter and pursue your vengeance after all of the prisoners are out. Your fate at that point is solely in your hands. Agreed?¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Iria said. ¡°Return us to our people.¡±


    One portal stone later and Iria and Javier were gone.


    ¡°She¡¯s intense,¡± Rand nodded. ¡°Hot too.¡±


    ¡°Kid, do you not have that voice inside your head telling you to keep the dumb shit to yourself?¡± Howard grunted.


    Rand flushed, but kept quiet.


    ¡°Sir, what would you have done if she hadn¡¯t agreed,¡± Emma said.


    ¡°You¡¯re so old,¡± Eron snickered.


    ¡°I would¡¯ve put them to sleep, Emma.¡±


    Cal regarded the team.


    Always with the danger, but they were all adults and they had chosen to be here.


    Still, he could¡¯ve done this by himself.


    Eron alone.


    The two of them.


    Success was almost a guarantee in any permutation.


    The presence of a team meant that more living prisoners would remain at the end of it all.


    ¡°We¡¯ve practiced this plenty of times. Stick to the plan and your roles. Don¡¯t freelance. That could cost lives. Your own and the ones we¡¯re here to save. Get in position and wait for the signal. Don¡¯t worry about surveillance. I¡¯m blocking everything,¡± he said.


    Eron pushed the window open as the rest of the team departed.


    Cal joined him while mentally keeping tabs on every moving piece of consequence in the area.


    His team.


    Iria and hers.


    The calls traveling through means as varied as spells, Skills, or good old fashioned running messengers.


    ¡°Five minutes for our team to get in position. Who knows how much for Iria to gather her revengers?¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Ten to fifteen. They were ready. Got the word out as soon as they left.¡±


    ¡°Surprisingly efficient and organized.¡±


    The silence grew uncomfortable.


    Both of them itched to go.


    Every second was a second a person endured torture.


    ¡°You remember how I used to say that if I had the power I¡¯d destroy the Church?¡± he sighed.


    ¡°Yeah, Mom used to get so mad,¡± Eron nodded.


    ¡°In my defense I was an edgy teenager.¡±


    ¡°I remember you used to say that when you were in your twenties.¡±


    ¡°But, I was only half-serious that time.¡±


    ¡°I guess time is flat circle. You¡¯ve gone all the way around back to your edgelord phase.¡±


    ¡°It was less of a phase and more of a dabbling.¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure, whatever you tell yourself to not be a dork.¡±


    A loud chime in their ears made them jump.


    The familiar voice accompanied the familiar text.


    <hr>


    Congratulations!


    Your world has entered a new phase.


    It stands revealed as a Terminus World.


    Prepare yourself for the greater challenges ahead.


    Information is now available for purchase in the Spire.


    <hr>


    ¡°Fuck you, spires!¡± Eron shook his fist at the one visible a short distance away.


    Cal came out of it a moment after his brother.


    ¡°What the hell! Terminus World? New bullshit ass pulls all the goddamn time! I swear, it¡¯s just dicking us around at this point. What does that even fucking mean!¡±


    ¡°The end.¡±


    ¡°Yo, what?¡±


    ¡°The word, it means the end. Like the last train stop or something.¡±


    ¡°So, Earth is the last stop. Fuckers lied to us about upworlds and downworlds. We¡¯ve been the downworld the whole time.¡±


    ¡°Possibly worse,¡± Eron frowned.


    ¡°It could be like we thought. A chain of worlds with ours at the end. The Threnosh world above, Zalthyss¡¯ above that and so on.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s actually better since we don¡¯t have to worry about a second world below us. And since the Threnosh are your friends, we¡¯ve got a buffer.¡±


    ¡°It could be worse. What if Earth is like the train station in a port city?¡±


    ¡°All the tracks from all the cities lead straight to it,¡± Eron groaned. ¡°Multiple worlds, all worlds have a straight shot to us.¡±


    ¡°The only way to find out is to visit the spires.¡±


    ¡°This is shit timing.¡±


    ¡°Nothing changes.¡±


    Cal reached out to his team and assured them that the plan was in place.


    He did the same to Iria.


    A simple call and they pushed that disturbing message to the back of their thoughts.


    He may have added a little mental help to keep them focused.

 8.2

    Drake or ¡®Sticksies¡¯ when on Quest focused inward. Deep and silent breaths. Meditation as taught to him by the Young Master Dragon Eagle herself.


    Cultivation seemed cool, but he was too old to start over.


    It had taken a long time to get to his level. He had experienced many terrible things. Almost died more times than he could count.


    Nope.


    He was satisfied with his Level 45 in Spellspear. He was less satisfied in having averaged one level every two years over the last decade.


    Then again, less dangerous stuff was sort of a necessity now that he and his wife had a small child with another on the way.


    Jayde had been pissed to find out her pregnancy meant she couldn¡¯t go on this Quest. Magic punching evil religious types was right up her alley.


    Perhaps another reason cultivation wasn¡¯t for him was his inability to clear his mind of all thoughts.


    He opened one eye to squint at the hushed argument between the youngest members of their team.


    Rand and Emma or ¡®Randy Potter¡¯ and ¡®Emmione¡¯ on Quest¡ª they really needed to revoke Jayde¡¯s role as codename giver¡ª huddled in the center of the mid-sized warehouse over several rune-engraved stones.


    The rest of the team was outside just in case the enemy managed to notice the magic at work and decided to investigate.


    Javier, Iria¡¯s lanky second, watched the young wizards intently. The rest of her band and hopefully plenty of local fighters should¡¯ve been on their way.


    Drake stood with a groan.


    Lotus position was hard. He really needed to stretch more. The old guys always warned him about the need as he aged. Closing in on his thirties meant that he was going to be one of them soon.


    ¡°Are you doing it right?¡± Rand said for the tenth time since Emma had started setting up the fixed portal.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t know the answer to that keep your mouth shut!¡± she hissed.


    Concentration sweat dotted her forehead.


    Drake could barely see the mana flow from the surrounding environment into Emma. Then from her into the stones.


    ¡°Those stones already have juice,¡± Javier said quietly so as not to distract.


    ¡°The Vatican¡¯s got some kind of demon magic blocking it off. They¡¯ll need more even with all the distractions we¡¯ve got planned.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll hit the gate if we see the red flare. Just like we discussed.¡±


    Javier chewed on the toothpick in his mouth.


    ¡°This portal thing go both ways?¡±


    ¡°Not this one. Exit only, so forget about that idea.¡±


    Javier raised a brow, but said nothing.


    ¡°Go away, Rand!¡± Emma snapped.


    The young man rolled his eyes and sauntered over.


    ¡°Magic wand guns?¡± he nodded at the thin length of wood in the holsters at Javier¡¯s hips and in the bandoleers across his chest.


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    ¡°Cool¡­ we can make wands too.¡±


    ¡°Good for you.¡±


    ¡°Those look way cooler though,¡± Rand nodded sagely.


    Silence.


    ¡°Can you change the spell? I can sorta see fire and oil,¡± Rand squinted.


    ¡°Got a lot of questions, kid,¡± Javier said evenly. ¡°Tell you what. How bout a trade? I¡¯ll tell you all about my wands and you tell me what¡¯s up with that booklet,¡± he pointed at the small book hanging off a thin chain at Rand¡¯s belt.


    ¡°My spellbook?¡±


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    The book was the size of an old paperback, though much thinner.


    Its cover had intricate designs stitched in thread that seemed to glow if you looked at it from the corner of the eye. It definitely glowed to the eyes of most mage-types.


    ¡°Is that¡­ you¡­ firing off spells?¡± Javier raised a brow.


    ¡°Yup. Battle Wizard Level¡ª¡± Rand cleared his throat. ¡°Over Level 30.¡±


    ¡°Nice save, kid,¡± Drake snorted.


    ¡°Figured 40 was the minimum for attacking the Church,¡± Javier said. ¡°But I¡¯m not asking, so don¡¯t think about it,¡± he warned.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t going to ask about your class,¡± Rand crossed his arms.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you if you tell me what kind of clothes and armor you¡¯ve got on.¡±


    Threnium metal as thin as tin foil provided the same level of protection as inch-thick steel plate. Thin strands of the stuff woven into cloth made it cut-proof against baseline weaponry wielded with baseline strength. Magic and Skills degraded that down to cut-resistant. The more powerful the former two the weaker the resistance.


    Naturally, it didn¡¯t provide the same resistance to the transfer of force hence the enchantments.


    In essence, they were as damage resistant as a tank-type wearing a double-thickness padded gambeson underneath steel plate a few inches thick while being weighed down a little less than an old soldier from the pre-spires era.


    ¡°Sorry that¡¯s classified,¡± Drake cut in.


    Rand had looked like he was seriously considering the trade.


    ¡°Done,¡± Emma huffed.


    The glowing stones spun in a large circle on the floor.


    Faster they went as they rose up to waist high.


    The circle tilted from horizontal to vertical.


    Drake flinched from the bright flash.


    He blinked away the spots in his vision.


    ¡°You people better be right about the demon bastards not catching any of that.¡±


    Javier had his hands on his wands.


    The stones were now gathered in a loose pile on the cold concrete.


    Emma marched up to Javier, craning her head back to look him in the eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move them. Don¡¯t touch them. Don¡¯t try to put mana in them. Don¡¯t try to draw the mana out of them,¡± she stabbed her finger at the stones with each command. ¡°Don¡¯t step into the circle.¡±


    Javier eyed the scorched circle she had burned into the concrete.


    ¡°What¡¯ll happen if someone does.¡±


    ¡°Injury or death depending on personal durability.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Javier shrugged. ¡°So, we¡¯ll know we¡¯ve got people coming our way when it does that spinning light show thing,¡± he nodded. ¡°Hmm¡­ we won¡¯t know who¡¯s coming through though. Like that portal you took us through.¡±


    ¡°This one is different. It¡¯s more powerful. You¡¯ll be able to see through to the other side.¡±


    ¡°If it isn¡¯t the prisoners or us feel free to blast away,¡± Drake said.


    ¡°Then I guess you¡¯re going in,¡± Javier nodded, holding out a hand. ¡°Luck to us all and those unjustly treated. May their vengeance be true and swift.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, may it be¡­ uh¡­ bloody for the evil guys,¡± Rand said.


    Drake shook it.


    Followed by Rand and Emma.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, kids, time to hurry up and wait some more.¡±


    They followed him out of the warehouse.


    The team gathered around their tactical leader.


    The dark faceplate of Blackstar¡¯s helmet turned translucent, almost as clear as day.


    ¡°Comms check.¡±


    One by one they sounded off.


    The voices were crystal clear in Drake¡¯s ears.


    Threnosh-made helmets were truly awesome.


    Tactical HUD.


    Multiple vision modes.


    Environmental seal with a powerful filtration system that could handle most natural or human made chemical weapons. Magical ones made that dicier, but that was why they had counterspell capable members.


    Emma as the primary.


    Rand as the secondary.


    Drake was mildly surprised that the former hadn¡¯t put her wizard hat over her helmet. It was a wizard baseball cap for the latter, but both had been overly dismayed when they had first learned that no, they could not wear their wizard head gear for this Quest.


    Honestly, he would¡¯ve allowed it. They were enchanted after all, but Blackstar was kind of a hard ass and she had deemed the Threnosh-made helmet superior to the hats.


    Thus, the hats went into their bags.


    ¡°Gear check.¡±


    Rand tested Drake¡¯s chest and backplate.


    He returned the favor.


    Each quickly and efficiently checked their loadouts.


    Weapons, magic items and most importantly portal stones.


    ¡°Alright. We¡¯re ready for this. We know our parts. We¡¯ve drilled this a dozen times.¡±


    Mindscape training was both awesome and terrible.


    For the former they had run through the exact scenario they were about to enter with fidelity that was indistinguishable from reality. There was nothing like feeling like you died for real to hammer it into your brain.


    For the latter, well, the feeling of dying for real was some real trauma-type shit and that wasn¡¯t accounting for the brain fog and fatigue afterward.


    Weeks of training had been compressed into a single day.


    Coming out of it had been disorienting to say the least.


    The real had felt fake because the fake had felt real.


    Maybe that¡¯s why they had been laid up the following day with the worst fatigue and brain fog ever.


    Drake could barely remember what that recovery day had been like. It was as though it hadn¡¯t been real. Sleep, eat, piss, sometimes shit. That was all he had the energy to do. Maybe not even that. He had vague memories of the spoon floating on its own to deliver food into his mouth. Hell, he wasn¡¯t even sure that he had chewed on his own.


    ¡°Signal incoming,¡± Howard grunted.


    Drake looked up and triggered visual magnification.


    A blazing meteor streaked down from the heavens.


    A distant boom reached his ears. Followed by another, then another. More of them. Louder and closer together.


    The meteor struck somewhere in Vatican City.


    ¡°Brace!¡± Blackstar barked over the thunderous crash


    Drake crouched low and covered his head.


    The earth rumbled.


    The shockwave washed over them, bowling the weaker ones over despite Rynnen standing in front of the wave like a bulwark.


    Decades of dust and debris from long abandoned buildings and streets swirled around them.


    Visibility would¡¯ve been close to nothing without the Threnosh-made helmets.


    ¡°Sticksies, go!¡±


    He broke into a sprint, pulling a hand-sized spear from one of the many pouches of holding on his belt.


    The dust storm concealed his presence, but he trusted Cal to keep him hidden.


    It could¡¯ve been the clearest, brightest day or he could¡¯ve had a bright spotlight on him in the darkest night and none of the enemy would¡¯ve so much as looked in his direction.


    He hurled the tiny spear.


    The Skill-enhanced throw zipped over the wall, hundreds of yards into the sky.


    Thanks to a different Skill he knew exactly where it was without having to keep an eye on it.


    Spear Teleport.


    Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    He vanished with a soft pop.


    One moment standing on cobblestones.


    The next falling from a great height.


    The dome of Saint Peter¡¯s Basilica stood out, highlighted by the HUD.


    Large and imposing, it grew even larger as he rushed to meet it.


    He located the building separated by perfectly-maintained lawns to the east.


    Some kind of palace where they used to do all the administration and governance for Vatican City.


    That hadn¡¯t changed from the pre-spires days.


    There was just a lot more depraved demon-worshiping rituals and the attached debasement and cruel treatment of innocent people.


    He chanced a quick glance to the square on the west side of the basilica.


    Yup.


    A smoking crater and a figure that blazed like the sun in thermal vision.


    However, his role had nothing to do with that, so he located the target window in the government palace.


    A second mini spear punched through so fast that it burned a hole rather than shatter the ornate glass.


    A soft pop and he landed hard on booted feet. He rolled forward to disperse the impact.


    The laws of physics could be bent, but not entirely broken.


    At least by him.


    Maybe at Level 50?


    The hallway was empty at this late hour.


    There were patrols, but the distraction out in the square would draw everyone¡¯s attention.


    Cal was also helping to keep the team unnoticeable.


    That help, however, would stop when it came time for Cal to fight the demon.


    Drake tossed a one-time portal stone on the cold, artful tiles.


    Rynnen came through first, running to the end of the hallway behind a huge, rectangular shield made out of tank armor.


    Yeah¡­ it was like that.


    He had seen Cal pull it out of an actual tank¡¯s side with a thought.


    The assault rifle was standard issue aside from what the ranger¡¯s darkly-dubbed their ¡®war crimes¡¯ rounds. And if there was anyone deserving of burning phosphorus shot into their chests it was demon-corrupted priests.


    The rest of the team came through.


    ¡°Randy Potter, get those eyes out!¡± Blackstar barked.


    The thin spellbook at Rand¡¯s hip fluttered up to his hands like a bird on a leash.


    Drake had to rethink that.


    Birds didn¡¯t tend to have leashes as a natural part of their existence.


    It would¡¯ve been an outside context problem for the poor things.


    The analogy needed work.


    Rand found the page with his wizard eyes spell and cast with a whisper.


    Ethereal copies emerged from the young man¡¯s real eyes.


    Ten pairs floated in every direction through walls, the floor and ceiling.


    They already knew where they needed to go.


    Down into the necropolis where the majority of the prisoners were kept for sleep and torture.


    ¡°Patrols are mostly clearing out,¡± Rand¡¯s head and eyes darted wildly in seemingly random directions.


    What was really creepy was how each eye sometimes swiveled independently.


    ¡°Distraction¡¯s working,¡± Howard grunted.


    ¡°Okay, we¡¯re clear to go to Point 1,¡± Rand shook his head with a wince.


    ¡°Don¡¯t puke,¡± Emma warned.


    ¡°Moving!¡± Blackstar barked.


    Rynnen took the lead.


    The rest followed with Drake bringing up the rear.


    Point 1 was an empty office.


    Rynnen kicked the ornate wooden desk to the side, clearing space.


    ¡°Clear on every floor,¡± Rand said.


    ¡°Emmione,¡± Blackstar gestured.


    Emma¡¯s spellbook was more elegant than Rand¡¯s, resembling a fancy diary.


    Though, Drake wouldn¡¯t admit that was what it looked like to him.


    The spellbook glowed and daintily floated into Emma¡¯s hands. It didn¡¯t flap aggressively like Rand¡¯s.


    Drake wanted to call it a floating flower, but did flowers float?


    In water, sure, but in air?


    Emma¡¯s spell ate a large circle all the way down several floors and into the necropolis several dozen feet below ground level.


    The original necropolis was located underneath the basilica, but the demon had expanded it.


    Rynnen dropped through first.


    Howard went next.


    The rest followed after Emma cast slow fall on them.


    The first thing one noticed when visiting a demon¡¯s subterranean domain without the benefit of protection was the smell.


    Then one noticed the sounds of human agony.


    It echoed off the rough-hewn cavern surfaces.


    Rand cursed, dropping to his knees with his eyes squeezed shut.


    ¡°Potter?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Leader Blackstar¡­ um¡­¡± Rand shook his head. ¡°I brought some of my eyes down here, but something squished them as soon as they went underground.¡±


    ¡°Wonder what could¡¯ve done that,¡± Howard grunted.


    ¡°Double time to Point 2!¡± Blackstar snapped.


    Point 2 was a large cavern that served as a hub with multiple tunnels leading out to the torture chambers and prisoner cells in the newer section of the necropolis.


    ¡°Can¡¯t tell with all the screaming,¡± Blackstar scowled. ¡°Howard?¡±


    ¡°Fuck¡­ okay, give me a second,¡± the bearded man¡¯s faceplate slid up and he took a strong whiff. ¡°Smells like blood, piss, shit and demon from every tunnel.¡±


    ¡°What do you think? Ambush here. Defeat the guards. Then rescue,¡± Blackstar said.


    ¡°You¡¯re the boss,¡± Howard shrugged. ¡°Sounds like a good plan as any.¡±


    So said, he used sharp, thick, claw-like fingernails to scale the rocky wall and perch on the overhang over the largest tunnel opening.


    ¡°Randy Potter!¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am?¡±


    ¡°Delayed spells on those tunnels,¡± Blackstar pointed toward two openings to their 3 o¡¯clock. ¡°Keeping in mind the enclosed environment.¡±


    ¡°No explosions,¡± Emma whispered.


    ¡°I know that!¡± Rand snapped. ¡°This is my world now,¡± he whispered.


    ¡°Emmione!¡±


    Emma saluted.


    ¡°In the tunnel we came from. Cast concealment on the two of us and stay back. Be ready to support. You too, Randy Potter.¡±


    Rynnen and Blackstar took up a position near the tunnel at 9 o¡¯clock.


    ¡°Sticksies,¡± she called back. ¡°Pick your spots. Get to their backline if the opportunity presents itself.¡±


    Drake joined Emma.


    She thumbed through her spellbook with shaking hands.


    ¡°We practiced this, like, fifty times,¡± he said.


    ¡°I thought that was basically the real thing, but it¡¯s different when it¡¯s really real.¡±


    ¡°Hey, you know your spells inside and out. Don¡¯t over think it. Just let it flow.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to screw up and get someone killed or hurt.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s screwing up now?¡± Rand skidded to a stop.


    An almost manic grin spread across his face.


    ¡°Faceplate.¡±


    ¡°Right, sorry, Sticksies,¡± Rand darkened it with a cybernetic thought.


    ¡°No one¡¯s screwing up,¡± he regarded the young wizards.


    ¡°Yeah, what¡¯s the big deal, Emmione,¡± Rand shook his head. ¡°We¡¯ve been in battles before.¡±


    ¡°Not with demon people.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, marauders and cannibals seemed pretty demonic to me,¡± Rand shrugged.


    ¡°Confidence is fine. Over confidence will get you killed,¡± he warned.


    ¡°Yeah. This is a real demon. The one from Florida we¡¯ve been practicing against was fake.¡±


    A sobering thought.


    Though it had been fake, it certainly had felt real at the time.


    A stomp was putting it lightly.


    Drake still had nightmares about that pale, pink demon and how it ate his flesh one thin slice at a time.


    ¡°Listen. This demon is being handled. We just have to deal with its worshipers. Remember, we wouldn¡¯t be here if we couldn¡¯t handle it.¡±


    ¡°Good talk, now shut up and get ready,¡± Howard¡¯s voice whispered through the comms.


    <hr>


    Eron floated above his crater.


    He wore the same armor and helmet as the rest of the team.


    Not that he needed to.


    It was merely a good opportunity to test its limits in a real combat scenario.


    Test. Test. Radio Telepathy check.


    Cal¡¯s voice in his head.


    Radio Telepathy, he thought back, seems redundant.


    I¡¯ve got to differentiate it. This is strictly communicating just like over a radio.


    That¡¯s just what the root words of telepathy means.


    Technically¡ª


    Which is the best kind of correct.


    Sigh.


    Bro, did you just say ¡®sigh¡¯ or was that an actual sigh?


    Why not both?


    Weird, but whatever. How¡¯s everyone doing?


    Where they¡¯re supposed to be within margin of error.


    The demon?


    Doing as planned. It¡¯s withdrawn from its lair into its favorite host.


    Poor bastard.


    Don¡¯t feel so bad for him. He wasn¡¯t a good dude in the first place and he made his choice.


    Still¡­ it¡¯s a gruesome fate.


    To normal people. To him it¡¯s like getting off constantly.


    Yeah, I don¡¯t want to alarm you, but I am filling a little tingle in my loins¡­ so to speak.


    ¡®Tingle¡¯ and ¡®loins¡¯ together aren¡¯t what I want to hear from you. Hold on, give me a second. It¡¯s reaching out to you. Trying to slither its hooks into your crotch¡­ so to speak.


    The second passed.


    The tingle vanished.


    Thanks, dude. So¡­ uh¡­ demon of lust¡­


    In the broader sense. Not solely of carnal lust, but includes things like lust for dominance, sadism, power, material wealth, practically anything you can think of.


    Yeah, I¡¯m going to throw it back to you. Don¡¯t want to hear the words ¡®carnal lust¡¯ with any of that¡­ so to speak.


    Speaking of which, it¡¯s time.


    Yeah, I can see and hear them coming. So, have you decided yet? Any of these demon-touched priests worth saving?


    Silence.


    I can knockout the least terrible ones for you ethically questionable rehabilitation program¡­


    They¡¯re too far gone and the demon will suck them dry to save itself.


    ¡°I guess they made their choice, even if some of them can¡¯t see that little prefix in front of their classes,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Go get it. I¡¯ll join you after I¡¯m done out here.¡±


    He floated higher over the crater he had created in the middle of Saint Peter¡¯s Square.


    An idle thought entered his mind.


    Hopefully, the automatic repair system was still in place.


    He suspected that it would be something taken away in the transition.


    If the tutorial phase was truly over then it made sense that helpful aids would be removed.


    Things like food and supplies automatically re-stocking.


    He hoped not.


    That would be very bad.


    A round plinked off his faceplate.


    The high-velocity rifle bullet left a dark smudge.


    He caught the deformed bullet before it fell and threw it through the sniper¡¯s scope.


    Shooters took up positions at the windows of the various buildings near the square.


    Bullets peppered him like a light drizzle.


    He caught a few and returned them to their senders, silencing those guns.


    More demon-touched men came swarming out of the buildings and the basilica itself.


    They took cover behind scattered barricades set to protect the ancient church and ones closer to the square.


    Bullets struck him from behind.


    The guards on the wall had finally noticed.


    His gaze turned towards the basilica¡¯s high dome where his brother was about to enter.


    Cal wasn¡¯t taking any chances with the demon, which meant that there was no more hiding for Eron.


    Which was the plan anyways.


    Be the big, bright distraction.


    He opened his faceplate and a new sun flared to life, turning night into day.


    Intense solar rays scoured the square of demon-corrupted filth.


    Demon-corrupted priests chanted hymns and prayers.


    Twisting what was meant to be holy into depravity.


    Shields of corrupted faith proved no barrier to the harsh glare of sins revealed.


    A cadre pooled their efforts to call down a yellow beam of light from the heavens to smite him.


    The perversion of what should¡¯ve been holy brought a faint twist of nausea in his gut.


    His hands blurred, catching dozens of bullets.


    He showered the priests in leaden hail.


    A shield flared to life, protecting them.


    The moment¡¯s reprieve was just that, for there was no shield to block his terrible gaze.


    All left of the cadre was a cloud of ash in the wind.


    He noticed it then.


    The demon-corrupted men¡¯s shadows.


    The silhouette¡¯s were twisted, misshapen. Horns, tails, tentacles, teeth, too many limbs.


    ¡°Begone foul demon!¡± an old man in fancy robes and an even fancier hat strode forward surrounded by heavily armored men.


    ¡°Oh, this should be good,¡± Eron floated closer, ignoring the constant barrage of bullets and spells. His armor had been shredded in the first minute and he was down to his skintight compression pants and long-sleeved shirt. He pulled the remnants of his helmet off and crushed it into a small ball, which he sent through the building to his left.


    The screams of the dead and the dying were inaudible to all but him over the thunderous explosions of fireballs, sizzling beams of unholy rays and sustained retorts of automatic weapons fire.


    ¡°You are powerless before the name of our lord!¡± the old man intoned.


    ¡°You a demon-corrupted cardinal or something?¡± Eron came to a halt a dozen feet away and above the man and his escort. ¡°Here to surrender?¡±


    A rocket-propelled grenade streaked out of a distant window to his left. He caught it in one hand and let the explosion wash over him with a smile.


    ¡°You¡¯re a cardinal, right? You¡¯ve got a red hat and a stole? Cardinal for the color, like the bird. So, molest any kids today? No wait. It¡¯s much, much worse than that now, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Remove your foul presence from this holy place!¡± the old man swished one of those incense-burning things in one hand while holding a crucifix-topped staff in the other.


    ¡°I must confess. I¡¯m a terrible Catholic. It has been¡­¡± he counted years on his fingers, making several complete circuits, ¡°at least thirty-five, forty years since I last went to Mass, let alone confession. Shit, was Confirmation the last time I was in a Church? Nah, I think there was a couple of weddings and funerals after that. Anyways, I¡¯m a terrible Catholic. I don¡¯t remember what that incense meteor hammer thing is called. And I¡¯ve killed a bunch of you already. Gonna kill the demon pope. Gonna wreck the Vatican, obviously,¡± he gestured to the crater in the middle of the square.


    ¡°Silence! If you will not leave of your own free will then be compelled under the pain of God¡¯s holy judgment!¡±


    The smoke came to life, stretching out to chomp Eron in its demonic visage.


    He clapped, blowing it away, yet it persisted, forming once again.


    ¡°Our Father, who art in heaven¡­¡±


    Eron felt sick.


    Say what you will about the Church, but the worst parts about it were always just the people and the organization.


    To hear the Lord¡¯s Prayer coming out of a demon-corrupted cardinal¡­


    ¡°You can¡¯t even tell, can you? Don¡¯t you see it when you look at your sheet. You¡¯re not just a cardinal anymore. You¡¯re a demon-corrupted cardinal.¡±


    ¡°The lies of Satan will find no purchase. Our faith shields us,¡± the demon-corrupted cardinal¡¯s head bodyguard drew a straight sword and held it aloft. ¡°My Sword of Faith will strike you down!¡±


    The mundane steel sword grew into an impossibly large one of nausea-inducing yellow light.


    It crashed into Eron¡¯s chest, knocking him back several dozen feet into the ground.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Eron looked at the slice in his compression shirt and the angry red welt on his skin. ¡°I learned something new today.¡±


    The demonic cloud reached for him with grasping claws.


    The bodyguards rushed him with over-sized, glowing weapons of faith.


    He was supposed to stretch things out, draw everyone to him so that Cal could fight the demon and the team could safely rescue the prisoners in the dungeons.


    Still, there was a fine line between confidence and arrogance.


    He turned the demon-corrupted cardinal and bodyguards into ash with a sustained look.


    The old man must¡¯ve been higher level and probably had a tight bond with the demon to make him even more powerful because he lasted longer than a few seconds.


    ¡°Done and dusted,¡± he sighed, floating higher into the air back toward the center of the square to be a bright, shining light for all the demon¡¯s men to see.

 8.3

    The dome parted before him.


    He put it back in place behind him as he floated into the ancient church.


    Cal had been more conscious of damaging his environment of late, unlike collateral damage man out in the ruined square, tearing up the ground, breaking buildings, statues and frescoes.


    The spires change had been something on his mind for the last decade.


    No more tutorial meant no more hand-holding.


    The automatic building repair function was near the top of the list of things likely to be removed.


    Thus, more care was required lest he be personally responsible for destroying pieces of humanity¡¯s history.


    He¡¯d only need to look up to see the history he had preserved in the artwork and architecture.


    The smell was the first wrong thing he noticed.


    Sweet incense shifted into that of rotting meat and back again.


    It took a moment to alter his perception so that while the smells remained they couldn¡¯t make him gag.


    Then, he really looked around.


    Not just with his physical eyes.


    ¡°I am regretful.¡±


    Perhaps some things weren¡¯t worth preserving when considering its current state.


    Flashes of light from the battle outside provided more illumination than the sparsely-scattered candle light.


    Not that he needed it.


    This was one of those times that extrasensory abilities were a double-edged sword that cut him as it did his enemy.


    On one side, it was necessary to avoid being cut by the demon¡¯s many hidden knives.


    On the other?


    There was raw flesh draped on every surface.


    How had anyone failed to notice?


    The pews, the floor, the walls, the marble pillars.


    Weeping flesh was spread out on everything. It was stretched taut in places, as though the basilica threatened to swell beyond its elasticity. In other places it hung loosely off the sculptures of saints in place of their marble robes. Perhaps, the worst of all were the piles of it scattered randomly like dirty blankets and sheets on cleaning day.


    The high altar wasn¡¯t spared desecration.


    Four black pillars at each corner of the bronze canopy wept blood. The viscous red liquid seemed to flow with no end, spiraling down the grooves, yet not leaving a puddle at the base.


    Red, wet flesh hung from the statues on each corner of the roof.


    Strangely, the crucifix topping it remained unblemished.


    Beyond the altar, high on the wall, the golden background of the frieze remained partially visible behind flesh curtains.


    Below sat the great wooden throne.


    Saint Peter¡¯s Chair.


    It, too, had been desecrated.


    The current Pope sat slumped over as if sleeping.


    The man looked to be in his middle years at first glance. In good health.


    A prior scan had revealed that he was forty-seven.


    He was dressed in the daily standard.


    White skullcap. White cassock. White hooded mantle. Golden cross around the neck.


    That was how normal eyes saw him.


    Cal saw the truth hidden by the demon.


    The withered, ancient-looking Pope¡¯s eyes snapped open.


    Sleep to wakefulness in an instant.


    Cloudy blue eyes cleared as the demon rode the man.


    Cal severed the connection.


    ¡°What? Where?¡± the Pope gasped.


    Cal peeled the man¡¯s brain open, reading his memories like a picture book.


    A victim of the demon.


    A victimizer of many.


    There had been a reason why the demon had selected this man to be the first under its priesthood of all-lust.


    ¡°You¡¯re rotten to the core.¡±


    Cal¡¯s voice echoed through the cavernous church.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there? What¡¯s happening?¡±


    ¡°This is your conscience.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t know, forgive m¡ª¡±


    ¡°Lies.¡±


    ¡°I thought she was an angel. I thought God chose me to lead the ch¡ª¡±


    ¡°Lies.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t¡ª¡± the Pope tried to stand, giving a pained cry as he failed. ¡°She made me¡ª¡±


    ¡°Lies. You know what you did. The pleasure you took. It gave you exactly what you wanted. Blinded by your lusts you refused to see what it¡¯d truly cost you.¡±


    ¡°Please, I¡¯m sorry,¡± the Pope pleaded. ¡°If you¡¯re a real angel, please, help me! I confess my sins! Punish me! Just free me!¡±


    ¡°I never thought much about deathbed confessions. It always reeked of selfishness and desperation. You¡¯re the serial killer that only reveals where he hid the bodies the day before he gets the needle. True contrition would be doing that immediately and sparing the family of their victims years of pain. You¡¯re the slave owner that frees his slaves after his death. You seek to buy your path to heaven. I see the truth of you. It¡¯s only now that damnation opens up beneath do you remember your holy vows.¡±


    ¡°Please¡­¡± the Pope sobbed.


    ¡°You don¡¯t deserve the freedom of death and I don¡¯t know what awaits you. The existence of our Heaven and Hell is unknowable at the moment, but the demon suggests possibilities. It had to have come from somewhere, right? You¡¯d know, wouldn¡¯t you? Better than many. Try to remember your agreement with it. Maybe there¡¯s a clause or two, hidden in a twist of words. If you signed your soul over, then I hope you end up in a place that fits your actions.¡±


    A faint tickle touched Cal where he didn¡¯t want to be touched.


    It was time.


    The one-sided conversation had allowed him to work in the background, unnoticed.


    Cutting off the Pope from the demon¡¯s touch forced it to focus all its attention into breaking through to get back inside its first above all.


    It was now fully invested within the Pope as Cal severed the rest of its hooks to its depraved followers.


    ¡°Everything you desire will be yours.¡±


    The words emerged from the Pope¡¯s mouth, but the voice was that of a sultry young woman.


    ¡°Whatever you want.¡±


    A man¡¯s deep voice.


    ¡°You can be whole.¡±


    His stump itched underneath the plastic and metal.


    ¡°With you, I can give this world everything.¡± The voice reverberated with both woman¡¯s and man¡¯s. ¡°Give in to your desires and be¡­ satisfied.¡±


    He remained silent, hidden by his psionic powers.


    Multiple worked in conjunction to prevent the demon from seeing his physical body, from reading his mind, from touching his soul.


    The problem was that he couldn¡¯t keep it up forever.


    It was like a wrestling match where one needed physical contact to take his opponent down. The grapple gave the opponent the same opportunity.


    The demon probed for Cal¡¯s mind and failed to find it.


    It pivoted and reached for his soul.


    This time it succeeded, locating him where he floated above the great bronze canopy.


    The demon wearing the Pope as a flesh suit moved in a blur.


    Unfortunately, he had sped up his perceptions to the point that he saw everything in slow motion.


    The dirty, blood-encrusted cassock burst open.


    The Pope¡¯s chest splayed from the center. Skin and ribs spread like a butterflied tenderloin into grisly wings as if in mockery of the cherubs scattered throughout the artwork adorning the church.


    He¡ª It floated upward on thousands of glistening strands like a spider in its web.


    Spider webs would¡¯ve been preferable, even the giant ones that he had encountered in Manhattan.


    Anything would¡¯ve been better than tendons.


    He cut them by the hundreds with telekinetic force honed to the thickness of a single molecule.


    Each one cut was replaced instantaneously so that it was as if he had never severed it at all.


    He flew higher toward the dome to avoid grasping hands.


    Sharpened bones had broken through the skin like wicked talons.


    A dark heart pulsed wildly, each beat sending out a gushing wave of blood out to paint the flesh-covered floor.


    The intestine struck out like a frogs tongue, lashing against a telekinetic shield.


    Cal sliced the writing organ into a thousand pieces in an instant.


    Exposed lungs inflated grotesquely large.


    The subsequent screech tore through the dome behind Cal after it washed over his bubble.


    He shredded the remaining organs in the body cavity with a thought.


    The entire building rumbled.


    Not from the battle outside, but from the inside.


    The demon had been multitasking.


    Those glistening tendons had extended into all the loose sheets of skin. Or had they been connected the entire time?


    Perception was tricky even with powers that allowed one to transcend what was possible for the baseline human.


    Great swathes of red wet skin sought to blanket him.


    He flew through the swirling curtains, cutting them into shreds as he passed.


    Tombs of former popes shook as the demon furthered its desecration.


    They burst open with a spray of stone.


    What remained of the popes emerged as flesh-wrapped monstrosities that only echoed the humans they once were.


    They skittered across the walls and leapt great distances to reach him.


    The demon directed them like a master puppeteer through those connecting tendons.


    He took them apart with a thought, leaving nothing for the demon to desecrate further.


    Perhaps, It realized the nature of Its situation.


    An alien intelligence that a human one could never truly comprehend.


    Even then, there was a sense of self-preservation.


    It tried to flee to its true body hidden in the necropolis where it stayed to remain close to the depraved torture that fed it strength.


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    It failed.


    Every strand was cut before It could send what passed as a consciousness through.


    It didn¡¯t matter that It could travel on countless strands or that so long as it had the power the number of strands remained constant.


    And it had grown fat with power.


    Power enough to keep trying for months.


    Cal didn¡¯t have months. Nor did the team fighting in the necropolis. The prisoners definitely didn¡¯t have months. Many of them were days, if not hours away from death and the demon claiming what was left of their essence. He wouldn¡¯t use the word ¡®soul¡¯. He¡¯d rather think that was out of the demon¡¯s reach. His words to the Pope notwithstanding. It offended his sense of fairness that an innocent could suffer in life underneath evil¡¯s hands and not have freedom in death. The thought that they might suffer an eternity in a demon¡¯s clutches infuriated him.


    He had yet to find a limit to his telekinesis. His power had steadily grown over the years with consistent and progressive overload. In a way it was like lifting weights for his mind. Big, small and everything in between. A supertanker on one end of the scale and the very building blocks of matter on the other.


    There was plenty of biological matter remaining in the Pope¡¯s body, despite the demon¡¯s corruption.


    Corrupted molecules were still molecules, at least at this stage.


    Atoms were still atoms.


    He took hold of a few of those and split them with a thought.


    The effect was nearly instantaneous.


    Energy erupted from the center of the blackened heart.


    He contained it in a cylinder of invisible force reaching into the heavens.


    The pressure wave, the heat, the radiation¡­ all of it vented harmlessly into the cold, dark void.


    The nuclear explosion temporarily blinded his many senses.


    Blood gushed from his nose, trickled from his eyes and ears.


    Desperately, he searched for any traces of the demon.


    There was nothing left of the Pope¡¯s body. His soul belonged to the demon, if it lived. Or God if he was lucky.


    The weeping flesh sheets remained, though all laid immobile.


    Eron flew in through the gaping ruin of what was once the dome.


    ¡°Overkill, much,¡± he said before notice the state of Cal¡¯s face. ¡°Bleeding from the face holes again I see. Thought you gave that up. I mean, makes you look super edgy, but¡ª¡±


    He silenced his brother with a raised finger.


    The demon¡¯s web of tendons remained.


    It took a moment to find the one that mattered and that time was enough for the demon to flee with what remained of Its consciousness.


    Down It went.


    Into the necropolis.


    Deeper still.


    Hundreds of feet.


    Then a sudden turn to the north.


    Limestone.


    A mountain ridge.


    ¡°I need to catch it.¡±


    ¡°No shit? That didn¡¯t kill it?¡±


    ¡°You done?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, survivors decided to run for it. Iria¡¯s going to get her avenging on. I was gonna help you out. So, where is it running to?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it. Can you burn all of this?¡± he gestured to the flesh-covered church.


    ¡°Easy.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t leave a single trace. Then do the same to the entire city. We can¡¯t risk it coming back. I still don¡¯t know what it¡¯s capable of. I¡¯m not sure its a fixed thing and I don¡¯t want to spend more time than absolutely necessary touching its consciousness.¡±


    ¡°What about the corrupted priests and shit?¡±


    ¡°The risk¡ª there can¡¯t be anything left. The smallest piece of skin could be enough for the demon to return one day. It spread into them. Two in one body. The demon is the corrupted. The corrupted are the demon. They¡¯re different, yet the same.¡±


    ¡°Fuck I hate weird shit like that,¡± Eron¡¯s eyes blazed with solar heat burning wide swathes of skin along with the interior of the basilica.


    The great bronze canopy melted.


    Saint Peter¡¯s throne burst into flames.


    ¡°I hope this stuff can be fixed,¡± he muttered.


    Cal was already zooming across the dark night.


    <hr>


    The first set of demon-corrupted priests and warriors came through the two tunnels Rand had laid spell traps in.


    A net of razor-sharp light blades turned an unfortunate warrior into bloody giblets on the left. While icy spears impaled the first two warriors on the right.


    Rand triggered the spells set farther into the tunnels.


    Curtains of magical fire burned through protection spells, Skills and armor.


    What stumbled out of the tunnels was a handful of charred men.


    Blackstar punched star-shaped blasts through their chests, putting them out of their misery.


    ¡°Check those tunnels!¡± she barked.


    Ethereal eyes zipped out of Rand¡¯s face.


    ¡°They¡¯re clear!¡±


    ¡°Link us up, Potter! Emmione, ready appraisal on my target.¡±


    Rand¡¯s spellbook flapped like an angry seagull denied the hotdog on the grill.


    He murmured the words of the spell.


    It was his highest level one and was difficult to cast and maintain. It would¡¯ve taken a long time to cast it had he not prepared it in his spellbook.


    Drake had watched the young man over seven nights as Rand spent hours each session inscribing the spell and feeding mana into the page.


    As the young wizards had explained it to him the benefit of the way they did magic was that the spellbook held most of the mana required to cast the spell. All factors being equalized a spell that cost a regular mage twenty percent of their mana, only cost them five percent or less. So, the mage could fire off five spells before hitting empty, while the wizard could fire off twenty, provided they had twenty pages prepared.


    The drawback was that without their spellbook they were limited to their basic starter spells. The ones every mage-type acquired before reaching Level 10. Any spell they got over that level had to be transitioned into their spellbook once they upgraded their class.


    Naturally, the higher a wizard¡¯s level the more pages in his spellbook.


    And it was important to note that not all spells were equal. Apparently, there was an entire tier system that he had no idea existed. Higher tiers took more pages than lower ones. Plus, the spellbook¡¯s mana storage capacity wasn¡¯t infinite. On the upside, everything grew with levels. More pages, more mana, more spells.


    Rand had let slip that their teacher¡¯s spellbook was huge, like one of those old books in museums with, like, a thousand pages.


    It wasn¡¯t for Drake. He was more of a spear guy than a magic guy anyways. Stabbing things with pointy sticks spoke to something in his heart. One could say that the magic side of him enabled the stabbing one to be at his most stabbiest.


    He spun his standard spear almost scraping the cavern walls.


    Underground definitely wasn¡¯t the best battlefield for the true god of weapons.


    Still, he managed to cast a magic shield to block the burst of bullets from the tunnel at their 12 o¡¯clock.


    Gun fire poured out of the tunnel to his left. The sound would¡¯ve been deafening without their helmets dampening the sharp retorts.


    Blackstar had exposed herself with her attack and the demon-corrupted thought they had a clear shot.


    The rounds bounced off an invisible wall from their point of view.


    Rynnen¡¯s shield of tank armor was useful, if impossible to carry for anyone without a lot of superhuman strength.


    The big man was content to remain behind his shield for the moment.


    ¡°Where¡¯s that battlefield link, Potter!¡± Blackstar barked.


    Drake chanced a glance back while still keeping his spear spinning.


    Rand¡¯s eyes glowed bright, sweat dripped from his brow like he had just eaten a ghost pepper.


    The spellbook¡¯s pages flipped back and forth before settling on one.


    Glowing script looked like alien writing to Drake.


    He wasn¡¯t the kind of magic-user that bothered to really learn the language of spell casting.


    There wasn¡¯t any one singular language anyways.


    Seemed like too much work.


    He was just fine with thinking the spell¡¯s words or shouting it out loud when holding it in his thoughts was too hard.


    ¡°Link on,¡± Rand¡¯s voice glowed.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± Drake¡¯s hands almost slipped.


    Sharing senses across the team was disorienting.


    He saw himself from Howard¡¯s perspective as the wild man was getting ready to pounce on the second demon-corrupted to emerge from the central tunnel. Like looking at a mirror with another mirror behind him.


    He heard Blackstar¡¯s whispered words into Rynnen¡¯s ears.


    Shadowy paws caressed his neck while shadowy whispers drowned out whatever Blackstar told Rynnen.


    ¡°Get it under control, please,¡± he grit his teeth.


    ¡°Sorry, working on it,¡± Rand said.


    The sensory overload lifted in an instant.


    Finally!


    Rand would control the inputs, only letting the information each individual team member needed to know pass through.


    ¡°Visual only!¡± Blackstar fired her blasts into both dark tunnels. They broke automatic rifles on their way to breaking faces protected by steel helms.


    Ruined faces didn¡¯t stop the demon-corrupted men.


    They got up.


    ¡°I need that appraisal now!¡±


    Emma had already been in the process of casting the spell when Blackstar had barked the order.


    ¡°Oh god! I¡¯m going to be sick,¡± Emma gagged. ¡°Wet skin everywhere! Tendons! It¡¯s in all of them!¡±


    That sounded like demon shit!


    Drake was about to tell her to cut the spell when she let out a relieved sigh.


    ¡°It¡¯s gone! I¡¯m okay, guys! I¡¯m okay!¡± she pointed to both tunnels. ¡°Three demon-corrupted warrior-types in the front. Two demon-corrupted priests behind them,¡± she dropped her right hand, kept the left pointing down the tunnel where Rynnen stood near in concealment, ¡°oh crap! There¡¯s a guy with a special class. I¡¯m trying to see. To pierce the demon¡¯s shroud,¡± her voice went into a weird monotone, like a machine, ¡°First Templar Under ******¡­¡±


    Drake grimaced.


    Auditory protections did nothing.


    That last word had come out in an ungodly shriek not fit for the human throat.


    Wet chunks splashed the back of his legs.


    ¡°Emmione!¡± he turned while maintaining his spinning shield.


    Bloody vomit had filled her sealed helmet before she had been able to retract the faceplate.


    Her mouth worked.


    ¡°Shh¡­ don¡¯t try to talk. That must¡¯ve damaged your throat. Heal first.¡±


    ¡°Have to¡ª¡± she shook her head, voice a pained rasp. ¡°Level 50¡­ at least¡­¡±


    ¡°We got it, now heal! Blackstar!¡±


    ¡°I heard, you¡¯re clear for special delivery. Wait for an opening.¡±


    Rynnen finally opened up with the war crimes rounds.


    He fired three round bursts one handed while taking return fire on his tank shield.


    Burning rounds wormed their way through armor into flesh, yet the priests kept the warriors standing with rays of yellow light that made Drake want to vomit just looking at them.


    Three demon-corrupted warriors charged out of the central tunnel.


    The bullets bounced off Blackstar¡¯s armor and his magic shield.


    Nothing special in them then.


    Howard chose that moment to pounce.


    He landed on the last warrior with his short, stocky, even heavier than it already looked, body.


    The warrior¡¯s spine broke with a loud snap.


    He made sure the priests couldn¡¯t heal the man by sawing his head off with his cutting knife.


    One demon-corrupted warrior turned, dropping the empty rifle to draw a wicked-looking axe.


    Howard sprang from a crouch like a leopard, throwing the dead man¡¯s head into the warrior¡¯s face.


    The man reacted with poise indicative of plenty of fighting experience. He ignored the helmet clad head, merely dipping his forward to protect his partially-exposed face, while committing to his downward stroke.


    Skill-enhanced the blow cracked into Howard¡¯s upraised arm.


    Steel met Threnium.


    The former lost, shattering into pieces.


    Howard grit his teeth.


    The blow hadn¡¯t penetrated, but it had fractured his bones.


    No big deal.


    They were already healing when he slipped underneath the warrior¡¯s guard to plunge his stabbing knife up the chin and into the brain, wriggling it around for good measure.


    Hot yellow light splashed against his back.


    The armor partially blocked it, but he felt the sting, forcing him to roll.


    The third demon-corrupted warrior almost made it to Blackstar, but almost wasn¡¯t good enough. This wasn¡¯t horseshoes and no one was dumb enough to use hand grenades inside a cramped tunnel¡­ so far.


    The warrior¡¯s face was pounded hamburger.


    His steel plate was covered in deep, star-shaped dents.


    A lifeless hand dropped the axe at Blackstar¡¯s feet.


    She pushed his dead body over before it could fall on her.


    ¡°I¡¯m almost empty,¡± Rynnen said.


    ¡°Switch targets, on mine,¡± Blackstar sent a barrage of black blasts into the tunnel at 12 o¡¯clock.


    The demon-corrupted priests¡¯ unholy yellow barriers held for a brief moment.


    When they broke Rynnen fired his last rounds.


    Phosphorus bullets burned holes into the priest¡¯s heads.


    ¡°Get down!¡± Rand called.


    Smoke twisted out of the tunnel to their left.


    Teeth and claws bit and grasped.


    Rynnen stepped forward to take them on his shield.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let it touch you, corrupts and disintegrates, incense, but evil,¡± Emma rasped.


    The surface of the tank armor shield sizzled and disappeared ablative layer by ablative layer.


    Mere seconds had halved its mass.


    Rynnen hurled several hundred pounds like it was a small discus.


    The smoke dispersed in its passing, but re-formed quickly.


    ¡°I can¡¯t see what it did,¡± Rynnen said calmly.


    ¡°Uh¡­ they blocked it,¡± Rand said.


    ¡°The templar¡­ boosting aura. Level 30, but can tank like 40.¡±


    The sound of Emma¡¯s voice hurt Drake.


    ¡°Got an idea,¡± Drake said. He chose his words carefully, they were on a secure channel, but it was technology. Magic could bypass that if it was skillfully done or powerful enough. ¡°Special delivery,¡± he eyed Howard, who nodded. ¡°Potter, is that smoke coming out of those things that look like meteor hammers?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s called a censer and yeah.¡±


    ¡°Templar guy using it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Blackstar, please shoot down the tunnel. Rynnen, we¡¯re gonna need a pickup after we do the delivery.¡±


    Black star-shaped blasts kept the smoke from attacking them, while clearing a narrow opening.


    The timing was dicey since the smoke kept re-forming and it ate anything it touched. The tunnel had enlarged noticeably in the short seconds the smoke had been in contact. Fortunately, Drake knew his stuff and he deemed it doable.


    He hurled his spear at triple velocity with a Skill into the next opening Blackstar created.


    ¡°Ready, dude!¡± he rushed to Howard putting a firm grip around the man¡¯s thick bicep.


    Spear Teleport.


    Drake popped back into existence with almost supernatural timing.


    His hand gripped the shaft of his spear a split-second after it sunk into the cavern wall behind the demon-corrupted men.


    He sagged to his knees.


    ¡°Fuck that sucks,¡± Howard grunted, but he was already up and recovered.


    The short man was a lot denser than he looked. That¡¯s what made him sit just on the right side of the line that separated normal human strength from the superhuman.


    Teleporting someone with him had drained most of Drake¡¯s mana.


    He forced himself to his feet.


    A Level 50 was a serious threat. A special demon class compounded the danger.


    Howard wasn¡¯t rated to take on a 50 one versus one. However, his healing factor would keep the templar tied up, unless he had the magic to weaken it or bypass it outright.


    They needed to put a stop to that evil incense thing so that Rynnen could get through in good shape.


    ¡°Get your ass in the fight, Sticksies!¡± Howard roared as he leapt at the tall, armored templar.

 8.4

    The only part of the templar visible beneath his robes and armor was a pair of eyes that glowed.


    Drake battled a violent gag from just one brief glance.


    Howard slashed at the chain holding the smoke-spewing censer, taking a punch to the face for his trouble.


    The eyes flashed, taking on a dark pink glow.


    ¡°Shit,¡± Drake grunted as he helped Howard up. ¡°For some reason¡ª I¡¯m thinking it¡¯s his aura¡ª we¡¯ve lost the battlefield link,¡± he whispered. ¡°And¡­ uh¡­ did you just suddenly get a boner?¡±


    For some reason, probably magic, he had switched from fighting against the urge to puke to fighting the pleasantly unpleasant stirring in his junk area.


    The seamless nature of the switch was impressive.


    ¡°Ignore it!¡± Howard snapped, lunging back into knife range.


    He cursed, lashing his cutting knife at the thin golden chain once again.


    The templar moved with the quickness of a man wearing light clothing rather than heavy armor and stepped back.


    ¡°He¡¯s using boner magic!¡± Drake called out unhelpfully.


    ¡°Half wood ain¡¯t going to stop me from doing what I do best,¡± Howard growled.


    A laugh emerged from the templar¡¯s full-faced helm.


    ¡°Then you¡¯d like being part of us. No shortage of boner having and, more importantly, using.¡±


    ¡°Get the fuck out of here.¡±


    Howard stabbed with his stabbing knife.


    The templar slipped his head to the right.


    ¡°Thought you assholes are supposed to be celibate?¡± Drake lunged, thrusting his actual spear over Howard¡¯s shoulder.


    The templar parried it aside with his gauntlet.


    Drake¡¯s other spear had thrown his balance off.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a priest and that rule¡¯s outdated. The world requires re-population. God¡¯s command was to ¡®be fruitful and multiply¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Ya might want to re-think your beliefs,¡± Howard came in low, but recoiled with a hiss as the templar brought his swinging censer forward.


    The bulk of the demonic incense continued to flow over the heads of the demon-corrupted warriors and priests pinned in place by the need to block the blasts and spells that managed to get through the smoke, but there was enough to catch Howard¡¯s knife.


    The blade corroded instantly, rotting into pieces.


    Howard threw what was left, clanging the handle off the templar¡¯s helm.


    ¡°From the looks of things, you people are taking more pieces off the board than adding them.¡±


    ¡°Heretics and sinners unwilling to listen to God¡¯s words given flesh. Don¡¯t you understand? We hear his holy words. Actually hear them in our ears. I offer your salvation. Renounce your evil ways. Repent and be granted the opportunity to return to God¡¯s embrace. Endure a few days of contrition and you will once again walk in his holy light. You seem tough enough to survive that,¡± the templar regarded Howard. ¡°You¡­ not so much,¡± he eyed Drake, ¡°but at least your eternal soul will be saved from damnation.¡±


    ¡°Never got how you morons figured torturing someone to death was the same as salvation,¡± Howard¡¯s hand darted out like a striking snake, but the Templar was quick to yank his chain out of reach. ¡°I always figured torture was torture. People tell themselves they¡¯re doing it to stop terrorism. Your kind tells yourself that you¡¯re saving souls. Get the fuck out of here with that. Torture is just torture. Just for sick fucks to get themselves off. I¡¯ve seen enough to know that the only thing you get out of it is that sick boner in your pants.¡±


    ¡°Sounds personal,¡± the templar mused. ¡°Been tortured before? Or¡­ hmm¡­ no, that¡¯s not it,¡± glowing eyes bored into Howard.


    Drake used the distracting conversation to flick a pair of mini-spears into the ground, one behind the templar and one in front of the man¡¯s steel-clad boots.


    ¡°You¡¯re a soldier,¡± the templar concluded. ¡°That¡¯s where you became intimately acquainted with it. My sense of you was right. You would fit in well with us. Come, join and stand at the forefront of the last crusade to bring God¡¯s holy light to the darkness corners of this heathen world. Then, beyond, into the spires.¡±


    ¡°I got one question, man,¡± Drake chimed in. ¡°How do you do it?¡±


    The templar¡¯s gaze turned to him.


    ¡°How do you fight with a raging hard-on? I mean, my underwear¡¯s tight, supportive, got an armored cup thing, see,¡± he knocked on his Threnium-protected crotch. ¡°It¡¯s kept nice and tight, but, man, is it uncomfortable, all bent and shit right now¡­ but you got a robe thing going on and I¡¯m not seeing you standing at attention like me and Howard.¡±


    ¡°Half,¡± Howard grunted as he slid back a few steps, low to the ground like a leopard.


    ¡°Still? Damn good will power, bud,¡± Drake feigned bemusement. ¡°Oh, I get it,¡± he snapped his fingers, ¡°you don¡¯t have the equipment we do.¡±


    ¡°You are annoying.¡±


    Drake heard the sneer in the man¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Your attempt to buy time is a failure. My incense will keep the rest of your team from coming to your aid as I bludgeon you into submission,¡± he pulled the mace from his belt. ¡°You will join the rest of the sinners. He will have the opportunity to repent,¡± he pointed the flanged head at Howard before bringing it toward Drake, ¡°and you¡­ I will conduct your last confession myself.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, how about no,¡± Drake cast spells through the mini-spears.


    A trick he had picked up from his wife.


    The mini-spear sent out a small pillar of stone and earth at an angle, striking the templar in the back of the head, thrusting him forward. At the same time the mini-spear at the templar¡¯s feet shot an ankle-high wall of the same magical material across.


    The templar tripped forward.


    Howard pounced, pushing the templar¡¯s head toward the ground before grappling the man around the waist. Strength on the right side of the superhuman divide, picked up the heavily armored templar and power bombed the man into the tunnel floor.


    Howard stomped on the templar¡¯s hand, loosening the grip on the censer¡¯s chain.


    Brief contact with the demonic incense had caused pieces of the Threnosh-made armor to disintegrate, revealing light brown skin covered with black hair.


    He kicked the censer away, causing the smoke to begin receding.


    The templar kicked.


    Howard hopped.


    Boot clipped boot, sending Howard face first into a gauntleted fist.


    Demon-enhanced strength, cracked his faceplate and rang his bell.


    Drake leapt in, thrusting down.


    Steel-tipped spear dented, but failed to penetrate the steel collar around the templar¡¯s neck.


    He danced back from a kick that was more desperation than measured.


    The brief moment of space he had opened allowed the templar to kip up back to his feet.


    ¡°In God¡¯s name I strike you down,¡± the templar pointed his mace.


    Wasteful words gave Drake time to spin his spear.


    ¡°Holy Smite!¡±


    Sickening yellow light struck from above against the magic shield.


    The ethereal blue disk shattered.


    ¡°Gah!¡±


    Drake¡¯s vision went white with the spike of pain in his head.


    The feedback was bad enough to deal with. That had also been the last of his mana.


    Now, he wasn¡¯t a full mage-type, so going zero mana wasn¡¯t half as bad had he been one.


    The onset of fatigue wasn¡¯t sudden and it wasn¡¯t all-encompassing.


    His limbs only felt heavier, they didn¡¯t feel like they were encased in concrete.


    More importantly, he wasn¡¯t close to falling into brain fog or passing out.


    ¡°In his name do I call you to penance. Holy Weapon: Bane of the Sinner!¡± the templar¡¯s mace glowed brightly with that same sickening yellow light. Just like the falchion he drew in his off-hand.


    Howard moved low to the ground, palming the huge, custom revolver from the holster at his back.


    He feinted a tackle, letting the templar raise the glowing mace before suddenly stopping and drawing his gun.


    His helmet had been cracked.


    The shots sounded like thunder. Painful with his superior sense of hearing.


    War crimes rounds burned into the templar¡¯s chest plate.


    ¡°God heals all wounds for the true and faithful! Lay on Hands!¡±


    When the light faded over the templar¡¯s chest pristine skin was visible through the holes in armor and cloth.


    Howard hadn¡¯t wasted time standing around and listening.


    He had closed the distance.


    Cat quick, he stabbed his other stabbing knife at the thin eye slit on the templar¡¯s helm.


    ¡°Holy Barrier!¡±


    Yellow light blocked the blow.


    The templar¡¯s magic was powerful.


    Howard¡¯s strength left no marks.


    On the plus side, Drake was happy to realize that the templar had dropped the boner magic. The wood had receded and all the remained was an unpleasant tightness that he¡¯d have to take care of after.


    ¡°Hey?¡± Drake figured he try something. ¡°You guys do know that you¡¯re not worshiping God, right? It¡¯s actually a demon. It says so right in your classes. Those guys are demon-corrupted warriors and priests. You¡¯re First Templar of¡­ I¡¯m not going to say its name cause apparently trying it literally hurts your throat. Seriously, just look.¡±


    ¡°You lie as well as you fight,¡± the templar said without hesitation.


    Drake knew that the delusion ran deep, but he figured it was worth a try. At the least it bought him few seconds to¡ª


    Twenty-foot Thrust brought him from standing at ease into perfect thrusting form within optimum range.


    Quadruple Thrust sent his spear point into the unholy barrier. Four separate thrusts in the span of one. Speed that he wasn¡¯t physically capable of without the Skill.


    The tiny cracks spread from the point of impact like a spiderweb.


    He cursed.


    The level difference and the class quality difference told.


    The barrier winked out.


    The glowing mace descended.


    Drake was caught flat-footed, the greatest sin in a fight.


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    A hand yanked him by the back of his neck.


    Howard caught the mace¡¯s shaft.


    The grimace visible through his cracked faceplate told of pain, which had to be considerable since the wild man had a near-legendary tolerance for it.


    The falchion chopped.


    The only thing Howard could do was shift his head to the side.


    The thick blade dug into his shoulder.


    Steel chipped.


    Threnium dented.


    The crack and pop echoed through the tunnel like a gun shot.


    Collarbone broken and shoulder dislocated, Howard was forced to relinquish his grip on the mace.


    The mace rose and fell.


    Drake broke his spear with a desperate deflection.


    It was enough to turn a direct blow into a glancing one.


    Still, Howard¡¯s helmet-protected head rocked to one side, sending him into a drunken dance on wobbly legs.


    The templar advanced with both weapons hungry for more.


    ¡°Help!¡± Drake yelled into the comms.


    God, he hoped that their emergency option had already made the move over to his or Howard¡¯s shadow.


    Time was of the essence.


    Torches on the cavern walls sent garish shadows dancing everywhere.


    Drake didn¡¯t need to move to get his to connect to one that in turn connected to the shadows cast by the templar as he struck at Howard, who could only raise one arm to cover his head against the powerful, demon-empowered strikes.


    He¡¯d have been long dead if not for the Threnosh-made armor and his own robustness.


    ¡°Any second now¡­¡±


    ¡°Dancessassin has the go ahead,¡± Blackstar¡¯s voice came in clear over the comms. ¡°Demonic smoke is dissipating. Just stay alive a little longer.¡±


    Easier commanded than obeyed.


    The last member of their team sprang out of the templar¡¯s shadow like a black leopard out of a bush.


    Dancessassin spun, a whirlwind of blades.


    A hood and cloak of inky blackness obscured her small, lithe body.


    The templar turned and smashed his mace into her masked face only to clang against a jutting rock.


    Drake blinked.


    He too had thought the hit was good.


    Instead, the real Dancessassin crouched three feet to the left of the dispelled illusion.


    The black squid-like tentacles emerging from the base of her hood buzzed, spade-like ends spread wide open like those carnivorous plants that Drake still couldn¡¯t accept were natural things, not monsters.


    Another Dancessassin appeared to the right.


    The templar thought he was smart as he went for the new one, only to whiff on an illusion.


    ¡°Clever girl,¡± Drake mused.


    She sprang forward in a graceful arc over the templar. An impossible twist sideways sent her spinning. The hem of her cloak opened. What was solid turned into a dozen thin ribbon-like strips with a monster¡¯s razor-sharp claw sewn in each tip. She spun like a buzzsaw. Sparks flew from from the templar¡¯s helmed head all the way down his back as claws cut through steel to draw blood.


    ¡°Devils! You consort with devils!¡± the templar roared, one eye a bloody ruin. He turned, chasing the cloaked girl with a wild swing.


    She ducked under, stepped in close like a dance partner and used the much bigger man¡¯s knee as a springboard to bring her level with his neck.


    She twirled like a ballerina.


    Spinning claws cut through the templar¡¯s steel collar.


    ¡°Holy Smite!¡± the templar gurgled.


    Sickening yellow light beamed down.


    This time he struck true.


    Her inky cloak smoked, writhing as though the monster it had once belonged to was still alive.


    The two tentacles buzzed, opening and closing frantically.


    An illusion of her appeared three feet to her left, but the templar wasn¡¯t fooled by the distorted version as it wavered and failed to solidify.


    He struck with ferocious hunger.


    The girl¡¯s footwork was perfect as far as Drake could tell as she spun in and out of his range, attacking, parrying and confusing him with clawed ribbons that moved with what seemed like a life of their own.


    She ducked underneath a wild slash, stepping into the templar¡¯s blind spot, carving into the back of his knees, where his only protection was toughened clothing.


    The templar crumbled to his knees.


    She pounced for the finish.


    He raised his mace and muttered a desperate prayer.


    Yellow light burst forth from the flanged head.


    Dancessassin recoiled, hissing like a frightened cat, her cloak wrapping around her armored form protectively.


    Drake hit the tunnel wall before he had realized he was flying.


    The armor kept him from being pulverized, but he finally lost the fight and puked his guts out.


    It was lucky that he was only a split-second late in retracting his faceplate.


    The light faded quickly from the momentary burst of unholy faith.


    Howard, one arm hanging limp, tackled the templar with an animal roar.


    The templar caught Howard¡¯s wrist with inches to spare as he stared at tip of the triangular knife blade.


    Howard pushed, his face frozen in a rictus of pure animal rage.


    The knife inched forward.


    The templar struck, but he had been weakened and being on his knees removed his leverage.


    Howard checked the blow with a raised leg.


    The templar pulled back for another.


    Dancessassin wrapped her cloak around his arm and held it in place.


    ¡°Help me, damn you!¡± the templar cried.


    One of the demon-corrupted priests turned.


    A momentary lapse of concentration.


    The two priests¡¯ barrier had been keeping Rynnen at bay.


    Powerful fists cracked the yellow light, while the three demon-corrupted warriors waited.


    One punch shattered it.


    The priests cried out.


    One collapsed like a puppet with cut strings.


    The other, the one that had made the mistake, abandoned the warriors to help the honored templar, who stood closer to God than the rest of them.


    A black star crushed the back of the priest¡¯s head.


    His helmet did nothing.


    The three warriors had no choice but to face off against Rynnen.


    One taunted.


    The man had a thick shield and Skills at Level 40 to absorb, deflect, disperse or otherwise mitigate the force. All of it further strengthened by the demonic corruption he had chosen to embrace.


    In a way it wasn¡¯t fair because it was all for nothing.


    Rynnen¡¯s fist broke the solid iron shield, the arm and the chest before sending the warrior into the tunnel wall. The crumpled man stayed wedged in the crater, never to move again.


    The other two struck as one, maces burning with unholy light.


    Rynnen moved with quickness belied by his size.


    It was a common mistake to equate big with slower.


    Speed and quickness was a function of one¡¯s muscles.


    This was true for normal humans and superhumans, exponentially in the case of the latter.


    Skill-enhanced and demon-empowered wasn¡¯t nearly enough.


    Both warriors hit air.


    Rynnen¡¯s hands reached out quicker than a striking snake.


    He squeezed.


    The warriors didn¡¯t even have time to cry out.


    Their last sight was the shadow of Rynnen¡¯s closing fists, the last sound was the crunch of steel and their skulls.


    Drake had seen the big man rip a light pole out of the ground to club one of those goo tyrannosaurs to death.


    Rynnen had taken it easy on the demon-corrupted.


    The big man hurried forward to push the templar¡¯s face into Howard¡¯s stabby knife.


    Then he plucked the templar¡¯s head from his shoulders like one does to a grape off the vine.


    Drake would concede that it was gruesome, but necessary. High leveled people tended to die long. There were last stand Skills and deadman¡¯s spells to take your killer with you into the great unknown, which was why Rynnen pulled Howard and Dancessassin behind him while keeping a wary eye on the templar¡¯s corpse.


    ¡°Check the bodies for potential demonic-corruption vectors,¡± Blackstar said as she fired a blast into the last unconscious demon-corrupted priest¡¯s head.


    Drake took a swig of water to clear most of the filth from his mouth. From experience he knew that he¡¯d need to brush his teeth and rinse with mouthwash to get the vomit taste out.


    ¡°Anyone got gum or mint?¡±


    A Tic Tac arced for his face, so perfectly thrown that he just had to keep his mouth open to catch it.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± he regarded Dancessassin.


    He felt sorry for the girl.


    Tabitha had been enslaved with all that entailed. The collar had overwritten her true personality, so the girl he knew from their stolen mansion base wasn¡¯t the real one before him. He hadn¡¯t known where she had ended up before joining Cal¡¯s rotating teams. It was only recently that he had learned she had been adopted by the magus and her group. As it turned out Tabitha¡¯s parents had been enslaved with her. Her father had been murdered by one of the werewolves in their depraved hunts. Her mother had died during the chaos on the night of freedom. The woman had plunged a steak knife into the throat of the slavemaster scum even as he shot her in the heart.


    That¡¯s where she had gotten her creepy cloak and class. The magus herself had turned the panther-like monster into something Tabitha could use to vent her considerable and justified anger at the injustices in the world.


    He couldn¡¯t see her face underneath the shadow of the hood, which was the monster¡¯s head, upper teeth and all. Even the eyes remained life-like. He could¡¯ve sworn that they moved, looking around for more threats.


    ¡°Everything okay?¡± he said.


    ¡°Nah, my shoulder¡¯s dislocated and my collarbone¡¯s busted,¡± Howard grunted.


    ¡°I was asking her. Besides, you¡¯re already healing.¡±


    Howard shook his head.


    ¡°No shit? For real?¡±


    ¡°Magic,¡± Howard shrugged, then grimaced. ¡°Some help here?¡±


    ¡°On three,¡± Rynnen grabbed Howard¡¯s arm, ¡°one, two¡ª¡± he popped it into place with a flick of the wrist.


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t ready!¡± Howard cursed.


    ¡°It¡¯s the best way to do it,¡± Rynnen grinned. ¡°Now you¡¯re more pissed at me than thinking of the pain.¡±


    ¡°Not now that you¡¯ve reminded me. Asshole,¡± Howard chuckled.


    ¡°Everything okay,¡± Drake repeated.


    Tabitha nodded or rather then panther-like head that was her hood did.


    There was something off that he couldn¡¯t quite articulate about the monster head.


    It was like¡­ did panther¡¯s get the uncanny valley feeling when they saw things that looked like them, but weren¡¯t, except the line was hard to see, but you knew it was definitely there?


    ¡°You were in the shadow realm for a long time,¡± he continued.


    ¡°It was fine.¡±


    ¡°Nothing weird? I heard there might be other things in there. That¡¯s why people shadow travel and not shadow chill and hang.¡±


    ¡°They whisper and touch, but they can¡¯t hold because of this,¡± she touched the inky blackness of her coat.


    The ribbons had vanished. The hem was in one solid piece again without the sharp claws.


    ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± he nodded. ¡°Thanks, by the way, you totally saved us.¡±


    ¡°Yup,¡± Howard agreed. ¡°I¡¯m the best at what I do and I¡¯m thinking you¡¯re the best at coming out of shadows to carve up some chuckle fucks. I owe you a beer and a cigar.¡±


    ¡°Just doing what I can,¡± Tabitha shrugged.


    ¡°They¡¯re clear,¡± Emma said, her voice was hoarse, but Drake couldn¡¯t see any flecks of blood on her lips, so that was good. ¡°No signs of delayed spells or Skill effects. There are¡­ threads¡ª¡±


    ¡°Feels more like tendons, but whatever,¡± Rand shrugged like he didn¡¯t care, though his face was a shade of green.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter what we interpret them as. They¡¯re essentially connections to the demon, we think, are mostly sure. Like Cal said. But more importantly, they¡¯ve been severed. I think it happened sometime during the fight,¡± Emma said.


    ¡°Probably when I saw those flashes of flesh curtains, and not the good kind, hanging all over the place,¡± Howard said.


    ¡°Well shit, you saw them too?¡± Drake snorted. ¡°You know it¡¯s bad when the non-magically abled catch glimpses beyond the veil,¡± he wiggled his fingers in what he thought was a spooky way.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t seen them since, right?¡± Blackstar said.


    Nods all around.


    ¡°Then we continue. This templar,¡± she spat on the headless corpse, ¡°was the strongest one down here with the rest pulled away by the distraction, the remaining scum will be on their level,¡± she gestured toward the corpses stuck in the tunnel wall. ¡°Rynnen, feel free to cut loose, don¡¯t wait for us. Neutralize remaining threats while we focus on securing the prisoners.¡±


    ¡°You got it. Although, feel free to help, especially if I scream,¡± Rynnen grinned before taking off down the tunnel.


    Tabitha poked Drake in the ribs.


    ¡°How come he doesn¡¯t have a stupid name?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s more like a visiting free agent or perhaps a ringer of sorts. Therefore my wife didn¡¯t get to name him, like us two.¡±


    ¡°Then how come he also didn¡¯t get one?¡± she pointed at Howard.


    The short, hairy man laughed mirthlessly before heading down the tunnel.


    ¡°She said his real name was ¡®stupid enough already¡¯ and that¡¯s a direct quote.¡±


    ¡°Sticksies, you¡¯re behind Howard,¡± Blackstar said.


    ¡°One second,¡± Drake pulled the mana potion from his pouch of holding and downed it one. ¡°Yum, strawberry flavor and yet it¡¯s purple.¡±


    He felt his mana reserves fill like a shot of pure adrenaline to the heart.


    It didn¡¯t quite get to half, but beggars couldn¡¯t be choosers.


    Sure he could drink his other potion, but that had potentially fatal consequences.


    From what Rand and Emma¡¯s teacher had said a potion that could fill him from zero to a hundred safely was still beyond the capability of the best Earth human alchemists, mages, enchanters and such.


    The rest of the fight through the necropolis was like a walk through the park, if one ignored the horrors in every chamber they went through.


    The sights, sounds and smells would haunt Drake or rather they were added to his rotation of nightmares.


    Old walkways for tourists were covered with streaks of old and new blood.


    Points of interest once protected in the name of historical conservation had been filled with implements that belonged in darker ages past or turned into cells for their victims.


    Drake had experienced many terrible things.


    This¡­ being done in what was supposed to be a holy place¡­ by those that should¡¯ve known better, been better¡­ topped his list.


    He was jarred from his rumination by a sudden earthquake.


    The tunnels shook violently.


    Dust clouds bloomed.


    He cycled desperately through his helmet¡¯s visual modes looking for the impending attack.


    ¡°Hold!¡± Blackstar barked. ¡°I need eyes, Potter!¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing, sir! Our back¡¯s clear and I can¡¯t keep up with Rynnen, but he¡¯s¡­ uh¡­ taking care of it,¡± Rand said.

 8.5

    Torture was torture was the only conclusion Drake took from it all.


    The only kinds of people that could justify, dismiss or otherwise treat it as an intellectual exercise were those steeped in ignorance and naivete. When one saw it firsthand, only the truly sick could still countenance its existence.


    So, it was understandable that Drake was filled with dark satisfaction each time he passed Rynnen¡¯s handiwork.


    Broken bodies of the demon-corrupted lay on the floor or in the walls like the trash they were.


    Cells filled with dying people missing limbs, eyes, teeth, ears, fingers lay open. Their iron bars rent asunder.


    They found the largest chamber, which was clearly where the jailers hung out when not doing their evil deeds, a good spot to open their portals.


    Portal stone activated.


    Howard went through first to make sure the warehouse was still safe since Rynnen was still smashing evil from the sounds echoing down the tunnels.


    ¡°You¡¯re clear to send them through,¡± Howard¡¯s voice crackled through the comms.


    The prisoners went through with the strongest ones helping the weakest.


    It took several portal stones and soon all that remained were the handful of prisoners without limbs.


    Drake crouched down in front of young man, a kid really.


    He stared, glazed eyes that saw nothing.


    ¡°Listen, guys, I¡¯m not going to pretend to know what it¡¯s like, but don¡¯t lose hope. We¡¯re getting you out of here and we¡¯re gonna help with the¡­ uh¡­¡± he gestured vaguely. ¡°There¡¯s magitech for almost everything. Hands, legs, eyes. We¡¯ll get you all hooked up, promise. If that isn¡¯t your thing, then we can share knowledge. I know this guy with a wooden arm. It¡¯s a spell, moves around just like the real thing. As for the¡­ uh¡­ noses and ears, well, we can send you to plastic surgeons. Their work is seriously, practically indistinguishable with all the Skills.¡±


    The rambling speech brought faint light back into a few of the demon-corrupted church¡¯s victims.


    ¡°Rynnen, do you copy?¡± Blackstar said.


    ¡°I copy,¡± his voice crackled over the shared channel.


    ¡°We¡¯re ready for egress. Get back here.¡±


    ¡°Negative, I¡¯m in pursuit of enemy. I¡¯m close to the church. Once I¡¯m done I¡¯m going to help Cal and Eron.¡±


    ¡°Understood. Emmione and Randy Potter first.¡±


    Drake had to admire her dedication to treating Jayde¡¯s codenames as seriously as a heart attack.


    The two young wizards stood on both sides of a once corpulent man with only one leg, helping him hobble through.


    ¡°Dancessassin, you¡¯re next.¡±


    Tabitha¡¯s cloak helped hold the young woman on her back in place.


    It was a dark thought, but the lack of limbs made them a lot lighter.


    So much so that Drake had no problem carrying the limbless young man in his arms, while a woman that still had her arms, if not her legs clung to his neck.


    ¡°Just hang on. Almost free,¡± he whispered.


    ¡°Sticksies.¡±


    ¡°Going.¡±


    He stepped through the portal into the warehouse, rushing out of the circle quickly so that Blackstar could follow.


    There were a lot of people swarming over them.


    Someone took the young man from his hands and gently pried the woman¡¯s arms from his neck.


    The former prisoners were in good hands.


    He had been in enough fights to see and feel the tell tale signs of healing spells and first aid Skills in action.


    He scanned the faces.


    ¡°Hey,¡± he grabbed one he recognized.


    One of Iria¡¯s.


    The kid scowled.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Javier?¡±


    ¡°Demon scum are trying to run. We won¡¯t let them.¡±


    ¡°Not our plan,¡± Blackstar¡¯s hand clamped on Drake¡¯s shoulder.


    He, belatedly, realized that he was headed for the door.


    ¡°We protect these people while we wait for word on if that changes.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Drake nodded.


    If the demon-corrupted were fleeing the Vatican then Cal and Eron¡¯s parts had gone according to the plan.


    Now it was back to that old stand by.


    ¡°Hurry up and wait time?¡±


    ¡°You know how it is. We did good. Almost perfect. Let¡¯s not screw it up by freelancing,¡± Blackstar said.


    A grizzled old woman approached them.


    Another one of Iria¡¯s band.


    ¡°What?¡± Blackstar grunted.


    ¡°There was a bright flash earlier. Like a sun. It lasted for at least a few minutes. Was that you people?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, we were underground this whole time. No idea what that was,¡± Drake spared his team leader the aggravation of public interaction with a pushy sort of person.


    ¡°There was also a pillar of light, it looked like it came straight out of St. Peter¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°Again¡­ underground,¡± he gave his best smile, then remember his faceplate was still dark, so he lightened it and smiled a second time.


    ¡°If it was you people, then I¡¯d suggest you do it again. All over the Vatican,¡± she spat. ¡°Better to wipe their evil off this land and start over without the demon taint.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I agree. Demon taints. No good. I¡¯ll put in a word, promise.¡±


    She scowled, but nodded after a moment before moving away.


    ¡°From now on you handle the glad-handing crap whenever you¡¯re on my team,¡± Blackstar patted him on the shoulder.


    <hr>


    The walls around Vatican City were practical once in the days of swords and spears. Cannons made them impractical. Thus, for many hundreds of years they had served mostly as an architectural reminder of history.


    The demon-corrupted church had strengthened them once again. They still weren¡¯t effective against things like guns, artillery and airstrikes, but the latter two weren¡¯t a practical concern.


    Walls were useful against monsters that couldn¡¯t fly. And monsters didn¡¯t have the ability to attack from beyond visual range. Sure things like quills and acid spit caused damage, but it gave the people a safe-ish place to shoot back.


    Now, walls were useless against giant monsters. The flying ones could do the obvious, while the walking ones could simply step through or over. Fortunately, such monsters always seemed to appear in the empty spaces between populated areas and someone always seemed to take care of them before they reached populated areas.


    For most people the experience went like this¡­ they¡¯d spot the monster through a telescope, a Skill or a spell.


    It¡¯d be many miles away.


    Panic was the natural reaction.


    Defenses would be prepared.


    People would hide.


    Fathers and mothers manning the wall would kiss their children goodbye.


    The monster would never arrive.


    Those with the capacity to observe could only say that there was a blur and a battle with the monster ending up dead.


    Some people knew.


    Iria did.


    She had seen the flying man once when she had been younger.


    A dead giant monster miles away from the town she and Javier had been staying at the time.


    They had still been crossing names off her personal list then.


    A flying man dropped one of those cargo containers she had seen at the port.


    Food, medicine, supplies.


    Everything the townspeople had needed.


    He had only stayed long enough to exchange quick words with the mayor before vanishing into the sky chased by distant booms.


    Whatever he had said worked well.


    The mayor had been a greedy, grasping man hoarding the best stuff for himself and trading it for certain favors if the petitioner was young and womanly enough.


    Iria had been new to her class at the time, but even then she could see the shape of the grievances, feel the urge, the need to address them to reclaim in the name of those unjustly hurt.


    She had been contemplating the addition of the first new name to her list, but mayor was lucky.


    In one day he had turned over a new leaf.


    No one went hungry.


    The sick got medicine.


    The young women were no longer molested.


    That was the closest she had been to the flying man.


    Over the years she continued to hear stories about him.


    Sometimes, when she heard a distant boom, she¡¯d scan the sky, thinking that perhaps that trail of smoke was him.


    In time, she crossed off the last name on her list.


    Her family was avenged.


    But, she had thought, how about other families?


    She roved through her old country over the years while gathering more to her band, lost more, gathered more as they addressed grievances in the name of those that couldn¡¯t or wouldn¡¯t do so for themselves she thought of what she¡¯d say to the flying man if she ever had the chance.


    The gatehouse had been thrown open from the inside. Just like two others at different sections of the city within a city. As far as she knew from the sporadic communication through short range walkie-talkies. Such a silly name when one thought about it.


    ¡°We should wait for them. Set up an ambush,¡± Javier whispered.


    She chewed on his advice for a moment while they watched a trickle of the demon-corrupted stumbling out into the dark streets.


    ¡°Most of them are probably dead. Burned in Saint Peter¡¯s Square,¡± he continued.


    She gazed at the red glow beneath the haze of choking smoke.


    The second sun had seemingly set all of the buildings near the square on fire.


    ¡°Beautiful,¡± she murmured.


    The fires of vengeance had been lit and though she recognized her part in it would ultimately be a footnote she didn¡¯t care.


    The people of Rome had grievances with the demon-corrupted Church and she had come to give them voice and collect the price.


    ¡°This is the flying man¡¯s business now,¡± he said.


    ¡°No,¡± she hefted her father¡¯s old axe. The head and shaft were blackened and cracked as though it had been left in a fire. ¡°The people demand their suffering repaid on everyone responsible,¡± she drew her brother¡¯s knife.


    A painful memory returned unbidden.


    He had been so proud of the knife.


    Always trying to take all the knife related tasks for himself whenever they had gone camping.


    Always shaving the wood down to start a fire when they already had ready tinder, matches, lighters and even a small torch.


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Father had always humored brother, while mother consoled her because none of them would let her play with the axe, knife or the torch.


    It felt warm in her hand. Its steel blade, black and cracked. The design of the fancy scale handle lost to the soot baked into it.


    They had remained in that state no matter how hard she had worn her hands raw trying to clean it.


    ¡°Remain hidden unless I say so,¡± she ordered the rest of her band.


    Many new faces had replaced the ones she had lost in the months-long battle against the demon-corrupted church.


    Most would stay to rebuild and try to move on from the loss of husbands, wives, parents and children.


    A few were like her.


    She saw it with her class.


    For them, for her, there was no rest while the dead screamed for vengeance.


    She stepped around the corner and swung father axe one-handed.


    Iria was a small woman, lean and wiry.


    The axe was made to chop wood.


    Its head was thicker, heavier than a true battle axe.


    It smashed into the demon-corrupted¡¯s face with the weight of a thousand tortured innocents.


    Blood, bone and brain painted the side of the building.


    A demon-corrupted priest, young, wide-eyed, said a prayer.


    Sickening yellow light shined down on her.


    She flared an aura powered by a sliver of each grievance she had collected and repaid over the years.


    The priest¡¯s faith magic failed utterly in the face of that.


    He turned to run, but her aura pulled at him.


    Those with magical sight saw ghostly hands, red with rage, grasp and clutch at the priest, pulling him down, down, down into where he belonged.


    The priest cried out to false god before dying.


    When confronted by his undeniable sins he could do nothing.


    More demon-corrupted charged.


    The street was narrow and they couldn¡¯t, wouldn¡¯t return to the walled city.


    Father axe fell on a shield.


    The warrior¡¯s Skill couldn¡¯t bear the weight.


    She forced him to his knees and silenced him with brother knife.


    A second warrior emptied the dregs of his magazine.


    The bullets melted in her aura.


    A wet glob splashed into the warrior¡¯s face.


    Followed by a tiny spark.


    Javier lit the warrior¡¯s face on fire.


    She finished him with father axe.


    ¡°Fall back, Iria!¡± Javier had broken cover and ran toward her. ¡°There¡¯s an inquisitor!¡±


    She hadn¡¯t seen the evil hidden behind a knot of men.


    All but the inquisitor¡¯s eyes were hidden behind the recognizable helm. The symbol of his office was emblazoned on his tabard and atop his staff.


    ¡°Sinner,¡± the inquisitor intoned. ¡°God sees your deeds. Repent and be saved.¡±


    The staff glowed.


    ¡°You worship a false god and the real one,¡± she twisted her lips in a smile and opened her eyes wide, ¡°if she exists, wouldn¡¯t like what you¡¯ve been doing behind your walls. I reject your powerless decrees! For what I serve is real! A thousand lives you¡¯ve tortured and murdered! Ten thousand voices calling out for retribution! It is you that should repent! Though, if God exists, I pray with all my sincerity that you find nothing in the afterlife. Only the eternity of Hell that you deserve!¡±


    ¡°Condemnation of Flame!¡± the inquisitor roared.


    Magical fire bathed a wide swathe around Iria, yet left the street, the buildings and even the sidewalk cafe¡¯s tables and chairs untouched.


    The edges of her shirt, her pants and even her long, black hair caught fire.


    She condensed her aura, strengthening it with long memories.


    ¡°Fire?¡± she snarled. ¡°You burn me? Me!¡± she roared.


    Mark of Vengeance.


    All it took to apply was unassailable knowledge of an injustice committed. The identity of the perpetrator. The grievance from someone close to the victim. Their will and desire for retribution.


    Months interviewing people in the many small communities of Rome had painted a clear picture of the demon-corrupted church¡¯s crimes.


    So many people had told her of steel-clad inquisitors and their warriors descending from the Vatican to take anyone they pleased back behind the walls never to be seen again.


    She had also spoken to the those that had remained true to their oaths.


    Priests, nuns and others.


    The scant few that had managed to escape.


    They had told tales of conversion to the new ways or torture and death.


    Torture and death.


    There had been a lot of it hidden behind the walls.


    Years of it.


    The weight of those sins gave Iria strength.


    Her aura pushed the inquisitor¡¯s flames away from her.


    ¡°You¡¯re deluded. You only think your cause is righteous. I know mine is.¡±


    She marked each demon-corrupted through all their protections.


    Not even the inquisitor was strong enough to resist.


    The mark burned into their flesh.


    Searing pain.


    Followed by implacable weight.


    She pointed father axe at the inquisitor.


    ¡°Burn under true condemnation.¡±


    The marks flared.


    The demon-corrupted screamed as flames shot out of their collars, sleeves or pant legs.


    The inquisitor stood as still as a statue, raising his glowing staff he uttered a soft prayer.


    The fires remained, but the men straightened.


    ¡°Damn it, Iria! Get back here!¡± Javier had stopped at the edge of the inquisitor¡¯s flames.


    ¡°Stop shouting at me and help if you¡¯re so worried!¡± she snapped.


    Javier raised his wand to the sky and fired a droplet of oil that quickly grew into a bubble the size of a small car as it arced over the flames like catapult shot.


    It splashed over the demon-corrupted further feeding the flames from Iria¡¯s mark.


    ¡°What do we desire?¡± the inquisitor intoned.


    All of the demon-corrupted were on fire, yet they stood.


    ¡°To fulfill God¡¯s will!¡± the men replied as one.


    ¡°Then kneel and receive his blessing,¡± the inquisitor held a glowing hand over his men. ¡°So long as your faith remains true. No pain shall force you from the righteous path. So long as your hunger for God¡¯s love remains true. No temptation shall pull you from the righteous path,¡± he made the sign of the cross. ¡°Do not fear evil for you walk in God¡¯s holy light. Now. Rise. Carry out God¡¯s will. Defeat the heretics. Cleanse the world of corruption with the light within you. Let the flames burn the world of the filth so that a new paradise may be birthed. Let our Prayer of Zeal light your wings and carry you onward!¡±


    The demon-corrupted men charged.


    A sickeningly sweet smell of bacon tickled her nose.


    They were on fire.


    Her aura stopped them a few feet from her.


    Close enough that she could see the vessels in their eyes burst while spittle foamed in their mouths like rabid animals.


    They pushed and struck ignorant of the fire on them and around them.


    She gave ground with a frustrated snarl lest they pierce her aura.


    Loud pops filled the narrow street.


    Her band joined the battle.


    Gun fire rained down from the rooftops and second floor windows.


    The inquisitor stole her trick.


    His Condemnation burned the bullets. Only a scant few bits of lead reached the demon-corrupted men and they were too far gone to notice the molten rain.


    He raised his staff, conjuring a giant serpent of sickening yellow light.


    It swept across a rooftop, snatching men and women with its fangs and tossing their torn, broken bodies to the ground.


    Mage spells and bullets raked its ethereal body. When that failed to stop it, they focused their fire on the inquisitor.


    Yellow light lined his armored form.


    ¡°I fight in God¡¯s name! The heathen and the heretic shall not bring me low when His work remains!¡±


    The giant serpent of light coiled around the inquisitor, soaking bullets.


    Javier dashed across the street, clambering up on the cafe¡¯s sign for a clear line of sight.


    Two-fisted wandslinging was his specialty.


    The slim wood in his left shot orbs of oil that splashed all over the serpent.


    The slim wood on his right spat small fireballs.


    Explosions rocked the street.


    Flames covered the serpent.


    Their entire world was alight.


    Daylight had come to the once dark, narrow street.


    The serpent writhed and roiled. Cracks appeared all over its glowing yellow scales. The unholy light leaked from within.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to blow¡ª¡±


    Iria¡¯s warning was unnecessary.


    Her band took cover, ducking behind windows, chimneys and ancient air conditioning units.


    Javier tried to press himself behind the sign.


    Searing yellow light washed over everything with a shockwave that sent Iria tumbling a dozen feet despite her aura.


    Even the rabid demon-corrupted warriors weren¡¯t spared. Broken and battered, they were slow to their feet.


    Impressively, the inquisitor remained standing within a small crater, shrouded by smoke and dust.


    The yellow glow protecting him remained, though the magic shield lining his body was covered in cracks.


    Javier doused the inquisitor in oil and fire.


    The answering yellow beam ate the sign from beneath his feet. He managed to leap off before the effect could spread to his boots.


    The effect spread virulently. It ate away at the facade and must¡¯ve reached a load bearing wall or pillar because a large section of the two-story building collapsed, burying several demon-corrupted men.


    Javier tried to run, but collapsed with a cry. He cursed at his ankle for getting twisted.


    Iria¡¯s cry pulled his attention.


    As always, she came first.


    He brought his wands up before even locating the threat. When he found it he realized that it wasn¡¯t Iria in danger it was him.


    The inquisitor''s glowing gaze locked on him.


    A hand raised.


    A spell cast.


    Time seemed to slow.


    Javier could see the demonic visage in the shape of the incoming bolt.


    Deluded fools couldn¡¯t even see what they had become.


    The corruption exuded from everything they did.


    He snapped shots from his wand.


    As usual.


    Oil first.


    Then fire.


    His aim was true, but the demonic visage ate his spells.


    Then, Iria was in front of him.


    He relaxed.


    She¡¯d stop it.


    The demonic visage met her aura and was torn to nothing.


    ¡°Iria, he¡¯s the only threat here. We kill him and it¡¯s over.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s never over. There will always be another.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but let¡¯s focus on what¡¯s in front. Remember? We can¡¯t deal with the next one if we¡¯re not around. As in if we¡¯re dead.¡±


    ¡°His protection is weakening.¡±


    ¡°Then we need to break it completely so you can finish it,¡± he reached for his walkie-talkie. ¡°Fire on the inquisitor. Everything you¡¯ve got.¡±


    The remaining members of their band didn¡¯t hesitate.


    They came out of cover and rained fire on the inquisitor.


    The man¡¯s ability to take damage was impressive, Javier reluctantly admitted to himself.


    Even now, the battered magic shield hadn¡¯t broken completely.


    ¡°I am a faithful servant of the Lord. He grants me his strength to root out and purge the evil corrupting our world,¡± the inquisitor gasped as he swept his staff across on side of the street and his hand across the other.


    Brave men and women withered to ash.


    ¡°No,¡± Iria whispered.


    ¡°Run now!¡± Javier switched his partially spent wands for fresh ones.


    He charged his shots as quickly as he could manage.


    It was reckless, but needs must.


    A tiny orb of sealed oil streaked over Iria¡¯s left shoulder.


    One of fire zipped past her right a split-second later.


    Javier¡¯s fire wand exploded showering him with splinters and breaking a few fingers.


    The orbs hit the inquisitor a moment later.


    Gallons of oil.


    Fire large enough to fill the street and bloom above the rooftops.


    It was a tiny candle flame compared to that pillar that had erupted into the sky a little earlier, but he thought it was one of his best yet.


    Iria¡¯s aura pushed the flames away as she dived into the heart, seeking vengeance for thousands.


    Brother knife flew with a flick of her wrist.


    He struck true into the thin slit of the inquisitor¡¯s helmet.


    Impossibly, the man caught the handle and kept the blade from sinking beyond his eye.


    The man raised his staff, but he was weakened.


    Five strides.


    She raised father axe and cleaved the inquisitor¡¯s staff like it was a thin sapling.


    He struck her wrist.


    Father axe cracked the stones as he fell.


    She kicked the inquisitor¡¯s knee, drawing mother machete.


    The inquisitor raised a steel-clad arm.


    A spell on the tip of his tongue and in his palm.


    Iria hacked.


    The cracked and blackened blade descended with the weight of thousands of grievances.


    Through the steel, the flesh, the bone.


    She didn¡¯t stop until she had reached his corrupted heart.


    The inquisitor wheezed.


    A wet, raspy sound emerged along with blood from the air holes of his helm.


    ¡°God¡­ will¡­ hear¡­ my¡­ pr¡ª¡±


    ¡°You stopped speaking to God a long time ago, monster,¡± she wrenched mother machete free. ¡°With your death, they are avenged. They are free,¡± she cleaved his head free from his neck.


    Without the inquisitor¡¯s zeal the remaining demon-corrupted men succumbed to their wounds.


    Father axe and mother machete made doubly sure.


    ¡°Javier¡ª¡±


    A healer crouched over her second with glowing hands.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine, twisted ankle and a few fingers are nothing. Not like the others.¡±


    She followed his gaze to the scoured buildings on both sides of the street.


    How many had fallen?


    ¡°I will account for them when the battle is over.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± he said. ¡°Go. We¡¯ll be fine here. The others might need your help.¡±


    There were yet other gatehouses and other fleeing demon-corrupted.


    Her band would need her, but more importantly she couldn¡¯t allow any to escape.


    With a nod, she ran into the night.


    ¡°Enough,¡± Javier waved the healer off. He stood gingerly, testing his ankle. ¡°See, I¡¯m fine. Thank you. Go, help the others. We¡¯ll need to move back from this position in case more come. I¡¯ll call in the reserves to take those that can¡¯t fight to the fall back location. Maybe get those American¡¯s to help, eh?¡±


    ¡°This is our people! Our fight!¡±


    The healer was a young woman. A mage. She was local.


    He couldn¡¯t begrudge her passion.


    She had lost half her family to the New Inquisition.


    Correction.


    The now dead Inquisition.


    ¡°What¡¯s the most important thing about a fight?¡±


    She frowned up at him.


    ¡°It¡¯s being alive after it ends. Otherwise you can¡¯t fight again, eh?¡±


    She regarded him skeptically before giving a curt nod and rushing off to help the others.


    ¡°Then again,¡± he mused, ¡°that means we¡¯re alive only for the next fight.¡±

 8.6

    Cal chased the demon¡¯s consciousness to a mountain ridge north of Rome.


    It had fled the center of its power, which meant that it didn¡¯t know he was right behind it.


    The mountain side parted at a thought like the sea had in that old story.


    Solid rock split like water in front of him.


    He kept the way behind him open. A perfect cylindrical hole straight down into the depths.


    The demon¡¯s thread ended inside a lump of stone.


    It was innocuous.


    Visually indistinguishable from any of the thousands of lumps of stones around him.


    Indeed, it took some effort to see the demon hidden within.


    He ripped the stone out of the earth and floated it closer.


    The demon was alarmed now.


    It knew.


    ¡°I still can¡¯t tell where you came from. Is it another physical world? But then you have no memories, no thoughts in the same way that we do. What I can get out of your thoughts is just what you took from your victims. You become them. They become you. But even that¡¯s insufficient. You¡¯re not entirely physical. Not even mostly. That much I¡¯ve learned. Two demons. Each as alien from the other as you are to us. Singular entities? Conceptual existences?¡±


    Things that didn¡¯t fit with his understanding of reality.


    Demons, the shadow realm, the fae lands, eldritch beings.


    There were physical worlds, like Earth, the Threnosh world, the Dominion world his brother¡¯s family had somehow managed to mostly conquer. An infinite number of worlds that might have a direct shot to Earth.


    He needed to get to the spires and purchase that information.


    ¡°You¡¯re bound to this¡­ not-stone¡­ I can see and, or feel you trying to push those tendons through my shields. Physically, mentally, spiritually, whatever¡­ Goddamn it. I¡¯m talking to myself.¡±


    The demon was trapped so long as he focused his powers on it.


    Obviously, this was an untenable situation.


    Even he needed to rest and he had too many things to worry about without the potentially apocalyptic threat in the not-stone.


    It had taken less than five years for the demon to subvert what was, by all accounts, a good version of the Catholic Church and turn it into the Inquisition, but worse. The echoes of what had been done to people within the walls of Vatican City had matched the worst things he had seen on two worlds.


    He floated back to the surface, sealing the mountain behind him. It was as if he had never opened it up in the first place.


    The demon fought, but it could do nothing as he flew into space and shot it toward the sun.


    He waited, searching for the stretching of wet tendons.


    They reached out from the void, but failed to reach the planet.


    Physically, the Sun should destroy the stone.


    Metaphysically?


    Well¡­ pretty much all cultures held the Sun as a cleansing force.


    No evil shall survive the light of day and that sort thing.


    From the memories of the corrupted, the demon had never ridden them during the day unless they were indoors or underground. It had only ventured out at night.


    The rare occasions that it had revealed its body in its guise as God had always been deep in its necropolis lair.


    ¡°This is me speaking. Demon is off the board. I repeat. Demon is off the board. Blackstar, status report.¡± he spoke into the comms. He already knew, but it was good to pretend that he didn¡¯t. Plus it showed that he cared.


    ¡°All prisoners secured and receiving medical attention. Minor injuries to team. All, except for Rynnen, are with the prisoners providing security. Scattered church forces attempted escape. Local forces engaging.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s Rynnen?¡±


    His nephew had that overconfidence that came with being strong enough to flip a tank and durable enough to eat a fireball.


    ¡°He went to support Relentless.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Blackstar. I¡¯ll be back shortly,¡± he almost called Rynnen to lecture him, but it was a tactically acceptable move.


    ¡°Understood. Will notify you if things change. Blackstar out.¡±


    He waited a few more minutes to be certain that the tendrils wouldn¡¯t reach before returning to the basilica.


    <hr>


    Eron hummed a barely-remembered song as he burned a pile of flesh that sort of looked like a demented snowman with bits of bone instead of twigs for arms and he didn¡¯t want to know what the nose was instead of a carrot.


    ¡°I¡¯m burnin¡¯ up, burnin¡¯ up for¡ª¡±


    He remembered a few lyrics and most of the music.


    The pop-y beat reminded him of simple, happy times.


    One needed to remember those in the face of days like this.


    When the world as terrible.


    Otherwise one might lose the will to keep moving forward in the face of it.


    Evil sucked.


    This was pure evil.


    The cruelty being the point and purpose of the whole endeavor.


    To him it was a mark against the existence of God that things like the demon existed.


    What thinking being would make something like that on purpose?


    It implied a lack of thought or perhaps a mind so removed from sapience that it might as well not be considered sapient.


    The spires had opened up the world into worlds, literally.


    Humans weren¡¯t the only sapients out there.


    Fishmen, Bat people, not-Elves, Trolls, Euro-style Dragons, one Asian-style Dragon, Humans, but not Earth Humans, Faeran, which were different from the Fae¡­ there was a whole lot of those, all sorts of different kinds of Fae, most were assholes.


    And there was not-Santa Claus, that monster had seemed sapient, but he hoped it had been a one off like the Deep Azure. If there was an entire species just like that bastard, then he was going to have to add xenocide to his list of deeds.


    And so he remembered sitting in a car seat, that made him feel like a fighter pilot. They sang songs along with the cassette at first, then a CD player. With his mom or his dad or his mom and dad.


    That¡¯s how it always worked.


    With the music.


    Kids grew into adults that knew music from two eras.


    The ones their parents listened to and the ones they listened to as they grew older.


    A long line going back to the beginning.


    At least whenever music didn¡¯t have to be listened to live.


    Probably when everyone got the radio.


    So, when was that?


    The thirties¡­ he hated that he had to specify that was the 1930¡¯s.


    There was no way he was ever going to switch to the P.S. system those nerds kept pushing.


    ¡°26 is how old someone is, not a year,¡± he muttered.


    Footsteps echoed across the burned out basilica.


    He had heard Rynnen coming since before Rynnen had probably decided he was going to the church.


    That¡¯s why he had sped up on clearing the last bits of wet flesh.


    He had burned them to ash, then burned the ashes.


    ¡°Man, I hope the auto repair system is still working.¡±


    There was nothing left inside the ancient church expect black soot.


    The bronze canopy and the high altar had been melted.


    Saint Peter¡¯s Throne was swirling ash being pulled up through the gaping hole in the dome.


    Marble statues had been transformed into shapeless lumps.


    Golden decorations were melted puddles.


    The friezes and the frescoes were unrecognizable.


    ¡°Relentless?¡± Rynnen strode over as Eron landed.


    ¡°Everything go good down there? Lost my helmet. Lot¡¯s of blood on you,¡± he eyed his nephew critically.


    ¡°Not mine.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I figured.¡±


    ¡°We got all the prisoners out.¡±


    ¡°Good. So¡­ why are you here?¡± he narrowed his eyes.


    ¡°I thought you guys might need backup.¡±


    ¡°Well, thanks. Could¡¯ve used you out there.¡±


    ¡°The demon is¡­¡±


    ¡°Being taken care of. Probably already dead or what passes for dead for one its kind. You look disappointed.¡±


    ¡°I wanted to see how I¡¯d do against something like that,¡± Rynnen shrugged.


    ¡°Be careful what you want. One day you might get that chance.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡±


    The forthcoming lecture was forestalled by Cal¡¯s sudden, but inevitable arrival.


    In fact, he just appeared behind Rynnen.


    Even Eron hadn¡¯t noticed his brother fly in.


    ¡°You lacked the means to truly damage it. The demon was an incorporeal existence. You have the strength to destroy the bodies it rode. You have the durability to withstand its physical attacks. However, both are rendered irrelevant since you lack the extrasensory perceptions and abilities to strike at its real self. Your superhuman nature provides greater resistance to its metaphysical corruption, probably. But I wouldn¡¯t want to test that out. One, you¡¯re our nephew and our cousin, your mother, would not be pleased if we were so careless with your well-being. And two¡ª¡±


    Cal¡¯s lecture was almost too blunt.


    ¡°No, I get it,¡± Rynnen nodded stiffly. ¡°If it¡¯s possible, then someone like me, corrupted by the demon would do a lot a bad things. Then you¡¯d have to kill me.¡±


    ¡°You did good in the tunnels. Blackstar said you cleared the rest of the necropolis by yourself so they could focus on getting the prisoners out. That was the most important part of this Quest,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Yeah, you didn¡¯t want to piss your mom off. She was like the honey badger, don¡¯t give a shit,¡± Eron did what he could to soften the sting a bit. ¡°C¡¯mon, help me clear the rest of the Vatican and I¡¯ll tell you about one of the many times she made me cry.¡±


    <hr>


    Night turned to day.


    The fires had been extinguished.


    The ownership question in regards to Vatican City remained unanswered.


    The demon-corrupted church was no more.


    Iria and her band had killed the stragglers that had escaped Eron¡¯s rampage at great cost.


    Her losses weighed on the woman, but they spurred her on rather than slow her, like it did for him.


    The avenger added them to her grievances.


    ¡°She leveled up twice.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± Eron dropped an entire side of frozen beef near the line of fire pits and grills.


    The first rays of the sun peeked over the horizon.


    Eron seemed to bask in it like a lizard.


    ¡°Iria.¡±


    ¡°Dude, I heard she basically took out an inquisitor by herself. That¡¯s an advanced class, plus the bastard had to be at minimum Level 40.


    ¡°44.¡±


    ¡°Too bad I don¡¯t level up like them. I killed a bunch of inquisitors and all the cardinals.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t struggle anyways. No struggle, no levels,¡± Cal started thawing the beef by exciting its molecules. There was almost a ton of frozen meat underneath the pop-up canopies.


    Wounds had needed healing.


    They had pulled in every single person with a healing ability from all of the scattered communities in and around Rome.


    The speed at which they had been able to get people the healing they needed made a great difference in the final tally of the bloody night.


    Lives almost certainly lost had been saved.


    Not a single prisoner they had rescued died.


    The healers had been spent.


    They needed sustenance to recharge so that they could continue their work.


    Many were still in critical condition.


    Those out of immediate danger needed to eat to fuel their recovery as well.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    ¡°Want to talk about it?¡±


    Eron hesitated.


    ¡°¡­ I guess. I did get a little¡­ affected¡­ by the boner magic, but it wasn¡¯t my fault. It was the church¡¯s fault, so, maybe I don¡¯t need to talk about it.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean about that.¡±


    ¡°What then? The hundreds of demon-corrupted I killed?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ yeah.¡±


    ¡°Listen¡­ you don¡¯t have to worry about slippery slopes and the whole gazing into the monster abyss thing. Do I feel guilty? A little. Do I wish I could just not do this?¡± Eron gestured toward Vatican City in the distance. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯d rather spend time with my not-wife and our kid. I can take them literally anywhere. See the sights, experience the world. Instead, I get to deal with boner magic-wielding priests. So, don¡¯t worry. The killing won¡¯t change me. It hasn¡¯t¡­ so far¡­¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ it¡¯s good that you¡¯re dealing with it in your normal way.¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯ll make you feel better I give you permission to do a deep dive,¡± Eron tapped his head. ¡°Find out if there¡¯s a monster waiting to explode. Honestly, I¡¯d rather know so we can take care of it before it becomes an actual problem.


    ¡°Nah, I¡¯m good.¡±


    ¡°I do have one complaint about the boner magic. Your intelligence gathering on it was lacking.¡±


    ¡°No, it wasn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it was. I heard Drake got blue-balled.¡±


    ¡°It was in the briefing!¡±


    ¡°I know, I did read it,¡± Eron shrugged. ¡°Just thought that it wouldn¡¯t affect me. I can count on my hands and feet the number of times the weirder spells actually did more than annoy me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad that you¡¯ve finally figured out how to count to a number higher than 10. Now, what¡¯re you going to do when you need to go over 20?¡±


    ¡°I can count to 21¡­ make that 23.¡±


    ¡°Well, then my briefing was fine. Drake was the only that had a significant issue. That¡¯s almost a 90% success rate.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t argue with statistics. So, what else do we need for the too-early celebration?¡±


    ¡°Sauces for the marinade. Some rub. Fruits and vegetables. Drinks. Snacks. Plastic utensils and paper plates.¡±


    ¡°Booze?¡±


    ¡°I guess.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be back,¡± Eron zoomed into the sky.


    As the morning wore on the elements of a day-long party came together.


    Cal took care of everything, while he sent Eron out to collect what they needed.


    By the time their work was done they had cleared out most of the stores and markets in the area.


    Grill smoke soon filled the air, joining the remnants from the fires that had razed Vatican city.


    Meat sizzled as Cal flipped them on a dozen grills.


    Veggies hovered in midair while flying knives chopped.


    Chairs and tables set themselves.


    Cal conducted the buzz of activity from a chair in the shade like a conductor.


    Eron returned with one last delivery just as people started to stream into the park.


    ¡°That took a suspiciously long time.¡±


    ¡°Like you didn¡¯t know there was a giant monster flying this way,¡± Eron snorted.


    ¡°I knew that you noticed. What¡¯d you do with the corpse?¡±


    ¡°Tossed it into space. It had acid blood. The melt your face and bone kind. Too risky to let people try and get something out of it.¡±


    ¡°The magus has a standing bounty on powerful monster bits.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sure, but that meant I would¡¯ve had to take it to her and make sure that they didn¡¯t accidentally kill themselves or pollute their surroundings. I¡¯ve seen bullshit like that happen. A few gallons of the wrong blood seeping into the water supply can ruin the entire thing and then spread out for miles. So, that¡¯s it then? You don¡¯t need anything else?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not staying? At least stay for lunch. I bet there are a lot of people that¡¯d like to thank you.¡±


    ¡°Nah. I¡¯m good. Been eating all morning. Besides, that¡¯s not my deal. And I¡¯m burning vacation time.¡±


    ¡°I hope you can actually relax.¡±


    ¡°Same. My gut¡¯s twisting right now, but I¡¯m going to do my best to not listen and see beyond what¡¯s in front of me. I don¡¯t want to waste the time you¡¯re giving me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not as fast as you, but I can do a good enough job taking over your route for a few weeks.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? This terminus thing is¡ª¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know what it means, so it¡¯s pointless to freak out until I can purchase more info from the spires. Which, I will do once I¡¯m done with all this,¡± he gestured toward his cooking.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it before I head to Wytchraven¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°If you want, but remember, vacation.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah. Say, what¡¯re you going to do here? There¡¯s a power vacuum now and¡ª¡±


    ¡°Not your problem while on vacation, which you are. Right now.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Don¡¯t worry about it. I¡¯ll stick around the area for a few days to make sure nothing pops up. I¡¯ll visit the regional powers. Influence them to stay away. The team¡¯s going to stick around for a few weeks for added protection and I¡¯ll convince Iria to stay for a few months and help stabilize the situation. There¡¯s a handful of church people that escaped the demon, so I think they¡¯ll want to pick up the pieces and atone.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, okay, that sounds fine. I¡¯ll just have to keep a closer eye on this place for a few years until people get strong enough to protect themselves again.¡±


    ¡°And to avoid repeats.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Oh, one last thing, here,¡± Eron flicked a folded up piece of paper.


    Cal plucked it out of the air and read it.


    It contained names and places.


    Some of the latter were specific addresses, most were cities or a general description of an area.


    The entire list was organized by world regions.


    ¡°GPS coordinates would be better.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s too much work. Besides, you don¡¯t need them. You¡¯ve got enough info on there that you can find them.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s with the red and black numbers?¡±


    Each name had two next to them.


    ¡°The higher the number the stronger. Red is my thought on their suitability for joining. Black is if I was being objective about it.¡±


    Each person had a short description.


    ¡°This one has a Full Release? Like the anime?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Eron scowled, working his mouth. ¡°Full Release. Full Release. Damn it!¡±


    ¡°Universal translation system¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to say the actual word in Japanese,¡± Eron kicked the grass.


    ¡°I guess you need to learn the language in full. There¡¯s a ranger that when she says technique I hear the word from the anime, but when I try to say it it comes out as technique. The inconsistency of it irks me. I¡¯m trying to learn other languages, but the system makes it harder.¡±


    ¡°Full Release gives the wrong impression.¡±


    ¡°So the star next to his name means he¡¯s good?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but as you can see by the red number, I don¡¯t think he¡¯d be a good fit. Kind of a dick. One of those ¡®I must gain strength at all times. I will try to fight anyone, even the person saving my ass¡¯-types. That girl is better,¡± Eron pointed.


    ¡°Magical girl?¡±


    ¡°Did you say ¡®magical girl¡¯ or magical girl?¡±


    ¡°The latter.¡±


    ¡°Met her from that time I got Rayna that small herd of Wagyu. She¡¯s a ¡®power of friendship¡¯-type. It¡¯s been awhile so she might have rebuilt her team by now. Conversely, the reasons she¡¯d be good make it less likely that she¡¯d be willing to leave the area she protects.¡±


    ¡°Alright, thanks¡­ what¡¯re you still doing here?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m gone. I¡¯ll see you at the end of summer. I¡¯ve already got something in mind for Boy¡¯s gift.¡±


    ¡°Nothing dangerous!¡± he called out, but Eron was already beyond the clouds.


    ¡°Um¡­ excuse me,¡± a small child gawped up at the sky with wide eyes, ¡°was that the flying man?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, looks like it.¡±


    ¡°Constancia, don¡¯t bother the busy man,¡± her mother rushed over.


    He didn¡¯t need to scan her thoughts to see the fear.


    It might have something to do with the hundreds of things flying.


    One would be a fool to not want to keep their distance from fast moving knives.


    ¡°What spell is that?¡± Constancia said as she tried to get a closer look despite her mother pulling her away.


    ¡°Telekinesis.¡±


    ¡°Can you teach me?¡±


    ¡°Not right now, but who knows, maybe in the future,¡± he smiled at the two. ¡°The first batch of food will be ready in a few minutes,¡± he directed them to the serving section. ¡°It¡¯s self-service, buffet style. Just start there and follow the signs. All different kinds of food. Drinks are at the exit. Don¡¯t worry about germs. That¡¯s taken care of.¡±


    ¡°A spell or Skill?¡± the mother said.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she blushed and finally succeeded at tearing little Constancia¡¯s attention away from the intricate dance of the knives and vegetables.


    Apparently, curiosity and wonder were a match for a child¡¯s hunger.


    And from the looks of them, there had been too much of that of late.


    The demon-corrupted church had been to blame.


    They had squeezed access to most of the food stores to tighten their hold on the local populace.


    ¡°It takes evil to force people into hunger for your own selfish ends,¡± he said to the shadow.


    ¡°How do you do that?¡± Tabitha stepped out.


    The monster head hood of her cloak was pushed back to reveal a leaner, harsher look than that of the kid he had first met in that disgusting slaver¡¯s mansion.


    ¡°You don¡¯t do shadow magic,¡± her face was a stone mask.


    By all accounts her therapist was pleased with their ongoing work at processing the trauma of enslavement and all the horrors that entailed.


    Tabitha was simply a taciturn person.


    This was her truth.


    The smiling, bubbly one created by the collar was just that. A fabrication. False.


    It was always better to be one¡¯s true self.


    If one didn¡¯t feel like smiling, then it was wrong to tell them to do so.


    ¡°Good job last night. I heard you were instrumental in defeating the templar.¡±


    Tabitha nodded.


    ¡°Anything you want to talk about?¡±


    She shook her head.


    ¡°Want to help? Eat?¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m going to sit and watch,¡± she gestured toward the expansive cooking station.


    Thus proclaimed, Tabitha pulled a chair deeper into the canopy shade and allowed her inky black cloak to engulf her in its protective embrace.


    <hr>


    They gathered around the portable fire pit Rynnen had carried a ways away from the hundreds of others.


    They had done it for two reasons.


    One was for a bit of privacy and distance from the curious looks and questions.


    The other was to place themselves in the best spot in case monster trouble arrived. Although, Cal had promised that wasn¡¯t going to be an issue.


    Night usually brought monsters and mutant animals unless the community¡¯s level of control and strength was high enough to keep them from crossing the territorial borders.


    ¡°Feeling relaxed, kid,¡± Howard grunted.


    The hairy man was shirtless, lounging in a chair with a cold beer in one hand and a lit cigar hanging from the corner of his mouth.


    ¡°Yeah?¡± Drake sensed the trap.


    ¡°Good, good¡­ glad you found relief.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m confused because I definitely don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡±


    ¡°You know, the thing you had to do,¡± Howard jerked a fist up and down.


    ¡°Heh,¡± Rynnen grunted.


    ¡°Still don¡¯t get it,¡± Drake shrugged.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, man. We get it,¡± Howard smirked.


    ¡°They¡¯re talking about your masturbation!¡± Emma snapped.


    ¡°I¡¯m not admitting to anything, but if I did it, then I would¡¯ve done it in a place where none of you, even you Howard, could¡¯ve possibly heard.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t say I heard or saw,¡± Howard tapped his nose.


    ¡°Seriously?¡±


    ¡°Animal-level senses ain¡¯t all roses and rainbows. Let me tell you about it.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t, Mr. Howard, I¡¯m trying to concentrate,¡± Emma scribbled in her fancy spellbook with an actual feather quill thing. It had to be magic cause the young woman didn¡¯t have an ink pot.


    ¡°Let me just say that a hundred percent of you people aren¡¯t fooling anyone when you walk away pretending you want a look at something interesting. Shit, at least stand downwind of me when you rip off those meat farts,¡± Howard snorted.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t been doing that,¡± Rynnen grinned.


    ¡°Get that smug look off your face,¡± Howard laughed. ¡°You¡¯ve got good ass control, but even that superstrong asshole isn¡¯t airtight.¡±


    ¡°Gross,¡± Emma sighed.


    ¡°Relax, Em,¡± Rand said. ¡°And stop doing that. It can wait. Boss said everything¡¯s cool until tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Then that means this is the best time to replenish our spells.¡±


    ¡°I still have my attack spells. I only used my eyes and the battlefield link. Didn¡¯t even get to fireball anyone,¡± Rand pouted.


    ¡°What are you, twelve?¡±


    ¡°Well, I might¡¯ve gotten more than one level if I actually fulfilled my class. I was hoping I¡¯d finally hit 40.¡±


    ¡°Being close at your age is good,¡± Drake said.


    ¡°Did you level up?¡±


    ¡°Same as you, just one.¡±


    ¡°Did you get a good Skill or spell?¡±


    ¡°Yup,¡± Drake didn¡¯t elaborate.


    ¡°I need to hit 40 for a spell slot in the next highest tier.¡±


    ¡°Rand, stop it!¡± Emma scowled.


    ¡°Relax,¡± he rolled his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not giving out details. Just like Ms. Teacher taught us. Are you gonna tattle? You love being a tattletale, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Kids are annoying,¡± Howard grinned.


    ¡°I could see some uses for a tattletale class,¡± Drake mused.


    ¡°Ignoring all of you,¡± Emma said as she renewed her focus on her spellbook.


    Drake belched, thankful that it hadn¡¯t gone out the other way.


    The pounds of food and the dozen beers he had consumed throughout the day sat heavy.


    He pondered the wisdom of making a quick deposit to clear some space for more.


    Then decided against it.


    It was time for dessert.


    Blackstar, Diana when off mission, returned with Tabitha in tow.


    The pair had gone to secure graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows.


    Tabitha flicked a pint of gelato from underneath her monster cloak.


    The container struck Drake in the face.


    ¡°Ow!¡±


    ¡°Sorry. You caught it last time.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, my fault. The buzz isn¡¯t good for my reflexes.¡±


    Tabitha shrugged and claimed the chair next to Howard.


    ¡°Alright, listen up. We¡¯re off duty tonight. So no orders from me. After this last one,¡± Diana said. ¡°Relax. That¡¯s all,¡± she distributed the goods. ¡°Don¡¯t do anything you¡¯ll regret in the harsh light of day,¡± she added.


    ¡°Caramel stuffed chocolate?¡± Howard raised a brow.


    ¡°I got all different kinds we can try,¡± Diana said.


    ¡°It¡¯s s¡¯mores. Don¡¯t complicate with your fancy bougie chocolates.¡±


    ¡°Spoken like a truly simple man.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the best at keeping myself simple,¡± Howard nodded.


    ¡°I remember doing this with my parents,¡± Tabitha murmured.


    Silence.


    ¡°Me too,¡± Rynnen said.


    ¡°We do this, like, every Saturday or Sunday back home,¡± Rand said. ¡°Not a big s¡¯mores man, myself. Gets my fingers sticky. But I will try at least one of each fancy chocolates,¡± he plucked one from the bowl.


    ¡°White chocolate? Gonna be way too sweet with the marshmallow,¡± Howard said.


    ¡°Hey, you got something harder on you?¡± Rynnen said.


    ¡°The draw backs of superhuman constitution,¡± Howard sighed. ¡°The buzz doesn¡¯t last long for me. You can¡¯t even get one without drinking a couple of gallons quick.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s only a bad thing sometimes.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but after what we saw underground I¡¯d bet you wouldn¡¯t mind getting wasted right now?¡±


    ¡°Even if I could. I wouldn¡¯t. My strength is too dangerous to let slip out of control.¡±


    ¡°True that. Well, ain¡¯t no rule against drinking for the taste.¡±


    ¡°Just like there¡¯s no rule for drinking to get drunk,¡± Diana said.


    ¡°Um¡­ that¡¯s like the whole point,¡± Rand said.


    Howard stuck his entire arm into his bag of holding.


    ¡°Here you go. Canada¡¯s finest whisky.¡±


    Rynnen snatched the bottle of amber-colored liquor out of the air.


    ¡°This is Canada¡¯s finest whisky?¡± Rynnen said dubiously.


    ¡°It is to me,¡± Howard said flatly. ¡°Anyone want a cigar?¡± he held out a pack.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take one.¡±


    Drake couldn¡¯t remember the last time he had smoked anything.


    Probably, back at home. Not at his actual place. Smoking was banned on account of his pregnant wife and their kid.


    This time he caught the projectile.


    ¡°Cuban?¡±


    ¡°Hell if I know. Got it from a cigar shop over there,¡± he waved in a vague direction. ¡°I just grabbed a bunch.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Howard. And, Rynnen, Canadian Mist is shit. In case you didn¡¯t know.¡±


    Rynnen took a long swig, wrinkling his face.


    ¡°This is Canada¡¯s finest whisky?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all I got,¡± Howard shrugged.


    ¡°Then, thanks for your generosity,¡± Rynnen said.


    Drake settled in to relax in the warm glow of the fire.


    The next few weeks, maybe even a month, was going to be busy.


    He already missed his family.

 8.7

    Sacramento, California, 2046


    The amber-colored blade winked out of existence as it was about to strike the edge of his shield.


    Anticipating her favorite trick, he threw himself back and into a freezing wall of ice that hadn¡¯t been there before.


    When he regained focus from the jarring hit the amber-colored magic blade had returned existence a few inches from his nose.


    ¡°Dead,¡± Amber said.


    ¡°Dead,¡± Alin agreed.


    ¡°What was your mistake, Boy?¡±


    ¡°Falling back in a straight line.¡±


    A few arguments had crossed his thoughts on instinct at first, but he knew how his trainers worked from many years¡¯ experience.


    You didn¡¯t say there was going to be outside interference from a wizard, he thought.


    Cammi waved from the sidelines.


    The young woman had used magic to make the surface of her glasses extra reflective.


    He squinted away from the glare.


    Thankful that it helped mask where his eyes had gone at first.


    Don¡¯t look down. Don¡¯t look down. Don¡¯t look down.


    Tight robes sucked. No, they were great.


    ¡°Left or right would¡¯ve been better,¡± he said.


    ¡°Which one?¡±


    ¡°Left, er, my left. Your right. I could¡¯ve gone under your cut and stepped into your blind spot. Could¡¯ve attacked your wrist or legs, probably inner thigh to cut the artery. A cut to your hamstring or the back of your knee is also acceptable.¡±


    He was displeased to note that the red chalk on the edges of his practice sword remained nearly as pristine as when he had marked it, which was, oh, seven exchanges ago.


    Seven failed exchanges.


    ¡°Reset. We go again.¡±


    Amber¡¯s magitech right arm whirred as she rotated it on her way back to her starting point.


    Don¡¯t look down. Don¡¯t look down. Don¡¯t look down.


    He managed to focus on the back of her steel helm.


    Exchange nine lasted longer.


    He managed to finally leave his mark on something.


    Sure, it was on Amber¡¯s conjured shield, but that was better than nothing.


    Cammi¡¯s second ice wall, this time, underneath his boots led him to another defeat.


    Amber pulled him up like he weighed nothing.


    ¡°Water break. Don¡¯t forget to stretch,¡± she grunted.


    He walked off the practice field, passing many pairs of dueling swords.


    Mages and other ranged-types prowled the sidelines, making life difficult for the students.


    The Sword of Freedom believed that fights weren¡¯t fair. Thus, she mirrored it with her training methods.


    This first month of summer had sucked.


    The last time he had spent this long in one stretch training under Hanna was five, almost six years ago.


    From the age of seven to eleven he had trained five days a week, with his dad flying him to Sacramento and back.


    That had changed when his parents had enrolled him into the education system.


    Training decreased in frequency.


    Maybe one week a month.


    Summer featured a return to the old ways. His dad once again flying him north five days a week.


    This time his dad was busy, so he stayed in Sacramento.


    His mom and Aunt Rayna visited on the weekends.


    He was ashamed to admit that he was actually home sick.


    ¡°You smell.¡±


    Rino and Kare approached.


    He looked them both in the eyes and maintained it.


    Huh?


    They were shorter than he remembered.


    ¡°Look at you! So tall! Not like your mom and dad at all!¡± Kare rubbed his sweaty mop of black hair. ¡°Starting to look exactly like your dad though.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not a puppy, Kare,¡± Rino sighed the sniffed. ¡°I was right, you do smell.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­¡± the heat rose to his face. ¡°I¡¯ve been training all morning.¡±


    ¡°Not just that. I smell sadness,¡± she sniffed again. ¡°Missing something or someones.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s just homesick, Rino. That¡¯s normal and acceptable,¡± Kare said. ¡°There, there,¡± she stroked his head exactly like a puppy.


    ¡°You guys just get back from a Quest?¡± he casually moved out of petting range.


    ¡°Fishmen swam up to Tahoe again,¡± Rino grunted.


    ¡°Boy, listen closely and remember this,¡± Kare said gravely, ¡°just because something lives in the ocean and looks mostly like a fish¡­ they don¡¯t taste like sushi.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ I will. So, um, you guys here to train?¡± a pit of apprehension had suddenly grown in his gut.


    ¡°Yup,¡± Rino said without expression.


    ¡°Yeah-huh,¡± Kare nodded excitedly.


    ¡°Cool. Cool. Uh, good seeing you guys again. I¡¯ve got to hydrate and stretch,¡± he wandered off to the water station, grabbed a bottle and found a spot to stretch.


    As the minutes ticked by there was a noticeable uptick in people entering the park.


    Boys and girls, children of all ages.


    Even Watch Commander Court appeared.


    He glanced toward Rino and Kare.


    The pit of apprehension had sprouted into a tree.


    Could I, perhaps, slip away? he pondered options. Cramps? No, the athletic trainers and kinesiologists had Skills for that.


    He gazed up into the sky in search of answers.


    A black dot circled overhead.


    One of their drakes or wyverns.


    He glanced back at the two weredogs.


    They had removed their shirts and sweatpants.


    Yup, he turned away.


    Sports bras and short shorts.


    The super stretchy kind that they wore to preserved their modesty when they went from weredog to human. And since they were currently in human form, that meant they were going to transform.


    Were they going to practice against each other?


    Possibly.


    Or, was this Hanna making up for lost time?


    Most likely.


    He knew what was up. He was smart. The old people kept things from him, but he could connect the dots.


    He remembered the talks he¡¯d had with his parents concerning the life of one that fought monsters.


    More, ever since he had firmed his resolve to enter that life.


    They did it, so he could do no less than give it his best attempt.


    The fact that he had failed to gain powers or a class was the silent killer in the back of his mind that he tried to keep buried.


    There was no way that he could accept the simple life of a doctor or teacher or trainer. He didn¡¯t want to become an administrator supporting his dad¡¯s efforts from behind the scenes.


    ¡°Boy!¡± Amber barked.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± he hustled over.


    ¡°It¡¯s simulated human versus monster for the rest of the day.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± he managed to keep a stiff upper lip.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be too scared,¡± Rino sauntered up to them. ¡°Got plenty of healers waiting around.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not use that to take things for granted,¡± Amber said.


    ¡°Aww, we¡¯ll be careful, Amber,¡± Kare bounced up to them.


    ¡°Just don¡¯t break anything,¡± Amber sighed. ¡°That could put him down for hours and we can¡¯t waste time. We only have him for one more month.¡±


    Alin¡¯s mouth went dry despite having just re-hydrated.


    On the other end of the practice field, Rino stood crouched low to the ground in her full weredog form.


    Eight feet tall and a thousand pounds of lean, mean hunting and killing machine.


    Her black and white fur was glossy in the sunlight.


    That meant that Rino was eating properly, at least that¡¯s how it worked for dogs.


    The useless fact cluttered his thoughts when he was supposed to be emptying it of everything except for the fight in front of him as he had been taught by the best.


    She grinned at him, revealing fangs and teeth longer than his fingers.


    Her tale wagged, but he knew that didn¡¯t always indicated happiness.


    It could also be excitement at sinking her teeth into her prey.


    Relax, she won¡¯t hurt you¡­ permanently. She changed your diapers once.


    It was weird that more multiple members of the Watch from its earliest days had that same story.


    Weirder that they¡¯d always mention it whenever he came back. Loudly and without regard for who else was within ear shot.


    He supposed the embarrassment was the point.


    Annnndddd¡­ I¡¯m distracted.


    Amber seemed to have the same thought.


    ¡°Focus on the monster in front of you!¡± she barked.


    ¡°Go get her, Boy!¡± Kare jumped up and down like a cheerleader.


    Don¡¯t look over. Don¡¯t look over. Don¡¯t look over.


    ¡°Ready?¡± Amber brought her whistle to her lips


    He was not, in fact, ready.


    It didn¡¯t really matter either way.


    Victory wasn¡¯t possible.


    The best he could do was not be embarrassed too badly in front of all the fit girls that had stopped their training to watch.


    One had to be realistic about these things.


    Without Skills he didn¡¯t stand a chance. With Skills he¡¯d stand a slightly less minuscule chance.


    A hypothetical blade in the heart or brain wouldn¡¯t kill a weredog unless one managed to destroy the organ in its entirety faster than its ability to heal.


    Silver didn¡¯t work.


    On the plus side he didn¡¯t have to worry about pulling his strikes.


    He doubted she¡¯d even feel his strongest blow.


    There were a lot of cute girls, he realized.


    He didn¡¯t really know any of them.


    Might recognize a face or a name in passing.


    Most of his training over the last five years hadn¡¯t been done in front of the whole group.


    They had been mostly conducted in one on one sessions by Hanna or Amber and if both were on Quest, one of the other swordmasters.


    Longsword, sword and shield, were just two of the weapon styles he had been trained in. Though the two were what he was best at.


    He had also trained with spear, a handful of polearm-types, axe and shield, two-handed axe, various bludgeons, like hammers and maces, plus daggers, knives, sticks.


    Part of him hoped for a weapons master class one day, if he couldn¡¯t get powers like his dad.


    ¡°Get your head in the fight, Boy!¡± Amber barked.


    How does she know?


    The shrill whistle made him flinch.


    Rino leapt.


    Not at full strength and not directly at him because this was training.


    He dived to one side and felt a strong pull on his leg.


    Shit!


    He was upside down in a flash, staring at her fur-covered mid-section.


    He looked up or down from his perspective at her teeth-baring grin.


    Slowly, deliberately, he ran his practice sword across her inner thigh.


    ¡°Um¡­ I cut your femoral artery.¡±


    She raised him higher, holding him muzzle to nose for a few seconds.


    Her breath was hot, yet surprisingly pleasant smelling.


    ¡°I smell strawberry?¡±


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    She snorted.


    ¡°Wait! Don¡¯t sha¡ª¡±


    He swallowed the rest of what he was going to say. He wasn¡¯t about to bite his tongue.


    Rino shook him like one wasn¡¯t supposed to shake a baby.


    Then she threw him.


    He ditched his sword and shield.


    Located the ground and managed to roll with the impact.


    It still stole his breath.


    Rino was on him, yanking the back of his collar and planting him into the grass.


    She stepped lightly on his chest and ran the back of her claw across his throat.


    ¡°Dead,¡± she growled.


    ¡°But I got your femoral,¡± he whined.


    ¡°Already healed.¡±


    Her guttural voice made him shrivel up a bit.


    It wasn¡¯t intentional on her part.


    She had been as gentle as she could.


    And, intellectually, he knew that she wouldn¡¯t really hurt him.


    It was just the instinctive fear within people of big things with sharp teeth and claws.


    Amber blew the whistle.


    ¡°Next!¡±


    Rino helped him up before she stalked to the sidelines.


    Kare skipped to her starting spot while he retrieved his practice sword and shield.


    ¡°I need to chalk this.¡±


    He took his time walking to the sideline.


    Took even longer to mark the blunt edges.


    Amber blew the whistle in his ear.


    ¡°Ouch!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re stalling. Get back in there!¡±


    ¡°Please take it easy on me,¡± Kare winked, then bowed solemnly before turning into a huge, golden-furred beast with a goofy grin.


    He returned the bow and got into his stance.


    The whistle blew.


    Kare moved with exaggerated slowness.


    A clawed hand lashed out, very slow for her, fast from his perspective.


    He raised his shield, deflecting rather than blocking.


    There was no way he could¡¯ve blocked her without a broken shield and arm if this had been a real fight.


    He cut at her left thigh.


    She slapped his sword with a dainty flick of the wrist.


    It was a light touch, but it almost disarmed him.


    He recovered well-enough to dart in with a thrust cut to the inside of her leg.


    She simply hopped back and slapped at his shield again.


    ¡°Kare!¡± Amber barked. ¡°Stop babying him!¡±


    He glanced at the sidelines.


    Amber scowled.


    The other trainers and students watched intently.


    It wasn¡¯t often that they got the opportunity to watch the weredogs in action.


    He caught a knot of girls giggling and whispering.


    Yup, he thought, that¡¯s me. The baby.


    The heat rushed to his face.


    Kare lunged slowly.


    A stop cut placed his blade in her path.


    She reacted quickly, putting her golden-furred arm up.


    It was like hitting a solid iron bar.


    The vibrations rattled all the way up to his shoulder.


    He moved too slow, didn¡¯t pull his blade back quickly enough.


    Kare grabbed it and ripped it from his grasp.


    She did the same to his shield.


    Then she was on him.


    She mouthed him like a mother dog playing with her puppy.


    Primal terror filled him as her hot breath and sharp teeth touched all his limbs, his chest and even his head.


    Slobber liberally coated him as Kare tugged him across the grass this way and that.


    The worst part was when she started throwing him dozens of feet into the air.


    Up became down, down became up, sideways became the other sideways.


    Kare chased him, leaping up to catch and cradle him as she landed.


    Then she threw him to the other side of the practice area before leaping to catch him again.


    I¡¯m a frisbee and she¡¯s playing catch.


    Well¡­ at least he was used to being off the ground and flipping in every direction.


    He used to have his dad fly him around like that every chance he got when he was a kid.


    His mom would also throw him dozens of feet before leaping up to catch him and absorb the landing.


    In a way, this is nostalgic.


    Of course all of that had ended when he had gotten older and too cool to have his parents toss him like a little, stupid baby.


    Now the only sort of flying he got was when traveling with his dad or aunt and for training purposes.


    He had actually started to enjoy the sensation of spinning through the air when the shrill cry of the whistle ended the fun.


    ¡°You¡¯re just playing now, Kare!¡±


    The golden-furred weredog threw him one last time, caught him and carried him like a baby to the sidelines, placing him in front of Amber as if to show off her puppy.


    He stood, still a little dizzy and tried to maintain the tattered shreds of his dignity.


    It seemed like everyone was giggling at him.


    Fair.


    If he had been on the other side, he¡¯d laugh too.


    One had to be realistic about these things.


    He had zero chance against the weredogs.


    ¡°Alright. Break¡¯s over. Get back to training!¡± Amber barked at everyone else. ¡°Five minutes, Boy. I don¡¯t want you puking.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good,¡± he lied.


    ¡°You¡¯re swaying like a baby tree in the wind,¡± she snorted.


    ¡°I can¡¯t tell.¡±


    ¡°Five minutes. Then Rino again,¡± she regarded Kare through narrowed eyes. ¡°You take this seriously or I¡¯m kicking you out.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m serious,¡± Kare whined gutturally.


    Amber chewed on her whistle for a long moment.


    ¡°He isn¡¯t going to learn anything beyond being your chew toy,¡± she mused. ¡°No transformation for the next round.¡±


    Rino and Kare shed their full weredog forms.


    The sight made him shiver.


    It didn¡¯t look or sound pleasant, regardless of quickly or smoothly they did it.


    ¡°We¡¯ll see how it goes. If it needs to be harder then we¡¯ll do half-transformation.¡±


    ¡°Whatever,¡± Rino shrugged.


    His distraction at their attire only lasted as long as the first bone-jarring punch Rino put into his shield.


    By the end of the training session he had marked both of them with a dozen red lines each.


    He felt good about that.


    He felt less good about the fact that each practice bout had ended with him ¡®dead¡¯.


    Amber¡¯s assessment was blunt and to the point.


    ¡°Technique was good until you got tired. Getting a cut or a thrust in doesn¡¯t matter even if it¡¯s a kill strike if you also get killed.¡±


    ¡°What if I save my teammate or achieve the Quest objective?¡± he couldn¡¯t help himself.


    ¡°That isn¡¯t the purpose of your training. We are teaching you so that you can defend yourself. Now, go, see the healers, then hit the showers and dinner. Rest and recovery for the rest of the night,¡± she dismissed him.


    ¡°Good fighting, Boy!¡± Kare bounced to his right.


    ¡°Not really,¡± Rino grunted on his left.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Rino. He was doing good moves and stuff.¡±


    ¡°Perfect technique doesn¡¯t matter if a monster takes your head off right after you land the perfect cut or thrust.¡±


    ¡°Aww, c¡¯mon, Rino. You¡¯re making him sad,¡± Kare ruffled his hair despite his attempts to swat her hands away.


    They pestered him all the way back to the Watch¡¯s compound.


    Well, Kare pestered him while Rino grunted stoically.


    He tried to ask them about the fishmen, but they refused to give details.


    His family had a house up by the lake.


    It¡¯d been a few years since the last time they had flown up there just to relax with a bit of swimming, fishing, killing monsters and mutated animals.


    The latter was more what his dad and mom did.


    He usually stayed inside with Watch protection.


    He only knew of the fishmen from stories.


    The Deep Azure.


    Its cultists.


    Straight up horror.


    The lack of firsthand experience hadn¡¯t diminished his nightmares about them.


    In a way, leaving them to his imagination might¡¯ve been worse.


    ¡°Healers first,¡± Rino grunted.


    ¡°Yup!¡± Kare beamed.


    ¡°Wait¡ª what?¡±


    To his dawning horror, it became clear that they were going to stick with him for a bit longer.


    Turn in gear.


    See the healers.


    Hit the showers.


    The two women stayed with him the whole way, like he was a baby sheep to be herded.


    Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on one¡¯s perspective the showers were gender separated.


    Mercifully, the pair finally wandered off just before he had to go eat dinner.


    His stomach grumbled at him as he made his way through the buffet stations.


    The audible urgency in its cries had him ducking his head.


    The food hall was still mostly empty since Amber had sent him away an hour early.


    He stuck to the basics.


    Grilled chicken, grilled vegetables and brown rice.


    Two plates though since he had been working hard all summer and burning through a lot of calories on a daily basis.


    The hall slowly filled as he ate and by the time he went up for a third plate it was filled the buzzing conversation of a hundred people.


    ¡°Hey, mind if we sit?¡±


    A girl¡¯s voice pulled his attention up from his plate.


    His mouth was full so he nodded.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± the girl said.


    He chewed quicker then swallowed too quickly.


    The second girl giggled.


    ¡°Um¡­ eating dinner?¡±


    ¡°You sure?¡± the second girl raised a brow.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t remember me do you?¡± the first girl smiled.


    Shit! I don¡¯t? Do I? he searched his memories while trying to maintain eye contact, but not too much so it wasn¡¯t weird. Pretty face. Blond hair. Nope, doesn¡¯t ring a bell, he glanced at the second girl. Also pretty. Brown hair. Also nope. Both were fit. Bare arms showed muscles, which was extra impressive cause they were teenage girls and it wasn¡¯t him being sexist, but everyone knew that unless one took extra supplements teenage girls didn¡¯t get that muscular. Not like boys. Not sexist, he nodded to himself.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± he shrugged.


    Don¡¯t look down. Don¡¯t look down. Don¡¯t look down. Success! So far¡­


    ¡°I¡¯m ¡®Shannon¡¯,¡± the first girl said, ¡°and this is ¡®Jules¡¯,¡± she gestured toward the second girl as though presenting an award statue.


    ¡°Hi, nice to meet you. I¡¯m ¡®Alin¡¯,¡± he stuck out his hand then realized he didn¡¯t know how to shake a girl¡¯s hand.


    Firm? No. Slightly firm? Just don¡¯t limp wrist it. Wait¡­ just how are you supposed to do it?


    Which turned out to be firm.


    Jules actually ground down a bit.


    ¡°We know. You really don¡¯t remember?¡± Shannon¡¯s smile never left her face. ¡°We were, like, in the same kids training class for, like, two years straight.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± he tried and failed to remember. ¡°Yeah, sorry. I don¡¯t remember you looking like that. I mean, I don¡¯t recognize your faces.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true. Lost the baby fat. Just like you,¡± Shannon nodded.


    ¡°You¡¯re filling out pretty good,¡± Jules said.


    ¡°Um¡­ thanks¡­ uh¡­ you guys too.¡±


    For some reason they laughed at that.


    ¡°So¡­ uh¡­ how¡¯s the¡­ um¡­ training going?¡±


    ¡°Same as usual. We¡¯re more interested in yours,¡± Jules said.


    ¡°That¡¯s the first time I remember them coming to train with the rest of us,¡± Shannon¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°What was it like?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ you guys saw, right?¡±


    ¡°Like my dog and his favorite stuffed bunny,¡± Jules said.


    ¡°I now know what that¡¯s like. Being a stuffed bunny, that is.¡±


    ¡°Are you getting ready for a special Quest or something like that?¡± Shannon leaned forward.


    Don¡¯t look d¡ª shit! I looked down.


    ¡°That pizza looks good. I totally missed it,¡± he pointed at her plate.


    Good save?


    ¡°They¡¯re always right at the start of the bread section,¡± Shannon turned to point, stretching her arm out.


    ¡°What¡¯s your class? Level?¡± Jules jabbed a french fry in is face.


    ¡°Jules! That¡¯s rude,¡± Shannon hissed.


    ¡°What? You want to know too.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell us if you don¡¯t want to, but I¡¯m going to share. I have a few levels in student, like most of us, but what I really care about is my fighter at Level 11,¡± Shannon smiled. ¡°They won¡¯t let us specialize yet, but I¡¯m planning on sword, with and without shield,¡± she looked at Jules expectantly.


    ¡°Hey, you can share if you want, but I¡¯m not going to,¡± Jules said.


    ¡°Um¡­ sorry, but I don¡¯t have a class. I swear. It¡¯s the truth.¡±


    Shannon regarded him a moment before nodding, satisfied.


    ¡°Weird, but that¡¯s your choice, I guess,¡± Jules shrugged.


    ¡°So, why¡¯d you train with the weredogs, then?¡± Shannon said.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s because they want to teach me what it¡¯s really like going up against the really strong monsters,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°But your mom and dad are¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m pretty sure they¡¯d rather I not follow in their footsteps.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Jules frowned. ¡°But they aren¡¯t gonna be around forever. The next generation¡¯s got to step up.¡±


    He didn¡¯t mention that from the looks of it his mom and dad were going to be around for who knew how many generations.


    ¡°The only thing I can do is keep trying to get better,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Shannon elbowed Jules, ¡°right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, obviously,¡± Jules elbowed her back.


    ¡°Ow, why¡¯d you elbow me?¡±


    ¡°You did it first!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but yours hurt!¡±


    ¡°Whatever,¡± Jules rolled her eyes. ¡°So, what was it like getting tossed around?¡±


    ¡°Scary at first, but then I kinda got used to it. Reminded me of being on a roller coaster.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, I heard you guys had those in SoCal,¡± Jules nodded. ¡°The only thing we have here is the water park.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d love to ride a roller coaster. My parents told me stories about them. They have pictures and video from when they were younger. It looks super fun!¡± Shannon said.


    ¡°You guys should try it out if you ever come down.¡±


    ¡°Do you guys keep them open all year? The water park¡¯s only open for people during the summer. The rest of the year it¡¯s an encounter challenge.¡±


    ¡°Nah. We only clear them of monsters for maybe ten days total, but we¡¯ve got like three, so, I guess that¡¯s more like thirty days total. It¡¯s spread out and we avoid rainy days. Otherwise, it¡¯s just like you guys. They¡¯re encounter challenges the rest of the time.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going this Saturday with a bunch of friends. Boys and girls,¡± Shannon said. ¡°You should come.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ thanks, but I have training.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Shannon pouted.


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m only here for, like, another month, so they want to get in as much work as they can, I guess,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°No breaks?¡± Jules snorted.


    ¡°Just for recovery stuff. Stretching, ice, food, sleep. You know how it is.¡±


    ¡°Not even for the weekend,¡± Shannon said.


    ¡°Saturday and Sunday are lighter on the physical stuff, but I get more classroom stuff. Strategy, tactics, history stuff.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we do that too, but not during the summer. Unless you really want to, but we get plenty of that during the year,¡± Jules said.


    Alin¡¯s days were full and he was sure that asking for some time off to hang out with girls wouldn¡¯t fly.


    Nope.


    His schedule was set and tightly adhered to.


    Waking up was followed by breakfast.


    Then came weightlifting for an hour and a half.


    Recovery was next. Trainers¡¯ Skills mimicked the effects of a full night¡¯s sleep in about half an hour. It wasn¡¯t as good as the natural thing, but it was good enough. Their Skills couldn¡¯t hold of entropy forever. At least the ones they had. Who knew what crazy Skills existed past the Level 50 threshold.


    Cardio followed with an hour of sprints, interspersed between circuits of the obstacle course.


    They called it the ¡®maw¡¯ for the way it chewed people up and swallowed them.


    Running, jumping, climbing.


    It was a full body workout that built fast-twitch athleticism and muscle endurance.


    Recovery again.


    Then training with one¡¯s weapon of choice. For beginners this meant practicing the techniques without an opponent or on a stationary dummy. It depended on one¡¯s proficiency.


    For Alin it meant sparring with a live opponent.


    He was technically better than some of the trainers, but lacked their levels and Skills.


    This thought appeared to cross Jules¡¯ mind.


    ¡°I saw you sparring with Amber and other teachers. How¡¯d you keep up without a class?¡±


    ¡°One, they weren¡¯t going all out.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, it sorta looked like it sometimes. I saw them using Skills,¡± Shannon said.


    ¡°Yeah, sometimes, but not usually and they didn¡¯t use strong ones or use them that seriously.¡±


    ¡°And what¡¯s two?¡± Jules said.


    ¡°I¡­ forgot.¡±


    ¡°So, you looked pretty good out there, minus the catch session,¡± Jules said.


    ¡°Um¡­ what did they say¡­¡± he didn¡¯t want to brag. He kind of wanted to brag. ¡°Yeah, the trainers say that I¡¯d win most of the time against anyone with a class up to about Level 10. That¡¯s with gear being equalized. I start falling off after that. Skills start making up the technique gap in the teens and by Level 20 the ratio flips. Over 20 and I¡¯d need to get really lucky and the other guy unlucky for me to win a fight. Obviously, real fights don¡¯t usually break down into an equal one versus one.¡±


    The girls nodded.


    ¡°That¡¯s why we train in teams,¡± Shannon said.


    They talked about normal stuff for the rest of dinner.


    So, basically about fighting, classes and monsters.


    Alin would¡¯ve liked to talk to people his age more over the summer, but his damned schedule got in the way.


    Wake. Train. Sleep.


    The days blurred into weeks with only a few conversations with people his age. Usually at the mess hall.


    He wouldn¡¯t say that he had made new friends.


    More like acquaintances.


    And ¡®new¡¯ wasn¡¯t technically correct.


    It turned out that he had trained with most of them years ago.


    Summer and his time in NorCal ended when his dad arrived with a few huge surprises.

 8.8

    ¡°So, that¡¯s the spire I took to go to the Threnosh world. As far as I know, I might¡¯ve been the first Earthian to go to another world,¡± his dad paused. ¡°It was very reckless of me and don¡¯t ever follow my example,¡± he added hastily.


    ¡°I know, Dad. You¡¯ve told me, like, once a month.¡±


    The spire looked just like any other spire.


    Alin was more interested in the old college campus it stood in.


    After walking around he decided that it was nice, not that different from the other colleges he had walked around in.


    The city was another new place he had never been to before because up until a few years ago it was still technically enemy territory.


    It was where his dad, mom, uncles, aunt and cousins had lived during the early spires years.


    They had visited his uncle and aunt¡¯s old house.


    It was still half-destroyed.


    Another old story he had heard dozens of times.


    A fishman attack when the Deep Azure and cult were a strong power.


    The cult still held San Francisco, but without the Deep Azure their power had steadily declined over the years.


    The state government and the Watch had decided that it was better to just keep them contained rather than spend lives killing them all.


    Outside of the rare fishman attack the strategy had proved effective.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that different from back home,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°But it¡¯s history.¡±


    ¡°Meh, seen it, heard the stories.¡±


    ¡°That spire¡ª¡±


    ¡°Is the same as the rest. Don¡¯t we think that they¡¯re all probably the same spire? You know, a many is one sort of thing. And that they¡¯re just there, but also everywhere. So, one is the same as any other.¡±


    ¡°Man, you¡¯re all the way into that jaded, too cool for anything teenage years aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not my fault,¡± he raised his hands. ¡°Just how you and mom made me.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, let¡¯s see how long you can keep the act up.¡±


    ¡°Your surprises?¡±


    Shit!


    He had been too determined to be cool that burying himself in nonchalance had blinded him to the obvious goings on around him.


    The huge lawn surrounding the spire was a mix of summer garden and defensive fortification.


    Behind where he stood with his dad were a handful of fortified bunkers with armed men and women. There were more surrounding the spire. The bunkers were integrated into the tall, thick wall encircling it.


    People from the state government stood nearby.


    The governor, staff, Rino, Kare and other guards.


    The Watch was there. Watch Commander Court along with Amber, Max and others.


    Despite the high levels in attendance everyone seemed fairly relaxed.


    Well, that wasn¡¯t true.


    Some looked nervous, but it wasn¡¯t the scared of dying kind of nervous.


    ¡°Figure it out yet?¡± his dad raised a brow.


    ¡°They¡¯re coming back?¡± he frowned.


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    ¡°No? This looks like a formal set up.¡±


    The government people were dressed up and there were guys holding up flags.


    ¡°Threnosh are coming?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re partially right on both accounts.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± his eyes widened.


    ¡°You¡¯ll see,¡± his dad smiled smugly.


    ¡°Damn you and such,¡± he shook his fist.


    The wait suddenly became exciting and unbearable.


    Cool was gone and it took all his focus not to start pacing.


    The space in front of the spire suddenly tore without warning.


    People flinched at the sound and sight.


    Except for his dad.


    ¡°How do you do that?¡± he whispered as the rent widened.


    ¡°Do what?¡±


    ¡°Not freak out.¡±


    ¡°Practice.¡±


    The rent stabilized and one man stepped out.


    He had only seen his Uncle Remy in pictures and videos. Interacted with him through the spires message system, usually around birthdays and holidays. They had never actually talked live.


    His dad and uncle didn¡¯t really look the same at first glance.


    You had to really look to see the similarity in the eyes and nose, specifically around the bridge area.


    Black hair, brown skin, paler as though he hadn¡¯t been in the sun much.


    He was taller, though, being much leaner made the height difference look much more that it actually was.


    ¡°Remy!¡± his dad rushed forward.


    Shit. Be cool.


    He walked forward, trying to not look as lame as his dad.


    His dad and uncle wrapped each other up in a bone-crushing hug.


    He stood behind awkwardly.


    ¡°Hey, is that Alin?¡± Uncle Remy grinned. ¡°You¡¯re a lot taller in person.¡±


    He held up his fist.


    His uncle bumped it before striking like a snake and constricting him.


    ¡°Too cool for hugs!¡± his uncle laughed. ¡°You¡¯re all like that at this age.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t mess up my hair,¡± he wheezed.


    His uncle¡¯s hand froze and returned to his side.


    ¡°Sure, I can do that.¡±


    They stepped away from the bright tear.


    Aunt Megan came through next.


    More hugs.


    This time his hair didn¡¯t escape ruffling.


    He resolved to cut his hair short.


    For some reason all the adults in his family couldn¡¯t resist ruffling his mop of waves and slight curls.


    ¡°Um¡­ are Tessa and Vee not coming?¡± he noticed that they had moved a good distance away from the tear.


    His aunt and uncle shared a sigh.


    ¡°Hopefully soon,¡± his aunt said. ¡°Vee¡¯s got her Justice V group thing and Tessa isn¡¯t comfortable with the succession plan.¡±


    ¡°The others?¡± his dad said.


    It was then that Alin noticed the small, silver egg-like container in his aunt¡¯s hands.


    ¡°You need to take that?¡± his dad said.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± his uncle said. ¡°Tessa sent them a spires message shortly after it happened, so they¡¯ve known for years, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s different when your child finally comes home to you. Even if it¡¯s like this,¡± his aunt said.


    ¡°At least they have something to keep. There was nothing left of¡­¡± his uncle shook his head.


    The mood grew somber.


    ¡°You guys should go take care of that. They shouldn¡¯t have to wait any longer. They¡¯ve waited long enough. We¡¯ll meet up later,¡± his dad said.


    ¡°Sure,¡± his uncle said. ¡°C¡¯mon, honey.¡±


    His aunt and uncle floated into the sky.


    ¡°Was that¡­¡±


    ¡°For some the price of adventure is too much. Even, especially, if they¡¯re willing to pay it. Ultimately, those left behind share the burden of the costs.¡±


    The next person to step through the tear was utterly alien.


    Not that he could see the Threnosh within the giant power armor that lumbered into view.


    The bipedal monstrosity looked close to ten feet tall. Thick plates of dull gray Threnium covered every bit of its surface. Stout limbs looked large enough for him to crawl inside if hollowed out of all the artificial muscles and systems. It lacked a visible head. Weapons were mounted on both shoulders with ammunition feeding apparatuses leading to its back. It had all the weapons.


    ¡°Awesome,¡± he whispered.


    In addition to the shoulder-mounted weapons, there were ones mounted around the lower arms where the hands would¡¯ve been on a person. Both upper and lower legs featured front, side, and probably, rear-mounted weapons.


    The Threnosh shook the ground with each step as it walked right up to his dad.


    Alin swallowed the lump in his throat and fought the urge to take a long step back.


    It had suddenly gotten very dark, as though there was an eclipse.


    The armor thrummed with contained power, giving off noticeable heat.


    ¡°Honor.¡±


    The Threnosh¡¯s voice was disturbingly human-like.


    High-pitched, almost like a child.


    ¡°I greet you in the way of your people as you showed me many cycles ago.¡±


    A faint whine accompanied by the shifting of gears and twisting of artificial muscles emerged from its mid-section.


    Armor plating opened and a robotic arm extended.


    ¡°Welcome to my world, Primal,¡± his dad shook it, ¡°it¡¯s been too long.¡±


    ¡°I look forward to destroying your foes. Now I must perform greetings as instructed,¡± Primal lumbered over to the state government contingent.


    Alin took a bit of smug satisfaction to see that many of them took a step back as Primal loomed.


    ¡°At least they aren¡¯t cursing,¡± his dad said. ¡°They picked up that habit from me.¡±


    He listened to Primal go through what definitely sounded like a prepared statement as the Threnosh exchanged greetings with the governor.


    ¡°You know¡­ it¡¯s a good thing I prepared the humans too,¡± his dad said.


    ¡°Dad, are you listening to them? They¡¯re having a conversation, but it sounds like Primal¡¯s just reading off a list.¡±


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    ¡°It was Caretaker, probably. They¡¯re better than the predictive algorithms we came up with back before the spires.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Automated voice and A.I. stuff,¡± his dad shrugged. ¡°Companies used them for phone calls so they wouldn¡¯t have to pay actual people to take them. It got creepy good by the time the spires stopped advancement. I swear, I had calls that I got tricked. Thought I was speaking to an actual person, when it wasn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ that sounds kinda weird and creepy. Why¡¯d they even bother?¡±


    ¡°For profit. Cheaper in the long run to use A.I. They were even getting into things like art. Painting, writing, acting. They could make old actors almost look like their younger versions. Even use actors that had already died. Didn¡¯t quite get past the uncanny valley, but several more years of development probably would¡¯ve gotten them over that.¡±


    ¡°That sounds kinda cool, but then when I think about it¡­ sounds kinda creepy and terrible.¡±


    He had a ton of questions, but the next Threnosh arrived.


    This one was nothing at all like the first aside from wearing power armor.


    They were short, even in armor, coming up to the bottom of Alin¡¯s chest.


    Their armor was colorful, as if someone had splashed all the colors of the rainbow then ran all sorts of brushes over the surface before the paint dried.


    The armor was sleek, almost fragile looking.


    What truly drew his eyes was the disc-shaped emitter set into helmet¡¯s forehead.


    The faceplate shimmered from opaque to translucent to reveal a withered gray-skinned face with splotches of light and dark gray tones.


    The Threnosh¡¯s lip-less mouth broke into a smile as her big eyes creased.


    ¡°Kynnro,¡± his dad held out a hand.


    The Threnosh didn¡¯t take it, instead she wrapped him up in a tight hug.


    ¡°This is the proper greeting among friends. Vee taught me many years ago,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°It is,¡± his dad sniffed.


    ¡°And you,¡± they turned to him. ¡°Are a much taller, thinner and younger version of Honor. I conclude that you are the offspring. Name: Alin.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ hi,¡± he waved lamely.


    Kynnro moved in for a hug, which he gingerly returned.


    ¡°Honor, you told us that Earthians didn¡¯t create new ones as we do. Yet, I detect a 99.9% match in facial data points.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that happens sometimes,¡± his dad shrugged.


    ¡°Interesting. I will learn more. I must exchange diplomatic greetings with your Earthian allies and ensure that Primal adheres to Caretaker¡¯s words.¡±


    Alin frowned, puzzled.


    He thought back to his dad¡¯s stories about the Threnosh. The pictures and videos he had seen from the years his dad had spent on the Threnosh world.


    The oldest of the so-called defective would be in their mid to late twenties at the most.


    Kynnro looked way older, which made sense cause they weren¡¯t human.


    Duh, he thought, they obviously age quicker. Dude, that sucks. Old at twenty. Cool power armor though. Like Mom and Dad¡¯s, but with all the options. I wish I had one too. Maybe, I can ask for one for my birthday. I¡¯ll frame it as keeping me safe from potential monster attacks.


    The next Threnosh appeared.


    Frequency.


    Alin recognized them from the many speaker-like modules on their power armor.


    How could he forget?


    They had been the one that had ultimately killed Mother Madrigal with a slight assist from his dad.


    He had actually viewed a partial recording of that fight.


    The huge, flesh-wearing, woman monster had haunted his nightmares for weeks afterward.


    His mom had been so mad at his dad for letting him watch that.


    She may have had a point.


    A ten year old probably had no business watching his dad in a life or death struggle against an eldritch monstrosity.


    The way Frequency¡¯s sound waves had melted the flesh on both Mother Madrigal and his dad had stuck with him for a long time.


    ¡°Honor, Honor¡¯s offspring. I greet you on behalf of Prime Custodian 3 and Commander Caretaker 1. We thank you for accepting us during the last cycles of our lifespan,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°That¡¯s not necessary. I told you guys. Whatever you need, if I can do it then I will. Giving you a place to retire without some assholes wanting to study you and cut you up after you¡ª¡± his dad cleared his throat. ¡°The Threnosh council still sucks and fuck them for wanting to do you dirty like that after everything you¡¯ve done for your people.¡±


    ¡°Yes, fuck them indeed,¡± Frequency embraced his dad.


    Then offered him a hand.


    He shook it, but totally limp-wristed it.


    Threnosh were supposed to be super fragile, but that was when not in their power armor.


    Details. I¡¯ve got to notice the details.


    Every combat teacher he had had harped on that point.


    ¡°I must greet the local council and make sure that Primal remains sealed until we¡¯ve fully tested the local environment for potential deleterious elements. We shall speak later at this reception event,¡± Frequency said.


    More Threnosh emerged bearing sealed crates on hover carts, which was awesome.


    Though none were ¡®defective¡¯.


    The standard Threnosh were indistinguishable from each other.


    Their gray-skinned faces were dominated by big eyes with a dark pupil that took up more space in comparison to a human. Their lip-less mouths were so thin that it looked like they didn¡¯t have mouths until they opened them. They lacked a nose, merely had two barely noticeable slits above their mouths.


    Alin tried to observe all the details as the Threnosh spoke with his dad while recalling what his dad had told him about the Threnosh.


    It sucked to be a standard Threnosh, he concluded.


    All he had to do was consider how they were named.


    Their job, followed by the location of their birthing creche, followed by a number.


    That was it.


    The sum total of a standard Threnosh¡¯s identity encapsulated into three things.


    To exist only to work?


    Awful in every way that mattered.


    They had cool tech though.


    ¡°Boy,¡± his dad beckoned him over and introduced him to the small team of standard Threnosh.


    An engineer and fabricators to maintain his dad¡¯s old friends¡¯ power armor, as well as to create gear and exchange ideas with the Earthians.


    The tentative first steps in building an alliance, which seemed super complicated to him on account that Earth wasn¡¯t united at all.


    ¡°You understand then?¡± his dad said.


    ¡°Yeah. That Terminus thing made it so that it doesn¡¯t cost all your Universal Points to travel to another world. It¡¯s a flat fee now. Still based on how powerful you are, but it won¡¯t zero you out. Since Earth connects directly to any other world, it means that everyone¡¯s going to want to claim a beach head to try to protect themselves from their enemies. Earth¡¯s like a sudden backdoor got opened up to everyone¡¯s worlds. At least that¡¯s what you learned.¡±


    ¡°So far and knowing the spires system, things can and will change if it means our lives get more difficult.¡±


    ¡°Which is what the spires want¡­ never ending conflict.¡±


    He had that ground into his head for as long as he could remember.


    It was the same with his friends.


    First, from their parents.


    Then, in school and training.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to help the Threnosh move their equipment.¡±


    ¡°What about me?¡±


    ¡°Stay here, talk to them,¡± his dad nodded at the three Threnosh moving through their introductory greetings. ¡°Keep things cool, you know, smooth over any potential cultural misunderstandings. Make sure Primal doesn¡¯t try to fight¡­ stuff.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sure, cause I totally know how to do that,¡± he frowned.


    ¡°Turn that frown upside down,¡± his lame dad grinned. ¡°The best way to learn is to do.¡±


    ¡°What? No. You¡¯ve told me the exact opposite, like, a million times!¡±


    ¡°Meh. Things change, right?¡±


    With that his dad took to the sky with the standard Threnosh and their many crate-filled hover carts.


    Taking a deep breath and pumping himself up with muttered words he walked over to the fancy diplomacy people and tried to look like he knew what he was doing.


    The smile on his face didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes.


    That awkward feeling stayed with him all the way through the reception back at the Capitol.


    There were speeches and junk, but he spent most of his time at the food tables.


    He had to keep his protein intake up despite the disruption of his normal schedule.


    Sure, the food wasn¡¯t exactly clean, but beggars couldn¡¯t be choosers.


    Things finally looked up after the reception.


    They took the Threnosh to a block of old-timey garages next to an old-timey junkyard, which, coincidentally was only a few blocks away from the Watch¡¯s HQ.


    Mindful of his lessons, he kept an ear tuned toward his dad while intently watching the Threnosh unpack their crates and set up all sorts of awesome, super science-y machines.


    ¡°Can you afford it?¡± Watch Commander Court said. ¡°Costs went up across the board.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t unexpected. So, I¡¯ve been building up my reserves,¡± his dad referred to Universal Points.


    ¡°How long can you pay for everything? How many buildings do you own? A few thousand?¡±


    ¡°Something like that. Maintaining most won¡¯t be an issue. The main problem are the stores now that I have to pay to replace supplies people take.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to have to start charging. We¡¯re doing that up here. People grumble, but we set the prices at cost. Plus, most people haven¡¯t really needed to spend their points over the last fifteen, twenty years. They¡¯ve got enough to take care of necessities for years even if they don¡¯t gain a single Universal Point from this point on. The new tax on gains pretty much covers the baseline ownership fees for everyone.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got years before worrying about taxing people.¡±


    ¡°Must be nice being able to hunt monsters down anywhere in the world. Kill a giant monster and boom, a few hundred grand in your pocket.¡±


    ¡°If you want I¡¯m more than happy to share. I can bring, say, four or five of your best on those bounty hunts. Obviously, I can¡¯t give you guys sole access, but we can set up a rotating system.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, but I¡¯ll need to talk with Hanna. We¡¯ve got a handful of people that can contribute to a fight like that and the opportunity cost might not be worth it. They¡¯d have to gain enough to justify removing them from our defense. Especially, now that boundary protections are being phased out,¡± Watch Commander Court spat. ¡°At least the fucking spires didn¡¯t take them out all at once.¡±


    ¡°That day was always coming. The tutorial lasting decades lulled us all into hoping that it¡¯d last longer.¡±


    ¡°Shit! I was hoping I¡¯d be dead before I saw that happen.¡±


    His dad¡¯s conversation turned into background noise as Fabricator Southern Ice Pass 11398 finally finished setting up the first fabrication machine.


    It had been crazy to watch it unpack out of a crate that looked way too small to contain it. The machine was about the size of three fridges when it was set up.


    The sleek backpack integrated into the fabricator¡¯s power armor unfurled into many thin arms that vaguely reminded Alin of spider legs with multi-tools attached.


    The arms scuttled across the fabrication machine as the fabricator moved around it in a precise manner. Not a movement was wasted.


    When the fabricator was finished, the closest thing Alin could compare the machine to were the 3D printers his dad used to print those tiny figures they used to play miniature war and board games.


    ¡°Um¡­ hey¡­ sup?¡± he approached fabricator. ¡°Fabricator Southern Ice Pass 11398, right? So, that¡¯s pretty cold.¡±


    ¡°Southern Ice Pass region temperatures range from -12¡ã to 5¡ã Celsius.¡±


    ¡°Damn, dude, that¡¯s, like, almost always freezing.¡±


    ¡°Correct.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ so, like, do you have to calibrate it?¡± he gestured to the fabrication machine.


    ¡°Correct.¡±


    ¡°What are you going to fabricate?¡±


    ¡°Designation: Standard Threnium Chestplate, Earthian dimensions.¡±


    Kynnro came over and hugged him.


    Which was weird.


    ¡°Alin or is it Boy? I have heard people call you by both designations, names,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°My real name and my nickname. I¡¯m cool with whatever,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Acknowledged, Name: Whatever,¡± they said.


    ¡°Uh¡­ wait. That¡¯s not what¡ª¡± he searched for something diplomatic to say.


    Kynnro¡¯s wrinkled face crinkled even more as they broke out into a high-pitched laugh.


    ¡°I told a joke at your expense! However, it is an attempt to bond in friendship in your species¡¯ way, therefore I laugh with you and not at you.¡±


    ¡°Hahaha¡­ cool, totally got me. Friends? Yeah, it¡¯d be cool if we could be friends,¡± he leaned closer, ¡°you can tell me about stuff my dad won¡¯t tell me about his time on your home world.¡±


    ¡°Yes, friend,¡± they hugged him again.


    He awkwardly hugged them back and tried to think of way to tell them that one didn¡¯t hug multiple times in one conversation.


    ¡°There are many stories. We will have to list that which you know so that we can cross-reference to avoid redundancy,¡± Kynnro nodded.


    ¡°So, where¡¯s Primal and Frequency?¡±


    ¡°The latter continues diplomacy with the Earthian leader of this region. Designation: Governor Alejandro Richards. While the former provides escort. It is strange. Honor had told us that your species does not included function in designation.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, not officially. It¡¯s not like ¡®governor¡¯ is on his birth certificate and he doesn¡¯t keep it unless he¡¯s governor. I¡¯ve talked to him a few times. He¡¯s pretty cool, really trustworthy. Like, he¡¯s a bro. Doesn¡¯t give off that leadership vibe where they¡¯re, like, judging how to use you, sort of. He wouldn¡¯t still be governor if it was the old days. I think the most you can be one was, like, ten years. But, I guess he¡¯s doing a good job because people keep electing him. Like, he told me once that he¡¯d quit if he could, but no one wants to run against him.¡±


    Alin had to explain what a birth certificate was. Along with what an election was.


    The subjects, admittedly, didn¡¯t belong to his favorite class, so he warned Kynnro that they should verify the information with his dad.


    It didn¡¯t help that he was distracted by the fabricator.


    ¡°You show signs of interest in the fabrication machine.¡±


    ¡°Yeah! It¡¯s pretty cool!¡±


    Fabricator Southern Ice Pass 11398 pulled a metallic canister larger than their diminutive body.


    The spider-like arms hefted it without apparent difficulty.


    ¡°Is that the Threnium?¡±


    The fabricator carried it to the rear of the machine, inserting it.


    They repeated the process three times.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Kynnro said.


    The fabricator walked back to the front of the machine and turned it on with a gesture.


    The panel suddenly lit up with a holographic display.


    Armor-clad fingers danced.


    Sadly, the fabrication bay was hidden inside opaque walls, but he knew enough to know that the Threnium in liquid form was being extruded into form, in this instance a chestplate sized and shaped for a standard Earthian¡­ er¡­ human.


    ¡°How does that even work?¡±


    ¡°Please specify, Alin or Boy,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°Like, how does any of that work? How do you keep Threnium liquid without heat? How do you harden it? How do you make it strong without hammering and quenching?¡±


    ¡°The council has not authorized the sharing of that information, please accept my apology.¡±


    ¡°Nah, don¡¯t worry about it. I totally get that. Secret information is secret for a reason.¡±


    ¡°Would you like to fabricate something?¡±


    Kynnro¡¯s eyes glinted, though that might¡¯ve been the ceiling lights reflecting off their faceplate.


    ¡°Yes, please!¡±


    Kynnro directed the fabricator to follow Alin¡¯s instructions.


    Describing the dimensions of the item he wanted to make took longer than the actual fabrication process, since he was pulling it from memory.


    The Threnium sword came out of the machine fully formed. Blade, guard and hilt in one piece. All he¡¯d have to do was wrap the hilt in an insulating material and it¡¯d be combat ready.


    The dull, gray metal was cool to the touch.


    He tested the edge with his thumbnail.


    ¡°Sharp,¡± he murmured.


    ¡°A katana? Shameful¡­¡±

 8.9

    He turned to the voice and fought the instinct to hide the katana behind his back.


    ¡°Master Hanna,¡± he nodded.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Boy, what¡¯ve I told you about the ¡®master¡¯ stuff?¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ you have¡­ but it¡¯s easier said than done. I don¡¯t want to run sprints¡­ just in case.¡±


    Kynnro wrapped their armor-clad around Hanna¡¯s waist before he could warn her.


    Eye widened, but Hanna lightly patted the Threnosh on the back.


    ¡°Friend Hanna, would you like a cybernetic replacement?¡±


    The black patch over Hanna¡¯s eye socket wasn¡¯t held in place by straps, but by magic. That side of her face was covered in light scars. She had consented to having the damage repaired enough that her ability to chew and emote on that side weren¡¯t impaired. What she kept was to remind herself of her duty.


    She flipped the patch up to reveal a glowing orb of magic and technology.


    ¡°Sure, if it¡¯s better than this one.¡±


    ¡°We will perform comparison tests.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll add it to my busy schedule.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯re you doing here mas¡ª er¡­ Hanna?¡±


    It pained him to use just her name.


    He could almost here her voice barking at him to go run.


    ¡°Escorting the loot,¡± Hanna gestured toward the many crates being loaded onto hover carts by fabricators while Watch members stared at everything with wide eyes. ¡°Recoilless rifles and ammo mostly, thanks, by the way,¡± she nodded to Kynnro.


    ¡°For the council it is to secure a beneficial alliance. For me it is to aid friends.¡±


    ¡°Hanna, everything¡¯s ready to go,¡± Basilisk approached.


    Alin managed to place a hand on Kynnro¡¯s armored shoulder this time.


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t like hugs,¡± he whispered urgently.


    The Threnosh held out an armored hand instead.


    ¡°Greetings, new friend, I am designated, ¡®Kynnro¡¯.¡±


    The young woman took the proffered hand and gave it a firm shake.


    ¡°Nice to meet you. You can call me ¡®Basilisk¡¯.¡±


    ¡°I also offer you a cybernetic eye.¡±


    Unlike Hanna, Basilisk didn¡¯t conceal her magitech eye behind a patch.


    Also unlike her mentor, she had every single scar on her face from before healed.


    There were a few remaining, but those were ones she had taken in the years after she had earned her freedom from the vile slavers of the long-dead New American Republic.


    However, not all scars were visible and those were often the hardest to heal.


    ¡°Sure, if it¡¯s better than this one.¡±


    The katana peeking over Alin¡¯s shoulder caught her eyes.


    ¡°Really, Boy?¡± she raised a brow.


    He sighed.


    ¡°It¡¯s not for me. It¡¯s for a friend.¡±


    ¡°Right, a ¡®friend¡¯,¡± Basilisk mimed quotation marks.


    ¡°What¡¯s her name?¡± Hanna smirked.


    Shit!


    ¡°I detect an increase to your heart rate and internal temperature,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°She¡¯s just a friend,¡± he tried to apply what Hanna had taught him about regaining calm in a stressful event.


    ¡°Uh huh,¡± Basilisk nodded. ¡°It¡¯s totally whatevers giving a Threnium sword to ¡®just a friend¡¯.¡±


    Air quotes again.


    ¡°Alright, time to go,¡± Hanna said. ¡°Boy, I hope your ¡®friend¡¯ enjoys the gift.¡±


    ¡°Why did they make that gesture with their fingers?¡±


    Alin had to explain what a ¡®crush¡¯ was and how it differed from the standard definition, which led to him having to explain his embarrassment, which led to more explanations.


    The rabbit hole ended all the way down to a place where Kynnro joined the handful of people that knew about his crush.


    A few friends.


    His parents, not cause he told them, but because they just knew somehow. He had believed his dad when the old man had sworn there were no mind powers involved, that it was just obvious.


    Kynnro eagerly helped him with coming up with a cool design for the composite hilt wrap and the composite scabbard, which involved pushing the fabricator¡¯s ahead of their schedule to get that machine up and calibrated.


    He spent his last week in Sacramento the same way he had spent his first seven when he would have rather played with the fabrication machines.


    They made so many cool things.


    Automated defenses systems by the dozens per hour.


    The loss of ownership protections needed to be mitigated.


    One fabrication machine was dedicated to producing the parts needed to make more of its kind.


    By the time his dad flew the two of them back home, they had a fabrication machine packed among the many crates of gear.


    ¡°When will the Threnosh come down?¡±


    ¡°A month or two. They need to do the diplomacy stuff. Fight a few monsters, go through some encounter challenges. Got to build that rapport and show what they can do,¡± his dad said.


    ¡°Cool. I hope they enjoy their retirement. Should they be fighting?¡± He had concerns.


    ¡°Their trueskins make them physically combat effective to their last day. Mentally? Well, they¡¯ll be the first to find out what it¡¯s like for them to live to a potentially natural end.¡±


    ¡°So their council just kills them on their ¡®expiration¡¯ date?¡±


    ¡°yeah and that¡¯s the exact term, well, at least how the universal translation system translates it.¡±


    ¡°Wow! That¡¯s so messed up.¡±


    ¡°In their defense, they¡¯re a genetically engineered species. The standard Threnosh simply dies on their expiration date. To the exact minute. It¡¯s different for the so-called defectives. Before the spires and the trueskins, those like my friends never had the chance to emerge from their birthing creches. They were killed and broken down for their biological matter.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t know about allying with them.¡±


    ¡°Things have changed. The uniques are assets now, to varying degrees of what you and I would consider acceptable.¡±


    ¡°They wanted to experiment on them!¡±


    ¡°Just being an asset to someone doesn¡¯t guarantee that they¡¯ll treat you with the same respect and care that they¡¯d treat themselves. It¡¯s not that different from how humans do things.¡±


    <hr>


    Los Angeles, California, 2046


    The biggest surprise awaited Alin the next morning when he walked into the living room.


    A small wrapped present sat on top of a huge wrapped present.


    ¡°Happy Birthday!¡±


    His mom and dad beamed.


    ¡°Um¡­ thanks,¡± he eyed the presents, not daring to hope that it was what he thought it was. ¡°But, my birthday isn¡¯t until this weekend,¡± he tried to act that it was whatevers, despite the urge to rush forward and tear the wrapping open like he was his little cousin.


    Lera would¡¯ve definitely forgotten her strength and knocked everyone out of the way en route to demolishing the artfully done wrap job.


    His mom¡¯s work.


    She was good at that sort of thing.


    There were ribbons tied up fancy and everything.


    ¡°Well, we¡¯re going to have a lot of people for your surprise party,¡± his dad said.


    ¡°And we know you don¡¯t like attention,¡± his mom said.


    ¡°So, we figured you¡¯d rather open this without everyone watching,¡± his dad finished.


    ¡°Thanks¡­¡±


    The first thing he did was hug his mom and dad.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t even opened it yet. It might be something terrible.¡±


    ¡°I doubt it, Dad. I¡¯m pretty sure you guys would never traumatize me like that,¡± he said as he pondered how to attack the gift wrap. ¡°Mom?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, love?¡±


    ¡°Do you want to save the wrapping?¡±


    ¡°Nope¡­ save the ribbons, though.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    The paper tore beneath his powerful hands.


    Never had they faced such destruction.


    ¡°Oh shit,¡± he muttered.


    Two Threnosh crates stood in front of him.


    Did he dare let the tingling hope in his heart ring louder than his hated morning alarm?


    Naturally, he tried to open he smaller one first.


    ¡°Um¡­ how do I open this?¡±


    He couldn¡¯t locate the latches.


    How did the Threnosh open them?


    He ran his hands over the crate and failed to find a seam denoting the lid.


    After a moment he looked at his dad.


    The Threnosh hadn¡¯t done anything to open the crates, at least that he had noticed.


    It was obviously opened wirelessly through their power armor systems.


    ¡°Oh come on,¡± his mom rolled her eyes. ¡°Are you going to make him sweat? Look at his face!¡± she exhorted his dad.


    ¡°What? Problem solving is a crucial ability,¡± his dad shrugged. ¡°So, Boy¡­ how will you solve it?¡±


    ¡°How do I open it, Dad,¡± he said flatly. ¡°Please,¡± he added hastily.


    ¡°Good choice. Actually, it was your only realistic one. I had them key it to your biometrics. Place your hand on the top, then look directly at it.¡±


    He placed his hand on the metallic surface.


    ¡°Um¡­ where do I look?¡±


    ¡°Your hand, don¡¯t blink for a second or two.¡±


    Faint light emerged from underneath his hand.


    The cool surface warmed slightly.


    There was a click and a hiss.


    He pulled his hand away and jumped back like it was a hot stove.


    It wasn¡¯t pain or fear, or anything like that.


    Well, fear, but fear in the sense of the desire to not get sprayed with glitter or water.


    His parents liked to pull pranks.


    It kept him on his toes and aware of potential dangers in everyday life.


    At least that was what they had said.


    The pranks sucked, but he had fun trying to come up with his own to get them back.


    Things had cooled down on the prank war front over the past few years.


    If he had been a bit more self-aware and introspective the unofficial armistice had begun at roughly the same time that he had gotten too cool for kid stuff and extra moody.


    His dad laughed.


    His mom punched his dad in the arm.


    Nothing had come out of the crate.


    He reached inside and pulled out a sleek, dull gray rectangle.


    It resembled a closed laptop in dimensions, though it was a lot thicker. About as thick as two stacked volumes of the encyclopedia set they had in the library suite across the hallway. It felt like it weighed about the same.


    ¡°Uh¡­ thanks¡­ what is it?¡± he examined it.


    Just like the crate there was a decided lack of any obvious features.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s a problem for you to solve,¡± his dad said.


    ¡°Jeez, love, give him a break it¡¯s his birthday present, not a challenge,¡± his mom said.


    ¡°Alright, fine,¡± his dad floated a thin frame with two straps out of the crate and dropped it in front of him. ¡°What¡¯s that look like?¡±


    ¡°This,¡± he placed the rectangle into the frame, ¡°goes in this,¡± a soft click was the only indication that something had happened, ¡°and I wear it,¡± he slipped his arms through the two straps like a backpack.


    The straps were surprisingly comfortable despite the weight.


    ¡°How¡¯s it feel?¡± his dad said.


    ¡°Actually, pretty nice. No chafing and¡ª¡± his eyes widened, ¡°the frame just moved.¡±


    In fact it had molded itself to the contours of his back.


    ¡°Okay, so, I¡¯d rather you go through the manual on your own before activating anything, but your mom insists, so¡­¡±


    His dad did something.


    The pack grew warmer and soft mechanical sounds emerged from its former silence.


    Whirring, beeping, humming¡­ the kind of sounds where you knew some high tech super science-y stuff was popping off.


    His gaze snapped to his reflection in the mirror.


    The pack exploded outward.


    ¡°Try not to move, but really it doesn¡¯t make that much of a difference,¡± his dad warned.


    Dark gray strips of flexible material wrapped around his entire body.


    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    Followed by thin plates of dull gray material, which had to be Threnium, sliding over the undersuit, which is what it had to be, to cover most of his body. Only his bendy bits remained uncovered.


    Even his crotch got protection, which he appreciated.


    The helmet was the last part to slide around his head.


    The HUD flared to life.


    Words floated in front of his face.


    ¡°I have to read the manual. Where¡¯s the manual?¡±


    ¡°You can read and listen to it in there. I also had one printed out,¡± his dad floated a thick book out of the crate.


    ¡°This is¡­ this is so awesome!¡±


    He couldn¡¯t contain his excitement.


    He rushed over to his parents for a hug.


    Stopped suddenly because he realized he was in armor.


    Hugged them when he remembered it was his parents.


    He couldn¡¯t hurt them.


    ¡°Now, don¡¯t get too excited. Number one,¡± his dad held up a finger, ¡°there¡¯s a lock on its features. You¡¯ll have to learn it inside and out.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a test,¡± his mom added. ¡°And number two, we¡¯ll maintain parental override until you pass all the tests to our satisfaction.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, totally, tests, no problem,¡± he reached for the manual when his dad tapped him on the shoulder.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you forgetting one other thing?¡±


    ¡°Sh¡ª crap! Yeah!¡±


    The other wrapped gift.


    The ribbons managed to survive his relentless assault.


    A second crate stood revealed.


    Much larger than the first


    He placed a gloved hand on the smooth surface.


    Nothing happened.


    ¡°Oh¡­ right.¡±


    He thought really hard until the cybernetic control system followed his command.


    The crate opened up like a box, expanding in four directions until it was almost touching the ceiling. A little over 2 cm away according to the HUD.


    Power armor!


    Open and ready for him to back into.


    ¡°Go ahead!¡± his dad said.


    It sealed around him with a hiss.


    ¡°Activate parental override. Lock movement,¡± his dad said. ¡°Alright, seeing as how we don¡¯t want you activating anything that¡¯ll ruin our living room. I¡¯m disabling everything aside from basic locomotion. Now, that doesn¡¯t mean you can be careless. You need to adjust to the strength provided by the artificial muscles. Can¡¯t have you accidentally ripping our doors off their hinges or stomping through the floor.¡±


    ¡°Yes, please don¡¯t do that,¡± his mom said.


    His dad locked a long list of features and capabilities.


    ¡°Okay, try walking. No sudden movements. Be deliberate. Imagine you¡¯re stepping on a frozen lake.¡±


    He gingerly stepped out of the armor¡¯s berth.


    ¡°How heavy is this thing?¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask it?¡±


    He thought hard.


    ¡°Current weight: 90 kg.¡±


    ¡°Oh sh¡ª crap! It¡¯s got an AI, like those movies?¡±


    ¡°Not nearly as advanced. The Virtual Intelligence is closer to a voice and cybernetic activated computer. It can¡¯t think on its own or take independent actions. Basically, its a question and answer system. You ask and it¡¯ll give you the information if it¡¯s able to with the available data.¡±


    He made several circuits around the living room.


    ¡°I think I got the hang of it.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t think, know.¡±


    He continued walking practice.


    He was so happy that he didn¡¯t even mind his parents watching him with huge smiles as if he was a baby learning to walk again.


    ¡°Alright, I think that¡¯s good enough for now,¡± his dad eyed his mom.


    Her eyes narrowed.


    ¡°You said no weapons until we agreed.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but,¡± his dad whined, ¡°just the one. It¡¯s special. Means a lot to me.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± his mom sighed. ¡°But our couch better not end up in two pieces.¡±


    His dad walked to the berth and fiddled with something before showing him a gleaming object.


    It was a thin object almost as long as his forearm and contoured just like a sword hilt.


    ¡°Like everything, this can be voice activated or cybernetically if you¡¯re wearing the helmet, both helmets, although technically the undersuit helmet retracted when you got into the power armor. It¡¯s programmable. Right now, only your mom and I can voice-activate it. Watch closely,¡± his dad pointed the hilt away from him and his mom. ¡°Multi-weapon activate: Longsword.¡±


    A thin, wire shot out of the hilt.


    He would¡¯ve missed it had the HUD not reacted to the sudden movement by highlighting it. Focusing his eyes on the wire kept it highlighted.


    A bright flash of light momentarily darkened his faceplate.


    When it cleared his dad held up a longsword of solid yellow light.


    ¡°They made this based on what they learned from Brightstrike¡¯s trueskin.¡±


    His dad¡¯s somber tone dampened Alin¡¯s excitement.


    He knew the story well.


    Brightstrike was a unique Threnosh that gave their life to free his dad from Mother Madrigal.


    His dad hadn¡¯t spared any details. He had told him how, in the grasp of the monster¡¯s mindscape, he had killed Brightstrike.


    It was a lesson that power wasn¡¯t a guarantee of getting your way. That clean victories were what children wanted and expected. That experienced warriors knew the truth.


    ¡°Right,¡± his dad swallowed, ¡°this is a multi-weapon. One of one. The first stable iteration. Part of your duties as its wielder is to test it and keep a detailed record of its performance, which you will give to the Threnosh on a regular schedule.¡±


    His dad waved the lightblade, cutting and thrusting, moving through basic parries and counters.


    ¡°As far as capabilities? Well, it¡¯s pretty awesome!¡± his dad grinned. ¡°The hardlight weighs a fraction of Threnium. Ah, I know what you¡¯re thinking. Swords need mass to cut, well, the hardlight edge is about as thick as a molecule. It¡¯ll slide through most things like a hot knife to a stick of butter that¡¯s been sitting on the counter all day.¡±


    ¡°Which is why you can¡¯t use it until you¡¯ve mastered it perfectly,¡± his mom warned. ¡°It¡¯s too easy to cut yourself or a friend in a fight.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s got an automatic safety feature that¡¯ll shut it down if it touches your armor. Plus, Threnium can slow it long enough that you¡¯ll have a few seconds to not cut yourself,¡± his dad said. ¡°Honestly, you¡¯re biggest challenge is unlearning your techniques,¡± his dad wiggled the blade around blindingly quick. ¡°See, how¡¯s anyone going to block or parry this? Plus, you can do this¡­ deactivate.¡±


    The lightblade vanished.


    His dad thrust the hilt.


    ¡°Activate.¡±


    The wire and the lightblade shot out.


    ¡°Someone has to be really good or has a good automatic defense Skill to avoid getting stabbed with that. But¡­¡± his dad grinned, ¡°that¡¯s not all. Multi-weapon activate: Axe.¡±


    The light winked out.


    The wire shifted in a blink of the eye, taking the shape of a single-edge battleaxe. The light formed around the wire into a fully-fledged axe.


    ¡°I got a question,¡± he pointed at the hardlight forming the shaft, ¡°is that safe to touch?¡±


    His dad demonstrated by wrapping a hand around it.


    ¡°There isn¡¯t a dangerous level of heat, unless you choose, but that drains power faster and overheats the wire. It¡¯s got limits. Break them long enough and you break it. It¡¯s replaceable, but that takes time and you won¡¯t get that in the middle of a fight.¡±


    ¡°What else can it turn into?¡±


    His dad went through a surprisingly large variety of melee weapons.


    Even two-handed polearm-style ones.


    ¡°It¡¯s set to shut off by default when not physically held,¡± his dad demonstrated by floating the hilt with telekinesis. ¡°You can change that¡­ eventually¡­ when me and your mom say. Oh¡­ and you can customize all the commands. Add words, remove words, anything really. I¡¯d recommend using word combinations that you can say quickly, but aren¡¯t likely to say during a normal conversation.¡±


    He nodded.


    Secret activation words would be smart.


    It¡¯d help against people with spells or Skills that could copy his voice.


    Then again, that¡¯d mean he¡¯d need to change them after every use.


    He resolved to rely on silent cybernetic activation over verbal unless he had no choice.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s about it,¡± his dad deactivated the multi-weapon and slid it back into the berth. ¡°There¡¯s a whole bunch of weapons, defense and mobility systems, but none of that until you¡¯ve mastered basic and complex movement.¡±


    ¡°No unsupervised training, either,¡± his mom warned, ¡°at least for anything dangerous. Only with your father and maybe your aunt.¡±


    ¡°I know, Mom,¡± he said.


    Restrictions didn¡¯t bother him.


    Just wearing the power armor was awesome.


    ¡°Oh, yeah, forgot about the balloons,¡± his dad said. ¡°They¡¯re in your room. Why don¡¯t you go let the helium out?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Your first test.¡±


    ¡°Easy!¡± he grinned.


    ¡°Without popping them,¡± his mom said. ¡°One hundred percent perfect before you can move on to the egg tests.¡±


    ¡°How many tests are we talking here?¡±


    ¡°As many as we¡ª¡± his mom regarded his dad.


    ¡°What your mother says.¡±


    ¡°Decide,¡± his mom finished.


    ¡°Yup, the armor stays in here until you pass the tests, then we can take it outside to really let you move.¡±


    ¡°No problem. I got this. Give me an hour.¡±


    It took days and his mom went through nearly her entire repertoire of egg-centric dishes by the time he passed.


    On the plus side that was good for his protein intake and his baked goods intake, which was a minus for his sugar intake.


    <hr>


    ¡°Damn, dude, when I turned sixteen I got a license and access to an old car,¡± Uncle Eron said as he poked and prodded the undersuit. ¡°An old station wagon at that.¡±


    Now, just to be clear his uncle hadn¡¯t asked Alin to put it on. No one had. He simply wore it almost all the time. Just to break it in and really get a good feel for it.


    ¡°Threnium¡¯s good crap!¡±


    Lera drew a fist back.


    ¡°Can I try?¡±


    He thought about it.


    ¡°No!¡± his uncle and aunt echoed each other.


    Lera pouted and settled for poking.


    His cousin was eight-ish, but he found himself stumbling to one side.


    ¡°Careful, Lera,¡± his uncle warned.


    ¡°But he¡¯s in armor,¡± she whined.


    ¡°Yeah, but the sliding door is glass and you don¡¯t want to break your grandparents¡¯ house do you?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she flounced off.


    ¡°This is just the emergency suit?¡±


    He demonstrated by retracting the undersuit into its pack.


    ¡°Damn! That¡¯s so cool! Just like the movies! Where¡¯s the main suit?¡±


    ¡°At home. I can¡¯t take it out by myself yet.¡±


    ¡°Learner¡¯s permit,¡± his uncle nodded.


    He didn¡¯t get it.


    ¡°Alright, well, I¡¯m off to do some pest control. Lera, be good, listen to Auntie Rayna and Boy.¡±


    ¡°Pest control?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a secret,¡± his uncle waggled his brows, pulling at the red welt running from his forehead down to the side of his mouth.


    It had been a shock to see the visible wound. It had been much worse when his uncle had arrived shortly after his dad had brought Lera and a few witches.


    Something about the Wild Hunt and a Duchess of Summer Days.


    Details hadn¡¯t been forthcoming.


    His uncle stepped into the backyard and disappeared into the sky.


    Alin activated his undersuit and continued to review the manual.


    He muted the voice and read on the text version in his HUD.


    ¡°Lera, stop pouting. You already have armor,¡± his aunt said.


    ¡°But it doesn¡¯t do all the cool stuff!¡±


    ¡°Lera, you need to be on your ¡®A¡¯ game if you¡¯re going to help me on my quest.¡±


    Lera perked up at the reminder.


    He had gotten it too.


    500 Universal Points to help their aunt determine the truth in the content of some kind of ambassador from the old country¡¯s words in the council meeting.


    It sounded simultaneously boring and exciting.


    ¡°How much was it?¡± Lera said.


    ¡°My power armor? I don¡¯t know,¡± he answered honestly.


    What he didn¡¯t share was that he was pretty sure it was way more than 500 points.


    ¡°Hey, kids, Rayna,¡± his aunt¡¯s husband came down the stairs, armed and partially armored for his duties as a Captain in the SCSDF.


    ¡°Sup, Uncle Fed,¡± he bumped fists.


    Lera did the same and Uncle Fed winced theatrically. ¡°Hands of stone!¡± he exclaimed. ¡°Getting stronger every time I see you!¡±


    ¡°I can break stone!¡± she beamed. ¡°But, Dad and Mom get mad when I punch stuff. So, I can only do it during training,¡± she pouted.


    ¡°Sucks, but fair. Think about it. That random stone you punch, well, it might belong to someone or you can use it for something.¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡± Lera challenged.


    ¡°Walls.¡±


    Lera nodded.


    ¡°So, it¡¯ll be okay, since I¡¯m making the stone smaller and easier to lift.¡±


    ¡°I guess it depends on what the specific wall needs. Anyways, I wish you two intrepid heroes good luck on your Quest,¡± Uncle Fed kissed Aunt Rayna on the cheek. ¡°See you guys later!¡±


    ¡°Okay, you two, huddle up,¡± Aunt Rayna beckoned. ¡°Quest review. Lera, go,¡± she pointed.


    ¡°I have to listen to target¡¯s heartbeat and tell Boy if it goes faster or slower when you ask him questions.¡±


    ¡°Good. Boy, go.¡±


    ¡°I record Lera¡¯s observations,¡± he held up a small notepad and pen, ¡°and provide¡­ additional support,¡± he sighed.


    Which was basically keeping Lera focused on her task and making sure his young cousin remembered to use her quiet voice.


    Truly, it was a Quest for the ages.


    The council hall was going to be filled with truth gems, spells and Skills.


    Their aunt figured that it wouldn¡¯t hurt to let Lera practice her superhearing since she might pick something up through the countermeasures the ambassador and his people undoubtedly had.


    ¡°I¡¯ll locate a secure location from which to observe.¡±


    Which was in the back of the meeting hall.


    ¡°Spy! We¡¯re spies!¡± Lera grinned.


    ¡°Yeah and spies shouldn¡¯t be noticeable.¡±


    ¡°I can do that,¡± she glared.


    ¡°Prove it.¡±


    That¡¯d do it.


    At least for a few hours.


    His cousin loved showing people they were wrong.


    ¡°I will!¡±


    ¡°Good, I¡¯m counting on you,¡± his aunt said.


    Aunt Rayna pulled them into a gravity bubble as soon as they stepped out of the house.


    She tended to default to a zero-gravity environment when carrying passengers in a casual, non-combat situation. It was the most straightforward way for her to avoid issues for the passengers.


    Lera cackled with glee as she windmilled her arms and kicked her legs, sending her into a spin.


    Alin remained as motionless as he could in a standing position after retracting the undersuit into its backpack form. Experience had taught him it was the best way to avoid looking dumb by spinning upside down or like a cringey kid.


    City hall was the old city hall from the pre-spires days.


    He smelled the ocean to the west since it wasn¡¯t that far.


    ¡°Beach,¡± Lera murmured.


    ¡°Hey, remember the Quest,¡± he warned.


    ¡°I know!¡± she scowled.


    ¡°Just checking.¡±


    They followed their aunt up the steps and into the building.


    Lera strode with chest held high, while he couldn¡¯t help but duck his head and hunch his shoulders at all the eyes focused on them.


    Okay¡­ most of the focus was on their aunt, but he couldn¡¯t help it.


    She led them to the main meeting hall and stopped at the door.


    ¡°You guys got this. Remember, Quest objective aside, do not do anything to draw attention. Lera, concealment check.¡±


    Lera rolled her eyes as she pulled a small gem from her dress pocket, tugged the gold necklace around her neck and displayed the woven twig bracelet around her wrist.


    ¡°Good. If anything happens¡­¡±


    ¡°I have to listen to Boy,¡± Lera sighed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll armor up, activate the alert and get her to the safe zone,¡± he said.


    ¡°Good. I¡¯m heading to the back. Find a seat and remember, buddy system. The two of you are tied at the wrist. If you need to use the restroom use the staff one. The guards know to let you through.¡±


    The wait was terrible.


    He wanted more than anything to get back to reading the manual, but he instead had to listen to the steady staccato of Lera¡¯s shoes hitting the back of the chair in front of them.


    As the hour of the council meeting¡¯s start drew near people slowly began to fill the hall.


    He had been to a few of these things before over the years.


    His parents had said it¡¯d be good to observe and see what sorts of careers were available.


    As he grew older he realized that shadowing his aunt and others had also given his parents alone time.


    An involuntary shudder climbed up his back.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Lera¡¯s eyes snapped to him like a hungry tiger cub.


    ¡°You¡¯ll find out when you¡¯re older.¡±


    ¡°People do that when they get scared.¡±


    ¡°Yup,¡± he didn¡¯t elaborate.


    The first hour of the meeting was the absolute worst experience of his life.


    ¡°Sooooo boring¡­¡± Lera let out a long breath.


    Thankfully, she remembered her spy voice so it came out as a whisper.


    The older lady a few seats to their left smiled.


    He returned it with a shrug.


    One by one residents stepped up to the podium and complained about something or another.


    The mayor or one of the other council members would¡­ blah, blah, blah¡­ and the next person would come up to complain about something else.


    ¡°Why is he complaining about beach week?¡± Lera whispered. ¡°That¡¯s dumb, beach week is gonna be fun. Dad¡¯s gonna let me surf his old surfboard!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m with you on that.¡±


    The man finished his complaint by calling out the fact that beach week was actually two weeks long.


    ¡°That¡¯s so dumb.¡±


    He could only nod in agreement with his cousin.


    They had heard the adults talking about the event.


    It was two weeks long so that everyone would get the chance to enjoy at least a couple of carefree days at the beach. This was mostly for the sake of the rangers stationed elsewhere and had ops scheduled.


    ¡°Oh¡­ it¡¯s him! The target!¡± Lera hissed.


    A gray-haired man in a dark suit and tie stepped up to the podium.


    ¡°Get ready!¡± her small fingers gripped his arm like a steel vise.


    ¡°Careful. You break my arm and I can¡¯t take notes.¡±


    ¡°Oh, sorry,¡± she winced.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Get ready.¡±


    The ambassador introduced himself as representing the rightful government of the country.


    What followed was a speech expressing joy at knowing that their citizens lived and thrived in the face of the apocalypse.


    He counted the word ¡®citizens¡¯ repeated at least ten times in the short speech.


    Mayor Alba with her perfectly-styled blond hair and tanned skin contained within a smart suit that pulled his eyes downward¡ª


    Focus! he chastised himself shifting in his seat for comfort.


    The notepad on his lap was like unto a shield to protect him and others.


    Mayor Alba opened with a short welcoming greeting.


    Then the verbal battle commenced.

 8.10

    Beach weeks arrived.


    The weather cooperated.


    The sun was out and the clouds stayed home.


    The water was cool and free from landsharks and other dangers thanks to his uncle.


    The crowds stretched north and south as far as he could see.


    It was as if everyone was at the beach, which he knew wasn¡¯t far from the truth.


    The only ones that had stayed away were rangers and SCSDF on duty and those that simply didn¡¯t care for the beach.


    It would have been perfect if not for the giant banner proclaiming his birthday.


    ¡°What¡¯s the big deal? Just tell them to go away,¡± Uncle Eron said.


    He sat at a table underneath a large umbrella with Uncle Fed, Ranger Colonel Kayl, her husband and Captain Mouthy.


    ¡°They can fuck right off,¡± Captain Mouthy said. ¡°Pussy bitches weren¡¯t around for any of the shit we¡¯ve been through. They think they can come around now that we¡¯ve got things good and take over. Fuck them right up the¡ª¡±


    Grandmother walked by and cleared her throat.


    ¡°Apologies for my foul language, Ma¡¯am,¡± the ranger captain nodded. ¡°It¡¯s a subject that I feel passionately about.¡±


    ¡°Anyways, I¡¯ve had a few run ins with the ¡®government¡¯,¡± Uncle Eron made air quotes, ¡°I can go talk to them if you want.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯d love that, but no,¡± Ranger Colonel Kayl said.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, you know they won¡¯t respect your wishes. They¡¯ll keep pushing,¡± Uncle Eron said.


    ¡°The question is why are they coming back to claim us now?¡± Uncle Fed said.


    ¡°I imagine we¡¯ll find that out soon enough?¡± Ranger Colonel Kayl raised a brow.


    ¡°Oh yeah, probably very soon,¡± Uncle Eron nodded.


    Alin thought of his dad.


    His dad had stepped away from the party to take care of a large, incoming issue.


    The first rearing of the ugly head of the changes the spires had imposed on territorial boundary protections.


    Yup, his dad could find out whatever they needed to know by the end of the day, but the urgency wasn¡¯t there.


    The ambassador hadn¡¯t delivered any ultimatums or even veiled threats in the course of the verbal spar.


    Lera hadn¡¯t detected any lies, just like all their other methods.


    He had simply delivered his message and answered all questions as truthfully as he could.


    ¡°It¡¯s a moot point,¡± Ranger Colonel Kayl shrugged. ¡°They lack the strength to enforce compliance. And laws, oaths, the Constitution. None of that matters unless the subjects consent to be governed by them. It¡¯s clear to me that the government failed to uphold its oaths to protect us citizens from the monsters for over two decades. We don¡¯t owe them anything.¡±


    ¡°Is that the official council stance?¡± Uncle Eron said.


    ¡°Yeah, but in legalese. I¡¯m glad I¡¯m not the one having to read the Constitution,¡± Ranger Colonel Kayl said.


    ¡°Here¡¯s to that!¡± Captain Mouthy raised a cold glass.


    The adults clinked their cocktails and talked of more interesting things as Alin let them slide out of his hearing.


    ¡°Dude, why do you look like I stole your lunch? It¡¯s your birthday! And your ¡®rents went all out!¡± Victor said.


    A couple of his friends had gathered round a table of their own.


    Food and drink piled on top.


    Non-alcoholic for the latter, though Lake had managed to sneak a flask of cheap vodka from her older sister¡¯s supply.


    Cheap didn¡¯t denote low quality.


    Everything was cheap these days.


    He felt metaphorical heat on the back of his neck. Turning, he realized that it was actual heat.


    Uncle Eron observed him with a wry grin.


    ¡°Shit,¡± he muttered. ¡°Hey, Lake, um, yeah, so, my uncle can like see,¡± he urgently gestured toward the flask as she tried to sneak a splash into a glass of fruit punch.


    ¡°What? He can tell?¡± her eyes narrowed.


    ¡°He¡¯s looking right at us,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°You only brought enough for a few drops each anyways,¡± Chrome said.


    ¡°It¡¯s all my sister let me take!¡± Lake snapped.


    ¡°That¡¯s weird, dude. She¡¯s usually cooler,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°She said she had orders,¡± Lake said.


    Their eyes focused on Alin as one.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know anything!¡± he threw his hands up.


    His friends broke out into laughter. He joined in a moment later.


    ¡°It¡¯s almost insulting,¡± Victor nodded.


    ¡°What?¡± Chrome said.


    ¡°Boy¡¯s parents let us get away with these tiny transgressions against the rules. Enough that we get to test boundaries, but not enough that we can get into real trouble. I salute you, my friend,¡± Victor saluted.


    ¡°For what?¡±


    ¡°For dealing with parents that appear to be impossible to get anything past.¡±


    ¡°On the whole, I figure it¡¯s more good than bad.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what she said,¡± Victor chuckled.


    ¡°Oh my god! That stopped being funny a month ago!¡± Chrome said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll say it¡¯s good. Not everyone gets a super alien science power armor for their sweet sixteenth,¡± Lake said.


    ¡°Stop calling it that!¡±


    ¡°But?¡± Lake pointed to the huge banner. ¡°That¡¯s what it says,¡± she smiled sweetly.


    The ribbing commenced.


    It continued until more friends emerged from the ocean and splattered everyone with cold water.


    ¡°Steph, dude, what are you wearing!¡± Chrome pointed an accusatory finger.


    ¡°Swim trunks,¡± Steph looked down with confusion. ¡°You¡¯ve never seen swim trunks before?¡±


    ¡°Nah that¡¯s underwear,¡± Chrome snorted.


    ¡°No way, see, it¡¯s got ties. Underwear doesn¡¯t have ties.¡±


    ¡°It might as well be underwear,¡± Victor laughed.


    Steph flexed and posed.


    Out of their group he had hit his growth spurt early and was a chiseled specimen.


    ¡°Seriously, you guys should try it. Feels like wearing nothing at all,¡± Steph turned and shimmied. ¡°Just for you, Victor, my gay platonic lover.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t,¡± Chrome said.


    ¡°Why? It¡¯s also for you ladies.¡±


    ¡°No means no,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°Aww,¡± Steph stopped instantly. ¡°Is it so wrong to want to show of my gains?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. There¡¯s a right way and that wasn¡¯t it,¡± she said.


    ¡°For what it¡¯s worth, I can admit that Steph¡¯s got good glutes and I can do it in a non-weirdly sexual way.¡±


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t sexual! C¡¯mon, no way!¡± Steph said.


    ¡°You¡¯re embarrassing yourself,¡± Lake nodded to the other tables.


    ¡°Oh man,¡± Steph chuckled and tried to duck down.


    But, it was too late.


    No less august personages than the ranger colonel and a ranger captain shook their heads at him. Their gazes filled with disapproval and no small amount of disappointment.


    ¡°Good first impression,¡± Alin snorted.


    ¡°That was the opposite of good,¡± Steph hissed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. They¡¯ll probably forget by the time ranger classes start,¡± Chrome said mildly.


    ¡°That¡¯s like in two weeks!¡±


    ¡°Well, Steph, should¡¯ve thought about that before shaking your booty for the ranger colonel and the ranger captain,¡± Lake cackled.


    They ate, drank and joked, poking fun at each other and at friends yet to join them.


    Lera came by and tried to challenge the biggest person there, Victor, to an arm wrestling match before grandpa scoped her up and carried her to the water.


    ¡°I feel like I dodged a bullet there,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°Yeah, you did,¡± he shook his head.


    More friends showed up.


    Uncle Remy and Aunt Megan arrived with a present.


    It was a huge box that was surprisingly light.


    His confusion grew after he opened it.


    It was five ingots of a silvery metal.


    ¡°Mythril. It¡¯s magical metal. Normally, you¡¯d need a magical blacksmith-type class or a blacksmith and an enchanter working together to unlock its full potential, but I can cheat the forging process. So, let me know what you want and I¡¯ll make it. Then you just need to go to an enchanter,¡± Uncle Remy said.


    Naturally, that led to a barrage of questions.


    Which his aunt and uncle were gracious enough to answer.


    The abridged version of their wild adventures on two other worlds was an engrossing hit.


    ¡°You have to ask them to let me interview them, please,¡± Luzi said.


    His friend wanted to be a historian. The one to write the definitive history of what she called the ¡®spires emergent era¡¯¡­ the name was a work in progress.


    ¡°Yeah, I definitely want to hear more about that metal god stuff,¡± Steph said.


    ¡°Stone Lords sound scary,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°So, wait, your cousins are still on the other world?¡± Chrome said.


    ¡°That¡¯s wild¡­ I want to rule an empire on another world one day,¡± Lake said with a wistful gaze in her eyes.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if they¡¯ll have the time, Luzi,¡± he said. ¡°They¡¯re leaving, like, tomorrow to check up on my aunt¡¯s family, but I¡¯ll ask and they¡¯ll probably be back eventually.¡±


    Eventually, they hit the surf.


    He had his dad¡¯s old board and managed to catch a few waves, but the best part was Kat asking if she could try.


    The cold water was a blessing as he stood behind her and pushed her and the board while she kicked and paddled like a mad woman.


    It was a great view.


    Kat straddled the board while he stood in neck deep water as they waited in a lull between sets.


    ¡°Um¡­ thanks for coming¡­ I mean coming to my party,¡± he said.


    ¡°Yeah, there¡¯s no way I¡¯d miss your sweet sixteen!¡± she grinned.


    He groaned.


    ¡°Aww, embarrassed? I think it¡¯s cute how much your parents care.¡±


    ¡°They didn¡¯t care enough to not embarrass me,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°But that¡¯s how you know they care,¡± she laughed, splashing him in the face.


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Not the face!¡± he feigned outrage.


    ¡°So, um¡­ have you picked a team for ranger classes yet?¡±


    They had a pretty large extended friend group at twenty kids. Within were smaller groups that were tighter, but the difference was marginal and there was a lot of overlap.


    His mom had once said that trying to draw a Venn diagram of his group would led to a tangled overlapping of so many circles as to be an illegible scrawl like a blind chicken had drawn it.


    He understood the Venn diagram, but not the blind chicken.


    It had sounded too specific.


    He had asked, but she hadn¡¯t elaborated.


    Their junior ranger squad was supposed to be a max of ten people.


    So they¡¯d have to split in half.


    ¡°Nope. I thought we were going to talk about it later?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I was hoping, well, you know¡­¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± he blinked, waiting expectantly.


    Kat sighed and rolled her eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯d like us to be on the same team.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ oh! Yeah, totally, that¡¯d be cool, to be on the same team, with you on the same team.¡±


    She laughed again and dunked his head into the cold ocean.


    He came up sputtering.


    A wave finally rode in.


    Their friend Lee swerved around, cutting back to spray them.


    ¡°Get a room, you two!¡± he laughed.


    <hr>


    ¡°They grow up too fast,¡± Cal said wistfully as he watched his son flirt. ¡°But, I¡¯m not worried! Nila and I brought him up smart.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything, did you?¡± Eron turned to Remy.


    ¡°Nope, Dad?¡± Remy turned.


    ¡°Nope. As far as I¡¯m concerned I did my job with you guys. Proud of you, but my grand kids¡¯ teenage years are on you,¡± their dad nodded. ¡°I¡¯m here to protect and spoil!¡±


    ¡°Eh, it¡¯s not a big deal anyways,¡± Eron shrugged, ¡°teenage pregnancy isn¡¯t that bad now. Not like when we were young.¡±


    ¡°Okay, you¡¯re gonna have to back that up,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°They were having kids at fourteen back in medieval times¡­ oh, that reminds me, Rem, you and Megan should catch a show before you leave,¡± Eron said. ¡°They brought back Medieval Times, but this time with Skills and spells,¡± he explained at Remy¡¯s questioning look. ¡°Apparently, it¡¯s super popular.¡±


    ¡°That seems wrong¡­¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Not really, I figure it¡¯s like this, you get to watch all the cool spells and Skills shooting off without the actual danger of the real world,¡± Eron said. ¡°It¡¯s just like movies and books, people love watching or reading about violence, but only dumbasses actually want to carry the ring to the volcano in real life.¡±


    ¡°Always thought that would¡¯ve sucked,¡± Remy nodded. ¡°Backpacking sucks bad enough without orcs and giant spiders trying to kill you. Weeks of swampbutt? No thanks.¡±


    ¡°Pretty sure they washed. Plenty of rivers and shit,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Language,¡± their dad said on reflex.


    ¡°Sorry?¡±


    ¡°Hey, so¡­ we gave him condoms¡­ good idea, right?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Yes,¡± the other three echoed.


    ¡°Awesome, we weren¡¯t sure. A little worried it¡¯d be taken as encouragement.¡±


    ¡°Think back on your own teen years.¡±


    ¡°Okay, good idea. Thank you again for that, Dad.¡±


    ¡°Yup, imaginary spaghetti monster in the sky telling me to wait till marriage,¡± Eron shook his head, ¡°even if he was real¡­ nope to that.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s Boy saying?¡±


    ¡°Cal, dude, I¡¯m not spying on him trying to get his game on, c¡¯mon, man, that¡¯s fudged up,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Fudge, bro, that¡¯s messed up,¡± Remy agreed.


    ¡°Like you didn¡¯t when it was your girls.¡±


    ¡°Strangely, the boys were super respectful with them.¡±


    ¡°Ah, the privilege of superpowers,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Mom¡¯s gotten really good with her forcefields. I can feel them, but I can¡¯t see them,¡± Remy said.


    Their mom stood near a gaggle of children defending and besieging a sand castle.


    The structure was the size of a small fort proportional to the size of the kids.


    It had sand walls, sand ramparts, even sand towers on each corner.


    Sand couldn¡¯t naturally maintain its sculpted architecture at that size, let along when kids ran back and forth across the ramparts and climbed the towers, hurling sand balls at the sand walls and each other.


    ¡°Uh oh,¡± Eron tensed.


    Lera had packed a sand ball the size of a beach ball and hurled it.


    Cal felt the fear surge in the minds of dozens of watching parents.


    Before the sand ball slammed into the ramparts and a couple of children, it disintegrated into a spray that showered them instead of smashing them.


    For their part, the kids loved it.


    Both sides cackled at the excitement.


    Lera cast an accusatory gaze at her grandmother.


    The distraction cost her as a well-aimed sand ball struck the side of her face.


    ¡°Ouch!¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Nah, she can take it,¡± Eron said proudly. ¡°Remember your strength, honey!¡± he called out.


    ¡°Mom¡¯s blocking most of the impact and keeping the sand out of their eyes and ears,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I¡¯m impressed. Doing that simultaneously for forty kids¡­¡± Remy said. ¡°What about you, Dad? Gotten stronger?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    The Battle of the Shore raged all day unto the dying of the light.


    Kids rotated in and out as some went home and others arrived.


    The opposing forces changed periodically.


    Besiegers became defenders, defenders became besiegers.


    Allies turned into enemies, enemies turned into allies.


    The last battle turned into madness, but in a fun way.


    The sand fort swelled in size, much closer to a sand castle in truth.


    The children convinced Cal to do what he used to do when Alin and his friends were younger.


    Give them the illusion of powers or classes.


    One quick flight to the toy store for props and kids were shooting all sorts of things at each other.


    The beach was consumed as older kids, like Alin and his friends, joined in the chaos.


    Two factions split into many as traitorous deals to secure power were made underneath the water balloons bursting in air.


    It ended when Lera battered down the sand door with thunderous blows that would humble even the underworld¡¯s hammer.


    The besiegers poured through and overwhelmed the dwindling the defenders.


    Alin fell with a foam blade in his back.


    Kat cackled and bumped fists with Lera securing her new role as spymaster under her new overlord.


    The Solar Tyrant herself, to usher in her quadrillion year rule underneath that which was to be dubbed The Tyranny of the Sun.


    The end of war ushered in the beginning of the new era.


    Lera presided over the fire pit.


    Hot dogs and marshmallows cooked under her benevolent tyranny.


    ¡°Mom, Cal¡­ you guys made a mistake,¡± Rayna said.


    Cal shrugged he already knew what she was about to say. It didn¡¯t take psionic powers to know that the kids looked forward to a repeat tomorrow and every remaining day of beach weeks. He wasn¡¯t opposed to being gamemaster again.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± their mom said.


    ¡°They¡¯re asking if you¡¯re going to run games again,¡± Rayna said.


    ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± their mom smiled, ¡°I had fun! And I¡¯d rather use my powers to make kids happy than fight things.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s good! Are you sure, though?¡± Rayna waited for and received the nod. ¡°Okay, well, let¡¯s go over a few different scenarios we can try.¡±


    Cal listened, grunting here and there to show that he was paying attention, mostly.


    ¡°No. We aren¡¯t calling you the Solar Tyrant,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°But, Dad!¡±


    ¡°Tyrants aren¡¯t good. Do you want to be not good?¡±


    ¡°No! I¡¯m good!¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t and be a tyrant at the same time. It¡¯s an oxymoron. Check and mate!¡±


    ¡°Then, I¡¯ll be the first good tyrant!¡± she proclaimed.


    ¡°It¡¯s too bad Wytchraven couldn¡¯t make it.¡±


    Cal regarded his mom.


    She hadn¡¯t hesitated over the name.


    ¡°Yeah, Mom, she was planning to but¡­ Fae,¡± Eron shrugged.


    ¡°Stupid faeries won¡¯t leave us alone,¡± Lera¡¯s face fell. ¡°It¡¯s their fault I can¡¯t go anywhere,¡± her face lit up, ¡°can I be a tyrant on them?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ oh¡­ god, how do I answer that?¡± Eron¡¯s eyes went to his parents and his siblings, one by one.


    ¡°Are they people? That¡¯s the first question you need to answer,¡± Remy mused.


    A long discussion on the nature of the Fae ensued.


    Their conclusion was inconclusive.


    The fire dwindled the night grew colder, though only one person truly felt the cold, but Megan¡¯s class allowed her to keep herself warm enough with just a small continuous expenditure of mana.


    They only decided to go back to the Cruces¡¯ family home when they detected something huge coming in from the ocean depths.


    ¡°Rock, paper, scissors?¡± Eron suggested.


    ¡°I¡¯m out. I took care of the thunderbird this morning,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°We¡¯re leaving early tomorrow, right, hon?¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll be fine,¡± Megan said.


    ¡°Sorry, busy with¡­¡± Rayna spread her arms to encompass the beach, ¡°beach weeks!¡±


    ¡°Hrmm,¡± Eron grunted. ¡°Well, I have to come back super early and make sure landsharks and other sundry dangers won¡¯t return.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, you sleep like an hour a month,¡± Remy scoffed. ¡°What do you call them again?¡±


    ¡°Orbital naps!¡± Lera chimed in.


    ¡°Exactly!¡± Remy high-fived Lera. The clap echoed like thunder across the sparsely populated beach. ¡°Oww! That stings,¡± he shook his hand.


    ¡°Wait, aren¡¯t you sticking around till closing, Eron?¡± their dad cut straight to a solution as he was wont to do.


    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Remy snapped his fingers. ¡°You¡¯re stuck here anyways, ergo, you should go check it out.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll ergo my fist into your face,¡± Eron grumbled before rising into the night sky.


    Home for people that didn¡¯t need as much sleep as the standard Earthian human meant board games and movies until past midnight.


    ¡°I want to watch this one,¡± Lera pulled a DVD from her grandparents¡¯ collection.


    ¡°Why?¡± Alin said.


    ¡°It¡¯s got lions and it sounds like a regicide.¡±


    ¡°Do you even know what that is?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, duh.¡±


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°I read stuff, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s got you there, Boy,¡± Cal laughed.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s a moot point because I¡¯m picking the movie.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because I¡¯ve existed since before you were born,¡± Alin intoned.


    ¡°Well, duh, that¡¯s what it means to be older,¡± she frowned up at him.


    ¡°It¡¯s natural law. Therefore, I pick and that¡¯s final,¡± he plucked the case from her hand and inserted the DVD into the player before heading to the kitchen to pop some corn.


    Lera stared at him intently as if trying to figure out the trick.


    In the end, she plopped down on the couch next to Grandma and Grandpa satisfied at her nascent rise as the Solar Tyrant.


    ¡°I think we need to keep an eye on her,¡± Cal whispered.


    ¡°No, she¡¯s good,¡± Nila whispered. ¡°What we need to do is something about the Fae. She shouldn¡¯t have to look over her shoulder for the rest of her life or spend it in their coven thing.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to trust the subject matter experts. Wytchraven and Eron know that once they come up with a solution, we¡¯ll be right there to help.¡±


    ¡°Boy¡¯s been antsy,¡± Nila said. ¡°He¡¯s been wearing that undersuit everywhere. I swear, he¡¯s gone through the manual twice in the last week.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m here for about a week after beach weeks ends, before I need to fly Mom and Dad back to Manila. I¡¯m taking a few hours on Saturday to look into this government thing, but aside from that I¡¯ll be running him through training so hard that he won¡¯t have the energy to obsess. Although, I think he¡¯ll be wanting to spend time with his friends. So, really, the suit is like the shiny new toy. It won¡¯t be such a focus soon.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s cute that you think that,¡± Nila smiled as she cupped his cheek.


    ¡°SES classes start soon, plus Ranger Academy classes. He¡¯ll be way too busy.¡±


    ¡°You know how he is.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll obsess,¡± he sighed. ¡°That¡¯s who he is, can¡¯t change that. Ironically, that girl might be the only thing that can take his focus away.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know, I just kinda wish that he was still that carefree kid that wouldn¡¯t leave me alone,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°It¡¯s natural for a cute girl to supplant the mother in her son¡¯s eyes.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I mean¡­ okay, mostly.¡±


    ¡°You want to come with me on my next Quest?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯ll think about it. I want to be here for Boy. I might¡¯ve cashed in a few favors to find out what Ranger Academy is going to be like.¡±


    ¡°Love, we¡¯re not supposed to used our privilege to give our son an edge.¡±


    ¡°Oh come on. Most of the kids have a parent or grandparent or other relative in the rangers. You know they¡¯re telling them everything they know.¡±


    ¡°Which is why the Ranger Academy curriculum is a closely guarded secret. Only, like, four people know all of it.¡±


    ¡°Do you count in that?¡±


    ¡°I swear I know nothing,¡± he crossed his heart and mimed stabbing his eye.


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what Rayna told me,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°She told the truth. You know she¡¯s mostly retired from the day-to-day decision making.¡±


    ¡°Well, she could ask. They¡¯d tell her.¡±


    ¡°Which is why she won¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°I suppose it¡¯s better for him. The harder it is the better prepared he¡¯ll be and maybe it¡¯ll push him down a better path.¡±


    <hr>


    Cal crossed the length and breadth of the former continental United States of America gathering intelligence before the sun had fully risen over the eastern horizon.


    The defunct U.S. Government had been busy over the last few months.


    Diplomatic teams had been sent to nearly every settlement.


    These were the open hands reaching out in friendship.


    The other hand closed around the hilt of the hidden dagger.


    These were covert agents. The spies. The assassins.


    He marked them all for later.


    The government had emerged from their bunkers and regained control over the old capital. Unlike the Morlocks, the president and all his men didn¡¯t slink back into their tunnels when day rose.


    Militarization was in evidence wherever he looked.


    Soldiers patrolled the streets on foot or in vehicles.


    He spotted the odd tank, self-propelled artillery, or random armored vehicle stationed at key points along with concrete bunkers and barricades.


    Indeed, some old buildings had been replaced with squat bunkers bristling with machine guns, grenade launchers and mortars.


    He landed on the White House lawn.


    The place had never looked more like a military fortification.


    Fairly unobtrusive black fences had been replaced with a tall, thick wall of dirt, concrete and iron. Guard towers loomed with mounted machine guns and grenade launchers. Armored vehicles parked on the lawns. Hundreds of soldiers sat in their stations and walked on patrol.


    He walked through the front door.


    He had been on a tour once long ago as part of a school trip.


    Back then the security had been unobtrusive, now, armed soldiers patrolled the halls and stood at nearly every door.


    Every so often he came across one of those hulking super soldiers. Like larger bodybuilders, their grotesque musculature was the product of alchemy. A blending of magic and pharmaceuticals.


    The only price the super soldiers paid was a shortened lifespan.


    They¡¯d be lucky to hit sixty, which, all things considered was a massive improvement over performance enhancing drugs from the pre-spires days. Bodybuilders had died before they hit thirty or forty all the time. The natural human heart and other organs simply weren¡¯t designed to carry three-hundred pounds on a frame meant for half that.


    He supposed the trade offs were worth it to the super soldiers.


    No class, but quickly-gained strength, speed and agility that placed them equivalent to around Level 30 to 40 in a combat-focused class.


    He ignored the president, vice president, the cabinet and the generals.


    They didn¡¯t realize it, but the fools had given their power and authority over to an outworld invader that aimed to replace their society.


    She waited deep underground.


    An eidolon claiming to serve a god.

 8.11

    Washington, D.C., 2046


    The eidolon had set up a mix between an office and a shrine beneath the White House in the emergency bunker. Much like the temple to her so-called god in a different bunker.


    A few minutes walk picking through their memories had told him everything he needed to know about their plans.


    The Eidolon of Sunor, Kerkestis, though she hadn¡¯t shared her name with anyone on this world, stood from her prayer as soon as he entered her chambers.


    Sunor.


    The self-proclaimed King of the Gods.


    Of which pantheon?


    The only one that counted from their perspective.


    Funny how all the different pantheons called themselves the one true gods.


    The information in her head didn¡¯t fill him with happiness.


    There were a lot of these pantheons and they existed in a constant state of conflict, warring over worlds without end.


    Kerkestis loomed.


    7 feet tall.


    Perfect proportions as though carved out of marble by a machine.


    He craned his neck to look her in the eyes.


    They shined with power, but not enough to bother him.


    He waited.


    The silence stretched for minutes.


    ¡°They are not coming,¡± she quirked her head.


    Perfectly coiffed hair let a few dark curls loose.


    That had been deliberate.


    ¡°No, they aren¡¯t,¡± he agreed.


    ¡°I had wondered when the Gods of this world would reveal themselves.¡±


    ¡°There are no gods. Not on this world or any other.¡±


    ¡°The divine blood flowing through my veins would question your assertion.¡±


    ¡°Power is power. ¡®Divine¡¯ is just a word.¡±


    ¡°Yet, my God draws said power from the worship of the faithful.¡±


    ¡°So? We draw power from the food we eat. Do the cattle worship us?¡±


    ¡°For all intents and purposes we are as Gods to the cattle. We feed them, determine where they graze, where they sleep, when they procreate. Do you do it differently on your world? I will listen to a God¡¯s words over that of the mortals.¡±


    ¡°There are no gods. You and the powerful being you serve need to understand that is how I see them. How can we come to an agreement without understanding our perspectives?¡±


    ¡°The wise have said that one relies on semantics when their argument is weak.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. I¡¯m glad we agree that there are no such thing as gods. Simply beings, such as your boss and myself, with great power. With that understanding out of the way. I¡¯d like you to leave and carry a message to Sunor and all the other so-called gods. Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s simple. Ready? Okay, here it is¡­ you can¡¯t claim land or power here. This is our world. You can visit. Take in the sights. Sample cuisine. Kill monsters. As long as you abide by our rules.¡±


    ¡°Simple,¡± she agreed. ¡°However, you speak of rules. One of the many aspects Sunor holds is that of civilization, which I believe you understand. There is civilization on your world. Though weakened by the spires. Do we not abide by the rules the spires set upon us all? We claimed land, yes, as is permitted under those rules.¡±


    ¡°Yes and the same rules say that I can kill you all and take it back.¡±


    ¡°Then another will come in my place.¡±


    ¡°Yes, another and another and another, until you¡¯ve finally managed to claw enough territory so that Sunor can come here in the flesh, so to speak. We all know how that¡¯ll turn out. Death and destruction. I¡¯d rather not subject my people and world to that just because a power hungry entity couldn¡¯t control his greed. Though, I suppose he can¡¯t really help himself. Got to impose order and take control wherever he can, right?¡±


    ¡°Take care with your arrogance. I am bound to defend his holy name.¡±


    ¡°You take care. The only reason we¡¯re talking is because I sensed that you¡¯re more of a talker and the most reasonable one out of the eidolon teams you¡¯ve got scattered all over the world worming your way into position to take control.¡±


    Her face stilled like a statue.


    ¡°Yeah, I know about them. You can warn them. It won¡¯t make a difference. You¡¯re lucky you went with the velvet glove approach and not the iron fist. So, to make it clear I¡¯m not asking. I know about all the spies and assassins. I¡¯ll give you twenty four hours to pull them back. Otherwise, I won¡¯t guarantee that they¡¯ll be returned. You will not invade nor otherwise force reintegration of the independent settlements in what was once the United States of America. Any hostile action taken against them will be as though done to me. That applies to everyone. Not just my allies, Richellia, Seattle, Chicago, Atlanta, Northern California, Southern California and so on and so forth. Actually, just to be on the safe side assume I¡¯ll react as if they¡¯re all my allies. Understand that if you break the peace, then I will start at the top, which means you and your fellow eidolons.¡±


    ¡°Is there no possibility of striking an accord? Sunor does not do this out of the lust for conquest. Though, I will admit that the Gods are not always of the same mind. Sunor does this to protect his faithful. Not one month after your Earth was revealed as a Terminus World, an ancient enemy of the God, Simeht, used your world to bypass her defenses. They traveled through the spires to appear in the heart of one of her cities and unleashed a plague of undeath that continues to spread across the continent. Thirty-thousand years of unbroken lineage lays in ruin. We could hold you, God of this world, responsible for allowing such evil.¡±


    ¡°So, I just have to stand guard over millions of spires and you¡¯ll go away?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps, Sunor would show deference to a fellow God, no matter how young, if said God proved strong enough to keep our enemies from striking at the hearts of our oldest worlds.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d hold him to the same standard. There will be no using Earth as a back door for your wars.¡±


    ¡°Until then, I will acquiesce to your demands. I will take no direct action against your interests.¡±


    ¡°And the other four eidolons.¡±


    ¡°Are included,¡± she inclined her head.


    ¡°How about the Americans you¡¯re ¡®advising¡¯?¡±


    ¡°We will continue to provide wisdom, though we will not aid them in any endeavors that go against your demands. However, we don¡¯t claim control over them. Our view is that they are the rightful government of this land. A view you disagree with, but until Sunor instructs otherwise, we will not involve ourselves in local disputes.¡±


    ¡°Of course. So, if they do start doing violence it¡¯s completely not your responsibility.¡±


    ¡°Not if we do not assume control, which you have made clear will lead only to violence. That is not our aim.¡±


    ¡°Okay. We¡¯ve got an agreement.¡±


    ¡°I must speak to Sunor for guidance to proceed further.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯ve been reasonable. Hopefully, the other eidolon teams are the same.¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t be, but they are not my responsibility. They have their mandates as I do. They will act as they see fit. What you do with them is between you and their Gods.¡±


    ¡°Somehow, I don¡¯t really believe that.¡±


    ¡°Such is your choice.¡±


    ¡°Good talk. I¡¯m missing the fourth, no, fifth Battle of the Shore for this.¡±


    ¡°Then, let us hope that the arms of your allies are strong enough to carry the day.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand how this was possible, Sunor¡¯s Will,¡± the Eidolon of Salla growled.


    She was responsible for the defenses and a child God of this world had simply walked through everything to have a long conversation with the Eidolon of Sunor without any of them activating.


    ¡°I will not insult your intelligence, Salla¡¯s Will, by suggesting that your countermeasures failed,¡± the Eidolon of Sunor said magnanimously. ¡°They were clearly functional and continue to be so. Therefore, this nameless God overcame them with his power.¡±


    ¡°Which you cannot describe,¡± the Eidolon of Sut chewed his lip. The bloody sore was not befitting of an eidolon, but Alcaestus had learned not to point it out. It was but a simple thing for Sut¡¯s Will to transform the open wound into pristine flesh in the blink of an eye. ¡°Furthermore, you cannot even describe his physical appearance. Respectfully, Sunor¡¯s Will,¡± he bowed.


    ¡°I deigned to let your thought worms into my memories and what have they found?¡±


    ¡°Nothing of this God. Oh, the contents of your parlay were there in full. Even this God¡¯s words. Of their face and appearance, it is as you say. There is nothing to hold on to. It is like gathering Styxian Mists with a metal spoon.¡±


    ¡°He,¡± the Eidolon of Sunor said. ¡°I know not his face nor his voice, but I am certain of that.¡±


    ¡°My eyes saw nothing and my ears heard nothing. And they are always open,¡± the Eidolon of Ekra said.


    ¡°You struck a hasty bargain,¡± the Eidolon of Salla said. ¡°We have dozens of operations set to begin within a month.¡±


    ¡°You will redirect them away from populated settlements. Hunt marauders. Clear spawn zones. Claim encounter challenges and unclaimed territory. We will allow this young God to fight the others. If he is strong then he will clear the board for us. If he is weak, then he will no longer be a concern.¡±


    ¡°If he is strong¡­¡± the Eidolon of Salla mused.


    ¡°An infinite number of worlds clamor for this world. His hands will be full for eternity. We abide by the agreement, unless Sunor commands otherwise, and achieve our goals quietly underneath the aegis of a young, naive God. Adras¡¯ Will, your silence is unwelcome. Share the thoughts I can see dancing through your features.¡±


    ¡°This is the young God¡¯s territory. If he doesn¡¯t see us as a threat then he will hold to the pact. My concerns point more to the relentless one or the flying man. The stories I¡¯ve gathered suggest that his territory spans this entire world and he isn¡¯t one for words and agreements. There are always quarrels within a pantheon, perhaps, these two can be set against each other?¡±


    ¡°Divide and conquer. One of the tenets of victorious war,¡± the Eidolon of Salla said.


    ¡°Are we certain that they aren¡¯t one and the same?¡± the Eidolon of Ekra said.


    ¡°Unlikely, there are pictures of the flying man and many who have seen him in person gave similar descriptions. Sunor¡¯s Will, if I am no longer to challenge the Champion of Atlanta, then what am I to do?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t like sitting still, Adras¡¯ Will?¡± the Eidolon of Ekra grinned, revealing sharp teeth. ¡°Is not the hunter patient?¡±


    ¡°If there is a worthy hunt,¡± he shrugged boulder-sized shoulders. ¡°Slaying weak monsters doesn¡¯t qualify.¡±


    ¡°You must temper your eagerness, Adras¡¯ Will. I promise you that you will have many challenges worthy of your strength,¡± the Eidolon of Sunor said.


    ¡°These Americans won¡¯t hold back. They are eager to take back what is rightfully theirs. They are as a pack of bladewolves with the scent of prey in the wind.¡±


    ¡°They will not have our direct assistance. That is the bargain struck and a bargain with a God supersedes that with a mortal,¡± the Eidolon of Sunor¡¯s words were final. ¡°Salla¡¯s Will, relay my words to your generals. I shall tell the president. Their fates are in their hands.¡±


    Al followed the rest of the eidolons out of Sunor¡¯s Will¡¯s chambers.


    ¡°Eager for a fight?¡± the Eidolon of Ekra said.


    ¡°I will obey. However, our lack of direct involvement may waste the months of effort raising their levels and the arms we¡¯ve given them. There are powerful champions in several settlements that I was to face. Without me,¡± he lowered his voice, ¡°our allies will take losses if they proceed with the plans as they are.¡±


    ¡°Their generals are like pups, wagging their tails as they trail after Salla¡¯s Will for her crumbs of war wisdom,¡± the Eidolon of Ekra laughed. ¡°I¡¯d wager she will get them to refrain from striking all but the weakest settlements.¡±


    ¡°No bet, for I agree.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re no fun.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps, now that I have no tasks, I may be permitted to enter these Real Freedom Championships in the winter. I¡¯ve never slain a dragon.¡±


    ¡°This one rules in the manner of this world¡¯s people. I believe that Sunor¡¯s Will mentioned Richellia specifically as one of the places that we aren¡¯t allowed to interfere with.¡±


    ¡°Ah, but as a contestant I am not bound by the agreement.¡±


    ¡°You would argue semantics with a God, young as he is?¡±


    Al had to think about that one.


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    In the end he supposed not.


    There was nothing left to do, but ask for permission and he wasn¡¯t as arrogant as the other eidolons.


    The only question was how to reach the young God.


    He pondered the question even as the Eidolon of Sunor called him to attend to her and provide a looming presence for her meeting with the president and his subordinates.


    He didn¡¯t see the need.


    Sunor¡¯s Will was more than strong enough to make short work of all the men in the office even with their quaint super soldiers.


    He supposed that base violence would erode her image as a wise leader.


    There were many roles to fill.


    Some led with pristine robes while some painted their hands in red.


    ¡°Alright, so this unknown actor said we have twenty four hours to pull out our assets? Let me be clear, he didn¡¯t say anything about what they may or may not do until that deadline passes,¡± the president said.


    The old man looked so weak. Somehow thin in the neck and arms, but fat in the face and middle.


    Leaders were a reflection of their nation.


    Al could only conclude that this America was weak. Although, that was uncharitable of him. No world ever fared well in the emergence of the spires. History had agreed unanimously on that account. And history was notorious for being contradictory since people always sought to control its narrative.


    ¡°That is the agreement, verbatim,¡± the Eidolon of Sunor said.


    ¡°They¡¯re in place, so why don¡¯t we use them. There¡¯s nothing in that agreement of yours and besides, I, we, didn¡¯t agree to anything with this person,¡± the president said.


    ¡°That choice is solely in your hands.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re¡­¡± the president struggled to find the right word, ¡°amending our initial treaty. You¡¯re no longer providing direct combat support.¡±


    ¡°Specifically, to offensive actions against other human settlements. We will still provide support against monsters and we will defend you from attack, regardless of the nature of the aggressors.¡±


    ¡°Well, then, why don¡¯t we put the big guy in a truck and drive it right in front,¡± the vice president pointed at Al. ¡°They attack and you¡¯re just defending yourself.¡±


    ¡°That will be a violation of the pact,¡± he said flatly.


    ¡°We¡¯ve leveled up, armed up with your gracious help, but we can take it from here. It¡¯s our land so it¡¯s on us to take it back. Get me the Joint Chiefs.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ Mr. President,¡± an aide swallowed.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re meeting with the, uh, Eidolon of Salla.¡±


    It was interesting to see the man¡¯s face break out in red splotches as the heat rose.


    Al could smell the liquor on the man¡¯s breath despite the mint scent of the tooth cleaning paste these people used.


    A poor leader.


    Yet, the people had chosen him.


    Al didn¡¯t quite understand.


    ¡°I¡¯m calling it. Operation Rightful Destiny is a go. Activate our assets. That doesn¡¯t break your deal, does it?¡±


    There was a surprising amount of venom in the president¡¯s words to the Eidolon of Sunor.


    ¡°No, Mr. President,¡± she smiled with perfect grace.


    ¡°Good. If you¡¯ll excuse us, we¡¯ve got a reclamation project to coordinate.¡±


    The dismissal was as brusque as it had ever been.


    The Earth humans had never been anything other than obsequious near to the verge of prostrating themselves to the eidolons.


    ¡°Sunor¡¯s Will. You hid your divine majesty.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Do you know why?¡±


    Al took the time to consider his answer.


    They had returned to the underground levels when he finally spoke.


    ¡°The president is weak, a liability in the long term. You no longer need him because you¡¯ve identified suitable replacements.¡±


    ¡°That is correct. Whether through the next election or more direct events. This president will be replaced. Those that cling to a past that is forever beyond their reach will always be inferior agents compared to those that reach for the future.¡±


    <hr>


    The target was the airbase a few miles northwest outside of the Atlanta territorial boundary.


    Her objectives were to secure it, begin the claiming process and defend it from counterattack.


    They had regained a semblance of their ability to project power by fixing what little remained of their aerial arsenal. Decades to make a comparative handful of planes and helicopters flight and combat worthy when compared with what they had before the spires when they were the greatest military power in human history stung the old guard¡¯s pride.


    She had been a young woman back then.


    Just a year shy of graduating from the academy.


    Now, she had real power, there might¡¯ve have been some objections from a few jealous comrades, but most agreed that she was the strongest member of the combined armed forces.


    Captain Patriot.


    Politics.


    By right and deed she should¡¯ve been several rungs up the ladder, but the old men feared her power and thought that the illusion of distance protected their own.


    They had truly lucked out that she was loyal to her oaths.


    She grasped a length of exposed rebar already bent near the concrete base.


    The white light within her warmed as she ripped the knotted steel free.


    All they needed now was the go order from command before assaulting the air base.


    Atlanta, in a surprising amount of strategic foresight had claimed it a few years ago when they, the rightful US Government had first sent a diplomatic team to inform the citizens of Atlanta that it was time to return to their rightful place.


    The traitors rejected their proper duty and sent the diplomats back, alive and unharmed, which was important.


    She didn¡¯t wish to do more harm than what was absolutely necessary to her fellow Americans, regardless of how they saw themselves.


    Violence only spurred greater violence.


    It was her intention to do as little as possible to the air base¡¯s defenders. A luxury of her and her elite units¡¯ greater powers.


    A second diplomatic team had repeated the kind offer.


    Complete amnesty.


    Any and all previous actions against the rightful US Government considered null and void.


    Complete integration into American society befitting one¡¯s power level along with other bonuses not offered to the rest.


    This was the carrot to entice the strongest in Atlanta because once they were back in the fold the rest would have no choice to follow.


    Unsurprisingly, the terms were rejected again.


    Thus, Operation Rightful Destiny was a go, as of this morning.


    Covert assets had been inserted into Atlanta as late as five years ago. This ranged from their own spies and assassins to mercenary bands. The latter group had been paid through channels that amounted to a tangled ball of yarn that would take years to untangle.


    As of this moment, they would be engaged in targeted sabotage of critical infrastructure and indiscriminate sabotage to sow as much chaos as possible. Assassins would use these distractions to service specific individuals crucial to Atlanta¡¯s civil governance and military organization.


    This portion of the plan wasn¡¯t to her liking, but her leaders had decided and they needed all the advantages they could grab now that the eidolons had declined to participate as they had initially promised.


    Atlanta¡¯s elite defenders had the edge over her unit.


    Mostly, because of one man.


    The same man that had, allegedly, gone out of his way to claim the Mount Rushmore territory just to deface the monument.


    Re-taking it and restoring the monument to its rightful glory was one of the potential missions for her unit after this one.


    The changes brought by the Terminus Decree had drastically shrunk the time an owner had to answer challenges before they lost their rights.


    Neutralizing the traitor so he couldn¡¯t defend it would simply things.


    ¡°Captain Patriot!¡± Lt. Helms or Black Hatter in the field kept her voice low.


    ¡°We have the go?¡±


    ¡°Negative. The call is to abort and fall back to staging area for orders.¡±


    The blindfold over her eyes rustled with the furrowing of her brow.


    ¡°Confirm on magical channel.¡±


    ¡°Command code?¡± Black Hatter slipped the magitech radio off her back.


    The device was built around an old SINCGARS and worked in two modes.


    One was the old way, utilizing old towers they had claimed and made functional and newer units hidden on rooftops and high up in trees. Coverage was sparse outside of the capital and radio waves weren¡¯t hard to intercept provided one had the right equipment. Skills and spells just made that easier.


    The second method was more secure.


    Enchanted crystals that could connect directly with each other only limited by range and mana draw.


    The farther away, the greater the draw.


    They had enough to connect to Command HQ fifty miles up the interstate for a short message.


    ¡°It¡¯s ready, Ma¡¯am.¡±


    She took the corded phone from Black Hatter.


    ¡°Patriot. Alpha. Four. Six. Tango. Zero. One.¡±


    ¡°Confirmed,¡± the voice crackled in her ear.


    ¡°Requesting confirmation abort order? Over.¡±


    ¡°Mission abort, over.¡±


    ¡°Understood. Over.¡±


    She wouldn¡¯t learn the reason until her return to Command HQ.


    The command briefing had been like a hornet¡¯s nest knocked over.


    Cross chatter filled the old police station as junior officers continuously entered and exited the command room with updated and corrected information.


    It got to the point that two would enter the room with the second immediately contradicting the first.


    In time they managed to peel back the fog of war. Enough that she was confident in the information she gave the rest of her unit.


    ¡°At one second past 06:00 every single covert asset compromised themselves.¡±


    Eyes widened or narrowed.


    Brows furrowed.


    ¡°They turned themselves in and divulged everything they knew.¡±


    She let that sink in.


    ¡°As of now, we are on standby. I suspect that we will be tasked with asset retrieval.¡±


    ¡°Or disposal,¡± Lt. List said, ¡°even if it sounds like its too late.¡±


    Her men and women knew that she had shared all that she had, so they filled out after she dismissed them.


    Lt. List, Death¡¯s Dancer, lingered.


    ¡°Captain, do you have that same tickling sensation in the back of your mind?¡±


    The long dead New American Republic.


    The mission ten years ago.


    Portions of it were solid in her memory. Like a bedrock foundation.


    Portions of it were as fleeting as morning fog.


    But suspicions were all they had.


    Even talking about it didn¡¯t help clear the fog.


    They knew something was off, but couldn¡¯t keep grasp on that thread long enough to pull.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    <hr>


    Fitzgerald Vaughn was a CIA Agent transitioning from a field role to a desk job when the spires had spared him from that indignity.


    Like everything else the alphabet agencies had been gutted.


    Monsters had done what enemies and political games had failed to do.


    The multiple agencies had been slowly rebuilt into one.


    His career was his class until he had gained a new class, which in time had consolidated.


    The post-spires years had been kind to him.


    The knife work in the bunkers between competing factions had turned into knife work above ground against the worst of men. Traitors, cannibals and the rest of the dregs.


    Fitz had risen.


    He was an old man now, bent and stooped, but not when he chose.


    The class made him feel like a young man. Granted that was only in spurts when using Skills.


    He was America, he liked to joke on account of his class.


    USA.


    United States Assassin.


    Though, properly, it was United States of America Assassin.


    He hoped that it wouldn¡¯t change when they finally settled on what to call their combined intelligence agency.


    That thought always made him chuckle.


    Wouldn¡¯t that be ironic?


    CIA then, CIA now.


    It felt good to be on the winning side.


    The weight of the hidden blade nested in the launcher around his arm was reassuring.


    A light jacket wasn¡¯t out of place in the cool morning air.


    The misty feeling on his face from the water blown in from the lake was refreshing.


    He sipped his coffee and nibbled on a bagel as he waited for his target.


    The mayor liked to grab a coffee and bagel on her way to the office.


    Every single day with no variation of her timing and route.


    What irked him the most was that she only had one bodyguard.


    The complacency of it.


    The arrogance in believing she was safe.


    That was one thing he missed from the old days.


    People knew their place before the spires gave them a false sense of their importance.


    It was finally time to teach them the truth they could never escape.


    The mayor approached, smiling and greeting people by name.


    Her bodyguard was also all smiles.


    The huge woman had a metallic sheen to her black skin. She wore a tank top showing off impressive assets and huge, chiseled biceps and forearms.


    The mayor was supposed to be in her fifties, yet she looked fifteen years younger.


    That bothered him and he told himself that dark skin hid wrinkles.


    He couldn¡¯t help but think of his reflection in the window. He buried the jealousy that he¡¯d never admit beneath the certainty that, aside from physical appearance, he was better than her in every other way.


    That and the fact that his blade was about to cut her throat.


    The bodyguard was a threat¡­ if she could get her hands on him.


    He prepared to activate his Skills as his watch neared 06:00.


    His watch buzzed at the same time that the mayor walked past his table, smiling down at him like she was better than him.


    He stood and raised his hands.


    ¡°I surrender,¡± he said.


    What?


    ¡°There is a knife in my sleeve and a gun in my waistband.¡±


    The words poured out of his mouth.


    The huge bodyguard grabbed his wrists. She moved faster than he had expected.


    He grimaced at the crushing pressure.


    ¡°I am an assassin sent by the former US Government to murder you,¡± he said through clenched teeth.


    Half of him couldn¡¯t believe what the other half was doing and saying.


    The latter was in complete control.


    The scene repeated itself dozens of times across many settlements, towns and cities.


    A saboteur carefully placed a bag of holding on the desk.


    ¡°My orders were to disrupt the events.¡±


    The blue-haired girl with cerulean scales mixed in with her tanned skin reached into the bag all the way down to her elbow and pulled out a bomb.


    She sniffed.


    ¡°Powerful!¡±


    Her grin revealed fangs as her guardians recoiled from the bomb in her hand.


    ¡°I will answer all your questions.¡±


    The assassin was strangely calm despite the sharp fingernails on his throat.


    The vampire regarded the man with hunger. The man wouldn¡¯t be missed by anyone that counted.


    ¡°No!¡± he snapped at himself. ¡°I am in control!¡± he put in a call and tried not to notice the sweet blood.


    ¡°We were paid to cause trouble.¡±


    Ledge goggled at the leader of the mercenary band.


    Twenty strong, they had been enjoying the casinos, clubs and buffets.


    He had them surrounded by his fellow Golden Eagles right in the middle of the front lobby.


    ¡°They just walked in and dropped their weapons?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± The front desk clerk pointed at the pile on the floor.


    ¡°Chain them up. I want double guard on them. Put everyone on alert,¡± he barked. ¡°I have to make a call.¡±


    This stank of certain kind of trouble.

 8.12

    Al made sure to smile with his eyes as well his mouth. Doing the latter while failing to do so with the former wasn¡¯t good.


    The Americans needed to see him as a friendly face, not merely as a strong arm to crush their enemies. Especially, now that they had forsworn their promise to aid the Americans in their quest to unite the tattered remnants of their once great nation.


    His assessment on that account, based on their armies and their cities, was that great for this world was equivalent to middling across the handful of pantheon worlds he had traveled to over the years as an eidolon.


    Their story was much the same for any world graced with the spires¡¯ presence.


    ¡°What are you waiting for?¡±


    His liaison whispered.


    Al was crouched on one knee with his hand resting on soft dirt.


    It had rained recently.


    The first he had experienced on this world.


    Normal rain was the same on many worlds.


    Fortunately, this one lacked melting rain or rain that woke the buried dead.


    He turned and made direct eye contact before speaking.


    ¡°I am waiting for your soldiers to get in position,¡± he held up a finger and pointed to his ear.


    ¡°Oh, right, you¡¯ve got super senses.¡±


    ¡°Just hunter¡¯s senses honed over a lifetime. I need not use Skills to listen to the boots crunching fallen leaves. A beautiful color are they not?¡± he remembered to interject obvious observations of the surrounding environment to show that despite his divine power he saw things in much the same way as mere mortals. ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous, friend Ronald. These Meat Parades will trouble me not. In fact, is the captain certain that he doesn¡¯t want a leveling opportunity for his men?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, thanks, but we¡¯ll pass on that. We¡¯re pretty green. Most of the vets are still allocated to Rightful Destiny. Reports said that these cannibals are old ones dating all the way back to near the beginning.¡±


    ¡°I believe I have faced one of these Meat Parades from before I was ascended on a world far removed from this one.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you told us. Let me tell you, the guys in intel got freaked out over that. How one of our natives got all they way to that world? That¡¯s the kind of question that¡¯ll keep a guy up at night.¡±


    ¡°He was in service to the Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy. It seemed not entirely willing.¡±


    ¡°I know, crazy right. I don¡¯t know anything about a dominion thing, beyond rumors. Not high enough up the ladder yet.¡±


    ¡°You shall ascend with time and diligence!¡± he raised a thumb.


    A local affection indicating, among other things, approval.


    His lavender-skinned fist was almost as large as Ronald¡¯s head. The color went all the way up to his elbow, where it faded into streaks, merging with the dark brown skin he had been born with.


    Years with Adras¡¯ divine blood within him had slowly changed his physical form.


    He was much larger than he had been.


    He stood head and shoulders above even the tallest American. Doorways forced him to duck and turn his shoulders at an angle rather than walk through squarely.


    He had kept closer to his former proportions. Though, just as impressively muscled as Theron, he was closer to a lean forest predator than a hulking behemoth.


    He had let his blue-purple hair grow longer. The curls evoked the classical depictions of Adras. As did the short beard.


    Of his face, only the areas around his eyes, nose and mouth remained dark brown.


    The soft dirt in his hand was reassuring. It grounded him with the knowledge that one world was not that different from the next.


    ¡°You are a go,¡± the captain¡¯s voice crackled in his ear.


    ¡°These communication devices are inferior to the gems I am familiar with,¡± he didn¡¯t press the button on the mic around his neck, so only Ronald heard.


    ¡°Hey, feel free to share.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, perhaps when our bonds have been secured.¡±


    He rose.


    Ronald¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°Go time?¡±


    ¡°Watch closely and keep a steady hand on your recording device, friend Ronald. For you shall see an Eidolon of Adras unleashed.¡±


    He had already helped them kill monsters, but those had been trivial affairs.


    The monsters had burst like fruit left in the sun and torn like wet paper in his hands.


    The forest gave way to a clearing filled with uniform cabins.


    It was familiar sight.


    He knew it without needing Ronald¡¯s explanation.


    Other worlds also maintained campgrounds that catered to those that didn¡¯t truly want to experience the wilderness.


    He had never begrudged them their softness, for he knew what lurked in the true wilds.


    ¡°Meat Parades!¡± he roared. ¡°You have been judged murderers! You ate of the forbidden flesh! Come! Face justice!¡±


    A cabin to his left exploded.


    ¡°Ah, you are the same as the one I slew!¡±


    The behemoth rivaled him in size, though was grotesquely proportioned.


    One couldn¡¯t miss that over-sized mouth filled with sharp teeth as the jaw distended like those crushing serpents.


    The wild charge seemed like that of a crazed animal until he noticed the others fleeing the ruined cabin in the opposite direction.


    ¡°No escape.¡±


    He became as the star in the center of the system upon which all the celestial bodies orbited.


    It was one of Adras¡¯ gifts, one which he had yet to progress beyond a rudimentary understanding.


    The behemoth shot toward him like a missile.


    He punched.


    The grotesque mouth snapped shut, shattering teeth on his arm while his fist continued all the way through the back of the behemoth¡¯s head.


    The body was dead weight and he shook it off, fighting against his own pull to free his hand and step on the corpse.


    All things within his radius flew to him.


    Broken cabins and their contents, leaves, branches, tiny woodland animals, some mutated, some not, the cannibals.


    He stopped his borrowed power before he was buried in rubble.


    The inexorable pull had drawn the cannibals close enough.


    Sensing that escape was impossible they turned to fight, transforming into their grotesque combat forms.


    They leapt at him like cornered rodents.


    Claws and teeth scraped against his bare arms.


    ¡°You are weaker than expected.¡±


    He clapped one¡¯s head between his hands, popping it like a grape.


    ¡°Or is it that I am stronger?¡±


    He pulled one¡¯s head from her shoulders.


    ¡°More the latter than the former. For I was a mere mortal when I fought your kin. The divine flows through my veins now, but I can¡¯t help notice that you are a bedraggled lot, like harried prey ever increasingly driven into the killing ground.¡±


    He stabbed his fingers into a chest, ripping through thick muscle and snapping thicker bone.


    The cannibal had ribs like steel plate, though it availed him not.


    The last one quailed as Al¡¯s foot descended.


    Al stood alone in the silence with only the stench of death to keep him company.


    Though not for long.


    ¡°Clear?¡± the captain¡¯s voice crackled.


    Al pressed the button on his throat mic.


    ¡°It is done. I have slain the Meat Parades. Justice is satisfied. Their victims know peace in whatever afterlife your people belong to.¡±


    The soldiers came out of the forest with their weapons drawn and ready.


    They had been wise to keep their distance.


    The noise they made would¡¯ve been detected by some of the cannibals judging by the structure of their bat-like ears.


    ¡°God damn! Al! That was insane!¡± Ronald said.


    ¡°One should take care invoking the Gods, for they are always listening.¡±


    The young man paled.


    ¡°But, fear not, friend Ronald,¡± he added hastily, ¡°I am Adras¡¯ Will and I act in his name.¡±


    ¡°Appreciate that, but I¡¯ll do better about that, you know, just so I don¡¯t accidentally insult¡­ er¡­ Adras or any other ones.¡±


    ¡°Another cell down,¡± the captain grunted.


    The stern-faced man always looked like he tasted something sour.


    ¡°I understand that these Meat Parades were once a greater threat.¡±


    Al knew the answer. It had been part of the briefing. He was merely making conversation as was accepted socially. The Americans weren¡¯t that different from the humans on his home world and the other worlds owned by the pantheon.


    The captain looked anywhere except up at Al¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°They were.¡±


    Al recognized the man¡¯s discomfort and generously allowed the disrespect.


    Another eidolon wouldn¡¯t have been as forgiving, but Al still remembered what it had been like standing next to Theron when he had still been a simple mortal when he had already known eidolons existed.


    It must have been doubly difficult for a man that had known no real Gods to stand in the presence of that which was closest to the Gods.


    The captain gestured to the empty lots where cabins once stood.


    ¡°Good job. You¡¯ve cleared the area, so you saved us the trouble.¡±


    The debris made an almost perfect circle.


    ¡°Gonna be tough finding anything in this mess that could point us to more cells. Excuse me, I¡¯ve got to coordinate my men.¡±


    The captain tromped off.


    ¡°Yeah, on behalf of the American people, I thank you for your service today and I look forward to more amazing displays!¡± Ronald smiled.


    It reached his eyes.


    Al returned it.


    ¡°Yeah, the Meat Parade was a pretty big deal around the Mississippi River,¡± Ronald continued. ¡°We figured they used boats to travel up and down to raid settlements for people¡­ for¡­ uh¡­ food¡­ and converts. Mostly, young people they could indoctrinate for the latter. The Blessed Sacrament they called it. Bunch of blasphemers. Though, I guess you can¡¯t argue against results,¡± he gestured at the corpses, which had slowly returned to human form in death. ¡°They did get power out of it. Not worth it if you ask me.¡±


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    ¡°What led to their decline if not your forces?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Don¡¯t have the clearance. I¡¯m the guy everyone else gets to order around,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°I understand. I was once subservient to all, at least that¡¯s what it had felt like at the time. It is pleasing to know that despite being of two different worlds our peoples are similar.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s good that we can work together with our shared values and all,¡± Ronald said. ¡°I do hear rumors though,¡± he lowered his voice. ¡°So, the Meat Parade was a terror up until maybe twelve to fifteen years ago. I was still a kid in the bunkers, but we heard things filtered down from the soldiers that went above ground. There was some kind of fight in Kansas over a city between the Christian cult controlling it and the Meat Parade. Something about a golden angel showing up. We think whatever came out of that fight was the beginning of the end for the cannibals. There were less parades, there were less of them over the years and now, hopefully, these are the last of the terrorists. Should be easy to keep them from popping up again. Just keep an eye out for cannibals.¡±


    ¡°A wise decision. There are spells that can detect the nature of what one eats.¡±


    ¡°Are you willing to share that info?¡±


    ¡°I will speak to Sunor¡¯s Will. It might be that we don¡¯t have the means to teach the knowledge. I have never been a spellcaster.¡±


    The angel was a new bit of information that piqued Al¡¯s interest.


    He knew of only one type of angel and the connection to the Meat Parade was glaring like a burning lighthouse on a storm-whipped shore.


    ¡°What¡¯s next for us?¡± Ronald said.


    ¡°I go where your people need me.¡±


    ¡°This stuff seems like a waste of your strength.¡±


    ¡°It is never a waste to remove dangerous monsters that prey on innocent citizens.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, I agree, but these might be the last flesheaters over Level 40. We can handle the rest. Got to level and get stronger for the coming wars. I mean, we can¡¯t let you guys do all the heavy lifting, right?¡±


    ¡°My strength, Adras¡¯ strength is meant to lift those that can¡¯t lift themselves,¡± he said solemnly.


    ¡°I know!¡± Ronald snapped his fingers. ¡°Recruiting. We¡¯re having a tough time getting people to come back and be Americans again. If they knew people like you were on our side¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, to be a shining beacon, an exemplar for mortals to aspire to is one of my order¡¯s mandates.¡±


    Ronald snapped his fingers.


    ¡°What about the R.F.C.?¡±


    ¡°I have heard of these Real Freedom Championships.¡±


    ¡°You can participate. They send out enchanted glass orbs all over the country so people can watch. The dragon-president doesn¡¯t give a shit. Even we get free orbs,¡± he rolled his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s obvious that she¡¯s just doing it to rub it in our face that she¡¯s taken over Florida.¡±


    ¡°I have been commanded not to seek this dragon.¡±


    ¡°Sure, to hunt and kill, but the championships are a sporting event. You have those on your home world?¡±


    ¡°I have yet to journey to a world without.¡±


    ¡°Okay, so then it¡¯s fine. She fights in the Gold Division One Versus One. You can fight her in that. Obviously, not to the death, but you can show everyone your strength. If you beat her then¡­¡± he spread his hands.


    It took a moment for Al to parse the gesture.


    ¡°You¡¯re suggesting that victory over the dragon, though merely sport, will hasten the process of reuniting your scattered nation?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just an idea, but I think it¡¯s probably a better use of your time and power than killing monsters and murderers that don¡¯t even make you sweat.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re words have merit. I¡¯ll consult with my superior and I¡¯ll commend you to yours.¡±


    <hr>


    The Eidolon of Sut gazed over the room full of children.


    Even with the stooped posture he affected he stood head and shoulders over the tallest specimens.


    He noted that the vast majority of the volunteers were of the darker-pigmented variety.


    Such was expected for a primitive society.


    But he couldn¡¯t abide it.


    Pigmentation was irrelevant to his work.


    It was what lay within that determined success or failure.


    Will mattered about all.


    Fortunately, for the children he was a master of his craft and a few preliminary tests would be all it took to rule out those unlikely to thrive with the procedure, let alone survive.


    However, that wasted precious time, which he didn¡¯t have.


    Fortunately, there were plenty for him work his craft upon.


    Only a few would succeed, but that was good enough for the present.


    He beckoned his liaison with a crook of his long finger.


    ¡°I have provided you with the means to perform the first test.¡±


    ¡°Yes. We¡¯re screening the volunteers according to your instructions.¡±


    ¡°And, yet¡­ this is the fifth batch and I see the same issue repeated.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to tell you. We¡¯re following your instructions. You have to understand that our mage-types aren¡¯t close to your level. They¡¯re doing their best.¡±


    ¡°Four previous batches. Only ten percent of each batch was suited to the procedure. Do you understand what would¡¯ve happened to these braves volunteers had providence not nudged me to check the simple work that I had entrusted to you?¡±


    The stone-faced liaison gazed up at him, but wisely refrained from answering.


    ¡°Agony beyond what you think you can endure. Then death. A waste of resources for everyone. My rules are simple. The subject must have a chance of success. They must volunteer of their own free will with a full understanding of what the procedure entails. There will be no coercion of any kind. No threats, no bribes, no promises. And no orders. I am starting to think that you Earth humans did not pay attention to my words. Perhaps, I will look elsewhere. Now, go and repeat my words to your superiors.¡±


    ¡°I have my orders,¡± the liaison said.


    ¡°Then the work does not begin.¡±


    The muscles on the liaison¡¯s neck tensed.


    Truly, it was fortunate that the humans on this world were essentially the same as the humans on the pantheon¡¯s other worlds. The differences were superficial. Facial features, hair color and other irrelevant traits that didn¡¯t affect his work.


    ¡°You will remain simple primitives if you do not abandon your pointless biases. Remove the skin and you won¡¯t find differences. You are all the same within.¡±


    The liaison spun smartly on his heel and stalked out.


    ¡°You,¡± he pointed a crooked finger at the closest volunteer. ¡°Approach.


    The young woman set her jaw and marched forward.


    ¡°Now,¡± he smiled, looming over her. ¡°You volunteered for the procedure?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°To do my duty, sir!¡±


    ¡°Please, there is no need to shout. I am not your superior officer.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, sir! Sir.¡±


    ¡°And you understand what it entails?¡±


    ¡°They told me what I need to know.¡±


    He waved a hand, casting a bubble of silence the likes of which the primitive mages and primitive technology couldn¡¯t penetrate.


    ¡°There, no one can hear your words. So, I demand that you tell me the truth. Not what you think they or I want to hear. There will be no punishment for you. On my word and on my God¡¯s name.¡±


    ¡°You can give me animal powers, but I lose my classes. It might not work and I might die. Also, it¡¯ll hurt a lot, regardless, but I¡¯m good with that. I¡¯ve got a high pain tolerance. Even without the Skill, so it¡¯s not a big deal that I lose my classes. I mean it¡¯s not instant thing, right? So, there might be overlap where I still have the Skill?¡±


    ¡°How old are you in the reckoning of your world?¡±


    ¡°Sixteen.¡±


    ¡°So, not a true child, but still young. You do not truly grasp what you have volunteered to endure. Do you do this out of your own will? Your superiors know that I will not abide coercion in all its forms.¡±


    The child hesitated, which was answer enough.


    He pulled out a circle of colored glass, shifting through the myriad colors of existence, holding it to his eye, he scanned the girl.


    ¡°You are suitable. However, you are not here of your own free will. So, I shall give you the choice. Proceed or depart. I will ensure that you will face no repercussions.¡±


    ¡°How strong will you make me?¡±


    ¡°I cannot say until the procedure is underway. The range of possible outcomes is as vast as the river that splits your land. Then there are the specializations to take into account. I can only promise that it is my utmost endeavor to bring you to match your spirit perfectly and thereby bring you to the height of your potential. That is the challenge, the art, in what I do.¡±


    ¡°So, like, they said I could be as strong as a Level 30.¡±


    He sighed.


    ¡°If you are meant to be a warrior, then that is the lowest possibility. Level 50 equivalent is on the higher end. And if you are that one special grain of sand on the beach, then you might have the chance to reach beyond 60 and above. To be as myth.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m definitely still in.¡±


    ¡°Are you certain? The path I offer is quicker to power than the classes. However, if you are in the majority you will be forever stuck underneath a ceiling you can touch, but not breach.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m okay with that. I mean the charts say I probably won¡¯t hit Level 30 until I¡¯m, like, 30. And I can¡¯t really make things easy for my family until at least that. I¡¯d have to hit 40 to make sure that my little brother and sister don¡¯t have to fight. If I do this¡­¡±


    ¡°They bribed you with your family¡¯s safety?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ not exactly.¡±


    ¡°Then they implied that participation would provide benefits.¡±


    She didn¡¯t answer, which was enough.


    ¡°I¡¯m tempted to reject you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°Do not interrupt.¡±


    She wisely remained silent.


    ¡°However, you are a suitable volunteer and I deem you have the requisite will. The pain will be unbearable and it will seem to last eternity, but if you have truly have the will¡­ if you truly wish to sacrifice yourself for your family then you may have what is necessary to endure and triumph in the end.¡±


    ¡°I do.¡±


    Her gaze never wavered.


    ¡°Once the procedure begins there is no stopping it. Death or success. That is all. If you understand then step through the door,¡± he gestured.


    She nodded once then walked around him, opening the door without hesitation and vanishing.


    No one else was allowed inside the section of bunker he had claimed and altered for the procedure.


    The Earth humans had tried and failed to gain access.


    It was for their benefit.


    The sight of his flesh golem assistants would¡¯ve been too much for their youthful sensitivities.


    The child he had sent in was immediately rendered unconscious by an automated spell as the golems prepared her for the arduous and lengthy process.


    Whether she lived or died, he¡¯d honor her sacrifice by offering her family a place in Sut¡¯s embrace.


    In exchange for faithful worship he would provide transport to a world where they wouldn¡¯t have to fight nor live under duress. They would be given leave to contribute in the ways they wished to further Sut¡¯s will.


    ¡°You are next,¡± he pointed at the well-built young man with skin as dark as the ebon pools beneath the City of Sut, Twentieth of Its Name on the World of Sut, Fifth of Its Name.


    ¡°Unfortunate,¡± he murmured as he scanned the young man through the myriad glass. ¡°You are unsuitable.¡±


    ¡°What? No¡ª¡±


    ¡°Go,¡± he waved to the exit. ¡°I will see to it that you and those you care about face no repercussions. I do not waste. Next.¡±


    Out of thirty there were only four suitable volunteers.


    If the next batch was not an improvement then he would address his complaints directly with the leader of the primitives. Regardless of the commands laid out by Sunor¡¯s Will.


    He had sworn to abide by the words of their appointed leader, but ultimately, his God¡¯s interests trumped all.


    <hr>


    ¡°Hurry up and wait, huh?¡± Contrary flicked a knife over her shoulder.


    Nicholas caught it between his thumb and forefinger.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± he used the perfectly weighted blade to carve the skin off the apple.


    ¡°Um¡­ lieutenant¡­¡±


    ¡°Let me guess, Kev¡­ you don¡¯t want to say anything, but your class compels you?¡±


    ¡°The skin contains nutrients,¡± the younger man grinned sheepishly.


    ¡°It¡¯s not the class, but the kid¡¯s need to be like a mother hen,¡± Rico knuckled Kev¡¯s head lightly. ¡°And you keep forgetting¡­ no ranks when we¡¯re not on.¡±


    ¡°Technically, we¡¯re on the hot seat,¡± Nicholas cut the skinned apple into thin slices, almost to the point of translucence.


    ¡°Are you eating an apple or making a pie, cause I don¡¯t see no crust?¡± Rico said.


    ¡°It¡¯s practice, oh, and Kev, I¡¯m eating the skin last.¡±


    ¡°Cause he¡¯s a weirdo like that,¡± Contrary flicked another knife.


    ¡°Hey, watch it! You could put someone¡¯s eye out,¡± Rico plucked the blade out of the air.


    ¡°Then don¡¯t walk through the throwing lane. You see anyone else walking through?¡± Contrary scoffed.


    The others had made a game of it at first.


    The rules were simple.


    Don¡¯t get stabbed while making the catch look casual.


    A panel of judges scored it from 1 to 5.


    Then Contrary started using Skills.


    Naturally, the contestants used theirs.


    Then Contrary used her best ones.


    Naturally, the contestants got stabbed.


    It was good for the healers at least. They got to practice and cycle their mana.


    Captain Patriot had put a stop to it.


    The contest.


    Not Contrary throwing.


    It was good practice.


    ¡°Hey, Nicholas,¡± Rico flicked the blade in an arc.


    ¡°What, Rico?¡± he caught it and flicked it right back to Contrary, who added it to the handful she juggled lazily while reading.


    ¡°You bored?¡±


    ¡°Why do you ask questions when you already know the answers?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s rhetorical. Philosopher tactics. You know how it is. Anyways, how about we give it another go?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re gonna have to be specific cause¡­¡±


    ¡°We got nothing to do, so, why don¡¯t you give it another shot?¡±


    ¡°Specifics?¡±


    ¡°The creepy mad scientist alien. Find out what he¡¯s doing to our guys.¡±


    ¡°I got caught the first time I tried. And orders are orders. No one¡¯s even supposed to look in his direction.¡±


    ¡°Sure, but that was before he really got started, maybe he¡¯s distracted now. C¡¯mon, it¡¯s been a month and no one¡¯s come back. You can¡¯t be cool with this?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know enough to know whether to be cool or not. But, it does bug me that they switched it up like that,¡± he snapped his fingers, ¡°from really wanting to find out what he¡¯s doing to not even wanting a sniff.¡±


    ¡°And there¡¯s all those animals they keep shipping,¡± Kev said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know where to start with that,¡± Rico threw his hands up.


    ¡°Lt. Death¡¯s Dancer!¡± Captain Patriot suddenly appeared at the doorway.


    Everyone snapped to attention.


    Contrary¡¯s knives clattered.


    ¡°As you were,¡± she said.


    ¡°Captain?¡±


    ¡°My office in five.¡±

 8.13

    The captain didn¡¯t wear the blindfold for her benefit.


    Nicholas would¡¯ve struggled to look at her face without the simple cloth.


    ¡°Orders,¡± she pushed a thin folder across her desk. ¡°Deep infiltration Op.¡±


    ¡°Oh, sounds fun already,¡± he scanned the first page, which contained the broad strokes on his objectives. ¡°This is¡­ surprising.¡±


    ¡°Things changed with the Terminus Decree. Shortened time frames to answer ownership challenges presents a problem and an opportunity. It¡¯s in the planning stages, but we are going to take back our tactical and strategic advantages.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll start small,¡± he nodded. ¡°Test things out on the smaller stuff, like a mouse nibbling on the corners of the cheese. You want me in place to see how they react? Only one problem with that. I wouldn¡¯t know where to start. I mean, all we¡¯ve got is a family name that keeps showing up on the things we want. The flying man is the only obvious one.¡±


    ¡°We still aren¡¯t in a position to challenge him.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ this whole op is coming out of the oven early?¡±


    ¡°Like I said, the plan is to test. Primarily, response time. If he doesn¡¯t show in time, then we take back what is ours and he¡¯ll have to be the aggressor if he wants it back.¡±


    ¡°Seems dumb, Captain, that¡¯s a big risk for a small reward.¡±


    ¡°Explain.¡±


    ¡°Whoever these people are they haven¡¯t done anything in decades with the weapons in their possession. The way I see it, they¡¯re keeping it safe for everyone. There¡¯s no guarantee we can hold them indefinitely. Can you imagine if some random warlord got their hands on them? Or we fail to keep the facility from going spawn zone? That seems to me like a perfect scenario for a Godzilla to pop up. Besides, what are we going to do with them anyways? There¡¯s no one we¡¯d need to nuke.¡±


    ¡°The flying man.¡±


    The captain quirked her brow at the open-mouthed look on his face.


    ¡°That was the first potential target brought up in the meeting.¡±


    ¡°Please tell them that is the stupidest idea¡­ respectfully,¡± he snorted. ¡°You¡¯ve seen how fast he moves. You could try a trap, but there¡¯s no guarantee he can¡¯t just out fly the blast. At that point you¡¯ve given him every justification he needs to stop playing nice.¡±


    ¡°I told them as much.¡±


    ¡°Are they serious?¡±


    ¡°Deadly.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°I believe we are on the same page on this. It is imperative that you secure information that will assure that our worst case scenarios don¡¯t happen.¡±


    ¡°Understood. When is mission start.¡±


    ¡°Now. Read it. Memorize it. Then go. You¡¯re on your own, lieutenant. I trust you.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t let you down, captain,¡± he stood and saluted.


    <hr>


    Starting small was a nuclear power plant in New York, on Lake Ontario.


    Two names laid claim to it.


    So familiar, yet, none of them could put a face to one. As for the other, all they had were blurry photos and videos.


    The flying man was almost as shy as bigfoot.


    Which, incidentally, was real now.


    There were two camps on that.


    One believed that the cryptid had been real the whole time and it was the upheaval to the status quo that led to its emergence.


    The other camp thought that the first just couldn¡¯t admit they were wrong. To them the simplest explanation was that bigfoot, sasquatch, whatever quaint country name one called it was no different from all the monsters, creatures and other things that the spires brought.


    Captain Patriot didn¡¯t care about the debate.


    She was unaware it even existed.


    ¡°Everyone in position.¡±


    She waited for the words.


    ¡°Set the timer. On my mark. Now.¡±


    She said the words in her head.


    An answer to the question the spires presented through text and voice.


    It was just shy of ten minutes when the answering booms thundered in the dark sky.


    The flying man appeared.


    He flapped his arms as he descended to stand in front of her.


    He wore a mask, a reflective one that seemed to throw her own appearance in her face.


    Faint memories of a movie or a TV show from her childhood flitted across her thoughts before she refocused.


    The white light within her warmed, comforting against the threat.


    ¡°I flew all the way from¡­ there,¡± he pointed to the southeast.


    Multiple recording devices wouldn¡¯t miss a word or gesture.


    The man¡¯s slightest actions were being dissected by multiple think tanks filled with analysts of every type.


    ¡°And¡­ boy are my arms tired.¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°Are you he?¡±


    ¡°I am him¡­ who is ¡®he¡¯ you are referring to?¡±


    ¡°There are two names that stole this power plant.¡±


    ¡°We didn¡¯t steal it. In case you didn¡¯t notice we¡¯ve set it to provide power for free,¡± he gestured to the lights in the surrounding area. ¡°Our ownership also kept it from turning back into an encounter challenge and eventually a spawn zone. You should¡¯ve seen this place before I fixed it, oh, 20-ish years ago. Monsters everywhere.¡±


    ¡°The U.S. Government thanks you for your service. It is no longer needed.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t wait to charge those people?¡± he nodded. ¡°I get it. It must¡¯ve been hard all those years hiding in your bunkers, just thinking of all the wealth you couldn¡¯t squeeze from the people. Look, a fight¡¯s a waste of my time. Stupid stuff like this is going on all over the world. Do you know how many nuclear missile sites I have to keep from falling into the wrong hands? It¡¯s a lot in case you didn¡¯t realize. Me being here, takes away from that. Do you have a way to defend yourself from nukes? Cause if you do, please share. I¡¯d rather not spend the next year answering pointless challenges when I could be killing monsters and bringing supplies to people.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t want to fight either. You just have to leave and let us take back what is rightfully ours.¡±


    ¡°We aren¡¯t the final word on that.¡±


    The man quirked his head to one side to look over her shoulder.


    ¡°I know you had a moment planned to get the last word in. Put me in my place, psychological warfare stuff, but I have a bachelor¡¯s in that, so don¡¯t bother.¡±


    She gestured.


    An unassuming young woman wrapped in a thick jacket to ward against the chill of late fall air approached.


    ¡°You know, that¡¯s not a good look for willing participants,¡± he nodded at the two armed soldiers flanking the young woman.


    ¡°They are for the mayor¡¯s protection.¡±


    ¡°Get out of there with that!¡± he scoffed. ¡°We all know that she¡¯s the only one here that isn¡¯t in danger. Hi!¡± he waved at the young mayor.


    ¡°He¡ª hello,¡± she waved back.


    ¡°Are you Jesse¡¯s girl? The oldest one?¡±


    ¡°Ye- yes.¡±


    ¡°Darla, right?¡±


    A hesitant nod.


    ¡°Wow, I¡¯m getting old, you were, like, ten the last time I was in this area. Is your dad okay?¡±


    Darla¡¯s hesitation vanished as it became clear to her that this was the same man from long ago.


    ¡°He¡¯s fine. He retired two years ago. He¡¯s working on his pool shark class and fishing, mostly. I¡¯m, uh, mayor now.¡±


    ¡°Congrats to the both of you! Rest of the family okay?¡±


    ¡°They are¡­ um¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you have anything to be sorry for. So, I guess we¡¯ve got to address the stinky turd in the middle of the restaurant floor¡­ is the old government threatening you guys?¡±


    Captain Patriot tried to get the conversation back in her control.


    ¡°They¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shush, you. We¡¯re talking here. You can be honest Darla. I happened to know that they,¡± he pointed at the captain, ¡°are going to have some big problems if they¡¯ve conquered or otherwise threatened you into compliance.¡±


    ¡°No, they didn¡¯t. I mean, we voted.¡±


    ¡°Free and fair?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. We kept a close eye on it. With spells and Skills. There wasn¡¯t any cheating.¡±


    ¡°Was it close?¡±


    ¡°68% voted to rejoin.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Well, I¡¯m a little disappointed to be honest, but that¡¯s your right¡­ you know they¡¯re going to start charging you for that,¡± he pointed at the power plant. ¡°Taxes, the draft, the healthcare scam. Make you work cause it¡¯s ¡®immoral¡¯ not to work.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t see past the mask, but it sounded as if he had rolled his eyes like a petulant teen.


    ¡°We voted,¡± Darla shrugged and smiled wanly.


    ¡°And I respect that¡­¡± he paused. ¡°Will the ¡®No¡¯ voters be safe?¡±


    ¡°It was a secret ballot,¡± Darla said.


    ¡°Smart! Okay, than I must be off. Plant¡¯s yours.¡± His tone grew cold. ¡°Don¡¯t screw it up, Captain Patriot. This Terminus garbage is making me a busy man. I might not be able to drop by if nuclear-powered monsters arise.¡± He regarded Darla. ¡°As for the 32%, someone will be in touch about immigration options. The ballot strikes in many ways. What are you going to do then, captain? Make it illegal to leave. Sounds very North Korea-ish to me,¡± he paused, ¡°you do remember them, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes. What happened to them? You¡¯d be the one to know?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯d be willing to trade that information. Do you have information I¡¯d want?¡±


    ¡°Not at this time.¡±


    ¡°Okay, well, goodbye and I hope to not see you for a while. Not, you Darla, you¡¯re still cool with me. Tell your dad and sister I wish them my best. Oh, and tell your dad I know plenty of good fishing spots worldwide, but more importantly I know where he can swim with the greatest pool sharks in the world if he really wants to level.¡±


    With one last wave he vanished into the night sky.


    ¡°He just let you have it,¡± Darla whispered.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t his to take.¡±


    ¡°For twenty years it was. And we never had a problem. All we had to do was the daily maintenance. He paid to keep it from reverting.¡±


    ¡°We will do the same.¡±


    ¡°For free? He never once asked for a single Universal Point. How much will it cost us, huh?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, ma¡¯am. That is not my job.¡±


    ¡°People will want to leave. Will you stop them?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, ma¡¯am. I follow the laws.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not against the law to move. At least not yet.¡±


    ¡°That is correct.¡±


    ¡°Will that change?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t answer that. I am soldier. Congress makes the laws. The president signs them. That¡¯s how it¡¯s always worked. You weren¡¯t born yet, so I understand your ignorance.¡±


    ¡°My dad taught me our history. I know how things worked back then.¡±


    ¡°Then be happy that you have a leadership role in shaping the new future of our great country.¡±


    The words felt hollow on the captain¡¯s tongue, but came easily every time she had repeated it across dozens of small communities as they steadily expanded outward from the capital.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    She preferred the restriction on the use of force.


    It had always made more sense to her that they focus on bringing the willing back into the fold first rather than forcing a fight with the stronger ones.


    Her encounter with the flying man led to an aggravating string of debriefings as everyone on the ladder above her wanted to get their piece of the pie of the successful op.


    It bothered her that none of the old men seemed to understand that it wasn¡¯t a victory when your opponent simply handed it to you.


    Not even the president.


    ¡°Good job, Captain Patriot. You showed him what true American grit looks like. We¡¯re going to get our nukes back, boys!¡± he shared a round of smiles around his cabinet.


    She eyed the general in charge of special operations.


    The man nodded.


    ¡°Permission to speak?¡±


    ¡°Of course, captain. You know you¡¯ve earned that right,¡± the president said.


    ¡°I¡¯d advise a tempering of expectations.¡±


    The president steepled his fingers and leaned forward as though it was a one on one meeting.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t challenge our claim because the people voted. I believe that will not be the case when we reclaim our missile sites. He said as much. If he is keeping hold of missile sites all over the world then I see no reason why he wouldn¡¯t do the same here.¡±


    ¡°This time he¡¯s up against the greatest military in the history of the world.¡±


    The old men fired off thoughts.


    ¡°We know the nations that had them pre-spires, but we¡¯ve got to factor in the ones that were close.¡±


    ¡°Factional breakdowns. Those weapons could be anywhere by now.¡±


    ¡°So, let the flying man keep the rest of the world safe from nukes if he¡¯s so concerned. This is America and it¡¯s not his place to dictate to us what we can and can¡¯t do.¡±


    ¡°We need intel. What we have on our own soil is barely adequate compared to how it used to be.¡±


    The thought that these old men hadn¡¯t truly been out there, hadn¡¯t truly seen what things were like outside the bunkers, struck her like a bolt of lightning.


    ¡°Will we have the eidolon¡¯s super soldiers ready by then?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what we need intel on. I can¡¯t be the only one that wants something more than reports. Are we really going to just trust an alien¡¯s say so that things are on schedule?¡±


    ¡°Gentlemen! Gentlemen!¡± the president knocked on the table. ¡°The captain has the floor.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t win a fight with him as we are. That is a certainty. We know what will work, so I suggest we keep doing it.¡±


    ¡°Elections,¡± the president nodded. ¡°Fitting. We are the greatest democracy to ever exist!¡± he grinned. ¡°Let¡¯s show everyone that we haven¡¯t forgotten our roots. Rightful Destiny is just that. There¡¯s no need to rush since it¡¯s inevitable.¡±


    ¡°What about citizens leaving?¡± The vice president, never a tactful man, didn¡¯t let the moment breathe.


    ¡°Let¡¯s take a wait and see approach to that,¡± the president said. ¡°Travel¡¯s not as easy as it used to be.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°I¡¯m not unfamiliar with this,¡± Al held the ice cream cone like a torch to ward against the encroaching dark.


    In this case, the darkness was the setting sun and warding against it was completely unnecessary since the ice cream shoppe had lights.


    Indeed, the street lights had already come on.


    Being in the capital of Richellia meant that even a winter night was temperate.


    Not that the eidolon was affected by such mundane concerns as the climate.


    ¡°However, this crunchy cookie shell is different,¡± he chomped on the top scoop, leaving him with two.


    ¡°Finally! Something we have that you don¡¯t!¡± Ronald crowed.


    ¡°Friend Ronald, why would you ever expect that a civilization eons older than yours wouldn¡¯t have something as simple as a frozen cream dessert? Granted, the majority of our freezers are powered by magic. Cold gems, runes, captured elementals. Although, some worlds made use of steam and electricity as you do until they were brought up to modern standards. That isn¡¯t to say that there aren¡¯t new and interesting discoveries to be made. Take that method,¡± he gestured with a tree-sized arm to the interior of the shoppe, ¡°I have never seen using a frozen slab of granite to fold sundry additions to frozen cream,¡± he took a huge scoop from the tub on the table.


    ¡°You might the first¡­ um¡­ person that I¡¯ve seen seen eat two gallons of ice cream in one sitting,¡± Ronald checked his slim communications device for the tenth time in the last few minutes.


    Al wasn¡¯t a fool. He knew that his allies had their own plans and plots.


    He studied Ronald¡¯s face.


    The young man failed to hide his worries.


    At first Al had suspected that Ronald¡¯s youthful exuberance and nervousness was an act. An underestimated opponent was a dangerous one, after all.


    But as the months in Ronald¡¯s company passed, the more the young man revealed that he was a callow youth in truth.


    He allowed the young man to stew.


    Often, he had learned, that patient silence was the better hunting method than reckless and noisy pursuit.


    He contented himself with the frozen cream.


    The street was filled with people.


    Walking and talking.


    The noise of happiness.


    Their eyes widened and their voices hushed when they noticed him.


    It must¡¯ve been a comical sight.


    Such a massive form in a chair that strained to hold him.


    In fact, he had sat in a partial hover the entire time to spare the shoppe proprietor a broken chair.


    The iron of the chair would fail long before the muscles in his legs.


    Children pointed with awe and wonder.


    He responded by waving and smiling.


    A few brave souls rushed up to him to bombard him with questions and requests to sign slips of paper.


    His contests in the arenas had apparently been viewed across the entirety of Richellian lands.


    ¡°Shoppe keeper! Frozen creams for the children!¡± he boomed before blindly transferring Universal Points through the spires system.


    His victories and the small Quests he had completed throughout this pleasant jaunt could cover half the city¡¯s children in all the frozen creams they could want.


    The shoppe keeper tried to protest.


    ¡°It is alright, keeper. Spend it all until there is none left. Tell them that Adras¡¯ generosity is as boundless as his strength.¡±


    They departed with a fresh gallon.


    For Al.


    Ronald had enough judging by his groans and bloated belly.


    They walked until they entered an industrial area.


    Smoke rose from thin stacks and the pounding of hammers could be heard from miles away.


    For a proclaimed peaceful nation, Richellia sure seemed to be focused on arming themselves.


    He supposed that only fools wouldn¡¯t in the early decades after the spires appearance.


    The crowds of happy people had thinned.


    The only people they passed were those performing their duties and patrolling guards.


    A simple nod was enough to leave them unbothered, for he was a famed Gold Division contestant days away from the final.


    ¡°So, friend Ronald. Now that we are away from prying ears. What harries you?¡±


    ¡°You know the whole thing with our assets going nuts a few months ago?¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes. Clever enemy action.¡±


    ¡°Right, you guys said there were some magic paths that dealt with the manipulation of the mind. Well, the assets we managed to get back didn¡¯t show any signs of spell effects. And now, the assets I¡¯m supposed to check in with have gone silent.¡±


    ¡°That is concerning.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s putting it mildly, but it¡¯s not your problem. You need to focus on the final. Win and show them who¡¯s in charge!¡± Ronald pumped a fist.


    ¡°I don¡¯t doubt my victory from what I¡¯ve observed of my opponent. My concern lays in another arena. At times, during my last two matches, I have felt a pull. Almost as though Adras¡¯ gift could be taken from my grasp.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ that¡¯s serious. Hey, um, don¡¯t take this the wrong way, but I have to report that. What else can you tell me?¡± Ronald hurriedly pulled a small booklet of lined paper and an inktube from his pocket.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be concerned. Truly, I have already told you all that I know. It reminds me of the feeling when sparring with another Eidolon of Adras.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ yeah, I have no idea what that means, but I¡¯ll put it down,¡± he scribbled. ¡°And it happened during your matches? Hmm¡­ we should complain about interference. That¡¯s definitely in the rulebook.¡± He struggled to juggle the items already in his hands with the small, thick booklet of the R.F.C. rules.


    ¡°That will not be necessary. It wouldn¡¯t do to reveal a potential weakness. I prefer to wait and lay a trap.¡±


    The days turned.


    He spent it with friend Ronald eating and drinking. His stomach was bottomless and his divine constitution needed divine liquor to be challenged.


    The final match arrived.


    The crowds in the massive arena were thunderous.


    Cheering.


    Chanting his name and that of his opponent.


    The masked shinobi paced on the other end of the dirt field as the announcer exhorted the crowd to even greater heights.


    He waited politely for the wildly dressed man to finish before raising his hand.


    ¡°If I may? I wish to exchange words with my worthy opponent!¡± his voice boomed without the need for enhancement.


    The referee, who was clad in clothing that emulated the barred equines on the great grasslands of Hyperia, Thirty-Third of Its Name, signaled to the shinobi, who nodded.


    Al approached with open arms held out to his side.


    The universal language of peace, if only temporary.


    ¡°From one orphan to another, I greet you.¡±


    The shinobi¡¯s story had been shared on the viewing orbs.


    The young man was the sole survivor of a small community.


    He had taken that tragedy to rise over Level 40 in such a short amount of time.


    The shinobi pulled the cloth covering his mouth down to reveal a crooked grin.


    ¡°Thanks, but that¡¯s not going to make me go easy on you. Any chance that you¡¯ll go easy on me?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be concerned. I won¡¯t dishonor you. Give me your best!¡± He made sure that his smile reached his eyes.


    He didn¡¯t add that he had marked the young man for potential recruitment into Adras¡¯ divine embrace.


    It would be unfair to add even more pressure.


    Indeed, the young man faintly quivered.


    Though, that might have been from the deep, booming echoes of tens of thousands of people stomping their feet on concrete and steel.


    He strode back to his starting place.


    The referee rose into the air underneath the power of a minor levitation spell.


    He made a note to keep an eye on the referee¡¯s location throughout the match lest he accidentally pull the man to him.


    The magical projection counted down.


    He raised a fist to the crowd, flexing every rock-hard muscle in his body.


    The ways of the arena across different worlds crossed all boundaries.


    Nearly every species would recognize the cacophony pouring down from the stands.


    The bell rang.


    The announcer roared.


    Al leapt, low to the ground, off one tree-trunk sized leg.


    He grasped for the shinobi only to find a sawed log in his hand.


    Turning, he crushed the log and hurled the splinters.


    ¡°Lightning Birds!¡±


    Burning bright, blue-white light scarred his vision.


    The pain danced across his face.


    Before the championships it had been months since he had felt pain¡¯s humbling touch.


    He welcomed it.


    Blinded, he threw his arms out wide and flared Adras¡¯ gift for a split-second.


    The shinobi cursed, planting his feet on Al¡¯s broad, rock-hard chest.


    Massive arms snapped shut like an iron trap.


    The log shattered, showering his face with splinters.


    He chuckled plucking them from his beard as his vision cleared.


    The shinobi stood a few meters in front of him.


    Bold of the young man to be caught flat-footed withing grabbing range.


    ¡°Heaven¡¯s Eye.¡± The shinobi¡¯s right pupil turned from dark brown to light pink with a fractal shape spiraling into infinity.


    ¡°Mirage: Demon Crows.¡±


    Black, red-eyed birds burst out of the shinobi¡¯s shadow.


    Al closed his eyes on instinct.


    One would be surprised how often that worked against illusory abilities.


    It failed on this occasion.


    He found himself still staring into the swirling eye.


    The crows scratched and pecked at his face.


    He felt them as though he were a mere mortal again, but he had seen the shinobi use this ability in the previous match.


    Only he saw and felt the crows, so he raised his arms over his face and endured.


    He wouldn¡¯t be made to look the fool like the previous opponent, windmilling his arms while running around like a headless chicken.


    The ability had a time limit.


    Seconds, that felt like long minutes, but when reality returned, Al was unharmed.


    ¡°Now what, brave opponent? That was your best technique, unless you¡¯ve more hidden blades in your belt,¡± Al crouched low to the ground as he slowly crept forward like a wrestler.


    The shinobi¡¯s armored chest rose and fell as he slowly backed away, keeping the distance consistent.


    Suddenly, he pulled his mask down and took a great breath as his fingers danced in an intricate, interlocking pattern.


    ¡°Fire Serpent Release!¡±


    The roaring hit swallowed him whole as the giant serpent swept over him with open mouth.


    It vanished, leaving him fully revealed.


    Singed, but not burned.


    Unlike his chiton.


    He welcomed the crowd¡¯s gasps at the entirety of his impressive physique.


    Indeed, arenas in the pantheon¡¯s worlds tended to disallow enchanted gear, which meant that combatants often ended up nude unless they had an ability to preserve their clothing.


    The moment¡¯s distraction cost him.


    The shinobi scored a painful line across his back with the birds of lightning caged within fingers.


    He feinted a backhand.


    The shinobi vanished with a pop, leaving behind another log that clattered to the ground.


    Al kept the log in the corner of his eye as he made to turn once again.


    What the inexperienced often misunderstood was that great size didn¡¯t preclude one from great speed and quickness.


    Plus, the shinobi had tried the same trick when he had gotten desperate in an earlier match.


    Instead of completing the turn, Al spun back and planted an enormous foot on the log.


    ¡°Yield or be crushed,¡± he smiled.


    A pop of smoke revealed the shinobi.


    The young man glared balefully up at him for a moment before raising his hands.


    ¡°I¡¯m tapping,¡± he patted Al¡¯s foot.


    Al made a show of pulling the young man to his feet and raising his hand.


    They resembled a father and very small son sharing victory.


    ¡°Well done! My eyes are on you. Continue to grow in strength, level up and become worthy of Adras¡¯ divine embrace!¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ yeah¡­ thanks¡­ um¡­ good fight,¡± the shinobi shrugged and headed back to his tunnel.


    The announcer floated down to Al, holding a microphone.


    Al took it, not noticing the man¡¯s protests, careful not to rip the thin man¡¯s arm off.


    ¡°I came here to challenge the dragon president!¡± he boomed. ¡°Where are you, Cezirichella, the dreaded maw of the cerulean seas? You, who claim to be the greatest president to grace these lands? Where are you? Come, face me in an honorable contest of might! I speak with the voices of a thousand presidents throughout this once great land¡¯s history! Come, let me show you that greatness once again!¡±


    The cheers died down.


    His smile slipped a fraction.


    He had, perhaps, failed to truly understand the mood in the arena.


    The jeers that rained down on him were also familiar.


    ¡°Ah,¡± he muttered. ¡°I¡¯ve forgotten my place. I¡¯m not home¡¯s favored son.¡±


    Well, no matter, he would labor hard to win them over, for that was Adras¡¯ way.

 8.14

    ¡°I will smash him.¡±


    The teenage-appearing girl ground her teeth.


    Eyes the color of the ocean swirled with its might.


    Fangs and sharp teeth gnashed.


    Tanned flesh blended with cerulean scales that glittered in the light.


    Claws instead of fingernails ground into the wood armrest of the masterwork chair.


    Her best master chair-maker had labored over a thousand hours to present it as an inauguration gift for her second and current term as dragon-president of the Nation of Richellia.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to wag your claw at me like you were my mother?¡± she glanced out of the corner of her eye at the woman seated in a second quality, if not as masterfully done, chair.


    ¡°Why?¡± Rayna said. ¡°You¡¯re not launching yourself out the window,¡± she pointed down to the field, ¡°at that naked¡­ eidolon¡­ are you familiar with them?¡±


    ¡°No, mother kicked me out of her world as soon as I turned 100,¡± she pouted. ¡°The only other sapients on her world were stupid elves that kept trying to get me drunk and Stone Lords that kept trying to take my scales for their armor.¡±


    ¡°Well, what do you think? Can you take him?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, easy. That gravity trick isn¡¯t strong enough to pull me and I can just drown him in water. He needs to breathe, probably. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not scared of old Americans. Old fat men, soft and squishy, but not tasty. Old meat sucks,¡± she mumbled, ¡°whatever. Richellia is strong. My people are leveling and loyal. Behold, I have shared my gifts!¡± she gestured proudly to the youths standing guard around the luxury sky box.


    They stood proudly, clad in cerulean blue dragon scale armor, bearing dragon scale shields and weapons made out of dragon teeth, claws and spikes.


    ¡°Awfully young looking,¡± Rayna said mildly.


    ¡°I know! It¡¯s better that way! At least that¡¯s what mother and aunt said. If I don¡¯t start early then they can¡¯t get to dragon-blessed.¡±


    ¡°So, what are they now?¡±


    ¡°Dragon-favored, then their class. I have filled multiple roles. A combined-arms strategy as my old soldiers call it. I hope they reach dragon-touched by the time they are adults.¡±


    ¡°They volunteered for this, right? Remember what we talked about?¡±


    The girl waved a hand.


    ¡°Everyone knows that willing and loyal subjects are the best,¡± she scoffed. ¡°You can make more thralls quicker, but then you have to hold the reins tightly and always be on the lookout for sudden and inevitable betrayal. That isn¡¯t how I¡¯ve decided to govern.¡±


    Some of the youths scowled at Rayna at the implied coercion.


    ¡°Well, just remember that young people should have a chance to be young. Otherwise they¡¯ll grow up badly. They deserve better than that, don¡¯t you agree?¡±


    ¡°Yes. They rise. I rise. Together we all rise,¡± she intoned. ¡°Hrrmm¡­ his prancing about displeases me,¡± she muttered, worrying the missing fang with her forked tongue absentmindedly.


    ¡°Cezi? Are you pulling out your teeth?¡±


    There were several missing scales on her arms and face, revealing raw flesh.


    And of the claws digging into the once pristine wood, a few were missing.


    The ocean dragon in the form of a teen girl froze, clamping her lips shut and subtly shifting her fingers in a failed attempt to conceal.


    ¡°What have I told you about impatience?¡±


    ¡°But, Rayna,¡± she whined, ¡°the stupid old humans told me that I had to give Richellia back.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but those were only words.¡±


    ¡°I know. That¡¯s why I didn¡¯t smash them.¡±


    ¡°And now you¡¯re hurting yourself to make more weapons and armor?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯m still young. They¡¯ll grow back fast, see,¡± she opened wide and revealed that the tip of a small fang was indeed pushing through the gap in her gums.


    ¡°Well, you don¡¯t have to worry so much. Just remain cautious and keep an eye out for spies and assassins.¡±


    ¡°We are. I have my dragon eye spell detecting suspicious magic.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    Rayna had seen the giant slitted dragon eye glaring down from the tallest building in the city as she flew in.


    ¡°And what do the people think about it?¡±


    ¡°We know that our beloved president cares about us!¡± one of the dragon-favored snapped.


    A teenage boy.


    His voice broke.


    So embarrassing.


    Rayna raised a brow.


    ¡°Er¡­ ma¡¯am,¡± the boy hastily added.


    ¡°Thank you, Jayce,¡± Cezi smiled. ¡°I didn¡¯t tell them to say that,¡± she added.


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what someone who did would say.¡±


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°Okay, I believe you.¡±


    ¡°But, when you say it like that it makes me think that you don¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°Such is life,¡± Rayna regarded the naked eidolon taking a victory lap around the arena.


    ¡°He is impressive,¡± Cezi narrowed her eyes.


    ¡°My brother placed him at around Level 50-60 equivalent to a hybrid warrior-mage. Leaning heavily to the warrior side.¡±


    ¡°I know, I¡¯ve read the¡­ um¡­ dosseer thing he sent.¡±


    ¡°His one special trick is a simple gravity field. One centered on himself. He can¡¯t move it around in space or attach it elsewhere and even if it¡¯s of divine origin it comes out like any gravity field. No different from the one the Earth makes.¡±


    ¡°Or yours!¡± Cezi brightened. ¡°You will smash him¡­ as my champion?¡± She added the last bit with a shy glance.


    ¡°No,¡± Rayna said flatly. ¡°These eidolons are abiding by the terms of their agreement with my brother.¡±


    ¡°But what if he keeps challenging me? I have to answer! It is un-draconic to ignore a challenge. What will my people think?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re busy safeguarding them. Tell them about how you just wiped out that fishman colony in the Bermuda Triangle¡­ the old people will get it¡­ speaking of which, I read your report. It was light on details and strangely hostile.¡±


    ¡°Writing is dumb. I don¡¯t see why I can¡¯t just dictate? My assistants assured me that was how you Earthians did things. Your old male presidents didn¡¯t even write their famous speeches. They had whole teams. Why can¡¯t I do the same?¡±


    ¡°Because you wanted to prove yourself better. At least that¡¯s what I remember you told me. Anyways, are you certain there weren¡¯t any really weird things down there? No impossible geometry? Carvings and statues that made you sick to look at? Strange whispers? Phantoms at corner of your eyes?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes,¡± Cezi waved her hands, ¡°mother taught me and my nest mates an entire course on eldritch entities. I was wary and neither me nor my mages and clerics detected any infection.¡±


    ¡°Okay, good. Now, as part of news that I have to give in person for operational security. My brother is happy to pass along the knowledge that there are currently no wannabe dragon-slayers anywhere in the Americas. There are a few in Asia, but they are weak and have no knowledge of your existence.¡±


    ¡°Right, they must be dire foes of that wormy ¡®dragon¡¯. If he can be even called that,¡± she scoffed. ¡°What kind of dragon doesn¡¯t have wings?¡±


    ¡°And on a related note, Kayla will be home in time for the New Year.¡±


    ¡°She is well? She couldn¡¯t say much through the spires message system. Only that she lived.¡±


    ¡°My brother says she¡¯s doing well, but that¡¯s Kayla¡¯s story to tell. He wanted me to add that he considers the trial a success and is willing to take on more of your chosen elite on his worldwide Questing stuff, blah, blah, blah¡­ sorry, he kept going on and on and it was kinda going in circles. He also suggested that you get a mutual defense pact with Atlanta. Old America needs to deal with them before coming to you.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah. They¡¯d be my shield. I¡¯ve spoken of this with my military council, but those people don¡¯t want to be friends,¡± she pouted. ¡°I send them gifts and they smile and send me gifts, but no pacts,¡± she huffed.


    ¡°They might be ready to change their mind now that Old America¡¯s gobbling up settlements all along the Mid-Atlantic and past Appalachia, dipping their toes in the Ohio Valley and up toward the Great Lakes.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, fresh water is important. Shouldn¡¯t someone stop them?¡±


    ¡°Probably, but I don¡¯t really want to fight other people. As long as they keep allowing people that don¡¯t want to stay in the settlements that rejoin, then I can¡¯t in good conscience do anything.¡±


    Cezi leaned over and lowered her voice.


    ¡°My old soldiers tell me that I should do a cases belly and get them to attack me first, so that I can attack, but in defense, so it¡¯s okay.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t,¡± Rayna sighed.


    <hr>


    Go back a few seasons to the end of summer.


    Beach weeks ended and real life reared its ugly head again.


    The Cruces family gathered in their old family home for one last night together before going their separate ways until the next reunion.


    ¡°Happy Birthday!¡± Eron said, displaying several treasure chests.


    Yes, that was correct.


    They looked like genuine pirate-style chests, but that wasn¡¯t the weirdest part. The wood was inscribed with glowing runes. The thick iron lock and lid rattled as though the contents wanted to get out.


    ¡°You¡ª¡± Cal began.


    ¡°No! Don¡¯t ruin the surprise,¡± Eron handed an iron key to Alin. ¡°Listen, so, it¡¯s not all for you, but you get enough for that fancy armor of yours, so, you know, you can really fly,¡± he whispered.


    Well, with that kind of teaser Alin threw caution to the wind and opened the closet chest.


    Stones.


    Plain-looking gray stones in a variety of shapes and sizes floated up like balloons.


    They drifted up to about head high and stayed there.


    Alin poked one, sending it slowly into the wall.


    Cal caught it with a thought, pulling to him.


    The stone felt super smooth, but otherwise what he expected a normal stone to feel like.


    ¡°Details?¡±


    ¡°So, I found them in the Gobi Desert. Rune kids cooked up the chests, rush job, but it works. The stones float, obviously, but the crazy thing is that they stay at that height. Watch...¡± Eron grabbed a large one and jumped on top of it, ¡°see, it doesn¡¯t budge with my weight. If I fly down, however¡­¡± the stone and Eron lowered to the floor.


    ¡°Yay!¡± Lera leapt aboard a flat-ish stone. ¡°I¡¯m flying!¡±


    She wasn¡¯t, in fact, flying.


    Sure, it looked like it with her fists out and straight-bodied pose, but she remained stationary until Alin nudged her foot before jumping on his own stone.


    ¡°Lera, don¡¯t break anything,¡± Eron said flatly.


    Luckily, the stones cleared all the living room and dining room furniture.


    Eron hopped off the stone.


    ¡°I¡¯ve given samples to every magically-inclined people I trust. They¡¯re going to try to figure out how to use these things. I¡¯m hoping for skyships!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do the same here, thanks,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Yeah, I thought about Frequency, they do sound waves, maybe that¡¯s the trick. Like those ancient aliens conspiracy theories you used to love. Lifting stones with sound waves,¡± Eron snorted.


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Which Frequency can do and which we¡¯ve seen, I mean,¡± he pointed at the stones.


    ¡°You can¡¯t count any of the post-spires stuff. There are probably lizard people somewhere out there, but that doesn¡¯t mean that the lizard people weirdo was right. None of that retroactive shit.¡±


    ¡°Anything else I need to know about the stones?¡±


    ¡°Nope. Safe as can be,¡± Eron demonstrated by breaking the stone in two. ¡°See, no magical explosion and they still work,¡± he released the two halves to rejoin the floating cluster. ¡°I carved a few of them into small, thin discs for Boy,¡± he pointed at one of the chest, ¡°they¡¯re in that one. I figured I¡¯d save you a few steps. Oh, and they¡¯re called ¡®float stones¡¯.¡±


    ¡°A little lame, no?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s descriptive and I discovered them so I get to name them.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s there to talk about? It¡¯s been settled. They are float stones. Now and for¡ª¡±


    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m flying!¡±


    Lera¡¯s words were punctuated by a loud crash.


    The breaking of wood and the horrified curse of any parent watching his daughter punch through the living room wall of grandma¡¯s and grandpa¡¯s house came within a split-second of each other.


    Eron steeled himself as Lera¡¯s wide eyes watered in realization of what she had just done.


    ¡°Uh oh. There¡¯s the quiver lip,¡± Cal whispered.


    Eron knew that he had to be strong.


    A firm scolding was in order.


    He stepped forward, hoping that his dreadful mien could withstand that look¡ª


    ¡°Oh no! Baby, are you okay!¡± Grandma swept in like a tsunami, pulling Lera from her stone and sweeping her into a tight hug.


    Her eyes blazed at her youngest son, daring, challenging.


    ¡°Mom, she punched a hole,¡± Eron groaned.


    ¡°Yup, straight through,¡± Cal said mildly. ¡°You can see the neighbor¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°What was that! Earthquake!¡± Rayna rushed down the stairs.


    That set Lera off.


    The girl bawled.


    ¡°There, there. It¡¯s okay, baby!¡± Grandma rubbed her back. ¡°It¡¯s just the wall. The important thing is that you¡¯re not hurt.¡±


    ¡°Mom, that¡¯s the problem! She needs to learn to be careful,¡± Eron sighed as he looked for allies in the greatest fight of his life, since last week with that shiver of landsharks. ¡°Dad?¡±


    Grandpa ambled over to lay a beneficent hand on Lera¡¯s head.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t lived here in years. I consider this house belonging to everyone.¡±


    Two stood against Eron now.


    ¡°Rayna?¡±


    The youngest and only sister was perhaps the true owner of the home since she was the one that had lived there the longest in an unbroken stretch of time.


    A flinty gaze.


    The terror of all misbehaving rangers.


    ¡°Lera, did you hurt yourself?¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    It was a wonder that the word escaped through the ragged breaths and sniffles.


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s all that matters,¡± Rayna shrugged, ¡°as long as someone, not me, fixes it then we¡¯re good.¡±


    ¡°Boy?¡± Cal said.


    Alin had surreptitiously climbed off his stone and was slowly backing around a corner and into the kitchen.


    The two kids had been racing, which contributed to Lera¡¯s zeal in kicking off the wall.


    Indeed, she secretly hoped that no one would notice the small, feet-shaped dents.


    ¡°Um¡­¡±


    Eyes turned to Alin.


    ¡°Um¡­ I would love to help fix the wall.¡±


    ¡°I did a little wood-working back in the day,¡± Remy said. ¡°All my stuff is still back at our old house if you want to grab them. I¡¯d do it, but we¡¯re leaving early tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Cal nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of that. I¡¯m heading up there to pick up the Threnosh and a couple of people anyways.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got books too. I boxed them up. Shouldn¡¯t be too hard to find.¡±


    ¡°Bunch of enablers,¡± Eron muttered. ¡°Fine. That¡¯ll be acceptable. Lera, you and your cousin are going to fix the wall.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Daddy,¡± she sniffled.


    ¡°Okay, just¡­ come here,¡± he embraced her, ¡°you know that you have to be more careful.¡±


    ¡°I know. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say sorry to me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Rayna,¡± she knuckled her eyes. ¡°I won¡¯t do it again.¡±


    ¡°Aww, it¡¯s okay, shh,¡± Grandma and Grandpa hugged her.


    The former sent a quick scowl to Eron.


    ¡°There¡¯s a time and place for breaking stuff,¡± Rayna laid a hand on Lera¡¯s head.


    ¡°Hey, Nila?¡± Eron lowered his voice. ¡°Since, you and Rayna are sorta head babysitters, can you make sure that the witches don¡¯t help with the wall repair.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s weird, but okay,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°I swear everyone¡¯s a d¡ª an enabler. I¡¯m like, ¡®hey guys, please don¡¯t spoil the superstrong child¡¯, they¡¯re like ¡®okay¡¯¡­ then proceed straight to the spoiling.¡±


    ¡°My mom always said that my kids would do to me what I did to her,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Yeah, we heard that all the time from her,¡± he pointed at Grandma still carrying and rocking Lera.


    ¡°It¡¯s a frustrating cycle,¡± Nila nodded.


    <hr>


    The Forbidden City.


    A palace complex that served Chinese emperors for five hundred years.


    Home to opulent imperial temples and gardens.


    The modern pre-spires era had no emperors.


    There was one now.


    The head of the Phoenix Dynasty.


    The Phoenix Empress.


    She of the string of titles and deeds that took close to fifteen minutes to read.


    A fancy state dinner.


    Cal had never been to one.


    Fortunately, he could just scan the thoughts of those around him to know the proper decorum.


    His example could then be followed by the rest of his team seated around the fancy round table.


    He used the long speech to appraise the surrounding threats.


    There were surprisingly few.


    Hidden and disguised assassins were plentiful, but they were strictly for defense against him and his table.


    Snipers of many types were concealed on the rooftops overlooking the open air courtyard and behind disguised murder holes in the walls.


    Their orders were solely for the protection of the Phoenix Empress and the rest of her dynasty.


    No poison.


    Neither in the drinks already on their table, nor in the many courses waiting to be served by a legion of servants.


    With one exception.


    A fledgling phoenix had arranged for a magically-enhanced laxative to find its way into his cup.


    ¡°Oh my god, finally. I thought that guy was gonna keep going and going,¡± Cammi took a moment to whisper a spell on her glasses to prevent the hot soup from fogging them up.


    A servant approached Cal with a fancy cup on a fancy tray.


    Solid gold from the look of it.


    There was a lot of gold and jade in the decoration.


    Mostly in statue form.


    Phoenixes.


    The mythological creature¡­ as far as he knew an actual phoenix hadn¡¯t made an appearance on Earth yet, but he was sure they were out there somewhere.


    And of the Phoenix Empress and her brother the Phoenix Prince.


    Richly embroidered banners told the deeds of their triumphs.


    All true with only minor embellishments from what he had picked out of the tangled streams of memory.


    Howard sniffed, raising a brow at the cup.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Cal took it and took a moment to neutralize the laxative before sipping.


    ¡°Is that going to be an issue for us?¡± Hanna said.


    The tall woman sat straight-backed and struggled to keep from scowling at a few specific people seated at other tables.


    The Sword of Freedom could see the chains of slavery that bound the enslaved to their so-called masters.


    Slavery wasn¡¯t legal in the Phoenix Empire, but that had never stopped the rich and powerful.


    It was why she had agreed to come.


    They both knew that her presence would prove to be a provocation, but not an entirely unwelcome one based on Cal¡¯s scouting.


    The hungry, lecherous gazes only deepened their graves.


    Cherry, the gabunan, welcomed the looks, though she kept her charms passive. She wasn¡¯t the only supernatural seductress in the halls of the forbidden city and predators didn¡¯t like encroachment on their territories. She was there to be provocative, but subtly. An implied challenge, not an open one.


    ¡°Stop that!¡± Ginessa hissed.


    Cherry batted her eyes and tossed her luscious mane of silvery hair at an older man seated at another table.


    ¡°His wife is right next to him!¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t love each other.¡± Cherry¡¯s laugh was like a musical instrument. Her voice lowered, taking on an edge. ¡°He¡¯s a bad one.¡±


    Cal regarded the old man, a mid-level army officer in the days before the spires, now a general. He didn¡¯t much care about the scumbag¡¯s eventual fate.


    A finger tapped his shoulder.


    ¡°Um¡­ Cal?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Rupert?¡±


    ¡°That lady keeps looking at me and I think she¡¯s trying to do magic.¡±


    ¡°I see her.¡±


    She was quite attractive.


    Shiny black hair, fair complexion, button nose.


    The perfect representation of beauty in the region.


    It was an illusion.


    Her true self was even more attractive if one didn¡¯t mind fox ears and a handful of fox tails. Not to mention the risk of death by sex.


    ¡°Remember what we talked about? On what to stay away from? Death by snu snu.¡±


    Rupert¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°At least we know the anti-charm items are working.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I love about working for you, boss,¡± Howard smirked, ¡°always prepared.¡±


    The feast proceeded over a dozen courses without issue aside from his bowl of spicy fish head soup having about a bottle of chili powder added free of charge.


    Howard wrinkled his nose and fought off a sneeze.


    ¡°Someone¡¯s out to get you.¡±


    ¡°I prefer this sort of clandestine warfare over the usual,¡± he finished the entire bowl, neutralizing the spice as he ate.


    The devious enemy agent was surely vexed by the ineffectiveness of her stratagems.


    ¡°They give you no face,¡± Bei¡¯s grandmother murmured.


    ¡°We don¡¯t care about that, Grandmother,¡± Bei said lightly as she exchanged challenging glares with several other young cultivators at the other tables.


    Bei was a few months shy of 17.


    Grandmother had insisted when he had asked for volunteers.


    So, it was the two of them and four other cultivators.


    ¡°No challenge fights,¡± he sighed as he rose.


    The last course had been served and there was an opening before the dessert courses and for the entertainers to set up their performances.


    He made his way from the center of the courtyard.


    For some reason, their table had been set in the middle of everyone else.


    Surely, that wasn¡¯t so that their backs were exposed.


    Hundreds of eyes followed him.


    There was an alcove that opened up to a small koi pond garden on the way to the restrooms.


    The spot was special because of the concealing spells cast over it.


    Perfect for clandestine meetings and other courtly intrigue.


    He entered and tossed a few bread crumbs to the gobbling fishies while he waited.


    The trod of dress shoes on the stone floor heralded the Phoenix Prince.


    The man looked twenty, but was actually closer to fifty.


    The day¡¯s stubble on his lip and around his chin showed a man that didn¡¯t care that much about his appearance.


    Unlike his sister, who sat underneath many layers of resplendent robes and a ridiculous headdress as she presided over the courtyard with something like benign magnanimity.


    In contrast, the prince looked like he was going out to a whisky bar with friends circa 2019 in his casual black suit, white shirt and no tie.


    ¡°Does your sister eat before or after?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. The inner flames of the Phoenix sustain us all¡­ but she did have a few slices of pizza right before they piled that ridiculous shit on her,¡± the Phoenix Prince chuckled.


    ¡°Your daughter is trying to poison me.¡±


    ¡°No! How dare she!¡± the prince feigned horror. ¡°Which one?¡±


    ¡°The youngest.¡±


    ¡°Ah,¡± he nodded. ¡°The laxative? She¡¯s gotten quite a few of her sisters and myself. Not to mention almost all the generals on the council. Cultivators are a trickier foe. They have ways to purge it despite its magical enhancement without the embarrassment the rest of us suffered. And so, it seems, you as well, judging by your condition.¡±


    ¡°A warning. Not part of our bargain. Some took the prank personally.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not supposed to ask how you know, though I¡¯m dying to know¡­ but, the Phoenix Dynasty¡¯s word is eternal. Not even death dims our flames, or so we say. Is my devious daughter in mortal danger?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Well, now that¡¯s serious. I¡¯d have their names.¡±


    ¡°They align with what I want.¡±


    ¡°Serendipitous. Some would say suspicious.¡±


    ¡°And the other thing we agreed on.¡±


    ¡°Already?¡±


    ¡°I can expose them right now.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fast.¡± The prince contemplated the koi for a silent moment, deep in thought. ¡°Wait until after the tumblers. My younger ones have been looking forward to them all week.¡±


    ¡°I was going to suggest later tonight when they¡¯re pretending to sleep to avoid the chaos.¡±


    ¡°Worried about someone taking a shot?¡±


    ¡°You know they will.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d blame your young cultivator. She¡¯s challenging every cultivator that happens to wander across her vision.¡±


    ¡°Like you said, she¡¯s young.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s no excuse to fail to give face,¡± the prince shook his head. ¡°I get it. It¡¯s dumb to me too. Did you know, I actually grew up in San Francisco. Went to high school there, then New York for college, before heading back home to work the family business.¡±


    ¡°I did not.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m technically American, like you. Not that it matters anymore. No. We stick to the agreement. Reveal them after the tumblers performance.¡±


    ¡°People will die in the fight.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I guess there are always people that¡¯ll try to take advantage of chaos. It¡¯d be a shame if something happened to our mutual enemies and anyone stupid enough to attack you.¡±


    ¡°Your daughters¡ª¡±


    ¡°Enough,¡± the prince raised a hand. ¡°The oldest are ready and the youngest are protected. A fledgling phoenix must be given kindling so that they may learn to burn the eternal flame.¡±


    ¡°You know that your power isn¡¯t fire, right? It¡¯s plasma. The flames are a byproduct.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve been told, but I went to school for business. That science stuff will just mess with my head. It¡¯s fire to me and that¡¯s worked for over twenty years. Not going to change it now,¡± he scoffed. ¡°I¡¯ll leave that to the more science-y of my daughters.¡±


    ¡°After the tumblers¡­ and you accept any unnecessary deaths.¡±


    ¡°They were right about you. Our sages, oracles and other wizened old ladies that like to roll human knuckle bones in the dirt. Hard. Soft. Both, depending on the situation. Makes you human.¡±


    ¡°What else would I be?¡±


    The Phoenix Prince shrugged.


    ¡°Something more.¡±

 8.15

    Waiting for the acrobatic performance was worth it.


    Skills meant perfection and in the higher levels surpassing it or outright breaking physical laws.


    A young girl back-flipped four times. Each flip ascending her higher into the air. She landed balanced on two fingers upon a thin rope stretched between two others.


    The two held the rope between their teeth.


    That was impressive enough had each not been balanced on their heads atop a long pole being juggled by a pair of stout jugglers.


    The two men added a flaming torch and three knives to make it a proper challenge.


    But that wasn¡¯t just it!


    Juggling long poles in perfect sync would¡¯ve been difficult enough had they not also been hopping on the backs of three other people that were doing their own push-up rotation thing like a wheel.


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen stuff like this. Except they used barrels not people,¡± Howard muttered.


    ¡°That¡¯s what you think about when looking at that?¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°Nah, I¡¯m really thinking about the combat applications of those classes, but I¡¯ve been told not to share my thoughts,¡± his eyes flicked over to Cal.


    ¡°Unsolicited thoughts. Not everyone wants to think of their Skills as things to use in a fight.¡±


    The jugglers tossed their torches up to the young girl, who caught them with her feet and spun them like helicopter rotors.


    Its almost over. Get ready, he thought.


    Radio telepathy was what he had told them.


    There were understandable concerns, but he had honestly assured them that they wouldn¡¯t be reading each other¡¯s thoughts. It was just like talking to each other, but in their heads. And they had to deliberately focus to send something out. Just like pressing a button on a radio.


    We really doing this? Howard thought. Missing my armor.


    Full battle kit wasn¡¯t acceptable nor allowed at a fancy state dinner.


    Their gear was back at the hotel safe from tampering or theft because anyone that thought to do something found those thoughts slipping from their minds like mist through their fingers.


    All they had were a few hidden magical items and their uniforms, of a sort, partially-threaded with thin strands of Threnium.


    Cal hadn¡¯t wanted to get anywhere close to a military look, so it was gray suits for both men and women with a Threnosh-made undersuit that was so comfortable that it felt like wearing nothing at all.


    The latter appreciated not having to wear a dress and heels because that was just dumb when you knew you were going into a fight.


    The phoenixes tensed.


    The prince¡¯s many daughters through many mothers were scattered around at many tables.


    The empress¡¯ son and daughter sat at their own tables a step lower than their mother¡¯s throne.


    Yes, as agreed, they were poised and eager to burn those that had dared to infiltrate their dynasty.


    Their guests¡¯ safety was a secondary concern.


    Their servants were a distant third.


    Fortunately for them, Cal cared.


    They were his first concern.


    Every single servant from those carrying dessert trays to and from the tables to the cooks in the back suddenly found themselves in invisible hands, carried far away.


    Then went the performers, the acrobats, the musicians and the dancers.


    Chaos erupted.


    Opportunistic assassins struck.


    They were all ostensibly in the employ of the Phoenix Dynasty, but it wasn¡¯t that difficult to find levers. Be it vulnerable loved ones or simple greed.


    He flicked the former away to safety and let Hanna deal with the latter.


    Her sword aura flashed.


    Bodies dropped, covered in slashes before they could get close.


    Hundreds of guests panicked, running for the exits.


    He helped the less objectionable ones.


    There were kids and one couldn¡¯t hold them responsible for their terrible parents.


    The true targets, infiltrators, sought to join the exodus, but he snatched them and tossed them toward the Phoenix Empress on her throne.


    There were four.


    A bullet struck his telekinetic shield.


    The faint bang in the distance followed a moment after.


    That sniper stood up and walked straight to his superior officer where he would confess to taking a bribe to disobey his orders.


    The Phoenix Empress stared imperiously down at the four.


    They made a disparate group.


    A general. A serving girl. An aide to a member of the civil council. A young son to an imperial sage.


    The Phoenix Prince flicked a skeptical glance toward Cal.


    He tore off their disguises.


    The skin didn¡¯t come off cleanly.


    The divine energy infused in the chitin resisted.


    But, enough was revealed to leave no doubt that these unfortunate people had been replaced. Hollowed out from within. Eaten over weeks by an Eidolon of Sunothi, the so-called god of devoured secrets, the swarm, the horde, endless life and parasitism among many other things they claimed in their portfolio.


    The fake gods of their fake pantheon were a grasping lot from what he had taken from their agents¡¯ minds.


    It made sense.


    The kind of being that sought to pretend to godhood would be a grasping and greedy lot by default.


    Black chitin glistened red.


    Fledgling phoenixes struck like a hungry birds.


    Blasts of plasma burned the air.


    The eidolon¡¯s drones shrieked as they burned.


    While the impromptu insect bonfire drew attention, Cal¡¯s team sprang into action.


    Cammi began casting the portal.


    Ginessa hovered behind her protectively, while Cherry stared across a dozen feet at the four-tailed fox woman.


    The two were like natural predators that happened to cross paths on the hunt. Neither blinked, unwilling to make the first move.


    Another predator, though he didn¡¯t hide his feral nature beneath a fair visage, Howard leapt through the panicking crowd, pouncing on the hapless general that they had marked from the beginning. He grabbed the man and the unloving wife, one under each arm before leaping back to their table.


    Rupert enclosed their position with a glassy dome of conjured ice, while Grandmother, Bei and the four cultivators exchanged strikes with other cultivators. The dynasty¡¯s cultivators were mindful of the Phoenix Empress¡¯ displeasure so none went for the kill.


    Hanna¡¯s glare cut through whatever threats, protests or pleading the general and his wife had on their lips.


    ¡°Slavers. I see the chains connecting you to them. I won¡¯t make them wait for freedom.¡±


    Death was swift as a sword without physical form thrust into their hearts.


    The chains she saw coming out of their bodies disintegrated.


    Cammi finished her spell.


    The portal ripped open in air.


    Their destination was the dead general¡¯s estate.


    There was still the man¡¯s personal soldiers to deal with before the enslaved could be truly free.


    Howard went through first, then Hanna.


    Cherry tore her gaze away from the fox-tailed woman, who leapt with a snarl, only to find herself suddenly a hundred feet in the air, on an arc to a large pond in a nearby park still within the Imperial City.


    She probably needed five more tails to pose a slight threat to Cal.


    Rupert was on Cherry¡¯s heels.


    The ice dome began to crumble without him maintaining it.


    Time to go, Cal thought at the Bei and the cultivators.


    Predictably, they dragged their feet like children at the start of adult swim time at a public pool.


    He didn¡¯t show them nearly the same patience that he had for his son, pulling them away from their little duels and throwing them into the portal.


    Ginessa followed.


    Cammi went last.


    The portal vanished.


    Secure the location and hunker down, he thought across miles of city. We have our deal, but I¡¯ll keep the Imperial Army from getting any ideas. I¡¯d hate for a ¡®miscommunication¡¯ to cause any problems.


    This place is like a fortress, Hanna thought. We could hold it for a long time against anyone aside from the empress, the prince or the chicks.


    Save as many as you can.


    The courtyard had mostly cleared.


    The only people remaining were the royal family and those confident in their personal strength.


    Aside from the headless bodies near his feet, there were a few other dead.


    Cut throats, stab wounds in the back or smoking holes from spells and cultivator techniques.


    The result of deadly rivalries.


    Personal and political.


    This place was truly a den of vipers.


    He blamed the Phoenix Dynasty.


    They had the power to put a stop to that, but they found it more useful to play the various factions jockeying for position and status against each other.


    Insecurity bred fear, such was the core of the Machiavellian way.


    That power did a good job burning the eidolon.


    Singular.


    It was only one Eidolon of Sunothi among several in the service of the so-called god scattered through the many worlds.


    This one didn¡¯t know how many others existed and from what Cal had taken from the other eidolons¡¯ minds that wasn¡¯t uncommon.


    To call the four drones had been a mistake.


    The deeper he looked the more he learned.


    Each was an individual though identical to the original down to the genetic level.


    The eidolon inserted a piece of itself into an unfortunate victim, not unlike a parasitic wasp laying eggs in another insect.


    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    The piece made its way to the brain, where it¡¯d influence, then control as it grew.


    All the while it devoured the victim to fuel its growth.


    It took everything.


    Memories.


    Personality.


    It was both the victim and the eidolon.


    Each saw themselves as the singular being, the original.


    The one thing that never changed was the undying loyalty to their god.


    They wore the skin of the human like a suit.


    Once that was burned away what remained was a nightmarish blend of human and insect.


    The closest one Cal could think of was a locust.


    Black mandibles clicked as they shrieked a soundless cry.


    The noise swallowed by the raging fire.


    They lasted longer than expected.


    The phoenixes were the most surprised.


    One by one they¡¯re flames sputtered out until only the older ones remained.


    Black chitin cracked.


    They leapt on spring-like legs.


    Half-burned wings buzzed with the sound of an entire swarm of locusts.


    The kind that could block out the sun as they left entire fields barren in their wake.


    Two went for the empress¡¯ children.


    The first princess and the third prince.


    One went for the empress.


    The last went for the closest target.


    One of the prince¡¯s daughters.


    A 10 year old that had expended all her power in her zeal to show that she belonged with her half-sisters.


    They weren¡¯t going to be quick enough to save the girl.


    The eidolon tripped¡­ in mid air¡­ slamming its disgusting human-insect face into the stone floor.


    That gave the Phoenix Prince time to swoop in and bury it in an intense wave of plasma that melted a wide swathe of floor along with the eidolon.


    The two that went for the empress¡¯ children opened their mouth-mandibles wide and spat a thick cloud of buzzing insects.


    The fledgling phoenixes calmly raised walls of burning plasma against the swarms.


    The eidolon used the moment to escape.


    They juked.


    One went left.


    The other right.


    Leaping legs and buzzing wings took them on a fast, but erratic arc over the forbidden city with the phoenixes and a few of their cousins in pursuit.


    Cal kept tabs on them just in case.


    As for the remaining eidolon?


    Already ash in a burst of plasma from the empress.


    She hadn¡¯t moved from her seated position.


    Her many-layered robes and elaborate headdress had burned in an instant.


    She stood revealed as she quenched her flames.


    In what amounted to a sports bra and yoga shorts.


    The fabric was enchanted to withstand her power for a time.


    Though the deliberate choice of attire revealed that she didn¡¯t think highly of him.


    She could¡¯ve just as easily worn something like the rest of the phoenixes.


    A full-coverage body suit.


    Or regular clothing like her brother.


    The man in question checked on the daughters that didn¡¯t join the chase.


    ¡°You know. I thought you were mostly full of shit. Spies you said. I pictured disloyal people that got greedy or ambitious. Insect monsters wearing the skin of our subjects like I wear this suit¡­¡± he grinned mirthlessly. ¡°Next time we¡¯d appreciate a more¡­ detailed warning.¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t say too much or they would¡¯ve realized that their secret was out.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ you¡¯ve earned some standing with me, but I¡¯m not the final word,¡± he eyed his sister, ¡°have a good talk. I¡¯m going to make sure the rest of the fledglings don¡¯t bite off more than they can eat.¡±


    The Phoenix Prince¡¯s suit burned away as he took to the dark sky surrounded by a bird-shaped aura of plasma and fire.


    Cal regarded the Phoenix Empress, who stared down at him coldly from her throne.


    First thing¡¯s first.


    He needed to make things very clear.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been in a loving and loyal relationship for over thirty years.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s too bad. I was planning on this being enough to secure you cheaply.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not all idiots.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t remotely interested in being part of her great idea, but for the sake of appearances he had to let her pitch it anyway.


    He maintained eye contact as she strode briskly down the steps of her throne platform.


    The rest of his attention was focused on his team¡¯s easy Quest at the dead slaver¡¯s mansion.


    ¡°Now that I have you alone out of prying eyes and ears. There are so many things I¡¯d like to talk to you about,¡± she said. ¡°I want a child. Our world faces a greater challenge than any of us expected. This Terminus Decree¡­ there an infinite number of worlds that have a direct road to us. You seem smart enough to understand what that means. We need powerful people capable of fighting them off. I don¡¯t plan on bending over for any alien piece of shit out there. You¡¯re powerful that much is obvious even though you¡¯ve somehow managed to conceal the nature of your gifts. You swatted my children aside like gnats.¡±


    ¡°You ordered them to attack me when I was obviously not here to fight.¡±


    ¡°A test. Thank you for not hurting them, by the way.¡±


    He¡¯d question her parenting to her face, but that would¡¯ve been a bad move, diplomatically.


    ¡°I love them¡ª¡±


    Another question unasked.


    ¡°¡ª but, their ceiling is, at best, half of mine.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know that. They¡¯re still young.¡± He chose his words carefully. ¡°Eugenics is¡­ just dumb¡­ a fantasy, not science, not real.¡±


    She held out her hands.


    ¡°And what world do we live in now? The hypothesis is that two equally powerful parents will produce an equally powerful child with the added uncertainty and opportunity of a mixing of powers. Won¡¯t you at least consider the possibilities and how our children could save this world?¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯ve tried different combinations?¡±


    ¡°My brother has. With women of different classes and a few women with lesser powers. His genes proved dominant with each attempt. My nieces are like my kids. They can only ever be half as strong as their dad. Not that it bothers him. I think he secretly loves having daughters. Over ten and counting. Hoping for at least a boy or five. As for me? I still love my husband though the monsters took him from us. See? I wouldn¡¯t do this unless it was for something as great as our species¡¯ survival. And I¡¯ve yet to find a man close enough to my power to consider an equal. You¡¯re the second. Relentless laughed in my face. Do you know him?¡± her eyes searched his.


    The truth gems hidden in the eyes of the jade and gold dragons displayed around the courtyard were easy enough to fool.


    He could simply alter his thoughts for the moment.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± he shrugged and refused to elaborate further.


    Sometimes a lie wasn¡¯t worth it.


    ¡°Well? One child to see if it works as I hope. Then more. I¡¯m willing to have one every three years. Until my people develop an artificial womb system. I¡¯m also willing to make concessions. We can have sex if you don¡¯t trust donating your sperm for artificial insemination. Custody is negotiable. Although, I won¡¯t settle for anything less than a seventy to thirty split since I¡¯ll be doing most of the hard work.¡±


    Her thoughts revealed that out of every ten kids, she¡¯d get seven.


    He almost laughed.


    ¡°No,¡± he said flatly.


    ¡°Very well. I don¡¯t beg. Let¡¯s move on. You¡¯ve killed one of my generals and his wife to free the people he ¡®secretly¡¯ enslaved. You revealed these eidolons that ate my subjects from inside and wore their skins to spy and eventually assassinate me and my family. Those are the parts of our agreement that have been completed.¡±


    ¡°Both of those things should be on my side of the tally.¡±


    ¡°The general¡¯s value to my dynasty outweighed the handful of people that, admittedly, suffered underneath him.¡±


    ¡°A hundred is more than a handful.¡±


    ¡°It isn¡¯t when I have the fates of millions within.¡± She held her palm out.


    ¡°He forced slave classes. And, as you saw, we¡¯ll destroy slavery wherever we find it.¡±


    ¡°Careful. You¡¯re a guest, but I¡¯m the Phoenix Empress. So, watch your tone or I might test your power out for myself.¡±


    ¡°You can ask Relentless how that turned out.¡±


    Their fight had mitigating circumstances and from an Eron-centric point of view the youngest brother had won, but from a macro perspective, the eldest had.


    The fog had been vanquished.


    He and Nila got their perfect baby boy.


    So, the winner of that fight had been obvious.


    ¡°I will if he was brave enough to show his face here again,¡± she frowned. ¡°I¡¯m not conceding this. The general was important.¡±


    ¡°You ever think that maybe you¡¯d be doing better in your war if you had more cultivators rather than peasants. If you didn¡¯t allow the old wealth and power to keep it. This is the world of the spires. The benefits of hard work and passion have never been more clear. Instead, you kept to the old, outdated model of a tiny ruling elite exploiting the masses.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a terrible diplomat. To insult me and my family while expecting an alliance.¡±


    ¡°Is it you or me that needs more from the other?¡± He let his eyes drift to the melted stone.


    ¡°That was all of them¡­ right?¡±


    ¡°Now? In the city? Yeah, but none of those were the original.¡±


    ¡°You will find them, it,¡± she frowned. ¡°It is one entity in many bodies. A hive mind.¡±


    ¡°That was part of the deal. And that¡¯s not quite right. It is a hive mind, but each instance is an individual. A mix of the original and the unfortunate victim. The undying loyalty to the ¡®god¡¯ remains unchanged.¡±


    ¡°This one is too dangerous to let live, but I want the other four eidolons alive for questioning.¡±


    ¡°You might not have the capability to do that or even keep them safely contained.¡±


    ¡°If we can¡¯t then they will die for daring to war against us.¡±


    ¡°Moving on¡­ the Sword of Freedom will not be hindered in her just quest to root out slavery.¡±


    ¡°I would amend portions of that.¡±


    ¡°I thought our requests were reasonable?¡±


    ¡°I find that summary execution is rarely reasonable.¡±


    ¡°It is our position, which is the correct one, that there are no good slavers.¡±


    ¡°One must weigh value. That general¡¯s value was objectively greater to my dynasty than his servants.¡±


    ¡°Enslaved servants, literally slaves.¡±


    ¡°I am the Phoenix Empress not some auntie haggling over fish in the market. Your Sword will have her access supervised by my daughter and her personal guard. I will not allow her to lop off heads. The slaves will be freed, but I decide punishment.¡±


    ¡°Sometimes freedom can¡¯t be achieved without the slavemaster¡¯s execution.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t sacrifice a useful piece for ones that you intend to take away.¡±


    ¡°The Sword of Freedom is compelled to free the enslaved no matter what the cost. And I owe her my support.¡±


    ¡°Enough to go to war?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯d be a tough decision,¡± he said mildly.


    The heat rose off her body as the aura that gave name to her dynasty started to form.


    She counted to thirty in her head and imagined burning him to nothing, taking pleasure in watching his ashes carried into the night by the breeze.


    ¡°She can wait. I will guarantee the slaves¡¯ safety while whatever the process that needs to remove the class is done. That is my only concession.¡±


    ¡°What kind of time frame are you suggesting?¡±


    The muscles of her jaw and necked worked.


    ¡°A few days? A week? How long can it take? I¡¯m guessing that all we need to do is make the master free them. That shouldn¡¯t take long. They will obey me or face your Sword. Does that work for her?¡±


    ¡°Our position is that no one can call themselves free people when there are those that live in chains.¡±


    ¡°Poetic and a nice sentiment,¡± she scoffed. ¡°I rule an empire. There is no place for sentiment.¡±


    ¡°A week would be too long considering our visa is only good for a month.¡±


    She waved a hand.


    ¡°It¡¯s good for how long I say.¡±


    ¡°Less than a week is acceptable. Hours is preferable. Make it instantaneous and you¡¯d have no complaints.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about what you find objectionable. One week at most, but¡± she held up a finger, ¡°I reserve the right to extend the deadline if the subject in question is critical to my empire.¡± She thrust a finger at the headless corpse of the general and his wife. ¡°Don¡¯t forget that I¡¯ve already given you them.¡±


    ¡°One for one exchange¡­ if we uncover another similarly important slaver then you will have your time, but nothing changes the need for the enslaved to be freed. If death is the only way¡ª¡±


    ¡°No. We will deal with that when¡ª if it comes up. That is my final word on the matter.¡±


    ¡°Then, moving on¡­¡±


    ¡°I care nothing for your pet cultivators. They can play their little games. The dynasty will neither hinder nor help them or rival sects and individual cultivators. The war works to your favor in that regard. Most of the strongest or most violent ones have gone to Shenzhen for the glory and the levels,¡± she snorted. ¡°About the war¡­¡±


    ¡°We flew over on our way here. Quite a mess. Eidolons forcing desperate refugees to secure a bridgehead for their actual army.¡±


    ¡°They are all invaders. They are killing my people.¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t fight out of loyalty. Their families are literal hostages on the other side of the spires.¡±


    ¡°You want me me to welcome them?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Her fiery eyes narrowed.


    ¡°You want them for yourself?¡±


    ¡°Wrong again. There¡¯s plenty of empty land. We Earthians can¡¯t possibly defend it all nor can we repopulate fast enough. Why not forge alliances with people that have no place to call home? They¡¯ve lost their worlds to conquering empires, fake gods and eldritch monsters.¡±


    ¡°Because They are different species!¡± She stared at him like he had sprouted a second head.


    ¡°Not all of them.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯ve said that there are essentially humans out there. I haven¡¯t seen it, but I choose to believe you. But, I¡¯m not dealing with humans from another world in this case.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wasting your strength fighting people that the eidolons don¡¯t care about. Give ground temporarily. Get the eidolons to bring their true army through. Join forces. Smash them. Profit.¡±


    ¡°And you can make this happen in a month?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the quickest estimate. Could be longer,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°And you won¡¯t share how you¡¯re going to pull this off? All I have to do is surrender one of my most important cities.¡±


    ¡°Temporarily,¡± he added.


    ¡°The Phoenix Dynasty does not surrender. I will order my general to begin a tactical withdrawal.¡±


    ¡°Then the work really begins.¡±


    ¡°This wasn¡¯t work for you?¡± She regarded what little remained of the Eidolon of Sunothi.


    The other two had lasted a bit longer, but the phoenixes had eventually scattered their ashes in the night wind.


    ¡°They were new. We should expect the others to be much older, which means stronger. And then there are the four other eidolons,¡± he shrugged. ¡°One last thing. We¡¯re not interested in any of that courtly intrigue. If anything happens to one of my people. The agreements are off.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ for all sakes let¡¯s hope that nothing gets in the way of our burgeoning friendship.¡±


    Her smile didn¡¯t reach her eyes.

 8.16

    Bei forwent her Bakunawa mask.


    Any cultivator worth their name would recognize her fighting style, which begged the question why she bothered?


    Face.


    To stride the streets of Beijing and invite challenge matches in the hated guise of the Philippine Dragon-serpent would be too much of an insult.


    There had been incidents in the rest of Southeast Asia.


    Usually, the Phoenix Dynasty¡¯s grubby little talons got greedy.


    Their eyes grew too big for their stomachs, as Grandmother¡¯s saying went.


    She had participated while wearing her mask in a few of those defenses when settlements wished to maintain their independence rather than join the so-called glorious empire.


    Now, she was simply, Bei, the Rising Comet, smashing one arrogant young master after another on the streets of the Phoenix Dynasty¡¯s capital city.


    The thought brought a smile to her face.


    ¡°You dare mock me!¡± arrogant young master number three for the day spat.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything.¡±


    ¡°Your insolent smile disrespects my glorious lineage!¡±


    ¡°How can you tell?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°That it¡¯s insolent. What if it¡¯s just friendly? What if it doesn¡¯t even have anything to do with you? What if I¡¯m just happy that there¡¯s such a pretty bird on that tree?¡±


    ¡°When I defeat you, woman, you will learn your place. Perhaps, you¡¯ll be lucky and I¡¯ll make you my concubine.¡±


    ¡°Wow,¡± she said flatly, ¡°not even your wife. How exciting. Also, I¡¯m a minor. How old are you?¡±


    His face purpled, but he held his tongue.


    ¡°Oh, I see. You must follow the path of the raging pedobear, but,¡± she paused theatrically, turning her head to the angry sect that arrogant young master number one for the day belonged to, ¡°I thought you weren¡¯t part of the Panda Bear Sect.¡±


    ¡°Worm of a woman! I said that we are the Sect of the Roaring Bear. The great brown bears of the north.¡±


    ¡°That seems weird. Why would you call yourselves that. Those bears are more of a Russian thing.¡±


    They had made her take classes for useless subjects. Old history, geography, flora and fauna. She supposed it could be useful to know what sort of mutant animals one might find in a particular region if they ever found themselves there.


    ¡°The great panda bear is the bear of our people. Have some pride. In the old days nations all over the world clamored to possess the panda bear. Most expensive of all bears.¡±


    ¡°Your nonsense betrays your fears,¡± arrogant young master leered. ¡°Do not worry, for I will be gentle.¡±


    ¡°And you are not helping your pedophile image problem.¡±


    A snort and a laugh.


    All eyes turned to where the referee stood.


    Beside the wizened-looking woman, which was deceptive because the cultivator was likely the strongest one there, though Grandmother would¡¯ve had some say in the matter, was one of the fledgling phoenixes.


    Princess number whatever.


    Bei had already forgotten.


    A daughter of the Phoenix Prince.


    One of many nieces of the Empress.


    The princess was about Bei¡¯s age from the looks of it.


    She stood with arms crossed and a smirk that conveyed her truth.


    That everyone within range of her vision was beneath her.


    Bei wondered if that was true.


    Unfortunately, she couldn¡¯t find out.


    Minokawa, Cal, had definitively said no fighting with the phoenixes.


    Also, it would¡¯ve been bad face, Grandmother had explained, to antagonize a host that was there to ensure that the only dangers they faced were in the challenge matches.


    ¡°This is a challenge match,¡± the wizened referee said. ¡°No fatal blows are permitted. It ends when one yields or is rendered unable to continue.¡±


    Maiming was technically frowned upon, but not explicitly forbidden.


    The hypocrisy of the sects had meant that she had to be on guard.


    Both her previous opponents had tried to deal lasting injuries.


    One had tried to slash her eyes, while the other had tried for her groin.


    Such dishonor, such shame.


    ¡°Are the challengers ready?¡±


    She gave the arrogant young master her best haughty gaze, raising her chin and looking down at him over her nose, wrinkling it as if she caught a whiff of something unpleasant.


    They hated it when on the receiving end.


    He sneered, stripping to the waist to reveal hard muscles that glinted in the sun.


    The Iron Body Dao.


    She almost snorted.


    So obvious.


    The energy in the gathered crowd buzzed.


    The challenge area was a large dirt square in the middle of a roadside park.


    There was a playground for children and old aunties vigorously practicing a variety of martial arts.


    As the fight drew near, nearly all of those people had stopped what they were doing to gather around the sects, who claimed prime viewing positions around the square.


    Martial aunties jockeyed for position.


    Young siblings waged the eternal battle for a place upon father¡¯s shoulders. Not realizing that those shoulders were broad enough for both of them to have a place at the top of the mountain.


    It was, Bei realized, a fitting microcosm of many old Earthian societal systems.


    Then she realized that her extraneous class lessons had infected her thoughts, threatening to divide her focus on the only thing that mattered.


    She tore her glance away from the tall, broad-shouldered father and his warring children.


    Her Dao was all that mattered.


    It was less of singular, focused path than a twisting branch of many that weaved together like the twisted streets of Beijing.


    That was acceptable according to Grandmother.


    Bei was young and like a fledgling bird she needed to spread her wings and learn to fly.


    Ironic in that was her greatest passion.


    To feel the wind rushing through her hair as she soared the skies free from the arbitrary rules and restrictions that would keep her in a place dictated by others.


    Lightening was her greatest focus.


    She had soared past mere cloud-stepping, though still had far to reach true, unfettered flight.


    In that one aspect she had already surpassed cultivators ten, fifteen levels above her.


    Many masters couldn¡¯t traverse the skies with as much ease and grace.


    She was skilled and high-leveled for her age.


    The Philippines was a good environment for growth. Access to challenges wasn¡¯t restricted. The most difficult sparring partners available, if somewhat sporadically due to their duties. All the food a growing body needed. And all the time in the world to devote to her cultivation. There was no labor for the sake of labor just to keep her downtrodden like the peasant she had been once. No toiling just because it suited the powerful and wealthy.


    Freedom.


    True freedom was the biggest boon to her meteoric ascent.


    ¡°Begin!¡±


    The ground shook with thundering steps, but Bei was already soaring through the air in a graceful flip.


    Arrogant young not-master Iron Body snarled, leaping up with a knife hand thrust.


    She tapped a light finger on his.


    It was as though he struck a slip of silk blowing in the wind.


    He lacked the intent and speed to pierce it.


    She focused her Qi, turned it into lightning.


    Small yellow arcs traveled down her opponent¡¯s fingers, to his arm and all the way to his shoulder before expending her power.


    A body made into a thing like unto iron had benefits and vulnerabilities.


    Her opponent¡¯s face twisted as his arm spasmed, muscles clenching painfully out of his control.


    He was too weak.


    A true master would¡¯ve had techniques to address the vulnerabilities in their Dao.


    She pulled her lightening from her right foot and leg to land a stomp on his ugly face.


    Amplifying the blow almost wasn¡¯t necessary as gravity did most of the work to plant him into the dirt.


    She followed him down, planting both feet into his sculpted stomach.


    Standing on him like a flag, she smirked before pushing her Qi into lightning.


    Ha!


    The way he convulsed with his eyes bulging was hilarious.


    Comets rose, yes, but they also fell.


    This technique was a fraction of her best one.


    She flipped away in another graceful arc that carried her back to her starting position.


    The arrogant young master didn¡¯t rise.


    The referee clacked a pair of sticks ten times before declaring Bei the victor.


    The arrogant young master stayed down. His sect mates rushed to his side to help him up.


    They sent daggered gazes in her direction while he spat blood and avoided her eyes.


    She made sure that they saw her sneer.


    ¡°Perhaps, you should¡¯ve learned the Iron Tongue Technique!¡±


    She had no idea if such a thing existed.


    ¡°Too far, Bei,¡± Grandmother said mildly as she returned to where the rest of her fellow students waited.


    ¡°Who wishes to go next?¡± Grandmother said.


    ¡°I will!¡± Efren raised a hand.


    Grandmother had eschewed tradition to teach anyone that wanted to learn.


    She didn¡¯t even call it a school, nor did she start a sect.


    No, Grandmother¡¯s experiences pushed her down a different path.


    One in which martial secrets weren¡¯t meant to be jealousy hoarded like some covetous dragon, held only to be doled out in a bid to increase one¡¯s personal power and control over others.


    They would share all that they new with each other in an effort to raise each other to the heights of their potential.


    They would sweep across the martial world like an unstoppable tide that lifted all boats.


    Bei caught the eyes of the young siblings on their father¡¯s broad shoulders. One on each. They had learned.


    A boy and a girl.


    Both stared at her in awe.


    She raised her chin, held her head high and smiled before waving.


    She fought for all those little children that wished to be cultivators, but couldn¡¯t because they lacked the wealth to pay the masters, lacked the familial connections to secure a position as students, were born into the wrong station or any number of things that arbitrarily disqualified them without regard for their potential.


    They would give all those people¡­ the young¡­ the old¡­ everyone in between the opportunity that the sects had denied them.


    <hr>


    Howard was the best at what he did.


    Now, what that meant depended on the situation and where he was in his life.


    Back before the world went stupid he was a soldier and being the best meant putting bodies in the dirt.


    It had been easy at first.


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Kill the guys shooting at you with their AK¡¯s and RPG¡¯s.


    Then it got harder.


    Bombs in cars, bombs in the side of the road, bombs carried by the hajjis.


    Sometimes he still saw the faces of the people he shot thinking that lump in their robes was an IED.


    He had cared enough the first few times to give a shit about whether it had been one or something else, like a bag of dried fruit or in the case of one girl, a pad of paper and some pencils. She had liked to draw and was good at it. He still had strong memories of one of the other guys tossing her worn satchel into a trash fire on the other side of the dusty street.


    Shit like that made him swear that once he was done then he was done.


    It didn¡¯t stick.


    He had lasted a few years as a civilian.


    He couldn¡¯t shake the war and what he had seen and done.


    His country didn¡¯t help. No one wanted to keep a twitchy vet employed. Sure, they¡¯d hire him, but within a year they¡¯d get rid of him.


    It didn¡¯t help that he had self-medicated.


    The VA wasn¡¯t a help.


    It felt like once they didn¡¯t have a use for him, they didn¡¯t care what happened to him.


    Promises of tuition for college fell through.


    The number was a lot lower than what the recruiters had promised before he had signed up and they made him jump through so many hoops to collect.


    Almost like they made the process as complicated as possible so they could keep denying him over the slightest mistakes on the dozens of forms he had to get to a half-dozen different people.


    In the end, they had won.


    He had nowhere else to go, so he went back to the one place that he had been good at.


    Back to the Middle East, killing people that didn¡¯t want him there.


    Then there was Afghanistan.


    Same old shit.


    Killing for nothing.


    Ironically, the spires had improved his life.


    A weird power, physiological changes.


    They were fitting.


    He had lived his life like an attack dog for the country and now the spires had turned him into something closer to that.


    A feral-type.


    Stronger, faster, tougher.


    Animal-like senses and instincts.


    Quicker healing for some weird reason.


    The environmental changes had been even better.


    Conscience-free killing like Drake¡¯s crazy-ass wife liked to say.


    Monsters.


    Shit humans.


    Finally, he could start atoning for what he had done long ago.


    He didn¡¯t care if it was even possible.


    The only thing that let him sleep at night and take the nightmares was the idea that he could try.


    That¡¯s why he had gone all in with the boss after they had put the slavers into the dirt.


    The boss wouldn¡¯t lead him astray.


    Their targets were shit scum that the world needed planted deep in the ground.


    No more pulling a family out into the dusty street in the middle of the night because some informant claimed they had a cousin that was making bombs.


    No more gunning down an AK-wielding teenager because someone in your unit got an itchy finger and had filled the kid¡¯s dad with lead at a checkpoint a few weeks back.


    Case in point, the huge mountain of muscle patrolling down the narrow, twisting street.


    He had the jump on the massive alien.


    They had the bad habit of not looking up, which meant that his hiding spot in a small balcony was unnoticed.


    It¡¯d be simple and easy to jump down and land on the alien¡¯s broad muscular back. There was plenty of surface area for Howard¡¯s big boots.


    No chance of slipping and landing crotch first.


    Contrary to movies, that¡¯d only get him a pair of smashed nuts.


    There was no height from which a man or woman wanted to land crotch first on anything.


    Quick cowboy-style getaways weren¡¯t worth the pain and risk as far as he was concerned.


    He could land, grab one of the alien¡¯s thick, bull-like horns. Use surprise and strength to twist it, exposing the side of his neck to his stabbing knife.


    Not even the alien¡¯s thick, dense muscle would protect him.


    That¡¯s what he would¡¯ve done if he was still the soldier he had been.


    And all the while he¡¯d have no idea that the four-legged, two-armed alien, the mountain of muscle, was a refugee being forced to fight. That he was the equivalent of a teenager whose voice hadn¡¯t even dropped yet.


    See, this was why he¡¯d work for the boss for as long as the man would have him.


    None of that fog of war bullshit.


    No chance that he¡¯d put a kid into the dirt ever again.


    He let the alien kid pass.


    Weird guys.


    Like a minotaur he remembered from old movies crossed with the horse guys from other old movies¡­


    Wait¡ª


    They were both in this one movie where Brit kids went into a closet or some weird shit and ended up in fantasy land.


    Fucking spires!


    He hoped that there wouldn¡¯t be any talking beavers among the invaders.


    Especially, if they turned out to be dicks needing to be put into the dirt.


    That¡¯d be a tough one.


    The huge alien bull-horse-man tromped away, hooves thudding down the street.


    Howard marked the patrol route and waited a bit before heading to the next spot.


    Boss¡¯ orders.


    Do their best to make sure the ones that ended up in the dirt deserved it.


    <hr>


    Kayla took copious notes.


    Thanks to the Universal Translation System the language barrier didn¡¯t exist.


    The Phoenix Dynasty Army¡¯s command staff met in a nice boardroom in a tall building less than a mile away from the front.


    Or rather the line that they decided was the front after they¡¯d pulled back.


    The general and his staff weren¡¯t happy about it from the shadowed glances they kept shooting her way.


    One old man, complete with a long, luxuriant white beard flowing down his chest kept sniffing at her.


    Probably one of those cultivators.


    She tried not to feel intimidated.


    They were all way older than her and a few of them were higher leveled in classes that mattered.


    She got the feeling that her presence meant that they couldn¡¯t say what they really wanted to, which meant that they had to keep their talk focused on the Phoenix Empress¡¯ commands.


    So, in a way, they should¡¯ve been happy she was there.


    Otherwise they¡¯d be distracted from their real job.


    The thought made her sit up straighter.


    She was here to learn how to conduct combat.


    Sure, there was no shortage of old soldiers and officers she had already taken lessons from back home, but this was the first case of open warfare with organized invaders from another world.


    There were rumors and stories of past events in other places.


    Something about fishmen in California and that thing with the Christian cult versus the Meat Parade in Kansas that might¡¯ve had some weird otherworld influences involved.


    The dragon-president had hinted that she should ask Mr. Cruces about it when she had the chance, which so far had been never.


    The guy was always busy flying all over China from what it sounded like.


    At least he hadn¡¯t left her alone.


    That silver-haired lady that was way too hot was supposed to keep her safe.


    Seriously, that had to be some kind of illusion or beauty magic.


    Was that a thing?


    The second, not the first.


    There was definitely illusion magic.


    Maybe there wasn¡¯t a difference.


    One could illusion up some beauty.


    Speaking of distracted¡­


    ¡°The bullmen are testing our new lines,¡± some old guy said. ¡°They¡¯ve been emboldened by the foreigner¡¯s shameful retreat.¡±


    It was funny how they kept giving all the credit for their latest moves to Mr. Cruces when he hadn¡¯t said a word.


    The general tutted while an aide fanned him with this fancy gold-inlaid fan.


    It seemed weird to Kayla because the building¡¯s AC was working.


    ¡°They¡¯ve overextended. Had we not been saddled with a foreigner¡¯s failing strategy then we could take the opportunity to penetrate their lines and hit their supply centers.¡±


    Which was also where all the wounded and youngest bullchildren were located.


    It totally sucked for them.


    Asshole eidolons making the old ones and teenagers fight.


    Granted, Kayla was a teenager, but she was here because she wanted to be.


    She was meant to be the leader of her dragon-president¡¯s elite force.


    The Dragon-favored Captain hoped to level up and advance into the higher tiers. Dragon-sworn, dragon-touched, dragon-blessed. The order and number of possibilities was uncertain even to the great dragon-president. The dragon-president¡¯s aunt had been stingy with information.


    ¡°Those supply centers are filled with their equivalent to our civilians,¡± the old guy with the long white beard said in that serene, superior way that all the old guys with white beards she¡¯d come across did.


    There had been four, which was an oddly high number from her perspective.


    ¡°Then, perhaps, they should¡¯ve left them at home,¡± some other old guy said. ¡°One does not bring to war that which they fear to lose.¡±


    ¡°Did not our great war philosopher say that one must appear weak where they are strong and strong were they are weak?¡± the old beard guy said.


    ¡°Oh, I know that one!¡± she piped up before she realized the words were coming out of her mouth.


    Sidelong gazes fell on her, even from the old guy seated directly in front of her.


    ¡°Ahem,¡± she cleared her throat. ¡°Sun-Tzu, The Art of War.¡±


    ¡°Yes, foreign child. We are familiar,¡± the general said.


    ¡°Yet another thing you people appropriated from our great culture,¡± some old guy said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what that means, but okay?¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°And we are to allow children to our august war council,¡± some other old guy said.


    It sounded more like a statement than a question to her.


    She wanted to say something about a bunch of old guys sitting around jerking each other off while young people, like her, were out there fighting and dying and killing other young people, but that was definitely on the list of things Mr. Cruces had advised her against saying out loud only until she no longer needed to sit on the war councils.


    So, she sat up even straighter and primly took notes like a young person.


    This was why she had resolved to fight in the front even if she was supposed to become the commanding officer.


    ¡°They aren¡¯t our true enemy,¡± a not so old guy said.


    This guy was probably the coolest one out of the lot.


    He was like some kind of direct representative of the Phoenix Empress, which she didn¡¯t quite get what the difference was since the general and the other officers and advisers all answered to the empress.


    Maybe he was like the Vader or something.


    But then what did that make the Phoenix Princess seated next to the general.


    She was one of the oldest daughters of the prince, which meant she was, like, twenty.


    Scary intense.


    She was tossing a small chunk of iron between her hands, which were currently on fire.


    The metal would melt in her hands then harden a bit when she threw it.


    Huh?


    Maybe that¡¯s why the general had his poor aide fanning him despite the AC being on.


    The dragon-president never made anyone fan her, nor feed her grapes.


    Kayla made a quick note to helpfully inform the general of that fact after her very last war council meeting.


    ¡°We continue as planned,¡± the not so old Vader guy said.


    That seemed to be the final word because they stopped complaining about the war plan and started in on the stuff for after the plan succeeded.


    What they¡¯d do when the real enemies came through the spires.


    <hr>


    Meng Shao was a civil servant.


    One of many junior managers working in the Port of Shanghai.


    The port was nowhere near as busy as it had been before the spires, but it was critical to the movement of people and supplies up and down the river. The dynasty had an eye to the future and the city as well as the port were integral to those plans. Global empires needed port cities.


    The last few weeks of his life had been a nightmare that he couldn¡¯t wake from.


    Relief was short-lived.


    The seven stages flashed across his face and thoughts in the span of five seconds.


    Shock came and went quick.


    The eidolon parasite in his brain had puppeted him for the past two weeks while he had been fully conscious.


    He couldn¡¯t deny it.


    What he could deny was what Cal told him.


    That he was doomed.


    That salvation was temporary.


    That the parasite had already eaten close to a quarter of his brain matter and that he was no longer truly himself.


    The parasite was copying him bit by eaten bit. His memories, his personality, everything.


    Cal was merely keeping the parasite down and out.


    To remove it was instant death and it couldn¡¯t be allowed to live.


    Anger at the parasite, at Cal, at the dynasty for failing to protect him gave way to bargaining.


    Which stopped before it had time to start.


    Cal guided him to the inescapable truth of his situation.


    Depression was fleeting.


    The man understood his fate.


    His only concern now was for his wife and two young children.


    ¡°I can give you the rest of the day and night to spend time with them and prepare them. I know it¡¯s not fair,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Why me?¡±


    ¡°Your youth and position. It would¡¯ve used your body and guise to rise through the party¡¯s ranks. If it¡¯s any consolation it would¡¯ve pretended to be you for as long as it needed to. Your family would¡¯ve been safe for as long as it needed to be you. That might¡¯ve been years, decades, the rest of you natural life. That¡¯s what makes it horrific. No one would ever know. It¡¯d just be you. Your memories, personality. Everything that makes you you.¡±


    ¡°My family¡­¡±


    ¡°Whatever you and they want, I will make happen.¡±


    ¡°Why? What do you want for your help?¡± Shao brought his head up from his cheap desk.


    ¡°Nothing. I came here to kill that thing in your head. That can wait until tomorrow. In the mean time I¡¯ll make sure that you remain you until the end.¡±


    ¡°My wife has no other family. Neither do I. Without me she won¡¯t have any status. Unless¡ª she¡¯s a teacher, you see? She has a co-worker that¡ª¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡°His family is connected. They have status in the party. Women have to have children unless they provide something else worth more to the dynasty. He¡¯ll force her¡ª¡± he sobbed.


    ¡°Would you like me to take them elsewhere?¡±


    ¡°Where? There is no world beyond the Phoenix Empress¡¯ sheltering wings. It¡¯s all a lawless wasteland of monsters and hordes of marauders and cannibals.¡±


    ¡°Propaganda. Let me show you three places your family could move to¡­¡±


    He shared a portion of his memories with the doomed man.


    Like a virtual guided tour of the Philippines and California.


    Hours in the span between seconds.


    ¡°How¡­¡± Shao blinked.


    ¡°They will be free to live as they choose. No forced marriage or breeding. No peasantry. They¡¯ll have the time and opportunity to find that which will give them the most meaning. Their true passions.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ okay¡­¡± a broken gaze filled with hope, however slight, ¡°you can take me home? I think? I want to be with my family.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Shao glanced at his fellow junior managers at their desks.


    He hadn¡¯t noticed, but they were frozen in their tasks.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to tell them. My kids. They¡¯re too young for this.¡± Shao clutched his head.


    ¡°Tell them the truth. That you love them and are proud of them. That you will always love them no matter how far away you might seem. Make today the best day ever. Something they can remember when things get hard. Then, after you tuck them into bed tonight,¡± Cal handed Shao a small camera. ¡°Record messages. Whatever you can think of. Your story. Advice for future life events. A sanitized explanation of your death and the truth for when they¡¯re old enough. I¡¯ll make sure that they get it all.¡±


    Shao¡¯s hands shook, but he took the camera.


    He followed Cal out the door and to his last hours with his beloved family.


    Cal kept the eidolon parasite in the poor man¡¯s head trapped inside a seamless box that allowed nothing.


    When the time was up he¡¯d take it out and rip everything it had before utterly destroying the foul thing.


    Meanwhile, he searched the rest of the city for more.


    There was only one other.


    The eidolon liked to spread itself out.


    Cal sat down at a roadside noodle stall.


    A young team of adventurer-types were celebrating their best success at the local encounter challenge yet.


    They were low leveled, but had great dreams as everyone did when starting out.


    He regarded their young leader.


    Tall and lanky with broad shoulders a young fighter¡¯s physique.


    An echo of his son.


    ¡°Excuse me.¡±


    It was cruel to shatter their hopes and dreams while they were at the highest point.


    It was crueler to let the charade continue.


    To let the young leader¡¯s true self stay trapped, screaming where no one could hear him from within the parasite¡¯s clutches.


    It was a poor thing that he could offer the young leader.


    Freedom in death and the promise of revenge.


    Perhaps, the young team would accept a better opportunity for growth after they had properly grieved the loss of their childhood friend.

 8.17

    Shenzhen


    The war plan was simple in design while complicated in execution, which Kayla thought was probably something Sun Tzu warned against.


    She really needed to memorize the book.


    To wit, while the eidolons pushed the poor bull-horse-men into a suicidal all out charge on Phoenix Dynasty positions as distraction from their real forces coming through the spires, the dynasty army would bypass the charge to assault those spires and contest ownership.


    This would allow them to throttle the flow of troops from the other world into a trickle.


    Just like funneling troops into a narrow canyon pass or a gatehouse.


    Two things she had no actual experience with aside from mock battles back in Richellia.


    Not that she¡¯d get any here if all went according to plan.


    She was still embedded with the general¡¯s command staff.


    The same fancy office tower she had been in the whole time.


    Except, now that there was the chance of combat she¡¯d donned her dragonscale armor and had her dragon weapons within reach.


    She tried to pay attention to everything as she continued to take notes.


    Reports were starting to pour in through radios and magic crystals when the former failed or were jammed and the former when the latter failed or were jammed.


    It was a good lesson.


    Sometimes old technology worked when magic didn¡¯t or vice versa.


    The problem was that there wasn¡¯t anything obvious about why it was one or the other or sometimes both or neither.


    Her conclusion was that she probably wanted all the redundancy for her troops.


    The Phoenix Princess glared hot daggers at her.


    She had no idea why.


    They had shared the same spaces for almost a month and the princess hadn¡¯t said a single word to her, no introductions, nothing.


    She figured that the princess was probably jealous of her cool gear.


    The chatter on the various communications devices seemed routine judging by the demeanor of the general, his officers and the comms people.


    That was until on radio crackled with urgency.


    ¡°Suspected eidolon sighted¡­¡±


    ¡°Which one?¡± the general snapped a finger at the comms guy.


    ¡°This is command, please verify eidolon ident. Repeat, verify ID, over.¡±


    ¡°Sword¡ª¡±


    The general¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Get him back, now!¡±


    The comms guy calmly tried to raise the special forces team on the other end.


    ¡°Primitive communications technology¡­ and magical communication crystals¡­ the danger of both is that their links are easily chased if one has the means. Surrender. Prove yourself worthy. Find a place greater than that you have now. We¡¯ve seen your best and it is no better than mediocre in our domains.¡±


    Laughter.


    ¡°Or don¡¯t, but at least send more worthy warriors. These were lacking.¡±


    The other reason she was in the command room.


    ¡°Er¡­ excuse me,¡± she raised a finger, ¡°what¡¯re the coordinates of that one?¡±


    They looked at her with unconcealed disdain, but remembered their orders straight from the empress.


    The general gave permission with a curt nod.


    The comms guy relayed them in an equally curt tone.


    She thought the coordinates in her head really hard.


    Mr. Cruces¡¯ voice popped into her head, which was super weird and she¡¯d never get used to it.


    But, she dutifully relayed his words.


    Elsewhere, a few miles from the command tower lay a nondescript warehouse.


    ¡°You have the coordinates.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Mr. Cruces,¡± Cammi said with a look of annoyance flickering across her furrowed brow.


    Rupert looked scandalized.


    Fortunately, their boss waved it off.


    ¡°The link is good through my eyes?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Rupert cut in before Cammi could make them look bad.


    Ms. Teacher had said respect was necessary for those with greater power than you.


    Antagonize only with purpose, but accept the risks insolence brought.


    As a rule, powerful entities didn¡¯t tend toward good-natured magnanimity.


    They shared vision, though how Cal saw the sword-wielding eidolon picking his way through rubble and the strewn remains of a Phoenix Dynasty special operations strike team from many miles away was something that the young wizards knew was going to remain unanswered.


    ¡°It¡¯s your call, Camster.¡±


    Rupert cringed at the codename.


    It was funny when Emma and Rand had shared the names they¡¯d gotten from Jayde.


    Less so when it was their turn.


    ¡°I have a good lock. Teddy Bear, confirm?¡± Cammi said.


    Rupert focused on the glowing, rotating spell array between them.


    The floating orb radiated with explosive power contained by chains of arcane script.


    It was a better version of the artillery spell that ranger mages had ¡®discovered¡¯.


    Ms. Teacher always found it humorous when one of her students thought they had invented a spell, a new casting method or anything magic related really.


    It was annoying, though it was worth it to here her laugh.


    Like angels singing with a full orchestral backup.


    ¡°Lock confirmed. Spell containment stable. All green. Go for fire.¡±


    ¡°I have control. Firing. Now!¡± Cammi¡¯s triumphant voice chased the spell as it rocketed to the ceiling and into the portal.


    They had cast the portals earlier and it was a wonder why the sword-wielding eidolon had missed the open one about fifty feet¡­ er¡­ fifteen meters above his head.


    Somehow the eidolon noticed the streaking spell.


    He turned and slashed with his over-sized sword.


    The cut traveled through the air, slicing the spell in half.


    The containment was of superior conception and creation.


    Instead of prematurely detonating the spell, the eidolon had successfully created two where there had been one.


    The halves crashed into the ground on either side of him.


    The subsequent explosion rattled the earth and shook the sky, concealing the eidolon in a great cloud of dust and debris that was visible for miles.


    ¡°That won¡¯t do it, but it¡¯ll bring you closer to parity,¡± Mr. Cruces said.


    ¡°More than good enough,¡± the Sword of Freedom said.


    Ms. Gozen had a cool code name.


    Rupert sighed as he cast another portal for her to leap into.


    ¡°Recover your mana,¡± Mr. Cruces said. ¡°We¡¯re going to need more portals soon.¡±


    One step took Hanna from a warehouse safe behind the battle lines to deep inside enemy controlled territory.


    Her Threnosh-made helmet¡¯s visual enhancements cut through the obscuring debris cloud.


    The eidolon climbed out of small crater with a ridiculous slab of metal he wielded like a sword.


    It was very anime.


    She remembered many a giant sword-wielding protagonist from the viewing habits of her youth.


    Unlike many anime heroes, the eidolon wore real armor.


    Plate and chain. Once gleaming brightly, now battered and charred by the young wizards¡¯ little artillery spell.


    Enchanted armor.


    Had to be to survive a magical explosion strong enough to demolish a small building.


    Hopefully, taking the blast had weakened the armor¡¯s enchantments.


    He straightened and lay glowing eyes on her.


    He gave her the uncanny valley feeling.


    Human at first glance.


    Until she realized that his features didn¡¯t fit the skin tone and his long hair shined metallic brass.


    No helmet.


    So, he was still partially an idiot.


    ¡°Eidolon of Suiteonem, you¡¯re not welcome on our world. Leave or die,¡± she proclaimed.


    Cal¡¯s psychological profile of the eidolon suggested that he embodied arrogance and responded to anything challenging that with rashness, tending toward violence.


    Apparently, he took after his so-called god.


    ¡°Beautiful woman, you shouldn¡¯t hide behind a mask,¡± he preened, ¡°come, reveal yourself to me.¡±


    She saw faint chains flowing from the eidolon out to the bull-horse-men.


    They weren¡¯t the marks of true slavery, but it was close enough for her.


    ¡°You¡¯re a slaver in all but name. There¡¯s no place for you and your ways on our world. Leave or die.¡±


    ¡°Come now. You wield the sword like I do. Wouldn¡¯t you rather fight by my side? Prove worthy and my God will grant you anything you wish.¡±


    ¡°Then let them go.¡±


    He quirked a brow.


    ¡°The people you¡¯re forcing to fight and die ahead of your real army. Do the men know that you¡¯re faithless? That while they fight for you on other worlds you¡¯re murdering their elders and children? Their women?¡±


    ¡°You know more than you should,¡± his voice grew cold.


    ¡°We know everything. The Eidolon of Sunothi was¡­ informative¡­ before the disgusting parasite paid for its crimes.¡±


    The Eidolon of Suiteonem snorted.


    ¡°You have nothing. The younger ones didn¡¯t have all our information.¡±


    Good job, Hanna. Him thinking about it was enough to give me an opening through the mental shield around its location.


    ¡°Yeah. We figured that the original would compartmentalize and thanks to you. We now know were it is.¡±


    ¡°Mere words meant to put me off-balance. I¡¯ve fought for centuries. You are less than a child to me.¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯ve played you like an instrument. An old, half-broken instrument that was mediocre at best when it was whole. I see a man that¡¯s clearly compensating for a lack with his choice in weapon. That isn¡¯t sword. It¡¯s a lump of metal. I see no elegance. No skill or technique in its wielding.¡±


    ¡°Woman, your lack of respect means that I¡¯m no longer obligated to show you respect.¡± He thrust his enormous sword at her. ¡°I will defeat you and make you one of my auxiliary wives.¡±


    She struck with her aura as an opener.


    A hundred foot distance was well-within her range.


    She aimed for his face and neck.


    That¡¯s what he got for not wearing a helmet.


    ¡°Sword aura,¡± he snorted, ¡°it¡¯s a surprise to finally find one that passes the minimum requirement among you primitives.¡±


    His aura flared in response.


    A hundred blades clashed in the air around them.


    Cut and thrust.


    Parry and riposte.


    The sounds of steel ringing against steel filled the air as sparks flew.


    Her move was a feint.


    While he defended his exposed head she slipped into the gaps of his armor, hunting for the straps.


    Weakened enchantments meant they had been reduced to normal leather and cord.


    In the blink of an eye his plate and chain fell off.


    His eyes flashed.


    ¡°Eager for our matrimonial bed, are we?¡±


    She replied by carving the ground from beneath his boots.


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    He stumbled forward.


    She dashed.


    Threnosh-made longsword thrusting.


    He blocked it with the flat of his blade.


    The ridiculous thing was almost as wide as as heater-style shield.


    Before he could transition into an attack she jammed him up by ramming into his chest with her round shield.


    He laughed as he pushed her away like a grown man would a child.


    Eidolons kept nearly everything from their previous classes to add to the new ones they could obtain.


    Their so-called gods added a portion of their energy to strengthen them further.


    She flicked her blade.


    I Cut What I See.


    Even with superhuman levels of durability the eyes were always more vulnerable.


    The eidolon screamed as a spray of golden blood arced between them.


    He cursed, raising his over-sized blade and bringing it down in a slash with speed that made the massive hunk of metal look like a thin stick.


    She raised her shield against the cut she sensed.


    The impact rang and knocked her back a dozen feet.


    It had struck the shield, but had gone above and below it.


    Damage alerts beeped in her helmet.


    It had cut across her torso on the diagonal.


    Her ribs hurt and her breath eluded her.


    A shadow descend.


    She rolled out of the way.


    The eidolon carved a trench into the debris-strewn street.


    The over-sized sword loomed, covering her in shadow.


    ¡°The mountains crumble beneath my strike!¡±


    She raised her shield and longsword.


    ¡°Strength of the Free, so long as there are those in chains, I endure.¡±


    She combined it with Shield Block: Disperse Impact.


    The massive sword fell on her like a tree.


    Her bones groaned and her muscles screamed in protest.


    Perhaps, it was time to upgrade her armor with strength assists.


    The street cracked beneath her boots.


    ¡°You¡¯d never be my wife,¡± the eidolon said sadly. ¡°What a waste.¡±


    She placed the edge of her longsword up against the edge of his so-called sword.


    Sword Skill: Energy Field.


    She confidently pit her Skill against the enchantments that made the eidolon¡¯s ridiculous sword possible.


    Her dull gray blade grew bright with a glowing corona of energy surrounding it.


    It started with a tiny chip in the wedge-like edge of the over-sized sword.


    A prudent man would¡¯ve pulled away, but the eidolon was arrogant, rash and violent.


    There was only one path for him and he never went backwards.


    He leaned harder, pushing down with greater force.


    His face twisted into a snarl.


    The tiny chip grew.


    Hanna¡¯s sword went deeper, like a knife into a frozen stick of butter.


    It was slow, but as things heated up it went quicker.


    She cleaved through the over-sized sword with a triumphant shout.


    Her cause was just and right.


    The eidolon was a slaver in all but name.


    He tossed his broken blade aside and drew another.


    This one was a proper sword.


    Single-edged, slightly curved, almost like a katana.


    Its hilt and guard resembled a saber¡¯s.


    The blade glowed with a blue twinkle.


    ¡°Congratulations!¡± he smiled. ¡°You¡¯ve forced me to draw my true blade. Now, let us see if this world¡¯s swordsmanship is worth speaking of.¡±


    ¡°I have no pride. I have no arrogance. I don¡¯t care what others think about my swordsmanship. People. They are the only things that matter to me,¡± she saluted with her sword. ¡°I¡¯ve been keeping you occupied so you wouldn¡¯t run away.¡±


    A dozen portals opened up around the eidolon.


    Solid metal spears tied to chains and metal wires struck like missiles.


    Some bounced off the eidolon¡¯s tough skin.


    Most dug into the ground, burying him in a tangled web.


    ¡°What is this?¡± the eidolon struggled from beneath the trap.


    Hanna was on him in a flash.


    ¡°Cheating.¡±


    She separated his head from his shoulders.


    Bright light darkened her faceplate.


    She ran away then turned and crouched behind her shield when the voice in her head told her to.


    The eidolon¡¯s death explosion rivaled that of the young wizard¡¯s earlier spell.


    She wasn¡¯t above dirty tactics when it meant freedom for the downtrodden.


    Human or not, she found that it didn¡¯t matter to her.


    ¡°Was that unexpected?¡± she said into the comms.


    ¡°It was partially directed. He wanted to take you with him,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Portal me to the next one, if you have the location.¡±


    ¡°No. We¡¯re still working on the others and you used your best Skill. You¡¯re on rest and recovery unless an emergency situation happens.¡±


    Another portal opened up.


    The young wizards were being put to work.


    She stepped back into the warehouse.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Cal?¡±


    ¡°Going to kill the Eidolon of Sunothi,¡± Rupert said.


    Teddy Bear looked a little pale and a lot sweaty as he sipped from a bottle of glowing blue-purple liquid.


    Camster was doing a bit better.


    The girl was peering intently into a viewing orb.


    Both wizards had taken their pointy, wide-brimmed hats off.


    That¡¯s when you knew they weren¡¯t having a good time.


    ¡°Mana supply issues?¡±


    They shook their heads unable to muster the energy to use words.


    ¡°If you can¡¯t, say so, don¡¯t force it and cause a bigger problem by which I mean you dying from going over your limits. Nod if you understand.¡±


    Nods.


    The warehouse was emptier than she had expected.


    Howard and the cultivators were gone, except for two of the ones Grandmother had brought from Manila.


    A pit grew in her stomach.


    Put to the sword, she¡¯d have to say that it was from that group that losses were likely.


    With that thought she pulled a chair closer to the viewing orb so she could watch.


    She wanted to be ready to portal in if needed.


    <hr>


    The smell of burning bull-horse-men flesh reminded Bei of the weekly barbecues back home.


    There was no difference, which made it all the more sickening.


    It was made doubly worse by the stench of piss and shit.


    That was one thing she had never really understood despite all the older people warning her about it.


    Sometimes scared people voided their bowels.


    It turned out that the aliens from another world weren¡¯t different in that regard.


    Dead people, whether they walked on two legs or four, always pissed and shit themselves.


    ¡°That is the truth of war. Breathe it in.¡±


    Grandmother had made them retract their faceplates.


    Bei belatedly realized why Grandmother and Cal had that argument before he brought them to the front.


    ¡°One must risk hot oil on their hands when frying the pork belly,¡± Grandmother had said.


    Bei had been confused.


    She had seen pork belly fried many times.


    One didn¡¯t simply place the chunk into hot oil straight from washing it in the sink.


    One punched holes in the skin, patted it dry and covered it with salt to sit in the fridge till the next day before frying.


    One understood what happened when water was placed in hot oil.


    Was that not why one sprinkled a few drops to test if the oil in the wok was hot enough?


    ¡°I¡¯m going to show you why you shouldn¡¯t be eager to go to war,¡± Grandmother had sighed when she had pestered for an explanation.


    Well¡­ Grandmother was right.


    Bei didn¡¯t like real war.


    The challenge matches were nothing at all like it.


    They perched on top of a five-story building. Crouched low behind the edge to stay out of sight.


    The bull-horse-men wielded single shot rifles that made the human ones look like toys in the hands of children.


    They had seen shots blow right through the old, rusted cars and buses that the Phoenix Dynasty soldiers used to block the streets.


    ¡°Are we going to fight?¡± Efren said.


    A good question.


    They had watched two failed assaults on the barricade below.


    This street was the widest one and from what she remembered of the map that they had to memorize it ran all the way through the city right past the dynasty¡¯s command building and staging area where the supplies were stored and the wounded taken to be triaged.


    ¡°They¡¯re not the real bad guys,¡± Danilo said.


    Sure, the real bad guys were the ones making the bull-horse-men fight, but what difference did that make to the ones fighting and dying down on the street?


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter when they¡¯re trying to kill you,¡± she said coldly.


    ¡°A valuable lesson. Your safety is paramount for one cannot live if they are dead,¡± Grandmother intoned.


    Bei¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    Thankfully, the faceplate obscured her visage.


    ¡°Come, let¡¯s fall back to a safer location. I sense the pot is soon to boil over.¡±


    ¡°Is it because of that, Grandmother?¡± Bei said flatly, pointing to the great dust cloud in the distance.


    ¡°No. I received a warning on the command channel,¡± Grandmother poked the side of her helmet. ¡°Come, young ones¡ª¡±


    Boom!


    The earth quaked.


    The sky shattered.


    The bull-horse-men revealed heretofore unknown magical ability.


    Artillery spells bombarded several square city blocks centered on the barricade across the main street.


    Their building was within that square.


    ¡°Don¡¯t take to the sky, Bei!¡±


    The strain and fear in Grandmother¡¯s voice sent a chill up her back.


    ¡°Retreat! Find cover!¡±


    Bei obeyed, but not without glancing back.


    Grandmother stood on a crumbled bit of rooftop going through the forms.


    Arms swirled, feet swept in a dance that kept most of the falling spells from impacting.


    Bei led the Efren and Danilo down the stairwell as the building shook and crumbled around them.


    They were halfway down when the whole thing started to collapse.


    ¡°Blazing Comet Fist!¡±


    Bei punched through the wall with one powerful step.


    Lightening carried her through multiple walls, desks and chairs as she carved a burning tunnel through the crumbling building.


    Efren and Danilo trailed behind her on lightened steps, skipping across disintegrating chunks of floor while striking at the debris in their way.


    ¡°YAAA!¡± Danilo landed a flying kick on a desk before it struck Bei on the head.


    Daylight!


    Mindful of Grandmother¡¯s warning, Bei smothered the instinct to take to the sky and took to the street.


    Efren and Danilo followed.


    They headed north away from the battle front on a parallel street several blocks from the main one.


    The sound of thunder on the road heralded trouble.


    They heard them before they saw them.


    ¡°In here!¡±


    Bei opened the door with a flying kick.


    The other two ducked into the small home after her.


    ¡°They¡¯ve breached the barricade,¡± Efren said.


    He and Danilo were breathing heavily.


    They hadn¡¯t managed their Qi reserves properly.


    Granted, escaping a collapsing building was a reasonable excuse.


    ¡°You two get away and hide. I¡¯ll go back for Grandmother.¡±


    ¡°She said¡ª¡± Danilo began.


    ¡°She¡¯s not the boss of me.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what she is!¡± Efren said.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a sect.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but it¡¯s a squad,¡± Efren pointed out.


    Sure, Bei had vague memories of Cal designating them as such, but memory was an ephemeral thing prone to unreliability. Especially, during traumatic events. Like escaping a collapsing building.


    They heard the roar of engines and squealing tires from the north.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, lets get to the roof,¡± she said.


    ¡°How about we get away?¡± Danilo said.


    A better vantage point gave them an overhead view of the battle.


    The bull-horse-men thundered up the street.


    Phoenix Dynasty soldiers halted their vehicles and opened fire.


    Magic shields blocked bullets for both sides.


    When those failed, armor and shields took over.


    Bull-horse-men were big and strong with thick hides and dense muscles.


    They wore thick steel that laughed off the standard dynasty rifle caliber.


    Vehicle mounted machine guns did a little better, dropping a few.


    The dynasty vehicles realized the precariousness of their position and reversed up the street.


    They were too slow.


    The bull-horse-men could hit highway speeds on the last burst on the charge.


    Roars filled the air as they flipped trucks with their long, thick spears and trampled cars beneath their steel-shod hooves and massive bulk.


    Bei wouldn¡¯t be able to unseen what that did to squishy human bodies. It was like smashing a can of tomatoes with a hammer.


    And to think, these bull-horse-men were the young ones.


    A dynasty cultivator leapt from the rearmost vehicle, hopping from vehicle roof to vehicle roof like playing a child¡¯s game.


    The man¡¯s robes fluttered in the wind as he flipped and spun in the air to land on the back of the lead bull-horse-man.


    He grabbed a thick horn and twisted the head to one side, exposing the jugular for his jian.


    Arterial spray filled the air.


    ¡°Brother! Noooo!¡± a bull-horse-man bellowed.


    He stabbed with his spear but the cultivator used it to springboard above the buildings.


    Bei locked eyes.


    The cultivator frowned.


    A thunderous bang turned the cultivator into a fine red mist.


    Eyes drawn to the dead cultivator fell on Bei and her friends.


    ¡°Run!¡± she pulled them away from the edge of the building as a single shot blew a gaping hole from the upper floor to the roof.


    Their Threnosh-made armor, though much lighter than standard steel plate, protected them from the jagged splinters.


    They dashed across rooftops in a northeastern direction while the bull-horse-men gave chase.


    From the thunder and the debris cloud it appeared that they were simply following them on a straight line by running through the buildings in their way.


    ¡°Impossible,¡± Danilo huffed.


    ¡°Nothing is impossible¡­ spires world,¡± Efren gasped.


    ¡°Save your breath,¡± Bei said.


    The buildings didn¡¯t last forever.


    An open stretch of ground lay before them.


    ¡°They¡¯re going to run us down,¡± Efren said.


    ¡°Time to call for help, yeah?¡± Danilo said.


    ¡°Requesting extraction,¡± Bei said into the comms.


    ¡°Location noted,¡± Marisol replied.


    She was at the warehouse with Rizel.


    ¡°Portal extraction in two minutes.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s too slow. They¡¯ll be on us in one.¡±


    ¡°Can you, like, run more? Both wizards are doing other portals right now. They can¡¯t stop.¡±


    ¡°Negative. Danilo and Efren will run. I will distract the enemy,¡± Bei took the sky without another word.


    Thunder sent her spinning.


    The shot hadn¡¯t been that close, but the bullet was so huge that its passing knocked her out of control.


    Fortunately, single shots meant plenty of time until the next one.


    She righted her near-flight and sighted her targets.


    Only five bull-horse-men had given chase.


    She tried to forget that they were equivalent to her age or even younger.


    Grandmother¡¯s lesson.


    They were trying to kill her and her friends.


    Attempting to talk would get her head blown off and that¡¯s assuming they¡¯d even believe her in the first place when she told them that there was no reason to fight. That they were trying to help and that there was a home for them where they wouldn¡¯t have to fight and die.


    She decided that war sucked and she¡¯d never do it again if she survived this.


    Bei became a thing like unto a comet.


    Her entire body blazed.


    She had hit Level 30 after all the challenge matches she had won over the last month.


    Level 30 before turning 18.


    A rising young dragon.


    Her fist struck the lead bull-horse-man in his armored face.


    The impact sent the others stumbling, broke every window in the immediate area and damage her armor all the way up to her elbow.


    Qi reserves low, she cloud-stepped before being forced to alight on a light pole a short distance away.


    The bull-horse-man stood for a moment even thought his face was a gaping ruin.


    Finality.


    The sound of his fall was finality.


    The clatter of his heavy armor.


    The thud of his heavy body.


    They were the sound of Bei¡¯s killing of a young one, just like her.


    She felt sick, but there was no time to do anything, but try to survive.


    The others recovered quickly and were after her with surprising speed.

 8.18

    A glaive, not that much shorter than the pole Bei stood upon, sliced through it like the wrapped mats she used for practice.


    She cloud-stepped to another pole, but it too was chopped down from under her.


    ¡°You killed my sister!¡± one of the bull-horse-men bellowed. ¡°Burn!¡± he pointed. ¡°Firebolt!¡±


    Bei cloudstepped over the spell.


    The shattered arm cradled to her stomach sent spikes of pain radiating up into her shoulder.


    Her Qi reserves ran ever lower.


    She drew the pistol from her belt.


    It felt wrong, but that didn¡¯t stop her from squeezing a few rounds off.


    Only one hit her target, plinking off the mage¡¯s chest plate.


    ¡°Earthshake Stomp!¡±


    Another cracked the road.


    Her pole fell, forcing her to cloudstep before she had gathered her Qi.


    ¡°Fisherman¡¯s Cast!¡±


    Another threw a net that caught her in her weakened state.


    She hit the ground with a thud.


    It didn¡¯t hurt thanks to the awesome armor, but she was now in prime trampling position.


    One thundered toward her.


    ¡°Furious Fists!¡± Danilo leapt in with a barrage of blindingly quick strikes to an armored flank.


    It was enough to throw three-quarter ton of muscle and armor off target.


    Bei cringed away from steel-shod hooves ripping up the road a few feet away from her head.


    Danilo danced away from a whirling glaive and received a two-footed back kick to the chest sending him rocketing across the street.


    The glaive-wielder continued the charge intent on finishing Bei.


    This time Efren leapt in out of nowhere with his spear dancing.


    He moved into crane spears the fish.


    The tip of his spear repeatedly struck the glaive¡¯s head forcing it off target just enough to keep the both of them alive.


    The epitome of speed versus strength.


    Every slash of the glaive was met by a dozen quick thrusts of the spear.


    Until a firebolt to the back broke Efren¡¯s rhythm.


    A thrust missed.


    The glaive slashed.


    Red splashed across Bei¡¯s faceplate.


    Efren stared at his elbow.


    The armor had sealed it, but that wasn¡¯t what he noticed.


    Where was his hand and arm?


    It had just been holding his spear.


    Oh¡­


    There it was, a few dozen feet away in the middle of the road, leaking red.


    ¡°Help is almost there!¡±


    A loud shout in their helmets.


    Marisol¡¯s voice.


    A shadow rose over Efren.


    Before it could descend a deep, booming voice screamed from somewhere overhead.


    A heavy weight came down on the broad back of the glaive-wielding bull-horse-man.


    It was a fat man in stained robes.


    He looked familiar.


    Something about his appearance triggered a memory from long ago.


    ¡°My coinpurse,¡± the fat man groaned. ¡°The movies lie.¡±


    The bull-horse-man bucked.


    The fat man grabbed the thick straps across the bull-horse-man¡¯s humanoid torso holding his plate armor in place.


    ¡°Listen, young one. I¡¯ve lost my stomach for killing your kind when I found out that you are literal children.¡±


    The fat man pulled himself closer and slowly, like a drunken toddler, wrapped arms and legs around the bull-horse-man¡¯s body.


    Thick hands grabbed the horns and head, forcing it to turn back.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been drinking all day, night and¡­ urk¡­ day, so I could do this,¡± he belched into the bull-horse-man¡¯s helm.


    The sound echoed across the street.


    Bei¡¯s eyes widened.


    A visible cloud of alcohol had wrapped itself around the bull-horse-man¡¯s helm-covered head.


    He staggered on four legs.


    The glaive slipped from his hands.


    The fat man stumbled off the broad back, pushing the bull-horse-man.


    ¡°Impressive constitution on you, young one. Under other circumstances I would love to share many pints, alas. Evil men make us do evil things. So, be¡ª¡± he belched, ¡°a good one and go to sleep. I¡¯ve been promised that you won¡¯t be killed.¡±


    The bull-horse-man finally toppled over and set to snoring with the strength to shake an entire house.


    ¡°Now, for the rest¡ª oops¡ª¡±


    The fat man ducked a firebolt, then tripped forward, windmilling his arms, which incidentally parried and deflected the thrusts of a huge spear.


    He belched another cloud of alcohol that the charging bull-horse-man dealt with by simply holding his breath.


    The fat man spun around the charged and countered with a belly bump to the flank, which somehow sent the huge bull-horse-man into a stumbling spin that sent him careening into the rusted remains of a car.


    ¡°Oh¡­ apologies, young one,¡± the fat man bowed, allowing yet another spear strike to pass harmlessly over his broad back, ¡°I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll have a tetanus shot for you¡­ or two¡­ hey, I¡¯ve rhymed. Take that Lyrical Songbird, you arrogant¡ª¡±


    He bent over backwards into the thrusting spear.


    ¡°Damn it, you drunk vagabond!¡± a fox-masked woman appeared out of nowhere to kick the spear aside.


    She leapt on the bull-horse-man and with a series of blurring strikes knocked him out.


    No.


    That wasn¡¯t right.


    Bei struggled to see it, but it seemed as though the familiar woman used Qi blocking.


    The bull-horse-men were also vulnerable to it, which was good to remember.


    Three remained.


    ¡°I am Twice Clever Fox,¡± she bowed to the remaining three. ¡°And I apologize for slaying your kin. I didn¡¯t know the truth of your plight, but that is no excuse. Please, I humbly beg you to lay down your weapons. There is no more need for death on this day. You will soon be free and safe. Just wait a bit longer and you will receive your mothers¡¯ words to that effect.¡±


    The plea predictably failed.


    The bull-horse-men were desperate.


    Months of fighting and dying in narrow streets on an alien world had pushed them beyond any reasonable limit.


    The fact that they were teens and children made it even worse.


    ¡°Firebolt!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got this, Fox, just let me¡ª urrkk!¡±


    The Twice Clever Fox grabbed the drunk, fat man by the back of his robes and yanked with a strength belied by her lithe form.


    She parted the spell with a two-fingered thrust.


    ¡°You were going to spit alcohol at fire!¡± she snapped.


    ¡°It was my anti-fire technique,¡± he pouted.


    ¡°If I had known he¡¯d have me working with you¡­ go!¡± she kicked him in the butt, ¡°take care of those two. No killing!¡±


    ¡°Hey! Impudent, tiny woman. It was I, who said no to killing first. Remember? I think I recall speaking out about it in council. And then the rest of you lot hemmed and hawed. Honor this, honor that. Obey the dynasty, disobey the dynasty¡­¡± he cartwheeled over two thrusting spears.


    The fox-masked woman darted across the road and rendered the mage unconscious with a dozen Qi blocking strikes.


    When she turned to help the fat drunk, she found him seated between two unconscious bull-horse-men.


    ¡°There, there, you¡¯ve been ill-used. I will speak to the man in charge. Uncle will make him take care of you young ones as you deserve,¡± he patted their helmed heads.


    ¡°Help Efren!¡± Bei said.


    ¡°Ah, see how she thinks of others first,¡± the fat man grinned. ¡°Yes, yes, the disarmed young man, where is it¡­ ah,¡± he hurried over, belly wobbling, to pick up Efren¡¯s dismembered arm. ¡°That¡¯s a tough wound.¡±


    The fox-masked woman approached Efren.


    ¡°Young man,¡± she snapped her fingers in his face, but he kept staring at his elbow. ¡°Listen to me. I was told that you aren¡¯t in immediate danger. Your fancy armor is stopping the bleeding. So¡­ er¡­ hang in there,¡± she patted his shoulder awkwardly.


    ¡°Danilo!¡± Bei called out.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡± he climbed out of the storefront the bull-horse-man had kicked him into. ¡°I think,¡± he grimaced.


    ¡°Ha!¡± the fat man clapped him on the back. ¡°I saw the blow from all the way up there,¡± he pointed to the sky, ¡°that was at least some cracked ribs, fancy armor or not. You¡¯re a tough one!¡±


    A second hearty back slap put tears into Danilo¡¯s eyes.


    The fox-masked woman ripped the net to free Bei.


    ¡°Come, we are to take you to your warehouse.¡±


    ¡°Wait. I remember you two,¡± Bei said. ¡°That night on the rooftops. You helped me escape.¡±


    ¡°Ohoho,¡± the fat man grinned. ¡°I told you, Fox. How could she forget her martial¡­ er¡­ brother¡­ yes, brother will do, I¡¯m not yet aged enough to be an uncle or anything else older,¡± he muttered. ¡°Yes! How could she forget her martial elder brother!¡± he beamed. She noticed that his eyes were glazed over and unfocused even as he focused on her. ¡°It was I, the Tsingtao Wanderer that set you on your path as one of the fastest rising dragons in the martial world!¡± he posed, almost majestic for a moment until he belched.


    ¡°I¡ª I can smell it through the filters,¡± Danilo gagged.


    ¡°Best to stand upwind of him.¡± Twice Clever Fox sighed.


    ¡°I never thanked you,¡± Bei bowed. ¡°Without the two of you I would¡¯ve never escaped with my brother. I would¡¯ve never had the opportunity to begin my martial path.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Tsingtao Wanderer pumped his fist. ¡°That¡¯ll show Lyrical Songbird, who¡¯s a better¡­¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Denounce him and I will testify in your support,¡± Twice Clever Fox said.


    Bei nodded.


    Then she noticed the sleeping bull-horse-men.


    The four out of the five that lived.


    The only one dead was by her hand.


    She did her best to ignore his body as she approached the mage.


    She pulled the heavy helm off to reveal an eerie blending of human and buffalo, like the ones that always fought lions in the recordings that Old Mr. Wang loved to watch.


    It reminded their old village head of his childhood.


    The details of which he refused to elaborate upon even when pestered with her best techniques.


    The bull-horse-man looked young.


    Her skin was dark gray and covered with a fine layer of dark hair or was it fur?


    Bei didn¡¯t know the difference.


    Her actual hair was done in a tight braid to keep it out of the way and to fit it underneath her helm.


    Two pointed horns angled forward. They thickened at the base into hard cap that covered most of her forehead.


    ¡°Yes, they look too close to what I see in the mirror every few days for comfort,¡± Tsingtao Wanderer sighed. ¡°More bad karma to balance.¡±


    ¡°Ignorance is no excuse,¡± Twice Clever Fox agreed.


    Bei knew and yet she had placed herself into a position where she took a life.


    The fact that it was in battle didn¡¯t lighten the pit in her stomach.


    ¡°Are we supposed to leave them here?¡± Danilo said.


    ¡°I was assured that they will be transported to safety. The method wasn¡¯t shared,¡± Twice Clever Fox said.


    ¡°Wait! Grandmother!¡± Bei remembered.


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    ¡°Survived the artillery strike. She is making her way to the command tower to provide support to your teammates at that location,¡± Twice Clever Fox said.


    ¡°Okay. Then please take us to the warehouse,¡± Bei bowed again. ¡°We are in your care.¡±


    Her Qi reserves were almost nonexistent.


    Not that she desired to continue fighting.


    ¡°You must be carried,¡± Twice Clever Fox said.


    Tsingtao Wanderer had already scooped up Efren and Danilo like children despite the latter¡¯s protests.


    ¡°I understand that the sky is your element, but you lack Qi at this moment,¡± Twice Clever Fox said. ¡°How do you wish to be carried?¡±


    Bei¡¯s brows raised almost to her hairline.


    The fox-masked cultivator sighed.


    ¡°Princess, fireman or piggyback?¡±


    ¡°The last one¡­ please.¡±


    She took one last look at the young bull-horse-man she had killed.


    Such immaturity, such regret.


    For the both of them.


    <hr>


    Grandmother saw grandfathers leading the stampede.


    She recognized it in the way they moved with the accumulated weight of many years.


    She felt the same in her own bones despite the new lease her cultivator class had given her.


    Over Level 30 in six short years.


    Her abortive rise before the callous sect had crippled her for her failure to fall in line had meant that she wasn¡¯t starting from nothing like young Bei and Bai, her grandchildren, nor the many other children of all ages that had sought out her tutelage.


    Not her sect.


    Never a sect.


    She focused on teaching the basics.


    How to begin on their paths.


    The rest was up to them.


    Holding the spell artillery barrage long enough for the children to escape the building had cost her several broken fingers and many cracked bones. Muscles all over her body were strained, some pulled. Her Qi had been depleted, but she had more than enough to do what Cal had asked.


    The bull-horse-men thundered toward yet another heavily armed barricade.


    ¡°We are the thunder on the plain, no barrier shall slow our strides, nothing will stop our hooves, Last Charge of the People!¡± the old grandfather bellowed.


    The thick armor on his front was shaped like a spiked plow.


    Over a ton of ancient muscle and steel broke through fifty feet of tightly packed vehicles and other debris like it was soft snow.


    He dragged the rest of his hundred strong herd in the wake of his Skill.


    They galloped at speeds well above the posted limits on the old signs lining the street.


    Gun and spellfire fell on them from the rooftops.


    They answered back with fire of their own.


    Scattered amongst the herd were bull-horse-men with strange contraptions on their broad backs.


    Like vehicle mounted weaponry.


    They aimed with a glove connected to the weapon by a thick cable.


    A simple point was all it took to send a spray of solid metal darts the size of a fat man¡¯s sausage-like finger.


    Magic shields failed quickly, which was followed by a fine spray of red mist as the hapless soldiers met their ends.


    One burst cleared an entire rooftop as the herd passed below.


    Grandmother struggled to dodge those as she ran and leapt alongside, racing them to their destination.


    Other cultivators swooped down from their race to target the young bull-horse-men wielding the devastating weapons.


    Success was mixed as they did everything they could to protect the weapon bearers.


    Thundering Rhinoceros charged out of a side alley.


    He cut across the herd, breaking bones and crushing organs with a body hardened beyond mundane steel.


    The huge cultivator was lost in the forest of giants for a moment, but she saw him run straight into an alley on the other side.


    Wise.


    A rabbit amongst the cows may find itself trampled.


    Lu, the Sanguine Crow, appeared on the old grandfather¡¯s back in a burst of black feathers, but before he could strike a young one running behind swung a massive glaive.


    He struck nothing but feathers.


    The cultivator had escaped to try again.


    Three bright, burning lights descended with frightening speed.


    Fledgling phoenixes.


    Half sisters, though they looked close enough to be triplets.


    They had seen four less summers than her Bei.


    Too young to be sent to war.


    Not that she could cast darts.


    Bei and her other charges were too young for war as well and yet she had insisted on allowing them to experience its horrors.


    Such parental neglect, such shame.


    The girl phoenixes burned a swathe through the thundering herd.


    Magic shields held for a moment until shattering.


    Casters stumbled and fell from the backlash giving soldiers, cultivators, mercenaries and opportunistic fighters of every stripe to leap out of their hiding spots in the adjacent buildings.


    They fell on the bull-horse-men like they were those painted dogs on Mr. Wang¡¯s old shows.


    Vicious things. Unlike the noble tiger they didn¡¯t kill their prey before eating.


    The old grandfathers endured the phoenix flames with Skills and plain toughness, the unwillingness to die because death meant failure and failure meant death.


    A great cry suddenly rent the sky.


    One of the phoenixes fell in three pieces.


    One arm.


    One leg.


    And the rest of her.


    She had melted the metal darts in their aura, but that didn¡¯t stop the molten metal from cutting through her limbs.


    The other two abandoned their strafing attacks to grab their sister before she fell to the ground and fly her to safety.


    Their flames cut across the sky like a scar chased by a stream of glinting darts.


    The herd roared in triumph, while the dynasty army cried in despair.


    The command tower loomed.


    The herd was diminished, but showed no signs of slowing.


    They chanted in one deep booming voice.


    ¡°We are the thunder on the plain, no barrier shall slow our strides, nothing will stop our hooves!¡±


    ¡°¡­ Last Charge of the People!¡± the old grandfather bellowed.


    His armor was rent and charred.


    His gray skin and fur was damp with blood.


    A gash across his helm had darkened one eye forever.


    None of it mattered.


    He wouldn¡¯t let death claim him until he reached his destination.


    Grandmother felt a kinship.


    No matter that they weren¡¯t the same species.


    It was a universal thing.


    Or at least it should¡¯ve been.


    An old one¡¯s wish to leave a better world for the young ones.


    Only the selfish thought otherwise.


    She moved faster.


    The true enemy was the selfish sort.


    They thought nothing of bleeding the old and young if it gave them an opening.


    ¡°Hurry up you craven dogs!¡± she snapped at the other cultivators dragging their feet.


    Only a handful were truly willing to risk their lives, while among that small number, many were waiting for the perfect moment to strike in a way that maximized the glory they received.


    ¡°Are you going to wait for them to reach your general?¡±


    ¡°Old cow, be silent or be told,¡± a finely-robed young master scoffed.


    ¡°Wisdom does call for silence. Your presence amongst our august personages is a generous boon,¡± a finely-robed old master said sagely.


    Most of them could¡¯ve left her behind with ease, yet to mock her they kept to her pace.


    ¡°The empress will know that you delayed your hand out of arrogance,¡± she said.


    Mocking laughter trailed in her wake.


    <hr>


    Kayla¡¯s heart thumped in her chest.


    It was the thundering hooves thing.


    Live video allowed them to see the old bull-horse-man activate the Skill and ever since then she could hear their hooves pounding the asphalt, could feel it inside her like the bass at a concert.


    ¡°You guys feel it too, right?¡± she ventured.


    The general didn¡¯t even look at her.


    A few officers regarded her like a dog¡¯s mess on their carpet.


    While the polite ones merely returned their gaze to the large TV screen on the wall.


    Yup.


    The thunder herd thing was getting closer.


    Barricades meant nothing.


    They went through them like wet paper.


    The pops of gun fire got closer.


    The explosions were rattling the high rise windows now.


    Kayla moved farther away from it, she gripped her dragon poleaxe tighter, then remembered that relaxation before battle was important. She didn¡¯t want to burn her muscles out too early by being tense.


    Deep breathing helped her loosen up.


    ¡°You breathe like my mother¡¯s poor dogs,¡± the Phoenix Princess scoffed.


    ¡°Oh, are they, like, pugs?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ sad things. Can¡¯t even breathe properly. Whoever bred them like that deserves the thousand punishments.¡±


    ¡°Oh, is that, like, in your cultural myths?¡±


    ¡°No. My sisters and I created them. Auntie tabled implementation for further discussion,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°Oh¡­ that¡¯s too bad? Um¡­ sorry about your sister.¡±


    The dismay had been palpable when they had watched the young girl lose an arm and a leg.


    Fortunately, being a phoenix meant cauterization was nearly instantaneous.


    She was already being flown back to the capital under a heavy escort of half-sisters.


    Which meant that there was a sudden dearth of phoenixes at the battle front.


    There was one of the oldest ones standing next to Kayla, who still didn¡¯t know her name.


    The empress¡¯ brother was somewhere around with his remaining daughters fighting at other locations.


    As for the empress and her two children?


    Not even the command staff knew where they were.


    ¡°Cowardly dogs.¡±


    The phoenix princess didn¡¯t bother to lower her voice.


    Kayla sucked in a gasp of air.


    For their part the command staff remained intent on their tasks.


    ¡°That herd thunder thing is running out of fire. They¡¯re down to half and they still have two blocks to go. I don¡¯t get what they¡¯re trying to accomplish anyways. We have thousands of soldiers and fighters waiting for them. Our best too.¡±


    Kayla¡¯s scowl was partially-hidden by her dragonscale helm.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ inspirational¡­ I mean. They¡¯re doomed, but they aren¡¯t slowing down or hesitating.¡±


    The phoenix princess snorted.


    ¡°Glorious sacrifice is just a fancy term to avoid using the real one. It¡¯s suicide.. They killed themselves for nothing. It¡¯s only fit for stupid dramas, not real life.¡±


    Kayla remained silent.


    Would that the princess had done so as well.


    They watched the miles-long charge end at the last barricade a block away from the command tower.


    The dynasty¡¯s forces had pinned the remaining herd in a kill box.


    Squeeze triggers.


    Cast spells.


    End the last gasp of the alien invaders.


    That was until a massive burst of light erupted from the middle of the herd.


    Unseen amidst the chaos had been a long box. Like a giant-sized sarcophagus.


    ¡°Danger sense!¡±


    Multiple shouts went up in the command room.


    Soldier rushed in from the hall to pull the general and the phoenix princess.


    ¡°They hid within. The seals blinded our sight. Divine light is revealed!¡± the old oracle lady was going crazy grasping for anyone that would listen. ¡°He is ancient. He is Sesre¡¯s ideal. He is destruction. War of winter or winter¡¯s war. Of the end in devastation for all sides.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­¡± Kayla raised a hand. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we be listening to her.¡±


    It was too late.


    The windows exploded.


    Men and women screamed as the shards cut them deeply.


    In a display of a great injustice the oracle took a shard through the throat.


    A giant of a man stood amidst the rubble.


    He loomed, casting a shadow that seemed to engulf them all.


    The boardroom had high ceilings and the golden plume of an unknown creature¡¯s hair fixed to the top of his golden helm nearly brushed it.


    His golden breastplate was molded in the form a muscular man¡¯s torso.


    Golden vambraces covered all the way to his elbows.


    His bare biceps bulged.


    Shoulders like small boulders rippled.


    They were broad.


    The kind that¡¯d force him to turn sideways to go through the door.


    The white skirt that fell to just above his knees was covered by strips of leather-like fabric covered with golden plates and studs.


    Golden greaves built into boots protected his lower legs.


    He bristled with weaponry.


    One hand held a large round shield in gold with a monstrous, snarling face, whose eyes seemed to be alive. Writhing serpents framed the face. Some extended past the rim like spikes.


    He had to hold his spear at an angle to avoid scraping the ceiling.


    A sheathed sword at his hip.


    A mace on the other side.


    Arrow feathers peeked over one shoulder.


    An axe over the other.


    Long knives sheathed on the outside of both greaves.


    The small compartments in his belt hid even more.


    Golden eyes gazed across the boardroom.


    He planted his spear into the floor to remove his helm.


    Perfection.


    Kayla couldn¡¯t help it.


    The guy was the most gorgeous guy she had ever seen and though he was about to kill them all horribly her heart fluttered.


    ¡°I am Sesre¡¯s Will.¡±


    His voice was rich and deep, like thick honey.


    She wondered what his lips tasted like.


    ¡°Shut up, you!¡± she hissed at herself. ¡°Stop it! Don¡¯t be thirsty, don¡¯t be thirsty!¡±


    ¡°I have come for two things. Give them to me and you will be unharmed¡­ for now.¡±


    ¡°What are you waiting for, shoot him!¡± the general barked like one of those tiny, yapping dogs.


    Spells and bullets splashed against a glowing magic shield.


    The eidolon remained posed like a statue.


    ¡°Give me your general. Give me your princess. The former will die. The latter will be my hostage. The rest may live until the next time.¡±


    So said he donned his helmet once more.


    Their attacks didn¡¯t break his magic shield.


    He did.


    Moving in a blur he charged through the thick, heavy table in the center of the boardroom, splintering it as if it was made out of balsa wood.


    He speared two men and in one smooth motion flicked the spear to shoot their bodies into the mass of bodyguards and officers between him and the general.


    ¡°Overcharge All Attacks!¡± the general shrieked.


    Kayla had already been deafened. Her ears felt like they were stuffed with cotton. So, she didn¡¯t notice much difference.


    Magazines emptied just before gun barrels grew red and split.


    Spells swelled with power beyond what the mages could safely generate and control under their normal limits.


    The eidolon ducked behind his golden shield.


    Bullets sparked off his greaves, knocking him backward like he had been rammed by a car.


    A fireball broke the floor beneath his boots.


    Splashes of acid ate what little remained.


    He burst forward, taking two strides on disintegrating wood.


    ¡°Instantaneous Fire! Exploding Bullets!¡±


    Every gun, even those with empty magazines and broken barrels, fired a burst.


    Individually, they would be as insects against the windshield.


    Together, they knocked the eidolon into the gaping hole.


    ¡°Switch to secondary weapons! Reload! Mages recover what mana you can! You!¡± the general rounded on the old guy with a white beard. ¡°You just stood there. The empress will hear of it.¡±


    The old white beard guy stood impassively.


    Kayla figured he was one of those cultivators and from what she understood they kinda did what they wanted unless the empress or the prince specifically told them to do something. Naturally, their power levels had an inverse relationship to the quality of their obedience.


    The general¡¯s head bodyguard tried to pull the older man through the door.


    ¡°Release me! We¡¯re just as likely to run into him on our way down than not. Better to defend from a position of strength. Besides, the foe was not as great as that foreigner warned. Go!¡± he pointed imperiously at the hole. ¡°Find out if I killed him. If he lives, take him prisoner. He will make a fine gift upon my triumphant return to the Imperial City.¡±


    Is this old guy for real? Kayla thought. Hello, hello? Is this radio telepathy thing working? Am I doing it right?


    Silence.


    It¡¯s me, Kayla, at the command post. Ninety-something floor. Got an eidolon situation. The big war one. Send help, over?


    Hearing nothing in reply she raised her hand the dropped it when she noticed it shaking.


    ¡°Um¡­¡± she struggled for words. ¡°We should leave cause of¡­ structural issues?¡± she shrugged.


    It didn¡¯t take a genius to figured out that a building wasn¡¯t designed to take the kind of damage that had been dished out in just a handful of seconds.


    ¡°Children are to remain silent,¡± one of the general¡¯s officers said.


    ¡°Yes, this is no longer a safe area,¡± the general said. ¡°I generously give you leave to depart at once, foreign observer.¡±


    ¡°¡®Kay.¡±


    Kayla went to the door at a fast walk.


    Dynasty soldiers dropped flashbangs into the hole before dropping down.


    Sadly, she had just reached the door when the screaming started.

 8.19

    Stiff-arms pushed Kayla in the back.


    A shoulder charge jostled her to the side.


    Officers, soldiers, various staff created a crush at the door in their haste to escape room.


    She heard the general¡¯s voice, high, but clear, cutting through the cacophony.


    ¡°Damn cowards! No Retreat, No surrender! I command you to Stand Your Ground and Defend Your General to Your Last Breath!¡±


    Every single one turned and rushed back.


    She didn¡¯t feel the same compulsion, but she stopped and turned to watch.


    It was like a giant monster attack.


    Intellectually, one knew that one should focus their attention on getting as far away as possible. Emotionally, one couldn¡¯t tear their eyes away.


    The eidolon looked like an adult in them middle of a children¡¯s playground as he broke bodies with his shield and spit them on his spear.


    ¡°I. Am. War!¡± he roared. ¡°Not Salla¡¯s weakness, but Sesre¡¯s strength! War in the only way that matters! Death and destruction!¡±


    The Phoenix Princess finally joined the fray, bathing the eidolon in plasma strong enough to spontaneously ignite the plants, walls and carpet in the boardroom.


    ¡°Absorb,¡± the eidolon said.


    The snarling mouth on his shield seemed to open wider, sucking in the flames and even the heat.


    The remaining soldiers gasped in relief at the breaths returned to them.


    ¡°Take him outside!¡± the general gasped.


    ¡°I don¡¯t take orders from you, honored elder,¡± the phoenix princess sneered.


    ¡°Only the callow speak in the middle of a battle,¡± the eidolon hurled his spear.


    The princess screamed.


    ¡°Oh, sh¡ª¡±


    Kayla gaped at the bloody barbed spear head sticking out of the wall.


    Undaunted, the princess sent a stream of burning plasma at the eidolon, who ate it with his monstrous shield.


    He drew his axe and sent it flying with one smooth motion.


    The spinning blade cleaved through three soldiers.


    The last had given his life to shove the general aside.


    ¡°Oh sh¡ª¡±


    Kayla got her dragon poleaxe up just in time.


    Intense cold filled her limbs as the axe blade collided with her haft.


    They struggled for what seemed like an eternity before the eidolon gestured, recalling the axe to his hand.


    He regarded her.


    She wouldn¡¯t be ashamed to admit that a little bit of pee came out under that intense stare.


    The feeling he engendered was familiar.


    It reminded her of all the other times an overwhelmingly superior killer, monster or man, had looked at her with interest.


    ¡°I smell dragon. I haven¡¯t slain one in nearly two centuries. Ocean or sea? It doesn¡¯t matter, it depends on the dragon¡¯s choice, after all.¡±


    Was he speaking to her?


    He was definitely looking at her.


    She felt hot underneath the usually cool dragonscale armor.


    ¡°You demonstrate tactical intelligence in wrapping scales around the haft. A dragon of the depths is resistant, if not outright immune to the frost enchantment,¡± he examined the edge of his axe, ¡°no chip. That suggests a young dragon. You, child, tell me where this dragon lives and I will grant you a place of honor in my army. You will learn at my feet. The knowledge of centuries of warfare for a simple location.¡±


    Kayla didn¡¯t hesitate.


    ¡°Never!¡±


    She only wished that it hadn¡¯t come out in a quivering voice.


    ¡°Perhaps something can be divined from your equipment after I accomplish my aims. General, enough delay. You are out of loyal soldiers to order to their deaths. Will you die like a man? On your feet? Or like an animal, cowering in the dirt?¡±


    ¡°The dynasty is eternal,¡± the general stood tall. ¡°And I am not nearly out of soldiers. Emergency Reinforcement: 1st Army, 3rd Brigade, Tiger Company.¡±


    Soldiers suddenly appeared.


    Squad by squad.


    They acted as if they had been briefed prior.


    Gunfire suppressed the eidolon.


    Grenades exploded at his feet and in his face.


    Soldiers pulled the half-conscious princess from the spear sticking her to the wall, while others ushered the general out the door toward Kayla.


    She felt a whole new world of possibility open with her mind from seeing the general¡¯s Skill in action.


    If he could do it then why not her once she was at a higher level.


    ¡°Gaze of the Gorgon.¡±


    Kayla recognized the words, she shut her eyes and turned her back.


    She missed the shield¡¯s eyes flashing. Missed soldiers turned to stone in an agonizing instant.


    A stone hand gripped the general¡¯s arm like a vise.


    ¡°That bastard ran,¡± the general muttered as he struggled to free himself. ¡°He was supposed to protect me.¡±


    The old white beard cultivator guy had indeed gone missing in the chaos.


    Where were the other cultivators?


    The building was supposed to be swarming with them, not to mention the thousands of soldiers in the vicinity.


    How long did it take to get to the ninety-something floor anyways?


    One of the few remaining soldiers hammered at his stone colleague¡¯s wrist until it broke.


    They pushed past Kayla to get to the elevator.


    Soldiers carrying the princess shoved her aside as well.


    ¡°Shit¡­¡±


    She was the only thing between them and the eidolon.


    He ducked and turned sideways to fit through the doorway.


    The axe flew.


    She blocked, then realized it had spun around her.


    Screams cut short with a wet sizzle followed by a thud.


    ¡°You¡¯re coming with me, child. You and the princess.¡±


    The eidolon had a soothing voice.


    One couldn¡¯t help but want to obey.


    That was until her armor warmed and the dragon poleaxe vibrated.


    Before she had consolidated to captain, one of her classes had been mage.


    As with all things spires, there had been a trade-off.


    Things gained and things lost.


    She had lost all ability to cast spells outside of the basic beginner ones without the gear provided by her great dragon-president.


    In return she had gained even greater spells and abilities that let her fight at levels higher than her actual one.


    ¡°Crashing Wave Hammer Blow!¡±


    She struck the floor with the hammer head studded with broken bits of the dragon-president smallest teeth.


    A mighty shore break appeared before her.


    It crested to nearly six feet in height before crashing into the eidolon.


    He stood unmoved.


    She spun the poleaxe directly into a second attack.


    ¡°Cutting Gale Axe Slash!¡±


    The axe head made from one of the dragon-president¡¯s larger scales sent a curved arc of wind cutting through the walls and furniture in its path until it broke against the eidolon¡¯s golden breastplate.


    ¡°Icy Depths Thrust!¡±


    The tip from one of the dragon-president¡¯s spines shot a thin lance of ice that shattered against the eidolon¡¯s shield.


    Kayla gasped for air.


    Too many, too quickly and he didn¡¯t bother to do more than slightly move his shield arm.


    ¡°There is potential, but I fear that your class is a dead end. Without your benefactor you are nothing.¡±


    ¡°Says the guy whose whole thing is having a whatever god¡¯s juice in him.¡±


    ¡°The divine gift doesn¡¯t replace. It enhances.¡±


    ¡°Alright, good for you¡­ um¡­ I¡¯m just gonna go then, cause you¡¯re here for¡­¡± she glanced back.


    The general was stuck in the far wall.


    The eidolon¡¯s axe was stuck in the general.


    The soldiers were in two pieces with their open ends frozen, which she supposed was nice of the eidolon to spare her the sight of loose organs flowing in rivers of blood.


    As for the phoenix princess?


    Kayla¡¯s last hope was face down in the carpet bleeding from the ragged hole in her shoulder.


    ¡°Right¡­ okay,¡± she knelt slowly. ¡°All hail¡­ uh¡­ Sesre¡ª¡±


    Dragon Pounce!


    A dozen feet without a run up while in armor and carrying a poleaxe amongst other weapons.


    He parried her weapon with his sword.


    It only looked small in his hand.


    The snarling face on his shield crushed her into the wall.


    Her dragon-president¡¯s scales meant bruised ribs and organs rather than broken and exploded.


    A lazy slap with the flat of his blade knocked the poleaxe from her iron grip.


    She drew sickles made from the dragon-president¡¯s curved claws.


    Dragon Claw Combo!


    She moved with faintest conscious control.


    Slice and cut.


    Hook behind the knees where there was only bare skin.


    Get under the armored skirt for the groin.


    Up into the armpits and underneath the chin.


    She struck true, but drew no blood.


    ¡°You lack strength. A stronger warrior would be capable of marking me with the inherent magic within those claws.¡±


    He stabbed his sword into the floor to seize her by the front of her chest armor.


    ¡°Have you progressed far enough in the bond to manifest wings? If not then this will be a good lesson.¡±


    He drew her back like a ball, aiming for the gaping hole in the boardroom and open air.


    Metal screeched, setting her teeth on edge.


    The eidolon screamed and cursed, dropping her in his struggle to pull off his helm.


    She scrambled away, searching for her weapons.


    The eidolon¡¯s enchanted helm deformed as if in the crushing grip of an invisible hand.


    He ripped it off with a great shout.


    The whites of his golden eyes filled with red.


    It leaked wetly from his nose and ears.


    Kayla caught a dash of movement out of the corner of her eye.


    Soft, slippered feet scampering across the carpet.


    Followed by the sound of a gunshot.


    A comically large spiked mace cracked the side of the eidolon¡¯s face.


    ¡°Ha! It is I, the Meteor Hammer, that struck the first blow!¡±


    The cultivator was short guy made to look even smaller by his impossible weapon.


    The eidolon kicked him back the way he had arrived.


    More arriving cultivators dodged their foolish ally.


    Spears struck like vipers.


    Swords slashed like claws.


    Fists and feet that could break bricks and dent iron pounded eidolon flesh.


    A tiny, lithe form slipped, flipped and rolled through the fierce melee.


    She was the only cultivator not clad in silk robes with an appalling lack of actual armor beyond the occasionally mail shirt or steel breastplate.


    The lack of helmet wearing was the most egregious aspect of cultivator combat attire.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Iron-like hands lifted Kayla to her feet.


    ¡°Bei¡¯s grandma?¡±


    ¡°Peh, it is ¡®Grandmother¡¯. It is good to know that western children still don¡¯t know how to properly respect their elders.¡±


    Things were spinning too much of Kayla.


    There were two Grandmothers, which was disconcerting.


    At least they knew the wisdom of wearing full armor with a helmet.


    ¡°Come, we are to escape. Go, lift her,¡± Grandmother gestured to the fallen princess, who was moaning.


    ¡°Huh? Okay¡­¡± Kayla took a thin, dainty looking wrist and struggled to lift the princess¡¯ arm over her shoulder. ¡°Heavier than she looks,¡± she muttered, ¡°hey, aren¡¯t you like extra strong cause of your cultivation whatever? Why don¡¯t you carry her?¡±


    ¡°Because I must fight. The invader wants her and we will all be needed to keep him occupied if we can¡¯t defeat him.¡±


    Grandmother kicked Kayla and the princess into the elevator.


    The doors slid shut.


    Her last sight was Grandmother doing a crazy double twisting flip to avoid a silk-clad cultivator¡¯s crashing body.


    <hr>


    Grandmother snatched Radiant Liu Mei¡¯s Spear of the Heavens as the old woman went flying into the gory remains of the general.


    ¡°Hrm¡­¡± she mused.


    The spear was a plain old spear.


    Disappointing.


    ¡°Not even a spiritual weapon.¡±


    Her estimation of Radiant Liu Mei went up a few notches.


    She didn¡¯t believe in overspecialization.


    It was like placing all one¡¯s eggs into a rickety basket then storing it in a snake¡¯s den.


    Take away the one thing a cultivator was great at and render them as deadly as a toothless cub.


    She preferred being great at many things rather than just one.


    Stork spears the fish carried her to the eidolon.


    The steel tip thrust into the back of his knee.


    Perfect form.


    Perfect technique.


    Strengthened by a carefully controlled application of her Qi.


    Gave her less than an inch of penetration.


    The eidolon whirled and stomped through the spear¡¯s wooden shaft.


    She thrust the jagged end into his face as a distraction.


    Her diminutive size allowed her to dive and roll between his legs with an axe kick to his most treasure possessions.


    She¡¯d teach him to wear proper protection.


    Who wore skirts without underwear?


    It was good to know that debased cultures existed on other worlds.


    They were alien, but still people, which brought her comfort.


    She could understand them and they her.


    The impact rang out like hammer on anvil.


    A wince crossed her face.


    That had hurt her more than it had hurt him by the angry look on his perfect face.


    ¡°Like kicking iron,¡± she muttered as she continued her roll before he could crush her beneath his massive boot.


    ¡°Out of the way old cow!¡± the finely-robbed young master leapt in with tiger swipes the tall grass.


    Twin, curved sabers carved an intricate dance against the eidolon¡¯s fearsome shield.


    ¡°Fool! He welcomes your blows!¡±


    Her warning was too late, not that the arrogant young master was likely to pay heed.


    ¡°Listen to your elders. Wisdom is earned with experience. Reflect Damage,¡± the eidolon smirked.


    The young master cried out.


    His white robes stained with the blood from dozens of cuts.


    The eidolon front-kicked the young master in the chest, shooting him out of the building like a missile.


    A finely-robbed old master abandoned his sneak attack to give chase, cloud-stepping for all he was worth.


    ¡°Are you not wanton destruction?¡± Grandmother said.


    ¡°I am¡­ but what I am not is a mindless beast prone to rampages. There is a time and place for everything. Plus, I have yet to face a challenge to bring out that best part of me,¡± the eidolon said.


    ¡°Hrmm¡­ I have heard it said that Sesre is no true god of war. He is but a pretender. There is only one god of war and her name is Salla.¡±


    The eidolon¡¯s gaze hardened.


    ¡°You know more than you should, old one.¡±


    His amiable tone grew cold.


    ¡°Unfortunate for you, but I must know what else and how.¡±


    ¡°Then you must catch me first,¡± she turned to run.


    A feint.


    Cultivators dropped from concealment.


    ¡°Gaze of the Gorgon.¡±


    A handful turned to stone.


    Only one was strong enough to halt the effect.


    ¡°Inflame the Fires of War.¡±


    Grandmother sought inner peace to combat the sudden frothing rage in her heart.


    Many of the others failed to even try.


    They attacked without heed for their personal safety or of their allies.


    The eidolon blocked, deflected and reflected with his fearsome shield.


    He parried, cut and thrust with his sword.


    Fists and feet escaped from their owners¡¯ possession.


    Heads joined them.


    Bodies were pierced and carved open.


    A spear thrown from outside the building like a falling star exploded against the eidolon¡¯s golden breastplate.


    Grandmother was blown back, only quick hands and an exposed cable saved her from a short flight to the street hundreds of meters below.


    She used the whipping cable to slingshot back into the boardroom.


    Booted feet planted into the stunned eidolon¡¯s perfect face.


    Qi application let her hit with power that rivaled a cannonball.


    A satisfying crunch filled her ears.


    She flipped and cloud-stepped away from the eidolon¡¯s hungry blade.


    Like a serpent, that thing was.


    So quick for such a giant.


    The Verdant Viper darted in like her namesake in billowing green robes.


    Her thin blade cut an almost imperceptible line across the eidolon¡¯s exposed bicep.


    The iridescent substance coating her blade¡¯s edge went into effect quickly.


    The eidolon grunted as the gold-tinged skin on his bicep blackened and bubbled.


    ¡°No mere poison or venom can harm me when Sesre¡¯s divine gift flows through my veins.¡±


    Light flared around the cut.


    He flexed his bicep.


    The bloodless cut remained blackened, but it no longer spread.


    Grandmother glanced to the open sky where the winged eidolon remained locked in a deadly aerial duel with the fledgling phoenix prince.


    She questioned the empress¡¯ motherhood instincts to allow a boy not yet old enough to shave to face a deadly alien invader said to have the power of a god flowing through his veins.


    Such recklessness, such shame.


    She flipped, inverting and planting her boots on the ceiling, at least on what remained.


    Green robes billowed in the wind as the Verdant Viper was sent falling to the ground by a single kick.


    The eidolon fought without art.


    His strikes were straightforward. Efficient.


    She knew that most of cultivators would deny him the title of a true martial artist.


    Such was their arrogance and foolishness.


    What possible greater martial artist was there than the representative of a god of war?


    The question of said godhood notwithstanding.


    If anything one simply need look at the carnage surrounding the eidolon.


    How many soldiers and cultivators lay dead at his feet?


    A hundred?


    It was difficult to count since many bodies were in pieces. While more had surely fallen through the many gaping holes in the floor.


    Cultivators struck with balls of fire and arcs of lightning.


    The eidolon¡¯s fearsome shield swallowed them or he cut them out of the air.


    The sword just like everything else he carried thrummed with power.


    She could sense it as clear as she had felt the bonfire warming her hands with on the cold winter days of her youth.


    ¡°You!¡± the eidolon thrust his blade toward her.


    An enterprising cultivator leapt in with spiked fists only to be shield slammed into the wall.


    The sounds the young man made while the fearsome mouth sucked him dry until only a withered husk remained would stay with her for weeks.


    ¡°You spoke to the dragon follower. You know her. Where is she taking the princess? Tell me and I will let you live to serve Sesre.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°Come now, you only live because my aim isn¡¯t destruction. Look around you. These are your best and I¡¯ve rendered them into piles of meat.¡±


    ¡°It is said that when a true master fights mountains crumble in their wake. I don¡¯t give the saying much regard. It stinks of arrogance and exaggeration. However, a building is nowhere near a mountain. I don¡¯t know how you¡¯d fair against a true master, but even the most blindly arrogant of the lot should¡¯ve found some measure of enlightenment from observing you fight.¡±


    ¡°These aren¡¯t your best? Then I call them craven and idiotic. They just watched as I killed,¡± he scoffed.


    ¡°Cultivators,¡± she shrugged, ¡°care only for the advancement of their Dao. Lives are meaningless. Non-cultivators might as well be sheep. Not even a general matters to them in the end.¡±


    ¡°Such selfishness will lead to your world¡¯s subjugation. I will grind you beneath my boot and teach the survivors the proper way to act.¡±


    ¡°Boring¡­¡±


    The word was spoken with the same energy that Bei and Bai had whenever they complained about chores.


    It sent a chill down Grandmother¡¯s back even as her helmet beeped rising heat alarms.


    ¡°Yes, computer. I don¡¯t need you to tell me!¡± she snapped.


    ¡°Another one,¡± the eidolon sighed. ¡°I suppose I won¡¯t have to track down the one I wounded since you¡¯re so kind to present yourself as my new hostage.¡±


    ¡°Boring¡­ and lame¡­¡±


    The First Phoenix Princess, the empress¡¯ only daughter, the same age as Bei, hovered outside the building.


    A flaming corona of plasma in the shape of a bird that gave their dynasty its name surrounded her.


    Silently, four other plasma-wreathed girls flew down to join the first.


    The remaining cultivators fled, cloud stepping across the sky.


    Grandmother cursed.


    ¡°Your cousin, sister, is still in the building!¡±


    They gave no indication that they had heard.


    She was a peasant to them.


    Her existence wasn¡¯t worth acknowledgment.


    She leapt at the eidolon.


    His blade lashed out, but it was more reflexive rather than deliberate when his attention was on the five fledgling phoenixes.


    She stepped on it and ran up his massive arm, kicking him in the face, flipping over and using the back of his head as a springboard to launch herself to the elevator.


    She pried the doors open and leapt down the shaft just as the phoenixes began their attack.


    <hr>


    Personal duels had never been the arena in which he shined.


    He had been a warrior and a mage once. At home in the thick of battle. Dealing death with a weapon in one hand and magic in the other.


    In time he had become a warmage. Death came in larger quantities as he rained spells down on the enemy¡¯s lines.


    Decades had seen him rise through the ranks all the way into the command tent.


    Sesre noticed him for victories won, acclaim garnered and the widespread devastation and destruction in his wake.


    Eidolon of Sesre.


    The true god of war, not that soft, dithering Salla.


    And this so-called empire dared to send mere children at him.


    Their blasts weren¡¯t flame, though they created heat and fire. They were more akin to what one could find within the great burning orbs that brought light and life to the planets circling them like insects around a candle.


    The semantics didn¡¯t matter.


    Only the effects.


    His enchanted armor cracked.


    His enchanted clothing burned.


    Even his God-given endurance began to falter.


    His skin smoldered while the children denied him the very air to breathe.


    The gorgon shield was at the limit of its absorption powers.


    The floor beneath him burned to ash.


    He hopped back, sheathed his sword, pulled his spear from the wall and hurled it within two blinks of the eye.


    The burning children cried out as one of their number plummeted to the street with the spear in her chest.


    Four left.


    He cast a dome of ice.


    It cracked and melted almost immediately, but he grasped the moment to gulp down a deep breath that¡¯d last him half an hour.


    He stomped and dropped down to the lower floor.


    Obscuring fires and smoke made it difficult to sight the children, but also made it difficult for them to see him.


    He reached down and grabbed the corpse of one of the soldiers he had slain earlier.


    The crack of broken air.


    The brief tunnel in the smoke in the wake of his throw.


    The children scattered.


    One turned her so-called phoenix flames on the corpse.


    She burned it to ash, but missed the axe behind it.


    The frost-enchanted axe cut through her aura. Cut through her arm at the shoulder.


    He shook his head.


    His aim had been off.


    Perhaps, he had been pushed harder than he¡¯d willingly admit.


    The child placed a hand on her bleeding stump, burning it closed.


    He gave her a slight nod before the smoke obscured their sight once again.


    These children had the grit of warriors decades older.


    He relocated, plowing through a wall and headed deeper into the medium-sized structure.


    Streams of burning plasma burst through the outer walls.


    He dodged with the agility of a much smaller man and blocked with his shield when necessary.


    Planting his shield into the floor for cover he dropped to one knee, drew shortbow and arrow and loosed.


    Enchanted steelwood, slyph¡¯s hair and a null heat arrowhead.


    It broke the air, streaking through one of the holes burned through the wall.


    Another child fell away, clutching the arrow in her gut.


    He emptied his quiver, but the remaining children had already scattered.


    He stomped down several floors until he reached a much larger space filled greenery and a gaping opening to the sky.


    Many tables and chairs sat amidst the lawns.


    He hadn¡¯t expected to see such a sight within a structure of metal and glass.


    He supposed having eateries this high up would save the humans of this world a longer trip down to the ground level.


    The space was empty.


    Half-eaten plates sat on the tables amidst spilled cups.


    He took a small measure of pride that he alone had caused them to flee.


    A child came burning around the corner of the gaping opening.


    The one-armed one.


    He saluted her with his sword. ¡°Respect,¡± he nodded.


    She replied with a wordless cry and a stream of concentrated plasma.


    He blocked with the gorgon shield.


    Threw his sword.


    She dived under.


    He kicked a table up, knocking her to the floor.


    The sword returned to his outstretched hand.


    He had to be mindful of his remaining weaponry.


    His spear and axe were too far away for the recall enchantment.


    He strode like an Unstoppable Colossus toward the downed child.


    She spat blood, struggling to rise.


    He raised his sword.


    ¡°Brave child. A true warrior. Under other circumstances I¡¯d take you as hostage. Turn you to our side, but things have escaped from my control and I must return to my command before it falls completely apart. And so, I grant you a warrior¡¯s death.¡±


    A bright, burning beam of plasma took him in the back, sending him flying into one of the small eateries set along the edges of the space.


    ¡°Peasant! How dare you strike at a phoenix!¡±


    Another child.


    Older.


    Her clothing was torn at the shoulder revealing burned skin.


    Ah.


    The one he had intended to take hostage at the beginning of this whole debacle.


    ¡°As you can see,¡± he clambered out, brushing broken glass out of his hair, ¡°your indignation is too late,¡± he nodded to the downed child¡¯s missing arm. ¡°Beyond that, I believe I¡¯ve felled two of your sisters. Black hair, younger then you. But, I must confess. Standard humans do tend to look the same to me regardless of the variance across the infinite worlds.¡±


    Juggernaut¡¯s Charge!


    The floor broke beneath his boots.


    He moved much quicker with the Skill.


    The wounded child screamed as she poured plasma over him.


    The gorgon shield kept him alive.


    The stream cut out.


    He saw the whites of her eyes as his shadow loomed over her like a toppling building.


    Fitting.


    He suspected that he¡¯d need to bring the building down to cover his escape in any case.


    ¡°Dragon Leap! Dragon Dive!¡±


    Great weight on his back bore him to the floor.


    The child dived to the side.


    Stinging pain entered his back through his cracked golden armor.


    ¡°For the president!¡±


    The dragon spike topping the child¡¯s poleaxe slipped between his ribs and entered his lung.


    He roared, shaking her off like a behemoth does an annoying giant blood shrike.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have returned. I no longer have the time to indulge in mercy.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ well¡­ um¡­ I didn¡¯t want to¡­ she made me do it.¡± The child clad in gleaming cerulean dragonscale shot a dirty look at the older phoenix child.


    He moved in a blur.


    She closed her eyes and swung her poleaxe with all her might.


    He stopped just outside the wild swing and cut with his sword.


    To his surprise, she parried it with a spin of her poleaxe.


    He raised his shield.


    ¡°Gaze of the Gorgon.¡±


    She turned away in alarm.


    ¡°Foolish child. Titan¡¯s Strike.¡±


    He shattered the scales protecting her chest with a single blow.


    She bounced off the floor, spitting blood.


    ¡°Give me your name. I will add it to my history. Not for your skill or ability, but for your bravery.¡±


    ¡°Fuck¡­ off¡­ weirdo¡­¡±


    ¡°The choice was yours.¡±


    He raised his boot and brought it down with the weight of an entire army.

 8.20

    A tiny foot, like a baby¡¯s compared to his massive one, kicked him in the ankle.


    The stomp landed next to the dragon follower child¡¯s head.


    To her credit she had never closed her eyes.


    She pulled a dragon claw sickle from her belt and scored a thin line of blood through his thick, thunderhorn leather boot.


    He stomped again, but the child went sliding across the floor.


    A little monkey scampered up his back.


    Small, but strong legs wrapped around his neck, while an armored elbow landed downward blows on his head.


    Pick breaks the ice¡ª


    ¡°Damn, harder than iron.¡±


    ¡ªfailed.


    Python constricts the piglet¡­ also failed.


    ¡°You again?¡± he grabbed at the tiny old woman in the fancy armor. ¡°I will pry you from that shell like a crab. You will tell me where you received it before I grant you the release of death.¡±


    She scampered up his arm like a tiny rodent up a tree.


    Armored legs wrapped around his bicep, while arms wrapped around his giant one.


    She grunted, trying to pull his arm straight.


    ¡°I always enjoy discovering that combat techniques are shared across worlds. I suppose it¡¯s a matter of physiology. There are only so many effective ones that can be performed by our kind. Sadly, you are too weak.¡±


    He flexed his bicep to mock her.


    His one arm held more strength than she could leverage with her entire body.


    Still, she was a lot stronger than she looked.


    He shook her off like the annoying rodent she was, sending her into the interior of the building.


    Three children and one old woman.


    Which to remove first?


    He spat golden blood on broken tiles.


    The closest one.


    She with the cauterized hole in her shoulder.


    ¡°You would¡¯ve been treated honorably as a hostage. Dependent upon your empress¡¯ behavior, of course. However, seeing that she sends children to their deaths, perhaps you would¡¯ve ended up in the same place at the end.¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡±


    He blocked the blast of plasma with the gorgon shield.


    ¡°Weakened. Is that the extent of your ¡®phoenix¡¯ flames?¡±


    ¡°My flame is eternal!¡± she shrieked.


    ¡°It always is,¡± he snorted.


    ¡°Burn!¡±


    ¡°Annoying children!¡±


    The last two swooped in spraying him with plasma.


    They breached the limits of his endurance.


    Skin burned.


    A flick of the wrist sent his blade into the downed child¡¯s leg pinning it to the floor.


    He thrust his free hand toward one of the flying children like an angry raptor claw.


    ¡°Sesre¡¯s Talons.¡±


    A giant, disembodied inhuman hand materialized, lashing out.


    Red for rage.


    Red for war.


    Red for what they birthed.


    The spell wrapped around the burning child like she was a wriggling rodent.


    Grip tightened.


    Claws pierced.


    Child screamed.


    He slammed her into one of the small grassy lawns.


    It ignited on impact.


    Her eyes blazed, mouth open in a wordless scream.


    ¡°Foolish ch¡ª¡±


    He barely raised his shield in time to block the vomit of plasma she expelled.


    Plasma splashed against his back.


    ¡°Die!¡± the other wounded child shrieked.


    Plasma bathed him from above.


    He relinquished the talons to send them after the last remaining flying child.


    She soared, dipping, ducking, diving with the conjured talons on her tail, all the while pouring an endless stream of plasma.


    He spun, trying to keep the gorgon shield between him and the child.


    ¡°Enough of this,¡± he grit his teeth and dismissed the talons. ¡°Heads of the Hydra!¡±


    Seven ethereal heads spewed from his open mouth.


    They grew in size as they snaked out on long, sinuous necks.


    The reptilian heads roared and sprayed venom at the flying child.


    She snarled, flaring her power.


    Venom turned to steam in an instant.


    The heads vanished.


    He cast magic shields, but set them horizontally, rising into the air like a set of stairs.


    Great bounding steps carried him to the flying child.


    He leapt above her.


    ¡°Juggernaut¡¯s Charge!¡±


    He shot through the child¡¯s plasma blast behind the gorgon shield.


    Her arms snapped at the impact.


    He was the hammer. The floor was the anvil. The child was the red hot ingot.


    Plasma blasted him off the child at the last possible instant.


    She still crashed into the floor, but she was saved from being smashed.


    The three children had combined their waning strength.


    They poured everything they had left as he rose to his feet.


    His skin blistered.


    His cracked armor glowed.


    Even the gorgon shield had reached its limits.


    The pouches of holding on his belt exploded.


    Various liquids evaporated almost instantly.


    Knives and various tools shattered.


    The child with broken arms screamed a torrent of plasma from her mouth and eyes to join with the others.


    A magic shield stemmed the tide for a moment before it shattered.


    He replaced it with three layers.


    The heat was unbearable.


    The only things on him that hadn¡¯t been affected were the straps holding his armor and shield in place and that was because they had been made from the skin of a lava snake.


    He caught erratic movement out of the corner of his eye.


    The dragonscale-clad child hobbled toward him, leaning on her poleaxe.


    Blood dribbled down the broken cerulean scales of her chestplate.


    She lifted the front of her dragon-shaped helm to reveal her face.


    Bruised and bloodied, she glared daggers.


    He dismissed the non-existent threat.


    She opened her mouth.


    ¡°Breath of the Ocean Dragon!¡±


    Who was foolish now?


    Dark water spewed forth in a roiling wave that crashed across the floor.


    Cold from the ocean depths washed over him.


    He stood tall against the waves.


    A great cliff upon which the ocean itself could break against for a thousand years with no effect.


    It brought instant relief.


    A cold shower on a hot day.


    The cracks on his armor suddenly spread.


    A most disconcerting sound.


    Like stepping on a frozen lake.


    ¡°Hammer breaks the stone¡­ Yahhh!¡±


    A primal scream.


    A mighty blow.


    His chestplate shattered.


    The enchantment contained within failed.


    The explosion threw him and the tiny old woman many meters from each other.


    She attacked a mere moment later with a flying kick that he barely blocked with the heavily-damaged gorgon shield.


    He imagined he could hear a small scream from the fearsome head.


    He reached out for the old woman, but she flipped away.


    It had been a feint.


    He wanted her at a distance.


    He hurled his shield.


    She fell to her back, used her feet to kick the shield into the sky.


    The subsequent explosion shattered every remaining window and sent them all flying.


    He was slow to rise, but he beat them all.


    The dragonscale-clad child remained flat on her back.


    Only one phoenix child remained conscious.


    The old woman was the only other one still standing.


    ¡°I am the herald of true war and you, old woman, children, thought to bring me low!¡± he laughed with a bravado he didn¡¯t feel. ¡°I am destruction! I am devastation! Your best has merely ruined my clothing,¡± he sneered. ¡°For that you will die¡ª¡±


    The air above him shimmered and rippled.


    A crackling tear slowly formed like in ripping cloth.


    Portal.


    He thrust a hand toward it, trying to counter the spell.


    The construction was perfect. Beyond even his ability.


    ¡°Finally!¡± the old woman snapped. ¡°Took you long enough. ¡®Just get the kid out of there¡¯, you said. ¡®Let them fight¡¯, you said. Peh!¡± she retracted her faceplate to spit. ¡°What? Don¡¯t you talk back to me, girl. Young ones these days, no respect. I don¡¯t care. Everyone almost died. So? Magical interference? Excuses!


    ¡°Who are you talking to, you withered crone!¡± he snarled.


    ¡°You¡¯ll find out, Herald of War,¡± she snorted. ¡°Such arrogance, such regret.¡±


    Before he could say a word an inexorable force grabbed him, squeezing painfully tight, and pulled him into the portal.


    ¡°Stupid children,¡± Grandmother muttered as she hurried to put the first aid kit tucked behind her back to use. ¡°Yes, yes, stupid computer! I read the instructions. Triage this, triage that. I know how that goes. At least the fire stops the bleeding. You little chicks better learn your lesson. War is no place for children. And stop wriggling! Bad for tenderized organs!¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, sir, but there was magical interference and and and I just couldn¡¯t get it to stick, it was like trying to draw on a fish,¡± Cammi stammered.


    ¡°Camster, not your fault,¡± Cal said.


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    ¡°But but but,¡± she lowered her voice, ¡°they died. Kids died.¡±


    ¡°I know, but it wasn¡¯t your fault. It was this guy¡¯s fault,¡± he gestured toward the immobile Eidolon of Sesre laying at their feet.


    The giant of a man glared up at him.


    ¡°As promised, Herd Mother Brusalia. I give you one of the architects of your suffering.¡±


    Hooves thundered into the grass, sending tremors across the entire field.


    They had gathered in a large park.


    The nearby spire was visible and ringed with armed people.


    People, in this case meant a sapient species in the form of a minotaur mixed with a centaur.


    Mythological creatures, which odds suggested probably actually existed somewhere out in the multiverse.


    The People were very real.


    He stood in the middle of a ring of giants with Cammi.


    Their shadows gave the two of them shade from the bright sun.


    The heat from their bodies warmed the cool late fall air for the young wizard. Didn¡¯t do much for him.


    The herd mother¡¯s voice was deep and rich.


    ¡°You¡¯ve delivered two,¡± she kicked the Eidolon of Suiteonem¡¯s head toward the Eidolon of Sesre.


    His eyes bulged with rage.


    ¡°The Eidolon of Ekra will be ash and feathers soon.¡±


    ¡°The body thief?¡±


    ¡°Being dealt with.¡±


    ¡°And the last?¡±


    ¡°She entered the spire. I expect it¡¯s to begin the mobilization of their real army. They don¡¯t need your people anymore.¡±


    ¡°We knew this. That our time was a rapidly burning candle, but what choice did we have. They took the prime of her herd, men and women, to fight in their wars across the worlds. Leaving us, the old and the young. They promised we¡¯d be safe. Hostage to the obedience of our prime ones.¡±


    ¡°Bad luck. They would¡¯ve kept to the letter of their promise. Granted, they would¡¯ve drafted your young ones into their armies when they came of age. But my home being a Terminus World changed plans, spurred them on.¡±


    ¡°The colonial rush. This is known to our people,¡± Herd Mother Brusalia said. ¡°They sacrificed us.¡±


    ¡°I can give you a safe space. We can formalize a treaty later when under less desperate conditions.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯d trade a known master for one unknown.¡±


    ¡°That is the risk. Remain and fight. You¡¯ll surely die between what¡¯s coming and what¡¯s in front of you. The Phoenix Dynasty will not hold back. I¡¯ve bargained for this short window to get your people out of here before things escalate.¡±


    ¡°Our children and grandfathers are still fighting. We will not leave a single soul.¡±


    ¡°Call them back. As for those that can¡¯t make it, I¡¯ll take care of them.¡±


    She leaned forward. Her breath was hot, like standing in front of smoker.


    Her face was an inhuman mix of human and bovine.


    Those sharp horns could easily take an eye or two.


    But he didn¡¯t see that.


    He saw a being that wasn¡¯t much different from him.


    Her eyes were tired from bearing the deaths of hundreds of old and young.


    Her herd was less than a thousand now.


    ¡°What choice do we have? You swore safety, but what worth are words when they swore on their Gods?¡±


    ¡°I swear on myself.¡±


    ¡°Certain death or uncertain death? What a choice to make.¡±


    ¡°Unlike the fake gods, I¡¯m not going to make it for you.¡±


    ¡°You can take us against our will, yet you won¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°Yes on both.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d let us die if we so decided? When you could bind us to your service?¡±


    ¡°No binds, no service. I give freely. All I expect is peaceful coexistence and I suspect that is what your people also want.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d accept, but I know the body thief. I¡¯m certain it is among us and I cannot agree when it means that it will be allowed to spread to another land.¡±


    ¡°I promise that is the least of your concerns. In fact,¡± he pointed.


    Three of the herd rose up into the air.


    They kicked and struggled.


    Begged and threatened.


    Cries of treachery went out across the herd.


    A mother cried for her son.


    A son cried for his mother.


    ¡°Silence!¡± Herd Mother Brusalia bellowed. ¡°Explain yourself or be trampled!¡± she demanded.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. You know that it¡¯s too late once the parasite gets to the brain.¡± He gestured.


    Gray skin and fur burst open to reveal black chitin.


    The herd stomped in collective dismay.


    ¡°Eidolon of Sunothi!¡±


    He crushed them.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let the parts fall on¡ª¡±


    The herd mother¡¯s words fell away when he ripped the eidolons into nothing.


    ¡°Shamans!¡± she cried. ¡°Does it still live?¡±


    They chanted.


    A long, tense moment passed.


    ¡°Nothing. We find nothing,¡± the oldest shaman said.


    ¡°One of it remains, but not for long,¡± he said.


    ¡°We will trust for we have nothing left. Your prisoner?¡± she gestured toward the Eidolon of Sesre.


    ¡°Not mine. Yours.¡±


    ¡°You will hold him?¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s what you want.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need him for information?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°Then we have an agreement. The horns will sound. The herd will converge here. We will trust.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do my best to fulfill my part,¡± he nodded, extending a hand that was swallowed up by hers.


    The herd mother bellowed.


    The cry was echoed across the herd.


    He grabbed Cammi and flew up into the sky.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look.¡±


    Her face twisted as an involuntary shiver ran up her back.


    ¡°I can¡¯t even see anything if I wanted to.¡± She peered through her glasses before making a decision and taking them off.


    ¡°Good call, best not to see something like that when you have the choice. Portal back to base. Be ready in case Howard¡¯s team needs backup. I¡¯ll be flying the herd out of here, so remind everyone to be careful. There won¡¯t be any last minute emergency saves until I get back in the area.¡±


    The herd expended years of gathering rage and pain on the Eidolon of Sesre.


    Thundering hooves trampled him into the grass until all that remained was a golden smear.


    <hr>


    The weird smell had hit Howard in the face three blocks before he got to the nondescript office building.


    The pleasant ocean scent from the bay visible in the distance had been instantly wiped out.


    ¡°Found it,¡± he said into the comms. ¡°Proceeding,¡± he drew his fancy alien pistol before climbing through a broken window.


    He carefully placed an emergency portal stone in the middle of the room.


    Some kind of office going by the desks and cubicles.


    Good to know they had those things in China too.


    His boots sounded way too loud to his ears.


    Sure, he had an animal¡¯s ears, but so did the eidolon.


    Hopefully, the boss was right and it was in the middle of splitting off bits of itself to spread around.


    The boss had been hunting down and killing all the nasty parasites across the country over the last month.


    This was the last one.


    Probably the original.


    Unless the original was on another world, which was horrifying to think about, but nothing he could do about it in that case.


    He could only kill what was in front of him.


    The scent trail led him to a large, walk-in storage closest.


    Office supplies and human skin hung up like suits in a rich man¡¯s closet.


    What the fuck!


    The skin suits were covered in a clear slime.


    The source of the smell.


    Sweet and sour at the same time and way too good.


    He tasted sour candy.


    Damn¡­ he didn¡¯t like that mental image.


    He wasn¡¯t going to look at candy the same way for a long time.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a lock on the portal stone.¡± Teddy Bear¡¯s voice came crystal clear over the comms.


    ¡°How¡¯s the scrying coming along? Would be nice to know where it is so I can stop creeping around like the poor bastard that gets got in a horror movie.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, er, negative. Interference. We know it has good senses. Maybe you can set a trap?¡±


    ¡°Huh? You¡¯re not so useless after all, kid. Thanks.¡±


    ¡°Wait? I was use¡ª¡±


    Howard tossed an incendiary grenade into the closet and hurried down the corridor to wait around the corner.


    Burning its wardrobe should send it running. Make it careless.


    He heard the skittering before he saw the black chitin flash through the door on the other end.


    The targeting system linking pistol to helmet beeped.


    He squeezed the trigger.


    The viral round magnetically accelerated to the speed of sound with a loud bang.


    It struck center mass, plunging through black chitin before expelling its contents.


    The liquid in the bullet expanded to about six inches in diameter breaking down everything inside into nothing.


    Fuck if he knew how it worked. Something about it being like a virus, but not really cause it didn¡¯t last past the six inch sphere.


    So, no risk of contamination beyond that. Just don¡¯t accidentally shoot yourself or within six inches of yourself.


    The Eidolon of Sunothi.


    Fancy name for an insect.


    Fine, humanoid insect.


    He didn¡¯t want to be speciest, but the fucker ate people from inside then wore their skin like a suit and pretended to be the person.


    Like that poor bastard Cal found at the port.


    Dude had a wife and little kids.


    He was dead cause of the insectoid fucker.


    Wife a widow.


    Kids without their daddy.


    ¡°Ain¡¯t fair.¡±


    The eidolon staggered, but kept moving despite having a big hole in its chest.


    ¡°Shit¡­¡±


    The viral rounds were so expensive that he only had ten total. Five in the pistol and five in the toughest armory safe all the way back in California.


    He considered his other guns, the axe, the mace, the knives.


    Better not take dumb risks.


    He squeezed another viral round into its mouth-mandibles.


    No face eidolon dropped to the floor and twitched.


    ¡°Serviced, mother fucker!¡±


    He lobbed an alchemical acid bomb just to be sure.


    Santi made the good stuff.


    Black chitin didn¡¯t take long to turn into black goo.


    ¡°Target is down,¡± he said into the comms.


    ¡°Cool, I mean, copy. Interference is down,¡± Teddy Bear said. ¡°Be careful.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know.¡± He kept his eyes on the sizzling remains.


    They weren¡¯t exactly sure how it made its little parasites.


    Best to be extra careful.


    Only guaranteed way to spot the things was the boss and he was doing a cattle drive.


    Shit!


    He tamped down on that shit.


    Didn¡¯t want to be a speciest.


    It was like his therapists said.


    He had to be willing to see that the problem existed before he could fix it.


    It was a whole process thing.


    Just had to trust it even if it involved taking kids like those two wizards into a war zone.


    He supposed he couldn¡¯t blame the boss for doing that.


    Their Ms. Teacher had specifically requested for the boss to do that.


    Howard had watched the magical talking bird message she had sent.


    <hr>


    Phoenix Dynasty soldiers mined the area beyond the spire¡¯s safe zone.


    Cal dropped down near the Phoenix Empress.


    Her elite guard reacted like bees when a bear attacked the hive for sweet honey.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡±


    ¡°Raise your hands!¡±


    ¡°Get on the ground!¡±


    Contradictory orders bombarded him from all direction.


    The empress¡¯s face looked as if it was carved from marble. Only her beating heart betrayed surprise.


    Despite all the safeguards from dozens of spells and Skills from her bodyguards, none had detected his presence.


    She waved her guards away.


    They turned as one, leaving her and Cal inside a ringed circle bristling with weapons.


    ¡°In less than thirty minutes you¡¯ve removed every single invader from my city. Even their dead. And despite having a thousand pairs of eyes watching, none of them can tell me how you did it. Not my oracles, nor my best scouts. Not hundreds of cameras, mundane and magical. Not even Three-eyed Shang.¡±


    ¡°It got a little cloudy.¡± He pointed to the sky and the sparse cloud cover. ¡°Plus, there¡¯s the whole fog of war thing.¡±


    ¡°No matter. I consider that portion of our bargain fulfilled. Now, about the eidolons? I understand you didn¡¯t take any prisoner.¡±


    ¡°Two are golden smears somewhere around here. There¡¯s nothing left of another. If you wanted prisoners then you shouldn¡¯t have burned the winged one to ashes.¡±


    ¡°My brother and son killed that one. He deserved a measure of vengeance. The aliens killed two of my nieces and maimed two others. My brother is understandably upset.¡±


    ¡°Kids don¡¯t belong in war.¡±


    ¡°This world is war. Monsters, humans, aliens. The spires made it so. Those that lived have learned valuable lessons.¡±


    ¡°And that is?¡±


    ¡°The invincibility of youth doesn¡¯t exist. That there will always be someone stronger. That their mother and father won¡¯t always be around to protect them. Pick one. There are dozens more.¡±


    ¡°Lesson through trauma. From my experience those stick the best. The downside is that traumatized children make traumatized adults. And that isn¡¯t good for them and those around them.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d raise soft children that will break the first time they face overwhelming adversity and thus you waste decades of resources put into their upbringing.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d raise children, not weapons.¡±


    ¡°Weapons are what is needed in this world.¡±


    ¡°Disagree¡­ I¡¯d like to add something to our bargain.¡±


    The empress¡¯ gazed hardened.


    ¡°An ally that shifts his mood like a flower in the wind is no ally.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t cost you anything. Your nieces. The ones maimed. I can get them fitted with prosthetics. Magitech. Custom made. Or if they¡¯re willing to wait, it might be possible for their limbs to be regrown.¡±


    ¡°I accept, however, let them go without for a few months. They need to suffer the loss to rise above it and become stronger for the experience.¡±


    ¡°For a phoenix that¡¯s cold.¡±


    She gave him a mirthless smile.


    ¡°I am an empress as well as the phoenix. To rule is to put aside sentimentality.¡±


    ¡°So, you don¡¯t care about prosthetics for all your soldiers and cultivators that lost limbs?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d accept a free gift, but I suspect your generosity only extends to those like us. The ones that stand above.¡±


    ¡°True, in part. You¡¯d have to pay for materials and labor. Alternatively, I can broker a deal between you and the prosthetic makers. They may be willing to teach.¡±


    ¡°I will consider it.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I believe that concludes our agreement. As for the future¡ª¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t commit at this time. I¡¯m inclined to maintain my position regardless of any additional enticements. Neither my brother, nor I can be made available for these worldwide Quests of yours. We can¡¯t leave. The skirmish with the eidolons made that clear. However, I will allow the children and my master cultivators to join you pending the needs of my empire. It will be valuable experience.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± He floated off the ground.


    ¡°You won¡¯t join the fight?¡±


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t included in the initial deal. I believe I¡¯ve given you all the intel you need to get a jump on their real army. So, good luck. I¡¯m counting on you to hold them here.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t doubt our ability. Not even stone can withstand our flames.¡±


    ¡°What was that you were saying about overconfidence?¡±


    She laughed.


    ¡°We¡¯ve mined around the spires you said they¡¯d arrive through. I¡¯ve positioned full forces from the north here in Shenzhen as well as pulled them from Hong Kong to the south. The eidolons made a mistake in coming through here. They¡¯re trapped by my armies to the north and south. By the ocean to the east and west.¡±


    ¡°They had no way to tell where they¡¯d emerge. I suggest you find a way to monitor all the spires in your territory because I can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Such isn¡¯t your place.¡±


    ¡°Unless there¡¯s an emergency situation the next time we speak will be to arrange your nieces¡¯ trip to get their treatment. I¡¯d be willing to transport a diplomatic team for negotiation purposes. Let¡¯s say, keep it under ten people. I¡¯ll turn a blind eye to spies, but no assassins or saboteur-types allowed.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s acceptable.¡±


    ¡°Good luck again and don¡¯t underestimate the Stone Lords. They¡¯ll fight more like our modern military than old style.¡±


    ¡°I know. I¡¯ve read your scouting report. Had my finest military minds go over them multiple times. We¡¯re prepared for what¡¯s coming.¡±


    He departed with a wave and flew straight to their warehouse base.

 8.21

    Cal pretended to ignore the two concealed presences keeping watch.


    ¡°Boss,¡± Howard grunted. ¡°Good talk?¡±


    ¡°It went how I expected. Any issues here?¡±


    ¡°Nope¡­ well¡­ a squad of dynasty warriors came by demanding the magic artifacts. Hanna told them to pound sand cause of our deal. Too bad that war guy¡¯s gear went boom. I watched the recording. That gorgon shield was for real.¡±


    ¡°They took the spear and axe from the battle site though,¡± Cammi said.


    The young wizard¡¯s open spellbook hovered in front of her.


    She also hovered a few feet off the floor in lotus position.


    The small jewelry hanging from the brim of her pointy hat tinkled slightly in the non-existent wind.


    ¡°I¡¯m tracking their signatures.¡±


    ¡°Good. We¡¯ll grab them on our way. Hanna, are you good to go?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I can sense that there¡¯s still work for me here, but we can¡¯t overstay our welcome.¡±


    ¡°For now. Are you okay with the empress¡¯ promise to crack down on slavery?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s acceptable in the short term.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve freed a lot and Cherry and Ginessa are waiting with the rest for us to pick up.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s never enough. It won¡¯t be until slavery has been completely eradicated.¡±


    ¡°One day.¡± He nodded and left her to her meditation.


    Grandmother sat with Bei, Marisol, Rizel and Danilo.


    Their meditation was a deeper sort.


    He watched their Qi being replenished from within and from the trace amounts in the surrounding environment.


    There wasn¡¯t much from the latter since the warehouse was a sterile place without much life.


    At least there was enough for Danilo¡¯s broken ribs to be on the mend.


    As for Efren?


    The young man lay on a stretcher.


    His armor had been removed to treat his severed arm.


    The bandage around his elbow wasn¡¯t bloody, which was a testament to the powerful and varied medical protocols of Cal¡¯s operation.


    Efren struggled to rise when he noticed he was being watched.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, dude, you¡¯re down an arm. Don¡¯t move.¡±


    ¡°Y¡ª yeah,¡± Efren chuckled, tears brimmed in his eyes.


    ¡°You did good. Saved Bei from what I heard. I¡¯m not telling you how to feel about it, but¡­¡±


    ¡°N¡ª no, I don¡¯t regret it. She¡¯d have done the same for me. All of us would¡¯ve. Besides¡­¡± he gazed at Hanna¡¯s straight back. ¡°She said that I can get a new one.¡±


    ¡°Right away. It¡¯ll be up to you, but I can take you right after my stop in Manila. You might want to let your family know what¡¯s up first. And maybe take some time to ponder your options. You can have a magitech replacement in a week or you can wait. My sister in-law can probably help you regrow it. To bad your arm was damaged too badly. She probably could¡¯ve reattached it in, like, an hour or two.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ yeah¡­¡± he grimaced. ¡°My parents aren¡¯t going to be happy. This is exactly what my mom warned me about,¡± he tried to wave his stump, but gave up because of the pain.


    Cal glanced at the unconscious teenager in the stretcher near Efren¡¯s.


    Kayla had taken busted ribs, ruptured organs and a concussion.


    She¡¯d passed out and woken up at least twice in the fight with the Eidolon of Sesre.


    In exchange, she hit Level 30 and got a powerful ability.


    It was just like the spires to reward trauma.


    He could imagine their trajectory.


    They¡¯d seek increasing danger as they grew and leveled.


    Almost like chasing a high.


    He felt bad.


    It¡¯d only encourage Cezirichella to send more of her underage warriors to duplicate Kayla¡¯s success.


    What the girl dragon would miss was that the margins between life and death for Kayla had been paper thin.


    There was no question about it.


    If he hadn¡¯t interfered by crushing the eidolon¡¯s helmet she¡¯d have died in that moment.


    The worst part for him was he that didn¡¯t do the same for the fledgling phoenixes, nor the soldiers and cultivators.


    Maybe he couldn¡¯t have for every single one, but he could¡¯ve for some at the risk of letting the Eidolon of Sunothi place parasites in more of Herd Mother Brusalia¡¯s people.


    He patted Efren on the shoulder.


    ¡°Parents just don¡¯t want to see their kids hurt.¡±


    ¡°Hey, guys! It¡¯s ready!¡± Rupert said.


    The young wizard¡¯s pointy hat bobbed in excitement as the pages of his levitating spellbook turned without his touch.


    His spell turned the images in five different scrying orbs into large projections going almost all the way to the cavernous warehouse¡¯s ceiling.


    It reminded Cal of watching Saturday and Sunday football at an old Vegas sportsbook.


    Except, instead of gridiron gladiators playing for fun and hundreds of millions of dollars he was about to watch bloody violent war.


    Multiple meditations halted.


    ¡°Ah! This takes me back to Macau!¡± Tsingtao Wanderer dropped concealment and ambled over.


    The man¡¯s blood alcohol level was yes! Yet he only swayed slightly as his large belly jiggled beneath dark robes chosen for the ability to hide stains.


    ¡°Such entertainment!¡± he belched most unpleasantly. ¡°Employer! I wish to remain in your service for such sights!¡± He threw a meaty, sweaty arm around Cal¡¯s shoulders. ¡°And the points¡­ so many points,¡± he whispered conspiratorially.


    ¡°The points are dependent on the difficulty of the task.¡±


    ¡°Yes! Naturally! Something tells me that you will bring me only the most difficult of tasks!¡±


    A hearty chuckle filled the air around his head with a strong scent of booze.


    ¡°I accept your offer.¡±


    ¡°A time for celebration!¡± He pulled a six pack from one of the many pouches tied to the thick rope belt upon which his belly hung. ¡°Who wants to share?¡±


    Cal raised a hand.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take one, even if I can¡¯t get drunk.¡±


    ¡°My heart bleeds for you¡­ who else?¡± the Tsingtao Wanderer handed a beer over.


    ¡°Over here.¡±


    Howard snatched the cold missile out of the air.


    Danilo raised his hand, but dropped it when Grandmother smacked the back of his head.


    ¡°Tch.¡± Twice Clever Fox appeared peering over Rupert¡¯s shoulder.


    The young wizard jumped, causing the projections to waver.


    ¡°Drunken fool,¡± the fox-masked woman said. ¡°I, too, wish to continue employment.¡±


    In contrast to the drunk cultivator who swayed where he stood, she remained motionless, relaxed, but ready to spring into action in an instant.


    Her eyes imperceptibly flicked to Bei.


    ¡°I would join not out of careless greed, nor of a scatterbrained child¡¯s need for bright flashing colors and loud sounds. I would join for the challenge and opportunity for growth.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re both in. You¡¯ll get all the challenge you want. There are other benefits, but we can go over that later. You can quit whenever you want as long as it isn¡¯t in the middle of a Quest. How long will you need to get your affairs in order?¡±


    ¡°I go wherever fate takes me! If that is at a moment¡¯s notice then, so be it!¡± the Tsingtao Wanderer boomed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll need a week,¡± the Twice Clever Fox said after a moment.


    ¡°Enough business talk!¡± The Tsingtao Wanderer pointed at Rupert¡¯s projections. ¡°It is time for war!¡±


    <hr>


    How to describe the first Stone Lord that emerged from the spire?


    A walking tank?


    An elephant, but on two, thick, stumpy legs?


    It certainly had a similar slate gray color.


    However, that was the extent of the similarity.


    A walking tomb, perhaps?


    Remy had encountered one on his off world adventure.


    He had called it a mech, though it was less something piloted, but rather a new body for the ancient Stone Lord entombed within.


    They, for the species had but one gender, was the greatest and rarest example of their people for it was the unlucky one in a million that lived to such an age.


    What was it?


    The words seemed inadequate.


    They bristled with combat systems at the height of what a people that aspired to become master artisans across all disciplines as a minimum.


    The dubious gift of long lives paired with stubborn single-mindedness.


    They moved with the smooth grace of a biological creature. They lacked the ponderous mechanical movement of something as inelegant as slow hydraulics or jerky gears and levers.


    Each step shook the ground.


    They halted at the boundary between the safe zone around the spire and the Phoenix Dynasty¡¯s killing field.


    No words emerged, though Remy had said the one he had encountered spoke.


    A sarcophagus?


    A work of art.


    Carvings and sculptures across the armored surface depicted the Stone Lord¡¯s deeds across a millennia of life before they returned to the stone from which they had been birthed.


    It reminded Cal of religious art and architecture.


    The Stone Lord stepped beyond the safe zone with the weight of inevitability.


    The dynasty had dug into positions on the other side of the minefield they had sowed across a few hundred meters of open, grass-covered park land. Farther back were mortars. Even farther back in the city, were a handful of reassembled artillery pieces and one rocket battery.


    For a mobile force they had dozens of technicals, civilian trucks and SUV¡¯s modified with steel plates and mounted with machine guns or grenade launchers. Of real military vehicles they had much less. A handful of APC¡¯s and two main battle tanks. These waited in reserve within the city.


    Their air force consisted of a fighter jet and two attack helicopters waiting at the airport and a handful of phoenixes.


    In truth, all they needed was one.


    The Phoenix Empress had yet to expend her flame.


    The great cyclopean eye in the center of the Stone Lord¡¯s front facade opened.


    A blink.


    A bright red beam, thin as finger swept across the minefield.


    The great swath of green erupted sending grass, dirt and shrapnel billowing into the air.


    The Stone Lord sprinted into the debris cloud with speed that belied its size.


    Zero to sixty miles per hour in a handful of strides.


    The dynasty commander reacted quickly from the looks of it.


    Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    The soldiers in the rear of the hastily dug trench and bunker works retreated into waiting trucks.


    Cloud stepping cultivators outpaced them.


    The unfortunate soldiers in the front had no choice but to open fire.


    Bullets, spells and grenades poured into the debris cloud.


    The red glare emerged like a lighthouse in the fog.


    This wasn¡¯t a comforting sight.


    The beam lanced out, sweeping across the first line of defense.


    Human bodies burst like water balloons, leaving a fine red mist to waft against the Stone Lord¡¯s slate gray armor as it thunder over the trenches.


    A cultivator in pristine white and silver robes leapt from the tree tops, descending like an arrow.


    ¡°Yaaaa! Heaven¡¯s fist shatters hell¡¯s gate!¡±


    A punch to demolish steel broke against the Stone Lord.


    Their torso swiveled.


    A great grinding sound erupted.


    The cultivator disappeared into red mist.


    Three giant coruscating circular saws attached to a flexible arm had emerged from the Stone Lord¡¯s side.


    A second arm emerged from the other side.


    It split apart into serpent-like tentacles.


    Each spat a stream of high-speed projectiles.


    Solid titanium flechettes that pierced through armor like paper and shattered magic shields through sheer weight of numbers.


    ¡°Three-sixty coverage,¡± Howard murmured.


    The rest could only watch in stunned silence.


    Cal compared this Stone Lord to the one Remy told him about.


    There appeared to be a sizable gap in capability.


    Granted, Remy¡¯s had been part of a barebones expeditionary force.


    This one had full access to their artisan-industrial might.


    ¡°It hasn¡¯t deployed defensive systems yet,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t need it. Everything they¡¯re throwing at it is bouncing off,¡± Howard said.


    ¡°Magic is layered into the stone and metal. Perfect craftsmanship combined with materials steeped in magic for centuries.¡±


    ¡°We should get some of that, boss,¡± Howard hinted.


    ¡°The empress was savvy enough to stipulate they get everything from the Stone Lords. Anything we want we¡¯ll have to bargain for after.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ just pluck that thing and take it somewhere else to smash.¡±


    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t matter anyways. As far as anyone knows only the Stone Lords can make it work. Take the one inside out or kill it and the whole thing stops working. Some kind of kill switch. Either it blows up big enough to take down a skyscraper or crumbles into pieces.¡±


    A soldier sprang out of the trench to land on the Stone Lord¡¯s back.


    The brave fool turned one grenade into an entire crate with a Skill at the cost of his life.


    He made the Stone Lord stumble forward a step.


    A cultivator wielding twin sabers turned into a whirlwind of slicing steel.


    Two flechette-spitting tentacles fell to the dirt at the cost of her life.


    Dynasty fighters died by the dozens.


    The only reason there wasn¡¯t more was the quick retreat.


    While the lone Stone Lord scattered an army, more of their kind emerged from the spires.


    These were recognizably humanoid despite the fact that thick armor covered every inch of them.


    They were short.


    The tallest looked to be about five feet tall.


    When compared to a human they were much stouter and stockier proportionally with thick arms and legs to put any human bodybuilder or strongman to shame.


    Their armor had that same slate gray look as the Stone Lord¡¯s mobile sarcophagus.


    Their main weapon was transformable. Able to be a semi-automatic rifle or any type of polearm.


    Master craftsmanship, superior materials and enchantments eliminated the traditional drawbacks of a transformable weapon.


    They scoffed at the common human expectation that more moving parts meant more possible points of failure.


    The Stone Lords infantry assembled in widely spaced columns as they marched in lockstep out of the spire¡¯s safe zone.


    That was when the Phoenix Empress dived out of the sky like a hunting eagle.


    She bathed them in plasma at a level of intensity and quantity that the fledgling phoenixes could only dream of.


    To their credit they reacted calmly.


    Their rifles weren¡¯t combustion based which saved them from the empress¡¯ intense heat.


    Titanium flechettes propelled by enchanted springs exploded out of fifty barrels.


    The empress twirled and weaved.


    Her aura melted the flechettes into nothing before they could reach her.


    They fired again and again in perfectly synchronized volleys while she weaved above them and poured an unceasing torrent of super-heated plasma.


    The Stone Lords began to fall within a minute.


    Their weapons and armor melted.


    It was an impressive feat to last that long.


    Just like that only one Stone Lord remained at this spire.


    They continued their assault, perhaps, surprisingly they didn¡¯t turn around to engage the empress.


    It would¡¯ve been futile since she zoomed through the sky toward the next spire and the next contingent of Stone Lord infantry.


    ¡°They¡¯re lucky that there¡¯s only one of those walking tanks,¡± Rupert said.


    ¡°Kinda like a game of chicken,¡± Howard said.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°The empress and the tank. She just proved she can burn the rest of them to nothing and it proved that the dynasty can¡¯t stop it without her, maybe. So, who¡¯s gonna blink first?¡±


    ¡°An irrelevant point,¡± the Twice Clever Fox said. ¡°It can¡¯t bring its power to bear on the empress. She decides if there will be a clash.¡±


    ¡°Bah!¡± the Tsingtao Wanderer belched. ¡°If they¡¯re smart they will let the behemoth lumber about. No wisdom in wrestling the bear when you can just run away and wait for your mother to save you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s moving pretty fast,¡± Rupert said.


    So said, the Stone Lord caught the back of fleeing truck with a clawed hand.


    They crushed a pair of unlucky soldiers along with the sheet metal.


    One mighty heave flipped the truck over.


    The running battle reached the edge of the park when the artillery announced their presence.


    Explosive shells rained down on the Stone Lord.


    Rockets blasted a wide area.


    Machine gun emplacements and grenade launchers hidden in buildings opened fire.


    The cacophony was deafening.


    The Stone Lord¡¯s cyclopean eye opened.


    A flash cut across an entire block of buildings, sending them crumbling down to swallow the soldiers within.


    ¡°They¡¯re doing a lot better than I expected,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Shit, that¡¯s them doing better?¡± Howard said.


    ¡°Where would you rate it on the hypothetical level scale?¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Seventy to eighty, but scaling isn¡¯t concrete. Vulnerabilities matter. Or in this case the lack thereof. The soldiers don¡¯t have anything that can get through the armor.¡±


    ¡°What about the master level cultivators?¡± Rupert said.


    ¡°The strongest are in the fifty range on the standard class level scale. The empress should be able to stop it, but she¡¯s decided to deal with the other invasion points.¡±


    ¡°Probably the most tactically sound move,¡± Howard said. ¡°I¡¯d do the same. Contest the claim and force them to come in a trickle like this. Not like the easy mass transit when the eidolons had a full claim.¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we do something?¡± Cammi said. ¡°It¡¯s killing so many people.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s on them for not doing the obvious thing and keeping their distance,¡± Howard shrugged. ¡°Let it stomp around and laser your buildings. That¡¯s about all it¡¯ll get done. If it goes back to reclaim the spire area then that¡¯s even better. It¡¯ll be stuck in one place not killing your soldiers.¡±


    So said, dynasty mages turned the asphalt underneath the Stone Lord¡¯s massive legs into a sticky goop.


    It slowed and absorbed another round of artillery shelling.


    Friendly fire claimed mage lives.


    ¡°I think we¡¯ve seen enough. It¡¯s time to leave,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°You sure, boss? Maybe you can lend a hand? Put them in your debt,¡± Howard said.


    ¡°Our agreement was clear. I¡¯m not to get involved in this battle. If she changes her mind then she knows how to reach me. Shut everything off and pack up. I want to get out of here before we start catching some stray shots.¡± He turned to Twice Clever Fox. ¡°I can drop you off at your home town. It¡¯s on the way.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she bowed.


    <hr>


    ¡°I promise you and your family will be safe. You don¡¯t have to believe me, here.¡± Ginessa handed the teenage boy a smartphone. ¡°Listen to your friend. He and his family are already in Manila.¡±


    She stepped back to let the teenager watch the video.


    He looked like a frightened little rabbit, which triggered her predatory instincts.


    She gave him a tight-lipped smile to avoid triggering his prey instincts.


    ¡°This is real?¡± he said.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°But she needs me.¡±


    ¡°No, she doesn¡¯t. She¡¯s grooming you. All you are to her is food. She¡¯ll drain your life force until you¡¯re an old man before you turn twenty. Think. How many old people have you seen in her mansion?¡±


    The wheels turned in his head.


    The fox-tailed woman¡¯s fangs were deep in the teen, but Ginessa subtly worked her own charms to help open his eyes.


    ¡°If you stay then you¡¯ll be a withered husk in five years. Death will be a relief. Do you know what she¡¯ll do then?¡±


    He shook his head.


    ¡°She has a type. Think about your little brother. I know she¡¯s already marked him to replace you when the time comes.¡±


    That snapped him out of it.


    His eyes cleared.


    Rapid blinks.


    It was like watching someone come out of a deep slumber and a pleasant dream.


    In this case reality was a nightmare.


    ¡°Okay¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad!¡± She smiled that tight-lipped smile.


    No sense in scaring him off with her fangs.


    ¡°Your family is already waiting. We just need to go to your home and wait for our ride out of here.¡±


    She led him through the mansion¡¯s halls.


    It was an old place in the Imperial City that had probably been a museum in the pre-spires days.


    The fox-tailed woman¡¯s class gave her power, which she turned into status high enough to claim it along with the dynasty turning a blind eye to her more horrific tendencies.


    After all, what were a dozen peasant boys turned into withered husks per year when they could call on her services.


    Servants and patrolling guards eyed her and the teen, but didn¡¯t stop her.


    The empress had given permission.


    After all, what were a few dozen peasant families allowed to leave when it gave the empress a powerful ally.


    They were almost in the clear when a burst of rose petals swirled in front of the doors.


    The fox-tailed woman appeared in her fully human guise.


    Ginessa saw a bit more with her supernatural eyes.


    The faint hint of orange fox ears and four bushy tails waving behind the woman like a fan.


    ¡°Hypnotic,¡± Ginessa said. ¡°But you can¡¯t stop us. The empress gave her word.¡±


    ¡°To be insulted in my own home. Such shame, such arrogance.¡±


    Unlike Ginessa the fox-tailed woman¡¯s sibilant smile concealed nothing.


    The teenager froze.


    Just like a rabbit.


    ¡°This will be the last one. Though you deserve worse than losing a few boys.¡±


    ¡°A few boys? You mean my loves. Each one from the bottom of my heart. Haven¡¯t I loved you?¡± Shining eyes bored into the teen¡¯s.


    Ginessa stepped in the way.


    ¡°Don¡¯t listen to her. Remember the truth. Think of your brother.¡±


    ¡°I will love him to.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t call it love. Love isn¡¯t turning young men into husks for growth and power.¡±


    ¡°I give them unimaginable pleasure. Nothing else in this world can compare. What use is living a long life without my love? Better to experience it even if time is short.¡±


    ¡°Get out of our way. The empress¡ª¡±


    ¡°Is faraway from here¡­ and this is a dangerous world. All sorts of monsters have been emerging. Spawn Zones spit out stronger ones. Alien invaders from an infinite number of worlds. Any one of these things may befall the unlucky. Yes¡­ even here in the heart of the Imperial City. Why, just last week a strange horror emerged from a spire not far from here. Naturally, as it is my duty, I slew the creature with minor assistance from the empress¡¯ soldiers and cultivators. I can only imagine the next horror. The one that you tragically stumbled into.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t really believe that you¡¯ll get away with such a blatantly obvious story. I promise you that you won¡¯t. You¡¯ll pay.¡±


    ¡°The empress is pragmatic. I¡¯m confident she¡¯ll see that my continued loyal service is worth more than avenging some foreign dog slut.¡±


    ¡°First of all¡­ pot. Kettle. Black.¡±


    The fox-tailed woman frowned.


    ¡°And I wasn¡¯t talking about the empress. He¡¯ll make you pay and nothing will save you.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps, but you won¡¯t be around to see that, will you?¡±


    The fox-tailed woman¡¯s features darkened.


    Her face elongated into an angular, vulpine shape.


    The hidden monster emerged, tensing.


    ¡°None of that little fox.¡±


    A voice as sweet as honey and as breathy as a caressing wind filled the entry way.


    The fox-tailed woman froze.


    Elongated fingers, sharp as knives tapped a soothing rhythm around her throat.


    ¡°No reason to be catty. We¡¯re all elegant ladies here, aren¡¯t we?¡±


    Cherry had appeared out of nowhere.


    ¡°Ladies?¡± the fox-tailed woman snorted. ¡°There is one lady and two blood-sucking dog sluts.¡±


    ¡°Ouch,¡± Cherry said flatly. ¡°The queen has slain us,¡± she moaned theatrically. ¡°Run along now. I¡¯ll have a little chat before I catch up.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Ginessa took the teen¡¯s hand. ¡°Don¡¯t look at her. Just focus on me.¡±


    She turned on her supernatural charm.


    It felt good, which made her feel gross, but she rationalized the necessity.


    The teen was the priority.


    They had to get him away from the fox-tailed woman.


    The front door shut.


    ¡°This violence won¡¯t go unanswered,¡± the fox-tailed woman hissed.


    ¡°Whatever, the day you get nine tails is the day I give a shit,¡± Cherry drawled.


    ¡°I smell the hypocrisy on your breath. The sickening tang of iron. You¡¯re no better than me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d disagree. What you smell was an attempted rapist. Nothing of value was lost. While you drain youth before their time. It is very different.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t simply eat the empress¡¯ subjects.¡±


    ¡°It turns out that she doesn¡¯t mind when they¡¯re useless to her. Which, I suppose, is just your luck. See you later¡­ or not¡­ for your sake.¡±


    Cherry vanished into the shadows.


    The shadow realm wasn¡¯t a place to linger so she hustled until she caught up with Ginessa and their last rescue of the trip.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Ginessa said.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome, but as your elder I¡¯d be negligent if I didn¡¯t mention that you wouldn¡¯t have needed my last minute save if you¡¯d only advanced your class.¡±


    ¡°This again?¡± Ginessa rolled her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m happy with what I am¡­¡± she lowered her voice. ¡°It¡¯ll take two, maybe three transitions to get your class. I won¡¯t take a class that requires I feed on living people or recently dead bodies.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but that¡¯s only temporary. I, myself, am happy to live on blood bags and willing donations.¡±


    ¡°Uh huh,¡± Ginessa gazed at Cherry out of the corner of her eyes.


    ¡°And occasionally from the worst of humanity. It might not take that many classes. I only had to go through one and I¡¯m willing to share everything I know.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, but no. I¡¯m good.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ okay, but the offer will always be open.¡±


    ¡°Stop smiling at him!¡± Ginessa snapped. ¡°You¡¯re making him nervous,¡± she whispered.


    ¡°It¡¯s not the fangs, honey. It¡¯s the fact that he¡¯s a teenage boy walking alone with two absolutely gorgeous women,¡± Cherry ruffled the teen¡¯s hair. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll keep you safe from the scary, not that attractive, fox whore.¡±

 8.22

    Southern California


    First day of J.R.R.P. started with roll call.


    Alin cringed, awaiting his turn.


    Ranger Captain Mouthy leaned into her chair and placed her dirty boots on her desk while reading from a list.


    ¡°Alin Phillip Chen Cruces¡­ four names, huh? Don¡¯t know how you rate that. All I got was two names and they both kinda sucked.¡±


    ¡°Here.¡± He raised his hand and kept his eyes forward while not moving.


    Rabbits did it to avoid notice and if it worked for them, sometimes, then it¡¯d work for him.


    ¡°Goddamn it. This is the day that I learn I¡¯m old,¡± the ranger captain said. ¡°Stand up junior ranger recruit. Let me get a look.¡±


    He stifled a groan, ignoring the snickering from the rest of the class as he stood.


    ¡°Been awhile, hasn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Yessir!¡±


    ¡°Remind me.¡±


    ¡°Christmas party! Two years ago, sir!¡±


    ¡°Indoor voice.¡± The ranger captain picked her ear. ¡°Well look at you. Sprouted up like a weed, filling out okay,¡± she mused, eyes narrowing as she studied him.


    The hammer was about to drop.


    He knew it.


    The ranger captain knew it.


    Everyone in the room knew it.


    Rayna¡¯s Rangers busted balls like bears shit in the woods.


    ¡°It¡¯s like just yesterday you were that little kid running around your aunt¡¯s backyard with your little pecker flapping in the breeze. Hated clothes,¡± she paused, ¡°none of that here, please. There are laws.¡±


    The heat rose to his face as the classroom filled with many traitorous friends burst out into cackling laughter like excited hyenas.


    Hypocritical bastards!


    Like they hadn¡¯t done the same.


    ¡°Take a seat, Mr. Cruces.¡±


    The ranger captain continued roll call.


    Introductory class was boring.


    The legendary ranger captain put on a video and promptly took a nap.


    It wasn¡¯t anything Alin hadn¡¯t already known.


    He had read the introductory booklet front to back at least three time in the week leading up to the first day of the program. It had been hard to find time to slot it between his obsessive re-readings of his Threnosh-made power armor¡¯s manual.


    The Threnosh being present had been a great help and they never got annoyed with him no matter how many times he had pestered them.


    The only bad thing was that they took his dad¡¯s words seriously and no one would spar him while he wore the armor.


    Not even the battle hungry Primal.


    On the positive end of the scale he got to play around in the Threnosh training chamber while the engineer and fabricators got it up and running.


    They figured that in a couple of months it¡¯d be ready for wider use.


    Their challenge was the downgrade in materials and equipment compared to the Threnosh home world.


    How had his dad described it?


    ¡°It¡¯s like expecting PS4 performance with Super Nintendo hardware and software.¡±


    Intro class took most of the morning.


    The rest of the day was a walk-through of the general curriculum.


    J.R.R.P. wasn¡¯t like school or even a replacement.


    It was more like an intense extracurricular.


    There were classroom sessions where they¡¯d study ranger history, strategy and tactics.


    The physical component had cardio, weights, combat training and sparring.


    There were classes for every type of person the rangers were looking for.


    ¡°This is dumb,¡± Luzi said, jabbing ranch-drenched fries in Alin¡¯s face. ¡°Why do we still have to do regular school?¡±


    ¡°Why are you mad at me?¡±


    ¡°I dunno, tell your aunt to make them stop us wasting our time with regular school. Ranger classes in the morning. Physical stuff through the afternoon. Then regular classes before and after dinner. There¡¯s no free time!¡± She pounded the table.


    ¡°What the fuck is up with that?¡± Steph said, pounding the table. ¡°It¡¯s actually on the first page of the booklet. I think word for word it said ¡®no free time¡¯.¡±


    ¡°All in bold too,¡± Bluewolf agreed.


    ¡°She didn¡¯t read it,¡± Songbird said.


    The twins didn¡¯t look much alike.


    Though they had the same wiry, athletic build.


    ¡°So, Luzi, that must mean that you missed the part where weekends are half-day training?¡± Kat leaned over to snatch some fries from Alin¡¯s basket.


    Luzi¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°Fuck! I asked my parents and they didn¡¯t say shit. Just told me to be careful what I wish for or something stupid like that.¡±


    Kat cackled madly, slapping Alin¡¯s arm.


    Victor raised his hand.


    ¡°I think we all know that we have one chance.¡±


    Every pair of eyes at the table swiveled to Alin.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Your aunt is the literal Rayna of Rayna¡¯s Rangers. I mean, a small word from her beloved little nephew¡­¡± Victor shrugged.


    ¡°Hey, she let you run around her house bare-assed naked, what¡¯s a little request for a little free time after that?¡± Steph said.


    ¡°Depends on how little,¡± Victor waggled his brows.


    The entire table erupted into laughter.


    Lunch wound down all too quickly.


    As junior ranger recruits completed their meals other recruits took their places.


    Alin¡¯s larger friend group had been separated into different orientation groups.


    ¡°Sup, Boy!¡± Isaak swaggered over to slap hands and bump fists.


    The ritual greeting spread out amongst the entire group and he greeted Gob, Just, the Double J¡¯s, April, Reena, and Eda.


    That was another third of their large group.


    The last third must¡¯ve still been waiting for their turn to eat.


    ¡°I heard,¡± Isaak whispered.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°That you were the first¡­¡±


    ¡°Dude, do I even want to know?¡±


    ¡°First to pop that cherry¡­¡±


    ¡°Damn it, you asshole,¡± he sighed. ¡°What¡¯d you hear?¡±


    ¡°Ranger Captain Mouthy¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah, no.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t feel bad, Boy,¡± Eda blinked up at him through her round glasses. ¡°Ranger Captain Chipmunk made Isaak do push ups the entire class.¡±


    ¡°I was just commiserating is all.¡± Isaak patted him on the back. ¡°First day and we¡¯re both out of the pool. So, Eda? Thinking of taking it? Cut me in and I¡¯ll help you out. I¡¯ll be your hidden knife, taking down everyone in your way.¡±


    ¡°Maybe¡­¡± Eda said.


    They waved goodbye as Alin¡¯s group hurried to get to the next orientation class.


    Next stop was one of the stables.


    Drakes specifically.


    ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Ranger Valentine and this is Maverick.¡±


    The green and brown-scaled drake preened at the attention.


    Luzi practically vibrated in place, leaning forward as if it was taking all her control to stop herself from a diving hug charge.


    ¡°Some of you may one day want to bond with one of these magnificent drakes. To that end, you will spend some of your time helping us care for them. I¡¯m not going to sugarcoat things. It¡¯s going to stink. Shit stinks in general. Although, I¡¯ve heard stories that some creatures shit soft serve ice cream, but I¡¯m inclined to think that was just witches messing with us. Since, as you can see and smell, drake shit is not only huge, it also stinks.¡±


    Maverick growled.


    ¡°Whatever, I¡¯m just calling it like I see it and smell it.¡± Ranger Valentine frowned up at the huge magical beast.


    Maverick snorted.


    ¡°Well, I never said my shit doesn¡¯t stink. I said all shit stinks, except maybe faerie creatures. Alright, I guess I was supposed to give you a sampler.¡± He went over to the wall and grabbed a few shovels and pitchforks. ¡°Volunteers?¡±


    Luzi jumped, waving her hands.


    ¡°Everyone except her.¡± He passed the shit management tools out to all except for Luzi. ¡°Get to shoveling. As for you,¡± he turned to Luzi, ¡°want to ride her?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Luzi rushed over to Maverick who laid down to let the girl clamber up to the saddle. ¡°I¡¯m gonna fly?¡±


    ¡°No. No! Are you crazy! That was like rule number one on my teaching guide. You get to run around. Strictly ground bound, you hear me, Maverick?¡±


    The drake seemed to roll her eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make me ground you!¡± he warned.


    With a toss of her head, Maverick galloped out into the open field. Her wings remained tucked into her sides as Luzi spread her arms and laughed to the sky.


    <hr>


    Alin¡¯s aunt dropped him off late after his last regular school class.


    Friday night and all he wanted to do was crash into bed.


    The first week of J.R.R.P. had been way more draining than he had expected.


    Maybe it wouldn¡¯t have been so bad if he didn¡¯t still have to take regular classes, even if there were less.


    He rode the elevator up to his family¡¯s suite.


    ¡°Mom?¡±


    The lights where on in the living room, but his parent¡¯s door was closed.


    An empty dining room table made his stomach growl.


    His mom had left a note in her neat script.


    Dear Boy,


    No dinner. Had to emergency kill monsters. Go to the cafeteria.


    Love, Mom.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Thinking about it he realized that the guards had looked pretty tense and there had been the smell of cordite and fire in the night air.


    Fatigue was no excuse for a situational awareness fail.


    ¡°I guess she¡¯s fine if she didn¡¯t say anything else.¡±


    He dumped his bag and gear before heading straight for the cafeteria.


    The place was busier than it usually was at the hour.


    He exchanged waves, head nods and quick greetings with everyone he passed, but they looked even more wiped than him.


    The buffet bar was looking sparse.


    ¡°Boy!¡±


    ¡°Chef, um¡­ crazy stuff happen?¡±


    ¡°Eh, something about a sudden spawn zone erupting,¡± Chef Alex said. ¡°They took care of it. I heard your mom was out there too. Must¡¯ve been bad.¡±


    ¡°Anyone, uh, get hurt?¡±


    ¡°No one died, thank God. I don¡¯t know about injuries. So, what do you want? I¡¯ll cook you up something.¡±


    ¡°Oh, nah, thanks, but this is good,¡± he gestured to the dregs at the buffet bar.


    ¡°Ha, this stuff¡¯s barely warm. C¡¯mon, what¡¯ll it be?¡±


    ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m so tired I can¡¯t even think.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re working you hard? Hmm¡­ well, let me guess, you¡¯re gonna need everything. Protein, carbs, fats, vitamins and shit.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, as much as I can get down,¡± he sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve got training tomorrow morning.¡±


    ¡°Ah, then I¡¯ll make you something that¡¯ll digest overnight, but not fuck up your sleep. With everything you need to kick ass in training. Grab a seat. Give me ten minutes.¡±


    The chef was a chef getting close to Level 40.


    His dishes violated the laws of physics on top of being always delicious. Like they had been made for each individual¡¯s subjective tastes.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Chef Alex¡¯s stated goal was to become the All-Chef. The class¡¯ existence was yet unknown, but he aimed to become one that could cook everything.


    Alin searched for an open table then spotted Tabitha dining alone.


    The young woman had her creepy monster skin cloak on which kept others from approaching.


    ¡°Hey, Tabs! Is it okay if I sit here?¡±


    Sometimes people needed to be alone, but it didn¡¯t hurt to ask for the times when the person didn¡¯t need to be alone.


    She glanced up from her half-eaten steak and nodded.


    ¡°Um¡­ good steak? Yeah, it would be. Chef Alex never misses. It¡¯s great how he can let you pack in more protein than normal. Like, we can only absorb about 30 grams per hour for muscle building and he can like double that. Plus, the crazy good recovery you get from his smoothies.¡±


    Tabitha nodded, chewing her steak mechanically.


    ¡°So, um, I heard there was a big fight. My, uh, mom left me a note, but she was sleeping so I couldn¡¯t ask her¡­¡±


    ¡°The hospital turned into a spawn zone early this morning.¡±


    ¡°Which one?¡±


    ¡°The far one.¡±


    She didn¡¯t elaborate.


    ¡°So, uh¡­ you fought?¡±


    A nod.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you don¡¯t look like you took some wounds.¡±


    ¡°I just hid and struck from the shadows. Your mom, the small-big Threnosh and other tanks drew all the attention. It wasn¡¯t a bad fight. Just a lot of them. We had to clear the streets before we could go inside and fix it.¡±


    ¡°What were the monsters like?¡±


    ¡°Giant baby fetuses.¡±


    ¡°Like¡­ human ones?¡±


    ¡°Monsters.¡±


    ¡°I guess I got lucky I missed out,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Your mom probably would¡¯ve let you fight in your power armor. At least to defend our home. The streets were filled with them before we noticed.¡±


    ¡°Clean up must¡¯ve been bad.¡±


    ¡°They dissolved into goo, then nothing after a few hours,¡± she shrugged. ¡°I didn¡¯t have to deal with the outside stuff. I was with the team that went to kill the bosses.¡±


    ¡°So, how was that fight?¡±


    ¡°Not hard, but terrible.¡±


    He prompted her.


    ¡°Giant fetuses.¡±


    ¡°Got it¡­ uh, so, how¡¯s the steak?¡±


    It looked to have gotten cold.


    Judging by the empty dessert plates, Tabitha had eaten a few slices of pie and ice cream before the actual entree.


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    ¡°Cool cool cool¡­ cool¡­¡± He searched for a thread to continue the conversation since she didn¡¯t care or want to. Some shared interest that would steer her away from the violent events of the day. He realized that he didn¡¯t have much in common with her beyond fighting and monsters. ¡°Watch anything interesting lately?¡±


    Her face betrayed no hint of her thoughts as she continued to chew mechanically.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Read?¡±


    She chewed, swallowed, cut another piece, chewed and swallowed.


    ¡°I¡¯m reading a book about the old country¡¯s history with slavery.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    Shit. This is a red zone topic. What do I do? Fuck! What did dad say? he thought.


    Right¡­ when in doubt, just listen and be empathetic.


    He nodded, leaning forward to be the best active listener he could be.


    ¡°People were shit from the very beginning. They were doing it all over the world, but this place was the one that really turned it into a huge business. They wouldn¡¯t have gotten to the top with it.¡±


    Tabitha spoke more words and complete sentences than he could remember her ever doing.


    He occasionally chimed in with what he could dredge out of his memory from the history classes he had taken throughout childhood.


    Their discussion was only interrupted by Chef Alex yelling across the cafeteria.


    ¡°Sorry, I have to get my food.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine.¡±


    He hustled, not wanting Tabitha to leave.


    Their talk seemed to be working for her.


    ¡°Oh, wow! That¡¯s a lot!¡±


    The tray Chef Alex slid in front of him was heaped with food. Steaks, eggs, a potato and vegetable skillet and a huge bowl of fried rice.


    ¡°I remember you love your rice.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, chef, this all looks and smells awesome!¡±


    The chef slid a smaller tray containing a generous slice of hot apple pie topped with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream.


    ¡°Um¡­ what¡¯s this? I know my mom told you and everyone back there no dessert before dinner. I mean, I don¡¯t care if you guys get in trouble, but I¡¯m not looking to catch Mom fists in sparring.¡±


    The chef laughed.


    ¡°That rule was for when you were a kid. But, this isn¡¯t for you. You can come up after you finish if you¡¯ve still got room. It¡¯s for Tabitha. I can tell she wants more dessert, but is too shy to come up for seconds,¡± he tapped his nose. ¡°A true chef knows what his guests want before they do.¡±


    ¡°I might skip dessert, but I won¡¯t turn down one of your protein recovery smoothies.¡±


    ¡°What flavor?¡±


    ¡°Chef¡¯s choice¡­ nothing weird though,¡± he added hastily.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll stick to the classics this time. Wouldn¡¯t want to fuck you up for your training.¡±


    Tabitha raised a brow at his tray upon his return.


    ¡°I¡¯m a growing boy,¡± he shrugged. ¡°For you,¡± he slid her dessert over.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    She abandoned what was left of her steak without hesitation.


    ¡°So¡­ um¡­ where were we?¡± he said between huge bites and cursory chewing.


    ¡°Twenty-two.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ sorry?¡±


    ¡°Chew that many times. I remember my mom telling me that when I was a kid.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah, I think I¡¯ve heard that too. I wonder why?¡±


    ¡°So you don¡¯t overeat. But we did it to make the food last longer.¡± She regard the trays between them. ¡°There wasn¡¯t as much to eat back then.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve¡­ heard¡­¡±


    Tabitha seemingly took pity on him.


    ¡°I¡¯ve decided that slavery existed, exists, because enough shit people exist that wants to do it to others and there weren¡¯t enough people that had the guts to do something about it.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re changing that though.¡±


    She nodded once.


    They ate in silence, but Alin felt that it wasn¡¯t the uncomfortable kind.


    In time Tabitha finished her dessert and the rest of her steak.


    ¡°See you later, Boy.¡±


    ¡°See ya!¡± he waved and listened as she returned her trays and verbally thanked Chef Alex.


    A good deed done.


    He tried not to give himself a metaphorical pat on the back because it wasn¡¯t about him.


    One didn¡¯t do good deeds to feel good about themselves.


    They did it because it was right.


    Every adult in his family always said that.


    <hr>


    The first month of the J.R.R.P. drew to a close.


    They just had to get through Saturday training and they¡¯d have their first glorious free day.


    Two actually.


    Sunday and Monday were completely free for them.


    The week long holiday was in commemoration of the rangers victory over the undead in San Diego years ago.


    Naturally, junior ranger recruits weren¡¯t getting the whole week off like everyone else.


    They¡¯d still have to train and go to class, but on the plus side, regular school was out so they could enjoy the huge street festival at night.


    ¡°You maggots don¡¯t want to run today? Then maybe you¡¯ll run better tomorrow!¡± Ranger Captain Hardhat barked.


    Four weeks of HIIT and people were still puking.


    Except for Alin.


    He hadn¡¯t puked once.


    Smugness had been driven from him on that first day after Kat had started puking.


    That had made him feel bad for laughing at his other friends for losing their breakfasts.


    And thus, he had been the picture of supportiveness.


    It wasn¡¯t fair really.


    Chef Alex had put nearly Level 40 Skills into those late Friday night dinners which somehow turned Alin¡¯s stomach into a steel box. Food went in and didn¡¯t go out until it was properly broken down for the nutrients that had him operating at a peak he hadn¡¯t know existed.


    Victor hurled across Alin¡¯s path, splashing chunks of egg, potato and bacon on both their shoes.


    ¡°Sorry¡­ urrkk!¡±


    ¡°Oh god, the wet sound!¡± Steph gagged.


    Alin decided at that moment to ask Chef Alex if he¡¯d like the opportunity to cook weekend breakfast for his friends and the other recruits. Making it so that a couple hundred kids didn¡¯t puke might¡¯ve been a big enough challenge and impact to get the chef to Level 40.


    Probably, have to run it past his parents first.


    His dad was finally coming back home from the crazy China stuff in a couple of days.


    He couldn¡¯t wait to ask his dad and the rest of the team all about it. What he¡¯d gotten from his mom and others in brief, scattered conversations wasn¡¯t enough.


    A bean bag struck him in the back.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t going all out! Pick up the pace! If you ain¡¯t puking, you ain¡¯t trying!¡±


    Ranger Captain Hardhat was the worse weekend trainer.


    Everyone had thought it would¡¯ve been Ranger Captain Mouthy, but aside from the hurtful things she said she was pretty chill, all things considered.


    Ranger Captain Hardhat was just¡­ the worst kind of hardass.


    It had shocked Alin at first because the woman he had known wasn¡¯t at all a hardass. She had been super nice every time they¡¯d crossed paths.


    He put on a burst of speed.


    Without Skills he was just about the fastest recruit after the first few laps.


    Four more laps of the chest burning run all while dodging bean bags ended in him collapsing to his knees in the grass just off the track.


    He was the first in his group.


    Another group took their turn as the rest of his finished and joined him in agony.


    ¡°Child abuse¡­¡± Steph gasped.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t child abuse,¡± the ranger captain loomed over the fallen, her eponymous hardhat glinting the sun. He mouth split into an evil leer. ¡°No one¡¯s forcing you to do this. You can quit any time you want. I¡¯ll even write you a letter of rec for the home guard. They¡¯re a lot easier. How about it, maggots? The SCSDF plays a vital role in protecting our homes. Nothing wrong with an easier road. Especially, when its contributions are necessary and appreciated.¡±


    ¡°No thanks, ranger captain!¡± they barked in unison.


    ¡°Now, that is creepy,¡± she shrugged. ¡°Alright, since you¡¯re so determined to fertilize my grass. Break¡¯s cut to five minutes. Stretch! Hydrate! Pray! Last one to finish the next round runs an extra lap!¡±


    Groans filled the morning air.


    Alin was still on his hands and knees.


    The ranger captain got down and pushed her hardhat against the side of his face like the biggest dick goat in the herd.


    ¡°How are you doing it, recruit?¡± she hissed.


    ¡°Doing what, ranger captain!¡± he huffed.


    ¡°You ain¡¯t puking like the rest. In fact you ain¡¯t puked once. All the trainers are talking about it. We¡¯ve got a little pool going. Getting bigger every weekend the contents of your guts don¡¯t grace our grass. I¡¯m aiming to take it, so how about you do your senior ranger a solid.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know what to say, ranger captain!¡±


    ¡°Your secrets. Give them to me.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t eat breakfast,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Maybe you trade me? That girl you¡¯re sweet on. She¡¯s looking rough today.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about, sir!¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure, keep it coy. We appreciate that. Don¡¯t like guys that kiss and tell. But, we ain¡¯t talking about that. We¡¯re talking about how much rougher today will get for her¡ª for all of you¡ª cause I got to be fair. Unless you help your senior out.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I can puke even if I wanted to, sir!¡±


    ¡°Damn shame. Good stones on you, but a damn shame for your day,¡± she stood. ¡°Two minutes!¡±


    ¡°Wait, we¡¯ve got at least three left!¡± Steph said.


    The others groaned and hissed at his obvious mistake.


    ¡°Is that back talk, recruit?¡±


    Steph clamped his mouth shut, but it was too late.


    Like after the squeeze of a gun trigger a normal human couldn¡¯t put the bullet back in the barrel.


    The evil grin appeared as the ranger captain counted on her fingers.


    ¡°That¡¯s seven words, so, let me see, I¡¯ll need seven recruits. Steph, Victor, Roe,¡± she singled out from boys, ¡°Cate, Sonia, Chrome and,¡± she locked eyes with Alin, ¡°Kat.¡±


    None dared to move or utter a sound.


    The ones selected for fear of a worse punishment.


    The ones spared for fear of selection.


    ¡°Pushups!¡±


    No one was dumb enough to ask how many.


    ¡°You can hydrate on the run. You better not slow play me!¡±


    Alin stood, eyed the ranger captain then dropped down and started doing push ups.


    She regarded him coolly.


    ¡°Team building moment, huh? Well, now we¡¯ve got to get the whole team in on it. Push ups for everyone!¡± she barked.


    He considered coming in last because it had been his fault, but the bean bags convinced him otherwise.


    At the end of the next round they ended up back in the grass avoiding vomit puddles.


    ¡°Cool down for lunch.¡± The ranger captain left them underneath the bright sun.


    Bright, but mercifully, not hot.


    The breeze helped them cool down.


    A small shadow suddenly loomed over him.


    Followed by a splash of cold water.


    He cursed, sputtering.


    ¡°Oh! I¡¯m telling,¡± Lera grinned.


    ¡°Why did you do that?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re thirsty.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but that means I need to drink water, not take a bath.¡±


    ¡°You stink,¡± she wrinkled her nose, ¡°everyone stinks.¡±


    ¡°Puke and sweat, puke and sweat,¡± Steph gasped.


    She sniffed at Alin.


    ¡°How come you don¡¯t smell like puke?¡±


    ¡°Because your cousin is a dirty cheating cheater,¡± Victor said. ¡°Don¡¯t grow up like him.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need to cheat.¡±


    ¡°What are you doing here, Lera? Where¡¯s Aunt Rayna?¡±


    ¡°I dunno, doing stuff.¡± She waved vaguely in the direction of the section of the ranger compound where they were setting up booths and stuff for the festival.


    ¡°You¡¯re not supposed to wander off by yourself.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not, you¡¯re here,¡± she said. ¡°And the witches are watching me,¡± she lowered her voice conspiratorially, ¡°they think they¡¯re hiding, but I can hear them breathing.¡±


    ¡°Witches? Where?¡± Eda perked up, placing her round-rimmed glasses back on.


    ¡°There, there and there,¡± she pointed.


    Alin didn¡¯t see anything and neither did anyone else.


    Eda, for her part, waved shyly at the empty spaces.


    He hoped that if the witches were truly there they¡¯d take his cousin away.


    It was embarrassing.


    The other recruits were casting curious glances.


    The trainers must¡¯ve known who Lera was because none of them were saying anything about the girl¡¯s presence in the middle of their child ab¡ª harsh training.


    ¡°We¡¯re training, so you should go help Aunt Rayna.¡±


    ¡°I was, but it was boring. Can I play with you guys?¡±


    ¡°Sure!¡± Steph grinned despite his exhaustion, the dirty traitor.


    Alin shot his friend a pair of eye daggers.


    ¡°It¡¯s just running and push ups and pull ups and other boring stuff.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good at that!¡± Lera perked up.


    ¡°Yeah, but we¡¯re going to have lunch right now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m hungry!¡±


    Lera was always hungry.


    Hungrier than even him.


    She was like a remorseless eating machine.


    Aunt Rayna had quadrupled her household intake of foodstuffs over the two months since Lera had first arrived.


    The Solar Tyrant?


    Ha!


    The Eternal Hunger was a more fitting codename.


    ¡°We¡¯d love to have you eat with us, Lera!¡± Kat smiled.


    Butterflies!


    Alin shook his head. He couldn¡¯t allow himself to be distracted.


    ¡°No¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Luzi hissed, elbowing him in the ribs with her pointiest of elbows. ¡°Don¡¯t screw this up like you screwed us with the push ups, you stupid as¡ª butthole.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± he hissed in turn.


    ¡°This is our chance for payback. Your cousin¡¯s going to eat everything in there.¡±


    ¡°What does that matter¡ª oh, oh¡­ Lera, why don¡¯t you go ahead and save us a table. Don¡¯t wait, start eating.¡±


    His cousin skipped across the field at a pace that he¡¯d struggle to keep up with at a run.


    ¡°We give her a bit of a head start, there might not be enough food for us. That means they¡¯ve got to cook more¡­¡± Luzi said.


    ¡°Which means, we¡¯ll have to wait¡­¡± Kat said.


    ¡°And that¡¯ll give us extra time to rest,¡± Eda finished.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about this, guys,¡± Victor warned. ¡°They¡¯re rangers. They aren¡¯t stupid. You saw how Ranger Captain Hardhat turned Boy¡¯s little sacrifice play around on him. He thought he was gonna score points with us, but all he did was make it worst.¡±


    ¡°Sorry¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t get me wrong. I¡¯m not hating, dude. It was a legit good play. She just outplayed you. I¡¯m just saying let¡¯s not get our hopes up too high.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, man,¡± Steph said. ¡°I¡¯ve got a legit cramp, so I can¡¯t walk over there until one of you helps me stretch this out.¡±


    In the end the plan worked.


    Their group had to wait for their food, which bought them precious minutes.


    The downside was that the ranger captain allowed Lera to play.


    Thus, Alin¡¯s little cousin outdid them all in every exercise with a big smile on her face the entire day.


    What made it worse was that she wasn¡¯t a gracious winner.


    She had inherited something of that from her father.


    There was nothing more humbling than a trash-talking 8 year old.

 8.23

    ¡°Lera! Don¡¯t forget!¡± Aunt Rayna yelled to be heard over the din.


    Happy conversations, laughter, loud music, and carnival rides were an assault on the senses.


    Alin¡¯s little cousin led a shrieking pack of neighborhood kids into the depths to terrorize the unwary.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, uh, sir?¡± Steph saluted. ¡°It¡¯s an honor.¡±


    ¡°Steph, what are you talking about?¡± Aunt Rayna said.


    ¡°Um, being a part of what you built, ma¡¯am, sir.¡±


    ¡°First of all, stop the saluting. I¡¯m technically retired. And, secondly, I remember when you were in diapers. Don¡¯t be weird,¡± she smiled. ¡°Now, shoo,¡± she swept her hands toward them, ¡°go be stupid teenagers¡­ but not that stupid.¡±


    She waved them off before heading in the direction of Lera and the pack.


    ¡°Your aunt, like, radiates power,¡± Eda whispered.


    ¡°She must be ready for trouble.¡±


    ¡°Oh shit!¡± Steph¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°We need to get geared up!¡±


    ¡°Shut up, stupid!¡± Victor dug a knuckle into Steph¡¯s side.


    ¡°Ow! Why?¡±


    ¡°You think we¡¯d make a difference?¡±


    ¡°No, but I¡¯d feel better if I had armor and something more than this,¡± Steph grabbed the handle of the machete sheathed at his belt. ¡°At least my gun,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Dude, look around you.¡±


    Steph did so and after a moment sighed.


    ¡°Okay, fine¡­¡±


    Uniformed SCSDF Guardians patrolled through the crowd and stood guard at key points. They smiled freely and occasionally stopped to chat with people.


    If one had binoculars or an enhanced vision Skill they¡¯d realize that the dots in the sky weren¡¯t birds but drake riding rangers.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, we¡¯re going to be late,¡± Lake glanced at her watch.


    They met up with more of their friends at the line to try their first ride of the day.


    ¡°Why¡¯s it called that?¡± Steph said.


    ¡°Cause it looks like a zipper,¡± Alin squinted, ¡°I guess¡­¡±


    ¡°It totally does! Hey, Boy!¡± Kat punched him in the arm.


    Their other friends shared raised brows and significant looks.


    ¡°What?¡± Kat¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    Victor cleared his throat.


    ¡°Nothing¡­¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get in line!¡± Steph clapped.


    ¡°But, not everyone¡¯s here yet,¡± Eda said.


    ¡°I got a text from Luzi. They¡¯re going to get some waffles and ice cream first and said to meet them there when we¡¯re done,¡± Sonia said.


    ¡°Who¡¯s with her?¡± Eda said.


    ¡°I dunno, she didn¡¯t say,¡± Sonia shrugged.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just line up,¡± Gob rolled his eyes, ¡°it¡¯s two people in a cage anyways so it doesn¡¯t matter. C¡¯mon, I want to get on before the line gets longer.¡±


    Alin found himself lingering in the back as usual.


    However, with slight nudges, tugs and a shove from tiny Eda, he found himself paired up with Kat at the front of their group.


    He turned to glare and was met with sly grins and thumbs-up.


    ¡°That waffle ice cream thing sounds good,¡± Kat said.


    ¡°Yeah, same, but it¡¯s probably a bad idea to eat before getting on this thing.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t help but feel apprehension at the great grinding of metal as the small, sealed cages spun at the same time that they traveled along a much larger oblong frame that also rotated. It was like a Ferris wheel, but faster and scarier judging by the screams of the riders.


    ¡°Scared?¡± she bumped his shoulder with hers.


    ¡°No,¡± he scoffed. ¡°Disneyland has scarier rides.¡±


    ¡°I know! I loved them! I wish we could ride them all year long.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but my dad and aunt say that it¡¯s not worth the resources to have it open just for fun. Costs a lot just to have the rides working and that¡¯s not counting the opportunity cost of not having it as an encounter challenge for leveling and points.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°Um¡­ what else do you want to try?¡±


    ¡°All the rides!¡±


    ¡°Even the baby ones.¡±


    ¡°Especially those!¡±


    ¡°I can go with you if you want.¡±


    ¡°But what about the festival snacks? I remember you said that you wanted to try every fried and frozen thing they have, which sounds like everything.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal.¡±


    He was looking forward to the Twinkies, both fried and frozen versions.


    ¡°It¡¯s a good thing we¡¯re always hungry, right?¡±


    Her smile made his stomach flip.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I eat, like, every two hours. I don¡¯t remember the last time I was hungry or full.¡±


    ¡°I try, but it¡¯s hard making enough. I mean, it¡¯s not a problem when we¡¯re at rangers, but I¡¯m super tired by the time I get home to make extra food.¡±


    ¡°The, uh, chefs at our place makes all my meals for the week. I just have to heat them up.¡±


    ¡°Nice! I¡¯m jealous.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, uh, I had an idea about that, but I have to ask my dad first and he¡¯s not coming home until Wednesday, so I don¡¯t want to say anything to get your hopes up or anything like that.¡±


    ¡°Intriguing¡­ can I guess?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ sure?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± she tapped her chin, face screwed in deductive concentration. ¡°It¡¯s got something to do with why you¡¯re the only one that doesn¡¯t throw up on Hell Weekend?¡±


    ¡°How are you so good at figuring things out?¡±


    She grinned up at him.


    Black hair cut in short bob really framed her pretty face.


    Dark brown eyes so deep that he could fall into them and never resurface.


    The ever-present quirk of her dainty lips.


    The¡ª


    He snapped out of it.


    ¡°¡ª figuring things out,¡± she said.


    He nodded and smiled.


    ¡°So, your chefs are probably high level. My guess is that the food they make you keeps you from puking.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. You got it! Please don¡¯t tell anyone.¡±


    ¡°Sure, for a price,¡± she tip-toed to reach his ear, ¡°I want in. I¡¯m tired of puking every weekend.¡±


    Her breathy whisper touched something deep inside him.


    A tingle spread.


    He hunched over slightly and thought of boring things that he hated.


    Like regular school.


    Stupid waste of time.


    ¡°Yeah for sure,¡± he said nonchalantly. ¡°I¡¯m going to ask if they can make food for everyone in J.R.R.P.¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡± she snapped her fingers.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I was just thinking that the rangers want us to quit, so they definitely wouldn¡¯t want anything to help make it easier. Your dad talks to your aunt and even if she¡¯s ¡®retired¡¯ I doubt that she doesn¡¯t have a say in how the rangers do things. I¡¯d bet your dad will stop your chefs. It¡¯s, like, an unfair advantage for you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­ right¡­¡±


    That sounded like his dad.


    ¡°Crap¡­¡±


    ¡°I know, sorry,¡± she smiled.


    ¡°And since I already asked my mom, there¡¯s no way that my dad doesn¡¯t already know,¡± he groaned.


    ¡°No more anti-puke food.¡± Her smile grew wider as she laid a comforting hand on his arm.


    Hope crashed and burned into a great conflagration.


    The kind that burned entire forests into charcoal.


    It was a despondent Alin that climbed into the mesh-covered cage.


    Kat screamed in delight as he pondered the cruel twists inherent in fate.


    The cage spun as it traveled up and down the spinning oblong frame.


    ¡°¡­ courage to accept that which can¡¯t be change,¡± he murmured.


    Acceptance came, which allowed him to enjoy the rest of the ride.


    It was decent, but he realized that this ride like all of them were bound by earthly constraints.


    For one such as he, who had known true freedom from the Earth¡¯s clutches, ancient, man-made machines were lacking.


    Still, it was great being so close to Kat.


    Strawberries.


    The scent of strawberries filled the rotating cage.


    He wondered if it would be weird to tell her that he liked how her hair smelled?


    Would he find it weird if someone had told him the same?


    Yeah, probably?


    They went on rides for the next hour or so.


    The others tapped out one by one to go find the rest of their friends until only he and Kat remained.


    He started to suspect that they knew despite the fact that he hadn¡¯t told any of them that he liked her.


    They were going to make it weird, so he wasn¡¯t looking forward to meeting back up with them. Not even the deep-fried snacks could ease his worries.


    The huge eating tent was packed with rows of long plastic tables and folding chairs.


    There were several of them located strategically throughout the festival street.


    This particular one was in the park that was part of the ranger compound.


    ¡°Yo!¡± Steph waved with a shit-eating grin. ¡°Saved you two a seat.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Kat, right here!¡± Chrome grabbed an arm and gave her no choice in the matter.


    Alin kept cool.


    Yup, didn¡¯t blush or dart his eyes at everyone staring at him and Kat with the twinkle in the eye when one was in on the joke.


    ¡°You guys are terrible,¡± Kat rolled her eyes, but linked arms with him to drag him along.


    He placed their tray on the table and kept perfectly cool and normal.


    ¡°I see you¡¯re going to ruin all your hard work,¡± Steph said.


    ¡°What? What do you mean,¡± he replied a tad quickly.


    ¡°That,¡± Steph pointed to his pile of deep-fried goodness.


    ¡°Oh¡­ it¡¯ll be fine. All fuel, you know,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°It looks like you got one of everything,¡± Chrome prodded at the deep-fried Twinkie. Her face twisted in disgust.


    ¡°What? It tastes good!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, no,¡± she scoffed. ¡°It¡¯s already cake. What¡¯s the point of covering it in more batter just to fry in oil. It¡¯s redundant and bad for you.¡±


    ¡°The point is it¡¯s delicious.¡±


    ¡°What else did you get? I¡¯m looking for dessert options,¡± Steph said.


    ¡°Everything,¡± he shrugged. ¡°The Twinkie. Deep-fried Snickers, deep-fried S¡¯mores, deep-fried brownie, deep-fried chocolate, regular churro, chocolate-stuffed churro, strawberry cream-stuffed churro, custard-stuffed churro, deep-fried apple pie,¡± he listed several more as his friends listened.


    ¡°It¡¯s nine in the morning!¡± Chrome threw her hands into the air.


    ¡°Yeah and I didn¡¯t eat breakfast,¡± he crossed his arms.


    ¡°That makes it weirder. Who eats dessert for breakfast?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± he looked up and down the table, ¡°like three-quarters of us. I mean, what is that?¡± he pointed at Steph¡¯s sandwich.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    ¡°Waffles chicken sandwich. Spicy chicken fingers with something called a Nashville hot honey sauce, don¡¯t know that that is, but it is delicious!¡±


    ¡°Spicy isn¡¯t it?¡± Kat said


    ¡°Yeah, I mean it¡¯s in the name.¡±


    ¡°We can tell,¡± she exchanged a look with Alin.


    ¡°What? Something on my face,¡± Steph frowned.


    Their friend¡¯s blond hair was cut short on the sides almost shaved off completely. The top was sculpted in a stylish wave. The hairstyle made it easy to see the dripping trails of sweat.


    ¡°Here,¡± Alin handed him a napkin.


    ¡°Thanks, dude, my head gets sweaty when I eat spicy stuff. Nowhere else though. Weird, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Steph, it is weird,¡± Chrome said flatly. ¡°So, Boy, why didn¡¯t you get some, I dunno, deep-fried cake?¡±


    He blinked.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that just donuts?¡±


    Chrome blinked.


    Laughter erupted.


    ¡°Fair,¡± she nodded.


    ¡°Donuts, psh!¡± Victor chimed in. ¡°It¡¯s all about the donut ice cream sandwich,¡± he held one up. ¡°Lavender ice cream!¡±


    ¡°Okay, now that¡¯s definitely weird,¡± Chrome said.


    ¡°Yeah, I got to go with her on that one. Does it taste like soap?¡± Steph said.


    ¡°More like the tea,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°They make lavender tea?¡± Chrome said.


    ¡°Uh, why wouldn¡¯t they. Tea¡¯s just leaves. Lavender is a plant, ergo it has leaves,¡± Victor rolled his eyes.


    The argument over what could be made into tea escalated.


    Alin was content to stay out of it.


    It was time to taste.


    ¡°Can I try?¡± Kat poked him halfway through the deep-fried Twinkie. ¡°Just a bite.¡±


    ¡°You can finish it if you want,¡± he handed it over without hesitation.


    ¡°Too sweet,¡± she handed it back after a small bite.


    ¡°Ohoho.¡± Chrome abandoned the tea argument to shoot him and Kat significant looks.


    Which, naturally, drew eyes and ears from the others.


    ¡°Good, you guys are like kids,¡± Kat laughed.


    He looked at her out of the corner of his eye.


    Was she blushing?


    ¡°Can I try?¡± Steph whispered in his ear.


    ¡°Damn it! Don¡¯t do that!¡± he shooed Steph like he would a buzzing fly. ¡°Get your own mooch!¡± he quickly finished the deep-fried Twinkie before someone else made a grab.


    Songbird had recently picked up a minor theft Skill and things had gone missing from plates recently.


    Small things, a fry here, a chicken tender there.


    That reminded him¡­


    He glanced down at the tray.


    A churro was missing.


    He searched the table.


    Songbird wasn¡¯t there.


    Had he seen her earlier?


    His brow furrowed into a scowl.


    ¡°She¡¯s long gone,¡± Kat whispered into his ear.


    ¡°I guess I can always get another one,¡± he sighed.


    Everything at the festival was super cheap.


    People worked the booths and rides for a variety of reasons.


    It was good for their classes in the case of the culinary artists.


    While others gained Universal Points as pay and additional rewards from little Quests provided by the spires and the government.


    The guy running the deep-fried snack booth had mentioned that his rewards went up on a scale based on how many people he served. Hit the threshold and he had a free Skill choice waiting for him.


    The day passed too quickly for their tastes.


    They ate, rode rides, ate, played carnival games, ate, visited the petting zoo, ate, rode a wyvern, ate, watched Lera destroy the hammer bell strongman game thing.


    ¡°Hahahaha! I am the Solar Tyrant!¡± she roared in triumph as her followers cheered and whooped like the mad children they were.


    The metal ball erupted, out of the vertical cylinder, shattering the steel bell at the apex.


    Jagged shards rained down on the crowd until an invisible force sucked them into a sphere, which was deposited into the hands of the stunned game attendant.


    ¡°Bow before my Tyranny of the Sun!¡±


    The adults laughed nervously until their savior arrived in the form of the First Ranger herself.


    ¡°Lera!¡± Aunt Rayna jabbed a castigating finger at his little cousin. ¡°What did I tell you, young lady?¡±


    ¡°Uh oh, busted,¡± Kat whispered.


    Alin kept a carefully neutral expression.


    ¡°Don¡¯t break anything,¡± Lera pouted.


    ¡°And what did you just do?¡±


    ¡°Broke something¡­¡±


    ¡°Okay, good, at least you can recognize that. It¡¯s timeout for you. C¡¯mon, the drakes and wyverns need their poop shoveled. With that strength, you should be able to clear their pens quickly. After that there are two petting zoos...¡±


    Lera, the subdued tyrant kicked the grass and flounced after a more powerful overlord.


    Aunt Rayna muttered something about witches before she moved out of earshot.


    ¡°Where does she get that stuff?¡± Kat said.


    ¡°Her dad, my uncle, something about a video game he played with her.¡±


    ¡°Well, I for one have been awed by that display,¡± Steph shielded his eyes from the sun, squinting against the glare in a vain attempt to track the metal ball. ¡°Hmm, yeah, I will be the first to swear an oath to serve our Solar Tyrant.¡±


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t joke about that,¡± he said flatly. ¡°She¡¯ll hold you to it.¡±


    ¡°Dude, no joke. Your cousin¡¯s a rising sun and I¡¯m going to get in on the ground floor.¡±


    He rubbed the bridge of his nose.


    ¡°Yeah, okay, Icarus, just don¡¯t come crying to me when your wings get burned.¡±


    ¡°Oh, wow, that¡¯s deep. How long have you been holding on to that one? When was mythology class? Like three, four years ago?¡± Steph said.


    ¡°Three years on both accounts.¡±


    They ran into a few familiar faces. Three he hadn¡¯t seen in awhile on account of his schedule keeping him away from home for most of the week and one he hadn¡¯t seen in months.


    ¡°Hey! It¡¯s not so little Boy!¡± Jayde, pregnant, still managed to hop over. ¡°Long time no see, bro! I swear you keep getting bigger, get those gains!¡± she flexed, revealing her own fairly impressive physique.


    ¡°And you¡¯re¡­ still pregnant,¡± he laughed nervously.


    ¡°You¡¯re supposed to say I¡¯m glowing, right, my loyal men?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, glowing¡¯s the word,¡± Drake said.


    ¡°Mommy not glowing.¡± Their little boy frowned in confusion from his perch on Drake¡¯s shoulder.. ¡°Daddy, big bird!¡± he pointed at the wyvern coming in for a landing a short distance away. He tugged on Drake¡¯s hair in an effort to steer him in that direction.


    ¡°Hey, Hayden,¡± he held out a hand.


    ¡°Been awhile,¡± she took it.


    Magitech fingers felt cool to the touch at first. Slight warmth flowed when she moved them.


    ¡°Almost a year,¡± he agreed.


    ¡°Kept missing you whenever I visited for Quests and what not.¡±


    They were shaking hands for what felt like a long time until Hayden grinned and pulled him into a tight hug.


    ¡°Oh no, just cause you¡¯re bigger than me know doesn¡¯t mean you get away with being all too cool for hugs,¡± she laughed.


    Reluctantly, he hugged her back.


    ¡°You¡¯re embarrassing me,¡± he hissed.


    ¡°That¡¯s why we¡¯ve been looking for you all day,¡± she hissed.


    ¡°Please,¡± he pleaded.


    ¡°No can do. That¡¯s kinda what we¡¯re here for as honorary older sisters,¡± she relinquished the hug and regarded the rest of his friends.


    They didn¡¯t recognize them by appearance, but would¡¯ve by name and deed.


    ¡°Um¡­ cool fingers,¡± Steph said.


    Hayden wiggled the prosthetics.


    ¡°Slaver piece of shit bit them off. They¡¯ve got their uses, but I wouldn¡¯t recommend it.¡±


    ¡°Pshaw, you think fingers are cool? Check this out,¡± Jayde flexed her hand and arm up to her elbow.


    The magitech prosthetic opened up into all sorts of weapons and tools, including a small milk-filled baby bottle.


    ¡°Chilling and warming technology. The bottle stays cold until I need to warm up it for my most favoritest little man¡­ sorry, Boy, you¡¯re like in second place now. Maybe third depending on what spawns from my belly,¡± she rubbed it. ¡°Magic and technology,¡± she returned focus to her arm. ¡°Not separate, but combined.¡±


    ¡°Oh my god! You¡¯re the Heartfuries! Aren¡¯t you?¡± Luzi actually squealed.


    ¡°Yup, that¡¯s us, well two out of three, Dayana¡¯s busy or something,¡± Jayde preened.


    ¡°You know the Heartfuries, why did I not know this?¡± Kat poked him in the ribs.


    ¡°Ohoho,¡± Jayde¡¯s eyes gleamed at the sight. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to introduce us, Boy?¡±


    He had no choice.


    Their trap had been sprung perfectly.


    Introductions followed.


    He tried to be cool about it.


    Pouting was something babies did, like Lera and he was no Lera.


    Jayde held court as his friend gathered around her, while Drake finally took their kid off to ride the wyvern.


    ¡°So, junior rangers huh? You know Swan Princess?¡±


    Eager nods from the girls and boys.


    Alin knew for a fact that most of the boys and a few girls had crushes on the Swan Princess.


    Badass and beautiful, that¡¯s what they said.


    ¡°Well, we taught her everything she knows,¡± Jayde nodded sagely.


    He stood a little off to the side with Hayden.


    ¡°She¡¯s cute.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t the faintest idea who you¡¯re referring to.¡±


    ¡°That one,¡± she pointed. ¡°Kat.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t point!¡± he hissed, frantically pushing her hand down.


    ¡°You got protection?¡±


    ¡°Oh God! Why have you forsaken me?¡± he groaned.


    ¡°What? Don¡¯t be immature. It¡¯s just smart. You don¡¯t want babies and you definitely don¡¯t want diseases, yeah they¡¯ve got cures for everything, but why risk it. Be smart, wrap it up.¡±


    ¡°Why does everyone think that I have to hear this from them. You¡¯re like the thirtieth person.¡±


    ¡°Hey, maybe we just don¡¯t want that little kid that made it through a three way fight between a weirdo religious cult, the Meat Parade and us to get brought down by the herpes. I mean, I¡¯d be pretty lame that you were, like, twenty feet from evil golden angel, but what gets you is an STD.¡±


    ¡°Please, I¡¯m begging you.¡±


    Hayden laughed, ruffling his hair.


    ¡°So, I hear you¡¯ve got some pretty kickass power armor and a lightsaber?¡±


    Grabbing the lifeline he eagerly launched into an in-depth description.


    The iceberg was deep beneath the ocean surface.


    He was still talking about it when his friend started going their separate ways to meet up with their various families for dinner. They¡¯d congregate again later for an activity that remained unspoken.


    ¡°Your friends ain¡¯t too bad,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°That¡¯s cause they wanted autographs and pictures,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Exactly, good taste in their heroes. That Kat girl¡¯s pretty cute, good taste, not so little Boy,¡± she put him in a head lock and knuckled his head¡­ somewhat gently.


    ¡°You¡­ uh¡­ think so?¡±


    ¡°Have you asked her out yet?¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Er¡­ no¡­¡±


    ¡°Best get on that before someone else swoops in. Early birds and early worms or something,¡± she said sagely.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure if she likes me the same way,¡± he sighed.


    They exchanged a significant look.


    ¡°What? Everyone¡¯s been giving each other looks like that for weeks now. Seriously¡ª oh¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about everyone, you¡¯ll probably have to ask them what¡¯s up with their looks, but me and Hayden figure that you might want to ask her out.¡±


    ¡°There are signs,¡± Hayden nodded.


    ¡°Number one, she¡¯s quite comfortable in your personal space,¡± Jayde held up a finger. ¡°Two, she looked jealous when you got hugs from two attractive women in their prime,¡± she held up a second.


    ¡°She couldn¡¯t keep her eyes off you. Kept glancing over every few second when we were talking,¡± Hayden tapped her magitech eye, ¡°I don¡¯t miss that sort of thing.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay, that¡¯s good.¡± An involuntary smile split his face. ¡°Actually, that¡¯s great! So, how do I do it?¡±


    ¡°Do what?¡± Jayde looked at him like he had sprouted a second face.


    ¡°Ask her out¡­¡±


    ¡°Do that.¡±


    ¡°But, how?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she shrugged. ¡°Just ask her out. Use words.¡±


    ¡°No flowers?¡±


    Jayde chuckled.


    ¡°You guys are like little babies. No need for big stuff like that. Just don¡¯t be weird about it.¡±


    Hayden sighed.


    ¡°You can get one flower. Don¡¯t go crazy and get a whole bunch, save that for holidays and birthdays, but only if she appreciates that sort of thing. Or since we¡¯re at a carnival, go win something stuffed and use that.¡±


    ¡°Nothing weird though, unless she¡¯s into weird stuff,¡± Jayde chimed in.


    ¡°You do know what she likes, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Hayden, I know what she likes. I¡¯m not that oblivious¡­ most of the time¡­ some of the time¡­ she likes Japanese stuff. She wants to become a samurai.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ she¡¯s a weird one,¡± Jayde nodded.


    ¡°Her grandpa was from there. He told her a lot of stories when she was growing up. Plus, we watch anime and stuff.¡±


    ¡°Nerds,¡± Jayde snorted.


    ¡°Don¡¯t shit talk. That sort of stuff can lead to good classes. Like the shinobi and the shinigami Cal was talking about,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Yeah, I guess our stuff came from nerd junk too,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°So, stuffed animal and a flower?¡±


    ¡°Whoa! Look at the Romeo we¡¯ve got here,¡± Jayde laughed.


    ¡°Listen, Boy, we can¡¯t help you with the details. We don¡¯t know her,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Ask your mutual friends if you want, but I¡¯d say just go for it. The worst thing that can happen is she says ¡®no¡¯,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Thanks guys, this was actually been helpful.¡±


    ¡°Want to grab dinner with us?¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Oh, sorry, I¡¯m supposed to meet up with my aunt, uncle and cousin. Good to see you again, Hayden. Thanks for the help! I really mean it,¡± he waved.


    Dinner was pretty cool until their aunt had to go handle some kind of faraway emergency.


    Uncle Fed bowed out after the meal to go back to his duties.


    ¡°Have fun, kids. Don¡¯t do anything I would¡ª wouldn¡¯t do! You¡¯re aunt shouldn¡¯t be gone too long, Boy, so just keep Lera out of trouble until then.¡±


    Lera scowled.


    ¡°Kidding!¡± Uncle Fed held his hands up. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be perfectly fine the rest of the night!¡±


    Shoveling giant flying beast poop hadn¡¯t made for a fun afternoon.


    She crossed her arms and glared at him from across the table.


    ¡°Yo, I had nothing to do with any of that or this. So, um, we¡¯re cool, right?¡±


    She looked away.


    ¡°Fine, I guess.¡±


    ¡°Awesome! So, I¡¯m supposed to meet up with my friends in an hour. Anything you want to do until then?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not allowed to play games,¡± she pouted.


    ¡°How about rides?¡±


    ¡°Boring.¡±


    ¡°Petting zoo?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re not even magical animals.¡±


    ¡°Okay, well, I need to win a stuffed animal or find a flower, so, uh, we can get some of those deep-fried Oreos you were talking about¡­ I can¡¯t believe I missed those,¡± he muttered.


    The snacks mollified his cousin as he dragged her along on a quest that turned out to be more difficult than he had anticipated.


    ¡°They¡¯re cheating,¡± he said after the tenth failure.


    Five different carnival games. Two tries each.


    Lera took a long sip from her massive smoothie, regarding him with undisguised disappointment. Rolling her eyes, she pointed at a different kind of game.


    One in which the competition was against other people and not the game itself.


    ¡°That might work.¡±


    It didn¡¯t.


    He failed to shoot the water into the fish¡¯s mouth fast enough to be the first to pop the balloon at the top.


    Then he tried the horse racing game where he rolled balls into holes to propel the toy horses around the track.


    Another loss.


    He eyed Lera.


    Time wasn¡¯t on his side.


    Not enough to go searching for a place that sold flowers.


    ¡°You can win easily.¡±


    ¡°Uh huh,¡± she nodded.


    ¡°Please, just one stuffed animal.¡±


    ¡°Two.¡±


    ¡°I just need one.¡±


    ¡°But, I want one too.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯ll be evidence that I let you play.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t play¡­ you did,¡± she pointed out.


    ¡°Genius, let¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°And you have to watch a movie with me tonight and you have to let me braid your hair and paint your nails and¡ª¡±


    He saw where this was going.


    ¡°Yes to all of that, but I draw the line at makeup.¡±


    ¡°Deal!¡±


    A firm handshake led to two swift and overwhelming victories.


    He and Lera walked away with two giant stuffed animals.


    A bear for the former and a unicorn for the latter.


    They were halfway to his friends¡¯ after party in the park that was partially on the ranger compound when he realized something.


    Taking a kid to it was sketchy, but the real problem were her secret watchers.


    At least a handful of hidden witches that he had heard about.


    The rangers that he definitely knew where around even if he couldn¡¯t spot them.


    And last, but not least, were the many groups of SCSDF guardians that were somehow always within eyesight of Lera.


    ¡°Shit¡­¡±


    He was going to bust his own friends.

 8.24

    They had gathered in the park, not that far from some buildings.


    Ranger HQ had been a college of some kind once.


    Basically, a school, but for older people.


    There was a bench and grass and a foot path.


    A number of Alin¡¯s friends were trying to get a fire started in one of those portable fire pits.


    From the bickering it seemed that they were struggling.


    The cool wind had picked up as the sun descended over t he west.


    ¡°Hey, Lera, can you please help them start the fire¡­ er, don¡¯t blow it up.¡±


    She skipped away happily, still clutching her stuffed unicorn.


    ¡°She¡¯s cute,¡± Kat said.


    ¡°Her? The Solar Tyrant? You know that she¡¯s serious about that.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s good to have ambition.¡±


    ¡°Er, um, uh¡­ this is for you,¡± he thrust the stuffed bear to her.


    ¡°Aww, cute! Thanks!¡±


    He choked on what he wanted to say next and was either saved or blocked by an eruption of cheering and a small pillar of flame.


    ¡°Mighty Solar Tyrant, let me be the first to pledge my loyalty to your Tyranny of the Sun,¡± Steph dropped to one knee and bowed his head.


    ¡°Oh god¡­¡± Alin rubbed his eyes. ¡°Steph! C¡¯mon, dude! You can¡¯t joke about that.¡±


    ¡°Dude, chill, I¡¯m serious.¡±


    ¡°Lera, don¡¯t accept.¡±


    ¡°Aww, why you got to be like that?¡±


    ¡°Shut up, Steph. You can get in real trouble.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t about to explain what he¡¯d been told by his uncle about the Fae fuckery that Lera had to deal with. Combined with spires fuckery, swearing to Lera could get Steph roped into that whole shit sandwich.


    It was a little miracle that Lera had been able to spend so much time out in the real world without the Wild Hunt popping up.


    ¡°I know that!¡± Lera snapped.


    ¡°Aww, sorry, Solar Tyrant, maybe later?¡± Steph said.


    ¡°Leave her alone, creepo,¡± Kat flicked a Dorito at his face.


    He caught it in his mouth like a dog.


    ¡°Thanks¡­ ugh¡­ ranch¡­ old people were weird. Who makes salad dressing into a chip flavor?¡± he gagged.


    More friends trickled in.


    The girls took it up on themselves to shelter Lera from the weirdos as they hogged the warming fire.


    ¡°So, I have seen the Tyranny of the Sun and I find that a place away from it leaves me cold,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°Told you so,¡± Steph added.


    ¡°Hey, dude, no offense to your cousin or anything, but¡­ you know¡­¡± Isaak whispered.


    Alin shrugged.


    He wasn¡¯t about to mention all the hidden eyes watching them.


    Acceptance of his fate came easily when he realized that there was nothing to be done.


    The last person they were waiting for arrived shortly.


    Luzi tromped up with her older brother.


    Ranger Morningstar.


    His ranger name was the same as their surname.


    The two had the misfortune of having edgy parents.


    Ranger Morningstar¡¯s real name had been dumb enough for the rest of the rangers that they didn¡¯t bother giving him a made up name.


    ¡°Listen up, recruits!¡± the ranger barked. ¡°This,¡± he held up a 30 pack, ¡°the silver bullet. Getting this cost me. Had I known what was up, I wouldn¡¯t have done it, but orders are orders and I¡¯m already in enough trouble that I¡¯m not about to ask question. So, enjoy, don¡¯t do anything stupid and that little girl,¡± he pointed at Lera, ¡°doesn¡¯t get a taste, understand!¡±


    They nodded.


    ¡°Carry on,¡± he placed the cold beer on the grass and stomped away.


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Isaak nudged Luzi.


    ¡°Shut up!¡± she snapped.


    ¡°It¡¯s better than nothing,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°It¡¯s two beers for only half of us,¡± Isaak said.


    ¡°None for me,¡± Kat raised a hand.


    A few other hands went up.


    The sharper ones.


    They realized that watchful eyes led to whispered words in parental ears.


    Alin shrugged.


    The beer wasn¡¯t a problem for him.


    His parents were cool with a few as long as he didn¡¯t get wasted and do stupid stuff.


    Lera being present introduced a variable.


    ¡°Damn it¡­ I¡¯m passing too.¡±


    He was babysitting, therefore he couldn¡¯t drink anything. Had to show he was responsible.


    ¡°Alright!¡± Isaak rubbed his hands. ¡°This night is salvaged then.¡±


    ¡°I think you might have a problem, Isaak,¡± Luzi said.


    ¡°No way! I just want to relax. Junior rangers has kicked my ass for a month.¡±


    The fire pit was warm.


    The beers were cold for those that dared their parents¡¯ wrath or were too dumb to realize what had been obvious to the smarter ones.


    The badminton game was fun.


    Lera certainly seemed to enjoy it.


    She showed a good deal of control in using a fraction of her superhuman strength.


    With the exception of always making an effort to send the shuttlecock rocketing into Isaak¡¯s face whenever they found themselves on opposite sides.


    Lera had good ears.


    The only bad thing about the night was that Alin couldn¡¯t find an opportunity to get Kat alone.


    He could¡¯ve let it ruin his night with anxiety, but after about an hour and a half he abandoned the idea of asking her out that night.


    There was always tomorrow, which thankfully they had free.


    Perhaps, he could ask her to the festival?


    Just the two of them.


    There had been plenty of booths and attractions that they hadn¡¯t gotten to.


    The plan took shape and he made his way over to the fire pit.


    The heart of the Solar Tyrant¡¯s court.


    Her girl attendants were a giggling lot that stared at him with judgment and bemusement.


    ¡°Um¡­¡±


    The whispers and giggles were very distracting.


    Even Lera was giggling.


    ¡°Wait? What are you guys telling her? You better not be corrupting her impressionable mind.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s between us in our Sisterhood of the Sun,¡± Chrome nodded sagely.


    ¡°Oh god¡­ you too?¡±


    ¡°Alright, guys, he looks like he¡¯s going to exploded.¡± Reena rolled her eyes. ¡°Go on, Kat, go put him out of his misery.¡±


    ¡°Reena!¡± Kat hissed.


    ¡°What? It was funny the first three months, but now it¡¯s just, like, get on with it.¡±


    Kat flicked a chip off Reena¡¯s forehead as she stood and dragged Alin by the arm until they reached a good distance.


    The noises were more muted. Both from their friends and the distant festival. Closing time drew ever nearer and the crowds were thinning.


    The light was dim where Kat had stopped equidistant from the two lampposts.


    ¡°Um,¡± she blushed, tucking her hair behind her ear and gazing at him with a tilted head.


    A good sign according to everyone from Victor and Steph to Jayde and Hayden.


    ¡°Do you want to go to the festival with me tomorrow?¡±


    The words blurted out of his mouth.


    She giggled.


    Damn it!


    ¡°Um, we already did that today.¡±


    ¡°I mean, I meant, that just us. That is, just the two of us.¡±


    ¡°Like a date?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Date. That. Er¡­ a date. I am asking you on a date. Tomorrow. Festival and stuff¡­¡±


    ¡°What if I don¡¯t want to go to the festival? I did just go all day.¡±


    Shit!


    He thought fast.


    Which was slow, because she giggled again.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t have a back up plan.¡± He grinned sheepishly as the heat in his body reached Solar Tyrant levels.


    ¡°I¡¯m just teasing,¡± she stuck her tongue out, ¡°the festival sounds fun.¡±


    He blinked.


    ¡°So, uh, that¡¯s a yes?¡±


    God, his brain felt like it was swimming through honey.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± she arched a brow.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    She giggled, laying a hand on his arm.


    His heart just about burst out of his chest.


    She leaned up toward him.


    ¡°Ah, young love, so precarious, so easily interrupted,¡± a sweet, sibilant voice made them jump.


    Black cloak.


    Pointy, wide-brimmed hat in black.


    A gnarled staff festooned with jingling bones.


    Yup.


    A witch.


    ¡°Um¡­ hi?¡± he said eloquently. ¡°Are we in danger?¡±


    ¡°Maybe,¡± she shrugged. ¡°Tis yet unclear, come join us in the fire¡¯s warmth and safety.¡±


    They followed the witch to find two more had already joined the fire pit court.


    ¡°¡ª if a rhyming witch guy comes up to you, don¡¯t listen, just run.¡± A witch in a dark leather long coat wearing a tricorne hat said in between handfuls of Doritos.


    The third witch hovered around a clearly uncomfortable Lera, chanting softly and weaving her fingers as though she was knitting.


    Eda watched with burning excitement that fogged her glasses.


    ¡°Hey! What¡¯re you doing?¡± Alin charged.


    The first witch grabbed Alin¡¯s arm in a vise-like grip that didn¡¯t fit her thin wrist and delicate-looking fingers.


    ¡°She divines the threat, now hush, lest you awaken it too soon.¡±


    Lera¡¯s lip began to quiver and her eyes glistened.


    That was enough!


    He jerked his arm with all his might only for the witch to sigh.


    At least she didn¡¯t tighten her grip or draw attention to his weakness.


    ¡°Patience is the key ingredient in the pot,¡± she intoned.


    ¡°What even does that mean?¡± he hissed.


    ¡°Wait.¡±


    Not that he had a choice.


    The third witch weaved whatever weird spell she was doing.


    ¡°Young lady, I¡¯m glad to see you happy and carefree. So, thus, I regret bringing you these words,¡± she cleared her throat. The voice that followed reverberated as though three spoke in one, but weren¡¯t in sync. ¡°The bright moon turns red when the hunt¡¯s hounds bray, the dark-winged sun should run away.¡±


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°That was a rhyme, wasn¡¯t it?¡± Steph whispered.


    ¡°Shut up, dude!¡± Victor punched him in the arm.


    Alin rushed over to his cousin.


    ¡°You okay?¡± he hugged her.


    She wiped her eyes on his shirt and buried her face in his stomach.


    ¡°They won¡¯t let me have fun.¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t get you.¡±


    ¡°My dad¡¯s not here, Uncle Cal is gone, Aunt Rayna left.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re here.¡±


    He hoped that was enough.


    The rangers finally materialized.


    A full stealth squad.


    The ranger sergeant went straight to the witches.


    ¡°What¡¯s the nature of the threat?¡± he said.


    ¡°As it always is,¡± the third witch said. ¡°The hunt rides. Though I suspect you already know that,¡± she quirked her head to the side like an owl.


    The ranger sergeant looked like he¡¯d rather chew glass than answer, but relented under the witch¡¯s inscrutable gaze.


    ¡°Giant wandering monster incident near the border. Ranger One is still cleaning it up.¡±


    ¡°Fucking tricksters,¡± the longcoat witch spat.


    The ranger sergeant cursed.


    ¡°Faerie protocols,¡± he barked into his radio. ¡°Clear the kids!¡±


    The rangers began herding Alin¡¯s friends toward the buildings.


    ¡°The young one stays,¡± the third witch said.


    ¡°Unacceptable. We¡¯re taking her to a defensible position. Too exposed out here.¡±


    ¡°Walls of women hinder the Fae not.¡±


    ¡°Listen, lady, there might be weird shit going on with the spires, but we own those buildings and we¡¯ve still got some protections.¡±


    ¡°They follow their own rules,¡± the first witch rattled her staff and began burning something into the grass, ¡°come, Lera, we won¡¯t let them harm you.¡±


    Alin¡¯s hands shook as he dug deep into his small pouch of holding to pull out a sleek, slim backpack.


    ¡°Recruit! What¡¯re you doing!¡± one of the ranger¡¯s snapped. ¡°Get over there with the rest of them!¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t do that, sir.¡±


    A few of his friends looked back and tried to turn around when they noticed he wasn¡¯t going, but were herded away by the rangers.


    He gave Kat a smile and a wave as she vanished into the gloom.


    ¡°That¡¯s an order, recruit!¡±


    ¡°Sorry, sir, but I¡¯m a Cruces first.¡±


    The back pack opened up.


    Flexible Threnium slid into place around his body like a chitinous shell.


    The helmet formed around his head.


    Systems green in the HUD.


    ¡°Fuck! It¡¯s on you. Don¡¯t get in the way,¡± the ranger headed off.


    The multi-weapon¡¯s hilt felt familiar in his hand thanks to hours of practice. The recoilless pistol slid into the holster at his waist.


    Lera had her own small bag of holding.


    Out came cold-iron armor sized for a child.


    Spiked helmet, chest and back plate, vambraces, spike-knuckled gloves, greaves and spike-toed boots.


    She pulled out a sheathed dagger that went around her waist and a nasty looking club taller than Alin. Naturally, the hardwood was studded with cold iron spikes.


    The longcoat-wearing witch regarded him coolly.


    ¡°Lera¡¯s our priority.¡±


    ¡°No, you¡¯ll help him too,¡± Lera said.


    ¡°Sorry, kid, mommy¡¯s orders.¡±


    Alin stood next to his little cousin.


    Despite being twice her size, he felt half as small.


    The undersuit wasn¡¯t his full power armor.


    It wasn¡¯t nearly as powerful or protective.


    ¡°Hurry it up, Grace,¡± the longcoat wearing witch snapped. ¡°I¡¯m feeling a chill and it isn¡¯t the tropical breeze.¡±


    ¡°Witch Evangeline would do well to remember that vinegar repels the flies,¡± the third witch said.


    ¡°Leave off it, Seren. Grace knows she can move faster without trying to make her bones jingle like a Jesus damn orchestra.¡±


    ¡°Our craft is our art, though you wouldn¡¯t know that would you, Witch Evangeline. It doesn¡¯t take much craft nor art to pull the trigger, does it?¡± Witch Grace continued to trace the large burning pattern into the grass.


    ¡°They¡¯re, uh, kinda not what I expected,¡± Alin whispered.


    Lera said nothing, just chewed on her lip.


    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t worry, your dad¡¯s probably already on his way.¡±


    Lera pulled a small, beeping device from her pocket.


    ¡°I pressed it, but he¡¯s not here yet.¡±


    ¡°Well, maybe Aunt Rayna will be back soon.¡±


    Lera¡¯s lip quivered.


    He lay a hand on her shoulder.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine. Rangers are coming too, see.¡±


    Squads arrived from the nearby HQ.


    Ranger Captain Swan Princess led.


    Tall, long-limbed, graceful and beautiful despite the scars on her face.


    ¡°I need information.¡±


    Witch Evangeline shrugged.


    ¡°Fae shit. Probably the Wild Hunt. Could be an incursion straight from the Fae realm.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the difference? Be precise,¡± the ranger captain said.


    ¡°Wild Hunt can only enter our world from the UK. They can fly fast so we¡¯d have maybe an hour warning time. We¡¯ve got nothing from our people over there, so ruling that out for now. The second thing is worse. The Fae opens up a hole from their realm and pops out wherever they want. Building owner protections don¡¯t always work against that. And things can get fucky. They open a hole in your house and you might find yourself in the Fae realm rather than them out here. Or your house gets turned into half here, half Fae realm. Might be temporary, might not.¡±


    ¡°So, being out in the open prevents that.¡±


    ¡°Smart and pretty,¡± Witch Evangeline¡¯s smile didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°The natural world cannot be subverted by the Fae in the same way as the works of woman.¡±


    ¡°What threat level are you expecting?¡±


    ¡°Standard Fae are Level 30 minimum. Titled ones are Level 40 minimum. That goes up the higher the title.¡±


    ¡°And the spell she¡¯s casting?¡±


    ¡°Making the hole as small as possible. Hopefully, Daddy or Aunty shows up before that becomes¡ª¡±


    The air tore with a sound that sent them all to their knees.


    Even his helmet¡¯s auditory protections did nothing.


    ¡°Sisters! I require your assistance!¡± Witch Grace cried bloody tears.


    Witch Seren and Witch Evangeline hurried to positions around the large symbol burned into the grass.


    ¡°A triad won¡¯t be enough!¡± Witch Seren said.


    ¡°How can we help?¡± the ranger captain said.


    ¡°Our mana won¡¯t last long enough for this!¡± Witch Evangeline said. ¡°Not without the preparations we didn¡¯t have time for. If your mages can feed us mana¡­¡±


    ¡°Done.¡±


    The ranger captain barked orders.


    Lessons learned over the years meant that every ranger mage-type was capable of transferring their mana without difficulty.


    The air over the symbol opened up like a giant eye.


    Its gaze flashed from person to person until it settled on Lera.


    ¡°Raven¡¯s child. Sun¡¯s child.¡±


    The voice bled their ears.


    ¡°We need more!¡± Witch Evangeline snarled.


    Ranger Captain Swan Princess cursed and ordered the rest of her mages to help the witches.


    Alin recognized the danger in that.


    The non-mage rangers groused in hushed tones.


    ¡°I knew this festival was a bad idea.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re running ragged just dealing with the zones.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just mad you got a bad role.¡±


    ¡°Quiet!¡± the ranger captain snapped. ¡°Under 40¡¯s keep your distance.¡±


    That didn¡¯t make the handful of Level 40 and above rangers feel any better.


    She took a knee in front of Lera.


    ¡°I know you have training, but not with us. So, hang back and let us work. Defend yourself, but don¡¯t get in the way.¡± She turned to Alin. ¡°As for you, Boy.¡± She shook her head. ¡°Same orders. Maybe that fancy armor will keep you safe.¡±


    The eye-like tear began to vibrate, glowing bright enough to make his faceplate darken.


    The witches pressed their hands forward as though trying to hold back a tsunami.


    Their chanting reached a desperate, fevered pitch.


    One by one, ranger mages dropped, drained of their mana with dangerous speed.


    The ranger captain cursed, conjuring a handful of her famed spell orbs. They orbited in the palm of her hands. Different colors shined a kaleidoscope of light to push back against the rainbow spewing from the tear.


    Long fingered hands emerged from the opening, grasping, ripping and pulling.


    They pulled what Alin understood to be one of the Fae into the real world.


    It slid out like a baby being born in all its gross gooey-ness like in those animal documentaries his mom liked to watch.


    The Fae, pristine, sparkling sketched a fancy bow.


    Alin fell into the uncanny valley.


    The Fae was humanoid at first glance or when seen in shadows out of the corner of an eye.


    Its limbs were too long and bent in ways they shouldn¡¯t.


    Its posture was neither human nor animal.


    Its armor was styled like faded leaves, rippling across the forest floor in a non-existent wind. They seemed to curl and crumble before growing anew in an endless cycle.


    Its curved blade resembled the bone of a long dead creature bleached and brittle in the sun.


    Its curved blade resembled the bone of a newly dead creature glistening red and dripping with strips of meat.


    Its long hair hung lank, framing a beautiful face that¡ª


    Alin gagged at the sight.


    It was instinctive.


    He stared into a twisted reflection, like in one of the funhouse mirrors back at the festival.


    The Fae dived into a roll and slashed its blade.


    A shield-bearing ranger appeared behind its witch target.


    Instantaneous Intercept Block.


    The soft ting of blade on shield rang out.


    Blinding Strike.


    The ranger¡¯s axe struck with a flash into a burst of rotten flower petals and tiny animal bones.


    It appeared behind a second witch in the triangle.


    Sharp pops altered the strike mid-swing¡ª


    Taunting Gunfire.


    ¡ª the blade reached hungrily for the ranger.


    A dozen feet.


    The Fae had been striking at the witch, now it was at the ranger.


    The blade struck a bright magic shield.


    A glowing orb the size of an apple hovered over the ranger.


    Orb and shield shattered causing Ranger Captain Swan Princess to grind her teeth against the backlash.


    She retaliated with a sickly green orb, dousing the Fae with magical acid.


    Once again it burst into dying leaves and animal bones.


    Countless long-fingered hands pushed their way through the eye-like opening inside the witch ritual circle.


    ¡°More!¡± the witches cried out in an eerie echo.


    The ranger captain made a quick decision.


    One by one her orbs winked out as she lent her mana.


    The Fae grinned and cut at her exposed back.


    Things became too fast for Alin to follow.


    Blocks, strikes, parries, ripostes and bullets filled the once quiet night with a nightmarish cacophony.


    The multi-weapon in his hand felt useless.


    He felt useless.


    A light drizzle started.


    It took a moment for him to realize that the droplets misting his faceplate were red.


    Rangers dropped, adding their red to the Fae¡¯s bone blade.


    The shielder was the last one left standing and he was rapidly blowing through his Skills to keep the Fae from cutting through the witches and the ranger mages.


    How much time had passed?


    Seconds?


    The ranger pinned the Fae in place with a Skill even as it finally cleaved his shield in twain.


    A sudden and violent burst of wind knocked Alin over.


    A high-pitched cry.


    A cold-iron studded club smashed the Fae¡¯s armored shoulder.


    This time it didn¡¯t burst into leaves and bones.


    Lera hammered at the Fae with wild swings.


    It deflected and dodged while its deformed shoulder slowly popped back into place.


    Lera missed badly, plunging her club into the dirt repeatedly.


    The Fae kicked her, sending her tumbling away from the light, away from everyone.


    Alin finally reacted rather than thinking.


    He guessed the Fae¡¯s path since he knew that it was here to take Lera away.


    A cybernetic thought turned the multi-weapon into long, sweeping warscythe that clipped the Fae¡¯s legs as it strode after Lera.


    It burst into leaves and bones, reappearing behind him.


    Warscythe turned into longsword on his back swing.


    The Fae parried.


    The hardlight blade chipped, but held.


    Alin sought the bind, but the Fae was too strong and too quick.


    Before he realized what had happened the Fae¡¯s delicate-looking fingers crushed his wrist in a vise-like grip.


    The horrifying reflection peered into his faceplate.


    A sniff.


    A wrinkled nose.


    ¡°Unpleasant shell doth conceal the sweet meat.¡±


    It glanced at his holstered pistol.


    ¡°Yet, this one knows the ways.¡±


    It lifted him by his arm to bring him closer while he kicked like a helpless puppy being held by the scuff of his neck.


    ¡°Unpleasant smell doth conceal familiar meat. Where there was one, is now there two? The court¡¯s commands were clear, passage for one to foul our realm. The Baron of Forest Decay doth proclaim¡­ where there was one, now there is two.¡±


    That didn¡¯t sound good.


    The content of the Fae¡¯s words and the sound of its voice.


    It was that of slaughtered animals.


    The Fae carried him over to where Lera was struggling to her feet.


    His little cousin¡¯s cold iron chestplate had a foot-shaped dent.


    It grasped for her.


    ¡°Raven¡¯s spawn. Sun¡¯s get.¡±


    She grabbed the wrist in tiny, super strong hands and wrapped her tiny, super strong legs around it¡¯s arm.


    The strange length of the Fae¡¯s limbs meant that she couldn¡¯t get a proper armbar, but what did technique matter when one had strength?


    Dead and dying leaves flaked off the Fae¡¯s vambrace as Lera snapped its arm.


    It hissed and tried to shake her off like the game little pit bull she was.


    Its fingers strayed too close to her mouth, so she bit down.


    ¡°Punishment doth befits you, the Baron of Forest Decay doth procl¡ª¡±


    ¡°Doth this!¡±


    Alin shot it in the face.


    Full auto.


    Thirty cold-iron flechettes in the creepy, twisted face.


    The face-stealing bastard really sounded like dying farm animals now.


    It relinquished its hold.


    He activated the multi-weapon.


    Hardlight edge cut into, but not through its pale neck.


    It was bullshit that magical beings could no sell a monomolecular edge.


    Superscience should¡¯ve topped weird faerie magic.


    Draw cut out.


    Rely on muscle memory to parry the bone blade¡¯s stroke just enough.


    The impact would¡¯ve broken his arm without the undersuit¡¯s enhancements.


    Smooth transition into another cut.


    Get parried.


    Wait a second?


    Wasn¡¯t the Fae¡¯s sword in its other hand?


    Parry.


    Stumble backward onto his butt because the Fae¡¯s strength blew right through.


    Lera spat too-long fingers.


    Spat solar fire.


    The faceful got the Fae screaming like a piglet being butchered.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get back to the others!¡± he grabbed Lera¡¯s arm and ran.


    She grabbed his arm and pumped her little legs, dragging him along behind her like a flag flapping in the wind.


    The Fae appeared between them in a burst of dying leaves and animal bones that crumbled into dust when they hit the grass.


    He stabbed it in the back.


    A quick spin and downward swipe of its healed arm shattered the hardlight blade and forced the wire to automatically recoil before he could trigger it again.


    That vise-like grip grabbed his wrist.


    Bending, bending, bending backward.


    His eyes widened at the pain, the rising panic.


    The twisted reflection mirrored him in mockery.


    An eyebrow quirked up, visible despite all of the holes within holes in its face that refused to heal.


    ¡°Doth this¡­¡±


    Snap!


    White lights danced in Alin¡¯s vision.


    Iron tang filled his mouth.


    The undersuit resisted, but failed in the end.


    The crack was muffled, not that he noticed in the sudden pain.


    His right arm dangled useless at the elbow, sending throbbing spikes through the rest of his body with each swing.


    The Fae grabbed him by the ankle and lifted him up, placing its second hand on his thigh.


    Fingers so long that they encircled his muscular thigh or rather¡­ did they lengthen?


    He braced for pain.


    ¡°Doth this¡ª¡±


    A child¡¯s scream, but in anger more than fear.


    Flying, spinning and crashing.


    Alin¡¯s injured arm twisted painfully against his tumbling body.


    Screams of dying piglets mingled with Lera¡¯s screams.

 8.25

    Alin wrapped his good arm and legs around the fae¡¯s lower half.


    Thin with joints that bent in all the weirdest ways meant it was like trying to hold a greased up giant snake.


    A true story, not his, but his uncle¡¯s.


    So, there he was, wrapped around the fae like that time when he was a kid deathly afraid of the lake his mom was trying to take him into.


    It hadn¡¯t helped that he had seen the size of the monstrous fishes and other things his dad had taken out of it earlier in the day.


    The fae would¡¯ve stabbed him or thrown him off had it not been occupied with Lera.


    His little cousin forced it to parry and weave against her strikes.


    Not with her club, which was lost somewhere in the dark, but with her dented chestplate.


    She had taken it off to use as an inelegant, but effective bludgeon.


    The cold iron rendered the bone blade mundane and stripped the fae of its ability to heal nearly instantaneously.


    Alin felt like he was inside a violently shaking snow globe, but instead of fake snow, dying leaves and tiny animal bones swirled around him.


    The impacts sounded like gunshots.


    They were so loud that his helmet¡¯s automatic auditory system dampened them.


    One particular fierce blow cut the chestplate in two and snapped the bone blade.


    The fae¡¯s dying animal scream cut right through Alin''s helmet protections.


    He bit his tongue again.


    Lera jumped, shoving the jagged edge of the cold iron into its screaming mouth.


    They all toppled over.


    Alin at the bottom of the pile with two wrestling bodies on top of him.


    His cousin was heavier than she looked, while the fae was simultaneously heavier and lighter than it looked.


    An iron weight in one moment and a small sack of leaves the next.


    It was all he could do to hold on for his and Lera¡¯s lives.


    Being taken to the fae Realm didn¡¯t sound like a good idea.


    They rolled around like wet cats in a sack.


    Lera went for the eyes, digging and gouging for gold.


    The fae palmed her face like a ball, pushing with all its faerie might.


    She fish-hooked the side of its mouth, stretching until she ripped it a wider smile.


    It stabbed with half a bone blade only for Alin to deflect it out of sheer luck with a desperate swipe of a re-initialized hardlight blade.


    Sword turned into dagger with a cybernetic thought.


    Alin plunged it through dying leaves thigh armor.


    He worked it like a saw before ripping it out.


    Dead leaves and animal bones sprayed him in face, smearing across his faceplate.


    Lera planted her knee between the fae¡¯s legs.


    The blows made Alin feel like he was in an earthquake.


    The fae somehow elbowed Alin in the head despite him being below its waste.


    A second elbow knocked Lera¡¯s head back.


    The broken bone blade struck like a snake across the side of her face, creating sparks against the side of her helmet.


    She bit at its exposed fingers, spitting out dying leaves and animal bones while the fae screamed.


    It lashed out, striking her off it with another elbow.


    It kicked Alin off and stomped on him for good measure, driving the wind from his lungs and planting into into the grass and dirt.


    Lera, ferocious cat that she was, pounced on the fae¡¯s back.


    Fingers dug into eyes and unhealed holes from Alin¡¯s pistol.


    It spun around, trying to rip her off.


    Alin pulled himself from the small Alin-shaped crater.


    He couldn¡¯t concentrate with the pain, so he had to do it by hand. He pulled his dangling arm tight to his body with his uninjured one.


    ¡°Lock right arm. All joints.¡±


    The undersuit obeyed.


    His eyes watered and his vision darkened for an instant.


    The arm stayed in place as though in a sling.


    Next he tried to reload his recoilless pistol, which wasn¡¯t easy with just one usable hand.


    The fae and Lera were moving further away in the wild, spinning struggle.


    A loud boom knocked him face first into the grass.


    Bright light lit up the night for an instant.


    He glanced back as his faceplate cleared.


    Wiping away the smeared leaves and bit of animal bones, he saw a dozen still forms crumpled around the witch ritual circle.


    There was no sign of the eye-like opening, in its places stood two fae.


    One witch remained standing.


    The one with the longcoat and tricorne hat.


    She flicked her coat open and drew two pistols, spraying the fae with bullets that sparked like fireflies.


    Ranger Captain Swan Princess was on her knees, but she sent a trio of spell orbs swirling around the fae, firing spells in a bright torrent.


    The fae parried with blade and blocked with shield.


    The witch and the ranger were spent from the effort to close the rift to the fae Realm.


    They¡¯re remaining power didn¡¯t last long.


    The fae leapt from the circle, cutting and thrusting at the down forms.


    One, two, three, four rangers lost their lives in an instant.


    A burst of machine gun fire sent them dodging or ducking behind the shield.


    Rangers finally emerged from HQ.


    What had taken them so long?


    Alin failed to realize that what had felt like an eternity to him, had been only a handful of minutes at most.


    A modified golf cart tore across the gas.


    Guns barked.


    Cold iron bullets tore holes that didn¡¯t heal.


    They tipped the balance of levels with numbers and the fae¡¯s vulnerability.


    The two new arrivals vanished in a puff of leaves and ash, but didn¡¯t reappear.


    A loud scream ripped the night.


    The Baron of Forest Decay had Lera pinned beneath its boot.


    It raised a gnarled horn made out of no earthly animal to its lips.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let it call the hunt!¡± The witch with the bone-adorned staff had risen from unconsciousness.


    Bang!


    A single shot blew the horn to bits along with a few of the fae¡¯s fingers.


    Ranger Captain Aims, another legendary name, fanned his antique revolver.


    Cold iron bullets ripped into both eyes, wrists and throat.


    The second revolver replaced the first in the blink of an eye.


    Shots tore through elbows, shoulders and knees.


    Lera heaved the fae off her and leapt on it.


    She punched and pounded cold-iron spiked fists on its chest like a blood-lusted, prime silverback.


    Dead leaves and animal bone filled the air around them.


    Her face twisted into a rictus of rage as the assault showed no signs of abating.


    The rangers rushed forward to cover her and pull her away, but the witch shouted and they held back.


    Alin staggered to his feet and pushed his way past the circle around his cousin and the fae.


    ¡°Lera¡­ Lera¡­ Lera!¡±


    She stopped, fists raised high over her head.


    He approached slowly.


    ¡°Lera, it¡¯s me. Can you hear me? It¡¯s over. You beat it.¡±


    The fae was already crumbling into dead leaves and ash.


    She turned to face him.


    Her face was a battered mess.


    Blood leaked from her nose.


    One eye swollen shut, the other shadowed in dark purple.


    Her left cheek was twice as big as the right, while the right had red welts.


    She opened her mouth to speak, revealing missing teeth.


    ¡°It¡¯s over?¡± She looked up at him with tears.


    He continued his slow approach.


    ¡°Yeah, you did it. You beat it!¡± he smiled despite the pain in his face.


    His armor had kept him alive, but not uninjured.


    ¡°Deep breaths, remember what your dad said about control. You don¡¯t need to fight anymore. You don¡¯t need to be strong.¡±


    ¡°They never leave me alone. I was happy playing with all the kids and you and they ruined it like always.¡± She sobbed. Her fingers twitched, clenching into fists and opening repeatedly. ¡°Now I¡¯m going to have to go back and I don¡¯t want to. There aren¡¯t a lot of kids and the ones there don¡¯t want to play with me.¡±


    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s okay, we don¡¯t know that. You beat it, right? So, maybe they¡¯ll think again before trying.¡±


    ¡°No! They always do!¡±


    He was within hugging distance, but had to be careful.


    In her worked up state she could accidentally hurt him.


    He had the undersuit on, but I might not be enough to escape broken ribs and ruptured organs.


    She bawled.


    Full on, ugly baby crying.


    She went to wipe her eyes when she realized that she had armored hands.


    Fuck it! he thought.


    He hugged her tightly.


    She hesitated a long moment before returning it.


    Tight, but not painful.


    He didn¡¯t know how long they stayed like that.


    He had dim memories of more rangers and SCSDF guardians flooding the area.


    They took care of the injured, took the dead away and set up defenses around the two of them.


    All he knew was that he didn¡¯t feel safe until someone flew down from the dark night sky.


    Either his aunt or uncle, he didn¡¯t know because he passed out at that moment.


    He thought he was prepared for a real life or death fight.


    Oh, how wrong he had been.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    <hr>


    Alin woke from the shaking.


    ¡°Wake up, concussion boy,¡± Uncle Eron grinned.


    Brain fog had him blinking in confusion.


    ¡°Do you know where you are?¡±


    He looked around.


    It looked like his room at his aunt¡¯s house where he stayed during the week because of school, ranger and regular.


    Was that right?


    ¡°What day is it? Year? Who are you?¡±


    He grimaced at being forced to think.


    The headache was real and painful, like stabbing needles behind his eyes and why was the light so bright.


    He closed his eyes, which made things spin.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Boy. I got to check.¡±


    ¡°Sunday? 2046. I¡¯m me.¡±


    ¡°Technically it¡¯s Monday, but close enough.¡±


    He shot up and regretted it instantly.


    ¡°Is¡ª¡±


    ¡°Lera¡¯s fine. No more fae. You¡¯ve got a concussion, which is good because without that fancy armor you¡¯d be dead from blunt force brain trauma. Your elbow got broken, ligaments and tendons torn. Good news is that doctor Skills and healing magic means that your concussion is only good for about three to four hours. The elbow¡¯s gonna take about two weeks. Your mom wants the lesson to sink in,¡± he shrugged.¡±


    ¡°My mom!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, she can¡¯t yell at you tonight. Some stuff went down at your place. Again, don¡¯t worry, she¡¯s fine. Slight casualties, no deaths, but your off the hook for now.¡±


    ¡°Did the fae¡ª¡±


    ¡°Nope, your mom¡¯s problems were spawn zone related. Damn things are going crazy. That¡¯s why you didn¡¯t have a lot of ranger support. A festival might have not been the best idea in such troubled times.¡±


    ¡°The festival¡ª¡±


    ¡°Relax, it¡¯s not getting canceled. So, your little date is still on. Unless her parents got freaked out by the close call tonight. You and your friends got awfully close to some real terrors. I wouldn¡¯t blame them if they decide to keep the kids at home tomorrow, er, today.¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ how do you know about that?¡±


    ¡°You were crying about it when you were going in and out of consciousness.¡±


    ¡°Aww man¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. Only me, your aunt, Fed, the doctor, the nurse, the healers and a couple of others were there. Just be happy you didn¡¯t shit and piss yourself. That happens a lot more than you¡¯d think when people get fucked up in a fight.¡±


    ¡°So, I¡¯ll be okay to go¡­ er¡­¡±


    ¡°On your date?¡± Uncle Eron snorted. ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s bed rest for you until the doctor says otherwise,¡± he sighed. ¡°Damn faeries. They just won¡¯t leave her alone. It¡¯s not fair. She¡¯s lonely.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ uh¡­ figured that out.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s why she¡¯s been so happy here. She got to be a normal kid. Running around terrorizing the neighborhood. Ditch¡¯em, water fights, hide and seek, all the kid stuff I remember. Annoying your older cousin.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s¡­ uh¡­ not¡­¡±


    His uncle laughed.


    ¡°She is and that¡¯s perfectly normal. Anyways, thanks again for getting Lera¡¯s back. Your parents are probably going to punish you.¡±


    ¡°Worth it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m biased, but I agree. It takes balls to go up against a fae noble without powers or Skills. Badass gear, admittedly, but it wasn¡¯t even your full power armor. I might have a word with them. What¡¯s the point of having it if you can¡¯t use it when you really need it?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ agree¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t mention you said anything. I¡¯ll frame it as a concerned fellow parent and from a tactical and strategic standpoint.¡±


    A heavy, pattering tread sounded on the stairs and in the hallway.


    Tiny feet, but heavier than she looked.


    Lera tromped over with their Aunt Rayna.


    ¡°I heard you,¡± Aunt Rayna poked Uncle Eron in the side.


    ¡°Ow, why?¡±


    ¡°Because you¡¯re the worst.¡±


    ¡°He deserved to know what he could¡¯ve sacrificed to help my daughter. Which was I was getting to, Boy, thanks for giving everything you could to help Lera.¡± His uncle sniffled. ¡°I just¡­ family¡¯s the only thing that matters and I¡¯m happy that you and her have got that bond. You know, boon companions facing the darkness back-to-back against the nightmares of this cursed world.¡±


    ¡°Would you stop!¡± Aunt Rayna held Lera close.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,.¡± Lera¡¯s voice was small.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t your fault,¡± Alin said without hesitation. ¡°It was the fae¡¯s fault.¡±


    No one mentioned the murdered rangers though their sacrifice was in their thoughts.


    He regarded his little cousin.


    Her face looked a lot better from what he remembered through his hazy memory.


    No swelling. Cuts already scabbed over. The bruises that made her look like a raccoon were already fading. She was still missing teeth and her eyes were red and she had to wipe the snot from her nose with her sleeve periodically.


    Her naturally quick healing combined with the doctor¡¯s and healers¡¯ efforts almost minimized the scale of the mortal danger she had just faced.


    She approached shyly, then threw her arms around him.


    Tight, but careful to avoid pressing on his arm in a sling.


    He returned it with his good arm.


    ¡°Sorry, I know I promised you could braid my hair and paint my nails, but maybe once I¡¯m better. Two weeks, right?¡±


    Lera sniffled snot on his shirt.


    ¡°Yeah, unfortunately, Lera¡¯s going home in a few days,¡± Uncle Eron sighed. ¡°Once your dad gets back, we¡¯re taking her and the witches back.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ well, I guess I can visit you next time or you guys are coming for Christmas?¡±


    ¡°Better chance for the former. Christmas time is a busy time for me and not exactly the best time to be outside of the safety of the coven. You know how solstices get with fae stuff. Hey, it¡¯s not all bad. You¡¯ve got a few more days to braid hair, paint nails and party tea.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to go,¡± Lera whispered.


    Lera was a smart girl.


    She had seen people murdered by the fae and, justly or not, it was a consequence of her presence.


    Hard questions would be asked about how much one was willing to spend just to give her the opportunity to live like a normal child for a few months.


    But for now they would do their best to insulate the children from the real world.


    ¡°Okay, so, Lera¡¯s mostly fine, but Boy, you can¡¯t sleep yet, so normally I¡¯d just throw a movie on, but watching things isn¡¯t good for your eyes right now,¡± Uncle Eron said.


    ¡°Yeah, that sounds good.¡±


    ¡°So, I guess that means it¡¯s story time. How about it? Interested?¡±


    He scooted over to give Lera space as she burrowed into his blanket to cuddle.


    The urge to shoo her away came and went quickly.


    His cousin had superpowers and if he was being honest, he had always been jealous, but for the first time he had seen firsthand what she had to give up in exchange for them.


    The fae¡¯s face¡­ the twisted reflection¡­ it lingered in his memory.


    The knowledge that it intended to take Lera away chilled him to the core and more that it had been a close thing despite her powers.


    Lives had been lost to stop just three of the things.


    ¡°What story do you guys want to hear?¡± Uncle Eron pulled a desk chair over to the bedside.


    ¡°Not too late for Lera. Remember the doctor said she needs to sleep,¡± Aunt Rayna said before leaving the room to do ranger stuff.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to sleep,¡± Lera muttered.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Baby,¡± Uncle Eron soothed. ¡°You have your mom¡¯s charm and the dreamcatchers, right?¡±


    Lera fingered her necklace.


    Alin remembered the witchy looking decorations in Lera¡¯s room.


    ¡°And they¡¯ve always worked, right?¡±


    Lera nodded.


    ¡°Can we get a story that, um, isn¡¯t one of your usual ones?¡±


    Alin had enough of nightmarish creatures and entities for one night.


    ¡°Crap¡­ okay¡­ that¡¯s kinda limiting my options, you know?¡±


    His uncle fell into silent thought for a minute or two before brightening.


    ¡°Okay, I got one! Lera, I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever told you the story of how I met your mom. So, anyways, there was this skin monster¡­¡±


    <hr>


    The brain fog was real the next day.


    Not being allowed to sleep made his head feel weird.


    It was boring more than anything once he accounted for the aches and pains since he couldn¡¯t really leave bed unless it was to go to the bathroom.


    Real food wasn¡¯t even a thing because all he had was the Threnosh nutrient drink.


    A large supply had been sent over.


    It was perfect because it had all he needed without triggering the nausea and urge to puke.


    They had even given it a variety of flavors.


    He preferred the fruity ones to the savory ones.


    Drinking strawberry was good and normal. Drinking fried rice and orange chicken was not.


    Kat took a sip of his lunch.


    ¡°I can taste the hamburger and the curly fries¡­ how?¡±


    Their planned festival date had turned into her reading from a random book plucked off the shelf.


    It was about a sword-wielding mouse defending his abbey from rats, weasels and a snake.


    How had he missed it?


    There was a whole series and he suddenly wanted to know everything¡­ especially about those badger lords. They sounded like proper badasses!


    His friends had come in small groups to check in on him before heading back to their homes or the festival depending on how strict their parents were.


    His uncle and Lera were in the backyard painting nails and partying tea with the recovering witches.


    It was interesting to learn that only two of the witches cackled.


    The one with the pistols laughed like a normal person.


    ¡°They distilled the flavor profiles into complex molecular chains that remain separate within the liquid.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, okay, but how am I tasting both at the same time, but completely separate from each other.¡± Kat took another sip. ¡°I could get used to this and it has all the nutrients I need?¡±


    ¡°Yup. Healthier than real food too. You like it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s weird.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re weird!¡± She raised a fist toward his arm, halting when she realized it was in a sling, so she leaned over him to punch his other arm.


    She got really close to his face when she did that.


    The blood rushed to his head, which was bad for his dizziness, forcing him to close his eyes for it too pass.


    ¡°Oops, sorry,¡± she giggled. ¡°Do you need the nurse?¡±


    A rotating number had been coming in and out of his aunt¡¯s house all day in one hour shifts.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m good,¡± he yawned.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t slept at all?¡±


    He shook his head.


    ¡°That was crazy last night. The rangers took us to a bunker, but we could still hear stuff. It sounded like thunder.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, uh, I don¡¯t really want to talk about it.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah, obviously, sorry. I¡¯m glad you and your cousin are okay.¡±


    What remained unsaid was the number of rangers that hadn¡¯t made it out of the fight okay.


    Alin knew because he had witnessed it. He didn¡¯t know how much of the full story Kat knew and he didn¡¯t want to ask.


    ¡°Um, thanks for spending time with me, but if you need to go do stuff¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s cool. I can¡¯t go to the festival anyways. My parents won¡¯t let me out until it¡¯s ¡®safe¡¯.¡±


    ¡°But they let you come here?¡±


    ¡°This is probably the best defended house anywhere right now. Rangers, guardians, your uncle.¡±


    He yawned again.


    Her eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s okay for you to sleep now. I¡¯ll ask the nurse.¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s fine. I¡¯m waiting on the doctor to check me out. I think she¡¯s supposed to come around two. I fell asleep for like fifteen minutes before anyone noticed and the nurse sorta freaked out. I had a weird dream.¡±


    ¡°Oh, what was it about?¡±


    ¡°I was at the beach, kinda like during beach weeks. There were people and everything.¡±


    ¡°Was I there?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ I don¡¯t remember faces or specifics like that. It was all kinda¡­ foggy¡­ yeah, a fog rolled in from the ocean or was always there. There were, like, shapes, I think, in the fog. Maybe people¡­ I felt like I knew them or should¡¯ve known them. Then I wandered a city and it was, like, the fog was following me. Then I think my dad and uncle were there, but they were fighting.¡±


    ¡°Oh, a monster! Wait, do you have paper and a pen? I should write this down. There was a dream interpretation section in one of the psychology classes I took.¡± She found what she needed on his desk. ¡°So, I think your dad and uncle probably represent safety and protection, right?¡±


    ¡°That makes sense.¡±


    ¡°So, whatever they were fighting represents something you fear in your subconscious. Was it the fae thing? Because that¡¯d make sense since you¡¯ve just gone through a traumatic event that¡¯s fresh in your mind.¡±


    ¡°No, not the fae¡­ I think¡­ they were fighting each other¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± her pen stopped. ¡°Why don¡¯t we start from the beginning of your dream.¡±


    The scent of brine filled his nose as refreshing mist sprinkled his exposed skin.


    A bright sun shined down.


    The heat balanced perfectly by the cool ocean waves lapping at his legs.


    Laughing shouts filled the air.


    Voices he recognized and those he didn¡¯t.


    He turned expecting to see beloved friends and family.


    Empty sand greeted him.


    Creeping fingers caressed the back of his neck.


    He spun.


    The empty ocean was covered with a thin blanket of fog that obscured the distant islands that should¡¯ve been visible. The pier to his right was quickly subsumed by the thick, gray smoke.


    He heard voices again.


    Hushed whispers this time.


    Right in his ear, though he couldn¡¯t understand them no matter how hard he tried.


    There was something familiar about them.


    The sinking sensation that he should¡¯ve recognized them accompanied a great sense of anger and loss that simultaneously came from within him and from a place outside.


    The pain was his. The pain was directed at him.


    The fog halted before him.


    Looking north, then south along the coastline he realized two things.


    The fog stretched out into infinity and it didn¡¯t pass him.


    He reached out.


    The gray wisps reached out in turn.


    It almost looked like a hand reaching for his.


    It felt familiar, like home and yet, he recoiled from it.


    Turning, he hurried away from the shore.


    The soft sand threatened to swallow his steps.


    Creeping fingers of gray tickled the back of his neck and caressed the sides of his face.


    He saw shapes, forms out of the corners of his eyes in the fog that trailed just behind him.


    As a child he had tied a blanket around his neck pretending to be superheroes from his dad¡¯s literature collection. He ran around pretending he was flying as he dragged the blanket all over the hotel. Sometimes his dad helped him fly for real. Then the sound of the blanket flapping in the wind filled his ears, competing with his laughter and joyful shouts.


    The fog was like that blanket.


    It smelled of home.


    And yet, except for the incessant whispers, it was as silent as a proper graveyard.


    Before he knew it he had walked into a city he didn¡¯t recognize.


    Tall buildings loomed in the fog that had spread out beyond his control to cover everything as far as he could see.


    A sudden presence appeared overhead in the haze.


    The sun.


    A harsh glaring presence threatening to burn the gray away.


    Then something more familiar rose. Out of the fog, but not of it.


    The two clashed in the sky and then he woke up.


    ¡°Wow! What¡¯s really weird is that you remembered so much detail. Usually, people forget their dreams as soon as they wake up unless they write it down right away.¡± Kat scribbled madly. ¡°Have you had this dream before?¡±


    ¡°First time, I think¡­¡±


    ¡°Okay, so, I¡¯m just trying to remember what we covered in class, but I¡¯m going to identify important elements. So, the fog is obvious, then the sun and the other thing¡­¡± she looked at him expectantly.


    ¡°Er¡­ I don¡¯t know, home and safety was the best way I can describe it¡­ but, a different kind of home than the fog stuff, which I know sounds like I should find creepier than I do.¡± He shrugged.


    ¡°Yeah, it sounds creepy to me, but it¡¯s a dream so it¡¯s supposed to be weird.¡±


    They spent the rest of the afternoon until Kat had to go home coming up with dozens of ideas that led to nothing definitive.


    Not that he was expecting answers.


    He chalked the weirdness up to last night¡¯s terrible fae experience combined with the concussion.


    Honestly, he was more concerned with the fallout from said events.


    What were his parents going to say?

 8.26

    As it happened, the fallout was a lot worse and far-reaching than Alin had expected.


    He was grounded, but that was a given.


    Even the length was within his projections.


    What he hadn¡¯t anticipated was the other thing.


    ¡°Suspended?¡± His mouth dropped.


    ¡°Yup.¡± His dad nodded.


    ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous!¡± His mom was doing the tap-stomp thing with her foot when she was really annoyed.


    ¡°He technically disobeyed orders.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Cal, but he did it to protect his eight year old cousin from a fae nightmare creature!¡± She snapped.


    ¡°They reviewed the footage and came to the conclusion that his efforts were positive and that he didn¡¯t cause any¡­ issues¡­ or impacts to the negative outcomes.¡±


    His dad didn¡¯t say it, but Alin was sharp enough to understand that the rangers hadn¡¯t found him in any way responsible for the deaths, which lifted a weight off his shoulders.


    ¡°Uh, Mom, it¡¯s okay. The rules are the rules and I did break them.¡±


    Her eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Fine, but they better watch themselves. My son won¡¯t be crap-talked when he doesn¡¯t deserve it. That monster broke your elbow and gave you a concussion and they¡¯re suspending you!¡±


    ¡°Love, it¡¯s done with.¡± His dad cut her off before she could gather steam again.


    ¡°Hmph!¡± His mom stalked out of the kitchen.


    ¡°How long am I suspended?¡±


    ¡°The rest of the quarter,¡± his dad said lightly.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ what?¡±


    ¡°You heard me right the first time.¡±


    ¡°But thats¡ª like two months!¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡±


    ¡°I just started!¡±


    ¡°You did¡­¡±


    The world crashed around him.


    He stood in a daze and walked to the sliding door leading to the balcony.


    It opened and closed.


    He returned to the kitchen table and plopped down.


    ¡°Um¡­ anymore details that I need to know?¡± He sighed, running a hand through his mop of hair.


    ¡°Well¡­ there was this technique I used to have to do at my old job. It¡¯s called a shit sandwich.¡±


    He gave his dad a baleful glare.


    ¡°So, if you have bad news to deliver, you do it in-between two pieces of good news. Makes the shit easier to eat.¡±


    ¡°Who wants to eat shit?¡±


    ¡°I think animals and monsters do sometimes.¡± His dad shrugged.


    ¡°Please continue¡­¡±


    ¡°Okay, so, good news first. You¡¯ll have the opportunity to get right back into the J.R.R.P. for the next quarter.¡±


    ¡°But, I¡¯m missing out on two-thirds of the classes and training. We haven¡¯t even started squad level exercises.¡±


    ¡°Right, that leads into the shit part. You¡¯ll have to pass some kind of test. A class room one and a field one. If you fail, then you¡¯re out for the year. You¡¯ll have to start over with the next year¡¯s class¡­ for now. I¡¯m working on a fair way we can keep you on the same track as your friends so you don¡¯t get held back.¡±


    That meant there was a chance he¡¯d be a year behind all his friends and he wouldn¡¯t be able to go through the program with them.


    ¡°What¡¯s the other good news?¡±


    There was no way he could pass tests that relied on knowledge and practice that he wasn¡¯t going to be allowed to learn.


    The weight had returned, pressing in on him from all directions.


    ¡°The tests should be passable because we¡¯re going to spend the next two months preparing you.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ why? I¡¯m grounded. Aren¡¯t you mad?¡±


    ¡°Yes and no. I¡¯m mad that you almost died, but I¡¯m not mad that you did it to help your cousin. It¡¯s complicated.¡±


    ¡°Then why punish me at all?¡±


    ¡°To remind you that doing the right things doesn¡¯t entitle you to wholly positive outcomes.¡±


    ¡°That seems¡­ dumb¡­ no offense.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I agree, but your mom and I don¡¯t want to encourage you to dangerous decisions. You got off really light. Very lucky.¡±


    ¡°I know. I saw them die,¡± he rubbed his eyes.


    ¡°Such sights can¡¯t be separated from a life of violence. They¡¯re only the first human beings you¡¯ll watch die in front of you. Or you¡¯ll be the one to die in front of a loved one, a comrade, a friend. If you stick with it.¡±


    He took a deep breath.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to quit.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but we¡¯re going to be a lot harder on you than the rangers. You¡¯re going to earn the quality of your tutelage because it is a privilege that your peers don¡¯t have access to.¡±


    ¡°Whatever it takes. I¡¯ll study and practice every waking hour.¡±


    ¡°Well, maybe not every waking hour. You¡¯ve still got to live a life. Spend time having fun with friends,¡± his dad raised a brow, ¡°your new girlfriend?¡±


    He coughed.


    ¡°We, uh, had one date and it was her reading to me while I lay in bed and talked about my weird dream.¡±


    ¡°There have been worse first dates. Don¡¯t worry, your mom and I don¡¯t want to get in your way with that stuff,¡± his dad grinned. ¡°It¡¯s hard to believe, it was just yesterday that¡ª¡±


    ¡°Dad! None of that stuff about me running around naked everywhere! Please!¡±


    His dad chuckled.


    ¡°Alright, alright. Just remember the rules and we won¡¯t have problems.¡±


    ¡°Burned into my brain.¡±


    ¡°Good, remember you treat her like you¡¯d want someone else to treat Lera. Now, enjoy the rest of the week. Relax, recover because the suck starts on Monday.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t, but you¡¯ll find out.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve gone through a few of your mindscape exercises before.¡±


    ¡°You have,¡± his dad nodded, ¡°but, you also haven¡¯t.¡±


    With that his dad rose, patted him on the shoulder and went off to do dad stuff leaving him to wonder and worry.


    <hr>


    January, 2047


    Every culture marked the winter solstice whether they feared it or celebrated it.


    Earth humans were no exception.


    Alcaestus patiently listened as his liaison, Ronald, finished the re-telling.


    ¡°You are certain this Claus doesn¡¯t exist?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ well, at least that¡¯s what my dad said. That was pre-spires though and it¡¯s possible someone or something like him exists now. I don¡¯t know. I was born post-spires and our room in the bunker didn¡¯t have a fireplace. I did get presents from Santa, but I eventually figured out that it was my dad¡¯s handwriting.¡± Ronald¡¯s eyes brightened with the spark of idea. ¡°You¡¯ve been to a bunch of different worlds¡­ ever see someone like him?¡±


    ¡°There are common elements between your legend and those I¡¯ve encountered. There is the tale of the Joy Giver from the root Molenoran culture on Enysomen, Third of Its Name. On the last day of winter the Joy Giver is said to leave a present at the base of the world tree under which their city had been dug intertwined with the life-giving roots. The present was said to be anything that the Molenoran needed. Of course, what the Molenoran needed was always the fruit, the leaf, the branch, or the sap. You see, a world tree is highly magical and occasionally sapient. Sought after by all manner of beasts and monsters, thinking or not, it uses the Molenorans as a defense mechanism.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ are they dumb?¡±


    ¡°The Molenorans? No. They are as any other sapient species. Tales are crafted to make sense of the world by their earliest ancestors and are passed down through the eons. With advancement and enlightenment such tales go from literal truth to metaphorical myth that they cling to out of tradition and habit. Plus, stories are more enjoyable for the children. That tale matches the positive aspect of your Santa Claus. As to the negative aspect? Consider the tale of the Heart Thief from the Allosians on Aehr, Hundredth of Its Name. It is said to visit twice. Once on the solstice day and once more on the last day of the season. It takes a heart from the Allosian¡¯s chest if one was deemed to have shown an inadequate amount of loyalty to Aehr over the previous year. If the Allosian doesn¡¯t do enough to earn Aehr¡¯s forgiveness before the next visit, then the Heart Thief takes the second heart.¡±


    Ronald scribbled madly in his ever-present notebook.


    ¡°How many hearts does an Allosian have?¡±


    He gave Ronald a mirthless smile.


    ¡°Just the two.¡±


    His liaison stopped writing.


    ¡°How come it sounds like the Heart Thief is more literal than the Joy Giver?¡±


    ¡°Because it is. The ¡®Heart Thief¡¯ isn¡¯t a singular entity. They are many. Aehr¡¯s agents.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ why?¡±


    ¡°Allosians faith fills their hearts in life. Upon death it quickly dissipates. The only way to preserve it for Aehr is to quickly sever the heart from all physical and metaphysical tethers to the body and spirit. Hence swift removal. Doing so crystallizes the heart and the faith within. It¡¯s similar to the organs of highly magical beasts and monsters turning into mana crystals.¡±


    ¡°How does that even work?¡±


    Al shrugged.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you, like, ask your, uh, god?¡±


    ¡°Knowing is irrelevant.¡±


    ¡°I have so many questions¡­ so you¡¯ve quantified this ¡®faith¡¯? Is it just another term for mana or something similar?¡±


    ¡°The Gods¡¯ works are not for us mere mortals to understand by definition.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    A soldier materialized from the huge boulder¡¯s shadow.


    ¡°Eidolon of Adras, op¡¯s a go in two. We¡¯re in position.¡±


    ¡°Best get to safety, friend Ronald.¡±


    Al followed the soldier to their staging point.


    The fence was made from thin steel wire.


    Why bother with a barrier that could be cut or torn with ease?


    Even a weak man would¡¯ve been able to simply dig under the dirt or climb over.


    The razor-sharp wire coiled at the top could be easily dealt with by throwing a thick blanket or clothing over it.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    It was strange to trust a dangerous facility to such a weak defensive fortification.


    Operation Hydra.


    Al¡¯s part placed him near the heartlands of the nation.


    His allies would strike like the many-headed monster in the hopes that these Cruces wouldn¡¯t be able to respond to all of them.


    The idea was that with the drastically-reduced time to respond to ownership challenges they would be able to challenge and defeat the true boss monster and claim ownership before the usurpers arrived.


    At which point legitimacy would be in the hands of his allies.


    It was their assessment that the Cruces wouldn¡¯t challenge them for ownership because that would break terms in their prior agreement.


    Broken terms would give Al¡¯s allies cause to be more aggressive in their Quest to reclaim what was theirs by right and law.


    More importantly, they believed that securing their greatest weapons would solve the power gap that forced them to behave like timid guests in their own home terrorized by a thieving invader.


    Al had his doubts, but it wasn¡¯t his place to question the Eidolon of Sunor¡¯s orders.


    The captain nodded as Al took his rightful place at the forefront.


    ¡°Give me the time,¡± the captain commanded.


    Another soldier gazed intently at his watch and counted down.


    When he hit zero the captain challenged ownership.


    ¡°Mark. T-minus ten minutes.¡±


    ¡°Marked.¡±


    More waiting.


    It was always interesting to Al that no matter which world or culture commonalities could be easily found.


    In this case a soldier¡¯s lot can be boiled down to a simple statement.


    Hurry up and wait.


    He hoped one of the owners would show up to contest the claim.


    A truly challenging fight was something he hadn¡¯t yet found on this new world.


    The Eidolon of Sunor and the allied commander had both ordered that he was to stall, but not engage if one of the owners arrived.


    But what if the owner didn¡¯t allow them to stall or retreat?


    Then, he would have no choice but to fight to protect his allies.


    Ten tense minutes became zero.


    The soldiers breathed a sigh of relief.


    Al¡¯s was one of mild disappointment.


    ¡°Claim secured. Radio the trucks. I want the warheads loaded ASAP. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Al tore the fence down like wet paper at the captain¡¯s words.


    There¡¯d be no battle for him tonight.


    Just the simple work of a humble porter.


    Unless¡­


    Reality seemed to ripple.


    ¡°Ah!¡± he brightened as a wave just on the edges of his divinely-gifted perceptions swept out from the center of the facility.


    It passed through the environment, forcing change in its wake.


    Whole, if dirty, structures became partially-decayed ruins that glowed with an eerie green light.


    Concrete ground broke and crumbled with glowing green spikes the size of trees jutting out like miniature mountains.


    Weak perceptions wouldn¡¯t have noticed the change taking place.


    What stood before them was what had always been.


    The captain cursed.


    To the man¡¯s credit he didn¡¯t let the disorientation cause hesitation.


    ¡°Code Red!¡± he barked. ¡°Belay those trucks! Prepare for combat!¡±


    Squad leaders shouted orders.


    Soldiers took up defensive positions, creating overlapping fields of fire to cover avenues of potential attack from the closest structures.


    The spires were unpredictable.


    Rules were as fluid as a flowing river.


    History across a thousand worlds repeated.


    Sometimes a challenge claim was simple.


    The property changed hands as is from one owner to the next.


    Sometimes the spires decided to ruin a person¡¯s day.


    When that happened the property reverted back to an encounter challenge if one was lucky and into a spawn zone if unlucky.


    Al and the soldiers were going to have to reclaim it from the monsters if they wanted to take the weapons.


    All of this was helpfully explained by the spires with a voice in their ears and text in their eyes.


    An incessant beeping triggered across the entire company.


    ¡°Radiation!¡±


    The call echoed across the hundred plus strong group of soldiers.


    ¡°Pills!¡±


    ¡°Counting. T-Minus five.¡±


    Al didn¡¯t fear the deadly substance.


    Even just a sliver of Adras¡¯ divine might rendered him immune.


    ¡°How much danger are you and your men in?¡±


    The captain craned his neck back to hold Al¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°Dangerous, but not instantly fatal.¡±


    ¡°How much time do we have to defeat both boss monsters?¡±


    The captain chewed the inside of his cheek.


    ¡°With the five pill maximum¡­ an hour. Anything more and we¡¯re risking a short, painful death.¡±


    Al pondered his paths.


    The newly-initialized encounter challenge was within his level to solo at a threshold of risk that exceeded the acceptable level as commanded by the Eidolon of Sunor.


    ¡°Then we move swiftly. I will move ahead engaging the monsters, but not stopping to kill them all. Those that remain will be yours. I will not slow or stop. If it becomes too dangerous for your soldiers you will withdraw.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    ¡°Then we begin.¡±


    The glowing green spikes burst open with his first step toward the main structure.


    Monsters emerged like insects dripping out of soft-shelled eggs.


    They glowed with the same inner green light pulsing from within the partially-ruined structures and spikes.


    Translucent chitin dripped with viscous green slime.


    They came on two, four, six or countless scuttling legs.


    The soldiers opened fire with their combustion-based projectile weapons.


    Al didn¡¯t think highly of the simple, if effective things.


    One anti-combustion spell would render it nothing more than a substandard club.


    An anti-combustion field would do the same for the entire company.


    Granted there were spells and Skills to counter anything, but why bother?


    There were plenty of other weapons that could replace the firearms and be even more effective.


    They barked like tiny yapping creatures.


    Bullets zipped past Al.


    A few struck him in the back like raindrops.


    An explosion swallowed a knot of monsters to his left.


    A sheet of sudden ice swallowed one to his right.


    Those in front of him?


    He burst them into glowing green goo with each punch and kick he landed in passing.


    Monsters emerged from the small structure.


    He ripped one of the giant spikes out of the ground to use as a club.


    It lasted three earth-shaking blows before shattering.


    The only thing that remained of the structure and the monsters was a rapidly-dimming puddle of goo and chitin.


    He lost the soldiers shortly after entering the facility¡¯s main structure.


    It was here that their strategists expected to find the boss monsters.


    The sounds of yapping gunfire dwindled in the distance behind him as he went further into the labyrinthine building.


    The occasional explosion shook the entire place, sending dust and debris down on his head and massive shoulders.


    Cramped corridors built for lesser-sized mortals triggered mild unease.


    He was a hunter at his core and the great wide open world was his home.


    That wasn¡¯t to say that he hadn¡¯t tracked beasts to their lairs or hunted those that lived underground in tight, twisting tunnels.


    As an eidolon he had hunted and fought in all manner of environments.


    And the knowledge that the walls were as paper to his great strength eased his mind.


    Case in point.


    A monster tore out of the wall to his left, swiftly wrapping him up in a many-segmented body with thousands of cutting legs and biting teeth.


    It squeezed tight.


    He flexed and thrust his arms out.


    The monster exploded into gooey chunks.


    He didn¡¯t bother with the door and simply ran through it.


    Then, he didn¡¯t bother with the corridors, he simply ran through walls like the proverb of letting a thunderhorn run through a gem shop.


    Rooms containing monsters when he burst into them contained shattered chitin and green goo when he left.


    He followed the image of the map he had memorized to the exact spot.


    It was in the middle of a stark corridor.


    Once white walls were covered in growing green lines that pulsed like a great beast¡¯s veins.


    The floor was cracked and broken in places.


    Just like the ceiling.


    He jumped up and stomped down.


    The floor gave way.


    His great weight and an application of Adra¡¯s gift turned him into a crashing boulder.


    Floors passed by him in a blur until he landed on thick concrete that cratered underneath him.


    He reached the section that was hardened against the enemy weapons.


    Punching through slowed him down enough that a trio of soldiers actually caught up with him.


    Two hulking supersoldiers and one of the Eidolon of Sut¡¯s rare successes.


    The young woman¡¯s face was hidden by her helmet, but he recognized her posture and glinting yellow eyes.


    He had seen it countless times in the predatory creatures he had hunted.


    ¡°Shall I wait for others?¡±


    He estimated a punch or two was all that was left before he broke through to the heart of the building and the two boss monster fights to claim it.


    ¡°Negative. We¡¯re all that made it through. The captain¡¯s fallen back to the front gate to support the trucks and pick up reinforcements. He¡¯s holding there unless it looks like we need reinforcements to secure this place.


    ¡°Very well. Keep your distance and stay your hand unless I request assistance.¡±


    One punch reached open space.


    He ripped an opening large enough for his bulk before dropping down into the command center.


    The spires spoke in his ears and flashed text.


    ¡°Yes.¡± He accepted the boss fight as the three soldiers spread out behind him, flipping desks over to build cover.


    A bright green flash of light blinded them and filled them with enough radiation to kill an elephant had it not been for a divinely-empowered body and alchemy-created anti-radiation pills.


    The light winked out plunging them back into near darkness with only the thin veins pulsing in the walls providing a dim green glow.


    ¡°Contact left!¡±


    Automatic fire filled the room with sound and fury.


    Orange-white star bursts illuminated the faintly glowing translucent chitin of the disgusting amalgamation of human and insect as it skittered across the wall and onto the ceiling.


    The soldiers stitched a trail of gun fire after it just a bit too slow.


    It plunged into their midst.


    Scythe-like limbs slashed like a whirlwind of blades.


    The soldiers reacted with superhuman quickness and strength.


    They abandoned diced guns to draw blades.


    Sparks lit up the darkness from their clash.


    Al finally cleared the stars from his eyes just in time to duck as a hulking body flew at him like a ballista bolt.


    He ducked just in time to save the soldier from being smashed against his unyielding body.


    The soldier slammed into the bank of screens. Hurt, but not dead.


    The second hulking soldier was less fortunate.


    First, his blade-wielding hands went flying.


    Then, his head.


    Al clenched a fist toward the boss monster, activating Adras¡¯ dominion over gravity.


    The young soldier shot toward him as though he was the fisherman and she was a tiny minnow on his line.


    The boss monster stabbed its limbs into the floor and fought the pull.


    Al really needed to improve upon his rudimentary grasp of one of Adras¡¯ great gifts.


    He cut it abruptly.


    Momentum carried the young soldier to him with the speed of a bolt.


    He caught her and spun in order to soften the impact.


    The boss monster struck, landing slashing strikes across his broad, muscled back and stabbing thrusts into his calves.


    Stinging pain, like pricking one¡¯s finger on a needle.


    Momentary.


    Insignificant.


    While still cradling the young woman, he spun with a crushing backfist.


    His arm was a thick as a tree trunk and as hard granite.


    The satisfying crunch of chitin filled the room like the earlier gun shots.


    A crash of thunder shook the room as the monster went through the wall like an iron cannonball.


    The victory notice followed shortly.


    Fierce yellow eyes glared up at him.


    The young woman he cradled like a baby didn¡¯t seem to appreciate it so he unceremoniously dropped her.


    She landed with the lithe grace of a jungle cat, padding over to the hulking soldier and helping him out of the tangled mess of broken glass, twisted metal and tangled wires.


    An added benefit of the sparks was greater visibility.


    Not that he needed it thanks to the animal-like senses held over from his old hunter class.


    ¡°That fight was easy, which means the true boss monster may be more difficult.¡±


    The encounter challenge¡¯s details had suggested that he could solo it, but with difficulty at the level that the odds were against him when it came to a full clear.


    However, such things weren¡¯t always set in stone.


    Match-ups made a difference.


    The monsters here relied on their ability to emit radiation.


    He was immune.


    Without their greatest strength the rest of their capabilities had proved woefully inadequate so far.


    His remaining problem were the two soldiers.


    He couldn¡¯t protect them if the true boss monster was faster than him.


    And from the previous fight it was likely that the true boss would go for the weaker targets first.


    ¡°What¡¯re you waiting for?¡± Shining yellow eyes glared up at him from behind the full-faced helmet. ¡°Start the fight.¡±


    He shared his concerns.


    Meanwhile the clock continued to tick toward zero.


    ¡°Perhaps you should join the rest of your company.¡± He gestured to the hole in the ceiling.


    ¡°We¡¯re fine,¡± the hulking soldier said. ¡°Plenty of pills and time left. You ran through the building like a train. Took less than ten minutes. In any case our chances are better here than trying to make it back out. You were fast, but you weren¡¯t thorough. Supersoldiers or not, I don¡¯t like our chances with just our blades and backups.¡± He drew a black pistol from his leg holster.


    ¡°I may not be able to protect you.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t need it!¡± the young woman snarled like a prideful cat that thought it was a lot larger and fiercer that it was in reality.


    The dangers of infusing the essence of another creature into a human were instincts overtaking rational thought.


    ¡°Very well.¡± He pulled his bow and a trio of arrows from one of the bags of holding on his belt.


    He¡¯d only get one shot if the true boss monster went for the two soldiers first.

 8.27

    Arrows nocked, Skills ready.


    He squinted to prepare for the flash and kept his gaze away from the center of the room.


    The true boss monster appeared with the flash and immediately went for the two soldiers.


    Three arrows exploded around it.


    Sticky goo expanded on the two arms on the left side of its segmented torso. Razor web cut through the translucent chitin of its two many-jointed legs even as it bound them tight. Seeker drill bore into the side of its disturbingly human-looking head.


    Tough chitin allowed the monster to rip the last out with its free hands before it could find purchase.


    Soldiers¡¯ pistols popped like yapping creatures, chipping chitin.


    The dim green glow pulsing through the monster swelled quicker and brighter.


    Sticky goo began to drip and flow like watered honey.


    ¡°Hold on to something!¡±


    Al stowed his bow, replacing it with a solid mythril bludgeon.


    The hulking soldier stabbed his knife into the floor, while the young women flexed clawed fingers to do the same.


    Al raised a clenched fist and pulled.


    Everything in the room shot toward him.


    Desks, chairs and other broken debris slammed into his immovable body like waves upon a mountain.


    The monster reached him last, melting a path straight through to Al and his raised bludgeon.


    Enchanted with the weight of a giant the bludgeon cracked into the monster¡¯s chest.


    Iridescent green splashed across Al¡¯s breastplate and bare arms.


    Enchanted steel as thick as his thumb smoked and sizzled.


    His divinely-strengthened skin fared better.


    He remembered to smile.


    ¡°Hot, but I¡¯ve bathed in a hellhound¡¯s breath!¡±


    It was important to show the soldiers his strength and through it the glorious possibilities of faith and service to Adras.


    The bludgeon fell like a falling star between the monster¡¯s six eyes.


    Chitin crunched.


    Green splattered.


    Al made a joke about overripe fruit.


    The monster found it lacking and expressed displeasure with a dozen blindingly quick strikes with its scythe-like limbs.


    Stinging pain flared as several landed on his bare biceps rather than his vambrace.


    He struck back one for the many.


    A simple downward blow to the leaking chitin in the monster¡¯s forehead.


    It tried to parry.


    Thin chitin was better for cutting.


    Its scythe-like arm snapped like a twig.


    It was enough to alter Al¡¯s blow.


    He crushed its cheek and snapped one mandible.


    The monster didn¡¯t make a sound as it lashed out at his exposed face forcing him to block.


    A split-second was enough for it to leap and plant spiked feet into Al¡¯s chest.


    Armor held, but the impact staggered him back a handful of steps.


    It reminded him of juvenile trihorns at play.


    The monster blurred toward the soldiers.


    For them, close quarters combat was a losing move.


    Unfortunately, it was between them and the exits.


    The hulking soldier stepped forward, stabbing.


    His strength was well-beyond the limits of human possibility.


    An inch of blade penetrated into the forehead hole Al had made.


    Scythe limbs punched through his armor, lifting him up close for a face of radioactive vomit.


    The monster hurled the soldier into Al, who caught the hulking man and ripped off the melting helmet.


    The soldier stared up with his remaining eye.


    The entire right side of his face was gone.


    Skin sloughed off in rivers of red meat turned gooey liquid revealing the ivory of skull and teeth.


    Somehow, the soldier still lived.


    As for the young woman?


    One of the few successes of the Eidolon of Sut¡¯s efforts.


    She fought with the unbridled ferocity of a jungle cat backed into a cave by a great bear that had waited too long to secure a safe place for its hibernation.


    Knife and claws against scything limbs and radioactive body fluids.


    Her quickness matched it strike for strike, but she was still constrained by her biology despite the eidolon¡¯s alterations.


    Armor melted, then clothing, then flesh as the longer the monster fought the hotter it radiated.


    A glancing blow from a scything limb knocked her helm off to reveal a dark-skinned face covered in bubbling blisters that threatened to burst.


    Al thundered into the fight, interposing his gigantic bulk between the much smaller two.


    She scratched and stabbed at him for his trouble.


    The monster did the same.


    He grabbed a scythe-like limb and ripped it off.


    Another cut glided across his face a finger¡¯s span from his right eye.


    He answered with his bludgeon, jabbing it into the monster¡¯s mouth before it could spew.


    The hulking soldier appeared wrapping a thick arm around the monster¡¯s neck.


    A brave fool, he ignored the heat as he began to smoke and sizzle.


    Al met his eye and saw the grenade in his hand.


    A nearly imperceptible nod from the soldier.


    Al shoved the monster, sending it and the soldier flying.


    He turned and wrapped the young soldier in a tight hug despite her snarls, scratching and biting.


    The grenade wasn¡¯t a standard issue one.


    It had been improved with alchemy.


    The explosion consumed the entire room in fire.


    It rocked Al forward, driving him and the young soldier into a corner.


    Which was just as well, since he could better cover her from the flames.


    The heat was unpleasant on his back and it sucked the oxygen from his lungs.


    The young soldier stopped yowling as she was reduced to a wordless scream.


    Al slammed headfirst into the wall, cradling the young soldier.


    Luckily, there was another room still filled with life-giving breath.


    The young soldier screamed as he placed her on the floor.


    ¡°Stay here.¡±


    The words seemed unnecessary.


    She could do no more than gasp for air despite her glare.


    He stepped back into the command room.


    The inferno had scoured it clean.


    Small fires lingered amidst the charred ruins.


    There was nothing left of the hulking soldier.


    That was a man that knew his end was certain and died on his feet.


    ¡°Honor to you, soldier.¡±


    The monster yet lived.


    Translucent chitin turned black.


    Green pulses grew slower and dimmer.


    One scythe-like limb remained and it snapped when the monster tried to push itself up.


    Its legs ended in melted stumps.


    Its head was unrecognizable.


    Al put it out of its misery with a simple strike of his bludgeon.


    The monster¡¯s light vanished.


    The spires gave confirmation.


    The facility and its great weapons belonged to their rightful owners once again.


    <hr>


    ¡°Stop right there!¡±


    The person was wearing a hazmat suit minus the oxygen tank so it made it difficult to gauge whether they were a man or a woman. It didn¡¯t help that a bright neon yellow-green poured out of the helmet.


    The voice, however, was the high-pitched whine of a young-ish woman.


    Perhaps even younger.


    Death¡¯s Dancer observed her parlay with Captain Patriot from a distance with a few other members of their elite special unit.


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t accept our challenge,¡± Captain Patriot said.


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t challenge then,¡± the hazmat girl put her hands on her hips and actually stomped a foot.


    He half-expected an earthquake from that and was relieved one wasn¡¯t forthcoming.


    ¡°Yup,¡± Lt. Rico touched his ear piece, ¡°tripled confirmation. Radiation detectors are going crazy. Shit¡¯s leaking out of her despite the suit.¡±


    ¡°Captain shouldn¡¯t be there then,¡± Lt. Contrary said.


    ¡°Relax, her power can fight it off for at least a few hours,¡± Lt. Rico said.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be trouble if we need to fight her.¡±


    ¡°Seems easy, just pop her from here,¡± Lt. Contrary said.


    As they spoke multiple snipers in multiple positions were ready.


    The challenge acceptance timer had started at thirty minutes and was down to almost ten.


    Once it hit zero¡­


    Death¡¯s Dancer didn¡¯t like that idea.


    He had observed the facility and its lone occupant over the last few days.


    Radioactive Girl didn¡¯t seem like a bad person.


    He had picked up dozens of context clues that seemed to point in that direction.


    ¡°She¡¯s wearing the suit to protect others from her. Shoot holes in it and we might be looking at a meltdown scenario or worse.¡±


    ¡°Irony would be dying in a nuclear explosion when we¡¯re here for nukes.¡± Lt. Rico chuckled.


    ¡°Wasting time. That big ass eidolon already secured his,¡± Lt. Contrary muttered.


    ¡°Then that means ours is no longer critical,¡± he said.


    Which was good.


    They could avoid the ugliness that accompanied any sort of fight.


    ¡°The captain would look bad.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Contrary, you don¡¯t need to carry her water. She can carry it herself,¡± Lt. Rico said.


    ¡°It¡¯s a matter of pride. Plus, we can¡¯t look weak or they might get ideas.¡±


    Both were right.


    Death¡¯s Dancer was uncertain of the eidolons¡¯ value.


    One had turned a few dozen young volunteers into animalistic soldiers superior to their homegrown supersoldiers aside the added wildness.


    It sent a shiver up his back.


    Command kept a tight hold on information, but poking around got him a number north of a thousand volunteers that entered the program.


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Where were the rest?


    Hopefully, in reserve or still in the process.


    The alternative on the other end of the scale would raise a lot of hard questions for his commanders to answer.


    As far as he was concerned the eidolons hadn¡¯t lived up to the hype.


    They hadn¡¯t needed them to fight people or monsters.


    The big one had won that ridiculous tournament in Florida and had killed three giant roaming monsters by himself, which Death¡¯s Dancer had to admit was impressive.


    However, they had done nothing for his nation¡¯s biggest issues with Rightful Destiny.


    The biggest, most powerful communities continued to cling to their independence.


    The smaller ones they¡¯d brought back into the fold didn¡¯t even amount to a tenth of the size of the largest community in Southern California or ¡®Commiefornia¡¯ as the older soldiers called it.


    ¡°¡ª chartreuse. That¡¯s the color,¡± Lt. Rico said.


    ¡°It¡¯s neon,¡± Lt. Contrary said. ¡°Like the casinos.¡±


    ¡°Neon isn¡¯t a color.¡±


    ¡°Neither is whatever that word you made up is.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not made up. It¡¯s just a fancy word for yellow and green combined.¡±


    The two lieutenants argument would¡¯ve continued for far too long for his taste, so Death¡¯s Dancer redirected their attention.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯ve moved on to the questions that really matter.¡±


    ¡°You can go fuck yourself double D!¡± Lt. Rico¡¯s white teeth suddenly gleamed in the shadows. ¡°By the way, I¡¯m giving you the finger.¡±


    ¡°I know, I can see in the dark.¡±


    ¡°Boys will be children,¡± Lt. Contrary shook her head.


    ¡°The fuck? You two are the ones arguing about a stupid color. I didn¡¯t even say anything.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s cause you¡¯re brooding, which you think makes you look cool and dangerous,¡± she snorted.


    ¡°I¡¯m observing, which is what we¡¯re supposed to be doing.¡±


    The timer dwindled down to five.


    Throughout it all the radioactive girl badgered the captain to leave.


    ¡°Just leave me alone. It¡¯s not like I like living here all by myself.¡±


    ¡°If you cede ownership I will do my best to ensure that you will have a home. Here or elsewhere,¡± the captain said.


    ¡°Pfftt! ¡®I will do my best¡¯. That¡¯s not even a promise. I know you soldier types. You¡¯ll say whatever you think will work because you know that your commander will say no and you can wash your hands of the whole thing and say ¡®I was just following orders¡¯. You can¡¯t guarantee shit, which means you have nothing for me.¡±


    ¡°Combat isn¡¯t advisable for you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll say the same thing. I¡¯m not wearing this for my benefit. I mean, you¡¯ve got a blindfold on so you can¡¯t see the glowing chartreuse light coming off me. Then again, you¡¯re eyes are glowing too, so maybe you can see. Whatever. Shoot me, cut me, stab me. You might kill me, but breach the suit and you¡¯ll kill yourself too. And do you even know what that¡¯ll be like?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m aware.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t think so, otherwise you wouldn¡¯t have come within twenty miles of me.¡±


    ¡°Please, we don¡¯t want to hurt you. Just concede.¡±


    ¡°No. This is my home. I hate it, but I have nowhere else to go unless I want to kill everything around me. And until the timer hits zero you can¡¯t do anything.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t guarantee your safety when that happens. This facility belongs to the United States of America and we have a right and duty to reclaim it for the safety of its citizens, which includes you.¡±


    ¡°Does it? I¡¯ve heard and read about this United States of America. I was born after the spires when it stopped existing. So, maybe, I¡¯m not a citizen and since I¡¯ve been here for five years, this place is mine. The spires says it¡¯s mine. You saw my name on the list of owners, right?¡±


    The captain gave a curt nod.


    ¡°Then leave before something bad happens.¡±


    A soft boom exploded somewhere in the distance.


    Followed by another, then another.


    Louder and closer.


    Death¡¯s Dancer pressed his throat mic.


    ¡°I hear incoming. Anything on radar, Black Hatter?¡±


    ¡°Negative, Death¡¯s Dancer.¡±


    ¡°Magical detection?¡±


    ¡°Positive hit. Identity unconfirmed. Waiting on positive ID.¡±


    ¡°That shit needs to be better. It¡¯s useless if it can¡¯t tell the difference between a bird and a thunderbird,¡± Lt. Contrary said.


    ¡°No fire, I repeat, no fire unless I give the word. Silent protocol starting now.¡±


    A great gust of wind washed across a wide swath of the area, shaking the trees and sending sleeping birds flying.


    The flying asshole hovered a few feet off the ground between the radioactive girl and the captain.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you again,¡± he frowned. ¡°We¡¯ve got a minute before this stupid challenge timer hits zero. Then I have to fight you. Just to be clear. Me being here means that small children somewhere within the arctic circle are in grave danger of being put into a magic sack and carried off to make toys out of other small children and eventually themselves. If even one child suffers that fate¡ª¡± he shook his head, ¡°I hold you, your army and government responsible. All of you.¡±


    He landed and deliberately turned his back on the captain and the multiple snipers to approached the radioactive girl.


    ¡°Sorry I took so long.¡±


    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s cool, that, uh¡­ thing¡­ you¡¯re dealing with sounds important.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for standing your ground. That was brave.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t want to hurt anyone,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°And you won¡¯t,¡± he smiled. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go back inside?¡±


    The radioactive girl ran back into the facility.


    The timer drew closer and closer to zero.


    ¡°All this for nukes? Who are you even going to use it against? Cause if you¡¯re thinking me? It won¡¯t work.¡±


    ¡°That is irrelevant. This is property of the United States of America. You are illegally in possession. On top of all the other felonies on your record.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry? I wasn¡¯t aware that I had felonies. Did you try me in absentia? Cause that¡¯s the stuff of kangaroo courts and such. That¡¯s a no-no for freedom democracies. Ten seconds left. You can¡¯t win.¡±


    ¡°We can win without winning.¡±


    He sighed.


    ¡°You mean keep me occupied while you take the other nuke places? You¡¯ve gotten one. Let¡¯s see how many you can take and more importantly, keep.¡±


    Zero.


    A blur.


    Thunder.


    Death¡¯s Dancer drew his short spears.


    ¡°Engage!¡±


    Captain Patriot vanished.


    One moment she stood ready in a combat stance, the next the flying man hovered off the ground a few inches and she was nowhere in sight.


    It took them a moment to catch up to the figure digging a shallow trench through the asphalt and into the forest dirt with her tumbling body as a plow.


    They didn¡¯t have much to go on to figure out how the flying man stacked up to them on the scales. There were few skirmishes close to twenty years ago where he smacked soldiers around without noticeable difficulty. More intel gathered in recent years through sources of variable reliability seemed to place him even stronger. The best information they got was courtesy of the eidolons and the conclusion was that they couldn¡¯t beat him under any circumstances barring some heretofore unknown weakness suddenly being discovered.


    Lead didn¡¯t work, judging by the bullets bouncing off his skintight black suit.


    Maybe it was a special suit?


    Though it looked much like what they wore when training.


    Even had the familiar swoosh.


    On the plus side they didn¡¯t have any records of him outright killing any of their soldiers.


    On the negative side they had records of him killing evil assholes.


    Most of the latter info came from the eidolons.


    Thus, their op was to keep him busy as long as possible without pissing him off too much where they¡¯d push him to the negative.


    Death¡¯s Dancer hit close to a hundred miles per hour within ten strides.


    The dirt churned in his wake.


    He bounded a hundred feet forward and stabbed his spears into the flying man¡¯s shoulders.


    Enchanted or not, the solid steel crumpled like rolled up tin foil.


    He went invisible as he kicked both boots off the man¡¯s chest for distance.


    A backflip carried him dozens of feet.


    The moment he touched the ground he was dashing across the parking lo¡ª¡±


    A gust of wind struck him.


    A vise-like grip robbed him of air.


    ¡°I can see you.¡± The man sighed.


    Wind whipped around him.


    His vision darkened around the edges as he kicked at the man.


    The hand loosened just enough so that he wouldn¡¯t pass out and die.


    ¡°Stop that or I¡¯ll drop you¡­ well, maybe that¡¯s not much of threat for you. We¡¯re a couple of thousand feet up, but once you reach a certain durability threshold altitude doesn¡¯t matter all that much thanks to terminal velocity. You seem like you¡¯re tough enough to survive it, but that¡¯s only if I let gravity do the work. Things change if I give it a helpful throw.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ talk¡­ lot¡­¡± he managed to get out.


    The clouds flowed around them violently.


    Darkness gripped his heart.


    He could barely see anything.


    A glance down gave him nothing but black.


    ¡°I¡¯m giving the rest of your soldiers time to worry and think.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ have¡­ places¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but a few are being taken care of by others. This place had the girl and she¡¯s been given a shitty hand already without you fascists making things worst. And the captain¡¯s here. I¡¯d like a word. So, how¡¯s the devil¡¯s bargain with the eidolons going? I noticed that you¡¯ve got a few of their creations with you. You ever wonder why so few?¡±


    Death¡¯s Dancer kept his mouth shut.


    Let the flying man talk and reveal intel.


    This psy-ops shit the man was spewing wasn¡¯t anything they hadn¡¯t trained against.


    Only a moron would take what the enemy said on faith.


    ¡°You know what¡­ screw it. I was supposed to be all coy and shit,¡± the flying man scowled. ¡°Dude, that creepy ass scarecrow eidolon fucker is churning through your loyal young soldiers. I heard he¡¯s got a ninety percent failure rate. The lucky ones just the die. The unlucky ones¡­ so, do you care about your brave young soldiers? Maybe you don¡¯t. I mean, a guy wearing an old American flag skull mask probably gives about as much of a shit for darker-skinned soldiers lives as he does for the flag code. You little shit probably didn¡¯t even know that, huh? Wearing the flag is illegal. At least you aren¡¯t wearing a flag poncho, but the skull mask? Trying to be intimidating? Scary? Oh, I get it. That¡¯s the message. It¡¯s like pirates. When you see the skull you shit your pants. You painted it in the flags colors because you want people to be scared of old America.¡±


    ¡°Fuck. You.¡±


    Death¡¯s Dancer pulled a grenade from his belt and flicked it into the man¡¯s face.


    It wouldn¡¯t hurt either of them, but the surprise might be enough to¡ª


    The grenade exploded.


    Heat and shrapnel washed over them.


    ¡°Idiot. Not very smart. Clearly, my information about you was wrong.¡±


    They went from zero to north a few thousand in an instant.


    He actually blacked out.


    The next thing he knew he was on his back being dragged across the asphalt by his boot.


    ¡°Remember, what I said,¡± the flying man said. ¡°Is being a soldier a true brotherhood, sisterhood, for you? Or are there levels of concern for you? Does darker skin make your fellow soldiers less of a family. Like say Asians are more like cousins and Blacks are more like that neighbor down the street that as soon as they move in you put your house up for sale?¡±


    ¡°Asshole,¡± he drew his machine pistol and emptied the magazine into the man¡¯s muscular back.


    Yup, just like he expected, the bullets bounced right off. Didn¡¯t even scratch the compression shirt.


    A yellow orb of sloshing liquid fell out of the sky.


    The man stopped, letting it splash in front of him.


    ¡°They don¡¯t care about friendly fire.¡±


    The magical acid ate a foot deep into the asphalt.


    ¡°Dangerous for you? Well, whatever. Think about the side you¡¯re on. Think about your choices and the consequences.¡±


    Death¡¯s Dancer went up, up and away, spinning like a flying saucer into the dark night.


    ¡°That¡¯s the small fish,¡± the flying man murmured. ¡°Time for the big one.¡±


    Mortars bombarded his position.


    Regular ones bathed him in fire and showered him with shrapnel.


    Enchanted ones fell next.


    Arctic cold meant to freeze him and cause the blood in his body to expand violently.


    Did they really think they could freeze the sun?


    The small hill of ice melted as quickly as it formed.


    He hovered forward, inviting continued gunfire and shelling.


    It was important for him not to kill any of the soldiers.


    Even a single death would harden the hearts they needed to reach and allow the eidolons to sink their claws deeper.


    ¡°Hearts and minds,¡± he murmured, ¡°what a joke.¡±


    The optimal choice was to simply beat them all up until they did what he wanted them to.


    That would¡¯ve been the responsible thing to do, but then they¡¯d be a chain around his neck forever.


    His daughter might have wanted to be a solar tyrant.


    He did not.


    Hell, he needed to spend more time with her so that the words ¡®solar¡¯ and ¡®tyrant¡¯ would only come out of her mouth as a joke.


    What adult actually wanted to be an immortal dictator?


    Evil dicks, that¡¯s who¡­ it was right in the name.


    He flew faster and reached down to rip a huge chunk out of the parking lot.


    Up he went.


    Well above the tree line.


    He saw them all.


    All the concealed mage-type positions, the fire teams, the mortars and the larger artillery pieces much farther away.


    A single glance could¡¯ve cleared each one in an instant, seconds if they had good magic shields and Skills.


    However, he only used what power was necessary to achieve an objective.


    Full power was usually overkill and why reveal what he could do for them to come up with counters?


    Plus, he couldn¡¯t kill any of them.


    He ripped hand-sized chunks of concrete and threw them lazily at the soldiers.


    Great aim meant that he only destroyed equipment and perhaps knocked out a few mages from the feedback of their shields being shattered.


    Half an oak tree hurtled out of the dark forest forcing him to float higher.


    A masked soldier leapt from the tree and wrapped him up in a tight hug.


    Muscles like steel squeezed around his neck and his mid-section.


    The soldier grunted like an animal.


    ¡°Ah¡­ you poor young lady. I¡¯m sorry that was done to you.¡±


    Gently, he pried the superstrong limbs loose and flipped her over.


    He was on her broad back in a flash.


    Her thick neck was no match for his squeezing bicep.


    She kicked for a second before falling limp.


    A streaking fireball catapulted from the tree line on the other side of the facility.


    He turned to take it on his back and protect the young soldier.


    She had a knife in her belt, so he borrowed it to send into the rocky outcropping between the mage¡¯s boots.


    Maybe, she¡¯d get the message.


    ¡°You people are terrible with the friendly fire!¡± He swooped down and deposited the unconscious soldier on top of a rogue-type soldier that thought he was hidden in the shadows.


    The young soldier was a lot heavier than she looked, which gave the rogue something else to do rather than try to backstab, backshot, or any number of dirty rogue tactics.


    They came out of the forest.


    The elites.


    Suppression Fire failed to keep him in place.


    Taunts bounced right off since they were just words, which couldn¡¯t hurt him.


    Glowing stuff shot out of fancy-wiggling fingers did about as much, which was nothing.


    A smoke grenade that was also a caustic acid exploded in his face.


    He blew the cloud away from the soldiers.


    Idiots always failed to take the wind into account.


    It was like they really wanted to do some friendly fire.


    Sticks and stones glowing with white energy came firing out of the darkness.


    He felt those.


    Reminded him of playing catch with his daughter when she just got her powers.


    ¡°Kind of you to give me stuff to throw, captain.¡±


    He sent the sticks and stone, now devoid of her imbued power back to the soldiers.


    Sometimes it was difficult to properly gauge how much a person could take.


    Which was why he aimed for limbs when he didn¡¯t want death or maiming.


    Bruises and broken bones were acceptable.


    One soldier took a stick to the knee.


    The tough guy didn¡¯t fall despite it bending the wrong way. He merely took aim with an odd-looking rifle and squeezed the trigger.


    A net crackling with arcs of blue-white light unfurled.


    He debated letting it hit him so that he could break it and make them look even more impotent.


    ¡°Nah.¡±


    He dropped like a meteor, coming to a stop just shy of the ground.


    The earth rumbled.


    Three soldiers had their hands planted into the ground.


    Three giant hands erupted from beneath him, crushing him in their grasp like a gnat.


    ¡°Did that work?¡± one of the soldiers aimed her assault rifle at the grinding hands.


    ¡°Doubt it. We¡¯re just buying time, remember,¡± another said. ¡°Captain, status?¡± he spoke into his throat mic. ¡°Double D, status?¡±


    ¡°Alright, someone grab them,¡± the first soldier gestured at the rogue pinned beneath the young soldier. ¡°Everyone else fall back. We aren¡¯t on his level. Stick to the plan. Engage and annoy.¡±


    The ground suddenly rumbled.


    ¡°Not an earthquake!¡± she snapped. ¡°Scatter¡ª¡±


    The earth erupted beneath her boots.


    ¡°Too late.¡±

 8.28

    Eron swept through the elite soldiers like a tornado.


    The thing about moving beyond the speed of sound without an ability to cancel or mitigate physics was that it had a destructive effect on the environment.


    Sonic booms sent objects flying and battered bodies.


    He ripped weapons out of hands with a bare minimum of concern for fingers and limbs.


    They had healers and as long as he didn¡¯t rip them off completely they¡¯d be fine¡­ eventually.


    Normally, he would¡¯ve been a bit more careful but the clock in his head was ticking.


    After the elites went the rest of the soldiers.


    He snapped arms, reasoning that he¡¯d leave them capable of fighting off monsters on their trek back to their base camp some forty miles away in the nearest abandoned town.


    He turned mortars and artillery pieces into twisted scrap.


    Zipping back to the nuclear missile facility he regarded the devastation in the parking lot and the surrounding forest.


    Asphalt and concrete had been torn up like a soft field in preparation for sowing.


    His passing had left furrows in the dirt, bent large trees and tore smaller ones out of the ground.


    The soldiers, battered and broken as they were, laid what weapons they had left down.


    One soldier remained standing.


    The captain.


    ¡°Captain Patriot.¡± He rolled his eyes.


    She was straight out of marketing.


    Hair the color of amber waves of grain.


    Although, it wasn¡¯t quite as majestic as it must¡¯ve been at its best.


    It had been tied in a pony tail to fit underneath her helmet, but he had punched that off her head, leaving her hair looking windblown with tiny sticks and leaves sticking out like a bird¡¯s nest.


    The plain cloth blindfold, white, remained in place with that white light glowing from her eyes.


    Her armor was torn and scuffed from being shoved across the ground.


    Blood stained the torn edges of her camouflage, but he could see that all evidence of injury was gone.


    Her light skin was pristine aside from a few red and brown smears.


    ¡°I don¡¯t concede our claim,¡± she said, brandishing a small tree that glowed with the same white light in her eyes.


    He flew closer.


    ¡°Time¡¯s up. You¡¯re all that¡¯s left. I took your entire crew out in minutes. Over a hundred of you. That¡¯s a platoon, right?¡± A distant sound reached his ears. He had been listening for it specifically. ¡°Correction¡­ you and that douchebag with the American flag skull mask. Seriously, why¡¯d you even let him get away with that edgelord crap? It reflects poorly upon your leadership¡­ unless that¡¯s your sort of thing too?¡± He raised a brow. ¡°Right, anyways. This is over.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t quit.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, admirable, so how about you turn that energy toward the real scumbags. Namely, your leaders for allying with eidolons that are literally murdering nine out of ten promising, brave young men and women to turn the one into some kind of beast hybrid. Ineffectual, I might add.¡± He gestured to the three he had taken out of the fight. ¡°They¡¯re stronger and tougher than those roided up supersoldiers,¡± he flicked a gaze to one of the hulking soldiers, ¡°but the end result is the same. So, why don¡¯t you give this up and take care of your soldiers? It¡¯s going to be a hard trek back to base what with monster attacks and your current condition.¡±


    ¡°For a man complaining about his precious time, you talk a lot.¡± She swung the tree like a bat.


    She was fast.


    Faster than she had any right to be.


    The tree swished through the air like a thin switch.


    He braced against the impact.


    Tree collided with his arm.


    There was only the immovable object on the battlefield that night.


    The tree recoiled in her arms, sending her spinning in the other direction, threatening her own soldiers with a fatal bludgeoning.


    ¡°Jesus¡­¡± he muttered, zipping down to save their lives as he grabbed the tree and ripped it from her grasp.


    He carefully tossed it into the distance.


    That skull-masked soldier should be able to take it according to the scouting report.


    He dropped to the ground, stalking toward the white-glowing Captain Patriot.


    It was time to definitively show where they stood in relation to each other.


    His hope was that properly trouncing their strongest would force the old government to pause this Rightful Destiny nonsense. Affixing ¡®destiny¡¯ to anything had always excused atrocities.


    That was the thing about responsibility that sucked.


    Someone had to stop them before they got really violent and things like camps in which people were concentrated started popping up or long marches and other pogrom-type bullshit.


    ¡°Wasting my time with this¡­¡± he muttered.


    The knuckles of Captain Patriot¡¯s gloves were spiked and glowing white.


    He raised his fist.


    She struck faster than ninety percent of the people on the planet.


    It was slow motion to him.


    He let the jab land on his nose. He rated it baby-level.


    The straight dug into his stomach¡­ toddler-level.


    Booms louder than the earlier artillery fire sent shockwaves across the ruined landscape.


    Soldiers went prone and plugged their ears if they could.


    Those that couldn¡¯t, bled.


    Eron rushed forward, stopping just short of Captain Patriot.


    The sonic boom would¡¯ve sent her flying had he not grabbed her by the chestplate.


    It tingled in his hands.


    A closer look revealed a faint white glow suffusing her armor and clothing.


    ¡°So, that¡¯s why its not as badly damaged as it should be. That¡¯s handy. As you can see, only skin-tight clothes don¡¯t get ripped to shreds for me. Between you and me,¡± he lowered his voice conspiratorially, ¡°it took me way to long to figure out the whole skin-tight clothing thing. Still, mildly embarrassing. I mean, it¡¯s only a step above not wearing anything at all.¡±


    He took her to the sky and threw her into the ground.


    Dust and debris clouded the battlefield.


    Captain Patriot burst out of the cloud, glowing brighter.


    Her fist connected with his gut, followed by the other to the side of his cheek.


    He rolled with it and grabbed both wrists, holding her aloft like a fish.


    ¡°You¡¯re the best they¡¯ve got? I¡¯d rate you at somewhere between 50 and 70 on the superstrong person scale. It fluctuates though. Obviously, the white light is the source¡­ what¡¯re you like without it? Reduced power? Powerless?¡±


    She kicked him in the junk, followed by a knee to the solar plexus.


    ¡°First grade level.¡±


    He whipped her around before throwing her back into the same crater.


    This time he followed her down.


    ¡°Your light¡¯s plateaued?¡±


    It was the rare opportunity to face a fellow Earthian in a contest of fisticuffs.


    She dashed forward with a punch.


    Slipping, he uncorked a light hook to her side, denting her armor despite the strengthening white light.


    She folded over with a grimace and threw a desperate jab to buy space as she retreated.


    He followed with a lunging straight over her jab.


    It wasn¡¯t a winning trade for the captain.


    Bare fist cracked into her cheek as spiked gloves touched his nose.


    ¡°Back down to baby level.¡±


    Her light flared.


    ¡°Ah, second wind¡­ back to toddler level.¡±


    She replied to the trash talk with a furious combination.


    Jab. Straight. Hook. Low kick. High kick.


    Each landed like a bomb, sending shockwaves across the battlefield.


    She grabbed his arm and leapt, wrapping her legs around it and his neck.


    Captain Patriot squeezed superhumanly strong thighs.


    ¡°Flying triangle?¡± He raised a brow.


    He lifted her like he was curling a light dumbbell before slamming her into the ground.


    ¡°I don¡¯t get a lot of chances to fight like this. Don¡¯t get me wrong, there¡¯s no contest, but it¡¯s a good change of pace from giant monsters or eldritch horrors.¡±


    She shifted her legs to go for an armbar.


    ¡°See, this is what I need. Techniques against a fellow Earth person. I need the practice because I have to be ready for a humanoid opponent that¡¯s on my strength level.¡±


    The value of the fight was dubious in that regard.


    How much technique could he practice if he could just muscle through everything?


    Nevertheless, he pried her legs off and went for a heel hook.


    He went through each step of the move slowly, paying attention to proper technique each step of the way.


    Of course, slow for him was blindingly fast for the captain.


    He twisted her heel with his forearm.


    Her grit teeth gave him the cue on how far to twist.


    ¡°Glowing boots are making this less effective,¡± he mused. ¡°How much more until I break something? It¡¯s hard to tell.¡±


    She grit her teeth and drew a dagger in reply.


    The stiff, triangular blade deformed on his leg.


    ¡°Bring a knife to a fistfight, eh? How salty will you be if I break it?¡±


    She drew her pistol and emptied the magazine in his face.


    ¡°Bring a gun to a fistfight, eh? Not too salty I hope.¡± He twisted her heel until he heard something snap and pop. ¡°Shit, that¡¯s some ligament and bone damage. You heal quick anyways¡­ get it? Heal? Heel?¡±


    Her face twisted in pain.


    ¡°I guess I won.¡±


    He released her and stood.


    Her boot and the foot within twisted about ninety degrees to one side.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    ¡°Not over,¡± she hissed.


    ¡°No, I disagree. There¡¯s just one more th¡ª¡±


    He spun and thrust his hand out, catching Death¡¯s Dancer by the throat.


    ¡°You¡¯re invisible, but not that invisible.¡± He squeezed.


    Death¡¯s Dancer punched and kicked until his limbs fell limp.


    ¡°That should do it. None of you are combat capable. To continue would be pointless and suicidal. Now, the spires should count this as my win, however, if you as the leader are determined to keep going to the last then it might allow it. Please don¡¯t do that. Don¡¯t forget that you¡¯ve got a lot of miles to cover to get back to your safe little base camp.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d leave us like this for the monsters?¡± Captain Patriot said.


    ¡°Listen, lady. You can¡¯t come at me with everything you have and then get all outraged that I won¡¯t keep you safe. That¡¯s all on you.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t get a read on her expression beyond the obvious pain.


    The white light behind her blindfold concealed it.


    ¡°These are the consequences of your actions. You¡¯re lucky that I¡¯m not like you people since I killed none of you. I can¡¯t imagine that you¡¯d show me the same soft touch had our positions been reversed. So, take the L. Go home. Rethink your existence. Seriously, really take a good look at the eidolons. You¡¯ve got a blindfold, but I¡¯ve heard that you¡¯re clearer-eyed than most in your nation.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s yours too. You¡¯re a citizen by law¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± he waved a hand, ¡°I¡¯ve heard that all before. Drafted, blah, blah, blah. You no longer have a monopoly on force. That¡¯s just reality. It has been since the spires appeared. So, stop trying to bring it back. It wasn¡¯t that great anyways. Besides, nukes? What are you going to do? Nuke people for power and control? There aren¡¯t nearly as many people alive. You think it¡¯s a good move to murder twenty percent of the living human population in North America? Or are you going to use that threat as leverage over me? Understand that is no leverage at all because you threaten the people and I go after your leaders.¡±


    She gave him a curt nod.


    The spires announced to them all that the challenge was concluded.


    The facility remained in its current owners hands and another challenge couldn¡¯t be performed until seven days had passed.


    ¡°Fuck, a week!¡±


    Eron walked over to Captain Patriot and twisted her foot back into its proper place.


    To her credit she didn¡¯t utter a sound.


    ¡°There. That should speed up your healing, right?¡±


    She glared and said nothing.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome. Honestly, you should be thanking me for not killing any of you even when it means that I¡¯ll have to do the same thing in a week. Unless you wise up, but I guess that¡¯s like asking a dog not to chase a car. Tell your leaders what I said and add that I might pay them a visit if this nonsense keeps up.¡±


    He left them to their injuries and the dark night.


    All things considered, that had went well for Eron.


    It took him less than ten minutes to win the challenge.


    Unfortunately, there were other places that he needed to attend to.


    <hr>


    The Earth human stood just on the other side of the invisible boundary that marked the edge of the nuclear missile site.


    Alcaestus stared down at the diminutive man.


    Black hair and brown-skinned.


    The man¡¯s features echoed other humans he was familiar with on other worlds.


    The difference was that the coloration didn¡¯t fit the features compared to the people he was familiar with.


    Though well-muscled, the man was below average in height for the land¡¯s standard.


    Unarmed and unarmored, the man wore the world¡¯s common clothing.


    Al had learned long ago to be wary of unarmed men moving about in danger-filled areas.


    He searched his memory for the man¡¯s identity and came up with nothing.


    Granted his allies had acknowledged that their intelligence wasn¡¯t comprehensive.


    ¡°Big guy, huh?¡± the man craned his neck back to look Al in the eyes.


    The divine might of Adras flowed freely, yet the man looked at him as though he was a baby rabbit.


    Silence stretched.


    Only the soft buzz of insects and the occasional hooting owl accompanied the two of them.


    ¡°What is your purpose?¡±


    Al broke first and he regretted opening his mouth the instant he did.


    He had planned to stand there and remain silent like an iron sentinel on its eternal watch only moving when it was time to defend its charge.


    After all, he had learned long ago how to stay unmoving for long hours in wait for his prey.


    The man shrugged.


    ¡°Thinking about what I should do. You took this place from me.¡±


    ¡°Which Cruces are you then?¡±


    ¡°One of them, I suppose.¡±


    ¡°You cannot challenge until the time runs out.¡±


    ¡°No. I don¡¯t think I need to do that. At least not for months. Tell me, did things change inside? Will it create the missiles? If I remember it was a few hundred million Universal Points to make one missile in about three months. Is it still like that?¡±


    Al carefully set his features to reveal nothing.


    He was unto a sculpted piece of marble.


    ¡°I see by your expression that things have changed,¡± the man said mildly. ¡°Well, if it will no longer create missiles out of nothing then you keep it. I only claimed it to make sure no idiots decided to use nukes.¡± He raised a brow.


    Al stiffened.


    The man already knew the unpleasant truth that Al¡¯s American allies had learned to their great displeasure.


    The spires weren¡¯t going to recreate their most powerful weapons. At least, not in this location.


    ¡°Still, I have to give you guys credit for moving so quickly. Not even an hour after you defeated the bosses and you¡¯ve got the nukes all loaded up and on the road.¡±


    How had the man known?


    Al¡¯s first instinct was to throttle the man and beat him into submission for questioning.


    His second instinct was a sudden spike of fear. The kind he hadn¡¯t felt in a long time going all the way back to the days before Adras¡¯ granted the divine gift.


    Thus, he forced himself to remain as a statue.


    ¡°I guess your adequate level of strength helped speed that process along. No need to get slow, heavy machinery in place when you could simply pick them and carry them to the trucks.¡±


    ¡°You were observing us.¡±


    ¡°I sincerely thank you. Your actions tonight have allowed me to cross this place off my list of concerns. And so, in return I¡¯ll give you this warning. Escalation is bad for you and your temporary allies. Please share the message.¡±


    ¡°I am Adras¡¯ Will. I am no messenger for those beneath me.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you can think that, but you¡¯ll do it anyway. You¡¯ll have to in order to explain to them what happened.¡±


    ¡°You cannot breach the protection around this territory.¡±


    ¡°Actually, I can. I could¡¯ve done it during the tutorial phase when protections were stronger. Now? It¡¯d be as easy as taking one small step.¡±


    Al fought the urge to take one back.


    Why was such a small Earth human triggering his fear instinct when he sensed nothing from the man?


    ¡°Regardless, it¡¯s as I said. I¡¯ve no interest in this place. The nukes were the only things that mattered and you¡¯ve helpfully taken them out and put them on trucks. By now they¡¯re quite faraway, aren¡¯t they? Would you say they¡¯re beyond your ability to reach in time? Yeah, even at your running speed and jumping distance. There¡¯s no way you can catch up before I¡¯m done.¡±


    The wheels in Al¡¯s head spun.


    The man was right.


    ¡°An act of aggression is an act of war.¡±


    ¡°Right back at you. I¡¯d say taking this place from me was the act of aggression. Unless, we¡¯re doing the double standard thing here? When you do it, it¡¯s okay. When I do it, it¡¯s not okay.¡±


    ¡°This facility and its contents are the property of the United States of America.¡± He defaulted to the rote words his allies had included in the list of statements they had approved.


    ¡°Empathy is the key to understanding others. Here we are, two people from two different worlds. Can¡¯t we practice empathy, rather than default straight to conflict and the testing of strength like we were simple animals? Come on, let¡¯s be enlightened beings for once.¡±


    ¡°You would place yourself on the same level as the Gods?¡± Al scoffed just like other eidolons he had observed in the past. The arrogance hadn¡¯t come naturally, but he had years of practice to achieve a decent simulacrum. ¡°Some Gods would smite you for the temerity. You are fortunate that Adras is more patient and charitable than most.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never been one for charity,¡± the man shrugged. ¡°One last message to pass along. Tell Kerkestis, oh¡ª that¡¯s the Eidolon of Sut, if you didn¡¯t know her name¡ª that this counts. As for the nukes? Tell them that I¡¯m throwing them into the sun.¡±


    Al blinked.


    The small man was gone.


    There had been no hint of his departure.


    The leaves on the ground remained undisturbed but for the slight breeze.


    Al looked around, listened and sniffed.


    It was only then that he realized he couldn¡¯t recall the man¡¯s scent or if he had one at all.


    He hurried back to the facility, cursing his lack of foresight for not bringing a radio with him to confront the small man.


    In his arrogance he had hoped for another fight to further raise his standing in the eyes of the American soldiers.


    His triumph over the boss monsters had led to a handful of soldiers approaching him in the aftermath to ask about Adras.


    Now, disaster loomed.


    From the mountain top of triumph to the valley of defeat.


    He saw himself tumbling down.


    The small man had been right.


    The Americans¡¯ greatest weapons were too far for him to protect.


    <hr>


    ¡°Let¡¯s run it back again from the beginning, Lt. List,¡± left butt cheek said.


    ¡°No,¡± Nicholas List, Death¡¯s Dancer, said.


    ¡°We just want to make sure we didn¡¯t miss anything,¡± right butt cheek said.


    The two officers from intelligence rated half an ass each. Not even a whole ass individually. They looked young, probably meant they had connections to get their ranks and the safety of a desk job.


    The one on the right had that chiseled jaw and butt chin. Looked built too. All show no go, judging by the smooth skin of his hands.


    Nicholas knew that alchemists came up with lotions way better than what they had back in the old days. Tear up your hands on the bars putting up quadruple digits, build up the calluses and a day or two rubbing them down and you were back to being as smooth as a baby¡¯s bottom. He only knew to make the comparison cause of that one time he had to change his cousin¡¯s kid¡¯s diaper. Put him up against monsters any day over a repeat of that debacle. The kid had somehow sharted in his face.


    The one on the left was the complete opposite.


    No chin, stick arms.


    Really tall.


    Looking like one of those scarecrow monsters that hid in the wheat and corn fields.


    Piercing eyes that didn¡¯t blink enough.


    Yeah¡­ he didn¡¯t like both, but left butt cheek was creepy looking.


    ¡°What¡¯re you looking for here? We¡¯ve been debriefing for,¡± he glanced at his watch, ¡°four hours. The battle took less than ten minutes. You see how the math doesn¡¯t work out, right? I¡¯ve got a good memory, so if you¡¯re looking for inconsistencies you¡¯re wasting your time. I know for a fact that there weren¡¯t any. What I told you the first time was the same as what I told you the last time.¡±


    ¡°We have your orders, lieutenant,¡± left butt cheek said flatly.


    ¡°Just bear with us for a little longer,¡± right butt cheek smiled.


    Probably thought they were bros.


    Nicholas took it from the top in bored, clipped tones.


    The two cheeks consulted their notes and occasionally scribbled new ones.


    Probably for show because he knew that there weren¡¯t any discrepancies. Just the same story of how the flying man shit all over the most elite unit in their combined forces, not to mention having the support of an entire company-sized element of soldiers with primary classes no lower than Level 30.


    All their drills amounted to a crushing defeat.


    The only thing they managed to do was ruin the asshole¡¯s normal clothes.


    When he finished the two excused themselves.


    They weren¡¯t gone long.


    ¡°It¡¯s impressive that you can keep the story perfectly straight,¡± right butt cheek said.


    ¡°That¡¯s because it¡¯s not a story. It¡¯s what happened. You know¡­ reality.¡±


    ¡°We often find that what one calls ¡®reality¡¯ is often filtered through their perception of said events. Things like stress color said perceptions, which in turn skew memories,¡± left butt cheek said. ¡°A traumatic event, for example, naturally, leads to inaccuracies. Which is why to get the true picture, we must conduct these annoying debriefings.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not some rookie. I¡¯ve seen and fought the worse shit you can imagine. I know you can check my evals. I don¡¯t remember things wrong.¡±


    ¡°Honestly,¡± right butt cheek leaned forward over the steel table, ¡°we get it. We¡¯ve been doing these debriefings all week and you¡¯re the best resource as far as accuracy of the events in question. You really live up to your reputation.¡±


    Nicholas rose.


    ¡°Great, so we¡¯re done¡ª¡±


    ¡°Just a few more questions,¡± left butt cheek said mildly.


    He considered just leaving.


    What were they going to do?


    They couldn¡¯t stop him physically.


    Orders?


    The captain would back him, probably, sure there¡¯d be some punishment, but it wouldn¡¯t be worse than sitting in front of the cumulative ass for another four hours.


    He sat back down.


    The captain didn¡¯t need him adding another headache.


    ¡°Mr. Cruces, the so-called flying man, made several provocative statements¡ª¡± left butt cheek said.


    ¡°Yeah, I repeated them verbatim, at least the ones I heard. About the ninety percent failure rate of the eidolon¡¯s supersoldier program.¡±


    ¡°His numbers are wrong, but the issue is that he knew the program existed in the first place,¡± right butt cheek said.


    ¡°Maybe he guessed,¡± Nicholas shrugged. ¡°Or he saw. Probably has X-ray vision.¡±


    ¡°He did ¡®see¡¯ through your invisibility,¡± right butt cheek said.


    ¡°Or heard, or smelled, or felt my movements. Who knows what kind of super senses he¡¯s got? Probably all of them. He could¡¯ve seen the pinprick-size area of my eyes that don¡¯t go invisible. He was obviously moving a lot slower than he could, figure he¡¯s got sped up perceptions. He could¡¯ve had all day to find me.¡±


    ¡°Can you tells us what you think concerning your failure to affect him in any measurable way?¡± left butt cheek said.


    Smug bastard!


    ¡°I already did.¡±


    ¡°You relayed the facts of the fight. We¡¯d like your opinions on the how and why.¡±


    ¡°Invulnerability field.¡±


    They stared at him expectantly.


    ¡°The bombardment burned and shredded his jacket and pants, but didn¡¯t touch the spandex-compression stuff. I stabbed him, crumpling my spears without leaving a mark. I didn¡¯t notice any sort of glow or burst of light at the impact point like you¡¯d expect on something enchanted with defensive magic or like the captain¡¯s power.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re certain it¡¯s a power, not Skills or magic?¡±


    ¡°Has to be. Mages didn¡¯t detect anything magical about him. If it¡¯s a class than it has to be the greatest, highest-level one in existence, because what he did is completely off the scale compared to our most powerful classes. So, my answer is a superpower, like me and captain, but obviously more powerful. An invulnerability field explains it. It probably extends from his body a few centimeters.¡±


    ¡°The outer layer of clothing wasn¡¯t protected like the inner.¡± Right butt cheek nodded like he knew what he was talking about.


    ¡°When he grabbed me it felt normal. Like a real hand. Hard and unyielding, but not weird like you get with magical shit and Skills. The only thing off was the warmth. You guys ever put some time in at the forges?¡±


    They shook their heads.


    Of course they hadn¡¯t.


    Soft bastards.


    Like a baby¡¯s butt.


    ¡°It was like standing right next to a white hot fire. You know, when the blacksmiths are really cooking.¡±


    In the end they kept peppering him with repeated questions until lunch, then until dinner before finally letting him go.

 8.29

    Alcaestus stood like a statue.


    The needle-like spines of the Enysomen Crown burrowed into his flesh and skull to reach his brain.


    Pain was a mere whisper thanks to the Eidolon of Sut¡¯s potion being fed directly into his veins.


    He blinked.


    With one eye, he viewed the present.


    The other eidolons gathered around him.


    They were in the Eidolon of Sunor¡¯s sanctum temple deep within the American bunker.


    The space had been a chapel once for the worship of their so-called God.


    Sunor¡¯s Will had explored the nature of the unnamed God and determined that it didn¡¯t exist as the true Gods did. It was the mere myth of a primitive people, born out of fear and ignorance.


    What more obvious indication that the Earth humans didn¡¯t believe in their own God when they had surrender this place of worship without question?


    No eidolon would ever allow a temple to their God be taken by another without a struggle.


    With the other eye he viewed the past.


    He was back at the nuclear weapon facility several weeks ago when he had gone from overwhelming triumph to crushing defeat over the course of a single conversation.


    ¡°I see past and present.¡±


    ¡°Wait a moment.¡± The Eidolon of Sut raised a long finger.


    Many thin biomechanical arms emerging from the hump on the eidolon¡¯s robe-covered back skittered across Al¡¯s body like insectoid limbs.


    Truth be told, he found those sensations more disturbing than the pressure the crown exerted on his cranium.


    It reminded him of waiting motionless in a blind for the perfect shot while all manner of forest creatures crawled over him.


    Once, as a young, inexperienced hunter he had made the mistake of choosing a tree that was along an inferno ant migratory route.


    ¡°You may proceed, Sunor¡¯s Will.¡±


    The Eidolon of Sut¡¯s bored voice snapped Al back to the present, well, half of him. The other remained in the past.


    He experienced that failure of a night as though part of him was actually there again.


    Except, something was wrong.


    ¡°What is your purpose?¡±


    Past Al spoke with no one.


    He saw nothing standing in front of him.


    ¡°You cannot challenge until the time runs out.¡±


    It was clear that he was speaking to someone or something.


    There was a long stretch of silence on his part where he knew that he had to be listening to another speak.


    ¡°You were observing us.¡±


    A pause.


    ¡°I am Adras¡¯ Will. I am no messenger for those beneath me.¡±


    The other eidolons watched the entire scene as a life-sized ethereal projection from the crown¡¯s central gemstone.


    Al¡¯s memory ended.


    ¡°Again,¡± the Eidolon of Sunor said.


    They viewed it five times before the Eidolon of Sut raised a finger.


    ¡°Further viewings will negatively impact Adras¡¯ Will,¡± he said flatly.


    ¡°Very well. Remove the crown.¡±


    The spines slipped out of his head while his divine gift immediately began the healing process.


    The Eidolon of Sunor regarded the others.


    ¡°I will have each of your thoughts. You will not hold anything to yourself.¡±


    ¡°It is Sunor¡¯s Will that has kept things to herself,¡± the Eidolon of Salla said. ¡°Perhaps it is your turn to take up the crown?¡±


    The Eidolon of Sunor¡¯s expression grew as dark as the perfect curls that framed her perfect face.


    ¡°I do not submit.¡±


    Her tone didn¡¯t invite further discussion.


    The Eidolon of Salla pressed ahead.


    It was her position that she had been robbed of the opportunity to war as she desired over the last half year as reckoned by this world¡¯s solar orbit. Patience bred impatience thus she¡¯d war in other ways.


    ¡°The fog of war has grown denser, thicker, covering more of the battlegrounds than it had upon our first tremulous steps on this primitive world. We haven¡¯t advanced our aims. We¡¯ve stagnated. And now we¡¯ve lost ground.¡± She turned to the Eidolon of Ekra. ¡°Worse still, we¡¯ve lost contact with four other teams. Correct?¡± She waited for the nod before continuing. ¡°Only three remain. When will caution end? Or will we sit and do nothing until the day it is our turn to ¡®mysteriously¡¯ disappear? The pantheon cannot fail. We cannot fail. To do so will open a thousand worlds to our enemies. They will be able to strike at our very hearts with impunity.¡±


    ¡°Impassioned words, if simple ones,¡± the Eidolon of Sut said. ¡°You¡¯ve said nothing we don¡¯t already know. And I don¡¯t believe I heard any solutions in your words.¡±


    ¡°So says the one that can only manage to succeed once in ten tries. By any metric you are so low as to dwell in the abyssal void.¡±


    The Eidolon of Sut¡¯s skeletal jaw clenched.


    ¡°This has been explained. The success rate is within known parameters. Give me younger subjects if you want greater numbers. Give me children in wombs and I will not fail. This is my pledge, on my name as Sut¡¯s Will.¡±


    ¡°That is not in our treaty,¡± Al said.


    Yes, the process success rate would increase exponentially, but at the cost of the mother¡¯s life.


    ¡°Changes can be made. I have several members of their Congress in my sway. As I¡¯m sure, all of you¡ª with the exception of Adras¡¯ will¡ª do as well. It is a simple matter to lead them to our ends.¡±


    ¡°We are honor bound to keep our word. Both the letter and the intent.¡±


    Al had done his best to keep the inherent enmity between him and the Eidolon of Sut from rising beyond the simmering lip of the pot. It had helped that he had spent as much time out of the other¡¯s presence.


    Their Gods clashed, thus so did they.


    ¡°Children granted a seat at the table do well to listen and observe until they grow worthy to speak,¡± the Eidolon of Sut said.


    ¡°I stand with Adras¡¯ Will in this,¡± the Eidolon of Salla said. ¡°There are many reasons why granting you unborn children is a mistake.¡±


    The Eidolon of Sut sketched a mocking bow.


    ¡°Illuminate,¡± he commanded.


    ¡°You do not have authority over me.¡±


    ¡°Proceed, Salla¡¯s Will,¡± the Eidolon of Sunor said.


    Her brow creased.


    ¡°This world has a fraction of its pre-spires population. It is foolish to remove breeders when we need more.¡±


    ¡°Then we bring our own to replace. Sut knows that there are many worlds that have more people than they need.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but that is a waste of resources, time and effort. This world already has people. We must use them wisely,¡± the Eidolon of Salla said. ¡°Next¡­ your desires would turn them against us and our Gods. This has been born out through history. Or have you forgotten?¡±


    The Eidolon of Sut¡¯s gaze sharpened.


    ¡°Is your process not anathema on all the civilized worlds in the pantheon? Oh, wait, not on Sut¡¯s worlds. You still perform them though you do it in the dark to hide from watchful eyes.¡±


    The Eidolon of Sut¡¯s thin mouth split into a too-wide smile.


    ¡°Salla¡¯s Will is incorrect in one regard. We don¡¯t hide. You see and know. Yet, none stop us. Do you know why? It¡¯s because every God in the pantheon needs what we provide. Some are honest about it. While others pretend to hold their noses so that their so-called honor remains intact in their minds.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve slain many an Eidolon of Sut for their perversions when I find them on Salla¡¯s worlds.¡±


    ¡°And yet, none of those things apply on this world,¡± the Eidolon of Sut spread long, spindly arms wide enough to embrace all of the gathered.


    ¡°Continue, Salla¡¯s Will,¡± the Eidolon of Sunor said.


    ¡°The Quests,¡± the Eidolon of Salla sad. ¡°The rewards are too great to give up this soon.¡±


    Ruffling feathers drew their gazes to the Eidolon of Ekra.


    ¡°The situation isn¡¯t as dire as you¡¯d make. Though we haven¡¯t gained ground. We haven¡¯t lost it either. If you¡¯ve listened to my reports and read them, which I certainly hope you have due to all the effort I put into them, you¡¯d remember that of the multitude of invaders, none have achieved what could be considered success. The greatest failures no longer exist and the greatest successes find themselves constrained to tiny patches of territory around the spires they emerged from. I believe that you should be focusing on the common threads,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°That is the difficulty,¡± the Eidolon of Sunor said. ¡°I find myself struggling to focus. You know of the visit I had received. What you don¡¯t know is that it was like what Adras¡¯ Will experienced. You ask me to bear Enysomen¡¯s Crown, Salla¡¯s Will¡­ I already have. Repeatedly. It is as we all witnessed. An empty gap in our memories that nothing can fill. No magic, no artifact, no divine gift has penetrated this inscrutable madness.¡±


    ¡°May we request an Eidolon of Enysomen?¡± Al said.


    The God claimed memory as a part of her portfolio.


    If any could help it was one of her Wills.


    ¡°The Quests,¡± the Eidolon of Salla said.


    ¡°We must consider the value of downgraded rewards when weighed against no rewards at all,¡± the Eidolon of Sut mused.


    ¡°I am not concerned with the Quests. Succeed or fail, it doesn¡¯t matter in the greater for there will always be more Quests. Such is the way of the spires. My concern lies within. For when I consider a greater form of aggression, as Salla¡¯s Will advocates for, I am filled with a dread that surpasses any I have felt before. To simply consider taking stronger action to further our goals makes my thoughts recoil as though I was a simple animal and not Sunor¡¯s Will. It takes me back to days I don¡¯t remember, though I know must exist. Adras¡¯ Will, you were a hunter, I imagine it is how one of your countless prey has felt a thousand times. Instinctive fear of looming destruction, death and worse.¡±


    Al¡¯s eyes bulged.


    He hadn¡¯t know the Eidolon of Sunor long, but everything about her recalled that of a statue carved out of granite.


    Perfection in form and function.


    To him, she had been as far above him as he was a mortal.


    Closer to her God than he was to his.


    He would¡¯ve wagered any amount of coin against the possibility that he¡¯d witness such a display of honest vulnerability.


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Remembering his hunter¡¯s instincts he focused his attention on the other eidolons.


    The Eidolon of Sut licked his lips with a faint sneer.


    The Eidolon of Salla¡¯s scowl could¡¯ve split a mountain.


    The Eidolon of Ekra had actually taken a step back.


    ¡°We are the same, Adras¡¯ Will,¡± the Eidolon of Sunor held his gaze.


    For the first time he sensed that it was as equals rather than senior and junior.


    ¡°A half-remembered conversation. One which has informed all of my decisions with stark clarity, yet I couldn¡¯t say why.¡±


    ¡°This is why you stayed our hands? Why you decreed that we wouldn¡¯t directly aid our allies in battles to reclaim their land.¡± The Eidolon of Salla¡¯s scowl deepened. ¡°Such information would¡¯ve been useful the moment you had it. To keep it to yourself for half a year¡ª¡± she bit her tongue. ¡°To keep it to yourself for half a year was a grave strategic and tactical error. We could¡¯ve come up with a counter in that time.¡±


    ¡°It was instinct that stayed my tongue. For I knew with a certainty that I cannot explain¡­¡± the Eidolon of Sunor¡¯s perfect facade cracked. ¡°Death, destruction and worse. That is what I knew awaited all of us had I done anything other than what I have done.¡±


    ¡°An enemy that we know nothing about. That two of our number have apparently spoken to. That can reach us deep within our sanctums. And I thought this world had no Gods,¡± the Eidolon of Salla said.


    ¡°It is no matter. All worlds have their native protectors. Such has always been the way. One only need look to history.¡± The Eidolon of Sut raised a brow at the Eidolon of Salla. ¡°This is no different. We need information to combat the enemy. I agree with Salla¡¯s Will on this.¡±


    ¡°The simple thought of taking small steps to that end fills me with crushing dread,¡± the Eidolon of Sunor said.


    ¡°A leader afraid can¡¯t lead effectively,¡± the Eidolon of Salla said.


    ¡°I fear that which I cannot name, nor remember. I do not fear anything else on this world.¡±


    Steel returned to the Eidolon of Sunor¡¯s voice.


    All hints of vulnerability fled her statuesque form.


    Her aura made Al take a step back.


    None of the other eidolons managed to stand against her.


    Sunor had ruled the pantheon since before recorded history despite all the war within and without.


    Eons of rule, though not unchallenged, remained secure.


    His eidolons embodied that.


    This one was said to be ancient.


    The oldest amongst the eidolons sent to fight for this world.


    Al suspected that a contest between her and the rest of them would be rather one-sided in her favor.


    ¡°Then we have another threat to contend with in addition to the Cruces,¡± the Eidolon of Salla said. ¡°Except, this one can¡¯t be named or identified and the mere though of it triggers an existential dread in our mightiest. The first step to combating an enemy is to know it.¡±


    A sudden thought gripped Al.


    The strongest in recent memory.


    He spoke before realizing it.


    Though, he knew that it¡¯d make him appear the coward and bring dishonor to Adras¡¯ name.


    ¡°Ker¡ª Sunor¡¯s Will, I- I have words for you.¡± He drew a deep breath into his mighty chest. ¡°¡®This counts¡¯.¡± He sagged as he released the air. ¡°I can¡¯t explain where or from who, but I know it to be a message. As well as the knowledge that our allies¡¯ great weapons have been sent to the solar orb.¡±


    Questions bombarded him and he repeated the same answers.


    ¡°We¡¯ve found the missing half,¡± the Eidolon of Salla sounded disgusted.


    ¡°Poor timing, Adras¡¯ Will,¡± the Eidolon of Ekra sighed. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you share this information with the rest of it?¡±


    The Eidolon of Sunor hadn¡¯t so much as blinked since the moment Al had almost spoken her true name.


    How had he known what it was?


    ¡°None of our measures detected that Adra¡¯s Will had spoken anything, but the full truth earlier,¡± the Eidolon of Sut said. ¡°None of mine¡­¡± he muttered.


    More words spewed from Al¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°Escalation is bad for us and our allies. Empathy is the key to understanding others.¡±


    ¡°Have we allied with the wrong people?¡± The Eidolon of Ekra spared him for the moment. ¡°Consider the facts. The Americans failed to achieve their objectives. They captured a handful of armories, but they failed to capture their great weapons. Those armories are all but useless. Their greatest warriors were defeated by a single flying human. One of these Cruces? If so which one?¡± She shrugged her wings.


    ¡°Fog of war,¡± the Eidolon of Salla eyed the Eidolon of Sunor. ¡°It bears repeating we can¡¯t fight and expect to win if we don¡¯t even know the enemy we¡¯re fighting.¡±


    Through it all, the Eidolon of Sunor¡¯s gaze bored into Al¡¯s like some great beast intent on soft, young prey.


    ¡°It¡¯s as the Gut-ripper Shrike and the Red-frilled Eviscerator sharing the one watering hole in the plains,¡± he said.


    Though why he said it?


    He didn¡¯t know.


    ¡°It is too late for an accord. We are honor bound to the Americans. We have given our Gods¡¯ word,¡± the Eidolon of Sunor said.


    ¡°What good will your honor do you in defeat and death?¡± the Eidolon of Sut scoffed. ¡°Your God may be satisfied with that. Mine won¡¯t. Victory or death. That is all and ever will be.¡±


    ¡°That is why you lose in war,¡± the Eidolon of Salla said. ¡°Only fools and the dead don¡¯t consider all possibilities. Defeat in today¡¯s battle can lead to victory tomorrow. Death leaves one without tomorrow¡¯s chance. Dishonor? Only if we abandon our allies. I envision something different. If their leaders¡¯ impatience will lead them to death then is it not our duty as the guiding hands of an older sister to steer them along the right path to their eventual ascendance from their primitive ways? Would that not be the honorable way?¡±


    The silence stretched for hours as each eidolon delved into their own thoughts.


    Al¡¯s mind was a chaotic sea that he struggled to calm.


    Why had he spoken in such a manner?


    He slammed his head against the question as though it were an adamantine wall.


    It was only then that he realized how exhausted his mind was.


    An entirely new world of people and cultures.


    One that he didn¡¯t have the luxury of time, comfort or safety to study.


    It was how he navigated the interactions between sapients.


    Such things didn¡¯t come naturally to him as breathing in the sea was for fish.


    For him, it was as though he were the fish flopping around in the desert sands.


    Unlike the fish that could never learn to breathe above the waves, he could learn to act as sapients expected.


    It wasn¡¯t easy and it took time.


    Time that he hadn¡¯t had on this world.


    He had gone from labor to labor, killing monsters or helping rebuild.


    He had never simply walked among the people to learn their ways.


    Ronald, his liaison, was a fine companion, but one wasn¡¯t enough to gain an understanding of the many Earth humans¡¯ ways.


    It occurred to him that the isolation was by the design.


    The American leaders clearly feared that he would draw their people to Adras by the majesty of his sheer presence.


    He had studied the history of other worlds and cultures.


    The constant struggle of those in power to remain in control.


    He reached a resolution.


    The Eidolon of Salla was right.


    The older and more experienced must lead the younger and inexperienced.


    ¡°We have time,¡± the Eidolon of Sunor broke the silence. ¡°By your gazes, I see an accord.¡±


    Each nodded.


    ¡°Our guidance shall be more direct,¡± she regarded Al, ¡°the goal is to share the watering hole for as long as possible. Let this world¡¯s protectors focus their ire on others. So long as we live then we have opportunity.¡± She turned to the Eidolon of Salla. ¡°To find weaknesses and vulnerabilities. To bring more of our strength to this world. Though the spires create conflict, we are sapient beings. Not animals enslaved to our instincts. We don¡¯t simply attack those that threaten our territory. Coexistence is possible. Perhaps even these threats can be led into our Gods¡¯ divine light. We would achieve much acclaim, honor and favor by bringing such power into the service of the pantheon.¡±


    <hr>


    Captain Patriot¡¯s office wasn¡¯t much larger than a decent-sized storage closet.


    The decor was almost non-existent.


    One plastic folding table for a desk and a handful of plastic folding chairs stacked near the front door completed the image of someone that didn¡¯t care about the trappings of status.


    The only other things inside were a green potted plant and a small wooden bookshelf.


    Nicholas walked inside and placed a chair in front of the empty desk.


    He checked his watch.


    It was unusual for the captain to be anything other than early.


    She had said once that if he wasn¡¯t five minutes early then he was five minutes late.


    Only the once because her disappointment was the worst thing in the world.


    He waited in silence before checking his watch again.


    The captain was ten minutes late. So that meant, by her standards, she was fifteen minutes late. Not that he¡¯d mention it to her.


    He stood and perused her reading material.


    Nothing stood out at first, just books on leadership, military history and the like.


    Until he came across something unexpected.


    ¡°She reads comics?¡± he mused.


    A trade paperback.


    He knew what it was from being exposed by the other guys in his unit over the years.


    Essentially, a collection of individual issues in one book.


    There had been a scant handful of them available in the years he had been confined to the bunker complex.


    Precious treasures brought by people, young and old, as they fled the monsters.


    The one in his hand reminded him of those.


    Its thick spine was creased. The edges showed white were the color had been rubbed off along with the card stock and paper. The front cover was marred by a circle of water damage from where someone must¡¯ve placed a glass.


    He flipped through the dog-eared pages, admiring the artwork.


    ¡°Weird¡­ it¡¯s like a painting.¡±


    He had never seen the style used in a comic book.


    Several characters looked familiar, except a lot older.


    The bat guy was a white-haired old man in this one. Forced to wear what looked like an exoskeleton to move.


    He suddenly lost interest when he turned to a page showing the strongest superhero in his blue spandex and red cape singlehandedly defeating a dozen enemies in the space of one page while rescuing a weird, hanging train car full of civilians.


    The image struck a little close to home after his personal experience against a superstrong flying man.


    ¡°At least the fucker didn¡¯t have heat vision.¡± He returned the book.


    Booted steps echoed down the hallway.


    He faced the open door and saluted as the captain appeared.


    She returned it briskly.


    ¡°As you will, lieutenant.¡±


    The captain¡¯s movement was still off three weeks after that disastrous fight.


    She had suffered a tremendous amount of damage in the aftermath. Too much of her white light had been spent to fight that smug asshole. It enhanced and healed, but its effects vanished if it wasn¡¯t being actively used. Her injuries had been brutal. Multiple broken limbs, torn muscles and ruptured organs.


    The medics and doctors hadn¡¯t been certain that she¡¯d make it through the first two days in the aftermath.


    Fortunately, even without her white light her body was superhuman.


    It had been a shattering experience in more ways than one.


    Crushing defeat was bad enough, but to see your icon shattered in a way she had never been¡ª


    He pushed the thought from his mind.


    The dim white light in her eyes hidden by the blindfold pierced his.


    She didn¡¯t want nor need pity.


    It was a waste of energy.


    She preferred her soldiers to focus on their tasks in the present and future.


    Still, it was hard to watch her gingerly pull her chair back and take a seat.


    He caught the micro-expressions on her face.


    Physical pain.


    She slid a thick folder across her desk.


    One look at the first page and he closed it.


    ¡°My thoughts exactly,¡± she said.


    ¡°Am I being punished, sir?¡±


    She held a finger to her lips before placing a pair of items on her desk.


    Anti-surveillance devices.


    A magic gem and a magitech device.


    He didn¡¯t like this at all.


    The thought of not being safe and free in his home?


    A home that he had fought and bled for without complaint since childhood.


    The change was obvious. One would need to be blind and deaf to not have noticed.


    Ever since the eidolons arrived¡­


    ¡°We need to be careful with our words. No countermeasure is a hundred percent effective a hundred percent of the time,¡± the captain said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t like the sound of that, sir¡­ if I¡¯m being honest.¡±


    ¡°Neither do I.¡±


    ¡°Where did my orders come from?¡±


    ¡°From me. From the major. He didn¡¯t share information beyond that.¡±


    The need for info sec forced him to choose his words.


    ¡°Could it have something to do with what that asshole was talking about?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know with any certainty. All I have are suspicions, which are terrible things to have within our chain of command.¡±


    ¡°Seems like sending me all the way across the country confirms things?¡±


    ¡°Your abilities do make you the best candidate for this op.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re also perfect if someone wanted to look into, uh, what the guy said.¡±


    ¡°That too.¡±


    ¡°Maybe there¡¯s time.¡± He opened the folder again, searching for the departure time. ¡°I can check on things before leaving.¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow. You deploy tomorrow.¡±


    His brow furrowed before he remembered himself.


    ¡°The doctor has me on rest for the next week and light duty for the next three. You know I¡¯m not one to complain, but I¡¯m going to complain. Everything is tender and sore. When I¡¯m not lightheaded, I¡¯ve got a headache.¡±


    ¡°It gets worse.¡± She gave him a stiff nod. ¡°You will have zero support on the op. It¡¯s up to you to arrange travel. Once there there will be no back up or exfil. You get yourself there and you get yourself out. However, I¡¯m not abandoning you regardless of orders. While you¡¯re there I will get you the support you need if I have to rip it out of them myself.¡±


    The ¡®them¡¯ was obviously the eidolons, however he couldn¡¯t stop himself from the disturbing thought that it might include his fellow soldiers.


    ¡°Understood,¡± he nodded. ¡°I have a lot of reading and prep to do before tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ but see your family first. I struck the time of your departure. You have all of tomorrow before you have to leave. Give me a list of gear you want before 06:00. I will personally retrieve the best from the armories. No restrictions, regardless of what your orders say.¡±


    The captain stood and held her hand out.


    He took it.


    ¡°Thank you, sir.¡±

 8.30

    The Eidolon of Sunor stood within the Oval Office.


    To name the seat of power of the greatest nation¡­ once greatest nation of the world after its architectural shape was unimaginative.


    Were she being charitable she¡¯d attribute it to certainty in the knowledge that their power was unchallenged hence the lack of need for a properly grand name to awe their citizens and enemies.


    The president sat behind his ornate wooden desk.


    The old man looked older every time she saw him.


    It was within her power to grant him a measure of rejuvenation if he only threw his entire being into Sunor¡¯s worship.


    This knowledge would not be shared with the American leaders.


    Old and entrenched men were never as loyal as young raised in the divine grace of the Gods.


    Although, watching his labored breathing and red-blotched face had her considering giving him a small rejuvenation potion just to avoid an untimely death.


    The vice president was less pliable.


    She suppressed much of her divine presence.


    Let no one say that she had manipulated the man with means beyond what the Earth humans found acceptable amongst their own kind.


    It was simple statecraft¡­ truly.


    ¡°I am pleased with the implementation of our new direction. The unity your people have shown through all levels has been inspiring.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve got to say that when you came to me I didn¡¯t see things going this smoothly. Politics, you know? Everyone wants something, while everyone doesn¡¯t want anyone else to get that something. Like herding cats¡­ an expression of my world. It means¡ª¡±


    ¡°An impossibly difficult task for it isn¡¯t in a cat¡¯s nature to be herded like simple sheep. For it is a proud and independent predator. The master of its territory.¡±


    The expression wasn¡¯t unfamiliar to her.


    She knew many variations across different cultures on different worlds. The translation system meant that she had heard the exact statement on many occasions. For cats were on many worlds.


    ¡°A pleasant surprise.¡± The president nodded. ¡°I thought for sure that the warhawks would¡¯ve pitched a fit with the pullbacks. They¡¯ve been waiting decades to flex their muscles.¡±


    ¡°I am not Salla¡¯s Will, however, I¡¯ve served as strategos for thousands of conflicts across my long existence and I¡¯ve long learned that impatience is ever the enemy of victorious war.¡±


    ¡°And don¡¯t get me going on congress. Both houses¡­¡± he shook his head. ¡°Monsters to all sides and they¡¯re still shoving each other over for whatever scraps of power they can grab out of the trough like a bunch of pigs. Course, they¡¯re loyal, which is what really counts in these difficult times. Not like those ungrateful traitors standing in the way of my¡ª our rightful destiny.¡±


    ¡°Patience. In time, the inevitable tide of history will sweep these misguided souls aside. They will learn the error of their ways and we will be there to reach our hands out to pull them back where they belong.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good sentiment, honored eidolon. Say¡­¡±


    ¡°You know you have leave to speak your mind freely when we are away from other eyes and ears, president.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just¡­¡±


    ¡°Be assured that what is spoken here and now will remain solely between us.¡± She held her palm open and flared a bit of magic light.


    It did nothing beyond look bright and pretty.


    She had already placed a bubble of silence and interference around their talk, but she wasn¡¯t going to explain the particulars.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to hear more about Sunor and what he offers, but I have to be discreet, at least for now. My constituency wouldn¡¯t understand you see.¡±


    Her use for the man stemmed from his position rather than his personal qualities.


    Sunor didn¡¯t always abhor cowardice and greed for the two qualities, if properly directed, made for leaders that could maintain order and civilization.


    She knew of the true reason behind the president¡¯s hopeful and hungry gaze.


    The other eidolons, under her direction, had undertaken a more open pursuit of gaining converts to the worship of their Gods.


    The Eidolon of Salla planted her banner across all levels of the American fighting men and women, from old generals to young soldiers.


    The Eidolon of Sut welcomed those that sought knowledge and the advancement of the mind, scientists of every discipline, alchemists and the like.


    The Eidolon of Ekra spread her wings across the general population. Her speed allowed her to cover ground to the farthest settlements.


    The Eidolon of Adras performed labors in honor of his God. Example through boundless strength. He attracted would be heroes and fighters that sought adventure outside of rigid order.


    She suppressed her distaste for the latter.


    Even they served a purpose.


    As for her?


    The Eidolon of Sunor had spoken softly in the halls of these people¡¯s power.


    Sunor was leadership.


    He was the order of civilization.


    The president, the vice president, senators, congressmen and women, judges, administrators, clerks.


    From the highest to the lowest.


    All belonged to her God.


    ¡°I would be pleased to share if you but have the time.¡± She smiled with perfection and allowed a sliver of the divinity in her to emerge.


    ¡°Yes, please.¡±


    Longing entered the president¡¯s voice.


    As she spoke off Sunor¡¯s worship his eyes grew wide with the greed that had led him to his position.


    Power.


    Control.


    All things in her God¡¯s grace.


    As winter waned and spring waxed, they tightened their hold.


    <hr>


    ¡°I believe I have encountered one of these in the past,¡± Alcaestus said.


    He stood at the edge of the tree line a visible sentinel to remind the inhuman creatures hiding in their stolen town that there was no escape.


    Donald¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°¡­ that means it would¡¯ve had to have been not on Earth?¡±


    ¡°Yes. My memory is clear. The man transformed, but before that¡­ I¡¯m now certain that his likeness was that of your American people.¡±


    ¡°How long ago was this?¡±


    ¡°Time is uncertain when traveling through the spires, but I¡¯d estimate no less than ten years and no more than twenty.¡±


    ¡°That could fit past the ten year mark post-spires, but the cost to travel to another world¡­ way too expensive for us normal people. Captain Patriot could¡¯ve done it. She had enough points and the strength to fight if she had to on the other side, but we needed her here.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it isn¡¯t wise to waste your best on simple scouting quests.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, the guy just looked like us, but wasn¡¯t from here?¡±


    ¡°Oh? No. As I recall the encounter, I¡¯m even more certain that he was native to your nation. His way of speaking was as yours.¡±


    ¡°This is important.¡± Donald hurried to pull a notebook from his small pack.


    The young liaison was on his sixth.


    ¡°I shall share the grand tale of my battle with this Meat Parade flesheater from the days before I truly earned Adras¡¯ favor, but that shall wait for the campfire after the battle.¡±


    He had shared the tale with his main liaison, but Ronald was on vacation.


    Ronald had already dutifully recorded it and no doubt had shared it.


    The repetition was a favor to his temporary liaison.


    The young Donald was an eager sort. Hopeful of being able to contribute something to his people¡¯s cause.


    It was a small effort on Al¡¯s part to aid in that.


    He had heard the scout¡¯s soft tread on the wet ground a thousand meters away.


    The young woman was good and had the Skills to enhance her natural ability.


    He kept his gaze toward the town¡¯s dark walls.


    Let the young one think she had gained a victory.


    It was good for her confidence.


    And as all knew, that was the key to success.


    A tentative finger tapped him on the elbow.


    Donald jumped, stifling a shout.


    Al glanced back, acknowledging the scout with a raised brow and a slight smile that he made sure reached his eyes.


    It was dark, but her eyes shined in the scant moonlight.


    ¡°You have a report for me, Scout Bailey?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, honored eidolon.¡±


    ¡°Please, we¡¯ve fought together. You¡¯ve no need for titles.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ Alcaestus¡­¡± she tried it out and didn¡¯t seem to like it.


    He gave a benevolent sigh.


    The rhythm of this was a familiar song.


    Honored eidolon became Alcaestus became Al.


    The progression took years and most never quite managed to reach the end.


    ¡°Er¡­ I¡¯m here to tell you that everyone is in position and that they¡¯re ready and waiting for your signal.¡±


    The month long hunt for their elusive quarry had revealed deficiencies in their communications security.


    The cannibals had demonstrated an ability to intercept their comms whether they used magical, mechanical or a mix of the two.


    Hence, reverting to the ancient method of runners carrying messages.


    ¡°Then it is time. Scout Bailey I trust Liaison Donald¡¯s safety to your capable hands.¡±


    ¡°Alcaestus, please be careful. I know we¡¯ve got a deal with them, swore oaths and everything, but watch your back. You can¡¯t trust these people. They might risk taking a shot at your back if they see an opening,¡± Donald said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fret, young friend! I have made these oaths many times before. The wording is precise and they are backed by both Skills and magic. Only their most powerful can break it and it would prove costly. So much so that a knife in my back will be the last thing they do before I rip their heads from their necks like a meat fowl¡­ er¡­ chicken.¡±


    His smile reached his eyes in a reassuring manner.


    They gulped, nodded and headed back into the forest to the base camp.


    Al regarded the makeshift wooden wall encircling the small town.


    It was small by the standards of this world.


    On the balance, he¡¯d say that the town would be considered mid-sized on most of the worlds he had been to.


    He imagined the primitive natives walking the streets or riding in their wheeled vehicles.


    Form varied from world to world, while function was nearly identical.


    Of course, that only lasted until the superior creations of the pantheon replaced the native ones.


    It always struck him to see the similarities in human cultures across disparate worlds.


    He pulled the tiny flare gun from his pouch.


    An unforeseen problem greeted him immediately.


    His finger couldn¡¯t fit through the trigger guard.


    He ripped the guard open, pointed the gun to the sky and pulled the trigger.


    Bright red light streaked over the dark town.


    Al leapt in its wake.


    The wind whipped in his ears, throwing his long, black curls into disarray.


    It¡¯s time for a cut, he thought.


    Spell and artillery fire exploded out of the surrounding forest.


    He was the herald of their destruction.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Feet crashed through a roof.


    Fire and thunder engulfed the town.


    He pulled a sailor¡¯s eye from one of his pouches.


    Magic affixed it over his own.


    It had been tuned to detect the essence of humans that ate the flesh of their own kind.


    There were many in the town.


    Hiding and lurking.


    This was thought to be one of the last and largest remaining groups of the Meat Parade.


    They had terrorized communities with their so-called blessed sacrament for close to twenty years after the spires¡¯ had appeared. They fed on their fellow man and gained strength in their profane class. Worse still, they took the young or the willing and made them partake. Forever turning them into monsters.


    He cover great swaths of ground with every bounding leap towards the largest concentration of flesheaters.


    They hid beneath the ground.


    In the lowest level of a small peacekeeper barracks.


    Thick concrete merely slowed him down.


    They lunged out of the darkness like frightened vermin.


    Distended mouths filled with gnashing teeth broke on his pale lavender fists.


    Hooked claws skipped harmlessly off his metal-hard skin and muscles.


    A clenched fist pulled them all to him at great speed.


    The entire building groaned in protest.


    Wall bowed inward.


    Chunks of wall and other broken bits joined the one way flight.


    Flesheaters broke against his unyielding body.


    They broke against each other while debris hammered and pierced them.


    Al stopped before the entire structure dropped on his head.


    Broken bodies leaked wet red around him.


    A handful moaned, moving weakly.


    These looked smaller, thinner than the others he had killed.


    Old and young.


    Several had barely managed the transformation.


    A young girl gasped for breath. Red bubbled from her lips.


    Her chest was sunken in.


    Red eyes stared up at him.


    Fear and disbelief warred within those young orbs.


    He moved quickly, stomping her face into the cold, hard concrete.


    Though monstrous, he didn¡¯t deem her deserving of an extended death.


    Her suffering served him not.


    That was what separated him from the monsters.


    He dispatched the rest quickly and efficiently.


    Old and young.


    Weak.


    Emaciated.


    They had the look of starving predators.


    Good.


    Their empty bellies meant lives preserved and an easier battle.


    He leapt out the way he had arrived.


    The bombardment had ceased, leaving demolished structures and burning fires in its wake.


    The plan was simple.


    Surround the town.


    Soften them up with artillery.


    Close in for the finish and levels.


    The street cratered beneath his feet.


    Dark shapes ran in the crackling fire light casting distorted shadows in their passing.


    The sharp retorts of the Earth human projectile weapons echoed alongside the much louder tell-tale explosions of spells.


    Squads of American soldiers swept up the street behind him.


    He pointed to the partially-collapsed peacekeeper barracks.


    ¡°I slew fifteen within. However, I would advise against collecting their bodies until the structure can be strengthened.¡±


    ¡°Understood. We¡¯re securing our section. Light resistance so far. The cannibals are running rather than standing and fighting,¡± the captain said.


    ¡°And our allies?¡±


    ¡°Eyes in the sky say much the same thing.¡±


    ¡°Since they cannot flee past our closing jaws, they flee to the only place they can.¡±


    The center of the town.


    The seat of governance.


    A sturdy old building surrounded by a park.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know if I like that image on account of who they are,¡± the captain shrugged.


    ¡°It is the natural order of things. Predator and prey, such is the balance of existence. We aren¡¯t exempt. But, don¡¯t fret for tonight you fight with Adras¡¯ Will!¡±


    Al¡¯s broad smile brightened the darkness.


    He made sure to include his eyes and a bit of the divinity flowing through his body to chase away the darkness encroaching in the soldiers¡¯ hearts.


    The hunt for the Meat Parade had been difficult solely for the trail the flesheaters had left in their wake.


    Though weakened from the height of their power they were still strong enough to sweep through and devour smaller communities and the rare group of travelers.


    ¡°Sometimes predators must be culled for that balance or put out of their misery. Rejoice! For we accomplish both this night. Come! Let¡¯s finish the hunt!¡±


    He strode imperiously down the street at a deliberate pace to allow the soldiers to keep up while observing proper combat tactics.


    They moved a few paces behind him, dashing from cover to cover while under the aegis of each others¡¯ weapons.


    Long-limbed and clawed shadows danced in the flames.


    ¡°Contact!¡±


    Short, controlled bursts peppered a lurking shadow.


    An emaciated flesheater staggered out of the narrow alley.


    Partially-transformed, the old woman bared sharp teeth in a grotesquely large mouth.


    Another burst peppered her body and head.


    ¡°Threat?¡± the captain barked.


    A soldier formed a circle with his thumb and forefinger and held it over his eye.


    Al felt the mana rise from within the soldier to coalesce into a faintly glowing shimmer contained in the circle, like the sailor¡¯s eye in his pouch.


    ¡°Negative life signs.¡±


    The captain caught Al¡¯s eye.


    ¡°Clear to proceed, Eidolon Alcaestus.¡±


    ¡°Beware the ambush, captain. A wounded predator is most dangerous.¡±


    That was all the warning Al would give them despite his hunter¡¯s senses alerting him to the flesheaters moving into positions down the street.


    Experience was valuable.


    Levels didn¡¯t come without challenge and risk.


    To coddle would merely keep the soldiers alive for the next battle. One wherein they wouldn¡¯t have his divine might to protect them like a fierce mother gloom bear protects her cubs.


    He continued his march.


    The flesheaters wisely let him pass, waiting to spring their ambush on the last soldiers.


    They must¡¯ve had good concealment Skills because they slipped from his notice the closer he got.


    Glass shattered as deformed shapes burst out of nearly-impenetrable darkness.


    The soldiers reacted quickly despite being caught off-guard. The shot precise bursts and beat a quick retreat to the middle of the street away from the structures on both sides of the street.


    Squad-coordination Skills from the captain down to the individual squad sergeants protected the soldiers from friendly fire.


    The flesheaters weren¡¯t without bite.


    An old man bit down on the barrel of a soldier¡¯s weapon, pulling with strength that belied his thin, withered arms.


    The soldier cursed, flicking the selector and squeezing down on the trigger until it clicked on empty.


    The old flesheater fell away with the back of his head a gaping ruin of wet red and ivory bits.


    But, he succeeded in holding the soldier and isolating him from the others.


    Children loped out of a dark alley.


    Their small size allowed them to slip between the larger adults and avoid notice until it was too late.


    The soldier spotted them.


    He released his main projectile weapon since he couldn¡¯t pry it out of the old flesheater¡¯s deathgrip to draw a smaller backup along with a short, hacking blade.


    He emptied his ammunition in a near panic, blowing away a child flesheater¡¯s face.


    Cleave.


    A horizontal slash cut across the next three closest.


    The black-coated steel blade bit into eyes, mouth and throat.


    Automatic Reload.


    He retreated, felling another child flesheater with lead projectiles.


    ¡°Some help!¡± he cried out.


    Unfortunately, his fellow soldiers were occupied.


    He hacked and stabbed¡ª Automatic Reload¡ª fired.


    Small bodies fell, but enough reached him to dig clawed fingers around his arms and legs, piercing through clothing to draw blood.


    Mouths distended.


    Sharp teeth bit into his flesh.


    Pain in his ankle drove him to one knee.


    One of the child flesheaters had ripped through the back of his tough boot to tear a chunk from the back of his ankle.


    Tiny fingers, stronger than they had any right to be tugged on his helmet, pulling his head back.


    ¡°Second W¡ª¡±


    The Skill failed on his lips as a bloody mouth bit hungrily into his throat.


    The remaining child flesheaters devoured him with frightening speed just a dozen feet away from his brothers and sisters in arms.


    Their focus had been drawn to a massive specimen akin to the first one Al had fought.


    The flesheater charged through the storm of bullets, shielding his face with a massive arm bulging with muscles.


    He must¡¯ve had tougher skin because the bullets bounced off, drawing mere pinpricks of dark blood.


    He trampled a soldier, then swept another off his feet.


    The hapless soldier turned into a makeshift club, bludgeoning those too slow to retreat.


    The break in the formation allowed the surviving flesheaters access to the soft belly.


    They poured in like the starving pack they were.


    The captain barked orders.


    Soldiers tightened around him.


    Perhaps, the monstrous humans weren¡¯t mere animals for it seemed that they had a plan beyond falling on the closest soldier and savaging them to death for instead of pushing for the captain they retreated, dragging dead soldiers with them.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let them escape and feed!¡± the captain roared. ¡°Focus Fire!¡± he pointed at the behemoth soaking up everything they shot at it. ¡°Company: Piercer Ammo!¡±


    The sustained burst finally slowed the flesheater.


    Concern flashed across his grotesque face.


    ¡°Company: Explosive Ammo!¡±


    Many little booms blended into a massive one.


    When the dust cleared where the behemoth had stood was a wide circular swath of street covered in dark blood and scattered chunks of wet flesh and glistening bone.


    The remaining flesheaters had vanished back into the darkness with their prizes.


    Al caught the captain¡¯s eyes from the distance.


    The set in the man¡¯s jaws and the stone gaze in his eyes suggested that he was displeased.


    It was natural when a leader lost his soldiers to the enemy.


    Al didn¡¯t begrudge the man what appeared to be anger directed toward him.


    The captain had proved himself to be a sharp and canny soldier.


    It didn¡¯t take a leap of logic to surmise that the captain understood that Al had let the ambush occur without warning them.


    Though, to be fair, he had warned them about the possibility of an ambush, if not about the specific one.


    The captain¡¯s expression darkened for a moment before he swallowed the anger and rushed up to Al.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got wounded. Have to split my force. Half to escort them back to the staging area and half to go after the cannibals. We can¡¯t leave them lurking behind our front lines. And I¡¯ll be fucked if I let them eat my guys,¡± the captain spat.


    ¡°The flesheaters cannot be allowed to regain strength,¡± he agreed. ¡°The longer they¡¯re allowed to fight and survive the more opportunity they have to counter level. It was in a siege echoing this that Joros of Adrasia, Gate of Shradezyx¡¯s Pass went from humble smith¡¯s apprentice to the legendary Torrukbane Bloodhammer of a Million Tears. In just a handful of years he and the defenders ground the greatest Torruk horde in recorded history to nothing.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great for him and the survivors. Not so much for the other million. You¡¯re on your own, eidolon.¡±


    ¡°I will proceed to the center. You will pursue and recover your men and women. Avenge them. Fight well and level. Become stronger for the next time,¡± he strode away without another glance, ¡°for that is why we do this.¡±


    Without the soldiers slowing him, Al quickly reached the town center.


    To his displeasure he wasn¡¯t the first to arrive.


    Both allied forces laid siege to the seat of government.


    The structure was unimpressive.


    A square-shaped, squat thing of plain brick barely taller than a young giant.


    Flesheaters fired weapons and threw spells out of windows while his allies retorted from behind makeshift cover or magic shields.


    ¡°You!¡± An imperious, high-pitched voice rang out.


    He found the source quickly as she strode up to him while armored young men and women hurried to keep her shielded.


    They¡¯re armor and weapons buzzed with magic to his senses.


    Scales and plate.


    Weapons that resembled tooth and claw.


    He remembered his time to the far south of this land.


    Where he won a great contest in Adras¡¯ name.


    What was once called Florida, but was now Richellia, so dubbed by usurpers and what was claimed to be a dragon.


    He had doubts.


    A true dragon was a majestic and powerful being capable of claiming an entire world as their domain.


    ¡°Pre¡ª Princess!¡± A young woman clad in cerulean scales and plate, held a shield made from the same material over the smaller girl. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t be in the open!¡±


    The girl ignored her exasperated guard to stomp right up to him.


    She had to crane her neck back to glare into his eyes.


    They were decidedly inhuman, slitted and shining cerulean.


    Al fought the urge to step back.


    Perhaps, he had underestimated this one from their encounter the previous day.


    The planning meeting had taken place in a large tent with representatives from all three sides.


    He had thought the girl was simply there to gain experience or perhaps be seen by others as the heir to the true ruler of Richellia.


    He hadn¡¯t expected to see her in the thick of the fighting.


    Her look reminded him of many a dangerous predator he had faced.


    ¡°You have arrived last while we arrived first!¡± her smug smile didn¡¯t reach her eyes.


    ¡°Yes? That is correct.¡±


    ¡°A poor showing for a champion.¡±


    Was this the place for a conversation?


    ¡°Those were games. This is real. Victory is measured by objectives met, not by a raised hand. Or who does what first.¡±


    A low growl rumbled from the girl¡¯s throat.


    Beast like.


    The cerulean armored soldiers had strange physical traits that he had studied from a distance over the short span of their alliance.


    Slightly sharp canine teeth here, eyes that shined in the moonlight there or a faint cerulean shimmer to patches of their skin, as though they had fish scales.


    Perhaps¡­ dragon scales were more accurate.


    It was known that the mighty creatures could grant boons upon their followers.


    He leaned toward accepting the existence of the dragon-president as truth rather than what the American leaders had assumed was a man claiming a more fearsome reputation through a lie.


    Peaking around the edges of the girl¡¯s raised faceplate were scales.


    Cerulean.


    Vivid unlike the faint ones on the others.


    This was one with a deeper connection to the dragon to be granted great power that he only now realized was contained within her small, slight form.


    A dragon princess?


    Her father or mother or both must¡¯ve formed a powerful pact with the dragon.


    He cleared his throat.


    ¡°Honored Princess of Richellia. Let us not squabble when there is a battle over fierce and vile enemies to be won.¡±


    He had never been one to mingle with royalty, thus his poor address.


    The princess snorted, spun on her heel and flounced away, ignoring the occasional bullets, arrows and spells that bounced off her guards¡¯ shields and armor.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get in our way, mediocre champion.¡± She threw a parting shot.


    Mediocre?


    What had he done to deserve such anger?


    He hadn¡¯t interacted with any of them on this Quest.


    When he had fought in their championship he had been perfectly courteous, doing nothing to dishonor the guest rights they had extended.


    Now?


    Such unfair denigration made it a matter of pride.


    Adras¡¯ honor must be upheld.


    Challenging the haughty princess directly was impossible.


    Their temporary alliance was too important, as was the potential for extending it beyond this night.


    It was simple.


    He had to display his dominance through strength, just like he did by winning their games.


    Alcaestus, Eidolon of Adras, charged the building.


    ¡°Yo! Crazy motherf¡ª¡±


    A deep voice boomed in his wake as he blew by soldiers from the nation of Atlanta firing from behind barricades made of old, rusted vehicles piled together.

 8.31

    ¡°Stupidass fool alien motherfucker!¡±


    Alcaestus was surprised to find that an Earth human had crashed through the front of the building a few paces behind him.


    A spray of bullets bounced off his upraised arm.


    Not all flesheaters fought with claws and teeth.


    ¡°Ah! But, I see that you¡¯ve followed me!¡± He smiled.


    ¡°I ain¡¯t about to let no skirt-wearing, white-skinned, purple-haired motherfucker take the best rewards. We¡¯ve bled for this and you ain¡¯t gonna steal it from us at the finish line.¡±


    ¡°Fear not, my ebon-skinned ally. There will be plenty for all¡­ as determined by our contributions to the collective cause.¡±


    The dark-skinned man possessed great strength within his muscular body.


    He was a large, though he looked like a child next to Al.


    Strangely, he didn¡¯t wear any armor, just simple clothing common to the world.


    Tan-colored pants and a gray shirt that were already partially torn and burned from the fighting. Damage which didn¡¯t appear on his unblemished flesh aside from dark smudges from soot and the blood of his enemies.


    A flesheater fireball exploded against the side of the man¡¯s head.


    His curse was swallowed by the sound and smoke.


    They had barged right into a kill zone.


    Flesheaters fired from the floor above and the two sets of stairs against both far walls. As well as from both left and right corridors.


    Furniture had been piled in great, thick barricades to bar the way.


    Scintillating arrows of magic light drew pinpricks of blood from Al¡¯s flesh.


    He held a hand over his eyes to ward against the stinging light.


    ¡°Get behind me!¡±


    ¡°Fuck off¡ª¡±


    Al raised a clench fist.


    He pulled.


    The lightest objects came to him first.


    Weapons ripped out of flesheater hands.


    At least for those smart enough to let go.


    As for the ones that didn¡¯t?


    They crashed into Al¡¯s crushing embrace.


    ¡°A little warning next time, motherfucker!¡± the dark-skinned man snapped.


    He had almost been pulled before he was able to dig his boots into the floor.


    ¡°I shall face the leaders.¡± Al gazed up at the disarmed flesheaters on the stairs and the upper floor. ¡°You may take care of the ones remaining here.¡± He gestured to those to the left and right.


    ¡°Hell naw, alien fuck! I told you I ain¡¯t about to let you screw us over. My guys can take care of the ones on this floor.¡±


    Atlanta soldiers entered the building without a problem since Al and the dark-skinned man had drawn fire.


    The dark-skinned man gestured left and right.


    His soldiers advanced, using the walls as cover to pour fire at the flesheaters.


    ¡°Fuck this!¡±


    The dark-skinned man hurled a dead flesheater through the left barricade and then the right, clearing the way for his soldiers.


    ¡°Suppression Fire!¡±


    ¡°Chain Lightning!¡±


    ¡°Force Explosion!¡±


    A Skill to force the flesheaters to cease firing.


    Spells to finish them.


    The soldiers rushed down both corridors firing their projectile weapons and spells, using Skills to deal death.


    The flesheaters fought back despite their weakened condition with their own spells and Skills backed by the desperate savagery of wounded and cornered animals.


    Al was pleased for his allies.


    The fierce battle would lead to levels and the experience they gained would serve them well in future battles.


    A behemoth flesheater leapt with a roar.


    The dark-skinned man reacted quicker than Al.


    He met the monstrous man with a leaping uppercut that boomed across the interior of the building, shattering every window.


    Al frowned.


    The Americans¡¯ assessment of the great southern thorn in their side was lacking.


    He could tell that the dark-skinned man was much stronger and faster than his allies had claimed.


    Much stronger than him from a physical perspective, though that didn¡¯t account for the other divine gifts he had received from his God.


    The dark-skinned man battered the behemoth flesheater into a bloody smear while Al cast a minor spell of appraisal.


    As expected¡­ nothing¡­ the man was too powerful for Al¡¯s admittedly weaker magical ability.


    Perhaps, he could arrange for the Eidolon of Ekra to take a look.


    The dark-skinned man stood ankle deep in gore, glaring at Al.


    Red wet was splattered all over his front. It covered his arms up to the elbow, dripping from his fingers.


    ¡°You just gonna stand there holding your d¡ª¡± His eyes widened.


    Al turned just in time to watch a wave of water crash through the front of the building.


    The little princess and her guards surfed in its wake.


    The wave crashed against his knees, threatening to sweep him off his feet.


    ¡°Y¡¯all crazy motherfuckers! Even the damn little girls!¡± The dark-skinned man slipped and was swept deeper into the building in a churning mass of reddened water.


    The spell-casting flesheaters turned their fire toward the new arrivals.


    Cerulean-scaled shields and armor deflected the magic.


    That removed any doubts that Al may have yet harbored.


    He had sensed the inherent magical nature of their equipment, but seeing them in action confirmed it.


    On a whim he tried his appraisal spell again.


    Nothing on the princess.


    However, turning his eye on her captain yielded more.


    Young.


    Level 30.


    Lower than he would¡¯ve expected.


    More along the level of a veteran soldier. One of many. Not part of a small elite guard.


    He only saw a few of her abilities.


    They seemed quite good for her level.


    She used one with a slash of her poleaxe, sending a cutting arc of wind up the right staircase.


    Flesheaters recoiled with deep gashes across their bodies and sliced fingers.


    ¡°Dragon Leap!¡±


    Cerulean armored young men and women soared up the stairs.


    ¡°Dragon Dive!¡±


    Spears, polearms and swords plunged into flesh like talons into prey.


    All the while the princess stood, watching proudly.


    ¡°They are well-matched for this.¡±


    Al was content to watch with the princess.


    Her guard held the advantage with their superior equipment.


    The flesheaters were weak, starving, far from their prime capability.


    ¡°But, I sense there are much stronger enemies deeper inside.¡±


    ¡°I know that!¡± she snapped. ¡°Kayla! Jayce! Don¡¯t pursue!¡±


    The captain had led the way up the left staircase, while the other, a young man was at the front of the assault up the right.


    ¡°Fall back on me!¡± the princess barked.


    Huh?


    Not here for experience or show at all then.


    Her elite guard dispatched the last remaining flesheaters.


    The rest had fled into the building.


    Armor the colors of the ocean was marred with glistening red.


    Weapons of tooth, claw and spine were slicked with the same gore.


    He couldn¡¯t see much of their expressions behind their full-faced helms, but their wide eyes told of youth and inexperience when it came to the truth of battle against other thinking beings.


    Killing a face you might see in the mirror was different from fighting monsters.


    The flesheaters leaned more to the latter, but one could still see the echoes of the men and women they had once been.


    ¡°Well done, young warriors!¡± He smiled. ¡°A valiant and triumphant effort! You should be proud of this day! Now, I bid you hold this ground!¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t give us orders,¡± the young captain said. ¡°Pr¡ª Princess, we¡¯re ready to continue.¡±


    ¡°No, my captain. What remains is yet beyond your capabilities. Not today, but tomorrow. Wait outside for my triumphant return!¡± She shot a glare at Al.


    The princess spoke with weight and gravitas beyond her youthful appearance and high-pitched voice.


    She didn¡¯t speak like the other young people Al had observed on this world.


    He attributed the strangeness to her dragon-related class.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get in my way, lumbering ogre.¡± She drew a gleaming steel sword taller than her and leapt up to the second floor with a single bound.


    Odd that she wielded a mundane weapon in comparison to that of the her guards.


    ¡°Too many weirdass motherfuckers up in this shit.¡± The dark-skinned man returned, splashing through ankle high water. He spat and sputtered. ¡°Why the fuck is this shit salty, huh? We ain¡¯t nowhere near the ocean.¡±


    ¡°A spell or a Skill.¡±


    This truly was a world new to the spires if its people still displayed incredulity at common sights.


    The dark-skinned man muttered curses under his breath.


    ¡°Aliens, weird little girls¡­¡±


    He leapt after said little girl.


    Al followed.


    The seat of government was small. More akin to a wealthy mansion. Smaller than he¡¯d expect for a town of this size.


    The sounds of battle erupted from deeper in the building.


    Snarls mingled with high-pitched battle cries. Followed by the wet sounds of a blade carving through flesh.


    They came across dismembered bodies as they picked up the pace.


    Yet they could never seem to catch up.


    The bloody trail led to another set of stairs at the rear of the building.


    A gaping hole in the wall greeted them.


    Down below in the tall grass was half a flesheater.


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°Other half¡¯s down there.¡± The dark-skinned man pointed to the bottom of the stairs. ¡°I¡¯m thinking I should worry about that little girl more than you, alien-looking motherfucker.¡±


    ¡°Please cease with your insulting term. I understand that the universal translation system isn¡¯t perfect, but be aware that I was an orphan and I never knew my mother. Even if I had, there would have been no carnal relations.¡±


    The dark-skinned man raised a brow.


    ¡°Man, I¡¯d hope so. Never know what weirdass shit you aliens get up to. For all I know, that incest shit is normal for you fuckers.¡±


    ¡°That is inaccurate and I am not alien, as you call it. I¡¯m human as you are. Just from a different world.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit. I ain¡¯t buying your alien lies.¡±


    The dark-skinned man gestured to the hole.


    ¡°You think any of them cannibal shits took off? They can move quick.¡±


    Al scanned the tall grass all the way to the street and structures a few hundred meters away.


    ¡°I see no tracks. The grass remains undisturbed.¡±


    ¡°Good eyes, huh?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a hunter.¡±


    ¡°Aight. Up the stairs then.¡±


    Al nodded.


    ¡°Yo, hold up. Figure that girl¡¯s gonna kill them all at this rate.¡±


    ¡°She does seem to be quick and efficient with her kills, if brutal.¡±


    ¡°You ain¡¯t too dumb for an alien fucker. Won¡¯t keep up at this rate and we¡¯re wasting time talking so¡ª¡±


    The dark-skinned man grabbed Al¡¯s arm and threw him through the hole.


    ¡°Ain¡¯t personal just business.¡±


    Al caught the dark-skinned man jumping straight up through the ceiling before he crashed through several buildings a good distance away.


    ¡°That was dishonorable.¡±


    And pointless.


    The dark-skinned man stole a march worth seconds as Al leapt the instant he got his legs under him.


    He soared through the night sky, admiring the flashes of many colored lights amidst the sounds of distant battle.


    The building loomed quickly.


    He crashed through the roof and found himself in the middle of a brutal fight.


    Flesheaters clashed with the Richellian princess and the dark-skinned man.


    Appraisal showed that none of the monstrous humans were below Level 35.


    It showed in the quality of their transformations.


    The more complete and gruesome their forms the greater the level, the greater the power.


    This was a truism of most transformation classes.


    Al wouldn¡¯t recommend bringing a two-handed grandsword into an enclosed battlefield.


    One needed space for the massive blade¡¯s sweeping swings.


    It was impossible to avoid getting the blade stuck in walls, ceilings and sundry obstacles.


    Of course, what was a rule for a normal fighter didn¡¯t apply when other factors, such as overwhelming physical strength could be brought to bear.


    The princess attacked with a mighty overhead slash that cut through the ceiling like it had been made out of wet paper. Blood-stained steel carved through a dodging flesheater¡¯s shoulder, severing the arm.


    The blade sank into the floor, but she reversed the cut and nearly bisected the flesheater across his chest on the diagonal.


    Dark blood sprayed the princess.


    The severed arm flopped around, then suddenly struck for her helmed face like a viper.


    She caught the clawed hand around the wrist.


    The flesheater, torso flapping like a sheet on a drying line, blurred into a Skill-powered lunge.


    With only one hand on her massive sword she flicked her wrist.


    Head separated from body with a great gout of blood.


    She must¡¯ve had Skills or the sheer strength to compensate for the huge blade¡¯s momentum because her swings didn¡¯t pull her small, lithe body around. Rather, she wielded the thick blade like a thin rapier.


    The fight didn¡¯t end there.


    The severed arm continued to writhe like a serpent.


    The head¡¯s distended jaw bit at the princess¡¯ armored boot.


    The body lashed out.


    One. Two. Three.


    She hurled the arm into the mouth of another charging flesheater like a cannonball. She kicked the head into the back of another that had jaws around the back of the dark-skinned man¡¯s head. She cut the body in twain from neck to groin.


    Economy of motion with smoothness beyond her apparent age.


    The princess fought like a warrior with decades of experience.


    ¡°I am disappointed!¡± she roared. ¡°Where is the fearsome Meat Parade that sends terror coursing through my citizens? Where is the nightmare that plagues them to this day? At least give me a challenge before I claim vengeance on their behalf!¡± She leapt on a flesheater, pinning it to the floor with her blade like a boar on a spear.


    Nearby, the dark-skinned man was surrounded.


    Piled upon like a trihorn that had wandered into the territory of a starving pack of Laughing Gnashers.


    Unlike the trihorn, his skin proved impervious to razor teeth and claws.


    His ebon fist plunged into a flesheater¡¯s mouth that had suddenly grown to three times its size in a the blink of an eye.


    Teeth chomped down with a Skill that had allowed the woman to bite through steel plate as if it had been made out of a crunchy pastry.


    Teeth broke on the dark-skinned man¡¯s muscular arm.


    He ripped his fist out of her ruined mouth with a long, wriggling red thing that dripped gore in his grasp.


    Another flesheater clawed at the dark-skinned man¡¯s bare chest and stomach with such speed and ferocity that his clawed hands left afterimages even in Al¡¯s divinely-enhanced eyes.


    The frenzied attack only slowed when the flesheater¡¯s claws tore from his very fingers.


    The dark-skinned man grabbed the flesheater¡¯s head, squeezing until he crushed it like an overripe fruit.


    Flesheaters gnawed at his other arm and on both legs.


    The one on his back continued to work on his head.


    With a curse he plunged already gore-soaked fingers into that flesheater¡¯s eyes, popping them like grapes. He hooked his fingers into the sockets and pulled the flesheater over his head, slamming her into the floor with so much strength that he sent her down through to the lower level.


    He shook the one on his left leg off like the monstrous man was a yapping dog.


    ¡°Here, you alien fuck!¡± the dark-skinned man called out. ¡°Don¡¯t say I ain¡¯t given you nothing.¡± He kicked the flesheater at Al


    Al grabbed the wriggling flesheater and tore him in half at the waist.


    The monstrous man clung to life, determined to have one last bite.


    Teeth failed to penetrate the skin on Al¡¯s hand.


    ¡°I free you from your horrific existence.¡± He crushed the once human man¡¯s head.


    Much quicker and more comprehensive than how the dark-skinned man had crushed the other¡¯s head, if Al was asked to give an unbiased comparison.


    ¡°You threw me.¡± Al stalked forward.


    A flesheater leapt down from a shadowy corner of the ceiling like a Gloom Panther.


    Al¡¯s fist sent it flying threw several walls.


    The dark-skinned man pulled the head off the flesheater gnawing on his arm.


    ¡°Like I told you, that was just business. Now that you¡¯re here, I ain¡¯t about to do something stupid. This shit is important, so don¡¯t be thinking on getting back some skin on me, you hear me, alien fucker?¡±


    ¡°You beg for alliance, now?¡±


    The dark-skinned man snapped the neck of the flesheater gnawing on his leg.


    ¡°I ain¡¯t ever begged. Even when them slavers had me in chains and was ripping my back up with their whips.¡±


    His shirt had been torn completely off by flesheater claws and teeth.


    Al saw them for the first time.


    The man¡¯s ebon back bulged with muscle, but was marred by a patchwork of scars.


    He recognized the tracks left by the lash.


    ¡°Raaarrrgghh!¡±


    The princess leapt in, spearing a flesheater before it could pounce upon the dark-skinned man.


    ¡°You were enslaved by the nation that I took?¡± She regarded him with a haughty look.


    Chin raised as though she was still looking down her nose at him, despite him towering over her.


    Human royalty across worlds and cultures shared so many similarities.


    ¡°Naw, that was way before them N.A.R. shits. It was right after the spires popped up. Government, police, army, every white motherfucker swept me and mine up. Made them bleed though. And we got the last laugh. So,¡± he glared at Al, ¡°that¡¯s why we ain¡¯t ever going back to the way things was. You make that clear to those racists fucks you joined up with, alien fucker.¡±


    ¡°Such grudges must be avenged,¡± the princess nodded.


    Deep wounds.


    Al saw them clearly.


    He had seen many of the like through his travels.


    The dark-skinned man would fight against the dying light to never see those dark days return.


    The floor erupted beneath their feet.


    Clawed hands pulled the princess down.


    The dark-skinned man dived, but missed her.


    Al flared Adras¡¯ divine gift pulling everything toward him.


    The princess cursed, kicking at the hands while the dark-skinned man managed to snatch the back of her plate.


    ¡°Cut that shit off!¡± he snapped.


    Al released the power.


    He leapt over the other two and plunged into the darkness below.


    The room had no windows, but he saw things as the jungle predator did.


    A handful of flesheaters.


    It was time that he stole a march.


    He pulled them to him with a raised fist.


    Teeth and claws scratched at his skin, some managing to draw pinpricks and thin trails of burnished blood.


    Like the dark-skinned man, Al didn¡¯t need weapons nor armor for enemies of this level.


    He¡¯d meet them bare armed while wearing a simple chiton for modesty.


    A guttural voice roared.


    ¡°Hunger Rage!¡±


    Others joined it.


    ¡°Whirlwind of Claws!¡±


    A human-sounding voice chimed in.


    ¡°Ripper Slime.¡±


    Then another.


    ¡°Devouring Shadow.¡±


    The first swelled in size until it exceeded Al¡¯s own massive height and bulk.


    Al met the charge and he might¡¯ve withstood it if not for the sticky goo cast around his legs that fixed him to the floor while thousands of serrated teeth embedded within sawed at his skin.


    The second slashed dozens of times a second across Al¡¯s bare back.


    Stinging pain chastised him for overconfidence.


    Not that steel plate was likely to stand up to the flesheater¡¯s Skill.


    A dark shadow detached from the ceiling, coalescing into a vaguely serpent-like shape. It opened at the tip, revealing a whirling vortex of hidden teeth that clamped over his head to spin around his thickly muscled neck.


    Sudden darkness consumed him while he wrestled with the raging flesheater.


    Al didn¡¯t doubt his victory if not for all the others assailing him.


    Stuck feet meant that the flesheater had the advantage of leverage as he slowly wrestled Al¡¯s back toward the floor.


    ¡°Bite of Ten Thousand Feasts!¡± the guttural voice roared in his face.


    Carrion breath washed over him even through the shadow spell.


    He threw his arm up in desperation.


    An enormous mouth filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth clamped down.


    Pain!


    True pain for the first time on this world.


    They sank deep into his divinely-enhanced flesh.


    Only Adras¡¯ divinity flowing through dense muscle stopped them from going straight to the bone.


    He grabbed the back of the flesheater¡¯s enormous head.


    It reminded him of wrestling a Halcyon Bear.


    Except that had been for enjoyment.


    For him and the friendly bear.


    The flesheater tried to pull away.


    Al held him fast.


    He wasn¡¯t about to let it tear a chunk out of his arm to devour.


    Flesheaters gained power from the flesh of others.


    He didn¡¯t dare allow the monstrous man to partake of divine flesh.


    It wouldn¡¯t do to dishonor Adras¡¯ trust.


    ¡°Dispel.¡±


    A high-pitched voice that sounded bored cleared the shadow blocking Al¡¯s senses and remove the ring of teeth grinding around his neck.


    ¡°Dispel.¡±


    The teeth-filled sticky goo vanished.


    Al shifted his feet and hips, throwing the flesheater over a shoulder and slamming the monstrous man into the floor with all his weight.


    They crashed through down to the next level.


    And the next.


    Until landing on the ground floor splashing into salty water.


    Al slammed his arm and the flesheater¡¯s head into the ground.


    Wooden floorboards broke.


    Dark water turned red.


    He pounded the flesheater all the way to the building¡¯s concrete foundation.


    It cracked and broke before the flesheater¡¯s skull.


    Though not by much.


    The flesheater choked on both their blood, clawing feebly.


    ¡°You die hard. A powerful class, if not for the inability to control your hunger. Such is the story of your class across all worlds.¡±


    Al pulled the monstrous head from the body and cast it aside.


    He glanced at his arm.


    There looked to be a hundred punctures leaking burnished blood.


    They seemed slow to heal.


    He leapt up the way he had fallen.


    The other two had slain more than him and he had to act quickly or¡ª


    Too late.


    The spinning flesheater found even less success against the dark-skinned man.


    She spun and spun around the man, cutting his pants and scratching his skin until he slashed a bare hand to separate her head from her shoulders.


    As for the two spellcasting flesheaters?


    The tiny princess pressed her armored boot down on one¡¯s chest and pointed a finger.


    Her lips moved, but Al didn¡¯t catch the words.


    An ethereal claw the color of the ocean depths emerged to rip and tear the front half of the monstrous man¡¯s grotesque face.


    All the while the other flesheater wriggled like a boar on a spear on the princess¡¯ raised blade, firing dark, nauseating spells that splashed against the cerulean scales of her armor.


    ¡°Ah, the most mediocre champion in the history of my games.¡± The princess greeted Al with a smug smirk. ¡°I believe you¡¯ve slain two. That is well behind myself¡­ and him.¡± She nodded at the dark-skinned man.


    ¡°Whatever, I ain¡¯t about keeping count,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Important thing is getting these monsters gone¡­ yeah, that sounds about right though, alien fuck got two of the tougher ones.¡±


    ¡°You want this one?¡± the princess waved the flesheater in his direction like the last sausage at the campfire.


    ¡°I care not for acclaim. Just end her suffering. We must not become as monstrous as they are.¡±


    The princess tore the flesheater¡¯s head off with the spell claw.


    She was powerful both martially and magically.


    Good knowledge to have learned.


    ¡°Despite the vitriol,¡± he regarded the dark-skinned man, ¡°we have worked well together to end this nightmare. I propose that this not be the last time we join our strength together for an honorable goal.¡±


    ¡°That ain¡¯t up to me,¡± the dark-skinned man snorted. ¡°Talk to the diplomats if you want another team up. Just remember we ain¡¯t ever going back to America,¡± he sneered. ¡°Atlanta¡¯s great now, why we gonna fuck a good thing up just to have the same old white fucks screwing us over. Like I said, ain¡¯t up to me¡­ but one warrior to another¡­ I ain¡¯t ever teaming up unless it¡¯s up against the worst shits out there. And if y¡¯all try to pull some shady shit, I ain¡¯t holding back just cause we put down some monsters together. Now, fuck off, alien. I¡¯m gonna help my guys out. Figure you ought to do the same with yours. From the fireworks out there, fight ain¡¯t over,¡± he glanced at the princess, ¡°little girl¡­ y¡¯all weird and scary¡­ respect.¡± He tapped his fist to his chest.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± the princess pushed her faceplate up to stroke her chin. ¡°We share his sentiments, if not the vitriol. You will tell your American masters that the citizens of Richellia have no desire to rejoin a weak and fractured nation. They¡¯re an old bear, past its prime days. Younger, stronger bears roam the land. We are one of them.¡± She smiled, revealing sharp canines. ¡°Now, we must rejoin our elite guard. They are strong and brave, but young,¡± her eyes narrowed. ¡°It is good that you didn¡¯t perish here. Your death would¡¯ve tainted the prestige of our championships. Continue to grow strong so that you might rise above your mediocrity.¡±


    The princess leapt through the hole in the floor.


    Arrogance and belligerence to varying degrees.


    It stung him to realize that it wasn¡¯t unwarranted.


    Initial objective assessment of their comparative performances placed him at the bottom.


    He¡¯d reassess at a later date and with the other eidolons, but he didn¡¯t expect that to change.


    The princess was right.

 8.32

    ¡°Heard about the Meat Parade?¡± Eron said.


    ¡°That a tri-lateral coalition of Atlanta, Richellia and the American Remnant eradicated the largest parade in years? That they have put an end to the cannibal scourge?¡±


    Cal fiddled with the magitech satellite.


    He made sure all the screws, nuts, bolts and other fasteners were tight, but not too tight while running the software diagnostic while moving it into its perfect orbit while checking said orbit for potential obstacles, like old satellites and other space debris.


    ¡°It¡¯s great news, dude! I, for one, am encouraged by people that hate each other working together for the common good.¡±


    ¡°If it lasts.¡±


    ¡°At least it¡¯s another death knell for the Meat Parade.¡±


    ¡°True, but not for the flesheater.¡±


    ¡°Double true. There¡¯s always sick fuckers out there wanting to eat other people.¡±


    ¡°Not always. Sometimes it isn¡¯t their fault.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I guess if you¡¯re forced then you¡¯re forced. Sucks, but it all leads to the same place. The more people you eat the more people you want to eat.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not giving up.¡±


    ¡°Sometimes you just have to. Not all causes are winnable. Ten years is a long time to run your ethically dubious rehab program.¡±


    ¡°Is it though? Is ten years too long when we might live for centuries?¡±


    ¡°At some point you¡¯re just prolonging their suffering. Then there¡¯s the risk of escape.¡±


    ¡°Which is almost zero and only because I can¡¯t intellectually accept that a hundred percent certainty exists in reality.¡±


    ¡°Fine, but even that is only because you exist. Anything happens to you¡­ think of the consequences¡­ not that I¡¯d want that. Knock on wood.¡±


    ¡°Can you stop talking for a minute or two? I¡¯m trying to set this up.¡±


    Eron chuckled.


    ¡°You can do, like, a thousand things at the same time while giving each thing a hundred percent level of attention.¡±


    ¡°How about you¡¯re mouth breathing is using up all the oxygen.?¡±


    ¡°Nice try, but I remember,¡± Eron tapped his temple, ¡°you can turn that carbon dioxide back into oxygen. Not that I need oxygen anyways.¡±


    ¡°Well, I do.¡±


    ¡°You can hold your breath for hours. Shit, you can make oxygen in your lungs. So, technically, it doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    ¡°How about¡­ I just wanted to talk to my brother while I worked.¡±


    ¡°Dude, they why tell me to shut up?¡±


    ¡°I forgot you got annoying sometimes.¡±


    ¡°And I forgot you got asshole-ish sometimes.¡±


    ¡°I apologize.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. So, is it me or is re-breathing a little gross? Though not as bad as drinking your own pee like in Boy¡¯s power armor,¡± he shuddered.


    ¡°He got over it quick. Said it tasted like fresh spring water from an alpine stream.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s he doing? Lera¡¯s been wanting to visit again. She got really sad about missing Christmas.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s fine. Living for the training. Getting his suspension extended for the rest of the first year really hurt him, but we¡¯ve got him focused on the positives.¡±


    ¡°Man, that¡¯s tough. Little guy¡¯s wanted to be a ranger since he could talk.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s getting better training with the teams and the Threnosh, which is a double-edged sword. We¡¯re making him into the best possible ranger candidate. Nila and I have mixed feelings about that.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I hear that. But, I think we can¡¯t make them fit into the lives that we want them to live.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a damn dangerous life he wants.¡±


    ¡°Agreed, but realistically, their lives are going to be dangerous just because of who they are. I want Lera to play with baby unicorns and glitter ferrets while frolicking through meadows for the rest of her life, but that¡¯s just not realistic. Someone¡¯s always going to want a piece of her, you know? Either cause she¡¯s a threat to them or they want to control her for her powers.¡±


    ¡°¡­ glitter what?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re not really ferrets. It¡¯s a fey animal, looks like a ferret with wings that sprinkle dust that looks like glitter that tastes like different fruits. They¡¯re actually sweet little creatures. Not at all like most of the shits in the fae realm.¡±


    ¡°And I thought you said unicorns were dicks?¡±


    ¡°Not when they¡¯re babies. Kind of like us in that way.¡±


    The panel on the satellite blinked flashing lights and beeped urgently.


    ¡°Done?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Cal moved it out of his telekinetic bubble.


    The cylinder was about as wide around as a man and as tall as a child.


    It opened up to unfurl sail-like panels, using small jets to maneuver into its orbit.


    Eron pulled a smartphone from his pocket.


    ¡°Goddamn that thing is awesome! I¡¯m already hooked up to the network!¡±


    ¡°Great. Can you start the calibration process?¡±


    ¡°Yay, GPS is back! Some people will be happy.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s more than GPS. Worldwide internet potential minus the need for cables and towers. Unprecedented threat detection¡ª¡±


    ¡°You mean spying.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯m not going to use it to watch what people are doing in their homes.¡±


    ¡°Unless their serial killers or serial rapists or serial cann¡ª¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, man, give me a break. I¡¯m more concerned about spotting outworld invaders setting up death dungeons like those Faeran I¡¯m going to help you deal with soon.¡±


    ¡°Alright, just¡­ you know, ¡®who watches the watchmen¡¯, that sort of thing is something good people have to think about and I know you¡¯re a good guy.¡±


    Cal sighed.


    ¡°It¡¯s not the internet. I was thinking of calling it the ¡®omninet¡¯. It¡¯ll be absolutely free. People just need a wi-fi capable device.¡±


    ¡°Putting the servers on the moon was a great idea. Can¡¯t be fucked with up there.¡±


    ¡°Expect by us or people like us.¡±


    ¡°Not that many, so my point stands. Alright, calibration started.¡± Eron tucked his phone away. ¡°Just need to fly to the places on the list?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, try to connect and test out the GPS a little. Move slow and fast, see what kind of lag you get. I¡¯ll set up the rest of the satellites.¡±


    ¡°Just let me know when to calibrate those, see you, bro.¡±


    Eron floated face first into an invisible wall.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, man, why you got to be immature?¡±


    ¡°You moved too fast.¡± Cal snorted.


    He sealed his younger brother in a bubble within a bubble before pushing him out into the void of space.


    Eron rolled his eyes before zipping back down to Earth as a burning streak of fire cutting through the atmosphere.


    <hr>


    Cal landed on the balcony.


    He unlocked the glass door with a thought and slid it open.


    ¡°Hey, love!¡±


    Nila hopped over for a quick peck on the lips.


    ¡°Oh! Authentic Filipino food! Smells so good!¡±


    ¡°Straight from Manila and still hot!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting all day for this!¡±


    He floated many bags over to the kitchen and unpacked everything.


    ¡°Where¡¯s, Boy? I texted him.¡±


    ¡°Probably studying in his room.¡±


    He knocked on their son¡¯s door while setting the table.


    Alin came out a few minutes later with tousled hair and a wide yawn.


    ¡°Hey, Dad,¡± he mumbled.


    ¡°How was the nap?¡±


    ¡°Feels like it didn¡¯t happen. You got food? Smells pretty good.¡±


    His son¡¯s eyes cleared as he gradually woke up.


    ¡°I got the stuff you like and some of the weird stuff. Balut, Dinuguan, Chicharr¨®n Bulaklak and a few other classics.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯m gonna pass on all of that, except for the chicharr¨®n.¡±


    ¡°Try them. You might like them.¡±


    ¡°I remember trying most of that at least once and would not recommend.¡±


    ¡°That was a long time ago. Tastes evolve with age,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°True, I guess,¡± Alin shrugged. ¡°Please pass me a chicken embryo¡­ I might as well get it over with.¡±


    Cal floated one from the bag into his son¡¯s hands.


    ¡°What about you, love?¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Nila held a reluctant hand out.


    ¡°Break the top of shell and hope you don¡¯t see the actual chick,¡± he grinned.


    ¡°Dad, you don¡¯t even like this.¡±


    ¡°The juice isn¡¯t bad. The rest is just like a hard-boiled egg.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, minus the baby chicken.¡±


    Alin gingerly used a finger nail to crack and peel away the shell and inner membrane.


    ¡°Oh god¡­ I see it,¡± he groaned.


    ¡°I don¡¯t! Lucky!¡± Nila crowed.


    Cal muttered a curse.


    ¡°Ha!¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Mom, you¡¯ve still got to eat the thing just like us.¡±


    ¡°Half the struggle is the visuals.¡± Nila did a little dance as she removed enough of the shell to pop the contents into her mouth in one go. Her faced scrunched as she chewed like a desperate chipmunk. ¡°No beak, no feathers!¡±


    ¡°Aww, crap! I think I can see feathers.¡±


    ¡°Rookie mistake, Boy. Your mom¡¯s right. Either you eat it in the dark or you don¡¯t look.¡±


    ¡°Dad, you¡¯re using your powers to cheat.¡±


    Indeed, Cal had closed his eyes and used his power to remove the shell before floating the disgusting mass into his mouth.


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    His son took a deep breath and followed suit.


    They chewed as if they were in a race.


    Their expressions were eerily similar as they choked it down.


    ¡°Yup, still hate it.¡±


    ¡°Then why?¡± Alin shook his head.


    ¡°It¡¯s like your mom said.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but you¡¯re old.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t get stuck in my ways,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Doesn¡¯t hurt to circle back every few years to see if my food tastes evolved.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, I¡¯ve got some pointy bits stuck in my teeth, so I¡¯m gonna have to call shenanigans on that.¡±


    Alin went back into the hallway.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    ¡°To floss and brush my teeth. Go ahead and start dinner without me.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ I just noticed you got three bags of the Balut. I¡¯m not eating another. Just to be clear,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to pass them out to the guys at the meeting later. Team building exercise, you know.¡±


    ¡°Evil,¡± she nodded. ¡°I think I¡¯m going to attend this one. Wait? What about the vegetarians and vegans?¡±


    ¡°Durian.¡±


    ¡°Double evil.¡±


    They sat down to wait for their son¡¯s return.


    ¡°I said it was cool if you started without me,¡± Alin sighed.


    His son¡¯s face had seemed to be in a perpetual scowl over the last six months.


    The only time Alin had cracked a smile was when he talked to Kat on the phone or on Sundays when he got to hang out with her and his friends.


    ¡°I also brought snacks. The classics. Choc Nut, hopia, polvoron, dried mango, chocolate-covered dried mango.¡±


    ¡°Cool,¡± Alin mumbled as he spooned a white, creamy stew on the bed of rice on his plate. ¡°Wait- this is that Bicol Express, right? Not that stuff with liver chunks?¡±


    ¡°Yup. I hate that other stuff.¡±


    ¡°You hate, like, half of this stuff and that¡¯s the one you didn¡¯t bring?¡±


    ¡°There are lines that can¡¯t be crossed,¡± he nodded sagely.


    ¡°Would you like some Dinuguan, Boy?¡± Nila tried to pass a small styrofoam container with a stew that was a deep, dark brown color that was almost black.


    ¡°Ha,¡± Alin said flatly. ¡°Nice try, Mom. There are lines that can¡¯t be crossed. It¡¯s been over a decade, but I haven¡¯t forgotten about that ¡®chocolate¡¯ pork.¡±


    ¡°Love?¡± she tried to pass it to Cal.


    ¡°I got that for you,¡± he demurred.


    ¡°I like the rest of it,¡± Alin said, perhaps a tad defensively.


    The majority of the table was covered with dishes that, honestly, all three preferred over the more exotic fare.


    One could never truly go wrong with deep-fried pork belly or the assorted types of grilled meats and seafood.


    ¡°I even like sisig and that¡¯s made from pig face.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll eat that, but not cooked pig¡¯s blood.¡± Cal shook his head at his son. ¡°The generational disconnect is real. Oh, don¡¯t forget to thank your grandparents for the snacks. They went all out. So many different flavors. A lot we can¡¯t get here.¡±


    ¡°You can share with your friends,¡± Nila said.


    Alin¡¯s eyes narrowed, shifting to the kitchen counter tops.


    Every surface was covered with bags and boxes that sat in orderly stacks two, sometimes, three feet high.


    It was easy to read his son¡¯s expression and thoughts without actually reading his thoughts.


    Cal imagined Alin¡¯s thought process.


    But, I don¡¯t want to share. Well¡­ maybe with Kat. She likes sweets. I know, I¡¯ll take some with me this Sunday, but I¡¯ll leave most of it at Aunt Rayna¡¯s house. That way I¡¯ll have a backup stash that¡¯ll last me longer cause the stuff here won¡¯t. Mom and Dad are super greedy about snacks. They say it¡¯s not healthy for me, but I know the truth. I¡¯ll have to make it so that Aunt Rayna doesn¡¯t know about my stash. I¡¯ll make her think I gave it all to my friends.


    The family spoke while they ate.


    Cal was surprised that Alin hadn¡¯t mentioned the Omninet that he had spent the last few days setting up.


    ¡°Have you had a chance to check out the new Omninet?¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah. A little bit. Really busy with training and studying. Been getting a lot of weird messages though.¡±


    ¡°Weird?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Like, pictures and videos of angry cats and dogs, but with, like, misspelled text that I think someone else overlaid on top of the original. Grandma and Grandpa started it. Then the aunts, uncles and cousins started replying with more. I had to put my phone on silent. Probably, shouldn¡¯t have linked it to my helmet and glasses. I got smashed by Primal the other day because this dog being all mad about being a potato popped up in my HUD.¡±


    ¡°Did you set this all up for the memes, Cal?¡± Nila said. ¡°Because I¡¯d say that not having them all these years was a positive.¡±


    ¡°No. You know why we set this all up. And it wasn¡¯t just me. Not even primarily me. Hundreds of techmages and associated classes in conjunction with the Threnosh put in the real work.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right, Mom¡­ remember what we were talking about?¡±


    ¡°Digital monsters,¡± Nila nodded.


    ¡°A distinct possibility, but we took that into account. People with the appropriate classes and Skills are closely monitoring the entire system. Worst case scenario? We pull the plug. I¡¯m not too concerned. We¡¯ve had a limited cellular and local area networks for years and no cyber monsters popped up.¡±


    ¡°So far.¡± Nila raised a brow.


    ¡°Nooo, don¡¯t jinx it,¡± Cal groaned theatrically before knocking on the table.


    ¡°I guess it¡¯s pretty cool that I can send messages to grandma and grandpa from my phone. Don¡¯t have to walk all the way to the spire and spend points to do it. The weird memes or whatever? Not as cool. Don¡¯t really get it. I guess it¡¯s an old people thing,¡± Alin shrugged.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get used to it.¡±


    ¡°I doubt it, Dad.¡±


    ¡°So, what else have you been up to?¡±


    ¡°Training. Studying.¡±


    ¡°How have the past few days gone?¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    ¡°You said you got smashed?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Ah¡­ the return of monosyllabic teenager.


    Cal remembered being one once long ago.


    ¡°How¡¯s the food? Not too spicy? I asked for a step up on the spice.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s good.¡±


    ¡°Did you get this all from one place?¡± Nila chimed in.


    ¡°Actually, three. All on the same block. Close to where the whole fog thing ended. You guys should try the chicharr¨®n while it¡¯s still fresh. It¡¯s not the same if you have to reheat.¡±


    ¡°They used to be bad for your heart,¡± Nila said. She glanced over at their son. ¡°Maybe, don¡¯t eat more than two, yeah?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s cool, Mom. I¡¯m working out, like, all the time.¡±


    ¡°I know you need the calories, but the oil it¡¯s cooked in is just bad for you.¡±


    ¡°Sure, whatever you say.¡±


    ¡°Hey, after the meeting, do you guys want to play a game?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°Nah. I have to sleep.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s like your opposite. In bed before ten. Did you know your dad would sometimes skip a night¡¯s sleep? And this was before the spires when he definitely needed to sleep,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Uh huh.¡±


    ¡°I was always a night owl growing up, which I think combined with poor nutrition is why I¡¯m so short,¡± Cal sighed.


    Alin nodded.


    ¡°I was kind of a picky eater. Obviously, if I could do it all over again I¡¯d eat as much as I could regardless of the taste. That and sleep more. At least you don¡¯t have that problem, Boy.¡±


    ¡°I guess.¡±


    They ate and talked.


    Even the array of grilled meats failed to elicit more than a few grudging words from his son.


    Dessert, similarly varied and great, failed to crack the impenetrable bastion of Alin¡¯s brooding.


    His son excused himself with a mumbled ¡®thanks¡¯ and retreated back into his room as soon as they finished.


    Cal raised a brow.


    Nila raised a brow.


    She pointed to her lips and ears, then down toward their son¡¯s room.


    ¡°Gossip protocols engage,¡± he said. ¡°He can¡¯t hear us.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m going to say this, but can you lean on the rangers and make them take him back for the next quarter?¡± Nila said. ¡°He¡¯s stopped acting like a kid. It¡¯s just training and studying every waking hour. When he¡¯s not doing one of the two he¡¯s brooding.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s tough to watch, but it seems normal considering his circumstances. Ask my parents and they¡¯d tell you that I went through years angry at the world.¡±


    ¡°Well, we should change his circumstances. I don¡¯t want him angry at the world for years. And I still think his punishment is way overboard for what he actually did.¡±


    ¡°You¡ª let me correct that¡ª we would rather him not be in the rangers. That outcome may lie at the end of this current road.¡±


    ¡°Not at the cost of his happiness.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    ¡°Then?¡± she looked at him expectantly.


    ¡°I won¡¯t lean on them to change the punishment, but maybe I can help with his feeling isolated from his friends. The Threnosh are done building the training complex. All that¡¯s left is safety testing and calibration. Once it¡¯s ready we can invite his friends over to try it out. Make it a once or twice a week thing.¡±


    Nila¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°The rangers will want to use it too. If they don¡¯t want Boy¡¯s friends to train with him then we¡¯ll leverage that carrot over their heads. Should we tell him? I don¡¯t want to get his hopes up.¡±


    ¡°I think he¡¯d rather we did. He won¡¯t like it if he thinks we¡¯re doing this to baby him.¡±


    ¡°He is sensitive about the idea that he¡¯s privileged.¡±


    Cal shrugged.


    ¡°That¡¯s just the truth.¡±


    ¡°I know, but he¡¯s driving himself too hard because of it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s who he is. It¡¯d be worse if we tried to force him into someone he isn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± she pouted. ¡°What¡¯s on the meeting agenda?¡±


    ¡°You get all the communications.¡±


    ¡°I skimmed it.¡±


    ¡°Oh? What topics interest you the most?¡±


    ¡°The most?¡± she tapped her chin. ¡°Skyships and golems.¡±


    ¡°Been working on the latter for years,¡± he sighed. ¡°Finally got her to agree to start a trial project with us. Honestly, it was the chance to work with the Threnosh and their tech that did it.¡±


    ¡°More defense will help me sleep better at night. I don¡¯t like the increase in spawn zone spawnings. We¡¯re handling it fine right now, but if the rate keeps going up we¡¯re going to start having problems with burnout. The extra people you¡¯ve brought in are leveling good, but there isn¡¯t an unlimited supply of them.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± he sighed, ¡°maybe I can fit in a round of clearings after I get back from the next Quest.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Hopefully, we have more time before the next hammer drops on our toes. Now, skyships or landships?¡± she arced a brow.


    ¡°Hoverships?¡±


    ¡°We already have¡ª had those.¡±


    The prototypes built around the float stones Eron had discovered worked pretty well.


    They could hit speeds in the triple digits through the use of magitech-modified jet engines with thrust vectored control. Propellers were much slower, but traded that off for significantly better energy consumption efficiency. Sails required no energy, but were way too slow and left them dependent on the strength and direction of the wind and for obvious reasons didn¡¯t work well in city streets.


    The latter would¡¯ve been best at higher altitudes where the wind was stronger and there were no obstructions, but they hadn¡¯t managed to figure out how to float the skyship above ten feet.


    ¡°They¡¯re a good replacement for cars as is when using propellers. Even if they never get them to actually fly. We¡¯re screwed if the spires stop gas stations from making gas out of nothing.¡±


    ¡°Costs have gone up.¡±


    ¡°Stabilized,¡± she pointed out. ¡°One giant monster kill and you provide enough gas for everyone in this region for six months.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯ll only remain true if giant monsters keep spawning. And that¡¯s not taking into account the costs of keeping grocery stores and such producing. The spires want conflict. Taking any one of those things away will create conflict. Anything else you might¡¯ve found interesting?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ the permanent portal site?¡±


    ¡°That a statement or a question?¡±


    ¡°Why not both?¡± she punched his arm. ¡°All I know is that I don¡¯t have enough people here to guard the builders. That goes double if it turns out that Ms. Teacher¡¯s right and its mere existence will attract wandering monsters. Triple if it¡¯s going to pull spawn zone monsters too.¡±


    ¡°You want the Cliffs Notes or you want to wait for the meeting?¡±


    ¡°Again, why not both?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m getting more people.¡±


    <hr>


    Time was perhaps the one resource Cal always lacked.


    More time to prepare for what was certain to come in regards to the spires, the eidolon-controlled Old America and any number of threats all over the world.


    Different species of varying levels of evil seemed to be arriving through the spires on a daily basis.


    New monsters, stronger and fiercer, emerged from spawn zones at a greater rate.


    Conflict-driven Earthians grew aggressive due to the shared concern that they were running out of time to safeguard their very existence.


    Levels and other rewards showed them that they were doing the right thing from a perspective.


    He flew north when he¡¯d rather spend time with his family.


    Nila wasn¡¯t showing it, but she was getting run a little ragged while he spent days and weeks at a time away from home.


    Alin was showing the pressures of a life that seemed to be shoving challenges at him from all directions. He hadn¡¯t felt like he could breathe since¡­ since as long as he could remember. That had become his normal.


    A mind could be soothed or forced to relax, but that was a step too far.


    He¡¯d never do that to his son.


    Flesheaters, however?


    How far would he go for rehabilitation?


    How far should he go?


    The prison¡­ his prison sat along his flight path.


    He scanned its inhabitants as he flew over and found nothing that needed his personal attention. Though, he was overdue for a personal visit.


    Just another item on his ever-lengthening list of responsibilities.


    Sacramento.


    To see old friends off on a grand adventure of their on to another world.


    To pick up a trio for rehabilitation.


    The city¡¯s lights shined in the distant dark.


    A thunderbird screeched a bolt of lightning across his flight path.


    The giant supersonic bird dragged a raging storm cloud in its wake as it streaked toward him from miles away.


    Distance shrunk quickly at those speeds.


    He was close to Sacramento and he didn¡¯t want to ruin his friends¡¯ last night on earth with a thunderstorm.


    The air burned in his wake as he went hypersonic in the blink of an eye.


    The thunderbird had no idea what it had done.


    It died seconds from the moment it decided to kill the tiny flying thing in far distance.


    Its very psyche shredded by blades of pure thought rendering it an empty husk.


    The massive body remained alive as Cal forced its lungs to continue working.


    Freshness was preferable to the Magus of the Twelve Eyes.


    The equipment she and her team created was always better the fresher the monster corpse.


    There was nothing fresher than technically alive.


    This thunderbird was a large and powerful specimen.


    Its feathers and bones would make several winged suits.


    Its talons and beak would become deadly weapons.


    Even the organs would be used. Turned into mana batteries or crystals aspected to the essences inherent in the thunderbird.


    Such was the fate of magical monsters and creatures.


    Part of him felt bad, but then the smarter part told it to be quiet.


    The thunderbird did attack him unprovoked.


    He pulled it behind him, turning back.


    He¡¯d only be a few minutes late.

 8.33

    Demi Lawrence Foundation For Wounded Heroes.


    The sign on what was once a hospital shined from a distance like a lighthouse above the vast dark shore.


    The rest of the lights in the city paled in comparison.


    Even though decades had passed Cal still compared the sight to what it had been in the past.


    The Earth had darkened considerably.


    One didn¡¯t really comprehend until they saw it from altitude.


    He descended and was greeted with guards pointing weapons.


    Procedure was observed while he stood with hands raised.


    The young guards called it in and waved him through in less than a minute.


    Jake had a fancy office nowadays.


    ¡°Getting fatter, I see.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you. I¡¯d rather get old and fat than be an ageless freak. Do you even human anymore?¡±


    Steely gazes held for a moment before wide smiles broke through with laughter.


    Jake hopped up from behind his desk and crushed Cal in a bear hug or rather tried to.


    The big man grunted as he failed to lift Cal off the floor.


    ¡°Shit, I should deadlift you.¡±


    Truth be told Jake wasn¡¯t getting that much fatter. His belly hadn¡¯t grown appreciably in the ten months since they had last seen each other.


    ¡°Getting weaker?¡±


    ¡°No way, bro. Just hit personal bests in two out of the holy trinity. Bench and squat. Did them raw. No magic.¡±


    ¡°I seem to remember that you have a strength passive.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, I can¡¯t turn that off, so¡­¡± he shrugged. ¡°C¡¯mon, sit! You want a drink? I¡¯m technically off the clock.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Jake handed him a generous pour of some peaty goodness, liquid amber gold.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a room full of the best stuff and a few other secret stashes all over the place. Buying my entire daily allotment just in case. If the spires cut our stores off then that¡¯s it,¡± he sighed. ¡°No more proper scotch.¡±


    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know about that¡­¡±


    Jake¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°As you know, I¡¯ve been more global in the last decade or so and I might¡¯ve helped people set up around a few of the old distilleries¡­ in Scotland and Ireland.¡±


    ¡°Oh thank God! I always figured you need real peat to get that authentic peaty flavor.¡±


    Cal sipped.


    The flavor had never changed and that eased his mind for a bit.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t said it to you yet, but congrats and thank you for your work on the satellites. They¡¯re working smoothly so far.¡±


    ¡°I know, right! Been shitposting to every group chat, slack, stack, discord and forum I¡¯m on!¡± He grinned, which fell away quickly. ¡°Most of it¡¯s quiet though. Not like I remember, I guess that¡¯s what happens when almost everyone dies.¡±


    ¡°To their memory.¡± He raised the glass.


    ¡°To their memory¡­ minus the assholes,¡± Jake did the same. ¡°I¡¯m gonna stop shitposting soon. Just wanted to be an example to the kids, you know?¡±


    ¡°A terrible one.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, they got to learn how not to act.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m waiting for the first omninet troll class to pop up.¡±


    ¡°Bro, nobody¡¯s calling it that.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s on all the official documentation.¡±


    ¡°Good for you, I guess.¡± Jake shrugged.


    ¡°I wonder if the spires will even give out a troll class when there is an actual troll species.¡±


    ¡°Oh right. Your brother¡¯s friend? Did anyone explain it to the dude.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, one of the first things my brother did. Apparently the troll was quite offended since he was some kind of noble back on his homeworld.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind meeting a real troll.¡±


    ¡°Hey, man, if you¡¯re willing to make a trip I might be able to arrange something.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d love to, but I¡¯m way too busy here. With great healing comes great amounts of lost limbs. Don¡¯t get me wrong. I prefer this to our fighters dying or being crippled. One slight problem is that there is always an idiot that decides that a magitech hand or finger is cooler than their natural one.¡±


    ¡°Still?¡±


    ¡°They think they have the Skills or spells to fool our truth spells and Skills. It¡¯s always ¡®a gremlin ate my finger¡¯¡­ fucker, you chopped it off yourself,¡± Jake groused.


    ¡°You really should consider not providing the morons a magitech replacement.¡±


    ¡°That seems cruel. I¡¯m cool with giving them a basic replacement. Works just like their old one without any cool offensive or defensive spells. Plus they get to wait at the back of the line for the real cool stuff.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s always someone willing to wait that five year period for a prosthetic with full features.¡±


    ¡°They passed a law pushing that up to ten.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s Detective Ordonez doing? I haven¡¯t spoken to her in years. She¡¯s always busy. Almost as if she has a Skill that lets her know I¡¯m coming.¡± He smirked


    ¡°That¡¯s cause she does,¡± Jake snorted. ¡°She¡¯s still doing her job. And we both know that you can see her if you really wanted to.¡±


    ¡°True, but I want to respect her wishes. Maybe let her know that I¡¯m not going to drag her into some nightmare.¡±


    ¡°She isn¡¯t scared of bad shit. Just not your kind of bad shit, you know?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± he sighed. ¡°There¡¯s just a few things I¡¯d like to share and maybe get her input. Things the three of us shared.¡±


    ¡°Flo,¡± Jake nodded. ¡°Word of advice on that account¡­ don¡¯t. Not until you¡¯ve actually fixed the flesheater problem. Hope¡¯s kind of a bitch sometimes. Nothing worse when it turns out to be empty. I think she¡¯d rather not know in that case.¡±


    ¡°Then maybe I just want to catch up.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s a high-level detective. She might be able to put together pieces in what you don¡¯t say. Hell, I¡¯d bet every bottle I¡¯ve got stashed in this office that she¡¯d pick up bits even through your abilities.¡±


    ¡°I doubt that, but I respect her wishes and won¡¯t risk it unless she¡¯s willing.¡±


    ¡°Oh shit! Before I forget. I want to thank you for taking those assholes. Please break them in. I was gonna have to spend time watching them on account of Rino, Kare and a good number of our strongest people going on the greatest adventure,¡± Jake grumbled.


    ¡°Hey, man, I suggested they send you. It made sense to me to send the best techmage to a world with technology centuries beyond our own.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m too valuable to risk. They¡¯re sending Hillary to lead the rest of the magitech team.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s more than qualified.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I wanted to go,¡± Jake whined. ¡°I can¡¯t unless we have another Level 40 techmage to replace me. And no one is close. Level 35 is the next closest. That¡¯s, like, ten years to 40 at a safe-ish rate.¡±


    ¡°You can wait for Hillary to get back and switch.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a minimum one year mission and I know her. We¡¯re going to have to drag her back and then she¡¯s gonna give me those puppy dog eyes and I¡¯ll fold like a little bitch. She¡¯s safer on the Threnosh world anyways.¡± He sighed. ¡°This Terminus bullshit is starting to remind me of the early days. Fucking spawn zones, fucking eidolons making the old government their bitches.¡±


    ¡°Those ones are in check.¡±


    ¡°So far.¡± Jake pointed out. ¡°Your agreement is only good until they think they don¡¯t need it. Then¡­ the dying starts.¡±


    ¡°Not this time. We¡¯ve killed several other eidolon teams around the world. I¡¯m optimistic that these ones have a healthier sense of self-preservation. They appear willing to take small victories with the defeats rather than focusing solely on that one great win.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m worried about their gods.¡±


    ¡°Same. They would be a difficult fight for us.¡±


    ¡°Can you beat them?¡±


    ¡°Hard to say. Matchups make fights. I guess it depends on which gods and if they work together. Listen, I don¡¯t want to freak you out, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°Wait! Don¡¯t. I can guess.¡± Jake took a deep breath. ¡°Infinite worlds means infinite gods. An infinite number of powerful beings that want to conquer, enslave or eat us, right?¡±


    He nodded.


    ¡°That also means they¡¯re all busy fighting each other otherwise we¡¯d already be overrun.¡±


    ¡°There may also be spires restrictions forcing them to wage a proxy war. Unfortunately, the spires are as forthcoming with finer details as always. And before you ask, I¡¯ve spent so many points on Terminus World documentation and found nothing.¡±


    ¡°At least you¡¯re able to share that info. I remember the old days when we couldn¡¯t. I¡¯m glad that¡¯s changed. That all sounds way beyond my level. Worry about what you change, right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m hoping you can come up with some kind of super secret anti-god device.¡±


    ¡°Not with the info you¡¯ve given us so far.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be able to get you more until an actual god travels here.¡±


    ¡°I hope that never happens or that it doesn¡¯t until a thousand years from now or after I¡¯m dead.¡± Jake knocked on his desk. ¡°Speaking of nightmarish entities beyond my understanding¡­ can you talk to the magus for me?¡±


    ¡°About the possible collaboration?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, just that. We¡¯re not interested. And it¡¯s not because using monster body parts as replacements is just gross and wrong, but because we do magitech. That doesn¡¯t work with what she does¡­ but say it nicer.¡±


    ¡°Why can¡¯t you do that yourself?¡±


    ¡°Because her eyes are scary and I don¡¯t want to piss her off.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not like that. She¡¯s cool and understanding.¡± Cal chuckled. ¡°Just trial it. See if you guys can work together. You might be able to come up with something better than what you do individually.¡±


    ¡°I doubt it. Magitech and ¡®monstertech¡¯, I coined that by the way, are two different branches on the tree that definitely don¡¯t crossover or even touch.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s already collaborating with the techmages down south. Reaching out to you was really more of a favor to me.¡±


    ¡°Shit¡­ alright, I guess in that case I can¡¯t at least give it a shot.¡±


    ¡°Picture one of her eyes in one of your spellguns.¡±


    ¡°Nightmarish, but powerful,¡± Jake nodded. ¡°Speaking of favors. I know you¡¯re on a tight schedule, but if you weren¡¯t planning on visiting Bennett¡­ please do so. He¡¯s been having problems.¡±


    ¡°Worsening?¡±


    ¡°Damn it. I keep forgetting that you know things.¡±


    ¡°I try to pay attention. I was holding off on that visit until after we come back from the Quest, but I kept some time open on the schedule for emergency stuff.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not exactly an emergency. I just figured he could use someone to talk to that wasn¡¯t me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do that next. So, how are you really doing?¡±


    ¡°Fine. All things considered. Six-pack¡¯s been gone for five years.¡± Jake patted his belly. He was still a big, muscular man with visible muscles through his long-sleeved button up. The tight collar accentuated his thick neck. ¡°My hair is thinning and going gray.¡±


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    ¡°Yeah. That hairline¡¯s higher from when I last saw you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m whatevers on it. There¡¯s potions that work better than the drug store stuff, but I¡¯m going to get Santi to custom brew me one. That way it¡¯s perfectly tailored to me for maximum hair regrowth. Probably, going to leave the gray though. A young man¡¯s hair color with an old man¡¯s face would just look like I¡¯m dyeing it. Got to go for that silver fox look.¡±


    ¡°For the ladies.¡± Cal raised the glass.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m thinking about finding someone to settle down with, you know? People are starting to say stuff.¡±


    ¡°Who cares about them. All that matters is what you want. You still got a few years until you hit the big five zero.¡±


    ¡°Dude, you¡¯re the only one that calls it that,¡± Jake chuckled.


    ¡°You look at least a decade younger than that. Lose the gut, take care of the hair and maybe start wearing sunscreen on your face. You¡¯ll knock off another five to ten years off that number.¡±


    ¡°I do still feel pretty strong and athletic, but that might be cause I don¡¯t slack on the training. Helps that high levels seems to slow the aging process for most people. Hanna still looks like she¡¯s in her thirties and she¡¯s not that much younger than me.¡± Jake glanced at the clock on the wall. ¡°Damn, time flies when you¡¯re enjoying a good drink with a buddy. Let me think¡­ what am I forgetting? There was this whole list I wanted to cover. Already thanked you for setting up the satellites¡­ Bennett¡­ bitched about stuff¡­ oh right, thanks for the floating rocks!¡± He brightened. ¡°I cannot wait to ride in a flying ship, like full on Final Fantasy style!¡± His face fell. ¡°If we can figure out how to get more than ten feet off the ground before I¡¯m really old and gray. A decrepit old man just waiting to die while his dreams of the sky slowly slip away.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got at least another fifty to make that happen. Maybe even more. I know a few hundred year olds that move around like they¡¯re seventy. Try to get an anti-aging Skill. Just be careful with spells.¡±


    ¡°Santi¡¯s working on a rejuvenation potion that¡¯s permanent. Oops. That¡¯s a secret, but you probably already know.¡±


    ¡°There are many alchemists working on something like that all over the world.¡±


    ¡°No shit? You think you could get me one when someone figures it out?¡±


    ¡°If they do then I¡¯m going to help production. There are risks if they get it wrong. I¡¯ve talked to Ms. Teacher about it.¡±


    ¡°Now, there¡¯s someone I¡¯d like to work with.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, dude, I tried. According to her she¡¯s uninterested in anything other than teaching children and only those that she selects.¡± Cal finished his glass.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do this again. Maybe when you bring the assholes back. Give me a head¡¯s up and I¡¯ll try to set up a dinner thing with all the old timers.¡±


    A tight bro hug followed wherein the larger man tried and failed to crush the smaller for a length of time that just crossed the line into awkwardness.


    ¡°Fuck! I even cast a strength spell.¡±


    ¡°I felt the difference.¡±


    ¡°Damn it. I¡¯m gonna be sore until tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Drawback.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s like a supercharged adrenaline boost. It pushes my body beyond the limits of regular adrenaline. The first couple of times I tried it out I pulled muscles and stressed ligaments. I need to figure out another spell to mitigate it or maybe there¡¯s a Skill.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a noticeable difference.¡±


    ¡°Adds, like, a hundred pounds to my strength lifts. I¡¯m a mage-type though. The buff is really for warrior-types.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re kind of a hybrid type.¡±


    ¡°Ha, sure, at lower levels. Specialization is better where I¡¯m at now. Just wish I could get fancy class like Hanna or Rebekah. Nope, all the shit I¡¯ve survived and I¡¯m still just a techmage.¡±


    ¡°Well, maybe that¡¯s because you don¡¯t see yourself as anything else.¡±


    ¡°Dude, I¡¯ve done so much meditation and introspection that I got offered a class. Didn¡¯t take it cause I wasn¡¯t sure that I could do one of those merging things later.¡±


    ¡°And what did you find about yourself?¡±


    Jake sighed. ¡°That you¡¯re right. I am exactly what I want to be.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a good thing to know that. Don¡¯t forget all that you¡¯ve accomplished. The good that you¡¯ve done.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. Good luck. Kill the scary insect elves. Don¡¯t tell anyone, but I wouldn¡¯t be too sad if the assholes don¡¯t come back.¡±


    Cal raised a brow.


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying I want them to die. Just that maybe you keep them with you¡­ forever.¡±


    ¡°You know, as much as that sounds awesome. It¡¯s not part of the deal with your government.¡± He pouted. ¡°I definitely have to bring them back¡­ if they don¡¯t die, that is.¡±


    ¡°Just putting it out there. Manifesting my desires. You know how that is?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Pffttt! That¡¯s cause you can get what you want whenever you want. Thanks again, bro!¡± Jake clapped him on the back, hard. ¡°Ouch!¡± he shook his hand.


    ¡°Never gonna learn are you?¡±


    ¡°My brain is strictly for the magic-ing and technology-ing of things. Tell Bennett I said what¡¯s up¡­ er¡­ but make it obvious that I didn¡¯t send you. And tell him that we need to hang out sometime soon. Like we used to. I¡¯ll drink my scotch, he¡¯ll drink his scotch and we can talk shit about Frisco.¡±


    ¡°Take care, dude. I¡¯ll see you when I come back to drop off your assholes.¡±


    ¡°Not mine, bro.¡±


    Cal opened the window and floated out into the night.


    ¡°Use a door like a normal person!¡± Jake called out.


    Bennett lived in the same place he had for close to twenty years.


    Home was the airport¡¯s administration and archives building.


    Accommodations for the requirements of his class could be seen in the blackout curtains in all the windows.


    Strangely, though the other occupied buildings had guards and patrols, his was completely devoid of human life.


    It was a home, not a lair.


    Bennett was adamant about that.


    Only monsters had lairs.


    Sure vampires did too, probably, if they existed.


    He wasn¡¯t a vampire. He was a vampire.


    There was a difference.


    He wasn¡¯t a monster.


    ¡°Bennett, it¡¯s me.¡± Cal unlocked the front doors and strolled inside.


    It was dark aside from the exit signs.


    ¡°I¡¯m just stopping by for a quick visit.¡±


    Shoes echoed across the cold tiles.


    Small rodent claws scratched alongside him and in the walls.


    High-pitched chirps inaudible to the normal human ear echoed.


    ¡°I¡¯m downstairs.¡± Bennett¡¯s sigh emerged from the building¡¯s PA system.


    Bennett reclined on a couch reading a tattered paperback when Cal made it into his inner sanctum.


    The shadows seemed to embrace him like a comforting blanket.


    He stood, unfurling like a scarecrow.


    Long, thin limbs seemed longer and thinner since Cal had last seen him.


    His face was paler and even more angular.


    Smooth and pristine.


    Closer to a marble statue than a warm-blooded human.


    Which was strange since Bennett was still warm-blooded unlike vampires in the stories. His heart merely beat a fraction of a normal human while the gap between his breaths stretched out for minutes if he forgot.


    ¡°Welcome to my¡­ home.¡± Bennett watched him closely.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice. No really. I haven¡¯t been here in some time, but¡­ well,¡± he gestured toward the couch, ¡°that¡¯s new and a few other things,¡± he took in the living space cleared out within one of the deep, dark archive rooms. ¡°What¡¯d you do with the records?¡±


    ¡°Useless airport records. I gave them to the government.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s home-y with that dark, Gothic, broody vibe.¡± Cal grinned. ¡°Sorry, man, I¡¯m not going to bust your balls tonight. I haven¡¯t talked to you since last year and I just might be mellowing out in my old age.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re more chill than some with your power and responsibilities have any right to be. Honestly, seeing you reminds me of when I was an emo. I suppose we tend to circle back to our beginnings if we live long enough.¡±


    ¡°Time is a circle.¡± Cal nodded.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that applies to my situation.¡±


    ¡°You might possibly be immortal. Plenty of time to find out.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t remind me.¡± Bennett extended a skeletal hand.


    Thin fingers shook Cal¡¯s hand with strength belied by their thin, delicate appearance.


    ¡°Thank you for the visit. What can I do for you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just here to talk.¡±


    ¡°No terrible and urgent Quest that needs my help?¡±


    ¡°I could always use your help, but I respect your wishes. Don¡¯t worry no one talked, but I¡¯ve got a good sense for things. You know how it is?¡± he tapped his temple.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t been secretive with my¡­ issues¡­ and I trust your old promise not to violate my privacy. So, I¡¯m not surprised nor am I bothered. I appreciate your concern, but there is nothing to be done beyond the measures I¡¯ve already put in place to keep others safe from me.¡±


    ¡°Valid concerns. You want to talk about them? We haven¡¯t done a theorycrafting session in a long time.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I think I¡¯d like that. You aren¡¯t afraid of me. And I¡¯ve forgotten what that feels like.¡± Bennett smiled.


    His fangs seemed longer and sharper. His mouth was bigger and wider.


    The sight filled Cal with sadness.


    He couldn¡¯t deny that as time had passed his old friend continued to drift further away from humanity.


    Bennett had been a vampire scared of what lurked in the dark long ago.


    Now, he was what others feared.


    Even friends and allies.


    ¡°You want to start there? Feel free to stop or tell me to stop on any topic or thread.¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s fine. I can be clinical about this. After all, I¡¯m a thinking man. A rational one.¡± Bennett took a deep breath. ¡°The fear I induce appears to be instinctive. I have endeavored to discover if it¡¯s something that I can control. I have failed so far. It¡¯s like a lion. A lion can look try to look as nonthreatening as it can, but it is still a lion. There is a primal fear imprinted upon the human psyche from the days of our ancestors when they were preyed upon on the savanna.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, man. I think people can forget that sort of thing. I don¡¯t know if you remember, but there were so many videos of people walking up to wild bison or bears and trying to get selfies back in the old days.¡±


    Bennett¡¯s fanged smile shined in the dim candle light.


    ¡°True, but I imagine those types of people were¡­ shall we say¡­ removed from the gene pool prior to the modern, pre-spires era. Plus, living in cities and away from nature for many generations of caused a sort of collective amnesia. Then there is the human tendency to anthropomorphize.¡±


    ¡°Dude, that reminds me,¡± Cal chuckled. ¡°I watched videos of lions playing with gazelle fawns and the comments were always about how maternal instincts and how animals treated each other better than humans treated each other.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m familiar. Did they not understand why felines played with their food?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, nature isn¡¯t a Disney movie, but I¡¯m pushing you off track. Please continue.¡±


    ¡°The primal fear. I am a predator and my appearance reflects that. It has grown more obvious as time has passed, as I have leveled. Would you agree?¡±


    Cal regarded those reddish eyes that shined in the light.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Thus, my physical appearance is the first signal to the human psyche to be wary, afraid.¡±


    ¡°The obvious thing to try first is to hide it, but you¡¯ve already tried that.¡±


    ¡°Mask, a hood and cloak. Mundane and enchanted. Failures. Shrouding myself in shadows just creates the image that I¡¯m trying to avoid.¡±


    ¡°Charm Skills and spells, like Ginessa?¡±


    ¡°Two issues with that,¡± Bennett raised two spindly fingers. ¡°Ethical and practical. I don¡¯t want to deceive. Furthermore, such abilities aren¡¯t foolproof. They are detectable and counterable. As to the second, I haven¡¯t gone down the right ability branches. And it seems that at my level those abilities are forever blocked from me. Obviously, I can¡¯t say that for certain. Perhaps with more time and higher levels in can revisit said branch or others. Ah, levels,¡± he sighed, ¡°which segues to my biggest problem.¡±


    ¡°The blood.¡±


    Bennett¡¯s back hunched, his shoulders sagged.


    A broken man weighed down by his burdens.


    A stark contrast to the power hidden within his thin, scarecrow-like form.


    His smile dripped with sadness.


    ¡°That which I hate and love in equal measure.¡±


    ¡°You need more and it¡¯s not lasting as long.¡±


    ¡°Succinctly put.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve stopped trying to level for what? About four-five years now?¡±


    ¡°Pretending like you don¡¯t know the exact number of days?¡± Bennett smirked.


    ¡°You know me,¡± he shrugged. ¡°I try not to trigger that uncanny valley feeling in people. Sure, I can tell you the exact day and time when we last talked about where the line is in grimdark when it crosses into parody.¡±


    ¡°What line? All grimdark is parody.¡±


    ¡°Snob.¡±


    ¡°Truth.¡±


    ¡°Says the vampire.¡±


    ¡°Yes and I feel that my existence is parody.¡±


    They grinned at each other.


    ¡°Avoiding leveling hasn¡¯t helped?¡±


    ¡°That is one bright side I can cling to for hope. The hunger has remained at a consistent level since my last level up.¡±


    ¡°One solution.¡±


    ¡°With its issues. We level by doing what our class requires, generally speaking. I¡¯m a vampire. My existence fulfills said requirements. The mere act of drinking blood might be giving me experience points in the background.¡±


    ¡°The number can¡¯t be significant. I¡¯d guess it¡¯s fractions. You could drink blood for a hundred years and not gain enough to level. Plus, you¡¯re kind of a terrible vampire. You drink out of blood bags. You don¡¯t hunt people. You don¡¯t fight and kill except in emergencies. What else? Ah, you don¡¯t make other vampires or Renfields.¡±


    ¡°I have familiars.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but non-vampire people keep pet rats or mice. Not bats though. What you need is one of those juiced up dogs or a cat.¡±


    ¡°Sadly, outside of Rodentia and the like, normal animals also fear me.¡±


    ¡°So, one solution to one problem. Don¡¯t level. The social issues? I think you have to accept that instinctual fear. Consider what you know to be true about your friends. Despite that fear they haven¡¯t told you to stay away. I just came from talking to Jake and we definitely didn¡¯t mention you, but I¡¯m sure that he wouldn¡¯t mind having a drink and just chatting, you know? As for Hanna and the others? Well, despite your asking them to have contingencies in case you lost your humanity and went all blood crazy, they haven¡¯t. Didn¡¯t even start a plan.¡±


    ¡°Stupid and foolish. I know the scope of the damage I can do to innocent people before any of them can stop me.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just them trusting their friend to not lose it.¡±


    The silence stretched for a long moment.


    ¡°I¡¯ll consider it, but I want something in return.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather not.¡±


    ¡°Please, it would take away one of my burdens.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the only I know that can tell if I ever truly become what I fear beyond a shadow of a doubt. If I give in to the hunger and become a monster¡­ please don¡¯t let me hurt anyone¡­ end my existence. Either I¡¯m still the human I once was or I¡¯m dead. I don¡¯t want to compromise my rational intellect. I don¡¯t want to exist as a monster in your prison while you search for a fix.¡±


    ¡°I hate it¡­ but you¡¯ve got my word. If you go full monster and I don¡¯t immediately see a way back for you¡­ I¡¯ll end it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. I know I¡¯m a poor friend asking for such a selfish gift.¡±


    ¡°Nah, you aren¡¯t doing it just for yourself. You¡¯re doing it to protect your friends and everyone else out there. It sucks, but I can¡¯t say I wouldn¡¯t do the same in your shoes.¡±


    ¡°I already have protocols in place. The moment I feel control slipping I will blast out a warning through multiple channels to multiple people. Then I will seal myself in there,¡± Bennett pointed to the massive safe set standing in the middle of large open space in his not-lair.


    Faint symbols were etched into every surface while powerful spotlights encircled it.


    ¡°The wards will resist my ability to walk through the shadows and the lights will eliminate shadows in its immediate area.¡±


    ¡°Your range is way more than that.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯d prefer setting it up in one of the hangers, but I can¡¯t take the risk that I can cover the distance quickly enough before losing control.¡±


    ¡°The important thing is that you¡¯re taking measures. Keep thinking and never give up.¡±


    ¡°Easier said.¡±


    The long-time friends spoke of lighter things until Cal ran out of time.

 8.34

    Sahara Desert, April 2047


    Shalindren.


    The name was carved perfectly over the entrance and lit up with magic to make it visible from many miles away.


    The Faeran hive dungeon was taller than the tallest skyscraper. It was as wide as its height. A great, blocky shape standing out of the flat, empty dunes.


    A mega structure to put any of the man made ones to shame.


    From a distance the tan surface looked smooth. It wasn¡¯t until one got close could they see that it was pockmarked with holes, some large enough to drive giant earth movers through.


    A raging sandstorm assaulted Shalindren on all sides with a hot, whirling sand strong enough to scour the flesh off a man or the chitin off a Faeran.


    Strangely, the storm left the sprawling tent city a half mile away alone.


    ¡°Fuckin¡¯ hell, mate. This is the first Quest they send us on?¡±


    ¡°Shut up, Scotty. No complaints. We¡¯re on our best behavior, remember?¡±


    The smaller muscle-bound man shoved the larger muscle-bound man¡¯s hand off his chest plate.


    ¡°¡®Us¡¯,¡± the third man was as tall as the second, but much leaner. ¡°Not ¡®they¡¯. It¡¯s ¡®us¡¯ now, remember?¡±


    The trio sat in a closed tent.


    It was huge, tall enough for them to stand to their full height, though when two of them transformed the roomy space would get awfully cramped quickly.


    The sat on cushions waiting.


    Cal entered without a word.


    The trio stood and tried to loom over him.


    A natural testing of each other for dominance in their mistaken belief in the alpha concept of pack dynamics.


    Flawed for a variety of reasons, least of which was that they weren¡¯t dogs, they were humans¡­ mostly.


    ¡°Chance, Scotty and Malachi,¡± he pointed to the largest, the shortest and the leanest.


    The first participants of the California State Government¡¯s amnesty program.


    ¡°I¡¯m ¡®Cal Cruces¡¯. You¡¯re here by choice, yes?¡±


    Three nods.


    ¡°This is your last chance to back out. Say the word and I¡¯ll hold you out of the Quest. You¡¯ll wait here and when I take you back to Sacramento you can get on with your quiet, productive life. No more fighting unless it¡¯s in defense of the city.¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°I suppose a short introduction is in order. You don¡¯t know me, but I¡¯m one half of the pair that shattered the Deep Azure¡¯s physical avatar. I also occasionally clear out fishmen deep in our oceans. They are scattered at best.¡±


    That drew wide eyes and a scowl.


    ¡°I promise you that they¡¯ll never rise to the same power that they had over your city. So, if you¡¯re clinging to that hope, don¡¯t.¡±


    Malachi raised a hand. ¡°I wasn¡¯t. Fuck those weird cult guys.¡±


    ¡°And yet you stayed with them even as they weakened over the years. As more and more people risked the distance and dangers to flee to Sacramento.¡±


    ¡°I was helping people escape. Covering for them and stuff like that. Uh¡­ they tested me under truth spell.¡±


    ¡°You only started doing that five years ago.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± he shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know, it was hella wack, you know? I was just a kid, got a crazy power and I thought I was helping people. Life was pretty good. Kept the monsters away. Had plenty of food and stuff. We were living lives that wasn¡¯t much different from before the spires.¡± The man¡¯s words came out in a torrent. ¡°The cult stuff was weird. People getting tentacles and lobster claws, but I figured it was just like all the magic and Skills. Fishmen. Didn¡¯t believe that stuff about them using women to¡­ uh¡­ spawn. Thought it was just Sactown propaganda cause they were jealous. When I realized it was true it was too late. We¡¯d been fighting for a while. I killed Sactown fighters. They tried to kill me. I figured I had nowhere else to go, so I did what I could to help. When¡­ uh¡­ you, I guess, got rid of the Deep Azure it wasn¡¯t as bad. Fishmen stopped being around as much. Sometimes it¡¯d be years before I saw one. The cult was still kinda sketchy, but cult¡¯s gonna cult, you know?¡± He shrugged.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ er¡­¡± Malachi stammered into silence.


    Cal regarded the two weredogs.


    ¡°That¡¯s where Malachi stands. Do either of you want to unburden yourselves?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t got shite,¡± Scotty grunted. ¡°Did bad shite. Kill or be killed. Dinnae rape nobody, dinnae kill nobody that wasn¡¯t trying to do me the same.¡±


    ¡°What my friends are trying to say, sir, is that we understand our positions here. We recognize that we fought on the wrong side. We¡¯re willing to do everything it takes to prove ourselves valuable to your cause,¡± Chance said.


    ¡°That¡¯s why you¡¯re here. Follow orders. I don¡¯t waste lives, so get that thought out of your heads. I¡¯m here because the governor asked for a favor. This is your first test and the start of your atonement. It¡¯s going to be a difficult road, but if you truly believe that you want and deserve the opportunity then you¡¯ll walk it no matter how long and thorn-filled it is. That¡¯ll be all. Your time is yours until Quest start. I¡¯d suggest reviewing the briefing.¡±


    Malachi lingered in the tent.


    ¡°Um¡­ sir?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do anything to stop the dreams.¡±


    ¡°There are deeper consequences for consorting with eldritch evils, but maybe in time and with honest effort your nights will grow less dark.¡±


    ¡°I hope so.¡±


    Cal remained standing.


    Sitting in the cushions wouldn¡¯t project the right image.


    An old American soldier ducked into the tent shortly after Malachi¡¯s departure.


    The man¡¯s face was cracked and beaten by decades of harsh exposure to the hot sun and dry winds. His hair and beard had gone snow white.


    The weight of ages lay upon the soldier¡¯s shoulders like a thick cloak. Despite it, he straightened and did his best to loom.


    There were drawbacks to usually being the shortest man in any given space and Cal refused to be so petty as to float a foot off the ground just to be the one looking down on others.


    ¡°People need us, so I¡¯ll make this quick. We don¡¯t need you and your troops.¡±


    Captain Walker spat a brown goop onto the sand, revealing stained and missing teeth.


    ¡°Then why¡¯re you wasting my time?¡±


    ¡°Doing you a favor. I can take you home.¡±


    ¡°Then just do it and you¡¯ll have my eternal gratitude.¡±


    ¡°No. You and your soldiers have done bad things.¡±


    ¡°I ain¡¯t proud, but we did what he had to survive. You going to add the good things we¡¯ve done to your moral calculations?¡±


    ¡°Yes, actually. If you had gone full marauder we wouldn¡¯t be having this conversation.¡±


    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s clear. You can take us home? Some of us will want that. So, the only thing I want to hear out of your mouth is what we¡¯re gonna have to do to get that? I¡¯m thinking its got something to do with the fucking bugs.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going to kill them all and rescue their captives.¡±


    ¡°Figured,¡± Captain Walker snorted. ¡°Knew that Terminus shit was gonna screw things. Over ten years of Shalindren being a great place to level, get Quests and gear. One fucking night and it goes to shit.¡± He spat. ¡°Bugs just buzzed out of there and started grabbing people from all the closest settlements. We fought them, you know? My company. Lost a lot of good men and women. Some of the last that have been with me since the beginning bit it. Good local soldiers too. Listen, I know they aren¡¯t American citizens, but they get a spot too, if they want it.¡±


    Calling Captain Walker¡¯s company that was a bit of a misnomer.


    It was much larger at about 500 fighting men and women.


    The night of terror against the Faeran swarm had whittled a fifth away.


    The vast majority of his men and women had been drawn from various local populations in the decades since the spires had emerged and cut the American soldiers off from their home.


    Of the original they were down to less than 30 grizzled veterans. Most of them were well past retirement age.


    The rest had died in the intervening years or had given up thoughts of returning home to settle at one of the local settlements.


    ¡°Anyone that wants to go will be included.¡±


    ¡°Loot? We want twenty percent of the shared rewards. Standard distribution. You pick, I pick draft style. Descending level order.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Captain Walker frowned.


    ¡°You can stay for that if you want, but you¡¯ll miss the flight. When I leave, you leave or your stuck here until the next time I happen to be in the area.¡±


    The captain chewed in silence and glared.


    He spat again.


    ¡°I want to get you a list of people I¡¯m taking with me. You can¡¯t leave until all of them are accounted for.¡±


    ¡°Agreed. You can fit your greed rolling for loot in that window. Let¡¯s say, fifteen minutes. I¡¯ll make the announcement for departure and will wait that long. Not a second longer.¡±


    ¡°What about casualties? What if my guys are too injured to travel?¡±


    ¡°A non-issue.¡± He didn¡¯t elaborate.


    ¡°What do we need to do?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re with me. We¡¯re going into the heart of the hive to kill the queen.¡±


    ¡°Fuck off!¡± Captain Walker spat. ¡°That Quest is rated Level 70 for a twenty man group.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m going to suggest you only bring along those above 40. That should keep you close to parity with her elite.¡±


    The captain¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°You¡¯re not directly fighting the queen. You¡¯re going to provide extra manpower to pull out captives and protect them and the way out. It¡¯s search and rescue for you and your troops. I fight the queen, you sweep the central area of the hive.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not stupid. That sounds like a grinder.¡±


    ¡°It is. Casualty rates will be much lower for the groups fighting outside the hive and assaulting the entrance.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to hold the hope of home over our heads to get us to go on this suicide mission?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re soldiers. Isn¡¯t your existence transactional? You fight and risk your lives in exchange for something. A cause. A way out of poverty. Tuition. The chance to do violence where it¡¯s perceived as acceptable. That¡¯s how it¡¯s always been. Correct me if I¡¯m wrong.¡±


    ¡°What about my guys that aren¡¯t leveled enough?¡±


    ¡°They can fight with the rest. I will consider their tickets home on an individual basis. The better person they are the more likely they¡¯ll get one. Scumbags will have to stay here. I will keep them in mind for future Quests and future opportunities to go home.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a cold bastard. How much time do we got?¡±


    ¡°A little over thirty minutes.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back in fifteen.¡± Captain Walker turned on his heel and strode out of the tent.


    When he returned Cal had the entire company at his disposal.


    The Quest clock ticked ever closer to zero.


    Cal walked through the tent city.


    The woman kept her storm on Shalindren, but stray gusts would periodically sweep over the colorful canvas and cloth.


    Sand got everywhere.


    In hair.


    In fur.


    In eyes, ears and nostrils.


    Except for Cal and a few others with the means, like the magus and her small group.


    They waited within her magical forcefield.


    The monster eye blinked down upon them with its benevolent gaze, which was ironic considering the monster she had taken it from was nothing of the sort.


    ¡°Cal.¡± The magus waved him through when he allowed her to notice him standing just on the edge of her dome.


    ¡°It¡¯s almost time. Are you ready?¡±


    ¡°We are.¡±


    ¡°The younglings?¡±


    ¡°Hey, we¡¯re, like, over twenty,¡± Willy said.


    ¡°Hmm, when I look at you I still see the same chubby-cheeked kids hanging onto Ms. Teacher¡¯s robes when we first met.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Cruces is just hazing us as is the standard practice,¡± Jennylyn said.


    ¡°Which one of them talked? Cammi? Rupert?¡±


    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    She simply gazed at him with serenity.


    ¡°That look is very Ms. Teacher-like. Practicing daily in front of the mirror is paying off.¡±


    She reddened.


    How had he known?


    ¡°We are ready to do our part,¡± she said stiffly, rallying.


    One hand lay on the spellbook chained to her waist.


    Its pulsing warmth brought the young wizard comfort.


    ¡°Good. Because we are about to start.¡±


    Radio telepathy on, he thought.


    Howard checking in. Mercs are locked and loaded.


    This is the Solar Tyrant¡¯s dad. I¡¯m ready to crack this abomination, finally.


    ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡± Willy whispered.


    ¡°Shut up! You¡¯re distracting everyone!¡± Jennylyn hissed.


    Gearlok here with Khamaseen and the rest. We¡¯re waiting on your go.


    Emerald Raptor speaking. I¡¯ve got eyes on Faeran hiding in their holes. Ready to give them a warm hello.


    Cal regarded the magus.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready,¡± she said. Her jaw clenched. She hadn¡¯t taken part in anything more dangerous than a standard monster attack defense in the decade since the carnage at the Slaver King¡¯s banquet. And she had always fought from a distance. Not in close quarters like the hive. ¡°My people are in there and they need us.¡±


    He turned to Willy and Jennylyn.


    ¡°Quest¡¯s on. So, you ready, Wet? Lynjenny?¡±


    He scowled at the injustice.


    She rolled her eyes at the laziness.


    We are a go. Fight well. Don¡¯t die.


    <hr>


    The dreaded desert wind, Khamaseen, grunted from the strain.


    Heat had stopped bothering her the moment she had gained her powers decades ago, yet sweat dripped down her smooth face.


    She had never maintained a sandstorm of such size for the duration while keeping it in one place.


    Her loyal family surrounded her, guarding against the insects and the disparate groups of hardened fighters gathered for the grandest quest most of them had ever participated in.


    Locals mixed with bands from old countries on the shores of the Mediterranean, from the Middle East and Africa.


    Among their number were several bands of foreigners, soldiers and such, that had been cut off from their true homes when the spires had emerged long ago.


    ¡°Beware the bullet in the back,¡± Marwan urged the others.


    They stood surrounded by dangerous men and women. Many of whom they had clashed with in the past.


    Shalindren was a dark, ominous mountain partially-hidden in her sandstorm.


    It had been a place of uneasy truce for over a decade.


    The rewards of the dungeon had stayed the blades of long-held grudges and natural enmity.


    Until the treacherous insects had revealed their truth intentions with the Terminus Decree.


    In one night great buzzing swarms swept across the closest communities, carrying people back to their hive dungeon.


    Khamaseen had never trusted the invaders and thus she found herself allied with more invaders.


    Better human invaders than insect ones.


    Her band was one of the smaller. Less than a dozen. What they lacked in numbers they made up for in levels. Not a one was below 40. Battle-hardened from years of constant conflict. Against monsters. Against other humans. And against a fouler thing on that one terrible occasion.


    Unlike the other groups, she had left those under Level 30 to guard their hidden desert oasis and the rest of their family.


    ¡°Halt!¡± Marwan barked.


    ¡°Relax.¡± The machine man¡¯s voice was deep and booming. ¡°We¡¯re on the same side.¡±


    ¡°For now. What is it you want, foreigner?¡±


    The wind carried the soft whirring sounds and hums emanating from the Black American with his every movement to her ears.


    ¡°Half you guys are facing the wrong way,¡± he nodded to the circle surrounding her. ¡°You don¡¯t got to do that. There ain¡¯t gonna be no backstabbing today.¡±


    ¡°Concern yourself with your duties. We¡¯ll handle ours.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m doing. We¡¯re about to start. I¡¯m here to let her know when to drop the giant tornado.¡±


    The machine man stood silently, bristling with weapons.


    Just like an American to be covered in enough guns for an entire squad.


    He had old guns. The same kinds that had killed countless numbers of innocent people in her lands going back generations.


    He had new guns. Sleek, shiny things that glowed with colored lights. The kinds that belonged to the fantastical worlds in the movies she remembered watching as a child.


    Minutes of silence passed.


    Pride granted a stone mask over her face.


    To show weakness while surrounded with enemies and potential enemies couldn¡¯t be allowed.


    The machine man raised a hand.


    ¡°Drop the storm!¡± he barked.


    She almost sagged with relief as she released her power.


    The sandstorm dwindled to nothing faster than what was possible for a natural one.


    Shalindren, the great pentagonal mountain, stood revealed for a brief moment before fire from all sides engulfed it.


    The barrage lasted mere seconds.


    The powerful foreigners had scoured the entire region for old artillery weapons.


    Time had been against them to refurbish and rearm the ancient dealers of death of countless innocent civilians.


    Thus, they were already out of ammunition.


    A falling star burned bright even in the daylight as it plunged straight from the heavens into Shalindren with the crash of a hundred thousand thunders that shook the ground beneath their feet, sending a cloud of sand rushing in their direction with the shockwave.


    Khamaseen blew it away with a wave of her hand, protecting her family and temporary allies.


    War cries erupted as they moved toward the Faeran hive dungeon.


    Marwan held her family back.


    Let the bloodthirsty pay for their greed.


    She gazed back toward the massive tent city a half mile away that had sprung up over a decade ago.


    The place served as a base catering to the greedy fools hungering for the dungeon¡¯s rewards.


    It had grown impressively over the years.


    There!


    She spotted the tiny shapes flying straight up.


    They vanished suddenly.


    The echo of a distant boom reached her ears a split-second later.


    It was good to have confirmation that the powerful foreigners were true to their words¡­ so far.


    She turned her attention back to Shalindren.


    A Skilled eye might¡¯ve noticed the shapes displacing the whirling dust and sand as they moved through the cloud. Or, perhaps, a spell that detected movement.


    Many among the gathered had these Skills and spells.


    However, the battlefield was equal in the sense that both sides possessed Skills and spells.


    Faeran skirmishers and assassins shed their camouflage to strike.


    Death heralded by buzzing wings descended upon them.


    Faeran guns, partially-living things connected to their bodies by worm-like tubes burrowing underneath their colorful chitin, spat finger-length darts that ate through armor and burrowed into flesh with an acid-like enzyme and a circular mouth filled with hundreds of serrated teeth.


    Their second set of arms, scythe-like, speared through armor or took heads.


    It was like facing a seven-foot tall hybrid between a mantis or wasp and a human.


    The greater part of their number struck at Khamaseen¡¯s position.


    Oh, they knew each other well.


    For twelve years she and her family had eschewed most of the dungeon¡¯s Quests to focus on the ones that placed them in direct combat with the Faeran.


    She knew this day would come and she had wanted to kill as many of them as she could.


    Taunting Skills pulled their ire from her to her family.


    She called on the wind, moving her arms in circular motions to sweep each stealthy assassin in their own personal tornado of hot, scouring sand.


    She stripped them of their chitin, microscopic layer by layer, but the true killer was the heat.


    From experience, she knew that they¡¯re insides cooked long before their natural armor failed.


    Apparently, they tasted like the worst lobster in the world according to Marwan and a few of the others.


    They reasoned that since the Faeran ate human flesh, then it was a fair exchange. An eye for an eye. A pound for a pound.


    The machine man shouted something she didn¡¯t catch over the cacophony of violence. He gestured to the sky in the direction of the hive dungeon.


    She glanced and saw nothing, not even the telltale voids in the dust and sand that revealed the camouflaged monsters.


    He snarled and shook his head, drawing that large, sleek gun from his back and shot into the sky.


    A bright blue orb of crackling electricity the size of a fig streaked out.


    It reached perhaps 200 meters when it exploded outward into a massive sphere.


    A dozen suddenly-revealed Faeran fell to the sand twitching. Their charred chitin and softer underflesh smoked as they fought to regain control of their nervous systems.


    Ball Lightning? Lightning ball? Or any of the derivative spells?


    Khamaseen was familiar with how those felt.


    The machine man¡¯s gun had shot a spell if she could trust the senses she received from the threads of wind flowing to her.


    The roar of jet engine overhead made her flinch, taking her back to her childhood.


    She reminded herself that she was no longer a powerless child.


    A big, stocky man in green and purple armor flew atop a sleek, silvery wing, like from that old movie.


    He cut through her dust cloud like a shark through water.


    Bullets ripped from the guns mounted in the wing, shredding through a handful of buzzing Faeran that hadn¡¯t been visible a moment before.


    Damn Americans, she thought, they can see through the camouflage.


    A new world and their weapons of war were still beyond her people.


    She envied the flier.


    Her flight was nowhere near as graceful or effortless.


    He zoomed over the downed Faeran.


    A small, glinting object dropped from his wing to consume the insects in a sudden bloom of yellow-orange.


    The machine man gesticulated toward another patch of sky.


    ¡°Damn you! I don¡¯t have your fancy eye! To see through their cloak, let alone the sand! Marwan!¡±


    ¡°Yes, leader?¡±


    ¡°Where that American is pointing¡­¡±


    Marwan squinted through his goggles.


    ¡°I see nothing.¡±


    ¡°Hidden insects.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± He whistled for two other family members. ¡°Explosion bullets!¡± He pointed to the same spot as the machine man.


    Old guns spat bullets. An entire magazine in seconds.


    Ordinary bullets, until transformed by a powerful Skill.


    Each bullet became a roadside bomb.


    Fire, explosive force and the equivalent of a few boxes of nails sent shooting out at tremendous speed.


    A wide swathe of dust-obscured sky cleared instantaneously, revealing bloodied Faeran.


    ¡°Hatem!¡± she pointed.


    The old man raised his hands and chanted a prayer.


    A column of flame erupted from the ground to swallow the Faeran.


    ¡°Now, my leader!¡± he panted.


    She punched her hand into the sky and enveloped the fire and the Faeran inside a swirling ball of wind.


    Marwan enjoyed calling it the world¡¯s deadliest convection oven.


    Her family cheered, roaring her name.


    ¡°Khamaseen! Khamaseen! Khamaseen!¡±


    The machine man pushed his way past her protectors.


    Bold and unafraid of their weapons and strength.


    She instantly hated him for his arrogance.


    ¡°You guys need to move up and support them, like agreed,¡± he growled, gesturing toward the enormous ramp leading up to Shalindren¡¯s entrance.


    The ramp itself was the size of one of the smaller pyramids her homeland was famous for.


    Men and women fought Faeran.


    Their standard soldiers were larger, beefier than the swift and agile skirmishers and assassins.


    Some of the soldiers, the ones with the thickest chitin and the extra pair of shield-like arms held a thin line across the entire breadth of the ramp.


    They and those behind them fired their living ammunition into the magic shield erected by mage-types and priest-types.


    The Faeran had their own spellcasters hidden amongst the soldiers.


    Their presence only made known by the interlocking hexagonal shields of amber-colored light protecting their heads from the spells and grenades lobbed by her temporary allies.


    ¡°We need to threaten a breach. Draw out more of them. That¡¯s only a fraction of their numbers. We need to empty the hive down to the tiniest insect.¡±


    ¡°I remember your plans. My family!¡± she called. ¡°Come. Once again we fight for our people. Twelve years we struggled alone against that insidious blight upon our home!¡± she thrust her finger toward Shalindren. ¡°While the rest were blinded by their greed, our eyes remained open. Today is the day that it ends!¡± she roared. The wind howled, echoing her rage. ¡°Destroy the insects! Save our people!¡±


    Her family roared her name and raised their weapons to the hot winds swirling above them for while it cooked and scoured their enemies it caressed their faces with the warm, gentle hand of a loving mother.


    ¡°You are heavy,¡± she said to the machine man.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯ve got jump jets. Ain¡¯t no landing I can¡¯t handle, no matter who rough the flight.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see about that,¡± she snorted.


    The winds answered her call and carried them to the battle.


    The landing was rough and hard as it always was.


    The damn American had tiny jets in the back of his boots and in the pack on his back.


    True to his word he landed like he had just stepped off a curb rather than fall from five feet above the sandstone ramp.


    ¡°We¡¯re pincering!¡± he barked into his metal wrist. ¡°We need you to push hard!¡±


    The American was half machine.


    She wondered what had led him to such a ghastly existence.


    One arm, one leg and most of one side of his torso was made of metal and composite materials. Plastic certainly and plates that resembled the ceramic found in the bullet resistant vests soldiers wore.


    His face was the worst.


    Only half of the original flesh and blood remained.


    His dark skin was lined and weathered.


    He looked more like a grandfather when one didn¡¯t look at his strong, muscular body.


    The old man¡¯s one natural eye looked tired.


    Faeran soldiers at the rear of the formation turned to face them.


    Her family and the machine man didn¡¯t need further orders.


    They opened fire.


    Her side won the exchange.


    Their levels carried them over the advantages the Faeran possessed in their natural physical superiority and in the quality of their chitin armor and living guns.


    The machine man¡¯s futuristic gun was better than them all.


    He blasted through an amber shield.


    The second round pierced straight into the heart of the entire Faeran formation, spreading crackling lightning to dozens.


    That was definitely just like Nesma¡¯s chain lightning.


    A sudden quaking threatened to take them off their feet.


    ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± the machine man grunted. ¡°We¡¯ve got incoming.¡±


    She gazed up to Shalindren.


    The angry hive had enough of being kicked.


    Thousands of wings filled the sky with a deep, droning dread.


    They swarmed out from three different places.


    Slithering like snakes, the dark columns were thick enough to shade those fighting on ground from the sun.


    The swarms split in five directions.


    She could do nothing for the other four.


    That wasn¡¯t the end of the nightmare rapidly approaching them all.


    Skittering legs crawled out of the holes pockmarking Shalindren¡¯s otherwise smooth, sand-colored walls.


    True insects.


    Stinging scorpions and wasps.


    Flesh-tearing scarabs and beetles.


    There were normal ones.


    And there were those twisted by the Faeran¡¯s magic or brought from other worlds.


    Those grew up to sizes large enough cut a man in half with one snip of its massive claws or to carry a man away into the night sky.


    ¡°How will you take care of this?¡± she thrust a finger at the machine man.


    His leader had said that the overwhelming numbers wouldn¡¯t be a big issues and had failed to elaborate when she had pressed him.


    For a moment, she regretted not being more forceful as the hordes bore down on them.


    Until they suddenly weren¡¯t.


    She blinked.


    The insect hordes exploded.


    Pulped into the hard stone walls of Shalindren or into the desert sands.


    It was as though a million giant boots had just stepped on all of them.


    Oh, a few remained, partially crushed, lucky enough to avoid being splattered entirely or large and powerful enough to survive.


    As for the Faeran?


    Most of the flying ones plummeted to the ground as though their wings had been plucked by a sadistic child.


    ¡°Y¡¯all wanted a leveling opportunity. You got it. It¡¯s still the fight of your lives, but it ain¡¯t no stomp anymore. And it ought to empty that damn place out of all but the queen¡¯s guards, so that we can do what really matters,¡± the machine man said.


    ¡°Save the people,¡± she nodded.


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    Her jaw firmed.


    She raised a hand and swept her arm across.


    A mighty wind blew the Faeran out of formation.


    Human warriors roared up the ramp, while her family pressed from above.


    She turned with the machine man to face the Faeran marching out of the entrance.

 8.35

    Colin Collins strafed .50 cal machine guns across the ramp, shredding Faeran before they could reach his dad and that intense woman.


    The flying wing was handling like a breeze.


    He had been worried about all the sand and particulate matter doing a number on the miniature jet engine, but his upgrades to the filtration system were working like a dream.


    So was the swivel turret set into the bottom of the wing.


    Now, he could get them coming and going.


    Problem was the ammo.


    He was running low even with his extra ammo Skill and his Hammerspace Magazine Skill.


    It was a strange thing.


    He had no idea why he had been drawn to the Emerald Bomber¡¯s flying wing on that terrible night over a decade ago.


    Barely knew the woman.


    They fought on the same side.


    She died.


    He lived.


    Was it their shared loved of invention? Of building things with their hands?


    Probably¡­ even though they had very different interests.


    She had her wing, while he had his dad.


    Except, his dad pushed him to find a different path, something wholly his own.


    The broken wing.


    A sacrifice for freedom.


    That seemed like a right path to him.


    Strong will became truth as it often did with the spires.


    Fixating on the wing sparked his imagination and changed his class.


    He became the ¡®Emerald Raptor¡¯ in honor of the woman and the last, most advanced fighter jet in the world.


    Now, he was a front line fighter, while occasionally providing tech support for his dad.


    The advanced technology from another world that Cal had shared made Colin¡¯s dad practically self-sufficient.


    Better material¡­ Threnium might as well have been magic. Stronger and lighter than anything on Earth and it wasn¡¯t even close. It was even self-healing, like it was alive or something. Super science ridiculousness had been always been a guilty pleasure for the younger Colin, for as much as it sparked his imagination it made the engineer in him cringe.


    Better power sources¡­ enough to keep his dad operating at peak output for weeks rather then hours. Easy, wireless and solar recharging capability. Hell, kinetic motion charged it. All in a unit that fit in the palm of a hand.


    Better weapons.


    Better defensive systems.


    Automatic repair systems.


    The fact that a lot of that involved nanobots gave him a bit of a pause, but the shit had been working fine for, like, tens of thousands of years for the Threnosh and they never had any gray goo issues.


    So, he figured he¡¯d go with the super science aliens on this one.


    The HUD beeped red, pointing urgent red arrows in multiple directions.


    He shifted his weight, cutting power to the engine for a split-second with a cybernetic thought to bank into a steep dive.


    Micro-thrusters fired automatically to keep the wing stable.


    Burrowing darts zipped just past him.


    One struck his armored arm.


    The disgusting thing spun and wriggled trying to eat through.


    ¡°Threnium, bitch,¡± he muttered, slapping the worm round off.


    The acid-like substance barely affected the surface and the only the saw-like teeth left were superficial scratches in the purple paint job.


    He flipped into a roll, giving the turret a clear shot.


    .50 cal bullets raked across the pursuing Faeran, dropping several and forcing the rest to peel off.


    Too bad Cal hadn¡¯t grounded all of them, but that was just being greedy.


    He looped into a steep dive.


    The V.I. in his helmet was warning him about incoming trouble for some of the mercs fighting in the northwest quadrant.


    The men and women were locked in battle on the ground with Faeran soldiers and one terrifying scorpion the size of a bull.


    They didn¡¯t see the swarm of Faeran and insects swooping down with the sun at their back.


    ¡°Visual targeting on,¡± he said.


    His eyes darted to each Faeran.


    ¡°Seeker micro-missiles. Fire!¡±


    They streaked from his wing, trailing white smoke.


    ¡°Incendiary micro-missiles. Fire!¡±


    The first volley struck home before the second was a quarter of the way to target.


    Every single Faeran he targeted went down with a gaping wound in their chitin-armored chest.


    The second volley consumed the wasps and scarabs.


    He banked and strafed the thickest portion of the ground-bound Faeran.


    Every third round was a tracer.


    Every fifth round was white phosphorus.


    War crimes?


    Technically, that was only for humans, right?


    Faeran didn¡¯t count, especially since they laid their eggs in living people.


    Fuck em, he thought.


    The giant scorpion had some tough chitin.


    He had to circle strafe it with his turret mounted .50 cal until he managed to blow enough of its legs off for the mercs to finish it.


    A few of them raised their weapons in salute as he streaked back into the sky and headed for the next trouble spot.


    He was running low on his preferred weapons. He still had magitech spell modules, but the range on those things weren¡¯t nearly as good as the old-fashioned combustion based ammunition. He did have a couple of Threnosh weapons, but those were his most powerful ones and he needed to keep them reserved for the worst case scenario.


    <hr>


    Up close the outer surface of Shalindren was a tryptophobic nightmare.


    Spiraling holes within spiraling holes everywhere he looked.


    They ranged in size from massive for the Faeran and the giant-sized insects to tiny for the regular-sized insects.


    He sped up, aiming for a non-holed section of the flat roof that spread out over a thousand meters in every direction.


    Magically-strengthened sandstone melted with a look.


    He plunged through a thick section of ceiling, emerging into a chamber the size of a warehouse.


    ¡°God. Damn. It. Every time!¡±


    Always with the nightmare fuel bullshit.


    Racks of people ensconced in a substance that was similar to crystallized honey. It kept them immobile and imprisoned while keeping them alive by feeding nutrients through their skin. It¡¯d be great stuff if one put aside the other side of the equation.


    Why were the people being kept alive?


    The answer was in the small eggs implanted inside their abdomens.


    Eron heard the embryos? Fetuses¡ª he had no idea what to call the things¡ª scratching on the inside of the soft, flexible shells.


    Time was running out for some of the people.


    Prison chamber 1. Setting beacon 1. Two minute time limit. Moving to next¡ª


    Faeran guards buzzed inside.


    They were quick.


    He¡¯d only been inside for a second.


    His eyes flared.


    Solar heat burned them to ash even quicker.


    He burned and punched his way through the massive hive dungeon.


    It was more spacious than he had expected.


    Huge chambers were connected by twisting corridors pockmarked with many different-sized holes leading to other corridors.


    It would¡¯ve slowed him down trying to orient himself toward the sounds of human heartbeats had his brother not seared the entire layout into his brain.


    Straight up, straight down and every conceivable angle.


    The place was truly made for those with flight or the ability to move on vertical surfaces.


    The rare horizontally-oriented corridors were there only for the humans to challenge.


    Idiots.


    How many of those that failed and never emerged had served as incubators?


    He should¡¯ve tried to destroy the place years ago regardless of what the spires¡¯ rules had said.


    The Faeran and their insects were too slow to stop him.


    The few that managed to even get close burned from the sun¡¯s heat.


    It took seconds for him to reach each prison chamber and set a beacon, slowing only long enough to burn the guards to ash and to update his brother on the state of the prisoners.


    Prison chamber 395. Two hour limit. Moving to the next chamber.


    Prison Chamber 500 was a special one.


    It was near the center of the above ground portion of Shalindren.


    Faeran presence was stronger and prepared.


    Amber-colored magic shields barred his way.


    Soldiers stood ready.


    Countless insects skittered in countless spiraling tunnels all converging on him.


    He didn¡¯t have time from the urgent scratching sounds coming from inside the people all over the rest of Shalindren.


    A second sun burst into life deep inside Shalindren.


    When the light faded an enormous void within the magically-strengthened sandstone had been created.


    Eron floated in the center of an empty sphere.


    Charred and melted stone surround him.


    Nothing remained of the Faeran and their insects.


    He flew through the remains of the chamber¡¯s once artfully sculpted door.


    There was only one prisoner.


    An enormous man stood suspended in a massive ball of the crystallized honey-like substance. His face was hidden behind the glistening mask and tube that extended into the high ceiling. It reminded Eron of a stretched out intestine.


    The poor bastard had to weigh over five hundred pounds. He looked fat and flabby.


    There was no way he had been like that before his capture.


    Eron couldn¡¯t remember seeing a single morbidly obese person over the last twenty years. It wasn¡¯t conducive to survival in a world with monsters.


    The Faeran had to have fattened him up for their most precious children.


    Prison Chamber 500. Thirty second limit.


    Don¡¯t move. I¡¯m piggybacking off your brain. I won¡¯t be able to punch through the magical protections in time otherwise.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Pain stabbed into his brain.


    Unlike anything he had experienced in that last five years or so.


    Needles stabbed all over.


    An ice-cream headache turned up by a factor of a thousand.


    The last time something had hurt even remotely close was when that weird alien woman that kept going on about how she was ¡®atomic¡¯ had wiggled her claws around in his stomach.


    He had sent her crawling back into the spire she had emerged from.


    Done.


    Thank fucking Jesus! Is that it? This dude going to be okay?


    I turned the royal embryos into a million pieces of protein for his body to absorb. He might get a special Skill or even class out of the whole experience.


    Not worth. Heading to next chamber.


    A thousand and one chambers.


    Each, except for this one, meant to hold a thousand human-sized incubators.


    A thousand beacons.


    The peoples¡¯ last hope.


    <hr>


    Shalindren was much larger than the humans had ever suspected.


    The mega structure visible on the surface was only about half of its total volume.


    In twelve years the Faeran had dug deep to spread their hive in an effort to prepare for the day when they no longer had to pretend to be simple custodians of the encounter challenge.


    The spires¡¯ rules restricted them, forcing them to serve as playthings in exchange for easy, cheap passage to a new world and prime position to strike when the rules were lifted.


    Mr. Cruces had told them that this was a common story among the sapient peoples that had arrived on Earth prior to the Terminus Decree.


    Willy glanced at the monster eye orbiting him.


    It was a little larger than a baseball and it still had an eye-lid, which he hadn¡¯t noticed from a distance.


    The creepy thing blinked at him, regarding him with that purple tri-pupil.


    Jennylyn had an identical eye watching over her.


    The magus had assigned the eyes to provide extra protection just for the two young wizards.


    It sucked cause he was just there to be a mana battery and backup for Jennylyn.


    Which was bullshit!


    Rand would give him shit if that¡¯s all he did.


    The former had talked about his epic fight with the demon-corrupted priests beneath the Vatican for months.


    Rupert fought in an actual war against eidolons and cowtaurs.


    On top of that, he was ¡®Wet¡¯ from now until forever.


    The codename sucked on multiple levels.


    Its origin was lame and he specialized in fire and explosive spells.


    He itched to answer the anger swelling inside him with a fireball at the Faeran and their swarming insects.


    The air was thick with dust and sand.


    Perfect for a huge chain reaction of exploding fire.


    Mr. Cruces or the magus could¡¯ve shielded them all even if they were in the heart of a firestorm.


    Hell, someone was keeping them safe from the oven-hot winds and scouring sands as they flew down to the gaping hole in the hive dungeon¡¯s flat, pockmarked roof.


    He shuddered.


    ¡°So many holes¡­¡± he whispered in horror.


    They had been briefed, but it hadn¡¯t prepared him to see it up close.


    The holes had holes, which had more holes.


    Small groups of Faeran buzzed past them, sometimes close enough to stab, yet ignored them as if they weren¡¯t there.


    Swarms of insects, giant and small, weaved around them or split like a school of fish avoiding a hunting shark only to come together once they flew around them.


    They entered the hole.


    Stone glowed hot and dripped like molten lava.


    Was that possible?


    They descended faster, dropping like said stone.


    It was weird because the sensation of his stomach shooting up his body was absent.


    He might as well have been standing still.


    Stone parted before them like water.


    The didn¡¯t stop until they hit the ground floor.


    Mr. Cruces seemed distracted.


    ¡°Forty-five meters that way.¡± He pointed to an ominous tunnel large enough to drive five trucks abreast into.


    The glowing gems the Faeran used for light were too dim to reach more than a few dozen paces past the entrance.


    Like staring into the mouth of a giant worm monster.


    ¡°Don¡¯t freelance. You wander off in search of treasure and you¡¯re on your own. This place might be emptying out of most of the Faeran and the beasts in their control, but there are still monsters. They¡¯re confined to their areas, but the Faeran do have the capability to open those doors and lift the restrictions on wandering. That also doesn¡¯t account for all the holes we¡¯re making.¡±


    Mr. Cruces spoke to the almost five hundred mercenaries.


    His eyes stared straight ahead, like he wasn¡¯t paying attention at what was in front of him.


    It was a little creepy.


    ¡°Wet!¡±


    ¡°Sir!¡± Willy jumped.


    ¡°Stay focused on your responsibilities.¡±


    It was like Mr. Cruces knew what he was thinking.


    Yup¡­ Mr. Cruces must¡¯ve seen it in his face.


    ¡°I will!¡±


    ¡°Good. We¡¯re counting on you. Ten thousand people are counting on you.¡±


    No pressure.


    He swallowed, mouth suddenly gone dry as he nodded.


    ¡°Magus.¡± Mr. Cruces turned away. ¡°You know what to do. Don¡¯t wait for my go ahead.¡±


    With that the stone beneath Mr. Cruces opened up and swallowed him, closing an instant later.


    Willy prodded it with his boot.


    The stone was as smooth as it had always been.


    It was seamless.


    ¡°How does he do that?¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Magus?¡± The mercenary captain strode over briskly. ¡°One of those eyes of yours can see in the dark? See traps? Normal? Magical?¡±


    ¡°The way forward has been scouted. The traps have been destroyed.¡±


    ¡°Neat trick?¡±


    The magus¡¯ expression was like a stone sculpture.


    She gave nothing away.


    ¡°Alright, my guys will take point and rearguard. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we get out of this hell,¡± the captain grunted.


    His expression didn¡¯t betray anything, unlike a large number of his fighters.


    Willy remembered watching many of them grow sick when Mr. Cruces had told them why the Faeran took people and what was the likely fate of their old comrades. The ones that they had left behind in the hive dungeon over the years.


    They forged ahead into the dimly-lit tunnel.


    He fought the urge to shrink into himself.


    The other guys were all walking straight and tall or stalking confidently like tigers in the jungle of the night.


    Two built dudes even hairier than Howard walked at the front, just behind the last mercenaries.


    They had looked weird with their over-sized chest and back plates when he had first seen them at the staging area.


    They had looked like kids wearing their dads¡¯ armor.


    Now, the armor fit perfectly.


    Weird that they kept their arms and head bare though.


    Howard was just behind them with a big-ass gun resting on his shoulder.


    Dark gray Threnium armor blended in well with the shadows.


    Willy and Jennylyn walked close to the magus.


    All three were surrounded by the magus¡¯ fighters.


    More family than mercenary band from what he had observed of their interactions over the last two days.


    Each one was armed and armored with gear made out of monster parts.


    Willy pulled his cowboy wizard hat off to wipe his brow and run a hand through his hair.


    ¡°It¡¯s kind of hot,¡± he said.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t going to say anything,¡± Jennylyn said.


    ¡°It¡¯s freezing in here even without comparing it to outside.¡±


    He glanced back at the voice.


    The third member of the guys Mr. Cruces had brought late to the Quest.


    Tall and lean with a scent of power behind those startling blue eyes that sometimes gave off a glow.


    Willy was tempted to cast an appraisal spell, but that would¡¯ve been a waste of mana and he, they, were going to need every last drop.


    The tunnel seemed much longer than it truly was.


    Mercs rushed out into the chamber, clearing it with efficiency and haste.


    Empty, just like they had planned.


    The cavern was empty with only a few dozen tunnels of varying sizes connecting it to the rest of the hive dungeon. Crucially, and the reason they had picked it, was the fact that there were no holes on the ceiling and floor.


    ¡°Proceed, Lynjenny,¡± the magus said.


    Even that stupid codename was better than his.


    Willy followed his fellow wizard, feeling shame for being a glorified battery.


    He¡¯d much rather be like one of the others getting ready to defend the place for when the Faeran realized what they were doing and for when the monsters were attracted to the immense magical energy.


    ¡°I want mines in those tunnels!¡± the captain barked, pointing at the largest. ¡°Sentry guns there! There! There! And there! Machine gun nests! Mortars!¡±


    ¡°Gonna get really loud in here. Good thing there¡¯s plenty of tunnels to spread the noise,¡± Howard grunted.


    Willy jumped.


    He hadn¡¯t noticed the stocky, muscular man walk up to him.


    ¡°Good airflow too. Should keep the smoke moving out and bringing in the oxygen. That¡¯s the thing about fighting underground that noobs need to learn. Booms and flames can get more dangerous down here. To everyone.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± He nodded stiffly. ¡°There were lessons. I passed.¡±


    ¡°Good to know. Just a friendly reminder. Studying¡¯s good, but you never know how you¡¯re gonna do when you¡¯ve got to do it for real.¡±


    ¡°We practiced for hundreds of subjective hours.¡± He scowled, thankful that his darkened faceplate partially-concealed his expression. ¡°I know this place. I¡¯ve stood here dozens of times.¡±


    ¡°Point taken. Just stick to your role. Everyone¡¯ll stick to theirs.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for the veteran advice.¡±


    Howard grunted before resuming his walk just beyond the circle that Jennylyn had burned into the stone to mark the safe minimum distance.


    Jennylyn finished the preparations for the spell when urgent voices cried out.


    ¡°Movement!¡±


    ¡°Movement!¡±


    ¡°Movement!¡±


    The call went out from the mercs.


    Several of them.


    From seemingly every direction.


    He flinched.


    ¡°Come, young one,¡± the magus laid a comforting hand on his arm. ¡°They will protect us while we do our part.¡±


    Jennylynn took a deep breath before levitating her spellbook up to her hands.


    The pages blurred until she reached the spell.


    She began to cast as he prepared to give her his mana alongside the magus and a small group of mage-types pulled from the local area.


    The booming explosions and the sharp retorts of gun fire were dulled by his helmet.


    Focus on his responsibility?


    Sure¡­ how hard could it be to stand with his back to a fight while doing nothing except for feeding mana into the spell?


    Extremely, he discovered.


    <hr>


    Cal¡¯s mind stretched to a thousand different directions across miles of three dimensional physical space.


    He pulled the wings from a Faeran that Colin, Emerald Raptor, didn¡¯t notice diving from directly above.


    It plummeted like a stone, eating a face full of jet engine burn on the way down.


    He gathered a hundred thousand biting scarabs into a tight mass for Colin¡¯s father to blow away with a ball of lightning.


    In a thousand different places and ways he helped his allies while hindering his enemies.


    Faeran shots of living ammunition suddenly went astray when they were mere inches away from hitting their targets.


    Bullets, arrows and bolts that should¡¯ve missed, suddenly swerved into their targets.


    All the while, Eron¡¯s reports grew more urgent.


    Prisoner chamber 693. Two days¡­


    Prisoner chamber 716. Fourteen minutes¡­


    Prisoner chamber 771. Thirty seconds¡­


    Prisoner cha¡ª


    That one needed Cal¡¯s immediate attention.


    The regular chambers weren¡¯t as protected as the royal one.


    He reached through thick stone and earth, hundreds of meters to destroy the Faeran eggs within the peoples¡¯ abdomens before they could be born. Ripping them into pieces small enough for the body to simply absorb and expel.


    They were very lucky that the Faeran embryos didn¡¯t have any toxic effects.


    He descend through stone, parting it like water. He cut an angle, heading straight for the Faeran Queen¡¯s real chamber.


    The closer he got the more he reined his many thoughts back to him.


    Those fighting outside Shalindren lost his secret aid.


    Those fighting inside would have it for a bit longer.


    Those imprisoned in the honey-like cocoons would never lose it.


    He hit a magic shield.


    It hit him back with the exact same force.


    ¡°Fuck!¡±


    In his haste he hadn¡¯t stolen the particulars of the shield from the Faeran.


    He took a moment to reach out to the closest Faeran and was most displeased to learn that it didn¡¯t know. The only thing that it and others knew was that it was the strongest magic shield in the hive.


    It appeared that only the queen and maybe the Faeran closest to her knew.


    He floated in the small void deep underground, staring at the amber-colored shield. It was made of interlocking hexagons, like a honeycomb, but was a much deeper and richer color than the standard shields.


    He reached behind the shield with his thoughts.


    It was muddled, like viewing something through frosted shower glass covered in foaming cleaner while a hot shower had been allowed to run for hours filling the entire bathroom with thick steam.


    He could touch the queen and the other Faeran, but couldn¡¯t hold on to their thoughts long enough to grab any useful information before they slipped free, forcing him to try again.


    He tried over a hundred times in the span of a single breath before giving it up as useless.


    On the plus side the shield didn¡¯t seem to hinder his telekinesis much.


    He traced the shield¡¯s magical energy signature to the sources.


    One hundred magical gems the size of large trucks were arranged in a precise geometrical pattern surrounding the queen¡¯s chamber.


    He shifted each one in a random direction.


    The amber shield fuzzed, wavering like static on an ancient TV screen.


    He pushed with a thought. An invisible hand pressing with slowly increasing force.


    At just under forty tons of pressure it shattered with the sound of breaking glass.


    He dropped through, parting stone and earth until he breached the top of the queen¡¯s inner chamber


    The space was larger than an old sports stadium.


    Glowing gems set into the rounded outer walls and in scattered pillars provided dim light.


    The entire space had been carved out of hard stone and densely packed earth.


    The Faeran had dug deep to get under the softer upper layer of sand that made the Sahara Desert what it was.


    The spires had helped too by pulling stone from deep underground to create Shalindren. In the process they had hardened the ground to provide a foundation stronger than sand.


    The air felt heavier.


    He could feel the thrum as the earth grounded against itself and shifted expanding and contracting like a breathing chest.


    ¡°Queen Zhax¡¯hess¡¯sesha!¡± he called out. ¡°I see the spire.¡± He glanced at the shimmering thing rising through the center of the chamber. ¡°Call your people back. Leave my world with your lives.¡±


    Now that the shield was gone he stole her answer before she could think to voice it.


    There was no leaving.


    The spires wouldn¡¯t allow it.


    The queen couldn¡¯t leave Earth.


    She couldn¡¯t leave Shalindren until she reached a specific threshold of controlled territory.


    The rule didn¡¯t apply to the rest of the Faeran.


    They¡¯d die before abandoning her.


    Each one was an extension of her existence.


    They were nothing without her.


    It was hardwired into them.


    A drawback to a species based around a hive mind.


    They struck from every direction.


    Living ammunition and scintillating spells showered him with death.

 8.36

    Death exploded on an empty patch of floor.


    Cal wasn¡¯t where he made them think he was.


    He stood in their midst, studying the Faeran queen.


    Her skin was pale, almost as white as fresh snow. The symmetry on her disturbingly human-like face was perfect. She reminded him of Ms. Teacher and the Vitiator with her knife-like ears. The differences pushed her into the realm of the alien.


    In addition to her striking human-like eyes, a pair of segmented eyes, like an insect¡¯s, sat on her forehead. In lieu of hair, she had thin, filament-like strands that seemed to move of their own accord while pulsing with an inner glow from base to tip. A pair of long, delicate-looking antenna stood above the mass of strands like towers over a sea of grass.


    Her mouth was frozen in a snarl, revealing sharp teeth. It would¡¯ve looked just like a human¡¯s had it not been for the mandibles at each corner. If she opened wide she could engulf his entire face.


    The queen wore beautiful chitin armor covered with spiraling patterns that appeared to be grown naturally rather than sculpted by an intelligent hand. Aside from her head it covered her completely. Unlike the Faeran soldiers and workers, the armor wasn¡¯t a part of her.


    The anatomy of her legs was just like the rest of the Faeran. They resembled a grasshopper¡¯s. Digitigrade to give her greater running speed than a human and the ability to leap great distances.


    She had four buzzing wings on her back, like the others. Two large ones emerging from behind her shoulders and two smaller ones emerging closer to the small of her back. Both sets were protected by strong, thin carapaces that covered them like a sheath when not in use.


    The queen was tall, between a soldier and a worker.


    Cal floated about two feet off the ground so that they¡¯d be eye to eye.


    With a simple thought he sped up her perceptions.


    Human-like eyes widened.


    The queen¡¯s gaze darted around her to her royal guard.


    They were frozen, firing their organic weapons and casting spells at an empty space.


    Streams of worm-like living ammunition sat frozen in midair alongside a dazzling array of deadly spells.


    ¡°You know that I do this sometimes just to look at all the pretty lights,¡± Cal said mildly. ¡°Better than a fireworks show.¡±


    The queen tried to snap a hand to his face.


    He forced it down with a thought and seized it before she could cast the spell.


    ¡°I meant it. I¡¯ll allow your people to leave.¡± He gestured toward the spire.


    ¡°Impossible. Release me.¡±


    The Faeran Queen¡¯s voice vibrated with command.


    ¡°Won¡¯t work. I¡¯m not one of your subjects and I¡¯m too strong.¡±


    ¡°An alliance. Cease your attack. We will war on your enemies.¡±


    She spoke as one unused to verbal communication.


    Her tongue looked longer than a human¡¯s and it tapered to a narrow point, which concealed a venomous stinger.


    He found irony in the knowledge that the Bat People, who appeared monstrous while communicating in clicks and high-pitched sounds, were infinitely more reasonable than the Faeran, who appeared with an alien sort of beauty and could speak like he did.


    Their respective methods of reproduction was what made coexistence possible with only one of the species.


    ¡°No. There is only a bargain. Now, make your choice. Save your hive or watch it be destroyed.¡±


    The queen snarled. Her wide open mouth instantly pushed her appearance from alien beauty into alien horror. Her wings buzzed, straining against his invisible grasp. Her limbs, though immensely powerful, likewise failed her. The magic in her thoughts remained locked behind a seamless container.


    ¡°I can¡¯t just kill you because that will drive many into a maddened rage. They¡¯re too young to take your place.¡± He nodded toward a circular stone door adorned with a rich history carved into the surface by a master artisan.


    She froze.


    All struggle ceased.


    ¡°Yes, I know about them. The royal girls. Each one a potential queen to replace you or to spread out to the world to start their own hives. I also know about the royal boys.¡± He gestured to a second stone door on the opposite side of the cavernous chamber. ¡°You know, I was a little surprised to learn that you guys didn¡¯t eat the ones that couldn¡¯t cut it or weren¡¯t necessary.¡±


    ¡°We do not waste,¡± she said.


    He had insulted the queen, as intended.


    ¡°Right, the royal strain is the only one that is capable of gaining caster-type classes. And they help with the hive mind. Take the strain off of you, like middle management, only actually useful. Plus they¡¯re just plain stronger than all the other castes. The strongest soldier is no better than a middling royal.¡±


    ¡°You know much.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. They won¡¯t leave unless you command them to. So, what¡¯ll it be? Certain death? Or a chance at continued existence? For them, not you.¡±


    ¡°I am the hive. The hive is me.¡±


    ¡°The hive can live on with a new queen.¡±


    ¡°There will be war until one seizes triumph.¡± She gazed at the stone door hiding the girls with sadness.


    Time passed in silence as the worm-like ammunition and destructive spells hung in midair.


    Long minutes within a second.


    The Faeran Queen, Zhax¡¯hess¡¯sesha, gave the only answer she was capable of giving.


    ¡°Shalindren will not surrender to meat.¡±


    ¡°Then all of you will die.¡±


    ¡°Foolish. You have revealed. You fear our death. You fear our madness. No aberrations. Only true Faeran. Slay me. Doom other meat within. Doom other meat without.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you got me.¡± He held his arms out wide. ¡°I can¡¯t kill you first. But what about your precious royal heirs?¡± He slowly turned his head toward the chamber hiding the royal girls. ¡°What¡¯s more precious to the hive than the queen? A potential one.¡±


    He released the seamless container around her mind, giving her back her magic and more importantly her connection to the full hive mind.


    She reacted instantaneously, calling most of the Faeran to her side in order to protect the young royals. Few would remain outside the hive. Just enough to keep his allied forces occupied, slowing their advance.


    The plan was working as intended.


    All he had to do was keep their attention on him while the others got the captives out.


    It was easier said than done since he had to split his focus.


    The fight in front of him was just as important as listening to Eron and continuing the process of killing the Faeran eggs before they hatched inside the captives.


    He made himself a visible target, floating slowly to the center of the cavernous chamber.


    Hundreds of Faeran became thousands with no signs of slowing.


    Hungry bullets and devastating spells splashed against his telekinetic shield.


    A glance cut the organic tubes feeding ammunition from the Faeran¡¯s body to the organic gun.


    It must¡¯ve been convenient to be able to carry and grow the ammunition inside themselves.


    Wriggling, finger-size worms splashed to the stone floor within the gooey ichor.


    He probed the unified hive mind and found it too strong defensively to simply destroy in one go. He¡¯d have to take it apart piece by piece like eating an elephant, if that had been the goal.


    Faeran assassins hiding inside the shadows emerged to plunged their blade limbs into his.


    Penetration Skills bounced off the telekinetic shield lining his body. When those failed, so too did poison and bleeder Skills.


    He pulled the dozen or so assassins from their hiding places and mashed them into a disgusting ball of crushed chitin and ichor that he hurled at a firing line down below.


    A towering soldier pulled the improvised cannon ball to it with a gravity Skill. It had the strength to take the impact and push it aside. It lacked the strength to withstand the invisible hand that pulped it against the stone.


    The same fate befell that entire section of Faeran.


    An assassin emerged from his shadow, cutting and stabbing with its four blade-like limbs. Over twenty strikes in less than a second bounced off his shield.


    The assassin had been high-leveled, he had almost not noticed it coming.


    He pushed it away with a thought, then exploded it from within its dark, chitinous body.


    As for its sharp blade limbs?


    He sent them flying into the swarming Faeran.


    They cut and thrust through multiple bodies before finally breaking.


    A squadron of flying Faeran dived from behind a massive stalactite, dropping a unique bomb.


    A modified soldier caste.


    Its large body swelled with barely contained energy. Beige chitin and dark flesh showed glowing cracks.


    The soldier ripped its own chest open with its fingered hands.


    An explosion spewed liquid hot enough to melt iron.


    He gathered it all into a ball before it reached him and sent it into the center of the flying formation as they banked around for a strafing run.


    The flying Faeran weren¡¯t as durable as the soldiers.


    The liquid melted their thin wings in an instant, sending them plummeting into the ground-bound Faeran still massing on the cavern floor.


    A trio of Faeran flew into what they thought was his blind spot.


    Casters of the royal strain.


    Anthropologists would¡¯ve loved to study the Faeran.


    They had no genders with the exception of the royals, who were distinctly male or female. Only a females could become the queen. Those that lost the right to leave the hive with a small contingent of followers to start her own hive had two options. Death or remain and serve the hive in a lesser capacity. It seemed like an easy choice, but for a Faeran female the desire to become queen was burned into their very beings.


    Thus, male casters outnumbered female casters by a wide margin. On the other hand of the equation female casters were more powerful on average since they still held the remnants of a queen¡¯s potential within.


    Two male casters maintained the glowing platform the third stood on.


    All three had wings, but it seemed that whatever the third was about to cast precluded her from flying under her own.


    Her delicate fingers danced in front of her mouth and chanted words without translation.


    She opened wide and spewed forth a hundred thousand glowing bees.


    Cal pushed his telekinetic shield out, turning it into a bubble.


    The magic bees stabbed stingers into the invisible barrier.


    Each injected venom before exploding.


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    He dived into the summoned swarm, scattering them in his wake.


    The sonic boom thundered painfully in the enclosed space, bursting ear drums and knocking all but the strongest Faeran off their feet.


    He reached the trio of royals in an instant.


    The woman¡¯s magic shield held for just a fraction longer before he shattered it into a million pieces.


    Her scream cut out with the gaping hole in her chest.


    The other two lashed out desperately with spells. One bright and burning. The other dark and hungry.


    Both went wide.


    He slammed the two Faeran together with a thought, pulping them.


    A united hive mind didn¡¯t remove personal fear.


    Cal saw it in their wide eyes and trembling fingers.


    More Faeran poured into the queen¡¯s cavernous chamber.


    Old sports stadiums could fit tens of thousands of screaming fans.


    The chamber was larger still.


    The air swarmed with biting and stinging insects of all sizes.


    Normal wasps and bees that he crushed with a thought.


    Giant versions that he crushed with a thought and used to bludgeon others.


    Flying Faeran strafed him with the worm-like ammunition.


    Ground bound Faeran fired in volleys.


    The air was thick with death.


    He weaved through and let his shield take the occasional hit.


    The coordination the hive mind afforded them was impressive.


    Not a single Faeran had been struck by friendly fire.


    The poor insects weren¡¯t as lucky.


    A flaming skull spell chomped down on a thick swarm of bees after it just missed his legs.


    He cut a wide arc, flying close to the ceiling. There was something he wanted just about to emerge from one of the larger spiraling holes.


    A giant claw snapped out.


    He caught it with his mind and pulled the giant scorpion out. He dived, towing it behind him.


    Faeran blasted his shield to no avail.


    They just didn¡¯t have the individual firepower to penetrate it. Only a massed and sustained barrage would give him pause.


    He used the giant scorpion to bulldoze the Faeran formations, while ripping the blade-like limbs from the bodies to turn into a rolling thresher in front of him.


    Thousands dead in a handful of minutes.


    Yet, the flow of replacements grew stronger.


    The Faeran Queen glared daggers from within the bristling protection of her royal guard and soldiers.


    He winked and threw the half-dead giant scorpion at her at the speed of sound.


    It carved a furrow through the massed Faeran.


    Packed formations were good for concentrating fire, but bad for getting it in return.


    A flaw in their tactical doctrine.


    They should be fighting in the late modern, pre-spires style of warfare, not in the Napoleonic era style of packed, orderly formations.


    That was the mark of a people that had spent most of their time fighting monsters in the hive and not another sapient species with similar weaponry and classes.


    Hell, they should be treating him like a boss monster.


    A thought that he saw dawning within the queen and her royal strategists¡¯ minds.


    Well¡­ he couldn¡¯t have that.


    He had been killing them in the physical world.


    It was time to strike at them in the mental one.


    He kept it simple.


    Psychic knives cut through their rudimentary mental defenses.


    What they had was an instinctive byproduct of the hive mind, not a deliberate power like his.


    He sliced the royal strategists¡¯ minds to ribbons, leaving them brain dead.


    The queen cried out in anguish for she had felt them die in a way that none of the others had ever done before. The strength of her connection was a double-edge sword in this case. She had experienced their deaths as if it had been her own.


    He sympathized for he had as well, but he had experience in dealing with the trauma. It was just a matter of shunting it all into a separate section of his thoughts to be properly processed at a later date.


    The royal strategists fell into boneless heaps.


    Their minds were emptied, no longer connected to the hive.


    They rose as part of a new hive of sorts.


    One with Cal pulling the strings.


    He made their bodies attack the queen as one.


    The royal guard acted swiftly and with perfect coordination, cutting each one down in an instant.


    The queen didn¡¯t move.


    The air shimmered before her.


    She plunged a hand into the tear and pulled out a scepter.


    A gleaming ivory shaft about the length of a man¡¯s arm from shoulder to hand topped by a dazzling gem with each flat face a different color.


    Upon closer inspection, the ivory shaft was bone and the gem was clutched in a six-fingered hand. Like a human¡¯s but much larger and with an extra thumb next to the pinkie.


    Cal dropped to the ground to hide amidst the towering Faeran as soon as he sensed the magic in the gem awaken.


    A thick beam of fire scorched through where he had been flying and drilled into the cavern wall.


    Ten. Fifty. One hundred feet.


    It burned through that much solid stone before stopping.


    Faeran cut, thrust and bludgeoned at him with weapon-like arms of varying sizes and lengths.


    Soldiers and workers had the equivalents to human melee weapons grown into their extra pair of arms.


    ¡°For Sran¡¯sesha!¡± a champion soldier¡¯s taunt was easily ignored in favor of punching the head off the royal caster it was trying to protect.


    The champion hissed, firing an accurate burst.


    Cal sent the wriggling worms into the Faeran behind him.


    No luck.


    They didn¡¯t bite their own.


    The worms simply flopped to the ground upon impact.


    He danced through the thick press, answering each strike on his shield with one of his own.


    They did nothing to him, while he killed with each touch.


    The champion discarded its living gun and drew a gleaming blade, curved like its limbs.


    The blade radiated magic power.


    It blurred with a Skill.


    The blade clanged off his shielded arm.


    ¡°Interesting.¡±


    It had eaten a minuscule fraction out of his telekinetic shield.


    Sure, he regenerated it easily, but prolonged contact wasn¡¯t desirable.


    The champion used another Skill to stab seven times with one thrust of its spear-like limb.


    He countered by ripping its legs out from under it and stealing its magic sword.


    It really wasn¡¯t fair to kill the champion with its most prized possession.


    He hefted the headless corpse and used it as a battering ram to bowl through the Faeran formation.


    A useful and effective tactic, so he repeated it with hundreds of their dead.


    The queen raised her scepter again.


    This time a blue-white cone swept across her own people.


    It pained her, but she deemed the sacrifice acceptable to bring down the greatest challenge her hive had ever faced. Indeed, she used a portion of the hive mind¡¯s processing power to search archived memories for a similar opponent in the past. It was a desperate search for a solution with time dwindling for she was certain that the meat was toying with her.


    The cold froze Faeran by the hundreds. Frozen fluids burst from their bodies.


    It washed over Cal, freezing around his telekinetic shield and encasing him in his own ice sphere.


    He parted the stone beneath his boots and dropped down, moving through like a fish in the sea.


    The momentary pause in his fight would give him time to extend his attention back to the others and check in with their progress.


    <hr>


    Howard emptied his SAW within a couple of minutes.


    And that was with a backpack and a bag of holding full of drums.


    Ammo always went quicker than expected. Even for someone that knew his way around a firefight. Granted he was much stronger than he had been in his long gone soldier days. He could spray from the hip and hit with more accuracy than a prayer.


    Insect-based monsters piled up high in front of him.


    Threnium armor completed that terminator feeling.


    All the shot spines and burning spit couldn¡¯t get through.


    The bruises were already healing.


    The mercs didn¡¯t fare as well.


    Old ceramic plates, iron or steel didn¡¯t hold up like Threnium.


    He kinda felt bad for them.


    Bunch of graybeards and grayhairs.


    Men and women on a thirty year deployment.


    The ones that survived this to hitch a ride back to the old country weren¡¯t going to find the same home they had left.


    Couldn¡¯t have been more than a few dozen American soldiers left.


    Most of the company looked to be made up of locals and from the resemblances in some of the younger members, some of the soldiers had gone native.


    Maybe he¡¯d put in a word, old solider to old soldier. Pump the boss up. For his points there was no better way to live in the post-spires world than with the boss. Especially, if you had kids and shit.


    Old America would just see the darker face of your halfie and send them straight to the head of the line for that eidolon experiment. Sure, she¡¯d have a ten percent chance of gaining animal powers, but it was the other ninety that you had to pay attention to. Death was the better outcome, if one could believe it. He didn¡¯t have any kids¡­ that he knew of¡­ but there was no way he¡¯d let them get turned into abominations.


    A deformed grasshopper-looking thing pounced on him.


    Huge, powerful, all spiny chitin, cutting claws and gnashing mandible.


    He jammed the barrel of his SAW into its mouth.


    The shit was useless anyway, glowing red hot from putting a few thousand rounds through it, stopping only long enough to reload.


    Sizzle and pop.


    The monster didn¡¯t seem to like it from the way it tried to pull away.


    He tripped it with a kick and pressed an armored boot in its thin chest, continuing to feed it hot steel.


    ¡°How¡¯s it smell?¡±


    A couple of young mercs fired from inside their nearby foxhole.


    A few of the old soldiers had a handy Skill.


    Nearly instant foxholes regardless of the terrain, which in this case was shit-hard stone.


    Combine that with one that was an earth mage who could shape terrain with his magic and you had a pretty good fortification from which to pour fire into the horde of random monsters coming out of the spiraling tunnels.


    ¡°Like shit!¡± A girl that looked way too young to be handling the same kind of SAW as him spat.


    Sure she had it on a bipod and had a young man feeding the ammo belt, but it was still fucked.


    Kids her age should¡¯ve been like the boss¡¯ kid and his annoying little friends.


    Learning to fight and shit, while still having kid fun, like sneaking beers and making out where you thought no one could see you.


    ¡°Damn.¡± He stomped until the monster¡¯s chest was pulp. ¡°Had some fried grasshoppers once in Thailand, tasted pretty damn good.¡±


    ¡°Incoming!¡± the girl¡¯s feeder screamed.


    Shit!


    Howard had made sure to quiz the mercs in his area to get a good idea on their capabilities.


    The young man had a Danger Sense Skill.


    A large tunnel loomed about fifty yards away.


    He switched his helmet to thermal.


    The HUD lit up with a bright spot that kept getting brighter.


    Rising temperature readings meant that it was going to be a close thing.


    Shit¡­ he could heal, the kids couldn¡¯t.


    A huge glob of burning liquid erupted out of the huge monster beetle¡¯s asshole.


    Howard leapt like a jungle cat, grabbed the backs of the kids¡¯ plate carriers and hurled them out of their foxhole back toward the second line of defense.


    The glob splashed over him and the foxhole.


    Impressive accuracy for a butthole-launched attack.


    His HUD flashed red, blaring temperature warnings.


    Monsters swarmed out of the tunnel, taking advantage of the momentary lull in fire.


    Burning gunk clung to his armor like slime.


    ¡°Waste not, want not,¡± he muttered.


    The boss had talked to him before about taking unnecessary risks.


    This seemed necessary.


    Someone had to stem the tide lest they breach the first defensive line.


    He used the helmet¡¯s speaker to make sure the mercs could hear him over the cacophony of battle.


    ¡°I¡¯m going in! You fuckers better not danger close my ass!¡±


    He roared, plunging into the swarm.


    Fists and feet flew, though he let the burning slime do most of the work.


    He laughed like a wild man.


    The boss¡¯ brother wasn¡¯t the only one that could go around melting shit like he was the heart of a forge.


    Now¡­ how far was it to that flame-sharting monster beetle?


    ¡°Crazy motherfucker,¡± Malachi muttered.


    He focused his power.


    The blue came from his eyes.


    He had to gather it in his hands or it¡¯d spread wildly, going wherever it felt like and that would be bad.


    Last thing he wanted to do was put friendly fire into the backs of the mercs.


    He stood in an elevated position.


    A ten-foot tall mound of raised stone and earth with a short wall that he could duck behind on occasion to avoid incoming monster fire.


    Spines stood out of said wall and mound like a porcupine, while acid-like goo sizzled as it slowly ate away it.


    The fire goo was a new thing.


    Hats off to the wild man for going to take care of that particular monster.


    Malachi wasn¡¯t alone.


    The handful of snipers with him tried to take out key threats.


    He could snipe too, but he had a different job for this Quest and he wanted to impress.


    Redemption and opportunity.


    Or was redemption the opportunity?


    He hadn¡¯t found out about the fishmen using unwilling women to breed until much later when he was in to deep to leave or at least that was what he had told himself at the time.


    The Sactown people he had fought for years didn¡¯t see it that way and he couldn¡¯t blame them, not if he was being honest.


    So, if it took stupid dangerous Quests to earn the chance at a better life, then he was going to do whatever they asked.


    ¡°Clearing Quadrant 3. Mind your eyes,¡± he said into the small mic the mercs had given him.


    The blue blazed out in an eye-searingly bright beam as thick as his wrist. He guided it across the battlefield. Force and heat. Or like a laser with a punch as he liked to describe it.


    Insect monsters were smashed, burned and burst as he carved a trench deep enough to come up to his neck into the stone.


    The blue swept across the entire quadrant, marking a line of death a hundred yards long.


    That¡¯d give them a breather before the next wave.

 8.37

    Thoom! Thoom!


    The grenade launchers thumped softly in his large fists.


    Distant concussions and shrapnel took out a tightly packed cluster of disturbingly bipedal mantis-like monsters.


    He squeezed the triggers while slowly spreading his arms.


    A target rich environment meant that he didn¡¯t need to aim much, just make sure to avoid friendly fire.


    Which that hairy fucker was making difficult.


    Stocky bastard had plunged into one of the tunnels while on fire.


    The spiraling nature of the tunnels had bothered Chance until he went into his partial weredog transformation.


    He stood somewhere between man and beast. Added about seventy pounds to his already yoked-out body and got a little hairier than that runty fuck. Teeth got sharper, nails thickened and grew a point.


    God damn if he didn¡¯t want to go all out and get into the thick of things.


    He knew that he could¡¯ve cut through more of the monsters than the smug runt.


    Show who the real alpha was.


    He fought the urge.


    Kept his eyes on the prize.


    Couldn¡¯t screw up on his first Quest to get in the good graces of the people that mattered. The ones that could give him the life that he deserved.


    The Deep Azure, the fishmen, and the scions cult turned out to be losers and he was a winner.


    ¡°Grenade me!¡± He tossed the empty launchers over his broad shoulders.


    His merc reloaders dived to catch them while another one ran forward with a freshly loaded pair.


    Back to empty in a couple of seconds.


    Exploded more monsters. Getting bored.


    Pleasantly surprised to find out that was it.


    No more grenades to launch.


    A feral grin split his lips.


    He glanced over to the other side of the defense to where Scotty was at.


    Huh?


    The beta was struggling to keep the dog in check.


    Wiry black fur was growing thick on the back of his neck, raised too.


    Knowing Scotty, he was itching to get into the thick of things to rip and tear like they were meant to.


    Chance dropped the empty grenade launchers.


    His voice came out deep, guttural as he let the transformation go to its true destination.


    ¡°Get ready to watch a real alpha at work.¡±


    He hefted the huge, cleaver-like blade he had set against the earth mage¡¯s wall.


    A weapon seemed stupid to him when he already had all the natural weapons he needed.


    They always broke or bent before after just a few whacks.


    But this beast was supposed to be different.


    Sized for his nine and a half-foot tall full weredog form it was made denser and more resilient by some guy that could mess with the steel on the molecular level or something like that. Honestly, he hadn¡¯t paid much attention to that part of the briefing. A guy messing with metal brought back an unpleasant memory from a long time ago that he didn¡¯t want to remember.


    Still, the hundred pound blade felt right in his massive clawed hand.


    He leapt from the wall with a howl.


    Space vanished quickly with his loping run.


    Each stride covered over a dozen feet.


    He crashed into the thick of the monster swarm.


    Friendly fire?


    Fuck it!


    Another upside to joining the winning team was his armor.


    Chest and back plate.


    Two inches thick of some kind of alien metal.


    Felt like wearing nothing at all.


    Bullets plinked off like nothing.


    A grazing shot tore a line across the short, white fur covering his arm.


    Was it dumb to opt against sleeves?


    Nah.


    What was the point of having the biggest real guns if he was just going to cover them up?


    Shit healed quick anyways.


    He swept the massive blade across like a farmer scything wheat.


    Monster bits and blood sprayed everywhere.


    The taste got in his fanged muzzle.


    Control. Can¡¯t cut loose. Bad impression.


    He snapped his maw shut.


    Though he would¡¯ve love to take a bite or three, better to fight like a square than give in to the beast inside.


    It¡¯d make him look even better when compared to Scotty, who could really only be trusted to not take a bite or swipe at allies.


    Strategy and tactics?


    From Scotty?


    Nah.


    That crazy motherfucker was all about ripping and tearing.


    Chance glanced back.


    Surprise!


    Scotty was still on the wall, shooting grenades.


    He must¡¯ve really wanted to make a good first impression on the Cruces fuck.


    That was the most reasonable take out of the whole thing as far as Chance was concerned.


    Manlet motherfucker was gonna solo the Faeran Queen and all her elite guards.


    Had to put respect on that.


    A praying mantis-looking fuck stabbed into his chest.


    The plate took it, but the limb slipped off and pierced into his bicep.


    Now that deserved something more than a crushing cut.


    He opened wide and chomped down on the narrow, freaky-looking head. He spat it out instantly. Shit tasted bad. With monsters it was a roll of the dice.


    Could taste like shit, like the best thing in the world and everything in between.


    The headless monster kept striking.


    Scythe-like limbs jabbed and slashed at him in a blur.


    Most landed on the awesome armor, but enough got him in the arms and head that his short coat of white fur turned pink and red with his own blood.


    Fucker!


    No one made him bleed his own blood!


    Especially not a generic mob!


    He held his massive blade in a two-handed grip and gave it his best home run swing, just like the old days when he was a three-sport star back before the spires either ruined things or made things better.


    Now that was a coin flip.


    On his more honest days in self-reflection he realized that high school was probably the best it was going to get for him. All that was waiting for him was a job, a wife and kids. The same thing day after day only occasional broken up by a weekend drinking with his buddies. Kinda like his dad, the broken drunk fuck.


    The spires killed everyone he cared about, but it gave him real power.


    He sent the monster¡¯s broken body careening into charging group of scorpion-looking fuckers ranging in size from big to gigantic.


    They barely slowed, trampling the headless mantis monster.


    He roared.


    Let them come and die in his fangs and claws.


    It was time to activate a Skill.


    His already massively-muscled body swelled as a red haze swept over his vision.


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­ dead¡­¡± he growled.


    He charged even quicker than before, catching the scorpion monsters by surprise.


    His massive blade rose and fell with quickness belied by its size and weight.


    Claws tore thick chitin.


    Teeth feasted on the fleshy muscles hidden within.


    Like shitty lobster.


    He was only dimly aware of gun fire and spells falling all around him.


    Streams of coordinated automatic rifle fire ripped through poison stingers before they could stab him.


    Icy blasts froze skittering legs in place long enough for him to fall upon the frozen monsters.


    Stone shards sprayed eyes, blinding monsters at the exact moment to protect him from their attacks, while leaving them open for his.


    Danger close, though only a few stray rounds plinked off his armor or hit his exposed arms.


    The grizzled old American captain saved Chance from real damage with a good company coordination Skill and he had no idea that he owed the man.


    Scotty howled in the distance.


    Oh good, Chance thought, dimly, because of his Skill, won¡¯t have to listen to him bitch later about not getting any action.


    <hr>


    The Magus of the Twelve Eyes watched the portal come to life underneath the skilled working of the young wizard.


    There was a deliberate elegance in the young Jennylyn¡¯s spell work that was missing from most of the mage-types she had ever witnessed in action.


    The magus included herself in that group.


    It was instinct that made the difference.


    Most casters didn¡¯t truly understand what they did when they conjured a fireball or any other spell.


    It was as easy as saying ¡®fireball¡¯ for the novice. Or thinking the word as one grew more experienced. The truly experienced could simply cast the spell by intent.


    Damage and magnitude was fixed along with the mana cost.


    It made her think of a computer program running all the calculations in the background.


    Her own spellcasting was such, whether through her monster eyes or not.


    The young wizards could control how powerful a given spell was along with how much mana they put into it.


    Much more efficient.


    She approved.


    Yet, even with those advantages Jennylyn or Lynnjenny¡ª the magus sighed¡ª someone needed to say something to Jayde. There was a line that shouldn¡¯t be crossed in regards to all these young people risking their lives for a good cause. They deserved dignity. Not mockery.


    The portal casting process was proving difficult.


    They had already drained half the mage-types drawn from the local populace and it appeared to be only half-formed to the magus¡¯ eye.


    She studied the mana flows.


    It was as it should be according to the young wizard¡¯s plan, so she drew back and floated up to the top of their little cavern within a cavern.


    Mages had raised a protective dome of stone over the portal casting area, enclosing a circular area of roughly fifty meters with a small opening at the top.


    She sent one of her smaller eyes through to check on the battle, which sounded fierce from the muffled noise and occasional explosion shaking the stone dome and showering them with dust and debris.


    Members of her family stood on walled platforms arrayed around the opening blasting down on the insect-like monsters with the weapons she had created with and for them.


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Waleed directed fire from rifles made out of monster bones and a single eye set in the tip, like the ones that gave her her name and class.


    A large globule of burning liquid arced out of one of the many spiral-grooved tunnels.


    Before she could act, Waleed raised a bone and sinew staff topped with a weeping monster eye.


    The space in front of the globule opened up and swallowed it, leaving nothing.


    One that could see magic would¡¯ve sworn that an ethereal mouth filled with many rows of jagged teeth had devoured it.


    Her worries turned to the two young ones that had remained outside Shalindren to aid in the aerial battle over the hot desert sands.


    She could only hope that her work had been sufficient.


    That the thunderbird¡¯s feathers would grant them swift flight, that its beak would give them lightning strong enough to fell the Faeran, that its bones would protect their bodies, that the power in its split heart would last them through the battle.


    ¡°Magus!¡±


    The other young wizard waved his arms.


    She descended.


    The portal was taking shape. A glowing vertical circle a hand¡¯s span off the ground that crackled and wavered with immense magical energy. It had to for what it was needed to do.


    Connecting to a thousand different beacons and opening up a thousand different portals across kilometers in some cases was no small undertaking.


    The pile of drained mana gems, crystals and stones attested to that.


    As did the mage-types gasping for breath or trying to force down another mana potion or simply unconscious from strain.


    The nascent portal was about the size of a double door, which was where it needed to be according to Lynnjenny¡¯s notes.


    ¡°Is it time?¡±


    ¡°One last push,¡± Wet said.


    The poor young man had it the worst of all.


    She hadn¡¯t understood until the origin of his codename was explained to her.


    The magus landed and sat down on the dusty stone floor, crossing her legs.


    Her eyes fell into closer orbits.


    She needed all her mana for the final push.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡±


    Lynnjenny sat just outside the safe circle she had burned into the stone.


    Her spell book levitated in front of her, glowing with magical energy. Her eyes hadn¡¯t blinked in what seemed like half an hour, as if the glowing energy refused to be contained. Her pointy, wide-brimmed hat remained in place, which was impressive considering the raging wind that swirled around her.


    A strange effect that.


    As far as the magus knew the portal had no connection to wind magic.


    Perhaps it was a result of the strength of the magical energy being released and pushed into the portal that displaced the air, creating the strange effect.


    She remembered that intense wild fires were capable of creating tornadoes.


    The temperature around the portal and Lynnjenny were significantly hotter than the ambient temperature.


    Though not nearly as hot as a raging fire.


    ¡°Last push, magus! We¡¯ve got to give her everything we have!¡± Wet urged her on. ¡°Anything you guys can give would be great!¡± He turned to the other mage-types before pushing his focus and mana to Lynnjenny.


    Time quickened or slowed depending on where one sat.


    For the magus it did both.


    Her monster eyes dimmed, listed and finally fell to the stone floor.


    All her mana went to the young wizard.


    Lynnjenny blazed in the heart of a tornado of magical energy.


    The magus could see the mana flows from herself, Wet and the rest, snaking through the air like fast-moving streams and, in her case, a raging river.


    The spell book burst into a blinding light that seared her two eyes.


    Cries filled the dome.


    It was a fortunate thing for them that blindness was no longer a permanent condition.


    The magus could see nothing now.


    She felt the mana flows dwindle until only one remained. Her raging river had been drained to a near trickle.


    The pain grew excruciating.


    Her hands wouldn¡¯t obey her as they groped for her bag of holding and the mana potions like a drunkard groped for his last beer.


    Somehow¡ª she didn¡¯t know how¡ª a potion was in her hand and pouring down her throat.


    The pain pushed all thoughts from her mind with one exception¡­ keep the mana flowing.


    Another potion found its way to her lips, then another.


    The fourth didn¡¯t come, so shaking fingers grasped at her waist.


    Where¡¯s the damn bag! she thought desperately.


    That¡¯s more than enough. Sorry.


    The mana flows ceased.


    They had stopped for what felt like a long time.


    She was blind, yet a blazingly bright circle stood out from the center of the dome. She groped blindly, searching for the young wizards¡¯ mana signatures. They had been closer to the source than she had been.


    They¡¯re alive, but out. They¡¯re all out. You¡¯re the only one left.


    Oh right, she thought, radio telepathy. I¡¯m blind. I¡¯ll need my other eyes, but I don¡¯t know if I can drink another potion.


    One more won¡¯t kill you, but you¡¯ll hate me for asking you for¡­ oh¡­ the next month or so.


    I will suffer anything for their lives.


    The warm glass pressed into her shaking hand.


    Another hand helped it to her mouth.


    The portals are stable.


    Good. I¡¯ll start moving them through. I¡¯ll have them send the rest of their mage-types to help, but it¡¯ll be up to you to keep it that way.


    I won¡¯t fail.


    What made this portal so difficult to cast was its unprecedented construction.


    One side of the flat circle was the exit for a thousand different portals.


    Portals that sprang from the stones Eron had placed in each prisoner chamber throughout the miles of Shalindren¡¯s twisted tunnels.


    The number, the distances and the thick stone and earth required so much to overcome.


    The individual stones couldn¡¯t hold enough mana to open the connection, let alone allow dozens, if not hundreds of captives passage.


    The requirements grew more demanding with the other side of the flat circle for it was the entrance to a portal leading out to fortified city many miles away.


    It was the safest, closest place to evacuate the captives.


    The tent city was too close to the battle raging outside the hive dungeon.


    It would be poor of them to rescue the people only to leave them vulnerable to recapture or death if the battle went bad.


    A thousand portals to one.


    Two portals in one.


    Great distances for all.


    It had been a great risk.


    I¡¯m moving them through.


    Needles stabbed her brain, but mana flowed back into her body.


    Her eyes blinked to life and resumed their floating orbit around her, if somewhat shaky.


    She was no longer blind.


    Unconscious captives emerged from the front face of the portal.


    They were covered in a substance that looked disturbingly like cracked crystallized honey in a deep, rich amber color.


    Each one floated from the front to the back before disappearing into the portal.


    A hysterical giggle escaped her lips.


    Mana poisoning was close to the feeling of getting high.


    The sight before her reminded her of a magic trick, except those had been done with mirrors and curtains.


    This was real.


    <hr>


    Cal showed Queen Zhax¡¯hess¡¯sesha three things.


    The death of her unborn children. Disintegrated within their human hosts. Turned into nothing more than protein to be absorbed.


    Those very hosts, thousands, being spirited away from her once impregnable hive dungeon to safety.


    And finally, the greatest atrocity of them all.


    He took her through Shalindren. To each massive nursery chamber where Faeran children were taught and grown until they reached adulthood. It took a year for all strains, except the royals.


    Empty.


    All of them empty aside from the fires and clouds of ash.


    Each act a devastating blow to her very existence. Made more cruel by forcing her to experience the atrocities as he did. He placed the very blade plunged into the heart of her people in her hand to twist and wrench.


    She fought him with the desperate instinct of a mother protecting her children.


    It was too late for her unborn, but something within her understood what he intended and she knew she couldn¡¯t allow him to do the same to the rest of her Faeran through the hive mind.


    He pushed her mental presence aside as though she was a small child.


    The entire hive shared in her pain, her despair.


    If one believe that evil was a matter of perspective, then he had just cemented himself as the great evil to the Faeran of Shalindren.


    The one being to be feared and hated for the infanticide, the genocide.


    And all for simply being who they were.


    He latched onto the despair like a tiger going for a deer¡¯s throat. He strengthened it, raising it above the swirl of warring emotions within the queen and the entire hive mind. Rage at the murder of their children fell away. Hope at a last moment level up bringing just the needed Skill or spell was strangled in its crib. Many more were swallowed by the irresistible black hole of despair.


    He was the boss monster to the Faeran.


    One could see it in the way the Faeran threw their all into the fight. In the way the lucky few to survive one of his attacks leveled up quickly and were granted amazing Skills or spells.


    Sadly, for them, the last second power ups weren¡¯t nearly enough.


    He singled out these individuals and crushed their psyches regardless of the new mental resistance Skills and spells they desperately used.


    The Faeran fought a ghost.


    He stood beneath their feet, hidden underground, entombed in stone while a mental projection floated amidst the carnage of broken Faeran, killing with every gesture.


    The queen suddenly found herself standing alone in her throne chamber.


    Her knees trembled, her hands shook.


    Tears welled up in her pair of human-like eyes.


    ¡°So, you see how hopeless it¡¯s become.¡±


    She turned at the voice and fired a spell of twisting amber energy that pulverized the cavern wall.


    ¡°I have taken your future.¡±


    She spun. Amber light illuminated the darkness, revealing corpse mounds many times her height. Blood and guts leaked, forming slow-moving streams ankle deep that traced the cavern floors gentle slopes before pooling into great puddles.


    ¡°I have taken their futures.¡±


    She blasted spells at the voice that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere. Enough firepower to flatten a hill amounted to nothing.


    ¡°That number dwindles by the second. Your workers, your soldiers, your royals¡­ are dying! Will you watch to the end? When all that remains are you and your royal children?¡±


    The noise that emerged from Zhax¡¯hess¡¯sesha¡¯s mouth caused him pain.


    Her crushing despair was his doing.


    Magic erupted from the queen, blindingly bright, it lanced out in every direction.


    It was time.


    He pulled her from the mindscape.


    Back into reality.


    To show her what she had just done to her Faeran.


    Death brought by their queen.


    The massive chamber had been stripped of life.


    All but a handful of lucky Faeran had been destroyed by their queen¡¯s outburst.


    She tried to shut all her eyes to deny herself the sight of what she had just done.


    He forced them open, moving her in a circle so that she could truly comprehend the magnitude.


    ¡°Do you see? Less than two hundred remain out of thousands. The ones fighting outside and just inside the entrance holding a desperate rearguard that you have just rendered pointless. Or the luckiest ones, even now flying and jumping their way in the futile hope that they can affect the outcome that has just been decided.¡± He ripped the multi-ton disk doors sealing the chambers to the royal girls and the royal boys. ¡°Next to you, they¡¯re your most important, aren¡¯t they?¡±


    The terrified Faeran children strained and struggled against the invisible hands holding them aloft as he paraded them in front of the queen.


    ¡°Are you really going to watch them die when you can save them?¡±


    Once unchallenged pride sagged suddenly, dropping to her knees.


    ¡°A quick, certain death weighed against uncertainty. You offer the chance for life on another world, I only see more death. Worse than your evil, I see enslavement. I see countless fates worse than what you¡¯ve brought to my beautiful Shalindren.¡±


    The children would¡¯ve have cried out to support their queen had he not silenced their tongues.


    ¡°My world is a Terminus. You can send them to any world, you know? Surely, there is at least one that you could find suitable.¡±


    ¡°Why even give me the choice? We are already at your mercy.¡±


    ¡°Because I made a choice. Now, make yours.¡± He regarded the children. ¡°Before they run out of protectors.¡±


    The queen fell silent, so he twisted the knife and began counting down from two hundred.


    She stiffened, but remained unmoved.


    As the number fell, she trembled, digging her claws into the stone floor.


    150.


    She made the call through their hive mind.


    Retreat to me. We have been defeated. We must look to the future. The hive will endure.


    She gave her last commands as the Faeran raced through Shalindren.


    The bargain had been struck and he saw no duplicity in her thoughts.


    All the Faeran would do as their queen commanded. They couldn¡¯t disobey a direct order given through the hive mind.


    He sped their flight by calling off his forces and sending the monsters in the Faerans¡¯ path away.


    It happened quickly.


    The benefits of hive mind communication.


    There was no need to take time for questions and answers.


    The queen communicated everything in seconds. Their destination world and what to do when they arrived. Plans and contingencies to follow depending on what they found.


    The few remaining Faeran skirmishers and assassins entered the spire without so much as a glance in Cal¡¯s direction.


    The hive mind connection couldn¡¯t pierce the distance between worlds, but they weren¡¯t bees. They were sapient individuals in their own right. Their loyalty remained strong.


    Minutes passed as the remaining workers and soldiers gathered supplies from adjacent emergency storage chambers. They went through the treasure chamber and an armory. Taking as many of their greatest items as they could carry.


    He let them because he was soft.


    It could be said that the greatest weakness of his powers was the way it left him no choice but to feel empathy.


    Even if it was for a species that reproduced by laying their parasitic eggs inside other sapient species.


    The mindscape forced him to share the Faeran perspective as if it was his own.


    He couldn¡¯t quite bring himself or allow others to kill all the Faeran children.


    Ultimately, it was a hollow gesture.


    Kill a hundred, spare twenty.


    An ineffective balm for the soul.


    Did one think that made it less evil?


    No.


    Of course not.


    One dead was already one too many.


    Like his own species, the Faeran had just wanted to live. To reproduce. To continue their existence.


    And so, mercy¡­ knowing full well that sapients on another world would undoubtedly fall victim to the Faeran.


    Or not.


    Perhaps they¡¯d be as ruthless as he failed to be and they¡¯d put all the Faeran to the sword?


    One of the last remaining royal strain adults, a mage-type, stepped into the spire.


    The queen¡¯s children clustered around her.


    They embraced each other as they communicated silently for one last time.


    He could feel their sadness, their fear.


    The queen¡¯s head shot up when the royal emerged.


    Just like that it was time.


    Soldiers went through.


    Followed by workers laden with multiple bags and packs, some mundane, most magical. A few towed wheeled carts behind them.


    The royal children went next, book-ended by the last of the queens elite royal guard.


    When the last of the few royal mage-types disappeared into the spire it was done.


    Not a one had so much as glanced in his direction.


    The queen stared at the shimmering surface of the spire for what felt like an eternity before he turned off her mind and allowed her body to die.


    The Quest notification chimed in his ears.


    You¡¯re done. I¡¯m done.


    Eron¡¯s thoughts were a darkened mire of self-hatred and reproach mingled with dim sparks of half-hearted rationalizations.


    There were no words to make anyone feel better about killing children, so Cal left them unsaid.


    Better to focus on the good they still had to do.


    I¡¯m almost done transporting the captives to the safe zone. Can you head over there and make sure the guys I paid to stand guard don¡¯t get any stupid ideas?


    Already there.


    Despite being deep underground, he felt Shalindren rumble as his brother took the quickest route, which was a straight line through tons of magically-strengthened stone and earth.


    With the last captive through the portal he told the magus to shut it off and proceed with passing out.


    She had been pushed beyond her limits.


    He would handle the rest.

 8.38

    Casualties lay in the hundreds.


    Cal saved many from certain death by sealing massive wounds and reconnecting severed arteries.


    It wasn¡¯t instant healing, however. It hadn¡¯t erased the trauma suffered by their bodies merely pulled them away from death¡¯s door long enough for the medics, doctors and other healers to do what they could.


    The tent city had respectable facilities in the form of medical tents that many an injured from challenging Shalindren had been treated and saved over the years. Though not nearly at the scale and severity of the morning¡¯s battle.


    The injured received treatment, while those that could still wield their weapons stood guard.


    The carrion littering the sands around the hive dungeon and the amount of magic that had been cast about would attract the more powerful varieties among the wandering monsters in the area.


    Fortunately, the monsters still inside the hive dungeon would remain there for the time being.


    New ownership of Shalindren had created a contentious discussion within one of the larger tents used by the city¡¯s old mayor of sorts.


    The man hadn¡¯t survived the night that the Faeran had swept out of Shalindren.


    Indeed, only one member of the governing council remained alive and he had fled elsewhere.


    Thus, Cal found himself in charge by dint of power and willingness.


    He had taken a brief moment after he had killed the queen to go over the ownership interface.


    It hadn¡¯t interested him in the slightest, so he had put a pause on everything he could.


    Time bought, not halted.


    The operating cost of full ownership was astronomical even for him.


    The Faeran had received massive discounts on point fees and monster generation costs beyond the minimum number the spires took on. They had also been able to use their own expertise to breed their own monsters or alter local animals to serve the same purpose to mitigate said costs.


    They had also earned points from the deaths of human challengers to the hive dungeon. The multiplier had been quite high from what he could glean from his brief reading. Naturally, that revenue stream was as dead as the Faeran.


    Fortunately, he had some time before the first rent payment was due.


    Grizzled men and women, young and old, faces tanned and weathered by the harsh environment glared at him from around the low table.


    Perhaps they were bothered by the fact that he stood rather than lounged on the plush cushions.


    They certainly could¡¯ve done with a sit down after such a fierce battle.


    Not a one had escaped an injury.


    Bloody bandages were the accessory of the hour.


    ¡°You blinded my mages!¡± An angry old man built like a bull jabbed a finger in his face. ¡°We demand recompense for their loss.¡±


    The cry was echoed by several others.


    ¡°That can be fixed. Within weeks if they want to come with me. On my word, I¡¯ll bring them back once their vision has been returned. If that¡¯s what they want.¡±


    That was the rub that the shrewder ones among the mercenary leaders would get.


    What if they didn¡¯t want to return after seeing how much better and freer their lives could be in sunny, but not scorching, Southern California?


    Naturally, he¡¯d vet them fully at a later time for suitability and only extend said offer to those that passed their standards.


    ¡°Or you can wait a few weeks or months and I¡¯ll be back here with said healing.¡±


    It was a tough choice.


    Risk losing a valuable mage-type permanently or make do with a blind one for weeks or months.


    Life in the region was difficult.


    A harsh environment made for stronger monsters.


    Not to mention the rampant violence among human groups.


    Ironically, Shalindren had been the safest place to avoid human and human violence.


    And now that the Faeran were no longer around as scary aliens keeping the humans united greedy, grasping thoughts took root.


    ¡°Your generosity is accepted by my band.¡± A smooth-tongued old woman gave him a viper¡¯s smile. ¡°We will take care of our own until you return with the promised healing. Why don¡¯t we focus on the gravest threat?¡± She regarded the rest of her fellow hard killers. ¡°Shalindren. It¡¯s at the forefront of all our thoughts.¡±


    ¡°Yes. We all bled and yet you,¡± another lean, grizzled old man gestured at Cal, ¡°have an overwhelming majority of the ownership stake. Why?¡±


    ¡°You can ask the spires, but it won¡¯t care. It rewards impartially by the standards only it knows and occasionally shares if you¡¯re willing to pay. Lucky for you all, I¡¯ve done that. So, in case you didn¡¯t know¡­ ownership is divided by what one contributes during the transfer.¡±


    Cold, clinical terms.


    Transfer instead of kill or murder.


    The spires gamified existence to desensitize people into embracing violent conflict.


    ¡°To be clear I killed the most Faeran by a large margin. I killed the Faeran Queen.¡±


    Afterward, he had opened up the stone beneath her dead body, sinking her like a stone until she was entombed hundreds of feet down.


    Queen Zhax¡¯hess¡¯sesha¡¯s body exuded magic and could¡¯ve been used in alchemy or in magus¡¯ work to create powerful potions and items, but he couldn¡¯t let that happen.


    It was a step too far.


    He certainly wouldn¡¯t want his body parts used in that way.


    ¡°Single-handed. Now¡­ if you disagree with the spires¡¯ assessment then there is an easy way to dispute it.¡± He smiled. ¡°Challenge me. I will accept all comers. Right now. You can even team up. Band together. All of you.¡±


    Silence.


    None had seen the massacre he had wrought beneath the ground, but they couldn¡¯t deny what he had said. They knew how ownership worked in the post-spires world.


    ¡°Listen to me. There is a lot to do to stabilize the region. I hope you will all be a part of that, but I understand that not everyone can live in a world where people work together for the good of all. Some people just love being crabs in a bucket. Even if they end up steaming red inside some rich and powerful guy¡¯s pot because they think they¡¯re going to be that guy. Well, none of you are that guy or gal. I am him and you should be grateful that I am not him. You want to own Shalindren? You can have it. I will give each and every single surviving participant an equal stake. Let us all bear the costs¡­ together, equally.¡±


    That gave pause to the ones that knew.


    Those that didn¡¯t sensed the trap.


    ¡°Yes. I believe that is just. Together we broke it, therefore we must fix it. Shalindren contains multiple encounter challenges that the Faeran maintained. We¡¯ll have to take over that task to ensure that they don¡¯t turn into spawn zones. A more difficult task now that the spires pushed us out of the tutorial phase. I suspect that once the two week grace period is over we will have to clear them constantly to avoid such a nightmare scenario. It is, after all, a high-level location. You know that better than I do, since you live here. Think of what sort of monsters will push out and into the surrounding regions if not culled¡­ but, as it is with the spires struggle is rewarded. Levels, gear and points enough to grow stronger faster than you ever have before. For those over Level 40, how much have you slowed on the road to 50?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps we should discuss this further after we have all taken a moment to rest and see to our women and men? The distribution of spoils can be done when we are all clear of mind,¡± the smooth-tongued old woman suggested.


    ¡°Do what you want.¡±


    As far as he was concerned the ownership question had been settled.


    Everyone got an equal share.


    He¡¯d ask his group whether they wanted in or not.


    And if the locals didn¡¯t want in they could simple give their stake back the pool to be divided among the rest.


    Shalindren having a board of over a thousand people was going to be a mess, but it was acceptable to him.


    He didn¡¯t want to be fully responsible for such a dangerous place so far from his family.


    Maybe he could rope everyone in the world into sharing the costs with the carrot of access to one of the highest leveled areas in the world. He¡¯d give them detailed maps, information on the monsters, the traps and other challenges. The problem of transit would be solved once they got the skyships working properly.


    If it could work here then it could work with all the most dangerous areas around the world.


    A centralized system of managing encounter challenges so that they wouldn¡¯t turn into spawn zones would mean that Eron wouldn¡¯t have to constantly travel the globe putting out flare ups.


    He left the tent and flew back to Shalindren.


    He had kept his team inside to minimize the potential backstabbing from one of the more opportunistic and amoral among the local fighters.


    Captain Walker flagged him down as soon as he entered the chamber.


    The captain¡¯s losses hadn¡¯t been bad considering the fierce fighting against the monsters. His company had been spared fighting the Faeran.


    Khamaseen¡¯s group, on the other hand, hadn¡¯t been spared.


    Half her family lay underneath sheets near the entrance to the stone dome.


    The fight up the ramp and into the entrance had been a grinder even with the aid of Gearlok¡¯s advanced weaponry and cybernetic strength.


    The dark-skinned woman¡¯s head and face were concealed by bloody cloth.


    Only her dark eyes remained visible and they stabbed at him with hatred.


    He knew that no amount of words would be sufficient.


    ¡°This is the offer I gave to the rest of the leaders.¡±


    He shared the contents of the meeting with the captain and Khamaseen.


    The former shrugged.


    ¡°Seems fairest. Sounds like it¡¯s going to be too expensive to keep all of it from going spawn zone. Most of my men aren¡¯t staying, so don¡¯t add them to the ownership list.¡±


    ¡°The spires interface will handle all the bookkeeping. As majority owner I¡¯m just going to send out the choice to everyone that participated. They can accept or decline.¡±


    ¡°You feed us a poison pill, foreigner,¡± Khamaseen said. ¡°You create the problem and then you leave it for us to deal with the consequences.¡±


    He gave her his pitch about a global effort to keep Shalindren in check and his hopes that the task would cut down on the human on human conflict in the region.


    ¡°Just like the United Nations,¡± she scoffed.


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°Except more effective because individual people have the power to make it effective.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯ll only work if those people aren¡¯t shit,¡± Captain Walker grunted. ¡°And I¡¯m old and tired. I just want to go home. We kept up our end of the deal, so you better keep yours. Safe passage and healing for my guys. A couple got blinded. More lost fingers, arms or legs. Poor Farid got the trifecta and he might lose his spleen. I won¡¯t even say shit about the gear your wild men are looting from the armories.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s plenty. Every single participant will get something.¡±


    ¡°I believe that we are all at your mercy, regardless and so I will expect the same. Adherence to the terms of our agreement. Fail and I will take you to task even if it¡¯ll end with my death.¡±


    ¡°Listen, I didn¡¯t come here for anything other than putting an end to a threat to all of us and the people we care about. I hope that when I prove it. You¡¯ll be more willing to work with me. The Faeran were just one threat. There are more already here and countless others on the way. I¡¯d like to share everything I know about such threats with you so that you can defend your people better. It¡¯s like the stick test. I¡¯m sure your dad probably did it when he was trying to get you and your brothers to stop fighting. One stick is easily snapped. Put three together and¡­ tougher to break. We¡¯re the sticks.¡± He pointed to each.


    Captain Walker nodded. He got it. It was one of the first things he had learned decades ago in boot camp. His problem was going to be extending his sticks to include more than just American soldiers. His recruiting from the locals to fill his company seemed to indicate that he was on the way there.


    It would be a harder sell with Khamaseen.


    She viewed things through the lens of her family and against those that would do them harm, which was everyone else.


    ¡°My family did the most work breaking through the entrance. I would see them rewarded properly and those that fell¡­¡± She stared at the covered bodies. ¡°They leave behind children or parents. I would see them compensated.¡±


    Cal could¡¯ve argued that Gearlok and the Emerald Raptor held claims that were equal to hers, but there was no need. They had already gotten their picks from the queen¡¯s armory.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you guys right now.¡± He regarded Captain Walker. ¡°What about you?¡±


    The captain eyed Khamaseen.


    The two had history fighting against and with each other over the years.


    ¡°Six, seven¡­¡± He counted her family. ¡°Go ahead. I¡¯m going to check with my guys. Get organized. We can¡¯t all go shopping at the same time. There¡¯s monsters still roaming around. The wounded need protection. I¡¯ll have shifts set up when you get back.¡±


    Cal gathered Khamaseen and her family, parting the stone beneath their feet like water to take them straight to the queen¡¯s chamber.


    There were multiple treasure rooms and armories in Shalindren. Those scattered throughout the above ground floors, which were mostly for show as both lures and rewards for the people challenging the hive dungeon, and those below ground, which were where the Faeran kept their best items and treasures.


    The ones meant for the people had been properly trapped and locked behind puzzles.


    The real ones weren¡¯t for obvious reasons.


    The best loot could be found in the two chambers connected to the queen¡¯s enormous chamber by short tunnels. One armory and one treasure room.


    He brought Khamaseen and her family into the queen¡¯s chamber, allowing them to take in the carnage.


    Mounds of dead Faeran had been left to leak and rot.


    The stench hit them like a physical punch, yet none of them so much as twitched.


    ¡°Are you saving them for the woman that turns monsters into weapons?¡± Khamaseen said.


    ¡°The magus only uses monsters. The Faeran aren¡¯t classified as such.¡±


    Marwan, Khamaseen¡¯s second, spat.


    ¡°They are monsters. It doesn¡¯t matter what anyone else says. You. The spires. We could never prove it beyond a doubt, but people have gone missing all across this region since this cursed place emerged with the damned devils. Thousands of cases. The only hint of their disappearance was the loud buzzing of wings.¡±


    Cal wasn¡¯t going to argue the semantics.


    No one liked a technically correct pedant.


    Marwan continued.


    ¡°Everyone, foreigners and locals, except for us, was too greedy. The levels and the rewards of this place were too good to give up. So, they ignored us. They didn¡¯t want to investigate anything that might ruin what they thought was an ideal farming ground. Fools.¡±


    ¡°Many of them have paid for it with their lives. Such a waste,¡± Khamaseen said.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m trying to avoid in the future. If everyone works together¡ª¡±


    She raised her hand.


    ¡°I¡¯m not interested in more of your plans. Not now when we have to bring our dead home and bury them. When we have to tell mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters that the ones they love will never hold them again. Give us what we agreed upon so that we may leave this cursed place.¡±


    Cal gestured to the spiral-grooved tunnels leading to the treasure room and the armory.


    ¡°That one has what appears to be a random assortment of valuable things. Mundane gems, precious metals and works of art. It seems that before the Faeran came to our world they had taken from other worlds, judging by the sculptures and the paintings. Word of advice, if you look at something and it makes you feel weird, like, say, nausea or overwhelming existential dread, then leave it. I haven¡¯t gone through and removed those items, if they exist. The other tunnel leads to what you probably want. Weapons, armor and other practical gear. Mundane and magical.¡±


    They went for the gear, exchanging looks of suspicion with the two men standing guard at the tunnel entrance.


    Howard and Scotty appeared to be in a stare-off.


    Chance and Malachi standing at the other tunnel seemed more relaxed.


    ¡°How much longer, mate?¡± Scotty grunted.


    ¡°Two weeks, minimum. We have to oversee the distribution of loot, among other things.¡±


    Only he could guarantee that everyone got a fair cut of the spoils.


    That also extended to the next of kin of those that had died in the battle.


    The logistics of tracking those down were going to be pain even with his powers.


    ¡°You guys got your one item?¡±


    ¡°Yup, boss,¡± Howard grunted. ¡°What about you?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    The queen¡¯s scepter was safely inside his bag of holding.


    It wasn¡¯t truly meant for him, but killing the queen didn¡¯t give him a choice.


    The scepter was magically powerful.


    It stored a large amount of mana as a reserve for the spells its multi-faceted gem could cast. For a wielder without mana, like him, that meant a handful of shots and it was empty.


    When a mage-type wielded it they could fire off five times as many shots.


    It had something to do with one of the enchantments in the scepter. A mana multiplier boost that only worked when a mage attuned to it fed their mana into it.


    It had another enchantment, which was the source of his problem. It could only be wielded by the one that won it in a contest versus its current owner.


    The wording was fairly broad, so he was hopeful that he could pass it along to someone that could use it without a battle to the death.


    ¡°Don¡¯t keep us in suspense, mate.¡± Scotty scowled.


    The man looked perpetually angry.


    Not even the fancy new knife sheathed at his belt had brightened his mood.


    The trio had passed their first test.


    They had followed their orders to the letter, mostly.


    Sure, he could¡¯ve denied them a pick from the loot, but he believed that one had to toss good carrots and not scraps to incentivize buy-in.


    Scotty picked a knife that made wounds bleed freely and resisted healing.


    Chance got a pair of bracelets that made his punches hit much harder.


    Malachi ended up with a set of tarot-like cards that contained summons.


    ¡°I took the queen¡¯s scepter¡­ not by choice,¡± he explained the restrictions.


    ¡°Ms. Teacher¡¯s gonna want a shot at that, I reckon.¡± Howard grunted.


    The wild man had gone with a fist-sized scarlet gem that looked suspiciously like a heart. It exuded a healing force in pulses while draining mana from the environment. He already had a healing factor, but the item was going to kick it up about fifty rungs up the ladder.


    ¡°It has to be a legitimate challenge. I can¡¯t sandbag it. And there are minimum requirements to use it in terms of overall power level.¡±


    ¡°How strong you talkin¡¯, mate?¡± Scotty said.


    ¡°The Faeran Queen was Level 49.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that in human terms with a standard class?¡± Howard said.


    ¡°The Quest just to kill the queen was rated at Level 70 for a twenty person group. So, I¡¯d say that¡¯s your answer.¡±


    Howard gave a low whistle.


    ¡°Fook me, mate!¡± Scotty¡¯s eyes widened as he took in the cavernous chamber. ¡°You did this by yourself!¡±


    ¡°Fuck you is right, mate.¡± Howard laughed. ¡°That¡¯s why I told you to mind your P¡¯s and Q¡¯s. The boss ain¡¯t one you want to mess with.¡±


    ¡°Scotty, follow orders, just like you did today and you won¡¯t have any problems.¡±


    The wiry haired man nodded, though the scowl on his face deepened.


    Cal wasn¡¯t too concerned about his demeanor.


    All three genuinely wanted to get in good with Sacramento, which meant they were going to get in good with him, since he held the key to the door.


    In fact, they were extra-pleased with the magical items they got.


    They hadn¡¯t expected anything more than scraps.


    They had expected being thrown into suicidal situations rather than roles suited for their capabilities with a reasonable amount of danger.


    ¡°I¡¯m not running some kind of suicide squad here.¡±


    Howard chuckled, while Scotty remained angry-looking.


    ¡°You sure about leaving them in there by themselves?¡± Howard said.


    ¡°Khamaseen¡¯s driven by spite and honor. She will keep them for doing anything other that sticking to the letter of our agreement. They don¡¯t want to give us the slightest excuse to do them with good, old-fashioned imperialism.¡± He gave them mirthless smile. ¡°It¡¯s the mercs that¡¯ll try to go for the good old five for one special. Already caught five rogues, two thieves, a treasure hunter and a plunderer trying to sneak into one of the chambers above ground level. I encouraged them to stick to the agreement, like our friends in there.¡± He gestured toward the armory. ¡°Once they¡¯re done, I¡¯ll take them topside, then I¡¯ll start bringing Captain Walker¡¯s people down in, let¡¯s say, groups of five. That¡¯ll make it harder for them to try to sneak an extra handful. Plus it¡¯ll leave enough people to guard our unconscious and wounded.¡±


    ¡°How much longer are the magus and the kids gonna be out, you think?¡± Howard said.


    ¡°They got a bad case of mana fatigue and mana poisoning. It¡¯s going to be a few days before they can get up and walk around. Another month until the headaches and dizziness go away.¡±


    ¡°Shit, they gonna lose out on the best stuff.¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t.¡±


    Cal wasn¡¯t above cheating. He had already pulled aside items that he thought might be what the magus, Jennylyn, Willy and the others would want. They¡¯d get their one pick when they woke up and the rest would get placed back into the pool for the rest of the distribution.


    ¡°Luther and Colin are already on their way. When they get here you guys can start rotating. Four on, two off. Everyone gets breaks.¡±


    Scotty grunted.


    ¡°I can stay on. Fight wasn¡¯t all that bad. Monsters were a walk in a park compared to the shit outside and this.¡± Howard pointed at one of the mounds.


    ¡°At least take a break from looking at and smelling this shit.¡±


    ¡°Helmet keeps my nose safe, boss.¡±


    ¡°How about you?¡±


    Scotty shrugged.


    ¡°Alright, first come first serve then.¡±


    The fighters weren¡¯t the only ones entitled to the Faeran loot.


    The unwilling incubators deserved to be set up for years, if not life, for what they had endured.


    The thought of wriggling eggs in his stomach made him shiver.


    Ironically, the people they had freed from the horrible fate were in much better condition than the wounded fighters. The Faeran wanted healthy hosts for their children, thus they had been kept in good condition aside from the eggs, of course. The honey they had been slathered in had magical healing properties. Gathering what remained of it was near the top of his list.


    Cal went through it again, since he had nothing better to do than make idle small talk with Howard and the trio. It was easy for him to focus on doing multiple things without sacrificing efficiency and overall quality.


    He kept the monsters still roaming Shalindren from crossing the paths of the mercs busy securing the routes to and from the above ground treasure rooms and armories. He had already disabled the remaining traps to move things along.


    He subtly encouraged those that wanted to get a jump on the looting to drop the idea.


    He monitored the surrounding area for potential wandering monster attacks.


    He watched the medical tents, ready to lend an invisible hand if necessary.


    He gave Howard and the trio a shortened account of his battle with the Faeran Queen.


    He used his connection to Eron to check on the people they had portaled out of the hive dungeon. Many were already on their feet. Scared for themselves and their families since their last memory had been buzzing wings in the dead of night tearing them from their homes. For some, their families were okay. For others¡­


    Three hours.


    He estimated that all of them would be awake by then.


    He sent a soothing thought through his brother to calm the most agitated.


    Three hours to fly to the town and bring the ten thousand back to Shalindren for their share and more.


    Then several more hours to fly them all back to their homes.


    The important thing was that they were safe with Eron watching over them.


    Cal picked up on a few slavers lurking on the edges, plotting to steal a handful, more if they could.


    Eron¡¯s reputation stayed their hands for now.


    Yo, you¡¯ve got a few slaver-types hanging around, he thought, showing his brother their faces and where they were.


    I did get that feeling. I¡¯m going to take care of them¡­ unless you need them to lead you to the rest of their networks?


    You read my mind.


    Ha. Ha.


    Just keep an eye on them. My team¡¯s going to be in the area for at least two weeks. Plenty of time to pursue these fucks. I¡¯ve got a pair of vicious weredogs that wouldn¡¯t mind the opportunity to be their true selves.


    Wasn¡¯t that the opposite of what they wanted you to do with them?


    Yeah, but in these guys¡¯ cases they can¡¯t turn it off. What I need to do is teach them that they must always be in control, but there are times when it¡¯s appropriate to loosen the leash around their inner beast. Not let go completely, mind you.


    I don¡¯t know about that, but it¡¯s your deal and you¡¯re the one that knows how brains work.


    Cal added a new task to his list.


    There would always be enough time in the day to kill slavers and free enslaved.

 8.39

    Southern California


    ¡°Sup, Boy!¡± Dave grinned and held out a hand.


    ¡°Dave.¡± Alin dapped the guard up in that intricate way Dave had showed him. ¡°Shauna.¡± He did the same with other guard. Though she merely grinned, amused at the ridiculous gesture.


    ¡°That¡¯s a good shiner you got there,¡± Shauna said.


    ¡°You was just getting rid of the old one!¡± Dave laughed.


    Alin shrugged.


    What he really wanted to do was head on up to his family¡¯s suite for a shower and an ice pack, but it was important to treat people like people, not just employees.


    ¡°You know how it is. I¡¯m not training hard enough if my face isn¡¯t getting touched up.¡±


    ¡°Aww, but it¡¯s going to mess up your handsome face.¡± Shauna ruffled his hair.


    He didn¡¯t know the specifics, but the middle-aged woman had a son his age once.


    He blushed. ¡°I¡¯ll tell them you said that.¡±


    ¡°Aw, man, you gonna make him look bad in front of all the badasses.¡± Dave chuckled.


    A glint in the corner of Alin¡¯s eye drew his attention.


    The guard golem was a short, stout, quadrupedal monstrosity of metal and plastic powered by magic, steam and whirling gears. It wasn¡¯t very smart. Simple instructions were all it could follow.


    It was one of the golem maker¡¯s earlier creations from about fifteen years ago.


    She had better, newer ones, but she was a paranoid sort and kept those for herself.


    His dad had bought a bunch of the older ones to see if they could be upgraded.


    Sadly, success had been limited.


    One needed the golem maker¡¯s class to utilize her creations to their full potential.


    ¡°Finally got the upgrade?¡± He nodded to the Thernium plates covering the guard golem¡¯s vital areas.


    ¡°Yup!¡± Dave patted the machine monstrosity proudly. ¡°The Last Call here is lighter, tougher and faster than he¡¯s ever been! Replaced the AR-15 with one of those fancy recoilless rifles. Caseless ammo means lighter ammo, which means more more ammo. Got two shield generators now. One magitech and one from the Threnosh. Added an extra engine and an extra power source. Our boy here can fight for days without slowing down!¡±


    ¡°Jesus Christ, Dave!¡± Shauna rolled her eyes. ¡°You¡¯d think you just gave birth to it.¡±


    ¡°Him, Shauna, he is him.¡±


    ¡°You better be careful with that Dave. That¡¯s how you get things coming to life. And when something comes alive you don¡¯t know what you¡¯re going to get. Me, personally, keep it as dumb as a computer. I don¡¯t need anything more than something that¡¯ll shoot what I tell it to shoot.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s got no imagination, right, Boy?¡± Dave shook his head ruefully.


    ¡°I, uh, I think I saw this movie about that sort of thing. And the astronaut¡¯s name was also ¡®Dave¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Oh shit! That¡¯s right! I just made the connection right now.¡± Dave looked thoughtful.


    ¡°You mean, he made the connection for you.¡± Shauna sighed. ¡°Alright, Boy, you better get going. I¡¯m sure you want to wash the stink off you.¡± She ruffled his head one last time. ¡°You know, I¡¯m not a fan of the new hair cut. Too short. The messy mop you used to have was nicer.¡±


    ¡°Why you got to make it all weird, Shauna?¡± Dave chuckled.


    ¡°It¡¯s only weird if Boy finds it weird,¡± she said.


    ¡°I figure it¡¯s cool. You know,¡± he shrugged, ¡°as long as you don¡¯t do it in front of my friends or something. See you guys later.¡± He waved and headed to the elevators.


    The ride up to their suite gave him a rare moment of silent reflection.


    He had received his dad¡¯s message near the end of morning training.


    No deaths among the team, which kept the streak alive.


    How long had it been?


    Five, almost six years since his dad had lost a person.


    He knocked on the elevator¡¯s faux wood.


    ¡°Shit¡­¡±


    That probably didn¡¯t count. There was a real wood table right outside the elevator, so it¡¯d be okay.


    Didn¡¯t want to jinx his dad¡¯s team.


    Part of him was jealous of them for getting to go out and really do good things for people.


    Part of him was afraid. Of dying. Of failing. Failing his dad and mom, the team, the people.


    The thought helped him push through the doubt whenever the aches and pains with their incessant nagging told him to just give it up. Go do one of the other things his parents kept telling him were just as vital to the community as fighting and killing.


    The throbbing around his eye was reminding him that all of it was true.


    His parents wouldn¡¯t be ashamed if he went down another path.


    ¡°Shut up, you,¡± he muttered.


    The elevator doors slid open.


    He knocked on the table then went to their suite¡¯s front door. He held his key card up to the lock, placed his hand on the hand scanner and held his eye to the eye scanner.


    No one was home.


    His mom was busy with monsters again.


    Part of him was sad about that.


    She used to be almost always waiting for him.


    He could¡¯ve used a hug.


    However, that was the little boy talking.


    He was almost a grown man.


    She would¡¯ve fussed over his black eye.


    That would¡¯ve been embarrassing.


    Especially, when she would¡¯ve made him go over what led to the black eye so that she could tell him what he did wrong and what he should¡¯ve done instead.


    As if he had chosen to get punched in the face.


    ¡°Right. Shower, ice, lunch,¡± he muttered.


    Two and a half hours until afternoon practice.


    He checked the fridge and found plenty of prepared meals.


    Fresh cooked food down in the food court or one of the restaurants would¡¯ve been better, but saving time for recovery was more important.


    The food in their fridge was the same stuff they were cooking down in the restaurants anyways.


    His smartphone buzzed.


    The family group chat.


    ¡°At least two more weeks,¡± he sighed at the message.


    He typed out a quick message to his dad.


    Mentally, he added another two weeks to how long it¡¯d take his dad to get back.


    They had included him in the Quest briefing and he understood that clean up was going to take more time than anything else if they wanted to leave the locals in a good spot.


    Plus, his dad needed to show that he was serious about the whole unified Earthian thing.


    The calendar on the kitchen wall caught his eye.


    ¡°Dad¡¯s going to cut it close.¡±


    Prison check time was coming up.


    His dad had been completely transparent about what he was doing with the prison.


    Maybe it was time for him to see it for himself since he was close to adulting now with his 17th birthday coming up in a few months. After that it was just one more year to true adulthood.


    Still no class or powers.


    His shoulders slumped as he trudged to the bathroom.


    The extended break went quicker than he liked.


    Was he overtraining?


    Damn it!


    Everyone had always said that when those thoughts started up it was time for a real break.


    He trudged back to the elevator.


    It stopped just a few floors below his.


    ¡°Hey, Lash,¡± he waved. ¡°Just wake up?¡±


    ¡°Hey, Boy,¡± she yawned, ¡°yeah, just took my afternoon nap. How¡¯d you know?¡±


    She and her boyfriend, Colin, lived in another one of the hotel¡¯s fully-equipped suites.


    He pointed at her black, natural hair. One side of the curly hair was flattened against the side of her head.


    Lash turned to look at her reflection in the elevator¡¯s door.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± she sighed, taking out a comb. ¡°Hey, you didn¡¯t happen to get more news about the Quest?¡±


    ¡°Nope. Nothing more than what my dad sent out to everyone.¡±


    ¡°My damn fool boyfriend isn¡¯t responding to my messages.¡±


    ¡°He wasn¡¯t on the injury list, so you probably don¡¯t need to worry.¡±


    Lash waved a hand.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t. What I want is for him to tell me how his gear did, so I can get started on the performance assessment. If he isn¡¯t due back for another couple of weeks then that¡¯s just time I¡¯m wasting.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­¡±


    He thought hard about how much he could share.


    Due to opsec concerns, Lash didn¡¯t have access to all the Quest details.


    He did because he sits in on all the briefings that he¡¯s available for.


    ¡°Colin¡¯s probably just busy. Getting his loot or flying combat patrols cause wandering monsters are going to be attracted to all the dead bodies, the mana thrown out and just the violence.¡±


    ¡°All the more reason for him to look at his phone so I can tell him what to grab. He always goes for the most destructive thing when what he needs to do is look for stuff that¡¯ll synergize, you know what I mean?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, totally.¡±


    ¡°Like, what do you think is better? A stick that shoots a fireball the size of a small house once because you don¡¯t have a mage class? Or a compact power source that¡¯ll add two, three hours to your operational combat time without messing with the delicate balance?¡±


    ¡°Um, like, in a vacuum? I¡¯d probably go with the power source. Way more versatile. But¡­ I can think of a bunch of scenarios where I¡¯d rather have a house-sized fireball, even if it¡¯s just one.¡±


    ¡°Boys and their big booms,¡± Lash snorted.


    ¡°Apparently, we also like big numbers that only go up.¡±


    She laughed.


    ¡°You guys aren¡¯t the only ones!¡±


    The elevator squealed to a stop.


    ¡°See you later, Lash. Off to more training for me.¡±


    ¡°Hold on. On more thing. I¡¯m not fittin¡¯ to tell you what to do, but I¡¯mma tell you what to do. You¡¯re eye looks like hamburger.¡± She waved a hand in front of the eye in question. ¡°I can¡¯t even tell if you can see out of it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°Uh huh¡­ you should take a break. I don¡¯t think you should be eating anymore shots on that handsome face of yours. Why don¡¯t you go get some healing?¡±


    ¡°For a little black eye?¡± he scoffed. ¡°Nah. I don¡¯t want them to waste mana or Skills. You never know when they might be needed for real stuff. Besides, it¡¯s fine. Afternoon training is just lifting. Then cardio. I¡¯m not doing melee practice again until Friday.¡±


    ¡°So, you get to skip a day. You boys are all the same.¡± She shook her head, but smiled to take the sting off a bit. ¡°You should take a week off from getting hit in the face or, I don¡¯t know, git gud and not get hit.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why we practice.¡±


    He would¡¯ve smiled if doing so didn¡¯t make the left side of his face hurt.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    The grind continued.


    Two weeks turned into three when his dad finally came home.


    He found his dad sitting on the couch with his mom standing behind him doing that upside down kissing thing.


    ¡°Blech¡­ get a room.¡±


    His parents laughed.


    ¡°Seriously, guys, we¡¯ve talked about this.¡±


    ¡°Look who¡¯s home!¡± His mom ruffled his dad¡¯s mop of slightly wavy black hair.


    ¡°I know. I figured you were home with all the new people downstairs.¡±


    ¡°You cut your hair,¡± his dad said.


    Alin ran a hand over his closely cropped hair. Almost shaved on the sides and a bit longer on top.


    ¡°I got tired of the mop soaking and holding all the sweat.¡±


    ¡°I used to have that same problem when I was a lot younger.¡±


    His dad got up and crushed him in a hug.


    He returned it for a moment then started making gagging sounds when it kept going.


    ¡°What too cool to hug your old man?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± he said flatly.


    His mom suddenly jumped on his dad¡¯s back, wrapping her arms around his neck.


    ¡°Blech¡­¡±


    Seriously, his old parents were acting like¡­ well¡­ teenagers.


    ¡°All flirting and crap,¡± he muttered. ¡°Right in front of me too¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh? Hmm, I vaguely remember you giving Kat piggyback rides up and down the hallways.¡± His mom gasped theatrically. ¡°Could that have been flirting and crap?¡±


    ¡°Where you spying on us, mother?¡± he gasped right back.


    ¡°Uh oh, he¡¯s going in with the ¡®mother¡¯. That means ¡®dearest mother¡¯ is just around the corner. What are we to do?¡± his dad nodded.


    ¡°It¡¯s true,¡± his mom continued, ¡°I saw it with my own eyes.¡±


    ¡°Okay, first of all it wasn¡¯t just me and Kat. My friends were doing it too¡ª¡±


    His parents snickered.


    ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon! You guys are, like, fifty. It¡¯s creeping me out you acting like¡ª¡±


    Both his parents raised a brow.


    Were they synchronizing that shit?


    He cleared his throat.


    ¡°Anyways, my friends and I were racing,¡± he said with dignity.


    ¡°Ah, the sport of kings. Can¡¯t get more dignified than that,¡± his dad agreed.


    ¡°How¡¯d the Quest go?¡±


    ¡°Details are in the full after action report.¡±


    ¡°I guess I¡¯ll read it when I have the time,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you about it over lunch.¡±


    ¡°Cool.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ so, how were things while I was gone?¡±


    It was weird talking to his dad while his mom was hanging on his dad¡¯s back.


    ¡°Can you, uh, not do that?¡± He gestured vaguely in her direction.


    ¡°No,¡± she grinned.


    ¡°I mean, I see you cut your hair. Was it because I was growing mine out? Cause I was trying to copy you,¡± his dad said.


    ¡°I knew it! Mom, you lied to me!¡±


    She shrugged.


    ¡°Sorry, I answered you with the knowledge that I had in the moment.¡±


    ¡°Guys, it¡¯s not a big deal. I can just go get my hair cut,¡± his dad said.


    ¡°That¡¯s so lame, Dad. The lamest.¡±


    ¡°Alright, fine. You¡¯re off the hook¡­ for now. Oh, and your mom mentioned something.¡±


    ¡°About?¡±


    ¡°Go on, tell your father what you told me.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ you¡¯re going to the prison soon, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± His dad¡¯s face fell. ¡°A little behind schedule on that. Took a bit longer than I planned to get people back to their homes. Also had to clear issues they had with monsters and marauder-types. Then I had to drop people off all across old America,¡± he sighed. ¡°The Faeran killed a good amount of their best defenders. I¡¯m going to have to go back a few times every month to make sure they don¡¯t get wiped out until people level up again. You know, that¡¯s one of the glaring negatives to this whole thing. It takes decades to get over Level 30, let alone 40. You can¡¯t just train up a replacement in a few months if that person gets killed. So, tell me why you want to visit the prison? Whether I say yes or no depends on the quality of your answer.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Love. Don¡¯t be mean,¡± his mom chided.


    ¡°I¡¯m not. This is serious business.¡±


    He had already thought through his reasoning.


    ¡°Because being responsible isn¡¯t just about the good stuff. Or the cool, fun, exciting things. It¡¯s about everything that makes our society work. Including the darker stuff. I need to know what it¡¯s like or I won¡¯t be able to understand the whole picture.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you wait? You¡¯ll be technically an adult in just one more year, then we can¡¯t make you do stuff¡­ legally,¡± his mom said.


    Who was she kidding?


    There was no way they were just going to wipe their hands of him once he turned 18. He fully expected the opposite.


    He had thought about the answer to this as well.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe one year will make a difference. If I can¡¯t handle it now, why would it be different next year? And I won¡¯t ever learn to handle something if I never try.¡±


    His dad searched his eyes for a silent moment.


    ¡°Okay, those were reasons. You can come along. But¡­¡± his dad raised a finger, ¡°I¡¯m not going to coddle you. You will see the unfiltered truth because to do less is to treat the situation without the proper amount of respect.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve thought about this for, like, a month and I¡¯m sure I want this. I mean, I don¡¯t want it, but I know I have to do it. Does that make sense?¡±


    His dad smiled.


    ¡°You¡¯ve basically defined responsibility.¡±


    It seemed sad.


    ¡°I guess we¡¯re going to the prison,¡± his mom sighed.


    ¡°You too, Love?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Love. I¡¯m not going to let my baby boy get anywhere near that place without me. Boy, you¡¯re wearing your full armor. All restrictions off.¡±


    Alin fought the smile off his face.


    ¡°Yeah, I mean, if you think that¡¯s for the best, mom. Your call. A hundred percent. I will do want you want, er, in regards to my armor.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s safe,¡± his dad said.


    ¡°Can you rule out one of the cannibals or other monsters you¡¯ve got locked up in that place counter-leveling and suddenly pulling out a last minute power up escape or prison riot?¡±


    ¡°No, but there are multiple safeguards and there aren¡¯t enough prisoners to constitute a riot in the first place. Hell, it¡¯s more likely they fight each other than work together. So, please don¡¯t jinx it.¡±


    ¡°Not up for discussion. It¡¯s a family trip. We can have a picnic in the mountains after. Being in nature will be healing for our baby after what he¡¯s going to see.¡±


    ¡°Moooommmm, I¡¯m not a baby,¡± he whined.


    ¡°Of course not, sweetie!¡± She tried to ruffle his hair, but it was too short.


    Alin 1. Mom 0.


    <hr>


    Elsewhere


    She charged down the stairs, all long-limbed and gangly, seemingly overnight, almost tripping as she rounded the corner into the kitchen.


    The raid commenced with frantic precision.


    Snacks from the pantry and cupboards.


    For some reason the chips and cookies weren¡¯t kept in the same place.


    The fridge next for a few bottles of water.


    Everything went in a giant bag.


    ¡°Brittney!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Momma!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget the sunscreen!¡±


    Her momma was shouting from the laundry room.


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡± she stomped down the hallway. ¡°Momma,¡± she pointed to her dark-skinned face, ¡°I don¡¯t need sunscreen. It¡¯s, like, an evolution thing.¡±


    ¡°Uh huh? Tell that to Auntie Doris. She loved wearing her bikinis. Always said the same thing. Guess what happened when she turned forty?¡±


    ¡°Something happened to Auntie Doris?¡±


    Britt wracked her brain, but couldn¡¯t come up with anything.


    ¡°Melanoma.¡±


    ¡°What!¡± her eyes widened. ¡°Why¡¯d no one tell me?¡±


    ¡°Oh, it turned out to be benign, but the po¡ª¡±


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t roll your eyes at me, Brittney. You¡¯re not too big that I can¡¯t take you over my knee.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Momma,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you be making noises either.¡± Her momma waved a shirt in her direction menacingly. ¡°The point is that your Auntie Doris got lucky that it wasn¡¯t the bad kind. Honestly, what¡¯s a minute or two spent putting on some sunscreen if it¡¯ll save you from a lot of pain and heartache down the line? I even got that spray stuff, so it¡¯s even easier.¡±


    ¡°Fine, Momma. I¡¯ll go put on sunscreen.¡± She flounced away.


    ¡°Put it on before you leave. It¡¯s getting hot out and I don¡¯t want you sweating it off. And remember to reapply it every hour. And don¡¯t jump in the water too quickly or it¡¯ll just wash off. And be careful!


    Her momma¡¯s voice echoed, chasing her all the way back up the stairs to the bathroom.


    She muttered under her breath while she sprayed her face, arms and legs. She¡¯d get the rest of her body when she got to the lake. No sense in waiting any longer, despite what Momma had said.


    The sunscreen spray went into her bag.


    She went into the garage and pulled her bicycle out the side door.


    Finally!


    The morning sun was already pretty warm.


    Perhaps, Momma had a point.


    The lake wasn¡¯t too far from her home.


    She didn¡¯t even have to leave her neighborhood.


    The sprawling park at the center of several neighborhoods was vibrant. Green tree leaves and grass popped so much that they looked like something out of a cartoon.


    People of all ages and races were enjoying themselves in peaceful harmony.


    Fathers helped their young children raise kites, while mothers sat on shaded picnic blankets with crawling babies.


    Dogs chased balls, sticks and discs or each other, zooming around tongues lolling, tales wagging. Not a single one so much as growled or snapped at another.


    People waved with genuine greetings as she pedaled across the wide, paved path.


    It meandered in gentle curves as it followed the shade provided by strategically-paced trees.


    The lake was in the center of the park, fed by a pair of streams flowing in from¡­ huh?


    Britt realized that she had no idea where the streams came from.


    The thought vanished when she saw her friends waiting at one of the many tables beneath the shade of an enormous tree.


    Michael, Sarah, Charlie, Sunny, Lincoln, and Randall had beaten her.


    Fred, Michael¡¯s older cousin, thrice removed, was also there with his girlfriend, April, for some reason.


    Brittney slow rolled her battered old bike to a stop and laid it in the grass with the other bikes.


    ¡°Last one,¡± Randall smirked.


    God! He was so annoying. Why did they even let him hang out with them?


    ¡°Oh? I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t know this was like class. Did I miss the bell? Is there a bell? Are you gonna write me up for being tardy?¡± She rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Nah, I just won a bet,¡± Randall grinned. ¡°That¡¯s two Mike¡¯s for me.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± she looked to Michael.


    ¡°Fred only got two six-packs,¡± Michael sighed.


    ¡°Hey, you should be happy I even agreed to buy you kids booze.¡± Fred regarded his younger cousin before heading to the cooler and pulling four of the hard lemonades out. ¡°Listen, kids, you share. At least one each, unless you don¡¯t want, then you can figure out the division of loot amongst yourselves. And it¡¯s going to be hot today, so remembered to hydrate with water. Booze dehydrates you and I¡¯m not going to be responsible for one of you getting heatstroke or drowning. C¡¯mon, babe.¡± He threw an arm around April¡¯s shoulder and headed to a more secluded area along the shore.


    A snickering Randall nudged Lincoln while eyeballing April¡¯s backside.


    ¡°Gross,¡± Charlie punched his arm.


    ¡°What?¡± Randall complained.


    ¡°You¡¯re so obvious, creepy perv. You better not look at any of us!¡± She raised her fist.


    ¡°Where am I supposed to look then?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, how about our faces,¡± Sarah said.


    Sunny grunted.


    ¡°If I catch you checking me out, I¡¯m hitting you in the face.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, that¡¯s not fair. What if you walk in front of me and I happen to be looking at that?¡± Randall gestured at the smiling puppy sitting in the grass.


    Weird.


    Britt hadn¡¯t noticed the puppy approaching.


    ¡°Whatever,¡± Sunny shrugged. ¡°Don¡¯t look and your face doesn¡¯t get punched.¡±


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s just unfair. First of all, you¡¯re wearing bikinis. If you don¡¯t want guys to look then you wouldn¡¯t be wearing them, right?¡± Randall looked to Lincoln and Michael for some support and found none.


    ¡°Just drop it, bro,¡± Michael sighed. ¡°Just don¡¯t be a creep about it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, like my dad says, your mouth is cashing checks you can¡¯t cash,¡± Lincoln said.


    ¡°Okay, first of all,¡± Britt raised a finger, ¡°we¡¯re wearing bikinis because its hot and we¡¯re going swimming.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that doesn¡¯t mean you can just stare at us like a creeper,¡± Charlie said.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯m just gonna look into the sun, I guess,¡± Randall grumbled.


    The girls went into the lake and relaxed in the cool water on foam noodles while sipping their hard lemonades.


    ¡°Would you stop that?¡±


    Charlie kept looking around like a guilty songbird.


    ¡°I¡¯m watching out for one of the rangers.¡±


    ¡°What for?¡±


    Charlie lowered her voice. ¡°We¡¯re drinking alcohol.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why I brought these,¡± Sarah tapped the coozie covering the bottle. ¡°My sister says that they can¡¯t do anything if they can¡¯t see it. We¡¯re just drinking normal lemon soda.¡±


    They talked about the latest gossip from school and other things that young girls on the cusp of teenage-hood did.


    Invariably, talk turned toward the essay they had due on Monday.


    Britt had been struggling with the prompt.


    Under what circumstances would the consumption of human flesh by a human could be considered acceptable.


    ¡°The Donner party story, right?¡± Charlie pointed out. ¡°They were starving and the bodies were already dead, so, I guess that¡¯d be one time it¡¯s okay.¡±


    ¡°Meat¡¯s all the same,¡± Sunny shrugged, ¡°we¡¯re all animals.¡±


    ¡°I think there¡¯s a few key differences, Sunny.¡±


    Like the whole sapience thing.


    Then again, some animals were pretty close.


    Like apes, elephants and dolphins.


    People didn¡¯t eat them unless they had nothing else.


    Huh?


    So was that the answer?


    Britt thought about it.


    ¡°Maybe, that¡¯s the only time you can do it,¡± she mused. ¡°If a person¡¯s already dead and you will die if you don¡¯t eat them.¡±


    ¡°Ewww,¡± Sarah shuddered.


    The girls giggled.


    ¡°You guys talking about the assignment?¡± Michael swam over with the other boys.


    They were taking a break from their roughhousing.


    True to his word Randall kept his eyes skyward. ¡°I¡¯m sorta with Sunny on this,¡± he said. ¡°We¡¯re all part of the animal kingdom. So, it¡¯s natural, predator and prey stuff. One day you¡¯re the hunter gunning down the deer¡­ the next, a bear¡¯s eating your guts.¡± He mimed a bears paw being place on a persons chest while growling and snorting.


    Britt rolled her eyes.


    ¡°You would say that.¡±


    ¡°Okay, so, that¡¯s two people in the everybody can eat everybody camp,¡± Charlie said. ¡°I¡¯m with Britt on the it¡¯s only okay if you¡¯re going to starve to death, but the person you¡¯re eating has to have already died.¡±


    ¡°Well, my dad and uncles are hunters and they always say you don¡¯t want to eat anything that¡¯s already dead. Full of diseases and parasites,¡± Randall said.


    ¡°Gross!¡± Sarah splashed him in the face.


    ¡°What? It¡¯s true. That¡¯s just nature,¡± he sputtered.


    ¡°Who else is with me and Britt?¡± Charlie polled the rest.


    Sarah and Lincoln raised their hands.


    ¡°Michael, what about you?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Charlie¡­ I think, maybe¡­ maybe it¡¯d be better to die than have to eat another person.¡±


    Silence descended over the group.


    Britt mulled Michael¡¯s words over.


    Time passed slowly, yet swiftly.


    The sun crested straight above them, then continued its descent toward the western horizon.


    ¡°Mr. Cruces gives the weirdest assignments,¡± she muttered.


    They dropped the conversation, turning to more fun stuff.


    They ate, drank and, yes, flirted¡­ not with Randall¡­ the creepy perv needed to learn his lesson.


    It was a lazy, fun-filled Saturday.


    One of many in their young lives.


    At least until the screams started.

 Interlude: Worm Food 1.1

    Nevada, 2049


    The summer sun stood high over the mountains to the west of Las Vegas.


    High elevation and no cloud cover on this day meant that it was light, loose-fitting t-shirt, pants and sunglasses weather.


    Sadly, for the newest batch of Golden Eagles rotating in for garrison duty at the fort they had to be in full armor and gear as the commander did her introductory inspection.


    Armed and armored was a necessity since the fort didn¡¯t have the spires-given protections from monster attack like their hotel resort casino base back at the Strip. And it was anyone¡¯s guess when or if the fort would ever get those.


    It should¡¯ve since it was a legitimate fort.


    Walls of earth, stone and metal enclosed a large swath of ground around the entrance to the Bat People¡¯s encounter challenge cave home. There were multiple buildings made of more modern materials enclosed in the multi-tiered construction. Barracks, armories, bunkers, traps, kill zones and luxuries like a game hall and full gym complete with showers and a lap pool. Constructing such a fully-loaded fort high up in the mountains accessible only by foot trails would¡¯ve been impossible had it not been for some superpowered help.


    Ally and personal friend, Cal Cruces, had flown everything they needed and even helped with the construction.


    The fort went up in record time.


    Less than a week.


    He had even flattened space for a two-lane dirt road connecting the fort to the service roads several miles to the east.


    It made moving people and supplies infinitely easier for the trade-off at making access to the encounter challenge much easier for those inclined to defy the ban.


    Which was the entire reason for the fort.


    To keep other people from going into the caves and pursuing the Quests to kill or otherwise hurt the Bat People.


    Galen didn¡¯t know anything about them outside of the stories from the other Golden Eagles and Hayden and Prim, but if they were pro Bat People then that was good enough for him.


    The heat didn¡¯t bother him.


    It was a simple matter to spend a little mana to exude a cooling mist once or twice a minute.


    Fortunately, it was a dry heat, which meant his clothing dried almost instantaneously. It was different back home in Texas where it got humid at times. He could keep cool, but end up in dripping clothing, which was another kind of unpleasantness.


    He glanced to his left and right.


    The guys were standing closer than he remembered.


    The young woman in front of him had also shuffled closer.


    He felt breathing on the back of his neck.


    Commander Tamara Jackson¡¯s eyes latched on to him like a mutated coyote¡¯s on a jackalope.


    They narrowed as she quickly consulted the papers in her hands.


    ¡°Private Galen Alvarado?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡±


    ¡°Shut that off.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡±


    The other Golden Eagles around him groaned as they shuffled back into proper spacing.


    He focused on the commander as she gave her introductory speech.


    Her light brown skin bore no signs of sweat.


    Not even from her scalp, which was partially-visible due to her closely-cut hair.


    He had gotten his blond hair buzzed in preparation for the heat of the outdoors, but decided that it might¡¯ve been a mistake. A sunburned scalp wasn¡¯t something he wanted.


    The commander set her expectations briskly and sent them along to the next step of the intake process.


    His morning ended at the barracks where he met his squad.


    People rotated on a weekly basis in ones and twos, which meant that cliques didn¡¯t really get a chance to form.


    It was part of the Golden Eagles operating philosophy to have each individual Golden Eagle capable of slotting into any squad as needed while playing to the strengths of their skill set.


    The multi-story barracks building was one of two.


    His was located below the entrance to the Bat People¡¯s cave encounter challenge. While the other was located above.


    Each squad had a pod to themselves, which consisted of small rooms for two people and a single for the squad leader along with a small living room and dining area with a small fridge, microwave and portable stove.


    From what he understood, most people went to the mess hall for their dining needs.


    He carried his pack and gear as he made his way through the building, exchanging nods and smiles to his fellow Golden Eagles along the way.


    The door to his pod was propped open so he walked in.


    An old man seated at the table eyed him silently, chewing on a white stick of some kind. He was hunched over a partially-disassembled rifle.


    The sight was extraordinary.


    The man was absolutely ancient-looking, which was a rare sight outside the most well-protected areas.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    To be fair, Galen hadn¡¯t been to many places, so perhaps that wasn¡¯t always the case.


    Still, the man was the oldest person he had seen in the Golden Eagles by a wide margin.


    ¡°Excuse me? I¡¯m new¡­ ¡®Galen¡¯.¡±


    He approached with an outstretched hand.


    The old man eyes darted to Galen¡¯s chestplate before he wiped his grease-covered hand on a black-smudge towel. He took a deliberate moment to remove the cap, revealing a bald, spotted head.


    The cap itself was also ancient looking. Its red brim had faded into pink, while the rest of what had to have been a dark blue had gone closer to the color of the clear sky outside. On the front was a smiling, pink-skinned face of a man with what looked like a feather sticking out from the back of his headband.


    Weird.


    It must¡¯ve been from the pre-spires days.


    The old man carefully placed the cap on the table


    ¡°They call me ¡®Crazy Ol¡¯ Bob¡¯.¡±


    The old man¡¯s grip was stronger than his bony hand would¡¯ve indicated, but Galen wasn¡¯t surprised. Classes had a way of making physical appearance an unreliable method to judge what one was capable of.


    ¡°I¡¯ll answer to any of them three.¡±


    The old man rubbed his hand over his pale, liver-spotted pate, smearing what was left of the grease he hadn¡¯t smeared on Galen¡¯s hand.


    ¡°I look forward to working with you. Is the squad leader here?¡±


    The old man grinned.


    ¡°How do you know I ain¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°You said your name was ¡®Bob¡¯. And you don¡¯t look like a Huynh Tran.¡±


    ¡°Just yanking your junk!¡± Bob cackled.


    Galen laughed hesitantly.


    ¡°Just so¡¯s we¡¯re clear.¡± Bob pointed at the rainbow flag badge on Galen¡¯s chestplate, ¡°I ain¡¯t into men. Ain¡¯t nothing against it, mind. I ain¡¯t actually into anything these days. On account of needing performance enhancers, if you know what I mean.¡± He grinned. ¡°Men on men. Women on women. Men on women. He, she, them, whatever. Took me awhile, but I figured people¡¯s got to do what they wants to do, you know? Seems stupid worrying about that nonsense when world¡¯s went to shit and back. But for the record, if my junk worked normally then I¡¯d be into chicks. Hot ones with big tiddies, thin waist and a big ol¡¯ ass. Not soft and flabby, well, tiddies need to be soft. None of that fake shit. Meant the ass. Should be firm, like a good pillow, so¡¯s you can just rubbed your face into it. Know what I mean? Shit, you probably do. Young guys like you. Lots of firm asses in there. Not like my bony ass.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­¡±


    Galen didn¡¯t quite know how to answer.


    No one had ever commented on his sexuality.


    Perhaps that was due to the social circles he lived in.


    A door slammed open, saving him.


    A tall, thin woman appeared with a fearsome scowl.


    ¡°Sgt. Crazy Ol¡¯ Bob!¡± she snapped. ¡°What did I tell you about using my pod to clean your rifle?¡±


    The old man threw a lazy salute.


    ¡°Sgt. Tran. I feels as though I remember a lot o¡¯ words. Ain¡¯t none of them too nice from what my old noggin¡¯ can recall.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t! You have your own room. Go and dirty it up.¡± She gestured to the table, which was strewn with an old lever action rifle, partially-disassembled, and cleaning supplies. ¡°I¡¯ve given you five warnings. This is the last one. One more and I¡¯m taking this to my lieutenant.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t get them panties all twisted.¡± Crazy Ol¡¯ Bob snorted. ¡°It¡¯s jus¡¯ on account on the AC being strongest in your pod. Good for the arthritis, ya¡¯know?¡±


    He stood and wrapped his rifle parts in the towel it had been laid on. He patted Galen on the shoulder, smearing a bit more grease on the padded shirt.


    ¡°Heh¡­ ¡®Galen¡¯!¡± he chuckled. ¡°Kids these days. Getting all the weird names. At least yours kinda fits. Ain¡¯t nothing like no stupid ¡®Johndalf¡¯, that¡¯s fer certain.¡± He shook his head and ambled out of the pod.


    Sgt. Tran ran a hand through her short, straight black hair.


    She looked young.


    Galen guessed her to be around five years older than him, which would put her in her early twenties.


    ¡°Sorry about that. He¡¯s an annoying fucker, but he¡¯s the best shot here. Level 40, if you believe it.¡±


    He wouldn¡¯t have, but once again, appearances were deceiving when it came to classes.


    ¡°I believe you, sir.¡±


    He stood stiffly.


    She waved the formality away.


    ¡°Relax. First frontier posting?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir. I started in Austin for training and my first ten levels.¡± He reached for his pack to search for his duty card. ¡°Then to Las Vegas for my next ten. I¡¯ve also had a brief run through the Wichita death zone with the Heartfuries, but that was more of a¡­ babysitting run for them.¡±


    Sgt. Tran raised a sculpted brow.


    ¡°Sounds fancy.¡±


    ¡°Not really, sir. You see, I grew up in the same orphanage as Hayden and she was trying to scare me off the adventuring life, so to speak.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s probably got the right of it, but I¡¯m not one to judge. So, this is just a stepping stone?¡±


    He stiffened.


    ¡°Relax, rook,¡± she smiled. ¡°Like I said, no judgments. The Golden Eagles are a mercenary company. This isn¡¯t the military. You sign up for you term. After that you can sign up for another or you can leave. If you¡¯re in with the Heartfuries then you¡¯d now how we work better than outsiders.¡±


    ¡°I do, sir. And, yeah, I hope to join them one day.¡±


    ¡°Tough quest that,¡± she mused, ¡°word is they don¡¯t take anyone. I know plenty of pretty high level people that tried to get on with them. The Level 40 bar is tough to pass. Forget about Level 50¡­ unless you get on a team with people that might be there already¡­¡±


    ¡°Sorry, sir. I¡¯ve been sworn to secrecy. Punchy¡­ er¡­ Jayde cast a spell. If I reveal their levels without her consent there will be consequences.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ that¡¯s dark¡­ what kind of consequences?¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t say, sir.¡±


    ¡°Level 50 consequences?¡± She shuddered. ¡°I don¡¯t even want to try to imagine.¡±


    ¡°Same, sir.¡±


    ¡°Alright, rook. First thing. Drop the sir. I¡¯m not that kind of sergeant. All I care about is you following orders when I give them. Otherwise we act like normal people to each other. I don¡¯t have a stick up my butt. You don¡¯t have a stick you yours. Got it?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Good. Now. Intros to the rest of the squad will have to wait until lunch cause we were on night duty and I¡¯m letting them get their sleep. That¡¯s your bunk.¡± She pointed to the closed door at the end of the pod. ¡°Stow your stuff, but try to be quiet. Travion¡¯s your bunkie and he¡¯s a light sleeper. Whatever you do, don¡¯t stand over him when he¡¯s asleep. Had a boogeyman incident when he was a kid according to him. Welcome to the squad.¡±


    He shook her hand.


    ¡°Er¡­ lunch is in two hours. What do you want me to do until then?¡±


    She yawned.


    ¡°Whatever you want.¡± She gestured vaguely around the small living room space. ¡°Watch something. The magic box has a ton of stuff. Old movies and shows dating back a decade or two into the pre-spires era. Even has old sports stuff. Weird shit. You¡¯ll meet the rest of the guys for lunch.¡±


    ¡°Do you eat as a squad often?¡±


    ¡°Depends,¡± she shrugged. ¡°But we always do whenever we get noobs in.¡±


    With that she went back into her room.

 Interlude: Worm Food 1.2

    The glade was tranquil.


    A picture of springtime.


    Tall grass waved in the breeze like a sea of green.


    A small stream wove through on its way to the crystal clear lake in the valley.


    Rather, it would¡¯ve been tranquil had it not been for the fresh carcasses of assorted mutated animals and monsters piled in haphazard mounds.


    The portal had conveyed them as promised.


    There was hardly a hint of the nausea that accompanied his own attempts.


    The gateway had opened up.


    They stepped through.


    The transition was almost seamless.


    Deon was pleased to see his team snap to attention without hesitation.


    Safety had been promised.


    Sworn by binding oath reinforced by a spell.


    Granted, they had taught him the spell and such things were only backed by the strength behind them.


    He was over Level 40, but the eidolons were clearly more powerful. His best appraisal methods had come up with barely any information.


    Both of them had suggested it in the first place in an effort to allay his wariness.


    Towering giants over seven feet tall.


    The lavender-skinned man was probably over eight feet tall and he made the biggest, most muscular men Deon had ever seen look like chubby children.


    The winged woman was even more alien-looking, if one could believe. With the massive feathered wings sprouting from her back, clawed fingers and eagle-like talons instead of human feet.


    Oddly, she was super hot.


    Even the guy was.


    Deon wasn¡¯t into dudes, but he could admit when he saw perfection.


    He scratched at his beard.


    Damn dudes with chiseled jaw lines.


    He had to hide his lack with a beard, which the eidolon outdid him a perfect, lush, violet-colored beard.


    ¡°Hold. Scan for threats.¡±


    He cast detect monster.


    No pings in his vision, which meant that there weren¡¯t any within a hundred yard radius of his position.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got nothing.¡±


    Elandria scanned with her silvery, modular rifle, turning in a slow circle.


    The soft light from the targeting lens attached to her helmet cast a greenish tint over the dark brown skin of her smooth face.


    Ten years.


    The two of them had started this ten years ago when they would¡¯ve been just about to learn to drive cars back in the old days before the spires.


    Ancient history that he only knew mostly from stories from the older people, like his grandfather, and from the occasional book or show that managed to make its way to them.


    ¡°Skies are clear,¡± Xander said. The tall, stout young man had an arrow nocked, but not drawn on his huge bow. ¡°Movement higher up the mountains everywhere I look, but too far to tell what exactly I¡¯m seeing. Probably not an immediate threat. Otherwise we¡¯d know soon, won¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡°Here, let me make it easy.¡± Russ planted the tip of his rapier into the soft earth and cupped his hands over his mouth. ¡°Anyone or anything out there¡­ Fight Me!¡±


    The taunt rang out.


    They remained silent and ready.


    But there were only echoes.


    ¡°Can we find some shade? This much sun ain¡¯t doing much good for my complexion.¡± Russ shaded his eyes while wiping at his forehead. ¡°Already sweating like a hog lined up at my daddy¡¯s butcher shop.¡±


    ¡°Should¡¯ve worn a helmet like smart people,¡± Brandon or ¡®Brand¡¯ said.


    He was shorter than Xander by about six inches but close to a hundred pounds heavier thanks to body density beyond the normal human limits. He was also the only one in the eight person team without a class.


    So said, Brand tipped the heavy, steel faceplate up to reveal a light brown complexion and a mix of features from who knew how many ethnic origins.


    Russ scoffed.


    ¡°What? And be even hotter? Give it up with the headgear shit. You know it¡¯ll only make me slower. I don¡¯t take hits. I avoid them.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, if you see it coming,¡± Brand said.


    ¡°Or sense,¡± Russ pointed out.


    ¡°I guess we¡¯re cool if these two can argue in the middle of a bloody mess,¡± Hollis said.


    The ever-present scowl on her face was deeper than usual.


    ¡°Shade¡¯s good. Find a defensible spot since it looks like we¡¯re going to have to wait,¡± Deon said.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to sample the blood,¡± Saint said.


    ¡°Okay, Brand, Russ, watch her back.¡±


    Russ opened his mouth to argue.


    ¡°You¡¯re the only one with high-level taunts.¡±


    That snapped it shut and Russ dutifully trudged after the bloodmage.


    Not everyone had been on the team since the beginning.


    Many had died or left over the years.


    He and Elandria were the only constant.


    Though many of the others had been with him so long that it didn¡¯t make much of a difference to him that they didn¡¯t come up from the same town.


    Russ had only been with them for about a year and he was kind of annoying. However, he was good at his job so it wasn¡¯t that much of a problem.


    They found their shade near a tall pine tree.


    A lone giant amongst smaller ones.


    That seemed odd to Deon.


    But they didn¡¯t detect anything off about it.


    Just a tree.


    It wasn¡¯t an evil treant or a faux-tree, an extension, a lure, like those pictures of deep sea fish that brought prey to them with a glowing tentacle-thing from their foreheads.


    Weird shit.


    Those things seemed more like monsters than natural animals and yet, they weren¡¯t.


    Idle thoughts roiled through his head while they waited for the meeting to start. Mostly, they concerned the Level 40 ceiling and the Terminus Decree along with the threats of new potential upheavals from the spires.


    Growth had stagnated in the past couple of years and he¡ª they needed to get stronger to face the challenges.


    The eidolons were one such. Even if they were about to work with them.


    Alien invaders working with the old U.S. Government.


    At least they weren¡¯t going for the straight conqueror shit like in the old stories.


    The eidolons didn¡¯t eat people so that already put them ahead of the Meat Parade, which was thankfully ground down to almost nothing, thanks to the eidolons, if you believed them.


    Still, making deals with magically powerful beings from different worlds tickled the danger sense, so to speak, because he didn¡¯t have the Skill, just had a lot of experience honing those instincts.


    It reminded him of stories his grandfather used to tell back when the grizzled old man had been still coherent.


    Don¡¯t make deals with fairies.


    There was always a catch.


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°¡­ you¡¯ll never get the lucky charms.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Elandria said.


    ¡°A saying¡­ from my gramps. About dealing with fairies. Follow your nose to the rainbow, so you can taste it, but watch out for the pot of lucky charms at the end cause the leprechaun''s going to gut you if you try to eat the marshmallows.¡±


    ¡°Folktales,¡± Karna nodded while juggling a dancing flame between two fingers. ¡°Heard a few from the old people back home, except they were just that, tales. None of them were real. Skunk ape, mothman, dogman, Ozark howler. All make believe.¡±


    ¡°Half that shit is real. I¡¯ve fought and killed them,¡± Xander said.


    The tall man still had the arrow nocked.


    ¡°Half?¡± Hollis spun a thin, straight dagger. ¡°More like three-fourths. We¡¯ve killed the first two and I know for a fact the third exists, except it just people with the werewolf or weredog class. No idea what the howler thing is. Sounds like the same, yeah?¡±


    ¡°Were they really mothmen? They didn¡¯t seem sapient to me. More accurate to call them moth monsters,¡± Elandria said.


    Hollis shrugged.


    ¡°They kinda had two arms and two legs.¡±


    Hollis stiffened.


    Deon recognized the look.


    His team was already moving to a defensive formation while he called the trio of bloodseekers back.


    The air rippled above the open glade.


    A horizontal line appeared, like a jagged tear, which widened like the opening of some baleful eye.


    She descended out of the portal from on high, like the angels in the stories the old people told.


    Perfection in the flesh.


    A billowing dress of white couldn¡¯t be more modest and yet it seemed to accentuate her womanly charms of which there was plenty.


    Elandria cleared her throat.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got the fish mouth going.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t blame him,¡± Karna said. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I should throw myself at her feet or throw myself at her feet.¡±


    ¡°Magical charisma. We¡¯ve talked about this!¡± Elandria snapped.


    Deon cast a general anti-charm spell on his team.


    Being more of a generalist he had breadth at the cost of sacrificing depth.


    The eidolon¡¯s strength of presence dampened a little.


    Not a good sign.


    He had put a decent amount of mana into his spell.


    The eidolon alighted on the grass.


    This was the first time they had met this one.


    She was just as towering as the other two. Statuesque, really.


    Karna was right.


    He also wanted to prostrate himself at her feet and beg her to lead him¡­ and do other things to him.


    Instead, he remembered why he was there and steeled himself to approach.


    Her complexion was that of perfectly polished bronze. That of one that spent a lot of time in the sun and yet she looked as fresh and radiant as a sheltered child. Not the tanned, leathery look that melanin-lacking people got when they spent too much time under the sun without the proper protections.


    She was the picture of youth, yet her eyes¡­


    Her eyes pressed the weight of unnumbered years as she gazed down at him beneficently.


    The dichotomy threw him off.


    This was an ancient being.


    The huge eidolon had said as much at their first meeting a few weeks ago.


    Deon had been skeptical of Alcaestus¡¯ claim that the Eidolon of Sunor measured her age in quadruple digits.


    The Eidolon of Sunor gazed at each member of his team in turn before speaking.


    ¡°I greet you, Team Fortune¡¯s Future, I am, ¡®Sunor¡¯s Will¡¯, though, in my interest of securing a mutually beneficial alliance, I grant you the honor of a name. You may refer to me as ¡®Kerkestis¡¯,¡± she bowed.


    He copied her, not knowing what else to do.


    The rest of his team did the same to varying degrees of adroitness.


    ¡°It is our honor to be granted this opportunity,¡± he said.


    His mouth felt dry.


    The other two eidolons hadn¡¯t been this formal or maybe stately was the word he was looking for.


    Alcaestus and the Eidolon of Ekra had basically shot the shit like normal people.


    This Kerkestis gave him the impression of talking to an old human king or queen, except, if the eidolons could be believed, they actually had divinity backing them.


    Judging by the magical energy emanating from her, he was inclined to believe.


    ¡°I, uh, we, um, spoke with the other eidolons and, uh, they said you were cool with answering questions under truth spell and Skills¡­ respectfully, of course.¡± He added hastily. ¡°It¡¯s, uh, not that we question your integrity¡­¡±


    Kerkestis smile made him weak in the knees.


    ¡°Do not be concerned. It is only prudent since we have yet build a relationship. I acquiesce to all questions as it pertains to our first collaboration.¡±


    He sensed rather than saw Elandria stiffen behind him.


    He could imagine the shape of her thoughts.


    Was it really a collaboration if they were the ones doing the dirty work and taking the risks?


    ¡°Er, yeah, questions. We have just a couple.¡±


    He and Elandria had decided on simple ones.


    Yes or no.


    Their theory was that it¡¯d be tougher to beat the spell and Skills without added ambiguity.


    Kerkestis seemed to be of the same mind because she raised a finger.


    ¡°I must warn you that such methods are not perfect. Spells and Skills can counter them. If the subject is of sufficiently greater personal power then they can simply ignore them.¡±


    Her smile was incongruent with the fact that she had essentially told them that she could lie to their faces.


    Deon shrugged.


    If that was the case then they couldn¡¯t do anything about it.


    In truth they had all decided on going forward with the plan, regardless.


    This was really more for some peace of mind.


    ¡°Nevertheless, ma¡¯am, we¡¯d like to try anyways.¡±


    ¡°Then ask to your contentment.¡±


    ¡°Is this a trap to do us harm?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    The huge ruby in Karna¡¯s hand remained dull.


    Truth enchanted items glowed in the presence of a lie. The bigger the lie the brighter the glow. Anyone that enchanted them the opposite way was objectively wrong and stupid.


    ¡°I concur with the magic gem,¡± Hollis said.


    Deon glanced at Elandria.


    Her scowl beneath the glow of her helmet¡¯s lens was as deep as one of those grand canyons he had seen in his grandfather¡¯s old vacation pictures.


    ¡°Her energy is overwhelming my readings.¡±


    Kerkestis inclined her head a fraction.


    ¡°Apologies. I have diminished the radiance of Sunor¡¯s Light within me as much as I can.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ we appreciate it, ma¡¯am. Um, next question,¡± he continued. ¡°The map of the Bat People Encounter Challenge you¡¯re going to provide is accurate?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°The map of the fort as well?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°And the troop disposition of the defenders?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Granted, such things change. The information I am providing is from the past year of aerial observation. I am confident that if there are changes, they will be minor. Troop rotations and such,¡± she waved a dismissive hand. ¡°What hasn¡¯t changed is that there have only been two to four defenders over Level 40 at any given time. That number tends to double for a day or two as part of said troop rotations. Though the command staff remains in place for three months at a time.¡±


    ¡°How did you get the maps?¡±


    ¡°I commissioned high level stealth specialists in a similar arrangement as I am building with you.¡±


    The ruby remained dull.


    ¡°The gear you promised? There are no hidden dangers to them?¡±


    ¡°Not intentionally. Any tool can be dangerous if wielded improperly.¡±


    Truth.


    ¡°And they¡¯re powerful enough to make getting through the fort and into the caves easier. It won¡¯t do us any good to use up our abilities just getting inside.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t answer that question because it is combat and there are oh so many variables.¡±


    Truth.


    Deon glanced at Elandria.


    She blinked twice.


    ¡°Okay. We accept your offer of patronage for this one instance. Future collaboration depends on how it goes.¡±


    ¡°Wonderful!¡±


    The eidolon¡¯s smile made his head swim.


    ¡°Now. As promised.¡±


    Kerkestis¡¯ hand disappeared into the space beside her and emerged with two small gems he didn¡¯t recognize.


    They exuded magic in his mage¡¯s senses.


    ¡°The fort.¡± She floated the smaller one to him. ¡°And the encounter challenge, more specifically the caverns and tunnels claimed by the Bat People. There are many deeper ones, but I strongly caution your team from venturing there. Let what lurks below keep the Bat People occupied while you accomplish your Quests.¡± She floated the much larger gem toward him


    Elandria snatched them.


    ¡°The magic gear?¡±


    There was an edge to his friend¡¯s voice that, frankly, scandalized him.


    She didn¡¯t need to be so rude.


    Kerkestis was being so cool and nice and motherly and hot.


    Before he could say anything, the eidolon clapped.


    Treasure chests suddenly appeared in front of each member of his team.


    Dark reddish wood shined in both normal vision and in his mage¡¯s senses. The gold gilding was without the slightest blemish.


    Kerkestis opened them with a gesture.


    A fist-sized rock lay in Deon¡¯s.


    ¡°Mana battery,¡± he muttered.


    Except, there was way more in the rock than in any other he had used or seen before.


    ¡°That is correct, yet inadequate. I can tell that you know it holds more mana that what you are familiar with. It is as one of your Great Lakes to a quaint mountain pond. One of the consequences of a world and people new to the spires. It is a near-unending font of mana. Unaspected, which is best for a generalist mage, such as yourself. Though, I would advise you to specialize in one to three paths as you gain levels. For at the heights of power, masters of a few tend to triumph over adepts of many, yet masters of none.¡±


    She turned to Elandria, who lifted a dark helm with a cyclopean eye in the center. Strangely, there were no openings. No slits for her eyes or her nose, mouth and ears. It looked to be made of soft and supple material¡ª


    The eye suddenly blinked.


    Elandria almost dropped it as both she and he recoiled.


    ¡°A Helm of Unerring Aim. Suited for your usage of guns. Do not fear. It does not restrict your senses, nor the ability to breathe. In fact, you will find wearing it as though you were wearing nothing at all. Though, those aren¡¯t its main enchantment.¡±


    The rest received their magic gear with varying levels of excitement or wariness.


    ¡°I will graciously take the rest of the afternoon to instruct you in their usage.¡±


    Kerkestis¡¯ smile warmed his insides like nothing had ever done before.

 Interlude: Worm Food 1.3

    Austin, Texas 2039


    Galen, aged 7, sneaked into the basement with a small group of his fellow orphans.


    Ms. Daniels¡¯ had set a strict bedtime, but they were willing to risk extra chores just for a chance to see some cool stuff going down.


    You see, legendary figures were visiting.


    They had a huge group dinner with Ms. Hayden and Ms. Primrose, sure they were women and technically had been graduates of Ms. Daniels¡¯ home for girls, but that didn¡¯t matter to the boys, who were all about badass, powerful people.


    It showed them possibilities for the future.


    That they, too, could take control of their lives and gain revenge on those that had caused them to be placed in Ms. Daniels¡¯ strict, but caring arms.


    Galen was a bit different on that account.


    He couldn¡¯t remember the how and why he had ended up in the orphanage. Honestly, he hadn¡¯t really thought much about it. His earliest memory was being in the home. Vague memories of former graduates coming back with presents and such. One of which was of the Heartfuries running a magic crystal over him.


    He still didn¡¯t know what that had been about.


    They had done it to all the others and he distinctly remembered Ms. Daniels scowling at the whole thing and getting snippy with Hayden, which was weird cause Ms. Daniels, though stern, never really raised her voice. She got disappointed rather than angry whenever one of them misbehaved.


    He had pestered Ms. Daniels and the other caretakers for months about it until the incident had finally lost its grip on his attention.


    Galen and the boys had beaten the adults to the basement in the nick of time.


    Each found a hiding spot well-away from the thrumming device in the middle of the concrete-lined room. They had been warned about coming down here. Bodily harm and such, but boys being boys, they lacked a certain sense of self-preservation that came with experience.


    Galen regretted his hiding spot¡­ for dirty laundry stank.


    Alas, it was too late to move.


    The creaking door was their only warning that the adults were coming. The basement had been reinforced top to bottom, which meant that they didn¡¯t hear the steps through the ceiling. Normally, a mischief maker could reliably listen for the tell-tale tapping of Ms. Daniels¡¯ cane on the hardwood floors from quite a distance. Though, strangely, sometimes Ms. Daniels would catch them by sneaking up as quiet as one of the homes¡¯ guard cats.


    Voices filtered down the stairs.


    Some kind of argument.


    He vaguely remembered it from the dinner, though he had been seated a good distance from Ms. Daniels and Hayden.


    It seemed that they hadn¡¯t finished it.


    ¡°It¡¯s part of the deal,¡± Ms. Hayden said.


    Galen recognized the tone in her voice.


    It surprised him to hear the same resigned exasperation that he heard coming out of the older kids whenever one of their caretakers was getting on their case for one thing or another.


    It was weird hearing it out of someone that the stories said could char a huge monster to a burned crisp from inside out with a single touch.


    One of the things he loved to do was listen to the stories their Golden Eagle guards told.


    Ms. Daniels wasn¡¯t a fan of those stories.


    She¡¯d always shoo him and the other boys away from the wall when she caught them pestering the guards.


    Ms. Daniels didn¡¯t like the guards.


    ¡°They¡¯re supposed to protect the children, not get them killed,¡± Ms. Daniels said in that disappointed tone.


    ¡°It¡¯s not what I¡¯d want the kids to do, but once they turn 18 they need to find their own way. Those are your rules, remember?¡± Ms. Hayden said. ¡°Would you rather they go straight adventurer without any support? The Golden Eagles will treat them right because Elliot keeps his word.¡±


    ¡°Plus you¡¯ll kill them all if they mess with our kids,¡± Ms. Primrose added, perhaps unhelpfully.


    ¡°What I don¡¯t remember is teaching you to be this violent,¡± Ms. Daniels said.


    ¡°This is the world we live in and I¡¯m not having this argument again. Every time,¡± Ms. Hayden sighed.


    ¡°Not every time,¡± Ms. Primrose said, ¡°at least not the last two times I¡¯ve visited¡­ with you, Hayden. Nope, don¡¯t remember treading these familiar waters.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m sorry. Sometimes I still see you as those surly girls.¡±


    A fond sounding tone entered Ms. Daniels¡¯ voice.


    ¡°Deaths suck, but unless you¡¯re willing to force them into safer classes then it¡¯s out of our hands. We can¡¯t babysit all of them,¡± Ms. Hayden said. ¡°You know how I was.¡±


    ¡°Went straight into encounter challenges. I thought I¡¯d never hear from you again. I thought that you¡¯d end up dead in a cave where no one would know or find out to tell me.¡± Ms. Daniels sniffed. ¡°But you came back. Months passed between them. But you always came back¡­ and I thought each time was going to be the last time.¡±


    ¡°Wow, thanks for the vote of confidence,¡± Ms. Hayden said flatly.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m sorry, but it¡¯s the truth.¡±


    ¡°Ladies, let¡¯s not get all weepy,¡± Ms. Primrose said. ¡°Batteries need recharging and we¡¯re on a tight schedule. Also, there¡¯s a small boy hiding behind that generator.¡± She thrust a finger, posing imperiously.


    It was¡­ Darren.


    Galen breathed a sigh.


    He squeaked, ducking behind the silvery cylinder not quite big enough to hide him completely.


    It was always stupid Darren.


    A glint shined in Ms. Primrose¡¯s eyes as a grin split her face.


    ¡°We can see you. Do you know what happens to spies? Remind me, Hayden?¡±


    Ms. Hayden flicked Ms. Primrose¡¯s ear.


    ¡°You¡¯re scaring him, Prim.¡±


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°Ow, unnecessary. It¡¯s a teachable moment. This stuff is dangerous to play around in.¡±


    Ms. Daniels¡¯ eyes widened.


    ¡°Mr. Cruces and you two assured me that the equipment was perfectly safe.¡±


    A familiar scowl formed on her face.


    ¡°Yeah, but they don¡¯t need to know that,¡± Ms. Primrose whispered back.


    Ms. Hayden clapped her hands.


    The sound caused Galen to jump out from behind the pile of dirty laundry.


    The rest of his fellow spies emerged out of their hiding places like cockroaches when the lights were turned on.


    Ms. Daniels¡¯ sigh was one of pure disappointment.


    It was a familiar thing.


    ¡°I knew you weren¡¯t in your beds, but I thought you were sneaking for cookies.¡±


    Wait?


    What?


    She knew!


    ¡°Ohoho!¡± Ms. Primrose raised a brow. ¡°Ms. Daniels, did your most hated Skill not work properly?¡±


    Ms. Daniels eyed the thrumming machinery in the center of the basement.


    It exuded warmth that made the normally cold concrete bearable on their bare feet.


    ¡°You did say that there were concealing enchantments on those things.¡± Ms. Daniels suddenly wheeled on Galen and the boys. ¡°Don¡¯t think you can hide from me in here. I know now.¡±


    Galen nodded.


    That was fairly obvious to him.


    ¡°Alright, straight to bed, c¡¯mon, shoo, shoo.¡± Ms. Hayden made sweeping motions toward the stairs.


    ¡°Aww, can we watch? Please!¡± Galen said.


    For some reason he really wanted to see what they were about to do.


    He felt something strange in the air.


    Had first felt it when he had descended into the basement.


    But it was a lot stronger now.


    Ms. Primrose locked eyes with Ms. Hayden before clearing her throat.


    ¡°Ms. Daniels, I¡¯m inclined to allow them to watch. It¡¯ll be a teachable thing.¡±


    ¡°Seriously?¡± Ms. Hayden said.


    Ms. Primrose shrugged.


    ¡°I think he¡¯s close to you know what and it¡¯s better we, or I guess me,¡± she sighed, ¡°will need to do a lesson.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s seven!¡± Ms. Daniels said.


    Where they talking about him?


    Why did Ms. Daniels have that look on her face?


    ¡°Things are changing. It¡¯s really rare, but there have been cases of children gaining classes without doing what we used to have to do. Too many random classes might cripple their progression.¡±


    Wait?


    He was going to get a class?


    Without killing a monster or having to wait till he was an adult?


    He couldn¡¯t contain his smile.


    ¡°Cool!¡±


    The possibilities flowed through his mind!


    Ms. Hayden flicked his ear.


    ¡°Knock that off and pay attention.¡±


    A shock caused him to jump.


    It was just like when they rubbed their feet on the shaggy carpet in the living room and poked each other with jolting fingers.


    ¡°Hayden!¡± Ms. Daniels snapped.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Ms. Daniels shook her head.


    ¡°A grown woman, supposedly¡­ I don¡¯t know about this¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, we don¡¯t want him to just pick up whatever classes pop up. Kids are kinda dumb.¡± Ms Primrose turned to them. ¡°No offense. I was a kid once and I was dumb. Your boys, so that means you¡¯re even dumber, faster.¡±


    ¡°Primrose!¡± Ms. Daniels snapped.


    ¡°What? It¡¯s true, we¡¯ve got, like, different kinds of intelligence and everyone knows¡­¡± she lowered her voice to a whisper, ¡°boys of this age are super dumb.¡± Her eyes darted back to them. ¡°No offense.¡±


    Galen scowled.


    Ms. Primrose instantly wasn¡¯t as cool anymore.


    From the grumbling around him, he wasn¡¯t alone in that assessment.


    ¡°Okay, fine. They can stay and watch as long as it¡¯s safe,¡± Ms. Daniels said.


    The boys had found a surprising ally where they least expected.


    ¡°He¡¯s the only one that needs to stay,¡± Ms. Primrose said, pointing to him.


    ¡°Let them all watch,¡± Ms. Hayden said.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Use your head.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ okay. Can¡¯t single him out. Got it.¡± Ms. Primrose nodded, shaking her short blond hair. ¡°Alright, listen up, little dumb boys! You are about to observe two things. First,¡± she pointed at Ms. Hayden, ¡°she will recharge the science-y batteries.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the batteries for?¡±


    Someone piped up behind Galen.


    It sounded like stupid Darren.


    ¡°Power for your home. You know what electricity is, right?¡±


    Synchronized nods.


    ¡°Well, these batteries means that you don¡¯t have to get electricity from the city, which means Ms. Daniels doesn¡¯t have to pay Universal Points to the leeches that¡ª¡±


    Ms. Daniels cleared her throat.


    ¡°That is to say that those points can be better spent on things you dumb stinky lot need.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Stupid Darren picked his nose and pointed at the silvery machine in the middle of all the cables leading from the batteries and generator thingies.


    Galen felt weird about it.


    There was like the squiggly lines in his eyes that he sometimes got after just waking up whenever he looked at it or at the batteries on the opposite side of the room from the science-y batteries.


    ¡°Now that is magic and science. It will keep you safe from mons¡ª it makes a magic shield around this place.¡±


    ¡°The basement?¡±


    The other boys shushed stupid Darren.


    They were balanced on a knife¡¯s edge.


    One never knew when the adults¡¯ largesse could end.


    They didn¡¯t want to be sent back to bed before getting to see whatever it was that was supposed to happen.


    They had no idea, but it had to be cool and they couldn¡¯t wait to lord it over the more law-fearing children that went to bed like the boot-lickers they were.


    Ms. Hayden frowned.


    ¡°The entire house¡ª¡±


    ¡°And the yar¡ª ow!¡±


    Stupid Darren just didn¡¯t get it.


    Sometimes one just had to jab a knuckle in one¡¯s ribs.


    ¡°Boys! Stop that! Apologize! I will send you to bed right now!¡±


    Ms. Daniels was on them with the swiftness of a tiger.


    Mumbled apologies accompanied Ms. Primrose¡¯s laughter.


    ¡°Oh, wow! That takes me back!¡±


    Her smile was radiant in the glow from the magitech machinery.


    ¡°Anyways, the magic shield extends all the way to the fence.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get this done,¡± Ms. Hayden said as she approached the science-y batteries.


    Ms. Primrose came to stand next to Galen.


    ¡°Um,¡± he looked up then down again, unable to meet her eyes, ¡°um, am I supposed to watch this?¡±


    She shrugged.


    ¡°Sure, why not. It¡¯s kinda cool if you haven¡¯t seen her electrify something before, but what you really need to watch is when I put mana into those.¡± She pointed at the other batteries. ¡°I want you to really pay attention. Try to, uh, understand and grab the weird feeling or things you¡¯re probably seeing right now. We¡¯ll talk about it after. There might be a test.¡± She winked.


    Crap!


    He hated tests.


    They were stupid cause they made him feel stupid.

 8.40

    The classroom looked weird.


    For one thing Britt was alone in the sole desk.


    She gazed around the room.


    Wasn¡¯t she just at the lake with her friends?


    When she completed the look around she found that she wasn¡¯t alone.


    Mr. Cruces stood, leaning against his desk.


    Both hadn¡¯t been there before.


    Wait that was wrong.


    They had been there the whole time.


    Her eyes were drawn to her desk and the essay she had written. To the big red number inside the big red circle.


    ¡°80? Um¡­ why?¡±


    ¡°Your essay is above average.¡± Mr. Cruces regarded her with the slight upward turn of the corners of his mouth. A perpetual sign that he knew something that she and her fellow students didn¡¯t.


    ¡°What are you grading on? I thought its supposed to be subjective anyways,¡± she frowned.


    ¡°Oh, you certainly gave a good defense on the merits of becoming a humanitarian in desperate circumstances. But, you¡¯re forgetting the lessons.¡±


    ¡°I guess, since apparently, I¡¯m still not getting it.¡±


    So many essays and nothing above an 80.


    Why?


    ¡°What¡¯s the big deal if they¡¯re already dead? They¡¯re just gonna rot anyways. Like, bugs and other animals are gonna eat them. We¡¯re animals, why isn¡¯t it okay for us? It¡¯s not like I¡¯m just gonna eat random dead bodies. It¡¯s only if I was starving. Like, survival is what we¡¯re supposed to do. We can¡¯t just give up and let ourselves die. That¡¯s, like, against the rules.¡±


    ¡°Which rules?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ all of them. Church, society, nature!¡± she pounded the desk, snapping the wood.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    The surface was perfect with the deep, rich brown tones of the grain popping from underneath the shiny lacquer.


    ¡°Let¡¯s start with the rules,¡± Mr. Cruces said amiably. ¡°They¡¯re rather subjective in regards to the topic. At least in the old days. Humans eating human flesh is likely as old as humans. They did it for different reasons though never as a primary source of protein due to prion disease among other things. It was part of rituals in different populations. Perhaps one wanted to gain the strength of a defeated enemy warrior or it was keeping the spirit of a deceased loved one alive in oneself.¡±


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s weird. I get eating an enemy, I guess, but why would you want to eat your grandma?¡± she shuddered.


    ¡°Agreed, but who are we to judge and in any case that particular act doesn¡¯t truly hurt anyone, does it? Unlike the former, where you commit a violent act, take an other¡¯s life.¡±


    ¡°Sure, but if it¡¯s war, then they¡¯re killing each other anyways.¡±


    ¡°There have to be some lines, right? Humans get to choose. We possess reason. Unlike animals, who operate on instinct.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but the prompt was to come up with a situation where it was okay. Unless that was a trick question?¡±


    Mr. Cruces raised a brow.


    ¡°Never? Is that what we¡¯re supposed to say?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d say the eating of human flesh by a human could be considered under subjective terms as permissible in the old days. You¡¯re starving and there are dead bodies freezing in the snow all around you. Sure, go ahead chow down if you want the chance to survive. Grandma died and for some reason she left it in her will that she¡¯d be cool for the family to cook a few bits up so that her spirit could live within them all¡­ sure, not my thing, but I wouldn¡¯t call it a heinous crime against humanity. As long as everyone involved had informed consent. Taking a bite out of the butt cheek of an enemy warrior? I¡¯m a nope on that one. Bad enough you kill a guy, you can¡¯t even leave his body untouched for his family to bury, burn or whatever.¡±


    ¡°What if his family wants to eat the dead warrior?¡± She giggled for some reason.


    ¡°Informed consent,¡± he shrugged. ¡°So, all those fall into the subjective realm on the question¡­ is it okay to consume human flesh, as a human? However, things changed. We live a different world. Cannibalism is an objective wrong. When the act, depending on how you went about it, creates a fate worse than death. One that ripples out, creating more fates worse than death. Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°Um, yeah, I guess.¡±


    ¡°Britt. This is important. I can tell you¡¯re close.¡±


    Mr. Cruces¡¯ gaze felt like the all-seeing eye in her favorite story from the way it seemed to press down on her with tangible weight.


    Her heart hammered in her chest, blood rushed to her head, her gums began to hurt and she tasted something tangy, metallic.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I mean, if I was going to die unless I ate another person¡¯s flesh, then I should do it, right? Like, suicide is wrong and that¡¯s what I¡¯d be doing if I refused.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not killing yourself for selfish reasons. You¡¯re doing it to save other lives in the future.¡±


    ¡°How does that even work?¡± she snapped, snarling like a tiger.


    Mr. Cruces seemed to draw back.


    The red haze over her vision retreated as he spoke in a soothing tone.


    ¡°It¡¯s hard, I know, but you¡¯re the only one that can do it. I can lead you to the cliff, but you have to make the choice to jump.¡±


    She saw it in her mind¡¯s eye.


    No¡ª


    She stood at the edge of cliff, staring down at gaping void of mist shrouded darkness.


    The wind whipped through her hair.


    She wanted to step back, but couldn¡¯t.


    Nor could she do as her teacher said.


    ¡°Rejection is the only path to true freedom.¡± Mr. Cruces stood behind her. ¡°It can¡¯t be performative. It has to be genuine. From within. Conscious and subconscious together. Because that¡¯s how it began. You accepted it once and fed it many times after. You make a thing strong, you make it harder to destroy. But, I believe you can do it. You chose it. That has to mean you can un-choose it.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t underst¡ª¡±


    The classroom¡¯s glass shattered, thrusting her back to the cool waters of the peaceful lake and the pool noodles underneath her arms and legs.


    Screams!


    She swam then waded desperately to shore with her friends.


    Monsters swept through the park, splashing red against the green, darkening the once vibrant grass.


    People fled in every direction only to be devoured by grotesque humanoid monsters with distended jaws and over-sized mouths crammed with sharp teeth.


    ¡°C¡¯mon! The bikes!¡± Michael urged them on.


    Britt pedaled for her life.


    A scream from behind.


    Randall¡¯s voice silenced mid shout.


    She didn¡¯t dare look back.


    Michael and Sarah pedaled just ahead of her.


    Loping and leaping shapes seemed to be all around them.


    Silenced screams.


    Babies¡¯ last cries.


    ¡°Watch out!¡± Charlie screamed.


    A twisted humanoid shape leapt out of the red-stained grass.


    Time slowed.


    She saw the human in the grotesquely-twisted face. Saw monstrous hunger.


    She licked her lips as the monster¡¯s arc carried it over her.


    She glanced back into Charlie¡¯s wide eyes.


    Where Sunny had been was the broad, muscled back of the monster hunched over¡ª


    No!


    She wouldn¡¯t, couldn¡¯t accept it!


    The park gave way to the neighborhood.


    Michael and Sarah split to the left and right, each heading to their homes.


    Britt pedaled for hers with Charlie right on her rear wheel.


    ¡°Momma!¡± She ditched her bike, tearing the side gate open to rush into the garage with Charlie still on her heels.


    ¡°Britt! Slow down! Can¡¯t you smell it!¡± Charlie gasped.


    A sweet, cloying scent filled her home. She could almost taste it.


    ¡°Britt! Stop, lets get out of here! Something¡¯s wrong!¡± Charlie tugged on her arm.


    ¡°Momma!¡± She pushed into the house.


    The scent grew stronger with every step.


    Down the hallway and into the living room where a monster stood over her momma.


    Unblinking eyes stared up from a face drenched in red.


    Her momma¡¯s pristine white and blue dress was wet with the same red.


    The monster turned back into a man.


    She knew his face from somewhere deep in the recesses of her memories.


    His grandfatherly demeanor was only marred by the red smears around his mouth.


    ¡°Ah, the young! For you there is a choice.¡±


    ¡°Britt! This is wrong. You have to run!¡± Charlie hissed in her ear, incessantly tugging on her arm.


    ¡°It is a simple choice. Yes or no.¡±


    The man reached down and tore a strip of her momma¡¯s flesh as easily as pulling the skin off a fried chicken breast.


    ¡°You can partake or refuse.¡± He held it out toward her.


    ¡°You can¡¯t, Britt!¡± Charlie¡¯s voice seemed to come from far away. ¡°It¡¯s a trap. A fate worse than dying.¡±


    ¡°It is our blessed sacrament. Take it or become it. That is your choice.¡± the man presented the bloody flesh.


    Her hand trembled as it slowly rose.


    Fingers twitched as she reached out and¡ª


    <hr>


    Alin wanted to hurl, but no way was he going to do that in front of his parents.


    They were in the prison located a short flight north of Los Angeles.


    Specifically, in the warden¡¯s office.


    The warden had temporarily vacated it for his dad, who was in charge of the whole thing. Hell, the whole thing was his dad¡¯s personal project.


    An attempt to rehabilitate those with problematic classes.


    A complete failure to date with zero successes in the almost ten years it had been in operation.


    ¡°Are you okay, baby?¡± His mom rubbed his back while shooting eye daggers at his dad.


    ¡°I did warn you.¡±


    ¡°Why is it worse than the usual training?¡± he groaned.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, you tell me what you think?¡±


    ¡°Love, are you being serious right now?¡±


    ¡°Getting the mind flowing and focusing will help ease the transition back to reality. You know this, Love.¡±


    ¡°Okay...¡± He leaned back into the chair and closed his eyes, grimacing at the ceiling.


    The lights hadn¡¯t seemed that bright before his dad had taken him into the mindscape of the flesheater prisoner.


    Now it was like staring into one of the spotlights on the walls they had back home.


    ¡°Um, yeah, so that was just as real as real life. Just like when we train. So, I don¡¯t know why it¡¯s affecting me worse.¡±


    ¡°Go on.¡±


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    He took a few deep breaths through his nose, exhaling through his mouth before continuing.


    ¡°It was like being in a horror movie compared to an action movie.¡±


    ¡°You come up with the weirdest comparisons, Boy.¡± His dad glanced at his mom.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me. I didn¡¯t teach him that. The weird stuff is all from you.¡±


    ¡°So, like, the training stuff is like being in an action movie. There¡¯s bad guys and monsters, but I can fight them and win sometimes. The flesheater stuff was like being in a horror movie. Where it felt like it didn¡¯t matter what I could do or try because the killer or monster always wins in the end. Like I never had a chance to fight. Like they were so much stronger than me. What do you call that thing?¡± He snapped his fingers. ¡°Oh, yeah! Agency. I didn¡¯t have agency in there. I had to just watch people being murdered and eaten.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not far off from it. Your subconscious rebels against that lack of agency, hence the much worse symptoms. It¡¯s different for everyone and it¡¯ll probably be different for you if you try it again. Don¡¯t ask me to explain. It¡¯s one of the mysteries of the human brain interacting with the rest of you. Okay, that¡¯s not entirely accurate. It¡¯s psychosomatic symptoms. Mind over matter stuff.¡±


    ¡°Super scientific explanation, Dad. I can see why the Thresnosh still complain about your powers to this day.¡±


    ¡°What else did you see in there, Boy? Did she refuse?¡± his mom said.


    ¡°No. She took the¡ª¡± an involuntary shiver ran up his spine. ¡°She took it.¡±


    ¡°It was a close thing this time,¡± his dad said.


    ¡°And how much longer do they have? How many more chances?¡± his mom said.


    ¡°Till the end,¡± his dad said.


    ¡°What¡¯s Mom talking about?¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s the other part of this whole thing you wanted to see, right?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ yeah?¡±


    ¡°Yes or no. Do you still want to see everything?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I do,¡± he nodded, then regretted it instantly as the room spun.


    ¡°Hang on a second.¡±


    His dad did something to his brain.


    The nausea and dizziness vanished instantly.


    ¡°You could¡¯ve done that sooner,¡± he accused.


    ¡°Yeah, but then you wouldn¡¯t have learned the lesson.¡±


    Alin looked to his mom and found no support there.


    She was backing his dad on this one.


    ¡°Alright, thanks for that. I¡¯m ready to see what else I need to see.¡±


    Whether he¡¯d regret it like he did going into the flesheater woman¡¯s mindscape was something he wouldn¡¯t know until after.


    He got back into his armor and followed his dad back into the prison.


    Mom walked behind him.


    She was wearing her Threnosh armor like him.


    The cool shell around him brought comfort in the face of the feeling like he was walking into a monster¡¯s lair, which he knew was just in his head.


    The prison was probably one of the safest places to be in.


    Especially, when he was there with his dad and mom.


    He didn¡¯t see any other guards aside from the warden when they had first arrived although he knew they were around.


    He had seen the staff list and the prisoner list.


    Both were a lot shorter than they would¡¯ve been back in the old days.


    ¡°Why is this place so big?¡±


    Their boots echoed against the cold concrete.


    He regarded the long rows of empty, iron-barred cells.


    Multiple levels too.


    He did a quick count and guessed that this one section held a few hundred prisoners back in the old days. Probably double or even triple that because the cells looked to have two, sometimes three beds.


    The toilet was just in the back of the cell, like they expected prisoners to shit and piss without any privacy.


    Where was the dignity?


    ¡°Did people commit way more crimes back in the ancient past?¡±


    ¡°Who are you calling ancient?¡± His mom poked him in the back.


    Ha!


    Her pokes did nothing through his power armor.


    He was poke proof.


    That meant he could¡ª


    No!


    He shook his head.


    That way lay folly.


    For he couldn¡¯t stay in his armor forever and his mom had a long, grudge-filled memory, like the mighty elephant.


    She¡¯d get him later.


    ¡°Not you, Mom. You don¡¯t look a day over old. Honestly, you¡¯re the youngest looking one out of all my friends¡¯ moms.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, baby!¡± She patted him on the back.


    It was a friendly pat, but it held the promise of future pokes should he make another misstep.


    ¡°Well, it wasn¡¯t that people were more criminal back then. I¡¯d say it was more a combination of a few things. There were a lot more people and there were a lot more things that were considered crimes.¡±


    ¡°I get the first, but not the second.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s complicated¡ª wait, you¡¯ve covered this in your history classes.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ uh¡­ yeah¡­ I remember, completely.¡±


    ¡°In that case, elucidate the subject for your mother and me as if we were, say, the Threnosh curious about the purpose of this structure.¡±


    Damn it.


    History wasn¡¯t exactly his favorite subject.


    ¡°It¡¯s a prison. On paper the main purpose is to punish people that broke laws and to keep everyone else safe from them. I guess it did that, but the real reason it existed was for the people at the top to keep control and gain more wealth. Um¡­ classism, racism and other stuff like that.¡± He scratched his head, delving his memories. ¡°The old government made a lot of laws to target darker people cause, like, that kept them at the bottom so they could keep exploiting them. Like, they were just trying to continue slavery, but not too obvious. Oh! Also, like, each prisoner was worth a lot of that old monies to the owners of this place. So, they, like made sure to, uh, lobby? I think that¡¯s what it was called? When they, like, paid the council people in the government to makes laws that made it easier to put people in here. Oh! And the ruling class people also used it to make all the other classes, like, be enemies so that they didn¡¯t team up to fight against the exploitation for better lives for all of them. That¡¯s the classism part. Er¡­ I think that¡¯s mostly it?¡±


    His dad looked to his mom.


    ¡°What do you think?¡±


    ¡°Meh, close enough,¡± she said.


    ¡°It¡¯s simultaneously more complicated and simpler than that. I found that one¡¯s viewpoint depended on where they stood in that system. It¡¯s not much different from now. I mean, is what I¡¯m doing all that different from those old people?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ am I supposed to answer that?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but give it some real thought while we do our inspection.¡±


    His dad led them to the only occupied cell in the section of the prison while he chewed on the question.


    ¡°The woman whose mindscape we were just in. Brittney Johnson. She was only a little younger than you when she was forced to become a flesheater and join the Meat Parade.¡±


    ¡°But, she got the class and you can¡¯t really be forced to take a class. I guess, except for the slave class¡­ crap!¡± It suddenly occurred to him that he might actually be wrong about things he had taken to be truths despite all the information his parents had made available to him.


    Maybe, just maybe, he and his friends didn¡¯t have all the right answers.


    ¡°For some people it¡¯s easier to assign, not blame, but responsibility for a monstrous class to an individual choice. Do you know why?¡±


    Alin considered his answer while staring into the cell and the restrained monster¡ª


    No! That wasn¡¯t the full truth.


    Brittney Johnson was still a person despite the class.


    At least according to his dad.


    And was there anyone else better in the world that knew what lay within a mind?


    It was difficult to follow that line of thinking even if it was logical when he saw the sleeping monster-like woman restrained in a bed-like device that was definitely Threnosh tech or more likely human made using Threnosh tech.


    Britt¡¯s entire body was encased in something that resembled full-body armor in the center of several huge interlocking rings attached by multiple metallic tubes and cables.


    ¡°Oh, wow¡­ this looks way crazier in real life, I mean, in person.¡±


    Her monstrous face was mostly obscured by the mask fitted over her gigantic mouth.


    He had read the details.


    Knew that she was fed a raw meat slurry through the tube. Along with a vegetable and fruit blend high in essential human nutrients. They gave her other things too. Nuts, bread and even all manner of sweet and savory snacks.


    The idea was that feeding her things a normal human ate while denying human flesh could somehow starve the class.


    It hadn¡¯t worked.


    He looked away from the poor woman and focused on taking in the rest of her cell.


    It was nothing at all like the other old cells having been modified and upgraded beyond recognition.


    It had been enlarged to accommodate all the tech. Where multiple cells had stood, one remained.


    The bars had been replaced with the same material the Threnosh used in their faceplates, but much thicker. Instead of being measured in millimeters it was measured in centimeters.


    The cell¡¯s other five walls had been lined with titanium even thicker.


    He glanced at the top of the cell. To the hand-thick groove on his side, a little beyond the clear front. Titanium bars would drop down in the event of a breach.


    ¡°No physical cell is truly escape proof. We¡¯ve done our best. Barring¡­¡± his dad waited a beat for some reason before continuing with a sigh, ¡°some type of sudden power up, Britt can¡¯t escape through her own efforts. Especially, with how the lack of human flesh has withered her strength.¡± His dad glanced at the side panel.


    Multiple charts suddenly appeared on the clear front.


    The holographic projections tracked Britt¡¯s vital signs in real time.


    ¡°Um¡­ is it supposed to be all reds like that?¡±


    ¡°What do you think?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna go with a ¡®no¡¯.¡±


    ¡°The class made fundamental changes to the baseline human body. Not just to the external, but also to the internal. Her organs. Even the way she thinks.¡±


    Yup.


    He knew all that.


    Knew that his dad had tried and failed to alter Britt¡¯s mind in order to get rid of her flesheater class. His dad had also tried direct mind control to force her to reject the class herself. Now, his dad was down to his last attempt.


    ¡°It¡¯s difficult to lead a person to a specific end when her instincts, her subconscious pushes her to the opposite. But, I think that¡¯s the only way. I create the scenario using people, places and events pulled from their memories as much as possible, but all their actions and choices are solely their own.¡±


    ¡°So, what happened to her and her mom was¡­¡±


    ¡°The setting is my fabrication, but her mother was pulled from memories. What happened between them and the flesheater was essentially how it occurred in real life.¡±


    ¡°Wait, what about her friends? I think I recognized some of them.¡±


    ¡°Some are in this prison with her. I blend their mindscapes together at times. It helps reinforce the fidelity of the experience. Others are long-dead flesheaters she was close with or knew.¡±


    ¡°So, she¡¯s dying. They all are?¡±


    ¡°The flesheaters,¡± his dad nodded. ¡°The other ones aren¡¯t in danger of physical death. The same can¡¯t be said for their psyches, spirits or whatever you want to call it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I knew that.¡±


    His dad¡¯s gaze grew vacant while his mom stood close to him, guarding him from a thousand and one threats that her mother instincts were constantly watching out for.


    The silence only lasted a few seconds.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m done with mindscape maintenance for Ms. Johnson. On to the next, shall we?¡±


    ¡°I know you can do all that from miles away. You don¡¯t have to take me around anymore. I¡¯m just wasting your time.¡±


    ¡°Technically, true, but I don¡¯t do that unless there¡¯s a bigger emergency I have to deal with. Do you know why?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ so you can have face time with the warden and the other guards? Remind them that you¡¯re paying attention?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s one part.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know the others.¡±


    ¡°Respect. Standing here and seeing them with my physical eyes reminds me that they used to be people and not monsters.¡±


    ¡°Makes sense,¡± he shrugged.


    His dad continued the upkeep.


    They encountered guards, exchanging quick greetings and conversation.


    Several flesheaters were imprisoned just like Britt.


    According to his dad, Britt and Michael were the ones that got closest to rejecting the so-called blessed sacrament.


    They weren¡¯t the only ones with monstrous classes imprisoned.


    A handful of therianthropes were restrained in the same way.


    Mostly werewolves, but there were other animal shifters.


    ¡°These are only the worst ones. The ones that gave in to the animal side. They see humans as prey and they can¡¯t control themselves. Not like the others. I have agreements with those that are content to live in the wild spaces. Don¡¯t hunt people for food or sport and you can live as you wish. Most of the ones here were given up by their own packs and groups.¡±


    Multiple vampires were imprisoned in a building with its tiny windows painted over in black and covered with blackout curtains.


    ¡°Same story for the most part. At this level Vampires don¡¯t need to kill to feed. Plenty of hospitals and blood banks for their needs. Higher levels make it harder for them to stay away from people though. Now, there are the other types that can¡¯t subsist on blood bags. Like the Filipino ones that need to eat newly-dead human corpses or internal organs straight from the stomach cavity or their manner of feeding makes it impossible to leave a person alive. They don¡¯t tend to last long on blood bags.¡±


    His dad actually sounded sad.


    A few slashers were the only fully human members of the prison population. They hadn¡¯t been changed biologically like the other monstrous classes, though in some eyes they were even worst because they murdered not out of the need to feed, but out of pure desire to fulfill and grow their class.


    Again¡­ these were the worst examples.


    Bloodthirsty or completely insane. For whom existence was solely about murdering their chosen victim-types.


    They couldn¡¯t be bargained with or made to serve a better purpose like his dad did with Holly and a few others.


    Nor could they be truly contained in any other prison than his dad¡¯s.


    The prisoners were kept in spread out cells in a seemingly random pattern.


    A single cell block built to contain hundreds may contain just three prisoners.


    A flesheater, a vampire and a slasher or any number of different combinations.


    The logic was that in the event of an escape the prisoners would be unlikely to work together and more likely to try to kill each other.


    Predators of different species didn¡¯t tend to work together in the wild.


    ¡°Well?¡±


    His dad carried them into the sky, southward, toward home.


    It had been a heavy trip for Alin.


    Soaring into the open sky lifted the palpable weight that had been pressing down on his shoulders and squeezing his chest.


    ¡°Uh¡­ you¡¯re kinda doing what the old people used to do. You¡¯ve got power and no one can stop you¡­ so, you do want you want.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s still different because you¡¯re trying to do a good thing, Dad. You¡¯re not just trying to be rich or whatever. You¡¯re trying to help people. The monst¡ª the people in the prison and everyone else. Cause if you can figure out how to get rid of bad classes then maybe you can figure out how to stop people from getting them in the first place.¡±


    ¡°I might argue that takes away a person¡¯s right to choose.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sure, but I don¡¯t think someone should be free to pick a class that turns them into a monster. Like we can¡¯t just do whatever we want if it hurts someone else.¡±


    ¡°Ah, but am I playing at being God?¡±


    ¡°No way!¡±


    ¡°Or maybe I¡¯m being unnecessarily cruel in keeping them in that condition?¡±


    ¡°What else can you do¡­ kill them?¡±


    ¡°An argument could be made that is the safest course of action. Like I said. No prison is escape proof. If that happens. The guards are in danger. What if the prisoners go on to murder more people? It would be merciful to end their suffering. It would potentially save lives and stop the same tragedies that turned them into monsters in the first place. After all, they can¡¯t hurt anyone if they¡¯re already dead.¡±


    Except for the undead, he wanted to point out, but that wasn¡¯t the point his dad was trying to make.


    ¡°You have the power, so you get to make the decisions. Any consequences of that is your responsibility. So, whatever that might be, you have to live with it. Good, bad and everything in between.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re too young for this.¡± His mom sighed.


    ¡°No way, Mom. I need to know all this. I need to take it seriously.¡± He regarded his dad. ¡°I guess that¡¯s my answer. You¡¯re being the same as the old people, but also different.¡±


    ¡°Ah,¡± his dad grinned, ¡°a politician¡¯s answer.¡±


    ¡°No¡ª¡±


    His dad raised a hand.


    ¡°I understand what you mean, Boy. And it¡¯s a good position to take. Nuanced. We¡¯re human. Existence is often a matter of perspective. Being capable of seeing ones that lay beyond your own is important. It makes for a better person. Most of the time.¡±


    ¡°Only most?¡±


    ¡°You need to pair that with empathy. Otherwise you might use that knowledge solely for your own selfish desires and when you do that you can¡¯t avoid hurting other people.¡±

 8.41

    The prison trip continued to gnaw on Alin¡¯s thoughts over the next several weeks.


    ¡°Kat to Boy¡­ are you there? Helloooo?¡±


    ¡°Huh? What? Sorry?¡± His eyes focused on what was in front of him or rather above him instead of the disturbing sights in his memories. ¡°I can see up your nose.¡±


    ¡°Eww, gross.¡± She brought her head down closer to his.


    It was a nice feeling, laying his head in her lap, her strong, calloused fingers running through his short hair.


    Okay, maybe not the latter part.


    Those katana fighter fingers of hers were like sandpaper.


    Yup¡­ she got the upgrade, but was hugely disappointed that it hadn¡¯t gone straight to samurai like her personal hero, Tomoe Gozen.


    Technically there were no women samurai, historically speaking.


    Not that she cared when someone mentioned that.


    What he found really weird was that Kat didn¡¯t seem to like Hanna Gozen, his teacher and a real life sword-wielding hero. She even had the same last name. Shoot. What if she was Tomoe¡¯s descendant?


    Ms. Gozen had no idea if that was true or not and the surname wasn¡¯t exactly rare.


    Anyways, Kat tended to get all tense and surly whenever he talked about Ms. Gozen and her awesome sword-ness.


    He figured it was cause Ms. Gozen was all about the longsword, while Kat was about the katana, though she was starting to branch out a bit, experimenting with the nodachi and a two-handed style with the katana and the wakizashi.


    ¡°What?¡±


    She leaned all the way down for a kiss.


    Time was an interesting thing.


    A minute could last for hours when you were standing at the front of the classroom with a partially-completed report.


    An hour could last a minute when you were making out with your girlfriend under the shade of huge tree with birds singing and the breeze cooling the rising heat in your¡ª


    ¡°Wow!¡±


    A smug voice pulled them back into real time.


    ¡°That¡¯s a win for me!¡± Victor crowed. ¡°Pay up, losers!¡±


    Alin blushed, thankful that his brown skin tone hid it better than Kat¡¯s fairer one.


    Their friends¡¯ eyes glazed over a bit. The tell tale sign that they were sending universal points over to Victor.


    ¡°Terrible situational awareness guys.¡± Lake tsked.


    ¡°Yeah, if we were monsters or bad guys you¡¯d be already dead or worse.¡± Luzi pointed finger guns. ¡°Pew, pew.¡±


    ¡°Honestly, we weren¡¯t even trying to be all sneaky, at least after the first two minutes.¡± Steph shook his head. ¡°I am disappoint, Boy.¡±


    ¡°You owe me ten points, dude,¡± Gob said.


    ¡°How long were you pervs watching?¡± Kat scowled.


    ¡°Five minutes,¡± Victor shrugged. ¡°I was the only one that took a number over that. Although, from the lip wrestling you guys were doing I could¡¯ve probably taken the over on ten minutes.¡±


    Kat placed her hand on the hilt of her Threnium katana, eyes narrowing.


    ¡°I think today is the day. The day when my inner rage crystallizes, making my will manifest. To become one with the blade. To become the blade. I feel it at the tips of my fingers. The Skill that¡¯ll let me cut you from here.¡±


    ¡°Whoa!¡± Chill, girl!¡± Victor raised his hands and backed up behind Steph.


    ¡°We get it though.¡± Steph nodded. ¡°This place is very romantic. Got tree shade. A breeze. Chirping birds and bugs. Pretty isolated too. Perfect make out spot.¡± He made a show of counting the random people enjoying the park. ¡°Just you two and fifty-ish people that have clear lines of sight. Remember, kids, if you can see them, they can probably see you too.¡±


    ¡°All technically correct.¡± Alin sat up from Kat¡¯s lap.


    ¡°Which is the superior version,¡± Steph agreed.


    ¡°Sure, but the crucial thing is that you guys sat there watching us make out for five minutes. By any metric that makes you creepy pervs.¡± he punctuated his point by imperiously thrusting his finger at them like an attorney springing the final trap on the true culprit testifying on the stand.


    ¡°What are you guys doing here anyways? We¡¯re not supposed to be meeting up until later,¡± Kat said.


    ¡°I got bored waiting at home,¡± Victor shrugged.


    Chrome raised a hand.


    ¡°My parents were going to ask me to babysit my sisters while they went to the concert. I,¡± she thrust her chest out proudly, ¡°saw through their plan and stole a march.¡±


    The phone in her pocket buzzed.


    ¡°Just tell them you¡¯re going to the concert and you can¡¯t babysit.¡± Lake rolled her eyes. ¡°You know they¡¯ll just end up bringing your sisters with them.¡±


    ¡°Nope. Not going to risk it. My plan is simple. No replying until just before the concert starts. By then it¡¯ll be too late.¡±


    ¡°What if they think something happened to you?¡± Gob said. ¡°Remember that one time they went to Ms. Rayna when they couldn¡¯t get a hold of any of us.¡±


    Alin chuckled.


    ¡°Yeah, we got in so much trouble that time.¡±


    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s fine, see?¡± Chrome held up her wrist. A thin silver bracelet glittered in the sun. The small gem glowed with inner light. ¡°They¡¯ll know if something bad happens.¡±


    Chrome¡¯s dad was an enchantment mage that had learned a few things studying under quite possibly the top enchanter on the continent if not the world, ¡®Sexchanter69¡¯, Heddy.


    Alin¡¯s dad bought enchanted gear from her huge business. Only the best possible for his dad¡¯s teams. He even got a discount. When his dad needed something really good, she¡¯d drop everything to get it done. No discount on those jobs though.


    ¡°And what bad thing could happen here in the heart of ranger territory?¡± Steph threw his arms out wide and looked to the sky.


    ¡°Stop doing that!¡± Luzi punched him in the liver.


    ¡°Urrgghhh!¡± Steph doubled over, gasping.


    ¡°You¡¯re just asking for it, moron!¡± she snapped.


    Alin raised a brow.


    Victor sighed.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t been around. He started about two weeks ago. The absolute moron wants a sudden random wandering monster attack for the purpose of us being thrown into a desperate fight for survival. The challenge of which will propel him to multiple levels in one go and perhaps an upgraded class.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± he searched for the right words, ¡°grossly irresponsible.¡±


    ¡°So say we all,¡± several of his friends echoed.


    Another inside thing he didn¡¯t get.


    He felt a little sad about that.


    Not being in J.R.R.P. with his friends on a nearly daily basis for so many months made him feel like he wasn¡¯t part of the group anymore. At least not like it used to be.


    As if sensing his melancholy, Kat rubbed his back.


    ¡°Liver shot¡­ why?¡± Steph groaned.


    ¡°C¡¯mon guys!¡± Luzi started to skip away. ¡°Eda, Songbird and Bluewolf said they¡¯re going to try to save us a spot close to the stage. Let¡¯s go back them up. The rabid kids and adults won¡¯t give us trouble if you¡¯re there, Boy.¡±


    ¡°Wait? What? Why?¡±


    ¡°Pffttt! You know why.¡± Gob reached down to help him and Kat up.


    ¡°No, seriously, I don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Pffttt!¡±


    He looked to Kat.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you later,¡± she sighed.


    They made their way to the other side of the park, stopping at assorted food booths and food trucks.


    Most were just setting up, but a few enterprising sorts had started early hoping to get a jump on their competitors.


    A giant-sized map had been erected conveniently at the entrance to the so-called ¡®Food Alley¡¯.


    ¡°That¡¯s dumb name,¡± Kat said. ¡°They should¡¯ve called it ¡®Food Park¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Obviously,¡± he agreed.


    ¡°Are we splitting up like usual?¡± Victor said.


    ¡°Eda wanted something vegan, so we¡¯re heading¡­¡± Luzi traced the list with her finger, ¡°to the vegan section.¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯ll go with you guys,¡± Steph said.


    ¡°Fuck no!¡± Luzi laughed mirthlessly. ¡°You¡¯re just going to ¡®accidentally¡¯ slip meat chunks into Eda¡¯s food like last time.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not! That was a legit accident¡­ that time¡­ c¡¯mon, guys, please? I already apologized and she¡¯s still mad at me. Let me bring her food as, like, a peace treaty thing.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t be trusted with this, Steph,¡± Chrome said flatly. ¡°These are the consequences of being a turd.¡±


    Victor patted Steph on the shoulder.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, turd. I¡¯m feeling like some fancy sausages.¡±


    ¡°You would.¡±


    The lifeless reply came quickly, but mechanically, without Steph¡¯s usual enthusiasm at joking around with his gay platonic life partner.


    Victor led Steph and the other boys into Food Alley, while Luzi and Chrome followed shortly after.


    Alin leaned down and whispered into Kat¡¯s ear.


    ¡°I missed that too.¡±


    ¡°Awww,¡± she rubbed his arm, ¡°poor Boy. Feeling left out?¡±


    He shrugged.


    ¡°A little¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s whatever.¡±


    ¡°I mean, I didn¡¯t even know Eda went vegan.¡±


    ¡°She started, like, a month ago. You know how Steph is. Always trying to get a laugh. He might be at the top of all the physical and intellectual stuff at J.R.R.P., but he¡¯s kind of a dumbass with people stuff.¡±


    Alin laughed.


    ¡°Yeah, my dad calls that having high Int and low Wis.¡±


    Kat quirked her head to one side.


    ¡°It¡¯s from games.¡±


    He explained briefly.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ that totally makes sense for Steph. Anyways, Eda¡¯s still mad. Most of us aren¡¯t that mad at him anymore, but we¡¯re making sure that he doesn¡¯t double down and dig himself a deeper hole. It¡¯s, like, a solidarity thing for Eda. We¡¯ve got her back and we also don¡¯t want her cursing Steph cause that¡¯s just a bad escalation thing.¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ curse?¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ yeah! You haven¡¯t seen her in a while. Eda finally got a witch class. She¡¯s been really working hard since last year doing extra lessons with the witch that stayed. It¡¯s sucked for her cause the classes are, like, after midnight. Cause, like, the witching hour is the best time to learn apparently. I don¡¯t know if I buy that, but I guess if it works.¡± She shrugged.


    One of Lera¡¯s witch nannies had stayed to teach the class to those interested and as a recruiting effort.


    He was a bit ashamed to admit that he had totally forgotten that Eda was all about that stuff.


    Thinking back, he remembered that Eda had been always yawning and falling asleep during J.R.R.P. classes.


    He had missed so much over the past year.


    How much had he fallen behind his friends?


    Kat punched his arm.


    ¡°Hey? What do you feel like?¡±


    ¡°A little sad and anxious. It¡¯s like I¡¯m not living in the same world as you guys anymore.¡±


    ¡°I meant to eat¡­ not that existential dread stuff, cause you should stop. Just cause we aren¡¯t together everyday doesn¡¯t mean anything changed. Right?¡± she hugged him.


    ¡°Get a room!¡±


    A laughing voice echoed over the rapidly growing din.


    He frowned, searching to no avail for the speaker.


    ¡°Ah! Young love!¡±


    ¡°Rangers! Sir! Ma¡¯am!¡± Kat jumped straight into a stiff backed salute. Several of them actually. A knife hand to her brow, followed by a clasped fist to her chest, then clasped fist to open palm in front of her.


    The joke was that the rangers didn¡¯t care about saluting, so everyone sort did whatever they learned from their seniors when they had first started.


    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    Of course, they hadn¡¯t made that explicitly clear to the J.R.R.P. participants.


    ¡°At ease recruit,¡± Ranger Ophrys said.


    Alin didn¡¯t miss the singular.


    ¡°Ah! Young love!¡± Ranger Curious twirled a ringed knife around her finger. ¡°I remember mine¡­ was crushed for months when we broke up. But, I¡¯m sure you guys are gonna last.¡± She shrugged as a second knife joined the first.


    He hadn¡¯t noticed when that happened.


    The third ranger was a woman he didn¡¯t recognize because of the black cloth covering her head and face so that only her eyes remained visible.


    The rangers were in full gear.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s good?¡± Ranger Ophrys gazed at the food map.


    Kat, flustered, looked to Alin.


    He was more interested in rangers being in full gear while apparently here to enjoy the festivities like everyone else.


    The other rangers that he had noticed walking and milling around weren¡¯t in full gear. Sure, they were all armed, but that was normal.


    Even non-combatants went about their everyday business with at least a pistol and some kind of melee weapon.


    It was actually a law.


    Any person over a certain age had to train up to a minimum proficiency level with their weapons of choice.


    It was just prudent when random monster attacks were a possibility.


    Just because Southern California was the safest place in the world didn¡¯t mean one should be complacent.


    He turned his attention back to the large food map and pointed.


    ¡°We¡¯re going there.¡±


    Ramon¡¯s Smoked Butchery.


    ¡°Oh yeah, he¡¯s good,¡± Ranger Ophrys said.


    His dad knew Ramon.


    The man¡¯s BBQ and smoked meats were the objective best in the entire region.


    ¡°Um¡­ goodbye¡­ sirs, ma¡¯ams!¡± Kat saluted.


    The rangers stayed at the map for a short time until heading in the same direction.


    ¡°Something¡¯s up,¡± he whispered.


    Kat glanced over her shoulder.


    ¡°They¡¯re dressed for duty, but they aren¡¯t acting like it. They might just be on a break early for dinner?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s probably it.¡±


    Ramon wasn¡¯t at the food truck, neither were his wife and kids.


    He must¡¯ve been doing pretty good for himself if he had people working for him.


    People didn¡¯t really work anymore, at least not in the sense that they used to do back in the old days.


    According to all the stories from his elders the system back then sucked. Most people had to do jobs they didn¡¯t care about at best or at worst, hated. They even had to do more than one job just to barely have enough food to eat and a place to live. Even that wasn¡¯t guaranteed.


    He had never understood why people back then were houseless.


    The fact that people could be working one, two, even three jobs and still go hungry or have to live outside just wasn¡¯t logical.


    Nowadays, things were different.


    People could do whatever they wanted.


    It didn¡¯t take much to have the necessities of survival.


    Just doing things related to your class got you points and small quests which led to more points.


    Everyone cooking and selling probably had quests to sell a certain number of items, to satisfy the hunger and tastes of a certain number of people. There was probably a larger, overarching quest that placed them all into competition. Perhaps, the truck or booth to satisfy the most number of people gets a larger points payout along with additional rewards like a free Skill.


    People were rewarded for chasing their passions.


    And no one lived outside, unless they had wanted to. Some people had survivalist-type classes to level, after all. And even then, they all had homes to go back to whenever they wanted to take a break.


    Like the people working in Ramon¡¯s food truck.


    They were learning from a higher level butcher and some type of cooking class. From the quality of the meat, Ramon had probably consolidated into something good.


    The line was short.


    The rangers were a few people behind them.


    They waved at each other as they crossed paths once again.


    Alin and Kat walked hand in hand. Each carried a bag laden with a variety of smoked meats and tasty sides.


    They had purchased extra to share.


    The concert area consisted of a large stage at one end of a grassy field with temporary bleachers and seats arranged around it in a horseshoe shape.


    The center was left open for anyone that wanted to lay down blankets or simply sit in the grass.


    People hustled on and around the stage, setting up microphones and speakers, testing the lights and other show elements, like smoke machines and pyrotechnics.


    Alin kept glancing back and sure enough the trio of rangers was still following them.


    They didn¡¯t seem to be on break.


    He was starting to get concerned.


    The light weight of the slim, sleek pack on his back gave him comfort. Just like the small bag of holding at his waist.


    They located their friends near the front of the stage.


    They were having some kind of argument with a group of older young men and women.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, kids.¡± One of the young men smirked. ¡°There¡¯s plenty of room for everyone. That¡¯s why we all came early, right?¡±


    Eda blinked up at him from behind her perfectly round glasses.


    ¡°Then move to one of those open spaces. We were here first.¡±


    ¡°Huh? She¡¯s gotten not shy,¡± he whispered.


    ¡°I know, but we have to stop her before she curses him,¡± Kat hissed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    The young man had that smug look that seemed to be made for eating curses. As long as it wasn¡¯t bad.


    He pictured something like extra pimples for a week or an itchy rash.


    But then he remembered Uncle Eron¡¯s and Lera¡¯s stories about serious witch curses and hexes.


    Eda was creative. she¡¯d know the worst places to put an itchy rash.


    Kat pushed him forward.


    ¡°Wha¡ª¡±


    ¡°Just make eye contact.¡±


    She pushed him right up to the standoff between the athletic young man and the much shorter, bookish teenage girl.


    The young men and women sized the new arrivals up as was traditional going back to the beginning of human existence and tribal conflict.


    The young man was a little taller than Alin and a lot bigger.


    Both were athletic, but it was the difference between a man and a boy.


    ¡°Hey guys!¡± Kat beamed at Eda and their friends. ¡°Alin and I got BBQ!¡±


    ¡°Sup, Cruces!¡± Bluewolf sauntered over to exchange their intricate hand greeting.


    Oh¡­


    Alin got it a second later.


    He was wondering why Bluewolf had used his last name. None of his friends did that.


    Sure enough, recognition spread over enough of the older group that they moved over to a nearby open space.


    Alin didn¡¯t understand their deal.


    Eda was right.


    There were plenty of open spots.


    It¡¯s not like his friends had taken the exact center.


    The other group was just as close to the stage as he and his friends were.


    ¡°They just wanted to be dicks,¡± Bluewolf explained. ¡°They only came over when they heard us talking about J.R.R.P.¡±


    ¡°I think it was a mating display,¡± Eda said as she removed her glasses to wipe them. ¡°Males wanting to impress females with a show of strength.¡±


    ¡°Sure, everyone knows there¡¯s nothing stronger than a grown man that can bully teenagers.¡± Songbird snorted.


    ¡°Thanks, Boy!¡± Eda beamed.


    ¡°Um¡­ sure, no problem. Not that I did anything. It was just my name.¡±


    He didn¡¯t like using his connection to his aunt, but if it helped his friends avoid conflict then he was mostly okay with it.


    His friends exchanged significant looks before breaking out into laughter.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Bluewolf turned to Kat.


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t know?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    Songbird flicked her twin¡¯s ear.


    ¡°Why would he? He barely comes down here anymore.¡±


    Which was the reason for his anxiety and feeling of being left behind.


    He only came down a few times a month and he didn¡¯t always get to hang out with all of his friends together.


    Kat was the only one he had never missed spending time with.


    It had depended on availability with the others.


    ¡°Bro, there¡¯s been rumors about you. It started when you¡­ uh¡­ went on break from J.R.R.P.¡±


    Alin appreciated Bluewolf being diplomatic about his expulsion.


    ¡°Basically, people think you¡¯re a secret badass.¡±


    ¡°¡­ okay¡­¡±


    ¡°We have no idea how it started,¡± Songbird said.


    ¡°We had nothing to do with it, we promise,¡± Eda said.


    ¡°I¡­ believe you¡­¡±


    They seemed sincere.


    ¡°So¡­ what is it exactly?¡±


    ¡°Basically, you got headhunted out of J.R.R.P. for those super secret quests that only the most badass people go on. You know?¡±


    Where they talking about his dad¡¯s teams?


    Sometimes top level rangers were included in them, but that was pretty rare since his dad didn¡¯t want to step on ranger command¡¯s toes and rangers tended to work best in their squads rather than thrown into a mixed team on short notice. Plus there was the issue of opsec. The less that they knew about his dad¡¯s teams the better. At least, that was what his dad said all the time.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about? Why would anyone even think that? There¡¯s no way my parents would let me go on super secret dangerous quests.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but people have been talking about that night. Remember? The whole faerie protocols thing,¡± Bluewolf said.


    Alin had been strongly told not to talk about the fight with the Fae.


    His friends had been ushered to safety quickly and they didn¡¯t see it. Only heard it from a distance and maybe saw some of the aftermath. Naturally, when rangers got killed or injured in action word spread and speculation ran rampant.


    ¡°You never told us what really happened,¡± Eda said.


    Kat stepped in front him protectively.


    ¡°Guys¡ª¡±


    Which wasn¡¯t necessary.


    ¡°Yeah, sorry, but like I said before I was ordered to keep quiet.¡±


    ¡°Right, and we get that, but then rumors went crazy cause no one knew what really happened. At least everyone that didn¡¯t have enough clearance,¡± Songbird said.


    ¡°We may have overheard our parents talking about it awhile back. It seems that the events of that night were sealed. Only, like, the rangers that were there and command know the full story,¡± Bluewolf said.


    ¡°That sounds about right. So, I still don¡¯t get how that turned into me being a secret warrior agent guy.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s pretty obvious, I mean¡­ you got that,¡± Bluewolf pointed at his sleek backpack, ¡°super tech armor and you got busted up that night. Rangers died and got hurt. So, like, there had to be a bad fight. And then you don¡¯t come back for the next quarter.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, cause I got expelled for disobeying orders,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°We believe you, but for people that don¡¯t know you then it¡¯s a logical leap,¡± Songbird said.


    ¡°That, me, a kid, is going on secret quests?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ yeah¡­ you were supposed to be suspended for, like, only a quarter and you¡¯ve missed the whole year. It¡¯s, like, maybe that¡¯s cause you¡¯re doing too good on these secret quests to be taken away from that,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°Which isn¡¯t what we think,¡± Eda added. ¡°We just hear these things. I¡¯ve overheard rangers talking about those quests.¡±


    ¡°¡®Overheard¡¯?¡± he raised a brow.


    Eda flushed.


    ¡°I¡¯m supposed to practice with my familiar¡­¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s got a baby owl!¡± Kat said proudly.


    ¡°I can see and listen through Sir Hoot¡¯s-a-lot¡­ sometimes.¡±


    Alin couldn¡¯t help but grin.


    ¡°Wow! That¡¯s pretty cool! This is the witch stuff you¡¯re learning?¡±


    He was glad to snatch the opportunity to shift the conversation elsewhere.


    ¡°Yup!¡±


    ¡°Congrats on the class by the way. I would¡¯ve brought a present if I knew.¡±


    ¡°We had a party,¡± Songbird said.


    Kat¡¯s gaze narrowed.


    ¡°What? Oh¡ª right, sorry. Listen, Boy, that wasn¡¯t, like, shots fired at you¡­ you know?¡± Songbird said.


    ¡°We¡¯re all bummed that you couldn¡¯t have been there, but we get it,¡± Bluewolf said.


    ¡°It was a short notice surprise thing. We didn¡¯t have time to let you know and it was tough even squeezing it into our schedules,¡± Kat said.


    ¡°No, no, it¡¯s cool, guys. I¡¯m fine with it. I mean, I totally would¡¯ve gone if I could¡¯ve. So, you can use your owl to spy on people? That¡¯s a good ability.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t spying. It was an accident,¡± Eda said in a small voice.


    Songbird laughed.


    ¡°Sure, the first time! What about the other twenty?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m supposed to practice¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s not your fault that they aren¡¯t practicing opsec like they¡¯re supposed to,¡± Bluewolf said.


    The rest of their friends trickled in with more food and drinks from various booths and trucks.


    Steph tried to approach Eda, but was rebuffed by a stony glare and crossed arms.


    He raised his hands and backed way.


    For the rest of the night he conspicuously kept his distance from the containers of vegan food.


    ¡°Dude, I swear, the last time was a total accident,¡± Steph whispered.


    ¡°I believe you, but the times before that weren¡¯t, so¡­¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°I know and I regret it so much, but she won¡¯t even let me apologize.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re on her schedule now, dude. You fucked up. You owe her an apology, but she doesn¡¯t owe you acceptance.¡±


    ¡°I know¡­ harsh, but you¡¯re speaking truth.¡±


    ¡°Then just give her time.¡±


    ¡°I know¡­ but¡­ I heard about the curses,¡± Steph hissed, ¡°I keep waiting for it and I just can¡¯t! Like, I¡¯m losing sleep, bro. What do you think if I ask her to just curse me now and get it over with?¡±


    ¡°Do you think Eda would do something like that?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ no¡­ but I was really stupid and I¡¯m thinking I deserve it.¡±


    ¡°You might consider that you stressing out is part of your deserved punishment.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ that makes sense¡­¡±


    They ate and talked about stuff while waiting for the concert to start.


    Alin¡¯s feelings of isolation only grew when he realized that he was having to ask them to explain a lot about the events they were talking about, the people.


    They were all making new friends and acquaintances in J.R.R.P. and beyond.


    Kat stayed close to his side the whole time, giving him comfort.


    The bleachers and chairs filled.


    The open spaces around them was filled by other people.


    There were small groups of rangers in full gear scattered throughout the crowd, which was definitely weird.


    Ranger Curious waved her knife at him when he glanced in her direction.


    He wasn¡¯t the only one that noticed.


    The word went out through his friend group before he could mention it.


    They started to check their own gear when a voice of reason emerged.


    ¡°Guys, relax,¡± Victor said. ¡°If there was something really dangerous about to happen that they¡¯re sure about then we wouldn¡¯t be sitting here. The concert would be canceled and we¡¯d be evacuated. So, there¡¯s only a possibility that something dangerous might happen.¡±


    That seemed to be good enough for them and the rest of the massive crowd.


    No one appeared to be concerned about the rangers¡¯ presence.


    They were probably just extra security.


    ¡°Who¡¯s playing?¡±


    Kat handed him a program.


    ¡°Here. Casey Cool and the Glitterbombs are headlining!¡±


    He scanned the folded paper.


    He recognized the headliners.


    They were one of the top rock-pop acts over the last decade. Them, The Tempertones, Tyler Hasty, though she was more pop with a dash of rock, Reb¡¯kah Rose, The Allison Smith Band. All the classics. Still just as popular as always.


    He wasn¡¯t really into the modern music scene.


    Most of the stuff he knew was the really old stuff that his dad and mom occasionally put on at home.


    They had a few music crystals from the post-spires acts, but those didn¡¯t get played too much.


    ¡°It¡¯s like a band war. There¡¯s a huge Quest. After the show the spires is going to ask us to rate them across a bunch of different performance categories. Highest total rating wins,¡± Kat explained.


    ¡°Oh, so that¡¯s what this concert week is all about.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it sucks that this is the only night we can go.¡±


    ¡°Wait, so how does that work? Since we obviously can¡¯t vote on the bands from the other nights.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but the rules said that¡¯ll be taken into account.¡±


    ¡°Who do you want to win?¡±


    ¡°The Glitterbombs, duh!¡± She winked.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll rate them high.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that, just be honest. The spires said they¡¯ll enforce it anyways. You can¡¯t just give your favorites all tens.¡±


    The sky darkened as the sun dipped below the west.


    Small lights came to life around the stage at ground level and in the aisles and rows.


    Kat pulled him to his feet when the countdown clock went under thirty seconds.


    He took a deep breath and focused.


    He was here to have fun with his friends.


    Not worry about things out of his control.

 Interlude: Worm Food 1.4

    New Hope, 2039


    The small town had a different name once, but those that survived the spires apocalypse changed it.


    Why stick with the disgrace of a dark past where evil men fought to keep slaves?


    Besides, who was going to stop them?


    The deeply racist institutions that sought to conserve their backward ways had been shattered.


    The spires brought death, but they also brought opportunity.


    Hope lasted close to fifteen years.


    The monster that killed it glided down from the nearby mountains on broad, leathery wings.


    Its front half resembled a bear¡¯s, while its back half resembled a reptile¡¯s.


    They had been celebrating something, Deon couldn¡¯t actually remember what exactly, but he had fond memories of many street parties. Loud music, good food and laughter.


    He had thought it was perfectly normal to have huge parties once or twice a month.


    His grandfather said that back in the old, old days, he and his crew would party every weekend at the stadium in preparation for the big game.


    The stories filled Deon with longing.


    Sure, he and the other kids played football in the park every once in awhile, but he wanted to experience being among a crowd of thousands cheering and stomping their feet or better yet, being down on the field, throwing the ball and receiving the adoration.


    The monster landed with an earth-shaking thud.


    Its roar drowned out the sound of people bursting like grapes beneath its paws as if it was making wine.


    ¡°Better get going to the shelter, boy,¡± Gramps grunted, hoisting his shovel onto his shoulder and strode against the tide of humanity frantically running away from the monster.


    His grandfather cut a towering figure. Despite being elderly, his grandfather still had the barrel-chested, broad-shouldered look from his ball playing days. Ebon-colored arms bigger than Deon¡¯s head bulged with muscles and glistened with sweat from the heat of the day.


    Being a teenager, Deon lacked a proper sense of mortality and that was with all the lessons that had been driven into his head like a rail spike by the adults and his surrounding environment.


    Monster attacks were monster attacks.


    Sure this one was on the larger side what with how its head crested above the roofs of the two story buildings that lined the two-lane street.


    It spread its wings, casting a large shadow in the dying sunlight as it bit a person in half and swallowed the pieces.


    A hand tugged on his wrist, preventing him from chasing after his grandfather.


    ¡°C¡¯mon!¡±


    Elandria had her fancy new pistol in one hand.


    She had just built it a few days ago, perks of her lucky class get.


    He had been jealous, though he had kept it to himself.


    Grandfather leapt with a roar.


    Massive bear paw met sharpened spade-shaped head.


    The former lost.


    Blood splashed on the fleeing crowd like a sudden summer downpour.


    The shovel head sank deeply through the center of a paw bigger than grandfather¡¯s bulky torso.


    The monster reacted with quickness that seemed impossible with its great bulk.


    It spun, lashing out with its tree trunk-thick tail.


    The whip like attack caught his grandfather before he landed back on the ground.


    Deon tore himself from Elandria¡¯s grasp just as his grandfather crashed through a building¡¯s brick wall.


    Las Vegas, 2049


    The snap of fingers tore Deon from his reverie.


    ¡°Stop it,¡± Elandria said. ¡°Now¡¯s not the time to get into one of your broodings.¡±


    ¡°Sorry.¡±


    They had beaten the monster at the cost of many of their strongest.


    His grandfather among them.


    That had been the moment when things had gone bad.


    The years of subsequent struggle had made him and Elandria strong at the cost of their relatively happy childhood.


    He sat in the lobby as people buzzed about.


    The Golden Eagles controlled the area from their hotel resort and casino, which it seemed was partially-operating as it did in the old days.


    Deon wasn¡¯t unfamiliar with the concept of gambling.


    The old heads, like his grandfather, had exchanged Universal Points and other random things over dice, cards and what seemed like any random thing whenever they had free time.


    Not to mention the stories they used to share about wilding out in Vegas.


    It had sounded fun, but being in the actual place only filled him with the bitter taste of ashes in his mouth.


    Just like the funeral pyres they had set after that terrible day.


    As his second, Elandria was always with him.


    He had brought Brand and Saint along in case things went bad. Not that he had expected any problems.


    The Golden Eagles had a good rep for being clean and straight.


    Seeing the Strip for himself confirmed it.


    Thousands of violence-inclined people from mercenary companies to adventuring bands to the suicidal idiots that liked to roam solo filled Las Vegas for the many encounter challenges located in a condensed area.


    One could fill their leveling needs from 1 all the way up to 40 within a handful of miles.


    Plenty of amenities too.


    What really surprised him was that the Golden Eagles hadn¡¯t monopolized everything.


    They had their one huge hotel resort and casino, plus maybe a handful of smaller sites in the nearby area, but they had let other companies stake their own claims on other properties. With the exception of the largest resorts. Those belonged to a couple of people with the last name ¡®Cruces¡¯, who for some reason basically left them open for anyone that wanted to run through the challenges. From what it looked like, the cut they took went straight to paying for ownership fees. They didn¡¯t take a single point for profit.


    The young woman at the front desk waved to get their attention, then beckoned them over.


    Elandria frowned.


    ¡°He¡¯s ready to see you now,¡± the young woman smiled, ¡°will it be all four of you? If so, please leave your weapons and any other dangerous items. Any containers of holding as well.¡± She pointed to the bank of lockers.


    Not unexpected.


    He debate trying to sneak something in, but decided not to.


    There was nothing morally wrong about his operation and it was important for him to remain on the high ground.


    He eyed Brand and Saint.


    ¡°You guys stay out here and watch our stuff.¡±


    The young woman smiled as he and Elandria handed their stuff over.


    ¡°Armor too?¡± Elandria scowled down at the young woman.


    ¡°Do they contain offensive or otherwise threatening abilities?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not removing our armor,¡± he said flatly.


    ¡°One moment, please.¡± The young woman picked up the phone. ¡°They don¡¯t want to remove their armor¡­ okay¡­ I¡¯ll send them in.¡±


    Armed Golden Eagles watched like their namesakes as he and Elandria made their way to the door leading to the back.


    A Golden Eagle scanned them a strange-looking device that beeped and glowed.


    ¡°Defensive enchantments,¡± he said before waving them through.


    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    More Golden Eagles met them on the other side, escorting them through the carpeted hallway down to an office.


    The leader sat behind a plain desk and a humming forcefield that shimmered with a faint blue light.


    Deon couldn¡¯t feel any magic in the barrier.


    He forced himself to look in the man¡¯s eyes, scanning for an emitter or power source would¡¯ve been taken as a sign of hostility and he had none at the moment.


    ¡°Please have a seat.¡± The man gestured to the two plain chairs already set out in front of his desk. ¡°My name is ¡®Ledge¡¯ and I¡¯m currently in charge¡­ for now. Only a few more weeks and I¡¯m done with my last rotation.¡± He gave them a rueful smile, which didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes.


    Deon regarded the man for a moment.


    Tall, thin and well into middle age, judging by the lines on his face and the gray on his head.


    Still, the golden eagle looked fit and he was armed with a pistol holstered in his belt and a blade was sheathed within easy reach. No armor though, just plain clothing.


    Deon refrained from casting an appraisal spell.


    That would¡¯ve been both rude and hostile.


    ¡°So, what can I do for you?¡± Ledge said as soon as they sat.


    ¡°I¡¯m assuming you¡¯re a busy man, so thanks for meeting with us.¡±


    ¡°An 8 man team of over Level 40¡¯s kinda gets your foot in the door. Especially when you aren¡¯t leading a large company. That sort of thing is pretty rare.¡±


    ¡°Then we won¡¯t waste your time. We have questions.¡± He nodded at Elandria. ¡°Do you consent to answer them under a truth gem?¡±


    Ledge tapped the large gem on his desk.


    ¡°Right back at you.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    They had been prepared for this.


    Among the eidolon¡¯s many gifts was a paste-like substance that when used to coat one¡¯s tongue made every word they uttered for a day read as truth to spells and Skills. Naturally, effectiveness depended on comparative strength levels.


    ¡°Go ahead,¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°Will you allow my team access to the Mt. Charleston Encounter Challenge?¡±


    The smile dropped from Ledge¡¯s face. He muttered a curse.


    ¡°It¡¯s in the pamphlet,¡± he sighed. ¡°Huge signs pointing to it in every building.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve read it.¡±


    ¡°Then you have your answer.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you read it?¡±


    ¡°Those were your stated reasons. We want the real ones.¡±


    ¡°The stated ones are the real ones.¡± Ledge rubbed the bridge of his nose. ¡°No. We¡¯re not working with the Bat People to eventually conquer the world. No. We¡¯re not feeding people to them. They¡¯re mostly vegetarian. They eat stuff they grow in their caves, which incidentally is their preferred home. They¡¯re Bat People, they don¡¯t want to live out in the open. They¡¯re peaceful refugees fleeing conquerors from wherever they came from. So, truth?¡± he regarded Elandria.


    She held up the gem and agreed.


    ¡°Truth¡­ or at least what you believe to be the truth.¡±


    ¡°My turn. Do you intended to go against the prohibition on attacking the Bat People? Do you intend to attempt the encounter challenge?¡±


    Deon locked eyes.


    ¡°Not at this time.¡±


    Ledge glanced at his truth gem, which glowed brightly.


    ¡°However, we have Quests related to them.¡±


    ¡°So? Who in the area doesn¡¯t? You do understand that the spires wants us to fight amongst ourselves? You get Quests to attack the Bat People. I get Quests to stop you. You kill me. I kill you. Our sides attack each other in retribution. Everyone dies. No one wins. So, why bother? You guys look like you¡¯re barely in your mid 20¡¯s and you¡¯re already Level 40. That¡¯s some great growth! Why not just keep grinding here? Plenty of easily accessible and cheap encounter challenges within walking distance of each other. Sure, it¡¯s not the huge gains of the Bat People stuff, but why take the risk?¡±


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s not just about the gains. Maybe, it¡¯s about stopping alien invaders from gaining a foothold on our world. You say they¡¯re refugees¡­ I can accept that theory for now, but what happens in the future when they get stronger and start looking to expand? Isn¡¯t that how it always works? Or better yet, it might be about bringing a great evil to justice.¡±


    Tellingly, Ledge kept his mouth closed.


    Deon decided to poke a bit further.


    ¡°Should I ask?¡±


    ¡°You can do what you want. Doesn¡¯t mean I have to answer.¡±


    ¡°Some would say that is answer enough.¡±


    ¡°Whatever you want to think is your right. I think this is over. I direct you back to the pamphlet. It has all the information you need. If you choose to ignore it then that¡¯s on your head. Road access is prohibited. You¡¯ll have to hike miles up a mountain with all its monsters and mutated animals. You seem strong enough to make it, but consider how much you¡¯ll have left when you get there.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d kill your own kind to protect Bat People.¡±


    It was a statement rather than a question.


    The pamphlet hadn¡¯t spelled it out, but more implied.


    Word spread, however, a handful of adventuring bands and mercenary company expeditions into the mountains to the west were said to have failed to return.


    It wasn¡¯t clear if it was because of monsters, Bat People or the Golden Eagles.


    Deon figured it was likely all three.


    ¡°Just stick to the rules. There¡¯s no reason we all can¡¯t benefit from the current state of things,¡± Ledge said.


    ¡°Some benefit more than others, right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the world.¡±


    Both truth gems glowed.


    They left the office without another word and headed straight to their van parked on the side of the street.


    The door had barely slid shut when he rounded on Elandria.


    ¡°Spies in place?¡±


    ¡°Hold on, give me a second.¡±


    She pulled a flat disk out.


    It was the color of an old musical instrument and shaped to somewhat resemble a spider web.


    An image suddenly appeared above it.


    ¡°It¡¯s tiny as fuck,¡± Brand said.


    Elandria fiddled with it until the image quadrupled in size. Big enough to make out the smaller details in Ledge¡¯s office.


    They had spread the tiny, insect-like automatons as they had talked.


    True to the eidolon¡¯s word, they had remained undetected.


    Ledge worked quickly and efficiently, which was sign of good leadership.


    Other Golden Eagles were already in his office taking orders.


    ¡°I want the garrison doubled.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ what sort of timetable are we looking at?¡±


    ¡°Now.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got the five reserve squads ready, but doubling the garrison¡¯s going to take a few days. We¡¯re going have to pull guys from break early.¡±


    ¡°Send the five now and get on the rest. I didn¡¯t like the look of those two. They had the look of the young and the righteous, which basically means they¡¯re going to be stupid about this.¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s this bad, then shouldn¡¯t we let Cruces know?¡±


    ¡°I already sent him a message. He¡¯s busy, but he said he¡¯s going to send some back up. Twelve hours at the earliest, though.¡±


    ¡°What about the¡­ uh¡­ dark guy? We don¡¯t have a way to reach him.¡±


    ¡°Cal will let him know.¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we pick those kids up? Can¡¯t cause trouble if we¡¯ve got eyes on them?¡±


    ¡°Too high level. It¡¯ll be blood on the streets if they decide not to play nicely. Just get some scrying eyes on them for now. I¡¯ll consider being more insistent if it looks like they¡¯re headed for the mountains. Alright, no time to waste on this. Get things moving. I¡¯ll call Captain Jackson to warn her to be on guard.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we¡¯ll get lucky and they¡¯ll get lost and go too deep. Let the worms take care of them.¡±


    ¡°That is one of the worse case scenarios. I don¡¯t care if they¡¯re idiot kids. No one deserves that. And it could turn our relatively safe space into hell shit. So, get that thinking out of your heads. As far as I¡¯m concerned, best case scenario is that we can keep them from going there in the first place.¡±


    Ledge broke the meeting up as quickly as he had gathered it.


    ¡°Shit, efficient bastards, aren¡¯t they?¡± Karna said as she fiddled with the lighter-like artifact of burnished brass-like metal in her hand.


    ¡°Nothing they do is going to matter. They¡¯ll be too late,¡± Brand said.


    ¡°The fort¡¯s going to be ready.¡± Hollis pointed out with her new short sword. The animal fang glistened.


    ¡°Jesus fuck! Don¡¯t wave that thing around!¡± Saint recoiled. ¡°The huge bitch said that the slightest cut was enough poison to drop even Brand.¡±


    Hollis snorted.


    ¡°Relax, you can just blood magic it away, like she said.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, that¡¯s great, make me use my magic right before the big battle.¡±


    ¡°It might not come to that,¡± Deon said.


    ¡°Get your head into the game,¡± Elandria said. ¡°Talking didn¡¯t work in there. It¡¯s not going to work at the fort.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not attacking without giving them a chance to open the door. We¡¯re on the right side of this and we¡¯re staying there.¡±


    ¡°Y¡¯all heard the ¡®Cruces¡¯ name, right?¡± Russ said from the driver¡¯s seat.


    They all heard stories over the years.


    Which had been somewhat confirmed by the eidolon¡¯s warnings about a flying man or two.


    She had been insistent that they didn¡¯t waste any time.


    They had a window due to nebulous world events according to her.


    ¡°Alright. Clock¡¯s on. We get back to our place. Gear up and go.¡±


    Unbeknownst to Ledge they didn¡¯t need the roads.


    They didn¡¯t need travel time.


    The winged Eidolon of Ekra had set up an arrival site less than a mile from the Golden Eagles¡¯ fort.


    Portal magic, especially, one set up by really powerful spellcasters were a game changer.


    ¡°Um,¡± Brand raised a hand. ¡°How much time do we have?¡±


    ¡°What part of ¡®gear up and go¡¯ didn¡¯t you understand?¡± Elandria scowled.


    ¡°I gotta take a shit.¡±


    Elandria¡¯s jaw worked.


    ¡°You were already supposed to take care of that.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, he did. Clogged the downstairs toilet this morning,¡± Xander said helpfully.


    ¡°What? I ate like a hundred pounds of food at the buffet last night,¡± Brand said.


    ¡°You¡¯re always talking about how much better your digestive system is compared to us ¡®basic¡¯ humans.¡± Hollis waved her fang sword in his face.


    ¡°It is. That¡¯s just scientific facts. You think one of you normies can eat a hundred pounds in one sitting and only shit out a two pound log?¡± Brand said.


    ¡°Y¡¯all are disgusting,¡± Russ chuckled.


    ¡°Enough! You can shit when we get to the mountain. Deon¡¯s has to parlay first, anyways,¡± Elandria said.


    ¡°I heard portal magic makes you sick. That might help clear you out,¡± Hollis said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need help. Just a few minutes on the can, but whatever you say.¡± Brand rolled his eyes at Elandria.


    Deon centered himself and relaxed.


    The closer to action the less the tension.


    His team bickering was good.


    It was part of the familiar rhythm.


    In truth, he¡¯d be worried if they were silent.

 8.42

    Rayna¡¯s smartphone chimed.


    The early warning system her brother had set up was useful.


    She kept her Threnosh-made armor in the master bedroom, so she had to race up the stairs. Clothes came off, undersuit onesie went on in less than thirty seconds.


    The armor opened as she approached, allowing her to step into it.


    The HUD lit up as the system awakened.


    Aside from the faint hum coming from the power sources and the hiss as it sealed, the armor was as eerily quiet as it had always been.


    She levitated off the floor on her own power and floated herself down the stairs and out of the house.


    The armor had a direct link to the satellites, bypassing the Omninet.


    ¡°Show alert.¡±


    A live image projected on her faceplate showed something giving off a great deal of energy flying toward SoCal from the southwest.


    The system gave her pertinent information, like projected flight path and current speed.


    ¡°Send message to ranger command. This is Rayna. I¡¯m investigating the potential threat.¡±


    ¡°Hello, favorite sister,¡± Cal¡¯s voice came in crystal clear over the comms. ¡°I see that you¡¯re already on your way. I¡¯m ready to back you up.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. I thought you¡¯d be too busy today.¡±


    ¡°Not for emergencies. Besides, I¡¯m only entertaining the kids and interrogating a spy. Plenty of brain bandwidth remaining to go do a bunch of other things.¡±


    ¡°Entertaining? Is that your new word for child abuse?¡±


    ¡°Hey, they wanted it and their parents or guardians signed off on it.¡±


    ¡°You know that Ranger Command almost squashed the whole idea?¡±


    ¡°I may have heard that.¡±


    ¡°So, I¡¯m going to have to tell them that their infosec needs improvement¡­ again¡­¡±


    ¡°Listen, if they can stop me from getting my brain on super secret stuff, then they can probably stop anyone. I¡¯m helping them train and improve.¡±


    ¡°No arguments from me on that account.¡±


    ¡°You know that if you had weighed in then the vote wouldn¡¯t have been so close.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m retired from official ranger business. I merely consult when necessary.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ anomalous energy signature just sped up.¡±


    Rayna sighed.


    ¡°Tracking¡¯s changed too. How accurate is this?¡±


    ¡°Pretty accurate.¡±


    ¡°Specifics, please.¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯ve got the readings.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but how accurate are they?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m literally looking at the same information you¡¯ve got in your HUD.¡±


    ¡°Right, yeah, I get that, but what I¡¯m trying to get is how accurate are they?¡±


    ¡°Are you doing a thing, right now?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m being serious.¡±


    ¡°The accuracy is what the readings say,¡± her brother sighed. ¡°Anyways, it probably doesn¡¯t matter. An energy entity is right up your alley.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m leading it away.¡±


    The master of gravity soared toward the highest reaches of Earth¡¯s atmosphere.


    ¡°Yup, looks like it¡¯s definitely focused on you. Picking up speed too.¡±


    ¡°How accurate¡ª¡± she laughed. ¡°Sorry, being serious now. Please monitor my situation and feel free to jump in. Unlike other people I¡¯m not about that stupid lone wolf crap.¡±


    ¡°That seems a little pointed.¡±


    ¡°Well, if it does then I¡¯d say it¡¯s a you problem.¡±


    ¡°Mean, but you are the favorite, so you get more leeway. Going radio silent so as not to distract you. Good luck!¡±


    The anomalous energy thing increased its speed as it went from a few hundred meters above the Pacific¡¯s surface to a few thousand in a few seconds.


    Rayna figured there weren¡¯t any more doubts about it.


    The thing was headed for her.


    That being said, the accuracy rating of its projected track was probably too low.


    She extended the gravity field around her by a few hundred meters. Then placed a second, smaller one on the projected path.


    The energy thing appeared as a swirl of two to three colors in her HUD. Shades going from yellow to orange to red.


    That meant it was generating heat.


    ¡°Give me visual, only in a small screen at the bottom left corner, please.¡±


    The armor¡¯s intuitive system gave her what she had pictured in her mind.


    A small window with nothing in it.


    Invisible to the human eye, but not to her helmet, nor her ability to feel the presence of things interacting within Earth¡¯s gravity field.


    The thing put on a burst of speed that might¡¯ve caught her off guard had she not prepared the gravity field in its path.


    It hit the field.


    She increased the pull, trapping it inside an invisible sphere about twenty meters in diameter.


    The energy thing flared in her HUD while remaining invisible in the smaller window.


    ¡°Scan and record.¡±


    She switched to her helmet¡¯s built in speaker with a cybernetic thought.


    ¡°Can you understand me?¡±


    One couldn¡¯t assume everything was a monster out to kill people or an outworld invader out to kill people. Not all outworld invaders had been out to kill people.


    She didn¡¯t want to kill a peaceful sapient out of ignorance and fear.


    The energy thing roiled in the cage of her gravity field, but didn¡¯t respond in any way that she recognized as sapient.


    What her brother needed to do was to get the Threnosh to design and build a sapience detector.


    It obviously had mass, otherwise she wouldn¡¯t have been able to contain it.


    The HUD readings weren¡¯t particularly helpful with telling her exactly how much mass it had.


    ¡°If you can understand me, please stop moving?¡±


    Nothing.


    Well¡­ there was one foolproof way to find out if it was sapient.


    She just wanted to save it as a last resort on account of what it¡¯d cost her.


    ¡°I need your help,¡± she said into the comms.


    ¡°Anything,¡± her brother said.


    ¡°Please do you thing and tell me if its alive.¡±


    ¡°Brace yourself. In¡­ three¡­ two¡­¡±


    The world¡¯s worst ice cream headache struck her like a brick to the back, front, sides, top and bottom of her brain as her brother used it to reach the energy thing.


    A snap of a finger later and the intense pain vanished to be replaced by a throbbing one.


    She had barely felt her brother¡¯s psychic presence.


    ¡°Good news. Its a monster, not a person. It wants, well, wanted to suck the energy in you¡­ out of you. You know, the source of your power. That¡¯s how it grows. Now it just wants to get away.¡±


    She grimaced.


    The throbbing headache would linger for a day or two.


    ¡°So, what I¡¯m hearing is that my, um, inner energy is of superior quality to your own?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not anywhere in what I said.¡±


    ¡°Yes. That¡¯s what¡¯s called reading between the lines. Implicit rather than explicit. If I wanted to be explicit I¡¯d say that it¡¯s obvious that my inner energy is superior to yours because this,¡± she gestured toward the energy thing trapped in her gravity field, ¡°connoisseur of energy went straight for me instead of you.¡±


    ¡°Or it could have a type?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I agree. It definitely seeks out superiority.¡±


    ¡°Okay, well, take all the readings before you get rid of it. I¡¯m so so so sorry about the headache. Doubly sorry because pills and magic won¡¯t do anything to help. Bye, favorite sister!¡±


    ¡°Low blow, jerk.¡±


    It appeared that her brother got the last laugh if victory or defeat was measured by the amount of throbbing in her head.


    She pulled a multi-purpose scanner from its hidden compartment near the small of her back and set to scanning.


    Honestly, it was easy.


    She just had to turn it on and point it at the energy thing.


    It took care of the rest.


    ¡°Scanning done. Also scanned with the helmet.¡±


    All that remained was to get rid of it.


    She considered a miniature black hole. Just a little, quick one. This far from the surface meant that it¡¯d be mostly safe. No real chance of accidentally sucking in buildings or people.


    The headache was a problem though.


    It was making it harder to concentrate and that was just asking for a black hole that got out of her control.


    One needed both finesse and power to keep it safe for the surrounding environment.


    On the other hand, she wasn¡¯t too far from outer space.


    A call came in through the comms.


    It was her other brother.


    ¡°Hey, Rayna? Um¡­ you good?¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Yeah, just taking care of an energy-based monster thing.¡±


    ¡°Oh, so that¡¯s what that was. I got the alert thing, but then saw that you were taking care of it. But then I happened to be flying in the area and I saw you. Can you see me? I¡¯m waving?¡±


    ¡°Where? I don¡¯t see you. How far away are you?¡± she looked around and saw nothing even with her helmet¡¯s visual enhancements.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Hard to judge this high up without stuff in the background for reference. I was in Australia taking care of a thing and I went into space at, like, a forty-five degree angle toward the Pacific. So, you good? Cause there¡¯s, like, a thing¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Just deciding what to do with this thing.¡±


    ¡°Throwing it into space is always good. Unless it can propel itself in a vacuum, which if it¡¯s energy then that seems likely. Er¡­ sorry, got to go. Be careful.¡±


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°Yeah, thanks, you too.¡±


    A second call popped up.


    ¡°Hey, Rayna. Is everything cool? I felt some weird stuff in the magnetic field.¡± Remy said.


    And that made it all her brothers.


    She gave him a quick recap.


    ¡°Oh, yeah, I saw that alert thing. I really should get involved with this stuff, huh? I¡¯ve been back almost a year and I¡¯ve been mostly on vacation this whole time.¡±


    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s fine. Take however long you need. I mean, you had like no day¡¯s off in, like, fifteen years.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but it might be time.¡± He sighed. ¡°Do you want some help? If you give me your coordinates¡ª¡±


    ¡°No. Thanks, but I¡¯ve got it. Just going to maybe throw an energy monster into space or suck it into a black hole.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s what I felt? Makes sense¡­ wait? Did you say ¡®black hole¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Since when could you do that?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, like, five-six years ago maybe.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say anything?¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t ask and I don¡¯t like to brag. Also, I figure its better that I¡¯m not telling everyone out there what I can or can¡¯t do. Keeps bad guys guessing.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ I tell you what I can do. I even sent you detailed information from when I was off world.¡±


    ¡°Much appreciated. It¡¯ll come in handy if you ever turn evil and have to be defeated.¡±


    ¡°I really should get back to progressing.¡± He sighed again. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll stop bugging you. Take care and let me know if you need help. Laters.¡±


    ¡°Bye second brother. Stay on vacation as long as you want.¡±


    Yet another call chimed in her helmet.


    ¡°Hey, Fed. Just taking care of an energy monster.¡±


    ¡°So that¡¯s what the alert was about. From your unbothered tone, I¡¯m guessing things are going good?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, just about to get rid of it. What¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m planning on picking up dinner. Do you want anything specific?¡±


    ¡°Nope. I¡¯m good with whatever you pick. Unless there¡¯s a food out there that removes headaches.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ yeah¡­ there¡¯s all sorts of things like that. Magical cooking. Skill-created food. Wait? You have a headache? You never get headaches. We¡¯ve been together for almost five years and I don¡¯t remember one time.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a weird powers thing. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    ¡°If you say so. Alright, I¡¯ll try to get some anti-headache food. The best stuff doesn¡¯t last long before they run out for the day.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Fed. I¡¯ll see you when I get home. Love you.¡±


    ¡°I love you too.¡±


    ¡°Prepare for space flight,¡± she commanded her armor.


    It sealed completely, pressurizing and switching to it internal oxygen supply. It didn¡¯t have much fresh oxygen stored, relying more on a recycling system that turned her carbon dioxide into oxygen.


    Strictly speaking she didn¡¯t actually need the suit to fly into space when she could use her gravity field to carry oxygen and protect her superhuman body from the rigors of a vacuum.


    However, her powers required conscious control and any number of things had the potential to disrupt that.


    Sure, she could hold her breath and survive in the void much longer than any normal human, but why even take the risk?


    The energy monster struggled inside her gravity cage as she towed it past the Earth¡¯s atmosphere and into the cold, uncaring void.


    An involuntary shiver traveled up her back.


    Cal and Eron were weird for not being creeped out by the dark immensity of it all.


    It was like that abyss gazing thing she remembered reading somewhere.


    ¡°Sorry, monster.¡± She hurled it into the void.


    Freed from her cage, it struggled against the momentum of her throw, slowing until finally stopping and heading back to her.


    ¡°Black hole it is then.¡±


    Her headache rebelled against her will, but she remained gravity¡¯s master.


    An even darker void appeared in the path of the energy monster.


    It vanished in an instant, sucked in quicker than she could blink.


    She waited a moment before making the black hole vanish in turn.


    ¡°Stupid headache.¡± She grimaced as she headed home, ¡°stupid brother¡­ got to make him pay.¡±


    Another call chimed in her helmet before she even got back into the atmosphere.


    Cal was a stupid brother, but the satellites had crazy good reception among other more important capabilities.


    ¡°Just took care of the thing, Kayl.¡±


    ¡°Yup, we figured that¡¯s what you were doing. Loving the tracking system. Are you in outer space right now?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, heading back.¡±


    ¡°Damn! That¡¯s fucking awesome! I wouldn¡¯t mind visiting it one day¡­ hint, hint.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s dangerous.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you or have my brother do it on the day after you retire.¡±


    ¡°Hey, guys! I¡¯m retired!¡±


    She heard laughter in the background.


    ¡°Just kidding, but I¡¯ll hold you to that. So, sorry to interrupt, but you¡¯re presence is requested tonight at a very important and very secret meeting thing.¡±


    ¡°Unlike you, I¡¯m really retired.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but this is one of those things you said you wanted to be in one. So, be at Ranger HQ at eleven tonight.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s late.¡±


    ¡°Says the person that only needs a few hours of sleep a week. Just be there. It¡¯s about the future¡­ maybe¡­ in any case. I wouldn¡¯t mind the extra security your presence would bring. Maybe, invite a brother or two.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not ominous at all.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it totally is. This is Ranger Colonel Kayl, signing off.¡±


    Age hadn¡¯t changed her friend at all.


    Over thirty years and Kayl was the same.


    <hr>


    ¡°What¡¯s with this format?¡± Rayna said as she tried not to wince at every throbbing spike from her headache.


    Fed had picked up a very delicious anti-headache cronut for her.


    Tasted great, completely ineffective.


    ¡°They¡¯ve been coming to us all week with ¡®dire prophecies¡¯, but they wouldn¡¯t say what exactly until they got a meeting with Commander Kayl and you,¡± Captain Butcher said.


    They sat at a plastic table in plastic chairs that weren¡¯t comfortable up on the raised dais of the largest lecture hall at Ranger HQ.


    The stadium-style seats were actually full with the overflow of people spilling out to the aisles.


    ¡°That¡¯s a fire hazard.¡±


    ¡°Followers or congregation members of the prophets. I¡¯m waiting until it¡¯s just about to start to kick them out. Meeting won¡¯t start until they clear out. They refuse to leave and we¡¯ve got an excuse to threaten cancellation. If they escalate then we get to kick everyone out except for the people with the actual prophecies.¡± Captain Butcher¡¯s smile didn¡¯t each her eyes.


    ¡°Just kick them out anyways. This is going to be a circus.¡±


    A podium with a microphone had been set up near the center aisle.


    She recognized a few of the so-called prophets seated in front row seats. A few had preached in their mosque, synagogue or church that she was an ¡®immortal abomination¡¯. She couldn¡¯t remember which ones.


    There were also a handful of independent ¡®I see the future¡¯-types. A few oracles, seers and fortune-tellers. She didn¡¯t mind them because they didn¡¯t go into that religion nonsense.


    Seriously, it had been close to thirty years since the spires threw the human paradigm into a blender, shredding it and they were still preaching against the gays and each other.


    Like, dudes, you¡¯ve got one building and maybe a few hundred people still practicing your religion, maybe re-think how you go about things?


    They flinched away from her gaze.


    Captain Butcher cleared her throat.


    ¡°Maybe you should tell them to clear out.¡±


    ¡°Tempting, but they they¡¯ll start preaching about my ¡®immortal tyranny¡¯ again.¡±


    ¡°Again? They never stopped.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d think after years of no traction they¡¯d pivot to something else.¡±


    ¡°The old U.S. Government dropping by last year lit a fire under the Christian ones. They thought their good old days were coming back.¡±


    ¡°And yet less than a hundred actually took them up on the offer to relocate to the east coast.¡±


    ¡°I guess life here under the immortal abomination tyrant isn¡¯t too bad.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m retired. Had a big, forced celebration and everything.¡± Rayna sighed.


    Kayl glanced over and raised a brow.


    Rayna shrugged.


    Kayl nodded.


    Captain Butcher went to the podium set at the left side of the dais.


    ¡°Fire hazard. Everyone not in chair, leave. Failure to comply by eleven,¡± she pointed to the clock on the wall, ¡°will result in this meeting being canceled.¡±


    Unhappy voices, some louder than others filled the lecture hall.


    Captain Butcher deliberately turned her gaze to the clock.


    Some of the prophets crossed their arms and glared. Some gestured for their followers to comply.


    ¡°And we are canceling in¡­¡± Captain Butcher traced the ticking of the red second hand.


    That did it.


    The extra people headed for the exits.


    Kayl took Captain Butcher¡¯s place at the podium.


    ¡°It¡¯s late, which, I¡¯ll remind you, was at you all¡¯s request, so no complaining. No extra talk. No proselytizing. No taking shots at each other. No inciting your followers. No grandstanding. When it¡¯s your turn, you give your prophecy and only reply to questions if asked. We aren¡¯t here for your interpretations. If we require further input then we¡¯ll ask you back. Right, so, according to the random draw, you get to go first.¡± She pointed to the Islamic prophet.


    Some of the Christian ones opened their mouths on reflex, but showed the sense to shut them before a word escaped.


    The prophet stepped up to the podium.


    ¡°Thank you for hearing my words.¡±


    He was a well-built young man in a suit and tie whose scarred face and bent nose made him look more like one of the gladiators of the GCA than one of the robed imams that had accompanied him.


    ¡°I see it in my dreams.¡±


    One of Kayl¡¯s aides was at the whiteboard ready to take notes.


    ¡°Dreams,¡± the girl audibly muttered as she wrote.


    ¡°For weeks now. I stand in the street. Always the same place. In the middle of the intersection. The best donut shop is to my northwest.¡±


    He gave the location and waited for the ranger at the whiteboard to write it down.


    ¡°Agree to disagree on that one,¡± Kayl chuckled. ¡°Keep going. Don¡¯t slow down on our account.¡±


    He cleared his throat and nodded.


    ¡°I see a dark fire. Thick. Across the entire horizon. I look up and fail to see the top. Then it washes over everything. I wake up cold and sweating. The dream is the same every time I sleep.¡±


    ¡°Okay, thank you. Please sit down. You next.¡± Kayl pointed to one of the Christian prophets.


    Rayna didn¡¯t know which sect of Christianity the middle-aged man belonged to.


    He also wore a suit and tie.


    She didn¡¯t know if the prophet had any official capacity in his particular sect. It was hard to tell who were pastors and what not, since they didn¡¯t have official uniforms. Unlike in Catholicism, which, admittedly was the only religion she could claim some knowledge of.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to start with a prayer¡ª¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Kayl said flatly.


    The prophet scowled and reddened, but he gave a stiff nod.


    ¡°And lo I foresaw¡ª¡±


    Kayl rolled her eyes and shook her head.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t your sermon thing or whatever. We are on a strict schedule. None of the poetic shit. Quickly and succinctly. Like the guy that went before you. Do it like that.¡±


    His face purpled.


    ¡°A dark tidal wave swallows all unbelievers!¡± He stomped back to his seat.


    ¡°You next,¡± Kayl pointed.


    The Catholic prophet was a young woman in jeans and a hoodie. She had her parents with her in the front row along with a priest, judging by the all black attire with the little white square in his collar. Probably an uncle from the familial resembled.


    She slouched over the podium with the attitude that this was all so stupid and she had better things to do.


    Rayna immediately moved her up to the number one on her list of favorite future-tellers.


    ¡°Mine¡¯s a dumb black cloud that eats everyone.¡± She rolled her eyes and immediately slouched back to her seat.


    One by one the rest of the prophets took their turns.


    A clear theme had emerged.


    It all seemed pretty obvious to Rayna.


    Some great threat, probably monsters, was going to go horde mode all over their faces.


    The independent oracles, seers and fortune tellers went next with similar visions, dreams and nightmares.


    ¡°Okay, thanks. We¡¯re done here for now. We¡¯ll be in touch if we need more. And if you get new stuff then come back and tell us. Listen, if this,¡± Kayl gestured at whiteboard, ¡°is remotely close to real then I don¡¯t have to tell you how dangerous it could be for all of us. So, don¡¯t be thinking that only the ¡®unbelievers¡¯ are gonna get fire washed away. Everyone is. Remember, nearly thirty years of history has proved that the spires and the monsters don¡¯t care about what you believe. They¡¯ll eat us all the same.¡±


    They waited for the lecture hall to empty.


    Kayl and the rest of ranger command were there along with the command officers that weren¡¯t on duty elsewhere.


    Rayna regarded the white board for a moment.


    ¡°So, what are our future see-ers saying?¡±


    The rangers had their own small team of oracles and seers.


    They were mostly for trying to predict potential big threats, like random wandering monster attacks.


    The year since the Terminus announcement had given them quite a boost to their leveling speed on account of safe-ish encounter challenges suddenly turning into spawn zones. Or the latter spewing significantly greater monsters in terms of strength and numbers.


    She supposed the future tellers had an excuse to be cranky.


    Poor things probably hadn¡¯t had a good night¡¯s sleep in a year.


    ¡°Pretty much the same,¡± Kayl sighed. ¡°They¡¯re consensus is pointing to something like an endless horde of¡­ something¡­ they can¡¯t come to an agreement on what the ¡®something¡¯ might be.¡±


    ¡°Monsters. Invaders.¡±


    ¡°I think there¡¯s a thin line between the two.¡±


    ¡°Agree to disagree.¡±


    Rayna trusted her brother on this account.


    Not all alien invaders should be considered that.


    There were desperate refugees among the imperialist colonizers.


    ¡°They didn¡¯t give time frames?¡± She shifted the focus to head off the argument.


    ¡°Ours are better. Higher leveled.¡± Kayl grinned smugly.


    ¡°Well?¡±


    ¡°Either our generation will face this or the next one will.¡±


    ¡°So, what that means is¡­ anywhere from now to twenty-thirty years in the future?¡±


    ¡°That is in the ballpark.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m retired.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we know, but you¡¯re consulting right now so you can¡¯t leave.¡±


    Rayna sighed and remained in her chair.


    ¡°Why did you even hold this thing so late?¡±


    ¡°I was hoping some of them wouldn¡¯t come or at least keep most of the older zealots at home. It¡¯s past their bedtime.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s ageist and isn¡¯t it past your bedtime?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not that old¡­ yet.¡±


    ¡°Alright, fine, I will remain to consult¡­ for the next hour.¡±


    Kayl waved her hand dismissively.


    ¡°Won¡¯t take that long. This is just to get a quick outline of our response to yet another existential threat to our existence. No big deal, right?¡±


    Ranger command laughed and went to work.

 8.43

    The Threnosh built Danger Complex was configured into an eerily life-like replica of Ranger HQ and the surrounding area. Streets, businesses and homes.


    The way the floor could move with them like a treadmill while the malleable surfaces and hardlight holograms changed was nearly imperceptible to the naked human eye.


    They could walk to anywhere in the world all within a space the size of a medium-sized sports arena.


    When Alin had seen the total cost he had just about passed out.


    So many zeros.


    It wouldn¡¯t have been possible without the Threnosh council¡¯s generous contribution.


    Naturally, they hadn¡¯t done it out of pure altruism.


    They expected future returns on their investment in the form of aid against outworld invaders.


    Rino, Kare and the others had been doing good work over there and the Threnosh wanted more.


    If they wanted more then more needed to be trained.


    Alin and his friends got a treat for his birthday party.


    Instead of a beach day, they got to fight and train in the Danger Complex for the entire weekend.


    The last weekend was a session in one of his dad¡¯s mindscape training programs, which had been terrible.


    It had seemed like all their parents had asked his dad to make it so they¡¯d never want to fight again.


    Ha!


    Parents knew nothing.


    The traumatic experience only made them want to get stronger on account of not wanting to go through that again, especially, in real life.


    Alin took point because he had the unfair advantage of power armor.


    He was armed with a recoilless rifle loaded with training ammunition designed to be tracked by the complex¡¯s sensors in order to assign hypothetical damage.


    The way the ammo exploded into bright splats of paint was his dad¡¯s idea.


    They would¡¯ve just turned into easy to wipe flakes otherwise.


    ¡°This is so real,¡± Gob said.


    ¡°Cut the chatter,¡± Luzi said.


    She was team leader for this first run and she was taking it really seriously.


    They organized as the standard ranger fire team so that they could put their training of the past year into practice in an environment as close to reality as possible.


    The only difference was that no one was at risk of dying.


    Alin fit seamlessly into the team even though he hadn¡¯t trained with them since last fall. And they had barely just started doing fire team stuff at the time.


    Turns out his dad wasn¡¯t above cheating what with putting him through the same kind of training.


    He even had an advantage since he was training with experienced fighters in mindscapes that were indistinguishable from reality.


    Recent realization of the privilege being his dad¡¯s son had afforded him tempered his feelings of isolation and being left behind by his friends. Especially, when it seemed that he might¡¯ve been a little ahead of them.


    ¡°Boy, those fancy scanners of yours picking up anything?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, sir.¡±


    He walked down the middle of the street, while the rest of squad leap-frogged from cover to cover.


    ¡°This even feels like a real truck.¡± Just tapped the rusted hulk.


    They covered each other as they moved up the street, using vehicles, alleys and building corners.


    Their objective was simple.


    Find and neutralize the enemy.


    They didn¡¯t know the type or numbers.


    Luzi¡¯s plan wasn¡¯t complicated.


    Use Alin¡¯s superior defensive capabilities to draw said enemy out. Then everyone else would blow them away.


    Unfortunately, the enemy had superior power armor and decades of experience in a training chamber just like this one and, more importantly, in real combat.


    Predictive software beeped a warning, but for the purposes of training any automated countermeasures his armor could take had been disabled.


    Bright pink paint splattered over his faceplate.


    A flat voice spoke in his ears a moment later.


    ¡°Boom. Headshot. Simulated hypersonic armor-piercing bullet. Designation: Alin Cruces. Dead.¡±


    His dad had programmed the virtual intelligence¡¯s vocabulary.


    ¡°Take cover!¡± Luzi barked.


    Alin lay down with a sigh and switched to an overhead feed from one of the drone cameras recording the action to see how the slaughter would commence this time.


    ¡°Did anyone see where that shot came from?¡±


    The answers Luzi got were all negative.


    Alin could¡¯ve helped them with that.


    The shot had come from the other end of the danger complex behind the rubble of a destroyed house.


    Naturally, he was dead and guys like him told no tales.


    That was a weird saying the old people had and they were way off.


    The dead could tell tales thanks to spell and Skills.


    They even left psychic imprints behind where they died.


    His team didn¡¯t even need to rely on more powerful or esoteric abilities.


    His helmet could be networked with others like it and they could¡¯ve viewed a first-person perspective of him getting shot in the face.


    That would¡¯ve made things easier for his team, which was why they hadn¡¯t been allowed any mechanical communication aids for the training session.


    Alin accessed the opposing force¡¯s comms.


    It¡¯d be a wasted opportunity not to listen in on how experienced fighters conducted themselves.


    ¡°I want to engage in close quarters combat, Frequency.¡±


    ¡°Negative, Primal. That is not the current scenario.¡±


    ¡°I have no challenge.¡±


    ¡°This exercise is not for you. Your assigned role is clear. You will adhere to it.¡±


    ¡°Then why not have Kynnro fulfill it? That is their role in reality.¡±


    ¡°Because prior experience does not exempt us from learning and reinforcement.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    So, Alin mused, entrenched sniper scenario?


    The briefing had been light on details.


    All they got was that there was an enemy that needed killing.


    It was interesting that open-ended quest parameters like that were actually more difficult than ones with specific objectives.


    He had the two flipped before he had started training strategy and tactics.


    Was Primal alone?


    Because if he wasn¡¯t it would complicate things further.


    Luzi grimaced.


    The team was split in half by the four lane street.


    No cover across.


    She could try covering fire, but Primal was behind rubble and in power armor that made tanks look like they were armored in foil.


    Granted, the Threnosh was playing sniper and those weren¡¯t typically known for impenetrable defense, but Luzi didn¡¯t know that. Plus she had to account for a sniper that might¡¯ve had good defense through spells or Skills or impenetrable skin.


    There were no rules that said that someone like Hammer with her metallic skin couldn¡¯t take up sniping.


    In that case the sniper could ignore incoming fire to calmly pick off her targets as they tried to run across the open street.


    Luzi seemed to come to the same conclusion.


    ¡°We¡¯re splitting up! Advance through the neighborhood!¡±


    Her gestures were emphatic.


    They really could¡¯ve used comms.


    Shouting plans wasn¡¯t a winning move.


    ¡°I approve of this team¡¯s caution,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°It prolongs my boredom. I preferred the previous team¡¯s tactic,¡± Primal said.


    ¡°They charged blindly toward your position.¡±


    ¡°Yes. It was quicker.¡±


    ¡°But they did not give us the opportunity to utilize the drones.


    Ah, the drones.


    His friends hadn¡¯t had the pleasure of going up against those disturbingly life-like things. Almost indistinguishable from the real thing, aside from hard to spot with the naked eye fuzzing around the edges, along with dead eyes and unnatural stillness when not in motion.


    The team that had been on the west side of the street was all boys and down a person.


    Gob, Isaak, Roe and Lee moved in pairs up the neighborhood toward the north where Primal¡¯s shot had come from.


    They stuck close to the homes on their right.


    Two covered from house corners and brick walls, while the other two jumped over the low brick walls separating the properties front yards.


    They moved pretty good from what Alin could tell.


    The year of real ranger training hadn¡¯t been wasted.


    They hit their first obstacle a few streets up.


    A barricade of twisted metal blocked their way, forcing a turn down the street to the left unless they wanted to backtrack further.


    ¡°That¡¯s a fucking high wall,¡± Gob muttered. ¡°So, ambush?¡±


    The other three agreed.


    ¡°Classic L-shaped ambush. Shooters in those houses?¡± Isaak indicated the one closest to the wall on their side of the street and the one on the corner to the left of the wall.


    Lee jabbed a thumb to the rear of the houses.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hit them from there.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the number one rule about getting ambushed?¡± Roe said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Lee shrugged. ¡°But it¡¯ll take us longer to back track and there¡¯ll probably be setups like this all over the place. Which is why I¡¯m saying we should do one of the other rules. Ambush them first.¡±


    ¡°If I suspect there¡¯s an ambush, then I don¡¯t want to walk right into it,¡± Roe said.


    ¡°What¡¯s the big deal? It¡¯s just practice,¡± Lee said.


    ¡°We¡¯re supposed to treat it like the real thing,¡± Gob said.


    ¡°But it isn¡¯t, so, I¡¯m cool with whatever you guys want to do,¡± Lee said.


    ¡°I vote to attack,¡± Isaak said.


    ¡°Same,¡± Gob said.


    Roe sighed.


    ¡°I guess I¡¯m the only one then. Fine.¡±


    ¡°Cheer up, dude!¡± Lee thumped him on the back. ¡°It¡¯s just practice and the sooner we find out what¡¯s so special about this place, you know? Aside from the nearly perfect recreation of the real world.¡± He knocked on the side of the house. ¡°God damn! I can¡¯t tell that this is just a hologram.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t be worse than that mindscape training,¡± Gob said.


    They hit the backyards, climbing over walls and trampling plants that weren¡¯t real plants, yet looked and acted like them.


    They even smelled like plants, though an expert plant person could tell that the scents were a little off.


    The ambush was sudden and unexpected.


    Not at their target house, but two houses from it.


    Glass shattered as practice bullets erupted out of the windows.


    A quick burst lasting barely two seconds and all four boys looked like clowns. Their camouflaged clothing dotted with many colors.


    Gob kicked the grass in disgust.


    ¡°Everyone that had danger sense isn¡¯t here!¡±


    Alin was disappointed that they didn¡¯t get the chance to see what the drones looked like.


    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    The other half of the team was lucky or unlucky, depending on perspective, thanks to the aforementioned danger sense.


    It pinged as they approached a house with its window blinds opened.


    The observant among them noticed that the other houses they had passed had all their blinds closed.


    Cate popped her eyes over the wall and dropped back quickly like a mole that wasn¡¯t feeling the whacking game. She raised a clenched fist, stopping the others.


    A rapid conversation in ranger hand signals commenced.


    Ambush, probably?


    Flashbangs, first and second window.


    Luzi indicated Cate and Just.


    Coming in from the backyard.


    She pointed at herself, Sonia and Reena.


    Follow on signal.


    Cate and Just hurled flashbangs through the windows like neighborhood kids playing baseball.


    The former hit the second story, while the latter, being taller slammed his down over the wall without exposing more than his hand and arm.


    Luzi led Sonia and Reena over the wall on the loud explosions.


    She hustled to the glass sliding door, shattering it with a burst from her recoilless rifle.


    ¡°Frag out!¡±


    The practice grenade exploded in the kitchen.


    She leaned her rifle around the corner and squeezed the trigger, spraying and suppressing.


    ¡°Go!¡±


    Sonia and Reena swung around the corner. Trigger fingers itching something fierce.


    One swept right.


    The other left.


    ¡°Clear!¡±


    ¡°Clear!¡±


    ¡°Upstairs?¡± Luzi followed them in as they all took cover behind the wall dividing the kitchen area from the front living room and stairs.


    That was when the couch exploded.


    Perhaps it wasn¡¯t realistic to have a drone masquerading as a generic Earthian soldier hiding inside the couch.


    To their credit the trio reacted quickly, spraying the drone with practice bullets, causing its holographic disguise to fuzz as the projectiles struck its metal body.


    Unfortunately, the drone had been quicker.


    All three took hits.


    Paint splattered their chest armor.


    Dead, dead and dead¡­ according to the V.I.¡¯s voice in their helmets.


    Cate and Just came in through the side window.


    They hadn¡¯t seen the Trojan couch tactic, so they were unprepared for the front living room¡¯s furniture to explode.


    Drone soldiers wasted them before either squeezed a shot off.


    Dead and dead.


    Just like that, the practice session was over.


    A total party kill.


    Alin shook his head.


    It was a bit unfair that they weren¡¯t allowed to use magic and active Skills since his friends had trained with using those things.


    He supposed having to practice in the old ways was good for building fundamentals.


    In any case it was a rough first practice against the Threnosh and they hadn¡¯t even seen their target. It was like dying to the first set of mobs in one of the mall encounter challenges. Hardly anyone ever did that since the council had mandated minimum competency requirements. Tests had to be passed for permission to be granted.


    He stood up and headed back to the exit highlighted by the helpful glowing arrows projected in front of him.


    Suburban Southern California melted away as holograms shut down and silvery panels ranging in size from small to huge disappeared into the floors and walls, leaving the place looking like a featureless maze.


    He saw his paint-splattered friends trudging to the exit, while at the other end of the massive chamber Primal¡¯s massive power armor stood like a silent sentinel.


    It seemed that everyone was leaving the session disappointed.


    <hr>


    Nicholas List.


    Code-named Death¡¯s Dancer.


    Loyal American soldier.


    The elite of the elite.


    He, in his own estimation, had accomplished jack shit over the last half year.


    His Quest had been broad in scope.


    Infiltrate Southern California and gather information.


    Steal secrets, find leverage.


    Rayna¡¯s Rangers and the local government were his top two targets.


    It shouldn¡¯t have been that difficult with his invisibility power.


    Sure, there were countermeasures, but he had tested himself against the best detection methods his side had and found that he could easily beat the below average to above average quality, while the top tier ones was anyone¡¯s game.


    He had proved himself right when no one had detected him prowling around their offices and listening in on conversations.


    The problem was that he got nothing that his superiors would consider actionable intel.


    For some reason whenever he spied on the mayor in her office or at her home the conversations were always about stupid, pointless crap like her kids and pets or the new recipe her husband came up with.


    Yeah, the birria tacos sounded awesome, but command wouldn¡¯t exactly give a shit about that, would they?


    The rangers were worse.


    Towards the end of it he was starting to think that they knew he was listening in going by the inanity of their conversations and the pointed insults toward his¡ª their rightful government.


    The ranger commander was a foul-mouthed bitch and he was impressed. Had they been on the same side then he easily could¡¯ve seen himself taking orders from such a hardass ball-buster. Her being in charge explained why the rangers were so good.


    Even if it was kind of stupid that they called themselves ¡®rangers¡¯.


    From what he had observed only a small number of them actually qualified under the true standards of the title.


    And as for the eponymous Rayna?


    Nothing.


    He hadn¡¯t seen or heard anything about her.


    It was like she didn¡¯t even exist.


    Maybe it was the lack of intel, maybe he was getting bored. He was definitely feeling useless.


    Six months away from his brothers and sisters with no contact ate away at him.


    The thought that they had to fight while he got to walk around and eat the best foods while spying on people was a knife to the gut.


    All that made him careless.


    He went north.


    Just up the freeway.


    About thirty miles.


    Took him an hour.


    Could¡¯ve done it in less then half the time, but he slowed down and didn¡¯t super jump it.


    Had to be careful about being detected.


    So he ran alongside the freeway, hopping fences and houses when needed, while sticking to their shadows.


    The casino and hotel was a lot busier than he had expected.


    It had almost been completely off their radar.


    The file had said it showed minor signs of habitation, attributing it to a satellite camp for access into Los Angeles.


    What he saw didn¡¯t match that.


    Minor signs?


    Fuck that!


    It was busy as shit!


    And there was this futuristic-looking building, like a cube-dome thing, all shining in the sun.


    People everywhere.


    Futuristic-looking fences and guard towers surrounded the entire place.


    Strangely, it seemed that not all the towers where manned. It skipped one or even two towers.


    He saw a few of the same golem things they had down south.


    They couldn¡¯t pierce his invisibility either as he strolled right into the main building.


    Nicholas List, Death¡¯s Dancer, elite lieutenant in America¡¯s combined armed forces woke up in a soft bed.


    The same way he had over the last week.


    Once again he had to pinch himself.


    Once again what was a dream had felt real, while what was real felt like a dream.


    He was a prisoner, but one that could wander around on his own with only his word that he wouldn¡¯t leave or try to spy as the invisible bonds around his wrists.


    And that was the strangest thing of all.


    He had given his word and had no intention of breaking it.


    Despite the fact that his orders should¡¯ve been all he needed to smile, shake that man¡¯s hand, then stab him in the throat.


    He was a soldier and the highest honor was to do everything for his country.


    In this case that was eating six gourmet meals a day, one or two of which was an all you can eat binge at the buffet. Interspersed between that was playing a few card games and slot machines. He got bored of that quickly because he wasn¡¯t willing to wager Universal Points with the handful of gamblers and card sharks trying to gain levels. Nope, all he was willing to waste were the colorful plastic coin-like things available for free.


    Today was a bit different because he got a lunch invitation to meet with the guy in charge of it all up in the boardroom.


    Well¡­ not so different after all.


    The large wooden table was filled with cartons of food.


    Lunch was sushi.


    That was another new thing.


    Sure, he had tried them over the years whenever a quest took him to places that had sushi-type restaurants nearby, but the variety and quality provided by Skill-backed chefs was noticeably superior to the random strip mall restaurant food that they had to prepare themselves.


    His mouth watered as he stood at attention.


    ¡°Sit anywhere, feel free to eat. We¡¯re busy people, so I figured a working lunch was best,¡± Cal Cruces said.


    Black-haired, brown-skinned. Built, but short. A total manlet.


    He couldn¡¯t grasp the man¡¯s features and even the sound of his voice. They always slipped from his memories like sand on the shore.


    Name. Rank. Serial number, he thought. I¡¯ll say that and just stand here. He can¡¯t make me do anything else. If he threatens then that¡¯ll finally give me the right to attack and make a break for it.


    Instead, he grabbed a plate and started piling it up.


    Sushi had good protein, carbs and veg.


    Pretty much everything he needed.


    Seems dumb not to eat on his points. Plus, he might slip up and feed me intel. Just need to keep my words to a minimum. That way I¡¯ll minimize my chances of slipping up myself, he thought.


    ¡°So, I heard you¡¯ve been enjoying the amenities. I know that the gym isn¡¯t quite up to the standards of someone with your kind of strength.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a prisoner. Weirdly free to move around a lot, but still prisoner. So, I figure I don¡¯t have much to complain about. I¡¯m willing to pay for what I¡¯ve eaten. As long as it¡¯s fair. Not paying for the room or the other stuff cause¡­ prisoner.¡±


    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s all comped. That¡¯s what they used to call it. Free rooms, food, booze other stuff, like escorts for the whales. That¡¯s what they called the guys that dropped a ton of money gambling. Bit before your time, right?¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t really free then? But, what do I know? Didn¡¯t have casinos in the bunkers. Waste of space and time. Still don¡¯t have them. More important things to put effort into. Like rebuilding our nation. You remember that?¡±


    ¡°Yes. The rebuilding is an ongoing process. Like you¡¯ve seen during your many months down south. Objectively speaking¡­ how do you think they¡¯re doing? Better, worse, the same? When compared to your government¡¯s efforts? I¡¯d say it¡¯s an obvious ¡®better¡¯.¡±


    He snapped his mouth shut.


    Obvious bait was obvious.


    ¡°I will give you guys the edge on giving young people animal powers. We¡¯ve got zero of that. You guys are up to the hundreds by now. Maybe sinking into the four digits. And all it cost was the lives of nine out of ten young men and women. Oh¡­ wait¡­ you¡¯ve been lurking around here for the last six months. Deep cover like that probably means you haven¡¯t been getting information from your government. It¡¯s not just young men and women anymore. That eidolon is dipping into your teenagers. Still mostly taking from the ¡®colored¡¯ ones, though. I blame that on your racist leaders. Bunch of old white men clinging to their pre-spires mindsets. Honestly, I¡¯d rather you put your captain in charge. She¡¯s a generally decent person¡­ aside from the cowardice¡ª¡±


    ¡°Watch it,¡± he warned.


    ¡°Hey, I just call it like I see it. Did you guys even look into the eidolon¡¯s experiments? You could¡¯ve sneaked in there any time with your invisibility power. See the atrocities for yourself. But, I guess that¡¯s the last thing you¡¯d want. Kind of hard to stick to the whole ¡®I¡¯m just following orders¡¯ line when the kids that you should be bleeding for get treated worse than cattle all for the ten percent chance at animal powers.¡±


    ¡°If you know all of this then why aren¡¯t you doing anything about it?¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, dude, don¡¯t be naive about this. You know exactly what would happen if I took direct action. Do you really want open war with me?¡±


    He suddenly remembered something as if a locked memory had suddenly been freed.


    ¡°Why not? What¡¯s the difference for you on this versus Florida? You just straight up attacked them.¡±


    ¡°Terminus World. I can ignore you guys while I deal with global issues. And naivety on my part. I¡¯d rather the good people amongst you do the right thing and deal with your own evils. That isn¡¯t to say that I¡¯ll wait forever or even six months. That¡¯s the thing. You¡¯re running out of time. You remember the slavers? Now, picture yourselves in their place. There is no amount of animal-powered young people that¡¯ll save you from us. Nukes? Gone. Sure, you¡¯re thinking that you just need to take a facility from us to start pumping them out¡­ well, how¡¯d that turn out the last time you tried? The eidolons you¡¯ve sold your kids to? We¡¯ve dealt with several eidolon teams around the world. The only reason yours are alive is because we made a deal.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ you didn¡¯t know? Why do you think they pulled back when you guys were just about to start using violence to force settlements back into your arms? Rightful Destiny? Weird how you guys always use grandiose terms to obfuscate the fact that you¡¯re going to kill innocent people to take their stuff.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not how it is at all.¡±


    ¡°How old are you?¡±


    ¡°Old enough.¡±


    ¡°Twenty-eight. That means you were a baby when the spires appeared. What were your parents? Military? Political types? Or just ultra wealthy? Had to be one or more to get a spot in the bunkers. So, you probably grew up pretty privileged. Am I right? Got the first shot at food, supplies. Didn¡¯t have to worry about all the things that came with power imbalances in a closed society. Then you got powers sometime around puberty. That had to propel you into the upper echelons of privilege¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut up! You don¡¯t me or my history.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough. I was just trying to point out that you¡¯ve got a responsibility. You were given a gift. The ability to single-handedly effect change for the betterment of everyone. Not just an elite few clinging to the scraps of their power when they should just do us all the favor of dying and jumping straight into the compost toilet of history. Should be trying to make a better world rather than returning to the old and crappy.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like you can just do what you want. So, why not? Cowardice?¡±


    ¡°From some perspectives, yeah. I don¡¯t want to kill more people than I have to. I don¡¯t want to kill at all. You, for example, if I was to make war on your side then you¡¯d follow your orders straight to a grave at my hands.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t know how a fight¡¯ll turn out until it starts.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, we both know that you aren¡¯t the delusional type. You know that your fight at the nuke facility was a stomp. You, your captain, your elites¡­ are only alive because the relentless one left you that way. You guys don¡¯t have a global reach anymore. Your intel¡¯s incomplete at best. I¡¯d rate your most powerful individuals as middling at best.¡±


    ¡°What do you want from me, bro?¡±


    ¡°For you to make the right choices in life of your own free will. Six months is a long time to be away from home. I¡¯m letting you go provided you head straight back like a homing pigeon. You probably don¡¯t know what that is.¡±


    ¡°I can figure out the context!¡± he snapped.


    ¡°Well, do that, head straight home to your masters and speak to your captain. First thing. I¡¯ve already sent her some intel. She¡¯s probably going to want to verify it for herself and to do that she¡¯ll need her best infiltrator. So, here¡¯s the thing. That eidolon¡¯s been pushing to escalate his abomination program. Things might be hitting the fan soon-ish and they¡¯re getting nervous. I¡¯m concerned that our agreement may not be long for this world. It¡¯s almost like a game of chicken. They¡¯re considering baiting me into action first by giving the eidolon what he wants?¡±


    ¡°To be clear, you¡¯re talking about the animal enhancement program?¡±


    ¡°Jesus! Give it a clinical name and you can disassociate yourself from the abominable nature of it. Nine out of ten dies or suffers a fate worse than death and that just flies over your head. That¡¯s why I want you to see it for yourself. If you can still cling to orders after seeing that then I will know what sort of person you truly are.¡±


    ¡°To be clear, you¡¯d kill me if that¡¯s how it turned out?¡±


    ¡°I think you know the answer to that.¡±


    ¡°Then you¡¯d better put me in the ground quick, cause otherwise you¡¯ll never see me coming until I plant one of my spears in your throat.¡±


    ¡°Okay, so, your eidolon friends are pushing to go younger. You see, it¡¯s cause the younger the subject the higher the chances of success and the more potent the power.¡±


    ¡°So, that¡¯s good then. Less deaths.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sure, if you¡¯re cool with children being experimented on. You¡¯ve got a few young cousins, right?¡±


    How does he know? Calm. Breathe. Don¡¯t react, he thought.


    ¡°Well, I guess maybe their privilege will keep them safe for awhile. At the least your leaders won¡¯t want to mess with the chance to train them up just like you. Assuming they have your powers or something similar. But, that¡¯s not the end goal. The eidolon wants to work on fetuses. Practically guaranteed success with the greatest amount of power. All for the cheap cost of the mother¡¯s life. Would your leaders go for that? If it meant soldiers near your level?¡±


    No question about it, but he kept his mouth shut.


    ¡°Listen to me. You¡¯re getting close to my line. I¡¯m stopping the eidolon before he starts work on his next batch. If that means war, then its war. It¡¯ll be short and quick. I won¡¯t spare your leaders. They have no privilege with me. Time spent dealing with your problem is time spent away from dealing with other problems. That could mean invaders gaining a foothold or some kind of eldritch monstrosity being enabled to wreak havoc. I¡¯ve made this clear to your captain. Who knows¡­ she¡¯s got a conscience and she¡¯s got an analytical mind. Wouldn¡¯t you rather be by her side?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m counting on you guys doing the right thing.¡± Cal Cruces smiled.


    The window opened.


    Wind swirled powerfully this high up, pushing the cartons on the table.


    ¡°Since you¡¯re running out of time I¡¯m going to speed you on your way.¡±


    Nicholas suddenly found himself flying out the window and into the sky with the ocean to his back.


    He covered his face as a loud boom deafened him for a moment.


    The landing sucked because he ate dirt.


    Didn¡¯t hurt much.


    Once one got to certain level of superior durability they could fall from any height without getting hurt thanks to the whole terminal velocity thing.


    He choked and spat.


    Something wiggled in his right nostril.


    He tugged the poor worm out and tossed it.


    East.


    He headed east eating up ground with each great leap.


    Once night fell he¡¯d be able to navigate by the stars.


    Orders were orders.


    He¡¯d do his duty.


    Captain Patriot.


    The chain of command all the way up to the president.


    He knew which orders he¡¯d always follow.

 Interlude: Worm Food 1.5

    The cavern floor squelched with the Dread Paladin¡¯s every step.


    Enemy blood glowed, casting a dim red haze over the ground that went unnoticed since he could see in the dark with the barest amount of light.


    Light globes bobbed in the air over his head. Their casters, the Bat People he fought in service of, clung to the walls and massive stalagmites and stalactites jutting out of the floor and ceiling like buildings.


    Sometimes, when he wasn¡¯t the Dread Paladin and was merely Cooper, he¡¯d pause and reflect on his environment.


    The old him couldn¡¯t have even imagined what it was like to be close to a mile below sea level inside an enormous cavern that took hours to cross on foot and could hold skyscrapers at its tallest or deepest, depending on perspective, spots.


    Time had changed him.


    His class was the least of it.


    Battles beneath the surface had given him levels.


    It had made him stronger and weaker.


    The Vow gave. The Vow demanded.


    Even the dreadlings had changed.


    When once they had come from his shadow as a ravening mass of teeth and claws barely able to follow the most basic commands, now some of them disturbingly resembled people. Specifically, soldiers.


    While a vanguard of the former spread out in all directions searching for the enemy to fall on without regard for their own safety and strategy a smaller number moved around him in a passable imitation of soldiers. Like him, they wore shadow-made armor and wielded shadow-made weapons. Unlike him, their armor resembled that of the pre-spires modern era, while they wielded guns that shot shadow bullets.


    He couldn¡¯t explain the how and why of this change, for he had no conscious memory of choosing it.


    They had simply appeared that way one day to his surprise.


    The soldier-like dreadlings, no taller than his knee, gibbered to each other as squads dashed from cover to cover while making sure to maintain clear lines of fire.


    One at the front raised a fist, bringing everyone to a halt.


    An unnecessary gesture.


    The Dread Paladin had seen their enemy through the senses of the feral dreadlings up ahead in the dark distance.


    A worm mother.


    Finally, he had flushed it out.


    Its dread filled him with power and pleasure.


    He craved it. He hated it.


    The duality of a monstrous man would never leave him.


    It was all he could do to rein it in and only unleash it on those that deserved it.


    The worm mother had been weakened in the fight that had seen all its worm-ridden trogs killed at their hands.


    Its corpulent appearance would¡¯ve made Cooper sick to his stomach.


    The Dread Paladin chased after it before it could burrow into the ground.


    Feral dreadlings chewed and clawed at white skin stretched to the breaking point.


    The trogs were small humanoids.


    Their people had a name, but the ones infesting the caverns and tunnels below the Bat People¡¯s territory weren¡¯t exactly a true example of the species.


    These were hosts suborned by the parasitic worms in what the latter saw as beneficial symbiotic relationship.


    According to Cal, that couldn¡¯t have been further from the truth.


    The trogs didn¡¯t even know who they really were.


    For them, there had been no existence before the worms.


    The memories deleted from their brains or never given the chance to form at all for those captive bred.


    Thus, they all had to die.


    The trogs for their freedom.


    The worms for the horror they inflicted and the threat of sharing that with humanity.


    The Dread Paladin pulled the mother worm by her tail and sliced chunks from her bloated body with his dark blade.


    Dreadlings ripped and ate.


    The worms posed no threat of infestation to them.


    He followed the pulsing of dread turned desperate terror to the mother worm hidden within thick layers of skin, fat and muscle.


    Sword became spear as he thrust deeply and ended the battle for this particular cavern.


    It had proved to be a never ending one.


    The worms, riding the trogs, had come up from below the Bat People¡¯s colony in many thousands.


    Those first days had been desperate even with the Dread Paladin¡¯s fortuitous presence. His penance.


    The only reason that they hadn¡¯t been overwhelmed was because the Bat People were immune to the worms.


    They could infest, but not control or kill.


    It was an unpleasant time, but there were many ways to rid oneself of the parasites from spells to Skills to natural remedies.


    The Dread Paladin¡¯s nature meant that he, too, was immune.


    Those first Golden Eagles that had answered the call to help hadn¡¯t been as lucky.


    They were the reason that no human, with a few exceptions, was allowed to fight the worms.


    Cal had gone in with a small team, along with the Dread Paladin in an effort to find the source and destroy it.


    They had succeeded in one day, but the enemy always returned.


    The war was reluctantly left to the Bat People and the Dread Paladin for it was merely one blazing fire in a world set ablaze by the changes brought on by the decree.


    He heard chirps and clicks echoing across the massive cavern.


    He heard voices and words.


    The dark gray helmet vanished from his head and back into his shadow.


    Dread from his allies pleased the Vow, but not Cooper.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    He had to keep them separate. Had to reinforce the training that the Bat People¡¯s dread wasn¡¯t his main source. He had wronged them once.


    ¡°Never again,¡± he whispered. ¡°It¡¯s dead. The cavern is clear. You guys can start setting up the speakers.¡±


    Gifts from Cal and a small, gray alien.


    They, for their people lacked genders being born out of artificial wombs, discovered a specific frequency of sound that when directed at an infested trog caused a violent reaction in the parasitic worm. Five seconds exposure meant death.


    Thousands of speakers provided a perfect barrier that had yet to be breached despite the enemy¡¯s ability to burrow through even stone.


    More were being set up as they expanded in their search for more mother worms.


    They hoped to find the source. Hoped that their was only one.


    Cooper moved a distance away to spare the Bat People his dreadful presence and settled in to provide added security. He sent his dreadlings into the many smaller side tunnels to scout.


    His recent level up had greatly increased the distance they could travel away from him without melting back into shadow.


    Indeed, it had been years since he had freed them from needing to be always connected to his shadow. Sometimes he thought it might not have been a good idea to select that ability.


    He hadn¡¯t been waiting long when a bat person alighted a short distance away on leathery wings that were surprisingly quiet for their size.


    He looked away.


    His eyes were unnerving to all except a few handful of individuals he had encountered over the years.


    ¡°Message received¡­ outside¡­ dangers¡­ Earthians¡­ you go¡­ defend colony.¡±


    While the Dread Paladin and a Bat People force were busy clearing a massive cavern of parasitic worm-controlled trogs, Galen stood atop the wall with his squad.


    The carbine¡¯s grip was cool in his hand.


    It would¡¯ve been hot and sweaty on account of the bright sun and lack of cloud cover had it not been for the cooling mist he exuded.


    Once again, people crowded closer to him than what protocol required.


    ¡°Spread out! One fireball and I lose half my squad!¡± Sgt. Tran snapped.


    Galen gulped.


    Sometimes his body acted without conscious input.


    It got hot, so it wanted to cool itself down.


    Hence the activation of his most basic ability as a Cold Mist Warrior.


    He tamped it down with a concentrated effort.


    It was almost like putting a stop to sweating by choice.


    One week in and he had already gotten chewed out at least once a day for it.


    His squadmates moved away reluctantly while giving him appreciative looks partially obscured by their helmets.


    He was still struggling to remember names and faces, while putting the two together correctly. That was something he was always kind of bad at. But, one more week! He had given himself that much time before really getting hard on himself.


    Thus, he shot surreptitiously glances at his squadmates in between keeping his eyes down the mountain.


    The Terminus Decree meant more monsters and mutated animals as evidenced by the piles of carcasses attracting flies and other scavengers.


    ¡°Gonna be time for the flame swathes soon,¡± one of his squadmates muttered.


    ¡°Yup, temp goes up a couple of degrees every time and doesn¡¯t go back down.¡±


    ¡°Relax. It¡¯s fucking noon. And there¡¯s no clouds. That¡¯s why it¡¯s been hotter today. It¡¯ll cool down.¡±


    Which was true.


    Galen hadn¡¯t been familiar with a real desert environment until posting to Las Vegas.


    He had heard about it from others, but thought they were making it up when they had said that it was scorching during the day and freezing at night.


    They had been right about the former and sort of close with the latter.


    Truth be told he hadn¡¯t really given it much thought beyond his initial curiosity at a new environment because of his abilities. He could cool himself in the heat and the cold didn¡¯t bother him one bit.


    A siren blared, cutting off conversation.


    Galen¡¯s gaze shot back to the tallest tower near the middle of the fort, close to the entrance to the Bat People¡¯s home.


    It was a spindly looking thing in the distance.


    He had gotten to see it up close, well, at least the base.


    It was about a hundred feet tall with slits for shooters in the walls starting halfway to the top.


    The very top was reserved for their best sniper, which Galen was surprised to find out was that bald old guy he had met on his first day. Oh¡­ and the siren.


    Sgt. Crazy Ol¡¯ Bob must¡¯ve loved being close to that thing considering the old man¡¯s professed love of the quiet.


    ¡°Eyes down slope!¡± Sgt. Tran barked.


    Galen brought his carbine up to his cheek and searched for the threats through his red dot sight.


    A white flag appeared from behind a particularly disgusting looking pile of dead monsters.


    It hung limp in the non-existent wind.


    The dark-skinned young man holding it aloft appeared next.


    Galen couldn¡¯t make out features from the distance.


    Even through his sight the man was a blurry blob that he struggled to keep the red dot on.


    A crack rang out.


    Followed by a puff of dirt a few feet in front of the flag-bearing young man a second later.


    The young man stopped, planting the flag in the ground and raising both hands.


    ¡°I just want to talk.¡±


    The young man sounded like he was just a dozen feet away, rather than over a thousand.


    Instincts had Galen sweating.


    The young man had appeared out of nowhere.


    All the roads and foot trails leading up to the fort were under surveillance and yet, no warnings.


    The voice spell or Skill was another mark on the danger column.


    Loud speaking wasn¡¯t exactly high level. And it was a waste unless one gave speeches all the time and no one did that.


    It meant that the young man wasted a slot unless he didn¡¯t need the slot, which implied strength.


    The fact that he was standing in front of them made it a given that he had to be strong.


    ¡°Your presence is unauthorized! Turn around and leave the area immediately!¡±


    Unlike the young man, Captain Jackson spoke through an ancient voice enhancing device.


    It looked like a cone with a pistol grip.


    Galen wasn¡¯t familiar.


    He supposed it worked like cupping one¡¯s hands around their mouth, but there was an odd quality to the captain¡¯s voice, as though increasing the volume distorted it in some strange way.


    Hopefully, the young man down slope could understand her.


    It would be tragic if they had to shoot him over a misunderstanding.


    ¡°Please, we¡¯re all human, right? I don¡¯t want to fight you. I just want to get in the encounter challenge. I¡¯ll give you anything you want. Universal Points, my time, anything. I¡¯m willing to work for your company for an agreed upon length of time. At least talk it over with me. I¡¯m sure I can give you a deal you won¡¯t regret. I could give you high level help in clearing any encounter challenge you want. I¡¯ll even do babysitting runs for you. Help you level up your lowers.¡±


    ¡°This is your final warning! You have ten seconds to comply! Turn around and never return or you will be fired on!¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, captain, please. I don¡¯t want to fight other humans. Not when our real enemy is in that cave behind you. Whatever the Bat People are giving you or holding over you, I can do better or help free you. All you have to do is stand aside and¡ª¡±


    ¡°Ten seconds! This is your final warning!¡±


    A shot rang out. Followed by a puff of dirt in front of the young man¡¯s boots. Much closer this time.


    ¡°The next one is in your chest! Turn around and leave! Now!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be the crab in the bucket¡ª¡±


    The shot was as silent as the hidden knife thrust in the back.


    The release of energy as the bullet struck the young man¡¯s magic shield was enough to almost blow Galen off the wall.


    He scrambled to his feet, struggling to bring his carbine back to a firing position, waiting for the order that never came instead.


    Someone screamed a desperate warning.


    Danger Senses spiked.


    ¡°Off the wall!¡± Sgt. Tran screamed.


    A hand on his collar tugged Galen back.


    He could only watch as a curtain of fire that seemed to fill the sky fell down on where he had just been standing.


    Not everyone made the jump in time.


    Their screams were suddenly swallowed by the fire.


    The air fled his lungs. The impact drove them out while the fire sucked them up. He choked and gasped as someone continued to drag him away from the wall as the heat scorched everything.


    ¡°Golden Eagles, you should¡¯ve worked with me.¡±


    The young man¡¯s voice sounded as though he was standing right in front of them.


    ¡°Still, it¡¯s not too late. You won¡¯t gain from me, but that doesn¡¯t mean you have to die. Just put your weapons down and get out of the way. All we want is what¡¯s inside the mountain.¡±


    Galen had forgotten what true heat felt like.


    The burning fort reminded him.

 8.44

    The sun dipped low on the horizon.


    Cal had a good view from the balcony.


    The sky was so clear.


    He could really appreciate the rich reds and purples.


    Sometimes he forgot how smoggy it used to be.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Boy, but I¡¯m going to miss your birthday party.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s cool, Dad. You¡¯re doing a coup, I get it.¡±


    ¡°Not a coup.¡±


    ¡°Regime change?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m only going to offer exploited people and their loved ones the opportunity for better lives. If my plan works then I won¡¯t even have to fight. Anything that happens with their governing system as a result isn¡¯t directly my responsibility.¡±


    ¡°Still sounds like a coup, but whatever.¡± Alin shrugged.


    Cal sighed.


    ¡°Man, the timing really sucked. It¡¯s going to be the first birthday I¡¯ve missed.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just missing the party. So, it¡¯s, like, no big deal. We¡¯ll save you some food. No guarantees on the cake though.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s going to be, like, five cakes.¡±


    ¡°And they¡¯re all going to be delicious. Chef Alex says he¡¯s using his Level 40 Skill.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ that¡¯s new¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah! Everyone¡¯s super excited! Going to be a scramble for a slice.¡±


    ¡°Maybe five¡¯s not enough¡­¡±


    ¡°Dad, I already tried asking for more, but you know how he is. Scarcity is half the point of the whole thing.¡±


    ¡°Damn it! There¡¯s no way I¡¯m going to be able to get back in time for cake.¡±


    Alin patted him on the shoulder.


    ¡°Maybe next year.¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± Cal hugged his son. ¡°Happy sweet 17th birthday in advance.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you made that banner. I asked around and ¡®sweet¡¯ is only for sixteen and girls.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but it¡¯s funnier this way.¡±


    ¡°And this will be the last time on account of me being an official adult next year.¡±


    ¡°Ain¡¯t no rules about that.¡±


    ¡°And this will be the last time¡­¡±


    ¡°Your mom and I will talk about it later.¡±


    Cal rose and took a moment to look at his son.


    One never knew when this time might be the last time.


    With that, he climbed into the atmosphere.


    <hr>


    Washington, D.C., 2047


    Captain Patriot sat alone in her small apartment.


    She watched the video on her laptop for the tenth time since the USB stick had appeared on her kitchen table sometime during the four hours she had been asleep.


    Her power wasn¡¯t limited to strengthening her body or objects she held. It also strengthened her mind and soul, as she understood it. That meant unquantifiable things, like her instincts, could be strengthened as well.


    ¡°Ninety percent,¡± she sighed.


    That¡¯s what she judged for the video¡¯s truth when viewed using her power.


    She wanted it to be fake.


    Deepfakes had been very good before the spires had appeared.


    They hadn¡¯t focused on that branch, but with magitech spells and Skills she had no doubt that high level people could blow away what the AI technology of the 2010¡¯s had been capable of producing.


    She wanted it to be the newest in information warfare.


    To do exactly what it was doing by making her question her orders.


    The video showed the scarecrow-like Eidolon of Sut in the middle of turning a young man into one of the hundreds of animal-powered soldiers.


    The numbers had grown exponentially in recent months.


    Enough that she couldn¡¯t push the questions to the back of her mind.


    Even though she was barely at the capital and not looped into the production process she had eyes and ears.


    She hadn¡¯t wanted to believe what the flying man had said about the procedure¡¯s casualty rate.


    Orders?


    She was a soldier.


    All she was supposed to do was follow them.


    Yet, Nuremberg had made it clear that wasn¡¯t a valid defense for turning a blind eye to atrocities.


    And, despite the blindfold, she was anything but blind.


    What she was watching on her laptop wouldn¡¯t have been out of place in an old recording of what took place in the concentration camps.


    Except, those were the bad guys.


    This was her side.


    She closed the video and placed the USB stick in her pocket. She had a meeting with her superior officer to get to.


    ¡°I have concerns about the new supersoldiers being assigned to my unit.¡±


    The colonel frowned.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing in your reports. You¡¯ve repeatedly stated that their performances have been above standard.¡±


    ¡°My concern is their age.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t follow, captain.¡±


    ¡°All additions over the past two months have been minors.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I don¡¯t like really like it either, but congress passed the bill and the president signed it into law. Sacrifices for Rightful Destiny are necessary. No matter how much we may disagree with them. We¡¯re soldiers, captain. We follow our orders.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    She saw that there would be no further point in pushing the colonel. Her instincts told her the man was speaking his truth.


    After her dismissal she took a walk.


    The hospital where the eidolon performed the procedures wasn¡¯t far from the colonel¡¯s office.


    She scanned the building by habit, marking defenses and tracking patrolling guards.


    Soldiers saluted as she passed them.


    How many kids were being killed in there as she strolled by?


    She knew the answer.


    Nine out of ten.


    That meant a staggering number of young people had already been sacrificed.


    Was that the main reason for the push in conscription over the past six months?


    That was the problem of being away for ninety percent of the time. She couldn¡¯t see or listen to what was going on in the capital.


    Disgust rose within her as she left the hospital behind and headed back to her apartment.


    The long walk had done nothing to abate her growing anger.


    She hadn¡¯t sacrificed so that young people could be sacrificed in turn.


    She did what she did for the exact opposite reason.


    To build a better world for those that¡¯d come after her.


    To take the country back from the monsters and evil people.


    To bring back order in the face of rampant chaos.


    She saw through his concealment like she always did.


    Lt. Death¡¯s Dancer was a shimmering distortion in the air, sitting at her table.


    He dropped his invisibility and shot to his feet in a stiff-backed salute.


    ¡°At ease, lieutenant.¡±


    He shouldn¡¯t have been here.


    The man¡¯s face was dusty and covered with the dark grime of his sweat and dead insects.


    He had ran and he had done it fast.


    ¡°Captain, I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Go wash your face first.¡±


    He emerged from her bathroom in less than thirty seconds.


    ¡°Report.¡±


    ¡°Mission failure. Learned nothing important. Got captured.¡±


    He explained the reasons for his haste and technically she was his immediate superior so he wasn¡¯t in violation of the chain of command.


    She showed him the video and remained silent as she waited for him to chew it over.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to believe the guy.¡±


    Ah, yes.


    The same man from Florida. The one that continued to be a blank spot in their memories. They knew he existed. Remembered the events with the exception of faces, voices and any distinguishing features of the man and the others with him.


    Their suspicions had always pointed to Rayna¡¯s Rangers.


    ¡°He said that he sent this to me?¡±


    ¡°Not specifically. He said he sent you a message concerning¡­ that.¡± The lieutenant¡¯s face twisted as he gestured to the eidolon working something that looked to be blend of magic and science on a screaming young man.


    She had seen the three possible outcomes.


    Success. Death. Abomination.


    The young man on the screen had been fortunate in that he had died.


    ¡°This has to stop.¡±


    The lieutenant gave voice to the thought running through her head since she had awakened at midnight.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been gone a long time. Nothing on that recording is illegal. Not even their ages. They passed a law.¡±


    ¡°If they see this then they can change it.¡± He shrugged.


    ¡°I¡¯m almost certain that anyone with the power and influence to put a stop to this lacks the will to do so. They already know what¡¯s being done.¡±


    ¡°Bring it up to command?¡±


    ¡°It has been made clear to me that the matter in regards to this is closed. Rightful Destiny must succeed. Therefore, we sacrifice.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but we volunteered. These are just kids. They can¡¯t volunteer even if they do volunteer.¡±


    ¡°Not according to the new law.¡±


    ¡°Then I volunteer. I¡¯ll put a stop to it.¡±


    ¡°Negative, lieutenant. You will do no such thing.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t just¡ª¡±


    ¡°I agree, but there¡¯ll be only one traitor here.¡±


    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    ¡°But, captain, you¡¯re needed. More than me.¡±


    ¡°I will always leap into the fire before I let those under my command do so.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯m right behind you.¡±


    ¡°Negative. You are to return to your quarters.¡±


    The lieutenant chewed the inside of his cheek for a long moment.


    ¡°Sorry, captain, but it¡¯s got to be me. I sneak in. Take out the target and sneak out. If I get caught then I did it all on my own. You had nothing to do with it. You¡¯re too important to risk.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a discussion, lieutenant. I¡¯m ordering you to return to quarters.¡±


    ¡°Captain, technically, my duty is to stop you.¡± He shrugged those boulder shoulders. ¡°Well¡­ try¡­ so, I guess we¡¯ve got us a standoff.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t the time for one of your jokes.¡±


    ¡°Dead serious, sir. I made up my mind the moment you said you¡¯re going to try to stop this shit. I¡¯m going regardless, so, maybe we should plan to do this together. Better chance that way.¡±


    She considered knocking him out.


    That wouldn¡¯t be too difficult since he was standing relaxed.


    The problem with that idea was that he¡¯d recover quickly and she didn¡¯t have the means to restrain him in her apartment.


    She had never been one to dither when the outcomes were obvious.


    ¡°Sit down. Let¡¯s come up with a plan.¡±


    <hr>


    Kerkestis, the Eidolon of Sunor sat in meditation deep underground in what was once a makeshift chapel she had turned into the first temple to her God on this world.


    She sought calm and focus amidst the turmoil in her thoughts.


    Betrayal was a heavy thing even if it could lead to favorable paths.


    They had all underestimated the world¡¯s defenders.


    That terrible man had provided proof of death for dozens of other eidolons.


    Her team was the last one left intact.


    As for the others?


    Most were dead.


    The survivors, a scant handful, had fled into hiding or to another world.


    She remembered their most recent conversation in which she disavowed Sut¡¯s Will to save her own skin.


    It was the proper decision.


    As Sunor stood above all other Gods, so did she over the other eidolons.


    There would be repercussions if the truth made it¡¯s way to Sut¡¯s ears, but what was a skirmish between fellow Gods?


    The natural state of existence.


    They warred with each other almost as much as they did with other pantheons and powers.


    In fact, Sut¡¯s Will had been extending his feelers into the American political structure. No doubt, to plant seeds for the far future in which he would seek to usurp total control in the name of his God.


    Naturally, as Sunor¡¯s divine will, she couldn¡¯t allow that.


    Sure, it¡¯d weaken their position against the native defenders, but better to be weak and able to gather strength than to be dead.


    What were decades to her when she had walked across many worlds throughout the centuries?


    Perhaps, she could take it a step further.


    Feign submission to the Cruces.


    Show them the benefits of worshiping the God above all others.


    Sunor would be pleased to have such powerful worshippers.


    To that end she had sent Adras¡¯ Will to the wide expanse of plains in the center of the land to hunt what local natives had claimed was a giant worm monster that swam through stone and earth as easy as an eel through water.


    As for Salla¡¯s Will and Ekra¡¯s Will, she had sent them to the cold, white north with a small army of American soldiers along with as many of Sut¡¯s successful subjects as she could without drawing questioning eyes. There were tales from people fleeing south of spirits corrupting with eternal hunger. Perhaps flesheaters had escaped the purge? Perhaps it was another monstrous threat? In either case they needed to be dealt with before they grew stronger.


    Many stones with a single throw.


    Remove the eidolons from the capital to prevent them coming to the aid of Sut¡¯s Will, which would also keep them safe from the Cruces.


    Limit the number of superior soldiers that he could take from them.


    Most importantly, conceal her involvement.


    She took a deep breath and opened her eyes.


    Her arcane clock ticked ever closer to the time of betrayal.


    She pulled her communication crystal from its berth with a simple telekinesis spell.


    Most of them didn¡¯t know it, but the soldiers guarding the exterior of Sut¡¯s Will¡¯s facility belonged to her.


    She pulled the scrying orb from its clawed pedestal into her palm.


    The white captain had yet to learn to conceal her power from certain eyes.


    It took no time at all to locate her walking through the city toward the hospital.


    How had he worked out the exact timing?


    The captain being a traitor would explain it, but she had used all of her power and ability to determine that the captain wasn¡¯t the Cruces¡¯ agent and had never been.


    She chimed her direct agents within the hospital¡¯s guards and dispensed her commands.


    Surprise shift change, surprise drills and alarm tests would throw them into chaos allowing the captain the opportunity to slip inside.


    <hr>


    It seemed that they had someone on the inside helping them out.


    That was a good thing in the short-term, but bad in the long-term.


    For the former it upped their chances for success, for the latter it meant that they had traitors¡­ worse than them.


    Lt. Death¡¯s Dancer strolled into the hospital.


    The guards and nurses didn¡¯t see him because he was invisible.


    It went deeper than just the visual.


    They wouldn¡¯t smell, hear or even feel him unless they were high-leveled with spells or Skills specialized for detection.


    It didn¡¯t help the guards that alarms were blaring, while guard shifts seemed to be changing off schedule.


    Surprise tests from the sounds of the confused and frustrated conversations around him.


    He was a big man, which made it difficult to squeeze through the suddenly crowded hallways.


    The hospital didn¡¯t look much different from the last time he had been there back before they had given it to the scarecrow-looking eidolon for the man-animal supersoldier hybridization program.


    He had spent time in the rooms, either recuperating himself or sitting watch over a fellow soldier.


    His gut clenched for a moment when he remembered that some of those vigils had ended with the sheet being pulled over a brother¡¯s or sister¡¯s face.


    In one way the rooms served the same purpose, except this time those recuperating were successful subjects.


    The lucky ten percent.


    It was telling that most of the rooms he passed were empty.


    Their plan was simple.


    He was to find an empty room, out of the way from others.


    The guards and nurse were just doing their jobs.


    He didn¡¯t want the explosive to cause collateral damage.


    Five minutes later, when the explosion blew out the window and rattled the floor, he was already in the tunnels underneath the hospital.


    Their existence was news to him.


    That guy had to have had people on the inside to be able to provide such detailed directions.


    Things got weirder in the tunnels.


    Grotesque eyes embedded in the walls scanned the tall, wide corridors as he walked by.


    The pupils dilated as the eyes swerved frantically back and forth, sweeping what should¡¯ve been empty space to them.


    He didn¡¯t hear any alarms or see flashing lights so he took that to mean he was still undetected so he continued to where the eidolon did the procedures.


    Outside the hospital the explosion sent a small puff of bright yellow-orange into the dark night.


    Captain Patriot barked orders as she strode past the guards and into the building.


    She didn¡¯t enjoy the fame of everyone knowing her on sight, but at times like these it had its advantages.


    The guards obeyed.


    None thought to question as they sprang into action, heading up.


    She went the other way.


    Down to the basement and the door leading to the tunnels that she hadn¡¯t known existed until Cruces had placed directions on the USB stick in addition to the damning video.


    The basement door was guarded by two soldiers.


    ¡°Terrorist attack. I¡¯ll secure the eidolon. Protect this door we may need to come back this way.¡±


    They saluted and opened the door for her.


    Too easy.


    There was no hesitation in them when she and they should¡¯ve known that she wasn¡¯t in their chain of command.


    Cruces had said they would have a pretty clear shot straight to the eidolon.


    She mentally marked the faces of the two soldiers for later investigation.


    The heavy steel door clanged shut with the air of finality.


    There was no turning back.


    She only needed the lieutenant¡¯s signal to proceed.


    ¡°Hurry up and wait,¡± she said under her breath.


    Lt. Death¡¯s Dancer couldn¡¯t wait.


    The eyes embedded in the walls grew more frantic the farther he went.


    There was no way the eidolon didn¡¯t know something was up by now.


    He debated sending the signal, but held off.


    The second one of those eyes spotted the captain the game was up.


    There would only be one shot at a surprise backstab and he didn¡¯t want to screw it up before he even got to the eidolon.


    The tunnels would¡¯ve been a sprawling maze without directions.


    Short branches from the one safe path all ended in trapped dead ends.


    At the end of it all sat an impressive underground chamber that was about half the size of the hospital. It was huge.


    It looked like a mix between a lab, the aforementioned hospital and a zoo.


    The smell was worse than the sum of its parts.


    Parts of the construction appeared organic, grown rather than built, just like those gross eyes. It reminded him of pictures of old slums from the 20th century. The layout was of a haphazard and ramshackle nature even though the materials used in the construction were clearly of superior quality.


    To the left were caged animals. Thousands of them. From floor to ceiling, perhaps fifty feet at the highest point. It was a maze of cages, on both the horizontal and vertical planes.


    The other end of the chamber was where the failures were kept according to the intel.


    The center was where he¡¯d find his target.


    He took a moment to assess, consulting the memorized map in his head.


    The distinct sound of footsteps reached his superior ears.


    The tread was light, but the gap between each step suggested a height beyond the upper limits of human possibility.


    Options flashed across his thoughts.


    Climb and drop on the eidolon?


    The cavern wall?


    One of the small buildings?


    The tangled forest of scaffolds running through all of it?


    He stopped and held his breath.


    He remembered the eyes in the tunnels and the pulsing arteries, imperceptible to the baseline human eye, running through the organic growths.


    Those had sure looked like spider webs.


    Perhaps, the game was up.


    ¡°If you are who I believe you to be then you are trespassing.¡±


    The Eidolon of Sut¡¯s voice was sonorous with a musical quality that made his chest feel like he was standing in front of a thumping bass speaker.


    It didn¡¯t fit the creepy, scarecrow-like appearance.


    ¡°Reveal and explain yourself.¡±


    The footsteps stopped before Death¡¯s Dancer got a visual.


    The voice was no help since it was coming from multiple directions.


    It wasn¡¯t speakers, at least nothing like he knew, because he couldn¡¯t detect any of the elements that denoted artificiality.


    Magic then or superpowers or divine god powers?


    Hell, could¡¯ve been all of them or a mix.


    When shit got weird classifications didn¡¯t really matter¡­ did they?


    ¡°My patience is as eternal as Sut¡¯s existence. Is yours?¡±


    Yeah, the eidolon wasn¡¯t moving no more.


    Time to shake up the box to see who¡¯d blink first.


    He crushed the glass sphere he had palmed the entire time.


    Smarter people then him had come up with it.


    Quantum entanglement through a magic spell.


    Twin spheres.


    What happened to one happened to the other.


    Distance didn¡¯t matter.


    Physical barriers didn¡¯t matter.


    Magical barriers didn¡¯t matter.


    Nothing they¡¯d tried so far could stop the instantaneous action.


    The glass sphere in Captain Patriot¡¯s hand suddenly broke as if crushed by an invisible hand.


    She sprinted down the corridor, the map in her memory burned with urgency.


    Security doors slid shut.


    She passed three before the fourth one beat her for a moment.


    The iron tore like paper as she plowed into it with her shoulder.


    A shimmer in front of her.


    Her lieutenant was standing in place for some reason.


    She leapt over him, crashing through scaffolding.


    Nipple-like apertures in the center of bulbous growths randomly strewn about in the environment opened and squirted high-powered jets of liquid.


    Most missed due to her speed.


    A few splashes melted her clothing and skin before she could counter them by flaring the white light within.


    ¡°Acidic!¡± she shouted for her lieutenant¡¯s benefit.


    Magic or science, all energy stood out in her vision like pulsing lights.


    The strongest source was separated from her by a twisted tangle of walls, scaffolding and enclosed structures ranging from the size of backyard shed to a house.


    There were several maze like paths through to the center of the cavern, but those were lined with pulsing lights.


    Defenses and traps.


    So, she took a direct approach.


    The walls and gates might as well have been made out of thin cardboard for how little they slowed her.


    The Eidolon of Sut was the brightest light surrounded by many bright lights.


    ¡°What¡ª¡±


    She didn¡¯t give him a moment, continuing her charge.


    A great explosion rocked the cavern, shaking everything within and causing debris to fall like rain.


    When the cloud and her head cleared she was several hundred feet back the way she had come.


    The eidolon¡¯s voice rang out, coming for everywhere and nowhere.


    ¡°Captain Patriot. What is the meaning of this treachery?¡±


    She wasn¡¯t interested in conversation.


    Her arm blurred as she hurled a grenade through the gaping corridor she had made coming and going.


    The blast and shrapnel bounced harmlessly off a glowing magic shield.


    She could trace its energy to the large, lumpy growth on the floor.


    There were several of these growths arrayed in a large circle around the eidolon.


    She emptied her bag of holding.


    Frags and incendiaries.


    Dozens of grenades out as fast as she could hurl them.


    The last thing to strike the shield was a hand-sized chunk of C-4.


    It swallowed the eidolon¡¯s position in fire.


    Caged animals screamed.


    The cavern shook like an earthquake had hit.


    Structures near the epicenter vanished, while those further out were blown away or collapsed by the blastwaves.


    Captain Patriot had to crouch down and dig fingers into the hard floor to hold her position. She peered through the cloud of smoke and debris. It was a lot darker.


    ¡°Shields are down!¡±


    She drew her pistol and emptied the magazine at the eidolon.


    ¡°Metal projectiles are as ineffective on this world as all the others,¡± he said.


    Sure that would¡¯ve mattered if she was actually trying to hurt him.


    ¡°Do you do this of your own accord? Or do you serve a master? Shall I venture with a hypothesis? Not your military for they are pleased with my work. An individual political leader or a cadre that discovered the true costs of my work seems more likely. Or is it Sunor¡¯s Will? Has she grown threatened? You¡¯re a rigid sort, forever dancing on the strings of those with authority over you. You¡¯d fit perfectly in Sunor¡¯s service. Or is your treason that in truth? An outside entity? What you don¡¯t understand is that I¡¯ve lived centuries. This isn¡¯t the first time supposed allies have turned their blades on me. Why, I¡¯ve held the blade myself on several occasions. Truly, I find it comforting that nothing changes across the myriad worlds and its many human species. From the advanced, like mine, to the primitive, like yours.¡±


    The voice was sonorous and musical, but she could hear the truth of the eidolon¡¯s nature hidden beneath.


    Captain Patriot saw the shimmer falling on the eidolon.


    Finally.

 8.45

    Death¡¯s Dancer plunged two short spears into both sides of the Eidolon of Sut¡¯s neck.


    Superhuman strength got him through enchanted violet robes and about an inch or two into the eidolon¡¯s thickened skin.


    The eidolon was ostensibly a human from another world, but the divine power of his God had irrevocably changed him and that was in addition to the constant biological modifications he made to himself.


    Case in point.


    The steel spear points were stopped cold by the millimeter thin layer of adamantine mesh the eidolon had implanted beneath his dermis.


    The solid steel in the lieutenant¡¯s hands crumpled.


    He kicked off the strange hump on the eidolon¡¯s back just in time as it erupted through the robes in a whirling blender of piercing spikes, crushing claws, slashing blades and cutting disks.


    Thin appendages lashed out in every direction.


    Several shot thin red beams that cut into the hard floor.


    Fucker has lasers!


    Death¡¯s Dancer looked for an opening, finding none, he leapt back.


    The noise of his boots scuffing the ground was enough for the eidolon to spin with one hand thrust out.


    His gaunt, angular face had it¡¯s own kind of uncanny valley attractiveness.


    Although, the speculation was that the energy, divine, or so the eidolons claimed, had something to do with engendering attraction.


    Death¡¯s Dancer didn¡¯t think the Eidolon of Sut was anything other than creepy-looking, unlike some of the others. He did find that the Eidolon of Adras was an exceptionally handsome man. He could acknowledge that even though he wasn¡¯t into guys. As for the women eidolons, he was ashamed to admit they¡¯d featured in several of his dreams.


    The eidolon¡¯s left eye flashed through a quick succession of different colors.


    It reminded Death¡¯s Dancer of the different lenses they used for their flashlights.


    ¡°Reveal yourself?¡± the eidolon snarled. ¡°Do you even understand your power? I¡¯ve read your file. None of you have any idea. Swear allegiance to me and my God and I swear to unlock your full potential.¡±


    He stood still, balanced on his toes, while slowing inching his hand to the stubby automatic shotgun holstered at the small of his back.


    The eidolon¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    Death¡¯s Dancer lost the quick draw.


    A burning ball of angry red the size of an apple burned through the front of his plate carrier. Through the thin layer of steel underneath the kevlar, then through the thicker ceramic plate, before finally expending its magical power on his skin.


    Pain wasn¡¯t new to the lieutenant.


    Practice and experience meant that getting burned wasn¡¯t enough to shake his concentration into dropping his invisibility.


    It didn¡¯t seem to matter though as the eidolon thrust his other hand forward.


    Writhing serpents emerged from long, skeletal fingers in a near seamless transition.


    Their dark-scaled bodies grew larger as they covered fifteen yards in less than a second.


    Mouths filled with jagged teeth clamped down and drew blood, while constricting coils wrapped around his limbs and neck.


    The eidolon pulled, but Death¡¯s Dancer managed to dig his heels into the ground for a stalemate.


    ¡°Your invisibility is beyond just the physical visual. Impressive, but not beyond my godly intelligence. It was a simple matter to deduce that in order to see, light must¡¯ve had a way to reach your eyes. And thus, I enhanced my vision to see that microscopic dot that your ability left open to the world.¡±


    Death¡¯s Dancer saw movement behind the eidolon.


    A faint white glow in the lingering cloud of smoke and debris.


    ¡°Krenilborn¡¯s Hydra. No one know what gave the spell its name. Was Krenilborn the magic user that created it? Was he the hydra? Perhaps, the secret lies in the spires? Think of all the secret knowledge you¡¯re giving up by opposing me. For while Krenilborn¡¯s Hydra is aspected for physical damage. That isn¡¯t its greatest attribute. It¡¯s the venom.¡±


    Shit!


    The bite spots on the lieutenant¡¯s body were heating up and he felt it spreading.


    He dropped invisibility.


    ¡°And you¡¯re going to tell me you¡¯re the only one on this world with the antidote?¡± He managed to choke out despite the crushing coils around his throat.


    ¡°Swear to me and to worship Sut with your entire being.¡±


    One of the biomechanical arms coming out of the eidolon¡¯s hump displayed a small vial of glowing purple liquid in its claws.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ no¡­ fuck you and your god.¡±


    Captain Patriot, glowing white, grabbed the arm and clubbed the side of the eidolon¡¯s head with her collapsible baton.


    The blow echoed like a thunderclap.


    His many arms sought to strike back, yet somehow missed completely as they tangled together.


    She grasped for his hydra conjuring hand, but he pulled it back and kicked her away.


    The arm holding the vial tore at one of the middle joints, spraying golden fluid like a hose.


    Freed from the hydra spell, Death¡¯s Dancer fell to one knee.


    Yup¡­ the venom was working on even his superhuman constitution.


    He knew that shit was bad considering he had shrugged off a bite from a mutated rattlesnake the size of an anaconda once.


    Captain Patriot tossed the vial.


    He snatched it out of the air and snapped the glass over his mouth.


    Relief was nearly instantaneous.


    The eidolon shook his head like a boxer trying to stay on his feet.


    ¡°How? I¡ª I forgot you were there? Impossible. Why? Greater Mind Shield.¡± He glared at the captain. ¡°I have improved my mind to provide natural defenses against mental manipulation. Psionic spells and Skills, the origin shouldn¡¯t matter. And yet, I didn¡¯t even notice. Even now, with the aid of my strongest defensive spell, I can feel all my efforts failing. It is not you. What master do you serve? Tell me now!¡±


    ¡°None,¡± Captain Patriot said. ¡°I do this on my own because you¡¯re evil and must be stopped.¡±


    ¡°I battle more than you,¡± the Eidolon of Sut said. ¡°I will not be the prize of some Quest like a boss monster.¡±


    ¡°Too late,¡± Death¡¯s Dancer smirked. ¡°I don¡¯t know about my captain, but I got a huge Quest a few hours back when I went all in on the idea of taking you out.¡±


    The eidolon stiffened for a moment with the glassy-eyed look of a person being intruded upon by the spires.


    Death¡¯s Dancer reacted quickly, drawing the stubby automatic shotgun and squeezing the trigger one-handed.


    Four barrels.


    16 rounds.


    Dragon¡¯s breath ammo.


    It was a custom job.


    Not very many uses on account of the ammo overheating the barrels.


    The risk of catastrophic failure crept up on it really quick out in the field.


    The eidolon reacted even quicker.


    His gaze sharpened back into reality.


    He cast a barrier of large, rectangular panes resembling stained glass windows seven layers deep in front of him.


    They shattered in quick succession.


    The last set of dragon¡¯s breath scorched the eidolon¡¯s enchanted robes.


    The eidolon¡¯s thin, angular mouth split wickedly revealing perfectly symmetrical white teeth. He straightened from his slouch like a limp scarecrow suddenly coming to life. He towered over the two of them, who were tall specimens among their kind, looming over them as though they were children.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t the only ones with a Quest. Your defeat will be but the first in what may prove to be a long and lucrative chain of Quests to unearth and destroy my God¡¯s enemies.¡±


    Death¡¯s Dancer reloaded his shotgun, ignoring the glowing red barrels.


    Captain Patriot leapt into close quarters combat range.


    The eidolon¡¯s many arms lashed out.


    They burned, cut, and stabbed through armor and flesh.


    The white light within her flared with each instance, healing what was inflicted in the blink of an eye.


    She grasped, snatching several in her hand and snapped them with a twist of her wrist.


    The eidolon¡¯s face twisted.


    She stepped in and jabbed her baton into his stomach.


    Normally, the collapsible baton was a mostly useless weapon, worst than a stout stick, it¡¯s only advantage was its concealability and ease of carry.


    Her power made it indestructible.


    The superstrong blow forced him to bend down.


    She swept the baton up, cracking him under the chin.


    Perfect pearly whites sprayed through the air like snow.


    A most satisfying sight.


    The eidolon¡¯s tongue shot out of the bloody gap.


    She dipped her head to one side to avoid the glinting tip. She reached for the tongue, but it slipped through her grasp as he retracted it.


    He reached for her face.


    She blocked with her baton.


    His arm suddenly bent with more joints that it had appeared to have.


    The hand clamped over her face like he was palming a basketball.


    He whispered words of power.


    It took a moment for the captain to realize that the screaming voice was hers.


    If the eidolon¡¯s freaky long arm wasn¡¯t weird enough it turned out to have at least two extra joints. It was hard to tell underneath the voluminous sleeve.


    Death¡¯s Dancer aimed for the shoulder.


    He didn¡¯t want to risk the eidolon contorting the arm out of the way like a wriggling snake and he didn¡¯t want to risk friendly fire on the captain.


    She had enough problems trying to out pace the damage with her healing.


    Friendly fire¡­ what a dumb name.


    There was nothing friendly about shooting people.


    Dragon¡¯s breath rounds sprayed the eidolon.


    More of his enchanted robe burned away.


    He hissed, averting his face from the fire.


    Not quick enough.


    His pale cheek blackened.


    Blisters popped, weeping gold.


    Laser-tipped appendages sent seeking beams after Death¡¯s Dancer, while spines suddenly erupted from the upper half of the eidolon¡¯s arm, shredding what remained of his sleeve.


    The lieutenant dived into a forward roll underneath the incoming fire, going invisible.


    The eidolon¡¯s left eye flashed.


    The lieutenant hurled his automatic shotgun into the eidolon¡¯s face.


    The barrels¡¯ glow had intensified to near white and he had left the last four shells.


    The eidolon blasted the shotgun with a burst of fire from his free hand.


    A genius at multiple disciplines with the exception of personal combat.


    The shells had been primed by the rising temperature in the gun. The spell finished the cooking process.


    Death¡¯s Dancer dashed in behind the explosion, twirling twin short spears.


    He stabbed up into the eidolon¡¯s armpit.


    Greater height was a liability when the fight contracts into the phone booth.


    Once again he couldn¡¯t penetrate more than a few centimeters.


    Thickened skin slowed the thrust and something underneath stopped it cold.


    The impact reverberated up his arm as his spear crumpled.


    He dropped it and grabbed the arm still holding on the captain and burning her face.


    The muscles felt off, more like grabbing a Florida python than a humanoid.


    He thrust remaining spear into the eidolon¡¯s groin.


    The robes held, but the expression on the eidolon¡¯s face showed that he felt the impact.


    Death¡¯s Dancer stomped where he guessed the eidolon¡¯s left knee was beneath the robes.


    Impact, but no crack even as it looked like the knee had been bent backward like the joint could bend in more than one direction.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Cat-quick spear thrusts toward the face kept the eidolon busy while he squeezed and twisted the arm with superhuman strength enough to tie iron bars into knots like rope.


    A gunshot-like crack echoed in his hand.


    Good to know that the eidolon did have breakable bones.


    Captain Patriot added her strength to his and together they pried the eidolon¡¯s glowing hand from her face.


    The blindfold was gone as was most of her skin, nose and lips.


    Blinding white light shined from her empty eye sockets.


    Death¡¯s Dancer turned away on instinct, which cost him.


    The eidolon¡¯s hand balled into a fist and struck him in the face, breaking his American flag skull mask.


    Long skeletal fingers blindly grasped for his face.


    He grabbed the wrist, holding it off, but couldn¡¯t create distance as the eidolon¡¯s hump appendages focused on him.


    Pincer claws grabbed him in their vise-like grips, while spikes and saws stabbed and cut through his armor and clothing to draw blood.


    Lasers lanced out, burning shallow grooves in his superhumanly tough skin.


    ¡°Spear!¡±


    He flipped it underhanded toward the sound of the captain¡¯s voice.


    Captain Patriot snatched the spear mid-leap, filling it with her power as she thrust it into the eidolon¡¯s robe-covered stomach.


    Once again the tip penetrated the skin and stopped when it hit the thin adamantine mesh.


    This time, however, the steel didn¡¯t crumple.


    The captain pushed.


    The eidolon began to slide back.


    She reached around to his back with her free hand to hold him in place.


    The eidolon had a disproportionately narrow waist compared to his height, making it easy to get her whole arm around him.


    The mesh slowly gave way.


    Perhaps if it had been a solid plate then the eidolon could¡¯ve let the captain thrust the spear into his stomach until her power ran out.


    Out of the corner of her eye she saw the lieutenant wrestling with the hump appendages and an arm to keep them from attacking her from behind. He looked like he was trying to hug two dozen angry snakes.


    The eidolon¡¯s face was frozen in a rictus of rage as he roared down on her.


    The spine-tipped tongue struck, but instead of plunging into the top of her head it suddenly veered to the side and curled back to stab himself in a spot right next to the spear.


    The eidolon retracted his tongue, but appeared to be too late.


    She saw something dark and ugly spreading inside his body from the injection site. It radiated out like a spiderweb. Not stopping until it reached from chest to thighs.


    His free arm bent in four places to reach her face.


    Magic flared bright in her vision.


    She pushed more of her power into her head and face, doing the only thing she could to prepare.


    Fifty-fifty.


    Those were the odds she gave herself at surviving based on the strength of the eidolon¡¯s previous spells.


    The blast never came.


    Oh, he cast it.


    She watched the bright light of his magic surge and erupt from his finger tips.


    Except it didn¡¯t hit her face.


    It appeared to hit something she couldn¡¯t see in the centimeters of empty space separating them.


    When the light faded all that was left were the blackened stumps of the eidolon¡¯s fingers.


    ¡°Show yourself, dishonorable coward!¡± the eidolon roared, casting his gaze wildly about, as if the spear slowly inching it¡¯s way into his stomach was the lesser concern.


    Truth be told, she¡¯d wager that it was the lesser concern.


    The eidolon was a master of biomechanical manipulation and alchemy, not to mention a magic-user. There was no way he didn¡¯t have fast healing and multiple redundancies, like extra organs. And that wasn¡¯t even counting the divine blood.


    His fingers were already starting to grow back.


    She pushed her power into her arms with a mighty surge, digging deep.


    The mesh finally yielded to the spear.


    She stopped when she felt the tip poking through the eidolon¡¯s back. She withdrew a bit, before churning the short spear like she was stirring a newly-opened jar of natural peanut butter.


    The eidolon reached for her, but his blackened hand bounced off an invisible wall.


    She couldn¡¯t see it even with her power.


    The hand tried to strike and grab again and again.


    A dozen times in less than a second.


    Each time blocked, whether he went for her face or the hand holding the spear.


    Vomit spewed from the eidolon¡¯s mouth.


    A glowing green liquid as thick as crude oil.


    It never touched her despite pouring on her head and flowing down her back like a cloak to pool at her feet where it ate through the hard floor.


    The noxious fumes made her dizzy, until it didn¡¯t.


    The scent vanished as quickly as it had emerged.


    The eidolon¡¯s mouth shut like a steel trap. His head jerked back, twisting until he was looking directly behind him.


    If there had been a snap of broken bones, she had missed it.


    From the way he hadn¡¯t dropped dead instantly led her to think that either his neck couldn¡¯t be broken or a broken neck was merely an inconvenience. She judged the former more likely from the way he continued to struggle.


    She angled the spear up inside the eidolon¡¯s body cavity. The gut had been churned up pretty good from the feel of it. So, she went for the heart and lungs, assuming they had similar anatomy.


    The lieutenant suddenly roared.


    The appendages that had been resisting his superhuman strength gave way.


    He tore most of them free, spraying golden blood over everything.


    The slick liquid loosened his hold, causing him to stumble back several dozen feet until a large piece of rubble tripped him up.


    As the lieutenant went, so too did the eidolon in the opposite direction.


    Physics still applied.


    With the eidolon no longer exerting force against the captain, she was able to lift him off his feet.


    The spear sunk deeper as his heavy weight pushed down until her hand was flush against his robed stomach.


    No longer forced to hold him in place with her other arm, she drew the thick, chopping blade from the sheath at her waist and proceeded to hack at his side like he was a pinata.


    Gold liquid trickled down the hand and arm holding him aloft of the spear. It gushed out of the quickly growing wound in his side like a waterfall.


    It splashed on her face, seeping into her mouth.


    She spat.


    No telling what drinking possibly divine blood could do to a person.


    She was no vampire, but she didn¡¯t take such risks for granted.


    The eidolon wriggled like a fish on a spear.


    One last mighty chop embedded her blade almost to where his spine should¡¯ve been.


    She shifted her grip grabbing between his legs.


    He felt Earth human-like judging by the anatomy.


    She piledrived him head first into the hard floor.


    Still no crack.


    With one hand she crushed, while with the other she pushed downward like driving a stake into the earth.


    The eidolon reached for her, but a sudden and mighty force slammed both arms to the ground and held them there.


    He opened his mouth, shooting his spine-tipped tongue.


    Again, it bounced off an invisible wall in front of her face.


    This time, it didn¡¯t retract, it continued to reach toward the ceiling. The slimy red worm stretched like taffy until it finally snapped, spraying that golden blood all over the two of them.


    He kicked his legs only for them to be pulled to the ground like his arms.


    Spines erupted from his entire body, shredding what remained of his bloody, tattered robes.


    She sensed his growing panic.


    The attack hadn¡¯t been aimed. A last ditch effort to fill as much of the space around him with deadly spines in order to hit foes he couldn¡¯t see.


    The eidolon¡¯s eyes widened.


    Noises emerged from his mouth.


    He was trying to speak, but his thin lips remained sealed.


    Clearly, against his will.


    A spark of light flashed above his face.


    She saw the spell taking shape.


    It winked out like a snuffed candle flame a moment later.


    She straddled the eidolon and started churning the spear in his body with both hands.


    ¡°Die already!¡±


    A black boot stomped on the eidolon¡¯s face with the sound of a gunshot.


    ¡°Shit! Does he have metal bones or something?¡±


    The lieutenant raised his boot and stomped over and over again.


    The two soldiers worked the eidolon over for several long minutes until the captain raised a hand.


    The eidolon¡¯s body was dark in her vision.


    ¡°I think he¡¯s dead.¡±


    ¡°What if he¡¯s got a backup plan? Bio magic stuff?¡±


    ¡°Separate the limbs and melt them. That should take care of any possible fail-safe.¡±


    The lieutenant grunted, muscles straining as he struggle to pull the eidolon¡¯s hamburger looking head off the body.


    ¡°Jesus Christ! This is way harder than it looks.¡±


    He managed it eventually.


    Gold liquid flowed from the severed neck, splashing his black boots.


    ¡°Should we, uh, save this stuff? Like, divine blood? Maybe we can get divine powers if we drink it or get a transfusion?¡±


    ¡°No. The rewards are not worth the risk.¡±


    It was tempting, but she considered the possibility that the eidolon¡¯s so-called god could gain influence or control over them through the blood.


    In any case the blood was quickly growing as dark in her vision as the body.


    The lieutenant, pulled the limbs off and reached into his small bag of holding for the alchemical acid-like liquid.


    The eidolon wasn¡¯t the only that could create such things.


    He poured it over the eidolon¡¯s parts.


    They smoked and sizzled, slowly turning into a goo that gave off a stench of rancid meat.


    ¡°How¡¯s my face, lieutenant?¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ a little on the medium-rare side.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t feel anything beyond a vague throbbing pain as her white light continued to work on healing her many wounds. She had expended much in the fight, but being able to use what was left solely for healing was a good thing.


    ¡°Hard to see with the light and all, but I think your nose and lips are starting to grow back. I can tell cause I can see your gums and teeth. They¡¯re very white, sir.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what flossing and brushing after every meal if possible gets you.¡±


    ¡°For a minimum of two minutes. I remember, sir,¡± the lieutenant nodded. ¡°What¡¯s the next move?¡±


    ¡°My mother was a dentist.¡±


    ¡°I, uh, wasn¡¯t aware.¡±


    She waved the reminiscence away.


    Her head felt a bit light.


    There was a dream-like quality to her environment that almost made it seem unreal.


    ¡°Our next move? You still remember the map?¡±


    Her lieutenant nodded.


    ¡°Good, it¡¯s gotten a bit cloudy for me. Probably a concussion. You¡¯ll have to lead. We need to free them from their suffering first. Then I¡¯ll face the consequences.¡±


    Her lieutenant opened his mouth to argue, but she cut him off.


    ¡°You were only following orders. I gave you no choice. This,¡± she gestured to the gooey mess that was once the eidolon¡¯s body and the wide swath of devastation in the middle of his sanctum, ¡°is my doing.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°And that¡¯s the end of that chapter.¡±


    ¡°Then it is done?¡±


    Kerkestis, the Eidolon of Sunor, stood in the middle of an intricate array of magic symbols carved into the floor.


    The magic slept, ready to wake up the moment she called on it.


    She stood stiffly, as though standing underneath the eyes of a predator.


    Which was an odd sight, considering how much she loomed over Cal.


    He was short for an Earthian while like all eidolons she possessed great height.


    ¡°What¡¯s done?¡± he said flatly.


    ¡°I¡­ nothing.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m kidding. He¡¯s dead.¡±


    She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.


    His eyes regarded her evenly.


    ¡°You reject my God¡¯s existence, yet I am reminded of them as I stand in your presence. Much more than the last time.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not his existence that I reject. I believe you. There¡¯s a powerful being, possibly energy or spirit based, that is named ¡®Sunor¡¯. I believe there are many such beings. What I reject is that they¡¯re ¡®gods¡¯. No such thing.¡±


    ¡°The specific terms are irrelevant. To argue down this path is pointless semantics.¡±


    ¡°True, but this is something that I¡¯m deciding to be an annoying pedant about. There are no gods.¡±


    ¡°And yet, you do what you do. You exist. Is that not enough proof?¡±


    ¡°Nope. Cause I¡¯m no god. Now, I¡¯ve got to go do¡­ stuff, so let¡¯s go over the most important points of our new agreement.¡±


    ¡°That is unnecessary. Though you¡¯ve refused to codify it into record, my memory is as comprehensive and organized as the finest libraries.¡±


    ¡°Pride. I guess that comes with being the so-called king of the gods. Tell me, do you remember what you were like before you became an eidolon? Is that pride yours or did it bleed over from him?¡±


    ¡°That is not germane to the subject.¡±


    ¡°Something to ponder.¡± He waved a dismissive hand. ¡°Sorry for the interruption. Please continue.¡±


    ¡°The first agreement. All failed subjects of Sut¡¯s Will¡¯s procedure shall be euthanized quickly and painlessly. All successful subjects shall be given the freedom to choose if they shall remain in service. There will be no coercion as outlined nowhere except in our memories of the verbal agreement.¡±


    ¡°Hey, I didn¡¯t say you couldn¡¯t write that all down when you have the time. I¡¯d actually suggest it just so the government types can¡¯t feign ignorance later.¡±


    ¡°I shall do that. The subjects shall not be retaliated against if they refuse to continue service. This protection extends to their families, friends and other important persons. Failure to abide by the regulations will result in punishment for the perpetrators all the way up the chain of command. This applies to the civilian and military.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m very serious about that. I swear I¡¯ll climb that ladder all the way to the top. I won¡¯t miss a rung. I don¡¯t care if you¡¯re a power-tripping jackboot on the ground, a colonel, a president or an eidolon.¡±


    ¡°Yes. You¡¯ve demonstrated such. To continue¡­ all subjects shall be afforded the freedom to emigrate as they see fit. There shall be no barriers placed in front of them. This extends to their families, friends and other important persons.¡±


    ¡°Next agreement?¡±


    ¡°I, Sunor¡¯s Will, shall work with all haste to dismantle Rightful Destiny and all its constituent parts. Including, but not limited to, conscription, reunion and any and all laws codifying the exploitation of all Earthians regardless of citizenship.¡±


    ¡°No forced citizenship.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, that¡¯s a sore point.¡±


    ¡°I, Sunor¡¯s Will, shall guide America to peaceful coexistence with all independent settlements.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, listen, I get it. It¡¯s going to be hard. I¡¯ll be satisfied as long as you try your best. I won¡¯t hold it against you if rogue elements go off and say, sack a small town to conscript the inhabitants. I will, however, hold it against you if that sort of thing happens too much and if you don¡¯t do everything in your power to pursue retribution on the perpetrators and reparation for the victims.¡±


    ¡°You have the very generosity of the Gods.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m going to guess that some, not all. And it¡¯s probably a minority that are truly generous. I don¡¯t know how it is on other worlds, but on this one people don¡¯t gain power by being generous. They get it by being greedy shits willing to step on anyone and everyone to climb that hill.¡±


    ¡°Is that how you gained yours?¡±


    ¡°Nope. Absolutely not. Pure luck thanks to the spires. It¡¯s so unfair, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°In my experience the spires are the fairest things in existence. For they do not care about anything other than creating conflict. Thus, it grants people like you great power without any conscious thought. Like an inveterate gambler flipping a coin.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± he snapped his fingers, ¡°was that how your gods got their start? Sort of like me? Spires showed up on their world, probably tens, maybe hundreds of thousands of years ago. They got lucky and long story short, they¡¯re calling themselves ¡®gods¡¯ and ruining lives and cultures across a thousand worlds.¡±


    ¡°You blaspheme.¡±


    ¡°Am I though? They¡¯re not striking me down.¡±


    ¡°You would have cause to regret your impudence when Sunor graces this world with his presence.¡±


    ¡°When? Not if? Maybe I should include the date in our agreement.¡±


    ¡°Only one without respect and honor would alter their word in the midst of enshrinement.¡±


    ¡°Pray that I don¡¯t decide to alter it fur¡ª¡± he chuckled. ¡°Sorry, I couldn¡¯t help myself. Please, let¡¯s get back on track.¡±


    The Eidolon of Sunor continued to list the key points of their agreement.


    It was surprisingly short in her estimation.


    He could¡¯ve seized complete control, subverting her and the other eidolons or simply slew them like he had the others.


    In truth, the agreement was generous to her.


    It would buy her time and perhaps with said time she could subvert him to Sunor¡¯s will.


    ¡°Listen, peace is good. I don¡¯t know what sort of prognostication capabilities you have at your disposal, but a spires surprise is creeping up on everyone. Could be any day now or years.¡±


    She inclined her head a fraction unwilling to reveal that many an oracle and seer had been sleeping and dreaming uneasily.


    The Americans were already preparing under her subtle guidance.


    It was part of the reason for the increase to the number of volunteers given to Sut¡¯s Will to undergo the process.


    There were no other words left to say.


    The Earthian vanished.


    She hadn¡¯t seen nor felt him move.


    It was as though one moment he was standing in front of her and gone the next.


    All told, she was certain that things couldn¡¯t have gone better for her.


    She no longer had to watch out for a knife in the back from Sut¡¯s Will.


    A detestable eidolon. Just like his God.


    Sunor would be pleased at the turn of events. For he craved an ordered society. The only true civilization.


    From what she knew of the Earthian¡¯s nation, they fit the mold better than the Americans.


    She wondered if he would he be displeased to learn that he already served Sunor?

 8.46

    ¡°Young lady, please wake up.¡±


    The deep voice pulled Candyslyn from her slumber.


    Her cheek was cold, wet and sticky.


    She pried it off her desk and wiped the drool with her sleeve.


    As for the puddle?


    She regarded it, then her sleeve.


    There sure was a lot.


    ¡°The drawbacks of being a mouth breather.¡± Her teacher handed her a box of tissues. ¡°I used to be like that a long time ago. Apparently, it¡¯s actually bad for you. Something, something¡­ carbon dioxide expulsion.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Never really looked into the science behind that hypothesis. I just mostly wanted to stop drooling on my pillow. Super embarrassing the first time I slept with a girlfriend in the same bed¡­ hmm, too much information for such a young girl like you.¡±


    She grumbled, wiping the sleep from her eyes.


    The last thing she remembered was stepping into a weird pod thing.


    The slime inside had actually felt pretty good in a warm, comforting kind of way.


    The man leaning against his desk didn¡¯t look familiar.


    Short, muscular, black hair, brown skin.


    Warm smile.


    Kind eyes.


    The heat rose to her face.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a kid,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°Hmm, you¡¯re fourteen, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I know about¡ª wait? Where am I?¡±


    The room didn¡¯t look familiar.


    There was a big green board taking up most of the wall behind the man¡¯s desk.


    Rows of identical desks surrounded her.


    They were all empty, except¡ª she thought she caught glimpses of kids shifting, moving, while many whispers tickled her ears.


    Her heart began to beat rapidly and it wasn¡¯t because of the man.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t be afraid. You¡¯re safe here.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but where is ¡®here¡¯!¡± she snapped. ¡°I don¡¯t like this. Help! Help!¡± She tried to stand, but her legs didn¡¯t listen. ¡°Mom!¡±


    ¡°Also safe. The soldiers threatening her to force you to volunteer for the procedure are no longer going to do that.¡±


    She blinked.


    Calm filled her.


    Her heart slowed.


    The heat cooled.


    She sighed as the terrible burden she had been carrying for weeks vanished.


    ¡°That¡¯s a bit of good news! But wait, there¡¯s more! You¡¯re no longer drafted. Don¡¯t have to fight for rich old men. I guess you¡¯ll probably want to fight to protect yourself and your loved ones. The important thing is that it¡¯s your choice. Along those lines, you and anyone else you want to bring along have metaphorical tickets to move. Or you can stay in your town. Normally, I¡¯d say I¡¯d be willing to help you guys with your monster issues. Unfortunately, your town is back in old America¡¯s fold and there¡¯s an agreement that says I can¡¯t. It¡¯s a dumb authority thing. They can¡¯t look weak, which is what allowing me to help your town would expose. Honestly, I don¡¯t care that much about deals. If it gets really bad I¡¯ll help anyways.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ what?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a lot to take in. Don¡¯t worry about missing the details. I¡¯ve already sent a spires message to you and your loved ones going over the options. Now, back to the good news. That creepy scarecrow-looking dude is no longer with us.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right. You never saw him. They were really turning up the scale over the last month. Churning through kids like they¡¯re cattle.¡± He held out a hand a life-like image in miniature appeared. ¡°The Eidolon of Sut. Dead now.¡±


    ¡°Eidolon?¡±


    The thin, hunched figure in the man¡¯s hand looked nothing like the lavender-skinned towering colossus with purple hair and a jacked body that made the largest, most muscular men in her town look like kids.


    ¡°They¡¯re not all the same. Much like us, which makes sense considering they¡¯re technically humans. Just from different worlds.¡±


    She had so many questions, but the man kept moving her along.


    ¡°Good news! The secret brainwashing he hid in your head is also gone. Dude was keeping an Order 66 in his back pocket for a rainy day.¡±


    ¡°Order what?¡±


    He explained.


    ¡°I can send you the movies if you want.¡±


    ¡°No, thanks?¡±


    ¡°Suit yourself,¡± he shrugged. ¡°Now, there¡¯s more news for you, but they¡¯re a bit mixed. Good to bad and bad.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the bad?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re partway through the procedure.¡±


    ¡°But, you said he was dead.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s a bit mixed in regards to your procedure. On the positive side the process can actually continue with a minimum of outside input, which I¡¯m forcing his assistants to do. Don¡¯t worry, they won¡¯t screw it up, either purposefully or through incompetence.¡±


    ¡°But, I don¡¯t want to.¡±


    Surging hope was strangled before it could take another step.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Once it starts it can¡¯t be stopped until it ends up as a success or a failure.¡± He smiled sadly. ¡°On the good news side of it, you¡¯re one of the lucky ten percent.¡±


    ¡°Ten percent?¡±


    ¡°The success rate, which they didn¡¯t mention because they are assholes.¡±


    ¡°What happens to the other ninety percent?¡±


    ¡°The lucky ones just die. The rest end up¡­ worse. It¡¯s less than a percent, so there¡¯s a small mercy in that. Though, it¡¯s cold comfort for them.¡±


    ¡°One out of ten¡± she murmured.


    Wait!


    Her friends!


    She dared not ask because knowing was worse than not knowing.


    Ignorance would protect her for as long as she could cling to it.


    Gazing into the man¡¯s eyes soothed her inner turmoil and replaced it with warm comfort.


    ¡°What do you know about the pronghorn antelope?¡±


    Her brow furrowed.


    ¡°The what?¡±


    ¡°North American mammal? Second fastest land animal in the world? Got a pair of horns, hence the name? Anything?¡±


    ¡°No. What does this have to do with anything?¡±


    ¡°Turns out its your spirit animal.¡± He shrugged. ¡°They didn¡¯t tell you what the procedure entailed.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. They just said that it¡¯d make me into a strong soldier.¡±


    ¡°They were more honest with the first few batches, but those people were already in the military pipeline. They didn¡¯t care about you because you came from the outside.¡±


    ¡°No shit. It was obvious when they threatened to hurt everyone if we didn¡¯t sign up.¡±


    ¡°Well, being dicks is, like, built into their DNA. Manifest Destiny, Rightful Destiny, new boss same as the old boss, you know?¡±


    She frowned.


    ¡°I don¡¯t get half of what you¡¯re saying.¡±


    ¡°Same here, but let¡¯s get back to what matters. So, where were we?¡±


    ¡°Pronghorn¡­ whatever that animal is.¡±


    ¡°I actually had to go to a library for the details.¡± He pointed to the white board.


    It turned into screen, like in the movie theater in her town.


    A herd of animals appeared running through an open plain of short grass and scrubs.


    They looked fast.


    ¡°I¡ª I¡¯m going to turn into that?¡±


    ¡°Well, in order to answer that I¡¯ll have to go back to good news, bad news.¡±


    ¡°Just tell me!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s complicated.¡±


    ¡°Why? I¡¯m going to look like an animal or I¡¯m not? What else about it is complicated!¡±


    She felt like tearing her hair out.


    ¡°Changes are unavoidable. Physical, mentally and spiritually. Although, that last one is more of a subjective thing. The important and good news is that the eidolon didn¡¯t know every aspect of the transformation process.¡±


    ¡°Just¡ª just make it easy to understand. I feel like my head is going to blow up.¡±


    He told her how the eidolon had used a combination of magic, science and Skills to distill the essences of a few dozen pronghorns. The result was then merged with her.


    ¡°The eidolon didn¡¯t care about what was best for you as an individual. Only what he thought was best in order to create the most powerful hybrid of girl and animal. It didn¡¯t even occur to him that his will wasn¡¯t the most important part of the process. You know how classes tend to work, right?¡±


    ¡°Classes¡­ my classes¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Bad news. They¡¯re gone. To gain something you must give up something.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ my Skills¡­¡± she wailed.


    ¡°Clean once, clean thrice. You must hate chores.¡± He nodded appreciatively. ¡°Sorry, but it¡¯s gone. That¡¯s actually illustrative. Classes and Skills partially arise out of your subconscious wants and needs. Turns out that same property applies to the hybridization process, which means you, Candyslyn, hold the very reigns of your world in your hands. And I¡¯m going to help you with that. Your transformation can¡¯t be stopped and I feel for you. You have two choices. You can allow it to proceed as the eidolon had planned and accept whatever form you¡¯ll have upon emergence. Or. You take hold of it.¡±


    Her head dropped into her hands.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be a freak.¡±


    ¡°Physical appearance is secondary to what¡¯s inside.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but you said that my soul is gonna be mixed with that!¡± She thrust a finger toward the screen where the animals chewed grass like dumbasses. ¡°I don¡¯t want to eat grass.¡±


    ¡°Okay, then we won¡¯t change your stomach.¡±


    ¡°¡­ I can choose? Like, which parts of me¡ª¡± a shiver went up her spine. ¡°I can choose what gets weird and what stays normal.¡±


    ¡°Within reason. Some things you won¡¯t be able to. But, if it helps you conceptualize, I have seen many who¡¯ve undergone the process. I wouldn¡¯t describe them as freaks. Sharper teeth, claws, bit of fur, maybe a tail and, uh¡­¡± he mimed pulling his mouth out, ¡°a bit of, um, muzzle growth.¡±


    His anecdote wasn¡¯t helping.


    ¡°Er, none of them looked grotesque, you know? It¡¯s like the hybridization looks normal. Not that uncanny valley-ish.¡± He shrugged.


    ¡°How can that be normal?¡± She pounded her fist on her desk.


    ¡°Listen, the human look?¡± He gestured to himself and her, in turn, ¡°it¡¯s not even the default for sapient species¡ª people that can think, therefore are¡ª we¡¯re not unique in the multiverse,¡± he wiggled his fingers, ¡°I¡¯ve encountered this many sapients and I know of many more anecdotally. Hell, there are humans on other worlds, like the eidolons used to be. The weird thing is they¡¯re coloration and features are all mixed up compared to ours. Or ours are compared to theirs. I suppose it¡¯s a matter of perspective.¡±


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s great and all, but I don¡¯t want to look like an antelope.¡±


    ¡°Like I said, we can work on that together.¡±


    ¡°Why? What do you want?¡±


    ¡°From you? Absolutely nothing.¡±


    She shook her head.


    ¡°Nah. No one does anything for free.¡±


    ¡°Well, I am. So, you¡¯re just going to have to deal with it. How about it then?¡± He raised a brow. ¡°You have to accept my help. I¡¯m not going to force anything.¡±


    ¡°Is this like inviting a vampire into my house?¡± Her eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°Alright, but I don¡¯t owe you anything. No tricks either.¡±


    He held out a hand.


    She hesitated a moment before shaking it.


    ¡°How long will this take?¡±


    ¡°For you and me? Weeks, maybe a few months at the longest.¡± He shrugged.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Time in here is subjective.¡±


    ¡°In here?¡±


    He didn¡¯t answer her question.


    ¡°We can take as long as you want until you¡¯re satisfied with the outcome. As for how long it¡¯ll take in reality? The eidolon¡¯s timetable had you finishing in about two weeks, give or take a day. Now, watch the screen. This is what you would¡¯ve looked like.¡±


    Stolen story; please report.


    It wasn¡¯t as bad as she had expected.


    Her face looked the same, aside from the pair of horns coming out of forehead near her hairline.


    She was happy to see that she wasn¡¯t a furry.


    Her body remained the same with one key exception.


    She gasped in horror when her gaze made its way down to her legs.


    ¡°Yeah, you have the whole backward knees thing going on. That¡¯s for the running speed. It¡¯s your thing, you see. The essence of the pronghorn is the speed, but speed combined with endurance. Unlike the cheetah, which is faster, but can¡¯t maintain its top speed for as long.¡±


    Her feet looked like a blend of her human ones with the pronghorn¡¯s hooves.


    He slowly rotated the image.


    ¡°At least no tail, right?¡±


    ¡°Okay, first of all, those aren¡¯t backward knees.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± He rolled his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s actually the ankle. I just find it funny to call them that.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m mocking people that think that for real.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just mean.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not perfect.¡± He shrugged.


    ¡°Whatever,¡± she rolled her eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t want that.¡±


    ¡°Which?¡±


    ¡°All of it. I just want to look like me,¡± she pointed to herself.


    ¡°Bad news¡ª¡±


    ¡°Arrrgghhh!¡± She dropped her head on her desk with a thud.


    ¡°The essence of speed requires certain physiological changes¡ª¡±


    ¡°Fine!¡± she snapped. ¡°So, I¡¯m going to have ¡®backward knees¡¯!¡±


    ¡°And horns¡­¡±


    She knocked her head on the desk repeatedly.


    ¡°Fine! God damn it!¡±


    ¡°Please pay attention.¡± He directed her to the left half of the whiteboard where neat, hand-written text in black marker had appeared. ¡°Pronghorn antelope facts.¡± He cleared his throat. ¡°Not an antelope at all. It¡¯s more closely related to the giraffe and the okapi.¡±


    ¡°Now you¡¯re just making animals up.¡±


    ¡°Do you not have a library in your town?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ and¡­¡±


    Two animals appeared on the screen-board next to her hybridized self.


    One was a long-necked animal with brown splotches on yellow-ish fur.


    ¡°I know what a giraffe is.¡± She frowned. ¡°And that¡¯s obviously made up.¡±


    The second animal kind of looked like the first, but with a much shorter neck and dark brown fur, except for its legs and butt, which were stripped horizontally with white fur.


    ¡°It¡¯s like a tiny brown giraffe and a zebra mixed together. And, yeah, I know what a zebra is.¡± She crossed her arms.


    ¡°Okay,¡± he shrugged. ¡°I just need you to fully internalize that the pronghorn is closer to these two than the antelope family.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because that is the truth in the essence of the pronghorn and you need to be on the same page with it in order to maximize the outcome.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care. I just don¡¯t want to be a freak.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Try to think of it like leveling up.¡±


    She pouted.


    ¡°Apparently, I can¡¯t do that anymore.¡±


    ¡°The higher the level the better. So, the greater you come out of this process the furthest away from a freak you¡¯ll be. It¡¯s like being rewarded for doing really well in a Quest.¡± He paused. ¡°Anything?¡±


    ¡°No¡ª¡±


    A chime sounded in her ears.


    A slight smile spread across his face.


    She read and listened.


    Hope surged again.


    ¡°Well?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ I got a Quest.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like you said.¡± Her eyes narrowed. ¡°Who or what are you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just a guy, but please share the details if you can or want.¡±


    ¡°Um, basically if I, uh, integrate really well then I can get bonuses to, like, everything.¡±


    ¡°Mind, body and soul or spirit, depending on your beliefs.¡±


    She nodded.


    ¡°Stronger, faster, more endurance, tougher, better senses, reflexes, perceptions.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯d be a waste if we were basically just turning you into a normal pronghorn. Super version is better. Well, no version, but that¡¯s off the table. Okay, so, ready to really pay attention. We¡¯ll start with facts before moving on to first person experience.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡ª wait? What?¡±


    ¡°Well, you can¡¯t achieve near perfect understanding with the essence of the animal without experiencing what it¡¯s like to be the animal.¡±


    ¡°How even is that possible?¡±


    ¡°The Americans captured a bunch of pronghorns and the eidolon extracted their essences¡­ I already explained this.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but¡ª never mind.¡±


    ¡°Right, so, pronghorns are the second fastest land animal. They can reach speeds of 55 miles an hour and maintain it for around half a mile. That drops to 42 miles an hour over a mile and 35 miles an hour over 4 miles. Now, scientists believe that they blow away all modern North American predators, like wolves, because they evolved in ancient times when there were a lot faster predators like American lions and American cheetahs.¡±


    ¡°No way! There was lions and cheetahs here?¡±


    ¡°Yup, during the Ice Age.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad that you¡¯re curious, but we can¡¯t get sidetracked.¡±


    ¡°Am I though? You said that I have to fully understand the pronghorn essence. Then shouldn¡¯t I know their origins too?¡±


    ¡°Okay, yeah, you know what. That makes sense. We¡¯ll get to the Ice Age later after I do some more research. For now we¡¯ll focus on the pronghorn of today since they¡¯re the ones that had their essences stolen.¡±


    The lesson began in earnest.


    It felt like it took forever and it felt like no time at all had passed.


    Candyslyn woke up in a hospital bed with a raging headache and family at her side.


    She felt weird.


    Everything seemed sharper.


    The sights, the sounds, even the scents.


    She touched her face and was relieved to feel it as smooth as it had always been.


    ¡°Not furry...¡± she sighed.


    The wide, teary eyes focused on her worried her.


    She tried to speak, but a dry rasp was the only thing that came out.


    ¡°Get your sister water!¡± her momma said. ¡°Don¡¯t try to talk, hon.¡±


    Hesitantly, she brought her hand to her forehead.


    Sharp horns.


    They felt just like how they looked.


    She remembered running through the plains away from chasing big cats. She remembered goring one with her horns.


    ¡°So¡­ fucking¡­ weird,¡± she rasped. ¡°Legs¡­¡± she struggled to lift the sheet off her.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, hon. Don¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°Legs¡­¡±


    Her momma reluctantly helped her.


    She had hoped otherwise, but knew what she¡¯d find.


    After all, she had done it to herself.


    Digitigrade.


    That was what he had called them.


    Her legs weren¡¯t ever going to be like the human, Earthian, standard.


    Her nameless teacher had used a bunch of weird words.


    ¡°At least you don¡¯t have hooves,¡± her cousin smiled.


    She wiggled her toes happily.


    Small victory that.


    Her feet and legs looked weird, but it could¡¯ve been worse.


    Much worse.


    The man had shown her what had happened to the unlucky one percent at her incessant prodding.


    She had to know the fate of her friends.


    At least they had all died straight away and hadn¡¯t been turned into grotesque abominations, whose entire existence was unimaginable pain.


    The man had promised that they¡¯re suffering had been put to an end.


    Her momma rubbed her arm and smoothed her hair, carefully avoiding the horns.


    ¡°Candys, baby. I know everything still hurts, but you need to know. We¡¯re moving.¡±


    <hr>


    Southern California, 2047


    ¡°First of all, happy belated birthday,¡± Ranger Colonel Kayl said.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Alin sat smack dab in the middle of the front row of the lecture hall.


    Up on the dais seated in folding chairs were ranger command and what appeared to be most of the ranger captains.


    He knew most of them with varying levels of familiarity and he figured that there were maybe five missing.


    Two were definitely down in San Diego where they kept a permanent garrison to keep the undead encounter challenges under control.


    ¡°Did your parents get you more super weapons?¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ no, sir.¡±


    ¡°Damn shame. Get anything good at least?¡±


    ¡°Five new suits, sir.¡±


    She raised a brow.


    ¡°Er¡­ regular suits, like, with ties and some with a vest. I don¡¯t really get it.¡± He shrugged.


    ¡°Think of them as another kind of uniform or armor.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°Okay, can you stop with the ¡®sir¡¯? You¡¯re suspended, remember, which means you aren¡¯t technically in the chain of command.¡±


    ¡°Yes, si¡ª¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get on with this. Do you know why you¡¯re here?¡±


    Was that a rhetorical question?


    Or did the test start without him knowing?


    ¡°I¡¯m here to test for reinstatement.¡±


    He projected confidence and certainty that he was struggling to pull from the depths of his anxiety.


    The nature of the test had been unknown to him.


    If his aunt or parents knew they hadn¡¯t shared it. Neither had his friends with parents or grandparents in the rangers.


    He supposed that was part of the challenge.


    Left to stew in his own thoughts, he imagined many forms the test could take.


    A sit down, classroom component seemed likely, which was probably why he had been asked to meet in the lecture hall.


    He expected everything.


    Multiple choice, essays and other stuff.


    Yet, there weren¡¯t any papers on the tables the rangers sat behind.


    Maybe, they were hidden behind the podium?


    Beyond the classroom test, he also expected practical field tests.


    Basically, everything he had missed over the past three quarters of the J.R.R.P.


    He was less concerned about that part thanks to the training he had done back home in the Danger Complex.


    ¡°Yeah, about that test¡ª¡±


    His heart stopped.


    Was he going to be denied even the opportunity?


    The ranger colonel regarded him with the eyes a hawk focusing on a rabbit.


    He forced calm, trying to relax against the hammering of his own heart in his ears.


    The heat in his face told him that he had already failed to conceal his distress from the colonel and the captains.


    The price of a complexion in between his brown-skinned dad and much fairer mom.


    ¡°We all decided that testing you is a waste of time. For us and for you.¡±


    She paused again to study him.


    He managed a nod.


    A smirk tugged the corners of her mouth slightly.


    He latched on to that like a lifeline while trying to maintain eye contact without too wide eyes.


    The captains seated behind the colonel were like faceless judges presiding over his inevitable doom.


    ¡°Do you have something you want to say?¡±


    ¡°No, si¡ª No. I will abide by your decision.¡±


    The smirk grew more pronounced as she looked back to the captains for a moment.


    ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon, colonel! He¡¯s not going to get rattled!¡± Ranger Captain Mouthy threw her hands up.


    Wait? What?


    His gaze shot to the captain, who was scowling at the colonel.


    Seated next to Ranger Captain Mouthy, Ranger Captain Spiritwalker gave him a thumbs up.


    He regarded each captain in turn.


    Some looked amused, some looked pissed, while Ranger Captain Hardhat rolled her eyes at the others.


    ¡°I thought we agreed to take this seriously,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s why you weren¡¯t included in the pool,¡± Ranger Captain Mouthy said. ¡°Which I won, despite the colonel trying to drag it out.¡±


    ¡°Fine, fine. You win. Happy?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir. Superfucking happy.¡±


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s get serious then,¡± Ranger Colonel Kayl turned her gaze back to him. ¡°No tests necessary. Your father has been sending us video of all your training and it¡¯s obvious that you¡¯ve progressed beyond what we expect from our J.R.R.P.¡±


    He could only nod.


    ¡°The question is what to do with you. A year in the program is a waste of time for both of us. But,¡± she raised a finger, ¡°rules are rules and you¡¯re still a year away from being eligible for rangerdom. Then, there is another question. One that I believe is the most pertinent one. Should you even be a ranger?¡±


    He opened his mouth to speak.


    She raised a brow expectantly.


    Yes.


    The instinctive answer was on the tip of his tongue.


    Becoming a ranger was all that he had wanted for as long as he could remember.


    Then, his thoughts flashed back over the previous year.


    The suspension allowed him to throw himself into training with the best in the world.


    He still didn¡¯t have a class or powers like his parents, but the Threnosh-made power armor combined with his own skills had made the former two seem unnecessary.


    He closed his mouth.


    She nodded in understanding.


    ¡°Our expert analysis of your training videos comfortably place you in the Level 40 to 50 range when it comes to multiple forms of combat. Melee, range, magical, whatever,¡± she waved a hand, ¡°you¡¯re like a regular Iron Man. No powers or class, but it doesn¡¯t matter when you¡¯ve got the suit. The versatility makes me salivate. You understand? You can fight hand to hand with a high level swordswoman, er, sword to sword, trade shots with a riflewoman or archer, and play the game of blasts and shields with a mage. You¡¯re all of them in one person. That¡¯d make you a valuable ranger from day one. The problem is that we probably wouldn¡¯t utilize you to the fullest. Do you see what I¡¯m getting at?¡±


    He considered the colonel¡¯s words for what felt like a long time.


    The colonel and the captains remained silent and watched him intently.


    ¡°I think I do.¡±


    ¡°Well, I want to hear your thoughts.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t personally see it this way, but as a rookie ranger I will be sent to lower level postings in which my power armor will be overpowered. The practical experience I gain in such scenarios will be limited by the ease with which I¡¯ll be able to deal with the monsters. In addition, my fellow squadmates won¡¯t be able to grow with me doing most of the work and taking away the danger or they¡¯ll be a person down when I don¡¯t participate for that very reason. I can¡¯t be sent to higher level postings because I won¡¯t have gained experience in the ranger way like all other rangers before me.¡±


    ¡°Close enough, but you¡¯re missing a huge part,¡± she pointed out. ¡°It¡¯s pretty simple to me. I just think you¡¯ll do a lot more good on one of your dad¡¯s teams. Like you said, it¡¯d be a waste to post you at the mall encounter challenge for two years when you don¡¯t need to cut your teeth and level up before doing the undead circuit. Although, I¡¯m selfish and I considered taking you in and carving out an exemption, but that kind of goes against our credo. To that end, I did what I always do when a difficult decision decides to piss me off. I threw it to a vote.¡±


    ¡°A vote?¡±


    ¡°Yup. Me, command and the captains voted on what to do with you.¡±


    ¡°Did I misunderstand? Is there still a test?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but not the kind your thinking off,¡± she snorted. ¡°The vote was on whether to make you ranger right now, immediately¡ª¡±


    His heart went back to its attempt to beat its way free from his chest.


    ¡°or to leave that decision to you.¡±


    Huh?


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s your test. Do you accept and become a ranger, knowing that it isn¡¯t objectively the best use of your capabilities. Yeah, seriously, I put that question to a bunch of different types of analysts and prognosticator-types. Consensus lined up with my take on it, sadly. I mean, having you would definitely tie your parents closer to us. And looking to the future with the kids you might have with your girlfriend.¡±


    Okay, his face was definitely red now judging by the captains¡¯ snickers.


    Seriously?


    Grown adults acting like his teenage friends.


    What was up with that?


    Even his parents would trade sly, amused glances whenever Kat visited.


    ¡°Lots of potential power for the Rayna¡¯s Rangers, especially since your aunt¡ª listen, off the record, you need to tell her that she needs to start popping out some superpowered babies. I did my part and I¡¯m still in charge! While she¡¯s just going to retire? C¡¯mon! She hasn¡¯t aged a day in over twenty years. There¡¯s no way that her womb¡ª¡±


    Ranger Captain Hardhat cleared her throat. ¡°Colonel,¡± she tapped her watch.


    ¡°You tell your aunt what I said.¡±


    ¡°Yes, si¡ª¡±


    The ranger colonel regarded him kindly.


    ¡°It¡¯s a tough choice. Do what you think is best¡­ for you. Not for us. Not for anyone else. Duty is all well and good, but true passion is what¡¯ll take you past the limit of your potential and that¡¯ll be what¡¯s best for all.¡±


    ¡°When do I have to decide by?¡±


    ¡°No deadlines. You¡¯ll always be welcome to join, but if you do then you¡¯ll have to commit fully. You won¡¯t get any special treatment while in your enlistment period. Rayna¡¯s Rangers will come first.¡±


    ¡°Colonel, you¡¯re forgetting,¡± Ranger Captain Spiritwalker said.


    ¡°Oh, yeah. Whatever you decide you¡¯re welcome to return to J.R.R.P. it¡¯ll be a waste of time, but some people,¡± she glanced back at the table of captains, ¡°think it¡¯s cruel to separate you from your comrades in arms, your boon companions, whatever that means. We don¡¯t want to burn bridges anyways and we do owe your family.¡±


    ¡°Yeah and when he¡¯s big dick on the walk he¡¯ll remember us good, right, Boy?¡± Ranger Captain Mouthy said.


    ¡°Yes, sir. Thank you, sir?¡±


    ¡°You won me the bet, so we¡¯re fucking even,¡± she shrugged.


    Ranger Colonel Kayl rubbed her eyes. ¡°This is how you get bad habits and I encourage it.¡± She sighed. ¡°Alright. We¡¯re done here. You¡¯ve got your test. Come give me your answer when you report to J.R.R.P. in a couple of weeks.¡±


    Alin stood straight and saluted before striding out of the lecture hall.


    He was going to be with his friends again, but that knowledge didn¡¯t lessen the weight on his shoulders.


    What did he truly want?


    Was it being a ranger when all it took to raise questions was one brief conversation?

 8.47 Epilogue

    Southern California, 2047


    Candys walked through the throng.


    Her new legs added about a foot and a half to her height.


    She hunched over in a failed effort make herself look shorter.


    Her family had made the move as soon as the doctors had pronounced her fit for travel.


    True to Mr. Cruces¡¯ word no one had given them any trouble.


    The flight was quick.


    Minutes to go from the east coast to the west coast.


    She had been a bit disappointed that her momma had insisted on the blackout travel option. It would¡¯ve been cool to see what flying into near orbit was like.


    Large bags filled to the brim on both shoulders felt light.


    Fruits, vegetables and meats.


    All organic.


    Her momma was super excited about that, which she didn¡¯t quite get.


    Why wouldn¡¯t they be organic?


    ¡°Oh, pastries!¡± Her momma moved ahead quickly like an excited child.


    Her brother had already vanished with their cousins on the eternal quest for sweet treats.


    Apparently, the farmer¡¯s market was a semi-permanent thing set in several streets of a large neighborhood tract.


    No one lived in the homes where the stalls had been set up in the driveways. They were used for cooking and storage.


    There were a lot of people moving to and from the many stalls next to the sidewalks, forcing her to move carefully through them.


    She was still getting used to her new strength and the last thing she wanted to do was accidentally knock an innocent person to ground by brushing against their shoulder.


    Everyone looked at her.


    The hood didn¡¯t really hide her horns.


    And there was no hiding the unique structure of her legs.


    It made her self conscious, but the consolation was that they mostly looked curious rather than horrified or disgusted.


    Mr. Cruces had said there was going to be an announcement about her and the others joining the community.


    On the one hand, she¡¯d rather not just let everyone know, but on the other hand it seemed to prepare the people for the sight of her.


    She had been too scared to leave their new home for the first two weeks.


    Her momma had forced her out by sending her down to the store.


    She remembered that first time letting random people see her animal-like parts.


    It had been practically painless compared to her expectations.


    Curious looks and kind smiles.


    A few had struck up short conversations, asking questions and welcoming her.


    Shouts went up, breaking her from her reverie.


    She spun.


    The crowd parted as though monsters were hunting through the tall grass.


    Just like in the fields near her old home town.


    She froze.


    Instinct.


    Humans froze.


    So did animals.


    She hoped it was more the former than the latter for her.


    Her perceptions sped up. More on instinct than conscious control.


    Her powerful legs tensed.


    The people around her seemed to move in slow motion.


    She studied their faces.


    Surprise, but not terror.


    She caught glimpses through the forest of bodies.


    Kids?


    Sliding?


    Skating?


    Yeah!


    Some were wearing skates, some rode skateboards or thin scooter things.


    Just like back at her old home.


    The reminder made her feel better.


    Until she heard her momma scream.


    She dropped her bags with a thud.


    ¡°Momma!¡±


    She rushed over, concern warred with fear as she tried her best not to just plow through the crowd.


    Her momma was¡ª fine. Her momma was fine.


    She sighed with relief.


    A young man was steadying her momma.


    His eyes widened at the sight of her, but he didn¡¯t flinch or look away.


    ¡°What was that?¡± her momma said.


    ¡°Stupid kids being stupid.¡± The young man shrugged. ¡°Apparently, it¡¯s fun to steal food.¡±


    ¡°Momma, did they rob you?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª yeah,¡± her momma¡¯s head sagged, ¡°I bought us a pair of honey cakes.¡±


    ¡°Miss?¡± the woman at the pastry stall waved them over. ¡°Here.¡±


    Four cakes went into a brown paper bag.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I don¡¯t have anymore points right now,¡± her momma said in a small voice.


    ¡°On the house,¡± the woman smiled.


    Most of the items were super cheap.


    Heavy bags of food had cost them less than 50 Universal Points.


    The bags!


    She rushed back only to find an older couple carrying them to her.


    ¡°Wow! You¡¯re strong!¡± The man nodded appreciatively.


    ¡°Thank you so much.¡±


    ¡°No worries!¡± The woman waved as the pair returned to their shopping.


    ¡°Does this happen a lot?¡±


    ¡°Nah, not really,¡± the young man said. ¡°Every few months a group of kids gets bored and gets stupid. Nothing major and no one really gets hurt. They get caught and get their lessons. Every time. You¡¯d think the next batch would get the message, but kids are dumb. I was once one, so I know!¡± He grinned.


    The experience was somehow reassuring.


    Speaking of lessons, these children were lucky in a way, on account of their erstwhile ringleader.


    The short rise and fall of a would be bandit lord was a footnote in the history of a great and mighty hero and ruler.


    She who gave the famed rangers their name.


    Jes, a young boy of 12, going on 13, skated across the rough asphalt on his bare feet. He had to slowdown to avoid leaving the rest of his gang behind him.


    He pumped his legs and executed a hop turn to face his gang.


    He smirked and took a bite out of the honey cake.


    He threw his arms out wide, preening for attention.


    The new power was awesome!


    It made him so cool.


    He had only had it for a couple of weeks and he was already doing cool tricks.


    He did a twisting back flip to get his feet pointed back to the front only to suddenly float off the ground.


    Oh shit! I can fly too!


    He pumped his fist.


    Then realized that he was looking at a pretty woman hovering about fifteen feet off the ground, incidentally, so were he and his gang.


    One of his gang squeaked.


    ¡°Oh no! Miss Rayna!¡±


    The black-haired woman craned her head to look past Jes.


    ¡°Is that you, Alyx Tran? Long time no see. I think the last time, you were half as big and twice as law-abiding.¡±


    Oh shit!


    This was Rayna of Rayna¡¯s Rangers.


    ¡°You guys are all in so much trouble.¡± She focused her glare on him. ¡°But, you, Jesus Morningstar are in extra trouble.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not my name,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s ¡®Geesus¡¯ not ¡®Heysus¡¯. Go ahead make fun of me.¡±


    ¡°Why would I do that? Your name is your name.¡± She regarded the lot of them. ¡°Alright, we¡¯re going on a short flight to the nearest SCSDF station where your legal guardians will be contacted and punishment will be handed out. Going to be a lot of cleaning and wind sprints in your immediate future.¡± She glared at him. ¡°Since you¡¯re special you get extra.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯d you say about me?¡± Jes glared right back.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got powers. That requires more. Have to make sure they aren¡¯t a danger to yourself and others. And there¡¯s the training in how to use them responsibly.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t make me do anything I don¡¯t want to. That¡¯s the rules.¡±


    ¡°Not if you want to keep living here. And you¡¯re a minor, so you can¡¯t really choose, can you? That¡¯s up to your parents. So, Jesus. Say goodbye to your free time. And good luck. Your trainer is a real hard ass. And don¡¯t think we¡¯ll go easy on you just because your parents were rangers and your siblings are.¡±


    <hr>


    Southern California, 2048


    The dream welcomed Alin back like the baby blanket that he had slept with for far too long than he would ever admit.


    Cold gray fog rolled in from the bay while he stood in what looked like a huge port.


    Giant shipping containers were strewn haphazardly around him, while immense shadows hidden in the thick gray rose and fell with ocean.


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Figures moved violently around him.


    Not visible or even shadowy, he only knew they were humanoid from the shapes they made as they displaced the gray.


    He had known great fear after the dream had repeated several times, but his dad had allayed it.


    The dream was just a dream, not the work of a nefarious outsider.


    His fear became mundane.


    An instinctive reaction to what he took to be monsters in the fog.


    That too faded as the months passed and the dream repeated more frequently.


    In recent months the creepy whispers slowly turned into distinct voices.


    Scattered conversations in the gray between humans, just like him.


    Some he recognized, most he didn¡¯t.


    It was normal for one¡¯s dream to be populated by the people they knew in real life.


    That was what his parents had said, which he had confirmed by checking with his friends and even a book on dreams from the library.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ going¡­ man¡­ grandma¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡­ don¡¯t¡­ problem.¡±


    Alin heard a sound like a shot from his dad¡¯s ridiculous hand cannon.


    The fog rippled through and around him as a sudden, powerful wind almost knocked him over.


    Metal squealed.


    ¡°Sorry¡­ cousin, but¡­ only times¡­ control¡­ just floating¡­ void¡ª¡±


    There was a loud thud, which reminded him of the sound his mom¡¯s boots made whenever she landed from a great height.


    ¡°Right¡­ embarrassing¡­ I forgot¡­¡±


    The voice was light with the easy going insolence of his Uncle Eron.


    Alin moved to another place.


    Although, to call it movement wasn¡¯t right.


    One moment he was at a port.


    The next he was floating over a building-lined street.


    The gray was just as thick as it was at the port.


    Old, abandoned cars lay scattered on the street like boulders at the base of fog-shrouded mountain.


    Something huge barreled down toward him like a landshark surging through the surf.


    He heard noises like before.


    The voices were loud while the rest were faint.


    He thought he caught the sound of a roaring engine and snarls.


    ¡°Are you¡­ throw¡­ off!¡±


    The familiar whine of magic bolts carved channels through the gray. They emanated from the huge shape he took to be a large vehicle of some kind.


    ¡°¡­ watch those pointy fingers of yours!¡±


    A woman¡¯s familiar voice, but sounding much younger if it was who he guessed it was.


    ¡°Well, drive better¡­ hold on so tight¡­ think I don¡¯t¡­ take the opportunity to get rid of¡ª¡±


    Deep booming barks, dog-like, but off in the way that indicated monsters or mutated animals.


    They were silenced abruptly by wet squelching sounds. Followed by what sounded like a tongue lapping up milk.


    ¡°Jesus¡ª¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°¡­ slurping from in here!¡±


    ¡°You should be¡­ graceless cow¡ª monsters¡­ tearing you¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ two¡­ stop and focus!¡±


    His uncle again¡­ probably.


    Alin moved through the gray like he knew exactly what he was doing even though he didn¡¯t.


    He was inside a skyscraper from the view out the window, dark gray fog notwithstanding.


    He was also back on the streets.


    Voices moving down the stairwell.


    Did he recognize some of them?


    The formless shapes moved through the gray in a manner that reminded him of his own training with the rangers.


    A huge shape, impossibly long, undulated above the ground, swimming through the skyscrapers like a sea snake through a coral reef.


    Thunder cracked!


    His grandfather?


    Growling, snarling, transforming.


    Claws swiped and teeth savaged.


    A sword carved through the gray with perfect precision.


    An oddly shaped building loomed in the gray.


    ¡°Nothing in the desks.¡±


    The voice of his father.


    ¡°Look with your eyes.¡±


    The voice of his uncle.


    A bright yellow-gold sigil suddenly appeared in front of him.


    Unlike everything else in his dream it was starkly clear in the gray.


    His heartbeat spiked.


    When the hazy gray had been comforting, the light scoured.


    He went elsewhere in an instant.


    ¡°Fuck me¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ judging by the wiener it¡¯s a boy¡ª¡±


    Alin found himself cradled in thin arms.


    It took him a moment to realize that the rapid thumping wasn¡¯t coming from his chest.


    The dream ended suddenly with utter devastation.


    Buildings tore asunder as a second sun blazed in the sky, scorching the gray from the city.


    Alin lay wide awake for what seemed like hours before he decided to screw it and get out of bed.


    The sky outside his window was still dark.


    Good thing it was a rest day.


    He took his glasses from the charging bay on his desk and studied the newest upgrades to his power armor.


    He was supposed to write in his dream journal, but couldn¡¯t bring himself to do it.


    Breakfast was an awkward affair.


    His parent¡¯s kept eyeing him with concern.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, guys. Just couldn¡¯t sleep.¡± He chewed on a slice of bacon mechanically.


    ¡°You¡¯re face looks like a raccoon,¡± his mom said.


    ¡°Same dream?¡± his dad said.


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    ¡°Things getting clearer?¡±


    ¡°Nah. ¡®Bout the same as the last time.¡±


    ¡°Which was when?¡±


    ¡°Three days ago,¡± his mom answered for him.


    ¡°Dunno. I guess.¡±


    He avoided his parents¡¯ eyes.


    ¡°Can I see your dream journal later?¡± his dad said.


    ¡°I forgot to write this last one down.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I need to keep doing it. I was looking at the last couple of entries and they¡¯re basically the same.¡±


    ¡°Details matter.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about this right now.¡± His mom regarded his dad. ¡°He looks exhausted. We can talk about it later.¡±


    ¡°Or not at all. I don¡¯t know why you don¡¯t just stop them,¡± he muttered.


    The tone was more accusatory that he had intended.


    ¡°I¡¯ve explained why I can¡¯t just ¡®fix¡¯ it. Dreams are a natural part of the human conscious and subconscious. Sure, every once in awhile it¡¯s okay to ease the nightmares for therapeutic purposes, but too much tampering isn¡¯t good for you in the long run.¡±


    ¡°Would be just nice. Is all I¡¯m saying.¡± He shrugged.


    ¡°So, Boy,¡± his mom began with a smile, ¡°have you made your decision yet?¡±


    J.R.R.P. was almost done.


    Two years, well, one year and one quarter for him, had gone by so quickly.


    He was going to have to choose soon.


    He glanced at his dad.


    ¡°Nothing¡¯s changed. I¡¯m not going to put you on a team right away. Maybe not even for a few years. You¡¯ll be a technical adult in a few months, but that doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯ve got an automatic slot. There¡¯ll be a lot of training with the teams, but if you want ¡®real¡¯ action. You won¡¯t get it right away.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter as much to me anymore. I¡¯m probably never getting a class or powers.¡± He pouted.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got several years to go until physical maturity and we don¡¯t know if that actually matters,¡± his mom said.


    ¡°Yeah, but do we know anyone that didn¡¯t get a class or powers by my age?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a first for everything,¡± she smiled warmly.


    ¡°Yeah, but why does it have to be me?¡±


    Man, he sounded like a whiny Lera.


    With his eyes focused on his plate he missed the look his parents exchanged.


    ¡°Sometimes the answers you want and need don¡¯t come until you¡¯re ready,¡± his dad said.


    His mom came over to wrap him up in a tight hug that was almost as comforting as the gray blanket in his dream.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with you. You¡¯re our Boy and that¡¯s the only thing that matters to us.¡±


    His dad joined his mom in wrapping him up.


    ¡°Patience. Don¡¯t be in such a rush to grow up. The world isn¡¯t going to leave you behind.¡±


    Oh god!


    His eyes started to water.


    What the fuck!


    He took deep breaths.


    Keep it cool. Keep it cool. Keep it cool.


    His parents released him after what felt like a long time.


    ¡°So, today¡¯s a day off,¡± his mom ventured, ¡°any plans?¡±


    ¡°Going to hang with Kat. Oh, yeah¡­ I¡¯m not going to come back tonight since we¡¯ll be out late. Is it cool if I just spend the night at Aunt Rayna¡¯s?¡±


    ¡°Did you already ask her?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to if you guys say it¡¯s cool.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± his mom said.


    His dad regarded him with that familiar look of ball-busting mischief.


    ¡°I¡¯m also okay with it. On one condition¡ª¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Dad! Every time!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You know ¡®what¡¯! Yes! I won¡¯t forget protection!¡±


    His dad chuckled, while his mom rolled her eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s getting old, Love.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± he pointed at her. ¡°Thank you, Mom! It¡¯s a good thing there is at least one adult in this household.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a lonely existence,¡± she nodded sagely. ¡°I¡¯d be looking forward to not being outnumbered by man-babies if it didn¡¯t mean my baby boy¡¯s growing up.¡± Her eyes grew misty.


    ¡°Look what you did.¡± His dad gave him flat look and shook his head.


    <hr>


    Canada, Near the Arctic Circle, 2049


    Alcaestus strained against the immovable force pressing down on his chest.


    Had he ever experienced a greater indignity than having a human half his size holding him down with one tiny foot?


    ¡°We seek parlay!¡±


    He managed to squeak out with what little air remained in his lungs thanks to the weight of a mountain compressing his chest.


    ¡°Setting a trap is a weird way of showing it.¡±


    Al glanced at the blasted environment around them.


    Trees and grass burned with fires.


    Craters dotted the landscape.


    Eidolons filled some like the bloody golden yolk in the center of an egg.


    ¡°They¡¯re still alive¡­ for now.¡±


    The pressure eased a fraction.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to ask questions. You¡¯ll answer. Understand?¡±


    He clenched his jaw.


    The indignity of¡ª


    ¡°Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯re you doing with these losers?¡± The man radiating the heat of a sun gestured toward the other eidolons. ¡°I recognize a couple. Survivors from previous fights. Different teams from the one you¡¯re supposed to belong to. The rest I only know secondhand. Unlike you and your team, they didn¡¯t want to make reasonable agreements or they went straight to atrocities against my world¡¯s people. Kinda like that one guy on your team that got killed.¡±


    ¡°We sought to invite you to, perhaps, come to an agreement.¡±


    ¡°Which is?¡±


    ¡°That is not for me to state. Sunor¡¯s Will is strategos. It is her you will speak with.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ no. Not interested. Like I told your hawkpersons every time they wasted my time. So, your strategos whatever, she picked up these strays?¡±


    The other eidolons were in varying states of injured.


    They were all unconscious, battered and bruised with at least one limb broken.


    He had been spared. If one didn¡¯t account for his dignity.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ she has been keeping them under control. You all fought in the Wendigo War.¡±


    Al didn¡¯t hear a question in the man¡¯s words.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t make up for the shit they pulled. But, there¡¯s that agreement and I can¡¯t just kill them. Although, self-defense killing is technically okay. And as we know, technically-something is the best kind of something. Then again, they¡¯re defenseless right now. So, there goes self-defense. But, you did attack me¡ª¡±


    ¡°It was the only way to approach!¡± Al protested. ¡°You didn¡¯t listen to our attempts to gain your attention.¡±


    ¡°I ignored the big magic letters and arrows too. That should¡¯ve been answer enough for you losers.¡±


    Al remembered trying to pull the relentless one to him with the power of gravity Adras had granted him.


    He remembered the annoyed look on the Earthian¡¯s face.


    The next thing he remembered was waking up inside a deep crater in the snow-covered ground several hundred meters from where he had been standing.


    The other eidolons had already been broken and craterized before the Earthian appeared over him in a blur and sent him spinning back toward them like a stone discus.


    That was how he had ended up with a boot on his chest.


    ¡°This is your last warning. Don¡¯t bother me. I¡¯m not interested.¡±


    ¡°But, perhaps, Sunor¡¯s Will has something you want?¡±


    ¡°Which is?¡±


    ¡°I am not privy to that information.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. No. I¡¯m not walking into a trap. Whatever you have, I don¡¯t need it. And if you can¡¯t tell me now, then its a moot point. No more talk. This is the last time. Next time I won¡¯t hold back.¡±


    Thunder boomed and wind roared.


    Nearby trees bent.


    The shockwave pushed Al deeper into frozen dirt and hurt his ears.


    The relentless Earthian wasn¡¯t even visible in the sky.


    ¡°The pantheon will not accept such indignity forever.¡±


    <hr>


    Congratulations!


    Your world has entered a Bountiful Decade.


    Use the opportunities to gain the strength to triumph over the invaders.


    Information is now available for purchase in the Spire.

 Interlude: Worm Food 1.6

    The middle of Deon¡¯s back itched fiercely and it was hot. Right at the line dividing discomfort from pain.


    It was a small price to pay in exchange for blocking that Skill-enhanced shot with a mana shield.


    Everything about his spellcasting was so much better than before sticking the eidolon¡¯s gift in his back.


    Sure, the fact that over time the mana-generating stone would slowly merge with his body was a little disconcerting, but he¡¯d already be dead without it.


    He had cast the mana shield before the failed attempt at negotiation and made it invisible to the human eye. He hadn¡¯t been able to do that before.


    Now that subterfuge was no longer necessary he let the shield remain visible.


    Blue light sparked and cracked in front of him as the Golden Eagles fired from the areas of the fort that somehow managed to stand up to the massive curtain of fire Karna had drawn over the entirety of the curved wall.


    ¡°Get the bunkers!¡±


    Three bulging bunkers sat at the base of the burning wall spread out equidistant from each other.


    Karna thumbed the striker of the lighter-like artifact in her hand.


    The eidolon had claimed that it contained the heart of an elemental lord from a plane of fire.


    The truth gem had been inconclusive, but he was inclined to take her at her word seeing it in action.


    The pyromancer flicked her free hand over the flame.


    Three thin streams lashed over a thousand feet and into the thin slits from which the mercenaries were shooting.


    Eternal fire reflected in Karna¡¯s eyes as she cackled.


    He winced.


    How many dead was that?


    All those in the bunkers for sure. And most of the ones that had been on the wall.


    ¡°Okay, Karna, cool it down a bit. We don¡¯t want a massacre.¡±


    Her face was fixed in a rictus of hunger, but she relaxed after a tense moment.


    ¡°Jesus! This shit is addictive!¡± She closed the artifact, snuffing out the essence of fire. ¡°Yeah, uh, I think Elandria was right. Half a day practice probably wasn¡¯t enough¡­ don¡¯t tell her I said that.¡±


    The shots from the fort dwindled down to almost nothing.


    Only the sniper at the top of that tall tower kept at it.


    Single shots continued to spark off his mana shield.


    The eidolon¡¯s intel had been spot on.


    Two Level 40¡¯s, the captain and the shooter.


    Judging by how much mana was being burned by each shot, he had found the latter.


    As for the former?


    She had been on the wall when Karna¡¯s fire had fallen.


    It¡¯d make the rest of it easier and less bloody if she had been killed.


    ¡°What are we waiting for?¡± Karna said, flinching with every shot off his shield.


    ¡°Relax.¡± Deon raised a hand and beckoned.


    His team emerged from behind the large pile of monster and mutated animal corpses and hustled to his side.


    The sniper tried to take shots at them, but Deon¡¯s shield covered an enormous area.


    ¡°Creepy magic stone working, I see,¡± Russ said.


    The nimble fencer had his rapier out and took a few unconscious swings and thrusts.


    It was a nervous habit.


    The silvery bands around his wrists caught the sun light.


    ¡°Fuck, those things are shiny!¡± Xander said.


    The normally serene and composed archer shifted his weight from foot to foot.


    ¡°Boots still giving you issues?¡± Deon said.


    ¡°Yup. Still feels stiff,¡± Xander said. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It won¡¯t affect my performance.¡±


    ¡°Remember, don¡¯t feel like you have to use them.¡±


    Xander nodded.


    ¡°Are we going yet?¡± Saint said.


    The blood mage cradled the small clay jug in her equally small arms.


    The artifact was unadorned, unassuming and somewhat lopsided. It looked hand made and not expertly at that.


    In Deon¡¯s opinion it was one of the most disturbing out of the eidolon¡¯s gifts.


    ¡°We¡¯re just waiting on the others.¡±


    ¡°Mana stone working properly?¡± Xander said.


    ¡°Obviously.¡±


    ¡°You sure? Cause we¡¯re kinda needing it to not get dead.¡± He gestured at the mana shield.


    Cracks appeared with every bullet impact, but were quickly repaired.


    ¡°She wasn¡¯t lying. Pre-stone me would¡¯ve already run out of mana five times over. I¡¯ve got plenty and my head isn¡¯t even remotely close to hurting. This artifact is orders of magnitude better than any outside mana source I¡¯ve ever used. Feels so clean and pure.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s only going to merge with your body, so¡­ there¡¯s that¡­¡± Xander shrugged.


    Deon was just about to defend his choice when a thunderous crash sounded from higher up the mountain.


    Followed by an explosion of stone and steel from the top of the sniper¡¯s tower.


    ¡°That¡¯s the signal. Let¡¯s go!¡±


    Deon ran up the slope, maintaining the mana shield just in case.


    It was nice not having to pay attention to his mana usage.


    The upper half of the fort above the entrance to the Bat People Encounter Challenge mirrored the half below.


    Walls of stone, earth and metal, which was a surprise hidden within.


    Brand was strong enough to punch his way through a bank vault given half an hour.


    A running punch with the gauntlets the hot and scary giant lady had given him broke thick stone like it was bubbles, hard-packed earth like fine sand, and a three-foot thick slab of iron like wet cardboard.


    What had she called them?


    Ironbreaker Gauntlets!


    He remembered.


    ¡°Stop standing around and staring at those things and go knock that tower down!¡±


    Hollis jumped off his back and vanished from his notice.


    Right.


    The plan.


    She was going to do rogue-y things at the entrance to the encounter challenge cause it was sealed up tighter than¡ª


    Never mind.


    He shook his head.


    Bullets had peppered him on his mad downhill charge.


    His thick armor was covered in tiny dents, enchantments notwithstanding.


    Plus he had taken a particularly powerful Skill-enhanced bolt to the dome.


    In fact¡­


    He reached up and pulled it out.


    Went straight through his thick helmet and actually pricked his otherwise bulletproof skin judging by the wet trickle down his neck.


    It had to be blood.


    He hadn¡¯t done enough to work up a sweat.


    His bare arms were looking swole and ripped.


    Good striations and vein-age only marred by a few tiny welts and cuts.


    He flexed, giving the stunned mercs on the wall an intimidating double biceps pose before running deeper into the fort as their return fire chased after him.


    Hopefully, that¡¯d be enough to get most of them off the wall so that Elandria could sneak through without too much trouble.


    Sure, she could just shoot them all, but Deon didn¡¯t want a massacre.


    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    It made sense.


    Didn¡¯t want to burn too many bridges.


    No one liked murderhobo-types.


    The Golden Eagles would probably hate them forever, but that couldn¡¯t be helped.


    It was the rest of the mercs and adventuring bands that they didn¡¯t want to draw hate from.


    Hell, they¡¯d probably be grateful once the encounter challenge was opened up to everyone.


    It wasn¡¯t fair for the Golden Eagles to hog it all to themselves, anyways.


    Further up the slope, roughly two thousand feet as a human climbed, Elandria lay prone in the bunker Brand had hastily made for her by throwing several large rocks together and punching a hole for her to shoot through.


    The modular gun she had built herself was configured in long-range mode.


    She¡¯d just slammed an explosive round into the side of the sniper¡¯s tower.


    That had been an impossible shot even with all her tech and Skills.


    Distance, wind, gravity, the flapping of a bird¡¯s wings in the nearby strand of trees and any other number of variables meant that on her best day with all her class¡¯ aids she could reliably put shots at that distance into an area the size of a dinner plate.


    Don¡¯t get her wrong.


    That was objectively awesome.


    Especially, considering that she wasn¡¯t a sniper or a sharpshooter, but rather a techgunner.


    She wasn¡¯t specialized for long distance shooting, but could fake it pretty good.


    The eidolon¡¯s gift changed that.


    A Helm of Unerring Aim.


    It felt like leather, except not cold and lifeless, but warm and¡­


    Well, the eidolon had sworn on truth spells that it wasn¡¯t alive.


    It enclosed her head without any holes for her mouth, nose and ears, yet it felt like she wasn¡¯t wearing anything at all.


    She could¡¯ve sworn that she wasn¡¯t looking out of the large, blinking eye in the middle of the helm.


    The only difference in her vision were the HUD-like indicators.


    It operated on thought and intent, placing a single dot on her target.


    It moved as she moved her gun, but once she was ready to pull the trigger it locked in place.


    The dot and her entire body with the exception of her trigger finger.


    It allowed her to put her follow up shot through the thin slit from which the sniper had fired a very accurate shot that had thrown a cloud of dirt and dust over her own shooting hole.


    She waited.


    The mercs on the wall acted like ants that had water poured into their farm.


    It looked like they were shooting into their fort, which meant that Brand was doing his thing.


    So, she focused on her primary job.


    Keep the sniper busy.


    She fired into the slit once again.


    A regular bullet.


    Not one of her special ones.


    Subdue before kill if given the opportunity.


    Especially for the two mercs over Level 40.


    They were more valuable to the greater cause of humanity alive then dead.


    Deon was pretty confident from all the intel that once they could get inside the encounter challenge the Golden Eagles wouldn¡¯t chase.


    She concurred.


    It was odd.


    The mercs put a lot of effort into keeping the encounter challenge closed to everyone else, yet it seemed that they rarely went into it.


    Maybe, the level requirements were too high for them?


    That made sense if they only had two to four Level 40¡¯s stationed at any given time.


    Elandria¡¯s one concern was that their team might not have been strong enough to face the horrors that waited inside the mountain.


    Her fear dwindled and her confidence grew with how much stronger the eidolon¡¯s gifts had made them.


    Brand punched through reinforced walls like they were paper. Barely slowed him down. Without the gauntlets it would¡¯ve taken him some effort to get through.


    Bullets, spells and other crap chased him as he ran straight for the shooter¡¯s tower. Hard to hit something his size going faster than a car. Especially with all the structures and people in the way.


    Speaking of people.


    Poor bastards didn¡¯t stand a chance.


    He left a trail of broken bodies in his wake.


    Deon had told them that it was hurt before kill unless their lives were in danger.


    Easier said than done when the slightest punch from his superstrong fists could pulp organs and break bones even through armor.


    That¡¯s why he didn¡¯t try.


    He let glancing blows from his shoulders mow people out of his way.


    The buildings ended and he found himself in open space.


    The map Deon made them memorize said that the shooter¡¯s tower was in the center of a wide open space, but all he had to do was rush straight to the base to take away the shooter¡¯s angle as quickly as he¡ª


    The bang sounded in his ears a split-second after searing pain bloomed in his back.


    He stumbled.


    Wetness spread from the back and front of his left shoulder.


    So much for bulletproof skin, let alone multiple layers of mildly enchanted plate. Steel, ceramic and even a padded kevlar underlayer did nothing.


    Also, the shot came from behind him.


    ¡°Fucking high level bullshit,¡± he muttered.


    The shooter must¡¯ve curved the shot on top of making it strong enough to get through everything Brand had going for him in terms of being better than an actual main battle tank.


    On the plus side the shot was so strong that it went straight through.


    It always sucked worse having to dig the projectile out.


    He picked him his stride and put on a burst of speed.


    The shoulder hurt, but he wasn¡¯t having any problems pumping his arms.


    Bit of luck that.


    Went straight through meat and didn¡¯t ding bone or ligaments.


    And he had a lot of prime meat. Boulder shoulders, a monster back with both width and thickness.


    A bullet might as well have been like a splinter.


    ¡°Enjoy the ride.¡±


    Brand smirked as he approached the base of the tower.


    He swung his fists as he ran through, reaching and destroying what looked like load-bearing pillars.


    It crumbled in his wake, but he didn¡¯t look back as he ran toward the entrance to the encounter challenge cave system.


    There were more walls, gates and what not to bust through.


    Deon had kept an eye on the tower as he led his team deeper into the base.


    When it crumbled and kicked up a great bloom of dirt and debris he picked up the pace.


    ¡°Drop your weapons and lay on the ground! Hands on the back of your head and cross your legs! If you fight then you die!¡± Russ called out in a cheery voice.


    Deon didn¡¯t want a massacre.


    So, any merc that complied got cuffed and left behind.


    He figured that since they were moving quickly into the caves then any surviving and hidden merc could help out their fellows before the monsters came sniffing around.


    Unfortunately, there weren¡¯t a lot left alive to take the generous offer.


    He had underestimated the damage Karna could cause.


    The wall and the area around it was a charred wasteland.


    He saw piles of metal glowing red hot that could only have been armor. As for the people that had been wearing them¡­ well, there was a lot of ash and not much else.


    Resistance stiffened as they continued deeper into the fort.


    He held their fire at bay with his impenetrable mana shield while, Russ and Xander stowed their rapier and bow respectively to cuff a pair of surrendering mercs.


    ¡°Drag them over there.¡± Deon pointed to the corner of the nearest building.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Russ blinked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want them to catch strays. Saint, check the buildings for ambush. Wound first.¡±


    A flat look on the blood mage¡¯s face greeted him, but she complied.


    The ugly jug the eidolon had gifted sat in the small young woman¡¯s hands.


    The stopper popped off and dangled from the frayed-looking cord, swinging back and forth like those old clocks.


    Hair-thin streams of red emerged, snaking their way through the air and into the two buildings through open windows and cracks in doors.


    It didn¡¯t take long for Deon to feel the tell tale buzz of nearby spellcasting.


    Saint had always been limited by the medium of her specialization.


    She did her best work with her own, which was a double-edged sword.


    She only had so many pints to work with as a small-bodied young woman.


    The jug created a nearly endless supply from less than a pint.


    ¡°They¡¯re retreating,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let them.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s harder if I had to be careful.¡±


    ¡°Just take their legs out.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t cut them off!¡± Deon didn¡¯t want to leave permanently crippled mercs. Every one taken out was a loss for humanity in the struggle against the monsters and the invaders.


    ¡°You make this harder than it has to be, but okay.¡±


    The resistance softened considerably after Saint finished her work and recalled the blood.


    ¡°That¡¯s creepy shit, you know that, right?¡± Karna eyed the jug.


    ¡°What?¡± Saint kept her eyes forward.


    ¡°The whole ending up with more after a fight thing.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t take more than half a pint from each. I left them in much better condition than you did those poor mercs on the wall.¡±


    Karna shrugged.


    ¡°Fire burns.¡±


    Deon brought them to a halt.


    Still no attacks.


    The avenue up to the gatehouse protecting the entrance to the caves was covered in thick smoke.


    What sounded like a truck rumbling from their right had them aiming weapons and spells.


    ¡°Hold!¡± Deon place another shield between his group and the rapidly approaching Brand.


    ¡°Damn. You guys beat me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wounded.¡±


    ¡°High level bullshit.¡± Brand poked at the bloody hole in his armor. ¡°No worries.¡± He rotated his arm and flexed. ¡°See.¡±


    Deon nodded.


    ¡°Hollis and Elandria?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s inserted and she should be on her way. I cleared a path.¡±


    ¡°Saint, Xander, make sure Elandria can get here safely. I¡¯m going to give the mercs one last chance.¡±


    Deon hoped that their attack had properly shocked and awed the remaining mercs.


    Surely, they knew they were overmatched.


    Their strongest were probably dead. The shooter in the fallen tower and the captain on the wall.


    There was no need for further bloodshed at this point.


    ¡°Listen up!¡± he called out into the smoke. ¡°This is your last chance. We just want in the encounter challenge. Let us through and you won¡¯t see us again for a long time if at all.¡±


    Silence.


    The only sounds were the soft scrabbling of Saint¡¯s and Xander¡¯s boots as they ran up the way Brand had arrived.


    Deon counted the seconds, hoping that they saw reason.


    Beside him Karna fidgeted with the lighter-like artifact.


    They had a plan for what came next if the mercs continued to resist.


    He regarded the hungry look in her burning eyes.


    They¡¯d have to figure out how to better control that.


    A voice suddenly rang through the thick smoke. A rasp, hoarse and pained.


    ¡°Young man, your greed for loot and gains is going to doom us all. You can¡¯t go inside. None of us can.¡±


    ¡°Yesss,¡± Karna hissed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± Deon stopped her before she could activate the artifact. ¡°Explain?¡± he called out.


    They had the advantage.


    He judged that it wouldn¡¯t hurt to hear the merc out.


    Besides, a short talk would give Hollis more time to do her thing and they were waiting for Elandria anyways.

 Interlude: Worm Food 1.7

    The cave entrance was a perfect half circle covered by a door made out of metal.


    Galen tentatively reached out to touch it.


    ¡°Crazy isn¡¯t it?¡±


    The voice made him jump.


    It was his squadmate, whose name was just on the tip of his tongue.


    The introductions had been quick and interrupted by the alarms followed by the subsequent desperate retreat from the wall.


    Another of his squad had a well-developed sense of danger that had them jumping off a split-second before the rest, which made them one of the few squads that avoided getting scorched by the torrent of magical fire.


    Consequently, they and all the other survivors had rallied at the cave entrance with its gatehouse, traps and weapon emplacements.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s huge.¡±


    He had to crane his neck to see the top of the door. And it was at least sixty feet across at the widest spot.


    ¡°How did you even get it all the way up here. It must weigh hundreds of tons.¡±


    ¡°No idea. Word is it just showed up one morning.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°Impossible?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I guess not.¡±


    There wasn¡¯t much out of the realm of possibility with magic and Skills.


    ¡°Wait¡­ it just showed up? You mean it wasn¡¯t always here? With the fort, I mean.¡±


    ¡°Nope. We had, like, iron bars for years. This monster¡¯s only been here for a few months. Before you ask, I have no idea why. I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s got something to do with why we aren¡¯t allowed to go in there anymore.¡±


    Galen had to ask and his unnamed squadmate quickly explained how a team had gone in and never came out.


    Leadership had said that they got wiped out by monsters, but not much else.


    A few days later updated orders had been quietly distributed.


    The rules of engagement for the encounter challenge had been changed.


    A lull in the conversation developed.


    The silence made him nervous, so he was about to ask a random question when the gatehouse shook, showering them with dust from the roof abutting the mountain face.


    ¡°Something big fell. One of the dorms, maybe Crazy Ol¡¯ Bob¡¯s tower.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re not attacking the gatehouse?¡±


    ¡°No. Listen. You don¡¯t hear anything, right?¡±


    Galen didn¡¯t.


    There were three barriers still standing in front of the attackers if they wanted to get into the encounter challenge.


    The thick metal door was the last one.


    In front were two gatehouses filled with weapon emplacements, traps and murderholes.


    He would¡¯ve felt more confident had their first line of defense not fallen in what felt like an instant.


    ¡°Relax, kid. Captain¡¯s still alive, which means we¡¯re not done.¡±


    He didn¡¯t feel the same confidence.


    He had seen Captain Jackson being kept alive by three healing capable Golden Eagles.


    The fires had burned her body and fused parts of her armor to her flesh.


    His gut roiled at the memory of the sight and smell.


    To see her still standing there behind the shielded cannon emplacement with a straight shot at the second gate was inspiring.


    The captain looked to be in an intense conversation with Sgt. Tran.


    He didn¡¯t know either of them well at all, seeing as how new he was, but the sergeant didn¡¯t look happy with her orders judging by the sharpness of her hand gestures.


    Indeed, she practically stomped the entire way to the squad.


    ¡°Bad news?¡± one of the squad said.


    Again, Galen couldn¡¯t remember the older woman¡¯s name.


    ¡°Listen up. If it looks like the gate¡¯s about to be breached we¡¯re to head inside and call for help,¡± Sgt. Tran said.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we already be doing that?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not getting any responses, so that means we¡¯re being jammed or something.¡± She grunted. ¡°Whatever¡¯s inside is supposed to not have the same problem.¡±


    ¡°Probably, should¡¯ve had that in the first place.¡±


    ¡°No argument from me, but we have orders. The captain¡¯s going to try one last time to get these bastards to back off, so, I want you all ready to go through.¡±


    Sgt. Tran stomped to the smaller door within a door where a keypad and some kind of scanning device were set in the dull metal.


    Galen checked his gear.


    To his eternal shame he had lost his carbine somewhere near the wall. It was probably melted slag.


    He had his pistol, short blade and a knife.


    ¡°Rookie mistake, here.¡±


    Another squadmate whose name he couldn¡¯t remember tossed him an M-4.


    ¡°Lay off him, man. Like you¡¯ve never lost your primary when things get soupy.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± Galen checked the carbine to make sure a round was chambered.


    The captain¡¯s voice boomed.


    A Skill or spell to let her be heard over the distance, through two gates in the fully-enclosed gatehouse.


    The conversation was short.


    And he only heard one side of it, but it proved to be a failure as the place began to shake and rumble.


    ¡°Now they¡¯re attacking the gatehouse.¡±


    Galen could only nod at his squadmate as the pit in his gut grew.


    He couldn¡¯t see the battle only hear its effects through the booms and shaking.


    The captain yelled orders in between activating her Skills.


    Seconds turned into minutes.


    ¡°They didn¡¯t catch us by surprise this time.¡±


    The outer wall had fallen quickly.


    This time the Golden Eagles held firm.


    ¡°I told you you could relax kid, Captain Jackson¡¯s one of our best leaders when it comes to defensive shit. We were there with her at that old bordello outside of the city when we got hit by a multi-spawn zone zerg rush a few days after that announcement. Held them off easy. Perfect coordination. Extra ammo out of thin air. Just as dialed-in at hour forty as we were at hour one. Shit, even the walls of that place were like what we¡¯ve got here and they were made out of thin wood or something!¡±


    ¡°A bordello?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s, like, a fancy word for a brothel. Out of business though. I had no idea what it was. One of the older guys told me. Apparently, it was one of the few legal ones back in ancient times.¡±


    ¡°I hope the strain isn¡¯t too much for her.¡± Galen could barely see the captain. Her back was hidden from view by one of the healers.


    ¡°She¡¯s tough, as long as¡ª¡±


    His squadmates words were lost in a flurry of action centered around the captain.


    He brought his carbine up, but kept his finger off the trigger since he didn¡¯t have a clear shot.


    What he saw was a small shape suddenly appearing behind the healer before vanishing from his notice just as quickly.


    Shoots of warning mingled with cries of dismay as the Golden Eagles rushed to Captain Jackson¡¯s side.


    She had gone from standing tall despite horrendous burn damage to lying face first in the dirt with blood pooling beneath her.


    Sgt. Tran cursed. She punched in a code and placed her palm on the scanner.


    ¡°C¡¯mon¡ª¡±


    Her squad was torn, some made as if to go to Captain Jackson¡¯s aid.


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°We have the captain¡¯s orders!¡±


    The door within the door lurched open with what felt like glacial slowness.


    It was thick.


    At least five feet from the looks of it.


    ¡°Go!¡± Sgt. Tran snapped.


    Galen went somewhere in the middle of the formation.


    The sergeant was last and she hit a button on the other side to close the door.


    ¡°Crowd the opening until it shuts!¡± she barked. ¡°Can¡¯t let that rogue-type sneak in!¡±


    The squad didn¡¯t hesitate to put their bodies in danger until the door finally closed with a dull thud.


    ¡°Right, okay.¡± Sgt. Tran took a deep breath. ¡°Defensive posture.¡± She hurried to the other side of the surprisingly large chamber where a steel box was set in the cave wall.


    Galen was surprised to note that the surfaces weren¡¯t what he had expected.


    They looked as though carved with intent.


    The floor was tiled stone, smooth and leveled.


    The walls and ceiling were much the same.


    There was a lack of random outgrowths of rocks and such.


    It was brighter than he had expected.


    Glowing crystals were spaced out to illuminate the entire space with dim light.


    The sergeant removed a bell from the box and rang it toward the gaping tunnel leading deeper into the encounter challenge.


    The same glowing crystals were set into the tunnel¡¯s ceiling, running as far as he could see.


    They didn¡¯t have to wait long before short, dark shapes materialized in the gloom. As if they had walked right out of the tunnel walls.


    Galen forced himself to stand still and focus on trigger discipline.


    He had only seen pictures of the Bat People as part of his orientation just a few days ago.


    Their faces were the stuff of nightmares. More bat than people in his opinion.


    Skin-like wings hung underneath their long, sinewy arms from near their clawed hands down to somewhere at mid-thigh of their short, oddly-shaped legs that were more akin to an animal than his own.


    The fact that they wore clothing and metallic armor helped him get through the initial uncanny valley terror.


    The shotguns they carried helped too.


    These were sapient beings, like him.


    Allies.


    Sgt. Tran raised a clench fist before approaching the lead bat person.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°Vertigo. Ham sandwich. Thirty-two.¡±


    Galen thought he heard clicks as the bat person responded.


    ¡°Sandman. Mayo. Twenty-four.¡±


    ¡°Possible breach. Human. At least five. Over Level 40 minimum.¡±


    The sergeant described the assailants¡¯ observed abilities. Her brisk tones failed to convey the devastation and terror of having fire fill the sky and descend on them.


    The lead bat person nodded their head in a deliberate manner. Human-like, which made it even creepier. Like they were consciously trying to move like Galen, so as to not creep him out. They turned that scary face to the other scary faces.


    Again, Galen thought he heard clicking sounds.


    ¡°Earthian defense protocols.¡±


    The leader reached into a belt pouch and pulled out a small gem or crystal that Galen felt humming with a small amount of mana.


    The rest of the Bat People melted back into the dimly-lit tunnel as their leader spoke into the gem.


    ¡°Possible Earthian attack from surface. Allied report. Carrying out protocols. Proc¡ª¡±


    The bat person vomited dark blood tinged with glowing green.


    A large fang the size of a short blade jutted out of their open mouth.


    Ivory shot through with lines of glowing green glistened red.


    The bat person¡¯s head liquefied before anyone could react.


    ¡°She¡¯s the one that stabbed the captain!¡± someone called out.


    The carbine felt heavy in Galen¡¯s hands. Like a leaden weight with how slow it felt for him to raise it to his shoulder.


    The killer¡¯s dark cloak rustled before she vanished from their notice.


    ¡°Rogue-type. Blind taunt. Before she gets to the others,¡± Sgt. Tran said.


    Multiple Skills activated.


    A high-pitched curse echoed from the dimly-lit tunnels.


    ¡°Forward. Tanks in front. Galen hang back.¡±


    He could only watch their backs as they descended down the gentle slope.


    Shotgun blasts had him dropping his carbine to cover his ears like an amateur. Thankfully he had his weapon on a sling.


    A screech had him double over just like several of his squad.


    The ringing persisted. His ears felt like they were stuffed with cotton. He removed his fingers and found that to be no improvement.


    The sergeant was yelling something.


    He shook his head pointing to his ears.


    She beckoned him to her with urgent gestures.


    He ran to her, stumbling. Dizzy.


    ¡°Heals.¡±


    One of his squadmates placed hands over his ears.


    ¡°It happened so fast.¡±


    ¡°Fuck! Now what?¡±


    The squad was arrayed in a tight defensive formation pointed down the tunnel.


    Shields up front.


    It was a tight fit. No more than three or four people could stand shoulder to shoulder.


    ¡°No way she can get behind us.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s worse for us judging by that.¡±


    Galen¡¯s eyes were drawn to the carnage on the tunnel floor in front of them.


    Liquefied goo.


    He counted three sets of clothing and armor.


    Which meant that the enemy rogue didn¡¯t get all of the Bat People.


    ¡°They got the warning out, right? So, we don¡¯t have to worry about that. Just the high-level rogue with the face melting weapon lurking in the darkness.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t let her get past us to open the doors.¡±


    ¡°Fuck that! We stay here and we¡¯re the shit in the shit sandwich when those fucks outside get through.¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°No chance they don¡¯t. Not without the captain. The defense folds if she¡¯s down.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know that.¡±


    ¡°She got stabbed by the same weapon that melted them!¡±


    ¡°We follow protocols.¡± Sgt. Tran cut through the fear. ¡°There¡¯s a rally point. Since they got the message out, he should already be on his way.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± Galen said.


    ¡°Someone on the same level as the people attacking us.¡±


    ¡°What about the rogue, sarge? What if we walk right into her?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s here to cut off the warning. She¡¯ll be chasing after the one she missed. If she¡¯s waiting for us then all the better. The tight space gives us an advantage.¡±


    It did not, in fact, give them an advantage.


    Galen made it to the rally point alone at the end of a desperate headlong run.


    Bloodied and bruised, gasping for breath, but alive.


    It had happened so fast.


    The disorientation of a swap Skill that saw him go from the rear of the formation to the front as one of the tanks saved him from that venomous fang-sword. Galen didn¡¯t see what became of that earnest-faced man in his middle years whose name he didn¡¯t remember.


    Dead.


    Probably.


    He knew that they were all dead since no one else joined him as the Sgt. Tran shoved him down the tunnel with an order to get to the rally point.


    He heard no boots behind him.


    Heard only his deep breaths.


    He was a terrible person for not being able to connect their names to their faces.


    His new squad.


    Dead and gone the same day he had joined them.


    The rally point was an enormous cavern, littered with spear-like rock formations jutting down from the shadowed ceiling and thrusting out of the dusty floor, which was surprisingly smooth and level.


    The same crystals that lined the tunnel were randomly scattered on every surface creating deep, dark shadows everywhere.


    He didn¡¯t know what to do now that he had made it.


    The tunnel behind him held pursuing death, yet an instinct gripped his guts and kept him from moving further into the cavern.


    The choice was taken from his hands when a nearby patch of shadow writhed.


    Carbine went up and down when he noticed what felt like gun barrels being shoved into various places below his belt.


    Before he could look down his eyes were drawn to the tall, dark form stepping out of the shadow.


    Plate armor in the darkest gray as though it sucked in what little light emanated from the crystals.


    A sickly glow emerged from the full-faced helm¡¯s eye slit.


    To stare into them was to threaten a complete loss of control over his bowels.


    He looked away.


    It was the only he could do.


    So, he stood there, slick palms struggling to hold on to his weapon.


    ¡°Pass phrase.¡±


    The voice was a deep rasp.


    Fear gripped his soul.


    He stammered something.


    The rasp again, repeating the same question.


    Somehow, he found his voice again.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. The sergeant would, but she¡¯s¡­¡±


    He wanted to look back toward the tunnel, but he couldn¡¯t move his eyes from the spot on the floor he had locked on to.


    Gibbering sounds from all around him emerged out of the shadow centered on him.


    It seemed to have three dimensions. Less a normal shadow flat on the floor, but something with mass, like he was standing in thick fog or waist-deep water.


    He glimpsed flashes of movement. Small, wiry limbs, sharp claws and teeth¡­ weapons¡­ guns¡­ for some reason.


    ¡°Vertigo! Ham sandwich! Thirty-two!¡± He remembered. ¡°Sandman! Mayo! Thirty-four!¡±


    ¡°Those are pass phrases¡­¡±


    The pit in Galen¡¯s stomach began to drop.


    ¡°Just not the right ones.¡±


    It fell with a thud. It took a herculean effort to keep what was inside from leaking out.


    ¡°Wait, please! I¡¯m me! I mean, I¡¯m a Golden Eagle!¡±


    The words poured out in a torrent like that one night he mixed too many different mind-altering substances.


    Ms. Daniels had been most displeased. It took almost the entire next day for him to clean up the mess, hangover or no hangover. She had zero sympathies.


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re not high enough level.¡±


    The rasp had vanished.


    The terror had been replaced by a manageable dread.


    He felt that unclenching wouldn¡¯t make him die without dignity. Indeed, that overwhelming sense of imminent death had vanished.


    Galen looked up.


    The man was still in his armor, but the helm had vanished to reveal a chiseled face that had Galen swallowing the lump in his throat for a very different reason.


    Messy blond hair framed a square jaw.


    Smooth skin.


    Bright eyes that carried¡­ something.


    ¡°Golden Eagle?¡±


    Galen could only nod.


    ¡°Judging by your look, the enemy¡¯s inside?¡±


    He nodded.


    ¡°I mean, at least one, but the others might already be on their way. I mean my squad might¡¯ve killed the rogue. I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Go. Scout and observe. Stay hidden. Don¡¯t engage.¡±


    ¡°Um¡ª¡± Galen pointed a finger to himself before looking down and seeing for the first time the little nightmares that had surrounded him.


    So ugly.


    Hairless.


    Wiry.


    Teeth, claws, blind, one-eyed, many-eyed.


    Disgust blended with bemusement when he noticed that some of the small, child-sized monsters were geared up like him complete with shadowy-looking guns and body armor.


    They skittered into the dimly-lit tunnel, appearing to go in and out of the writhing shadows.


    ¡°What can you tell me about the enemy?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± he turned his attention back to the handsome, yet scary man.


    It took him a moment to gather himself, but he quickly relayed what he remembered.


    The man took a moment to think after Galen finished.


    ¡°You¡¯re too low level for this fight. But, there isn¡¯t any way out of this place. It¡¯s sort of a dead end. At least at this moment. There are murder bunkers hidden everywhere, so you can hide in one of those until it¡¯s over.¡±


    He nodded, then he thought of his squad.


    Their sacrifice.


    The sacrifice of the Golden Eagles out in the fort.


    He thought of Hayden¡¯s stories.


    He had always recognized the warnings she didn¡¯t hide too well in them.


    She had meant to discourage from pursuing a similar life as her rather than inspire, but she couldn¡¯t hide that what she had done had been necessary. Someone had to risk to do good.


    It was why he was here.


    ¡°Or you can contribute. It¡¯ll be a challenge for you to survive, but everyone knows that¡¯s the key to gaining more levels.¡± The man practically spat the words.


    ¡°What can I do to best help you stop these bastards?¡±


    ¡°Stop means kill. Do you understand?¡±


    Galen nodded.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to ask why?¡±


    ¡°They killed Golden Eagles. That¡¯s the only ¡®why¡¯ I need.¡±


    ¡°So young to be so¡­¡± the man shook his head. ¡°But, I¡¯m not the one to lecture on that. What can you do?¡±


    Galen shared his abilities.


    ¡°I guess the mist could add a layer of concealment. How much space can you fill? And how quickly?¡±


    ¡°I think I can fill most of this place up in an hour. It¡¯s already cold down here so it¡¯ll last longer.¡±


    ¡°How much can you make in five minutes?¡±


    ¡°About a hundred feet around me if it has to be thick enough so you can¡¯t see through it without some kind of magic or Skill.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯ll have to be good enough.¡± The man gestured.


    Galen thought it was directed to him, but once again it was to one of those ever-present creatures lurking inside the shadows.


    The thing actually give the dark-armored man a smart salute.


    ¡°The murder bunkers are connected by tunnels. It¡¯s a tight fit, so try not to freak out because no one¡¯s going to help you. And this place is going to be a warzone soon. Remember, your best chance at not dying is putting a few feet of stone and metal between you and all the stuff that¡¯s going to be flying around.¡±


    Galen nodded wide-eyed.


    The man pointed at one of the larger stone pillars near the tunnel entrance.


    ¡°Do your cold mist thing. Even if they burn it away that will let me know they¡¯re coming and give me an opening. I want you to keep generating mist. Use your judgment on where. Your goal is to obscure to the battlefield.¡±


    ¡°What about you?¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t bother me.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Got it. What else can I do to help?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got a gun. Take shots if you think you¡¯ve got good ones. There are weapons stashed in the bunkers. Use the ones you know how to. Try not to friendly fire me, but if it comes down to it, don¡¯t worry about it too much. I can take it better than them.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ understand¡­¡±


    ¡°Follow it. If I can, I¡¯ll try to direct you to where I can use you.¡±


    It took a moment for Galen to realize that the man was referring to the horrid little monster.


    He didn¡¯t much like the thought of being in dim, tight spaces alone with it.


    ¡°One last thing. If you see white-skinned humanoid monsters¡­ shoot yourself in the brain.¡±


    ¡°Got it¡ª wait? What?¡±


    The man gestured.


    The horrid creature gibbered and tugged on Galen¡¯s pant leg.


    He stifled a shudder and followed in a daze.


    The door to the murder bunker in the base of the pillar was indistinguishable from the surrounding stone.


    It took the creature a few seconds to point it out to Galen.


    He followed it into the yawning blackness and reluctantly pulled the door shut behind him.


    Crystals lit up a moment later.


    The dim red light did little to lessen the creature¡¯s scary appearance as it beckoned to him.


    It pointed to the wall where Galen found the lever to open the murder holes.


    There were several covering the circumference of the roughly circular bunker.


    He opened them all before activating his Skill.


    Mist cold enough to make the creature hiss and shiver began to appear around him.


    It continued to fill the bunker until it had nowhere else to go but out of the murder holes.


    He couldn¡¯t control it, not yet.


    Perhaps if he leveled.


    ¡°Good. Just like that. Keep it up.¡±


    The rasping voice returned.


    His heart almost stopped permanently.


    It had come from just over his right shoulder.


    He glanced back to see nothing.


    ¡°They¡¯re coming. Get ready. I¡¯m sorry about your squad.¡±


    Galen blinked.


    He understood why the dark-armored man had said that a moment later.


    He realized that he still carried hope, no matter how small, for Sgt. Tran and his squadmates.


    No more.


    His vision blurred as wet tracks trailed down his cheeks.


    He hadn¡¯t even gotten a chance to know them. To form the close-knit bonds of brothers and sisters in arms. Fighting the good fight. Together.


    His heart grew colder.


    Their murderers were within his reach.


    His vision cleared.


    He couldn¡¯t do much, but he¡¯d do everything he could.


    No matter the cost.

 Interlude: Worm Food 1.8

    The Golden Eagles captain lay on her back.


    Deon listened to the wet breaths.


    The front of the captain¡¯s armor was partially melted and charred. What patches of dark skin he could see was just as bad. Still, no holes, which meant Hollis had stabbed the captain in the back.


    ¡°Captain Tamara Jackson, right?¡±


    One eye leaked fluids.


    The other latched on to him with surprising clarity.


    He pulled a small vial of glowing liquid from on of his pouches of holding.


    ¡°This is your only hope. My teammate stabbed you with a terrible creature¡¯s fang. Highly magical and highly venomous. In fact, had she not lowered the dosage your entire torso would be a messy goo. If I had to guess you have a few minutes before it kills you anyways. So, I¡¯ll make this quick. You rejected my generous and life-saving offer earlier. You see what that got you? Only suffering and death. I told you that I didn¡¯t want a fight. My fight is with the monsters in there.¡± He gestured toward the huge circular door blocking his way into the encounter challenge. ¡°Open it. You¡¯ll get the antidote and us out of your hair.¡±


    To say thus was a bit cruel. Even with the antidote the damage done might already be fatal. Especially, when added to the fire damage.


    The captain was truly a tough one.


    ¡°We just want to get inside to fight the real enemy. You fought well, but it¡¯s over.¡±


    The Golden Eagles that remained alive were either too wounded to continue or were zip-tied, held under Karna¡¯s burning gaze.


    ¡°How about I sweeten the deal? We will also provide healing to those that won¡¯t make it without immediate aid. Humanity needs every one of us. It¡¯d be a shame to lose someone with your levels and ability. Any more deaths for you and your fighters beyond this point would just be wastes. Think on that, but do it quickly.¡±


    He gazed down at the captain, silently imploring her to see reason.


    The silence stretched with the seconds.


    He had already identified the next highest ranked merc in case the captain proved herself a stubborn fool.


    She needed to show wisdom.


    He needed it desperately.


    Every dead merc was a blow to his conscience and he hadn¡¯t prepared himself as well as he thought.


    To save the few dozen remaining in front of him was now a necessity.


    Fortunately, the captain decided to bail him out.


    ¡°You¡¯ll swear on a contract?¡±


    Her voice was weak. The words pushed through a wet gurgle.


    ¡°On anything!¡± He nodded. ¡°Open the door and we¡¯ll heal what we can and will refrain from further violence against you and the fighters under your command in this place, unless attacked first.¡±


    ¡°Magically binding.¡±


    ¡°I can do that.¡±


    Deon pulled a notebook and pen from one of his pouches and quickly wrote a contract.


    Any magic user could do it.


    Their strength level determined how binding it could be and the level of enforcement.


    A weak mage couldn¡¯t write up a contract with death as a consequence.


    Deon wasn¡¯t weak.


    He wanted her to accept it, so he held nothing back.


    ¡°If me and my team don¡¯t abide, then we¡¯ll you and your fighters¡¯ fates. Death for death.¡± He brought the contract to the captain¡¯s one good eye.


    Other eyes snapped to him with a combination of shock, alarm and anger.


    The captain pressed a bloody thumb print into the paper.


    He signed his name and that of his team.


    ¡°What the fuck, man?¡± Russ said. ¡°You can¡¯t sign for me!¡±


    ¡°Actually, I can. It¡¯s in your contract. And mine and everyone else on the team.¡±


    Russ scowled.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Elandria said. ¡°Unless you¡¯re planning on killing someone that¡¯s already surrendered.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ no¡­ but what if they pull a sneak attack?¡±


    ¡°Weren¡¯t you listening?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I don¡¯t make it a point of letting someone attack me first. That¡¯s just stupid.¡±


    The argument was mooted as the writing glowed briefly.


    ¡°It¡¯s done.¡± Deon quickly poured the entire contents of the vial into the captain¡¯s blood-filled mouth. Whether she swallowed it all or not didn¡¯t matter. It was magical. Mere physical contact was enough. ¡°Saint. Please keep her alive. I¡¯ll take care of the others.¡±


    The bloodmage pulled thin red tendrils from her artifact clay jug and directed them into the captain.


    Deon¡¯s mass healing spell took the form of a vague glowing green sphere over a wide area. He wasn¡¯t a dedicated healer-type, which meant that he couldn¡¯t direct the effects. It worked on everyone, friend or foe, inside the area. Plus, it was terrible from a mana efficiency standpoint. Without the gem burrowing into his back, he¡¯d have been dangerously drained in a second. As it was, his back just got hotter.


    ¡°Now, your part of the deal?¡±


    The captain beckoned to one of her sergeants.


    Reluctantly, he slow-walked toward the massive door.


    ¡°You¡¯re a fool, kid.¡± The captain¡¯s voice no longer came out with a wet gurgle. ¡°You killed my guys just to endanger everyone else on this planet.¡±


    ¡°Would this have something to do with those worms?¡±


    ¡°You know?¡± Her eye widened. ¡°And you still want to go inside? If you know and you meant what you said about wanting to protect all of humanity then you¡¯ll turn around right now and go to another encounter challenge. God knows there are more than enough out there. If you really want to help then you¡¯ll work on keeping spawn zones under control.¡±


    ¡°We will once we finish here. The bats, the worms, all monsters. Maybe you guys couldn¡¯t or wouldn¡¯t take care of them, but we will.¡±


    ¡°If any of you get infected and bring them to th¡ª¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t happen. We¡¯re stronger than you.¡±


    The captain didn¡¯t respond.


    He wasn¡¯t certain if it was Saint¡¯s work or the captain realized that she couldn¡¯t weaken his resolve with fear mongering words. Regardless, he was done with conversation.


    He went over to make sure the sergeant fulfilled the terms of the contract.


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    Precious minutes passed before they had sufficiently healed their defeated foes, but the time came for them to descend into the caves.


    The chime sounded in his ears just as the thick metal door closed with a resounding thud.


    He dismissed the spires message quickly and regarded the faraway looks in the eyes of his teammates.


    ¡°Don¡¯t take too long. We need to move fast.¡±


    Hollis suddenly appeared nose to nose with him.


    He jumped, magic ready at the tips of his fingers.


    ¡°Fucking Jesus! I¡¯ve told you to stop doing that!¡± He let a deep breath loose. ¡°One of these days you¡¯ll catch a fireball to the face.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll miss,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°Probably, but let¡¯s not find out, huh?¡±


    She shrugged. ¡°You want my report?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°I got most of the bat monsters. One got away.¡±


    He stifled a curse. He had hoped to catch them by surprise. The standard move fast and pick them off in smaller groups tactic. Don¡¯t let them organize. Keep the chaos going as they continued to reap the Quest rewards, one dead bat monster at a time. Get stronger while chipping away at their strength before going for a decapitation strike on their leadership with overwhelming strength and speed.


    ¡°They got a warning off.¡±


    He cursed.


    ¡°Can¡¯t be helped now. What about the mercs? How many made it down to their kill zone?¡±


    ¡°I get most of them. One got away. Tracked the kid to the cavern. One tunnel, narrow. No traps. Just like the map the scary alien lady gave us.¡±


    He sensed something off with the tightness around the normally chill Hollis¡¯ eyes.


    The eidolon¡¯s intel lacked details on the nature of the defense inside the cave system.


    ¡°I sensed danger,¡± Hollis said.


    One could hear a pin drop in the dimly-lit cavern.


    ¡°You? Sensed danger?¡± Russ said.


    She ignored him and kept her eyes locked on Deon¡¯s.


    After a moment she gave him a barely perceptible nod.


    ¡°The plan doesn¡¯t change. We expect the hardest fights of our lives.¡±


    They didn¡¯t gainsay him.


    Outside had been a cakewalk with their overpowered artifacts.


    Half of them hadn¡¯t been needed to raise their weapons or use their abilities.


    There was no need for instructions or reminders.


    He glanced at Karna.


    ¡°Karna, remember. Less explosions. More thin, focused streams.¡±


    ¡°I know!¡± she snapped.


    ¡°We should¡¯ve brought that earth mage chick on,¡± Russ said. ¡°Carve us a tunnel straight to where we need to go.¡±


    ¡°The bat monsters trump her magic,¡± Elandria said.


    ¡°No way! She¡¯s Level 40!¡± Russ said.


    ¡°They have classes too.¡±


    ¡°Even if that¡¯s true, they¡¯re monsters. Primitive, basic. They lack our intelligence.¡±


    ¡°They live here. I don¡¯t care how primitive they are¡­ they¡¯re going to be better than one of us at moving around down here.¡±


    It was a moot point in any case.


    There hadn¡¯t been enough time to integrate a new member into the team.


    To that end Deon had picked up a tunneling spell.


    Once again, what skill or experience he lacked in its use would be covered by an overabundance of mana. After all, why pick the lock with precise and delicate tools when you had the strength to simple break it with a twist of your hand?


    ¡°Everyone ready?¡±


    Nods.


    It was as Hollis had said.


    A long narrow tunnel that sloped down slightly with gentle turns every few hundred steps or so.


    They passed the remains of the bat monsters and that of the Golden Eagles.


    It struck him that he couldn¡¯t spot differences between the puddles of bloody goo in armor and scattered weapons. Monster and human looked the same.


    Hollis raised a fist, bringing them to a halt. She pointed to the end of the dimly lit tunnel.


    The large cavern that contained the mercs¡¯ kill zone.


    They didn¡¯t know the specifics.


    Traps and armored firing positions seemed probable.


    As soon as they stepped into the cavern he expected a rain of fire.


    Perhaps a sticky oil trap first to drench them and hold them in place.


    The thick mist obscuring what lay beyond the entrance looked magical in his mage¡¯s eyes.


    He shared the information with his team with a whisper.


    ¡°It¡¯s cold. I can¡¯t tell if there are additional effects. Elandria? Saint?¡±


    The former raised her modular gun to look at the mist through the scope. The gun was configured in its submachine gun form for the cramped environment. He knew that she had also configured the rounds to fire at a subsonic speed to make it easier on their ears. As always, it¡¯d take less than a minute for her to reconfigure it in the event it became necessary.


    ¡°Thirty-five degrees. I¡¯m not detecting any other effects,¡± she said.


    ¡°I have to get my blood into it if you want to know more and that might let them know we¡¯re here,¡± Saint said.


    ¡°Gee, carving a tunnel to bypass all this would¡¯ve been nice,¡± Russ said.


    They ignored him.


    Deon wanted to save his one earth spell when it was really needed.


    ¡°Karna. I want a fireball, say, twenty feet past the entrance.¡±


    ¡°You said no explosions.¡±


    ¡°In the tunnels. That cavern¡¯s big enough and we¡¯re¡ª¡± Deon had been about to say that the rest of them were going to move back the way they had come a good distance only to realize that the rest of his team was already moving. ¡°Just wait until we¡¯re behind that bend.¡±


    He felt the eternal flame roiling within the lighter-like artifact in Karna¡¯s hand. He saw the inferno it contained reflected in her eyes. He hustled back to join the rest of his team.


    ¡°Throw up a shield, yeah?¡± Elandria said.


    Deon raised a mana shield.


    The sudden burst of blue light made them squint.


    Brand tapped the much smaller Saint on the top of her helmet.


    ¡°Maybe double it up?¡±


    She scowled, but the bloody tendrils waving out of her clay jug snaked out and a red shield, slick and wet went up behind Deon¡¯s shield, plunging them back into dimness.


    It was just in time as a loud thump suddenly shook the tunnel, showering them with dust and small bits of rock and dirt.


    Deon winced as he felt his mana drain.


    Karna stood shrouded in smoke.


    He blew it down the tunnel with a gust of wind.


    Karna turned. Her eyes wide and with the biggest smile he had ever seen. All teeth and hunger. The all consuming nature of fire at its spiritual core.


    The eidolon had warned that the heart of the elemental fire lord contained within the artifact wasn¡¯t entirely dead.


    A problem for another day.


    He slapped a magic shield on Brand.


    The added power of the gem in his back allowed him to shape it more precisely than he had been capable of before.


    Instead of simply covering Brand¡¯s entire body, Deon made one that protected the big man¡¯s front, extending a few feet over his head and curving down to about shoulder height in order to leave space for and protect the passenger.


    ¡°Saint, you re¡ª¡±


    The small young woman was already covered in extra armor of her own making.


    Blood, slick and wet, surrounded her body in form-fitting armor, just like the heroes in her favorite movies.


    She hopped on Brand¡¯s back, feet slotting into the footholds built into his thick steel plate. One hand grabbed the handle near his right shoulder, while the other held the clay jug close.


    ¡°I made my shield invisible, but you know where it is. Just like we practiced.¡±


    ¡°Yes, mom.¡±


    He heard, rather than saw the roll of her eyes since her blood helmet didn¡¯t have any openings.


    ¡°Okay, good. Move fast, strike fast. The shield won¡¯t last more than a minute under sustained fire.¡±


    ¡°Relax, bro! We got this. Shock and Awe!¡± Brand said.


    ¡°We¡¯ll hit them right behind you.¡±


    Brand started walking toward the entrance.


    He wouldn¡¯t hit top speed until just before.


    ¡°Stay behind my shield until we know what we¡¯re up against.¡±


    Brand went from 2 to 60 in a handful of steps.


    Deon sprinted after him, casting a large mana shield to cover the rest of his team as they emerged from the tunnel and into the cavern.


    He had proved outside that his shield could handle it, so he was reasonably confident about absorbing enough of the initial barrage that they could maneuver and fire back.


    What actually happened wasn¡¯t something they had expected.


    Out of every scenario they had game planned this wasn¡¯t one.


    There was nothing expect dim light crystals and dancing shadows.


    ¡°You will die forgotten in these dark depths.¡±


    The voice was a rasp that seemed to come from everywhere and just next to both of his ears.

 Interlude: Worm Food 1.9

    Cooper hated what he was about to do.


    The Dread Paladin did not.


    Cooper tried to focus on the greater good.


    It was simple. These young men and women couldn¡¯t be allowed to go beyond this cavern for two reasons. They meant to kill the Bat People and Cooper owed them for the Dread Paladin¡¯s massacre all those years ago. They could be used by the worms to carry the parasitic infection out to the surface.


    Death.


    Through every path it lay waiting at the end.


    The Dread Paladin focused on the greater good.


    His purpose.


    Spread and harvest.


    The subjects didn¡¯t matter.


    Humans.


    Worm-controlled trogs.


    Make them dread him and become stronger.


    Thus, he spoke when Cooper would rather remain silent and complete the task as quickly and cleanly as possible.


    ¡°Dread it.¡±


    The big man with the small woman riding on his back sprinted across the level floor with superhuman speed.


    He took that in.


    He saw the magic in the small woman. It was strong in her and in the bloody armor covering her entire body. It was even stronger in the small clay jug in her hand. The crude thing looked like it had been made by a person after their fourth or fifth clay sculpting lesson. That is to say, it was rough and asymmetrical.


    He saw the magic shield surrounding the two people.


    He didn¡¯t see magic in the big man.


    A superhuman body then.


    More came running out of the tunnel.


    Powerful magic and powerful equipment.


    They were more wary than scared.


    Cooper would¡¯ve struck from the shadows.


    Draw out their spells.


    Weaken them slowly.


    The Dread Paladin sat astride his massive demonic-looking steed.


    He was clad in dark gray plate that seemed to kill all the light in the world. The only color was the sickening glow from the twin orbs burning through the slits of his full-faced helm.


    His steed pawed the floor.


    Her dark skin seemed to writhe as if it were the shadows.


    An equine face opened a mouth too wide to reveal sharp teeth unlike any normal horse.


    Red tendrils glistened in the dim lit as a handful erupted from the clay jug and lanced out at him like a terrible monster¡¯s talons.


    A sudden shield out of the shadows blocked some, while a blade cut the rest.


    He didn¡¯t need to give commands to his steed.


    She spun of her own accord and kicked with both powerful hind legs.


    The big man took booth hooves to the chest and went flying into the distant darkness.


    Spell and gun fire came for them next.


    His steed knew his thoughts.


    She took off faster than any earthly horse, weaving in and out of the shadows and through the stalagmites and stalactites like a needle through cloth.


    Bullets whistled past his head, followed by the cracks a split-second after.


    The thumping sound told him that he had been hit before he registered the impact.


    Dark gray plate deformed, but held.


    He fixed it with a thought.


    A large stalagmite loomed straight ahead.


    He dismissed his blade so he could grip the pommel on his saddle.


    ¡°Holy shit!¡±


    The words chased him along with all the firepower the invaders could muster.


    ¡°That horse thing can run straight up walls!¡±


    ¡°Shut up and shoot them!¡±


    Stone and earth shattered in their wake.


    His steed growled and tossed her head in protest as she took a few glancing shots.


    He had to dismiss his shield so he could reach back and pull the arrow out of her rear.


    The arrow head glowed green beneath her dark blood.


    A glance at the wound showed it sizzling as it healed.


    They continued their run up to the ceiling.


    ¡°Fuck this shit! Now they¡¯re running on the roof!¡±


    They stuck to the darkness where the light from the crystals didn¡¯t reach.


    The invaders didn¡¯t lose them completely because such things weren¡¯t insurmountable obstacles to those with higher levels.


    There were plenty of Skills and spells that allowed people to deal with mundane darkness.


    Like the bright spotlight from the dark-skinned young man maintaining the mana shield over the rest of his team.


    The Dread Paladin drew a javelin out of the writhing shadows and hurled it in one smooth motion. His strength lent it the speed of a missile.


    An archer shot three arrows in quick succession.


    The first exploded into hundreds of small, twinkling shards that the javelin blew through.


    The second exploded into a thick sphere of water that also failed to stop it.


    The third hit it tip to tip and exploded.


    Shadowy shards that were already fading back into nothing struck the mana shield like a light drizzle.


    All eyes were on him, waiting for his next attack.


    A young woman wearing perhaps the strangest helmet he had ever seen leveled a high tech-looking rifle in his direction. The large eye in the middle of her faceplate stared at him. It seemed alive.


    Best not let her get another shot off.


    ¡°Attack,¡± he rasped.


    Smarter dreadlings, the ones that copied his mental image of soldiers with their guns, grenades and tactics, opened up from several murder bunkers hidden in the stalagmites and stalactites or in the floor and ceiling and walls.


    The barrage forced the dark-skinned young man with the bright magic flaring from the middle of his back to extend his mana shield all around his team.


    Crucially, he had left gaps open for their attacks.


    Gaps that let the Dread Paladin¡¯s shadows reach inside the sphere of protection.


    Savage dreadlings emerged.


    Simple creatures, they attacked with tooth and claw like rabid animals.


    The archer aborted his shot, forced to use his bow as shield and his arrow as a poor spear.


    The gunner with the weird helmet cried out for help as she ripped her long rifle in half, somehow turning it into two short submachine guns spitting bullets.


    ¡°Taunting!¡±


    A young man with an open-faced helmet smiled as he danced through the melee, thrusting lightly with a rapier. The thin blade glinted as it drank of the dreadlings¡¯ dark blood.


    They turned from the others to focus on him.


    His dance carried him all over the space within the mana shield.


    Despite the tight quarters he somehow managed to avoid bumping into any of the many moving individuals.


    The dreadlings swarmed him, yet managed to land nothing.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Any day now! I don¡¯t want to test these things out on these mobs!¡±


    ¡°Karna!¡± the dark-skinned young mage said.


    ¡°You sure?¡± The young woman also wore an open-faced helm, revealing fair skin and eyes that burned just like the fancy lighter she had been clicking the entire time.


    The Dread Paladin saw the powerful magic contained within it.


    He commanded his dreadlings to return to whence they came just as the dark-skinned mage gave the affirmative.


    Karna sparked the lighter.


    A thin stream of flame shot out. It slithered through the air faster than the normal human eye could follow. Like a hunger serpent, it struck at the dreadlings in quick succession. What it touched turned to ash in an instant.


    All the while the mana shield continued to tank the fire from his entrenched dreadlings and the young Golden Eagle.


    The Dread Paladin used his ability to speak directly to those that feared him despite distance or physical barriers between them.


    ¡°Use the grenade launcher,¡± he rasped.


    The pot-bellied weapon thumped in quick succession from the stalagmite closest to the invading team.


    Frag and smoke grenades alternated.


    As he expected the mana shield held firm against the shrapnel while the smoke billowed out to cover it like a thick, white blanket.


    That young mage sure had a deep mana pool if he was confident in using a mana shield to tank everything it had so far.


    They dropped on the invaders like a meteorite.


    Any normal animal and some magical ones the size of his steed would¡¯ve broken bones landing from such a great height.


    She cracked a few bones and twisted an ankle, but an expenditure of power healed them instantly.


    Cracks spider-webbed across the glowing blue surface of the shield.


    They stared down at the wide open eyes of the dark-skinned mage.


    His mouth worked like a fish out of water.


    The fire serpent slithered through the openings toward them while a stream of arrows curved out of another.


    ¡°Uh¡­ do I taunt him?¡± the rapier-wielder bounced lightly on his toes. ¡°Cause that¡¯s, like, last resort¡­ right?¡±


    The Dread Paladin bored into their eyes with his glowing orbs.


    They had managed their fear well.


    Anyone over Level 40 in a combat class would¡¯ve faced plenty of terrifying foes and monsters.


    It was time to show them that there were levels to fear.


    He called forth the dreadlings once more.


    They clawed and bit at armored feet and legs as they climbed out of the many writhing shadows.


    The fire burned, but he kept them coming.


    They sank into shadow and climbed out of it a second later.


    This time in the midst of the invading team.


    First target was the tank.


    Most tanks he had faced where the type with heavy armor and durability Skills.


    Agile dodgers were rare, at least in his experience.


    He raised his hand and swept it down.


    A dark gray blade formed in full within the motion.


    He cut into the rapier-wielder¡¯s chest.


    Light armor was like paper to his blade.


    Even mundane steel plate wouldn¡¯t have saved the agile tank.


    It bit deep into flesh.


    He felt it part armor and flesh, saw the blood spr¡ª


    Sudden searing pain carved down his own chest.


    He glanced down at the cut through his own dark gray plate.


    It certainly wasn¡¯t mundane.


    Dark blood leaked.


    The agile tank cried out and cursed.


    The silvery band around his left wrist glowed white hot for a moment before dimming and becoming dull.


    The Dread Paladin thought and his steed responded.


    She rose and stamped down, but the smirking young man nimbly dance out of the way.


    He felt at his chest.


    The cut in the plate and his chest remained.


    They healed slower than he expected.


    Perhaps it was because he had inflicted the wound with his own weapon.


    His steed snorted as she whirled, kicking, stamping and biting as the invading team tried to scatter.


    He felt her disdain for him, as if she was telling him to get his shit together¡­ the middle of the fight wasn¡¯t the place to ponder such things.


    He formed a shield on his left arm to block a searing stream of concentrated fire.


    The heat rose with startling speed.


    ¡°Flashing!¡± the dark-skinned mage said as he raised a hand.


    The Dread Paladin closed his eyes a beat before the other invaders, so the bright flash didn¡¯t catch him off guard.


    His steed didn¡¯t.


    She had a bad habit of holding every other human besides him in contempt.


    More than once she had paid for it.


    The light seared her eyes, turning them into burned sockets that wept a mixture of dark blood and gooey liquid.


    Unfortunately for the invaders blindness wasn¡¯t crippling for her and now she was really angry.


    ¡°Christ! We can¡¯t fight them in here!¡± the rapier-wielder said.


    ¡°We drop the shield, we get shot!¡± the young woman with the one-eyed helmet said.


    The dark-skinned mage placed a hand over his ear.


    The Dread Paladin couldn¡¯t quite hear the soft voice coming in through the small magic gem.


    ¡°Hollis is almost done. We just need to hold on just a bit longer,¡± the dark-skinned mage said.


    Something struck the Dread Paladin¡¯s thoughts.


    He hadn¡¯t noticed it, still struggled to notice it.


    The dreadlings tended to speak their gibbering thoughts into his head so long as they were within his considerable range.


    The tactical dreadlings were a lot quieter than the basic, savage ones, so he couldn¡¯t be faulted for not realizing until now that the former were being destroyed.


    The fight in the mana shield had taken less than a minute, but he was down almost all of his tactical dreadlings.


    The savage ones weren¡¯t doing much better.


    He could generate hundreds, but the fire mage burned them to ash as quickly as they climbed out of the shadows.


    Summon Black Fog.


    It was a fitting contrast to the white smoke blanketing the mana shield.


    ¡°What is this shit! None of this shit was in the report!¡± the rapier-wielder said as he thrust and swept his weapon ineffectually into the encroaching blackness.


    ¡°It is death,¡± the Dread Paladin rasped. They didn¡¯t truly fear him. Not yet. ¡°Surrender and live. Don¡¯t and die¡­ eventually,¡± he said directly into their ears.


    He went for the leader first.


    A blast of dark, shadowy magic from his hand was blocked by a standard mage shield.


    It cracked and broke, but dissipated the dark energy before it could get close to the dark-skinned mage.


    ¡°That thing in your back is giving you strength beyond yourself. I will take it from you corpse.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard stories about you,¡± the dark-skinned mage grinned with wide eyes. ¡°We¡¯re going to kill you for all the people you¡¯ve murdered.¡±


    The Dread Paladin reached out.


    Large hands emerged from the writhing shadows.


    They grasped each of the invaders with one exception.


    The rapier-wielder slipped free, but was forced to continue dodging for his life by the dark, demonic-looking steed.


    The rest struggled as the Dread Paladin approached the dark-skinned mage.


    ¡°Deon!¡± the young woman with the one-eyed helmet cried out as he raised his dark gray blade.


    They hadn¡¯t been truly afraid until now.


    He drew it in.


    Grew stronger.


    The wound on his chest began to close along with the cut in his armor.


    ¡°You had your chance,¡± he rasped, bringing his blade down.


    It suddenly stopped a hand¡¯s width from the dark-skinned mage¡¯s neck.


    Red tendrils bound the entirety of the Dread Paladin¡¯s armored hand and arm.


    The looked slick and dripped red, but were as taut and strong as thick steel cables.


    He opened his hand, releasing his blade. Only to re-form it in his other hand.


    He struck like a serpent.


    ¡°Taunting!¡±


    The blade went from the dark-skinned mage¡¯s neck to the rapier-wielder, who parried it with a loud clang.


    The agile young man cursed as the silvery band on his other wrist glowed a little hotter.


    The Dread Paladin felt pain in his own wrist a moment later as his bones cracked and his tendons partially tore.


    He glanced back.


    His steed had been pierced and bound by the same red tendrils.


    All emerging from the clay jug in a small young woman¡¯s hands.


    That wasn¡¯t enough to deter him.


    He struck again.


    Third time was the charm after all.


    He had heard that once.


    ¡°Fuck you!¡±


    A strong hand caught his wrist and held it.


    He strained, but found himself stuck.


    Not just strong. Superstrong. Stronger than even him.


    But not that much stronger.


    He twisted his wrist free and slammed the hard pommel in the side of the big man¡¯s thick helmet, sending the big man staggering away.


    The steel rang like a gong.


    Fourth ti¡ª


    Searing pain in his left eye tore through his concentration.


    ¡°Ha! Take that fuckhole!¡± the rapier-wielder had lunged in with a picture perfect thrust, sending the tip of his blade through the thin eye slit.


    Such precision, such damage.


    Skills had to have been used.


    Unfortunately, he still had one eye.


    Dark blade gave way to dark crossbow.


    Bolts flew.


    The rapier-wielder dodged.


    More Skills.


    He looked like he could¡¯ve dodged through rain drops.


    But Skills ran out and the bolts flew without end.


    A bolt struck center mass.


    The silver band glowed.


    Bullets bounced off the Dread Paladin¡¯s back, accompanied by a desperate warning from the young woman with the weird helmet and fancy guns.


    Her fear fed him the most, but the rapier-wielder was quickly catching up.


    Shadow Grasp tripped the latter up.


    A barrage of bolts burned his remaining silver band, turning it dull and lifeless like the first one.


    The Dread Paladin felt the leaking wounds in his chest, the holes in his plate, but they healed, if slowly.


    ¡°An eye for an eye,¡± he rasped as he sent the rest of dreadlings at the others. They¡¯d die quick, but they needed to be dealt with and if the invaders were busy with that they couldn¡¯t help their teammate.


    Cooper disappeared completely. The air was too thick with fear, with dread. It had been too long since he had faced other humans. Monsters didn¡¯t experience the emotions he fed on the same way. The trogs could¡¯ve been like the humans and the Bat People if not for the worms.


    The Vow fed, strengthened.


    The techniques he had learned and practiced with dozens of therapists and Cal fell away, forgotten.


    The last bolt ripped into the rapier-wielder¡¯s eye.


    One down, six to go.

 Interlude: Worm Food 1.10

    Galen was on the verge of pissing himself.


    The sounds.


    The shaking of the murder bunker.


    All the deadly stuff flying around out there was unlike anything he had ever experienced before.


    Controlled excursions into low level encounter challenges and weak monsters hadn¡¯t prepared him for the really high level shit.


    An arrow had almost hit him in the face after he had emptied the grenade launcher at the attackers. Flew right through the hole.


    He had closed that hole and opened up another one to continue firing, only to have to relocate once again after what sounded like bullets almost got him.


    It sure was lucky that the horrid little creature had pulled him down at the right moment. Otherwise the bullets would¡¯ve tested his helmet and face.


    Speaking of which, the creature, the dreadling, was urgently pointing to the back of the murder bunker.


    The dim red light made it hard to see perfectly, but there was an obvious ladder leading up to the ceiling, where it looked like there was a hatch.


    He tried not to make too much eye contact with the little nightmare, although the fact that it carried a miniature version of the carbine he had on a sling kept throwing him off. It even had a ballistic helmet and plate carrier just like old equipment the soldiers of the old country used to wear. Sure, the gear was all a flat, dark gray and if you looked at them out of the corner of your eye you¡¯d think they were made of shadows.


    Weird shit.


    Just wrong.


    Sent a shiver up his back.


    Better than warmth down his leg.


    At least the dreadling had eyes. Other dreadlings didn¡¯t have eyes or had more or less than two.


    It occurred to Galen that maybe he should listen to it.


    ¡°Up the ladder, huh?¡±


    He glanced at the door leading out to the killing floor where the battle raged.


    The smoke grenades he had launched made it impossible for him to see, but he could certainly hear it.


    ¡°Why not down?¡±


    He had noticed a similar hatch on the floor of the murder bunker.


    What had the Dread Paladin said?


    Plenty of tunnels connected the many bunkers.


    The dreadling was insistent, so he grabbed a bag and stuffed it with a few varieties of grenades before heading up.


    This murder bunker had been well-stocked with a good selection of arms, so he figured the others would be the same.


    The hatch was thick, but opened easily and smoothly.


    He didn¡¯t hear any sort of motor, so he wondered what kind of mechanical assistance it used.


    Idle thoughts often came when he was nervous.


    The dreadling poked him insistently on the ass with the barrel of the miniature shadow carbine.


    A glance down made a few drops trickle out against his will.


    The hatch on the floor was open.


    He hadn¡¯t heard it.


    The opening was a black void. Unlike the shaft above him, which was lit by the dim red crystals.


    All he could see where two small eyes glinting in the darkness.


    The dreadling chittered at him as it fired down.


    He fumbled with his grenade bag, but managed to drop one into the darkness. Crucially, he had remembered to pull the pin first.


    He scrambled up the ladder like a suicidal squirrel that had decided to snatch a nut from between a dog¡¯s paws.


    He was either lucky or good that in that split-second he had chosen a flashbang rather than one of the other types since he was still within the danger radius of the latter.


    A loud bang and a bright flash followed him.


    It was a lot louder in the enclosed space.


    Painful really.


    The light wasn¡¯t as bad since he had closed his eyes.


    The dreadling chittered urgently as it kept jabbing his ass to hurrying him along.


    He glanced down without slowing.


    The light had faded.


    Only red-tinged smoke remained.


    They reached what had to be the ceiling of the five-story tall cavern.


    It certainly felt that high.


    The climb had been long and the sounds of battle had faded noticeably.


    His breaths came quickly.


    It took a long moment and several deep breaths as he watched the dreadling climb out of the shaft after him and close the hatch.


    This murder bunker was the same as the first except the murder holes were closer to the floor, which was above the ceiling.


    It took him a few tries to pick a shooting hole with a line of fire down to the battle.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    The smoke had cleared a bit.


    Enough for him to see the top of the glowing mana shield one of the attackers had cast.


    It was just about all he could see.


    ¡°Right¡­¡±


    He grabbed another grenade launcher off the rack and started loading it when gun fire erupted behind him.


    The dreadling fired bursts frantically at¡­ something.


    Galen couldn¡¯t tell.


    There was a shape, but it kept flowing in and out of his vision.


    One moment he had it. The next it was gone. As if he had forgotten it had been there in the first place.


    Disoriented, he stowed the grenade launcher in favor of his carbine.


    The noise in the enclosed space hurt his ears, but what choice did he have.


    The dreadling suddenly jerked, dropping its miniature carbine in favor of a long, stabby knife.


    It never got to use it as its entire body melted into dark goo before it vanished into the shadows on the floor.


    In its place stood the same rogue that had killed his squad and the Bat People.


    He squeezed the trigger, spraying and praying.


    God didn¡¯t answer.


    The carbine was torn from his grasp. It was still on the sling so he tried to grab it, but something hard hit him right in the face.


    A muffled crunch reached his ears.


    Tears filled his eyes.


    Blood ran down the back of his throat.


    A kick to the back of one leg forced him to one knee.


    An arm snaked around his neck, squeezing tight.


    The arm was small, tiny even, but it was as hard and unyielding as a steel cable.


    A monster¡¯s fang, dirty ivory with irregular lines running throughout its surface like cracked marble. That terrifying green glow seeped through.


    He had seen what it had done, so he kept as still as a mouse with the tip of the blade hovering just out of the corner of his right eye.


    ¡°You¡¯re a hostage. Don¡¯t resist or do anything stupid and you might get out of this alive. I¡¯ve had just about enough of killing my fellow humans, especially when you don¡¯t really deserve it.¡±


    Galen tensed.


    He was pretty sure that her hostage-taking plan wouldn¡¯t work.


    The Dread Paladin didn¡¯t look like the kind of guy that cared about that sort of thing.


    ¡°It won¡¯t work.¡±


    The rogue woman grunted.


    ¡°Yeah, probably not¡­ the stories¡­ the murderer out there won¡¯t care. Pity you decided to work with him.¡±


    ¡°We didn¡¯t¡­ I mean¡­ I had no idea he was even down here. Honestly, I didn¡¯t know a lot of what was going on down here.¡±


    ¡°Yup, that¡¯s what I figured. You look like a dumb kid. That¡¯s why I let you go. Hoped you¡¯d be smart enough to go hide somewhere. Would¡¯ve let you go. Low levels have no place in this kind of fight. Blame your leaders for putting you in this position.¡±


    Galen tried to take a deep breath. It was difficult with the arm around his neck.


    He had a fancy class, but the rogue was right. Level 20 was too weak compared to her at least 40. The class came with three abilities to add to the basics he kept from his old ones. One was the ability to exude a cold mist, which he had used. It felt like he could do it again, but just a little bit and not as cold as he could on his best day. He had used too much of it at the beginning of the fight. Regardless, it was useless in this situation.


    Another was the ability to imbue his weapons with cold.


    Again it was limited to melee weapons and the temperature he could reach was cold, but not that cold.


    The last was perhaps his only hope.


    He concentrated.


    Tried to activate it silently.


    He had been practicing, but it was fairly new and it was hit and miss.


    In the life and death situation he found himself in there was no chance.


    ¡°Cold Mist Step!¡±


    A short range teleport of sorts.


    Ten feet maximum at the speed of a short step.


    He slipped out of the rogue¡¯s hold and found himself near the bunker¡¯s door¡ª


    ¡°Nice try, but way too slow.¡±


    And¡­ he was back in her grip this time she added a figure four around his waist with her legs, trapping one arm against his body.


    The arm around his neck squeezed tight for a moment, bringing the darkness in around his vision.


    He got the message.


    ¡°Try it again and see what happens. Now, just be a nice hostage and¡ª¡±


    He didn¡¯t listen.


    He struggled, bucking as the rogue rolled over so that he was staring at the glowing red gems embedded in the ceiling. His free arm got tangled up with the strap of his carbine.


    He threw everything he had into his cold mist ability on the one chance that the desperate situation would lead to a miraculous unlocking of a heretofore unknown level of potency.


    If he could get it below freezing he could¡ª


    ¡°Cold, but not that cold. You need at least 20 levels before I¡¯d worry about you.¡± The rogue sighed. ¡°I should take you hostage, but I¡¯m almost a hundred percent sure that the murderer won¡¯t give a shit. He¡¯ll call the bluff and I¡¯ll have to cut your throat. And you¡¯re just a dumb kid, misled by greedy people that would rather work with evil murderers and bat monsters than their fellow humans. It¡¯s really not fair that they¡¯ve made us dirty our hands with their blood. Fuck it¡­ killing you would be like killing a baby kitten. Barely any teeth and claws. Can¡¯t leave you free though. All it takes is one lucky grenade or bullet from you and¡­ unfortunately, I¡¯ll have to disable you¡­ semi-permanently.¡±


    The rogue moved with disorienting quickness and strength that belied her slight frame.


    Galen was face down before he realized it.


    Pain flared as his broken nose rubbed on the stone floor.


    She bound his wrists behind his back.


    Then stinging fire slid across the back of his ankles, straight through his thick boots.


    ¡°What? Why?¡± he said through grit teeth.


    ¡°I told you, can¡¯t risk you getting free to cause trouble.¡±


    ¡°You cut my achilles¡ª¡±


    ¡°Both of them,¡± she agreed. ¡°Gave you the Pet Sematary special. Relax. We¡¯ll heal you once we win.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m bleeding¡ª¡±


    ¡°Quit whining, it makes you look weak. Fine, it might take awhile,¡± she conceded.


    He heard her rustling through a pack followed by paper tearing.


    The stinging pain flared into a burning fire.


    ¡°Clotting powder. So, don¡¯t cause anymore trouble and I¡¯ll have Deon heal you up good as new. You¡¯ve got a special sounding class and were always looking for potential.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll never¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be your choice, but from where I¡¯m standing we¡¯re the only ones that care about protecting our world. If that¡¯s something that sounds like a worthwhile cause then you¡¯d be a real piece of shit to fight against that, wouldn¡¯t you?¡±


    Galen kept his mouth shut.


    He couldn¡¯t tell if she had left since he hadn¡¯t heard a single sound. Not even of one of the doors opening.


    The ropes were tight and he couldn¡¯t walk, but he couldn¡¯t just wait for help.


    Not from the Dread Paladin, nor from the people that murdered his fellow Golden Eagles.


    Thus, he tried to concentrate what he had left of his cold mist into his wrists.


    Desperate situations sometimes led to large jumps in growth.


    That was an observed fact even if it was rare.


    He could still contribute to the fight.


    Free himself, then crawl over to one of the murder holes.


    Despite the rogue woman¡¯s words, she had murdered Sgt. Tran and the rest of his squad.


    That wasn¡¯t something he could let go.


    It wouldn¡¯t have been right.


    They would¡¯ve avenged him, so the least he could do was try.

 Interlude: Worm Food 1.11

    To get through the entire operation unscathed had been an unrealistic dream.


    The monstrous man punctuated the end of it by obliterating Russ¡¯ head with a dark blast.


    One dead and they had barely started.


    Deon grit his teeth.


    Fire from outside his mana shield had dwindled to nothing.


    Hollis¡¯ work.


    So, he dropped the spell and cast ethereal chains around the dark gray armored man¡¯s limbs.


    They held a moment before he broke them.


    Strength on par with Brand then.


    As for the man¡¯s level?


    More than any one of theirs for sure.


    As evidenced by the way he blocked Karna¡¯s stream of white hot fire on his dark shield without it melting instantly.


    He charged toward Karna, ignoring the shots landed by both Elandria and Xander.


    Karna¡¯s eyes danced with the eternal hunger of the elemental heart contained within her artifact.


    She wasn¡¯t about to retreat.


    She was about to be trampled.


    Deon cast chains around her, tugging her out of the dark armored man¡¯s path.


    ¡°Trip him up!¡±


    Saint responded instantly with bloody tendrils snaking across the dusty floor and around his armored legs.


    He stopped abruptly, but somehow managed to stay on his feet.


    ¡°Hit him!¡±


    Brand came in with a huge leaping punch.


    Ironbreaker Gauntlet clanged off the evil man¡¯s helmet.


    The sound drowned all others out as it echoed across the massive cavern.


    Rather than fall, the man went with the blow and spun. Sword in hand turned into a long-handled axe mid swing, biting deep into Brand¡¯s thick plate.


    Brand clamped his mitts around the shaft and refused to let go.


    The two superstrong titans refused to budge as they fought over the weapon.


    ¡°Nail him!¡± Brand called out.


    ¡°It¡¯s danger close!¡± Elandria warned. ¡°Get clear¡ª¡±


    ¡°Do it!¡± Deon snapped.


    Brand was bulletproof, durable and tough. He would¡¯ve made a superior tank than Russ had he any Skills.


    They bombarded the dark armored man.


    The story come to life.


    Most of them had heard about the indiscriminate murderer that roamed the middle of the country for several years. Sowing fear and terror wherever he went. Innocent people. Good adventurers. Bad adventurers. Evil cannibals and biker marauders. None had been spared. All came to dread the possibility that a dark armored man astride a demonic horse could one day appear on their trail or at the edge of a campfire.


    Until he had seemingly disappeared.


    No one knew exactly when, but the sightings had stopped.


    Ten years?


    Fifteen years ago?


    Deon certainly didn¡¯t expect to find him here. Deep underground. Apparently working with the bat monsters.


    The eidolon hadn¡¯t mentioned him.


    If she had known, but kept it too herself?


    There¡¯d be a reckoning.


    Russ deserved one.


    But, to do that they needed to win here and now.


    They needed to continue. To claim Quest rewards, gain levels and grow stronger.


    The artifacts showed how far behind the eidolons they were.


    The barrage of spells, bullets and arrows consumed the two titans locked in their struggle.


    Smoke and debris quickly obscured Deon¡¯s natural vision.


    His mage sight was mostly unaffected.


    He couldn¡¯t see Brand because his friend lacked magic.


    He could partially feel the evil man.


    The magic within him was drowning in darkness, shadow and dread.


    At least that was how he¡¯d describe it.


    Hard to put into words what defied description.


    ¡°Fire on mine if you can see it!¡±


    He made his magic missiles brighter and stronger.


    All thanks to the burning gem burrowing into his back.


    He never had the kind of control to customize his spells on the fly before. Too much drain on his mana. Now? What did drainage matter when his mana pool was now the size of a lake?


    ¡°Burn!¡± Karna cackled.


    ¡°We have to stop!¡± The large eye in the middle of Elandria¡¯s helm implored him with disturbing life. It was like looking into her real ones. ¡°Brand can¡¯t take it anymore.¡±


    She was right.


    They had practiced and tested each other over the years to get a good idea on their limits.


    ¡°Hold fire!¡±


    Brand staggered out of of the smoke.


    Bloodied, burned, but alive.


    The dark axe dissolve in his hands, leaving behind a deep cut in his armor through which blood seeped down his side.


    As for the evil man?


    ¡°Did we get him?¡± Xander held three arrows nocked on his bow at half pull. The arrowheads glowed with magic.


    There was nothing inside the blackened crater.


    Just shadows¡­


    ¡°They¡¯re moving!¡± Elandria caught it a beat before he did.


    Those horrid little monsters swept out from the writhing shadows. Like tentacles of some nightmare monster reaching out for them.


    He had hoped they had seen an end of the wretched things.


    Easy to kill, but fast and vicious.


    Karna handled them with a wide blast of flame that washed over them like an angry wave, which allowed the rest of them to cover the other directions.


    Practice made one seem prescient when it worked out according to plan.


    More assailed them from all sides.


    Deon trusted his team to handle it while he saw to Brand.


    ¡°Just stop the bleeding and I¡¯ll be fine,¡± Brand said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen you worse.¡± He cast a direct healing spell on the cut in Brand¡¯s side. ¡°Not by much though.¡±


    ¡°Bastard¡¯s strong, but not as strong as me. If I can get a hold of him then we can try that again.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s do better next time.¡±


    ¡°Watch out!¡±


    Brand grabbed and cradled him like a baby.


    Monsters erupted from the shadows in the middle of their formation.


    These ones were armed and armored like old soldiers.


    Miniature versions of automatic rifles spat bullets that were just as deadly as the full-sized ones.


    ¡°Scatter! Brand, you¡¯re with Elandria!¡± Deon cast shields over the backs of his teammates, but not in time. Several took hits.


    Elandria fell to the floor, blood flowing down the back of her leg.


    Xander put on a burst of speed as he sprinted across the floor in world record time, continuing up the rocky cavern wall thanks to his artifact boots.


    Brand ran for Elandria.


    Deon continued to block the bullets from those that needed him until he caught movement out of the corner of his eye.


    More monsters out of the shadow.


    This time it was a machine gun team.


    ¡°What the fuck?¡±


    They aimed for Saint and Karna, who were relatively close to each other.


    The former flinched at the dozens of impacts, but remained relatively safe behind her blood magic armor.


    The latter fell with bloody holes in the back of her armor.


    ¡°No¡ª¡±


    Deon¡¯s cry was premature.


    Fire flowed from the lighter-like artifact in her hand.


    Like a living thing it moved to her back only to split and plunge into the bullet holes.


    Her body jerked.


    Flames shot out from her back like jets.


    She stood, turned and burned the machine gun team to ash with a wave of her hand.


    ¡°You good?¡±


    Deon really didn¡¯t like the way her eyes burned.


    It was a lot stronger than before.


    She grinned.


    He saw bright flames shining through her teeth.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Only to be snuffed out by the point of a dark gray blade that dimmed the light of her aura for a moment before extinguishing it completely with the twist of an evil man¡¯s powerful wrist.


    Deon would never forget the image as the blade ripped up through the middle of his friends face.


    Two down.


    The fire winked out as the artifact fell from lifeless fingers.


    Deon punched the floor. Reacting more than thinking. He had learned more spells in preparation for this Quest, which was falling apart by the second.


    Learning earth spells seemed prudent.


    The stone floor rippled then buckled as he sent a directed earthquake.


    Jagged spikes of stone and earth shot out of the floor.


    The evil man leapt.


    Sword in hand¡ª Thrown javelin.


    Deon snarled, blocking it with a mana shield.


    It cracked, draining a good chunk of his supply.


    Old him could¡¯ve blocked five, maybe six of those.


    New him didn¡¯t even notice.


    He wanted blood.


    So did Saint.


    Red wet tendrils stabbed at the murderer, staking him many feet off the floor.


    ¡°Drain him!¡± Deon snapped. The back of his head started to itch.


    Saint¡¯s face was expressionless as she gave a slight nod.


    He had taken great pains in the past to curtail her bloodthirstiness.


    Blood magic was dangerous in ways other magic was not.


    He saw the logical conclusion of her path in a person that only saw other humans as fuel for her spells.


    The bloody tendrils stiffened.


    They darkened where they pierced through the murderer¡¯s armor.


    The darkness spread down the tendrils toward Saint.


    ¡°Saint¡ª¡±


    His warning was unnecessary.


    Saint¡¯s face twisted as she cut the tendrils off before the darkness could reach her artifact clay jug.


    The murderer crashed to floor, vanishing into the writhing shadows as if it was a pool of water.


    ¡°Deon! We need lights!¡± Elandria mowed down a knot of little monsters while Brand used his big, bulletproof body to cover her back.


    Deon used a simple, but effective fireball to take out the rest of the little monsters.


    ¡°Lights? Got it.¡± He spammed orbs of light. Dozens.


    They stuck to pillars, to the floor or hovered in midair.


    The shadows at their feet were banished.


    The aegis of his magic light covered several hundred feet in diameter.


    Everyone was covered with the exception of Xander, who would be looking for a good spot on the wall or ceiling to snipe from.


    ¡°Where do you need me?¡±


    A voice came in over the tiny comms gem in his ear.


    Hollis.


    ¡°Go to Xander. He¡¯s a target up there.¡±


    ¡°Ah, the old bait tactic.¡±


    Deon¡¯s vision turned dark as the air was forcibly ejected from his lungs. A loud bang registered a split-second after.


    When he woke his vision had turned red.


    Something beat a rhythmic sound on his helmet.


    Tap. Tap. Tap.


    Liquid dripped into one eye and ran down to his lips.


    The iron tang had him spitting in disgust.


    He pushed up on the hardened blood.


    It was slick.


    ¡°Saint! Let me out!¡±


    He heard the sounds of battle.


    The back of his head itched.


    This was bad.


    He punched at the protective barrier.


    No consciousness, no light orbs.


    He couldn¡¯t wait.


    He placed his hands on the stone floor.


    Spikes ruptured the barrier, showering him in red wetness.


    He sat up, struggling to free his legs.


    How long had he been out?


    Seconds?


    Too long in a fight.


    Elandria had her back to a huge stalagmite, shooting at something in the darkness that he couldn¡¯t make out.


    A red-tinged explosion brought sudden and fleeting illumination.


    He recognized the feel of the spell.


    Blood Explosion.


    Deon sent a light orb to aid his friends.


    The evil man staggered.


    Tendrils had pierced his armor and body in multiple locations.


    He broke them with every move only for Saint to send new ones.


    As her blood splashed across his dark gray plate she set them off.


    Brand appeared out of seemingly nowhere, tackling the evil man. He grappled the man¡¯s arms from behind and spun him around to face Saint.


    ¡°Do it!¡±


    She didn¡¯t hesitate.


    Thin tendrils merged into one thick strand that drenched the evil man¡¯s front like a high-powered water hose.


    The subsequent explosion blinded Deon for a moment.


    Brand and the evil man went flying.


    Elandria fired a steady stream of bullets at the latter.


    Not a single one missed as she tracked his arc through the air perfectly.


    A sudden rain of arrows fell from on high.


    Xander¡¯s work.


    The curtain was as thick as any of the thunderstorms Deon had experienced back in his old hometown.


    The evil man vanished from view.


    ¡°Keep clear!¡± Elandria called out as she quickly added attachments to her gun.


    It went from sleek and streamlined like a sports car to bulky and ugly like a work truck.


    She fired one shot.


    It burned white hot through the rain of arrows.


    Deon caught a glimpse of the evil man, still on his feet, looking like a porcupine before Elandria¡¯s shot exploded in white fire.


    Flying dust heralded the shockwave.


    It washed over him, knocking him back to the ground just as he had finally freed himself.


    Elandria went flat, while Saint formed a massive shield out of her blood.


    Brand charged.


    The evil man¡¯s plate smoked, parts were melted, though they couldn¡¯t see what lay beneath. It was a dark void of nothingness to them.


    Was he even human anymore?¡±


    Classes changed people.


    Flesheaters, animal-based shapeshifters, vampires and others existed.


    Brand punched.


    Ironbreaker Gauntlets clanged off a sudden dark gray shield that appeared out of nowhere.


    A wickedly-flanged mace boomed off the side of Brand¡¯s helmet.


    Thick steel crumpled.


    Brand turned the momentum into a low, sweeping kick. He continued the spin into a rising uppercut that caught the evil man in the side, sending him up into the air.


    Bright arrows pierced him from above. They turned into glowing ropes, holding him suspended twenty feet off the ground.


    ¡°Hit him with everything!¡±


    Deon blasted him with a bright blue-white beam that turned into rapidly spreading ice.


    Saint sent lances of crystallized blood nearly as hard as diamonds.


    Elandria had stripped the smoking components of her gun and fired precise bursts that drilled into the supernaturally tough plate with unerring accuracy.


    The back of his mind itched.


    The ground rumbled.


    He placed his hands on the warm stone.


    A spike shot out beneath the evil man.


    Somehow, he twisted out of the way to turn a direct blow into a glancing one.


    He swung on the ropes like a colorful cardboard horse stuffed with candy.


    Deon grimaced.


    ¡°Drop him!¡± he called out to the dark ceiling.


    Xander heard him.


    He cast another spike, but the evil man swung an empty hand toward the ceiling.


    A dark whip, impossibly long appeared.


    Elandria continued to stitch accurate fire even as the evil man pulled himself up at great speed.


    Deon shot a light orb after the evil man.


    Xander and Hollis needed the revealing light more than the concealing darkness.


    The latter was the domain of the evil man.


    He reached Xander, who was standing on the ceiling.


    Xander dropped, just barely managing to avoid having his head chopped off by a short, thick blade.


    He loosed an arrow as he fell, turning it into a rope to swing across the cavern toward a distant stalactite.


    The evil man clung to the rock, hanging from one hand as though he wasn¡¯t clad in heavy plate and suffering from so many wounds.


    Wounds that would¡¯ve killed Deon¡¯s entire team once, maybe twice over. Even Brand couldn¡¯t have taken as many and remain alive, let alone still in a condition to fight an eight¡ª six on one battle.


    Hollis suddenly appeared behind the evil man with her legs wrapped around his waist.


    The green glow on her vampire serpent fang shortsword appeared like a light suddenly switched on.


    Her arm was a blur as she plunged it repeatedly into the evil man¡¯s back and neck.


    High level Skills and equipment warred.


    The fang blade struggled to pierce the plate and chain.


    The flesh was less resistant.


    Deon hoped that the potent venom would end it, but that didn¡¯t seem to be the case.


    The evil man didn¡¯t turn into bloody goo like the mercs and bat monsters back in the tunnel.


    In fact, he managed to hit Hollis hard enough to dislodge her.


    She vanished from Deon¡¯s sight.


    His mind itched.


    The ground rumbled.


    The evil man landed on his feet, dropping to one knee in a cloud of dust.


    Brand rushed in behind a wall of blood spears.


    The rumbled hadn¡¯t stopped.


    It built, shaking the entire cavern until the ground finally gave way.


    The evil man vanished into the earth.


    Brand followed. Then Saint.


    Deon was too slow for the former, but he hit the latter with a spell to slow her descent.


    When the dust cleared a gaping hole much too far for him to jump across remained.


    Hollis appeared next to him and Elandria as they peered down into the abyss.


    Xander ran around from the other side.


    ¡°I can¡¯t see them. There¡¯s no light.¡±


    Deon fired a light orb.


    They traced its descent.


    ¡°It¡¯s still going,¡± Hollis said.


    ¡°There¡¯s a curve,¡± Xander said after a long silence. ¡°Like a slide.¡±


    ¡°Deliberate?¡± Elandria gave voice to what Deon thought.


    His mind itched.


    Realization struck.


    ¡°It¡¯s a spell.¡±


    ¡°Third party. The bat monsters,¡± Hollis said.


    Deon looked to his second.


    That large unsettling eye made him look elsewhere.


    ¡°Then it¡¯s a trap,¡± Elandria said.


    ¡°What do we do?¡± Xander said.


    There was only one right answer.


    Deon began casting.


    Xander stopped him when it was his turn.


    ¡°I can run faster down the wall. I¡¯ll scout ahead.¡±


    They drifted down following the tiny light orb Deon had placed on Xander¡¯s back.


    He was about fifty feet ahead of them.


    There was a sound, a rumbling in the earth.


    Then the light orb vanished.


    Elandria cursed, aiming her gun down.


    He fired another orb.


    Xander was gone.


    There was no sign that he had even been there.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see any side tunnels,¡± Elandria whispered.


    ¡°Same.¡± Hollis¡¯ answer came from next to his right ear.


    ¡°The bat monsters can manipulate the earth.¡±


    It was obvious even without the eidolon¡¯s intel.


    If one lived underground then it was natural to expect them to have classes and abilities to facilitate a subterranean existence.


    ¡°They¡¯ve taken him prisoner. We¡¯ll rescue him later.¡±


    It was Deon¡¯s hope since they couldn¡¯t do anything for Xander.


    ¡°We link up with Brand and Saint. Kill the murdering bastard and then get Xander back.¡±


    They heard the sounds of battle before they saw it.


    The hole had smoothly transitioned into a narrower tunnel that was angled like a slide. The smooth surface gave them speed, shooting them out into a dark cavern.


    If it wasn¡¯t for the fires burning red it would¡¯ve been pitch black.


    White-skinned humanoids ran snarling in and out of the fire light.


    The evil man held a long, barbed spear high with three of them wiggling on the end like fish. He held a longsword in his other hand, reaping them like wheat with every sweep.


    Brand ran and jumped.


    He punched and stomped while Saint clung to his back with one hand, holding the artifact clay jug aloft.


    ¡°This wasn¡¯t in her intel,¡± Elandria said as she frantically reconfigured her modular gun into something more suited to what they faced.


    ¡°Nope. Nothing about white-skinned people-ish monsters.¡± Hollis popped up next to Deon.


    ¡°We¡¯ll climb out of here. Get away and reassess.¡±


    ¡°How? That slide was smooth as my ass,¡± Hollis said.


    ¡°We¡¯ll climb using my spikes. Can you get Brand and Saint¡¯s attention without attracting the rest?¡±


    Letting the disgusting looking new monsters and the evil man kill each other sounded like a winning idea.


    Deon turned back to the slide only to find the opening gone.


    ¡°Oh shit,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°What?¡± Elandria turned just in time to see multiple holes open in the rough surface of the cavern wall. ¡°Oh shit!¡±

 Interlude: Worm Food 1.12

    Ironically, the psychic miasma generated by the mother worm was a boon to Cooper.


    The Dread Paladin drew nothing from the worm-ridden trogs since the worms were resistant.


    Now that he was surrounded his mind cleared.


    The fight above had Cooper falling deeper in the Dread Paladin more than he had in many years.


    He saw them, felt their fear and dread as they fought against the worm-ridden near one end of huge cavern.


    The way out had been shut.


    The worms could shape the earth better than even the Bat People.


    It took every bit of skill and power the latter had to keep the former out of their territory. And even then they suffered occasional incursions.


    But this?


    This was bad.


    The worms had never before reached so close to the surface.


    There was too much space to cover with the wards and the Threnosh speakers.


    Three dimensions made it much harder.


    An ocean of stone and earth.


    Cooper¡¯s limbs were lead.


    His entire body thrummed and throb from countless wounds.


    The severity was only just eclipsed by the variety.


    They healed, but slowly as he had expended much strength with little to draw from the worm-ridden trogs.


    He resisted taking more from the people.


    Driving them to terror would weaken them against the worms and they served a better purpose by fighting.


    He reaped the twisted white-skinned trogs by the dozens with his spear and sword while their crude weapons bounced of his heavily-damaged armor.


    Fodder.


    Irrelevant.


    The mother worm was the important target.


    She had to be nearby.


    Somewhere in the cavern hiding in the darkness? Or, more likely, safely ensconced in stone and earth.


    But, they were hungry, greedy things.


    The biological imperative to go forth and multiply was just below the imperative to survive.


    The Bat People were immune, so they weren¡¯t attacked with mindless fervor.


    Humans were different.


    It had been made clear in past encounters.


    As it was now with the way the worm-ridden trogs began to ignore Cooper in favor of swarming toward the others.


    The adventuring band had bitten off more than they could chew with their foolish invasion attempt.


    Cooper blamed himself for not killing them all up above when he had the chance.


    Now, they were going to suffer infection.


    And yet, they fought.


    Spells and bullets flew, mowing the worm-ridden trogs by the dozens.


    Their white-skin burned or were riddled with holes, yet they continued to attack.


    The worms in their brains forced the body to move well-past the point it could be considered biologically viable.


    ¡°Destroy the heads!¡± the dark-skinned mage punctuated the order with a thin beam of light from his hand that entered through a worm-ridden trog¡¯s eye before exploding it.


    The small young woman with the lopsided clay jug sent a hundred thread-like tendrils of blood to coat a hundred heads. Her gaze narrowed for a split-second before the blood-drenched heads caught fire.


    She hadn¡¯t used that spell on Cooper from what he remembered.


    The fierce battle ended abruptly.


    Their gazes snapped to him.


    It wasn¡¯t over.


    The worms wouldn¡¯t have expended so much energy to open up hundreds, if not thousands of feet of earth and stone to bring them down here just to give up after throwing a thousand fodder at them.


    ¡°Stop,¡± he rasped. ¡°They aren¡¯t done.¡±


    He allowed the dark helm to recede into nothing.


    One eye was still dark, he noticed.


    ¡°What did you say?¡± the dark-skinned mage said.


    Cooper, not the Dread Paladin, explained their situation in precise, perfunctory words.


    Fight and live or fight and die.


    There was no running.


    Not this deep.


    Help was on the way.


    The Bat People would have detected the worms¡¯ working. They knew to contact Cal. But, they weren¡¯t coming. They would stick to defending their caverns as was protocol.


    ¡°He¡¯s lying.¡± The short young woman with the very dangerous fang sword glared.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t hear you say what you wanted,¡± the dark-skinned mage said.


    Cooper regarded them with silence for several long seconds.


    ¡°So, these worm things are going to go in our brains and take over? And you¡¯re down here working with the bat monsters to keep them from getting to the surface. That¡¯s because you and them are immune. That¡¯s why no humans, except you¡ª and I use that term loosely¡ª are down here full time.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    The tall young woman with the weird helmet had never taken her strange gun off him. ¡°Did we just give them a way out?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s lying.¡±


    ¡°Not about the worms.¡± The small young woman with the jug full of blood used one tendril to root around in a pulped trog head. She pulled out a wriggling white thing. It was about a foot long and as thick around as a noodle. Tiny tendrils impossible to see unless one had enhanced vision or it happened to catch the light just right emerged from its glistening skin and stretched hungrily towards them. ¡°Yuck.¡± Her face twisted. ¡°Should I save it for study?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Cooper said. ¡°Destroy it.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t call the shots. You look like you can barely stand,¡± the big man with the big gauntlets said.


    ¡°Once it burrows into your skin you have minutes at best to kill it, seconds at worst. I¡¯ve been told that being ridden is beyond your worst nightmare. You¡¯re conscious throughout. It won¡¯t allow you to sleep. Won¡¯t allow you a moment¡¯s silence. No rest. Not even oblivion. You will know, see and feel everything it does with your body until it finally ends. Some of those trogs you killed are centuries old.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit!¡± the big man spat.


    ¡°The worms master your biology in ways we can only dream of. You¡¯d be functionally immortal.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, okay, so bad news. Don¡¯t get any worms in you,¡± the dark-skinned mage chuckled. ¡°So what? That was good advice even before the spires. We do the same. Kill the worms. And that mother thing you mentioned.¡±


    Their eyes unfocused for a split-second.


    ¡°New quest,¡± the dark-skinned mage said. ¡°Perfect! As protectors of humanity we were going to take them out where you failed. The only question is what to do with you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d still fight me after what I told you?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a murderer¡ª¡±


    The mage¡¯s words were swallowed by the sudden and violent rumbling all around them.


    ¡°I warned you.¡± Cooper re-formed his helmet. ¡°The trogs weren¡¯t the worms¡¯ only victims,¡± he rasped.


    ¡°Scatter!¡± the dark-skinned mage said.


    The fang sword-wielding rogue-type vanished.


    The big man scooped up the mage and the gunwoman under each arm while the bloody jug woman leapt on his back, grabbing the handle built into his armor.


    He made a mighty leap out of the massive jaws sweeping up from beneath the stone and earth.


    The giant monster was bigger than a tank.


    It was mole-like aside from the lack of a head.


    Why have a head when it could just have a teeth-filled mouth in the neck?


    Cooper didn¡¯t know if it was the monster¡¯s original form since the worms could alter their host¡¯s anatomy to suit their needs.


    Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    The monster was a tank and A.P.C. in one horrible package.


    It landed its bulk on the floor like a beached whale, cracking stone and scattering plumes of dust and debris.


    Blisters on its sides and back recessed into its thick, stone-like white hide popped.


    They disgorged hundreds of worm-ridden monsters and trogs.


    Cooper strode forward with a weapon in each hand.


    He was stopped short by an acrid liquid splashing between him and the worms.


    The blaze ignited a split-second later.


    A wide arc of chest high fire cut the charge off.


    The sudden brightness stopped them more than the heat for their hosts were adapted to the dark.


    ¡°Lights out!¡± the dark-skinned mage fired multiple light orbs in random directions.


    Blood splattered then ignited into little bonfires.


    The big man hurled mundane road flares all the way to the thousand foot cavern ceiling. A few got trapped in crevices while most fell back to the floor.


    ¡°This place is fucking huge,¡± he said. ¡°Like that movie, man. Drums in the deep and shit, but it¡¯s not drums is it? It¡¯s worm monsters inside other monsters.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a tunnel back there.¡± The rogue-type gestured to the far end of the cavern.


    ¡°Don¡¯t. Down here you don¡¯t blindly trust tunnels. You saw what they did to bring us down here,¡± Cooper rasped.


    ¡°You know the way out?¡± the dark-skinned mage said.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Then shut up if you aren¡¯t going to be helpful. I don¡¯t think we should run anyways. We can take them. I¡¯ve still got plenty of mana.¡± As if to prove it, he raised his hand and added to the flames, pushing them forward like a wave.


    Worm-ridden monsters and trogs screamed, bubbled and burst.


    ¡°Deon, I¡¯m running low on ammo,¡± the young woman with the weird helmet and gun whispered.


    ¡°I¡¯m good to fight,¡± the big man said.


    ¡°Same,¡± the bloody young woman said.


    ¡°It¡¯s moot.¡± Cooper had superior hearing. He heard it coming from the very same tunnel.


    The worm mother, grotesquely swollen crawled on the ground like a slug. Other¡­ things¡­ helped push and drag her.


    So many different light sources cast so many shadows.


    They writhed and this time it wasn¡¯t the Dread Paladin¡¯s doing.


    The worm mother¡¯s scream was silent.


    It wasn¡¯t a thing of sound to be heard with the ears.


    Their brains exploded with sudden, stabbing pain.


    ¡°Counter¡­ Deon¡­¡± the big man said through grit teeth.


    The rest, besides the mage, had been rendered momentarily unconscious.


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know what to counter!¡±


    The Dread Paladin hurled his spear like a rocket.


    The worm mother ate it.


    Her scream silenced.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let her concentrate.¡±


    The worm mother wasn¡¯t alone.


    More worm-ridden swarmed out of the tunnel, squeezing past her swollen bulk even as Deon blasted her face with a surprisingly varied array of spells.


    Most higher level mages tended to specialize because through that path lay more powerful upgrades to the basic spells. One could only pick up so many spells through level ups and purchasing them from the spires. It was also a matter of mana efficiency.


    The big man punched the floor. It broke in a wave-like motion, tossing the leading monsters off their feet.


    The rest woke up.


    The young woman with the weird helmet and gun shot a wide, cone-shaped spread that ripped them to pieces.


    Bloody whips struck heads or where the small mage thought the head was.


    As for the rogue-type?


    The Dread Paladin had lost track of her.


    She reappeared on top of the worm mother.


    The nightmare monster was backing into the tunnel to escape the barrage she was being fed.


    ¡°Hollis!¡± Deon screamed. ¡°Get back!¡±


    She didn¡¯t listen.


    Instead, she stabbed the fang sword into the worm mother.


    The Dread Paladin had felt its bite.


    The venom was potent.


    Had he not been of high level and stout supernatural constitution he would¡¯ve died then.


    As it was the venom still coursed through his body, fighting against his naturally powerful healing abilities.


    The worm mother was strong, but even her bloated flesh began to melt.


    Unfortunately for the one called Hollis the worms were masters of the host body.


    They could make it do things heretofore unknown or even that which science had deemed impossible.


    The flesh Hollis stood on turned soft like quicksand. Sticky like honey.


    She cursed and stabbed around her boots as she sunk quickly to her knees.


    The flesh melted, allowing her a moment to pull free.


    One boot popped out.


    Then she screamed before toppling off the worm mother¡¯s back and to the floor with her leg gone at the knee. The blood trailed her in the air from the stump.


    ¡°Shit! Brand!¡± Deon snapped as he fired spells at the worm-ridden monsters rushing to his teammate.


    The worm mother rolled over the screaming Hollis before the big man could reach her.


    He landed a leaping punch in the mother¡¯s flabby side, sending rippling shockwaves across her body.


    Somehow, he managed to push her off and drag his teammate free.


    Another mighty leap and he was back with Hollis in his arms like a child.


    She was covered in the slime familiar to the Dread Paladin.


    ¡°The worms! Are they in her?¡± Brand said. ¡°Fuck! Get them out, now!¡±


    Deon held a hand over her as she began to convulse.


    ¡°How!¡± he snapped. ¡°Elandria! Any ideas?¡±


    The tall young woman with the weird helmet and gun kept shooting.


    ¡°Saint! The worms are in Hollis. In her blood. Can¡¯t you just kill them?¡±


    ¡°I can try, but someone¡¯s going to have to hold the monsters off. I need all my concentration not to mess her insides up.¡±


    ¡°You better hurry,¡± the Dread Paladin warned. ¡°It one reaches her brain¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut up, murderer!¡± Deon snapped.


    Saint turned her blood tendrils to Hollis. She pushed them through the nose, ears and mouth.


    Smart to attempt to head the worms off at their destination rather than chasing them.


    He couldn¡¯t see what was happening inside Hollis, so all he had to go on by how her body reacted and the look on Saint¡¯s face.


    The former convulsed violently as Brand tried to gently hold her in place.


    Beads of bloody sweat formed on the latter¡¯s forehead.


    Even in their fierce fight, the Dread Paladin had seen nothing but cool composure from the small, young woman.


    Deon joined Elandria on the defense. He raised shields and fired deadly blasts while she drew on her last remaining Skills to create ammunition out of nothing.


    ¡°No! Fuck!¡± Saint snapped.


    ¡°What¡ª¡± Brand¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°One got past me! It¡¯s in her brain!¡±


    The Dread Paladin acted without hesitation.


    He cleaved Hollis¡¯ head from her shoulders, then pulped it with a shadowy blast.


    ¡°The worm must be destroyed,¡± he rasped.


    Brand cursed, grabbing him by the head and holding him high with one fist cocked back.


    ¡°We have a common enemy.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, but we can kill them without you, murderer!¡± Brand roared.


    Gauntleted fist struck.


    Right into a dark gray blade.


    Enchanted artifact met supernaturally powerful conjured weapon.


    The two were blown apart by the impact, along with the tenuous peace.


    Time ceased to have meaning for the combatants.


    It flowed quickly as they traded attacks with fierce desperation.


    It ground to a halt as they defended themselves from a slow-moving horror.


    The humans fought the worms. They fought each other.


    Fist and blade clashed.


    Spells destroyed white skin and scorched dark gray plate.


    Dark blade cut steel and superstrong skin.


    Magic shields blocked dark bolts and javelins.


    The chaos swirled like a whirlpool, pulling combatants from each other and throwing them against others.


    In the end, no battle could last forever.


    Even those beyond normal humanity had limits.


    The big man, Brand, superstrong and durable found himself finally buried under a small mountain of worm-ridden monsters and trogs.


    It was an open question to the Dread Paladin on whether or not the man was vulnerable to infection.


    Saint¡¯s ugly jug finally ran out of blood, but not before she had traversed the massive cavern several times on a slick red carpet like an ice skater of old. She had felled hundreds if not thousands with her red spears and whirling buzz saws.


    In her final moment she had detonated another hundred along with herself rather than be taken like Hollis.


    Elandria went next.


    One last, terrible Skill aimed at her own feet took her in a flash of blinding light along with the entire front half of the looming worm mother.


    That death sent the remaining worm-ridden in their thousands into a frenzy.


    Deon cast and recast shields with one hand while firing spells with the other.


    The Dread Paladin had never seen a mage cast so many spells of such intensity for so long.


    He could see the heat within the dark-skinned mage rise to white hot levels.


    That thing in Deon¡¯s spine glowed like the sun.


    Two remained amid mountains of corpses and a shallow sea of blood and offal.


    Deon thrust his hand at the Dread Paladin, who parried the fireball with the flat of his blade.


    ¡°This is your fault. My friends. Are. Dead. Why are you even down here?¡±


    ¡°Atonement,¡± Cooper rasped.


    ¡°Funny way of doing it. We came here for humanity.¡±


    ¡°You were warned. By me, by the Golden Eagles. But your greed for Quest rewards deafened you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a murderer! You team up with literal monsters!¡±


    ¡°The Bat People are no different from us.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit!¡±


    ¡°They could¡¯ve shown you had you taken a moment to stop and observe, but instead you attacked first. Killed them and your own kind.¡±


    ¡°They didn¡¯t listen! None of them would¡¯ve gotten hurt if they just let us through!¡±


    ¡°They are the true heroes here. Don¡¯t you see what¡¯s around you?¡±


    The small mountain of corpses in the distance rumbled.


    Deon glanced over.


    ¡°Your big friend¡¯s buried underneath that. He¡¯s superhuman, but I don¡¯t know if he¡¯s immune to the worms.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s too strong for them.¡±


    ¡°Hopefully, but are you prepared to do what¡¯s necessary if he isn¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°Shut up! I¡¯m not killing my friend.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d be freeing him from a hellish existence.¡±


    ¡°According to you and I¡¯m not just going to take the word of a murderer.¡±


    The mountain of corpses groaned.


    ¡°There has to be a way to get them out. A spell or Skill. Anti-parasite medicine. I know alchemists.¡±


    ¡°So do we and nothing we¡¯ve tried has worked. Once the worm burrows into the brain there is no way to remove it without also killing the person. The connection forged is more than just a physical one.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not letting you kill him. I¡¯ve already lost too much.¡±


    ¡°Infected can¡¯t be allowed to reach the surface.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t happen.¡±


    The mountain erupted.

 Interlude: Worm Food 1.13

    Galen crawled or slithered.


    The latter was more accurate.


    He dragged himself down the tunnel on his belly.


    Pain shot up his legs with every movement.


    The battle outside had reached unimaginable, for him, heights based on the sounds that penetrated through the stone and the shaking.


    It had been a nightmare the first few minutes of that with the thought that the entire mountain was on the verge of collapsing on top of him, burying him forever.


    By the time he reached the ladder the battle had fallen silent.


    He muttered curses as he stared down the shaft.


    Red gems lit the narrow space.


    There was no way he could climb down the rungs without using his feet.


    He was strong and athletic.


    Fifty chin-ups on a good day.


    How far was it to the floor?


    He was certain that it was more than fifty chin-ups worth.


    Maybe he could cold mist step his way down?


    He tried and failed.


    The Skill didn¡¯t activate.


    He cursed.


    ¡°Of course,¡± he muttered, ¡°it¡¯s not cold mist crawl.¡±


    He had rope as part of his kit, so he busied himself tying it to the top rung while he thought of something.


    The idea came a few minutes later.


    He gingerly touched the back of his ankles.


    Blood on his fingers, but it was mostly dry.


    The scary rogue lady hadn¡¯t lied about stopping the bleeding.


    Pain was the issue along with the severed tendons.


    Even the slight touch had watered his eyes.


    So much for adrenaline.


    He had painkillers in his kit, but those wouldn¡¯t do anything.


    Morphine would work, but would render him incapable of climbing down and leave him at the mercy of the attackers or the monsters.


    Then again, he had already tried his one healing potion. It had been completely ineffective.


    He could only assume that she had used a Skill or ability.


    So, the wound couldn¡¯t be healed through artificial means.


    Yet, she had been able to stop the bleeding.


    What if he didn¡¯t intend to heal?


    He popped a few aspirin and chewed.


    Then he focused on his feet and ankles.


    The cold mist responded to his will, emerging from his lower legs.


    Numb the pain.


    Instant relief.


    It went from a 13 to maybe a 7 on the pain scale.


    Manageable.


    Galen climb down.


    The rope prevented disaster when he almost slipped.


    Ten rungs at a time.


    He stopped to rest. The numbness allowed him to put some weight on his feet.


    The cavern was a devastated war zone.


    Scorch marks marred the surfaces.


    Fires burned.


    The smoke collected at the ceiling, but there appeared to be holes for it to keep flowing.


    A huge hole in the floor gaped like the entrance to hell.


    He crawled toward the tunnel leading to the surface.


    Even if he had the means to contact the Bat People he¡¯d rather try the Golden Eagles first.


    Boot steps echoed.


    ¡°Hel¡ª¡±


    The smile fell from his face when he realized that the steps weren¡¯t coming from the tunnel in front of him.


    They came from behind.


    He looked back and instantly wished he hadn¡¯t.


    It was the tall archer guy.


    The bow hung limp in one hand. An arrow dangled loosely in the other.


    He walked toward Galen legs jerking, stuttering, stumbling. It was as if he was being puppeted by a terrible puppeteer.


    Galen¡¯s eyes tracked up the man¡¯s body.


    Armor and clothing were scuffed and cut with dark, wet spots.


    His face¡ª


    Galen screamed, drew his pistol and squeezed the trigger until it clicked on empty.


    The rounds punched through the man¡¯s light chest armor of padded cloth and thin scales of steel woven into the surface.


    He didn¡¯t react.


    His mouth opened in a silent scream, revealing fine, hair-like strands reaching toward Galen.


    More strands emerged from the man¡¯s nose, eyes and ears.


    Galen crawled for his life.


    He heard the man¡¯s stumbling steps grow steadier with every step behind him.


    He desperately climbed to his knees, stumbled and steadied.


    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    The pain brought white stars to his vision, but he ground his teeth and pushed through it.


    There was nothing quite like a fate worse than death to motivate one to his feet.


    ¡°Cold Mist Step!¡±


    10 feet.


    He gasped.


    An arrow skipped of the stone floor a few feet to his right.


    ¡°Cold Mist Step!¡±


    The tunnel loomed 10 feet closer.


    An arrow skipped a few inches to his left.


    ¡°Cold Mist St¡ª¡±


    Heat struck him in the back.


    He crashed into the cold stone, face first.


    His twice broken nose began to gush again.


    He turned, trying to push himself up to a seated position.


    He flicked the mag out of his pistol to reload.


    Emptied it almost as quickly.


    The archer guy was walking steadier now as he drew an arrow and fumbled a bit before nocking it on the string.


    Galen reloaded again, aiming at the man before changing his mind.


    Better to die then be turned into whatever that was.


    He placed the barrel under his chin.


    He had so many hopes to become just like his heroes.


    Eyes closed.


    He squeezed the trigger.


    The bang hurt his ears.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    He was pretty sure that a bullet to the brain was an instant sort of thing.


    He shouldn¡¯t have been feeling anything.


    He checked his gun.


    The bullet fell out of the barrel.


    Delusional fantasy in the instant before death.


    He had heard all sorts of random thoughts and theories from his fellow Golden Eagles during boring guard duty or long road trips where there was nothing to do but talk about any random thing that popped in their heads.


    Some said that maybe, just maybe, you could live out an entire lifetime fantasy in the second it took for the lights to go out.


    An arrow hit him just above the knee.


    He screamed.


    This was the worst death fantasy ever!


    The thwang of the bowstring hit him, but the arrow didn¡¯t.


    It hissed past his left ear then his right.


    The archer¡¯s head snapped back. When it righted itself the arrow stuck out of his eye like a flagpole.


    He pounced like a tiger.


    Galen covered his face and closed his eyes.


    The shadow remained over him.


    He cracked one eye open to see the archer hovering a few feet above him. Hair-like strands reached for him.


    ¡°You got to destroy the brain.¡±


    The woman¡¯s voice was familiar.


    ¡°I did.¡±


    The man¡¯s voice wasn¡¯t.


    ¡°Not enough, obviously, duh.¡±


    The man sighed.


    ¡°Come on, Hon. Just free that poor man.¡± Another woman, also unfamiliar. ¡°I need to heal that poor kid. He must be in so much pain right now.¡±


    The arrow shaft in the archer¡¯s eye moved violently, reminding Galen of how he attacked a jar of natural peanut butter that had separated from disuse.


    ¡°Keep the worms away from the kid¡ª shit! Is that Galen?¡±


    He looked back.


    ¡°Jayde?¡±


    ¡°Oh my god! Hayden! Hayden! Listen, we found Galen! He¡¯s alive. What? No? He¡¯s pretty fucked up. Relax. No, listen, relax. We¡¯ve got, like the god of healing, remember? Okay, fine. Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t let anything get him.¡± Jayde rolled her eyes. ¡°Man, kid, she was freaking out when she found out you were at the fort. Bad luck that.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Things were moving too fast.


    This was turning into a much better death fantasy compared to how it had started.


    The archer hovered away from him.


    The man struggled against his own armor for a moment before falling limp.


    ¡°Yo, metal god¡ª¡±


    ¡°Please stop calling me that,¡± the man said.


    Galen took the sight of him in.


    He couldn¡¯t pick anything out what with the futuristic-looking full body armor aside from a brown-skinned face of around 30 year¡¯s of age.


    Handsome.


    Like a seven out of ten.


    Jayde and the other woman wore similar flat gray armor, thought the former¡¯s was decorated with many random paintings. From the quality he¡¯d guess they had been done by young kids.


    The latter rushed to his side and pulled his helmet off before placing a hand on his sweat-drenched hair.


    Instant relief.


    ¡°Uh oh¡­¡±


    ¡°That don¡¯t sound so good,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°He¡¯s got a few worms.¡±


    Galen panicked.


    ¡°Relax, kid. I¡¯ll take care of them.¡±


    Yes, please!


    ¡°Um, not to be ungrateful, but how exactly?¡±


    ¡°Magic.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I guessed that, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shush, you,¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°I¡¯m using magic to temporarily supercharge your body, giving it the strength to destroy the parasites. I¡¯m also helping with that.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ okay. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°What happened here? The Bat People¡¯s alert was lacking details,¡± the man said.


    Galen relayed what he could remember.


    By the time he finished the woman pronounced him healed and worm free.


    He stood, bounced up and down.


    No pain, no fatigue.


    He was as fresh as if he had just woken up from a long sleep.


    It was only then that he noticed there were other people entering the cavern.


    Strange people.


    Inhuman people.


    Small, short, wearing weird, futuristic looking armor.


    Some were sleek with many spindly, tool-bearing arms emerging from a dome-like pack on their backs.


    Some were bigger, bulkier, bearing what looked like a minigun mounted on one shoulder.


    ¡°Designation: Remy Cruces,¡± one of them approached, ¡°proceeding to deploy parasite worm countermeasures.¡± This one¡¯s armor was unique from the others with what looked like speakers on the limbs and torso.


    ¡°Okay, thanks, Frequency. Once you¡¯ve got the automatic stuff set up here, fall back to the entrance. Continue to map the mountain and surrounding area. We need to find out if they¡¯ve managed to drill other tunnels closer to the surface.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Galen had heard the stories, but it was the first time he was in the presence of actual Threnosh.


    Weapons and armor made from their super metal were among the most prized possessions of the Golden Eagles.


    They were only brought out for the most dire situations and placed in the hands of the best fighters.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m going down,¡± Remy Cruces said. ¡°You guys head back outside and help.¡±


    ¡°Yo, bro. What happened to don¡¯t split the party?¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°Too many monsters and a lot of them are powerful out there. We need to hold the fort or we¡¯re going to have to bring all the wounded down here with the Bat People. I can handle a worm incursion by myself.¡± He sighed. ¡°I hate caves.¡±


    Jayde shrugged.


    ¡°Whatever, you¡¯re the underground expert. All hail the metal god!¡± She bowed theatrically. ¡°C¡¯mon, kid. Hayden¡¯s been pissing her panties thinking you were dead or worm-brained.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ what¡¯s happening¡­¡± he let her lead him by the hand like he was a little kid again.


    The other woman shared an intimate moment with Remy Cruces.


    ¡°That¡¯s his wife. Some kind of crazy healing class. They spent like a couple of years on another world leading a mole people rebellion against those Stone Lords bastards. Yup, years deep underground. Let me tell you, if I had gone through that no way I¡¯d willing go into caves and shit. Anyways, don¡¯t worry about him.¡±


    Galen looked back.


    Remy Cruces jumped into the hole.


    Mrs. Cruces watched for a moment before heading back to the same tunnel they entered.


    All the while, those Threnosh alien guys set up a bunch of speaker-looking things around the hole and all over the cavern.


    ¡°So, level up?¡± Jayde said.


    ¡°I¡­ uh¡­¡± Galen hadn¡¯t noticed in the middle of the life and death struggle and all the pain. ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    Multiple levels in fact.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s just great! Lots of monsters outside! More opportunities! Yay!¡±

 9.0 Prologue

    Southern California, Fall, 2050


    Legendary pop-rock front woman Casey Cool sat on a high stool in the middle of a tiny stage inside a cozy bar.


    Smokers smoked their vice of choice, but bothered no one thanks to the owner¡¯s Skill. The smoke and odor vanished before they could spread more than a foot away from every table, booth and barstool.


    Casey was dressed for comfort.


    T-shirt, light jacket, jeans.


    Stylish simplicity.


    Her blond hair hung loose to her shoulders, framing her round face.


    No make up.


    Glasses.


    No band.


    One microphone.


    An acoustic guitar.


    She took requests from the small, intimate crowd.


    It wasn¡¯t small by the people¡¯s choice.


    A huge crowd had gathered outside the bar as soon as those lucky enough to be on the inside spread the word when she had taken the stage.


    Like many things in modern life, the music scene had been fundamentally changed by the spires.


    Musicians had always played and sang for the art.


    The need for money in the old world had always clashed with that purity of purpose and performance.


    Only a few managed it and they, in time, burned out when commercial forces subsumed their art.


    The many that failed had been forced to give it up for the mundane just to afford a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs only having rare snatches of time in which to pick up their instrument or raise their voices.


    Dreams.


    An old song.


    Alin was familiar with it thanks to his parents¡¯ musical tastes.


    A random request from a random old man at the bar.


    Casey strummed and sang.


    Haunting.


    Serendipitous.


    For Alin¡¯s dreams were why he sat in the small booth with Kat.


    She pressed tightly against his side, holding his hand underneath the table.


    ¡°Oh my god!¡± She grinned. ¡°We¡¯re so lucky!¡±


    The top artists performed for Universal Points and levels.


    Their Quests were along those lines.


    Some rewarded them for their ranking in the charts as voted on by the people.


    Others rewarded them for simply eliciting true emotion from 30 people inside a bar.


    Many did what Casey was doing.


    They slipped into small venues or sometimes even set up on the side of a busy street or in a park filled with families enjoying the sunshine.


    Often unannounced.


    ¡°Yeah, lucky...¡± He nodded.


    It was certainly lucky that he had dad that could find out when and where Casey was going to do one of her pop-up performances.


    Serendipitous that this one coincided with his and Kat¡¯s four year anniversary.


    ¡°Best anniversary ever!¡±


    It was a shame that he was going to ruin it.


    Dreams.


    The song.


    His.


    He placed a magic gem on the table to create a bubble of silence against physical and magical means.


    Then, he placed a tiny speaker-like device. Of Threnosh make, it manipulated sound waves by rendering them null after a short distance.


    For anyone other than him and Kat there would be nothing to hear.


    ¡°Um, I have something to tell you.¡±


    Kat¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Not ask?¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s, uh, something about me and¡­ please, just hear me out.¡±


    ¡°Always.¡±


    ¡°I just want you to know that I love you and whatever you decide won¡¯t change that.¡± He took a deep breath. ¡°I, uh, I should show you first. Before, um¡­ well¡­¡±


    He had practiced his words, but his hammering heart knotted his tongue.


    Heat rushed to his head.


    To not know how she¡¯d react felt like having a sword tip pressed into his throat.


    Thrust or withdraw.


    Death and life.


    To stand on the precipice of that cliff was the hardest thing he had ever faced.


    He turned the hand not holding hers palm up on the table.


    A thought.


    An expression of near-unconscious will, like breathing or the blinking of his eye lids.


    Gray fog appeared, drifting from his palm connected by a barely-perceptible wisp.


    ¡°Oh. My. God. You¡¯ve got your powers!¡± She squealed like a child on Christmas morning.


    Her arms wrapped tightly around him as she planted a deep kiss on his lips.


    ¡°So cool! What does it do?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s kind of a long story.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t look her in the eyes.


    Casey¡¯s voice crooned.


    ¡°I swear. I didn¡¯t know. I, um, dreamed¡­¡±


    <hr>


    Two Weeks Earlier


    Excitement morphed to dread as he showed his parents his newly-emerged power.


    Sure it was a small puff of gray smoke, but better than nothing, right?


    His mom¡¯s smile was frozen on her face.


    His dad¡¯s face was neutral.


    Not worried or excited.


    It was familiar look.


    The kind his dad always had when fighting monsters, no matter how terrible.


    ¡°Um, guys¡­¡±


    ¡°Come over here, Boy.¡± His mom¡¯s superhuman strength didn¡¯t brook protest as she gently and firmly led him to the couch where she promptly threw her arms around him in a vise-like hug.


    ¡°Well¡­ now is the time.¡±


    His dad sighed and a pit suddenly formed in Alin¡¯s stomach.


    The neutral expression had cracked a fraction, which was equivalent to a fissure in the earth.


    His dad looked scared, sad and any number of emotions.


    ¡°Computer. Open folder A. Display in living room. Thank you,¡± his dad said.


    The holographic projection appeared in front of them.


    ¡°Where to start¡­¡±


    His mom rubbed Alin¡¯s back. It was distracting, but she ignored his attempts to shrug her off.


    ¡°Here. What do you see?¡±


    His dad directed his attention to the projection.


    ¡°Folders, files¡­ my medical history?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. Pick a file, randomly.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand¡ª fine, third row, fifth column.¡±


    His dad opened it with a gesture.


    ¡°What do you see?¡±


    ¡°Results of one of my physicals, obviously.¡±


    ¡°And.¡±


    ¡°I dunno. Good, healthy stats for a human being, excuse me, Earthian.¡± He rolled his eyes. ¡°Tests once a quarter. All my life. Normal and healthy.¡±


    ¡°Okay, now pick another one.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± he sighed.


    They went through several more files.


    All the same, except for that one time when he was a child after a summer in Manila with his grandparents. Too much sugar and fatty foods had done a number on his vitals.


    He lost patience after the thirtieth random file.


    ¡°Dad, c¡¯mon. Can you just, like, get to the point.¡± He glanced at the clock down in the corner of the projection. ¡°I have things to do. I was hoping you could help me get started working on my power.¡± He helped up a hand and created a tiny, cloud-like fluff of gray mist.


    His dad¡¯s face twitched, while his mom held him even tighter.


    ¡°Okay, okay. So, do you accept that 21 years of scientific medical tests have determined that you are biologically Earthian.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°Magical test results next.¡±


    ¡°Hey? I always wondered why none of my other friends were doing the same magical tests that I was?¡±


    ¡°Please, pick a file.¡±


    He did at random.


    The video played with a voice over.


    It was him as a chubby toddler, sitting in the middle of a magic circle.


    He didn¡¯t remember that particular instance.


    Ms. Teacher¡¯s sonorous voice spoke as the circle on the floor glowed.


    ¡°Human. Earth. No anomalous foreign entities detected. No hidden essences. Spiritual signature consistent with local world standards. Affirmed by my name as Archwizard of the High.¡±


    His dad made him pick another one.


    He was older. A teenager. He remembered this test.


    The magus stood nearby as she directed several of her eyes to scrutinize him where he sat.


    She hadn¡¯t said anything.


    Well, that wasn¡¯t entirely true.


    She had said he looked good and healthy.


    At the time he hadn¡¯t thought anything about it.


    Her voice over was obviously recorded after.


    ¡°This is the Magus of the Twelve Eyes. My scans confirm that Alin Cruces is one hundred percent a human being.¡±


    More recorded tests.


    Various mage-types, science-types, even the Threnosh.


    ¡°Earthian. Genetic signature consistent with Honor.¡±


    His dad brought up a 3D image of two DNA helixes.


    ¡°The one on the left is mine and the one on the right is yours.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take your word for it.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t like he understood what he was looking at.


    ¡°You¡¯ll note the people that did the tests. Like the rest, they signed their names to it. Staked their expertise on the results being accurate. There are hundreds of these signed affidavits all done under multiple truth spells, Skills and other irrefutable ways.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sure, but I¡¯m kinda starting to freak out now, so, can you just get to the point!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Boy. Context is important,¡± his mom said.


    ¡°Before we continue I need you to acknowledge all this data,¡± his dad said. ¡°I mean really internalize it. Not just nod your head because you want to move ahead.¡±


    ¡°Fine¡­ there¡­ internalized.¡±


    His dad raised a brow.


    Alin let out a breath before actively focusing on what they had just covered.


    ¡°Okay, all tests, science and magic, performed by the highest leveled, most expert people in the world say that I¡¯m a normal human¡ª Earthian!¡± He held up the gray mist. ¡°Except they were wrong.¡±


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    ¡°You studied the Manila Fog Quest?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, broadly in kid school and in depth from a strategic and tactical perspective in Ranger school.¡±


    ¡°Your mom and I never told you this before because, well, we thought it would be the best for you. Especially, if you remained a ¡®normal¡¯ human. The truth would¡¯ve only served to make things more difficult for you in that case.¡±


    ¡°Boy, we love you regardless of any thing. No matter what happens,¡± his mom said.


    ¡°You weren¡¯t, uh, born, in a traditional sense.¡± His dad continued. ¡°I found you.¡±


    Facts clicked into place in Alin¡¯s mind, like pieces of a puzzle he hadn¡¯t known he was picking up.


    His age coincided with the Manila Fog Quest.


    His physical appearance. Though much taller than his dad, they could¡¯ve been twins at the same age. His grandmother had tons of pictures of his dad growing up and he remembered the his uncanny resemblance at those same ages. Especially, now that he was approaching his prime, while his dad had seemingly been fixed in his.


    And most of all¡­ the dreams.


    Years of it.


    He hadn¡¯t been dreaming a made up scenario plumbed from the depths of his subconscious.


    He had been remembering deeply buried memories.


    It was why Lilah had always seemed so familiar to him from his earliest memory.


    Why her sigils simultaneously filled him with warmth and dread.


    His dad told the entire tale unflinchingly.


    He tried to listen actively.


    The gray mist¡ª the fog in his hand¡ª he clenched his fist killing it.


    He tried, but couldn¡¯t deny the truth in his dad¡¯s words.


    Would that it had been a practical joke.


    He¡¯d much prefer that cruelty than the truth.


    Not human.


    He had never been one of them.


    <hr>


    Kat touched the gray fog hovering over his palm.


    No hesitation.


    Stuck a finger right in it and wiggled it around.


    ¡°It¡¯s cool! So, what else can you do with it?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, dude. Share the details of your new powers!¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ just to be clear¡­ you do understand that I¡¯m the fog monster?¡±


    ¡°No. That¡¯s not what you said. Your dad and mom said the fog disappeared and left a human baby. One hundred percent human according to thousands of tests. Magic and science agreed.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but¡­¡± he nodded at the gray fog.


    ¡°So? Residual powers. What did your dad say again? You said they ran new tests?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°And? Are you fog on the inside?¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    ¡°Okay, then what¡¯s the problem.¡±


    ¡°How about the whole subsuming people and turning them into¡ª so many people. Most of my relatives¡­ are they even my relatives?¡±


    ¡°Again, you said you¡¯ve got your dad¡¯s genetics, right? Like, you¡¯re his son, not a clone. Honestly, that¡¯d be weirder, being a clone.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but not my mom¡¯s¡­¡±


    In one way that had been a harder blow than anything else.


    Even though she had assured him that it didn¡¯t matter to her he still couldn¡¯t help but feel devastated about it.


    ¡°I know your mom, she loves you, loved you this whole time. Unconditional and stuff.¡±


    ¡°Still¡­¡± he sighed. ¡°What about you?¡±


    ¡°What about me?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­ I, uh, I¡¯d understand if you didn¡¯t want to be together anymore¡­¡±


    His eyes never left the table.


    Fine-looking grain in the wood.


    ¡°Look at me, Boy.¡±


    He did.


    ¡°It¡¯s a lot to take in, but I don¡¯t care.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°Wait, let me finish. I already know what you¡¯re going to say.¡± She rolled her eyes. ¡°I could say so many things, but ultimately I don¡¯t care. So, you were a fog baby, so what? There¡¯s worst things. Remember Chrome¡¯s boyfriend?¡± She laced her fingers with his and squeezed. ¡°You look and feel fine. I trust you completely.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you at least want to take a few days to think about it. I don¡¯t want to ruin your life. What if I turn into¡ª¡± he couldn¡¯t bring himself to say it.


    ¡°I said I trust you. So, why don¡¯t you trust the people that care about you?¡±


    He had said the same thing to his parents.


    They had said the same thing as Kat.


    He had pressed them and forced them to promise that they¡¯d do whatever it took to protect everyone else if it came down to it.


    He hadn¡¯t quite believed in the sincerity of their words.


    ¡°The dangers¡ª¡±


    ¡°Are everywhere around us anyways.¡± She shrugged. ¡°But, if you insist.¡±


    ¡°Yes, please. Just, really think about it. I¡¯ll completely understand if you don¡¯t want to be with me anymore.¡±


    ¡°This kind of talk isn¡¯t exactly a happy one on our anniversary. Here, I thought you were going to¡ª¡± she gave him a wry smile. ¡°Never mind. Fine. I¡¯ll think about it, but I¡¯m not going to change my answer. We¡¯re halves of a whole. It just turns out you¡¯ve got a fog superpower. I hope it¡¯s good at least.¡±


    ¡°Please be serious.¡±


    ¡°Oh my god! You look like my sister¡¯s puppy when his blanket gets taken away for washing.¡± She laughed.


    ¡°Not funny.¡±


    ¡°It really is!¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon¡­¡±


    ¡°Fine. I guess this was why you¡¯ve been so down over the last few weeks.¡± She sighed, rubbing his back.


    What was with the back rubs from the women in his life whenever he was sad?


    ¡°So, how many days will I have to ¡®think¡¯ about this?¡±


    He frowned.


    ¡°Listen, Boy, I¡¯ll really think about it, promise, but I can¡¯t pretend I¡¯ll change my mind. So, how many days will you accept?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how long it¡¯s supposed to take. A week? Two?¡±


    ¡°Okay. A week it is. Now, you try to not think about it. I want us to enjoy our anniversary date. Like I said, as far as I¡¯m concerned there¡¯s nothing for me to worry about. I hear and acknowledge that you feel differently. And I wish I could ease your mind with my words.¡±


    ¡°No, no, it does. They did. I just¡ª I¡¯m happy you didn¡¯t run out of here screaming.¡± He gave her a sad smile.


    ¡°Jeez, you just have to accept that I love you and that you love me.¡±


    ¡°I do love you. It¡¯s why¡ª¡±


    ¡°Nuh uh.¡± She wagged a finger. ¡°I already said I¡¯ll ¡®think¡¯ about it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Okay, good.¡±


    She kissed him.


    ¡°Now, drop the silence stuff. I can¡¯t believe Casey happened to be performing here at the same time¡ª¡± her eyes narrowed up at him. ¡°It¡¯s not a coincidence.¡±


    A statement, not a question.


    ¡°I asked my dad¡­ to ask her¡­¡±


    ¡°Wait¡ª what?¡± Her jaw dropped. ¡°Your dad knows Casey Cool!¡±


    ¡°Sort of, not really, more like an acquaintance. He, uh, took her application to move here from Old Florida or something like that. I don¡¯t know why he was taking applications.¡±


    ¡°Oh. My. God! Do you think you could introduce me?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know her.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but your dad.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t just walk up to her and say she knows my dad. It¡¯d be weird and why would she believe me?¡±


    ¡°You do look like your dad, you know?¡± She batted her eyes up at him. ¡°Please¡­¡±


    He folded like a cheap chair.


    It turned out that Casey Cool accepted his identity based solely on the father-son resemblance.


    He didn¡¯t know how to feel about the highlight of the night for Kat being the chance to talk with her favorite singer and getting a picture and an autograph.


    He decided that if she was happy then he was happy.


    So what if his big secret revelation sort of just washed over her?


    Sure he came from a monster and might turn into it again, but no big deal.


    Everyone had been way too calm about it.


    At least Kat hadn¡¯t dropped him instantly. Honestly, he wouldn¡¯t have blamed her. It was the most rational choice.


    Still, the weight lifted a bit.


    A week to wait for her final decision.


    Which left just one more difficult conversation to have.


    <hr>


    Alin stood on the roof of his hotel and casino home.


    He was clad in his full power armor even though he wasn¡¯t on any sort of duty.


    His dad¡¯s doing.


    Pulled him out of his ranger squad too.


    New powers meant practice.


    It made sense.


    The dark night sky lit up like a fireworks show. It was much the same down on the street.


    Human fought monsters.


    The Bountiful Decade, so named by the spires.


    If anything it had been undersold.


    More monsters.


    Turnover times on encounter challenges and spawn zones already cut in half and still steadily dwindling.


    Estimates based on the rate said that in around six months that would be down to a few hours.


    He zoomed in on one of the distant walls.


    Solid iron 10 meters high.


    Uncle Remy¡¯s work.


    His uncle had encircled an area with about a 2 kilometer radius from the hotel casino in less than a day. He had done the same down south. The work would¡¯ve taken years without his uncle¡¯s powers.


    Automatic turrets spat bullets at the tide of monsters.


    Tracers briefly illuminated the fearsome, twisted forms.


    Farther out, he watched a mixed force of Earthian and Threnosh fighters pushing against the tides toward some kind of miniboss monster perched on top of a large building¡¯s ruins.


    Primal led the charge. The old Threnosh sprayed death with more firepower than a modern pre-spires era army.


    The hulking power armor crushed monsters with each step of its thick legs.


    A tank-sized gun on one shoulder boomed. The explosive shell blew apart a monster-packed street.


    The rotary autocannon on the other buzzed down a side street, painting the road and building walls with monster blood and chunks.


    A flame thrower under one arm cooked the monsters that managed to get close.


    The industrial-sized chainsaw under the other carved through a thickly-furred hide that appeared to be made out of metal judging by the sparks scattered over everything.


    The huge monster scored grooves into Primal¡¯s thick chest armor before dying with a booming roar.


    Primal thudded forward.


    The rest followed, firing spells and projectiles as they moved.


    Alin¡¯s gaze turned to the sky.


    A bright flash had drawn his attention.


    Tracers stitched dozens of tracks.


    Anti-air defensive systems at work.


    Colin, the Emerald Raptor, weaved through them on his flying wing.


    Machine guns spat alongside streaking micromissiles.


    A small, bright blue orb shot forth. 200 meters out it exploded, expanding into a huge sphere of crackling lighting.


    The readout in Alin¡¯s faceplate marked a hundred small flying monsters instantly fried.


    Threnosh in Interceptor-type power armor zipped around like tiny birds. They fired thin beams of bright force from their arms. They launched micromissiles and dropped bombs from an attached frame, discarding it when empty.


    Wyverns and drakes were grounded.


    Too much ordinance flying around and they lacked the automated coordination systems of Colin and the Threnosh.


    The chatter over the comms was calm and measured.


    Suddenly, an entire quadrant of sky blazed bright setting off a high temperature warning.


    From cold to a few thousand degrees.


    He silenced the beeping with a cybernetic thought.


    It was his Uncle Eron.


    He raised a hand and waved.


    His uncle had probably already seen him.


    Sure enough, Uncle Eron landed a short distance away.


    ¡°Hey, Boy. I would¡¯ve come sooner, but there was this whole thing¡­ and¡­¡±


    ¡°I know. It¡¯s cool. Thanks for coming. I know you¡¯re always busy.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, so, I¡¯m not going to bullshit you. I did try to kill you when you were a baby. I¡¯m not going to make excuses.¡±


    ¡°You could try?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I don¡¯t want to minimize my actions. So, now that you know, I apologize. It was wrong of me. You¡¯ve proved that by being fine, young man you¡¯ve become.¡±


    ¡°Seriously, I wouldn¡¯t mind some excuses.¡±


    ¡°Eh, your dad showed you what happened, right? That¡¯s the best, most accurate explanation you can get¡­ most.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯d help me, like, understand?¡±


    ¡°Alright. Just for you cause I do feel that I owe you more than I could ever give. Right, so, you were a fog baby and I was scared that you¡¯d do the fog thing one day. That whole time was me at the lowest. Stripped of my powers, down to just the physicals. People kept getting taken and I couldn¡¯t stop it. Worse, they kept coming back. Relatives I knew, ones I didn¡¯t, got subsumed and made to fight me. Over and over again. Close to a year where I lost hope everyday. It was tougher cause they seemed like they were still themselves, you know?¡±


    Alin knew.


    He had no memories of a pre-baby existence, but his dad had shared.


    ¡°So, there you were. I didn¡¯t know it was you or the you you became. Couldn¡¯t look ahead. I was just so tired even with the powers coming back. Even kicked your dad¡¯s ass.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯d say otherwise.¡±


    ¡°No way. I totally beat him up. Ripped his Threnosh armor open.¡±


    ¡°Is that why he kept the surface tear even though the rest of it got fixed?¡±


    ¡°Probably? I figured it was a passive aggressive reminder of what I did.¡±


    ¡°You know, thinking back. I realize that you kept your distance from me when I was growing up. Until like I was, like, 12.¡±


    ¡°Yup. Two reasons. Looking at you reminded me of the fog stuff and I didn¡¯t want to think otherwise in case I had to¡­ well, you know, prevent a repeat. As time went on, you kept proving that you were just a normal little boy. I felt pretty fucked up for waiting on you to go evil monster.¡±


    ¡°What changed?¡±


    ¡°Time. All those tests they did to you. And I got tired of waiting. Most importantly, you¡¯re not a fog monster. You¡¯re just not. You¡¯re family. My nephew. A good kid. Totally not annoying. Lera loves you. I love you.¡±


    ¡°But what if you were right? About the monster?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, no. I was wrong. You¡¯re in control. You make the choices.¡±


    ¡°But what if?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll deal with it together. Everyone.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m scared of losing control. Forgetting everyone. My dad won¡¯t put mental blocks.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯d go with him on that.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Dude, locking it behind a door or hiding from it means you can¡¯t see it coming. Better that you grab it by the throat straight from the beginning, you know? Own it. Control it. Don¡¯t treat it like some monster inside to be scared of. It¡¯d be like subconscious predestination something. You keep seeing yourself as the monster and you become it sort of thing. Don¡¯t see it as a monster and it¡¯s not. So, just really dial down on it in your training. Maybe your dad can do some mind tricks, but not to suppress and imprison, but more along the lines of control?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what he suggested. But, not right away.¡±


    ¡°Probably not a good idea to get you reliant on outside help right away. Easy mode would build bad habits. Like if you were on crutches and someone took them away you¡¯d fall, right?¡±


    ¡°I guess.¡± Alin gazed at the dark sky and the flashes of orange as missiles blew monsters away. ¡°You said you owed me?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ yeah, I guess, but you¡¯re family. I¡¯d pretty much do whatever for family anyways.¡±


    ¡°If I lose control¡ª¡±


    ¡°I promise I¡¯ll do everything I can to help you get it back.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know. I made a mistake 21 years ago. I¡¯d die first before I repeat it.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Boy! That was like my biggest mistake. If the same situation happens again there¡¯s no way I¡¯m making it twice. So, get that self-sacrificing shit out of your head. What¡¯d I tell you about that manifesting shit?¡±


    ¡°You said it yourself. I studied the history. Ten thousand people died. Subsumed by the fog. Turned into slaves. Almost all our¡ª¡±


    Did he really have the right to call them relatives?


    ¡°I¡ª it killed rangers and Watch. It took away brothers, sisters from people I know. This whole time I never knew. How can I make it up to them?¡±


    His uncle laid a hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°You don¡¯t. Cause it wasn¡¯t you. And if you don¡¯t like that answer, then how about this? The one with the most control over your future is you. Do everything you can to prevent what you¡¯re afraid of from happening. The fog entity is gone. I was wrong that day. It died when you were born. Alin Cruces. That¡¯s it no more no less. And you¡¯re gonna do what you¡¯re gonna do.¡±


    ¡°I, uh¡­¡±


    He sort of understood some of what his uncle was saying.


    His uncle¡¯s gaze snapped to the east. ¡°Awww, man¡­ lame,¡± he muttered. ¡°I was hoping we could share a drink.¡± He pulled a stoppered animal horn from a small bag of holding on his belt and handed it over. ¡°Mead from magical honey. Troll recipe. Maybe just try a little sip first, yeah? Listen, I want to stay and talk more, but there¡¯s a giant storm-bringing bird heading this way. And the beeping in my ear piece is telling me that the satellites are picking up problems elsewhere, so¡­¡± He shrugged.


    ¡°Thanks for making the time, uncle. I¡¯m not mad about the baby killing attempt.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that. I think I¡¯d feel a bit better if you were.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t remember it, so it¡¯s not like I formed emotions about it. Seeing my dad¡¯s memories was like watching a movie. Like it was happening to someone else really.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s cool if you change your mind about that.¡± His uncle slowly floated off the roof. ¡°Keep me posted on how the power learning goes. Some of my favorite times were testing mine out. Discovering new things I could on a daily basis. Finding limits or not. It was almost like a real life game, you know, minus the real life consequences. Maybe I can share tips and ideas.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯ll be good for me. And an outside perspective would be more likely to catch things going wrong that I can¡¯t from mine.¡±


    ¡°Nah, I trust you to handle it. Remember, don¡¯t be scared of your powers, be aware¡­ or something like that. It¡¯s the tiger you don¡¯t see that gets you.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ what?¡±


    ¡°A hunter woman in India said that to me once. Thought it was fitting. Maybe ask your dad what it means.¡± His uncle shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ll keep in touch. Oh, Lera says ¡®hi¡¯ and that she¡¯s looking forward to visiting when your other cousins finally come back.¡±


    His uncle zipped away with a wave.


    Loud booms shook the air as he disappeared into the night sky.


    Alin wished he had as much confidence in himself as his uncle.


    Although, he supposed it was a positive thing that the man that tried to kill him as a baby was so sure that things would turn out okay.

 9.1

    Cal crafted the mindscape with exacting precision.


    To anyone without his abilities it was indistinguishable from reality.


    He built a familiar and comfortable place for his son.


    The park across the street from Watch headquarters back in Sacramento.


    Alin had fond memories of the place where he truly began his training in the combat arts.


    Under the greatest swordmaster in the world he had bled and sweat to reach the limits of his potential.


    And limited he had been, without a class or superhuman abilities.


    Until now.


    Cal decided on an overcast fall day with a slight, cool breeze occasional brushing against tree leaves just beginning to lose their green.


    Birds chirped in branches or stalked the grass for buzzing insects while squirrels rushed to and fro getting their last minute shopping done for the holidays.


    Memory he could access at will allowed him to populate the training areas with facsimiles of actual people.


    Instructors bellowed.


    Students grunted.


    Steel and wood clashed.


    Other people walked through the park, lingering on the periphery to watch.


    They led or were led by dogs on leashes.


    Children begged parents to be allowed to train or begged for treats from the carts scattered along the sidewalks.


    There was a young woman that blended ice cream and churros to sublime heights.


    He remembered always buying from her. Mostly for himself and his wife, but also for Alin and the other young kids after training class ended.


    Hanna had always stared at him through narrowed eyes.


    She didn¡¯t believe in forming bad habits because it led to bad discipline.


    He thought otherwise.


    Kids were kids.


    They should always be allowed to be such for as long as possible.


    That¡¯s when one knew that they were doing things right as a world.


    It was a great shame to force them to grow up too quickly.


    Besides, being a kid was the best time to eat like garbage. Especially, when they were actively training.


    Hanna stood there a short distance away as she had been back then.


    Dark black hair tied in a tight ponytail.


    A few small scars on her face.


    Two normal eyes.


    Tall.


    Intimidating, even relaxed as she was.


    Little Alin and his fellow trainees rushed toward him and the ice cream churros in his and Nila¡¯s arms.


    He let the memory play out.


    Happy times.


    When he had still harbored hopes that his son wouldn¡¯t have to fight.


    Of course, he had failed.


    He was no closer to that safer world.


    Terminus.


    Bountiful Decade.


    The spires wanted conflict, craved it and thus, created it.


    It played with their reality like he did with his mindscapes.


    There was a lesson in that.


    An understanding, even if he didn¡¯t like it.


    He could¡¯ve stayed in the moment.


    Surrounded by kids, laughing and smiling. Loving their treats, excited about the cool stuff they pulled off in swordspersonship class.


    But he knew none of it was real.


    Thus, he stopped.


    The people vanished in an instant.


    They had never been there in the first place.


    Alin wouldn¡¯t like them there anyways.


    The fog powers tore at his son, eating away at his confidence.


    He knew that seeing the people as they were back in past would only further drive in how different his son thought of himself when compared to everyone else.


    First, it had been the isolation of not having powers like his parents or a class like his peers.


    Now, it was the knowledge that he was unlike any other Earthian.


    Not born of a father and mother but created by a terrible monster.


    He pulled Alin into the mindscape.


    His son blinked away the momentary disorientation of moving from reality to a construct but not being able to tell the difference.


    ¡°Huh? Is this what my subconscious wanted?¡±


    ¡°I can change it.¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s cool. I was just expecting the usual training chamber. But this is good too.¡±


    ¡°Alright. You know how this works.¡±


    ¡°Yup. You¡¯re in control in here and out there. There¡¯s no danger of me losing it.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s start small and easy. I¡¯ve already mapped out your power¡¯s progression. It should be mostly accurate since I peaked into your psyche. Obviously, things could and probably will change based on real world events. We¡¯ll adjust the training as needed based on that and future scans.¡±


    ¡°Awesome.¡±


    Alin held out his hand, palm up.


    Gray fog emerged.


    It was difficult to see with the normal human eye, but a thin, wispy strand connected the forming baseball-sized cloud to Alin¡¯s hand.


    The fog stopped expanding but thickened, turning from translucent to opaque in a few seconds.


    He felt a bit of pride at how effortlessly his son did that, considering how Alin had resisted going further with it out in the real world.


    Power use at the baseline came instinctively to the holder.


    It had safeguards against accidentally hurting oneself.


    One would need to consciously go past those limits, which wasn¡¯t easy or even possible unless one had truly mastered their abilities.


    Granted he only had a rather small sample size to go by.


    There was no better example than how he used to bleed from the brain when he pushed through his limits.


    What had been a frequent once was now rare.


    He hoped to help his son avoid the same growing pains.


    ¡°How does it feel?¡±


    ¡°Familiar. Like it¡¯s another hand.¡± Alin¡¯s face twisted. ¡°I¡¯ve got three hands and it feels like the most normal thing in the world.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not detecting fog inside of your body. So, we can tentatively guess that you¡¯re generating it spontaneously through an act of will. Out of nothing. Violating the laws of physics, as usual.¡±


    ¡°Still clinging to the old, defunct ways, I see, old man. Do you want some time to shake your fists at the clouds again?¡±


    A bit of his son¡¯s usual self leaked through in the moment.


    ¡°What clouds? Those?¡± He pointed to the sky.


    The thing about the mindscape was that he controlled everything in it.


    His son squinted, shielding his eyes with his free hand as he gazed up.


    ¡°What is that? A mouth? And a turd? Oh? Ha. Ha. I¡¯m telling mom.¡± He smirked. ¡°I will give you points for making it move. Very realistic chewing too.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s see if you can maintain that ball with this movement.¡±


    He sent a squirrel flying into Alin''s face.


    An angry one, prone to scratching and biting.


    His son cursed, swatting it off after a second.


    A bite mark and shallow scratches vanished while the whirling ball of fog hovering over his palm remained.


    ¡°Not even a wobble or the slightest dissipation. Impressive.¡±


    ¡°I told you. It¡¯s like another body part. I¡¯m barely paying attention to it.¡±


    ¡°Fatigue?¡±


    ¡°Either there is none or it¡¯s not noticeable.¡±


    ¡°Tingling in the brain? Body?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°Breathing?¡±


    ¡°Consistent with standing here.¡±


    ¡°Muscle strain?¡±


    ¡°Zero.¡±


    Cal went through a few more potential indicators before deciding to push Alin further.


    ¡°Make it bigger.¡± He created flags, planting them in a circle at 1 meter intervals from Alin in the center. He placed floating ones above and ones only he could ¡®see¡¯ beneath the grass-covered earth. ¡°Start at the lowest density you can manage at each interval. Then thicken it to like you have it now. Then thin it again before moving to the next flag.¡±


    His son frowned.


    ¡°Underground too?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    The frown turned into a scowl.


    ¡°I can¡¯t¡­ I mean I can, but it¡¯s only filling in the empty spaces.¡±


    ¡°Like seeping water?¡±


    ¡°Not even as strong. The fog is just flowing into the cracks. It¡¯s not moving even the smallest bit of soil. And before you ask. I don¡¯t know how I know that.¡±


    ¡°Try to explain.¡±


    Alin¡¯s brow furrowed in the same way it had always since he was a little boy trying to figure out how much cake he could cram into his mouth in one bite.


    ¡°I just know. Like I feel it. I¡¯m touching it with my fingers¡­ but not really.¡±


    ¡°As vague as expected.¡±


    The fog had gone from a dark, dense ball in Alin¡¯s hand to a wispy haze surrounding his body.


    Cal sensed it wavering.


    Did it disappear from existence?


    Or did it go to another extra-dimensional space?


    Perhaps one of pure ¡®fog¡¯?


    The fog dimension?


    If that was the case it raised a lot of troubling questions on the possible fates his son faced.


    ¡°Having trouble?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I feel like it wants to expand equally in all directions, but it can¡¯t so I¡¯m off balance. Like I¡¯m going to fall even though I know I¡¯m just standing here. I¡¯m struggling to keep it from just disappearing.¡±


    ¡°Okay. So, you instinctively form a sphere. Soil is too dense for it, but not air. What do you think?¡±


    Alin answered by lifting his hand over his head.


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°I¡¯ll just move the starting point.¡±


    Cal adjust the flags.


    His son didn¡¯t have any difficulty going through the exercise.


    They moved through several more exercises.


    Alin pushed the starting point of the fog sphere to about 3 meters from his palm and maxed it out until the bottom of the sphere touched the grass. Each time it enveloped his body without issues. Clothing didn¡¯t pose a problem.


    Cal made a mental note to repeat the exercises later with Alin in full power armor and gear.


    An hour passed in the mindscape, while a second elapsed in reality.


    Time had never been a fixed thing.


    It had always been subject to perspective.


    An hour chained to a desk plugging data into a spreadsheet and interpreting data in other spreadsheets took longer to experience than an hour drinking with friends down at the local whisky bar.


    ¡°Now to answer the real question. What does it do?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s cold.¡± Alin shrugged. ¡°What I mean to say is that I think it¡¯s cold. It feels like it¡¯s cold, but I don¡¯t feel cold. Does that make sense?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely.¡±


    ¡°Not, like, freezing cold, but more like cool cold. Hoodie cold.¡±


    ¡°Can you control the temp?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely¡­ not.¡±


    This was the part where Cal purposely withheld information from his son.


    He could simply tell Alin how the power would progress over time and with use, but he knew that knowledge wouldn¡¯t land well at this very early stage.


    He knew his son¡¯s thoughts on the matter.


    Alin needed time for a slow realization and ultimate understanding to accept that which was an intrinsic part of him.


    The fact that Alin had not once asked him to reveal it all was proof of that.


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡±


    ¡°No headache. A little winded. Like I ran around the park a couple of times.¡±


    ¡°What kind of pace did you use?¡±


    ¡°Like a light jog. The kind I can do all day.¡±


    ¡°Oh, good! Let¡¯s try some harder stuff then!¡±


    Hours turned into days into weeks.


    Long days followed by quick nights.


    Simulating sleep was necessary to trick the brain and body to avoid the effects of sleep deprivation even though only a few hours had passed in reality.


    Mind over matter was a truism in the environment.


    Meal breaks were necessary for the same reason.


    Full immersion protected the mind.


    Fidelity would eventually break otherwise.


    Alin progressed quickly within a safe space to practice his new power.


    He felt less concerned with the possibility that he¡¯d lose control and usher in a repeat of the Manila Fog Quest.


    He increased his range and speed.


    Failed to solve the issue of moving his fog through anything denser than air.


    That included his clothing and armor.


    The gray only emerged through bare skin. It came easiest through his hands, but he could reliably call it forth from any part of his body.


    Discovering that and practicing it had been an embarrassing day for him.


    Although, he did see the comedic possibilities of using certain areas of the body to expel the fog.


    It became clear fairly quickly that Alin¡¯s fog resembled the monster.


    Cal copied a myriad of scanning and detection devices. Technological, magical and both.


    At the fog¡¯s sparsest state the devices didn¡¯t have any problems detecting Alin, other living creatures and inanimate objects inside its sphere.


    The readings grew increasingly garbled as his son increased the density.


    At its most opaque all, but the most powerful devices, detected nothing.


    It was like an empty void or a blank wall behind which nothing existed.


    Alin hadn¡¯t been happy to discover that it had been the same with the fog monster.


    ¡°So, expect power levels to take precedence¡­ as usual. Don¡¯t assume it¡¯s impenetrable.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t going to.¡±


    ¡°Good, Boy!¡±


    ¡°Ha. Ha.¡±


    ¡°Are you ready for the next set of tests?¡±


    ¡°No, but I have to do it, right?¡±


    ¡°We can take a break. A real one. How¡¯s a week in actual reality sound?¡±


    Alin shook his head.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather get as much as we can done in one session.¡±


    He didn¡¯t like being on the shelf while his girlfriend, family, friends and everyone else were putting in long, daily shifts defending their community.


    ¡°Alright. What loadout do you want?¡±


    Alin thought for a moment. ¡°Undersuit. Multi-weapon. We can try other weapons later. I want to keep it simple for now.¡±


    ¡°Done.¡±


    The items appeared on Alin and in his hand.


    The wire shoot out of the hilt and the hardlight blade flashed to life.


    He raised his left hand and called forth a hazy sphere of gray with a diameter close to 50 meters.


    It would contract as he increased its density, forcing him to create more to keep the size constant.


    ¡°Ready for whatever,¡± Alin said.


    ¡°We¡¯ll start small.¡±


    Cal created a handful of the human-sized gremlins.


    A classic.


    Lean and wiry, they hunched over warily. Their claws dug into the earth as they readied themselves in a sprinter-like stance.


    Mouths opened and closed, snapping sharp teeth together as spittle flew.


    Rather, Cal made them do all that.


    He felt it before Alin said a word.


    The gremlins were a product of his psionic powers, so he could experience what they experienced, feel what they felt.


    It brought him back to Manila and many years ago.


    The creeping dread of countless eyes on you.


    The slow, growing malaise that weakened the will while fatiguing the body.


    It crept up on a person. The change was subtle as the body¡¯s stamina drained and struggled to recharge.


    ¡°Are you doing anything intentionally?¡±


    ¡°No, but I think I know what you¡¯re talking about. I think I feel them tiring.¡±


    The gremlins weren¡¯t actually moving much.


    A snarl here. Flexed fingers there. Eyes focusing on their target.


    ¡°Yeah. There¡¯s a drain effect going on. It feels tiny, but I¡¯m feeling something. Might just be adrenaline though¡­ er¡­ a facsimile of adrenaline.¡±


    ¡°Both. Your actual body is mirroring some of your mindscape body¡¯s response. Do you want to try controlling the drain effect consciously?¡±


    ¡°I think I have to, right? It¡¯s the whole point of this thing.¡±


    ¡°Not if you aren¡¯t ready.¡±


    Alin mulled it over in silence for awhile before he steeled his gaze on the gremlins and nodded.


    Concentration furrowed his brow.


    The effect was quick.


    The gremlins slumped to the grass like puppets with their strings suddenly severed.


    ¡°Well¡­ crap. That felt really good.¡±


    ¡°Details.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s simple. Took effort to do it. A lot more noticeable than what I¡¯ve done so far, but I got that energy back almost right away.¡±


    ¡°Net gain?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure.¡± Alin nodded. ¡°Er¡­ do I need to¡­¡± He pointed his hardlight blade at the unconscious gremlins.


    ¡°No point.¡± Cal waved them out of existence and replaced them with one much larger gremlin.


    The huge monster was a super-sized version of the others. It was ubiquitous as the miniboss for most lower level encounter challenges and spawn zones in populated areas.


    Alin had fought and killed many.


    The Threnosh power armor made them trivial opponents.


    Just the undersuit meant that they still weren¡¯t much of a threat.


    ¡°Okay. Go ahead.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ shouldn¡¯t I try with it not just standing there?¡±


    ¡°Later. We do our practicing and testing in safe, controlled scenarios building on each session.¡±


    The large gremlin lasted much longer than the human-sized ones.


    It took just over three minutes for it to fall into unconsciousness.


    Alin had struggled, but once again he ended up at a net positive in stamina.


    ¡°Feels so weird. Like I was hitting a wall. Then it was like I hit the turbo and shot right up the ramp. Went from nothing to a whole lot.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to work on making it smoother. It¡¯ll be a different story if you¡¯re trying to drain while they¡¯re coming for your face.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of¡­¡±


    ¡°You sure you don¡¯t want a break? Think this over. Meditate a bit. Regain focus. I don¡¯t need powers to notice that you¡¯re riding something like an adrenaline rush.¡±


    ¡°No. This is the exact scenario I need to practice for the real world stuff. Like you said. The monsters won¡¯t stand there for me.¡±


    ¡°Alright. What do you want?¡±


    ¡°Normal gremlins, but, like, twice as much.¡±


    <hr>


    Alin lay in the hospital bed.


    It was an upgraded thing. All sleek and matte gray in keeping with the Threnosh aesthetics. It wasn¡¯t one of the pods. Those were reserved for the most dire of injuries. The kind that pushed people to the edge between life and death.


    Holographic projections displayed Alin¡¯s vital signs.


    ¡°You know, in the old days you¡¯d have to have needles and wires sticking out of you. Now we can just scan you and stick a few patches on for the more in depth stuff.¡±


    ¡°I know, Dad. You and Mom made me volunteer at hospitals when I was a kid. Not everyone has Threnosh stuff like we do.¡±


    ¡°Working on it and it¡¯s not the end all, be all. Some of the magitech they¡¯re pioneering in Sactown is just as good. Then there¡¯s high level spells and Skills.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I mean, high level doctors can get all this just by using their Skills.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great, but also bad.¡±


    ¡°Right, cause it¡¯s like replacing infrastructure, organization and institutional knowledge with one person. Something happens to them and it could be a crippling loss if you don¡¯t have other people ready to take their place. Even if you have that, there¡¯s going to be a transitional period while the new guys level up and that could take years. About the only guarantee you¡¯d have is that people are going to suffer and die during.¡±


    Cal smiled.


    His son hadn¡¯t forgotten old school lessons.


    More importantly, Alin was showing good willpower and control in not complaining about the raging headache and asking for something to help with the pain.


    Mindscape training wasn¡¯t easy.


    There was a steep price for the massive advantages it gave.


    The chamber shook from a sudden and powerful gust of wind.


    He had brought them and the structure to the isolated island in one trip.


    It was about as large as a two bedroom apartment.


    The custom job had been made in one piece to provide everything they needed for the training period.


    Alin had insisted on a location far from people and impossible for him to leave in the event his fears came to pass.


    Easter Island had been a spawn zone.


    They had left it alone because the stone monsters, which vaguely resembled the Moai in miniature, had always stayed on the island.


    It belonged to Cal now. Although, he planned to let it go once they no longer needed it.


    ¡°This place is actually a pretty good example of that. The population here had a written language. The, I guess, glyphs were carved into wood tablets. At least that¡¯s all that remained. They probably wrote on other things too. The sad thing is that they were untranslatable.¡±


    ¡°No Rosetta Stone?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°Sucks.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely. Think of the knowledge lost. Or even just their history.¡±


    ¡°Let me guess¡­ colonizers killed them all? Although, it¡¯s barren. What could the people have had that the colonizers wanted to take?¡±


    ¡°People will always have something that other people want. Want to take an educated guess? I¡¯ll give you a hint. It has something to do why the Rongorongo never got translated like the Egyptian hieroglyphs.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a weird-sounding name. Pretty cool though,¡± Alin said with a nod that made him grimace. He still didn¡¯t ask for help and instead continued. ¡°The Church wanted to make everybody Catholic. They killed anyone that knew how to read and write it. Then they destroyed what the people had recorded. Same thing they did in the Americas. Destroy the culture and replace it with your own.¡±


    ¡°Yup. The playbook¡¯s pretty standard for imperialists.¡±


    ¡°Which means slavery. Okay. I got this. They came here and enslaved the people. It¡¯s a small island without a lot of resources. Probably, just enough if you lived in balance with the nature junk. So, I¡¯m guessing the slavers didn¡¯t stay here and build plantations.¡±


    ¡°Peru.¡±


    ¡°An old country in South America.¡±


    ¡°Do you know where, specifically?¡±


    ¡°Well, we¡¯re in the South Pacific, so it has to be on the coast. Is it the long, skinny one?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s Chile. Peru¡¯s just north. It was done in the 1800¡¯s. Slavers came, took people and left diseases. The end result was that anyone that knew how to read and write the glyphs were murdered. A language and history lost forever.¡±


    ¡°No one found something like the Rosetta Stone?¡±


    ¡°Not that anyone knows of.¡±


    ¡°It might be buried somewhere out there. Maybe you could find it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, if it is, then probably. We¡¯ve got the tech, magic and powers to make archaeological expeditions trivially easy. It¡¯s just that there¡¯s no time. I can¡¯t justify the resources and effort when we need to dedicate everything to violence.¡±


    ¡°Sucks though. I think it¡¯d be pretty cool to find lost cities and civilizations, like Uncle Eron always talks about.¡±


    ¡°The problem with that is how will we be able to tell the difference between a true piece of ancient human history or something the spires created. Your uncle¡¯s been to places like that deep in the Amazon and the Congo. Even brought back samples for study. No one has found anything conclusive when it comes to dating the sites.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I get it. The stuff under San Diego dates like it¡¯s thousands of years old, except there was nothing under San Diego until the spires.¡±


    ¡°Same with the stuff under the pyramids in Egypt. Tunnels and necropolises were already there pre-spires, but they were nowhere near as expansive as they are now. Did the spires add to them to make the challenges bigger? Or were they already there and archaeologists just hadn¡¯t uncovered them? You can repeat that story with places all over the world.¡±


    ¡°Should we be writing our history and knowledge in stone? Cause, that¡¯s, like, the only thing that really lasts for thousands of years. I bet you or Uncle Eron could do it. Or Uncle Remy could do it on metal. I¡¯m picturing, like, a huge wall on the moon. Or maybe even in space.¡±


    ¡°And how will the people that come after be able to read them in both cases?¡±


    ¡°Put the wall flat on the surface of the moon¡­ so, I guess it¡¯s more of a floor. And telescopes.¡±


    ¡°Or maybe I could put it into humanity¡¯s collective unconscious.¡±


    Alin scowled. ¡°You can do that?¡±


    ¡°No idea. Don¡¯t really want to try. Seems like something I can mess up badly. First, I¡¯d need to find out if that collective unconscious is an actual thing. And there¡¯s the whole ethical question.¡±


    ¡°Oh! I know!¡± Alin snapped his fingers, then winced at the sound. ¡°Genetic memory. You, Threnosh tech and magic. Burn all our knowledge and history into our genetic code junk. Make it so people can access it. Like a library in their heads.¡±


    ¡°Ah! But, what sort of fundamental changes would that bring? Would humanity still be human at that point?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just like evolution.¡± Alin shrugged.


    ¡°It does bring up interesting thoughts. But, remember, just cause we can do something doesn¡¯t mean we should.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Makes sense.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I think you¡¯ve held out long enough. Do you want help for that headache?¡±


    Alin hesitated.


    ¡°I¡¯m not testing you.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you always, though?¡± His son pointed out reasonably and factually accurate a majority of the time. ¡°Let¡¯s finish the debrief first. I don¡¯t want to knockout while it¡¯s still fresh.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t like fighting the simulated Earthians.¡± He went straight to what had brought an end to their first training session. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°It was intimate. When I drained them of energy it was like I was also taking them into me. It was like I was starting to be them. We studied the fog monster. I was doing what it was doing.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s something to work on next session. You¡¯ll have to learn to take only the stamina and not the essence or soul.¡±


    ¡°Dad, when you say things like that I don¡¯t feel good about my powers. Like, it reinforces the idea that I shouldn¡¯t have this for the sake of everyone.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not the fog, Boy. You¡¯re you. You¡¯re in control of you. You¡¯ll learn and improve. Remember, progress isn¡¯t a straight path. It¡¯s winding. It goes up mountains and down valleys. You¡¯ll hit dead ends and come across raging rivers and blocked passages. You¡¯ll have to backtrack and find the right path many times. You¡¯ll move forward and back. Sometimes more of the former. Sometimes it¡¯ll be the latter. The important thing is that you keep putting one foot in front of the other.¡±


    ¡°There are a lot of different paths, though. One might be good for me, but bad for the people I care about.¡±


    ¡°Then you¡¯ll choose the one that is good for all.¡±


    ¡°But, I won¡¯t know until I get to the end. What if I think it¡¯s a good one, but it turns bad at the end? What if I pick the wrong path?¡±


    ¡°Then you change it. Make it what you want it to be.¡±

 9.2

    Easter Island, Fall, 2050


    His son didn¡¯t quite believe his words.


    Alin¡¯s confidence and belief in himself ebbed and flowed like the tide.


    ¡°I had an idea. In case of emergencies that might pull me away. What if I put a series of prerecorded, so to speak, training sessions into your head. They¡¯ll cover each step of your progression. You¡¯ll have to complete each one and pass a test to move on to the next. Obviously, I¡¯ll put time limits in place since I know you¡¯ll be tempted to try to get through them as fast as possible. Everything will be tied in to your safety. Mind and body. I¡¯ll give you the ability to start it.¡±


    Alin asked detailed questions like he had been taught.


    It took another half hour to hammer out the lesson plan to a level that was satisfactory to the two of them.


    ¡°So, with your consent I¡¯ll get started while you sleep.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sounds good. And, um, what about putting in the other safeguards we talked about the other day?¡±


    ¡°No. I think that complete mental blocks are potentially more dangerous than not. It could create a situation where your psyche is split. Your power is a part of you. On some level your subconscious will always seek to use it. Like you said before, it¡¯s like breathing or blinking. Attempts to deny it will only make that part try harder to be seen and heard. You¡¯d be at war with yourself.¡±


    ¡°And war doesn¡¯t leave anyone that fought it better off than before.¡±


    ¡°Not necessarily. What is better and what is worse is a matter of perspectives. That individual¡¯s and those around them. It¡¯d be more accurate to say that the person will be changed by the experience.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to turn evil monster, Dad. Can¡¯t you just make me safe?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t. If I try I might just bring about exactly what you don¡¯t want.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Uncle Eron said the same thing. That it was better that I knew that there was a tiger in the jungle stalking me than not.¡±


    ¡°Ignorance in that scenario isn¡¯t bliss. Although, death by tiger sneak attack is perhaps the preferable way of dying to a wild animal. You don¡¯t want a bear. Big bastards will just plant a paw on your chest and start eating you alive. They just have good PR.¡±


    ¡°Not helping, Dad,¡± Alin said flatly.


    ¡°What¡¯s even better than knowing there¡¯s a tiger is knowing exactly where it is¡­ or maybe putting it in a cage. Or a large enclosure. Wild life sanctuary park. Just don¡¯t be in the jungle with a tiger in the first place.¡±


    ¡°Okay, that last analogy doesn¡¯t really apply to my situation, does it?¡± Alin rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Yeah. You¡¯re basically the prey, the tiger and the environment. Splitting it up where the jungle is your body, while the prey is the part of you that doesn¡¯t want the power and the tiger is the part that wants the power¡­ doesn¡¯t really work since it¡¯s all the same being. Oh. My. God. You¡¯re the Holy Trinity. Three in one. Separate, but the same¡­ at the same time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m telling grandma about your blasphemy.¡±


    Cal waved a hand.


    ¡°She was used to it long before the spires showed up. On that note, are you ready to rest?¡±


    Alin nodded.


    He floated a few magic pills from the small bottle next to the bed along with a glass of magic water.


    Alin would sleep while they worked to repair the brain damage. He¡¯d wake with only a slight headache.


    Mindscape training sessions didn¡¯t usually go as long.


    When Alin woke in about a day there¡¯d be a special recovery meal prepared by Chef Alex. In fact the chef had put every once of skill and Skill into all of Alin¡¯s meals for the next two weeks. They needed to be eaten right away for the most potent effect, but he couldn¡¯t justify taking the chef all the way out to Easter Island for a week. The man was too valuable back home even if Alin had been okay with other people being around.


    Cal took a few minutes of real time to insert the training sessions into his son¡¯s head. He had taken inspiration for the idea from a classic movie. It had been about a city in space, shrouded in perpetual darkness. An experiment run by aliens on humanity. Incidentally, he and the aliens had quite a bit in common when it came to their power set. Though, he had more and was a lot stronger.


    After he finished he took a moment to step outside the structure.


    The island¡¯s landscape was barren aside from soil, grass and rocks.


    Moai stood where they had for who knows how long.


    Silent sentinels gazing out into eternity.


    Alin was right.


    Stone withstood the ravages of time better than what they used to build their structures.


    Even the tallest skyscraper would crumble to nothing long before the alien visages surrounding him.


    Wood rotted. Iron rusted. Glass shattered. Plastics?


    They too broke down. Sure, it was into microscopic bits that then spread out into the environment to basically remain there forever.


    But, some morons believed that didn¡¯t really count if they couldn¡¯t see them with the naked eye.


    People of the pre-spires modern era had been filled with the stuff straight from the mother¡¯s womb.


    Turning superhuman solved the problem for him.


    Those initial physical scans back on the Threnosh world had told him that.


    A few doctors and scientific-types were working on it for the rest of the population.


    Everyone working together could¡¯ve turned the world into a paradise within a generation if they didn¡¯t have monsters and invaders to deal with.


    Then again, the classes and powers that could make that happen came with said evils.


    ¡°What¡¯s the solution?¡±


    No one answered.


    Except for the crab monsters.


    They came out of the ocean. Big as cars. On scuttling legs that could spear right through a steel chestplate. Claws the size of a man clacked menacingly.


    He killed them all with a thought.


    ¡°That¡¯s a lot of meat.¡±


    Monster flesh tasted bad at best and could killed a person at worst.


    It took levels and Skills to make it edible. And the cook-type needed to be high level to get anything worthwhile out of the dish.


    These crab monsters weren¡¯t found off the California coast, which meant it was worth bring some back for experimentation.


    He did have a chest of holding with a lot of capacity.


    He began breaking down the crab monster corpses with a sigh.


    Well, he didn¡¯t have much to do besides keep an eye on the reports coming in from everywhere. Butchery didn¡¯t even take up a fraction of his power and attention.


    Truth be told, most of it was dedicated to monitoring his son.


    He sighed again as Alin began to dream.


    The same one every time.


    The Manila Fog Quest.


    He was tempted to shield his son from it, but stopped himself.


    Alin needed to face his fear. To hide from it was to give it control.


    And that couldn¡¯t happen.


    Cal dreaded what lay at the end of those paths.


    <hr>


    Washington, D.C., Fall 2050


    In a white house, inside an oval office a fat, red-faced man sweat with worry and despair.


    Kerkestis, Eidolon of Sunor had been to the place many times in the past, though she had distanced herself over the past year when it became clear that the current president was not long for his position.


    To be fair to the man, despite a steady diet of cheeseburgers and deep-fried potato strips, he had yet to drop dead.


    Sadly, for it would¡¯ve made the transition smoother.


    ¡°Please, can¡¯t you do something? Use your influence. I don¡¯t deserve this. I¡¯ve served honorably and with dignity. I¡¯ve shepherded our nation to our Rightful Destiny over my terms. Why can¡¯t they just let me finish my last term?¡±


    ¡°I believe the senators and congress people were upset by your behavior with several of their daughters and wives.¡±


    The Eidolon of Sunor debased herself even entertaining such banality.


    She was above mere mortals.


    Such drama should¡¯ve been beneath her.


    Unfortunately, greater powers outside the America forced her to assume a more humble posture.


    Had she taken the reins in her hands openly the Cruces would have all the excuse they needed to crush her like an insect.


    Over a thousand years of rarely challenged existence only to present herself as lesser at the hands of mere children.


    ¡°It¡¯s not fair,¡± the fat president wailed.


    Yes, she thought, it is never fair.


    ¡°I do not see what troubles you so. Yes, you have one year left on your term. Why not think of this impeachment as an early retirement? You have earned ease and leisure in your final years.¡±


    She continued to refuse the magic to extend the man¡¯s life despite his pleas.


    He was useless to her.


    Not so the younger or more competent members of this nation¡¯s ruling class.


    For them she¡¯d dangle a year of added life at a time.


    A few drops of rejuvenation in a bottle for great deeds and loyal service.


    She had done this on other worlds.


    The slow feeding kept most of them obedient and pliable.


    To give the entire bottle would only mislead them into thinking they were free of her chains.


    ¡°But, don¡¯t you think that the time isn¡¯t right for transition. The Terminus Decree. The Bountiful Decade. They¡¯ve shaken things up. We¡¯ve had to pivot from reclamation to consolidation and defense. We keep losing settlements.¡±


    ¡°Far-flung and isolated. Evacuation protocols are working as planned. We¡¯ve brought the majority of your citizens here where we can better keep them safe from the monsters and evil men. Now, I believe the meeting is set to begin.¡±


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    In truth they were five minutes late.


    The president had wanted to beg, plead and wail.


    Kerkestis rose.


    She towered over the corpulent president, who trudged behind her like a petulant child into the office next door.


    There were only a handful of people seated around the opulent wood table.


    A few cabinet members and an aide each.


    They were there to discuss a specific issue and each man¡¯s responsibilities overlapped.


    Naturally, they jockeyed for power.


    Like children playing at governance.


    That, much like the humble setting, never failed to remind Kerkestis how callow the humans of this world were.


    She took her seat at the far end of the table in the chair crafted to her specifications.


    A thousand hours from the highest-leveled wood artisan in the nation had gone into it.


    She had deemed the man¡¯s work adequate and added an appropriate reward on top of what he had received from the Quest.


    Truth be told, she was going to kill him had he produced something beneath her standards.


    The intent had to be true for the Quest.


    None could fool the spires.


    The president groaned as he plopped down into his own chair at the other head of the table.


    ¡°What new bullshit do you have for me today?¡±


    The cabinet members eyed each other.


    She saw no fear in them.


    Only contempt for the fat, sweaty Earthian.


    She knew that all of them were already looking to secure their futures after the transition of power.


    Indeed, she had whispered into their ears.


    She whispered in all of their ears.


    The death of Sut¡¯s Will and most of the other eidolons elsewhere on this world had left her the unchallenged leader. The others were too inexperienced or simply didn¡¯t care to take charge, like Adras¡¯ Will. Those that may have had the strength and intelligence to challenge her, like Salla¡¯s Will, were loyal to their Gods¡¯ commands. She would have no issues with them until that changed.


    Treasury, Labor, Defense, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security.


    Four of the departments were represented.


    The Vice President was not present because he had fallen out of favor with the president.


    She may have encouraged the man as a potential future president much like she had for the other front runners.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, I don¡¯t have all day!¡± The president slammed his fist on the desk.


    No one flinched or even batted an eye.


    The Secretary of Defense opened his mouth at the same time as the Secretary of Homeland Security.


    The Americans had too many redundancies.


    Kerkestis planned to remedy that issue with the next administration.


    The president pointed to the latter.


    Homeland Security was his man, unlike Defense, who thought of himself as the one, true leader of the combined armed forces.


    Kerkestis was certain that a military coup would have already been launched had she and the other eidolons not been present.


    ¡°The Philadelphia riots have been stopped. We¡¯re still waiting on word about the other ones, but they¡¯re small and we¡¯ve handled those in a day or two at most in the past. The criminals are being processed as we speak. Those that can walk will be distributed to hot spots within the day. The injured will follow suit as we heal them up.¡±


    ¡°Ungrateful shits,¡± the president muttered.


    ¡°Excuse me, Mr. President?¡± the Secretary of Defense said.


    The president waved him on.


    ¡°Reports are coming in up the chain of command concerning those conscripts, specifically.¡±


    ¡°Of course they are,¡± the president sighed. ¡°Let me guess. They¡¯re useless. Well, so what? They¡¯re there to take hits for our loyal soldiers. It¡¯s a bonus if they do anything else. Unless they¡¯re fragging our guys. It that case you already know what to do to them. The laws are clear. Treason in war time is death.¡±


    ¡°No, Mr. President. That¡¯s not what¡¯s happening.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ spit it out then!¡± The president scowled.


    ¡°They¡¯re disappearing.¡±


    ¡°So? They¡¯re running away and getting eaten by monsters. Sounds like they¡¯re solving the problem for us. Maybe I¡¯ll create an award for them.¡± The president laughed.


    ¡°We need them, sir. Even if all they¡¯re good for is taking hits. My men are being run ragged trying to defend our citizens.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± the president shrugged, ¡°where are they going?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know and we don¡¯t have the resources to investigate. If they¡¯re just running away, then you¡¯re right. They¡¯re in a monster¡¯s stomach and we¡¯ll never know. I¡¯ve attempted to speak to intelligence, but they¡¯ve been¡­ uncooperative. If you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± the president gestured to his young aide. ¡°Make a note for my next meeting with the director.¡±


    The pretty woman took notes.


    Kerkestis remained silent. She was content to let the young ones play their roles.


    The fate of the world¡¯s inhabitants as a whole didn¡¯t concern her.


    There were countless of humans and other species across the endless worlds of the Pantheon to repopulate this one as necessary once they had control.


    ¡°Are you done?¡± The president glared at the Secretary of Defense.


    The old man looked as if he had been chiseled out of stone. Unlike the others in the room, he had seen combat. As a young man in the pre-spires days, in the bunkers as a middle-aged man and back out in the sun¡¯s light as an old one.


    ¡°Captain Patriot¡ª¡±


    ¡°No. Same answer as last time.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s being wasted in her current posting.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s lucky to be alive, let alone free. She cost us. I want you to think about how much better of a position we¡¯d be in today if we had ten thousand super soldiers rather than a few hundred. A number that is dwindling faster than we can replace. Plus the fact that without the Eidolon of Sut¡¯s expertise those replacements are inferior.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m certain that if she were to be reinstated in her old position we¡¯ll buy ourselves some breathing room. Weeks on the low end of our projections. Up to three months in the best case.¡±


    ¡°Not while I¡¯m president. Next problem, you!¡± the president thrust a sausage-like finger at the Secretary of Treasury.


    The old man was pale and thin with hair that didn¡¯t fit the rest of his appearance.


    It was too vibrant and full.


    ¡°Nothing new from me today, Mr. President.¡±


    ¡°Good man. So, be quick. That way we can tell them we¡¯re doing something about it and they should just be patient. We are living in trying times after all. Constant monster attacks isn¡¯t good for the economy.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s just it. It should be¡­ at least for those that survive and earn points. More points, more spending.¡±


    ¡°Still not going up?¡±


    ¡°No, sir. The owners are sharing their concerns with me. Their investments aren¡¯t bearing fruit. In fact, other the last three years they¡¯ve been losing points. It¡¯s gotten really bad since the Bountiful Decade started.¡±


    ¡°Tell them what you always tell them. We can¡¯t make people buy things from their stores.¡± The president glanced at Kerkestis. ¡°Doing so would cause greater problems.¡± He turned to the Secretary of Homeland Security. ¡°Are you not implementing the redistribution program? I signed it into law six months ago.¡±


    ¡°We are. Emergency stores of food, medicine and other supplies have never been more full.¡±


    ¡°And the people are still not spending points in our stores,¡± the Secretary of Treasury said.


    ¡°We¡¯ve gotten a few reports of flying drones dropping off supplies,¡± the Secretary of Homeland Security said.


    The president¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°That¡¯s the kind of thing you lead with.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re still unconfirmed, Mr. President. We¡¯re working on obtaining hard evidence.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d bet money those are connected. You two work together on this.¡± The president regarded each man in turn. ¡°See if the timing lines up.¡±


    Kerkestis would also bet gold coins that the flying drones delivered supplies shortly after the redistribution program was implemented.


    She made a mental note to set one of the Eidolon¡¯s of Ekra to discover the nature of these drones.


    Although, it didn¡¯t take millennia of experience to make an educated guess on the responsible party.


    Nevertheless, she remained silent.


    It would not be wise to prod the lazy gigant into anger. Vigorous action followed and that would¡¯ve ruined her plans.


    The Secretary of Labor raised his hand and adjusted round-rimmed glasses.


    He was a tall man, lean and lanky. Half the age of the others, he had grown up in a world of the spires. Despite the privilege of wealthy parents in the bunkers, he wasn¡¯t soft by the standards of the old world. He had shed blood. Unlike most of the old, fat men in the room.


    ¡°Mr. President, fellow secretaries. I won¡¯t waste your time. Employment numbers remain terrible. It seems that the issue my department have been dealing with are tied into the same ones yours are. It would¡¯ve been nice to have that information months ago.¡±


    ¡°Save the grandstanding. No one¡¯s watching,¡± the president said. ¡°Just give me your report and shut up, like always.¡±


    The Secretary of Labor stiffened.


    ¡°Of course, Mr. President. In the broad sense¡­ people don¡¯t want to work. To get granular with it¡­ people don¡¯t want to work jobs. The jobs we need them to.¡± He nodded to the Secretary of the Treasury. ¡°Our constituents are having difficulty staffing their stores, farms, ranches, everything. The workers ask for too many points and those that do take up the work are lazy and don¡¯t last long. Our constituents are forced to use their points to replace human labor with the automatic spires services.¡±


    ¡°How much would it take to get them to shut up about it?¡± the president said.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have it in the budget,¡± the Secretary of Treasury said.


    ¡°We raise the points tax. I can¡¯t run again, so what do I care.¡±


    ¡°We lack the manpower to enforce that,¡± the Secretary of Homeland Security said.


    ¡°I agree,¡± the Secretary of Defense said.


    ¡°Well, shit,¡± the president snorted. ¡°Did Hell just freeze over?¡±


    Kerkestis would reinforce the idea that it would be mistake to raise taxes in private, if necessary. There were other nations the citizenry could emigrate to and several of them were objectively better situations all around than America.


    ¡°Well, we can¡¯t make people work that¡¯d be the ¡®S¡¯ word and that¡¯s a big no no.¡± The president rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Not exactly,¡± the Secretary of Labor said. He regarded Defense and Homeland Security for a moment. ¡°The 13th Amendment.¡±


    ¡°I object to this road. It¡¯s a non-starter. Don¡¯t you remember what happened to Florida?¡± the Secretary of Defense said.


    ¡°That¡¯s because they went full slavery. Masks off or on.¡± The Secretary of Labor smirked. ¡°What I propose is that we use the 13th Amendment. If the rioters are being wasted on the front lines, then wouldn¡¯t they be more useful manning our stores, cleaning, cooking and all the other essential jobs that a functional society requires?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯ll stop them from disappearing?¡± the Secretary of Homeland Security said.


    ¡°For one thing, they¡¯ll be doing their jobs here and in our other largest cities. It¡¯s easier to vanish out in a small, isolated town in the middle of nowhere.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d want to explore the logistics of this first, but I¡¯m tentatively on board,¡± the Secretary of Homeland Security said. ¡°I¡¯d want something more solid to compel obedience.¡±


    ¡°Careful,¡± the Secretary of Defense said. ¡°If you start talking about using magic and Skills for that. Collars? Chains? I know you know what happens to the people that do that. We¡¯ve received plenty of evidence.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, everyone here has seen them. No slavery. But, the 13th Amendment is enshrined in the Constitution. Fully legal,¡± the president said.


    Kerkestis knew that the Cruces wouldn¡¯t share the same sentiment.


    She would have a quiet word of warning with each of the men dancing on her strings.


    Slavery was doom.


    Some individuals out there didn¡¯t care about the technicalities of words written hundreds of years ago.


    She knew the mindset for she was one.


    Power cared nothing for rules.


    It made or unmade them as it saw fit


    ¡°That reminds me,¡± the president said. ¡°I already know the answer, but I have to ask. The reintegration of the dollar?¡±


    The Secretary of the Treasury shook his head.


    ¡°Fucking ungrateful fucks! How can we control the economy if we don¡¯t control the primary currency?¡± The president slammed his fist on the table again.


    The new world bothered him.


    It bothered many of the old men.


    They no longer had the same power they and their fathers and grandfathers had once.


    The spires ruled.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been quiet.¡± The president pointed at the Secretary of Health and Human Services.


    Unlike the rest, the old man was of a darker complexion.


    ¡°Sales across the board remain low. Too low for projections based on the size of the population. They don¡¯t line up with recorded deaths. Granted, those numbers aren¡¯t reliable the farther we move away from here and other better protected centers. This also includes admittance to hospitals for things like chronic illnesses and diseases. The best example I can give you is insulin. Manufacturers are having to slow down production to almost nothing. Their sales in terms of percentage of product is in the single digits. It doesn¡¯t match the number of people that we have on record as requiring it. We¡¯ve studied the impact of Skills and healing magic over the past year and determined that they alone don¡¯t account for the discrepancies.¡±


    ¡°Pharmaceutical sales are also very low at our stores. It¡¯s one of our constituents¡¯ bigger complaints,¡± the Secretary of Treasury said. ¡°I personally don¡¯t get it. Those were the biggest money makers back in the old days.¡±


    ¡°Your numbers must be off,¡± the Secretary of Labor said. ¡°Are you still comparing it to those old days? The world¡¯s different. People are a lot fitter and healthier now. Skills develop alongside challenges. If someone with diabetes survives long enough I¡¯d imagine they get rewarded with something like a free insulin injection Skill. Or an alchemist came up with a cure and he¡¯s keeping it quiet. Maybe a mage got a cure diabetes spell?¡±


    ¡°We''ve cracked down on a few garage chemists, but nowhere near the number to account for this issue,¡± the Secretary of Homeland Security said. ¡°And if we find a mage that can do that then we can have a word.¡±


    ¡°A handful of people did gain Skills to fight off their diseases, however, again, not enough to account for such low sales. And they can only help themselves, not others,¡± the Secretary of Health and Human Services.


    ¡°Then it just might be over for the pharmaceutical industry,¡± the Secretary of Labor said. ¡°It¡¯s time to get out. My dad always said that you didn¡¯t want to be the last one holding the bag when the company went under.¡±


    ¡°I agree, but they don¡¯t and they¡¯ll try to hang on until the bitter end,¡± the Secretary of Health and Human Services said.


    ¡°That sounds like a headache in the making,¡± the president said, ¡°for the next guy. Let¡¯s keep this moving.¡±


    The meeting dragged on for several more hours.


    Which was fine for Kerkestis. Unlike the inferior human mind, she could hold multiple lines of thought. So, as she listened, she was able to review several of her many plans.

 9.3

    Remy Cruces had an affinity with rebellion.


    He had picked it up in his younger days.


    Star Wars had been his first exposure to the age old tale of revolution against tyranny.


    The Rebels called to him. The Empire disgusted and scared him.


    Imagine his surprise when he had learned many years later that America was the Empire and the Rebels were the Viet Cong. Straight from the mouth of the man who had created the classic movies.


    They hadn¡¯t taught him that at at school at all.


    History class was all about how America fought valiantly to save South Vietnam and the world from Evil Communism.


    He hadn¡¯t known at the time, but his own people had their own rebellions further back.


    First against the Spanish, then against America.


    The Katipunan, his ancestor¡¯s rebellion.


    They beat the Spanish, had them on the ropes, pinned in Manila.


    Then the cowards struck a deal with America.


    A farcical battle so the Spanish could save face. History would record that they lost, not to a rag tag bunch of ¡®brown¡¯ people, but to a rising imperial power.


    Just like that the backstab had been completed.


    America could join the imperialist playground.


    Sure it took a few more years and a few hundred thousand dead Filipinos, but hey, that was the price of an uprising.


    He hadn¡¯t learned any of that in kids school.


    What the history books had amounted to half a page and it focused on the Spanish-American War. The Philippines was portrayed as a side character of sorts. The entire thing was framed as America helping out their ¡®little brown brothers¡¯.


    He learned the real history in college.


    The classes were more truthful and accurate, but even then he had to work to find the primary sources. The writings of those directly involved in the massacres.


    History always repeated itself.


    Mai Lai.


    Samar.


    They hide the truth. When that fails they change the narrative. Obfuscate the numbers.


    But the primary sources showed him.


    Orders to kill any male over the age of ten.


    Sure, the general behind that was eventually court-martialed, but what was his punishment?


    Retirement.


    Thousands of people murdered.


    Children killed.


    Rapes.


    All things that came with war.


    So, yeah, Remy had always been about the rebellion. Even if it fell to the back of his mind after college.


    He got married.


    Had two beautiful daughters.


    He had to provide for his family.


    It was the most important thing in his life.


    Things would¡¯ve continued along that path to his happiness and satisfaction had the spires not appeared.


    Shit happened. Piles of heaping, steaming shit, until he found himself with his wife on another world, deep underground leading a rebellion.


    The Molens against Stone Lords.


    It had been that same history writ on a different world.


    Victory and he and his wife were finally back home.


    His daughters were supposed to be back soon as well.


    Part of him wanted it to go back to how it was before the spires, but he wasn¡¯t an idiot.


    Thus, he stood on the side of rebellion.


    Even if this one was stupid and reckless.


    Young men and women, some technically kids, huddled together in the basement of the hospital.


    They were armed and armored with a variety of mismatched gear.


    It really did remind of him of all those ragtag bands of rebels in history and fiction.


    They glared at him, but did nothing else.


    A few had taken shots when he had walked into the room, but he sent the bullets right back between their eyes.


    Just hard enough to sting.


    The lesson stuck.


    Upstairs the leaders of the small town community were in desperate conversation with the American soldiers poised to hit the place with artillery from a few miles away.


    He listened in to the phone conversation.


    One might ask how?


    Instinct.


    Rather, he could see, hear and feel the radio frequency waves of the phones.


    It was like he was listening in on the other line back when he was a snooping little kid and phones still had physical lines.


    The thought reminded him that he was old.


    At least he didn¡¯t look it, he supposed.


    ¡°There are innocent people here,¡± the mayor said. ¡°This is an emergency shelter. And that¡¯s not even counting the patients. For fuck¡¯s sake! We have five newborns in the nursery!¡±


    ¡°Then send out the terrorists,¡± the military commander said.


    ¡°What terrorists?¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t waste my time. I¡¯m being reasonable in giving you the warning and the chance to do what¡¯s right for your country and your people.¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t provided any proof.¡±


    ¡°That will be taken care of in the courts. I promise. They¡¯ll be tried fairly and punished.¡±


    Remy kept one ear on the conversation.


    His older brother was waiting to see how it played out before intervening on the other end.


    He was here to make sure the stupid young people and kids didn¡¯t decide to go stupider.


    ¡°Is it true?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± the leader of the rebellion scowled. She was tall for a girl, standing eye to eye with him. A thin scar cut down the left side of her face. From brow to jaw, across her eye and the corner of her mouth.


    ¡°Did you burn sleeping soldiers?¡±


    She tightened her grip on her shotgun.


    ¡°Yeah, we did.¡±


    He sighed.


    ¡°That¡¯s straight murder.¡±


    ¡°They deserve it!¡± she snapped.


    ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡±


    She regarded him for a long moment before suddenly launching into an impassioned tirade.


    Tales of soldiers stealing their food, medicine and anything else of value. Items they had gotten for free, mysteriously appearing on their doorsteps or backyard. Soldiers slapping cuffs on people for the slightest offense or for something made up on the spot. Said people were trucked out of town never to be seen or heard from again. Soldiers forcing them to work for the new owners of the grocery stores for a pittance. They worked long hours and couldn¡¯t even afford more than a meal a day thanks to said owners raising prices to ridiculous levels. Beatings. Rapes.


    The young woman sounded credible.


    Cal would find the truth if he hadn¡¯t already.


    According to Cal this town had been more reluctant than most to rejoin the old government.


    It made sense that they would be treated much worse than those who rejoined willing and with enthusiasm.


    He wondered if the military garrison here was emboldened by the distance from D.C.


    Stress had to be high with the Bountiful Decade.


    The air outside the town¡¯s boundary stank of decaying monster corpses, while the air inside stank of burned monster corpses.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not telling you that!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, he might be a witch!¡± a high-pitched voice emerged from somewhere within the milling young people.


    ¡°That¡¯s fair.¡±


    ¡°So, what are you going to do?¡±


    ¡°Well, young lady, you are very stupid.¡±


    Weapons rose, then dropped when he raised a brow.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll revise that, you¡¯re still stupid, but not that stupid.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you go out there and do your bullet trick with the people that really deserve it?¡±


    He ignored her question.


    ¡°You burned soldiers in their sleep. Did each one commit crimes against you? And were those crimes burn worthy? Now, a rapist? Sure, bonfire away. But what about the ones like you? Young and stupid. Maybe they had no choice. Drafted. Have to follow orders. Didn¡¯t beat up anyone. Didn¡¯t disappear anyone. Didn¡¯t rape anyone. Does that person deserve to burn in his bed?¡±


    ¡°No, but you¡¯re being unrealistic. Obviously, if we had the capability we¡¯d only go after the real shitfaces. Besides, they all made the choice to sign up with the evil assholes.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not how conscription works.¡±


    ¡°They can say ¡®no¡¯. Run away. Don¡¯t follow orders.¡±


    ¡°And face punishment? I heard that in the early days of the spires, they shot people that refused to fight.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like a stupid waste of a bullet.¡±


    ¡°I agree.¡±


    ¡°Then why¡¯re you lecturing me like you¡¯re my dad?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not.¡±


    ¡°Yes, you are.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± He cleared his throat. ¡°Alright, putting all that aside¡­ you came here to hide.¡±


    Her dagger gaze went to the floor.


    He struck a blow and he wasn¡¯t inclined to go easy on them.


    ¡°You¡¯re endangering innocent people. If you knew how bad those soldiers are then you should¡¯ve known that they wouldn¡¯t care about the five cute newborns upstairs. Nor the old and sick people in their rooms. Let alone the bulk of your fellow townsfolk. You knew this hospital is the designated emergency shelter. You knew that everyone would come here when the soldiers started looking for blood. Do you even know how many people didn¡¯t make it? How many died in their beds or in the streets with a bullet in the back of their the heads? I can give you their names. Maybe you know them.¡± He regarded the other young people, grabbing them with the force of his gaze. ¡°Friends, family. They died violent deaths because of your actions.¡±


    The young leader kept her eyes on the floor. The shotgun hung loose in her hands. It was as if she had suddenly lost strength.


    ¡°Violence always creates more violence. The movies you watch don¡¯t really convey that well. Too messy. Not clean enough for popular consumption. There has to be a good guy and a bad guy. It makes sense, they are an escape from reality after all.¡±


    ¡°So, if we surrender, will they leave everyone else alone?¡±


    ¡°Probably not. It¡¯s a standard tactic. Say terrorists are in the building, then bomb away. They would¡¯ve already done it, but you have a couple of things that rebels in history lacked.¡±


    ¡°You?¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m not here for you. I¡¯m here for the babies and the oldies. But, yeah, we¡¯re working on a just outcome.¡±


    <hr>


    Cal stood over the shoulder of the captain.


    The gray-haired man was on the phone with the small town mayor back at the hospital.


    Officers bustled around the command center, which was in a small motel at the eastern edge of town.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Artillery pieces had already been turned around.


    He stood unnoticed.


    Whenever a soldier would¡¯ve bumped into him they unconsciously stepped around.


    ¡°Just have the terrorists exit your hospital, walk east down Main Street and surrender to my men.¡±


    The captain¡¯s voice was cold, flat. He didn¡¯t actually care one way or another about anyone else in the hospital. He didn¡¯t care all that much about the burned soldiers as individual people. He cared about the impact on his operations. He cared about the impact on his reputation. He was too old to still be a captain. Even with the reorganization into one combined armed force.


    What that captain didn¡¯t understand was that he¡¯d never advance until he fully-embraced the changes brought on by the spires. Skills, spells and powers. He didn¡¯t like them. Didn¡¯t fully understand despite the fact that he had a class and Skills himself. He clashed with the tactics set by his commanders. He still fought based on the tactics he had learned in the pre-spires modern era, failing to utilize what the spires brought to their maximum potential.


    ¡°I need a guarantee that you won¡¯t just shoot them.¡± The mayor sounded desperate over the phone.


    Cal reached out to gauge what was going through her and the townspeople¡¯s heads.


    It was a powder keg.


    The defunct US Government soldiers had not been good guests.


    They had conscripted the town¡¯s best fighters and sent them to the most dangerous hot spots threatening their more important cities and holding. Then they used the excuse that they were owed whatever they wanted because they were defending the town from the monsters.


    Ownership of stores vital to the townspeople was forcibly taken from them and handed over to rich, old men who came and went. Prices went up overnight. They couldn¡¯t afford food and other necessary supplies.


    They were forced to work in said stores for a pittance. They still couldn¡¯t afford to buy the elements of a proper existence.


    Naturally, morale declined.


    People refused to work.


    They used what Universal Points they had managed to save over the years to buy their supplies from the spires marketplace.


    It had turned into a dire game of hide the pirate treasure.


    Townspeople hid what they rightfully owned, while soldiers searched for them.


    Beatings hadn¡¯t improve morale.


    Townspeople started being arrested for the most spurious of reasons.


    They vanished too, taken to die elsewhere as meat shields.


    The rapes didn¡¯t improve moral either.


    The captain saw all of this as a natural consequence of the town¡¯s less than enthusiastic participation in Rightful Destiny. They were ingrates. And now they were traitors.


    Cal remembered meeting with the town¡¯s leaders about a year and a half ago at around the same time the defunct government came calling.


    They had refused his offer of protection.


    They didn¡¯t trust that he wouldn¡¯t put strings on them.


    A brown-skinned man flying into town had been too much for them.


    When they compared him to soldiers wearing the good, old red white and blue it had been the lesser of two bad options for them.


    So, he had no choice but to respect their decision.


    ¡°You now have ten minutes to comply. Failure to do so will be a violation of the law. Those that harbor terrorists are no different. It is in my authority to designate all of you enemy combatants.¡± The captain terminated the call.


    Cal laid a hand on his shoulder.


    They jumped.


    Guns came out of holsters.


    A hidden rogue-type lunged out of a tiny patch of shadow with a black-bladed knife.


    Guns went back into their holsters.


    Knife went into its sheath.


    The soldiers stood motionless with their mouths slack, drool trickling down their chins.


    ¡°Let¡¯s renegotiate.¡±


    The captain tried to draw his pistol. When that didn¡¯t work he drew a knife and slashed at Cal¡¯s fingers.


    Sharp steel left no marks.


    The captain wasn¡¯t a complete idiot, so he dropped the knife and tried his pistol again.


    Okay¡­ he was a bit of an idiot.


    Cal¡¯s grip was as unyielding as the metaphorical stick up the captain¡¯s butt.


    The man had carried that and the chip on his shoulder since high school when his girlfriend had dumped him for the quarterback. The half-Mexican quarterback.


    In some ways that event had done more to shape the trajectory of his life than any other.


    An inaccurate racial slur was on the tip of the captain¡¯s tongue when he decided to keep it to himself for some strange reason.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already finished my investigation. Fifteen soldiers were burned to death. I found three deserving, rapists that they were. Another seven were guilty of lesser crimes. Theft, assault, battery. The remainder were only guilty of following orders.¡±


    He let it sink in.


    The captain responded predictably.


    ¡°You speak with a lot of conviction for a liar. My men did nothing.¡±


    ¡°And women.¡±


    The captain frowned.


    ¡°You have women in your little battalion. Four were in that house. Still trying to pretend they¡¯re not around?¡±


    ¡°What did you do to them?¡± The captain pointed at his motionless soldiers.


    ¡°Did I do anything? I don¡¯t think I did. Weird, huh? Well, those were the crimes. They weren¡¯t the only ones doing bad stuff, right? You know it for a fact because you turn a blind eye to it. Even encourage the heavy-handedness. So, in my eyes that makes you responsible. I could list every crime your soldiers committed.¡±


    ¡°They didn¡¯t do anything wrong. This is war. This town refused to return to where they belong. That made them potential enemies. If they wanted the protections of the laws, then they should¡¯ve been smart.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ I don¡¯t understand? They did do exactly that¡­ eventually. Regardless, even if I concede that point. There are international rules governing the conduct of warfare. Geneva Conventions and so on and so forth.¡±


    The captain¡¯s surface thoughts revealed his views on that.


    It was rather simplistic.


    Whoever had the biggest stick made the rules.


    Since America was the biggest, baddest nation in the history of the world, they could do whatever they wanted.


    ¡°Okay, I did lie. We¡¯re not really renegotiating.¡±


    Cal manhandled the much taller man from his chair and over to the wall where a map of the town and surrounding area hung.


    A small river ran north to south to the east.


    There was one main bridge that led straight to the main street that bisected the town.


    East of the bridge was an overgrown forest from which the bulk of the monster attacks came.


    The townspeople and the soldiers had burned a wide swathe of forest to deny the monsters cover on the approached.


    The other three sides of the town were surrounded by wide open plains.


    ¡°I need you to forget about the town¡¯s freedom fighters.¡±


    ¡°Terrorists.¡± The veins in the captain¡¯s neck bulged.


    ¡°One man¡¯s terrorist is another man¡¯s¡­ you know the saying. Forget about them. They¡¯re out of your hands. As is this town. Assuming the people decide to kick you out after this. Please look at the map.¡±


    The bulk of the soldiers were concentrated around the motel. They had created a fortified position to house their artillery by building walls and barricades out of old, rusted vehicles, trees cut out of the forest and prefabricated barriers. The artillery had the added protection of magic shield generators. The units were huge, bulky things. Ugly and lacking the sleek aesthetics of what Jake and Hillary¡¯s crew produced.


    ¡°The next wave of monsters is going to hit in about two hours.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°Too soon? Since when was any of this predictable. Sometimes I wonder if bad luck is actually the spires taking advantage of situations to further its purpose. They burned your soldiers. You went for revenge. Killed the ones that couldn¡¯t make it to their shelter quick enough. You turned your artillery around. Bared your backs to the real threat. If I wanted as much violent conflict as possible, now would be the perfect time. You fight the town. The town fights you. Then the monsters come in. Triple threat match-style. You get it, right? Am I speaking in a way you understand?¡±


    ¡°Release me and my men. We¡¯ll deal with the monsters first.¡±


    ¡°Then the town? Yeah, no. You¡¯ll fight the monsters. That¡¯s for sure. After that you¡¯ll leave.¡± He took a marker and circled the eastern edge of the town along with the bridge and the smoking forest on the other side. ¡°You and your soldiers are responsible for this area. Others will cover the north, west and south sides. You will be reinforced as necessary. I hope it¡¯s obvious that I don¡¯t have to warn you of deadly reprisal for friendly fire incidents?¡±


    ¡°Obviously.¡±


    ¡°Now, for a bit of housekeeping business. The townspeople you¡¯ve ¡®drafted¡¯. They will be returned. It makes sense, right? Since they¡¯ll be needed to defend this place.¡± He made a show of looking around the room until with a snap of his fingers he released a young man from his mental prison. Well, less a prison and more a timeout. No time had passed for the young man. ¡°Hey, you?¡± He beckoned.


    The young man blinked then wiped his chin.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in charge of keeping records. I need your lists. The townspeople you shipped out to die elsewhere. Names, descriptions, pictures and locations. I need to bring them back.¡±


    The young man nodded and dashed off.


    ¡°You won¡¯t be hard on him later.¡±


    His words became a command the captain would obey without realization.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go outside and meet your reinforcements.¡±


    He guided the captain out to the parking lot with a firm, but gentle hand.


    The night sky was dark thanks to the added smoke from the burn.


    The town itself didn¡¯t help.


    Electricity came solely from a number of diesel generators and the small hydroelectric turbine some clever minds and hands had managed to build.


    Only a handful of buildings had lights.


    The hospital was one.


    The stores that required refrigeration made up the rest.


    The homes all ran on generators. They were all dark since most of the people were in the hospital or still hiding from the once-marauding soldiers.


    Cal killed a few monsters that had slipped in or out from hiding before they could pounce on the slack-jawed soldiers.


    The captain glanced at him.


    ¡°You¡¯re fucking insane. There¡¯s nothing out here. Why are staring at the sky? Is this a cult thing? Meat Parade? Are you even human?¡±


    Cal held up a finger. ¡°Hang on a sec. I¡¯m letting them know.¡±


    Spotlights suddenly shined down from above, cutting through the smoke and darkness.


    The captain beheld a huge shape descending. He joined his soldiers in that slack-jawed state.


    Cal relinquished his hold.


    ¡°I want to make something clear. She¡¯s more than capable of killing all of you in seconds. So, watch that friendly fire.¡±


    With that he vanished from the captain¡¯s notice.


    The words and experience would remain, but his face and the sound of his voice disappeared from the man¡¯s memory, no matter how hard he would try to recall them.


    He flew straight to the hospital and cut through the noise to deliver judgment and an offer.


    The mayor was more inclined to accept his offer this time, though he generously allowed her time to discuss with the rest of the town.


    He didn¡¯t withhold aid in the mean time as leverage.


    Only terrible people saw a life and death situation as way to extract as much value from others as possible.


    The town would be protected while he collected their stolen people or returned their bodies for burial if possible. If not he promised to bring word of their ultimate fates.


    As for the young freedom fighters or terrorists, depending on perspective?


    They had murdered twelve soldiers that didn¡¯t deserve it. Three that did.


    He didn¡¯t want to be the final arbiter.


    They had legitimate grievances.


    Then again, so did the burned soldiers¡¯ families.


    Where did one draw the line?


    He definitely didn¡¯t want to be the one drawing it.


    Did he judge it on the amount of harm caused?


    For even the worst of the soldiers had people that relied on them elsewhere.


    The old government was a lot stingier with the death benefits nowadays.


    Perhaps, he could extend offers to said families, assuming they met the low bar for immigration. If not then he decided to give them Universal Points. An amount that was equivalent to what was taken from their future. Enough that their lives wouldn¡¯t be ruined in the aftermath. There were too many others waiting in the wings to take advantage of the desperate. That ranged in banal evil, like people looking to trade sexual favors for supplies, to darker things that whispered promises of power.


    Yes.


    Reparations seemed fitting.


    Those responsible would pay a portion of their points for a predetermined amount of time.


    If he wasn¡¯t going to put them in prison for 20 years to life, then they would pay points for the same amount of time.


    He laid it all out for the mayor and the young rebels.


    They weren¡¯t really in a position to disagree.


    Thus, they would defend their town and hope.


    Cal floated up to the roof with his younger brother.


    ¡°Tough situation,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°It was that or turn them over to the old government.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. A quick trial and a long drop.¡±


    ¡°If they¡¯re lucky. Most likely they would¡¯ve been tortured and raped for a long time before being executed. Anyone with a valuable class would¡¯ve been conscripted for those suicide quests. The pretty ones would¡¯ve ended up on some disgusting old man¡¯s ¡®staff¡¯ or in one of the brothels.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d get them out. Like you do now.¡±


    ¡°Sure, eventually, but it might take days, week or months. Time in which they¡¯d suffer.¡±


    ¡°Some would say it¡¯d be deserved. Burning people alive is a big deal. Even if I¡¯m personally sympathetic.¡±


    ¡°Only three of them deserved it.¡±


    Remy let out a long whistle. ¡°That¡¯s a terrible percentage.¡±


    ¡°Well seven were also scumbags.¡±


    ¡°Just not burn worthy?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°So, that means five were innocent.¡±


    ¡°Worst they did was follow orders.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t cut it though.¡±


    ¡°Still, it¡¯s not like they have a real choice. I can¡¯t go to every person and bring them over.¡±


    ¡°Regime change?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be responsible for millions of people even more than I already am. Too busy working on the big stuff. Tessa ran an empire for awhile. Would she be interested?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t even joke about that.¡±


    ¡°Who says I was joking?¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t really run it. She was more of a figurehead and a keep them from backsliding influence.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not seeing a huge difference in our current situation.¡±


    ¡°You can ask her when she gets here. She¡¯ll say no.¡±


    ¡°What about you then?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, you toppled a tyrannical government.¡±


    ¡°It was different when it was Molens and Stone Lords. I could disassociate in a way I can¡¯t with people that look like me.¡±


    ¡°Megan?¡±


    ¡°Ha! I¡¯ll ask for you.¡±


    ¡°The problem is that the entire power structure is the same. New government still runs on the same principles as the old one. The people that want to be in charge are the exact greedy, moral vacuum-less people that shouldn¡¯t be in charge.¡±


    ¡°Power corrupts. Although, I prefer ¡®power reveals¡¯. But, yeah, I agree. The people that¡¯d do a good job in charge wouldn¡¯t take the job in the first place. So, why not put the least evil ones in charge and keep an eye on them?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a God damn headache, but it might just come to that.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how or why, but it turned out good in Sacramento and SoCal.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s cause of our presences. The shit couldn¡¯t rise to the top of the bowl.¡±


    ¡°Terrible analogy. But, I think that¡¯s your answer.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll start exploring options while I¡¯m flying around their territories.¡±


    ¡°And I will head out to one of these danger zones.¡±


    ¡°You should at least grab a helmet or even just a tablet.¡±


    ¡°Why? They¡¯d just end up destroyed. It¡¯s all just signals flying around the planet¡¯s fields. To and from your satellites. I can get the information without a device.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not about that. It¡¯s about keeping your capabilities obscured from others as much as you can. Plus, people get freaked out when you tap in and send messages without an actual device.¡±


    Remy shrugged. ¡°I say it¡¯s me.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but that¡¯s what a cybermonster would say.¡±


    ¡°Those don¡¯t exist.¡±


    ¡°Yet.¡±


    ¡°Well, yeah, if everyone keeps thinking about them they¡¯ll manifest one. That¡¯s what the spires does.¡±


    ¡°Well, it would help, obviously, if you didn¡¯t add to the potential.¡±


    ¡°You just want me to be a part of your Omninet.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s useful to our efforts.¡±


    ¡°Why even make a new Internet when the infrastructure of the old one is still there.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s better.¡±


    ¡°Sure and a little presumptuous. ¡®Omni¡¯¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s descriptive.¡±


    ¡°Bit too close to ¡®god¡¯, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    ¡°Low blow, bro. Aren¡¯t you the one telling me to overthrow Old America?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not even remotely the same.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, man. I¡¯ve got a list of people to track down. Don¡¯t die out there.¡±


    ¡°Same to you.¡±


    The two brothers went their separate ways.

 9.4

    Baja California, Winter, 2050


    The skyship cut through the clouds like an arrowhead.


    Alin stood out of the way on the bridge.


    Nervous, since this was the first time he had left home in two months.


    Thanksgiving had come and gone while Christmas rapidly approached.


    His dad had to deal with an emergency thing in Japan.


    Despite his dad giving him the clear to get back to doing dangerous things, he was still unsure of himself.


    Thus, he stuck to others in his family that he thought could deal with him if he lost control and went full evil fog monster.


    ¡°This is cool, but it could be so much cooler,¡± Uncle Eron muttered.


    ¡°No way, Dad! This is so cool!¡± Lera practically vibrated from excitement.


    His cousin wasn¡¯t a child anymore. She had sprung up like a weed almost overnight. Six inches in the six months since he had last seen her. She was no longer the chubby-cheeked young lady. She was now the lady of all elbows and knees.


    Speaking of ladies.


    His other cousins had also tagged along.


    Now, they were actual ¡®ladies¡¯ from what he understood.


    They had gained noble titles on another world.


    Tessa had actually been an empress until she could finally give it up.


    Veronica, Vee, was some kind of lady of justice, who founded a justice order. Bands of people, human and otherwise, that roamed the land doing justice above all.


    Honestly, he wasn¡¯t sure how much to believe.


    Their communication over the years had been through spires messages, which necessitated brevity. The stories they told since they had returned to Earth sounded crazy.


    ¡°Riding on an airship was one of my final fantasies,¡± Uncle Eron said. ¡°To stand on the fine hardwood deck surrounded by the wide blue yonder. The wind rushing through my hair. The whirling of the propellers. The hum of the materia. Not this. This is more like a spaceship. All enclosed and view screened.¡±


    ¡°They have windows, Dad.¡± Lera pointed to the front of the bridge.


    ¡°Yeah, but only if the screens go down.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve been on an airship,¡± Vee said. ¡°You only get to stand on an open air deck at low altitude. They put up a magic bubble once you ascend. Most normal people can¡¯t just stand out in the open at thousands of feet.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Uncle Eron waved a hand, ¡°then blood starts to boil, so on and so forth.¡±


    ¡°And a flying ship doesn¡¯t make sense from a design standpoint, unless they double as ocean ships,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°I was just going to bring that up,¡± Uncle Eron said. ¡°So, you guys never mentioned anything about airships?¡±


    ¡°We didn¡¯t know you were a nerd about it,¡± Vee said.


    ¡°It was also a terrible experience. People died,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Ah¡­ never mind then.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, Uncle Eron, what do you want to know?¡±


    Vee and his uncle huddled together.


    A heavy hand clapped down on Alin¡¯s armored shoulder.


    He wouldn¡¯t have physically noticed a normal strength person doing the same.


    ¡°Heights?¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Er¡­ no. Not really, Ate Tessa.¡±


    The honorific sounded weird to his ears.


    It was a Filipino thing, but none of his family from Old America, aside from his grandparents, used it.


    Filipinos in the Philippines did.


    And the vast majority of his relatives there had perished in the fog.


    Just like that the guilt bubbled to the surface once again.


    ¡°Why do we have to call you that?¡± Lera¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°It¡¯s just how it¡¯s done,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°But, you and Ate Vee don¡¯t. And my dad and uncles and aunt don¡¯t. Rynnen doesn¡¯t. Only Magdalena and people in the Philippines do.¡± Lera pointed out accurately.


    Tessa raised a brow. ¡°It¡¯s either that or ¡®empress¡¯.¡±


    Alin regarded his older cousin.


    She was about a head shorter than him. Her athletic build was evident in simple clothing. Jeans, a t-shirt and an armored jacket with all sorts of dangerous metal bits attached to the leather surface. She had a lighter complexion than him. A bit darker than Lera, but that might¡¯ve been the tan. Her brown hair was tied in a pony tail. She had a few visible scars on her face, but that was a concession to her mother. Apparently, she had a lot more when she had arrived.


    She only looked a few years older than him. Like an older sister when she was old enough to be his and Lera¡¯s mother.


    He made a mental note not to joke about that until he was sure she¡¯d be cool with it.


    Tessa ruffled Lera¡¯s jet black hair.


    It had not been that dark the last time Alin had seen his not so little anymore cousin.


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s bring back the tradition then. Things get forgotten if people don¡¯t remember,¡± Tessa said.


    Lera¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ what happens when you forget?¡± She looked to him.


    ¡°I think what Ate Tessa means is that some things are traditional for a reason. Whether good or bad depends, I guess.¡± He shrugged.


    ¡°It¡¯s also practical. What if a monster or bad guy takes your shape and I can¡¯t tell except for when they fail to use the word?¡±


    ¡°But they¡¯d know if they were smart and watched us first.¡± Lera pointed out reasonably.


    ¡°It¡¯s not just that one thing. There¡¯s obviously other signs. More is better.¡±


    The skyship captain cleared her throat.


    Ranger Captain Molds, technically.


    Techmage Juanita McDonald, even more technically.


    ¡°On behalf of myself and the crew of the RS Raynanaut. I welcome you aboard!¡±


    ¡°Thank you, captain.¡± Tessa inclined her head.


    ¡°You have a lovely skyship,¡± Vee said. ¡°I love her name!¡±


    She was the third and newest skyship. Preceded by the RS Raynagon and the RS Rayna One.


    Aunt Rayna wasn¡¯t pleased that they had managed to keep their names secret long enough for it to be too late for her to do anything about it. They had lasered the names into the nameplates, after all.


    ¡°I overheard that you¡¯ve ridden on a skyship.¡±


    ¡°Different from this and they called it an ¡®airship¡¯,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Same difference,¡± Vee said.


    ¡°I¡¯d love to pick your brain about it. Anything you can remember would be helpful. We¡¯re sort of making this up as we go along. You can only learn so much in thousands of hours of simulations.¡±


    ¡°That seems like more than enough, Captain McDonald. But, we¡¯ll share what little we can remember,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Thank you. Now, I believe Ranger Goldenspoon will be your tour guide for the day.¡±


    The ranger captain nodded to Alin while his older cousins raised their brows.


    Uncle Eron and Lera tried to hide their snickering.


    Alin saluted. ¡°Yes, sir.¡± He swept an arm to encompass the bridge. ¡°As you can see, this is the bridge. Everything can be controlled from here, which is crucial because we can¡¯t crew it to nearly the same level as old ships this size required.¡±


    ¡°How big exactly? And please include all applicable dimensions,¡± Uncle Eron said.


    The joke was on his uncle.


    Alin had prepared.


    He spouted off the information as it appeared on his faceplate.


    ¡°Is that big, Dad?¡± Lera said.


    ¡°About as long as that old destroyer we sank. Wider though and maybe half as tall. Like a spearhead.¡±


    The ranger captain caught Alin¡¯s eye and deliberately looked at the door.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, guys, let¡¯s go see the rest of the skyship.¡±


    He made sure to note the escaped pods, which were located just outside each of the three doors leading to and from the sphere-shaped bridge.


    ¡°It¡¯s quieter than an airplane,¡± Uncle Eron said.


    ¡°I vaguely remember what that was like,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± Vee added.


    ¡°There was this vibration or hum. Plus the sound of the air running,¡± Tessa said.


    Alan hadn¡¯t had the pleasure, although from the stories his parents told about it, he didn¡¯t feel like he had missed anything.


    He supposed he was spoiled with his flight options.


    The thought of sitting in cramped seats in a metal tube surrounded by a few hundred people made him shudder. He couldn¡¯t imagine sitting in such conditions for sixteen hours straight.


    His dad could get him across the Pacific in minutes.


    There was no comparison.


    ¡°Where do you guys want to go first?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the tour guide,¡± Uncle Eron said.


    ¡°I guess we¡¯re closest to one of the starboard weapons stations.¡± He led them onward through corridors wide enough for four of them to walk shoulder to shoulder. ¡°Uncle Remy, er¡­ your dad, did most of the body. Er¡­ like the skeleton and the skin. He made it basically in one piece to make it super strong. So the weight is better distributed for the float stones. I mean, it¡¯s super safe anyways, cause the magic of the stones kinda permeates into the metal for a bit.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Dad made sure to mention that,¡± Tessa said.


    Vee rolled her eyes. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t stop talking about it.¡±


    ¡°He, uh, also makes the armor plating. He won¡¯t say exactly how, but it¡¯s supposed to be like titanium, but lighter, more flexible and stronger.¡±


    ¡°Should¡¯ve just used Threnium.¡± Vee snorted. ¡°It¡¯s way better.¡±


    ¡°That was the initial idea, but the costs were prohibitive. Now that we know the magic and technology works we¡¯re going to make a small version. More like shuttle size.¡±


    ¡°Make sure you give it five engines. Then you can call it by the right name,¡± Uncle Eron said. ¡°Or one with X-shaped wings. You don¡¯t need to obey the rules of aerodynamics with my float stones.¡±


    ¡°Yours?¡± Tessa said.


    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    ¡°Hey, I told you. I discovered them first.¡±


    Tessa chuckled. ¡°Maybe on this world. They were using the same stones for their airships on the dominion world for, like, thousands of years.¡±


    ¡°I can only control what I can control,¡± Uncle Eron said sagely.


    The main weapon¡¯s station was a copy of the one on the bridge.


    ¡°Reminds me of my old joystick,¡± Uncle Eron said.


    Alin directed them to look over the railing and the small pit which contained several smaller weapon¡¯s stations.


    ¡°Like an old arcade,¡± Uncle Eron said.


    Old?


    They had several arcades across Southern California, which were technically old, Alin supposed, but functionally new in terms of operation.


    ¡°Um¡­ we tried to account for multiple possibilities. So, in case something went wrong with the master control system, we could operate each weapon individually.¡±


    ¡°What if that goes down?¡± Tessa said.


    Alin pointed at ladders going up and down on the sides of the chamber. ¡°It¡¯s not all weapons, but the more important ones can be operated manually.¡±


    Tessa and Vee exchanged a look.


    Uncle Eron¡¯s grin widened.


    Lera looked at all of them in confusion.


    ¡°You can look, but it won¡¯t work without authorization.¡±


    The three oldest adults, ostensibly, dashed for a separate ladder.


    Uncle Eron flew to one of the ladders on the left and went up.


    Tessa took the same ladder but jumped down while Vee climb another one.


    Alin sighed.


    ¡°There are weapons on both the top and bottom of the skyship. Placement covers all firing arcs even if we lose some. It¡¯s the same on the starboard side.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Lera said.


    Loyal Lera somehow had resisted the urge to bolt for the fun.


    ¡°Er¡­ it¡¯s the right side of a ship.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a weird name¡­ so what¡¯s this side called?¡±


    ¡°Port.¡±


    ¡°Why not just say ¡®left¡¯ and ¡®right¡¯?¡±


    As always Alan was prepared. He didn¡¯t even need to consult the notes in his faceplate.


    ¡°Well, right now my right is the ships right, but,¡± he turned around, ¡°now, it¡¯s the opposite.¡±


    ¡°So, just say ¡®ship¡¯s left¡¯ or it¡¯s just understood that when you¡¯re on a ship, when someone says ¡®monsters on the left¡¯, they mean the ship¡¯s left.¡±


    ¡°That is reasonable. But, port and starboard are traditional from ancient days.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ weird though.¡±


    Silence reined for a beat.


    ¡°Why did they call it that?¡±


    ¡°Well, the left side of the ship was where the docking stuff was located. Hence ¡®port¡¯. The right side is called that because the steering rudder was on the right and ¡®starboard¡¯ comes from the ancient word that refers to that.¡±


    ¡°Wait, so do they have dumb names for the front and back too? What about the top and bottom?¡±


    They certainly did.


    Alin explained while the pew pew sounds from the ostensible adults drifted from above and below.


    ¡°Got ¡®im! I got ¡®im!¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Great, kid! Don¡¯t get cocky,¡± Uncle Eron said.


    They had too much fun with that, for much too long.


    Alin finally got them to keep moving on his tour.


    ¡°Those were Threnosh weapons,¡± Vee said. ¡°I recognized the look.¡±


    ¡°Some are. All three skyships are equipped with a mix of everything we can do. For long range, we¡¯ve got missiles and cannons. Machine guns for mid and short. They¡¯re all based off the Threnosh recoilless tech. Saves on a huge amount of weight compared to human rounds, since we just need the projectile. No casing or powder. That¡¯s it for the science side. We¡¯ve got the same from the magic side. Spell guns from small to large to cover multiple ranges. Although, they can¡¯t reach nearly as far as their equivalent on the science side. On account of the spells losing cohesion at a fixed point. The best weapon is the rail gun set in the middle of the skyship. The Rayna One blew a thunderbird apart on her first flight.¡±


    He led them through the living area quickly.


    It was empty since the skyship was working with the minimum required crew.


    They didn¡¯t have any of the support and additional combat crew a fully-equipped skyship would have.


    They reached a cavernous space near the bottom.


    ¡°Those look like stables,¡± Tessa said.


    Alin pointed at the large open space on floor bordered by painted warning signs.


    The yellow and black lines made it clear to stay on the right side or risk peril.


    ¡°For wyverns and drakes. The floor opens up for them to drop down. We can fit five of the latter or two of the former. Though, the usual deployment would be one wyvern and three drakes. Maybe four if two of them are on the smaller side.¡±


    ¡°The smell, though,¡± Uncle Eron said.


    ¡°Airflow vents out from here. Plus this chamber can be completely separated from the rest of the ship¡¯s oxygen system.¡±


    Alin took them to the heart of the ship next.


    The room was perhaps smaller than one would expect.


    It was the size of a single bedroom.


    A large float stone sat in the middle entrenched in a lattice of thin metal strands that turned into wrist-thick metal tubes, which disappeared into the walls.


    They had to duck under or fly over the tubes, depending on capability to reach the control panel.


    ¡°Now this is definitely Threnosh,¡± Vee said.


    The flat surface was a lifeless gray.


    Alin¡¯s armor could sync with the skyship¡¯s system so he activated the panel with a cybernetic thought.


    The holographic projection sprang to life.


    ¡°Everything normal, I hope,¡± Uncle Eron said.


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    ¡°So, Mr. Tour guide¡­ how does this all work?¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Well, basically, it¡¯s just sound waves. It was all thanks to Frequency. They discovered the, uh, frequency to unlock the stones. From that point it was a team effort and they mapped out the frequencies needed to get the stone to change altitude. From my understanding each micrometer of elevation requires a different frequency. It¡¯s something ridiculous, like to a hundred decimal places each.¡±


    ¡°If you didn¡¯t have all measurements covered then you wouldn¡¯t be able to move to a specific height?¡± Vee said.


    ¡°Yeah, exactly. Like, if say, we didn¡¯t know the frequency to the 100 meter elevation then we couldn¡¯t go to that height. We¡¯d be limited to the next closest. Like, if we had the 90 meter frequency, but nothing until 200 meters, we couldn¡¯t stop in the space between.¡±


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t how the airship worked,¡± Vee said.


    Tessa shrugged. ¡°We didn¡¯t really have the time to notice, let alone ask. It wasn¡¯t a funsies trip.¡± She briefly explained.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound like funsies,¡± Uncle Eron agreed.


    ¡°The whole system¡¯s super complicated and we had to blend the magic of the stones with the tech of the speakers to make it power efficient. The skyship would be a lot smaller without Frequency¡¯s contributions.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m glad their doing good in their retirement,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Yeah, we should probably go see them soon before¡­¡± Vee sighed.


    Alin felt the looming sadness and forged ahead.


    He led them to the aforementioned power source.


    Once again the main energy source was of Threnosh design and make.


    Super science made a device the size of a car engine with the power output of a medium-sized pre-spires modern era warship engine.


    The skyship didn¡¯t need to use her engines and thrusters continuously.


    The float stones rendered the need for lift like an airplane irrelevant.


    They only needed the engines to fire until they hit their desired speed. From that point they¡¯d slow down depending on wind resistance. A tailwind would help them keep speed longer. A headwind would slow them quicker.


    All the while thrusters located above and below would maintain a level flight.


    ¡°How fast?¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°In theory? Ludicrous speed!¡± Alin grinned.


    His uncle and his older cousins got it as they laughed.


    Lera blinked. Then nudged her dad, whispering a question.


    ¡°In practice, below Mach 1. The frame can handle a lot more. It¡¯s the people inside that can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°No inertial dampeners? Threnosh flight armors and vehicles have them standard,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Cost and size are the issues. The escape pods are fitted with them and we¡¯re working on winged flight suits to copy the Threnosh¡¯s interceptor armors. We haven¡¯t scaled them up for something this size, but we¡¯re working on it.¡±


    The starboard side of the skyship was essentially mirrored on the port side.


    Redundancies all around.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to show us the sails?¡± Uncle Eron said as they were headed back to the bridge.


    ¡°Sails?¡± Tessa frowned.


    ¡°They¡¯re sort of a last ditch emergency measure in case the engines die. Not much to see right now really since they¡¯re folded up. Plus they¡¯re huge. It¡¯d be like looking at a small part of a folded up curtain.¡±


    ¡°The airship we rode on had sails,¡± Vee said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t¡ª that just sounds like it¡¯d be slow and indirect. Like, you have to tack with the wind and stuff if you wanted to go against it.¡±


    ¡°They used wind spells. There was this arm-like thing with gems embedded in it that would extend behind the sail. Three sets of sails. On top and on each side.¡±


    ¡°That sounds way more elegant than this sterile monstrosity,¡± Uncle Eron said.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Uncle Eron!¡± Alin had enough of the skyship slander. The Raynanaut deserved better. ¡°She is a sleek dagger cutting through the sky like a deadly¡­ dagger¡­ what¡¯s cooler than that?¡±


    ¡°Maybe something that isn¡¯t shaped like some kind of empire¡¯s excessive super ship.¡±


    ¡°That is a little slanderous, Uncle,¡± Vee leapt to Alin¡¯s defense. ¡°The airship was designed like that because it doubled as an ocean ship. Even the people that crewed it said that it¡¯s lack of aerodynamics made it a poor flier.¡±


    ¡°Literally everything that was trying to catch us, caught up with us,¡± Vee said.


    ¡°Then why even build it in the first place?¡± Uncle Eron said.


    ¡°It was faster than walking and some of their oceans were too dangerous to sail on,¡± Vee said.


    ¡°Fair points. I withdraw my, apparently, slanderous comments,¡± Uncle Eron said.


    ¡°Dad?¡± Lera poked him in the side. ¡°When can I walk outside?¡±


    His uncle looked to Alin.


    He consulted the information on his faceplate.


    They did have helmets and oxygen, but he hesitated to mention it because it would lead to him having to ask Captain Molds if his annoying cousin could go walk on top of the Raynanaut.


    ¡°What¡¯s Lera¡¯s altitude limit?¡±


    ¡°I can hold my breath in space!¡± She beamed.


    Shit!


    ¡°You still can¡¯t fly though.¡± He pointed out reasonably.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be with her,¡± Uncle Eron said.


    He sighed. ¡°We¡¯re at 1500 meters.¡±


    ¡°Is that too high for us?¡± Vee whispered.


    ¡°What is that in feet?¡± Tessa whispered.


    He sighed again. ¡°Close to 5000.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we can do that,¡± Vee smiled.


    ¡°I can fix myself to the metal,¡± Tessa said.


    Vee shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ll just piggyback.¡±


    Resigned, Alin contacted the skyship¡¯s captain.


    ¡°Excuse me, Captain Molds, our guests have a small request¡­¡±


    Captain Molds insisted on sealed altitude suits complete with oxygen systems for three out of the four. The same kind that the drake and wyvern riders and pilots wore.


    She was not going to responsible for any unforeseen complications.


    ¡°Dad,¡± Lera whispered. ¡°But how can I feel the wind in my hair if I have to wear a helmet.¡±


    ¡°You can take it off outside.¡±


    Flying monsters attacked 10 minutes later.


    10 minutes and 30 seconds later the monsters had all fallen to the earth.


    Even the tentacled manta ray-like kaiju.


    They had been burned, torn apart with metal or had their brains fried.


    ¡°Goldenspoon,¡± Captain Molds said.


    ¡°Sir?¡±


    ¡°Can you tell them I would like the opportunity to test the Raynanaut¡¯s weapons and my crew¡¯s readiness the next time monsters attack?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°Give them my thanks as well for the quick and efficient display.¡±


    ¡°Captain!¡± the communications officer barked. ¡°Satellites picked up another monster cluster.¡±


    ¡°On screen,¡± Captain Molds said with a smile. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting months to say that,¡± she muttered. ¡°Better get them back inside. I want to show them what we¡¯re capable of.¡±


    ¡°Right away, sir,¡± Alin said.


    His heart rate was elevated. Had been since the first attack.


    He reminded himself that he was in no real danger with his uncle present and that was before adding his cousins and the Raynanaut and her crew.


    There would be no need for him to fight in this one.


    He could stand back and observe the crew and the skyship work.


    <hr>


    Tokyo, Japan, Winter, 2050


    Japan had weathered the spires apocalypse better than most old nations.


    They were one of the very few that essentially maintained a continuity of government control. Granted, said control, was confined to in and around their most populated cities prior to the change. Much like in every land, the wild spaces between were dominated by encounter challenges, spawn zones and the terrors they brought.


    In the earliest days, an aging population and a lack of civilian gun ownership extracted a calamitous toll. Their saving grace was, unlike in many other places, the vast majority of people banded together to fight the monsters and survive. Human on human violence was rare. Almost unheard of. Only the insane or the worst evil fell to those depths. Survival meant levels and levels meant greater survival.


    Recent years saw the addition of outworld invaders different from the monsters and entities. These sapients sought many things. Some sought conquest, others sought new homes as they fled their old.


    The rise in conflict caused more suffering and death, but brought a rise in levels.


    Much like in other parts of the world classes pulled from the cultural zeitgeist.


    Hence Cal was surrounded by a veritable kitchen sink of anime.


    Colorful, dark and everything in between.


    There was even a giant robot piloted by a teenage boy. He had visited a year ago in hopes of comparing notes. Purely from a desire to broaden both their knowledge bases, of course. Perhaps, the boy could¡¯ve learned from the Threnosh and the golem maker back in Southern California or add magitech gear to his giant robot. Perhaps, they could¡¯ve learned from the boy and made their own giant robots. Such was the secret dream in the hearts of man. Sadly, it had been dashed cruelly on the rocks of reality. The giant robot only worked for the boy. His class was the only thing that made it work. The Japanese government had already failed in their attempts to copy it in whole and in part.


    In any case, it wasn¡¯t nearly as powerful as the ones in the anime. The boy needed to level.


    These brave men and women of all ages weren¡¯t all under the control of the government. About half were independents. They generally did what they wanted. Whether that meant protecting their neighborhoods or murderhobo-ing monsters, evil people and outworld invaders across Tokyo and the rest of the country if they were strong enough.


    They were faced with a new problem.


    One that they needed outside help to face.


    Thus, Cal arrived an hour before the dawn.

 9.5

    Cal stood on a dark street.


    There were street lights, but the flat pane of glass bisecting the street sucked them dark.


    It wasn¡¯t actually glass.


    It was magic¡­ probably.


    At least it felt like magic and looked like magic to all his different psionic senses.


    The energy of tech-based barriers felt different.


    Power-based barriers, like his mom¡¯s forcefields made for the third type.


    Were there more types out there?


    Probably¡­


    He pushed with telekinesis.


    The physical force did nothing.


    It didn¡¯t rebound or slide off.


    It didn¡¯t even disappear.


    There was no interaction between his power and the barrier.


    It was as if existence just stopped.


    What was really troublesome was that the satellites hadn¡¯t detected it going up.


    Something this huge should¡¯ve put out more than enough energy to be spotted.


    ¡°Well?¡±


    The young woman in a bright and colorful school uniform loomed over his shoulder.


    A lot of young people loomed around him.


    The only one that didn¡¯t was an old government guy in tactical gear.


    Young people seemed to keep getting taller every year.


    ¡°When did this go up? The exact time or as close as possible, please.¡±


    The old government guy, General Satoru, cleared his throat.


    He was more of a frontline general than a hide behind a desk general, which automatically gave him a few points with Cal. Had to respect a person willing to risk his life with the soldiers he sent to fight and die. Sure, it might not have been the best strategy, but it¡¯d be hypocritical for him to say anything about it. Pots and kettles being both black.


    ¡°Zero one hundred local time.¡±


    The general explained that the detachment stationed in the Imperial Palace reported in every hour on the hour.


    ¡°So, between somewhere between that and midnight.¡±


    He pulled the data from the satellites.


    They didn¡¯t have constant worldwide coverage. North America and the Philippines had priority. Followed by the areas around allied settlements around the world and known extreme danger zones. The rest had gaps as the satellites¡¯ orbits passed overhead.


    Fortunately, Tokyo was in that second tier, so it usually had at least one satellite pointed its way.


    He sped up his perceptions.


    The world seemed to freeze around him.


    The people stopped.


    The insects fell silent.


    The data flowed into his faceplate. He overlaid a recording of the Imperial Palace on it.


    They didn¡¯t like being spied on, but they didn¡¯t really have a choice.


    He had given them access to soothe their egos and they had quickly found the ability to spot dangers forming in the wild mountains worth it. Spotting a kaiju days out rather than on the horizon had saved many lives.


    He watched it several times before he was satisfied.


    There had been no power spike or surge in energy.


    The glass-like barrier had simply appeared in one moment.


    The entire Imperial Palace and about a block out beyond the water surrounding the palace area were enclosed in the cube-shaped barrier.


    The world resumed motion.


    ¡°I¡¯m assuming you tried digging?¡±


    ¡°You know what they say about people that assume?¡± A young man in black and white robes casually rested an over-sized katana on his shoulder.


    The general grunted and the young woman glared.


    They were enough to cow the young man.


    ¡°In multiple locations. The barrier goes down to one hundred meters. We¡¯re continuing. Our kekkaishi failed to penetrate or dispel it.¡±


    Cal heard the Japanese word thanks to being an anime nerd in his younger days. A non-native speaker would have probably heard barrier master, barrier priest, barrier mage or another similar variation depending on their own biases and preconceptions.


    ¡°And you¡¯ve obviously tried shooting it?¡±


    The young woman snorted.


    ¡°Portal magic? Flash Step?¡± he raised a brow at the young man.


    The skin under the young man¡¯s eyes and across the bridge of his nose were a bit dark. Like he had been punched in the face.


    It was healing quickly though. It must¡¯ve been really bad half an hour ago when the young man had flash stepped face first into the barrier.


    ¡°Well, are you going to do something or not?¡± the young man scowled.


    ¡°How important is the royal family to you?¡±


    A question that needed to be asked.


    Royalty in the pre-spires era had been essentially in a parasitic relationship with the rest of society. They lived off taxes while providing things like prestige, tradition, and other nebulous things. Feel good things. Objectively speaking they were useless. Sure they spear-headed charitable causes, but one only had to do the math to understand that one would¡¯ve helped said charities more by simply taking all the hundreds of millions spent on the royalty and putting them directly to the causes.


    Royalty in the post-spires era had classes.


    This made them useful, like the Queen of London, Eron knew her when she was just a young girl, had helped her rise to unquestioned power against those that would¡¯ve controlled her. She had proved her worth to the people main times over the years.


    The Slaver King had been another example. Great power, but evil. His existence had been a blight on the world and tens of thousands had been harmed by what he had wrought in Old Florida.


    ¡°Think very hard, but quickly. I can try some stuff, but you¡¯re going to have to evacuate this whole area and your kekkaishis are going to have to be really good to keep the people¡¯s homes from being possibly destroyed. Or you can keep trying what you¡¯re doing. I¡¯ll help.¡±


    ¡°Do what y¡ª¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll evac¡ª¡±


    General Satoru and Marloes Kitagawa spoke at the same time.


    The latter was born to a Japanese father and a dutch mother over a decade after the spires had appeared. Her mother had been on a holiday during a gap year before university.


    Sadly, the young woman was now alone. Her relatives had slowly died over the years. Even the few children that had been born failed to survive to the present.


    It wasn¡¯t an uncommon story, though perhaps she had been unluckier than most what with an extremely powerful monster spawning just outside the neighborhood where the bulk of her relatives had lived.


    The magical girl or mahou shoujo depending on one¡¯s perspective was a lot more versatile than her class suggested.


    Mahou Shoujo: .50 Caliber.


    ¡°The emperor and his family take precedence,¡± General Satoru said flatly.


    ¡°The people do,¡± Marloes said through grit teeth.


    Cal sided with the young woman.


    However, the royal family possessed important Skills that benefited the entire nation. They could inspire bravery and temporarily push people past the peak of their capability. Farms produced fruits and vegetables quicker. Livestock grew faster and required less resources. Certain monster types found it more difficult or outright impossible to enter areas in their presence.


    The optimal choice would be clear if he was a sociopath.


    Sadly, he had empathy for others.


    ¡°Start evacuating. Get those kekkaishi and anyone capable of making shields ready.¡±


    To his credit the general didn¡¯t try to argue. ¡°What will we need to block?¡±


    ¡°Physical objects are likely. Let¡¯s say from as small as bullets to as large as a car. Some kind of energy release is possible, but I don¡¯t know the odds. It could be magical, non-magical or a mix of the two. And prepare for monsters.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing in there,¡± Marloes said.


    Indeed, the glass-like barrier didn¡¯t obscure what lay within.


    ¡°Look closer.¡±


    She took a moment.


    ¡°It¡¯s frozen?¡±


    The canal. The trees. The tops of buildings farther in. It looked like a photo or a paused video.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back in bit.¡±


    He zoomed into the sky and into space.


    There were always a staggering number of asteroids floating in orbit around the planet. The vast majority were small things that burned into nothing when they were inevitably pulled to the planet.


    He gathered a few thousand tons worth from the size of his fist to the size of large house.


    ¡°Everyone tapped in?¡± he said into the comms as he flew back into the atmosphere.


    He had shared gear with the Japanese government and the strongest or most promising of the independents.


    This allowed him to share data through his helmet and the many, tiny drones he had seeded around the area upon his arrival.


    The Omninet in action.


    ¡°I¡¯m command and control. Don¡¯t hesitate. Commencing bombardment.¡±


    He started small.


    Asteroids became meteors as he shot them into the top of the glass-like barrier.


    There were less fireworks than he had expected or hoped for.


    The cosmic bullets vanished on impact, which was to say that technically, there were no impacts.


    The barrage grew in size and intensity.


    The barrier weathered it without apparent difficulty.


    Even the last mansion-sized meteor vanished with a whimper.


    He took a moment to check on the evacuation.


    It was proceeding in an efficient and orderly manner.


    Quite impressive, really, to wake people up and get them moving to the shelters without much complaint.


    He hoped that his next tactic wouldn¡¯t scare them.


    Tokyo Bay was only a few kilometers away so he pulled water into the sky, creating the first sky river on Earth. At least, as far as he knew. So, he¡¯d count it as such.


    He wondered if the spires would¡ª


    A loud chime sounded and text flashed across his vision.


    The world first accomplishment was his and with it came a ton of Universal Points and a small note in history.


    The dark water flowed in an invisible tunnel a few hundred meters off the ground. It curved overhead before slamming straight down on the barrier containing the Imperial Palace.


    It sucked the water into nothing.


    Minutes passed.


    So many tons.


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    The barrier held¡ª until it didn¡¯t.


    It shot everything back from the very first bullet to the last drop of seawater on the same exact vectors.


    Cal sped up his perception instantaneously.


    There was no time, so he pumped information directly into those capable of reacting and moving fast. He made them think that they were acting on instinct or luck.


    They cut down bullets and magic spells before they could reach the evacuees under their protection.


    Barriers and shields blocked, though some shattered.


    He felt their deaths as their minds went dark and vanished.


    Twenty-three. Mostly evacuees.


    Tons of meteors flew skyward with a stream of ocean water.


    He had created a water volcano.


    It wouldn¡¯t kill with noxious fumes and heat. It would kill with sheer mass. If he let it.


    He grabbed it all with a thought and shot everything into the dark waters of the bay. He contained the splash, preventing a tsunami from forming.


    The Imperial Palace was free once more.


    Relief was short-lived.


    The park surrounding the palace and other buildings had been once filled with lush trees and green lawns. It was now barren. The ground was dark and cracked. What trees remained were twisted, withered things. Like the bones of the dead reaching out from their graves.


    The canal encircling the complex was filled with dark water where nightmarish writhing things lurked.


    The buildings were partially-ruined. Gaping holes dotted their walls. Roofs were torn. Dark brown stains had seeped into the wood and the stone walkways where footprints, man and monsters left their mark, telling a dreadful tale of what had transpired.


    The palace hadn¡¯t been spared.


    Cal saw the echoes. The ghosts. Psychic remnants. The greater the emotions involved the stronger the imprint left behind. Terror and despair revealed all.


    Two years had passed inside the glass-like barrier.


    The people inside had been subjected to unimaginable suffering. The worst torture. Mind, body and soul. The lucky died. Of those that didn¡¯t, all broke. Some were used until they too died. The remainder joined in the evil.


    It was all in the service of the rituals.


    Here the echoes became garbled, the dark magic interfering with the psychic signatures left behind.


    Summoning rituals?


    Some of them, but not all.


    He got the impression that those weren¡¯t the main goal.


    What that was eluded him.


    Three things remained in the Imperial Palace.


    Monsters.


    Twisted sapients, including what was left of the people that had been living there.


    Finally, those responsible.


    Five Earthians.


    Evil to the core.


    Cal switched to broadcast to everyone on the comms.


    ¡°Enemy incoming. Fall back and defend shelters. Don¡¯t worry about containment. They will all come after people. Sending identification links.¡±


    Those with access to the Omninet would get the pertinent monsterpedia entry or the strengths and weaknesses of the specific species page.


    They weren¡¯t facing a single united monster or species.


    It was a mix.


    And they weren¡¯t fighting each other.


    Cal plunged into their thoughts to find out why.


    It was like diving into sewage.


    To be inside their thoughts was to be them and him at the same time.


    A weaker mind would¡¯ve been forced to remain on the surface or risked insanity and worse.


    The monster were easy. They wanted to kill people.


    The Earthians wanted to kill and spread suffering for levels and power.


    The other sapients¡­ some may have had good reasons once, but two years had wiped those from their hearts. Now, they were as dark and twisted as the five responsible.


    He dived straight into the dark heart at the center of it all.


    The Imperial Palace.


    Whatever it once represented was gone. Years of evil deeds within had soaked it in blood and human suffering. Mind, body and soul.


    He punched through several layers of magic shields.


    The kekkai-flavored variety of the kekkaishi.


    One of the five.


    The young man¡¯s cries of pain echoed in the physical and psychic.


    One out of the fight for now.


    Four remained.


    He stretched his thoughts outward into the surrounding area.


    Command and control.


    Much more than his loose allies would ever realize.


    He would need to balance his help with the need for people to gain levels. The danger had to be legitimate. The struggle had to be theirs. The margins were razor thin. He couldn¡¯t simply prevent death for that would greatly lessen their gains. He had to be as light as a feather on the scales to just barely tip it in their favor.


    The light touch would guarantee that not all his allies would see the approaching dawn.


    And for those that did?


    Survival and victory went hand in hand.


    However, neither assured that they wouldn¡¯t be marked in terrible ways.


    Mind, body and soul.


    To fight risked marring them all.


    <hr>


    Marloes or Super Happy Sparkle in her mahou shoujo persona listened to Cal¡¯s warnings.


    She had learned to take them seriously, so she maintained her position on the tallest rooftop a few blocks from the Imperial Palace.


    The glasses he had given her a while back gave her access to the Omninet.


    She didn¡¯t waste time in following the links and quickly reading the information.


    She skipped the monsters that she was already familiar with to focus on the new ones.


    Parasitic worms sounded bad.


    Her uniform left a lot of arm and leg bare.


    The magical girl transformation did make her bulletproof.


    But not necessarily worm proof.


    A stronger body greatly slowed the worm¡¯s trip to her brain, but that meant if she got infected she¡¯d have to stay transformed and she couldn¡¯t do that indefinitely.


    Her tiara¡¯s forcefield would provide some protection, but it wasn¡¯t the kind that was on all the time. She could only activate it briefly to take hits. And there were limits to the number of activations.


    ¡°Destroy the brain,¡± she murmured.


    That was something she did very well.


    Keep her distance.


    Which was her style anyways.


    ¡°Watch out for white-skinned humanoids, which may have fine, hair-like tendrils coming out of their face holes.¡±


    Cal must¡¯ve written the entry.


    ¡°You read so fast, Sparkle-chan,¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration said. ¡°I¡¯m just getting to that part annnddd¡­ gross! This enemy seems perfect for my parade!¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Start summoning them. I will attract their attention and keep them busy.¡±


    ¡°May we assist?¡±


    Three people materialized behind her.


    People?


    More like kids.


    She was a grizzled veteran at just over 20 years old.


    The others ranged in age from 12 to 16, though Dashing Bandit celebration had never wavered from the assertion that she was eighteen.


    Miko Hiromi clasped her hands and bowed. Serenity exuded from her aura. A faint white glow in magic-capable eyes.


    Marloes nodded.


    The girl was 12, but she had always been professional and reliable in the handful of times they had crossed paths.


    Shinigami Yuta was less so. The boy was only a little younger than Dashing Bandit Celebration, but he was easily the least reliable and most immature of the four. His katana was sheathed at his waist once more. It was just like him to use the second release solely as some kind of dick measuring contest with Cal. Not that the older man had even noticed.


    ¡°Why are we just standing here!¡± He gave her a feral grin. ¡°There are monsters to destroy!¡±


    The last child relinquished his hold around Yuta¡¯s back.


    She didn¡¯t recognize him.


    Though, he was one of the JSDF¡¯s judging by the tactical gear and flag patch on his breast.


    ¡°And you are?¡±


    ¡°Specialist Jun Endo. Kekkaishi, Level 30.¡±


    30 before 20.


    Someone was good and power-leveled.


    Dashing Bandit Celebration opened one eye to squint at the boy. ¡°What¡¯re you doing here, Endo-chan? JSDF doesn¡¯t normally let you play on your own.¡±


    Jun bowed, though he failed to hide the eye twitch. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I only know that I have to be here and my sergeant agreed¡­ for some reason.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here because the spirits directed me,¡± Hiromi said.


    Yuta shrugged. ¡°Just figured the best fighting¡¯s going to be somewhere here. It¡¯s not like I need any of you. So, if you¡¯re just going to talk then I¡¯ll find monsters to kill myself.¡±


    ¡°The worm monsters are going to come through this way. We can¡¯t let them infect people,¡± Marloes said.


    How did she know that?


    The others nodded, like they just believed her or also knew.


    Not even Yuta, who was an annoying contrarian by default.


    ¡°Their true spirits cry out in agony. We must release them,¡± Hiromi said.


    ¡°You all have the glasses. Read the entry if you haven¡¯t already.¡±


    Yuta opened his mouth to argue, but shut it. His brow furrowed then smoothed. He pulled the glasses out of his robes and donned them with a shrug.


    ¡°Do it quickly.¡±


    ¡°I have already reviewed the information,¡± Hiromi said.


    ¡°Me too. We study every entry,¡± Jun said.


    Say what you will about the JSDF, say that they were competent.


    ¡°I skimmed it,¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration muttered.


    The teen¡¯s eyes were closed as sparkling portals opened and closed all around her disgorging her summoned creatures.


    Colorful, soft, fluffy and armed with toy weapons that were as deadly as the real things.


    It looked like she was going to save her best ones for last.


    ¡°Kekkaishi Endo, please start putting barriers up across the side streets.¡± She pointed. ¡°I want to draw their attention and funnel them to us.¡±


    ¡°Is that all, .50 Caliber-sama?¡±


    ¡°Will you have enough energy left over to create more?¡±


    ¡°I have over 50% more than is typical of my level thanks to a Skill.¡±


    ¡°Can you orient them in any other way beyond vertical walls?¡±


    Most kekkaishi could only create their barriers in that manner.


    ¡°I can.¡±


    ¡°Then give me platforms in the air to fire from. Each platform needs to be 10 meters from another. That¡¯s the distance I can safely jump.¡±


    The boy walked to the edge of the rooftop and began casting barriers.


    Typically, they appeared as a single color. A product of the individual¡¯s subconscious will.


    These shimmered faintly with the colors of a rainbow.


    Marloes attention was drawn behind her.


    A bright flash of yellow-orange light bloomed.


    She heard the faint pops of machine guns and the more powerful explosions of grenades and spells. She could almost imagine the sounds of people screaming and monsters snarling.


    Part of her wanted to head straight to the nearest shelter or knot of people caught out, but the voice in the back of her head assured her that she could do the most good exactly where she stood.


    ¡°What about me?¡± Yuta picked at his teeth. ¡°I mean, I don¡¯t take orders from anyone but myself¡­ but I¡¯ll listen to suggestions¡­ I guess.¡± He blinked, as if he couldn¡¯t believe the words coming out of his mouth.


    She was with him there.


    ¡°Defend Miko-sama, carry her where she believes she needs to be. If that remains on this rooftop, then you will not let one worm-ridden monster up here.¡±


    A shinigami with a third release would¡¯ve been preferable, but those were beyond rare, and they were undoubtedly helping elsewhere.


    ¡°Yeah. Yeah.¡± Yuta waved a hand dismissively.


    Now, there was nothing to do but wait.


    Marloes pulled her wand of laser pointer from her pocket.


    The battered steel casing had been matte black once. Lustrous and rich. Now it was faded and bare in spots, rubbed away by the oil and sweat from her fingers.


    She checked her tiara even though she knew it was full of magic.


    Her bullet necklace rested comfortably underneath her uniform shirt.


    The heels of sure-footedness gripped the rooftop.


    She raised her free hand and called.


    Light swirled around her, coalescing into a star-shaped shield where each of the five points radiating from the center was in the shape of the bullet that she took her mahou shoujo name from.


    ¡°Let the parade begin!¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration clapped. She smiled from ear to ear beneath the black mask around her eyes that mirrored that on the faces of her summons.


    The plushies, locked and loaded, armed with all kinds of weapons leapt from the rooftops.


    It was a disturbing sight, but nowhere near as bad as the things Happy Night Princess Undead Girl did.


    ¡°Remember, they aren¡¯t dumb monsters and they¡¯re armed with weapons taken from the JSDF garrison.¡±


    How did she know that?


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about us, .50 Caliber-chan!¡± Dashing Bandit Celebrations waved.


    The other mahou shoujo knew she didn¡¯t like being called so familiarly.


    Everyone that had the right were dead.


    She gave them a curt nod before leaping onto one of Jun¡¯s horizontal barriers.


    The boy had made a lot more than she had expected. That wasn¡¯t including the much larger barriers that walled off the streets a block in front of their positions.


    She was reluctantly impressed. Even if she didn¡¯t like ones so young being forced to fight for lives, theirs and the people.


    Marloes¡­ Super Happy Sparkle leapt 10 meters at a time until she came to the last barrier platform.


    A bullet struck her right between the eyes a split-second before the crack reached her ears.


    The tiara flared hot as the magic shield took the damage.


    She crouched behind her small shield, trying to hide as much of her body as she could.


    It took about a half second for the tiara to recharge.


    Bullets plinked off her shield, rattling her arm.


    It seems her instincts had been correct.


    The worm-ridden did indeed have JSDF guns.


    She peeked around her shield and caught the star-shaped flashes in the dark from the street right next to the canal surrounding the Imperial Palace.


    Just like the monsterpedia said.


    White-skinned humanoids, tentatively dubbed ¡®trogs¡¯ because the species true name had yet to be discovered. They were small, short, wiry things, though much stronger than their size suggested based on a musculature and bone density greater than a human¡­ Earthian.


    Smart enough to use weapons, but perhaps inexperienced with proper cover tactics.


    She forewent using her wand of laser pointer.


    Instead, she fixed the general target area in her mind and fired.


    .50 caliber bullets shot out of the open air around her.


    The barrage turned the worm-ridden trogs into wet smears of hot red, painting the cold street.


    Her bullets weren¡¯t the kind found in pistols. Nope. That had been her early days when she was lower leveled.


    Over Level 40 meant that her bullets were like the ones used in anti-material rifles. The kind that could shoot close to 7000 meters. The kind that soldiers in the old days used against armored vehicles. The kind that turned a person into a red mist.


    But she did all of that one better.


    She could imbue her bullets with a variety of spell effects.


    The monsterpedia recommended fire as one of the ways to destroy the worms.


    Thus, her follow up barrage ignited a plume of fire that turned night into day for a moment.


    So went the first moves in the battle.


    A resounding victory for the defenders.


    However, the attackers weren¡¯t simple monsters.


    More importantly, they had access to the Skills of their hosts in addition to their knowledge and memories.


    A familiar mask flashed out of the corner of her right eye.


    Half black, half white, split down the middle. A black smile on white and a white frown on black.


    The eye holes should¡¯ve been the same juxtaposition. Black on white, white on black.


    It shouldn¡¯t have been filled with fine, hair-like tendrils grasping out.


    Bright Frown Dark Smile Jester.


    The older mahou shoujo by dint of her experience and power was the personal bodyguard of the crown princess.


    Had been.


    Marloes corrected.


    It was likely that the crown princess was no more¡­ if she was lucky. If not, well¡­ that fate stared Marloes in the face.

 9.6

    Bright Frown Dark Smile Jester¡¯s fine men¡¯s suit was tattered and bloody.


    The stains were dark brown and dry from age.


    Her customary top hat was nowhere to be seen.


    Instead, black hair had gone white and long, crusted with dried blood from open sores on her scalp.


    Jester¡¯s hair had been cropped short, like a man¡¯s, the last time Marloes had seen the woman, which was a week ago.


    Jester reached for Marloes face.


    She willed bullets to shoot out in all directions, but only out to 10 meters. She wasn¡¯t going to friendly fire her allies on the nearby rooftop or anyone else fighting or fleeing the monsters.


    Jester blurred and vanished.


    The woman had always been one of the fastest.


    Marloes leapt across the barrier platforms, firing omnidirectional bursts to keep Jester off her.


    She headed north away from her allies.


    Jester was too much for them, even when diminished by the parasitic worm in her brain.


    She could see it in the movements.


    Not nearly as precise and noticeably slower.


    Which gave her a chance.


    The true Jester would¡¯ve already defeated her.


    She reached the last of Endo¡¯s barrier platforms, forcing her to leap down onto a rooftop.


    Jester appeared behind her arm outstretched in a throwing motion.


    She had seen the trick dozens of times.


    The attack would come from the front, so she slipped her head to one side.


    A bawking plastic chicken shot out from nothing, whizzing past her ear.


    The damn thing would¡¯ve pecked right through her tiara¡¯s magic shield and into her eye.


    Sometimes it was hard to see how horrible their abilities truly were when one usually saw them being used on monsters.


    Case in point¡­


    Marloes shot bullets from the air surrounding Jester.


    The simultaneous cracks of a few dozen shots shattered the relative quiet surrounding them.


    Jester blurred, but Marloes felt a handful of shots strike home.


    ¡°No, not Jester, not anymore¡­¡± she muttered.


    The mahou shoujo had died the moment the worm had reached her brain.


    All that was left was a prisoner in her own body. Trapped in agony until someone could free her in the only way.


    Death.


    ¡°You damn worm!¡± she called as she ran and leapt across the rooftops. ¡°How dare you defile a true hero!¡±


    The monsterpedia said that the worms were sapient and had weak to middling psychic abilities. Mostly, used to confuse their targets, muddling their thoughts.


    Odd that she didn¡¯t feel confused or muddled.


    Her mind was as clear as it had ever been.


    Strange¡­ it was a lot clearer.


    The Bountiful Decade had pushed her to work tirelessly to kill monsters and put down spawn zones.


    She had reasoned that since she was alone there was no room for anything else in her life. Not even rest.


    Perhaps the worm was being forced to give its all to control Jester?


    Marloes hoped that was the case.


    She didn¡¯t like the idea of Jester being helpless.


    ¡°If you¡¯re still in there help me free you!¡±


    Laughter echoed.


    Instinct told her that the attack would come from the front and back. High and low.


    Two ropes made out of colored handkerchiefs tied together swept out of nowhere.


    They didn¡¯t look it but they were nearly as sharp as monofilament wire.


    Marloes leapt, twisted, contorting her body horizontal to the ground. She spun, letting the razor-sharp handkerchief ropes pass her harmlessly.


    A sudden flash blinded.


    A loud pop deafened.


    Muscle memory brought her shield up just in time to block the bulk of the colorful confetti she knew had been sprayed in her face.


    The high-pitched keening whistle bore its way into her very being.


    Her mouth split into a clownish smile as a tiny giggles began to bubble out. Her limbs leadened with the deep depth of despair that would¡¯ve have kept her in bed for days at a time if not for the needs of the people.


    And what was her response?


    As it always had been and ever will be.


    .50 caliber bullets in all directions imbued with explosive fire.


    She closed her eyes and mouth, holding her breath.


    Her tiara grew hot, though not from the fire.


    Its magic shield absorbed the shockwave.


    The flames burned parts of her uniform and singed her bared skin. The tips of her hair burned, lighting up like candle wicks.


    Confetti turned to ash in a few seconds.


    Hot air pulsed against the back of her neck.


    Fine hairs tickled her ringing ears.


    She dived forward desperately, turning it into an artful handstand.


    Her short skirt remained in its place in defiance of gravity. It was a Skill, if perhaps a wasteful one. Neither wind, nor pervert would ever threaten her modesty.


    Her long legs split like a dancer¡¯s, generating the spin that had her facing Not-Jester when she landed on her heels.


    Hair-like tendrils partially obscured her senior mahou shoujo¡¯s black and white mask.


    A green dot appeared on Not-Jester¡¯s forehead, neatly split by the line between black and white.


    The worm-ridden mahou shoujo blurred, but it was already too late.


    The bullet fired as if from barrel of the gun placed directly against the mask.


    Not-Jester reappeared where she had been standing. Her head snapped back.


    Marloes shifted the wand of laser pointer.


    Crack!


    Not-Jester¡¯s left knee flew back.


    The green dot appeared on her right knee.


    Crack!


    Only a glancing blow, as Not-Jester somehow twisted out of the way.


    She turned it into a spin, thrusting a torn and tattered black glove with a flourish.


    Marloes only just noticed that two fingers were missing while the middle finger was down to the second knuckle. Dark-stained ivory protruded out of encrusted flesh.


    Her tiara flared heat around her head as the shield took the attack she had failed to notice.


    Not-Jester blurred.


    Marloes raised her shield.


    The kick landed like an explosion.


    She didn¡¯t hear it. The only thing she could was something like a muffled droning mixed with tinny ringing.


    Her wrist felt it, bending back with sudden violence.


    She felt the pop, heard the crack.


    There was something to be said about wearing the shield strapped around the arm rather than in the fist like a much smaller buckler.


    It slipped out of a broken hand and wrist, clanging on the rooftop.


    She lashed out with a teep, stabbing the stiletto heel through the forest of hair-like tendrils into Not-Jester¡¯s eye.


    She had kicked a lot of eyes, man and monster.


    It didn¡¯t feel like any of them.


    There was no brief resistance before instantly giving way.


    Resistance was firm all the way through.


    She thanked her choice to go with full-coverage high heels going all the way up to her knees.


    The tendrils grasped, poked and prodded in their search for an entrance.


    She pulled free before they could succeeded.


    Her uniform provided protection similar to bulletproof fabric and steel plate armor combined.


    The tendrils could penetrate the former, but not the latter.


    She shot a tight-packed spread into Not-Jesters chest, sending her senior flying back across the rooftop and over the ledge.


    The higher level woman¡¯s uniform was even stronger.


    No blood. No penetration.


    Marloes didn¡¯t hesitate, shooting a hail of bullets down after Not-Jester. She fired behind her in a wide spray.


    Instinctively, through her class, she knew that a handful had hit.


    Not-Jester stood oddly. She canted to one side like that strange tower Marloes had seen a picture of in her mother¡¯s old phone.


    The knee was clearly ruined and not healing as quickly as it should¡¯ve been.


    Pain was a nonfactor for the worm since it had mastery over its host¡¯s body. It could cut itself off from the signals. It was another matter for the host. They felt everything, yet couldn¡¯t react and act appropriately to alleviate it.


    Thus, the real Bright Frown Dark Smile Jester was in agony from being forced to place her weight on her ruined knee. Not to mention all her other injuries.


    ¡°Worm. You tortured her to your own detriment. The true Jester wouldn¡¯t have taken more than two seconds to get from the street back to here. Monster, you are slowing down.¡± She swallowed the lump in her throat. She had to be brave. Jester needed her help. ¡°If you can hear me, senior¡­ I will end your suffering and set you free.¡±


    Marloes was too tired. Her heart and head were heavy and muddled. Her ability failed to activate.


    It almost cost her.


    Not-Jester crossed the distance in a blink.


    Marloes felt two and a half fingers around her throat for a moment before her shield kicked in and bought her another second.


    ¡°.50 Caliber Burial Coffin,¡± she whispered.


    Light stung her eyes while she choked on the sudden eruption of cordite.


    Her tiara practically burned her head.


    Not many shield uses left.


    She stumbled back.


    Bullets bombarded Not-Jester from all directions.


    The worm-ridden mahou shoujo was lost in the bright flashes and smoke.


    Marloes readied her wand of laser pointer, keeping her gaze just to the side lest she be blinded.


    The bullets left a coffin-shaped afterimage flickering between every barrage.


    She couldn¡¯t keep the ability active forever. Ammo and energy were finite.


    The smoke lingered around a dark silhouette until the breeze picked up.


    Not-Jester still stood.


    She swayed on one good leg and one bad leg.


    Tattered suit had been shredded beyond recognition. Wet red mixed with dry dark brown.


    The body beneath was unrecognizable as such. It was just leaking holes.


    She shouldn¡¯t have been able to stand with her muscles and bones destroyed.


    The mask had weathered the storm best of all.


    Cracks spider-webbed across its surface. The bottom half had been destroyed, cutting a diagonal line from right eye to left cheek that reveal part of her nose and her whole mouth.


    The sight would haunt Marloes¡¯ dreams for a long time.


    She placed the green dot on the mask.


    Pieces broke with each crack until it finally shattered.


    One last shot imbued with fire.


    Not-Jester¡¯s head exploded like a roman candle.


    That was what the monsterpedia had recommended.


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Burn the brain, kill the worm.


    She filled the rest of the body with incendiary bullets just to be safe.


    There was nothing left of Bright Frown Dark Smile Jester except ashes.


    Marloes realized that she had never known the woman¡¯s real name. Had never seen her true face. Even her voice had been altered behind the mask.


    A memory flashed.


    A young girl with an anti-material rifle almost as tall as she was listened intently to a masked woman in a fine men¡¯s suit and top hat as they chatted atop Tokyo Tower while taking a break from their nightly patrol.


    It had been the first conversation to make her realize that the true weapon wasn¡¯t the rifle in her hands. It was her.


    Most people couldn¡¯t make the illogical leap.


    The familiar chime sounded in her ears, breaking her from her reverie.


    Text flashed.


    Voice spoke.


    The Quest.


    She had ignored it earlier when she was too busy running and jumping across the rooftops. She ignored it yet again.


    The battle wasn¡¯t over.


    She grabbed her broken hand and dislocated wrist.


    The touch sent spikes radiating up her arm.


    Pain and injury were familiar friends she had first made at the tender age of 11. Hence why she never sent underage fighters away. They were as she had been once.


    She popped her wrist back in place.


    Her vision erupted into bright stars before going black.


    The next thing she saw was the rooftop rapidly approaching.


    She caught herself with her good arm at the last moment.


    Mahou shoujo healing meant that she just needed to wrap her wrist and hand in tape to immobilize it and she was ready for another fight.


    The night sky was filled with flashing light and the sounds of battle.


    She leapt away, causing the ashes to swirl in her wake.


    <hr>


    Super Happy Sparkle.


    The name had sounded better when Marloes was young and not alone.


    When she fought with a perpetual grin.


    She had liked to announce her entrance into battle with a trademarked sign in the sky.


    Trademarks were necessary because of the merchandising.


    Tokyo had shrunk, but some things hadn¡¯t changed.


    Merchandise added Universal Points to one¡¯s account.


    The government had officially dropped the Yen, though some gray hairs refused to give it up. They were humored. After all, the economy had no reason to be as it once was. Chang had arrived and they would adapt to it rather than force their old ways to fit the new reality.


    Mahou Shoujo Super Happy Sparkle announced her return with a giant smiley face in the night sky.


    She held the bullets in the shape just long enough for the flash of light that accompanied their emergence to remain visible, twinkling like distant stars.


    It lingered with the gun smoke as the bullets ripped down into the worm-ridden monsters and people.


    She mentally included the trogs in the latter category. At least according to the monsterpedia.


    Her rain of bullets ripped into an entire street filled with worm-ridden.


    She landed on a nearby rooftop for moment to breathe and assess the situation.


    Her allies still held the tallest building in the immediate area.


    Three floors.


    It was high ground, but just over 9 meters wasn¡¯t a lot of distance.


    In fact it had been overrun.


    Worm-ridden monsters had occupied it.


    Shooting guns or using monstrous projectile attacks like sharp spines or caustic vomit.


    The standard really.


    Her allies had taken to Kekkaishi Endo¡¯s barrier platforms as they fled and fought across a three block area.


    They could¡¯ve retreated to a safer position ahead of the enemy¡¯s advancing lines, but that would¡¯ve allowed the worm-ridden to spread out and possibly reach other people to infect, which would be calamitously quick.


    The kekkaishi deftly created barriers for himself, Dashing Bandit Celebration and even some of her summoned plushies while dismissing the ones the worm-ridden tried to use.


    He would then create vertical barriers below the worm-ridden.


    The thin panes were a fraction of a millimeter thick. As sharp as razor blades.


    Not many managed to avoid being bisected as they fell.


    The faint rainbow hues painted over in red. Thick smears as though the painter had forgotten to thin her paints.


    Soldier tanuki plushies fired miniature guns and threw miniature grenades. Some even had miniature flamethrowers.


    Ninja tanuki plushies slipped in and out of the shadows, striking with straight-edged blades, throwing weapons of all types, blow darts and powder-filled bags. The sneaky little things used poison on their weapons.


    Samurai tanuki plushies fought in formations with miniature spears and bows. When the worm-ridden broke through they drew miniature katana, shedding blood until they were inevitably torn apart. A larger specimen, twice as large as the rest fell last, swinging its two-handed kanabo until it vanished beneath its enemies.


    The streets were awash in the carnage of blood and cotton.


    The mahou shoujo kept her best summons near her. Seven. Dressed in garish costumes and wielding impossible powers. They were a tribute to the girl¡¯s love of American superhero movies.


    It took a few moments for Marloes to locate Shinigami Yuta and the miko-sama.


    He flash stepped across the sky. Sometimes using the kekkaishi¡¯s barrier platforms, but mostly using his own ability to essentially jump and stand on air. It wasn¡¯t flight exactly. If he did anything other than stand still he would fall.


    The miko clung to his back like a baby monkey to its mother. She had her legs wrapped around his waist and one arm around his neck. The voluminous sleeve of her robes had been turned pink by a single slash near her shoulder. She wielded one of her torimono in her other hand. The suzu attached to the upper half of the arm-length wooden rod tinkled as she waved it in what appeared to be a deliberate pattern.


    The chiming of the bells increased intensity in line with her motions.


    Down on the street a knot of worm-ridden stopped their pursuit.


    The monsters howled, snarled and gnashed their teeth. Claws tore out their own ears as they rolled around as if their hides had been set aflame.


    The worm-ridden people reacted differently.


    Oh, they also writhed, but something odd happened.


    Marloes squinted.


    It was hard to see, but she thought for sure that ghostly shapes emerged from the people. From chest or back, these souls or spirits of the true owners grappled with the physical body stolen from them by the damn worms.


    Good!


    The people deserved a chance to control their fates.


    Would that Jester had the same opportunity.


    Alas, the mahou shoujo was¡ª had probably been too strong for the young miko to affect.


    Yuta took advantage and jumped down.


    He had already activated the second release of his katana. This time for a legitimate reason. The blade had grown four-fold in length and width, but not thickness. He flash stepped through the knot, cutting through multiple bodies with each slash.


    Dashing Bandit Celebration shouted something at Kekkaishi Endo while gesturing at the scene.


    Four barriers appeared, enclosing the sliced, yet still alive worm-ridden in an open-topped box.


    The mahou shoujo leapt into the void only for her tanuki plushie in the blue spandex costume with fluttering red cape to seize her by the back of her collar and fly her over the barrier box.


    She frantically plunged her hand into one of the bags of holding on her belt and started tossing glass bottles down to shatter and coat the worm-ridden.


    Marloes smelled the noxious fumes.


    Dashing Bandit Celebration gesticulated wildly.


    Her plushie followed her command with two thin beams of red heat from its eyes before flying her back to one of the barrier platforms hanging in midair.


    ¡°And that¡¯s how you cook worms!¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration whooped, pumping her fists like an over-excited and uncoordinated boxer.


    Marloes leapt over, putting bullets into the heads of every remaining worm-ridden capable of projectile attacks.


    Heads burst into flame.


    The remaining worm-ridden began to run away, running into buildings and alleys, slinking into the sewers.


    Or rather, they tried.


    The miko¡¯s chimes forced the worm-ridden people, human or otherwise to stop and grapple with themselves while slowing the monsters long enough for the kekkaishi to block their way with barriers.


    Yuta cut them with his blade or sent windblades.


    This time he aimed for the brains.


    Marloes hit the ones the others missed.


    She hopped over to a platform near Dashing Bandit Celebration.


    Far from smiling the other mahou shoujo frowned.


    ¡°I freed Jester-sama.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Oh¡­ good¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°I read in the monsterpedia that there is a mother worm thing.¡±


    ¡°Not necessarily.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but there is probably one if the rest of them show even the tiniest bit of strategy and tactics. They sent a strong fighter against you, forcing you to take the fight elsewhere.¡±


    ¡°That is not good tactics. I would¡¯ve went after the weakest members of our group first.¡±


    ¡°Even bad tactics are tactics.¡±


    ¡°So, where is it?¡±


    Dashing Bandit Celebration shrugged. ¡°Sneaking out to where there are more people? Say¡­ Endo-chan, can you ask your military friends if any of them have seen a mother worm. Probably a woman¡­ ish. Definitely gross and bloated. Very dangerous.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re aware of what it is and no. No sightings so far. The alert would¡¯ve gone out to everyone if there had been,¡± the boy kekkaishi said.


    ¡°Guys,¡± Yuta alighted on a nearby barrier platform and let the miko-sama down. ¡°I don¡¯t know why, but I¡¯m pretty sure that the thing is back there.¡± He pointed to the Imperial Palace.


    Strangely, Marloes got the same exact feeling.


    One echoed by the rest with simple nods.


    ¡°How are you for more battle?¡±


    ¡°We should be asking you that, Sparkle-chan,¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration regarded her with a raised brow.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re hurt,¡± Miko Hiromi said before bravely hopping over to stand on the same platform.


    ¡°I will accept any healing you are capable of giving, but please don¡¯t do so at the expense of your ability to continue battle.¡±


    ¡°You got your ass kicked.¡± Yuta smirked.


    Marloes didn¡¯t have time nor energy to deal with stupid, so she ignored it.


    Battered, bruised, burned and broken, in some parts, but not as a whole.


    Aside from the opponent that did it to her, it wasn¡¯t an unusual night for her.


    It was the price of being a solo fighter.


    ¡°How is your mana?¡± She regarded the boy kekkaishi.


    ¡°I am at half mana and I have already consumed my limit of potions. However, I will risk it. I know I must be here¡­ with you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s very brave of you, Endo-kun, but I was thinking we need to send you back and report¡­ this stuff.¡± Dashing Bandit Celebrations waved her hands in vague directions to encompass, well, everything underneath them. A lot of bodies, blood and fires littered the streets and rooftops.


    ¡°He can just call it in,¡± Yuta said.


    ¡°I have already reported. I¡¯m ordered to remain attached to you.¡±


    ¡°Fierce kid!¡± Yuta jabbed the boy in the arm.


    ¡°Boys,¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration rolled her eyes. ¡°Well, our opinions don¡¯t matter anyways, Sparkle-sama is in charge.¡±


    <hr>


    Cal had been here once as a tourist.


    He couldn¡¯t reconcile the memory with what stood in front of him in the present.


    The Imperial Palace had been turned into a place of horrors.


    The beauty and grandeur had been covered in gore, like the finely-embroidered curtains draped over the throne. They had been broken and cracked, like the two pillars near the throne.


    Echoes of suffering suffused every structure and even the grounds.


    Rituals had been carved practically everywhere he looked written in the blood and souls of the people that once occupied the place.


    It took a second to process the psychic imprints.


    Ghosts of the pasts played out the vile deeds.


    Victims and perpetrators needed to be remembered.


    The latter scattered, except for one.


    Children.


    Not a one over the age of 18.


    Which meant they had been even younger when they had raised the barrier and perpetuated tortures that were on par with the worst humanity had done throughout its history.


    And how did they gain the power to do so at such a young age?


    Magical artifacts.


    Just like Deon¡¯s party.


    Cal poked at their memories only to find blank spaces.


    Nothing to reveal who gave it to them.


    The when was easy enough to figure out based on where the blank spots were located.


    At least six months ago, so well after Deon¡¯s party received theirs from Kerkestis.


    Why mask her presence in the memories of these perpetrators when she hadn¡¯t with the previous group of pawns?


    She had sworn truthfully, as far as he could tell, that she had not giving any commands on how they were to use the artifacts. She had even acquiesced to a viewing of her memory. He hadn¡¯t detected any subterfuge.


    As for that crown of hers?


    It only viewed memories. It was incapable of altering them or deleting them outright.


    If the eidolon was responsible for this then he was responsible as well.


    She had violated nothing in their agreement by handing the artifacts to Deon¡¯s party. She had been truthful in her claim that she had merely wanted to strengthen a group of potentially useful young people. Their actions had been their own. She had even agreed to amend things, allowing him to vet future potential candidates for her generosity.


    The eidolon had been earnest, which had made her smug.


    He had nothing on her in this case and she had known it.


    Whether that was because she had been entirely truthful or she had managed to pull a sack over his face remained to be seen.


    One incident could be considered an unfortunate turn of events.


    Two started a pattern.


    Although, it didn¡¯t fit.


    The magic wrought by these group of children was much darker than Deon¡¯s crew.


    A reasoning man couldn¡¯t fail to see the evil inherent in the ritual sacrifice of sapients.


    Even that of animals had made Cal uneasy in the past. It had been hard to balance the need to respect traditions with his own squeamishness. Ultimately, he had come to the conclusion that he couldn¡¯t decry the practices when said animals would be cooked and eaten afterward. Besides, he didn¡¯t want to be a hypocrite. He ate meat. Loved it. And the way animals were kept and processed by the old food industry had been levels of cruelty above the quick bloodletting of a traditional animal sacrifice.


    He pushed the distraction away.


    ¡°That¡¯s new.¡±


    Subtle psychic tendrils had led his thoughts to wander.


    He recalled Mother Madrigal.


    She had been like him.


    This one had the feel and flavor of a spell.


    Well, he supposed it had been only a matter of time.


    He knew from perusing the memories of hundreds of outworld invaders that magic replicating his powers existed. Or perhaps it was the other way around? Much like vampire was a class on his world, but an actual species on others. Granted they called themselves by as many different names as Earthians had for themselves. Nation, coloration, ethnic origin. Vampires, just like his people, fought about those things. Who was a true vampire? What were the desired levels of purity? And the many other dumb, arbitrary things they used to place themselves higher up on the hierarchy.


    ¡°Please stop. If I make you stop it might break your brain.¡±


    He hadn¡¯t lied.


    Forging connections to an other¡¯s mind was very dangerous.


    Connections went both ways.


    And one need to be strong and skilled to keep their end of it closed to access by the other.


    He put a little pressure on the teen boy¡¯s mind. Light as a feather.


    The scream echoed from outside the throne room.


    ¡°That¡¯s two-fifths of your number down in seconds. Surrender and I¡¯ll show you mercy even if you don¡¯t deserve it. You¡¯re children. You¡¯ve been manipulated by an evil someone. Surrender and I will help you overcome that influence and maybe you might find a way to atone for all that you¡¯ve inflicted on other people here.¡±


    Metaphorical crickets was the answer he received for the palace was eerily silent.


    Outside was a different matter.


    JSDF, independents and non-combatants fought as they retreated to shelters where they could face the siege of monsters and outworld invaders from a stronger position.


    The collective thoughts of thousands pushed on his psychic walls like a trickle of water from a knotted garden hose.


    Terror from the greater majority mixed with fear from those that could fight.


    This latter group carried a smaller stream beneath the dominant emotion. Despair and determination warred for control.


    He gave the latter a boost.


    It wasn¡¯t much since his power was spread out over a wide area and a large number.


    He placed greater effort in nudging the scales to the side of his allies during key moments where ultimate victory or defeat would be determined.


    Case in point.


    Marloes, Super Happy Sparkle, would¡¯ve been a dead young woman had he not placed suggestions in her thoughts several times in her ongoing fight with the worm-ridden Bright Frown Dark Smile Jester.


    Existence was not a just one when the woman¡¯s reward for an epic last stand at the doors of the crown princess had been a parasitic worm monster inserted in her brain.


    The mahou shoujo had been forced to watch her young charge ritually defiled and murdered from behind dry, wide-open eyes as the worm inside had been acclimating itself to her body.


    There was no inherent justice.


    One had to make it.


    His niece had understood that on an instinctive level at a young age.


    Vee¡¯s experiences on another world had shaped her into a woman that knew that truth.


    The children weighed two options before them.


    Flee and continue to level and grow from the huge gains they made over the two years inside the barrier, counting on the chaos they had unleashed and still had in their back pockets to slow his pursuit.


    Or¡­ go for it all.


    Cal knew that the Quest they had just received contained a massive haul: millions of Universal Points, an automatic jump to Level 50, multiple attribute points, multiple Skills and/or spells, and multiple magic items. It would propel them to near the peak of the mountain.


    They would also get¡ª


    What that might¡¯ve been was hidden in the empty holes in their memories.


    To complete the greatest Quest the spires had given to date on Earth they just had to accomplish the impossible¡­ defeat the greatest boss in the world.


    Him.


    ¡°Last chance.¡±


    The silence in the palace stretched out for what felt like eternity.


    They answered as their type always did.


    With violence.

 9.7

    Five kids. Two unconscious, though one was going to wake up on his own in a few seconds. The other was getting help.


    That left two to deal with.


    Cal knew what they were going to do at just about the same time they did.


    The psychic mage might¡¯ve been able to muddle that a little had he been awake.


    The younger girl attacked first with a flying kick from the other room, going through the wall like paper. She wore a mix of colorful armor and spandex in red, white and yellow. Her helmet resembled a fearsome insectoid monster complete with snapping mandibles and quivering antennae. They weren¡¯t for show. The mandibles could bite through iron like it was soft tofu, while the antennae transmitted vibrations in the air to the girl, acting like radar. The entire ensemble was completed by a long, blue scarf that fluttered artfully as the girl¡¯s spiked boots aimed for his face.


    Unfortunately for her, he was not where her eyes and radar sense said he was.


    He was about a foot to the right.


    The scarf made for a handy leash with which to whirl her around once before whipping her into the next room.


    Her exit was as dynamic as her entrance.


    The older girl hadn¡¯t wasted the seconds.


    Two portals opened on either side of Cal.


    One red, one blue.


    A pair of 12 foot tall oni emerged swinging tree-sized kanabo.


    The iron-stubbed clubs boomed like thunder against his telekinetic shield.


    He took a moment¡¯s eternity to check in the small groups of his allies that had gone for the Imperial Palace rather than fight the monsters out in the city.


    Despite his occasional small acts of help the results were mixed.


    Independents had gone in solo, in temporary parties and dedicated ones.


    As usual the stronger or higher level one was the greater the probability of success although good teamwork could let a team punch up.


    They had failed to get past the monsters and sapients holding positions just behind the canal.


    The JSDF had sent the only thing they could.


    The elite special forces squad slipped past everything. Their only goal was to reach and secure the emperor.


    He would have told them that it was too late if their comms weren¡¯t being disrupted.


    Instead, he put the thought into their heads.


    They followed the voice in their heads that they thought was their instincts, heading to where he sent them rather than continue their mission.


    Marloes and her random team were under pressure against the parasitic worms.


    Farther out from the Imperial Palace grounds, the monsters and outworld invaders continued to push.


    The kid in the giant robot did a smart thing.


    Rather than fight with panicked people underfoot, he used his giant shield as a tray.


    Terrified people clung to each other as he carried them on his shield and away from danger one giant step at a time.


    The oni drew their massive weapons back for another strike.


    Cal expanded a spiked ball of telekinetic force inside their skulls.


    They roared in pain, dropping their weapons with a ground-shaking thud.


    Blood gushed from their face holes, yet they didn¡¯t die.


    They were not entirely physical beings.


    He sliced their legs off at the knee and arms at the shoulder before throwing them through the roof.


    They¡¯d land on monsters or outworld invaders, giving his allies an opening.


    The loud whine of an engine announced the armored girl¡¯s reappearance.


    This time she rode a wickedly aggressive looking motorcycle in that same insect motif.


    The thing sounded like a jet engine in the enclosed space.


    She whipped around him in a circle with her arms posed in an ¡®X¡¯ pointed his way because apparently the motorcycle was somewhat alive and a little smarter than a horse.


    Her arms grew bright.


    He readied his shield.


    She slashed her arms downward.


    A bright yellow energy beam shaped like an ¡®X¡¯ cut furrows into the dark-stained floor only to dissipate against his shield.


    The summoner stood with several portals of different shapes and sizes around her.


    The other three were seconds from joining the fight.


    It was time to flip the board, so to speak.


    If he was the kids¡¯ boss monster, then why not make them the boss monsters for others.


    The fights needed to be fair for his allies to gain something out of it, but he wasn¡¯t above tipping the scales a bit.


    So, match ups made fights as the saying went.


    He¡¯d keep the psychic mage with him because the boy had grown strong enough in the two years to dominate anyone under Level 40 unless they had top tier will power or less likely, a Skill or spell to counter mental manipulation and control.


    The floor swallowed the motorcycle riding girl. He made her a path straight down through the palace to the tunnels beneath where the tight quarters would hinder her mobility. Meanwhile the JSDF elite team had the cybernetic and biomechanical modifications to withstand her superior physicals. They were trained killers and had worked together for years.


    As for the summoner girl?


    He grabbed her in an invisible hand and carried her through one of holes her oni had made.


    The portals vanished.


    She¡¯d need time and concentration to start the summoning process again.


    He wasn¡¯t above giving her a hard landing, rattling her head a bit.


    The concussion would hamper her efforts.


    She should¡¯ve worn a helmet.


    He plopped her near the mother worm.


    A lone humanoid with a high level class would be too tempting a target.


    Whatever alliance they had once had was in the wind.


    He had been helping that along this whole time, planting seeds of doubt and greed in all of the sapient minds the five children had brought through the spire rising out of the fountain park close to the palace.


    That should help Marloes¡¯ team when it was time to send them against the mother worm.


    A chaotic three way fight should help them, especially if they entered it after the other two were already locked in combat.


    The kekkaishi boy managed to resist his telekinetic hand with a dark barrier that felt slick and wrong.


    He shuddered and let go.


    Instead, he placed a telekinetic shield around the boy.


    The boy could stand inside his barrier as long as he wanted.


    Two remained mobile and were headed his way.


    Cal tried not to notice the invisible Kanji written in blood on the walls, floor and ceiling of the throne room. He wanted the jujutsushi to think the trap still remained unnoticed.


    The class was shamanistic.


    In the boy¡¯s case, he focused on written curses utilized for a wide array of effects.


    Perhaps it was just as well that he planned to let the jujutsushi pull him into the domain.


    It should contain the radiation, although it could cut him off from the outside world, rendering him unable to help his allies.


    Cal readied himself because the biggest threat was about to be unleashed and he needed to make sure the man wouldn¡¯t irradiate several dozen kilometers in the heart of Tokyo.


    <hr>


    Marloes leapt across barrier platforms over 30 meters off the ground. The others followed her lead.


    They came to a stop. Each stood atop a small barrier platform.


    Kekkaishi Endo had stated that he was incapable of maintaining a single larger platform for all of them like she had wanted.


    The grounds of the Imperial Palace looked nothing like she remembered it from just yesterday. Less than a day in fact. Eight hours at most. She had gazed at it from atop a building a few kilometers away.


    Night slowly gave way to day as the first inkling of the sun¡¯s rays started to peak over the distant horizon.


    The once grass-covered park grounds was now a barren wasteland of brown dirt and blackened char. Most of the lush trees were gone. Those that remained were dark and twisted, reminding her of skeletal hands rising out of their graves.


    The pits caught her eyes. The shallow depressions were scattered everywhere she looked.


    They seemed to be arranged in a purposeful pattern.


    She wouldn¡¯t have noticed from ground level.


    Her ability to sense and detect things of a magical nature were limited. She had foregone those options to focus on direct combat abilities.


    Stone tiles covered the bottom of the pits, while four small stone pillars loomed from the lip. The latter were arranged equidistant from each other and she¡¯d bet her magical uniform skirt that they were aligned to the Cardinal directions.


    She could make out intricate carvings in the stone and writings in dark brown ink. Some were in recognizable Kanji. The rest were in symbols she didn¡¯t know.


    The whole arrangement stank of ritual and an evil one at that.


    She knew long-dried blood when she saw it.


    It was caked in thick layers.


    Whoever wrote them had gone over every line repeatedly.


    ¡°Miko-sama?¡± Marloes thanked fortune that a subject matter expert had randomly joined up. ¡°Can you tell me anything about those things?¡±


    ¡°I- I¡¯ll try¡­¡± Miko Hiromi replaced her torimono with another from her small bag of holding.


    It wasn¡¯t what Marloes expected.


    The Den-den Daiko looked like a child¡¯s toy compared to the ones she had seen others use. It was made more out of shiny red plastic than the traditional wood.


    Regardless, the miko-sama closed her eyes, chanted softly and began to spin the rod in her hands, causing the small beads tied to the end of the two strings to strike the drum at the tip.


    Yup, definitely sounded like plastic.


    They didn¡¯t have to wait long because the miko-sama cried out and nearly dropped her torimono. Yuta¡¯s quick reflexes snatched it before it could fall to the ground.


    ¡°Their spirits¡ª suffering¡­ pain¡­ no escape¡­ forever¡­¡± Hiromi sobbed. Her words came out between deep, heaving gasps.


    Marloes cursed herself.


    She had forgotten that the miko-sama was also a girl no older than 12 or 13.


    She was being just as bad as the JSDF and their policy or lack thereof in regards to endangering children, so long as they were powerful enough to be useful to the nation as a whole.


    Yuta, of all people, glared at her.


    ¡°Yeah, maybe, we leave that stuff for the old people later and do what we came here for.¡± He pointed with his over-sized blade.


    They caught sight of a fierce battle raging just on the other side of the canal. It was their target. All of them instinctively came to the same conclusion at the same time.


    ¡°Ewwww¡­¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration shivered with her whole body.


    ¡°Eh. One monster is the same as any other. Uglier things have met their end at the edge of my soul-cutter sword,¡± Yuta said. ¡°Let¡¯s help that summoner. She looks sort of familiar.¡±


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Marloes held them back with a look.


    Miko Hiromi needed a few moments to catch her breath and refocus.


    And¡­


    The summoner girl did look familiar, which made Marloes think.


    Kita-something Erika?


    She remembered because it was close to her own family name.


    When was the last time they had crossed paths?


    A few months ago?


    The length of time wasn¡¯t out of the ordinary.


    Tokyo was an enormous amount of territory to cover and most people like her tended to stick to much smaller areas. The younger and lower level ones tended to stick to their neighborhood and perhaps the nearest encounter challenge.


    Bountiful Decade had condensed that even further.


    It was too dangerous to go out too far, especially alone, unless one was on her level. The monsters had gotten more numerous and more dangerous. Ones that had been confined to their zones had started wandering the streets on their way to siege the neighborhoods.


    The summoner girl did look like Erika, except noticeably older.


    Years.


    Not months.


    Perhaps she was wrong¡ª


    No, she was right.


    She was certain it was Erika.


    Although, the quality of her summons had jumped astronomically from tiny, weak y¨­kai to large and strong ones that battled the bloated mother worm and her worm-ridden¡­ children?


    The thought of what had been done to Jester made the bile rise to her throat.


    She forced it down.


    ¡°We kill the worms. Then we subdue and capture Erika.¡±


    She was mildly surprised that no one, not even Yuta, had questioned the latter half of her orders. She had been prepared with an explanation, though part of her wouldn¡¯t have believed her.


    It had sounded ridiculous in her head.


    However, she reminded herself, nothing was truly out of the realm of possibility in the world the spires had wrought.


    ¡°Kekkaishi Endo. You will create and maintain the platforms above them. Conserve your energy otherwise. We will need you to contain Erika.¡±


    The boy clasped his hands and bowed.


    ¡°Yes, Sparkle-sama.¡±


    Damn Dashing Bandit Celebration!


    They were taking their cues from the other mahou shoujo.


    Marloes assessed the other pitched battles waged across the palace grounds. Much too chaotic for her liking. Too many variables¡­ although, she wasn¡¯t noticing a lot of chaos. If she looked closer it was clear that the separate battles weren¡¯t spilling over into the other ones.


    ¡°Do you have anymore of those things in your bag?¡± she said.


    ¡°Ah, sorry!¡± Dashing Bandit Celebrations rapped her knuckles upside her head. ¡°These are all that¡¯s left of my precious trash pandas. It¡¯s going to be a busy month replacing my other poor babies,¡± she pouted.


    Unfortunate that.


    The plushies had performed admirably as meat shields. Or was that cotton? They lacked physical brains for the worms to take over. Much like the y¨­kai.


    The summoned creatures were a mix of spirit and flesh.


    Marloes supposed there was enough of the former to mess with the worms¡¯ ability to puppet a host judging by the y¨­kai ignoring the worms burrowing into them.


    The mother worm vomited in the face of a pale-skinned Oni.


    The ogre-like y¨­kai stood about over 2 meters tall and the mother worm had to aim down.


    Marloes didn¡¯t like the look of the massive monster.


    The mother worm¡¯s face was swollen, but she looked like a Japanese person. Small strands of black hair stood out of her scalp. The pale skin stretched to breaking. She crawled on her stomach with some help from bloated arms and legs.


    ¡°She moves like a seal,¡± Yuta said.


    ¡°The animal you¡¯re looking for is a worm, Yuta-chan,¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration said. ¡°See all the little¡ª and not so little wriggling thing¡¯s in the goo leaking out of all those pustules?¡±


    Yuta swallowed the lump in his throat. ¡°Someone promise to kill me if I get wormed. I don¡¯t want to end up like that.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Only us maidens have to worry about that. You and Endo-chan would end up like one of those poor guys.¡±


    The mahou shoujo pointed to a group of worm-ridden men wearing the tattered and stained uniforms of the palace guard.


    They didn¡¯t move as well as Marloes knew they should¡¯ve. Spears kept a wolf-like y¨­kai at bay while guns barked.


    They killed it, but didn¡¯t notice the burrowing y¨­kai until it ripped their legs out from under them.


    ¡°Yuta?¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°Defend this position until I call for you. Be ready and remember¡ª¡±


    ¡°Go for the head. I know.¡±


    ¡°Lend me your two most powerful plushies,¡± Marloes said to the other mahou shoujo. ¡°Have your fastest and sneakiest ones ready to distract the summoner. I trust you¡¯ll know the moment.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Sparkle-sama!¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration threw an earnest, if inaccurate salute.


    ¡°Miko-sama¡­ if you are capable, please do what you can to disrupt the y¨­kai. Send them away if possible.¡±


    ¡°I will try, but she is a lot stronger than me,¡± Miko Hiromi said.


    Marloes figured she had one more battle in her if she went all out.


    She opened up with a handful of shots at the armored carapace of the burrowing y¨­kai before it could dive back into the ground.


    The bullets barely scratched it, but that wasn¡¯t her goal.


    Ice coated the carapace where the bullets struck.


    The sudden freezing cold made it brittle.


    The next set of shots shattered the carapace.


    The ones that followed pierced the softer flesh and exploded a split-second later.


    That got their attention.


    The worm-ridden and Erika split their focus for a moment.


    ¡°Let¡¯s work together to defeat this monster!¡±


    Marloes leapt across barrier platforms much closer to the ground than the ones the rest of her team remained standing on.


    Erika scowled¡­ then sneered.


    ¡°Don¡¯t think I didn¡¯t notice you up there. I have eyes and ears everywhere.¡±


    Marloes eyes widened.


    ¡°Be caref¡ª¡±


    Too late.


    A large funnel cloud descended from above.


    How had they not noticed the dust whirlwind?


    She recognized the shapes swimming in the thick dust by the glint of their sickle limbs.


    Kamaitachi.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like this!¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration curled up into a ball, cupping her hands over her neck to protect her vital areas from the slashing sickles.


    Mahou shoujo¡¯s were always stronger and tougher than they looked, however, Dashing Bandit Celebration was on the lower end of the physical scale.


    In short order, bloodless cuts criss-crossed her exposed skin.


    Where were her summons?


    Most had been sucked into the whirlwind.


    The two exceptions were her strongest.


    Oddly enough, both had red capes.


    The one in blue spandex flew to the aid of the others, cape fluttering while it, he, shot beams of red light from his eyes. The other one called tiny bolts of blue-white lighting with the tiny hammer he whirled over his furry head.


    Miko Hiromi cried out and fell to her knees, clutching her arm.


    To Marloes¡¯ horror, the miko¡¯s hand plummeted to the ground still clutching the torimono.


    Yuta cursed as he stood over the young girl, sweeping his over-sized blade wildly.


    He killed kamaitachi, yet more remained judging by the sparks from the clashes between blades.


    ¡°Endo! Protect yourselves!¡± Marloes roared.


    ¡°I can¡¯t! Not without releasing the barriers you¡¯re standing on!¡±


    For the first time this day the boy¡¯s voice cracked, climbing several octaves higher.


    The fear hammered how young he was, how young they all were, into Marloes.


    ¡°Just do it! Yuta, go for the summoner! Break her concentration!¡±


    Erika needed to maintain it to keep the y¨­kai from vanishing.


    It seemed a difficult task.


    She couldn¡¯t remember ever seeing a summoner call forth such a varied and powerful array of them.


    The oni. The kamaitachi. The burrowing centipede-like creature.


    Any one would¡¯ve been the crowning summon of a Level 30.


    That pushed Erika to at least over 40.


    And the girl had been nowhere near that just months ago.


    What had happened on these grounds behind the barrier in just a few hours?


    Marloes stomach briefly tried to move into her chest as she dropped to the ground.


    Despite the many bloodless cuts, Endo enclosed himself, Miko Hiromi and Dashing Bandit Celebration inside rainbow hued boxes.


    Erika and the mother worm split their forces to go after her.


    Marloes ran, jumped, dipped, dived, ducked and dodged.


    Unlike the other mahou shoujo she was somewhere in the mid to high end of their class¡¯ superhuman physical prowess.


    The worm-ridden were slower and clumsier than they had been before infection.


    Their Skills and spells were too slow and weak.


    Likewise, the y¨­kai were of the lesser sort. They threatened with numbers rather than individual strength.


    She filled them with bullets from every conceivable angle and direction.


    Her unblinking eyes darted wildly as she marked targets and fired within fractions of a second.


    The bullets turned bodies into mist.


    Dead y¨­kai slowly vanished into the ether.


    While the worm-ridden lived if she missed the head, they were for all intents and purposes out of the fight.


    Rather than finish them she saved her ammunition and energy.


    She shot the mother worm in the face only for the bullet to be blocked by a magic shield.


    The same thing happened with Erika.


    A hunched y¨­kai covered in dark, tattered robes stood next to the summoner with its hands raised to the sky.


    Yuta flash-stepped behind Erika, slashing the magic shield.


    He leapt back to stand in the air 10 meters away.


    His lips moved.


    Marloes didn¡¯t hear the words.


    The fingers in his free hand danced in an intricate pattern.


    A bright red beam of light lanced down into the magic shield, temporarily stealing all the sound in the world.


    The robed y¨­kai¡¯s scream erupted from nothingness.


    No earthly throat could¡¯ve made the sound.


    The shield cracked.


    Marloes shot it.


    The shield shattered.


    Yuta slashed his blade, sending cutting wind.


    She shot the robed y¨­kai in the face from point-blank ranged.


    It slowly vanished.


    Erika turned to deal with the wind blades.


    Up above the dust whirlwind wavered.


    The kamaitachi abandoned cutting at the barriers.


    A flash step brought the shinigami to Erika¡¯s back.


    He cut, aiming for an outstretched hand.


    Over-sized blade descended in a flash.


    Steel rang out on steel.


    Sparks flew as two blades ground against each other.


    A katana-wielding tengu had appeared.


    The y¨­kai had been there the whole time, ready to defend its master as a last line of defense. It had sat hidden in a black cloak, as if it had been a simple shadow.


    Another high level summon.


    Just what level was Erika?


    The thought that the girl could be in the 50¡¯s chilled Marloes to the core.


    Blades clashed in a blur, sending sparks flying like a little fireworks show.


    Erika created distance by running away. All the while creating portals through which more came through.


    Weaker ones.


    Marloes put a bullet through each one before they even had time to blink.


    A short distance away, the mother worm finally managed to smother the large oni.


    It screeched.


    The sound pulsed over the immediate area.


    Monsterpedia said that it had the ability to combine the sound waves with its psychic abilities to create a brown note.


    Marloes felt her stomach rumble. She clenched her cheeks in preparation, but the feeling passed.


    By the grace of God her level and strength were high enough to resist.


    The same couldn¡¯t be said of the y¨­kai.


    The sound and stench of many voided bowels made her gag.


    That was new to her.


    Perhaps, she had been wrong about them. It appeared that they were more physical in nature than she had thought.


    Yuta cursed, he fell away from the tengu with a wet gash across the black sleeve of his left arm and a growing wet stain on the back of his robes.


    The teenager flash-stepped to gain distance from the tengu¡¯s feather attack.


    He failed to maintain awareness of the battlefield.


    His path took him right next to a small knot of worm-ridden battling y¨­kai.


    As though of one mind, the former abandoned the latter and lunged for him.


    Marloes put bullets into them, but she had to split her attention to shooting the razor-sharp feathers down before they could slice Yuta to ribbons.


    Hands grasped Yuta¡¯s robes, pulling and holding on with the help of Skills.


    He ate a fireball to the face.


    Another ruined face lunged in through the smoke.


    Man or woman?


    Marloes couldn¡¯t tell.


    Vomit spewed pale white wriggling worms while hair-like tendrils stretched hungrily out of every orifice and torn hole toward Yuta.


    His over-sized sword was too long to manipulate in close quarters.


    So, he dropped it in favor of a desperate flame blast.


    It blew the worm-ridden away, but not before¡ª


    Marloes¡¯ eyes widened. ¡°Yuta¡ª¡± Worm-ridden and y¨­kai leapt at her only to be blasted away in a hail of bullets. ¡°Your arm!¡±


    Vomit had drenched his sleeve¡­ the one with a bloody gash.


    He looked at her helplessly.


    Then his face twisted.


    ¡°I can feel them!¡±


    He flash-stepped to her.


    ¡°Stay back!¡± She recoiled.


    ¡°Help me!¡±


    Desperate eyes searched hers for salvation.


    His nostrils flared as he began to hyperventilate.


    ¡°They¡¯re moving up my arm!¡± He grabbed his elbow.


    Knuckles whitened, veins popped like¡ª


    Well, that was the problem wasn¡¯t it?


    What had Monsterpedia said?


    Yuta had seconds.


    She made a decision.


    ¡°Move your hand and hold your arm away from your body,¡± she said flatly.


    He gulped, but complied.


    She blew his arm off at the elbow with an incendiary bullet.


    He stared at her and then at his cauterized stump in disbelief.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but hopefully I got them before they climbed up your arm. If they did, then the fire should¡¯ve cooked them.¡±


    He breathed in deep gasps, staring at nothing as he nodded mechanically.


    She glanced at the sky.


    The dust whirlwind had dwindled to almost nothing.


    Dashing Bandit Celebration''s plushies killed the last of the kamaitachi with heat vision, lighting and repulsor blasts.


    ¡°Alright, go. Retreat. Have Kekkaishi Endo place you in a barrier box. You did well.¡±


    Yuta nodded, then convulsed.


    ¡°What is it? Yuta?¡±


    Shit!


    She knew.

 9.8

    A shot burned through his shoulder, severing the upper arm.


    The teenager continued to convulse.


    ¡°Help¡ª¡± he managed to get out.


    She reached for him only to take a flame blast to the face.


    It was a lot weaker than he was capable of.


    That was the thing with the worms. They could use most of the abilities of the host, except not as well or to the same potential. At least, until they grew in both familiarity and levels.


    Another chilling thought.


    A parasitic sapient species.


    That had not been one of they things she had imagined she would encounter across the multiverse when she had been younger. Oh how naive she had been.


    Yuta¡¯s arm dropped, punching the ground as if he was trying to bury it.


    He stepped on it with one foot, while the other tried to take a step toward her.


    Tears filled his eyes as he looked up at her.


    She thought she saw something swirling in his sclera.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Yuta.¡±


    She placed an incendiary bullet in his forehead.


    Her fault.


    She had tried to be conservative for future fights when she should¡¯ve understood that there was no future, like for Yuta, if she didn¡¯t win this one.


    ¡°Dashing! Now!¡±


    She leapt 10 meters straight up with one hand stretched out.


    The blue spandex, red cape wearing plushie zipped down to grab her arm between its fuzzy and surprisingly hard paws.


    The thing had the physical strength of a 200 kilogram yokozuna while only weighing about 2. An impressive strength to weight ratio.


    It carried her above the fray, out of the grasp of hands and claws.


    A tiny hammer swept through a cluster of flying y¨­kai in their path.


    The other red cape wearing plushie with its cute winged helmet joined them.


    A third flying plushie zoomed down in its red and gold power armor, blasting away and using energy shields to protect her from assorted projectile fire from below.


    Red eye beams, hammer and lightning, force blasts and tiny missiles bombarded the mother worm as they circled its bloated body like a pod of orca hunting a blue whale.


    Marloes added her bullets to the barrage.


    The mother worm¡¯s magic shield lasted for what felt like forever before it finally shattered with a burst of bright light.


    ¡°.50 Caliber Burial Coffin!¡±


    Marloes didn¡¯t waste any time. She had fixed the bloated monster¡¯s position in her mind. Temporary blindness wouldn¡¯t stop her.


    Two in one night was pushing it when she was at her best.


    She couldn¡¯t be further from that.


    She had been battered and burned.


    Her broken hand and wrist had never stopped throbbing, sending pain shooting up her arm with every movement. Her heart hurt for Yuta.


    He was a brave boy that didn¡¯t deserve his fate.


    But then again they never did.


    That¡¯s what made this world garbage.


    What made her hate it so much.


    She almost blacked out.


    Would¡¯ve fallen had the plushie not kept its vise-like grip on her wrist.


    She came to with a snap.


    ¡°Wake up, Sparkle-sama!¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration¡¯s voice pierced through the fog.


    It sounded much closer than it should¡¯ve been unless Marloes was losing it.


    Yup¡­ they had descended to platforms closer to the ground.


    Too close for her tastes.


    ¡°Now!¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration urged.


    Faintly rainbow-hued barriers had been erected across their battlefield.


    Kekkaishi Endo must¡¯ve been a once in a generational talent to be capable of creating so many at once.


    The mother worm was a burning corpse. She was definitely dead judging by every single worm-ridden having fallen listless, allowing the y¨­kai to savage their bodies.


    The chime confirmed it.


    That left Erika.


    The summoner girl also seemed to be approaching her limits.


    There were fewer portals opening up around her to disgorge small and weak-looking y¨­kai.


    It was time for the distraction.


    A plushie in a red and blue costume, jumped and flipped its way through the y¨­kai surrounding Erika.


    It seemed to have a sixth sense for avoiding hits as it contorted its body out of the way like an impossible acrobat. It fired webs from its hands, trapping y¨­kai¡­ until it finally ran out of luck when they managed to swarm it.


    Cotton stuffing flew as they tore into it.


    Dashing Bandit Celebrations wailed, but an opening had been created.


    A red not quite-blur dashed through the gap.


    The plushie ran in a circle around Erika¡¯s feet, landing a dozen punches that were harder than they should¡¯ve been.


    She kicked out on instinct and cursed.


    It had been like hitting a brick.


    The red-clad plushie tumbled across the barren dirt like a ball.


    The last one appeared on Erika¡¯s back.


    This one was clad in black and had luscious, striking red hair for some reason.


    It shot tiny darts, thumbtacks really, into Erika¡¯s neck.


    The shocks of electricity were only enough to annoy not disable.


    That was the final confirmation Marloes needed.


    Erika had no magic shields.


    She shot the girl in both knees, blowing them off.


    Instinct told her that was acceptable.


    The girl shrieked.


    The remaining y¨­kai vanished.


    ¡°Quickly! Barrier her!¡±


    Kekkaishi Endo complied.


    The flying plushie dropped Marloes to the ground.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure there aren¡¯t any worms wriggling around,¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration said.


    ¡°Thank you and please find Hiromi-sama¡¯s hand.¡± Marloes saw meat and bone in the girl¡¯s severed wrist. The kamaitachi¡¯s ability to cut without shedding blood might actually be a boon in this case. She pulled out her phone and put in an urgent request for medic support and prisoner extraction.


    She hoped that they would be available.


    It wasn¡¯t a guaranteed thing judging by the distant booms and flashes of light in the growing dawn.


    They were spent or close to it, yet fights still raged too close for comfort.


    They needed to get Erika to a cell.


    Questions needed answers.


    None of them could look at what remained of Shinigami Yuta.


    The teenager shouldn¡¯t have died for nothing.


    <hr>


    Beneath the Imperial Palace grounds lay a network of tunnels.


    Some for sewage, some were dungeons, some were for air raids.


    The newest ones had been built after the spires.


    The entire place had been turned into an encounter challenge before they had managed to reclaim it.


    The new tunnels were meant to provide ingress and egress as needed.


    Either to escape danger or mount a rescue.


    Neither had been possible with the barrier that had cut off the entire location for close to six hours judging by estimates.


    Much longer than that had passed from the sights the elite JSDF special forces team had passed.


    Ritual torture.


    The kannushi had been adamant about that. The key point about his preliminary findings was that some of the rituals weren¡¯t finished.


    Though nothing remained except Kanji and symbols that hurt the eyes to look at carved into stone and written in long-dried human blood the priest had seemed to think that magic was still flowing into the ritual circles.


    They tried to disrupt it.


    Naturally, they failed completely.


    The stone and writings proved impossible to destroy or erase with the means they were willing to expend.


    Regardless, they were there for the emperor, so they had decided to try again after the situation was under control.


    The priest had died at the next intersection


    A dark horror had leapt out of nowhere to cleave the man in two.


    The rest of the team had killed the monster.


    Cybernetic and biomechanical modifications made them dangerous in spurts. Especially when they got the jump on their enemies.


    Half the soldiers were of this variety.


    The rest remained unmodified, relying on their classes.


    JSDF military doctrine was too schizophrenic for the old hands¡¯ tastes.


    They were stuck in the traditions they knew.


    Some classes were easier to swallow, since they mostly enhanced not altered completely. After all, a soldier was just a soldier, but better. The same went for classes derived from traditional positions, like the kannushi, miko, kekkaishi and others. The only difference of those was that their magic was now observable, real.


    Classes like mahou shoujo, shinigami, shinobi and the rest that arose out of a more modern cultural consciousness were more difficult to accept.


    Still, the government was not one to ignore every tool in their box.


    Hence, the modified soldiers.


    They lost their classes, but gained quicker strength.


    A blend of magic, technology and even spirituality went into their creation.


    The strongest of them could fight at around Level 40 until they ran out of energy. It was a good trade in the JSDF¡¯s eyes.


    It took decades for a dedicated fighter and no small amount of luck to reach Level 40.


    They could build a soldier into the equivalent in a handful of years.


    Captain Ritsu Kanamoto was one such soldier.


    They had replaced his eyes with cybernetic implants that made the darkness irrelevant.


    He held up a closed fist.


    Something shambled roughly 30 meters down the long tunnel.


    He couldn¡¯t quite get a fix on its readings, which meant magic bullshit.


    ¡°Big monster,¡± he said through their secured comms channel.


    Direct link through infrared beam.


    One quirk of the team was that rank didn¡¯t technically matter.


    He was a captain that took orders from another captain.


    ¡°You got anything more than that?¡±


    Captain Karen Nakata¡¯s voice echoed in his head.


    They never could get rid of the mechanical warble.


    ¡°Sorry. Magic.¡± He added the mental equivalent of a shrug.


    Captain Nakata gestured to the rear of the formation. Through hand signs she communicated what she wanted to their kekkaishi.


    Ritsu could hear the young woman nod.


    Much too loud.


    The slightest sounds could kill them at this level of danger.


    The Quest details had hammered that in if the briefing hadn¡¯t.


    No choice.


    Command had determined that a mixed team was their best chance at getting to the emperor and getting him out.


    Well, that¡¯s why they trained with all manner of combinations, after all.


    Captain Nakata explained the plan.


    Ritsu moved back as the other two took his place.


    The kekkaishi was a young woman, a girl really.


    There was too much of that going around for Ritsu¡¯s taste. It made him feel ancient at barely 30 year¡¯s old.


    The plan was simple.


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    One barrier goes up behind the monster.


    Captain Nakata fires the rail gun.


    Another barrier goes up in front of the monster, but behind the projectile.


    Big boom!


    Everyone goes home alive and intact¡­ well, most everyone¡­ er, after they grab the emperor and any other royals nearby.


    The barrier lit up the darkness with bright light and his cybernetic eyes with all manner of different colored ones.


    The rail gun fired with a dull thump.


    Timing had to be near perfect.


    Captain Nakata¡¯s augments were on point as always. She tapped the kekkaishi to put up the second barrier.


    The projectile¡¯s rocket fired near impact, giving added thrust to drive the tungsten into the flesh.


    Tip went in followed by the explosive charge.


    Much too powerful to be used in an enclosed space.


    The subsequent flash and boom were muffled.


    The worst the team got was a bit of dust shower as the tunnel shook for a moment.


    The girl kekkaishi was strong, but they all had to be to get pulled onto one of these teams.


    Ritsu stepped up to peek around the corner.


    ¡°It appears to be dead.¡±


    ¡°Appears? I need specifics, captain.¡±


    ¡°Hard to say, captain. Readings are all over the place.¡±


    ¡°Well¡ª¡±


    Captain Nakata¡¯s words vanished in a tremendous crash that dwarfed the previous one.


    If Ritsu hadn¡¯t known better he would¡¯ve thought earthquake and a bad one at that.


    Dust choked the tunnel.


    It didn¡¯t matter to his eyes.


    He saw the form crash down from the tunnel¡¯s ceiling and into the monster.


    A motorcycle of all things.


    Well¡­ the monster was definitely dead.


    Fine-honed soldier¡¯s instincts roared in his head that this was the real threat.


    Subdue and capture if possible, he thought. ¡°Contact,¡± he said.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Captain Nakata said.


    ¡°One of those tokusatsu weirdos.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not supposed to have any in the area and the palace didn¡¯t have any on station at the time.¡±


    ¡°Do we engage?¡±


    ¡°Capture if possible.¡±


    The rest of the team on the channel signaled their comprehension.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do the same trick.¡± Ritsu tapped the kekkaishi on the shoulder.


    She had optics for the darkness, but not the dust, so he broke silence to quickly explain the plan.


    It would be a shame to waste all the nice, thick dust in the air.


    He hurled an incendiary grenade around the corner.


    The kekkaishi immediately created a barrier.


    The tank jumped in front of the tiny girl with a titanium shield bigger and heavier than she was.


    Ritsu could hear the motors in Lt. Ogawa¡¯s exoskeleton whine as the power source hummed.


    The muffled thud hit the barrier.


    The girl let out a small sound.


    Ritsu winced.


    It was his idea after all and though she was a soldier, she was, like, 11, which was messed up any way he looked at it.


    Still, the barrier held.


    ¡°Good job!¡± he whispered.


    ¡°Close quarters, go!¡± Captain Nakata said.


    Ritsu activated active camouflage.


    He waited a beat for the other two close combat specialists to round the corner first.


    Lt. Morales was a foreigner that had gotten stuck by the spires apocalypse. Made a home. Had a couple of kids. Decided to stay even with the offers from those people to take her home. A feral-type, she was strong and fast with animal senses and fast healing for some reason.


    She hit 50 KPH within a few strides.


    Maj. Nitta was just a half-stride behind her. Like Ritsu, his body had been modified with magitech and biological enhancements. Speed, strength, agility, reflexes, extra organs and few other surprises.


    Ritsu ran after them at a reasonable 37 KPH. The active camouflage needed the power and operating his body at its peak generated way too much heat to conceal.


    Bullets whipped past both sides of his invisible head, to the left of Lt. Morales and to the right of Maj. Nitta.


    Pvt. Noguchi could shoot the wings of a fly at any range. The old man¡¯s mods meant he never missed unless some weird magic or Skill effect was in play. He was as accurate with single shots from a sniper rifle at long range as he was in close quarters with automatic fire. Oddly, he was the oldest on the current squad, yet was the lowest ranked. By choice according to him.


    Even without the private¡¯s shooting expertise friendly fire wasn¡¯t likely thanks to Captain Nakata.


    Her command and control suite integrated sensitive sensor hardware and predictive software.


    Those linked up through her moved as if they were one body.


    Shooters just knew where front line fighters were positioned in space regardless of the surrounding chaos. While the latter knew the angles of fire the former took or intended to take.


    Bullets bounced off the masked rider¡¯s armor.


    They were more of a distraction and information gatherer anyways.


    ¡°No pen,¡± Pvt. Noguchi said.


    ¡°Level 30 minimum,¡± Captain Nakata said. ¡°Waiting on visual to confirm ident.¡±


    The rider stepped off the motorcycle.


    Ritsu didn¡¯t have a full visual due to the smoke and dust choking the tunnel. He only had heat signatures and a silhouette.


    A lot of power, but much too big for the rider to turn with the way it had fallen through the ceiling perpendicular to the tunnel¡¯s direction.


    ¡°No hole in the ceiling,¡± he said.


    There were small pockmarks and craters from the explosions, but nothing nearly large enough to account for the masked rider and the motorcycle.


    Which was impossible, he remembered seeing it open up like a¡ª well, it had looked strange now that he thought about it. He¡¯d review the footage later.


    The interplay between the squad and Ritsu¡¯s ruminations only took a second.


    They had covered half the distance to the masked rider.


    She¡ª as suggested by her silhouette¡ª crossed her arms in front of her in an ¡®X¡¯ shape.


    The motorcycle vanished.


    She slashed her arms down.


    Bright light shot forward in an ¡®X¡¯ shape that grew large enough to cut into the tunnels sides.


    It wasn¡¯t at light speed because they¡¯d already be hit.


    It was slower than a bullet, which gave them a chance.


    Lt. Morales and Maj. Nitta dived forward, going completely horizontal.


    Right and left, they shot through the gaps in either side of the beam like an arrow through an iron ring.


    Ritsu hit the deck, going prone, letting the beam pass over him.


    Heat warnings blared in his head and flashed in his cybernetic HUD.


    He pushed himself up and dropped the camouflage.


    The motorcycle was back and this time he was looking at its ass end.


    Heat readings suggested that it had something akin to a miniature jet engine just about ready to fire.


    Maj. Nitta pointed his mechanical hand. The dark composite material split open to shoot a grappling line.


    The masked rider took off like a shot.


    The major turned into a kite.


    Lt. Morales was left behind.


    Ritsu caught up.


    His modifications leaned heavier into speed and stealth.


    And the masked rider wasn¡¯t the only one with a jet engine.


    In fact he had several in his legs and back.


    The microthrusters pulsed with each pump of his legs.


    Bio implants injected additional adrenaline, widened his arteries, increased blood cell production and oxygen intake. The additional heart-like organs in his limbs sped up the process of getting what his body needed to where it needed to be.


    His internal temperature spiked as miniature power sources fed energy to the thrusters and readied the weapons concealed within.


    He dashed around the swaying Maj. Nitta and up the side of the wall.


    A leap powered by one full power burst from his thrusters put the motorcycle''s rear tire within reach.


    He struck with his left, deploying the ceramic mantis blade mid slash.


    The motorcycle wobbled, losing enough speed for Maj. Nitta to get his boots back on the ground.


    He leapt, accelerating with a pull on his line to tackle the masked rider off her bike.


    It was a her.


    Ritsu was sure now that he was close enough for a visual.


    Maj. Nitta detached the wire, releasing a second one to use as a garrote while he grappled with the masked rider as they rolled across the cold stone floor.


    The material over the masked rider¡¯s neck was thin, flexible, yet the monofilament barely managed to scratch it.


    The armor was a garish mix of reds, whites and yellow. All topped off by a long blue scarf that had loosened to lay on the masked rider¡¯s small chest.


    The armor was shiny making it look like cheap plastic.


    Which couldn¡¯t be further from the truth.


    It was pretty much as strong as thick steel plate once over Level 10.


    ¡°Running ident,¡± Captain Nakata said. ¡°Miki Reon. Age 15. Level 27 Masked Rider. Ward 9, Tokyo.¡±


    ¡°Seems a lot stronger than that,¡± Maj. Nitta said.


    His words were robotic, monotone as always on the comms channel, but he conveyed rising alarm.


    ¡°Identical color scheme. Rest of visuals don¡¯t match her file. Scarf doesn¡¯t match. Motorcycle doesn¡¯t match.¡±


    Ritsu slashed at her helmet-covered face.


    They¡¯d need to get through the armor before trying to apply the gas.


    The helmet¡¯s mouth suddenly came to life, opening up to catch the blade between razor-sharp teeth and mandibles.


    Reon bit down, snapping the tip of his ceramic blade like a brittle cookie.


    Ritsu recoiled, instinct and enhancements saved him from the scarf at the last minute.


    The shit moved on it¡¯s own!


    It lashed out at his face like a cobra before turning to wrap itself around Maj. Nitta¡¯s helmet-covered head.


    Reon¡¯s hands went to Maj. Nitta¡¯s.


    ¡°Some he¡ª¡±


    The words were drowned out by the sound of metals and composite materials being crushed.


    ¡°Strength level above metrics on file,¡± Captain Nitta said.


    Lt. Morales dived in and grabbed one of Reon¡¯s hands while placing a knee on the small girl¡¯s chest.


    Ritsu retracted his broken blade to go for her other hand.


    ¡°Shit! She¡¯s much stronger than she should be.¡±


    The masked rider¡¯s small fingers barely budged despite him pouring all his energy into his physical strength.


    Warnings blared in his HUD.


    His mechanical fingers were approaching the limit of their structural integrity.


    Reon bucked, nearly dislodging both him and Lt. Morales.


    ¡°Hold her. Ogawa is on his way to assist.¡±


    ¡°I suggest barriers, Captain Nakata, in case we can¡¯t,¡± Ritsu said.


    He abandoned the girl¡¯s fingers to deploy the cutting laser in his index finger.


    ¡°Careful.¡±


    Multiple people warned him.


    The bug-eyed lens over the girl¡¯s right eye laughed at a laser capable of cutting into a bank vault door.


    ¡°I¡¯m scratching it!¡±


    His father had always said victories were worth celebrating, no matter how small.


    Father¡¯s last victory had been his greatest.


    Ritsu still couldn¡¯t bring himself to celebrate it despite the long years since the worst day of his life.


    She bucked again, getting a boot under his chest.


    His vision turned into static.


    When it came back he was eye level with the floor and things were sideways.


    Literally and figuratively.


    Reon¡¯s was on her feet, trading strikes with both Lt. Morales and Maj. Nitta.


    The latter had deployed both ceramic mantis blades from his arms.


    He struck from multiple angles at speeds that were impossible to follow with the normal human eye.


    Reon was even faster, parrying and blocking while landing quick, snappy punches.


    Each blow dented Lt. Morales¡¯ chest plate.


    Lt. Morales jabbed with her combat knife while firing with a modified big bore pistol.


    Reon ducked a ceramic blade, parried the knife, kicked Maj. Nitta into the wall and took the bullet in the shoulder.


    It was the sort used to kill huge animals.


    The small, slip of a girl went spinning.


    One. Twice. Thrice.


    She turned the last into a jumping spin kick that clanged off the side of Lt. Morales¡¯ helmet.


    The lieutenant stumbled, but Reon grabbed her by the back of her neck and between her legs, lifting her up and bringing her back down on a knee with a resounding crack.


    She did this all before Ritsu, whose enhancements made him really quick, could draw his own pistol.


    He shot her in the face as she dumped Lt. Morales to the floor.


    The bug-eyed helmet rocked back¡ª then forward.


    Pvt. Noguchi stitched bullets into the back of Reon¡¯s head from a hundred meters down the tunnel.


    She moved her head out of the firing line and grabbed Lt. Morales by the collar, lifting her up as a shield.


    The lieutenant¡¯s legs dangled loosely, but she continued to grapple and stab.


    Ritsu rushed forward, firing.


    Reon blocked with one arm without even looking in his direction.


    The plastic-looking vambrace merely got smudged.


    He went low, deploying his ceramic blade once again, aiming for hamstrings.


    She took the blow, ignoring it.


    Fortunately, it had been a feint.


    He got up in her face and spat.


    One of his mods was a gland underneath his tongue that shot an inky substance with a mildly acidic and strongly soporific effects. The mad doctors got it from a squid monster that lived in the bay. Rather, they developed a much smaller version that wasn¡¯t nearly as potent.


    It was a long shot, but he hoped that there were cracks in her helmet that his cybernetic eyes couldn¡¯t see.


    Reon cracked him in the face with Lt. Morales, sending the two of them tumbling in a tangle of armored limbs up the tunnel.


    They clattered into the motorcycle.


    Maj. Nitta re-entered the fight with a dazzling strobe effect from the lenses of his helmet.


    The sequence was designed to essentially short out a person¡¯s brain.


    Naturally, Reon wasn¡¯t affected.


    Fists and feet met ceramic blades.


    The latter lost after a dizzying exchange.


    Dozens of blows in less than second.


    Both blades snapped.


    Maj. Nitta deployed shock darts from a small launcher in his left shoulder.


    Reon snatched the wires out of the air.


    Electricity surged from the major to the masked rider.


    She ripped them out of his shoulder.


    He deployed a stub shotgun from his right shoulder.


    Four barrels.


    One volley.


    Forty iron pellets sprayed her.


    She blurred even to Ritsu.


    The one-inch punch thrust Maj. Nitta into the tunnel wall with a thunderous crack.


    She was on him in an instant.


    Lefts and rights pummeled the major¡¯s midsection, destroying armor rated to take up to .50 caliber bullets.


    She cracked the major¡¯s faceplate with three punches before tearing it from his face.


    The major¡¯s once handsome face was hamburger.


    Somehow he opened his mouth to spit a thick glob in her bug-eyes.


    She paused.


    He deployed the mini flame thrower from his right palm.


    She stepped back ablaze.


    He ran out of fuel.


    Helmet on fire, she shuffled back into striking range on light toes, bouncing like she was in a ring rather than in a life or death fight in a dark, dank tunnel.


    A jab snapped Maj. Nitta¡¯s head back. A straight to the gut bent him over. An uppercut sent him back. A low kick snapped his mechanical lower leg off at the knee in a shower of sparks and mixed liquids.


    Seconds was an eternity in a fight between blazing fast people.


    Lt. Ogawa thundered into Reon.


    Too late.


    Much too late.


    She pushed against his shield.


    His exoskeleton whined in protest.


    So much heat in the tunnel.


    Ritsu and Lt. Morales finally managed to extricate themselves from each other.


    ¡°We¡¯re retreating,¡± Captain Nakata said.


    Pvt. Noguchi ricocheted bullets off the walls, ceiling and floor to get around Lt. Ogawa¡¯s bulky form.


    The shots were impressive, but useless as they continued to bounce off Reon¡¯s colorful plastic-looking armor.


    ¡°On our¡ª¡±


    Static.


    Again?


    The disorientation of going from one hundred to zero, then from zero to one hundred sucked.


    Ritsu was flat on his back.


    His limbs felt off¡­ lighter, wet.


    He glanced down at his body.


    Both mechanical legs were gone.


    The fleshy parts started at the knees, but those were gone too.


    His legs had been sliced off above knees.


    Left arm at the elbow.


    Automatic life-extension systems were already working overtime.


    Pain dulled, not completely cut, because pain was useful. If he couldn¡¯t feel pain then he might do something dumb like continue to move and fight with a blade in his gut cutting his insides up with every move without him realizing.


    Blood clotted at his stumps.


    Vital arteries slowly sealed.


    Mods taken from some kind of river salamander.


    They could grow lost limbs back.


    He wasn¡¯t quite at that level, but if he got out of this alive and with his legs, it¡¯d only take a few weeks recovery after reattachment.


    Lt. Morales kicked at the metallic monster holding her up with the two scythe-like blades it had for arms stuck in her shoulders.


    Shit!


    Went right through her armor.


    Made their mantis blades look like toothpicks.


    The lieutenant¡¯s healing made his look like shit.


    Though he was pretty sure she couldn¡¯t heal getting her head bitten off.


    Metal mandibles snapped at her, trying to get around her combat knife.


    Where had it come from?


    Double shit!


    The motorcycle!


    It was also mantis-like robot the whole time!


    This was unprecedented!


    He pointed an IR beam at its eyes.


    A robot had to have an OS¡­ probably.


    He got nothing.


    The tunnel shook.


    Reon had slammed Lt. Ogawa.


    Well¡­ shit¡­


    ¡°Captain Nakata. I¡¯m disabled. Time for you to get out of here.¡±

 9.9

    Ritsu emptied his pistol into the neck joint of the motorcycle turned robot mantis.


    The distraction was just enough to give Lt. Morales the time to plant her boots on its narrow chest¡­ er¡­ thorax?


    Was that right?


    Ritsu wasn¡¯t sure.


    Or was the thorax the long, cylindrical-shaped ass end?


    The lieutenant pushed herself right off those wicked sharp scythes.


    A barrier popped up between them the robot mantis.


    Warm yellow light suffused the dark tunnel, forcing him to switch vision modes back to default.


    The robot seemed content to prod the barrier rather than attack it.


    The lack of urgency in its actions made sense.


    They were still on the same side as the masked rider and she was kicking their asses.


    Thunder echoed through the tunnel as Reon turned her second face of the day into hamburger.


    The front of Lt. Ogawa¡¯s thick helmet resembled crumpled thin foil when she was done.


    Didn¡¯t seem fair that she was both faster than Ritsu and Maj. Nitta, while being stronger than Lt. Ogawa.


    What was the point of all their sacrifices if a little girl could just level up and leave them so far behind?


    She raised a boot and stomped once on Lt. Ogawa¡¯s armored neck.


    Ritsu couldn¡¯t tell if the crunch was the armor or the neck.


    He ignored the two code blacks in the squad¡¯s channel.


    It wasn¡¯t real until¡­ he¡¯d deal with later, assuming there was a later.


    ¡°Here.¡±


    Lt. Morales handed him his pistol.


    She had reloaded for him without his notice.


    The masked rider turned her attention back to the two of them.


    She blurred.


    They raised their pistols.


    Too slow.


    The colorful fist cracked¡ª


    Into a barrier.


    She glanced over her shoulder only to find a third barrier.


    The kekkaishi had sectioned off the tunnel into four.


    One with the robot mantis. One with the two of them. One with Reon. One with Capt. Nakata, Pvt. Noguchi and said kekkaishi.


    Reon punched that last barrier.


    Cracks spider-webbed from the impact point.


    Ritsu heard the kekkaishi¡¯s cry of pain through Capt. Nakata¡¯s and Pvt. Noguchi¡¯s ears.


    Brave girl. Strong girl. Much too young to die in an ugly fight in the dark, dank tunnels beneath the Imperial Palace.


    ¡°Get her out of here, captain. Mission¡¯s fucked. Noguchi¡¯ll cover you to his last bullet¡ª¡±


    ¡°Thanks, asshole,¡± Pvt. Noguchi chuckled.


    ¡°Hey, no more complaining about the implants itching. I¡¯ll trigger my fail-safe option. We can¡¯t capture her, but she¡¯s too dangerous to let escape. Bringing the tunnel down on her head should work. Hopefully, Lt. Morales can get enough distance and link up with you later.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not running,¡± Lt. Morales said.


    ¡°How noble,¡± Reon scoffed. She tapped her helmet. ¡°I¡¯ve been listening in since the beginning. No running. You¡¯re all too valuable for that. Even the girl.¡±


    The masked rider punched the barrier again.


    The girl kekkaishi whimpered.


    The trickle of blood from her nostrils turned into a stream.


    ¡°Have her drop the middle barriers, now!¡±


    Thankfully, the captain listened.


    Lt. Morales threw herself on the much smaller Reon¡¯s back. She grabbed a choke and emptied her pistol at point blank range into Reon¡¯s back.


    Reon flipped Lt. Morales over and hit her with a spinning back kick into the cracked barrier.


    It vanished before it could shatter, saving the kekkaishi.


    Another popped into place a second later.


    Good!


    They were listening to him.


    Lt. Morales was now on the right side of the barrier.


    Which left Ritsu alone in the middle with Reon.


    ¡°This fail-safe won¡¯t make a difference. I¡¯m so far ahead of you now,¡± Reon said.


    ¡°Yeah? How exactly did you managed that? From under Level 30 to what? Level 45? No? Higher? Your expression suggests higher¡­ impossible¡­¡± he feigned horror. ¡°You¡¯re over 50?¡±


    There was definitely some weird shit going on, but no way did one jump that many levels in a few months, which had been the last known sighting of Reon.


    ¡°Was it some kind of time chamber training exercise? Something like that needs to be shared.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter because you can¡¯t do anything about it. You¡¯ll use your ultimate attack and fail. I kill you and them.¡± She gestured over her shoulder.


    Lt. Morales disappeared around the corner.


    ¡°Quest completed successfully. Points and rewards picked. So¡­ go head. Let¡¯s get this over with. I¡¯m bored now.¡±


    Ritsu raised his middle finger.


    Then pointed it.


    The red laser lanced out boring ineffectively into her bug-eyed helmet.


    Reon blurred.


    He felt nothing.


    Belatedly noticed that his middle finger was gone. Chomped to bits in her helmet¡¯s mandibles.


    ¡°How does that even work? Can you eat¡ª¡±


    More lasers at point blank range.


    Four from his remaining fingers and thumb.


    One chomp.


    No hand now.


    The laser in his wrist was bigger, more powerful.


    It left an actual scratch in the red lens of her right bug eye.


    A violent wrench divested him of his arm at the elbow.


    An even bigger laser cut across her helmet.


    She recoiled with a shout.


    He tried to keep his elbow laser on target, but she grabbed it and pushed it away, scouring a line several meters deep into the stone and earth.


    ¡°That¡¯s right¡­ it¡¯s lasers all the way down.¡±


    Reon¡¯s eye glared balefully at him through the finger thick gash across her helmet¡¯s bug eye as she grabbed him by the front of his chestplate to lift him up.


    ¡°Weak ultimate attack. You cut my helmet. Congratulations. It¡¯ll be fine in a week. Just for that I¡¯m going to feed you to my boy once I break through this barrier or maybe she¡¯ll get too far away.¡±


    ¡°Are you stupid? That¡¯s a robot. Everyone knows robots don¡¯t eat.¡± He scoffed in her face.


    ¡°Um, actually, he¡¯s not a robot. Mantis is like you, I guess. You¡¯ll be nutritious. Even the metal parts. He can turn that into raw materials for, like, repairs and other stuff, like, bullets. You didn¡¯t see because he didn¡¯t need to use it but he can shoot spikes.¡±


    ¡°Horrifyingly interesting, but I think they¡¯re far enough away for my actual ultimate attack.¡±


    He had triggered his power sources to overload right after his final laser.


    Ritsu let go of the metaphorical dead man¡¯s switch in his head. He was gone in an instant.


    He didn¡¯t feel the explosion, nor the tons of rubble crushing the tunnel. Didn¡¯t see Reon and her mantis motorcycle moving impossibly fast up the tunnel racing the collapsing stone and earth.


    <hr>


    Time wasted.


    The battles outside trended to mixed. Some good, some bad. He helped here and there, but people were dying. He couldn¡¯t just take care of everything because that¡¯d mean people would be too weak the next time and the next ad infinitum.


    It was like having compounding debt that one only paid the minimum balance each month.


    They would never pay it off.


    Cal sped things up by grabbing the two boys and pulling them into the throne room none too gently.


    Boys¡­


    They looked it.


    Teens to be pedantic about it.


    ¡°Kenji.¡± He pointed at the older of the two. The jujutsushi.


    16 years old. Though he had been 14 just yesterday.


    ¡°Jayson.¡± The psychic mage¡¯s physical appearance matched his mental one. 14 years old. Strong through levels, Skills and spells, but not through skill and technique.


    A really good practitioner of the art could make themselves appear as whatever they wanted in thoughtspace.


    They didn¡¯t call it that on other worlds, but he was going to make it a thing.


    Or was ¡®mindspace¡¯ better? Psychicspace? Astral was already a thing. The Astral Realm existed and he could venture through it using astral projection, which wasn¡¯t the same thing as remote viewing. There were a bunch of other extra sensory powers that accomplished much the same thing. He was spoiled for choice.


    The curse of having all the psionic abilities.


    A complaint of the privileged.


    ¡°Like I just said to Reon and Erika, surrender and you will be treated justly. There will be punishment and an opportunity to atone.¡± He lied to the two Japanese boys.


    The five¡¯s crimes were all terrible, but not equally.


    He believed that the others had a chance at rehabilitation into productive members of society. Much like Cooper and Holly, he could guide them down a better, if still violent and bloody path.


    The two in front of him, however¡­


    He experienced the evils they had perpetrated with the glee in their minds, bodies and souls.


    Power to them was the ability to do whatever they wanted to whomever they wanted.


    Psychopaths.


    They fit the clinical definition.


    Granted he wasn¡¯t an expert. He had merely read books and consulted with experts. It was important to get things right when lives were at stake.


    Jayson¡¯s face was screwed in concentration.


    The boy had been shooting mind stuff from the moment he had been pulled into the room.


    Mind Blast was the generic starter attack spell. Psychic Arrow was a more advanced one. Psychic Storm was the boy¡¯s best.


    All bounced harmlessly off Cal¡¯s mental shield.


    He flicked the boy with a telekinetic finger to the forehead.


    Brown eyes rolled back as the boy toppled backward.


    He caught and laid him gently on the floor before the boy could crack the back of his skull on the hard wood.


    Two years of unprecedented growth thanks to unprecedented magical artifacts had made them overconfident.


    How else could one explain the stupidity of not wearing a helmet into battle when one didn¡¯t have abilities that provided superior protection?


    Granted, he was a hypocrite about this¡­ at times¡­ most of the time, but he was trying to change that.


    Hence, wearing his full power armor.


    Kenji glanced at Jayson. ¡°Useless!¡± he snarled.


    Cal shrugged.


    ¡°He rejected the offer. What about you? I know what you¡¯re thinking. Got a juicy Quest, right? Just have to take me out. Kill me for the full reward. How many points am I worth now?¡±


    ¡°More than enough.¡±


    ¡°Listen¡­ that number should tell you everything you know about your chances. Just surrender. The longer this goes on. The more people die. You¡¯ve got family out there, right?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about them! They¡¯ve never given a fuck about me!¡±


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°You¡¯re punishing the world for the actions of a few.¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Kenji took a deep breath. ¡°Do you think I became so strong because I didn¡¯t take chances? You don¡¯t level with challenge. Without risk. And how many levels will I gain from turning you into a shitting corpse?¡±


    The boy was just about ready to spring his brilliant and unexpected trap.


    ¡°We knew one of you was coming?¡±


    Cal shrugged.


    It had been obvious despite the blank spaces in their memories.


    Their plan had been simple.


    Unleash hell on Tokyo and slip away in the chaos.


    They had never intended on truly fighting him or Eron.


    The sudden Quest to slay their personal boss monster dangled so many rewards that it gave them pause.


    Greed set in.


    Why not take a shot at it?


    ¡°We made a simple plan.¡± Kenji sneered. ¡°Let them fight.¡±


    He triggered it.


    The invisible Kanji and arcane symbols on the walls, floor and ceiling came to life. Dried blood turned dark brown by the passage of time suddenly glowed red, slick and glistening.


    Domain: Endless Room.


    Cal saw it take shape in Kenji¡¯s thoughts.


    He placed a tiny addendum in the boy¡¯s intent and waited for the spell to complete.


    Five seconds.


    Quick, but an eternity in high-level combat.


    Disorientation always accompanied spacial dislocation.


    He cleared it instantaneously.


    He stood in a white room.


    Cube-shaped.


    Featureless except for the bloody cursed writings on every surface.


    His armor¡¯s sensors didn¡¯t like the place.


    The readings went crazy, so he put it in silent mode and allowed it to continue collecting data.


    Past experience told him that the data would be mostly useless. Still, it was important. One never knew when a breakthrough could come. More information increased the odds.


    ¡°What¡ª¡± Kenji¡¯s eyes were wide and his mouth worked like a fish¡¯s outside of water.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. I¡¯m not trapped here with you. You¡¯re trapped here with me. Oh¡­ and him too.¡± He gestured at Jayson, who was about 30 seconds away from waking up.


    Indeed, the artifact hidden in the teen¡¯s forehead was working overtime to hasten the process.


    ¡°Alright, this is a two part trap, so why not get on with it.¡±


    ¡°How¡ª¡±


    ¡°Meant to be on the outside of your domain, did you? Meh, I wouldn¡¯t feel too bad about it. These things happen. Performance anxiety is a real thing. The stakes are so high for you. Ultimate power so close you can just about tickle it with your finger tips. And all you had to do was ruin your souls and murder countless people.¡±


    Kenji scowled.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how you did it, but it won¡¯t matter anyways. I¡¯m stronger in my domain.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± he waved the boy on with a gesture. ¡°Less talking. Do your back up plan already. Release him to fight me in the hopes that¡¯ll keep me too busy for you to exit without your teammate¡­ dick move, by the way. Leaving a boon companion to my mercy and radiation poisoning.¡± He shook his head ruefully.


    Kenji¡¯s fingers wiggled magically as he moved his hands and arms in tight patterns in front of his chest.


    ¡°Oh my god!¡± Cal groaned theatrically. ¡°You¡¯re soooo slow.¡±


    The fist-sized mana gem embedded in Kenji¡¯s back grew bright and scorching in Cal¡¯s many senses.


    It was pumping out an epic amount of mana.


    Interestingly, the gem was molded around one of the boy¡¯s vertebrae.


    It was a lot more efficient than Deon¡¯s.


    Kenji¡¯s entire body and spirit was suffused with mana.


    He couldn¡¯t be certain, but the boy would die if the gem was removed. His body had adapted to a mana-rich environment. Rather, it had become that environment.


    Two years.


    The information might get Deon to change his mind about removing his gem. Or the young man could lay in his cell and slowly waste away due to a lack of mana.


    The domain was strong, yet filled with an eerie silence.


    He had been in a sensory deprivation tank once long ago.


    It was quieter than that.


    ¡°Not much to your special domain, is there?¡±


    The main feature was spacial distortion.


    It was simultaneously as small as a single bedroom, as large as infinity and every millimeter in between.


    He could reach out to Kenji.


    Kenji was not visible in the distance.


    ¡°Plain white? Sure, the writing in blood is appropriately creepy and disgusting, but where¡¯s the blood red moon and writhing bloody shadows?¡±


    It would¡¯ve been very disorienting for anyone without the right counters. Even if they had counters their levels would¡¯ve needed to be close enough to Kenji¡¯s.


    Kenji chanted something in Japanese.


    It was rare for the auto translation system to not kick in.


    ¡°¡­ Release.¡±


    He came out of the ceiling.


    Within reach.


    In the distance.


    Impossible to see.


    The man was wrapped in glowing chains.


    A powerful magical relic from another world.


    Threatening because Cal understood that they would¡¯ve restrained even him for a time.


    Likewise the thin circlet of woven bone around the man¡¯s head.


    The tiny, delicate ivory links were stained with blood from ages past and from more recent days. Small and thin. Perhaps from birds or other tiny animals or baby animals.


    Humans were animals too.


    ¡°That was part of the rituals you guys did here. To break his mind. That much is obvious. What I want to know is what else did you do?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll never know,¡± Kenji grinned with eyes alight. The boy was drunk on his own power.


    Cal didn¡¯t wait for the chained man to complete his slow descent to the floor.


    As always, he wasn¡¯t above cheating.


    He was at the man¡¯s side in an instant, grasping the bone circlet. He pointed his other fist at Kenji, deploying the force cannon from the top of his gauntlet with a cybernetic thought.


    Thoom!


    Missed!


    Kenji either moved really fast or he hadn¡¯t been standing where the auto-target system had determined.


    Regardless, he kept firing.


    The tiny bones were slick with blood, which made it hard to grab with his gloved fingers.


    He changed tack and tried with telekinesis.


    The circlet was embedded in the man¡¯s skin and if what he was feeling was right then it was actually merged with his skull. Less of a worn thing and more an added growth.


    The relic chains suddenly went slack.


    ¡°Sh¡ª¡±


    An arm cracked Cal in the side, sending him flying.


    It felt like a long trip.


    A short one.


    Every distance in between.


    The man was Japanese.


    His black hair hung long and lank over his eyes.


    A thick, scraggly beard was a matted tangle caked with the detritus of blood, bile, vomit and old meals.


    He remained on his knees for what seemed like an eternity.


    Haruo Tezuka or rather Tezuka Haruo in this part of the world. Powers. No class. 50 years old, looked half that on a better day. Which was yesterday.


    Now?


    Now he looked closer to his chronological age.


    The two years he had spent trapped behind the barrier had obviously not been kind to him.


    His emaciated body was covered in Kanji and symbols carved directly into the flesh.


    Magic bullshit.


    The man¡¯s skin should¡¯ve been practically invulnerable especially when he started to really ramp up.


    Cal couldn¡¯t find the details on how the five kids had managed to do this to him.


    Blank spots in all of their memories.


    As the strongest person in Japan, Haruo guarded the emperor when he wasn¡¯t needed to fight the worst, most powerful monsters. His presence was one of the main deterrents to the Phoenix Dynasty crossing the Sea of Japan.


    The radiation scanner Cal had added to his armor for this mission wasn¡¯t picking up any build up.


    That wasn¡¯t going to last.


    Structural integrity readings in his HUD were all green. The impact had been properly dissipated and absorbed by the Threnium. He hadn¡¯t even needed to use the forcefield.


    That too wasn¡¯t going to last.


    Shoulder launchers deployed, firing micromissiles.


    Bright red clouds of powder erupted around Haruo¡¯s chest and head.


    Pepper spray using the hottest mundane pepper in the world.


    He encased Haruo¡¯s upper half in a telekinetic shield to concentrate the powder, even forcing it into the man¡¯s mouth, nose and eyes.


    No reaction.


    In fact, Haruo took a deep breath, sucking in the entire cloud.


    ¡°Your weak toys are nothing!¡± Kenji laughed.


    ¡°You still here? I thought you¡¯d have tried to run away by now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not scared of you.¡±


    ¡°And that is the second dumbest thought you¡¯ve had in the last year.¡±


    ¡°You, slave!¡± Kenji sneered at Haruo. ¡°Kill that man. The one in the blue and gold power armor. Use your full power.¡±


    ¡°Careful with the wording. Mind control spells can be tricky. Although, you¡¯d know more than me¡­ probably.¡±


    Haruo burst out of the telekinetic bubble.


    ¡°Ouch.¡±


    The man said nothing, stared at nothing with vacant eyes, yet he leapt across the space between them like a tiger.


    Spatial distortion was a pain, so Cal focused until it went away.


    Easy enough to trick Kenji¡¯s brain into looping him into the ¡®don¡¯t affect¡¯ group.


    He shot Haruo in the chest with the force cannon on its highest setting. The punch through steel one.


    Haruo went flying through the air like a ball.


    That would help him start the ramping up process.


    A second barrage of micromissiles covered Haruo in a white cloud. This time the gas was a powerful soporific. Strong enough to knock out a 2 ton monster in less than 30 seconds.


    The man staggered out of it.


    He looked bigger. Less emaciated, more wiry strong. He started to take on a dark green-ish hue as his human skin slowly turned into something else.


    Cal took to the air.


    The ceiling was as far away as he needed it to be.


    From the look on Kenji¡¯s face the boy was confused that he hadn¡¯t slammed into it.


    Haruo leapt after him, but it wasn¡¯t hard to avoid the newly-formed claws.


    That was when psychic lances tickled his mental shields.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re awake.¡±


    Jayson was still on his back with his eyes closed. The image of a sleeping boy. Aside from the third eye on his forehead peeking through lidded gaze.


    It looked gross, but only because he could see it.


    One without the right abilities wouldn¡¯t even notice it.


    ¡°Fine.¡± He pointed the force cannon down to the boy. ¡°Thoom!¡±


    Jayson rolled.


    Cal fired for real into the boy¡¯s back at a lower setting. The bruising, knock the wind out of one¡¯s lungs kind of shot.


    He searched Jayson¡¯s memories. Two years worth in a fraction of a second. Steeped himself in more horrors just in case he had missed something earlier.


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    Nothing on how the bone circlet worked. Just the same blank spots.


    He saw an image of a bloodied and battered Haruo in chains through Jayson¡¯s eyes. The circlet in Jayson¡¯s hands. Blank. Then Haruo with a vacant expression and the circlet around his head. A lot of time had passed judging by hair and beard growth.


    He tried to reach Haruo¡¯s thoughts.


    The way was slippery. There was nothing to hold on to. Nothing to even try to break or peel back.


    He had to be careful with his powers.


    He couldn¡¯t be certain that other eyes weren¡¯t watching.


    It¡¯s what he would¡¯ve done if he was facing himself.


    Set up sacrificial pawns to draw out heretofore concealed abilities.


    ¡°Witness! My mastery of gravity!¡± He lifted Haruo off the floor before the man could leap again. He lined Haruo¡¯s entire body in a telekinetic forcefield flush against the dark green scaly skin. He moved it with the man¡¯s movements. Building-toppling strength was useless without any leverage. ¡°Bit anticlimactic¡ª¡±


    Kenji shot an angry beam of curse magic that went just a bit wide.


    The boy¡¯s forehead furrowed.


    He had no idea that he was working against himself.


    The other boy was on his hands and knees, wheezing.


    They deserved no mercy from Cal, but that¡¯s what made them different and he believed that mattered in the long run. He was potentially going to live a very long time and he wanted to avoid falling down that dark abyss people gazed into. Or turning into the monsters he fought. Or becoming the hardest man to deal with the hardest problems cause¡­ something, something wolves, dogs and sheep¡­ something, something¡­ dark side.


    Thus did he show mercy.


    Jayson¡¯s over Level 40 mind shield passive was like unto wet toilet paper as Cal poked right through to put him to sleep for real this time.


    Kenji¡­ well, the boy could continue to watch all his attacks keep going wide.


    Level 50?


    Cal aimed to teach the boy a lesson. That power gained at any cost wasn¡¯t worth it. Because at the end of the day the world was like an ocean. The boy turned himself into a shark by inflicting suffering and death to hundreds of people, but there was always that billionaire asshole hunter with a laser gun and a fully-tricked out skyship.


    The only real problem was¡ª


    ¡°Ow.¡±


    Pain accompanied the shattering of his telekinetic forcefield.


    Haruo had skipped a few steps of his transformation.


    The man barely resembled a man now.


    He was a huge, muscled thing covered in dark green scales. Diamond shaped plates ran from the top of his head all the way down to near the end of his thick tail, which tapered to a sharp point surrounded by knife-like spines.


    He was hunched over in an aggressive posture with long, muscular arms ending in long fingers topped by curved claws carving furrows into the white floor. The changes to his leg anatomy were greater. They had gone from plantigrade to digitigrade. His clawed toes clicked against the floor. Eerie in the still silence.


    His face was a blend of man and reptile. A snub muzzle instead of a mouth. His front teeth were sharp and pointed, made to cut, while the rear were sharp and conical, meant to pierce and hold.


    The HUD read 7 meters from floor to the top of his head.


    One more than what was in the records.


    ¡°You¡¯re fucked now!¡± Kenji crowed.


    ¡°But I didn¡¯t really attack him hard enough,¡± he said flatly. ¡°How could he grow to his full power?¡±


    ¡°Because he was a pussy scared of his own gift. If I had what he had¡ª¡± Kenji shook his head. ¡°It was always in there, but the little bitch hid it cause he was scared.¡±


    ¡°With good reason. You don know, but he¡¯s already putting out dangerous levels of radiation.¡±


    ¡°What do you care. You¡¯re in armor. Probably got all kinds of fancy systems to keep bad shit out. I¡¯m going to have fun trying them out after we pull your corpse out of there.¡±


    ¡°Are you stupid? There¡¯s going to be no armor left after Mr. Tezuka gets through with it.¡±


    ¡°Then maybe you should surrender,¡± Kenji sneered. ¡°Do it. Swear a magically binding oath to serve me and I¡¯ll let you live.¡±


    A transparent lie. One that didn¡¯t need powers or truth gems to reveal.


    ¡°Oh, you mean just like those people¡­ the ones you tortured into breaking. Didn¡¯t they swear? But then you tortured them again anyways.¡±


    ¡°They were weak. I¡¯m strong. It¡¯s how the world works. They didn¡¯t have to die. I was going to let them serve me. Do you think I wanted to waste all these strong people? They should¡¯ve been my elite. The rest of the sheep out there were the ones¡ª stop talking!¡±


    Kenji pulled a handful of paper slips from the inside of his enchanted jacket.


    More Kanji and arcane symbols, though in regular ink rather than blood.


    He hurled them into the air, muttering words of power.


    They lit up, stiffened and began to orbit the boy.


    ¡°Oh, one more thing. In case you didn¡¯t notice.¡± Kenji smirked.


    Cal did.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need to give him orders. My will is his will.¡±


    Yes¡­ through the disgusting little organ you implanted in your chest. Where it¡¯s slowly inching its way to your heart.


    Whether Kenji knew that was an open question. Once again thanks to those blank spots.


    Cal would bet that the boy didn¡¯t know the full truth.


    None of the children did.


    At first he had thought that the eidolons were responsible for this travesty.


    After all, the mana gem in Deon¡¯s back was the same kind as the one in all of them except for Masked Rider Reon.


    But then, Kerkestis had only given one gift each and while more powerful than what was available on Earth, none of the artifacts seemed truly dangerous to the user.


    These children received multiple artifacts. A few of which were on yet a higher level of power, like the bone circlet and the chains or the biomechanical-like organs implanted in Reon and her motorcycle.


    Erika¡¯s soul repository was obviously more dangerous than a jug of endless blood if one simply exercised a modicum of critical thinking.


    ¡°Listen, kid¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a kid!¡± Kenji snapped.


    ¡°Is what a kid would say,¡± Cal wagged a finger. ¡°Listen, kid. You obviously don¡¯t care about irradiating miles of Tokyo. Thousands of people will be affected. Those that don¡¯t get poisoned will have to move from their safe homes and reliable stores. What do you think is going to happen? It¡¯s the Bountiful Decade. If people can¡¯t keep clearing the monster zones¡­¡± he shook his head. ¡°You want to be in charge? There¡¯d be no one and nothing left to lord your power over.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a big world. You¡¯re proof of that. I was going to go east. Teach those phoenixes their proper place. But now¡ª you¡¯re Philippines, right? You look it¡­ maybe I¡¯ll start there. I¡¯ll make your home my bitch.¡±


    The morbid versus battle nerds back home would¡¯ve loved to watch what was about to happen.


    He wondered if Eron wouldn¡¯t mind stepping away from family time for a bit.


    His brother was on the newest skyship. His first opportunity to ride on one thanks to an always busy schedule.


    Haruo roared.


    Kenji laughed.


    Cal sighed.

 9.10

    Blows struck like thunder, yet failed to echo in Kenji¡¯s domain.


    Claw slash. Punch. Bite. Tail whip.


    Haruo used the classics.


    Each strike sent needles stabbing into Cal¡¯s brain.


    The last hit sent his telekinetic bubble flying a little too close to the sleeping Jayson for comfort.


    He grabbed the boy with a thought and flew him over to use as a human shield.


    Haruo, under Kenji¡¯s control, didn¡¯t slow, forcing him to send Jayson floating to the other end of the room.


    ¡°Dick move, kid.¡±


    Kenji snarled.


    The bloody writing on the walls, ceiling and floors flared.


    Spectral chains shot out. Red, like the blood they emerged from. They failed to find purchase on the telekinetic bubble, but succeeded at congesting the space Cal could move in.


    He dropped the bubble and shifted to the side about a foot.


    Haruo¡¯s massive clawed hand speared past his head.


    He grabbed the wrist with a thought and twisted the arm in the chains.


    ¡°Bad battlefield awareness, kid.¡±


    ¡°Just shut the fuck up!¡±


    Cal suddenly appeared next to Haruo, placing an amiable arm over the boy¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Listen, kid. You don¡¯t clutter the battlefield like this,¡± he gestured at the tangle of chains and Haruo struggling to get his massive bulk through, ¡°when he¡¯s big, strong and fast. You don¡¯t want to mess with his mobility.¡±


    Kenji wanted to fire off a curse, any curse, yet they slipped through his thoughts like water through a sieve.


    The spectral chains were strong.


    Haruo had to really put in effort to break them.


    Each one destroyed darkened the piece of bloody writing it had emerged from.


    ¡°So, you want to tell me what you and your evil little group were actually doing here?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll find out, except I¡¯m going to make it a thousand times worse for you. You¡¯ll be begging me to burn you alive after I get done.¡±


    ¡°Vicious little rat, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    The air around the plates down Haruo¡¯s spine wavered like the haze coming off a hot road or a desert mirage. He rose, standing straighter, swelling his broad chest.


    ¡°Seriously? You know you¡¯re right next to me? And obviously you¡¯re little spatial trick isn¡¯t working. Here, let me help you make the right decision.¡±


    Cal took Kenji by the shoulders and moved the boy in front of him.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got ourselves a good old human shield chicken stand off here. Do you care about yourself more than your teammate? Let¡¯s find out.¡±


    The air around Haruo¡¯s cavernous mouth distorted, rippling out in circular waves.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got anti-radiation spells? An artifact? What about for the heat? I mean, I¡¯m in power armor and you¡¯re in regular clothes. You really trust their enchantments? And no helmet? That¡¯s just reckless.¡±


    Kenji cursed him out.


    Haruo released the breath attack.


    The energy was invisible to the normal human eyes. They¡¯d only see it through the rippling distortion along its length of travel and in the effects on everything around it.


    It concentrated in a beam as thick around as the man¡¯s tree trunk-sized scaly thighs. It was so concentrated in fact that a normal person could stand a few feet from the beam with only a minor sunburn. That same person would instantly be vaporized once the beam hit something. All that energy would be released, billowing out in a devastating explosion. Heat enough to melt steel in an instant. Massive amounts of radiation enough to turn an elephant into a bloody river of goo as its body¡¯s cellular structure broke down.


    It seemed that the boy truly overestimated his ability.


    Cal threw a telekinetic shield up in front of the boy, extending it until it contained Haruo inside a bubble. He made it completely impenetrable and seamlessly molded around the spectral chains.


    He was mostly safe from the radiation inside his armor and other telekinetic forcefield, but the two boys weren¡¯t.


    They were evil little shits, but he needed them alive and in relatively good condition for the information in their brains.


    ¡°You were an instant away from bloody goo flowing out of every hole. I¡¯m talking even your pores. Seriously, how stupid are you? Which asks the question? If you¡¯re a moron¡­ how did you do all of this? Tell me. Who or whom, made the you of now possible?¡±


    Harou poured on the radiation, disintegration the spectral chains trapped in the bubble with him.


    Cal sealed the holes as they were created.


    The readings in his HUD were good.


    Only a negligible amount leaked out.


    ¡°You know what, kid.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t fucking care. Just shut up!¡±


    He shut Kenji¡¯s mouth with a thought, ignoring the muffled curses.


    ¡°I think we¡¯re done here. I tried to give you a chance, but you¡¯re just so delusional in your arrogance. Level 50? Your precious Level 50, all those relics, all the training. Two years. It amounts to nothing to me. You live because I let you and that¡¯s because you have something I want. If you don¡¯t cooperate then what do I need you alive for? This is your last chance.¡±


    He unsealed the boy¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°I¡¯ll fucking kill you! I¡¯ll fuck your wife! Your daughter¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got all these plans. Think you¡¯re so smart. Guess what¡­ all those paths you had in front of you? All those options? They aren¡¯t yours anymore. They¡¯re mine and they lead where I want them to.¡±


    Haruo stopped his breath attack and began pounding on the invisible bubble.


    ¡°He could do that all day, but I have to be other places.¡±


    Time tended to get funky when going in and out of domains and other real world adjacent spaces. Nothing too crazy. More like minutes or hours at most, not years.


    Still, seconds could make a huge difference in the battle outside and he had already spent long enough in the domain.


    Perhaps, luck would be on his side and the minutes in Kenji¡¯s domain would translate to seconds out in the real world.


    ¡°First things first.¡±


    He broke down the radioactive particles inside his telekinetic bubble.


    Haruo needed to be brought back to human form and he was resistant but not invulnerable to his own radiation in that state.


    Once that was done he turned his attention to Kenji.


    He seized control of the boy¡¯s mind and wound down Haruo¡¯s transformation before putting the man to sleep.


    The disgusting little organ close to Kenji¡¯s heart vibrated. Displeasure turned to fear as it felt Cal¡¯s attention fall on it.


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen some gross things and you¡¯re right up there.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t truly alive and it was clearly evil so he didn¡¯t hesitate to render it into microscopic pieces that the boy¡¯s body could absorb without harm¡­ probably.


    The bone circlet around Haruo¡¯s head crumbled to dust.


    With his work finished he forced Kenji to close the domain.


    He was prepared this time and the disorientation lasted a blink of his eyes.


    ¡°One last thing.¡± He turned Kenji around to look the boy in the eyes as he erased the memories of their one-sided confrontation.


    He had already done the same with Jayson and Haruo.


    Kenji joined the rest and Cal stacked the two boys on one shoulder like sacks of fertilizer while holding Haruo under his other arm.


    ¡°Crap.¡±


    His helmet fed him some mixed news.


    Satellite tracking showed that the masked rider had escaped and was heading north on the highway at an impressive speed for being on a motorcycle.


    He put in a quick text to get that taken care of.


    The kekkaishi boy had indeed been freed of Cal¡¯s telekinetic cage when it had disappeared as he went into Kenji¡¯s domain. The boy was trying to be sneaky with his escape plan.


    He put in a few subtle nudges to get that taken care of.


    The rest of the fight had turned against the monsters and outworld invaders.


    The grounds surrounding the Imperial Palace were in the hands of the JSDF and independent fighters. While fights continued to rage out in the surrounding area focused on the emergency shelters.


    He flew out and began helping the people.


    Enough leveling.


    Enough death.


    <hr>


    Marloes glared at the nearby ritual circle.


    She had expressed her displeasure at setting up a medical tent on the barren, blasted dirt.


    Too much evil had seeped in the soil.


    Alas, the medics knew better and many of the fighters that had bled to take the palace grounds back from the monsters and invaders couldn¡¯t survive a trip by wheeled vehicle through an active battlefield.


    What was worse was that the JSDF only had one helicopter to take the most grievously wounded to the hospital. The remaining handful attached to this section of Tokyo were busy running combat ops.


    Finishing her periodic check for monsters, she stepped back into the huge tent.


    The scents were schizophrenic.


    There were the sterile scents of alcohol and other medical type junk.


    She knew them well for she had spent plenty of time in a hospital room.


    There were the dirty scents of sweat, blood, piss and shit.


    She knew them well for she had spent plenty of time in battle.


    Marloes made her way past the screams of the dead and the dying towards the back of the tent.


    Miko Hiromi sat on a cot with her still bloodless stump held up by a sling. Her hand was in a sealed plastic bag on her lap.


    Dashing Bandit¡¯s Celebration¡¯s last plushie floated out of her way.


    His blue spandex suit had seen better days. Cotton tufts stood out from multiple cuts and gouges on his fluffy body. The red cape was a tattered ruin. One shiny plastic eye was gone, ripped out by monster claws.


    He was the mahou shoujo¡¯s strongest so it made sense that he was the last remaining. She had gathered the remains of the rest and placed them in her bag of holding.


    ¡°Kekkaishi Endo gives his regards for your recovery. Regrettably, he was recalled to his unit. He begs forgiveness.¡±


    The boy had bowed and apologized profusely outside the tent. He had felt it a betrayal to not stand watch by the miko¡¯s bedside until the end.


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t have to do that.¡±


    The miko¡¯s voice was small, soft.


    More the girl she truly was than the exalted shrine maiden.


    Marloes was struck by how Hiromi was swallowed up by her robes, still bloody from the battle. She hadn¡¯t truly noticed during the battle.


    Children.


    She was fighting alongside children.


    They were making children fight alongside them.


    ¡°How is your arm?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s starting to hurt and bleed a little¡­¡±


    Dashing Bandit Celebration had been practically vibrating in the small folding stool and this appeared to be her limit. She shot up and threw her hands in the air. ¡°They won¡¯t evac her!¡±


    ¡°Please¡­ don¡¯t shout. You¡¯ll disturb the others,¡± Miko Hiromi squeaked.


    ¡°Ah, sorry, Hiromi-chan, but they¡¯re making me mad!¡± She pouted. ¡°Your hand got cut off fighting for them and they won¡¯t give you a helicopter ride.¡±


    ¡°My life is not in danger like the others.¡±


    ¡°But you heard the medical guy? You have, like, one hour to get to the hospital if you want to stick that back on.¡± She pointed at the bagged hand.


    ¡°It¡¯s a stasis bag,¡± Marloes said.


    They were exceptionally rare and she had thought that Hiromi was getting special treatment. Perhaps for being her level at such a young age or perhaps a familial connection to someone with power in the system. Government or JSDF.


    Dashing Bandit Celebration waved a hand dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s not a true stasis spell. More like a time slow. They cast it on her¡­¡± she leaned in to whisper, ¡°stump,¡± then straightened as if that hadn¡¯t been obvious, ¡°anyways. A slow time spell and a high level one at that to buy even that much time. Point is. I¡¯ve checked the schedule list. Hiromi-chan is far down it.¡±


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°Have you tried the Omninet?¡±


    ¡°What for?¡±


    ¡°Find someone that can do a fast transport?¡±


    ¡°Duh!¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration slapped her own forehead. ¡°Why didn¡¯t I think of that? I would¡¯ve used my guy,¡± she gestured toward the floating plushie, ¡°if he wasn¡¯t too damaged to carry you, Hiromi-chan.¡±


    ¡°It is okay.¡±


    ¡°No it¡¯s not. Hold on.¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration took out her smartphone and started tapping and swiping away.


    ¡°I¡ª¡± Marloes hesitated. Not all news was good or even if it was good it would bring sadness. However, they deserved to know. ¡°I oversaw the¡ª the collection of Shinigami Yuta¡¯s¡ª¡±


    Why was it so hard? She was no stranger to death. Yuta hadn¡¯t even reached adulthood, but that wasn¡¯t out of the ordinary. She had been a child when she started fighting monsters and bad men. One among many. One of the few to get past the ripe old age of 20. The milestone hadn¡¯t been that long ago and yet it felt so far behind her.


    ¡°The JSDF collected his remains after mages determined that no worm monsters survived¡­ what I did. He will be taken to his family.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, Sparkle-sama,¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration said with a sad smile. ¡°Remember what he asked for? You did that. You saved him from the worms.¡±


    Point of fact, she should¡¯ve prevented him from being infected in the first place.


    Miko Hiromi grabbed Marloe¡¯s gaze and held it with a strength beyond her short years. ¡°Death is not the end. Yuta¡¯s spirit thanks you for sparing him that fate. It is what you would¡¯ve wanted for yourself. What we all would¡¯ve wanted.¡±


    Marloes nodded after a moment. Neither accepting or rejecting Hiromi¡¯s words.


    ¡°We should go to the funeral. I mean, if his family is okay with that. Since we were with him last.¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration glanced at Marloes. ¡°If you¡¯re okay with that. If not, I¡¯m willing to step forward.¡±


    ¡°No, you¡¯re right. It is the least¡ª¡±


    Finely-honed combat instincts kicked in.


    A nudge in the back of her mind.


    Potential danger, not necessarily imminent unless things went bad.


    ¡°I¡¯m suddenly nervous and giddy, which means¡­¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration pulled out a pistol and a wand from her bag of holding.


    Marloes drew her wand of laser pointer. Forming her shield would make a lot of noise and light so she left it.


    Hiromi placed her hand on the side table.


    ¡°Please stay here Miko-sama.¡± Marloes eyed the other mahou shoujo. ¡°Please protect her.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I was going to do since I¡¯m not exactly at my best right now¡­ but, shout if you need me.¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration waved.


    Marloes moved through the medical tent.


    Past small rooms sectioned off by curtains, like Hiromi¡¯s.


    Past rows of cots filled with the least injured.


    She stopped when she got close to the entrance.


    New intakes.


    More bloody and battered fighters gathering in a loose line.


    She let her eyes drift to each one in turn, studying, listening to the voice of instinct in her head.


    Passing over men and women, boys and girls, she went back and forth several times before stopping on a boy in the middle.


    14, maybe 15 years old.


    Japanese appearance like any other.


    Clothing and armor just like the rest.


    His chestplate had the Japanese flag and the symbol of the Imperial Palace Guard.


    Again, not out of place.


    They prioritized talent and ability over age.


    The spires had forced the nation to adapt.


    Traditional seniority gave way to youth if said youth had power.


    And yet¡­


    She was certain.


    She placed the greed dot on the boy¡¯s forehead.


    He must¡¯ve lost his helmet in the fighting.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± she said coldly. ¡°Raise your hands. Don¡¯t open your mouth. If I feel so much as a hint of a spell I will not hesitate.¡±


    The boy complied.


    She searched his eyes. Didn¡¯t know what she was looking for, but quickly found what was missing.


    Fear.


    There was no fear.


    ¡°Everyone, please move away from the subject.¡±


    It seemed that she had some cachet since they listened without more than a murmur of confusion.


    The dot never wavered as she slowly walked toward the boy.


    ¡°You will walk backward out of this tent.¡±


    Again the boy complied, slowly.


    She matched him step for step.


    The other fighters moved out of the way, moving further into the tent or back outside.


    Dawn had arrived a short while ago.


    She squinted against the glare.


    JSDF soldiers posted outside the tent kept their automatic weapons at rest, but angled their bodies towards the boy.


    Notoriety did have some benefits.


    They knew her or of her, but not boy.


    ¡°I need an identity scan.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have the clearance¡ª¡±


    ¡°Not for me. You do the scan.¡±


    She¡¯d know what to do if the boy¡¯s file said that he was two years younger than he looked.


    ¡°On it.¡± The soldier called it in then took a picture.


    The boy remained calm and silent through it all.


    She kept her gaze locked to his. Didn¡¯t like what she saw. Desensitization. She had seen the same in the mirror in her darkest times.


    The two soldiers now had their guns pointed near the boy¡¯s boots.


    More soldiers approached from the sides of the tent, taking up positions.


    Seconds felt like hours until the first soldier¡¯s phone beeped.


    The boy did nothing as the soldier lowered his gun to reach for his phone.


    Marloes¡¯ instincts shouted a warning.


    She fired without hesitation.


    A single bullet right on the dot.


    A barrier unlike any other she had ever seen ate it.


    The boy hadn¡¯t moved, nor said a word. He smirked at her from behind the translucent black barrier.


    Shapes seemed to swim inside the flat surface.


    She stared into an abyss.


    ¡°Contact left!¡±


    ¡°Contact right!¡±


    Automatic gun fire burst out.


    ¡°Hold fire! Barriers! I repeat, barriers! Watch for ricochets!¡±


    There were none.


    The soldiers didn¡¯t see it, but Marloes did.


    The bullets had been eaten, like hers.


    Black walls closed in on them and the medical tent.


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    The soldier was right.


    Kekkaishi didn¡¯t do barriers that moved.


    Hell, Kekkaishi Endo was seen as a prodigy for being able to create barriers on the horizontal plane strong enough for a person to stand on for an extended period of time.


    This kekkaishi was like Erika. Unprecedented strength through unknown means.


    The boy waved then shot her a rude gesture before turning and running.


    ¡°Slow.¡±


    She aimed for the back of his knee.


    Nothing.


    She couldn¡¯t get through the barrier.


    Sudden darkness descended over them.


    ¡°It¡¯s above too!¡±


    They moved closer to the encroaching wall.


    ¡°Open up on it!¡±


    Do enough damage, break a barrier.


    The black wall ate every bullet and spell the soldiers shot into it.


    When it got with a few meters it did something none of them were prepared for.


    Black hands reached out, snatching guns and dragging the hapless soldiers to them.


    The shapes were human-like, emerging from the barrier¡¯s inky depths.


    Marloes shot the shoulder straps, saving the soldiers from the same fate.


    They scrambled back, behind her, closer to the tent.


    The walls continued their inexorable march.


    She heard shouts from within.


    The dark hands tore the fabric.


    ¡°I need a hole and quickly!¡±


    Another way to bring down the barrier was to disrupt the kekkaishi¡¯s concentration.


    The boy was showing a high level of it considering he was maintaining it while not looking at it and running away.


    One of the independent fighters pushed past the soldiers.


    ¡°I can do one, but not if that thing goes underground and I can¡¯t do one big enough for any of us to crawl through before it gets us,¡± the bandaged woman said.


    ¡°Just big enough for me to get my arm past the barrier.¡±


    ¡°Where?¡±


    Marloes calculated the wall¡¯s rate of movement quickly and pointed at a spot on the barren dirt.


    The woman rushed to it and placed her hand on the ground.


    ¡°Earth Tunnel.¡±


    The ground rumbled and parted, creating a trench about half a meter deep and 3 meters long.


    ¡°Sorry. I used most of my mana in the fighting.¡±


    ¡°No. That¡¯s good enough. Thank you. If you can push past your limits then go back in the tent and try to create a way out.¡±


    Marloes tucked her wand of laser pointer away before laying on the ground and placing her arm in the trench.


    She had the long, swan-like limbs of a model as one rich old pervert had once told her. The same limbs had then proceeded to knock him up and down that party floor. Her mahou shoujo uniform didn¡¯t imply consent to be bothered by creeps.


    She counted on the distance her long arm would buy her along with her enhanced mahou shoujo constitution.


    The wailing ghosts in the wall hadn¡¯t pulled the soldier¡¯s into them instantaneously, the men and women had been able to pull themselves free with her help.


    And she only needed a second.


    The boy was still well within her range.


    Grasping hands pulled at her hair.


    She gasped.


    It seemed that they were stronger now that they only had one target to focus on.


    Deep, freezing cold struck her to the core.


    Like she¡¯d never know warmth again.


    She twisted her head, bit at the black fingers only to bite her own tongue.


    Fingers reached her shoulders, her back.


    Her eyes drooped.


    It¡¯d be so easy.


    Just close them and let herself be carried into the abyss.


    No more pain.


    Her iron will failed her.


    Concentration fled.


    The boy fled.


    Bells tinkled.


    The hands fled back into the barrier.


    Clarity rushed into Marloes.


    She saw the boy.


    Picked her target.


    Fired.


    The .50 cal bullet shot up, tearing through the bottom of his boot and turning his foot into tattered chunks of exposed bone, dripping meat and hanging skin.


    The sun shined down on them again.


    The cold Marloes felt was that of the normal winter chill as her mahou shoujo constitution had been pushed to its limit.


    She rose with a groan, feeling the aches and pains of several broken bones, untreated, and multiple burns, treated.


    Dashing Bandit Celebration stood at the tent¡¯s entrance, keeping Miko Hiromi¡¯s stump elevated.


    The girl clutched her torimono with a white-knuckled grip in her remaining hand.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°It was a small part. You saved us all.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so modest, Hiromi-chan¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration. ¡°Now! I will do my part.¡± She turned to her plushie floating next to her. ¡°Go, Super Trash Panda! Pummel that boy into unconsciousness!¡±


    <hr>


    He had a lot of practice by now at judging speed.


    The masked rider was really eating up pavement on her biomechanical motorcycle monster or was monster motorcycle the more accurate term?


    Her colorful red, yellow and white armor looked straight out of old TV shows. The long blue scarf trailing in the wind looked cool, but he questioned the color choice. It clashed a bit.


    The motorcycle being a slick, matte gray and chrome was definitely cool looking.


    It was a huge angular thing.


    It shouldn¡¯t have worked from an aerodynamic perspective, but it did have a jet engine that was putting out a lot more power than its size suggested.


    He counted the time it took her to get from highway sign to highway sign.


    They were in Kanji, but number were numbers.


    Just about 600 miles per hour.


    What was that in region appropriate kilometers per hour?


    ¡°1 to 1.6, right?¡±


    He did the math.


    The number was bigger in kmh. Thus more impressive. Maybe it was time he started thinking of things in metric.


    God knows it¡¯d make using the equipment easier.


    Speaking of which he had forgotten the helmet.


    He had the glasses in a pouch of holding, but they couldn¡¯t handle the speed.


    Cal was gonna complain.


    He always wanted data. The closer to the action the better.


    ¡°Pfft, satellites are watching this whole thing anyways.¡± He spotted one in orbit and waved.


    Besides, he was interrupting daddy daughter time for this. Not to mention seeing his nieces in person for the first time in literal decades. There were some dark times where he had thought he would never see them again. Fuck the dominion.


    ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡±


    It was an island unless the motorcycle could fly or turn into a submarine¡­


    ¡°Possible.¡±


    Well, in any case the evil girl¡­ damn shame that. It was harder to accept that kids could go full evil. He expected it from adults, but children? Man¡­ totally sucked. At least he only needed to capture this one.


    Cal seemed to think rehabilitation was possible.


    ¡°Right.¡±


    He pondered how to catch the girl.


    She had superhuman strength and durability, but 965.6064 KMH to 0 wasn¡¯t something to take for granted. All that force had to go somewhere.


    Grab the scarf?


    Break a neck.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    He was overthinking it.


    Sonic booms trailed in his wake as he dived out of the clouds.


    The masked rider¡¯s head went on a swivel.


    She had showed impressive reflexes and reaction time as she had weaved around debris and the occasional monster that had tried its luck. Now, she was steering her motorcycle with her attention split between the road ahead of her and something much faster coming from behind.


    He grabbed the rear of the motorcycle, crumpling metal in his fingers like it was tin foil.


    Right.


    Slow it down.


    Grab it and her.


    Fly away.


    Drop her off.


    Back to family time.


    The scarf wrapped itself around his head.


    He ripped it off.


    The masked rider rose out of her seat as the motorcycle transformed into its robot mantis mode.


    He had to admit it looked cool.


    Like something straight out of TV and anime.


    Unfortunately, for her he had been doing stuff like that from since before she had been born.


    He took the kick in the face. Grabbed her ankle and gently slammed her into the pavement.


    The robot mantis found itself minus its limbs by the time the masked rider climbed out of the small crater.


    ¡°Reon Miki, ah, sorry, that¡¯s Miki Reon since I¡¯m a visitor in your land.¡±


    She struck an ¡®X¡¯-armed pose.


    ¡°That is cool.¡±


    The beam cut across the pavement and through the median divider and sound wall on the far end.


    He tapped her on the shoulder.


    She threw a blazingly fast quadruple spinning kick in defiance of baseline human physics.


    He blocked the last one on his arm.


    She cried out and staggered back, gingerly putting weight on her injured leg.


    ¡°You¡¯re under arrest, I guess. Not my deal, but come along or be brought, blah, blah, blah.¡±


    She lunged.


    He flicked her between the bug eyes of her colorful helmet.


    She crumpled to the ground.


    He approached the robot mantis.


    ¡°Listen, mantiscycle, you¡¯re supposed to be as smart as a horse or something, so I¡¯ll say this once. Come along quietly or I¡¯ll turn you into a compact cube first.¡±


    It meekly turned back into a motorcycle.


    He piled the legs he had ripped off on the seat and cables helpfully slithered out to secure them.


    Eron tossed the masked rider over his shoulder, grabbed the mantiscycle by its frame and took off into the sky.

 9.11

    Marloes sat in the uncomfortable chair, trying not to drum her fingers on the table or pick at the scabs on her arms.


    Only about an hour had passed since Mr. Cruces dropped out of the sky with Haruo and two boys.


    The man didn¡¯t look like he had come out of a difficult fight going by the blue and gold paint being only smudged and scuffed a bit in a few places.


    She had found it weird that the armor looked brand new with the exception of the jagged line running diagonally across the chest like someone or something had peeled it open and they had just pounded it back into place. Instead of doing a proper repair or simply just replacing the chest piece.


    What followed was a brief discussion followed by a quick flight to the nearest hospital with all of the injured.


    Once there, she had gotten a quick once over from a few healer types. The miko, like Hiromi, judging by the young woman¡¯s red and white robes, but obviously specced differently chanted a prayer while ringing her torimono as a doctor and nurse set the bones in her hand and made sure the ligaments and tendons were in the right places before putting the cast on.


    The pain had been a distant, numb thing thanks to their abilities. More importantly she remained awake and alert since they didn¡¯t use traditional anesthetics because Mr. Cruces had invited her to the debriefing for some reason.


    She had done one last check on Hiromi and was glad to see that they were reattaching the miko¡¯s hand.


    If all the military and government types thought to question her presence none had given voice.


    They were a professional bunch. She had judged it so because not a one had even so much as glanced at her uniform¡¯s short skirt or rather her long legs. Neither did their eyes dart to her chest despite how often she crossed and uncrossed her arms due to her general level of physical discomfort as the itching continued unabated and was now joined by shooting pain radiating from hand. The latter almost overrode all the pain signals from the many partially-healed microfractures and bruises across her entire body.


    The room was a lot emptier than she had expected.


    General Satoru was there with a single aide to take notes.


    There were a handful of people from the civilian side of the government.


    That was it.


    They all listened while Mr. Cruces, still in the fancy high tech armor, talked.


    The man kept his words precise and made it clear that he wasn¡¯t going to answer questions.


    Which she was thankful for.


    Honestly, it had mostly gone over her head. She had paid attention, but was more interested in trying to figure out why she was healing at an accelerated rate even accounting for any residuals from the hospital trip and what she got naturally from her mahou shoujo state.


    She hadn¡¯t detected any healing magic emanating from anyone in the room and she hadn¡¯t found any sort of healing ward or aura.


    Yet, the physical evidence couldn¡¯t be denied.


    The itching was one sign, but the more obvious one was that her scabs were flaking and shrinking before her eyes.


    Her ruminations came to a halt when Mr. Cruces reached the section of his briefing that interested her.


    Haruo Tezuka was the top guy in Japan when it came to sheer physical might and combat.


    The fact that he had been the sole survivor outside of the five kids responsible for the nightmare wasn¡¯t surprising. What surprised her was that he had been beaten by said kids in the first place. Sure, he couldn¡¯t go all out without irradiating everything around him, but she figured with every other person in the Imperial Palace dead he wouldn¡¯t need to hold back. Worst of all, they had somehow controlled him through some kind of magic crown and organ combo?


    She almost raised a hand, but then remembered the rules.


    Mr. Cruces explained it to her satisfaction anyways.


    It was a good thing that he had destroyed it.


    The thought of being forced to do things she didn¡¯t want to sent a shiver down her back.


    ¡°So, Mr. Tezuka will be fine physically. There are no traces of the circlet in his system. You don¡¯t have to worry about that. He¡¯ll recover quick with a lot of food and exercise. As for his mind¡­ well, that¡¯s a different story. By now you¡¯ve all got a good idea on what happened in there and you¡¯ll find out the rest as you go through your own investigation. As such, Mr. Tezuka will need very good therapists. I know you need him, but give him some time before you ask him to get back out in the field. And when that happens avoid sending him up against anything that might trigger those bad memories. As for immediate care? Keep him in that shielded bunker you¡¯ve got him in. He¡¯ll want to go to his home, so I suggest modifying it to contain radiation. If you can¡¯t then impress upon him that his nightmares could lead to involuntary discharges. I¡¯ll send you a few devices that can absorb it at his lower levels of output.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a danger to us,¡± General Satoru said.


    Marloes frowned at the old man.


    That sounded like a question.


    ¡°PTSD. You should know how to treat that. Don¡¯t take it for granted just because he has great power and you need him. The wrong trigger and you¡¯ll have a literal meltdown on your hands. He¡¯ll sleep for awhile. Maybe a few days, a week. I suggest a familiar face to greet him when that happens. Someone he trusts. Not in person. It could be dangerous to them. Use video.¡±


    Mr. Cruces moved on to the five responsible for the massacre.


    As far as Marloes was concerned death was the only just outcome¡­ after a fair trail, of course.


    The debrief grew contentious at that point.


    The government wanted two things.


    Like her, they wanted a quick trial and execution.


    Close to a thousand people were tortured and murdered over a two year span in the Imperial Palace.


    That had been the hardest thing for Marloes to accept.


    Two years inside the barrier. Hours outside.


    The other thing the government wanted were the extremely powerful artifacts the five had used to do the deed.


    Mr. Cruces pushed for some kind of rehabilitation program for three of the five. It seemed self-serving that he had just the thing. He cited a few successful cases.


    The government¡¯s position was simple. The five were Japanese citizens, thus, Japan had jurisdiction over them. Including the items in their possession.


    It wasn¡¯t a discussion that could be resolved in an hour.


    It dragged on into a second hour.


    Marloes had enough of trying not to scratch the shrinking scabs. The lighter patches of skin revealed made it look like she had spots. It bothered her.


    She stood abruptly.


    ¡°Execute the evil murderers and give those whatevers to people that deserves it and will use it for good. Or to people that¡¯ll use them the best.¡±


    She¡¯d let them interpret what she meant.


    ¡°Would that included you, Super Happy Sparkle-sama?¡±


    The government guy was young. Probably only a few years older than her. He had that easy smile of someone that lived an easy life. She couldn¡¯t remember his name. Vaguely remembered him flirting with her at some kind of government thing. Then again, multiple people always tried to flirt with her at the government things she only occasionally attended despite their mandatory nature.


    Ha!


    Mandatory?


    If they were so mandatory why had she only attended about one in every twenty?


    She didn¡¯t dignify the man with an answer.


    ¡°I have to go now,¡± she said flatly. ¡°I have to feed the cat.¡±


    She had no cat.


    Her neighbor did and there were the strays.


    She had cans of tuna.


    It was not a lie if she took one and left it outside her small apartment.


    ¡°Sure thing, Ms. Kitagawa,¡± Mr. Cruces said. ¡°Feel free to reach out to me at any time. I¡¯ve already shown you the different ways through the Omninet. I guarantee that communication is secure. There will be no collection of personal data to sell to the corpos. Also, there are no cyber monsters¡­ at this time.¡±


    Mr. Cruces really wanted her to use the Omninet for some reason.


    She nodded.


    His offer rattled around in her head.


    Did she really want to travel?


    Her mother¡¯s homeland?


    She only knew of it from stories and small pictures and videos on her mother¡¯s ancient phone.


    It was Marloes¡¯ most precious possession. She had spent quite a large amount of Universal Points to have people maintain it. Even paid a large monthly fee to keep it in a secure box at the best defended bank in Tokyo.


    Would seeing her mother¡¯s home make it better? Or worse?


    She weighed her selfish desire against the need of the people.


    For the first time in awhile the scales tipped both ways.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be easier if you make an account¡ª¡±


    She waved Mr. Cruces off as she hurried out of the room.


    Cal cleared his throat, grabbing the room¡¯s attention away from the young woman¡¯s back.


    ¡°Listen up, guys. The main reason you can¡¯t just do a quick trial and execution is because we need information that only they have. This entire thing stinks of a small part in a larger plan. The more we know the better we can catch a repeat somewhere else before it starts. Someone or something helped those children pull this thing off. Fed them monsters through the spire to level them up to the top of what we have on Earth in just two years. Sent them allies. Taught them foul rituals. Those circles haven¡¯t fulfilled their true purpose.¡±


    ¡°Which is why they need to be destroyed immediately, unlike what you propose,¡± General Satoru said.


    ¡°You¡¯ve already tried.¡±


    ¡°We just have to try harder,¡± the government guy said.


    ¡°You¡¯ve seen the circles absorb the energy and remain undamaged. Where do you think that energy is going?¡±


    The general¡¯s aide whispered in the old man¡¯s ear.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already ordered temporary cessation of our efforts,¡± General Satoru said. ¡°Preliminary reports are not promising.¡±


    ¡°You might¡¯ve just powered them up a bit more. They¡¯re drawing ambient mana, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Again, that information is preliminary. We¡¯re performing tests as we speak,¡± General Satoru said.


    ¡°That¡¯s the safest route. Wall off the entire compound. Mine it, put guns on said walls, aim artillery at it.¡±


    ¡°It is the government¡¯s position that continuity is important. The emperor and the royals provided crucial Skills for the nation. Unity is already fraying,¡± the government guy said.


    ¡°So? Just crown another one. That¡¯s why you keep his sons in different cities. Or go with another relative.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not sure, but we think doing that will require the proper ceremonies.¡±


    ¡°Then do them.¡±


    ¡°We did and the crown prince is still a crown prince. We think that the Imperial Palace is necessary. It is the traditional seat of power for the emperor. To become emperor the crown prince must take his proper throne. At least that¡¯s what we think.¡±


    ¡°Well that¡¯s obviously risky. A coronation ceremony is a ritual in itself. Who knows what might be triggered when you add that to whatever mystery mix those hundred ritual circles are all about. Maybe, do it quickly? And then get him out of there before anything bad happens?¡±


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°In that event¡­ would you be interested in providing additional security?¡± The government guy smiled. ¡°We are willing to discuss appropriate compensation.¡±


    ¡°It could be a tempting target for the same people behind this,¡± General Satoru said.


    ¡°That¡¯s not the impression I got. It feels more like when Old America would ship weapons over to the Middle East. Hand out toys and watch the kids fight it out. Swoop in and pocket the benefits after. You know, good old imperialism.¡±


    The government guy didn¡¯t take the bait.


    ¡°Many countries have been guilty of the same. We are one of them. But that is not our present and future.¡±


    ¡°Hopefully¡­ alright. Let¡¯s discuss terms. I think you should already have a good idea on what sort of things I¡¯d want. I¡¯ve got one other thing I¡¯d add to the list. It concerns the samurai class. So, what¡¯ll you give me in exchange for helping out with the ceremony?¡±


    <hr>


    Southern California, Spring, 2051


    Seasons turned.


    Which meant the average daily temperature went up about 10 degrees Fahrenheit.


    Fahrenheit as God intended because this land once belonged to a God-fearing Christian nation¡­ according to roughly 60% of the nation around the time the spires apocalypse started.


    Before that nation was another nation. It had been Catholic then. Less reliable census data.


    And before that it belonged to the real natives of the continent. Their make-believe faith system was all about nature and, like, spirits.


    Alin hadn¡¯t taken classes that went too deeply into this stuff, but just from looking around he¡¯d have to say that the natives were proved right in the end.


    Spirits were real. Nature ones. Evil ones. Good ones. Neutral ones.


    There were thunderbirds, skindancers, shapechangers, wendigos and other things straight out of native myths and legends. Hell, the necropolis encounter challenge under San Diego was full of all kinds of spirit-type monsters.


    And where were the angels and devils?


    Zalthyss didn¡¯t count.


    A real angel was, like, twelve wings and burning eyes or a wheel of burning eyes.


    His grandmother liked to point out the demons, including the one she had fought in the slaver kingdom.


    Nope.


    Demon. Not devil.


    Everyone had demons.


    Catholics had devils aka fallen angels.


    He knew. He had read the Bible.


    Hell, the Torah had the edge in this regard. There were jinns and ghouls. The latter of which differed from the flesh-eating humanoid monsters in the necropolis and other grave-y zones by being more of a spirit-y monster that could take different shapes to eat people¡­ alright, so they all ate people. And jinns were also spirit-y. He supposed that overlap was natural. That was the way of myths and legends after all.


    ¡°You ready?¡±


    The voice in Alin¡¯s ear pulled him from his digression.


    His mom was close enough that they didn¡¯t need to use helmet comms and this sector of the battle had fallen silent compared to the others.


    Comms worked fine in close, line of sight range since they could transmit directly to each other.


    Even with the towers communication from the command center was spottier.


    The new monsters were jamming them and they had yet to figure out a counter.


    Sonic telepathy.


    That¡¯s what his dad had called it.


    His dad could¡¯ve shut it down, but they had to devise a method to counter it with magic, technology and both. Something they could package into a reasonably-sized and easy to maintain device so they could share it with other communities.


    Three months of training and practice led up to this moment.


    He had slowly and steadily progressed in the usage of his power from his dad¡¯s mindscape, to the training center, to low level encounter challenges and spawn zones. He had worked alone until he was a hundred percent confident that it was safe to work with people. The last month had been spent building on that last aspect.


    Now, he hoped he was ready for a real test.


    Facing stronger monsters in a more chaotic environment.


    How to describe the monsters?


    It was rather simple.


    They had insect body types, but with mammalian skin. Which for some ungodly reason was the same exact color as Earthians from northern climates.


    They reminded him of the hairless cats Kat loved.


    So¡­ gross.


    And that didn¡¯t even cover the worst monster of them all.


    The brains that controlled the hive mind and generated the sonic telepathy


    Actually¡­ he had to retract that.


    The worst aspect of the monster type was that they were sapient to a level that the spires¡¯ autotranslation system worked for them.


    ¡°We. Fuck. Your. Mother.¡±


    For the record, Alin didn¡¯t agree with his dad¡¯s reasoning in regards to blocking the shit talk from his mind because that was all it was. The monsters couldn¡¯t read or tamper with their thoughts. They just sent a constant stream of vile shit.


    Alin released the gray from within.


    Fog billowed out of several openings all over his power armor.


    It obeyed his will so it didn¡¯t drift on the whims of the wind. It flowed down the 10 meter high wall and down to the street. It covered the open spaces quickly.


    The monster¡¯s curses doubled, tripled.


    They had taken cover in the empty neighborhood homes on the other side of the freeway after their ranged types had been taken out with precision shooting and bombardment.


    Some, like Primal had been itching to head out there to put them to the torch so to speak, but privilege reared its head and his dad decided it was a good opportunity to test him. He tried not to think about the second part of the test if he did well on this first one.


    Every other sector of the defense was already in the process of doing just that.


    It was just this section that had to wait on him.


    He felt rather self-conscious. He knew what it was like manning a wall during a battle. They were definitely itching to get off duty, out of their gear and into a hot shower. Anyone injured would have that to deal with as well.


    The fog moved like a slow-moving flood. He pushed it through cracks into homes and other buildings. He knew everything inside the gray. He saw. He heard. He could even sort of feel things as if he ran his fingers over it. Thankfully, he couldn¡¯t smell or taste things. Touching the monster¡¯s warm skin was bad enough. Too much like people.


    ¡°I¡¯ve reached maximum distance.¡±


    He brought up the overhead map and overlaid it in his faceplate.


    Just about 300 meters. Enough to cover about half the neighborhood and some portions of the commercial section on the other side of the street running at about a 30 degree angle to the freeway.


    He tallied the monsters inside his fog.


    ¡°1136 hostiles.¡±


    ¡°Are they reacting?¡±


    ¡°No. They¡¯ve definitely noticed the fog, but don¡¯t seem to feel it¡¯s a threat.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Can you mark target locations?¡±


    ¡°On it.¡±


    Cybernetic thoughts placed red dots on the map with numbers and types affixed.


    It was hard to focus on two separate tasks at the same time, but that was what practice was for.


    He was sweating by the time he finished and he had taken way too long based on his expectation.


    ¡°Do you want to try¡ª?¡±


    For a second there his mom was almost going to call him ¡®sweetie¡¯ or ¡®baby¡¯ on the battlefield.


    It wouldn¡¯t have been the first time and it had always been embarrassing.


    All the guys and girls would laugh and poke him about it for days afterward.


    He already had too much to worry about without adding the mom tax.


    ¡°Yeah. I do. But I¡¯ll go for the brain bug.¡±


    So named because of its over-sized brain visible through the thin skin covering its long, bulbous head.


    The monster was also the most dangerous type in combat.


    It had a strong, bipedal body with four stabby legs sticking out of the lower part of its thorax and an abdomen with a bony stinger. It had two arms. One was topped by a long, curved length of bone as sharp as a steel sword, while the other had an opening in the tip that shot darts made out of a keratin-like substance. They were meant for soft targets judging by the way they broke into pieces when impacting armor.


    Alin would take that any day over the sort of ammunition the Faeran used.


    He had seen pictures and video of that Quest.


    Nightmare fuel.


    These monsters were surprisingly tough because they had a sub dermal layer of chitin under the skin covering their red-blooded muscles in a criss-crossing pattern sort of like chainmail. Much stronger and lighter than iron or steel.


    The magus and her team had already made a few prototypes for testing.


    He¡¯d never understand how monsters were made.


    Were these created with skin over chitin while looking like insects just to trigger people¡¯s uncanny valley ick factor? Or was it because the multiverse was infinite, which meant there were an infinite number of monsters for the spires to use to torment them? Infinity suggested there was nothing out of the realm of possibility.


    His mom cleared her throat.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying,¡± he hissed.


    He was already tired. Like he was on rep 7 of 10 of three plates on the bench, on his third set.


    Over a thousand was too much to really affect. They¡¯d barely feel the drain.


    A hundred?


    He could take them to their last lap of a 400 meter race.


    Ten?


    He could take everything, leaving a corpse.


    That¡¯d take away his own fatigue. It¡¯d feel good for his body.


    Alin gasped.


    The brain bug fell over.


    Out, but not dead.


    He straightened, feeling like he was ready to start that lifting session.


    ¡°You okay?¡± his mom laid a hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°I did it. Brain is out of commission.¡±


    ¡°Interference is down.¡±


    He switched back in to the main channel.


    Heard the voices.


    ¡°Primal, you can commence operation. Weapons free,¡± his mom said.


    They didn¡¯t care about damage to the homes and buildings.


    Honestly, they¡¯d rather they could flatten the entire area outside their walls to give the monsters less cover.


    The problem was that the spires automatically rebuilt them.


    It was frustrating.


    Structures that were valuable to them, in their territory required Universal Points for the spires to fix them or they could do it themselves.


    Sure they could expand their territory, but that¡¯d cost a lot of points.


    They didn¡¯t have enough to purchase and maintain every structure in the Southern California. Dense urban or suburban sprawl. It didn¡¯t make a difference.


    Ownership upkeep fees were compounding now.


    ¡°You can stay here, ba¡ª Boy.¡±


    ¡°No, Mom. I¡¯m good to fight. It¡¯s the test, right? Fight inside while maintaining it and keeping it from affecting my teammates.¡±


    ¡°Only if you¡¯re sure.¡±


    ¡°I am. I have to be.¡±


    They leapt off the wall to join Primal¡¯s squad.


    It wasn¡¯t a fight at all.


    They crushed the monsters one house at a time.


    Primal blew the house apart, while the rest of them shot the survivors with guns and spells.


    The monsters were slow to react.


    Alin¡¯s fog muffled their senses.


    The brain bug could¡¯ve counteracted that, but it was out cold. It would never wake.


    A squad of 10 for over a thousand monsters.


    It was a good fight by any metric.


    <hr>


    ¡°Stand by for announcement.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Finley Stone, Ghost Sorcerer, Rayna¡¯s Ranger, cast a dome of scintillating magic to separate his team from the undead monsters. That sounded like a distraction at the perfectly wrong time.


    ¡°We¡¯ll wait for it to hit, but dismiss it for now. We need to focus on this.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡°Fall back!¡± Hanna Gozen, the Sword of Freedom, sliced monsters to ribbons with her sword aura even as her fighters retreated back to the wall. The street was clear in seconds. It appeared that their leveling was done for the day.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Sophia Freeman paused her little fire show, a re-enactment of her brother¡¯s long ago exploits in that terrible stadium. It was for the kids. A little warmth and brightness to take away the dreary gloom and chill from the Pacific Northwest¡¯s typical weather. ¡°Remember. It¡¯s only words. They can¡¯t hurt you. Just don¡¯t accept anything if it¡¯s offered. Do you understand, smol humans?¡±


    They nodded dutifully, though she didn¡¯t like the speculative glint in a few of their eyes.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Tlaloc punched a skeletal warlord¡¯s skull right off its shoulders while hurling his obsidian axe through an undead feathered serpent. It was a mockery of Quetzalcoatl. A mockery of the cultures of his ancestors. The stepped pyramid stood out of the dense jungle. It had not been there before the spires. The historians had assured him of that. Although, perhaps it had just been missed? The jungle was dense and he had vague memories that the only people that ventured deeply on a regular basis were poachers and cartels.


    Regardless, spires announcements didn¡¯t interest him. Not so with the young people he had been forced to¡­ lead¡­


    ¡°Return to defensive positions, contemptible children. I will keep the monsters at bay while you allow yourselves to be distracted by your greed.¡±


    He fired a bolt of pink-red lighting at his axe, splitting one into many as they illuminated the dark jungle, charring monsters, but sparing the plants and trees.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Holly Foster slashed the throat of a murderer and rapist. Big man wasn¡¯t so big on his knees. The end of the Eagles of Christ or Aquile di Cristo in the local language, arrived with a dying whimper of the last oxygen in the man¡¯s lungs bubbling up with the red.


    ¡°No more raping and pillaging for you,¡± she said in a rasp that came from everywhere and nowhere. ¡°Just Hell.¡±


    Satisfied with a successful expedition she slipped out of the manor and allowed her domain to dissipate.


    No levels, but decent Quest rewards.


    More importantly, she had followed Cal¡¯s instructions to the letter.


    Zero collateral damage.


    She had even freed the boys and girls from the cages in the basement.


    Iria and her fighters were already moving in to secure the place.


    They¡¯d find the freed children and so many dead bastards.


    Holly had found her niche and it¡¯d take something truly special to tempt her away from it.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡°World Event Announcement.¡±


    ¡°Slashers¡¯ Spree.¡±


    ¡°Compete for rewards.¡±


    ¡°Multiple Quests available. Main Questline restricted to slasher class. Completion of first Quest grants slasher class.¡±


    ¡°Consult Event Page for rules.¡±


    ¡°May the weak grow strong and the strong grow stronger.¡±

 9.12

    Washington, D.C., Winter, 2050


    ¡°If I had a nickel for every time a group of young people are given powerful artifacts from other worlds to commit atrocities with I¡¯d have two nickels,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°I was only responsible for one. As I¡¯ve proved by generously consenting to your tests,¡± Kerkestis said. ¡°I dislike repetition. You know that I have not violated our agreement. Otherwise, you wouldn¡¯t be so polite, would you?¡±


    She had upgraded her temple to Sunor a while back, moving from the cramped chapel in a government bunker complex to an actual church.


    The architecture and iconography inside and out had been completely transformed through the work of skilled artisans and magic judging by the miniature diorama of what looked like a galaxy that continuously spun centered on the tallest steeple.


    ¡°Remember anything new about the barrier?¡±


    ¡°A spell barrier is a spell barrier. I refuse to render an opinion without exhaustive study and I am far from an expert. The data you¡¯ve provided is insufficient. Perhaps the next time you can bring me to the site¡­ alas, the agreement prevents my travel beyond these lands.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve lived a long time. Are you sure you aren¡¯t just forgetting seeing something like that before? I¡¯d imagine it¡¯s not exactly a rare tactic since it¡¯s effective.¡±


    ¡°This line of questioning will only lead you to a place you reached the last time we spoke.¡±


    ¡°Still nothing on the symbols?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already shared what I know. The pantheon worlds are innumerable in number. They are as grains of sand on a beach. Even a long-lived being such as I have only visited a fraction.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Great talk. I hope the next one isn¡¯t in the near future or far for that matter.¡±


    ¡°A moment of your time?¡±


    That was new.


    The Eidolon of Sunor wasn¡¯t one to ask questions. She had gained a quick understanding of their dynamic. She harbored grand ideas of bringing him into Sunor¡¯s service. Not as a so-called ¡®God¡¯, but on a level lower in the hierarchy occupying the same space as the demigod children.


    ¡°Please observe.¡±


    She thrust her arm toward the altar framed by exquisitely carved marble pillars in the shape of a scythe and a sickle. One to the right and one to the left.


    Light bloomed, driving the shadows away from the fields of wheat carved into the marble floor.


    It obscured the relief of a great city carved into the marble wall behind the altar, hiding the intricate details, leaving a dark silhouette.


    The light coalesced into a life-accurate 3D projection even better than Threnosh holographic technology.


    ¡°Aeonia, capital city of Sunor, Ninth World of Its Name. One of the core worlds of my God.¡±


    The projection zoomed in from above. The distance traveled made it clear that the city was the size of a state to use a frame of reference he was familiar with.


    It focused on one of the many spires in the city.


    The silvery surface shimmered.


    Space distorted, rippling outward.


    A man appeared.


    God-like in all physical aspects despite unkempt black hair and beard.


    He had dark brown skin, almost black, but features that harkened to Cal¡¯s own.


    Dark tattoos covered his massive, muscular body.


    He wore no armor or clothing aside from what looked like animal skin pants.


    Yellow lighting crackled around him as he raised his arms to the sky.


    A bolt struck and when the smoke cleared the man held a weapon in each hand.


    The sickle and hammer looked plain. Not even steel, but battered iron.


    ¡°That is¡ª was a demigod. Son of a primordial Goddess of the storm, the harvest, and countless other things. She is of a rival pantheon. He was one of her older children.¡±


    The demigod leapt into the air on a streak of lighting.


    Crackling, yellow bolts bombarded the city.


    Defenders appeared and the battle commenced.


    It was apocalyptic.


    In the end the state-sized city was a charred ruin.


    Buildings that had once stood proudly as they reached the clouds were broken like trees after a lighting storm.


    Millions of sapients across a myriad of species lay dead or joined the ash clouds sweeping across the landscape.


    ¡°Just one demigod did all that?¡±


    ¡°Truly ancient ones are often more powerful than young Gods.¡±


    ¡°What is considered young?¡±


    ¡°Several hundred centuries after apotheosis. A century after birth. Such things vary. The size and scope of one¡¯s demesne. The number of faithful. Whether other Gods hold or challenge claims in the same demesne. It is fluid. Like words written in a river. Unlike your people¡¯s pathological desire to carve your rankings into stone.¡±


    ¡°How long ago was this?¡±


    ¡°I received it three months ago.¡±


    ¡°My condolences for all the innocent sapients that had their lives stolen by evil people. Thank you for sharing. It strengthens my resolve to never become a part of a system that perpetuates slaughter because of a pathologically selfish desire for power. Maybe Sunor needs to reconsider how your pantheon is doing things?¡±


    ¡°That which you¡¯ve just watched is transpiring across infinity. That demigod reached Aeonia through your Terminus World. This has been done many times and not just to my pantheon. We¡¯ve done the same. All war in chaos. Sunor cannot allow that to abide for much longer. The longer your world remains free the more such chaos thrive, spreading until it consumes the pantheon worlds. And so, I come to this warning from my God. Your time grows short. Service to Sunor will bring you power and resources enough to gain control of your world. It is the only way to prevent further suffering. You will find my God¡¯s touch fair and kind above all others. Continue to refuse and bear the consequences for the fates of every living Earthian.¡±


    ¡°How about you all just not kill each other? Tens of millions of people? Eidolons? Demigods? All dead and for what?¡±


    ¡°That is not the natural order of existence. Life and death. It is the struggle of all living things.¡±


    ¡°I take it back. This was not a good talk. Thanks for ruining my Christmas.¡±


    <hr>


    Time and space placed them in moments. Some extraordinary, some mundane. All important in their own ways whether to the person or those around them.


    Take the beginning of the year.


    Eron sat on a park bench.


    His daughter and partner were with his sister in-law and nieces doing girl stuff, whatever that meant.


    Thus, he had a rare moment to himself while not having to do anything.


    Vacation had been mandated by everyone and truthfully, he had resisted. There had been an incident over the summer. Near disaster involving a dam and a monster that liked to destroy dams for some reason.


    He had slipped and gotten too close to disaster for the people down river.


    Physical fatigue wasn¡¯t really a thing, but the mental side of it was real.


    So, back to the closest thing he had to a home.


    Sacramento.


    One of his go to burger places had apparently re-opened a decade ago.


    Thus¡­ cheeseburgers and curly fries.


    Several bags worth shared the bench. Along with a milk shake. Cookies and cream. From another old favorite.


    To think he had thought that they would never grace his taste buds again.


    ¡°I should eat food more¡­¡±


    He chewed slowly, savoring the juiciness, the char, the grilled onions and melted cheese.


    Sure, having the power of the sun in every cell of his body was handy. No need to worry about food and consequently, starvation. But, a human, even a super one needed to do the human thing. Otherwise he might forget.


    Cheeseburgers, fries and a shake.


    A perfect reminder if he could say so himself.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    He had heard the young couple approaching, had hoped they wouldn¡¯t bug him.


    They had a clipboard and a bunch of fliers.


    He suppressed a sigh, although he brightened for a moment.


    Political solicitation was a good thing to see. It meant that things for the people of the city weren¡¯t that dire despite the near constant fire works show from the walls.


    Bountiful Decade?


    More like bullshit decade.


    Damn it!


    He was reminding himself of his self-appointed duty.


    He had promised though¡­


    ¡°Sure, I have plenty. Have a some, please.¡± He held one of the burger bags up.


    ¡°Oh, no thanks. Um, that¡¯s not why¡­ um, let me introduce myself, my name is ¡®Cassie¡¯ and this is my husband ¡®Jose¡¯.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d shake your hands, but they¡¯re greasy. Nice to meet you.¡± He guessed. He peeked at the clipboard. Looked like signatures. ¡°You can put one of those pamphlets down here.¡± He made space by pushing the burger bags. ¡°I¡¯ll definitely read it after I finish my lunch,¡± he lied.


    ¡°Wow! That¡¯s a ton of food! You¡¯re going to eat all of that?¡± Jose said.


    Nice smiles on them.


    Handsome couple.


    Didn¡¯t really give him a weird vibe.


    No weird magical energies or sounds of hidden spells building up to shoot him in the face.


    Normal clothes for the area and weather.


    A stray thought that they looked in good shape for not being on the wall helping the defense, but then he chided himself. They could be on break or didn¡¯t have good classes for fighting. Maybe they cooked enhancing food or made bullets and other supplies. Grew fruit and vegetables?


    There were many valid and valuable ways to contribute beyond combat.


    Honestly, he¡¯d rather be doing something like that.


    Probably not bothering people in the park while they were eating a few dozen cheeseburgers, though.


    ¡°Trying.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to bother you. We¡¯ll be quick then.¡±


    ¡°Sure, why not?¡± He took a bite and chewed slowly.


    ¡°Um, well, as you know the, um, population plummeted drastically at almost exactly 30 years ago,¡± Cassie said.


    That was an understatement.


    The young couple wouldn¡¯t have even been born yet.


    It always struck him as something monumental that there was a line in history that shifted the paradigm of human existence so drastically.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    ¡°Obviously, population growth didn¡¯t really happen in the years immediately after the spires emerged.¡±


    ¡°Hard to think about starting families when people are just trying to not get eaten by the monsters,¡± Jose chimed in.


    ¡°Right! Now, um,¡± Cassie hesitantly held out a pamphlet, but then placed it on the bench next to him, ¡°I won¡¯t go into the details, but it¡¯s all in there. We didn¡¯t really do a census until 2033 because that¡¯s when things looked like they might get more stable.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s only for Sacramento, right?¡±


    He traveled to communities of all sizes as part of his self-imposed duty.


    He had no idea if they did official censuses.


    Didn¡¯t really need one if their town had less than thousand people.


    Did SoCal?


    More importantly, did he care?


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct. Although, we¡¯ve reached out and had people reach out to us from all over the world,¡± Cassie continued.


    ¡°Not everyone though, some places have been kinda rude about it,¡± Jose said.


    ¡°So, how¡¯s the study going? Population going up? Down? Do I want to know?¡±


    ¡°Well, from 2033 to 2040 the population stayed level. There was a slight uptick from 2040 till 2047 and a slight downturn to today.¡±


    ¡°Terminus Decree and Bountiful Decade.¡± He nodded.


    They nodded.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s this thing about?¡± He pointed to the pamphlet. ¡°I hope it¡¯s not a forced breeding thing. I¡¯ve¡­ heard about camps¡­ over the years. From my understanding. None of them turned out well for obvious reasons.¡±


    Yeah, there was no way that was gonna fly here.


    The young couple looked horrified.


    ¡°No! No way! That¡¯s terrible! Those were real?¡± Cassie said.


    ¡°Oh yeah¡­ I heard¡­¡±


    ¡°I hope those were just stories. Exaggerations,¡± Jose said.


    ¡°That would never happen here. What the measure aims to do is provide incentives for loving couples to have children. A stipend of Universal Points will be provided for childcare no strings attached. We¡¯ll create childcare centers staffed by qualified and more importantly, people that want to be there for the right reasons. So, like, if the mom is a fighter and she wants to be on the wall or do a challenge then she can be secure in the knowledge that her babies will be properly taken care of.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll also establish a system to take care of kids in the event that their parents, um, don¡¯t return.¡±


    ¡°They used to have similar systems back in the old days.¡±


    Their brows creased slightly.


    ¡°That is to say, my¡­¡± He did some quick math, ¡°parents told stories. Apparently, it was filled with abuse. Government workers were overworked and people generally treated children as dollar signs and numbers in the system.¡±


    Good save.


    Sometimes he forgot that he didn¡¯t look that much older than people the young couple¡¯s age.


    ¡°We¡¯ve heard the same stories too.¡± Cassie¡¯s face fell, before brightening. ¡°It¡¯ll be different this time. It won¡¯t be work and there are ways to test if people are appropriate for the responsibility.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve discussed all the potential problems for the children. You see, they¡¯re why we want to do this in the first place, so what¡¯s the point if the experience isn¡¯t as close to perfect as possible for them?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good attitude to have toward this measure. I would like to sign.¡± He wiped his wand on a napkin, then did it again because the napkins sucked and the burger was perfectly juicy. The nostalgia brought a smile to his face.


    The young couple¡¯s heartbeats never changed through the course of the conversation.


    They believed the truth in their words.


    Didn¡¯t even push the Bible angle.


    He heard the crucifix dangling on the chain under Jose¡¯s shirt and saw the small Bible sticking out of Cassie¡¯s bag.


    That earned them points with him.


    Doing good for the sake of doing good was always better than doing good because someone tells you to or because you¡¯re afraid of the fires of hell.


    He vaguely remembered some guy saying something to that effect a long time ago.


    Was it Jesus?


    It was probably Jesus.


    He signed his real name.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m actually not registered to vote.¡±


    Did they still do voting?


    Damn, he was really getting out of touch.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s okay!¡± Cassie smiled. ¡°You don¡¯t have to be.¡±


    ¡°But, then how will they know that those signatures are legit?¡±


    Cassie showed him the sheet.


    Next to the names was a shiny green check mark.


    It reminded him of those gimmick foil covers for comic books back in the day his idiot brothers had wasted their chore wages and allowances on.


    ¡°The paper is enchanted! It¡¯ll turn into a red ¡®X¡¯ if the name is not genuinely the signer¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°Cassie invented it!¡± Jose beamed proudly.


    ¡°Yeah? Really? That¡¯s pretty cool!¡±


    She blushed.


    ¡°Thanks, it¡¯s not a big deal.¡±


    He snapped his fingers.


    ¡°I know! You can make the people you¡¯re going to have take care of the kids in your daycare centers sign employee contracts that¡¯ll prevent them for hurting the kids in any way.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re trying to figure out the perfect verbiage for that,¡± Jose said. ¡°There¡¯s a difference between accidental harm and intentional.¡±


    ¡°The language has to be really specific too,¡± Cassie sighed. ¡°And I¡¯m too low level to do some of the things I¡¯ve only heard about through the spires message boards.¡±


    ¡°Some of those stories get pretty dark, but you seem like good young people.¡±


    They looked at him oddly again.


    He smiled and held up a burger bag.


    ¡°You sure you don¡¯t want some for the road?¡±


    ¡°I mean¡­¡± Jose shrugged.


    ¡°Take it. Still warm and I¡¯ve got a lot.¡±


    ¡°Wow! It¡¯s pretty chilly out here and they¡¯re still warm? You must¡¯ve just gotten them and you¡¯ve already eaten so much!¡± Jose eyed the crumpled bags on the bench.


    The young man accepted the generous offer.


    They even extended an invitation to one of their group¡¯s meetings.


    Naturally, he demurred.


    With that the young couple went to hassle someone else enjoying the park.


    <hr>


    Time and space moved on.


    A couple of weeks and several thousand miles northeast to a land whose name was a lie.


    Snow and ice covered the jagged, mountainous landscape while glaciers ground everything beneath.


    The vast majority of the land¡¯s pre-spires population had lived in the fjords on the southwest coast where the climate was relatively mild compared to the bulk of the land.


    It had never been heavily populated. Tens of thousands at its peak.


    That number had dwindled to a few hundred by present day. Those that remained did so by choice. Many had taken the offer to moved elsewhere. It wouldn¡¯t be long until the only inhabitants would be monsters and outworld invaders adapted for the icy hellscape.


    Howling winds whipped snow across the land.


    A thunderous boom rocked the sky.


    Alcaestus flew.


    It was an impressive arc.


    He saw faint lights spinning around him through the snow storm.


    Wait¡­


    His head cleared.


    It was he who was spinning.


    The bear-ish man had hit him pretty hard.


    He poked at a tooth with his tongue. Looser than he remembered.


    Golden lines covered his bare, lavender arms and his face.


    His opponent hadn¡¯t used magic or a Skill. Just pure physical power and good punching technique.


    As far as he could tell, the man¡¯s class was something nature related, probably related to the control of animals.


    He hit the ground, sending up a giant puff of snow and starting a small avalanche down the gentle slope. He rolled, coming up in a combat stance.


    The small community wasn¡¯t that far now.


    His opponent was nowhere in sight.


    That sort of strength meant that the man should¡¯ve been able to jump right after him and yet he was alone with the snow and wind.


    It appeared that his opponent was still content to walk him down.


    ¡°Well, well. Fancy running into you here. Small world.¡±


    Al recognized the voice. He breathed a sigh of relief.


    The villagers were now safe from the bear-ish man and his polar bear army.


    ¡°Relentless one,¡± he nodded. ¡°Your presence is a Godly boon. A mighty foe approaches yon village. He is more beast than man with the strength of the former and the mind of the latter. He leads a fearsome army of the white-furred death of these frozen wastes.¡±


    ¡°Sh¡ª crap. You could¡¯ve just said a really strong beast man has a polar bear army.¡±


    Al paused.


    He just noticed that the relentless one wasn¡¯t alone.


    A child stood near clad in plate armor and full-faced helm that appeared to be made from unworked iron. He could even see the telltale marks of finger prints where he could imagine mighty hands shaping and molding it to fit the girl¡¯s thin limbs.


    Next to the child stood¡ª something?


    A dark void.


    He saw shadows.


    Heard the rustle of feathers.


    A hand laid protectively on the girl¡¯s shoulder.


    Talons?


    His keen hunter¡¯s senses struggled to pierce through what had to be a spell or Skill of concealment.


    He regarded the girl for a moment, searching, but all he could see of her features were her dark brown eyes.


    Had the relentless one mated with some manner of Fae?


    It had been done plenty of times. Though he knew none personally, he trusted the accuracy of recorded history. Half mortal and half fae. Such beings were always dangerous.


    ¡°Why are you bleeding gold?¡± the girl said. ¡°Mom, why is he bleeding gold?¡± She looked up to the dark, feathered void next to her.


    ¡°He¡¯s an eidolon. It¡¯s what they do,¡± the relentless one said.


    The girl nodded with understanding.


    ¡°Are you going to fight him, Dad?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°Then he¡¯s not why we stopped here?¡±


    ¡°Apparently, it¡¯s cause of the bear army guy.¡±


    ¡°But I thought you beat eidolons up?¡±


    Al didn¡¯t like the way the girl¡¯s eyes remained steady on him.


    She was confident.


    Then again if he was the spawn of the relentless one and some manner of powerful Fae, he¡¯d probably be the same.


    ¡°Alright, team!¡± the relentless one clapped. ¡°Huddle up.¡±


    Ah!


    Al knew what that meant.


    He approached, looming over them like the mountain peaks in the distance.


    ¡°You guys,¡± the relentless one pointed at the girl and the feathered void, ¡°head to the village and get them ready for the evacuation. We,¡± he gestured to Al, ¡°will deal with the army of white-furred death. Break!¡±


    Al stepped back quickly.


    Standing next to the feathery void had been unsettling even for him who had seen and killed all manner of horrors.


    They vanished in a swirl of raven black feathers, leaving him alone with the relentless one.


    He reached out for a feather before the howling winds took it away.


    ¡°It is a feather,¡± he proclaimed before releasing it to join the rest on their journey to the unknown.


    ¡°Concussion?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s good. I thought you might have one judging by your face.¡±


    ¡°The villagers refused to evacuate.¡±


    ¡°The last ones are always stubborn. Can¡¯t blame them. This place is the only home they¡¯ve ever known. Plus, they¡¯ve spent all this time and effort to level up classes that makes all this,¡± the relentless one gestured at the barren white expanse, ¡°livable in ways it wasn¡¯t back in the old days.¡±


    ¡°They will be eaten by the monsters.¡±


    ¡°Or killed by you invader-types.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t align me with them. We are here to help, to lift.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I remember our last talk.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t refer to it as a ¡®talk¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, man. I remember mostly talking,¡± the relentless one waved a hand dismissively. ¡°So, how do you want to do this? Want to get payback on this bear guy? I can handle the bears.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know his class, so it is difficult to prepare tactics.¡±


    ¡°Some kind of wild caller thing. Low 30¡¯s in level. Less control animals as extensions of himself and more point them in a direction and simple commands like, kill, stop¡­ you know?¡±


    ¡°Thank you for sharing information.¡±


    ¡°Right, so, I don¡¯t want to step on your toes. You saw him first, but maybe I should take him and you use your gravity trick on the bears. They¡¯re basically just polar bears. I figure you can handle a hundred.¡±


    ¡°No. My honor demands¡ª¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, man! Get out of here with that honor shit. Lives are at stake, if you forgot? Listen up. This is just constructive criticism, but you can¡¯t beat bear guy. Oh, you¡¯ll make him work and the fight might last days, but in the end¡­¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know this.¡±


    ¡°Look, in terms of physicals you¡¯re, like, a Class 50. Maybe close to 60 if you amp up. That guy up there,¡± the relentless one pointed to the top of the mountain, ¡°is more like a Class 100, shift-x.¡±


    Al squinted and saw nothing except white.


    ¡°I¡¯m not familiar with your classification system. It might help my assessment if you share where you place yourself on that scale.¡±


    ¡°Nice try, but you¡¯re not getting any of my secrets.¡±


    ¡°I believe I have already discovered your greatest secret.¡±


    ¡°What? My partner and our child? Not much of secret anymore since she¡¯s out and about more often these days. It sucks, bro. They grow up too fast. Stupid spires pushing us against the wall.¡±


    ¡°That is existence and I speak with honesty when I say that if your daughter is anywhere near you then that is a cause for celebration. Though, you grate with your casual disrespect I can¡¯t deny that you¡¯ve helped many people and that is always admirable.¡±


    ¡°You know what, Alcaestus. You¡¯re not even lying or playing games. You genuinely mean that.¡±


    ¡°Why speak if you don¡¯t mean the words?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Why don¡¯t you ask your fellow eidolons?¡±


    There it was again.


    The insolence.


    The lack of concern at the threat he posed.


    The relentless one was quite like the few Gods and demigods Al had interacted with over the years.


    ¡°I will face my opponent. I won¡¯t object to assistance after you slay the bear army.¡±


    He had to stand tall in the face of the more powerful man.


    His pride and honor as Adras¡¯ sole representative on this world demanded no less.


    ¡°Alright, suit yourself.¡±


    The relentless one floated slowly upward.


    The snow and ice battering the man began to melt before they reached his dark, skintight clothing. The powder on the ground turned to warm streams, forcing Al to sink down to his knees.


    The relentless one vanished with a loud boom that momentarily cleared an enormous area of the falling snow and sent a great cloud of the white billowing outwardly.


    With the man gone, the water quickly froze again, trapping Al for a moment.


    He sighed and freed himself, preparing for his fight with the bear-ish man to resume.

 9.13

    Cal stood outside the slasher¡¯s prison cell.


    There were only 3 total and this one was the one he deemed least likely to be amenable.


    Emma stood next to him with a pre-written oath on a small sheet of paper.


    ¡°Why do you let him keep his make-up?¡± She shuddered. ¡°It¡¯s so creepy. Too many eyes and giggling mouths.¡±


    ¡°We didn¡¯t. It¡¯s not make-up anymore.¡±


    ¡°Eugh! Why do people do this to themselves?¡±


    ¡°Usually, its a long series of events and decisions culminating in¡­ well, it¡¯s not that different from you and me. We¡¯re all the sum total of our experiences and choices.¡±


    The announcement had reached the slashers even in their mindscape prison.


    All they needed to do was enter the contest when the window opened and they¡¯d be transported straight to the unfortunate city, which remained unnamed.


    Anyone could enter provided they were one of the classed because entrance was accompanied by being granted the slasher class if one didn¡¯t already have it.


    Debate raged in all corners of the world at benefits and risks of sending their best if only to prevent a true slasher from gaining the ultimate prize.


    Too much was unknown.


    The event page made mention of restrictions for entering and exiting the chosen city after an unspecified time window closed.


    He thought of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo though the two weren¡¯t the same.


    The important part was that 2 years had passed inside the barrier, while mere hours had elapsed outside.


    It wasn¡¯t simply a matter of him or Eron entering the contest city and taking care of it when years might pass on the outside world. They¡¯d prevent deaths in the thousands, but possibly doom millions.


    ¡°Robert?¡±


    Many eyes darted wildly in every direction.


    Mouths giggled endlessly, echoing, bouncing off each other.


    Cal shifted his perceptions.


    A gaunt man sat in a full-body sarcophagus with only his head out in the open.


    The face paint wasn¡¯t disturbing anymore.


    Just a clown.


    ¡°You know why I¡¯m here.¡±


    Robert giggled.


    ¡°There is no way you¡¯re going to that contest.¡±


    ¡°Winwinwinwinwin, win the prize!¡± Robert cackled.


    Emma squeaked.


    Cal fixed her perceptions.


    ¡°What was that?¡±


    ¡°He used a Skill.¡±


    ¡°I thought they couldn¡¯t do that?¡±


    ¡°Not normally, but I have to give him full cognitive capacity so that he can agree to the oath.¡±


    ¡°Got it. He has to be fully willing and unimpaired for it to really work. Which¡­ I mean¡­ he¡¯s in a prison cell¡­ there¡¯s definitely a level of pre-coercion in that.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t be helped. Okay, Robert. You remember?¡±


    ¡°Sign or die! Sign or die! Sign or die!¡± Robert chattered like a chatterling. He kept going for over a minute before he gasped out of breath.


    ¡°Yes. That¡¯s your choice.¡±


    ¡°Not mine. Yours.¡± Roberts voice suddenly turned normal. Just like any other person that wasn¡¯t a slasher clown. ¡°That pretty girl is right. This,¡± he regarded the cell with a grin, ¡°is the essence of coercion.¡±


    ¡°It is.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re trying to make me¡­ not me. I remember now. It¡¯s hard to remember in the dreams, but this is reality.¡±


    ¡°Okay, now this is creepier. He was normal the whole time? That¡¯s, like, even worse,¡± Emma whispered.


    ¡°I¡¯m helping him a little.¡±


    ¡°Help? I never asked for help. Why would I want help when the whole world was a laugh!¡± Robert chuckled.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been over this, Robert. You can¡¯t be allowed to murder people.¡±


    ¡°Stop calling me that,¡± Robert said flatly, eyes sharpening. Dark and dead.


    It was like facing off with a shark.


    ¡°Will you take the oath?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°You understand what¡¯ll come next if you refuse?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve shared spaces for years and Robert knows you, even if only a little.¡± Robert¡¯s big mouth split wider than seemed possible, revealing pearly white teeth. ¡°Robert always forgets, but he remembers now. The worst thing Robert can do to you is to refuse your little oath. So, I refuse! I¡¯m just me being me!¡± He cackled violently until suddenly falling unconscious.


    ¡°Wow¡­ that was¡­ intense?¡± Emma said.¡°So¡­ on to the next one?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Cal sighed.


    He started the life termination process with a thought.


    The Threnosh had an even colder, more clinical term for it.


    He called it like it was.


    He had just killed a man.


    Possibly two more then he¡¯d need to scour the world for slashers and those with the potential. All while not knowing how much time was left and worrying about the selected city.


    <hr>


    ¡°That¡¯s 212 slashers and slasher-adjacent classes off the board. 19,969 people on the fence subtly nudged back into their yards. 1,367 people shoved back into their yards.¡±


    Yeah, Cal crossed his lines in regards to his self-imposed rules on what level of mental tampering was acceptable.


    It was simple, expedient and not at all a bounding leap down the slippery slope.


    At least that¡¯s what he promised himself.


    The world event wouldn¡¯t be as devastating as it could be if the participation pool was drained before it even started.


    That only left the really high level slashers and other powerful classed willing to risk split-leveling in the aforementioned class for the potential rewards.


    The spires was a real bastard withholding what exactly those were until a person committed.


    It definitely might not even be worth it. At least that¡¯s what he suggested other world leaders impress upon the people. Most had gone along, promising punishments for those that went for it, while secretly preparing agents to do just that.


    Power was always tempting.


    Sometimes, he was a hypocrite.


    ¡°That¡¯s pretty good for a week¡¯s work,¡± Nila said as she handed him a hot chocolate. Mint flavored, as God intended with a splash of whisky for extra flavor.


    ¡°Thanks, Love.¡±


    They sat at the kitchen table with a holographic projection of the globe.


    The likely locations for the world event were highlighted in red.


    Their projections were based on several criteria.


    One was the size of the local population. More people meant more targets.


    Two was the level of organization and strength of armed forces. The worse both were, the higher on the list.


    Three was the presence of powerful individuals. A single person, like him, could completely put a stop to it or simply stomp their way to the top.


    He hated the spires for once again turning people¡¯s lives into points in a game.


    They had plugged the data into an algorithm and came up with their list.


    All over the world.


    ¡°What if we did it wrong?¡±


    ¡°Did what?¡±


    ¡°The criteria. What if it¡¯ll seek out the powerful to make it more, I don¡¯t know, spicy?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be mess anyways. We¡¯re already dealing with Bountiful Decade.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s the restriction. What if the spires will temporarily shut off the monster faucets?¡± Nila mused. ¡°We¡¯d enjoy the break while you deal with the slashers.¡±


    ¡°That would be ideal, which means it won¡¯t happen or there¡¯ll be a last second wrench.¡± He sipped and stewed in silence for a long moment before gesturing to bring up a new set of projections. ¡°The Rayna One¡¯s already in Manila for extra support. Its not on the list, but a few smaller cities in the Philippines are. The other two skyships are back and standing by for deployment.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of which¡­¡±


    ¡°Boy¡¯s still asking for permission?¡±


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    ¡°What did ranger command say?¡±


    ¡°He passed their assessment. They don¡¯t see any reason to keep him off the active roster.¡±


    Cal glanced at the crew lists for the Raynagon and the Raynanaut.


    A few familiar names were attached to the latter as marines or auxiliary combat assets, which meant gunners or drone controllers.


    ¡°I notice a spot¡¯s open.¡±


    ¡°The privileges of nepotism.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t me.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°Rayna?¡±


    Nila nodded.


    ¡°Damned if you do, damned if you don¡¯t. Putting him in a safe posting is too obvious and he¡¯d hate it.¡± He sighed. ¡°Your son¡­¡± he shook his head ruefully.


    ¡°Ours,¡± she replied pointedly.


    ¡°Well, this is easy enough to deal with. It¡¯s a very dangerous situation. It should be the best people for the job, not time to hang out with your girlfriend and friends.¡±


    ¡°You know he¡¯s more than qualified. More importantly, he knows that.¡±


    ¡°Is that what he said?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s prepared. Showed me charts and everything.¡±


    ¡°Tell me he didn¡¯t do a Powerpoint again?¡±


    ¡°It was well done. Sharp. To the point. The graphics and the transitions lent well to the argument. He¡¯s going to show you once he gets off the wall.¡±


    ¡°What I¡¯m hearing is that you think he should be on the Raynanaut.¡±


    ¡°I think he should be wrapped up in a comfy blanket right here, but I¡¯ve made peace with the impossibility of that. He¡¯s an adult and I can¡¯t really fault this particular decision beyond arbitrary mom instincts.¡±


    ¡°We can make him in charge of one of the wall sections or get him on the skyship that¡¯s going to stay home.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Love. We didn¡¯t raise stupid. He¡¯ll know and resent us.¡±


    ¡°Better that than the worst possible outcome.¡±


    ¡°Then he¡¯ll start being reckless as a way to lash out. Or worse, become a roaming murderhobo.¡±


    ¡°Not without his armor and all this support.¡±


    ¡°Oh? He¡¯s also very good at combat and he¡¯s got powers now. He¡¯ll tell himself he doesn¡¯t need any of the tech.¡±


    ¡°I guess I¡¯m convinced. The rangers are going to be support anyways. Either me or Eron and the others will be on the ground.¡± He rapped his knuckles on the table.


    ¡°I¡¯m going too.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ are you sure? I mean, that¡¯s kind of a bad look, no?¡±


    Nila crossed her arms.


    ¡°I mean, I¡¯m just saying¡­ what¡¯ll the other rangers say when Boy¡¯s mommy comes along to hold his hand?¡±


    ¡°Nothing¡­ because I am scary.¡±


    Nila was a short and petite woman.


    She didn¡¯t tell a lie.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°Okay¡­ I just wish I knew about this sooner so that we could¡¯ve gotten a team together for you.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. No team. We¡¯re already stretched thin as it is. Between defending this place and helping other communities around the world. I know how the rangers operate.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I want to see you break this to our son.¡± He grinned. ¡°Can¡¯t wait to see the look on his face.¡±


    Nila flicked his nose, then kissed him.


    ¡°Maybe we¡¯ll get lucky and the event location will be right here. We¡¯ll have worried for nothing.¡± She stood. ¡°I¡¯m going to take a nap. I¡¯ve got wall duty later tonight.¡±


    ¡°Alright, be careful out there, Love. I¡¯ll probably be gone by the time you get up. Going to Italy.¡±


    ¡°You be careful, Love.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. She bought in fully years ago.¡±


    ¡°The chance at ultimate rewards can change her mind. You can¡¯t trust a person with a class that compels them to murder people.¡±


    ¡°Agreed, but we¡¯ve managed it perfectly for so long.¡±


    ¡°I trust you. Just don¡¯t trust her.¡±


    <hr>


    Alin tossed the bean bag in a high arc.


    It hit the wooden board with a thump and slide into the hole.


    ¡°Drink! Drink! Drink! Drink!¡±


    People chanted.


    Gob cursed, but took the beer with a grin before shotgunning it as the parking lot erupted in cheers.


    ¡°Getting a lot of practice putting it in holes?¡± Luzi smirked.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be a perv!¡± Kat punched her arm.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Alin blinked. ¡°Oh¡­ I see what you¡¯re saying and¡ª¡±


    Kat punched his arm.


    ¡°Don¡¯t encourage her. I don¡¯t want this going down in her book.¡±


    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s moments like this that humanize historical figures,¡± Luzi said. ¡°People in the future are going to want and need to know what the great figures in their past are really like. Good, bad and stupid. It¡¯s way better than how they used to do it. Making them sound like perfect heroes. Like the motherfuckers didn¡¯t rape people or own enslaved or rape their enslaved.¡±


    ¡°Wait? Why are you even writing about this?¡± Alin said.


    Luzi just raised a brow.


    Kat rolled her eyes.


    ¡°She thinks we¡¯re going to go do great things.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re rangers,¡± Luzi pointed out. ¡°That already potentially puts us in pivotal events. And you, Alin ¡®Boy¡¯ Cruces, are who you are. I mean, nepotism?¡± she shrugged. Her wry grin took the sting out of her words.


    He knew that she was just ball busting.


    ¡°Yeah, I guess, but everyone always tells me that being part of ¡®great¡¯ stuff actually sucks. You know, cause of the killing and dying.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t jinx it!¡± Victor jumped in with a massive, crushing hug that vacuumed up all three of them.


    They weighed about 450 lbs. combined, but he lifted them off their feet with ease.


    ¡°Put us down you bear!¡± Luzi grunted.


    Alin gasped for air.


    ¡°Ah! Sorry, guys!¡± Victor dropped them. ¡°Just haven¡¯t seen you in a while.¡± He proceeded to put Alin in a headlock, ruffle his hair and plant a huge kiss on his head. He repeated the process with Kat and Luzi despite the jabs they planted in his kidneys. ¡°Especially you, Boy! Huge surprise to see your name on the roster! It¡¯s powers time, baby!¡±


    Alin chuckled. ¡°If I have to, but otherwise I¡¯m just doing the same thing as you guys.¡±


    ¡°Hey, Vic, I was surprised to see your name on the roster,¡± Kat said. ¡°You just got off your last deployment.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, what¡¯d Thomas say? Won¡¯t he be pissed. I¡¯m sure he¡¯d love to spend more time with you,¡± Luzi said.


    Victor laughed. ¡°There you go, trying to stir up shit! But, nah, we¡¯re good. He¡¯s busy with SCSDF stuff. We¡¯re only going to have two days to ourselves this week anyways. Then he¡¯ll be busier than me over the next few weeks. Besides, we have no idea when this murder event is going to start.¡± He lowered his voice. ¡°I figured I¡¯d roll the dice. If it doesn¡¯t start soon then we¡¯re looking at weeks or even months off anything but emergency defense stuff.¡±


    ¡°Why are you whispering?¡± Songbird called out from the beer table. She sauntered over. ¡°You know we¡¯re not on duty right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Victor grinned sheepishly.


    ¡°Then don¡¯t be weird about it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sorry,¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°I¡¯m barely ranked higher than you guys.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re command track,¡± Luzi pointed out.


    ¡°For the skyship crew.¡± Songbird sighed.


    ¡°Aw!¡± Kat hugged her. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± she soothed. ¡°We¡¯ll always be friends even if you¡¯re going to be giving us orders soon and disciplining us for getting into trouble behind your back.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to be our very own Captain Hardhat,¡± Luzi said.


    ¡°I can only hope to be as good as her.¡± Songbird nodded solemnly.


    ¡°I for one can¡¯t wait to sneak shenanigans behind your back, my future captain,¡± Gob saluted, fist to chest.


    Lee did the same, but with hand to brow.


    The two had beers in hand.


    ¡°Here, bro,¡± Gob tossed one to Alin. ¡°You¡¯re never going to get one with the way you keep winning.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, a real master at the art,¡± Lee agreed. ¡°You must¡¯ve had a lot of practice putting things in holes.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a worst perv than you, Luzi. See? That¡¯s what you look and sound like,¡± Kat said. ¡°Is that how you want to be remembered in one of your books?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be remembered how I want to be remembered because I¡¯m doing the writing,¡± Luzi said smugly.


    ¡°Vic, glad you could make it,¡± Gob said. ¡°Wanna go?¡±


    ¡°Hell yeah, dude! But let¡¯s make it really fun! A shot per throw, but¡­¡± he raised a finger, ¡°you only drink if you get it in the hole.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re on!¡±


    The two young men went to an open cornhole lane followed by Lee.


    ¡°He always overdoes it when he gets off deployment,¡± Alin said.


    ¡°It¡¯s no worse than anyone else. It¡¯s just seems like it because it¡¯s Vic,¡± Kat said.


    ¡°Luzi! Luzi!¡±


    A voice heralded a tall man as he pushed through the crowd.


    ¡°Yeah, what?¡± Luzi sighed.


    ¡°Where¡¯s your brother?¡± Ranger Morningstar said.


    ¡°Mine? He¡¯s your brother too. Besides, I thought he was with you?¡±


    The senior ranger sighed.


    ¡°This was supposed to be an easy day. My first off in¡­ I don¡¯t even remember. But, no¡­ I had to babysit. Damn it! He¡¯s probably sneaking booze.¡±


    ¡°So what? We can just give him a sober pill. Sprinkle a little beer on his shirt. Tell Mom and Dad he just got a little accidental splash. They won¡¯t know. Besides, sober pills means he doesn¡¯t have alcohol in his system.¡±


    ¡°And has that ever worked for you and me? Nope. Won¡¯t matter. Rules are rules. Underage drinking is only allowed in the home or with one of them present. Always to moderation and for the taste and social component. Not to get shit-faced.¡± He recited the words as if reading from a script.


    ¡°At least he¡¯s not stealing¡­ probably¡­¡± Luzi sighed. ¡°Fine.¡± She took a deep breath. ¡°Jesus, get your ass over here right now!¡± she bellowed.


    A hush descended over their immediate area as the crowd turned to her.


    She gave her older brother a beatific smile. ¡°And now we wait.¡±


    They didn¡¯t have to wait long.


    The teenager popped up.


    Luzi sniffed his face.


    ¡°You had, like, two rules, Jes.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± he replied.


    ¡°They aren¡¯t blood related, but they have the same smile,¡± Kat whispered.


    ¡°I know,¡± Alin said.


    He knew a bit about Jes¡¯ history which gave him a sense of kinship, so to speak. Although, he could never tell Jes that.


    They watched the teen be harangued by his older brother and sister all the way up till it was time to head inside the stadium.


    Some had argued for the complete cessation of GCA operations indefinitely while the Bountiful Decade was in effect.


    Many of the top professional gladiators, with or without the class, were in favor of such a move as they wished to contribute to the defense against the seemingly never-ending horde of monsters assaulting the walls or perhaps put their effort into clearing spawn zones and encounter challenges.


    A compromise had been reached fairly quickly.


    The top two professional level leagues, Gold and Silver would postpone matches while Bronze would continue.


    The many semi-pro and amateur leagues below the trio would continue without change.


    All matches would be postponed in dire circumstances when all hands were needed.


    The wall encircling their territory was miles long and even if one wasn¡¯t high-leveled in a combat class they could still shoot a gun or run ammunition or carry the wounded.


    An attendant led them to one of the luxury boxes.


    Malcolm King greeted them with a big smile.


    The dark-skinned man was over 50 in age and probably close in levels.


    Dressed in a simple shirt and pants, he still looked as big and barrel-chested as he always had.


    He had retired from active competition and only did the occasional exhibition while focusing most of his time and effort in training future gladiators and running the GCA as one of the founders and current commissioner.


    Alin didn¡¯t really know him that well.


    Malcolm was more like an acquaintance of his dad rather than a close friend.


    ¡°Thanks for letting us use this. I¡¯m sorry, if I knew¡­¡± Alin gestured to the bandages around Malcolm¡¯s arms and chest, judging by the bulges underneath the light shirt. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be resting?¡±


    Malcolm smiled.


    ¡°Oh, these? They¡¯re nothing. Barely scratches. The shot I took to the head was worse. But, they removed the concussion, so I¡¯m basically fine. And I¡¯m going to do just that anyway. Just wanted to make an appearance.¡±


    The big man wore his hair closely-cropped and kept a meticulously groomed beard. They were streaked with a lot more gray and white from what Alin remembered.


    ¡°Well, with that, I bid you brave young rangers goodbye. Everything¡¯s on the house! Enjoy the matches!¡±


    Malcolm had to shake every hand on his way.


    It was the history, like Luzi had said.


    They all knew the part he had played in ending the slaver kingdom.


    ¡°Excuse me, Mr. King, I know you¡¯ve done a lot of interviews and told your story already,¡± Luzi said. ¡°But, could I please interview you. You see, I¡¯m trying to get a historian class and¡­¡±


    Malcolm held up a hand. ¡°I know how it works. Doing historian things to get and level historian,¡± he grinned. ¡°Sounds hard to me. I just had to fight. I¡¯d love to give an interview.¡±


    ¡°Only if you have time¡­¡±


    Hope bloomed in Luzi¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Why not right now?¡± Malcolm gestured to the table.


    ¡°Oh my god!¡± Luzi whispered. ¡°Yes please thank you!¡±


    The rest of the group left them to it as they filled plates with food and took their seats.


    They weren¡¯t there just to watch any match.


    They were there to support their friend even if he wasn¡¯t a ranger.


    Steph had bowed out after the second year of J.R.R.P.


    It just wasn¡¯t for him.


    He realized his true passion and that was gladiatorial combat.


    It was certainly a lot less dangerous with all the safeguards.


    Indeed, Malcolm and the other founders had proved that it was statistically safer than combat sports from the pre-spires days.


    Granted every thing was generally safer thanks to magic, Skills and medical advancements.


    Cuts, broken bones and concussions still occurred.


    The difference was that they could be healed without leaving long-term damage.


    ¡°Steph¡¯s fighting twice,¡± Songbird said.


    ¡°I¡¯m betting,¡± Lee announced as he pulled out his smartphone.


    ¡°For or against?¡± Gob said.


    ¡°To win and go over for the first. I¡¯ll wait and see how that goes before thinking about the second match. Kinda depends on how everyone makes it out of the one on one¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to bet on your friend,¡± Kat said flatly and not at all judgmentally.


    ¡°To win,¡± Lee shrugged. ¡°I¡¯d never bet against him. Fuck, I¡¯ve lost so many points because of that.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s cause you¡¯re always trying to hit the exact win condition.¡± Gob laughed.


    ¡°Obviously, not anymore,¡± Lee sighed.


    Alin reached into his pocket, hesitated and left his phone inside.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to waste points right before a Quest,¡± Songbird said flatly.


    ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯ve done all the prep I can do. And it¡¯s in my budget. I¡¯m only betting a max of 100 points today.¡± Lee paused. ¡°Do you guy¡¯s think a hundred might make a difference?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s like 2 mags from the spires marketplace. Everything¡¯s overpriced in there. So, I¡¯d vote no,¡± Gob said.


    ¡°It won¡¯t be overpriced if you¡¯re down to zero and you can¡¯t get a resupply,¡± Kat said.


    ¡°True, but you¡¯d need to actually get to a spire first and in a situation were you¡¯re running on empty how likely is that? You¡¯d have to be close enough and you¡¯d have to make it before a monster or some slasher gets you,¡± Gob said.


    Alin shrugged when Lee looked to him.


    ¡°I could make a case for either.¡±


    ¡°So, that¡¯s 1 in favor, 2 against.¡± Lee eyed the two young women.


    ¡°Yup,¡± Kat and Songbird echoed.


    ¡°Hey, Vic! You listening?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    Victor was still filling up his plates.


    ¡°I¡¯m with Boy¡­¡±


    ¡°2 without the confidence to make a decision.¡±


    ¡°So, it¡¯s a tie,¡± Kat said.


    Lee shook his head. ¡°Nah. Obviously, I can¡¯t vote. You win. No bets for today. Unless¡­¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s bet shots,¡± Victor said as he thumped over and laid his plates out on the small glass table in front of their chairs.


    ¡°I¡¯ll drink to that!¡± Gob raised his beer bottle.


    ¡°God.¡± Ranger Morningstar shook his head ruefully. ¡°I was once like you people. Jes, don¡¯t repeat our mistakes. Don¡¯t be that cringe.¡±


    ¡°Seems unfair that you get to do all that fun stuff and I can¡¯t.¡± The teen raised a brow.


    They settled in for a fun-filled day with their future uncertain.


    Had they known what truly lay ahead they would¡¯ve seared the experience into their memories.


    <hr>


    Italy, Spring, 2051


    Mindfulness.


    Holly practiced it in everything she did to turn down the volume on her class¡¯ compelling voice.


    It was always easier after a satisfying Quest.


    She focused on every step of dinner preparation even if it was only opening the can, dumping the contents in a bowl and putting it in the microwave.


    While it heated up, she poured herself a glass of water with the same focused intent.


    Cal sat at the table.


    One moment he hadn¡¯t been there.


    The next he was.


    It had never stopped being disorienting.


    That was the intent of course.


    Him showing her that he could appear at any time wherever she was in the world.


    They stared at each other in silence until it was broken by the beeping.


    Once again, she mindfully retrieved the bowl, grabbed a spoon from the cupboard and sat down to eat.


    Spoon to bowl. To mouth. Chew. Swallow. Repeat. Sip water after every fifth.


    ¡°That¡¯s all you¡¯re going to eat. Baked beans?¡±


    ¡°I ate fruits and vegetables two hours ago. In two more I¡¯ll drink a protein shake.¡±


    She didn¡¯t like being weighed down in case violent movement became necessary.


    ¡°What do you think about the Slashers¡¯ Spree?¡±


    ¡°The posted rewards are really good.¡±


    ¡°Is it worth it for someone of your level?¡±


    ¡°Yes, just for that. They promise more available to be earned as one completes Quests and earns points.¡±


    ¡°Are you going to enter?¡±


    The test was obvious as always.


    ¡°No.¡±


    She answered honestly.


    The debate had raged within her over the last several days. The class wanted it. She wanted it. She didn¡¯t want it. In the end she had decided her current arrangement trumped the world event. One was the promise of great rewards, but what use were those when Cal would¡¯ve just put her in a cell. This time forever.


    ¡°Hypothetically, what if I asked you to enter?¡±


    ¡°I will and I will do what you say.¡±


    ¡°Feel free to say no.¡±


    ¡°What do you want me to do?¡±


    ¡°Enter the contest and take out the other slashers. If that means you win, then so be it. If you can end it without winning then do so. You¡¯ll be on mostly on your own. I expect that the spires would frown upon us ruining the spirit of the murder fest. So, treat it like any other mission.¡±


    ¡°It would have to be like that. The full rules won¡¯t be shared until it¡¯s time, but what¡¯s already up implies that I won¡¯t be able to share intel without consequences.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, also what I figured.¡±


    ¡°What do you want me to do while I wait?¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s the voice?¡±


    ¡°Quiet as it can ever be.¡±


    ¡°Then stay here. Rest. Prepare. If it takes too long then I¡¯ll come get you and take you home or you can start another mission. I imagine the spree will be intense. Continue your exercises. You¡¯ve done very well at it this whole time. And I don¡¯t expect anything to change.¡±


    Cal vanished.


    Not in the way of a spell or a Skill were there was some sign her own abilities could detect.


    He was there one moment and gone the next.

 9.14

    The long awaited announcement came a little over a week later.


    The doom of a city and the people within came down on a familiar chime.


    ¡°Stand by for announcements.¡±


    ¡°The fuck you mean announcements,¡± Cal snapped.


    He was flying over the North Atlantic.


    ¡°Slashers¡¯ Spree begins. Consult world event and personal pages for details.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡°World Event Announcement.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Vukylokyr the Eternal has arrived in search of the vitae of the strong. Can the defenders of this world stop the beginning of a Crimson Era or will they join? Reap the rewards or be reaped. Consult world event and personal pages for details.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡°World Event Announcement.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°A Tremgarog Titan has appeared. Can the defenders of this world stop its earth-cracking rampage? Consult world event and personal pages for details.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡°World Event Announcement.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Bonus spawn.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°For 24 hours once a month a random monster type will be selected to populate all encounter challenges and spawn zones at increased strength and/or number. Consult world event and personal pages for details.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡°World Event Announcement.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Bounty system unlocked. Details available at your nearest spire.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Cal didn¡¯t have to imagine the dismay rippling across the entirety of the planet.


    He could hear their thoughts.


    Eron¡¯s voice came over the comms.


    ¡°Yo, so, I found Tremgarog.¡±


    That was fast.


    Cal¡¯s first thought had been to calibrate the satellites for something kaiju-sized going from the description.


    ¡°Where and can you patch me in to your camera?¡±


    ¡°Antarctica and give me a second.¡±


    The video shook, showing nothing but snow, ice and bright sky for a moment as Eron put the glasses on.


    His youngest brother still wasn¡¯t wearing them all the time.


    Titan was a fitting name.


    The monster resembled an enormous insect, like a pill bug, but jagged like a moving mountain.


    Eron flew around it, gathering data.


    Close to 1000 meters at its tallest point and only a little less at its widest.


    It tapered from front to back.


    ¡°Almost looks like those weird crabs, you know? The ones without claws, but has a tail,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Can you kill it?¡±


    ¡°I mean, yeah, but what if that makes it mad and it goes wild and starts flying or shooting lasers everywhere?¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t let it crack the earth. What if you lift it into space?¡±


    ¡°No idea, I¡¯ll try, but again¡­ wild lasers¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get Rayna, I think we could do it together for sure.¡±


    ¡°Hold up on that. This thing isn¡¯t going anywhere specific, right?¡±


    ¡°Not enough data for the algorithm to predict a track.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, so, it can wait. This Vukylokyr sounds more dangerous.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to call a couple of people for that. Seems like a magic thing.¡±


    ¡°Dude, ¡®vitae¡¯? ¡®Crimson¡¯? It screams vampire. Quick and easy fix. I find it, him, her, whatever, and look it. Done.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know if that¡¯ll work.¡±


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t it? Works on vampires.¡±


    ¡°This thing rates a world event.¡±


    ¡°Fair. But, it¡¯s better to locate it right away before it can start on its era thing. So, I¡¯m going to look for it.¡±


    ¡°Fine, just keep your distance until I can check with people that might know more than us.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not watching while it goes for ¡®vitae¡¯, fucking pretentious bastard, seriously, I know you¡¯d never ask that.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t. Just shoot it with eye beams from max range.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°And be ready to come back for this thing,¡± Cal regarded the mountain-sized monster. ¡°I need to read the Slashers¡¯ Spree stuff.¡±


    ¡°Shit! That¡¯s right! Me too!¡±


    ¡°Do it, but then focus on Vukylokyr. You were back up on the evac anyways.¡±


    ¡°Stand by for announcement.¡±


    The brothers cursed.


    More events to pull them in many directions.


    Crises engulfed the world.


    <hr>


    The spires had pulled a fast one.


    Anyone with a class could complete the first Quest in the chain with a simple word and enter the competition as a slasher.


    In lieu of the class since she already had it, Holly got a point.


    Most points to win?


    It wasn¡¯t clear.


    There appeared to be a minimum number that at least one contestant had to reach to win the competition.


    8 hours to start time. 8 hours to accept.


    She held off for the moment as she read and listened.


    World Event: Slashers¡¯ Spree.


    Location: Vancouver


    Duration: 720:00:00


    Where was this ¡®Vancouver¡¯?


    A map would be useful.


    She tapped a request in her smartphone.


    30 days was a long time.


    She scrolled down for details.


    Only the barebones for now.


    The spires would only release more information if she joined and when it officially started.


    Travel wouldn¡¯t be an issue.


    Slashers would get transported.


    The how wasn¡¯t mentioned.


    It looked like she and her kind weren¡¯t the only ones competing, earning points.


    Everyone else on the other side had their own Questlines.


    She didn¡¯t have to be a big thinker to imagine what that entailed.


    Kill for one side.


    Survive for the other.


    It mentioned something about the city being locked down once it started. No one in or out. Again, the how wasn¡¯t specified.


    Points for Quests and points for kills.


    People¡­ she had to consciously remind herself that each kill was a person that existed with their own thoughts and goals, like her.


    Nothing about slashers going after slashers.


    Her phone beeped.


    The map.


    Then it rang.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Can you share intel?¡± Cal said.


    She scanned the notification.


    ¡°No. Intentionally sharing with a non-slasher competitor will lead to immediate disqualification. It doesn¡¯t say anything about working with non-slashers. I have to accept to view the full rules.¡±


    ¡°Same on this side. Memorize the map. Then join. They¡¯ll keep an eye out for you and help if they can. You do the same. But both of you will keep your distance as much as possible. Focus your efforts on the worst of them, but this isn¡¯t a suicide mission. Be smart about it. Your ultimate goal is to win if we can¡¯t stop the rest. I¡¯ll be there if I can. These world events¡­ good luck. I trust you.¡±


    Cal sounded more agitated than usual.


    Understandable.


    Some of those other events sounded much worse.


    ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll follow orders until I received new ones. Good luck too.¡±


    She studied the map, packed supplies in her bags of holding and accepted the Quest.


    Her assumption had been correct.


    The full scope of the Slashers¡¯ Spree opened up to her.


    Points for kills as expected.


    What she hadn¡¯t known was that each individual was assigned a point value.


    There was a list.


    Name. General location. General class-type. Level range within 10.


    The people that lived in Vancouver.


    There was a section for people coming in from the outside, not as slashers, but it was empty.


    She didn¡¯t know what the parameters of their Questline was. If she had to guess, they weren¡¯t getting the automatic transport she was. They¡¯d have to make their way over there in the next 8 hours.


    There was a section for her kind.


    The list was randomized.


    She found her name near the bottom even though her level was near the top. Something pricked her to know that there were others like her, possibly higher level.


    The rules were somewhat convoluted.


    Points for kills based on the difficulty of the target¡ª person¡ª she had to remember that.


    She saw her own point value.


    It would make her a tempting target.


    Where it got messy was the bonus points for preferred target¡ª person¡ª kill.


    That meant not all people were worth the same amount of points to every slasher.


    She hadn¡¯t known how preferred target¡¯s worked until much later.


    Cal was the one that had told her.


    Slasher¡¯s could fixate on a type of victim. They performed better against them. They gained more for killing¡ª murdering them. It was tied into their subconscious desires or hatreds. She had never done that. She had murdered to satisfy the class¡¯ compulsion and to protect her secret.


    Working for Cal had changed that.


    It would seem that she had reason to want to win the competition.


    A slight smile split her mouth.


    She couldn¡¯t help it.


    This was going to be enjoyable.


    The sentiment was shared by many around the world.


    They already saw others as things to be used for their purposes. For levels, for pleasure and any number of reasons.


    Others took no pleasure in the impending bloodletting, but saw the opportunity.


    To strengthen themselves or to prevent undesirables from gaining the strength to one day become threats.


    Loyal soldiers stood at attention beneath her benevolent gaze.


    They had been waiting for a quarter hour.


    One of her advisers emerged from a side door.


    A young man with a familiar face, though startingly boyish.


    It reminded her of the previous adviser.


    The young man¡¯s father.


    Time really flew.


    He approached her platform and bowed.


    She waited.


    And waited.


    And waited.


    She glanced at him, giving him the look.


    He waited.


    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    She refrained from rolling her eyes as she beckoned with a crook of her finger.


    His father had known what she wanted from a look.


    ¡°Eternal Empress,¡± he whispered in her ear. ¡°It won¡¯t work. They can¡¯t accept the Quest without losing their cultivator class.¡±


    A shame, though expected.


    To date, cultivator was a singular class. One gave up all to gain it and once on the path there was only forward.


    She had hoped to rid herself of a few headaches in the process of securing the world event¡¯s rewards for her dynasty.


    Her true weapons already stood in front of her.


    Loyal and pragmatic as proper soldiers should be.


    Gaining the slasher class wasn¡¯t without risk, but her most intelligent advisers and class scholars agreed that the compulsion to kill could be controlled and mitigated. After all, was that not what soldiers did? They killed the enemy. A slasher would just find it a lot more personally rewarding.


    To that end she had decided to send a select number of her soldiers above Level 40.


    Assassins, spies, special forces.


    Those that already operated in similar ways to the archetypical slasher.


    The whole thing left a bad taste in her mouth.


    She had vague memories of the American movies when she was a child.


    Her family had lived at times on the west coast.


    In one of the large cities.


    Los Angeles? San Francisco? Both?


    How did it go?


    A murderer, sometimes supernatural, sometimes mundane, killing idiotic young men and women one by one until none remained or a single girl did.


    They were quite gruesome.


    Slashers dressed as clowns, wearing masks, sometimes made out of human skin, while stabbing, cutting or chainsawing their bloody way through the hapless victims.


    Well¡­ her slashers wouldn¡¯t be doing any of that.


    They could just keep wearing their standard armor minus identifying patches. Some of them already wore masks anyways.


    She dismissed her adviser and rose.


    ¡°Know this,¡± she proclaimed. ¡°Go forth! Bring honor and glory to the Phoenix Dynasty!¡±


    ¡°For the Eternal Flames! For the Eternal Empress!¡± They chanted in unison.


    ¡°I trust each of you.¡±


    She did¡­ up to a point.


    She had briefly considered going herself.


    The distance was well within her flight speed to get to Vancouver before the event started, but for obvious reasons she couldn¡¯t leave.


    Same for her brother.


    The war with the Stone Lords was ongoing. The tenacious bastards had dug into the mountains all over the Hong Kong area. They had reached as far north as the mountains near Yantian. There were so many mountains south of her capital. She had never really given it much thought.


    Her brother fought to hold the region. Shenzhen and Guangzhou were large modern cities from the pre-spires days. There were no other places in the south of her territory with the infrastructure they required. To lose them was to lose the entire south because, once again, it was all mountainous land to the north.


    Then there was that world event in the Himalayas. Some kind of storm that carried unknown monsters rather than snow and rain. She would need to respond if it moved toward her territory. Perhaps, she¡¯d be lucky and it¡¯d move to the southeast and trouble the Indians. Northwest to the Stans was also an acceptable route. North less so, but her hold on Tibet and the Xinjiang desert was tenuous at best. A devastating monster storm could prove to be advantageous.


    Old China was too large.


    Perhaps she had erred in trying to hold on to the entire territory with only a fraction of the people.


    Her children and nieces lacked the speed and stamina to cross the Pacific on their own. She could¡¯ve loaded them on a plane to take them part way, but she didn¡¯t trust their ability. It would¡¯ve been a waste.


    What she needed was stronger children.


    Of the possible candidates she could only stomach two.


    Never with the Japanese man.


    Her children would never be monstrous.


    What use was power if they lacked elegance?


    Her boys would be handsome and her daughters would be beautiful.


    The Phoenix Dynasty would accept no less.


    On the same continent as the world event a soldier stared at his brother in arms with disbelief.


    ¡°What the fuck, man?¡± Lt. Nicholas List said.


    ¡°Orders, bro,¡± the other lieutenant shrugged. Rico by birth, Johnny by call sign.


    ¡°You can¡¯t take a slasher class.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°You just can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Relax the nerds figured it out. All I need to do is pick a preferred target that we¡¯re killing anyways. That way no one that doesn¡¯t deserve it gets hurt.¡±


    ¡°They got that info from slashers. Remember that clown that liked to paint his face in human blood, piss and shit?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we kicked his ass¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the kind of dude they¡¯re taking advice from.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s accurate. You can¡¯t lie to truth spells and Skills.¡±


    ¡°The insane can.¡±


    ¡°Sometimes¡­¡±


    ¡°What about your levels? You¡¯re almost 50. You add another class at 1 and you can forget about that for a long time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll level during the contest, plus the nerds think the rewards will get me somewhere close. Already trying to manifest a consolidation. They figure that they have to be good to make it worthwhile for people to take another Level 1 class.¡±


    ¡°The fuck you gonna consolidate soldier with murderer?¡±


    ¡°Dunno,¡± Rico shrugged. ¡°Any ideas?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Then quit bitching. You¡¯re throwing off my vibe.¡±


    ¡°So you got orders?¡± Nicholas tried another tack. ¡°Who else is all on the team?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t say. Top secret.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re not sending you alone are they?¡±


    ¡°Top secret.¡±


    ¡°Fuck! Okay, hypothetically, if I were to ask you what the melanin content of the team was what would you say?¡±


    ¡°Seriously, bro. It¡¯s top secret. Deep red level shit. I say anything and it¡¯s straight to prison.¡±


    ¡°The captain would¡¯ve never let something like this happen.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, she got transferred.¡±


    That was just about all Nicholas knew.


    Command had made it clear to him that any questions or any chatter about what had happened with the Eidolon of Sut wouldn¡¯t end well for either of them.


    All he could think was that she had taken the blame for him like she had told him just after they had killed the monster.


    The official story was full of shit.


    Anti-American terrorists threatened by their freedoms had secretly infiltrated the eidolon¡¯s sanctum. In desperation, the eidolon had magically teleported the two greatest American soldiers to defend him.


    It had been a fierce fight, but in the end the anti-American terrorists had completed their objective at the cost of their dirty lives.


    He didn¡¯t miss the immediate changes to the animal-human hybridization program.


    No more kids, volunteer and voluntold.


    Only adults that volunteered.


    Racial distribution had evened out too.


    The failure rate had reversed too.


    Turned out they could get close to a hundred percent success rate at the cost of the final product not being as strong as the ones the eidolon had made.


    Fuck that guy.


    Nicholas would¡¯ve done it all over again just to make sure that none of those poor abominations would ever exist again.


    Poor bastards didn¡¯t deserve that fate.


    He remembered the Eidolon of Sunor speaking to him in the aftermath and occasionally in the years since.


    He knew a grooming when he saw it.


    Not in the pervy way though.


    More like as a valuable tool.


    Didn¡¯t sound much better, but that¡¯s what he was to the government and the combined armed forces anyways.


    Shit.


    Not a day went by that he didn¡¯t think of trying to find out where the captain was.


    But he had to obey her last order.


    And they had kept him busy.


    Bountiful Decade sucked shit.


    ¡°You know what? You want to throw your life away, fine¡­ but I¡¯m not going to let you do it.¡±


    Rico raised a brow. ¡°That¡¯s like you¡¯re saying mutually exclusive shit.¡±


    ¡°This spree bullshit is one giant assassination clusterfuck and who¡¯s the best assassin we¡¯ve got, huh?¡±


    ¡°Bro, you can¡¯t just invite yourself like we¡¯re hitting the bars.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m going to do.¡±


    7 hours to start time.


    Nicholas could guess at how the op would go.


    The team would accept at the last possible minute to buy time for support elements to get to Vancouver. They¡¯d set up outside the territory and inside, playing both sides of the blood game.


    Kill the other slashers to pave the road for their own.


    Then have the forces outside to generously offer protection from monsters in the bloody aftermath.


    The survivors wouldn¡¯t have much choice if their best defenders had been killed in the 30 days of the contest.


    Boom! Instant valuable territory secured for the nation.


    It was going to be a race.


    He couldn¡¯t imagine the guys on the west coast not doing the same thing.


    Shit, this sort of clusterfuck was sorta their thing.


    Kansas, Florida.


    They were always in the middle of big events.


    He couldn¡¯t help but think of the other world events.


    None of them seemed to be happening close to their territory so command had been quiet.


    ¡°Well¡­ shit¡­ I¡¯m stupid.¡±


    The other world events meant that those guys would be busy as fuck.


    They might not make it to Vancouver before access was closed.


    Good.


    There was an opening to pull it off.


    Plus, he had another arrow to add to his quiver to convince her to put him on the Quest.


    After all, he knew who really ran the country.


    <hr>


    A kraken somewhere in the Atlantic?


    Cezi had been evasive and reticent on the call in regards to who was going to handle it.


    For an arrogant, battle-hungry dragon child she had demurred, claiming that she didn¡¯t want to overstep the boundaries of her territory.


    What had happened to the same dragon that had once laid claim to all the oceans and seas and lakes and rivers in front of his sister?


    The satellites¡¯ performance was mixed.


    They couldn¡¯t detect the kraken, nor Vukylokyr.


    Eron was still looking for the probably vampire.


    They had eyes on the monster storm hovering over the Himalayas and on the Tremgarog Titan.


    The mountain-sized monster moved a lot faster than it looked, fortunately it didn¡¯t seem to have a destination in mind as it zig-zagged over ice and snow, crushing glaciers that had been there for hundreds of thousands if not close to a million years.


    They also detected a sudden burst of energy that Cal recognized.


    He had used his own powers as a template for fear of outworld invaders like him appearing.


    Mother Madrigal had left a deep impression on his psyche.


    He descended on South America.


    What was once Brazil to be exact.


    The famous statue of Jesus Christ was partially obscured by the spire sharing its space or rather taking it over.


    He found his target right away.


    An old humanoid lay on the ground near the base of the spire and statue in the middle of the path tourists once used to flock to the statue.


    They, for like the Threnosh gender was indistinct, were clad in rags dirtied by dried sweat and blood.


    At first glance this didn¡¯t look like a threat equal to the other world events.


    The outworlder¡¯s pink skin was pale and faded, like a red shirt washed too many times or a white one washed with the red one.


    Their face was uncannily like an Earthians, except for the tentacle-like tendrils that hung from their chin and sprouted from their head instead of hair.


    Their body was thin like a scarecrow.


    Had they been on their feet, they would¡¯ve toward over him much like the eidolons, though not as tall as a cragant.


    Long fingers and toes lacked nails and looked so fine and delicate that a handshake seemed a dangerous proposition.


    He reminded himself that, as always, looks deceived.


    Psionic power roiled inside the outworlder¡¯s head.


    He pushed tentatively and located an organ that he didn¡¯t have containing said power. He traced the lines in the outworlder¡¯s body to the same organs in each of his limbs for a total of 9.


    It appeared that said psionic energy had spread to the rest of the body like radiation. And like radiation, it was killing them.


    He probed their memories for they lacked any defenses.


    ¡°Well¡­ this is messed up.¡±


    The outworlder opened their eyes.


    That simple act had taken all their effort.


    ¡°You know you¡¯re dying.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ you must flee¡­ must warn all.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    They, for their people lacked gender as humans saw it, were a priest of sorts.


    A select chosen of their people were born with the luck of having those organs.


    The psionic power it granted was narrow in scope.


    It could take emotions from their people and store it for later use in their technology.


    Negative emotions were used to power destructive devices from weapons to tools, like drills and automatic hammers. Positive emotions powered devices that created and protected like the energy shields around their cities.


    It had been a peaceful, harmonious society.


    They only ever fought against monsters and outworld invaders.


    It was one of the latter that had done this.


    Cal saw them in the outworlder¡¯s memories.


    Invaders clad in plain white, never revealing what lay behind their blank face masks as they crushed the outworlder¡¯s city with spells, Skills, high tech weaponry and what looked like powers. They bore no identifying symbols on their armor, vehicles, animals and even their flags.


    Everything was clad in plain, unadorned white.


    They subjected the pink-skinned people to the worst torture, forcing the priests to take the resulting emotions and hold them in for much longer than was safe.


    It created a feedback loop within the unfortunate priests. Amplifying the psionic energies exponentially until they could no longer contain it.


    When they burst the energy expanded outward for many miles. Any sapients caught in the blast experienced those emotions as their own.


    Most instantly died from the strain of sharing in thousands and thousands of torturous experiences in a single instant. Hearts burst and brains fried.


    Those were the lucky ones.


    The few that survived would go on to develop the same organs.


    The white-clad invaders took those to repeat the process.


    ¡°They turned you into bombs.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ I am shamed.¡±


    ¡°You carry so many echoes inside you.¡±


    ¡°It was not meant to be¡­ this way¡­ they¡­ know nothing in service¡­ without¡­ they know only pain¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re one of the first. I think you shouldn¡¯t be ashamed. You¡¯ve lasted so long.¡±


    ¡°To spare¡­ innocent¡­ failed¡­ in end¡­¡±


    ¡°Agree to disagree.¡±


    Cal created a mindscape.


    ¡°What¡­ is¡­ this?¡±


    The outworlder stood as he once was.


    Skin vibrant with a slight sheen in unadorned robes of exquisite quality.


    They stood in a flat, empty plain.


    ¡°I¡­ feel¡­ good.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but it¡¯s temporary. You already knew this, but you¡¯re going to die.¡±


    ¡°Yes and I am prepared. My only shame is that I will fail to contain it.¡±


    ¡°How far will it spread?¡±


    Cal built psychic walls around them while they spoke.


    ¡°They showed me the others. Prokala, my friend, lasted 5 decades before he could contain it no longer. The spread reached 300 kilometers. They lasted longer than any other but myself.¡±


    ¡°How long have you lasted?¡±


    He already knew the answer, but hoped to prolong the time they had by giving them a reason to keep holding on.


    ¡°Almost three centuries.¡±


    ¡°Like I said, nothing to be ashamed of.¡±


    ¡°Stranger, I am ¡®Drendala¡¯. May I ask?¡±


    ¡°¡®Cal¡¯. And you may.¡±


    ¡°I know not what this place is, though it feels familiar. And I, we don¡¯t have much time. You must flee and warn others. I will hold as long as I can.¡±


    ¡°We have time. Hours even.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª then I would ask for as long as I can. I had thought myself prepared long ago, but now that the time is near¡­¡±


    ¡°No shame in that. And don¡¯t worry about it. I think I¡¯ve got it figured out. So, if you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯d like to hear your story and your people¡¯s. Your the first¡­ well¡­ you I¡¯ve ever met.¡±


    ¡°You are human?¡±


    ¡°I am.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I thought so. Though¡­ this,¡± Drendala looked around the empty space, ¡°you are doing this? No human I¡¯ve ever met could do such a thing, but such is the spires worlds.¡±


    ¡°Here, why don¡¯t I take you on a little tour of my world while we talk. You tell me your story and I¡¯ll tell you mine.¡±


    They talked for hours with the backdrop changing periodically to one of the many wonders of Earth.


    Great cities and structures.


    Wonders of nature.


    Small places of personal value like the basketball gym where he won his first tournament as a child.


    When the end came Drendala went not with despair, but with relief and hope.


    They arrived as Drendala departed.


    Negative emotions made from centuries of the torture and suffering imposed on Drendala¡¯s people manifested as howling psychic entities driven insane.


    They filled the mindscape. An army that spread farther than the eye could see.


    This was a new thing for Cal.


    He had never waged a large scale war battle, let alone one in his mindscape.


    They came for him.


    Tried to breach the walls.


    He shredded them by the hundreds.


    Then created his own army.


    His positive emotions as embodied by his loved ones, family, friends and every good person he had ever been acquainted with.


    The living and the dead.


    Memories stood by his side.


    They didn¡¯t let a single one leave the mindscape.


    When he emerged night had fallen.


    He was surrounded by mountains of monster corpses.


    Vague memories of tearing them apart or snapping their bones with telekinesis drifted back.


    He had been mostly focused on the psychic war.


    He spread his thoughts to the surrounding city.


    Some injuries, but no deaths from the monsters¡¯ mad rush to get to him.


    The energies being released had attracted them like bugs to a zapper.


    They always seemed to know when there was death in the air.


    His armor was dead.


    The hardware had been damaged and in some cases completely fried or shredded.


    Panic started to swell in his chest.


    The moon wasn¡¯t in the sky. He couldn¡¯t tell the exact time.


    He reached out to the people in the city.


    It had been one of the places they had hooked up with Omninet access due to the size of its population.


    His heart dropped.


    Over 8 hours had passed.


    But he had been so sure that the mindscape war had been well within the time frame.


    He checked the world event page with a thought.


    The Slashers¡¯ Spree had started.


    He was locked on the outside while his wife and son were on the inside.


    ¡°Stand by for announcement.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Was it doing it on purpose?


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡°World Event Announcement.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Adrelhit the Raper and his horde of clone-sons have set foot on verdant green. Can the defenders of this world stop him before all is Adrelhit? Consult world event and personal pages for details?


    Cal flew straight to the closest satellite.


    He had been gone for far too long.

 9.15

    Alin waited in line to board the R.S. Raynanaut.


    For some reason Ranger Captain Mouthy was laying her hand on each ranger¡¯s head for a few seconds before shooing them up the ramp.


    He hadn¡¯t seen her in a while and it looked like her close-cut hair was losing the battle to the gray. Face wasn¡¯t any wrinklier though.


    The captain still looked strong for someone being, like, in her 50¡¯s. Age and level. Though the latter was only a rumor, opsec being what it was.


    He waited patiently, dutifully shuffling a step forward behind Kat while admiring the tightness of her pants.


    His mom had already gone on board with the Threnosh and all their equipment, including his power armor. The only things he carried with him were his undersuit folded up in the sleek backpack, a belt with a few pouches of holding, his multi-weapon, a recoilless pistol and a few other things, some magic, some tech, some both.


    Thus, he didn¡¯t have to worry about his mom catching him staring at his girlfriend¡¯s butt and giving him the disappointed look and head shake.


    ¡°Sword Weeb.¡±


    Kat brought her hands together and bowed at the waist. ¡°Ranger Captain. I will not fail to bring honor to you. You have my blade.¡±


    ¡°And my axe!¡± someone shouted from the back of the line.


    ¡°Haha. You numbfuck! That stopped being funny the thousandth time I heard it.¡±


    The ranger captain glared at the offender for a moment before turning her attention back to Kat. Her scowl was deeper than it used to be. Really brought out the wrinkles and scars on her forehead and eyebrows.


    ¡°Sir!¡± Alin saluted. ¡°You also have my axe¡­ my sword¡­ my spear¡­ my sword-spear¡­ my spear-sw¡ª¡±


    ¡°And that was never funny, Goldenspoon. So, shut that shit spewer of yours before I tell your mommy that you¡¯re being an insubordinate taint smear.¡±


    ¡°Yessir! Shutting my shit hole now!¡±


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t what she said!¡± someone else from the back of the line said.


    ¡°You¡¯re a bunch of limp-wristed pussies!¡± the ranger captain bellowed. ¡°Back in my day we knew how to really hurt each other emotionally!¡±


    She laid a hand on Kat¡¯s head.


    Kat squirmed.


    ¡°Ow! Hot!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what she said!¡±


    ¡°Ass up the ramp, Weeb!¡± the ranger captain barked.


    It was his turn.


    Alin felt nothing beyond a rough, callused hand.


    ¡°Um.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± the ranger captain shrugged. ¡°Too bad for you. Guess it works just about as well as a limp dick in a tight hole for you¡¯re kind¡ª whoa! Back the fuck up with that!¡±


    ¡°What? I didn¡¯t say anything.¡±


    ¡°You had that look in your eyes. Like, you¡¯re about to call me a racist. I just meant that my Skill ain¡¯t doing shit since you don¡¯t got a class.¡±


    ¡°Skill?¡±


    ¡°Next!¡± she snapped.


    Alin shrugged and ascended the ramp.


    Kat waited for him inside the skyship.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t work on me, I guess. What did it feel like?¡±


    ¡°Hot.¡± Kat prodded at her scalp.


    ¡°Hair looks fine. It¡¯s not burned or smoking or anything.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got to get to my station.¡±


    She gave him a quick kiss.


    ¡°Me too. Helping my mom.¡± He rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Aww! It¡¯s like a take you kid to work day for her.¡±


    ¡°Man¡­ you too? Never expected the knife in the back from you.¡± He shook his head ruefully. ¡°The others? Definitely. You? Never?¡±


    ¡°See you when I see you!¡± Kat waved and sauntered down the corridor.


    His admiration lasted too long because she looked over her shoulder and gave him the look. It was in the downward tilt of her head, the focus in the eyes and the slight grin.


    He waved lamely, thankful for the firm support provided by his Threnosh onesie underneath his clothes before heading down to the hangar bay at the lowest point of the Raynanaut.


    His mom would need his help setting up all the equipment since they only brought one fabricator.


    They couldn¡¯t spare more.


    The rest were needed back home in the near round the clock effort to maintain and repair gear all while churning out ammo to supply multiple settlements worldwide.


    It was a whole logistics thing.


    They made the bullets, casings, cordite and primer separately before shipping them out. Gunsmiths and the like at the destinations put them all together to make a working round.


    Production was going to take a significant hit because of all the world events without his dad and uncle bringing the raw materials in.


    ¡°Hey, Mom?¡±


    He scanned the large hanger.


    The fabricator sounded like they were busy behind the large fabrication machine.


    ¡°Any word from Dad?¡±


    His Dad was about to take care of a world event down in what was once Brazil when they had lost contact.


    They had pointed satellites that way, but there was some kind of interference.


    Basically, they couldn¡¯t get anything. No visuals. No readings of any kind from all sensor types.


    ¡°Nothing yet. But, don¡¯t worry,¡± his mom smiled.


    ¡°Yeah, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about him. He can take care of himself. Instant, real time communication has spoiled us.¡±


    She was about to launch into a lecture that he had heard before, so he forestalled her.


    ¡°Yeah, I remember the stories. A couple of hours out of contact is nothing compared to days or more. So, what do you want me to do?¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ start setting up the drone bays.¡±


    ¡°Where do you want them?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ how about in those?¡± she pointed to the stables for the wyverns and drakes.


    They were empty for this Quest.


    He did a quick calculation.


    The stables were large enough that he could fit all the drone bays in one.


    He decided quickly that it was better to spread them out so that one shot wouldn¡¯t take them all out.


    He checked his smartphone.


    Down to almost 6 hours before the Slashers¡¯ Spree started.


    Plenty of time for the skyship to fly north.


    They had accepted the Questline to stop the slashers and defend the people.


    Holly was worth a lot of points as one of the top slashers.


    He really hoped that she could be trusted what with the new type of temptation.


    <hr>


    Vancouver was a divided city.


    Neighborhoods were akin to miniature towns and cities using pre-spires standards. Each governed themselves. Some formed alliances. Some had conflicts with others. It was a tangled web of stupid.


    At least the Bountiful Decade had forced them to mostly work together against the monsters. It had been a mistake for them to create buffer zones between neighborhoods. Leaving those homes and businesses unclaimed had just given the monsters places to spawn from in the middle of the web.


    It would also give the slashers plenty of places to hide and hunt from.


    Furthermore, the people didn¡¯t really have anywhere to evacuate to since the same conflicts existed with communities outside the old Vancouver City boundaries in the rest of the Metro Vancouver region.


    No one trusted anyone else enough to take them into their homes and buildings


    Sure there were plenty of unclaimed buildings, but they¡¯d need to fight the boss monsters and that was impossible when they would also need to defend the noncombatants from the monsters out on the streets.


    They spent the hours remaining until start time trying to work with the communities to little success.


    Most had told them to go away with varying levels of politeness.


    A few leaders had tried to bargain for safe passage on the skyship for them and their closest.


    The largest polity was centered around the tallest building in the city.


    The Shangri-La tower.


    It rose about 200 meters and contained condos, hotel rooms, offices and even a grocery store among other fancy things. The wealthiest and strongest live there while the rest of their people were spread out in the other hotels, homes and apartments nearby.


    Those people had wanted a ride across the water to where they had other holdings.


    North Vancouver and West Vancouver did not fall within the contest¡¯s boundaries.


    They had bribed, then threatened.


    Captain Molds laughed in their fat, sweaty faces.


    It would¡¯ve broken out into violence had that big, lavender and violet eidolon not slapped his hands together like a thunderclap.


    Yeah¡­ they had come too.


    Alin took no small measure of pride in the fact that they had been in the city hours ahead of the eidolon and he had come alone.


    In fact the defunct American government¡¯s cargo plane was still on the way.


    The satellites had been tracking its flight since it left Washington, D.C.


    The Raynanaut began ferrying people from the fringes of Shangri-La tower territory north across the water all the while shooting monsters that had the misfortune of being out on the streets.


    The clock ticked closer to zero the whole time while they still hadn¡¯t heard from his dad.


    Uncle Eron was still flying all over the globe like a burning comet, looking for Vukylokyr.


    No one else could be spared to help them.


    It was looking like they were going to be on their own aside from his dad¡¯s team, who were somewhere out in the city getting ready to hunt the hunters.


    ¡°Are they just going into siege mode?¡±


    His mom sighed. ¡°It looks like it.¡±


    ¡°They should work together.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s obvious to us since we¡¯re on the outside, but some of them have been fighting each other on and off for years. Kids fighting the fights their parents started. It¡¯s hard to put that aside.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll be stronger together. Instead of tiny islands surrounded by monsters.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hard for people to change. I mean, why would they if what they¡¯ve been doing this whole time works for the most part?¡±


    ¡°A high level slasher is different from a bunch of medium gremlins. Even an equal level one can cut through an entire apartment building before fighters can corner them. They¡¯ll kill them in the end, but not before a bunch of the non-fighters are dead.¡±


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s hope these surveillance drones can make it harder for them to hide and sneak around.¡±


    He and his mom worked the holographic interface to distribute and direct the tiny, buzzing drones all over Vancouver.


    They went for full coverage rather than concentration in high population buildings and areas. Isolated locations were just as likely targets for the slashers.


    They had already deployed network broadcasters all over the city in case whatever method the spires used to prevent ingress and egress interfered with Omninet access.


    They could only hope that the temporary local wireless network wouldn¡¯t be affected. Otherwise they¡¯d be truly fighting blind.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    They even sent glasses to the least objectionable outside groups, like the eidolon, that had arrived to accept the Questline opposing the slashers. Naturally, they had strictly restricted the functions. Essentially, they would be notified when the drones detected slasher activity and sent the location.


    All of this was essentially Plan B.


    Plan A had been his dad.


    10 minutes to start time found the Raynanaut hovering 100 meters over a wooded area teeming with monsters and mutated animals.


    The spires had been unclear in regards to altitude when it came to ingress and egress.


    Presumably they¡¯d be safe at a minimum height of around 200 meters, which was the tallest building in Vancouver.


    Conjecture suggested that if the spires were using the city¡¯s old, legal boundary than it would make sense that would extended to altitude. That meant it¡¯d fall under old airspace rules. So, basically all the way up.


    That would¡¯ve been ideal since they could¡¯ve operated completely out of reach.


    Sadly, one had to expect the spires to make things more difficult.


    Thus, they had to wait and see.


    The world event started with a chime and an announcement that sounded too happy for heralding 30 days of murder.


    ¡°All hands. This is it. Remember your training.¡±


    Captain Molds¡¯ voice came in crystal clear over the speakers.


    The floor hummed this close to the power supply and engines.


    The skyship began a slow ascent.


    Alin knew the plan.


    He could picture the flares firing to determine what sort of boundary restriction they were dealing with.


    The spires hadn¡¯t said.


    Was it a physical thing, like the barrier his dad had encountered in Tokyo?


    Was it a mental thing, like a compulsion that prevented a person from simply walking across the borders?


    Was it a magical thing, like a spell that turned a person around without their knowledge?


    Would it affect the Raynanaut? Could they simple set it on auto pilot, assuming the barrier wasn¡¯t a physical force they¡¯d just crash into?


    An alarm beeped, causing him to jump.


    ¡°That was fast,¡± his mom whispered.


    It was from one of the surveillance drones.


    It started with one, like a single drop of rain.


    Another beep, then another and another.


    A sudden torrential downpour that drowned out the hammering in his chest.


    ¡°Okay, stay calm. Let¡¯s bring up the map.¡± his mom gestured, bringing up a large holographic projection of Vancouver from a bird¡¯s eye view. ¡°That¡¯s a lot of red dots. Let¡¯s see who¡¯s close to these and which ones will listen to us. Start bringing up their files if we have them.¡±


    A specific task helped him focus away from the thought that innocent people were probably being murdered while he sat safe and sound up in the sky.


    It was the best he could do in the moment, though the voice in his head whispered that wasn¡¯t sufficient. That he was capable of doing more. He only needed to stop being a coward about it.


    <hr>


    Howard kept both hands on the shuttle¡¯s flight stick as he guided it on a slow and easy circuit over the city. He kept one eye on the cloak indicators.


    Time kept ticking.


    It wasn¡¯t going to be long now before he and his team were going to be locked in with who knows how many slashers in a veritable orgy of bloodletting.


    Shit was fucked, that was for sure.


    It was double-fucked since the boss had gone radio silent in Brazil.


    Wasn¡¯t nothing he could do about that shit.


    At least they weren¡¯t completely solo.


    Other boss and the kid were up in that fancy skyship with the rangers.


    They had already covered a good chunk of the populated areas with the surveillance drone network.


    His team had already synced up with it.


    Hopefully, it wouldn¡¯t crap out once the spires did its thing.


    No incidents in the hours they¡¯d been on station except for a brief thing when they had to move out of the way of some parachuting spec ops assholes from the old government.


    Good test of the cloak though.


    Idiots hadn¡¯t noticed shit.


    That huge C-130 had dropped off a bunch of soldiers outside Vancouver and a much smaller group directly over the city before turning around and heading back east.


    Howard had been in those before way back in the ancient days.


    Didn¡¯t remember them having the kind of fuel capacity to go from east to west coast and back in one go. Doubted they had aerial refueling. They weren¡¯t exactly anywhere back to close to where they had been before the spires. Only had a couple of those transport plane usable.


    Which meant they were taking a huge risk letting it up in the air for that long without a fighter escort.


    Skies weren¡¯t exactly safe even for huge planes.


    Must¡¯ve thought it was worth it, which meant that they were all in on this, which meant they were going to be a bitch to fight if it came down to it.


    Only other incident was that bird-girl eidolon carrying that big ass eidolon.


    He could have sworn she looked him right in the eye from a few thousand meters away.


    Didn¡¯t do shit though, so it wasn¡¯t like there was anything he could do about it.


    He checked the contest page again for what felt like the thousandth time in the last couple of hours.


    Shit was fucked. Him and his team were all on the list. Plus the points they were worth to the slashers. So much for the element of surprise.


    The list of slashers was a lot longer than they had projected. Guess the boss¡¯ efforts didn¡¯t exactly work that well. Something must gone screwy with the spires or the rewards were just that good.


    Had to be, if what the spires was showing was anything to go by.


    Even the most basic Quests were guaranteeing attribute points.


    The crazy thing was it was including people like him, the ones without classes, in that.


    That was fucking new.


    He had maxed out his physicals a long time ago.


    These days it was just about maintaining for him.


    Spires must¡¯ve really wanted this thing to turn into the biggest clusterfuck.


    Even dropped a metric shit ton of other world events to keep the boss and the other heavy hitters busy.


    Seemed on purpose.


    Holly was on the list.


    Near the top.


    Worth a lot of points.


    She¡¯d be a big target.


    Not theirs, though.


    They were aiming for the rest.


    Take out the strongest slashers, except Holly, that was his team¡¯s mission, Quest, whatever.


    If training was anything to go by they were in for some shit soup.


    It was going to be like going into the jungle with a sharp stick to hunt a tiger, except the tiger was insane and had all sorts of Skills.


    Almost time.


    He engaged the autopilot and headed to the back.


    Last minute huddle and pep talk.


    Not that the team needed it.


    They were experienced and rested, itching to take out the bad guys.


    ¡°Need me to take over?¡± Marian said.


    The teenager was barely old enough for the mission. Her age was mitigated by her skills and Skills as a pilot. The rest of the promising trio was back home where they were sorely needed.


    ¡°Nah, I want you to listen to this first.¡±


    He got their attention by banging his armored fist against his armored thigh.


    Advanced gear hurt leveling, but the dead didn¡¯t level.


    Not that he had that problem.


    He regarded his team.


    Most wore the same full body, dark gray Threnium armor.


    Shootystabby was actually the highest level and most dangerous of the bunch, including him.


    Black Cat, Adrian, was one of those lucky few that survived that eidolon asshole¡¯s animal hybridization procedure. The young man had been one of the most transformed by the process. He looked like a full on werecat, but all the time. His armor had to be custom made to account for the changes to his body, particularly his legs.


    Dancessassin, Tabitha, sat next to him. The young woman had her monster hood up. She couldn¡¯t wear a full set of armor on account of her special monster cloak. It wouldn¡¯t work when worn over a full body set, but worked fine when she wore a lighter version. Essentially, padded clothing with thin threads of Threnium woven on the top layer like Kevlar.


    Her hood sorta looked like Black Cat, like they could be distant cousins.


    Howard had kept that thought to himself.


    Both kids were sensitive and he wasn¡¯t a dick. Not to them.


    The Twice Clever Fox was like Dancessassin. Full body armor messed with her cultivator abilities. She had to settle for a light, supple shirt of thin Threnium plates along with vambraces and greaves. Her fox mask wasn¡¯t plastic anymore. It was made out of the wonder metal and filled with the same hardware and software as the helmet on Howard¡¯s head.


    That was his ground team.


    Marian would pilot the shuttle, while Willy, Wet, would provide magic support in its safe confines.


    They¡¯d use the drones to narrow down a target area and he¡¯d use his scrying and wizard eyes to pinpoint the target slasher. Ms. Teacher had also given him a potent searching spell they could use a few times if they really needed to find someone.


    ¡°Not much to say. We¡¯ve trained together for weeks. You all know what your roles are. We work as a team. We take out the bad guys. Nothing fancy. No hero shit. Boss ain¡¯t gonna make it, but we planned for that. Other boss is up on that fancy skyship. So, yeah¡­ let¡¯s fuck these murderers up, eh.¡±


    They were minutes to start time.


    Their helmets or ear pieces chimed.


    Howard read the message.


    Plan A had been the boss and that was out unless he happened to show up in the next few minutes.


    Plan B was in effect, which was them. To be honest, they were a bit under gunned. A team of seven against what was looking like a few thousand slashers and who knew how many others looking to toss their die on the table. An eidolon, maybe two, really hammered that home. Granted all those disparate elements weren¡¯t all going to start working together.


    A message flashed in his HUD.


    Plan C just kicked in.


    Shootystabby snorted. ¡°Those saucy bitches!¡± She grinned.


    It had been a long shot.


    Plan C had been on a spawn zone clearing mission. An old mine spewing horrors out in the Appalachian Mountains. It wasn¡¯t in the old government¡¯s territory so they left it alone. It was just too bad for the community nearby. Maybe they should¡¯ve reintegrated if they had wanted protection.


    Boss wasn¡¯t like that. Even though the community wasn¡¯t with them, he still sent help. The Quest rewards were great, but they usually were for the super hard shit.


    Howard had figured Plan C was dead.


    A couple days turn around time wasn¡¯t nearly enough for them to rest and recover all the shit they must¡¯ve expended in those mines. But, he should¡¯ve known something was up when they stayed at Ms. Teacher¡¯s community instead of heading back home.


    He turned to Wet.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Wet said.


    ¡°I know you¡¯ve got her secrets to keep, but we need to know what kind of shape our reinforcements are in. Are we gonna need to back them up? Or are they rested enough that we can stick to the plans?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll be at a hundred percent for sure.¡±


    ¡°You know, this would be a lot easier if your teacher wiggled her fingers and took care of this whole thing,¡± Shootystabby said.


    ¡°Yeah, probably.¡± Wet shrugged.


    ¡°Help is better than no help, eh,¡± Howard said. ¡°I¡¯ll give them a call. See if we can coordinate in the minutes we¡¯ve got left.¡±


    The chime rang in their ears.


    This one wasn¡¯t a welcome sound.


    Their helmets or ear pieces beeped frantically.


    Tabitha sighed and pulled a pair of glasses out of a pouch of holding.


    Willy already had his on. One couldn¡¯t wear a full helmet along with a wizard¡¯s hat. It just didn¡¯t work.


    ¡°This it people. Wet!¡± Howard barked.


    The wizard¡¯s spellbook glowed and floated into his hands.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready. Just waiting on Mrs. Cruces to¡ª¡±


    ¡°That was quick,¡± Shootystabby said.


    ¡°We take one of the main threats off the board this early we get ahead of the game,¡± Howard said.


    ¡°Easier said than done.¡± The glint in her eyes belied the truth of her thoughts on the matter.


    <hr>


    Holly¡¯s levels were going to be a problem. She was at the top of the points value list for the slashers.


    She was closing in on Level 50 in her secondary class and was only a few levels away from 20 in her primary. The timing worked out in her favor. The boost at 20 could come in clutch in case she needed it.


    Being the Hidden Knife of the Psionic Prime gave her minor psionic Skills as long as she was operating strictly in the name of her class.


    She stuck to the shadows and used a tiny mental compulsion to keep the patrolling guards from glancing her way as she skittered up the side of the small office building. Wall Crawler was a passive Skill as opposed to active, like Wall Crawl, Spider Climb and similar. It was superior because it was always on. Active Skills needed concentration, had a time limit or a limited number of uses and required more stamina. Crawling up a wall was about as tiring as a light jog and she could do it all day thanks to her better than baseline endurance.


    Slasher stealth abilities allowed her to slip unnoticed through the most minuscule crack in one of the windows despite the detection spells the mercenary band had layered over the building.


    Red Hand Ultras.


    The hand print on their gear was paint.


    Although, she detected a hint of that familiar iron tang on them.


    They numbered a little over 200.


    That made them more of a company than a band, didn¡¯t it?


    She checked classes and levels as she sneaked past the mercenaries.


    Not a one under Level 30 in their primary.


    And everyone had the brand new slasher at Level 1.


    A picture of the company¡¯s ethos emerged from her silent observation.


    They were organized, but operated on strength equating to rule.


    Indeed, leadership roles changed hands through bloody duels.


    She toured the entire building, forming the shape of her plan as she marked the locations of the strongest mercs.


    Only a handful over Level 40.


    She didn¡¯t get exact levels and abilities for those because the closer they were to her the less information she gained from her Skills.


    A few more almost completely blank to her, which meant they had Skills that countered hers.


    She read their surface level thoughts, picking up about every third word of their internal monologue.


    Interestingly, the second in command was one of those rare people that lacked one. She got nothing from him.


    The plan took shape.


    It wouldn¡¯t take much to get the mercs to turn on each other.


    It was the fear.


    Many of them hadn¡¯t wanted to come in the first place.


    Deep down, most didn¡¯t want the slasher class.


    The leadership had to lean on them hard with promises of extra rewards on top of what the spires offered.


    She settled on killing two Red Hand Ultras.


    The first was a young man with a poisoner class on the cusp of Level 40.


    He was in a small private office hunched over a desk, working in deep concentration.


    She drew a thin red line beneath his chin with her kitchen knife.


    Her dark cloak had barely rustled as she hung upside down with her soft-soled boots on the ceiling.


    She detached, flipping over to land as soft as a fly to grab a few tiny objects from the poisoner¡¯s desk before continuing her tour.


    It didn¡¯t take her long to find what she was looking for.


    The leader was a small man, old and gray.


    Even if she couldn¡¯t appraise what little she could of his class and abilities she¡¯d have been wary.


    Old killers were always more dangerous than young ones.


    They were rare while the latter were plentiful for a reason.


    Mercs crowded the hallway, guarding the closed doors leading to the office the old man had claimed.


    She crawled back outside the building and found another cracked window.


    The old man stood over a map of the city spread out over a huge wooden desk.


    She used Telekinesis: Tiny Objects to tip a dust-covered glass decoration off the bookshelf.


    The old man had some kind of Skill that nullified all damage from one attack. He also had another Skill that would bring his mercs to his side faster than they would¡¯ve been capable of rushing in on their own.


    She flicked one poison-tipped dart into the side of the old man¡¯s neck when he turned to the glass breaking.


    She hit him with the rest a moment later.


    The old man fell to the floor, writhing in agony.


    She was out the window as soon as he stopped twitching.


    Her first kills.


    Her first points of the contest.


    Easy.


    She hadn¡¯t even use her best abilities.


    She had no idea how she was doing compared to the others.


    The rules had said that scores wouldn¡¯t be updated in real time. They would be posted twice a day. Once at midnight and again at noon. And, they could only view them inside the spires.


    Another wrinkle.


    Everyone was going to have to balance the risks to the rewards.


    The split-second disorientation upon exiting the spires was an eternity for people like her waiting in ambush.

 9.16

    Howard and his team watched in real time as a masked slasher cut his way through a neighborhood.


    The video from the surveillance drone was fleeting.


    A second or two before the image turned into static, forcing a switch to another drone before it, too, failed.


    Oddly, the drones weren¡¯t being fried.


    It was just that they couldn¡¯t seem to record more than those few seconds.


    Each individual drone was fine by the time they cycled back to it.


    The endless loop made them feel like they were watching it through a strobe light or an animation missing a bunch of frames.


    ¡°Nothing on file,¡± Adrian, Black Cat, said.


    By virtue of seniority, rather the lack thereof, he got the jobs no one else wanted or cared about.


    ¡°Looks like a Jason-type,¡± Dayana, Shootystabby, said. ¡°See, he¡¯s taking shots, but not enough blood splatter.¡±


    ¡°Not to mention they¡¯re barely moving him. Those are .556 bullets?¡± Twice Clever Fox said.


    ¡°Some. Most are .223.¡± Howard saw enough of the AR¡¯s the people were using to figure most were civilian versions. ¡°Still impressive to take them without so much as flinching.¡±


    ¡°Or, you know, falling over,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Okay! Got him!¡± Willy, Wet, opened his eyes and shouted directions to Marian up in the cockpit.


    ¡°Listen up. This freak¡¯s over Level 40, so expect bullshit Skills. I¡¯ll go in first, try to draw some out. The rest of you keep your distance and take your shots, but watch out for opportunistic scavengers looking to sneak a bite or two. Remember, a bunch of red dots were all up in this whole area, eh.¡±


    Indeed.


    Slashers of varying levels had been transported in and immediately went to killing.


    Opportunistic mercenary bands, marauders and their like were already laying siege to the luckier neighborhoods. The unlucky ones had already been breached. Whether by force or by the misfortune of the slashers spawning inside their walls and barricades.


    It wasn¡¯t all bad, judging by the sporadic updates flowing in from the Raynanaut as they collected information from all over the city through a variety of means.


    The locals weren¡¯t rolling over easy. They were scoring plenty of points themselves.


    Vancouver airport was dark over the river to the south.


    It had been an encounter challenge one of the main ones for the locals.


    They had kept it under control, but that wasn¡¯t going to last.


    A problem for the future.


    The shuttle zipped over the neighborhood.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got eyes on him¡­ Jesus fucking Christ! Uh¡­ hurry! Kids upstairs!¡± Wet said.


    Marian steadied the shuttle and opened the rear ramp.


    Howard leapt out.


    It wasn¡¯t that far down and he needed to get there quick, so he didn¡¯t use any of the slowing methods at his disposal.


    He hit the ground and rolled, swiftly dashing into the home through the broken door.


    The scent of iron filled the air, mingling with shit and piss.


    The slasher was a big man clad in tattered workman¡¯s clothes with a name tag stitched near his heart.


    Dav¡ª something.


    The rest of it had been torn off by a bullet.


    There wasn¡¯t nearly enough blood for all the holes.


    The slasher had a bloody machete in one hand and a bloody sleeping bag in the other.


    Howard knew what was in there at a glance.


    He drew his viral pistol and squeezed the trigger in one smooth motion.


    The slasher beat him to the punch, clubbing him with the sleeping bag.


    Viral rounds went astray, hitting the wall and dissolving huge holes instantly.


    Machete flashed!


    His pistol came apart halfway up the barrel.


    The big bastard was stronger and faster than him.


    He blocked the next slash with his arm.


    Red-smeared steel screeched against dark gray Threnium.


    He felt the bones in his arm crack.


    Damn high-level Skills always messed things up.


    Sometimes he wished he had them. All he had to rely on was his own muscles and grit.


    A cybernetic thought opened up the tips of his gloves, revealing his claw-like fingernails. He slashed at the slasher¡¯s blood-splattered hockey mask.


    Shit should¡¯ve been made of plastic, but it felt like iron.


    The machete squealed against the side of his helmet.


    Being short had helped him out there. Made it easy to dip and only take a glancing blow.


    It was a fifty-fifty¡­ had he been alone.


    Shootystabby came in behind him, flickering like they had just watched, except much faster.


    She shot, stabbed and cut all over the slasher¡¯s body.


    The big man was deceptively fast with his machete, but he looked like he was in slow motion next to her.


    Again there was less blood than there should¡¯ve been.


    She withdrew only to be replaced by Twice Clever Fox.


    The cultivator¡¯s fists and feet were a blur as she landed pinpoint strikes to vital points on the slasher¡¯s arms.


    To Howard¡¯s surprise the man held on to his weapons even forcing the cultivator into a desperate dance to avoid being cut and bludgeoned.


    Speaking of dancing¡­


    Tabitha, Dancessassin, chose that moment to emerge out a shadow on the wall behind the slasher.


    The eyes of the panther-like head that was her hood flashed hungrily as she leapt at the slasher¡¯s back. The hem of her inky black cloak split into long strips, ribbons with one of the monster¡¯s claws stitched to the end. They moved with her strikes, flowing with her hands and arms as she stabbed and sliced with envenomed daggers made out of monster fangs.


    She twirled away from the slasher¡¯s back slash, sawing across his back and arm with her cloak¡¯s claws before disappearing into the shadow on the wall.


    The slasher slowed, dropping to one knee.


    Howard wasn¡¯t fooled.


    The boss had warned them that a decently-leveled slasher wasn¡¯t truly down unless you chopped them up into pieces. And even then you had to burn the body to make sure and had the right spells in place to put a stop to any spirit shenanigans.


    Seemed like bullshit to him, but just because he had never seen it happen didn¡¯t mean that it didn¡¯t or couldn¡¯t in the future.


    That was the sort of world they lived in.


    Sometimes, he was sorta glad that the memories from before the spires were starting to fade. They made him sad.


    Shootystabby stabbed her long knife into the slasher¡¯s shadow on the carpet and kept it there. ¡°He¡¯s not moving for awhile.¡±


    ¡°You sure?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. He¡¯s not high level enough to just brute force me on this. If he¡¯s got just the right Skill¡­¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°Black Cat? Status?¡±


    ¡°Secured upstairs. Minor injuries.¡± The young man¡¯s voice came in over the comms with only a slight crackle.


    Whatever the spires had done to seal the city was also messing with their comms. Proximity helped.


    ¡°Stay posted.¡± Howard drew a sawed-off elephant gun from his bag of holding.


    He could¡¯ve gotten something high-tech from the Threnosh or had a custom made gun like the boss¡¯, but he liked the idea of a sawed-off elephant gun.


    The slasher¡¯s mask¡­ and face didn¡¯t stand up to the shot.


    ¡°Alright, Shootystabby and Dancessassin, guard the people with Black Cat. Fox, watch my back while I take care of this bastard. Wet, try to get in contact with Sparky and the boss. Update them and tell them this neighborhood probably needs protection.¡±


    The slasher had left a lot of bodies out on the street and in at least five houses.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try, but the comms are shaky. I¡¯ll switch to magic if I can¡¯t,¡± Wet said.


    ¡°Do what you can.¡±


    Howard picked the slasher¡¯s machete off the bloody carpet.


    ¡°There is a person inside that,¡± Twice Clever Fox pointed to the sleeping bag oozing red.


    ¡°It¡¯s a slasher thing.¡± He set to hacking limbs and what was left of the head. ¡°Knives, machetes, axes, chainsaws¡­ that¡¯s how it was in movies, so¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad I never watched those movies.¡±


    ¡°It was fine for dumb fun and getting girls to jump in your lap. Not so much in real life, eh.¡±


    He tossed the parts out into the front yard, covered them with gasoline from one of his bags of holding and set them on fire.


    ¡°May you burn into nothing you murdering bastard, forever forgotten.¡±


    ¡°The spirits of his victims will know peace now that they have been avenged.¡±


    ¡°We need to do better. Avenging don¡¯t exactly leave a good taste in my mouth. Much rather pre-venge.¡±


    He brought up the live map in his HUD and cursed.


    ¡°Yes. Our plan to respond quickly to the worst murderers won¡¯t work if we don¡¯t know where they are,¡± Twice Clever Fox said. ¡°Perhaps, I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Oh no. That¡¯s the first rule. No splitting up. You¡¯re good, but can you guarantee one of them won¡¯t get lucky and get you? You¡¯re worth a lot of points. That might be enough to give whoever gets you the boost they need and make them all that much harder to take out.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the leader.¡± Twice Clever Fox bowed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong. I¡¯m kinda feeling that urge too.¡±


    The feral instincts in him wanted to go out into the gray jungle among the other hunters. To claim his territory. Team tactics be damned.


    But he was a man, not an animal.


    The difference was that he could shut those instincts up.


    Tigers might¡¯ve ruled the jungles, but it was man that had almost made all of them extinct.


    ¡°Hey, uh, can¡¯t get a hold of Sparky¡¯s team, but the Raynanaut is on her way,¡± Wet said through the comms.


    ¡°Alright team, back to the shuttle.¡±


    <hr>


    Hayden and Prim strode out of Shangri-La.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    Not the mythical hidden place in the Kunlun Mountains where martial artists could get fists like unto steel by beating up a Chinese unicorn and rubbing their hands on its horn, but the high-rise tower in Vancouver.


    The former wasn¡¯t real¡­ probably¡­ while the latter was and full of selfish assholes.


    Oh, they were more than happy to accept the team¡¯s protection, but only for the tower. Not for everyone else outside.


    Hayden muttered darkly.


    Ms. Teacher healed them up and recharged them physically with her secret magics, but couldn¡¯t do much for the psychological and emotional damage from what had gone down in those mines.


    Shit had been almost as bad as those worm parasites. The only difference was she hadn¡¯t been in charge on that Quest like she had been for the mines. 50 went in following her commands.


    Only a little over half had come out.


    ¡°We¡¯ll start planning a defense once we get a lay of the land,¡± Prim said.


    She grunted an affirmative as they pushed past the guards manning the fence that extended into the street.


    The tower looked to be enclosed, but it wasn¡¯t a fixed wall, more like those temporary anti-riot fences, a few steps above chain-linked, but a whole lot of steps below dedicated walls of earth, stone and metal. There were guard towers at the corners, but they wouldn¡¯t hold up to a real assault.


    ¡°Monsters are going to hurt more than help,¡± Prim continued. ¡°They¡¯ll mess with the wannabe slashers, but the real ones will use the chaos to slip in and do their killings. We need intel on their preferred victims. Comms are still hit or miss. It¡¯s looking like the interference is a permanent feature.¡±


    The headed north, crossing an empty street.


    They could see some people staring down at them from windows in the tall buildings.


    Some of the team waited in front of a building across from Shangri-La Tower.


    A tourism office judging by the sign.


    Hayden recognized the name of the old country, although she had no conception on where it was in the world.


    Probably somewhere in Asia going by the name.


    She had brought 12 including her and Prim.


    Three were Rayna¡¯s Rangers. Part of stripped down squad. Volunteers. The rest had remained at Ms. Teacher¡¯s town to wait for transport.


    Monsignor, Chandra and Sakura.


    All high level and competent fighters.


    The latter was absent on a scouting mission.


    Just like the fat, drunk cultivator.


    The Tsingtao Wanderer irked Hayden.


    Rationally, she understood that the drunker he was the better fighter he was. However, it bothered her on an irrational level.


    She loved Doomborer, not withstanding the name sounding like it came from the edgy imagination of a 12 year old boy with aspirations of heroic adventure.


    The Threnosh was competent, professional and didn¡¯t have an ego. They were happy to follow orders to the utmost of their ability.


    She was less fond of Rand.


    The wizard acted several years younger than his actual late 20¡¯s age.


    She had known him since Ms. Teacher had started loaning her students out to Cal¡¯s teams.


    Honestly, out of all the wizards she had worked with over the years, he had been the most annoying. Always trying to impress her like a little puppy.


    What she could wave off from a kid she couldn¡¯t from a full-grown man.


    The smug look on his face was asking to be wiped off.


    He was way too proud for something he hadn¡¯t had a hand in.


    Ms. Teacher was the one that had teleported them across thousands of miles without leaving them with so much as a hint of nausea.


    Rand had explained just how impossible that had been without portal stones or any guides whatsoever. Something about Ms. Teacher having to account for the rotation of the planet, relative velocities, elevation and dozens of other variables. The power to pull something like that was already astronomical, but to do it without teleporting them a hundred feet in the sky or in the dirt or inside a tree¡­


    Had she known all those details beforehand she wouldn¡¯t have allowed any of the others to go with her.


    One of the other wizard kids would¡¯ve explained it all without the smug, self-satisfaction.


    Honestly, it would be like her taking pride in the crazy shit Cal pulled off.


    Bolder Akinfenwa was only a few years younger than Rand, but infinitely more mature. It might¡¯ve had something to do with his early life somewhere in North Africa. He was quiet, competent and brave. Not afraid to freelance and wise enough to understand when he had to. His earth magic along with Doomborer¡¯s power armor had been clutch down in those old coal mines.


    Ibra was only a few years older than her in his mid 40¡¯s, but the scars on his face told a tale of pain and suffering to rival her own. Sometimes she was ashamed that her gifts allowed her to bear the weight of time and experiences better than others, at least from a physical appearance standpoint.


    Regardless, Ibra was a deadly warrior with his weapons and armor made out of a manticore¡¯s parts. The man was committed to the cause. To bear those weights so that those that come after him won¡¯t have to.


    She put the last two last because of their age and how she viewed the boy¡ª the young man. Not because of their strength. Though they were the two lowest leveled in her team.


    Teresa was short a couple of years to be technically an adult. She would¡¯ve never been allowed to go on this Quest nor the one in the mines had Ms. Teacher not insisted.


    Rules were rules until an ultra powerful ally asked¡ª told you to break them.


    Still, the girl was a competent ice wizard. She also followed orders. A bit too exact, but Hayden had worked on that a bit down in the mines.


    Plus, Teresa¡¯s spells and Skills had great synergy with the last member of Hayden¡¯s team.


    Last but not least, and not at all had he not done so well done in the depths, was Galen.


    The boy¡ª young man had gotten through a hell of a first real Quest a few years back and emerged stronger in levels and mentality.


    He had worked too hard and shown too much promise for them to leave him guarding a fort or a resort hotel and casino with the Golden Eagles.


    Ledge had hated losing Galen, but that was the price of close ties with Cal¡¯s operation.


    Ms. Daniels was definitely going to be pissed at her the next time Galen visited the orphanage and shared what he had been up to.


    Hayden stepped into her power armor before starting the briefing while they waited for their scouts to return.


    ¡°So¡­ they suck.¡± She jabbed a thumb over her shoulder toward the tower. ¡°There isn¡¯t going to be any coordinating.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s going to take too long to go and try to do the same with all the separate buildings and neighborhoods,¡± Prim said.


    ¡°Wait?¡± Galen raised a hand. ¡°I thought most of this area was under their control.¡±


    ¡°Yep, but they¡¯re washing their hands of them. They weren¡¯t too happy about the rangers ferrying people outside the tower across the river instead of them.¡±


    ¡°How many Earthians remain in the outlying structures?¡± Doomborer said.


    ¡°Unknown at this time. Still waiting, hoping that our message to the Raynanaut went through. Same with Howard¡¯s team,¡± Prim said. ¡°Rand, any luck with that?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I tried the whole time you guys were in there.¡± He scowled. ¡°Couldn¡¯t reach Willy. Spires bullshit.¡± He shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ll try again after this unless you have something else for me to do?¡± he grinned.


    Hayden ignored it.


    It wasn¡¯t nearly as charming as he thought.


    Sakura appeared out of nowhere in a puff of white smoke.


    Tsingtao Wanderer leapt down from the tourism building¡¯s roof in a flutter of dark, stained robes and the jiggling of a beer gut.


    The man had what some called a power belly to go along with his stout, broad frame.


    He was big and fat, yet as quick as a cobra and as graceful as a ballerina despite it.


    The cultivator looked to be operating at a buzz-level.


    Irksome to Hayden, but tactically sound since it kept him close to drunk.


    ¡°Individual buildings are barricading,¡± Sakura said.


    ¡°As are the neighborhoods to the south and west,¡± Tsingtao Wanderer said.


    Sakura gazed up at the tower on the other side of the street. ¡°They¡¯ve abandoned their positions on the streets. Some of the tower¡¯s fighters are staying at their posts and coordinating with the people nearby, but not nearly enough of them are. The people are under-leveled. Most won¡¯t last long if, when one of the larger groups decides to attack them.¡±


    ¡°The piecemeal nature of their defense is like a fisherman¡¯s net with many holes,¡± Tsingtao Wanderer said.


    ¡°Composition of the remaining people?¡±


    ¡°Mostly men, young to old. Some women. I didn¡¯t see a lot of children,¡± Sakura said.


    Tsingtao Wanderer inclined his head to Prim and the other rangers. ¡°Your flying ship is to thank for that small mercy.


    ¡°Did you mark Level 40 and over?¡±


    ¡°Not in combat classes. They¡¯re all guarding that.¡± Tsingtao Wanderer spat toward the tower.


    ¡°The people can¡¯t be protected like this,¡± Ibra said. ¡°I¡¯ve seen it. Predators drive their prey apart to single out the weakest.¡±


    ¡°A herd surrounds their old and young, presenting their horns to the lions. Like you said, it is when they scatter that the lions feast,¡± Bolder said.


    ¡°Not all slashers are the same. Some prefer strong targets,¡± Monsignor said.


    ¡°Then we should do what the other team is doing. Attack the slashers first. Offense beats defense,¡± Rand said.


    ¡°Our priority is to protect those that need it,¡± Monsignor said.


    The old woman clutched the plain steel crucifix around her neck. Her calm gaze bored into Rand¡¯s cocky eyes.


    He shrugged.


    ¡°I¡¯m just saying if we can¡¯t guard everyone since they¡¯re so scattered then the next best thing is to remove the reasons they need guarding in the first place.¡±


    ¡°I saw a couple of parks with my wizard eyes a little bit to the north. They¡¯re between a harbor and a port? At least that¡¯s what the signs said. Maybe we could build a fort and keep the people safe there if one of the big towers doesn¡¯t want to shelter them?¡± Teresa looked to Bolder, Galen and Rand. ¡°If we can combine our magic I believe it won¡¯t be too taxing on our mana to raise earth walls and reinforce them with ice. The temperature is still cool enough that it won¡¯t melt too fast.¡±


    ¡°Monsters in the water,¡± Rand said. ¡°We¡¯ve be under siege from both sides.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a good idea, but what if the people won¡¯t want to listen?¡± Galen said. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t if I was in their shoes. I¡¯d trust myself and the people I know over a bunch of randoms that showed up out of nowhere.¡±


    ¡°Our names are on the anti-slasher side,¡± Teresa pointed out.


    ¡°Scared people don¡¯t think rationally,¡± Prim said. ¡°But I like that idea¡­ if we can reach the Raynanaut and get them to sit right over us¡­¡±


    Hayden saw what Prim did.


    Slashers forced to come to them and be blown away by superior firepower.


    ¡°Alright, this is what we¡¯ll do for now. We¡¯ll stay together. Try the other big buildings. See if they want to be human or not. While you,¡± she nodded at the Rand and Teresa, ¡°keep trying to reach Howard¡¯s team and the Raynanaut. I want a safe place we can use as a base. It¡¯ll be a bonus that it¡¯s mobile and full of weapons. If that doesn¡¯t work then I¡¯ll have you put on a light show to attract their attention. If that still doesn¡¯t work then we¡¯ll have to find one of the surveillance drones to shout at. With any luck all the slashers and other assholes out there are going to play it cautious for the first few hours.¡±


    ¡°The first meerkat to stick its head out of the burrow is the first to be carried away by the eagle,¡± Bolder said.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s exactly what I thought of.¡±


    That wasn¡¯t what Hayden thought of.


    Since when did cat¡¯s live underground?


    Must¡¯ve been different type of cat from another world or maybe it was a monster.


    She couldn¡¯t remember seeing the name in the monsterpedia.


    ¡°It¡¯s a rough plan, so¡­ anyone suggestions? Mods?¡±


    Tsingtao Wanderer opened his mouth then closed it.


    She didn¡¯t know if he had been about to say something or had just let out a silent burp.


    Regardless, they had a plan if not specific enough to her liking.


    At least they had an hour or two before the real bloodshed started.


    Alas, she would be proved wrong.


    <hr>


    Billie was a little girl.


    She was 4 years old, but closer to 5.


    That seemed important.


    Definitely, big girl territory, which meant her brothers would have to let her play their games with them.


    ¡®Billie¡¯ was short for her real name, which her dad and mom only called her when she was being naughty. She didn¡¯t like that name. It was too hard to spell with all its letters.


    Although¡­ she wouldn¡¯t have minded if it meant her mom could come back from heaven.


    She wondered what that place was like.


    Dad told her, but it didn¡¯t sound like he really knew. And how could he since he had never been. None of her uncles and aunts and cousins had either. So, it sorta didn¡¯t make sense when they told her how great it was and how great it was that her mom was up there.


    Billie pictured her mom living in a house made of clothes as she cowered underneath her bed.


    She didn¡¯t really get it.


    Something about a world event and how dangerous it was going to be.


    She got most of her information by sneaking underneath the table and listening to the grown ups talk.


    That¡¯s where she had been when the whole apartment building shook and the sharp pops and loud bangs started.


    Guns and spells.


    She knew them well. So, she did as she practiced and curled up into a ball on the floor as the adults sprang from the table.


    Some had gone outside the apartment. The rest had barricaded the door like they had practiced.


    Tom, her second oldest brother, had reached down to coax her out from under the table to pick her up in his strong arms.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be okay,¡± he had whispered.


    A lie.


    Because the door had opened despite having been locked and barred.


    The adults pointed weapons and hands with spells on the tips of their fingers, but Billie had seen nothing in the doorway.


    She had heard plenty though. Lots of pops and bangs sounding awfully close.


    She remembered how she had put her fingers in her ears when she heard people shouting and screaming. She had started crying right then. It had been too much like the day mom¡ª


    Tom had soothed her and started down the hall to carry her to her room when she had seen him.


    It had been the briefest of glances because Tom had shouted and had started blasting away with bright lights from his free hand


    The other adults joined in a split-second later while Tom retreated with her in his arms into the hall.


    It had been a short, fat clown.


    He hadn¡¯t looked scary. The paint on his face was colorful and happy. His clown costume was vibrant, popping with color like those cartoons she loved to watch.


    He had waved a white-gloved hand with bulbous fingers at her and winked.


    Tom had only spent long enough to thrust her favorite stuffed animal in her arms, kiss her on the head and push her underneath her bed before rushing back outside and slamming the door behind him.


    She clutched Ratatos, her stuffed squirrel that her oldest brother had gotten her for her last birthday.


    Out in the living room Reg cursed, then screamed, then fell silent.


    She had been wondering what he was going to get her for her next one.


    The noise just outside her room peaked like the best part of the fireworks shows the building did every new year.


    Then she heard nothing for what felt like the longest time.


    The silence was broken by a heavy step and soft, happy music that seemed to come from all around her.


    It had always been there, she realized, just beneath all the guns and spells and adults shouting and screaming.


    Another step, then another and another accompanied by the sound of something heavy being dragged across the carpet.


    Her door opened with a long, drawn out squeal.


    Reg had always said to leave it like that so they could hear it just in case a monster or bad man was trying to sneak in. Then they could come save her.


    But they were gone, weren¡¯t they?


    Big shiny, red clown shoes came into view.


    They looked extra shiny and wet.


    And there was something next to them.


    It was pale, like the color of chocolate milk when they were almost out of powder and were trying to make it last. She saw knuckles dragging on the carpet and dirty claws wet with red.


    She screamed as the twisted hang flipped her bed over like it weighed nothing.


    She squeezed her eyes shut and embraced Ratatos with all the strength her little arms could muster.


    She hoped heaven was nice.


    Little Billie was a girl. 4 years old going on a 5 that she¡¯d never reach.

 9.17

    Blake stared at the perfectly normal, average man walking toward him through his scope before bringing his gun down.


    Vicky lowered her gun too.


    The guy was dressed in an immaculate three piece suit in perfectly neutral gray with just a hint of color via the pink tie. His dark hair was combed with a part on the right side. Not a single hair was out of place. Round, thin-framed glasses completed a look that just screamed trustworthy.


    They let him approach without challenge because he wasn¡¯t a threat.


    ¡°Excuse me. Hi. Sorry.¡± The man¡¯s voice was soft, almost forcing them to lean forward to catch the words. ¡°I was hoping I could hide with you guys. You see, I got a bit distracted and now I¡¯m far from home just as the event started. Really embarrassing, I know.¡± The man shrugged with a smile.


    They had protocols for this sort of thing.


    First, they were supposed to use their own judgment.


    The guy was harmless so Blake checked that off the list.


    ¡°Vicky?¡±


    ¡°My danger sense isn¡¯t pinging.¡±


    Blake¡¯s hand pulled the key from his pocket before he realized it.


    ¡°You¡¯re really lucky, sir. It¡¯s supposed to get really dangerous when all the slashers start running around out there.¡±


    Second, if they were still uncertain they were supposed to call for the mage or truth gem.


    Intense questioning would take place in the side office under heavily armed guards.


    He unlocked the heavy iron-barred door and ushered the stranger inside the apartment building¡¯s outer perimeter fence.


    ¡°Just go on up to the next gate. We¡¯ve got plenty of spare rooms for you to ride this out. Don¡¯t know if we can escort you home tomorrow. Maybe your militia can come pick you up? But, we¡¯ve got plenty of supplies to go around in case you¡¯re stuck here for the 30 days.¡±


    ¡°Why thank you!¡± the man smiled. ¡°It is a rare thing, the kindness shown to strangers by strangers in these dangerous times.¡±


    They turned their backs on the man and resumed their watch.


    Who knew what sort of slashers were lurking out there ready to kill them and the people they had been charged with protecting?


    ¡°That was one lucky gentleman,¡± Vicky said.


    ¡°Yup. Good thing he was close to us. He¡¯d have no chance out there once night hits,¡± Blake said. ¡°A gentleman like that shouldn¡¯t be out there with all the monsters and killers.¡±


    Elsewhere, a group of white-masked slashers in black robes ambushed a group of adventurers.


    The latter had just gotten their additional slasher class at Level 1 and they were outnumbered.


    It turned quickly for the former because the adventurers were a battle-hardened band with over a decade¡¯s experience as a team.


    White masks and black robes were drenched in blood.


    The adventurers didn¡¯t get the chance to celebrate their first kills.


    Short, controlled bursts poured down from the second story windows on both sides of the street.


    It felt like an army poured fire down on them.


    They only lasted as long as their mage¡¯s magic shield.


    When it shattered they soon followed.


    Lt. Rico was part of an 8-man fireteam, but with Skills they could quadruple the output.


    He flashed his light across the street.


    The fights would draw attention.


    They needed to relocate to set up another ambush.


    Shit was fucked for all the amateurs out there.


    They were special forces.


    Each of them was a force multiplier worth multiple men.


    The slasher class wasn¡¯t a problem at Level 1. Zero compulsion to murder. That would eventually change. It was important they remained mindful of that and the need to focus on the right kinds of victims¡ª targets! He meant targets.


    On the other side of the city, closer to the southeast, two slashers faced-off inside a home turned into a slaughterhouse.


    Dead people lay in cruel iron bear traps.


    While others had been cut into ribbons¡­ rather they had been filleted.


    One slasher, a big, brawny bear of a man complete with a bushy tangle of a beard caked with blood and body parts, held a spiked bear trap on a chain in one hand and a skinning knife in the other. He was clad in thick animal furs as armor complete with a wolf¡¯s head over one shoulder.


    The second looked like an average man. Strong arms were hidden beneath long, cut resistant gloves. A thick leather apron covered his chest, hanging down to his knees. He wore a red-splattered, white surgical mask over his mouth and nose. He wielded a large cleaver in one hand and a long, curved fillet knife in the other. Other implements were within reach at his belt.


    ¡°I reckon it seems like we¡¯d make a good pair,¡± the first said.


    The second nodded.


    ¡°You trap the prey¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ª and you butcher them.¡±


    ¡°Until it¡¯s down to us two?¡± The second raised a brow.


    ¡°I ain¡¯t the greedy sort, son.¡± The first shrugged. ¡°Reckon 2nd place ain¡¯t so bad when the rewards are already this good. ¡®Sides, you and me are in the top ten, but we¡¯re quite a ways away from them¡¯s at the top. Let¡¯s even them odds up?¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Shake on it?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Verbal agreement it is then.¡± The trapper grinned. ¡°So, how we gonna split this lot up? I reckon I kilt more of em. I¡¯m willin¡¯ to go halfsies as a sign of good faith.¡±


    ¡°No. You keep what you killed and I keep mine. I don¡¯t cheat on my cuts. They have to be fair,¡± the butcher said.


    ¡°Alright, well, I reckon we should work quick, in case any o¡¯ them heavy hitters are on the way. I get more out of ¡®em if I skins ¡®em proper like. Gonna need ¡®em skins for the competition. Never know when I¡¯ll get more.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the same for me. I gain more when the carcasses are properly prepared.¡±


    ¡°Shit! You ain¡¯t one of ¡®em cannibals, ain¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± the butcher said. ¡°That¡¯s disgusting.¡±


    ¡°What do ya do with ¡®em meat?¡±


    ¡°I leave them or sell them to cannibals if they happen to be nearby.¡±


    ¡°Meat Parade?¡±


    ¡°Not these days. I haven¡¯t dealt with one of those in a long time. Just cannibals not cannibals. Although, some of my more regular customers have gained the class.¡±


    ¡°Seems like there¡¯s a valuable market I ain¡¯t tapped into,¡± the trapper mused.


    ¡°Well, if we¡¯re both alive after this, I¡¯ll introduce you to my clients. I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll appreciate more fresh meat.¡± The butcher¡¯s smile didn¡¯t reach his eyes.


    <hr>


    It was a race for points.


    The city burned the first night.


    Newly christened slashers fought in the way they knew.


    Larger groups, like mercenary companies, marauders and the like attacked the closest neighborhoods to their arrival locations or each other if they crossed paths.


    Smaller groups, like adventuring bands avoided the larger groups and stronger neighborhoods while searching for good targets.


    Monsters feast in the chaos.


    The locals were divided.


    Some neighborhoods banded together temporarily, but others saw the opportunity to settle old grudges.


    Then there were those that saw a quick path to power. These joined the Slashers¡¯ Spree and with their new class turned on their own people.


    The true slashers slipped unnoticed underneath it all.


    The scents of smoke and iron mingled in the air. Bangs rattled windows, while bright lights illuminated the darkness.


    It went on through the night all the way to dawn when the sun¡¯s rays chased away death for a time.


    People bunkered down where they could to rest and deal with their wounds.


    The unlucky dead were left on the streets for the monsters and monstrous men.


    The lucky ones were burned in great pyres by their loved ones.


    Within a day the smoke had shrouded the entire city in a thick, dark cloud.


    Some would¡¯ve preferred to bury the dead, but the voice coming from speakers somewhere in the sky warned of a high level necromancer among the slashers.


    The first week was as the first night.


    The weaker fell, strengthening their killers.


    What was left of weaker neighborhoods had no recourse but to hide in the ruins of their homes or flee to those that still stood strong. Some found shelter, tenuous as it was, but most only found the quick death of a bullet or a spell as they pleaded in the shadows of makeshift walls.


    Rumors had spread of slashers pretending to be one of the desperate and harmless to get inside a neighborhood or a building.


    They could all see it.


    Those slashers gaining points at the top of the list. Their kill lists growing each time the spires updated the scores.


    One week in and it was becoming clear that the slasher¡¯s side was winning.


    Oh, the locals had reaped a toll of their own, but the vast majority of their kills had come from the new slashers. Thus, they hadn¡¯t been nearly worth as many points.


    A slasher at Level 1-10 was worth a base of 5 points, plus whatever their other classes were worth. Those at the top were truly frightening. Level 40, possibly even Level 50. The former started at a base points value of 5000, while the latter started at 50000.


    It was obvious that for any chance at victory those slashers needed to be taken out.


    Lindsay Taylor. A picture of a fat clown. A friendly smile on his painted face. A lie. He had the longest kill list. From the victims it appeared that he had murdered an entire neighborhood and an apartment building in the first week. Ladies, gentlemen and children of all ages. None had been spared.


    The slasher clown was worth the most points, thus everyone plotted his death. Out of greed or out of the desire to save future lives? It didn¡¯t really matter, did it? So long as the monster in the skin of a man was destroyed.


    If only they could figure out his preferred victim type, perhaps they could set a trap?


    Holly Foster was second. Her picture revealed a plain-looking, young woman. Though a closer look in her eyes suggested something like a shark. Her kill list revealed other slashers as her preferred victim type. Low, mid or high level, it didn¡¯t matter, each one had the class. That made her a target for both sides.


    One interesting bit was the death of one of the highest leveled slashers on the first day.


    Mitchell Graham. A big, hulking man wearing a blood-splatted old-style hockey goalie mask and wielding a notched machete drenched in browns and reds.


    Taken out by a team of 7.


    The locals didn¡¯t recognize them, which meant they were one of the outside groups.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    The remaining slashers marked them as a threat and as valuable points since they now held Mitchell¡¯s and those of several lower level slashers.


    Perhaps, the worst aspect of the Slashers¡¯ Spree was the world event page. Specifically, the ability to send messages. One could post taunts to a general forum or directly to individual people. There were no limits. Everyone part of the contest was fair game, which was everyone in the city.


    Children received nightly videos of the clown, Lindsay Taylor, performing clownish antics. Parents and guardians caught on too slow because the slasher clown had promised to kill the children and their families first if they didn¡¯t watch or told anyone. It wasn¡¯t until the end of the first weak that they found out and all children were forbidden from accessing the world event page.


    Hard-eyed men and women threw out challenges.


    Crazy-eyed men and women accepted.


    It always turned out to be an ambush on both sides.


    Only the most insane went into them on good faith and sometimes they were strong or dangerous enough to emerge with the points.


    People put out calls, promising to protect and defend.


    Like the woman, Hayden Webb in her futuristic-looking armor asking people to go to the parks on the water near Coal Harbour if they were capable or to message if they weren¡¯t.


    Many an ambush had failed.


    For none were yet understood the nature of the death that hid above the thick smoke.


    It was a doubled-edged sword to reach out in that way.


    One could gain advantages, but one also revealed themselves. Gave others insight into concrete things like their location or into nebulous things like how their mind worked.


    The risk was greatest for Hayden as she became the face of those that would deny the slashers their victims.


    It wasn¡¯t be long before the strongest and most dangerous began plotting her permanent removal.


    <hr>


    Alin hadn¡¯t done much during the first week of the murder event aside from helping Fabricator Stone Lake 23571 and his mom make projectiles for the Raynanaut¡¯s recoilless guns.


    They churned through a lot of ammo providing close air support for Hayden and her team, as well as the desperate people trying to flee the murderers and monsters to get to the north end of the city and the little fort in the parks.


    Accuracy was the name of the game, which meant they couldn¡¯t use their more powerful weapons.


    He had barely any time to speak with Kat or one of his friends because everyone had been needed to take a turn at the guns.


    From what they had said it had been nerve wracking picking out the right targets amidst all the chaos as people ran for the lives pursued by murderers and monsters. All the while everyone was fighting everyone in the desperate soup.


    He was loading the fabricator with raw iron when his ear piece beeped.


    ¡°Goldenspoon, you and your mom busy?¡± Captain Molds said.


    ¡°Making bullets, like usual, sir. You need us?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got an apartment building full of people begging for help. Need extra muscle on the ground for the pick up.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll ask her, but I¡¯ll go.¡±


    ¡°Awesome. Maybe bring the Threnosh.¡±


    ¡°Um, sure, I¡¯ll ask.¡±


    The captain must¡¯ve seen the fabricator¡¯s many tool-bearing arms coming out of the hump on the back of their power armor and mistaken them for weapons.


    Sure, the cutting lasers, saws and drills could do some damage, but that wasn¡¯t their purpose.


    He found his mom on the other side of the hanger.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t she just ask me directly?¡±


    ¡°Dunno,¡± he shrugged.


    Probably cause rangers under a certain age found his mom kinda scary.


    It was the stories from the older rangers.


    X-Ray hadn¡¯t been shy with sharing the tale about the time a tiny woman swatted him across a few city block like he was a home run ball. The man was long gone. Killed by the Slaver King. But others had picked up the telling. It was what the rangers did for every name on their wall because one day they¡¯d be on there too.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll go. How about you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going.¡±


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s armor up.¡±


    He went to his armor¡¯s bay while his mom said something to the fabricator he didn¡¯t catch.


    The Raynanaut descended out of the dark smoke, cutting through with its dagger-like shape.


    Bullets opened up from multiple buildings.


    Spells arced.


    Helping cost them their anonymity.


    The skyship took everything on her heavily armored hide.


    She answered back with quiet fire.


    Projectiles whistled down, a rain of metal death to silence the rising storm.


    ¡°What¡¯s the deal with this place?¡± Alin whispered while they waited for the shooting to stop.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know,¡± Kat whispered.


    The ranger squad was in full kit.


    Plate and chain. Threnium helmet, chest and back plates. Steel for the rest. Unpowered armor. The powered kind were too expensive. The entirety of Rayna¡¯s Rangers had 5 they only broke out for the most desperate times.


    Kat¡¯s was styled to look like ancient samurai armor complete with a snarling oni faceplate.


    Ranger command didn¡¯t care about everyone looking the same. They provided standard gear for free, but if one wanted to customize they they could do so out of their own funds. The custom gear just needed to meet minimum performance standards.


    Songbird cleared her throat.


    She was part of the bridge crew as a junior officer. Basically, she filled in wherever the captain needed her. Hence her presence as the landing party¡¯s overall commander, even if Ranger Morningstar, the elder, not Luzi, was the squad leader.


    ¡°Hayden passed us a message from the people down there,¡± she said. ¡°They went into siege mode, but people started turning up dead in their rooms. Sometimes a wife or husband would wake up to a dead spouse right next to them in bed. Doors locked. Windows closed. No signs of forced entry. People dead in the hallways or stairwells. A guard dead at the gate, but their partner was fine and didn¡¯t even notice. All with a slit throat or a bullet in the head.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    That sounded like a slasher alright.


    Which meant they were in the building, which meant¡ª


    ¡°We¡¯re going to screen them with spells and Skills. The murderer isn¡¯t getting on board. If they try, then they¡¯re dead,¡± Songbird said.


    ¡°Thanks, um, sorry, I¡¯ve been out of the loop.¡±


    ¡°No worries. You guys are, like, the most important people on the ship. We¡¯re burning through basic projectile ammo faster than we projected.¡±


    He didn¡¯t mention that they were down to about a fourth of the raw iron they had brought with them.


    They were going to have to start weighing the risks of scavenging.


    The thumps coming from outside stopped.


    Songbird nodded at a voice only she could hear.


    ¡°Captain says it¡¯s time.¡±


    Her voice was steady.


    The ramp lowered onto the building¡¯s roof.


    Shield-bearing rangers went first.


    The rest followed.


    They went to the stairwell and placed magitech shield generators, creating a mostly protected path to the ramp.


    The door slowly opened to reveal scared-looking faces.


    ¡°Stay right there!¡± Ranger Morningstar barked. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you when you can move!¡±


    ¡°Everyone¡¯s lined up and ready, like Hayden¡¯s message said!¡± a middle-aged woman said. Her eyes had dark bags under them.


    ¡°Single file? Against the wall?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Good woman. Listen up. We¡¯re just making sure you guys don¡¯t catch strays. Then we¡¯ll start the boarding process. Name, age and classes under truth spells and Skills. Don¡¯t want to answer? You¡¯re not getting aboard. Fail? You¡¯re not getting aboard.¡±


    ¡°We understand.¡±


    ¡°Kids first.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± she nodded tiredly.


    Alin watched and listened from just inside the Raynanaut with Songbird, Kat and his mom.


    His mom made a noise.


    Songbird¡¯s eyes widened a moment later.


    ¡°Um, looks like we¡¯ve got incoming. Scanners are picking up a lot of movement, but not much heat,¡± she said.


    ¡°Heads up guys. My detect undead just pinged,¡± one of the rangers on the roof said through the comms. The man was an old hand that had been there since the days of the San Diego Undead War. ¡°All directions.¡±


    Alin tapped into the Raynanaut¡¯s cameras.


    Their human opponents had been mostly shut down by the skyship¡¯s accurate and heavier firepower.


    ¡°Um, ma¡¯am?¡± Songbird ventured.


    ¡°Yes, sweetie,¡± his mom said.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to use our heavier stuff on the bigger, more powerful undead, but the captain¡¯s wondering if you and Goldenspoon wouldn¡¯t mind heading down to keep the faster ones from, uh, ¡®snacking on the back of the line¡¯? Her words exactly. Another squad is on the way to back you up if you need it.¡±


    ¡°Tell her that will be fine. And don¡¯t worry about us. Once you¡¯ve got everyone on board take off. We¡¯ll catch up.¡±


    God!


    His mom said all in the same tone she used when she was leaving him baking instructions.


    He wished he was as nonchalant.


    As it was, his palms were kinda getting sweaty inside his gloves.


    Fortunately, the Threnosh undersuit wicked it away almost immediately.


    He followed his mom to the edge of the rooftop.


    A bullet plinked off her helmet.


    She ignored it as she rested her baseball bat-like club on her shoulder and checked the straps on her round shield.


    ¡°Mom¡­ you should block with the shield.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll try to remember. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    She jumped five stories down to the street.


    He followed.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to hit and run around the block. That¡¯ll keep the undead from focusing on the building.¡±


    They were coming down the street.


    Zombie-types.


    A mix of people and monster corpses.


    The necromancer had to be high level if there were this many and this was only one street. The scans and the Skill had indicated they were coming from multiple directions.


    ¡°The necromancer will have to make an appearance if she wants to direct them into the building, which she will because she¡¯ll realize we¡¯re too tough to easily crack.¡±


    She¡¯d be after the people. For points and to add to her undead army.


    ¡°Take the shot if you get one.¡±


    His heart hammered in his chest.


    Fighting on ground level surrounded by enemies wasn¡¯t the same as fighting from the top of a wall surrounded by friends and allies or fighting in a well-oiled squad where everyone had each other¡¯s backs.


    Plus, it was his mom.


    He was simultaneously worried for her safety and worried about embarrassing her by being not good enough.


    They ran.


    Only his power armor allowed him to keep up with his mom¡¯s superhuman body.


    She leapt like a graceful gazelle while clubbing zombies and running over them with her shield like an angry rhino.


    He followed with accurate brain shots thanks to the auto-targeting system and sliced through putrid flesh like a hot knife through butter with his ever-shifting multi-weapon.


    Fingers and claws grasped their limbs but couldn¡¯t hold on for long before they were torn off.


    It was on the tenth circuit that his mom pointed out something farther down a side street.


    ¡°Boy, do you see them?¡±


    He zoomed in on the targets she had highlighted for him.


    ¡°Are those?¡±


    Fishmen.


    He had never seen them in person out in the wild, so to speak.


    Only knew about them through stories, pictures and videos¡­ oh, and mindscape training, so, in a way he had seen them in person. Those hadn¡¯t been real scale and blood beings, but close enough.


    These fishmen were messed up.


    They looked dry. Their scales didn¡¯t have that healthy, iridescent shine.


    Also, there were chunks missing from their bodies, bones were exposed. Blood had dried long ago.


    ¡°We¡¯re detouring.¡±


    Shit! What?


    His mom cut an abrupt angle against the street, slicing the sharp edge of her shield across the bloated belly of the huge undead monster thing blocking their way.


    It looked like one of the big gremlins, but it was hard to tell on account of the swelling.


    ¡°Aww¡­ gross, Mom!¡±


    She left the putrid contents of the thing¡¯s guts to splash across his path.


    Sure, he just jumped over it, but some got on his lower legs.


    ¡°What are we doing?¡±


    ¡°Keep them off me. I need to get samples.¡±


    So said, his mom bashed her way through the undead throng all the way to the small group of undead fishmen.


    She clubbed them to death¡­ again.


    Then started scraping bits of them into small tubes.


    He turned his multi-weapon into a whip, whirling it overhead, slicing the tops of undead domes off.


    The mass that had been chasing him came up the street so he hit them with riot control micromissiles from his retractable shoulder launcher.


    They exploded across the leading edge of the undead, filling the street with rapidly expanding sticky foam that rose to about chest height.


    He switched the loadout to explosive micromissiles for the undead coming down the street from the other side.


    And that was that for the micromissiles.


    Undead started coming out of the buildings on both sides.


    He emptied his recoilless submachine gun, putting shots in brains or what was left of them.


    Fortunately, this necromancer seemed to need most of the corpses brains intact because they didn¡¯t get up.


    That took care of the left side.


    For the right, he deployed the magitech flamethrower from the underside of his right gauntlet. It only had enough mana for about 30 seconds of continuous use, so he pulsed it across the storefronts.


    ¡°Um, any day now, Mom!¡±


    He speared two burning corpses with his multi-weapon. Withdrew it, then chopped across their necks, followed by a slash on the back swing.


    That cleared their space, but the undead were beginning to climb over the foam using the bodies of other undead as a floor.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m done,¡± his mom said. ¡°Good job. How are you on ammo?¡±


    ¡°No more missiles. Flamethrower¡¯s out. Out of ammo with my gun. Haven¡¯t used my back gun. Multi-weapon¡¯s good. Plenty of power for the force emitters.¡±


    Their comms beeped.


    ¡°Goldenspoon, um, Mrs¡­ ma¡¯am. We¡¯re almost done here. You guys should come back,¡± Songbird said.


    They jumped and climbed to get to the rooftops. Then leapt across to the apartment building.


    The undead were pouring inside and ignored them for the most part as they ascended.


    The Raynanaut climbed slowly into the sky.


    Songbird waved from the open ramp.


    Alin followed his mom as they engaged their jump jets to catch up.


    ¡°Mom, what was with those fishmen?¡±


    They headed back to the hanger.


    ¡°A hunch.¡±


    ¡°Do you think they¡¯re in here with us? But they¡¯re not on any of the lists. I mean, monsters aren¡¯t, but fishmen are technically a sapient species.¡±


    ¡°The spires can change rules whenever it wants. But, let¡¯s not worry until we get these looked at.¡± She held up the tubes filled with disgusting fishman bits.


    The Quest to rescue the apartment building¡¯s people had gone without a hitch.


    They all got the chimes and their rewards.


    It was a short flight to the north and Hayden¡¯s park fort.


    The off-boarding process went well and the Raynanaut was back on guard duty above the smoke clouds when things went bad.

 9.18

    ¡°C¡¯mon guys¡­ I¡¯m trying to help you out here¡­¡±


    Nicholas List, lieutenant, US Combined Armed Forces, Death¡¯s Dancer when on mission, had removed his American flag skull mask.


    There were a lot of slashers with some variation on the skull facemask or helmet.


    The neighborhood militia had guns, wands and fingers pointed his way.


    The only reason they hadn¡¯t fired again was the handful of guys down, non-lethally, around his boots. Plus, he had already taken a few shots. They¡¯d torn holes in his clothes, but had bounced off his chestplate and bulletproof skin.


    ¡°Look, some of you check the world event page. You¡¯ll find me on your side, not theirs. ¡®Nicholas List¡¯.¡±


    He watched a few eyes glaze over.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± a hard-eyed old woman said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard rumors about Lindsay Taylor, the fat clown at the top of the slashers scoreboard, sending kids messages. I was hoping they could try sharing them with me. I¡¯m looking for the bastard. Could use some clues.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t work that way. Direct messages can¡¯t be shared. We¡¯ve tried.¡±


    ¡°Then, can I talk to them? Ask some questions?¡±


    A loud pop came from the south, not too far away.


    The neighborhood had been pretty quiet since a burst of violence at about the same time Death¡¯s Dancer had sneaked over the makeshift wall.


    ¡°Anything they can remember about what¡¯s in the background of his videos.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve already tried that. We got nothing except forcing our kids to relive the trauma. If you really want to help then stay out of our neighborhood and keep watch outside. Stop the clown before he can murder us all.¡±


    ¡°Meanwhile he goes elsewhere and murders those people.¡±


    ¡°Either they get fucked or we do.¡±


    Death¡¯s Dancer put his skull mask on.


    ¡°Send me a message if he attacks. I can¡¯t promise anything, but I¡¯ll try to make it in time.¡±


    With that he leapt over the houses.


    The super jump carried him a few blocks away.


    A mutated bird swooped from his blind spot, but he twisted, grabbing it by the neck and snapping it before it could even squawk.


    More monsters waited down below.


    He scattered them with a feathery missile.


    Short spears came out in a flash.


    He headed to the rendezvous point, leaving death in his wake.


    Hopefully, the eidolon had more luck.


    The high end slashers had been killing too many people, gaining too many points.


    Every kid that turned up on the kill list was like a blade in the gut.


    He had orders, but maybe it was time to reach out to some of the other people going after slashers and protecting the locals. There were a few recognizable names and faces. Some he seemed to vaguely remember from the slavery thing. Some he only knew about through dubious intel scouting reports.


    His thoughts turned to the world outside the hazy barrier keeping Vancouver isolated.


    No Relentless. No other guy he always struggled to remember. None of the really heavy hitters had made it into the city.


    They would¡¯ve acted by now if they had.


    Which meant those other world events must¡¯ve been just as bad or worse.


    He wondered how, Rico, Lt. Johnny, and the team were doing.


    The last communication they left at the dead drop had said that they were going to also turn their hunt to the clown.


    ¡°Shit¡­¡±


    He was getting bad vibes about the fat fuck.


    Judging by the slasher¡¯s kill list, he entered a neighborhood or building and killed almost everyone inside.


    The survivors didn¡¯t last long.


    Either monsters killed them or other slashers did.


    Disgusting bunch of vultures.


    Back at the neighborhood Death¡¯s Dancer had just left Alcaestus stood with his hands raised.


    The towering eidolon gave them his best wandering hero smile.


    Bullets littered the road around his sandals.


    He waited patiently while a runner went to fetch one of the neighborhood¡¯s leaders.


    The fact that he didn¡¯t hear any fighting inside the makeshift walls suggested that the lieutenant had achieved some level of success.


    Not much or inconclusive, judging by the fact that he was still standing amidst the rotting carcasses of monsters and spent bullets.


    The varying rates of decay indicated that the neighborhood had been under siege since the beginning of the Slashers¡¯ Spree.


    The newest corpse were his doing.


    Unfortunate that the people didn¡¯t accept his gesture of good will and display of strength.


    An old woman appeared on the wall and fixed him with a flinty glare.


    He made the proper introduction.


    Stated his name.


    Why he was there.


    He didn¡¯t mention anything about Adras and the other Gods.


    Experience had taught him that Earthians didn¡¯t tend to be receptive to such discourse. Rather than be intrigued, they viewed him with suspicion at best and hostility at worse.


    ¡°You with that American killer?¡±


    ¡°Yes, loosely, we move apart so as to cover more ground and help more communities like your own. I take it you have accept our offer?¡±


    ¡°No. Sent him packing.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ unfortunate. We only want to save lives and slay the evil ones.¡±


    She regarded him.


    He had tamped down on the divinity emanating from his body so as to avoid making them think that he was purposefully manipulating them to his side.


    No one across the worlds appreciated being manipulated by an outside force.


    She regarded the piles of fresh-killed monsters.


    ¡°What will it take to get you to protect us?¡±


    ¡°I protect all that are in need. Such is the way of Adras and all his faithful.¡±


    ¡°I meant, just us. We¡¯ll pay you to stick around and do¡­ that.¡± She spread her arms to encompass the carcass-littered street.


    ¡°I cannot. There are many like you that need protection. If you are in grave danger send me a direct message and I will come with all the divine strength of Adras, strongest of the Gods, in my blood.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what the American said. No use in begging,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°Do not let fear seep into your hearts. Fear gives you the opportunity to be brave¡ª¡±


    ¡°Save the lectures, young man. We know that. We¡¯ve been brave for over a week. It isn¡¯t bravery we¡¯re running low on.¡±


    ¡°Ah, I understand. Perhaps, I may be able to procure said supplies. Of what are you in need?¡±


    She gave a bitter laugh.


    ¡°Everything. But, if you¡¯re legit. Then ammo and mana potions are at the top of the list. Followed by medical stuff. We¡¯re good on water and food.¡±


    The list was the same at the other settlements he had visited.


    Experienced fighters understood how quickly ammunition was depleted in a battle.


    It was a testament to the Earthians preparedness that they were only running low after a week of nearly round the clock battle.


    ¡°I shall do my best to bring you the aid you need. On my name as Adras¡¯ Will.¡± He banged fist to chest, creating a resounding thud that echoed across the city.


    ¡°If you¡¯re for real, then we¡¯d appreciate it.¡± The old woman¡¯s gaze softened as her shoulder sagged slightly from her stiff-backed stance. ¡°We¡¯ll be sending that message to you and that American if the clown shows up. I can only pray that you¡¯re good for your word.¡±


    ¡°We shall keep it, lest we have already been felled.¡±


    Al would try, but the strongest slashers could work with surprising quickness. Even with his speed and leaping ability. It might take over a minute to arrive. And that could be an eternity for the slasher and their victims.


    The eidolon and the soldier met in a gun store a few kilometers away from the neighborhood.


    ¡°No luck?¡± Death¡¯s Dancer said.


    ¡°Just as it was for you,¡± Alcaestus said.


    The eidolon had to turn sideways and duck to get inside.


    Death¡¯s Dancer had already pulled several boxes of ammunition from the back of the store.


    ¡°Figures. Must be something about my face that isn¡¯t trustworthy.¡±


    ¡°And mine.¡±


    ¡°Nah, your face is fine. Big, dumb smile all the time. It¡¯s cause you¡¯re huge¡­ and the lavender skin and purple hair might be a little weird.¡±


    Alcaestus grunted as he went to the back and emerged with more boxes.


    They had claimed the store several days ago and were spending their own points to replenish the stock to full each night in preparation.


    ¡°You think this¡¯ll buy enough good will to get some cooperation?¡±


    ¡°If not trust, then the desire to remain armed will inspire more.¡±


    ¡°Not much time left though. Just about three weeks left and the closer it gets to the end the worse those murderers are going to be.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a hunter. Though of the wild lands, not of cities. Predators are a cautious lot until they are driven to desperation. These slashers are like them in a sense, though their greed will push them take risks greater than even the oldest, hungriest razor cat in the forest.¡±


    ¡°Well, if we get desperate then we can try your bait plan.¡±


    ¡°Your worth in points isn¡¯t that far off from mine, friend.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re obviously the better target.¡±


    ¡°Agreed. It would simplify things if they would just cooperate and attack me as I walk slowly through the city.¡±


    Death¡¯s Dancer laughed.


    ¡°Should¡¯ve made a better show of it rather than crushing the first few morons that tried you. Even the dumber ones are going to be wary now.¡±


    They ferried boxes of ammunition out of the back until the front of the store was full.


    It didn¡¯t take them long since both could lift tons with ease the only limiting factor was how many boxes they could fit in their arms and through the door.


    ¡°I shall bring what was promised to the neighborhood we just visited,¡± Al said.


    ¡°Cool. I guess I can take few boxes to the one on the way to the dead drop,¡± Death¡¯s Dancer said. ¡°Then I¡¯m going hunting tonight. You?¡±


    ¡°I shall do the same.¡±


    ¡°Might reach out to those people.¡±


    ¡°A wise decision. They appear to be pursuing the same goals as us. The herd often finds safety in numbers. Perhaps, we should attempt to persuade the weaker settlements to head north to that fort on the river.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, bro. Everywhere¡¯s basically a death zone. Easy for someone like us, but noncombatants? Women? Kids?¡±


    ¡°They have vehicles. If they don¡¯t have enough, we can bring them more. Then it¡¯s a simple matter of escorting them like guardian dogs.¡±


    ¡°The roadblocks¡­¡±


    ¡°We both have the strength to break them down quickly.¡±


    ¡°Stopping for even a second could mean death.¡±


    ¡°That is also true.¡±


    ¡°Hence, reaching out. They appear to have a way to transport people from the looks of it.¡±


    ¡°You seek my approval? I¡¯m not opposed. And I hold no command over you.¡±


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Death¡¯s Dancer shrugged. ¡°I have orders not to make contact.¡±


    ¡°What do I care for those?¡±


    ¡°If they came from the Eidolon of Sunor?¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t speak of them to me. Thus, it¡¯s irrelevant.¡±


    ¡°They didn¡¯t. I was just checking.¡±


    ¡°My orders, if you would call them that, are simple. ¡®Do as you will¡¯.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m jealous.¡±


    Al held up a fist.


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    ¡°I hear monsters approaching.¡±


    He beat Death¡¯s Dancer to it.


    They ran on rough pads and claws that clicked on the road.


    ¡°Right, you heard them first, so they¡¯re all yours.¡±


    Al heard the grin behind the mask as Death¡¯s Dancer vanished from even his sight.


    Not so from his ears as the man¡¯s steps, though soft for their size, scuffed the cheap carpet.


    The eidolon smashed the monsters then headed to make the first of his deliveries.


    The Earthians would soon know great thanks that the very servant of a God had deigned to grant them a boon.


    <hr>


    The cultists had set up their little sacrificial circle in the basement of a firehouse.


    They never got to use it because Howard and his team got lucky and caught them bringing the first victims back in the dead of night.


    Shits had used the chaos of a free-for-all at an apartment building to sneak in and out with a couple of kids and one baby.


    It stuck a bit in Howard¡¯s craw that he was the slowest and least stealthy member of his team.


    Fortunately, the cultists were even worse.


    They were too excited to bring their victims to notice the five shadows following them through the dark city streets only illuminated by the periodic flashes of light from explosions.


    Dancessassin hit first, coming out of tree¡¯s shadow to slice in a whirl of blade and claws right through the middle of the cultist formation.


    Black Cat pounced from a rooftop, crushing a cultist before shredding others with his claws like a black-furred blender. The kid had real claws unlike Howard¡¯s glorified finger nails. The hybrid was also stronger, quicker, more agile, better in every physical way really.


    Shootystabby flickered in and cut the cultists carrying the kids while Twice Clever Fox ran in with that spinning, flipping, flowing movie martial arts crap, yet somehow came out of the scrum with all three kids in her arms.


    The fox-masked woman stepped into the sky to take the kids to the shuttle.


    They¡¯d have to wait and see if the kids still had parents to bring them back to.


    Just like that, 20 dark robed cultists were done and dusted.


    ¡°ID. later.¡± Howard kicked the door of the firehouse open and swept his semi-auto, sawed-off shotgun across the darkness.


    He sniffed.


    The iron tang was coming from behind him. All he got from the inside was the scent of old and dusty.


    ¡°Stabby, Black Cat, upstairs. Dancessassin, you and me are going down.¡±


    He saw the weird circle in the middle of the basement right away.


    It was hard to make out details in the dark despite his natural night vision and the helmet¡¯s enhanced visual modes, so he turned on the lights.


    Twin beams opened from the sides of his helmet.


    Dancessassin shied away.


    Her cloak wasn¡¯t a fan of the light.


    ¡°Record.¡±


    He deliberately panned his gaze across the small, shallow pit dug out of the concrete.


    ¡°It looks like they used the concrete and rocks from elsewhere to make the pillars. Does this look familiar to you?¡±


    Magic writing always looked like gibberish to him. It wasn¡¯t that he couldn¡¯t understand it because he was ignorant and hadn¡¯t made an effort to learn what symbols meant. It was because they were an ever-shifting array of lines, shapes, squiggles that sometimes resembled letters and pictures.


    ¡°Like the other places,¡± Dancessassin said.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, we need to record those cultists faces.¡±


    It was their first lead on the sacrificial circles that the boss had first come across in Tokyo.


    ¡°Should¡¯ve taken one alive.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ yeah we should¡¯ve. That¡¯s on me.¡±


    ¡°Next time.¡±


    Howard filmed the dead cultists and took DNA samples before they burned the bodies.


    The only notable thing on them was the scarification on their bodies.


    A lot of crosses and crosses surrounded by halos or rings of fire.


    Some looked to be brand new.


    Probably, some sick shit, like, they carved one each time the went out to do ¡®God¡¯s¡¯ will or some nonsense.


    Fucking sanctimonious bastards. Always using God to excuse getting off on their evil.


    He would¡¯ve left them there for the monsters, but he couldn¡¯t risk it. Nor take them all the way to the coroner¡¯s office or one of the morgues to put in a freezer for future investigation. Not with a necromancer roaming around. Best to turn them into ash.


    As for the three kids?


    Well¡­ they turned out to be the lucky ones in a sense.


    They were alive, but their families were dead.


    Their home was ablaze as people killed people on the streets while monsters went after all.


    Howard did the only thing he could.


    He dropped them off in Hayden¡¯s lap.


    Then it was back in the shuttle to look for that fucking clown.


    ¡°I got something on the message boards,¡± Wet said. ¡°Neighborhoods in the southeast corner, between a park and the beach. Its a clusterfuck.¡±


    ¡°When ain¡¯t it one of those, eh?¡± Howard grunted.


    ¡°Soldiers fighting soldiers and something about the ¡®Commies¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ haven¡¯t heard that one in a while.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not the clown¡¯s style,¡± Dayana said. ¡°But, any of the weaker slashers would love to sneak in under the chaos. Or we might find more of that cult.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m hopeful there are no more of those. Fanatics are the worst opponent for they do not know when they are beaten,¡± Twice Clever Fox said.


    ¡°Marian?¡± Howard called to the cockpit.


    ¡°Yeah, boss?¡±


    ¡°Take us there.¡±


    ¡°On it.¡±


    The shuttle lurched as the thrusters fired once then shut off.


    Float stones meant it didn¡¯t need its engines on to stay in the sky.


    They reached the war zone in a few minutes.


    <hr>


    Kat and Songbird found the first dead body about 15 minutes after the last person they had rescued from the apartment building had stepped off the ramp down to Hayden¡¯s park fort.


    The latter was doing one last walk-through of the cargo area they had put the people in for the short flight for any stragglers or stowaways while the former watched her back.


    Blood dripped out of a storage locker down to the metal floor.


    The body tumbled out as Songbird opened the locker.


    A moment of shocked silence came over them.


    ¡°Checking files.¡± Songbird said. ¡°Got a match. Travis Brunson. We just picked him up. I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    Kat spoke urgently into the general channel.


    ¡°This is Ranger Sword Weeb. Emergency alert. Dead body discovered in Cargo Bay 1. Sending image.¡±


    ¡°This is your captain. Lockdown protocols are in effect. All rangers to their stations. Full kit. Buddy system in effect. Squads begin sweep for intruders.¡±


    The captain¡¯s voice swept over the comms without hesitation.


    ¡°Songbird, Sword Weeb,¡± the captain said to the two of them. ¡°Get out of there and watch the doors until one of the squads reaches you. Fall back to the nearest station if the threat presents itself.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡±


    They exited the cargo bay cautiously.


    Kat moved her katana from her back to her waist. The magnetic locking system made it easy. She kept her carbine at the ready.


    The corridor meant they only had two avenues of approach to worry about.


    ¡°Back to back?¡± Songbird had her pistol in her hands and a short blade at her belt.


    ¡°Sounds good.¡±


    Kat¡¯s heart hammered in her chest as she kept one eye on the small map in the corner of her HUD tracking the ID. tags of the other rangers as they made their way to her position.


    Combat with monsters was one thing, but this was with what had to be a high level slasher if they were able to get on board undetected.


    On the other side of the ship in the fully-equipped gourmet kitchen Sous-chef Brianna held the emergency shotgun in sweaty hands. She had cause to regret signing up all to speed up her progress to a full chef.


    Cook Terrence, not Terry, stood at her back with his personal pistol. Like the vast majority of people they had basic combat training and had even spent a good amount of time on the walls shooting at monsters.


    However, not all combat situations were equal.


    As the few non-ranger crew on the skyship lockdown protocols for them meant staying in their quarters and locking the doors or staying where they were and locking the doors.


    The kitchen had two doors.


    One out the back to the service tunnel leading to the cargo bays and one at the front to the mess hall.


    She peeked through the window to remind herself that they weren¡¯t alone.


    Rangers F-light¡ª she refused to say his full name after she had learned what it referred to¡ª and Diamond Hands. Two men, one as young as her and one as old as her grandfather.


    ¡°There should be rangers watching the back door,¡± Terrence hissed.


    It was high stress, life or death situations that reminded her how young he really was.


    ¡°The door is solid metal with multiple deadbolts. Plus, there are cameras everywhere. Anything tries it we¡¯ll know right away. Then the rangers can go take care of it.¡±


    ¡°Um, sure, just, uh, maybe you could face that way since you¡¯ve got the bigger gun, er, chef¡­ please?¡±


    Brianna gave the teen a curt nod.


    The ranger squad sweeping the starboard side of the skyship found a pair of dead bodies.


    Ranger Morningstar¡¯s eyes went cold.


    His first thought was of his sister.


    Luzi was adopted and annoying¡­ then again so was he to be honest¡­ regardless he took a moment to check on her and was relieved to see that she was still where she was at one of the port gunner¡¯s stations with other rangers.


    He switched to a channel just for command staff and the squad sweeping the port side.


    ¡°Two KIA. Bullet through the eye.¡± He checked their equipment. Most importantly, their comms gear hadn¡¯t been taken. ¡°Comms not compromised.¡±


    Ranger Strut and Ranger Mango hadn¡¯t been on duty so they weren¡¯t in full kit.


    They were armed, but their guns and clubs were still in their holsters.


    ¡°The shot detectors didn¡¯t pick up anything,¡± Ranger Jurassic, the bridge security officer, said.


    ¡°Review the tapes, sir. This is weird slasher bullcrap.¡±


    ¡°Will do. Continue your sweep sergeant.¡±


    ¡°What about Strut and Mango?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a camera on them. We¡¯ll grab them after you neutralize the threat.¡±


    ¡°Understood, continuing sweep.¡±


    The port side squad passed the gunner¡¯s station after confirming everything was green on the inside through hand signals through the window.


    Luzi went back to the others to fill them in.


    The rangers went back to their jobs. Just because lockdown protocols were on didn¡¯t mean they didn¡¯t need to man the weapons just in case they were needed.


    Luzi and Victor had just about finished their shift when the lockdown had forced them to stay. Since they were superfluous that meant they got to watch the door.


    ¡°Your brother¡¯s fine. We¡¯re only in yellow alert,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°I know¡ª¡±


    The siren suddenly blared as red lights flashed briefly.


    Back on the bridge Jurassic reviewed the video.


    It didn¡¯t make sense.


    Mango and Strut had come across a civilian.


    There was a conversation.


    The civilian calmly raised a silenced pistol and shot the rangers.


    They hadn¡¯t reacted at all.


    Plus, even a silenced pistol should¡¯ve been picked up by the shot detectors.


    Which, it had when he checked the log.


    The alert was right there.


    He had been sitting at his station at the time. He should¡¯ve noticed.


    Ranger Morningstar was right.


    Slasher bullshit!


    He told the captain, who hit the red alert.


    ¡°This is the captain speaking. Threat identified. Likely slasher. Small, slight man in a gray, three-piece business suit. Armed with a silenced pistol. Do not interact. Do not apprehend. Kill on sight. I repeat kill on sight.¡± Captain Molds shut the channel to address her bridge. ¡°Damn it! I¡¯m looking at a picture of him and I can¡¯t bring myself to give a more detailed description.¡±


    ¡°The spell detectors didn¡¯t go off, so it¡¯s probably a Skill. Mental influence or compulsion?¡± Jurassic said.


    ¡°Take us up to max altitude. Tell Hayden we can¡¯t provide overwatch until this is resolved. I want everyone on the cameras looking for this shit. Patch Mrs. Cruces into everything. Ask her if Threnosh tech can do anything about this. And have everyone get in full kit if they can.¡±


    The slasher could shoot a ranger in full armor all day with his little pistol.


    Gob and Lee were in the mess with six other rangers when the initial alarm went out.


    They were off duty so they headed for their quarters.


    The red alert had them reconsider their destination.


    A quick discussion sent them to the armory seeing as how the distance was about the same as to their quarters and they¡¯d feel much better about being in a closed environment with a slasher when they had full armor and better weapons than their sidearms.


    They ran into him in the corridor.


    A small, slight man in a gray suit.


    They couldn¡¯t pick up anything about his face aside from the round-rimmed glasses and a smile like a best friend¡¯s.


    The captain¡¯s orders had been clear.


    Yet, guns stayed in their holsters, hands off their weapons.


    ¡°Hi, excuse me, I seem to be lost,¡± the man said shyly.


    The captain¡¯s orders. The red alert. That there shouldn¡¯t have been random men roaming the skyship.


    Facts fled their thoughts.


    ¡°I¡¯m hoping you can point me in the direction of the, um, bridge¡­ that¡¯s what it¡¯s called right? Where you control this magnificent ship from? It is truly amazing! Like walking in a movie! I¡¯d love to hear more about it while you take me there.¡±


    He had walked right up to them.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s pretty cool. We¡¯ll take you to the bridge, but there¡¯s a lockdown,¡± Lee said.


    The rangers made room for the man so that they could keep him safe in the middle of their formation.


    It wouldn¡¯t do to expose one of their best friends, a civilian to possible danger.


    Gob ended up in the front of the formation listening to their friend¡¯s soothing voice.


    ¡°So, friend, how does this lockdown work?¡±


    ¡°Pretty standard. Doors are locked and they don¡¯t open them,¡± Lee said.


    ¡°Not even for you?¡±


    ¡°Nope. Not unless it¡¯s some kind of crazy emergency like there was a monster on us.¡±


    ¡°I noticed that not all doors have windows¡­ does the bridge¡¯s?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but the blast plates will probably be down.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ unfortunate that.¡±


    Gob heard a pop.


    He and Ranger Byte turned.


    Lee was slumped against the corridor wall.


    The pistol in their best friend¡¯s hand smoked.


    They made no move to draw their own weapons.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to find another way. Thank you fine young men and women for the brief escort. The information you shared may be useful.¡±


    Such a gentleman, their best friend was.


    The glasses glinted in the light as he leisurely took aim and placed a round in Ranger Shy Girl¡¯s eye.


    Then another in Ranger Pox¡¯s.


    ¡°I appear to be down to my last round. Your guns wouldn¡¯t happen to be in 9mm?¡±


    ¡°Sorry.¡± Gob felt bad for letting his best friend down by having a Glock chambered in .45 cal.


    Ranger Byte shook his head as well.


    ¡°Oh well¡­ maybe the next ones.¡±


    Their gentleman best friend drew a thin dagger, drawing a lazy line across Byte¡¯s neck.


    ¡°You, my friend, aren¡¯t worth much, but points are points. Imagine how many I¡¯ll get when I turn this magnificent flying ship¡¯s weapons on them.¡±


    Gob felt the sting. Followed by hot liquid pouring down his chest.


    ¡°You really shouldn¡¯t have taken my victims from me.¡±


    His body went limp.


    Black crept around the edges of his vision.


    The cold metal floor pressed on his cheek.


    Clarity jolted him.


    The gentleman wasn¡¯t a friend!


    What the hell!


    He clamped a hand around his throat.


    A Skill kept him alive longer than he should¡¯ve.


    He rolled over, couldn¡¯t talk, so he hit the panic button on his ear piece.


    Vision grew blurry as he saw the slasher walking down the corridor.


    Small, slight man in a gray business suit.


    He felt for his Glock.


    Drew it, aimed with a shaking arm and squeezed the trigger just as his vision finally went black.

 9.19

    Down in the hanger Alin saw it in his HUD. Three dots went from green to black. Two went red. Then only one remained.


    ¡°Mom! Lee¡ª Gob¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know, Boy.¡± His mom turned. ¡°You¡¯re authorized to engaged,¡± she said to nothing.


    ¡°We have to¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know. Lock this place down. No one in or out unless it¡¯s one of us.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Fabricator Stone Lake 23571 said.


    ¡°Boy, use your power,¡± his mom said.


    ¡°What? I can¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes you can. Find the slasher. Drain them if you can. If you can¡¯t do that then do your best to confuse them.¡± His mom didn¡¯t wait for an answer. ¡°Captain Molds,¡± she spoke into the comms. ¡°Ranger Goldenspoon will be using his power. Open all vents. We¡¯re headed for Gob¡ª Ranger House Elf¡¯s position.¡±


    ¡°Understood. Please do so in all haste.¡±


    Gob¡¯s life signs were fading fast.


    Gray fog poured from the many small holes he had opened on his armor as he followed his mom into the corridor.


    The hanger door slid shut behind him with the thuds of the bolts locking into place.


    ¡°Concentrate on your power and stay close. I don¡¯t think this slasher can hurt us since we¡¯re in full armor.¡±


    With that his mom jogged down the corridor at Olympic sprinter speed.


    Microthrusters in his armor pulsed to help him keep up.


    The gray spread and with it part of his consciousness.


    He thought of Kat, his friends and the rest of the rangers.


    The gray reached Lee, Gob and the other rangers, flowing over them like a comforting blanket.


    Alin heard¡ª saw¡ª felt something.


    Movement?


    But they were dead, with one rapidly fading to join them.


    He didn¡¯t want them to¡ª


    Please, don¡¯t¡ª this isn¡¯t fair, he thought.


    He should¡¯ve acted as soon as they found the first body. Filled the Raynanaut with his gray. Found the slasher. Drained them.


    The gray reached Kat first, as Alin intended.


    She didn¡¯t know what had happened. Why the captain had said to not be alarmed by the fog pouring out of the vents.


    Opsec meant that not every ranger knew Alin had powers.


    She knew because she was his girlfriend.


    ¡°Something really bad must¡¯ve happened,¡± Songbird said as they both watched the gray pool around their legs as it continued to fill the corridor.


    The squad headed down their way had been diverted elsewhere.


    The captain had ordered them to the nearest room, which was one of the escape pods.


    They had almost reached it when a friendly gentleman appeared from around the corner.


    ¡°Ah! Hi,¡± he said shyly. ¡°I seem to be lost.¡±


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be here,¡± Kat said.


    Something¡ª something was¡­


    The warning about a small, slight man in a gray suit¡ª a slasher¡ª


    The man was a friend. Her best in fact. He was also a slasher.


    She and Songbird had found the body of victim in one of the cargo bays.


    The gray continued to fill the corridor. Up to their mid-sections now.


    Their best friend didn¡¯t seem to notice as he approached them.


    ¡°I believe I recognize you from when you rangers were so kind as to rescue me from that apartment building,¡± their friend said to Songbird. ¡°Your uniform is different? Might you be an officer?¡±


    ¡°I am,¡± Songbird frowned.


    One of the rules was don¡¯t volunteer information to strangers.


    If it was good enough for kids, then it was good enough for rangers.


    The gray was at their necks.


    The smiling, nonthreatening man was almost within arm¡¯s reach.


    ¡°Then you can get into the bridge? Perhaps, you have the password or a keycard of some sort? I would really be grateful if you could show me.¡±


    The gray tickled Kat¡¯s nose.


    ¡°Unfortunately, sir, lock down protocols are in effect. Even then civilians can¡¯t enter the bridge without permission,¡± Songbird said.


    ¡°Ah! But you¡¯ll help me with that, won¡¯t you?¡±


    The gray caressed Kat¡¯s cheeks as it finally enveloped her completely. It vanished.


    To her eyes the corridor was clear.


    Everything became clear.


    She moved at the same time the slasher lunged with a thin dagger.


    Kat yanked Songbird away from the kiss of steel and jabbed the butt of her katana into the slasher¡¯s gut.


    The dagger touched her throat, but unlike Songbird, she was in full armor.


    It¡¯d take more than mundane steel to cut through the Threnium threads in her collar.


    A pop forced her head back.


    The slasher tried to lunge around her to get to Songbird.


    Quick Cut Iai!


    She drew and cut with the best technique she was capable of.


    The slasher recoiled quick as a snake.


    A thin red line marred the sleeve of his once pristine gray suit.


    His eyes widened behind those round-rimmed glasses that kept reflecting the ceiling lights for some reason.


    They were reading glasses, not reflective sunglasses.


    ¡°What is this?¡± he waved his hand. ¡°I don¡¯t sense a Skill or a spell¡­ and it isn¡¯t coming from one of you. Neither of you have the right classes. Nor are they high enough to¡ª¡± he shook his head, calm, placid composure gone. ¡°You lack the levels.¡±


    He turned and ran.


    Kat noticed a bloody hole in the back of his shoulder.


    She drew her pistol alongside Songbird.


    They filled the corridor with lead, but the slasher had already ducked behind the corner.


    ¡°Faster and stronger than he looked.¡±


    Kat felt her throat.


    The protection held, but she had felt the impact.


    ¡°Captain! This is Songbird! Encountered slasher! He¡¯s wounded! I repeat. He¡¯s wounded.¡± She added their location.


    ¡°Now what?¡± Kat said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll ask.¡± Songbird shrugged. ¡°Requesting further orders.¡±


    Captain Molds spoke to both of them.


    ¡°Proceed to safe area and lock it down.¡±


    <hr>


    George Griffin, Gentleman Slasher, ran.


    His normally unflappable demeanor flapped in the thick gray fog like his rumpled blond hair.


    He reached up to smooth it, but forgot about the blood¡ª his blood!


    Now his hair was smeared with the sticky red.


    He had always taken pains to avoid the splatter.


    Hated when others got on his bespoke suits.


    Doubly hated when it was his own.


    That dumb katana bitch!


    She had cut deep from wrist to elbow.


    The blood wasn¡¯t gushing anymore, but like the bullet hole in his back, it wasn¡¯t healing any faster.


    Your Best Friend had done a lot of work getting on board the flying ship and getting him his first victims. The problem had been these rangers¡¯ armor.


    He couldn¡¯t get through their full kit with the weapons he had. Couldn¡¯t grab anything more powerful from the armory without messing up his passive Skill.


    It was a powerful one.


    Fitting for a Level 50.


    But not meant for open combat.


    That wasn¡¯t his style.


    Be the friend.


    Let them invite him in and cut their throat or put a bullet in their eye.


    It had never failed him on anyone Level 40 and under.


    Over that and it had always come down to class, counter Skills or spells, and pure willpower.


    He had gone for the flying ship because he knew that, despite his level, he wasn¡¯t going to be able to face one of the other top slashers head on, nor use his normal methods.


    It had been a long, risky shot, but one had to take those to win the ultimate prizes.


    The spires didn¡¯t reward the sheep for cowering with their flock.


    They rewarded the lone cougar for taking the sheep.


    One couldn¡¯t deny the evidence.


    Was he not Level 50?


    Had he not taken sheep from the middle of their flocks right under the watchful eyes of the shepherd and noses of their guard dogs?


    Even these rangers hadn¡¯t been safe.


    They had been raining down fire for over a week and no one had any idea they had been lurking above the smoke-filled sky.


    That had to change.


    He took a moment to access the world event page to post a message to every slasher, even the pretenders.


    Boots echoed from the end of the corridor.


    The damned fog threw sounds from multiple directions!


    Where had it come from?


    It didn¡¯t feel like a spell or a Skill.


    But that could just mean whoever was responsible was stronger than him.


    That didn¡¯t feel right.


    He had spent time walking the ship and striking up conversations to gather information before they had stumbled on the man he had left in the cargo locker.


    He would¡¯ve preferred to wait a little longer but he had needed a kill to continue using his Skill.


    He was running out of time.


    His stamina was draining faster than it should¡¯ve.


    It must¡¯ve been the wounds.


    To be defeated by a bunch of low level children¡ª


    No!


    It wasn¡¯t over yet.


    Movement out of the corner of his eye.


    He spun, slashing his stiletto and pointing his pistol.


    Nothing.


    He had been seeing shapes in the gray fog.


    People, yet the corridors were narrow, why did it seem much wider at times?


    He had traversed the flying ship once, committing the layout to memory.


    His options had narrowed.


    Take an escape pod and abandon the massive rewards from the Quest?


    Eliminating these Rayna¡¯s Rangers from the competition could potentially put him far enough ahead of the others to allow him to take less risks. That was on top of all the other rewards. Universal Points, attribute points, free Skills and even an additional slot. He hadn¡¯t gotten one of those in a long time.


    Then there was the flying ship and all the advanced-looking gear.


    Someone out there would give him the world in exchange for all of it.


    It was all ether if they killed him.


    He wasn¡¯t a fool.


    Calculated risk.


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    That was how he had survived for so long.


    He needed to escape.


    To increase his chances he needed a hostage.


    He didn¡¯t know how the escape pods worked.


    Logically, he should just be able to get in one and hit the launch button.


    Having their functions be controllable from elsewhere defeated their purpose.


    A sinking ship or in this case a falling one would be experiencing all kinds of problems with their systems due to whatever damage they took.


    The pods needed to be completely separate from that.


    But, a hostage was necessary, just in case.


    He thought of the dining room.


    There had been a few cooks and rangers in there the last time he had walked through.


    More importantly they weren¡¯t fully armored like those two squads searching for him.


    Take a hostage and kill the rest to refuel his Skills.


    Easy.


    He stopped just outside the doorway.


    The rangers had made an oversight in design by not having a door to the dining room.


    Closed doors might not have bothered the more inelegant slashers, but they certainly stopped him cold. Especially, when he couldn¡¯t politely ask those inside to let him in.


    He tried to smooth his hair back into place.


    The blood couldn¡¯t be helped.


    As for this cut, bloody sleeve, he could hide it behind his back.


    The more dapper he looked the stronger the effect of his Skill.


    He took a deep breath and stepped into the dining room.


    Two rangers stood on guard at the door to the kitchen.


    They were armed with short guns.


    Ah, thank you! George let out a sigh of relief.


    They weren¡¯t wearing full body armor.


    ¡°Hi! I¡¯m terribly sorry to bother you, but I seem to be lost.¡±


    The rangers eyes narrowed as he slowly approached.


    He only had one more shot in his pistol and he needed it to maintain the threat over his hostage.


    A small, thin stiletto wasn¡¯t quiet as threatening as a pistol.


    ¡°If you could¡­¡±


    Their eyes hardened as they slowly brought their guns up.


    He turned and ran the way he had come as they stitched fire on his trail.


    The sound was thunderous in the enclosed space.


    Oh, how he hated open combat!


    The game was over.


    He could hear their voices shouting the alert.


    Those heavily armored rangers would be on their way.


    The flying ship was enormous, but it was a closed space and with failing stamina his Skills would loose effectiveness before shutting off completely.


    Once that happened it¡¯d be easy for them to find him with all the cameras everywhere.


    Shapes in the fog seemed to chase him all the way through twisting corridors.


    His memory was impeccable, but he got turned around twice.


    Boots on the metal floor.


    Whispers just behind his ears.


    That blaring alarm and flashing red lights that seemed to vanish and reappear randomly.


    Finally, he reached the escape pods!


    He reached for the door handle with a sigh.


    Just as soft and silent a blade slipped into his back.


    Hot pain bloomed a split-second later.


    He spun, slashing his stiletto over nothing.


    The blade slipped into his gut.


    Gray fog parted as the space in front of him shimmered.


    Dimly, he recalled a movie he had once watched long ago.


    A strange face looked up at him from behind an even stranger looking armor.


    Speckled gray with huge round eyes, slits for a nose and a thin, lipless mouth.


    It reminded him of yet another movie or pictures. The memories were slipping from his grasp as the darkness closed around his vision.


    Still¡­ there was always a chance.


    One last Skill-assisted thrust of his stiletto¡ª


    Parried by that matte gray blade.


    So much gray!


    He wanted to scream.


    To be killed by an alien child¡ª


    He dropped to his knees and stared eye to eye with it.


    No, not a child. Unless, its skin was naturally that wrinkled.


    He tried to use his Skill. Be this alien¡¯s best friend. But it didn¡¯t work. Whether it was because of his lack of stamina or it was simply impossible due to the difference in species he¡¯d never know.


    ¡°I was told this was a fitting way to terminate you.¡± It spoke in a child¡¯s voice. High-pitched.


    His reply was silenced by the stinging heat under his chin.


    One last thought about a ruined suit filled his mind before nothing.


    ¡°Nila. This is Unseen. I have terminated Designation: George Griffin, slasher at Number 3 Escape Pods. Removing head now as per protocol.¡± The Threnosh spoke on a direct channel as they cut the murderer¡¯s head off and moved it a short distance from the body. The blood pooled on the metal and marked their gloves, but that could be cleaned. Same as the waste filling the man¡¯s pants. ¡°Engage filtration.¡± Always unpleasant in their nose. Sapient, non-sapient. Monster, natural creature. The files on some Fae creatures indicated the opposite. Although, they could not see sampling those despite tasting like ice cream.


    ¡°Oh. Thank god! You¡¯re okay?¡± Nila said.


    Honor¡¯s mate was strange.


    ¡°I am. The target had been weakened by his injuries and Alin¡¯s fog.¡± Strange thing that. They couldn¡¯t see it and neither could their instruments. Yet, they knew it was all around them with a certainty that flew in the face of all physical evidence.


    ¡°Great job! Can you please keep an eye on the body until the rangers get there? I¡¯ve already sent them to you.¡±


    ¡°Then my presence no longer requires concealment?¡±


    ¡°No. You had been on the bottom of the list. Easy to miss. But since you got that slasher you¡¯re going to much higher now.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    ¡°Remember, keep an eye on the body.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged. Slashers may have Skills to return from biological death.¡±


    ¡°Cutting the head off should be enough, but at this level you never know.¡±


    ¡°I will remain focused on the corpse.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. And be careful.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Unseen would ignore their Quest notifications until the slasher was definitively dead.


    They expected copious amounts of fire would be involved.


    <hr>


    Alin would¡¯ve collapsed into a boneless heap had he not locked his power armor in a standing position.


    He was the sort of tired that seeped into the muscles and all the way to the bone.


    It wasn¡¯t just psychosomatic symptoms of crossing a limit. It was physical. Like running or fighting all day.


    Filling the skyship with gray had been a limit.


    Trying to keep the murderer from using his Skills and draining him had been well over the limit.


    Even then, the man had fought him all the way even if the man hadn¡¯t realized it on a conscious level.


    Saved Kat and Songbird¡­ Alin was grateful for that.


    Failing the other rangers and his friends?


    They got to Gob in time.


    His mom had to use an extremely potent healing gem to keep Gob alive long enough for her to carry him to medical.


    They only had the one.


    The rest weren¡¯t nearly as powerful.


    She had left Alin there to stand in the corridor while she went to watch over the murderer¡¯s corpse with Unseen while they decided on how to dispose of the corpse.


    Rangers had been murdered.


    Lee was gone¡­


    He thought of his friend¡¯s family.


    Thought of all their families.


    The barrier prevented messages.


    Even the spires message system had been locked.


    They didn¡¯t know their sons, daughters, fathers or mothers were dead. They wouldn¡¯t until the event ended.


    It seemed wrong that he knew and they didn¡¯t.


    He was too tired to cry.


    Memories of Lee and all the times they had flashed through his head. Good, bad, everything in between. Those neighborhood wars with all the kids. Sneaking booze. Puking in training.


    Shit wasn¡¯t fair.


    His friend had been so close to Level 30.


    What was he going to say to his friend¡¯s family?


    Nothing seemed enough.


    One of the nurses came into the corridor after who knew how long.


    2 doctors, 6 nurses.


    So that there was always someone ready.


    ¡°Hi! Sorry.¡±


    She smiled, kind and sad.


    His eyes widened.


    ¡°Oh, not sorry, I mean not in that way,¡± she lightly bonked her head.


    ¡°Um¡­ what?¡±


    ¡°I gave you the wrong impression. The doctor wanted to let you know that Ranger House Elf¡ª you guys have the weirdest names¡ª anyways, he¡¯s out of danger. The transfusion is almost done. He¡¯ll be good by tomorrow!¡±


    He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Still too tired to cry.


    ¡°Okay, yeah, well, bye, see you later¡­ I mean, I hope not cause then that mean you got hurt.¡± The nurse waved and went back into medical.


    He waited for a time until he recovered enough to stagger back to the hanger.


    Too tired to cry. Too tired to slip into unconsciousness. Which meant he wasn¡¯t too tired to keep working.


    There¡¯d be a debrief.


    Command would want to go over his power usage.


    He was afraid that they¡¯d want more.


    Stay busy.


    Don¡¯t think about Lee, the other rangers.


    Don¡¯t let the reality of it sink in.


    Gob was alive.


    Luzi and Victor were fine.


    He had been able to help Songbird and Kat in time.


    Focus on the good over the bad.


    He repeated the thought over and over again.


    Don¡¯t dwell on the dark.


    Focus on the bright.


    The gray did what he wanted.


    The temptation had been controlled.


    Days turned.


    Alin found himself reinvigorated with frightening quickness.


    Gob was back on his feet like the nurse had said.


    Still off duty though until the skyship¡¯s therapist gave the okay.


    Alin had been too busy helping the fabricator to do more than a few short visits.


    Same with the rest of his friends.


    He hadn¡¯t even had the chance to do more than give Kat a quick hug in the brief moments of time they had managed to snatch.


    Now that he had proved his power¡¯s usefulness, Captain Molds hadn¡¯t been shy about putting him on missions.


    Take the assault on the cult¡¯s building for instance.


    He filled the halls and rooms with the gray.


    He tried and failed to drain them.


    They resisted with their Skills and ritual magic coming off the sacrificial pit in the basement. The latter doing the heavy lifting for them.


    It was the second one they had discovered in the city just like the one Howard¡¯s team had found.


    Different cult though.


    These people lacked the robes and scarification.


    They resembled any number of mercenary companies out in the world with their mismatched weapons and armor.


    Most contained low to mid-level enchantments.


    So, a relatively strong group.


    But they didn¡¯t fit the profile of a human sacrificing cult.


    In fact, he was pretty sure they came from somewhere in Europe.


    They had stripped their gear of any identifying symbols, but the leader looked familiar.


    The scars matched the picture in his dad¡¯s files of potential future issues.


    The man had shaved his beard for the event.


    Wet Axe Stanis was a Berzerker of the Red Axe.


    He towered over Alin¡¯s mom, wielding a two-handed axe in one hand and a wicked dagger in the other.


    The steel shimmered in the same reddish haze that surrounded the massively muscled man.


    Thunder dinged against the cool gray surface of the Threnium shield.


    Threnium and steel clashed in a blur of motion.


    Surprise was written across the berzerker¡¯s face.


    A woman a third his size matched his rage-enhanced speed and strength.


    Mercenaries and rangers fought across the floor.


    The former hampered by the thick gray fog that confused and disoriented them.


    Ranger Morningstar kicked a merc into Wet Axe Stanis¡¯ back.


    The huge berserker snarled as the ranger put several bursts of 7.62 into the merc¡¯s armored chest.


    It wasn¡¯t enough to put the man down, but Wet Axe Stanis did the Morningstar a favor with a back slash of his axe.


    That was the risk with rage abilities.


    It was tough to control oneself. To tell friend from foe in the middle of a heated battle. Let alone without the effects of Alin¡¯s power.


    Morningstar fired.


    The berserker blocked with his steel vambrace, but that was Morningstar¡¯s goal in the first place.


    The disarming Skill took the dagger on a short journey to the floor.


    A baseball bat-like club thumped across the berserker¡¯s jaw.


    The crack of a home run wasn¡¯t that far off from the crack of bone.


    Wet Axe Stanis¡¯ head snapped to the side violently.


    It should¡¯ve been a knockout blow.


    Instead, he snarled, grabbed his own dead merc¡¯s body and hurled it at Alin¡¯s mom.


    She went low, behind her shield and angled it up to help the gory missile slide right over her. She struck low, a rising blow with her club between the berserker¡¯s legs.


    Armor was armor, but even a steel groin piece wouldn¡¯t do much in this scenario if it wasn¡¯t enchanted or boosted with a Skill.


    Granted, an all-consuming rage could allow one to power through even the most ball-crunching of hits.


    Case in point¡­ Wet Axe Stanis howled. Not in pain, but with rage.


    The axe fell like a tree, carving a hot gouge through the floor like a hot knife through room temperature butter.


    It was getting more difficult for Alin to disorient the massive berserker.


    He wanted to help his mom, but that meant leaving the outnumbered rangers out to dry.


    Or¡­


    Did it?


    He felt something¡­ like threads connecting the berserker to the rest of the mercs.


    The file mentioned a company-wide Skill to empower with his rage, while feeding off their rage in turn. Kind of like collecting interest on a loan. He hadn¡¯t understood what his dad had meant at first. Had to get clarification. Pre-spires society really did some sketchy things to its people.


    He tried and failed to do¡­ something¡­ with the threads.


    The next move was obvious.


    How did one stop a Skill?


    There were several ways, but only one was obvious and fairly straightforward.


    ¡°Goldenspoon here,¡± he spoke into the channel.


    He lacked rank to give orders, but his position was special for this op.


    ¡°Head off the snake.¡±


    He focused everything on Wet Axe Stanis.


    His mom and Morningstar were already engaged with the berserker.


    A few other nearby rangers switched focus, leaving the others to take up the slack against their merc opponents for the few seconds it was, hopefully, going to take.


    ¡°Come on! You one-balled, limp-dicked douchebag!¡±


    His mom played the tank.


    She didn¡¯t have any Skills, but normal taunts worked just as well when her target had reduced himself to a frothing kill machine.


    The hot-headed axe rose and fell, dinging against the deflecting shield.


    She hit him in the knee and jabbed him in the throat before he could raise it again.


    His body armor absorbed most of Morningstar¡¯s bullets. Though a few drew blood through the gaps.


    Kat dashed in, cutting a thin red line through the tough, padded cloth covering the back of the man¡¯s knees.


    Alin¡¯s mom bonked him on the head to keep his attention while more rangers came in to shoot him in the back or land backstabs and the like.


    Wet Axe Stanis finally ran out of steam after years of hard, violent work to get to to his level.


    He fell to his knees as the rage slipped from his grasp like the axe handle after Alin¡¯s mom smashed his rapidly deflating arm.


    Alin felt the red rage threads connecting the berserker to the other mercs fray and break, fizzling away into nothing.


    ¡°Leaving him to you, ma¡¯am.¡± Morningstar shouted orders. Urging the rangers to finish the fight.


    Alin watched his mom put an end to the grizzled merc with one last blow of her baseball bat-like club.


    ¡°Be careful, Mom. High-level rage Skills have been known to let the body keep fighting for a short time after death.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± She stepped away from the corpse.


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep an eye on him. Go help the others.¡±


    ¡°Be careful up there, Boy¡­ er¡­¡± she sighed. ¡°Goldenspoon.¡±


    Alin stood on the roof, hidden by the AC units and protected by a pair of rangers.


    ¡°Nice work, Goldenspoon!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, bro! Where have you been hiding your powers this whole time?¡±


    ¡°Ah, sorry, guys I¡¯m trying to concentrate.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, bro, leave him alone. He has to concentrate. Probably, pretty hard. Figure he¡¯s been working on it this whole time. Saving it for the right time, you know?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, totally. Makes sense. Good shit, though. Glad we had a secret weapon this whole time.¡±


    ¡°Not so secret no more. Thanks to that murdering prick.¡±


    ¡°Nah, bro. They don¡¯t know shit. ¡®Beware the fog¡¯. Ha! I¡¯m more worried about the fact that everyone knows about the Raynanut now.¡±


    The two rangers peeked from cover to look out over the battle-torn city.


    Fires continued to burn as guns and spells fired while monsters snarled and gnashed their teeth.


    ¡°Shit¡¯s fucked worse than last week.¡±


    ¡°Almost half way. Just got to stay alive that long, bro.¡±

 Interlude: TV Justice 1.1

    Fomrinay, 2033 Earth Time


    Tessandra Cruces emerged from the spire.


    The gleaming surface flashed iridescent in the sun light.


    A yellow sun that looked about the same as the one on the Threnosh world and the one on her home.


    She stood alone inside the safe zone around the spire.


    As the strongest she had gone first.


    She reflexively thought a command, forgetting that she had stripped her Threnium armor of much of its advanced systems. Both hardware and software.


    It had been the only way to afford the transit fee.


    She scanned her surroundings the old-fashioned way.


    With her eyes and ears.


    An empty plain.


    Mountains that looked impossibly large to her west¡­ assuming the planet¡¯s magnetic field worked the same as that on the Threnosh world and Earth¡­ more plains to the south and thick forests everywhere else.


    She opened her faceplate with the press of a button.


    It was going to take some time to get used to the lack of cybernetic thought control.


    Wind stung her face.


    It felt colder than it had looked, which meant the others, aside from her sister, would need to be careful about exposure.


    Time ticked.


    Hard to tell without the clock in her HUD.


    Her sister was supposed to be next.


    Minutes turned into a quarter hour.


    She had kept her head on a swivel as she walked the perimeter of the tiny safe zone around the spire.


    Nothing.


    No monsters, animals, or natives.


    She was completely alone on an empty plain covered in short, green grass.


    Honestly, it didn¡¯t resemble an alien world.


    Perhaps the foliage in the forests would¡¯ve been properly alien like those on the Threnosh world when compared to home¡ª


    ¡ª golden flame played a sweeping symphony across her childhood neighborhood¡ª


    The images came and went like the sudden rainstorms across the southern plains of Prime Custodian 3¡¯s territory.


    Even after her uncle had assured her that he had killed It, glassing a few miles of Manhattan in the process.


    Waiting left her too alone with her thoughts.


    The tree line wasn¡¯t that far away.


    Maybe 2 or 3 times the length of the Danger Complex¡¯s largest training chamber.


    ¡°God. Damn. It.¡±


    She hadn¡¯t realized how much she had come to rely on the little numbers in her HUD.


    Not too far that she couldn¡¯t scout the forest a bit and maybe get started on some kind of camp.


    Being exposed out on the plain overnight wasn¡¯t the winning move and the safe zone would time out by then.


    She pulled two things from her bag of holding.


    The only two things she had in there aside from Threnosh nutrient paste, water and other small survival items.


    A handful of pebble-sized ultradense metal balls and her kanabo.


    Her dad had made the latter with his powers, creating an ultradense alloy for the weapon as long as she was tall and weighing half as much as she did.


    It was even self-repairing.


    All she needed was the heat from a small camp fire and any dents and bends would disappear.


    Couldn¡¯t do much about material being shaved or cut off though.


    She carved an arrow into the ground, tearing up the grass to reach deep into the dark soil before heading in that direction.


    One hand held a handful of shot while the other rested the long, slender, studded club on her shoulder.


    Silence.


    Aside from the wind rustling through the grass and leaves there was nothing.


    No birds chirping or insects buzzing.


    No smoke rising to the sky meant no people.


    She knew this world had people.


    Humans, if not like the kinds she was familiar with from home.


    Granted the cragants she had sneakily obtained information from weren¡¯t natives.


    They had transited through on their way to the Threnosh world.


    A glorified layover.


    She had vague memories of hating those things whenever her family had gone on vacation back before the spiresapocalypse had put an end to those Disney World trips.


    She gently cleared her way into the forest with flicks of her kanabo.


    Dark.


    Dense foliage.


    Green mostly.


    Some color in the form of plentiful berry-looking things on the rather thick bushes.


    Like thorny spiderwebs big enough for her to get lost in.


    It was hard to keep track of time as she kept her scouting pattern within sight of the tree line and the spire still in visible range.


    Go too far and it¡¯d vanish from sight in an instant.


    The difference of a step.


    An imaginary line demarcating where it allowed her to see it. An arbitrary distance that differed from spire to spire. Sometimes, it even varied for the same spire from day to day, minute to minute.


    She muttered a silent curse and bumped up a watch on her list of items to procure.


    The cragants had given her a description of the city they had transited through.


    It had sounded a lot more advanced than medieval times with animal-less wagons and artificial lights that may or may not have been magical in nature, among other things.


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    No animals, but she wasn¡¯t going to rule out something nasty like them coming out of the ground or trees at night.


    That¡¯d take away the option to sleep in said trees.


    She could rip one open without much difficulty, but she¡¯d wait for the others.


    They had better methods to find out without hurting the poor trees.


    One never knew when some kind of nature spirit might pop out angry she killed their home.


    All it took was that one time.


    Sudden violence erupted from the direction of the tree line.


    Branches snapped.


    Leaves shook and sprayed.


    Some thumping beast that seemed to shake the earth with its steps and the deep huffs from massive lungs.


    Tessa brought her kanabo down on the dark shadow looming out of the dense undergrowth.


    Metal thundered on metal.


    ¡°Hey!¡± a high-pitched voice snapped. ¡°You almost hit Twinklestar!¡±


    ¡°Vee?¡±


    It was definitely her little sister, Veronica, astride a black-furred beast that looked down on her with huge black orbs.


    Her sister twirled a staff made of the same alloy as her kanabo.


    Twinklestar wheeked a deep, thumping bass not at all like his typical high-pitch vocalizations.


    Granted that was when he was as big as her hand.


    The guinea pig nudged her chestplate, forcing her to take a step back.


    Stronger than he looked.


    ¡°Alright¡­¡± she nodded. ¡°What the hell?¡± she pointed at their ancient pet.


    ¡°I dunno,¡± Vee shrugged before jumping off Twinklestar¡¯s back with an unnecessary back flip. ¡°He was like this when we came out of the spire. I followed your arrow. Did you find anything? Monsters? People?¡±


    ¡°Is he¡­¡± she eyed the giant guinea pig warily¡­ ¡°him?¡±


    Vee arched a brow. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t he be?¡±


    Oh, she could name a few dozen reasons why a guinea pig suddenly being hippo size was a cause for concern.


    ¡°His brain waves are the same,¡± Vee said.


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°I told you¡­ dunno. Magic?¡± Vee shrugged. ¡°Isn¡¯t he so awesome!¡± she rubbed Twinklestar¡¯s fat cheeks.


    ¡°Yeah. Magic.¡±


    It made perfect sense.


    ¡°Alright. I need you to scan the area.¡±


    ¡°I already did,¡± Vee rolled her eyes. ¡°No electromagnetic waves, well, except for the planet¡¯s stuff and, like, the rocks in the ground and the trees and possibly metal stuff, but that¡¯s far away.¡±


    ¡°Where?¡±


    ¡°Er¡­¡± Vee spread her arms out to encompass what Tessa took to be toward the northeastern portion of the forest. ¡°Somewhere out there.¡±


    ¡°Any weird sh-crap? Like spirits in the trees.¡±


    ¡°Nope. Just normal trees. Oak? They kinda look like oaks and there¡¯s Christmas trees over there,¡± Vee pointed with her staff. ¡°No snow even if it¡¯s cold. That means less moisture. Not having stuff in my helmet sucks.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, same. Alright. Keep scanning while we look for a good spot to make camp while we wait for the others.¡±


    ¡°Wait, how long have you been here?¡± Vee said.


    ¡°Hard to say. An hour or two.¡±


    ¡°Wow¡­ that¡¯s weird. I went in, like, 10 seconds after you.¡±


    ¡°With Twinklestar in your pocket.¡±


    ¡°His carrying bag. Which got torn up,¡± Vee pouted. ¡°Um¡­ should we send a message to mom and dad?¡±


    Tessa almost laughed.


    Sure, she could imagine it now.


    Hey, mom and dad, we did exactly what you told us not to because the dreams and visions kept getting worse even after Uncle Cal killed Zalthyss. You know because a gut feeling told us that only we could do this and if you guys came it¡¯d be super bad for you. Not that dad could¡¯ve come since he doesn¡¯t have enough Universal Points. So, that¡¯s it, see you later, love you, bye.


    Her prior conviction on the rightness of her actions seemed to bleed away now that she had traveled to the Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy¡¯s world leaving her with zero Universal Points.


    They had discussed the very real possibility that said visions and dreams were a trap, which might¡¯ve worked just as planned in pushing them into an irrational course of action to save their loved ones from what, in hindsight, was starting to look like a nebulous, rather than concrete, threat.


    ¡°Maybe later. We have no points to send one anyways. And it doesn¡¯t seem like there are any monsters around here to kill for some.¡±


    Tessa lost track of time completely as she used pantomime and liberal pushing to get Twinklestar to clear some thick brush around a large oak-like tree and flatten the ground.


    The guinea pig had gotten smarter over the years since the spires had appeared, so him following directions pretty well wasn¡¯t a new development alongside his sudden size growth.


    Vee had declared the entire area free of anything with a brain.


    Even underground.


    So, Tessa was fairly confident that they could head back to the spire and wait for the rest of their team.


    ¡°Party. Not team,¡± Johnny pronounced.


    They sat around a campfire in the twisted shadows of an oak-like tree that looked a lot spookier in the dark.


    The team had arrived in similar intervals with Olo the last as the sun started to dip over the west.


    Familiarity bred some level of comfort.


    Had it rose in the west and set in the east¡­ well¡­ that would¡¯ve been harder to deal with.


    The thought of which surprised Tessa.


    She had thought she had been hardened against such inconsequential things.


    ¡°We¡¯re obviously a traditional adventuring party now,¡± Johnny continued. ¡°Traveling to another world? Straight up isekai¡¯d. Off on a Quest to slay the evil angel in its tower¡­ I¡¯m assuming there are towers involved because¡­ duh. Adventure. Evil. Tower.¡±


    ¡°Not an isekai.¡± Mads cradled her old, custom competition over-under shotgun. A hold over from her days as a junior champion skeet shooter. ¡°We came willingly.¡±


    Not the choice of weapon Tessa would¡¯ve picked for her.


    A recoilless gun would¡¯ve been a lot better, but they had all been limited by the travel cost and the shotgun was the one belonging Mads wouldn¡¯t leave for anything.


    ¡°And no creepy reincarnating into a baby to pick up a harem of under-aged girls while being mentally 30 years old,¡± Bastien said as he absently rubbed the crucifix hanging from his gold necklace.


    They were all rattled.


    She saw it in those unconscious gestures.


    Gene was sharpening his dull gray longsword, which he had done before they had left the Threnosh world.


    Olo wasn¡¯t sitting at the fire. He stood watch, facing the darkness opposite where Twinklestar lay curled around Vee.


    ¡°Hey, you can relax.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Olo said.


    She directed his attention to the giant guinea pig.


    ¡°If he¡¯s chilling, then it¡¯s probably safe.¡± Gene sighed. ¡°Plus, Vee hasn¡¯t picked up any brains, right?¡±


    ¡°Nope!¡± Vee grinned. ¡°Just us!¡±


    ¡°So, adventuring party,¡± Johnny said. ¡°That¡¯s what we¡¯ll say when we find civilization. It shouldn¡¯t make us standout too much if the cragants weren¡¯t bullshitting us with how things work here.¡±


    ¡°They did say that they didn¡¯t leave the city and that they were only there for a few weeks,¡± Bastien said. ¡°Plus, we have no idea where the actual city is.¡±


    ¡°Well, we can¡¯t avoid people. We need intel and stuff,¡± Johnny said. ¡°It shouldn¡¯t be a big deal. They get outworlders, right?¡±


    ¡°According to the cragants,¡± Gene said. ¡°But, not that often and only from the upworld. Never from the Threnosh world like us. I think we¡¯d stand out.¡±


    ¡°Which is why we didn¡¯t use the same spire that the cragants said led to that city,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°We stick to the plan for now. At least until we need to reassess after first contact,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°Do you guys think our armor might give us away?¡± Mads said.


    ¡°Zalthyss would recognize them,¡± Gene said. ¡°But, it¡¯s a question on how much it actually talks to the people of this world. The cragants said that only the hierophants ever spoke directly to it and barely at that. The Dominion is smart with the way it keeps the local populations mostly separated from the forces they said out to conquer other worlds.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t shit where you eat. My mom said that, like, all the time,¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°What do you want to do?¡± Tessa said.


    Gene stopped sharpening his sword. ¡°We have food and water for a month, but I¡¯d like to find a good water source like a stream or a river. An added bonus is we can follow it to look for civilization.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got berries,¡± Johnny popped a handful into his mouth. ¡°Like lemonade candy, which is weird.¡±


    Testing edibleness had been straightforward.


    Johnny and Mads used their danger sense while Bastien used a small bit of cleansing prayer magic.


    They had also done the same to a root vegetable that was a sickly green, but perfectly edible, if spicy.


    ¡°I say we start heading northeast and adjust our route according to Vee¡¯s detection. Find that water source and mark the spires we come across.¡±


    That was the thing with the spires.


    No matter where person was in the world, they were always within walking distance of one.


    ¡°Kill monsters? We do need points. I¡¯m not liking looking at that donut,¡± Johnny ventured.


    ¡°If it¡¯s safe-ish,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°We should set a watch,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°No. That¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll take care of it,¡± Tessa said.


    She had a few days before she needed to sleep anyways.

 Interlude: TV Justice 1.2

    Tessa cleared a path with lazy sweeps of her kanabo.


    ¡°What day is it?¡±


    Her guess was about a week of uneventful walking through the forest.


    It had been quiet the entire time.


    Silence, ah, silence!


    Normally, she¡¯d be all for silence.


    But not an unnatural one.


    They hadn¡¯t heard anything beyond the wind rustling leaves or the cracking of branches the entire time.


    No animals or monsters.


    They hadn¡¯t crossed into encounter challenges or spawn zones either, which wasn¡¯t at all like she remembered how Earth was. The Threnosh world also had more than this new one, but less than Earth.


    Did it have something to do with how recent the spires had appeared on each respective world?


    ¡°Dunno.¡± Vee sat astride Twinklestar just behind his ears, crossed legged because he was a chonky boy and made for a stable platform.


    ¡°This is day 8. April 10, 2033 Earth time. Assuming we didn¡¯t lose or gain when we traveled here,¡± Mads said from behind Vee, nearer to the center of the giant guinea pig¡¯s broad back.


    Someone cursed from behind Twinklestar causing Tessa to stop.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Gene raised a hand. ¡°It¡¯s all good. I just¡­ stepped in his pellet.¡±


    ¡°The size of a football,¡± Olo chuckled.


    Tessa resumed the march, listening for something other than the occasional scampering in the branches overhead from Johnny doing rogue things or Twinklestar munching on the leaves and berries he stripped from bushes they passed.


    It was hard to tell time in the depths of the forest¡¯s perpetual gloom with the rare sliver of light.


    ¡°It¡¯s noon-ish,¡± Mads called out.


    ¡°Should we stop here?¡±


    ¡°Maybe,¡± Gene said. ¡°Johnny?¡± he whistled.


    The man in question appeared suddenly clinging to a nearby tree trunk like a squirrel causing everyone but Mads and Vee to jump.


    ¡°What¡¯s up adventuring party leader?¡± Johnny saluted.


    ¡°How safe is it for Mads to climb up for a better view?¡±


    ¡°The only danger is the falling. Nothing but leaves up there.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Can you set up some ropes for her?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I saw just the perfect tree.¡±


    Johnny disappeared again.


    They waited a few minutes until a rope rustled the dried leaves at the base of a rather thick pine-like tree. At least that¡¯s what Tessa figured judging by the way it looked and the Christmas-y scent the dark green needles gave off.


    Mads leapt off Twinklestar¡¯s back and climbed after Johnny.


    ¡°Adventuring is boring,¡± Vee muttered.


    ¡°They never show the getting to the tower or dungeon for a reason,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°Or they do a montage,¡± Bastien added.


    ¡°Or all the gross stuff,¡± Vee sighed.


    Tessa didn¡¯t agree with her sister.


    Vee had been too young to remember the camping trips their family did back in the pre-spires days.


    A few days had been Tessa¡¯s limit before the lack of a proper shower had made her uncomfortable enough to override the fun parts.


    Wet wipes were insufficient substitutes.


    The Threnosh-made stuff actually meant that she was pretty comfortable all things considered.


    The onesie wicked away sweat and kept them dry.


    Their version of wet wipes were way better than Earth wipes.


    And, perhaps, most crucially, their version of feminine hygiene products shit all over Earth stuff and they were a species that had genetically engineered such biological processes out at the same time that humans were still roaming the glaciers hunting mammoths and avoiding cave bears.


    Gene sidled over to her and whispered. ¡°Are we going to address that?¡± he glanced over to the three humans and one giant guinea pig.


    The former were in deep discussion over what the worst part of adventure walking was¡­ so far. While the latter munched lazily on a nearby berry bush.


    ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about.¡±


    ¡°Twinklestar.¡±


    ¡°What about him?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s bigger than a bear.¡±


    ¡°Obvious is obvious.¡±


    Gene sighed. ¡°Guinea pigs don¡¯t do that.¡±


    ¡°Magic,¡± she shrugged. ¡°I mean, you did say you detected mana in him.¡±


    ¡°Almost everything has mana.¡±


    ¡°So, he¡¯s not like a demon in disguise, right?¡±


    ¡°As far as I can tell, but I¡¯m not a full mage.¡±


    ¡°Relax. I¡¯ve kept an eye on him. He¡¯s the same Twinklestar, just¡­ bigger.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just saying we should probably be paying closer attention than we are.¡±


    ¡°Vee says his brain wave patterns are identical to before. Besides, Twinklestar was, like, old when the spires showed up. He¡¯s over 20 years old. That¡¯s, like, 4 times the normal age. So¡­ magic¡­¡±


    ¡°Obvious is obvious, huh?¡± Gene grinned.


    ¡°You¡¯re just salty that you keep stepping on his pellets.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t call them that when they¡¯re bigger than my head. Besides, he¡¯s doing it on purpose,¡± Gene said flatly. ¡°Once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, five times is enemy action.¡±


    ¡°Maybe he senses your plotting against him? You ever think of that?¡±


    ¡°You know what? That¡¯s fair. I¡¯ll go apologize. But, when¡ª¡±


    ¡°If.¡±


    ¡°If he eats us in our sleep, well, I told you so.¡±


    Gene went over to apologize.


    Mads and Johnny returned from their tree top scouting mission.


    ¡°I saw¡­ trees,¡± Mads said. ¡°As far as I could see.¡±


    Unhappy news.


    Mads had Skills that made her eyes better than birds of prey or binoculars.


    ¡°How far?¡± Gene said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how far we are above sea level, but I¡¯m guessing about 40 kilometers.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that in American?¡± Johnny said.


    ¡°25 miles,¡± Gene said. ¡°No smoke or anything else out of the ordinary?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°I guess we¡¯ve got more walking to do,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Boooo!¡± Vee, Olo and Bastien said.


    They resumed their hike after a break for lunch, hydration and the natural consequence of those two acts.


    Buddy systeming the latter was something Tessa could do without, but they couldn¡¯t risk wandering off alone to take care of their business when the forest was unnaturally silent and so dense as to swallow a person up after just a few yards in any direction.


    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    In a way she envied Twinklestar¡¯s supreme confidence in dropping huge pellets whenever he damn well needed.


    Days and nights passed.


    Water wasn¡¯t an issue since they paralleled a swift moving stream.


    Their survival gear included everything they could need to ensure safe drinking water.


    Food wasn¡¯t an issue.


    They had plenty of Threnosh nutrient paste supplemented by the plentiful amount of weird berries and weird wild vegetables.


    They had even found a mint-like plant for tea that came with its own sweetness.


    Northeast turned into east when the stream made a lazy turn.


    Another week brought them to the first break in the monotony.


    ¡°Well¡­ shit¡­¡± Gene muttered.


    They lay prone under dense bushes at the edge of the treeline.


    The transition from forest to open space was abrupt and unnatural.


    ¡°That looks like a road.¡±


    Tessa studied it.


    Definitely paved.


    Flat gray with a thin layer of dirt and dried mud on top that bore signs of passage.


    She was no tracker, but she had training back on the Threnosh world enough to spot boot prints and tire tracks. She need a closer look to be sure and she¡¯d rather have Johnny or Mads give the last word since they were way better than her at the tracking stuff.


    The road was wide. About the size as a two-lane road back on Earth. It ran from west to east.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go back and talk about it.¡± Gene whistled.


    An answering whistle sounded from somewhere overhead.


    Johnny would stay to keep an eye on the road while they returned to the rest of the team¡ª party.


    ¡°Johnny found a road,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Olo and Bastien hissed while exchanging a silent high five.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got two questions,¡± Gene continued. ¡°Do we use it?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s, like, a no-brainer, right?¡± Olo shrugged boulder shoulders.


    ¡°And which way do we go?¡± Gene finished.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that hard hiking through the forest,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°No offense, but maybe for you,¡± Bastien said. ¡°We lack your superhuman-ness.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s clearing a path, making it way easier for us,¡± Olo said.


    Twinklestar¡¯s whine was higher-pitched, but still a deep bass.


    ¡°You¡¯re helping too,¡± Olo said.


    The giant guinea pig wheeked acceptance of the proper amount of appreciation.


    ¡°That¡¯s all fair, but I¡¯m still getting tired. I mean, the armor is super light, but it still weighs more than clothes and we had to remove the artificial muscles,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll trade off riding Twinklestar,¡± Mads said.


    ¡°Me too,¡± Vee added.


    ¡°Thanks, but you guys are our early warning system,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°We can talk about that later. East or west is the real question,¡± Tessa said.


    ¡°All I saw west was that impossibly huge mountain range,¡± Mads said. ¡°A working HUD would be nice because I can¡¯t trust my own estimates even with my Skills.¡±


    ¡°Did you guys see any tracks?¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°Yeah. Boots and tires. Maybe tires,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Which direction?¡± Olo said.


    Gene glanced at her


    ¡°Looked like both ways,¡± she said.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I saw,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°The elevation¡¯s dropping to the east,¡± Mads said.


    ¡°It¡¯s weird that the forest is basically empty,¡± Vee said. ¡°Except for fruits and veggies¡­ but it¡¯s weird that there aren¡¯t any animals or monsters. So, like, if I was a person, I mean, a native, I¡¯d be, like, ¡®this forest is being way creepy, I¡¯m gonna move far away¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Easier to go downhill,¡± Olo said.


    ¡°I¡¯m thinking east is the way to go too,¡± Gene said.


    Tessa nodded.


    She was of the same mind.


    Moving away from the impossibly huge mountains seemed a safer bet.


    Mountains tended to have scary monsters¡­ well¡­ everywhere could have scary monsters. Just that in her experience and in the stories of others mountains seemed to have more.


    Like that dragon back on Earth living in one of the Hawaiian volcanoes according to her uncles or that mountain village in the Philippines filled with the Filipino version of vampires. They sounded a lot more hardcore and terrifying than Bennett, who was kinda sorta scary, but not really, cause he was mostly a shy guy. Could a guy with cute fancy rat familiars be truly scary?


    In the end they decided on a compromise.


    They would use the road while she¡¯d scout ahead to warn them if any people were approaching at which point they¡¯d run into the forest.


    ¡°We should go dark.¡± Mads tapped her faceplate.


    ¡°Should¡¯ve brought cloaks like I said,¡± Johnny said.


    Their armor, though the dumb version, still functioned as an essentially closed system keeping them insulated from the environment. Which had led them to eschew excess clothing to conserve space in their bags of holding for essentials.


    ¡°The natives not being able to see our faces won¡¯t make much of difference when they see our gear,¡± Gene said.


    From what they had gathered from the cragants, the natives, at least from that one city, were probably human with some noticeable differences in features and coloration.


    The cragants had claimed that the natives had skin about as dark as Olo¡¯s and features that resembled Gene¡¯s the closest.


    Granted, most of the cragants they had spoken to admitted that all small ones sort of looked the same to them outside of the obvious things, like skin color and hair color.


    ¡°Gear¡¯s easier to explain away,¡± Mads said. ¡°They have encounter challenges and spawn zones on this world. We can just say we got them from there.¡±


    Mad¡¯s suggestion made sense, even if it wouldn¡¯t stand up to good scrutiny.


    At least by keeping their faceplates dark they wouldn¡¯t be instantly identified as not belonging.


    Only Olo had the skin tone to blend in.


    Gene was Korean.


    Mads and Bastien were pale. The former with blond hair and the latter with light brown.


    Johnny was a light brown being a halfie like her and Vee.


    They were sort of ethnic cousins in a sense.


    Concerns on first contact drifted away as they followed the road for another week and a half in that same silent isolation.


    Tessa wondered if they had emerged in a land mass devoid of life.


    Perhaps the consequence of some kind of spires-induced apocalypse within the greater apocalypse.


    Sentient virus that only targeted biological life?


    Not likely judging by their continued health.


    Ghost armies that absorbed all biological life?


    Long gone if that had been the case.


    Eldritch being? A full god unlike the godling that was the Deep Azure? Doing its thing?


    She hoped not.


    - sublime music caressed her cheeks, swaddling her in a golden blanket¡ª


    She stumbled.


    Johnny appeared in the brush ahead.


    Playing it off, she waved as he beckoned her urgently.


    ¡°Did you find something?¡±


    ¡°Shhh¡­ I did and it¡¯s not good.¡±


    Johnny had ranged ahead about half a kilometer counting on his rogue Skills to avoid detection.


    The road turned south.


    The stream had steadily widened into a good-sized river as they had walked. Wide enough to need a bridge.


    It was a well-made bridge.


    Not wood, but something like concrete. Light gray and hard with neck-high sides to keep travelers from falling off. Two lanes just like the road.


    It spanned about 50 meters without any pillars in the river.


    The bridge wasn¡¯t the cause of Johnny¡¯s consternation.


    It was the small fort a few hundred meters from the other side of the bridge.


    The fort seemed less well-made than the bridge.


    It was surrounded by old wooden walls about Olo¡¯s height with wooden guard towers at each corner of the square.


    The towers were empty.


    The fort was not.


    And she didn¡¯t like what she was hearing coming from within.


    Thus, they waited deeper into the woods on the north side of the bridge while waiting for Mads and Johnny to descend from the treetop.


    ¡°People. Humans and¡­ er¡­ elves, I guess?¡± Mads shrugged.


    Voices would¡¯ve erupted if not for Gene¡¯s shushing. ¡°Start with the elves,¡± he said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if that¡¯s what they are called, but they¡¯ve got pointy ears, like knives,¡± Mads continued. ¡°Smaller and skinnier looking than us. The humans have them locked up in jail wagons unless¡­¡± Mads¡¯ eyes darted from Vee to Tessa.


    ¡°I know,¡± Tessa said. She had heard the sounds emanating from the fort.


    ¡°Excited and terrified.¡± Vee ground her teeth as Twinklestar nuzzled her side.


    Her little sister was technically an adult, but was immature for her age in some aspects, while being mature for her age in other aspects owing to the nature of her upbringing.


    Tessa could say the same thing about herself. The same thing about their friends. Who were all a handful of years older than her.


    ¡°The brain waves, I mean,¡± Vee finished.


    ¡°Stop scanning,¡± she said.


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll ask you when to do it.¡±


    ¡°What about the humans?¡± Gene said.


    Mads shrugged. ¡°Men. They look normal except for the weird skin color and feature combination.¡± She turned to Olo. ¡°They¡¯re not black like you, but their features are kinda close. They¡¯re a bit more broader¡­ I guess that¡¯s how I¡¯d describe them. But, they¡¯re more like in between us,¡± she looked at Tessa, ¡°in skin color. Their hair looks dark, but it¡¯s kinda weird, like there¡¯s a green-ish shine, but that could be cause of the magic light gems they¡¯re using.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the plan?¡± Johnny said. ¡°Sneak past? Wait for them to move and follow since they¡¯re obviously heading to some kind of civilization?¡±


    ¡°If you can call slavery that,¡± Bastien said.


    ¡°It might not be slavery,¡± Johnny said. He grinned weakly at the dark looks shot his way. ¡°Of course it¡¯s still wrong even, especially if it¡¯s, like, a war captives situation thing. Yup, definitely wrong. Evil. No doubt.¡±


    ¡°We have to help,¡± Vee said.


    ¡°Justice,¡± Olo nodded at Vee.


    Tessa regarded him flatly.


    This wasn¡¯t the time to be encouraging that.


    ¡°Alright, guys, obviously the rational thing is to stay out of sight and wait, observe what we can,¡± Gene said. ¡°We¡¯re in different world with a different culture. Who are we to come here and impose our ways? Not to mention, messing with who are likely to be the rulers of this area will only make what we came here to do more difficult.¡± His serious face split into a feral grin. ¡°Fuck that chickenshit, I say. Let¡¯s come up with a plan!¡±


    Truth be told, Tessa had already made her decision earlier.


    The spires seemed to agree as it chimed in their ears with the first Quest on this new world.

 9.20

    Elsewhere on Planet Earth.


    ¡°God. Damn. It.¡±


    Eron was on a tight schedule.


    World Events kept popping up.


    It was like the spires was a kid that just learned what that word meant and couldn¡¯t stop using it in every sentence.


    In just the last couple of days the North Atlantic kraken-thing became the South Atlantic kraken-thing and bounced off of Florida¡ª Richellia¡ª and the girl dragon. Imagine that. Over a hundred year¡¯s old and still considered a girl in dragon years.


    Apparently, it was an epic battle down the entire coast before they managed to drive it away.


    He had watched a bit before he had forgotten to tuck his glasses away in his pouch of holding before zooming down to deal with a thing somewhere over the real South Atlantic. Burned the stupid thing off his face.


    Last he knew the kraken-thing was headed into the Gulf of Mexico.


    It was on his to do list, but first¡­


    There had been a brief flash of some pretty powerful energy over in Africa.


    He didn¡¯t have time to figure out exactly where, he just went to the fertile valley surrounded by mountains.


    ¡°Oh shit!¡±


    Dinosaur riders, but with high-tech stuff.


    He took a split-second to take it all in, focusing on the most important bits as the outworld invaders stood like statues in his heightened state of perception.


    There appeared to be three varieties: small, medium and large.


    Small was about the size of those ridable ponies people that lived in the mountains used.


    Medium was a bit bigger than those huge horses.


    Large was an elephant.


    They all sorta looked like those raptors in that ancient movie about dinosaurs.


    Except, feathery and really colorful.


    Lots of sharp teeth.


    Long arms with clawed¡­ fingers?


    What were those supposed to be called?


    Paws didn¡¯t sound right?


    What were lizard hands and feet called? Fingers? Toes?


    Were these dinosaurs even lizards?


    Shit¡­ probably couldn¡¯t even call them ¡®dinosaurs¡¯¡­ unless¡­


    Some of them were geared up in camouflaged armor and saddles?


    One of the large ones had what were obviously weapons mounted on its back, sides and on its chest.


    The weapons smelled like burning. He could see the power packs. Feel them radiating power. Fortunately, not radiation.


    Right.


    Time to do the thing.


    He flew over to the guys that looked to be in charge judging by the gesticulating.


    ¡°On behalf of the Planet Earth. I welcome you. What are your intentions?¡±


    The gust of wind his sudden appearance brought rocked them back.


    Weapon barrels snapped to him.


    Tiny energy cells surged.


    He smelled the ozone build.


    ¡°I come in peace.¡± He raised open hands. Hopefully, that wasn¡¯t a threat display. Some people could shoot stuff from their hands after all. ¡°Universal translation system working, right?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± one of the short, fuzzy outworld invaders said.


    Weird dudes.


    The tallest came up to about his stomach, while the shortest wouldn¡¯t even reach his waist. So, somewhere between 3 and 4 feet tall.


    They looked delicate.


    Thin-boned. Wiry muscled.


    The crude exoskeleton that reminded him of an ancient video game probably helped make up the strength deficiency. Odd, that they appeared to have laser guns, yet their exoskeleton tech was just a little ahead of where humanity was before the spires fucked them over.


    Then there was whatever they did to control the dinos.


    A lot of glowing lights on the dino helmets.


    Cybernetic mind control?


    Maybe not¡­ not all the dinos were geared up and none of them looked to be hungry for the bite-sized, fuzzy, green-ish people.


    Eron regarded the speaker¡¯s pudgy features. Big eyes, weird nose, like three pairs of nostril slits running from eyes to top of the mouth. Teeth looked like his. So, not predatory. That was a plus.


    Five spindly fingers.


    Boots, so he coudn¡¯t tell how their feet situation was.


    ¡°Not moving.¡±


    The fuzzy little dude swallowed the lump in his¡­


    Eron realized he didn¡¯t know the gender situation.


    He quickly glanced at the others.


    Still couldn¡¯t tell.


    ¡­ their throat.


    ¡°Are you a God of this world?¡± the fuzzy little person said with a tremor in their voice.


    ¡°Absolutely not. Gods don¡¯t exist. What I am is a person. Just like you.¡±


    He didn¡¯t know their expressions, but they looked skeptical. Or that was him projecting.


    ¡°Listen¡­ I¡¯m kind of busy. Lots of World Events.¡±


    They nodded at that.


    So, they must be getting them too, despite being recent arrivals.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to have the ability to deal with some of those, would you?¡±


    The fuzzy little person he took for the leader shook their head. Those big ears flapped like a¡ª


    Nope. He mentally corrected himself. Don¡¯t compare sapient species to animals. It¡¯s a dick move.


    ¡°Alright. No problem. Seems like a lot to ask. So, I¡¯ll just ask you this. What are your intentions on my world?¡±


    The fuzzy little people practically shivered.


    The dinos regarded him intently with their slitted eyes and sharp teeth. They didn¡¯t look pleased. Wary at his strength, but not afraid.


    He wondered if those helmets could scan the energy in his body.


    Then again, only morons wouldn¡¯t take a guy that suddenly flew into their midst seriously.


    The fuzzy little leader person looked to be grappling with a dilemma.


    ¡°Alright, yeah, I don¡¯t have time for this right now. There¡¯s a kraken-thing with portal abilities¡ª anyways, if you¡¯re here to start new lives that¡¯s fine. Totally cool. Just¡­ no conquering or any sort of fighting with my people, the natives, also no fighting with any other sapient outworlders, like you guys. Obviously, you can defend yourself if attacked. But none of that manufacturing consent false flag crap. I will find out. So,¡± he regarded the valley, ¡°you¡¯ve got encounter challenges and spawn zones, it looks like you¡¯ve got the tech to figure out what¡¯s safe to eat and what not. Let¡¯s say just stay in this valley for now. Someone will eventually drop by for all that diplomacy stuff. Any questions?¡±


    The fuzzy little leader shook their head quickly.


    ¡°Cool¡­ one last thing,¡± Eron regarded the dinos. ¡°Are they, uh, sapient?¡±


    The beeping in his ear piece grew insistent.


    ¡°Damn it! Hold on to that thought. Uh, just to let you know, someone might be interested in purchasing one. If they aren¡¯t sapient of course.¡±


    He zoomed into the sky.


    Waited to get enough distance before going well past hypersonic.


    The air burned as he streaked into orbit then back down again in seconds.


    The tight parabolic arc was the fastest way to traverse the globe. Especially, if it was rotating his way.


    He landed somewhere in Mexico.


    The Yucatan Peninsula to be a bit more exact.


    The bluff overlooked the ocean.


    It was a long way down the cliff side to the jagged rocks and pounding waves.


    A few palm trees dotted the grassy bluff with the jungle getting a bit denser several hundred meters down.


    It was mostly quiet, except for the wind, the waves and the heavy buzzing drone coming from the jungle.


    Monster corpses everywhere.


    Along with a handful of people glaring up at him.


    He knew the biggest dude.


    Met him briefly after that slaver stomping in Florida¡­ Richellia¡­ technically, the New American Republic at the time. That shitstain of a nation that hadn¡¯t lasted a decade. Even that was too long.


    Should¡¯ve killed that fuck sooner. Before they had made those collars and hid behind enslaved human shields.


    ¡°Yo, big guy,¡± he threw Tlaloc a head nod as he landed next to the towering mass of bronze-skinned muscle. ¡°You getting swole-er?¡± he patted the bicep bigger than his head.


    Tlaloc grunted.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t seen you in a while. How long has it been?¡±


    ¡°7 years. You¡¯re assistance with the Camazotz was appreciated,¡± he said through grit teeth.


    ¡°Oh yeah, fuck that guy, right?¡±


    Fuck the guy, indeed.


    The Camazotz, to be clear, hadn¡¯t been the same as the Bat People.


    The latter were cool and pretty chill. They lived in caves and ate the mushrooms, root vegetables and insects they farmed.


    The former was something else that, admittedly, resembled the Bat People in a superficial physical sense. However, it was a monster. Big as house that ate anything. The more sapient the better. It healed its wounds by bathing in blood. The more sapient the better. Its sonic screeches had disintegrated people nearly instantaneously and had made him deaf for a day.


    Plus, it could fly.


    Tlaloc and his fighters, the ones that could tangle with it without instantly dying, had struggled to keep up with it.


    It was fair and accurate to say that Eron had saved their asses.


    Sometimes it was tough for prideful sorts to admit that they couldn¡¯t handle everything.


    Styles made fights, after all.


    Cal said that a lot.


    ¡°So¡­ what¡¯s your plan? Whatever you need, I¡¯ve got you.¡±


    ¡°The kraken has been weakened. Your brother¡¯s website says that it has been fighting from the moment it arrived. First against sea monsters and fishmen in the deep ocean, then with Richellia, the Cubans bombarded it with their artillery before they were destroyed.¡±


    The artillery, not the Cubans, at least not the ones manning the artillery.


    The kraken had a terrifyingly long reach thanks to its portal magic, but get far enough away from the coast and a person was safe from it.


    The problem for Tlaloc was that Cancun and a few smaller settlements were on the coast.


    It had been hard enough to keep them protected from the regular ocean monsters and occasional fishmen raid without the massive kraken bearing down like a hurricane.


    It was a doubled-edged sword, living on the coast.


    Eron understood the benefits.


    From time immemorial people lived on the water because of food and trade, though the latter didn¡¯t really apply much in this modern age when they could trade through the spires. It was nice cutting out the middle men. Pure profit for the seller and no mark ups for the buyer.


    Regardless, the kraken was on the way.


    ¡°We will draw its attention and destroy it. Do what you will,¡± Tlaloc said.


    ¡°Okay¡­ great¡­ I do hate being told what to do.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°Good man! Stay swole!¡± he patted the bicep and wandered away to bother the others in Tlaloc¡¯s crew.


    They sorta styled themselves after the ancient gods of the region.


    Aztec? Mayan? Those round-headed dudes?


    Eron wasn¡¯t well versed in the mythology.


    They were a decently powerful bunch.


    Though none were close to Tlaloc.


    No magic weapons of dubious origin to fill them with god-like power.


    ¡°Cool wings!¡± he said to a small group of eagle warriors and eagle knights.


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    He¡¯d put the odds at fifty-fifty that the magus had made those broad wings of black, grey and white feathers on their harnesses.


    ¡°Love the sword-club! Cuts and bashes!¡±


    They had a weird name that he didn¡¯t trust himself to pronounce properly. They were a thick wooden club shaped like those paddles closeted fraternity-types used to spank their bare asses with for ¡®fun¡¯ back in ancient times. For the record he had never tried to join one. Too homo-erotic for him. Not that there was anything wrong with that. His stance had always been they should¡¯ve just been honest about their inner truth rather than go homophobic in the attempt to deny.


    Regardless, the sword-clubs also had razor-sharp bits of obsidian glued on the edges.


    He had seen them cleave monster heads right off.


    They also had those spear-thrower things.


    The rest of their gear really went in on the eagle motif.


    Steel helmet shaped like an eagle¡¯s head. Lightweight breastplate in steel scales shaped like feathers. Same with their vambraces and greaves. Colorful feathers liberally sprinkled over it all to complete the ensemble. He could feel the enchantments all over them. Decent.


    They nodded respectfully, but remained silent.


    He ambled over to the werejaguar next.


    Admittedly, he wasn¡¯t a huge fan of the wild animal-thropes.


    The domestic ones were fine.


    It was a control issue.


    Which was why it was a bit surprising that the woman had already transformed into her full werejaguar form.


    Almost ten feet tall of thick, stout muscles all wrapped up in that spotted pelt.


    Wait? Was it disrespectful to call it that?


    ¡°Hey! How¡¯s it going?¡±


    The werejaguar grunted.


    Good self control.


    He decided she was alright.


    Took a lot of power and control to be confident in transforming well before the battle.


    He couldn¡¯t tell who she was specifically.


    Cal had all those secret files and Eron sometimes reviewed them when there was time.


    He did have a pretty good memory when he wanted to.


    ¡°Looking forward to making some calamari with you!¡±


    She blew out a gust of hot air in his face.


    Was that a chuckle?


    He¡¯d take it as such.


    Thus, he sauntered over to a couple of young men and women.


    They were lightly armored. Enchanted gear.


    The thing that stood out to them were their bolas.


    Also enchanted. Hard to break. More importantly, they plunged the person or monster they bound into pitch black night.


    ¡°Keep your distance. Pick your shots. Maybe focus on using your guns first.¡±


    Yeah¡­ some of these kids weren¡¯t going to be much help against the kraken.


    He made his way through the rest, debating on whether or not to tell Tlaloc that he should send most of them back to wherever the artillery was hidden in the jungle. That¡¯d make him a bit of hypocrite, but it would prevent wasted lives.


    The last person he visited was deeper in the jungle a few hundred meters past the tree line.


    The bee guy had a file on account of being higher level.


    One would think beekeeper wasn¡¯t a good combat class, but here they were.


    A few dozen hives had been set up in the jungle.


    The man stood hidden by a protective swarm.


    ¡°Yo! Just wanted to say hi!¡± he yelled over the deafening drone.


    The bees buzzed around him like a man-sized snake checking to see if he was a threat or food.


    He saw every detail in each individual bee. Their bee-eyes, snapping mandibles, fuzzy little legs and thoraxes, the stinger.


    The man waved and the bees moved away to take the shape of a large hand giving a thumb¡¯s up.


    Eron returned it.


    ¡°Good luck!¡±


    Shit¡­ now he was going to feel bad about the bees dying.


    Just goes to show that almost anything could be dangerous at a high level.


    Granted the man wasn¡¯t just a beekeeper. His class had something to do with the mythical god of bees.


    At least, Eron hoped he was mythical.


    Those other so-called gods? Tlaloc¡¯s axe and powers? Any number of other strange and powerful items that appeared embedded in stone on mountain tops or in lakes?


    Questions had been raised.


    And the potential answers as more evidence appeared weren¡¯t good.


    ¡°Let¡¯s have some, uh, honey after¡­¡±


    Was that offensive?


    The bees and the keeper didn¡¯t seem mad.


    In fact they formed a large bee hand that waved.


    Eron flew over to Tlaloc.


    He could see for miles all the way to the horizon thanks to their elevated position. He¡¯d have to fly up to see farther, but it looked like a large stretch of ocean was boiling.


    ¡°Not long now.¡± He pulled the Threnosh-made helmet from his bag of holding. ¡°Hey, dude, you should put yours on.¡±


    Tlaloc had a similar helmet, just larger, on the ground next to him.


    ¡°So we can coordinate quicker.¡±


    Tlaloc¡¯s fighters didn¡¯t have the full, tricked out helmet. They had to make do with the glasses and the ear pieces. Though not all appeared to be willing adopters of the system.


    ¡°Listen, I don¡¯t really like wearing it either.¡±


    The helmet always got destroyed whenever he got in a real fight. It took time to go get a replacement. Time better spent on killing monsters and saving people.


    ¡°But, we can communicate and mark targets a lot easier. Your army back there is hooked up to the Omninet, right?¡±


    Tlaloc grunted then put his helmet on.


    ¡°Yes, contemptible person.¡±


    ¡°Great. Then I¡¯m going to fly over to that thing and start marking some targets. That way you can start firing at max range. I might be even able to help the shells and missiles¡ª you have missiles, right?¡±


    Tlaloc¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    Strictly speaking the composition of their armaments wasn¡¯t shared knowledge.


    ¡°Everyone¡¯s got missiles.¡±


    ¡°Yes. A few.¡±


    ¡°Great! You should probably start with those. I¡¯ll pull it to the surface. Oh and,¡± he marked fighters with his HUD and shared it with Tlaloc¡¯s, ¡°not telling you what to do, but I believe these would do better back with your artillery. They¡¯re in range of that thing¡¯s tentacles and they¡¯re going to need all the help they can get to not die instantly. Plus, I know you do your water platform trick, but from the vids I¡¯ve watched, they¡¯re not going to be fast enough. Stick with those that can fly or move with superhuman speed and agility if you really need them to level. Otherwise, I¡¯d suggest you pull everyone back. Those tentacles aren¡¯t going to be easy to deal with. Plenty of levels there. But leave the up close stuff to you and me. Just a thought.¡±


    ¡°Those were many thoughts, contemptible person.¡±


    ¡°And salient.¡±


    With that he zoomed into the sky.


    Didn¡¯t wait to get far enough to break the sound barrier.


    Tlaloc barely budged while the closest fighters had to steady each other as the shockwave nearly shoved them to the ground.


    ¡°Bro? You there?¡± he opened a channel to his oldest brother.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Busy?¡±


    ¡°Kinda.¡±


    ¡°Shit¡­ my bad.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Need anything?¡±


    ¡°Nah, just about to put the kraken-thing to calamari death. Hey? The magus is probably going to want parts right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but that¡¯s a low priority. You can¡¯t waste time on harvesting with all the crap going on.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, okay, if I see anything that seems highly magical, like organs or something I¡¯ll grab it. I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re cool with leaving the rest with the Mexicans?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. We¡¯ve got trade agreements.¡±


    ¡°Oh, shit. That¡¯s right. I forgot. Met a new species in Africa. I¡¯ll upload the pertinent info later.¡±


    ¡°Okay, great, listen. I¡¯ll head over and help if I get done here first. Close to the main raper¡­ I think. This clone-son bullshit is bullshit.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ that guy. Hey, before you kill him find out if he gave himself that name or if it was given to him.¡±


    ¡°What does it matter?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll reveal character.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll be dead.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but there¡¯s more of him out there, right?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll just take it from his brain.¡±


    ¡°Awesome! I¡¯m going to try to make this kraken thing die quick. I lost track of Vukylokyr¡ª teleporting bastard¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve asked Ms. Teacher if she can track him. The satellites can¡¯t. His spellcasting is too good, apparently. She said she can, but she has to be careful or she¡¯ll reveal herself.¡±


    ¡°Dude. She just needs to drop that whole hiding teacher shit. Tell her to go all archwizard on that fucker. Unless it¡¯s all just talk.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine for now. You¡¯ve kept Vukylokyr from stopping in one place long enough to do stuff.¡±


    ¡°Which I¡¯m not doing right now.¡±


    ¡°I know. Everyone with Omninet access knows to throw out the alert if they spot him. A lot of false alarms, but better that than the alternative.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s mine. I¡¯ll¡ª oops. Sorry. Got to go. Good luck with the raper.¡±


    ¡°Same with the kraken. Don¡¯t get eaten.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t get¡­ raped¡­ I guess.¡±


    ¡°Ha. Ha. Thanks. I¡¯d worry more about you. What with all the tentacles of varying sizes.¡±


    ¡°Gonna clench my cheeks more than usual.¡±


    Eron cut the call.


    The ocean below was a seething, boiling mass across several miles.


    Monsters lacked the self-preservation instincts of natural creatures. Even the smarter ones that could think on a sapient level couldn¡¯t deny the need to kill for long.


    Thus, monsters attacked the kraken despite the futility.


    Too large, too many tentacles and too many smaller monsters attached to the largest tentacles hundreds of meters long and thicker than the oldest sequoia trees.


    It was creepy, disgusting and horrifying.


    Thin tendrils emerged from the dark gray-blue flesh to ensnare monsters by the dozen, dragging them inside.


    The end result was a monster or person attached to the tendrils coming out to fight for the kraken with what appeared to be some semblance of the skill and Skills they had in life.


    They weren¡¯t alive. Not really. Higher brain functions had ceased. Their organs and body kept functioning by the kraken¡¯s tendrils embedded deep inside.


    Cal had made sure of it when the kraken had first breached in the North Atlantic.


    Otherwise, he would¡¯ve placed the intelligent monster higher on the list.


    Still¡­ there was a staggering number of sapient species attached to those tendrils among the staggering number of monsters.


    ¡°How many worlds?¡±


    Eron flew into action.


    The kraken and monsters slowed.


    He sped through the tentacles, ripping people from the tendrils.


    He focused on the humans, the Earthians and any that looked like they might be one.


    There where several young men and women in cerulean scale armor wielding dragontooth weapons. Their faces had been ravaged beyond the point of recognizability. Indeed, it appeared that the kraken didn¡¯t care or was incapable of preserving the exposed soft tissue.


    They didn¡¯t have the time to fight him before he ripped the tendrils from the tentacle.


    He had over a hundred, carrying them by the tendrils attached to their dying bodies.


    Their hearts quickly stopped beating as he flew them back to land.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Tlaloc said over the comms.


    ¡°One second.¡±


    More like five.


    It took two more trips before he couldn¡¯t see any more Earthians enslaved to the kraken¡¯s tentacles.


    He hadn¡¯t exactly done the most tactically sound thing.


    Families deserved the chance to bury their loved ones and gain closure. It wouldn¡¯t be fair if he could provide that and didn¡¯t. Hope was the worse when there was none. Better they knew than think there was still a chance.


    Fortunately, fate seemed to reward his mission of mercy.


    The kraken didn¡¯t like losing its thralls.


    Eron, unintentionally, had pulled it to the surface.


    It¡¯s great gray-blue bulk compared favorably to several of those super container ships put together.


    Tentacles whipped up at him.


    Thin ones as thick as his thigh filled the sky with cracks as they lashed out.


    The largest ones only looked slow as they attempted to bring their thralls in range.


    Natural projectiles, like spines and sharp bones bounced off him.


    Spells from the hands of outworlder species he had never seen before filled the air with fire and choking clouds of caustic mist. A Skill failed to steal the light from his eyes.


    Eron decided he didn¡¯t care what Cal had said about them.


    If they were casting spells and using Skills then there was still a small part of the person trapped in there for who knew how long.


    They deserved freedom.


    He checked his HUD.


    The red line continued to grow close.


    Estimated range for the kraken¡¯s portals was about the same as the max range for Tlaloc¡¯s artillery guns.


    ¡°Marking main tentacles. Shoot those missiles whenever.¡±


    The man grunted over the comms.


    The sound of the rocket ignitions cut through the rest of the noise.


    The trick was to focus on what you wanted to hear. Helped avoid getting overwhelmed by the thrashing in the water of all the monsters snarling and screaming as they tried to tear into the tough gray-blue hide while being killed in the hundreds.


    Sure was a lot of monsters in the ocean.


    Things slowed down.


    The missiles cut through the air at about the same speed as the smaller tentacles.


    They left a watery arc in their wake as they rose to¡ª


    ¡°Damn it.¡±


    He did a quick eyeball calculation and retracted his faceplate.


    Another negative of the helmets and glasses.


    They got in the way.


    Solar fire lanced out from his eyes, carving through the tentacles before they could whip the missiles out of the air.


    Two out of the three struck their targets.


    The third just missed.


    Fire and smoke surrounded the bellowing kraken.


    He caught a baleful glare from an eye the size of a backyard pool as the giant monster turned to dunk the flames.


    Two large tentacles hung loosely by scraps of white meat and gray-blue skin. Just as thick as expected.


    He cut them the rest of the way off with a look.


    ¡°SunnyD isn¡¯t the only thing with solar energy.¡± He chuckled, then sighed.


    Kind of lame when no one was around to laugh.


    He thought of his daughter.


    She used to laugh at all his jokes.


    Now she sorta chuckled and didn¡¯t make eye contact.


    Soon it¡¯d just be the eye-rolling.


    After that? Well¡­ all he had to look forward to was a teenage girl¡¯s boundless capacity for contempt.


    Time went too fast.


    Ironic, since everything around him was barely moving.


    He put the faceplate back down with thought.


    Targets were still marked.


    The large tentacles mostly.


    The body was hard to miss.


    A satellite was overhead, so he didn¡¯t need to keep everything in front of his helmet to maintain targeting for the others.


    The red line was almost¡ª


    Booms from the jungle a few miles away reached his ears.


    Explosive shells rained down as he flew around them like they were immobile trees.


    The ones that looked like they were going to miss received a helpful push.


    Those way off target he grabbed and threw at the kraken.


    More fire, more smoke.


    ¡°Great job, everyone!¡±


    Yup, he had access to all the channels. Even ones they thought were secure. Didn¡¯t even have to be the ones through the Omninet. Radio, infrared, didn¡¯t matter. If it was a mechanical means of communication the helmet could tap into it.


    ¡°Zero misses! Keep it coming!¡±


    The kraken still wasn¡¯t in portal range and he decided to keep it that way.


    He flew down and grabbed a hold of a fin? A wing?


    Whatever it was¡­ it was thick.


    He had to dig his gloved fingers into the rubbery surface one hand on top and the other under, stretching his arms to the limit.


    The ocean frothed around him as he lifted and pulled, flying a few dozen feet above the surface.


    The size of the kraken was such that most of it was still underwater.


    Stupid monsters leapt at him, forcing him to explode them with kicks.


    The distraction was just enough for tentacles to whip him off.


    Sonic booms cracked the sky as tentacles wrapped him up in darkness.


    They pulled him somewhere. He only needed one guess.


    He was just about to break free when a sudden thought occurred to him.


    What was the quickest way to kill a giant monster?


    Destroy vital organs, obviously.


    And if he wanted to try that then inside was the best side to be on.


    The helmet lasted surprisingly long as he was ground against countless hard and probably magical beaks in the kraken¡¯s mouth. Good thing he had stashed his magic bags and pouches back on land. No way they would¡¯ve survived the journey.


    It was taking too long, so he flew straight past its giant main beak mouth right into its gullet.


    The kraken¡¯s throat passage was as wide as a freeway and not the tiny 4-lane ones, but the ridiculous ones back in California. 8-lanes minimum.


    Monsters, some whole and still alive, swam in the rapid river of sea water flowing down.


    One large monster, a mix between a shark and an octopus, the sharktopus, clung to the fleshy side of the passage with its tentacles. It climbed and proceeded to start chewing down.


    Not two seconds later, the flesh parted in several dozen places.


    Tendril-connected thralls emerged to do battle with the sharktopus.


    Fifth? Sixth grossest experience?


    He ignored the battle below and listened for a heart beat.


    Found several identical sounds and headed for the closest one, flying through flesh, swimming through blood and other fluids.


    Don¡¯t open your mouth.


    He repeated the words like a mantra as he went deeper into the kraken.

 Interlude: TV Justice 1.3

    Tessa had fought and killed many things since a young age.


    Strength brought safety, while bringing more dangers.


    The curse of the spires.


    Fighting monsters was different from fighting other sapients.


    To her, it was like a sliding scale of difficulty in the emotional sense.


    Monsters, humanoid or otherwise, were easy.


    They existed to kill and maybe eat her and the people she cared about.


    Thus, they had to die.


    Fishmen occupied the same spot on the scale.


    Although they were just as sapient as she was, they were monstrous in appearance and behavior.


    Thus, they had to die.


    Bad humans, like the Scions of the Deep Azure cult, were higher on the scale.


    The more evil and more depraved the less she cared about them.


    The latest sapients she had fought and killed were the Inheritors. The twisted side of the coin to the unique Threnosh, who were her friends.


    The Inheritors hadn¡¯t been difficult to fight by virtue of their monstrousness.


    The native men of this world sort of slotted themselves in that same evil category.


    Rapist bastards.


    She was of the mind that there was no excuse for that.


    Were they at war with the ¡®elves¡¯?


    It didn¡¯t matter to her.


    If it was war, then they could¡¯ve just kept them caged up as hostages or bargaining chips or whatever dumb crap people in war did to each other.


    The rape and beatings served no legitimate purpose.


    The evil perpetrators just wanted to get off on their cruelty.


    Thus, she didn¡¯t feel bad about putting a tiny ultra-dense ball into each helmeted head of the sentries in each watch tower.


    She dashed across the bridge as silently as she could manage.


    The plan was simple.


    Get to the other side of the fort undetected and create a diversion.


    Johnny would sneak in and try to locate the leader to mark him for Mads, who was perched in a tall pine on the other side of the river.


    The rest would storm in after.


    That was the extent of their coordination.


    She really wished they hadn¡¯t been forced to strip the communications system from their armor.


    The fog of war really sucked.


    Wooden walls meant jack shit to someone with her level of superhuman strength.


    She hopped to get eyes over the wall.


    A quick peek showed her that the soldiers or mercs or whatever hadn¡¯t noticed their sentries were down.


    One last hop to get the right angle and she shot her kanabo like a missile from her hand.


    Ultradense metal punched right through the wall and into the dirt.


    She landed and surged, lowering her shoulder and crashing through.


    They were slow to act.


    Too busy getting drunk and raping women.


    Remember that, she told herself.


    The closest group of men surrounded an above ground fire pit. The silvery tub stuffed with burning firewood reminded her of the one her family used back home.


    They blinked at her, mouths agape like stupid fish.


    She looked past them.


    Nothing but more wall in the distance.


    Tiny balls of ultradense metal accelerated from her hands to supersonic speed in an instant.


    Sonic booms drowned out the laughter of men and the cries of women.


    The knot of men vanished into red mist.


    Their weird greenish yellow breastplates might as well have been paper.


    Tessa sprinted, snatching her kanabo.


    Men began to emerge from their tents and the other campfires, heading toward the sound.


    Bright flashes erupted from a treetop on the other side of the river.


    Heads, helmeted or otherwise, exploded into splashes of wet red.


    The strongest lights were provided by a handful of large gems or crystals, she didn¡¯t care to differentiate, strategically spread out throughout the small fort.


    She shattered each in turn with a single shot, plunging them all into darkness.


    The lack of enhanced visual modes in her helmet wouldn¡¯t hurt her as much as a normal human since her natural night vision was better.


    She picked a random direction, clubbing men as she sprinted down a narrow row between tightly-packed tents.


    ¡°Mark Our Foes!¡± a deep voice boomed.


    A red glow outlined her body.


    She glanced back toward the other side of the river.


    No red glow around Mads up in the tree.


    So, the Skill had range limits.


    She hoped that Johnny¡¯s rogue-ness would help keep him hidden.


    Then again the easiest way to stop a Skill was to take care of the user.


    The voice came from somewhere to her left.


    She sprinted, leaping over several rows of tents only to land face to face with a handful of men pointing what looked like guns.


    ¡°Halt! Surrender or die!¡±


    The man responsible for the highlighting Skill helpfully revealed himself.


    Big guy.


    At least a foot taller and twice as wide as she was.


    Taller than the line of gunmen standing in front of him.


    She planted her kanabo in the ground with a loud thud that made a few men flinch.


    She brought her hands in front of her, open, non-threatening.


    The guns looked different from what she was familiar with. They had barrels and sights, but they were reddish in color, like rust. In fact, the whole gun was made out of what looked like one piece of that metal. No wooden stock. No trigger guard. No trigger for that matter.


    She cleared her throat.


    ¡°No. You.¡±


    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    The big guy scowled. ¡°Shoot her.¡±


    Trigger fingers squeezed¡­ the grip?


    They definitely didn¡¯t squeeze a trigger. At least that she could see.


    Superhuman reflexes allowed her to beat them to the shot, so to speak.


    She activated her power.


    Bullets zipped from barrels suddenly aglow with faint blue-ish light with the sounds of a sudden, sharp gust of wind.


    She repelled them back the way they came before they touched her hands.


    Half the gunmen dropped.


    The big officer ducked behind one, using the man as a human shield.


    Not a problem for her.


    One ultradense metal ball pierced through two men despite their armor.


    It was weird.


    They had fancy, magic guns, but wore paper-like armor.


    ¡°Corrupting Coils of Chaolar!¡±


    Well¡­ that didn¡¯t sound fun at all.


    Coruscating red tentacles rushed across the ground, tearing through tents and ripping up dirt.


    She shot a handful of balls in that direction as she dived.


    ¡°Fu¡ª¡±


    The tentacles winged her, slapping across her armored legs.


    Pain bloomed.


    Though she didn¡¯t feel particularly more corrupt.


    Perhaps, it corrupted flesh or spirit, which manifested as the painful spikes radiating up her legs.


    She rolled right into a charging group of armed men.


    No guns for these lot.


    Strictly melee.


    Polearms with an axe and hammer head, along with a spike on top.


    No better weapon to cover a good chunk of the physical damage types.


    They shouted Skills, charging forward as one.


    She swung her kanabo one handed in a horizontal arc.


    Superhuman strength overpowered their Skills, smashing their polearms out of their hands.


    Sub Level 30 in their classes then going by how they compared to her friends.


    Olo would¡¯ve held on to his weapon.


    She stepped into the return swing.


    Bones snapped, crackled and popped as she swept the men aside like bowling pins.


    ¡°I Challenge You!¡±


    A young man with long, dark hair, that did seem to shine a bit green in the moonlight swept a rapier into a salute.


    She wanted to hit him with some balls, but her hand wouldn¡¯t obey.


    Damn Skill.


    This guy had to be over Level 30 to affect her even slightly.


    ¡°Fine,¡± she muttered.


    If they had to duel then maybe the rest of them couldn¡¯t interfere.


    It was still bad because it¡¯d give them time to regroup.


    She pointed her kanabo.


    The young man blurred into a lunge covering an amazing distance in one step.


    Rapier tip glinted for her neck.


    She met it with an open hand, using her power to push the steel violently away.


    Her eyes narrowed.


    They did need intel on the world.


    Thus, she brought her kanabo down on the side of his knee.


    The crack was only surpassed by his scream.


    Two light taps with the tip of her weapon rendered his wrists incapable of wielding his rapier.


    ¡°Get me some lights or I¡¯ll send you to the golden angel¡¯s halls myself, you damn bug eaters! Call To Arms! Sober Up!¡±


    Now that sounded like someone in charge.


    She kicked the young duelist wannabe under the chin.


    Just a light tap, but she remembered they were rapists, so some ivory went flying.


    Didn¡¯t need teeth to talk.


    She grabbed the rapier and bent the blade just to rub it in.


    Spells streaked out from behind the tents to her right.


    No Chaolar coils or whatever that was.


    Probably a higher level spell that the mage couldn¡¯t do more than once in quick succession.


    Magic Missiles were familiar.


    They fizzled off Threnium armor like usual.


    She moved away from the leader¡¯s voice and the spell fire, staying low as she sought to circle around to a flank or something.


    A sudden flash in the sky created a large glowing orb of yellow light.


    Mads shot it to no effect.


    ¡°I want a squad over the bridge yesterday!¡± the leader roared. ¡°Take their snipers! Alive! And get me shields!¡±


    Magic and physical.


    Shields sprang up to block Mads¡¯ shots.


    Tessa could see the blue glow rising above the tents.


    Made it easier to target some people she couldn¡¯t see.


    More balls elicited shouts and screams.


    A deep hiss echoed over the sounds of battle accompanied by the sound of a hammer smashing on an anvil rapidly.


    ¡°What the¡ª monsters? Here?¡± the leader roared.


    It took her a moment to realize what the sound was.


    Not iron on iron, but ivory on ivory.


    Teeth.


    Guinea pigs hissed and clacked their chisel-like front teeth together when angry.


    Scale that up by a factor of¡­ a lot¡­ and¡ª


    Black-furred thunder crashed against the western wall.


    At least that was what it sounded like to Tessa since she wasn¡¯t in a position to see.


    She had to fix that.


    It was a perfect distraction for her, after all.


    She broke into a sprint.


    Would¡¯ve left old Olympic sprinters in the dust had she raced them.


    The rapists had gathered around their leader outside the largest tent in the fort.


    A circle formation with ranged-types inside and shields, magic and mundane, on the outside.


    Most of the attention was pointed away from her.


    The few guys in the circle facing her cried out a split-second before she turned them into red mist.


    Neither magic shields, nor weird-looking metal armor would stop her supersonic, ultradense balls.


    The thought made her want to giggle.


    A bit of a coping mechanism for dealing with the whole killing other humans thing.


    Twinklestar charged out of the darkness like a looming shadow beast.


    Vee clung to his fur with one hand, while pointing a finger gun with her other.


    ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang!¡±


    Men dropped to the ground and went into seizures from the electromagnetic pulse she set off inside their heads.


    ¡°Where are my counterspells!¡± the leader snapped.


    Tessa laid eyes on him for the first time.


    He was even bigger and more brutish looking than that earlier big guy.


    Oddly enough, his armor looked like normal steel, even had some chainmail covering the parts the plate didn¡¯t.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to counter!¡± one of the mages, a thin, weasel of a man in padded cloth armor, said.


    ¡°Kill them!¡±


    The mage blasted a bright red beam.


    A sudden blue shield appeared in front of Twinklestar to block it.


    Gene, longsword in one hand, struggled to keep up.


    ¡°On Me!¡± Olo a half step behind despite carrying a large, rectangular shield of solid Threnium banged the haft of his mace on the edge.


    The taunt pulled most of the rapists¡¯ aim toward him.


    Before they could fire, Vee rose up on Twinklestar¡¯s back and roared into the night.


    The remaining men dropped, limbs contorting, frothing at the mouth.


    Tessa suppressed a wince as she heard bones breaking, ligaments and tendons snapping, and even muscles tearing.


    There was one exception.


    The leader rose from one knee and pointed one of those rusty-looking magic guns.


    Too slow.


    Twinklestar was on him with quickness that belied his massive bulk.


    Not so little paws stomped the leader into the dirt.


    She supposed the man wasn¡¯t high enough level to handle a few tons of angry giant guinea pig.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let him up. And get down from there, Vee. You¡¯re a target.¡±


    ¡°Mads will shoot anyone that tries to take a shot,¡± Vee said.


    ¡°Sure, but why risk it.¡±


    The others hustled over.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Johnny?¡± Gene said.


    ¡°He¡¯s somewhere over there,¡± Vee pointed toward the large tent.


    ¡°Did the devil say something?¡± Johnny appeared next to the entrance. ¡°Got the leader. It was an epic fight, but I won¡­ barely.¡± The matte gray surface of Johnny¡¯s armor was covered with scratches and scorch marks. ¡°Magery.¡± He shrugged. ¡°So, there¡¯s a thing¡­¡± he hesitated. ¡°You have to see, but, maybe Vee stays outside, yeah?¡±


    ¡°Alright. Tessa?¡± Gene glanced at her.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Olo, Bastien and Vee, you guys secure the perimeter and these guys. Mads will keep overwatch, but stay on guard. We¡¯ll see what this ¡®thing¡¯ Johnny has to show us before we deal with those¡­¡± he eyed the cage wagons kept in a tight group near the center of the fort.


    Tessa could see the eye shine of the ¡®elves¡¯ shrouded by the darkness.


    It was eerie how they had remained silent the entire battle and even now seemed to watch her like owls.


    ¡°They don¡¯t blink a lot,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°Should I?¡± Bastien gestured toward the broken men.


    ¡°I know you want to, but no healing, bro,¡± Gene said. ¡°Sorry, but you need to save your mana. Maybe once we¡¯ve got them secured.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Tessa pushed past them into the tent.


    The quicker they dealt with whatever the quicker she didn¡¯t have to be in the same air as rapist filth.

 Interlude: TV Justice 1.4

    ¡°Oh, man¡­¡± Gene mumbled.


    The guys averted their eyes from the scene in the center of the huge tent.


    Less of a tent and more like a large, open-floor home really.


    There were scattered beds sort of like those Japanese beds they had in Japan from the one time Tessa¡¯s family had visited.


    A stove was near the far wall.


    It looked weird and different, but she instantly recognized it as a stove.


    It helped that there was a wood fire going on underneath it and pots filled with steaming food.


    She certainly hoped that it wasn¡¯t ¡®elf¡¯ meat in there.


    Couldn¡¯t take it for granted.


    It was a different world.


    A different culture.


    Maybe the rapists were also cannibals?


    They might not even consider it cannibalism since the species was different.


    Tessa forced herself to turn her attention back to the center of the tent.


    An ¡®elf¡¯.


    Well, several, were chained to thick iron stakes driven into the hard ground.


    Except, not all of them were the same.


    Most were as Johnny had described them.


    They were all women.


    Obviously.


    It was easy to tell since they were naked.


    Dark-haired and brown-skinned, but in a shade more like rich wood than the typical human skin tones¡­ the typical Earth human skin tones.


    She had to remember that there was a distinction.


    They were small and skinnier than the average Earth human.


    The last ¡®elf¡¯ was not.


    She was tall.


    A lot taller.


    Even forced into a disgusting position it wasn¡¯t difficult to see the length of her limbs and body.


    Statuesque.


    Perfect proportions.


    Size wasn¡¯t the only difference.


    Her pale skin was almost white, like¡­ those fancy stuff they used for sculptures.


    Alabaster? Marble? Ivory?¡±


    Her hair was almost metallic¡­ platinum?


    There was a glow, a shine to her.


    Skin and hair.


    Not even the countless marks on her body could dampen it.


    Honestly, Tessa was in awe.


    ¡°It¡¯s like I want to curtsy or something,¡± Johnny said. ¡°Feels bad just looking at her. Like I¡¯m part of the crime, you know?¡±


    Sure enough, he was keeping his gaze to the ground near the feet of the ¡®elves¡¯.


    ¡°Alright, Gene, you¡¯re the talking guy. Do your thing.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I can¡¯t,¡± Gene hissed.


    ¡°Seriously?¡± she raised a brow. Sure she was in awe, but not that much. ¡°Men,¡± she snorted.


    Like Johnny, Gene looked away while squeezing the hilt of his longsword tightly.


    ¡°Fine,¡± she rolled her eyes. ¡°So. We don¡¯t want violence. We¡¯re going to release them. We want to ask some questions about this place. Where¡¯s the nearest city? What¡¯s it like? What dangers are in the area? On the way to said city? Do I ask about the Z-guy?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t use its name,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Ask about the sociopolitical climate,¡± Johnny added. ¡°And make sure they aren¡¯t evil,¡± he whispered.


    That was a fair question.


    If there was a species war going on then they didn¡¯t really want to get caught up in it.


    Hopefully, the darkened faceplates and strange-looking armor would keep either side from attacking on sight.


    Then again, it was reasonable to expect that those things would lead to just that.


    Tessa stabbed her kanabo into the hard ground.


    That should set the tone.


    The ¡®elves¡¯ eyed her.


    Except for the super tall, pale, glowy one.


    She approached slowly, hands at her side held open. Like how she did for the deercows back on the Threnosh world.


    ¡°Hello? I mean you no harm.¡±


    They stared at her without blinking.


    Dark orbs.


    The pupil took up more space in comparison to a human eye.


    ¡°Can you understand me?¡±


    She was a hundred percent certain they could talk.


    They had opposable thumbs and their throats looked like a human¡¯s.


    The differences were superficial.


    The eyes.


    The long, pointed ears like knives.


    The skin color.


    They had finger and toe nails.


    The same bits.


    Are those bite marks?


    She shook her head.


    Fucking rapists!


    ¡°Is the Universal Translation System working?¡±


    She realized that the shackles around their wrists and ankles and the collar around their neck had faintly glowing symbols.


    ¡°Wait¡­ nod if the collars are stopping you from talking?¡±


    They answered with vehement nods.


    ¡°Guys! Magic collars.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t feel the mana because of theirs,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°There¡¯s got to be keys,¡± Johnny said.


    She raised her brows at the ¡®elves¡¯.


    Several fingers pointed toward the north end of the tent where a small wooden desk lay flush against the thick cloth wall.


    Johnny walked over. ¡°Ask them if there are traps.¡±


    Several shook their heads.


    ¡°No traps.¡±


    The desk only had one small drawer so it took no time at all for Johnny to come up with keys.


    He muttered a curse as he came back and handed them to her.


    Her face twisted.


    ¡°They¡¯re made out of bone?¡±


    This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    ¡°Magic bones,¡± Gene added unhelpfully.


    Even without the faintly glowing symbols on the ivory surface she could feel their vague power through the electromagnetic field around her. It manifested in the same tingling sensation that other magic stuff tended to elicit.


    ¡°Whatever.¡±


    She regarded the ¡®elf¡¯ women.


    The bigger one was probably the leader, right?


    Nope.


    She couldn¡¯t make assumptions.


    Besides the bigger one¡¯s eyes looked dead the way they stared at the ground.


    Now that she studied the ¡®elf¡¯ it became clear that the woman was as still as a statue laying on the ground. At least as much as she could lay with the chains keeping her partially elevated in a position that Tessa shuddered to think about the obvious reasons for.


    ¡°Who should I free first?¡±


    When in doubt ask the people who knew best.


    Gene cleared his throat.


    ¡°Hold on. Let¡¯s be clear here. We mean you no harm. And all we want from you are those answers. After that, you go your way, we go ours. Nod if you guys got it.¡±


    They did, so she unlocked the shackles from the ¡®elf¡¯ that beckoned with the approval of the others.


    ¡°Outworlder¡­¡±


    The voice was a rasp.


    Tessa didn¡¯t know what she had been expecting.


    Something more magical? Musical? Like the songs of the forest or some such crap.


    Instead, the ¡®elf¡¯ sounded like any human woman. High-pitched, but still deeper than it seemed like it should¡¯ve been.


    She handed over a water bladder from her bag of holding.


    The ¡®elf¡¯ took a sip and tried to hand it back. ¡°The Dominion soldiers?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Some dead. All subdued.¡±


    That was good information.


    She instantly felt less bad about the men she had killed.


    As she and her friends had taken to saying ever since they had been plagued by the nightmares and visions.


    Fuck the Dominion!


    ¡°May the forest feast on their black blood.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Fuck the Dominion!¡± Johnny snapped.


    ¡°Uh, yeah. That.¡± She held the keys out to the ¡®elf¡¯. They might¡¯ve preferred one of their own to do the deed instead of a faceless outworlder in strange and, she just noticed, red-splattered armor.


    The ¡®elf¡¯ recoiled as if from a sparking wire.


    ¡°Ah¡­ right, magic. Sorry.¡± Tessa freed the women one by one while the first shared the water with each.


    ¡°The others?¡± the first ¡®elf¡¯ said.


    ¡°If you mean the ones in the wagon? Then they¡¯re still there. We were careful about collateral damage, uh, innocent bystanders,¡± Gene said. He had no difficulty looking her in the eyes now that she had moved away from the glowing ¡®elf¡¯ still in chains.


    ¡°They will be freed,¡± the ¡®elf¡¯ said.


    ¡°Yes. Of course,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it. Maybe one of you guys can come with, um, after we find clothes or something.¡± Johnny kept his gaze to the tent¡¯s ceiling.


    Tessa tossed the keys.


    Johnny caught them.


    ¡°The black-blooded filth destroyed our clothing,¡± the ¡®elf¡¯ said.


    ¡°Sheets?¡± Johnny gestured vaguely.


    ¡°We have no modesty left.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s cold outside,¡± Tessa said.


    A silent conversation ensued between the ¡®elves¡¯.


    Tessa would¡¯ve missed the subtle twitches of their fingers and expressions had she not been watching them closely for any signs they might attack.


    A few ¡®elves¡¯ grabbed knives from the little cooking area and quickly turned the blankets and sheets into crude ponchos.


    It wasn¡¯t enough for all of them, but she figured the Dominion men probably had clean clothes in one of their supply wagons.


    ¡°You got it, Johnny?¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    ¡°Alright, if a few of you would like to accompany him. Please explain to your fellow, uh, women that we mean you no harm,¡± Gene said.


    Johnny led the clothed ¡®elves¡¯ out the tent.


    ¡°Chill, guys! We¡¯re¡ª Whoa! Chill, chill! Don¡¯t worry about him! That¡¯s Twinklestar, he¡¯s¡ª¡±


    Sudden screams quieted from outside as Tessa turned her attention to the next issue.


    ¡°What about her?¡±


    The big, glowy ¡®elf¡¯ woman was still staring into nothing. Completely unresponsive to the activity in her surroundings.


    ¡°Honored High.¡± The first ¡®elf¡¯ Tessa had freed did a weird thing with her hands and bowed her head. Tears flowed down her cheeks. ¡°The black-blooded inflicted untold suffering and dishonor.¡±


    ¡°She won¡¯t, like, lash out when I free her?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Good enough for me.¡±


    The ¡®elf¡¯ had spoken truth.


    High, she supposed that was the glowy ¡®elf¡¯ woman¡¯s name, did nothing upon being released from the magical shackles and chains.


    The other ¡®elf¡¯ women proceeded to see to High with softly chanted magic that glowed green from their hands.


    The bruises and bite marks on the pale glowing skin vanished. The dried blood on her legs were cleansed.


    When they finished, they draped a blanket they had saved.


    ¡°Oh thank God,¡± Gene muttered. He regarded the first ¡®elf¡¯ Tessa had freed. ¡°So, not to rush you, but those questions¡­¡±


    ¡°We will provide if your words are true.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah, absolutely!¡± Gene said.


    Tessa cleared her throat.


    ¡°We¡¯d like to take a look at their loot. Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll leave most of it to you guys. We might want to take one of the wagons.¡± Gene glanced at Tessa. ¡°Will Twinklestar pull it?¡±


    Come to think of it, she hadn¡¯t seen any beasts of burden in the fort. Granted she had been focused on the fight.


    ¡°If he won¡¯t, me and Vee can.¡±


    ¡°So, we¡¯re going to make sure you have what you need to get where you need to go,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°That is acceptable,¡± the ¡®elf¡¯ said. ¡°We will answer what we can.¡±


    What they got was of mixed value.


    The nearest settlement was a few weeks walk down the road.


    They knew nothing about it since this was the farthest they had traveled from their homes in the forests nearer to the base of the massive mountain range to the west.


    The translation system referred to the range as ¡®The Mothers¡¯.


    A string of lucrative and difficult encounter challenges had appeared on and under the mountains a few generations ago. That was in ¡®elf¡¯ years.


    Tessa wondered if they were more long-lived or functionally immortal. The only thing she had to go on was fiction and it felt rude to ask. She had no idea if that was a cultural taboo that could¡¯ve put a stop to the answers.


    The sudden appearance of said challenges was behind the state of war between the Dominion and the ¡®elves¡¯.


    The former controlled lands to the west all the way to the ocean and beyond, while the latter, presumably, held lands at the eastern base of the range and on the eastern side.


    The ¡®elf¡¯ didn¡¯t elaborate.


    Which was fair.


    Tessa wouldn¡¯t want to give away intel unless it was absolutely necessary to get something worth it in return.


    The ¡®elves¡¯ weren¡¯t ¡®elves¡¯. At least that wasn¡¯t how they referred to themselves.


    They were the ¡®Low¡¯.


    ¡®High¡¯ wasn¡¯t the glowy one¡¯s name. It was her species? Subspecies?


    She might¡¯ve asked for a brief explanation to satisfy her curiosity but the golden symphony lurking around the edges of her thoughts kept her focused on their one goal.


    The tale of how they had come to be captives was a tragic and harrowing one.


    They had been traveling from the settlement of the father of the High¡¯s unborn child when they came under attack by an overwhelming Dominion force likely teleported from the closest encounter challenge.


    Tessa saw Gene stiffen when the Low briefly described the battle with a flat, matter of fact tone despite describing spells and Skills that split the sky and devastated entire swathes of the forest and mountainside.


    In the end, the Dominion had gained enough of an edge with the ambush to triumph.


    The ¡®Low¡¯ fighters that hadn¡¯t perished in the battle were slaughtered afterward.


    All that remained was one High and less than 30 Low women and girls, mostly noncombatants.


    The enchanted shackles and chains were enough to render them weak enough for a few hundred sub-Level 40 fighting Dominion men to keep them captive and violate them for over a year. First at a Dominion stronghold. Then on the long road as they finally sent them east. Their ultimate fates lay across the narrow sea to the main Dominion land. Where the naturally high concentration of mana in their bodies promised greater suffering for many years as their bodies and very essence would be slowly stripped of their magic until they remained nothing more than withered husks clinging to life, too hollowed out to even wish for the release of death.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for you losses.¡± Tessa forced her gaze to the High. ¡°And for your baby.¡±


    That drew the first reaction.


    A mere flicker of her eyelids.


    As for Zalthyss?


    The Low knew nothing more than that it existed.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°We¡¯ll have to interrogate the rapists,¡± Tessa said.


    She wasn¡¯t looking forward to it. They¡¯d have to interrogate multiple men, multiple times because their information would be obviously suspect. It would take a lot of work to corroborate everything to sift for kernels of truth in their bullshit. She¡¯d much rather wash her hands of them entirely.


    That was when they ran into their first snag.


    ¡°We claim our rites of the aggrieved,¡± the Low said.


    Tessa shrugged with a glance at Gene.


    She didn¡¯t need an explanation.


    It was obvious what that entailed and they were welcome to it.


    Gene sighed. ¡°I¡¯m not really looking forward to talking to those guys. We lack the ability to find out if they¡¯re lying to us, which is a guarantee. So, it¡¯s not like what we could get from them would be useful.¡±


    ¡°We could scare some of the younger ones pretty easily.¡± She felt compelled to play devil¡¯s advocate.


    ¡°How important are these rites?¡± Gene said.


    ¡°We would¡¯ve performed them already if not for our deference for your saving acts, outworlder,¡± the Low said.


    ¡°Can you wait a little longer? Our party needs to discuss things,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°That is acceptable.¡±


    Tessa followed Gene out of the huge tent.


    ¡°One guess on what this rite entails?¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Well-deserved punishment. I don¡¯t care about the details. As far as I¡¯m concerned they¡¯re welcome to it. They¡¯re the ones that¡¯s been raped and tortured for over a year. Jesus Christ, that¡¯s some grim darkness garbage!¡±


    ¡°The others won¡¯t have a problem with it or enough to complain,¡± Gene continued. ¡°Except for Vee¡­ probably.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to her.¡±


    ¡°We should do it as a group.¡±


    ¡°No. She¡¯ll feel less ganged up on if its just me and her.¡±


    Tessa figured it¡¯d be a coin flip in regards to Vee¡¯s reaction. Her little sister had a child¡¯s conception of justice, but Vee could be convinced with a reasoned argument.


    Then again, what could be more justified than the victims deciding the fates of the rapists?


    It was black and white for Tessa.

 Interlude: TV Justice 1.5

    ¡°What kind of punishment?¡± Vee said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. She didn¡¯t say.¡±


    ¡°Well, how can I decide if I don¡¯t know what it is?¡±


    ¡°Is it for us to decide in the first place?¡±


    Tessa knew her sister.


    They shared a similar dislike of being told what to do. It only made them dig their heels into the ground. Better to make them think about a question rather then make them build a wall in front of something that sounded like an order.


    ¡°They are the victims,¡± Vee mused.


    Tessa kept one eye on the restrained Dominion men.


    Not exactly soldiers.


    She had learned a bit more from the Low as she had helped them bind the men and make sure none of the healers were surreptitiously doing their thing.


    She was ashamed to admit that she didn¡¯t feel bad at all for having to break a few bones on the way to mended by a spell or Skill.


    The men shouldn¡¯t have been rapists if they didn¡¯t want her to break their bones.


    They functioned more like a militia or mercenaries.


    The true Dominion soldiers on this land stayed at the string of strongholds near the encounter challenges across The Mothers and in the capital city on the eastern coast.


    The more she had listened the more it sounded like the land was a backwater.


    That the Dominion had only started putting effort into colonization from their main lands to the east of the narrow sea after those encounter challenges had started popping up.


    ¡°I mean, what are we going to do with them even if it was up to us?¡± Tessa continued. ¡°Trying to keep a few hundred men prisoner with just us seems impossible. I can see us getting hurt if they don¡¯t cooperate. And I think they would definitely try something. It¡¯s hard not to see that. I mean, we¡¯re way outnumbered. Plus, you heard the Low. The lands we¡¯re headed to belong to the Dominion. I can¡¯t picture them putting these rapists in prison. They¡¯d try to put us in prison and give these guys medals. And I don¡¯t know about you, but I can picture what they¡¯ll do to us in said prisons.¡±


    Vee nodded. ¡°I¡¯m okay if they want to take them back to face justice.¡±


    ¡°Do you think they can? They¡¯ve been tortured for, like, a year or more. Those shackles and chains drained their mana and it sounds like it¡¯ll take some time for them to recover.¡±


    ¡°They can wait in here. It¡¯s not like there are any monsters out in the forest and it sounds like they¡¯re more foresty than us,¡± Vee said. ¡°Plus, it¡¯s a long way to the nearest village and any Dominion fighters. They¡¯ll be safe here.¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t they have the same problem as us? 30 people to keep a few hundred prisoner. That¡¯s not even considering how they¡¯ll get them all they way back to the mountains. And it¡¯ll be hard enough to avoid Dominion soldiers without dragging along the rapists.¡±


    Vee frowned. ¡°I know what you¡¯re doing.¡±


    ¡°Have I said anything that wasn¡¯t true?¡±


    ¡°Stop that!¡±


    Twinklestar rumbled, nuzzling Vee¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯m never going to get used to how big this old bastard¡¯s gotten,¡± Tessa muttered. ¡°Well? I don¡¯t like putting you on the spot, but I¡¯d like to get moving as soon as possible. We have no idea how good the Dominion¡¯s communications are. Can they send reports? How often? What¡¯s their max distance? The Low said they¡¯re capable of portal travel. Are we in range? Would they care enough to do it? Are the Low and the High valuable enough to recapture? It sounds like they might be. So, the more distance we can create the quicker¡­¡±


    ¡°Fine. It¡¯s up to them. That would right. But, no torture.¡±


    Tessa was magnanimous about the prospect.


    Intellectually, she could agree.


    Emotionally?


    Well, she had empathy so it was too easy to see herself in the Low and High¡¯s shoes¡­ feet. To see her sister or her mom or Mads and every other woman and girl she had ever known.


    When she thought of it that way, she found that she couldn¡¯t muster much of an opposition to the prospect.


    Ultimately, the Low and the High were owed justice.


    It was their right to decide what form it took.


    ¡°Is it our right to decide?¡±


    Vee¡¯s brow furrowed further.


    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to them, but I can¡¯t promise anything. Meanwhile, keep scanning those brain waves.¡±


    ¡°I am,¡± Vee grumbled. ¡°I keep having to zap a few of them.¡±


    ¡°Keep up the good work.¡±


    Tessa left her sister and Twinklestar with a thankful nod to Olo a short distance away. He would keep an eye on Vee like he always did in these situations. His large size was a comfort in the dim light from the few undamaged light crystals scattered through the roadside fort. A tank was always appreciated.


    She went back to the tent where a few Low tended to the unresponsive High.


    The rest had claimed weapons and clothing from the men¡¯s supply and stood guard in and around the tent.


    The Low that had done most of the talking approached her.


    She was surprisingly quiet.


    Footsteps on the dirt sounded less than a whisper.


    Even the cloth of the too-large shirt barely rustled.


    ¡°I never got your name. Mine¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°No. We owe you a debt, but that is anathema,¡± the Low said.


    ¡°Exchanging names?¡±


    The Low nodded. ¡°You conceal your face, but your shape betrays you. As does the way you move and carry yourself. Only your words differ, but I am certain you are one of the black-blooded.¡±


    ¡°Um, okay,¡± she shrugged. ¡°So, why do you call them that? Their blood is clearly red. Are you colorblind or something like that?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not literal. It¡¯s for the foul ichor they once relied on to power their odious machines until they somehow advanced their magic generations worth in the blink of an eye.¡±


    That sounded fast even if the Low was using her slow blinks, in comparison to Tessa¡¯s, as a reference.


    ¡°Interesting, I¡¯d ask more, but I think we¡¯re both eager to get moving. So, I have to ask¡ª¡±


    ¡°We are grateful for you saving us from our torment and an even worse fate across the sea, but there can be no compromise. We are the aggrieved. We are owed everything.¡±


    The Low said it with same energy as someone reading from a recipe book. Except for that last bit. That was accompanied by a fire behind her too-black eyes.


    ¡°Okay,¡± she shrugged. ¡°Do you think you can keep them chained up without us? Cause if you don¡¯t want to compromise then there might be a problem. So, it¡¯d be ideal if we left before you did those rites.¡±


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Yes, but we will need their mana potions.¡±


    ¡°How much?¡±


    ¡°As much as you will allow us to take.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I guess we should do the whole dividing the loot thing.¡±


    The Low turned and did that uncanny wordless conversation thing.


    Four other Low dropped what they were doing and joined them.


    ¡°They will perform this task,¡± the Low said.


    Tessa whistled.


    Johnny appeared next to the tent¡¯s entrance seemingly out of thin air.


    Some of the Low didn¡¯t appear surprised.


    ¡°If, uh, you ladies would like to follow me. Let¡¯s head on over to those supply wagons,¡± Johnny said.


    Tessa turned to follow when the Low caught her attention.


    ¡°There is another issue that I wish to speak to you with,¡± the Low said.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Johnny paused.


    ¡°You want me to save anything in particular for you.¡±


    ¡°Just anything I can shoot,¡± Tessa said. She had a lot of ultradense balls in her bag of holding, but she wanted to start conserving them. ¡°I¡¯ll check later for anything else I might need.¡± She regarded the Low. It was a nice change of pace to be significantly taller than someone who wasn¡¯t a Threnosh. It was her turn to loom.


    ¡°Follow me,¡± the Low said.


    They walked out of the tent and past the bound Dominion men.


    They were quiet now.


    There had been jeers and threats earlier, but her casual snapping of their leaders¡¯ limbs had a quieting effect.


    The Low took her past now empty tents.


    She thought about the value of going through the men¡¯s personal belongings, but dismissed it when weighed against the need to avoid any sort of fight with the Low. She wasn¡¯t going to shed their blood. Not for a bunch of rapist filth.


    A lone wagon, no different from the rest of the cloth covered ones, sat by itself surrounded by tents.


    ¡°This better not be a trap.¡± She sighed.


    ¡°We are not faithless like the black-blooded. Is your kind the same? I know there are many worlds. That your kind is a plague upon many owing to your ability to breed like rabbits.¡±


    ¡°I almost thought you were going to compare them to locusts.¡±


    The Low might have deduced her human-ness, but she wasn¡¯t going to confirm or deny.


    ¡°Am I incorrect?¡±


    ¡°So, not a trap. Then what?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps something, perhaps nothing to you, but a burden nonetheless.¡±


    The Low opened the padlocked door with a twist of her wrist.


    Tessa didn¡¯t miss the glow of magic around the fingers and lock.


    She heard a whimper as the door swung out.


    What. The. Fuck? Tessa thought.


    ¡°Calm, young one. You are safe now. The black-blooded can¡¯t harm you anymore. Soon they will harm none.¡± The Low spoke in soothing tones.


    Tessa backed away from what she hadn¡¯t expected to see inside the wagon.


    Oh, she figured on another woman, perhaps, a second High?


    She had been half right.


    Maybe a quarter right.


    What lay inside the wagon were two.


    A Low girl cradling what looked to be a High baby, judging by the faint shine to his pale skin.


    ¡°I thought you said she lost her baby.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t misspeak. That thing is anathema.¡± The Low beckoned to the girl. ¡°You may lay it down. They can no longer hurt you.¡±


    ¡°Hey! Careful!¡±


    The girl practically dropped the baby on the thin cushion covering much of the wagon¡¯s floor before scampering into the arms of the Low.


    ¡°Are you¡ª Are you planning to leave¡­¡± Tessa got a better look at the naked baby, ¡°him there?¡±


    ¡°That is anathema. It can¡¯t exist. I would put it out of its miserable existence if I didn¡¯t suspect you would object.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ yeah, I¡¯d object! He¡¯s a baby. Sure it sucks for her but¡­¡± It wasn¡¯t hard to guess at who the mother was and how he had come to exist. ¡°He¡¯s here now. I mean, look at him. Got the ears. The shininess.¡± The baby did look well taken care of considering the situation. He was all plump and such, like babies were supposed to be.


    ¡°That won¡¯t last as the black blood in his veins corrupts.¡±


    Tessa reassessed her views on the not-elves.


    They were really racist¡­ speciesist?


    No, no, that was wrong.


    She reminded herself that this group didn¡¯t necessarily represent all of them.


    A nightmare had been inflicted on them.


    It was fair for them to view the Dominion men as they did.


    Tessa muttered a string of choice words.


    The baby hadn¡¯t done anything wrong.


    She climbed into the wagon to pick him up.


    ¡°Are there, like, diapers or anything?¡± She scanned the wagon.


    ¡°You may use cloth.¡±


    ¡°You mean magic cloth that¡¯s super absorbent and self-cleaning?¡± She hoped.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe it likely that they would have that in their supplies. Its birth was unexpected, happening several months into our journey.¡±


    ¡°Could you magic me up something like that?¡±


    The Low¡¯s face remained unreadable.


    ¡°You can think of it was part of your thanks for the whole¡­ thing¡­¡± she waved vaguely as the baby began to squirm in the cradle of her arm.


    Right, cold armor.


    She pulled a towel out of her bag of holding to wrap him up like a burrito, calming him down.


    That book she had read back on Earth had been right.


    A towel was a smart thing to take on an adventure.


    ¡°I will see if that is possible,¡± the Low said.


    ¡°Great. Thanks. Anything else I should know about him? Like food and drink? How often to feed him.¡±


    ¡°It is half your kind. The differences will be negligible. Indeed his better half will make him more robust than your fragile, mewling spawn.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon. Is that necessary? We did save you guys.¡±


    ¡°Apologies. Perhaps, your branch is different, outworlder. I must remember that for there are infinite possibilities in the spires multiverse.¡± The Low¡¯s face twisted in her first show of emotion upon gazing at the baby. ¡°Feed and water it as you would your own sp¡ª young.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Thanks.¡±


    ¡°However¡­ our way would be a kinder fate. Though it is anathema we wouldn¡¯t revel in its suffering. It would be swift and painless for it didn¡¯t ask to enter existence.¡±


    ¡°Why would you say that?¡±


    ¡°Because you cannot protect him. And I sense that you are on a Quest. It will be a burden, like I said, that you will find yourself unable to relinquish.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure there are good people out there that can take care of him.¡±


    Orphanages had to be a thing.


    Or maybe a kindly farming couple unable to have children of their own.


    ¡°Perhaps, such things exist. But even if they did, they would be unable to care for it, raise it. The Dominion will find it. It will be turned into a weapon until it has expended itself at their will. That is the kinder fate. At worse it will suffer as we would have.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡±


    ¡°That is my final warning. It is valuable. The Dominion will reward those that bring it to them your weight in gold. The black-blooded will wet the ground with their own blood to take it from you.¡±


    Well¡­ fuck¡­


    She eyed the baby.


    The faint shine would be a problem.


    He was still bald, so hopefully when the hair started to come in it wouldn¡¯t be platinum and shiny.


    His ears were also pointed, though not as long and knife-like as his mother¡¯s. Still obviously not human though.


    His eyes were shut and she wasn¡¯t about to pry them open just to look.


    Right¡­ so, some kind of head covering that also covered the ears.


    Did the have beanies with ear flaps on this world?


    The environment was cold, so it seemed likely there¡¯d be an equivalent.


    She asked the Low.


    ¡°Perhaps in the black-blooded¡¯s supplies.¡±


    It took over an hour and a heated conversation for Tessa and her friends to get ready to depart.


    They took one cloth covered wagon and filled it with gear and supplies, including a hefty sack of the regional currency.


    Johnny had gotten the low down on how the currency worked from one of the Dominion men. It remained to be seen if the information was good.


    The Low woman, who never gave her name, did grant Tessa one last gift in gratitude.


    A simple phrase.


    It contained a hint of magic that set her electromagnetic field tingling as she repeated it several times.


    The Universal Translation System didn¡¯t translate and she knew, somehow, that it was impossible for her to forget it.


    A debt had been incurred and the Low¡¯s people would repay it.


    Life for life.

 9.21

    Tlaloc watched the pendejo get tentacled into what he presumed was the giant squid monster¡¯s mouth.


    He had to admit that the helmet and the satellites were useful even if he didn¡¯t like the idea that it could and was probably being used to watch him the same way.


    He wasn¡¯t too concerned about Eron.


    The man didn¡¯t take things seriously enough and being chewed around seemed like a proper humbling experience.


    Still, the man had said some wise things.


    He had already sent most of his fighters back deeper into the jungle to bolster the defenses around the artillery pieces and to help protect Guillermo. The man¡¯s bees were potent on the attack, but less on on the defense.


    He surveyed the ocean from high above on one of his hardened water platforms.


    How it stayed suspended there?


    He couldn¡¯t say.


    All he knew was that it obeyed his will. And that was all that mattered.


    ¡°Attack the largest tentacles. Cut the tendrils and free those unfortunate things the monster has enslaved.¡±


    Their minds may have been gone, but their souls couldn¡¯t truly pass on to the next world while their bodies yet lived, even if it was a horrid mockery of life.


    ¡°Plant explosives. In the holes if possible.¡±


    Why did everything the spires throw at them have to be disgusting and horrific?


    ¡°I¡¯ll maintain a path back to land if you can¡¯t remain in the fight. Eagle warriors and knights. Watch out for the others. I¡¯m counting on you to remove those too injured to continue. The rain will give you strength and courage. It will weaken our enemies. It will heal, but don¡¯t be reckless. It won¡¯t heal that much.¡±


    He whirled his obsidian axe over his head.


    The sky had already darkened as he had gathered clouds while Eron had kept it busy and the artillery bombardment had commenced.


    Even as he called the storm the shells continued to rain down on the kraken.


    Red lightning began to answer his call, streaking across the clouds.


    The rain went from a drizzle to a torrent in seconds.


    It wouldn¡¯t hinder those that fought on his side in any way.


    As for the kraken?


    It must¡¯ve sensed the magic as it picked up speed toward the shore.


    He saw it cross the red line in his HUD.


    Close enough now to reach his location.


    A loud thump followed by a pop rattled them to the core.


    The empty air above them opened like a great beast¡¯s eye.


    ¡°Move!¡±


    It was bad enough that the kraken was the size of a small island.


    What creator saw fit to give it the ability to open portals for its tentacles.


    One as thick as Tlaloc thrust down like a javelin.


    His fighters scattered while he stepped to one side and swept his axe up from ground to sky.


    Pink-red lighting played across his bulging arms, up the obsidian shaft to the massive head.


    He charred the tentacle as he bisected it along its length.


    There was pleasure to be taken from the distant bellow.


    Unmistakable pain.


    The kraken withdrew its tentacle in two flopping halves back into the portal.


    More opened up around them at different angles.


    A whip crack smote one of the eagle warriors out of the dark sky.


    Tlaloc didn¡¯t know who, but the warrior was dead. Killed instantly by a blow that folded them in half. He would take the toll, mourn and honor their sacrifice after the battle for he knew that there would be more.


    Maria snarled as she leapt across his platforms.


    The werejaguar warrioress was truer to the name than any from history or the present day with the class.


    Claws shredded gray-blue hide as she climbed to the portal before digging in and letting gravity drag her down to savage a tree-sized tentacle.


    He glanced back to the bluff they had been on.


    The portals had reached it and thick clouds of angry bees droned as they plunged their stingers into tentacles.


    Guillermo had used Skills to breed a larger, stronger, tougher strain of honey bee. Their venom was many times more potent and unlike natural bees, they didn¡¯t die to deliver their strike.


    The great monster bellowed like the horn of one of those gigantic ships pulling into the port he had observed as a child.


    The storm howled in answer with gale force winds that hampered the kraken, yet left those assailing it unbothered.


    Lightning scoured its bulk free from the myriad of sea monsters clawing, biting for their pound of flesh.


    It truly was like trying to sink a small island.


    His warriors flew or leapt through a forest of tentacles.


    Finally, one of the kraken¡¯s largest tentacles breached through a sudden gaping portal.


    Enslaved people, human and others, emerged from wet oozing holes to fire spells.


    Flying warriors fell to their watery graves, yet for every one that gave their lives a dozen enslaved joined them, cut free from the white tendrils.


    There was never a place for chains of servitude.


    Tlaloc hurled his axe, cleaving through one of the smaller tentacles to sink into the largest one.


    He reached out and appeared with hand on axe handle.


    The enslaved assailed him from all sides.


    It was for naught as his near invulnerable skin shrugged it all off.


    The great obsidian axe swept in blindly fast arcs though the massive man wielding them seemed to barely move his arm.


    He dismissed the platform of hardened water and fell, cutting tendrils all the way down to the ocean¡¯s surface.


    Tlaloc gave them the last true freedom they were owed.


    Death.


    The kraken didn¡¯t like to be stolen from.


    It was as if the jungle had suddenly objected to Tlaloc¡¯s presence by trying to bury him with whipping trees.


    The axe glinted, red flashes reflected off the black, mirrored surface. A hundred angles spread the lightning across the gray-blue jungle.


    He cleaved and burned.


    Punched and kicked.


    If there was one that could reduce a small island into nothing, it was him.


    He leapt.


    Hundreds of meters in a single bound.


    The kraken had continued its inexorable swim to shore.


    It had well and truly passed the red line marked in his HUD.


    Soon it would be unable to proceed further due to the shallowing of the water.


    Several hundred meters from shore.


    It seemed far until one realized that even the shortest tentacles could sweep the beach from that distance.


    As for the longest?


    They could reach from ground to top floor of a skyscraper.


    With the portals?


    They could reach many kilometers into land.


    Voices over the radio.


    Warning.


    Fear.


    Courage.


    The artillery positions were under attack.


    Where was that annoying Eron?


    Useless.


    He would end it himself.


    The axe fell on the kraken like a meteor.


    Red crackled across the gray-blue.


    It did not smell anything at all like grilled squid.


    He planted his feet and pulled his axe free.


    Surprisingly bloodless.


    The hide looked to be meters thick.


    More like a warship¡¯s armor than a living thing¡¯s skin.


    Tentacles attempted to sweep him off as he made his way toward the monster¡¯s head and those enormous pools it had for eyes.


    He cleaved the smaller ones and leapt or ducked the larger ones.


    Time slowed for him.


    Seconds?


    Minutes?


    Hours?


    It felt like all.


    The chatter in his helmet continued unabated as his warriors struggled and died.


    The artillery bombardment had stopped at some point.


    They knew to retreat.


    So did the warriors fighting over the ocean with him.


    Maria and the surviving eagle warriors and eagle knights had made for land.


    Swarms of bees continued to assail the tentacles even as they whipped the jungle in search of Guillermo.


    Good.


    That meant the man was still alive.


    Soon?


    An eternity?


    Tlaloc stood alone with the kraken.


    Even the other monsters were gone.


    Bits and pieces, torn, broken and charred bobbed in the dark, churning mass of sea water, foam and mingled viscera.


    At long last he reached the head.


    The full shape of it was hidden beneath the surface.


    ¡°You¡¯re dead, monster. Show me an eye and I¡¯ll make it quick. Or would you rather I dig for it?¡± he smote it with a lightning bolt as thick around as he was.


    The acrid stench overwhelmed the death that had lingered in the moist air since the beginning of the battle.


    It started with a tremor.


    A shiver through a body the size of a small island.


    Then a sudden violent earthquake.


    Not the gentle, rolling kind, but the sharp, angry kind that threw everything to the floor.


    Farther back, the kraken¡¯s gray-blue hide bulged.


    Tlaloc shielded his face with his axe blade just in time as the body erupted, showering a wide swath with foulness.


    A volcano that spewed kraken blood, flesh and other things instead of smoke, ash and lava.


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    It felt just as hot though, until the heat vanished to be replaced by the comforting cool caress of his rain.


    The kraken groaned as its body rattled with the last breaths it possessed.


    Eron drifted down through the thick clouds of steam with something large pulsating in his hands.


    ¡°Killed it,¡± he spat, ¡°got some in my mouth.¡±


    ¡°What is that?¡±


    ¡°One of its hearts. I¡¯m taking it. It has a bunch more. No idea if it¡¯s useful.¡±


    The chime in their ears briefly took their attention.


    ¡°No time for that,¡± Eron said.


    Tlaloc agreed, broadly.


    Eron nodded.


    ¡°Listen, dude. I¡¯ve got things to do, so I¡¯m leaving this thing with you.¡±


    Disgusting waves lapped up the side of the gray-blue bulk.


    A few tentacles continued to twitch and whip around.


    The last signals of the dead monster¡¯s brain finally reaching their destinations.


    ¡°Tow it out to sea.¡±


    ¡°Sure, if it¡¯s still here once all these World Events are done. But for now? I¡¯ve got to drop this off,¡± Eron held up the bloody heart bigger than his torso, ¡°and I¡¯ve got bodies to return to Fl¡ª Richellia. Oh, do me a solid, yeah? If you happen to find more human, er, Earthians in this thing, can you set them aside. I figure it¡¯s the right thing to do. For the families, you know?¡±


    Tlaloc grunted.


    A reasonable request, though he wouldn¡¯t dig through the dead kraken¡¯s innards to search, nor would he make any of his people do the same.


    To him, the kraken was dead, which meant that the enslaved were also truly dead.


    Their spirits were free.


    The rest was just decaying meat.


    Eron turned to leave.


    ¡°You know it¡¯d be nice if you were willing to lend that strength and fancy axe elsewhere. Plenty of bad shit like this going on right now. I could fly you over to one right now?¡±


    There it was.


    That¡¯s why he had never liked the man.


    He glared at the smaller man.


    They were eye to eye because Eron lacked the courage to stand on his own feet instead of floating.


    ¡°I have my responsibilities. As do you. You chose your burdens. I chose mine.¡±


    ¡°And yet here we are. Me. Killing your burden.¡±


    ¡°You chose.¡±


    ¡°I guess I did.¡±


    The sudden boom caught Tlaloc unprepared.


    He staggered back, only just managing to catch his footing on slick flesh.


    Eron was gone.


    Tlaloc willed his storm to move inland.


    His people needed it now.


    It was the time he hated most of all.


    Time to count the toll.


    <hr>


    Lucy Vela stripped off her radiation suit.


    The green glow in her lead-lined changing room intensified to near blinding had she been not her.


    Powers weren¡¯t always a blessing.


    She stared at the shell in its bay.


    The flat gray metallic surface stared at her, tempting her.


    She¡¯d had the power armor for a month now and yet she couldn¡¯t bring herself to put it on despite the promise it brought.


    An end to the long isolation. First in out of the way places, then in her current nuclear power plant home.


    Cal had promised that the fancy suit would contain her radiation while draining it and converting it into energy.


    That the risks of accidentally irradiating people were minimal.


    Still, the timing didn¡¯t feel right.


    She wanted to test it out without the risks.


    It remained in its bay because she feared that her fears would be proved right.


    So long as she didn¡¯t know for certain then she still had a hope to cling to.


    Otherwise, what was the point of living?


    Tonight, the point was to kill the horde of monsters headed her direction.


    They had swept in from the mountains, coming out of one of the spires.


    Like all monsters, they sounded like nothing more than sharp teeth, claws and a mad desire to kill.


    Too many though. With armor-plated hides that would make a mockery of the weapons the people down in the town and the settlements beyond her plant had.


    Cal had asked her to help.


    Asked.


    Not ordered.


    She could¡¯ve stayed inside and hoped they passed her by.


    Perhaps, shoot the ones that poked their heads around.


    Instead, she headed outside.


    The heat from her unshielded body had begun to melt things around her as she hurried through the building.


    She was upwind from the people, so that was a relief.


    It was unfortunate for all the animals and plant life further up the mountain.


    The lake feeding the river was also out of the danger zone so long as the wind didn¡¯t shift.


    The ground began to rumble.


    She could see the thick forest higher up the slope shake.


    Birds and other things took flight, screeching their surprise, fear and anger into the night.


    They breached the tree line.


    Swept over the fence like it was nothing, trampling it in their wake.


    It was like the one time Cal had taken her to see a beach because she had wondered what it was like.


    He was nice about that.


    At least once a month, he took her anywhere in the world she had wanted.


    Beaches.


    Mountain tops.


    Antarctica.


    Isolated places far from people where she could push her fear down for a bit.


    She saw nothing but a heavily armored wave of snapping teeth and cutting claws.


    Lucy raised her hands to the horde.


    Her green glow swelled in intensity, turning black night bright.


    She blasted them with everything she had.


    It was over in minutes.


    Like lemmings, they had followed those in front of them to their deaths.


    When it was over the parking lot was dotted with lumps of hardened metal.


    Armored hides melted by the intense heat, glowing orange as the cold mountain air blew the smoke up the mountainside.


    Lucy¡¯s green glow faded.


    She could almost see her old skin color, but she knew it wouldn¡¯t last.


    She trudged back into the building to put on her radiation suit.


    Her night wasn¡¯t over.


    She needed to clean up the mess she left.


    The anti-radiation foam wasn¡¯t going to spray itself.


    At least not yet.


    Cal had promised automatic drones for that were in the works.


    Somewhere in Central Asia he hunted down the last of Adrelhit the Raper¡¯s clone-sons.


    People had been lucky that the horde had emerged from a spire in the middle of nowhere out on the steppes.


    The closest they got to one of the isolated villages was the outer wall.


    He had destroyed their consciousnesses from miles overhead before they could even start jumping over.


    The humanoids were too beautiful that it pushed their appearance all the way down into the deepest point of the uncanny valley. They had chalk-white skin and perfect bodies. He saw all of it because they were naked. All of them.


    Each was individual.


    Each was connected.


    When one died his essence, his strength flowed into those nearby, divided equally.


    Their hierarchy had been simple.


    The strongest ruled.


    He had started at the top.


    Killed the strongest and worked his way down.


    The weakest scattered across the steppes.


    Even those at the base of the pyramid could run faster than a car.


    As he had killed the first the strength flowed into the others.


    A mistake he had only made once.


    He destroyed their minds, left their bodies as vegetables.


    That had worked.


    The strength remained contained.


    He left just enough of their brains to keep them breathing until he could return.


    The last group had spotted a caravan of vehicles traveling between cities.


    Risky, but who was he to judge.


    The white-skinned rapers were desperate to rape and impregnate.


    It was their mandate.


    Their hard-wired instinct.


    Cal had found nothing in their memories to reveal their origin and why something so horrible was brought into existence.


    He did find plenty to understand how they existed.


    Rape was followed by a quick pregnancy and a painful birth.


    The unfortunate woman would then be raped again.


    The cycle would repeat until she could no longer bear children.


    Death was a mercy at that point.


    The children grew quick.


    Fully grown in less than a year with all the knowledge and memories of the others.


    They raped anyone sapient.


    Species, gender, none of it mattered when it was time.


    They were all Adrelhit. Less a people and more a plague of locusts moving from world to world in one continuous spree of violent rape and murder.


    The Adrelhits didn¡¯t see him as he flew overhead.


    Each dropped mid stride.


    Their eyes stared into nothing as drool dripped from slack mouths.


    The caravan stopped.


    Men and women bearing weapons.


    He left them to it.


    They¡¯d get something from killing the bodies.


    He quickly retraced his flight path, putting an end to the brain dead bodies other people or monsters hadn¡¯t gotten to.


    The chime in his ears signaled another World Event dealt with.


    He tried to keep his thoughts from straying to his wife and son.


    There was nothing he could do for them. Not until the other events were neutralized.


    Trust was all he had.


    Bennett lacked trust.


    Not in his friends, but himself.


    They had done everything he had asked of them while going above and beyond to make it clear they didn¡¯t see him as a monster as they all tried to find a solution for his growing blood hunger.


    But, what if there wasn¡¯t one?


    What if it was just his nature now?


    The double-edged sword of high levels.


    It made sense from a scholarly perspective.


    The class came from his subconscious. It was him.


    To grow meant to become more of it. A deeper embodiment.


    And what was the essence of a vampire if not the endless thirst for blood.


    Animals no longer cut it.


    He likened it to humans being unable to subsist on a diet of rabbits. Their meat was too lean. Not enough fat. A human would eventually suffer protein poisoning.


    Human blood from the blood bags he got from the hospital, clinics or blood banks kept him satiated for a time. Though he needed more and that time had grown dangerously short.


    He smelled it on them, heard it flowing in their veins despite the self-imposed isolation.


    Insanity was a fear. The maddened bloodlust that would drive him to murder and the moment of clarity when he had slaked his thirst.


    Those thoughts haunted his every waking and sleeping moment.


    The world events made it worse.


    It didn¡¯t take a genius or even a reasonably smart person to be concerned about someone or something called ¡®Vukylokyr¡¯. ¡®Vitae¡¯? ¡®Crimson Era¡¯?


    Obvious was obvious.


    Cal had checked in with an unnecessary warning.


    His old friend had offered to hide him until Vukylokyr had been dealt with.


    He had refused for he saw an ending in which he could hold his head high.


    It had been a mistake.


    The whispers started three days after the spires announcement.


    He had realized five days after that it was too late.


    Clawed fingers had sunk into his very will.


    Oh, he fought it.


    Levels gave him the strength for some resistance.


    Ironic, that which would bring him ruin would grant him just a little bit more time to prepare for the end.


    He couldn¡¯t warn his friends of what was coming.


    The compulsion was clear.


    So, he wrote a letter and sent his long-time familiars to deliver it.


    Dracula and Alucard.


    Fancy rats.


    Ancient in their reckoning for he had fed them his blood over the decades.


    One was jet black, while the other was black and white like a dairy cow.


    Both were a lot smarter, stronger, faster and bigger than they had been at the beginning.


    They sensed his unease, yet by the grace of God he had somehow kept them free. Unlike the rest of the small animals around the old archive building he called upon to fight monsters and evil men.


    They feared for him, but didn¡¯t disobey.


    Once they were long gone he commanded the rest to fall upon each other and all the small animals, mutated or otherwise across the entire city.


    Mice, rats and bats warred for a day and a night.


    Snakes, squirrels, chipmunks, birds and insects were collateral.


    The voice in his head hadn¡¯t been pleased.


    The people saw or heard the battles in the parks, in their yards, even in their homes.


    It was too big to ignore.


    Suspicions were raised.


    The anti-vampire measures he had pushed for over the past few years were tested and re-tested.


    The Threnosh fabricators were asked to make more.


    Governor-for-life Alejandro wasn¡¯t a fool.


    He didn¡¯t need people telling him what to do.


    When the spires spoke one listened if one wanted to survive another day.


    Bennett just wished he could tell them it wouldn¡¯t be enough.


    Tell them to call Cal and Eron.


    To damn the rest of the world for he was selfish in the end.


    He didn¡¯t want his people to suffer.


    Jake arrived sooner than expected.


    As agreed upon, his friend was in full gear.


    Threnosh armor integrated with many of Jake¡¯s best magitech spell modules.


    ¡°Yo, Bennett, bro? Got your letter.¡±


    Jake stood outside the front doors.


    Chained on both sides.


    A fiction of security since Bennett just needed the slightest shadow.


    ¡°Um, no offense, but a vacation sounds super weird, plus you want me to take care of your kids? I¡¯m like the worse at that. You know how many fish keep dying on me.¡±


    Bennett stood just on the other side.


    He had hoped to be gone by now. On his last Quest.


    The spires had given it to him when he had firmed his resolve.


    Though he understood the odds were slim.


    ¡°Yeah, anyways. Bit worried about you, man. Oh and there was that weird stuff with all the tiny animals going crazy and killing each other. We were hoping you could help out with that. Just, uh, anything you can share? Maybe?¡±


    The urge to slink out and sink his fangs into his friend was tempered by the last rays of the dying sun.


    Jake was breaking the one rule he had insisted upon.


    Trust, but misplaced.


    The whispers¡ª


    Bennett¡¯s fangs lengthened.


    Finger nails grown like thin daggers barely scratched the thick chains holding the thick steel doors he had replaced the original glass with.


    An analytical mind warred with the hungry beast.


    He wanted it¡ª


    No he didn¡¯t.


    Jake was also high level. He had anti-vampire spells and other countermeasures


    Bennett had helped his friend test all of them.


    The outcome of a conflict was uncertain. Thus, it wasn¡¯t beneficial to the voice in his head.


    He pulled himself back from the abyss.


    Reason and logic won out.


    But, it had been close and that was more than enough.


    Bennett didn¡¯t hear the rest of what Jake had to say.


    He blurred through the building and slipped out the back.


    The lengthening shadows protected him from the worst effects of the last light.


    One last Quest.

 9.22

    Sacramento, Spring, 2051


    Jake used the boot jets and back boosters to super jump his way back to his office. Purely, technological.


    He was saving his spells for when the shit hit the fan.


    Shit was getting weird.


    It had always been dangerous, but things had been pretty good for a long time and they had gotten a little complacent.


    His expanding belly was one sign.


    The lack of leveling over the last few years was perhaps more damning.


    They should¡¯ve realized that it was never over. Never smooth sailing straight ahead when it came to the spires. Should¡¯ve known that the Terminus and Bountiful Decade shit was just the beginning. That they could, would always make it worse.


    The building, well, everyone was on high alert.


    Not that they weren¡¯t already with the near constant monster attacks on the walls.


    The weird shit with all the small creatures going to war with each other had been disturbing as fuck.


    The new spotlights were ready.


    Almost everyone had a flashlight version and the Threnosh were working overtime to churn more out.


    Shit wasn¡¯t going to be a wonder weapon.


    It wasn¡¯t an instant kill. Not even a fast one really.


    Maybe if one could keep the beam in a vampire¡¯s face for a few minutes?


    As always the higher one¡¯s level the more Skills and natural durability came into play.


    Bennett didn¡¯t have it, but Jake knew a Skill to resist sunlight existed.


    It didn¡¯t take much smarts to understand that ¡®resist¡¯ at Level 20 was probably closer to ¡®ignore¡¯ at Level 40.


    Then there was whatever the hell that crimson vitae thing was.


    Shit was pretentious.


    ¡°Right, dudes?¡±


    He wasn¡¯t surprised to find the fancy vampiric rats out of the cage he had asked them nicely to wait inside.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, bros. I know you¡¯re smart.¡±


    The jet black one glared with his red-tinted eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s not personal. Bennett sent you away for a reason, right? Can you be bros for just a bit? Until we sort this out¡­¡±


    The black and white cow-colored one glared with her red-tinted eyes.


    ¡°Sorry, sorry, sis. To be fair, he did name you ¡®Dracula¡¯, should¡¯ve named you¡­ I don¡¯t know, what¡¯s a girl vampire name?¡± He wasted time thinking about it. ¡°Lilith? Or is that too pretentious? Selene? Or that chick from Ultraviolet?¡±


    The rats chittered and refused to vacate his desk.


    His door opened at that moment.


    Detective Ordonez strode in.


    Her hair was all gray now and her tanned face was lined by the years.


    The only new-looking thing about her was her magitech leg.


    He had rushed through with upgrades over the last few months.


    He was also pleased to see that she was wearing one of his harnesses filled with spell modules.


    The Threnium stuff went to the combat people first.


    ¡°Any issues with the leg?¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s great. I hate it. Got used to the old one.¡± She shrugged. ¡°Detective¡¯s intuition,¡± she tapped her temple, ¡°telling me I needed to be here.¡± She regarded the rats. ¡°Has something to do with those two. Where¡¯s Bennett?¡±


    The three of them sort of shared a bond over that thing with Flo.


    Shit had been fucked, so they rarely talked openly about it.


    A couple of times a year they¡¯d gather with Cal and drink while staring silently into the night.


    Fun times.


    Hadn¡¯t had a gathering in a while due to understandable circumstances.


    ¡°Your Skill is telling you¡­ things?¡±


    Unquantifiable things he didn¡¯t particularly like.


    ¡°You getting hard of hearing in your old age, Gates? And I thought I was slowing down.¡± She gave him a mirthless smile.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have you know that magitech allows people of your¡­ stature¡­ to enjoy life to the fullest all the way to your¡­ golden years.¡±


    ¡°Fool¡¯s gold more like it,¡± she snorted. ¡°No ones retiring. They might think they are, but the spires don¡¯t care that you put in 30 years.¡±


    ¡°So, you just had a nebulous Skill thing telling you to be here?¡±


    ¡°You know how it works.¡±


    ¡°Have you dug deeper? Did your mind palace thing?¡±


    ¡°Nothing in here. My nose is pulling me to Bennett¡¯s place, but you know the rules.¡±


    ¡°Shit! I was afraid you¡¯d say something like that. Alright. You¡¯re the best detective, so I¡¯d be stupid not to listen. Right, okay. Give me a few minutes to make some calls. Then we can head over. Did you tell anyone else?¡±


    ¡°You know I¡¯m not going to risk a shit shower by a lack of communication. Laid everything out to the chief. Everyone¡¯s on alert already. But, I told him that I was on this one.¡±


    Jake made two calls.


    One to the government¡¯s special task force.


    One to the Watch.


    Naturally, he put himself on the team despite the years since his last swim in shit soup.


    He had made himself too important as one of their best magitech developers.


    Though, Hillary had surpassed him in that regard.


    He was more of a CEO type now.


    Leading from behind his desk when he¡¯d much rather be down in the trenches innovating and shit.


    Granted his admin team did most of the work while he still tinkered at said desk and in the workshop and at home.


    These days the only combat he saw was the few hours a day he volunteered on the wall and the occasional monster that managed to get in the city.


    Honestly, he had his power armor.


    Threnium gave him a lot of confidence.


    He was more worried about Bennett.


    The sun had set when they undid the chains and stepped into the darkness of the old airport archive building, Bennett¡¯s home.


    <hr>


    Tessa lounged on her couch.


    It was comfortable.


    Brand new.


    She had just moved in a few weeks ago.


    It was a ton of privilege that had gotten her an apartment¡­ condo?


    She didn¡¯t know exactly what it was. Still getting back into Earth life after so long on two other worlds.


    Coming up on five months back.


    Still not used to it.


    In some ways it was more advanced than the last world, more primitive in others.


    It was nice not having her every moved watched.


    Being an emperor had been necessary, but sucked on a personal level.


    In a way, she was still being privileged.


    The government had basically thrown everything at her to get her to live in the city.


    Gave her the apartment? Condo? On the second highest floor in one of the tallest buildings in downtown.


    It had been strategic, tactical and privilege based decision.


    They had wanted to give her the entire floor.


    She had an almost uninterrupted field of fire in all directions for miles.


    Naturally, she had demurred.


    The other units on her floor remained empty. Hopeful enticements for her parents and little sister.


    Though her mom and dad had decided to fix their old house and live there for sentimental reasons.


    Vee didn¡¯t care about having a home. She and her Justice V spent their time on the walls and venturing out to slay monsters and reset spawn zones. They slept where they slept was a fond saying they had.


    Nope.


    They¡¯d crash at their mom and dad¡¯s or at her new place when they got sick of living rough.


    Then again, how rough could it be when there were hotels and motels all over the city reserved for fighters on the walls.


    Apparently, those were fairly new. At least the big gleaming ones.


    It had been a long time and from what she remembered the walls had been makeshift things made out of old vehicles and any random thing they could pile up. Plus, they hadn¡¯t encircled the entire city. Just the most important places. Where people lived. Supply sources. Power generator stuff. Water stuff. Weapons and armor places. The essentials.


    Her dad and uncles put the new walls up in a matter of days.


    They had even walled up a few cities on the 80 and the 50 on the way to Tahoe.


    Walled up a few areas in Tahoe too in addition to all the farmland around Sacramento all the way up into Apple Hill and down south on the 5.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Farms needed water. One of the things she learned as an emperor. They were lucky the river ran through the area.


    Apparently, her uncle had a cabin on the lake somewhere.


    People had wanted to spread out.


    Seemed like a mistake now.


    Instead of just defending one place, the government had to defend multiple.


    She didn¡¯t like sieges.


    One experience had been enough.


    Dying and death.


    That¡¯s all she got out of it.


    Before her thoughts could turn to past pain, her phone rang.


    ¡°Hey, Mom. What¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you come over for dinner. Your dad made your favorite.¡±


    Was it still her favorite?


    ¡°He made it last week.¡±


    ¡°Okay fine. You got us. We¡¯re worried¡ª an alert came through a little bit ago. Did you get it?¡±


    She did.


    And one of the soldiers had come down and knocked on her door to make sure.


    ¡°Relax, Mom. I¡¯ve got a full detachment of soldiers on the top floor with a lot of machine guns and cannons and mortars. Missiles too and the biggest spotlight the fabricators could make.¡±


    ¡°Which makes it a target.¡±


    ¡°Perfect place for me then.¡±


    ¡°Tessa¡ª¡±


    At least her mom hadn¡¯t ¡®Tessandra¡¯d¡¯ her.


    It would have been patronizing after all that she had seen and done.


    ¡°We¡¯d talked about this. I was on the walls throwing back everything the Spore God threw to the end. I helped destroy the Zalthyss machine. I fought the H¡ª¡± she took a deep breath. She was starting to sound like one of those weirdos. ¡°Point is¡­ these world events sound bad, but I¡¯d been through similar and I¡¯m still here. To be fair, so did you guys. All we can do is our best, right?¡±


    ¡°Well at least you¡¯re not your sister.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s unfair to Vee. She is also doing her best.¡±


    Her mom sighed.


    ¡°Can¡¯t we just take a break?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ I have been. And I¡¯m starting to feel a little selfish about it.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve already been through enough Quest crap for a lifetime. We all have.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not wrong. Don¡¯t know what to tell you, Mom. We¡¯ve got a responsibility.¡±


    ¡°Can you just come over for dinner? Then you can go back. It¡¯ll take you minutes to fly over with your new power armor. Please?¡±


    To be fair, that was accurate.


    The latest in Threnosh engineering stood in its bay next to the fireplace in the middle of her apartment? Condo?


    She really needed to find out which.


    ¡°Hey, Mom? Quick question. Am I in an apartment or a condo?¡±


    Her phone chimed before she could get an answer.


    It sounded like her mom¡¯s did too.


    ¡°Oh no¡­¡±


    ¡°Hang on, Mom. I¡¯ve got to read this.¡±


    Oh no, indeed.


    Full red alert.


    The garrisons at the Tahoe settlements had missed the hourly check in.


    Five minutes late.


    No answer.


    They took things like this seriously.


    Which meant¡ª


    ¡°Mom, is Dad heading out?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ yes, but he¡¯s dropping me off at the hospital first and picking up a team.¡±


    ¡°I want¡ª¡±


    ¡°No. You¡¯re staying where you are. Fire support, remember?¡±


    Well¡­ crap.


    Her mom had her there.


    ¡°Okay. Be careful. Call me if you need me.¡±


    ¡°You too. I love you.¡±


    ¡°Love you too, Mom.¡±


    She hung up only to have the call replaced by her dad.


    He gave her a quick rundown of his plans.


    She appreciated it.


    Made her feel like the adult woman she was.


    ¡°Watch the north and northwest.¡±


    ¡°I figured. The 80 and the 50, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but don¡¯t get tunnel vision. Keep eyes on the sky. And don¡¯t necessarily trust the sensors. I got a direct message from Jake. It was about Bennett.¡±


    ¡°Oh sh¡ª crap.¡±


    The vampire had changed a lot since she had last seen him.


    He had never frightened her, even as a kid, but the brief time she had spent in his presence since her return had risen the proverbial hairs on the back of her neck.


    She knew a threat when she felt one.


    They were trying to help him and that was a good thing, but she couldn¡¯t help wonder if that wasn¡¯t about to stab them in the back.


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll watch out for a cloud of bats or mist. Although, after yesterday¡­¡±


    ¡°Exactly, many of those were Bennett¡¯s. There¡¯s a message there.¡±


    ¡°Well, good on him then. So, is this the dawn of the ¡®Crimson Era¡¯?¡± She snorted.


    Ancient types were always so pretentious.


    ¡°Take it seriously. You¡¯ve seen all the reports your uncles have been sending in and from all the rest with the world events.¡±


    Yes.


    She had in fact spent most of her time reviewing every scrap of information that had come in and continued to do so.


    She had raised a glass to her uncle for killing the raper clone-sons.


    The only good rapist was a dead one.


    Wise words to live by.


    ¡°Be careful.¡±


    ¡°I am. Sticking to my role as discussed with the government.¡±


    For some reason people kept thinking she¡¯d want to go chase down one of these world events for the rewards and points.


    Truth was she had more Universal Points than she could ever need.


    As for rewards?


    She was already happy with her gear.


    Super science tech and magic bullshit she was keeping in her back pocket for a special occasion, which seemed like it was rapidly approaching.


    ¡°You be careful too, Dad.¡±


    ¡°Always. I¡¯m going to tell your sister to go to you in case anything happens. Already updated everyone on family channel. Your uncles are engaged and your aunt might not be able to leave. Stick to the contingencies. I love you.¡±


    ¡°Love you too.¡±


    Everyone had their own crises to deal with.


    Although, she would¡¯ve had Lera with her had her little cousin been available.


    Sure, her cousin was a child, but Lera was several times stronger and more durable than her.


    Also, solar powered.


    Seemed like a no-brainer.


    The adults had disagreed.


    Therefore, Lera remained safe-ish in her witch mom¡¯s little slice of the Fae Realm.


    Tessa still hadn¡¯t quite wrapped her head around that.


    Apparently, she had to visit to properly conceptualize it.


    She called her little sister as she prepared to get into her armor.


    Vee and her team were on their way back to the wall.


    They had been to the south so that was a small relief.


    She thought about calling Olo, but sent a quick message instead.


    He and Gene had spent most of their time getting reacquainted with their remaining family.


    The wounds of the past had scarred them all.


    Physically and mentally.


    They had the levels to stand with the elite, but no longer had the hearts.


    It was fair.


    Her mom had been right about that.


    She, her sister and their friends had more than enough ¡®adventure¡¯ and the trauma that accompanied it than a person should endure in a lifetime.


    <hr>


    Bennett was a passenger in a car without breaks.


    Fortunately, the whispers had made a mistake.


    They called, but they didn¡¯t say how fast.


    So, he moved just as fast as he needed to in order to avoid monsters.


    He¡¯d have stayed to fight and delay further, but the whispers had specified no detours or stops.


    Sadly, slow for him was still fast.


    He ran along the 50.


    Past the walled settlements in Placerville, then Pollock Pines.


    He ached for the people.


    They didn¡¯t know what was coming.


    South Lake Tahoe was his destination.


    In the deep, dark woods a few miles outside the walls.


    He was the last.


    ¡°Hey, you!¡±


    ¡°Lady Rebel?¡±


    ¡°Dropped the ¡®lady¡¯. Never really my thing. So, any chance you didn¡¯t come alone?¡±


    ¡°You know the answer to that.¡±


    She spat.


    ¡°Fucking voices in my head. Same as the rest of my coterie.¡± She indicated two other vampires similarly attired as her with hair a riot of colors. Lots of leather, spikes, chains and thick, steel-toed boots.


    They weren¡¯t the only vampires.


    Counting him, there was 13.


    ¡°Unlucky number,¡± Rebel nodded as if reading his thoughts.


    Which none of them could as far as he knew.


    He knew that the right path could give a vampire the ability to speak through their thoughts.


    Hence the whispers.


    Fortunately, it wasn¡¯t mind reading.


    Which still gave him a chance.


    A quick strike with everything he had in a distracted moment.


    Aside from Rebel he didn¡¯t recognize any of the others.


    The predators eyed each other warily.


    From the spacing it looked like Rebel¡¯s was the only group.


    Everyone else had come alone.


    They didn¡¯t have to wait long.


    Indeed, it was him they were waiting on.


    He or it, one couldn¡¯t say for sure, appeared as though it had been standing in their midst the entire time.


    Vukylokyr was a dread presence more than a set of physical features and characteristics.


    Bennett couldn¡¯t see it. He couldn¡¯t bring himself to look.


    It was pain, suffering, hunger and blood.


    The worst of what he had tried so long to suppress within him as he gained levels.


    Vampire.


    Not vampire.


    He understood a truth that he hadn¡¯t known existed until this very moment.


    ¡°Bend the knee or die.¡±


    Vukylokyr imparted will more than spoke words.


    The vampires dropped to one knee.


    Bennett resistance lasted a split-second.


    It had hardly been a struggle.


    Only Rebel remained caught in a crouch.


    She grit her fangs, cutting her lips.


    Of course she could do it.


    Her entire being had been turned to the rejection of authority. Her chosen path must¡¯ve given her the ability to resist.


    Vukylokyr imparted amusement.


    ¡°There is always a choice. Serve or die.¡±


    Rebel snarled like an animal, the veins in her face and neck writhed as though she was trying to lift the world.


    A sudden snap in the air.


    Bennett felt that the ancient vampire had released something more than Rebel had cut it herself.


    She blurred, landing a potent punch strong enough to break boulders in¡­ something?


    He failed to see it.


    Vukylokyr¡¯s face?


    Another snap, followed by a soft pop.


    For vampires that could move as blurs in short bursts, they saw nothing.


    Rebel was there one moment.


    Gone the next.


    The only thing to indicate she had ever been there was the globules of blood floating around the overwhelming presence, the wound in the air, that was Vukylokyr.


    ¡°It is a false choice in truth. In the end all will serve.¡±


    It drank in Rebel¡¯s blood.


    ¡°Now. Accept these shackles and be given the strength to serve me. The first of my lieutenants on this new world.¡±


    Chains of blood lanced out and pierced Bennett in the back.


    Too late.


    He had waited too long.


    He had never had a chance at all.


    These bonds of blood would never be broken.


    Not by his hands.


    Not by his will.


    For they were Vukylokyr¡¯s now.


    ¡°Come. Let us feed. Let us raise the first of an army to swallow the world. I have razed civilizations across countless worlds. Tonight, an eternal era of crimson begins!¡±


    Bennett Andrews was a passenger now.


    The inner beast had been freed in a way it never had been before.


    Red tears flowed down his face as he stepped into the shadows to begin the hunt.

 9.23

    The people of Sacramento stared the worst night of their lives in the face.


    They had a few hours, maybe less.


    They thought they were ready or at least as ready as they could be given the eternal juggling act between time and resources.


    The problem was that there were simply too many threats to focus on and those only counted the ones they knew about.


    They expected the spires to drop more world events.


    There had been the flurry at the start two weeks ago. That had dwindled to one a day. Then one every few days.


    One hoped it was almost over, yet prepared for it to pick up again at some random seeming moment.


    Jake followed Detective Ordonez into the dusty halls of Bennett¡¯s home after she had proclaimed it empty.


    Empty according to her and her Skills as well as those of several of his team mates.


    Frankly, they were a bit under gunned for his tastes.


    The red alert tied their strongest to their roles.


    Sadly, they considered him among that number for some reason.


    Thus, aside from the detective and himself, there was Scotty, Marci and a squad of spec ops type soldiers from the government forces. The Watch gave him three women and a handful of animals.


    He vaguely remembered Shannon and Jules from the kiddie sword classes Hanna ran. They were young women now and consequently, very good with the sword.


    Cara was an old hat like him¡­ well¡­ not nearly as old. He remembered her when she was a teenager. Now she was at least 30, maybe older?


    Man, nothing was more depressing than realizing the kids weren¡¯t kids anymore.


    They were having kids of their own.


    He had almost sent Cara back because of that. A mother probably shouldn¡¯t be out going into the depths of hell when she had a couple of rug rats at home¡­ children, not literal rats, though she also trained up fancy rats. They didn¡¯t have the same juice as Bennett¡¯s rats, but they weren¡¯t anything to sneeze at.


    Then Licorice growled in his face and Goldie buzzed him. He didn¡¯t need to see those big ass cat eyes shining from the rooftops to know what their thoughts on the matter were.


    Incidentally, Dracula and Alucard sat on Detective Ordonez¡¯s shoulders.


    Honestly, the fuck was up with being bullied by animals this night?


    The big ass dog was old as fuck, but could still fuck shit up.


    Grizzled bastard.


    Once black coat gone gray years ago. Skin hung looser, muscles softened.


    Cara¡¯s Skills couldn¡¯t stop time, just delay it.


    He was still as big as a lion.


    She had pioneered a very successful guard animal breeding and training program.


    Dogs, cats, birds, rats.


    Mostly, already domesticated species.


    There were only a few tamers and trainer-types that could do wild animals like Cara.


    They were part pets, part guardians.


    From his understanding they had prevented a lot of collateral damage from the rodent war of yesterday from spilling over to people out in the parks or just chilling at home.


    It sounded pretty epic.


    He kinda wished he could¡¯ve watched some of the battles.


    ¡°I smell blood. Some fresh,¡± Scotty sniffed.


    The asshole was in his intermediate form, between man and weredog. So, he was bigger and hairier. Smelled worse too.


    ¡°Ignore it. Just blood bags,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    They followed her into the darkness, beams of light cutting through the dust they disturbed. Their steps echoed up and down the hallways.


    She led them to the lowest floor, beneath ground level where Bennett had turned one of the main archive rooms into his home.


    Jake didn¡¯t know what to expect since he hadn¡¯t been down there in a long time.


    Whatever he thought, he didn¡¯t expect to find an impeccably kept place.


    Nothing was out of place.


    It was as if Bennett had cleaned before he left.


    ¡°Woulda thought the leech be smearin¡¯ blood on ¡®em walls,¡± Scotty said.


    ¡°Watch it! That ¡®leech¡¯ is a hero,¡± Shannon growled.


    ¡°Keep yer blade in yer sheath, lass. Ain¡¯t one o¡¯em binary tings. Ya can save asses yesterday, ya can waste them today.¡±


    ¡°Shut it, children.¡± Detective Ordonez said flatly. ¡°I need to concentrate. No one move or make a sound.¡±


    Jake stood close to a wall, conscious of the shadows. There were shadows everywhere. He hoped the sunlight flashlights worked. Just in case.


    He watched the detective walk through the entire space.


    Stopping here and there without any rhyme or apparent reason.


    Her Skill recreated crime scenes.


    Accuracy and fidelity were determined by the passage of time, personal power of the perpetrators and any number of odd variables, such as spells and Skill interactions.


    He hoped there hadn¡¯t been a crime here.


    At Bennett¡¯s request they kept a close watch on him and the building.


    The vampire never left anymore unless he needed to defend the airport territory or they needed him to help with particularly powerful monsters.


    It felt like ages before the detective came out of her trance.


    Standing in the darkness with only each other, eerie silence and beams of light wasn¡¯t enjoyable.


    ¡°Bennett left.¡±


    ¡°No shite, mate,¡± Scotty scoffed, ¡°coulda told ya that.¡±


    ¡°Against his will.¡± Detective Ordonez wiped her upper lip.


    Jake missed it at first, but her nose bled.


    ¡°Bennett was responsible for the animal chaos yesterday, but he didn¡¯t do it out of malice. I don¡¯t know anything else. Just that I¡¯m terrified right now and I¡­ I don¡¯t understand why.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good enough for me.¡± Marci tapped the side of her helmet. ¡°Commander. Yeah. It might be Vukylokyr. No. Unconfirmed. But the detective¡¯s Skill is pointing that way. Yeah. Just my gut and trust. She doesn¡¯t make mistakes. I¡¯ll give you the full report once we¡¯re in a safe situation.¡±


    Bennett¡¯s archive home was in the airport complex, which had not been heavily defended before the Bountiful Decade.


    It had essentially been left to the vampire at his request.


    ¡°Guys, I¡¯m most displeased,¡± Jake said.


    Worse case scenario for his friend was smacking them in the face.


    ¡°Aye, mate. No such tings as coincidences,¡± Scotty said. ¡°Bad lot o¡¯luck fer ¡®em leeches though. Remy Cruces¡¯ gonna sort ¡®em lot out.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s head back. I don¡¯t want to be caught out here,¡± Marci said.


    They made just in time.


    There were a few walled sections of city north of the river.


    At least until that night.


    <hr>


    Omninet updates were nice.


    Now, she could know exactly where Cal was instead of being here.


    Something about a ¡®hate engine¡¯ in Australia.


    Also where Eron was.


    Fighting one-on-one duels with ¡®Mythicals¡¯ in the Andes.


    She supposed it was greedy to want more than one Cruces.


    Watch Commander Rebekah Court kept an eye on her phone and her ears on the urgent voices in the command channel.


    No contact with the Tahoe settlements.


    Silence from independent Reno.


    A small overhead map sat in the upper left corner of her HUD.


    Those satellites were something else.


    It was worrisome that a large area centered on Tahoe was dark.


    There should¡¯ve been plenty of heat signatures from animals, mutated animals and monsters in the El Dorado National Forest.


    Same with Reno. It was growing darker right before her eyes.


    Silence from the team Remy Cruces had taken to investigate.


    Last word had been minutes ago when they had announced their arrival.


    Now, if that wasn¡¯t a bad sign she didn¡¯t know what one was.


    Her phone rang.


    Not unexpected. Except for the number. All zeros.


    ¡°Ye¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t speak. Listen.¡±


    It was a woman¡¯s voice, but it sounded like a beautiful quartet, soothing waves on a beach, her mother singing her to sleep.


    ¡°I speak only to the leaders. I have traced Vukylokyr¡¯s last gateway.¡± The voice gave precise coordinates.


    Rebekah¡¯s mouth moved silently as she entered them into the map.


    Well¡­ shit.


    Just about 50 kilometers north of Tahoe.


    She mentally calculated into miles because that was the right way to measure distance.


    ¡°I have no personal knowledge of this individual vampire.¡±


    Good confirmation.


    ¡°But I have read and viewed histories teaching of a Crimson Era. Rather, several accounts from many worlds. Commonalities are shared through all. The most important is that they all start the same way. A night of blood and death. Leaders of villages, cities, states, nations suborned at the onset to crush resistance immediately. Your defenses will be inadequate. You lack the power to prevent it from reaching you even in the heart of your most heavily defended bastions. I suggest decentralizing your command structure now. Give your final orders then remove yourself from the chain of command.¡±


    What did she mean by that last bit?


    Rebekah waited for an explanation, but got none.


    There was only silence for a beat.


    ¡°Watch Commander Rebekah Court. Prepare to receive assistance.¡±


    One moment her office was empty.


    The next five people stood in front of her desk.


    She recognized two from their pictures in Cal¡¯s roster.


    Couldn¡¯t remember their real names for some reason.


    Didn¡¯t want to use their code names because they were dumb.


    Emmione and Teddy Bear.


    The other three looked too young to be sent into the incoming shit soup on purpose.


    Literal minors.


    She regarded them with a quick appraising eye. As a leader-type she could see other people¡¯s classes and abilities with her Skill.


    Except, the wizards had a spell cast over them blocking her¡­ well¡­ mostly.


    The two adults were somewhere in the Level 40 range. While the youngsters were in their 30¡¯s. Low 30¡¯s.


    Enchanted robes and staves. Pointy hats, also enchanted. And the spellbooks hanging off their belts.


    ¡°I take it that was your teacher on the phone just now.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Watch Commander Court,¡± Emmione said.


    ¡°We do have a portal circle.¡±


    ¡°Too dangerous. Vukylokyr would notice the magic activation. It might have been able to hijack it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. We weren¡¯t looking to end up vampire food in the middle of a dark forest somewhere, ma¡¯am,¡± Teddy Bear said.


    ¡°It?¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    He looked the most out of place with the pointy wizard hat on his head.


    It was the clean shave.


    Rebekah kept seeing a long white beard.


    ¡°Whatever its gender was is long forgotten in the history books,¡± Emmione said.


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°Its species is also unknown. There¡¯s a lot of conflicting info,¡± Teddy Bear said.


    ¡°Okay¡­ so, you¡¯re supposed to help. What can you do?¡±


    Teddy Bear¡¯s eyes flicked over to Emmione.


    ¡°It¡¯s better if we don¡¯t say anything. We¡¯ll be moving around the city a lot and we request an escort. A small one. Just strong enough to keep the monsters off us while we work.¡±


    ¡°Which, you should do too,¡± Teddy bear said. ¡°I mean the moving around part. No one place is going to be safe and you¡¯re one of the people likely at the top of its shopping list¡­ so to speak¡­¡±


    ¡°Even with all the anti-vampire stuff we crammed into this place?¡±


    ¡°Age equals strength for a true vampire,¡± Emmione said.


    ¡°And the earliest reference to a crimson era goes back into the 7 figures,¡± Teddy Bear said.


    ¡°Wonderful¡­ alright. You¡¯ll have a squad. They¡¯ll meet you out front.¡±


    ¡°One more thing.¡± Emmione pulled a tiara from her bag of holding. ¡°Ms. Teacher did a quick enchantment on this. The magic won¡¯t last long against it, but this will make it harder for it to fill your head with whispers of compulsion, despair, so on and so forth.¡±


    Rebekah took the golden tiara dripping with diamonds.


    It felt warm even through her gloves.


    She removed her helmet and placed the tiara on.


    It was a bit of tight fit, but the enchanted item was thin.


    ¡°Do you have more?¡±


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Emmione said.


    ¡°It was a rush job. Ms. Teacher did it in, like, ten minutes, while maintaining the dome over our town and killing monsters and a bunch of other stuff at the same time,¡± Teddy Bear said.


    ¡°Got it. Tell her ¡®thanks¡¯ when you see her. Good luck with whatever it is you¡¯re planning.¡±


    ¡°Same to you and your people.¡± Emmione tipped her hat.


    Just like that they filed out the door.


    ¡°There are 5 wizards leaving my office,¡± Rebekah said into the local Watch channel. ¡°They have permission to be here. Don¡¯t stop them.¡± She scanned her roster list and sent a quick order to the chosen escort squad.


    She sent young ones.


    They wouldn¡¯t be able to do much against this Vukylokyr except be eaten and die or worse.


    Vampires made other vampires, right?¡±


    There wasn¡¯t time to bounce her ideas off her command staff.


    ¡°To all field leaders. There will be no further commands from me or the command staff. Stick to protocols. If those fail then you are authorized to go with your best judgment.¡±


    She decided to clear Watch HQ.


    Told her command staff to scatter.


    She touched the emergency portal stone in one of her belt pouches.


    It was coming for her first.


    Seemed like a good trap in the making.


    She switched to the local Watch channel to reach those that would remain in HQ. She wanted to send the lowest leveled and support staff elsewhere, but she needed all the hands she could get to set things up quickly.


    The overhead map in her HUD didn¡¯t look good.


    The cold dark visibly spread as it continued to eat at the warm reds, oranges and yellows.


    ¡°Armory?¡±


    ¡°Sup, commander?¡±


    Kids.


    Maybe it was the old woman in her. Or maybe it was the one time Corporal in the US Army. But, things were a hell of a lot more casual.


    Granted, she was in charge and she could¡¯ve changed that at any time.


    But why mess with a good thing that worked?


    As always, she did as Commander Lawrence had done.


    ¡°Bring the slow time field generator to my office. And five sunlight spotlights. Oh, and a laser cutter. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Hella on it, commander!¡±


    That was it for their reserve of sunlight spotlights.


    Once things were set up, she planned to send everyone except a handful of her Watch to the foundries.


    She figured a million year old vampire knew its way around a war.


    Logistics ruled.


    Not strategy, nor tactics.


    An army couldn¡¯t fight without supplies.


    Sacramento would only last as long as they had anti-vampire weapons and ammo.


    <hr>


    ¡°I can see a red chain coming from their backs and going in that direction.¡± Hanna pointed to the southwest.


    No one needed clarification as to what lay in that direction.


    ¡°Cutting chains are your thing,¡± Remy said.


    He regarded the people.


    What once were people, rather.


    They were clad in tattered remnants of clothing wet with red.


    Some were soldiers in their gear.


    Most were people in pajamas.


    He pictured them sleeping in their warm beds only to be awoken by the sounds of doors and windows breaking.


    Their skin was pale, bloodless except for the center of their chest and back, where Hanna had indicated the chain only she could see was set.


    Their hair was in clumps.


    Some of it ripped off with the rest in the process of being shed.


    Their eyes were fixated on him as they struggled against the thick bands of metal he had shaped around their arms and legs.


    He could hear hissing and snarling through the metal mask he had placed over their fanged mouths.


    ¡°They got chewed up.¡± Malachi indicated torn throats and inner thighs. ¡°So, vampire for sure, right? Went for the arteries.¡±


    Artificial sunlight had burned their skin. Broiled it really, but didn¡¯t kill them instantly.


    Remy kept the team and the surrounding area bathed with light from the spotlights he magnetically levitated.


    Drones would¡¯ve been better, but they had a limited supply and kept them in the city.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have an official position with your government. I can¡¯t make the call.¡±


    The rest of the team had their eyes and weapons to the perimeter made by the lights.


    Dark homes stared them in the face.


    ¡°Is it reversible?¡± Hanna mused. ¡°We have zero information on that. What if they return to normal after we kill Vukylokyr?¡±


    ¡°I can put them in a big metal box they won¡¯t be able to get out from for a while if you want to wait.¡±


    ¡°Those are mortal wounds and the scans are saying they are mostly dead except for the blood and brain activity.¡±


    ¡°Mystical vampires, then. Not scientific,¡± Malachi said. ¡°So, maybe like a curse? We kill the head vampire and it gets lifted?¡±


    ¡°Please contain them, but I have to try one thing first.¡± Hanna regarded the half dozen once people for a long moment. Her gaze settled on a soldier.


    An old man from the look of him, but it was hard to be certain with his inhuman visage.


    Remy pulled the soldier to Hanna.


    He pushed the rest closer together then pulled chunks of raw iron ore from one of his bags of holding.


    From rocky lumps to a large smooth box in a second with tiny slits for air¡­ just in case.


    Hanna drew her longsword.


    The dark gray Threnium flashed over the soldier¡¯s back.


    It happened in a flash.


    The soldier jerked then fell still as he crumbled into ash.


    An ominous gust of wind picked what remained of the soldier up and scattered him toward the lake.


    ¡°He¡¯s not going to re-form, right?¡± Malachi¡¯s eyes glowed blue while he held his hands out in front of his face as if he was holding a ball ready to pass in the same direction.


    ¡°He¡¯s free. Dead, but free.¡± Hanna spoke with certainty. ¡°I had to try.¡±


    Remy nodded.


    It wasn¡¯t his place to judge.


    He couldn¡¯t see the chains, but the knowledge that she could and more importantly, sever them, was vital.


    ¡°It¡¯ll come in handy. I think we¡¯ve seen enough here. I suggest a quick flyover of the rest for survivors then back to Sactown.¡±


    There should¡¯ve been close to a thousand people in the three walled settlements at the southern end Lake Tahoe.


    They had been ambushed by less than 20.


    There were another 2000 people scattered across the walled sections on the west and north sides of the lake.


    ¡°Call it in!¡± Hanna barked.


    ¡°I¡ª I can¡¯t¡­ it¡¯s down¡­ I think.¡± The young man¡¯s face was pale behind his faceplate.


    Remy hadn¡¯t caught the kid¡¯s name.


    He tried to call his wife.


    The tech in his helmet was better.


    Nothing.


    He used his powers to strengthen the signal.


    Failed again.


    He could see electromagnetic waves when he wanted.


    They were all where they should¡¯ve been.


    ¡°On your guard!¡± Hanna snapped.


    She glanced at him.


    ¡°One second.¡±


    There was nothing wrong, at least that he could tell.


    The connections where good.


    The transmission wasn¡¯t being blocked or hindered in any way.


    Which left one logical conclusion.


    ¡°Magical interference.¡±


    He had learned a good amount from his time on the other world about what was possible at levels above what was the current heights on Earth.


    Spells could affect things on a conceptual level, regardless of the ostensible laws of the observable universe.


    Like, say a Stone Lord wanted to punish an entire warren of molens.


    They could cast a spell to temporarily turn off the concept of fire.


    Not an anti-fire or anti-combustion spell because that could be countered, dispelled or worked around.


    Bye bye even the smallest spark.


    Anything less than an equal level spellcaster wouldn¡¯t be able to cast any fire spells.


    He wondered if Vukylokyr was strong enough to turn off a concept as broad as communication over distance.


    ¡°Danger sense!¡±


    Multiple voices cried in unison.


    ¡°Get us out of here!¡± Hanna leveled her sword toward the bound people¡­ once people inside the iron box.


    They weren¡¯t the threat.


    They carried it.


    Their bodies burst, expelling wet gore through the infinitesimal slits, bathing them in¡ª


    Except, not¡­


    The blood stopped, reversed paths and coalesced into a shape.


    Remy couldn¡¯t see it clearly.


    He got a sense of a humanoid shape.


    Scarecrow-like with long limbs and a face of fangs and hunger.


    It was like looking at a censored image on a video screen. A dark fuzzy blemish on the surface of reality.


    ¡°I extend one offer to you.¡±


    He didn¡¯t so much hear words as feel the impression of a strong hand crushing the sides of his head.


    Hanna and Malachi cried out.


    Both dropped to their knees along with everyone else in his team.


    ¡°Serve willingly and be granted a place of honor, privilege and power. Or. Serve like the rest.¡±


    Remy fought the hold on his head enough to turn.


    The rest of the team floated off the street.


    Arms and legs spread out wide as if being pulled apart by ropes and horses.


    Blood flowed from their face holes in thin streams toward the fuzzy blemish.


    ¡°Vukylokyr,¡± Remy said through grit teeth.


    ¡°Master to you. You are the strongest among the mortal chattel. Join me and I will grant you dominion over this whole land. Your wife and children will be granted my blessing without the test of worthiness. Refuse and I will extend the offer only if they prove themselves useful. Refuse and I will force you to watch everything that comes next. You will live an eternity powerless to do naught but stand chained to my will.¡±


    For an ancient vampire conqueror, it didn¡¯t have good battlefield awareness.


    It stood with several steel cuffs scattered all around its feet.


    Spikes shot out faster than it could react.


    Seemed fitting to impale it given the origins of the most famous fictional vampire on Earth.


    An instant lapse of concentration was enough for Hanna.


    She sliced Vukylokyr into ribbons from a distance with her sword aura.


    If she could level up into the 70¡¯s or 80¡¯s then she was going to be able to do bullshit things like cut concepts beyond the little bits she could now in her 50¡¯s so long as it fell within the scope of her class.


    The chunks fell to the ground, becoming clear as the fuzzing slowly disappeared.


    ¡°Did we win?¡± Malachi groaned from where he lay on the road.


    ¡°No.¡±


    The others were unconscious or hadn¡¯t noticed, but communications were back.


    At least with Sacramento.


    They had lost contact with the outposts at Pollack Pines and Colfax.


    The soldiers stationed at the Apple Hills farms were calling in a massive collective trigger on their Danger Sense Skills.


    The sunlight spotlights had been destroyed in an instant.


    Remy pulled one from his bag of holding.


    He had been prepared.


    He set it up on it¡¯s stand to shine down on the remains in the pool of blood.


    The red started bubbling and steaming instantly.


    It was the best he could do in the circumstances.


    He gathered the team up in a huge metal sphere before shooting into the sky.


    Hanna¡¯s breath came in ragged gasps.


    While Malachi sat with his head in his hands.


    The rest were out.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t fight him off,¡± she whispered. ¡°That wasn¡¯t even the real him.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I figured. Some kind of blood puppet.¡±


    ¡°It felt like a fraction of his true self and I was on my knees.¡±


    ¡°Too strong. Nothing you could do. Probably, Level 80 or 90 equivalent.¡±


    ¡°We still have to stop it before it gets to the city. No one will be able to resist if I couldn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d be more worried about the sucking the blood out of our bodies. Didn¡¯t even have to break the skin,¡± Malachi said as he removed his helmet to wipe the red off his face.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to hit it from very high up. Then I¡¯m going to put it in a tiny metal sphere and shoot it toward the sun.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s got at least a couple thousand strong vampire army by now. Maybe more,¡± Malachi said. ¡°Do you think that¡¯ll free them?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry if you knew someone there, but if it is in their blood or it is the blood¡­¡±


    ¡°The chain I cut. The body didn¡¯t explode like the others,¡± Hanna said.


    ¡°Can you cut them all at once?¡±


    ¡°No. I tried with my aura. I have to use my physical blade.¡±


    ¡°Then, I¡¯m really sorry.¡±


    <hr>


    Bennett sat in his body, though it was no longer his.


    Vukylokyr had chained him.


    Bound him with blood.


    The bond went both ways.


    Bennett found understanding from what the ancient vampire had allowed him to see.


    His class was a copy.


    And like all copies, it didn¡¯t come close to matching the original.


    He was his limited paths.


    Shadows, small animals, senses, concealment.


    Where the other vampires went down their own paths.


    Rebel had strength, speed and presence.


    She had been the only one of them to resist.


    Her fate had been the best path.


    He had known that, but had been too weak to do what she had done.


    All the other vampires, even Rebel¡¯s two friends, had willing bent the knee.


    Vukylokyr had given them freedom to do his will while forcing Bennett, the person, to watch powerless as Bennett, the monster sated long-controlled thirst.


    The one line he had promised himself meant death to cross.


    He remembered the sensation of sinking his fangs into the woman¡¯s neck.


    The sweet taste of her terror.


    It had been the worst moment of his life and the single most pleasurable experience.


    He had drained her dry.


    Knew it to the last drop.


    The woman was out there now.


    Running in the dark forest and over hills as she and a thousand other thralls sped toward the Apple Hill farms.


    He ran with them, within sight of the 50.


    They weren¡¯t alone.


    Vukylokyr had the power to dominate the will of creatures to an extent that dwarfed his own.


    Normal and mutated animals, monsters ran or flew with them. Made cold by the grip of its hands around their spirits.


    They were united in purpose.


    The red glint in their eyes held the promise of more bloodshed.


    Rivers of it if the vampire had its way.


    The walls barely slowed them.


    They stopped only long enough to drink every person dry.


    Another human being held in his arms. Sweet, hot red nectar caressed his tongue and slithered down his throat. There truly was nothing better in all of his existence.


    The army swelled in size as the vampire gave every corpse the gift of a single drop of its blood.


    Where was Vukylokyr?


    At times it felt like it was right next to him. At times it felt like it was on the other side of the forest to the north with the army following the 80.


    Bennett knew that the fort at Colfax had fallen as well. Knew that the people of Reno were dying in their homes and in the dark streets.


    The ancient vampire allowed him consciousness. To watch and see and feel everything his body did.


    It wasn¡¯t mercy.


    Bennett raged and begged for oblivion.


    The only laughter was mocking.


    It was cruelty.


    ¡°Please! I don¡¯t care anymore! Just kill me!¡±


    The words came out of Bennett''s blood-drenched mouth as an incoherent snarl.


    The laughter never stopped.


    Out of the entire damned army only one stood out.


    It was hard to see through their blood-smeared faces and mouths, but one shed red tears.

 9.24

    Bennett saw it all, felt it all.


    Forced by Vukylokyr to view the destruction of his home and its people in its entire scope.


    Cruelty to break the rapidly dwindling part of him that thought to resist.


    There was no other purpose.


    Bennett¡¯s will had already been completely subsumed.


    He knew that the ancient monster could¡¯ve have given him oblivion with a simple thought.


    Instead, he watched.


    Tessa had listened to all the chatter while standing on her balcony.


    The buckets her dad had prepared for her were ready.


    She was ready.


    They had lost contact with settlements at a frightening pace.


    Minutes between the first warnings of battle followed by complete radio silence.


    A skyship would¡¯ve been useful, but theirs was only about halfway completed.


    The satellites weren¡¯t picking up anything more than a heat map of the growing cold darkness making its way toward Sacramento from both the 80 and the 50.


    The drones weren¡¯t giving them anything either before they went dark.


    Thanks to her skyscraper vantage point and her helmet¡¯s visual enhancement modes she saw the massive dark clouds coming down both highways.


    Placerville had gone silent a while ago at about the same time as Auburn.


    Roseville followed.


    The garrison at McClellan was still fighting judging by the distant flashes of orange and yellow accompanied by the pops and thumps a few seconds after.


    The clouds were a few kilometers from reaching Sacramento¡¯s first line of defense.


    Well within her range.


    Tessa flipped one of the buckets into the air, scattering the small, jagged bits of ultra dense metal.


    She pushed her hand toward it, magnetically accelerating the mass to over hypersonic speed.


    The boom shattered windows halfway down the building.


    They had been taped beforehand and the people had already been moved to the lower floors.


    There had been some complaints from what she had heard.


    Not that she cared that much.


    It was for their own good.


    Weapons emplacements at the top of the building and her presence made it a target.


    A sizable chunk of the dark cloud in the distance vanished.


    ¡°Analysis.¡±


    It had been shrouded in unnatural shadow, but it looked to be comprised of small animals. Bats, birds, insects.


    The V.I. confirmed it a moment later.


    ¡°Pass the information and share my feed with command channel.¡± She hesitated. ¡°Family and friends channel too. Set busy message to incoming calls, unless marked priority emergency.¡±


    She turned her attention a bit more to the east.


    The second dark cloud coming down the 50.


    Another bucket.


    Another dark chunk deleted out of existence.


    She worked faster.


    Alternating shots.


    Sweeping the air cover to reveal the real threat running on the road.


    ¡°Running out of buckets. Send message for resupply.¡±


    Only one left.


    She grabbed handfuls and aimed for the pale-skinned vampires? Vampire thralls? Vampire ghouls?


    The etymology was unclear.


    They¡¯d figure it all out after.


    ¡°Send advice. Destroy head or chest to insure a kill.¡±


    Her doorbell rang.


    ¡°Open door.¡±


    A pair of kids ran in and started lugging the buckets in her living room onto the balcony.


    ¡°Resupply, ma¡¯am!¡±


    They saluted.


    She had thoughts, but when in a siege, age stopped mattering.


    Kids were on the chopping block just like everyone else.


    Her experiences on the Dominion world had really hammered that in.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Tessa kicked a bucket up and deleted the vampires from across a wide swath of the freeway.


    ¡°Meh¡­¡±


    This was all probably just a distraction.


    The real threat was apparently going to go for the leadership.


    Plans were already being enacted.


    Her dad was still radio silent, but the satellites had pinged a large metal mass flying very fast her way.


    She saw the shape of the decisive fight taking place.


    With luck she could delete all the distractions before they could even reach the walls.


    Then she could shred Vukylokyr into a million tiny pieces while it was distracted by her dad.


    A red light suddenly flashed from both clouds.


    The HUD blared a warning.


    She twisted at the last second.


    Searing pain consumed her left arm.


    The balcony crumbled beneath her.


    A desperate backward leap carried her back into her condo.


    Smoke and fire filled the air.


    The walls burned.


    The floor crumbled forcing her to scramble.


    ¡°Kids!¡±


    Preoccupied with their safety she didn¡¯t notice her arm at first.


    Only a sudden tug that pulled her toward the gaping hole drew her attention.


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    Her arm was gone at the elbow.


    Her blood flowed out into the dark night like a rushing river.


    ¡°Seal it!¡±


    Her head swirled, vision went dark at the edges.


    ¡°Cauterize! Stims!¡±


    The V.I. did its job.


    Pain spiked and throbbed up her shoulder.


    ¡°Good,¡± she grunted. ¡°Pain mitigation down to a five. No. Six.¡±


    It was when the pain vanished completely that she¡¯d be in real trouble.


    Her HUD was flashing red and the alarms screamed in her ears.


    ¡°Mute. Send message. I¡¯m fine.¡±


    She reviewed the recording in slow motion.


    Red had lanced out from deep in the dark cloud like a laser.


    Nothing on the exact source.


    Blood.


    It had been blood.


    Burning hot with tremendous cutting and impact force at just under the speed of sound.


    The distance was the only thing that had allowed her to react in time.


    It had already been shared with the people that needed to see it, so they didn¡¯t need her commentary.


    The sprinklers kicked in.


    It was only then she realized that the blood beam had gone through Threnium like it was nothing.


    She scanned the ruins of her condo.


    No sign of her arm.


    Shit sucked.


    Her mom was going to do the whole ¡®I told you¡¯ thing.


    She turned and only then noticed the exit holes.


    ¡°Scan building¡¯s structural integrity.¡±


    The soldiers above her were firing now.


    She saw red tracers streaking outside through the gaping hole in her living room. Heard the rapid pops as her helmet automatically dampened the sounds.


    The building shook as the cannons thumped, adding their fire to the cacophony.


    ¡°Patch me to the drone feeds. Local area.¡±


    She cursed.


    She hadn¡¯t gone out cold.


    Seconds had passed, yet the dark clouds had reached the bunker fort guarding the 80 split before it reached the bridges over the river.


    The American River was flowing, but she didn¡¯t think it¡¯d prove much of a hindrance to what they faced.


    She caught glimpses of tracer fire from the soldiers on the ground as the dark cloud swept over them.


    It was the same over on the 50.


    The enemy slowed, but wasn¡¯t stopped.


    The two bridges went next.


    Hundreds of meters had been covered in minutes.


    She could track the speed at which the vampires crossed by the flashes of yellow-orange light and puffs of dark smoke.


    ¡°Structural integrity of upper five floors at 70%.¡±


    ¡°Update me at 40%.¡±


    She leapt through the hole in her ceiling.


    Her buckets were gone, but the soldiers had ammo she could help them expend faster.


    ¡°Motherfucker! Your arm!¡±


    She didn¡¯t know the soldiers well enough to recognize the sounds of their voices.


    Plus, it was dark and they were wearing helmets.


    Those with open-faced ones had camouflage paint further obscuring their features.


    ¡°Eh. Not the first time. I¡¯m here to help shoot stuff. Give me a spot and some cannon shells.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll want to go to the roof, ma¡¯am.¡± The soldier pointed at the ladder up the hole in the ceiling. ¡°Commander¡¯s up there too.¡±


    Tessa climbed.


    The guns fell silent just as she reached the top.


    The tingle along her spine was more than just nebulous instinct or intuition.


    It was a tangible change in the surrounding electromagnetic field.


    Everything, from people to magic, either had their own fields or made changes to said fields.


    Power was quantifiable by the degree of change, of presence.


    She dropped from the ladder and landed in a crouch.


    The floor had just been a riot of activity.


    Soldiers firing mounted machine guns and mortars, while other soldiers ran ammo.


    It was as silent as a cemetery.


    The soldiers were shapes in the dark, standing motionless at their stations or in the middle of the floor, cases of forgotten ammo spilling rounds at their feet.


    Her HUD was giving her negative life signs.


    Emergency call alerts continued to flash.


    It occurred to her that perhaps people weren¡¯t worried about her and that she should¡¯ve been worried about them.


    Well¡­ she supposed better her than her mom or sister.


    ¡°Vukylokyr is at my location,¡± she subvocalized into the comms.


    The lower floors of the building were filled with people.


    A question for the leadership.


    She slowly grabbed for a handful of rounds rolling around her feet when violence exploded.


    Soldiers that had been her allies seconds ago reached for her with clawed fingers and fanged mouths. Their eyes shining red in the darkness.


    She scattered the rounds in a wide arc, obliterating heads.


    The ceiling exploded.


    ¡°Serve as you are or as one of them.¡±


    The words were imparted into her with the force of a speeding truck to the face.


    ¡°Relocating!¡±


    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    She ran, engaging her armor¡¯s thrusters.


    She burst through the cloud of small animals and insects, tore grasping limbs off as she reached open air.


    ¡°Engage electric field!¡±


    Touch her and get fried.


    Unless you were Vukylokyr.


    The ancient vampire monster was like a blur.


    As in it moved fast and was a literal blur in her vision.


    It was like reality was trying to protect her from seeing it in truth.


    The bloodfucker had her by the head and was peeling off the Threnium plates covering her chest as they flew through the sky.


    She tried to point herself to the northwest where her dad was, but it had other thoughts, pushing her toward the southeast.


    ¡°Serve willingly or be forced to watch your most precious suffer.¡±


    Can you read my mind? You dickless, wrinkled, leech? I spit on your existence. Low-rate Dracula. Wannabe Morbius. Count Douchelok. Suck my period blood!


    No reaction.


    Some kind of telepathy, but not true mind reading.


    ¡°Spray it!¡±


    Water erupted from all over her armor.


    A recent addition.


    Not just any water.


    Each compartment contained water that had been blessed by a different denomination. Witches, priests, imams, pastors, Buddhist monks, generic monks, rabbis, nuns, sisters of war, sisters of peace, druids, anyone that believed, that had faith that they represented a force that stood in opposition to Vukylokyr.


    Bennett had been a huge help over the last few years. A willing test subject.


    It came down to faith in the end.


    The collective unconscious.


    If a vampire believed that a thing would hurt them it did.


    Would it work on a vampire?


    Especially, one so ancient and powerful?


    ¡°Futile.¡±


    ¡°Powder, spray it!¡±


    A blend of garlic, silver and Skill-enhanced pepper powder engulfed the vampire¡¯s face.


    ¡°Sunlight Heart!¡±


    Her chest plates slid open to reveal a light.


    Vukylokyr screeched, recoiling.


    She punched him in the throat and kicked him off, while keeping him in her wide-angled beam.


    Normal UV lights had worked on Bennett.


    Gave him a terrible sunburn in minutes.


    The Threnosh went a step further and created a bulb that was truly artificial sunlight.


    It burned.


    Pale white flesh sizzled and smoked.


    ¡°Holy water and powder blend doesn¡¯t work on Vukylokyr. Sunlights¡ª¡±


    She cursed and cut the power to her thrusters.


    The vampire exploded into a hundred bloody spears arcing after her.


    She dropped like a knife, boots first before turning to bring the sunlight to bear.


    The blood spears burned in the light all the way to the ground.


    She cratered the road beneath her armored back.


    Barely, felt it thanks to the impact absorption and dispersion and the inertial dampening.


    Could¡¯ve done it without the armor.


    Just would¡¯ve been a lot less pleasant.


    She scanned the sky.


    Every instrument told her that it was empty.


    No Vukylokyr?


    ¡°Unconfirmed, but I think I got it.¡±


    She unmuted her channels.


    ¡°¡­ Section 10 under heavy attack¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ Section¡­ down¡­ response¡­¡±


    ¡°This is Pocket! Please send help! They came out of the river!¡±


    ¡°Capitol under attack from the inside! Governor still in his office. Refused evac. All available units converge on Governor!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t. Protect the people.¡±


    ¡°Natomas requesting assistance.¡±


    ¡°Arden under attack.¡±


    ¡°This is Westlake! They¡¯re over the walls!¡±


    ¡°Then, who are we fighting out here,¡± Vee said.


    ¡°Vee! Is it a blurry thing?¡±


    ¡°Blurry, yup! Very blurry, not in the fast way, well, fast, but also blurry. Like those old movies when they didn¡¯t want to show boobs.¡±


    ¡°Where are you! I¡¯m coming!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t. Meneldrome¡¯s holy light spell is keeping it at bay. We¡¯re alright for now. Mom needs help. Olo and Gene¡¯s been trying to reach you.¡±


    Tessa cursed, located the call and picked it up.


    ¡°Tessa?¡± Olo said. ¡°Why haven¡¯t you been picking up?¡±


    ¡°Busy with a life and death fight, you know how it is. Vee said¡ª¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re at Sutter.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, my mom¡¯s there helping out.¡±


    ¡°They came out of nowhere. Swept through the neighborhood. Nothing worked. The lights slowed them down, but not enough that they couldn¡¯t just knock them over or out of people¡¯s hands. They got most everyone. We barely got to the hospital with the kids. Everyone else had to slow them down. They¡¯re out there now. The ownership protections are holding, but we¡¯re on a clock. Less than 15 minutes now and the countdown isn¡¯t steady. It speeds up sometimes. 20-30 seconds in an instant.¡±


    ¡°The vampires?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re all vampires now.¡±


    ¡°Your¡ª¡±


    ¡°Just¡­ get here¡­ or better yet, find your dad. He¡¯s the only one that can clear this many enemies without risking friendly fire.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll¡ª I¡¯ll try. Be careful, Olo.¡±


    ¡°You too¡­ I won¡¯t let them get to your mom.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    She closed the call and switched to Vee.


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯ll be okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, go find dad or something. We¡¯ll kill this one like you did yours and head for the hospital.¡±


    Tessa gazed into the dark sky lit up by flashes from every direction.


    Powerful sunlight spotlights swept the sky along with red tracer fire.


    She cycled through the camera feeds.


    Sunlights shined form rooftops and street poles, but Olo had been right.


    They burned the vampires, but not quickly enough before they were destroyed.


    Single family homes weren¡¯t safe.


    Designated shelters and apartment buildings were holding better since they had more defenders.


    Unsurprisingly, places of worship were probably doing the best out of all because of the wide berth the vampires gave them.


    The capitol¡¯s walls were untouched, but from the sounds of it the enemy had already breached it.


    Every person killed added to Vukylokyr¡¯s army.


    It reminded her of the Spore God.


    Bad times.


    The worst.


    She had a decision to make.


    <hr>


    Earlier, Governor-for-life Alejandro Richards held an early dinner with his son, Alexander, his daughter-in-law, Eliza and his two granddaughters, Marianny, the oldest named after his dearly departed wife, and Tricia, the baby.


    It had been nice.


    He had lived in that moment.


    Taking it all in, being mindful of every word they had spoken at the table. At his granddaughter¡¯s digressions into dinosaurs.


    His one hope was that Marianny would remember him fondly.


    Even, Tricia, though he knew she was too young.


    After dinner, while the girls prepared to depart for one of the most well-defended shelters not in the capitol he spoke to his son for one last time. Not that he let Alexander know that.


    ¡°Consider a different life from mine.¡±


    ¡°What? What are you talking about, Dad? A bit late for that, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    Alexander was the representative for the area of the city he lived in.


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have been governor for this long.¡±


    ¡°Your fault for being too good at it.¡± Alex snorted.


    They had held elections and he had won every single one.


    Even the ones he hadn¡¯t officially entered.


    In fact, no one ever ran for governor.


    That would change for the next election.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to be open about your powers.¡±


    Alexander frowned a bit.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°A regret I have to this day. The dishonesty wears on a person and I don¡¯t want that for you. Hasn¡¯t it been hard to keep yours secret?¡±


    Alexander shrugged. ¡°You know, Eliza knows. That¡¯s all that matters to me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be different if you stand where I stood.¡±


    ¡°I learned everything I know from you. I only want to live up to your example. Besides,¡± his son smiled, ¡°you¡¯re governor until you die and you just have to learn to accept that.¡±


    ¡°You already have, my son,¡± he smiled. ¡°I couldn¡¯t be more proud of how you¡¯ve turned out. My one regret is that your mom¡­ well, she¡¯s watching you from heaven and I know she¡¯s proud.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ at least we still have you.¡±


    Alejandro had so much to say, but there was never going to be the time to tell his son everything he wanted.


    His journals would have to be good enough after he was gone.


    ¡°Be careful tonight. Remember, if you insist on continuing your political career then it¡¯s important to be among the people and not only for show. It must be genuine. Don¡¯t forget the lessons we learned from our past mistakes. Politicians are supposed to serve the people, not just those with power, wealth, and connections.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Dad. Not to mention safety in numbers, yeah?¡±


    That was true.


    The mass emergency shelters were superior to the smaller ones for a variety of reasons.


    Gone were the ancient days when bunkers were for a small, select number of wealthy people with all the defenses their money could buy.


    The spires had given the power to the people in a way that any number of movements in those days ultimately failed to do.


    Not to mention the fact that every citizen was armed and trained to a minimum basic level of proficiency.


    ¡°One last thing. Consider the girls.¡±


    ¡°What about them?¡±


    ¡°Would you want them to live with the secret like the two of us?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be able to continue my career. People just wouldn¡¯t be able to trust me. What else could I do?¡±


    ¡°Anything else you want or try.¡±


    ¡°But I don¡¯t want to do anything else. This is important.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, but¡­ well, let¡¯s worry about it after this crisis passes.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll get through it, Dad. We¡¯re strong. We¡¯ve gotten through everything that the spires has shoved in our faces so far.¡±


    ¡°I know, Alex.¡±


    They talked of lighter things until it was time.


    The governor hugged and kissed his family one last time, sending them off under armed escort to the shelter before taking his own to the capitol.


    The command center was a hardened bunker complex underneath the building.


    It was part old construction, mostly new.


    He didn¡¯t head down there.


    He went up to his office.


    The message he had received had been clear.


    A promise and a threat.


    He had shared with no one.


    His instincts had told him that would¡¯ve been the worst thing he could do.


    Thus, he waited with his bodyguard under the pretense of doing a bit more work on some legislative stuff.


    Besides, they were in a walled fort, how much safer could he be just a few floors lower?


    Perhaps, his one regret was failing to find a pretext with which to send his bodyguards away.


    They deserved better.


    He turned his radio off as the calls became increasingly desperate.


    ¡°Sir, maybe we should head down now,¡± Rob, his head bodyguard, said.


    ¡°Just a few more minutes.¡±


    ¡°Alright, sir, but I¡¯m calling it in.¡±


    Rob stepped out of the office leaving him with Katie and Derek.


    The steel shutters over the window were down so that the sounds of battle were muffled.


    Sunlights were positioned strategically to keep him surrounded but out of direct contact.


    His bodyguard¡¯s radios suddenly screeched.


    The regular lights flickered, then steadied.


    ¡°The hell was that?¡± Katie said. ¡°You guys get that too, over?¡± she spoke into her radio.


    Derek readied his shield and machine pistol as he went to the governor. ¡°Let¡¯s get you away from the window, sir.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± He drew the shotgun from beneath his desk.


    Like everyone he had combat training.


    However, he had always been a terrible shot.


    ¡°Armor up, sir, I¡¯ve got you covered,¡± Derek said.


    Alejandro pulled on the thick vest. Kevlar cloth over plate steel and ceramic plates with thick padding on the inside. The helmet went on next.


    ¡°I repeat, do you copy? Over,¡± Katie said.


    She faced the door, carbine at the ready.


    The regular lights flickered and died.


    The sunlights were on fancy Threnosh batteries so they stayed on.


    The scene froze in front of the governor.


    Wet red arcs stretched almost to the ceiling from Katie¡¯s and Derek¡¯s necks.


    They toppled, but their blood flowed to a corner of his office.


    He closed his eyes.


    Their deaths were on him. He had made sure to write that down in the journal on his desk.


    Cold comfort for the people they left behind.


    He saw¡­ a wound on the face of reality. A blur, as if his eyes were trying to protect him, his mind and sanity.


    ¡°You will serve. Willingly or not. Serve with honor and glory in my name or serve like a hound yapping for scraps underneath my table.¡±


    Alejandro stayed within the sunlight.


    There was another in the shadowed spaces left by the lights.


    A tall, scarecrow-like figure stepped into view.


    ¡°Mr. Andrews.¡±


    Bennett¡¯s face was a mask of wet red.


    His eyes¡ª


    ¡°Maybe not anymore.¡± Alejandro felt sadness at that.


    He couldn¡¯t fault the vampire.


    Decades of loyal service to the people of Sacramento couldn¡¯t be cast aside so easily.


    Indeed, there was no one person more responsible for the anti-vampire measures they had undertaken.


    Although, it was too late for him, the rest of the city was still in the balance.


    Otherwise, why would this ancient monster come for him directly.


    He put on his best smile. Used his power in a way he had never before.


    ¡°Vukylokyr. Why don¡¯t we have a seat? We can discuss terms.¡± He gestured toward his desk.


    ¡°Mortals fall for your charm. I am immortal. You will chose.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I imagine I will one way or another. Which is why I¡¯d like to go over the details. What will be expected of me? My duties? Compensation package? Will I be paid hourly or salaried? Benefits? Retirement plan? Pension? Both? Vacation time? And for my people as well. Will I have input as to filling positions in your crimson era? Is that the proper term? I am well-positioned to select the right people for the right jobs¡ª¡±


    Alejandro fell to his knees with a cry.


    Sudden pressure, like a steel vise had clamped around his head.


    ¡°You are weak. You are unnecessary. Serve or not. There is another below you and below that and so on. Chattel is ever without end.¡±


    Alejandro tasted iron.


    Wet, hot liquid dripped down his lip, cheeks and ears.


    It took all his strength to raise his head.


    The wound in reality stood before him in the sunlight.


    ¡°I am beyond all your clever machines.¡±


    ¡°Could you prove that, by standing right there for the next 12-13 hours or so?¡±


    ¡°Serve me or Alexander will. If not him. Then Marianny or Tricia.¡±


    ¡°My power¡¯s not so useless, is it? You want me, it? Then let¡¯s make a deal. Because, I¡¯m starting to get the idea that it¡¯s important to you I do it willingly. Am I right, Mr. Andrews?¡±


    Bennett stood like a statue just outside the sunlight. The only sign of life was the red glow in his eyes.


    ¡°I offer life eternal.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not that old. Not even 60.¡±


    He inched his hand toward the shotgun.


    ¡°An eternity in torment or paradise. For you and yours. Choose.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ just let me make this clear. I¡¯ve got two choices.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Serve willingly or unwillingly.¡±


    ¡°That is correct.¡±


    ¡°Is the eternity in torment part of the unwilling option?¡±


    ¡°CHOOSE!¡±


    The force hit Alejandro like a bomb.


    When he woke up he had no idea where he was or what time it was.


    Then he saw the wound in reality.


    Mr. Andrews was nowhere in sight.


    He held a little hope that a lot of time had passed.


    ¡°No more reprieve.¡±


    ¡°It occurs to me that for an ancient vampire on a tight schedule you¡¯ve given me a lot of your time. You need, no, want my willing service. So, one last question. You wouldn¡¯t happen to know what¡¯ll happen to my soul in either scenario, would you?¡±


    The wound vibrated and the entire office shook.


    He took the moment to reach into his pocket and press the panic button.


    The office continued to shake, but this time it was because of the steel blast doors slamming into place over the regular doors.


    They had renovated a while back.


    Blast doors, window shutters.


    Bars in the walls, floor and ceiling.


    Thick steel.


    Turned his office into a panic room.


    It was set on a timer. Couldn¡¯t be opened from the inside for the maximum of a week. Or the outside for that matter.


    There were also magitech devices against infiltration, but those obviously hadn¡¯t worked.


    He didn¡¯t hold any illusions that Vukylokyr couldn¡¯t tear its way out or do the shadow walking thing.


    All he had was the hope that it would take time.


    ¡°So, you¡¯ve chosen.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not really a choice. So, I refuse to engage in your farce.¡±


    Alejandro swept the shotgun off the floor and emptied it into Vukylokyr.


    When that did nothing he threw every anti-vampire measure he had on him.


    The wound in reality ignored everything.


    A hand as unyielding and cold as bare steel pulled him from the sunlight.


    ¡°Drain him. We shall visit the chattel you have such faith in. You will learn the price of continued disobedience.¡±


    ¡°Wait! Don¡¯t¡ª¡±


    A hand pulled his head back, exposing his throat.


    Hot needles pierced and drank deeply.


    Governor-for-life Alejandro Richards last act in service to his people was to die in his office.


    His body rose a moment later in service to another.


    Bennett sobbed from within the prison of his own body.

 9.25

    Rebekah watched Max flex his wood arm.


    He had just gotten it a few weeks ago.


    The lustrous reddish surface really shined with life.


    It was different from his usual rough, rocky arm of wood and earth.


    He rolled his wrist and repeatedly made a fist.


    Then, he touched each finger to thumb in quick succession, varying the order in a random pattern.


    ¡°Your control¡¯s better.¡±


    ¡°I should¡¯ve gotten it sooner,¡± Max said. ¡°It¡¯s an adjustment. Asking a thousand year old redwood to give me a living piece of itself isn¡¯t nearly the same as going down to the park and grabbing some dirt and dead branches.¡±


    ¡°How are the roots?¡±


    ¡°Not painful. Distracting. I¡¯m more worried about the fact that I can feel through this now.¡± He held up his arm of living redwood. ¡°Can¡¯t just shove it into things without caring anymore.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll manage. You always do.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t worry about me. Say¡­ you do know that we need your leadership, right?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not suicidal, but I¡¯ve made this clear. I will use the Skill if I believe it is for the best. Just like Commander Lawrence did.¡±


    ¡°A leadership void in this specific situation and in the general overall state of our world could be a killer. Not just for the Watch, but for everyone.¡±


    ¡°Then it¡¯s a good thing we¡¯re prepared with clear lines of succession.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not test them.¡±


    Rebekah felt the portal stone in her palm and eyed the floor next to her chair.


    She and Max were armored up in full, unpowered Threnium, which meant that they didn¡¯t have to worry about being bathed by the sunlight spotlights in her office.


    The slow time field generator was hidden behind a plant and pointed to the small circle in the middle of her office purposefully left out of the sunlights¡¯ coverage.


    She had emptied Watch HQ.


    Just her and Max and the automated defenses.


    The enemy had already entered the city.


    Guess that showed a weakness to their wall-based defense system when not up against unintelligent monsters.


    People were dying while she sat and waited.


    She knew she had made the right call when Tessa got paid a visit by Vukylokyr, then Vee, then the governor from the sounds of the frantic chatter over the command channel.


    Sutter was another place that sounded like it was getting some extra attention. Megan was at the hospital.


    Classic HVT take out tactic.


    ¡°I hope this bloody bastard actually shows up,¡± Max said.


    ¡°Yeah, I agree. Fuck this leech. Can¡¯t wait to show it what the Watch does to monsters.¡±


    She figured that there was a good chance it was listening.


    To speak of the Devil was to invite an appearance or so the saying went.


    Reality tore in the middle of her office.


    Somehow, right in the area untouched by the sunlights.


    ¡°Target has arrived,¡± Max whispered into the comms.


    They starred at a blur even as it stood motionless in the slow time field.


    Max pointed his pinkie at it.


    The redwood lengthened into a thin lance as it shot toward Vukylokyr¡¯s chest.


    Somehow, the ancient vampire moved.


    ¡°Bail!¡±


    Max snapped his wood pinkie off with a grimace.


    Rebekah shot to her feet and jumped, stomping as hard as she could.


    The floor had been pre-cut.


    She crashed down several levels until the feather fall enchantment kicked in as she breached the basement ceiling.


    Max was a beat behind her.


    ¡°The generators about to run¡ª¡±


    His words were swallowed by the thunder above them.


    ¡°Emergency portal!¡± Rebekah activated the portal stone with a tap of her finger.


    She appeared in an alley several blocks away.


    To her relief, Max showed up a second later.


    He had deep gashes in his redwood arm leaking red sap and in his Threnium chestplate.


    ¡°Sweet baby Jesus, it was fast. Barely tapped the stone in time,¡± Max said.


    ¡°It¡¯s coming!¡± Alexa sat in the lotus position just outside the ritual circles inscribed in blood on the ground and the brick walls.


    Her four, hairless bipedal cat-like familiars were similarly arrayed where the three circles touched and opposite Alexa to form a pentagram.


    Such heathenism was one of the hallmark¡¯s of her class.


    Rebekah and Max remained standing in the circle careful to avoid touching the blood.


    The portal stones arrayed within the circle began to vibrate and glow.


    Rebekah got the idea from Vukylokyr¡¯s strength at porting around.


    She banked on it getting careless in its haste to get to her.


    The blood on the ground and walls was an added lure.


    ¡°Out!¡± Alexa snapped.


    They jumped.


    Intense pink light filled the alley.


    The wound in reality that was Vukylokyr stood inside the ritual circle.


    Trapped.


    But for how long?


    ¡°Alexa?¡±


    Rebekah glanced up at her Watch on the rooftops.


    Too many young faces pushed into Quests above their level because of the ones she had sent to the Threnosh world.


    No Amber, Basilisk, Hillary, or Trevor along with several others.


    Devon was a knightmage, but 15 levels lower than Amber.


    He was young for a squad leader, but it had been earned. His mage armor was incomplete, covering his torso and arms in translucent green. The rest of him was covered by standard Threnium plate and chain.


    ¡°Commander Court! We re-established contact with Shannon. The detective said we need to send our best to the capitol, Sutter Med, SCC and, well, here, with you, specifically.¡±


    She understood why the other three, but not the community college.


    It was a military training base and one of the largest emergency shelters, but the highest levels of command would all be at the capitol unless they had taken Ms. Teacher¡¯s advice and she wasn¡¯t privy to that information.


    ¡°Ask for a clarification and tell her I want the one site she thinks is most in danger.¡±


    She focused on the fuzzy white blur in the middle of Alexa¡¯s ritual circle.


    Nothing in or out.


    Only downside was Alexa and her familiars couldn¡¯t move while they maintained it.


    ¡°Turn the lights on and get those autoguns set!¡±


    Her Watch sprang into action.


    Sunlight spotlights on the rooftops sparked to life, turning night to day.


    Unmanned recoilless guns loaded with unorthodox ammunition were clipped to the rooftop edges and brought into the alley.


    They turned it into a nice little kill box in less than a minute.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the truck?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s being brought around the corner, commander,¡± Devon said.


    ¡°Forcefield generators in place. Keyed to your commands, commander,¡± Paisley said.


    The techmage was barely old enough and too low level for this, but those factors wouldn¡¯t have stopped the ancient vampire from sending one of its minions to tear her throat and drink her blood had she been in one of the shelters or over at the foundries where Rebekah had sent most of the lowest leveled Watch to weather the bloody storm sweeping through their city.


    She eyed the many potted plants lining the alley all the way down to the other street.


    She was proud of her kids.


    They had prepared the battlefield well considering they had to do it in a burning city were feral vampires roamed the dark.


    Less than 20 Watch with only her, Max and Alexa over Level 40.


    Versus Vukylokyr?


    ¡°This thing gets around pretty fast, huh?¡± Max said.


    ¡°It teleports.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that,¡± Alexa said through grit teeth.


    The woman¡¯s white hair writhed in a nonexistent wind. Sweat dripped down her face, flowing through the furrows on her brow like water through a vertical maze.


    Her small, cat-like familiars were clenched bundles of muscle. Sweat shined on their hairless flesh.


    Rebekah checked the ritual circles.


    The blood glowed, though the intensity had weakened noticeably.


    The readings in her HUD weren¡¯t trending in a positive direction.


    She zoomed in.


    Red flakes were rising off the ground and walls, disintegrating into nothing.


    ¡°It¡¯s in the blood,¡± Alexa continued. ¡°Or it is the blood. I sense¡ª I don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    ¡°How much longer can you hold it?¡±


    ¡°Not long.¡±


    ¡°Max, do it.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± He placed his wood hand on the ground and mumbled something she couldn¡¯t understand.


    A lattice work of gnarled redwood branches erupted from his arm, stabbing into the ground and walls until the ritual circles were enclosed in a tight cage.


    His wood arm was left withered, looking like it had atrophied from years of disuse.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m fast enough, but I¡¯ll try my best, no promises,¡± Max said.


    ¡°We¡¯re slowing down in our old age.¡±


    He grinned. ¡°I thought 50 was the new 40. We know Level 50 is the new 30. Or is that just Hanna¡¯s genetics?¡±


    ¡°I guess we¡¯ll find out.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one always telling the kids not to count the levels they don¡¯t have.¡±


    ¡°Danger sense!¡±


    Someone screamed.


    ¡°Cut it Alexa!¡±


    Rebekah didn¡¯t wait. She grabbed Alexa by the collar of her armor, dragging her like a sack of rice into the aegis of the forcefield.


    Her kids started shouting.


    ¡°They¡¯re on the roofs!¡±


    ¡°Lights!¡±


    Gun and spell fire turned a relatively quiet area of the city into the middle of a fireworks parade.


    Rain began to fall on the forcefield.


    Red rain.


    As quickly as it started the noise abruptly halted.


    Rebekah looked up.


    A monster dangled one of her kids by an ankle over the edge of the rooftop.


    Not a monster. A vampire.


    But so transformed that the recognition software in her helmet failed to get a match with known vampires on file.


    A second vampire landed on the opposite rooftop with a thud on leathery wings. It looked like a monstrous version of one of the Bat People. It made the first look down right human.


    Notably, the two stayed out of the sunlights.


    ¡°Worse than Dracula,¡± Max muttered.


    The first vampire shook her kid.


    Autumn?


    Rebekah couldn¡¯t tell.


    The helmet had been ripped from her head, but her face was covered in a sticky red mask.


    ¡°You will turn off all your spells and devices. Place your weapons on the ground. And release the Devourer in Crimson,¡± the vampire said. His mouth split wider than it had seemed possible to reveal a nightmare forest of thin, needle-sharp fangs.


    Bennett had only ever had the four fangs. And he had conscientiously kept them out of sight as much as he could.


    ¡°Refuse and your little kids up here, end up as our third dinners of the night. And I have to say that, with new and great power, comes great appetite. Oh, and then they¡¯ll be turned into mindless thralls doomed to death as fodder. Or we could start with some defilement before dinner.¡±


    Death was preferable to servitude and the spreading of Vukylokyr¡¯s evil.


    ¡°We are the Watch. You attack our home. Our people. There is only one thing the Watch does in the face of darkness. The Watch Stands, The Watch Fights Like Lions.¡±


    Her Level 40 gave her kids a brief fighting chance while reinvigorating everyone.


    ¡°Alexa!¡±


    ¡°On it!¡±


    The eldritch mage dropped the ritual.


    Her familiars swelled with suddenly recovered power, growing into human-sized bipedal cat-like monstrosities as they clawed up the walls to throw themselves at the two vampires.


    Max filled the empty spaces in his redwood lattice with sudden spikes.


    Wood splintered as the wound in reality crashed toward him like an angry elephant.


    The sound of sizzling flesh filled the alley along with smoke.


    They were working, but not fast enough.


    The guns barked, spitting blessed silver projectiles, stakes of living wood or bags filled with the anti-vampire blend powder.


    The truck screeched to a halt just outside the alley.


    ¡°Hoses on the roofs!¡± Rebekah roared into the comms.


    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Her kids followed her orders perfectly despite the fear she saw in their wide eyes.


    A powerful gust buffeted the forcefield.


    The bat-like vampire took flight with broad wing-arms.


    One of Alexa¡¯s familiars rode the vampire¡¯s back, biting and clawing like a rabid animal.


    ¡°Devon!¡±


    ¡°Commander!¡± His voice was a bit higher than she¡¯d like.


    ¡°Stay here, protect Alexa and Paisley, back up Max if you see an opening.¡±


    Rebekah disabled the forcefield long enough for the levitate spell module to lift her to the rooftop.


    Carnage greeted her.


    It was filled with pale bodies interspersed here and there by one of her kids.


    What had the vampire called them?


    Thralls.


    People.


    They were people.


    Dressed in bloody tattered pajamas or soldier gear.


    Had been people.


    Now they were truly dead.


    Shot, burned and cut beyond recognition.


    Autumn, for it had been Autumn, was a bloody mess, yet the knightmage fought the vampire alongside Alexa¡¯s familiars while the remaining Watch kids fought the remaining pale-skinned vampire thralls.


    The knightmage lacked conjured armor.


    She blocked the vampire¡¯s blurring claws with a large round shield of opaque red light.


    She wielded the opaque red long-handled mace in one hand as if it was as light as a feather.


    And yet, when the flanged head crashed into the vampire¡¯s side it landed with the crack of thunder and sent him crashing into a smokestack, destroying its ancient brick base.


    Autumn had no right lasting this long.


    And she wouldn¡¯t have had it not been for Alexa¡¯s familiars.


    Three familiars took turns, periodically darting in with claw swipes whenever the vampire went for a killing blow on the young Watch woman.


    Then they dashed back into the savage fray with the thralls to support the other Watch kids.


    Without the familiars, the holy water rain and her Skill the fight would¡¯ve already been over.


    Rebekah, pulled a gun from her bag of holding and shot the snarling vampire in the face.


    Fire swallowed him down to his sculpted chest.


    ¡°V-neck wearing douchebag,¡± she spat.


    She kept squeezing the trigger while the vampire tried to dance away.


    They weren¡¯t regular rounds.


    Specifically, the bullets contained white phosphorus designed to explode after penetration.


    More specifically, the bullets had also been blessed. Each one by a representative of a different belief system.


    The fifth shot really had the vampire howling.


    It went from pain and anger to pain and fear, terror even.


    Must¡¯ve been a Christian round going by statistics.


    There must¡¯ve been levels at play.


    Would explain why the blessed rain wasn¡¯t doing much more than reddening the vampire¡¯s pale skin.


    It was making many of the thralls smoke.


    The vampire disappeared over the far edge.


    Rebekah rushed to one of the fallen sunlight spotlights and righted it, shining it on the backs of her kids.


    The thralls shrieked and shrank away, scattering as their pale skin sizzled and smoked.


    Her kids pressed the advantage.


    Shooting spells and bullets, cutting and stabbing with blessed blades, all while staying in the light.


    Down in the alley Max was getting fucked up by something he couldn¡¯t even see properly.


    It was one giant censor blur that had pinned him up against the wall.


    His redwood arm was down to a skeleton, yet he continued to shoot spikes from it.


    ¡°Why won¡¯t you die! C¡¯mon, you leech! This is living wood straight from the heart of a thousand year old tree!¡±


    ¡°A sapling.¡±


    Blood splashed from its chest onto Max¡¯s face through the gaping holes in his faceplate.


    He spat desperately as the iron tang coated his mouth.


    ¡°It is a gift beyond measure. Not a petty prize to be stolen.¡±


    A fang-filled mouth opened wide enough to bite down on the front of his head.


    Threnium squealed.


    The long, wriggling tongue smeared blood and saliva on his faceplate.


    ¡°Sunlight!¡±


    The helmet light shined into the throaty abyss.


    Sizzle and smoke.


    It screeched, recoiling.


    ¡°It¡¯s more vulnerable on the inside!¡±


    Except to the redwood.


    That was some bullshit.


    Some things worked, some didn¡¯t.


    It grabbed his redwood arm and slammed him through the brick wall and into darkness.


    Alexa stood.


    It slammed into the forcefield.


    Cracks spread across the translucent blue surface.


    Paisley yelped.


    ¡°How many more?¡±


    The white wound in reality struck again.


    ¡°Five, maybe six. Then overload and boom,¡± Paisley whispered.


    Alexa kicked a spear-length splinter from Max¡¯s shattered lattice cage over to Devon.


    ¡°You know where.¡±


    The young man swallowed the lump in his throat and picked up the redwood spear. The green light of his magic armor flickered, wavering a moment before steadying.


    Alexa¡¯s fingers danced.


    She slapped one hand on the ground.


    ¡°The Binding of Melelith.¡±


    Glowing pink ribbons erupted from beneath Vukylokyr.


    It was moving too fast for her to hit with everything, but she hit with enough.


    They snaked around blurry white arms and legs, constricting and pulling taut.


    ¡°Now! Drop the shields!¡±


    Paisley tapped her tablet.


    The blue light winked out.


    ¡°Leap Thrust!¡±


    Devon covered ten feet in an instant, plunging the redwood spear deep.


    Laughter filled their heads.


    Paisley and Devon screamed.


    Alexa endured.


    Her ribbons didn¡¯t.


    They snapped.


    She extended her free hand at Devon.


    Snagging him with a glowing pink tongue.


    She pulled, but Vukylokyr had a hold of the young man¡¯s wrists.


    It was too fast.


    ¡°Acid Spray!¡± Devon screamed.


    The laughter didn¡¯t abate.


    Alexa¡¯s concentration failed.


    Her spell fizzled.


    The white wound in reality blurred in motion.


    Devon landed behind Alexa with a dull thud, nearly crashing into Paisley.


    The forcefield reappeared just as Vukylokyr¡¯s claws cut through Alexa¡¯s faceplate.


    Her HUD flickered, blaring damage alerts.


    The white hand and arm appeared in full.


    Pale, sinewy, nails like claws.


    She kicked it away as it continued to reach for her like a snake¡¯s severed head continuing to bite.


    The green glow around Devon was gone. Just like his arms and one leg.


    She cauterized the gushers with a quick spell.


    ¡°Pais? Pais!¡±


    ¡°Y¡ª yes, ma¡¯am?¡± the girl¡¯s eyes were saucers staring down at Devon.


    ¡°Healing first. Then Plan Omega Force.¡±


    Some people shouldn¡¯t be allowed to come up with the names.


    ¡°Focus on the tasks. Tune out everything else.¡±


    The girl was as white as, well, the wriggling arm on the ground, but she nodded and pulled out a smartphone to lay on Devon¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Holy water team,¡± Alexa said into the comms. ¡°We¡¯re getting really dehydrated here.¡±


    They responded quickly, aiming one hose into the alley.


    Vukylokyr blurred around the powerful stream and started killing.


    The screams in her helmet shook Alexa more than the bursts of gunfire and spell explosions around the firetruck as Vukylokyr turned the holy water puddles on the street red.


    Thin redwood lanced out of the dark hole in the side of the building, skewering Vukylokyr in the back.


    Max emerged.


    Three wood fingers left.


    Thorn Wall.


    Dagger-like thorns on thick vines twisted together in a dense mass appeared in front of him.


    It exploded a second later.


    Grasping Vines¡ª


    ¡ª torn.


    Max drew his spellgun, just to have it knocked out of his hand.


    Broken fingers, normal flesh and bone, not wood.


    Slammed back into the building, against the brick on the other side.


    Biting teeth ripped the front of his helmet off.


    Went for his throat.


    Armored collar held.


    He pushed up on its chin.


    Mouth opened wide.


    No options.


    He shoved his hand down it¡¯s throat.


    Seeds.


    Mouth snapped shut like a bear trap.


    No more natural hands left.


    ¡°Quick Growth,¡± Max hissed.


    Vukylokyr screeched as its stomach bulged.


    It stumbled back out into the alley.


    The seeds within its belly sprouted into a tangle of slim-trunked saplings.


    Roots emerged from within, stabbing into the ground, while branches reached for the sky with gore-covered leaves.


    Despite it all, Vukylokyr just wouldn¡¯t die.


    It struggled, snapping branches and tearing roots as it pulled itself up.


    Max cast a clump of healing moss over his stump and mentally prepared himself for one last go.


    Until, night turned into day.


    Ozone filled the air.


    A massive beam of blue-white light burned across the hole in the wall.


    The force of its passage knocked him over.


    The Omega Force.


    A fancy and overly-grand name for a mana laser.


    He staggered out into the alley.


    Noting remained of Vukylokyr.


    Every surface was charred.


    Acrid smoke filled the air.


    Half the firetruck was gone and a huge hole had been burned through the building on the other side of the street.


    The fires would have to be put out, but he wasn¡¯t concerned about that.


    ¡°Who authorized that?¡± Rebekah said.


    ¡°I did,¡± Alexa replied.


    ¡°Good job. The rest of them are running. First aid. Stabilize. Then we move.¡±


    The forcefield generators were charred husks.


    ¡°Get your ass over here, Max!¡± Alexa snapped.


    She was almost as charred as the generators, but not nearly as bad as Paisley.


    The girl¡¯s fingers were blackened crisps.


    Her chest armor was riddled with shrapnel, while her face was a mix of blackened skin and wet red muscle.


    ¡°I got the helmet off, but not before some of it melted.¡±


    ¡°Her eyes?¡±


    It didn¡¯t look good.


    ¡°Hurry up. I can¡¯t work the healing phones.¡± Alexa held up her hands. Every finger was bent the wrong direction. ¡°The binding didn¡¯t like me trying to cast it twice in a row.¡±


    ¡°Get her armor off.¡± He cast healing moss on the girl¡¯s face. Then he pulled a phone out of his first aid kit. His eyes darted to Devon.


    The young man was breathing and already receiving healing.


    ¡°Aw, shit¡­¡±


    Paisley¡¯s padded shirt was wet with red.


    He cut it open and laid a redwood middle finger on her shredded chest.


    Barely visible roots emerged and entered through the wounds.


    He snapped it off with an act of will.


    The powerful life magic in a piece of the heart from a thousand year old tree would hopefully keep her alive long enough for the rest of the healing magic to dig in. Then it was a race to the highest leveled doctor or healing-type they could find. Or a last second level up. The kid certainly deserved one.


    He pulled a different smartphone from his kit.


    It contained a simple, but strong magnet spell.


    He held it above the girl¡¯s bloody chest.


    Order of operations.


    Remove the shrapnel, then worry about the rest.


    Alexa sighed.


    ¡°You got this?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, get someone to fix your fingers. We need all the help.¡± He glanced at the firetruck. Most of the Watch there had been slaughtered and with his helmet ruined he couldn¡¯t see if there were any life signs left.


    <hr>


    Ambush?


    Trap?


    One didn¡¯t trap justice without paying the price, which was a trap of its own.


    Vee dropped seizure inducing electromagnetic fields all over the fields just south of Sacramento¡¯s walls.


    They had been riding the truck back to the city when vampires had come out of nowhere and flipped their truck through sheer numbers.


    The vampires had them surrounded, until they didn¡¯t.


    Now, the fanged ones were trapped in a donut of electromagnetic fields.


    Attack?


    Seizure.


    Retreat?


    Seizure.


    Try to jump over.


    Also seizure.


    ¡°I sense the death magic flowing in their blood, which doesn¡¯t belong to the body,¡± Vessandrion said.


    The teenager sounded excited.


    He had come a long way from that unlucky baby they had saved from a dire fate over15 years ago in their first days on the Dominion world.


    She¡¯d have never taken him on the team if that scary necromancer lady hadn¡¯t called in the boon.


    Still, she supposed it was good for the young High to learn what life was like around normal people.


    Being mostly raised by an ancient necromancer and old revenants sorta skewed the perspective a bit.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe it can be reversed, elder sister.¡±


    ¡°You sure? Nothing in that photographic memory about vampires?¡±


    ¡°Histories. Myths and legends. Nothing properly confirmed.¡±


    ¡°Okay, then,¡± she sighed.


    The poor people turned into these monsters.


    It just wasn¡¯t fair.


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s keep tossing them back until we¡¯re sure killing that thing won¡¯t free them.¡± She pointed her battered metal staff at the blurry wound in reality trapped in place by the beam of holy light shining from Meneldrom¡¯s mythril mace.


    ¡°Yes. I can certainly do this all night while you toss them back like deeplake silverstripes.¡± The young Stone Lord was clad in only the vestments of their battle priest class. Young members of the species traditionally didn¡¯t wear much armor. Rather, they relied on their naturally tough gray skin. Rough as stone and even tougher. It was how they grew their skin into natural armor over time. Like building callouses.


    Priest for them wasn¡¯t like priests for humans.


    It was less worship of an outside entity or ideal and more a collective faith in the idea of their people.


    Whatever it was, it seemed to be working.


    Vukylokyr, Vee presumed, was trapped in the holy light.


    Granted that would last only as long as Meneldrom¡¯s faith reserves, which to her basically sounded just like mana.


    It had been the same with Bastien.


    The thought made her sad as it always did.


    She pushed her staff under a vampire and flipped the tactical armor-wearing man back into the area enclosed by her fields.


    She had already tried to drop one over Vukylokyr¡¯s head, but it had shrugged it off.


    A glint shot into the light.


    Vukylokyr exploded a moment later.


    Then was perfectly whole a moment after that.


    She replayed the sequence in her faceplate at several times reduced speed.


    Blurry white chunks flew out.


    Blood tendrils pulled them back into place.


    ¡°Should I use my best bolts?¡± Deschaina said.


    The human from another world had dark skin, but features closure to someone from East Asia on Earth.


    My world, Vee had to remind herself.


    Deschaina held an expert-crafted bolt launcher in each hand. Stone Lord craftsmanship and rune magic. The enchanted mythril spring shot the solid metal bolts at hypersonic speeds. Further enchanting protected the wielder from the inherent effects of things like recoil, while also mitigating the shockwaves. The bolts themselves were carved with runes for a variety of effects upon impact.


    She had already gone through a sampling of her arsenal.


    ¡°Load one, but hold off for now.¡± Vee regarded the white blur in Meneldrom¡¯s holy light.


    ¡°This is the strongest I am capable of creating,¡± Meneldrom said.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t doubt you.¡±


    She eyed Skarga.


    The petite cragant at just over 11 feet tall and 750 pounds was using the butt of her hockey-stick like polearm to push the writhing vampires back behind the seizure fields. The bladed end had too many sharp edges and pointed spikes.


    She eyed Vessandrion in his dragon bone armor.


    ¡°Bone cage when I say.¡±


    ¡°Yes, elder sister.¡± He inclined his head.


    She sighed.


    The kid was already well over 6 feet tall.


    ¡°Skargs, get ready to till the soil.¡±


    ¡°Yes, leader.¡± Her high-pitched voice didn¡¯t seem to belong in her body.


    ¡°Des, watch Meneldrom¡¯s back.¡±


    Vee burst into action, lunging forward and spearing her staff into where she guessed Vukylokyr¡¯s mouth was.


    ¡°Keep it in the light!¡±


    She raised it up and slammed it down, pinning it to the ground.


    Meneldrom¡¯s holy light kept it centered.


    ¡°You can¡¯t talk in our heads while they¡¯ve got you, huh? Hope you can listen.¡± She tried to keep her voice calm.


    The initial ambush had her head filled with the ancient vampire¡¯s overwhelming presences.


    It had been a desperate electromagnetic burst that had freed her and the others long enough to get out of the twisted wreckage of the truck and fight off the initial vampire attack.


    They had been lucky Meneldrom got his holy light on Vukylokyr with an assist from Vessandrion locating it amidst a hundred other pale bodies.


    ¡°See the gnaw marks on my staff? Go ahead feel them with your tongue¡­ got them? Those were made by the great black-furred beast. Twinklestar himself. He who wrestled with a behemoth carrying a sliver of the Spore God itself. He who carried it off the walls. Who smote an entire stalk tower in his fall. Crimson Era? We¡¯ve faced petty gods stronger than you. Beat them too.¡± Vee signaled.


    Vessandrion gestured.


    Bones flew out of his bag of holding and clamped around Vukylokyr¡¯s limbs and body.


    ¡°Now, Skargs!¡±


    Vee hit the ancient vampire in the brain with the smallest, strongest electromagnetic pulses she could make, while the cragant beat it with her bladed stick.


    Till the soil indeed.


    The vampires went wild, throwing themselves into Vee¡¯s fields without care that it just sent them into wild seizures that snapped bones and tore muscles.


    ¡°Sense anything?¡±


    ¡°No, elder sister. The powerful presence of death magic is no longer near us.¡±


    ¡°I concur.¡±


    The High and the Stone Lord hadn¡¯t found much to agree upon in their short time together.


    It wasn¡¯t a clash of species, but of their classes.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s finish this then.¡±


    There were plenty of living people in the city that she knew they could help.


    To weigh that against the dozens around her that she didn¡¯t know could be helped¡­


    ¡°At least we can free them,¡± Skarga said sadly as she brought her stick down on a writhing vampire.


    ¡°Watch the blood?¡± Deschaina said.


    ¡°My holy light purges, see?¡± Meneldrom pointed out how the blood burned to ashes along with the flesh.


    ¡°Vess, we¡¯re going to need a replacement for the truck,¡± Vee said.


    ¡°Yes, elder sister!¡± he emptied one of his bags of holding.


    Bone horses and chariot made for a fearsome sight.


    She had been mindful of protecting him from the fast judgment of the human race.


    He had been itching to use his newest spell.


    The things a good older sister had to do for a naive little brother.

 9.26

    ¡°I hate my life,¡± Gene said.


    Olo grunted, staring out the hospital¡¯s front doors at the poor people turned into vampires.


    ¡°So¡­ vampires?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Those poor bastards out there. Mouth full of sharp teeth, fingernails like claws, pale skin.¡±


    ¡°Could be ghouls?¡±


    ¡°Depends on what mythology we¡¯re going with,¡± Gene shrugged.


    ¡°The holy water didn¡¯t work on all of them.¡±


    ¡°Nope. All the holy water worked, just not all holy water worked at the same time.¡±


    That had been weird to watch.


    They had emptied the prepared holy water tanks on the roof in a matter of seconds.


    Each tank had been blessed by an official rep of a specific denomination or belief system.


    ¡°At least the guess is going to pay off,¡± Olo said.


    They had a priest bless the remaining water tanks. Had priests at the water plant still doing the same unless it had fallen.


    ¡°One part belief, one part physical crap. Yup, vampires. I mean, all of them are staying out of the sunlights,¡± Gene said.


    Olo fell quiet.


    Time was running out on their clock.


    Building protections would vanish when it hit zero.


    He didn¡¯t want this.


    One terrible siege was enough for a lifetime.


    The spires were cruel for putting them in this position after barely six months since they had returned home.


    And now?


    A neighborhood, a city awash in blood.


    Dead family just when he was getting reacquainted or introduced in person to the ones that had been born in the time he was on other worlds.


    He pushed the thoughts to the darkest recesses of his mind.


    Couldn¡¯t fight and survive mired in the past or looking to the future.


    In a siege the present was the most important thing to focus on.


    ¡°I have a thought,¡± Gene mused. ¡°The warning Commander Court got. Vukylokyr went after Tessa and Vee directly. And the governor from the chatter. I¡¯m thinking this front lobby is a good kill box.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a terrible kill box. They¡¯ll tear through the walls and ceiling like they did at the houses.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but what if their target was right here with us?¡±


    Olo glanced at the soldiers in their defensive positions behind magitech forcefields.


    Shield-bearing spearmen and spearwomen packed the hallway.


    The same defenses were also in place at the other entrances.


    ¡°You¡¯re the tactics guy.¡±


    ¡°Had enough of that for one lifetime.¡± Gene touched two fingers to his eye patch. ¡°Except¡­ we¡¯re the highest leveled combat types here.¡±


    The soldiers were all so young.


    Olo remembered the days when he had been in their boots. It felt like someone else¡¯s life. The simpler times when all he had to think about was leveling up. When they sought adventure and battle like the naive idiots they were.


    ¡°I¡¯m tired, man. Just tell me what you want me to do and I¡¯ll do it.¡±


    ¡°We bring Mrs. Cruces down here and see what happens.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª no.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, man. If I¡¯m right, then having her here with us will take the pressure off the other exits. And it¡¯ll keep the vampires from climbing the walls. The defense falls apart if they get in through the windows. And I don¡¯t care that they¡¯re barricaded. Like you said, they¡¯ll just claw their way through the walls. We need them wanting to come straight through the front. Besides, she¡¯s not any safer up there. You¡¯re the strongest tank in the city. If she¡¯s not safe with you¡­¡± Gene shrugged.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Olo grunted.


    ¡°Okay, good. Go ask her.¡±


    ¡°You do it. It¡¯s your plan.¡±


    ¡°She likes you more.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter. You¡¯re plan.¡±


    ¡°No time. I have to let the captains know.¡±


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Olo muttered. ¡°Fine.¡±


    Ten minutes left on the countdown.


    Five minutes to explain and get Mrs. Cruces on board.


    Olo and Gene walked with her as she showed her face at each exit.


    Gene was proved right.


    The vampires perked up the instant they saw her.


    They followed them around the hospital like dogs eager for their bowl of kibble.


    One circuit and the vast majority of the vampires milled in the street outside the front lobby, dodging sweeping sunlight spotlights.


    ¡°Any word from Mr. Cruces?¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Nothing¡­ yet.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re sorry about this, Mrs. Cruces,¡± Olo said.


    She nodded.


    Probably thinking about her husband and kids.


    Tessa had sounded hurt the last time he had spoken to her.


    Vee had been radio silent.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be. It¡¯s a good idea,¡±she said.


    ¡°Any suggestions?¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Your plan is the best option we have.¡±


    The countdown jumped to just over a minute.


    Someone in the hallway gasped only to be shushed by the other soldiers.


    ¡°Do your thing, Olo,¡± Gene said.


    Olo grabbed his tower shield from where he had left it propped against a chair.


    He strode to the front doors.


    The glass was covered with dried water spots from the earlier holy water downpour.


    Beyond was a hastily constructed gate of iron bars.


    Hundreds of pairs of red eyes stared past him at Mrs. Cruces.


    He planted his shield and waited for the countdown to end.


    A collective screech echoed across the night.


    The vampires charged, heedless of the burning sunlights.


    Captains shouted commands.


    Soldiers readied shields and spears. Guns. Spells. Skills.


    Rotary-barreled machine guns whirred to life.


    ¡°Last Bastion of Par Olalin.¡±


    His best Skill.


    The first and last of its kind.


    Earned through the blood of thousands.


    Golden light the same color of Par Olalin¡¯s four bastions emerged from his shield.


    It coated the hospital¡¯s outer walls, windows and every opening, no matter how small.


    The ghostly outline of Par Olalin¡¯s main bastion covered the entire outer surface of the building.


    None could enter without his permission.


    ¡°How long is it going to last?¡± Mrs. Cruces said.


    ¡°There¡¯s a time limit, but, no offense, I can¡¯t tell you. We don¡¯t know what ears might be listening or reading lips,¡± Gene said.


    ¡°Is it a fixed limit?¡±


    ¡°Maybe, maybe not¡­ you alright there, Olo?¡±


    Olo straightened to his full height and planted his feet.


    ¡°They¡¯re not getting through until I die.¡±


    Each of Par Olalin¡¯s bastions had lasted months before they had fallen.


    He would keep the golden bastion alive for the entirety of the 30 minute duration regardless of the damage the vampires did in their frenzy to tear through.


    <hr>


    Bennett raged from the prison of his own body.


    Every death at his fangs and claws belonged to him. Even if it was the hungry feral beast in control.


    Damn it for being so clever despite the bloodlust!


    Governor Richards was gone.


    The easy smile had been replaced by red-smeared hunger.


    From a man that could be everyone¡¯s best friend to a monster murdering his own people without hesitation.


    For every person drained a vampire thrall rose.


    They swept through the capitol building.


    Soldiers and staffers fought, then ran.


    Most went deeper for the bunker complex.


    The rest ran outside searching for safety with more soldiers and the walls.


    The defenses inside the capitol slowed but didn¡¯t stop them.


    Sunlights kept them at bay until Bennett shot them out with guns taken from the fallen.


    Those protected by magic shields lasted a bit longer, but only until mice and rats in the walls and ceiling chewed through the wiring.


    Holy water in the sprinklers was a good try.


    Bennett had to shadow walk to where the tanks were to deal with those.


    The defenders died to the last, but Vukylokyr had not only unleashed his full potential, but had given him borrowed strength on top of that.


    Bennett opened the way into the heart of the command bunker one reinforced steel door at a time.


    All their magical and technological defenses only slowed him down.


    Bathing rooms and hallways in light didn¡¯t stop him when all he needed now was the barest sliver of a shadow to slip inside.


    Using his abilities came with a cost.


    Fortunately, there was plenty of blood to keep him operating at his peak.


    Bennett recognized a few faces as the beast murdered them.


    Terror, defiance, resignation.


    The eyes told the story of the soul looking at its end.


    It all made the blood taste that much sweeter.


    They shot him, cut him. Blasted him with magic. Used their best Skills. The latest magitech spellgun or module attached to their weapons and armors.


    They destroyed the lesser thralls by the dozen, yet it didn¡¯t matter because he always emerged from a fight as hale as he had entered it.


    The drained rose, replacing the losses.


    The once governor had Vukylokyr¡¯s protection. He, alone of the thralls, was not allowed a second death.


    Bennett knew that it served no other purpose than to hurt the people at the sight of their beloved leader reduced to a slavering monster hungry for their blood.


    The cruelty was the point.


    One last steel door leading to the command center.


    Doran would be in there.


    Bennett knew, which meant Vukylokyr knew.


    The chamber was larger than the rest.


    About the size of a lecture hall.


    It was a maze of fortified defenses.


    Sunlights shined everywhere.


    He threw the thralls forward with a snarl then sank into his shadow with the governor in tow.


    They emerged inside the command center.


    Doran already had his soldiers surrounding the general in a cocoon of shields and spears.


    ¡°Activate shields!¡± Doran barked.


    Blue light sparked to life around the shields, extending their aegis into a dome with barely any gaps.


    A smaller group of soldiers stood outside the dome.


    Bennett didn¡¯t give them any more time to organize.


    He unleashed hundreds of bloodthirsty mice, rats and bats from the shadows.


    A soldier responded with a wave of her arms.


    Fire emerged, swelling, cresting like a shore break to consume the animals.


    It would have been foolish to use that spell in an enclosed space if not for the robust ventilation system.


    The same system Bennett had been filling with small animals since he and Vukylokyr had entered the governor¡¯s office.


    They poured out from the ceiling in multiple places.


    A dark deluge of teeth and claws.


    ¡°Shield up! Burn them all!¡± Doran snapped.


    The order was for the soldiers outside the blue dome.


    Mages cast their best shields, while the rest activated their magitech shield generators.


    The former filled the room with fire.


    Bennett dragged the governor into the shadows at the last second.


    He waited.


    Let them think they were safe.


    Until a hand grabbed his ankle and yanked him back into the physical world.


    Smoke filled the room but was rapidly being sucked out by the vent fans.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t the only one that has shadow shit in his back pocket.¡±


    The voice was familiar.


    Arrogance and aggression in equal measure.


    They had first tangled so many years ago in the alleys of San Francisco.


    The weredogs.


    Two had become friends.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Two were enemies for a long time. Then nominal allies in recent years.


    Bennett was glad that Rino and Kare were on the Threnosh world out of his reach.


    As for Scotty and Chance?


    His only thought was that allies didn¡¯t deserve to be betrayed.


    Chance was partway to his full weredog transformation.


    A young mage with her hand in Bennet¡¯s shadow crouched next to the big man growing bigger.


    Short white fur sprouted. Mouth lengthened. Teeth grew sharper, longer. Fingernails turned into thick claws. Limbs twitched and twisted as bone structure changed and muscles grew.


    ¡°Always knew we couldn¡¯t trust you,¡± Chance growled. His voice turning guttural as human mouth turned into weredog muzzle.


    Bennett pulled the mage into his shadow.


    Surprise could only buy the weaker one a sliver of a chance.


    Chance drew a custom gun sized for his massive hands.


    Two barrels filled the air with silver pellets.


    Bennett turned into shadow, letting them fly through with only a slight sting.


    Shadow tendrils ripped the gun from Chance and smacked him in the face with the hunk of metal.


    The weredog drew a silver-edge knife that would¡¯ve been a sword in a normal person¡¯s hands. He struck like lightning.


    So fast for his size.


    But Bennett was beyond the weredog now.


    He dipped and dodge each slash and thrust with inches to spare.


    The governor launched himself at Chance¡¯s back, biting and clawing.


    ¡°Hold the governor!¡± the general barked.


    ¡°He¡¯s gone! You can¡¯t tell, but I can smell it! The scent¡¯s all wrong!¡± Chance slashed frantically to keep Bennett back while trying to pull the governor off his.


    ¡°That¡¯s an order!¡±


    ¡°Fuck! Then keep him off my back!¡± Chance ripped the governor off and slammed him to the ground before kicking him toward a group of soldiers.


    They overpowered the governor and had him chained up in seconds.


    ¡°Some help here!¡±


    Bennett blurred around the white-furred weredog.


    Cuts bled freely despite quick healing.


    In fact, the wounds weren¡¯t healing at all.


    Bennett felt his grin turn into a leer.


    He reached out.


    Chance¡¯s blood flowed into his mouth.


    ¡°You were always the real monster,¡± Chance growled.


    The weredog leapt, slashing with blade and claws.


    Bennett could see the red haze in Chance¡¯s eyes, wafting off his bloody fur.


    The rage gave Chance nothing.


    Bennett dodged everything like it was in slow motion.


    He spun to Chance¡¯s back and punched him into the reinforced concrete wall a dozen feet away.


    The clang of his fist on Chance¡¯s steel plate was like thunder.


    The soldiers attacked.


    Elite special forces.


    Combined arms tactics of the modern age.


    Tanks to taunt and hold his attention, while damage was applied by mages and gunners with a rogue-type or two looking to hit devastating vital strikes in the slightest opening.


    They lasted seconds.


    The general and Doran didn¡¯t even have the chance to throw them some of their Skills.


    Chance roared, impaling Bennett on his blade and lifting him up.


    Bennett melted into a shadow.


    He appeared behind Chance.


    A gesture¡­


    Dozens of shadow spikes emerged from the floor and ceiling to pierce Chance and hold him in a gruesome prison that fed potent weredog blood to Bennett.


    Chance cursed, but the words were lost in the blood filling his throat.


    The shadow spikes had spared no part of his body.


    The weredog thrashed, but the spikes held firm.


    Bennett deliberately watched until the movement stopped before turning to the general and Doran still hiding behind their magitech dome.


    ¡°No more friendly fire,¡± Doran held his gaze. ¡°Weapons free.¡±


    Spears slipped through small openings to bombard him with spell fire.


    Fire, frost, lightning, stone darts.


    All the elements and other more esoteric spells.


    The shadows responded to his call and defended him from everything.


    The blood cost was astronomical, but Chance¡¯s huge body held a lot of potent blood.


    The special forces soldiers were all in the Level 40 range. Their blood was good too.


    The spell modules ran out of mana before he ran out of blood.


    Then the soldiers ran out.


    The general and Doran were out of options.


    They weren¡¯t front line fighters.


    Their best Skills weren¡¯t a threat to him in the situation.


    They never really had a chance.


    Vampire was already a class a few steps above a normal combat class. Weredog was probably in the same vicinity, but Bennett had levels on Chance. Not only that, he had always held back for fear of being unable to control himself unleashed. None of that took into account the significant boost Vukylokyr gave him by sharing its blood. He didn¡¯t know for sure, but he guessed that the beast was operating at 10 levels higher than his actual level.


    Bennett¡¯s spoke in a voice that sounded like him, but didn¡¯t belong to him.


    ¡°General, Commander Doran. You have the same choice the governor was granted. Serve willingly or serve regardless. He chose the latter. Choose the former and you retain your minds.¡±


    The general raised his chin. So nice of the man to bare his throat.


    ¡°Never.¡±


    ¡°Is that the choice you made, Bennett?¡± Doran said.


    Bennett didn¡¯t know the man well.


    Only ever in a professional capacity.


    Vukylokyr answered for Bennett.


    ¡°His choice will come at the last.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll never join you. Whatever you are, it isn¡¯t anything ever worth surrendering our souls,¡± Doran said.


    ¡°Do you answer for all your soldiers?¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°I accept your answer. Drain them and turn them. Continue to spread.¡±


    Vukylokyr¡¯s presence disappeared as subtly as it had entered him.


    Bennett raged against the prison of his body.


    He saw what the beast saw.


    The small gaps in the magic dome to allow them to stick their spears out.


    They should¡¯ve closed it up.


    Prayed that the shield would last long enough for help to arrive.


    Shadows slithered.


    Blood flowed.


    Bodies rose.


    Bennett sobbed.


    <hr>


    ¡°We¡¯re too late,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    They had gone straight to the capitol and through one of the gates just ahead of the vampires.


    They had gone right over the wall. For every one killed, enough slipped through.


    And from the sounds on the local channels home protections were failing quickly.


    People were being killed and turned into more vampires.


    They had just pulled up to the capitol building when the detective¡¯s words made their hearts stop.


    The alert on the comms stabbed knives into them.


    People came rushing out, screaming about vampires in the halls.


    Marci glanced at the detective.


    ¡°If we¡¯re too late, I¡¯m taking us to the bunker¡¯s other entrance.¡±


    ¡°We are¡­ but also not.¡±


    ¡°I just want to be clear. Your Skill is telling you that it¡¯s too late to help the governor?¡±


    Jake could tell Marci was choosing her words very carefully.


    The detective shrugged.


    ¡°Too late on one, but not the other.¡±


    ¡°What about Commander Court?¡± Shannon said.


    ¡°You¡¯re Watch. You guys are free to do what you think is best,¡± Marci said.


    ¡°We were ordered to stick to the detective, so that¡¯s what we¡¯ll do.¡± Jules frowned.


    ¡°Look. This is all intuition shit,¡± Detective Ordonez spat. ¡°Why I hate it so much. The Watch Commander, Sutter and SCC.¡± She listed them on her fingers. ¡°And in there,¡± she pointed up the stairs to the capitol building. ¡°Just not up, but down.¡±


    ¡°The radio, mate. It¡¯s back, ain¡¯t it?¡± Scotty said.


    Marci shook her head. ¡°Still nothing from the command center.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get some reinforcements, then head down,¡± Jake said.


    It seemed reasonable to him.


    The walls were holding.


    The vampires were fighting people and the monsters that had taken the opportunity to slip in to add to the chaos.


    Three way, but not the good kind.


    Marci shook her head.


    ¡°None left. At least none strong enough to make a difference if the ones inside can¡¯t handle it. If we can¡¯t handle it.¡±


    Licorice whined.


    ¡°Aye, ain¡¯t liking the sound o¡¯ that,¡± Scotty muttered.


    Cara soothed the huge black dog.


    ¡°He¡¯s scared but he¡¯ll go in if I do.¡± She whistled. Goldie alighted on the nearby street lamp. ¡°Go to the watch commander. Scout for her.¡±


    The enormous golden eagle screeched affirmative as it took flight once again.


    ¡°I¡¯m not telling any of you to come with,¡± Marci said.


    Scotty raised his hand.


    ¡°Except for you.¡±


    ¡°My nose is telling me I need to be in there,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    ¡°Mine¡¯s smelling a lot o¡¯ blood, piss and shit.¡± Scotty snorted.


    ¡°Orders,¡± Shannon shrugged.


    Jake sighed.


    He was supposed to be semi-retired.


    Marci looked to him last.


    He shrugged.


    ¡°Got to do what we got to do.¡±


    They entered the capitol building.


    Boots echoed through the vast emptiness.


    They headed for the bunker complex.


    Blood and other things were smeared on the floors and walls.


    More the deeper into the building they went.


    Strangely, no bodies.


    One guess what that meant.


    Licorice led.


    Marci followed with spear and round shield.


    Scotty brought up the rear in his partial transformation, wiry black fur sprouting from all over his body.


    They reached the bunker complex¡¯s door.


    Wide open.


    Red smears ran down the walls almost like a child had forgotten they had been finger painting before heading down to the basement for more paint.


    Licorice¡¯s plate-sized paws padded down the cold floor, his claws clicked every so often.


    Empty corridors.


    Wet smears everywhere they looked.


    ¡°Stop! Sha¡ª¡±


    Jake was ready.


    He had already willed the spell into existence as soon as he heard Detective Ordonez¡¯s voice.


    Sunlight.


    A waste of a slot if not for this specific scenario.


    It blazed out of the smartphone he held above his head, driving the shadows away.


    The attack still came, but not from within their formation.


    Licorice growled.


    ¡°Steel Fur, Crush Bite,¡± Cara said.


    The gigantic dog lunged forward, intercepting the blur before it could reach Marci.


    Snarling, biting, slashing.


    Then a yip.


    Followed by the wet thud of Licorice¡¯s 300 pound body landing farther down the corridor.


    Cara cried out.


    Marci, shield painted dripping red, lunged forward.


    Her spear tip blurred.


    Stabbing three times in one thrust.


    The blur tried to move around her, but the tightness of the corridor aided her in keeping it in front of her spear and shield.


    A howl from behind.


    Scotty in full weredog form kicked, stomped, bit and slashed at the wave of small rodents that had emerged from beyond the light spell¡¯s boundary.


    At his black-furred feet a champion among fancy rats, puffed up white and black fur damp with red, stood tall against the tide and refused to go under.


    ¡°Taunt! Crap! Not working!¡± Shannon said as she banged her sword on her shield.


    Detective Ordonez was on her back.


    A pale-skinned vampire bit and tore at her steel collar.


    She jammed her spell pistol into its chest and sent a blast of chain lightning coursing through its body.


    ¡°Decap¡ª¡± Jules pulled her sword back at the last moment. ¡°It¡¯s the governor!¡±


    He didn¡¯t share her thoughts on mercy.


    Clawed hands cut deep gouges into her shield.


    ¡°Not him,¡± Detective Ordonez choked out. ¡°Not anymore.¡±


    He turned his hungry eyes back to the detective.


    A small, black-furred missile struck him in the cheek.


    The other exemplar among fancy rats, Dracula, carved red tracks all over the vampire¡¯s face.


    Snapping jaws.


    Needle-sharp teeth.


    A squeak abruptly silenced.


    ¡°Shield Charge!¡± Shannon slammed into the vampire¡¯s side, knocking him off the detective and crushing him into the wall.


    ¡°Move!¡± Detective Ordonez snapped.


    Another shot.


    The vampire¡¯s limbs convulsed a moment.


    ¡°Now!¡±


    ¡°Decapitate!¡±


    The silvered edge of Jules¡¯ blade glinted in the sunlight.


    Head separated from body, the governor had been freed.


    Jake glanced at the floor.


    Dracula¡¯s body lay in two pieces.


    He snatched the brave defender without thinking and placed the fancy rat in one of his tablet¡¯s of holding.


    Marci shouted.


    In pain. Not in warning.


    Cara only brought one of her battle cat¡¯s into the capitol.


    Persimmon was an orange tabby. A scarred, one-eyed old tom that was almost as big as a bobcat.


    He launched himself at the blur.


    Her Skills made him stronger, faster, tougher. A true whirling blender of teeth and claws.


    It ended with him in pieces. With Cara hoisted off the floor by her throat.


    ¡°Bennett¡ª¡± she managed to get out before the vampire tightened his grip.


    The scarecrow-like figure stood tall, proud, not stooped over like he normally was, self-conscious of his looming.


    Fangs that had never looked as long dripped red in a mouth split wide open in a feral, hungry smile.


    His pale skin smoked in the sunlight spell, but it didn¡¯t seem to bother him.


    Cara kicked, but she couldn¡¯t reach his body. She beat on his arm, but


    ¡°Bennett, bro¡­¡± Jake said. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be in there, please¡­ don¡¯t make¡ª¡±


    Cara stopped fighting.


    Jake slashed with his magitech hand.


    Mana Blade.


    A glowing blue axe crossed the ten foot distance, striking Bennett at the elbow.


    The blade stopped on the bone.


    Jake willed more mana until it cut through.


    Cara fell to the floor, unmoving.


    Jake ejected the mana battery in his prosthetic and slapped a new one in.


    Bennett locked red eyes on his.


    He searched for any sign of his friend.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, man¡­ we¡¯re bros¡­¡±


    Bennett leered. He held his bleeding stump out to the side.


    Blood turned into tendrils, snaking down to the floor and pulling the severed arm back into place.


    Jake cursed. Drew his spell pistol and squeezed the trigger in a practiced motion.


    Flamethrower didn¡¯t need pinpoint accuracy.


    Bennett¡¯s clothes burned, his flesh blackened.


    Jake emptied the mana battery.


    The pistol overheated, exploding in his hand.


    Blue light lined his body as the mana shield automatically blocked the damage.


    Bennett strode toward him.


    Charred flesh flaking away to reveal fresh pale with each step.


    Bennett vanished mid step.


    Blue light flashed and Jake was in a Jake-shaped crater in the wall.


    Blur. Flash. Blur. Flash.


    Jake lashed out with a desperate lightning claw, scoring charred lines across Bennett¡¯s bare chest. He gasped. ¡°Full frontal¡­ we¡¯re bros, but not that kind of bros.¡±


    His devices had been pre-loaded with mana, but every activation took a bit out of his personal supply.


    He had loaded up extra on the mana shields.


    By his count he was down to half.


    Bennett swiped clawed hands, left than right in quick succession.


    So fast that he actually beat the shield activation with the second one.


    Jake¡¯s head snapped to the side dangerously.


    His HUD died. Five claw marks carved right through the faceplate.


    Blue-white light crackled, pushing back the encroaching shadow.


    ¡°Shadows?¡± Jake murmured. Shit!


    The sunlight spell dimmed.


    He strobed a second sunlight spell from one of the smartphones attached to the front of his armor.


    Bennett recoiled along with the shadows right into Marci¡¯s spear.


    ¡°Heartseeker Thrust.¡±


    Her face was a mask of wet red. Her faceplate had been shattered. One eye was closed. The shattered remnants of her shield hung on a loosely dangling arm.


    The spear didn¡¯t waver in her grip.


    She roared spinning Bennett around.


    ¡°We need to retreat!¡± Detective Ordonez said as she shot chain lighting down the way they had come, frying dozens of rodents.


    Scotty growled something inarticulate.


    ¡°Don¡¯t give me lip you incoherent fur bag!¡± she snapped. ¡°Pick her up,¡± she pointed to Cara and took Scotty¡¯s place.


    Not much left of the rodents.


    They climbed up her leg.


    The magitech one.


    Blackened, smoking corpses hit the floor.


    Alucard, black and white fur sticky with wet red, climbed up her other leg to perch on her shoulder.


    Her spell gun spat lightning, clearing the way.


    ¡°Go! I¡¯ll hold him!¡± Marci grunted as Bennett thrashed like a fish on a spear.


    ¡°The hell you will! Gates! Shield the hallway. Children you¡¯re running up here with me in case there are any other surprises,¡± Detective Ordonez said.


    Jake pulled a laptop from his bag of holding. Couldn¡¯t put one magitech device in another for some reason. Had to use a bag or backpack. Sometimes he wished the spires was more consistent. It always felt like it was making things up as it went along.


    Marci dumped Bennett and stepped back.


    Jake hit enter.


    The translucent blue wall sprang to life in an instant.


    Bennett stood facing them.


    The hole in his chest slowly closed.


    ¡°Your spear¡ª¡±


    ¡°Silver coated, just for this, for him.¡±


    Bennett punched the shield, causing cracks to spiderweb across the surface and the laptop¡¯s fan to whir louder in protest.


    ¡°Let¡¯s move.¡±


    Jake followed Marci, stopping periodically to leave a sunlight smartphone on the floor.


    Pale-skinned figures lurked in the capitol building¡¯s shadows.


    ¡°Walked us into a trap,¡± Detective Ordonez muttered. ¡°Have to go to¡­¡± she thought hard, pulling on her Skill, ¡°the rotunda.¡±


    Shannon and Jules sheathed their swords in favor of sunlight flashlights.


    The beams burned the vampires and kept them back.


    A woman appeared in their path in a puff of black smoke.


    She stared down her nose at them. Head held high, back straight. She wore a smart business suit for some reason.


    Her eyes shined as she opened her mouth to speak.


    Detective Ordonez shot the woman with lightning, sending her flying into the darkness.


    ¡°Vampire. Level 35 or 45. I can¡¯t pin it down for some reason. There¡¯s more lurking around. Don¡¯t look them in the eyes or let them speak.¡±


    The building shook violently as they neared the rotunda.


    Vampires and vampires waited for them.


    Bennett stepped out of the shadows with that unrecognizable smile on his face.


    ¡°This¡­ yer¡­ intuition,¡± Scotty growled, placing Cara on the cold floor to step in front of group.


    Detective Ordonez shrugged. ¡°Nothing¡¯s changed.¡±


    A series of crashes from the high, domed ceiling heralded the rain of broken glass glittering like stars in the flashlight beams.


    ¡°What¡­ the¡­ shite?¡±

 9.27

    Hanna went shield first through the capitol dome¡¯s windows.


    Colored glass fell with her.


    Remy had shot her and the others through with pinpoint accuracy before heading southeast.


    She hadn¡¯t known him well before he had gone to the Threnosh world a long time ago. Didn¡¯t know him that well now to be frank. But, from what she could tell, the man would always place his family first.


    Comms had been choppy at best at ground level.


    Some kind of magical interference.


    It had been different up in the sky.


    They had found out when Tessa had made contact.


    She had been the one to tell them about the targeted locations.


    Megan was at the hospital, so that¡¯s where Remy and Tessa headed.


    The capitol was on the way, so she and the team got dropped off, literally.


    Vampires and vampires surrounded Jake and the others.


    Her second thought was that Shannon and Jules weren¡¯t ready for this kind of fight. The third thought was for Cara in Scotty¡¯s arms, not moving.


    Her HUD flickered as she tried to get Cara¡¯s vitals.


    The interference stopped her.


    She cut as she fell toward the floor.


    Sword aura slashed the heads off dozens of vampires.


    She tucked into a flip just before landing, drew her longsword and drew a red line across the animalistic vampire¡¯s cheek.


    The man was fast.


    She had been aiming for his neck.


    The Threnosh-made armor absorbed the landing.


    I Cut What I See.


    Her next cut lopped the vampire¡¯s arm off at the elbow.


    They could blur all over the place, but skills and Skills allowed her to anticipate their movements.


    Claws shrieked against her Threnium shield.


    She slashed her blade where she anticipated the vampire would be.


    Sparks flew as Threnium and claws clashed.


    Finely-tuned combat senses warned her a split-second before she felt the rush of movement at her back.


    Blue light blazed from above, forcing another vampire to abort the attack.


    Malachi and the rest of her team fell slowly under the power of a spell.


    The man¡¯s eyes glowed bright as he gathered the power between his hands before firing a sweeping arc. The bright blue beam contained both heat and physical force. Vampires burned as their bodies were hammered with the impact of an out of control big rig that lost its brakes just as it started the descent out of the grapevine.


    Spells and bullets filled the rotunda as the vampires shrieked and threw themselves forward like rabid animals ignoring the sunlight beams burning their flesh.


    Jake tossed spell after spell out of his rapidly dwindling supply of devices. All the while slashing his lighting claw.


    Shannon and Jules used everything they had to keep the vampires away from Detective Ordonez, who fired blasts from her spell gun, while standing over the slowly waking Cara. A black and white rat, of all things, was licking and slapping Cara¡¯s cheek.


    Scotty was a black-furred mountain. Howling wildly as he clawed and bit the vampires swarming him like hounds on a bear.


    Marci¡¯s spear blurred even though her left arm hung loose. She danced an intricate pattern of stabbing thrusts and sweeping blows, never stopping, never slowing.


    A master recognized the footwork of another master regardless of the weapon.


    The animalistic vampire launched himself into a two footed kick like some kind of furry missile. The dull thud sent her sliding back only a few feet thanks to the Threnium and her armor.


    A Skill carried her to the vampire, catching him by surprise.


    Her gray blade descended.


    Only to be stopped by an arm.


    Another vampire.


    A woman.


    In a smart business suit for some reason.


    The blade stuck.


    Less than an inch.


    It had felt like striking solid iron.


    What had Bennett said about the paths a vampire could take?


    Enhancing the physical body.


    The fortitude to withstand blows as if made of stone or metal.


    She vibrated her blade in a draw cut.


    Then used hundredfold cuts.


    A single cut duplicated a hundred times randomly all over the target¡¯s body.


    She turned the vampire into a fountain of blood.


    It still wasn¡¯t enough.


    The vampire¡¯s eyes blazed red.


    A punch staggered Hanna.


    Too fast to block or parry.


    An enraged opponent was a predictable one.


    They took the straightest line to the focus of their rage.


    Energy Field: Sword.


    The vampire blurred right into the path of Hanna¡¯s blade.


    The hazy nimbus around the blade carved a path straight down the vampire from head to crotch.


    Two halves flopped to the floor in a sudden river of blood and viscera.


    The ghostly red chains connecting the vampire to what Hanna presumed was Vukylokyr suddenly pulsed and brightened.


    Blood turned into tendrils, drawing the halves back together.


    Hanna was the Sword of Freedom.


    She couldn¡¯t allow any chains to exist in her presence.


    She slashed.


    The blood chains resisted.


    She poured her very being into her sword.


    The chains gave way.


    A bright flash knocked down everyone near her.


    Her vision cleared quickly.


    The vampire remained in two halves.


    The shadows at north side of the rotunda gathered.


    ¡°Stay here!¡± she snapped at Malachi and the rest of the team as she dashed to the west side, bashing with her shield and cutting limbs off with all her blades.


    So many dead vampires, yet there seemed to be no end.


    It didn¡¯t escape her notice that most of them were wearing tattered pajamas.


    And a lot of them were small.


    They focused their attention on her, leaving only just enough with the others to keep them occupied. To keep her isolated.


    A shadowy mass suddenly appeared beneath her boots, resolving into a monstrous, fanged mouth before she could react.


    It struck at her like a snake with dark fangs as long as her blade. It swallowed her whole despite her blade and aura.


    The void was empty of all sensations.


    She could see, hear or feel anything.


    Until a voice spoke.


    ¡°Serve willingly and they will be spared to serve with you. Reject my gift and you will all serve together in my mindless horde¡­ after a lifetime of suffering.¡±


    It was Bennett¡¯s voice.


    No!


    It sounded like Bennett, but it wasn¡¯t Bennett.


    The presence felt like a mountain looming over her, pressing down with the weight of countless years of existence.


    ¡°Vukylokyr. This is your one chance. Release everyone from their chains. Release my friend. Then leave our world. Refuse and I will cut them from you before I cut you down.¡±


    She spoke the words or thought them in her head.


    Both.


    Neither.


    One or the other.


    It didn¡¯t matter.


    What did matter were the chains.


    The blood chains.


    She could see them.


    Drifting in and out of reality from ethereal to solid and back.


    So many of them.


    No more than a single chain connecting a single vampire to Vukylokyr. Multiple binding a single vampire.


    What did that say about the hold it had on Bennett?


    ¡°The chattel never knows its place. You reject my eternal gift. Watch them suffer.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re first mistake was attacking us. You¡¯re second one was bringing me in here with you.¡±


    She cut with everything she had.


    A shriek went through her, damaging her soul, yet she persisted.


    The chains gave way, then broke.


    One by one until the shadows vanished.


    Hanna woke up with the taste of wet iron choking her.


    She opened her faceplate to let it all out.


    She was in a different room.


    One of the side offices from the looks of it.


    A tall, scarecrow-like figure stood in the far corner, cloaked in shadow.


    ¡°Bennett?¡± Hanna croaked.


    ¡°There¡¯s no time. I¡¯m sorry. And thank you. I can never repay you for freeing me.¡±


    ¡°You can start by helping us win this fight.¡±


    ¡°I will, but not at your side. I have a chance. It thinks I¡¯m dead. I¡¯m obfuscating my presence, but I can feel it searching. Like claws scratching on the surface of my soul. If it finds me, it¡¯ll chain me again.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll cut them! Over and over. It doesn¡¯t matter how many times. I will cut them until we turn the monster into dust!¡±


    ¡°We both know that you won¡¯t be able to do that again for a while. And I wouldn¡¯t want you to keep cutting pieces off yourself for me.¡±


    She heard the sounds of battle coming through the walls. ¡°We can talk about this later.¡± She rose with a groan. Her body felt like it had been hit by a truck, then trampled by a herd of elephants. ¡°Our friends need us.¡±


    ¡°You will save them, like you did me.¡± Bennett sighed. He kept his face hidden from her for some reason. ¡°Tell Jake. Tell Cal¡ª tell everyone that I¡¯m sorry for what I did tonight. I know I can never atone for the lives I¡¯ve taken. Murdered¡ª¡± he choked. ¡°All I can do now is whatever it takes to make it so this never happens again. And stop it from spreading.¡±


    He melted into the shadows.


    ¡°Bennett!¡±


    Her heart hurt and not just because she had just challenged the power of a being that felt as old as the human race, at least on Earth, and won, if only for the moment.


    No.


    It hurt because she knew that was the last time she¡¯d ever speak to Bennett.


    Hanna found her sword, checked her shield and cut through the wall to rejoin the fight.


    The end came quickly.


    Without the vampires and Vukylokyr¡¯s presence, the vampires were no better than rabid animals.


    All semblance of cunning and tactics had vanished with the more powerful.


    The vampires had overwhelmed them.


    Scotty was buried under the weight of a hundred pale-skinned bodies, biting and clawing through Skill-enhanced fur and skin.


    Malachi was backed into a marble pillar firing the blue beam from his eyes, killing vampires in swathes until two managed to duck under the beam and close the distance. Each grabbed a hand and bit off several fingers. The man roared as the controlled blue beam turned into many shooting everywhere. He couldn¡¯t close his eyes or the other vampires would get to him. So he kept them open and hoped that only vampires were in front of him. He scoured the historic rotunda as his beams gouged burning lines on the floor mosaics and punched through walls, demolished sculptures and ignited paintings.


    Shannon was down. Her legs kicked as Cara poured a potion on the young woman¡¯s torn throat.


    Jules¡¯ eyes were wide as she clanged the flat of sword against the edge of an axe she had picked up from the floor with a desperate roar.


    Behind the young woman, Detective Ordonez was down to her backup spell pistol, shooting small balls of exploding fire. Her magitech leg glowed, firing glowing marbles of blue light that streaked in wide arcs around the young swordswoman to hit vampires.


    A vampire on the floor near them writhed, his belly bulging. Pale skin tore. And a gore-covered fancy rat emerged with an angry chitter.


    That was the scene near the east entrance.


    Closer to the south entrance, the rest of Hanna¡¯s team fought with their backs to another huge pillar.


    Oscar appeared to be In The Zone as he strobed a sunlight flashlight in one hand and shot silver-jacketed bullets from the machine pistol in his other hand. He didn¡¯t miss while the Skill lasted.


    Tobin ran up the pillar. Four strides before backflipping over the pursuing vampires. She tossed tiny grenades down. Custom made. A bright flash of artificial sunlight combined with a cloud of smoke laced with garlic, silver dust and blessed shrapnel.


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    The explosions consumed the vampires closest to them and forced the ones engulfed by the smoke to scream and choke.


    Tobin activated her acrobatic dodging Skill to flip and spin like a crazy spider on her way back to the rest of the team with only a few scratches on her armor.


    There were two others with Oscar and Tobin.


    Hanna couldn¡¯t tell who was who through the press, but she saw the top edges of glowing magic walls forcing the vampires to come from one direction.


    That meant another four were missing and she couldn¡¯t see any other pockets of fighting aside from the melee crush in the center of the rotunda.


    Marci still danced with her spear and several dozen very eager dance partners. She owned the center.


    Hanna strode forward, cutting down anything in range, helping the others.


    Familiar faces leapt at her with bared fangs and grasping claws.


    She separated the general¡¯s head from his body.


    Doran came next.


    Then several soldiers that she recognized from their attendances at her semi-annual swordsmanship seminars.


    She killed them all with a single stroke of her gray blade.


    There was no way back for them.


    Vukylokyr had destroyed who they were when it had transformed them.


    Her heart clenched even as she freed each vampire from enslavement.


    Not with regret, for her class would not allow her to regret granting freedom.


    But with sadness at a lifetime of hard work to build a better community ended in one terrible night.


    Blue-white light turned the dimly-lit rotunda into day.


    The massive chain lightning spell left afterimages in her eyes despite her faceplate darkening automatically.


    It crackled across the entire rotunda, leaving no vampire untouched.


    A dog¡¯s howl.


    An angry snarl.


    Scotty, wiry, black fur reddened and matted, leapt from inside the small hill of vampires, clutching one in his mouth and one in his hand.


    He landed high up on a pillar, claws digging into the marble.


    He bit down, severing the vampire in half.


    Then he bit the other one¡¯s head off before hurling the body into the crowd below.


    He howled again and plunged into the mass like a missile.


    Pale-skinned bodies went flying.


    Hanna slashed in a figure eight pattern, separating heads and limbs.


    The blood splashed at their feet as it flooded the rotunda.


    Jake waved for her.


    The big man stood head and shoulders over the crouching vampires.


    ¡°¡­ hear¡­ can¡­ me?¡±


    His voice crackled in her helmet.


    ¡°¡­ mana¡­ out. Did you¡­ Bennett?¡±


    Jake swayed before she could answer.


    He toppled over like a felled tree a moment later.


    It had been less than a minute since she had rejoined the battle.


    She ended it in less than ten seconds.


    Threnium protection held up for the most part, but they didn¡¯t have enough of it to cover everyone in a full set of armor like her or Jake.


    Then there were cases like Malachi, who couldn¡¯t cover his eyes and his hands if he wanted to use his power.


    The toll was telling.


    Four Watch dead.


    Necks opened or limbs torn off.


    Shannon was probably going to make it.


    Jules hadn¡¯t taken one devastating wound, but many little ones that added up to a near death experience. The last healing smartphone they had left was the only thing that saved her.


    The two young swordswomen did their jobs. A task well-beyond what could be expected from their level.


    Detective Ordonez was mostly untouched.


    Same with Cara, ironically, being unconscious for the beginning of the battle had allowed her to slip the notice of the vampires. She had spent the rest of it keeping Shannon from bleeding out.


    Bennett¡¯s fancy rat, Alucard, sat on the detective¡¯s shoulder cleaning blood and bits of viscera from her fur.


    The detective must¡¯ve thought the rat had contributed enough to warrant some leeway. At least for the moment because she didn¡¯t shoo it off.


    Malachi had his eyes screwed shut while Tobin bandaged his finger stumps.


    Scotty loomed close by. His fur-covered ears swiveled, searching for future threats. His hackles were raised.


    Oscar and the remaining Watch members searched through the pale-skinned bodies and body parts for the fallen.


    Hanna would join them in a moment.


    She passed by Marci, who was covered in red, hers and the vampires¡¯.


    They exchanged a nod.


    One master to another.


    Jake was flat on his back with his faceplate retracted and a puddle of vomit near his boots.


    Mana poisoning.


    He had used too much, too fast.


    Then compounded by pounding mana potions and using mana gems judging by the broken bottles scattered around him amidst the dull gems.


    The big man was breathing so she rolled him to his stomach then went to find the rest of her team.


    Four dead in that nightmare of a fight wasn¡¯t bad.


    But only if she didn¡¯t count the other side.


    Each vampire had been an ally, a fellow citizen before the sun had set less than an hour ago.


    Vukylokyr was spreading it.


    And now the top commanders for the nation¡¯s military force were gone. Her blade had put an end to them.


    The governor was gone too, she¡¯d wager.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am,¡± Oscar nodded. ¡°Where to next? After we find and make sure¡­¡±


    ¡°They weren¡¯t changed. I don¡¯t see more blood chains. As for next? We keep trying to reach the watch commander or anyone else. If we can¡¯t then we make for one of the on site bunkers or one of the nearby shelters once the wounded are stable enough to move. If they can¡¯t be moved then I¡¯ll stay here with them while you and the rest go and bring back reinforcements or safe transport.¡±


    Oscar nodded.


    The man¡¯s armor and clothing were more red than any other color.


    Spells and potions kept him on his feet. Just like the other two.


    They completed the rest of their grim task in silence.


    <hr>


    The Last Bastion of Par Olalin held up well for the first 15 minutes of a few hundred vampires pounding on its translucent golden walls.


    Olo hadn¡¯t even started sweating until the ten minute mark.


    15 down.


    15 to go.


    It gave them extra time to move the patients to the upper floors and strengthen the defenses of said floors.


    Most of the soldiers had left the first floor to Olo, Gene and Megan.


    Only a few remained to set the traps and autoguns.


    ¡°Danger sense! My danger sense!¡± one of the soldiers clutched his helmeted head and promptly passed out.


    Another soldier caught him.


    ¡°What exactly did that mean?¡± Gene said.


    ¡°He¡¯s got a good danger sense. Nothing like Captain Jimenez¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ I remember her. What¡¯s she up to now?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ technically retired. I think.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s good. So, about this dude?¡± Gene pointed at the unconscious soldier.


    ¡°He¡¯s usually good to listen to¡­ never passed out before though and he¡¯s usually pretty chill¡­ so¡­¡±


    ¡°Shit soup time.¡± Gene nodded. ¡°Better take him upstairs and spread the word.¡±


    He had been through too many situations like this to simply hope for the best.


    ¡°Mrs. Cruces¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    She came over. Noticed the soldier. Placed a finger on his face.


    The young man jolted awake. ¡°We¡¯re fucked!¡± He blinked wildly at everyone.


    ¡°Yup. Seems like it,¡± Gene said. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s time for all of you to head on up.¡± He placed his hand on the hilt of his longsword from another world and felt at his eye patch.


    ¡°I have to¡ª¡± the other soldier said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. Just press the start button on the screen, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, just make sure you don¡¯t walk in front of it after you do that.¡±


    Gene regarded the autogun.


    All sleek and futuristic.


    Looked more like something from the Threnosh world rather than built by Earth people.


    The loose alliance was paying off.


    He supposed he could take some credit for that.


    Not that it mattered to him anymore.


    The things he cared about in the present weren¡¯t the same as the things he had cared about in the past.


    The steadier soldier guided the shaky one to the elevator.


    ¡°Mrs. Cruces, you too.¡±


    ¡°No, Gene. I¡¯ll stay. They¡¯re after me. It¡¯ll give my husband and daughters more time to get here.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Try to stay out of sight, but feel free to heal us if you have openings. I know how you feel about your C-word touch, but please consider the high probability that those vampires out there aren¡¯t the people they used to be and will never be again.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know that without trying.¡±


    ¡°Agreed, but only if it¡¯s safe. Maybe¡­ I¡¯ll try to grab one for you. But, one try only.¡±


    She scowled up at him.


    The familiar resemblance was never more obvious when one of the Cruces women was about to argue.


    Fortunately, the building rocked back and forth like an earthquake before she could open her mouth.


    Olo cried out a deep, guttural one of true pain.


    Gene hadn¡¯t heard his stoic friend like that in years.


    So¡­ it was actually unfortunate.


    They rushed to the front lobby.


    Olo was down on one knee.


    ¡°Serve¡ª¡±


    Gene ripped the eye patch off.


    The icosahedron floating in his empty eye socket rotated until it stopped on one of its twenty sides. The symbol carved into the smooth sapphire surface lit up.


    He had stopped thinking of it as a D20 a long time ago after the teachers had smacked it into his head that the relic was not to be compared to mere dice.


    The mental shield spell rippled over the three of them


    He felt Vukylokyr¡¯s affronted rage slam into it.


    Yup¡­


    Scary strong.


    The relic in his eye cast spells at somewhere between Tier 8 and 9 going by the measurement method of the Par Olalin colleges of magery.


    As a hybrid class, Gene could max out at a Tier 5, maybe 6, for spells that didn¡¯t fall within the purview of his class. Furthermore, even if he could cast higher, the mana costs beyond that tier would rise exponentially, meaning without an outside source of mana or some kind of fast replenishment he wouldn¡¯t be able to cast it anyway. Naturally, that left out the inherent and likely fatal dangers of pushing that amount of mana through your body beyond your natural limits.


    There were only 10 tiers and Vukylokyr was seconds away from breaking the shield.


    ¡°Olo, man. Tell me what you need? Should I replenish your stamina?¡±


    The building rocked.


    More cracks appeared in the golden bastion.


    ¡°Save your mana.¡± Olo shook his head and stood, holding his hand out to Mrs. Cruces. ¡°Ma¡¯am, if you could, please.¡±


    She took it.


    The big bear paw swallowed hers.


    Another quake.


    Olo grit his teeth as the dark skin on his face began to crack, leaking gold light and blood.


    ¡°Olo! This is dangerous!¡± Mrs. Cruces said.


    ¡°Just¡­ please fix the damage. You do that and I can hold until the timer runs out.¡± Olo¡¯s massive chest heaved as he tried to take in more air.


    Both sets of cracks slowly disappeared while the bastion continued to absorb blows from the outside that moved too fast for them to see.


    The shield around their minds broke before Gene could warn them.


    ¡°You dare challenge me with your middling Skill and spell. I am the Crimson Era. The lifeblood in your veins belongs to me. Is me.¡±


    For the first time in a long time Gene didn¡¯t have anything smart to say.


    Rather, he couldn¡¯t even if he had wanted to.


    He was too busy trying not to have his head crushed by the giant mountain pressing down on all sides.


    He looked up into white lights¡­ when had he fallen?


    Streams of blood were flowing from his face holes toward the lobby doors.


    The same with Mrs. Cruces and Olo.


    Still, the two had stayed on their feet.


    Kept the bastion alive.


    Did he have a spell for this?


    Nothing blood specific.


    A thought.


    Risky if he got it wrong, so he tried it on himself first.


    The sapphire spun and settled on another facet.


    The symbol glowed.


    Transmute.


    Broad in scope, which meant he was responsible for controlling it.


    This wasn¡¯t water into wine, a mage-type could just cast that on water and call it a day.


    They didn¡¯t need to know the scientific and the conceptual part of turning blood into water.


    It was a good thing that he had studied with every bit of free time he had during that terrible siege.


    He turned the streams of blood outside his body into water.


    Being mostly water made it easier.


    The trick was not doing it to the blood inside his body at the same time.


    It worked!


    The blood drain stopped.


    He did it for Olo and Mrs. Cruces.


    That bought them a bit more time.


    5 minutes turned into 10.


    He countered half a dozen different spells and abilities Vukylokyr had brute forced at them through the bastion.


    His relic had an ocean¡¯s worth of mana stored in it.


    Still, he had a terrifying thought that the only reason he was having any success was because Olo¡¯s Skill was weakening the attacks.


    It made sense.


    The bastion was supposed to be impenetrable to all harmful actions up to 10-ish levels over Olo¡¯s. Anything over that would start working on a sliding scale of effectiveness.


    What was Vukylokyr¡¯s level equivalent?


    ¡°Hey, vampire dude? Can you hear this? Or is it a one way thing?¡±


    ¡°Do you seek mercy? It is too late.¡±


    ¡°Nah, just wondering what your level was?¡±


    ¡°I am pure! I am the truth! Unlike your kind with your stolen power! Mine is mine!¡±


    Gene prepped a spell.


    The golden bastion was more cracks than bastion.


    ¡°Olo.¡±


    ¡°What!¡±


    ¡°Get ready to drop it.¡±


    ¡°I can hold!¡±


    ¡°You do that when it breaks and you¡¯re down for a while. I¡¯m not carrying your big ass. So drop it when I say.¡±


    ¡°You will serve in suffering¡ª¡±


    ¡°Now!¡±


    The golden light vanished like a snuffed candle.


    Gene cast teleport.


    The three of them popped back into reality near the autogun.


    ¡°You couldn¡¯t take us up?¡± Olo grimaced.


    Mrs. Cruces handled the sudden spatial change like a champ.


    She didn¡¯t gag. Didn¡¯t shake her head to clear the cobwebs. Didn¡¯t steady herself against the wall at the sudden lightheadedness.


    She ran up to the autogun and activated it.


    The rotary barrel spun to life, sending silver-jacketed projectiles whistling down the hallway into the mass of vampires pouring into the lobby.


    Threnosh tech was truly better than the old combustion based firearms.


    That sort of weapon would¡¯ve had their ears hurting from the thunder in the enclosed space.


    ¡°On me!¡± Olo taunted.


    Something clanged into his tower shield.


    Now, that hurt their ears.


    A sonic boom up close despite the helmet¡¯s auditory protections.


    Gene couldn¡¯t hear shit anymore.


    Just a muffled ringing.


    Battlefield instincts kicked in.


    He had fixed Mrs. Cruces¡¯ position by the autogun into his mental image of the battlefield, so he cast a shield around her even as Olo¡¯s heavily armored bulk crushed him into the elevator door.


    A blur was all over Mrs. Cruces, but the high tier shield was holding.


    Olo rushed forward behind his shield.


    Probably taunting again.


    Gene couldn¡¯t hear it.


    But he cast another spell on his friend.


    Aspect of Belgarion.


    Didn¡¯t know who or what ¡®Belgarion¡¯ was. A hero? A demigod? Some type of monster?


    Whatever they had been, Olo was now in part. Which was a 100 times better across all physical attributes.


    Gene spun his sapphire eye with a thought.


    Transmute again.


    ¡°Use your mace!¡± Gene shouted at the top of his lungs. ¡°The mace!¡±


    Olo was tougher than him, so he hoped that Olo¡¯s ears had held up better.


    He had changed the outer surface of the mace¡¯s spiked head to silver.


    Olo quickened.


    A glint shined in the lights.


    The mace, Gene hoped.


    Two blurs went at it in the hallway.


    They demolished the nurse¡¯s station. The walls.


    Gene waved Mrs. Cruces over.


    ¡°The shield will move with you!¡±


    She dashed over and placed a hand on his head.


    His hearing returned and he felt a lot better almost instantly.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, we have to help Olo,¡± she said.


    ¡°Um, Mrs. Cruces, I know you¡¯ve got one of those Threnium onesies under your clothes, but, respectfully, that isn¡¯t going to stop that monster. Actually, you should be in your armor.¡±


    ¡°I know, but if it touches me then I¡¯m touching it. Then we¡¯ll see how it does with a body full of fast growing tumors.¡±


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, again, respectfully. You and I might be instantly killed if they crash into us.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Right, but I will and if I leave you, then I will be definitely dead. So, please get in the elevator. Olo and me are going to hold it off as long as we can.¡±


    Olo had about a minute with the aspect.


    They could have used Mrs. Cruces¡¯ spells to heal all the debt damage Olo would accrue, but that put her at risk.


    The autogun chose that moment to run out of ammo.


    It had filled the lobby knee deep in vampires, but that only slowed the rest.


    That left the traps.


    Shield generators hummed to life, enclosing the two of them in a space consisting of the elevators and the stairs.


    Magitech mines exploded everywhere else on the first floor.


    Sunlight, anti-vampire powder blend and silver shrapnel filled the hallways.


    No added fire or explosive force.


    They didn¡¯t want to burn the hospital or bring it down.


    Gene cursed.


    Olo was on the wrong side of the shields.


    The vampires forgot them.


    They choked and burned, clawing at their own throats and desperately trying to find cover from the sunlights.


    Gene cursed happily.


    ¡°This might work!¡±


    And that was the moment Vukylokyr threw Olo¡¯s big ass into the shield generator.


    ¡°Please get in your armor¡­¡±

 9.28

    The durability of a hundred Olos didn¡¯t save his ribs. Threnium armor didn¡¯t help. Impact absorbers blew out after the third hit. Artificial muscles in the armor tore just like his muscles would after Gene¡¯s spell timed out.


    It wasn¡¯t all bad.


    The strength, speed and reaction times of a hundred Olos had allowed him to batter the fucking blurry thing all over the first floor.


    The other vampires might as well have not been there as the violence of their fight trampled over them.


    Mines exploding had been another minor inconvenience. They had hurt the vampires, but not the one that mattered.


    Then came the screech of tearing metal.


    His thick, Threnium shield was ripped right down the middle. The force snapped his armored arm.


    His vision went dark.


    The next thing he knew was the feeling of being crushed into an unyielding wall. He couldn¡¯t breathe, couldn¡¯t think.


    The wound in reality was way too close inside his personal space.


    He saw the hole in the wall over its shoulder.


    It had thrown him through several rooms.


    He had gone one on one for over 30 seconds, which was an eternity for beings that could move in a blur.


    Too bad his silver-coated mace hadn¡¯t done any real damage.


    ¡°Serve me. Your unique Skill should not be lost in thralldom.¡±


    ¡°You even real?¡± he said through grit teeth.


    He brought his mace up over its arm and jabbed the top spike into the side of where he guessed its head was.


    Lack of proper leverage didn¡¯t mean much when one had the strength of a hundred Olos.


    Its head didn¡¯t budge as the spike flattened against it.


    ¡°Serve willingly and I will spare the one you love. Refuse and she will suffer an eternity at your hands.¡±


    ¡°You repeating yourself like one of those old automated phone voice tree things.¡±


    Another shriek of ripped metal.


    His HUD went dark.


    The sudden exposure to the scent of burning bodies made him gag.


    The smoke stung his eyes.


    The sprinklers chose that moment to turn on.


    Holy water from a wide variety of belief systems.


    Vampires screamed as their flesh sizzled and added to the smoke.


    Vukylokyr?


    The ancient vampire stood there like it was a pleasant spring drizzle.


    Something long, wet and slimy caressed his cheek before stabbing into the soft flesh.


    He bit down on reflex.


    Felt something hard followed by a pinch on his tongue.


    His head spun like it used to do when he stood up too quickly back when he was a skinny, asthmatic kid.


    The blurry red thing was wriggling in the corner of his eye as the thing in his mouth started to poke at the back of his throat.


    He bit harder.


    Shit was like a fat, invulnerable noodle.


    The wall against his back suddenly vanished, but the ancient vampire embraced him tighter to keep him from falling.


    A small hand darted past his ear and grabbed the wriggling red thing.


    Vukylokyr screeched, bleeding Olo¡¯s ears.


    It withdrew its tongue and fell back, slamming into the hallway wall, sending a spray of splinters and paint chips everywhere.


    ¡°Get back! I might be infected!¡±


    He panicked then set his will. No way was he going to give in to thralldom without a fight.


    He tightened his grip on his mace and strode toward the writhing thing on the floor.


    Kill the vampire that turned you to stay human.


    That was the rule, right?


    ¡°Hold still!¡± Mrs. Cruces snapped.


    Her bare hand slapped him in the cheek.


    Instant relief mingled with the painful sensation of bloody holes closing.


    ¡°The curse¡ª¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have one as far as I can tell. No infections. No parasites. Clean bill of health.¡±


    ¡°Great. Thank you. We still need to kill it while we have the chance.¡±


    ¡°Agreed. Keep it distracted, I¡¯ll go for the head.¡± Gene drew his longsword.


    The ancient vampire¡¯s blurriness resolved in parts.


    Olo saw snatches of its true form.


    White skin.


    Broad-shouldered.


    Sleek muscles.


    Naked.


    He wasn¡¯t into guys, but he couldn¡¯t deny the physical perfection he thought he was seeing.


    Well¡­ aside from the bulging growths underneath its alabaster-like skin.


    They grew and shrank in a most disgusting way.


    Mrs. Cruces had given Vukylokyr instant and rapid growth cancer. And it fought them.


    Olo stepped in and clubbed it in the back.


    Bone crunched, blood splattered.


    Gene leapt in with high to low cut.


    The rainbow-colored blade bit lightly.


    Shadows erupted around the ancient vampire, forcing them back.


    Gene¡¯s relic eye flashed.


    Magic shields shimmered around their bodies, absorbing the tendrils¡¯ strikes.


    Shadows on the walls whipped out and wrapped around them, constricting like snakes.


    Fire and light exploded, weakening the shadows enough for them to break free.


    They fell back into the hallway.


    Mrs. Cruces¡¯ had fired every weapon in her armor.


    ¡°Serve me willingly and I will teach you the truth of your class.¡±


    ¡°Who, me?¡± Gene raised a brow.


    ¡°No. From you I will take the only thing of value.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, man. I¡¯m not into dudes or ancient, non gender specific beings. I mean, you¡¯re the latter, right? Cause I didn¡¯t see a dong.¡±


    Vukylokyr went from writhing on the floor in front of them to standing tall, almost to the ceiling behind them.


    The blurriness was back.


    Mrs. Cruces cried out as it grabbed her and threw her straight through the ceiling.


    It went for Gene next.


    Slower than it had been moving.


    Instead of a blur, it was just merely very, very fast.


    Gene¡¯s relic eye blazed bright as clawed fingers reached within an inch of it.


    Olo taunted.


    The hand swerved.


    Pointed claws cut his brow, drawing a curtain of blood down over his eye.


    He maced it in a face.


    One hundred Olos of strength combined with his best striking Skill at maximum energy showered the hallway in sharp, finger-length fangs.


    He would have followed it up with another had his body not suddenly turn into fire.


    ¡°Aspect¡¯s out!¡± he cried out as he fell on his face.


    Muscles and joints throbbed, torn.


    Bones groaned, cracked.


    Gene¡¯s relic eye flashed to another facet.


    The instant relief of powerful healing magic was a cheat code.


    Olo rose with an upward sweep of his mace, catching the ancient vampire under the chin.


    The one downside of Gene¡¯s relic was that he could only cast one spell at a time.


    ¡°Slow isn¡¯t sticking unless I channel it!¡±


    Gene circled around his back, looking for an opening to use the rainbow-hued blade.


    ¡°Haste me!¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t be fast enough to keep up with it. And you¡¯re already over the limit with the boosts.¡±


    Vampire blood flowed like a stream around their armored boots.


    So many vampires had been killed by the autoguns and mines.


    Oddly, the bodies had remained where they had fallen, leaking the viscous red.


    ¡°Shit! Watch the blood!¡± Gene fell back to the shield generators.


    Olo followed.


    The blood around his boots suddenly exploded, throwing him into Gene.


    They went down in a tangle of limbs and weapons.


    The blood surged, taking serpentine forms. Striking them. Battering. Constricting.


    Their Threnosh armor was drenched in the red liquid.


    Gene¡¯s relic eye flashed a magic shield over them a moment before Vukylokyr ignited the blood.


    His friend cried out.


    ¡°That took so much mana!¡± Gene gasped.


    ¡°Quit bitching! This is nothing. Remember¡ª¡±


    Olo gagged.


    Blood gushed out of his mouth and flowed toward Vukylokyr.


    ¡°You. Will. Serve.¡±


    ¡°Shut up about the service bullshit! You sound like my old pastor! Fuck that guy! And fuck you!¡±


    Gene¡¯s relic eye flashed to a different facet.


    Blood turned to water.


    The ancient vampire hissed.


    ¡°No more medium to do your blood magic shit, huh? Fuck face! Why don¡¯t you¡ª oh, shit! What the fuck! No! Don¡¯t!¡±


    Gene screamed, covering his face while frantically backing into the elevator doors.


    ¡°Chattel. Ever weak of mind.¡±


    ¡°What did you do?¡± Olo planted his mace on the floor to help him get to his feet.


    When he stood, he was back on the walls of Par Olalin.


    The unique stench of the spores coming into contact with the lanterns filled his nostrils. It was terribly sweet, fragrant and vile. Like, a bouquet of spring flowers drenched in sewer juice.


    How could something so repugnant be so desirable?


    His helmet¡¯s filters could¡¯ve kept the smell out for a time had the faceplate been intact, but eventually, just like the Spore God¡¯s twisted creations battering the gate and walls, it was inevitable.


    So much black smoke in the skies.


    An endless gloom of dying night.


    They were down to their last gate.


    Their last bastion.


    Where the scant remnant of the fortress city¡¯s population huddled in wait for the end.


    He stood alone with a ragged group of defenders.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    The very old and the very young.


    Man, woman or neither.


    It didn¡¯t matter.


    The Spore God took all, as it had to the brave defenders that stood at every wall until it had fallen to ruin under the inexorable march.


    Bastien¡ª Johnny¡ª Mads¡ª


    ¡°Where are you guys? Can¡¯t do this without you. Where are you? Why aren¡¯t you answering?¡±


    His vision grew blurry and wet.


    His broken shield weighed on his broken arm. His weapon twice so.


    It¡¯d be so easy to set them down one last time.


    A sudden spike of pain up his arm jolted him out of the vision.


    He glanced at it.


    The bent Threnium armor plates moved back into its proper shape, setting his arm. It tightened like a cast.


    He felt the armor¡¯s artificial muscles shifting, mending.


    He flexed his hand, squeezing his fingers.


    Pain knifed up to his shoulder, but he could move it, use it, so long as he endured.


    That was who he was.


    A big tank.


    Meant to take the hits so his friends didn¡¯t have to.


    He had failed them.


    Not this time.


    Every metal piece around him suddenly shot at the ancient vampire faster than Olo could track.


    Cutting blades, stabbing spears and spinning saws savaged it, turning it into a red pincushion held in place by metal bands and impaling poles.


    ¡°You¡¯re fucked now, bitch!¡±


    Olo looked for an opening in the tangle of metal crowding the hallways.


    Gene was still cowering at the ancient vampire¡¯s feet.


    ¡°¡­ go¡­¡±


    A familiar voice crackled over the comms.


    He knew what to do.


    He charged forward.


    The metal flowed out of his way like water.


    He reached Gene and dragged his friend around the corner.


    ¡°¡­ clear out¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t have to tell me twice.¡±


    He could guess at what was coming.


    The building shook violently just as he reached the rear elevators.


    A massive boom followed a split-second later.


    ¡°Gene, bro, snap out of it!¡±


    Olo lightly tapped his friend¡¯s face.


    The terrified look on Gene¡¯s face didn¡¯t change.


    ¡°You and me both, bro.¡±


    Olo hefted Gene over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and headed for the stairs.


    <hr>


    ¡°I think you stunned it. Bringing it outside. Hold fire until it¡¯s clear.¡±


    Tessa held a hastily created bullet.


    Silver dust inside a mixed metal shell meant to burst apart after penetration.


    Her dad had made a bunch by pulling ancient coins out of a bank.


    She stood on the I-80 looking down on the rear of the hospital.


    Her dad had opened a shooting lane at an angle cutting through a few floors down to the first where Vukylokyr had been about to kill her friends.


    Her mom was safe.


    Dad had used his powers to fly her straight to where the other people were holding defensive positions.


    The freeway was littered with the corpses of vampires and monsters.


    She had fiercely encouraged them to put aside their differences and die together.


    The gore covering her kanabo attested to the effectiveness of her mediation techniques.


    Comms were still wonky.


    Her dad was making it work somehow.


    Something about forcing it through whatever magic bullshit the ancient vampire was using to mess with the concept of distance verbal communication or some such nonsense.


    Her dad wasn¡¯t very clear.


    Regardless, he brute-forced it through his mastery of all things electromagnetic and junk.


    Sometimes it seemed unfair to her that she had a hard cap in regards to her power.


    She was never going to be as powerful and as versatile as her dad.


    Where he had it all, she only had some.


    It was the same with Vee.


    They were just parts of the whole that was their dad.


    ¡°Now!¡±


    She railgunned the bullet in her palm to hypersonic speeds in an instant.


    The ancient vampire shifted at the last second despite being filled with metal stakes and restrained with thick metal bands.


    Instead of the chest the bullet ripped through its leg.


    It looked less fuzzy than the first time she had fought it.


    Her stump itched.


    ¡°Take that you dickless bastard,¡± she muttered. ¡°A leg for an arm.¡±


    The ancient vampire screeched.


    She didn¡¯t know screech language that well¡­ or at all, but that sounded more anger than pain.


    Weird vampire shit probably meant it could make pain feel like pleasure or some overly pervy crap.


    It struggled, breaking bands and tearing spikes from its body as her dad continued to hold it aloft.


    Her dad pulled metal from the surrounding environment, repairing the broken bits and adding more.


    ¡°Again.¡±


    He cleared a path straight to Vukylokyr¡¯s chest.


    The hypersonic bullet ripped through.


    The screech sounded more pain than anger this time.


    ¡°Is the silver even working? The sunlights aren¡¯t. Not really.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. We just have to keep it occupied while the wizards finish whatever it is they¡¯re doing.¡±


    Ms. Teacher had gotten a message through to them in the form of a glowing magic bird tracing words in front of them on their flight to find each other.


    She wasn¡¯t sure about the High.


    Her uncle seemed to think Ms. Teacher was a good ally, but almost every High she had ever had the misfortune of encountering on the Dominion world seemed to indicate otherwise. Granted, she could count the number on one hand. So, she supposed it wasn¡¯t fair to judge an entire species based on a few less than ideal individuals.


    She reached into her bag of holding for another silver-filled bullet.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have enough bullets to keep doing this all night.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine. Worst case, I can try to throw it into space. Plenty of solar radiation up there.¡±


    ¡°This would be so much easier if Uncle Eron was here.¡±


    ¡°It was too late to swap places. The duels can¡¯t be interrupted or it¡¯s all out war with another world¡­ something like that. Get ready for the next shot.¡±


    ¡°Already ready.¡±


    <hr>


    Rupert, code-named ¡®Teddy Bear¡¯, cast the solar wall spell straight from his spellbook.


    Four short walls sprang to life at the edges of the tiny park in the middle of neighborhood of tightly packed row houses.


    The yellow walls only reached up to his neck, but that was enough to keep the vampires from interrupting the ritual the rest of his fellow wizards were in the middle of performing.


    The essence of sunlight scorched pale flesh and drove the vampires away.


    The escorting Watch squad took the opportunity to kill several with silver bullets or blessed ammunition and spells.


    He wasn¡¯t too clear on the former.


    And didn¡¯t care all that much when spells had proved more than enough to put them down permanently.


    He felt sorry for them.


    The vampires.


    Because they had just been people before the sun had gone down.


    Probably, just had dinner with family.


    Maybe played games together, watched movies or read a book as they wound their days down and prepared for bed.


    Men, women and children.


    He could tell just by the way they were dressed in regular house clothes or pajamas.


    He also felt bad for the Watch.


    The kids didn¡¯t say anything, but he could see the looks in their eyes.


    They were being forced to put down people they knew.


    Looking at their callow faces reminded him of the days when he had been in their shoes.


    Now, he was a full grown man in the prime of his life.


    He felt like he should say something, but then thought better of it.


    He certainly wouldn¡¯t have appreciated some big shot outsider trying to tell him not to feel too bad about killing his own people.


    The solar wall didn¡¯t bother the monsters, so he had to open his spellbook again to help the Watch with some less emotionally scarring killing.


    They didn¡¯t take long at each site.


    Emma, code-named ¡®Emmione¡¯, worked quickly and efficiently.


    She did most of the work.


    The junior wizards were just there to add mana and hold select parts of the spell¡¯s framework.


    It was sort of like a dad having his kid hold the other end of the tape measure while marking a wall for some drilling.


    Kids. Literal kids.


    Dangerous to bring them into a battlezone, especially with vampire thralls and monsters roaming freely.


    But, Ms. Teacher thought it was cool, so¡­ it was cool with him.


    They had moved quickly through the city.


    The Watch¡¯s truck didn¡¯t need to worry about traffic or stoplights. Just vampires and monsters.


    The concealment spell he had cast seemed to doing its job.


    Their encounters had been few and all had seemed to be by chance rather than intent.


    Which was good.


    Ms. Teacher had said that they were to get out of there if Vukylokyr found them.


    The tension built thick knots in his neck at each location they had hit.


    He was a tightly wound coil of muscle just hoping he could cast fast enough to get the kids away in the event that the ancient vampire showed up.


    He¡¯d relax a bit on the drive to the next spot where the cycle started again.


    They were inside a small music store.


    Records or something.


    He wasn¡¯t too clear on how that worked.


    The Watch helped push cabinets away from the center to clear space for the ritual while he stood at the front windows, watching for trouble.


    One of the Watch approached him.


    An older woman.


    Sort of reminded him of his mom.


    She had the vibe even with looking like a hardened fighter otherwise.


    It was the scars.


    He knew someone was a fighter when they had scars on their face.


    ¡°That spellbook thing. How does it work?¡±


    He could see the mana flowing through her body.


    A mage-type.


    Probably, basic mage, around Level 30 if he guessed right.


    He could cast an appraisal spell, but he had been taught it was rude to do it on allies.


    The brief explanation took as long as the ritual.


    He promised to show her how to get started if there was time after everything was over.


    It was only right that he shared the knowledge of the best magic user class.


    Record store done meant that there was only one place left to do.


    Then, they could finally put the city¡¯s nightmare to the torch, so to speak.


    They hit the road, heading south to the city college.


    When they reached it, Rupert¡¯s heart sank.


    It was under siege.


    Tracer fire lit up the dark night as defenders on the walls fired into the hordes clawing their way up the metal surfaces.


    Dark clouds swept down from the sky to knock screaming men and women off or eat them alive.


    Vampires and monsters weren¡¯t fighting each other here for some reason.


    ¡°It really wants this place,¡± Emma said.


    Rupert could only nod in agreement.


    ¡°Do you think it knows?¡± she said.


    ¡°How? We haven¡¯t said anything to each other about it.¡±


    ¡°Then it¡¯s focusing here for another reason and we just have the worst luck.¡±


    Something drew his eye to the sky.


    A twinkling star.


    Wait¡ª


    He squinted.


    Emma held out her hand.


    The twinkle turned into a tiny magic bird of light.


    It flitted above Emma¡¯s palm, writing a quick message.


    Emma tapped the driver on the shoulder.


    ¡°Can you take us around this? South. Where 19th and 20th meet. Do you know it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, no problem,¡± the grizzled old man grunted.


    Rupert would never fail to be surprised at how Ms. Teacher seemed to somehow know everything.


    <hr>


    They rode in Vessandrion¡¯s bone chariot pulled by bone horses, but not normal earth horses. Nope. The bones came from a pair of Rangaran Horses. So named for the emperor whose ill-fated attempt at domestication led to his demise. For the horses were highly independent and highly carnivorous.


    They were extinct now.


    Had been for a few thousand years.


    The next emperor¡¯s revenge had been total.


    It didn¡¯t seem fair to Vee.


    She was of the mind that one deserved what they got when they decided to jump on the back of a giant, carnivorous horse.


    Nope.


    Not justice at all.


    Regardless, they came to a stop at the corner of two dark city streets.


    She didn¡¯t recognize the area despite having lived in the city for a few years when she was younger.


    It was kind of a weird ¡®V¡¯ with a small triangle-shaped island of buildings amid a lot of other buildings.


    They looked like homes.


    Everything was dark.


    She hoped that was because the people had gone to the shelter.


    Probably, up at the city college.


    Coincidentally, where they had been headed when the glowing bird message spell had hit her in the faceplate.


    It had been insistent and had used the right code words.


    Vessandrion was eager to meet Ms. Teacher.


    The young High only knew of his fellow people through stories.


    The closest he had gotten was to the few Low that had emerged from their secret forests sanctuaries after Tessa had instituted changes in her reluctant reign as empress.


    There was a lot of crap in that past, dating back to beyond their recorded histories.


    Suffice to say, Vessandrion had always been quite alone.


    The circumstances of his birth hadn¡¯t helped either.


    Her team stepped off the bone chariot and took up defensive positions without the need for orders.


    They heard the truck before they saw its lights.


    She zoomed in and recognized a few of the Watch inside the cab and clinging to the armored bed. She didn¡¯t recognize the people wearing pointed or floppy hats. Wizards. It made sense considering the bird message spell.


    ¡°Hello. Are you ¡®Vee Cruces¡¯?¡±


    The lead wizard was a young-ish woman with a fancy hat and armored robes. Her spellbook hung off a harness chain set up messenger bag style.


    ¡°Yup and you?¡±


    ¡°¡®Emmione¡¯, nice to meet you.¡±


    To her credit, she said her code name with a straight face.


    Introductions were made.


    Vessandrion stood tall. ¡°I am the High Lord of Bones.¡± He nodded stiffly at Emmione and the wizard called ¡®Teddy Bear¡¯.


    The two felt powerful judging by the energy in their electromagnetic fields.


    ¡°No. He is not. His name is ¡®Vessandrion¡¯. Call him that or ¡®Vess¡¯. None of this lord of bones crap.¡± She shook her head. ¡°He¡¯s like 14.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Teddy Bear raised a brow. ¡°Is that your level?¡±


    Vessandrion stiffened.


    ¡°Age,¡± she answered for him.


    ¡°Oh wow! You¡¯re tall for your age. Cool bone horses! They must be really strong to be able to, uh, carry all of you.¡± Teddy Bear eyed the wide Meneldrom and the giant Skarga before shooting Vessandrion a thumbs up. ¡°Maybe if we¡¯re alive after this we can trade notes on our respective spells.¡±


    The young High¡¯s face was mostly hidden behind his full-faced bone helmet. Which hid his unearthly beauty. Not to mention he was essentially the same as an Earthian teenager which meant he lacked the same kind of natural awe-inspiring aura that older Highs possessed.


    Vessandrion cleared his throat. ¡°That will be acceptable.¡± He glanced over at Vee.


    ¡°Sure, why not?¡± She shrugged. ¡°So, I got your Ms. Teacher¡¯s message. What¡¯s the deal?¡±


    Emmione explained the bare bones of their plan and what they needed.


    Vee wasn¡¯t sure.


    She wanted to link up with her family.


    But if the wizards¡¯ plan worked it would solve the vampire problem.


    She turned to her team.


    ¡°Thoughts?¡±


    The walls around the city college were under siege. Which brought back memories she didn¡¯t want.


    ¡°The gatehouse under heavy assault. We get to it, but vulnerable while wait for defenders to open¡­ if open?¡± Skarga said.


    ¡°They will as long as I can contact someone.¡±


    ¡°Just go over the wall,¡± Meneldrom grunted with a nod toward Vessandrion.


    ¡°I can do it, elder sister.¡±


    His eyes pleaded with her like he was 5 again and wanted an extra sweet cake.


    Not a slice.


    A whole cake.


    The perks of a High¡¯s metabolism minus the drawbacks thanks to the inherent magic within them.


    ¡°Can you do it for them too?¡± she indicated the truck.


    ¡°Yes? Probably? Yes.¡±


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s find out if they¡¯re okay with it.¡±


    Turned out they were even if they might have to bail partway up.


    Apparently, they had spells for that.

 9.29

    Giant bone horses trampled vampires and monsters as Vessandrion urged them toward the wall at freeway speeds.


    He chanted the magic words.


    Bones flew out of his bags of holding, starting a ramp at a few hundred meters away from a section of the walls relatively clear of attackers.


    The chariot clattered upward.


    Vee looked back to the truck, making sure it was still with them.


    Bullets and spells flew as the Watch and wizards fired at the vampires chasing their tails.


    She helped them out, sending dozens of vampires into seizures with pinpoint EMP¡¯s triggered right in their heads.


    They crested the wall when she noticed their presences in the electromagnetic field. She had been on the lookout for Vukylokyr¡¯s signature.


    These were different. Each individual, but mixed with Vukylokyr¡¯s.


    Stronger than the pale-skinned vampires assailing the walls.


    If those were like candles in the dark, then these 8, maybe 9, were like spotlights.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got incoming!¡±


    ¡°I sense them¡ª there!¡± Deschaina pointed to the top of a guard tower.


    Meneldrom was ready.


    They shined a holy light from their mythril mace.


    The vampire or was it vampire like Bennett? Hung in midair, captured by the light that made his skin blister and smoke.


    Deschaina¡¯s bolt launchers thumped.


    The vampire vanished in a bright ball of expanding fire.


    ¡°Woooo! Justice V!¡± Skarga roared as she swept her hockey stick-like weapon over the side of the chariot, slapping vampire heads like pucks.


    Vee focused.


    The vampires, she was sure of that now because their signatures were like Bennett¡¯s, blurred through the throng in the streets, aiming for the truck.


    She surrounded the truck with seizure fields, moving them alongside the truck.


    Vampires hit them and recoiled, convulsing long enough for the Watch and wizards to get their shots in.


    The latter appeared to be conserving their mana with basic attack spells rather than the big, flashy stuff.


    She left her stomach at the top of the ramp as they rapidly descended with the truck getting uncomfortably close.


    Vessandrion recalled his bones before the vampires could use them.


    They landed in a parking lot.


    Mostly empty killing grounds.


    Bunkers and more towers stood farther ahead.


    The vampires went for broke.


    They blurred over the walls.


    ¡°Go! Do your thing! We¡¯ll keep them busy!¡± Vee leapt off the chariot, high in the air. Firing a spread of micromissiles from her shoulder launchers.


    The vampire about to throw himself at the truck, swerved away.


    Meneldrom¡¯s holy light caught it.


    She planted the end of her staff in his mouth like a flag. She slashed down with her off-hand. The hardlight blade flared to life, then shattered the instant it made contact with the vampire¡¯s neck. She hit him with an EMP.


    He thrashed throwing her off despite her superhuman strength enhanced by the power armor¡¯s artificial muscles.


    Skarga roared and pulped his head.


    ¡°Is dead now?¡±


    ¡°Probably.¡±


    ¡°I burn.¡± Skarga took out a small glass globe from her bag of holding. It looked like a marble in her fingers, but would¡¯ve taken up all of Vee¡¯s palm. The cragant dropped it on the vampire.


    The alchemical fire flared yellow to green and vanished almost as quickly, leaving nothing but a dark smudge on the asphalt.


    ¡°Thanks, Skargs¡ª¡±


    ¡°I am the High Lord of Bones! And your doom!¡±


    Vessandrion was basically a kid.


    Sure he was strong enough at his normal level to lift a grown man in one hand and throw him through a wall. Not to mention uncanny agility, dexterity and¡­ well¡­ every physical attribute really.


    Add his magic to that and she could reasonably expect him to be mostly safe unless he was going one on one with Vukylokyr.


    The problem was that there were several vampires blurring around trying to get at them and the wizards.


    She snapped several EMP¡¯s to keep the vampires off their backs as they sped away deeper into the campus.


    The thing was they knew from Bennett that vampires could basically spec down different paths.


    Some paths went down the enhancement of their physical attributes.


    As Vessandrion found out when a slip of a woman vampire sent bone chips flying with a single punch to his chest.


    Bone spikes erupted at the vampire¡¯s feet, forcing her back.


    A second vampire blurred in and scored deep cuts in the bone armor covering his back.


    Spikes shot out, piercing the vampire in multiple places.


    A bone saw emerged at the end of multi-jointed arm on his shoulder.


    It buzzed.


    Red splattered.


    Red fountained.


    The vampire¡¯s head hit the asphalt with a wet thud.


    Meneldrom swept his holy light around them like a lighthouse.


    Vampire flesh blistered and smoked.


    Deschaina Skills let her make impossible shots with her two-fisted bolt launchers.


    It didn¡¯t matter how fast the vampires moved, they couldn¡¯t seem to dodge her special bolts as easily as they could a standard bullet.


    Skarga moved over to the Stone Lord and the Dominion human, standing watch over them like an angry mother bear, except much larger and stronger and armed with enchanted gear and Skills.


    ¡°Des!¡± Vee pointed.


    A blur chased the truck.


    She hit it with an EMP.


    A bolt exploded it a split-second after.


    The vampires went into a frenzy.


    As if they just got the call to go all in.


    They clearly wanted to stop the wizards, but to that they had to get past the Justice V.


    A vampire with long, flowing blond hair that waved in the non-existent breeze and not enough clothing fluttered her long lashes and licked her striking red lips at Deschaina.


    Meneldrom sent her shrieking with a blast of holy light.


    Vessandrion created a tangled forest of bone to slow the vampires while protecting the team¡¯s backs.


    Blood spears struck bone shields.


    Bone spears struck blood shields.


    A monster made of shadows closed its maw around Skarga, who roared a Skill and somehow broke its shadow teeth. She raised her stick and brought it down until the shadow monster dissipated like mist.


    Vee spun her staff and smacked the top of a mohawked vampire¡¯s head.


    The crack of the skull didn¡¯t slow him down as he plowed a shoulder into her chest.


    Fangs tried to bite through her neck armor.


    She sent him into a seizure, kicked him off and hit him with her one shot flame thrower deployed from the underside of her armored arm.


    The vampire went up like a torch, shrieking like an animal.


    A bone scythe swept out of nowhere and ended his suffering.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome, elder sister.¡±


    ¡°Watch out!¡±


    A huge blur crashed through bone to tackle Vessandrion.


    They brawled across the asphalt like drunken douchebags rather than the supposedly supernaturally graceful creatures they were.


    The blond vampire turned into mist and flowed through the bone forest to reappear behind Meneldrom.


    She hissed, clawing across his stout arm.


    His gray skin was closer to stone than flesh.


    She drew thin red lines at the cost of sharp nails torn from her fingers.


    She went for a bite, but he jammed his thick fingers into her mouth.


    Then he cast a spell.


    When the light cleared, there was nothing left but her skeleton, which crumbled to ash with a shake of his hand.


    Deschaina filled the open spaces in the tangled bones with bolts while Skarga guarded her back.


    The vampires couldn¡¯t get to them.


    ¡°Bone Storm!¡±


    Vee cursed, but her team was used to it.


    Meneldrom covered his face with his arms.


    Deschaina crouched low while the heavily-armored Skarga covered her.


    Vee rushed over to Vessandrion and the big vampire kicking his ass.


    Jagged bones swirled around them as if caught in a tornado.


    They cut the vampire, impaled the other vampires.


    The instant they stopped being hard to hit moving targets she slapped EMP¡¯s in their heads.


    ¡°Cut the spell, Vess!¡± she snapped.


    The big vampire twitched even as he had one hand around Vessandrion¡¯s bone-covered face and one meaty fist poised to drop another punch.


    She spun her staff and cracked him in the back of the head.


    Vessandrion morphed the bone covering his hand into a sharp blade that sliced through the vampire¡¯s thick neck.


    Justice V dispatched the rest of the vampires with holy light, enchanted bolts, a bone blade and giant sized boots.


    ¡°Maybe you start with that next time, Vess,¡± Deschaina said.


    ¡°Is dangerous for softer humans,¡± Skarga said. ¡°Vess had wait for other humans to get far.¡±


    The young High regarded the bodies.


    ¡°Elder sister, were they not supposed to burst into flames or crumble to dust. Like the one, Meneldrom slew?¡±


    ¡°Not unless you burn them. Speaking of which¡­¡±


    Out came the alchemical fire bombs.


    It was at that moment that a wave of pale-skinned vampires finally managed to climb the wall.


    They screeched to the dark night before flowing down toward them like a rogue wave.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let them get past us,¡± Vee said.


    The wizards needed time, not to mention all the people in the shelters.


    Vessandrion unhooked his bone horses from the chariot with a gesture.


    They ran wild, stomping, kicking and biting through the mass of vampires before eventually being broken into pieces.


    Skarga beat her stick on the ground, cracking the asphalt while Deschaina climbed up the cragant¡¯s back. The thick armor had built in places for people to put their feet and handles to hold at the shoulder.


    The towering cragant charged with a warcry, sweeping her stick through the throng and sending vampires flying with each hit.


    Deschaina fired bolts that exploded with fire, froze with ice and melted with acid.


    ¡°Do you have enough mana left for a platform?¡±


    ¡°Of course, elder sister.¡±


    Vessandrion raised the three of them on a platform of bone.


    Meneldrom continued to shine his holy light powered by a seemingly bottomless well of faith.


    Despite his confident words, Vessandrion revealed the truth by the fact that he was reduced to firing bone darts, granted he couldn¡¯t miss easily with how many vampires and how tightly packed they were as they tried to trip Skarga or climb up her legs.


    Vee kept hitting them with pulses, but she was starting to get worried.


    More kept coming over the wall and the defenders at this section were dead judging by the lack of fire.


    How many people had been murdered since the sun had gone down?


    Too many from the looks of it.


    She saw the people of the city in the clothing they wore.


    Soldier gear, relaxing at home clothes, pajamas.


    Saw it in the men, women and children turned into pale-skinned, bloodthirsty vampires.


    ¡°There won¡¯t be anyone left if this isn¡¯t stopped soon,¡± she whispered.


    ¡°I believe the end is approaching, elder sister,¡± Vessandrion said. ¡°I sense the wizards¡¯ ritual. I think I know what they intend.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say another word.¡±


    ¡°I know. The enemies eyes and ears are everywhere. This Vukylokyr has been watching, listening to us through his servants and thralls this whole time. It is quite powerful, though I believe my master would be able to defeat it.¡±


    That was when the sky tore open.


    <hr>


    Death everywhere he walked.


    Bennett moved through the shadows.


    Dark city streets filled with vampires, monsters and people battling each other.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Emergency shelters were under siege.


    Steel doors ripped open.


    Walls breached.


    The sweet blood was everywhere.


    Explosions lit up the night sky.


    He could hear people dying for blocks all around him. He closed his senses to the sounds.


    To act would reveal himself to Vukylokyr.


    Hanna had freed him from the ancient vampire¡¯s bonds of blood and in doing so, somehow made it think that he had perished.


    Its immense presence was in the air, pressing down, but he was certain that his presence slipped beneath it like a whisper of silk sheets.


    He would have one chance to act.


    Not to kill it himself since he was nowhere near strong enough.


    He would have to be a pebble in the gears of a complicated machine.


    One small act among many, but crucial.


    He found them battling near the hospital, over the freeway and surrounding buildings.


    Remy continually pulled metal from the environment to bind Vukylokyr, while the ancient vampire tore free almost as quickly.


    Dark clouds, bats, birds and other small creatures swarmed the Threnium-armored Remy only to be cut to pieces by the thousands of small blades flying around him in swarms of their own.


    The way the glittered whenever they caught the lights from the buildings and the explosions almost reminded Bennett of tiny, blooming flowers.


    Below the aerial struggle, Tessa swung her kanabo one-handed.


    Her missing arm seemed to point at him in accusation.


    Though he had played no direct part in its destruction, he accepted the condemnation.


    The dark metal pulped vampire heads with each swing.


    They had been people less than an hour ago. They had thought themselves safe in their homes, safe behind the walls.


    He had taken that from them. And they in turn had taken it from others.


    A vampire tried to conceal his presence amid the rest of the pale-skinned throng to sneak up behind her.


    Bennett almost intervened as the vampire leapt, but a bang rang out, punching the vampire in the chest.


    The back of Tessa¡¯s armor closed as she turned and shot her kanabo straight through the vampire¡¯s chest with a resounding bang.


    The vampire dropped to his knees, shock writ on his pale face. The gaping hole where his heart had been gushed red down his front and back.


    Tessa reached her hand out, as if to touch his face.


    The kanabo returned to her as fast as it had flown out. She turned again and brought it down, popping a vampire¡¯s head.


    Behind her the headless corpse spilled red across the freeway.


    So much of it had already been shed across six lanes.


    Tessa¡¯s boots splashed as she moved, splattering the dark gray of her armor with more red.


    Vukylokyr shrieked.


    Shed blood erupted, throwing Tessa off the freeway to the dark streets below, flaming like the wreckage of a jet shot out of the sky.


    Burning blood took the shape of a giant serpent with countless clawed hands that reached dozens of feet into the sky.


    Remy¡¯s metal swarms tore into it, but it was mostly liquid.


    Every cut reformed as quickly as it had been made.


    Less so for the pale-skinned vampires that had hitched a ride.


    They leapt at Remy with fangs bared only to be cut to pieces.


    Vukylokyr turned the losses to gains as it moved their blood into the giant serpent.


    It snapped after Remy.


    He pulled the metal from the freeway, collapsing the section the blood serpent was on.


    The debris cloud bloomed.


    Remy burst out of it.


    Vukylokyr, only partially bound by metal, followed a split-second later.


    Remy forced the ancient vampire back into the dust and ripped a power line from a nearby freeway light.


    Sparks and dust didn¡¯t mix well or mixed perfectly, depending on what one hoped to get out of it.


    Bennett figured Remy got exactly what he wanted as the subsequent explosion shattered windows across several city blocks.


    Supernatural senses pierced the smoke.


    Bennett saw the blood.


    Not all of it had burned.


    Being under the ancient vampire¡¯s direct control made it exponentially more resilient than normal blood.


    It coalesced into a swirling orb around the form he was incapable of seeing, both physically and metaphysically.


    He wanted to warn Remy about the build up of power hidden by the dust and darkness, but the time wasn¡¯t right.


    Magic swelled to near-bursting.


    A wet, red spear as thick around as a person¡¯s body lanced into the sky.


    Remy formed a thick shield of metal.


    Layers burned white hot as the spear pressed.


    He added more metal to the back as the front disintegrated.


    Bloody tendrils whipped out of the dust to bind Remy¡¯s wrists and legs.


    He cut them with much diminished blade swarms, but the liquid re-formed just as quickly.


    Bennett sensed something attempting to disrupt the ancient vampire¡¯s magic by attacking the energy with waves of another type of energy.


    He didn¡¯t know what it was, but it reminded him of the natural aura all living things generated.


    Regardless, the attempt wasn¡¯t working.


    There was just too much power in Vukylokyr¡¯s spell.


    Looking at it through his supernatural senses reminded Bennett of what it was like looking at the sun decades ago when he could still walk under its light.


    Oh to feel the sun¡¯s rays without pain one last time.


    The blood spear burned through the metal shield, striking Remy in the chest.


    Threnium lasted longer, but as Tessa had learned it wasn¡¯t invulnerable.


    Matte gray went from red to white as Bennett moved closer across the rooftops.


    It grew too bright for him to see until it stopped.


    Remy¡¯s chest armor smoked.


    Gray Threnium had been melted only to reveal a thin layer of metal.


    It shined like silver, yet he could sense the magic contained within.


    He had heard of it.


    A metal ore that was naturally magical.


    That took enchantments better than any other metal, yet paradoxically acted as a sort of null object when subjected to outside spells.


    Jake had been so excited describing the mythril Remy had brought back from another world. His friend¡¯s only regret was that there was only a hundred pounds of the stuff.


    A bat landed on Bennett¡¯s shoulder.


    Not all night creatures belonged to Vukylokyr.


    He had taken control a scant handful and spread them through out the city.


    When he had been under Vukylokyr''s thralldom he had access to everything the ancient vampire could sense. The better for it to show him the carnage to hurt him and shatter his spirit.


    There had been something strange going on all over the city.


    Ritual magic, yet for some reason the ancient vampire had struggled to pin it down.


    Now that it was distracted, Bennett had sent his small creatures searching.


    They only found a few sites, but it was enough.


    Especially, when he saw through their eyes what was happening at SCC.


    The wizards were almost done with their ritual.


    Vukylokyr had sent the rest of the vampires in an attempt to stop them, but they had failed thanks to Vee and her team.


    So strange, other species, people from another world.


    The scholar in him wished he had the opportunity to ask them so many questions, but it wasn¡¯t meant to be. That man had died a long time ago. When he had gained the vampire class. The intervening years had been a mirage. A fool¡¯s dream that lied to him. That told him the class didn¡¯t matter to his ability to continue being a scholar.


    If only he could have been a scholar instead.


    Time approached for the ending.


    Vukylokyr rose up through the broken freeway on a platform of swirling blood.


    The serpent, much diminished, coiled around him protectively, baring fangs in a soundless hiss at Remy.


    The man¡¯s face was pale behind his helmet, blood leaked from his nose and eyes. He flicked his hands at the ancient vampire as if throwing darts.


    Metal swarms glittered in the night as they dived from multiple directions.


    Dark swarms rose up to meet them.


    Bennett couldn¡¯t help but feel bad for the bats.


    The creatures just wanted to exist, to live their lives as nature intended.


    He had always been cognizant of that. Never spending their lives needlessly when he was in need of their services.


    As for the buzzing insects?


    He was less affected by their destruction.


    The ancient vampire raised a clawed hand at the same time the blood serpent struck. It plunged its glowing hand into the wet body.


    Light blazed up the serpent¡¯s innards, spraying out of its mouth as a fiery liquid when it reached Remy.


    He formed a metal sphere around himself, dropping to the ground, only to emerge shooting hundreds of thin spikes from the sphere.


    The same interference crackled across Bennett¡¯s supernatural senses.


    It rippled across the air toward Vukylokyr.


    The ancient vampire froze in place. Its face suddenly revealed frozen in a rictus of pain.


    The moment passed quickly enough that Bennett wasn¡¯t sure if he had truly seen it.


    Uncanny beauty.


    Horrid nightmare.


    Spikes cut through the shield of blood.


    He couldn¡¯t see how many struck home. Could only tell by the number of spikes that continued out into the night.


    Tessa chose that moment to rejoin the fight.


    She stood on the street, below the freeway, holding a car over her head.


    The long bang made Bennett grimace.


    He hadn¡¯t be prepared.


    The 1 ton missile slammed into the bottom of Vukylokyr¡¯s blood platform, punching through and shooting the ancient vampire up into the dark sky where Remy was waiting.


    A giant metal hammer coalesced and smote Vukylokyr against the car suspended in midair like an anvil.


    Blood fell like rain.


    The serpent wavered before splashing onto the freeway.


    It wasn¡¯t over.


    Vukylokyr was more than a mere physical body.


    The lake of blood on the surface of the freeway bubbled.


    Tendrils shot up and down.


    Ugly, evil spells filled the air.


    Remy flew, twisting this way and that as he showered metal rain down.


    Tessa cursed and ran, swinging her kanabo over her head as the hard, sharp blood struck her armor.


    Bennett reached the side of the freeway hidden in shadow.


    It was time.


    The night sky vibrated.


    It started with a small tear, barely visible hundreds of feet above them.


    Then, like a zipper being opened, it grew.


    Light!


    Sunlight peeked through!


    The rays fell down on them.


    The blood began to boil and steam as the tear widened to encompass the entire city


    Bennett felt it begin to burn through the shadows as the comforting darkness vanished.


    Across the city, the vampires out in the open burned to ash in seconds.


    Those fortunate to be inside lasted only a little longer as the sudden debilitating sunlight shined through holes in roofs and broken windows.


    Desperate people seized the last second reprieve and turned the tide.


    Everywhere, vampires died while people lived.


    Vukylokyr emerged from the blood.


    A wet red figure taller than Bennett.


    The body took shape revealed for the first time by the sun¡¯s warm light.


    Pale-skinned.


    Naked.


    Beautiful and terrible in equal parts.


    One wanted to prostrate in worship at the ancient vampire¡¯s feet while fleeing in blind terror at the same time.


    It lacked any features indicating gender.


    As if the body had been created without the purpose of natural life in mind.


    The ancient vampire blurred towards the gaping hole in the freeway and the relief of the darkness.


    If it could get out of the sunlight it could find a way to escape.


    Bennett knew its mind.


    The bond had gone both ways.


    Survive and return.


    Such was its way.


    The Crimson Era had been denied before, but never for long.


    It had eternity after all.


    The chattel that had slowed it down did not.


    It would wait in the darkness. A blade hanging over their heads. They would never know another easy night. No safety in the dark. For it would lurk in their shadows until their dying days.


    Sudden magic struck.


    Bright walls of purple light boxed Vukylokyr in.


    The hospital roof!


    Gene stood there. One eye blazed purple.


    Olo stood beside him, covering him with a shield.


    The ancient vampire shattered the purple wall with a single strike.


    A pained cry echoed through the night turned day.


    Pale skin smoked and began to blister.


    Metal snakes burst out of the freeway, trying to coil around the ancient vampire as it continued its dash to safety.


    Be the pebble that diverts the avalanche.


    Bennett dashed out of the shadows in a blur.


    They obeyed his commands, turning into tendrils that tripped the ancient vampire.


    He lost control of them a split-second later.


    Vukylokyr¡¯s mastery of what felt like every vampire path was unchallenged.


    The tendrils turned on Bennett, whipping, stabbing.


    He blurred past them and slammed into the ancient vampire.


    It was like running into the side of a cliff.


    Bones broke all over his body.


    He burned the blood within to heal.


    ¡°You spurn my gift to side with chattel. With food.¡±


    Words didn¡¯t matter now.


    Bennett opened wide and sank his fangs into the ancient vampire¡¯s neck.


    Teeth chipped on the marble-hard flesh, but managed to penetrate.


    The blood flowed in a trickle, but he sucked it up greedily.


    Such power!


    It surged through his body, giving him the strength to hold on.


    ¡°Fool. I am the blood! I was kind to you earlier. Now I will truly make you suffer¡ª how? How are you resisting me? None may refuse when I have entered them!¡±


    Bennett felt the blood trying to take control of him as it had before.


    Thank you my friend, he thought.


    Hanna had set him free and she continued to do so.


    ¡°The Sword of Freedom? Such classes have always been problematic. No matter. Her Skill cannot keep you from my grasp forever. She will suffer at your hands. Her death will last decades. Then she will serve me. Her class as broken as her soul.¡±


    Bennett released his bite and took one last breath.


    ¡°Throw us into the portal!¡±


    The moment he caught Remy¡¯s eyes seemed to last an eternity.


    That was how it was, wasn¡¯t it?


    When death came one held on to the last threads of his life as hard as he could no matter how prepared he thought he was.


    Metal flowed around them, sealing them inside a cocoon of blackness.


    Bennett felt his limbs break as the ancient vampire thrashed.


    The sensation of sudden, violent flight followed.


    Metal shrieked as Vukylokyr¡¯s claws tore it, letting in rays of burning sunlight.


    The portal closed the instant they had been sent through.


    Vukylokyr tore the coffin asunder.


    The black void greeted them.


    The burning orb millions of miles away was a bright white, not yellow like it was when viewed from the surface of the planet.


    Bennett heard the wordless shrieks in his head.


    They both burned.


    Fire without oxygen?


    The scholar in him would have enjoyed exploring the mechanics of that. The beast within the vampire howled in fury at its impending end.


    As for the man?


    Bennett looked at the blue, green orb.


    Home.


    He stared until he was nothing but ashes drifting in the void.


    Vukylokyr lasted much longer.


    It tried to cast its own teleportation spell, but it couldn¡¯t do it and it didn¡¯t know why not.


    It flew toward the planet with its body on fire.


    The distance was much greater than it looked.


    But, it began to hope as it drew closer.


    It could hide beneath the clouds or the ocean depths or it could make it to the dark side of the planet.


    There was always life for it to sustain itself long enough to make its way to a place with sapient blood.


    Then it would create a Crimson Era of sheer suffering for the inhabitants.


    It could do no less for vengeance.


    Seven generations.


    It would punish this world¡¯s inhabitants for seven generations.


    Close now.


    It felt the change as it crossed out of the empty void and into the world¡¯s living aura.


    The fires had burned out its eyes, but it didn¡¯t need them to see.


    Spells¡ª


    Something struck it.


    The booms reached its ears after.


    In panic it realized that it was being pushed back into the void at tremendous speed.


    Its mouth opened in a soundless shriek as safety rapidly grew out of its reach.


    Down in Sacramento, Tessa stared up.


    ¡°Got it. Out of range, but I didn¡¯t see it get away from the chunk.¡±


    Remy had formed a large, dense mass of metal.


    Several tons worth that she had then shot into Vukylokyr with targeting assistance from her helmet.


    ¡°Interference is gone, so we can aim one of the satellites its way just to make sure,¡± Remy said.


    ¡°Yeah. That seems like a better idea than just waiting for the Quest notification.¡±


    ¡°Head over to mom and get your arm taken care of.¡±


    ¡°Nah, it can wait. Plenty of other people need healing more than me. Besides, we need to make sure that all the vampires are dead. They need to be set free.¡±


    Remy sighed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to check Reno. They probably all came here, but you¡¯re right. I have to make sure they don¡¯t spread.¡±


    ¡°Man¡­¡± Tessa let out a breath. ¡°Bennett¡¯s gone¡­¡±


    ¡°You sure?¡±


    ¡°Pretty sure. I saw him burning. Then nothing.¡± She shrugged. She tried to muster up some emotion for the brave man¡¯s sacrifice. Struggled to square everything with the shy, slightly creepy guy she had known from when she was younger. But, experience had taught her that they didn¡¯t get away without pain when they fought the real monsters. ¡°We still have work to do. We can mourn later.¡±


    ¡°Your uncle will check to make sure.¡±


    It took another hour before the sun completed the scouring of every drop of Vukylokyr.


    <hr>


    Congratulations!


    You have completed a Quest.


    Survive Vukylokyr and the Dawning of the Crimson Era.


    Individual Reward: 250000 Universal Points.


    Congratulations!


    You have completed a Quest.


    Defeat Vukylokyr.


    Individual Rewards: 1,057,180 Universal Points. 9 free attribute points. Vampire Bane Spell Code.


    Congratulations!


    You have completed a Quest.


    Protect your city.


    Individual lives saved: 118652/137043.


    Rew¡ª


    Congratulations!


    You ha¡ª


    Con¡ª

 9.30

    There would be no grave.


    Bennett¡¯s will had been clear.


    In fact, he had requested absolutely nothing with the caveat that they could do whatever they wanted since he wouldn¡¯t be around to complain.


    A modest place near the center of the park across the street from Watch HQ had been selected for the statue.


    A week had passed and all that sat in the roped off area was a metal plaque with Bennett¡¯s name and room for future words.


    Remy¡¯s work.


    Like the statue, the rest would be completed as time permitted in the wake of the catastrophic night.


    The Night of Blood, the Night of Red Tears and many other names had been spoken by the traumatized populace.


    The illusion of safety had once again been cruelly shattered by a horror from the spires.


    Cal landed on the grass.


    Jake shot him a nod.


    The Psionic Prime had arrived too late to be there for his friends.


    Bennett had died alone in the lonely void of space with only an ancient monster to mark his passing.


    ¡°Well?¡± Jake said. ¡°We clear of the infestation?¡± he spat the word.


    ¡°No more vampires or vampires in this region. Everyone Vukylokyr touched is gone.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good. How¡¯d that hate engine thing go?¡±


    ¡°Could¡¯ve been worse.¡±


    A mild understatement.


    ¡°Only about a thousand people died before I got there.¡±


    ¡°How many if you didn¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°Tens of thousands if I got there an hour later. If I was a day or two later, then the hate would¡¯ve spread through most of Eastern Europe. So, I guess, close to a million total.¡±


    Jake nodded.


    ¡°What was it like?¡±


    ¡°Its name is apt. Looks like a giant engine. About as big as a mid-sized car.¡±


    ¡°No fooling?¡± Jake snorted. ¡°What was it? V12?


    ¡°More like V36.¡±


    Jake let out a whistle. ¡°What¡¯d you do with it?¡±


    ¡°Put it on the moon. Nothing up there to generate hate and to have their hate stoked.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like it outputs a ton of energy.¡±


    ¡°Literal tons every hour, if you wanted to equate the amount of energy it puts out to mass. I did some quick calculations. The thing¡¯s capable of powering this entire country back in the old days. Self-sustaining. Only problem was the whole driving people into hate-fueled rampages.¡±


    ¡°Maybe there¡¯s a love engine out there. They can balance each other out.¡±


    ¡°If there is, I don¡¯t think the spires would be cool like that.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, man¡­ spires ain¡¯t a true bro.¡± Jake held out the half-finished bottle of scotch. ¡°Drink?¡±


    Cal took a pull and passed it back.


    ¡°You.¡± Jake took one. ¡°Me.¡± He poured one on the grass in front of the plaque. ¡°Bennett.¡±


    The much bigger man swayed.


    ¡°I¡¯m too old for this.¡±


    ¡°Watch it, dude. You don¡¯t ever say that out loud.¡±


    ¡°Oh? You mean like saying I want to retire?¡± Jake laughed bitterly. ¡°Whatever. Like the spires cares what I say or want. It¡¯ll just keep throwing bullshit at me. Struggle. Fight. Level. Still too weak. What¡¯s the point?¡±


    ¡°This is the point.¡±


    He gazed at the clear blue sky.


    He had driven the smoke away after he had put out the fires after that night.


    Birds chirped.


    Insects buzzed.


    The animals that had fled or somehow slipped past the ancient vampire¡¯s notice had already returned.


    ¡°We stand against the evil so that there is always a next day for people to live. Bennett did that and he went out happy.¡±


    ¡°You know that for a fact?¡±


    ¡°Psychic imprint.¡±


    ¡°What about the monster?¡±


    ¡°Screamed all the way until it got out of my range.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    They passed the bottle back and forth a few times.


    ¡°How are things with Trish?¡±


    ¡°Good. Still casual. You know? Her shelter was breached, but they held them off.¡±


    ¡°Just casual?¡±


    ¡°We aren¡¯t exactly young. I¡¯m on the wrong side of 50 and she¡¯s pushing 40. Figure casual¡¯s just fine. Not like either of us wants kids. Not that the chances of that happening are high.¡±


    ¡°There are fertility Skills and magic potions?¡±


    ¡°I keep getting them for my birthdays. Santi¡¯s a little fuck.¡± Jake laughed. ¡°No thanks. Not bringing kids into this world.¡± He sighed. ¡°Lost a quarter of my R&D team. Most of them practically kids. I¡¯m thinking of trying to send more of them to the Threnosh world. Better tech in the first place. Plus it¡¯s a lot safer than here. None of that terminus and bountiful nonsense. Let the old heads like me hold down the fort. Hillary, Lexie, Lewis and the others are learning so much and leveling over there.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s an idea.¡±


    ¡°Good or bad?¡±


    ¡°Depends.¡±


    ¡°Eh¡­ can¡¯t just send people, I mean we can, but the Threnosh council probably wouldn¡¯t be cool with a little illegal immigration.¡±


    ¡°Their world is safer. You wouldn¡¯t get away from fighting, but things over there are a walk in the park compared to here. Just monsters and spawn zones. The dominion is still kicking, but my nieces and their friends really screwed up their logistics by freeing the upworld from dominion control.¡±


    ¡°All at the cost of a few lives.¡± Jake sighed. ¡°Totally worth.¡±


    ¡°I have thought about that.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Immigration. Preserve the Earthian people, so to speak, but they¡¯d stop being Earthian after how many generations?¡±


    ¡°Change is change. Probably better that we, as a people, continue to exist. Even if it¡¯s on another world.¡±


    ¡°People are taking their chances on other worlds.¡±


    ¡°I know. You always hear about a few dozen every year going off. That Terminus Decree¡­¡± he shook his head. ¡°The only thing is that those people stop sending messages back after a year or two. And you don¡¯t have to be a smart dude to figure out why.¡±


    ¡°We can expand the agreement with the Threnosh. Shouldn¡¯t be too hard to get them to accept more people. They¡¯d love to have a high level techmage like you to study¡­ er¡­ learn from.¡±


    Jake raised a brow.


    ¡°Ethically.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I got you. Hillary says they¡¯re weird, but not creepy about that.¡±


    ¡°And I can start pushing Tessa to set up something similar with the dominion world.¡±


    ¡°Ex-empress got some cred to throw around?¡±


    ¡°She hates it, but yeah.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s two worlds. High tech super science, yet unspoiled nature or a weird mix of Bronze Age, Steampunk, and futuristic Renaissance. I know where I¡¯d want to go.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get you on the list.¡±


    ¡°Thanks bro, but save it for one of the kids. As much as I¡¯m tired of this shit, I can¡¯t put it down. Not when this asshole went into fucking outer space and burned himself to ash to take out a hundred thousand year old monster. I¡¯m thinking, I can¡¯t let the goth nerd out metal me, you know?¡± Jake laughed, pouring Bennett¡¯s portion in the grass before taking a swig. ¡°I figure if I can¡¯t go quietly in my sleep doing a Bennett is the next best thing.¡±


    ¡°No in-between for you, huh?¡±


    ¡°Go big or go home. That¡¯s what us old fossils used to say back in the day.¡±


    ¡°You mean when we were young and dumb.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯re you talking about? The only thing that¡¯s changed for me is the former. I¡¯m still pretty dumb to this day.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t be that dumb if you¡¯ve made it to this point.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what we call luck. Wish I could give that to the others.¡± Jake sighed. ¡°Too many kids didn¡¯t make it, bro.¡±


    ¡°We keep walking forward for them.¡±


    Jake wiped misty eyes. ¡°Oh shit! I almost forgot. Here.¡± He pulled an envelope from his jacket. ¡°He left a lot of notes. Books really. About a ton of stuff. A lot about his class. A comprehensive guide to the vampire. Positives, negatives, leveling, Skill paths, so on and so forth. Only me, Hanna and Rebekah know about them. His will said he wasn¡¯t sure if it¡¯d be better destroyed. I¡¯m pretty sure that¡¯s what the politicians would want. No vampires and vampires. Can¡¯t say I blame them.¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want to hold on to them or have to deal with that question then I¡¯ll take them. That way you can have plausible deniability.¡±


    ¡°We have to talk about it, but I¡¯ll hold you to that. They can¡¯t get mad at us if you took them. I mean, there was no way we could stop you, right?¡±


    ¡°Just let me know what you decide and I¡¯ll make them vanish from the Watch¡¯s vault.¡±


    ¡°You gonna Ocean¡¯s Eleven that shit!¡± Jake laughed, perhaps too hard.


    ¡°Bennett deserves to have a legacy.¡±


    ¡°Not if the politicians have their way. They were pissed about this.¡± He pointed at the plaque. ¡°Called him a traitor. Like he wasn¡¯t being controlled and when Hanna freed him, what¡¯d he do? That¡¯s right, took the fight straight to Vukylokyr! I mean, there were plenty of credible witnesses. Like, the fucking people that were going head to head with that fucker! Gah! I don¡¯t even know why they¡¯re looking for more people to blame when there¡¯s a fucking world event ancient monster staring us in the face!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s human nature. Pain makes us lash out. Give them time. Continue to tell the true story. Eventually, the narrative will change.¡±


    ¡°I know, I know¡­ it¡¯s just¡­ just so tiring.¡±


    ¡°If it helps, there aren¡¯t any other current world events headed your way.¡±


    ¡°Thank God for that, but what about a new one randomly popping up?¡±


    ¡°We can only face the threats we know are there. It¡¯s like that prayer. The one about accepting the things we can¡¯t change, but having the courage to change the things we can. Something like that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather have an instant death spell. You know, like power word: kill.¡±


    ¡°Be careful what you wish for. If there¡¯s a spell like that then someone else can use it against you.¡±


    ¡°Wish? Now I¡¯d love to have a spell like that.¡±


    They finished the bottle quickly.


    ¡°You going to be okay?¡±


    The streets were empty.


    The toll the bloody night had extracted on everyone in the area had been high.


    Not even the monsters and mutant animals had been spared.


    Ironically, Vukylokyr had given them some breathing room.


    Jake swayed on his feet.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Just a little drunk. Not even slurring my words. I¡¯m actually headed back.¡± He nodded toward Watch HQ. ¡°Replenishing magitech stuff. Fixing whatever needs fixing. Got to get as much in as I can before the prosthetic stuff gets really busy. Still taking stock, but it¡¯s looking like there¡¯s going to be a depressingly high number of people in need. So, just let me be drunk for these 15 minutes while mourning one of my oldest friends. Cause I¡¯m drinking a sobriety potion once I go back.¡±


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Listen, dude, I know I¡¯m very busy, but shoot me a message anytime you need. I can¡¯t promise I¡¯ll respond right away, but just know that I will eventually.¡±


    ¡°No worries, bro. You¡¯re saving lives worldwide. That shit¡¯s important. I don¡¯t even want to imagine what it¡¯d be like if we had to deal with a Vukylokyr, the hate engine and that rapist clone guy all at the same time.¡±


    ¡°We have to deal with the problems before they get their feet under them.¡±


    ¡°Anything new on the slasher thing?¡±


    ¡°No. Nothing in or out.¡±


    ¡°Damn. That sucks. I¡¯m sure they¡¯re doing alright.¡±


    ¡°I know they are.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Jake rubbed his head. ¡°I¡¯d offer my help, but I don¡¯t know that I¡¯d be able to do anything useful.¡±


    ¡°Do what you can, right?¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    ¡°Alright, dude. I¡¯m off. Let me know about¡­¡±


    He glanced at the plaque.


    ¡°Statue ceremony.¡± Jake nodded. ¡°Your brother¡¯s planning on making a forever metal. Something that won¡¯t rust or degrade and hard to break. I don¡¯t know, seems impossible to me, but powers bullshit, right?¡±


    ¡°Powers are bullshit. If he made it out of mythril then you could put enchantments on it to really make it eternal.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but they¡¯d probably veto that. Too valuable to use for a statue to just stand here.¡±


    ¡°Tell them to think bigger. Who says that the statue has to just stand here? With the right enchantments it doesn¡¯t have to be ¡®useless¡¯.¡±


    A light came on behind Jake¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Oh shit¡­ that¡¯s right!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get you in touch with someone who might be able to give you ideas.¡±


    Cal rose into the sky after one bro hug.


    He¡¯d mourn Bennett fully at a later time.


    <hr>


    Vancouver, Spring, 2051


    Twice Clever Fox used kharza darts through the grass to dodge underneath bullets and weapon strikes. She reached the center of the melee mostly untouched thanks to the chaos. Pinpoint strikes to pressure points deadened limbs.


    She was a discerning hunter this night.


    Not the fox that destroys an entire hen house, but one that only took what she needed before darting away.


    The wannabe slasher mercs or marauding band, she cared not for the difference, lost their holds on their weapons or shields, allowing the people defending their neighborhood to gain the upper hand and spill the red across their street.


    Howard withstood a dozen blows thanks to the Threnosh armor. He barreled into a knot of men and women, shrugging off their blows like a short juggernaut. He shot, stabbed and stomped his way through only to take a bullet to the back of his helmeted head. He turned, glaring at the top of the makeshift guard tower.


    ¡°Watch where you¡¯re shooting, eh!¡±


    The shooter ducked her head.


    He supposed he couldn¡¯t get too mad at a kid doing her best to defend her home.


    ¡°Shoot the guys in shit gear!¡±


    The momentary distraction got him a fireball in the face from a merc mage.


    It was the exploding kind.


    Force and heat.


    It sent him tumbling across the street.


    He came out of the roll firing.


    The first viral round ate through the magic shield. The second hit center mass and ate through the mage¡¯s chest. Armor, clothing, skin, bones, organs.


    The kids up in their guard towers and on the rickety walls were getting the full horrors of combat experience.


    Bullets plinked off his armor.


    ¡°God, I love this stuff.¡±


    Sure he could heal quickly from being filled with bullets, but his healing factor didn¡¯t get rid of the pain. And being shot, stabbed, blasted hurt every single time. Sometimes the bullet didn¡¯t get pushed out right and he¡¯d have to cut it out after the tissue healed around it. Seemed like an extra kick in the nuts when that happened.


    ¡°Captain Howard. I¡¯m picking up that magic signature. Somewhere in this area.¡±


    Wizard Wet Willy sent him an overlay on the small tactical overhead map in the corner of his HUD.


    Howard smirked.


    Jayde really gave the kid a lasting gift.


    Never failed to make Howard laugh on the inside.


    One had to find things to laugh about when he was knee deep in the blood, piss and shit of people he was killing.


    Gallows humor. Black humor.


    He had learned to cope back in his days as a soldier way before the spiresapocalypse.


    Present was kilometers better than the past though.


    He wasn¡¯t killing anyone that didn¡¯t deserve it anymore.


    No more poor, innocent mountain villagers getting caught up when the bullets flew and the air strikes were called in.


    Nope, just straight murdering assholes looking to level up and gain points.


    Kinda like he was back in the day.


    All for that cash with a thin veneer of patriotism.


    ¡°That¡¯s a big area. Can you narrow it down?¡±


    Wet Willy had pegged about half a block on the other side of the neighborhood tract a few streets to the northwest. It looked to encompass about 5 or 6 houses.


    ¡°Sorry. That¡¯s the best I can do. I can keep trying, but¡­¡±


    ¡°Time crunch. Got it. Good job. Keep monitoring the situation. Black Cat, Dancessassin¡ª¡± he sighed. Not all Jayde¡¯s names hit right. ¡°Go, check it out. Stick to the R.O.E.¡ª¡±


    A shadow loomed over him.


    A loud bang, whistling wind over his head.


    He turned.


    The huge marauder-type toppled over with a red hole in his helmet.


    ¡°Thanks. You want to do more stabby and less shooty for a bit?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep an eye on the kids.¡± Dayana stood from her perch on a distant rooftop and flickered out of sight.


    ¡®Shootystabby¡¯ was another terrible miss.


    Howard continued to play the tank while Twice Clever Fox used her sublime agility to dart her way into formations, leaving them crippled for the people on the walls to score the kills.


    Marian piloted the shuttle overhead, firing on the monsters flocking to the battlezone.


    Willy sat in the back, his glowing spellbook floated at his side as he used his ghostly wizard eyes to scour the battlefield for unpleasant surprises.


    Deeper inside the neighborhood, Dayana flickered from rooftop to rooftop alongside Black Cat and Dancessassin.


    The former leapt with the natural cat-like agility of his hybrid body, a dubious gift from the dead Eidolon of Sut and the decrepit remnants of the American government.


    The latter moved through the shadows thanks to her monster-hide hooded cloak. Its inky black surface shimmered as if the creature was still alive. The eyes in the hood over her face definitely moved and blinked as if it was.


    The magus¡¯ work was as effective as it was disturbing to certain sensibilities.


    Dayana didn¡¯t care.


    All that mattered to her was that the stuff worked good.


    They reached the target area Willy had painted for them.


    She spotted the likely house they needed to breach immediately.


    It was the only one with lights in the windows.


    Candles or small torches judging by the flickering.


    Hand signals told the other two to stop.


    She brought up the spires¡¯ interface with a thought.


    The home, like many around it, was unowned.


    A lot of people had been killed over the two weeks and change since the Slasher¡¯s Spree started.


    She wiggled her fingers.


    Danceassassin. Scout. Careful. Quick.


    The young woman¡¯s monster eyes blinked as she melted into a shadow on the rooftop.


    It didn¡¯t take long for her to emerge.


    Dayana stifled the urge to strike with her blade.


    She hadn¡¯t noticed Tabitha coming out of the shadows until the last second despite all her perception Skills. And that was with her being over Level 50.


    Tabitha¡¯s fingers moved precisely.


    12 Cult. 3 Hostages. Sacrifice. Basement. Go now!


    Dayana sent a message to the shuttle.


    Then she focused on her two young charges.


    Tabitha was a pro, but Black Cat was on his first big mission.


    Black Cat was ¡®Adrian¡¯ in real life. Though he preferred the former, since the latter was his human name and he considered it as defunct as the government that had forced him to undergo the procedure.


    Dancessassin. Secure. Hostages. Black Cat. Roof. Me. Behind. Prisoners.


    A Quest chimed in her ears, but she waved it away.


    From experience it probably had something to do with saving the hostages and killing the cultists.


    She waited a minute for Dancessassin to get into position before signaling the go.


    The young hybrid tore into the house in an explosion of shingles and wood. Superhuman strength treating the roof like it was made of cheap cardboard.


    The basement door put up as much resistance as wet paper.


    She flickered in behind him, drawing long knives.


    The cultists turned from their chanting.


    To them she moved as if under a strobe light.


    Weapons and hands pointed, but they were much too slow.


    Blades glinted in the candle light.


    Blood arced around the ritual circle carved into the concrete.


    One cultist thought to complete the sacrifice, reaching for one of the bound children.


    Dancessassin leapt out of the shadows on the floor.


    The hem of her cloak unfurled into long ribbons, revealing curved claws, like a panther¡¯s, at the tips. She twirled, carving the cultist up.


    Dayana completed a circuit, leaving cultist fingers on the floor.


    Anger and pain filled the air.


    A cultist pointed a stick at the hostages, only for a dark shadow to pounce on him, lift him up by the scruff of his neck and slam him face first into the warm concrete.


    Dayana stabbed her knives into cultist shadows, leaving them in place. Throwing knives flew from her fingers. One per cultist shadow.


    Pinned in place they could only struggle against invisible bonds that also felt like a knife in the back.


    ¡°Clear?¡±


    ¡°Clear,¡± Black Cat growled, his clawed fingers around the throats of what seemed to be the highest leveled cultists.


    ¡°Clear.¡± Dancessassin¡¯s voice was a whisper.


    Dayana regarded the hooded young woman and mimed pulling a hood back.


    The hostages were just kids and the young woman standing over them looked rather frightening with her monster cloak that looked alive.


    ¡°Pilot, do you copy?¡±


    ¡°Yup, over,¡± Marian said.


    ¡°Can we get a pick up. Three kids. Need a safe place to keep them while we figure out who they belong to.¡±


    ¡°On my way, over.¡±


    ¡°What about the filth?¡± Black Cat said.


    The cult was a motley bunch.


    Different ethnicities, different ages.


    Different accents even.


    That raised questions and perhaps answered some at the same time.


    ¡°We secure them for after this is cleared. Then we try to get a hold of the skyship. They can keep them imprisoned and handle the interrogations.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t need all of them for that.¡± He bared fangs in the cultists¡¯ faces as he grabbed two by their throats.


    The whites of their eyes stood out like spotlights in the dim lighting.


    ¡°How about it?¡± Dayana addressed the cultists. ¡°He¡¯s right. We don¡¯t need all of you. So. Who has anything good to volunteer? Maybe start with what this is all about.¡± She gestured at the ritual circle.


    It was cruder than the one at the firehouse, likely, because this batch of filth had been in a hurry.


    One of the cultists laughed.


    A young woman.


    Her accent sounded European as she spewed expletives.


    ¡°Shut up! Don¡¯t say a goddamned word!¡± one of the cultists in Black Cat¡¯s hand snapped.


    The old man was definitely Southern.


    Reminded her of long-dead relatives, which would mean the man was from Alabama or Mississippi.


    ¡°Quiet please.¡±


    Black Cat took her meaning as he squeezed. Tight enough to send the message, but not to choke the old man out.


    ¡°You have something to say to me?¡± she regarded the young European.


    ¡°We don¡¯t remember anything. So you can torture us all you want.¡±


    ¡°You mean to tell me that you don¡¯t know why you¡¯re doing all this? You obviously know how to perform this ritual sacrifice crap.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ yeah.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s start there. What¡¯s the purpose of it?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Anyone else¡ª¡±


    ¡°Wait! I¡¯ll tell you what I know, but I want a deal.¡±


    ¡°Give me something first so I know it¡¯s worth making.¡±


    The other cultists erupted at that, yelling at the young woman to shut her mouth with rather vile language.


    Dayana cleared her throat.


    Black Cat snarled.


    ¡°Speak only when spoken to or he will get really mad.¡±


    That shut them up.


    ¡°Continue.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t remember details. It was part of the deal. Knowledge to perform the ritual. A big Quest. And a promise bound by magical contract.¡±


    ¡°Who gave you the knowledge?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m trying to tell you. We don¡¯t remember. It was part of it. They, we don¡¯t even know if it was a woman or man or other, even if it was just one or many. The deal was our memory of their identity and specific details got wiped. We kept what was needed to perform our part of the bargain.¡±


    ¡°The sacrifices in this circle specifically. Did this location matter?¡±


    ¡°Yes and I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t think so. We just had to do it in here.¡±


    ¡°Specifically because of the Slasher¡¯s Spree?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. It could just be because the chaos was good cover.¡±


    ¡°What do you get in return?¡±


    ¡°I told you, the details are gone. But, what else would we do it for? Power, wealth, a seat at the winners table.¡±


    ¡°Okay. That¡¯s good to start. What do you want in exchange for everything you know?¡±


    ¡°No torture. No rape. Protection.¡±


    ¡°You shut your whore mouth! You¡¯re going to get us all killed!¡± the old man managed to wheeze out. ¡°You have no id¡ª¡±


    Black Cat clamped down.


    Dayana regarded the cultists.


    ¡°Okay. You have a deal. As for the rest of you. Understand that the more information your friend gives us the less valuable the rest of you are. So¡ª¡±


    The cultists suddenly stiffened as one.


    They began to writhe despite her Skill pinning them in place.


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Black Cat¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°Let go!¡± she snapped.


    Light and smoke began to pour out of every hole in the young European woman¡¯s head. Out of all the cultists.


    ¡°Shields up! Protect the k¡ª¡±


    Dancessassin had already deployed the small magitech shield generator in front of the kids.


    Black Cat leapt over and placed a generator in front of them as he stood tall in front of Dayana.


    They were both in Threnosh armor, but the young hybrid¡¯s protective instincts were strong.


    The smoke grew thick. The light blinding.


    Until there was a sudden pop.


    Pistols in each hand, Dayana was poised to go into her flicker movement.


    Except, there was no need.


    The smoke cleared unnaturally quick.


    The cultists lay still.


    Their chests rose and fell. Their eyes stared emptily into nothing.


    ¡°A trick?¡± Black Cat said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± She kept her pistols trained on the two highest leveled cultists. ¡°Black Cat, chain them up, starting with those two. I¡¯ll cover you. Dancessassin. Take the kids upstairs and get them on the shuttle as soon as it gets here. Then, we¡¯ll move the cultists into the living room. After that, the two of you will get back to the fight outside. I¡¯ll keep an eye on them while we try to reach the rangers.¡±

 9.31

    They moved the cultists into the hangar, placing their beds right on top of the bay doors.


    The better to dump them if the persistent vegetative state was part of some sort of trap.


    Fabricator Stone Lake 23571 had fabricated a secure cage to place over them in about 10 minutes.


    A few recoilless autoguns were pointed inside.


    It all seemed unnecessary.


    Every test they had run in the day since Howard¡¯s team had contacted them for the pick up had come back clean.


    About the only brain activity they had were the automatic functions that kept the body alive.


    Alin wished his dad was present.


    This was the big break they had been looking for.


    His dad could¡¯ve probably gone in there and gotten what they needed within a few minutes at most.


    ¡°This represents potential danger.¡±


    Alin jumped.


    He had no idea Unseen had been standing right next to him. Or perhaps the Threnosh had just walked over.


    They did seem to pop up near him a lot more over the past few days.


    ¡°Yeah, but they have information we need.¡±


    Unseen regarded the holographic projections on the cage walls pointing to each cultist.


    ¡°There is no cognitive function.¡±


    ¡°True, but this could be a magic thing.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Unseen vanished with a slight shimmer.


    He looked around, tried to listen.


    Then realized that this represented an opportunity to train.


    ¡°Um¡­ don¡¯t take this the wrong way, but I¡¯m going to use my power to try to find you. For practice.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    The voice seemed to come from the other side of the hangar.


    The gray poured from his fingers with an act of will.


    It flowed quicker, moved across space faster than it had just at the start of the world event. It felt more responsive even. Like a wet noodle in his hands rather than a wet tissue for all that it was immaterial fog.


    Rather than let it spread out indiscriminately he focused and managed to send a greater amount of its mass toward the sound of Unseen¡¯s voice.


    He had the feeling that as he progressed in skill and strength he¡¯d be able to shape it as he willed.


    Or maybe, that was what he hoped.


    Because doing so meant that he was in complete control of the gray, which meant he wouldn¡¯t accidentally hurt anyone.


    The darker mass filled that part of the hangar while wispy gray bled over into the rest of the hangar.


    His mom cleared her throat.


    ¡°People are trying to work over here.¡±


    She and the fabricator were busy fabricating up some ammunition, which was how they spent most of their time.


    ¡°Sorry. Keep it out of your work area. Got it.¡±


    Another thing to focus on.


    It was good practice.


    Like trying to rub his belly, pat his head and move his feet in circles, but each foot in an opposite direction.


    He stood there for 10 minutes with an intense look of concentration on his face.


    ¡°Aww¡­ you used to make that face when you were a baby¡­ pooping¡­¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Mom.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re very welcome!¡±


    10 minutes of failure.


    Unseen¡¯s super science beat his superpower.


    Power armor trumped fog.


    ¡°I give up.¡± He sighed. ¡°You win. Again.¡±


    A soft-gloved finger tapped his shoulder.


    He turned and looked down at the diminutive Threnosh.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t tell me you were standing there the whole time.¡±


    ¡°Negative. I completed five circuits around the hangar. Each a different path closing on your position. I stood behind you for 2 minutes.¡±


    ¡°Good to know. Thanks again. I¡¯ll get you next time!¡± he grinned.


    ¡°I look forward to another unsuccessful attempt.¡±


    The Threnosh¡¯s smile was weird.


    Not as natural-looking as Kynnro¡¯s or Frequency¡¯s.


    Unseen¡¯s didn¡¯t reach the eyes.


    Alin released his connection to the gray.


    It dissipated as it was pulled in by the skyship¡¯s ventilation system.


    Just plain old fog.


    ¡°Go, Boy,¡± his mom said.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a break day for most of the ship. Why don¡¯t you go spend some time with Kat or your friends if she¡¯s on duty?¡±


    He regarded the cultists.


    ¡°They aren¡¯t a threat. Even if they do wake up or turn into zombies. They won¡¯t be able to get through that before we drop them into the bay.¡±


    The bars were Threnium and the glass was the same as his armor¡¯s faceplate.


    His mom was probably right, but the question was would he ever forgive himself if something happened and his presence could¡¯ve made a difference?


    ¡°No. That¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll stay here. I can maybe get together with them for dinner.¡±


    ¡°Suit yourself.¡±


    ¡°I can help you guys?¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you keep practicing? Start with the alphabet.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°You remember when I taught you your letters.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°Okay. Do it just like that. Use your power to write them in the air.¡±


    He shrugged and got to it.


    It turned out to be harder than he had thought.


    The writing looked worse than his pudgy-fingered child scrawl according to his mom.


    Dinner was a subdued affair.


    Just him, Kat and Victor.


    Songbird and Luzi were on duty.


    Gob was still in medical.


    And Lee¡ª was gone, laid down in a cold storage bag.


    That didn¡¯t seem right to think of his friend in that way. Like Lee was just dead meat in a freezer.


    Alin pushed the spaghetti around on his plate.


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    ¡°You go.¡± He prompted Victor.


    ¡°I just have to get this off my chest, you know? I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°For what?¡± Kat frowned.


    ¡°For hiding like a pussy while our friend¡ª friends were getting murdered.¡±


    ¡°You were following protocols. If anyone should be sorry, it¡¯s me. I had that bastard dead, but missed.¡±


    Alin squeezed Kat¡¯s thigh under the table.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t get anyone else after.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯d feel a lot better if I had gotten him. At least that would¡¯ve made it easier, I think, to accept that Lee¡¯s gone and we¡¯re never going to here his stupid grim edge jokes. That stupid ¡®wolf time¡¯ battle cry.¡±


    Kat sniffled, which got him and Victor watery eyed.


    ¡°Grim dark and edge lord,¡± Victor muttered. ¡°That was the joke. He leaned into it cause his parents gave him that name.¡±


    The silence stretched as the three stared at their mostly untouched food.


    ¡°Neither of you did anything wrong. Everyone, even Lee and the others, did exactly what they were supposed to do.¡±


    ¡°Me and Songbird found the body. I remember that we weren¡¯t doing the walkthrough with any real sense of urgency. If we found the poor guy sooner we would¡¯ve set off the alarm sooner. Minutes, even seconds could¡¯ve made the difference for every ranger that psycho got,¡± Kat said.


    ¡°Or he could¡¯ve also gotten the two of you,¡± Victor said. ¡°Lee wouldn¡¯t want that.¡±


    ¡°I know that!¡± Kat snapped. ¡°None of us would rather have another person get killed instead of us.¡±


    Alin rubbed her leg.


    ¡°None of this would¡¯ve happened if I had worked harder to improve my powers. If I had been faster at filling the skyship, I could¡¯ve helped Lee, Gob and the others like I was able to help you and Songbird.¡±


    ¡°Or not,¡± Victor said. ¡°The line between life and death is as thin as a blade.¡±


    The instructors back at J.R.R.P. had been fond of saying such in a variety of ways.


    ¡°Who lives, who dies¡­ changes each time if we could replay the battle.¡± Victor sighed. ¡°Is it weird that I don¡¯t want to reminisce about him?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been trying not to think about it. Makes it really real.¡± Alin nudged the meatball around the noodles, drawing a complicated pattern. ¡°Like, part of me can pretend that he isn¡¯t gone. That it¡¯s just over for him. One instant and poof¡ª¡± a puff of gray emerged from his hand. He stared at it with wide eyes as it hung in the air for a moment before dissipating faster than natural smoke. ¡°I mean, we all have plans, hopes and dreams, that sort of thing, right? We try to understand that tomorrow isn¡¯t promised and that we can bite it at any time. One moment and all that¡¯s gone. Everything Lee was and could¡¯ve been is just¡­ gone forever.¡±


    ¡°No. Not forever. We¡¯ll remember,¡± Kat said.


    ¡°Sure, yeah, but once we¡¯re gone then who¡¯ll remember? My uncle told me once that people die twice. The first time is obvious, but the next death happens when there¡¯s no one left to remember them.¡±


    ¡°One of my uncles said the same thing too,¡± Victor said. ¡°Basically, a man dies two deaths. One when they die die and the second when their name is spoken for the last time. Told me when I turned 10. I remember cause it was my birthday.¡±


    ¡°Wait? I don¡¯t remember his exact wording, but that sounds really familiar.¡±


    ¡°What the hell is wrong with your uncles?¡± Kat said. ¡°Telling that to kids. That¡¯s just wrong. And I think they must¡¯ve read the same thing and thought they¡¯d look super wise by copying it. Cause it sounds familiar to me. I think I must¡¯ve read it somewhere.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about wise or reading. He¡¯s always complaining about not having time for ¡®literally¡¯ anything.¡±


    ¡°My uncle, rest his soul, wasn¡¯t what I¡¯d call a wise man,¡± Victor said. ¡°He just got really talkative when he got drunk. Didn¡¯t happen a lot. Always on my birthday though, for some reason.¡±


    ¡°I think what¡¯s really bothering me is that we can¡¯t even let his family know,¡± Kat said. ¡°Like, we know, but they¡¯re back home going about their lives not knowing. I¡¯m just picturing his mom, dad and sister eating dinner around their table like we¡¯re doing. Probably, talking about him. Wondering how he¡¯s doing? Hoping he¡¯s safe and that he¡¯ll come back. Except, he won¡¯t and they¡¯re not going to know until this stupid world event is done and¡ª¡± her lip started to quiver.


    Alin rubbed her back as she leaned closer.


    She fought the tears, clenching her jaw.


    ¡°Am I being weird that I don¡¯t even want to talk about him like this? You know, like a funeral-type thing?¡± Victor said. ¡°Like I don¡¯t have the right without his family getting to do it first?¡±


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ¡°The funeral stuff will happen. So, no, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s weird to mourn him. Even if I¡¯m being a hypocrite about that.¡±


    ¡°Have you gone to therapy yet?¡± Victor said.


    ¡°No.¡±


    Alin had no intention of doing that until after the Quest.


    He hadn¡¯t lied.


    Part of him didn¡¯t want to think about Lee.


    Not just because it¡¯d delay reality setting in for just a bit longer, but because the small voice inside of him that wanted vengeance on all people like that slasher was very angry and didn¡¯t want to stop. Deep down he understood that the kind of violence those types of people deserved wasn¡¯t in him. And that part of him wanted to unleash it on them.


    ¡°You should go,¡± Kat said. ¡°I went. It helped¡­ a little.¡±


    ¡°Same, dude,¡± Victor nodded. ¡°You have to be in the right head space since you¡¯re the one actually going on off ship combat missions.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m in the right space for that. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll start going after we¡¯re done here.¡±


    Kat stared at him, searching.


    ¡°You should go. At least talk to one of the therapists for half an hour,¡± she said after a moment.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, really.¡±


    ¡°One session is mandatory,¡± she pointed out. ¡°You¡¯re in this weird spot cause you¡¯re attached to your mom and the Threnosh, but do you think that means you don¡¯t have to do the same stuff as the rest of us?¡±


    He frowned.


    ¡°Of course not. Since when have I taken special treatment?¡±


    ¡°Leave the dude alone,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°Look, Boy, you shouldn¡¯t put Captain Molds in a bad spot.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t so dense as to not understand how it would reflect on the captain if one ranger on the skyship was held to different rules.


    ¡°Then go do the mandatory thing,¡± Kat said.


    ¡°I¡¯m too busy.¡±


    ¡°The therapists will come looking for you anyways,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go then. I promise.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know why you just don¡¯t go now. You¡¯ve got a full schedule, but you can move stuff around more than we can,¡± Kat said.


    ¡°Thank you for caring, but I¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    She glared up at him.


    ¡°You¡¯re getting that brood-y look.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    The denial was on the tip of his tongue, but he had always worked to be more introspective about things, like the darker turns in his mental state.


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right. I am getting into that state, but I¡¯m aware and I¡¯m taking measures.¡±


    ¡°The brooding stuff does look good on you. Very, tall, dark and handsome vibe.¡± Victor gave him the thumbs up.


    ¡°Are you hitting on my man?¡± Kat raised a brow.


    Victor tilted his head to one side. ¡°What¡¯re you gonna do about it if I am?¡±


    They stared daggers at each other for a long moment before both broke out into laughter.


    ¡°Better watch yourself,¡± Kat warned, wiping tears from her eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I like my men taller, darker and handsomer¡­ no offense,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°You just said I wasn¡¯t good enough for you. I can¡¯t help but take a little offense at that,¡± he chuckled.


    ¡°Sorry, Boy, there¡¯s no chance. Even if you were gay, I still wouldn¡¯t go for you. There is a rule I follow. I don¡¯t mess with childhood friends. It¡¯d just get really messy if it ended up not working out, you know?¡± Victor said.


    They laughed. Not minding that it was a little bit forced.


    It was closer to normalcy and they took it.


    For a moment their minds strayed away from the thought of their dead friend.


    From the dark whisper in the backs of their minds wondering who would be next.


    The two people seated at the table next to them?


    Those elsewhere?¡±


    Themselves?


    <hr>


    Holly posed her latest victim.


    Something she hadn¡¯t done in a very long time.


    The memory caused her to freeze.


    Yes.


    She remembered.


    The dance studio.


    Just before Cal had stopped her.


    She picked up the rope she had dropped.


    It wasn¡¯t a big deal.


    She had never derived any sort of personal pleasure or satisfaction from the act of posing her victims. It had been a tactic. Or was it strategy? Another tool in her arsenal. To spread fear of her because that was what her class demanded through instinctive nudges and the types of Quests she had received back then.


    The only reason she was going through the time and effort to pose the leader of the murderous adventuring band was because she had gotten a Quest upon killing him.


    The rewards were worth 10 minutes of effort.


    She used their rope and the shafts of their weapons to fix the man¡¯s limbs in a pose that matched the weird symbol on their armbands. The black, bent symbol was set in a white circle on the red band.


    She questioned the aesthetics of their attire.


    Matching uniforms in a dark gray. Tactical gear. Skull-themed buttons and insignia for some reason when none of them had displayed any necromantic spells or abilities.


    Those looked intimidating when viewed from the lens of a regular person.


    Not her.


    Never her.


    She was incapable.


    They also wore pointy white hoods. Some even over their helmets.


    She didn¡¯t understand the aesthetic reasons for that either.


    It was more comical than intimidating.


    Not only that, the hoods had been easier to see in the darkness.


    They ruined the look of their uniforms for what?


    Perhaps, they were attempting to be ghost soldiers or some such nonsense.


    There was a type and these men and women fit that profile from what she had observed before she had killed them all.


    Regardless, it didn¡¯t really matter to her. Thus, she supposed she¡¯d never know.


    She quickened her pace.


    The stench of human waste in the small office had been progressively growing worse over the minutes she had worked.


    When she finished she carried the leader¡¯s posed corpse and hung it from the street light like the adventuring band had hanged their victims.


    A thought struck her, so she returned to the office and emerged with the dead man¡¯s bloody, torn hood.


    No longer dirty white, but rather a dirty pink and red thanks to her blades.


    She placed the hood beneath the man and stepped on it, rubbing it into the concrete.


    They had seemed so proud of their attire that it was a fitting sign of disrespect to have their leader¡¯s filth drip down on the once white mark of identity.


    The man¡¯s corpse probably wouldn¡¯t last long with all the monsters and mutant animals roaming the battle-torn streets, but the spires shared such images on the event page for some reason and it served her purpose to spread fear amongst her chosen targets. Birds tended to go after the eyes and tongue. That would certainly portray the image she desired.


    Maybe one of the top slashers would see her work and decide that it was time to go after her.


    She wouldn¡¯t mind them saving her the trouble of hunting them down.


    That clown, Lindsay, continued to elude all manner of violent contact with people that could fight back better than weak children and weak families.


    The butcher and the trapper duo had turned an entire area on the south side of the city near the river into a death zone. Even had a fish store. Not for eating, but as pets, which was odd to her.


    She put them lower on her list.


    They¡¯d eventually run out of people willing to go after them in their zone.


    All she had to do was stay ahead of them in the points race and they¡¯d eventually have to come out and actively hunt targets if they wanted to win.


    She avoided the soldiers that were obviously here on behalf of their governments.


    Old America had sent soldiers to fight on both sides of the competition.


    She had seen the invisible soldier trading information with other slasher soldiers, but the spires had yet to deem that a breach of the rules.


    There were also soldiers from other countries.


    China from the looks and sounds of it.


    Special Forces and assassins the lot of them.


    She left them alone since they had been going after acceptable targets.


    Then there was the necromancer.


    Oddly, she had no idea where that one was.


    Undead roamed the streets or attacked walled neighborhoods or everyone else really.


    Necromancers had a range at which they could control their minions, which suggested that this one was mobile. Which meant a concealment spell was likely. Perhaps a very powerful level of invisibility considering the perception Skills available to her at her level.


    She moved through the streets from cover to cover, using alleys and rooftops.


    She considered sending the clown a direct message to bait him into a fight.


    He was in the lead and at over halfway through the competition it was looking clear that he could remain there solely through the murder of children.


    It didn¡¯t seem equitable that his preferred targets gave him more points than hers when his were easy, defenseless kills, while hers were dangerous people.


    Granted on a point per target basis she gained more per single kill.


    But, that didn¡¯t matter when he had a much greater pool of potential targets to draw from.


    If she wanted to stop him from winning she had to kill him and take his point value.


    The math had crystallized as the days went on.


    A kill of any of the top 5 would put one in a great position to win.


    Take 2, maybe 3 and one built an insurmountable lead.


    She headed west toward her latest base.


    A basement apartment unit in an empty house inside one of the better defended neighborhoods.


    The people had gathered their children in the school across the street in hopes that there was safety in numbers from the clown.


    It was a tempting target.


    Her slasher senses suddenly tingled.


    Ambush!


    She dived into a roll and flowed down the side of the building dark cloak fluttering in the wind.


    Loud bangs consumed the rooftop in shrapnel and smoke.


    The staccato of gun fire nipped at her heels like little hound puppies.


    Seemed coordinated at first contact, which meant they were competent at a minimum.


    Soldiers.


    To kill or not to kill?


    The answer depended on what team they were on and there was no way to find that out without getting up close, which carried dangers for her and them.


    She dashed down the alley, sensing the ambush ahead she dived through the basement window to her right.


    Something fell on her almost immediately.


    Gnashing teeth and claws scraped against her Threnium vambrace as she shoved her arm into the mutated rodent of large size¡¯s mouth.


    A knife appeared in her hand as if conjured with magic.


    She flung the gutted creature aside and headed up the stairs.


    The building felt empty of people.


    Her slasher senses weren¡¯t piqued as she quickly flowed up the stairs.


    She stopped at the top floor.


    The soldiers would be on the rooftops.


    She dashed down the hallway and leapt through the glass, crashing through a window on the other side of the alley.


    She kept running, picked up a dust-covered vase.


    What remained of the ancient, withered flowers crumbled as she hurled the vase through two windows.


    She slid to a stop and head back toward the stairs.


    Quieter now.


    Stealth over speed as she strained her senses.


    Boots on the rooftops.


    Whispers out on the streets.


    Instincts told her that she was being hunted, however her hunters weren¡¯t on her direct trail anymore.


    She went down the stairs quiet as a mouse.


    The handful of large mutant rodents in the building didn¡¯t notice her now that she was focused on remaining undetected.


    She found a second story window and opened it slowly as a slasher did. Except, she was leaving the building, not entering it.


    She climbed down the wall and made her way back to her original position.


    The man she had hanged swayed a little in the light breeze.


    Her senses spiked.


    Not just her usual slasher senses, but her Danger Sense Skill.


    She fell to her back!


    The rush of displaced air swept over her face.


    She kipped her legs up.


    Boots connected with something that felt like solid iron.


    She continued the move, ending up in a crouch.


    Knives flashed.


    Steel rang out on steel.


    The air shimmered in front of her.


    Movement!


    She dived into a forward roll, cutting as she passed.


    The rush of wind again. Over her back.


    The sound of cut cloth.


    The shriek of blade on armor.


    Hers and his.


    Her senses had focused, honing in on her assailant.


    The invisible soldier was a hazy outline in the middle of the sidewalk.


    Like her, he was dual-wielding.


    His weapons¡¯ shape was wrong to be swords or knives.


    Thin shafts, topped by leaf-shaped blades.


    Dual-wielding shortened spears.


    Who did that?


    A memory flashed through her head.


    She straightened.


    There were many ways to win a fight.


    She sheathed her knives and showed empty hands.


    ¡°I know you. We aren¡¯t enemies.¡±


    Truth be told she didn¡¯t care one way or another.


    It was simply a matter of fact that a fight with this soldier could prove costly.


    Besides, he¡¯d be better pointed in the direction of the other slashers.


    ¡°Lt. Nicholas List. Special elite forces member of the defunct American Government¡¯s Combined Armed Forces.¡± She recited what she remembered from memory.


    The hazy figure circled to her left.


    She mirrored him.


    ¡°I can see you.¡±


    ¡°Obviously,¡± he dropped the invisibility ability.


    They had both been there at the fall of the New American Republic. Though they had never crossed paths. Indeed, only a handful of people had ever known she had roamed those streets for months, killing the worst of the slavers.


    Tactical gear.


    A helmet with an American flag skull mask.


    The stupid short spears.


    ¡°You think you know me, but you don¡¯t. That¡¯s not what I¡¯m called.¡±


    ¡°Lt. Death¡¯s Dancer then.¡±


    She kept her face in hooded shadow.


    Used a Skill to keep all of her features hidden, but for a hint of smile.


    A slash of white in the black.


    He pointed one of his spears at her. ¡°You¡¯re a slasher.¡± Then at the corpse hanging from the light pole.


    ¡°You will note on the event page that all my targets have been other slashers.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, that guy¡¯s a Nazi and a klansman, so I guess I can¡¯t ding you for that.¡±


    ¡°So, that¡¯s what they call themselves. It sounds vaguely familiar.¡±


    She was not one to study history.


    ¡°Then it¡¯s obvious that we shouldn¡¯t fight.¡±


    ¡°Why do you think that? You¡¯re ¡®Holly Foster¡¯ right? You¡¯re number 2 on the slasher side. Worth a lot of points.¡±


    It appeared that Cal¡¯s file on this musclebound moron was slightly incorrect.


    ¡°You are worth a fair amount yourself¡­ but you¡¯d be worth more if you, say, killed someone like the clown. I don¡¯t know about how your mind works, but one would think someone draping themselves in those colors would care more about innocent children than gaining points.¡±


    ¡°Or maybe I rid the world of a high level slasher now and I go after the clown and the rest of them later.¡±


    ¡°How many days since this started? Almost 20 and yet, the worst slashers remain. Have you killed any of note? I believe a team led by a man named Howard killed the hockey mask slasher and the gentleman slasher was killed by Rayna¡¯s Rangers. It seems to me that those are the people doing the whole justice and protection of the innocent thing better than you and that lavender giant. What¡¯s he called? The eidolon of something¡­ what is he exactly? I¡¯ve never seen the type.¡±


    A well-done misdirection if she had to judge from an outside perspective.


    ¡°How about an agreement?¡±


    The soldier twirled his spears.


    She supposed it was meant to look menacing.


    ¡°I¡¯m willing to listen,¡± he said after a moment.

 9.32

    ¡°I¡­ see¡­¡±


    Alcaestus chose his words carefully.


    The Death¡¯s Dancer, Nicholas, carried the look of man hoping that the answer would be a ¡®no¡¯.


    ¡°You¡¯ve made a bargain with a slasher to ambush another slasher. You¡¯ve given her one of our signal flares. You¡¯ve agreed to go to the location immediately.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. That about covers it. So, you in or out?¡±


    The red, white and blue skull mask was fearsome, but terrible for gauging a person¡¯s expressions.


    ¡°I have questions.¡±


    ¡°Well, sure, but make it quick. I¡¯ve got to go leave a message at the dead drop for the guys.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll start with the obvious. What makes you think she can be trusted? It may be a trap for us. The slashers may be intending to join forces to remove us as threats.¡±


    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t trust her, but¡­ we have confirmation that she has only killed other slashers.¡±


    ¡°A tactic to reduce her competition. It is what predators do,¡± he pointed out. ¡°They are competing against each other, but we are on the opposite side entirely. I don¡¯t have to tell you that we are quite valuable in terms of points, let alone our efforts to protect people and keep them supplied. To remove either of us will open many gates for a slasher to skulk into the fortress for their prey.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to argue any of that. It¡¯s all legit, but I¡¯m thinking the risk is worth it. That clown needs to go. And neither of us has had any luck at hunting him down. Even with you being some kind of great hunter. I don¡¯t know about you, but I¡¯m sick of finding out how many kids he murdered when the daily update drops.¡±


    Of course Al was sick of that as well.


    The murder of the defenseless was like a knife to the heart of a true hero.


    ¡°He is quite adept at avoiding us.¡±


    The clown never struck close to where the two of them decided to set an ambush.


    It gave credence to their estimates that the clown was close to Level 50, if not already above.


    Otherwise, Al¡¯s hunter Skills would¡¯ve at least given him a sniff.


    To gain absolutely nothing spoke of high levels or a very powerful Skill.


    Putting it all together, Al expected that the evil man wouldn¡¯t be an easy kill if they managed to force a confrontation.


    Al chewed on the question in silence.


    ¡°Any day now¡­¡±


    ¡°The hunter doesn¡¯t enter the forest without a plan. Many contingencies for the many branching possibilities. Anything can happen on a hunt. Predators and prey must always be treated as unpredictable. Thinking creatures are even more difficult to predict because they don¡¯t operate on the ingrained desire to survive. No. You and I have the freedom of will to chose the more dangerous path if we deem the rewards worth the risk.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ great¡­ so, you in or out?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like that we¡¯re going on her word and a plan that she hasn¡¯t shared. Is there even one?¡±


    ¡°Look, bro, I told you. She sends up the signal and we go to it. Kill the clown, maybe her if she tries to take us out.¡± Nicholas shrugged. ¡°You don¡¯t have to go, man. I don¡¯t know what her plan is, but she seemed confident about it, so, whatever. Trap for the clown, trap for us? What does it matter? One way or another we¡¯re getting a shot at a murdering slasher.¡±


    ¡°Very well. I shall join your endeavor.¡±


    Nicholas stared at him, blinking slowly.


    ¡°Great. So, just watch for the signal.¡±


    <hr>


    The message went out to everybody through the forum on the world event page and directly to select individuals.


    Darkness tinged with red filled the entire video window.


    Shadows moved.


    A small horizontal line of white appeared in the middle.


    It slowly split, opening to reveal a bright smile in the void.


    The voice that emerged echoed from multiple areas as if there were speakers all around the viewer.


    ¡°Hello.¡±


    Deep, gravelly, like grinding rocks.


    ¡°I¡¯m done with being second.¡±


    A high lilt, like a young girl.


    ¡°Lindsay the clown. I challenge you.¡±


    A husky rasp.


    ¡°Come die at my hands at this location.¡±


    Locals immediately recognized it.


    Outsiders used the names of the businesses to cross-reference with their own maps.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting.¡±


    The message ended.


    Everywhere in the city people reacted.


    Two slashers, both in the top five, cursed Holly Foster.


    She had just put a big target on their territory. She had called out the clown, but it didn¡¯t take a smart guy to understand that she also had them in her sights.


    Not to mention all the rest coming to take what they can in the chaos.


    She was giving both sides a great opportunity.


    In the Raynanaut¡¯s hangar Alin glanced at his mom.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me. I have no idea what she¡¯s thinking.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t some kind of secret plan?¡±


    ¡°She has rules to follow and she hasn¡¯t broken or even bent them since your dad employed her. If this is some kind of backslide there¡¯s nothing we can do from here, but be aware.¡±


    ¡°So, I should tell Captain Molds to put the skyship in extra red alert?¡±


    ¡°After the gentleman slasher, I don¡¯t think we have to worry about a repeat. As long as the rangers maintain their vigilance. As long as we maintain ours¡­¡± His mom shrugged.


    ¡°I won¡¯t let something like that happen again.¡±


    To that end he and Unseen had taken to stationing themselves close to the people they had transported to Hayden¡¯s makeshift fort near Coal Harbour during the brief transit.


    ¡°Do you think Lindsay the Clown is going to show up?¡±


    His mom drummed her fingers on the fabricator machine¡¯s control panel.


    ¡°No,¡± she said. ¡°He¡¯s in the lead from solely killing kids.¡± She sighed. ¡°These are the moments I hate. When words come out of my mouth that don¡¯t properly convey the horror of the reality. Boy, don¡¯t ever get jaded and cynical. I sounded like I¡¯m discussing dinner options with your dad.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll, uh, try.¡±


    Back at the fort, Hayden sat in a tent with Dayana, Prim and Howard.


    ¡°No idea what that crazy bitch is up to, but I can¡¯t say I mind it too much,¡± she said. ¡°If anything, it¡¯ll get all the murderous bastards into a relatively small area at the same time. Their inner natures guarantee that there¡¯ll be a lot of bloodshed.¡±


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t happen to better people,¡± Howard grunted before pounding his beer in one long gulp.


    Prim raised a brow.


    ¡°Healing factor. Only way to get a decent buzz.¡± He cracked another beer.


    ¡°You should talk to the drunken wanderer.¡±


    ¡°His stuff does the trick, but he needs it for real serious stuff, eh? I¡¯ll be hitting him up after this shit is over with.¡±


    ¡°Are you going to be there too?¡± Hayden regarded Dayana.


    ¡°Yeah, but in stealth mode. We¡¯re only dropping in if there¡¯s a good shot at one of the top ranked slashers.¡± Dayana twirled a small knife in her fingers. ¡°Otherwise we¡¯ll let them fight. Prim, what¡¯re the rangers planning to do? Comms are still sketchy. I want to avoid friendly fire.¡±


    ¡°It shouldn¡¯t matter, right? I thought that the IFF was still working properly.¡±


    ¡°It was last time we docked, but I don¡¯t want to take any chances that it could change. Might be the spires wants to fuck us over or maybe someone out there manages to use a spell or Skill.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to check in with the captain. You might have better luck, flying up there yourself. They shouldn¡¯t be too far. They¡¯re sticking near us to provide air support and keep an eye on the water.¡±


    Howard jolted like a lazing dog that got a whiff of a bear entering the backyard. ¡°What¡¯s up with the river?¡±


    ¡°Unknown,¡± Hayden answered. ¡°Vague danger sense and oracular warnings. The people are on edge. Can¡¯t blame them for jumping at shadows. Then again, you never want to dismiss those sorts of things. They¡¯ve been proven right enough times in the past. Still, nothing in the water other than animals and monsters. None of which have bothered us except for that one giant seal.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have that water mage?¡± Howard said.


    ¡°Teresa¡¯s an ice wizard. Don¡¯t get that wrong. She¡¯ll freeze your balls,¡± Prim said. ¡°We¡¯ve got her periodically freezing the surface. Figure the extra time it¡¯ll take something to break through will give us more warning.¡±


    ¡°So that¡¯s why it¡¯s frozen. Didn¡¯t look right. Not for this time of year,¡± Howard said. ¡°Thought it was some spires fuckery or monster bullshit. What about the other guy you got?¡±


    ¡°Galen? Cold Mist Warrior. Not water warrior,¡± Prim said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t sound all that different to me, eh.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s different.¡±


    Howard waved a hand. ¡°You want me to take a look? I could go for a swim.¡±


    Prim glanced at Hayden.


    The latter shook her head. ¡°No. Thanks, but you¡¯ve got more important things to do.¡±


    ¡°I hope that fucking clown takes that little killer¡¯s challenge,¡± Howard grunted.


    ¡°If we¡¯re lucky then all these murderers will kill each other.¡±


    ¡°What are the locals in that big ass tower saying? It¡¯d be a good time to gather their forces, coalition up and hit the slashers in the back when they¡¯re busy killing each other,¡± Howard said.


    ¡°They¡¯re staying put. They only want to defend themselves until this is over.¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯d call em cowards, but it¡¯s the right strategy to run out the clock on this one. Damn shame though,¡± Howard said.


    ¡°It¡¯s too bad the locals were already split before this whole thing even started. They were never going to work together,¡± Prim said.


    ¡°Too much bad blood between different neighborhoods from what we¡¯d heard. And that¡¯s from the ones that were willing to talk to us in the first place,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°They all have someone to hate. And everyone hates the guys in that tower the most, eh?¡± Howard said.


    <hr>


    Holly sat on a rooftop.


    The night was darker than the last several had been.


    Much quieter too.


    Noticeably less gun fire and spell explosions.


    It was a strange thing, the hazy barrier that separated the city from the rest of the world. There was a ceiling about a few hundred meters higher than the tallest building according to the rangers¡¯ measurements and yet when she looked up she could see clouds, the moon and the stars beyond.


    Well, not the moon on this night, nor the stars. Just the clouds.


    An unfortunate coincidence since her domain worked better with things in the sky for the blood to weep from.


    Her message had been sent.


    Both messages.


    Another one after the first, but to only one person.


    She had a Skill that gave her insights into her preferred targets.


    It was how she knew that the clown was definitely higher level than her or he had a very strong Skill to obfuscate his inner self.


    Because all she got when focusing on him was a brief sense of what would work to goad him into action.


    For others it had been the equivalent of an entire file filed with strengths, weaknesses and tendencies.


    For him it had been akin to a single sentence.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    This was the message she had sent to him.


    You wouldn¡¯t be the first clown I¡¯ve put down like a rabid dog. Monsters, men and demons, I fear none of you.


    Now, the question she asked herself was why had she used that word specifically?


    It had felt right at the time she had composed it and since Skills were linked with the subconscious she couldn¡¯t just dismiss it.


    That fact that she thought to question it was significant.


    She just couldn¡¯t decide why.


    The dark streets were empty with the exception of tiny islands of light cast on the pavement by lonely streetlights.


    There were no monsters within a block of the area she had invited everyone to join her in.


    She could see them lurking in the shadowed places, yet none ventured any closer. As if there was an invisible barrier.


    Fear.


    Slasher¡¯s senses picked it up in the air.


    That wasn¡¯t remarkable in and off itself.


    The entire city had carried that aroma since before the event had even started.


    It had only grown stronger since then, permeating everything.


    She had seen headlights in the distance only to vanish into alley ways and parking garages.


    Slasher groups.


    No doubt they¡¯d proceed the rest of the way on foot to remain hidden.


    They would all be cautious of the trapper and butcher duo¡¯s traps.


    Though, she supposed the former deserved the lion¡¯s share of the credit for those.


    They didn¡¯t concern her overmuch.


    They were likely to run into each other out in the dark and take care of themselves for her.


    She went over the checklist in her head for the hundredth time since she had sent the message.


    The rules were simple and straightforward.


    They contained the types of people she could kill. Along with the clear order not to endanger innocent lives in pursuit of those kills.


    It was why she didn¡¯t operate in areas where innocent lives could be at risk.


    It was always better to take the ambiguity out of it.


    A shambling horde of rotting bodies marched straight down Main Street.


    Humans and monsters.


    An unexpected bonus.


    The necromancer was making an appearance.


    That meant four out of the top five were in the area.


    Only the clown was left.


    She decided that even if he didn¡¯t show then it wouldn¡¯t be a waste because she could try to get 3, 4 and 5.


    Get two of them and she¡¯d drop the clown to 2 with a big lead, which would force him to go after her.


    What was that thing that one old dead Chinese guy wrote?


    Something about giving the enemy multiple roads that all led to the same place?


    Gunfire erupted from the buildings on both sides of Main Street.


    The undead were blown to bloody chunks even as they separated and crashed through doors and windows, seemingly at random.


    Holly¡¯s blood night had been properly kicked off with literal bangs.


    <hr>


    The hangar was awash in hurried activity.


    A squad of rangers set up to take guard duty over the comatose cultists.


    Alin, his mom and Unseen were going to be busy elsewhere with another squad of rangers.


    He triple-checked his power armor.


    ¡°Fully charged and loaded.¡±


    ¡°Looks like it to me.¡± Kat held the diagnostic tablet up to his face.


    ¡°I, uh, it¡¯s linked to my HUD.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right, sorry. Just kinda nervous.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine. That place is going crazy. It¡¯s like that soup with everything in it, you know? They¡¯re so busy with each other and the monsters that they won¡¯t be able to focus on us. Especially, if we stick to the plan and stay on the move. Hit and run, float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. You know?¡± he smiled.


    More importantly, if every slasher and bad guy with the levels to threaten the rangers aboard the skyship were down there then Kat, his friends and the rest of the rangers would be safely shooting at the targets he and the others would be marking.


    ¡°You ready, Boy?¡±


    His mom had already done her pre-mission checks.


    ¡°Almost.¡±


    Kat grabbed his hand.


    He opened the armor so he could feel her properly.


    ¡°Kiss,¡± she demanded.


    He hesitated a moment.


    His mom was looking.


    Then he realized that nothing was promised to them.


    Any moment could be the last.


    So, he opened his faceplate with a thought and kissed her like it.


    ¡°Awww.¡±


    ¡°Mom! Grow up!¡±


    ¡°What? It¡¯s cute. Young love. Reminds me of me and your dad. I¡¯m sure Kat¡¯s parents were the same, right, Kat?¡±


    ¡°They are shameless with the PDA. Kind of like you guys,¡± Kat said.


    ¡°We always thought it was important that we raised Alin to not be ashamed of people showing their love for each other.¡±


    ¡°Well, you guys failed cause I cringe inside every time I catch you guys. Seriously, you have a room. Use it!¡±


    Kat raised a brow.


    ¡°It¡¯s totally different for us,¡± he whispered.


    ¡°Uh huh, well, come back.¡± She kissed him again.


    ¡°I will.¡±


    They joined Ranger Morningstar¡¯s squad at the port boarding chamber.


    Comms chatter painted an unpleasant picture at what was going down at close to a thousand meters below the skyship.


    The terms all-out war or bloody violence seemed apt.


    His nerves turned the inside of his gut into tight coils.


    His mom spoke into a private channel.


    ¡°Breathe in and out. Be mindful.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°If I didn¡¯t think you were ready for this I¡¯d leave you on the ship.¡±


    Not counting mindscape and Danger Complex training, his real combat experience had been almost entirely against monsters. Out in the wild, in encounter challenges and spawn zones.


    That early skirmish against the necromancer¡¯s undead didn¡¯t really count since he wasn¡¯t killing real, living people.


    Whether they were slasher or evil didn¡¯t really matter to him.


    He had thought about it a lot, especially on this Quest, and had come to the conclusion that people were people.


    It¡¯d be different from killing monsters.


    What the people around him had shared of their own experiences could only prepare him so much.


    Maybe it was that unknown that made him so nervous.


    Would he freeze?


    Throw up?


    Or worse¡­ would he feel nothing?


    Would killing another human feel the same as killing a monster or mutant animal?


    How would it feel to shoot another person?


    To see the look in their eyes as he cut them with his multiweapon?


    To feel the breath leave their bodies through the gray?


    ¡°Don¡¯t think about it before. Focus on the task in the present. Deal with the consequences after you return alive.¡±


    ¡°I know¡­ I will.¡±


    ¡°Remember, you promised Kat you¡¯d be back. We didn¡¯t raise a liar.¡±


    ¡°Comms check. Squad on Channel 69,¡± Ranger Morningstar said.


    ¡°Really, Jude?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Mrs. Cruces. I lost a bet to Nat One.¡± He pointed at another ranger.


    ¡°And your parents always said you were the mature one.¡±


    ¡°Well, ma¡¯am. You know my parents¡­ and I am the most mature one out of the whole family.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that. They seem to have high hopes for Luzi and from what I hear¡­¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s got a silver tongue, like her namesake.¡±


    ¡°Check, Goldenspoon.¡±


    He cut in.


    The rest of the squad chimed.


    ¡°Alright, try to relax. We¡¯re not dropping in until all the bastards stick their hands into the fire. If you need to piss or shit, then too bad. The time for that was before you put on your armor.¡±


    ¡°Thank gray alien god for the high tech diaper system, right, sarge?¡± Ranger Triple Dip said.


    ¡°Yup, but you love the diaper way too much.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just so convenient.¡±


    Laughter ensued.


    The rangers busted each others balls.


    Alin found himself growing increasingly annoyed and embarrassed.


    ¡°You rangers are the biggest kids,¡± his mom said on their private channel.


    She smirked at him.


    The banter was a lot less funny when his mom was right there listening.


    It must¡¯ve been the reason for the policy that ranger parents and children didn¡¯t go on Quests together unless it was an emergency or there was no other choice.


    He could see why it¡¯d throw people off focus.


    Mercifully, go time arrived.


    They dropped behind a stand of trees on the edge of the parking lot of some kind of flooring and furniture business.


    It made sense that the trapper slasher, Robert Trainor was the man¡¯s name according to the event page, would hunker down in it as a base considering the raw materials he could use for his traps.


    The rest of the area had other useful businesses to loot, like a car tire store, a hardware store and a grocery superstore. There was also an aquarium fish store, but that probably wasn¡¯t as useful to him as the rest.


    ¡°You¡¯re up, Goldenspoon,¡± Ranger Morningstar said into the comms.


    Alin willed the gray to emerge from his body and the opened holes in his power armor.


    Natural fog had rolled in from the river, but hadn¡¯t quite reached their area. Not that it mattered. If people saw fog shrouding the shore they wouldn¡¯t think twice about his own little patch obscuring him, his mom and the rangers as they crossed Main Street and skulked into a side alley.


    Rangers crept forward slowly.


    Rogue-types checked for traps with their Skills, magitech and regular tech.


    A pair of ranger mages cast a simple detect traps spell.


    The trapper slasher was likely over Level 40, which was why they had gone with the overkill method to their search.


    Sure enough, they revealed several traps.


    Trip wires mostly.


    Some triggered explosives, while others launched wooden lattices studded with rusty nails.


    ¡°Gross. Bastard smeared shit on them,¡± Ranger Nat One said.


    ¡°You think he used his own?¡± Ranger Triple Dip said.


    There were other traps.


    Iron bear traps with crushing jaws.


    Somehow, despite all the detection methods they had used, Ranger Honey Buns stepped in one.


    A strangled cry of pain went up over the comms.


    ¡°Shit! That hurts,¡± he hissed. ¡°But, I think I¡¯m cool, guys. Doesn¡¯t feel broken. Armor looks like it held. Just feeling the pressure, so, I wouldn¡¯t mind some help.¡±


    Two rangers.


    One with the enhanced strength passive had to use the nearly unbreakable composite material handles of their hand axes to pry the huge trap¡¯s jaws open.


    ¡°Medic check,¡± Ranger Morningstar said.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, sarge.¡±


    ¡°Check it anyway.¡±


    Ranger Keyboard ran a handheld scanner over Ranger Honey Buns¡¯ leg. She shrugged. ¡°Just a bruise.¡±


    ¡°Re-check for traps,¡± Ranger Morningstar said.


    They could afford to take their time.


    The fighting hadn¡¯t made its way south to their location


    The bright flashes and loud bangs provided another layer of cover for them, drawing the slasher¡¯s attention north away from his backside. He¡¯d be prepping to receive attackers from the front, while they sneaked in the back.


    The double check came in good, picking up a handful of traps they hadn¡¯t gotten on the first sweep.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get those drones inside,¡± Ranger Morningstar said.


    Rangers flew the tiny remote-controlled insect-like drones through the broken windows.


    If the trapper had detection Skills, then, with luck, he¡¯d read them as insects.


    Alin was looped into the drone feeds.


    He kept the windows small and on the edge of his HUD.


    Most of his focus was on the gray around them.


    He had filled the alley, but fought to keep it from seeping into the buildings.


    Skills might read his fog as unnatural.


    ¡°Uh oh.¡±


    He didn¡¯t recognize the hushed voice.


    It drew his attention to the drone feeds.


    ¡°Guy¡¯s got victims strung up.¡±


    ¡°I want ID¡¯s,¡± Ranger Morningstar said.


    Their level of concern for the victims depended entirely on what side they were on.


    They¡¯d either do everything they could to save them or completely ignore them.


    The drones continued to buzz inside the huge interior.


    It looked like the trapper had done a lot of custom work.


    The floor and furniture store had been turned into a metal and wood maze of horrors.


    ¡°Got positive ID¡¯s on 2 out of 7. Slashers. The rest are¡­ lacking in the face area for the software to scan.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Find Robert Trainor. And mark him. Let the Raynanaut take care of the sick bastard.¡±


    ¡°Hold it, sergeant,¡± his mom said. ¡°What¡¯s that in drone 2¡¯s view?¡±


    It was dark inside the business with small areas with dim lighting from flickering candles.


    The drone had to get really close for a better look under night-vision mode.


    His mom had spotted another person on a rack-type thing. Kind of like the wire framed drying rack she used for laundry. Except, tilted at a steep angle.


    The person was upside down.


    The person appeared to be really tiny.


    ¡°Shit,¡± Ranger Morningstar said. ¡°It¡¯s a kid.¡±


    Alin couldn¡¯t tell if they were a boy or girl because of the bag over their head, but he could clearly see them struggling to breathe through the rough cloth. Their little chest was moving up and down rapidly.


    ¡°Uh¡­ don¡¯t take this the wrong way, ma¡¯am, but I have orders to minimize risk. The primary objective is to take out slashers,¡± Ranger Morningstar said.


    ¡°Jude, am I hearing you right? You¡¯re going to call in the strike knowing that a child is in there?¡± his mom said flatly.


    ¡°I hate it, but yeah. Those are my orders.¡±


    ¡°Check with the captain.¡±


    ¡°Comms are sketchy and we risk detection. The beacons are already going to be a roll of the dice.¡±


    ¡°Check.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    The silence was only broken by the soft buzzing of the drones as they continued to search the building for the trapper.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, ma¡¯am. Captain said orders stand.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t even have confirmation that the man is in there. He could be at any of these other buildings. He¡¯s turned this entire area into a trap-filled death zone.¡±


    ¡°As you know, since you were at the briefing, our orders are to go to every building if we have to.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m disappointed. We don¡¯t abandon innocents to be collateral damage just to secure objectives. It¡¯s what makes us different from the rest.¡±


    His mom locked eyes with Alin.


    ¡°I need you to use your power. Find out if the trapper is inside. Find any other innocent victims.¡±


    ¡°On it.¡±


    Yeah, he was a ranger and there¡¯d probably be issues later, but it was his mom and she had that gravitas thing that came with decades of having fought the good fight and never once compromising her principles.


    ¡°Alright, keep searching. We still haven¡¯t found him anyways. If he¡¯s at another site then a strike would just put him on guard. But, make it quick. I don¡¯t want the fighting to reach us when we¡¯re not done here. Who knows how many psycho fuckers are on their way to join the fun? Or are already here?¡± Ranger Morningstar¡¯s face was a stone mask behind his faceplate.


    No squad leader liked being challenged in the middle of a mission by someone not in the chain of command.


    Then again the rangers weren¡¯t like traditional militaries. That chain wasn¡¯t nearly as unbreakable for them.


    Plus, Rayna¡¯s sister in-law kinda had some stick, so to speak.


    His mom had no shortage of deeds to back it up.


    He sent the gray into the building.


    Intense focus and worry for the kid and maybe more kids he needed to find blinded him from the threat sneaking up on them from the rooftops.

 9.33

    Alin sent the gray into the building.


    It held all of his senses, so when it touched a dead body he recoiled in a metaphysical sense. Touching the cold flesh smeared with blood and other things was bad enough without the added smell that made bile rise up his throat. It was the taste that almost pushed him over the edge.


    It was the price he paid for more precise control and greater strength.


    The dead were bad, but the dying were worse.


    He shared in their suffering.


    Their spirits cried out in anguish even if their minds had already broken.


    A sudden thought struck him.


    Their ethereal hands seemed to reach out. He was sure he could take them and end it.


    In his mind¡¯s eye he gazed down at his bare hand.


    Gray swirled around it as he reached down.


    Ethereal fingers reached up.


    He reached down.


    A slight touch caused him to recoil.


    The man¡¯s most recent memories flashed through Alin.


    Violence and pain.


    Suffered and inflicted.


    The man was a slasher, clinging to life as the rhythm of his heart slowed and grew ever fainter.


    Alin fled.


    That had been too close.


    He had almost forgotten himself in the moment.


    I¡¯m a man. I choose. I¡¯m not that monster. Instinct doesn¡¯t control me, he thought.


    He wasn¡¯t there to make himself stronger.


    Time was an uncertain concept within the gray.


    Minutes or hours?


    He couldn¡¯t tell.


    The gray engulfed the child on the rack.


    He felt her spirit flickering like a candle flame in a strong wind just barely holding on.


    Tiny fingers reach out for his hand. Desperate, searching for something to make the hurt go away.


    Why? She seemed to ask. I didn¡¯t do anything? Why?


    He grabbed her tiny hand and pushed her back into her body, trying to impart so many different things at once.


    Not your fault! Hold on! We¡¯re coming!


    He searched and searched.


    No more innocents.


    No trapper.


    So many dangerous traps.


    Triggering them wasn¡¯t going to be the problem. They lacked the strength to get through his and his mom¡¯s armors. The rangers were less protected with Threnium only covering their torsos and heads.


    He pulled back. Viewed the building¡¯s layout from above like a map. Drew a straight line from his position to the child¡¯s in the northwest section.


    The walls and fences in the way would be easy to run or cut through.


    The two dangers to the child were the explosive shrapnel trap facing the small alcove she was in and the spiked iron grate hanging above here.


    Pressure plates hidden on floor would trigger it. Destruction of the chain-link fencing around her would trigger it. Removing the chains holding her in place would trigger it. Even the ceiling had been rigged.


    He looked at everything several times.


    Found that tripping enough of the traps would trip all of them as well.


    He pulled back most of his focus into his physical body.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t locate the trapper. And there¡¯s only the little girl that¡¯s an innocent in there.¡±


    ¡°No trapper means no airstrike,¡± Ranger Morningstar said. ¡°What kind condition is she in? Can we leave her for later?¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t. She¡¯s dying. He bled her.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m deferring to you, ma¡¯am,¡± Ranger Morningstar said.


    Alin explained to his mom what he had seen inside.


    The traps.


    The threat to the girl¡¯s life if they went in as quickly as they could.


    ¡°Can you find us a route? Get us as close as possible?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I think so.¡±


    ¡°Okay. You,¡± his mom pointed at one of the ranger mages. ¡°Is your magic shield strong enough to keep the girl safe from the explosive?¡±


    ¡°Hard to say without knowing exactly how much power it¡¯s packing. If Skills are in play. Plus a bunch of other variables I can¡¯t account for right now.¡±


    ¡°Okay. You¡¯re coming with me. Boy, er, Goldenspoon, guide us to the girl.¡±


    His mom crept toward the closest door.


    ¡°Shotgun trap¡¯s going to shoot you in the face after you open it.¡±


    ¡°Th¡ª¡±


    His mom¡¯s head rocked to the side.


    ¡°Contact!¡±


    The alley erupted with gun fire and spells.


    Rangers traced the angle of the shot that had hit his mom and set to suppression.


    ¡°Get those shields up!¡±


    An impact to his back floored him.


    Didn¡¯t hurt, but his armor¡¯s automatic defenses should¡¯ve handled it.


    Threat detection on his HUD was likewise blank.


    Nothing was in motion around him except for the other rangers.


    Taking it all together suggested high levels were in play.


    Most of his gray had gone into the building.


    He started to pull it back to at least shroud the alley when the girl¡¯s flickering flame caught his attention.


    Time was running out for her.


    He didn¡¯t know what to do.


    His mom appeared at his side, swinging her baseball-bat like clubbed in one hand.


    The crack slammed a dark figure into the side of the other building.


    He only caught a quick glimpse of the masked person before they vanished from his sight.


    Dark figures in tactical armor appeared and disappeared in the alley.


    They shot, stabbed and cut the rangers with impunity.


    Enemy soldiers?


    ¡°Squad Sync,¡± Ranger Morningstar said.


    Without looking, Ranger Triple Dip fired a burst into empty space behind Ranger Nat One a moment before the latter elbowed one of the masked soldiers in the face.


    Bullets struck home, but the masked man vanished in a puff of white smoke.


    Triple Dip had left himself open to a descending blade, but a magic shield saved him at the last moment.


    The ranger mage responsible had been facing the other way with one hand spraying caustic liquid that melted an enemy soldier¡¯s tactical armor.


    Her spells suddenly cut off when a hidden blade suddenly appeared, drawing a red line across one hamstring through the cut-resistant cloth.


    Triple Dip took a blade to the head, but the Threnium didn¡¯t give. The impact, however, knocked him down.


    Alin tried to parse the calls on the comms.


    Injuries and death.


    His fellow rangers where dying.


    The girl or his brothers and sisters in arms?


    His mom was there too swinging her bat at shadows.


    Luckily, they weren¡¯t having any success penetrating her armor.


    He tried and failed to get a lock with his helmet¡¯s targeting system.


    A grenade rolled on the ground.


    He threw himself on it with a curse, smothering the explosion.


    ¡°Boy!¡± his mom screamed in his ears.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡±


    ¡°Go! Save the girl!¡±


    It was always easier to listen to one of his parents when he wasn¡¯t sure what to do.


    Thus, Alin ate double-barreled blast of metal pellets a split-second after he broke through the door.


    He moved quickly, ignoring traps as he battered down the rough, makeshift wooden walls of the maze or cut through iron bars and chain-link fences with his multiweapon.


    The gray swirled all around him like an angry storm. It mirrored his fear at the possible fates of his mom and fellow rangers, of the fate of the girl, whose little heartbeat continued to grow fainter with each passing second. He wanted to find the trapper, grab the man by the throat and punch his teeth into his throat.


    If there was a point to putting a little girl in one of those twisted contraptions, Alin didn¡¯t see it.


    Why did she deserve to suffer the same fate as the slashers?


    He stopped.


    The sounds of battle in the alley way had grown quieter the farther he had gone into the building.


    Darkness was only broken up by a few lights.


    Candles mostly.


    An occasional flickering bulb or glowing crystal.


    Shadows danced on the walls.


    He was as close he could get to the girl¡¯s position without triggering one of the fatal traps.


    ¡°Now what?¡± he whispered.


    One of the shadows detached from the unstable wooden wall to his right.


    ¡°I would ask you a question.¡±


    He reacted late. Only getting his multiweapon: longsword into guard after she had announced her presence.


    She spoke with an accent, but in the way that led him to believe she was using English. That it wasn¡¯t the universal translations system at work.


    It was revelatory.


    He regarded her a moment.


    Tactical gear without any identifying marks, like the enemy soldiers that had just ambushed them.


    Dark cloth masked her face, aside from her yes and mouth.


    No visible weapons.


    No helmet.


    She had to be high level.


    A rogue-type class going by all the context clues.


    Not to mention that his HUD wasn¡¯t picking her up at all.


    Nothing on life signs. Nothing on targeting. Nothing on visual, audio or motion.


    Indeed, if he didn¡¯t trust his own eyes then there was no person standing in front of him.


    ¡°Sure. But answer this one first. What are Phoenix Dynasty soldiers doing here? Attacking us? Violating the treaties?¡±


    The masked woman¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    Deliberately, she brought her hand up and splayed her fingers, sweeping it through the gray, causing ripples and trails to spread out.


    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    ¡°Does this give you information? It is difficult to conceal myself here and I feel a sensation of grasping fingers on my clothing. As if passing through a crowded bar filled with disgusting men while wearing a nightie.¡±


    ¡°No! That¡¯s n¡ª so, you¡¯re acknowledging that the Phoenix Empress sent you here in violation¡ª¡±


    ¡°There is no violation. The spires¡¯ law takes precedence over human law. I don¡¯t acknowledge serving¡­ what did you say? Some sort of empress? Yes¡­ this so-called empress, if she exists, may she reign an eternity clothed in fire, burning and rising again in the endless cycle. This one,¡± she brought her hand to her chest and bowed, ¡°is a mere humble assassin with a few levels in slasher of late. I with a question. Will you answer?¡±


    ¡°Sure, but after,¡± he didn¡¯t take his eyes nor his yellow hardlight blade off her as he pointed to the chain link fence separating him from the little girl, ¡°I get her to safety.¡±


    ¡°That chamber is a bag filled with scorpions. Your remarkable armor will protect you from the stings, but she is clad in mere cloth.¡±


    ¡°Yeah and you¡¯re distracting me from thinking.¡±


    ¡°Why bother? Her life ebbs like the tide and unlike the tide it will not flow back to shore.¡±


    ¡°Is that your question?¡±


    ¡°No, of course not. I want to know what this is.¡± She traced a graceful pattern with her hands and arms, flowing in circular motions. Almost mesmerizing. ¡°It came out of your armor. Are you the source? Or is it the armor?¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ I see where this is going.¡±


    ¡°Do you?¡±


    ¡°Yup. If it¡¯s me, then you¡¯re going to try to take me prisoner. If it¡¯s the armor, then you¡¯re going to try to take it off me.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ yes, but to be specific, if the latter I will take it off your corpse.¡±


    ¡°Can we do this after?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    The masked woman flicked a hand.


    Wind whistled past his head.


    He turned.


    Throwing spikes quivered on the wooden portions of the fence. Thin slips of cloth paper attached to the spikes¡¯ ends fluttered in the non-existent breeze.


    Chinese characters glowed.


    ¡°N¡ª¡±


    Time slowed.


    The explosions destroyed the fence, triggering the traps.


    It wasn¡¯t fair.


    The little girl didn¡¯t deserve it. She never would¡¯ve been forced to undergo such suffering in a just world. But, their world wasn¡¯t just. It had never been.


    What was the point of having his power if he couldn¡¯t make it just for her?


    That was it.


    It that instant, he understood better than he had ever before why he did what he did.


    The world wasn¡¯t just.


    People made it that way.


    The spires made it that way.


    There had to be more people like his dad and mom, his family.


    Those that could push back against the wrongness.


    He had to be one of them.


    There was no other path that mattered more.


    The gray swirled all around him like a storm.


    The little girl was going to survive this.


    She was going to live a long, happy life in spite of everything and everyone that had conspired against that.


    The gray thickened around the girl on the rack.


    Walls stood revealed as the gray continued to swirl. They surrounded the girl. Ethereal, barely visible through the fog as it flowed around them. Like the image of a negative space.


    The explosive trap launched shrapnel, fire and force into the walls.


    They cracked, gray wisps seeping in and flowing out like smoke.


    But they held.


    The spike trap hanging from the ceiling fell as the chains holding it were released.


    Rusty points smeared with foul substances descended.


    He waited for the impact, but it never came.


    Hands in the gray held it up.


    He thought he could see, sense a person standing next to the girl, holding the heavy iron as if it was a feather.


    The iron hit the floor with a reverberating clang away from the girl.


    The rest of the traps went off.


    Smoke mingled with the gray.


    His head swam, his legs would¡¯ve wobbled if not for his power armor.


    ¡°Now you really have to come with me.¡±


    The masked assassin had vanished from even his notice within the gray, he belatedly realized.


    She popped back up right behind him.


    Her strike never landed.


    As he turned he heard curses and the sound of punching fists and the whistle of blades cutting through air.


    She fought figures in the gray for one brief violent moment before she retreated like the wind.


    It felt like he was in a dream.


    Nothing seemed real.


    Except for the little girl.


    He staggered to her side, reaching for his waist.


    Healing potions, healing gems and many other things.


    She had options and he intended to use as much as he needed to give her a chance to shove the injustice of the world right back in its face.


    As for the presences he felt lingering in the gray?


    He couldn¡¯t sense anything.


    It was as tangible as a handful of fog.


    Meanwhile, out in the alley.


    The rangers sounded off.


    4 KIA.


    The rest wounded.


    Nila was the only one undamaged.


    As for their attackers?


    The soldiers had suddenly vanished as quickly as they had attacked, taking their dead and wounded with them.


    ¡°I know I got at least one,¡± Triple Dip said. ¡°So, that makes 3 killed, at least.¡±


    ¡°We did good for being out leveled,¡± Morningstar said. ¡°We need to get them out of here before the necromancer can use them.¡±


    An enchanted gem was tucked inside each dead ranger¡¯s armor.


    The spell activated with a word and they floated slowly into the sky.


    Tracking beacons would guide the Raynanaut to them.


    They always did their best to bring their fallen home.


    ¡°Boy? Are you there?¡± Nila said into their private channel.


    ¡°Yeah, Mom. The girl¡¯s stabilizing. I¡¯ll be able to move her soon.¡±


    She sighed.


    The entire building had shaken from the explosion.


    ¡°That¡¯s good. What about the other traps?¡±


    ¡°They haven¡¯t gone off yet.¡±


    She could picture her son¡¯s nonchalant shrug.


    He emerged a few minutes later with the girl in his arms.


    ¡°Good job, Goldenspoon,¡± Morningstar said. ¡°We¡¯ll get her back to the Raynanaut with the wounded.¡±


    Alin handed her over to Nat One.


    ¡°Everyone ready?¡± Morningstar said.


    The sounds of fighting had gotten a lot closer to their location, likely drawn by their own battle with the masked soldiers.


    Regardless, as much as the ranger wouldn¡¯t like to admit it, his squad was no longer able to complete their mission without extra risk and a much lower chance of success.


    The other squad would have to take over for them.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going,¡± Alin said.


    ¡°Reason?¡± Morningstar said.


    Nila forced herself to keep her mouth shut.


    This was a ranger thing and she had never been the sort of mom to insert herself into her son¡¯s business unless it was a last resort or really important.


    ¡°I had a breakthrough. I¡¯ll find our primary target and mark it for airstrike.¡±


    Morningstar chewed the inside of his mouth as he searched her son¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Alright. I approve. I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re staying with Goldenspoon, ma¡¯am?¡± He looked to her.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°Great. If the two of you could cover us while we slowly float into the sky, we¡¯d be grateful.¡±


    Nila leapt to the roof with her son.


    The immediate area looked clear.


    Just like it had been up until the moment they had been ambushed.


    ¡°Mom. I think those soldiers were from the Phoenix Dynasty.¡±


    He explained through their private channel.


    ¡°Well¡­ we¡¯re just going to add that to your dad¡¯s long list of problems.¡±


    ¡°Mom. I also¡ª¡±


    ¡°What is it, Love?¡±


    ¡°I tell you later.¡±


    The rangers floated away under a concealment spell.


    It only obscured the physical visual, but all the fighting in the area kept them undetected.


    She kept eyes on them all the way up to the Raynanaut close to a thousand meters away.


    ¡°Alright, Ranger Goldenspoon this is your Quest,¡± she grinned, ¡°where to next? And what¡¯s your plan?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ closest buildings?¡± he pointed to the Persian grocery store opposite the burning business to their right and at another large building on the other side of the parking lot. It was a warehouse judging by the loading docks.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ask me. It¡¯s your power.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s start here and move west.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Do your scouting thing. I¡¯ll keep watch.¡±


    Each building was like the first. Filled with traps and people, dying and dead.


    The freezer in the grocery store was filled with the stuff of nightmares.


    People hung up on racks, butchered like animals.


    Two slashers.


    The trapper and the butcher.


    Confirmation that they were working together in some capacity.


    Fortunately, there were no additional innocent victims.


    ¡°Do you think those assassins will try again?¡±


    ¡°If they¡¯re from the Phoenix Dynasty? No. They couldn¡¯t get through our armor. Either they weren¡¯t strong enough to use bullcrap, like ghostly blade or shadowstab or sunder armor, or they didn¡¯t want to because they recognized us,¡± his mom said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I don¡¯t think the woman recognized me. Even if she could see through my faceplate.¡±


    ¡°Our armor basically looks just like your dad¡¯s minus the paint,¡± she rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Yeah, I wish I could color it, but gray¡¯s better for urban camo.¡±


    He was doing his best not to think about the ranger casualties.


    More funerals.


    More families that didn¡¯t know their loved ones were gone. Wouldn¡¯t know for a couple of weeks.


    They leapt onto the roof of the large warehouse with an assist from their armor¡¯s thrusters.


    He shrouded them in the gray as he filled the building below.


    Same as the rest.


    Dead and dying slashers.


    They felt like low levels in the class.


    Opportunistic scavengers that had seized on a chance for power and wealth by trading in what little remained of their morals. He figured that they had been on the bad side of humanity to begin with. Good people wouldn¡¯t take a class predicated on the murder of weaker people, usually.


    From what his dad had said, Holly was a rare exception in her choice of preferred victims.


    Probably, because of his dad in the first place.


    ¡°Can you go faster?¡±


    His mom snapped him out of his musing.


    ¡°Some of the fighting is getting closer.¡± She pointed her Threnium bat to the northeast at the flashes of light in the darkness followed by the booms a split-second later.


    The gray shroud around them muted the impact of what was happening on the outside.


    He had to consciously focus on the surrounding battles to remind himself that they were happening in reality.


    It was strange how his mind slipped deeper into an almost dream-like state the more he focused on using his powers.


    Rather, the gray felt more like reality, while the outside world became the dream.


    They reached the edge of the roof and went prone.


    ¡°North to south?¡± his mom said.


    Right to left lay the aquarium fish store, a junkyard and a strip mall with several buildings.


    ¡°What about that building?¡± he highlighted another warehouse directly north of the flooring and furniture business in his HUD and sent it to her with a cybernetic thought.


    ¡°Fighting¡¯s headed its way. We might get caught up in it.¡±


    ¡°Aquarium first, then we head south until we get to the sand quarry.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good. We can reassess at that point. And it¡¯s more time for them to kill each other.¡±


    They leapt down and crossed a narrow street.


    Another thruster-assisted jump carried them over a building and into a large parking lot.


    They were on the loading dock when an unpleasant surprise came running around the west corner of the store.


    ¡°Oy! Fancy armor, innit?¡±


    The rest of the 20 man marauding band rounded the corner and quickly spread out in an attempt to encircle them against the wall.


    The band lacked uniformity in their choice of weapons and armor.


    Fighter-types wielded guns and melee weapons.


    Mage-types held wands, staves or nothing.


    All wore a mix of plate and chain and tactical gear.


    Blood stained them.


    ¡°Youse a right proper slag from the looks o¡¯ ya. How bout ya take that fancy armor off and let me and my boys give ya a fun slagging?¡±


    ¡°Da cunt¡¯s gonna get me knob a polishin¡¯ before da long and hard ride, aye.¡±


    ¡°Me first!¡±


    ¡°Nah, ya shite. Ya gone first da last time.¡±


    ¡°What about the lad?¡±


    ¡°Only got two holes, innit?¡±


    ¡°Two¡¯s better than none.¡±


    ¡°So, how¡¯s about it, cunt? Youse and lad give over youse fancy gear and we¡¯ll give ya a good time and let youse on your way.¡±


    ¡°Mom, are these assholes from England?¡± Alin said over their private channel as he slowly enveloped the lot in the gray.


    ¡°It certainly sounds like they are.¡±


    ¡°I thought the Queen was supposed to be one of the good ones?¡±


    ¡°Sure, according to your uncle.¡±


    Her tone revealed what she thought of that assessment.


    ¡°Okay. Get ready to get behind me. I¡¯ll drain them then I¡¯ll hit them with the missiles.¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯ve already locked on with my missiles.¡±


    ¡°Mom,¡± he sighed. ¡°Is this the whole me killing another human thing?¡±


    ¡°Why, yes it is, Baby.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a baby.¡±


    ¡°Yes, you are and will always be one.¡±


    ¡°Fine, whatever. Not the time to discuss that, but I can¡¯t avoid the reality of combat forever. I will have to kill people at some point and these ones are clearly evil. I¡¯m sure they¡¯ve raped and murdered a lot of people.¡±


    ¡°I know. It¡¯s just that in the old days you¡¯d have been in college. Probably, studying real hard in a library at this very moment. Now, here you are, surrounded by bad men¡ª¡±


    ¡°Oi! Ya deaf or somethin¡¯? Or is ya cunt drippin¡¯ wet?¡±


    ¡°Gonna pound it hard. Fill da ass too!¡±


    ¡°Fuck the slag¡¯s mouth! Make her airtight!¡±


    They laughed and cheered at that.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to trivialize this, Mom and I¡¯m not looking forward to it. I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll feel really bad later, but right now¡­¡±


    ¡°We have to give them a chance to walk away.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll just hurt other people.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but they won¡¯t take it, which will help our consciences. So, target the backline. I¡¯ll take the front.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Listen up, assholes!¡± his mom snapped. ¡°Drop your weapons and walk back the way you came.¡±


    They laughed like hyenas.


    ¡°Youse da one¡ª¡±


    Micromissiles streaked out of his mom¡¯s shoulder launchers.


    His arced higher, over the front line to crash down on the mages and other ranged fighters.


    At the same time he drained their energy through the gray, pulling it from their bodies.


    Some resisted, but all were affected.


    ¡°Levels 30 to 40. Three over 40. Not sure exact level.¡± He marked them with the targeting system and shared it with his mom.


    She hit them with a gout of flame from the one shot flamethrower deployed from the underside of her armored arm. She drew his dad¡¯s handcannon from her thigh holster and sent elephant-killing bullets into hastily-cast magic shields.


    What they did to the marauders despite their armor wasn¡¯t a pleasant sight.


    ¡°Going melee!¡± he activated his multiweapon in its longsword form and dashed into the marauders¡¯ midst with an assist from his thrusters.


    He might as well have ran them over with a car.


    The hardlight blade flashed in the gloom.


    Regret and questions for his conscience were saved for later.


    Now was about removing evil from the world.


    They shouldn¡¯t have said those things to his mom.

 9.34

    The two had it in hand.


    Holly watched from the rooftop.


    Her black cloak blended in perfectly thanks to a Skill.


    She knew that Cal¡¯s son and wife¡ª partner? She knew they were going to be in the city.


    That was the extent of what he had told her along with the specific instructions to ensure their safety if she ever found herself in a position to do so.


    This was not one of those.


    The marauding band of wannabe slashers wasn¡¯t much of threat.


    They couldn¡¯t even scratch the Threnium.


    Holly had Threnium of her own.


    Thin, flexible plates protected her torso while the rest of her clothing and even her hooded-cloak was threaded with the metal.


    She didn¡¯t have any of the fancy weapons and defense systems, but she didn¡¯t want them in the first place.


    Her class wouldn¡¯t approve, which would manifest in overt and subtle ways. Skills wouldn¡¯t work as effectively. Leveling would slow to a glacial pace. Not that she was moving forward faster than a one-legged dog.


    As the two finished off the bad guys she pondered the wisdom of making contact and working together to take out the trapper hiding inside the fish store.


    On the one hand, it¡¯d make securing the kill easier.


    On the other hand it was in violation of the spirit, if not the letter, of the event¡¯s rules.


    Unfortunately, she couldn¡¯t predict how it¡¯d impact the points.


    At the most basic level it would have to be split.


    What she didn¡¯t know was if there would be a penalty for her and them since they¡¯d be technically working with people on the wrong team, so to speak.


    She watched them check each other over.


    Unnecessary since all that blood on their armor and weapons came from the marauders.


    She sniffed.


    The iron on the breeze was nice, pleasant, like how she imagined a stroll through a flower garden would be for a normal person. As for the piss and shit? Less pleasant. She wasn¡¯t that kind of slasher.


    The boy¡¯s gray fog seemed to roil.


    She wondered if it was tied to his emotions.


    She had tested him once at Cal¡¯s behest.


    It had been an eerie experience skulking through the boy¡¯s fog. The strongest feeling she got had been the sense of being watched by thousands of eyes. Nothing more, however.


    The boy hadn¡¯t noticed her sneak up behind him to run her finger just under his neck, millimeters from touching.


    As far as she knew, he didn¡¯t know that he had failed her test.


    She had no idea if Cal had told him. Didn¡¯t care.


    The two walked underneath the overhang of one of the loading dock¡¯s vertical sliding door.


    The sound of slicing metal slid across her ears like a whisper.


    Well¡­ the time for open coordination was over.


    Did she enter the battlefield immediately?


    Or did she wait?


    The trapper was a secondary target, along with the butcher and the necromancer.


    Her primary target, the clown, had yet to make an appearance.


    Perhaps, she could entice the man by appearing vulnerable?


    Being locked in combat with one of the other slashers would put her in a vulnerable position.


    Add in the two creeping into the fish store¡¯s warehouse into the mix and¡­


    She flowed across the rooftop like the breeze.


    The trapper was inside, but she didn¡¯t know his exact position.


    He had a pretty good concealment Skill.


    He wasn¡¯t much of a direct fighter, so once the traps failed to stop the two in their Threnium armor she predicted he¡¯d run to another trap-filled maze.


    Was that the moment to strike?


    She mulled her options as the two started dealing with the traps by simply charging around like a bull inside a living room.


    The building shook.


    Explosives and bear traps were nothing to their armor.


    However, she wondered how they¡¯d deal with the fish?


    She couldn¡¯t tell exactly what the trapper had done with them.


    Only knew that he had done something.


    Perhaps, she¡¯d observe how things went for the moment.


    Gather information she could use to make sure the trapper died this night.


    If the clown was too scared to show his fat face, then so be it.


    All she needed to do was take out every other slasher in the top 10.


    At some point she¡¯d hit a critical amount of points, which would force his fat-fingered hand.


    <hr>


    Nicholas, Death¡¯s Dancer when he wore the mask, stood atop a burning car, holding a woman aloft on his short spear like a fish and pinning a man to the roof like a rabbit with the other spear.


    A red haze of rage surrounded both fighters.


    Their eyes were wide, streaked with crimson. Teeth bared in frothing mouths. Arteries in their necks bulged.


    Holding them was harder than he had anticipated.


    ¡°Head¡¯s up!¡±


    He shucked the woman off his spear and kicked her in the chest.


    She flew down the street, tumbling across the asphalt.


    ¡°I always keep my head up in battle.¡±


    Alcaestus stomped the woman¡¯s head, pulping it like a rotten tomato.


    Death¡¯s Dancer did the same to the pinned man. Took three stomps before the man went limp.


    He had no sympathy for anyone that willingly picked up the slasher class. It was right up there with flesheater.


    The rest of the mercs fled into the dark streets.


    The eidolon and the supersoldier took a moment to size each other up.


    ¡°You need a break?¡±


    ¡°No. But it appears that you would benefit from one.¡±


    ¡°What? No way, bro.¡±


    ¡°You appear to be injured.¡±


    ¡°What? This?¡± His dark, tactical clothing and armor were covered in bloody cuts, tears and bullet holes. A good portion of the back was charred from a fire spray hit. The red, white and blue of his face mask was smudged with a mix of blood and soot. ¡°Barely broke the skin.¡± Regular small arms fire generally bounced right off his skin. Skill-enhanced shots did better depending on the level and specific Skill.


    The mercs they had just beaten were pushing 40, so, not that dangerous.


    He could¡¯ve killed them all pretty quickly by using his invisibility, but that wasn¡¯t the plan.


    The two of them wanted to be visible, to draw attention.


    Made it easier to secure fights.


    They had devastated separate merc groups three times since the battle had started.


    ¡°What about you? You¡¯re the one covered in blood. And you can¡¯t say it was all from them cause you¡¯re the only one here with golden blood.


    ¡°Barely broke the skin.¡± Alcaestus shrugged.


    ¡°Uh huh. Your face would say otherwise.¡±


    ¡°A superficial slice to the forehead looks worse than it truly is. Such cuts bleed freely, but that is all. I¡¯m surprised that you, as a fighter, didn¡¯t know this simply fact. Why, I learned it as a boy.¡±


    ¡°Well, we can take a break since you need it.¡±


    ¡°I have no need of one. Perhaps, you should since it appears your breathing pace is slightly elevated.¡±


    ¡°Nah, that¡¯s just the excitement. I can fight all day.¡±


    Death¡¯s Dancer found the eidolon¡¯s perceptiveness disturbing.


    Alcaestus had told stories of his days as a hunter before becoming a divine-empowered representative of a so-called ¡®God¡¯.


    Though he had helped Captain Patriot kill the Eidolon of Sut, Death¡¯s Dancer didn¡¯t like the chances against the Eidolon of Adras.


    The former wasn¡¯t specced for direct combat, while the latter was.


    Plus, Al was pretty chill and decent overall.


    ¡°Then shall we proceed?¡± Alcaestus gave the grocery superstore a significant look.


    The butcher slasher was supposed to be inside according to the intel he had received from Lt. Rico and his team.


    Though they were on opposite sides of the event the spires hadn¡¯t yet done anything to express displeasure with the trading of information through the dead drops.


    ¡°Should we? I don¡¯t think he¡¯s moving from inside a trapified fortress. It¡¯s like home-field advantage, you know¡­ er, home coliseum advantage.¡±


    ¡°I have been on your world long enough to understand your analogy. I have watched recordings of several of your native sporting events.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, wouldn¡¯t mind watching some of yours. We did the gladiator-type stuff here to. Would like to see one of those dragon fights you talked about.¡±


    ¡°They aren¡¯t actual dragons.¡±


    ¡°They have wings and breath attacks, right?¡±


    ¡°I think they are more closely related to the drakes you have on your world.¡±


    ¡°Same difference.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t let a true dragon hear you say that. They are prideful. It would be akin to us being compared to monkeys.¡±


    ¡°Or you to the rest of us non-freak like humans.¡±


    Alcaestus chuckled. ¡°Sadly, many eidolons would take offense. The long march of centuries has a way of making us forget our origins.¡±


    ¡°Yeah and you¡¯re not like the others cause you¡¯re basically a baby.¡±


    ¡°That is accurate.¡±


    ¡°Yup, toddling around, pooping in your diaper, that sort of thing?¡±


    ¡°I wear no diapers.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just glad you¡¯ve got undies under that skirt. Although, maybe you could try shorts instead of those tight briefs?¡±


    ¡°It is not a skirt.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°It is freer than pants.¡±


    ¡°Sure it is.¡±


    ¡°The slasher within that superstore?¡± Alcaestus brought him back to the track.


    ¡°The clown one hasn¡¯t shown up yet, or if he did then he got Foster before she could set off the signal flare.¡±


    ¡°Or she seeks the kill for herself.¡±


    ¡°I can live with that as long as one of them ends up dead. If we¡¯re lucky they¡¯ll kill each other. Even luckier if my guys manage to sneak in for a kill steal. So, let¡¯s do this. Maybe it¡¯ll attract more of these fuckers?¡±


    The towering eidolon raised a hand toward the superstore.


    When he clenched his fist a massive section of the outer wall suddenly flew toward him.


    It reminded Death¡¯s Dancer of pulling the skin off fried chicken.


    Paint ripped, wood splintered and glass broke.


    The mass slid across the empty parking lot, coming to a halt a few seconds after the eidolon lowered his hand.


    The superstore¡¯s innards stood revealed like those of a giant monster they had carved up.


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    Candle and torch light flickered in the darkness. Islands in the gloom.


    ¡°Looks like you triggered some of the traps. Nice one!¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s stick to the plan then?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll jump to the rear in case he bolts like a crescent stag.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯ll sweep the interior.¡±


    ¡°Good luck on your hunt.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, you t¡ª¡±


    A bright flash of light erupted in the dark sky to the northeast.


    It was a symbol foreign to Death¡¯s Dancer and his world¡¯s inhabitants.


    Encased in a pillar of light and shining gold that looked more vibrant and alive than anything made by man or nature.


    They exchanged a glance.


    ¡°You gave out those emergency flares to some kids, right?¡±


    ¡°At several communities. Only to be used if the clown came for them.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ shit.¡±


    ¡°I will go. You finish the slasher here and come if you are able.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t waste time.¡±


    The two of them could cover the distance in about the same amount of time. A minute or two with a handful of really long distance jumps.


    But, that was still too slow.


    ¡°Throw me. I¡¯ll get there faster.¡±


    ¡°I will be right behind you.¡±


    Hands large enough to enclose his head grabbed the back of Death¡¯s Dancer¡¯s armor.


    The eidolon leapt straight up and hurled the supersoldier toward the base of the golden pillar.


    Death¡¯s Dancer broke the sound barrier, shedding some of the outer layer of his clothing.


    That shit didn¡¯t feel good.


    The landing was worse.


    He skidded across the street, arms plowing a furrow into the asphalt.


    Cloth shredded.


    Steel vambraces threw up a shower of sparks in his wake.


    The enchanted armor saved him from a mild case of road rash.


    He turned it into a flip.


    The pillar was coming from somewhere inside a neighborhood school.


    He sprinted toward it.


    Listening for screams.


    The silence was eerie.


    Nothing.


    Not even the chirping of night birds or the buzzing of insects.


    Except there was music¡­ maybe?


    Reminded him of the circus he had gone to once.


    They toured around the central region of America based around the capital.


    The hint of music turned into actual music as soon as he leapt over the school¡¯s fence.


    He could hear the murmur of a crowd. Smell roasted peanuts, popcorn and crackerjack. Taste the sweet cotton candy. The deep-fried¡­ well¡­ everything, sweet and savory.


    The clown slasher, some freak with the name ¡®Lindsay¡¯, had a domain.


    <hr>


    The gray was comfort.


    Less so the dead and dying men and women in the trapper¡¯s cruel contraptions.


    Alin did his best to keep them in the corner of his metaphorical eyes rather than look at them straight on.


    The aquarium store¡¯s warehouse had been also converted into a trap-filled maze.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know where he is. He¡¯s definitely in the store, but it¡¯s like he¡¯s teleporting around. And there¡¯s something weird with the fish.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re mutated, aren¡¯t they?¡±


    ¡°Probably¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, he wants us to go through all the traps. So, we don¡¯t want to do that. Our armors are completely sealed. So¡­¡±


    They spoke over the private channel.


    The only noise they made came from their boots on the concrete.


    ¡°We should burn it.¡± His mom nodded.


    ¡°I think we should start as far from us as possible and work our way in. That way he¡¯ll be forced to come to us or run outside, which I bet will ruin whatever ability he¡¯s using to remain hard to find inside. You know, like a monster in it¡¯s lair type of thing. I¡¯ll make holes in the wall to the front part of the store and you throw grenades?¡±


    ¡°You got it!¡± His mom smiled.


    He regarded her with narrowed eyes.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re, um, enjoying this?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ not all the killing and stuff, but we¡¯re having a mommy and son outing. Just you and me, having an adventure. It¡¯s been so long. Remember when I used to take you on hikes in the hills near home?¡±


    ¡°I do¡­¡±


    ¡°This just sort of brings back those memories.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ okay¡­ good? Just please don¡¯t call it that when other people are around.¡±


    ¡°Call it what?¡±


    ¡°Mom.¡± He rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Fine, fine. Go blow up the walls, sweetie¡±


    He activated his multiweapon, turning it into a long-handled axe.


    A few swipes cleared the wood and metal ceiling of the maze, which promptly dropped a spiked log on top of them.


    He ducked as his mom caught it with a grunt.


    ¡°It¡¯s heavy.¡± She pressed it a few times. ¡°Not that I can¡¯t handle it even without the armor.¡± She heaved it away toward the center of the warehouse.


    The log crashed down on the maze, setting off a barrage of gun shots.


    ¡°Um¡­ can I get a boost?¡±


    ¡°Sure thing!¡±


    His mom picked him up like he wasn¡¯t a few hundred pounds, lifting him up until he cleared the maze.


    He targeted the wall and fired micromissiles from his shoulder launchers.


    Once again the explosions set off more traps.


    ¡°My turn.¡±


    His mom dropped him.


    He picked her up in turn. His power armor doing most of the heavy lifting.


    She tossed incendiaries through the holes with an almost lazy flick of her wrist.


    ¡°Alright. Shall we start moving toward the center?¡± She hopped off his shoulders.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    She used her baseball bat-like club and her hands to break through the walls.


    When they encountered iron bars he stepped in and cut them down with two swipes of his multiweapon: longsword.


    Bear traps snapped shut on their limbs and faces, forcing them to slow in order to pry them off.


    Acid sprayed down on them.


    Fire burned the acid.


    Their armor handled it all without a problem.


    All the while they continued to toss incendiary grenades until they had emptied their supply.


    ¡°Anything?¡±


    He shook his head.


    The gray yielded nothing of the trapper.


    As for the rest of the slashers in the traps?


    Dead from the smoke.


    That made him feel a little less guilty about it.


    Dead was dead in the end, but it was easier to rationalize it when he and his mom hadn¡¯t burned them to death.


    They were getting close to the fires, so his mom stopped.


    ¡°How about we turn our backs conspicuously and slowly make our way back to our starting point? When I fought Holly way back then, she used her stride Skill a lot.¡±


    Much like rogue-types, slashers preferred to attack their victims from behind.


    However, they didn¡¯t tend to go for the immediate kill like the former. They liked to wound before making the victim see their death coming.


    The terror of a prolonged chase was the point.


    No attack came.


    ¡°What if I pretend to trip and twist my ankle?¡±


    ¡°Mom, we walked through all his traps. He¡¯d have to be a moron to fall for that.¡±


    ¡°Split up? I¡¯ll pretend I¡¯m scared and I¡¯ll hide behind that,¡± she nodded toward the rack of rusty farm tools. ¡°You can investigate that dark corner over there.¡±


    ¡°I think those are trash bags hung like curtains.¡± He zoomed in. ¡°Why are there¡ª¡±


    Stupid traps.


    He supposed they could be flippant about it because of their vastly superior gear.


    A sobering thought for all of the trapper¡¯s victims.


    And there had to have been many for the man to be over Level 40.


    He focused with the gray.


    ¡°Traps.¡±


    ¡°Really? How can that be?¡±


    ¡°The traps have traps.¡±


    ¡°Now you¡¯re just messing with your old mom.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like that old movie dad loves. A trap-ception.¡±


    ¡°That was a good movie. One of the sci-fi ones that wasn¡¯t just all dumb pew-pew blasters and plasma swords.¡±


    They ended up where they had started.


    The fires continued to burn their way through the entire store.


    ¡°Now what?¡±


    ¡°He probably ran. Let¡¯s head outside and try to contact the Raynanaut. Maybe they can find him for us. Or we can try the drone cameras. There should be a few in the area.¡±


    He sighed.


    ¡°They barely work properly anymore.¡±


    His mom shrugged.


    ¡°High level Skills and spells or the spires wants to make it harder for us.¡±


    <hr>


    What the hell were they doing down there?


    The roof was getting warmer beneath Holly¡¯s boots.


    Dark smoke streamed out of the vents.


    She had heard the explosions, felt the building shake.


    Was that the end of the trapper?


    Donald Smith was the man¡¯s name.


    Sounded so ordinary.


    She didn¡¯t read him as a true straight up fighter-type of slasher unless it was against weaker people. Which Cal¡¯s wife and kid were definitely not.


    If she was right, then his traps would¡¯ve done nothing more than scuff their Threnium armor.


    The butcher was a greater threat in a fight with his Skills that let him bypass armor and other defenses to an extent.


    She made for the front of the aquarium store.


    The trapper hid.


    He would bolt like a rabbit from its burrow when the burning building made hiding impossible.


    She crouched at the edge, watching.


    The doors slammed open, scattering glass across the parking lot.


    There he was running for his life!


    A big, hulking bruiser of a man clad in armor made from grizzled fur and toughened leather. Probably, stronger than the norm, having been made with Skills. A variety of bladed instruments were strapped to his body along with animal traps on his belt and backpack.


    Was it a backpack of holding? Or were the pouches and small bags the ones? Maybe all of them?


    The ensemble was completed by a literal facemask.


    Human.


    She wondered if it was merely for aesthetics or if it provided tangible bonuses.


    Perhaps, it gave him boosts or additional abilities based on the person he skinned?


    She decided that it would be her first target.


    Best to get that question answered right away.


    The big man ran fast for his size.


    Enhanced strength and endurance.


    Slashers tended to get Skills that enhanced their physicals.


    She had all of them.


    Slasher¡¯s Stride kept her on the trapper¡¯s tail.


    Quite literally, because his furry cap had a bushy gray one.


    He stopped suddenly and spun, pointing a large revolver.


    She slipped behind a street sign.


    It was as thick around as her wrist, but her dark cloak and a Skill kept her hidden.


    Perception Skills versus concealment Skill.


    The latter won.


    Donald Smith pulled a small, sharp-toothed trap from his belt and set it on the ground.


    She watched with interest as the trap vanished from her sight. A bit of focus and it reappeared, if a little fuzzy.


    He continued on, stopping every block to set traps.


    She deftly avoided them.


    He was heading west.


    It was time to use her Skill as the Hidden Knife of the Psionic Prime.


    She read his mind.


    There were limitations of course.


    Only 4 uses per 24 hour period.


    Each use only lasted somewhere between 30 seconds and 1 minute.


    She could only read her target¡¯s inner monologue.


    And she could only use it in direct service of the Psionic Prime.


    I¡¯m being hunted. Which one? Not the clown. Not the necromancer. It has to be that Holly Foster bitch. What the fuck is up with that? A fucking slasher with that name. Sounds more like a slut cheerleader¡¯s name. Fucking whore bitch. Who does she think she is bringing every asshole to my area? Fuck! What if it isn¡¯t her? Could be any one of those stealthy fucks like Nicholas, Dayana, Tabitha, even that weird cat guy. What the fuck kind of armor were those two fucks wearing? All my best traps did shit. At least I know it isn¡¯t them. I hope the building burned around them. Wasted all the effort I put into those fish. Never got the chance to see those babies in action. Fucking bitches! Gonna make them all pay. Gonna make it last. Teach them to think they¡¯re better than me. Got to clear out. Let them fuck each other up. Golf course is a ways, but I¡¯ve already got a section set up. Should give me time to rest and think¡­


    That was enough for Holly.


    What followed was a raging diatribe about what he was going to do to her and everyone else that inconvenienced him.


    They reached a wide intersection.


    Six lanes.


    She strode right up to his back and sliced her knife across the back of his bare neck.


    Skin split.


    Tougher than expected.


    She had tried to cut between his vertebrae.


    Her steel came back bloodless.


    He whirled, firing, but she was already behind him.


    The facemask wasn¡¯t the only piece of human skin he was wearing.


    A layer of skin over his own as a last line of defense.


    He whirled, slashing wildly with a skinning knife.


    She stepped back, letting it pass a hair¡¯s width from her hooded face.


    Slasher¡¯s Smile to unnerve, frighten or terrify depending on her target¡¯s strength of will.


    Her mouth split wider than it seemed possible for a human.


    Bright white in the middle of the blackest abyss.


    You don¡¯t scare me, you bitch!


    ¡°Then why are you shaking?¡±


    She made her voice echo from multiple directions.


    His eyes widened behind the ragged eye holes of the previous owner of the face. He licked lips, both his and the torn remains of the other man.


    ¡°I know you. I am already inside of you.¡±


    He snarled and began throwing his traps at her like they were baseballs.


    She dodged them all before closing and slashing with her knives.


    Donald Smith, slasher, the trapper was built like a tank.


    His hand-crafted armor and clothing was nearly as tough too.


    And yet, just as she had thought, he wasn¡¯t a true fighter.


    She had the edge in slasher levels, plus her higher quality special class.


    It boosted her over her usual when following Cal¡¯s orders.


    And she was simply superior in hand to hand combat by virtue of years of experience taking out more dangerous targets.


    Death by 768 cuts.


    That¡¯s how many it took to get through his layers.


    Fur and leather armor.


    Clothing.


    Skin¡­ other people¡¯s and his own.


    All enhanced by his Skills.


    In the end, she bled him out.


    One slice created a red smile under his chin.


    One slice to the inner thigh just missing his manhood.


    She watched the light go out of his eyes in the middle of that dark, empty street.


    Chimes went off in her ears, but she dismissed it for when the trapper¡¯s light went out another, much brighter one appeared far to the northeast.


    A strange gold symbol within a pillar of golden light.


    She felt in her tiny bag of holding for the flare that skull-masked soldier had given her.


    It was supposed to be a special America eidolon thing.


    She knew a bit about having special flares.


    Had a few in the same bag for real emergencies.


    The wheels turned in her head.


    Their agreement had been to use the flare if she found the clown.


    Could it be?


    ¡°Worth a shot.¡±


    She took off running toward Main Street. She couldn¡¯t use her stride without an active target, but she remembered that several of the marauding groups had arrived in vehicles. Sure, she didn¡¯t exactly know how to drive, but how hard could it be?

 9.35

    ¡°Ho¡ª ana, ¡ªone¡­ there? ¡ªcop¡ª Eidolon¡­ sign¡­ northeast. Boy and¡­ headed¡­ there. Recommend y¡ª ¡­ same if¡­ able. Nila o¡ª.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t copy, repeat,¡± Howard grunted.


    Static.


    Then what sounded like the same thing.


    ¡°It¡¯s a repeating message,¡± Dayana said.


    The third time it had repeated, but the first time they got some of it rather than static.


    They were huddled around the tactical display in the tight confines of their shuttle¡¯s CNC center.


    CNC center? More like a walk-in closet. Sure, a large one, but barely enough space for half the team.


    The rest crowded just outside the entrances.


    Willy raised a hand from behind Adrian.


    Even hunched over the black-furred hybrid was just as tall as the wizard.


    ¡°I think she¡¯s saying that she and Boy are going to that signal. It¡¯s one of those eidolon ones that go through anything. We¡¯ve seen them a few times. A bunch during that battle they had with those things out of the Appalachians. Can¡¯t be stopped by spells and Skills. At least not as far as we know. I mean, Ms. Teacher can, but she has to try¡­ a little.¡±


    Howard remembered what Cal had written in the report.


    ¡°They don¡¯t give those out to just anyone. Strictly for extreme emergencies in critical situations. So, who¡¯s sending it up when the eidolon and Death¡¯s Dancer were just down there about to try the butcher?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s been communicating with his spec ops buddies on the slasher side,¡± Dayana said. ¡°Marian?¡± she spoke into the shuttle¡¯s comms. ¡°Have you triangulated the sign¡¯s location yet?¡±


    ¡°Just did. Sending it to your helmets now.¡±


    The young pilot hadn¡¯t had much to do while they hovered a few hundred meters over the river south of the battle zone. Active camo projected the live image of the sky above them on the underside of the hull. Of course, no system was perfect. Spells and Skills could and had defeated them in the past. It helped that people didn¡¯t have their eyes up. To busy trying to kill each other on the ground.


    Howard grunted thanks.


    The map overlay showed a neighborhood built around a school.


    Lights from torches and artificial sources dotted the otherwise dark area.


    He zoomed in and found a few groups of armed people walking the streets, while more manned the guard towers and watched the walls.


    ¡°They are not reacting to the big, bright glowing pillar of light shooting out of that school compound. A powerful Skill or spell must be in effect if what the wet wizard says about the nature of the eidolon signal is accurate,¡± Twice Clever Fox said.


    With her fox mask pushed up on her head she was a rather attractive woman.


    The scars only added to it as far as he was concerned.


    Sadly, one didn¡¯t fraternize within the unit.


    He had taken that seriously back in his soldiering days and saw no reason to change his ways.


    ¡°The eidolon and the skullmask weirdo obviously noticed it. Just like us,¡± Tabitha said.


    Not ¡®Dancessassin¡¯ when not on mission.


    Her creepy panther-like monster head hood was pushed back revealing another pretty face. Also scarred, but her real scars ran deeper. Healing the marks left by the slaver filth was an ongoing process. Might take her entire life despite all the best efforts of the boss and her therapist.


    If ever anyone tried to argue that slavery wasn¡¯t all evil to his face, Howard would slap the shit out of their mouth.


    ¡°A localized effect,¡± Dayana said. ¡°We¡¯ve been wondering how the Lindsay the clown was managing to murder people inside their homes without alerting the neighbors or the patrols. I¡¯m thinking the domain theory is looking likely.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Willy raised his hand again. ¡°It stops everything from getting in or out. Calls for help and our scans. That¡¯s on top of all the other weird interference.¡±


    ¡°Alright, we¡¯re going. This might be our best chance to take him out. Any objections?


    ¡°There is the butcher slasher somewhere in that partially ruined store. He is exposed. It is a question of taking the bao in hand over reaching for two with the possibility of ending up hungry,¡± Twice Clever Fox said.


    ¡°Butcher¡¯s not going anywhere. If he tries to run he¡¯ll have to fight the bands running around. They¡¯ll all kill each other if we¡¯re lucky,¡± Dayana said. ¡°Besides, he¡¯s a lair sort of guy. We can always get him later.¡±


    That was good enough for him.


    ¡°Marian?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, boss?¡±


    ¡°Drop targeting beacons on the building. Then take us to that signal.¡±


    The Raynanaut might pick up the beacons or they might not.


    If the former, then they could just drop ordinance on the butcher and call it a day.


    If the latter, then it was like Dayana had said.


    <hr>


    Symbiosis.


    The demon inside of him was no parasite.


    He benefited.


    It benefited.


    He gained power through sharing everything and an upgraded class.


    It hid its full presence, which let it revel in bloodshed without drawing attention that led to destruction.


    Together¡­ they were immortal!


    The passage of time held no meaning.


    They could bring joy and laughter to children unto eternity.


    Demonic Circus of Blood Revelry.


    His domain overwrote reality, snapping into place over the school prey had thought to turn into a fortress to keep them safe.


    It harkened to his most favorite place to visit back in his youth.


    They could hear the happy music¡ª


    ¡­ a song of screams just beneath the notes from ghostly brass, percussion, strings and woodwind instruments. People crying and pleading for their parents, for an end to the pain.


    They could smell roasted peanuts, cotton candy, popcorn and crackerjack¡ª


    ¡­ an iron tang wafted through the air along with the sour and pungent scents of old sweat and human waste.


    They could see the riotous colors against the dark night. Flashing lights, fireworks¡ª


    ¡­ cutting claws and teeth snapping over a black void.


    He stepped toward the school¡¯s main build¡ª the big top¡ª on floppy red shoes.


    A broken mirror stopped him for a moment.


    He touched his nose.


    The round red ball gave off a high-pitched squeak when he squeezed it.


    He teased his wild mane of multi-colored hair, making sure it was properly pointed in all directions.


    His costume billowed around his fat body, giving him the look of a colorful ball.


    He pressed a hidden button in his collar. The plastic flower pinned to his chest squirted a bit of liquid on the mirror causing it to hiss and sizzle.


    The door was locked and barred.


    He knocked, blowing it wide open.


    There he stood in silhouette, lined by the colorful lights behind him.


    He removed his cap and bowed with a flourish.


    Showmanship was important.


    The armed men and women in the hall quailed behind their barricades.


    He sniffed the air.


    The demon did so love the scent of the terror running down their legs.


    ¡°Come one, come all! Children of all ages! Welcome to my circus!¡±


    Nothing feared him more than children.


    Fight or flight.


    Most turned and ran deeper into the building. Some dropped their weapons.


    A few stayed.


    Skills to give them courage to resist his or plain willpower.


    Bullets struck, then bounced off as though hitting rubber.


    A fireball did better.


    Singed, he pointed his cap at the charging fighters.


    Doves emerged.


    Not normal doves.


    These had gaping, oozing wounds that stained their white feathers pink.


    The light of insanity danced in their beady eyes as they tore the fighters¡¯ faces into gory strips of meat with beaks and razor-sharp feathers.


    Another blast of fire turned his doves into ash.


    He giggled and launched himself forward in a waddling run that closed the gap quickly.


    A woman with a sword slashed down, placing her blade in his path. Her Skill cut his rubber body, but he had thick layers of fat and muscle.


    Steel cut into ribs.


    The demon inside him flexed, halting the blade and pushing it out with a spray of dark crimson.


    Demon blood was caustic even when diluted with his.


    The woman cried out as the metal on her head ran down her face.


    Still, she fought as what little remained, including the mage retreated down the hallway.


    Crimson sprayed until the steel and the woman were a puddle in the melted crater that was once a tiled floor.


    They had turned their backs to him.


    Slasher¡¯s Stride brought him within arm¡¯s reach.


    He ripped a man¡¯s head off with demonic-empowered strength.


    The mage turned. Her hands glowed.


    Acid from his flower was burned by a sudden curtain of flame.


    He reached through, taking the pain from the magic fire.


    It dulled as the demon took over.


    The curtain winked out.


    He held the mage aloft with clawed fingers.


    She spat one last bit of flame on his face before her eyes went dark.


    He shook her off, letting his hand hit the floor.


    The partial transformation had torn his colorful costume as his entire arm had grown into a twisted mass of pale muscle.


    Their strongest couldn¡¯t stop him.


    What hope did the weaker parents have?


    None.


    They died cowering in terror in front of a classroom door.


    He tore it open.


    The deliciousness of true children couldn¡¯t be compared to the rest.


    He could almost taste the tears.


    A giggle escaped his red lips.


    ¡°Hello children!¡±


    He gave them a wide-eyed smile.


    ¡°Who wants to have fun?¡±


    One pulled out a gun and emptied the magazine.


    The bullets bounced off.


    ¡°Oh! Aren¡¯t you a brave one? You didn¡¯t close your eyes!¡± He glanced back to the doorway where blood pooled and flowed slowly into the classroom. ¡°Much braver than your parents. Unless¡­ hmm¡­ maybe you kids can help Uncle Lindsay the Clown out? Raise your hands if mommy is¡ª was good with a sword? No? She did seem a little young to have a little rug rat your ages. What about if mommy was a fire mage?¡±


    They couldn¡¯t look at him.


    Aside from the brave little boy that had taken up a position in between him and the rest of the kids.


    ¡°I guess you¡¯re all too scared to answer your funny uncle, huh? Except for you. What¡¯s your name?¡±


    The boy held the machete in two hands.


    Looked like a full-sized sword.


    The black-coated steel wavered.


    ¡°Brave, but not that brave, huh?¡± He giggled. ¡°Tell you what? For being braver than most of your mommies and daddies out there, how about a trick? Would you like to see a trick?¡±


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Tears welled up in the boys eyes, but he set his jaw.


    ¡°The trick is¡ª¡±


    He grabbed the boy with his demonic hand.


    Its size made it seem too large and heavy to move quickly, but it struck like a snake.


    The boy was swallowed up by the pale hand. Only his small head and feet remained visible.


    ¡°Popping your head off like a balloon!¡±


    The kids screamed as they were showered with gore.


    Some tried to run, but the other door had been barricaded while the windows had been boarded up.


    Others cowered, huddling together behind piles of desks.


    The sweet scent of their terror ran down their legs to the floor.


    A little girl raised her hand with her eyes closed.


    Tiny orbs of blue light seared the flesh on his jowly face.


    ¡°We have our next volunteer for the next trick!¡±


    He grabbed her.


    ¡°How about a math trick?¡± He placed the tip of his clawed forefinger in her blond curls. ¡°What do we get when we divide one by two?¡±


    The girl shut her eyes tight, mumbling something about mommy.


    The demon cackled in the back of his mind.


    Slight pressure.


    Flesh and bone parted with a waterfall of red and viscera.


    ¡°You get two halves!¡±


    The kids didn¡¯t appreciate his showmanship.


    Sadly, for them, they were a captive audience.


    They couldn¡¯t get around him and his long demon arm could reach so far.


    He did 10 tricks. Each one different, but with the same end result.


    Over half the kids.


    Each added to his leading point total.


    That Holly Foster slasher was a fool.


    Why would he accept her invitation when he could win just by doing what he had been since the beginning of the event?


    Children were the future.


    His future victory.


    He was already Level 50, but gaining even just 1 level made it worth it since he hadn¡¯t leveled in years. And that wasn¡¯t counting all of the other rewards. Attribute points served him better than most because the demon¡¯s empowerment exponentially scaled off his base attributes, not a flat increase.


    Victory meant no child in the world was safe from him.


    Perhaps it was time to consider making it so that no child on any world was safe?


    There were alien children out there after all.


    What sort of flavor did their terror hold?


    He¡¯d start with the invaders.


    Something about bat people in the caves near Vegas, bull-like centaurs in one of those old 3rd world Asian countries and a handful of other rumors across the world filtered through the spires¡¯ messaging system.


    But first¡­ the rest of the crying children.


    He reached out for a little girl that had gone catatonic.


    They did that often.


    She had curled up in a ball, arms wrapped around her knees, head tucked as if to deny his existence.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, little one. Just because you can¡¯t see me doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t exist.¡± He stroked her dark hair with his white, fat-fingered glove. ¡°So,¡± he said almost softly, ¡°what trick do you want to see?¡±


    The bright, many colored lights flashing from outside seemed to join him in touching her hair.


    ¡°Beautiful hair, so shiny and dark,¡± he murmured. ¡°Just like my¡ª¡±


    Wood and glass exploded.


    Something big and heavy crashed into his face, causing his red nose to squeak.


    Blue eyes in a red, white and blue mask were wide as they bored into his.


    They rolled across the classroom, scattering chairs and screaming kids.


    Masonry and dust showered on his head and shoulders as the soldier slammed him into the wall near the door.


    Short spears pierced his colorful costume and rubber-like flesh to draw dark blood that burned steel.


    ¡°Just the tip?¡±


    He raised a bushy brow.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you more than that!¡±


    He heard the venom in the skull-masked soldier¡¯s voice despite it being muffled.


    ¡°Oh? You have a trick for me?¡± He giggled. ¡°That doesn¡¯t happen very often.¡±


    The soldier pushed the spears past his ribs, raising him off the floor.


    ¡°Turn it off!¡± the soldier snarled.


    ¡°Awww¡­ not enjoying the atmosphere? But it¡¯s such a fun-filled time! Where children enjoy the treats and the shows! Where grown men can pretend they were back in those days!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been to a circus. This isn¡¯t it, you murdering freak! Turn it off, now!¡±


    ¡°Or what? You¡¯ll kill me? Your tips tickling my belly say you¡¯re going to do that anyway. Tell me¡­ what was your favorite part? The clowns? That was my favorite. Hmm¡­ you don¡¯t seem to like clowns¡ª¡±


    ¡°Lindsay, shut the fuck up!¡±


    ¡°Was it the trapeze artists? The high wire acts? The dancing horses and elephants, lions, tiger and bears, oh my! Or¡­ was it the human cannonball?¡±


    The soldier¡¯s eyes flicked to the right.


    Lindsay giggled.


    He always loved the sense of wonder in his guests eyes when they saw what he saw even if only in parts, as ethereal as a ghost flickering in and out of what they thought was reality.


    Truth was that within his domain, he had a lot to say about that.


    The huge cannon fired a helmeted man into the soldier, sending them crashing through the wall in a tangle of limbs, some real, some ghostly.


    Giggles turned into laughter.


    ¡°See! Isn¡¯t my circus so fun! Twists and turns galore! You never know what¡¯s coming next! Right, children? Children?¡±


    The ungrateful little snots were climbing out of the hole in the windows.


    ¡°Tsk, tsk! You might catch yourself on some glass or rusted metal. You don¡¯t want to get tetanus, do you?¡± He reached his over-long demon hand.


    Only for a streaking missile to strike him in the palm, smacking it away as the last child scampered out the window.


    The soldier re-appeared.


    Then promptly disappeared.


    A spear tip pierced his cheek and bounced off his teeth.


    He left his feet just as the air left his lungs from the blow to his solar plexus.


    Hit the ceiling on the way up and the floor on the way down.


    Heavy boots stomped the back of his head into the tile, cracking it, creating a little crater.


    He giggled at the rapid-fire squeaks his round red nose made.


    That sound never failed to make him smile.


    The demon spoke in his head.


    Not words, for it didn¡¯t do words.


    It imparted thoughts, impressions, images.


    In time their symbiosis would progress and there would be no line dividing them.


    They would be as one, yet still separate¡­ at the same time.


    Did it make sense?


    No.


    But, if religious people could claim that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit were three in one, yet also separate, then he and the demon made even more sense.


    He agreed with the demon.


    The skull-masked soldier had allies.


    Possibly, that eidolon.


    They had seen the two of them together visiting neighborhoods.


    To fight both and possibly others at the same time brought on greater risk and it wasn¡¯t fun.


    No, no, no.


    A circus was supposed to be fun for everyone.


    His demon arm bent in a way that should¡¯ve been impossible from the look of its anatomy to smack the soldier through several walls.


    He hopped to his feet like an acrobatic penguin.


    ¡°But first¡­¡±


    There were children to impart the joys of the circus experience to.


    ¡°Oh no,¡± he giggled, ¡°no one¡¯s getting away from Uncle Lindsay!¡±


    Slasher¡¯s Stride took him out of the building.


    ¡°There you are! So fast, even though you have such tiny, pudgy legs! Your mommies and daddies are waiting for you! I¡¯m going to send you to them!¡±


    <hr>


    Too slow.


    Death¡¯s Dancer was too slow.


    He could outrun cars, but the fat clown was through the hole in the window and out of reach despite moving at a waddle while dragging that over-sized monster arm.


    The clown giggled as he called out to the kids running in a tight clump like ducklings being chased by a coyote.


    ¡°There¡¯s no leaving the circus until you¡¯ve had your fun!¡±


    Death¡¯s Dancer drew his grenade launcher from his bag of holding.


    It thumped in his hand light as a feather.


    The grenade bounced off the clown¡¯s back and exploded in the air between them.


    The kids screamed louder.


    The clown laughed.


    Reality shifted back and forth for Death¡¯s Dancer.


    They were in a field of wild green grass. A playground stood on his left. The parking lot was around the corner to his right.


    They were in a circus. Neon lights flashed with fireworks in the dark sky. The smell of cooking oil wafted through the air. Muffled cheers from the crowd inside the big top tent reached him.


    His place shifted back and forth from one to the other, sometimes both at the same time.


    He aimed at the back of the clown¡¯s floppy red shoes.


    It seemed like a nightmare how much ground the fat fuck covered despite waddling.


    Damn Skills!


    The explosion rocked the clown, knocking him off his stride.


    That oozing red nose squeaked as the clown hit the grass.


    Death¡¯s Dancer closed with a bounding leap.


    ¡°Flying elephant!¡± the clown giggled.


    Death¡¯s Dancer careened to one side, digging a furrow in the grass.


    The impact had rattled his brain for a moment.


    He had to blink.


    An ethereal elephant flickered in and out of existence as it banked above him on ears like wings.


    It trumpeted a battle cry as it lined up wicked-looking tusks.


    He aimed¡ª


    Stinging pain pierced his chest and back through his armor.


    The clown¡¯s demon hand actually crushed the air from his lungs.


    A lavender boulder crashed from on high, showering them both in dirt.


    Alcaestus loomed.


    ¡°Unhand him.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Death¡¯s Dancer went for a flight.


    A tusk gored him in the gut.


    Stronger pain than he had felt in awhile.


    The ghostly flying elephant vanished.


    He hit the ground.


    It felt hot and wet underneath his undamaged armor.


    He scrambled for a healing potion, tearing off his armor in the process.


    There was a big red hole in the middle of his gut.


    Torn guts slithered out like worms.


    He pushed it all back in the front and back before splashing the eidolon-quality healing potion on his front.


    All he could do was keep one hand over the hole in his back while waiting for the one in the front to close so he could repeat the process.


    Couldn¡¯t move.


    Couldn¡¯t fight.


    Could only watch.


    Al kicked the clown in the stomach, sending the fat monster rolling across the grass like a ball.


    The clown popped back to his feet with a giggle.


    ¡°Oh! Welcome to my circus, giant man from another world!¡±


    ¡°This is a mockery.¡±


    Al strode toward the clone with ground-eating strides.


    ¡°Oh? You have these on your world too?¡±


    The eidolon reached.


    The clown covered half the distance to the slow-running children in one stride.


    Al leapt, landing in between.


    The clown giggled.


    ¡°You can¡¯t pull me to you without pulling them to you. You know circuses? Then you must know about the funhouse?¡± he cackled.


    Al froze for some reason.


    Death¡¯s Dancer saw it a moment later.


    A maze of mirrors and horrors had appeared over half the large field, shifting in and out of reality.


    He realized with growing horror that the kids had also stopped running.


    They clustered together, looking everywhere around them with wide eyes.


    The clown did a dance, jiggling all over the place.


    ¡°Careful, careful, carefully! Break the mirrors and unleash the really fun stuff. Oh and don¡¯t forget, you aren¡¯t the only one inside having so much fun, fun, fun! Kids love the funhouse! Hear them shriek in joy! Hear them call for their mommies and daddies to share in the excitement! Watch your step! You never know when one of the rug rats might be underfoot!¡±


    The clown lashed out.


    Claws scored thin golden lines across Al¡¯s face, adding to the rest of the partially-healed cuts crisscrossing his massive muscular body.


    ¡°Do you even know what you¡¯ve done to yourself by accepting the demon pact?¡± Al swung blindly.


    ¡°Yes.¡± The clown quirked his fat head to the side. ¡°Of course I do. It made me strong enough to bring laughter wherever I go!¡± He removed the cap that suddenly appeared on his wild tangle of multi-colored hair.


    Bloody doves screamed out toward the eidolon.


    Al clapped his hands together.


    Thunder knocked the doves out of the air and turned the clown into a rolling ball once again.


    The kids screamed louder.


    Death¡¯s Dancer rolled over to pour more potion on the hole in his back.


    The funhouse maze wavered.


    The clown giggled.


    ¡°Seesaw! We saw¡­ you flying into the night!¡±


    A huge seesaw flickered into reality.


    Al stood on one end.


    ¡°Wh¡ª¡±


    The flying elephant re-appeared in a dive from on high.


    It slammed into the huge board¡¯s raised end.


    ¡°Bye bye! We hope you enjoyed the show! Please come back again next time!¡± The clown waved at the lavender boulder disappearing into the night. ¡°Time to end tonight¡¯s show!¡± He strode right up to the huddled kids.


    ¡°Lindsay! You insane fuck!¡± Death¡¯s Dancer roared. The hole in his back wasn¡¯t healing quickly enough. ¡°I¡¯m still here! Show¡¯s not over! Everyone knows that kids are last!¡±


    The clown appeared to mull it over as he loomed over the kids.


    ¡°No. No. No. That¡¯s not right. It¡¯s the opposite. Kid¡¯s are first.¡±


    He grabbed one.


    A blond-haired boy.


    Tear-filled eyes locked with Death¡¯s Dancer.


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡ª¡±


    The clown squeezed.


    ¡°Oops¡­ did I do that?¡±


    A flick of the demon hand tossed the boy¡¯s pulped body next to Death¡¯s Dancer.


    He tried to stand.


    The healing potion hadn¡¯t finished its work. It felt like knives were dancing around inside him with every step.


    ¡°Lindsay, I¡¯m going to gut you like a fish.¡±


    ¡°You mean like this?¡± The clown grabbed another kid and threw the remains.


    Death¡¯s Dancer ducked and broke into a sprint.


    He hurled one spear, pinning the demon arm to the ground before it could grab another kid.


    ¡°Run, you stupid kids!¡±


    They didn¡¯t.


    The mirrors flickering in and out of their reality showed them their deepest, darkest nightmares.


    Flying knee. Stab. Punch. Kick.


    Everything bounced off the clown¡¯s fat.


    The demon arm clubbed him into the ground, creating a crater.


    ¡°No. No. No.¡± The clown waved a grotesque finger.


    Up close, Death¡¯s Dancer noticed for the first time that the pale flesh wasn¡¯t just shiny. It was slick with a clear liquid. Skinless. Exposed muscle.


    ¡°You are an adult. You will wait in line until all the kids have had their fun.¡± He raised his demon arm and¡ª


    Nothing.


    It remained poised to descend on one of the kids.


    He strained as if held in place by invisible ropes.


    A woman in that fancy armor painted up in the gray tones of urban camo pattern held a knife stabbed into the grass a short distance away.


    No.


    That wasn¡¯t right.


    She had stabbed the shadow of clown¡¯s demon arm.


    Out of another shadow, a lithe form twirled around the clown like a ballerina, cutting his colorful costume and pale skin with the inky black ribbons of the hem of her hooded cloak.


    The clown struck at her with his normal hand and hit nothing but air. Three feet off to her right.


    A third woman appeared in a whirl of yet another dark cloak. Hands blurring, her fingers struck all over the clown. She leapt back, revealing the fox mask over her face.


    ¡°His Qi is wrong! Two in one and the other is¡­ wrong. I confirm our speculation. Somehow, he is twinned with a demon.¡±


    He could¡¯ve have told her that.


    Just look at his arm.


    ¡°You two, get the kids away from here. I¡¯ll keep him pinned.¡± So said, the woman in the fancy armor stabbed another knife into the clown¡¯s shadow.


    Death¡¯s Dancer knew who she was despite her dark faceplate.


    Remember her and her team from the Slaver King¡¯s tournament.


    They had stupid codenames that belied their deadliness. Their subsequent battle in the king¡¯s celebratory banquet where the odious man was killed had fully displayed that.


    He hadn¡¯t fought in that fight, having gone elsewhere in a failed attempt to secure the slave collar tech.


    Sometimes, when he got introspective he marked that as one of his greatest failures as a human being.


    He had followed orders rather than done what was right.


    The other women grabbed the crying kids, two under each arm and ran away.


    ¡°Get your ass off the grass, Death¡¯s Dancer. They¡¯re not going to be able to take the kids out of this freak¡¯s domain,¡± Shootystabby said.


    ¡°Figures.¡± He stood with a groan.


    Death¡¯s Dancer got in 5 stabs with his short spear before the clown broke free of the deadly woman¡¯s Skill.

 9.36

    ¡°Um¡­ guys, I getting weird proximity warnings,¡± Marian said as she pulled the shuttle up instead of continuing her descent to the school.


    Dayana eyed the holographic projection of the overhead map.


    Monsters attacked from all sides.


    It was a sudden thing, as if a dinner bell had just been wrung.


    Easy bet said it had something to do with the clown slasher.


    The eidolon¡¯s golden sign remained in the sky suspended in a pillar of golden light.


    Then again, maybe that had been the dinner bell?


    ¡°Scan it,¡± Howard said. He turned to Willy. ¡°Magic scan it.¡±


    The wizard opened his spellbook with a gesture and cast several ghostly versions of his eyes, sending them through the shuttle¡¯s floor.


    A minute turned into two before Marian spoke first.


    ¡°The sensors are thinking that there¡¯s a dome around the school¡­ maybe¡­ it sort of appears and disappears. Sending it to the tactical display.¡±


    ¡°Domain Skill.¡± Dayana knew of another slasher with a domain. If one had it, then why not another?


    ¡°Foster¡¯s doesn¡¯t trip sensors. If this one is reading as partially physical then flying through it might not end well,¡± Howard said.


    ¡°We¡¯d crash,¡± Willy said. His eyes glowed blue. ¡°The domain has elements of altered reality. Restrictions on entrance and exit. My eyes can¡¯t get through.¡±


    ¡°What sort of restrictions?¡± Howard said.


    ¡°Unclear,¡± Willy shrugged.


    ¡°Take us down on the edge, Marian.¡±


    She brought the shuttle down in the middle of the dark street next to a fence blocking access to a large field of overgrown green grass.


    It was empty.


    The school buildings were likewise dark.


    ¡°I thought they were using this place as a shelter,¡± Adrian said.


    The hybrid supersoldier sniffed the air.


    ¡°Do you smell that?¡±


    Howard took a sniff as well.


    ¡°Nope. But you¡¯ve got a better nose than me.¡±


    ¡°It smells like a street faire. Fried food. Lots of it. And iron.¡± He bared his fangs in an unconscious snarl. ¡°It¡¯s blood.¡±


    ¡°Of course it is,¡± Dayana said. She was an old hat at this sort of thing. When in doubt expect the worse. ¡°Lindsay the clown¡¯s got a domain. I¡¯m willing to bet half my Universal Points that what we¡¯re seeing right now isn¡¯t what¡¯s actually going on in there.¡±


    ¡°No time to waste then. Let¡¯s go. I¡¯m first. Count to 10. Then follow.¡± Howard strode forward and promptly slammed into an invisible wall. He cursed. ¡°Black Cat, you try it.¡±


    Same result.


    Adrian hissed and slashed the air. ¡°It¡¯s there and not there.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going.¡±


    Dayana stepped through.


    There was a moment of resistance, then slowed movement, like she was walking through water.


    She popped out the other side and saw the fight in the middle of the field between a demon-armed clown and a skull-masked soldier over 10 screaming kids.


    She cursed and went back out.


    ¡°What¡ª¡±


    ¡°No time,¡± she cut Howard off and quickly explained.


    ¡°Your personal strength was close enough to Lindsay the clown is my guess,¡± Willy said. ¡°You¡¯re over Level 50 and that¡¯s about where he probably is based on the evidence.¡± He glanced over at Twice Clever Fox and Dancessassin. ¡°Another guess, but you two might be able to get through also. Foxes are metaphysically known to be really clever about getting into places that try to keep them out. And you¡¯re over Level 40. As for you, I¡¯d try traveling through the shadows. You¡¯ve used it to bypass magic shields and boundary spells before.¡±


    Howard cursed.


    ¡°Fine,¡± he handed Dayana his viral pistol. ¡°Do your best. We¡¯ll keep trying. Wet, magic me up a portal.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll try, but no promises. This feels like a little too high level for me.¡±


    ¡°Marian.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, boss man?¡±


    ¡°Get back in the air. Help the locals. Use the loudspeaker tell them we¡¯re trying to save their kids. If they don¡¯t have to fight monsters then they can help here.¡±


    Dayana stepped through again.


    Harder the second time.


    She came out the other side breathing hard, like she had swam the length of the pool a few times on one breath.


    Dancessassin climbed out of the shadow.


    The too-alive eyes of her panther-like monster hood were wide, pupils dilated.


    As for the young woman?


    She punched the grass a few times before standing.


    ¡°Blood and circus,¡± Twice Clever Fox said as she too rose on unsteady legs.


    ¡°You have those where you¡¯re from?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± The fox-masked woman regarded her like she had sprouted a second head.


    ¡°Eidolon.¡± Dancessassin pointed. ¡°No more eidolon.¡±


    The lavender colored missile rocketed into the night.


    ¡°That elephant was flying with its ears,¡± Twice Clever Fox said.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have those in your circuses?¡±


    ¡°No. Did you?¡±


    ¡°In a cartoon. C¡¯mon, let¡¯s do this.¡±


    They dashed through the field of tall grass.


    Dayana flickered ahead of the other two, covering a dozen feet with every step.


    A sudden burst of violence saw the other two carry the remaining kids away, leaving her and the skull-masked soldier alone with the clown.


    Death¡¯s Dancer got 5 stabs in before the demon-armed clown broke free of her anchoring stab to his shadow.


    The clown moved quickly for all his waddling.


    Must¡¯ve been a slasher¡¯s stride to allow him to eat up large chunks of ground with every step.


    Fortunately, she had flicker movement to keep up.


    She cut his colorful costume stained with blood and chunks. Shot him with the viral pistol.


    The former didn¡¯t bother him because there was something weird with his pale skin. Flesh almost like rubber with how her blade wasn¡¯t biting.


    The latter?


    Well, he didn¡¯t like the latter one bit.


    He snarled.


    Eyes widened, flashing with ugly light as the viral rounds broke down his skin at the molecular level.


    She aimed at the demon arm, scoring a handful of shots down from shoulder to wrist.


    ¡°No cutters! Cutting in line is bad! Kids get into the circus before adults!¡± he howled, swinging the strangely bloodless demon arm at her.


    ¡°I¡¯ve fought insane clowns before and you make them look normal. I hate that because they were nuttier than the shit that comes out of your fat ass.¡±


    She shot him in the face.


    Many colors ran with the red as his fat cheek melted.


    He blubbered like a man baby.


    Death¡¯s Dancer leapt in with his spears, digging into the clown¡¯s back and hoisting him into the air.


    She placed accurate shots in the clown¡¯s legs and body.


    There wasn¡¯t much risk of friendly fire especially with the targeting assistance provided by her helmet.


    Plus, she couldn¡¯t say that she cared too much about hitting the skull-masked soldier.


    They weren¡¯t exactly on the same side.


    Well, technically, they were for the world event.


    However, he was working with those other spec ops soldiers that had abandoned their humanity to take up a slasher class for more power.


    The old government was like that. Always and forever looking for ways to gain and keep their power at the expense of the individual innocent person.


    Adrian was just one example of that and he had been one of the lucky.


    She ran out of viral rounds so she stowed it in her bag of holding and drew a regular pistol from her leg holster.


    The only thing special about the 1911 were the enchanted rounds.


    ¡°Oh¡­ shit!¡±


    Death¡¯s Dancer tossed the clown off his spears, but not quick enough to avoid the over-sized demon arm.


    The other one.


    As the clowns flesh sloughed off because of the viral rounds, pale glistening muscle appeared.


    No¡ª


    It had always been.


    The ethereal circus overlaid on reality morphed as the clown did.


    Less laughter, more screaming.


    Less fried Twinkies, more fried people.


    Less fat clown, more lean demon.


    Her heart skipped a beat.


    She couldn¡¯t help it.


    A demon wasn¡¯t on her level.


    It was way over.


    It was more of a Cal thing.


    She had reviewed all the recordings of every fight anyone had ever had with a demon.


    Even if they had all been different, one wanted to get an idea on how one would do against one.


    This one was pale.


    Its limbs seemed too big for its body, which was just about as tall as Death¡¯s Dancer.


    Exposed muscles minus the skin glistened with a smooth, viscous liquid.


    Its face was only vaguely the clown¡¯s.


    The only thing that remained was the color scheme of the paint and the round red nose.


    The wild tangle of multi-colored hair had become a wild tangle of writhing tentacles and serpents.


    Circus music played in the back of Dayana¡¯s thoughts.


    The clown¡¯s giggles tickled her up and down her spine.


    The demon clown stood with a flourish, doffing his cap.


    ¡°Watch out!¡±


    She flickered at the warning as a flock of bloody doves streamed out of the red and white baseball cap.


    ¡°Lady and gentleman!¡± The demon clown¡¯s voice was a guttural reverberation of two voices in one. ¡°For our showstopper! Your evisceration!¡±


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Applause thundered in Dayana¡¯s ears.


    She caught the fireworks in the dark sky.


    Colorful flashes turned into a single color.


    Blood red, just like the moon behind them.


    ¡°Come one, come all! Children of all ages! Witness the incomparable event! Our grand parade of freaks!¡±


    ¡°Hostiles!¡± Death¡¯s Dancer snapped.


    Ethereal forms coalesced around him, grabbing, hitting.


    She felt the same hands clutching at her limbs, groping at her chest and between her legs.


    Flickering out a short distance away she cursed.


    She was wearing armor.


    Why did she feel those cold, clammy fingers on her flesh?


    She caught headlights out of the corner of her eye.


    What was that about circuses and cars?


    Clown cars.


    Small cars that fit a lot of clowns.


    Just what she needed.


    More clowns on top of the demon one and the ethereal freaks, chasing after her as she flickered around the field.


    Except¡ª


    The height of the headlights suggested a large truck not a small car.


    The horn blared.


    The demon clown turned to the lights that had zeroed in on him.


    The truck¡¯s armored grill slammed into him.


    Dayana watched the door open and a small, cloaked form jump out as the truck and the demon impaled on its front slammed into the side of the big top¡ª she shook her head.


    Not a huge tent.


    Just a regular school building.


    The cloaked form rose to its feet.


    No. Not it. Her.


    Her hood was an empty void.


    Darker than the abyss.


    A startlingly white smile split the darkest black.


    The shadows took on a crimson hue as they began to writhe.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    ¡°Me,¡± the voice coming from everywhere agreed.


    Death¡¯s Dancer pointed a machine gun one-handed at the newly arrived slasher.


    ¡°I¡¯m only here for one thing,¡± Holly said. ¡°Don¡¯t make it two things.¡±


    Dayana tensed.


    Technically, Holly was an ally. Not that she had to like it.


    Part of her would¡¯ve considered turning a blind eye if there was a good opportunity to rid the world of a high level serial killer. It didn¡¯t matter if Holly only killed evil people now, she was still a potential threat.


    The truck emerged from the hole in the building with the squeal of metal.


    ¡°More cutters, cutting in line! No fun,¡± he growled.


    The demon clown hurled it like a missile.


    They dived out of the way.


    When Dayana looked up the demon clown was gone.


    No bets on where it was headed.


    ¡°You guys have incoming!¡± she barked into the comms.


    No answer.


    Only static.


    ¡°Try to keep up,¡± Holly said as she strode after the demon clown.


    Dayana followed flickering up to the school¡¯s roof.


    Death¡¯s Dancer leapt.


    <hr>


    He was too slow.


    It wasn¡¯t something that he was used to.


    The two women would¡¯ve been faster than him even if he wasn¡¯t slowed down by the constant cycle of his guts tearing and healing with every violent movement.


    The slasher chick that looked like she was wearing a cloak of bloody shadows was all over the demon clown like dogs on a hog. The kitchen knives in her hands were doing way more damage than he had managed with his superstrength and solid steel spears.


    Dark crimson sprayed the air like sideways rain.


    Shootystabby was living up to the latter half of her dumb name by stabbing blades into writhing shadows.


    He watched them part like torn cloth on the rooftop as the demon clown kept on the move.


    Still, she was slowing him down enough to give the other two chicks running and jumping across the school¡¯s buildings time to keep the kids in their clutches just out of those over-sized demon hands.


    ¡°Why are you morons still here!¡± he called out. ¡°Run! Get them out of this stupid domain!¡±


    So said, he tripped.


    Rather, a pair of arms wrapped around his legs like a flesh-colored snake.


    Damn ghost freaks!


    He kicked at the contortionist fading in and out of reality as a big man with rough, green growths all over his body like an alligator loomed above him.


    He rolled as the man stomped.


    The huge foot crashed right through the rooftop.


    ¡°Are you a ghost or not? Make up your damned minds!¡± He plunged one spear into the alligator man¡¯s other foot, pining it to the¡ª


    The man faded, leaving the spear alone as he kicked Death¡¯s Dancer in the face.


    His enchanted mask took away some of the force, but he had felt that.


    He flowed with the kick, turning the momentum into a leg sweep followed by a boot to the alligator man¡¯s grotesque face on the next revolution.


    Ghostly teeth and blood went flying.


    The alligator man vanished.


    That left the contortionist, who leapt at him with a hiss.


    A spear to the face sent her off to wherever ghost freaks went in between bouts of murderous violence.


    He rose to his feet, spitting blood into his mask.


    The running fight had left him well-behind.


    With a tired sigh, he leapt.


    Too much internal damage was calling into question his earlier boast.


    He couldn¡¯t, in fact, fight all night.


    They had jumped off the rooftops and onto the large parking lot.


    Torn bodies littered the space.


    The children¡¯s defenders.


    He couldn¡¯t tell if it was the demon clown that got them or the domain¡¯s ghosts.


    He doubted that it was the freaks.


    The damage looked to have been done by teeth and claws.


    One had been stomped into a gory smear on the asphalt.


    The distance gave him a wider view of the fight.


    Which was why he noticed the flying elephant before they did.


    He nailed it with a thrown spear. Just behind one flapping ear.


    Dumbo trumpeted a death cry before it crashed into the demon clown.


    A bit of luck was nice.


    The elephant vanished as the slasher chick cut the demon clown¡¯s pale muscles a dozen times in less than a second before skipping away from a clawed hand.


    An ear shattering pop and whistles brought everyone not the demon clown to a sudden halt.


    The ghosts of confetti showered down on them like a sudden summer storm.


    So much screaming.


    So much pain.


    His bare torso smoked and sizzled at their touch.


    Him and the kids.


    The deadly chicks were covered up.


    Shit was fucked.


    The chick with the fox mask and the chick with the¡­ blinking monster head hooded cloak¡­ which didn¡¯t look happy?


    Well, he had seen weirder things.


    A partially alive cloak was the least of it.


    They tried to shield the kids stacked under their arms, but even a single piece of confetti on their exposed heads was enough.


    ¡°Get them inside!¡± Shootystabby shot a gout of fire from under her gauntlet, creating an orange-yellow umbrella for them to dash under into the school.


    ¡°No! That¡¯s the worst place for them to be! Just keep burning the confetti!¡±


    ¡°Only have one shot!¡± she snapped.


    Fair enough.


    The demon clown strode into the school.


    The slasher chick on his heels.


    Death¡¯s Dancer picked a wall, hoping to cut the demon clown off.


    He lowered his shoulder and barged through a classroom and into the hallway.


    Demon clown and slasher chick to the left of him.


    Two other chicks with the kids to the right.


    More luck.


    Which ended the moment he had that thought.


    The circus music was louder inside the school.


    It was accompanied by a honking horn coming from further down the right.


    ¡°Oh, come on!¡± he snapped.


    A bear appeared in and out of reality, heading for the kids and their two caretakers.


    It was an ordinary-looking brown bear with the exception of its colorful vest and hat like an upside down plant pot. Oh¡­ and the bicycle it was peddling.


    That was when the demon clown and the slasher chick swept him up in their whirlwind of death.


    <hr>


    Dancessassin threw her kids behind her before leaping to take the bear on its bicycle.


    Twice Clever Fox muttered a curse as she contorted her body gracefully to catch them all.


    Two gentle kicks juggled two kids as she loosened her hold on the pair already held under each of her arms like small sacks of rice.


    She bent backward to catch one on her chest.


    The boys tiny arms wrapped around her neck as she spun and bent forward to catch the little girl on her back.


    Two sets of arms held on for dear life around her neck. Had she not been a cultivator of high level they might have succeeded in choking her unconscious. Though, perhaps that was an exaggeration born of the children¡¯s terror.


    Such evil, such regret.


    If only human monsters didn¡¯t exist.


    Then again, they had existed since time immemorial, classes or not.


    To think of evil people of old backed by the tangible power from Skills and spells sent a shiver up her spine.


    It wasn¡¯t enough to throw off the precise movements of her laden body such that she might miss the last pair of kids as they slotted in the cramp space between her arms.


    The children were fortunate that they were small and skinny for she couldn¡¯t have fit three under each arm had they been fed on a glutton¡¯s diet of rice and fatty pork.


    Thus, Twice Clever Fox ran up the side of the lockers to get around Dancessassin and the fearsome bear on its bicycle as the pair battled like fierce predators.


    She carried the hopes and dreams of continued life for the 8 children in her arms or clinging to her neck like baby monkeys.


    A leaping kick dispersed the ghostly thing barring her path before it had time to coalesce into form.


    Not so the next set of creatures.


    A tiger and a lion, each coming at her while balanced on a large ball.


    A spinning kick in passing cut the balls from under their paws, while a twist of her body saw their claw swipes going just above and below her and the children.


    ¡°I require assistance,¡± she said into the comms.


    ¡°I¡¯m tracking you. Head for the cafeteria. I¡¯ll open the windows,¡± Shootystabby said.


    The Americans certainly lacked elegance in their naming conventions.


    ¡°The burning rain of paper?¡±


    ¡°Gone. Either it ran out or he¡¯s got limits to the demented circus crap he can come up with.¡±


    ¡°There are fierce animals riding bicycles and giant balls.¡±


    ¡°Of course there are. Now, take the next right. Cafeteria¡¯s at the end. I¡¯m blowing a hole through the west windows.¡±


    The building shook just as she reached the double doors.


    One dynamic entry with a flying kick saw her and the children through only to be beset by more creatures and twisted people fading in and out of reality.


    ¡°Move like their lives depend on it!¡± Shootystabby flickered around her, cutting, stabbing, shooting.


    Hands full, she could only leap and kick.


    Deer leaps through wolves carried her out the smoking hole and into the bright, flashing lights of many colors.


    Grass-covered fields greeted her.


    A baseball diamond to the left.


    She ran until the ground suddenly shifted beneath her.


    The children screamed as they went up with sudden violence.


    She stood upon a spinning caged compartment, which was one of many rotating around a much larger wheel that rivaled the height of the big top tent she had just exited.


    No.


    Not a tent.


    She had to remind herself not to believe her eyes half of the time.


    It was a school.


    A handful of interconnected buildings.


    Only one of which was more than a single story.


    She balanced with a cultivator¡¯s grace, forced to move her feet to keep from being thrown off by the speedy rotation.


    The little girl clinging to her back gagged.


    ¡°Please, do not¡ª¡±


    Chunky liquid splashed the side of her fox mask.


    Thankfully¡ª


    Other children gagged.


    ¡°Please, try to vomit away from me and the others.¡±


    They tried their best, bless their tiny, innocent souls.


    None of them deserved to be subjected to this nightmare.


    Her only consolation was that the open air and wind generated by their passage mitigated the odor.


    The grassy field loomed large.


    She leapt, making for the edge of the school¡¯s territory.


    Her hope was that the demon clown was preoccupied and perhaps weakened by the fight, thereby weakening the strength of his domain enough for her to take the children out.


    The field ended at a fence of thin metal links.


    Gray mist seeped the length of her arm from the other side.


    The dark street appeared empty, but she knew better.


    She released the children and pried the two off her neck.


    ¡°One moment.¡±


    A pair of knife hand chops to the fence cleared an opening.


    ¡°Try to walk through.¡±


    They blinked up at her with tear-streaked faces.


    The mist continued to expand as she waited patiently for them to cooperate.


    ¡°It may be dangerous, but I judge it less so than what¡¯s back there.¡± She gestured toward the school. ¡°Very well,¡± she sighed and grabbed a kid¡¯s hand at random. ¡°I will be with you. Try to walk through. I will pull you back if you can. Then we will all go together.¡±


    The little girl held out hand tentatively as she walked into the gap in the fence only to recoil as if touching a hot stove.


    ¡°It hurts!¡± She shook her hand.


    ¡°No one leaves the circus until everyone has had their fun!¡±


    The guttural growl came from behind them.


    Children screamed.


    Twice Clever Fox launched herself with tiger pounces upon the ox.


    Pinpoint Qi strikes barely slowed the demon clown as he swept his over-sized hands.


    Claws tore her tight clothing, cutting through Threnium armor to score deep gashes in the flesh beneath.


    ¡°So many line cutters to punish tonight!¡± He leered at her with a fang-filled mouth large enough to swallow her whole.


    She swayed away from a thrusting hand, grabbed slick exposed muscle in the wrist and arm, flowed into river rushes down the mountain side to throw the demon clown over a hundred meters away.


    The sound of a burning wick caused her to flatten herself to the grass.


    Just in time to avoid the rush of wind and the thunderous crack.


    Of all things¡­ a man with a pointed helmet flew into the distance before fading from reality.


    She turned, catching sight of the massive cannon before it vanished.


    She turned again, meeting a clawed hand large enough to rake across her mask-covered face and upper chest.


    The fox mask stayed on thanks to a Skill despite the damage that exposed part of her face.


    One wicked claw had come oh so close to her eye.


    She tumbled across the grass.


    Vision darkened a moment.


    Stars dotted it when she woke up.


    Children screamed, huddling together as the demon clown loomed.


    ¡°Where is everyone?¡± she said into the comms.


    Reality wavered.


    She was in a school field. She was in a circus.


    The sounds of one blended with the sounds of the other.


    That was the only answer she got.

 9.37

    Dayana flickered around the cafeteria, fighting carnival freaks.


    Not the performers as they were in the real world, but something akin to a scared child¡¯s interpretation of them.


    She thought she had a glimpse of Lindsay Mitchell¡¯s past.


    Of course, any sort of sympathy she might¡¯ve had was thoroughly stuffed in a bag and beaten with a baseball bat like budding serial killers did to puppies by his whole slasher thing.


    Going after kids just made him even more evil, if that was possible.


    The freaks kept fading in and out as she hurt them.


    It would¡¯ve been a breeze except for the fact that they could bypass her Threnium armor at times.


    Not every time, but enough.


    She felt the warmth of her blood seeping underneath her undersuit from a dozen cuts and stabs.


    Twice Clever Fox voice came in over the comms.


    ¡°Where is everyone?¡±


    The cultivator sounded confused.


    Not good.


    She made for the hole in the cafeteria¡¯s windowed wall only to be spun around by rough hands.


    It happened quicker than even she was capable of reacting too.


    One moment a bearded lady was leering in her face plate, the next, dark beard hair lanced out, stabbing through and into her face.


    Her cheek felt the stings, but those were nothing like the fire in her right eye.


    Un¡ªfucking¡ªbelievable!


    All this time and now she pulls a Hayden?


    She flickered out of their hold.


    Red warmth gushed down her cheek.


    The useless HUD wasn¡¯t giving her any warnings even as something huge hit her in the side and sent her through the empty food counter.


    At least the armor was keeping her from getting turned into a mass of broken bones.


    The ghostly elephant trumpeted its triumph until a shadowy panther carved its guts out, spilling long red ropes on the cold tiles.


    Guts and elephant vanished a moment later as Dancessassin did what her name implied, twirling and spinning through the throng of ethereal freaks and animals.


    Her blades and the claws at the ends of the long ribbons at the hem of her monster hide cloak cut her a path all the way to the hole in the cafeteria wall.


    Dayana pulled herself out of the tangle bent sheet metal and splintered wood.


    She thought she caught a glimpse of a bloody shadow striding through on Dancessassin''s heels.


    Death¡¯s Dancer appeared at the doorway a beat later.


    The soldier¡¯s skullmask was gone. Where it connected to the rest of his helmet looked to be partially melted.


    His forehead and the upper part of his chest looked similar.


    ¡°Acid flower,¡± he grunted.


    ¡°And that?¡± she pointed at his stomach.


    ¡°Claws and unfinished healing.¡±


    Without the soldier¡¯s gloved hand holding it tight she expected that the ghost elephant wouldn¡¯t be alone in spilling its guts on the cafeteria floor.


    ¡°You out of potions?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m already saturated. More won¡¯t do anything.¡±


    ¡°At least bandage it up.¡±


    ¡°No time.¡± He pointed a short spear toward the hole. ¡°Kids. Demon clown.¡±


    She went out ahead into the field.


    The lights and sounds were an assault on the senses.


    They exacerbated the throbbing in her ruined eye somehow.


    ¡°Painkillers. Localized to right side of my face.¡±


    She didn¡¯t even feel the needle.


    The numbness came on quickly.


    Better able to concentrate she flickered toward the distant end of the field.


    She made it just in time to catch the end of their nightmare circus.


    <hr>


    Alin and his mom found Howard and some of the others gathered on the sidewalk next to a fenced field.


    It was part of the small school where the eidolon¡¯s golden emergency signal hung high in the sky suspended in a pillar of golden light.


    Willy¡¯s hand and spellbook glowed as he held them toward said school. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead.


    ¡°Trying a portal. Not working,¡± Howard grunted.


    Alin stood between his mom and the empty field. Something told him danger was a lot closer than it seemed for all that it was quiet in this part of the neighborhood.


    The sounds of battle all came from the perimeter and the shuttle raining down fire on the monsters.


    ¡°We think it¡¯s the clown,¡± Howard continued. ¡°The domain stinks of blood and a circus. If that doesn¡¯t scream clown, then I don¡¯t know what does. Plus, I think we saw Foster drive a truck right through there.¡± He pointed down the sidewalk to a downed portion of the fence. ¡°It could¡¯ve been someone else, but we all saw a bloody, writhing shadow in the cab.¡±


    ¡°Where are the others?¡± his mom said.


    ¡°Shootystabby, Fox and Dancessassin got through the boundary. I¡¯m not ashamed to admit that the rest of as weren¡¯t strong enough.¡±


    ¡°How long ago?¡±


    ¡°About 5 minutes give or take.¡±


    ¡°Goldenspoon.¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going to try.¡±


    ¡°It starts at about a foot and a half into the sidewalk,¡± Howard said.


    Alin reached out as he walked forward, just like his mom.


    They both recoiled from the invisible wall.


    They tried again, pushing.


    He felt it budge, but pulled back when his mom did.


    ¡°Can you get through?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡±


    ¡°Try.¡±


    He did and failed.


    The resistance turned into a hard wall at a little past his elbow.


    ¡°Try it with your power.¡±


    The gray flowed over the invisible wall for a moment, revealing a domed shape.


    It resisted like before, but only for a few seconds.


    He saw it in his mind¡¯s eye.


    Bright lights of many colors flashing in the sky like fireworks or on tall signs.


    He smelled a food festival, like those back home.


    All manner of fried and grilled foods in open air stalls.


    He heard¡ª


    He heard children crying.


    It changed then.


    He saw twisted nightmares, reflections of what he feared most about himself in a maze of mirrors.


    He smelled iron and filth permeating the air.


    The gray spread further past the fence to begin blanketing the grassy field.


    There was the ghost of fox-faced woman.


    Huddled children.


    A looming horror.


    He instinctively attacked the horror, trying to drain it of its life force.


    It shrugged him off dismissively, sending him falling back.


    ¡°Boy!¡± his mom hovered over him. ¡°What happened?¡±


    He rose with a groan.


    His cheeks, neck and upper lip felt warm and sticky.


    ¡°There,¡± he pointed to an area about 10 meters from the edge of the fence according to his HUD, ¡°something bad¡¯s happening. I think Fox is there, a bunch of kids and something really bad. There¡¯s something weird about the domain. Like the circus one is locked in, but there¡¯s a second one trying to dig in, but it can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Holly?¡±


    ¡°Probably.¡±


    ¡°No one else in there has a domain that we know of,¡± Howard said.


    ¡°We have to get in. I think I can weaken the boundary. Maybe.¡±


    ¡°Do it,¡± his mom said.


    He dived back into the gray.


    Two places, one mind.


    He thickened the gray at the invisible wall, while walking up to it with his physical body and pushing.


    Armored hands pressed in up to the elbow then continued after a moment of resistance.


    He¡¯d describe it as walking through a wall of real honey.


    ¡°It¡¯s working!¡±


    He could only hope that the others were following since the comms were static and he couldn¡¯t sense their presence through the gray.


    An eternity. A moment.


    It could¡¯ve been either and everything in between.


    That¡¯s how long it took for him to breach the boundary.


    He emerged to an assault on his senses.


    The sights, sounds and smells had been muted earlier.


    Not even the environmental seals of his power armor kept them out.


    Blood and filth.


    Cotton candy and grilled meat skewers.


    A rainbow of lights and booming fireworks.


    The demon.


    Skinless.


    Pale muscle exposed.


    Overlong limbs.


    Claws.


    Teeth.


    Clown makeup on its¡ª his grotesque face.


    All topped by a tangle of colorful hair that writhed like live serpents.


    ¡°Demon!¡± his mom¡¯s voice rang out.


    ¡°Demon clown,¡± Twice Clever Fox said weakly.


    The woman was on one knee in front of the huddled children as Dancessassin danced with the demon clown.


    Nearby, Howard and Adrian pushed themselves to their feet, shaking their heads, clearing the cobwebs.


    He could relate.


    Nothing felt real.


    Willy moaned, clutching his head.


    Evidence of the wizard¡¯s sickness liberally coated the tall grass next to him.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Wet! Get your butt up and magic shield those kids!¡± his mom snapped. ¡°Tabs! Get clear of that thing!¡±


    Either Dancessassin couldn¡¯t or didn¡¯t want to because she continued to twirl and spin around the demon clown, slashing at the exposed muscle, filling the air with dark blood.


    She disappeared and reappeared through the dancing shadows on the grass as she led her evil partner further away from the children.


    No dance could last forever.


    One wrong move brought an end.


    Dancessassin put a wrong foot forward.


    The demon clown¡¯s claws cut straight through the inky black hide of her monster hide cloak.


    The hood, which was a head, yowled like a cat whose tail had been sliced off.


    Over-sized clawed hands grabbed an arm and a leg and pulled before anyone could react.


    The lump in Alin¡¯s throat dropped like a pit in his stomach as Tabitha went flying in three directions, trailing arcs of blood that the demon clown lapped up with its serpentine tongue.


    ¡°Line cutters¡­ get cut!¡± A guttural laugh emerged from his red-smeared mouth. ¡°More! Come one, come all! Children of all ages! Welcome to my circus!¡±


    A wave of fear, verging on terror cut through to Alin¡¯s core.


    He pushed back instinctively with the gray.


    ¡°She¡¯s still alive!¡± his mom said. ¡°Black Cat. Grab her. Seal those wounds. Wet¡­ wake up. Those kids need that shield and Tabs needs healing! Howard. With me.¡±


    His mom had broken out her round shield and baseball bat-like club.


    She charged, but behind the kids for some reason.


    The demon clown strode.


    One step took him where Alin¡¯s mom had aimed.


    Low level superhuman strength boosted by the power armor¡¯s artificial muscles plowed into the demon clown¡¯s side.


    All the energy of a truck going at over a hundred miles an hour concentrated in the slight point at the center of the shield.


    Thunder cracked the night, momentarily silencing the riotous circus sounds.


    She clubbed him in the knee.


    Howard came in blasting away with his handcannon, discarding it in favor of an enchanted axe. The Threnium blade had a significantly higher melting point than steel. Even still the dark gray metal glowed white hot in a split-second. A feral grin crossed his face as he ducked under a claw swipe to chop the axe into the demon clown¡¯s side.


    Pale muscles sizzled as the blade carved deep.


    He leapt over a second claw swipe, drawing a stiff, stabby dagger and plunging it into a dark eye.


    Well¡­ less plunge and more push the tip in.


    Alin¡¯s mom came in and hammered the axe deeper into the demon clown¡¯s side.


    Giggles filled the air as it backhanded Howard the length of a football field away then clawed his mom¡¯s shield, cutting through the Threnium, severing the straps and somehow overpowering the magnetic clamp.


    His mom stifled a cry.


    A single claw had grazed her armored arm, cutting her down to the bone.


    On the back foot, she swung her baseball bat-like club desperately.


    Threnium versus demonic claws.


    Three, four, five exchanges before the latter won out and his mom¡¯s weapon had been sliced all the way to her hand.


    Alin deployed the recoilless gun from his back.


    The stream of projectiles stitched accurate fire across the demon clown¡¯s arm, throwing the slash off target.


    His mom did the same as she backpedaled.


    Ammo ran out in seconds.


    The demon clown stood giggling. Dark blood oozed from hundreds of tiny holes across his exposed muscle.


    Then, reality fuzzed.


    Projectiles fell to the grass along with Howard¡¯s enchanted axe.


    The demon clown laughed.


    He was at Alin¡¯s side in an instant.


    The claw swipe cut through armor and into flesh.


    Alin went twisting in the air.


    His mom flipped over him with an axe kick to the demon clown¡¯s head.


    Claws cut her magitech shield, burning out the module affixed to her chest armor with a single hit.


    She dumped every offensive and defensive magitech module she had in the next seconds.


    The demon clown laughed through all of it until he flayed the front of her Threnium armor open.


    The giggles stabbed into Alin¡¯s soul as the demon clown cleaned the red off his claws with his serpentine tongue.


    The HUD blared warnings, but he only had eyes for his mom¡¯s vitals.


    Red like her blood, but not black, not yet.


    Speaking of black, the gray billowing out of his torn armor was darker than normal.


    Strangely, he felt numb to the pain from his torn side.


    He had even forgotten to use the painkillers his armor could inject.


    The dark cloud flowed across the ground engulfing his mom and the demon clown standing over her.


    Instinct more than conscious, calculated, rational thought guided him.


    Hide her.


    ¡°No no no no no! You can¡¯t leave the circus until the last show is done!¡± The demon clown laughed. ¡°Where are you, kid? Oh¡­ there are the other kids.¡±


    He lost sight of Alin¡¯s mom, but found the others.


    Wet had cast a brilliant dome of blue-white light with scrolling symbols of Ms. Teacher¡¯s people, the High.


    The wizard held his glowing spellbook in one hand while the other was pressed to the inside surface of the magic shield.


    Behind him, kids huddled with Twice Clever Fox, who was desperately tending to Dancessassin.


    The demon clown struck the shield.


    Symbols vanished, but it remained strong.


    ¡°This is a Tier 4 spell, but I triple-slotted it, so it¡¯s basically borderline Tier 6 or 7. And you¡¯re not over Level 60, demon or not, you aren¡¯t getting through for at least 10 minutes,¡± Wet said through grit teeth.


    Alin noticed a dark shape creeping low to the ground toward his mom.


    He almost drained it when he realized that it was a him.


    Black Cat started first aid before carefully dragging her away from the demon clown.


    He allowed his focus to return to the demon clown.


    The gray thickened around the demon clown and the magic shield. He was careful to keep it from touching the shield because instinct told him that would weaken it. Thus, he dulled the demon clown¡¯s senses when he failed to drain it of its strength.


    Ethereal figures faded in and out of reality.


    The gray warred with the demon clown¡¯s domain.


    Circus animals and twisted freaks appeared to take their own shots at Wet Willy¡¯s shield.


    Alin forced some to vanish before they could strike.


    The demon clown turned his grotesque face left and right, searching for him in the gray.


    He hid the other familiar presences as they sneaked up to the demon clown.


    Howard burst out of the gray first, sending dark swirls twisting in the air as he leapt on the demon clown¡¯s back.


    Enchanted axe burned deep into exposed neck muscles as thick as an old tree¡¯s trunk.


    Either the metal failed or the enchantment did because when Howard pulled it out for another strike the head was a melted lump.


    The demon clown bucked like an angry bull, but Howard kept a tight choke around his neck.


    ¡°I¡¯m the best at never letting go when I¡¯ve dug in. You can cut my skin and break my bones, but I¡¯ll keep healing. I¡¯ll keep coming. Until only one of us is still standing.¡±


    ¡°Standing isn¡¯t allowed in some rides.¡± The demon clown giggled.


    A Ferris wheel faded into reality a short distance away.


    Freaks sat in the chairs, slapping the thin sheet metal and cackling.


    One threw ghostly knives that faded through Howard¡¯s armor, though the look of pain in his face said that something had struck home.


    Another threw a rope, looping it around Howard¡¯s neck.


    The demon clown dug clawed fingers and toes into the ground.


    As the wheel turned faster than it seemed possible Howard was ripped from the demon clown¡¯s back.


    The demon clown raked Wet¡¯s shield, erasing more symbols.


    He raised his hand and held it there.


    ¡°I can¡¯t hold him for long!¡±


    Shootystabby had flickered behind the demon clown and anchored him with a knife stabbed into his shadow.


    ¡°You again? Children are always so stubborn.¡± The demon clown sighed.


    ¡°It¡¯s sorta their thing.¡± Death¡¯s Dancer plunged his short spear into a dark eye. Solid steel crumpled for a tip¡¯s worth of penetration. The soldier¡¯s skullmask was gone along with his torso armor. He held his gut closed with one hand, while the other pulled a SAW from his bag of holding.


    200 rounds out of the drum mag in seconds. Dumped into the demon clown¡¯s face with good accuracy thanks to being an arm¡¯s length away and the soldier¡¯s superhuman strength holding the light machine gun steady even with just one hand.


    The barrel glowed red hot as Death¡¯s Dancer shoved it into the demon clown¡¯s eye.


    Sizzle and steam.


    Giggles.


    ¡°Children should be grateful for fun times! I remember you had fun with this one!¡± The demon clown sprayed acid from the plastic flower embedded in his pale chest muscle.


    Death¡¯s Dancer threw himself to the side.


    Acid splashed on Wet¡¯s magic shield.


    ¡°Hey! Not helping!¡±


    The demon clown tore his own shadow then strode to get behind Shootystabby.


    She flickered away from the slashing claws.


    Then the next attack, then the next, the next, the next, the ne¡ª


    Either her Skill ran out or the demon clown used a stronger one or he got lucky, she unlucky.


    Whatever the case, her last flicker move ended with her impaled on the demon clown¡¯s claws.


    Red splashed the inside of her faceplate.


    ¡°Naughty girl! What did the sign say about cutting in line?¡±


    A sign faded into reality for him to hold her in front of.


    ¡°Read it,¡± he giggled. ¡°Read it!¡± he snarled.


    ¡°Point away from self.¡± Sleight of hand placed a single shot grenade launcher in her hand, which she shoved into the demon clown¡¯s mouth.


    His neck bulged.


    Smoke streamed out of his nose and mouth as she pushed herself off his claws with boots to his face.


    She vanished suddenly into the dark sky. Borne aloft in the hands of an ethereal flying trapeze artist.


    ¡°Everyone is going to die.¡±


    The voice rasped in his ear, but there was no one behind him.


    The gray yielded nothing of her presence.


    Another slasher.


    This one on his side.


    Unless she forgot about her leash.


    She allowed him to see her standing behind the demon clown. A blood-tinged shadow with a white smile.


    ¡°Well¡­ stab him!¡±


    ¡°I kill killers. Murderers. Slashers. Not demons. I can kill one, but not the other, which means neither will die. It¡¯ll take a monster just as terrible as the demon. You know what I mean?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a monster¡ª¡±


    ¡°Is what you tell yourself. What I¡¯m telling you is that it doesn¡¯t matter what you call yourself. Words are just words. All that matters is what you do. Be the monster you are. Kill only monsters if that¡¯s what you want. Look at me for example.¡±


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m glad that whole thing¡¯s working out for you, but we¡¯re not the same. You¡¯ve got a class.¡±


    ¡°We are who we are. But what do I know. All I know is that he¡¯s going to kill your mommy and friends. Those kids. Then he¡¯ll win the contest. How much stronger will he be after that? How many kids are going to get run through his circus? Daddy¡¯s not here to save the day. Just you. Are you going to let all that happen just because you¡¯re afraid? Guess who else is scared¡­ those kids and unlike you they don¡¯t have the power to do anything about it. Don¡¯t be a baby. Let the monster out of its cage. Throw a chain around your neck if it makes you feel better about it.¡±


    ¡°Since when did you talk so much?¡±


    ¡°Since I¡¯ve wanted to kill this clown.¡±


    He thought about her words.


    ¡°We¡¯re not the same.¡±


    Monster within or not, he didn¡¯t want to take.


    He wanted to give.


    So, rather than focus his efforts on taking from the demon clown he turned to the others. His mom, his friends, allies, the children even the douchebag soldier. He gave them his best.


    Protection before destruction.


    Just like that desperate moment earlier in the trapper¡¯s maze of horrors when the only thing he wanted to do was to keep that little girl safe.


    Faceless figures began to swirl in the gray.


    They grappled with the demon clown¡¯s circus freaks and animals.


    One wrestled a massive bear to the ground, breaking its neck with a twist of his hands.


    Another spun the memory of a thin weapon, leaving the faintest afterimages of red light as she swept the space around Death¡¯s Dancer clear of twisted freaks.


    Alin thought to control them, yet was shocked to realize that they needed no input from him.


    They knew his will and consented to carry it out in the moment. He sensed that wouldn¡¯t always be the case.


    Better that then a hungry monster.


    Let the gray want to protect. To give. Not take.


    The gray coalesced between the demon clown and Wet¡¯s magic shield.


    A clawed hand descended like the sword of doom only to be blocked by the faint green memory of a round shield.


    Many weapons of many colors pierced, cut and hammered the demon clown.


    ¡°What are you? You cut in line? No no no no. You were never in line! Only people, children of all ages can enter my circus!¡± the demon clown howled.


    The circus music faded.


    The bright lights disappeared.


    The stench of violence remained.


    Laughter, but not the demon clown¡¯s.


    ¡°Yesss!¡±


    A bloody shadow rasped a kitchen knife across exposed neck muscles.


    ¡°You¡¯re in my domain now.¡±


    High in the dark sky the moon sat shrouded in crimson.


    It tinged the shadows writhing on the grass.


    They closed around the demon clown, reaching like supplicants to a child of miracles.


    The figures in the gray struck out at the shadows.


    They recognized murderous intent.


    Alin asked them to focus on the true threat of the moment.


    They consented.


    Red-tinged shadows crowded the demon clown, trapping him in an every dwindling circle as the whispers of people in the gray fought to hold him with bare hands and faintly-colored weapons.


    Alin felt more hands¡­ claws, teeth and other things pushing to get out and join the fray.


    They pushed against walls of gray. Against the inside of his skin.


    He forced them down.


    Instinct told him that what he could trust was already out.


    ¡°No more circus. No more animals. No more freaks. Just poor, scared little Lindsay sitting all alone under his bed, trying to hide from daddy¡¯s belt.¡± Slasher Holly copied the circus music before laughing. ¡°Look at you, Bozo the clown. So fat and stupid. No wonder they never loved you.¡±


    The demon clown cried as he laid about him with clawed hands.


    Each strike dispersed a gray figure.


    Holly danced around them, cutting muscles and tendons from the demon clown.


    Yet, as he grew weaker, she grew stronger.


    He became less a demon and more a slasher.


    Her preferred target.


    As the seconds passed her knives did more damage, her Skills became more effective.


    Fear grew in the demon clown.


    The boy within moved to the forefront.


    The demon receded until it suddenly popped out of the clown.


    It was small, like an ugly, skinless simian.


    ¡°Kill it!¡± Alin reacted.


    The demon¡¯s wrongness triggered instinctive reactions in natural beings.


    It fled the gray despite his best efforts to hit it with everything he had.


    Demons were hard to truly kill.


    Physical damage was the least reliable method.


    One needed to destroy them down to the last microscopic fragment or use other powerful, esoteric methods.


    All that remained was Lindsay Mitchell. Clown and slasher, perhaps a blended class with the demon, but that was gone now.


    Which left¡ª


    A dead man.


    Holly opened up a second smile underneath the man¡¯s many chins.


    Then she stabbed him in the eye, wiggling the knife for good measure.


    Finally, she pulled out a vial of glowing liquid and poured it over the man¡¯s body.


    Smoke and sizzle.


    Followed by melted goo of many colors.


    The bloody moon turned back to its old self.


    The shadows were just shadows.


    She remained a black void with only the white smile visible in that hooded abyss.


    ¡°Teamwork.¡±


    She vanished into the darkness.


    ¡°Wait¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a killer not a healer. I left a lot of killers back there in need of killing. Good job, monster boy.¡±


    He fired an emergency flare into the air.


    His mom, Tabitha, Dayana, everyone needed the state of the art medical services on the Raynanaut.


    And they needed it soon going by the life signs in his HUD.


    The only consolation was that no one had died and they weren¡¯t going to if the skyship arrived quickly enough.

 9.38

    ¡°I knew you was yellow, chink. Didn¡¯t know you was also chicken.¡±


    The bald man was ancient judging by the wrinkles and liver spots.


    It was a little hard to tell because of all tattoos covering most of his face and all of his head.


    Crosses, paired lightning bolts, guns, eagles, defunct flags, the number 88.


    It was all there as could be expected of his sort of people.


    The subject of his ire gave no reaction, which the old man took as a sign of weakness.


    He spat a dark glob on the warehouse floor just missing the other man¡¯s dark boots.


    ¡°Thought you slant-eyed ninja dog fuckers were supposed to be all badass and shit. ¡®Stead y¡¯all yellow like your bellies.¡±


    The actual ninjas on the other side of the gathering of killers and murderers were not amused. The Phoenix Dynasty was not their friend, let alone allies. At best they were belligerent neighbors, only refraining from conflict due to all the other conflicts plaguing their territories. Monsters, outworld invaders and the world events of recent days had a way of taking almost all of one¡¯s effort and attention.


    ¡°You will refrain from antagonizing others if you wish to remain,¡± a big, broad-shouldered man in a black and white tabard said flatly.


    ¡°Thought you was some real Aryan brothers,¡± the old man sneered at the smattering of dark faces in the gathered group of knights. ¡°Course that was before we realized you took in subhuman mongrels. Man shall not lie with beasts. Says so in the Bible. Don¡¯t they got that over there in Europe? You letting down your people. Sprecken ze dick?¡± the old man laughed. ¡°That means suck my dick! Really, though, you¡¯ve got the blond hair, the blue eyes. You the ideal and you¡¯re mixing with filth? Make it make sense, brother?¡±


    ¡°Our order is not founded on such simplistic ideals as physical appearance or the outmoded concept of race. One would think that the spires would¡¯ve opened the eyes of even the most ignorant to the reality that there is only one race. The human race. But then again, you are old. I suspect that your kind will remain willfully blind to your dying day. I can only take comfort in the fact that your ways dwindle as you disappear from this world.¡±


    ¡°Careful, ubermensch. Them¡¯s fighting words round these parts.¡±


    ¡°Quiet, please.¡±


    The woman was tall and severe, as if she had been cut from marble.


    Dark green and black robes swayed with power in the nonexistent wind.


    The meeting would have likely already come to blows had the necromancer not enforced the peace with the threat of her undead.


    ¡°You came at my invitation. There is no cost to you if you leave right now. Except for the opportunity.¡±


    ¡°Why¡¯s it matter? We join in your little operation and get points, but it don¡¯t matter none. Holly Foster¡¯s got a huge lead. Ain¡¯t no catching up and she¡¯s in the wind. All she¡¯s got to do is hide out the last week and she wins.¡±


    The events of a few nights back had been disastrous for the hopes of every other slasher not named Holly Foster.


    The clown, the trapper and the butcher.


    All dead and she had a large hand in the first two.


    The third got himself blown up by the rangers and their flying ship.


    Since when was that a thing?


    ¡°Damn bitch! That¡¯s a porno name if I ever heard one.¡± The bald old man snorted. ¡°She should be sucking and fucking. Don¡¯t make no sense.¡±


    The lone school girl with the ninjas giggled.


    ¡°Got something to say to me, slut?¡±


    She licked her sword-length scissors and fluttered her eyes at the old man.


    ¡°I got something you can lick right here,¡± he grabbed his crotch.


    ¡°What? A limp noodle?¡± she sneered. ¡°No. I¡¯ll cut it off. I have a collection back home. The manhoods, if they can be called that, of weak men. You¡¯d fit right in. None of them could comprehend their reality either until I snipped.¡±


    The bald old man reached for his gun, but a skeleton warrior moved in front of him.


    ¡°There are many points still in play,¡± the necromancer said. ¡°Enough high value targets are still available and from what I observed that night, many of these people are terribly injured.¡±


    ¡°It is as I said.¡± The Phoenix Dynasty soldier shook his head. ¡°We will not take part in any operation that targets a ranger or any of the people protecting Hayden¡¯s fort.¡±


    ¡°I notice you¡¯re wording is precise,¡± the big knight said.


    ¡°There are people that we will not attempt to kill regardless of any amount of plausible deniability we might be able to engineer. Mistakes have already been made in that regard.¡±


    ¡°We, too, do not wish to cross blades with a Cruces and his allies. From your expressions, I see that you all recognize the name,¡± the big knight said.


    ¡°They entered the contest of their own free will. A name should not be a shield from the consequences of that decision,¡± the necromancer said.


    Most of the dozen or so groups agreed vocally.


    ¡°You would seize the apple from the tree without seeing the guardian dragon that will tear your throat out a week from now,¡± the Phoenix Dynasty soldier said.


    ¡°I have secured allies. They will strike first. In the chaos who is to say that it was one of us that killed Hayden Webb, Alin Cruces or any one of those at the top of the points list,¡± the necromancer said.


    ¡°We won¡¯t work with monsters to kill people,¡± the big knight said.


    The bald old man laughed. ¡°What¡¯ve you been doing this whole time?¡±


    ¡°We only fought those with combat classes.¡±


    With that that knightly contingent left the warehouse.


    ¡°You dig a grave with both hands.¡±


    The Phoenix Dynasty soldiers and assassins departed as well.


    ¡°Anyone else not interested?¡± the necromancer said.


    ¡°The flying ship? How do you plan to deal with that?¡± the bad old man said. ¡°We got a pretty close look at the ordinance they dropped. We ain¡¯t scared of no Cruces, but we ain¡¯t stupid. Ain¡¯t much of a fight if they can just rain fire.¡±


    ¡°Two ways. They won¡¯t risk fire once we are in and among the people. And fliers of our own. I began collecting birds and flying monsters early on when I realized that there was a flying ship. Not only that, but our allies will be able to reach them. The rangers can¡¯t simply fly away. The contest boundary will keep them within reach.¡±


    ¡°Share the plan, necromancer-san!¡± The school girl¡¯s smile was a hungry one.


    <hr>


    ¡°Feel the strength of the horse ben¡ª¡± the Tsingtao Wanderer burped. ¡°Beneath your legs.¡±


    His mornings began with a group of yawning kids, greeting the dawn in horse stance.


    They came from disparate neighborhoods from all over Vancouver. The survivors of the fallen brought by that sleek spearhead in the sky or by their own two feet or four wheels and other such conveyances.


    Making their kids practice together went a long way to keeping old grudges from bubbling the pot until it overflowed and quenched the life-giving power or some such nonsense.


    It was something to do anyways, and a small part of the round-bellied cultivator took pleasure in setting these ankle stabbers on a superior path of physical combat.


    Such pride, such¡ª


    He belched again.


    ¡°Feel the breath enter and exit your body, for such is the first step upon the Dao of¡­ well, whatever you want.¡±


    Peh.


    The Fox would be much better at this teaching thing.


    Years of drink had made all the beginner lessons as ephemeral as that mist floating in from the river just to the north and the larger bay a bit further to the west.


    Regardless, the little foot hammerers all had some sort of base knowledge in the combat arts of this land.


    Wrestling, boxing, spearwork and, of course, guns.


    Those that had attained their double digits tended to have classes already, adding spells and Skills to their repertoire. Even if their parents and guardians held strict control on their access to weapons and what not. Many carried lighter firearms. The weakest of all calibers. The dreaded .22 rifle and pistol. These kids stood watch on the walls of earth and ice alongside the adults.


    Only a few of the older ones took part in his morning exercises.


    Most were younger.


    The occasional adult eyed him with distaste.


    He waved with a wide smile while taking a drink of his ever-present beer.


    The kids yawned.


    Horse stance was a bit boring if he was being honest.


    ¡°Now! Punch!¡±


    That should wake them up a bit.


    Morning exercise ended and the children were shepherded into the large buildings on the southern edge of the larger of the two parks Hayden had decided to turn into a fort of sorts. Turning them into habitable spaces hadn¡¯t been too difficult from what he understood because one or all of them had been a hotel or a spa or something like that. Though, one was a memorial according to the sign. He supposed that since it was a place to be visited there were definitely bathrooms inside and probably an eatery. Food, water and a place to flush the results. What else did one need?


    He sauntered alone along the side of the river on the raised path, waving up at the men and women on the walls raised by Teresa and Bolder with aide from the armored mole of a Threnosh, Doomborer.


    The river represented danger of a vague sort.


    Weeks of slight tickles on the danger senses of dozens of people had them keeping a close eye on the dark water.


    But, what did he have to fear when he was in need of more drink.


    There was a fine establishment located a short walk outside the safe-ish confines of the park. He had tried beer from different bars, restaurants and stores in the immediate vicinity of Hayden¡¯s fort, but his favorites could only be found within the establishment.


    It was worth the occasional need to fight a wandering monster or five to bring back a keg or three.


    An hour alone in the kitchen was spent well, eating and drinking.


    Sadly, he was a poor cook and he could only dream wistfully what a true master of the stove could have done with the frozen treasures hidden in the large freezer.


    Such bounty, such¡ª


    He belched.


    A mixture of deep fried oysters¡ª he had followed the instructions¡ª whether the result was good or not was lost to the pleasant buzz in his head brought on by copious amounts of sour beer.


    ¡°Bears don¡¯t have antlers¡­¡± he eyed the label on the box.


    He had come a long way from home.


    The journey had been worth it just for the sheer variety of beverages he had imbibed.


    Speaking of journey, he had best return before his absence drew a scolding.


    His home was a three-walled shack near the southwest corner of the larger park.


    To call it a shack was charitable.


    Three walls and a roof of scavenged wood and sheet metal.


    One side was left open to the environment.


    Peh.


    One such as he had no need of comfort.


    The inflatable mat from the sporting goods store made a fine bed and he found the chilly air bracing.


    His one concession to comfort had been the roof.


    Sunlight in his face was perhaps the most unpleasant thing to wake to. At least, not until he had his morning drink.


    The location was strategic. Near the center of the makeshift fort and close to the most inhabited buildings where the smallest and weakest people stayed and where they¡¯d fall back to in the event that the walls were breached and such.


    It also stuck out like a sore thumb, making him easy to approach.


    Curiosity had waned compared to the early weeks when people had sought to comprehend the unknowable¡­ at least to them. He supposed for such people heading into battle drunk was like running headlong into a wall of spears. Not at all how he stumbled and bumbled past the pointed tips and into the heart of the formation where he then reaped his foes in a whirlwind of fists, feet and belly.


    Now, his visitors tended to come in two stripes.


    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    The first, like the small group of young people bowing to him, which he waved away, were would be cultivators.


    Thus, he led them through an hour¡¯s worth of breathing and meditation.


    The forms would¡¯ve been pointless without the class and none of them had managed it yet.


    It was as he had to explain to Reginald when the young man stayed behind to ask questions.


    A rather inquisitive lad, a bit on the serious side, which again would have made the Fox a better teacher.


    His insights into the general Dao of things were unique and found at the bottom of a bottle or gourd? He couldn¡¯t quite remember which it had been.


    ¡°Master Wanderer, what if it¡¯s not possible for me to get the class?¡± Reginald said.


    ¡°First, stop calling me that. The day I start a sect is the day I¡¯ll have you strike me down. Such pride, such hubris, such¡ª quick what are other words?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ conceit? Arrogance? Vanity?¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a good one! Such vanity!¡± He burped. ¡°As to your question¡­ hmmm¡­ it is possible.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? What if I need to be, uh, Chinese¡­¡±


    ¡°Peh,¡± he waved a ham-sized hand, ¡°there is a mean old lady in Manila running a sect, which she swears is not a sect, accepts students regardless of¡­ well¡­ anything. Filipinos, Indonesians, er¡­ other Asians from all over the region. Even a few Canadians, Europeans and Americans, descendants of those trapped in their journeys when the spires appeared or recent travelers and immigrants. Why, yes, even dark-skinned fellows, such as yourself. None of that matters. All that matters is your will to find your Dao.¡±


    ¡°But I really want it and it¡¯s not happening.¡±


    ¡°Peh! The conscious ever wars with the subconscious. To become a cultivator is to give up all your other classes. There is no shame in struggling over that. I imagine it¡¯s akin to slicing off a hand with only the vague promise of a better hand to replace it. As always, be patient. There is a Dao hidden within all of us. Embrace your fear of what is not known. Er¡­ keep meditating. That always works, eventually.¡±


    Young Reginald clasp fist to palm and bowed.


    He waved.


    Where had they gotten it into their heads that was a thing with him?


    The sun rose to its highest point in the sky.


    He pondered that.


    There was supposed to be a barrier a few hundred meters above that tall building casting its shadow over them according to the flying ship.


    Ah!


    The bourgeois in their gleaming tower with more than enough space to shelter a several hundred extra people rather than leave them somewhat exposed in Hayden¡¯s fort.


    Not that the Party was much better.


    It was always the elites taking advantage of everyone else.


    From emperors, to chairmen, and back to an empress.


    Nothing had truly changed for his homeland.


    Digressions flitted through his thoughts, such was the price taken by his Dao.


    ¡°Yo,¡± Rand knocked on the sheet metal roof.


    ¡°Ah! Potter! What news do you bring me on this fine day?¡±


    ¡°Fine?¡± the man frowned. ¡°You¡¯re just messing with me. Nope. I told you. Not falling for it ever again. You look drunk, but that doesn¡¯t work the same way for you as it does me.¡±


    ¡°Ah? I suppose.¡± He rose from his mat and smoothly shifted into lotus position.


    ¡°How do you do that? You¡¯d think your power belly would get in the way.¡±


    He patted it. ¡°I suppose it is powerful.¡±


    ¡°Dude, I¡¯ve seen you knock out a merc with it, so¡­¡±


    ¡°Very well, young potter¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m 28,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°That is young compared to one such as I, who has seen¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah, listen, no offense, but I¡¯m busy and I don¡¯t have time to listen to your poetry, so here it is, the morning report¡­ that you missed.¡±


    ¡°Ah! Apologies, I was on a¡­ scouting excursion.¡±


    ¡°Save it for Hayden. Anyways, nothing¡¯s changed since the last report you didn¡¯t miss. No one died.¡±


    ¡°That is good news.¡±


    He shuddered to think of the possibilities if Cal¡¯s wife? Partner? He realized he didn¡¯t know the nature of their tie. Mother of Cal¡¯s child at the least. The possibilities if she had died? That¡¯s what he shuddered to ponder.


    ¡°Bad news is none of them are healed up. So, we¡¯re on highest alert. The contest is running down and every slasher not named Holly Foster is going to get desperate. They¡¯re going to be looking to secure as many points as possible. And I don¡¯t need to tell you what that means for us.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I suppose we¡¯ve had a bit of an easy time. Monsters here, murderous bands there, slashers everywhere.¡±


    ¡°Anyways, Hayden¡¯s going to try to talk to those assholes up there,¡± Rand pointed at the tallest tower in the city. ¡°It¡¯s a lot more defensible than this place and they can fit almost everyone.¡±


    ¡°It will be unpleasant. Like the ancient city of Kow¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I remember the story.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps, force¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I said. We can take their guards, but Hayden said no.¡±


    ¡°Only a fool tugs on the elephant¡¯s trunk when he is already holding the tiger¡¯s tail.¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ I know this one. Don¡¯t pick a fight when you¡¯re already in one?¡±


    ¡°The young wizard shows wisdom.¡±


    Rand rolled his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re not on Ms. Teacher¡¯s level when it comes to that¡­ no offense.¡±


    ¡°And yet you meant it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m abrasive. I know. I try to work on it, but¡­¡± Rand shrugged.


    ¡°None taken. This event wears on even the sturdiest table.¡±


    ¡°Man, now you¡¯re not even trying.¡±


    The Tsingtao Wanderer smiled.


    ¡°Or am I?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t even¡ª¡± Rand took a deep breath. ¡°Right, the message. Highest alert.¡± With that he departed.


    The sun dipped lower to the west.


    Lengthening shadows slowly crept across the grass like clawed fingers.


    He didn¡¯t find the imagery appealing.


    One keg lasted the whole day as he maintained the buzz.


    Two more kegs sat in coolers filled with ice in the shade of a nearby tree.


    Men and women wandered by throughout the day.


    Erstwhile students bothered him for advice in between whatever duties they might have had. A lot of which was standing around on guard.


    Dinner found him entertaining a group of men and women of varying ages.


    He supposed it was partially for the stories of his adventures and partially for the kegs of beer.


    ¡°And thus did I flash my bare backside in the faces of the Dragon Fang Sect as me and my band of rogues made haste on a horseless carriage with their chest of gold and the leader¡¯s personal supply of many years-aged single malt Scotch.¡±


    ¡°All that for gold?¡±


    ¡°No, not for I!¡±


    ¡°Scotch?¡±


    ¡°It twas a rarity in that region. Sure, they could be obtained at fancy restaurants and hotels or perhaps long abandoned homes of the wealthy, but such places were held in the greedy claws of the Phoenixes.¡±


    ¡°Did they really have dragon fang weapons?¡±


    He laughed at that.


    ¡°Wyverns or drakes at best. Giant snakes at worst. A true dragon would never grant those ruffians their fangs. Neither were they strong enough to take them from a dragon¡¯s corpse.¡±


    ¡°Wait? Are you saying there are dragons?¡±


    He paused mid drink from his red plastic cup. He couldn¡¯t quite recall if that was some sort of secret.


    ¡°Yes. As I understand it. They do exist. However, I have never encountered one. Would I have even known it if I had? One cannot say for certain.¡±


    ¡°Why not? If I ran into a dragon I think I¡¯d know.¡±


    ¡°Magic¡­¡±


    Before they could question him further he redirected their attention as one redirects a striking fist by swaying with the force.


    ¡°Your land is full of treasures of its own.¡± He raised the cup. ¡°Such variety of beers that I had only dreamed of ever being able to try in my long ago and very poor youth. Craft, artisanal, micro. IPA, sour, stout, cider or is it cidre? A brown-colored rainbow. From light gold to amber to the rich darkness of ebony wood! I salute you! Please, tell me more of this bounty!¡±


    The locals shared their pride.


    A few of them were actually brewers.


    The old had carried their tradition through the dark days of the spires¡¯ appearance.


    The younger took that torch and kept it burning.


    A beacon in the darkness.


    He learned more of the history of the local brewing scene.


    There were commonalities a plenty.


    He supposed that it was like the Dao.


    Shared basics that branched out in countless diverse paths.


    They shared.


    He shared.


    Tales a plenty.


    It was a good day, a good night.


    The trip was worth it just for that alone. He thought of the future of other places around the world with fine brewing traditions.


    ¡°Perhaps¡­ Germany?¡±


    One day.


    He couldn¡¯t ask for a more satisfying time.


    Sadly, such things would never last.


    The world of the spires couldn¡¯t allow it.


    The scattered camp fires all over the park grounds waned as the night drew its dark blanket over the land in the form of thick, cold mist from the river.


    The Tsingtao Wanderer chortled at the thought that young Galen would¡ª


    His mirth vanished with the ringing of the alarm bell.


    He rose and froze when the alarms started coming in from all around the fort.


    <hr>


    Alin stared at his mom.


    She was hooked up to the best medical bed in known Earth human history.


    The doctor said that she wasn¡¯t in danger of dying, but he didn¡¯t want to feel relief because what if the demon clown had left one last cruel trick?


    Those claws had cut right through the Threnium and into the front of her torso deep enough to reach organs.


    Without magic and the advanced tech derived from the Threnosh, his mom wouldn¡¯t have made it.


    Still, despite all that, she wasn¡¯t healing quickly.


    ¡°This was what it was like before the spires.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Kat had dozed off in the other chair.


    She was off duty, but had chosen to spend it alongside him on his vigil.


    ¡°When people got hurt, this was how they got better. It took a long time without healing spells and potions.¡±


    The demon clown had done something, whether through a Skill, spell or something inherent to his nature, to render such things useless.


    His mom wasn¡¯t the only one in critical condition.


    Dayana had also suffered massive damage to her internal organs.


    Tabitha had lost an arm and a leg. Torn off at the shoulder and knee. The limbs had been corrupted by the demon clown, turning them into withered husks. There was no chance of reattaching them. The damage had also spread up her leg and down her shoulder. It was early yet, but they were uncertain if even Aunt Megan¡¯s magic could regrow them. By the same token, magitech prostheses needed a healthy connection point. If hers remained corrupted¡­


    Even her monsterhide cloak hadn¡¯t escaped the demon¡¯s claws.


    The jagged tears had seemed to sap it of life.


    It had felt just like any other piece of cloth when he had taken it off her and laid it on the chair next to her medical bed.


    No longer a deep, inky black, it had looked a lifeless gray.


    Those three were the worst off.


    Twice Clever Fox occupied another bed, but she wasn¡¯t in a medically induced coma. Hers was a normal sleep, if pained from the damage to her body that healed at the old normal rate.


    Howard had eschewed a medical bed in favor of an empty bunk.


    Ghostly knives and claws had bypassed his armor to leave wounds that remained bleeding, despite his healing factor.


    Alin had seen the ugly rope burns around the man¡¯s neck, but Howard had assured him that he was up for any fight at any time.


    Willy was out cold in another bunk.


    Triple stacking a spell wasn¡¯t something a wizard did without consequences, apparently. His spellbook had been partially burned along with his hand, but the doctors couldn¡¯t do anything more for him. They were certain he¡¯d wake up in a day or two regretting life.


    ¡°Two days¡­¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re not getting worse.¡±


    ¡°Not getting better though.¡±


    ¡°Her vitals are okay, considering¡­¡±


    He followed Kat¡¯s eyes to the projection over his mom¡¯s medical bed.


    He wished he could hold her hand, but the bed was fully enclosed to better keep her in the Threnosh¡¯s solution.


    ¡°Did you change your bandages yet?¡±


    His hand strayed to his side.


    Tender, but not as painful as one would expect from gaping claw slashes.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it later when I go back to the hangar.¡±


    He hadn¡¯t allowed anyone to see his wounds.


    Bloody meat and gray smoke.


    Not healing despite his efforts with potions and other things.


    He had tried stitches, but they only held the flaps together.


    The flesh wasn¡¯t knitting according to the scanner in his repaired power armor.


    Which was why he took the stitches out in favor of the bio-medical glue.


    At least that had kept most of the gray in so that he didn¡¯t have to devote effort to keep other people from noticing.


    ¡°You should sleep, I mean proper sleep in a bed, not that chair.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±


    ¡°Then go do it. I¡¯ll stay and watch until my shift.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Love.¡±


    She kissed and embraced him tenderly.


    He gave the two most important women in his life one last look before trudging out of the small chamber.


    ¡°Thanks for watching over her,¡± he said to the patch of air next to the door.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Unseen¡¯s voice was the whisper of a slight breeze.


    Rangers had made the medical section the most well-defended area of the Raynanaut.


    The patients represented a large number of contest points for the part they played in killing Lindsay the Clown.


    They had received a share of his points value based on their contributions.


    Aside from Holly, Alin had gotten the most.


    He didn¡¯t think he deserved it.


    He had stood in the gray, protected from the demon clown¡¯s notice for most of the fight, while others risked their lives.


    All to save just 8 kids.


    Some had been orphaned that night.


    And as one final kick in the gut, their community hadn¡¯t taken them in.


    Which was why Captain Molds had turned her captain¡¯s chambers into a temporary nursery of sorts.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to take a nap, please wake me up in case of an emergency.¡±


    He waved at Fabricator Stone Lake 23571 as he entered the hangar and made his way toward the tiny, makeshift room in an out of the way corner.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    He took the small vial from one of his bags of holding.


    The sleeping potion was guaranteed to work in minutes, minus the drawbacks of the old sleeping pills of the pre-spires world.


    He pulled the waking potion out and placed it on the small stand next to his cot.


    His head hit the pillow and he dreamed the same dreams he always did.


    The gray and the battles within, except this time there was a new battle to relive.


    He woke with a start, choking on a bitter liquid.


    The fabricator peered down at him, empty vial in one thin metal grasper.


    ¡°How long?¡±


    ¡°12 hours, 25 minutes, 58 seconds.¡±


    The skyship alarm was blaring.


    The red light on the wall was flashing.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡±


    ¡°We are under attack.¡±


    Alin cursed, jolting out of his cot.


    He checked the comatose cult members in their cage.


    ¡°If they show signs of waking up.¡±


    ¡°I will open the doors as instructed.¡±


    He tapped the communicator on his wrist as he initialized his power armor¡¯s systems.


    ¡°This is Goldenspoon, I¡¯m available. Where do you need me?¡±

 9.39

    They exploded out of the water.


    From the bay to the west and the rivers to the north and south.


    A hidden threat that had been lurking beneath the dark surface since the beginning of the Slasher¡¯s Spree.


    Taller than the average human even with their hunched posture.


    Lean, wiry, but many times stronger. Adapted for life under the pressure of the ocean depths.


    Dark scales in blues and grays that were as strong, if not stronger than steel.


    Their natural armor didn¡¯t mean they went into battle naked.


    They were no less skilled in the crafting arts than any other sapient species. They made weapons and armor from the bounty of the sea.


    Fishmen.


    The world event didn¡¯t only represent opportunity for the slashers and the defenders.


    The denizens of the deep may not have been directly included in the contest, but their participation opened up a host of benefits.


    Multiple Quests of the extermination variety.


    Every human life was a resource.


    Kill to gain.


    As if they were just simple monsters.


    And the fishmen were always in search of breeding stock.


    Their nurseries needed to be on land. Coastal regions, islands or, rarely, underwater caves and tunnels. The former two didn¡¯t tend to last long before one of the flying men found and destroyed them, rescuing the human women and slaying everyone else. The latter lasted a bit longer, but not by much.


    The only reason that they had not been hunted to extinction on this world was the sheer size of their natural domain and its impenetrability.


    They had spread and hid in small groups since larger settlements were vulnerable to discovery and destruction.


    The world event was an opportunity that had to be risked.


    30 days sealed from the outside world.


    No escape. No aid for the humans.


    Worldwide events had been a boon that occupied the flying ones¡¯ attention.


    Otherwise, they might not have been able to move so many of their numbers including the sea creatures under their control to within a throw of the shore.


    They had waited until the end drew near after the humans had weakened each other, relying on the dark water¡¯s natural concealment combined with their Skills and spells.


    A stroke of luck fell into their scaly hands when one of the humans had found them and instead of raising the alarm proposed a deal.


    The agreement had been made.


    Information shared.


    Magically binding oaths enacted.


    One single human would be left untouched.


    The rest were prey.


    South of the city, the fishmen found a battle torn landscape.


    The few walled settlements remaining in human hands were weary and weakened.


    The human forces that had been assailing them had withdrawn in recent days. Reports and rumors had placed them moving to the northwest.


    Monsters had filled the vacuum.


    These challenged the fishmen, but only briefly.


    The humans lasted marginally longer.


    Men and women past the breeding age fell to weapons made of bone, spells and scaled claws.


    The rest were captured and chained, moved to hastily erected cages on the river¡¯s shoreline.


    The fishmen weren¡¯t taking chances.


    As soon as the event ended they wanted to take their prizes into the sea before one of the flying ones could stop them.


    To the west, they shot out of the bay on the backs of enormous flying fish.


    They crossed over the western most tip of the peninsula where a strong community centered around a hospital had weathered the world event better than most by virtue of being separated from the rest of the city by a wide swath of forest and hills. Not many slashers had been willing to cross the encounter challenges that had turned into spawn zones as the humans had failed to maintain them.


    The monsters attacked the community¡¯s eastern walls incessantly, but they were easier to deal with than thinking foes.


    Consequently, the defenses facing the bay to the north, west and south were much thinner.


    Flying fish dropped fishmen and magic ordinance deep in the heart of the community.


    Still, the battle raged. It wouldn¡¯t end quickly like that in the south.


    The struck from the north because it had been part of the agreement with the mage of the dead.


    Had it been solely their plans then they would¡¯ve left that area for last and only if they had the time.


    Greed had been at the heart of many a downfall throughout their recorded history.


    North held the most individually dangerous defenders in the entire city from what their oracles and scrying had determined.


    However, a bargain was a bargain. And behind the frozen walls of earth lay the densest concentration of potential breeding stock. Both in the buildings a throw from the rocky shore and the tall towers of glass and metal lit up by artificial lights.


    How helpful were the humans to signal their locations?


    They opened with a volley of venom-tipped spines powered by sinews.


    Blue-white light flashed all along the top of the wall. Magic shields generated by devices that stank of the artificial held.


    The alarms blared a moment later.


    Humans fired back through gaps in the shielding.


    Metal death and spell death streaked across the darkness, piercing the dark surface of the river, turning it into a roiling, burning soup.


    They pooled their strength.


    Tide of the Deep Azure. The shared Skill raised the river¡¯s level until it swamped over the rocky shore, the gray path, to lap at the bottom of the wall.


    The dark water ebbed back toward the river.


    Deep mages cast a spell as one.


    Leviathan¡¯s Wave.


    A ton of water smashed into the wall at 10 times its actual weight.


    Blue-white light shattered into thousands of glittering wings that vanished into the dark waters.


    They ripped people off the wall with swirling pools until a young human female appeared with a glowing book in one hand and a staff of ice in the other.


    She thrust the staff into the water, chanting arcane words of power.


    The spell rippled outward, solidifying the churning mass across a wide swath and freezing the people in place before they could dragged deeper into the river.


    A second book-bearing human appeared.


    A male.


    ¡°I got them!¡±


    He ripped the people out of the ice and levitated them back over the wall.


    The defenders chose that moment to abandon the wall.


    The spellcaster winked out of existence while the rest of the humans leapt, sliding down the steep embankment.


    Their timing was either fortuitous or calculated as a huge sea creature surged through the water and crashed on the frozen earth, smashing a gaping hole to let the water pour in.


    The beast was armored in scales and thick plates of hardened keratin that were as tough as thick iron plate.


    It roared, snapping a maw filled with conical teeth meant to pierce and hold as it thrashed and rolled to tear chunks off its prey.


    The rider urged it forward through their bond.


    Its paddle like flippers and rudder-like tail propelled it through the shallow water after the fleeing people.


    Fishmen surfed the wave, shooting spines and spells.


    Humans dropped, paralyzed before they could escape the rapidly filling pool that was one a grass-covered field half-filled with tents and other flimsy structures.


    One group of humans didn¡¯t flee.


    They stood about halfway from their wall to the larger buildings filled with the fishmen¡¯s true targets, if the information the mage of the dead provided was accurate.


    A dark-skinned male placed his hands on the ground at the direction of a female clad in dull gray armor. A complete shell without gaps like the armor most humans wore. Some of the older fishmen recognized the similarity to the armor worn by one of the flying males. Wariness slowed their advance while the younger continued forward.


    The dark water had reached the humans¡¯ knees until the male mage cast his spell, raising them well out of the water on a platform of grass-covered soil.


    The female struck, pointing her armor-clad finger to fire a thin wire into the water.


    Lightning sparked down.


    Those without resistance, whether a personal Skill or one cast on them by one of the mages seized up as the muscles in their body jerked.


    The stench of burned meat filled the night air.


    Those with resistance advanced through the crackling arcs playing over the water¡¯s surface.


    Spines traded with bullets as spells dueled.


    The female nodded at the dark-skinned male.


    The ground rumbled.


    Sudden holes appeared everywhere, sucking in the water and many of the fishmen.


    Tunnels took them deep inside a twisted, winding maze filled with deadly traps that reaped a steep toll before any of them understood what had happened.


    Above ground the massive sea beast roared.


    The rider urged it to snap the humans in its jaws while the other passengers traded fire and protected it with magic shields and walls of water.


    The ground rumbled again, but none of them realized it until the beast roared in pain.


    It stopped suddenly, gurgling as a massive flood of blood and other bits vomited out of its maw.


    Its armored back bulged.


    Once, twice, three times before exploding in a volcano of gore.


    Fishmen died.


    Crushed in a large metal claw with three interlocking spade-like fingers or torn to bits on a large drill like hand made to dig through even the hardest stone.


    Saw teeth whirred across the surfaces of the dark gray metal, ripping fishmen apart despite their defenses.


    The claw clamped over the lower half of the rider, severing him in two.


    That was how the first assault ended.


    <hr>


    Doomborer¡¯s squat, mole-like power armor was more red than its usual matte gray.


    Bits of entrails and animal bones hung on them like garlands on a Christmas tree.


    Hayden was thankful for the air filtration provided by her own armor.


    ¡°Ugh!¡± Teresa¡¯s face twisted.


    The young wizard had a pointy hat instead of a proper, sealed helmet. Flimsy-looking robes didn¡¯t seem like proper attire for a battlefield, but they were heavily enchanted and she also had a very strong layer of crystal clear magic ice centimeters thick coating her skin.


    ¡°Here, D.B. I¡¯ll freeze it.¡± She waved a hand.


    The Threnosh moved a few second later, shattering the frozen blood and bits off.


    Hayden imagined the smell had improved markedly although the huge mosasaur-like beast couldn¡¯t have smelled good with the gaping hole in its mid-section and the puddle of vomit and blood that hadn¡¯t drained into one of the holes that now dotted the entirety of the park.


    That reminded her.


    ¡°Bolder.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am?¡± the dark-skinned earth mage said.


    ¡°Collapse them.¡±


    Bolder placed a hand on the ground.


    The earth shook violently for a few seconds.


    A mixture of dirt and river water shot out of the holes like geysers before they closed.


    The fishmen had superhuman strength, but they weren¡¯t near a level strong enough to dig their way out of hundreds of tons of crushing dirt and stone.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Doomborer and Bolder had dug those tunnels deep. All the way past the bedrock some few hundred meters below ground level. They had gone as far as the event boundary had let them.


    ¡°Should I freeze the water, ma¡¯am?¡± Teresa said.


    The river water the fishmen had carried over the wall and through the breach created by the sea beast had receded or drained into the now sealed tunnels, leaving not much more than shallow puddles in the lowest areas.


    ¡°They could still work their magic through them. Freezing them will at least slow them down. I¡¯m not a hundred percent sure, but I think when it comes to icy stuff my magic is stronger.¡±


    ¡°Sure, go ahead.¡±


    ¡°What about the wall? Do you want us to fix it?¡± Bolder said.


    ¡°No. It¡¯s even more useless without the shield generators. I want you to raise another one from there to there.¡± She pointed from the western edge of the park to the eastern edge, eyeing the buildings where most of the people they were protecting stayed. ¡°Rand, bring them inside.¡± She gestured at the people paralyzed by the fishmen¡¯s spines.


    The wizard shrugged, but complied without complaint, levitating the few dozen people with a spell.


    Sounds of battle drifted over the buildings from the street side.


    She could see flashes and hear booms from multiple distances.


    West and south.


    Scanners and comms continued to be shit, so she couldn¡¯t even contact the other portion of her team undoubtedly fighting just on the other side of the buildings.


    She couldn¡¯t imagine they were also fighting fishmen, which meant monsters or other people, which meant really bad luck or nefarious coordination.


    The attacks had occurred at the same time.


    ¡°I need a runner.¡±


    A young man appeared at her side.


    Wide-eyed.


    One of the locals looking to get recruited from what she could figure.


    ¡°Deliver this message to Swan Princess or however is next in command. Repelled fishmen attack. Expecting more. Holding position. Ask them if they need reinforcement.¡±


    ¡°On it!¡± The young man scampered off.


    She searched the sky for the Raynanaut. Found the skyship to the west. She zoomed in with her HUD.


    ¡°So, that¡¯s why we didn¡¯t get air support this time.¡±


    The dagger in the sky had fishmen clinging to it like tiny ants.


    She wondered how they had gotten up there until she saw a fighter plane-sized flying fish streak close enough to it before gliding back down to what she assumed was the bay.


    To think the fishmen had managed to sneak so many of them and their controlled creatures inside the contest boundaries without being noticed bothered her.


    ¡°Icy Tea.¡±


    ¡°Ma¡¯am?¡±


    ¡°Try to contact Wet Willy. Try to get us some air support from the shuttle at least. Doomborer, let¡¯s get you back underground. That trap worked great.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    The Threnosh drilled into the churned up ground.


    It was always hard to believe how a power armor as tall as a basketball player and as wide as three defensive tackles could disappear so quickly with nothing but a pile of disturbed dirt to mark where they had once stood.


    ¡°Bolder. Same thing.¡±


    ¡°Of course, ma¡¯am,¡± the young earth mage saluted despite how many times she had told him not to.


    He and the Threnosh had worked out a messaging system using the vibrations they could send through the soil.


    One used magic while the other used high technology that was so advanced to her that it might as well have been magic.


    She was clad in something similar.


    Power armor with a few extra special systems made just for her and her superpower.


    She could generate enough electricity to power a medium to large-sized state back in the pre-spires modern era.


    Time and exercise had seen her grow to that level from power enough to run a small city in her younger days.


    Age meant power from what it seemed.


    Although, she could¡¯ve done without the slowing of her visible aging.


    She was on the wrong side of 40, yet still looked like she was in her early 30¡¯s.


    The difference between her and her long-time friends, Dayana and Jayde, was starting to get weird. She looked closer in age to Prim these days.


    It raised a lot of existential questions for her.


    Did she really want to live another hundred years in the thick of the fighting?


    That¡¯d be a damn shame.


    Meant that the world hadn¡¯t gotten out of the shit stage if it still needed her by that time.


    She ruminated on her inhuman nature until the fishmen announced their second attack with a giant globe of dark water launched into the air large enough to block out the moonlight.


    <hr>


    Captain Molds had told him to do what he thought best while keeping her looped in if he could for coordination purposes and the avoidance of friendly fire.


    Alin went to medical.


    Kat and their friends had their duty stations, which he checked using his HUD.


    The little green dots indicated they were where they were supposed to be.


    He tapped into the Raynanaut¡¯s camera system to double check.


    A squad of rangers stood guard, waving him through.


    The doors slid open with a hiss.


    Howard and Adrian were already in the small waiting area.


    The former grunted and threw him a head nod.


    The latter gave him a closed mouth smile.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Willy?¡±


    He knew that the shuttle, along with Marian, was still in the other hangar. The one located dorsally.


    ¡°With the shuttle. They¡¯re prepping for take-off. Comms are still shit, like they¡¯ve been this whole time, so your captain wants them to fly over to the camp,¡± Howard said.


    ¡°Hopefully, he can contact Rand or Teresa with a spell once they get close enough,¡± Adrian said.


    ¡°Shit¡¯s fubar,¡± Howard grunted. ¡°Surveillance drones we seeded all over the city have finally crapped out. Just all static now. Not even the seconds long snippets we used to get.¡±


    The problem had escalated throughout the weeks.


    Even the new insect-like drones they had periodically sent out had failed to do better.


    ¡°Anything new?¡± Howard said. ¡°We ain¡¯t looped into the command channel. Figure, you are. And if you aren¡¯t, figure you can loop yourself into it. All we know is that fishmen are attacking from all three sides.¡±


    ¡°South, southeast parts of the city are done. They rolled over defenses and are busy moving women and children into cages near the river. Southwest is holding. The airport¡¯s well-defended. Up north, Hayden and them fought off the first attack, but that whole area¡¯s a warzone. It¡¯s hard to tell without eyes at ground level, but it looks like everyone on the slasher side are also hitting it. The settlement on the western tip is getting hammered by the fishmen, so the Raynanaut is heading over there. Plan is to neutralize the fishmen then head over to Hayden since she¡¯s holding so far.¡±


    ¡°Stinks, eh,¡± Howard grunted. ¡°Too coordinated. All the slasher groups working together when they had been killing each other nearly as much as they killed normal people. And they all happened to be in position to hit the north section at the same time the fishmen hit everywhere else.¡±


    Alin nodded.


    It sounded likely.


    ¡°Yeah, well, fishmen have shown they¡¯re willing to work with humans.¡±


    ¡°I wonder what else they¡¯re getting?¡± Adrian said. ¡°I checked the event page and there¡¯s no mention of them. So, they¡¯re not going to get any of the rewards.¡±


    ¡°Quests. Scaly bastards probably got a whole bunch of Quests. That and breeding stock.¡± Howard¡¯s face twisted into a snarl that belonged more on Adrian¡¯s face.


    The hybrid¡¯s features were a blend of cat and human, though more towards the latter minus the dark fur crowding the edges of his face and the fangs in his larger than human standard mouth.


    ¡°They¡¯re always looking for breeding stock. It¡¯s the only way to explain why they keep setting places up even with how often we find and smash them.¡± Howard eyed Adrian. ¡°You alright, kid?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, why?¡± Adrian frowned.


    ¡°Nah, nothing. Just thinking you¡¯d be itching to get your claws into some fish.¡±


    ¡°I am not a cat,¡± Adrian said flatly.


    Howard grinned. ¡°It¡¯s okay to admit you got some of those instincts. I¡¯ve got them myself. On account of being a little on the feral side.¡±


    ¡°A little?¡± Adrian smiled. This time baring his fangs.


    Howard revealed his own set of pronounced canines before turning to Alin.


    ¡°Anyway you can loop us in, eh? Don¡¯t much like standing blind while fighting¡¯s going on out there. As long as it doesn¡¯t mess with ranger opsec, of course.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, put your helmets on. I¡¯ll link you to the cameras.¡±


    He had always been a child of privilege.


    The software in his power armor was capable of taking control of the Raynanaut¡¯s systems.


    His dad trusted him not to abuse it.


    The skyship¡¯s thrusters pulsed, taking them westward.


    Seconds covered miles.


    Red tracers streamed out into the night, cutting through thick clouds of smoke from the battle below.


    Giant flying fish and dark scaled fishmen were cut into pieces by supersonic projectiles as long as a human arm.


    The rangers minded their attack angle to minimize the chances of shots landing anywhere else but the bay.


    The skyship shook.


    A great globe of water splashed against her underside.


    Dark water clung to the lenses of the cameras in her front half.


    Steam fogged the images, forcing them to switch views.


    Cameras on the rear half revealed the outer layer of titanium armor sizzling.


    The skyship launched missiles toward the bay.


    The gloom of night vanished for a moment as small suns erupted to life beneath the waves, sending great geysers of water and steam into the sky.


    The thrusters pulsed, stronger now as they began to target fishmen on the streets with smaller projectiles to minimize friendly fire.


    They could see them through the smoke with illumination provided by the fires.


    Humans burned hotter than the fishmen. Not that the latter were cold-blooded. They were warm. It was just that their scales were much more insulating than skin.


    Some people fought to protect their homes or walled neighborhoods while others tried to flee for the hospital, which was their most heavily defended emergency shelter.


    The fishmen moved quickly, leaping great bounds with superhuman strength while shooting men with spines and spells.


    The women and children they left alone.


    One could see the protocols they were following.


    Kill the threats first and collect the spoils second.


    An ivory glint flashed from the very edge of the hazy spires barrier out in the bay.


    The Raynanaut squealed in distress as the floor heaved under their boots.


    Songbird¡¯s voice came through the skyship¡¯s speakers.


    ¡°Breach. Section 5. Decks 1 through 3.¡±


    ¡°What the hell was that?¡± Adrian said.


    Alin watched the recording.


    ¡°Giant bone spike. Looked enchanted or they had mages inside casting shields around it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Howard grunted. ¡°You can see the lights around it shedding as it punched through.¡±


    ¡°But, it¡¯s supposed to be practically impenetrable,¡± Adrian said.


    ¡°The key word is ¡®practically¡¯. When spells get involved, shit gets weird, eh.¡±


    Howard cursed.


    Giant flying fish used the momentarily lull in the Raynanaut¡¯s fire to sky above them, dropping small and large figures onto the skyship.


    Magitech lightning emitters popped up and scorched the entirety of the upper surface.


    Some fishmen and their controlled beasts were charred to ash or forced off, but enough remained to proceed cutting the outer armor with their natural weapons and strength or spellcast water blades and buzzsaws.


    The dorsal hangar doors slid open.


    The shuttle emerged.


    Thrusters roared as Marian strafed the fishmen in passing before activating stealth and zooming eastward.


    Only a handful remained on the surface of the skyship amidst the blood and bits littering the pockmarked armor plating.


    ¡°Hey! Boss? Did you see that? I got like 20!¡± Marian¡¯s voice came in over the team channel.


    ¡°Nice job! But don¡¯t get cocky, kid!¡± Howard said.


    ¡°Got it! We¡¯re gonna try to make contact with Sparky. I¡¯ll keep you posted, over and out!¡±


    ¡°Stay frosty, over.¡± Howard sighed. ¡°You young people get too excited over this shit.¡±


    Adrian shrugged. ¡°I blame my instincts.¡±


    Alin remained silent as he pushed the gray through the skyship¡¯s vents.


    Section 5, Decks 1 through 3.


    That was mostly cargo bays and not that far from the ventral hangar where Fabricator Stone Lake 23571 continued to churn out projectiles in a losing battle to keep up with the sustained rate of fire.


    Alin sped ahead of Ranger Morningstar¡¯s squad.


    The gray filled the site of the breach.


    The ivory boarding craft resembled a pointy stalagmite rising through the metal floor.


    Fishmen had already debarked and were moving toward the doors.


    The thick fog was invisible to them because he had willed it so.


    There was no expected spike of sharp needles in his brain. He hadn¡¯t slept well over the last few days worried over his mom and friends. What few hours he had snatched here and there had been plagued by the customary nightmares. Despite that, the fatigue he felt was of a middling sort.


    He should¡¯ve been a lot more tired, which was why a sense of disquiet permeated his soul.


    It seemed inhuman for him to be in his current state considering the events.


    He pushed it into the back of his mind.


    Power was what he needed to keep everyone safe.


    Thus, he hit the fishmen hard, using his power with as little restraint as he had ever displayed even compared to the fight with the demon clown.


    Perhaps, their inhumanity made it easier.


    They resisted the drain given the strength of their superhuman constitution and the gifts bestowed upon them by their wholehearted worship of the Deep Azure.


    Though the eldritch entity lacked a physical presence on the world, as far as Alin¡¯s dad could tell, the prayers of its faithful didn¡¯t go unanswered.


    Alin felt a presence pushing against him.


    The dark depths of the ocean slammed into him with cold weight as if he had been suddenly submerged to a thousand meters below the roiling surface.


    He fought against it, spreading out in every direction.


    The difference between them was that he was present in reality.


    Cold warmed.


    Pressure eased.


    Fishmen sagged as their limbs suddenly grew leadened.


    Their superhuman stamina wasn¡¯t without end.


    Two steps felt like a hundred thousand.


    Their mages tried to cast countering spells, but he confused their minds. Sent them whispers, promises of life, death and everything in between.


    Their warriors lasted longer. Skills bolstered their natural gifts, but also ran out. Drained too quickly.


    He took from them to strengthen himself.


    Gray figures partially-coalesced.


    Wisps of superstrong fists and faintly-glowing weapons attacked, turning the fishmen toward the interior of the cargo bay.


    They struggled with the half-formed hints of people, turning their backs to the doors.


    Rangers burst through behind controlled bursts and spell blasts.


    Ranger Morningstar barked orders as they mowed down the fishmen.


    The air was as clear as it had always been for the rangers.


    Alin withdrew from the cargo bay as he spread out through the rest of the skyship, searching for more boarders.


    He touched upon Kat briefly where she sat manning one of the gunnery stations.


    His search turned up empty.


    No more fishmen or unwanted passengers.


    A voice, near, yet far, drew his attention back to his actual body.


    ¡°Yeah, what?¡±


    Howard pointed to his ear.


    ¡°¡ª you copy, Goldenspoon? I repeat¡ª¡± Captain Molds said through the comms.


    ¡°I copy, captain.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re with Howard.¡± A statement, not a question. ¡°So, I¡¯m patching you all in. Do you hear me, Howard?¡±


    ¡°I copy,¡± Howard said.


    ¡°Swan Princess made contact through the wizards. Shit soup¡¯s churning down in Hayden¡¯s fort and that entire area of the city. Not just fishmen and slasher groups swarming all over the place. Undead breached the lower floors of that big tower. If that necromancer gets free reign to turn all those people¡­ well¡­ we can¡¯t let that happen. I know you¡¯re short-handed, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°Say no more, captain. If she¡¯s assaulting the tower then she won¡¯t be able to hide as easily as she has been. Contesting the place means she¡¯ll have to be on the premises somewhere. Me and Black Cat will hunt her down.¡±


    ¡°Great. The shuttle¡¯s on its way back. Good luck. Break some legs.¡±


    ¡°What about me, sir?¡±


    ¡°Swan Princess was asking about some help with crowd control if you¡¯re up to it, Goldenspoon. Though, I told her you could do a hell of a lot more than that these days.¡±


    His gaze fell on the door leading into the patients¡¯ chambers.


    The patch of air next to the wall shimmered a moment, turning into Unseen.


    ¡°I will protect them,¡± the Threnosh said.


    ¡°Thanks.¡± He took a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯ll head over there right away, captain.¡±


    ¡°Good luck. Smash faces, kill monsters and bad guys.¡±


    They walked briskly through the skyship¡¯s corridors.


    ¡°Listen, Howard. The tower¡¯s within my range from Hayden¡¯s fort. I think I can cover up to the 40th floor give or take. I can¡¯t promise my complete focus, but I¡¯ll do what I can to help.¡±


    ¡°If you can find the necromancer then that¡¯s all we¡¯ll need.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll try.¡± He turned left while the other two went right.


    ¡°Where are you going? Hangar¡¯s this way.¡±


    ¡°I can get there faster.¡±

 9.40

    ¡°Let¡¯s git ¡®er dun! First one in gits first pick of ¡®em bitches! Wooo!¡±


    They were a band of brothers following their leader into battle.


    The tattoos on the old man¡¯s bald head seemed to glisten and not with sweat for the night was chilly.


    An intricate shield with old Germanic heraldry flashed on the back of his head.


    At the same instant an enormous ethereal copy appeared in front of them absorbing fire from the top of the makeshift wall of old, rusted cars and random street detritus.


    Moving closer gave shooters on top of the buildings and in the upper floor windows angles to add their fire to the mix.


    Tommy McClintock was a young man.


    He couldn¡¯t keep the smile off his face as he whooped along with his brothers in arms.


    They were going to get stronger while taking out the unworthy.


    Could a true Aryan warrior ask for more?


    Well, some hot bitches after would be nice.


    Like his daddy had said before the old man took a glowing axe to the face.


    ¡°Son, there ain¡¯t no better pussy than the one you take from your enemies. Ya kill their men and take their women. Breed them out, ya know?¡±


    He had been just 10 at the time, so he didn¡¯t really know what his daddy had meant until a few years after the old man had bit it¡­ literally.


    The shield shattered.


    The old man¡¯s tattoo of a tub of grenades flashed.


    The base of the wall erupted in fire and smoke.


    When it cleared, a gaping hole stood open like a hot bitch¡¯s legs.


    ¡°Do ¡®em deep, boys!¡± the old man whooped. First into the breach, spraying an unending supply of bullets thanks to the tattoos¡¯ magic.


    Tommy dashed in somewhere in the middle of the pack.


    Enemy fighters fired from the barricaded front doors and boarded up windows of the building.


    Some kind of spa according to the sign.


    Whatever the fuck that was.


    Like a hotel?


    He didn¡¯t know.


    Didn¡¯t care.


    Enemy fighters fired from the top of the building and the wall behind them.


    Shit!


    The enemy somehow caught them in one of them ambushes.


    He saw some of their faces depending on the kinds of helmets they wore.


    Light, dark and everything in between.


    ¡°Fucking traitors!¡± he roared.


    Leap Charge carried him up to the wall, burying his machete in one man¡¯s dark face.


    He squeezed the trigger on his .50 caliber pistol.


    Triple Shot.


    One squeeze. Three shots.


    The first two broke the magic shield.


    The last one broke the traitor¡¯s fair face.


    He took a moment to spit on the corpse.


    ¡°Wut you git fer mixin¡¯ with darkies, traitor.¡±


    He glared down the top of the wall as the rest of the soft bitches retreated. He stuck his tongue out and flexed bare arms bulging with rock-hard muscles.


    ¡°Dat¡¯s right! I¡¯mma fuck y¡¯all up, then I¡¯mma fuck yer bitches all night long! Wooo¡ª¡±


    Sudden pain lanced into his back.


    ¡°Wut¡­¡± he stared at the red-sheathed blade jutting out of his chestplate. ¡°But¡­ I got¡¯s armor¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s called armor-piercing backstab.¡± A high-pitched voice spat in his ear. ¡°The only fucking you¡¯re going to be involved in is all the demons in hell fucking your racist asshole with their spiky dicks. Enjoy.¡±


    Razeena Bondar was a product of said mixing, which is why she took the dead slasher wannabe¡¯s words a little personally.


    She was a rogue and before the spires had decided to ruin her home she had been more focused on the sneaking around, stealthiness of the class rather than the violent backstabbing and bleeds.


    She was all about stealing vital supplies from the rich assholes, like those in that big tower looming over them as they fought for their lives, and giving them to everyone else.


    Bullets sparked off the metal beneath her shoes.


    She took a deep breath and hopefully vanished from the marauders¡¯ notice. She relocated because one didn¡¯t stand still in the thick of a battle even if they had used a Skill to hide.


    A prescient choice as bullets whistled through the space she had just been standing in.


    Razeena leapt off the wall and ran for some bushes to the west side of the spa¡¯s entrance.


    The racist marauders were breaking through the barricade behind the strength of several enraged members.


    The telltale haze of red around their suddenly bulging bodies that seemed to ignore the damage being poured into them screamed of rage Skills. Literally, with the sounds coming out of their frothing mouths.


    It always creeped her out to see ostensible humans behaving like mindless monsters.


    She climbed the wall with a Skill and entered through an open window.


    She disengaged her hiding Skill so as to not catch friendly fire and announced her presence as she ran through the hallways filled with frightened children and elderly.


    All hands on deck.


    Men, women, older kids and older people that could still use a weapon had taken up positions overlooking the front lobby and the barricaded stairs.


    She bypassed them all to get to the stairs leading to the roof.


    A proper rogue needed good intuition Skills for detecting danger.


    Danger Sense was a good start, but it was a general sort of Skill.


    One that could give you hints on the nature and direction of said danger was a lot better.


    And her Skill was telling her to get to the roof.


    She burst through the door and into the cold, dark night.


    Her eyes widened as her Skill shouted at her to duck.


    Wind whipped over the top of her head, cutting the top of her ponytail right off.


    ¡°Ninjas!¡± she screamed at the top of her lungs before throwing herself forward with dodge roll.


    Short straight blades, dark stars and whirling spiked chains hit the rooftop, but more importantly missed her.


    She sucked in a breath and vanished.


    Danger didn¡¯t leave her senses.


    She ran erratically, using her dodge Skills liberally.


    Shit was crazy!


    There was no way she would¡¯ve survived had she not gotten so many levels over the three and a half weeks of the Slasher¡¯s Spree.


    Fuck you very much, Spires!


    The real fighters on the rooftops finally turned to face the ninjas.


    Since when were ninjas a thing?


    Shadows struck with bladed death while bullets and fireballs lit up the darkness.


    Razeena figured her job had been done.


    She wasn¡¯t a true fighter after all.


    Thus she leapt down to a lower rooftop on the east side of the spa.


    ¡°Sneaky, sneaky.¡± A high-pitched voice tickled the back of her neck.


    She heard the snip of scissors as she turned.


    Her body spun, crashing to the rooftop as it partially-completed the turn.


    Her head remained pointed forward until it hit the dirty rooftop.


    Before her vision went dark a second later, she caught a glimpse of pink sneakers and white knee-high socks.


    Giggles sent her off to what came next.


    She hoped that it wasn¡¯t hell.


    ¡°Scissors-sama. Are we attacking them?¡± Kenta Takaguchi said.


    The young man was a shinobi in the style of the modern pre-spires era. Unlike the black-clad ninjas that took their class from even further back.


    He was clad in dark, tactical-styled clothing and armor, resembling many of the soldiers that had also taken the slasher class to be eligible for the contest.


    Had he been given a choice he wouldn¡¯t have done so.


    He was a shinobi, not a slasher.


    It wasn¡¯t that he had a problem with killing. It was because he feared a dilution of his personal strength if he failed to one day integrate the two classes.


    Unfortunately, he was honor bound to serve the mahou shoujo and she had wanted to come.


    ¡°Nah. Let them fight.¡± She regarded the battle in the park to their north between the most powerful and therefore worth the most points people and the fishmen. ¡°We¡¯ll sweep in when they¡¯re tired.¡± She absentmindedly snipped her giant scissors, spreading the young rogue¡¯s blood across the razor-sharp blades. She suddenly turned her gaze to the tallest building in the city.


    Vancouver seemed small and quaint compared to Tokyo.


    That one tall building a few blocks to the south would have been one of middling height among many back home.


    ¡°Scissors-sama?¡±


    ¡°A thought cut through me just now, Kenta-kun. The stinky necromancer lady will have started her attack by now. Why did she want that tiny tower all to herself?¡±


    ¡°I believe she intends to kill the people. Low points, but the collection isn¡¯t something easily ignored. But her true purpose is to turn them into her undead with which she will hammer us against the people we¡¯re fighting. She kills everyone, leaving her and that Holly Foster the sole survivors of any consequence to the contest. Whether she gains enough points to take first place doesn¡¯t matter. She¡¯ll be happy to take 2nd.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say this earlier?¡±


    He shrugged.


    She always yelled at him when he volunteered his thoughts regarding operational things.


    ¡°Then stop her!¡± she pointed at the tower imperiously. ¡°I choose you, Kenta! Use¡­¡± she wiggled her fingers in his face. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Your best techniques, I guess. Clone technique? That¡¯s always cool!¡±


    He bowed.


    Transformation Technique turned him into a bird.


    Scissors-sama cheered and clapped as he flapped over the raging battle.


    ¡°Do your best, Kenta-kun!¡±


    Tiny wings beat for his life as stray shots streaked through the darkness all around him.


    Over the wall.


    Across the street.


    A rush of cold wind battered him from below as if he had flown into a storm.


    He tucked his wings and dived just under a flash of steel and a young man¡¯s cursing voice.


    The young man hung in the cold for a moment before vanishing and leaving an outline in mist.


    Kenta scanned the street and found the young man teleporting across the battlefield, cutting and stabbing one of their crude, temporary allies before disappearing and reappearing behind another.


    It looked like a fun, challenging battle, but he had a command to follow.


    The gleaming tower drew near enough to see his bird-y reflection in mirrored glass.


    As did a flock of dark-feathered birds.


    They cawed at him and rose in pursuit.


    Well¡­ he had enough of being a tiny sparrow.


    The bird disappeared with a pop of white smoke.


    Fingers danced in front of his mouth.


    Fire-breath Technique consumed the crows in an instant.


    He slammed into the side of the tower.


    Wall Run Technique fixed the soles of his tabi to the glass.


    Up he went.


    All the way to the top.


    The leaders always took the highest places for themselves.


    He was thankful that the building was already being contested and even if it hadn¡¯t the contest had changed the rules, disabling ownership protections.


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Lights in a large window.


    Dark shadows of movement.


    He imagined the leaders pacing back and forth, worrying about the undead army climbing their precious tower.


    That was one of the drawbacks to a tower fortress.


    If the defenses fell then the ones at the top only had one place to go.


    He gathered his Chakra in one fist.


    The hazy blue glow would give away his position, but at this height he wasn¡¯t too concerned.


    Thick glass shattered with one blow.


    He dived in.


    Fire spewed from his mouth.


    The leaders didn¡¯t even have the time to scream.


    He turned them to ash in an instant.


    A greater expenditure of his Chakra, but necessary to avoid needless suffering.


    The smoke brought brought a sudden shower, which quickly soaked his hair and headband.


    The boardroom was practically identical to the ones in his father¡¯s skyscraper.


    He pushed through the double doors and took a bullet to the forehead.


    Instinctively, he vanished in a puff of white smoke to be replaced by a cut log the size of his torso.


    The enchanted steel plate on the front of his headband had saved his life once again.


    He re-appeared behind the shooter at the other end of the hallway.


    Honed Chakra around his knife hand chop parted the man¡¯s head from his body as if his neck was made of butter.


    Hot pain surged up his back.


    ¡°No substitute technique for you.¡± A woman¡¯s voice slithered into his ear.


    She spoke his language in that Universal Translation System way.


    The accent placed her as Chinese.


    Soldiers and assassins.


    They had skirmished a few times over the weeks, but never with a conclusive outcome.


    Plenty of injuries, but no deaths.


    Satisfaction mingled with the pain.


    The headless corpse leaking red into the carpet meant that he had scored first.


    The woman twisted the knife and grabbed the back of his head.


    ¡°My anchor stab stopping you from using your other abilities?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Clone Technique spawned a dozen copies of himself.


    Weaker versions, but capable of using his lower level techniques.


    Half swarmed the woman. The rest attacked the others that had appeared from the shadows.


    The latter didn¡¯t last long, vanishing in puffs of smoke as they took hits.


    The former did their jobs, freeing him from her grasp.


    He sprinted back to the boardroom.


    The numbers weren¡¯t on his side even if he might¡¯ve had the levels over their strongest.


    He¡¯d escape the ambush and enter the building at another location.


    Haste bred carelessness.


    His father had always warned against that truism.


    Thus, he didn¡¯t notice the thin strands covering the hole in the window until it was too late.


    Fire and shrapnel tore him apart.


    His failure would reflect poorly on his family¡¯s honor.


    The last thought in his head was a mixture of hope and pity.


    Their honor now rested on his sister¡¯s slight shoulders.


    ¡°Weeb¡¯s down! Turned into bloody mist by yours truly!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that. My predict enemy egress did the heavy lifting.¡±


    ¡°Cut the chatter.¡±


    Specialist M.J. Browning hadn¡¯t needed Lt. Rico¡¯s order to keep her mouth shut. Unlike, the majority of her unit, she hadn¡¯t grown lax in regards to proper discipline.


    She blamed the slasher class.


    Despite what command had promised, it had changed them.


    The dark urge to kill was always lurking in the back of her mind. Too long between kills and she could see, despite her denials, that she wouldn¡¯t be able to fight it off forever.


    Having preferred targets was all well and good, but what would she do once they ran out of those?


    Command¡¯s answer had been that America would never run out of enemies.


    That was all well and good too, but what about her retirement?


    They had gotten her good.


    Bitterness surged within her, as it had more often over the last week.


    She was a lifer now.


    A forever soldier moving from one conflict to the next.


    Doomed to never lay down her weapons.


    ¡°American soldiers!¡±


    A voice from the dark hallway.


    ¡°Chinese soldiers!¡± Lt. Rico said.


    ¡°You have only killed those on the slasher side.¡±


    ¡°Mostly¡­ had to fight locals a few times, but they attacked first.¡±


    ¡°If that makes you feel better. Then, by all means, think it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s better than what you¡¯ve been doing.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve only killed our enemies.¡±


    ¡°So, like, everyone?¡±


    ¡°That is correct.¡±


    ¡°Then what do you want? I doubt it¡¯s the moral high ground.¡±


    ¡°Temporary truce. We stay away from each other until the end. We¡¯re willing to forgo violence with your group completely. Neither of us can win this contest, so let¡¯s all go home with our rewards, whatever they may end up being.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be kind of hard to avoid each other when we¡¯re here for the same reason.¡±


    ¡°The shinobi got them before us and you got the shinobi.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean those reasons.¡±


    ¡°Ever the greedy Americans, always trying to take more of the cow than you are entitled to. You have the points from the leaders of this tower and the shinobi. Maybe you should concern yourselves with the idea that those points are within you now.¡±


    ¡°Here come the threats. How about this? No deal. I know your empress definitely gave you orders to take out enemies and we all know that¡¯s exactly what we are even if there¡¯s nothing formally declared.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d pick war?¡±


    ¡°You should¡¯ve stayed home.¡±


    The hallway exploded.


    M.J. dropped to one knee and leveled her carbine toward her slice of the pie.


    9 to 12, centered on the open double doors clouded with dark smoke.


    Assassins liked to move through the shadows so she peppered short, controlled bursts into the blackness.


    Bullets struck wood.


    They struck armor and flesh.


    She could tell from the sounds.


    The rest of her squad did as she did.


    Lt. Rico dived under the huge, thick table, kicking it over for cover.


    Shots came from the hallway, cracking the thick wood, sending splinters flying everywhere.


    ¡°Fortify Cover,¡± Smith touched the table.


    ¡°Squad: Sights Like Eyes,¡± Lt. Rico said.


    She didn¡¯t need it, but the others sticking just their guns over cover did.


    A grenade landed in their midst.


    ¡°Delay Fuse!¡± Brixton snapped, pointing at it. ¡°Someone return to sender!¡±


    Lark dived for it, snatching it off the floor and chucking it back into the hallway in one smooth motion. She rolled back behind cover and continued firing.


    Fire thumped, pushing dark smoke further into the boardroom.


    Unnatural darkness suddenly fell over their eyes like a heavy curtain.


    ¡°Squad: Blind Fighting!¡±


    Skill versus spell struggled for supremacy.


    M.J. caught snatches of blades and starburst muzzle flashes.


    A blade danced for her neck.


    She sacrificed her carbine.


    Quick Draw got her pistol in hand and in firing position in a near instant.


    She squeezed the trigger as fast as she could.


    The black-clad assassin fell away.


    Dead or just wounded?


    She didn¡¯t know.


    ¡°Fall back! Squad: Rapid Retreat!¡±


    Lt. Rico¡¯s voice lent her feet wings.


    There was only one way out.


    She clipped the rope to her harness and hooked the grapnel around the leg of a large couch.


    Then it was a straight sprint to the gaping hole in the window.


    Physical enhancement passives made the rapid descent possible.


    A baseline person would¡¯ve broken bones and torn muscles.


    Five floors.


    Ten floors.


    The rope ran out.


    The sudden stop didn¡¯t feel good.


    She had been out first.


    Only a few of her unit were behind her.


    She planted her boots on the mirrored glass and pushed off.


    Upside down, she fired her pistol.


    At the apex of the swing she flipped and twisted.


    Momentum slammed her into the cracked glass boots first.


    Tumbling across the floor, she drew a knife and cut the rope.


    Brixton and Smith were right behind her.


    No one else.


    She stifled a curse as she pulled another carbine out of her bag of holding.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Smith frowned. ¡°We ain¡¯t waiting?¡±


    ¡°Follow protocols.¡±


    She was the highest ranked soldier among the trio.


    They couldn¡¯t do anything for the rest of the unit. At least not until they broke contact with the Chinese.


    Lose the tail, then figure out how to best go back for the others.


    They didn¡¯t leave anyone behind.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got point.¡± Smith posted to the side of the office door.


    He pulled it open on her nod.


    Empty hallway.


    ¡°Make for the stairs on the opposite side of the building.¡±


    ¡°Got it,¡± Smith nodded.


    She could hear gun fire, feel the occasional shake of the floor from explosions.


    Above seemed quiet.


    Meant that the necromancer was still below them.


    They reached the stairwell without incident.


    Smith reached for the handle only for it to be ripped open from inside.


    ¡°Contact!¡± he snapped his carbine up and fired.


    Lt. Rico¡¯s Skill was still in effect so she had the misfortune of seeing straight into the gaping maw of the fleshy abomination filling the doorway.


    ¡°Fall back!¡±


    Skills fled her thoughts.


    Fear unlike any other she had experienced pulsed from the thing¡¯s many glowing green eyes.


    Smith¡¯s shout was cut off when it shoved his upper half into its mouth and bit down.


    Fight or flight?


    Brixton chose the latter, firing until it grabbed her.


    Battle cry turned to terror, but she still kept the presence of mind to pull pins from the grenades on her plate carrier.


    The abomination chomped down once more.


    Gore filled the hallway a few seconds later.


    M.J. had already fled, heedless of her surroundings.


    The magically induced terror had been too much.


    She turned a corner and ran right into a heavy impact.


    Her face broke.


    ¡°Should¡¯ve worn a full-faced helmet, stupid bitch!¡±


    A young man stood over her, brandishing a bloody bat wrapped in barbed wire and studded with nails.


    She reached for her pistol.


    ¡°Power Stomp!¡±


    The boot descended.


    Samuel Li spat on the dead soldier.


    ¡°That¡¯s what you slashers get for invading us!¡±


    Anger filled his body, kept him moving through the fear.


    Undead monsters. Zombies, Skeletons, that abominable thing the soldiers had taken out. So many more had poured into the tower.


    His family¡¯s room was in the lower half and they had gotten separated in the mad rush to get higher.


    The fucking guards had tried to stop them at first, until they had simply pushed the bastards aside.


    At least the guards hadn¡¯t turned their weapons and spells on them.


    Might¡¯ve helped that almost everyone was armed.


    Mutually assured destruction with the necromancer woman ending up the winner with more bodies for her growing army.


    This was what happened when the stupid council decided that they¡¯d hunker down rather than try to take the fight to the slashers.


    Samuel looted the corpse. He had run out of ammo within seconds as he and a few others had tried to make a stand on the 7th floor. He checked the soldier¡¯s pistol. Glock, just like his.


    ¡°Shit,¡± he muttered.


    Wrong caliber.


    He took the carbine and the mags she had left, the grenades and the bag of holding.


    The soldier¡¯s corpse jerked.


    He jumped back with wide eyes.


    The bile rose to his throat as her smashed face turned toward him.


    Without thinking, he aimed and squeezed the trigger until her head was completely gone.


    That didn¡¯t stop her body from rising and reaching for him.


    He kicked her in the chest and ran for it.


    The hallways looked all the same in the darkness.


    He ran into side tables, sending plant-filled vases and other decorations smashing to the carpeted floor.


    The elevators weren¡¯t an option.


    The top floorers had cut those off almost immediately after the undead had poured into the first floor.


    He had seen a group of people find that out to their bloody deaths and subsequent reanimation.


    One stairwell had that abomination, which meant the other stairwell was his only option.


    Up or down?


    He didn¡¯t know where his family was.


    Were they already dead?


    No!


    He couldn¡¯t allow himself to think that.


    They were either above him or below him.


    The wheels turned in his head.


    Kill the necromancer and fix everything.


    He lacked the levels, but he had grenades.


    If he could catch her sleeping¡­


    Down then.


    Into the stairwell.


    He winced with every step of his boots on the cold concrete.


    Sound traveled well in both directions.


    He stopped every few steps to listen.


    Complete silence aside from his jackhammering heart.


    Floor 33.


    The door suddenly burst open.


    He reacted as well as he could have.


    Finger squeezed the trigger.


    Stars burst in the darkness.


    The sound hurt his ears.


    He clicked on empty.


    Zombies filled the stairwell, tackling him.


    Instead of biting as he had seen them do before, they merely held him.


    A woman in robes of dark green and black emerged from the tightly-packed mass of rotting flesh.


    The bile rose up his throat once more.


    ¡°A local,¡± she mused. ¡°One moment.¡± Her eyes unfocused for a few seconds. ¡°Samuel Li. Not worth very many points. Pardon me, I had to consult the event page.¡±


    He struggled to no avail.


    Even the rotting dead had more strength than him.


    ¡°I see the fire in your eyes. Perhaps, there is no need for me to snuff them out while you¡¯re so young. So, a proposal. You tell me everything you know about this tower. What sort of defenses those on the upper floors have waiting for me and such?¡±


    He would¡¯ve spit in her face if not for the bile.


    The stench watered his eyes.


    Raw flesh dripped red from bites.


    Many of which looked to be from human teeth.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know anything and I wouldn¡¯t tell you even if I did.¡±


    ¡°Brave.¡± She tapped a delicate finger to her chin for a long moment. ¡°But dumb. I was going to let you run off. Like I said, not worth the points and I do want to begin transitioning my preferred targets. The slasher class,¡± she sighed, ¡°a double-edged blade. It¡¯s not the killing I mind. It¡¯s the compulsion to do so.¡±


    ¡°Should¡¯ve thought about that before.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right about that. I guess I thought I had the will to master it. But that¡¯s how it goes.¡± She shrugged. ¡°You have to risk big to gain big. Which I have. I must kill, but I don¡¯t want to become a complete monster. They get hunted down by flying man. So, will you help me secure my place in the contest so that I can hide and rest? I¡¯ll let you and your family go.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know if you haven¡¯t murdered them already.¡±


    ¡°That is a valid point. Unfortunately, the kill list won¡¯t be updated until tomorrow. Then, no deal?¡±


    Samuel spat for real this time.


    Spit and bile splashed across the front of her expensive-looking robes.


    ¡°Strangle him to death. Leave him as undamaged as possible.¡±


    Cold hands closed on his throat.


    Darkness crept from the edges of his vision.


    He struggled, but the hands were too strong, too cold.


    He jerked one last time and fell still.


    ¡°Stupid boy. I really was going to let you run. A Nemesis-type Quest would¡¯ve been quite profitable in the future. Oh well. Speak With The Dead.¡± She pointed at the corpse.


    A faint green glow surrounded him.


    Eyes shot open filled with the same glow.


    ¡°I have questions for you. Will you answer?¡±


    ¡°Yesss,¡± he rasped.


    ¡°Very good.¡±

 9.41

    ¡°Sooey! Sooey! Well, how ¡®bout dem fat asses, boys! Ain¡¯t nuthin¡¯ better, ain¡¯t it!¡±


    Cheers mingled with sobs and the sounds of slapping flesh.


    Such shame, such regret.


    The Tsingtao Wanderer had arrived late to the spa.


    Disparate groups of marauders, judging by the clothing and armor of the corpses outside and in the lobby leading up the stairs to the rooms in the upper floors, had overwhelmed the defenders.


    All the while he had been fighting at the other buildings.


    The people sheltering in this one simply had the misfortune of being in the eastern most building right at the corner of the makeshift wall.


    Galen hissed from cover behind a pillar in the lobby.


    He wandered over.


    ¡°Wh¡ª¡± he burped. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Keep your voice down!¡±


    ¡°They are drunk on their vile lusts. They won¡¯t hear us.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s 2 against 30. At least wait for the others.¡±


    ¡°They have their own battles. Would you continue to listen as those poor people are violated?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like it, but if we die, then they¡¯ll be violated until the scum get tired of them. After that¡­¡± the young man ran a finger under his chin.


    ¡°Young Galen. You may remain here and keep watch for more attackers.¡±


    With that the Tsingtao Wanderer leapt lightly all the way to the second level railing. He balanced on one foot like a ballerina, minus the grace. He swayed like a drunk, which he was.


    One deep pull from his gourd of plenty and he was ready.


    Vision swam as he locked onto the upcoming fight.


    Kill the men, save the women and children.


    He followed the cheers and whoops.


    Such filth, such shame.


    Though he knew their kind.


    There was no shame in them.


    Hence their filth natures.


    And what did one do with filth?


    ¡°Wipe well and flush.¡±


    He stood at the open door, his bulk taking up the space.


    The room was large, more of a suite with a small living room and kitchen.


    It was filled with rapists and their victims.


    Tear streaked eyes found his and a little more of him died.


    ¡°Fuck ya¡¯ want, Chink?¡± a bald old man pulled up his pants and thrust a bony finger toward the Tsingtao Wanderer.


    ¡°It is as I said,¡± he bowed. ¡°To wipe well and flush.¡±


    Uncomprehending eyes blinked at him.


    The marauders were drunk on liquor, lust and the heat of battle.


    He was only drunk on one those three things.


    He cleared his throat.


    ¡°As you don¡¯t seem to understand, I shall make it clear. You are the shit that must be flushed down the toilet. Thus, must your smears be wiped off the asshole of the world. Indeed, you have taken filth to such heights that I fear toilet paper will not be enough. Perhaps, not even wet wipes will do the trick. Yes,¡± he mused. ¡°One must wash with soap and water to be sure.¡±


    ¡°Git ¡®em!¡± the bald old man grabbed a shotgun propped up against the couch.


    The Tsingtao Wanderer belched.


    The alcohol cloud filled the suite.


    The effect was nearly instantaneous.


    The eyes of people under Level 30 rolled into the back of their heads as they passed out.


    The satisfying sounds of wet cracks filled his ears as rapists¡¯ heads cracked against the hardwood floors or the conveniently sharp corners of tables and such.


    He staggered forward through a storm of gun fire.


    The Drunken Fist style taken to impossible heights.


    His Dao.


    Arms moved as if he was searching for a wall or railing to steady himself.


    Fists struck unarmored chests, caving in ribs, piercing lungs and hearts.


    He bent over backward to let an axe sing just over his nose.


    A foot came up and smashed the rapist¡¯s most treasured goods.


    He would¡¯ve let the man live with the horror for a little bit longer, but time was precious.


    His ham-sized fist came down on the rapist¡¯s head like a blacksmith¡¯s hammer. Blood and brain matter squeezed out of faceholes as the skull and neck broke.


    Such brutality, such justice.


    Not all the rapists were weak.


    A few had levels and good Skills.


    Bullets began to strike home.


    Threnium plate over his torso made them feel like a child¡¯s flicking finger.


    His limbs weren¡¯t as well protected.


    Threnium threads had been woven into the fabric of his gray robes, but he felt the bullets.


    A few Skill-powered ones managed to reach his stout flesh.


    ¡°Kill this drunkass Chink!¡± the bald old man spat. ¡°Strength Through Purity!¡±


    An axe clanged against his backplate.


    A grown man¡¯s best strike.


    He wiggled his hand in the rapist¡¯s face.


    ¡°Adequate.¡±


    The rapist drew the axe back with a roar.


    The Tsingtao Wanderer¡¯s hand darted like a serpent into the man¡¯s throat.


    Serpent strikes the mouse.


    Trachea crushed, the rapist dropped his axe and clutched his throat as his face purpled.


    The cultivator swayed forward, staggering around the rapist, using him as a human shield for the storm of bullets. He spun, almost slipped, which forced him to whip one stout leg around.


    Drunken Fortune!


    Heel hit the axe handle, sending it spinning into the head of another rapist.


    ¡°Got dam it! Why¡¯s y¡¯all fightin¡¯ like a bunch a headless chickens!¡±


    The Tsingtao Wanderer fell face forward to the floor.


    He rolled around the kitchen island chased by dwindling gun fire. He kipped up with a flourish and a bow that made them miss.


    Sudden silence.


    He peeked over the counter.


    ¡°Tsk, tsk. Not coordinating your reloads. I don¡¯t use guns and I know that. Such shame, such regret.¡± He pulled a knife from the half-eaten ham on the counter and threw it into a rapist¡¯s forehead. ¡°No helmets? Such sh¡ª¡± he tripped, taking him out of the line of fire at just the right time.


    More rapists poured out of the bedrooms.


    Most instantly dropped the moment they took in a lungful of the alcohol miasma.


    He came up again, swaying in sync with the suite, as though on a rocking ship.


    The stronger rapists were blinking and shaking their heads.


    Their knees began to shake as they too swayed.


    ¡°It is time to end this, filth!¡± he intoned. ¡°For your injustice, you face¡ª¡± he belched¡­ the room-shaking kind.


    Several rapists toppled, unable to keep their feet and consciousness.


    A few vomited all over themselves.


    He made a mental note to make sure they slept face up.


    ¡°You face¡­ justice!¡±


    ¡°Git the hell outta my lands!¡± the bad old man spat.


    ¡°This is not your land. Those tattoos appear American. And I¡¯m a drunk, but even I know we¡¯re in Canada.¡±


    ¡°Guess ya didn¡¯t heard ¡®bout Rightful Destiny over in dogeatin¡¯ land. Ya¡¯ll in America now! So git outta my land!¡±


    The shotgun roared.


    The Tsingtao Wanderer spun, covering his face with his sleeves.


    Pellets penetrated the Threnium-laced cloth and stung his flesh.


    He leapt forward as the bald old man reloaded.


    Belly bump slammed into a huge, ethereal shield.


    The smaller twin of which glowed on the rapist¡¯s head.


    ¡°Hold ¡®im!¡±


    Rapists rushed the Tsingtao Wanderer.


    Tackle and grapple Skills just barely managed to hold him.


    Combined, the six rapists had been enough.


    ¡°Gonna carve you up like a piggy. Ya fat fuck! Gonna make you squeal!¡±


    Such an ugly smile, such missing teeth.


    A tattoo of sword on the man¡¯s cheek glowed.


    The much larger copy appeared overhead.


    The blade descended.


    The Tsingtao Wanderer surged, throwing himself back despite the hands around his limbs and neck.


    The blade scored down his front, but he managed to push his armored belly up to meet it.


    The rapist¡¯s around his neck lost the arm.


    Threnium plate laughed at the bald old rapist¡¯s Skill.


    The Tsingtao Wanderer¡¯s face?


    Less laughter and more grimace.


    The drawback of the open-faced helmet.


    A deep cut.


    Warmth running down his cheek.


    Sudden darkness in one eye.


    A knock on the sliding glass doors.


    The bald old rapist turned.


    Galen waved.


    The Tsingtao Wanderer laughed at that.


    ¡°Yer friend? Gonna watch you die! Watch this cause yer next!¡±


    The ethereal blade rose again.


    Galen vanished into mist, reappearing behind the bald old rapist with steel sword raised.


    ¡°Ya dumbass. Got a shield you cain¡¯t git through.¡±


    Galen struck.


    The huge ethereal shield stood behind the bald old rapist like a wall.


    Steel fell a split-second before the ethereal blade.


    Before it hit the shield it turned into mist.


    The bald old rapist¡¯s eyes widened as he turned his head.


    ¡°Too late,¡± the Tsingtao Wanderer grinned.


    Galen¡¯s mist blade bypassed the ethereal shield.


    It returned to steel just as it carved through the side of the tattooed neck.


    The ethereal blade vanished with the bald old rapist¡¯s life.


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    The Tsingtao Wanderer laughed.


    He surged, throwing off the rest of the rapists.


    Fist struck with speed, strength and no mercy.


    Skulls and ribs broke.


    Organs were smashed.


    Dead littered the hardwood floors.


    ¡°Well done! Young Galen. What is it? Ah, my miasma. Holding your breath I see. Not one hundred percent effective, though?¡±


    Galen shook his head before throwing the sliding doors open.


    ¡°Yes, it is good to air this place out. But, come. You must help me move these unfortunate women and children.¡±


    His heart hurt to look at their state inflicted by the filth.


    Perhaps, once they woke they could take solace from the brutal deaths of those that hurt them so.


    Dealing with the aftermath of such things had never been his strength.


    Justice dealt was swift and easy.


    The rest?


    Not so much.


    ¡°Where are we going to move them to? There¡¯s still a war going on out there.¡± Galen gasped as he remained on the balcony. ¡°I can literally see the fishmen attacking again. We need to help them otherwise everyone¡¯s dead anyways.¡±


    ¡°They shouldn¡¯t wake surrounded by this filth. There are other rooms. You open the windows and use your abilities to clear my miasma. Do your cold mist thing.¡± He wiggled his fingers. ¡°I shall clear the rest of this spa of its filth, then perhaps we can move them to other rooms? Perhaps one of the conference rooms? Or the offices on the upper floor? With luck other filth will see the carnage outside and in the lower floors and be spurred to find targets elsewhere. As for the monsters? Well, I suppose they too will seek the living to kill. That or they¡¯ll devour the corpses outside.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have time!¡±


    ¡°A true warrior must never forget the reason they fight and shed the blood of other men. Even filth, such as these.¡±


    ¡°Alright! Just do it fast! The other buildings are still under attack!¡± Galen shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s like they¡¯re working together.¡±


    ¡°Yes. It does seem a rather immense coincidence that many groups decided to attack at the same time the fishmen did too.¡±


    <hr>


    Galen¡¯s hands shook.


    Not because of the killing other people thing.


    That wasn¡¯t new.


    And the Tsingtao Wanderer was right. Those men had been nothing more than filth. Clearly a case of conscience-free killing as Jayde liked to say.


    No.


    He didn¡¯t shake because of that.


    They had deserved it.


    He shook because of what they had done to deserve their just fate.


    He would¡¯ve preferred not to have seen the state of those men¡¯s victims. Not up close as he helped the deadly drunk carry the women and children up to the conference room.


    They found clean blankets and towels from other rooms to cover the unconscious people. They gathered what clean clothes they could from the mess of dead bodies, blood and excrement. They left the clothes in obvious sight. They left water bottles. Closed the blinds and dimmed the lights.


    It wouldn¡¯t help for them to wake to compete darkness.


    The trauma they had been subjected to¡ª


    It was with a sense of satisfaction that Galen took an axe from one of the rapists the Tsingtao Wanderer had bludgeoned to death and proceeded to separate heads from bodies.


    The bald old man with the head and face tattoos stared at him with unblinking eyes from the floor.


    He had done the filth properly the first time.


    No need to perform anti-undead rites.


    Still¡­


    With rage in his heart he ran up to the head and punted it out the open balcony doors.


    ¡°Good idea,¡± the Tsingtao Wanderer said mildly.


    The big drunk started kicking heads outside.


    ¡°One can never be too careful with high level bullshit.¡± He nodded sagely. ¡°Well done for remembering the reports about Cindy animating corpses even if they weren¡¯t completely intact.¡±


    ¡°Cindy?¡±


    Oh¡­ right, the necromancer slasher.


    Galen was ashamed to not admit that hadn¡¯t been on his mind.


    The way the fat drunk nodded at him like he was a good student¡ª


    ¡°Wait!¡± He pointed at the man¡¯s jolly face. ¡°Your eye!¡±


    Indeed, one side of the broad face had been laid open.


    Yet, it merely trickled blood down the man¡¯s chin and onto his rotund chest plate.


    ¡°Peh. A tiny matter of Qi manipulation to turn such a fearsome wound into the equivalent of a mere scratch.¡±


    ¡°I can see part of your cheekbone! Use the glue gel!¡±


    ¡°Bah. Artificial aids are¡ª¡±


    ¡°Alchemists, healers and Threnosh worked hard to come up with it for your benefit. You would ignore their efforts?¡±


    ¡°Peh. You prattle like my mother¡ª rest her spirit¡ª once did. Very well.¡±


    The Tsingtao Wanderer glued his face together while Galen finished the grim task.


    ¡°Come, young warrior of the frigid mists! Let us return to battle! And, more importantly, out of this odious place!¡±


    ¡°What about them upstairs? Can we leave them like that?¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡±


    ¡°Like, in this place without protection. The doors and windows are wide open and there¡¯s monsters out there. All the dead bodies will probably draw them in. And there¡¯s still that necromancer.¡±


    ¡°My sense of danger is low as I stand here. I believe that fate has decided those people have suffered enough for one night.¡±


    Galen¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    The big drunk was annoyingly right most of the time and never more than when he swayed on his feet looking like his eyes¡ª eye was about to roll up into the back of his head as he passed out.


    ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s go. The others need us.¡±


    He walked onto the balcony¡ª


    A meaty hand shoved him forward.


    A rush of wind cut just behind him.


    Whistling past the side of his head.


    Plinks against his Threnium armor.


    The squeal of metal on metal.


    Tearing cloth.


    Then flesh.


    Followed by the snap of bone.


    All in less than a second before he went tumbling over the railing and down to the grass.


    He rolled on instinct.


    Cold mist exuding from the tiny holes in his armor.


    Dark shapes leapt down, flicking glinting lights into the grass and dirt.


    Small stars, spikes and knives.


    Ninjas in dark cloth with only their eyes revealed.


    The fog that had rolled in from the river and the bay had been natural. He knew this because he felt nothing amiss with it as he extended his mist into it.


    He had been saving it for a real emergency and this definitely qualified.


    The mist grew colder and thicker, blanketing a hundred foot radius around him at a height just a few inches taller than him.


    Visibility for his enemies dropped to less than an arm¡¯s length.


    The only problem was that he was only Level 33 and they had speculated that the ninjas were all in Level 40 range.


    Sure, he had a class a few steps above the basic warrior, but it wasn¡¯t enough to close the gap.


    They all seemed to have perception enhancing Skills as their throwing weapons cut through the mist.


    Threnium armor saved his life several times over.


    Blow darts tipped with glowing liquid hit his faceplate.


    A trio of ninjas had gone into a triangle formation.


    Cold Mist Step took him inside their triangle.


    He spun, slashing his sword across their backs.


    Black cloth parted.


    Light chain beneath took the sting out until he turned his blade into mist for just an instant.


    He felt the steel bit into one ninja¡¯s flesh.


    Then his sword shattered.


    There was a cost to turning steel into mist and back again.


    The metal weakened, developing cracks as bits of it got lost.


    He covered ten feet with his next step.


    Short, straight, single-edged swords whiffed through his misty form.


    His hand was already in his bag of holding as he re-materialized.


    Sawed-off shotgun barked like one of those giant battle dogs bred up in Sacramento.


    Deep and booming.


    White hot fire blasted the chest of a leaping ninja.


    He thanked the filtration system in his helmet for sparing him the acrid stench of the war crimes shell and burning flesh.


    Again, he didn¡¯t feel too bad about it.


    All he had to do was remember that these people had willing taken a slasher class to participate in a contest were their only goal was to murder other people, who were mostly just trying to live their lives.


    Blades squealed off his armor.


    He stepped away for distance.


    They weren¡¯t going to hold back on their Skills for long.


    Rogue-types had all sorts of tricks to deal with armor.


    He figured ninjas weren¡¯t much different from assassins and the like.


    Ghost Blades, Armor-piercing Stab, You Might As Well Be Wearing Wet Paper.


    The higher the level the more powerful and ridiculous Skills became.


    Threnium¡¯s inherent superiority would provide protection from the first two, but not from the last.


    He dropped an enhanced flashbang and a sticky web potion at his boots as he cold mist stepped back onto the balcony.


    Disorient, trap, delay.


    Link back up with the Tsingtao Wanderer.


    He¡¯d focus on distraction and staying out of the way, while the dangerous fat drunk did the bulk of the killing.


    The plan fell apart when he saw the dark-robed arm in a puddle of crimson.


    It had been severed close to the elbow.


    The cut looked perfect except for the bit of ivory sticking out.


    The bone had been splintered.


    He heard the sounds of combat coming from the roof accompanied by girlish giggling.


    A young woman in very weird combat attire wielded bloody scissors the size of sword.


    White and pink were her colors.


    White on top with a button up shirt and a big pink ribbon around her collar, like a mix between a bow tie and a regular tie.


    Pink skirt that fell to mid-thigh.


    White socks that rose to just over her knees.


    Fat-soled pink and white sneakers completed the ensemble.


    She smiled as she snipped those giant scissors just over the ducking Tsingtao Wanderer¡¯s head, shearing through the plume of horse hair topping his helmet.


    Galen wasn¡¯t into women, but even he could appreciate her natural beauty.


    In fact, he found her slightly mesmerizing, which meant magic or a Skill was in play.


    Fortunately, the wanderer was drunk, which, paradoxically weakened the effects of charm-type spells and Skills.


    Beer goggles, traditionally, had the opposite effect.


    The wanderer belched a cloud of noxious fumes, forcing the mahou shoujo back.


    She scrunched her nose in a cute manner.


    ¡°Ewww gross! Stinky old man!¡±


    ¡°You hide the viper¡¯s fangs in the fur of a bunny. Such duplicity, such shame.¡±


    ¡°Heh¡ª¡±


    She blurred, reappearing behind the wanderer.


    Giant scissors snipped, but the fat drunk tripped on his robes and fell forward.


    She missed while his heel smacked the blades high.


    He rolled over, kipped up and belly bumped her in the face before she could react.


    She spat out a tooth and grinned.


    Awww¡­ so cute!


    Galen smacked the side of his helmet.


    She made a weird sound. Like a mewling kitten. ¡°Pwease give me your points, stinky old fart.¡± She pouted. ¡°Otherwise the dirty old men will touch me all over again.¡±


    ¡°I am sorry. Such filth should not be allowed to exist. They have hurt you. I can see that. Would you consider stopping that hurt from continuing like ripples in the pond?¡±


    Her face twisted suddenly.


    ¡°You. Don¡¯t. Get. To. Patronize. Me!¡± she snarled. ¡°Grand Scissors Party!¡±


    Scissors appeared everywhere.


    Copies of her giant ones.


    Big, small and every size in between.


    They snipped menacingly, then began to fly toward the Tsingtao Wanderer and Galen.


    He used cold mist step to dodge.


    The wanderer stumbled and bumbled like the greatest drunken master in the history of the world. Swirling sleeves fouled up small scissors. Fist and bloody stump batted larger ones away. Feet kicked them into the rooftop.


    Galen panted.


    Desperation grew.


    The scissors seemed endless.


    The mahou shoujo laughed, high and mad as she danced on the edge of the rooftop, waving her arms as if she was conducting an orchestra.


    Except the music was of metal blades shearing Threnium laced cloth, screaming against Threnium plate and cutting a wet symphony into human flesh.


    She stopped suddenly and regarded him through narrowed eyes.


    ¡°You have that fancy armor. Would you please give it to me? It¡¯ll keep me safe from the dirty old men.¡± She fluttered her long lashes at him.


    ¡°You¡¯re meowing up the wrong leg,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Huh?¡± her gaze grew penetrating. ¡°Oh? Hehehe! I¡¯m so embarrassed! I didn¡¯t know. Oh well¡­ never mind.¡± Her grin grew feral. ¡°I have just the thing for you my fabulous friend! Ghost Scissors!¡± She threw her arms to the dark sky with a flourish.


    Ethereal scissors swept down like a hunting hawk.


    He raised his armored arm over his head on instinct.


    Scissors snipped, leaving the armor unmarked.


    It had been so sharp that the searing pain came a second after.


    His hand, his fingers flopped as he moved his elbow.


    ¡°Oops!¡± she giggled.


    Shock set in.


    ¡°You¡­ cut my arm?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t lose your head, young Galen!¡± the Tsingtao Wanderer stumbled into his back, knocking him out of the way of a much larger pair of ethereal scissors that would have bisected his front from his back.


    He couldn¡¯t concentrate through the pain.


    Half his arm felt wet and warm.


    ¡°Pain killers. Lock left hand into a fist.¡±


    The cybernetic command system didn¡¯t work well without concentration, which was why there was a voice-activated back up along with an eye-tracking interface in the HUD.


    The tears in his eyes messed with the latter.


    ¡°Oh? So fancy! You¡¯re like one of the kamen riders or are you like a Guyver? It doesn¡¯t seem bio-organic, but I guess I have to open it up to find out. Hehehehe!¡±


    The scissors party suddenly stopped.


    Or rather, paused.


    So many scissors, most solid, some ethereal, hung over their heads like executioners¡¯ blades. They crowded around them like a hundred spears.


    Ninjas stood behind the scissors, balancing on their toes on the edge.


    The moment allowed Galen to resume filling the area with cold mist.


    The mahou shoujo said nothing.


    Whether she didn¡¯t notice or didn¡¯t care made no difference to him.


    It was his best and he could do no less.


    ¡°Last chance!¡± she clapped. ¡°Stinky old man fart! Fabulous young man! You!¡± She thrust a finger to the Tsingtao Wanderer. ¡°Are dead. You¡¯re worth too many points to let live. You!¡± She turned her attention to Galen. ¡°Are worth less. Therefore, give me your fancy armor and I will let you go. Cross my heart! Pinkie swear! And anything else you want.¡±


    ¡°Let him depart and I swear to fight you to the end. I shall not retreat,¡± the Tsingtao Wanderer said.


    ¡°Stinky, you don¡¯t know how to make bargains, do you? How is that a good deal for me?¡±


    ¡°There will be no deals tonight.¡± Galen wished his voice was steadier than it sounded. He could barely think. The pounding in his chest was loud in his ears.


    ¡°My deadly silent ninjas! Go and reap a red harvest on all the innocent souls they are trying to protect! Spare no one! Not even the tiny little babies.¡± She pouted. ¡°Poor widdle babies. Never had a chance. Mommy and Daddy bled all over them.¡± She straightened as the ninjas vanished. ¡°There you have it. I wasn¡¯t going to do that, but you just had to not listen! I hate when people don¡¯t listen to me!¡± She stomped her sneaker on the rooftop edge.


    Galen could¡¯ve sworn he heard a squeak.


    The mahou shoujo was a petite young woman.


    A strong breezed could¡¯ve shoved her off the roof with how precarious her position was.


    She skipped and twirled with a bloody smile.


    ¡°Look what you made me do. They¡¯re going to die when they maybe didn¡¯t have to. It could¡¯ve just been you stinky fart fat man drunk.¡± She stopped and tapped a finger on her dimpled chin. ¡°Did you know you¡¯re sorts famous?¡±


    ¡°We have all been deprived of anonymity by the contest page.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant. Back home. You¡¯re on the list of who¡¯s who in Asia. Not your real name. Just a description and your stupid fake name.¡±


    ¡°And what¡¯s yours? If we are to fight to the death then I would know it.¡±


    ¡°Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.¡± She wagged a finger. ¡°I¡¯m not going to fall for any real name tricks. However, you do have point, even if it is sour and sweaty. You may call me, ¡®Super Sweet Cutie Bubblegum¡¯!¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°No ¡®scissors¡¯?¡± Galen said.


    ¡°Only my precious servants can call me that. Do you wish to swear to serve me faithfully forever?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Too bad.¡±


    The Tsingtao Wanderer kicked him in the butt.


    Once again saving his life from a pair of giant ghostly scissors.


    The battle resumed.

 9.42

    Galen¡¯s hand shook.


    It was all he could do to dodge the flying scissors by turning into cold mist in short bursts.


    The Skill was draining his stamina into the danger zone judging by the headache. Like the kind he sometimes got from ice cream before he had upgraded his warrior class.


    Even with his best efforts, the Tsingtao Wanderer still had to save him by a fortuitous shove or kick in the backside every fourth or fifth step.


    ¡°Throw me at her!¡± he hissed.


    The wanderer had him under one arm like a sack of rice as they slipped, tripped and spun their way through a storm of scissors.


    ¡°Stamina drain.¡± The wanderer had time to nod sagely while he slapped a giant pair of scissors off target with his only slightly bleeding stump of a left arm. ¡°It stirs your thoughts like a wooden spoon does to the dirt at the bottom of one¡¯s mug.¡±


    ¡°You are so fun to watch! I should¡¯ve gone after one of you drunken cultivators sooner!¡± the mahou shoujo giggled and clapped, skipping through the sky from one rooftop to another.


    The drunken wanderer belched a cloud of visible fumes.


    Scissors flew through it and promptly wobbled out of the sky like¡­ well¡­ like drunk birds.


    ¡°Oh!¡± the mahou shoujo grinned. ¡°Good job!¡± She flashed a thumb¡¯s up.


    ¡°Is your helmet sealed?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, why¡ª¡±


    Galen¡¯s stomach lurched as the wanderer used snipping scissors the size of a small car as a springboard to propel them both high above the mahou shoujo.


    ¡°May the great Buddha forgive this one for his reckless regard for the health and safety of a young friend.¡± The wanderer belched. This time the fumes shot out in a tight stream before billowing into a large, thick cloud in front of the mahou shoujo. He tossed Galen in front of him. ¡°Heavenly Buddha Belly Bump.¡±


    Galen flew as though shot out of a cannon.


    The impact and acceleration were only survivable because of his Threnium armor.


    Time seemed to slow.


    The mahou shoujo¡¯s eyes widened.


    Scissors zipped down in his path to protect their mistress.


    After all, there was no party without the hostess.


    Cold Mist Step.


    Pain stabbed his brain, but he managed to hold his concentration.


    Snipping blades cut nothing but mist.


    He thrust his sword out as he re-materialized.


    A pair of sword-length scissors hovered in front of the mahou shoujo poised to block or parry and riposte.


    They snapped shut like a crocodile¡¯s jaws and found mist.


    A slight shift of the wrist.


    Mist returned to steel.


    The cracked blade reached for her eyes.


    She jerked her head back at the last moment in a display of superhuman reflexes.


    The tip nicked her forehead.


    He hit the rooftop, skidding on his front as she flipped over him and aimed her scissors at his vulnerable back.


    Threnium wouldn¡¯t save him from the ghostly versions.


    He waited for the snip that signaled his end, but heard a booming thump instead.


    Galen tried to rise and fell.


    It took everything he had to simply roll over.


    Stars danced in his vision even as the darkness closed around the edges.


    All he could do was lay there and watch the battle in the sky.


    The mahou shoujo leapt and rode her scissors like deadly sharp skateboards.


    Just like the Tsingtao Wanderer.


    ¡°Cheater!¡± She stuck her tongue out and pulled her bottom eyelid down for some reason.


    The nick he had given her shed red in a thin, but constant stream.


    Forehead cuts bled like no other outside of a severed artery.


    Unfortunately, the blood ran down the side of her brow and not into her eye.


    The wanderer stumbled across the flying scissors.


    Fist and feet flew in a blur.


    The mahou shoujo squealed as her scissors only managed to block and deflect some of the thudding strikes.


    ¡°No touching! Dirty old man! Fat drunk!¡± She swept both arms forward. ¡°Scissors Forcefield!¡±


    They responded to her call, flying like a swarm of bees around her until she was barely visible within a sphere of scissors of all sizes.


    The Tsingtao Wanderer leapt straight up.


    ¡°Belly Thunders From The Heavens.¡±


    Galen flinched at the sound even with his helmet automatically dulling it.


    The flash of light blinded him for a moment.


    Armored gut crashed into the swirling blades, scattering them and exposing the mahou shoujo.


    The wanderer belched in her face.


    She grimaced.


    He ignited the alcohol cloud by turning up his body heat with Qi manipulation.


    The mahou shoujo screamed.


    She leapt away, her uniform on fire as her scissors swarmed the wanderer to protect their mistress.


    Milky skin was singed and burned ugly red in places.


    The ribbons in her twin pony tails were ash, releasing her midnight black hair, which was frayed and smoking, significantly shorter than it had been.


    She patted the flames, smothering them quickly.


    ¡°Uguu¡­ no fun anymore.¡± She pouted. She sucked in a deep breath. ¡°Servants! Help! Come To Your Master!¡±


    Reality shifted.


    What was a one on one fight turned into a one on many in an instant.


    The Tsingtao Wanderer landed on the edge of the rooftop not too far from Galen. He slipped, windmilling his arms, sending blood spraying out to blind a shadow leaping ninja.


    ¡°Finger Poke of Death.¡±


    The wanderer shoved a fat finger in the ninja¡¯s eye.


    The black-clad woman dropped like a puppet with cut strings.


    High level Skills were bullshit.


    The wanderer took a step and tripped over her corpse.


    Throwing stars, spikes and darts whistled over his armored back.


    The wanderer popped right back up and swept the next barrage of gleaming projectiles with his voluminous sleeve.


    Another finger poke, this time to a throat, laid another black-clad lump on the roof.


    ¡°Stop letting him kill you!¡± The mahou shoujo stomped her feet. ¡°It¡¯s supposed to be the opposite way, stupids!¡± Her eyes narrowed as they fell on Galen. ¡°Go after that one, dummies! Dirty old fat man drunk won¡¯t be able to fight if he has to protect him.¡± She rolled her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s, like, how you hunt bears. Go after the baby first so the mommy can¡¯t run away or fight properly¡­ or something like that. I¡¯m not a bear hunter.¡±


    Galen could only watch as leaping shadows carried his death.


    He summoned the energy to push himself up to a sitting position.


    Stars, spikes and darts.


    They seemed unending.


    Bags of holding?


    Skills?


    Probably both.


    He had no illusions that the wonder armor would stop all of them.


    The ninjas had his measure.


    They¡¯d use armor-piercing Skills or ghost weapons or even more esoteric attacks until the Threnium finally gave.


    He held his head high and forced himself to look.


    From the first moment that he had stared death in the face down in those caves and to a handful of other times over the last few years, he knew that his tomorrow wasn¡¯t promised.


    One day the end would come.


    Tonight was it.


    The Tsingtao Wanderer had other ideas.


    The big drunk appeared in blur.


    A stout bulwark against Galen¡¯s swift flying death.


    ¡°No fair!¡± the mahou shoujo stomped her feet. ¡°Fat people shouldn¡¯t have flash step like us fit people.¡±


    The Wanderer fell to one knee.


    ¡°Go! Use shadow slash!¡± the mahou shoujo crowed with glee. ¡°Use poison darts! Use tackle!¡±


    The ninjas obeyed.


    Dark blades met ham-sized fist.


    Glowing green darts bounced off Threnium chestplate.


    ¡°Use poison ghost darts!¡±


    Those struck home.


    Galen could tell by the way the wanderer¡¯s broad back jerked.


    He still had the shotgun strapped across his chest.


    Galen¡¯s hand shook.


    A ninja slipped around the melee.


    Galen tried to bring the shotgun on target, but his arm felt like it had been chained to the roof.


    The wanderer ducked low under a slashing blade, his back foot slid across the rooftop, almost in a split he punched the ninja¡¯s nethers with the power to shatter stone.


    Galen felt the almost feathery touch of the wanderer¡¯s slippers on his armored boot.


    A sudden surge of energy rushed up his body.


    The ninja leapt, hazy blade poised to thrust through his faceplate.


    He brought his arm up. The one that the mahou shoujo had cut in two.


    The hazy blade went straight through the Threnium.


    He didn¡¯t feel it, which meant it must¡¯ve stabbed his severed arm.


    The tip grazed his faceplate.


    He shoved the shotgun barrel in the man¡¯s gut.


    War crimes burned white hot straight through enchanted cloth, light chain and enhanced skin.


    The ninja jerked back, desperately digging for the burning phosphorus.


    The wanderer put an end to that with a fiery belch.


    ¡°Use¡ª damn it, stupids!¡± The mahou shoujo sighed.


    All of the ninjas were dead.


    ¡°My my?¡± she tiled her head to one side. ¡°Are you¡­ finished?¡±


    The wanderer had fallen to one knee in front of Galen, shielding him from her view.


    Scissors dived like angry sparrows.


    He slapped them away but he moved much slower than before.


    His gray robes were damp. Stained red in places.


    The ghostly scissors continued to cut flesh without needing to cut armor and cloth.


    ¡°Ohohoho!¡± the mahou shoujo held a dainty hand over a wide open mouth. ¡°Was it the shadow blades? Or the ghost poison? I think I should know for the next time I have to fight a drunken cultivator.¡± She smiled suddenly. ¡°You have the honor, you know? Of being my first.¡± She blushed.


    ¡°Young lady,¡± the Tsingtao Wanderer gasped.


    Galen didn¡¯t like how labored the indefatigable man¡¯s breathing had become.


    ¡°I am truly sorry. You didn¡¯t deserve it. You did nothing to bring it on.¡±


    ¡°Shut up! You don¡¯t know anything, stupid, stupid!¡±


    They moved like blurs in short bursts.


    Across the rooftop and the sky above.


    The push and pull, the give and take of a dance.


    The mahou shoujo was like a charging bull, forcing the fight down to Galen¡¯s position.


    The Tsingtao Wanderer was the matador, redirecting, teasing her away.


    A bull with dozens of horns flying independently of the deadly giant pair in her hands while the latter only had one hand with which to strike, block or parry.


    How many times?


    How many exchanges?


    Galen had lost count.


    The two broke apart.


    The young woman gasped.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    The wanderer remained poised, yet Galen could see the broad back heaving.


    ¡°You revisit the pain a hundred-fold on those that are more like you once were than those that hurt you. Should not the tiger hunt the poacher rather than kittens?¡±


    ¡°The tiger rules the jungle. The boar has no say in the tiger¡¯s prey.¡± She giggled. ¡°I made a rhyme! Any more proverbs to share before I end your suffering? The poison is painful, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°The crow shouldn¡¯t caw when the flying ship with the guns and missiles is just a few kilometers away¡­ as always, the wisdom of such things is in the hands of those that received them.¡±


    The mahou shoujo¡¯s eyes darted to the western sky. A hiss escaped her lips.


    ¡°Stay and try to finish me off and you risk a very large bullet to the head. Can your scissors cut one the size of your arm? One traveling at tremendous speed? The longer you wait¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know! Shut up, stupid!¡±


    ¡°Your ninjas are¡ª¡±


    She growled and tugged at her hair.


    ¡°Fine. Whatever. You¡¯ll die from the poison or them anyways. You killed my servants, so you have their points, but I did the most damage to you and I¡¯m still alive, which means I¡¯ll get all those points when you die. I win! Bye bye!¡± She winked and waved as a pair of flying scissors carried her away to the southeast just above the rooftops.


    Galen didn¡¯t dare relax, he reloaded his shotgun.


    One working hand made it a clumsy struggle.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you using the anti-poison potion?¡±


    The Tsingtao Wanderer sighed.


    ¡°She wasn¡¯t wrong. Their poison is rather potent. The potion will fail.¡±


    ¡°Shit! Okay! Do your Qi healing thing? Like, can¡¯t you purge it or something?¡±


    ¡°Yes. That has a good chance of working. However, I will need to enter a meditative trance.¡±


    ¡°No problem. Let¡¯s get inside. I¡¯ll stand guard. The others need help, but they¡¯ll just have to handle it without us.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid that will not be possible.¡±


    Galen noticed them then.


    Shining eyes peering over the edge of the rooftop.


    Dark-scaled heads.


    Clawed fingers, webbed for swimming.


    They were surrounded.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got nothing left, man.¡± Galen sighed.


    ¡°Yes. The stamina I gave you will not last much longer. Just enough for you to get inside, I suppose.¡±


    ¡°No way. We don¡¯t leave anyone behind.¡±


    ¡°That isn¡¯t what you¡¯ll be doing. You will call for reinforcement while I hold their attention up here. It is the only chance those women and children we left inside have of escaping the fate these creatures intend.¡±


    The fishmen climbed over the edge silently.


    Water glistened on their scales.


    They waved weapons of bone menacingly.


    Galen spat a curse.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get help.¡±


    Cold Mist Step brought him from the roof to somewhere on the second floor.


    His stamina emptied at that moment. He had just enough to fall into a nearby storage closet.


    Soft towels made a cushy sleeping spot.


    ¡°Can anyone here me? On the spa¡¯s roof. The wanderer needs assistance. At least 20 fishmen. We¡¯re protecting women and children.¡±


    He didn¡¯t know how long the comms remained quiet as he drifted into darkness.


    ¡°¡ª do you copy? This is Swan Princess. Do you copy, Wormslayer? I repeat¡ª no reinforcements. We can¡¯t send¡ª do you copy?¡ª on your own.¡±


    Galen woke up.


    15 minutes had passed going by the clock in his HUD.


    He stood with a groan.


    Stamina just enough to walk.


    He had drained himself so much that drinking a potion would¡¯ve been hazardous to his continued existence.


    No choice, but to do what he could even if it would amount to nothing except his death.


    Ironic.


    Better that then to run and leave the wanderer alone up there.


    He found the big, fat drunken master surrounded by fishmen corpses.


    Gray robes were wet, as if he had been showered with blood.


    Bone spears and spines made him resemble one of Ms. Daniels¡¯ pincushions.


    His battered helmet lay on his lap.


    The Threnium had held well enough against the fishmen¡¯s superhuman strength, but it wasn¡¯t enough.


    A mortal wound in the chest.


    Somehow a bone sword had been thrust through his chestplate.


    ¡°Ah¡­ young Galen¡ª¡± the wanderer wheezed suddenly, coughing up a river of thick crimson.


    ¡°Shit, man! Don¡¯t try to talk! Potion! I¡¯ve got potions!¡± He dug frantically in his bag of holding.


    ¡°Save it for those that still know thirst. Or something like that. My mind hasn¡¯t swayed this much since I found my Dao.¡±


    Galen ignored the wanderer until a ham-sized hand caught his wrist.


    The grip was as firm as always.


    ¡°I would have you hear my last words. My will.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± he said flatly. ¡°Not letting you die, so, please let go and let me try.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± the wanderer said flatly. One eye gazed into two. ¡°My time is done. I go back to the cycle. Thus, my words?¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ fine,¡± Galen lied.


    When the wanderer released his wrist he would splash the potion over¡­ the blade in the chest.


    No!


    Pull it out first. Then pour the potion.


    Had to be quick.


    The wanderer didn¡¯t let go.


    ¡°My nearly bottomless gourd and all my belongings I leave to Cal to disburse. Tell him, he has my trust to find the worthy or the needy. I am not one of those hidebound sect masters that are obsessed with the legacy of their Dao. It is and will always be the path for an individual to travel.¡± Bloody coughs wracked the wanderer, shaking Galen along with them. ¡°Tell the Fox that she was right.¡±


    ¡°Got it. Now let me go.¡±


    ¡°No. Your intent is as clear as a high mountain lake where¡­ never mind. My thoughts fade to the past that I have longed to forget. I wasn¡¯t a good man before the spires. To seek belonging I traded my soul. Violence unending and not always on those that deserved it. I¡¯ve drenched my fingers in innocent blood. One could say that it wasn¡¯t a lot, but once is already too much. Whether I have done enough to atone is not in my hands. My last words of wisdom for you, young Galen. A life of violence leads to a violent end. So, that young man you¡¯re fond of¡­ consider¡ª¡±


    The grip on Galen¡¯s wrist loosened.


    The meaty hand flopped to the rooftop.


    He reached down to close a sightless eye.


    Galen¡¯s hand shook.


    <hr>


    The mace in her raised hand felt thrice its size. The plate and chain hanging from her shoulders made her think of Jesus¡¯ cross.


    No.


    It was prideful to think she was anything like him. His suffering was beyond anything she had ever endured. His service was something she could only aspire to. Never match, nor surpass.


    Lauren Le, Monsignor, Rayna¡¯s Ranger pulsed her healing aura over an area half the size of a football field.


    Holy light radiated out from her and the glowing flanged head of her weapon.


    She uttered soft prayers with the fingers of her other hand moving along the comforting warmth of rosary beads.


    To heal the local fighters was to doom them in the end.


    Perhaps if they stepped away from the fight and let her faith do its work they¡¯d survive.


    None of them ran.


    How could they when their loved ones were in the buildings behind them?


    Thus, a limit would be reached.


    Their bodies would fall from the accumulation of fatal wounds.


    How long had she been doing this?


    Minutes? Decades?


    Her youthful days before the spires had appeared seemed like a distant story of another person.


    Now, she was a woman over 50 years old.


    Fair skin had grown weathered from many days under the sun and elements across 4 different continents. She had accumulated scars like she had passport stamps from those dream-like days. Black hair had turned gray. Eye¡¯s blurred, hearing faded. Not that the latter had been close to a hundred percent in the last 15 years. The price of improper ear protection at times. Combat tended to be a loud affair.


    The Threnosh helmet had been a godsend in that regard.


    ¡°Monsignor. Sakura¡¯s going to try for their leader. Can I get a smite evil? Timing¡¯s got to be near perfect.¡± Swan Princess¡¯ voice was calm and crystal clear in her ears.


    Some said that evil was relative.


    She didn¡¯t see it that way.


    The wild-eyed woman atop the wall exhorting her band of marauders reveled in the bloodshed. She had a man¡¯s severed arm in one hand, using it as a weapon along with submachine gun in her other. Crimson gore covered her mismatched armor. Her face was a mask of red from the man¡¯s arm after she had drank from it like a beer can.


    ¡°What¡¯s the signal?¡±


    ¡°Once I bring down her magic shield.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to stop my healing aura if you want the full-powered effect.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s somewhere between Level 43-46. Lots of physical Skills. I think we¡¯ll need that, but I trust your judgment. I¡¯m shooting in 10.¡±


    ¡°Copy.¡±


    A brilliant spell orb the size of a beach ball streaked from the roof of the building.


    The gore-drenched woman emptied her magazine with a steady arm.


    The spell orb split into dozens of smaller balls, curving in multiple arcs.


    Every attack element in Swan Princess¡¯ arsenal blasted the woman.


    Her magic shield shattered like stained glass.


    Monsignor uttered a prayer.


    Smite Evil.


    The wild-eyed woman cursed, falling to one knee. 5 to 10 levels lower and she would¡¯ve been knocked unconscious. Lower and death was on the menu depending on how much Monsignor wanted it.


    A small sharp object glinted across the distance.


    Sakura appeared behind the wild-eyed woman in a puff of white smoke.


    The ranger stabbed a throwing knife with a small strip of paper attached to the small ring pommel into the side of the wild-eyed woman¡¯s neck.


    She vanished in another puff as the wild-eyed woman swung a man¡¯s severed arm like a club.


    The log that had taken Sakura¡¯s place was turned into kindling.


    She reappeared behind the wild-eyed woman.


    More stabbed knives.


    She twirled one around her forefinger as the wild-eyed woman turned and roared.


    The ranger merely pointed to the sky before hurling the knife straight up.


    How high did it reach?


    Close to 250 meters according to Monsignor¡¯s helpful HUD.


    Not that far from the hazy ceiling that was, apparently, only visible once one got close enough.


    The wild-eyed woman vanished with a pop. Her marauders wailed in near unison as half their number turned from the fierce battle with the local defenders to target Sakura.


    She flashed them two middle fingers before disappearing and leaving a log that was only too happy to take the barrage of bullets and spells.


    A long scream ended with a loud splat as the wild-eyed woman crashed back to the street on the other side of the partially-destroyed wall.


    ¡°Push! Give it everything you have!¡± Swan Princess roared.


    The locals, the ones that hadn¡¯t died instantly when Monsignor had temporarly turned off her healing aura, surged with the courage of men and women that knew they were already dead.


    Without their leader¡¯s Skills the marauders fell one by one, though they didn¡¯t go meekly.


    So much death.


    She could smell the stench even though the helmet was supposed to filter it.


    ¡°Another group¡¯s inbound. Larger than this one. Looks like they¡¯re splitting up. One for us. One to hold back the monsters and one for Chandra¡¯s and Ibra¡¯s building.¡±


    The middle building was separated from theirs by a parking lot.


    On the other side of it was the third building, the spa, which had gone silent.


    A Skill or spell since their commas had been good at the start of the battle.


    The Tsingtao Wanderer had taken it upon himself to guard that building.


    Swan Princess had sent Galen to act as a messenger, but the young man hadn¡¯t returned.


    ¡°I believe both may need help.¡±


    ¡°I can go, but¡ª¡± Sakura switched to the private channel. ¡°The locals are running out of fighters.¡±


    There were less than a handful left out of the 40.


    ¡°No one over Level 40 and the reserves are too old and too young.¡±


    And that was accounting for those with a combat class as their primary.


    ¡°We have to give up the wall. Sakura, use up all your traps then get back inside. Same with you, Monsignor. Bring them in and drop your healing aura,¡± Swan Princess said.


    ¡°They¡¯re only alive because of it.¡±


    ¡°The medics will take over. A few half dead fighters won¡¯t be as useful as you actually fighting. I need you to hold the front. Tank them for the others.¡±


    Calling them medics was generous.


    Only a few had relevant classes.


    At least most had some first aid training.


    Only fools neglected that.


    ¡°I c¡ª¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a doctor. He¡¯s assured me that he¡¯ll do his best to keep them alive.¡±


    She had been about to violate one of the commandments and say she could do both.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°What about me, sarge?¡± Sakura said. ¡°After I set my traps.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re still on leader assassination duty.¡±


    <hr>


    Bernice Sanders, Chandra, Rayna¡¯s Ranger.


    It had taken months before she had understood what her ranger name had meant.


    Then-sergeant Spiritwalker was a dork.


    Still, it was also a regular person¡¯s name, which was better than some of the names rangers tended to get stuck with.


    She had been ¡®Chandra¡¯ since then.


    No one alive left to call her ¡®Bernie¡¯ or ¡®Bernice¡¯ when her parents had been mad at her.


    That part of her life seemed like a dream that faded the further away she walked forward.


    Time and age had done nothing to dampen the fires of vengeance that had been ignited by the small spark of the murder of her family by the Meat Parade so long ago.


    On that terrible night, she had taken up one of Heddy¡¯s enchanted flaming swords.


    She had failed.


    Never again.


    Her contribution to the destruction of the New American Republic, that odious, short-lived nation of slavery reborn, had granted her an upgraded class.


    Flamesword avenger.


    Level 46 currently.


    8 levels in the 15 years since then was on the upper end of the scale when compared to other rangers.


    It was practically astronomical when compared to the whole population.


    The fires within were hungry and she had embraced it despite the costs written on her body.


    Several magitech fingers in place of the ones she had lost.


    Scars that wept flame when things got intense. None more noticeable than the one cutting a jagged line diagonally across her face from temple to jaw.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got incoming,¡± Swan Princess said.


    She had a tiny receiver in her ear.


    Her abilities were hell on the equipment in her custom helmet despite the blend of high technology and high-level enchantments.


    They had yet to create something that could withstand her at her hottest for more than a day or two.


    She exchanged a nod with Ibra.


    The ghazi of the manticore¡¯s venom sat on a chair near the barricaded front doors of the building¡¯s lobby.


    She tapped her watch.


    ¡°Copy that. We¡¯ve abandoned the wall. Left the last of our traps. Will hold the front of the building.¡±


    ¡°Be careful. Radio silence from the spa. I can¡¯t rule out the possibility that you might get some adds.¡±


    ¡°What about the civilians? Maybe we should move them to your building while we¡¯ve got the chance?¡±


    ¡°Not enough time. They¡¯ll get caught out. It¡¯s not just the slashers. The fishmen are pressing Hayden¡¯s group. Hold as best you can. The Raynanaut will get our message.¡±


    Chandra wasn¡¯t so sure.


    Spires fuckery had messed with their comms the whole contest.


    It had gotten a lot worse over the last few days.


    ¡°Copy, sarge. Me and Ibra¡¯ll hold. We¡¯re not letting the garbage get past us.¡±


    Nope.


    Definitely not.


    There were a few dozen little Bernices inside that she wasn¡¯t going to let set off on the same path she had taken.


    ¡°Good luck, ranger. Burn them to ash.¡±


    She grinned despite herself.


    The fires were always hungry.


    ¡°Same to you, over.¡± She regarded Ibra.


    The middle-aged man was scarred up even worse than her.


    Sun-browned skin weathered by years in the harsh sun of the North African Desert.


    He was part of the magus¡¯ crew.


    Sometimes it still boggled her mind that they had gotten from Egypt all the way to California without the use of airplanes.


    She only had stories of those things to go by.


    Traveling by skyship beat them handily.


    Though, nothing was better than flying by Air Rayna or Cal.


    ¡°I¡¯ll fight outside, you shoot?¡±


    Ibra wasn¡¯t part of the ranger chain of command.


    He was older.


    She was higher level, but only by 4, maybe more or less depending on how the rest of the Slasher¡¯s Spree turned out.


    Plus he out-grizzled her.


    Hence, why she didn¡¯t give him orders.


    ¡°That sounds efficient. If it becomes difficult, I suggest you retreat and we have them add their fire.¡± He glanced up at the second level balcony.


    Locals with guns and other projectile weapons lined the barricaded railing.


    ¡°Then you and I will fight them here where it is narrow. They will die like pigs in the slaughterhouse.¡±


    ¡°Just remind them not to hit us.¡±


    She grabbed her helmet from the counter.


    It was dark gray like the rest of her Threnium armor. It differed from the standard design through the thin slits that ran from the front to the back and the greater bulk of the portion that covered her face. Even the faceplate was different. Instead of covering the whole front, it was T-shaped with a nearly-invisible slit that mirrored her scar, which she could open and close as needed.


    Many such slits covered the rest of her armor, mirroring her many scars.


    They all remained closed for the moment.


    She drew her longsword. Threnium and enchanted with Heddy¡¯s best to both channel and withstand her flames. When she¡¯d have turned a steel blade into slag three times over during the course of the last fight, the dark gray blade still showed no signs of stress.


    ¡°May our enemies burn beneath your vengeful flames,¡± Ibra said.


    Chandra rolled her eyes.


    He couldn¡¯t see them through her darkened faceplate.


    ¡°May your stingers poison them¡­ er¡­ deeply,¡± she shrugged. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m not good with the poetic shit.¡±


    Ibra smiled before donning his standard helmet.


    ¡°It¡¯s technically venom, however it is the sentiment that matters in the end, not the words.¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± she held out a hand.


    He took it firmly.


    She grunted.


    ¡°We did this the first time, so here¡¯s to the second time. Good luck, break legs, venomize the murderous scumbags.¡±


    ¡°Indeed.¡±

 9.43

    ¡°Oh fuck!¡±


    Alin landed on a rooftop, but mistimed the ignition of his thrusters.


    He crashed through a floor before shooting back up through the ceiling.


    Battle raged across the street.


    It raged everywhere.


    People fought people.


    Monsters tried to kill everyone.


    Most of it was centered around the most populated buildings in this downtown area.


    Slasher groups looking for one last chance to score points before the contest ended laid siege to people that hadn¡¯t asked for any of it.


    He patched into the comms and found it a static-y jumble of desperate calls for status updates and help.


    The surveillance drones and cameras in the area were likewise mostly useless. Just like the new ones he had launched upon arrival.


    What was the situation?


    The tallest tower in the city was under assault by the necromancer. The shuttle was a few minutes away.


    Hayden¡¯s group fought to protect three buildings filled with people from fishmen on the river side and bastards on the street side with a dash of monsters sprinkled for seasoning.


    Help the latter.


    Then the former.


    He zoomed in on Chandra blazing hot and bright in front of a barricaded building.


    Some kind of hotel or office with battered walls and windows from the attempted breaches.


    The slasher group looked to be made of many different ones going by what they wore.


    Tactical gear suggest military, though they didn¡¯t display any flags or insignias.


    That meant they probably belonged to one of the remaining official governments out there.


    Plausible deniability and all that.


    Faces were partially masked or covered in camo paint so he couldn¡¯t use that to figure out what part of the world they were likely from.


    Language was also no good.


    The translation system meant he heard everything in English, though he could tell by the stilted way some of them spoke that they were speaking another language.


    Other groups were more obviously set apart by the symbols or insignias they had painted or sewed into their armor and clothing.


    Crosses. Swords. Hammers.


    All in different styles and colors.


    Close to 50 men and women forced to keep charging forward by the costs they had accrued to get this far.


    He saw it in the dead bodies of their comrades littering the broken wall, street and parking lot. It was in the bodies of the brave defenders scattered amongst them. In the blood on their weapons and armor. The streams of red that ran down their skin to join the lake lapping at the soles of their boots.


    A young bloodmage held the corpse of her father judging by the resemblance.


    Her wails turned into a roar as the body in her arms exploded.


    The crimson fountain turned into a tree-sized whip that cracked the night as it fell on Chandra.


    She slashed her flaming sword, sending out an orange-yellow arc of daylight.


    Red rain turned into steam as it fell on her burning hair.


    They shot her and blasted her with spells.


    Threnium held.


    Her fire remained.


    Vengeance burned within her and the slashers had done plenty to deserve it.


    A tank-type taunted her at the cost of becoming a pyre as she poured fire from her longsword.


    Others charge, seeking to hold her for the rest.


    The scars in her Threnium armor erupted with flame, throwing them back.


    A series of explosions pulled his attention to the building on the left.


    The makeshift wall across the middle of the street was a gaping ruin.


    Rubble and gore rained down.


    What slashers remained continued to push for access to the building and the vulnerable people inside.


    Young and old.


    It didn¡¯t seem fair that they were, generally speaking, worth more points to a slasher than a hardened fighter.


    And, as far as he knew, most slashers weren¡¯t like Holly, who preferred dangerous targets.


    They struck at the barricaded doors, windows and even the walls, soaking the fire from the upper floors behind their shields, magic and mundane.


    As for the last building on the right?


    It was quiet.


    The doors had been blown open.


    Corpses carpeted the parking lot all the way to the wall.


    Alin pushed the gray out, letting it mix with the fog rolling in from the river and the bay.


    He cursed.


    It was entirely natural.


    Rather, magic worked through it.


    He got the impression that it was an information gathering tool.


    Not unlike radar, if not nearly as accurate.


    The fishmen.


    They battled Hayden, Doomborer, Rand, Teresa and Bolder in the park.


    The latter had raised a platform of soil up in the middle of the flood while raising blocks of dirt into the path of fishmen attacks.


    Ice formed on the surface of the dark water only to be broken by the fishmen as they leapt or cast their own spells.


    Doomborer breached the surface like a whale with fishmen on his armored back.


    They jabbed bone spears and swords, searching for gaps that didn¡¯t exist while the Threnosh shredded dark scales with the saw-like teeth running all over their armor.


    When the Threnosh dived back into the water they left slick fishmen blood on the surface spreading like an oil spill.


    Alin felt the instinctive pull of danger in two places.


    Both buildings had been breached in that brief instant he had focused on the battle in the park.


    Ibra fought in a small room while Chandra fought outside.


    A small group of stealthy slashers had sneaked in and murdered a room full of children.


    Ibra was a hardened warrior armed with weapons made from a manticore¡¯s bones, claws and stinger. Everything he wielded held a living piece of the monster¡¯s venom gland.


    The slashers died painfully as their bodies melted into slurry.


    Monsignor¡¯s mace glowed with the holy light of her faith as it bashed a bull of man¡¯s head in despite the thick steel helmet. Her shield shined as it drew the burst of bullets and spells.


    She gave ground from the front doors.


    Slashers charged forward only to face gun and spell fire from the locals on the second level balcony overlooking the lobby.


    Some raced for the barricade stairs despite the downpour instead of facing the ranger priest.


    ¡°Word of Command: Die!¡±


    A high level mage pointed a finger.


    Monsignor fell to one knee.


    Alin sensed her heart stop for an agonizing second. Her spirit darkened.


    The mage didn¡¯t celebrate his apparent triumph.


    Sakura popped up behind him, stabbing a knife through the back of his head before vanishing again.


    Slashers pounced on the fallen Monsignor.


    Weapons and spells lashed her Threnium armor until Alin saw the light flare.


    Her spirit returned.


    She laid them low with a prayer on her lips.


    He wondered if she knew what that had cost her. Knowing her, she¡¯d gladly pay it over and over again. So long as the innocent people behind her remained alive a moment longer.


    He heard Galen¡¯s garbled voice crackling on the comms.


    Followed by Swan Princess.


    He scanned the rooftops.


    Found each on separate ones.


    The former on the right and the latter on the left.


    That was all of Hayden¡¯s team accounted for except for the Tsingtao Wanderer.


    He reached for the evil ones.


    Human, fishmen and monsters.


    They resisted.


    Personal strength held him at bay to a degree.


    His gray fingers slid off cold scales. The magic in their own fog protected them to a great extent.


    Warm skin proved much easier to seize.


    ¡°They chose to become murderers.¡±


    An act of will, freely taken.


    He drained them of their vitality.


    Over Level 40 and they fought him, even if most only did it on instinct.


    Those under hit the proverbial wall.


    Limbs leadened.


    Eyelids weighed down.


    An act of will, freely given.


    The locals and his friends surged.


    Even those over Level 40 found renewed energy coursing through them.


    Chandra let loose a roar, flaring her flames to the sky. Fiery blade burned through weakened foes.


    Swan Princess shouted something over the comms.


    He looked up.


    Three massive orbs of swirling darkness fell.


    Swan Princess turned all of her spell orbs to a massive magic shield to encompass as much of the building she stood on within its aegis.


    Dark water splashed against the bright surface.


    Immense weight pressed down.


    Cracks formed as the ranger fell to her knees holding tons above her head long enough to let the bulk of it cascade over the sides of the building until she couldn¡¯t hold it any longer.


    What remained of the ocean water washed her limp form down to the parking lot.


    Dead or alive?


    He couldn¡¯t tell.


    The effect messing with their communications did the same to his ability to read her vitals.


    At the same time, Chandra snarled, thrusting her fiery sword to the sky.


    The flames on her body where sucked back into her scars. Those sticking out of the slits in her helmet winked out, turning back into her auburn hair.


    Her blade glowed white hot in response. Enough that even the Threnium began to melt.


    A thin geyser of flame erupted at her call.


    Steam burst as it struck the falling globe of dark water.


    Heat warred against the cold depths.


    How could one person, no matter how powerful hold back the ocean?


    The diminished globe smashed into the building, into Chandra and the last living slashers in the parking lot with her.


    The asphalt cracked under them.


    Bodies crushed and pulped before they could think about drowning.


    Sudden darkness fell as Chandra¡¯s flames were doused.


    The building had only partially collapsed under the weight of the dark water.


    Two buildings.


    The one Galen was on had none to defend it.


    Time slowed for Alin as he was part of the gray that he had spread over the area.


    An act of will, a call for help.


    Alin reacted rather than thought.


    It was the need to save the lives of the people inside.


    That sole thought, perhaps, made the difference.


    Figures in the gray responded once again.


    They moved, he felt, of their own volition.


    Wisps of human form, yet strong of limb enough to hold ceilings up while other limbs carried people out by the dozens.


    Faint hints of color in the haze. Shields to protect from falling debris. Solid platforms laid over crumbling floors. Blades cut through barricades. Hammers punched through walls.


    How many did the echoes bring outside to slip in the dark water?


    Not enough.


    Never enough.


    Alin felt their shock, their terror through the gray.


    He felt them coming.


    The fishmen appeared on top of the hills of rubble that were once buildings.


    Monsters lurked out in the street beyond the ruined wall.


    There was only one place left standing that the survivors could flee to.


    He pushed them toward the last remaining building.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    The gray parted a path while thickening around them, confusing the fishmen.


    Ibra had made it through the collapse.


    The grizzled warrior picked Chandra up.


    Galen too.


    The young man urged old people and children to run for the only place they could go as he limped bringing up the rear with a broken blade in hand.


    Fishmen blasted spells in the gray.


    Alin felt their anger at being denied.


    They stabbed bone spears and tridents, shot spines from their versions of bows and crossbows.


    Monsters tried to use their superior senses as they sniffed, listened and looked.


    All failed as he fought them back.


    Like holding back the tide.


    Ironic considering what the fishmen could do with such.


    Monsters snarled and yelped as a few of the errant attacks got lucky.


    Blood in the air.


    He thinned the gray around these.


    Let them fight.


    His uncle loved to say that even when it didn¡¯t really apply to the situation.


    The figures in the gray seemed to understand his intent.


    They faded back from the fishmen and the monsters, guarding the backs of the running people.


    A cacophony of violence erupted when the first monster caught sight or scent of the first fishman.


    A great mass of muscle with patchy brown fur standing like lonely tufts of grass in a barren lawn of over-stretched skin weeping red reared up with a roar.


    Thick, hard claws raked across gray, armor-like scales.


    The impact knocked the fishman to the wet asphalt despite his superhuman level of strength.


    The mutated bear reared up and brought both tire-sized front paws down on the fishman¡¯s chest with all its weight.


    The crack echoed like a gunshot.


    Wetness squelched freely into the rapidly draining water.


    Tentacles lanced out of the gray, wrapping around the car-sized mutant.


    Fishmen mages appeared, holding it in place for the warriors to spear it.


    The mutant lashed out indiscriminately, often going for the closest fishmen while they fought with tactics.


    Warriors in front to hold the monsters.


    Ranged dealt damage from the rear.


    Mages did both.


    Healers kept everyone from dying.


    The fight wasn¡¯t going to last long.


    Alin could see that.


    Fishmen were dangerous.


    Each was significantly stronger and tougher than his mom and they had their own classes.


    1 on 20 was terrible odds in a straight up fight even with his power armor.


    Fortunately, it wasn¡¯t 1 on 20 and it wasn¡¯t a fair fight.


    He announced himself with every micromissile in his arsenal.


    Yellow-orange flowers bloomed in the gray.


    Alin landed in their back line.


    Multiweapon flared to life.


    A yellow axe carved across fishmen mages.


    Armor of coral and monster hide sparked with the telltale flash of defensive enchantments.


    No instant kills.


    They turned, blasting spells from the cold ocean depths.


    Threnium tanked.


    He deployed the reccoilless gun from his back.


    Near hypersonic projectiles cracked their defenses.


    The fishmen could take a burst or two with their armor, but not their scales.


    He shredded exposed limbs, adding dark blood to the water splashing at their ankles.


    The gray concealed him as he circled around to avoid the warrior-types.


    Their taunting and targeting Skills found nothing to hold on to in the thick fog.


    Sinews twanged.


    Spines peppered his armored back, hammering him forward.


    A momentary lapse of concentration revealed.


    Tentacles erupted from a mage¡¯s outstretched hand, wrapping around his knees. Beaks in the suckers ground themselves blunt against Threnium.


    Multi-weapon became a slashing sword.


    Ichor splashed against his faceplate.


    Targeting system locked on to the mage.


    He punched toward the fishman.


    Fire streamed from the deployable under-mounted flamethrower.


    Magitech.


    1 mana battery emptied. 4 left.


    Uttering a profane prayer to his disembodied god, a fishman warrior charged.


    The Skill carried a bone spear into Alin¡¯s side.


    It felt like getting hit with a car even with impact absorption and deflection systems.


    The spear snapped.


    He tumbled across the shallow lake.


    Dark water washed the ichor off his faceplate.


    Flamethrower roared.


    Another fishman turned into a flailing pyre.


    ¡°You will die.¡±


    Alin had never fought a fishman before, let along spoken to one.


    Hearing the mage speak English sounded wrong.


    Like a rasping croak that gave him fleeting visions of a profane sanctum in the cold, crushing depths.


    The mage clasped both webbed hands around his armored arm.


    Ice immediately formed around the Threnium and the flamethrower.


    Warnings flashed and blared in his helmet.


    The cold seeped through the armor, the undersuit and down to his skin.


    Muscles tightened.


    Needles started to poke.


    Then numb.


    And pain as cells began to burst.


    He raised his multi-weapon, turning it into a short axe only for more tentacles to grab him.


    Activating the electric field did nothing except force the tentacles to squeeze tighter.


    ¡°Some help would be nice,¡± he said through grit teeth as the shadow of a bone club loomed over him.


    He didn¡¯t know why he had said that.


    He was alone¡ª


    Except, he wasn¡¯t?


    Instinct.


    Knowledge that he didn¡¯t know he knew until that moment.


    Concerning, but he had more immediate ones.


    Faint teal light appeared, interposing between his head and the head-sized spiky knob.


    The crack echoed like an artillery cannon.


    Gray swirled, revealing a flat pane, like glass before the light vanished.


    The fishman warrior doubled over, dropping the club as a vague figure in the gray planted what looked like a fist in his armored stomach.


    Coral splintered.


    The gray swirled across the fishman¡¯s face, snapping it to the side violently.


    Shattered jaw spilled sharp teeth like hail.


    Alin felt satisfaction.


    The pleasing sensation of a fist solidly connecting.


    It was his.


    It wasn¡¯t his.


    An arc of faint red light whistled past his head.


    Tentacle ichor showered down, briefly outlining another wispy figure in the gray.


    The first felt like a man, while this one felt like a woman with a sword in hand.


    The red trailed afterimages in the thick haze.


    Gray wisps swirled.


    A second red arc.


    Dark fishman blood spilled upon the water, leaving an oily sheen on the surface.


    Faint orange light flared for a moment.


    The fishman mage freezing his arm recoiled with a high-pitched cry that triggered his helmet¡¯s auditory protections.


    Magic lashed wildly as orange streaked across its exposed limbs, leaving thin lines of dark blood all over the mage¡¯s scaly hide.


    Five lines.


    Human fingers.


    Alin could almost see two hands working together.


    One to dig into the fishman¡¯s big, round, wide-set eyes and pull the head back for the second hand to tear across the scaly throat.


    Magic died, turning into wet gurgles.


    He tried to grab hold of the fishmen¡¯s vitality, but once again his gray fingers slipped off their scales.


    Too wet, too cold, too alien.


    There was a dark void behind them. It strengthened and protected, yet he felt fortunate that it lacked the power to do more than that.


    It reminded him of watching a great wandering monster from a distance.


    Great eyes that, when it deigned to notice him, saw him as nothing but a bite-sized morsel.


    He may have been safe atop a wall, building or inside his dad¡¯s telekinetic forcefield, yet they did nothing to ease the instinctive fear of prey beneath a predator¡¯s gaze.


    The gray retreated from him, leaving him with half the fishmen.


    A deadly game of blind tag played out in the flooded parking lot amidst the corpses.


    Alin emptied his entire arsenal whittling away at the fishmen until only a handful remained.


    The deaths of most of their mages had tilted the odds in his favor.


    Still, they were strong, tough and durable.


    Death by a thousand cuts.


    The multi-weapon severed limbs at the cost of breaking the hardlight with each strike.


    Energy reserves ran into the red.


    An automatic attack Skill carved a dark path through the gray.


    He had messed up.


    No more shields.


    All he had left was the Threnium.


    Bone axe descended on upraised arm.


    Armor already brittle from the freezing spell shattered.


    Multi-weapon shortened into a dagger plunged into the side of the fishman¡¯s scaly neck right through the gills.


    Dark blood gushed from large, toothy maw.


    Axe rose.


    Blinded, Alin raised his hand.


    Pain carved a line through it.


    Loyal armor protected him as best as it could before it shattered, forcing the bone blade to deflect just enough that instead of losing most of the hand, he only lost the pinkie, ring and half the middle finger.


    Multi-weapon into a longsword.


    When desperate people turned to the familiar and favored.


    Two hands on the hilt.


    Right was strong.


    Left was weak. Only a thumb and one and a half finger left.


    Stumps gushed warmth, fortunately he hadn¡¯t lost the entire glove. It soaked the blood, keeping the hilt from growing slippery.


    His entire arm throbbed, radiating spikes of pain up his shoulder.


    High guard.


    A fishman probed with bone spear, flicking it low, high and middle. A feinting serpent with a deadly bite.


    Low.


    Alin pounced.


    Stomping on it and stepping forward with a cut.


    High to low, right to left.


    Hardlight blade about as thick as a molecule or two scored a deep line across some sea monster¡¯s hide.


    Cracks in the blade formed on the cutting edge.


    He flicked his hands up and across.


    False edge cut across those bulbous eyes.


    He opened the black orbs up. Turned them into gushers.


    One last thrust through the open mouth and up into the brain ended the fishman.


    Multi-weapon deactivated.


    Yellow light winked out.


    Thin wire core retracted.


    Two beats for it to shoot out again and re-ignite.


    Just in time to step back and parry the tooth-encrusted bone club.


    Counter stroke parried in turn by the small shield made out of a turtle shell.


    The fishman banged them together.


    Sound radiated out.


    Like a screech in his ears despite the auditory protections.


    Eyes watering, he tasted iron as he placed a stop cut in front of him, forcing the fishman to block rather than attack.


    He leapt back a dozen yards with an assist from his thrusters.


    Distance.


    Break contact.


    Confuse them.


    The fishmen called out to each other.


    Not words.


    Clicks.


    Like sonar.


    Did that mean¡ª


    A shadow loomed over him.


    He dived to one side, avoiding the hooves.


    Asphalt sprayed, plinking against his armor.


    He turned with a blind slash. Horizontal to cover as much space as possible and give him distance.


    Hardlight shattered.


    The monster bellowed.


    Great antlers swept as he rolled out of the way.


    The sheer mass of displaced air helped him out, pushing him out of range.


    Shovel-like scopes with jagged, twisted protrusions all along the edges.


    The mutated moose¡¯s antlers were much wider than he was tall.


    Alin had to crane his neck back to gaze into its face.


    It made natural moose look like regular deer.


    He lost his concentration.


    The fishmen spotted him.


    They charged.


    The monstrous moose charged.


    Spines filled the air.


    He dived under the moose¡¯s front legs. Thrusters carried him out past the back legs.


    The monster bellowed its ire at the fishmen for filling its brown-furred hide like a pincushion.


    Idiots had grabbed aggro.


    Alin left them to it, hiding within the gray.


    Time and space allowed him to briefly read the spires message.


    It wasn¡¯t just an ordinary mutated moose.


    It was a wandering boss monster released from the regional park spawn zone on the western peninsula.


    Whether it was drawn by the amount of power being thrown around in the battle or it was the spires creating as much conflict and trauma as possible didn¡¯t really matter when one thought about it.


    The end result was the same.


    People died or leveled.


    The moose monster trampled and gored until two fishmen remained.


    They fled over the hill of rubble and back to the river.


    As for the monster?


    It turned a baleful glare in Alin¡¯s direction.


    The charge rumbled like a train.


    Thrusters fired, carrying him over until it reared up with quickness belied by its size


    Antlers clipped his armored boots, slamming him into the wet ground.


    He rolled back and forth desperately.


    Even glancing blows from those hard hooves sent red lights flashing in his HUD and alarms in his ear.


    It was like laying underneath a shadow of a falling sequoia.


    He thrust his hardlight blade into its broad chest. It shattered underneath the falling weight, drawing a pinprick of acrid crimson.


    The monstrous moose reared up again only to disappear in an instant.


    The thunderous crash reminded him of when his dad, uncle and aunt would occasionally practice in out of the way areas. They often liked to throw giant things at each other. Boulders, random hunks of twisted metal and concrete, junked cars, that sort of thing.


    A lavender hand hoisted him to his feet like he weighed 2 pounds, not closer to 300 with the power armor.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    It paid to be polite and it could put people on the wrong footing, especially when not on the same side.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± the Eidolon of Adras said.


    Alin took several steps back, keeping the eidolon between him and wherever the monstrous moose had been sent flying.


    ¡°You¡¯re the son. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you. I¡¯m ¡®Alcaestus¡¯, Eidolon of Adras.¡± The human from another world, transformed by what was claimed to be divine blood, held out a hand.


    ¡°No offense, but no. Besides¡­ not the time for intros. There¡¯s all kinds of dangerous stuff out there killing people.¡±


    ¡°And thus, I have come.¡±


    Alcaestus loomed.


    It didn¡¯t seem right that a human could be that tall, wide and muscular.


    Alin had seen pictures of outliers in human anatomy.


    A man in ancient times had grown close to 9 feet tall, but was lean and lanky.


    Massive bodybuilders in more recent, but still ancient times tended to be below 6 feet tall.


    Basketball players got to 7 and change, but were lean more than bulky, with perhaps only one exception.


    Football linemen and power lifters had height and bulk, but lacked the definition.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised your father didn¡¯t enter.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. Despite his efforts your existence and relation is not some great secret.¡±


    Alin filed that bit of information for his dad.


    It should¡¯ve been one.


    ¡°He said you weren¡¯t that bad for an eidolon. The best out of the bunch, so to speak. You actually care about protecting the innocent.¡±


    ¡°Hence, why I¡¯m here. I failed against the demonic clown and must apologize. I understand many of your allies suffered grievous injuries.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ thanks. Sorry about that, uh, skull-masked guy. I, uh, figured you¡¯re on the same side, um, since you were both there with the, uh, clown thing.¡±


    Alcaestus raised a brow. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t care about your concern. Though he is already back on his feet, even if I had suggested a longer rest.¡±


    ¡°Is it cause of his special forces buddies on the slasher side?¡±


    ¡°That endeavor sits ill with me.¡± Alcaestus sighed. ¡°Leaders removed from the field often seek the greediest path regardless of the costs.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, no shit. Why are you following their orders then?¡±


    ¡°I do not. I follow the will of Adras and his word was to obey Sunor¡¯s Will.¡±


    ¡°Even if it goes against your¡ª¡±


    A deep, booming bellow shook the gray.


    ¡°Let¡¯s debate at a more relaxed time.¡±


    The monstrous moose stomped forward.


    Hooves seemed to shake the ground with each thudding step.


    ¡°Get behind me, young Cruces. You¡¯re injured and your arsenal has been exhausted.¡±


    Like he was going to get between a giant boulder and a small hill.


    The monster suddenly reared up.


    Alin bore witness to one of the most disgusting things in his young life.


    Bones broke, joints shifted.


    Furred skin split, revealing wet muscle.


    Its bellows seemed to change from pain to ecstasy and back.


    Ribs opened wide like a toothy maw to reveal pulsing organs.


    Forelegs became arms.


    Hooves split, unfurling, long, wet fingers that ended in thick, curved claws. Two fingers, a thumb on opposite sides opening and closing like a baby¡¯s.


    Body split down the middle all the way to the groin and the massive log between its legs.


    It split the membrane holding its viscera.


    Bloody fluid, organs and entrails spilled out.


    It reached up and tore spikes from its antlers, then wrapped them in its entrails, which it began to whirl menacingly like a spiked whip or chain weapon.


    From quadrupedal animal to bipedal and weapon-wielding.


    Alin saw the monstrous moose¡¯s name as given by the spires.


    Just like one of his dad¡¯s favorite old cartoons, except exponentially more nightmarish.


    ¡°Great, um, you¡¯ve got this. I¡¯m just going to go help my friends.¡±


    ¡°I will redeem my failure. This boss monster shall feast on no innocents this night!¡±


    The two behemoths roared at each other while Alin made himself scarce.


    He needed to save his remaining resources.


    Help Hayden.


    Then the tower.


    He didn¡¯t feel a single ounce of guilt for leaving Alcaestus to a moosey fate.

 9.44

    Howard watched Adrian, Black Cat, leap across the 10 meters from the shuttle¡¯s rear landing ramp to the side of the tower.


    The young hybrid of the old American government¡¯s supersoldier program made it look as easy as a child skipping a square in hopscotch.


    Thoughts of a long-dead sister and colored chalk on a sidewalk in warm summer days out in front of their house flittered through his head.


    Home.


    Canada.


    Once Canada, now?


    Well, he figured it¡¯d probably still be Canada for awhile until enough people that remembered went into the dirt.


    Then it could called whatever.


    The people that took over would decide.


    Float stones made the shuttle eerily quiet.


    He had been on many an op in the dead of night with the rotors of a helicopter or the engines of a plane roaring in his ears if not for the plugs.


    Another life.


    Not that much different really.


    Out to kill to protect innocents.


    Except, this time it was a hundred percent true.


    It wasn¡¯t just the reason the higher ups fed him and his fellow soldiers to keep them from thinking too much about what they were truly protecting.


    Just people now.


    Not like before.


    Not for oil or any number of things that made and kept rich old men rich.


    That kept the power in their hands.


    It would have been a perfectly nice and quiet night to relax and meditate if not for the sounds of battle raging across the entirety of Vancouver.


    The skyship was to the west.


    He could see the flashes from her weapons dueling the fishmen¡¯s magic.


    Closer to the north, the lights were brighter, the sounds louder.


    Last contact with Alin had been when the kid was about to reach Hayden¡¯s little fort.


    Everything since then had been garbled static without even the hint of a human voice.


    ¡°Done,¡± Black Cat said through the comms.


    Howard could see in the dark as well as Black Cat or any other nocturnal predator.


    Black Cat slinked through the human-sized hole he had cut in the window with his claws.


    The shuttle¡¯s thrusters puffed sporadically to keep it steady.


    ¡°Here.¡± Rupert, Teddy Bear placed a glowing eyeball in his hand. ¡°No promises it¡¯ll work, but¡­¡± The wizard shrugged. His previous attempts to place his conjured eyes inside the tower had failed within a meter or two upon entrance.


    Some kind of magical interference.


    Teddy Bear thought there might be a chance they¡¯d last longer when held in a person¡¯s hand.


    Something to do with life auras and shit.


    A very technical magic explanation that had Howard¡¯s eyes glazing over within three sentences.


    ¡°The communication spell will run out, probably faster the further you move away from me. I don¡¯t know what it is, but I think it¡¯s cause of the spires, although, I¡¯m, like, 80% sure that necromancer has an anti-scrying spell active.¡±


    ¡°Just do your best, eh.¡±


    Howard leapt across the empty void.


    An easy jump, though not quite as graceful as Black Cat.


    He had to turn and skid on his armored back to protect the glowing eye in his palm.


    Like trying to carry a soap bubble through the obstacle course back at basic.


    That shit had cost him an hour of extra push ups.


    ¡°Comms only.¡±


    ¡°Copy that,¡± Black Cat said.


    The closer they were the better it worked.


    ¡°You copy me, Teddy Bear?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re good so far.¡±


    ¡°Marian?¡±


    ¡°Loud and clear, boss! Following you. Weapons are hot!¡±


    The young pilot was too excited about this whole thing for his tastes.


    ¡°Alright, we¡¯re moving.¡±


    They had inserted about halfway up the tower.


    Keen ears quickly picked up the sounds of battle.


    Most above, a smattering from below.


    Initial scans with the shuttle¡¯s instruments had come up with little more than movement and some body heat.


    Teddy Bear¡¯s spells helped flesh out the picture a bit better.


    People fled upward, fighting a running battle with undead.


    Zombies mostly, with more powerful skeletons and bone constructs and the rare abomination of stitched and melded flesh.


    Human and monster.


    The slasher necromancer wasn¡¯t the sort that stuck to a single theme.


    ¡°Is Alin¡¯s fog here? Or am I not seeing it?¡± Black Cat said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Dark offices and corridors passed in silence.


    Empty except for spent shells, spell burns in the walls and carpet and the red smears.


    ¡°Take a sniff.¡±


    ¡°What am I looking for?¡±


    ¡°People.¡±


    ¡°Signs of that everywhere.¡± Black Cat opened his faceplate. Black-furred face twisted as he sniffed the air. ¡°Death everywhere.¡±


    They continued on until Teddy Bear chimed in.


    ¡°Stop. Above you. Movement.¡±


    ¡°People or¡­ others?¡±


    ¡°I sense more shambling than walking. But, again, not a hundred percent on that.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll get a visual confirmation.¡±


    Black Cat leapt.


    The ceiling and floor was made up of a mix of plastic, MDF and maybe wood.


    Superhuman strength made short work of it.


    ¡°Undead¡­ they see me. No people, er, living people.¡±


    ¡°Take them out, Marian.¡±


    The silence was shattered as the belly mounted rotary cannon on the shuttle whirred to life. Not from the gun, as it used magnetic acceleration to propel the hand-sized projectiles, but from the tower¡¯s skin and bones shattering and breaking.


    Two quick bursts raked across the floor above them to conserve ammo.


    ¡°Got a visual. No more hostiles! Floor is cleared, boss!¡±


    They continued the climb, tearing through ceilings.


    Why take the stairs and elevator when that was what most people would expect? At least those not used to superhuman abilities.


    Floor by floor.


    Marian sporadically cleared undead as she flew around the tower, spiraling around it to keep pace with them while conducting her own search.


    Twenty floors up.


    Not much left.


    They had seen the broken window in the uppermost floors on their approach.


    Either someone had the same idea as them or the people inside took the easy and long way down.


    Would be just like the leaders to bail.


    Teddy Bear¡¯s magic eye popped like a bubble.


    ¡°Uh oh.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Oh? Man, glad I can still hear you. Magical interference just spiked.¡±


    Black Cat climbed through the ceiling.


    Gun fire shattered the silence.


    ¡°Save that thought.¡±


    Howard drew a recoilless submachine gun and leapt.


    Bullets plinked off his Threnium armor.


    This necromancer didn¡¯t do bullets, so he stowed the gun behind him and raised his hands.


    Flashlights shined in his face.


    No big deal for the HUD.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fire. You¡¯re wasting rounds and we¡¯re not here to hurt you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a monster!¡±


    ¡°He is a hybrid of an evil supersoldier program.¡±


    ¡°Fuck that! Slasher soldiers have been running around upstairs. Killed the board of governors and they¡¯re picking off the council.¡±


    ¡°Fuck¡¯s sake. We don¡¯t have time for this. Check the event page. Howard and Adrian. You¡¯ll find us on your team, eh.¡±


    That did it.


    Lights and guns lowered to the floor.


    Under any other circumstances the people would¡¯ve kept blasting and he wouldn¡¯t have blamed them.


    However, the spires gave him and Adrian legitimacy.


    They weren¡¯t on the slashers¡¯ side, which meant they were the same as the tower natives.


    All just food on the menu.


    Adrian and him were priced quite highly thanks to the slashers they had taken out and their partial role in taking out the demon clown.


    The hallway was barricaded on both sides, encircling the elevators and stairs.


    At a glance he could tell that this group had decided to make a stand here.


    He wondered if that had been their choice or those on the higher floors.


    Space was limited.


    Then again, a lot of the undead, at least what remained of them after Marian had finished, seemed to be the local residents of the tower.


    Lots of bare feet and pajamas in the tattered remains.


    ¡°Mind if I take a peak?¡± he gestured at the stairs.


    ¡°We¡¯ve cut the elevators and blown as much of the stairs as we could. Nothing¡¯s come up yet, but¡­¡± the hard-eyed woman glanced at the hole they had made in the floor.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t see any evidence of the undead doing the same.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, if they decide to copy you then we¡¯re all fucked, aren¡¯t we.¡±


    ¡°Sorry.¡± He turned to Black Cat. ¡°Check the place out.¡± Apartments or condos. He always got the proper terminology wrong. On second thought. The tower used to be a hotel. So, that made them rooms or suites for the bigger ones.


    The hard-eyed woman opened her mouth to protest.


    ¡°He¡¯s got super senses. He¡¯ll sniff out the undead. Kinda hard to miss, eh? So, give him access. We¡¯re on the same side.¡±


    She scowled, but nodded, gesturing for Black Cat to follow her.


    Howard went to the elevators, pried the doors open.


    The dark shaft went all the way down to the remains of the car.


    No climbing undead.


    It was the same for the stairs.


    They had blown it out down about 3 or 4 floors.


    Empty aside from a few corpses on the next intact landing and the smears on the walls.


    So, what was the necromancer doing?


    He checked the other stairs before Black Cat called him on the comms.


    The young man used code, which meant shit had gone wrong.


    He rushed to the room.


    Wounded soldiers held people, including Black Cat and the hard-eyed woman hostage.


    Along with a young family.


    Mother, father, two kids, a boy and a girl.


    Close in age.


    The girl held the boy protectively even as a black-clad assassin held a thin dagger to her neck.


    He counted two soldiers.


    The woman assassin and another man, clad in tactical gear in urban pattern camo.


    Old America from the looks of it, even if the soldier had a partially torn balaclava hiding his face.


    He sensed another 2, maybe 3 soldiers hiding in the shadows.


    ¡°What the fuck is this shit, eh?¡±


    ¡°Bro, I didn¡¯t want to do it this way.¡±


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Definitely American.


    ¡°You¡¯re soldiers and slashers.¡±


    ¡°We only went after other slashers and combatants. No noncombatants, no kids.¡± The soldier glared at the woman.


    ¡°You clad yourself in righteousness even as you willingly took a class that requires murder. Does that target make all the difference? In that case, then my conscience is also clear. After all, I only killed my enemies,¡± the woman assassin said.


    Yup.


    Chinese.


    Which meant Phoenix Dynasty.


    ¡°Listen, you know who I am? More importantly, who I work for.¡±


    ¡°I neither confirm nor deny.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I get it. Black ops. Probably, no tags. Empress sends you out here to get levels, huge rewards, take out possible threats while you¡¯re at it. Except, that shit won¡¯t fly if you can¡¯t get that plausible deniability, eh?¡±


    ¡°Lads got it right.¡± A third soldier lit up a cigar and propped his feet up on the desk.


    Howard was impressed and concerned.


    He hadn¡¯t noticed the man.


    Tactical gear as well.


    Urban camo.


    UK judging by the pattern and the accent.


    ¡°Well, shit. I heard that the Queen of England was an upright sort. Not the kind to send out killers.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Like you lot? Not everyone has the benefit of aerial conveyance. Regardless, my mission was to do good. Like, my American chum, our orders were to strictly target other slashers. No locals, unless our lives were under threat and definitely no innocent children.¡± He raised a brow at the dynasty assassin.


    ¡°Ah, but it guaranteed their ears, didn¡¯t it?¡±


    A rumble escaped Black Cat¡¯s throat.


    ¡°Careful manbeast. You might make my hand slip.¡±


    The Brit cleared his throat.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not quarrel amongst ourselves when a greater threat looms. I don¡¯t know about you lads and lasses, but I daresay I can¡¯t see myself shambling about gnawing on necks and the sort.¡±


    ¡°What do you want, eh?¡±


    ¡°A temporary alliance. How about it? From the sounds of it you¡¯re a native of this once grand country. We¡¯re subjects of the same Queen.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t recall it being that way. Even more now. Oh yeah, I got it wrong. She¡¯s actually the Queen of London.¡±


    ¡°I suppose that¡¯s technically correct.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re worth a lot of points to you.¡±


    ¡°Right back at you.¡± The American soldier grunted. ¡°The necromancer¡¯s worth more.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Ms. Traynor has done quite well for herself. I can only imagine how many points she¡¯s accrued this night. It likely won¡¯t be enough to overtake Ms. Foster, however,¡± the Brit said.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll hear you out, but let the kids go first.¡±


    ¡°If the father or mother takes their place,¡± the dynasty assassin held out a gloved hand.


    The father approached slowly to let the dagger press against his throat.


    Mother and kids fled behind the hard-eyed woman.


    ¡°It¡¯s their fault,¡± the American soldier scowled at the dynasty assassin. ¡°They attacked us, which let the necromancer surprise us.¡±


    ¡°What? She¡¯s above?¡± the hard-eyed woman snapped.


    ¡°Ah! Yes. Quite the sneaky maneuver,¡± the Brit soldier said. ¡°Use her hordes of undead to chase you lot,¡± he nodded at her, ¡°while letting these two,¡± he pointed at the American and the Chinese, ¡°use up what they had on each other and cause chaos in the upper floor, which gave her the opening.¡±


    ¡°How do you know this?¡± Howard said.


    ¡°Well, my team gave it our best, but I¡¯m ashamed and saddened to say that it wasn¡¯t good enough. Indeed, I¡¯m only alive because she wanted information and was curious about my home.¡±


    Howard¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°How¡¯d you get away?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s clean,¡± the American soldier said. ¡°No secret traps in his body. No magic or Skill shit, at least as far as we can tell with ours. Granted the bitch is high level¡­¡± He shrugged.


    ¡°Nothing quite so nefarious. I simply promised to put a word in my Queen¡¯s ear. About potential service, so to speak. Ms. Traynor seems to think that being far from this continent would be for the best once the contest ends. I, of course, felt no need to mention that my Queen is on favorable terms with a certain flying man.¡±


    ¡°An ocean away won¡¯t be far enough for her.¡±


    ¡°That is what I suspect. Regardless, it allowed me my freedom.¡±


    ¡°Enough of this,¡± the dynasty assassin said. ¡°You have a flying ship¡ª¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Howard said flatly. ¡°And before the threats come out, know that there¡¯s no way you¡¯re getting on board. Best offer I can make is that you slip out in the chaos when the necromancer hits this floor.¡±


    ¡°Told you.¡± The American soldier chuckled.


    ¡°You can head down. We left holes and lots of shredded undead. Honestly, it¡¯s a good shot¡­ unless traps, but you always got to look out for those. Oh and it¡¯s a warzone out there. In case you didn¡¯t know, fishmen decided to join the party. Not to mention monsters running wild. All of you moving at the same time. Seems very coincidental. You wouldn¡¯t happen to know anything about that?¡±


    ¡°Cards on the table,¡± the American soldier said. ¡°Yeah, she put it together. Somehow got a dialogue with the fishy bastards going. For the record, my team didn¡¯t sign up with her.¡±


    ¡°Neither did we,¡± the dynasty assassin said.


    ¡°We did, but that was a keep your enemies close gambit. I daresay, we were able to do so because we weren¡¯t as clumsy with our assassinations as you two lot,¡± the Brit soldier said. ¡°Might have been a bonus when our sudden, but inevitable betrayal failed. I may also have some charm-related Skills.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a slick-tongued snake,¡± the American soldier said. ¡°Didn¡¯t work on me though.¡±


    ¡°Neither on me,¡± the dynasty assassin said.


    ¡°Nope,¡± Black Cat added.


    Howard was in a bind.


    There was no way he could trust them to not knife him and Black Cat in the back if the opportunity presented itself. And he was not about to let them take the shuttle.


    Hopefully, the conversation had gone through the communication spell.


    Marian would know to create distance.


    Fortune spared him from making a decision when the building rumbled.


    The Brit soldier peeked out the window.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be a right proper wanker¡­ it appears that a few buildings by the harbour have just been destroyed.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± Teddy Bear said. ¡°I just got a message from Rand. Fishmen magic. Compressed sea water. Made to violently expand on impact.¡±


    Gun fire erupted from outside the room.


    ¡°I don¡¯t suppose that was some kind of signal,¡± the Brit soldier mused.


    ¡°Doubt it. Listen up, try to stab us in the back and I¡¯ll make you regret it,¡± Howard eyed the dynasty assassin. ¡°You no longer have plausible deniability. Shit¡¯s going to roll up hill straight onto your empress¡¯ lap. Honestly, best thing for you is to disappear. As for you two? I ain¡¯t got much to say to soldiers that take up the slasher class. Orders or not¡­ well¡­ saying I was just following orders is shit for a reason.¡±


    Eyes hardened.


    ¡°So, slip out in the fighting or do the right thing for once. Up to you. Don¡¯t really care, eh.¡±


    The dynasty assassin snorted before disappearing into the shadow on the wall. The other two presences he had sensed likewise vanished.


    ¡°Black Cat.¡±


    ¡°Sir.¡±


    ¡°Find an out of the way corner and head down.¡± Howard regarded the hard-eyed woman and the civilians. ¡°Best chance I can give you. Remember, the streets are just as dangerous, but at least you¡¯ve got options out there. Not trapped up here with the dead.¡±


    With that he readied his gun and stepped out into a nightmare.


    <hr>


    Swan Princess was out. Chandra was out.


    Alin scooped up the former and carried her into the building.


    The front lobby had become an abattoir.


    Dark water mixed with splashed around his ankles.


    He pushed bodies out of the way to reach the stairs where Ibra relieved him of his burden.


    ¡°She¡¯s alive. Chandra?¡±


    ¡°The same,¡± Ibra said.


    ¡°Wanderer¡¯s dead.¡± Galen sat on the steps, leaning against the wall. His right foot was twisted to the side. Broken. Enhanced Pain Tolerance had allowed him to limp this far.


    ¡°Who¡¯s left? Scanners aren¡¯t working.¡±


    ¡°No other casualties the last I saw of the battle in the park,¡± Ibra said.


    Alin followed the older warrior up and into a small office.


    They passed locals, many injured, some dying as they were being tended to by anyone with a pair of hands and the ability to move.


    Bloody-handed children did the best they could under the direction of a few healers. The lone doctor barked instructions to 5 year old''s pressing red bandages on gaping wounds with their tiny hands. Without the doctor¡¯s Skills Alin knew that many of the people would¡¯ve already been dead.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Monsignor and Sakura?¡±


    ¡°They joined the battle. It was the former¡¯s belief that she lacks the energy to make a difference here. She might be able to prolong a few lives, but what would that matter if the fishmen get past our defenses?¡±


    It wouldn¡¯t.


    The men would be killed, while the women and children would be taken away to slavery and a darker fate.


    ¡°I¡¯m heading out.¡±


    ¡°I will accompany you.¡±


    ¡°Someone needs to watch over them.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    ¡°I got that covered.¡± Galen limped into the room. ¡°Running on empty, but I¡¯ll push through. Got at least one more cold mist step in me. And grenades. If I can¡¯t win then I¡¯ll make sure they don¡¯t win either.¡±


    ¡°Hold as long as you can. The eidolon¡¯s out there fighting a transforming moose. I think he¡¯ll win and when he¡¯s done with that he¡¯ll help with the fishmen.¡±


    ¡°He is not an ally,¡± Ibra said.


    ¡°Yeah, but he¡¯s all about championing the innocent and killing monsters.¡±


    Outside, a small hill stood, jutting out of the once grass-covered ground.


    Raising it had deepened the area surrounding it, creating a moat.


    A double-edged sword.


    Hayden and the others couldn¡¯t fight in the water where the fishmen had the decided advantage. At the same time the deeper water was a weapon for the fishmen.


    Violent waves thundered against the hill¡¯s slope, eroding chunks of dirt as fast as Bolder could pull back into place with earth magic.


    Rand¡¯s spellbook shined bright in one hand while he pointed with the other, casting pinpoint magic shields to block attacks.


    Doomborer rumbled down on tank tread-like feet straight into the toothy maw of a sea creature that resembled an extinct animal. Drill and excavator scoop hands took great chunks out of its mouth and tongue while saw-like teeth whirring all over the gray surface of their power armor carved crimson tracks all the way down the creature¡¯s gullet.


    ¡°Go. I will look for open shots on their mages.¡± Ibra had pulled an enchanted crossbow from his bag of holding along with a quiver of bolts laced with manticore venom.


    Alin fired his thrusters, arcing into the sky.


    Colors flashed with each spell and counter spell like a fireworks show.


    He landed on a fishman warrior, plunging his multi-weapon into the exposed gap on the side of the neck, right into the gills.


    Dark blood gushed over the yellow light.


    He drew a handcannon, but missing fingers fouled his aim. Shots went all over the place except where they actually needed to go.


    A fishman warrior clubbed him into the mud.


    The Skill pushed him deep.


    A fishman rogue appeared suddenly, plunging a dagger-like spine right through his armored stomach. Barbed tines ripped chunks of organ meat and flesh on the way back out, yet left the armor and undersuit unblemished.


    Life-saving systems kicked in automatically.


    A healing gel poured into the wound, sealing it.


    Multi-weapon turned into a longsword, thrusting up into¡ª


    The fishman rogue vanished only to reappear a short distance away on the end of Sakura¡¯s short blade.


    A dying counter strike plunged the dagger-like spine into a cut log.


    Sakura popped out of white smoke behind him. Her blade erupted out of his mouth with a spray of dark blood.


    A barrage of dark eldritch magic raked across them.


    The ranger shinobi traded her spot for another log while Alin could only turn and cover his exposed arm, placing his trust in the armor.


    ¡°Move it, Boy!¡± Hayden snapped, firing bursts from a recoilless rifle. ¡°Monsignor! Cover fire!¡± She engaged thrusters, shooting her across the distance as the ranger priest¡¯s rifle took up the slack.


    Hayden¡¯s superpower meant that her armor didn¡¯t have the same ammunition issue as Alin¡¯s and rest. She punched her hand toward the knot of fishmen mages. Gossamer-thin wires shot out, sticking barbed needles into their scales.


    Water was a great conductor and the fishmen were dripping.


    Her electricity was of such strength that visible arcs of blue-white light played across the wires.


    Fishmen seized up. Every muscle in the their bodies contracting so violently that Alin heard them tear, heard bones break. Their bodies smoked and blackened, but they were already dead. Their hearts had failed almost instantly.


    Hayden helped him out of the crater.


    ¡°Could use some of your power.¡±


    The gray jetted from him like high-pressure steam.


    ¡°Something¡¯s wrong?¡±


    The cold coastal fog swarmed over his like hungry locusts.


    Their magic was stronger here at the heart of their focus, while he was tired.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Hayden sighed. ¡°They¡¯re a pain. Icy Tea¡¯s been on condensation duty this whole time.¡±


    He followed her gaze.


    The teenage wizard sat at the peak of the small hill. Eyes screwed shut in concentration. Icy staff in one hand planted into the dirt radiating partially-visible waves of white-blue light. Spellbook levitating around her like a moon. Frost coated her enchanted robes and Threnium body armor. Not even her pointy, blue wizard hat had been spared.


    It was then that he noticed a faint, glittering nimbus around most of the small hill.


    Water vapor in the fishmen¡¯s fog turned into ice crystals by Teresa¡¯s magic before it could envelop them.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡±


    Hayden nodded. ¡°Getting into the danger zone. The wizards are past the safe limits of mana potion usage.¡± She shook her head. ¡°I swore I¡¯d never do the child endangerment thing and yet, here I am.¡±


    ¡°Head¡¯s up!¡± Rand thrust bent fingers in their direction.


    Magic shield flared to life above them.


    Arcane symbols scrolled across the round pane of translucent blue.


    A jet of high-pressure water, strong enough to strip flesh from bone bored into Rand¡¯s shield.


    ¡°Move it!¡±


    Alin followed Hayden back toward the top.


    The shield shattered.


    The jet carved a trench in their wake, showering them with dark water and dirt before running out of steam.


    ¡°Counter attack on the mages!¡± Hayden barked.


    ¡°How? I can¡¯t see them through the water. Some kind of spell or ability.¡± Rand gasped like a man that had just sprinted the length of a football field a few dozen times.


    ¡°Bolder?¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am?¡± The dark-skinned young man turned his attention from the rear of the hill where he was raising a wall of earth along the rear edge of the park to keep the river water from reaching the one building still standing.


    ¡°Anything left?¡±


    ¡°I will die before I fail.¡±


    ¡°What have I told you about that?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ less dying and more making the other guy die.¡±


    ¡°Good kid. You heard the words, but you¡¯ve got to really listen to them. So, I¡¯m going to need you to uplift me some fishmen mages.¡± She jabbed a finger toward the roiling surface of the dark water.


    ¡°I can, if I knew where they were.¡±


    ¡°Just raise everything. You¡¯re bound to get some,¡± Alin said.


    Bolder shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I don¡¯t have enough mana to do that.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± Hayden said. ¡°Potter!¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡± Rand said.


    ¡°Scry.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t without stopping my shielding.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take over.¡±


    ¡°Alright, but I¡¯ve already tried that remember? They¡¯re blocking somehow.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, I¡¯ll give them something else to focus on.¡± Hayden clapped her hands. ¡°On now!¡± Her faceplate slid open. Magitech eye flashed red.


    The leader of the famed team, The Heartfuries, shot a red beam of light into the dark water. Steam erupted as the laser vaporized an enormous amount of water.


    Over the years Hayden¡¯s powers had grown stronger.


    Through exercise and diligent practice she had gone from having enough electrical power in her body to light up a small town to now having the same output as a medium-sized old American state.


    The water parted for a brief moment.


    Alin used the distraction to push the gray into the churning steam and water to find the mages and attempt to drain their vitality.


    He failed.


    ¡°Got them! Sent location!¡± Rand said.


    ¡°My turn!¡± Bolder punched the dirt.


    Roughly 30 meters away a pillar of dirt shot out of the water.


    Fishmen mages flew through the air like those huge flying fish they used as mounts.


    At the same time Hayden ejected small discs from her armor into the air, covering all of them.


    Electricity charged up the connecting wires, powering the magictech shield generators.


    Fishmen fire cracked the blue-white shields.


    ¡°I left you a gap!¡± Hayden said


    Rand chanted, fingers twisting.


    The pages of his spellbook fanned until he found the right one.


    He thrust his hands toward the small gap.


    A tiny red bird of light zipped through.


    It split into 3 pieces.


    One for each fishman mage.


    Two turned to ash on contact.


    A bio-luminescent glow sheathed the third, blocking Rand¡¯s spell.


    The fishman mage was unlucky.


    Being propelled a few dozen meters into the air put it right in Ibra¡¯s sights.


    Faint green, barely as strong as an old tracer bullet, streaked across the dark.


    The bolt took the mage in one large, round eye.


    Alin zoomed in.


    The black orb sizzled and popped gushing dark blood tainted with the manticore venom¡¯s green.


    The mage splashed into the water.


    Triumph was short-lived as it tended to be when under siege by a powerful foe with superior numbers.


    The defenders ever dwindled. Bodies, ammunition, energy. All were a finite resource.


    An enormous shape surged from the distant river, pushing the dark water over the remains of their first wall.


    Like a submarine surfacing or an orca swimming onto shore to feast on seal pups the giant monster emerged.


    ¡°Oh! Giant crab!¡± Teresa¡¯s eyes opened suddenly.


    The black-shelled monstrosity made her words an understatement.


    10 fishmen rode ensconced within an armored platform on the back of its shell firing spells and spines.


    There was even a large, mounted spine shooter akin to the cannons on the Raynanaut and the shuttle. Magic and sinew spat spines the length of a human arm.


    ¡°Shields aren''t going to hold for long!¡± Hayden spat.


    ¡°That¡¯s not just a crab,¡± Rand¡¯s eyes were agog, ¡°it¡¯s like the god of crabs.¡±


    ¡°Like Tamatoa?¡± Teresa said.


    ¡°Yeah, minus the shiny and the fun song.¡±


    The black crab waved claws large enough to cut and crush cars menacingly as the fishman rider urged it forward.


    ¡°Easy,¡± Alin muttered.


    When in doubt kill the rider, controller, summoner or whatever when it came to giant beasts.


    It seemed that Ibra had the same idea as bolts revealed that the rider was protected by magic shields.


    ¡°Right¡­ mages, then rider.¡±


    ¡°Good plan,¡± Hayden nodded. ¡°Bolder. I want under.¡± She pointed to the dirt.


    ¡°I can do that.¡±


    ¡°Make it quick! Either I go down first or my shields do,¡± Rand said through grit teeth.

 9.45

    ¡°I¡¯d rather have crab people.¡± Rand bolstered his magic shield as a giant claw crashed like a felled tree.


    The wizard grunted as cracks spread across the glowing surface. Arcane symbols disappeared. Blood gushed out of his face holes.


    Fishmen poured fire into the shield.


    Spine projectiles, mundane and enchanted, widened the cracks.


    ¡°Rand!¡± Teresa reached out toward him.


    ¡°Get in the hole!¡± Hayden snapped. ¡°Hurry up it, Potter!¡±


    Barely 10 meters.


    Rand was down the steep slope 10 meters away.


    The distance might as well have been as wide as the Grand Canyon.


    Alin could see that the wizard wouldn¡¯t make it. Not without magic or Skill and they were all running so slow.


    Rand¡¯s spellbook glowed white hot as he burned other spell slots to reinforce the shield.


    It was his best Skill.


    The black-shelled crab as tall as an elephant and 5 times as wide raised both claws.


    Shield shattered.


    Rand held one hand out.


    A sleek staff of dark iron coalesced.


    Readied spells erupted from the hand-sized diamond set in the staff¡¯s tip, forcing the fishmen to hold their fire and hide behind their own magic shields.


    Rand burned through his spells.


    He fired a thin ray of bright light.


    Dark water swirled in front of the crab¡¯s controlling rider.


    Steam exploded.


    ¡°Rand!¡± Teresa stretched her hand, struggling against Hayden as the latter dragged her into the hole Bolder had made.


    A giant hand of ice emerged, reaching.


    Fishmen spells blasted it into shards.


    Teresa¡¯s last cries were silenced as Hayden pulled her into the hole.


    Rand sagged.


    His body began to glow like his spellbook.


    Alin squeezed the trigger, spitting a stream of projectiles at the crab¡¯s eye stalks.


    Black shell cracked as it used one claw like a shield.


    It struck with the other.


    Monsignor charged, blasting with an automatic shotgun.


    Enchanted slugs alternated with ranger war crimes rounds.


    The drum magazine ran out quickly as the barrel glowed.


    The ranger priest reloaded on the run.


    Thumping shots cracked the shell.


    White phosphorus burned the meat.


    She hurled the shotgun as she reached Rand.


    Cooked rounds exploded against the fishmen¡¯s swirling shield of dark water.


    Alin threaded projectiles into the sudden opening.


    The rider recoiled, covering his face with a scaly arm.


    Dark blood bloomed, but it wasn¡¯t enough.


    The fishmen were a hardy lot.


    Fortunately, Alin wasn¡¯t the only shooter.


    A green-tipped bolt thudded into the side of the rider¡¯s neck.


    Ibra had hit a gill shot.


    The rider died.


    The crab went mad.


    Rand swept his staff across the crab¡¯s back.


    Fishmen died before one of the mages could block his spell.


    The crab snapped.


    Monsignor, prayer on her lips, dashed in front of Rand.


    Round shield glowed yellow, encompassing her entire body.


    The claw could¡¯ve cut right through a car, but she stopped it cold.


    The crab snipped with quickness belied by its size.


    The ranger priest¡¯s holy shield buckled.


    She uttered another prayer and brought the glowing head of her mace down on the black shell.


    Sharp-edged pieces sprayed.


    The crab couldn¡¯t pierce her shield so it did the next best thing and slapped her in the dark water.


    Alin could see the yellow glow shining through the surface. He reached with the gray. Saw her struggle with fishmen. Her faith protected her, even from the need to breathe¡­ at least for a time. He tried to help, but the fishmen magic in the water was too strong.


    Triage.


    He could still help Rand.


    Firing, he rushed forward.


    The wizard stopped him with a glowing mage hand.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, dude!¡±


    Rand shook his head.


    ¡°Went too deep. Can¡¯t stop it now. Tell Rupes it was me. I broke his Lego Star Destroyer. Tell him I¡¯m sorry. And tell Ms. Teacher¡ª fuck it. Tell everyone that I regret nothing. Tell them it hurts like shit, but there¡¯s nothing more beautiful than taking magic to the end. See you in the next level, Boy. And don¡¯t tell your dad that he was right.¡±


    A large, glowing hand slapped Alin away.


    A hole in one.


    The dark night turned into bright day as he stared up before sliding down the bend and out of sight.


    ¡°Shit! Rand¡¯s down! Monsignor¡¯s in the water! Didn¡¯t have eyes on the crab!¡±


    ¡°Doomborer. Can you find her?¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Scanning vibrations that suggest melee combat in the river. 91.34% accuracy.¡±


    Alin never knew he could feel such relief at something so simple as comms working.


    The fishmen had dragged her out so far so fast.


    He kept trying his power.


    No drain.


    No help from mysterious figures that he didn¡¯t have the brain space to think about in the moment.


    He couldn¡¯t concentrate on the fight if he let that creeping horror sink its talons into his psyche.


    ¡°Anything on the crab?¡±


    ¡°Vibrations indicate it is wounded.¡±


    ¡°Great. This is what I want you to do. Help Monsignor and feed me the crab¡¯s coordinates.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    The earth rumbled.


    Alin tried not to think about the narrowness of Bolder¡¯s tunnel, nor the immense weight above them.


    The small chamber was barely big enough to hold them.


    Bolder¡¯s hands shook as he tried to open a small mana potion.


    Same for Teresa.


    Hayden slapped the potions out of their hands.


    ¡°I said no more.¡± She scowled. ¡°Where are we?¡±


    ¡°The eastern end of the park. It was the furthest I could take us.¡±


    Not that far at all.


    ¡°Alright, head back and do your best to keep the tunnel open for me. I¡¯ll take care of the crab once Doomborer gets me its location.¡±


    They left Hayden in that dark chamber.


    Alin heard Doomborer¡¯s voice in the team channel.


    Temperature warnings in his HUD spiked.


    The tunnel got really hot, really quick.


    Dark water began to lap at their heels.


    He cursed, pushing Teresa as he activated his thrusters.


    They erupted out of the hole in the middle of the small hill.


    Bolder was nowhere in sight.


    Alin had to grab Teresa to cushion their landing with a thruster burst.


    The giant black-shelled crab was in two pieces. It had been bisected. Cleanly cut halves smoked. Crab meat and guts spilled out into the dark water. A mix of burned and rare.


    Stunned fishmen stared at the carcass.


    Then stared at the two of them.


    ¡°Retreat!¡± Ibra roared.


    Projectile fire from the building raked the fishmen, but they charged behind shields and spells.


    The locals had joined the warrior on the buildings roof and in the windows and balconies.


    Old and young, men and women. Children.


    Injured or whole.


    Bullets rained down.


    The odd spell exploded.


    Teresa pulled her staff from the ether.


    It was a beautiful, elegant thing.


    A closer look and one could see what seemed like falling ice crystals within the core visible through the translucent surface.


    Cutting cold lashed down the muddy hill, but the fishmen lived in the ocean depths.


    Jagged ice shattered against their shields, armor and even scales.


    Alin squeezed the trigger until the ammo counter in his HUD flashed red. He thickened the gray around himself and Teresa.


    Fishmen flailed.


    Bone weapons went wide.


    Spines peppered the mud around their boots.


    He ignited his multi-weapon, turning it into a poleaxe.


    Curved axe head traced a line through the shafts of bone spears.


    Fishmen recoiled.


    Teresa blasted them in their fishy faces with frost, sealing their bulbous heads in thick blocks of ice.


    ¡°You have to get the gills!¡± he hissed. ¡°On their necks!¡±


    ¡°I know!¡± she snapped.


    The sweeping ray from her staff intensified.


    The fishmen dropped their weapons and shields to claw at the spreading ice as it crept down their necks like an implacable glacier.


    Alin darted in.


    Stabbed with the spiked tip.


    Cut with the axe.


    Slammed with the hammer for the fishman with thicker armor.


    Yellow light cracked, but the multi-weapon did its job.


    Behind them, at the building¡­ fishmen swarmed over the earthen wall Bolder had raised.


    Ibra and the people fired away until they ran out of ammo.


    The latter retreated from the windows and balconies.


    The former traded crossbow for a round shield with a manticore¡¯s disturbingly human-like face stretched over the front and a manticore¡¯s stinger turned into a weapon resembling a sword and gauntlet in one piece. The magus had taken inspiration from an Indian weapon from several hundred years in the past.


    The black carapace ran from his shoulder all the way to his fist. It was made of segmented plates to allow for maximum coverage and flexibility, terminating in a curved, sword-length stinger dripping viscous green.


    Fishmen leapt across the gap up to the roof.


    Ibra met the first behind his shield.


    The dead manticore¡¯s fearsome gaze became impossibly alive for a moment as he activated the magic.


    Fishmen quailed, dropping weapons and turning to flee.


    One remained.


    Larger than the others.


    It lashed out with a wickedly barbed trident the length of a pike rather than a spear.


    Ibra activated a Skill, deflecting the blow that would¡¯ve compared favorably to a car crash or a charging rhino. He went low, under the jabbed bone shaft.


    A simple charge carried him across the distance quicker than he could¡¯ve otherwise.


    Stinger jabbed into scaled thigh.


    Venom melted.


    Fishmen were more durable and much tougher than humans.


    Goo-ification wasn¡¯t instantaneous.


    The fishman clubbed the manticore face.


    Despite his Skills and armor, Ibra felt his arm crack.


    The fishman loomed.


    Ibra threw an uppercut.


    The fishy bastard had Skills, but it was clear that he didn¡¯t have any strong enough to deal with manticore venom injected inside his head.


    Green-tinged liquid gushed out of eyes, nostril slits, mouth and gills.


    Ibra kicked the dying monster off the roof.


    Just in time for the others to find their balls.


    He fought alone.


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    A desperate fight on the rooftop as a handful of fishmen entered the building below.


    Back in the park. On a muddy hill surrounded by dark water slick with oil and polluted with offal and viscera, Alin tried to catch his breath while holding Teresa¡¯s hair and hat.


    The girl wizard was mana sick all over the mud.


    People were dying in the building.


    He could hear them.


    Fishmen lurked further out in the river.


    He could see their large black eyes and bulbous heads peeking.


    A quick count didn¡¯t fill him with confidence.


    If he was accurate, it meant that they had only killed half.


    Fortunately, it seemed that they were out of sea monsters.


    At least in this part of the city.


    He didn¡¯t doubt that there were more out in the bay to the west and the river to the south.


    Those giant flying fish hadn¡¯t made an appearance here, after all.


    A red beam erupted out of the water, sending steam billowing in all directions.


    Hayden surfaced surrounded by blackened fishmen.


    The fishmen in the river exploded into motion. They cut through the water like hungry sharks.


    Alin called out a warning.


    A violent splash.


    Churning water.


    Flashes of light.


    Then nothing.


    ¡°Is everyone out of the water? Bolder where are you? Doomborer, you got Monsignor yet? Cause I really need all of you to be out of the water. Boy¡ª¡±


    Hayden¡¯s strained voice cut out.


    ¡°Hayden? Hayden?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m underground. Insulated,¡± Bolder said.


    ¡°Acknowledged, Designation: Sparky. Have Designation: Monsignor. Will exit water in 2.21 seconds for approximately, 4.76 seconds.¡±


    ¡°Fucking shit! Off¡ª That¡¯s good. Boy get¡ª resa¡ª wat¡ª¡±


    ¡°On it!¡± He dragged Teresa back to the top of the hill and the hole, which was gushing water like a geyser. He glanced at their feet.


    Yup.


    In flowing water. Their armor had protections from a variety of dangerous things. He figured Teresa¡¯s robes had enchantments. No way Ms. Teacher would let a minor go out and fight for her life without the good stuff¡­ right? Regardless, there were always limits to such protections.


    A simple shock spell was orders of magnitude weaker than a lightning spell.


    Hayden was the equivalent of nukes when it came to electricity.


    He clipped his multi-weapon to his waist and grabbed Teresa princess style.


    ¡°Sorry.¡±


    ¡°Wh¡ªurrk.¡±


    Thrusters fired, carrying them into the dark sky.


    At the same time, Doomborer breached the surface of the river with Monsignor curled up inside their scoop-like digging claws.


    ¡°We¡¯re clear!¡±


    He didn¡¯t know if Hayden heard him.


    The seconds stretched out into eternity.


    Alone with the rapid beating of his heart and the girl¡¯s puke dripping down his faceplate.


    Suddenly¡­ day turned to night once again.


    Lightning flashed from beneath the roiling darkness, but it didn¡¯t disappear in the next instant as it usually did.


    So bright that it triggered the faceplate¡¯s protection.


    Alin couldn¡¯t look away.


    A few seconds turned into a half minute.


    Sudden darkness fell.


    Like a curtain dropped over his head.


    ¡°Hayden!¡±


    Shapes began to pop to the surface. The blackened things bobbed with the waves. Unrecognizable.


    Alin landed on the hill.


    He scanned desperately.


    A splash drew his attention.


    It was Doomborer.


    ¡°Can you see her? The tracker¡¯s not working?¡±


    ¡°Using echolocation system. Please standby, Designation: Boy.¡±


    ¡°-Help! Anyone!¡±


    Galen¡¯s voice broke into the channel.


    Alin pulled away from the gray over the water.


    Doomborer would find Hayden.


    He had to go.


    Teresa had passed out.


    He couldn¡¯t just leave her.


    There might still be fishmen and slashers lurking like coyotes waiting to scavenge an easy meal.


    ¡°Bolder, dude. I could really use your help.¡±


    The ground rumbled.


    The young man emerged.


    Dark-skinned face was ashen, drenched with sweat, despite the climate control features in all Threnosh armor.


    ¡°I will keep watch over her.¡±


    Teresa was light.


    Kids shouldn¡¯t be in real battles.


    Hell, he figured no one should be in real battles if they really had a choice.


    It wasn¡¯t fair.


    All the old people and kids that had made it this far staying out of the hands of murderous bastards only to have literal eldritch monsters out for their blood or worse.


    ¡°Thanks, man.¡±


    Alin watched as the earth mage and the girl wizard in his strong arms disappeared back into the ground.


    He sighted the room Galen was in with Chandra and Swan Princess.


    Thrusters shot him through the wall.


    A fishman had Galen pinned to the ceiling with a bone trident. Sharp spikes dented, but didn¡¯t penetrate his armor.


    The cold mist warrior emptied the magazine of his pistol.


    Colorful coral vambrace chipped.


    Strangely, Galen hammered away at the trident¡¯s shaft with a fist rather than draw another weapon.


    On one bed, a fishman straddled Swan Princesses¡¯ unconscious form, trying and failing to pry her out of her armor. His bone knife snapped.


    Reaching for another, the fishman caught a glint of yellow light.


    He turned just in time to receive a hardlight blade in the eye.


    Alin withdrew, turning the sword into a spear as he thrust.


    The fishman dropped Galen and fell to one knee, clutching at the side of his neck.


    Galen lashed out with a kick, crying out in pain immediately as his twisted foot gave out from under him.


    Alin dashed in, turning spear to axe.


    The hardlight blade severed scaled fingers and cut halfway through the neck before shattering.


    The last fishman lay on floor with a steel sword sticking out of the forehead like an empty flagpole.


    There was something strange about the wound.


    Practically bloodless and there was no signs of trauma around the blade.


    It was almost as if the sword was a natural body part like a horn on a rhino.


    Alin checked Swan Princess and Chandra, who was on the other bed.


    Their vitals flashed red.


    Galen groaned as he tried to rise.


    ¡°Thanks. I got one. Had one last trick. Turned out to be a brand new one.¡±


    Alin understood.


    Galen babbled on, describing the sudden and desperate fight that had fallen in his lap. ¡°Thanks. I was going to use the last of my explosive stuff when you showed up. Right on time.¡± He held up his hand, which was still clenched in a fist. ¡°She cut my arm off. A fucking magical scissors girl! Ghost scissors! Like, what the fuck! She got the wanderer too. I mean, she got his arm, but he sent her running. Shit was fucked. Then these fishy shits showed up.¡± He grew silent for a moment. ¡°He got them all too. But then none of you showed up. Then a water bomb crushed the building. I left him up there.¡±


    Alin let Galen babble on while the cold mist warrior continued to stare with wide eyes at the fishman with the sword in the forehead.


    He slathered Threnosh healing gel over his hand.


    The cool substance warmed quickly, soothing the throbbing pain into a dull ache.


    It not only sealed, but also neutralized infections.


    He hoped that it would work.


    He had gotten a lot dark, fishmen magic-tainted water on it.


    Not to mention Teresa¡¯s vomit.


    Once finished, he checked Galen¡¯s vitals.


    Yellow verging on red.


    The armor¡¯s medical software had held off on using more powerful painkillers at Galen¡¯s instructions for as long as it could. Now, the threshold had been crossed. The danger too great.


    ¡°Yeah, man, my arm¡ª my arm is, like, actually cut. I think, about here.¡± Galen tapped about halfway between wrist and elbow. ¡°Like, I can¡¯t move my fingers.¡±


    ¡°You can get it re-attached.¡±


    Probably.


    Straightforward things tended to get complicated when spells and Skills were involved.


    If the mahou shoujo had cut Galen¡¯s arm on the conceptual level then not even Aunt Megan would be able to fix it. That wasn¡¯t factoring in his subconscious view on the injury. Something so nebulous as him believing he didn¡¯t deserve healing could impact the result.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get it re-attached. My aunt¡¯s, like, done the same for my cousin at least once before.¡±


    ¡°Thanks! You think I should go for a magitech prosthetic? I could add options.¡±


    Yup.


    The drugs were working.


    Galen¡¯s eyes drooped before suddenly widening.


    ¡°Shit! We need to go! More fishmen in the build¡ª¡±


    He fell back with a thud.


    ¡°Protective coma¡­¡±


    Two words that didn¡¯t feel like they belonged together.


    Regardless, he couldn¡¯t do anything for the three.


    Ibra was on the roof, still fighting from the sounds.


    Thus, he crept out into the hallway.


    Dead bodies carpeted the carpet.


    Fluids leaked out into foul puddles.


    Colors mixed like on a pallet, turning into a muddy brown.


    He found everyone in the lobby.


    Fishmen surrounded a knot of people.


    Men and children in the middle surrounded by women, holding the ring of fishmen at bay like a herd of buffalo with horns facing outward in ankle deep water. Cold darkness mixed with warm fluids.


    A fishman mage spoke in a high-pitched voice that didn¡¯t fit.


    ¡°Be Scions of the Deep Azure. The Deep Azure will provide power. You suffer this because you lack it. Serve and worship with all your being and never be weak again. They will be spared. You will be spared. What is 10 years serving the greatest purpose weighed against centuries of existence? Be mothers for a time. That is all that is required of you. Do this and all will be spared and granted the Deep Azure.¡±


    The fishmen were desperate to get something out of this whole thing.


    Grim satisfaction flicked across his thoughts before he banished it as unworthy.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go and serve you sick fucks, but you leave everyone else out of it,¡± a grim-faced warrior woman said. Her spear never wavered despite the pink bandages all over her limbs and body. One arm in a sling. A bandage around her head and over one eye.


    ¡°One is not sufficient. Their lives are priceless to you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m over Level 40. I¡¯ll do other things. I can train your,¡± her face twisted, ¡°kids.¡±


    A high-pitched trill echoed across the lobby.


    He realized it was laughter.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go too,¡± another woman said.


    Gray of hair and wrinkled, but still standing tall and straight-backed with spear in hands.


    The cry was taken up by others.


    ¡°You are not enough. Life through faith.¡±


    A knife thunked into the wall next to him.


    A thin slip of high-quality paper waved from the small ring at the end of the grip.


    A second throwing knife pierced an outstretched hand covered in blue-gray scales.


    He had wondered where Sakura had disappeared to.


    White smoke popped into existence around the knife in the wall. Followed by the fishman mage.


    Alin was already striking.


    A horizontal cut cleaved bulbous head from wiry body.


    Alin leapt over the railing.


    Sakura popped in and out of existence, leaving cut logs in white smoke. Finger¡¯s dancing, flame breath technique immolated a fishman warrior.


    A bone axe cleaved her forehead.


    The steel plate in her headband tanked it.


    Her head rocked back, but she got off light for taking a Skill strike.


    The plate cracked in half, right down the middle of her carved clan sigil. A stylized middle finger emerging from an explosion of rose petals. A clan with exactly one member.


    Violence filled the lobby.


    Blood and guts added to the soup around their legs.


    People died.


    Men, women, children.


    Combat had always been an impartial arbiter when doling out fates.


    In the end the human side of the scale lightened calamitously, while the fishmen side emptied completely.


    An alert popped up in Alin¡¯s HUD.


    The tower!


    It was a message.


    Sent nearly a quarter hour ago.


    ¡°I have to go. Ibra¡¯s fighting on the roof.¡±


    Sakura nodded.


    A rivulet of blood split at the bridge of her nose as it flowed down from her forehead.


    An ugly cut crossed her hairline.


    She straightened.


    Despite being lightly armored with a Threnium chestplate, arm and leg guards, she was remarkably unscathed.


    She rammed her shoulder into the wall. Then worked her arm in circles with a grimace on her face. ¡°Go. Make the other guy die.¡±


    Alin dashed out the front doors and took to the sky with a thruster-assisted leap.


    Head pounded.


    Jabbing needles more than stabbing knives.


    Arms and legs felt heavy.


    Hand throbbed, but dulled by the gel. More uncomfortable than painful.


    Bright flashes to the west caught his eyes.


    The Raynanaut was a dagger in the sky


    Tracer fire poured like rain as fishmen-bearing giant flying fish and deep ocean spells launched skyward in response.


    No.


    He couldn¡¯t think of all the precious people aboard that ship.


    One had to focus on a fight or die.


    ¡°Anyone? Come in? Anyone?¡±


    The comms spat back static until he got to within a street of the tallest building in the city.


    ¡°Goldenspoon? Can you hear me? Check. Er¡­ copy? Check?¡± Marian said.


    The shuttle hovered into view around the southeast corner of the tower.


    A dark cloud assailed it as small arcs of electricity surged over its hull.


    ¡°Status?¡±


    ¡°Undead bugs and birds. No biggie. They can¡¯t get into the thrusters and the I¡¯m just frying them when they get too close. Wet Willy¡¯s freaking out though.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s cause I can feel her death magic through them!¡± the man in question snapped. ¡°Goldenspoon. I lost contact with Rand. If you¡¯re here then¡ª¡±


    ¡°Situation at the park¡¯s mostly contained.¡± He didn¡¯t add the ¡®I hope¡¯. He also wasn¡¯t going to give the wizard details. Bad news at the wrong time could be disastrous. ¡°It was bad, but we have to focus on the fight in front of us.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, then it¡¯s the same in there,¡± Willy said. ¡°I can¡¯t penetrate her protections. Can¡¯t even identify the spells she¡¯s using. All I can tell is that scrying doesn¡¯t work and my eyes are being violently popped when they get more than a few feet inside when I send them in on my own.¡±


    ¡°So, I¡¯m going in blind?¡±


    ¡°Maybe¡­ but your powers could work?¡±


    ¡°If you can locate her I can take shots. Been saving the seeker minimissiles. Anti-mana warheads just for the necromancer.¡±


    ¡°Monsignor¡¯s abilities would be perfect. Is she¡ª¡±


    ¡°Combat ineffective. I¡¯m heading inside. I¡¯ll contact you when I have her location.¡±


    He launched upward, crashing through a window and into a dark, rubble-strewn office.


    Starting at the top meant he only had one way to go when the time came.


    The gray answered his call.


    It felt stronger here.


    More responsive without the presence of the fishmen¡¯s magic.


    He filled the floor, pushed it into vents, spreading it down with speed born of worry.


    For Howard and Adrian.


    For the people.


    He found presences in the gray.


    Warmth battling with cold.


    Living and dead.


    The latter tinged with what felt like a sickly green color verging on black.


    Death-aspected mana.


    It permeated the building.


    There was no vitality to drain from the varied undead.


    The necromancer remained hidden from his efforts.


    A thought struck him.


    She was here to gain contest points.


    He found a security office and the PA system.


    There was power even if the bank of security monitors showed mostly static.


    ¡°Cindy Traynor. This is Alin Cruces. Am I worth enough points to come after? I¡¯m in a security office in the upper floors. Which one? No idea. Find me before I find you.¡±


    Was it stupid to paint a target on his back?


    Yeah.


    But, he wasn¡¯t going to actually stay in the office.


    With luck he¡¯d draw the necromancer and any other slasher that lurked in the building.


    With even greater luck, Holly was out there somewhere just waiting for an opening.


    Then again she had been done pretty badly by the demon clown and she lacked the medical facilities of the Raynanaut.


    It was smarter not to expect help from that quarter.


    The tower shook as he relocated.


    Stairs and elevators were the obvious ways to travel.


    Then there was the expedience of simply climbing through the floor and ceiling.


    Outside too, if one had the ability to do so. Such as a wall-crawling Skill or spell.


    He continued his search through the gray, which he had spread to encompass the entire tower.


    A sudden rush or air crushed him through the wall and into a room.


    ¡°Are you a moron?¡± Death¡¯s Dancer pressed him against the window with an arm across his neck.


    ¡°No.¡± He ignited the multi-weapon, stopping its expansion until the tip of the hardlight blade just touched the bottom of the soldier¡¯s chin.


    Blue eyes bored into his from behind a brand new American flag skullmask.


    ¡°You¡¯re worth good points to everyone not named Holly Foster. Killing you can push slashers into the top 10. The necromancer will have to act because she can¡¯t afford to let anyone take you and the rest of the points available from the bloodbath. That means every person still alive between the two of you are going to get steamrolled.¡±


    ¡°They weren¡¯t going to let them get out of this alive anyways.¡± He tried to shove the other man off, but the grip was implacable. Class 10 strength going by his uncle¡¯s informal category system dwarfed his own normal human strength enhanced by his armor¡¯s artificial musculature.


    ¡°Yeah, but they had time while she took hers, which would¡¯ve given me time to find her.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s that going?¡±


    Death¡¯s Dancer grunted and released him.


    ¡°Cruces, huh? And a Rayna¡¯s Ranger. You her kid or something? You¡¯re about the right age. It¡¯s weird how we¡¯ve got next to nothing about that. Skill or spell? Or a mix? How¡¯d they keep you hidden so long.¡±


    He refused to answer.


    Truth detection methods couldn¡¯t work if he gave nothing away for them to use.


    Death¡¯s Dancer moved pretty good for someone with an opened up gut just a few nights ago.


    But then, Alin looked closer.


    The black-clad superhuman soldier was unnaturally still, holding one arm over his stomach ready to ward off blows.


    The demon clown¡¯s claws had left healing resistant wounds.


    Even Howard¡¯s immense healing factor had been affected.


    ¡°Or is your dad that flying dick with a weird name?¡±


    ¡°Are you going to help?¡±


    ¡°More like I¡¯ll do the hard work. I¡¯m not about to get blamed for what could happen to you. Last thing I need. Just do whatever it is you were going to do. I¡¯ll be around. Try not to stab me with that budget lightsaber.¡± Death¡¯s Dancer shook his head before vanishing. ¡°What kind of laser sword doesn¡¯t burn shit?¡±


    His sensors failed to penetrate Death¡¯s Dancer¡¯s invisibility.


    ¡°Alright, guys.¡± He mouthed the words, not trusting the helmet to keep them between him and the gray. ¡°I¡¯m here to save lives before anything else. I feel like that¡¯s what you all want¡­ I hope. So, some help would be great. Not for me, but for the people in this tower¡­¡±


    Silence.


    He was alone with his boot steps echoing through the empty hallways as he stalked with hardlight longsword at the ready.


    Sensors in his HUD picked up vibrations a split-second before the floor crumbled beneath him.

 9.46

    Howard squeezed viral rounds out.


    Controlled shots.


    One at a time to maximize effect, conserve ammo and avoid friendly fire.


    Bloated zombies filled the corridor.


    They had overrun one barricade.


    He couldn¡¯t see the state of the one on the other side through the mass of pressed, rotting flesh.


    People ran.


    The ones that didn¡¯t ended up with chunks of flesh in zombie mouths.


    Screams cut out suddenly followed by a freshly dead person rising to join the glowing green-eyed throng.


    ¡°Fire in the hole!¡±


    He chucked an incendiary over the leading edge.


    Fire burst in the contained space.


    He said a silent apology to the other people.


    Even without his armor he would¡¯ve weathered that with ease.


    He could heal burst eardrums in seconds, after all.


    Flesh sloughed off a zombie after he put a round center mass.


    Slick with gore the skeleton put on a burst of speed.


    Bone clacked against his armor.


    Dripping fingers left red smears across his faceplate as he ripped the skull off the vertebrae.


    The necromancer¡¯s magic failed, causing the skeleton to clatter to the floor like a puppet with cut strings.


    ¡°Where are you? You evil bi¡ª¡±


    No.


    He was trying to be better about that.


    ¡°Where are you? You evil murderer? Quit hiding like a coward! I¡¯m worth a lot of points! Got a bunch for putting the clown in the ground! Gonna do you the same, eh!¡± He stowed his pistol to save ammo and drew a sawed-off shotgun from his bag of holding. War crimes rounds burned hot. He didn¡¯t feel it thanks to his armor.


    The sprinklers turned on.


    He thanked the Threnosh for the environmental seals.


    The carnage undoubtedly smelled like it looked, which for him would¡¯ve been much worse than it was for a normal person.


    The locals fled behind him.


    He glanced back and saw the hard-eyed woman waving them onward before they all disappeared around the corner.


    Up to Black Cat to get them down the tower.


    All Howard had to do was be loud and visible.


    The shotgun¡¯s barrel glowed white hot as he squeezed out the last round.


    Water and gore splashed at his boots as he stepped forward to cram the barrel into a zombie¡¯s mouth.


    One thing he was thankful for was that most of their faces were chewed up messes.


    Made it easier to not see them as people.


    He didn¡¯t mind doing gratuitous violence to monsters.


    A mace replaced the shotgun.


    He bashed heads with every blow.


    No Skills, but plenty of skill, technique and muscle.


    He might not have been throw a car strong, but he was definitely squat a car strong.


    Undead killing protocols seemed to be working.


    Destroy the brain.


    Even if the skeleton lacked a brain or most of one, bashing the skull still did the trick.


    He waded into the gorefest.


    The undead grasped and bit, breaking finger nails, fingers and teeth on Threnium.


    He pulled another mace out.


    Each step accompanied by a downward bash.


    Dual-wielding at its most rudimentary.


    Truthfully, one needed a Skill to make it really make it work in an attacking with both weapons way. You could attack with one and use the other defensively, like the old rapier and parrying dagger way back when people wore poofy pants and blouses with feathers in hats.


    Pain shot through his body with every move.


    Get hurt enough and one could learn to tell the difference between the pain of skin parting and the pain of skin closing.


    Too much of the former despite the Threnosh gel supposedly gluing everything together as it healed.


    A gift from the damned demon clown asshole. Fucked with his healing factor and every medical trick at their disposal. From magic to super science, nothing worked like it should¡¯ve.


    Cuts and stabbed wounds from ethereal blades opened quicker than they should¡¯ve closed.


    The rope burns around his neck still stung.


    A damn ghost rope, thrown by a circus ghost of all things.


    The demon clown¡¯s claws had also bypassed his armor completely to tickle his guts.


    He was one walking, pulsating pain signal.


    Luckily, that just made him angrier.


    So long as he could hold on to that, he could hold a weapon.


    Howard lost track of time.


    He passed the elevators and the barricade on the other side.


    No people, just undead.


    Zombies and skeletons.


    It was a good thing this necromancer hadn¡¯t specced into ghost-types.


    He had a few magic and magitech items stowed on his person and in his pouches and bags of holding, but they wouldn¡¯t have done him much good against the woman¡¯s level.


    A garbled message cut through the comms.


    He couldn¡¯t make out a single word.


    The stairs beckoned.


    Only one way he could really go.


    No people left in the lower floors.


    So, he went up.


    Where else would the necromancer go?


    He noticed the fog filling the stairwell halfway up to the next floor.


    ¡°This better be you, Boy,¡± he muttered.


    The door to the next floor had been battered open.


    No sound.


    Didn¡¯t bother with smell.


    Something pulled his head upward.


    A hint of a figure swirled in the thick fog.


    It appeared to him that a hand beckoned.


    Feral instincts didn¡¯t trigger, so he shrugged and climbed.


    It wasn¡¯t out of the realm of possibility that the kid figured out a new way to use his superpower.


    He climbed until the stairwell began to shake.


    Dust and debris rained down on his helmet.


    He ran three steps at a time.


    Several floors, until an explosion blew the door right over his head.


    Once again he stepped into an insane fight.


    <hr>


    Red-slicked ivory ground against Alin¡¯s armor.


    Jagged edges cut against the undersuit covering his forearm where the fishman mage had frozen the Threnium plate off.


    White fat and oil smeared thick trails across his faceplate.


    Not teeth¡­ bone re-purposed.


    Muscles constricted, pulling him ever downward.


    Mere seconds according to the clock in his HUD, but it felt like an eternity.


    His uncle was wrong.


    Letting a giant monster eat you to kill it from the inside wasn¡¯t a viable tactic.


    A particularly large bone jutting out of the undulating mass of weeping red jabbed at his side as he slid past.


    He grasped it with half a hand and fired his thrusters, arresting his descent.


    He activated his armor¡¯s electric field, drawing on precious power long enough to make the huge throat seize up.


    Multi-weapon flared yellow, cutting through thick, tough meat.


    One should never know what it¡¯s like to be born.


    Alin realized that as he slid out of the small opening awash in fluids of varying viscosity and color.


    Granted he hadn¡¯t been born in a traditional sense.


    The pillar of flesh writhed over him.


    It filled up the hallway like a tree that had suddenly grown straight through the floor and ceiling.


    Red emergency lights cast an ominous tint.


    He thickened the gray, but there was no vitality in the writhing flesh thing, at least of the kind he could drain.


    ¡°Can you hear me?¡± Willy said through the comms. ¡°Whatever you¡¯re doing, keep doing it. I¡¯ve located you. I¡¯m seeing a lot of death magic near you. Is it her? Please respond. I don¡¯t know how much longer I can¡ª do¡ª fire¡ª¡±


    ¡°Not her, but fire anyways! Aim high!¡± he scrambled away, staying low to the floor.


    Projectiles tore through the tower.


    Walls, desks, vases, everything in between the pillar and the shuttle shredded instantly.


    Small missiles streaked down the gaping void.


    Fire bloomed.


    Water rained.


    What was left of the flesh thing looked as disgusting as it probably smelled.


    ¡°Good hit! Copy? Good hit! No sign of necromancer. Stay on me.¡±


    ¡°Gotcha¡ª¡±


    Marian¡¯s voice cut out.


    ¡°Cruces?¡±


    A tiny head peeked around the corner and disappeared as quickly as it¡ª she had appeared.


    Little girls in dark places? In the middle of an active combat zone?


    ¡°I¡¯m not falling for it, Cindy!¡±


    He moved with his head on a swivel.


    ¡°Cruces?¡±


    He spun, hardlight blade on guard.


    A skeleton emerged from the charred flesh pillar.


    Only vaguely humanoid in shape and made of bones from a variety of people and creatures it rose to its full height, looming in the dim red light.


    Sickly green light filled its mismatched eye sockets.


    It spoke, despite the lack of vocal chord, in a woman¡¯s voice, echoing eerily.


    ¡°Any relation? I¡¯ve seen and heard that name. In ownership notices for places like power plants and old military bases. In the scared whispers of hard men and women. People that aren¡¯t scared of monsters or anything else, really. High level people. Killers, murderers, crazy nightmare types that even I watch my back around. There are bounties. Rumors of huge rewards. There are even Quests, but I¡¯m not dumb enough to take them. So, I have a lot of questions that you¡¯re going to answer. Give me what I want and I¡¯ll let you walk out of here. You¡¯re worth points, but there¡¯s plenty in this building to keep my spot.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s talk. Face to face. No tricks.¡±


    The bone giant threw its skull back and laughed. Jagged protrusions cut the ceiling panels.


    ¡°Oh? You mean like those missiles that plane? Helicopter? What is it by the way? I¡¯ve only caught glimpses, but its too quiet to be either of those things and it hovers, which means it has to be a helicopter, right?¡±


    ¡°How many questions are we talking here?¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t that kind of talk. You¡¯ll answer them until I decide we¡¯re done.¡±


    While they spoke zombies and other skeletons had crowded both ends of the hallway.


    ¡°How about¡­ no!¡± Alin leapt.


    The giant skeleton moved fast for its size.


    Mace-like limb descended, meeting a rising cut, left to right.


    Bone shards sprayed.


    Horizontal cut, right to left through ribs and across the thick, centrally located spine.


    Upper half crashed to the floor.


    Jagged bone fingers grabbed his leg as a bone foot bigger than his head kicked him in the faceplate.


    Oh¡ª that¡¯s right.


    He remembered.


    Magic made impossible things possible.


    It wasn¡¯t like the skeleton¡¯s spine carried signals from the brain to the rest of its body. It didn¡¯t have a brain or nerves. He could confirm that visually.


    ¡°You¡¯re wasting time. It¡¯s pointless to fight me. I can drown you in a hundred corpses.¡±


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    It was the little girl from before.


    She stood at the head of the milling undead throng.


    The shadows hid most of the torn side of her face.


    The remains of an eyeball dangled from an oozing socket.


    Her mouth was stained red.


    Two voices in one.


    ¡°Cruces? It¡¯s said that he is an arrogant ass with a god complex trying to make people live how he wants them to. Th¡ª¡±


    Alin cut free from the giant skeleton and lunged across the distance, thrusting blade into the zombie girl¡¯s forehead.


    The green glow in her eyes winked out as the small body clad in pajamas crumpled to the gore-slicked floor.


    ¡°¡ªat he makes the strong cater to the weak.¡±


    The words continued from the mouths of dozens.


    ¡°That he neuters the strong, holding us back, therefore making it impossible for us to re¡ª¡±


    He cut and thrust while the undead remained as still as statues with only their mouths moving.


    ¡°¡ªclaim our wor¡ª¡±


    Simple strikes to conserve energy and to compensate for how weak he felt, how off his grip on the hilt felt with missing fingers.


    ¡°¡ªld. You aren¡¯t him, but I don¡¯t believe in coincidences. There are so few people that probability dictates some type of relation.¡±


    A lone skeleton remained.


    ¡°Not to mention the fact that you¡¯re a Rayna¡¯s Ranger. Grandson? Mom? Aunt?¡±


    He didn¡¯t answer.


    Best not to give the necromancer anything in case of truth spell or gem.


    ¡°Another bunch of selfish interfering asses. You¡¯d side with alien invaders against your own people.¡±


    The skeleton lacked flesh, but he felt it sneer.


    ¡°Who¡¯s wasting time now?¡± He smirked, bringing his hardlight sword into a middle guard, point facing the skeleton.


    ¡°This is where I should inform you that I don¡¯t need you alive to question you. It¡¯s not ideal and I won¡¯t have as much time as I¡¯d like, but I can just speak to your corpse.¡±


    Truthfully, he had also been wasting time.


    Buying more of it to continue his search of the tower through his gray.


    A search conducted with help.


    At least that was what he felt.


    It was more instinctive than intentional.


    He had finally gotten a sense for the necromancer¡¯s magical signature.


    It appeared to him as a dark green thread connecting each zombie and skeleton to each other in a tangled web that went everywhere. It vaguely reminded him of those silly string parties he and his friends used to have when they were kids¡­ and for Lake¡¯s birthday a few months back.


    It tasted like those deviled eggs from one of his Philippine cousin¡¯s wedding a couple of years ago¡­ after they had been accidentally left in direct sunlight. And, yet, he had eaten 4 of them before he had realized something was off.


    It sounded like the screaming tears of men, women and children.


    Despite lacking eyes, the skeleton narrowed them.


    ¡°What is this?¡± It waved bone fingers through the air, sending wisps of gray swirling. ¡°This wasn¡¯t here be¡ª what is this!¡± The necromancer snapped. ¡°You! It¡¯s you! Not magic¡­ oh¡­ no¡­ I can¡¯t let you go now. I. Have. To. Know.¡±


    The skull¡¯s jaw distended.


    A second skull of sickly green energy emerged.


    He flicked his hardlight blade in its path.


    The ethereal spell passed right through and hit him in the chest like a baseball bat.


    Armor did nothing.


    He gasped, reaching for the wind that had been knocked out of him in an instant.


    ¡°Drop, turn off, whatever your laser sword and take off your fancy armor. You don¡¯t want me to increase the power of my deathbolt. It¡¯s hard enough to minimize it. A slight mistake could mean your instant death.¡±


    ¡°Yeah? No.¡±


    Thrusters fired, carrying him up.


    Ceilings and floors were like unto wet paper to his helmet.


    Cindy Traynor. Necromancer. Slasher. Murderer. She had gone straight to the top while the rest of her horde took the long way.


    Dead soldiers grappled him and fired wildly as soon as he breached the penthouse floor.


    They didn¡¯t have any identifying tags on their tactical armor, but their faces, what was left, gave them away.


    Old America, Phoenix Dynasty.


    He could have sworn the man clumsily jabbing a dagger in his faceplate had been part of the ambush at the trapper¡¯s.


    A burst of electricity locked their muscles, making it easier to lop hands with his hardlight blade.


    ¡°You found me.¡±


    She looked like any other average woman of indeterminate age. Not young, but not old.


    Fair skin.


    Light brown hair.


    Glasses.


    The only physical feature of note were her dark green robes with what appeared to be dark gold threads in arcane patterns.


    Yup.


    Probably enchanted to hell and back.


    They had to be if she wasn¡¯t wearing a scrap of anything remotely resembling armor.


    ¡°Now what, little doggie. You¡¯ve caught the car. What are you going to do with it?¡±


    ¡°Surrender and you can go to prison.¡± He put his helmet into silent mode. ¡°Guys. Take the shot. Danger close. I don¡¯t care. Guys?¡± his words were only for Marian and Willy.


    No response.


    The gray, he noticed, was thin despite pumping out of the vents in his armor. More importantly, the air was noticeably clear around the necromancer.


    She rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Do I get a fair trial?¡± She scoffed. ¡°I¡¯ve seen several so-called courts across America. Fair isn¡¯t high on the list of words I¡¯d use to describe any of them.¡±


    There wouldn¡¯t be a trial.


    His dad would use her own memories to dig out the truth of her crimes.


    No ambiguity.


    No question.


    ¡°You¡¯ve murdered people. I imagine what you did here for the contest is going to go on your personal account page. The record¡¯s going to be in the spires. A list. Anyone could just look it up.¡±


    Her eyes narrowed.


    ¡°What? Didn¡¯t think that far ahead?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. What you should be concerned with is how much stronger my spells are when I don¡¯t cast them through one of my puppets.¡±


    An ethereal skull screamed out of her mouth.


    It clipped him in the shoulder as he tried to dive.


    Lights went dark.


    When they came back on he was looking up at a hazy figure in swirling gray. Faint teal in flat panes like the windows flickered in and out of existence revealed by the wisps brushing against it.


    ¡°I sense power, but no magic.¡± The necromancer spat another skull, which splashed against the barrier that was there and not, like a specter in the corner of his eye. ¡°But, I¡¯m not getting as much as I should. Enhanced Soul Appraisal.¡± She flicked a finger at him.


    The spell took hold of him. It felt like hands touching inappropriate places, but worse.


    The gray within him didn¡¯t like it one bit.


    The necromancer bit off a cry.


    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll do it your way. I will pry your secrets from your body and soul. Sadly, it will be a traumatic and fatal event. You should¡¯ve taken my initial offer. First, we bring your physical form to the brink.¡± She beckoned to the open door leading to the bedrooms. ¡°I¡¯ve been preparing while the rest of my puppets drove my future puppets up this hotel.¡±


    The doorway came apart in a shower of splinters.


    A massive undead abomination of pulsating muscle and oozing sores shook the floor with every step.


    He had fought a few down in San Diego.


    The Bountiful Decade had spurred the encounter challenges and spawn zones. The necropolis beneath the city had gone back to producing as many monstrosities as it had during the height of the rangers¡¯ war on the spawn zone¡¯s undead hordes.


    Always had been a terrible experience and that was when mostly shooting at them from a distance.


    ¡°Any day now,¡± he muttered.


    The necromancer¡¯s eyes narrowed. She immediately began scanning the room. Her glasses seemed to glint with unnatural light. Her eyes suddenly widened.


    She recoiled, throwing her hands up.


    Death¡¯s Dancer stabbed his spear partially through her hastily cast magic shield.


    Solid steel.


    Nothing special otherwise.


    Such was the supersoldier¡¯s strength.


    She dropped it.


    Spat.


    The skull punched him in the chest, through his armor.


    Staggered, he drew an assault rifle from his bag of holding.


    Full auto. One-handed.


    She blocked them all. Sickly green shield barely cracked.


    ¡°I know of you. You shouldn¡¯t wear something as identifiable as that mask. I¡¯m not interested in fighting the government. Plus, we are in Canada. You have no jurisdiction here. Therefore, you can¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°Lady, those are all technicalities and I don¡¯t care. Only thing that matters is you¡¯re evil and you¡¯ve got to be removed.¡± Death¡¯s Dancer fired the grenade from the underslung launcher.


    Shield held, but the explosion and shrapnel gave him the instant to turn invisible.


    Meanwhile, Alin ducked a fleshy limb embedded with spiked bone like a crude club.


    He cut in passing.


    There was no way he was going to be able to block or parry the abomination.


    Too much mass backed by a surplus of strength.


    He rolled under the backhand and carved a line across what approximated the abomination¡¯s stomach. He cut deep, but all he could see was layers of solid muscle.


    Skeletons and zombies poured out from behind the abomination and the hallway on the other side of the large living room. They came from the entrance.


    ¡°Grenades would be good! I¡¯m armored.¡±


    He heard the thump, followed by the explosion.


    The shockwave pushed him back. Shrapnel pinged against his armor.


    Shards of bone blasted into the walls and ceiling.


    Chunks of flesh splashed red wetness over everything else.


    The necromancer uttered words.


    Alin looked for cover¡­ then realized that he had been liberally splashed.


    The blood ignited.


    That was fine.


    Temperature readings were well below his armor¡¯s tolerance.


    The zombies burned as they piled on him.


    The necromancer uttered words.


    What had the scouting report said?


    Something about exploding corpses¡­


    Alin fell.


    The floor had given out.


    The abomination tumbled in after him.


    Thrusters pushed him out of the way.


    Bone spikes crashed on him and promptly shattered on the Threnium.


    Impact absorption and dispersion made it feel like a strong punch. The type to knock the wind out rather than crush ribs and organs.


    People screamed.


    The abomination lashed out silencing several.


    ¡°Get away from the blood and body parts!¡±


    They were too slow. They had been caught off-guard. The long run from the lower floors had pushed their nerves to well past the limits a person could be expected to endure. Above meant safety and that belief had just been cruelly destroyed.


    The necromancer¡¯s voice filtered through the hole in the ceiling.


    Blood erupted into flames.


    Body parts exploded like grenades.


    More fuel for his nightmares.


    Those that could fled out of the suite, but from the sounds out in the hallway they didn¡¯t find safety.


    ¡°Please,¡± he whispered, ¡°help them.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t command, only ask.


    All he could do was strengthen the gray around the fleeing people while keeping them from being affected by it.


    He thrust his hardlight blade into the abomination¡¯s lump of a head, then leapt over the sweeping club-like arm.


    The brain could be anywhere. Probably, multiple due to its size. But that depended on the necromancer¡¯s power and skill.


    He scrambled away.


    Dead eyes stared at him accusingly.


    Then they glowed green, rising to claim their vengeance for his failure to save them.


    Fingernails ripped from flesh as they tore against his armor.


    Old and young.


    Women and men.


    Girls and boys.


    The abomination clubbed him, turning the zombies into red smears and slamming him through the kitchen island and into the stainless steel doors of the refrigerator.


    Whistling birds streaked into the suite, striking the monstrosity¡¯s thick flesh.


    Pinpricks turned into gaping holes with frightening speed.


    Viral rounds ate away at biological matter while leaving microscopic particles behind.


    Only a true disintegration spell left a cleaner battlefield.


    It raised its club-like arm.


    A round struck the tip as it descended on Alin.


    Nothing was left by the time it reached him.


    A second later and it had been eaten away up to the elbow.


    Howard rushed around the corner and placed shots into the massive body.


    The abomination was gone in seconds.


    ¡°The people?¡±


    Alin accepted a hand.


    He had been embedded deeply.


    ¡°What? You took care of them.¡±


    ¡°I did?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, kid. Cool new trick? One of those sudden power ups in dire circumstances being pushed past your limits thing, eh? Kinda jealous I¡¯ve never had one of those.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª What?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got like fog summons or something? Gives me the creeps though. I¡¯m staring straight at them, but it feels like I¡¯m looking at them out of the corner of my eyes. Wasn¡¯t a fan of ghost shit when they weren¡¯t real.¡± Howard shook his head. ¡°No offense though, saved them people from the undead out there. C¡¯mon. I heard your announcement, figure you¡¯ve found the necromancer chick, eh?¡± He regarded the gaping hole in the ceiling. ¡°Or she found you.¡±


    Lights flashed and explosions sent debris raining on their helmets.


    ¡°Death¡¯s Dancer¡­¡±


    ¡°No shit! Thought he would¡¯ve been out for the rest of this shit show after getting gutted by the demon clown fuck.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not at a hundred percent.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ good¡­ cause neither am I. Let¡¯s go before he bites it. We don¡¯t want to find out what kind of zombie he¡¯d make, eh?¡±


    Howard climbed up the hole, shooting the last of his viral rounds.


    They did nothing to the necromancer¡¯s magic shield.


    She blasted him in the face.


    He dropped to a knee and pulled a shotgun from his bag of holding.


    War crimes rounds stuck to the shield¡¯s surface, burning away at it with every tick of the old clock against that wall that had somehow made it through the devastation unscathed.


    The necromancer stomped her foot. ¡°How? You¡¯re classless¡ª both of you and yet you take a deathbolt strong enough to instantly kill a bear. You¡¯re fancy armor doesn¡¯t matter. It¡¯s not even enchanted.¡±


    ¡°Lady, you ain¡¯t got nothing I haven¡¯t eaten before, eh.¡± Howard cast his shotgun aside to draw a grenade launcher. It thumped as quickly as he pulled the trigger.


    Explosions rocked the suite.


    ¡°Watch it, asshole!¡± Death¡¯s Dancer said from¡­ somewhere.


    The necromancer fired another bolt at the sound of his voice finally killing the old clock.


    Somehow, she could cast through her shield.


    Smoke swirled with the gray.


    Alin crept through the hole, staying low to the floor he went around the half-destroyed kitchen island.


    Water sprayed from the broken faucet, helping clear the red, oily smears off his faceplate.


    ¡°None of you can hide from me!¡±


    A bone spike as thick as his arm shot from her palm. Blood-flecked tip clipped him in the shoulder, spinning him around.


    A translucent, sickly green skull coalesced above her head. Dark magic spewed from its cackling maw, bathing the entire living room.


    Howard powered through it, crashing his armored shoulder into her magic shield.


    Death¡¯s Dancer did the same on her right.


    Alin finally managed to push the gray through her shield.


    A figure emerged from the swirling fog.


    Faint color lashed out with a pointed thrust toward her neck.


    Eyes widened.


    She screamed.


    Waves rippled through empty air, through the gray.


    The figure dispersed. The color vanished.


    Wispy tendrils snaked across the floor, caressing the hem of her enchanted robes.


    She recoiled, blasting them away with another scream.


    ¡°I¡ª I think I understand you now, Alin Cruces.¡± A grin split her face. ¡°You say I¡¯m evil? Well¡­ you¡¯re diabolical.¡±


    Death¡¯s Dancer and Howard continued to hammer away at her shield.


    Cracks emerged, but disappeared almost as quickly.


    She only had eyes for Alin despite how hard he was trying to conceal his presence.


    ¡°You can¡¯t have my soul, monster,¡± she said flatly. ¡°The risks no longer outweigh the rewards. But by all means keep punching away, boys. It¡¯s as futile as all your efforts to stop me have been.¡± She twisted her fingers and uttered words. The floor under her feet ripped open. A jagged tear casting a sickly green glow. Ghostly hands with gnarled, desiccated fingers reached up and pulled her down. ¡°I¡¯ve earned enough points here to secure second place. Don¡¯t try to come after me. You¡¯ll regret it. Why don¡¯t we just live and let live? As for you, Lt. List. Do pass on my interest in employment to your government. As for you two¡­ I can¡¯t say I¡¯d ever willingly collab with a soultaker.¡±


    The hole closed as soon as her head had gone through.


    The shield remained in place for a few moments.


    When it dissipated.


    Howard and Death¡¯s Dancer rushed forward to tear at the floor.


    ¡°Nothing. Teleportation spell.¡± The latter cursed.


    ¡°Wet? Tell me you can hear me?¡± the former said.


    ¡°You¡¯re clear. Did you get her?¡±


    ¡°Negative. She teleported. Can you track?¡±


    ¡°Interference is lessening, but I¡¯ve got nothing on any teleportation spells. Might be a Skill? But there¡¯d still be some hints of a trail.¡±


    ¡°Status on the rest of the hotel?¡±


    ¡°I got this.¡± Marian cut in. ¡°Sensors are good again. Movement in the floors below you. Lots of it, but not a lot of heat signatures. Black Cat¡¯s hunkered down with some people in a conference room on the ground floor. No undead nearby.¡±


    Death¡¯s Dancer regarded Alin with piercing blue eyes through the American flag skullmask.


    ¡°What¡¯d she mean by that soul taking stuff?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Howard said lightly. ¡°Mind games. Trash talk, eh.¡±


    ¡°I sensed presences in this,¡± Death¡¯s Dancer moved a hand through the gray, creating a swirling wake. ¡°Thought I saw some light? Thought this was her doing. But, she was looking at you.¡±


    Alin kept his mouth shut.


    ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± Howard beckoned. ¡°Fight¡¯s not over. People are still alive. Undead are still killing them. You,¡± he jabbed a finger in Death¡¯s Dancer chest, craning his neck back to look the supersoldier in the eyes, ¡°can help or leave. Don¡¯t care much either way, eh.¡±


    ¡°Alcaestus is fighting a boss monster at the harbor just north of here. Some kind of moose transformer. And there are survivors in the last standing building. They could use some protection. Slashers could still be lurking, waiting for opportunities,¡± Alin said.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t answered a single question I¡¯ve asked you, but¡­ whatever. That can wait.¡± Death¡¯s Dancer vanished.


    ¡°So¡­ is he helping here? Or at the harbor?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know, don¡¯t care. Let¡¯s go.¡± Howard pulled a carbine from his bag of holding. ¡°Getting down to the dregs.¡±


    ¡°Same here.¡± Alin checked the energy of his multi-weapon. ¡°What¡¯s the plan?¡±


    ¡°Get eyes on the survivors. Put down undead. Now that comms are back we can mark them for Marian. Should be quicker that way. Only thing we have to be careful about is friendly fire.¡±

 9.47 Epilogue

    Inside a nondescript office a handful of blocks away from the burning tower a lone zombie shambled into a desk over and over until it suddenly stopped.


    He, for the zombie was once a stout man in the prime of his life, froze.


    Not a dead muscle twitched, nor did he moan.


    Then he jerked as though he had been tased.


    Bloody fingers emerged from his mouth.


    Arms and legs splayed.


    Flesh tore, starting from his mouth.


    Like a zipper that ran straight down his neck and chest, branching down the center of his arms and legs.


    Hands followed fingers.


    An auburn-haired head streaked with gore pushed through.


    Necromancer Cindy Traynor shucked the zombie¡¯s flesh like a coat.


    Her dark green robes were wet with gore.


    She pointed a finger at her face.


    ¡°Cleanse.¡±


    She didn¡¯t mind the smell or the feel thanks to a Skill.


    Sure, those that crowed about optimization would¡¯ve said it was a waste of a slot. That she needed to just ¡®man up¡¯ and deal with it. Or wear a mask. Enchantments to filter odors were cheap and easily available. Every enchanter she had ever come across could do it to a minimum standard. It was easy money, points and experience. Supply followed demand.


    Then again, most of those people had fallen by the wayside over the years.


    She remained.


    Close to Level 50 now.


    She wasn¡¯t going to win the contest, no.


    It was Holly Foster¡¯s.


    She cast a spell on the pile of dead rodents and insects in the center of the room.


    Faint green glowed in their eyes as she sent them out to scout.


    The undead in the tower would last without her direct connection long enough to keep those men occupied. Time for her to go to one of the bolt holes she had prepared all over the city.


    The flying ship was a concern, but that was one of the reasons she had approached the fishmen for a temporary alliance.


    The rangers would need to deal with those eldritch things before searching for her proverbial needle in a haystack.


    Which was just as well.


    She didn¡¯t like the feel of the Deep Azure¡¯s presence even as faint as it was.


    A dark, deep, swirling abyss wasn¡¯t something she ever intended to jump into. Not even for the legitimate promise of power.


    No.


    Her power would be her own.


    There were so many things to do. To think about.


    She tried not to count her rewards before the spires doled them out.


    Spells, Skills, Universal Points and attribute points were just the beginning.


    All of those things were more than she had hoped for at the start of the Slasher¡¯s Spree.


    But what she was really looking forward to was the magic artifact or artifacts that had been promised.


    Second place guaranteed one of greater strength than anything that human hands could make currently.


    She had a few days to think about it.


    Then the contest would end and she would be transported back to her secret lair.


    Alin Cruces.


    Her instincts told her that she had discovered important information.


    Valuable information.


    It would take time and planning to extract as much benefit from it as possible.


    When it came to secrets, there were always two sides to the equation.


    Those that wanted them exposed and those that wanted them buried.


    It was only a matter of finding out which would give her more.


    <hr>


    The meeting point was in an alley between two squat buildings in the shadow of the gutted remains of the Tower.


    Two days and nights had passed.


    Today was the last day.


    The contest would end at midnight.


    The spires would transport the surviving slashers to their points of origin through, presumably, magic. The most powerful teleportation spell in existence to reach anywhere in the world with ease and comfort.


    The surviving locals would be left with the trauma of the month-long slaughter.


    It remained to be seen if they would also be on the hook for the automatic repair costs.


    Beyond that, so many fighters had been killed or murdered.


    Some neighborhoods had gone to battle with other neighborhoods over old grudges.


    Spawn zones had grown rife, flooding the streets with monsters.


    Fishmen lurked beneath the waters, though the Raynanaut had put them to flight in freeing the people the scaly bastards had penned up in cages on the river banks and beaches like crabs in a trap.


    Kat, Victor and Luzi had seen battle up close and personal.


    Their first time against that caliber of opposition.


    No one died, so it had gone as well as it could have.


    Alin hadn¡¯t been there.


    He had been scouring the city with Howard, Adrian and Marian in the shuttle.


    A few cultist groups had needed stopping.


    Ritual sacrifices had been stopped and prisoners collected for his dad to interrogate.


    Those circles were all the same, yet the separate groups making them weren¡¯t connected.


    Each had come from a different part of the world.


    He tried to keep his thoughts off the Raynanaut¡¯s medical section.


    It had been filled to capacity.


    The one mercy was that no one else had died after that terrible night.


    The Tsingtao Wanderer.


    He, Howard and Adrian had cleared the rubble, searching for hours until they found the cultivator¡¯s body.


    The drunken master could dispense more wisdom, some of it legit, when 12 beers deep better than sober philosophers.


    He had always found the wanderer entertaining.


    Rand was a cocky dick, but not in a malicious way.


    And Alin couldn¡¯t say anything bad about a man that willing obliterated himself with magic fighting for his team.


    The wizard had backed up all the words he had talked.


    Some would call it a light toll, but only if they didn¡¯t count the thousands of people that were killed that night.


    Flooded streets had run red with blood.


    Despite their weary bones, they had done what they could to help the shell-shocked survivors, whether it was keeping them safe from the monsters while they searched for bodies or digging through the rubble themselves.


    They couldn¡¯t have done more.


    They didn¡¯t do enough.


    Tires squealed around the corner.


    The truck swerved, fishtailing on the slick roads.


    The spires could put a barrier up that kept the Raynanaut from rising above 400 meters, yet let in rain.


    The driver hit the breaks and nearly skidded into a light pole.


    Alin lowered his recoilless rifle.


    Holly hopped out.


    ¡°Stupid tires. Why are they so big?¡± She kicked a comically over-sized tire. The petite woman of indeterminate age regarded him for a moment. ¡°You feel more dangerous. Congratulations,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°And you¡¯re alive. I thought that maybe the demon clown delayed got you when you didn¡¯t show up that night.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. He did get me.¡± She pulled up her shirt, revealing stained bandages.


    ¡°Do you need healing? I have stuff.¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s the same as the stuff I have, then no. That weird gel didn¡¯t do more than keep things closed. Most of my healing was because of a Skill. Still slow though. Skill against Skill. Lindsay the clown had a few levels on me and a higher grade of class thanks to that demon. Which is somewhere out there.¡±


    ¡°Scans have come up empty so far.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hiding. Everyone is hiding. No one wants to risk losing everything they¡¯ve gained on the last day.¡±


    ¡°You?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve followed your father¡¯s instructions and accomplished the main goal. I win. No one else gets the top prize. We continue as before.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a lot stronger.¡±


    ¡°Yes. That is the point.¡±


    ¡°So, why¡¯d you call me out here?¡±


    ¡°This.¡±


    Holly led him to the back of the truck.


    A bound man, gagged and blindfolded wiggled like a pig.


    ¡°He and his cabalmates managed to creep into the top 20. They decided to hide out close to my own secret place. It was a mistake.¡±


    ¡°Cabal?¡±


    ¡°They were setting up one of those ritual circles. Serendipitous meetings. Your father will want to interrogate this one. So will Ghost Sorcerer.¡±


    The Cabal mage stiffened at the name.


    Holly held up a finger.


    ¡°Yes. Ghost Sorcerer would do anything to this man to find out where Cambion is hiding these days,¡± she said flatly.


    Yup.


    The man recognized the names judging by how deathly still he had gone.


    Like a mouse in the gaze of a snake.


    ¡°Are the rest of them tied up back there?¡±


    Holly shrugged.


    ¡°Dead.¡±


    Of course they were.


    Alin reached for the man.


    She raised her hand.


    ¡°Keep the truck.¡± She headed for the alley. ¡°Tell your father I¡¯ll be waiting at the same place for the debrief.¡±


    Alin fired a flare for pickup.


    Comms were still shaky up close and practically useless at a distance.


    Monsters lurked, eyeing him from behind building corners and broken windows.


    He regarded the cabal mage.


    ¡°I hope they get here before those monsters get us.¡±


    His limbs were lead, but he raised the rifle nonetheless.


    The gray responded. Thickening around him and wrapping wispy coils around the unaware monsters.


    ¡°Otherwise we¡¯re in trouble.¡±


    The man writhed, moaning something.


    Alin noticed a small puddle of blood beneath the man¡¯s bare feet.


    Achilles and soles had been injured.


    ¡°She Pet Semetaried you and made you do a Die Hard¡­¡±


    Well.


    He was Cabal.


    It was likely he had done worse to other, likely, innocent people.


    ¡°I should leave you to the monsters!¡± he snapped with sudden anger.


    No.


    He took a deep breath and drained the monsters.


    The rain-soaked street was quiet and peaceful once again by the time Marian brought the shuttle around.


    <hr>


    Responsibility.


    Priorities.


    It was difficult to place what one truly wanted to do lower on the list when reality dictated one did so.


    Cal wanted to fly Nila and the rest in critical condition straight home.


    However, the medical facilities on the Raynanaut were exactly the same as in any of the hospitals down south.


    The only variable was Megan and a handful of higher level medical personnel.


    In any case, their condition was stable.


    He could save them hours transit, but it wouldn¡¯t make a difference.


    Finding and destroying the demon that had escaped the clown¡¯s death was near the top of the list.


    Then there was the general need to deal with the aftermath for the city of Vancouver.


    The number of deaths in a relatively small area had saturated it with death-aspected mana, which meant undead.


    Spawn zones needed to be cleared and reverted to encounter challenges.


    The survivors needed protection, sometimes from other survivors.


    Supplies wouldn¡¯t be an issue.


    He had already claimed a superstore that could fulfill all their needs, from food to medicine and everything in between.


    Other scavengers lurked on the outskirts of the city. They had not been in the contest area. Either through luck or planning, like the battalion of soldiers from the old American government that had moved into position over the 30 day period.


    A quick chat with the general and the eidolons had snuffed their dreams of claiming territory. They were certainly free to help protect the people from monsters and such strictly out of the goodness of their hearts and without expectation of receiving anything in return as dictated in the book they claimed to follow.


    Oh, there were a lot of monsters still. They continued to be drawn to the city from the bay and the massive northern wilderness. They alone represented a steady supply of levels and points for the foreseeable future.


    The dead were on the list. Rather, their families. Words would need to be spoken. They would feel like iron weights on his tongue, yet would bounce right off their targets like soap bubbles before bursting. Words could never be enough to ease the pain of a lost loved one.


    His powers let him feel their pain as if they were his own, but even that felt wrong for he had not truly gone through that level of crushing loss. He hadn¡¯t lost any of the people he held closest to his heart.


    Rand hadn¡¯t left anything to bury.


    The Tsingtao Wanderer hadn¡¯t left anyone to mourn him aside from the team as far as Cal knew. He hadn¡¯t pried too deeply into the drunken cultivator¡¯s mind. Just enough for the vetting process. He owed it to the man to search for next of kin. If only to let them know the wanderer¡¯s deeds.


    Alin was at the top of his list.


    His son¡¯s powers had changed. Grown stronger, but in doing so opened up paths. Good, bad and in between.


    At least he had already altered the memories of Death¡¯s Dancer and Alcaestus. Of those that had witnessed Alin¡¯s power use up close and had their interests piqued only the necromancer, Cindy Traynor remained a loose end.


    Many threads had escaped from their grasp.


    Captured cultist-types had vanished from the Raynanaut¡¯s hangar upon the contest ending. The spires¡¯ doing.


    At least they had taken pictures, video and collected DNA.


    They wouldn¡¯t be able to hide for long with their identities disseminated freely through a variety of methods.


    Cal suspected that the spires¡¯ bounty system would bear the quickest fruit.


    So many people needed visiting.


    The Phoenix Empress. The Queen of London. The Eidolon of Sunor. And dozens of other head¡¯s of state, mercenary company leadership and the like. From the small to the big. They had all, allegedly, sent people to join the slasher side of the contest.


    But first, his son.


    Alin was in the hangar working on his power armor.


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    ¡°Yo, Boy.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s up, Dad?¡± Alin placed the multi-tool on the workbench.


    ¡°Just checking in. Your mom¡¯s doing well.¡±


    ¡°I visited her this morning.¡± Alin¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°She¡¯s still in the coma.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but her vitals are steady.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do this.¡±


    ¡°Do what?¡±


    ¡°Try to make me feel better. I¡¯m not a kid and this isn¡¯t at all like that time I accidentally led them into that ambush.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, you¡¯re brooding.¡±


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I be? Lee was murdered. Kat and my other friends almost got murdered. Mom¡¯s not the only one in a coma. Rand blew himself up. The wanderer is dead. I¡ª I felt thousands of people die. I didn¡¯t realize it at the time, but¡ª but what if I accidentally took that last bit of life from them? What if some of those people would still be alive if I hadn¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s start with that. Maybe you¡¯re right, but you also have to consider the inverse. How many people alive today would¡¯ve died that night had you not done what you did? If you want to know for sure or as close as possible, we can do a deep dive into your memories. You won¡¯t have to re-live them. I¡¯ll take care of it. I¡¯ll just give you the numbers or whatever information you want.¡±


    Alin picked up the tool and returned to work.


    Silence stretched.


    ¡°Yeah, okay, but I want to know. I mean, I want to be there fully. It was their lives. That¡¯s, like, my responsibility.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve more than fulfilled whatever responsibility you had to anyone here. We¡¯ll do the full debrief after this mess has been fixed a bit. I¡¯m going to take time away from world events for you and everyone that took part in this.¡± Cal¡¯s gaze fell to his son¡¯s left hand. ¡°You know, fathers want their sons to take after them. The wise ones want them to emulate the good and not the bad.¡± He wiggled his prosthetic fingers. ¡°You¡¯re halfway there, but how about you don¡¯t finish?¡±


    ¡°No offense, Dad, but I never wanted to copy you on that.¡±


    ¡°Well, I know it¡¯s too soon, but what are you thinking for that?¡±


    ¡°About my hand?¡± Alin shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Magitech or Aunt Megan. I guess those are my only options. But, it might not matter what I want. The fishman could¡¯ve used a Skill or his bone axe was enchanted or the mages had an area of effect spell going at the time. Anything strong enough might mess with Aunt Megan¡¯s magic.¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t know until she tries. She regrew Tessa¡¯s arm and your cousin lost it to Vukylokyr. I¡¯m not sure, but I¡¯d guess an impossibly ancient true vampire trumps fishmen.¡±


    ¡°They could be ancient too, right? You said some of them are hundreds of years old. And they¡¯ve got an eldritch monster backing them.¡±


    ¡°Technically true, but the Deep Azure¡¯s little more than a vague spiritual presence at the moment. Kind of a double-edged sword. It can¡¯t act directly, but at the same time there¡¯s nothing for me to try to destroy.¡±


    ¡°I guess I¡¯ll find out in a few hours if she can grow them back. If not then I¡¯ll start thinking about what features I want in my new fingers. Either way not knowing won¡¯t hang over my head for days.¡±


    ¡°There is something to be said about certainty.¡±


    ¡°See, I¡¯m fine, Dad. I don¡¯t want a talk right now. But I would like one later when you have time.¡±


    ¡°Always.¡±


    ¡°No, no. I¡¯m not going to take you away from saving people just cause I¡¯ve got¡­ concerns.¡±


    ¡°Well, think of it this way¡­ how many people will you save by being at your best?¡±


    ¡°Then, I have to stop being scared of myself.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s less about being afraid and more about being knowledgeable. The more control you have over your powers the more confident you¡¯ll be in its use. Things that lead to less fear, which in turn creates more confidence and control. Like one of those snakes eating its own tail things.¡±


    ¡°I know. You¡¯ve said that before and because I didn¡¯t¡ª things could¡¯ve, should¡¯ve gone differently. If I was like you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Going to stop you there, Boy. You¡¯re not me. I¡¯m not you. We, all of us, can only do what we can do.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but if you had been here it would¡¯ve been easy. Or if I was stronger. If I could spread the gray over a larger area. If I could call on them at will. If I could¡¯ve beaten their magic. If¡ª¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t do it over. The only thing we can do is be better for the next time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll need your help to do that.¡±


    ¡°Like I said, you have my time when you want it.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Alin nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll get time off from rangers as soon as I get back. Can we start as soon as possible?¡±


    ¡°Sure. After a full debrief and medical and psychological tests. No buts! Good physical and mental health are important. Especially, considering how important your psyche is to your powers.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s fine¡­ I mean, I¡¯ll do what I have to.¡±


    Cal hugged his son.


    ¡°Listen, Boy. I¡¯ve read preliminary reports. Captain Molds. Hayden. Howard. Yours. You did great on all our metrics. Not just for a first time in a such a high level danger scenario, but in general. You more than held your own against dangerous people and things. And, I know you don¡¯t see it this way, but your presence, your actions kept people alive. I know these words aren¡¯t enough right now, but you¡¯ll see when we do that deep dive.¡±


    Alin squeezed tight. ¡°I¡¯ll try to think that, Dad.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t keep it all inside. Talking about it helps. And it doesn¡¯t have to be with me or family. Keep this in mind. Other people will be dealing with their own traumas from this shitshow. You can help them while they help you. You¡¯re not alone in thinking you could¡¯ve done more.¡±


    The Raynanaut and the entire city was permeated with guilt.


    Not a person didn¡¯t think of what they could¡¯ve done differently so that a fellow ranger didn¡¯t take a bullet to the head or that a daughter¡¯s laughter didn¡¯t just live in their memories or a father wouldn¡¯t have been eaten alive to keep the zombies out of the emergency bunker.


    ¡°Alright, so, you¡¯ve got my schedule. Don¡¯t hesitate to contact me if you need anything. I¡¯ll be based in the city while I search for the demon and make sure there aren¡¯t any more fishmen nearby. The Raynagon is on her way. The rangers and the troops from Seattle should be more than enough to keep the peace and the monsters away from the inhabited portions while keeping old America from getting greedy. Once she gets here, you¡¯ll be on your way home. If I don¡¯t find the demon then I¡¯ll have to station a team here in case it pops up after I leave. That way they can buy time for me to come back and take care of it.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ are you asking for my thoughts?¡±


    ¡°Sure. What do you think?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ I¡¯d guess there¡¯s a good chance the demon will want another host, symbiosis thing. So, maybe look for clowns and slashers in the area? If one person had both classes then they¡¯re a priority target. I don¡¯t know for sure, but I¡¯d bet there¡¯s someone with a clown class. It¡¯s not exactly rare. And I¡¯d bet that there¡¯s a slasher if not more than one willing to demon up. I know for a fact that something like, 20-30 locals took the slasher class for the contest. I haven¡¯t checked the event page so I don¡¯t know how many made it all the way through the contest alive.¡±


    ¡°5 of them did. They think they¡¯re in hiding right now. I¡¯m keeping my eyes on them for now. Might be good demon bait.¡± He tapped his temple. ¡°Good assessment though. So, want any help with the maintenance?¡±


    ¡°Only if it won¡¯t hurt your search.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m multi-tasking. Besides, I don¡¯t want to be too obvious with the hunting. Lull it into a false sense of security, you know?¡±


    ¡°Cool. I guess if you want to look at the leg thrusters. Water got in and it was, like, magical water or something weirder.¡±


    <hr>


    Slasher Level 47 ¨C> Slasher Level 50. Hidden Knife of the Psionic Prime Level 18 ¨C> Hidden Knife of the Psionic Prime Level 21.


    Hidden Knife of the Psionic Prime Level 21, Slasher Level 50.


    Telekinesis. Remote Viewing: Preferred Target. The Leopards Fear My Whispers¡­


    15 Free Attribute Points.


    1 Free class Skill slot: Slasher.


    1 Free class Skill slot: Hidden Knife of the Psionic Prime.


    Tendon-cutter Butcher Knife.


    Airhorn of Demon Clown Laughter.


    Greater Pouch of Holding.


    Demonbane Necklace.


    Greater Healing Potion x20. Greater Stamina Potion x20. Greater Shadow Grenade x5. Greater Blood Smoke Grenade x5. Total Silence Grenade x5.


    5106907 Universal Points.


    Title: 1st Slashers¡¯ Spree Victor, Vancouver, Earth.


    Slashers¡¯ Spree Medal.


    The small medal had passive bonuses and active Skills.


    Holly decided the effort had been more than worth it.


    ¡­


    The amount of Universal Points he received made Alin¡¯s eyes widen. As for the rest of the rewards only one thing stood out.


    Demonbane Ring: +5% to attacks against demons. +5% to defense against demons. Anathema to demons.


    He could¡¯ve used it earlier.


    As for the rest of the items?


    Nothing stood out as significantly better than what he already had access to. Excepting the greater versions of potions and other consumables.


    ¡­


    Aquatic Combat System.


    ¡­


    Ice Wizard Level 31 -> Ice Wizard Level 37. Mana Discharge. Greater Mana Pool. Aura: The Frozen Sea.


    6 Free Attribute Points.


    2 Free Spellbook Pages.


    ¡­


    Cold Mist Warrior Level 33 -> Cold Mist Warrior Level 40. Stamina Well. Mist Bullet. Domain: Rime of The Bleak Barrens.


    5 Free Attribute Points.


    1 Free Skill.


    1 Free Spell.


    Mist Sword of Te¡¯argren.


    ¡­


    Ranger Priest Level 44 -> Ranger Priest Level 47. Eldritchbane. My Lord¡¯s Prayer, Life For Life¡­


    4 Free Attribute Points.


    1 Free Skill.


    2 Free Spells.


    Scapular of Protection: +8% to defense.


    ¡­


    Clawed Gauntlet of Life Mana.


    Spell Rifle of Dune Hollow.


    Demonbane Bracelet: +5% to defense against demons. Anathema to demons.


    ¡­


    Demonsmasher Bat: +11% to attacks against demons. Anathema to demons.


    Demonbane Ring: +5% to attacks against demons. +5% to defense against demons. Anathema to demons.


    ¡­


    Cultivator Level 42 -> Demonfighter Cultivator Level 48. Demonbane Qi Strikes.


    11 Free Attribute Points.


    4 Free Skills.


    Fox Mask of the Titanium Body.


    Demonbane Steel Knuckleduster: +9% to attacks against demons. Anathema to demons.


    ¡­


    Flicker Rogue Level 56 -> Demonfighter Flicker Rogue Level 57. Cultist-killer Blades. I Wound Demons¡­


    17 Free Attribute Points.


    5 Free Skills.


    Demonslayer Dagger: +25% to attacks against demons. Anathema to demons.


    ¡­


    Tesla Coil Unit.


    Bone Hammer of the Deepest Ones.


    Azurian Eye.


    ¡­


    All that survived gained.


    Not all believed that it had been worth the costs.


    <hr>


    New York, Summer 2052


    The Eidolon of Sunor had sent him a message.


    A meeting under an oath of peace.


    Naturally, that put Cal¡¯s guard up.


    The magic scroll had disintegrated into a glowing copy of golden light.


    Two in fact.


    One for him and one for the Eidolon of Ekra to take back.


    Peace.


    Essentially, the attendees could do no violence to each other for the duration of the meeting and a day afterward.


    He had felt the weight of the magic, something had told him that he could try to break it, but he wouldn¡¯t like the consequences if he succeeded.


    Manhattan to the northeast across the dark waters of the bay.


    People.


    The old government.


    No more giant spiders.


    A wide swath of land remained a blasted crater.


    The spires¡¯ automatic building repair features had proved weaker than the energy contained within the Zalthyss shell.


    He wondered if the government would eventually spend points to repair the glassing.


    He had noticed it all from orbit as he had descended.


    The Statue of Liberty was covered with small shapes.


    It had looked like ants crawling all over a person from the distance.


    They were doing more than cleaning it.


    He took it for the message that it was.


    Speaking of, he landed on the roof of the immigration museum on Ellis Island, which was a stone¡¯s flick north of Liberty Island, the old lady¡¯s home.


    ¡°Ah! Welcome!¡±


    The man was taller than him, which wasn¡¯t saying much. He was physical perfection in the flesh.


    Human by appearance, but clearly from another world.


    It was the facial features that recalled a Southeast Asian and darker skin than any on Earth, close to obsidian, that made it obvious.


    Oh, and the golden hair of his brows and perfectly groomed beard.


    Oddly enough, he wore jeans and a t-shirt that could¡¯ve come from any old store in the country.


    The only item of clothing that spoke to the man¡¯s outworld origin was the black helmet.


    And what a strange helmet it was with its long, bulbous head, like the busts of a certain pharaoh that some people in the distant past claimed had alien origins.


    In a way those grifters had been right.


    Aliens did exist.


    They just didn¡¯t come on flying saucers.


    Nope.


    They came through multiversal spires.


    And the timing.


    The timing was all wrong.


    ¡°I will save you the recitation of my deeds. My understanding is that your culture doesn¡¯t do that.¡± The man held out a hand.


    Cal took it.


    A firm squeeze both ways despite the difference in size more akin to a large adult and a small child.


    The man didn¡¯t seek to impose dominance so he responded in kind with the exact same pressure.


    He tried to scan the man¡¯s surface thoughts and slid right off the strange helmet.


    That one instant unleashed realization.


    Not a sudden one.


    He sped up his perceptions.


    Hours worth of thought, of reviewing memories within fractions of a second.


    ¡°I am Suiteonemiades, demigod son of Suiteonem. I don¡¯t say that to brag. It¡¯s a rule I have to follow if I want to keep his favor. Truly, I¡¯d prefer the name my demigod mother gave me before I was taken from her arms, Phosfuriae. Phos for those that aren¡¯t my enemies.¡±


    ¡°Cal, but you already knew that. First eidolons, then a demigod. When do I meet an actual god?¡±


    ¡°I sense the disrespect. You say god when it is God.¡±


    ¡°I have no idea how you could¡¯ve possibly gotten that impression. I¡¯ve always given your gods the respect they deserve.¡±


    ¡°Which is none.¡± Suiteonemiades sighed. ¡°I suppose it fits your limited perspective. After all, how can the primitive know and accept that they are such without a greater to compare themselves to?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not really interested in¡­ any of this. You wanted to meet. So, I¡¯m here.¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes. World events have not slowed. A year of this. How much more can your world take, I wonder? It¡¯s lucrative. I can only imagine how much you¡¯ve made.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m leaving.¡± He rose off the roof.


    ¡°I called you here for one reason.¡±


    ¡°Which is?¡±


    ¡°The last offer.¡±


    ¡°Then you¡¯ve wasted both our times. The Eidolon of Sunor has my answer to any and all of your offers.¡±


    ¡°Yes. She had passed those along. Regardless, it is my responsibility to avoid unnecessary suffering if at all possible. You may reject it, but at least stay long enough to listen. I wouldn¡¯t want you to complain later. I want you to fully comprehend what refusal will mean for you and this world.¡±


    ¡°Do you know how many people from other worlds have delivered a similar sounding message?¡±


    ¡°Many. And a few were rather powerful enough to be treated with the proper gravitas.¡±


    ¡°And yet, we¡¯re still here and as for them. They either got to go back to their homeworlds or refused the opportunity.¡±


    ¡°Are you the sort to treat a defeated foe with honor or not?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve always been a give back what they gave me sort of person. So, what are you going to give?¡±


    ¡°I offer the full support of the Gods. The entire pantheon¡ª¡±


    ¡°Which one is that again? I¡¯ve had so many talks with reps of so-called ¡®gods¡¯ that it¡¯s getting harder to keep the different groups straight.¡±


    The obsidian-skinned demigod¡¯s green eyes flashed like a volcanic eruption for a split-second. He wouldn¡¯t have noticed without his enhanced perception.


    ¡°My apologies. I seem to have angered you. I¡¯m sorry my words made you feel that way.¡±


    ¡°False apologies are none at all.¡±


    ¡°That is true. Sorry, please continue with the elevator pitch. I did sign that magic scroll, so I have to listen.¡±


    ¡°You lack respect, but allowances must be made for one so young. If I review my memories, I will undoubtedly find many a moment where I, too, behaved with all the arrogance born from the ignorance of callow youth. Regardless, the offer. Full support of my pantheon, whom you are familiar with, against everyone and everything else. Demigods, eidolons and armies. Relics, artifacts, spells and technology. Nothing will be held back. In exchange, you will swear a binding oath. A contract of fealty in service for one century. At which point you will have seen the benefits of becoming a pantheon world. Some Gods will offer a more direct oath. You will be free to swear to one or remain unaligned if it is decided that this, being a Terminus World, shouldn¡¯t be held in a single God¡¯s hand. Between us, I suspect that the strongest Gods will split the territories in order to maintain peace and cooperation.¡±


    ¡°Just me?¡±


    ¡°To start. However, it is likely that other powerful individuals will be offered something similar. You¡¯re special. You can bring the rest of your world if you so choose.¡± Suiteonemiades gestured. A glowing scroll materialized in his palm. ¡°It¡¯s a pretty standard contract. The Gods use it when bringing new worlds and peoples into the fold. I¡¯ve studied some of your world¡¯s history and you should be familiar. Citizenship through service. Your people tended to focus on the military aspect. We do not. Any category of service can be valuable. Knowledge is what truly matters in the end.¡± The scroll floated across the short distance between them.


    Cal let it hang.


    ¡°Oh, I almost forgot. There is one slight difference to this offer. Normally, the masses wouldn¡¯t receive full citizenship. They would be granted the pathway and through meritorious service, one day prove worthy of it. This time, this once. Citizenship will be gifted to every person that follows you. A boon that¡¯s as rare as the single grain of gold upon an endless beach. Citizenship grants the right to emigrate to any of our unaligned worlds. Some Gods also allow it to their worlds, while others require more stringent oaths. We will provide a full codex of those worlds so that our newest citizens can make an informed decision. Think of how many of your people will be saved the nightmarish suffering of the coming days.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re doing okay so far.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s only going to get worse. Do you know how many cities we¡¯ve lost since the Terminus Decree? 117 across a multitude of worlds. Billions of our faithful dead. More dispersed, driven to the wilderness before they could be helped to be prey for monsters and the worst the invaders had to offer. As for the invaders? They come from peoples and worlds we never knew existed. I would say you couldn¡¯t imagine the horror, but you and yours, more than anyone else, can. Alien gods from the void. Nightmare concepts. Unknowable entities. Things so old and forgotten that necessitated even the most ancient of the Gods to delve their divine archives to rediscover the secrets to defeating them. That fog entity that destroyed your birth city? A child. A newborn compared to the one that subsumed half the world of Suiteonem, Twenty-Third of It¡¯s Name before we slew it. You claimed to the Eidolon of Sunor that you¡¯d stop our enemies from using your world to strike at ours. You¡¯ve succeeded at times, but you¡¯ve also failed. Enemy pantheons old and new have drawn blood.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve drawn your fair share of blood. I can point out the specific events when eidolons or a contingent of your other troops made it through the spires before we could stop them.¡±


    ¡°Such is conflict.¡±


    ¡°Only warmongers say that it¡¯s unavoidable. You decry violence with your mouths, yet blood stains your clothing and drips from your blades. I take you up on your offer and my world becomes a much worse warzone than it already is. An infinite number of your enemies will pour everything they have into the spires to deny your pantheon sole control.¡±


    ¡°That is unavoidable, as you said. Our offer will allow your people escape to safer worlds. Think of your woman and son. They will not be required to remain. Only you.¡±


    ¡°Just me?¡±


    ¡°Other offers will be made. But, they won¡¯t take precedence over this one and only,¡± Suiteonemiades gestured at the floating scroll. ¡°The shortest path to a life in a world superior to this one in every way if they follow your lead. Depending on the God and the world they will know more comfort and freedom than the heights of your many civilizations. Naturally, you will be allowed to send representatives to verify the truth of my words. This is no low trick luring the desperate with promises of a better life only to slap the chains of slavery around their limbs upon arrival. The codex contains that information if you wish to avoid such worlds and Gods. I¡¯ll even share my recommendations. For example, don¡¯t immigrate to a Suiteonem world unless you want violence. My father,¡± his face twisted, ¡°is not a God for the weak, unless they desire strength. For those that exist to fight there will be constant opportunity.¡±


    ¡°How long is the offer open?¡±


    ¡°Indefinitely, however I won¡¯t wait and do nothing. I have my Quests and labors. And I do owe the citizenry my best effort to protect them. I believe you understand that I must do everything in my power to secure their right to safety. It¡¯s no different from what you do.¡±


    ¡°Just taking the scroll doesn¡¯t constitute acceptance.¡±


    ¡°Of course not,¡± Suiteonemiades frowned. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t resort to base trickery. An oath achieved through such is as strong as wet paper.¡±


    Cal plucked the scroll and placed it in a bag of holding.


    Even if he had no intention of accepting it. Reading it, studying it could be useful. Like the demigod had said, knowledge was valuable.


    Perhaps, they¡¯d be able to discover ways to circumvent the pantheon¡¯s binding contracts or render them ineffective.


    ¡°I have a question.¡±


    ¡°Ask.¡±


    ¡°Do you know anything about these?¡± he pulled out a thumb-sized holographic projector.


    Arcane symbols in ritual circles across the Earth.


    Multiple locations starting with Tokyo appeared one by one until the space between them was filled with still images.


    ¡°Different groups with hardly any connections between them. All over the world. The same sacrificial circles. Was it you? If not, do you know anything about these?¡±


    The demigod¡¯s face was a mask of perfect neutrality.


    There were no micro expressions to interpret.


    An attempt to scan the demigod¡¯s thoughts slid off the strange helmet again.


    ¡°No.¡±


    Neither lie, nor truth.


    His powers couldn¡¯t tell the difference.


    It was just like the days before the spires had appeared.


    He considered ripping the helmet off, but he didn¡¯t now how strong a demigod was.


    A good chunk of Manhattan had been turned into a glassed crater by his fight with Zalthyss.


    There were thousands of people in the general vicinity.


    A single clash with the demigod might spell doom for them.


    ¡°One hundred years, huh? I might be swayed if you share knowledge. Say, everything you have on every threat to my world.¡±


    ¡°You have the order of it wrong. You¡¯ll get that after you agree.¡±


    ¡°Do you have anything else to say?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I have many things that I¡¯d like to try to sway you from hubris and ruin. But, an initial meeting isn¡¯t the place.¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯re done here.¡±


    ¡°We are. Think wisely. Consult with others. After all, it isn¡¯t fair for one individual to decide the fate of millions. They have voices and those must be heard. You¡¯re powerful, but you aren¡¯t a God until you achieve apotheosis and shed your physical form. And not even a God can stand alone against the multiverse. Oh, and don¡¯t take too long. Each day you sit in your tent is one in which your people die.¡±


    Cal rocketed into the sky.


    The sonic boom washed over Suiteonemiades like a gentle breeze.

 10.0 Prologue

    Mt. Rushmore, Spring 2053


    Two giant granite faces stared into the bright glare of the sun.


    There had been more than two faces once, but a strong hand had spent time and effort to utterly destroy the left half of the monument.


    Cal understood why the man had done it, even if it would ultimately prove to be a waste of time and effort.


    After all, the old government could simply reclaim the territory and spend the points to have it returned to its prior state.


    ¡°Too expensive?¡± He gestured to the half-ruined monument.


    The ambassador glanced up from the documents on the table, but declined to answer.


    ¡°A quaint edifice. If cost is a concern then I¡¯m willing to provide. It can be said that a people¡¯s history is one of their truest treasures.¡±


    The speaker was a towering woman with pale skin and golden hair that shined with the same luminous light as her eyes. Her features were rather broad and round, beautiful, perfect. Similar to the demigod Cal had met once, standing beside the ambassador.


    Suiteonemiades, whose skin was as dark as obsidian, yet with the same golden hair and eyes as his lighter cousins.


    The black, bulbous helmet on the demigod¡¯s head continued to stymie Cal¡¯s ability to probe the contents of his mind.


    The other demigods lacked the artifact and he had touched their thoughts gently and briefly.


    Their so-called divine heritage provided a measure of resistance and he had refrained from going deeper lest he alert them.


    The third demigod continued to stare at him with golden eyes silently, like a tiger gazes upon a jungle mouse.


    It was an apt comparison, for the man was clad in armor made out of monster skins that Cal couldn¡¯t identify. He held a fearsome helm in one ham-sized hand revealing flaming orange hair streaked and dotted with bits of dark gray and black. Natural coloring from what Cal had gleaned. Unlike, Suiteonemiades, this one kept his face shaved clean.


    ¡°Six Grandfathers is much cooler than four dead guys, anyways,¡± he said.


    She ignored him.


    ¡°Well, Earth human, what say you to my generosity?¡±


    He did the same as he gazed at the Earthian seated at the table.


    The ambassador was an old man.


    He had been on the staff of an ambassador back in the pre-spires days. He had plenty of experience moving around in the circles of the powerful and wealthy across several countries.


    But they had all been merely humans.


    Power derived from wealth, status, connections.


    Without which, they would¡¯ve just been old, weak men and women.


    Not suited to scrapping in the dirt with only their strength and skill.


    The demigod could¡¯ve twisted his head right off his shoulders with the same ease as opening a water bottle.


    The ambassador swallowed a lump in his throat.


    ¡°Honored Aehrone, you bless us with your light. I¡¯m a humble messenger and I shall relay the boundless generosity of your offer to the president as soon as I return.¡±


    The demigod deemed the words adequate and she turned her gaze down to Cal.


    He had debated floating up so that they could all be on the same eye level, but decided that would¡¯ve been the move of an insecure man.


    Still, standing in the shade of a massive canopy tent with three demigods that had the height of the tallest basketball players, but with the powerful physiques of¡­ well¡­ demigods had a way of making him feel like he was a kid again trying to dodge careless adults at a backyard family BBQ.


    Aehrone crossed bare arms underneath her chest.


    A purposeful maneuver to draw his attention to the impressive nature of four assets.


    Unlike the two demigod men clad in armor or functional clothing, she wore nothing aside from a thin tunic belted at the waist and falling well short of her knees.


    He gazed up at her golden eyes, unblinking.


    The divine light engendered feelings of awe and intimidation in lesser beings.


    The physical perfection practically on display in its entirety seemed like overkill, but he supposed she was counting on it to tip the scales in her favor since the partial divinity wasn¡¯t enough.


    ¡°I¡¯m not interested.¡±


    He cut the offer off on her lips before she could utter it.


    ¡°Cousin, how could you?¡± Suiteonemiades chided.


    ¡°Cousin,¡± Aehrone brought her head up to look down her nose at the other demigod, ¡°you¡¯ve made the same offer several times. You can¡¯t take up that tone with me.¡±


    ¡°Well, I wouldn¡¯t say the offer was exactly the same.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m taken,¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°And he prefers females,¡± Suiteonemiades said with the ease that suggested friendly familiarity.


    A lie.


    They weren¡¯t friends, nor were they friendly.


    They both knew that politeness was drawing to a close.


    ¡°It¡¯s not really theirs.¡± He gestured toward the half monument. ¡°Stolen from the original inhabitants of this land.¡±


    The ambassador didn¡¯t even flinch at the jab from where he sat, pouring over the documents.


    ¡°History is important, like you said,¡± he regarded Aehrone. ¡°Well, that¡¯s indisputable history. You want to pay for its reconstruction? Then you should really pay them. I¡¯m sure there¡¯s descendants of the Lakota still around somewhere out there.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m aware,¡± Aehrone said. ¡°History is written by the conquerors. And what is won belongs to the victors by natural right.¡±


    Cal gazed at the gray parking lot they stood on.


    The buildings filled with soldiers and weapon emplacements.


    Visitor¡¯s center, gift shop, cafe and ice cream shop.


    The amphitheater.


    Mount Rushmore itself looming beyond.


    More eyes on Keystone a couple of miles to the northeast.


    Once a tourist town in the distant past. Now a military fort with artillery pieces and a pair of attack helicopters.


    Further northeast sat Rapid City.


    Populated with more than just the military.


    A handful of ancient jets sat at the airport. Upgraded with magitech to compensate for the rough conditions they had to operate in.


    He hadn¡¯t known much about cutting edge tech back in the old days, but he had known that they could be temperamental.


    The stress of high speeds and hard landings on the planes wasn¡¯t something the laymen really thought about.


    Speaking of stress, all the soldiers in the area were wound as tightly as an antique clock.


    The feeling filtered down to the handful of civilian support staff at both the nearby town and the distant city.


    However, the greater population of the latter knew nothing was amiss. To them it was just another Saturday. Their freest day of the week.


    Parents took children out to spend time together as a family. They played at the park. Ate at the handful of restaurants. Watched old movies at the movie theater or live performances at the theatre.


    Happy laughter.


    Fun music.


    Good food.


    Loving families living their lives with hope for their futures despite the monsters clawing at the walls.


    If he had to give the old government one thing it was that, at least in this city and a handful of the larger ones to the east, people could almost live without thinking about the monsters outside when they weren¡¯t putting in their mandatory time on the wall.


    He saw it in their minds.


    The dare to dream that had been missing for so long after the spires appeared.


    He glanced at the demigods and for the second time since he had landed he stifled the urge to kill them.


    Instead he remained silent in his mental exploration, searching and failing to find a way for those that didn¡¯t deserve their coming fates.


    An hour of silence was broken by the ambassador.


    Cal felt for the man.


    A decent sort.


    One that believed in doing his job to the best of his ability without falling to the temptation of abusing his status and power like so many of his peers.


    ¡°Mr. Cruces, I¡¯ve reviewed your proposed changes.¡±


    ¡°Completely unacceptable?¡±


    The ambassador nodded.


    ¡°Not willing to bend even the slightest are you?¡± he sighed. ¡°Are you even representing the will of the American people?¡± he eyed the demigods.


    ¡°I assure you, everything has passed through both houses of Congress and the president¡¯s desk without undue influence from¡­¡± the ambassador hesitated.


    ¡°You are free to speak freely, as I assured you, always.¡± Suiteonemiades smiled down as though the old, experienced ambassador was a small child giving a book report.


    To be fair, the demigod claimed to be hundreds of years, if not closing in on a millennia old.


    The black, bulbous helmet prevented Cal from verifying the truth, but the other two demigods lacked the same psychic protection and they were both several centuries old so he was inclined to believe.


    ¡°That is to say, the honored ones have not dictated or influenced the Come Home Bill, well, law¡­ as of this morning.¡±


    ¡°Laws only apply to citizens of said nation, right, ambassador?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m aware of your position on whether you and the rest count as American citizens. Regardless of outside circumstances, it is the position of the rightful American government that, essentially, once a citizen, always a citizen.¡±


    ¡°Unless, stripped of course, I believe there was a provision in the bill for that.¡±


    ¡°That is correct.¡±


    ¡°But only as punishment or leverage-seeking?¡±


    ¡°I can only point you to the provision in regards to that.¡±


    ¡°So, refusal to ¡®come home¡¯ makes me a criminal?¡±


    ¡°That is correct. However,¡± the ambassador took a deep breath, ¡°I was instructed to secure your cooperation by any means necessary.¡± He activated his Skills.


    Cal sighed. ¡°Ambassador, if the president ordered you to shoot yourself in the head, would you do it? Please don¡¯t try that on me. Bad faith negotiation is no negotiation at all.¡±


    ¡°Apologies. We¡¯re ready to offer you a blank check so to speak. My Skill tells me you know what that means. Ah, excuse me for the usage. It is strictly to benefit my ability to conduct this negotiation. It isn¡¯t one to influence you in any direct way.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never written nor received one before, but, yes, I know what you mean.¡±


    The ambassador¡¯s face remained a study in calm, professionalism, never revealing the swirl of the storm in his thoughts.


    Fear mingled with distaste at what he viewed as an insolent traitor and the desire to do his duty to the nation he loved.


    A thread of confusion ran through it all.


    Before the ambassador stood a man that looked as though he had been born after the spires had appeared or perhaps a handful of years before at the earliest, yet he spoke like a much older man. That was all he had to go on. His Skills normally gave him the ability to get a sense of the person on the other side of the table. What they wanted, what they were willing to give. All the things that went into a negotiation.


    ¡°I wrote in and crossed out what I want for our agreement. It¡¯s a lot more¡­ streamlined¡­ than all the legalese. Easier to stick to for both sides. No risks of misunderstandings and such.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s impossible.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to take it back for Congress to look at?¡±


    ¡°My instructions¡ª¡±


    Stolen story; please report.


    ¡°Yeah, I know, they want a definitive answer here and now. But, I¡¯m asking you to do it anyway. Use those ambassador Skills of yours. I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll tell you that what¡¯s best for the citizens of your country is to keep this dialogue going. Don¡¯t we all have more important things to worry about than each other? World Events keep popping up. Outworld invaders,¡± he regarded the trio of demigods, ¡°are turning up the heat on their invasions. Did you know, ambassador, that no less than 5 different pantheons of so-called gods¡ª¡±


    ¡°Insolence,¡± Aehrone said lazily.


    The slight grin never left Suiteonemiades¡¯ face.


    The third demigod said and did nothing, except continued to stare.


    ¡°They have come to an agreement to carve up our planet, at least for as long as it takes to take full control of the territories so that they can set up for the real war to control it all.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± the ambassador swallowed. ¡°Without independent verification¡­¡± he shook his head.


    ¡°That¡¯s not counting all the countless others trying to take what is ours.¡±


    ¡°We really got the short end of the stick, didn¡¯t we?¡± the ambassador looked up bleakly from his chair.


    ¡°I only have a sample size of 2, but the non-Terminus world is doing a lot better.¡±


    ¡°The Threnosh world?¡±


    ¡°I understand you¡¯ve started a dialogue. How¡¯s it going?¡±


    ¡°Difficult. It seems that someone has poisoned that well.¡±


    ¡°I only told them what I knew from my perspective and passed over some historical information,¡± Cal nodded to Aehrone, ¡°it¡¯s important, history, I mean.¡±


    She returned a mirthless smile.


    ¡°Besides,¡± he nodded to the ambassador, ¡°Murderhobos don¡¯t make good ambassadors. I¡¯d say it was lucky that I was the first Earthian to make my way there. My warnings combined with my good behavior was enough to counterbalance those issues. They should¡¯ve sent people like you first instead of soldiers. Honestly, you¡¯re lucky that the Threnosh take my calls. They would¡¯ve wiped your guys out otherwise.¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes. Why don¡¯t we go over your proposed changes?¡± The ambassador sensed something Cal already knew. He glanced at the demigod looming next to him.


    Suiteonemiades said nothing.


    The next hour flowed like a swift stream.


    Their positions on the nature of the agreement refused to budge like great boulders in said stream.


    Old America wanted a return to how it was before the spires.


    Citizens obeyed the laws or were hit with the consequences of failure to do so.


    For Cal and other likewise powerful people that meant conscription, though they were willing to give him a fairly high rank.


    Things like the skyships and other advanced magic, technology or both would belong to the government.


    The same applied to homes, buildings and territories.


    Back taxes would, naturally, need to be paid¡­ with interest¡­ and in Universal Points.


    He had briefly considered playing along to shape the Old American government from within.


    Sure they would¡¯ve made him swear magical and Skill-backed oaths, but none of them were strong enough to hold him to those.


    The eidolons couldn¡¯t, Ms. Teacher couldn¡¯t.


    And if she couldn¡¯t, then the demigods couldn¡¯t.


    Ultimately, he had rejected the idea without much anguish.


    It would¡¯ve required doing things he didn¡¯t want to do.


    And it would¡¯ve required dealing with the demigods in a way he was reluctant to.


    Sadly, it reached that end anyways.


    ¡°They really did you dirty, ambassador.¡±


    As they both expected, there was no agreement.


    They couldn¡¯t delay that conclusion any longer.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± the ambassador frowned.


    ¡°I can tell you already know, or at least suspect. All your loyal service and this is what they reward you with.¡±


    Suiteonemiades shook his head sadly.


    Cal thought it looked genuine.


    Aehrone¡¯s golden eyes seemed to gleam brighter. While the silent third remained as still as a statue.


    ¡°I know this isn¡¯t much consolation, but I¡¯ll make them pay. And I¡¯ll tell your story accurately. I really tried, but it¡¯s in you too deeply. In your organs and¡­ your soul, spirit, whatever you believe it to be.¡±


    Aehrone¡¯s eyes shot to Suiteonemiades.


    ¡°He knows!¡±


    ¡°I told you,¡± the demigod shrugged boulder shoulders. ¡°The archives on the world you were just on should¡¯ve had everything we had on Psionic Primes.¡±


    ¡°Stories from ancient days. Florid poetry and indulgent prose!¡± she snapped.


    ¡°Listen,¡± Cal grabbed their attention, literally forcing them to look at him. They struggled with strength enough to shatter the two remaining faces on the mountain to rubble with a handful of blows. ¡°You already got what you really wanted. There¡¯s no need to involve the ambassador and all the innocent people in the city.¡±


    ¡°I find it distasteful as well,¡± Suiteonemiades said.


    ¡°Then don¡¯t. You¡¯ve got seniority. I know for a fact that you can call it off. Let¡¯s keep it between us.


    3 on 1¡­ fine. Winner gets their way. Surely, you aren¡¯t that scared of me?¡±


    The obsidian-skinned demigod held up a hand to forestall Aehrone¡¯s angry retort. ¡°No. Not fear. Never that. Aware. Wary. That¡¯s the word you mean to say.¡±


    ¡°In my experience fear tends to precipitate violence.¡±


    ¡°You talk as if you don¡¯t fear. In my experience there are many types of fear. And you are gripped as firmly as anyone and anything in existence. Perhaps only the spires is free. No. Your words don¡¯t matter. Even if we found accord. Those above will simply replace me.¡±


    ¡°Then set up a meeting.¡±


    Suiteonemiades laughed. ¡°We are as insects to our fathers and mothers.¡± His eyes narrowed. ¡°You don¡¯t earn the Gods¡¯ respect. You can only force it and you can¡¯t do that without touching them.¡±


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll take your word for it, but that doesn¡¯t make a difference. We keep this between us. They send more and I¡¯ll do the same. I imagine there¡¯s a lot of you demigods, but they¡¯ll run eventually. Then I¡¯ll get my meeting.¡±


    The demigod¡¯s golden beard was split by a wide smile. ¡°You can¡¯t verify this, but I would be thrilled to see that occur. My one request is that you start with my father. I might be biased, but there isn¡¯t a more deserving God in the pantheon.¡±


    ¡°War helps no one. People will die. You need them to hold territory. Otherwise all that¡¯ll be left are the monsters.¡± He tried to appeal to their desires. In vain, he knew because¡ª


    ¡°The Gods don¡¯t care about the individual or even millions of individuals. There are more than enough sapients in their dominion with which to repopulate this world after,¡± Suiteonemiades said.


    ¡°Why involve them if they can¡¯t affect the outcome between us?¡±


    ¡°Because it hurts you more than anything else,¡± Suiteonemiades said. ¡°Distasteful? I agree, but I am my father¡¯s son after all. Innocence? Gods don¡¯t care. If they even notice. True war requires the fervor of wholehearted commitment. What binds a population in the unity of purpose? Great tragedy the likes to devastate everyone for generations to follow. You know the history of your world. It is much the same across the vast expanse of existence in the web of the spires. A vile enemy attack recorded for all to see.¡±


    ¡°What is going on?¡± the ambassador sputtered.


    ¡°Apologies. You¡¯ve served your nation well. Your name will be remembered at the forefront of the list,¡± Suiteonemiades said.


    Over 3 kilometers away, artillery crews began the firing sequence having already pre-aimed, while attack helicopters spun to life to join the handful of drones taking off from the main street cutting through the small town.


    30 kilometers away, pilots taxied fighter jets and ground attack aircraft from hangers to runway while missile launchers waited for the order to rain hell down on a simple parking lot in the shadow of a half-ruined monument to their nation¡¯s history.


    ¡°They¡¯re making you and everyone in Rapid City into a false flag, ambassador. You know how it is.¡±


    The old man paled.


    ¡°He¡¯s right on one thing. They won¡¯t forget you. I promise everyone will know the truth of what they did. I just wish that I could be more confident about your people believing it.¡±


    Time slowed to a crawl for the two of them.


    A trick of perception for a conversation between the seconds.


    ¡°What¡ª¡± the ambassador stared at the motionless demigods.


    Cal explained.


    The ambassador went from shock, to denial, to acceptance in quick succession with a little mental help.


    ¡°You¡¯re a decent dude. Do you have any words for your family? Say them as if they were standing right in front of you. I¡¯ll deliver them perfectly.¡±


    Haltingly, the ambassador spoke with tears in his eyes.


    When the old man was finished all that remained was hope.


    ¡°Will they¡ª these demigods¡ª will they do what they did to me to my family?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s one bit of good news. They used up their supply and from what I¡¯ve gathered there won¡¯t be anymore for the foreseeable future. They¡¯re playing by rules. Think of the old Cold War.¡±


    ¡°MAD.¡± The ambassador nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve thought about my place in history¡­ this wasn¡¯t how I pictured it ending.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re remembered for you efforts in good faith when those above you proved faithless.¡±


    ¡°Will it be quick?¡±


    ¡°In a way, you¡¯re lucky. You won¡¯t feel a thing. Most¡­ well, you don¡¯t really need to know, do you?¡±


    ¡°No. I suppose it doesn¡¯t matter now. If you can¡­ I know I can¡¯t ask this, but¡­ if you can, please keep my family safe from them.¡± The ambassador glared at the demigods.


    ¡°I can only do that if they agree and I won¡¯t force them. Hopefully, your words are enough to convince them.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Thank you.¡± The ambassador took a deep breath and slumped, bending over in his chair, looking every bit his age. ¡°No point in delaying it. I¡¯m sorry. I had no idea it was a trap.¡±


    ¡°I hold no grudge. Well, Ambassador David Rylance. We aren¡¯t on the same side and we never will be, but you¡¯re better than most in the upper echelons of your government and that should be remembered and appreciated.¡±


    Cal ended the temporary reprieve.


    Suiteonemiades¡¯ eyes narrowed.


    ¡°I suppose that¡¯s it.¡±


    A portal opened behind the demigod.


    ¡°All that talk only for you to run.¡±


    ¡°Retreat. I don¡¯t need to fight you myself to achieve my aims. At least at this moment. They, however,¡± he gestured to the other two demigods, ¡°are filled with the arrogance and false sense of invincibility that all callow youth hold.¡±


    ¡°You want war? Death accompanies it.¡±


    ¡°We understand that better than you ever could. They might be young, but you are as unto a child straight from the mother¡¯s womb in comparison. You think you know violence and blood? They¡¯ve been steeped in it for longer than this America has existed.¡±


    Cal reached out with an invisible hand.


    Suiteonemiades surged with golden energy tracing the veins beneath his obsidian flesh.


    The moment saw the demigod break free and leap back into the bright portal.


    The ambassador grunted.


    Light flashed underneath the canopy as the world exploded.


    <hr>


    Southern California, Spring 2053


    ¡°What¡¯re you wearing? Why¡¯s it so tight? Where¡¯d you get it?¡±


    ¡°My mom says you have a nice butt.¡±


    Tiny voices giggled.


    Alin glanced back at the kids.


    From atop her robot horse, Kat snickered.


    ¡°You all are interested in what I¡¯m wearing, but not the awesome robot horse? I mean¡­ it¡¯s a robot horse that¡¯s smarter than an actual horse.¡±


    ¡°We know Razorwind. Miss Kat brought him to our school before.¡±


    ¡°I drew that!¡±


    A little boy pointed to a painted rainbow across its left flank? Haunch? Alin forgot the technical term. It wasn¡¯t a bad rainbow, though he silently questioned the boy¡¯s aesthetic choice of painting an explosion instead of a pot of gold at the end. Then again, with what he knew about how leprechauns tended to react to that sort of thing it was for the best.


    ¡°Cool painting, little dude!¡± he shot the boy double finger guns.


    ¡°My dad says it¡¯s not good to pretend to do that.¡± A little girl sniffed. ¡°You¡¯re only supposed to point your gun at a monster or bad person you want to kill.¡± She recited the words with all the seriousness and intonation of a priest reading from one of the gospels.


    It was too much for Kat. She burst out laughing. ¡°She¡¯s got you there.¡±


    ¡°My mom says she can almost see everything,¡± another little girl said. ¡°I don¡¯t get it.¡± She looked to him as if he owed her an explanation.


    ¡°First of all, no one can see almost everything,¡± he said flatly. ¡°That is just factually incorrect.¡±


    Yes, the Threnosh onesie was indeed skin tight. Although, it did, indeed, feel like wearing nothing at all, it didn¡¯t mold itself to the body like a second skin. It did not outline his cheeks. Not a hint of crack. It did have good bulge control. All in all it provided more modesty than the things he wore underneath regular clothes when he was training.


    Naturally, he wasn¡¯t going to mention those topics to 5 year old¡¯s.


    ¡°And you tell your moms,¡± his eyes darted to the handful of young moms chatting at the benches surrounding the playground a good distance away with beverages in hands, ¡°that they shouldn¡¯t be looking at other peoples¡¯ butts. Yeah, you guys don¡¯t look at butts either.¡± He rolled his eyes. Those yoga pants and tight tops were way more revealing than his tactical, super science onesie. A sudden urge to deploy his undersuit from the flat backpack rose from the depths of his embarrassment. It was like unto a kraken¡¯s tentacle seeking to drag him down to the monster¡¯s steel-rending beak.


    ¡°Miss Kat¡­¡± a little boy glanced up shyly, red tinging his chubby cheeks.


    ¡°Yeah, Roland?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to be a ranger when I grow up.¡±


    ¡°You can do whatever you want as long as you try your hardest!¡±


    Alin would¡¯ve discouraged it.


    Life expectancy was statistically lower for rangers.


    Maiming was statistically higher.


    He supposed there was a doubled-edged blade to the advancements in magitech and healing abilities in that people tended to get reckless when they could always get a fancy prosthetic with all sorts of features or a full, natural replacement if they were willing to wait longer.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a lightsaber,¡± another little boy whispered.


    Eyes lit up.


    ¡°Turn it on!¡±


    The cry was taken up across the gaggle.


    His eyes darted across the street to the block of homes where Ranger Captain Mouthy and other high level rangers were in a tense stand-off with the old American government¡¯s ambassador.


    Only three houses were occupied.


    One each for the ambassador, her civilian support staff and her security detail.


    From what he understood, this neighborhood had been assigned to be a diplomatic quarter of sorts.


    It was empty aside from the old Americans.


    He listened in on the comms.


    It wasn¡¯t going well.


    Not that he had expected it to go differently.


    He shifted his gaze to take stock of the other rangers positioned in the park. They formed a loose line between the stand-off and the people enjoying the sunny, but cool day. They were still close enough to the beach to feel the caress of that ocean breeze.


    Shield generators were in place. All green in his faceplate.


    From his understanding it had been a bit contentious in the planning session as ranger command argued over the need to avoid tipping off the old Americans weighed against the peoples¡¯ safety.


    They could¡¯ve closed the park, kept the people from using it.


    Then again if the hidden bomb was allowed to exploded unimpeded it would take out everything in just under a kilometer radius.


    The kids and their moms probably lived well within.


    ¡°Goldenspoon, copy?¡± Ranger Captain Hardhat¡¯s voice, sharp as a blade, came in over the comms.


    ¡°I copy.¡±


    ¡°Oracular warnings just spiked.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not reading any buildup.¡±


    ¡°Just get ready.¡±


    Frustratingly, that demigod¡¯s weird helmet had continued to keep his dad from piercing those crucial thoughts.


    No one else had known anything about the things hidden inside the old Americans. Not the eidolons. Not even the other demigods.


    Alin didn¡¯t know if even just pushing the gray too close could set everything off.


    Worst of all, they didn¡¯t know which old Americans contained bombs and which contained the other thing.


    His dad had failed to discern a noticeable difference.


    Just like all the surreptitious methods they had tried.


    ¡°Copy that.¡±


    The gray crossed the street at his will, coming to a halt at the midway point.


    He wouldn¡¯t sense anything, affect anyone until he enveloped them.


    ¡°Can I try it? I promise I won¡¯t cut anyone.¡±


    The little girl¡¯s voice reminded him that a gaggle of children were way too close.


    ¡°No, sorry. Now¡¯s not a good time.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, why?¡±


    ¡°Alright, kids. Time to go back to the playground. Ranger business.¡± Kat gave them a knowing look.


    What that was¡­ who knew?


    But, it worked and though disappointed they waved and ran back to their yoga moms.


    Timing was perfect because the spires chimed in their ears a split-second before the alert blared over the comms.


    With a thought, Alin surged the gray forward like a sudden, rogue wave on a beach filled with revelers.

 10.1

    Family was tough sometimes when it came to communication.


    They could be like Lera, who¡¯d look at him while he warned her about touching the strange, glowing crystal throwing off weird readings, nod and then touch it anyway.


    Luckily, for her it had only turned her skin blue for a week. Had she been any less robust it would¡¯ve gone much worse.


    Naturally, he got blamed for it.


    Never mind the fact that he couldn¡¯t have stopped her with all his power armor-augmented strength.


    Or they could be like his grandmother, who¡¯d pat his arm, say how strong he¡¯d become and then tell him to hide behind her while she forcefielded a young ibingan to death.


    Never mind the fact that he was an adult that had faced more dangerous things.


    The figures in the gray were sort of like that.


    They didn¡¯t listen.


    Or rather they did, but then went ahead and did what they thought was best¡­ at least that was his sense of their dynamic. He didn¡¯t know for a fact because it wasn¡¯t like they talked to him. It was more like a feeling. A sense of wants, needs, intention.


    He didn¡¯t puppet them on strings.


    It was more like he¡¯d point them in a direction to fight monsters and bad guys, to protect him and those he wanted to protect.


    The latter was just about the only thing they did automatically.


    The hierarchy was clear.


    His safety came first. Followed by those he cared about. Then innocent acquaintances and strangers.


    Her! he thought. Contain the explosion!


    The old ambassador jerked suddenly mid-sentence as she challenged Ranger Captain Mouthy¡¯s reasonable request to come along and step into the specially made armored cell on the back of the heavy-duty truck¡¯s bed.


    The brawny woman snapped a warning as she and the other rangers retreated while dropping magic shield generators.


    The ambassador¡¯s security detail barked their own warnings at what they thought was an assassination attempt.


    Weapons free!


    Until they too, suddenly snapped limbs in random directions.


    Alin pushed the gray into the occupied homes, finding the rest of the ambassador¡¯s staff in similar straights, writhing painfully on the floor as metallic growths erupted from their flesh.


    ¡°The ambassador¡¯s the bomb! The rest are sleepers!¡±


    He was close to a hundred percent sure about that.


    The things inside the old Americans all felt the same, but only one was heating up to volcano-like temperatures.


    Ghosts of his relatives moved through the gray.


    Their presences marked only by the displacement of the fog swirling in their wake and the faint hints of color from the forcefields that was the gift of his grandmother¡¯s side of the family.


    They took so many different shapes.


    Weapons or shields.


    Each different one belonged to an individual that he¡ª no¡ª the fog¡­ it was the fog that did this to them.


    Not him!


    He knew them now from the tales his grandparents had told him.


    It had been hard at first to put a name, a face, a person to the intangible presences trapped in him, but time and many talks had eased the guilt some.


    They had assured him that there was value in the good he did, the good they did together.


    His dad had theorized that if they weren¡¯t pleased with the state of things then they would¡¯ve likely tried to remedy it by trying to kill him.


    If he was a prison of sorts, then logic suggested that a prisoner in search of freedom would stop at nothing. Which meant they¡¯d try to kill him.


    He fondly remembered the dagger-eyed glare his mom had given his dad for saying that.


    Flat panes of faint teal light surrounded the glowing ambassador in a tight box.


    More forcefields layered behind it.


    A veritable rainbow in the thick gray that was as translucent as air to his allies and as opaque as smoke from a tire fire to his enemies.


    The ambassador erupted in a blinding flash of golden heat.


    Forcefields bowed outward under sudden pressure before shattering like glass that disappeared into the gray like dust in the wind.


    The lyrics forced itself into his thoughts.


    That was how he knew it was bad.


    Randomness tended to only come when he was really pushed.


    Great grandaunts and granduncles and cousins of varying degrees suddenly vanished.


    It¡¯s okay. They¡¯re not really dead.


    He forced the gut reaction away because it sure felt like dying a little bit inside at that moment.


    The rest of the ambassador¡¯s staff vanished along with the houses.


    A small mercy that they wouldn¡¯t need to face those brand new horrors.


    The explosion powered through the magic shield generators, blowing them out in a second.


    The truck ceased to exist while the armored cell on its bed toppled to the street with much of its outer layer ablated.


    Strangely, only the upper layer of the street vaporized under the intense golden eruption.


    The park was next.


    Heavy duty shield generators squealed in protest before failing.


    Ranger mages and specialized shieldmages were the next and last line of defense.


    Mana surged from within.


    They poured everything into their best spells, burned through their best Skills to protect the dozens of parents and children screaming and grabbing each other behind them.


    Face holes bled, bodies drained against the blazing golden heat.


    They found salvation a moment before they hit their breaking points.


    Aunt Rayna appeared overhead.


    Gravity bent at her will.


    A dark spot directly over the epicenter where the ambassador once lay.


    The golden light curved away from the failing rangers surrounding the block that once contained 8 houses in two rows of four.


    Up it went, sucked into the black void until nothing remained, but the sounds of crying children and the chatter of rangers calling out casualty reports.


    Alin sagged.


    ¡°All healers! We¡¯ve got reds!¡± Ranger Captain Mouthy barked through the comms. ¡°Priority heals! I want it done yesterday! Triage and prep for transport in 2. Backup heals for the yellows! Everyone else, eyes up and ears open. This shitsack ain¡¯t done until I know every last one of those taints are smears on the ground!¡±


    ¡°Captain. I¡¯ve got nothing on the enemy. They¡¯re all gone.¡±


    ¡°Good, Goldenspoon, but I want that triple-checked. Fascists are like cockroaches. A few always pop up even after you¡¯ve sprayed every inch of your kitchen.¡±


    ¡°Boy.¡±


    Aunt Rayna descended through the smoke.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    He didn¡¯t like the look on her face.


    The same crease on her brow that his dad got when about to deliver bad news.


    ¡°Your home¡¯s under attack.¡±


    Alin¡¯s eyes widened.


    His heart skipped a beat.


    Then he calmed himself.


    So what?


    It was, like, the best defended place in the world.


    Sure, his dad was gone¡ª


    Another worrying thought.


    That same explosion¡­ could his dad handle it?


    Yeah, easy enough in a vacuum, but his dad wasn¡¯t flying into a nice controlled environment with just him and the ambassador bomb.


    Nope.


    There would also be 3 demigods and whatever else the old American military decided to throw in, which, they had projected, would be as much as they could set up in the time they had.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure they can handle it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d hope so, but we¡¯ve lost contact and the last bit we got didn¡¯t sound good. Satellite scans are showing nothing¡¯s wrong, which is suspicious as hell. We¡¯re trying to scry, but they¡¯re having trouble.¡±


    The thudding in his chest resumed.


    ¡°What did they say? Like a call for help?¡±


    ¡°No, but¡­¡± Aunt Rayna sighed. ¡°I can¡¯t leave.¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± he nodded. ¡°If they can attack home, then they can do the same here. I wonder how they managed it. We would¡¯ve detected physical travel. We¡¯ve got detection and defenses against portals, gateways and teleportation.¡±


    ¡°Listen, boy. I¡¯m not going to order you since I¡¯m retired.¡±


    Sure¡­ retired¡­ she always said that.


    ¡°We need information and we need it quickly, but I don¡¯t want to send someone that can¡¯t survive what they might find.¡±


    ¡°Right, I get it. My armor¡¯s the best defended and I can hide in my gray if it comes to that.¡± He nodded briskly. ¡°Let¡¯s do it.¡±


    Backpack opened at a thought.


    Undersuit slid and snapped into place around him.


    The full power armor emerged from where it had buried itself in the ground.


    He stepped into it and went through a truncated start up sequence.


    Seconds and he was ready.


    ¡°Not to mention no one else here can survive the speed your about to shoot me at.¡±


    Aunt Rayna smiled sadly.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Boy. Please be careful. If it¡¯s bad then I¡¯m ordering you to do your best to retreat. No heroics. No mad charges for revenge.¡±


    ¡°I thought you said you can¡¯t order me around.¡±


    ¡°That was as a retired ranger to another ranger. This is me being an aunt to her nephew. Listen, if it¡¯s really bad, call me and I¡¯ll come.¡±


    He would¡¯ve liked to say bye to Kat, but she was busy standing guard over the yoga moms and their kids.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m ready.¡±


    He locked his limbs tight to protect against the tremendous forces he was about to be subjected to.


    Aunt Rayna created a gravity tunnel of sorts.


    Like the barrel of the gun or a cannon.


    The field beneath his boots pushed, while the field above the rooftops pulled.


    Black fell over his vision like a blanket suddenly pulled over.


    The armor¡¯s systems woke him up at several hundred meters altitude and about 20 kilometers on his way northward.


    The HUD informed him that he was perfectly on the flight path to his hotel-casino home.


    Long range scanners came up empty just like the satellites.


    Even the zoomed in visual didn¡¯t show anything amiss.


    No tell-tale signs of battle, like smoke and flashes of light.


    Which was sign enough that something was wrong.


    There wasn¡¯t an hour in the day that they weren¡¯t shooting at monsters attacking the walls.


    It took minutes to cross what was a half hour drive at safe freeway speed.


    Less then a kilometer away revealed what had been hidden.


    Battle.


    His home was under attack and it looked bad!


    The walls were breached in multiple places.


    Which he would said was impossible, yet his eyes didn¡¯t lie.


    An illusion?


    No.


    He was resistant to those thanks to the gray within.


    Monsters poured in.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    A different type through each breach at each cardinal direction.


    They attacked any human or sapient in sight.


    Of which there were two sides.


    His and the old Americans.


    They wore their flag openly on their camouflaged body armor.


    And they didn¡¯t fight alone.


    The sky was filled with their allies courtesy of the pantheon.


    A blend of bird and woman.


    Beautiful and terrifying in equal measure.


    Wing arms flapped as magic gems set in the center of their sculpted breastplates or helmets fired spells.


    The majority were similarly sized to the average human. A few grew to twice, three times that size.


    Without the aid of the inherent magic in their bodies flight would¡¯ve been impossible.


    Much too heavy with wings way too small to provide sufficient lift.


    The bulk of the harpies assailed the skyship high in the sky.


    The R.S. Rayn of Fire lived up to it¡¯s name, but in the negative.


    Flames engulfed her as she listed ominously to her port side.


    Tracers streaked, visible even in the daylight.


    Magic shields sprang to life around the harpies.


    It took a sustained burst to breach the golden hued shields.


    When they did, red rain fell on the battle below.


    Tracers streaked from the ground bound guns.


    Some joined their fire to the skyship¡¯s, while others raked across the ground, tearing through tough chitin, monster hide and enchanted body armor.


    It was an ancient dance, that between offense and defense.


    Armor became stronger and tougher to handle weapons.


    Weapons became deadlier to defeat armor.


    A cycle without end.


    The serpent devouring its tail.


    Speaking of serpent¡­ a giant one lashed the side of the Danger Complex with a spined tail.


    It hissed in pain as the spines shattered against the Threnium.


    Blood and dark smudges marred the dark gray surface, but it remained whole.


    A team of old American soldiers worried at the armor plates covering the front doors with a cutting torch.


    Alin wrestled with the dilemma he had been forced to confront over the last few months when it became clear that conflict with the old government was


    Killing monsters was mostly easy.


    Human slashers had been more difficult, but ultimately he had rationalized it as not a real choice.


    This?


    This was different.


    He didn¡¯t know these soldiers, but he couldn¡¯t convince himself that they were all evil and deserved death.


    His parents and his ranger training hadn¡¯t prepared him well when it came to the dehumanization of potential and actual enemies.


    The truth was it was quicker and safer for him and those he cared about to hit the soldiers with lethal force.


    To disable created risk.


    Then again, they weren¡¯t a threat to those inside the Danger Complex.


    The torch would run out of fuel long before it¡¯d even scratch the Threnium.


    A decision made, he fired microthrusters, bringing his boot jets around to point to the ground.


    The sudden deceleration pushed his stomach into his chest despite the armor¡¯s systems.


    The flare of light caught the giant serpent¡¯s eye a moment before he put a burst of flechettes into the right one with his recoilless rifle.


    The summoned monster dissipated into light as the summoner shouted a warning to her fellow soldiers and pointed up.


    He would try not to kill them, but they had attacked his home first.


    If he was held responsible for his choices, then so should they.


    What was that saying the older rangers used often?


    Ah¡­ yes.


    The old Americans were about to find out.


    <hr>


    Mt. Rushmore, Spring 2053


    There sat a bubble.


    An invisible one.


    The shape of it only discernible through the blazing golden light sealed within.


    He had a little bit of time, so he called his youngest brother.


    ¡°Yo,¡± Eron replied. ¡°Ambassador went boom. Poor bastard. I¡¯m can see you guys. Those planes are in the air and so are the missiles. They¡¯re really scrambling with those guns. Figure you¡¯ll be taking artillery soon-ish.¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t stop it. Rapid City¡¯s up to you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m looking there now and nothing yet. Maybe I help with the demigods first?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re going to wait and see how this fight will go before triggering their false flag. I¡¯ll try to drag things out to give you time.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, okay¡­ sucks, dude. Poor people have no idea what the assholes put in them.¡±


    ¡°Listen, there¡¯s nothing anyone can do for them now.¡±


    ¡°I know. Good luck.¡±


    ¡°Same.¡±


    Distant bangs signaled the first barrage.


    Shells arced across the clear skies before shattering into dust at the touch of his thoughts well before they reached the apex of their trajectories.


    His telekinetic bubble began to crack against the strain of the contained explosion from within the ambassador as it continued to grow.


    It was unfortunate, but not unexpected that the two demigods could handle it fine.


    He hurled the bubble into Mt. Rushmore.


    The soldiers hidden in the nearby buildings opened fire with guns and spells.


    He took it on his telekinetic shields and pushed a thought into their heads.


    This isn¡¯t a danger close situation. The demigods see you as ants. Being anywhere close to them in a fight is like standing a block away from the laser designator for a daisy cutter or a low-yield nuke. Both of which are also on the way. You have 5 minutes to put distance between you and here. Ask yourself this question. Why did your commanders keep the full scope of this operation from you? Why did they hang you out to dry? What else are they lying about? Rapid City? And most importantly, why is your enemy saving your lives?


    He placed a few more thoughts before grabbing each soldier in an invisible bubble and flying them the 3 kilometers to Keystone. It was on them to secure transport out of the area.


    The remaining faces of Mt. Rushmore crumbled and burned underneath the golden light.


    A shout echoed, cutting through the noise of the artillery shells firing.


    He seized them, redirecting them toward the demigod lancing through the sky like a comet.


    Gone was the barely there tunic.


    Replaced by full-coverage armor of enchanted adamantine emblazoned with the crest of her mother. The so-called ¡®God¡¯ of motherhood.


    Eyes flashed gold beneath the full-faced helm as Aehrone thrust a gauntleted hand out.


    The golden spear broke against his shield.


    ¡°It¡¯s weird to me that they¡¯d send you of all people. The other guys I get. They¡¯re violent sorts. But you? Why not send a demigod of war?¡±


    ¡°My mother is the queen of the pantheon,¡± Aehrone said. ¡°From the lowest beast to the mightiest civilization and every concept imaginable in between. All must be birthed by a mother. And what fiercer fighter is there than a mother protecting her child!¡±


    A roar and a charge¡ª


    Cut short by the hand-sized needles raining from the sky.


    Asphalt erupted in dust and debris swallowing the demigod.


    ¡°Good hits, but no pen,¡± Cal said into the comms.


    Captain Molds cursed aboard the R.S. Raynanaut.


    The skyship had been lurking at the upper edge of her flight ceiling where the Earth¡¯s gravity became too weak for the float stones to function.


    ¡°If you get clear, we can try again.¡±


    ¡°No. Please deal with their air support and missiles. Er¡­ leave the ones in my radius alone.¡±


    He pushed a thought into the minds of the pilots of the attack helicopters, ground attack planes and fighter jets approaching from Keystone and Rapid City.


    They turned away and headed for the next closest airbase within their ranges.


    ¡°Right, so the bomber and the nuke. Seriously, who the fuck launches a nuke?¡±


    ¡°Desperate people.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, figures. We¡¯ll take care of them. Raynanaut out.¡±


    The bomber had a fighter escort but even with outside enhancements their flight ceiling fell well short of the skyship.


    A horn suddenly called across the mountain forest.


    It reverberated with power beyond the mundane.


    He could see the magic permeating the sound waves.


    The second demigod stood atop the ruined monument with horn to his lips.


    Golden eyes, but unlike Aehrone, his stared unblinking.


    It reminded Cal of that one terrifying time back in the old days when he had encountered a grizzly bear on a hike. The distance had been great, but the massive beast had felt as if it was close enough to touch.


    The Black Hills came alive.


    A multitude of thoughts turned as one to him.


    Monsters and animals that had been fleeing the immense release of power in the parking lot suddenly revered coursed.


    Side by side, from mightiest bear to lowliest squirrel and all the twisted mutations brought about by the spires rushed through the dense woodland with one destination and purpose burned into their brains.


    He pushed against it.


    Then relinquished the idea.


    Too much effort to counteract the godly power of the relic horn for the benefits.


    A sudden fist struck his telekinetic shield.


    ¡°When did you find time to don your armor?¡± Aehrone said. ¡°My eyes were on you throughout.¡±


    ¡°Who says I wasn¡¯t wearing it the whole time?¡±


    He dropped the shield, causing her to pitch forward.


    Her recovering was quick, superhuman.


    But he had already deployed his micromissiles.


    Fire and shrapnel bloomed.


    It was necessary to test the demigods¡¯ abilities.


    He couldn¡¯t only rely on reading their minds.


    False memories and other such tactics couldn¡¯t be discounted.


    He was not a singular existence.


    They knew, had encountered another psionic prime in their ancient past. Magic that replicated his abilities existed. Monsters had them.


    The demigod bulled through the smoke with a shout.


    Short-range laser deployed from his forearm, just above his hand.


    The bright red beam scored a barely perceptible line across her face.


    She turned at the last second, likely saving her eye, assuming she couldn¡¯t just regrow it or have it regrown.


    Long delicate-looking fingers were anything but as she closed her hand over his arm and crushed the laser and the flamethrower hidden on the underside.


    His HUD blared warnings.


    The Threnium mostly held.


    It was the more delicate workings of the mounted weaponry that she had destroyed.


    He triggered the electric field.


    She laughed.


    ¡°You tickle me like a child!¡±


    ¡°See, isn¡¯t this nicer? Why involve the rest of my fellow Earthians? I¡¯ve never fought a war, but even I know it just leads to so many unnecessary deaths. If you¡¯re truly all about the motherhood stuff then¡ª¡±


    She cracked him with a knee to the face.


    Her height and his lack thereof made it too easy.


    His faceplate held, but projections said it couldn¡¯t take much more.


    ¡°Death is a part of the natural order. Young of everything from sapients like us humans to those beasts coming for you to ideas and objects die every instant of every day. Perhaps a man from a primitive world like you wasn¡¯t aware each birth is a product of countless failures.¡±


    He responded with a telekinetically-boosted chopping low kick to the side of her knee.


    Magic armor being what it was, there was no gap.


    Threnium met enchanted adamantine with a bang that dwarfed that of the artillery guns.


    She grunted and responded with a fist to the faceplate.


    He let the blow send him flying rather than brace himself to gain distance and open up with every weapon his armor had.


    She covered her eyes and weathered the storm.


    That didn¡¯t bode well for the prospects of anyone without his level of power taking on a demigod.


    Unfortunately, he lacked the magic to test that avenue out.


    He took to the sky, battering her into a crater with invisible fists.


    An arrow ghosted through his automatic extra-sensory defenses, taking him in the chest.


    Liquid flame quickly engulfed him, seeking gaps in his armor and burning the forcefield generators out in less than a second.


    It had a rudimentary mind, so he told it to go away.


    It fell upon a wide swathe, covering dozens of monsters and animals.


    One would need a complete lack of empathy to avoid being affected by their howls and screeches.


    The animals didn¡¯t deserve the slow, painful death.


    The demigod atop the ruined heads took aim with an ethereal crossbow for a second shot.


    Cal covered the distance in a blink.


    Invisible force flowed from him like an angry wave.


    He battered the silent demigod into the granite, carving a deep furrow for hundreds of meters into the mountain itself.


    He allowed himself a petty moment to appreciate how the horns on the man¡¯s helm had snapped against the rock.


    It was a powerful artifact.


    A relic really.


    Probably ancient.


    Centuries old, if not millennia.


    And he had just ruined it.


    The hole in the mountain looked a bit too gaping, so he sealed it shut, moving the stone and earth at the molecular level, sealing it shut as if it had never existed.


    A frothing bear splattered against his telekinetic shield.


    The poor thing had been thrown by Aehrone.


    A clump of mutated hares tangled by the tentacles writhing out of their backs and pressed together by the demigod¡¯s superstrong hands followed suit to the same effect.


    He gathered the resulting gore and drenched her with it, making sure that it got into her eyes.


    She leapt after him, only to fly into an invisible wall.


    Interesting that she seemed unable to sense them.


    He slammed her into the ground with a thought, splattering furred bodies and smashing twisted bones.


    The monsters and animals he piled on top of her until a small hill took shape.


    This he compressed like grapes for wine.


    He had no illusions that drowning in blood and guts would only be a slight problem for a demigod, but it was disgusting and would trigger her sense of superiority. To her, only lesser beings like mortals and beasts had their faces pressed into the muck.


    The moment of sudden silence was an illusion.


    Looking at the tree tops, the hills and mountains one could almost forget the rest and bask in the tranquility of nature.


    Of course, it couldn¡¯t be further from the truth.


    Even without demigods and the now silent artillery fire, the wilds were a dangerous place when monsters and mutant animals roamed freely.


    ¡°Bad news.¡± Eron broke tranquility. ¡°I can¡¯t get into the city.¡±


    ¡°Explain.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll save you the questions. I don¡¯t know how or why, but I simply can¡¯t cross what appears to be city lines. It¡¯s not physical like a wall that I hit. I just stop.¡±


    He could imagine his brother shrug.


    ¡°Tried coming up from underground and flying from above. Same thing. It appears that there¡¯s a sphere-ish barrier that I can¡¯t touch, see or otherwise sense around the city. I tried so many different angles and shit. The helmet saved all the measurements.¡±


    The possibilities shot through his thoughts like poisoned darts.


    ¡°The bombs and the others?¡±


    ¡°My eye beams go through, so I can get the others when they activate¡­ I can¡¯t do anything about the bombs¡­ listen, um, you seeded the place with surveillance drones. They won¡¯t be able to false flag this crap on us with all the evidence.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t help the people in the city.¡±


    ¡°Help who we can, right?¡±


    Cal closed his eyes and centered his thoughts.


    Fear vanished, smothered by calm.


    ¡°Take out the sleepers when they emerge. Then go down the list. Check D.C. But, I¡¯m going to guess you¡¯ll find it just as impenetrable as that city. If it is, switch to the mobile targets.¡±


    ¡°Submarines and aircraft carrier. Got it. Damn shame they went to all that effort to get those running again. All those expensive upgrades too.¡±


    ¡°Clear the immediate threats first then start hitting military bases and weapons sites.¡±


    The aircraft carrier was off the coast of New York providing air support operations against the encroachment from the wendigo tribes to the north.


    A trio of submarines were spread out in the Pacific. One Los Angeles Class was close to the Southern California Coast, while another one accompanied an Ohio Class further out. Fortunately, the ballistic missile submarine lacked nuclear warheads.


    Old American military history would be four pieces closer to extinction after his brother got his hands on them.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got the list in this helmet.¡±


    ¡°Leave their satellites for last. I want them to see what they¡¯ve cost themselves.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a bit grim¡­ and dark¡­ but fair. If you¡¯re still busy down with those two after I¡¯m done then I¡¯ll lend a hand.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Dude, I can just picture you saying that while chewing glass. Go on then. Kick names and take ass!¡±


    ¡°Stay focused and be cautious.¡±


    His brother tended to default to humor when stressed. He supposed there were worst ways to cope. However, the oldest brother in him would always worry that the youngest wasn¡¯t taking things as seriously as he should¡¯ve. Near invulnerability wasn¡¯t complete invulnerability. Nothing and no one was perfectly invulnerable to every conceivable threat.


    ¡°Captain Molds, do you copy?¡±


    A moment.


    ¡°Yessir?¡±


    ¡°The old American government has declared war.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ yeah¡­ we figured.¡±


    ¡°When you¡¯ve dealt with the immediate threat proceed to the airbase they launched from and make it unusable. When you¡¯ve done that do the same to the missile launch facility.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ wow¡­ that¡¯s big¡­ but, yeah. Plan B¡¯s a go. We¡¯ve got it covered. Over and out.¡±


    The plan was for a quick war, but everyone always planned for a quick war and how often had things turned out exactly as planned?


    As if to answer, the mountain and what was left of the giant granite faces erupted behind him.

 10.2

    They fought in the sky above the Black Hills.


    One, a native of the planet, flew under his own power, sending bolts and spikes of invisible force at the other, who flew on brown-feathered wings that had sprouted from the back of his hide armor.


    The armor appeared thin and light. Almost as flexible as a cotton shirt, yet it felt like Aehrone¡¯s adamantine armor to Cal.


    The silent demigod fired bolts with as much destructive power as the missiles that had failed to reach their destination. He wielded an ethereal crossbow yet had not once drawn back the string, nor loaded a bolt.


    Aim, squeeze, loose.


    The only limitation was the full second between each shot.


    Cal attacked the demigod¡¯s wings with cutting force thinner than a molecule.


    Sparks filled the sky.


    He closed the distance, jamming the crossbow into the man¡¯s broad chest.


    ¡°I know you can speak. Wouldn¡¯t you be rather hunting the rare and powerful monsters and beasts the world events keep dropping on my world? There¡¯s a giant monster the size of mountain wandering around Antarctica in circles. Feel free to give it a shot. If that¡¯s too easy a target for you, demigod of the wild animals, then how about a giant worm treating the African savanna like its own personal sand pit?¡±


    ¡°You already know too much. Psionic Prime. Your kind is legend, bordering on myth. Truly, do you think those common beasts would tempt me when you¡¯re right here?¡±


    The demigod pushed and failed to dislodge Cal.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name¡­ at least¡­ I¡¯d feel a little bad if I never got it.¡±


    ¡°I am Elebykiades, Son of Elebyk.¡±


    ¡°God damn. Your so-called gods are real egomaniacs aren¡¯t they.¡±


    ¡°Mock true divinity,¡± the demigod scoffed. ¡°I¡¯ve taken tongues for less insolence.¡±


    ¡°Truth is truth. It doesn¡¯t care for your feelings. Son of¡­ daughter of¡­ what¡¯s your real name? The one your normal parent gave you before¡ª¡±


    ¡°There is no name beyond the only one that matters.¡±


    Elebykiades¡¯ eyes flashed.


    Golden godly energy surged out.


    The beams splashed against Cal¡¯s upraised arm.


    Temperature warnings beeped, but the Threnium could handle it.


    Hot enough to melt steel with enough physical force to send a car tumbling.


    The demigod had the latter on Eron, whose own solar eye beams lacked physical impact. But the heat¡­ well, it was like unto a campfire to his brother¡¯s sun.


    Cal punched the demigod in the face.


    Telekinesis boosted his strength to match the demigod¡¯s.


    How strong?


    He took Elebykiades¡¯ measure as they wrestled over the ethereal crossbow and traded short punches, snapping elbows and digging knees.


    Somewhere in the same vicinity as his father.


    What was that in Eron¡¯s idiotic measuring scale?


    Class 70? 80?


    Aehrone had felt stronger than Elebykiades.


    Perhaps it was time to probe deeper and get an accurate number.


    He launched his thoughts into the demigod¡¯s.


    Resistance was¡­ strong, but ultimately futile.


    The divine energy provided a natural barrier that would¡¯ve stopped a lesser psionic cold.


    He broke through.


    Centuries of life flashed in an instant.


    Centuries of life lived in real time.


    Both.


    Neither.


    Elebykiades pressed a massive stone block above his head to the cheers of similarly sized and muscular young men and women.


    Class 87.


    Elebykiades raced across the grassy plain, overtaking a distant animal that resembled an antelope except with brilliant blue spots to blend in with the grass. A single blow with the edge of his hand felled it instantly.


    Just about 320 KMH.


    He found the antelope¡¯s speed more impressive.


    It easily outpaced the cheetah.


    Elebykiades marched through a hail of arrows bare chested.


    Elebykiades reaped and pillaged across a dozen worlds, doing all the things that one did in wars of conquest.


    He was a good demigod by the standards of his mother.


    He was a bad man by Cal¡¯s standards.


    Every damning memory laid bare.


    Every act a charge to be laid on those broad shoulders.


    There was no arguing against it.


    No reasonable doubt.


    No mitigating circumstances.


    Cal had enough.


    He released the psychic hold on the demigod¡¯s mind.


    ¡°You¡ª¡±


    ¡°You have done some bad things to so many people. It¡¯s sobering really. Humans, Earthians are capable of such things, but they¡¯ve only got decades to do them. You¡¯ve had centuries and gods willing you¡¯ll have more. If only you hadn¡¯t come here.¡±


    The demigod struggled.


    Titanic strength didn¡¯t avail him.


    ¡°Why does the so-called goddess of wild animals need to go around conquering?¡±


    ¡°You know why?¡± the demigod spat.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing better than that sweet, sweet, sapient faith. Prayers and worship. That¡¯s how they steal their power. Leeches.¡±


    ¡°Silence!¡±


    The demigod changed tactic, grabbing Cal around the neck.


    ¡°Saw it coming.¡±


    Cal vanished.


    Rather he had already separated from Elebykiades.


    Aehrone¡¯s spear struck the male demigod in the chest.


    Hide armor parted a fraction, shedding golden blood in a brief flash of light.


    ¡°Apologies, cousin.¡± Aehrone¡¯s tone suggested that she wasn¡¯t that sorry.


    ¡°Suiteonemiades should¡¯ve fought with us.¡±


    ¡°It isn¡¯t our place to question.¡±


    Cal filled their minds with the illusion of many.


    30 different Cals to be exact.


    Scattered all around them.


    ¡°You, Daughter of Aehr, can fly under your own power. Does that mean you are stronger than this sorry Son of Elebyk, who needs magic feathers?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t let his words goad you, cousin.¡±


    ¡°Do I seem goaded to you, cousin?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s right, you know,¡± Cal smirked, ¡°you¡¯re quite goaded. Trust me,¡± he tapped his helmet, ¡°I¡¯m the Psionic Prime.¡±


    Elebykiades growled. ¡°Fecling filth! Tiny¡ª¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, dude, I don¡¯t even know what that is,¡± he lied. It wasn¡¯t even a remotely apt comparison. He was nothing like the small, wriggling, slimy, stinky creatures with a penchant for swimming in fecal matter. Not out of any reason other than that they found it pleasurable.


    The sky made a sound like tearing metal followed by the booming crack of thunder.


    The southeast horizon darkened as clouds thickened and roiled, moving faster than what was possible in nature.


    Thunderbirds were rare and tended to nest in the tallest mountains, but no place was truly out of their reach thanks to their speed. Like an airplane that carried a storm in their wake.


    He regarded the demigod¡¯s bag of holding.


    That horn was¡ª


    Another screech.


    Then another and another.


    Dark storm clouds rushed toward them from every direction but north.


    Each heralded by the massive, magical birds.


    His one consolation was that the area was devoid of human population. Only Rapid City had been re-populated.


    Those unfortunate settlements in the path of the thunderbirds would have to deal with a sudden and violent storm, but one that would pass just as quickly as it had arrived.


    He rose higher into the sky to extend his horizon.


    The demigods gave chase.


    Aehrone soared with golden light trailing like a comet¡¯s tail.


    While Elebykiades surged ahead of her with one mighty flap of his wings.


    Twin beams of gold strafed just behind Cal as he weaved and juked like an old fighter plane.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to lead your target!¡± he called out. ¡°Aim for where I¡¯ll be instead of where I am.¡±


    So said, he stopped suddenly and somersaulted into a vertical dive.


    Divine eye beams scorched telekinetic shield.


    Armored fist wrapped in the same force crunched into godly nose with a sudden explosion of power as Cal moved the molecules in the air surrounding his fist and the demigod¡¯s face with such violent speed so as to cause a spontaneous combustion.


    ¡°Full-faced helmet!¡± he called down to the falling demigod. ¡°No excuse for us superhuman types that don¡¯t have the same oxygen gathering issues as normal humans. I bet you don¡¯t even need to breathe much, what with the divine blood flowing through you.¡±


    The wind whipped.


    A spear shrieked against his back.


    Threnium kept coming in clutch against adamantine. Even when the latter was enchanted.


    He¡¯d grab their stuff after so that they could do proper comparison tests.


    See how it stacked up against mythril.


    Was it a rock, paper, scissors deal?


    Mythril was slightly lesser than Threnium across most metrics, but took to enchantments like a fish to water compared to well¡­ a chunk of metal.


    The next thrust skimmed the side of his helmet.


    He hammered Aehrone with invisible fists from all directions.


    Her armor continued to hold, but her grunts suggested that the some of the impact got through.


    ¡°See¡­ you get it. Full-coverage. Face included. Since we have a moment¡ª¡±


    Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    Which wasn¡¯t true in the least.


    She continued to fly at him with her spear, while firing the occasional burst of golden energy as he spoke.


    ¡°You seem the more reasonable one. That one down there¡¯s all about the hunt,¡± he gestured toward Elebykiades struggling to get to his feet out of the crater in the mountain side, ¡°and he¡¯s made up his mind that I¡¯m the ¡®prize¡¯. So? Can I convince you to stop and go away?¡±


    ¡°Only the foolish and arrogant speak in the midst of a battle to the death!¡± she roared and hurled her spear.


    The missile went just a bit wide.


    Words flowed from her mouth.


    Unrecognizable, untranslated.


    Aehrone¡¯s form rippled for a split-second.


    Reality wavered.


    Giant spectral hands tore their way from nothing to clasp over her.


    Bells tolled.


    A choir sang.


    The hands vanished as though they had never been there, as though he had dreamed them.


    Aehrone stood in the heart of a giant spectral projection aglow with golden light.


    It was her¡­ it wasn¡¯t her¡­


    ¡°Okay¡­ what does that have to do with motherhood?¡±


    ¡°I will stop and leave, but not alone. Swear to serve Aehr with your mind, body and soul for a century and you may petition her for her generosity. One hundred souls you may bring with you or each may chose the paradise to exchange for this war-forsaken world.¡±


    ¡°One soul for one year of service. Is that one of my Earthian years or¡­ because if you¡¯re going to use a different world¡¯s measurement system then I could be getting cheated here.¡±


    ¡°My mother¡¯s core world always sets the standard. Why would it be any other way?¡±


    ¡°I guess that makes sense¡­ so, how¡¯s it compare to here? One to one? Longer? Shorter?¡±


    ¡°It is¡ª¡± her shining eyes narrowed. ¡°You¡¯ve no intention of accepting Aehr¡¯s generosity.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s slim, but I might consider it if I had more information and veto power on the specifics of this serving thing. But, something tells me that¡¯s not really a thing with your so-called gods. Besides, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s in me to abandon everyone else.¡±


    ¡°They are doomed. Your cultures are doomed. A Terminus World can never be anything but one of unceasing war as the great powers of infinite worlds strive for a mastery that can never truly be taken.¡±


    ¡°Right. You don¡¯t even believe it can done. Then why even fight?¡±


    ¡°Others will.¡±


    ¡°Prisoner¡¯s dilemma-ish.¡±


    ¡°I give you one last chance to submit. Your power will guarantee honor, glory and the rewards that accompany them. Your people can begin lives in a paradise of their choosing before your sun sets on this day.¡±


    ¡°No. I was the one giving you the last chance to leave and go live in those paradises. You don¡¯t want war. I don¡¯t want war. No proper-thinking person¡­ demigod wants war.¡±


    ¡°War is conflict and conflict is the spires.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but you can chose to refrain or at least not dive in headfirst. You know, maybe just try to keep out of it. Do the self-defense thing if it comes to it. Not this war of aggression garbage. You start one then you have to accept the consequences.¡±


    ¡°I hear the words of a weak-willed man. Unwilling to use his gifts to their logical ends.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a personal choice and if I chose to kill you then it will be just that. A choice. Mine. No excuses. No justifications. No rationalizations.¡±


    ¡°As it should be. Only the weak hide from the costs of their decisions.¡±


    ¡°Jesus, you really believe that. Your mother¡­ none of the gods deserve that loyalty. You¡¯re¡ª¡±


    Elebykiades zipped past him.


    He had planted the thought in the demigod¡¯s mind that he was a few meters to the right of his actual position.


    Blazing speed carried the winged demigod well into the bright blue sky.


    ¡°They¡¯re just using you. They dangle potential godhood like a worm on a hook. Those in power never willing share it.¡±


    ¡°Enough parlay. I judge it failed.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for the warning.¡±


    Aehrone thrust her palms out.


    Her giant spectral projection copied the motion with a blink¡¯s delay.


    A golden beam engulfed Cal.


    HUD flashed and beeped as he was driven toward the mountain.


    He dived out of the torrent, smoking, Skill-applied blue and yellow-gold paint burned off to reveal the bare matte gray of his armor.


    He skimmed the treetops.


    Aehrone chased him with her beam, slicing across what was left of Mt. Rushmore and turning the rubble into oozing liquid stone glowing hot.


    Trees burned.


    The viewing amphitheater.


    Avenue of Flags.


    Gift shop.


    Cafe and ice cream shop.


    Parking lots.


    The demigod carved a scorched road through everything, rendering the entire complex unrecognizable.


    Thick smoke choked the air.


    Not that it mattered to the likes of them.


    Cal had a myriad of senses.


    Aehrone could sharpen hers with an application of divine power.


    Burning trees, hundreds of them. Molten stone, thousands of tons of it. Dying and dead monsters.


    Cal filled the sky with everything to hide his presence.


    Then he located the heaviest concentration of thunderbirds and zoomed toward it.


    A murder of crows. An unkindness of ravens. A flock of birds.


    A storm of thunderbirds?


    Not that they usually gathered in groups.


    The name fit, he made a mental note to log it in the official records.


    He slowed down to make sure that he hadn¡¯t lost the demigods.


    They fought free of his little eruption and gave chase.


    <hr>


    Southern California, Spring 2053


    Alin drained the soldiers to unconsciousness before they could shoot, landing in their crumpled midst.


    The sudden surge of stolen energy filled him like a cup fills an empty pool.


    He had lost more of it than expected from helping block the ambassador¡¯s explosion.


    The ghost of his relatives felt out of reach at the moment. At least those that had used their forcefields. The rest, those from his grandfather¡¯s side of the family, felt present, lurking in the thin gray streaming out of his armor, but not quite strong enough to come out and help with the battle raging throughout the hotel-casino compound.


    The emergency blast doors of the Danger Complex slid open with a hiss.


    A squad of Threnosh soldiers emerged.


    8 recoilless rifle-wielding standard infantry and 2 heavies with shoulder-mounted cannon. Their armor was marred by dents and tears, blackened by fire.


    ¡°Move clear, Boy.¡±


    The parted for Frequency.


    The diminutive Threnosh¡¯s armor was in no better condition than the rest. One arm was locked, immobile.


    He listened automatically.


    As soon as he was out of the way, the Threnosh raised their hand.


    Speakers the size of baseballs detached and hovered over the unconscious soldiers.


    Before he could say anything.


    The air rippled over the them.


    Flesh liquefied with frightening quickness.


    ¡°Wha¡ª¡± he started to stammer.


    ¡°Yes. It appears that I have broken one of your father¡¯s most important rules. It was necessary. Please look inside.¡±


    He did so, entering the Danger Complex quickly. Conscious of the raging battle.


    The large entrance lobby was a warzone or rather the remnants of one.


    ¡°We defeated the enemy soldiers at the onset of their attempted breach. As per rules we took prisoners when possible. Surrenders were accepted. As you can see, the countermeasures to the sleeper devices implanted in them¡­ failed. I failed to halt the trigger signal. Failed to detect it,¡± Frequency said.


    He watched Threnosh and Earthians triaging the wounded and gathering the dead.


    Training drones or their torn limbs covered the floor like dead leaves on the forest floor in autumn¡¯s dying days.


    ¡°They absorbed the initial surge. Casualties would¡¯ve been 40% greater according to assessment without their presence.¡±


    ¡°Okay, what¡¯s the situation? Where can I help most?¡±


    ¡°Unknown. The enemy is disrupting communications. Our attempts to send drones to the other structures have failed.¡±


    ¡°The satellites saw nothing wrong. I couldn¡¯t even see anything until I got to just under a kilometer away.¡±


    ¡°That was our assessment.¡±


    ¡°Right, we need to get word to my aunt and Uncle Remy.¡±


    ¡°Presumably, one will need to breach this 1 kilometer boundary. We do not have any flight capable individuals here. Foot or vehicle egress will not have a high probability of success with the monsters surrounding us. The harpies are another concern. What little we have been able to observe suggests that our own air assets will be unable to provide escort. Let alone break off from their battle to carry the message themselves.¡±


    Alin thought fast. Remembered the scheduled training classes. Tapped into the system to bring up the rosters. Found the person he thought, but wasn¡¯t certain, was there.


    He followed the tracker in his HUD to a triage area just inside the main training chamber.


    Candyslyn moved awkwardly through the press of people moving around in the controlled chaos of trying to save lives. Her strength allowed her to carry heavy loads of supplies and life-saving machinery from storage, while the height afforded by her pronghorn-like legs allowed her to disperse the items like a teacher handing out candies to her students.


    She swung her horned head to him at the beeping message in her glasses.


    ¡°Boy! You¡¯re here! Does that mean¡ª¡±


    ¡°Sorry, just me. For right now, but I¡¯m hoping you can help change that.¡±


    She was young, barely 20, if that.


    Big, round eyes for enhanced vision made her look even younger.


    Despite the horns jutting out of her hairline and the legs with backwards knees, as the morons said, she didn¡¯t make for an intimidating figure once one took a closer look.


    It made sense that she wasn¡¯t a fighter.


    Not that she didn¡¯t know her way around a battle.


    Running messages along the massive wall surrounding their territory was close enough to count.


    She had on occasion found it necessary to shoot monsters, throw grenades or cut them in passing with blades.


    Her face fell as Alin asked for her help.


    Fear and despair deepened as he explained the risks.


    Then turned into resolve as he finished.


    ¡°If we lose here, then home is next,¡± she nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a secret tunnel, but I can¡¯t¡ª¡± he pinged the Danger Complex¡¯s system to get a list of who was present. ¡°Lash?¡±


    ¡°Boy? Where are you? Wait! You¡¯re here!¡±


    ¡°Busy?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m in the control room. We¡¯re trying to figure out how to contact¡­ well¡­ anyone out there. If you¡¯re here then¡ª¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Lash, but I don¡¯t have time to explain. I need you to show Candys the secret tunnel. She¡¯s going to run us a message to the rangers and my aunt.


    ¡°Yeah, no problem. I¡¯ll send someone right away. Have her meet them there.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡± He pushed directions directly into Candys¡¯ glasses. ¡°Easy to follow. One of the Threnosh will take you through it.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay, okay.¡± Candys took a deep breath. ¡°I can do this.¡± Her hands shook.


    ¡°There¡¯s so much going on out there that they won¡¯t even notice you. The freeway was clear when I flew over.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s only 43 kilometers. I can do that in less than 15 minutes. I mean I did it once¡­ monsters chased me the whole way¡­¡± she shuddered.


    Alin pinged a nearby Threnosh infantry soldier standing guard with a request for a light self-defense pack to be brought to the tunnel entrance for her. Just enough modules and items to give her extra protection and evasiveness. He didn¡¯t think she really needed it, but knew that the comfort would help her confidence. It was the same for him with his power armor and all its toys.


    ¡°They¡¯re blocking visuals out to at least a kilometer. Get past that and I¡¯m thinking the satellites will pick you up. Plus, the Rayna One¡¯s not far.¡±


    She nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try to reach them right away.¡±


    He bid her luck and hoped he hadn¡¯t just screwed her over and sent her to her death or worse.


    Rushing back to the front he reached out to Lash one more time.


    ¡°Hey, Lash¡­ I saw Colin fighting the harpies when I flew in.¡±


    ¡°¡­ that¡¯s good,¡± she sighed. ¡°Thanks, Boy. Good luck out there.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡±


    Frequency met him at the doors with their squad.


    ¡°I can¡¯t provide you with more support than half.¡±


    He debated turning it down.


    His power armor was at full capacity, his power was in the single digits if he had to give it a number.


    Granted that would only rise if he could continue to drain the old American soldiers.


    ¡°That works for me.¡±


    The added firepower would only help him get to that point quicker and, more importantly, alive.


    ¡°Alright, guys. I need some time to scope out the situation. Tech¡¯s not working too well, so that means we have to use our eyes until I can spread my power further.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Fireteam Leader Canwyll Gorge 3569 said flatly.


    A heavy infantry soldier activated their heavy duty energy shield.


    Translucent blue light projected from the emitter in the recesses of the bulky armor covered their arm.


    The doors opened.


    Bullets immediately sparked off the shield.


    The heavy strode forward. Shoulder-mounted cannon spat large flechettes. The silent retort to the loud insults from the old American soldiers.


    The rest of the Threnosh squad tossed portable shield generators ahead, rushing into their aegis and firing through the narrow openings in the shields.


    The enemy had taken cover in the remains of a fallen Hover APC.


    Alin saw no signs of the crew. He couldn¡¯t even use the Omninet to connect to their helmets to find out if they were even alive.


    Thoughts of his mom, friends and everyone else he knew crept unbidden, but he forced them away as if swatting at a swarm of thirsty flies.


    ¡°Frag out!¡±


    A voice that chewed rocks heralded the thump of a grenade launcher.


    Fireteam Leader Canwyll Gorge 3569 didn¡¯t say a word.


    They merely raised their head to the sky.


    Cybernetic systems turned commands into action at nearly the speed of thought.


    One of the soldiers met the grenade at the apex of its arc with a stream of projectiles from their recoilless rifle.


    ¡°Chain Lightning!¡±


    A mage stuck her hand out of cover.


    Projectiles ripped her fingers off, but not before she cast her spell.


    Her screams were drowned out by the crackle of ozone and the explosion of the shield generators.


    The heavy¡¯s shield flickered until Skill-enhanced shots and enchanted bullets finally put it to rest.


    The Threnosh retreated behind the much larger heavy as the old American soldiers, seizing the advantage turned up the fire.


    Alin ignored the few shots that managed to get through the covering squad to focus on sending the gray across the asphalt like a creeping tide.


    He lapped at their boots, climbed their ankles and wrapped around their legs.


    The gray engulfed.


    He took.


    Stolen lifeforce surged into him stronger than any of the alchemical combat drugs running through the old American soldiers¡¯ bodies.


    Their fire dwindled to nothing.


    ¡°They¡¯re all sleepers.¡±


    As he said the words he understood that he had just consigned them to death.


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Fireteam Leader Canwyll Gorge 3569 directed their half squad forward.


    Hardlight blades emerged from gauntlets.


    Swift cuts separated heads from shoulders before the sleeper devices could be triggered.


    ¡°Vehicle is empty, Fireteam Leader.¡±


    Alin hoped that they had managed to escape, maybe they were inside the Danger Complex.


    The fighting was mostly nonexistent near the Danger Complex, but thickened further out.


    Chaos filled his home.


    ¡°Destination?¡± the fireteam leader said.


    There was only one place he wanted to be.


    ¡°Command center.¡±

 10.3

    The main building, which housed both the command center and his family¡¯s suite along with other living quarters, was lit up by outgoing and incoming fire.


    Harpies dived, firing a myriad of spells against barriers, shields and armor plating when they breached the former.


    Automatic guns and flak cannons cast a bloody rain across the combatants on the rooftops and parking lots.


    The wing-armed women flew faster and made impossibly tight turns with the aid of their wind magic in sometimes successful maneuvers to dodge homing micromissiles.


    Hayden created a tangled web of electricity over the rooftop with flying drones and wires as a handful of wizards from Ms. Teacher¡¯s school blasted spells with glowing spellbooks in hand.


    They would level a lot, if they made it to the other side of the battle.


    A group of harpies dived in formation.


    The leading edge died to clear a path for a much larger harpy, three to four times their size.


    She screeched, scattering men and women.


    Face holes bled as bodies hit the rooftop, unmoving.


    Hayden faltered, as she went so did her field.


    The harpy formation swept across the rooftop, grabbing people in their taloned feet, ripping them apart to paint the sky with their blood.


    Threnosh in interceptor-type armor zipped above the harpy formation, forearm mounted lasers sliced through wing arms, casting keening women down.


    The massive harpy responded with screeching blades of wind.


    Interceptor armor was thin as paper.


    Even then, the Threnium held up against the initial swarm.


    Unfortunately, there were plenty of gaps only protected by the Threnium mesh weave of the standard undersuit.


    The interceptors bought the defenders on the rooftop time at the final cost one could pay.


    They joined the red rain in pieces.


    Seconds of time.


    An eternity for those blessed with levels.


    ¡°.50 Caliber Burial Coffin.¡±


    He could almost hear Marloes¡¯ words.


    An echo on the wind through the cacophony.


    The harpy vanished in a burst of light.


    The twinkling of a hundred distant stars suddenly brought almost within reach of mere human hands.


    It still wasn¡¯t enough.


    She emerged from the thick smoke with a mighty flap of her huge wing arms.


    Gale force winds threatened to sweep the rooftop clear.


    A rising comet¡ª Master Rising Comet to be exact¡ª launched herself through cutting winds to land a knife hand strike to the harpy¡¯s throat.


    Giant-sized meant giant target.


    Zhao Bei, had solidified her Dao as she had entered her 20¡¯s.


    She took the title of full master from the bruised and battered bodies of cultivation masters across the entirety of Phoenix Dynasty lands. The hidebound traditionalists couldn¡¯t deny her after the tenth arrogant master she had stomped into the dirt. After all how could they consign her to the ranks of the rising talents, the young masters when true master¡¯s twice her age had crumpled at her crackling fists and blazing feet.


    The harpy choked, her spell silenced.


    Bei flew true, unlike the vast majority of cultivators that could only cloudstep. She punched and kicked the much larger birdwoman higher and higher into a sky with a blend of fire and lightning aspected Qi in her four deadly weapons.


    ¡°All yours, my wingman.¡±


    ¡°You ain¡¯t even a true flier, but thanks.¡±


    Colin, the Emerald Raptor when atop the flying wing and clad in purple and green Threnium, launched a glowing orb at the burning harpy as he dived past.


    A bright blinding flash filled the sky for an instant.


    When it cleared nothing remained but a complete skeleton of spotless ivory bones that hung in the air a moment before clattering to the ground.


    They were using their most dangerous weapons.


    Alin didn¡¯t like what that suggested.


    Bei took a moment to gaze across the battlefield as she stood on air.


    Then, she fell like her namesake, blazing a path down to the ground.


    Alin¡¯s heart stopped when he traced her trajectory and found her target.


    The smiling, bearded face of a lavender-skinned eidolon.


    ¡°That backstabbing¡ª we¡¯ve got to get over there!¡±


    ¡°Calculating optimal path,¡± the fireteam leader said. ¡°Completed.¡±


    ¡°Lead the way.¡±


    They rushed forward.


    A small group had the chance to be lost in the chaos.


    An ancient M2 Bradley, a little alive according to her crew, spat 25mm HE rounds from her autocannon at both old American soldiers and a cluster of monsters.


    The flesh-skinned insect-like monsters had brought warrior types to go along with the usual human-sized variety. Pincers and snapping claws took a heavy toll from the enormous pack of mutated coyotes that had made the mistake of attacking.


    The Americans split their fire.


    Half focused on clearing the monsters before they decided to go for softer prey, while half focused on the Bradley.


    Withering fire stripped the battered armor of the ribbons and children¡¯s drawings that always adorned her armor.


    The crew had told him once that ¡®she¡¯ like feeling loved. It was motivating to know that ¡®her¡¯ efforts to protect the children were appreciated.


    Alin would¡¯ve said they were crazy had his dad not vouched for the truth in their words.


    Classes got extra weird sometimes¡­


    Steel Cupcake, that was ¡®her¡¯ name, retreated from the onslaught.


    He could¡¯ve sworn he felt her pain through the gray.


    The American¡¯s took the opening and charged, led by a hulking supersoldier, one of the last of a dying breed.


    The alchemical potion that created them was simply inferior in most aspects to the Eidolon of Sut¡¯s animal hybridization process, even the weaker version that the old government still had access to.


    Longevity was the hulking mass of muscles¡¯ biggest downfall.


    Alchemy transformed the human body, allowing it to go well beyond what it could sustain naturally¡­ for a time.


    The supersoldier was an outlier, judging by the whiteness of his beard and the lines on his face visible through the helmet. He carried a door-sized shield that looked as if it had been cut out of the side of an armored warship.


    25mm projectiles exploded against the metal.


    He slowed, but bulled through each impact.


    Soldiers followed in his wake.


    They reached the gray.


    Alin robbed them of their vitality.


    They were close to Level 40 and the supersoldier was old, tough and filled with the will to die on his feet for his country.


    The Americans almost reached Steel Cupcake when they simply ran out of juice.


    ¡°That you, Boy!¡± Tank Commander Lark said. Her voice sounded pinched.


    ¡°Yeah, Commander Lark. Watch out for sleepers.¡±


    ¡°We know. Hold up. Give us a sec and maybe you can help out with the rest of those bastards. We¡¯re running low on ammo. Gonna have to start using Skill-made ones soon.¡±


    Steel Cupcake rumbled forward, rolling her tracks over the unconscious old American soldiers.


    Alin¡¯s stomach twisted at the war crimes he was helping commit.


    The M2¡¯s back door lowered and one of the mages, Veracruz, stepped out to bathe the remains in white hot flames.


    He told himself that it was the only way to make sure the sleeper device didn¡¯t have anything left to activate.


    Instead of focusing on that, he took his solace in the gray.


    The remaining American soldiers in this group and the remaining monsters struggled against his wispy touch.


    He spent energy to get energy, but ended up with more than he stared with at the end.


    Steel Cupcake¡¯s crew took care of the rest.


    ¡°Need a ride?¡±


    ¡°No. I think you should fall back to the Danger Complex. Re-arm.¡±


    ¡°Copy that.¡±


    Alin and his Threnosh escort moved on.


    They rushed from cover to cover, making use of destroyed vehicles and golems.


    Through it all, Alin continued to expand the gray, stealing his enemy¡¯s vitality.


    Still not enough to bring the ghosts of his relatives out, but enough to give his side the edge.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see any hybrids or elite spec ops. Did you see them?¡±


    ¡°Negative. Standard soldiers and heavy soldiers only. Ingress inside our defenses through gold-colored portals,¡± the fireteam leader said.


    ¡°Inside the buildings!¡± Worry for his mom spiked.


    ¡°Negative. External ingress.¡±


    He glanced to the sky.


    The Rayn of Fire had moved further away and continued to descend.


    He caught of glimpse of Marian¡¯s tiny skyfury fighter zipping through the harpies and flying monsters more like a spacecraft in a vacuum than an atmospheric aircraft.


    The prototype used a float stone to make a joke out of the constraints of gravity and aerodynamics.


    ¡°Do we proceed?¡±


    The fireteam leader mistook his silence for indecision.


    There was a large amount of open ground to cover until the next burning mound of wreckage.


    ¡°Ammunition at 30%. Shield energy expended. Armor integrity within acceptable standard.¡±


    He reached into his bag of holding and came up empty on ammo for his reccoilless rifle.


    Still had everything in his armor, saving it up for the bigger dangers.


    Like the eidolon.


    He caught glimpse of the duel through the haze and smoke and flashing explosions.


    Bei buzzed around Alcaestus like a sole bee trying to stop a bear from tearing apart her hive.


    Which was to say, ineffectively.


    She was riding the blade¡¯s edge of danger, barely avoiding his strikes and grapples with her cultivator¡¯s speed and reflexes while her strikes only smudged his armor and exposed parts.


    He couldn¡¯t risk taking a shot, not with Bei¡¯s unpredictable movements.


    Had to get closer.


    Use the gray to tip the odds and at least distract the eidolon.


    A larger battle waged past them just outside the main entrance where the road curved like a half moon around a small island of greenery.


    Glimpses of the magus and her flashing eyes. Spells of death lancing. Spells of protection shielding.


    A white glow, perhaps more powerful than everything else there, danced through it all.


    Time¡­ time wasn¡¯t on his side.


    He spotted a group of his dad¡¯s guards crouched in the shadow of a half-broken guard golem.


    The machine¡¯s wavering magic shield held back the fire, while the guards dared to peek around to give back what little they could.


    ¡°Suppression on them.¡± He highlighted the soldiers pinning down the guards.


    The Threnosh complied with coordinated bursts, maintaining ammo efficiency along with a steady stream of fire to force the American¡¯s heads back behind cover.


    Alin sprinted across the large gap.


    A distant bang, two, but so close together it was hard to tell the difference.


    .50 BMG struck the outside of his right knee, then another plinked off the inside of his left.


    Armor held, impact absorption and dispersion system made the hits feel like tiny plastic pellets.


    Not enough to break his stride.


    Enemy sniper on the distant wall.


    Too far for him to hit back.


    Probably, used double shot.


    Another echoing bang, barely perceptible through the closer ones.


    Followed by silence.


    He had snipers on his side too.


    They fought atop the walls just as fiercely.


    Men and women that should¡¯ve been working together against the monsters and invaders, blowing each other away, cutting, stabbing, casting each other down to be ripped apart by hungry teeth and claws.


    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    A watchtower teetered dangerously. Its fall only prevented by the thick cables strung behind them for that purpose.


    With the Bountiful Decade there was no end to the monsters.


    If the battle with the Americans lasted till the reset¡­


    Not a pleasant thought.


    Alin reached the guards.


    Dave, Shauna and five others.


    Bloodied and battered.


    ¡°Shoot them!¡± Dave urged the golem.


    ¡°It¡¯s cannon arm¡¯s all fucked up!¡± Shauna snapped.


    They jumped when he cleared his throat.


    ¡°Shit, Boy!¡± Dave laughed.


    It almost got away from the middle-aged man.


    His eyes showed a lot of white through the rapid blinks.


    Guarding posts and shooting at monsters from the wall wasn¡¯t anything like getting stuck in a firefight with professional soldiers and magic-wielding birdwomen from other worlds.


    The red rain unnerved even the toughest fighters.


    He would admit to it without hesitation.


    ¡°Guys. I¡¯ll draw their fire. Run to the Danger Complex.¡±


    Shauna looked over his shoulder.


    ¡°That¡¯s a long way.¡±


    ¡°I know, but there¡¯s cover.¡±


    ¡°Ah, shit¡­ y¡¯all go ahead. Me and old iron ass here,¡± Dave patted the golem¡¯s backside and hefted his spellrifle, ¡°will do what we can to help out.¡±


    Alin only noticed it then.


    Dave¡¯s right leg was gone at the knee.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know how it happened,¡± Dave gave him a strained smile and shrugged. ¡°I was shooting then there was a blur, then I was flipping and when I landed on my ass, no more leg.¡±.


    ¡°Shut it, Dave. We¡¯re carrying your fat ass!¡± Shauna snapped.


    ¡°Yeah, dude, you¡¯re like 20 pounds lighter now,¡± a guard with a full-faced helmet said.


    The ident tag in Alin¡¯s HUD marked the young man as William Gonzalez.


    A recent addition he hadn¡¯t had the opportunity to meet beforehand.


    Dave looked to him.


    ¡°Start thinking about whether you want a magitech prosthetic or a full regrow.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ I¡¯ll just slow them down.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. They¡¯ll be too busy shooting at me.¡±


    His HUD suddenly blared a warning.


    High speed movement.


    Man-sized.


    The Threnosh picked it up as well.


    Empty air.


    Swirling smoke.


    Movement from their six.


    The squad split fire.


    3 turned and sprayed projectiles for maximum coverage.


    The heavy¡¯s shoulder-mounted cannon swiveled around to join in while they kept suppression fire on the Americans with the heavy version of the reccoilless rifle.


    ¡°Be wary, Designation: Boy. V.I. marks 83% probability of enemy Designation: De¡ª¡± Fireteam Leader Candwyll Gorge 3569 started to say.


    The Threnosh scattered as though a bomb landed in their midst.


    A big man in black tactical body armor held one of the Threnosh aloft on a solid steel short spear, undoubtedly enchanted to pierce through the Threnium plate covering their chest.


    The dust cloud shrouded them for a long moment.


    For the unaware it would¡¯ve looked as if a grown man had just impaled a 10 year old.


    Threnosh blood dripped down the shaft, staining the red, white and blue of the soldier¡¯s skull-faced helm.


    They locked eyes.


    Bright blue against dark brown, not that Alin¡¯s were visible through the darkened faceplate of his helmet.


    Another backstabber.


    He should¡¯ve let the necromancer slasher lady get them back during the Slashers¡¯ Spree.


    Death¡¯s Dancer aimed the grenade launcher and squeezed the trigger.


    <hr>


    Mt. Rushmore, Spring 2053


    Aehrone¡¯s golden beams lanced out from her hands with enough speed to catch up to a supersonic fighter jet given a head start.


    Cal hugged the ground, flying just fast enough to keep out of its reach.


    Shades of green dominated the landscape, only broken up by the occasional mound of gray or winding lines of blue.


    Jagged peaks loomed far in the distance.


    He could see the curtain of darkness rapidly swallowing the sunlight across the entire horizon.


    Divine gold burned the demigod¡¯s anger into the earth.


    She flew fast.


    Mach 1.4 according to the sensors.


    She flew like a fighter jet, discharging energy from her feet. Moving them gave her added maneuverability, just like the thrust vectoring capability of the last generation of fighter jets.


    The other demigod, Elebykiades, flew on feathered wings. Like a bird, yet much faster than any normal bird. Straight flight at nearly three times the top speed a diving peregrine hit. He had fallen behind. A dark speck hidden in the glare of Aehrone¡¯s golden aura.


    Cal flew like a shuttle in space. Physics still applied, but he could overpower it. He could stop in an instant and go in another direction. Momentum¡¯s hold on him was as easy to break as a baby¡¯s tiny hand around his finger.


    The treetops burned.


    Fortunately, winter¡¯s moisture had yet to be dried out by summer¡¯s heat, so the risk of a conflagration spreading out of control was minimal.


    A great gout of steam erupted as the demigod¡¯s beam cut across a river.


    Nearly 20 km southwest of Mt. Rushmore¡¯s remains.


    The closest town was Custer a few kilometers to the south.


    It was abandoned anyways, so it didn¡¯t matter to him if the thunderbirds¡¯ storms or the upcoming fight damaged it.


    A jagged mountain loomed in the distance.


    Cal sped up his perceptions to calculate an equation from the numbers in his helmet¡¯s HUD.


    Speed.


    Distance.


    It reminded him of word problems back in school. Of two trains leaving at different times from different stations with different speeds, yet arriving at the same station, at the same time. How fast were they traveling to accomplish that?


    Having a subjective eternity to figure it out would¡¯ve been nice back then.


    He dived beneath the green, weaving through branches without ruffling a single leaf.


    The forest floor was devoid of animal life.


    None had rejected the call of Elebykiades¡¯ horn.


    Not even the insects.


    Countless had been vaporized by Aehrone or squashed by his telekinesis as they passed overhead.


    Barely noticed collateral damage.


    He hugged the ground, rising up the rocky mountain slope close enough to reach out and touch.


    The sun shined down on his back.


    Its brightness and heat surpassed by the demigod¡¯s attacks.


    If he looked back he¡¯d see the winding scar the two of them had left across the wilderness. A two lane highway laid down without regard for terrain and elevation burned into the rock beneath the top layer of soil.


    He had eyes on the entirety of his surroundings.


    On the thunderbirds approaching from the other side of the mountain.


    On the demigods closing behind him.


    On the satellite preparing to eject a tungsten rod similar in size to an electricity pole. The old government thought they had managed to get it into orbit unnoticed.


    While he had gone low, the demigod had gone high, planning to take the shorter route to the top of the mountain.


    He saw her plan.


    Use the ground to limit his maneuver options.


    Work with the impending thunderbird attacks.


    Go for a kill shot while he was occupied.


    Simple plans beat complicated ones.


    Fewer variables meant less could go wrong.


    A beam strike hit his invisible shield.


    Needles gingerly prodded his brain.


    The next created a geyser of hot debris in his path.


    He gathered it up and shot it back at her, missing intentionally.


    The peak loomed.


    Day turned to night, as a blinding deluge of stinging rain engulfed him.


    Bright flashes against the mountain.


    Debris swirled in the violent winds.


    Proximity alerts silenced with a thought.


    None of it was enough to trouble him.


    Thunderbirds screeched their challenge.


    Three of them.


    The size of small planes.


    Dark orbs flashed with hidden storms unleashed.


    One dived, opening her beak.


    A bolt of lightning struck.


    Armor systems flickered.


    It was proof against natural lightning, but the thunderbird¡¯s contained powerful magic.


    The next strike fizzled on a telekinetic shield.


    A golden beam followed.


    Needles again.


    Aehrone struggled against winds that surpassed all planetary records.


    Dozens of tornados spawned.


    The storm could wipe a city empty, leaving flat land strewn with the detritus of life.


    There were two ways for him to get out of it.


    Neither was necessary from a personal safety standpoint, but both had tactical applications.


    It was just a matter of what he wanted to accomplish first and with as little expenditure of effort as possible.


    To provoke the thunderbirds he slapped all three upside their feathered heads with giant, invisible hands.


    They squawked displeasure and dived.


    He did the same.


    Right into the mountainside.


    Earth and stone parted before his hands like water.


    He sealed the opening behind. Seamless, as if it had been just a figment of the imagination.


    The ground rumbled overhead like his childhood friend¡¯s home that was right next to an airport.


    ¡°Where is the primitive?¡± Elebykiades finally caught up.


    The demigod had to shout to be heard over the howling gale with his words further garbled by the condition of his nose.


    ¡°He is in the mountain,¡± Aehrone said eyes flashing like the frequent lightning strikes battering the landscape. ¡°Command the stormbirds to smite the mountain. If he wishes to hide beneath the ground then we shall bury him.¡±


    ¡°I do not command as a general does his soldiers. The horn calls and focuses their ire on a target I mark, but they will complete the task as they see fit.¡±


    ¡°Useless!¡± she snapped.


    ¡°Watch your tone, cousin.¡± Elebykiades stared with the unblinking eyes of a predator.


    The thunderbirds circled the mountain like vultures around a dying deer oblivious to the intensity of the divine energy pushing against each other in an almost unconscious contest.


    Violence appeared to be imminent, but Cal knew better.


    Both demigods knew where they stacked up against each other.


    Age didn¡¯t always mean strength.


    Other factors played their part.


    The amount divine power a so-called god imparted on the would be child at the moment of conception. How much they might add before adulthood. Their deeds and how closely they hewed to the demesne of their parent. The effort they placed in improvement.


    As trite as it sounded, things as simple as exercise, practice and, ultimately, mastery played the greatest role in how strong they became.


    While the two demigods bickered silently, Cal made quick work of the spawn zone.


    Deep, dark tunnels and chambers filled with monsters of stone and earth no longer.


    He didn¡¯t stop as he crushed all in his path to the boss chamber. Scattered treasures held no allure. He could always come back for them later.


    Quests went ignored as he silenced the spires¡¯ words and dismissed the texts.


    The boss monster, a massive shambling mound of stone and earth, exploded in an instant to reveal the red slick core of raw nerves surrounding a man-sized organ akin to a pulsating stomach with a maw of grinding stone on top and a leaky sphincter on the bottom.


    As always, the spires didn¡¯t fail to disgust.


    It died with a squelch.


    ¡°Yes, yes. Give me the true secret boss, bla, bla, bla.¡±


    Cal readied his next move.


    Reality tore in the middle of the chamber.


    A mirror image emerged.


    He scoffed.


    If he had a dollar for every time a true boss came out with his face, he¡¯d have at least 20 of the useless things.


    He sped up his perceptions to scan the monster.


    A perfect facsimile in appearance made out of what looked just like the granite that was prevalent in these mountains.


    It even copied the tiny imperfections in his power armor he had picked up from the demigods.


    Magic suffused the dark stone shell, which hid a predictable surprise.


    The monster attacked with a leaping punch.


    Stone fist met invisible shield and the chamber paid the price.


    The shockwave cratered the floor and collapsed part of the high, domed ceiling.


    So¡­ very fast and very strong.


    Well above his unboosted baseline.


    However, it lacked his true powers.


    Its stone shell split in a dozen places. Thin as slivers. Normal human eyes would¡¯ve struggled to notice even with the faint glow emanating from inside. Less detectable where the gossamer threads that emerged from the openings to snag falling debris.


    Cal cut the threads with a thought before the monster could whip the rocks at him.


    ¡°This is good.¡±


    He opened the mountain to the storm.


    Hundreds of meters thick.


    Thousands of tons of stone and earth.


    Rain lashed into the gaping hole with the eagerness of an animal in rutting season.


    Lightning crashed down in a concerted barrage as soon as they saw him.


    The storm of thunderbirds had grown to an even 8.


    They circled overhead like planes waiting to land.


    The demigods turned from their silent struggle.


    A single bolt snapped free of Elebykiades¡¯ ethereal crossbow.


    The man had no scope, yet was on target despite being over thrice the maximum distance of any variation of the Barrett sniper rifle.


    At 200 meters to Cal, the bolt glowed and vanished.


    Rain drops suddenly turned into exact copies.


    His stone doppelganger helpfully leapt for another punch.


    He grabbed it with a thought and thanked it for volunteering to be a shield.


    Bolts fell all around him, but not in him.


    A golden beam followed, but he was already flying back out into the storm behind his pin-cushioned stone shield.


    ¡°What¡¯re you complaining about? I know you feel pain as pleasure.¡±


    Slits opened in the back of the boss monster¡¯s helmet.


    Threads pressed futilely against the telekinetic shield.


    ¡°Open up for the big birdies.¡±


    He pulled its entire front open.


    Stone plates spread out connected to thin tendrils slick with gooey red.


    Its inside was like the first boss, except multiplied by a¡­ a lot.


    A multitude of hungry stomachs hung in a webbed mass of tangled red strands.


    Stone-toothed maws ground in anticipation.


    It spread out to cover a large enough area to snag two thunderbirds by their wings.


    They screeched, spraying lightning in their panic as the maws went to work.


    Cal held the gut-churning display aloft.


    He turned a baleful glare at the distant demigods.


    ¡°You¡¯re in line for this. You can still back out of it. Just go to the nearest spire and go to one of your paradises. Do you really want to die like this?¡± He pushed the soft words to their ears past the howling winds and booming thunder.


    A thunderbird dived, opening his beak.


    Lightning charged.


    Cal snapped it shut with a thought.


    Feathered neck bulged as the monster choked all the way down to the mountain side.


    Huge wings snapped as Cal shoved it into the gaping hole he had created.


    One wing was as good as no wings.


    The remains of two thunderbirds plummeted as the boss monster finished its meal.


    Tornadoes spun them violently, coloring the dark rain crimson.


    Another thunderbird swept in with lightning in its beak and ice around its outstretched talons.


    The demigod¡¯s horn did her no favors by forcing her to fixate on Cal and ignoring the webbed mass of undulating stomachs floating above her.


    Thus, Cal dropped it and let it do its thing.


    Ice-covered talons gave him an idea.


    He seized the charging demigods in a telekinetic bubble, he let the torrential downpour fill it up.


    Aehrone¡¯s golden aura flared, boiling the water regardless of Elebykiades complaints.


    He took hold of the water molecules and forced them to stop moving.


    Steam condensed.


    In the next instant the demigods stood trapped in an icy globe.


    The remaining thunderbirds bombarded him with lightning and wind powerful enough to strip exposed flesh.


    He held firm in the heart of perhaps the most powerful tornado in the history of Earthiankind.


    A multi-ton ball of ice looked like a good projectile weapon.


    He snapped a wing, crushed a skull and broke a neck.


    The storm weakened in an instant without the magic to sustain it.


    The ice suddenly shattered.


    Sodden demigods returned that baleful glare.


    Aehrone¡¯s armored chest heaved. Her golden aura diminished.


    Elebykiades looked like¡­ well¡­ a bird that had gotten caught in a sudden rain storm. His feathers were sodden, yet somehow they held him aloft, although their flapping looked rather labored.


    ¡°No more!¡± Aehrone snapped. ¡°I will not stay my hand another moment!¡±


    ¡°I thought you were going all out.¡± Cal reached into her body to do something he rarely did due to its brutal, unpleasant nature. To mild surprise, he found that her blood resisted his hold. Slippery, like slathering vaseline on his hands before trying to grab an eel. He abandoned the effort, thankful in a way. There were still other ways to end things.


    ¡°Occupy him,¡± Aehrone said.


    Elebykiades¡¯ eyes had returned to that flat stare.


    The demigod blurred with a single flap of his wings.


    Cal sped himself up.


    A glowing axe coalesced in the orange and black-haired demigod¡¯s hand in motion.


    The magic cleaved through Cal¡¯s shield.


    An involuntary wince crossed his face, but didn¡¯t stop him from instantly placing ten layers between him and the demigod.


    The last layer finally stopped the enchanted adamantite axe an arm¡¯s length from his face.


    Meanwhile, Aehrone gathered gold light in her hands.


    Divine energy became a titanic spell the likes of which he had only experienced a handful of times.


    Rain turned into liquid fire.

 10.4

    A glib retort died on the tip of his tongue.


    Cal imagined Aehrone doing this over a populated city.


    He could¡¯ve shielded them from the falling fire at the cost of weakening his own defense, which meant they¡¯d all burn in the end.


    A sobering thought.


    In any case, he had taken the battle into the isolated wilderness to avoid just that. It gave him more time to test the demigods. Reading their minds wasn¡¯t enough. Memories could be unreliable, distorted by the individual¡¯s perception. Plus, the divine energy flowing through them made it slippery. He had to see and experience them in physical reality for accuracy.


    Case in point.


    Aehrone¡¯s spell.


    He was no expert in all things magical.


    The best he could tell was that she had turned her golden energy into the same mana that was the source of all spells.


    It was in every single drop of rain turned fire, spreading out like, well, a fire as it climbed up the countless drops to reach the dark clouds that spat them out.


    Not all spells were equal.


    At the lower levels mana served as mere starters.


    A fireball formed from mana once released is no different from regular fire aside from the traces of the spell holding its shape together until impact or max range.


    It spread into the wind, creating tornadoes of fire.


    His HUD flashed a low oxygen warning.


    Magic-infused fire ate through his shield at a faster rate.


    Elebykiades chopped with the sound of thunder.


    A faint golden nimbus around his head and shoulders protected him from the fire. It simply vanished before reaching any part of his body.


    The demigod¡¯s axe had lost its glow to reveal that it was made of the same metal as Aehrone¡¯s plate armor. Head and haft cast in one piece. Long-handled and over-sized, but reasonable compared to Tlaloc¡¯s obsidian axe, which had a head larger than a human torso.


    Cal regarded the failure to penetrate.


    ¡°Lack of stamina? Shot it all out too soon?¡± He exaggerated a sympathetic look. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. Sometimes the guys on top throw people into things they¡¯re centuries away from being ready for.¡±


    The demigod reveled in a successful hunt as the ultimate expression of his superiority.


    His memories had revealed that he had been akin to a big cat in a small jungle. Largely unaware of the greater truth. To learn that he was closer to the scurrying forest mouse when he had been deemed worth using by his mother in the wider conflicts was a blow he was still struggling to shake off several decades after the fact.


    Elebykiades exuded insecurity.


    It leaked past his silent, stoic demeanor.


    The demigod¡¯s eyes twitched.


    ¡°Maybe you want to take a break?¡± Cal nodded toward Aehrone, who cupped golden energy in her upraised hands.


    Divine turned to mana turned to fire.


    Cal could see it clearly through his many extra senses.


    ¡°She¡¯s got it covered for now.¡±


    To his credit, Elebykiades didn¡¯t try the axe again.


    Instead, he created distance with a flap of his wings and pointed his empty hand toward Cal.


    ¡°Sorry about the helmet. Did breaking the horns ruin the enchantment? Is your dad going to be pissed? It seems like a pretty powerful artifact? Relic?¡± He¡¯d guessed one could hang a couple of tanks from a single horn from the amount of force he had applied.


    The demigod¡¯s hand glowed.


    A pistol appeared.


    A work of art more than a weapon, echoing Earthian flintlocks of old.


    Brass and blue iron. Stock and barrel.


    It lacked a pan, flint, hammer and trigger.


    The brass guard was empty.


    It didn¡¯t even have sights.


    The wide barrel was shaped like the yawning mouth of an alien creature that defied explanation.


    Cal hoped that no sapient soul or souls had gone into the weapon¡¯s creation. If it had, he couldn¡¯t tell in the moment.


    The demigod¡¯s finger in the guard didn¡¯t move, yet a shot fired all the same.


    A screaming ghost crossed the distance like a regular bullet.


    The tiny, worm-like thing with an alien face wailed the whole way as it passed through Cal¡¯s telekinetic shield like it wasn¡¯t there.


    It treated his armor¡¯s defense with the same contempt.


    Then the undersuit.


    His flesh.


    It ate through a portion of his ribs.


    Chewed through his heart.


    And repeated the process on the way out his back.


    Warnings blared in his helmet.


    Healing gel filled the hole in his chest.


    He licked his lips, tasting iron.


    Elebykiades¡¯ face remained as impassive as a stone sculpture.


    He shifted his head to the side to dodge the next screaming shot.


    He used microscopic telekinetic hands to help the healing gel close the hole in his heart and to keep the blood flowing.


    The demigod¡¯s confidence surged.


    ¡°You are no God. You¡¯re an arrogant child in a small, isolated woodland. Still trapped by the constraints of your mortal cage. True ascendance can only be achieved by utterly destroying it. You¡¯re millennia away from even comprehending the possibility. I am centuries ahead of you on the path of truth and I will end your journey here before you can take a single step upon it.¡±


    Shots fired.


    The pistol didn¡¯t need reloading.


    Its only limitation was the second between each.


    Cal sped his perceptions, dodging the screaming ghost bullets with the slightest movements.


    He took the demigod¡¯s new found confidence, stuffed it in a sack and beat it against a tree.


    ¡°I thought hunters were supposed to have good aim. Only thing I can conclude is that you¡¯re not a very good hunter. Must be nice having a mother that can give you all sorts of high level gear. She¡¯s going to be really mad at you after you lose it all.¡±


    Elebykiades arm gushed gold at the speed of thought.


    The hand fell burning to the forest below, consumed in the raging fires.


    The pistol landed in Cal¡¯s grasp.


    He aimed and winced at the scream in his head.


    ¡°Right, should probably have someone look at this first.¡± He stowed it in one of the tiny compartments of holding around his waist.


    The demigod flew in with a wild-eyed slash of his axe.


    Flames licked at the edges of his wing feathers.


    Gold splashed on invisible shield, revealing its shape.


    He wrapped the demigod in a telekinetic blanket, lining the winged man¡¯s shape perfectly without any holes or breaks.


    Perfect, powerful muscles bulged with a soundless roar.


    Gold eyes flashed.


    Only for the beams to strike an impenetrable barrier.


    He ripped the axe from the demigod¡¯s grasp and sent it flying into the forehead of the stone boss monster leaping from the raging forest fire.


    Stone parted, viscera sizzled.


    The spires chimed.


    He dismissed the notification and whispered words into Aehrone¡¯s ears.


    ¡°Your cousin here isn¡¯t going to be getting anymore oxygen. I¡¯m guessing that won¡¯t be a problem for about 20 minutes or so. How¡¯s that line up with your little spell?¡±


    Cold, dark rain clouds had turned into baking ash.


    An eruption without the volcano. The magic within continuously spitting out drops of fire to set a staggering area ablaze.


    What remained of the small town a few kilometers to the south after the thunderbirds¡¯ winds had swept through became ashes.


    ¡°Since you don¡¯t care about your own life, might I interest you in his?¡±


    Aehrone¡¯s shining eyes bored into his.


    Her face was a frozen mask.


    Sweat beaded on her perfect forehead and dripped down her perfect brows.


    ¡°Can¡¯t say I¡¯m surprised. How about I try another approach?¡±


    Silence.


    A fiery tornado bore down from behind him.


    He dispersed it with a thought.


    Disappointment, verging on despair flickered across the surface of her thoughts.


    As for Elebykiades?


    Calm.


    He ran through the options at his disposal.


    The demigod thought he still had time.


    ¡°Say¡­ your so-called gods can¡¯t actually come to my world. Some kind of truce with other so-called gods or very powerful people. Whatever they want to call themselves¡­ point. You two are free from their control for maybe the first time in your lives. Why face death for them when you can just¡­ not? I¡¯m willing to work out a deal. Non-violence pact. You don¡¯t do bad things to my people and I leave you alone. I know, I know, you¡¯re thinking that won¡¯t last forever. One day, even if it¡¯s centuries from today, they¡¯ll come and I imagine there¡¯ll be punishments and such. Except, you won¡¯t be here. This is a Terminus World. Countless worlds are a single trip away through the spires. Worlds not under your terrible parents¡¯ control. There might even be worlds that are untouched by such horrible entities. Or maybe they are if that¡¯s the sort of challenge you¡¯re looking for.¡± He regarded the winged demigod. ¡°Think of all the worst monsters you could hunt and mount on your wall?¡± He turned to the armored demigod in her aura of gold. ¡°You don¡¯t even like fighting. Not deep down. You do it out of duty. And your mother has plenty of children waiting to replace you when you fail.¡±


    ¡°This is known to me,¡± Aehrone said. ¡°And yet, I remain true. As you say, it is my duty. My purpose.¡±


    She spoke truth.


    He couldn¡¯t change her mind.


    Not without too much time and effort occupying him when other, greater threats remained.


    It wouldn¡¯t last even if he did.


    The divine energy in her body would see to that.


    In time anything he wrought would be dismantled.


    Elebykiades, however¡­


    ¡°I¡¯ll give your weapons back. As for the hand, I know some people that do great work with magitech replacements. All you¡¯d have to do is swear a magically binding oath to do no harm while you¡¯re here on my world and you¡¯ll be free to hunt whatever monster you want. Do encounter challenges, spawn zones¡­ once you have enough points you can be on your way to another world. Sounds pretty good right? I mean, you know what I am, what I can do. This is your real last chance.¡±


    Amidst the burning minutes passed without any of them uttering another word.


    Thoughts raced through the demigods.


    Only one dared to picture the possibilities not dictated by their divine parent.


    Cal freed Elebykiades¡¯ mouth.


    ¡°I accept your terms.¡±


    ¡°Betrayer!¡±


    Cal silence Aehrone with a thought.


    Only muffled moans escaped her helm.


    ¡°You¡¯ve thought about this before?¡±


    ¡°The spires worlds are said to be infinite. I know the number of pantheon worlds. The number in the hands of our many enemies. Of worlds that remain unconquered or are warred over. Of those in the grasp of even darker things. Primordial Gods and entities from somewhere in the distant voids beyond the reach of heavenly light.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m going to want you to write that all that down, but that can wait for later. For now¡­¡± Cal flew the axe and weird pistol back to the demigod. He gathered some of the fiery rain and shaped it into an arrow pointing southward. ¡°Fly in that direction for¡­ I¡¯d say around 8 hours if you can maintain your top speed that long. If you can¡¯t then you¡¯ll¡ª¡±


    ¡°I can make the calculations.¡± Elebykiades glowered. ¡°I will find a safe place, I take it?¡±


    ¡°For you and everyone else. There¡¯s an island with these weird looking heads carved out of stone. You won¡¯t miss it with those hunter¡¯s eyes. There¡¯s a small cabin and a few supply shacks. Old, but probably still good. Food. Water. Not that those things would ever be a problem for you. Plenty of fish in the ocean. Lots of giant crabs. Edible, but they taste terrible.¡±


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    ¡°I accept.¡±


    ¡°So do I, provisionally. I will come by within the week with the contract.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m at your mercy, but be quick. I don¡¯t wish to remain here for longer than absolutely necessary. My mother cannot reach across worlds, but if she were to step foot on this it¡¯d be all our ends.¡±


    Aehrone¡¯s moaning got really insistent, so Cal let her speak.


    ¡°You dishonor your holy name! I will see to it that you¡ª¡±


    He shut her mouth once again.


    ¡°Sorry, I thought she wanted to say goodbye.¡±


    ¡°Cousin.¡± Elebykiades regarded the other demigod. ¡°You have your duty. I was happy hunting in my forests. And I would¡¯ve remained so without ever knowing who my mother was.¡± He glanced at the weapons in his remaining hand. They vanished in a glow that drifted skyward like snow falling in reverse. ¡°I will find that again or I will die.¡±


    ¡°Great! On your way than. Oh, I¡¯m serious about the last chance thing. Change your mind and I¡¯ll kill you.¡±


    ¡°I expect nothing less.¡±


    A mighty flap of Elebykiades wings carried him in the direction of the arrow. A faint golden glow fading quickly in the roiling ash clouds.


    ¡°Feckless children!¡± Aehrone snapped, breaking his gag over her mouth. ¡°Death before failure.¡±


    The mana in the fire and ash suddenly reversed course.


    ¡°Uh¡­ listen, as a Psionic Prime you know that you can trust my words in this¡­ but this ultimate power up thing¡­ even if it lets you kill me, you¡¯ll die. Not only that, but the explosion will destroy¡­¡± he spread his arms, ¡°pretty much as far as we can see right now.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Aehrone said flatly.


    <hr>


    Southern California, Spring 2053


    Alin dashed forward. Armor thrusters fired at the speed of cybernetic thought. He stayed upright, squared his body to Death¡¯s Dancer and spread his arms. All the things one did not do to make themselves harder to hit.


    The grenade exploded against his armored chest.


    He soaked the concussion and shrapnel, protecting the guards behind him.


    Dave one-handed his carbine with a Skill and dumped the mag. 50% accuracy was pretty good all things considered.


    Shauna and another guard Alin didn¡¯t recognize because of the full-faced helmet launched magic missiles in pink and blue.


    He grasped for Death Dancer¡¯s lifeforce like one of those autograph-seeking man-children willing to trample actual children to get to the front of the barrier when Gold Division gladiators came out to greet fans.


    The old American soldier stumbled, but recovered quickly. He moved not quite as a blur, but too fast for Alin to do more than activate his armor¡¯s electric field just before impact.


    Screams and grunts.


    Cracks and thuds.


    Sky and ground rapidly alternated in his vision.


    The boot in his chest sent him tumbling across the asphalt over 30 meters before he came to a stop.


    Eyes went up immediately to re-acquire the target.


    The HUD lined the skull-masked bastard in red.


    Data synced between him and the remaining Threnosh.


    Firing lines recommended. Designed to pin in quick moving targets.


    The heavy¡¯s shoulder-mounted cannon swiveled to switch suppression fire on the squad of old American soldiers across the distance, while they turned to shoot Death¡¯s Dancer with their heavy recoilless rifle.


    Accuracy took precedence over power when the badly wounded guards were scattered around the target.


    Tactical body armor flashed with magic light under the stream of projectiles.


    ¡°Shield enchantment. Degrading type. Maintain fire,¡± Fireteam Leader Candwyll Gorge 3569 said into the comms.


    The half squad was down two members.


    Death¡¯s Dancer covered his face with an upraised arm.


    Projectiles tore through cloth and scratched his pale skin.


    It appeared that the shield enchantment only covered the armor plates.


    He dodged left and right, but intentionally stayed close to the groaning guards.


    The grenade launcher thumped in quick succession, emptying the drum.


    Explosions washed over the Threnosh¡¯s shields.


    Unlike the old American soldier¡¯s they could recharge over time as long as the generators weren¡¯t blown out.


    Alin pulled on Death¡¯s Dancer while thickening the gray around the man.


    The soldier rolled forward and came up throwing.


    Enchanted short spear pierced the shield and lanced into the heavy¡¯s faceplate.


    The Threnosh¡¯s guns fell silent.


    ¡°Retreat,¡± Alin said into the comms.


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± the fireteam leader replied.


    Death¡¯s Dancer crouched, gathering his legs beneath him.


    A hand grabbed his leg.


    ¡°Detain.¡±


    A security guard Skill to buy a second.


    Dave might¡¯ve gotten more if he was higher level in the class. 22 was pretty good considering his true passions were 3D printing dioramas re-enacting great scenes in movie history and home brewing alcoholic beverages. Consequently, his levels were spread out. Security guard was just a job. A good one, he thought and he did take satisfaction at doing his part to contribute. After all, without Rayna and the rangers he would¡¯ve been gremlin food or worse as an overweight teenager back in the early days of the spires apocalypse.


    ¡°Let go.¡±


    Death¡¯s Dancer booted Dave¡¯s lower jaw off.


    The second wasn¡¯t enough.


    Death¡¯s Dancer covered a large amount of ground with frightening quickness.


    The last standard infantry soldier turned and fired.


    Projectiles spat into shielding hand, tearing through the glove, but not the flesh beneath.


    It was standard Threnosh operating procedure.


    Squad leaders died last.


    The second was enough.


    Alin listened to the algorithm¡¯s prediction.


    Multi-weapon turned into a spear cut a line across Death¡¯s Dancer¡¯s muscular arm.


    It felt like cutting steel.


    The yellow hardlight blade chipped, but drank in the red.


    Alin jabbed with quick thrusts meant to keep distance.


    Pink magic missiles burned through the rest of the old American soldier¡¯s shield.


    One of Shauna¡¯s legs was bent 90% in a direction it wasn¡¯t meant to, but she cast away, wide-eyed and bloody-faced.


    Despite broken limbs and internal injuries the guards didn¡¯t give up.


    One dragged herself over to Dave and struggled to use the field medic kit with her only working hand to stem the waterfall of red pouring out of him.


    William was prone, his legs limp, yet the young man fired at the old American soldiers taking the opening to charge out of cover behind shields, spells and Skills.


    Another guard, face hidden by his helm, covered William with a magic shield until it shattered.


    The next shot was a fireball that blew him away and set William on fire.


    A dark hand gripped Alin¡¯s heart and squeezed.


    He wanted to scream.


    He focused on the soldiers. Eyes darting to each one.


    Shoulder launchers emerged, firing micromissiles.


    Death¡¯s Dancer¡¯s eyes widened behind his red, white and blue skull mask, but the tiny missiles curved away from him and headed behind Alin.


    ¡°No!¡±


    Anticipating the possibility of a dangerous fight with the potential sleepers in the ambassador¡¯s party, the missiles had been fitted with a smaller, weaker version of the one Emerald Raptor, Colin, used on the huge harpy.


    Glowing orbs appeared on impact.


    Shields and armor failed.


    Each old American soldier hit the ground with baseball-sized holes in their bodies. Flesh and organs instantly vaporized. Charred bones were briefly visible before the blood realized it had to flow.


    ¡°Fucker!¡±


    Death¡¯s Dancer grabbed the haft of Alin¡¯s spear.


    He turned it into a greatsword.


    Red touched yellow as the gloved hand recoiled.


    ¡°Fancy weapon, but all you¡¯re giving me are paper cuts!¡±


    Alin focused his full attention on Death¡¯s Dancer, but the drain was slow.


    The powerful had more to take, but were difficult to take from.


    He likened it to draining a pool with a straw.


    It was too slow.


    The fatigue the soldier felt was being replaced almost as quickly by his body¡¯s natural recuperation.


    He swung the sword over his head in continuous, sweeping strikes.


    The hardlight blade was much lighter than one of steel or even Threnium, which meant he left no openings.


    Death¡¯s Dancer shot him.


    Had a submachine gun in hand in two blinks of an eye and emptied the magazine just as quick.


    He flinched, but didn¡¯t interrupt the blade pattern.


    Bullets bounced off his armor.


    ¡°Your armor¡¯s more bullshit than the rest, fucker. You must be special. Don¡¯t know you though. Not on the list. Too bad for you, cause I¡¯m going to make you pay for killing my guys.¡±


    Death¡¯s Dancer threw the gun.


    Alin cut it.


    The skull mask suddenly loomed large.


    He registered cutting hard muscled arms a split-second late.


    Too fast.


    HUD flashed red, screamed in concern.


    He felt the spear tip, just the tip, in his gut lifting him off his feet without understanding.


    His brain took time to catch up to reality.


    Enchanted short spear thrust through multiple layers of what was supposed to¡ª had been impenetrable as far as he could remember. Energy shield and Threnium failed.


    Desperation lent strength.


    Break limits or die.


    Those situations led to the most class gains.


    He didn¡¯t have one.


    What he had was the gray and he knew, deep down inside, that the gray survived.


    It streamed from his armor through specially designed vents.


    Thick like volcanic ash. Dark like an oil well fire.


    Knees shook.


    Not his.


    A big hand grabbed at his neck, failing to get more than a finger through the gap between his armored collar and head.


    The grip shifted to encompass the back of his head.


    Pull and push.


    Trying to drive the spear deeper.


    Failing because of a sudden weakening against a surge of strength.


    Alin kept his head up and pushed down on Death¡¯s Dancer¡¯s spear arm.


    Strength flowed from one to the other.


    Power sources whined as they fed more into the armor¡¯s artificial muscles.


    It wasn¡¯t close to equal, but enough to halt the spear.


    He stabbed with a dagger of hardlight.


    The thin, stiff blade was more like a spike. It skipped of the colorful mask and found the path of least resistance. Right into the eye hole.


    Red splattered yellow once again.


    Death¡¯s Dancer recoiled with a shout.


    Alin kicked the arm and freed himself.


    Wisps of gray leaked from the small hole in his stomach until the healing gel sealed it.


    Pain was a distant thing as the substance did its work.


    Death¡¯s Dancer leapt with a curse on his lips, barreling into Alin like a train.


    A hand darkened his faceplate as the back of his head crated the asphalt repeatedly.


    He fired the helmet laser.


    Cloth burned, skin sizzled.


    He planted his feet on Death¡¯s Dancer¡¯s chest before the bigger man could really secure the mount.


    Boot jets fired, sending the soldier dozens of meters in the air.


    A shining javelin streaked out of nowhere.


    Yet, somehow, the soldier had the reflexes and body control to twist in midair and snatch it before it could strike him in the back.


    Drake appeared. One hand on the javelin with a spear in the other.


    Bright flash!


    Thunder!


    The spell punched a small crater into the parking lot with a superhuman soldier at the bottom.


    Drake hung in the air a moment before hurling the javelin near Alin.


    The spear teleport took him from reality with a pop and spat him out with another a split-second later.


    ¡°Here.¡± Drake thrust a portal stone into Alin¡¯s hand.


    ¡°I have some.¡±


    ¡°Then why aren¡¯t you using one?¡±


    He looked at the older man as if he had sprouted a second head.


    ¡°I need to fight.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d be more effective somewhere inside using that fog of yours to knock them out. It¡¯d be great if we only had to deal with a handful instead of an entire battalion. Why aren¡¯t you doing that, by the way?¡±


    ¡°Long story. I burned out before I even got here. I¡¯m still trying to recharge.¡±


    ¡°Huh? We were wondering why you were in melee with that asshole. Speaking of¡ª¡±


    Drake spun his spear like a fan¡¯s blades, creating a humming drone.


    The debris cloud bloomed.


    A near blur dragged wisps in his wake.


    Short spear cracked against a translucent shield of faint blue light, surface writ with arcane symbols.


    Drake glanced at Alin out of the corner of his eye.


    ¡°Use that stone.¡±


    ¡°No way, dude. I¡¯m not leaving you alone with him.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t.¡± Drake regarded Death¡¯s Dancer. ¡°Remember me?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, ¡®Sticksies¡¯. Dumb name. You got old.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what fatherhood does.¡± He shrugged. ¡°You¡¯ve regressed. I don¡¯t see the kid sticking slavers. I see a soldier wetting his spears with innocent blood.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s war. You don¡¯t want to bleed, then you should¡¯ve surrendered.¡± Death¡¯s Dancer probed the shield even as Drake¡¯s spear continued to spin. ¡°Besides, you did your fair share.¡±


    ¡°Self-defense, bro. Totally different. I guess I shouldn¡¯t be surprised. If I remember it right, you guys went to the slavers looking to steal their slavery magitech. We went to stop it. I¡¯d say that gives us the right of it.¡±


    ¡°What you are¡­ are traitors to your rightful government and country.¡±


    ¡°And so Captain Patriot said. But you know, her words lacked conviction. Are you sure you¡¯re doing the right thing? Maybe you¡¯re just dancing on the strings of some demigod wannabe from another world. You really going to sell yourselves for Imperialists? I guess there¡¯s an irony in that. That¡¯s what America used to do to the countries they exported freedom to. Back one group of natives to control the rest. Dumb shit keeps repeating itself. You going to bring back slavery too? Too bad we¡ª¡±


    ¡°Fuck you! That¡¯s not true! We ended slavery!¡±


    ¡°Bro, half your country had to smack the other half hard enough to get them to stop. I¡¯m not even going to go into all the bullshit they did to make it slavery, but with more steps for the rest of their existence until the spires killed it for good.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not dead!¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t looked around? You want war? Die against the real enemies. Don¡¯t drag us into it. We¡¯re just trying to live our lives. You don¡¯t see us going around the country annexing towns and conquering territories, do you? That¡¯s a you thing.¡±


    A high-pitched whine filled the air, even on top of the cacophony from the raging battle.


    Headlights cut through the clouds of smoke, debris and the gray that only Alin¡¯s enemies could see.


    The vintage motorcycle, a crotch-rocket, his dad¡¯s term, was a riot of splashed color. Every shade of blue there was.


    The kamen rider crossed his arms, blasting Death¡¯s Dancer in the back with a bright beam.


    A chain whipped out from the motorcycle¡¯s tail, wrapping around the soldier¡¯s ankles.


    Tires squealed as Reon turned a tight circle before zipping toward the distant wall breach to the northeast.


    ¡°Use the stone.¡± Drake used his dad voice.


    ¡°Reon can¡¯t fight Death¡¯s Dancer.¡±


    ¡°He won¡¯t. He¡¯s under strict orders to buy time and ride away. Hopefully the monsters over there will keep that jackboot busy for a bit. It¡¯s getting harder not to go lethal.¡±


    They didn¡¯t want to kill people like Captain Patriot or Death¡¯s Dancer since his dad had hopes that they could be turned. The former, especially, her loyalty continued to fray with every line her government ordered her to cross.


    Drake rushed over to the injured guards. He doused the flames on William¡¯s back with a spray of water from his spear before slapping a portal stone and activating it.


    He worked quickly.


    Dave, Shauna and the rest followed until only four remained.


    Four motionless people.


    The stones only worked on living people.


    ¡°What¡¯re you waiting for?¡± Drake scowled.


    ¡°Sorry. I was on my way to help Bei.¡±


    ¡°Of course you were,¡± Drake sighed. ¡°Of course she¡¯d get into melee with him.¡± He glanced at the sky. Where dark dots danced with other dark dots through streams of tracers from a burning skyship that grew larger by the second. ¡°He¡¯s another one we¡¯d rather stay alive. Some extra help would be nice?¡±


    Alin shook his head.


    ¡°I need more to ask them to come out.¡±


    ¡°Hey, I think we¡¯re going to need a catapult in a little bit. But that¡¯s it! So don¡¯t get any ideas,¡± Drake said into a glowing diamond.


    The reply, if there was one, was inaudible to Alin.


    ¡°They¡¯re jamming the comms,¡± Drake explained.


    ¡°I know. I¡¯m getting nothing from anyone not in straight line of sight and within spitting distance.¡±


    ¡°It took half the mana in this thing to send that message. Hopefully, the rest is enough or we¡¯re going to get pancaked against those bulging muscles and I¡¯m not into that sort of thing.¡± Drake took a deep breath, planting his spear in the asphalt to pull javelins from his holster. ¡°Do what you think its best. I¡¯ll work around you. The goal is to make distance from the eidolon. Say, 2 meter radius.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    Alin launched himself into the one on one duel in a most dishonorable manner.

 10.5

    Alcaestus, the Eidolon of Adras, exerted a gravity of his own.


    Alin used it to speed his approach.


    Hardlight blade shrieked against lavender skin, leaving the former chipped and the latter unmarked.


    An arm as thick as a light pole lashed out, shattering the blade and forcing Alin to hit the ground.


    He rolled as the earth shook at the eidolon¡¯s stomp.


    ¡°A new opponent? You interrupt an honorable duel.¡±


    Bei flashed in with blurring feet against Alcaestus¡¯ huge head.


    Once again she danced just out of his reach.


    ¡°You¡¯re tiring, tiny woman of the lightning fists and fire feet. Yield and I guarantee your safety.¡±


    The cultivator didn¡¯t waste breath on a reply. She drew what meager Qi she could from the environment.


    ¡°As for you, hidden warrior. Will you not announce yourself? There is no honor in hiding one¡¯s countenance. Your armor appears of greater quality than those brave warriors I have fought thus far. Are you perhaps a champion?¡±


    Alin had no intention of speaking.


    His dad had gone through the trouble of altering their memories in the wake of the Slashers¡¯ Spree.


    He was a nondescript fighter in their thoughts. One with a face and voice of such unremarkable quality that it wasn¡¯t worth remembering.


    To alter was better than erasure.


    The latter left gaps that drew questions.


    Thus, he kept his faceplate dark as he circled warily with the point of his hardlight longsword between him and Alcaestus.


    ¡°Bei? Can you hear me? Comms only. Don¡¯t let him hear.¡±


    ¡°I do, Boy.¡±


    ¡°We have a plan.¡±


    ¡°Good. Mine has proved a complete failure.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, bad matchup. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    ¡°It just means that I have to train harder.¡± She sighed. ¡°This plan? Does it involve Sticksies?¡±


    Several javelins had already appeared as if they had spontaneously sprouted out of the asphalt.


    If Alcaestus noticed, he gave no indication.


    ¡°Yeah. We just need to stay at least 2 meters away from him.¡±


    ¡°I would¡¯ve already retreated much farther than that had I been able.¡±


    Honorable duels in the middle of a battle seemed dumb, but like anything it could be turned into an advantage.


    Case in point¡­


    The lack of soldiers around Alcaestus because he had ordered them elsewhere.


    Plus, tying him down at the cost of a less impactful fighter. Not to say that Bei wasn¡¯t deadly in her own right. Just that Alcaestus could¡¯ve already torn an opening in the building¡¯s armor-covered walls had he not been been busy.


    Alin shot the eidolon in the face with a containment bullet from his gauntlet.


    Sticky foam ballooned, engulfing Alcaestus¡¯ head.


    Underslung flamethrower deployed and bathed the eidolon.


    Nothing burned.


    Not the sculpted breastplate, nor the fur cloak, not even then plain-looking man skirt. At best, the white cloth smudged a bit.


    The air thrummed. Like standing next to a speaker. It reached into his core.


    ¡°Watch out, Boy!¡±


    The inexorable pull of gravity seized them.


    Foresight and the perfect person to practice against had prepared them well.


    Alin angled his body and fired his thrusters.


    Instead of careening into Alcaestus solid rock of a body, he whipped to the left like a space shuttle around the moon.


    Bei did the same on the other side by kicking off the asphalt with a burst of explosive fire.


    The only problem was that they were going to meet on the other side.


    Fortunately, Bei had the reflexes of a master cultivator and she could fly.


    She twisted with the grace of a hunting falcon, using Alin as a springboard and temporary distraction to swoop in and land a dozen lightning-aspected punches to the eidolon¡¯s face in the moment it took to zip past him.


    Alin twisted without nearly as much grace, but he managed to land two containment balls close enough to those massive sandaled feet.


    Odd that.


    He remembered Alcaestus wore boots when in combat.


    Not that footwear of any type was necessary when one was as durable as the 8 foot tall mountain of muscle.


    The eidolon finally pulled enough of the sticky foam off his face to reveal a baleful stare.


    Alin hit him with strobe lights from his helmet.


    The pattern and intensity made people¡¯s brains seize up.


    Naturally, it was ignored.


    He could¡¯ve escalate his way up the toys in his kit, but winning the fight wasn¡¯t the plan.


    Flamethrower again.


    Alcaestus moved fast.


    Alin wasn¡¯t a fan of superstrong people also moving much faster than him.


    The hand engulfed his left arm from elbow to wrist.


    The flamethrower and every weapon and defensive system in there died with a crunch.


    ¡°You fight like a trickster.¡±


    The other hand engulfed his head including the helmet.


    A sudden fireworks show surrounded them.


    ¡°Ow.¡± Alcaestus released him.


    Alin scrambled away.


    The eidolon massaged his wrists.


    ¡°Stings like a Verdinian Mangler¡¯s ass quills.¡±


    Alin had no interest in finding out more about whatever those things were and why they had quills in that location.


    A red dot disappeared and reappeared on Alcaestus¡¯s goo smeared forehead.


    Up on the rooftop, silhouetted by the sun, Marloes held her wand of laser pointer steady without even a hint of a tremble.


    A flash, point blank against the eidolon¡¯s forehead rocked his head back. Violet mane of luscious hair swayed violently.


    2 meters.


    Alin scrambled out of Drake¡¯s imposed radius.


    Bei had already cleared the distance.


    Drake chose that moment to pop out of nowhere hand on a nearby planted javelin. He pointed his spear.


    ¡°The Silver Forest of Saint Matracyn.¡±


    Copies of his spear erupted out of the ground beneath the eidolon.


    Gold dripped down gleaming silver.


    Alin had seen the Skill pierce monsters with thick armor plating that shrugged off hits from an anti-material rifle.


    The best it could do to the eidolon was cut.


    Where points pressed flush against the lavender skin only the tips broke through.


    The eidolon strained, muscles bulging, but the silver spears trapping him held.


    No one knew who Saint Matracyn was, but they made educated guesses based on the Skill given their name.


    ¡°Now!¡± Drake said.


    A portal opened.


    Jayde leapt through with a whoop.


    She punched the ground, launching Alcaestus on an earthen pillar.


    Alin¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    Jayde was showing.


    The noticeable bulge of her armor-covered belly¡­ their third little one about halfway through the baking process, as she liked to say.


    Desperate times¡­


    But¡­ pregnant women shouldn¡¯t be on battlefields.


    Safer in the underground bunker.


    Granted that level of safety decreased in proportion to how far the enemy penetrated their defenses.


    ¡°Okay, nicely done, honey, but let¡¯s get you back¡ª¡±


    A shadow fell over them, slapping the rest of what Drake was about to say out of his mouth.


    The eidolon hovered over them on winged sandals.


    ¡°Those weren¡¯t in the scouting reports,¡± Jayde said lightly.


    ¡°The duel has ended. Battle remains. You,¡± Alcaestus thrust a meaty finger to Jayde, ¡°are with child. Depart this field.¡±


    Jayde threw her hands up. ¡°Um, yeah, where exactly am I going to go?¡±


    ¡°I will allow you to cast your gateway spell.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that wasn¡¯t mine.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ use that stone I see in the spear mage¡¯s hand.¡±


    Drake thrust it into his wife¡¯s hand.


    She scowled. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving you to fight him!¡± she hissed under her breath.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t the time,¡± he hissed back.


    ¡°What do you mean? This is the time. This is the only time! No way you¡¯re going to die without me!¡±


    ¡°How about no one dies! Especially¡­ our baby. Do you remember her?¡±


    ¡°How dare you imply I¡¯m not thinking of our precious!¡±


    Alcaestus cleared his throat.


    ¡°I¡¯m loathe to harm a mother¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah? You sure about that?¡± Jayde challenged. ¡°I can name several mothers that you assholes have already harmed.¡±


    ¡°I can only control my hands. What others do, though I find distasteful¡ª¡± he shook his massive head. ¡°I¡¯m bound by honor and my very nature to obey the will of my God.¡±


    ¡°He ordered you to kill mothers?¡± Jayde raised a brow.


    ¡°Enough! You may leave. The rest I¡¯m bound to fight. I will accept surrender. I will shield your honor on mine.¡±


    ¡°Just do it!¡± Drake snapped.


    ¡°Fine.¡± Jayde squeezed the stone. ¡°It¡¯s not working.¡± She shrugged.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Drake said.


    ¡°The hunter¡¯s hounds tighten their cordon around the herd,¡± Alcaestus said. ¡°I will attempt to subdue you without unnecessary injury. However, you are dangerous foes and I can¡¯t stay my hand at risk to duty.¡±


    ¡°Irony,¡± Drake sighed. ¡°That¡¯s sort of how we¡¯re approaching you.¡±


    ¡°Such largesse isn¡¯t needed. I welcome your best.¡±


    ¡°Get to the roof, I¡¯ll keep him busy.¡± Drake twirled his spear.


    ¡°Nuh uh,¡± Jayde said.


    She brought her armored fists together with a crack that cleared the dust and smoke.


    Glowing arcane circles appeared around them, multiplying up her forearms to her elbows.


    Tension wound like a spring, neither side willing to move first.


    A high-pitched whine cut through.


    Alcaestus turned, catching the bright beam in his palm like a catcher¡¯s mitt does a baseball.


    Reon¡¯s chain whipped out.


    The eidolon caught it with his other hand.


    Engine roared.


    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Rear tire squealed.


    The tug of war lasted but a moment before Alcaestus whipped Reon, motorcycle included, into the side of the armor-plated building.


    ¡°Aww shit,¡± Drake said.


    ¡°Someone please get my wife to the roof and inside. And no fighting the harpies!¡±


    ¡°Apologies,¡± Bei said as she swept Jayde off her feet.


    ¡°Hey! Put me down this instant young lady! Honor your elders! Or something like that!¡±


    Her protests fell on deaf ears as Bei soared.


    ¡°Good,¡± Alcaestus said. ¡°Such deeds must be kept amongst warriors.¡±


    The eidolon cast a wide shadow.


    ¡°How about no.¡± Dayana flickered into existence, stabbing a knife into Alcaestus¡¯ shadow. ¡°Stay there for a bit.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re supposed¡ª¡± Drake began.


    ¡°No time. Wasn¡¯t going to watch you die for no reason. We¡¯ve got a better idea,¡± Dayana said.


    Tabitha climbed out of a shadow on the wall next to the downed Reon. She melted back into it with the young man in tow.


    Rupert appeared between the blink of Alin¡¯s eyes, standing near Dayana.


    The wizard eyed the immobile eidolon hovering above them and gulped.


    ¡°Too close, way too close,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°No rush, but don¡¯t take too long.¡± Dayana¡¯s face betrayed nothing, but her fingers were crushing the hilt of her knife. She caught his eye. ¡°Lucky we saw you from up there. Sensors are all messed up. Just like comms. Teddy Bear¡¯s going to open a portal for you first.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s it taking me?¡±


    ¡°Not a safe place.¡± Her smile didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°Witches have been saying you need to be out with the team defending the front for the last half hour or so. In a terrible coincidence, the magus just requested your presence. She didn¡¯t explain. And I hate to send you into a huge unknown, but time is an issue. Like I said, when comms work, they aren¡¯t working well. We¡¯ve been sending messages the old fashioned, slow way.¡±


    ¡°What about him?¡± he regarded the eidolon.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a murder of wizards link-casting. It¡¯ll be enough to overcome his resistances. We¡¯re going to send him far away.¡±


    ¡°There.¡± Rupert opened a glowing portal that took the shape of an open door, perhaps a copy of the kind the wizard was most familiar with.


    Alin hesitated.


    ¡°Go. Don¡¯t worry about us,¡± Drake said.


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re heading into something worse. I¡¯m sorry,¡± Dayana said.


    He stepped into hell.


    Shouts and screams mixed with the sounds of bullets and spells smashing into shields, of explosions swallowing people in blooming fire.


    A monstrous eye bigger than his head floated above, swiveling every direction with frantic desperation. Long lashes blinked in time with the faint pulses of green light that settled over his side.


    Injured men and women healed just enough to keep them in the fight or send them back into it.


    It was cruel in a way.


    Soothe the pain just enough for them to suffer it again.


    The Magus of the Twelve Eyes floated above it all. Monster eyes orbited around her, firing spells at the enemy while blocking theirs in turn.


    The best of the old government¡¯s armed forces had been committed to the frontal attack.


    Animal hybrids, hulking supersoldiers, a handful of low-level superhumans like his mom and the feral-types like Howard.


    Their highest leveled soldiers.


    Men with white beards and lined faces.


    A map etched on their flesh tracing their path back to the beginning in a world that had died. A world that they had been unable to leave behind.


    He saw the death in their eyes.


    Their eagerness to meet it with open arms.


    He was taken aback, but only for a moment.


    Turn the tide.


    He could do it.


    Death¡¯s Dancer and Alcaestus were on a higher rung of the ladder than these men and women.


    Captain Patriot was higher still.


    He did what his true nature demanded.


    What he despised.


    The gray spread quicker, responding to the eagerness he wished he didn¡¯t feel until it engulfed all of them.


    He reached inside and pulled.


    <hr>


    Mt. Rushmore, Spring 2053


    ¡°When the mighty battle, the world is made to feel pain,¡± the demigod intoned. ¡°When the self-righteous struggle, only the just remain.¡± Eyes blazed with golden fire.


    The forest fire vanished as quickly as it had spread. All of the energy flowed back into its source.


    The orb Aehrone cupped in her palms shined with the intensity of a second sun.


    Golden light scoured all that it touched.


    Hundreds of meters of forest below and clouds above vaporized with a shriek that shook Cal¡¯s soul.


    The energy pulsed in time with the demigod¡¯s heartbeat. An ever-expanding sphere that turned the forest floor into glass.


    The true sun shined through the gaping hole in the roiling darkness high over her head.


    He flew back with each pulse, staying just out of reach.


    The air droned with divine power.


    The saturation was so thick that looking through it with his extra senses reminded him of swimming in murky waters or slurry.


    One last pulse left nearly a thousand meter diameter circle of glass where there was once a green forest teeming with life, dangerous as it was.


    Now?


    Empty.


    Two minds left all alone.


    The demigod¡¯s form was a sliver of darkness in the epicenter of blinding intensity. But only for a moment as even the light couldn¡¯t resist the inexorable pull of the orb she held to the heavens.


    The orb vanished next. Absorbed into the demigod.


    Dark clouds quickly filled the gaping void, shrouding them in darkness once again.


    Aehrone flew like a shooting star across the night sky.


    Cracks leaking gold light had formed on the surface of her adamantine armor and spear.


    The latter vibrated, struggling to contain the power.


    Her thrust shattered 7 layers of his telekinetic shield while he stripped layers of adamantine, leaving the stout spear as thin and brittle as a thin bamboo stick.


    He caught it half an arm¡¯s length in front of his face. Left hand just behind the spearhead.


    Warnings flashed.


    Threnium weave glove smoked.


    He felt the heat radiating to his wrist, down his arm. Just like accidentally grabbing a cast iron skillet¡¯s handle back in the days before the spires. That had ruined the camping trip well-beyond the lack of showers and flushing toilets.


    Even with his extra sensory powers he could see nothing inside Aehrone¡¯s helmet slit except blazing gold light.


    The divine power surged from her core into the spear.


    He reinforced his hand and increased his physical strength to keep it from continuing its journey.


    ¡°Aehrekpryvutai!¡±


    Her words reverberated.


    Many voices in one mouth.


    His hand vanished.


    Threnium.


    Magitech prosthesis.


    All vaporized in an instant.


    Even the magic in the prosthesis ceased to exist.


    The spear tip glinted.


    He slashed with his right.


    Telekinetic forcefield formed into a molecule thin edge along his hand.


    Spearhead skipped off the side of his helmet, taking bits of Threnium with it.


    The severed haft sprayed gold energy, knocking him back.


    Aehrone cursed, casting her ruined weapon down.


    He reached for her thoughts.


    What he found horrified him.


    It appeared that her physical brain was disappearing by the second.


    He scanned the rest of her.


    Like before, the divine energy resisted his touch like a slimy eel in a vat of lubricant.


    He spoke into her ears.


    ¡°You¡¯re losing your biological bits.¡±


    She replied with a golden blast, wrapping around his bubble.


    It overwhelmed his armor¡¯s instruments and disrupted his extra sensory perceptions.


    His bubble burst under a flurry of gold-sheathed fists.


    The demigod produced a short blade mid cutting motion.


    Its surface cracked instantly, then shattered against his hasty shield.


    She struck in a blur alternating strikes with each hand.


    Weapons appeared and broke with each.


    Unlike the spear they couldn¡¯t hold the divine power for longer than a moment.


    A normal person watching from a safe distance would¡¯ve seen nothing but blurs, punctuated by flashes of golden light and shockwaves briefly clearing an enormous spherical area free of the rain.


    They wouldn¡¯t hear the thunderous cracks for many seconds. Such was the safe distance.


    To be closer meant death from overpressure. Broken bodies and pulped organs. Like those of monsters and animals as far away as the remains of Mt. Rushmore, perhaps even a handful of kilometers beyond that point.


    Blazing hands grabbed the back of Cal¡¯s head, pulling him into an adamantine-armored knee.


    Cracks spider-webbed across his faceplate.


    Too fast to counter.


    A second knee strike boomed against a telekinetic shield.


    He flowed with the strength of her hold, planting his armored shoulder into her armored gut, tackling her to the ground.


    Over a hundred meters straight down.


    Mach 2 on impact.


    Glittering shards exploded into fine dust closest to the epicenter.


    Further out, jagged shards, some as large as a human being launched like missiles.


    A lucky mountain lion many kilometers away blinked as one such shard sheared through a deer¡¯s neck.


    An instant meal without any of the effort.


    He was, however, unlucky when he failed to realize that another stealthier hunter was also on the prowl.


    Toothy shoulder tentacles struck from concealment.


    Two meals for the price of one made for a pleased monster.


    Aehrone was less pleased.


    The divine power consumed her.


    Thoughts in her dwindling brain burned away one by one.


    It wouldn¡¯t take long until only one remained and at that point she¡¯d have two paths left to her.


    Oblivion in an explosion to rival the Tsar Bomba or¡­ ascension?


    As least that¡¯s what Cal thought he picked up in his futile attempts to sink his hooks into what was left of her psyche. As far as he could tell, with no confidence, there was some kind of residual consciousness or memories within the divine power. Like pieces of a person¡¯s genetic code, but infinitely more complex.


    A map of sorts for her to follow?


    Yet, she had no idea it existed within her.


    He supposed the so called gods wouldn¡¯t make the process an easy one to follow.


    Sharing their divine essence with demigod children and drops of their divine blood with eidolons created useful tools.


    Creating new gods split that power and made potential usurpers.


    It took a certain mindset to seek that kind of power.


    He snapped a telekinetic hand over a knife blade before it could stab him in the side of the head.


    He forced the explosion away.


    Aehrone pushed his face back.


    Much longer arms meant he couldn¡¯t hit her despite having transitioned into a mount.


    Fortunately, physical limitations didn¡¯t matter.


    Telekinetic punches buried her head into the glassed forest floor.


    It went deep.


    They were already in a crater and he still wasn¡¯t hitting dirt.


    She bucked her hips, but he pushed down with several hundred tons of force.


    Glass gave way to earth and stone.


    The lip of the crater loomed high above them.


    Options flashed through his mind.


    None of them particularly desirable.


    A nascent god or the mother of all explosions?


    The latter would be ironic considering Aehr¡¯s portfolio.


    It seemed a little unfair.


    One could claim motherhood for actual babies to abstract concepts and everything in between.


    She had her fingers in the nearly infinite pie of existence itself.


    That meant strength to put it mildly.


    Rain fell and ran down the sides of the crater before evaporating in the heat of the demigod¡¯s golden aura.


    A thousand tiny rainbows glittered around them.


    The demigod roared with many voices, sweeping and reversing their position.


    Hundreds of tons flipped over as easily as a small child.


    Punches rained down around his face with machine gun rate and bunker buster power.


    Shields cracked and shattered.


    Stabby knives poked and prodded, but Cal replaced each shield quicker than Aehrone could break them.


    Her psyche slipped further and further away.


    Could he help her regain it?


    The possibility intrigued him, but it wasn¡¯t the time to experiment.


    Thighs around his waist crushed armor against armor.


    Divine energy continued to leak from the cracks.


    It was beginning to affect the compartments of holding.


    He couldn¡¯t be sure, but it felt as though the golden energy was simply erasing the enchantments, like the fires had scoured the forest of everything from the largest tree to the smallest blade of grass.


    The earth swallowed the two of them at the speed of thought.


    Deeper and deeper they went through several strata.


    A thousand meters? Two?


    He finally succeeded in freeing himself from her mounted position.


    He pushed her away, encased her in a seamless tomb.


    The earth rumbled.


    He wished he could say that it was just the natural grinding of tectonic plates and so forth.


    But he knew better.


    He flew, parting the earth above him with a thought until he emerged back on the surface.


    Aehrone was a split-second behind. Her arrival heralded by a bright golden beam shooting up from the ground, parting the dark storm clouds to reach the heavens.


    He hammered her from a distance with invisible force powerful enough to carve his likeness out of a granite mountain.


    She answered with golden beams to wipe said mountain clean.


    They weaved together beneath dark clouds.


    Rain turning to steam in her aura.


    Bright gold streaked into invisible shields at hypersonic speeds.


    While kinetic force did the same to adamantine plate.


    He turned brute bludgeons into surgical blades and spikes.


    Edges and points smaller than a molecule slipped through armor and enchantment, but what did divine energy have to fear from physical force?


    The demigod continued to shed the last trappings of her humanity.


    There was a sense of sadness in the knowledge that her last mortal thought would be a single desire.


    His destruction.


    After that?


    He couldn¡¯t say.


    Would the divine energy consume her completely? To disperse across the environment, creating whatever effects it may? Or would she do the impossible? To go beyond the limits, ascending to godhood and reclaiming her sapience.


    He emptied the compartments around his waste before the enchantments failed.


    Grenades and glass containers, vials and baubles, filled with every type of ordinance and alchemy he had access to.


    He sent them to her from every angle.


    Incendiaries, acid, concussion, sticky foam, hardening foam, disorienting light and sound.


    She vaporized all of them in her aura.


    He sent the rest of his weapons to the ground.


    They were useless against her.


    He tried to confuse her, planting thoughts and images in what was left of her brain.


    Dozens of him flying all around her.


    A snap blast splashed against his shield.


    He ripped a terror from her childhood. One of the last memories remaining from those days. A monster with many mouths and long tongues, dripping with slimy saliva.


    She didn¡¯t hesitate flying through the image only the two of them could see to blast him in the chest.


    Armor systems began to fail.


    The heat and impact took their due.


    HUD went dark.


    Shield generators overloaded, forcing him to jettison them.


    Since she had made them do that it seemed right to gift them to her.


    Her aura ate the explosions.


    Released energy became absorbed energy.


    The immense amount she spent with each blast was akin to a day¡¯s output for one of the old power plants they used back in Southern California.


    Yet, she wasn¡¯t running low.


    In fact, it continued to build.


    What she stripped from the environment wasn¡¯t nearly enough to account for the increase.


    He couldn¡¯t tell how.


    It was par for the course since the spires broke the laws of physics long ago.


    Why would a demigod need to obey thermodynamic rules?


    It wasn¡¯t like he hadn¡¯t done the same.


    A beam thicker than he was tall scorched the rain-filled sky.


    The impact would have rocketed him close to escape velocity, The cue ball to her giant cue, had he not pushed back long enough to slip beneath.


    He hit her from below, punching her into the dark clouds.


    Two paths?


    In truth, there was only one and he couldn¡¯t allow her to walk it on his world.


    The defunct American government had created the problem.


    It was only fair that they played their part in the solution.


    He pushed Aehrone higher, tanking her blasts despite the figurative knives in his brain stabbing and twisting.


    One path.


    And it lay in the bright blue skies beyond the storm.

 10.6

    Kind eyes the color of the waves lapping at the sand.


    A large finger reached hesitantly.


    It felt hard and rough in pudgy fingers not yet large enough to encircle.


    Legs kicked with a mind of their own against her soft bindings.


    Unpleasant wetness spread.


    Once again she betrayed herself.


    Comprehension yet remained beyond her grasp.


    Thus, she opened her mouth and let loose that which lurked in her core, ever close to the surface.


    ¡°She possesses the lungs of a warrior!¡±


    The voice rumbled, sending disconcerting, but somehow comforting vibrations through her.


    Confusion silenced her own.


    She had only ever heard soft, lilting voices or the one that she knew was ¡®mother¡¯.


    That one truth she knew even though her mind had yet to divine meaning or understanding to the gibberish in her ears.


    Naturally, she had no comprehension of such things as ¡®word¡¯ and ¡®definitions¡¯.


    Every single moment of existence for her was one of discovery.


    Unfamiliar scents filled the air.


    She had no words to describe them, but she knew that she didn¡¯t like them.


    It was so unlike the only world she had known.


    That wasn¡¯t the only change.


    The golden hue to everything was gone.


    It only shined from somewhere behind her.


    She wriggled, trying to crane her head back as a flower turns toward the sun.


    Failure!


    Curse her weakness!


    She found her voice again to share her displeasure with existence.


    ¡°You have reviewed the texts diligently?¡± Mother said.


    A soothing presence reached inside.


    Why was she upset again?


    The thought flitted away in the warm, golden embrace.


    ¡°Yes, my Goddess.¡±


    A third voice, soft like those she remembered, but without the golden warmth.


    ¡°He has studied hard the past 2 years so that he could read them in his own right.¡±


    ¡°I could not have done it without her patient tutelage for my skull is often times as thick as my arms.¡±


    ¡°Then it is done,¡± Mother said.


    A throat cleared.


    Deep voice rumbled.


    Thumping vibrations shook her warm, hard living cradle.


    She liked the warmth, but not the hardness, nor all the movement.


    Not at all like the soft, steady cradles she had grown accustomed to.


    ¡°Speak, mortal.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ just¡­ her name¡­ I mean, what should we name her, my Goddess?¡±


    Interesting how such a voice of deep strength could sound so small.


    ¡°Her true name is Aehrone. You may name her as you wish. Consult the texts, but I urge you to find your own ways of motherhood. She starts with the same potential as all of my children. Raise her to rise to the limits of this or don¡¯t. She will serve her purpose, regardless. Do not waste this greatest of honors.¡±


    The golden warmth vanished without a trace.


    Her voice wailed.


    Its absence was like a gaping void.


    Not that she¡¯d understand or be able to put it into words for many years.


    The soft voice made pleasant sounds as the world shifted.


    The jostling displeased her as it spread the wetness further.


    ¡°She¡¯s got a warrior¡¯s lungs!¡±


    Brow furrowed.


    Soft cradle replacing hard cradle was a good thing, yet the wetness remained and worse it was getting colder!


    ¡°It¡¯s too bad that she¡¯s also got your brow and nose. Aww, look at you, our precious little demigod.¡±


    Soft tickled her chin and pinched her cheeks.


    She preferred the former over the latter.


    ¡°A warrior¡¯s dread countenance! Just like the long ling of her mortal ancestors! The next fierce topaz eagle to rake her talons across the blood-red skies!¡±


    ¡°Shhh¡­ careful. Our Goddess will not be pleased to hear such words.¡±


    ¡°Aehr holds dominion over all. Mother of children. Mother of battle. Is not the bearagon mother a fiercer warrior than bearagon father? Did she not pick the mightiest warrior in the land? Our seed never fails to bear fruit. And that fruit?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, warriors without compare¡­ but¡­ I¡¯d wager a bag of the sovereign¡¯s own coin that you getting chosen had more to do with Sargas having the cleanliness of a bearagon.¡±


    ¡°Ugly bastard too. A doughty warrior, but he can¡¯t compete with this jaw line. It¡¯s why he grows that beard of his. To hide that chin!¡± Laughter. ¡°It¡¯s not even a chin! How can a man have a negative chin?¡±


    ¡°Enough, Hektor! Lest your pride grows to rival mythical Sussicran.¡±


    ¡°Ha! You¡¯ll not likely find me starved to death next to a mirror pool of Mt. Aitsamim.¡±


    A hundred thousand telekinetic blades and spikes thinner than a molecule slid through adamantine armor to be utterly erased the moment they touched golden divinity.


    ¡°Hektoria!¡± mother called.


    She ignored the voice despite the Skill throwing it so far into the depths of the tangled jungle.


    The delta cat from the deep marshes a few leagues to the south had taken its last marsh piglet from the village.


    Little Ser Wheek¡¯s-a-lot would be avenged.


    She had sworn an oath on her father¡¯s name to her boon companions¡­ the other village children.


    A vine serpent, so named for its appearance, struck without the courtesy of a warning hiss.


    She bopped its snout, sending it slinking away in crushing humiliation.


    She was no prey. She ruled the jungle. Tiny as a patch as it was.


    It had never occurred to her that a jungle of its like didn¡¯t belong so close to the coast. Nor did she pay attention to her history lessons enough to pick up the knowledge that the jungle had sprang up practically over one night, approximately 9 years ago. Exactly a week older than her in a not at all suspicious coincidence.


    Father had often said it was a great training ground.


    Not that she understood what he meant as he bid her to enjoy it, while mother¡¯s eyes narrowed at his broad back.


    The delta cat appeared out of the brush, cautiously prowling down the trail.


    It appeared scrawny. More skin and bones, than sleekly muscled hunter.


    Too young to be on its own.


    Too hungry and inexperienced to notice her perch in an old grandmother¡¯s twisted web of branches high above the dimly-lit floor.


    Leaves and other detritus crunched underneath its paws.


    Once again, a mark of inexperience.


    Fuzzy ears twitched, but it continued on.


    She fell upon it like a silent shadow.


    A long while later, after an epic struggle beneath an old grandmother¡¯s impassive gaze, she returned to her home.


    ¡°No, Hektoria! What is this?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s just hungry.¡±


    The young delta cat yowled in her unyielding arms. It clawed at the stone tiles of the entry way, clawed at her arms and legs, adding more scratches to the criss-crossing lines of wet gold all over her pale skin. Bits of foliage, small twigs and the like made a tangled bird¡¯s nest out of her golden hair.


    She had changed her mind.


    Vengeance had given way to rehabilitation¡­ this time.


    ¡°Please, mother! I¡¯ll feed him!¡±


    Mother¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Well¡­ your father has been talking about getting you a battle companion. This does seem portentous,¡± she mused, tapping a finger on her dainty chin. ¡°I¡¯ll allow it. But¡ª¡±


    Always with mother, but the acquiescence had come quickly enough that the young girl knew better than to speak.


    ¡°¡ª I won¡¯t be mauled by that thing. Take him to Beast Trainer Ludion. That beast isn¡¯t to set foot in this house until it is fixed. I will not step in puddles and piles in my home. Do you understand?¡±


    The golden-haired girl bleeding gold couldn¡¯t help the smile on her chubby-cheeked face.


    ¡°I¡¯ll name him Aehronion!¡±


    The delta cat yowled and dragged furrows in the dirt all the way to the outskirts of the village.


    Golden energy erupted, clearing a wide swathe through the dark clouds.


    Golden rays pierced the gauzy wisps as they sped across the sky.


    The contents of her stomach lay on the grass between her wet boots. Liquids mixed. Some had gotten on her boots, making patterns in the wet red.


    The old veterans had advised her not to take anything more solid than water after her last trip to the latrines.


    They had lied for she could see small chunks in the grass.


    ¡°I was hungry for nothing,¡± she whispered.


    ¡°Not so,¡± father said.


    He stood like a mountain at her back.


    An unyielding bulwark against their enemies.


    ¡°Those little things that look like bits of meat are actually little pieces of the inside of your guts. At least that¡¯s what a doctor once told me. Unfortunate fellow¡­ took a disintegration ray to the chest¡­¡±


    She took a deep breath¡­ a mistake¡­ the acrid smoke and iron tang wafting from every direction made her gag.


    That wasn¡¯t even the worse of it.


    The old veterans and father had warned her, but she hadn¡¯t been prepared for the stench of human and sapient waste.


    Truth be told, not that she¡¯d admit it, a bit of pee had escaped her desperate clenching at the start of the battle.


    ¡°I¡¯m proud of you daughter!¡± Father beamed down at her. ¡°Blooded in her first battle at the second youngest age of our line!¡±


    ¡°Only second?¡±


    It was good to distract her thoughts from the bits and pieces of once living people scattered across the battlefield.


    ¡°It is said that the Hammer of Anaphron was a mere handful of days after his 13th birthday when he fought in the Battle of Crimson Unending. On that day he cast his birth name aside for the honor and glory of our line. And here stands my daughter! Not even 15 year¡¯s old! And dueling Level 30 warriors!¡±


    ¡°You slew their First Sword, father.¡±


    Those boulder-sized shoulder¡¯s shrugged.


    ¡°She was young. New to her class. It might¡¯ve have been a different story had she a decade or two under her sword hand. A bit of a waste, really, but that¡¯s how it tends to go with Suiteonem¡¯s lot. And that is why we fight. Suiteonem cannot have our lands.¡±


    ¡°In Aehr¡¯s name.¡±


    The words came easily.


    ¡°In her name,¡± father intoned.


    Left hand clenched around a golden orb.


    Blinding light leaked through armored fingers, turning into wild arcs of thin beams that undulated like flying serpents.


    The first wave broke individual invisible shields thought into existence to block each beam despite their erratic flight paths.


    A second wave a split second later, ablated layers off dark gray armor.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Its strength belied its drab appearance.


    Like striking a fully-grown true dragon.


    She strode through the ruins of our home village¡ª town.


    It had grown prosperous in the decades since she had last visited.


    All thanks to mother, who had parlayed father¡¯s spoils into multiple industries taking advantage of the surprising development of magical flora and fauna in the embarrassingly-named Hektoria¡¯s Playland.


    In another few decades the town would have become a city.


    That path was dead.


    Burned and wiped off the face of the future¡¯s map.


    War had seen to that.


    Her legs took her to the cemetery in the center.


    Mother and father rested together in a plain, but well-made crypt. Their likeness were carved into the marble doors.


    She paused, stroking the pumpkin-sized head of a delta cat.


    Also marble, Aehronion¡¯s likeness, exactly captured from the notches in his ears, scar-covered body, broken fang and missing toes. As he had guarded her until his last against that razor-spined hydra, he would stand watch over her parents until eternity ended.


    An unbidden memory grabbed hold of her.


    Of her loyal friend in his youth getting into Pumpkin Farmer Cofeus¡¯ prized patch of magic pumpkins and carving one of the over-sized rainbow-colored things to put on his head as a helmet. A passable copy of the ones worn by the village¡¯s warriors. Oh, how the children had loved following the delta cat parade back and forth in front of the barracks as though in mockery. He had done that regularly. So much so that the farmer had been able to send his children to the academy of arts and sciences in the distant capital with the gold father had paid for all the magic pumpkins. Father¡¯s laughter had made it clear that he had considered it coin well spent.


    There had been talk of a statue of father.


    She had received messages from the town¡¯s leaders.


    Great, great grandchildren of the some of the village children she had run together with as boon companions. The ones that survived the adventures and battles to retire.


    She hadn¡¯t known it until after her 20th year, but that had never been a path for her.


    How long had it been since she had lasted visited?


    Twenty years? Twenty-five?


    When she had returned to grant her family¡¯s holdings in perpetuity to the vil¡ª town 2 years after she had reunited father with mother.


    It had been the awe in their eyes that had firmed her resolve to remove herself from the place.


    Not that she had any other choice.


    Aehr, Mother, needed her services across the entire world.


    But even then to see the descendants of her boon companions with lined faces and gray hairs while she looked as she did when she had entered her prime only served to disquiet her.


    The passage of time was easier to bear when she didn¡¯t see distant echoes in the faces of others, heard it in their voices.


    A falling star cracked across the sky.


    It demolished what was left of the town hall.


    She found herself standing in front of the rubble before she realized it.


    Battle instincts honed over decades at work.


    ¡°Cousin.¡±


    ¡°Cousin.¡±


    Suiteonemone.


    A different one from the last one she had dueled and slain in the remains of city on the distant northern coast.


    The other demigod was a big brute of a woman.


    Armor torn, weapons chipped.


    The anger and rage simmered just beneath the surface, revealed by the clenching of corded muscles and pulsing of the veins wriggling like fat worms in her thick neck.


    Her cousin tossed a broken body onto the perfectly cut stone tiles covering the wide main street.


    The Eidolon of Aehr had never given his name.


    Her teacher.


    He had eased her way into the world of the Gods with the patience of a mother, which was why they had clashed often.


    She had two mothers.


    But only one held her heart.


    That hadn¡¯t changed since she had placed her heart¡¯s mother, her true mother, in that crypt.


    Still, the eidolon had never done her wrong. He had imparted useful knowledge, which she knew would serve her well in the future.


    ¡°Did you call me here to surrender?¡± Suiteonemone sneered.


    ¡°This was a prosperous place, providing so many valuable things to places even across the five oceans.¡±


    ¡°Not anymore.¡±


    ¡°Not anymore,¡± she agreed. ¡°Your pointless war¡ª¡±


    ¡°War needs no point. You forget this truth in your softness.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s disappointing. I had hoped to see something different in you, cousin. You¡¯re only the second one of our kind I¡¯ve met, but it seems you¡¯re no different from the first.¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m stronger.¡±


    ¡°I suppose conversation is pointless¡­ like war.¡± She drew father¡¯s weapons. Short sword and long axe. ¡°I will slay you and drive your armies from our lands. In Aehr¡¯s name.¡±


    ¡°Rage for Suiteonem! Rage for my father!¡±


    God-like power punched a golden figure through the dark clouds.


    He seized control of a distant satellite using his own to trigger a hidden virus.


    Ultra dense rods the size of light poles released.


    They burned in the atmosphere like meteors visible across much of the lands below.


    He guided them to their target.


    Massive kinetic force released with each impact.


    Rods vaporized against divine energy.


    Adamantine armor finally failed.


    He trapped it all inside an enormous invisible bubble.


    Kinetic energy belonged to him, so he seized it and focused it all on the demigod.


    Hektoria.


    Aehrone.


    Neither now.


    A being of golden energy with one thought even as it was torn asunder.


    It had the power to wipe a city clear of everything, leaving a flat, glassy plain had he allowed it.


    Instead, he dragged it into the void where he released it to join the cosmic energy that swept across like waves.


    Was that a good fate for the demigod?


    Did it matter?


    The soft part of him took solace in the thought that there were worse fates than oblivion and a sort of cosmic oneness.


    At the least, one person would remember Hektoria and the people she had truly cared about before the so-called gods poisoned her story with their selfish touch.


    Cal floated there for hours, pondering eternity while he recovered enough strength to go home.


    <hr>


    Southern California, Spring 2053


    One of the magus¡¯ eyes flashed.


    The largest one, about the size of a beach ball, swiveled its gaze down to Alin.


    She was one of the few that could see the gray whether he allowed her or not.


    A rock imbued with glowing white power burst against the magic shield.


    It appeared that Captain Patriot could as well.


    Confirmation was always good.


    He¡¯d add the update to her file after.


    She alone stood tall.


    Sentinel of Liberty.


    Guardian of Freedom.


    America¡¯s Champion.


    Just a few of the names her nation¡¯s media had given her to inspire their citizenry.


    The rest of her soldiers sagged or fell to their knees, the strongest dragged the weakest back behind destroyed vehicles or the piles of rubble they had torn out of the asphalt for cover.


    Mages gave their lives to hold their shields just long enough to prevent a complete massacre.


    He pulled back from those in their last moments.


    That was an experience he didn¡¯t want or need despite the significant increase to his gains.


    The more utilitarian sorts would¡¯ve encouraged him, arguing that there was very much a need for every bit of power he could squeeze. They¡¯d point out that he still couldn¡¯t call on the ghosts. That draining the lives from a few more people, enemies out for the blood of those he cared about, could make the difference.


    ¡°Shut up.¡±


    Sometimes it felt like his internal voice didn¡¯t align with him.


    Captain Patriot thrust a thick, glowing branch twice her height.


    ¡°Focus fire on my target!¡±


    A soldier peeked around his cover.


    ¡°Can¡¯t see shit in this fog, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Just fire where I¡¯m pointing!¡± she snapped.


    Projectiles carved brief tunnels in the gray.


    ¡°Protect him!¡± The magus¡¯ magic shield dimmed and cracked. ¡°To us, hurry!¡±


    His boots thudded against the parking lot surface as he sprinted through the rubble carefully avoiding many small craters.


    Using his thrusters would¡¯ve made the journey quicker, but the magus¡¯ huge monster eyeball wouldn¡¯t have been able to keep him in her aegis.


    The shield it projected was large enough to absorb everything until it shattered.


    He could almost hear the great eye groan with something like pain.


    Bullets plinked against his armor.


    Mundane and special, whether through Skill or spell.


    A dark fireball, nearly black and no larger that a marble exploded against his side, sending him careening through a pile of rubble.


    He found the mage in question and drained her.


    High level.


    At least 40 from the flavor of her vitality.


    She struggled with all the might in her considerable willpower.


    A metaphysical tug of war that could¡¯ve lasted an hour had the two of them been alone on the battlefield.


    She jerked.


    Repeating crossbows made out of monster bone and sinew hit her with a steady stream of green-tipped spines.


    Enchanted tactical body armor and clothing absorbed the withering barrage until it didn¡¯t.


    Death came quickly.


    Too fast for Alin to let go of his grasp.


    He didn¡¯t want the surge of vitality precisely because it felt better than anything else in the world. He didn¡¯t want to know that a part of the soldier was now in him forever.


    Captain Patriot descended like a bolt of white lightning.


    The empty sockets behind her plain blindfold blazed painfully bright even through his darkened faceplate.


    She hammered him into the asphalt.


    A human-sized eye flew in, hitting her with a scintillating beam.


    The white glow around her tactical body armor dimmed. Dark cloth outer layer disintegrated, revealing exposed circles of the ceramic plates beneath.


    Her power surged.


    She went yard, backhanding the monster eye straight out of the park.


    White branch rose and fell upon a sudden dome of earth.


    A huge hand emerged beneath her boots.


    Bolder plunged hands into the asphalt from behind a multitude of shields surrounding the small island of green in the middle of the roundabout just outside the hotel-casino¡¯s front entrance.


    A second earthen hand gathered Alin up in a gentler grasp.


    Halfway there and he face planted.


    Soil smeared across his faceplate.


    The world spun.


    Bright blue sky marred by dark smoke one instant.


    Dark gray parking lot surface the next.


    A glowing boot to the face kicked him across the parking lot toward the old American soldiers¡¯ positions.


    The earth erupted beneath the captain once more.


    Doomborer emerged.


    Whirring saw blades all over their squat, bulky true skin armor dimmed the white glow as they shredded armor and clothing.


    Fists blurred, becoming nothing more than a white glow impossible to look at as they pounded the Threnosh.


    Drill arm bored into her chest, destroying what was left of her armor. Mining laser flashed, cutting her helmet in half to reveal short blond hair matted to her forehead.


    She flicked a collapsible baton, imbuing it with her power before jamming it into the tiny gap at the over-sized drill arm¡¯s elbow joint.


    Doomborer¡¯s arm squealed as it failed to dislodge the immovable object.


    The captain continued to hammer the Threnosh in the chest armor, denting the Threnium.


    Alin came out of the tumble into a crouch.


    Multi-weapon in hand.


    A roar.


    Swiping claws.


    A pained grunt.


    He stared into the eyes of a young man.


    His age, though it was hard to tell with the animal-like features in the hybrid supersoldier¡¯s face.


    A thin layer of tawny fur.


    Sharp canines and a rich, velvety red gushing out of his open mouth to join the waterfall from just below his jaw running down the hardlight blade to coat Alin¡¯s hand.


    The supersoldier slumped forward in an almost embrace.


    A head shorter than Alin with a wiry frame, but much heavier than he looked.


    Artificial muscles helped him carry the load.


    A shield against the projectile fire from the other soldiers.


    The ground shook.


    Thundering steps.


    Full body armor of thick plates taken straight from an ancient main battle tank.


    A giant shield of the same material covered in steel spikes.


    Another hybrid supersoldier.


    Rough textured skin in gray visible around the eyes.


    The only thing missing were two ivory tusks.


    The supersoldier hit Alin with the same force as the animals who sacrificed their essences to empower.


    Warnings beeped. Lights flashed.


    He forgot where he was for a moment, losing concentration and his grasp on the soldiers.


    They broke out stamina potions and used Skills or spells, if they had enough mana.


    Battles ebbed and flowed as one side or the other gained or lost the advantage.


    A great, big block of a foot, roughly shaped like a plate the size of his chest stomped him into the asphalt.


    Electric field engaged.


    Recoiling, trumpeting in surprise more than lasting pain.


    Withering fire lashed against spiked shield.


    Time bought by Alin¡¯s friends for him to scramble and create distance.


    A shadow passed overhead.


    It took him a second to realize that it was Doomborer.


    The Threnosh¡¯s true skin was all about the subterranean world. Moles weren¡¯t meant to fly like birds.


    Movement gusted behind him.


    The blow sent him stumbling forward.


    A blind cut as he turned.


    Yellow blade shattered into pieces against white-armored arm.


    Straight punch to the chest dented his armor and sent him flying.


    Like a pitcher setting up a batter.


    The elephantine supersoldier clubbed him with the door-sized shield.


    Lights flashed. Beeping intensified.


    He was rapidly losing what he had taken from the soldiers.


    Thunder shook the ground. This time from his side of the battlefield.


    Dark gray armor painted in urban camouflage.


    Cannon on left shoulder. Heavy recoilless machine gun on right.


    Flamethrower under right arm. Laser under left.


    Recoilless guns in multiple locations.


    Shield emitters all over.


    Primal lumbered forward, unleashing hell on the old American soldiers.


    They took cover or died, swallowed up by the storm.


    Golems flanked the Threnosh.


    Three of them.


    Two in the old style controlled by a simple neural cortex with the ability to obey simple commands from their assigned golem controller. One, with a much larger oval body, controlled directly by Golem Pilot Yasmin ensconced behind a multi-layered shell of composite materials and Threnium.


    The former survived long enough to expend most of their remaining ammunition. Their thick steel armor was not enough.


    The latter was a one off.


    But for the single pilot¡¯s passion, they would¡¯ve only fielded golems controlled from a safe-ish distance. Just like the drones in the sky battling the harpies.


    Speaking of which¡­ a flock disengaged from the dogfights to dive bomb.


    Primal split his fire.


    Machine gun spat flechettes skyward while their bulky back opened to disgorge a spread of missiles.


    Not micro, but not as large as those found on pre-spires modern warcraft, they streaked to meet the harpies.


    Exploding at the last moment to fill the sky with flame and shrapnel.


    Magic shields took the brunt of the blasts.


    Only a few failed, sending the wing-armed women plummeting to the ground in bursts of blood and feathers.


    Angry spells raked across the Threnosh and Yasmin¡¯s shields.


    A hulking supersoldier sprinted with pace that belied her size, thumping grenades from her launcher with each step.


    Yasmin¡¯s shields held until the last grenade.


    A white blur closed the distance, ripping gun arms off before a Threnosh laser scorched a line across her back.


    Blooming flames engulfed Captain Patriot, but didn¡¯t slow her.


    Shrouded in white, she charged straight into the mouth of hell.


    An enormous harpy landed on Yasmin¡¯s golem.


    Talons pressed into the ovoid body, driving it deeper into the asphalt.


    Metal, even Threnium, squealed in protest as the birdwoman three times the size of the others used a spell or Skill.


    Alin deployed his arm laser and took aim only for a ham-sized hand to clamp over his entire helmet.


    Up he went.


    Down he came.


    His back slammed on armored thigh.


    Another hulking supersoldier.


    The man hissed.


    Strong, but not strong enough to overpower his power armor.


    Electric field activated at the speed of thought.


    The supersoldier jerked. Hands locked around the very source of his problem.


    ¡°Sphere of Null Light.¡±


    Alin muttered a curse as the lights went out.

 10.7

    The spell was less magical darkness and more magical removal of the concept of light inside the sphere.


    A high level spell.


    He couldn¡¯t tell how big it was so he stopped the electric field and rolled away from the supersoldier.


    The gray¡­ he reminded himself where his true strength lay.


    He seized focus once more.


    It didn¡¯t matter if he couldn¡¯t see with his physical eyes when he could find his enemies through the gray.


    The supersoldier was first.


    Drained to unconsciousness.


    Alin felt slightly more energized.


    He remained prone.


    Projectiles struck around him.


    Most went over, while the few that hit were handled just fine by his armor.


    He took a moment to take stock of the battle. To see through the chaos like he had practiced in mindscapes and the Danger Complex.


    Primal battled Captain Patriot.


    She fought in a phone booth with empowered strikes that dented Threnium while simply tearing off the more exposed of his weaponry.


    Conversely, the Threnosh¡¯s short-range weapons like the electric field and many shotgun-like modules mounted all over failed to do more than slow her down. Forget the melee weapons, like the deployable chainsaw-like rings of teeth around their arms. They were too slow to bring those to bear.


    The magus had saved Golem pilot Yasmin with a spell.


    The massive harpy had been grounded, one wingarm gray like stone dragged across asphalt as she desperately shielded her vitals with her remaining wingarm from Ibra¡¯s manticore stinger-tipped whip and several others with equally deadly gear made from various monster parts.


    Hybrid fought hybrid. Tooth and claw shedding blood with savagery greater than humanity, but with calculation beyond the animal.


    Luther fried an entire squad hiding behind an overturned hover A.P.C. with a blast from his over-sized spellgun.


    Next to him in the middle of the tiny shielded island of green in the sea of gray, Blackstar fired her star-shaped blasts, pulping a soldier¡¯s exposed face.


    Open-faced helmets had their drawbacks.


    The old American soldiers answered with a spell marked by the absence of visible indicators that passed through a wizard¡¯s magic shield and struck Luther¡¯s artificial arm.


    Metal and composite materials withered, flaking into dust, experiencing the passage of millennia in seconds.


    Alin traced the spell back to the mage and drained the man to within an arm¡¯s length of death.


    Too dangerous despite the soldier¡¯s low mana.


    One more spell was certain death if it struck another person or Luther¡¯s fleshy parts.


    Surprise had given him an edge.


    He pulled from the rest.


    Men and women died as they suddenly faltered in the midst of their life or death struggles.


    Rough textured gray-skinned arm grew leadened, dropping the shield at the worst time.


    Poison tipped spines guided by magic flew into helmet eye slit.


    Larger eyes meant a larger opening.


    The hybrid supersoldier¡¯s fall shook the ground.


    Eyelids grew heavy, closing despite her best efforts to fight it.


    Eternal sleep courtesy of the magus graced the elite special forces soldier.


    The lines of her face smoothed in death. A map of a long lifetime of battle no longer needed. Sightless eyes stared out into nothing while a fist-sized hole in her armor wafted smoke to join the rest in the sky.


    One by one they fell, but not without taking their own toll.


    John fell with his fangs around the throat of another hybrid, but not before the other had opened up his throat with a vicious claw slash.


    Dean, barely a man. His poor attempt of a beard had without fail elicited remarks about dirt and the importance of hygiene from one person at least once a week. Most had been genuine. The young wizard clutched Jennylyn¡¯s sleeve with all the strength of every clenching muscle in his body. A spell they hadn¡¯t encountered before. One that mimicked the effects of shock, but without the element. The older wizard frantically searched her spellbook for a counter she knew, deep down, wasn¡¯t in there.


    Bones broke, muscles tore, tendons and ligaments snapped as the subconscious limits protecting the human body from its maximum strength were removed.


    Alin could feel the thumping in Dean¡¯s chest.


    Faster and faster.


    Like a machine gun.


    Almost beating itself free from its ivory cage.


    He reached out to the wizard, tried to take his stamina¡­ perhaps¡ª


    Dean¡¯s heart stopped only because it burst.


    The light in the young man¡¯s eyes vanished.


    Jennylyn continued to search her spellbook, pages flying at her frantic gestures.


    The last light to disappear was that in Dean¡¯s spellbook laying next to his twisted limbs.


    How many?


    How many of his friends and allies souls drifted through the gray?


    It wanted them.


    A voice urged him to¡ª


    ¡°No!¡±


    He lay in darkness and wished for light.


    Light?


    He felt sudden heat from everywhere.


    Gold.


    He touched golden light.


    A moment¡¯s realization until it swallowed them all.


    The gray began to burn.


    He drew it back in before he lost it all.


    A sonic boom dispersed the darkness..


    The single clap silenced the battle.


    ¡°Heed my words.¡±


    Perfection loomed over Alin close enough to touch.


    Skin so dark as to be like obsidian.


    Muscles as though carved out of marble.


    Bare feet and bare chest, clad only in a simple man skirt of white cloth.


    Not a single strand of luminous golden hair out of place on his beard. Whether the same could be said of his hair was obscured by the long, bulbous black helmet.


    Suiteonemiades was about a foot shorter and significantly smaller than Alcaestus.


    However, Alin knew without any doubts that what stood over him was the superior specimen and it wasn¡¯t even close.


    ¡°You¡¯ve done well.¡±


    The demigod gestured.


    Reality tore.


    Gold seeped from jagged seams, ripping open with a screech that punched right through his helmet¡¯s auditory protections.


    Every mortal being in the parking lot cried out, some falling to their knees or unconscious with two exceptions.


    Captain Patriot winced, but she kicked off of Primal¡¯s chest with a graceful backflip.


    The magus¡¯ monster eyes flashed. Several wept crimson tears. Yet, she kept her face set in stone.


    ¡°Your service is appreciated.¡±


    The old American soldiers fled through the portals. Those capable of walking, helping those that couldn¡¯t.


    Not a single man and woman left behind.


    Captain Patriot lingered at the precipice of the golden light.


    She didn¡¯t want to leave for some reason.


    He didn¡¯t know what that was. Nor could he try to get a read on her emotions with engulfing her in the gray, which his dad had instructed him to avoid using in the presence of the demigod if at all possible.


    Too many unknown variables were at play.


    One last gaze and she too stepped into the light.


    ¡°Now. Before we begin. I offer you three paths. The first,¡± the demigod held up a finger that looked equal parts rough like a warrior and delicate like an artist, ¡°stand aside. You may retreat to that strange building over yonder.¡± He turned his head to the Danger Complex.


    Everyone always said never take your eyes off an opponent.


    Hanna, ranger instructors, his family.


    The demigod mocked the wise words.


    ¡°Or find safety to the south or elsewhere. It matters not, for I believe your many paths will ultimately lead to one place.¡± He raised a brow and smirked. ¡°Your second path lays behind me. Through those portals. A place of honor and privilege under may aegis. Be my spears. We shall make your world better¡­ together. You will earn freedom in loyal, faithful worship. Both in the metaphysical¡ª for nothing compares to living beneath the shining lights of the Pantheon. It is as a cool glass of water at the end of a desert crossing. Or a full table after enduring a siege¡ª it is in the literal. For you shall receive the right to live in a paradise world of your choosing after a mere decade of service¡­ as is measured in your world.¡±


    Suiteonemiades fell silent for a long moment. His golden eyes dimmed, falling downward as he regarded the devastation all around him.


    ¡°The costs of battle are ever unchanging¡­ even after a millennia.¡± He sighed. ¡°The third path¡­ well¡­ you can see it all around you. I am here for only one thing. There will be no mercy for those that stand across mine.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Primal said.


    ¡°Ah! Threnosh. Your world was unknown to us before the discovery of this Terminus World. You¡¯ve remained untouched thus far, but all belong to the Gods or nothing does. Think before you reject my magnanimous generosity. Would you rather we set foot on your home world in peace? Or¡­¡± eyes flashed gold, drawing attention to the battlefield.


    ¡°You¡¯ve already brought war to my home, Designation: Suiteonemiades. You are a standard biological being with anomalous energy in your cellular structure. Reason dictates that gods are beings with greater amounts of anomalous energy in their construction. Gods do not exist as you claim. Conclusion: you are to be terminated like any biological enemy.¡±


    A shadow passed over head, drawing eyes skyward.


    Golden tears in the clear blue swallowed wing-armed women.


    The pit in Alin¡¯s stomach grew larger and sank lower.


    Suiteonemiades appeared willing to face everyone on his own.


    One didn¡¯t want to see that sort of confidence in an opponent.


    ¡°The hands turn. Some may have the power to slow them or even halt them¡­ for a time.¡± He gave a wry grin. ¡°Unfortunately, it is not in my honored father¡¯s domain nor am I a particularly talented spellcaster. Much like my great father, I¡¯m more like a rampaging trihorn whose chains are too thin. Time runs out. Chose now and accept the consequences.¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡± The magus floated closer to the ground and the tiny island of green surrounded by gray. She regarded her family. They shared no blood, but their bonds couldn¡¯t be tighter. Crossing continents and an ocean in the post-spires world had made for a crucible to forge them together like steel. ¡°Everyone except Ibra will accept his offer. Waleed, you are in charge. Go.¡± One of her monster eyes shined a light, cutting through the smoke and dust to the Danger Complex in the distance.


    Alin was of the mind that a few hundred meters wasn¡¯t enough distance judging by the energy readings he was picking up off the demigod.


    He tried the comms to warn everyone he could, but got static.


    Predictably, Waleed and the others argued.


    Even more predictably, they relented under the glare of 14 eyes.


    ¡°I can¡¯t tell the rest of you what to do. Only encourage you to do the same. I promise, Ibra and I will hold this ground until our last breaths,¡± the magus said.


    Jennylyn sniffled. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I have to take Dean home to¡ª I promised his¡ª I¡¯m sorry.¡± The wizard murmured, her spellbook glowed.


    Two wizards, one unmoving, disappeared with a soft pop.


    ¡°Pity that. I¡¯d have liked to learn more about her spellcasting. It¡¯s of a higher quality. Not in power, but the elegance and efficiency of it¡­¡± Suiteonemiades said.


    Alin flashed hand signals to his dad¡¯s guards and golem controllers.


    No sense in throwing their lives away.


    They took their hands off their weapons, holstered them or tucked them inside bags of holding. With hands upraised half chased after the magus¡¯ family, while the other half hurried to pry Yasmin out of her wrecked golem.


    Alin flashed signals to the surviving hybrids.


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    They hesitated.


    ¡°Take your fallen with you. Brave warriors receive honor under my gaze,¡± Suiteonemiades said.


    Alin swallowed a lump.


    He had hidden the signals with his body, yet those golden eyes all but screamed that nothing escaped them.


    Better they focus on him rather than notice Luther and Blackstar quietly slipping back inside the building.


    While his dad¡¯s hybrids gathered the fallen the demigod¡¯s gaze bored into Alin¡¯s darkened faceplate.


    ¡°You won¡¯t believe me when I say this, but I empathize. A thousand years and I still remember that day when I was first in the very same position that you¡¯re in now. The memory never left me. Thought healers, memory eaters, anything and everything never worked for long because deep down I never wanted them to. There is regret, but there is resolve. What I do today is for a purpose. Though I won¡¯t insult your intelligence by claiming its for some nebulous greater good. No. If good is to come from it, then it will have been a pleasant coincidence.¡± The demigod reached out to a prize only he could see. ¡°A thousand years of deferred vengeance close enough to almost grasp.¡± Golden eyes misted as he clenched his hand into a fist. Muscles and veins in his arm strained like thick cords twisted taut.


    Silence reigned.


    Alin remembered his dad¡¯s instructions.


    Do not talk.


    Do not engage.


    Stranger danger protocols to the nth degree.


    True to his word, the demigod waited until only a handful of people remained.


    The others had reached the Danger Complex.


    ¡°I believe that concl¡ª¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Primal said flatly. ¡°That one,¡± he pointed a huge, blunt finger at Alin, ¡°he also departs.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± the magus added.


    Ibra caught Alin¡¯s eye.


    The grizzled old warrior gave Alin the barest hint of a nod with those dark brown eyes set in a face weathered by sun and wind and marked by dozens of scars to resembled the desert cliffs in his homeland.


    ¡°No. More than anyone, he has the right to be here. As an orphan myself I know that this is the one battle he would never flee from,¡± Suiteonemiades said.


    Alin¡¯s eyes widened.


    He surged to his feet with the gray venting from his body with more speed and violence than he had ever used before.


    The demigod grinned. ¡°I¡¯ve always believed that for a warrior a quick mind is more important than a quick sword arm. It¡¯s always a good thing to see in the young.¡±


    Alin dumped his remaining ammo, drained every weapon into the smug bastard.


    ¡°Rocky Road 71, Hotdog 12 combination,¡± Primal grunted.


    Alin scrambled back from the demigod firing his last sticky foam projectiles at face and feet.


    ¡°Stay mobile! I will shield you to the best of my ability!¡± the magus said.


    Primal kept their distance, blasting away with seemingly every weapon at their disposal.


    Flechettes and lasers.


    Missiles and billowing streams of fire.


    Suiteonemiades vanished in the conflagration.


    Alin pulled the gray back, but not before losing some.


    The brief touch he got on the demigod had been enough to tell him that draining the man was impossible.


    ¡°Rayn of Fire to Goldenspoon, do you copy?¡±


    ¡°¡­ Songbird? Yes! I copy! We need fire support!¡±


    ¡°Glad you¡¯re alive, Goldenspoon! We¡¯re dead in the sky. Engine damage critical. The harpies retreated through portals. Hoping you guys did something great down there to make that happen. But we¡¯re still picking up a hell of a lot of energy from a signature that¡¯s making our instruments cry like a baby with a full diaper.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the demigod. Suiteonemiades.¡±


    Songbird uttered a string of curses.


    Ranger Captain Mouthy would¡¯ve been proud at the creativity.


    ¡°Are you danger close? We¡¯re struggling to locate your ident tag. It keeps flickering. Also getting Primal, the Magus of the Twelve Eyes and an Ibra.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll mark him. Just hit him with what you have. Don¡¯t worry about the rest.¡± Alin trained the targeting laser on where he thought the demigod was. ¡°Full defense, magus! We¡¯re getting some help!¡±


    ¡°The two of you need to come to me!¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged and declined,¡± Primal said.


    ¡°Same. Have to keep on target.¡±


    ¡°Target¡¯s coming in¡­ static-y, but good enough. We¡¯ll give you want we¡¯ve got left and re-routing some reinforcements. Can¡¯t send everyone in case those birdwomen come back. Good luck, Goldenspoon.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Songbird, you too.¡±


    He figured since they were doing the shooting they needed more luck than he did.


    Out in the distant sky, a burning skyship fired.


    She was too far for most of her spell weapons and had used most of their stored mana in the fierce aerial battle anyways. The same was true of her guided munitions. She had a lot of dumb bombs left, but didn¡¯t have the right angle, nor did they want to indiscriminately destroy the structures and underground complex filled with their people.


    Thus, projectiles.


    Waves of concussive force knocked Alin back dozens of meters into the armored side of his hotel-casino home.


    Shrapnel in the form of broken metal, asphalt and dirt would¡¯ve pierced and scoured his flesh if not for his armor.


    Primal stopped shooting to engage their shields.


    The magus¡¯ held much stronger than the Threnosh¡¯s flickering shields.


    Golden light shimmered through the thick debris cloud.


    ¡°I admire the design aesthetics. Form is function. Not like our ships where function is secondary to form, which is dictated by the insecurities of a God or demigod.¡± Suiteonemiades clapped, clearing the air in an instant.


    The pressure wave shoved Alin back against the wall, caused Primal to backpedal lest they topple over.


    Even the magus was forced to strengthen her magic shield as her eyes squinted.


    ¡°You have how many of them? 12, I believe.¡± He raised a hand.


    A bright, golden beam lanced across the sky.


    The Rayn of Fire bucked at the impact.


    The beam intensified.


    Armor plating began to glow and bubble.


    Alin almost heard her shriek like a living thing as the beam punched through the port ventral side and out the dorsal side.


    ¡°Songbird¡­ do you copy?¡±


    ¡°¡­ going down¡­¡±


    He closed his eyes and swallowed the lump in his throat.


    The skyship¡¯s descent to the north picked up speed until he lost sight of it behind some tall buildings in the distance.


    ¡°Ah! Yes. One stirs up hornets when one destroys the hive,¡± the demigod remarked as if discussing the weather.


    Marian led the charge, diving her little skyfury with the sun at her back.


    Projectiles spat, breaking on the demigod¡¯s midnight black skin.


    He responded with smaller blasts of golden light as if to match the pilot¡¯s attack.


    Thrusters pushed her craft in directions and angles impossible for traditional atmosphere-bound aircraft.


    ¡°Impressive maneuverability. Skills to overcome the planet¡¯s hold on the pilot? Protections built into the craft itself?¡± His eyes flashed. Two thin beams of gold shot out.


    Marian went into complex evasive patterns, but the beams followed her unerringly, zig-zagging across the sky, scattering the handful of Threnosh interceptors and rangers in fighter suits.


    The skyfury was faster than any human fighter jet, faster than even high-altitude spy jets.


    It wasn¡¯t enough.


    The gold light caught it, engulfing the rear in flames.


    Dark smoke trailed as the skyfury plummeted over the hills to the east.


    ¡°To all rangers and interceptors. Abort attack on demigod. Get Marian.¡±


    She was going to crash in monsterland. Possibly in hilly terrain between Whittier and Hacienda. Maybe even in the state park farther east if she managed to keep her fighter flying long enough. She wouldn¡¯t last long on the ground if any monsters had stayed in those areas rather than join the throng attacking his home.


    In any case, the Rayn of Fire¡¯s guns didn¡¯t get through the demigod¡¯s forcefield.


    What chance did much weaker weapons have?


    ¡°I¡¯m a man of honor. I¡¯m nothing without my word. You may not leave.¡±


    Golden beams zig-zagged across the sky.


    Across the fliers.


    One by one each vaporized at the slightest touch.


    Thin Threnium plates and Thernium weave flight suits provided as much resistance as wet toilet paper.


    How many escaped behind the hills?


    3? 4?


    Out of 12?


    Alin¡¯s chest rattled from within.


    People he knew¡­ gone without a trace.


    Nothing left of the rangers for their families to bury.


    Nothing left of the Threnosh to take to their crypt on the moon.


    Just names on the walls now.


    ¡°Now then¡ª¡±


    Suiteonemiades vanished.


    ¡°Auto targeting system¡ª¡±


    Primal¡¯s warning was drowned out by a sound like greater lightning bolt going off right next to Alin.


    Golden light shined from the demigods eyes and mouth as he smiled at Primal¡¯s armored chest. ¡°Another interesting thing. You, small grey one, can see me, yet my physical vision cannot see you.¡±


    Electric field sparked, sending arcs of blue-white light dancing across midnight black skin.


    Ring saws around massive armored arms whirred to life, sweeping the demigod into a hug with what seemed like glacial slowness, when in truth Primal¡¯s massive true skin moved with the quickness of a gifted athlete minus Skills.


    Suiteonemiades accepted the gesture.


    Diamond-hard saw teeth sparked against harder skin, chipping until dull.


    Primal spiked the demigod into the ground like a football.


    Suiteonemiades rolled out of the way of a ground-shaking stomp.


    ¡°Gaze of the Gorgon!¡±


    The spell flashed over the titanic combats.


    But only one stared out into the world with their natural eyes.


    Gray began to spread across the demigod¡¯s face.


    Golden orbs dimmed.


    Nose.


    Foreheads, cheeks.


    Mouth.


    The spread halted there.


    Grayed skin flaked to reveal rich black.


    A second or two of effectiveness with the magus putting more into the spell by verbalizing.


    ¡°Boy,¡± Ibra appeared at his side, helping him to his feet. ¡°It¡¯s not working?¡±


    The gray blanketed the area.


    Thick like smoke, yet the demigod moved like he didn¡¯t notice it.


    Alin tried to reach and pull, but couldn¡¯t get a grip. It reminded him off that one horrible trip to England when he was a kid. Sure, the Queen¡¯s kids were brats, but it was the river eels that had really ruined things. Damn things had kept slipping out of his hands to drop back into his waders.


    He shook his head.


    ¡°Okay. That¡¯s bad, but we can try something else. Can you shroud me so I can get close without him noticing? The magus doesn¡¯t think she can shield me for long,¡± Ibra said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. He¡¯s not even noticing it.¡±


    ¡°Damn, I¡¯ll have to find my spot.¡± Ibra eyed the entrance.


    ¡°I¡¯m Nnt leaving.¡±


    ¡°Brave, but what would your parents say about combat effectiveness?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not completely ineffective.¡±


    He had re-spread the gray to encompass most of the area within the walls of the expansive compound.


    Most of the old American soldiers had retreated through the demigod¡¯s portals.


    All that remained in Alin¡¯s senses were scattered pockets of his people on the walls or in the towers desperately fighting the multitude of monsters with dwindling ammo, stamina and mana.


    So many monsters.


    They tasted terrible.


    Like rotted meat.


    One time was one time too many.


    Still¡­ he was desperate.


    He sucked the lifeforce straight out of every single one in his gray embrace.


    Their power surged into him.


    He rarely kept it, preferring to let it disperse into nothing rather than endure its flavor.


    However, his training was comprehensive.


    In the mindscape and reality.


    They covered every conceivable scenario.


    Thus, the sudden strength didn¡¯t surprise him.


    Focus and deliberation.


    That was the key to remain in control of his exponentially stronger body.


    ¡°Boy?¡±


    He grit his teeth.


    Everything felt on fire.


    With power came protection, but that didn¡¯t mean he wasn¡¯t going to feel it tomorrow.


    If there was a tomorrow.


    ¡°I¡¯ll¡ª distraction¡ª¡±


    ¡°Say no more. I¡¯ll go for the face. Ears, nose, eyes or mouth. I can¡¯t penetrate his skin, but if I can get the venom inside¡­ maybe¡­¡± Ibra sighed.


    The middle-aged man looked decades older.


    ¡°Good¡­ luck¡­¡± Alin managed to ground out.


    He leapt across the many meter distance in a single bound.


    Multi-weapon flashed into a broad-headed poleaxe.


    Golden blasts struck magic shield as a monster eye joined Alin on his low flight.


    Smaller eyes darted around the demigod, using Alin¡¯s distraction.


    Ice crystallized over the right half of the demigod¡¯s body.


    Muscle¡¯s flexed, shattering the spell.


    Hardlight edge met upraised arm.


    Black hand palmed Alin¡¯s face at the same time that his weapon broke into a million pieces of twinkling yellow.


    The demigod regarded him with an appraising eye, ignoring the magus¡¯ spells as they failed to penetrate the skin-tight shimmering golden forcefield. ¡°Interesting. I learn with every passing moment,¡± he mused.


    Dark light curved around Alin, latching onto the demigod¡¯s arm like a hungry leach.


    Gold light turned opaque at the site of contact.


    The demigod spoke words Alin didn¡¯t understand.


    Color leached from the magus¡¯ spell, traveling back to the source.


    The magus¡¯ monster eye vibrated as it too began to lose color.


    ¡°Telteri¡¯s Retort. I learned it from the woman herself. Human like you. I¡¯m honored to have adventured with her in my younger days. She reached heights unimaginable for short-lived mortals. Level 87 when she passed. Not in battle, but quietly in a comfortable bed surrounded by a town¡¯s worth of descendants. She made it halfway through her second millennia. Magic can only extend your fleeting lives so much if you¡¯re not willing to discard your humanity.¡±


    The demigod slammed Alin into the asphalt, driving him into a deep crater.


    ¡°A true master of magic will be able to decipher the spell just from that brief exposure. Do you count yourself as such? Or are you a child playing with toys you don¡¯t truly understand? Or perhaps luck will be on your side and the spires will simply bless you with the spell?¡±


    The moment that last bit of color in the monster eye disappeared it exploded, showering the magus in colorless gore.


    ¡°Telteri loved duels against other masters of magic more than anything in the worlds. Hence¡­¡±


    The colorless bits and splotches on the magus¡¯ enchanted clothes suddenly turned black.


    ¡°Counter spells weren¡¯t sufficient for her. She believed that there was no greater expression of her dominance than to defeat her opponent with their own magic.¡±


    The magus cried out as her own spell sucked the mana from her enchanted clothes before starting on hers.


    11 orbiting eyes wobbled in space, eyelids drooped.


    One blinked a scaled lid as it focused its gaze on the magus with a flash.


    Gray spread over the magus instantly.


    Clothes, sun-browned skin, black and grey hair.


    Not a single part of her had escaped.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Suiteonemiades gazed down at Alin, who struggled to push the massive foot of his armored chest. ¡°She may cast spells like child holding a mother¡¯s hand, but I can¡¯t deny that she has a little hellhound in her. Tenacious little things.¡±


    The magus was a frozen sculpture¡­ until she wasn¡¯t.


    Gray stone flaked, shedding her clothes and upper layer of skin, which left her in a Threnosh onesie and with raw red flesh for a face and bald head.


    Her face was frozen in a scream as her beachball-sized monster eye floated over her.


    It shined a faint green spotlight down, pulsing in gentle waves.


    ¡°You won¡¯t surpass your potential if you rely on the spires to hold your hand. Sadly, you shall not have the opportunity to learn that lesson.¡±


    The demigod fired a pencil thin beam of golden energy from his fingertip.


    Partway to the target, the beam turned into a crackling bolt of blue and white.


    Alin hadn¡¯t noticed it the first time, but he felt through the gray that the demigod¡¯s divine energy turned into a spell.


    The magic lightning was the same flavor as every other magic lightning he had experienced before.


    It split into 11 smaller bolts, each striking a monster eye.


    The magus collapsed in a pool of red as nearly half exploded.


    The rest dropped to the ground as if strings had been severed.


    Her large healing eye landed on her back where it continued to blink and pulse weakly.


    ¡°One of your strongest?¡±


    The demigod¡¯s face was carved out of marble.


    ¡°Regardless, I know my path. Though part of me is jealous of the opportunity my cousins are enjoying¡ª¡±


    The rest of what Suiteonemiades was about to say turned into a deep bellow of¡­ of what sounded like pain to Alin.


    He craned his neck back toward the sound of thunder pounding against the asphalt.


    A whip cracked.


    Green-tipped stinger caught the sunlight a moment before it disappeared into the demigod¡¯s open mouth.

 10.8

    Large size made for a large target.


    Tougher to get the tip of a whip into a baby¡¯s mouth than into that of a huge demigod.


    Manticore venom was nasty stuff.


    Like snake venom turned up to 200.


    Ironically, the monsters didn¡¯t use their stinger on its prey like snakes used theirs.


    It was strictly a weapon for killing threats too dangerous to mess around with.


    The venom turned meat into a slurry and manticores liked their food in substantial chunks.


    Suiteonemiades bit down and jerked his head to one side.


    Ibra released his hold and replaced whip with crossbow.


    Green-tipped spines filled the air, bouncing off golden forcefield.


    The demigod spat.


    The tip of a manticore stinger landed on Alin''s faceplate.


    A few drops splashed across, smoking faintly.


    The demigod licked his lips. ¡°Some demigods season their food with manticore venom. I don¡¯t, but only because of the terrible flavor. Too much like iron. Why one would ruin a cook¡¯s or chef¡¯s work has always been beyond me? To dishonor their efforts just to be able to pound your chest like a primate in breeding season¡­ pointless.¡±


    Ibra sprinted wide, crossbow of bone and sinew firing as fast as he could squeeze the trigger.


    ¡°Brave warrior of the manticore, I honor you with a quick and clean death befitting your bravery here today.¡±


    The demigod fired an almost lazy blast from his fingertip.


    Ibra dived and rolled away from the blast as it shattered the asphalt.


    The ghazi of the manticore¡¯s venom pulled a small round shield layered with the scales of an ibingan to block the next blast of divine energy.


    ¡°Dimensional storage. Advanced for your level. It is as the histories say,¡± Suiteonemiades mused.


    Any further thoughts weren¡¯t allowed to be shared by Primal, who didn¡¯t appreciate verbose fights.


    The Threnosh¡¯s barrel-like arm cannon fired a second orb of crackling blue-white energy.


    Twice was not the charm as the demigod blocked it with a bright shield filled with scrolling symbols well away from his body.


    A science-based copy of a spell, the orb was designed to vaporize biological matter on impact.


    Unfortunately, the module in Primal¡¯s true skin had only enough power for a limited number of shots unless they re-routed from other systems, which was pointless if the weapon was ineffective.


    The Threnosh thundered forward, projectiles filled the space between them and the demigod with the twinkling of tens of thousands of tiny stars.


    Alin struggled harder to dislodge the tree-like leg pushing him into the ground. He was already down into the softer soil beneath the hard asphalt.


    If he couldn¡¯t get away then Primal couldn¡¯t use their more explosive and dangerous weapons.


    The Threnosh¡¯s true skin was a lot lighter than it looked when viewed through the lens of an Earthian perspective. Threnosh materials science was centuries, if not a millennia or two ahead. Stronger, yet lighter. Resistant to multiple types of stresses in a way that defied Earth science knowledge.


    Thus, despite being roughly the size of an elephant¡¯s front half, Primal¡¯s true skin weighed less than a ton.


    Artificial muscles powered by tiny power sources that could light up a small pre-spires city propelled stumpy legs into a thunderous collision.


    The Threnosh brought a double barrel-armed gorilla smash down on the forcefield. New saw rings whirred to life, sparking against the gold.


    On the opposite side Ibra continued to fire venom-tipped spines without having to reload.


    The golden forcefield thickened underneath Primal¡¯s assault at the expense of thinning elsewhere.


    Spines ripped through.


    Suiteonemiades caught them in the palm of his hand without looking, crushing them like an afterthought.


    ¡°Your machine is powerful, but power in anything but yourself is not true power.¡± The demigod kicked Alin away like a ball. ¡°I grant you the honor of facing the son of a God unleashed!¡±


    Divine energy erupted, sending Primal stumbling back.


    He thrust forth with a thin beam of golden light.


    Primal¡¯s shields met it.


    A spine grazed the side of his cheek, sparking gold with its passing.


    He fired with his other hand without looking back.


    Energy shields layered.


    Ibingan scale shield glowed.


    The latter failed first.


    Alin choked out a sob as Ibra vanished in a blinding flash of golden light, leaving nothing but a dark smudge on the asphalt.


    Primal¡¯s shields fizzled. Smoke vented from their armor from the burned out generators.


    The Threnosh poured fire.


    Shoulder-mounted weapons spat shells and flechettes.


    As if toying with them, the demigod casually walked forward through the heart of the firestorm, almost lazily holding his hand up as his beam began to melt away at the thick Threnium armor plating on Primal¡¯s barrel-sized arm.


    Flamethrowers and lasers.


    Vaporizing orb.


    Nothing breached the demigod¡¯s skin-tight forcefield.


    This had never been a fair battle, which was how battles were meant to be fought.


    It was just that being on the other side of it brought crushing despair.


    The Threnosh knew no such thing.


    Primal had long outlived projections even for the standard Threnosh. They had shattered the expected lifespan of those once called ¡®defectives¡¯.


    Despair?


    No.


    There was only battle and that could only end one of two ways.


    They fired a dense cloud of deadly projectiles from the launchers in their torso.


    The demigod merely covered his face with his free arm.


    They deployed a sonic weapon replicated from Frequency¡¯s true skin.


    To their surprise the demigod faltered.


    Divine energy saturating his cells or not, he still had ears that clearly shared an identical structure to the standard Earthian.


    The golden beam punched through Primal¡¯s armor a moment before it suddenly shut off.


    The demigod wobbled.


    Primal thundered forward, clubbing him to the ground.


    They stomped a crater with the demigod in the center.


    Until their sonic weapon ran out of power.


    Primal rerouted from other systems at the speed of cybernetic thought.


    They were no fool.


    Not a callow rookie, but a hardened veteran of many years and many battles.


    It had been the only weapon system that worked so far and a warrior fought with what worked.


    It was a momentary disruption, barely a second.


    An eternity for some beings.


    The demigod surged to his feet, pressing Primal¡¯s stumpy leg up.


    The Threnosh stumbled, nearly toppled before catching themself.


    Suiteonemiades ripped the cannon off one shoulder and crumpled the barrel on the other. He hammered the former into the side of Primal¡¯s knee and found the armor and construction stronger.


    Discarding the bent weapon, the demigod blurred.


    All Alin caught were the bright flashes of gold that came with the machine gun-like punches.


    Threnium dented.


    The deformation created openings for black fingers to pry the plates off to expose thinner armor, artificial muscles and more sensitive inner workings.


    ¡°Boy, retreat and secure your safety. I am executing last stand protocols,¡± Primal said into the comms. ¡°This is Primal to all. Last stand protocols are in effect. Find shelter. I repeat. Last stand protocols are in effect. Find shelter.¡±


    Alin didn¡¯t know if anyone else heard it, judging by the static on the comms, it wasn¡¯t likely.


    ¡°No¡­¡± even as he said it, muscle memory took over.


    Ibra was gone, so he looked to the magus.


    Only a small pool of blood remained where she had lain unconscious.


    The demigod punched a golden beam straight through Primal¡¯s armored torso.


    The gaping hole revealed¡­ nothing, but a tangle of artificial muscles and wires.


    Primal was small even for a Threnosh.


    They barely came halfway up a human thigh now that age had shrunken them to frail bones failing to support atrophied muscles wrapped in speckled gray skin that wept blood from tears that came at the slightest movement.


    They had barely exited their true skin in years. Only left their cocoon for rejuvenation treatments with science and magic that grew less effective with each session.


    Barrel-like arms so massive that they made the demigod look like an average Earthian suddenly wrapped him up in a crushing embrace.


    Suiteonemiades laughed. ¡°The others would dismiss you as weak for your stature and frailty, but know that you are a true warrior! You might¡¯ve even caught a lesser demigod off-guard.¡±


    Primal ejected.


    Their cocoon flew on anti-gravity and microthrusters.


    Close-range lasers traced across the demigod¡¯s long, bulbous helmet and down his back.


    Too weak or the demigod was too strong.


    Golden eyes flashed.


    ¡°Goodbye, Boy. Remember our discussions. Know that I have found it.¡±


    Twin beams zigzagged over the demigod¡¯s head.


    Red lasers met them.


    There was no contest.


    The suddenness of if brought on denial.


    An instinctive reaction against reality because to accept it brought on finality in turn.


    Like with Ibra, the touch of the divine energy left nothing of Primal but dark ashes falling to the ground.


    Alin scrambled to his feet.


    ¡°And so you are the last¡ª¡±


    Alin turned and crashed through the front of his home. Stolen strength and microthrusters gave him speed.


    ¡°Perhaps, I overestimated his bravery?¡± Suiteonemiades pried himself free of the empty true skin¡¯s embrace.


    ¡°Computer! Blast shields and maximum forcefield to the front of the building!¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    Matte gray walls rose out of the floor on the inside. Followed by a blue glow lining the walls and ceiling.


    ¡°Is anyone still on the roof?¡±


    ¡°Negative.¡±


    ¡°Can anyone hear me?¡±


    The comms crackled.


    Seconds ticked away.


    How much time until-


    ¡°Computer. Active nuclear protocols for entire compound.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t risk waiting.


    If people were still outside then the protocols would give them time to get inside a building or the bunkers underneath the walls. Of course that was only if they could. If they were tangling with monsters then the warning wouldn¡¯t do much good, would it?


    He had just consigned those people to their deaths.


    There was not an ounce of doubt in his mind.


    ¡°Computer. Show me front parking lot.¡±


    The image appeared in his HUD, marred by the cracks, but perfectly watchable.


    Suiteonemiades had freed himself from Primal¡¯s true skin.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡± the demigod nodded with an approving smile. ¡°A true warrior!¡±


    The explosion was akin to a nuke. Minus lasting negative environmental impact. No radiation. Just immense heat and force.


    Intense light obscured the image, but only for a moment.


    When it cleared, the demigod held hands toward an enormous ball of blinding light.


    It grew like a balloon attached to an air compressor.


    ¡°Computer. Status of weapons with firing arcs on front parking lot?¡±


    ¡°Unavailable.¡±


    ¡°Status of missiles anywhere in the compound.¡±


    ¡°Unavailable.¡±


    He tried connecting to one of their weapon-bearing satellites without success.


    The demigod¡¯s sculpted torso glistened as every muscle clenched taut.


    He was actually managing to contain a release of energy enough to glass the entire compound and pulverize structures out to a few kilometers with the pressure wave.


    Alin only knew one other person who could do something similar.


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    And just like his dad, Suiteonemiades threw the contained explosion the only place possible.


    Straight into the sky.


    The demigod stood frozen like a sculpture with hands stretched to the sky.


    Alin couldn¡¯t track the rapidly growing balloon of energy.


    He only knew that it had exploded from the bright flash of light and the violent shaking of the entire building.


    Just as soon as the shaking had stopped another even more powerful one rocked it.


    Thunder struck the Threnium blast shields.


    Gray matte bulged inward and began to glow.


    Red, orange, yellow, white in seconds.


    ¡°Computer. Engage lobby weapons!¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    They emerged from their hiding places in the floor and walls.


    He sent the image of the demigod for them to target.


    Mechanisms whirred to life as laser designators swept across the tiled floor to focus on the impending breach.


    He rushed behind the front desk and the hidden laser cannon.


    It was bulky and connected to the building¡¯s power supply with a thick, reinforced cable.


    Without his power armor or the stolen strength currently coursing through his body, he¡¯d have wasted precious seconds getting into the exoskeleton harness required to lift the cannon.


    He checked the external cameras one last time to make sure that there was nobody he didn¡¯t want to laser behind the demigod.


    Suiteonemiades punched through. Glowing hands melted and ripped a gaping hole in the Threnium and overloaded the lobby¡¯s shield generators in one.


    Recoilless guns spat flechettes.


    If Alin had any hope that the demigod had just been weakened by Primal¡¯s sacrifice, they were dashed instantly.


    Thin golden beams zigzagged across the lobby, destroying each gun with a touch.


    ¡°You fight like a frightened child, which I suppose is what you are.¡±


    Alin activated the laser cannon.


    Bright red lanced across the lobby, setting nearby tables and chairs on fire.


    The energy blast shield at the base of the cannon grew bright from the residual heat.


    If he wasn¡¯t wearing his power armor, he¡¯d have pulsed the shots to give the shield time to dissipate the heat.


    That didn¡¯t matter, so he kept pouring it on.


    Suiteonemiades frowned under the assault.


    Skin-tight golden forcefield cracked.


    Drones launched from their hiding places.


    Flechette shooters and multiple spitters.


    Flame, ice, acid and many more elements.


    A blend of magic and technology.


    Divine energy pulsed.


    Every drone exploded.


    Alin flinched from the exploding laser cannon.


    It threw him through the wall into the old offices behind the front lobby.


    The demigod seemed to fill the massive hole with his presence.


    Deep black skin, unmarred by everything they had thrown at him.


    Implacable, unstoppable.


    Death.


    Primal.


    Ibra.


    The Rayn of Fire.


    More.


    And more yet to come.


    All Alin had left to fight had proved useless.


    The gray.


    It was always going to come down to that.


    He pushed it out once again.


    Stolen strength remained, not that it had or would make a difference.


    If he could delay for as long as possible.


    Keep the demigod occupied.


    Hope his mom didn¡¯t know where he was, what he was doing so she¡¯d follow protocols and head for safety.


    Hope Candys had made it out okay to get word to his aunt and the rangers.


    Hope his dad was doing better against a pair of demigods than they were against one.


    A shadow rippled next to him.


    His heart almost leapt out of his chest at the snarling feline visage that emerged a hand¡¯s distance from his face.


    Only a hood.


    Tabitha¡¯s head was followed by her arms and shoulders.


    ¡°Boy, c¡¯mon. We have to go. Wizards are casting a trap. Can¡¯t be on the first floor.¡±


    ¡°My mom?¡±


    ¡°Fine. In the command center.¡±


    ¡°Command center? I believe that is below ground,¡± Suiteonemiades said as if he had been standing right next to them and not all the way out in the middle of the lobby.


    ¡°Hurry.¡± Tabitha tugged on Alin¡¯s arm.


    He didn¡¯t enjoy travel through the shadow realm, but he dived in without hesitation.


    Tabitha dumped him in the command center a few stories under ground level.


    ¡°Mom! He¡¯s after you! We have to get you out of here.¡±


    His mother was clad in her Threnosh-made armor.


    Matte gray, dark and unadorned.


    She stood next to the central console with a projection of the battlefield in 3D floating in the middle.


    Others stood with her.


    A handful of Threnosh, more Earthians.


    Command staff, though his dad didn¡¯t run anything close to a traditional military structure with its rigid hierarchies.


    ¡°We figured that from what he was saying up there,¡± she said calmly. ¡°Boy, I want you to head to the emergency bunkers. Take charge of the evacuation.¡±


    She knew?


    But he thought their comms had been jammed, whether intentionally or as a byproduct of the massive amounts of divine energy coming from the demigod.


    Regardless, it wasn¡¯t the time for questions and explanations.


    ¡°No. I¡¯m not leaving you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re all so insubordinate,¡± his mom sighed.


    Howard was there, leaning against a wall.


    Blackstar gulped a stamina potion.


    Two-thirds of the Heartfuries glared at the remaining third.


    Drake also glared, but only when Jayde wasn¡¯t looking his way.


    Bei sat in the lotus position, eyes closed.


    If viewed through the gray he could feel energy from the surrounding environment flowing into her.


    Qi.


    She had gotten offended once when he had remarked that Qi and mana felt almost exactly the same.


    Cammi also sat cross-legged, but worse, whether from a lack of flexibility or her enchanted robes got in the way. Oh, she was also levitating off the floor. Her glasses were tucked into a pocket while her spellbook was fixed to a page, glowing like a high-intensity flashlight. Her staff stood next to her as if watching her back like a loyal and vicious guard dog.


    Marloes twirled her wand of laser pointer across her knuckles while glaring a hole into the ceiling.


    Kynnro and Frequency conferred with the commander of the standard Threnosh expeditionary force.


    Did they know¡ª they must if they had watched.


    Adrian, Black Cat, stood partially hidden by a shadow that shouldn¡¯t have been there next to Tabitha.


    Another hybrid, Kelci, Hungry-Hungry, stood near his mom like a loyal and vicious guard hippopotamus.


    Howard shrugged. ¡°Don¡¯t know about that, Boss 1A. I mean, can¡¯t speak for anyone else, but I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯m following someone¡¯s orders, eh. Just a matter of which orders go ahead of which other orders.¡±


    ¡°If he¡¯s after me, he¡¯ll leave the rest of you alone.¡±


    ¡°Or he¡¯ll go get us after, ma¡¯am.¡± Kelci¡¯s voice was a deep rumble. Fitting for her size and strength. If not for her age and behavior outside of combat.


    ¡°It¡¯s a moot point once the spell works.¡± His mom¡¯s gaze fell on Cammi. ¡°Updates on their end.¡±


    ¡°I will check,¡± Frequency said.


    Alin understood instantly.


    The Threnosh was an undisputed master of all things related to sound waves.


    If the comms were being jammed then he knew that they must¡¯ve spread their drones through the bunker system to create a temporary, but stronger network.


    ¡°Teddy Bear, status report on spell,¡± Frequency said.


    Silence.


    The ceiling rumbled, showering them with dust.


    Frequency remained nonplussed.


    They nodded after another long moment.


    ¡°Acknowledged. Proceed the instant you are ready. Do not wait for confirmation.¡±


    The command center shook.


    Alin gazed at the tactical projection.


    The moving pieces flickered in and out due to the jamming.


    What he could make out was a lot of red dots, masses really, centered on the wall breaches.


    ¡°Boy, I really need you to go. I¡¯m counting on you to make sure the evacuation tunnels haven¡¯t been compromised before I give the order,¡± his mom said.


    ¡°Mom, I can¡¯t leave you.¡±


    God damn it!


    He sounded like a whining child, not a superpowered man entering the prime of his life.


    ¡°I sent Luther and Bolder ahead to create a new tunnel if necessary. They¡¯re waiting on you. The sooner we know the better for everyone.¡±


    ¡°What about the cameras? The scanners?¡±


    ¡°They can¡¯t be trusted. We saw nothing on them when the Americans attacked. Nothing on the spell detectors despite the fact that they portaled in. The wizards and mages assured me that they felt something, even if it was a lot weaker than it should have been accounting for distance and number.¡±


    ¡°They portaled into the compound?¡±


    ¡°Right inside the walls, through all the wards and shields and detectors.¡±


    That tracked from the brief look he got of the breaches.


    The wall debris had been scattered on the outside. The torn metal as well pointed outward. As if a cannon had shot them from the inside or a demigod.


    ¡°A few assassins and special forces types even portaled inside the buildings.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡± well¡­ nothing was impossible in the spires worlds with enough power.


    ¡°One caught me in the shower. Would¡¯ve been a nasty end if not for Tabitha.¡±


    Irrational anger flooded him.


    Momma¡¯s boy anger he had been teased about in the past.


    He had plenty to be angry about.


    Kynnro poked their way into the conversation.


    ¡°I believe I noticed that you didn¡¯t use your full power, Boy.¡±


    ¡°Things happened with the ambassador.¡±


    His mom¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll explain later, but short story¡­ I haven¡¯t recovered enough to¡­ uh¡­ ask for their help.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps, they can hold the demigod. Their unique nature may be able to affect him when everything else has failed.¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t drain him. And there¡¯s no one left to drain. I did the monsters, but they weren¡¯t enough to re-fill me and all the Americans ran away, so I can¡¯t drain them.¡±


    ¡°There are others.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not draining our people, Kynnro,¡± his mom said flatly.


    ¡°Escape probability is not favorable without casualties. If Boy can¡ª¡±


    ¡°No. There will be no draining of our people.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Kynnro. I don¡¯t even think I could on a subconscious level or if I could, I¡¯d worry about what might come after, you know?¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    The chamber shook.


    ¡°Recommend retreat, Designation: Nila Cruces,¡± Commander West Stream 1009 said.


    The squad of standard Threnosh soldiers had already been standing at attention near the open door leading to the bunker system.


    ¡°Yes, I agree. Everyone go,¡± his mom pointed.


    No one moved, most found somewhere else to look.


    ¡°At least the pregnant woman,¡± his mom sighed.


    ¡°Yeah, get your pregnant ass in gear!¡± Hayden snapped.


    Jayde rolled her eyes. ¡°You saw the power that butthole¡¯s throwing around. It¡¯s just as dangerous there as it is here. And you need my arcane fists.¡± She cocked and brandished said fists.


    How one cocked a pair of fists?


    Alin didn¡¯t know.


    But somehow, Jayde did it.


    Drake took a deep breath.


    ¡°Honey, please¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare use our children against me!¡± She raised an arcane finger to his face.


    ¡°It¡¯s a tactical and strategic consideration. Bolder used up a lot of mana out there. You¡¯re pretty fresh. The rest of our mages are limited when it comes to moving or removing the amount of earth we might need to for emergency tunneling. You¡¯re our second best option.¡±


    ¡°We have yet to re-establish contact with Doomborer.¡± Kynnro helped.


    ¡°Fine¡ª¡±


    Cammi suddenly uttered gibberish.


    The wizard¡¯s head jerked back, magic light shined from the lenses of her glasses like a spotlight on the ceiling.


    Jayde grimaced. ¡°Oh, that looked painful.¡±


    Still levitating in her cross-legged position, Cammi rotated allowing her gaze to focus on a specific spot on the ceiling.


    The volume and rate of her unintelligible words increased just like the glow from her floating spellbook


    Wind seemed to swirl in the large command chamber until it suddenly stopped like it had never been in there at all.


    Cammi hit the floor with a thud.


    ¡°Ouch! Someone should¡¯ve caught her,¡± Jayde raised a brow over at Adrian. ¡°Where¡¯s the cat-like reflexes, Black Cat?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was stunned. I don¡¯t have an excuse.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re no fun anymore.¡± Jayde pouted.


    ¡°Did the time slow spell work?¡± his mom said.


    Frequency inquired and received the reply a moment later.


    ¡°All wizards are in the same condition,¡± they said.


    ¡°The sounds of punching stopped, eh?¡± Howard shrugged.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± his mom nodded. ¡°Commander, escort my son. Boy, get started. We can¡¯t afford to get slowed down by any surprises. Americans or monsters, it doesn¡¯t matter. I need you to spot them and drain them. Don¡¯t hold back. I¡¯ll take responsibility for whatever might happen.¡±


    Alin glanced at Cammi¡¯s still, but breathing form.


    Kynnro was already attaching anti-gravity discs to the wizard. ¡°We were warned not to touch a wizard¡¯s staff without authorization.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not attacking you or anything, Kynnie, so I think you¡¯re alright,¡± Jayde said. ¡°It¡¯ll either disappear to whence she stores it when not in use or it¡¯ll follow. Some of the higher level ones can make their wands and staffs defended themselves automatically.¡±


    ¡°Staves,¡± Dayana said.


    ¡°Yeah, if you¡¯re old,¡± Jayde replied.


    ¡°¡®Staffs¡¯ just sounds weird.¡±


    ¡°If. You¡¯re. Old.¡±


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go!¡± Howard barked. ¡°I¡¯m rearguard. I¡¯ll seal the blast doors and set the automated defenses manually just in case things get squirrelly again.¡±


    Alin regarded his mom.


    ¡°Go,¡± she shooed him, ¡°I¡¯ll be right behind you.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t think of something to say that wouldn¡¯t sound like a whiny Lera, so he did as his young tyrant cousin struggled to do and kept his mouth shut as he walked through the doorway flanked by the Threnosh squad.


    One Heavy took point. Followed by a pair of standard infantry.


    Alin was next in the formation flanked by a pair of standard infantry on both sides.


    The commander was just behind with the remainder.


    The tunnel was wide and spacious with a tall ceiling to accommodate larger individuals and small to medium-sized vehicles.


    Sometimes more space was less desirable tactically.


    This was not one of those times.


    More or less.


    It didn¡¯t matter.


    The demigod had more than enough power to render the size of their environment meaningless.


    He thought of Primal, but buried it immediately.


    Distractions led to mistakes, which cost lives.


    The gray flowed in front of him like a fast moving wave, while staying behind.


    One proverbial eye looked forward for potential threats, while another eye looked backed to make sure that everyone, especially his mom, was still there.


    ¡°Scan is clear,¡± Commander West Stream 1009 said. ¡°Approaching emergency habitation chamber 1. Slow for scan.¡±


    ¡°Negative. It¡¯s clear,¡± he said.


    One always traded caution for speed.


    The gray swept through, filling the larger chamber and moving on down the tunnel.


    ¡°Chamber 2 is also clear. 3 is¡ª¡±


    The tunnel shook violently.


    Everyone who had lived in the area back in the pre-spires days had always joked about waiting for the ¡®big one¡¯. His dad and mom had told him about it. Earthquakes. The last huge one, the kind that collapsed freeways, had occurred in the mid 90¡¯s¡­ as in 1990¡¯s. The date had sounded weird to him. Like ancient times.


    All things considered he¡¯d take an earthquake over the demigod.


    Chatter came in over the comms.


    Closer range meant less static, but still not crystal clear as usual.


    Frequency¡¯s warning came at the same time that the ceiling crashed on their heads.


    Alin and the Threnosh squad scattered.


    Not all of them reacted quickly enough to avoid the collapsing rubble.


    A mix of concrete, metal and dirt poured into the chamber like a waterfall.


    Sunlight cast a pillar of light through a gaping hole that went tens of meters straight to the surface.


    Upon the pile of rubble stood Suiteonemiades.


    ¡°A time slowing spell. Not even a true time stop? Not that it would¡¯ve made a difference. I powered through one of the latter for the first time almost 200 years ago. Still¡­ a worthy effort for those of lesser abilities. I judge it a well conceived and executed tactic¡­ for children.¡±


    ¡°Engage,¡± Commander West Stream 1009 said. ¡°We will occupy the enemy. Continue retreat.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here for a single person,¡± the demigod said. ¡°Nila Cruces. Surrender and this battle ends.¡±


    Suiteonemiades ignored the storm of flechettes raking his golden shield.


    Alin was really getting sick of the color.


    They were split.


    He was with the Threnosh squad in the east half of the chamber.


    Everyone else was in the west half.


    The only way forward for them was through the demigod.


    His HUD beeped.


    The commander¡¯s silent order to switch target and a signal for the rest of them to move.


    The squad turned their fire to the small mound of rubble the demigod stood on.


    Flechettes shredded through it, causing him to drop in a thick, billowing cloud of debris.


    Alin smothered the area in the gray with all the anger he could muster, which was considerable because the outworld invader was after his mom.


    It hadn¡¯t worked yet, but he wasn¡¯t going to stop trying.


    He engaged his multi-weapon as he charged.


    ¡°Desig¡ª halt. You are to retreat.¡±


    He ignored the commander¡¯s monotone.


    The demigod bastard wanted to hurt his mom.


    Twin golden beams burned through the debris cloud and the gray.


    They curved around him just before they hit his chest.


    ¡°Shields to maximum,¡± Commander West Stream 1009 said flatly.


    Alin placed a stop cut to his front, high to low, at the soundless scream of instinct¡¯s voice.


    He cut the demigod¡¯s grinning face at the same time that the twin golden beams cut through the Threnosh squad.


    Hardlight blade shattered.


    An explosion against his chest stole his breath and shoved him into that long, dark hallway.


    ¡°Boy!¡± his mom screamed.

 10.9

    Alin woke up.


    Threnium plate, energy shield, impact dispersion and absorption. Temporary superhuman strength.


    These things in combination saved his life.


    Bruised, but unbroken.


    ¡°Closer than I had intended,¡± Suiteonemiades mused. ¡°Nila Cruces. Surrender and no one else dies. I will swear an oath that you will be treated honorably under my aegis.¡±


    ¡°Your word is only good if you¡¯re in control,¡± she replied.


    ¡°That won¡¯t change. I hold the reins. The Americans do what I say.¡±


    ¡°And when you¡¯re replaced?¡±


    ¡°A risk, but isn¡¯t it worth taking? Refuse and I shall kill them all.¡± The demigod¡¯s eyes flashed.


    Gold beams zigzagged through the air, passing each person before they could react. If felt like standing too close to a suddenly opened pizza oven.


    ¡°After these ones I move on to the large number of non-fighters down that tunnel.¡±


    The beams screamed past Alin and down the open doorway before suddenly winking out.


    ¡°Won¡¯t you trade your potential suffering and death for the certainty of theirs? Surely, you believe in them enough to come rescue you later? Then there is your husband. Unless, I¡¯ve miscalculated his ability. My cousins are weak, but battles, by their nature, are always unpredictable.¡±


    Alin checked what weapons his armor had left available.


    ¡°What¡¯s the oath? And I want exact wording.¡± His mom played for time.


    He found none.


    Multi-weapon strapped to his wrist.


    Pistols in compartments of holding on his waist.


    Random assortment of throw-able items in the same compartments.


    All useless against the demigod.


    ¡°Surrender. You will be imprisoned. You will not be mistreated. You will be treated according to your stated standards. Yes, in my gracious magnanimity I will allow you to set the terms of how we will treat you during your stay as my hostage. It¡¯s a common practice for the powerful in my culture as a way to preclude clashes that would see entire cities razed as collateral. In my brief study of your world¡¯s history I found that similar practices were typical in your pre-democratic systems.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ lay yours out first. Then I¡¯ll decide.¡±


    ¡°No, child. You¡¯re dangling a strip of flesh in front of a¡ª what¡¯s an equivalent you¡¯d understand? Ah! You hold a strip of flesh in front of a tiger to distract it from you while the hunter sneaks into position for a shot. No more delay. I will count to 10. You will say ¡®yes¡¯ or I will hear ¡®no¡¯ and they all die.¡±


    The demigod began the count.


    Frequency hit him on 9.


    Tabitha dropped the Threnosh out of a shadow on the broken ceiling.


    Sound waves distorted the air.


    A silent cone to all but the demigod caught in the center.


    Frequency floated above on anti-gravity tech.


    Speakers detached from their trueskin.


    Small hexagons roughly the dimensions of a human palm formed a dome-like cage over the demigod.


    Suiteonemiades grimaced. Gold began to drip from his nose and ears.


    ¡°Moving!¡± Howard snapped. ¡°How much time you got on that, Frequency?¡±


    The others hurried past.


    Alin¡¯s mom reached for him, but was pushed past by Kelci.


    He lingered.


    Instincts made him stay.


    Frequency¡¯s sonic field bounced the waves back and forth, intensifying with each pass.


    ¡°Hours,¡± they said. ¡°If he does nothing but stand there.¡±


    ¡°Commander, hold the rearguard,¡± Kynnro said as they pushed the unconscious Cammi into the tunnel.


    ¡°Acknowledged,¡± Commander West Stream 1009 said. ¡°Deploy shield emitters. Heavy weapons.¡±


    The remaining Threnosh soldiers pulled large matte gray cubes bigger than their unarmored bodies from bags of holding.


    The equipment exchange wasn¡¯t entirely one-sided.


    The cubes unfurled at the speed of cybernetic thought, revealing a variety of Threnosh weapons and Earthian magitech weapons.


    ¡°I¡¯ll set up the BFG in Chamber 2,¡± Hayden said.


    Dayana followed her, leaving Alin with Howard, Frequency and the Threnosh squad.


    ¡°No reason for you to be here if the gray stuff ain¡¯t working good, eh?¡± Howard said.


    ¡°I got a feeling. What¡¯s your excuse?¡±


    ¡°Healing factor.¡±


    ¡°He vaporized Ibra and Primal.¡±


    ¡°Aw, shit,¡± Howard sighed. ¡°This is the real deal then, eh? Figure I can make him take his time doing that to me. Give the cavalry time.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re jamming us somehow, but I sent Candys south to get word to the rangers and my aunt.¡±


    ¡°How long ago was that?¡±


    ¡°Less than 10 minutes, but it feels like hours ago.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a combat slows down time kind of guy.¡± Howard nodded. ¡°Bad luck that. I¡¯m the opposite. Always figured that was better, eh.¡±


    ¡°Energy surge!¡±


    Frequency picked it up first in their sonic field.


    ¡°Acknowledged. Confirmed,¡± Commander West Stream 1009 said.


    The Threnosh¡¯s last words.


    Gold light flashed.


    A small body, like an Earthian 12 year old thumped on the cold floor.


    Smoke wafted from the commander¡¯s neck where their head used to be.


    ¡°Fire!¡± Frequency said as an explosion of gold vaporized their drone speakers.


    ¡°Back down the tunnel, you two!¡± Howard barked, pulling Frequency behind the blue shields and thrusting them toward Alin. ¡°Sonics worked. They need to come up with something stronger. Can¡¯t do that if they¡¯re dead. Noticed you¡¯re boosted. Means you¡¯re the only one fast enough to maybe get them out of here to do that.¡±


    Alin didn¡¯t hesitate because that was the worst thing he could¡¯ve done.


    ¡°Tell Hayden there¡¯s nothing but death back here, Boy!¡± Howard called out.


    Boots thumped.


    Frequency was as light a small child in his arms.


    The tunnel shook, showering them in dirt.


    Violent cacophony nipped at his heels.


    He could see, hear and almost feel the individual instruments of destruction through the gray in a way that he couldn¡¯t when listening to an orchestra.


    What did that say about his life?


    Sad?


    Unfortunate?


    Threnosh cannons thumped.


    Explosive shells boomed.


    Howard¡¯s viral pistol cut sizzling green tunnels through the gray and smoke.


    A magitech lightning gun scorched the air, filling the space with an acrid stench.


    The demigod¡¯s golden blasts and beams blinded with their power, dwarfing the rest combined.


    Alin could almost see the battle playing out.


    Golden magic shield glittering with scrolling symbols standing impervious to everything Howard and the Threnosh poured into it.


    Golden beams struck back in turn.


    The demigod smiling.


    ¡°I¡¯ve not encountered many species that can collectively stare in the face of overwhelming death without flinching. I could almost commend you Threnosh for that. Yet, I judge you flawed warriors. For where is courage without fear? It¡¯s easy to die when you value your lives as much as the dirt beneath your feet. You are lessened without knowing it. Perhaps, in the future I may teach your people.¡±


    He swept his hand across.


    A golden arc, blade-like cut through the Threnosh energy shields, blowing up the emitters.


    The Threnosh didn¡¯t flinch as he had stated.


    They kept firing.


    Howard barked a harsh laugh.


    ¡°That warrior-philosopher shit¡¯s garbage. Fancy words can¡¯t cover up the screaming and crying. We¡¯re warriors¡­ we¡¯re monsters. He kill. We destroy. Can¡¯t pretty it up, eh? When it¡¯s all about bleeding, shitting, pissing and dying in the mud.¡±


    ¡°Ah! The feral-type. It¡¯s easy to throw yourself into battle when you can heal from almost any wound in weeks, day or even less if you¡¯re an exemplar. Do you have courage?¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we find out?¡±


    Bright gold violence filled Alin¡¯s senses.


    He stumbled.


    ¡°Boy. Faster,¡± Frequency said.


    They deployed speakers to attach to the tunnel¡¯s surfaces.


    The doorway to Chamber 2 loomed ahead.


    Gold light flashed, filling the tunnel.


    ¡°Boy, you better jump your ass as high as you can,¡± Hayden said.


    With the stolen strength from the monsters he leapt as he cleared the doorway.


    3 meters at his highest point and nearly 12 meters distance.


    He landed behind Hayden and her BFG.


    Less a gun and more an artillery piece.


    The prototype had been anchored to the metal floor with spikes.


    Hayden was plugged in by several cables snaking from the weapon into her armor and hidden behind its Threnium blast shields.


    The firing apparatus was a large concave dish set in a wide, stubby barrel.


    It glowed bright blue-white.


    ¡°Now!¡± Dayana snapped.


    Hayden fired.


    The blue-white beam was pure, destructive energy powered by her electric power.


    Electricity had counters, could be taken control of by the right spells or Skills.


    Blue-white met gold at the doorway.


    The collision resounded across Chamber 2.


    Metal, concrete and the earth beneath melted.


    Chamber 3 was only about a hundred meters down the tunnel.


    ¡°Put me down,¡± Frequency said.


    The Threnosh levitated. Distortions in the air emanated from the speakers all over their trueskin. They gathered the sound waves generated by the clash of beams, bouncing them back and forth between themselves and several floating drone speakers. Building to a crescendo.


    Unlike Alin, Frequency could discern the separate instruments.


    Music and ice cream were their two favorite things from Earthian culture.


    Alin met his mom¡¯s eyes.


    She scowled at him.


    He could only shrug.


    The defensive formation looked textbook.


    Shield generators.


    Physical Threnium walls pulled from beneath the floor.


    Automated weapons emplacements all over the chamber.


    His mom all the way in the back near the doorway.


    Kelci shielding his mom with her heavily-armored bulk.


    The only problem was that Kelci was their only true tank.


    Sure, they all had Threnium, but the demigod had shown that wasn¡¯t the guaranteed protection they had gotten used to.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ losing¡­¡± Hayden said through grit teeth. ¡°Running¡­ out¡­¡±


    Of enough electricity to power an old style American state? And not one of the tiny ones.


    Blue-white pushed against gold.


    Each thick beam pulsed, but the latter inched forward while the former retreated.


    Closer and closer to Hayden¡¯s BFG.


    ¡°Pull her out, now!¡± Dayana screamed.


    The light blinded.


    The explosion deafened.


    Glowing shields took the shrapnel from the BFG¡¯s destruction.


    The smoke lingered.


    Alin didn¡¯t see Hayden.


    Just the blackened stump left of the BFG.


    Suiteonemiades stepped into Chamber 2, climbing up the sizable crater where the doorway had been.


    Metal glowed red and viscous, burning through newly-made glass as it seeped to the lowest point.


    The demigod stepped through without care as if he wasn¡¯t practically barefoot.


    The man was cutting through them like paper while wearing sandals.


    ¡°Energy is energy. It cannot be destroyed. It can be transformed. Your world has knowledge of this.¡± He held a blue-white orb in the palm of his hand, contemplating it for a moment before absorbing into his deep black skin. ¡°I¡¯m pleased with your tribute. It is why I shall grant you the honor of a clean death. A warrior¡¯s death. Ibra, Primal, Howard and all the others. They met me with truth in their hearts and minds. You would do well to follow their example.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m attacking,¡± Frequency announced.


    They unleashed the soundwaves they had been gathering, amplifying.


    The demigod pulsed his golden forcefield out from skintight to a dome about 3 meters with him at the center.


    Frequency¡¯s waves splashed against the shield, tearing into the surrounding floor.


    The distance of his forcefield gave the demigod greater protection unlike earlier. He didn¡¯t falter nor grimace at the distraction.


    Tabitha¡¯s monster-hooded head peaked out of a shadow on the floor¡­ inside the forcefield!


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    Dayana flickered into reality, stabbing a pair of daggers into the demigod¡¯s large shadow. ¡°I¡¯m not going to be able to hold him long!¡±


    Out behind one of the Threnium walls, Marloes, Super Happy Sparkle, which she had made emphatically clear was not to be used by anyone not in Japan or a local to Japan, pointed at the demigod.


    ¡°.50 Caliber Burial Coffin!¡±


    Saying the words was a sign of weakness, of a lower level.


    Higher level, which meant stronger, people could do it all without vocalizing. Saying it in their heads was the next step up. Doing it as an expression of will, as subconscious an act as moving a finger or blinking was the pinnacle.


    Saying the words also meant one couldn¡¯t concentrate.


    Saying the words wasn¡¯t always a negative.


    Saying the words could give it greater strength if one did it intentionally.


    Alin supposed that was the hardest of all.


    At least that¡¯s how the classed had always described it to him.


    Fear.


    He felt the fear through the gray in Marloes¡¯ words.


    They were all afraid.


    And yet they acted.


    Thousands of tiny twinkling stars erupted all over the demigod¡¯s perfect physique.


    It was looking at a distant galaxy through a telescope.


    Bright yellow against deep black.


    .50 caliber bullets hit the demigod from every direction, covering every centimeter of his body.


    Alin searched for the flash of gold, but couldn¡¯t tell.


    ¡°Clean hits. No forcefield!¡± Marloes said.


    Suiteonemiades was partially obscured by the smoke from the barrage, but he gave her a slight nod.


    Behind him, Kynnro popped out of Tabitha¡¯s shadow.


    The Threnosh shot a cloud of glittering confetti, covering the demigod.


    Their pink laser lanced out of the concave emitter set in the middle of their helmet.


    The laser hit the reflective particles, bouncing to others in a near instant, creating a thick web of cutting light that crisscrossed the demigod.


    ¡°Negligible damage. Scratched skin.¡± Kynnro sank back into Tabitha¡¯s shadow.


    ¡°All guns fire on my target. Continuous pattern,¡± his mom said.


    Automated weapons obeyed.


    Flechettes streamed. Each gun timed reloads to avoid interruptions.


    Minimissiles slammed into the golden dome.


    ¡°Deploy drones on my target.¡±


    Matte gray orbs the size of a human head flew out of the walls.


    They spat flechettes, thumped grenades and blasted spells. Multiple varieties to seek out a weakness that just wasn¡¯t there in the demigod.


    ¡°Halt fire with all except for kinetic weapons,¡± Frequency said.


    The V.I. obeyed.


    The drones in question ceased fire and withdrew to a holding pattern near the ceiling.


    ¡°Scanning¡­ inconclusive¡­ false god energy is as vexing as magic,¡± Frequency said. ¡°I can¡¯t determine if his forcefield is affected.¡±


    ¡°I concur,¡± Kynnro said as they climbed out of a shadow. ¡°Scanners are unreliable.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t comprehend true divinity with mere machines.¡± Suiteonemiades spread his arms wide. He managed to turn enough to glance at Dayana. ¡°Your Skill, powerful as it is, weakens by the second.¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Marloes dropped a concentrated barrage of bullets on top of the demigod. ¡°I think the shield¡¯s weakening.¡± She squinted. ¡°Look at the writing. It gets shaky and some of it¡¯s faded and there¡¯s gaps.¡±


    ¡°Alright, kinetic damage only. That means physical damage spells and anything else that he might not be able to absorb,¡± his mom said. ¡°Frequency, your sound worked.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t sustain it long enough for lethality,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°That¡¯s okay, we¡¯re just delaying,¡± his mom glanced at him.


    ¡°Guys! Any day now!¡± Dayana called.


    ¡°She¡¯s losing her hold on me,¡± Suiteonemiades added helpfully.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go!¡± Bei said.


    ¡°Me too,¡± Blackstar echoed.


    Tabitha¡¯s hands emerged from their shadows. Clawed gloves of deep, rich black, almost like velvet grab an ankle each.


    The two women dropped out of sight as if a trap door had been pulled.


    They emerged inside the demigod¡¯s dome.


    Alin didn¡¯t like it.


    There wasn¡¯t a lot of room to move around.


    The circle¡¯s radius came in at just over 6 meters and the tallest point at the center was just under 3 meters.


    Bei went left, edging around the perimeter of the golden forcefield.


    Blackstar opened fire, punching her fists out to deliver a rapid-fire barrage with her superpower.


    Eponymous blasts strong enough to punch through a bank vault door peppered Suiteonemiades¡¯ broad, chiseled back.


    The demigod stood tall, unmoved.


    ¡°Have you reached the limit of your power? Would you like to find out?¡± he said.


    She answered by aiming lower.


    Two star-shaped blasts as black as the demigod¡¯s skin struck the back of his knees.


    They buckled, but Dayana¡¯s knives in his shadow anchored his feet, preventing him from taking a step to regain his balance.


    Massive arms windmilled as he tried to straighten.


    Blackstar wouldn¡¯t allow it. Alternating blasts created a perpetual cycle.


    It would¡¯ve made for a comical display if not for the stakes.


    Bei chose that moment to strike.


    Haze surrounded her hands, reminding Alin of childhood road trips through the southwestern deserts. Of desolate highways going into the distance where the sun¡¯s heat created shimmering distortions in the air.


    The cultivator stalked forward as graceful as a heron spearing small fish out of a shallow stream.


    Fingers sheathed in focused Qi stabbed into the demigod¡¯s armpits.


    Alin tried to help, wrapping the gray around the demigod¡¯s head as tight and thick as a baby¡¯s winter blanket.


    The technique had worked on Level 40 fighter-types in the past, smothering all of their senses regardless of Skill enhancements.


    Here? Against a thousand year old demigod?


    Failure.


    ¡°He¡¯s breaking my Skill!¡± Dayana warned. ¡°Comet, back off!¡±


    Bei heeded her words.


    Respect for a much higher level warrior that had proved her mettle over many years against some of the most dangerous threats across the world.


    The cultivator slipped underneath a tree trunk-sized arm that moved deceptively quick, gliding across the metal floor to slam into the golden forcefield.


    The only indication that the demigod had been close to catching her was wide eyes behind her faceplate.


    Dayana cursed.


    Suiteonemiades turned, no longer anchored.


    She flicked one knife.


    It flickered at the last moment.


    The demigod¡¯s head whipped to one side.


    He plucked the knife from between his teeth.


    It resembled a tiny cheese knife between his thumb and forefinger.


    ¡°Interesting. A metal I¡¯m unfamiliar with. An alloy if I¡¯m not mistaken. The gray ones¡¯ work. I shall make use of it.¡± He flicked it right back.


    The crack echoed through his golden forcefield.


    Dayana flickered.


    Blackstar blasted the knife out of the air before peppering the demigod across his face and even his groin.


    He grinned. ¡°Break your limits! For if you don¡¯t¡­¡± He gestured.


    Bei stumbled forward as if shoved in the back by superstrong hands.


    Toward the demigod¡¯s waiting arms.


    She rolled, spinning her legs, kicking his embrace away for a moment.


    Giant black hands struck like a viper, grabbing her legs.


    He held her upside down, peering into her faceplate.


    ¡°An artist of unarmed combat. The class name is different, but I¡¯m familiar with your kind. Fought with and against enough to understand your ways across many worlds. Your world has yet to discover the benefits of alchemy to your growth. Powders and liquids to push your growth faster than you can imagine, but as always there is a cost to power gained quickly. Would you like to learn more?¡±


    Bei¡¯s hands blurred. Fingers jabbing at points on the demigod¡¯s face and neck.


    The demigod¡¯s hands opened, dropping her to the floor.


    ¡°Ah! Impressive! It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve felt such strikes.¡±


    The gray bubbled in Alin¡¯s gut.


    Suiteonemiades was having fun.


    The demigod had killed dozens and was threatening his mom all with a smile on that perfect face.


    Bei kicked the demigod¡¯s ankle, sliding across the floor to slam back into the forcefield.


    Alin couldn¡¯t tell if that had been her intent. It was likelier that she had tried to break it.


    The demigod leapt.


    Bei rolled.


    Blackstar blasted.


    A massive sandaled foot cratered the metal floor rather than Bei¡¯s armored chest.


    Dayana flickered.


    It wasn¡¯t just an increase in speed and quickness. She skipped the connective movements between end states.


    One moment she crouched a few meters away from the demigod, clenching her long knife and drawing an old Colt .45.


    Alin blinked.


    Dayana slid enchanted knife across black neck.


    Pistol barked against a golden eye.


    The demigod swiped.


    Almost too quick for Alin.


    Flicker.


    She crouched, cutting and shooting underneath the demigod¡¯s man skirt.


    He kicked.


    Flicker.


    She stood behind him, stabbing upward.


    The demigod spun with a scowl and a sweep of his arm that would¡¯ve crushed a steel pole.


    He sighed.


    ¡°Fight with more honor.¡±


    Dayana dumped everything she had on the demigod.


    Cut enhancement Skills combined with her knife¡¯s enchantment scratched the black skin.


    Shot-enhancement Skills combined with enchanted rounds made the demigod grunt and cover his face with one arm.


    Bleed Skills painted her knife with gold.


    ¡°Rogues are as buzzing insects on every world.¡±


    The demigod clapped.


    Golden light flared.


    Dayana flickered behind, cutting and stabbing at the shadow on the floor.


    Thin golden lines appeared on black, focused around the neck and on the face.


    The inner surface of the forcefield seemed to bubble.


    Alin¡¯s instincts screamed a silent warning.


    He sought Tabitha while the floor beneath the demigod¡¯s forcefield began to take on a distinct golden shine.


    ¡°Get them out of there!¡±


    Tabitha¡¯s expression darkened.


    The demigod caught Alin¡¯s eye. A slight smile and a shake of the head.


    ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± Tabitha said.


    Throughout it all the autoguns had been firing.


    ¡°We have to take the forcefield down!¡± Alin reached into a compartment of holding and drew the first weapon without conscious thought.


    Desperation gripped him.


    The others opened fire with what they had.


    Light within the forcefield grew blinding.


    Seconds passed in an eternity.


    Time seemed to stop.


    Until an explosion of gold ripped across the entire chamber.


    Weapon emplacements and drones vanished in an instant.


    Waves of gold washed over their position.


    Shield emitters whined.


    Red lights blared in Alin¡¯s HUD.


    He didn¡¯t need them to know that the shields weren¡¯t long for the world.


    ¡°Fall back to the tunnel!¡± his mom said.


    Marloes dashed in first.


    His mom was next with Adrian and Kelci and her door-sized shield following.


    ¡°Get reinforcements,¡± his mom said.


    Adrian nodded. The hybrid¡¯s black armor vanished into the darkened tunnel so quickly that it was as if he hadn¡¯t been there in the first place.


    The shield emitters gave out with a pop.


    ¡°Hurry, Boy!¡± his mom cried.


    The gold light washed over the large blast shields next, ablating the dark gray in a matter of seconds.


    Drake rushed around Kelci.


    Alin had been furthest from the tunnel, but he had overtaken the two Threnosh.


    Frequency and Kynnro were barely 4 feet tall.


    Short legs, even with the assistance of the artificial muscles in their trueskins, meant they were slower.


    Their microthrusters helped some, but not enough to outpace Alin with his own thrusters.


    Alin glanced back.


    The Threnosh fell.


    The ablating light ate away at the backs of their trueskins.


    As ranged damage dealers, the two weren¡¯t heavily armored.


    Thin plates covered their vitals but the majority of their stick-thin bodies were covered by flexible Threnium that resembled thin cloth in appearance if not in defensive properties.


    Alin¡¯s armor was a lot thicker.


    He reversed course regardless of his mom¡¯s shouts.


    Shielding Frequency and Kynnro with his own body, he scooped them up and launched himself toward the tunnel with his thrusters.


    Kelci stepped out of his way with quickness that belied her great bulk.


    The tunnel¡¯s door slid shut the moment she stepped back through the opening.


    Blue light from the forcefield dimly lit the darkness.


    ¡°Thank you, Boy,¡± Frequency said.


    Gaping holes in the back of their trueskins revealed a mix of exposed undersuit and exposed flesh. Speckled gray was raw or weeping pale blood.


    ¡°I am unable to move,¡± Kynnro said.


    ¡°As am I. Severe damage to systems and artificial musculature,¡± Frequency said.


    The insides of both Threnosh¡¯s faceplates were splattered with pale liquid.


    ¡°Take them, Boy,¡± his mom gestured down the tunnel. ¡°Then lead everyone out of here.¡±


    He opened his mouth to protest when a thudding crash shook the tunnel.


    ¡°Everyone behind me!¡± Kelci planted her huge bank vault door of a shield in front of them.


    ¡°Hurry up, Boy!¡± his mom snapped. ¡°They need medical treatment!¡±


    That forced his hand.


    He reached down to gather the Threnosh back into his arms when the huge blast door simply vanished, vaporizing into nothing in a blink of the eyes.


    The heavy-duty shield lasted a little longer.


    Thunder filled the tunnel.


    Kelci grunted, sliding back, but remained upright.


    A flash of movement ripped the big hybrid from the tunnel to reveal Suiteonemiades.


    The demigod had hurled her, huge shield and all back into Chamber 2.


    Marloes filled him with .50 caliber bullets.


    Twinkling stars against the blackness of space.


    Drake lunged with a spear thrust.


    Skill-enhanced, but without magic.


    The demigod slapped it aside contemptuously.


    ¡°Use your best. I swear that I won¡¯t take your magic,¡± he said.


    Drake didn¡¯t take the bait. He turned the thrust into a spin, creating a magic shield that blocked most of the tunnel. He backed away, holding a glowing hand out to his spinning spear.


    Black fist cracked blue light.


    ¡°What will you do, Nila Cruces?¡± Suiteonemiades cocked his fist back. ¡°Behind you lay those you¡¯re sworn to protect. Behind me lays their future. You can end it all right now. No more devastation on your conscience.¡±


    Alin stood protectively over Frequency and Kynnro with multi-weapon poised to engage. He still had grenades and alchemical substances in his compartments, but he couldn¡¯t use them in the tunnel. Not when so close to the others.


    ¡°Mine? You attacked us. It¡¯s all on yours,¡± his mom said.


    The gray had proved useless against the demigod.


    Suiteonemiades was an impenetrable bastion guarding what seemed like a nearly inexhaustible treasure trove.


    If only there was a source of vitality to take.


    He felt so close to being able to call on the ghosts of his relatives.


    ¡°I have none,¡± the demigod said. ¡°Not when in pursuit of my one quest.¡±


    Black cracked blue.


    ¡°Will you continue to run? Place the weak between you and me? Your best fighters have lasted this long because of superior armor and abilities along with a¡­ lighter touch.¡± The demigod pressed a ham-sized fist to Drake¡¯s magic shield. The spiderweb on the blue spread almost to the edges. ¡°Choose?¡±


    ¡°Hug the walls,¡± Jayde¡¯s voice came over the comms.


    A man-sized spike of hard-packed earth shot through the center of the tunnel a second later.


    Blue light shattered into pieces.


    The remains of the spike drove the demigod a step back.


    More spikes.


    One after the other.


    Step by step Suiteonemiades backed to the smoking doorway.


    A screaming woman streaked through the air, landing a glowing fist on the demigod¡¯s face.


    At the same time Kelci dived at his knees from behind, thrusting the edge of her shield and flipping him over to launch him to the center of Chamber 2.


    Jayde shook her fist. ¡°I know. No spells other than kinetic stuff.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª no!¡± Drake snapped. ¡°What are you doing? Go back there and get our kids out of here!¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re on the move. We picked up bits and pieces through the cams and figured waiting was the lesser of two bads. You¡¯ll be happy to know that Tabitha brought Dayana, Blackstar and Kung Fu girl back there. You¡¯ll be less happy to know that they¡¯re,¡± a scowl crossed her brow, ¡°in bad shape. Just like Hayden.¡±


    Alin let out a long breath.


    He had given them up for dead.


    Tabitha must¡¯ve managed to get them out through the shadow realm quickly enough.


    ¡°Anyways, Bolder, the witches and the guards figure they can deal with any monsters they might run into long enough for you guys to catch up.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great, but hurry up and get back there. Our kids need one of us¡ª¡±


    Jayde placed a finger on Drake¡¯s lips before kissing him hard. ¡°Honey, if we do this together then our kids will have both of us.¡±


    Thunder boomed.


    Kelci grunted as she slid back into the tunnel.


    The demigod had about foot on her height wise and was even wider.


    He pushed against her shield, driving her like the tackling sleds they used in training.


    ¡°Go, Mrs. Cruces!¡± Jayde said. ¡°We¡¯ll keep him busy and join you later. You too, Boy. Don¡¯t forget my favorite gray aliens.¡±


    ¡°Jayde, you¡¯re pregnant,¡± his mom said.


    ¡°Am I showing that much?¡± she rubbed the armor around her noticeably rounded belly. ¡°It¡¯ll be like that story. You know? The pregnant spear warrior chick. Except you¡¯ve got the spears, honey!¡± she beamed at Drake.


    ¡°God! Just shut up and run!¡± Kelci snapped. ¡°I can¡¯t hold him off!¡±


    ¡°Bold and courageous,¡± Suiteonemiades nodded. ¡°The Americans erred in how they treated you. Swear to me and I will only ever show you honor.¡±


    ¡°Every person that ever spoke to me of service screwed me over.¡± Kelci tended to be an immovable object against many things.


    Against the demigod¡¯s unstoppable force?


    She was very movable.


    ¡°This place. Mr. Cruces. They asked me what I wanted and never asked for anything in return,¡± she ground out.


    The demigod suddenly stopped pushing and pulled.


    Kelci reacted quickly, letting go of her shield.


    The demigod took a step back.


    She cracked him under the chin with an uppercut that barely moved him.


    He grinned a moment before crushing her into the side of the tunnel with her own shield.


    Jayde had given her the codename ¡®Hungry-Hungry¡¯ after an old game from the pre-spires era for the animal essence of her hybridization.


    The hippopotamus was either 2nd or 3rd in size and strength amongst all native land animals on the planet.


    Kelci took on some of the animal¡¯s physical characteristics. Namely, two-toned skin color, a gray-brown pink in her front torso region and a dark blue, verging on black everywhere else, and a very dense cellular structure. Bones, muscles and flesh made her superhumanly strong and resistant to damage. She may have looked rather stout and bulky, but very little of it was useless fat.


    One other thing that she took from them, which his dad had worked with her to control, was their burning rage.


    The demigod smiled even as she charged with a thunderous roar.


    ¡°Hahaha! You refuse me, yet you more than most here would find service in Suiteonem¡¯s name fitting.¡±


    Their collision rocked the tunnel.


    Alin¡¯s mom cursed.


    That wasn¡¯t like her.


    ¡°We¡¯re retreating,¡± she said. ¡°Now!¡± she snapped when she was met by questioning looks. ¡°All guns fire on my target¡ª when¡ª if Codename: Hungry-Hungry¡¯s vital signs go black.¡±


    Alin scooped up Frequency and Kynnro to race after his mom.


    Marloes, Jayde and Drake brought up the rear of their much diminished group.


    Earth-shaking blows and enraged bellows chased them all the way down to an empty Chamber 3.

 10.10

    The rest of their people, noncombatants mostly, had evacuated Chamber 3, leaving empty boxes and containers of food and water scattered all over.


    The long set of tunnels leading to the secret emergency bunker a few kilometers to the south was hidden on the south wall near the corner it shared with the east wall.


    There were a few other hidden entrances scattered all over the other walls and even the ceiling and floor to tunnels that led into dead ends.


    The bunker complex hid weapons, shields and more esoteric traps for all the good they had done against Suiteonemiades.


    ¡°Figure the bastard has ¡®god senses¡¯ to find the right tunnel,¡± Jayde said. ¡°So¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll stay and keep him busy for as long as I can,¡± Drake said. ¡°You and our unborn baby¡ª¡±


    While the husband and wife argued, Alin listened to his mom try and fail to reach anyone on the comms.


    ¡°I will stay too,¡± Marloes said.


    ¡°He wants me,¡± his mom said.


    ¡°Our systems are limited, but we volunteer,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Kynnro said. ¡°Place us behind defenses, Boy. We will attack with what we can.¡±


    His mom threw her hands up.


    ¡°What¡¯s with all the sacrificing?¡±


    It was the most animated he could remember her being during a combat situation.


    Alin opened his mouth and re-thought it for a moment. ¡°I¡ª I can do it. I think. I mean, I haven¡¯t been able to touch him at all, but what if he¡¯s almost at a point where he¡¯s expended enough energy for me to start draining? Then, it¡¯d be like a feedback loop. I feel like I¡¯m not that far off from being able to call on some help from¡­ family. He expends more energy to fight them, while I keep draining to weaken him and strengthen them. I think I can keep him busy enough for you guys to get away and Aunt Rayna to come help.¡±


    ¡°Baby, you don¡¯t go into a fight with an ¡®I think¡¯ for a plan. Especially, with a lot of ¡®what ifs¡¯,¡± his mom said. ¡°We can¡¯t even find out if Candys made it far enough to get a message to your aunt.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯ll make it or she already did.¡±


    Alin was certain.


    Candys was fast, nimble, agile, quick with a supernatural ability to evade predatory types.


    He had watched her in training, both in the Danger Complex and in his dad¡¯s mindscapes.


    Those didn¡¯t pull any punches.


    Especially the latter.


    Nothing like practice that was indistinguishable from reality.


    His dad¡¯s methods might have left temporary mental scars, but those were infinitely better than getting eaten in real life.


    One didn¡¯t tend to come back from those sorts of things unless they had a healing factor like Howard.


    The thought of the old soldier sobered him.


    ¡°No,¡± his mom said flatly. ¡°All of you go. I¡¯ll stall. If not, then,¡± she locked eyes with him, ¡°your father will come get me later.¡±


    ¡°But the binding oaths¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave an opening for your father,¡± she shrugged. ¡°In any case, negotiations will buy time.¡±


    ¡°See!¡± Drake snapped. He grabbed Jayde¡¯s hand and dragged her toward the real secret entrance. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    Jayde dug her heels in. ¡°I¡¯m going to slap you with a face full of sticky if you don¡¯t let me go! No way we¡¯re leaving Mrs. Cruces alone!¡±


    Drake hesitated.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Drake,¡± his mom said. ¡°I¡¯m giving an order.¡±


    Jayde wagged a finger. ¡°You¡¯ve always said you¡¯re not in charge and don¡¯t give orders even though you do.¡±


    ¡°And you only sometimes not follow them. So, why chose now of all times? Your life isn¡¯t the only one you¡¯re carrying, Jayde.¡±


    ¡°Maybe cause we lose you and I can see a world where we eventually lose everything.¡± Jayde shrugged. ¡°I mean, not like right away, but down at the end of the road. You know, live today, die tomorrow. Me and my loves.¡± She gazed up at Drake¡¯s eyes to leave no doubts. ¡°The spires made life one big calculation. What am I willing to give up to save what I want? And that¡¯s sorta how I¡¯ve always been. And I hate math. So, I¡¯m going to punch it in the face, like my dad taught me when I was a kid. Bullies need punching otherwise they won¡¯t leave you alone.¡±


    ¡°Honey, that¡¯s not a bully. That¡¯s a demigod,¡± Drake said.


    ¡°Bullies are bullies. This one is just really, really strong.¡± She nodded sagely.


    Through it all booming thunder echoed down the tunnel leading back to Chamber 2.


    So long as that continued they knew that Kelci still stood strong.


    ¡°Everyone out!¡± His mom shooed them, but they were like unto cats and everyone knew one didn¡¯t herd cats.


    ¡°Alright, Sparkle Happy Super!¡± Jayde grinned at Marloes. ¡°What¡¯ll it be? High ground? To run and jump around on? You magical girls like that sort of thing, right?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m grateful, Punchy senpai,¡± Marloes nodded.


    His mom sighed. ¡°Don¡¯t block the weapons and shields.¡± She had given up on the cat herding.


    Jayde dashed across the chamber, punching the floor every so often.


    Trees sprouted from tiny sapling to full grown in seconds.


    Tall and straight pines and mini redwoods, along with gnarled oaks that spread their branches in tangled mazes.


    A forest filled Chamber 3.


    ¡°And you said a tree spell was a waste.¡± Jayde raised a brow at her husband.


    ¡°I said that one time¡­¡± he shook his head with a grin.


    ¡°Boy?¡±


    He still carried Frequency under one arm like a sack of rice.


    ¡°Bring me there.¡±


    The location they pushed into his HUD was near the southeast corner where an automated laser weapon lay hidden in the wall.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I need a power source to utilize my weaponry in full,¡± Frequency said.


    ¡°Either you take us to a place we can contribute or take us to the emergency bunker,¡± Kynnro said. ¡°Our preference is to stay. Designation: Suiteonemiades killed Primal.¡±


    ¡°Their vigilant watch is finished,¡± Frequency said. ¡°Ours is not.¡±


    He wanted to argue, but that would¡¯ve made him like his mom and he¡¯d be a hypocrite telling them to run when he didn¡¯t listen when his mom had told him the same.


    Thus, he helped Frequency set up and did the same for Kynnro in a location near the center of the chamber hidden in the shadow of a particularly sprawling oak.


    All the while he flinched with every crack of thunder in the tunnel while dreading the moment it fell silent.


    ¡°Mrs. Cruces. You want me to try getting Kelci out of that?¡± Drake said.


    Alin felt his mom agonize through the thick fog he had filled the chamber with as they prepared.


    ¡°No. You¡¯re not fast enough. He¡¯s got superhuman reaction time,¡± his mom said.


    Drake nodded.


    ¡°Listen guys.¡± Jayde pointed to a ring of waist-high saplings in the northwest section of the chamber. ¡°Don¡¯t go over there, but if we can get him to it would be nice. I may have had Bolder do some prep work up there.¡± She pointed to the ceiling.


    The thunder slowed.


    ¡°Should you not seal the tunnel, Nila-sama?¡± Marloes said.


    His mom frowned. ¡°No. The doors won¡¯t slow him and we shouldn¡¯t close them on Kelci.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Marloes leapt into the treetops, disappearing in the thick green foliage.


    The thunder finally stopped.


    Alin¡¯s heart ached at the cruel grasp of another death.


    He waited for the eruption of the automated weapons.


    When they didn¡¯t come hope for a spared life began to beat in his chest.


    Steps echoed from the dimly lit tunnel.


    A long, deliberate stride.


    Suiteonemiades emerged.


    A black void that seemed to block the entire tunnel.


    Such was his size, his majesty.


    Jayde punched a redwood.


    The spell in her fist toppled it on his head.


    The demigod disappeared in a cloud of dust and jagged splinters.


    The more powerful a caster and the higher level a spell, the longer the objects they conjured remained in existence.


    Autoguns blanketed the area with an unceasing storm of metal flechettes.


    Twin beams of golden light screamed out.


    They shot through the air erratically, curving in graceful arcs and cutting at sharp angles.


    Alin could barely track their flight.


    They touched energy shields and autoguns, shattering the former and vaporizing the latter.


    Reflex made him duck behind a tree trunk, but the beams just whistled over his head.


    ¡°Oh, come on, man!¡± Drake muttered. ¡°I¡¯m sick of these homing eye beams.¡±


    A thunder clap cleared the cloud, sending wood shards, some as long as a human arm, flying in all directions.


    Threnium armor protected.


    Shots bursts like twinkling stars from all over the tree tops.


    .50 caliber bullets scattered leaves and trembled branches..


    ¡°Like the pleasant surprise of a sudden summer¡¯s rain,¡± Suiteonemiades said as he basked in the torrent.


    He showed his appreciation to Marloes by blasting bolts of gold energy.


    Kynnro covered the demigod with a laser web.


    Gold sheathed his body as he simply walked through it.


    He raised a black hand toward the Threnosh without even looking.


    Divine energy built up to the brightness of a miniature sun.


    Frequency saved their family member.


    Waves rippled from the Threnosh to the demigod, distorting the air, but remaining silent to all but the target in the center of the cone.


    Muscles in the demigod¡¯s neck and jaw clenched. His eyes twitched, spasming from side to side.


    Silently, he raised his other hand toward Frequency.


    The distortion cone altered, narrowing, shifting focus.


    The golden orbs in his hands wavered. Their surface fuzzed.


    It reminded Alin of those ancient anime shows on his dad¡¯s slightly less ancient hard drives.


    The demigod turned almost square to Frequency. His mouth worked.


    Words lost to them all with one exception.


    Frequency replied with a single word.


    ¡°No.¡±


    The demigod shrugged.


    Golden orbs firmed.


    The sound changed.


    Light winked out.


    Every visible muscle in the demigod¡¯s physique flexed.


    The epitome of sheer physical power bulged.


    Veins popped through the black skin like wriggling worms.


    Alin couldn¡¯t help but feel inadequate in comparison despite being at his own physical peak.


    ¡°Gotta love that brown note,¡± Drake said. ¡°Look at the big bastard clenching his cheeks for all he¡¯s worth. A rational man would let it go and not leave himself standing still in the middle of a fight. Plenty of people shit themselves in a fight.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t¡­ not in a real battle.¡±


    Everyone knew it didn¡¯t count when it happened in training.


    ¡°One day, Boy. One day¡­¡± Drake nodded sagely.


    Red clashed with gold on the demigod¡¯s broad, chiseled back.


    A thin beam barely visible to the unenhanced human eye connected Kynnro¡¯s emitter to the demigod¡¯s forcefield.


    The lights in the chamber dimmed as the two Threnosh drew power to replace what their partially-destroyed trueskins could no longer generate.


    ¡°Drake, bamfstorm!¡±


    Alin¡¯s eyes shot to his mom.


    Seriously?


    ¡°Seriously?¡± Drake echoed his thoughts.


    ¡°He¡¯s going to kill them. We just need to distract him. Stop him from firing,¡± his mom said.


    She made it sound so simple.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Drake shrugged. He flicked a javelin. At the apex of its flight one became many.


    Javelins fell around the demigod like hard, sharp rain.


    A few bounced off the golden forcefield.


    ¡°Battleground¡¯s set. Just grab one and I¡¯ll pull you back,¡± Drake said.


    ¡°Are you ready, Boy?¡± his mom said.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready. Send me first.¡± He nodded to drake.


    ¡°Where do you want to go?¡±


    ¡°His right side,¡± he zoomed in on a javelin about a meter and change to the demigod¡¯s right side and sent it to Drake.


    ¡°Got it.¡± Drake placed a hand on his shoulder. ¡°Ready?¡±


    Alin nodded.


    He blinked and found himself with one hand on a javelin sticking out of the floor.


    Rising from the half crouch, he ignited his multi-weapon in an upward cut.


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Muscle memory countered the momentary vertigo.


    Hardlight longsword shattered on the underside of the demigod¡¯s outstretched arm.


    His mom appeared on the demigod¡¯s other side. Her handcannon roared. Enchanted armor-piercing bullets bounced off the side of the demigod¡¯s face. The ricochets resembled tiny comets with what looked like golden sparkles trailing in their wake.


    His mom was the prize.


    The demigod went for her, abandoning the blasts he had been about to kill the Threnosh with.


    Alin stabbed him in the butt when he turned.


    A deep gurgle echoed.


    ¡°The forcefield going to keep it in?¡±


    He wasn¡¯t usually one to talk during a fight.


    Found it too distracting.


    The demigod hesitated a moment, giving his mom enough time to roll under the grasping hand.


    She grabbed a javelin and vanished with a pop.


    Alin stabbed again. Then threw himself backward to dodge the backhand.


    The sheer mass and speed of the demigod¡¯s arm reminded him of his uncle doing a fly-by.


    Frequency and Kynnro increased the intensity of their attacks, tracking the demigod.


    Alin thrust with a hardlight spear.


    Suiteonemiades met the tip with a fist.


    Black shattered yellow.


    A burst of .50 caliber bullets in the demigod¡¯s face blinded for a moment.


    He dived across the ground with his thrusters.


    A shadow loomed, quickly growing large on the floor.


    He reached for a javelin¡ª


    Blinking he lay at Drake¡¯s feet.


    ¡°Cutting it close!¡± Drake grinned.


    The chamber¡¯s lights went dark.


    As did Kynnro¡¯s laser beam.


    Frequency fell silent a moment later.


    ¡°Computer, don¡¯t turn on emergency lights!¡± his mom said.


    They could fight in darkness thanks to their helmets.


    The demigod cast an eerie figure with his deep black skin sheathed in a faint, almost twinkling gold glow.


    .50 Caliber Bullet Storm drenched him in armor-piercing rain.


    Gold eyes flashed bright in the darkness.


    A thousands stars were born and died in an instant, vaporized into nothing.


    The sparkle in Marloes mahou shoujo persona, but not the kind that¡¯d make her happy, let alone super.


    Twin beams cut through the darkness and the tangled branches near the chamber¡¯s ceiling.


    Marloes ran and jumped, twisting through the wooden web as she leapt from tree to tree.


    Splinters from the beams¡¯ near misses bounced off her armor.


    ¡°Relocate her,¡± his mom said.


    ¡°On it.¡± Drake flicked a javelin into a nearby tree trunk.


    They coordinated through the network.


    ¡°Send us again.¡±


    ¡°Me first.¡± Alin cut in front of his mom and gave Drake the location he wanted.


    Drake grabbed his shoulder.


    He blinked with his hand around a javelin.


    Multi-weapon in long-handled axe mode cleaved into the side of the demigod¡¯s thick neck.


    It was like hitting a mountain made of solid metal.


    He wouldn¡¯t bet on having more success even if the demigod didn¡¯t have a forcefield up.


    Hardlight shattered.


    He had been tired of that the fifth time it had happened.


    His mom popped into existence next to him.


    She had traded her hand cannon for a sleek spellgun.


    Magic sticky foam poured out in a thin stream.


    She coated the demigod¡¯s lower body, going from sandals to waist.


    ¡°That¡¯s going to leave a sticky mess in your skirt.¡± He tried.


    ¡°Japes can be an effective tactic, but not when delivered without easy confidence. It ill suits you as you are, child,¡± Suiteonemiades said.


    ¡°Yeah, well, I¡¯m not the one with sh¡ª¡±


    His mom shoved Alin aside before she grabbed a planted javelin to vanish with a pop.


    ¡°When you seek to distract an opponent, don¡¯t fall prey yourself.¡±


    The demigod¡¯s eye beams cut a tight angle, doubling back.


    Alin hadn¡¯t noticed the demigod had abandoned his pursuit of Marloes.


    He scrambled, laying a hand around a javelin a scant moment before the golden beams scorched through the metal floor.


    ¡°Good tactic.¡± Suiteonemiades swept a hand, vaporizing every javelin surrounding him in a flash of gold. ¡°Now you die.¡± Gold streamed from his hand.


    Drake cursed, but spun a spear in his hands in a blink of an eye.


    The magic shield gave them a split-second to dive out of the way.


    What followed was a golden barrage of devastation and chaos.


    Alin sprinted and scrambled, diving behind trees only for golden blasts to shower him in splinters and falling branches.


    His HUD flashed red, registering hits from the blasts.


    Layers ablated.


    Microthrusters destroyed.


    He pulled his belt free and hurled it nearly a hundred meters with strength he stole from the monsters.


    Compartments of holding disgorged their contents explosive when the demigod blasted them with a look.


    Grenades, mines and traps. Magical and mundane. Bottles and vials filled with deadly alchemical substances.


    Everything exploded in a cloud of death raining down on the demigod.


    He regretted the move the instant he had let go.


    ¡°Poison in the air!¡± he said into the comms.


    Their helmets had filters. Their armors had an internal oxygen supply and a recycling system. They even had antidotes ready to be applied automatically.


    But all of those redundancies relied on a properly function armor.


    Kynnro and Frequency.


    Their trueskins had been breached, exposing their fragile Threnosh constitutions.


    Concern for other people.


    Perhaps not admirable in the middle of a battle.


    The demigod leapt through the cloud straight for Alin.


    Suiteonemiades punched through a thick tree like it was made out of sticks and paper.


    Alin rose, hardlight spear thrusting upward.


    He had no shot.


    This wasn¡¯t a charging boar.


    The demigod was about to flatten him¡ª


    Suiteonemiades vanished in a crack of thunder that momentarily lit up the near darkness.


    Jayde had taken the demigod¡¯s place.


    ¡°Up, up, up!¡± She shook her hand. ¡°Feels like I broke it. Almost like punching your uncle.¡±


    Alin scrambled to his feet, keeping himself between Jayde and the debris-shrouded crater in the distant wall.


    ¡°Aww, that¡¯s sweet! Oh¡ª¡±


    Jayde punched the floor, creating a thick wall of stone in an instant.


    Not a moment wasted.


    Shattered rock kicked Alin like a sawed-off shotgun.


    He stumbled into Jayde, knocking the two of them to the floor in a tangle of limbs.


    She pushed him off and rose, uppercutting the golden blast into the ceiling.


    ¡°Okay¡­ now it¡¯s definitely broken.¡±


    The demigod suddenly appeared, looming over her.


    Jayde resembled a child in front of a giant.


    Yet, she gazed up with defiance.


    Jayde probed with a snappy jab.


    Golden light flashed on impact.


    Her eyes narrowed.


    Punches came in bunches.


    Hands almost too fast for Alin to follow.


    A jab to freeze, followed by a straight to heat.


    Golden forcefield shattered.


    Lefts and rights punched a staccato against the demigod¡¯s groin.


    Impact Mana Siphon fired with each hit, alternating with a different ability.


    Jayde scowled and shuffled back from the demigod¡¯s lazy grab.


    Alin took the opening and stabbed his hardlight spear into the demigod¡¯s underarm.


    A vulnerable spot usually, but his hopes dashed against the hard black skin.


    ¡°Whatever that divine energy crap he¡¯s got, it¡¯s not mana. At least, I can¡¯t drain it,¡± Jayde said into the comms. ¡°The forcefield doesn¡¯t count as magic either. Had to break it. Couldn¡¯t get through with my Kohalun¡¯s Punch.¡±


    He drove his spear, but he was the one that slid back.


    ¡°I almost felt exactly half of your punches. An interesting¡­ feel to your ability. Skill or spell?¡± Suiteonemiades said.


    Jayde scowled.


    ¡°You are at least Level 50. A consolidation of a magic user class and a boxer class judging by your technique. Quite good by the way. Very technical. I barely noted wasted motion. A nearly unbroken kinetic chain with, I¡¯d say, 85% of your punches. I¡¯ve always thought it interesting to see how similar fighting styles human cultures across many worlds are. Granted, the biomechanics of the human body dictate that there can only be so many ways to achieve efficient generation and transfer of force. 20 to 30 more levels and you¡¯d force me to expend some measure of effort.¡±


    ¡°Great. Why don¡¯t you give up this hostage-taking nonsense and we can exchange notes. My father was a great follower of the sweet science and I¡¯ve got lots of notes,¡± Jayde said. ¡°Shit¡­ power level me up to that and I¡¯ll really show you what kind of boom I bring on that smug face of yours.¡±


    The demigod laughed.


    ¡°I¡¯ve fought alongside many brothers and sisters in arms across my centuries. I stood side-by-side on the battlefield with women heavy with child many times. I may not have agreed with their¡ª your choices in that regard, but I can¡¯t help but respect it. Your demeanor would fit as perfectly as a master-crafted glove. Perhaps, in a different existence. Sadly, there can be no mercy in war.¡± Suiteonemiades paused in thought, ignoring the bullets striking his forcefield. ¡°Although, I shall extend it one last time for I don¡¯t wish to be a monster if there is another path. Your child deserves to draw breath in this world. They deserve a mother and a father.¡± Golden eyes found Drake poised to throw a javelin in the branches of a half-destroyed redwood. ¡°You,¡± he regarded Jayde, ¡°may leave. He,¡± he regarded Drake, ¡°will be a hostage. I remove your fates from that of Nila Cruces. Please, see reason. I promise to negotiate a fair agreement to return him to you and your children. He will be treated honorably.¡±


    ¡°Dude. Shut. Up.¡± Jayde rolled her eyes. ¡°Honor this, honor that, bla, bla, bla. There¡¯s nothing honorable about doing a war. You guys murder people like Chef Alex. He just wanted to make super food for people and your spec ops assholes stabbed him in the back like he didn¡¯t matter. All you¡¯ve done is robbed future generations of his work.¡±


    ¡°Then, you must understand why you should accept my generous offer.¡± Suiteonemiades¡¯ gaze fell on her rounded belly. ¡°For her future. A paradise world rather than this house of slaughter feeding the spires¡¯ rapacious hunger for conflict.¡±


    ¡°Hypocrite.¡± Jayde smirked. ¡°Also, surprisingly easy to stall and distract.¡±


    The demigod¡¯s shadow rippled.


    A blender of blades and claws erupted from below.


    Adrian scratched clawed fingers and toes against black skin like an angry cat.


    Tabitha slashed daggers. She split the hem of her monster hide cloak into long strips. A twirling leap raked with the monster claws embedded at the end. Inky black seemed to swallow what little light remained in the chamber.


    The demigod snapped like a serpent.


    Adrian kicked and snarled at the massive black hand crushing the back of his armored neck.


    Tabitha landed in a crouch and sprang like the panther-like monster that had donated its parts.


    The demigod grabbed¡­ and missed.


    Nearly a meter off target to Tabitha¡¯s right.


    She used the arm as a platform to pass her blades and claws across his perfect face. Flowing over his head, she ripped down his muscled back and dived into his shadow a finger¡¯s-width ahead of a back kick.


    ¡°They call you a traitor.¡± Suiteonemiades brought Adrian closer, ignoring the blur of claws ripping at his face and stomach. ¡°I see potential value¡­ yet, I know you¡¯ll refuse like the rest. Thus, a quick death.¡±


    Black hand squeezed.


    Adrian¡¯s armor squealed.


    A javelin flashed across the near darkness.


    The demigod snatched it out of the air.


    Adrian touched it, vanishing from the crushing grip.


    Suiteonemiades spun with a punch.


    Large size rarely meant slow.


    Even knowing this, Alin continued to be surprised by the demigod¡¯s quickness.


    Black fist thundered against big hammer.


    Alin swayed back from the unleashed wave of force.


    The hammer¡¯s wielder recoiled. Nearly stumbling onto her backside.


    Hayden stood clad in damaged armor. Matte gray plates broken and melted in parts, charred black, exposing gray onesie and tan skin.


    Blue-white arcs of electricity danced up and down her entire body from the gaping openings.


    The long-handled hammer rested on the floor. Its head glowed blue from the magitech module buried in the center. Blue-white arced up the shaft, feeding it.


    Impact Hammer.


    Specifically made for the Heartfury.


    Two spells.


    One to lighten.


    One to convert her power into kinetic energy to be released on impact.


    As a side affect the latter spell module dispersed a portion of the force applied to the hammer.


    Hayden¡¯s right eye crackled blue-white.


    She brought her hammer down.


    The demigod met it with an uppercut.


    Thunder cracked.


    Drake hurled a javelin that accelerated to near supersonic speed.


    The steel vaporized against the demigod¡¯s forcefield.


    Hammer.


    Fist.


    Shockwave.


    Golden flash.


    Blue-white crackle.


    ¡°You saucy bitch! Kick his ass!¡± Jayde whooped, punching the floor. A low wall of stone slammed into the demigod¡¯s ankle. She punched the wall, sending spikes shooting up between black, tree trunk-sized legs. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t wear skirts¡ª¡±


    Stone spikes crumbled.


    The demigod did not.


    Hammer.


    Fist.


    Shockwave.


    Flash.


    Crackle.


    The demigod advanced, meeting hammer with fist at each step.


    Over a dozen exchanges.


    The blue-white glow in the head was subsumed by red, orange, yellow, then white hot in quick succession.


    Hammer cracked.


    Fists did not.


    ¡°Boy, we can¡¯t do much here,¡± his mom said through the comms. ¡°I¡¯ll grab Kynnro, you take Frequency. We can hide them in the false tunnels. It¡¯s not much, but it has to be better than leaving them exposed.¡±


    His mom dashed through the fallen trees and craters toward the northwest section of the chamber.


    He did the same to the southeast.


    Frequency was conscious, but with vitals in the red.


    He picked her up and went to the closest false tunnel.


    The wall slid open with a cybernetic thought.


    ¡°Here,¡± he pulled a small medical unit out and handed it to the Threnosh.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll¡ª¡±


    ¡°Go. I am still capable of operating this.¡± Frequency placed the unit on their chest.


    Alin shut the door.


    He had removed his eyes from the fight for seconds. Less than 30.


    It had been a mirage, he realized.


    Hope grasping at smoke.


    Reinforcements briefly delayed the inevitable march of doom.


    Gold bursts of light in the distance erupted with each crash of fist and hammer.


    One last thundering impact.


    Hayden¡¯s hammer exploded.


    Suiteonemiades was on her in a blink.


    Hand around her throat.


    Boots kicked.


    Electricity arced.


    Left eye glowed red.


    .50 Caliber bullets vaporized against golden eyes.


    Thin red lanced.


    Short-range laser burned against golden forcefield.


    Hayden banished the darkness for a moment. Electric power filled her artificial eye beyond its tolerances.


    Smoke streamed.


    Sparks erupted.


    Red vanished abruptly.


    Black hand tightened.


    Her kicks weakened.


    Then stopped as the blue-white arcs running up and down her body fizzled out.


    Blue-white in her natural eye died.


    ¡°No! Don¡¯t do it¡ª¡± Drake¡¯s cry was swallowed by an earthquake.


    Jayde screamed, flying through the air propelled by the eruption underneath her boots.


    Superman punch cracked the demigod¡¯s cheek.


    I Bring The Boom.


    Her Skill¡¯s name was a wholly insufficient explanation on what it did.


    Everything.


    All that she had.


    Spells and Skills.


    All at once. Combined, but separate.


    Like that weird trinity thing where three things are completely separate, but also the same at the same time. Or that slightly less weird cat in a closed box. Dead and alive, both at the same time, neither because one couldn¡¯t see it.


    High level Skills at high levels were bullshit that broke things that seemed set in stone.


    Suiteonemiades wobbled, releasing Hayden.


    The demigod spat ivory slick with wet gold.


    A weakness?


    Perhaps he couldn¡¯t absorb many, simultaneous spells.


    ¡°Impressive.¡± Suiteonemiades spat ivory pieces slick with wet gold. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be the first to draw true blood and pain, slight as it is.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, dude.¡± Jayde smirked. ¡°You were doing the chicken dance there.¡±


    ¡°It is the strike you don¡¯t see coming¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ª that knocks you out.¡±


    ¡°Do I look out to you?¡±


    The demigod loomed.


    Jayde had to crane her neck to stare him down. She flexed her right hand. The armor had been destroyed all the way up to her elbow.


    ¡°Was that your best?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ and no.¡±


    Bullets and javelins desperately rained down on the demigod.


    He blocked them all with an upraised arm.


    Alin¡¯s heart sank at flashes of golden light.


    All that for a tooth and a cut mouth.


    ¡°Damn it! Don¡¯t do it!¡± Drake cried out. ¡°Someone stop her! I¡¯ll take your deal! Just leave her alone! She can¡¯t hurt you!¡±


    ¡°Listen to your husband.¡±


    Jayde stood silhouetted by gold light.


    ¡°Stand aside. Save your life. If you don¡¯t care for it, then save your daughter¡¯s. She deserves an opportunity. Does she not?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Hayden¡¯s crumpled form lay on the floor behind Jayde.


    ¡°Drake! She¡¯s not going to leave Hayden.¡± Alin thickened the gray around Hayden. The demigod had ignored him the whole time, but he felt that something was better than nothing. ¡°Get Hayden out of there!¡±


    Up in the distant tree branch, Drake gave no indication that he had heard.


    He flicked a javelin with his right and then another with his left.


    The first flashed and banged in the demigod¡¯s face.


    The second pierced the floor next to Hayden.


    Drake popped out of the tree tops, reappearing next to Hayden.


    Twin eye beams curved around Jayde even as she tried to punch them.


    Drake spun a spear out of nowhere.


    Beams struck magic shield.


    ¡°They will die.¡±


    ¡°No means no, asshole!¡± Jayde snapped. She glanced at Drake.


    His eyes begged.


    Not to save him and Hayden, but her and their unborn daughter.


    Had they even known the baby was a girl?


    Alin couldn¡¯t remember if they had mentioned it.


    Tabitha and Adrian launched themselves recklessly from the shadows.


    ¡°Heartfuries always have each other¡¯s backs. Sorry, honey.¡± She grit her teeth. ¡°No Spells, No Skills. Just Me And You In The Ring.¡±

 10.11

    Reality shuddered.


    Two spaces fought to fill one.


    Such were Domains.


    Strength determined fidelity.


    One from a powerful user could completely overwrite objective reality.


    While one from a lesser user was more a ghost viewed from the corner of the eye.


    Alin stood in Chamber 3. He sat in a ringside chair.


    In front of him was a blasted landscape of burning, broken trees and torn craters from the metal floor. In front of him was an elevated ring enclosed by thick ropes in red, white and blue from top rope to bottom.


    He had never gotten an explanation why it was called a ring when it was clearly a square.


    Worse still was how people, like his dad or Jayde, familiar with the ancient Earthian sport called it the ¡®squared circle¡¯.


    At least the Octagon from a different old sport actually had eight sides.


    He wasn¡¯t alone in the arena.


    Faceless ghosts cheered or booed.


    He found the others¡­ the real people¡­


    His mom and Kynnro sat and stood on the other side of the ring, higher up in the stands.


    Tabitha and Adrian were to the left side of the ring from his perspective. They were a few rows closer than he was. Right behind faceless commentators.


    He didn¡¯t see Hayden, but Drake was there, standing at the apron behind Jayde¡¯s corner.


    The arcane fist bounced lightly on her toes, shadow boxing.


    Reality flickered.


    Jayde was clad in her armor, not the sports bra and shorts she had just¡ª


    Domain reasserted.


    Jayde punched blue boxing gloves together.


    Her Skill struggled to sink in against the inherent power of Suiteonemiades.


    Alin¡¯s heart threatened to burst out of his chest.


    The Domain was meant to equalize combat. To strip everything from the combatants except their natural physical selves. Within the ring, for the duration of a 12 round fight they were as they would be in a world without the spires.


    The demigod was a demigod.


    Could he be separated from the divinity within him?


    Not likely.


    Even if that was possible, he was still over 7 feet tall. A mountain of muscle with a millennia of violent existence.


    What was that old adage the old people liked to say?


    10,000 hours to master a skill?


    Suiteonemiades had lived long enough to master boxing for a hundred Earthian life times.


    In comparison, Jayde was over 40, though she looked and moved a decade younger. She was fit and strong. A great athlete by Earth standards. She wasn¡¯t a big woman. And the swell of belly was more obvious now that she didn¡¯t appear in her armor.


    A single punch from the demigod¡¯s ham-sized fist to the gut¡ª


    Alin pushed that thought away.


    Jayde¡¯s eyes scanned the arena, falling on Alin and the others one by one. ¡°Guys. I appreciate the support, but what¡¯s with the watching? This is the big distraction. Get the hell out of here!¡± She lingered on Drake. ¡°Sorry again, honey. I hope you can forgive me. Please get Hayden away from here and¡­ tell our babies mommy loves them and will always watch over them. If I can come back as a good ghost, I¡¯ll do it, but maybe don¡¯t tell them that until they¡¯re older.¡±


    ¡°This is crazy, Jayde! Don¡¯t do this!¡± Drake pleaded.


    She made shooing motions toward Alin and the others, before leaning through the ropes to plant a hard kiss on her husband¡¯s lips.


    Drake reached for her as if to drag her from the ring, but his hands simply slipped off her arms.


    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving you!¡± he snapped.


    ¡°It might turn out fine. 12 rounds. If I can drag it out then that could be close to an hour. Hooray last minute rescues! If not, then maybe I can break through a limit, gain some levels, boxing a demigod has got to be a super challenge. I might get a Skill or spell perfect for this scenario.¡± She shrugged.


    Alin¡¯s mom left her seat, carrying Kynnro as she climbed the steps toward the exits.


    Tabitha and Adrian didn¡¯t move.


    Neither did Drake.


    Alin pushed the gray, wrapping the ring and the demigod in his cloudy blanket.


    Nothing.


    Though Jayde¡¯s Domain flickered it maintained a strong enough hold to stifle his efforts.


    The ghost of a referee beckoned the two boxers into the center of the ring.


    His words were garbled gibberish to Alin, but not to Jayde and Suiteonemiades.


    ¡°Interesting. Once again I¡¯m struck by the similarities in human cultures across different worlds. This is familiar and I seem to know the rules of your world¡¯s version.¡± The demigod loomed like an ancient redwood over a spring sapling. ¡°A powerful Skill. Over Level 50? Perhaps, it would be more accurate to say close to Level 60. It¡¯s a sh¡ª¡±


    Jayde slammed her red gloves into the demigod¡¯s gold gloves. ¡°Shut up and box!¡±


    The ghost referee spoke, echoing her in incomprehensible words.


    The boxers popped their mouthguards in place and went back to their corners.


    A conjured tree collapsed, but the sound came from far away.


    The bell to start the fight rang loud and clear.


    ¡°Drake?¡± Alin stood. He could almost hear grumbling from the faceless ghosts seated behind him. ¡°Is Hayden near you?¡±


    ¡°What? Yeah, she¡¯s out, but she¡¯s lying right here.¡±


    ¡°Guys. We should go. Listen, it¡¯s a boxing match not a battle. Jayde¡¯s Domain enforces the rules, right? So, it¡¯s¡­ not safe, but safe-er.¡± He made his way through the row. It was disorienting to feel the tangible presence of cheering fans one moment and nothing but empty seats the next. ¡°If we clear out, he¡¯ll have no reason to kill her.¡± He didn¡¯t mention the baby.


    ¡°No way!¡± Drake snapped. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving them alone with that bastard.¡±


    ¡°Same,¡± Tabitha said.


    Adrian growled.


    Alin rounded the end of his row, glancing up at the action in ring.


    The demigod dwarfed a heavyweight, but moved lightly like a flyweight.


    He probed with jabs that Jayde weaved under to land fast counters to his chiseled abs and sides.


    She had to punch up to keep her gloves above his belt.


    Landing blows on his chin and face seemed an impossible puzzle to solve.


    Jumping uppercuts and flying punches didn¡¯t work particularly well when not powered by Skills, magic or other outside assists, like, say boot jets.


    ¡°3 minutes a round. She¡¯s moving around like she wants to use up every last second of every round.¡± That didn¡¯t seem like a lot of time, but having spent time in a ring, an octagon, a wrestling map, a circle of dirt or grass. A handful of minutes could feel like an eternity when one was gassed. Conversely, they could pass in a blink of the eye if one was chasing points. ¡°That¡¯s a lot of time to get distance and get help. If we¡¯re all out of here then he¡¯s got no reason to kill her.¡± He repeated the plea. ¡°You heard him. Drake, you can stay. My dad can get you later.¡±


    ¡°That was my thinking,¡± Drake said.


    ¡°But I think the rest of us would make things harder for the bastard if we weren¡¯t here when this ends.¡±


    ¡°I can grab Jayde once her Skill ends and take her through the shadow realm if Drake can distract him,¡± Tabitha said.


    ¡°Adrian?¡±


    The hybrid, Black Cat growled low, deep in his throat.


    A loud clang sounded, but not from the ring where Jayde spun around to the demigod¡¯s back after a combination to his gut.


    ¡°He got his fur up. I smacked him out of it,¡± Tabitha explained.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Adrian said. ¡°What do you want me to do?¡±


    ¡°I left Frequency here,¡± he sent their location. ¡°Can you carry them to the emergency bunker?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Adrian rose from his seat and stalked toward one of the exits.


    Alin tried to reach his mom.


    ¡°I can¡¯t get my mom, but she¡¯s got Kynnro and will be making her way out of here.¡±


    It¡¯d probably take some time for his mom to navigate through the debris-strewn chamber, likely sticking to the edges and behind cover as much as possible to avoid drawing the demigod¡¯s attention since she was his main hostage target.


    He finally made his way to Jayde¡¯s corner.


    Hayden was on the ground. Vitals mostly red with some yellow.


    Drake had already placed the medical unit on her chest and it beeped away as it did its job.


    Alin lifted her.


    Light as a baby thanks to the artificial muscles in his power armor, the stolen strength from the monsters and his own baseline strength.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t. Unless its with one of our biggest guns. I¡¯m staying cause she¡¯s my wife and our ba¡ª¡± Drake shook his head. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯ll work out. We always pull it out in the end.¡± The smile didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes.


    Alin navigated his way down an aisle that flickered in and out of existence with every step.


    Hayden¡¯s head lolled, forcing him to shift her to keep it supported


    The ten second warning clacked, signaling the end of the first round.


    The crowd erupted.


    He couldn¡¯t help but stop and turn.


    Jayde bobbed and weaved underneath crushing hooks to launch a flurry on the demigod¡¯s midsection.


    Left hook to the liver. Right to the gut.


    Punches in bunches.


    She was looking to cement the round with activity.


    Suiteonemiades landed a clubbing hook that she was already moving away from.


    The impact thudded on her glove and sent her nearly sprawling to the other side of the ring.


    The ropes saved her from tumbling out.


    The faceless ref jumped between the two boxers to signal the end of the round.


    Significant strikes versus volume.


    The scoring would hinge on what the faceless judges decided took precedence¡ª


    Alin frowned.


    The Skill had sucked him in.


    For a moment he almost forgot that this wasn¡¯t a boxing match.


    He hurried toward the arena exit¡ª the secret tunnel to the emergency bunker.


    The hidden door slid open at a cybernetic thought.


    Once it slid shut behind him the Domain¡¯s effects vanished.


    Like waking from a vivid dream or transitioning out from one of his dad¡¯s mindscapes.


    He bounded down the tunnel. Microthrusters lengthened each stride multiple meters.


    His mom and Kynnro were nowhere in sight. Their ident tags were absent from the HUD. Silence was the only answer when he tried them on the comms.


    Adrian and Frequency were likewise out of contact.


    Blast doors and shields opened in anticipation of his passage.


    Guards waved him through.


    ¡°Medics? Healer? Anyone?¡±


    One waved him over.


    He recognized the older woman, but blanked on her name.


    They had set up a triage area in the northwest section of the emergency bunker.


    ¡°This way.¡±


    He followed her past several curtained sections.


    Magic healing, technological and a mixture of the two filled the air with beeps and a veritable rainbow of color.


    Blackstar.


    Dayana.


    Many others.


    Casualties of the battle above ground.


    Relief flooded him when he saw that Adrian had already brought Frequency.


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    The Threnosh was already receiving treatment.


    At the doctor¡¯s instruction, he placed Hayden in a medical unit.


    The bed was made for the field, which meant it lacked full features.


    ¡°Her armor¡¯s systems are screwed, I¡¯ll¡ª¡±


    ¡°We can handle it from here,¡± the doctor said.


    Sure enough the medical team worked quickly and efficiently with the exact tools they needed to get Hayden out of her ruined armor.


    ¡°Thanks¡­¡±


    The doctor grunted.


    Alin caught Adrian¡¯s eye.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    They rushed back through the tunnel.


    Still no sign of his mom or Kynnro.


    Comms answered with static.


    No ident tags in the HUD.


    Out of the tunnel and back into Chamber¡ª the arena.


    Faceless girls wearing bikinis for some reason paraded in the ring holding up a number on a card.


    7.


    What?


    The clock in his HUD adamantly told him that they had been gone for less than 5 minutes.


    Jayde rose from her corner without the bounce in her steps. She shook her arms as if trying to get rid of lead weights Alin couldn¡¯t see. Her face resembled a canvas painted with dark blues, purples and red from the demigod¡¯s blunt brushes. Her swollen belly was unmarred aside from glistening streaks of sweat.


    Suiteonemiades had no issues punching a pregnant woman in the face, but apparently had a line he wasn¡¯t willing to cross.


    At the other corner, the demigod stood like a silent statue. The man had no need for a stool, nor the ice bags and water from his faceless corner men. The only sign of exertion was a faint sheen of sweat on his midnight black skin.


    ¡°Shit! They skipped a bunch. How many rounds are there in this thing?¡± Adrian said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. 10 or 12, but that¡¯s in the old real life version. I¡¯d guess its up to Jayde in her domain, but I wouldn¡¯t rule out the demigod being able to do something about that.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯ll end right away if he knocks her out and it¡¯s not looking good.¡±


    ¡°We have to find my mom.¡± He scanned the arena. Simultaneously empty and silent while being filled with thousands of cheering fans without faces.


    ¡°Creepy, so creepy,¡± Adrian shook his head.


    ¡°Can you get a scent?¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s weird, I keep smelling other people and food and beer and weed.¡± The hybrid had openings for his ears. ¡°Can¡¯t hear her either.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯ll stick to the walls to keep as much distance and obstacles between her and the demigod. You go left and I¡¯ll go right.¡±


    Alin moved along what he thought was the chamber¡¯s wall while occasionally looking at the fight in the ring.


    The demigod loomed over Jayde like the enemy boxers in that one ancient Nintendo game his dad had spent time and resources his mom had called a waste. She had been of the opinion that there was no point in refurbishing an original console and cartridge when it could have been ported into a computer with a fraction of the time and effort. His dad had countered that it wasn¡¯t a real effort on his part since he could multitask, handling dozens of projects at the same time without sacrificing quality.


    The demigod plodded forward, purposefully making the ring smaller with each step while Jayde tried to circle away from the ropes and the corners.


    The demigod covered ground deceptively quick owing to his huge stride length. He threw out lazy jabs and straights like boar hunter probing with a long spear.


    Jayde had done exceptionally well to take the fight into the 7th round with the ungodly amount of punishment displayed on her face. However, the outcome had been written.


    The end came quickly as it sometimes did with the shock of a lightning bolt out of dark sky.


    A hook from a boxing glove as big as her head clubbed her.


    She folded up instantly.


    Cheering erupted.


    Confetti fell.


    The ringside announcer went mad with excitement.


    The Domain vanished with her consciousness.


    ¡°An interesting diversion. But ultimately fruitless.¡± The demigod stood as he had entered, towering over Jayde¡¯s still form. ¡°For, I see that you didn¡¯t use her distraction wisely.¡±


    Alin followed Suiteonemiades¡¯ gaze right to his mom and Kynnro, who were a few meters away from the hidden door to the real secret tunnel.


    His mom placed Kynnro on the floor.


    Somehow, he had missed them.


    They had passed each other blinded by the Domain¡¯s effects.


    Suiteonemiades charged.


    Kynnro fired a laser beam with the dregs of their trueskin¡¯s energy.


    Black palm swallowed red light.


    His mom dumped her power armor¡¯s remaining weapons into the demigod.


    Alin felt like he was moving through honey.


    Golden light swallowed the two.


    The smoke cleared at the demigod¡¯s thunder clap, which slammed his mom into the wall and scattered the ashes that remained from Kynnro.


    Drake hurled javelins and struck with a spear only to be swept aside with a lazy backhand.


    Tabitha emerged from the shadows, stabbing and ripping with tooth daggers and cloak claws.


    Suiteonemiades caught her by the wrists and pulled.


    She snarled in his face.


    The sounds of ligaments, muscles and flesh tearing nearly drowned out her scream.


    Adrian roar turned into a yowl as the demigod ignored the vicious mauling to snap limbs without regard for the hybrid¡¯s Threnium armor.


    Alin hit the demigod in the back. Hardlight blade shattered.


    ¡°Only a trihorn in rutting season would continue to ram headfirst after he broke his horns and cracked his bone frill.¡±


    Alin didn¡¯t see the hit that sent him down the dark corridor.


    He woke up a dozen meters away from where the demigod held his mom aloft with one huge black hand around the back of her neck and the other around both her legs.


    Her armor smoked, having had layers ablated off by the demigod¡¯s golden blast.


    ¡°I have been more than reasonable. Others would not offer honorable treatment. They¡¯d take since you¡¯ve proved incapable of stopping them. Not only have I offered dignity, I did so multiple times. It is not my preference, but centuries of experience have taught me that the compliance brutality brings tends to be short-lived. Unfortunately, your continued refusal has left me no other choice. Plus, if you are unable to walk then you will be unable to provide meaningful resistance.¡±


    So said, the demigod brought Alin¡¯s mom down on bended knee.


    The crack echoed through Chamber 3, implanting itself in Alin¡¯s memory where it would stay with him until the end of his life.


    A spire of stone erupted from beneath the demigod, separating him from Alin¡¯s mom.


    Jayde, face purpled, bent nose leaking red, had fist to floor.


    ¡°He knocked me down, but I ain¡¯t heard no bell.¡±


    Alin had heard the ghostly bell ringing, but he wouldn¡¯t contradict her, nor the fire in her eyes.


    ¡°Grab your mom, Boy. She¡¯s what he wants and I¡¯m not about to let him get what he wants easily. Not after what he¡¯s done today.¡±


    Adrian wasn¡¯t moving.


    Tabitha¡¯s life leaked from her torn shoulder. She caught Alin¡¯s eye and mouthed something he couldn¡¯t decipher.


    Drake was nowhere in sight.


    Kynnro¡­ Kynnro was gone.


    ¡°Either I surpass my limits and get that last second power up or¡­¡± Jayde didn¡¯t finish. She simply rolled her shoulders.


    ¡°This is not a fight in the ring with rules!¡± Suiteonemiades landed with a crash behind them.


    Alin sprinted for his mom, while Jayde punched air, creating a high velocity spread of stone spikes like buckshot.


    She split a golden beam with an uppercut, splitting it like a river with a wedge of conjured stone.


    A dive roll took her out of the demigod¡¯s charge path.


    Another punch turned a wide swathe of broken stone into missiles that exploded with concussive force on impact, forcing the demigod back several steps.


    Jayde punched the floor, launching herself on a pillar of stone.


    Fist boomed against face.


    Light and heat flashed a shockwave across the chamber that forced Alin to hold on to his mom lest she be blown into the wall.


    Jayde flurried with spells at the end of her fists, each restricted to damaging with physical force rather than more esoteric effects.


    The demigod struck.


    Fist met fist.


    Golden light cracked bones.


    Jayde countered with a snapping jab up to the demigod¡¯s face.


    Foam spread rapidly like the fungal touch of a deep cave shambler.


    The demigod¡¯s eyes widened as he ripped at the conjured substance.


    A second was all it took to engulf his entire head.


    But, he didn¡¯t give her time to catch her breath.


    Gold light vaporized.


    He raised a fist, flaring gold through his fingers.


    A javelin struck, forcing him to release the divine energy before he was ready.


    Gold rays lanced out in all directions.


    Alin took one on his arm, losing layers of armor, but protecting his mom, whose armor was in worse shape.


    Jayde stumbled as a ray raked across her front, carving a deep line in her chestplate.


    She landed on her butt.


    The demigod leapt.


    A javelin skimmed the ground, coming to a stop in midair just above Jayde.


    She grabbed it and vanished with a pop just before the demigod cratered the floor.


    Drake cradled his wife in the upper branches of a burning redwood.


    A golden blast screeched across the chamber.


    Drake pulled yet another spear from one of his bags of holding straight into his hand with a Skill.


    He spun up a magic shield to tank the blast long enough for him to teleport the two of them elsewhere a moment before the demigod¡¯s chopping kick felled the massive tree.


    Jayde punched a point-tipped tree into existence.


    Drake touched it as she launched it like a missile skimming an arm¡¯s length from the floor.


    What was a spear?


    A stick with a point.


    It didn¡¯t matter if it was made out of wood, stone or metals.


    At least that was how Drake conceptualized it.


    Pedantic sorts would protest, but sometimes reality was subjective.


    All the proof Drake needed was his spells and Skills worked on it.


    Booms shook the chamber, triggering the auditory protections in their helmets.


    Kinetic force increased exponentially compared to one of Drakes standard javelins.


    Suiteonemiades met the missile with a punch.


    Wood vaporized and broke, showering them in jagged splinters.


    The demigod was driven back into the northwest section of Chamber 3.


    Wife and husband combined their abilities again to fire a second tree spear.


    This time toward the ceiling.


    Metal tore, releasing the trap she had Bolder prepare several minutes ago, though it felt like hours.


    Earth compacted impossibly dense with magic crashed down on the demigod.


    An enormous pile driver nearly a hundred meters long, all the earth between the chamber¡¯s roof and the surface, slammed down. It dwarfed the hundred ton megaliths one could find at many ancient sites across the planet. Those testaments to the ingenuity of humanity would¡¯ve looked like children¡¯s toys next to the result of Bolder¡¯s magic.


    Jayde whooped.


    ¡°And that¡¯s the end of th¡ª¡±


    The chamber rumbled.


    A squeal of protest from the metal floor filled the shocked silence.


    The super megalith scattered dust as, impossibly, it began to move.


    Suiteonemiades stood revealed with a rictus snarl.


    Muscles flexed like steel cables underneath midnight black skin.


    Golden light shined from his eyes and coated him in a faint sheen.


    The demigod pressed what must¡¯ve been easily over a thousand tons. He reached full extension with perfect form, holding the immense mass of dense-packed earth up with both arms for a long moment before bending arms and knees. An explosion of godly might pushed the mass high enough for him to dive out of the way.


    Alin jumped.


    Rather the floor bucked him like an angry bull from the impact.


    ¡°Good trap.¡± Suiteonemiades rolled boulder-like shoulders. ¡°That would¡¯ve been the end of 90% of the demigods I know. It would¡¯ve even claimed many of whose portfolios lay claim to physical strength. I commend you.¡± He moved in a blur, scattering dust and, yes, Alin¡¯s ineffective fog in his wake.


    Drake leapt in front of Jayde with a thrusting spear.


    A big black hand snapped the solid metal like a bamboo skewer.


    The other hand snapped over Drake¡¯s head, helmet and all, like a bear trap.


    Suiteonemiades lifted him off the floor as easily as one picks up an empty plastic bag.


    ¡°A worthy effort. I promise that your names and deeds here today will be recorded for all eternity or until the pantheon archives are destroyed.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Nothing truly lasts forever, despite what the Gods may say.¡±


    Alin couldn¡¯t hear anything over the pounding in his chest.


    His mom pushed herself up with one hand. Her lower half lay limp on the floor, but that didn¡¯t stop her from firing force blasts into the demigod¡¯s back until she finally ran out of power.


    Drake produced a spear in his hands and thrust into the demigod¡¯s face.


    The impact sounded like sudden thunder, but the demigod merely bit the spear tip off.


    The gray¡­ the gray did nothing.


    Why? Damn you! Why aren¡¯t you working?


    Where was the dreaded fog that could strip even his dad and uncle of their powers?


    Why couldn¡¯t he even get the demigod to notice it?


    Threnium squealed as it crumpled around Drake¡¯s head with the grinding inevitability of a glacier moving down a mountainside.


    Jayde leapt in with scream.


    She cracked the demigod¡¯s elbow.


    Her biggest booming punch to free her husband, but desperation created carelessness.


    And she had always been reckless.


    All the way back to the beginning when she hadn¡¯t cared much about the outcome, just so long as she met every monster and evil men with over a hundred percent of her best. So that when she finally saw her father again, she could say that she had truly left nothing in the ring.


    A husband, then children, tempered that some, but it had never been completely buried.


    Like the demigod had said.


    Nothing lasted forever.


    A simple punch, almost lazy, low uppercut to the stomach.


    Suiteonemiades had to crouch to throw it because he towered over her.


    Golden light framed the midnight black demigod¡¯s back.


    Alin didn¡¯t see it land.


    He heard the scream of tearing metal.


    Saw Jayde¡¯s vitals in his HUD go black.


    Saw the scorched void in her midsection as the demigod moved to one side and she fell to the other.


    Her eyes locked on his. Her mouth moved.


    ¡°I¡¯m dead, Boy. I¡¯ve still got some left. Take it. I¡¯m giving you permission. Use it. Don¡¯t let this fuck win.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t process, couldn¡¯t comprehend.


    ¡°Sorry, honey. Take care of our babies. I¡¯m sorry¡­ my ba¡ª¡±


    Unblinking eyes stared into Alin¡¯s soul.


    Tears.


    Hers joined the pool of red leaking from her mouth to smear the inside of her faceplate


    His tasted bitter on his lips.


    ¡°Boy?¡± Tabitha lay in a pool of her own. Red pulsing from the ragged tear at her shoulder with every beat of her heart. Slowing with every passing second. ¡°Take mine too.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± he snapped.


    What was wrong with them?


    So eager to die and give him their souls, their essences.


    There was no way he¡¯d trap them in the gray like his relatives.


    ¡°So much unnecessary death.¡± Suiteonemiades approached. His steps echoed like doom¡¯s hammer as he stepped over Jayde and Drake. The latter stirred weakly, reaching out to the former. ¡°Nila Cruces. This is your responsibility. All these lives and one yet to be are on your hands.¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Alin stood in high guard with his multi-weapon configured into a longsword. His comfort weapon. ¡°You did all that. You chose to kill.¡±


    ¡°From your perspective, but I¡¯ve learned that the only perspective that counts in the end is that of the victor.¡± The demigod regarded him a moment. ¡°Show me your face, young man. Tell me your name so that I may included you in the histories. You¡¯ve been brave, if over matched. A shame your journey will end here due to one woman¡¯s intransigence.¡±


    Alin kept his faceplate dark.


    He resolved to give the demigod nothing except his hardlight blade.


    Black fist broke yellow light.


    Stolen strength surged into a stomp to a black knee.


    Black hand slapped.


    Lights dimmed.


    World spun.


    Floor hit.


    The demigod stepped over Alin as he tried to rise.


    His gut clenched, bile rising to his mouth.


    His mom glared defiantly at the obsidian tower casting a wide shadow over her.


    ¡°Your back shall remain broken until you show that you are amenable to becoming a proper hostage. Distasteful, but it will encourage compliance.¡± The demigod glanced back. ¡°You, young man, are charged with this message. Tell your lord, Cal Cruces, that I shall contact him within the week to negotiate terms for Nila Cruces¡¯ return. I promise she shall be treated honorably so long as I hold the reins. Granted, I¡¯m no oracle that sifts through the skeins of the future, so I can¡¯t promise that will continue. The pantheon can be fickle and I may be replaced by another demigod at their whim. And, I say this without arrogance, I am judged to be an exemplar of virtue among my kind.¡±


    The demigod picked Alin¡¯s mom off the floor as though she was a discarded doll.


    A golden portal opened with agonizing slowness.


    The demigod let out a sigh.


    ¡°I would like to meet whomever is responsible for the aegis protection your holdings. I¡¯ve never had to work this hard before. A thousand years and I find such powerful magic on a newborn world. I suppose that¡¯s another thing I can attribute to a Terminus World.¡±


    Alin tasted iron.


    The chamber spun every time he tried to rise on limbs that refused to listen to him.


    A roar split the chamber.


    An animal sound filled with pain and rage in equal parts.


    A dark shape flew through the air above Alin.


    He felt him through the gray.


    A presence¡­ no!


    Two presences he had given up for dead!


    Except¡­ hope died as quickly as it had bloomed.


    It was only a death temporarily deferred for one of them.


    The demigod dropped Alin¡¯s mom to meet the next challengers.

 10.12

    It didn¡¯t seem real.


    As in it was impossible.


    Alin had been concussed before, but they had never come with such vivid hallucinations.


    Howard flew through the air, snarling with a glinting knife in hand. Flesh colored ropes splattered gore in his wake. The lower half of his body was gone.


    It was theoretically possible that Howard¡¯s healing factor would allow him to survive such a grisly injury, but testing in a mindscape or utilizing V.I. projections was no substitute for reality.


    Except¡­ Howard didn¡¯t fly? Nor could he leapt without legs. How had he¡ª


    Kelci limped forward from Chamber 3¡¯s west entrance.


    The hybrid was on one good leg. The other was a twisted, broken ruin dragging behind her. One arm resembled one of those bendy straws his mom kept around for when Lera visited. Her armor was as broken as her bones. Shattered faceplate revealed a face so destroyed that it was a wonder she could see well enough to accurately throw Howard at the demigod.


    Suiteonemiades aimed a blast at the snarling missile of rage.


    Gold screamed.


    Sudden stars sparkled in its path, clearing a path.


    The burst of .50 caliber bullets signaled that Marloes wasn¡¯t out of the fight.


    Howard sliced a chunk out of the demigod¡¯s cheek with his thin knife. He grappled the towering demigod like a rage-filled, giant weasel versus a grizzly bear. He stabbed and sliced, splattering wet gold.


    Distracting bullets sparkled into the demigod¡¯s eyes.


    Twin beams lanced out into the distant northeast corner of the chamber where a tangle of half-destroyed trees lay.


    The sparkles stopped.


    Suiteonemiades pried Howard from his back, crushing hands around arm and neck.


    ¡°You¡¯re at the apex of your kind to survive this long, let alone fight so viciously. Tough enough to do that, but not smart enough to find your lower half first. You understand what you did? You could¡¯ve saved yourself. Crawled to your legs and stuck yourself back together.¡± Gold eyes flicked to the thin, double-edged knife. ¡°Where¡¯d you get this? This world doesn¡¯t have natural mythril deposits.¡±


    Howard spat a bloody glob in the demigod¡¯s face.


    ¡°Open-faced helmets are shit, eh?¡±


    He flicked his wrist despite the crushing grasp.


    Thin blade entered the demigod¡¯s eye with a wet squelch.


    Gold flared instantly, sending the knife flying.


    ¡°A worthy effort, but not a lasting one,¡± Suiteonemiades said through grit teeth. ¡°Unlike your fate.¡± He shifted his grip, bringing one hand on top of Howard¡¯s broken helmet.


    Kelci bellowed and tried to charge, but her pretzeled leg failed her.


    Alin stood, made it two steps before the spinning chamber overcame him.


    Suiteonemiades ripped.


    ¡°I¡¯ve only heard stories of your kind surviving this.¡± He held Howard¡¯s severed head in the palm of one hand, examining. ¡°Can you talk? Do you understand what I¡¯ve done to you?.¡±


    Howard blinked, his mouth worked but only a wet gurgling sound emerged.


    ¡°No lungs, no air. No magic to make a mockery of natural biology.¡± The demigod regarded Howard¡¯s torso for a moment before casting it aside like trash. ¡°I am curious, but not that curious. You¡¯ve hurt me, so I grant you an honorable death.¡± He closed his hand.


    Alin swallowed back the bile.


    ¡°No more last second sudden surge of strength and power? No sudden level ups unlocking just the spells or Skills needed to overcome this challenge?¡±


    The demigod raised a brow. His ruined eye barely seemed to bother him.


    ¡°Then, I shall depart.¡± he strode over to pick up Alin¡¯s mom once again. ¡°Remember my message. Grow strong and perhaps you may take your revenge¡­ or join your brothers and sisters in Elysium for they earned their deaths.¡±


    The golden portal awaited.


    It hadn¡¯t stopped opening.


    Suiteonemiades, Alin¡¯s mom in hand, strode toward it.


    Large strides meant it only took two to cover the distance.


    One more step.


    A few more centimeters of portal growth.


    The demigod stopped on the threshold.


    A frown crossed his face.


    Muscles grew taut.


    Slowly, almost imperceptibly, he began to slide backward from the golden portal.


    Alin¡¯s HUD highlighted a gravitational anomaly approximately 10 meters directly behind the demigod.


    More anomalies appeared.


    Around him, his mom and Kelci.


    There were also distant ones, which he took to be around Marloes, Drake, Adrian and Tabitha.


    There were even ones around Howard¡¯s¡­ remains and Jayde¡¯s¡ª


    ¡°Alin, I can¡¯t pull your mom out of his hand without hurting her,¡± Aunt Rayna said into the comms.


    Howard¡¯s knife! The thought came immediately as the cobwebs in his head began to clear.


    He scanned the floor, finding it quickly.


    Despite being at the epicenter of a burst of divine energy the shining blade remained pristine.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it. But, I¡¯ll need help getting in and out with her.¡±


    ¡°Got you covered. Let me know when and be careful.¡±


    Alin scrambled for the knife.


    Suiteonemiades caught him out of the corner of one eye.


    The demigod was a veteran of likely countless battles across nearly a millennia.


    He knew that there had been one thing in the chamber that was a threat he needed to be wary off.


    Twin beams danced across the air toward Alin.


    They arced¡ª around him.


    Round and round they went until he was cocooned in gold.


    His aunt¡¯s gravity field moved with him. Rather, she moved it with him as he scooped Howard¡¯s knife off the floor.


    ¡°Now!¡±


    Sudden acceleration faded just as quickly into weightlessness.


    The demigod¡¯s beams vanished, revealing a tower of midnight black muscle growing rapidly in Alin¡¯s faceplate.


    His mom fired a blast of flame from the underside of her armored arm into the demigod¡¯s face.


    The demigod turned. Instead of resisting the powerful pull, he leapt with it. Only to find himself suddenly weightless, floating in midair.


    Alin¡¯s flight brought him close enough to reach.


    The demigod¡¯s hand looked even larger up close.


    An instant before grabbing Alin the demigod was suddenly pulled to the floor.


    Metal crumpled beneath his sandals.


    His right arm suddenly rose to full extension.


    Alin¡¯s mom dangled like a flag in the wind.


    Alin cut deeply across the underside of the demigod¡¯s wrist, severing tendons.


    The demigod¡¯s hand opened against his will.


    Alin grasped his mom¡¯s outstretched arm as the two of them were floated out of the demigod¡¯s reach.


    Twin beams gave chase but couldn¡¯t escape the gravity field around the demigod.


    Suiteonemiades roar of frustration was drowned out by the sound of the ceiling opening up and bathing Chamber 3 in sunlight.


    Thousands of tons of earth were pulled and pushed into the sky to rain down somewhere over the Pacific.


    ¡°Ah!¡± The demigod¡¯s expression went from frustration to eagerness in the blink of an eye. ¡°The eponymous Rayna of her famed rangers! Adras would give you an entire world if you give him your faith.¡±


    ¡°Pass.¡±


    ¡°Good. I wouldn¡¯t recommend it.¡± His lips twisted. ¡°You¡¯d be given anything you could imagine, but a cage is a cage regardless of the gilding. Unless you¡¯re the sort that wouldn¡¯t mind being treated like a prized brood mare until you¡¯re no longer capable. And from the looks of it that¡¯d be a long time.¡±


    A dark shadow fell, blotting the sunlight.


    ¡°Have you marked the target?¡±


    A beat.


    ¡°Fire at will.¡±


    R.S. Rayna One rained hell upon Suiteonemiades.


    ¡°Don¡¯t use magic!¡± Alin¡¯s warning was too late.


    ¡°Yup. We made contact with the evacuation party. Dayana woke up long enough to warn us about that.¡±


    Flechettes shattered against a golden forcefield.


    Shrapnel filled the chamber, but nothing got close to Alin and the others as his aunt¡¯s power turned them into miniature asteroids orbiting their planets, never to be drawn to their surface.


    Collateral damage didn¡¯t exist when Aunt Rayna was in the fullness of her superpower.


    Deft manipulation of multiple fields created something like the ocean where all currents led to one place.


    Again and again, the projectiles slammed into the demigod¡¯s forcefield each time breaking into smaller and smaller pieces until they were fine dust.


    Arcane symbols flickered and vanished.


    The demigod fired back through the forcefield somehow.


    Alin couldn¡¯t tell through the flashes of light and choking debris clouds.


    ¡°Any luck draining him?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ sorry. It hasn¡¯t worked.¡±


    ¡°Keep trying.¡±


    When Aunt Rayna told him to do something he did it.


    The gray licked at the forcefield.


    He found thin seams and larger holes that continually shifted location.


    That¡¯s how the demigod fired through with his eye beams and hand blasts.


    He pushed the gray inside like the fog creeping onto the beach in the dead of night.


    Pulling with all his might he felt the slightest tingle.


    A trickle so faint that he wasn¡¯t sure if it wasn¡¯t just the product of wishful thinking.


    The demigod certainly didn¡¯t show any of the typical signs that Alin¡¯s ability was working.


    Indeed, Suiteonemiades threw his head back to the sky and roared.


    A thick beam of golden light poured out of his mouth, searingly bright.


    ¡°Careful, Aunt. I saw him shoot down the Rayn of Fire.¡±


    ¡°Meh. I wouldn¡¯t go that far. They had already taken a lot of damage from the harpies and missiles.¡±


    The demigod melted a literal cloud of flechettes.


    The skyship¡¯s shadow moved.


    ¡°Then again¡­¡±


    Suiteonemiades turned his attention to Aunt Rayna hovering where Chamber 3¡¯s ceiling once stood.


    Golden beams lanced out.


    Only to be captured by her gravity.


    Energy bent, curved at her will.


    Flowing around her to be shot harmlessly into the empty sky.


    She gestured.


    Just a slight twist of her wrist and a flick of her fingers.


    Such a small movement for a monumental effect.


    The super megalith rose from where it leaned against the destroyed wall and crashed down on the demigod.


    Over a thousand tons propelled down by a force of gravity greater than that of the planet.


    Dense-packed earth, hard as stone shattered.


    It didn¡¯t go alone into its ruin. It dragged the golden forcefield along.


    The demigod cursed as he punched up with explosive blasts of golden energy, creating just enough space to avoid burial.


    He blasted shots from both hands and eyes.


    Bright gold screamed with rage as they zeroed in like a shark on a seal.


    Alin flinched as his aunt¡¯s field captured the blast and turned it into a harmless satellite around him and his mom.


    He lost concentration. Lost the link he hoped wasn¡¯t just in his head. Lost the trickle of the demigod¡¯s vitality.


    No.


    Not a trickle.


    That was a generous term.


    It had felt more like a microscopic particle of glowing gold stretched into a microscopic thread. Not even rising to the level of the most infinitesimal drop of miniature¡¯s paint on the wet palette when he had to squeeze out every last bit from the small dropper bottle.


    The floor buckled beneath the demigod.


    Legs like tree trunks bulged and quivered as he strained against the pull.


    Arms trembled, fighting to remain on their targets.


    Veins in his neck and jaw wriggled like fat worms as the muscles fought to keep his eyes skyward.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Aunt Rayna clapped her hands as though catching an annoying gnat.


    The remains of the super megalith slammed into the demigod.


    Other fields isolated the demigod and the dense-packed earth from everything and everyone else in Chamber 3 and the rest of the environment.


    The laws of physics be damned.


    His aunt had never cared much for that part of science anyways.


    The force was so great that dense-packed earth changed shape, slowly turning into a giant orb with the demigod entombed within.


    Eternity in seconds? Or was it the other way around?


    Alin couldn¡¯t tell.


    It took less than 3 minutes going by the clock in his HUD for his aunt to complete her work.


    Her eye twitched as a bead of sweat fell from her brow to trickled down the side of her face.


    Alin was about to warn her that he could still feel the demigod, but remembered that she could too through her gravity fields, possibly even better than he could. At least going by the morning¡¯s events.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to drag him into space. Maybe throw him into the sun or use a mini black hole. That¡¯ll probably work,¡± Aunt Rayna said.


    ¡°Yes, please.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡ª¡± her eye twitched, brow furrowed.


    Dense-packed earth rumbled and cracked.


    Fault lines spread across the brown globe, leaking gold.


    The giant orb exploded.


    Jagged debris, some as long as a man was tall, scattered across the chamber. So many creating a swirling sea of brown in the eddies of his aunt¡¯s power.


    His aunt cleared the cloud from where the demigod had stood entombed.


    Empty.


    The only thing that remained was a hint of fading gold as ephemeral as the morning mist chased away by the rising sun.


    ¡°He¡¯s gone.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sensing his energy nearby.¡±


    His aunt had him beat for range.


    He could spread the gray out to maybe a thousand square meters on an average day.


    In addition to creating her own, she could connect to the Earth¡¯s gravity field and make it hers for a time.


    Aunt Rayna floated down to land next to him. ¡°Watch my back. I¡¯m going to see if I can find out where he went.¡±


    Wherever Suiteonemiades had portaled to, she failed to track him.


    The demigod had failed his stated main objective.


    However, Alin couldn¡¯t see it as their victory.


    Not when he took in the devastation everywhere he looked.


    Not when he thought about what he couldn¡¯t see. Who he would never see again.


    <hr>


    Washington, D.C. Spring 2053


    Washington T. K. George.


    President of the United States of America.


    Or what was left of it from its height over 30 years ago.


    A height they would, God willing, reach once again as they claimed their Rightful Destiny. Or should that be Gods?


    The thought irritated like a splinter that slowly worked its way deeper into his thumb.


    A young man¡­ for a president.


    Just turned 40.


    Multiple classes.


    He had gained and lost several as he climbed the ranks.


    Councilman to congressman.


    The only ones that always stayed with were soldier and politician.


    President of the United States of America.


    Low level since he was only partway through his first term.


    Still, he had discovered that it was more powerful than any of his predecessors had said.


    It was mindset that set him apart from them.


    They had all been relics of the previous era.


    A world without the spires, without classes, without tangible evidence of one¡¯s inner qualities.


    He had grown up in this world.


    Steeped in it from his childhood.


    Thus, he could make full use of his Skills, develop them to their utmost and transform them into even greater versions.


    ¡®Washington¡¯ wasn¡¯t the name his parents had given him at first.


    They were shrewd political operatives that had managed to secure a place in the emergency bunkers when the spires apocalypse descended on the old world like a dark blanket. They had risen in the struggles over that first decade. They had charted his path from those dark days to be the light that would truly take their country back from the monsters and the traitors.


    To name him such was an evocation of the nation¡¯s origin. Everything he had ever done at their guiding hands was to embody the echoes of that ancient founding father.


    He sat in an oval-shaped office, using a Skill to review the multiple reports spread out on his desk simultaneously.


    There was a smaller, more practical office, but what was the point of being president if he couldn¡¯t be in the Oval Office?


    He was alone.


    Secret Service bodyguards were just outside.


    The rest of his staff was busy performing their own jobs.


    Another Skill allowed him to keep track of them.


    Several were slacking off, but he¡¯d allow it.


    Each had lost someone in the military operation against the traitors in Southern California.


    He had decided to inform them as soon as there had been confirmation of the casualties rather than conform to the standard timeline.


    His staff was hardworking, competent and loyal.


    They deserved better than to spend the next several days agonizing over the unknown fates of their loved ones.


    The thought interrupted his task, sending his gaze away from the reports.


    His desk was devoid of personal touches aside from a simple framed picture of his parents and a magic gem.


    The latter was ruby red, but not a ruby.


    He had gained it nearly a decade ago in a nameless spawn zone near an abandoned town whose name he couldn¡¯t remember.


    It pulsed and sometimes when he looked at it out of the corner of his eye he could see veins beneath the glossy surface, beating like a heart.


    Next to the one picture it was his most valuable belonging.


    He was alone in many ways.


    No family after his parents had been murdered by political rivals when he was barely a man.


    No relationships aside from his brothers and sisters from his days in the Combined Armed Forces.


    Lasting connections had never come easy when life and death was always balanced on the edge of a blade.


    His opponents had tried to use his lack of a wife as an attack during the campaign, but failed miserably.


    It was only a concern for the most aged of the electorate and they were, sadly, a rapidly vanishing demographic.


    The vast majority of the populace found greater value in what he stood for and what he had done in the service of them.


    Truth spells.


    The old generation hadn¡¯t fully understood how those changed the political calculus until it was too late.


    They could¡¯ve obfuscated and outright lied about what they did or would do in the pre-spires days.


    Not in the modern world.


    His parents had recognized that sooner than most.


    Which was why he had never done anything that could¡¯ve been used against him in a catastrophic way.


    A simple question about taking advantage of one¡¯s position to coerce sexual favors had been devastating to one of his opponents during the first debate.


    The populace saw a refusal to answer the question as tantamount to admittance.


    He was the only one that answered in the negative.


    That glowing truth gem had gained him more votes than any number of campaign ads and speeches.


    No rapes.


    No murders.


    No war crimes.


    The first two had been easy.


    I never had the inclination to do either.


    As for the last?


    Well¡­ he owed it all to his parents and their allies for keeping him out of positions where such things might have become a necessity¡­ for the most part.


    As for when that had been impossible?


    It wasn¡¯t that difficult to write the histories when they won.


    It was, after all, a time honored tradition dating back to whenever humanity began recording their history.


    Suiteonemiades.


    He didn¡¯t like the demigod, but only with time and distance.


    He liked the demigod whenever he was in the presence.


    Supernatural charisma.


    Not just because the demigod was beyond physical perfection and seemed to know exactly what to say to anyone in any setting to have them gazing up at those gold eyes like a small child looks up to their parents.


    There was a tangible, intentional effect generated by the demigod.


    The highest leveled and most powerful individuals had all agreed.


    An aura that some, like Captain Patriot, saw as blazing golden light.


    While others had described it as more of a feeling or even a faint choir singing with the voices of the angels.


    Gods?


    He wasn¡¯t a believer.


    No.


    He had seen too many things in his days as a soldier.


    Beings with so much power that the distinction in specific terminology didn¡¯t matter.


    The nation walked the blade¡¯s edge.


    Alliance with the pantheon risked being turned into a vassal state.


    History was the guide.


    Nations had done it throughout human existence.


    The only difference was the scale.


    Power in the form of nuclear missiles and air superiority in the past.


    Power in the literal form of individuals in the present and future.


    The new arms race that the old hands, by and large, had failed to understand.


    They had antagonized power when they should¡¯ve placated.


    They had let idiotic racial biases form their policies.


    What did the color of one¡¯s skin or their ethnic origins matter when they could single-handedly destroy an army or a giant sea monster with teleporting tentacles?


    It was too late now.


    The nation would never be whole again, would never take its rightful place as the leader of the world without the aid of the pantheon.


    Ally with people from beyond their world to defeat people from their world.


    The hypocrisy was not lost on him.


    The reports were mixed.


    Multiple operations with multiple outcomes.


    Failure to success in varying degrees.


    Which could be said of the most important operation.


    Heavy casualties taken and given.


    He didn¡¯t find that objectionable.


    The harpies bore the brunt of the losses.


    His soldiers had achieved parity with the Cruces insurrectionist forces.


    A skyship had been downed. Presumably, it would be out of commission for a long time even if Rayna¡¯s Rangers could even repair it.


    The demigod had personally killed many high value targets. Some had been marked as important assets for the insurrectionists. Others had not, though the demigod had assured him that all deaths served their goals.


    He didn¡¯t, for a second, take it for granted that those goals would always align.


    There was no way that the demigod was completely transparent.


    The godlike man had to have more he wasn¡¯t sharing. He was too powerful to be bound by the spells and Skills they had at their disposal to find out. A Level 40 individual could lie to a Level 20¡¯s spell or Skill.


    The deaths of the gray aliens achieved strategic and tactical aims.


    For the former, the hope was that it would be the catalyst to start a rift between the Threnosh and the traitors.


    Somehow, they had made it to the Threnosh world well in advance to poison the well for American diplomacy.


    Violence involving the first scouting parties they had sent through the spires had not helped.


    As it stood the diplomats they sent later were as effective as pebbles thrown at a steel door.


    In any case, diplomacy with every other polity on other worlds had been put on indefinite hold.


    A condition of their alliance with the pantheon.


    The hints of ideas mulled around in his head.


    He gave them no voice because countermeasures against spies weren¡¯t perfect.


    Levels and Skills.


    A double-edged blade.


    There were counters for everything.


    Even counters for the counters.


    The Threnosh were a possible future ally against a potential common enemy once the insurrectionists were dealt with.


    He reached for the water pitcher and found it empty.


    ¡°Excuse me, can someone bring me more water, please,¡± he said into the intercom. ¡°And an apple.¡±


    Success and failure.


    Suiteonemiades hadn¡¯t returned with his main target.


    No hostage meant everyone had been keeping one eye on the sky even when sitting in their office for the past week.


    Condition red.


    Expectation of a sudden and devastating attack.


    Perhaps, like the ones that kept melting or exploding vehicles and munitions at every military base in the eastern half of the country.


    All the warships they had spent so much time, effort and resources at getting back to working order had likewise been destroyed. The one silver lining was that the traitor responsible did most of his work at the docks or he dragged the ship to shore first. Ironically, doing them a favor since the most valuable parts of a warship were its crew.


    Naval officers and sailors needed to be trained and leveled up.


    The nation had only just begun to reach population replacement level.


    It¡¯d take at least a decade to replace an entire crew.


    An aide entered the office after a perfunctory knock on one of the side doors.


    A woman of indeterminate age.


    Blond hair cut short to just past her jawline.


    Blue eyes.


    He kept his gaze to those.


    Eye contact.


    Nothing more, nothing less.


    Never give anyone any ideas.


    At this level everyone, even allies, were always looking for something to use to their advantage.


    In his case it meant levers they could use to move him in the directions they wanted.


    He amended the thought.


    That was the human dynamic across all levels.


    It had been like that back when he was a young soldier worrying about things on the squad level.


    The only difference was the scale.


    Like going from a small puddle to an ocean.


    The aide replaced the empty water pitcher.


    Fresh fruit bobbed around with rattling ice.


    He liked it cold and the hint of flavor was refreshing.


    ¡°Ms¡­ Foster, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mr. President.¡±


    She could¡¯ve been anywhere between 20 and 40¡­ years old, not level.


    A quick glance confirmed it.


    She was the only young or young-ish woman on the staff that didn¡¯t dress in a way to draw his eyes.


    The others tended to tight business skirts falling well above their knees and tight business jackets that purposefully pushed their breast up and out.


    The most audacious ones left the top most buttons undone.


    It was almost funny how when they first started they¡¯d follow a pattern.


    More undone buttons combined with bras that pushed up higher when he didn¡¯t show interest.


    Traps and spies or both.


    From those looking to advance their lives for their own personal goals to those doing the bidding of their backers for all sorts of reasons.


    All this despite his express written orders to his chief of staff to not hire attractive young or young-ish women.


    The problem was that other types of people didn¡¯t apply and he wasn¡¯t about to force those people into the job.


    Ms. Foster was his favorite amongst the newer hires precisely for the fact that he sensed that she didn¡¯t want anything from him.


    Not wealth and an easy life.


    Not connections to power.


    Nothing beyond doing her job.


    He was tempted to make her his direct assistant, but his current one was the daughter of a fellow party senator with seniority and too professional and competent to justify removal.


    Honestly, he was satisfied with the young woman¡¯s work aside from the flirting.


    ¡°Do you need anything else, Mr. President?¡±


    He blinked, momentarily lost in his ruminations.


    ¡°Ah¡­ no. Thank you.¡±


    Ms. Foster departed without another word.


    He liked that.


    No bullshit.


    Did her duties and left him alone to devote all his brainpower to the work.


    Where was he?


    The rituals protecting American territory.


    Stacks of paper, closed notebooks and folders.


    A Skill to read their contents without opening them.


    The rituals held.


    Then again the fact that a flying man or two hadn¡¯t come knocking on his window was perhaps a piece of concrete evidence he could rely on more than the assessments of his magic user-types.


    It was the same elsewhere.


    Boundaries remained un-violated by specific traitors.


    The cost in blood was high and had he known that the demigod had already sacrificed humans in different parts of the world to get it started he might¡¯ve refused permission for the operation.


    That would¡¯ve been interesting.


    What would the demigod have done in that case?


    They had both been careful to avoid putting each other and themselves into situations where outright refusal from either party was likely.


    Which of his allies would have stood by his side?


    He may not have been able to remain president.


    A coup was a distinct possibility.


    Perhaps a recall election?


    The events in the bunkers in the decade after the spires had appeared necessitated changes to the laws.


    Using criminals and traitors had been distasteful.


    If not for the replacements provided by the demigod, he might¡¯ve refused to continue with the rituals.


    Though they were criminals and traitors, they were still American citizens.


    He would¡¯ve much rather put them to use in more dignified and less final ways.


    After all, an individual could serve the nation for years, eventually earning freedom through rehabilitation into a productive, loyal citizen.


    On the other hand, a sacrifice could only be spent once.


    ¡°Thank God for the rabbits.¡± He sighed.


    Still distasteful, but he could choke it down.


    Those unfortunate creatures were only good for two¡­ well, three, things.


    Better they became fuel for the rituals than the true purpose they had been bred for.


    His alarm chimed.


    He put his reading aside and prepared his thoughts.


    Meetings upon meetings.


    Politicians.


    Lobbyists for the last few ultra wealthy relics impatient for a return to the days in which they owned everything and everyone.


    Joint Chiefs.


    The¡ª his Cabinet.


    Those were easy.


    The Eidolon of Sunor was difficult in a way that reminded him of being a child back in the bunkers struggling to please his teacher in the classroom. Her majestic presence filled him with equal parts awe, fear and, shamefully, lust.


    The demigod was on another level.


    If the eidolons were a bright spotlight then Suiteonemiades was like the sun.


    President George always struggled to stop himself from falling to his knees in worship like primitive humanity must have once done in the days before science drove away ignorant superstition and faith.

 10.13

    Alin didn¡¯t like funerals.


    He had attended a handful as a kid. Didn¡¯t really understand them. Sort of just copied his mom and dad to fit in.


    Age brought maturity and greater understanding.


    Enough to know that he didn¡¯t like them.


    Funerals were for the living.


    That was firmly entrenched in his mind.


    It was a time and place to mourn collectively with others for the person that would they would never see, hear or touch again.


    Humanity was a social species.


    To mourn alone for the majority was to not be able to mourn at all.


    Lee¡¯s, a friend since childhood, was the first time he had truly understood personal loss.


    The others had been people he knew tangentially. They had been names on the ranger wall.


    Lee¡¯s funeral had left him feeling empty.


    He was torn between two minds.


    In one, the intellectual, death mattered because the dead died so that the living could continue to live. That meant in the immediate, like when one sacrifices themselves to take the hit instead of another. And out into the far future where each death was a payment of sorts into the continued existence of a people as a whole.


    In the other, the emotional, death didn¡¯t truly matter from the dead¡¯s perspective. Depending on belief, an afterlife removed from reality awaited or the nothingness of oblivion and everything in between. Furthermore, nothing was permanent. Entropy was eternal. People died. Some would say their hopes and dreams were carried on in the subsequent generations, but those too would die and so on and so on until the sun died and every sun in the universe, every sun in the multiverse.


    Lee had been the first that truly hurt like a knife to the heart.


    The others over the last month had been the knife repeatedly plunged and twisted.


    Friends and family.


    Jayde.


    She was in some of his earliest memories.


    Riding in a large bus across an empty desert, bouncing on her knee while she pointed out monsters and mutated animals in the distance.


    Being babysat, watching late night movies, eating food that definitely wasn¡¯t on his parents¡¯ approved list.


    Unasked for instructions on how to talk to girls.


    Merciless sparring sessions in the ring.


    Babysitting her kids in turn¡ª


    They were gone now.


    Drake had taken them across the Pacific to Manila and the promise of greater safety.


    Alin ground his teeth as his vision grew blurry, dismissing the holographic projection so it wouldn¡¯t obscure her.


    Jayde stood on the platform in front of him.


    She stood in a bladed stance with head held high, imperious, confident. Her lead hand extended out, fingers beckoning. Her other hand clenched into a fist near her chin.


    It felt like just yesterday that he had beheld that ever-present, always cocky grin.


    Too real.


    It made it worse.


    He almost wished his dad hadn¡¯t copied her perfectly.


    The life-sized sculpture was exact only in the way someone with his dad¡¯s powers could do.


    Solid granite for longevity.


    A thin skin of Threnium to make doubly sure.


    What would¡¯ve taken a skilled sculptor hundreds if not thousands of hours to do, his dad did in minutes and only because his dad wanted to do it perfectly.


    It made it worse.


    Too real.


    His eyes made his mind think that she might just move at any moment.


    To laugh at the trick she had just pulled off.


    And when she didn¡¯t?


    Well, the knife in his heart twisted some more.


    Alin¡¯s gaze fell on the platform next to Jayde¡¯s.


    If a life cut short in its prime was a tragedy then what was a life cut before it could even begin?


    The baby was swaddled in a small bassinet angled so that he couldn¡¯t fail to see her features.


    He saw Drake in her eyes and nose, but the twist to her lips was all Jayde.


    They hadn¡¯t settled on a name.


    Hayana? Dayden? Jayde2?


    Those where just a few possibilities rejected as quickly as they had been uttered.


    One guess on whose idea they had been.


    Alina?


    Just to tease him.


    His gaze fell to the plaque.


    Through blurry eyes he read the name. The dates. The epitaph.


    He wandered away.


    His legs carried him where they willed.


    The crypt was enormous.


    Like a stadium-sized museum.


    The statues looked so lonely in the mostly empty space.


    He came to Howard¡¯s statue a short distance away.


    Howard was slouched in a chair. A beer bottle in one hand and a cigar in the other. Both cheap when the most expensive ones were essentially free pickings at any number of stores.


    He had asked once the why.


    ¡°Sure, I can get a real Cuban or some top shelf shit any time, hell, I¡¯ve got some up in my room right now, but what¡¯ll you think¡¯s gonna happen if I get the good stuff all the time, eh?¡± A long pull from one, then the other. ¡°That¡¯s right, I¡¯ll get sick of them and wouldn¡¯t that be a real tragedy?¡±


    Alin could almost see the rest of the scene. See the others around the table in the dining hall or one of the suites. Shooting the shit. He held the memory of not being shooed away for the first time as one of the touchstones of his transition into adulthood.


    Threnosh tech hidden inside the memorial platform sensed that he had stopped.


    A projection appeared in such a way that only he could see it.


    Indeed, had there been other people standing with him, they too, would see the same thing only for their eyes.


    It was a menu.


    About Howard.


    A brief biography. A lengthier one. A list of his deeds. Testimonials from others.


    There were already a lot of the latter.


    Alin was still struggling over his.


    He hadn¡¯t done any.


    It felt like the last word and he wasn¡¯t ready for it to end.


    Comprehensive.


    The word felt like an understatement.


    It seemed to him that Howard¡¯s entire existence was contained in front of him.


    He hadn¡¯t realized how much of them his dad had carried of the others.


    It had been the same for Jayde.


    A hundred years?


    A thousand?


    A person could learn everything about them from reading or listening.


    Their deeds and sacrifices.


    Everything they were and how the legacies they left behind for the future to build upon.


    His legs carried him past those he didn¡¯t know as well.


    The Tsingtao Wanderer, he of stout belly, but powerful frame.


    The drunken cultivator with a wine gourd in one hand and a raised mug in the other.


    He stood as if swaying slightly off balance. And, yet, the eyes were clear as they had always been no matter how much he had imbibed.


    Memory played tricks.


    He could almost smell alcohol wafting from the memorial.


    In yet another section a wizard stood with staff in hand like he was posing for a cover of an old novel or comic book.


    Rand had been a grating sort.


    Alin wouldn¡¯t lie and say he had liked the man.


    He also wouldn¡¯t lie and say he didn¡¯t respect the man.


    A man that paid the final price to help strangers deserved that as a minimum.


    The soft echo of his boots on the tiles accompanied him past a figure hunched over a desk.


    Tall and long-limbed like a scarecrow pushing deeply into that uncanny valley.


    Matte gray Threnium flesh in death.


    Pale white flesh in life.


    A vampire wasn¡¯t like one of the true undead.


    They were undoubtedly alive.


    Bennett Andrews.


    One of his dad¡¯s only friends from the early days of the spires apocalypse.


    He read from a thick book while a pile sat like a sentinel tower near the corner.


    Alin hadn¡¯t known Bennett that well. He knew the man more from his dad¡¯s stories.


    Sadness.


    That was what he felt when gazing at the memorial.


    To fight so long against a class, only to lose control near the end, causing a disaster.


    Sacramento had never recovered.


    Most had left the city.


    Some had moved south or across the Pacific.


    Many had decided to search for a more peaceful world than this one, emigrating to the Threnosh world under the aegis of the Watch.


    Bennett had let himself down most of all.


    At least that¡¯s what Alin¡¯s dad had said.


    However, the vampire had clawed his humanity back in the end.


    And that mattered.


    Alin passed a young woman.


    Strong and stout.


    A powerful athlete¡¯s frame.


    Keisha Davidson, the plaque read.


    Stories.


    Names that felt less real for not having known them personally.


    He wondered what she would have said?


    Was it worth it to her to die deep beneath underground beneath San Francisco Bay in a fishmen cavern?


    How could anyone answer that question when they had no way of seeing what came from their sacrifice?


    Was it enough to be remembered?


    In a statue?


    With words?


    Watch Commander Demi Lawrence stood nearby. Straight-backed, staring into a future only she could see.


    He remembered how intimidating she was and now all he could think about was an opportunity missed.


    How much could she have taught him about leadership?


    Del, he barely knew. Only as a sad-faced man.


    Was all that pain and sadness worth it in the end? When he spent his life in the battle to end the Slaver King and the New American Republic?


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    It was weird to see a sculpted smile on Del¡¯s face. Though it felt¡­ right.


    Those gray eyes gazed at the man on the platform next to his.


    Rory¡­


    Another life lost in the fishmen caverns before he had been born.


    There were more statues he didn¡¯t recognize upon first sight.


    Some weren¡¯t even human.


    A huge dog.


    Larger than average-sized cats.


    An enormous fancy rat with longer than normal canine teeth.


    He shambled past them.


    Three statues on one platform. A tall, broad-shouldered man with a square jaw. An enormous dog with a big, blocky head and short coat of fur. A hulking weredog towering over them all.


    Chance¡­


    His dad didn¡¯t use personal likes or dislikes as a criteria to inclusion.


    There were Rayna¡¯s Rangers.


    Those that died as part of one of his dad¡¯s operations.


    Shrewed, X-Ray, Timber, Cherry Chapstick, Bootleg Jesus, Oatmilk, Neckbeard, Tuxedo Cake, Bonker and more.


    There was even a life-sized wyvern, D.F.A. snarling his best snarl.


    Alin¡¯s wandering took him toward the entrance.


    There was a section for the Threnosh.


    Standard infantry soldiers and interceptors that were just names on a list to the Threnosh council. To be acknowledged, entered into their archives and forgotten.


    Uniques that would¡¯ve been dissected and studied had they not been part of Prime Custodian 3¡¯s jurisdiction.


    Primal sat inside the open chest of their hulking trueskin.


    The Threnosh achieved their goal.


    Death, not in the slow decay of their body, but in their purpose, combat.


    Alin wouldn¡¯t, couldn¡¯t begrudge them that.


    Kynnro¡¯s was harder to accept.


    He paused in front of their statue.


    ¡­ pioneered the 62 Flavors Initiative, which grew to 248 by¡­


    The Threnosh stood in contemplation surrounded by small tubs of ice cream piled into little pyramids.


    Of all their deeds, it was this that they valued above all.


    They had just opened their second shoppe a few blocks from Ranger HQ less than a year ago to go along with the first they had opened a few years ago just a hop away from the Danger Complex.


    Truth be told he wasn¡¯t a fan of her savory line of flavors, nor most of the flower-based ones. There were a few flavors in the hybrid line that he had found surprisingly good. Maple bacon made sense, since Earthians had been putting that combination in donut form for years before the spires. Peanut butter Sriracha hamburger flavor had been a revelation. Imagine his surprise when his parents had told him that had been a thing in the past. Actual hamburger, though, not in ice cream form.


    He took some solace in the fact that Kynnro had apprentices and employees.


    The stores would continue. The Initiative wouldn¡¯t be abandoned. Their legacy would be carried forward.


    Alin listened for what felt like a long time that went by at the snap of his fingers.


    He took a moment to regard the other statues.


    Threnosh he only knew from his dad¡¯s stories.


    So many.


    Fallen in battle or to time.


    More to the latter in recent years.


    He had also wanted to visit the Threnosh world.


    To meet those that knew his dad before they were all gone. To see an alien world with strange forests filled stranger animals and fruits. To look up into an unfamiliar night sky. To breathe the air, feel the wind on his face.


    There was so much out there to experience.


    But¡­ it was impossible.


    That kind of vacation would be irresponsible.


    It wasn¡¯t like taking a week or two off to spend time in Manila with his grandparents and cousins.


    Going to another world meant abandoning this one for months if not years.


    Impossible.


    They were at war with old America.


    He turned abruptly and found himself in the lift to the final airlock at the surface. So lost in thought and emotion that he had barely realized that he had trudged through multiple airlocks and Threnium doors.


    His HUD beeped.


    Armor seals were green.


    ¡°Of course they are. Wouldn¡¯t have been allowed through the first lock if they weren¡¯t,¡± he muttered.


    Dangerous to get distracted though.


    He focused on his breathing as the silent lift carried him hundreds of meters up. He could barely feel the thrum running through the cold metal beneath his boots.


    ¡°You all done, Boy?¡± Uncle Eron said through the comms.


    ¡°Yeah, sorry I took so long¡­¡±


    ¡°Nah, don¡¯t worry about it. If you¡¯re not ready¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good,¡± he lied.


    Lights illuminated the dark void.


    The stark contrast between bright and shadow was jarring.


    Dozens of boot prints in the dust tracked all over near the entrance.


    His uncle had been pacing.


    The ground lost texture or gained it as he walked forward.


    Everything was in shades of gray.


    The environment didn¡¯t look real.


    Silent, still and empty¡­ well¡­ mostly empty.


    ¡°Hang on. Stay there.¡± Uncle Eron retracted his faceplate to fire a wide blast of solar energy to their 12.


    Something¡­ rippled beyond the stark curtain of pitch black shadow. ¡°That¡¯ll keep them away.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    His uncle shrugged. ¡°Moon¡¯s haunted.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right.¡±


    The creatures, if they could be called that, were fairly new.


    ¡°They¡¯ll go back to random roaming once we¡¯re gone.¡± His uncle regarded the squat, bunker-like structure leading to the massive underground complex. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. They can¡¯t get down there. Too much power in the ownership.¡± His uncle grinned. ¡°This place and where the hate engine is at¡­ only places they avoid.¡±


    Alin knew all this, but he nodded automatically.


    ¡°So¡­ want to talk about¡­ anything?¡±


    ¡°No. Thanks. I¡¯m fine. We should get back. I don¡¯t want to keep you longer than you have to.¡±


    The pod opened on his approach.


    An ovoid shape roughly the mass of a small car, it contained life support systems, an anti-gravity field generator, thrusters and everything needed to make the journey back to the planet in safety and comfort. Another layer over his armor to keep him safe from the vacuum of space.


    It was capable of taking him back to Earth under its own power, but not nearly as fast as his uncle could.


    He stepped inside and let it secure him snug as a swaddled baby.


    He left everything on automatic, letting the V.I. take care of the operations.


    ¡°Alright. Systems all green in there?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re good to go.¡±


    The pod lurched as his uncle lifted it off the lunar surface.


    The view of the distant green and blue orb was breathtaking, but trapped in his thoughts and emotions he couldn¡¯t appreciate it.


    It all seemed so¡­ drab, flat.


    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s gonna be like half a day, so at any time you want to talk. Not that I¡¯m pushing or anything. We all grieve in our own ways after all.¡±


    ¡°I will, uncle.¡±


    Silence stretched.


    Time seemed to lose meaning without any external indicators.


    Even the sensation of movement was absent thanks to the pod.


    ¡°Hey, Boy?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°Doing alright in there?¡±


    ¡°All green.¡±


    ¡°Cool, cool, cool¡­ cool.¡±


    Time passed in silence.


    ¡°Hey, Boy?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°You mind sharing your thoughts on what I should name those things? I¡¯m thinking I should go with a combination of descriptive plus environment. That¡¯s how old people named things like animals and plants. So, like ¡®moon wraiths¡¯ or ¡®lunar ghosts¡¯? Or we go the alliteration route? That¡¯s how comic book characters were named, did you know that?¡±


    Alin did because his dad or one of his uncles had mentioned as much several times before.


    ¡°Uh huh¡­¡±


    ¡°Right, so¡­ ¡®space shadows¡¯, ¡®space specters¡¯¡­ er¡­ that¡¯s all I¡¯ve got so far. I¡¯m open to mixing and matching.¡±


    ¡°¡®Space¡¯ doesn¡¯t work, unless they can actually go to space. The moon¡¯s got to be a part of it since that¡¯s where they are.¡±


    This conversation was safe, distracting, so, he allowed himself to join.


    <hr>


    Easter Island, Spring 2053


    Elebykiades stepped into the spire.


    The demigod had kept his side of the agreement, so Cal had done the same.


    Easter Island was once again empty aside from the Moai and the giant crabs.


    Hundreds of the latter¡¯s corpses littered the landscape. Left to rot where the demigod had slain them.


    It didn¡¯t strike Cal as an act that squared with being the son of the so-called god that claimed dominion over the natural world.


    Then again, leaving them for the scavengers could be seen as the natural thing to do from a different perspective.


    Ms. Teacher rippled into existence just close enough to make him feel like a small child next to a stern¡­ well¡­ teacher.


    The High¡¯s dark brown skin and plain-seeming robes appeared as perfect and unblemished as always.


    He ignored the urge to swipe a hand through her ethereal form.


    That would¡¯ve been a petty act of rebellion from a child.


    Astral projection as the result of a spell.


    His version was better.


    ¡°What did you get? Something good I hope.¡±


    ¡°The divine energy in his body that manifests as golden light is magical in nature. Specifically, it shares basic structures with mana in its raw state. I require further study.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be hard to get more samples what with Suiteonemiades hiding.¡±


    ¡°There are faint remnants in this environment and your battle left considerable amounts across a wide swathe.¡±


    ¡°Do you think it¡¯ll help you figure out how to defeat the rituals?¡±


    ¡°I cannot say at the moment.¡±


    ¡°Time isn¡¯t on our side. They¡¯re not sacrificing humans¡­ mostly¡­ but that can change in an instant.¡±


    ¡°Do not let sentiment push you toward reckless action. The sacrifices are sapient, yet there is nothing in their minds except base desires. Further study will be required, but I have seen its like before. Powerful, evil magic that fundamentally altered a people so deeply that the changes perpetuate through the generations without the need for continued alteration. Whatever they once were, they¡¯re no better than a swarm of your locusts.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ you¡¯re saying I can¡¯t change them?¡±


    ¡°I cannot say without further study.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I can¡¯t very well grab a few for you and me to experiment on without tipping our hands. The best thing for us to do is find where the ritual is being maintained. Once I know where I can drop a rod on it.¡±


    ¡°That may not be sufficient. The other ritual circles may be capable of taking its place as the font.¡±


    Cal hadn¡¯t liked the sound of that the first time she had said so.


    Each spot of old American territory he and his siblings couldn¡¯t physically cross the boundaries¡ª be it old city or town limits, the fence line around an old military base or nuclear power plant¡ª hid a sacrificial ritual circle or five. The same type of circle he had first encountered in Tokyo at the Imperial compound a few years ago. There were more scattered throughout the world.


    Ms. Teacher and other high level mage-types had agreed, independently of each other, that some of the circles appeared to be placed strategically to make use of the currents of mana flowing across and through the planet.


    Ley lines.


    Except real.


    Tangible, observable with the right spells or Skills.


    Not the kind he was more familiar with from the days when they were just the product of imaginative minds.


    ¡°You sure you don¡¯t want to try disrupting it? We can set you up in an out of the way place. I¡¯ll stand guard personally. Just you and me, so no one else can get hurt. That¡¯s a lot of mana powering the ritual. You can have all of it.¡±


    ¡°Tempting, but my answer remains unchanged.¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t have anyone or anything that can really threaten us. Only the demigod.¡±


    ¡°I do not fear them, nor him. I am wary because I am no callow youth given bravery by inexperience. I have no desire to reveal my presence. Not to him, but to those beyond him. Though, I am unfamiliar with this particular pantheon I have crossed paths with others over the millennia and the wise do not seek to repeat those experiences.¡±


    ¡°I take it that means you¡¯re going to take that other offer.¡±


    The High regarded him through lidded eyes.


    Every aspect of her physical being was just so perfect it was uncanny.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t peek.¡±


    ¡°I did not detect intrusion. I suppose that would be the point.¡±


    ¡°I promise.¡± Cal held up his hands to display uncrossed fingers. ¡°Unless you want me to test out those mental defense spells?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I formally accept the offer. Proximity to your enemy¡¯s capital during a time of war is a precarious place to be. Not all will wish to cross the ocean.¡±


    Cal shrugged. ¡°They¡¯ll be transported wherever they want. I¡¯ve quietly reached out to hundreds of communes, settlements, towns, cities and so on and so forth. I¡¯ve already set up secure links through the Omninet for questions and answers. Most places want to vet potential immigrants first. Conversely, your people won¡¯t have to move blindly and I¡¯m guaranteeing that there won¡¯t be any bait and switches. Expectations on both sides will be transparent and enforced¡­ by me¡­ or my brother.¡±


    ¡°We shall create a formal agreement for my school.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ no problem¡­¡±


    That was going to be a pain.


    He¡¯d rather farm that whole process out to a negotiator-type, a whole team of lawyers and attorneys, an ambassador or two, but there was no one even remotely close to Ms. Teacher¡¯s level or experience that could come out of that with an agreement that was fair for both sides.


    ¡°I guess you should probably pick out a site first. Until then there are plenty of schools or high-rises in Manila for a temporary spot.¡±


    Those would also put Ms. Teacher in the middle of the most populated city in the Philippines. She¡¯d be obligated to lend her aid in its defense.


    No more hiding in a small mountain town behind a proverbial magic girdle.


    ¡°That is acceptable for now. A preliminary contract, verbal only?¡±


    Cal agreed.


    They kept it simple and straightforward.


    Neither side wished to squander years of goodwill for even the slightest edge.


    A magically binding oath in less than 5 minutes.


    ¡°It would be best if we could move your entire town out at one time. Less chance for any unwanted interruptions.¡±


    ¡°Agreed. I will need to inform everyone first.¡±


    Some people weren¡¯t going to be happy.


    She had promised them a safe home in exchange for essentially giving her total control of their town.


    They had been lucky she had been a mostly distant and uninterested dictator.


    The only thing she cared about was the study of magic and the tutelage of wizards.


    Granted she had kept up her side of the bargain.


    A magic girdle had kept them completely isolated from the outside world.


    The old American government hadn¡¯t so much as come within artillery distance.


    Spells at over Level 80 violated reality as easily as Eron did the buffet tables.


    For all intents and purposes Ms. Teacher¡¯s town had vanished from existence in the minds of anyone and anything that got within a certain distance.


    Even looking at old maps wouldn¡¯t trigger recognition.


    The town was a blank spot.


    ¡°How long do you think?¡±


    ¡°A year or two. I will be unable to pursue these studies without my sanctum.¡±


    ¡°Really? Sure, moving¡¯s going to be disruptive. Boxing everything up. Forgetting which box has which magical orb and such. A few weeks to get the magical candle smoke to seep into the magical tiles and curtains,¡± he probed


    Ms. Teacher didn¡¯t deign to reply, which was an answer in its own way.


    Magic bullshit.


    That¡¯s what he guessed.


    Ley lines, mana essences, magical imprints and so on.


    It took deliberate effort to make the new place equal to the old place. Time had to be a component.


    ¡°I believe there is nothing more to say.¡±


    ¡°One to two years. Got it. That timeline could be worked in to something that I¡¯m thinking about.¡±


    The idea¡­ Cal hated it.


    He wanted to be selfish.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about your kids.¡±


    He didn¡¯t remind her that she had insisted. Used her leverage to get him to accept minors to the most dangerous internship program in the history of the world.


    It was akin to children being forced to work the coal mines not too far from Ms. Teacher¡¯s town back in the 19th-20th century. Or to forcing immigrant children to work in chicken processing plants in the 21st century. Death by collapse and lung damage for the former. Death by industrial machinery for the latter.


    They were just like those scumbag CEO¡¯s, foremen and managers.


    Sure, they weren¡¯t doing it for monetary profit, but that was just a rationalization.


    At the core of it they were endangering minors because it benefited them in some way.


    He wondered if millennia of existence colored Ms. Teacher¡¯s perception of death.


    Thousands of years meant she had seen countless students pass away.


    Most species weren¡¯t functionally immortal like Ms. Teacher and only a minority of the wizards she had tutored over the years had survived long enough to rise to the heights of their level and learning to gain the power and knowledge to extend their lives through magic.


    Just then he was tempted to peel back the curtains hiding her thoughts.


    Insights into immortality?


    Perhaps, it was something he needed to begin understanding sooner rather than later.


    ¡°I remember each child.¡±


    That was all Ms. Teacher said before she vanished.

 10.14

    Southern California, Spring 2053


    ¡°No,¡± Nila said flatly.


    She lay partially submerged in Threnosh healing gel.


    A broken spine was no longer a crippling injury.


    What was weeks or months when compared to the rest of her life?


    ¡°What about it do you not like?¡± Cal said.


    She pulled her gaze away from the holographic projection.


    His tentative proposal for an important and lengthy quest.


    ¡°The fact that it exists. This is sending people into danger. Just like Vancouver. Just like Manila. Just like every other stupid thing for the last 30 years!¡± she snapped. ¡°The main ritual is somewhere in D.C., right? That¡¯s what Ms. Teacher thinks?¡±


    ¡°She seems certain of that at least.¡±


    ¡°Then drop those stupid rods. Plug the variables into the computer and let the algorithms tell you where to drop them to destroy every possible place it could be hidden. It¡¯s in the bunkers? Deep underground? Then go to space and drop an asteroid on it. You can contain the blast.¡±


    ¡°Hold that thought.¡± He deliberately stood from her tank-side chair to go through the bag on the counter.


    Ice cream.


    He had been idly keeping it cold by slowing the movement of molecules in a thin layer of air around the half pint cartons.


    ¡°I got some of your favorites. Matcha Cr¨¨me Br?l¨¦e? Matcha Latte? Matcha Tiramisu? Ma¡ª¡±


    ¡°My back is broken,¡± she narrowed her eyes, ¡°I¡¯m not cranky because I¡¯m on my period.¡±


    ¡°This is the last batch Kynnro personally had a hand in making.¡±


    Nila sighed.


    ¡°I was too slow. I had them in my arms. I should¡¯ve been faster. Wasted the time Jayde gave us.¡±


    Her eyes reddened, grew misty.


    He left the ice cream to stroke her hair.


    Black and straight.


    As rich and vibrant as the first time he saw her all those decades ago.


    Honestly, he didn¡¯t even register that there were more strands of gray. More lines around her eyes and mouth.


    ¡°For being a woman over 60, you don¡¯t look a day over 40,¡± he smiled sadly. ¡°And a very young 40 at that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d punch you if I wasn¡¯t stuck in here.¡± She pouted.


    ¡°I¡¯ll look forward to that¡­ as always.¡±


    ¡°Talk to me about something else. Anything but this¡­ this crap.¡± She dismissed the projection with a word. ¡°How is our son handling this? He doesn¡¯t talk to me about it when he visits.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, guilty, like you. I¡¯m making him talk to a therapist, like everyone. It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s a process. I think once everyone is okay to spend time out of the tanks I¡¯ll have you meet as a group with a therapist in addition to one on one sessions.¡±


    ¡°Not everyone will want to do that.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll be gentle about it.¡±


    ¡°Ice cream me, ahhh.¡± She opened her mouth.


    ¡°Which one?¡±


    ¡°Surprise me.¡±


    He reached out and pulled a cartoon out of the bag at random.


    ¡°No powers!¡±


    ¡°Tsk. I wasn¡¯t going to use them.¡±


    Cal proceeded to feed his wife with a gold spoon for the purest taste.


    Every order came with a gold spoon because of Kynnro.


    He fed her in silence, taking his tax every fifth spoonful.


    They finished the half pint quickly.


    ¡°More?¡±


    ¡°Break.¡± A tube extended from the healing unit to give her a drink of water. ¡°So, tell me something new. Nothing bad or business related.¡±


    He raised a brow.


    ¡°Something happy.¡±


    He thought about it.


    It was hard to remember or notice that in the midst of violence and death there were always bright spots if one looked hard enough or allowed themselves to pay attention.


    ¡°Rynnen¡¯s girlfriend is pregnant.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ Jenesis? So, that¡¯s their 2nd?¡±


    ¡°No. That was, like, 2 years ago. This one is with Jacklyn.¡±


    ¡°He broke up with Jenesis?¡± She narrowed her eyes. ¡°Why didn¡¯t I know that?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ cause he didn¡¯t break with her.¡±


    ¡°Then who¡¯s this Jacklyn?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s kind of new. I believe they got together less than 6 months ago.¡±


    ¡°Ah, well, that makes sense. The last time I talked to him was before that.¡± Her eyes widened. ¡°Wait? You said he didn¡¯t break up with Jenesis.¡± She made a face like a skunk had just wafted under her nose.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to judge.¡± He shrugged. ¡°As long as everyone involved chose that life and they¡¯re free to exit it at any time then it¡¯s none of my business.¡±


    ¡°Your cousin knows that stupid anime is stupid because it¡¯s not real life, right?¡±


    ¡°They all seem happy. I didn¡¯t check, but emotions bleed through.¡±


    ¡°I guess that¡¯s what matters.¡±


    Nila opened her mouth.


    This time they talked as he fed her and took his occasional tax despite her complaints.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how I feel about Lera¡¯s dinosaur. It¡¯s got a lot of sharp teeth and those claws, its got a giant foot one like in the movie,¡± she mused. ¡°That scared me for, like, weeks.¡±


    ¡°I thought it was awesome. Kinda disappointing to learn that they didn¡¯t really look like that. Colorful feathers just don¡¯t look right. Less streamlined, less dangerous. It¡¯ll be fine. He¡¯s getting trained. Besides, he can¡¯t hurt her.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m more worried about everyone else around her. What about her little faerie ferret thing?¡±


    ¡°Which can fly and teleport short distances.¡±


    ¡°Other kids and pets?¡±


    ¡°I think they¡¯ve got it covered. Wytchraven wouldn¡¯t have allowed her to keep the dinosaur otherwise.¡±


    ¡°You know I haven¡¯t actually talked to her face to face. I mean her real face. It¡¯s hard to make a connection with a cloud of black feathers.¡±


    ¡°If you want to do that you¡¯re going to have to go to their little pocket in the Fae Realm.¡±


    ¡°I know. Maybe we should make concrete plans to do that.¡± She swallowed a lump in her throat. ¡°I got so close to never being able to that.¡±


    He cupped her cheek and kissed her on the forehead.


    ¡°Let¡¯s plan a family trip. Once you¡¯re done with the treatments and the defenses have been repaired and strengthened.¡±


    She nodded stiffly. ¡°It¡¯ll be safer. Demigod bastard came for me. It¡¯ll be better for everyone if I wasn¡¯t here.¡±


    ¡°Just the three of us, maybe invite Kat if the rangers will let her have some time off. It¡¯ll be like those road trips when Boy was a kid.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve been together for a long time,¡± she mused. ¡°Do you think¡­¡±


    ¡°I promised not to read your mind, unless the circumstances were ¡®dire¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Grandkids.¡±


    ¡°Meh¡­ I haven¡¯t changed my mind. Recent events only made me more sure. This isn¡¯t a world for babies. Especially, those connected to us. They would be targets for an infinite number of bastards and evil things I can imagine.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve kept Boy¡¯s general identity out of their thoughts.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t do the same to Suiteonemiades because of that helmet. But, I¡¯ve watched the footage and gone over the memories with everyone there. I¡¯m confident in saying he doesn¡¯t know Boy is our son, nor did he make that connection despite your¡­ lack of opsec. And I spent a few days making sure that no one will say those words out loud, accidentally or on purpose.¡±


    Nila raised a brow.


    ¡°I know, I know. It¡¯s not like I wanted to.¡±


    ¡°You have to keep our son safe. No complaints from me.¡± She chewed the inside of her cheek.


    ¡°What are you thinking?¡±


    ¡°I get that it¡¯s not safe for babies.¡± She sighed. ¡°Which means, if they were to get pregnant, then it¡¯d be easy to suggest a move¡­ to the Threnosh world. It would be years, over a decade, before the child can even start earning enough points to travel back here.¡±


    ¡°And obviously the parents, our son and Kat, would have to stay there that whole time.¡±


    ¡°Right, and since it¡¯s clearly a better environment for a child, they¡¯d have no reason to come back. It¡¯d become a new home.¡± Nila smiled, pleased with her idea. ¡°And we can visit easily since the spires don¡¯t require us to use all of our points each time we travel.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d support the plan. Except, a baby is so far down the list of what they both want that it might as well not be on there.¡±


    ¡°I know. Just brainstorming.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t start dropping hints. I don¡¯t need psychic powers to know that would just knock baby-making right off the list.¡±


    ¡°Of course not! I¡¯m not dumb.¡±


    ¡°Dumb and desperate sometimes¡­ well¡­ a lot of the time turn into the same thing.¡±


    ¡°Well, what can we do to keep our baby safe?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s an adult. With superpowers and plenty of combat experience.¡±


    ¡°None of that matters to me. People, friends were murdered despite every advantage we¡¯ve spent years building. Boy could be dead if any number of things went differently in that fight.¡±


    She was right.


    He had identified over a hundred pivot points, so to speak, during his review in which Boy or her, for that matter, could¡¯ve died rather than one of the others.


    He had constructed an elaborate web in his mind like a tangled network of yarn connected notes pinned to countless cork boards covering a room with countless walls.


    A conspiracy theorist¡¯s dream setup.


    Or was it more of a nightmare?


    The combinations of who lived and died were essentially endless.


    He had compartmentalized them. Kept those emotions sequestered in a part of his psyche. He wouldn¡¯t have been able to create their memorial statues otherwise. Wouldn¡¯t have been able to think clearly about his future steps.


    Had he allowed his emotions to rampage unfettered he might¡¯ve done as Nila had suggested.


    Revenge on Suiteonemiades regardless of the costs. Ignore and rationalize collateral damage like the old Americans did.


    Washington, D.C. was seeing an influx of people.


    Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    Some had chosen.


    Others had the choice made for them.


    He could read their actions.


    Human shields and potential fuel for the ritual.


    So much unnecessary death.


    For what?


    Territory?


    Control?


    Sometimes, during his darker moments, he thought about letting it go.


    Earth being a Terminus World meant that there¡¯d be no end to the violence.


    No end to the struggle.


    Why continue?


    The rational, optimal decision was to stop playing the game.


    Just stand up from the table and leave the casino.


    There were an infinite number of worlds.


    The Threnosh world was an objectively safer place to live.


    ¡°Have you thought about it?¡±


    ¡°Your world is my world. We¡¯re not separating. Never again.¡±


    ¡°Manila then?¡±


    She pursed her lips.


    ¡°You¡¯re basically in charge of running this place. No one better to oversee getting our operation transferred.¡±


    She pursed her lips harder.


    ¡°Nila, love¡­¡±


    ¡°I was under the impression that I was done with that. They don¡¯t have a Danger Complex, but the rest of it¡¯s basically the same. Since you started it. I won¡¯t step on anyone¡¯s toes. Also, my spine is broken.¡± She squinted at him.


    ¡°Obviously, recovery and healing is your first priority, but after¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll help as needed and only if asked.¡±


    She spoke with finality of a vault door slamming shut.


    It was just as well.


    The important thing to him was that she wasn¡¯t going to put up a fight about leaving.


    ¡°How¡¯s the process going so far? I¡¯ve been reading some of the reports when I get bored of watching shows.¡±


    ¡°Efficiently. Only a few of our people opted to move to Manila right away. Same with those moving south. Most decided to stay and continue. They¡¯re putting off their final decision until the end.¡±


    ¡°You know, I never thought that this dingy hotel casino was going to become our home. I¡¯m going to miss it.¡±


    ¡°Home¡¯s where you and Boy are for me. Nothing else matters.¡±


    She smiled sadly. ¡°That¡¯s easy for you to say since you don¡¯t care about the weather. I¡¯m definitely not going to enjoy the humidity. It¡¯s just wrong to feel sweaty right after you take a cold shower.¡±


    ¡°Climate controlled buildings. Exponentially better with minuscule impact on the environment thanks to magic and advanced technology. Enclosed walkways means that you can practically go anywhere in Manila without having to be outside.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true. Not that I¡¯ll be doing any walking for awhile.¡±


    ¡°The hover chair pod thing is ready and waiting, Professor N! Fully loaded and tricked out with shields, guns, lasers and stuff!¡±


    ¡°Stupid demigod,¡± she spat.


    Suiteonemiades had done something or perhaps it was a natural effect of the divine energy.


    Experts, medical and magical, had agreed on that nebulous assessment on why all their healing methods hit some kind of invisible ceiling for all those that had directly fought the demigod.


    Even connecting her nerves with his telekinesis down to the molecular level hadn¡¯t instantly restored the ability for the nerve impulses to travel from her brain down past where the break had been.


    Bones, tissue, nerves¡­ everything was technically fine.


    ¡°Hopefully, Megan can do something before they leave.¡±


    Biomancy was different from healing.


    He hoped that his sister in-law¡¯s higher level and more advanced class would be the difference compared to the biomancers that had tried and failed.


    ¡°Speaking of hover chairs¡­ how about finally watching that cartoon with me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a captive audience.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon¡­¡±


    ¡°I did watch, like, the first 3 episodes with you once. Like, before the spires.¡±


    ¡°Did you?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t pretend you can¡¯t remember. I distinctly remember terrible animation and over-acted dialogue.¡±


    ¡°Well, the first thing¡¯s unavoidable since it was from the 90¡¯s. And the second thing¡¯s part of the charm. It¡¯s like me watching black and white movies with you.¡±


    ¡°No way! They couldn¡¯t be further apart in terms of quality. I watch classic movies. You watch bad cartoons.¡±


    ¡°Just try it again. Maybe time has allowed your tastes to mature.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Nila said flatly.


    <hr>


    ¡°Boy?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s up, Dad?¡±


    ¡°You busy?¡±


    ¡°Nope. Just finished the daily scan and checkup. All good and normal.¡±


    He unconsciously touched his stomach.


    There had been a hole.


    He hadn¡¯t truly realized it at the time, but it had mostly closed by the time the battle had ended with his aunt¡¯s arrival and the demigod¡¯s forced departure.


    That wasn¡¯t the healing gel¡¯s doing.


    In fact, none of their healing methods were working well on those injured by the demigod.


    He was hopeful that Aunt Megan could do something for them.


    Tabitha wanted a new, real, natural arm, not a magitech prosthetic or any other weird replacement.


    ¡°Yup. That makes 20 straight days of a clean bill of health.¡±


    ¡°Physically. Your mental and emotional state¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah. I know. I¡¯m cooperating, right?¡±


    ¡°Which I appreciate. Which is why I wanted to go over something with you before you take off.¡±


    ¡°Sure. I¡¯ve got time before training. Hit me with it.¡±


    ¡°In person.¡±


    He suppressed a sigh.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right there.¡±


    His dad was in an office behind the front desk at the lobby according to the map projection from his watch.


    The hotel-casino hadn¡¯t been repaired beyond the removal of debris and making it safe from possibly collapsing.


    What was the point when they were abandoning it eventually?


    Most of their operation was being moved to Manila.


    The only home he could truly remember was going to end up as a stripped down fort.


    Ghosts of a child¡¯s laughter and cries flitted across the hallways which his dad had once turned into a cardboard dungeon to be delved and plundered.


    As soon as he walked into the office his dad grabbed him in a hug.


    ¡°Uh,¡± he patted his dad on the back, ¡°I just saw you yesterday.¡±


    ¡°So?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. So, what¡¯s up?¡± He grabbed a seat, while his dad went back to the business side of the desk.


    ¡°Couple of things actually. Family vacation plans are on.¡±


    ¡°Mom¡¯s not better yet.¡±


    ¡°She said not to worry about it because if we wait too long for that, then the trip might not ever happen.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ okay¡­ but what about the whole war thing?¡±


    ¡°Well, everyone¡¯s learning what war looks like when individuals become, essentially, walking weapons of mass destruction.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re just staring at each other.¡±


    He laughed at the thought that the Americans had gone through all that effort to rebuild their arsenal only for his uncle and dad to wreck their ships, planes and tanks from the sky.


    The ritual ban thing kept them from entering territory, but it didn¡¯t stop them from throwing giant rocks, burning and smashing the toys.


    Hiding what they could in underground bunkers made the stuff just as useless.


    The only real clashes were the occasional skirmishes between the skyships and the harpies.


    The latter only sortied when they could confirm that his dad and Uncle Eron where elsewhere dealing a world event or three.


    Truthfully, the North American continent was the quietest theater in the world.


    Other outworld polities had turned up the heat on their invasion plans.


    From what his dad could gather from reading minds, it appeared that they had come to a tentative agreement behind the scenes to carve up the Earth imperialism style. At least for now.


    It didn¡¯t take a genius to figure out those agreements and truces would only last as long as the different sides benefited from them.


    ¡°Is it okay for you to be gone?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll only be a week. And it¡¯s not like I¡¯m going to announce it.¡±


    ¡°I guess I¡¯ll ask for time off.¡±


    ¡°Last week of June.¡±


    That was a couple of months away.


    Plenty of notice time for the rangers.


    Not that he had been cleared to return to duty.


    ¡°You should invite Kat.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do that.¡±


    ¡°Alright, good!¡± His dad grinned. ¡°Now, that¡¯s the good news out of the way.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a bad news?¡± He frowned.


    ¡°For me, it is, but not for you, I think.¡±


    ¡°Weird, but I¡¯m listening.¡±


    ¡°We have one main problem.¡±


    ¡°Suiteonemiades. He¡¯s too strong for everyone, even teaming up. You, my uncles and aunt can handle him. I¡¯m not counting anyone not on our side, like Tlaloc or the Phoenix Empress. And it¡¯s a moot point since the pantheon¡¯s laid claim to North America. He¡¯s not going to risk attacking Tlaloc because that¡¯ll give you an opening. And it¡¯s obvious that he¡¯s probably thinking the same thing since he¡¯s been hiding behind the ritual barrier thing this whole time.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t reach him, but I can reach others. Did some long distance reading and he¡¯s framing it as allowing the Americans the opportunity to level and prove themselves worthy. Plus, he¡¯s ¡®graciously¡¯ allowing them to upgrade their military with knowledge and some materials from the pantheon.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to wreck them.¡±


    ¡°When they¡¯re almost done. No need to let them know that their latest secret labs and manufacturing plants aren¡¯t so secret until the last minute.¡±


    ¡°It would be devastating to morale.¡± Alin mulled it over. ¡°Taking him down won¡¯t matter if you haven¡¯t decided to finally put an end to old America. It¡¯s obvious that they¡¯ll never settle for anything less than what they once had.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s focus on the first step.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sure, but you¡¯re the one that always says if I¡¯m going to make plans I should look ahead more than just a few steps.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m doing that. So, the demigod has to go, but that can¡¯t happen unless he comes out or I get in.¡±


    ¡°We can wait for Ms. Teacher to figure out a counterspell or find one of our own, but that feels like a waste of time and effort. If she can¡¯t, then what can our magic-types do? We don¡¯t do collateral damage. So, we have to go inside. Find the main ritual circle and wreck it. Except, that means sending people that can¡¯t fight the demigod. So, we send a lot of people, do a lot of distractions for a small team to do the wrecking. If that¡¯s even possible.¡±


    ¡°Ms. Teacher says that there aren¡¯t a lot of magical things that can¡¯t be disrupted by powerful explosions.¡±


    ¡°Nuke?¡±


    ¡°Depends on where the ritual circle is hidden. In a building in the center of the city? Nope. In an underground bunker on the outskirts? I¡¯ll have that discussion.¡±


    ¡°Magical nuke?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s on the table. She¡¯s willing if we can get her comprehensive information on the ritual. Which I have not been able to gather. I have been able to put together a list of people with suspicious blank spots in their memories that might be useful in putting together that puzzle.¡±


    ¡°You have agents.¡±


    ¡°I have to be careful about activating them too early.¡±


    ¡°What about a coup?¡±


    ¡°Suiteonemiades will put down any violence by himself.¡±


    ¡°Their next presidential election.¡±


    ¡°Political theater. They aren¡¯t in control of their government. The winner, Washington or another, will be picked by the demigod.¡±


    ¡°So, we want to minimize loss of life on both sides.¡±


    ¡°Always.¡±


    ¡°Sneak in. Find the ritual site. Disrupt or destroy it. You come in or Uncle Eron, preferably both. Smash the demigod. And put an end to this stupid war.¡±


    ¡°How would you do it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯d have to sit down and really think about it.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re brainstorming. So, brainstorm¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d have your agents narrow down potential sites. Then I¡¯d go and use my fog to check for the circle.¡±


    ¡°How would you get boots on the ground?¡±


    Alin fell silent.


    The first idea was an aerial assault.


    Multiple skyships to engage the enemy.


    Landing teams to go after legitimate strategic and tactical targets. Things like the White House, Congress, supply depots, power plants and stations.


    Distractions to give him time to locate the main ritual circle.


    However, that entailed putting rangers in direct combat with other people.


    They weren¡¯t a conquering army.


    They fought to protect. Mostly against monsters.


    And the collateral damage would¡¯ve been horrifying.


    Most of the people in D.C. didn¡¯t deserve that.


    And he didn¡¯t doubt that the demigod would extract a terrible toll, like he had already.


    ¡°I¡¯d go alone. You insert me while blanking anyone looking. I find it first, then we figure out how to bring it down. I mean, obviously a full plan would be a lot more detailed.¡±


    ¡°What if he detects you? What if they have a way to detect your power.¡±


    ¡°I had my faceplate dark the whole time. Obviously, I¡¯d need to ditch my typical gear, but I don¡¯t think he¡¯d know me even if we ran into each other. I mean, he didn¡¯t react to the gray, like, at all.¡±


    ¡°Ignoring isn¡¯t the same as not noticing.¡± His dad pointed out reasonably. ¡°And that doesn¡¯t answer the second question.¡±


    ¡°I can test it out in a less important location. One of their outer towns or military bases. Find something that we can reasonably say they¡¯d put effort into defending.¡±


    ¡°Hmm. You¡¯d still be a new face and they¡¯re very 1984 over there.¡±


    Ah!


    He got the reference.


    They had made him read that book back when he was a teenager.


    ¡°Sure, that¡¯s true, but they¡¯re always recruiting adventuring bands and mercenary companies. I can just say I¡¯m one of those if I have to.¡±


    ¡°Truth spells and Skills.¡±


    ¡°Easy. We make it legitimate. I spend a few weeks beforehand as part of the Golden Eagles or Ray¡¯s team or something like that. With how many of those groups are moving in and out of D.C. it shouldn¡¯t be too hard to get lost in the crowd. And you¡¯ll be just on the other side of the barrier for crowd control and emergency extraction.¡±


    His dad cleared his throat.


    ¡°I know, I know, this is all best case scenarios. Plans have to account for the worst cases.¡±


    ¡°History has shown that the spires have occasionally placed their thumbs, so to speak, on the side of the scale that holds the most conflict and that often meant violence and tragedy.¡±


    ¡°I know you keep your agents identities secret for opsec reasons, but¡­¡±


    ¡°Go on.¡±


    ¡°Do you have any that can provide extra cover for my hypothetical plan? Someone that can, say, hire me or the team, if that¡¯s what we go with, for, like, bodyguard work or a monster-killing contract.¡±


    ¡°If I did, I might not explicitly mention it to provide plausible deniability against spells or Skills of discovery. At best, I would tell you ¡®yes¡¯ or ¡®no¡¯ to one of these hypothetical employers.¡±


    Alin skipped training so he could brainstorm with his dad into the late afternoon.


    For several hours his limbs felt lighter, the vise around his heart loosened, the darkness creeping in from the edges of his thoughts was pushed away.


    Thanks, Dad.

 10.15

    The line stretched down the block and turned at the corner.


    Kynnro¡¯s death was mourned by many.


    Their ice cream shop a few blocks from Ranger HQ saw these lines every day for the past month and a half.


    People had been posting tributes on their page on the Omninet.


    A pseudo-movement had arisen.


    They were calling it ¡®248 Days of Celebration¡¯.


    One flavor a day until you had them all in their honor.


    It made him angry at first. Irrationally so.


    They didn¡¯t know how Kynnro had spent their last moments of life.


    Alin wondered what it was like for those on the outside insulated from the true terrors out there.


    He had certainly taken being on the inside for granted.


    Then again, part of him could acknowledge that there was jealousy in his heart.


    He envied the people who didn¡¯t have to face demigods for their safety.


    Then again, again¡­ that wasn¡¯t fair.


    They fought as well, manning the walls or rising to the challenges of random monster attacks.


    Was it any less brave when they lacked his advantages?


    Surely, they would say that having superpowers was better than 20 or even 30 levels in fighter or mage. After all, Level 30 in a primary class represented nearly a lifetime of work for the average person.


    As for those that reached it quicker and gone beyond?


    Well¡­ they were the ones that had managed to survive.


    Behind them lay a trail of dead family, friends and brothers and sisters in arms.


    The spires desired conflict, demanded challenge.


    Always inextricably linked with suffering and tears.


    ¡°Earth to Boy?¡± Kat knuckled him in the ribs.


    ¡°Huh? What?¡±


    She wrapped her arms around his waist, forcing him to put one arm around her shoulders.


    ¡°This is a good thing.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather not wait an hour,¡± he grumbled.


    ¡°People are showing their appreciation.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± He kept his voice low. ¡°It¡¯s not like they knew her. It sort of feels like people are doing this trend thing because they just want to say they did.¡±


    ¡°Sure, probably true for some of them, maybe even a lot, but does it matter? I feel they¡¯re still showing their appreciation for Kynnro¡¯s work here.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but they didn¡¯t know her.¡±


    ¡°So? That doesn¡¯t mean they¡¯re not allowed to feel sad, mourn and celebrate their life. People without any connections to the rangers are always visiting the Wall. You don¡¯t need to personally know the people behind the names to honor and appreciate the sacrifices.¡±


    The line moved fairly briskly, so he couldn¡¯t even be irritated about that.


    Kids ran around, laughing while parents or babysitters stood patiently with more good cheer than him.


    Happy was good.


    That¡¯s what he figured.


    Kynnro wouldn¡¯t want sadness.


    248 flavors was about putting smiles on faces while pushing the boundaries in the process.


    So, objectively, they wouldn¡¯t have had a problem with any of it.


    ¡°Oh, so, I got approved for leave,¡± Kat said. ¡°Family vacation¡¯s on!¡±


    ¡°Cool. I mean, that¡¯s great!¡±


    She squeezed.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, you don¡¯t have to force yourself to be excited. I understand.¡±


    ¡°Thank you so much for that.¡± He sighed. ¡°I still feel bad about it.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re on your own timetable and that¡¯s okay. Just know that I¡¯m here for you. So, I¡¯m really excited! The Fae Realm!¡±


    ¡°Technically, it¡¯s a pocket within the Fae Realm, simultaneously part of it and not. Don¡¯t ask how or why because no one can explain it.¡±


    ¡°So, your aunt, Wy¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shh¡­ don¡¯t say her name. Aunt W. If you have too, but just to be safe, don¡¯t.¡± His eye twitched as he scanned their surroundings. An alarm would sound if a Fae breach happened.


    ¡°Right, you know, I don¡¯t think you ever said what her real name was?¡±


    ¡°That is her real name. I mean, I¡¯ve only ever known that one. It keeps her safe and there was this thing with a name-eater. And no, I don¡¯t know anything about that. I only just found out that was a thing, like, 2 years ago. I thought she didn¡¯t go by her real name because of the first reason. Turns out she doesn¡¯t have a ¡®real¡¯ name anymore. Or at least that¡¯s what I think. My uncle was vague about it.¡±


    ¡°Wow¡­¡± Kat blinked. ¡°That¡¯s kinda horrifying.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the Fae Realm. Which is why we¡¯re only staying in her pocket realm. Things get fuck-y in the wider Fae Realm. Time can get subjective.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah, I remember that from the threat reports. An hour in there could be days out here and vice versa.¡±


    ¡°We might lose or gain time in transit, but it should only be minutes. Maybe an hour or two if it gets weird.¡±


    ¡°You know, I wouldn¡¯t mind if we spent more time in there than passed out here. It¡¯d be like that hyperbolic time chamber thing. A few months training and leveling and when we come back only a week passed.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t jinx us. Besides. My aunt¡¯s realm is mostly safe. There won¡¯t be any real leveling opportunities for you at your level. Plus, we¡¯re only spending a week in there. Which will be a week out here with the minor difference from what we gain or lose in transit.¡±


    ¡°Do you think I could pick up a magical ferret like the one your cousin has?¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t have magical ferret stores. And bringing one out here long term is a good way of attracting attention you don¡¯t want. Remember, the Fae that tried to kidnap Lera during the festival?¡±


    ¡°Of course, how could I ever forget that. That was, like, my first truly traumatic experience. I thought for sure that you guys were going to die or worse.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ that¡¯s what might happen.¡±


    ¡°What if I line my house with cold iron?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like any defense. Nothing is perfectly impenetrable.¡±


    ¡°Fine. No magical ferrets.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s magical fruits and vegetables.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not as cool.¡±


    ¡°I had a berry thing once. You see, they lose the magic pretty quick once they leave the Fae Realm, but we were waiting right outside the stone circle, so it was still fresh enough.¡± He paused dramatically.


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°It tasted like Casey sings.¡±


    ¡°Okay. That sounds pretty cool. Eat the weird fruit is now at the top of my things to do list.¡±


    Sirens blared suddenly like panicked birds with a cat on the prowl.


    The people around them were entirely too blas¨¦.


    They looked to the sky, but didn¡¯t do much else, like, say head to the closest emergency shelter.


    Tracers stitched overhead visible even in the sunlight.


    Pin-point shields flashed, blocking the falling ovoids that the anti-air cannons missed.


    Alin held off on activating his undersuit lest he drive people to panic.


    The gray billowed out from him before he had even consciously pushed it.


    Ever since that terrible day it had been quick to respond, as if it was still scared, like a hurt animal lashing out at any potential threat real or imagined.


    The sirens stopped.


    The all-clear sounded.


    Leaving them alone once again with only the distant sounds of fire from the walls protecting their territory.


    ¡°Damn Americans,¡± someone in the line muttered.


    Technically, it was the harpies dropping the monster egg bombs through portals tens of kilometers away to fall through a second set of portals a handful of kilometers somewhere overhead.


    The countermeasures had been working so far, otherwise the enemy would¡¯ve dropped the bombs much closer.


    Only the demigod had been able to bypass the protections and he hadn¡¯t tried since that one time.


    Alin tensed.


    Kat rubbed his back.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. They didn¡¯t get past our defenses.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± he sighed. ¡°This time.¡±


    Maybe a family vacation wasn¡¯t the best idea despite the fact that his Uncle Eron was going to be checking in a lot more frequently while they were gone.


    They continued to shuffle forward.


    He kept the gray out, spreading it through the buildings and streets to his maximum range.


    No one knew that they walked through a light fog.


    Dozens of conversations, laughter and arguments swirled together into a cacophony in his ears.


    Was it an invasion of the people¡¯s privacy?


    Yes.


    But, it was to help keep them safe, at least that was what he told himself.


    It was also part of his training.


    There was no growth without exertion.


    And the demigod had showed Alin his efforts to date had been lacking.


    ¡°Are you doing it?¡± Kat narrowed her eyes up at him.


    ¡°Why do you ask?¡±


    It was easy to push the gray out, harder to do it subtly so that it remained unnoticed.


    Stronger people, whether in terms of levels or superpowers, were harder to deceive.


    Spells or Skills could allow one to realize they were in the gray.


    Or simply instinct and luck.


    ¡°You have that look.¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯re just going by that? You¡¯re not sensing anything?¡±


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    ¡°Can you try?¡±


    Kat had a combat intuition Skill similar to danger sense. It traded much greater sensitivity for a narrowed focus.


    ¡°Okay¡­ activating now¡­ and¡­ nothing¡­¡± she poked him in the ribs. ¡°Seriously?¡±


    He tried to will a threat toward her and failed miserably.


    There was nothing in him, conscious or subconscious that would ever seek to hurt his love.


    He considered the other people around them.


    Strangers.


    He didn¡¯t care about them nearly as much as he did about her.


    And yet¡­


    He did what he did in large part to keep them safe.


    Any thoughts of threatening them even as an exercise slipped through his grasp like wisps of gray.


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Ah¡­ sorry. You can turn it off.¡±


    ¡°So, you are doing it?¡±


    ¡°Just in case one of those eggs got through and for the exercise.¡±


    They reached the shop¡¯s front windows.


    People crowded the inside of the shop as if they were reluctant to leave. They lingered until the people entering forced them to exit and enjoy their ice cream elsewhere.


    ¡°All hand¡¯s on deck, huh?¡± Kat mused.


    It resembled ants exiting and entering the colony behind the counter as Kynnro¡¯s apprentices filled orders and kept bringing new tubs out to replace the rapidly depleted ones.


    Small batch.


    Each made with fresh ingredients, meticulous care and Skills.


    He thought of Kynnro and how their own lack of Skills had never bothered them.


    Anything to strengthen the initiative.


    ¡°Hi, welcome!¡± a very young man greeted them just outside the door. ¡°So, everything is free, like always, but if you¡¯d like to donate anything will be appreciated.¡± He gestured to a table just inside where a large book lay. ¡°For Kynnro. If you¡¯d like to write a few words. We¡¯re going to make copies to keep here and in any future stores. The original will go to the Threnosh world for their old teammates. So, they can, like, see how Kynnro touched so many of us.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to carry on with their initiative?¡±


    ¡°I was going to anyways. I turned my class into frozen cream confectioner just last week.¡± The young man smiled sadly. ¡°I never got the chance to tell them. It¡¯s my passion and now it¡¯s a legacy thing, you know? I¡¯m going to carry it to my end and, hopefully, leave it better for the next guys.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯d like that.¡± Alin nodded stiffly.


    He followed Kat inside when it was his turn.


    Wrote a brief message in the book.


    Took a few moments to read what the others had scrawled on the page.


    ¡°Maple bacon please. Just ice cream. No extras.¡±


    The man who took his order had red-rimmed eyes.


    He recognized a few of the people behind the counter, having made their acquaintances at one time or another through Kynnro. Some recognized him, so they exchanged knowing nods before the ebb and flow of the ant colony carried them away to their duties.


    Kat took a double scoop of purple, ube threaded through with thin ribbons of fudge and liberally topped with small bits of flan and dusted with crushed Oreos.


    Alin stared at the tubs behind the glass.


    He had never had the desire to try the lemon salmon or any of the steak-based flavors.


    ¡°248 in 248,¡± he whispered.


    He had already missed the first 20 or so days, but he resolved then and there to do the 248.


    ¡°We should do the 248.¡± As usual Kat seemed to read his thoughts as they sat on the curb and ate. ¡°But on our own schedule, obviously.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I was thinking about that.¡±


    ¡°Oh, we should bring some for your aunt and cousin. I¡¯ll bet the witches would like some of the weirder ones.¡±


    ¡°I have seen some drink cauldron stew before.¡±


    Kat looked at him expectantly.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t the good kind of stew. Less beef, potatoes, carrots and gravy, more¡­ insect bits and lizard tails¡­ and a beating heart.¡±


    Kat blanched.


    ¡°It was a monster heart.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not eating anything like that. I don¡¯t care if that makes me a bad guest.¡±


    ¡°They wouldn¡¯t serve something like that to guests. It was for a curse spell.¡±


    <hr>


    Scotland, Summer 2053


    Glasses synced to the Omninet as soon as Cal stepped back into the normal world.


    3 days late.


    Calls and texts began to pour in.


    He quickened his perception and thinking to scan through the global situation and found nothing that required immediate attention. So, he pushed out a quick acknowledgment that asked them wait for a bit.


    ¡°Is this real, Love?¡± Nila said.


    He carried her in his arms like a princess.


    The northern isles of Scotland were cold, dark and very green.


    The henge they had just exited was surrounded by hilly terrain with mountains to the west and a loch to the east.


    Dark waters concealed the long-necked monsters cruising the depths with flippers and a long paddle-like tail.


    Monsters and mutated animals roaming the highlands fled from his unconcealed presence, but not quickly enough as he killed them all with a thought lest their flight led them to one of the small, scattered farm communities.


    ¡°Yeah. They can¡¯t fake the Omninet and I¡¯m picking up real human thoughts.¡±


    ¡°Oh, thank Jebus!¡± Alin pumped a fist.


    It wasn¡¯t an uncalled for reaction.


    It had taken them 2 tries and roughly 2 weeks subjective time to get out of the Fae Realm.


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, guys. A vacation that was supposed to be full of relaxation and wonder turned into a 6 month siege. I suppose, I should¡¯ve seen that coming.¡±


    ¡°It was terrible and horrifying, but no one got hurt¡­ badly¡­ and I gained 5 levels.¡± Kat tried to smile. ¡°That¡¯s, like, 2-3 years progress in less than a quarter of the time.¡±


    ¡°I promised your parents the exact opposite of what we got.¡±


    Kat shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m cool with it. I feel like, well, 6 months better than I was and it only took 10 days. I even got an advanced class option.¡±


    ¡°Like, I said before, I don¡¯t recommend taking it. It¡¯ll draw Fae garbage to you.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know. That¡¯s what the witches I talked to about what it was like told me.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I don¡¯t know about you guys, but I¡¯m ready to get out of here.¡±


    ¡°A hot bath and hot food would be nice,¡± Nila said.


    ¡°Same here,¡± Kat said.


    ¡°Uh¡­ can you drop us off at Kat¡¯s place?¡± Alin said.


    He refrained from teasing his son.


    Obvious was obvious.


    Didn¡¯t need mind powers to see it.


    There hadn¡¯t been a lot of privacy and time during the last 6 months of subjective time in the witches¡¯ annexed pocket inside the Fae Realm. There had been zero privacy over the last 2 weeks they had spent trying to get back to the real world.


    Thus, he dropped his son and Kat off first before flying north to the hotel-casino.


    He situated Nila in her hot bath while prepping some food.


    Sinagang.


    Sour soup perfect for cold bones.


    At the same time he read through 10 days worth of reports displayed in the middle of his living room by the holographic projectors.


    Domestically, the war had remained the same.


    Monster eggs rained down periodically despite the harpy losses inflicted by the skyships.


    In turn, skyships rained fire down on military bases all over the continent with near impunity. The old Americans had yet to decide that repairs were just a waste of Universal Points.


    The rangers¡¯ tactic was simple.


    Do damage and leave the base alone for a few days after it was repaired before coming back to ruin it again.


    As for the south?


    There had been a sudden uptick in observed movement to the old American¡¯s staging areas north of Atlanta. Mostly soldiers and smaller assets because a certain someone had destroyed any armed vehicle that stuck its neck out of all, but the best hiding spots.


    Fiercely independent, Atlanta had rebuffed all his attempts at mutual aid.


    What was once Florida, now Richellia, was preparing, but they had time and a buffer.


    He wondered when Atlanta would reach out.


    Probably, when things started getting bad.


    There was only one path that led to that future.


    A golden one.


    He made a note to keep a closer personal eye on the city to prevent those ritual circles from being drawn under their noses.


    No ritual barrier to keep him out meant that the demigod wouldn¡¯t make an appearance.


    Speaking of whom¡­ sightings still stood at zero.


    The war, if it could even be called that, wasn¡¯t turning out like the old Americans had imagined.


    It was a nonexistent march westward to reclaim their ¡®Rightful Destiny¡¯.


    All their old toys had been tossed into the free basket at a garage sale.


    They could do nothing but watch wing-armed women from different worlds fight and die without achieving anything substantive.


    As for the worldwide situation?


    Mixed.


    He tentatively marked several spots that he¡¯d need to put a thumb on the scale.


    The one thing they had in common was the local leadership¡¯s unwillingness to work with him.


    Sometimes it bothered him that fellow Earthians would rather throw their lot in with outworld invaders.


    The shortsightedness was irksome.


    Then again, some had argued that he could¡¯ve gotten ahead of it all long ago by simply taking control.


    ¡°Food me!¡± Nila called out from the bathroom. ¡°¡­ please!¡±


    He checked the kitchen with a third eye.


    ¡°10 more minutes! And you¡¯re not eating hot soup in a hot tub!¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    He didn¡¯t need to peek in on her, though he was tempted, to see the furrowed brow and pout.


    ¡°Who eats soup in a hot tub?¡±


    ¡°Someone who can¡¯t walk!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll carry you!¡±


    Her hover chair had been destroyed during week 19 of the siege.


    Self-destructed to maim a Baroness of something pretentious.


    ¡°Fine! But you can¡¯t use your powers! You have to do it with your real hands!¡±


    ¡°I was going to do that anyways!¡±


    ¡°Any excuse to perv on me!¡±


    ¡°You know it!¡±


    ¡°Gross!¡±


    He sped up his review.


    Once dinner began, Nila had his undivided attention.


    After dinner, he tucked her into bed where she¡¯d read for a few hours before sleeping.


    He checked on their son to make sure Alin was safe before sweeping the entire region.


    A call to his brother was next.


    ¡°Dude.¡± Eron answered on the first ring. ¡°One sec¡­¡±


    Something screeched in the background.


    Followed by a wet explosion.


    Words he hadn¡¯t had occasion to use during his pre-spires lifetime.


    ¡°Blegh¡­ it gets everywhere.¡±


    ¡°You need time to clean up?¡±


    ¡°Nah. I¡¯m good. Stuff just slides right off¡­ eventually.¡±


    ¡°What do you want to know?¡±


    ¡°Brief overview. I already got a quick message from Wytchraven and Lera, so I know they¡¯re alright, but what about you guys? They didn¡¯t say much, but I do know that Nila¡¯s awesome chair got blown up. She¡¯s still not walking after 6 months? Boy and his girl alright? Cause if it was me¡­ well¡­ that¡¯s like the worst first trip with the in-laws, you know? Then again, Wytchraven¡¯s family¡­ yeah, I guess that¡¯s hard to top when it comes to nightmarish in-laws interactions.¡±


    ¡°My fault. Fae reacted to my presence like I was another lion pride coming into their territory. Lots of casualties. No deaths, mostly injuries. A few bad ones, but nothing life-ruining. Lots of levels. Honestly, I felt worse with how no one was pissed off at me.¡±


    ¡°Wytchraven was.¡±


    ¡°True, but she¡¯s too polite to say anything not couched in niceties. Anyway¡­ let me think what highlights you¡¯d be interested in¡­ your daughter took a challenge from a prince of summer something or other despite everyone telling her not to. Duel to the death. She looked me in the eye right after I told her not to before accepting.¡±


    ¡°Yup, that¡¯s our Lera. Do me a favor, don¡¯t share these details with mom, dad and Rayna. I¡¯ll need to get ahead of the story. I don¡¯t want them to be mad at me for months again like from the whole tepuis thing.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, man. She¡¯s got the whole teenager thing where she thinks she¡¯s invincible, which is worse because she sort of is.¡±


    ¡°Well, that was part of the reason I took her to the tepuis. Figured a bit of humbling would¡¯ve been good. Had the opposite effect. Maybe you can scare her a bit, like those scared straight videos they used to show as back in school?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not traumatizing my niece.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sure, I get that, but it¡¯s just a bit of mindscape-y. Like a really real nightmare at worse.¡±


    ¡°It would have to be indistinguishable from reality if you wanted it to leave a lasting effect on her attitude.¡±


    ¡°I mean, terrible, sure. Child abuse? Probably, but, again, not real. I¡¯d take that any day over her picking a fight she can¡¯t win next time. Just think about it.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll think about it.¡±


    It made sense from a logical, emotionless standpoint.


    If he didn¡¯t do it and the worst case scenario happened down the line then he¡¯d regret it.


    Then again, that could happen if he did do it.


    So, what was the best way to prepare his niece for a long life?


    Destroy every potential threat as soon as they popped up.


    One had to be realistic about these things.


    Like that prayer said.


    Control what you could, accept what you can¡¯t.


    Killing the Fae permanently didn¡¯t seem possible.


    By all accounts they either eventually came back or were replaced by another, sometimes exactly the same, sometimes slightly different, sometimes completely different.


    ¡°I killed the Summer King. Shredded his consciousness. At least that¡¯s what I think I did.¡±


    ¡°Cool. Hopefully, that sticks more than the last time I killed the bastard. I guess we¡¯ll find out next summer. If we¡¯re really lucky, you might¡¯ve destroyed the concept of a summer king.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what the witches theorized. In any case, we killed or maimed a lot of the summer court.¡±


    ¡°Courts¡­ yeah, I know it¡¯s confusing, but there¡¯s more than one court.¡±


    ¡°But also only one court depending on how you¡¯re looking at it in the moment.¡±


    ¡°The most important thing is that you guys got rid of a lot of them. That means the rest of the summer should be impossibly quiet.¡±


    ¡°If it turns out to be worth it in the long run. I¡¯m open to going over there every season and shredding Fae consciousnesses. My only concern would be the time fuckery.¡±


    ¡°Time doesn¡¯t mean much to you with how you can play around with your perceptions.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not the problem, I¡¯m worried about losing time from the real world. We got lucky that we only lost 3 days. What if it had been the other way around? Too many things rely on me out here.¡±


    ¡°Fair. But, time is mostly synced between the pocket realm and here. If they figure out a way to make the transit time stable would you be interested?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯d have to be a real strong guarantee that I won¡¯t come back to a few years later.¡±


    ¡°Awesome! If you can crush the Fae then they¡¯ll be able to spend more time out here.¡±


    Cal knew what his brother felt.


    It was always tough to be separated from your loved ones when there was nothing you could do about it.


    Doubly so when one was powerful enough that there weren¡¯t many things he couldn¡¯t do if I wanted.


    He wanted Eron to be able to spend time with Wytchraven and Lera here in the real world without always looking over their shoulders for the sudden and inevitable Wild Hunt attack.


    ¡°You should go over there. Take a week off. Remy¡¯s not leaving for the Threnosh world until next month. He can keep an eye over Manila and the rest of that region. I¡¯ll do my best to cover for you. I just need to give that demigod a reminder that I¡¯m around so that he¡¯ll stay in hiding. That way I can be more international until you get back.¡±


    ¡°Really? They delayed again?¡±


    ¡°Megan¡¯s reluctant to leave without getting Nila walking again.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s healing though, right? 6 months in the Fae Realm and she¡¯s still not walking?¡±


    ¡°Same old, same old. Witches tried, but the healing just bounces off. Everything in there is in physical working condition.¡±


    ¡°Magic bullshit.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Only explanation at this point. Well, the exoskeleton¡¯s ready, so she won¡¯t have to use a chair.¡±


    ¡°Yo, what if it¡¯s one of those conceptual things? Like, you have to kill the guy that dealt the injury?¡±


    As if he needed more justifications on the pro side of that internal argument.


    ¡°Not that you¡¯d be killing him only so that Nila can walk again. I mean, it¡¯d be mostly to stop all the future evil stuff he¡¯s going to do.¡±


    He didn¡¯t want to go down this conversation tree with his brother again.


    ¡°Listen, are we still on for next week?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Can we move it up?¡±


    ¡°To when?¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow night. Midnight. Eastern time.¡±


    ¡°Hell, we can go tonight. I¡¯m always up for ruining a few jets or tanks.¡±


    ¡°Not tonight. Nila¡¯s in bed already and I want her to at least get a full night¡¯s sleep in our bed before I take her to Manila tomorrow morning.¡±


    ¡°Sure, bro. Just let me know if anything changes. I¡¯ll let you know the same on my end. Otherwise I¡¯ll be ready.¡±


    The first try at cracking the demigod¡¯s defenses.


    He hoped it worked because he had already mapped out the path if it failed and the thought of having to travel further down filled him with heart-clenching fear.

 10.16

    ¡°Please. Why are you doing this?¡±


    Simona stared at the woman for a moment.


    Fear was a good lure for the monster she hunted.


    The noise was not.


    It could attract extra attention from other creatures stalking the forest.


    A flurry dusted them with fresh powder.


    Something screeched in the distance.


    ¡°You¡¯re supposed to help¡ª¡±


    ¡°Silence.¡±


    The woman¡¯s mouth worked. Her wet, red-rimmed eyes widened as the veins in her neck bulged.


    Simona checked the chains fixing the woman to the pine.


    She had just enough to wrap around most of the woman¡¯s torso.


    She could¡¯ve chosen a younger tree, but only a venerable grandfather had the stout trunk and entrenched root system to withstand the draugr¡¯s strength.


    She had thought about risking it.


    This was her 7th trap.


    The spirit could only be permanently killed after forcing it to go through multiple flesh suits.


    She had done it in the past in as little as 3 to as much as 15.


    Timing also mattered for the monster could recover between each killing.


    Except it was driven by more than rational thought, seeking a new host as quickly as possible.


    An unearthly howl echoed.


    The bound woman¡¯s struggles grew desperate.


    Accumulated snow rained down from the pine¡¯s boughs.


    Simona pulled a spear from her bag of holding and thrust it into the hard ground beneath the nearly knee high powder. Enhanced strength plunged it all the way down to the cross-guard below the spearhead.


    A long-handled axe followed.


    Both weapons created faint clouds of vapor as the runes covering the steel and wood glowed faintly.


    The small village¡¯s runesmith had recharged them for free almost immediately after she had arrived to hunt and slay the monster.


    That had saved the old woman¡¯s life.


    Only cull the most useless.


    That was one of the rules Simona lived by.


    She had many but they branched out from one main rule.


    Slay monsters.


    That was her tree trunk.


    Everything else were like the roots that fed water and the leaves on the branches that took in sunlight.


    She had watched and listened to dozens of people plead, cry and curse.


    It was no different from the squealing of the animals she hunted and butchered for sustenance.


    Would the 7th be the last?


    There were no more in the village that wouldn¡¯t be missed.


    It had been easy to blame the draugr for the 6 deaths since it had killed the same number in the last 2 years if the villagers had been accurate.


    However, a few villagers were getting suspicious, pointing to that fact.


    6 in 2 years versus 6 in the 2 weeks since she had arrived.


    People were slaves to their emotions.


    They lacked her cold logic.


    7 deaths to prevent many more.


    It was basic math.


    Left unchecked the draugr would consume them all eventually.


    Her way was optimal.


    Kill the draugr.


    Gain the Quest rewards and leave the village before anyone realized the true cost of their continued safety.


    Simona blinked.


    A jail cell replaced the cold, white forests of her homelands.


    ¡°Thanks, Britt. I¡¯ll take it from here.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing, Mr. Cruces.¡±


    He waited for the one-time flesheater to exit the wing before addressing the monsterslayer.


    ¡°I¡¯ve moved the schedule up a few days.¡±


    Simona rose from her bed to move closer to the bars.


    In her youth, the platinum blond woman would¡¯ve been at home on magazine covers and ad campaigns back in the old days.


    It was a mark of her level that she appeared close to a decade younger than her actual mid 50¡¯s age.


    She stared down at him with her arms at her side.


    The scars on her face and exposed skin would¡¯ve made her at home on the ad campaigns of the present day.


    There was a certain irony when one compared Britt and Simona.


    In the pre-spires days both wouldn¡¯t have been likely to end up behind bars.


    Britt¡¯s evil deeds came from a single moment when as a teenager she had been forced to partake of the Meat Parade¡¯s blessed sacrament.


    Simona¡¯s evil deeds came from the inability to empathize with other people.


    Both their classes had pushed them deeper into the mire.


    Britt had lost hers after years of work in a mindscape because she didn¡¯t want it.


    Simona had yet to approach that point.


    Thus, her icy blue eyes looked like they would¡¯ve been at home in a shark.


    There was a chance he could¡¯ve changed her.


    Alter her personality into someone that could imagine themselves in the shoes of another person.


    Would it stick? Or was an individual¡¯s baseline personality set?


    He had never tried such a brute force method because if he could fix a sociopathic killer then why didn¡¯t he fix all of them? Why didn¡¯t he fix everyone that could potentially commit evil? Why not make it so no human would even think of doing evil?


    ¡°Will that work for you?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    The agreement was straightforward.


    Freedom in exchange for tasks completed.


    Holly was the best example.


    Simona would be easier to handle since she was only a threat to other people in a narrow set of situations.


    She wasn¡¯t the best person for what he had planned, but she was the closest available.


    The sneakiest types he had in his jail weren¡¯t controllable through his normal methods and would¡¯ve either tried to flee or go on a murderous rampage. Slashers, shapeshifters, vampires and other inherently predatory classes.


    ¡°We¡¯ll go at midnight. So, prepare yourself however is best for you. Though, I¡¯d recommend sleeping after lunch.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m used to keeping strange hours.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s been a few months since that. You¡¯ve been sleeping regularly from 10 to 8. So, try to sleep after lunch.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in charge.¡±


    He planted a thought in her subconscious.


    She was skeptical, but she would try and succeed.


    The appointed hour arrived.


    Simona¡¯s surface thoughts were filled with nervous excitement.


    Freedom after months in a jail cell and strictly regulated environment was sweeter than she had imagined.


    She was fresh and eager.


    The thought of killing him was only an undercurrent.


    Keeping her deprived of all physical sensory input while flying helped suppress that.


    He returned her senses after landing on the outskirts of the Washington, D.C. territorial boundary to the north.


    ¡°Here.¡± He handed her the magitech scanner. It was a one-off because Ms. Teacher had been the only one on the world that could cast the spell they needed to detect those ritual circles. ¡°Don¡¯t mess with it. Just keep it on you. Don¡¯t put it in your bag of holding unless absolutely necessary. It won¡¯t sync its information if you do.¡±


    ¡°I got it. I know what I¡¯m supposed to do.¡±


    ¡°Tell me.¡± He didn¡¯t need her to, but it helped reinforce her focus on the task¡ª Quest, now.


    ¡°Go to the first location and walk around until I¡¯m told to go to the next.¡±


    ¡°There will be timed distractions to draw their attention. If a patrol happens to stop you¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a monsterslayer looking for contract or freelance work and I like to hunt at night when there¡¯s less chance of collateral damage. I¡¯m here because of the call for combat capable classed.¡±


    ¡°Your name is already on their rolls and there are plenty of adventurer and mercenary types roaming the city so you won¡¯t be out of place.¡± He didn¡¯t add that he was going to be nudging patrols and any other eye away from her. The only wild card was the demigod, whose helmet blocked his powers. ¡°I¡¯m done. Do you have any questions?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Remaining on the other side of the invisible barrier, he floated Simona to a few blocks away from the first location he wanted tested.


    She moved quickly thanks to a Skill.


    Another pair of eyes watching from the clouds set off cascading explosions by cooking off the ammunition not so secretly stored in a block of row houses.


    The old American government had taken to storing munitions away from the obvious locations, which they had now just learned weren¡¯t so secret after all.


    Sirens blared.


    Patrols diverted.


    Sleeping soldiers woke against their desires.


    While watching eyes and listening ears had another place to be, Simona did her job.


    The first location was a residential block that was kept empty.


    It lay near the northwest tip of what pre-spires weirdos had believed was an inverted pentagram formed by landmarks and monuments in what was either a diabolic symbol or something called sacred geometry.


    Truth was that was all garbage.


    Ms. Teacher had said that there was nothing magically significant about it and ley line formation happened post-spires.


    That wasn¡¯t to say that magic could be expressed through geometric patterns and diabolic pacts because they could. Again, post-spires.


    Simona stayed outside the empty homes as instructed. She walked around the block a few times, pretending to be on the trail of some monster before the magitech scanner pinged a negative.


    ¡°Move to the next location.¡±


    She didn¡¯t betray his voice in her ears as she proceeded to the next area.


    The hours wore on in the same pattern.


    As she neared a potential main ritual site something blew up nearby.


    The scanner took a few minutes to send back a negative and off she went to the next.


    She spent most of her time running to each location.


    As promised, he kept people from noticing her presence.


    Patrols ignored her.


    Guards watching through cameras ignored alerts from motion detectors.


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Trained animals and controlled monsters were made to be just as oblivious as the rest.


    ¡°Please tell me to hit the White House,¡± Eron said through the comms.


    ¡°Don¡¯t. It¡¯s better that we don¡¯t test their defenses for now.¡±


    ¡°Monuments?¡±


    ¡°Same.¡±


    That area was the most heavily defended part of the city and he didn¡¯t want to trigger them. It¡¯d be like punching a beehive, making it harder to keep Simona¡¯s presence ignored.


    ¡°Stick to the plan.¡±


    Draw soldiers away to the rest of the city to thin the numbers around the White House, the National Mall and the Capitol.


    It made sense to place the main ritual in that area.


    Not only was it heavily defended, it also contained an underground bunker complex.


    Time moved.


    The witching hour passed.


    Dawn drew closer.


    Fires burned while sirens blared.


    Enemy comms chatter indicated that they thought that this was it.


    The big one.


    He didn¡¯t need the ability to scan their thoughts to know that the soldiers were like a guitar string wound too tightly.


    He felt a bad for the civilians.


    They suffered the same fears.


    To them it was the potential end of the world.


    Imminent attack by superhuman bogeyman as trumpeted by their news media.


    Brown-skinned traitors that wanted to destroy their way of life.


    To take their freedoms and raise their children as communists, socialists, atheist and several other things they had been taught to fear and revile.


    Years of the noise ramped up in recent months.


    Since the beginning of the war the old American government had started¡­ the demigod had started.


    ¡°Have you considered a formal challenge?¡± Eron mused. ¡°That¡¯s probably a thing for them. Thunderdome it. Two men enter, one man leaves. Winner gets the country.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but he won¡¯t accept. That¡¯s what I got from the eidolons. Besides, there¡¯s no reason for them to risk their claim on a one on one fight.¡±


    ¡°Have you considered mind control?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Just this once.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t be just once.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m coming around on that. Say, just control the politicians. All they¡¯ve ever done was the bidding of whoever gave them the most money or paid for their mom¡¯s house or gave them a house or free resort vacations and private jet flights. You¡¯d be no worse than old timey billionaires. Better actually since you wouldn¡¯t do pedo stuff. Speaking of¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been doing it this whole time. It won¡¯t be forever, but those sorts of people will think of other things to do with their free time.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great, but why not make it permanent?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve talked about this.¡±


    ¡°Listen, if you don¡¯t want to, then I can make it permanent.¡±


    ¡°No. This isn¡¯t the time for this.¡±


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    He caught it a split-second after his brother.


    A sudden build up of familiar energy.


    A bright golden pillar of energy erupted from where Simona was.


    ¡°I can¡¯t see her. Do I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Fire!¡±


    Simona¡¯s thoughts had vanished the instant the light flared.


    He watched as the air scorched from on high.


    Solar heat plunged into the divine energy.


    Suiteonemiades was a blank mind to him, but there were other minds in the vicinity.


    He grabbed them, using their eyes and ears in a vain attempt to locate the demigod while his brother¡ª


    The gold vanished as abruptly as it erupted.


    He felt the energy in the air.


    Traces that dissipated too quickly to track.


    ¡°Motherfucker! I didn¡¯t see him. I think I saw or felt one of his portals.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s it look like on ground level where Simona was last?¡±


    ¡°I can see the subway.¡±


    ¡°What about her?¡±


    ¡°Sorry. She was right where he blasted through the street. Unless he teleported her first. I¡¯ll look and listen for her, but you can do that better than me.¡±


    ¡°Keep looking for both of them. I¡¯m going to use the people.¡±


    He borrowed the senses of over a million people, hopping all over the city.


    He found no traces of Simona nor Suiteonemiades.


    <hr>


    Southern California, Winter 2053


    ¡°This is a plan.¡±


    Alin watched his dad¡¯s face in a futile attempt to gauge his dad¡¯s thoughts.


    Nope.


    A stone cold mask.


    Not even the slightest micro expression.


    It was deliberate.


    He knew his dad could, but didn¡¯t often do it on account of not wanting to trigger the uncanny valley stuff in other people in normal, everyday interactions.


    ¡°It is a plan.¡± His dad repeated himself as he read through said plan at blinding speed, pages and slides almost blurring across the holographic projection above his desk.


    The tone didn¡¯t sound good for the prospects of the plan gaining support, let alone approval.


    Alin had worked on it since the summer, consulting with as many experts and non-experts as he had access to, which was considerable. He had even spent valuable Universal Points to correspond with Caretaker on the Threnosh World in hopes that their unique predictive algorithm could help refine his plan into something his dad couldn¡¯t reject outright.


    ¡°¡­ a plan¡­¡±


    Alin remained silent, reminding himself to keep emotion out of it.


    Nope.


    No emotion.


    His plan was strictly based on reason and logic. Optimal, if dangerous, but providing the greatest chance of success commensurate with the risks.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ no.¡±


    ¡°Okay. What needs tweaking?¡± He was ready for this. Tablet in hand for notes and such.


    ¡°Objectively? Not a lot. However, also objectively, the entire thing is unnecessary at this point.¡± His dad scrolled back to the beginning. ¡°Reading once is never sufficient. But, please continue. I know you¡¯ve got arguments.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t frame it that way.¡±


    ¡°Arguments aren¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ª necessarily a bad thing.¡± He nodded.


    ¡°You put a lot of work into this.¡±


    He shrugged. ¡°I had time.¡± Barely any duties more difficult than a couple hours on the walls shooting and using his powers on monsters. He had been kept almost suspiciously as far away from any conflicts involving the old American¡¯s as they used the demigod¡¯s portals to occasionally menace the settlements that continued to refuse a return to the fold. So, it was a lot of easy fights and training. The latter had been a lot harder than the former. However, the growth he had experienced in the weeks after the demigod attack his home and in the months trapped in the Fae Realm had slowed of late.


    ¡°You talked to a lot of people.¡±


    ¡°I was completely transparent with my intentions.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°They¡­ tattled?¡±


    That was unavoidable. In a way he would¡¯ve been disappointed had some of them not reported to his dad. The more eyes on a problem the better the solution.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ uncharitable.¡±


    ¡°You know what I mean. Not a big deal anyways. It¡¯s better since that means you¡¯ve had more time to think my plan over. Not that you need it. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve gone over it a hundred times already and torn it to shreds and pieced it back into something better.¡±


    ¡°Maybe not quite that many. But, yeah, you¡¯re right.¡±


    ¡°Well?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get back to you with my thoughts. It¡¯s a bit busy right now for me and since your plan isn¡¯t happening anytime soon or possibly, at all, then there¡¯s no need.¡±


    ¡°To be fair, you could do that in minutes.¡±


    ¡°Technically correct.¡±


    ¡°Which is the best kind.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to disagree on that.¡± His dad sighed. ¡°Good plan. I like the effort and thought you put into it. But, I¡¯ve already got people in D.C. looking for the central ritual location.¡±


    ¡°And¡­ how has that been going?¡±


    ¡°You already know that since you¡¯ve been paying close attention and attending all the briefing meetings.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what happens when I¡¯ve got a lot of free time.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ maybe more training? How¡¯s a few hours extra per day in the mindscapes?¡±


    Alin narrowed his eyes. ¡°You said I was already at the maximum safe limit?¡±


    ¡°I did, but things change.¡±


    ¡°Seriously?¡±


    ¡°With power growth comes resiliency.¡±


    ¡°Wait? When did you learn this?¡±


    ¡°A few weeks ago, but I wanted to be sure.¡±


    ¡°Hence the increased check-ups, scans and what not.¡±


    The latter had expanded to encompass such esoteric means as witch magic, which involved him drinking a big mug of cauldron juice and said witches chanting and dancing around him¡­ naked. Kat had been very upset about that because the witches were objectively hot, but he mitigated by keeping his eyes closed the entire time. For some reason that hadn¡¯t mollified her. He had to get his dad to swear to her that, yes, the eyes had been closed every single minute, every single time.


    There was also a weekly session in Manila with Ms. Teacher, which was worse because the High had treated it as a lesson for her students. Thus, young men and women, sometimes especially gifted children poked and prodded at him in a magical sense, though sometimes in a literal one, as a scary immortal woman more beautiful than it seemed possible watched.


    ¡°I was under the impression that I didn¡¯t have anything to worry about.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t. Safeguards are still in place. They haven¡¯t weakened. I¡¯m proud of you taking control of your power!¡±


    Alin had continued to work hard on that. Control was always his number one priority in regard to his gray.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t change the subject.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m hurt,¡± his dad said flatly. ¡°I¡¯d never use such transparent tactics when I can just say ¡®no¡¯, which I already did.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon, Dad. Your agents have spent months searching and they¡¯re not any closer to finding the site. That¡¯s all we need to put an end to this stupid war crap. I¡¯m confident that I can find it. They don¡¯t have a Lilah, let alone the right sigils or wards to keep me out of anything. If you authorize me to spend some time in Tokyo and the other sites then I know I can get a feel for the rituals so that I can recognize them easily.¡±


    ¡°That would necessitate me or your uncle and we¡¯re both too busy.¡±


    ¡°Why? There¡¯s no indication that the demigod knows I¡¯m your son. Or that I¡¯m on his radar as anything more than a random fighter. He didn¡¯t even notice the gray when I tried to use it on him. You said that yourself.¡±


    ¡°As far as I can tell from reviewing footage and poking around in everyone¡¯s heads¡­ aside from him, of course. Still not willing to risk it.¡±


    ¡°You can use it as a trap.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I read that part. You understand why I wouldn¡¯t want to use my son as the piece of cheese.¡±


    ¡°Cheese?¡±


    ¡°They used to put them in mouse traps.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ I guess. I¡¯m cool with being the cheese.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not and your mom will be upset.¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it make things easier? It¡¯s worth the risk to save us all the time, effort and lives.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I see you¡¯ve put in Caretaker-backed risk percentages for nearly every stage of your plan.¡±


    ¡°I ran it through our primary V.I. a bunch of times.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know. There have been complaints about resource hogging and such.¡±


    ¡°I did it at lowest impact times.¡±


    ¡°Many people will be glad that you¡¯re done.¡±


    ¡°Am I?¡± Alin frowned. ¡°I¡¯ll need to do multiple iterations with those tweaks. I¡¯m going to get this so tight that no one can object.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Someone can always object. Numbers aren¡¯t everything.¡±


    ¡°These aren¡¯t normal science numbers. They¡¯re super science numbers.¡±


    His dad made the noncommittal noise.


    A sort of grunt exhale.


    It was downright nostalgic.


    He remembered hearing it often in his younger days to his more outlandish requests, like for a wyvern pet or a laser sword or a water slide that ran through the entirety of their hotel-casino compound instead of just around the main building.


    ¡°What did your mom say?¡±


    He could almost hear the words.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you didn¡¯t include the magic numbers,¡± his dad said.


    ¡°Too much power involved to get anything but garbled junk.¡±


    He still felt really bad about Robbie¡¯s mini-breakdown.


    The rangers¡¯ best young oracle had tried to get a read on the danger levels of his plan¡¯s many stages. The others had tried in smaller, bite-sized chunks, but ended up with migraines for days.


    A witch blew up her entire supply of small animal bones. Like, they vaporized utterly when she had tried to do the same.


    After that, he had given up on magic and Skills.


    ¡°Welcome to the club. Congratulations!¡±


    ¡°No way. It wasn¡¯t about me. It¡¯s obviously cause of the demigod, the strength of his ritual and you and Uncle Eron¡¯s being close to that whole thing.¡±


    He didn¡¯t want it to be because of his metaphysical presence, so to speak, that those attempts had ended up in stunning failures. Power was a double-edged blade. It gave you what you want, but drew attention from other just as, if not more powerful people and other, worse, things.


    And that wasn¡¯t what he wanted.


    Nope.


    Hide in the gray.


    That was his thing.


    Leave the huge, noticeable acts to his elders.


    ¡°You¡¯ll note that percentages of our enemies taking note of me if I sneak, so to speak, aboard of the skyships as they make their rounds.¡±


    ¡°I saw. You mapped it all out. Multiple routes, even. Your plan is very detailed and the research is done well.¡± His dad made that noise. ¡°Some of your information is out of date though.¡±


    ¡°Which? Where?¡±


    ¡°London is currently unsafe to visit.¡±


    ¡°Since when?¡±


    ¡°Early this morning.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­¡±


    ¡°Your uncle has already offered to help. It shouldn¡¯t be a huge problem in a few weeks to a month or two. The Levant and Taiwan as well are currently¡­ less safe for nonessential travel.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    The former had been devoid of human settlements since the early years post-spires. The latter was no better or worse than most places ever since his dad had finally gotten the Phoenix Dynasty to leave it alone. Truth be told, it was less his dad and more the internal challenges the dynasty faced from the world events and the ongoing Stone Lords invasion from beneath the mountains north of Hong Kong. The Stone Lords had started popping out of scattered locations throughout the mountains all over Southern China.


    ¡°You can read up on it after this meeting,¡± his dad said.


    ¡°Okay, so, I cross those places of my list.¡±


    The Levant was on the bottom of said list anyways.


    He had no desire to set foot in that monster-infested hellhole.


    Densest concentration of out of control spawn zones in the world.


    Researchers theorized that the level of human on human violence in the immediate aftermath of the spires¡¯ appearance had something to do with that.


    ¡°The others are tentatively on board with the plan.¡±


    His dad sighed. ¡°Yeah, I got that much. They¡¯re all deferring to me.¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯ll be the main lifeline and emergency extraction method, so to speak.¡±


    ¡°5 years? That¡¯s a long time to be away from home.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s more toward the max end of the range. You¡¯ll note, that it can be done in less than 2 if one of your agents could get directly involved and bring us in. I think the congresswoman would be ideal for that role.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I see you¡¯ve cover several scenarios to make that insertion seem natural and organic.¡± His dad frowned. ¡°You¡¯re giving up a lot of your tech advantages. Not just you, but everyone on this hypothetical adventuring band.¡±


    ¡°I suggested a mercenary company was a better cover.¡±


    ¡°Too many people will be in the know. Too many stress points that could break and give you up at any time.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s where you come in. Obviously, the memory alteration stuff will be completely voluntary. You¡¯ll note that I¡¯ve already got a lot of them to agree to that.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re counting on a lot of that.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s okay, right? I mean, I don¡¯t want to put you on the spot, but I think it¡¯s worth it to end this lame war. Innocent people are dying or worse. I mean, not to blame you or anything, but your scans have come up with literal blanks when it comes to the specific location.¡±


    ¡°Boy. That¡¯s the nature of war from the very beginning of human life. When Oog¡¯s cave wanted the berry bush that Uug¡¯s cave owned.¡±


    ¡°Well, there should be enough berries to go around this time. It¡¯s just that the wrong people are in charge. So, let¡¯s fix that before it¡¯s too late. The American¡¯s have one demigod. We both know what they¡¯ll do if more show up. You handled 2, but what if next time there¡¯s 10? Or worse, a ¡®god¡¯ becomes impatient and decides to do it themselves?¡±


    ¡°No. For now. I haven¡¯t exhausted my options. Keep refining your plan while I do that. You¡¯ve got plenty of time for that, right?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Not an outright refusal.


    All in all, Alin was satisfied with the outcome.

 10.17

    Mindanao, Philippines, December 2053


    ¡°So, when are you and Kat going to get married?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    What the heck, Grandma?


    As far as non sequiturs went that was up there.


    Alin instantly thought about what his grandmother had said to Kat when they had been chatting at the little family gathering a few days ago back in Manila.


    Kat hadn¡¯t said anything about it and he hadn¡¯t asked her because he didn¡¯t want to look like a paranoid weirdo, which he was in regards to that topic.


    Regardless, this didn¡¯t seem like the right time for his grandmother to be asking that question.


    They stood in some muddy ground about half a football field away from the edge of the swamp where the river water pooled in swallow ponds filled with mangroves and such.


    One particularly large pond held a sort of ritualized combat exhibition.


    ¡°We¡¯re not. I mean, we¡¯re good.¡±


    He watched his grandfather brawl in the muck with a young werecrocodile.


    For pushing 90 years old grandpa was still yoked. He had a much younger and swoler man¡¯s body. Only his white hair and the lines on his face hinted at the age.


    It was the same with his grandmother minus the swole-ness.


    Indeed, grandma only looked about 15 to 20 years older than Madalena, who was his dad¡¯s cousin and close to a decade younger than his dad.


    ¡°Go, Crisanna! Get Tito Phillip!¡± Madalena whooped. ¡°Use bite flip to tail smash!¡±


    ¡°Wait? Whose side are you on?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just for fun.¡± She waved a hand at him dismissively. ¡°Cris was super nervous.¡±


    ¡°Well, she¡¯s not doing too bad.¡±


    The werecrocodile¡¯s fully transformed state was a bipedal monstrosity of green armor plate-like scales and muscle topped by a crushing maw filled with scary-looking teeth. It was hard to gauge her full height since she had a naturally aggressive forward lean to her stance, hunched almost. She looked to be a little taller than his grandfather.


    ¡°How old is she?¡±


    He had missed that bit of information in the introduction.


    ¡°16 next year,¡± Madalena said.


    Crisanna chomped down around his grandfather¡¯s arm and threw her head back violently.


    Maw released.


    Tail whipped.


    The slap echoed across the mangroves, sending birds flying from the surrounding foliage.


    The other crocodile men and women gathered around the pond stomped their feet and slapped the water with great big smiles and cheers.


    ¡°What about kids?¡± his grandma said.


    ¡°Errr¡­¡±


    How to say we don¡¯t want kids? he thought. Without saying the main reasons.


    One was because he didn¡¯t want to pass on any fog related issues to the poor kid. Two was because the world was too dangerous. It didn¡¯t seem fair to him to do that to a kid that had no choice in the matter of existence.


    Kat was on the same page, particularly with the second concern.


    ¡°We don¡¯t want kids just, uh, cause¡­¡± He shrugged.


    ¡°Maybe now, but you might change your minds and you¡¯re almost 30. It¡¯ll be harder the older she gets.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­¡±


    Oh sweet superpowered Jesus! Please, tell me grandma didn¡¯t say this to Kat!


    He silently uttered what some might consider a blasphemous prayer.


    Not his grandmother though.


    She had been desensitized to casual blasphemy by her sons since before the spires.


    ¡°Well, we¡¯re not actually close to 30. I just turned 23, remember?¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure, but time flies. Doesn¡¯t it? I remember you were 3 or 4, this high,¡± his grandmother placed her hand to about her mid thigh. Grandmother was a very short woman. ¡°You always held on so tight because you were so scared of the oceans.¡±


    Madalena snickered.


    ¡°There were sea monsters!¡±


    ¡°We killed them first, didn¡¯t we?¡± Madalena said.


    Yes.


    That was factually correct.


    However, a child should be forgiven for being scared of monsters. Even if his family killed them and his dad or Aunt Rayna made all the blood and guts stay far from the beach.


    ¡°Don¡¯t wait too long, Boy,¡± his grandma said. ¡°You never know if there¡¯ll be a tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Tita, stop that,¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°Huh? He had noticed a few times over the past couple of weeks that his grandmother had a melancholic look on her face when she thought no one was looking at her.


    ¡°I¡¯m just saying we should cherish everyday we have,¡± his grandma said. ¡°I¡¯m almost 90,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°And what did your last check-up say?¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°That could change at any time,¡± his grandma said.


    ¡°Grandma, you¡¯re like superhumanly healthy. You¡¯re not even close to the end.¡±


    ¡°Well, thank you, Boy. That¡¯s why you¡¯re my favorite grandson.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m your only one.¡±


    ¡°I know what I said.¡± His grandma reached up to pat him on the head like always. He leaned down to make it easier for her. ¡°Hmmm¡­ tell me when you¡¯re planning to propose. I have a gold necklace I want to pass down to Kat. It¡¯s been with the family since my great grandfather bought it for my great grandmother.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Grandma,¡± he sighed.


    The crocodile men and women groaned.


    His grandfather held the struggling werecrocodile above his head, ignoring her lashing tail as it whipped against his legs and body.


    The announcer shouted to 10 and a loud bell was rung.


    His grandfather tossed Crisanna into the main body of the river almost a hundred meters away with a laugh.


    Alin shuddered.


    There were a lot of saltwater crocodiles basking themselves on the river banks. Even the smaller ones looked enormous. At least there weren¡¯t any of the mutated or monstrous analogues. Those were killed on sight.


    The crocodile men and women were just ordinary Earthians with classes that let them thrive in the environment. That included making the natural wildlife leave them alone all the way up to controlling the wildlife. Werecrocodiles were a minority. 1 in 50 at the most.


    It was a bit of a struggle for them to maintain control of their animal side since it was wild. Not domesticated.


    The combat exhibition played a part in that.


    His grandfather asserted dominance, which meant they¡¯d listen.


    It was mostly for the younger ones.


    The ones that hadn¡¯t tested themselves.


    ¡°There¡¯s a lot more this year,¡± Madalena said.


    Alin had counted 20 teenagers and young adults gathered in a roped-off circle.


    Each would get a turn.


    After that the pond was open to all.


    Madalena sighed. ¡°I hope that doesn¡¯t mean there¡¯ll be more coming the rest of the week.¡±


    That was right.


    She was supposed to trade-off days in the battle pond with his grandfather as contingents from other villages and small towns arrived in Cagayan de Oro from the rest of Mindanao.


    As for him, he had another day before his Uncle Eron was supposed to arrive and take him to a few failed ritual sites hidden deep in the island¡¯s rainforest.


    ¡°I¡¯d offer to help out, but¡­ you know how it is¡­¡±


    ¡°Thanks, little Boy!¡± Madalena tousled his hair. ¡°But we¡¯ve got it covered. You just worry about your little scavenger hunt. Watch out for the aswang. And don¡¯t take anything the tikbalang say personally.¡±


    ¡°Eron won¡¯t let you out of his sight.¡± His grandmother considered it a moment. ¡°I¡¯ll tell him to stay close to you at all times.¡±


    He decided to remain quiet and nod.


    Anything he could¡¯ve said would¡¯ve sounded like a child¡¯s whining.


    <hr>


    Tokyo, Japan, January 2054


    New year, different location.


    The Imperial Palace compound.


    Currently vacated because of him.


    Well¡­ technically because of his dad.


    Nepotism for the win!


    He sighed.


    So many eyes on him.


    Undisguised judgment.


    At least Marloes was there to grease the gears, so to speak.


    Kat¡¯s presence was also sort of helpful on account of her being a samurai and nobility despite this being only the second time she had step foot in Japan.


    It was the nepotism thing again.


    The class had eluded her despite her best efforts.


    She had been stuck on katana fighter for the longest time. She had picked up the bow, the spear and even horsemanship. She had steeped herself in Bushido.


    It hadn¡¯t been enough.


    Thus, his dad had used his connection to the Emperor of Japan to ask for information on how they went about getting the class.


    The emperor, wanting to curry favor, just straight up gave Kat a noble title including a small home in Tokyo.


    Instant samurai.


    Nepotism for the win.


    There was some concern about conflicts of interest and such, but the emperor assured them that wouldn¡¯t be a problem.


    In fact, making her a noble and helping her gain the class was just one small part of what the people of Japan owed his dad.


    Nope, there were definitely no other ulterior motives.


    Oh, by the way¡­ when are you two getting married? Are children in your future? They¡¯d inherit your title, just so you know.


    The JSDF general looked like he was chewing a handful of glass named ¡®Alin¡¯. The old man was the definition of grizzled. ¡°The Imperial Palace is yours. Don¡¯t break anything.¡± He turned on his heel and strode to a waiting armored truck.


    ¡°Who are you? And how¡¯d you make him be so nice?¡±


    A mahou shoujo standing next to Marloes practically vibrated.


    From excitement or fear?


    He didn¡¯t know because he wasn¡¯t releasing the gray until he was alone on the Imperial Palace grounds.


    Dashing Bandit Celebration, that was her mahou shoujo name, had full Threnium armor custom made to resemble her old mahou shoujo uniform complete with a masked tanuki-like faceplate with ears on top of the helmet.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    He vaguely remembered the fabricators discussing the unnecessary expenditure of Threnium compared to the standard streamlined helmet and flatter faceplate.


    The faceplate slid up to reveal a smiling Japanese woman a handful of years younger than him wearing a black domino mask.


    He knew that the mahou shoujo wore elements of her class uniform underneath the Threnium because it provided benefits the armor didn¡¯t.


    Marloes had explained it once.


    ¡°The super team is ready to assist in any way needed, Boy-kun!¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration saluted.


    Her supertanuki plushies copied her.


    Yup.


    Just as weird as his uncle had said.


    He recognized them all from the ancient movies his dad loved.


    Except for one.


    A new addition?


    The plushie wasn¡¯t wearing red and blue or red and gold or just red or had a red cape or a hammer. It had a simply black bodysuit on and nothing else.


    He wondered if his uncle knew.


    Kat giggled.


    Marloes sighed. ¡°Remember the briefing¡­¡±


    ¡°Of course, of course! But, if Boy-kun¡ª¡±


    ¡°The. Briefing.¡± Marloes said flatly.


    Alin regarded the street and the rooftops.


    They were filled with a motley assortment of JSDF soldiers and teams of varying degrees of independence.


    From young boys and girls to old men and women.


    They wore colorful costumes that seemed to bare too much skin for combat. They wore armor that shined like glossy plastic. They held ridiculously over-sized weapons of many types from their culture. There was a giant robot.


    They all stared at him with judgment in their eyes.


    Probably, also upset about the whole emptying the Imperial Palace thing. They were undoubtedly worried that he was going to bring trouble to the city and people they protected.


    Which was fair.


    He glanced to the sky.


    The R.S. Raynagon loomed, casting a large shadow.


    Somewhere higher a second skyship, the R.S. Spirit of Rayna waited. Normally, she would¡¯ve already been on her way to her next stop, but she waited for them.


    The JSDF lacked skyships despite having been given several chests worth of float stones a few years ago as part of the loose alliance. They had rather come up with their own designs than copy the rangers. Their first attempt had been to retrofit one of their old destroyers, but what had been built to sail the seas couldn¡¯t do the same in the sky despite all the tricks their engineers and magic users had tried due to structural integrity issues. Fixing those hadn¡¯t proved cost effective.


    Marloes shooed everyone away from him and Kat.


    ¡°Are you ready?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°The kekkaishi will put up a barrier around the compound. I argued against this,¡± Marloes said.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Safer. Just in case.¡±


    ¡°And he¡¯s watching from¡­ somewhere?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    His dad had spoken to him briefly in his mind.


    Close enough to help in an emergency. Close enough to deter demigod interference, if Suiteonemiades was even aware of what he was about to try.


    But, far enough that his hand wasn¡¯t being held like a child.


    That was important.


    If he wanted his dad to green-light his plan then he had to show he could operate without his dad looking over his literal and figurative shoulder.


    ¡°Boy, you better bail the second you feel something off, okay?¡± Kat said.


    ¡°I will.¡±


    She kissed him.


    The judging eyes of his watchers felt like they judged harder.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± He smiled.


    Boot jets and microthrusters carried him over the canal and into the Imperial Palace compound.


    <hr>


    Shanghai, China, January 2054


    Specifically, one of the small, abandoned islands off the coast.


    ¡°How did you get them to agree to this?¡± Haruo Tezuka said.


    Cal shrugged. ¡°I gave them stuff and I killed a thing for each of them that had been a bad match up. Styles make fights, you know?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Cruces-san.¡±


    ¡°To be fair I¡¯ve given stuff to your government too and even more stuff to your independents.¡±


    ¡°Yes. They aren¡¯t happy about that last part.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, I don¡¯t care if your government wants to control the doling out of goodies to keep all the ¡®disrespectful¡¯ young people in line.¡±


    ¡°Their recruiting has, coincidentally, taken a small hit lately.¡±


    ¡°They just have to make it worth it.¡±


    ¡°I am indifferent to all of it.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re looking better than the last time I saw you.¡±


    ¡°My body has healed. It¡¯s my mind that¡­ I¡¯m working on it.¡±


    A few years of torture wasn¡¯t something a person could simply shrug off.


    Haruo had emerged physically stronger from the experience, but as a normal person, he didn¡¯t think that worth the trade off. Nightmares continued to plague the man. And it took so much effort to work through the multitude of seemingly random things he could encounter as part of a normal day that could trigger the waking versions of those nightmares. Consequently, he continued to sleep in an isolated and shielded chamber to protect the outside world from uncontrolled radiation discharges. And he limited his time in populated areas. Only really going out to fight the worst types of monsters and outworld invaders far from other people.


    Strength at all costs didn¡¯t truly work in the vast majority of real world scenarios.


    ¡°Patience,¡± Cal said. ¡°Progress isn¡¯t linear, but you have plenty of time.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what my therapist says. And I believe him. I might have thought otherwise when the spires first appeared, but I can¡¯t deny it anymore. I¡¯m going to have to live a long time unless something stronger gets me.¡±


    Cal didn¡¯t say anything to that. He wasn¡¯t Haruo¡¯s therapist. He knew that the therapist was already aware of that longing tone creeping into Haruo¡¯s words when discussing mortality.


    ¡°It¡¯s quiet,¡± Haruo said.


    They were alone on the tiny island.


    Just the wind and the waves.


    No monsters because Cal had killed them all with a thought on their approach.


    ¡°How much longer do we have to wait?¡± Haruo stared into the dark sky. ¡°So many stars.¡±


    There were a few lights to the west on the shoreline of Shanghai.


    Cal imagined that it looked like a tiny flickering candle flame next to the blazing bonfire that he would¡¯ve seen in the pre-spires days.


    Had he had normal human eyes he would¡¯ve missed the small lights in the larger island between them and the mainland.


    ¡°We¡¯ll let them take a bit longer to look at us.¡±


    ¡°Why? This meeting has been arranged beforehand.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a pride thing. They¡¯ll feel more confident if their spells, Skills and tech can see us. Less tension for the meeting is good.¡±


    ¡°And the Koreans?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re going to be fashionably late.¡±


    ¡°You know, my government was unhappy with you that you didn¡¯t include them.¡±


    ¡°Me?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ they weren¡¯t pleased that you allowed the hot woman to dictate terms.¡±


    ¡°¡®Hot woman¡¯?¡±


    ¡°I refuse to call her ¡®Phoenix Empress¡¯. Since she¡¯s too good to share her real name then she¡¯s the ¡®hot woman¡¯.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fair. I wouldn¡¯t ask you to be friendly to someone that called you ¡®subhuman trash¡¯ at one point.¡±


    ¡°I remember distinctly that it was ¡®subhuman filth not fit to lick even your dog emperor¡¯s excrement encrusted paws¡¯.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t there, but I heard you laughed at her when she asked you out.¡±


    Haruo snorted. ¡°Is that what some people say? She demanded I jerk off into a cup. Said it would be an honor for me.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t let this meeting stray into that sort of bullshit.¡± He eyed the clock in his glasses before taking it off. Recording said meeting was off the table. He had promised. Besides, he could review his memory as many times as he wanted if it became necessary. ¡°I think they¡¯ve had long enough. Would you mind sending a signal?¡±


    Haruo stilled.


    ¡°Just a little puff of that atomic breath straight into the sky. A split-second should be enough. Don¡¯t worry. The radiation won¡¯t be an issue and I¡¯ll take care of it if it becomes one.¡±


    ¡°You have a flare or something in that bag of holding.¡± Haruo pointed out accurately.


    ¡°Sure, but some people might need a reminder. It¡¯s unfortunate, but strength still buys respect. Actually, more these days.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡± Haruo took a deep breath. Then several more.


    Cal kept quiet.


    No need to prod and rush the man.


    Minutes passed before Haruo threw his head back and spat the smallest bit of atomic breath he was capable off.


    The blue-white flash blinded.


    As promised Cal kept the radiation contained until it passed the clouds and dispersed into the troposphere.


    Not that it had been necessary.


    ¡°Nicely done. Good control.¡±


    Haruo¡¯s eyes were wide as he breathed in deep gasps.


    Not a physical issue, but a mental one.


    ¡°Just keep breathing. Find that center and focus.¡±


    An answering flare erupted from the other island.


    A column of plasma burned air in the shape of a bird.


    ¡°How much time do I have? I can¡¯t let her see me like this.¡±


    Weak.


    That was what Haruo thought, what the Phoenix Empress would think.


    Cal didn¡¯t. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. She won¡¯t notice anything off.¡± He refused to elaborate.


    The empress¡¯ flight across the dark ocean took a few minutes when she could¡¯ve done it in a second or two.


    Undoubtedly to force them to gaze at her burning majesty as she shaped her aura into the shape of the eponymous phoenix of myth.


    The fire vanished abruptly as she landed a short distance away from them.


    Imperious eyes narrowed.


    ¡°He isn¡¯t here yet?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, looks like you got out fashionably lated.¡±


    Of course, Cal already knew that. He had picked up on the iceberg submarine submerged a few hundred meters off the island¡¯s eastern coast long before he and Haruo had descended.


    Not that he¡¯d tell her that.


    It served his purpose to have her irritation spread out rather than focused on him.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯s almost here.¡±


    The submarine breached like a hungry shark.


    A figure emerged, leaping into the sky.


    A slide made of ice crystallized from the abundant moisture in the air beneath the man¡¯s bare feet.


    ¡°Slow,¡± the Phoenix Empress muttered.


    Slow, but stylish.


    Much like the empress, the man didn¡¯t go by his real name.


    Indeed, only a handful of people still knew it and when they passed it would be lost to history.


    Unless Cal decided to write it down or tell others, but that was a dick move. He wouldn¡¯t do it unless the ¡®Unkillable Cryonic God Emperor¡¯ dicked him over first.


    Yeah, the man had been an edgelord shut-in back in his teen years when the spires had appeared and changed his life¡¯s trajectory.


    The name he had given himself stuck. Fortunately, the attitude had not.


    Still, the three polities weren¡¯t friendly.


    Conflict in the form of skirmishes over the years built bad blood.


    Only Cal¡¯s loose involvement and the challenges brought about by the Terminus Decree and the Bountiful Decade had cooled down the animosity.


    ¡°Cryonic,¡± Cal nodded.


    There was no way all those words were ever going to come out of his mouth.


    The man nodded.


    There was a slight sheen to his pale skin and black hair.


    An impossibly thin and strong layer of ice so clear that it was hard to spot even with superior than baseline Earthian vision.


    Young in appearance.


    They all were.


    Physical looks decades younger than their chronological ages.


    Some, like the empress and Cryonic, clearly loved that fact. Unlike Haruo, who grappled with the existential questions that the other two didn¡¯t.


    Cal¡¯s views tended to lean with the Japanese man¡¯s even if his mental powers insulated him from those questions.


    What happened to a functionally immortal person¡¯s memories as the centuries turned into millennia?


    Would it be the same for a superhuman Earthian as it was for the High, the eidolons and demigods? Or would they eventually forget earlier memories? Where was the line?


    How could one accept that friends and loved ones would pass from both life and memory?


    History.


    One answer lay in preserving said memories.


    He made a mental note to get some people on creating a method to save memories. He¡¯d have to be heavily involved. Another plate to spin.


    ¡°You floated your little ice cube into my territorial waters,¡± the Phoenix Empress said.


    Cryonic¡¯s eyes flicked over to Cal for a split-second. ¡°I was invited.¡±


    The air around the empress shimmered with invisible heat.


    Cal cleared his throat. ¡°Thank you to everyone for coming at my request. Special thanks to the empress for agreeing to host.¡±


    Technically, she had been the only one to refuse every single one of his suggestions for a neutral site including a skyship, a temporary platform in the middle of the ocean equidistant from their three nations and literally any other location on the planet that was mostly safe.


    ¡°The Phoenix Dynasty is gracious beyond compare,¡± she said. ¡°We are honored to host such a powerful and august assemblage.¡±


    Cryonic rolled his eyes. ¡°Great, yeah, thanks. How about we get to the point, yeah? I don¡¯t know about you, but I¡¯m busy.¡± He regarded Cal. ¡°So, what do you want from me?¡±


    The empress bit back a retort and settled on an imperious gaze at the three men as she regarded them like simple swine beneath her nose. ¡°Yes, we are in agreement with our lesser cousin.¡±


    Cryonic chuckled. ¡°We¡¯re not cousins, ¡®cousin¡¯.¡± He eyed Haruo. ¡°You look terrible. I guess those rumors were true. The question is how many of them?¡±


    ¡°All of them,¡± Haruo grunted.


    Cryonic¡¯s brows raised. ¡°In that case, my condolences. I guess I owe you a bigger debt, Cruces, for warning me about that ritual thing. Which is why I¡¯m even here in the first place. However, I really am busy. Wars don¡¯t fight themselves.¡±


    ¡°Having issues?¡± Cal said.


    ¡°It¡¯s a little annoying how you can pretend with all apparent sincerity that you actually don¡¯t already know even more things than whatever you get from your spy satellites and Omninet,¡± Cryonic said. ¡°It¡¯s hard to keep things quiet when my people just love recording and posting everything while you keep us from censoring things that should be censored. Takes me back to the old social media days. You know, that was one thing I didn¡¯t miss.¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s any consolation, no one is making any sort of profit on anyone¡¯s data.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. The Omninet and the spires marketplace. No more middleman. The old capitalists are very unhappy, but they¡¯re a dying breed. Just a few 90 year old businessmen and CEO¡¯s clinging with brittle fingernails to a long dead dream.¡± Cryonic laughed. ¡°Huh? I guess I might owe you an even bigger debt for giving me their sweet, sweet tears.¡±


    ¡°Sure. Then I guess you¡¯re at least not going to complain about what I¡¯m about to say?¡±


    ¡°I can do that,¡± Cryonic said.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t come here for pointless socialization,¡± the empress said. ¡°The next words out of your mouth better be the reason you prostrated yourself at my feet to gain my largesse.¡±


    ¡°Have you three had the chance to review the footage of my fight with the demigods?¡±


    They had.


    He hadn¡¯t edited it to conceal his abilities because what the satellites and drones managed to record wasn¡¯t half of what he had used.


    It was important that they understood what a demigod was capable of.


    ¡°Could you have done the same?¡±


    Three sets of eyes glanced at each other with mutual enmity and suspicion.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to answer that. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve thought about it. Shared the footage with your tacticians and strategists. Come up with a game plan.¡± He let them mull that over for a moment. ¡°I¡¯ve learned a few important things about the pantheon¡¯s potential plans and I¡¯m willing to share it¡­ for a purpose and a price. A simple promise in good faith. I¡¯m not going to require magically binding oaths or Skill-enforced contracts because I don¡¯t believe there is any Earthian powerful enough to enforce them at the magnitude required.¡±


    ¡°I owe you.¡± Haruo shrugged. ¡°So, as long as it doesn¡¯t mess with the people I¡¯m supposed to protect then I¡¯ll do what I can.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, dude, appreciate it¡­ but you¡¯ll want to hear me out first.¡±

 10.18

    Cryonic laughed. ¡°The only reason I came here to share the air with these two is because you promised me the ¡®greatest opportunity¡¯ I¡¯ve had in years. What you¡¯re giving me is less of an opportunity and more of a suicidal thing.¡±


    Cal supposed it had sounded like that for those that tended to short-sightedness.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it,¡± Haruo said. ¡°Owe you.¡±


    That was a different sort of issue.


    He didn¡¯t want a person to agree out of a combination of resignation and obligation. He wanted a person to have something they wanted to fight for. Those tended to perform better or at least give all their effort.


    ¡°I agree with that one,¡± the Phoenix Empress said. ¡°Look what you made me do, Cal.¡±


    ¡°Ah! The yapping little dog finally realizes her true place.¡± Cryonic sniped.


    The empress sniffed, deliberately blinking at the ice-covered man once before pointedly turning her entire body toward Cal. ¡°However, I wouldn¡¯t refuse you outright. I have suggestions to improve your plan.¡±


    He knew a proclamation when he heard one, so he nodded.


    Not that she was looking for any kind of permission.


    He only did it to preempt her and make it look like he had given her said permission because it irked her.


    Burning eyes narrowed a fraction. ¡°I am willing to discuss remuneration for a force of my strongest fighters to join your attack.¡±


    ¡°Oh, so, it¡¯s murder instead of suicide.¡± Cryonic snorted. ¡°Typical of your kind to waste lives. You¡¯ve always been like that. Why would having a fraction of your population compared to before make it different?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t waste lives. If what Cal said is true then it will be a great opportunity to level and gain rewards. Even a blind dog like you can see that the types of Quests the spires will generate for an event of this magnitude will be epic.¡±


    ¡°Legendary? Mythic?¡± Haruo muttered.


    Cryonic scowled, glancing at Cal. ¡°That¡¯s another problem. He¡¯s clearly not okay mentally. You know what he can do, right?¡±


    Cal nodded.


    ¡°And you want to unleash that in the highest stress environment? Why would I want to be anywhere near that?¡±


    ¡°That is a reasonable question,¡± the Phoenix Empress said.


    ¡°I trust that Haruo will be in a better frame of mind by that time. This isn¡¯t going to happen anytime soon. It¡¯s too early to give you a timetable, but I¡¯m projecting a few years. Plenty of time to come up with a way to mitigate any radiation concerns.¡±


    ¡°Then why bring this to us now?¡± Cryonic said.


    ¡°To give you as much time as possible to prepare. Or to give you as much time to reject the opportunity. You have to be in it a hundred percent. Anything less and I don¡¯t want your help.¡± He regarded the Phoenix Empress. ¡°Not your forces. I don¡¯t care how strong they are. How many levels you can rush them through in the next few years. Not your kids and nieces. Just you or your brother. Anyone else will just end up dead. The demigod won¡¯t have reasons to hold back like you if your people are around. And you can¡¯t hold back if you want a chance.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re doing a terrible job at convincing me,¡± she said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not here to convince. I simply laid out reasonable projections on the possible outcomes for you if the pantheon continues to operate on our planet.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but that¡¯s all happening on your lands. Not ours.¡± Cryonic pointed out.


    Technically incorrect, since Cal hadn¡¯t laid claim to it aside from a few specific locations.


    ¡°And we have our own problems to deal with,¡± Cryonic continued.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯ve tried to get us to work together more. If we¡¯ve been crushing said problems as a unified group one by one since the early days then we wouldn¡¯t be having said problems. All these various outworld conqueror-types and monstrosities wouldn¡¯t have been able to get their little imperial footholds in some of the populations.¡±


    ¡°The stupid ones,¡± Cryonic said. ¡°Is that why you¡¯re bringing him along?¡± He shot a venomous glance toward Haruo. ¡°Don¡¯t care about the collateral damage? I mean, I don¡¯t care since I won¡¯t be anywhere near you guys. The only shame would be about the environment. And, maybe, the irradiated monsters and mutant animals that will undoubtedly start popping up because the spires are bastards.¡±


    ¡°Aid me in my war with the Stone Lords. Once they are eradicated then I shall aid you in turn,¡± the Phoenix Empress said.


    For obvious reasons that wasn¡¯t something he could do.


    He couldn¡¯t leave Southern California for too long lest he risk another demigod attack.


    Not that he was willing to share that particular bit of information.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already helped you out a fair amount recently for nothing more in return than the truce between your nations. I dealt with your Himalayan monster storm and those death worms in Mongolia.¡±


    ¡°The latter have already returned.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but those are tiny baby versions that your people can handle.¡±


    She favored him with a barely perceptible nod.


    ¡°And you¡ª¡±


    Cryonic wave a hand. ¡°Yeah, yeah, I didn¡¯t forget. You helped us out, but you can¡¯t honestly think that fighting a demigod is an equivalent trade of services. You sent us the footage. I¡¯m not foolish enough to throw myself into a fight with someone that can light the sky on fire and you claim that demigod was weaker than the one you want us to assassinate.¡±


    ¡°Which is why it would be better for all involved to work together before more demigods can arrive.¡±


    ¡°You said that isn¡¯t a concern for the near future,¡± the Phoenix Empress said. ¡°Although, you won¡¯t share how you know.¡±


    ¡°Sharing them defeats the purpose of having secret sources. You¡¯ll just have to trust me.¡±


    Cryonic snorted.


    ¡°Only the foolish would trust without some level of independent verification,¡± the Phoenix Empress said.


    ¡°It¡¯s pretty simple, really. We¡¯re being colonized. You know this. The only reason you haven¡¯t been receiving more pressure from ambassadors from a bunch of different outworld polities is because they¡¯re still constrained by rules the spires has laid down. Rules that no one has any idea how long they¡¯ll be in effect. Do you want to be on the back foot when those get lifted? Do you want to keep living on this planet?¡±


    It was a simple calculation.


    There was an infinite number of potential worlds they could move to and live free from the unique challenges on Earth.


    They would never be able to truly escape conflict, but life was a lot safer and easier on a non Terminus World without the Bountiful Decade and the greater proliferation of World Events.


    To leave was, by all quantifiable metrics, the rational choice.


    Cryonic shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m not a dictator like her.¡± He cast a contemptuous gaze at the empress. ¡°I¡¯ve been helping people pay the transit fees to get to different worlds for awhile now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not surprised. You¡¯re a dog people that runs away with their tails tucked at the first since of adversity.¡± The Phoenix Empress sneered. ¡°Flee, coward! This world belongs in the hands of those willing to bleed for it!¡±


    Cryonic¡¯s face froze, giving her a look filled with the cold, implacability of a glacier¡¯s grinding advance. ¡°I didn¡¯t say I was going to leave with them.¡±


    The Phoenix Empress flared.


    Heat met cold and raised the humidity in a wide expanse around them.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not do that, please. We all agreed to the no violence rule, regardless of insults and other things that don¡¯t matter.¡±


    They reined in their powers and became closer to human once more.


    ¡°Is it just us?¡± Haruo said.


    ¡°There are a few others. In the interest of transparency, no one has agreed yet. Like I said, this likely won¡¯t happen for a few years.¡±


    ¡°And all you¡¯re offering is an opportunity?¡± Cryonic said.


    ¡°I told you I¡¯m willing to negotiate for future exchanges of service.¡± Cal regarded the Phoenix Empress. ¡°Aside from the obvious things that I¡¯ll never agree to.¡±


    ¡°Quest rewards,¡± Haruo grunted.


    ¡°What about territory?¡± Cryonic said.


    The Phoenix Empress¡¯ laugh was like a musical instrument. ¡°And what would you do with that when you admitted that your population shrinks by the day?¡±


    The ice-covered man didn¡¯t dignify her with a response.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about territory,¡± Cal said.


    They wouldn¡¯t be able to maintain their hold on it from their homelands without placing their people on said territory.


    ¡°Keep in mind that if you want land in the Americas then you¡¯re responsible for it. I won¡¯t necessary help you if they get in trouble.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that what you¡¯re all about?¡± Cryonic snorted. ¡°Flying all over the world and sticking your nose in other people¡¯s assholes.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯d help your people. Help them all the way back to you.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t an either or proposition.


    Helping their people didn¡¯t necessitate helping them hold on to said territory.


    ¡°Regardless, that¡¯s all hypothetical. You¡¯d have to be strong and skilled enough to survive in order to do your little land grabs and that isn¡¯t a guarantee.¡±


    ¡°If I were to agree then I demand a quicker timetable. You said it yourself. Why wait for the lone demigod to get reinforcements?¡± the Phoenix Empress said.


    ¡°Because I can¡¯t join you until those ritual barriers are gone.¡±


    It was a bit more complicated than that.


    Sure, he could¡¯ve sent the three of them into D.C. tomorrow if he wasn¡¯t concerned about all the innocent lives that would¡¯ve been lost in the epic fight.


    Casualties were unavoidable, but he could lessen them considerably and since he was capable then he was obligated.


    He didn¡¯t add that he wanted the time to prime said innocents for when the time came.


    It would¡¯ve been a lot easier without the old American government¡¯s strict policy of bringing as much of their desired population into their capital as they could and keeping the vast majority of them there.


    Easier to maintain control.


    ¡°They won¡¯t stop,¡± Haruo said. ¡°I¡¯d rather fight them there than in my home.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s right, but I¡¯m sure some other outworld polity or eldritch monstrosity will be there to whisper in your ears with promises of aid and power. All for a reasonable price depending on your level of desperation.¡± Cal nudged their thoughts slightly to pay very close attention to his words. ¡°You watched my fight with two demigods. The sky and forest on fire. The sides of the mountain destroyed. Countless monsters and animals vaporized just because they were in the area. Mt. Rushmore no longer exists. Parts of the Black Hills are now flat, charred and blackened swathes of lifeless land to this day. And that was me being able to control where the fight took place. Picture all of that in the heart of your home. Seoul,¡± he eyed Cryonic, ¡°Beijing,¡± he turned to the Phoenix Empress, ¡°if you truly care about your people then you¡¯d do everything you could to have that fight anywhere else.¡± He didn¡¯t need to remind Haruo. The man knew the impact of a fight at their level of superhuman had on the surrounding environment. ¡°It¡¯s a lot harder to fight when you¡¯re worrying about them, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Silence stretched like a contemptuous cat that maintained eye contact while one yelled at her to get out of the fruit basket.


    Their only accompaniment were the waves crashing into the shore a few kilometers in the distance.


    ¡°It seems to me that this is all very at the beginning. It¡¯s a little too light on details for me to commit one way or the other,¡± Cryonic said. ¡°Honestly, only a stupid moron would agree when all you¡¯ve really shared was that you¡¯d arrange for an instant teleport to Washington with zero explanation. I guess he¡¯s all in,¡± he indicated Haruo, ¡°but I¡¯m going to need more before I trust that this isn¡¯t some kind of trick to get rid of me.¡±


    ¡°This discussion is pointless without a guarantee of your presence at the fight. I may be persuaded to lend my eternal flame, but I only burn for my people. Not for you and yours. In the meantime I graciously invite you to begin negotiations. You can have my flame but only if you give me something equivalent,¡± the Phoenix Empress said. ¡°I pronounce this meeting ended. You may depart at your leisure, but don¡¯t linger.¡± This she said with a laser-like glare at Cryonic.


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    The ice-covered man rolled his eyes before departing down the hill on a slide of ice appearing seamlessly under his bare feet.


    ¡°Thank you, empress. I¡¯ll be in touch about the negotiations.¡±


    Cal lifted off the grass with Haruo in tow.


    <hr>


    Tokyo, Japan, January 2054


    Alin pushed the gray to cover the entirety of the Imperial Palace. All the structures and the park grounds.


    They had removed the dozens of sacrificial ritual circles the ¡®Five Evils¡¯, as the teens had been dubbed, had created a few years ago.


    The stone circles had been physically dismantled. Every part of them utterly destroyed with magic.


    Mikos and kannushis had utilized their prayer magic to, hopefully, cleanse the ground where the circles had been laid. Blood and suffering had soaked deep into the physical and the spiritual.


    He saw no remains of the former.


    Once dark soil had been replaced with fresh grass. Wooden floors inside the buildings, including the palace itself had been ripped out entirely. Every surface defiled by the Five Evils¡¯ work had been replaced.


    As for the latter?


    He felt¡­ traces.


    Of?


    Something?


    ¡°Is that good? Or bad?¡±


    He walked cautiously to the closest spot where a ritual circle had once sat.


    Beneath a cherry blossom tree.


    From what he understood from his research and talks with the people Marloes had introduced him to the cherry blossom trees had once been confined to specific gardens in the Imperial Palace compound, not spread out all over the place.


    That had changed because the trees were slightly magical now thanks to the Skills and spells of their specialized caretakers. The roots pulled the corruption in the soil, while the branches and pink flowers did the same from the air.


    What did it say about him when he could feel the trees reacting to the gray with something between anger and fear?


    ¡°Sorry, guys. I won¡¯t be here long. Just be cool. I¡¯m doing this to help make sure what was done here won¡¯t be done again.¡±


    He filled his words with emotions.


    Empathy, compassion, righteous anger, resolve.


    Whether the words or emotions, something worked, as the hundreds of trees scattered all over the compound relaxed, for lack of a better word.


    They had done a good job of removing the taint.


    What remained was faint, but he could feel it and commit that to memory.


    The gray wouldn¡¯t forget.


    He would know it if he came across it again.


    To be certain, he continued his self-guided tour through the fog-shrouded Imperial Palace.


    The passage of time became uncertain as he walked on green carpet and under pink umbrellas with small spots of darkness like burn marks of corruption seared into the fabric of existence.


    ¡°Doing alright in there, Goldenspoon?¡±


    He blinked.


    That was Kat on the comms.


    ¡°I¡¯m still here, S.W.¡± He had lost himself a bit there. The clock in his HUD glared at him accusingly. Almost 3 hours had passed as he meandered his way across the grass guided by the gray. ¡°I¡¯m at the entrance to the Imperial Palace.¡±


    ¡°Do you still need to go inside?¡±


    He heard the concern in her voice.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t picked up enough yet?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m¡ª I¡¯m not sure.¡±


    ¡°The worst crap happened in there.¡±


    ¡°Their cleansing efforts have been good. At least out here. I know we were a little worried about any lingering¡­ stuff, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say anything!¡± she snapped. ¡°We don¡¯t tempt the spires or anything else.¡±


    He winced in anticipation of a chime, but relaxed a long moment later when one didn¡¯t come.


    ¡°I¡¯m already here,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°¡®Kay. Set an alarm. 5 minutes. I don¡¯t like you losing time like this. You should¡¯ve done it at the start.¡±


    He obeyed her command with a cybernetic thought. ¡°Alarm set. How long do you think?¡±


    ¡°No. I don¡¯t want you wandering around in there by yourself for too long. I think you should head to the worst ritual circle or what¡¯s left of it. The throne room probably or where they kept Haruo. Worst spot leaves the strongest impression, right? If you can¡¯t find what you need there then it¡¯s time to move on.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ sure¡­ that sounds right.¡±


    He took a deep breath and reassessed his surroundings.


    The gray was a comforting blanket that had spread through every part of the Imperial Palace. Not a single living thing remained hidden. Lots of small animals skittering around in the walls and in the emergency tunnels running beneath. Yup. Regular animals. No mutated ones. No monsters. As safe as anyone could ask, really.


    ¡°I¡¯m going in.¡±


    ¡°I love you.¡±


    ¡°Love you too.¡±


    ¡°If you need us we¡¯re ready to jump in.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. I won¡¯t forget.¡±


    ¡°Seriously, even if you don¡¯t call we¡¯re coming in if your vitals get all weird.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t. At least make sure that I know you¡¯re coming. I don¡¯t want to risk friendly fire.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll follow protocols,¡± she sighed. ¡°Be careful.¡±


    ¡°I will.¡±


    If he had to summarize what he thought about the Imperial Palace he¡¯d say it was fancy.


    Then he¡¯d shrug.


    Interior design and decor wasn¡¯t something he really paid attention to.


    He was more of a functional minimalist type that liked his spaces easy to use and didn¡¯t require a lot of thinking.


    Thus, the fancy sculptures in their alcoves and the various artworks on the walls didn¡¯t leave a significant impression on him. Not that he couldn¡¯t recognize and acknowledge the skill and passion the artists had placed into their creations. He wasn¡¯t a philistine.


    None of that stopped him from keeping a close watch on the artwork.


    Sculptures in museum-type encounter challenges and spawn zones tended to come to life as violent monsters. While paintings could disgorge monsters or suck one into a secret instance within the greater space. Those tended to give greater rewards for a greater challenge.


    ¡°Stop it,¡± he muttered.


    Talk about jinxing it.


    ¡°What do you guys think?¡±


    The gray remained silent as¡­ well¡­ fog.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind some of that vague insight.¡±


    He bypassed the other ritual circle locations scattered throughout the Imperial Palace in favor of heading straight for the throne room as discussed.


    It was eerie because of how empty it was.


    Sometimes he forgot how big of a deal his dad was.


    All it took was a request and the emperor vacated everyone on a few days notice.


    Kind of put a bit of added pressure on him to be honest.


    He couldn¡¯t, say, set the whole place on fire¡­ accidentally, of course. He definitely didn¡¯t want to break anything.


    Boots echoed across the corridors.


    He was certain that the wood, new as of a few years ago was of the highest quality. Laid down by the highest leveled craftspeople. Even the odd paper walls, some plain, some with drawings or protective symbols judging by the magical emanations he felt through the gray, were obviously of the impossibly high quality that came from the use of Skills and spells.


    He pressed a gloved finger on an empty patch of opaque paper bordered by thin slivers of wood that seemed to shine.


    The 5 minute alarm beeped.


    He dismissed it with a cybernetic thought.


    The temptation to find out if it really was just as strong, if not stronger than a normal wall lingered for a moment before he stepped away and continued.


    Fancy doors flanked by intimidating statues of guardian oni separated him from the throne room.


    He paused and felt what lay beyond through the gray.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ Kat was right.¡±


    What had been faint echoes lingering around the other ritual circle locations was akin to a Tempertones concert.


    Which was to say, loud.


    Intellectually, he knew that was to be expected.


    He had read the reports.


    The amount of suffering the Five Evils had inflicted on the people in the Imperial Palace a couple of years ago had been staggering in its intensity and scope.


    Emotionally?


    He almost turned around.


    Would¡¯ve have turned around if not for what felt like a strong hand on his shoulder and a weaker, but no less firm, hand around his wrist, pushed and pulled him toward the throne room.


    Well¡­ shit¡­


    ¡°You guys going to elaborate?¡±


    Silence.


    As usual for his one-sided conversations with the echoes of his relatives in the gray.


    ¡°Seriously, you guys better not leave me solo on this one if you want me to go in there.¡±


    He stepped forward.


    The pressure vanished so suddenly that he questioned it had been there in the first place.


    It would¡¯ve been nice to chalk it up to his spooked imagination, but the gray was of him, in him.


    He knew without a doubt.


    The door yielded to his hands.


    Stone eyes seemed to follow him as he passed over the threshold.


    Empty.


    Gray.


    The loud emotions he had felt silenced.


    Multi-weapon in hand and armor¡¯s defensive systems ready to engage in an instant he stopped.


    The dark stain of the Five Evils¡¯ deeds wasn¡¯t constrained to a single spot like the others across the grounds.


    It was all around him.


    Many blended into one.


    Small into large.


    Yet?


    As he tried to take it in through the gray, he felt it shifting from one large into many small, like ripples in water going backward and forward without any discernible pattern.


    He fixed it into memory despite feeling like he was swimming through the spilled gore and offal of a giant monster.


    ¡°They¡¯re screaming¡­¡± he whispered.


    He blinked, eyes widened.


    The alarm in his helmet beeped.


    The clock was¡ª


    He had missed two cycles.


    10 minutes had passed.


    The gray swirled.


    He ignited his multi-weapon, turned on his armor¡¯s forcefield.


    An alarm beeped in his ears.


    No!


    Not a beep.


    A chime.


    ¡°Nooo¡ª¡±


    Congratulations!


    You have received a Quest.


    Cl¡ª


    He dismissed it with a thought.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got something incoming!¡± he said into the comms. ¡°Standby for more¡ª shit¡­¡±


    The telltale low drone of static greeted him unpleasantly.


    So, it was one of those.


    There wouldn¡¯t be any help from outside the Imperial Palace.


    Even if they tried to get inside the spires would stop them.


    They came out of¡­ everywhere.


    He couldn¡¯t see them, just the shapes they left in the gray.


    Hardlight blade erupted as he cut through something that screamed like a little girl.


    The yellow light never looked more sickly than in that moment.


    His forcefield flashed with each impact that sent spikes of bone-chilling cold deep in him.


    Rage and pain wailed all around him, echoing through the throne room, bouncing off the walls to rise to a crescendo that had him fighting down the panic at the malfunctioning of his helmet¡¯s auditory protections.


    Yellow cut through the gray.


    Blue flashed like the twinkling of stars above a cloudy night sky.


    Frantic seconds told him a story as the dying experiences of over a hundred people filled him through the connection through the gray.


    Ghosts. Spirits. Echoes.


    The word didn¡¯t matter.


    These were those people tortured and murdered by the Five Evils in the ritual they had learned from the demigod.


    Although his dad had yet to seize confirmation of that last bit, a lot of evidence pointed in Suiteonemiades¡¯ direction.


    The barriers carried the same flavor, so to speak.


    His dad had sensed it through his psionic powers.


    Ms. Teacher had used magic to pronounce it with certainty.


    Others with lesser abilities had come to a similar conclusion.


    He only had the scant number of ritual sites in the Philippines to go by, but he was also certain that those were the same as the one he stood in.


    ¡°Not people, just echoes,¡± he said through grit teeth as they flew through the gray to land bone-chilling blows as they vented their anguish on the only one available. ¡°How am I supposed to cleanse this place?¡± He cursed.


    The last thing he wanted to do was to take them into the gray.


    He wasn¡¯t some kind of soul sucking monster.


    The echoes of his relatives had been in there since before he had even known he had the gray inside him. And he hadn¡¯t added a single soul since. Not monster, not human. Never.


    He tried to drain them.


    Just a little.


    But stopped and recoiled as if touching a hot pan.


    They were weak.


    The slightest pull would¡¯ve been enough for him to subsume their essence.


    Nope. Nope. Nope.


    He had to free them. Not consign them to another prison.


    The wood floor groaned as the entire throne room shook.


    His HUD beeped a warning.


    Motion detected when it had completely blanked on the many echoes swimming all over him.


    Sculptures come to life.


    Paintings disgorging monsters.


    He touched them with the gray. Just a slight pull, like testing the first bite on a line when he was out fishing with Kat¡¯s dad.


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    He had a suspicion that he just confirmed.


    The sculptures and painted monsters contained the same anguish and hatred.


    They had been given life by echoes flowing into them.


    He shrugged.


    Easier to destroy physical objects than the incorporeal.


    Eyes darted to each, targeting them for some micromissiles.


    He was definitely going to break something.


    Many things.


    Sculptures and paintings to be exact.


    The doors banged open.


    Two giant oni statues wielding studded kanabo bent to get their fearsome horned heads through the threshold.


    The throne room rumbled with thudding steps.


    Alin found himself in the middle, like a matador surrounded by bulls.


    ¡°God. Damn. It.¡±

 10.19

    ¡°Some help, guys?¡±


    A thruster-assisted jump carried him over outstretched limbs and weapons.


    Away from the oni statues seemed the smarter move.


    Cold spikes of pain continued to shoot from different parts of his body as the incorporeal echoes continued to swirl the gray all around him.


    He landed in the mouth of a monochrome monstrosity.


    Horrifying, but it would¡¯ve been worse had the painting the monster emerged from been done in a realistic style.


    He cut the gaping mouth, opening it up like the petals of those cherry blossoms.


    The monster vanished, leaving black ink and torn paper on the floor.


    Easier than he had expected.


    He turned and fired his micromissiles.


    Sculptures shattered.


    Living paintings splashed dark ink and wet color across the floor.


    The huge oni statues lumbered toward him on ground-shaking steps only separated by the rest of the smaller monsters.


    ¡°Seriously, no help?¡± he muttered.


    The echoes of his relatives seemed to think that they weren¡¯t needed.


    He could feel their presences in the gray. Just on the other side of manifestation.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, this is a ghost fight. Like, it¡¯s made for you guys.¡± He winced. ¡°I¡¯m getting tired of the cold needles.¡±


    He targeted the two oni statues.


    Their carved faces were fixed in a rictus of anger, baring tusked teeth.


    They raised their kanabos. Like his cousin Tessa¡¯s except a lot bigger, if comparable in weight.


    Stone thundered, falling like trees.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    The gray cleared around the monsters as if a bomb had exploded, sending shards and paint in every direction.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    He hadn¡¯t expected the oni statues to attack the rest of the monsters, but he¡¯d take it.


    Throne room guardians.


    He hadn¡¯t known.


    Whatever made things easier.


    The echoes of over a hundred torture victims wailed in unison, driving him to his knees at the sudden assault that cut through his helmet¡¯s auditory protections.


    Cold. Rage. Bitterness that scoured at what felt like his soul.


    The oni statues dropped their weapons to clutch at their ears despite those things not working in a biological sense.


    A storm swirled in the fog around the statues.


    He caught glimpses of disembodied men, women and children scratching and tearing at stone skin.


    Their faces were twisted rictuses reflecting their horrifying fates.


    Stone gray eyes flared with light that roiled his stomach to look at.


    The storm calmed.


    The oni statues retrieved their weapons and fixed him with baleful stares.


    So much for the help.


    He fired a second barrage of micromissiles, chipping away at the oni statues.


    More durable than they should¡¯ve been based on their composition.


    No bets on the cause.


    He knew through the gray that all the echoes had entered the statues.


    They clashed across the throne room.


    Stone kanabo crated the floor and smashed the walls.


    Their quickness belied their mass.


    Yet, he was still too quick for them.


    The gray filled him with power. Artificial muscles in his power armor further enhanced.


    Yellow flashed in swirling gray as he carved deeply into stone flesh.


    He stepped out of the line of attack, letting the kanabo thicker than his thigh crash through the wood floor.


    Raising his hardlight blade into a high guard, he ignored the spray of splinters from the oni statue¡¯s back swing.


    Yellow fell, gray rose.


    The former shattered into a thousand disappearing pieces while the latter split in two.


    The oni statue brought its suddenly halved weapon down.


    Yellow light flared.


    The stone weapon broke wood where it fell with stone hand still clutching it.


    If it bothered the statue to be disarmed it showed no sign as it punched down at Alin with its stump.


    He met it with a vertical stop cut, high to low, neatly bisecting the stone arm nearly all the way up to the shoulder.


    Lunging low he swept right to left.


    The oni statue toppled like a cut tree, sending gray billowing out.


    Despite being down an arm and a leg it still tried to rise.


    That baleful glare made Alin¡¯s stomach clench.


    A thruster-assisted leap carried him out of the path of the second oni¡¯s kanabo smash.


    Yup.


    He had definitely failed to avoid damaging the Imperial Palace.


    At least the throne was still¡ª


    Thunder cracked.


    He muttered a curse.


    The oni statue had hurled its kanabo like a gun fired a bullet, utterly demolishing what was probably really old.


    The emperor could afford a replacement.


    Maybe even have the spires rebuild it exactly as it had been.


    Would that have been good enough for the Japanese?


    He supposed it depended on their thoughts on the Ship of Theseus paradox thing.


    The crippled statue reached out with its one remaining hand.


    Wailing echoes emerged, plunging into the other oni statue.


    The sickening light in its eyes intensified.


    The oni statue charged.


    Alin side-stepped, ducking beneath a clubbing stone arm to land a horizontal cut across its knee.


    Hardlight blade cracked, barely scratching the stone skin.


    He boosted out of its reach.


    Micromissile barrage knocked it backward.


    Helmet laser bored multiple holes through its neck.


    Thrusters shot him forward.


    Multi-weapon turned into a long-handled axe at the speed of cybernetic thought mid swing.


    The blade shattered, but not before it cleaved through the stone.


    The echoes wailed, erupting from the served neck like a pyroclastic cloud except it plunged him into bone-chilling cold as it engulfed him rather than instantly combust him via the intense leading wave of heat.


    A cloud within a cloud.


    That was what it was like as the echoes swirled through the gray.


    He couldn¡¯t touch them with physical weapons.


    Certain knowledge he had gleaned from the gray.


    He spat a curse.


    Cold needles stabbed into him from every direction. In what felt like every body part.


    ¡°I¡ª I can¡¯t.¡±


    He had one sure way to end it in an instant.


    ¡°Damn it, guys!¡±


    Except, they were incorporeal, which meant they didn¡¯t have physical bodies to drain to the point of collapse.


    Draining them to the brink wouldn¡¯t make a big difference. Even weakened, they¡¯d keep attacking, which meant that the Quest couldn¡¯t end.


    ¡°Do you really want these poor bastards as your new roommates in fogspace? Don¡¯t you think they deserve¡ª¡± his voice fell to a whisper, ¡°the freedom I can¡¯t give you?¡±


    It started with a feeling.


    The flash of movement out of the corner of the eye. The wind across the back. The brush against a sleeve. Murmurs just over the edge of hearing.


    The tortured echoes¡¯ wailing grew to a crescendo as if they too sensed what was coming.


    Family.


    Relatives that he had never known.


    Killed and subsumed by the monstrous entity that had birthed him into existence.


    Shrouded figures in the gray marked by their passing through the swirling wisps like sharks creating ripples and eddies on the ocean surface as they hunted rather than visible, physical forms.


    The first, as usual, was all aggression and anger.


    Young.


    Filled with bitter rage at a life that should¡¯ve been filled with epic deeds.


    Superstrong fists beat at the wailing echoes.


    Alin could almost hear the gunshot-like cracks. Never mind the fact that he was the only one with a physical body in the throne room.


    Others leapt from nonexistence heralded by faint lights of color.


    A myriad.


    Every one on the spectrum.


    He could almost see the glowing weapons striking down the wailing echoes. Shields of many shapes and sizes surrounding him in their aegis.


    The bone-chilling needles savaging him vanished.


    Warmth flooded him with relief like his favorite blanket.


    The wailing echoes retreated toward the center of the throne room, gathering into a whirling tornado filled with every negative emotion Alin could think of.


    The echoes of his relative pursued.


    Superstrong hands plunged into the tornado heedless of the toll taken in return.


    He could almost see heads and limbs ripped from bodies.


    See fists plunged into faces and through ribs.


    A long sliver of faintly glowing red light half again as tall as he was swept in a wide horizontal arc. It cut or broke bodies. He couldn¡¯t tell. The wielder, he could almost see, seemed to look back at him with a dismissive toss of what felt like long, black hair that flowed well past her shoulders.


    Teal walls appeared. Or had they been there from the beginning? Only revealed by gray wisps brushing against their faintly glowing surfaces. Four of them. From floor to high ceiling, boxing the wailing echoes in.


    The end came quickly and he didn¡¯t have to lift a finger.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± he whispered into the gray as their presences vanished.


    Alone again.


    He waited and received the spires notification.


    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Quest complete.


    Universal Points rewarded.


    Visit the nearest spire for the rest.


    Yay.


    He couldn¡¯t quite find it in him to celebrate.


    Drained.


    He felt like his limbs were weighed down with iron weights.


    Of course.


    Why wouldn¡¯t they be?


    He had expended energy without taking any in return.


    Not that he¡¯d do it differently.


    The echoes of the Five Evils¡¯ victims deserved freedom even if only in oblivion. They didn¡¯t deserve to trade an old prison for a new one.


    The throne room was ruined.


    Expensive-looking wooden floor was covered in craters. Holes filled the walls. At least they weren¡¯t made out of paper.


    Or was that worse?


    Paper did seem easier to replace than wood.


    The two oni statues lay broken. Pieces strewn everywhere.


    The throne?


    Well¡­ it no longer existed.


    Alin emerged from the Imperial Palace into a mass of pointed weapons and readied spells.


    ¡°Boy! What happened?¡± Kat was still in the command center a few blocks away according to his HUD.


    ¡°A sudden, but inevitable Quest.¡± He raised his hands to comply with the shout. One shout. One voice. Not a confused mess of multiple commands. Good discipline. ¡°Please tell them I handled it.¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°They¡¯re going to check you for spiritual possession.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± he shrugged.


    They lacked the levels and expertise to detect anything off about what was contained within his mortal shell.


    The thought brought a bitter smile to his face.


    To this day, every medical scan, through Skill or spell, always came back as human.


    Only Ms. Teacher could detect the gray and even then she had said that it was difficult.


    He had to pass a gauntlet of tests to get approval to go back to the command center.


    A miko chanted a prayer and wiggled her torimono around him. A kannushi did the same, but used strips of paper with ink-written symbols. Cyborgs violated his privacy with scanner tech only made possible by the Skills possessed by their classed creators.


    Pure tech or magitech?


    The only way he could tell the difference was through the mana.


    Otherwise form and function were identical.


    ¡°And so, I used my abilities, which are secret¡ª for op sec reasons, I¡¯m sure you understand¡ª to release the echoes from their torturous partial existence. Of course, I regret the damage accrued by the throne room through this unfortunate and unforeseen occurrence.¡±


    The general looked like he was chewing shards of glass rubbed against a skunk¡¯s stink glands.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, though. I don¡¯t hold any sort of blame for not warning me about the possibility of a tormented ghost attack¡­ and Quest. If you had known, I¡¯m sure you wouldn¡¯t have allowed me to go in there alone.¡± He regarded the emperor¡¯s¡­ assistant? The young man sat next to the general. ¡°Here. I¡¯ll give you half the Universal Points I got for cleansing your emperor¡¯s, uh, lands.¡± A simple act of will brought up the exchange interface superimposed over his vision. He transferred the amount before anyone could say anything or refuse. He wasn¡¯t a cultural expert, but he thought that by throwing the ball on their side of the court he made it so they couldn¡¯t refuse or it¡¯d be giving bad face.


    Unless he had that wrong.


    The Phoenix Dynasty and the cultivators were big on face.


    It occurred to him that he had no idea if that applied in this situation.


    The emperor¡¯s assistant accepted the points for what it was worth.


    A long, exhaustive question and answer session followed.


    He bore the weight of it when all he wanted to do was get into comfy clothes and into a warm bed, preferably in Kat¡¯s equally warm embrace.


    Normally, he would¡¯ve been the big spoon, but after that experience, the little spoon called to him.


    Dreams of cuddling ran across the back of his thoughts like tiny sheep hurdling a tinier fence while he answered questions.


    <hr>


    ¡°He looks exhausted.¡± Kat¡¯s eyes darted from Cal to his son significantly. ¡°More than normally.¡±


    They watched the not-interrogation on a huge flat screen on the wall in crisp 4k.


    It was an ancient TV given what amounted to eternal life by the Skills of the people responsible for maintenance.


    ¡°He is.¡±


    Cal agreed and he didn¡¯t his powers to see that.


    His son¡¯s face took on that wide-eyed look when he was struggling to keep his eyes open and appear like he really wanted to pay attention to something that bored him to sleep.


    ¡°It¡¯s a good challenge.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ he just did a horrible Quest¡­ solo,¡± Kat said.


    ¡°It was horrible, but not that difficult for him. Granted that was if he hadn¡¯t handicapped himself. Regardless, I believe he handled it the best way for him. The psychosomatic wounds are healing and will be gone in a few days.¡±


    ¡°He had needle punctures, like, on every part of his body.¡±


    ¡°All closed by the healing gel,¡± he pointed out. ¡°The worst of it now is just fatigue. Sure, it¡¯s the worst kind of fatigue. But nothing a long rest and plenty of food and liquids can¡¯t cure.¡±


    ¡°This is a waste of your son¡¯s time,¡± Haruo grunted from where he slouched in a chair in the corner of the office as far away from everyone else he could be while still remaining in the space.


    The command center had been once a police station.


    They sat in a common area.


    Long-dead police officers had used it long ago for their breaks and meals.


    It was surprisingly packed.


    Some of the people he knew or recognized, while most he didn¡¯t.


    Well¡­ not exactly.


    He knew them all.


    Had files.


    Some more secret than others.


    Potential recruits.


    Potential threats.


    The surface thoughts of those he had never interacted with carried a similar train of thought.


    They saw the gear Marloes and Dashing Bandit Celebration had from working with him and they wanted in.


    Not just the gear, but the levels and experiences.


    And all the rewards from Quests that trended to a higher standard than what they could expect to get staying in their local areas.


    As usual, if they thought of the heightened challenges, it was just in that small voice of reason and common sense that their type tended to ignore.


    He couldn¡¯t be too upset about it.


    People that lived the common sense life didn¡¯t seek out the worst Quests and monsters just to level and grow stronger.


    ¡°Cruces-sama, did you know that there were still ghosts in the palace? Did the emperor¡¯s people?¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration chirped.


    He suppressed a sigh.


    He knew for a fact that her high-pitched voice was an affectation.


    She also insisted on her mahou shoujo name rather than her real one.


    Well¡­ she knew what she wanted, so he had to respect that.


    Names were just made up words anyways.


    He had insisted on the Threnosh calling him ¡®Honor¡¯ for years, so it wasn¡¯t like he could throw stones from his glass house.


    ¡°There were traces from the ritual despite the good work your people did to cleanse them, but no, I didn¡¯t know there were actual ghosts. You¡¯ll have to ask the emperor¡¯s people if they did.¡±


    ¡°I believe we can lay the blame for the ghosts on the spires,¡± Marloes said.


    ¡°Oh!¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration raised a hand. ¡°I can guess! See, it¡¯s like this¡­ before there were always a ton of people walking all over the palace. Doing magic and using Skills. So, like, there was probably a trigger condition for the Quest. Which was only met when they emptied the place and Boy went in there by himself. I think it was like there was a maximum or maybe minimum strength level for the Quest.¡±


    One of the mahou shoujo¡¯s tanuki plushies flew into the room with a cup of chocolate.


    She took the cup and sipped, but made a face. ¡°Ew¡­ not hot,¡± she held it up to the plushy, which looked at the chocolate. Steam began to rise after a few moments. ¡°Thank you!¡± She patted it on the head before it flew up to the ceiling to join the other tanuki plushies in watching over their master.


    Cal decided then that he really needed to put Eron on a mission with Dashing Bandit Celebration.


    It would be fun for her and very embarrassing for him.


    Yes.


    That needed to happen.


    He hadn¡¯t collected on the oldest brother tax in some time.


    ¡°That sounds like a reasonable theory.¡±


    He glanced around the room.


    Several people, most of them really, had printed out resumes hidden somewhere on their persons. In bags of holding or normal ones.


    Those things were useful.


    Comparing their self-assessments to his file played a large role in where he ranked them for suitability on one of his teams.


    A sharply-dressed woman walked in flanked by a pair of teenage assistants that presented as mere interns.


    Obviously, they were not.


    Though that had yet to become common knowledge among the community.


    The boy and the girl were very superhuman.


    Top level potential.


    Of course, he knew about them despite the Japanese government doing their best to keep them secret.


    They were testing him.


    Mentioning something would reveal things about himself.


    Thus, he pretended to be oblivious.


    The woman inclined her head to him a fraction.


    He returned it. ¡°Princess.¡±


    She said nothing and ignored the rest of the people in the room despite every single one rising to their feet and bowing. With one exception.


    It wasn¡¯t a slight, though it might have looked like it.


    She simply didn¡¯t do empty conversation.


    Honestly, he admired that.


    She was all about her responsibilities.


    Much better than others that were always trying to butter him up for some kind of gain or advantage whenever he allowed them to notice him in the room.


    The princess approached Haruo with her secretly superpowered interns in tow.


    Haruo¡¯s face was a blank mask as he stood and bowed deeply at the waist.


    Cal felt a little bad for the man.


    Bringing Haruo along had opened the man up to the ambush.


    Marloes regarded the not-interns through narrowed eyes. She looked at him with raised brows.


    She sensed something, but didn¡¯t know what.


    He shrugged.


    Not his secret to share and it was better if the government believed he had no idea about their secret weapons.


    Kids deserved to be kids for as long as possible before they were thrown at things like him.


    Haruo knew, of course, even if no one had told him.


    Cal thought of a saying from the ancient courts of his youth.


    How did it go?


    Game recognizes game.


    Power knew power.


    The teens studied Haruo with a mixture of awe and confused disappointment.


    ¡°You honor me, Hime-sama,¡± Haruo said.


    ¡°And you have ignored me,¡± the princess said lightly. ¡°Politely and with good reasons always. I would thank you on behalf of my father, myself and the people of Japan for destroying that kaiju before it could burrow into Mt. Fuji. I was told that had it done so it might have caused an eruption that would have made the greatest in recorded history look like a water fountain.¡±


    ¡°I exist to serve everyone.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but it occurs to me that the generals forget that you are a part of that everyone. You must be served as well. It isn¡¯t acceptable that we keep you in your bunker only to let you out to fight the worst monsters like you¡¯re just a weapon.¡±


    ¡°I have no complaints.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes,¡± she waved a hand, ¡°I understand you¡¯re concerned about the safety of the people, but there are measures we can take to protect them that are better for you than total isolation.¡±


    A containment suit for one.


    Like the kind Lucy wore.


    Cal had given several and the Japanese government had made their own.


    All of them worked.


    The problem was Haruo¡¯s transformation.


    To date no one had been able to make a suit that could remain intact through that process.


    There were magic spells and Skills that could be employed, but those only mitigated the radiation and its effects to an extent.


    Sadly, Haruo had the potential to take out Tokyo and almost every living thing in it in his worst case scenario.


    A nuclear meltdown to end all meltdowns.


    Haruo was only sitting in the room for the princess to put him on the spot because he and the general trusted Cal to keep everyone safe in that event.


    To be fair, Cal hadn¡¯t given them much of choice even if he hadn¡¯t spelled it out explicitly.


    He agreed with the princess.


    Isolation wasn¡¯t good for Haruo¡¯s mental state.


    Haruo would never learn to trust himself around people without actually being around people.


    Oh, but the risks were real too, so they couldn¡¯t just dismiss those out of hand.


    Time, practice and therapy.


    Cal was confident that those would work eventually.


    There was just no telling how long and Haruo needed to do it at a pace he was comfortable with.


    Certainly, not at a pushy princess¡¯ pace.


    He nudged her slightly with a thought before her stubbornness overruled her empathy.


    ¡°You¡¯re wise, Haruo-sama.¡± She nodded. ¡°The people of Japan are fortunate that it was you and no one else that received your powers. My invitation will always be open. When you are ready. There are some that would benefit from your wisdom. Even if it is only to share your story.¡± She gazed at her not-interns with genuine affection.


    That was good, Cal thought.


    She saw them as people rather than weapons and she really wanted the best for them.


    It was part of the reason why her perception of Haruo¡¯s treatment in light, well, especially because his mental state was a direct result of his service to the previous emperor.


    She felt guilt despite not being responsible for it in any way.


    She had vowed that the teens wouldn¡¯t be treated like weapons regardless of what anyone in the royal family, government and military thought.


    ¡°I¡ª I would like that, Hime-sama. You honor me with words I don¡¯t deserve.¡± Haruo bowed.


    ¡°Until then.¡±


    The princess left, flanked by the teens.


    Wide eyes followed her the entire way.


    The boys and men, at least the straight ones, had eyes for a predictable part. Same with the girls and women, who weren¡¯t straight.


    Cal sighed.


    Class effects magnified what was already there.


    ¡°She¡¯s so elegant!¡± Dashing Bandit Celebration whispered.


    ¡°Poised,¡± Marloes said. ¡°The rest is a perfectly tailored appearance. From her hair down to her shoes.¡± She looked to Cal. ¡°A Skill for perfect poise and balance on those heels?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d know better than me.¡±


    Mahou shoujos and their combat high heels.


    ¡°Probably a better quality one since she¡¯s a princess. Maybe a total Skill that enhances everything from balance to posture to hair staying in place rather than individual Skills for each thing.¡±


    Dashing Bandit Celebration raised her hand.


    ¡°I told you, please don¡¯t do that.¡± Cal rubbed the bridge of his nose.


    ¡°I know.¡± She stuck her tongue out. ¡°But it bugs you, so there!¡±


    He would¡¯ve been offended had the mahou shoujo acted younger than her age as an affectation.


    But, no.


    She was just genuinely like that and he had to respect her staying true to herself despite the negative reactions she drew from the more traditional elements of the Japanese combat scene.


    Granted, many of the independent fighters had their quirks.


    ¡°Fine,¡± he rolled his eyes. ¡°What¡¯s your question?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been holding onto a Skill choice from the last mission,¡± she said. ¡°I would like your thoughts. That is to say, please tell me which one to take.¡±


    Marloes snorted. ¡°I told you that you have to pick it yourself. Stop asking other people. No one wants to get blamed if you end up not liking your choice.¡±


    He regarded his son up on the TV.


    The not-interrogation was about halfway done.


    He might¡¯ve nudged it along to finish quicker, but he judged that it was good practice.


    ¡°Alright, tell me about your choices.¡± He pulled out a sheet of paper and pen from his bag of holding.


    It didn¡¯t take long for the others in the room to gravitate to the impromptu game theory session in an effort to show him they were smart and competent.


    To her credit, Dashing Bandit Celebration welcomed all.


    The clever young woman had positioned herself as a gatekeeper of sorts to Cal¡¯s super secret and super profitable team program.


    The much friendlier one compared to Marloes.


    Cal gave the equivalent of mental shrug.


    He was always looking for good candidates.


    Part of him always hoped that he wouldn¡¯t find any.


    Better they stayed local and alive rather than going international and dying decades before their time to leave a widow and children behind.

 10.20

    Seattle, Washington, February, 2054


    It rained.


    The words encapsulated the Pacific Northwest. Especially, during the rainy season which was about half the year.


    Cal stood on the school¡¯s roof listening to the harsh staccato the heavens pummeled into his umbrella.


    Why use plastic when a simple telekinetic forcefield would have kept him completely dry when the wind decided that it rained sideways in random spurts?


    For the people watching, of course.


    He had given them a scare appearing on the roof without their notice.


    To be fair he had called them to let them know he was there.


    Naturally, they were upset that he hadn¡¯t presented himself and obtained permission to enter their city.


    It was a good reminder for them.


    Why appear on a school¡¯s roof in the first place?


    Because the person he wanted to speak to was doing story time for the kids.


    Although, he questioned the appropriateness of doing Alien in fire puppet form for under 10-year-olds.


    He did see Sophia¡¯s reasoning at telling a monster story.


    Monster were real and it was mostly beneficial for kids to understand that as early as possible.


    He was right there with the kids in their classroom. Watching through his astral form as fire puppet Ripley played her deadly game of mouse and cat with the fire puppet xenomorph.


    Sophia sporadically interjected to highlight the clever tactics the fragile human used to stay one step ahead of the implacable alien predator.


    He was both saddened and pleased to see that many of the kids were taking notes in a serious manner.


    Any knowledge that might save their lives in a similar situation one day was good knowledge as far as he was concerned.


    The kids gasped. They hid their eyes behind splayed fingers. They jumped and screamed. And finally, mercifully, they cheered as the ultimate predator vanished out of the airlock in a puff of smoke.


    Sophia bowed, beaming at the kids before saying a few words of encouragement about learning their lessons well.


    ¡°And always remember that even though you are all smol and squishy you aren¡¯t weak. Just use your best weapon.¡± She poked her forehead. ¡°Your brains, duh!¡± she said when they looked at her with confusion.


    ¡°What do we say to Ms. Freeman?¡± the teacher, a grizzled old fighter hiding a magitech laser eye behind an eyepatch and a magitech foot in vintage Air Jordans said.


    The roared as one.


    ¡°Thank you, Ms. Freeman!¡±


    ¡°Aww¡­ it¡¯s always fun for me. I hope it¡¯s the same for you!¡±


    The smile vanished as soon as she stepped into the hall and closed the door behind her.


    Up the stairs she strode.


    Quickly, briskly.


    Concern flashed across her features, but she mastered them before she stepped out into the rain.


    She flicked her lighter, pulling the tiny flame into a copy of the umbrella in his hand.


    The soft sizzle was almost lost in the pounding on the rooftop.


    She smiled though it didn¡¯t reach her eyes.


    ¡°So, some weather we¡¯re having.¡±


    He didn¡¯t scan her thoughts out of respect. Just kept his passive scanning for threatening thoughts directed at him that he tended to keep up when not in places that he considered safe in part because said places had several different threat detection systems in play.


    ¡°I always kinda thought it was weird that you and Isaac decided to live here. But, I thought about it more and rain all the time isn¡¯t really that big of an inconvenience for people with fire powers.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s good exercise. Not that it makes much of difference for my brother.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t give me that. I know you know.¡±


    ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t watch personally. It¡¯s mostly the satellites and they¡¯re programmed to specifically look for sudden and impossibly powerful eruption of heat. It¡¯s what your brother asked me to do.¡±


    ¡°I know that. You¡¯ve got your ¡®countermeasures¡¯,¡± she gave him angry air quotes as if attacking the air. Her fire umbrella flared. ¡°He still won¡¯t tell me what those are.¡± She crossed her arms underneath her chest.


    ¡°And I can¡¯t share them unless he tells me it¡¯s okay.¡±


    ¡°Why are you here? Another mission for my brother to lose more of himself? Oh, but it¡¯s worth it, I¡¯m sure.¡± She scowled. ¡°What did he say? Never mind. Of course, he agreed.¡±


    ¡°Actually, I didn¡¯t. He didn¡¯t. I came to you first.¡±


    ¡°At least you¡¯re not too much of a dick to bother him at this time.¡±


    ¡°When have I ever done that?¡±


    ¡°Fine. That was unfair of me.¡± She huffed as the flames over her head swelled for a moment before receding like a pot on the verge of boiling over being pulled off the stove. ¡°You¡¯ve never done that and we¡¯re¡ª I¡¯m grateful.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been a few months since I¡¯ve talked to you guys.¡±


    He waited in silence, giving her the space to decide how much she wanted to share if she wanted to share in the first place.


    In a way, he was being most unfair because he already knew the situation.


    He had spoken true about the satellites, but had lied by omission about the other ways he kept tabs on Isaac.


    The man had asked to protect the people of Seattle from himself if necessary.


    Cal had promised.


    ¡°Is the system losing its effectiveness?¡±


    Sophia looked off into the distance before responding. Unlike her brother, she was not made of fire, merely controlled it. Yet, her eyes seemed to blaze as she took in the rain-soaked city. The skyscrapers in the distance. The needle-like building standing out from the rest.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not. It¡¯s still working like your wizard friends promised it would.¡±


    ¡°Do you need them to give it a look? Do some maintenance?¡±


    ¡°Thanks, but that won¡¯t be necessary. We¡¯ve got our own wizards now and we¡¯ve developed classes and Skills enough that maintenance isn¡¯t an issue. My hope is that time and experience will bring levels, which will bring improvements so that my brother¡­ well, you know how it is.¡±


    ¡°The more his flame is siphoned the more human he is. We¡¯re still working on a more portable version of the system so that he can walk around instead of spending most of his days cycling between each chamber. How¡¯s they system handling the energy load? Are 4 chambers enough? I know that projections put you at about 8 months to a year before you might need to add a chamber.¡±


    He already knew the answers, but conversation was an integral part of being human.


    Plus, he didn¡¯t need to confirm Sophia¡¯s paranoia about the whole spying thing.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay for now. The siphon and conversion machines are running perfectly. We¡¯ve been keeping up with our energy storage crystal production. Thank you, again, for providing the raw materials for that.¡±


    Pulling crystalline formations from the ground wasn¡¯t that difficult and a few tons lasted a long time.


    He didn¡¯t even charge them for it.


    Earning good will was better than tangible wealth, like precious metals or Universal Points.


    He had enough of the latter two and could get more practically at will.


    ¡°We have enough to power the entire city for years with what Isaac has put out to date. From the way things are going we¡¯ll run out of room to store the crystals before anything else.¡±


    ¡°Start selling them. I¡¯ll buy some. The energy is fire-aspected, but I might have heard somewhere that can be converted into something like neutral energy, which can then be converted into whatever. Granted, doing that might be extremely complicated and only a handful of people on this planet have the combination of knowledge, power and skill to do it in an efficient and non-explosive manner.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what we¡¯ve gathered from our experiments, but I wouldn¡¯t say no to anything you¡¯re willing to share instead of payment. Maybe you can facilitate some trading. Something like, we give 2 crystals of fire energy and get 1 back of the neutral or another type?¡±


    ¡°I think we can get you a better return than 1 for 2.¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯d really have no problems with us selling them?¡±


    ¡°Nope. Why would I?¡±


    ¡°On the spires marketplace?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°We won¡¯t be able to vet every single buyer.¡±


    ¡°You want a no sell list?¡±


    ¡°Well, yeah, I don¡¯t want to sell a fire crystal with enough energy in it to power an entire building for a year to some genocidal murderhobo adventurer or genocidal religious cult. I¡¯d feel somewhat responsible if some crazy pyro dictator immolated the rebellion or something. Or some asshole mage creates an army of fire elementals and burns down a forest. You know where I live. The last thing I need is for the spirits of the rainforests to develop a grudge.¡±


    ¡°I would think they¡¯d give this place and you a wide berth.¡±


    ¡°Harder to burn wet stuff in the middle of a rain storm. At least it is for me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve always wondered why you guys settled here. The environment is inimical to your powers.¡±


    Sophia shrugged. ¡°It rains a lot. We thought it¡¯d help keep Isaac¡¯s fire down. Moving to a hot and dry place seemed like it was asking for trouble, especially, for everyone else around us.¡±


    She didn¡¯t include herself in the category of those at risk from Isaac¡¯s impossible flames even though she was merely resistant, not entirely immune like him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get you that list right away.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm, no rush¡­¡± she mused with a painted fingernail tapping her cheek. ¡°How bout a second list?¡±


    ¡°Sure. What kind of parameters are you looking for?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be like Santa Claus. A good list to go along with the bad one. I want the crystals to go to good people.¡±


    ¡°According to whose standards?¡±


    ¡°Mine, mostly, but you¡¯re a good dude, so I think I can trust yours also. And I don¡¯t want just the rich and powerful that can afford what I¡¯m thinking are going to be pretty expensive costs. I¡¯m looking to give young, good people a boost. And good communities that can save points and put them to other uses instead of power generation and defenses.¡±


    ¡°I saw that you¡¯ve got a lot more of those magitech flamethrower emplacements on your walls.¡±


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°Using the crystals are actually a lot less volatile than the fuel we used before. They last a lot fucking longer too.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure that the forest spirits aren¡¯t already pissed off at you?¡± He grinned.


    ¡°Nope. All the druids and nature-type people said it¡¯s cool as long as we don¡¯t burn the forests. Besides, not all forest fires are bad. You know, that circle of life balance stuff.¡±


    ¡°So, three lists then?¡±


    ¡°Whatever works for you.¡± Sophia regarded the city skyline once again, chewing the inside of her cheek. ¡°So, what are you here to ask my brother to do?¡±


    ¡°Nothing in the immediate future.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a fight, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°I promised not to bother him unless it was for something that would really make a difference.¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure. I just wish that you¡¯d ask him to help for anything else except that. He does enough fighting just to keep us safe.¡±


    ¡°It would be to keep you safe. You had a chance to review what I sent you from last year?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m up to date on everything you send.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure.¡±


    ¡°Just because I don¡¯t respond doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t read and watch. I get how dangerous this demigod thing with the Americans can turn out. Thank God they haven¡¯t attacked us. Condolences, again for your losses.¡±


    ¡°What happened there could happen here to you guys. I think you recognize that.¡±


    ¡°As long as they have a hate boner for you then they won¡¯t try anything with us. You said it yourself. They lack the resources and power to fight a war on more than one front. Although, from what your reports say, they¡¯re not fighting much of a war at all.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what happens when their war machinery keeps getting blown up or dismantled. Honestly, the demigod teleporting in is the only real threat they have.¡±


    ¡°As long as you¡¯re sure that they don¡¯t have nukes.¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t. At least none of the old Earth conventional ones. They¡¯re working on a variety of magical ones, but for some strange reason their magic-types just can¡¯t push through the mental blocks keeping them from a breakthrough past more than a couple of steps.¡±


    ¡°Do you really need to bother my brother?¡± She sighed. ¡°In person? A message or call wasn¡¯t enough?¡±


    ¡°Opsec,¡± he shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m doing all of these little head¡¯s up talks in person. Less risk of eyes and ears I don¡¯t want getting a look and listen. Really, it¡¯s nothing like nailing him down to commit right this instant. Depending on how many I can get, he might not even be needed.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to ask you to make that happen.¡± She beckoned him toward the stairs. ¡°You can talk to my brother, but kinda sorta put him at the bottom of your list, yeah?¡±


    ¡°You got it.¡±


    ¡°Promise.¡±


    ¡°I sense a ¡®but¡¯.¡±


    ¡°It might end up being a short list.¡±


    <hr>


    Norway, June 2054


    Alin blinked at the sun, not directly because he wasn¡¯t the sort of moron that stared at the sun.


    He had been expecting it, but seeing the sun out when his watch said 9 p.m. was disorienting.


    The shuttle dropped him and Kat down in a grassy meadow where Uncle Eron waited for them before flying back to the skyship.


    Two weeks-ish until the next skyship rotated in.


    More than enough time for him to investigate a few remnant ritual circles both in the wilderness and in settlements in the region.


    The stone circle teleportation network would make travel easier.


    At least it was a lot more dignified than being carried by his uncle.


    ¡°That was a waste of their time,¡± his uncle said. ¡°I could¡¯ve just carried the two of you.¡± His uncle balanced a huge, wooden treasure chest on one shoulder lightly.


    ¡°Thank you, but no,¡± Kat said. ¡°We were not about to look like babies in front of all the cool rune fighters.¡±


    The people in question were being very loud inside the massive walled fairgrounds they had erected outside their larger, walled town.


    It wasn¡¯t an original pre-spires town.


    The closest one was a few kilometers down the narrow, winding road.


    The new town, Second Asgard, got its name because the founders had been literal children when they had decided to start something new rather than remain in the old.


    As orphans, they had preferred to look forward than cling to the past.


    A past that only contained pain, suffering and death.


    ¡°The summer solstice!¡± His uncle took a deep breath taking in the flowers in the meadow. The grass. The freshness of the air. ¡°I can¡¯t wait for you to try Nadras¡¯ meads. So many different flavors!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve tried them before. You¡¯ve brought bottles over, like, every birthday and holiday you can make.¡± Alin felt that he was quite familiar with the troll prince¡¯s brewing.


    ¡°I like them!¡± Kat added.


    ¡°It¡¯s way better fresh!¡± his uncle said.


    Guards up in the tall watch tower waved down as they walked up to the gate.


    Monster corpses littered the grass in greater piles the closer to the thick walls of earth, wood and stone that appeared partially grown owing to the chaotic nature of the three materials melding together. Glowing runes covered the surfaces.


    A quick look revealed that there seemed to be a pattern to which runes had been etched into which surface.


    At least 4 different runes per surface, which made 12 in total.


    He itched to push his gray out to taste their flavors so to speak.


    The morbid part of him wondered if they felt like Lilah¡¯s sigils. Especially, the one sigil that made him feel really bad.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the door?¡± Kat squinted at the wall.


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s right there.¡± He pointed at a section of the wall that resembled a tangled nest of twisted roots and branches, complete with berry-bearing vines and flowers.


    As if on cue, the roots and vines moved, pulling apart to reveal the interior of the festival grounds.


    ¡°Relentless!¡± a guard bellowed down. ¡°Will you drink with me later?¡±


    His uncle narrowed his eyes as he gazed up.


    ¡°Is that Thor Jr? Jesus H. Christ, kid! What¡¯s your mommy feeding you? You¡¯re like half a foot taller and a couple of feet wider since the last time I saw you. And that was barely a year ago.¡±


    As if his uncle didn¡¯t have eyes that made an eagle seem like they needed glasses.


    ¡°Yeah!¡± the big young man beamed and shot thumbs up. ¡°You remember!¡±


    ¡°Of course, kid! How could I forget that loud voice? You know where to find me when you get off watch duty.¡±


    Alin hesitated as they neared the runes, but felt nothing in the end.


    Kat grabbed his hand and pulled him along as they followed his uncle.


    They were stopped many times by people who had great big smiles, crushing handshakes and even more crushing bear hugs for his uncle and, to his mild consternation, him and Kat.


    ¡°Everyone is so tall,¡± Kat whispered.


    ¡°Really? I didn¡¯t notice.¡±


    At a hair over 6 feet, he appeared to occupy the lower end of the scale compared to most of the men and no small amount of women.


    Kat was tiny by comparison even though back home she was above average for a woman.


    ¡°Let¡¯s head to the main food tent. That¡¯s where Nadras will have most of his dispensers and I¡¯ll introduce you to at least some of the leaders,¡± his uncle said.


    To call it a tent was wholly insufficient.


    It was more like multiple tents each the size of a Southern California McMansion. They covered an area that, at a glance, was larger than one of the old arenas back home that they used for ancient sporting events and the GCA.


    A mass of humanity greeted them beneath the high-ceilinged canvas.


    Enchanted with runes, of course, otherwise they would¡¯ve needed a lot more pole and cable support to hold everything up.


    Children darted through the throng waving colorful strips of cloth tied to the end of thin, flexible sticks.


    Sparkling bubbles trailed from the flapping ends.


    He walked into a cluster, popping them with his face.


    ¡°Strawberry?¡±


    Music filled the air, mingling with a riot of happy conversations and challenges.


    They were greeted with smiling faces.


    Rather, his uncle was.


    The ones he and Kat got flowed off his uncle.


    He returned them as best he could despite feeling slightly uncomfortable.


    Too many unfamiliar people in an unfamiliar place.


    Even if the vibe was just like the street festivals they had back home.


    The smells were glorious.


    People ate on long tables and benches.


    Serving men and women carried trays of grilled meat and glasses of beer or mead continuously from somewhere else.


    Skills had to be in play because he couldn¡¯t see any of them handling the load otherwise.


    A tiny, slip of a woman twirled around him and Kat with what looked like ten huge glasses in one hand, a triple-stacked set of trays in the other and a fourth balanced on her head.


    A loud crash suddenly hushed their immediate vicinity.


    A young man glared at a mess of broken glass and amber gold rapidly seeping into the short grass.


    ¡°Party foul! Whoever had Sven in the pool is the winner!¡±


    ¡°Not so fast!¡± Sven, Alin presumed, snapped. The young man pointed at the mess. ¡°Undo My Mistake!¡±


    Reality went into reverse.


    Shards flew to his hands, turning into whole glasses filled with amber liquid with just the perfect amount of foam.


    ¡°I¡¯m not out yet!¡± Sven crowed as he continued to his destination.


    Alin¡¯s uncle brought them near the center of the massive tent where a happy woman sat atop a ridiculous-looking wooden throne set atop an even more ridiculous platform.


    Her dark hair was done up in a braid that resembled a crown atop her head. A pretty face marred by several scars, including a wicked looking one. Three wavy lines running diagonally all the way from the corner of one eyebrow to the opposite jaw line. Muscular biceps not that far off from his own flexed as she raised a wooden stein the size of a beer barrel.


    The runes tattooed all over her arms and body judging by the faint glow underneath her thin summer dress flared with obvious magic.


    ¡°We would have words from the queen of the day!¡± a voice called out.


    ¡°Speech! Speech! Speech!¡± the chant echoed.


    ¡°No! I am queen, thus I proclaim. No speeches! So, Drink! It¡¯s the solstice! Sk?l!¡±


    Boots stomped into the grass.


    Fists pounded the table.


    Several hundred people shotgunned their beer or mead, or at least gave it their best shot.


    None of them beat the queen, who not only downed the barrel, but almost finished ahead of them all.


    She pounded the empty barrel on her platform.


    ¡°More!¡±


    ¡°Your majesty,¡± his uncle sketched a bow while keeping hold of the treasure chest.


    ¡°Eron!¡± the queen leapt into his uncle¡¯s arm more like a young girl than a grown woman.


    Alin remembered the stories.


    His uncle had told a sanitized version, progressively getting closer to the full truth as he had gotten older between each telling.


    Evil Santa Claus. Children stuffed in a magic sack. A toy making operation kilometers beneath the Earth¡¯s surface that would horrify the hardest of men and women.


    ¡°Deirdre. Did you grow again?¡± his uncle said.


    Now that the woman wasn¡¯t lounging on her throne, he could see that she was very tall. At least six inches on his uncle, which meant five inches on him.


    ¡°You say that every time,¡± she laughed. ¡°I stopped growing a long time ago.¡±


    ¡°I guess I¡¯m the one shrinking then. It happens to us senior citizens. Let me introduce you to my nephew and his girlfriend,¡± his uncle said.


    Alin barely reached a hand out when he found himself crushed in a tight embrace.


    Kat barely had the time to narrow her eyes when she joined him.


    The hug went on for too long by his estimation.


    Granted he wasn¡¯t a hugger of random people.


    That required a deep degree of familiarity.


    Greetings were exchanged.


    ¡°Welcome! Welcome! To our St. John¡¯s Eve festival! Drink, eat, be merry!¡± Deirdre said.


    ¡°Thank you for having us!¡± Kat smiled. ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to experience the midsummer stuff in this part of the world since I watched this movie one time.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry we don¡¯t do ritual killings here. Nor do we stuff you in wicker effigies with bees¡­ why anyone would do that, I never understood?¡± She regarded his uncle with a dubious expression.


    ¡°Listen, I was just telling you kids stories because you asked and what I knew about this region was from movies,¡± his uncle said.


    ¡°We weren¡¯t thinking that, like, at all,¡± he said. ¡°This is exactly what we were expecting from what Uncle Eron had told us.¡±


    ¡°So, where¡¯s everyone? I¡¯d like to do the introductions before,¡± his uncle sighed, ¡°people start with the challenges.¡±


    ¡°Jonas and Thor had to take a party into the forest to put down a spawn zone.¡±


    ¡°Where? I¡¯ll go right away.¡± His uncle¡¯s smile vanished in an instant.


    Deirdre waved a hand. ¡°It¡¯s okay. Just a small one. Annoying because it keeps turning into a spawn zone at the most random of times. Almost like on purpose, you know how it is?¡±


    He nodded. ¡°Bountiful Decade.¡±


    ¡°The rest are around, roaming.¡± She waved vaguely in all directions. ¡°Nadras is the only one that we can easily track down. Come! I shall take you to the brewmaster! Peasants!¡± she addressed the crowd underneath the main food tent. ¡°Your queen departs! But, we shall return! Until then¡­ eat and drink!¡±


    ¡°Sk?l!¡± the roar echoed on their heels.


    ¡°Remember, don¡¯t look scared,¡± his uncle whispered.


    ¡°We won¡¯t,¡± Kat said. ¡°You showed us a lot of pictures and video.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s an 11 and a half feet tall gray-blue troll. It can be a shock the first time in person.¡±


    Alin shrugged.


    They had tangled with more monstrous things. He figured it wouldn¡¯t be a shock in the way his uncle seemed to think.


    Though, he supposed thinking of monsters immediately when thinking of the troll was the sort of bias his uncle didn¡¯t want them to have.


    ¡°I¡¯ve met Vee¡¯s cragant friend,¡± Kat said.


    ¡°She¡¯s basically a much bigger human,¡± his uncle said. ¡°A troll is different.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine, Uncle Eron,¡± he said. ¡°We¡¯re rangers. I think we can control our expressions in a relaxed party setting.¡±


    ¡°You know what¡­¡± his uncle mused. ¡°That¡¯s fair.¡±


    The troll prince had his own large tent from which to distribute his passion.


    Meads of many flavors.


    Sweat or savory.


    Sweat and savory.


    Skill and magic combined to create something that couldn¡¯t be done without them.


    At least that¡¯s what the glowing text underneath the glowing sign on the side of the front awning said.

 10.21

    The troll¡¯s setup was blatantly magical.


    Clear hoses hung from beneath small buckets, which in turn dangled from the top of a slender pole.


    Mead flavors were labeled clearly in that same glowing magic writing that looked just like holographic projections.


    Except for one hose at each dispensing station that was labeled with a winking troll face in miniature surrounded by blinking question marks.


    Mystery mead, obviously.


    The troll in question loomed over the human crowd from behind a large bar where he, along with busy bartenders dispensed mead for those that eschewed the self-service option.


    It seemed that most of them did so just for the opportunity to exchange a few happy words with the troll judging by the wide smiles on every face.


    ¡°He¡¯s mostly got people teeth, just bigger,¡± Kat whispered.


    ¡°See? I told you.¡± Uncle Eron snorted. ¡°Nadras is a vegetarian. We¡¯re technically more evil than him when comparing diets.¡±


    ¡°Plants are alive,¡± Alin pointed out reasonably. ¡°Druids say they feel pain. They even send messages to each other warning about things coming to harvest them or eat them. Kinda dark when you think about how they can¡¯t exactly run away.¡±


    ¡°Not the weird ones. They can move and fight back,¡± his uncle pointed out just as reasonably.


    ¡°Technically true, but how often do we eat those kinds?¡±


    ¡°Magical cooking is ubiquitous in some places.¡± His uncle stared off into space for a moment. ¡°I¡¯ve seen mandrakes¡­ not earth mandrakes, but the weird kind. Either they mutated or someone or something brought some seeds over from another world. They have faces. The way they scream when¡­¡± he shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ve been getting guiltier of late about the eating thing.¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯re like a plant in one way. All you need is sunlight.¡±


    His uncle sighed. ¡°But that tastes like literal nothing.¡±


    ¡°You know we don¡¯t eat anything sapient, right?¡± Kat rolled her eyes. ¡°There¡¯s a robust system in place to make sure of it. No one wants an accidental, evil cannibal class.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t be a cannibal unless you eat the same species as you,¡± he said.


    ¡°Hmm, that is true to the definition, but how will the spires judge it if we eat another sapient species like our friend, Nadras?¡± Deirdre mused.


    ¡°We are technically flesheaters,¡± his uncle said. ¡°Eh¡­ it¡¯ll be fine as long as you don¡¯t self-identify as that or are forced to partake in a twisted ritual type thing.¡±


    ¡°I understood that the American flesheater problem had been dealt with many years ago. The parade of meats, correct?¡± Deirdre said.


    ¡°Meat Parade¡¯s done. Flesheaters still pop up every once in a while, at least in places we can go to. But the last actual Meat Parade member we found was, like, 4 years ago.¡±


    ¡°That is good news!¡± Deirdre smiled. ¡°Those that eat human flesh must be eradicated from existence without delays.¡± She punched her fist into her palm. The crack echoed like thunder momentarily bringing a hush over the crowd as heads swiveled looking for the source of the sound. ¡°Sorry! Sorry!¡± she called out. ¡°Your queen for the day was careless.¡±


    The many runes on her arms lost their glow.


    The noise had drawn the attention of the towering troll prince.


    ¡°Eron!¡±


    The troll¡¯s voice was like the rumbling of the earth or the grinding of boulders as they tumbled down a mountain slope.


    Alin tamped down the flight or fight instinct as Nadras hurried from behind the bar to sweep his uncle up in a crushing hug. ¡°What is this? You bring gifts?¡± he plucked the huge treasure chest with one long-fingered hand, palming it like a small ball.


    ¡°Actually, that¡¯s from them,¡± his uncle nodded. ¡°My nephew, Alin, and his girlfriend, Kat. Rayna¡¯s Rangers. And the gifts are for everyone here, really, so don¡¯t get greedy, Nadras.¡± His uncle pried himself free of the hug with ease to land back on the grass. ¡°Alin, Kat, this is Gruntlerionadras. Prince of Trolls. I mean, he has the class, so you know it¡¯s legit. Not that he¡¯s much about his kingdom and what not.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a mere prince of a minor kingdom. I certainly don¡¯t claim to be one for my entire species on my original world. Let alone, the greater troll species across the spires multiverse.¡± The troll demurred. ¡°And I prefer ¡®Nadras¡¯ from friends. Since you are kin to Eron, then I insist upon that address. None of that ¡®your highness¡¯ or ¡®your majesty¡¯ nonsense.¡± He rolled dark eyes. ¡°I didn¡¯t come to this world just to live the same life.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m happy to meet you, Nadras!¡± Kat smiled as she stuck out a hand, which the troll shook delicately. ¡°I¡¯ve heard stories about you.¡±


    ¡°From Eron?¡± Nadras said warily.


    Kat nodded as Alin took the troll¡¯s hand.


    ¡°It is unfair because Eron can¡¯t get drunk,¡± Nadras sighed.


    ¡°Not entirely true,¡± his uncle said. ¡°Some of that magic stuff you brew can get me a bit of a buzz¡­ for like a minute¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes,¡± Nadras waved a hand, ¡°while I make a fool of myself.¡±


    ¡°Hey, man, I¡¯m not making you drink.¡±


    ¡°It is the principle. My culture demands it.¡±


    Alin took a moment to study the troll.


    Towering.


    Lanky and muscled in that wiry way.


    The only articles of clothing Nadras wore were a man skirt and suspenders-like harness filled with tools and pouches along with large bags hanging from a thick leather belt.


    Large from his human perspective. They looked small to medium-sized around the troll¡¯s waist.


    Gray-blue skin evoked images of a cold, frozen landscape with howling winds whipping snow and ice sideways.


    Nadra¡¯s face was actually comforting since it was human-like aside from a longer, hooked nose and long, knife-like ears that extend from the side of his head horizontally.


    He suspected that his primal human instinctive fears, the uncanny valley, so to speak, weren¡¯t triggered by Nadras¡¯ smile because the teeth looked just like what he saw in the mirror.


    Nope.


    Not sharp and pointy at all.


    Vegetarian, indeed.


    He realized that fact went along way to ease him.


    ¡°Oh, right, our gifts. Do you guys have a freezer? Like a lot of them or a huge one? Like the size of a room?¡± he bent down and picked up the huge treasure chest awkwardly cradling it while he opened the lid.


    It was a chest of holding, thus it only weighed about the same as a single plate, 45 kilograms, despite containing close to a half ton of¡ª


    ¡°Ice cream! The 250 Flavors Initiative! A friend¡ª¡± he felt the cheer and smile drift away like sand through his fingers. ¡°Frequency was their name. A Threnosh. You might have heard.¡±


    ¡°We are aware of them,¡± Deirdre said. ¡°We¡¯ve actually made overtures in regards to trading, emigration and boring stuff like that. But, this ice cream initiative sounds more like what I¡¯d be interested in!¡±


    ¡°We, we are interested!¡± Nadras bent down to peer into the chest. ¡°Oh? These flavors¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I figured you¡¯d think they were cool after Uncle Eron told me about your brewery.¡±


    Deirdre hummed. ¡°Excuse me, I need to get a freezer tent set up and I¡¯ll have to herd a few people to handle distribution.¡± She wandered away yelling at the top of her lungs for a freezer tent and loyal peons.


    ¡°Come,¡± Nadras took the chest out of his arms and beckoned, ¡°I have freezing runes in the back.¡±


    They followed the gray-blue troll through a curtain behind his bar.


    ¡°Oh, Nadras, he¡¯s going to need that chest back,¡± his uncle said.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right.¡± He had completely forgotten.


    His uncle shrugged. ¡°Your dad was very specific about not losing it.¡±


    ¡°I can see why Cal wouldn¡¯t want to accidentally misplace this magic item. Its quality is on par with the best artifacts in my kingdoms real secret repository.¡± Nadras grunted appreciatively.


    Alin had forgotten where his dad had won the chest from.


    The army of clone rapists? The half blood, half cancer serpent demon? Or was that demon serpent? That sexual fiend traveling minstrel?


    Meh.


    It wasn¡¯t that important to him.


    ¡°Nadras?¡± Kat said. ¡°Did your kingdom have a fake secret repository?¡±


    ¡°Yes, of course, Ranger Kat. At least 3 that I knew of, which weren¡¯t exactly the same 3 that any number of my siblings knew of. It always shifted, but I had narrowed it down to a little under 30 fake secret repositories.¡±


    ¡°That sounds¡­ needlessly complicated.¡± The logistics of keeping that many stashes and all the items stored made his head hurt. His dad could¡¯ve kept track, but that was because of psionic prime mental powers.


    ¡°I always thought so.¡± Nadras held the treasure chest in one hand while he cleared space on a large set of shelves affixed with runes glowing an icy blue while giving off a hint of condensation. ¡°An entire mainframe had to be devoted to cataloging. Please don¡¯t ask about the fake mainframes.¡±


    ¡°Please do,¡± Uncle Eron said.


    Nadras sighed.


    ¡°Especially, what sort of information they kept on those fake mainframes.¡±


    ¡°Perverted pictures and recordings. Tiny cute animals doing cute things. Large ugly animals doing ugly things. So and so forth.¡±


    ¡°Oh, like those meme things?¡± Kat said.


    ¡°I guess,¡± he shrugged. It had been awhile since history class on pre-spires Internet. Some of it had been recreated in a way on the Omninet, but owing to his dad¡¯s bias such ¡®harmful and pointless content¡¯ wasn¡¯t allowed to proliferate like a ¡®data plague¡¯.


    ¡°Yeah, your dad¡¯s the ¡®man¡¯,¡± his uncle said. ¡°So much for freedom of speech, eh?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s old man talk,¡± he whispered to Kat.


    She nodded.


    Her parents were the same.


    ¡°Um, if you don¡¯t mind me asking, how old are you, Nadras?¡± Kat said.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ good question. I believe I am roughly 310 years old. It¡¯s hard to say because the measurement of time differs on your world compared to mine and the handful of other worlds I spent time in on my way here. My world is larger than yours and sits farther away from its sun.¡± The troll cleared enough space on his freezer shelves to turn his attention to the contest of the chest. ¡°Ah! An inventory list. How helpful!¡±


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    ¡°I picked every available flavor, but obviously went heavier on the normal ones.¡±


    ¡°Steak and fries? I don¡¯t believe I¡¯ve ever tasted ice cream like that.¡±


    ¡°Frequency was big on pioneering new frontiers, at least that¡¯s what they said. So, not just sweet, but savory. I¡¯m not a huge fan of the savory to be honest, but some of the spicy ones are pretty good.¡±


    ¡°I see. So many different pepper flavors. And mixed with citrus fruits.¡± Nadras grinned. ¡°I¡¯ve been experimenting with that myself for my meads! You must try some! Sweet and spicy, a perfect pairing.¡±


    ¡°Mango Habanero mead, sounds weird, but tastes pretty great. I used to bring literal tons of all sorts of produce before Nadras figured out how to grow them here,¡± his uncle added.


    Chili peppers didn¡¯t grow in cold climates, but what did that matter when one had access to magic and Skills.


    ¡°I would like to exchange notes with this Frequency, but, alas, you speak of them in the past tense,¡± Nadras said.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± He took a breath. Time healed wounds, but it didn¡¯t make them disappear completely. He thought of Frequency. Then Jayde. Then Jayde¡¯s kids still asking when their mommy was coming home. ¡°A demigod murdered them.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ no need to speak more. I believe I know the tale. Though they are gone. Cruelly taken from this world. We honor their craft.¡± Nadras regarded the flavor list for a long moment. ¡°For the ones I recognize I know which will pair well with my brews, but your lamentably-departed friend¡¯s farseeing is what appeals to me and I simply must secure the tundra lions share before young Deirdre returns.¡± He turned to Uncle Eron. ¡°Out of all the kings and queens for the day and night, she is the most tyrannical. Thus, we must act quick. I will need aid in choosing my new, young friends¡ª Ah! Forgive me. You are guests. Not apprentices.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t mind helping,¡± Kat said.


    ¡°Uh¡­ yeah.¡± He answered more at Kat¡¯s poking finger in his ribs than at the troll¡¯s words.


    ¡°Appreciated, but please, pick up a stein of my mead first.¡±


    ¡°I have been talking them up,¡± his uncle said.


    ¡°Any recommendations?¡± Kat said.


    ¡°None! For all are exemplary in their own ways!¡± Nadras beamed then cleared his throat. ¡°Granted, taste is subjective.¡±


    ¡°Mango Habanero,¡± his uncle said as he headed out to the main area. ¡°There¡¯s also chili mango flavor. It¡¯s just like those chili mangoes you guys love.¡±


    ¡°I know that one. You brought a barrel, like, a couple of Christmases ago. It was really good!¡±


    ¡°Choose what you wish,¡± Nadras said. ¡°Save the mystery choice for later. And ask one of my apprentices for a bottle of sobering water. One bottle to one stein. You can drink to your heart¡¯s content with only the loosening of your bladder to concern yourself with.¡± Nadras winked. ¡°Not everyone can drink an ocean¡¯s worth of mead with nary a wobble like your uncle.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Nadras. We¡¯ll be right back to help you pick out your flavors,¡± Kat said, dragging him by the arm out into the happy crowd to leave the troll prince and his uncle to begin the argument on which flavors paired best.


    <hr>


    Eron strolled through the festival with a tray in one hand and a mead in the other.


    Scents wafted from everywhere.


    Human and animal scents combined with food and drink wasn¡¯t the most aromatic, but he had years of practice focusing on what he wanted to smell and sending what he didn¡¯t into an exile of sorts.


    Thus, for all intents and purposes, he only smelled the savory and sweet.


    He always appreciated the opportunity to stay in one place for a time and just watch and listen.


    It was gratifying whenever he saw this place so happy and thriving.


    Magic lights lit the air with a dazzling, constant show, while music weaved through, but never over the loud conversations.


    He waved and exchanged greetings with people he recognized.


    The passage of time for them always struck him.


    Kids one year became parents the next or so it seemed.


    The kids had done good to get to this point from where they had started.


    Orphaned by a monstrous old man-thing and stolen away to torment deep beneath the Earth.


    It was only luck that he had stumbled upon the evil creature plying his yuletide nightmare on the people in an isolated farmhouse.


    More of those things had returned over the years. Not every year, but always around Christmas when they did.


    The kids had exorcised their demons many times over without his help and for that he was grateful.


    He listened for his nephew.


    Boy and Kat were still helping Nadras curate a selection of ice cream flavors to go along with the troll prince¡¯s meads.


    They were discussing the potential of a mead float.


    Nadras was balking at the marring of the purity of his brews.


    Eron knew beer floats, had beer floats.


    More during the pre-spires days, but he had on a handful of occasions made himself one at any number of abandoned grocery stores across the world to eat and drink on his flight to the next crisis.


    ¡°It could definitely work,¡± he murmured.


    Not the savory flavors, because that was just weird, unless it was a mix of maple and bacon or salt and caramel he wasn¡¯t interested.


    He switched the mead stein onto the tray so he could grab a chunk of smoked brisket.


    Beef, pork and chicken.


    Smoked, grilled and roasted.


    The greatest trinity known to humankind.


    He had already eaten half the tray, which was enough for a family of 4¡­ all adults, no kids.


    The stein he emptied in a handful of gulps. Fortunately, Nadras had set up refilling stations all over the festivals grounds. One was never too far from the life-giving liquid.


    Arms wrapped around his neck from behind.


    ¡°Eron! We¡¯ve found you!¡±


    He had allowed it.


    He had heard Olga coming, but she liked thinking she could catch him off guard so he let her, sometimes.


    ¡°We? I did the tracking.¡±


    He turned with a grin and a hug for Eric.


    The woodsman¡¯s runes dimmed as he returned the hug.


    ¡°Alright, Olga, less choking, please.¡±


    ¡°Ha! Like I could do that!¡± Olga laughed. She was the youngest of the 7 and the smallest. Neither had changed.


    He patted her on the head, forgetting that she was a grown woman and not a child.


    It had taken him decades, but he understood why the old people in his family used to say that he¡¯d always look like a child in their eyes.


    ¡°Why are you walking and eating? There are plenty of tables,¡± Eric said.


    Unlike with Olga, Eron had to look up.


    Eric¡¯s face had weathered more since the last time. Picked up a few more scars too.


    Lean, lanky and tall like the pine trees in the surrounding forests.


    The tallest of the 7 in fact. Yet, he could slip through those forests quieter than the rest despite being almost 7 feet tall.


    ¡°Well, if I keep moving then I won¡¯t get random challenges to arm wrestle or throw rocks and trees.¡±


    Olga pouted. ¡°Awww, but everyone loves that.¡±


    ¡°And they will get it. I just wanted to eat, drink and people watch for a bit. I don¡¯t get the chance to do that often.¡±


    Plus, he wanted to look alert in case the wrong eyes were somehow watching undetected.


    He¡¯d need to act quick in case of demigod teleport if he wanted to take the fight away from the crowd.


    He wasn¡¯t enjoying the festival just because.


    There was purpose and that was to keep watch over his nephew and, by extension, Kat.


    Cal didn¡¯t believe that the demigod knew that Boy was his son.


    But why risk it?


    So, Eron would stay nearby as Boy did the thing with the ritual circles in the forests and the nearby abandoned and populated towns and cities.


    He almost hoped that the demigod would show up.


    It would¡¯ve simplified things.


    But, most importantly, it would mean that Boy¡¯s dumb plan wouldn¡¯t need doing.


    ¡°You guys like ice cream, right?¡±


    ¡°Who doesn¡¯t?¡± Olga said.


    ¡°Me,¡± Eric said flatly.


    She jabbed him in the ribs. ¡°You¡¯re just trying to maintain that lone wolf image,¡± she scoffed. ¡°We¡¯ve all seen you sneaking down to the kitchen when you think no one is watching.¡±


    Eric snorted. ¡°I have magic senses. I know when no one is watching.¡±


    ¡°Well, my nephew brought 250 flavors. If you hurry to Nadras¡¯ tent then you might beat Deirdre there before she takes most of it away.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Your nephew! I must meet him!¡± Olga said.


    ¡°I would be good to go over the escort and defense plan I put together for the expeditions,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°No! Bad, Eric!¡± Olga elbowed the towering man in the ribs. ¡°We talked about this. No Quest talk until tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°You got a Quest already?¡± he kept his face even and his tone light.


    That might not mean anything and even if it heralded some unexpected difficulties he was present.


    ¡°Ah, yes, very minor. Escort there. Guard. Escort back. Standard stuff,¡± Eric said.


    ¡°Escort Quests are the worst.¡±


    ¡°Eh, harder in video games than in real life. Real people usually behave smarter.¡±


    ¡°Not always, kid.¡± He sighed. ¡°Why don¡¯t you guys go say high to my nephew and his girlfriend? Sample some weird ice cream?¡±


    ¡°Where will you be?¡± Olga said.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m going to finish this,¡± he gestured at his meat tray, ¡°then I¡¯ll wander around eating pastries. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be able to track me down again.¡±


    ¡°Okay. See you later, Eron! Don¡¯t fly away,¡± Olga said.


    The two not-kids walked away.


    3 out of the 7.


    Thor and Jonas were out in the forests dealing with a minor problem.


    He could hear Sven in the distance muttering darkly about Deirdre cheating the dice roll, which meant he had to stay in the town to command the garrison until tomorrow when they¡¯d rotate.


    Ingri was in the petting zoo area yelling at kids to not put their hands inside the war goats¡¯ mouths.


    He supposed that seemed like a good place to be.


    He could say hello and make sure dumb kids didn¡¯t lose fingers.


    They could be reattached, regrown or replaced with better materials, but it was best not to encourage such things.


    It made young people too reckless, but that might have been the old man thoughts.


    ¡°Siri!¡±Ingri bellowed. ¡°Out! Now! I told you already! Why are you so interested in her teeth?¡±


    The girl in question pouted and stomped out of the pen and into her laughing father¡¯s arms.


    ¡°You¡¯re banned for the rest of the festival!¡± Ingri pointed at the girl.


    ¡°That¡¯s a little harsh. You don¡¯t bring the bite-y war goats to this thing.¡±


    ¡°Eron!¡±


    Hug.


    War goats bleated jealously, but then realized who he was and decided the attentions of the giggling children and the feed were better.


    ¡°You¡¯re here!¡± Ingri grinned.


    ¡°Pastry?¡± He held out the tray.


    ¡°Did you clean out Mrs. Solberg¡¯s stand? For shame.¡±


    ¡°In my defense, I paid her a lot of Universal Points. Now she can enjoy the rest of the day, maybe even the rest of the festival without having to bake and man her stall.¡±


    ¡°Double shame. You know we don¡¯t do that sort of thing for the festivals. You donate what you feel is right and they donate to you in return for your own goods and services. The council covers most of the costs for ingredients and everyone gains points and maybe a level or three from the spires depending on how good they fulfill their classes.¡± Ingri tutted. ¡°I know Mrs. Solberg, she¡¯s a level chaser. She¡¯ll take the break you¡¯ve given her to bake even more. It¡¯s bit unfair, no? What about the others?¡±


    ¡°The festival¡¯s not over and I have a bottomless stomach.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes. You do the thing Sven always nags us about. The economy crashing thing,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°Oh? You think he won¡¯t accept my summer solstice donation to the town?¡±


    ¡°Hush! Don¡¯t speak a thing we will all regret.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of regrets. Remember the last time I visited?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°I forgot to bring what I promised.¡± He reached into his bag of holding and pulled out a large, cold plastic cup filled with¡­ a lot of different things.


    ¡°Halo-halo!¡± Ingri pumped her fist and snatched it out of his hand.


    ¡°Straight from the Philippines.¡±


    She devoured a huge spoonful. ¡°I try to copy it with what I can get from the stores in the old town, but it¡¯s never close. No ube and coconut and the boys keep voting against adding them to Nadras¡¯ greenhouses. They¡¯re doing it on purpose, Eron. Tell them to stop.¡± The grown, rune warrior woman¡¯s whine took him back a few decades.


    ¡°Yeah, I figured, so¡­ do you have space in your bag of holding?¡± He started pulling cup after cup of halo-halo from his bag.


    ¡°Sk?l!¡± She thrust her cup to the sky.


    Random passersby and parents watching from the fence raised their steins and glasses to echo her call.


    ¡°I must get more bags! Here!¡± She pushed her bag into his chest. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back! Don¡¯t let the goats bite anyone!¡±


    So said, Ingri leapt astride one of the war goats.


    Tattooed runes on her skin glowed.


    A faint glow emerged from underneath the war goat''s fur.


    With a great booming bleat the huge beast leapt into the sky and ran toward the town to the cheers of the people watching.


    ¡°You guys are something else.¡± He sighed. ¡°Kids, who wants to help put these things into Ingri¡¯s bag?¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°I¡¯ll fly whoever helps around the festival. Twice.¡±


    The race was on.


    There was some spillage, but that was okay.


    He had close to a hundred cups of halo-halo in his bag of holding.


    And as an added bonus, none of the kids were in biting range while they were jostling each other to put cups into bag.


    Flying a dozen kids around the festival a few times each was a small price to pay all things considered.

 10.22

    Atlanta, Fall 2054


    The city burned.


    Suiteonemiades had pulled a whole army from another world.


    A small one.


    Roughly 2000.


    They weren¡¯t the problem.


    It was their leader.


    A dragon.


    Lured by twin promises.


    A mate and territory outside North America.


    Cal probed at the dragon¡¯s thoughts and found it like trying to scratch through a window with a toothpick.


    Protective spells and a highly magical being¡¯s natural defenses.


    He could¡¯ve turned the toothpick into a diamond-tipped glass breaker, but not without alerting the dragon.


    Better to stay hidden in the clouds to do his work.


    It was a shame that Atlanta had continued to refuse all aid offers even when he hadn¡¯t attached any conditions.


    Not that he wouldn¡¯t help just because they had demanded he stay away.


    At least they had accepted a mutual defense pact with Richellia.


    He kept a portion of his mind dedicated to watch over the small contingent.


    Less than a 100 Richellians.


    Led by Kayla and a small squad of Cezi¡¯s elite dragon-president guard.


    The dragon-president wasn¡¯t present.


    She had blustered about the other dragon needing to come to her for battle, but the truth was that she, at a little over a century in age, was barely a teenager in dragon years.


    Thus, her best was poised in the southern end of the city, waiting to be called.


    On the opposite end to the north, forces from the American remnant waited as well. They continuously broadcast that the green-skinned, gold clad outworld invaders had nothing to do with them. All while having stealthy agents in the city, looking for sabotage and assassination opportunities and generally observing the fierce battle in the city streets and buildings.


    The best lies were those wrapped in a skin of truth.


    Only the highest echelon of the old American government knew the truth behind the small army and they hadn¡¯t spread the word beyond the White House.


    Necessary plausible deniability because they technically had a non-aggression pact with both Atlanta and Richellia.


    How to help?


    The easiest and quickest way was to simply make the evil dragon¡¯s army fall unconscious.


    The defenders could take care of it from there while he dragged said evil dragon elsewhere.


    Doing so would reveal that he possessed that ability.


    The old Americans had orders to observe every action in the battle and record it no matter how insignificant it seemed.


    It was clear where that had come down from.


    He decided that he would nudge the attacks and the defenders into favorable outcomes for the latter.


    To that end he opened his mind to reach the many thousands below.


    The outworld invaders weren¡¯t goblins.


    That much was clear from the deep dives he performed into their heads.


    They were people not that much different in terms of anatomy and cultural mindset compared to Earthians.


    The word they had for their kind translated into ¡®The People¡±.


    Green-hued skin.


    A slight sweep into a point for the upper rear part of the ears.


    Pointed, conical teeth.


    A few extra organs. A few missing ones.


    Same general size, muscles and bones.


    Toddson Greshect-Gutter was an above average example of his species.


    The dragon-touched face-smasher had been sold a few years before his age of maturity to the dragon. His potential had earned his family a windfall of gold coins that meant with smart investing they could create generational wealth. While he gained a higher-quality class, an extended lifespan that meant when his sister¡¯s young son neared a natural death he would still be in his prime and a minimum of half a century of retirement in one of the pleasure cities owned by his dragon overlord where he wouldn¡¯t want for nothing.


    Images of his visits to one such city to observe retired warriors flashed across Toddson¡¯s thoughts as they tended to do in battle. A bad habit he hadn¡¯t been able to discard in the over 2 decades of service.


    The new world city stank.


    Acrid and metallic.


    It might have been because of the fierce battle since flames belched smoke into the dark sky like a stinky blanket that stung the eyes and irritated the nose.


    If only the scent of fear had been alone in the wind.


    That would¡¯ve made for a more pleasant battle.


    Idle thoughts had no place in a warrior¡¯s mind during battle.


    He tried to force them away, but they persisted.


    Stubborn intrusive thoughts.


    He ground the tips of his teeth together.


    Unbidden memories of his mother snapping at him.


    He could hear her voice.


    ¡°Do you want blunt teeth? Hmmm? We can¡¯t afford a teeth fixer. That means you won¡¯t be able to enjoy ensymadadon steaks anymore. Is that what you want?¡±


    He hadn¡¯t thought of her in years.


    He punched his spiked gauntlet into the ground as if that would banish the memory.


    ¡°Scan the structure.¡± Craitson Soil-Ruiner directed the unit¡¯s scoutmage to the other side of the broad, gray-surfaced street.


    Concrete, but of a decidedly lesser quality than the streets found in the cities of Toddson¡¯s homeworld. He wondered how the Earth humans could stand walking or using their ugly, filth-spewing vehicles on the cracked gray surface. Let alone how they could stomach simply looking at them.


    Had they no pride in their craftsmanship?


    He supposed they didn¡¯t when they made no efforts to curb the filth they spewed into the environment from what seemed like nearly everything they did.


    The scoutmage cast a spell.


    A faint, green outline of ethereal eyes appeared in front of her eyes.


    ¡°What do you want to know, leader?¡±


    ¡°Structure protection level?¡±


    ¡°Weak. One salvo should crack it.¡±


    ¡°Enemy disposition?¡±


    ¡°5 adults, 19 children. Weak. One mid rank ranged warrior-type. I was unable to glean class specifics.¡±


    ¡°Very good. Be our eyes in the sky.¡± Craitson dismissed the scoutmage.


    The scouting corps attached members to each battle unit as needed rather than have scouts entrenched at all times.


    ¡°Dragon warriors,¡± Craitson said flatly. ¡°We have our orders. Do not damage our overlord¡¯s future breeding stock. I won¡¯t accept any mistakes and excuses for such a weak group. Be aware of your attacks. We don¡¯t want a repeat.¡±


    Toddson felt eyes on him despite the fact that the unit was too disciplined to take them off their assigned quadrants. He rubbed his red-stained gauntlets on the ground.


    How was he supposed to know that the huge, muscular Earth human had been too weak to take his punch?


    The human had looked like a fearsome warrior-type.


    It hadn¡¯t even been a true face-smashing punch.


    ¡°Toddson?¡± The unit leader regarded him with an unblinking stare.


    ¡°Leader?¡±


    ¡°You will breach and continue toward the rear exit of the structure. It is imperative that you cutoff their escape route. Do not stop to engage. We will take care of that. Understood?¡±


    ¡°Yes, leader.¡± He broke into a sprint before the unit fired the salvo.


    Spells and projectiles streaked above his head, crashing into the front of the structure like angry thunder.


    A quick check with the spires confirmed that ownership protections were down.


    All that was left was to make an entrance.


    He turned the door into splinters with a two-fisted punch without breaking his stride.


    Screams smelled enticing.


    One of the gifts from his dragon overlord meant that he could perceive the world with a fraction of the acuity that the overlord did.


    He bulled through the structure, scattering people, breaking furniture, carving gouges into the walls as he careened through a corridor built for slight bodies.


    The rear exit loomed.


    He skidded to a halt just before smashing through.


    It didn¡¯t matter because the door exploded in his face, spraying him with jagged splinters.


    That, too, didn¡¯t matter.


    Mere splinters couldn¡¯t penetrate his golden armor made from his overlord¡¯s breath.


    Toddson tamped down the irritation.


    The scoutmage had missed the enemy hidden behind the structure.


    ¡°Enemy contact at my position,¡± he said into the tiny speaking stones embedded on the inside of his helmet¡¯s cheek guards.


    He could hear screams and the brief sounds of battle behind him through the stones and his normal hearing.


    Strange?


    There was a slight delay for the former.


    He remained in the doorway, covering his eyes with an upraised arm.


    Projectiles and spells splashed against his magic armor and were found wanting.


    ¡°Engage!¡± Craitson¡¯s voice emerged.


    Dragon Leap.


    Toddson crashed through the ceiling and the wall on the second level, emerging into the dark night.


    The lack of artificial lights were meaningless to all those entrusted with the overlord¡¯s gifts.


    Scatter The Weak.


    He landed with an earth-shaking boom that created undulating ripples in the grass-covered ground.


    The enemy stumbled, struggling to keep their feet.


    Fire poured from what felt like every direction as his unit emerged from the structure to do battle.


    He fulfilled his class with a leaping punch.


    A helmet that provided at least some face coverage was a must against him.


    The dark-skinned enemy must¡¯ve favored greater visibility and ease of breath over protection.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    A fatal mistake.


    Teeth and bone shattered as he drove his spiked gauntlet into meat and brain matter.


    One could tell by the lighter color of the latter.


    The enemy gurgled as he dropped to the grass. Death rapidly approached with every gush of wet red out of the gaping ruin.


    Toddson stomped an armored boot down to hasten it and end the suffering.


    This was just combat.


    He held no personal enmity.


    ¡°Mother fucker!¡±


    Toddson blocked a burning spray of white hot metal from getting into his eyes.


    Another dark-skinned warrior reloaded one of those ugly projectile weapons that reeked as loudly as it roared.


    Powered by crude mechanical combustion rather than clean, elegant magic.


    ¡°Throw some taunts!¡±


    The enemy tanks shouted or banged weapons on their shields.


    He felt the pull, lowering his arm and ignoring the enemy in front of him.


    ¡°Counters!¡± Craitson snapped.


    Toddson¡¯s head felt like it had been suddenly stuffed with soft wool. Addled like idiotic sheep.


    He tried to activate his own taunt Skill, but he couldn¡¯t hold on to it in his mind as he clapped his hands together with all the adriotness of a tavern scum given free reign at the beer barrels.


    ¡°Taunt,¡± he mumbled.


    Nothing.


    From the sounds of it, the rest of his unit was having the same problem.


    Only their golden armor and dragon gifts kept them from being killed by the enemy.


    ¡°Use the rage! In the overlord¡¯s name, you useless whelps!¡± Craitson roared.


    Well¡­ that was easy enough despite the brain fog.


    Dragon Rage triggered instinctively.


    The golden curtain descended over his vision.


    He leapt with a roar, landing on the enemy.


    White hot shards bounced off armor or skipped off the sudden growth of gold scales over the exposed skin of his face.


    When he landed the enemy ceased to be anything more than a red smear on the grass.


    His outnumbered unit reaped a terrible toll on the enemy with dragon-like claws and teeth, with breath attacks of molten gold.


    They would have trampled over the enemy like a herd of thunder bulls had reinforcements not arrived out of what felt like nowhere.


    It was harder to think rationally in the throes of the dragon rage.


    He would¡¯ve questioned their sudden appearance, perhaps decided to fall back to assess the changing combat situation rather than continue to throw himself forward.


    Perhaps, he would¡¯ve understood that the reinforcements were stronger.


    A mage cast a withering spell that ate away at their golden armor with one hand, while holding an orb of light that seared their vision away in the other.


    Warriors fired those inelegant weapons that hit with the power of ship-mounted cannons many times their size.


    He lunged many meters in a single bound for the mage.


    Close enough to grab her in a crushing grip and smash her face like a grape.


    Sure feet slipped suddenly, which should have been impossible since he had a portion, small though it was, of his overlord¡¯s agility.


    ¡°Huge Hammer!¡±


    ¡°Focus Impact!¡±


    ¡°Double Impact!¡±


    Skill.


    Spells.


    Three voices working as one.


    The weakness of the rage Skill hit across the majority of the unit.


    Coordination all but vanished.


    A shadow descended on him.


    Despite the overlord¡¯s gifts, it was Toddson¡¯s turn to become the smear on the grass.


    Booker Tate shrank his warhammer back to its normal size.


    Gold flecks glinted on its steel surface, poking out of the sticky red and small chunky.


    The rest of the green-skinned humanoids in golden armor and with sometimes dragon-like physical bits were just about put down.


    ¡°Careful inside, but be quick. We¡¯ve got more places to evacuate,¡± he said.


    The sudden appearance and attack of the outworld invaders had swept over the northern part of the city.


    They were on the back foot, trying to get civilians down to the safer southern part all while struggling to establish a line they could actually hold.


    Still, it wasn¡¯t all bad luck.


    Case in point¡­ the house in front of him.


    It had been towards the end of their list.


    Yet, sudden intuition told him to put it at the top.


    Had he not done that, then the people being ushered out toward the waiting trucks in the alley behind him would¡¯ve been on their way north to an uncertain fate like the others they had failed to evac in time.


    At least that¡¯s what the chatter was on the Omninet.


    He hadn¡¯t received outright confirmation from command, but he figured that them sending out teams like his solely to evac people was all the confirmation he needed.


    ¡°Get yo asses in gear like they on fire!¡± he barked.


    Damn shame that some people decided to bunker down rather than run south at the start.


    Then again, these were official emergency shelter sites, which shouldn¡¯t have been so easy to breach.


    They had overestimated their strength.


    Trucks ran in blackout mode, relying on drivers¡¯ Skills or nightvision optics to avoid obstacles.


    The lead driver took them on a winding route for some reason, but Booker wasn¡¯t going to say anything as long as they kept avoiding the enemy.


    He could hear the explosions of spells and the pops of guns.


    Some of the enemy used guns too, expect they were quiet and used magic to propel bullets that sometimes held deadly enchantments.


    He had lost all the shields he had in his bag of holding to said bullets.


    And his sister always laughed at him for carrying extra shields.


    He couldn¡¯t wait to let her know how wrong she was about that.


    The last house on their list was a right turn and a long block away.


    Booker was in the second truck, so he had a great view as the lead truck suddenly swerved left in the middle of its right turn.


    ¡°Abort! Abort!¡± Tamara, the lead driver, screamed through the radio.


    Booker had just enough time to utter a curse as a bright ball of magic slammed into the side of his truck.


    Metal shrieked, people screamed.


    The world turned upside down, right side up. Back and forth several times as truck engines roared and tires squealed.


    He tasted iron, spat out heat as he kicked the mangled door open with enhanced strength.


    ¡°Careful, it¡¯s smokin¡¯ hot. Don¡¯t touch that shit.¡± He couldn¡¯t hear himself over the muffled ringing. Couldn¡¯t tell if anyone in the truck was alive to listen.


    A civilian pick up truck wasn¡¯t exactly the safest vehicle in a combat zone. Especially for those sitting in the cab with only some hastily welded iron plates for protection.


    No seat belts back there and only canvas for a roof meant that a roll over was bad news.


    Green-skinned men and women in gold armor advanced toward him.


    He saw a few of his trucks stop in the distance and begin backing up.


    ¡°Keep going. Ain¡¯t much left here to save.¡± He hoped they could hear.


    Too many bodies were already wet smears against the asphalt.


    His driver¡¯s¡­ Jason¡¯s neck was twisted way too far.


    He didn¡¯t need to see those sightless eyes to understand that the boy was gone.


    Died bravely? He thought bitterly. Ain¡¯t no fool gonna remember it unless we win this shit.


    A child¡¯s cries caught his ear.


    ¡°Shit,¡± he muttered.


    The truck had come to a rest on its right side.


    He hurried around toward the sound.


    The enemy was moving cautiously, from cover to cover like they were real soldiers or some bullshit, which gave him a bit of time.


    Scattered bodies littered the ground.


    The cries came from beneath a motionless woman.


    He carefully rolled her over.


    He might¡¯ve recognized her had her face not been pulped like a tomato.


    Somehow, she had save her baby.


    ¡°God damn. Ain¡¯t it some bullshit, little homie? Yo mama saved you from all that only for those motherfuckers to come take you for whatever sick shit they got cooking. I ain¡¯t the running type, but for you¡­¡± he scowled. He¡¯d rather go down firing and hammering. Take as much of the green-skinned motherfuckers with him before he got got.


    Still?


    They fought for the future, didn¡¯t they?


    To ensure that the next generation would never be subjected to the evils of man.


    Never again to slavery and exploitation. To rape. To torture. To the lash of the whip and the scraping edges of cold iron around their necks and limbs.


    Never again.


    He needed to give the green-skinned something to get them thinking they should stay behind cover for a little longer.


    That might buy him a head start.


    He pulled a grenade launcher from his bag of holding and thumped shells down the street until empty.


    The baby bawled as he scooped him up and ran.


    They caught up with him in a dark alley several long blocks away from where his convoy had been ambushed.


    ¡°Surrender,¡± the lead green-skinned humanoid grinned, revealing pointy teeth.


    Booker brandished his warhammer, angling his body to keep the crying baby cradled away from the enemy as much as he could. ¡°Ain¡¯t about to let you eat him.¡±


    The green face twisted. ¡°What? We¡¯d never do that. That¡¯s sick! Is that what the humans of this world does? Barbaric!¡± he snapped. ¡°The child will be taken care of. His potential assessed as he grows for his rightful place in the hoard. You appear to be a strong warrior. Pass the tests and earn a place for yourself.¡±


    Huge Hammer.


    The distance between them wasn¡¯t as safe as it had appeared.


    Booker crushed the greenskin through the side of the brick wall.


    Gold armor sparked amidst crumbling red debris.


    ¡°Earthquake Hammer Slam!¡±


    Aw, shit!


    He was getting tired if he had to say the words.


    In his defense, he had been fighting on and off for about 2 hours.


    He drove the over-sized warhammer into the ground, sending violent waves of asphalt undulating in front of him.


    The green-skinned enemy stumbled and staggered, falling to the ground as chunks from the buildings on both sides rained down on them all.


    Booker jumped, barely clearing the railing on the second floor fire escape.


    He climbed for his and the little homie¡¯s life, taking steps 5 at a time.


    Had to get to the roof.


    Break line of sight and gain distance before figuring out the next move.


    It never once occurred to him to leave the baby even with what the greenskin had said.


    He grabbed the ledge at the same time that pain pierced his back.


    A glance revealed a glowing golden hand, scaled and clawed had gone straight through his armor. Enchanted steel plate that had taken a mag-dumped AK a few times in the past, leaving him with some light bruising.


    The clawed hand belonged to one of the greenskins, stretching all the way from ground level.


    He pulled.


    The greenskin pulled.


    Steel and flesh tore, squealing and squelching in protest.


    He muttered a curse.


    Only thing he could do was put the baby on the roof and let go.


    The greenskin hadn¡¯t expected that.


    He gave her a surprise warhammer to the face.


    Golden Helmet or not, she wasn¡¯t going to shake that off.


    His Skill made the hammer huge, but in violation of the old laws of physics the increased surface area didn¡¯t disperse the impact force.


    The hammer head was 10 times its normal size, therefore it hit with 10 times its normal force.


    Booker fought.


    Thunder and blood filled the dark alley for a long time until inevitable silence fell.


    All fights ended.


    Lavinatoch Afogrev-Bane ripped the dented cheekguards off her helmet as she spat blood and teeth.


    The Earth human had caught her by surprise.


    Only the gifts from her dragon overlord had allowed her to survive the massive hammer to the face.


    She had been luckier than most of her unit.


    Only 4 remained standing amidst the carnage in that dirty alley.


    ¡°We are vulnerable.¡± Darlatoch Dark-Hider always had the gift of stating what was obvious to all. It didn¡¯t come from the overlord. It was all her own. ¡°The leader is dead.¡±


    Lavinatoch tried to shake the cobwebs clouding her thoughts.


    The human¡¯s warhammer had cracked her bell, let alone set it to howling.


    The other 3 looked to her.


    Oh?


    That was right.


    She outranked them.


    ¡°Retrieve the child. I can hear it wailing. Unless that is the ringing in my skull. Then we retreat to our lines before the enemy finds us in our weakened state.¡±


    Darlatoch climbed up the wall like a spidercat and was back with the human child before Lavinatoch could finish spitting the hard bits out of her mouth.


    Had she swallowed some?


    That promised an unpleasant time ahead when it was time to go to the toilet.


    They moved swiftly through the dark streets.


    Darlatoch struggled to muffle the child¡¯s cries.


    A gag would¡¯ve worked, but small sapients could be delicate.


    The dragon overlord would be displeased if they wasted a potential valuable member of the hoard through the carelessness of expedience.


    She judged the risk of discovery through the cries a lesser one when factoring in the sounds of battle echoing across the entire night sky.


    It had started fierce and showed no signs of easing.


    Return to one of the forward bases. Receive healing. Rejoin the battle.


    The spirit of their overlord filled them with an eagerness to test tooth and claw against worthy enemies.


    The greater the challenge and struggle, the sweeter the treasures.


    They weren¡¯t that far from the front lines of the main conflict when a shout from above made Lavinatoch scowl in confusion.


    The familiar words belonged in her tongue, not in the odd accent of the Earth human¡¯s tongue.


    ¡°Dragon Dive!¡±


    The remains of Lavinatoch¡¯s unit scattered.


    An instinctive reaction earned from many hours of sparring each other and in actual combat.


    They didn¡¯t get far before running into weapons made out of the teeth and spines of a dragon.


    Oh yes!


    Lavinatoch felt it deep with in her.


    Instinctive enmity.


    A bleed over from her overlord by virtue of his gifts.


    He had warned them to avoid these bonded of the other dragon. The young one that had claimed dominion over the southern tip of this land. It wasn¡¯t time for conflict with them. The true dance wasn¡¯t meant to begin until they had fulfilled the first term of their agreement with the Americans and won them back their city.


    ¡°Give us the baby and you can retreat.¡±


    The other dragon-bonded warriors were all clad in identical cerulean-scaled armor, like her own golden-scaled armor, but sleeker, more delicate, as befitting a child dragon.


    Their helms concealed everything except for their eyes, which were hidden behind a clear glass of some kind. A thin fin swept back from the top of their helmet to the upper half of the back of their head. Translucent cloth, like silk, extended from this fin, waving around as if they were underwater.


    Lavinatoch signaled Darlatoch with surrupptitious finger talk.


    They were surrounded in the middle of a street.


    Decisive action was their only chance for at least one of them to escape and bring word that the other dragon overlord had decided to enter the conflict.


    ¡°You mean this?¡± Darlatoch held up the squirming, crying child by the back of his tiny jacket.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see any other babies,¡± the cerulean-armored dragon-bonded warrior said with a deep voice that suggested a male, if that hadn¡¯t been obvious judging by his broad-shouldered form and lack of hips. ¡°Put him on the ground, gently and all of you move over there.¡± He gestured with his dragon-spine spear toward the center of the street.


    Darlatoch shrugged.


    Then she hurled the baby into the air.

 10.23

    Current hoard was always more valuable than potential hoard.


    The baby wailed louder.


    One of the cerulean-armored dragon-bonded planted the butt of her poleaxe into the ground.


    Water surged from nothing.


    Lavinatoch smelled brine, felt the cold.


    Dark blue flowed over gray. A wave cresting into white, roiling foam to catch the baby before his head splattered.


    The wave reversed suddenly, vanishing as it hit one of the cerulean-armored warriors.


    ¡°Get him out of here.¡±


    The cerulean-armored dragon-bonded took to the sky on a dragon¡¯s leap, then spread blue wings, disappearing into the blackness before Lavinatoch could react.


    Not that she was of the mind to stop her counterpart.


    Better the child didn¡¯t die in the fight.


    They could acquire him again after they won the larger battle.


    The escape plan failed.


    They were outnumbered 3 to 1.


    She couldn¡¯t gauge the level difference.


    She felt that her unit was stronger individually, but the magic in their gear obscured things as though she was trying to read a book behind frosted glass.


    Finger talk.


    Darlatoch obeyed without hesitation, blowing a cloud of gold dust toward the enemy blocking the direction they needed to go while Abrason Sleep-Giver parried the sword thrust aimed at her back.


    ¡°Spark.¡± Jennerson Ravier-Tamer ignited the cloud.


    The magical fire bloomed across the entire width of the street.


    The enemy combined to call forth a dark wave swirling with the coldest depths of the ocean to swallow it.


    Opposing forces pushed against each other like dueling greshects in rutting season.


    Lavinatoch didn¡¯t stand and watch to see the outcome.


    She reached out and drew her long blade.


    The golden copy of her overlord¡¯s claws was a poor one, weaker by far, but it was enough to pierce cerulean scales.


    She pulled and slashed.


    Dragon tooth sword cleaved through cerulean-armored neck with just a little resistance.


    ¡°My overlord is ancient! Yours is but a child! It is you who should be begging for your lives! Surrender!¡±


    Gold and cerulean clashed.


    Leaping and darting across the street, on the rooftops.


    Lavinatoch found herself fighting alone in the shadow of an old building.


    She kicked one into an ugly statue of a man on some kind of equine. A weak-looking one. Not even a single horn.


    Her golden-scaled armor ate blows from dragon weapons, while she cast spells to block or counter theirs.


    The one trapped by how the cheap metal of the statue had caved around him like an angry hag-wife¡¯s embrace opened the front of his helmet to spit.


    The stream of freezing water cut across her exposed cheek.


    She grit her teeth as the blood vessels burst.


    ¡°Weak.¡±


    She showed him true strength by spitting molten metal that melted through his cerulean covered chest.


    A pained scream cut short.


    It sang to the spirit of her dragon overlord in her heart and soul.


    Two enemies remained.


    One died with her dragon tooth sword in his chest even as his clawed fingers gouged out her right eye.


    The last crawled on the ground, dragging useless legs behind her, but still had enough fight to freeze Lavinatoch¡¯s boots to the ground.


    Lavinatoch¡¯s fortune ran out with her energy.


    Her death fell on leathery wings.


    A poleaxe made from one of the larger scales on an ocean dragon¡¯s sinuous back cleaved straight down the middle of Lavinatoch¡¯s armored head.


    For all her words about the superiority of her overlord, this time the gold failed.


    She cut, but had no strength.


    The other dragon-bonded warrior parried the weak blow.


    Darkness fell over Lavinatoch¡¯s remaining eye as she toppled to the ground.


    The fight ended with the last enemy.


    4 killed.


    6 lost.


    A good ratio based on projections.


    The enemy had already been injured from fighting for at least a few hours.


    And yet, they had died hard.


    Kayla didn¡¯t like it all.


    They had the edge in everything except levels, experience and, she hated to admit it, in the personal strength of their dragons.


    ¡°She broke my back, Kayla,¡± Lark sobbed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be dramatic. You¡¯ll be healed in, like, a month or two. C¡¯mon, let¡¯s get out of here.¡± She reached down with one hand to pick Lark off the ground.¡±


    ¡°What about¡ª¡± Lark choked at the sight of Roberto and Kaison.


    ¡°We¡¯ll have to come back for them later. For now we need to¡ª¡±


    Claws raked across the chalkboard in Kayla¡¯s mind.


    God how she hated when Cezirichella did that.


    Except, this was worse than anything she had ever experienced.


    It was the hair standing up all over her body, the shiver up her spine, the dark shape swimming out from the depths to brush against her.


    Not even that eidolon in China from years ago had set the animal instinct to flee into overdrive like it did now.


    She didn¡¯t want to turn around.


    Nope.


    If she couldn¡¯t see him then he couldn¡¯t see her.


    Childhood monster logic.


    Yup.


    Just had to manifest it.


    Lark practically vibrated. ¡°I think I just peed myself, but I can¡¯t tell¡­ cause I can¡¯t feel my legs.¡± She laughed softly.


    The presence behind them loomed large.


    Like those deep ocean leviathans and whales.


    A gust of wind almost pushed Kayla face first into the ground.


    Only massive, powerful lungs could do that.


    Like Cezirichella¡¯s, but much larger, stronger.


    Hotter with a metallic tang.


    Unlike cold brine.


    ¡°Are you unable to face my majesty? This, despite being bonded to one of my kind?¡±


    Shitshitshitshitshitshitshit!


    This was the last thing Kayla wanted to face.


    Cezirichella had been very clear about avoiding the other dragon.


    The plan was to let Mr. Cruces fight him.


    Whether Mr. Cruces knew that or not¡­ she had no idea.


    For all she knew he wasn¡¯t even in the area.


    There were a lot of world events out there and it wasn¡¯t like he kept Richellia updated on his activities. He only did that when he was going to be close to their territory or if one of those horror problems was on its way to their territory.


    ¡°Do you not wish to display your courage? Failure to do so reflects poorly on your overlord. It is clear that she needs to be taught to be a proper dragon. You will have the honor of being my first gifts to her in our mating battle.¡±


    Ickickickickickick!


    ¡°Cre¡ª cre¡ª cre¡ª¡±


    ¡°Turn and face me if you are to reclaim mastery of your words, Earth human.¡±


    Kayla tried, but she just couldn¡¯t do it.


    Lark had devolved into a blubbering mess, crying softly for her daddy and mommy.


    Truth be told, she was with Lark there.


    The only thing keeping her from falling to her knees was how they had locked up.


    Sudden strength of will she didn¡¯t know she had suddenly filled her. Just enough to open her mouth. ¡°Creepy pervert!¡± she yelled in a rush like the tide crashing on the beach.


    ¡°Those are¡­ words. Wasted ones. I shall convey them to your overlord. May she realize her inferiority through the quality she has bonded. Die knowing you are a disappoin¡ª¡±


    Wind rushed over her.


    Death.


    She was going to die without even raising her weapon like she had always pictured it.


    Wait? What?


    She had expected hot gold dust choking her or molten gold melting her.


    Not ordinary wind, like when they stood too close to Cezirichella when she took off in her dragon form.


    Kayla turned.


    And saw an empty street.


    ¡°Kayla,¡± Lark whimpered. ¡°I want to go home.¡±


    ¡°Me too.¡±


    Kayla called the others through the comms.


    Something in the back of her mind told her it was okay to wait for them to carry Kaison and Roberto.


    Their families deserved to know for sure and to have bodies to bury.


    It was always worse, in her opinion, when there weren¡¯t bodies.


    Because that always left the smallest sliver of doubt, of hope.


    And there was nothing crueler than that.


    Cal had missed many times this night.


    312 times to be exact.


    And more every few minutes as the battle below continued to rage.


    The balance between helping and avoiding potential detection was bullshit he regretted.


    A familiar refrain he castigated himself with.


    Some would say 312¡ª 316 was better than four, five times that number.


    The vast majority of that number was among the combatants.


    He had mostly steered the dragon¡¯s gold-clad army away from noncombatants.


    Cold comfort to the ones he had missed.


    It was time to end things.


    The dragon had put himself in a position that made it easier to hide intervention from watching eyes and listening ears.


    All it had taken were the lives of brave people.


    Some would say a few dozen dead was a bargain when weighed against an ancient dragon.


    ¡°Leave, Auvanfelhearobilt.¡±


    ¡°You?¡±


    Name known. The dragon had expected it, having been warned by Suiteonemiades of the possibility.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Slitted eyes set in a face echoing the green-skinned humanoids many kilometers below, flicked almost imperceptibly up to the black void.


    ¡°They lied to you. Can¡¯t keep their promise. Can¡¯t follow the plan because I won¡¯t allow it.¡±


    Humanoid form.


    Unblemished gold and white skin tone.


    Perfectly symmetrical unlike the features of the people it echoed.


    As though sculpted or drawn with exact precision only possible through machinery or a masters skill and Skills.


    Brow marred by slight furrows as a frown crept down.


    ¡°You. Are. Alone.¡±


    Thoughts guarded by a magical nature supplemented by defensive spells.


    Hard to read, but not impossible.


    Psychic fingers poked.


    Dozens, then hundreds, then thousands.


    Frown turned into a scowl.


    An unconscious snarl.


    Instinctive reaction when confronted by a threat.


    Sensed parity or worse.


    Unknown.


    Didn¡¯t like it.


    Ages since he had been uncertain in the face of a foe.


    Not much could challenge an adult dragon, let alone an ancient one.


    Wary.


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    So very wary.


    Fight or flight?


    Why had his thoughts even gone to the latter?


    Only perfect memory recall allowed him to remember that last time he had fled.


    Ages ago.


    ¡°The demigod undersold it.¡±


    Fingers turned into spikes.


    Drills bored on a world separate from the physical.


    Doubts crept.


    Then poured.


    Despair.


    Death.


    Waste.


    Muscles tensed.


    Reproductive organs shriveled, retreating.


    Shame?


    Why?


    He was beyond such petty concerns.


    He took their form, but as a perfect paragon example.


    Something the primary species of his hoard could aspire toward, but never attain.


    Pride and vanity.


    ¡°Tell me where Suiteonemiades is hiding and I¡¯ll let you leave my world alive.¡±


    Dominance.


    Asserted.


    No!


    Not settled.


    This was no true fight.


    Drills painful now.


    Head hurt.


    More than physical.


    Alien thoughts flooded.


    Screams.


    Terror.


    Feet pounding the streets far below.


    Heart bursting.


    Lungs burning.


    Hand slick with sweat. Slipping. Tripping.


    Flashing gold.


    Red paint splashing across a gray canvas.


    Sudden pain.


    Then black.


    Repeating.


    More. Same. Different.


    320, 321, 322, 323, 32¡ª


    Many times.


    In quick succession.


    All at once.


    Torrent.


    Rage.


    Different.


    Era.


    World.


    Worlds.


    Small.


    Large.


    Teeth.


    Claw.


    Spell.


    Skill.


    Commonalities.


    Pain and terror and hate and regret.


    ¡°Tell me where he is hiding or I will arm an army with your body parts to take everything that belongs to you.¡±


    Repeating.


    Again and again.


    Days, months, years, decades, centuries, millen¡ª


    ¡°I. Am. Immortal.¡±


    Power swelling.


    Mind clearing.


    ¡°I am no stranger to the passage of time, child.¡±


    Spell cast.


    Protect the mind.


    Strengthen the walls.


    Drills spun faster, pushed harder.


    Thicken the walls.


    Build and rebuild faster.


    An ocean of mana required, but he had a world¡¯s worth.


    The true cost was in concentration.


    Barely enough left over to do anything other than defend.


    ¡°No such thing as immortal,¡± Cal said. ¡°Everything can die.¡±


    ¡°Spoken like a callow child that has seen nothing.¡±


    ¡°Last chance.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I agree. Surrender and live as my thrall.¡±


    ¡°Or die.¡±


    They stood above the clouds.


    The dragon in the form of a giant green-skinned humanoid, but in gold and white.


    Naked for some reason.


    Cezi wore clothing in her human-like form.


    And he had never seen the one in Hawaii take any other form aside from her natural one.


    Reality rippled around the dragon.


    Humanoid one moment.


    Dragon the next.


    Massive.


    Larger than a 747 compared to Cezi¡¯s smaller than a 737.


    Wings spread to block out the stars.


    Maw opened to reveal teeth longer than a human was tall.


    Black gullet like the void of the abyss.


    Large enough to drive a small car through with plenty of clearance.


    The dragon could inhale him on accident like one swallowed a tictac accidentally.


    Magic flashed.


    Perceptions sped.


    Telekinetic forcefield already in place.


    Gold shell transmuted from nothing lined the forcefield rather then his skin.


    Heat greater that an industrial furnace pressed in harmlessly.


    A thought ripped the shell apart.


    A second one grabbed a hold of the gold molecules, shaping into a thousand slivers, barely visible from the glinting of reflective moonlight.


    A third sowed confusion by worming through the cracks in the dragon¡¯s psychic magic defense.


    One Cal, two Cals, three Cals, four¡­ a hundred.


    All around.


    Which is the real one? Or, maybe, we¡¯re all the real one?


    Silence.


    Concentration pushed to even an ancient dragon¡¯s limits.


    Wings beat.


    Zero to Mach 1 in an instant.


    Altitude.


    Chase.


    Serpentine neck twisted.


    Maw opened.


    A river of molten gold spewed forth.


    A dozen Cals disappeared, swamped by the rushing tide.


    Golden waterfall in the sky.


    A split-second to track its trajectory.


    Empty ground. Grass, dirt and a few trees.


    Safe to ignore.


    Invisible buzz saws sparked against golden armor-like plates and white scales.


    This dragon was built more like a tank than the sleek, streamlined Cezi.


    Gold smoke billowed.


    A spark turned the night sky bright with sudden flame.


    The magic kept the massive cloud burning.


    He plunged into it.


    Tongues licked at his forcefield, stripping a thin layer a hundred times a second.


    Build and rebuild.


    He had more than enough reserves to outpace the damage until he burst through the other side.


    The dragon flew through the sky with maneuverability on par with the last generation of fighter jets despite being larger than the largest passenger plane in pre-spires modern history.


    Clawed forelimbs and hind legs lashed out at empty air where Cal¡¯s physic illusions attacked with all too real telekinetic force.


    The maw snapped shut on nothing.


    He moved the molecules in the tissue of the dragon¡¯s mouth.


    A sudden burst of violent friction ignited an explosion.


    The dragon roared, choking on fire and smoke as jagged shards of ivory rained down on the Atlantic.


    Burning blood left trails in the sky as the dragon hit mach 2 only to slam into an invisible wall.


    Cal grimaced.


    That had hurt.


    As if a several hundred ton dragon had just slammed into his brain.


    The dragon plummeted toward the cold, dark, blue.


    He gave it a firm push.


    Wings snapped open.


    Magic flared.


    Leathery white glowed to blinding intensity.


    Mach 3.


    Straight up.


    Maw yawned wide.


    Gold spears spewed forth in a wide spray.


    Telekinetic forcefield pierced.


    Threnium armor cut.


    Blood-shedding grazes to limbs.


    One spear straight through the stomach.


    Heat cauterized the thin hole in passing before healing gel could be injected.


    Nearly instant death without a superhuman constitution that could handle the trauma of a hole in his stomach and a nick to his pancreas.


    Concentration understandably lapsed.


    Psychic copies vanished.


    The dragon roared, plate-sized pupils dilated with a mix of terror and rage at the sight of what his confused thoughts saw as both prey and predator at the same time, yet separately.


    Push both.


    Terror and rage.


    Leave little brain power for rational thought.


    Easier to fight.


    Cal flipped into a dive.


    Broken-toothed maw snapping shut just above his boots.


    Fast.


    Faster.


    The air boomed several times in rapid succession.


    Magic ignited like a rocket behind the dragon as he dived in pursuit.


    Cold, dark blue loomed large with frightening speed.


    Plunge straight into its merciless embrace.


    Turn the massive splash into a whirling water spout to swallow the dragon as he pulled up desperately.


    Steam exploded on contact with hot gold and white.


    A roar of pain and anger choked out as cold brine snaked down the gullet under the forceful guidance of invisible hands.


    He dragged Auvanfelhearobilt into the ocean with a thousand telekinetic chains.


    Animals and monsters fled the area.


    Even the real monsters wanted nothing to do with his and the dragon¡¯s auras.


    Cal put in a call.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Dragon-president Cezi, it¡¯s me.¡±


    ¡°Erm¡­ yes?¡±


    ¡°Now¡¯s your chance.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ thank you, but that¡¯s okay.¡±


    ¡°It was my understanding that dragons could gain strength by taking life essence from other dragons.¡±


    ¡°Yes, in battle.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m in the process of drowning him.¡±


    ¡°Oh, ahem, yes. Very good. Please continue to do so. I wish you success. Goodb¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know you won¡¯t get as much if you did it solo, but for obvious reasons I think it would be best that we worked together as the allies that we are.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°No?¡±


    ¡°Nuh uh.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to fight a mating battle, okay!¡± Cezi roared in his ears. ¡°If I lose¡ª I¡¯ll have to¡ª¡±


    He could almost feel her shudder.


    ¡°I put him in your realm. I¡¯ll hold him there. It gives you an edge.¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t wanna.¡±


    The call ended.


    ¡°Fair.¡±


    She had reasonable concerns.


    The ocean bubbled, steam rose from a wide swathe.


    The dragon shifted.


    Invisible hands around a draconic maw and chains around limbs, body and wings became suddenly too large to hold a humanoid mouth and body.


    Gold exploded.


    An enormous jagged mass sinking into the depths until it burst out in all directions, spraying molten shards.


    Cal was ready this time.


    He flew between the shards, hitting the dragon with a ball of compressed water that exploded with a hundred tons of force upon release.


    The dragon tumbled through the ocean until he gathered himself and leapt off a chunk of gold like a missile launched from a submarine of old.


    Cal grabbed him, but failed to stop the flight before he breached the surface.


    Humanoid turned into dragon once again, rocketing away on a burst of magic away from the hated cold wet.


    Cal lent him a violent push.


    The ocean wasn¡¯t the only place one could kill another through oxygen deprivation.


    The void of space.


    A final frontier for an ancient dragon.


    Was it a fitting place for the end of multiple millennia of conquest?


    Millions of souls had built Auvanfelhearobilt¡¯s hoard.


    One would see the mountain of gold coins toppled with a violent push.


    Stars too close to seem possible burst to life in the dark void with gold flashes.


    Light glittered off golden plates and white scales as they trailed, floating into the nothingness.


    Hot blood cooled as it swirled in chaotic patterns in the vacuum.


    The dragon didn¡¯t know how to fly outside the familiar confines of gravity.


    Wings beat ineffectually.


    He struggled to direct himself exactly where he wanted to with propelling spells.


    Breath attacks sent him flying backwards.


    It was almost easy for Cal to avoid it all and to keep pushing Auvanfelhearobilt away from Earth.


    He read the dragon¡¯s growing panic as the blue and green orb continued to shrink n the distance. As the oxygen in the dragon¡¯s massive lungs continued to dwindle.


    Rage faded.


    Terror grew.


    Concentration frayed like an old rope holding a guillotine aloft.


    All it took was a single psychic blade slipped through a crack in the walls.


    The rope snapped.


    The blade dropped.


    Gold eyes dilated.


    Moon dust bloomed into a great mushroom cloud that would swallow an entire town as the dragon¡¯s bulk slammed into the silent surface.


    Auvanfelhearobilt thrashed, claws cutting white scales up and down his long, sinuous neck.


    Hot blood crystallized moments after they drifted away from his furnace-like interior.


    Bowels voided.


    Violent death rarely held dignity.


    That was the lie that those ignorant, willful or genuine, often said. Particularly, when they aimed to have others die for their purposes.


    The dragon was one such.


    Men and women across several worlds had died at the weapons of his hoard. Who died in turn.


    Conquest.


    Imperialism.


    Colonialism.


    The differences lay in semantics.


    In the end they all brought one thing with certainty.


    That which Cal brought to Auvanfelhearobilt.


    ¡°I warned you,¡± he thought.


    Rage and terror were the only responses he received.


    ¡°Because you care¡ª in your own way¡ª I will allow your hoard to surrender. They will fight for me once and then I will allow them to return to their home world.¡±


    The dragon valued the members of his hoard like a collector valued his war game miniatures.


    ¡°Your scales will be turned into armor and shields. Your teeth, claws, spines and spikes will be turned into weapons. Your bones will be turned into one or the other. Your organs into mana sources. Your flesh? Well, I¡¯m not a savage. I¡¯ll leave that up to Cezirichella. It¡¯s fitting since you wanted to rape her. May she grow stronger and better than you.¡±


    It took almost two hours for Auvanfelhearobilt to become as cold and empty as the void.


    <hr>


    Southern California, Fall 2054


    The warehouse didn¡¯t stink despite the pile of bloody dragon parts taking up a huge portion of the floor space.


    ¡°Thank you clean air spells.¡± Alin nodded.


    The magus and her team were busy prepping, so he was mostly ignored as he walked around the periphery


    It was sketchy, as the old people said, to turn a sapient being into weapons, armor and other gear.


    However, Auvanfelhearobilt was an imperialist.


    Then again, Auvanfelhearobilt wasn¡¯t the rape and pillage kind of imperialist.


    According to his dad, the dragon valued adding to his hoard, as such, war crimes and collateral damage were kept to a minimum in a way that made Earthians look much, much worse in comparison.


    By Earth standards the dragon waged humane wars as a baseline.


    Alin found his dad in a small office by the rear bay doors.


    ¡°Got your message.¡±


    Which was odd because his dad didn¡¯t want to speak over the phone.


    His dad actually looked unhappy.


    Pained even.


    Grimacing.


    ¡°Uh¡­ you didn¡¯t pull a brain lobe last night, did you? You said it wasn¡¯t that bad.¡±


    ¡°Aside from the stomach hole? No. It wasn¡¯t.¡± His dad sighed. ¡°I¡¯m pained emotionally because I¡¯m going to do something I was trying so hard to avoid.¡±


    Alin tried not to smile.


    He mostly succeeded.


    A small grin was all that escaped before he could rein it back into the hangar bay, so to speak.


    ¡°When are we starting?¡±


    ¡°After the new year.¡±


    ¡°Wait? That¡¯s way too far.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too soon. There¡¯s a ton of foundation work that needs to be laid down. Logistics needs doing. Volunteers have to be picked. Non-rangers will need to become enough of a ranger for Mouthy¡¯s Skill to work. I have to prep your contacts from Vegas to D.C. I have to set things up so that our enemies will be too busy to notice you. As for you? You need time to practice without all your normal gear. And power use.¡±


    He opened his mouth to argue, but was forestalled with the dad look.


    ¡°We need to hide your presence if you want the chance to even get in there to start looking for the main ritual site. And some crash leveling for the volunteers will be needed since we can¡¯t include anyone that the enemy will recognize. Not only that, our cover stories will have to stand up to a decent level of scrutiny.¡±


    ¡°Really? I mean, I was planning on you using the mind whammy to make them not look too closely or even realize we¡¯re rangers.¡±


    ¡°I will. And that¡¯ll work on all of them with one exception.¡±


    The demigod.


    ¡°The weird helmet protects his mind in all ways from me. Thus, we must create chaos. Set fires all over this land so that they don¡¯t notice the tiny candle flickering its way straight into their capital. Make them desperate for mercenary help. Weaken the president¡¯s position for the next election, while building up a few alternatives.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Don¡¯t just have one win condition. Make it so that all roads lead to us winning.¡±


    ¡°You understand that the rangers going on your Quest might have an emergency exit plan that you won¡¯t if things go bad once you get to your destination?¡±


    ¡°I do,¡± he nodded. ¡°But, I need to be there. I¡¯m the only one that has a chance at finding that ritual site. Besides, that¡¯s all I need to do. It¡¯s not like I need to destroy it myself. You or Uncle Eron will handle that.¡±


    ¡°Okay, then I¡¯ll start contacting people.¡± His dad chewed the inside of his cheek for a long moment. ¡°You¡¯re going to break it to you mother.¡±


    Aww¡­ shit¡­


    He was hoping his dad was going to take care of that part.

 10.24

    ¡°Why are you even coming along?¡±


    Alin gazed at the clear skies.


    The weather was perfect.


    Only marred by the pops and booms in the distance and the plumes of dark smoke.


    As long as it was all happening at the walls and not inside he¡¯d take it despite the acrid sting and rancid stench that had him grimacing.


    ¡°You¡¯re sense of smell is a lot better too.¡± Kat finally broke the silent treatment she had started a little under an hour ago.


    She hadn¡¯t appreciated his attempt to convince her not to volunteer for his plan. ¡°And I¡¯m coming along because you¡¯re terrible at convincing people. I¡¯ll do a much better job at convincing Steph not to volunteer.¡±


    ¡°No offense¡ª¡±


    ¡°Which always precedes one.¡±


    ¡°You have to admit that is a little hypocritical coming from you.¡±


    ¡°Not at all. Mine and Steph¡¯s positions aren¡¯t the same at all. I¡¯m a ranger. He isn¡¯t. We¡¯re together. You and him aren¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°You sure about that? What if we¡¯re secret lovers?¡±


    She reached up to flick him on the nose. ¡°Steph and you? No chance. Now if it was Victor¡­¡±


    ¡°Ha ha,¡± he said flatly. ¡°He¡¯s another one that I¡¯ll have to talk to.¡±


    ¡°We,¡± she poked him in the ribs. ¡°We will have to talk to.¡±


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have to convince any of you,¡± he muttered.


    Stupid friends.


    He hadn¡¯t said anything to them outside of Kat about his plan.


    Someone had leaked it.


    Kat had sworn it wasn¡¯t her and she had been telling the truth.


    It had to have been someone in ranger command.


    He sighed.


    They had no reason to keep the identity of the main architect of the plan a secret.


    An oversight.


    That was on him.


    Should¡¯ve explicitly stated it.


    ¡°It matters,¡± Kat said. ¡°Your Quest. Many of us have been itching for something real, you know. A thing that we aren¡¯t just going to play support in. Something big, level multiple times in one go big. Like Manila or the slavers. We want to contribute just as much as the old hands did.¡±


    ¡°They have regrets. Like, all of them do. And they¡¯re the ones that survived to tell us those stories so that we won¡¯t go and copy them. Slow leveling is safe leveling. The people that got a ton of levels? They¡¯re the lucky few that didn¡¯t get killed.¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯re going.¡±


    ¡°Because I have to. I¡¯m the only one that can enter D.C. and find the target.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have a class. It¡¯s even more dangerous for you. I¡¯m not staying here while you go off for a few years at a minimum and I don¡¯t know that you¡¯ll be able to come back,¡± Kat said. ¡°Living in a world that you aren¡¯t in isn¡¯t something I¡¯m interested in. I want it all or nothing. Either you¡¯re here with me or I¡¯m not here at all. Besides I¡¯m in the perfect level range for the guidelines that you wrote. So, don¡¯t you dare try to pull any dirty tricks to keep me off the Quest.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve made your thoughts on the matter clear. I respect you, so I won¡¯t pull any bullshit. Not that ranger command would entertain that sort of nepotism.¡±


    He wondered if she knew that he had floated a lure out to Captain Mouthy about just that.


    Who promptly grabbed it and cursed him out for a good 2 minutes with a string of expletives without repeating any words.


    They entered Steph¡¯s apartment complex.


    Weights and sand pits filled the inner courtyard.


    Fitting for the gladiators that occupied most of the units.


    The complex was close to two of the GCA¡¯s largest arenas.


    One was an old baseball stadium, while the other used to be home to a hockey team. The icy kind, not the grassy kind.


    Alin remembered that as a child he had found it really weird that an ice team had been based in Southern California, which was as far away from frozen lands as he could imagine.


    Then he got older and less stupid, realizing that there were machines that froze water and kept them ice cold.


    It was quiet.


    The need for fighters on the walls meant that practically all of the stronger gladiators had stopped competing for fun in order to volunteer their time.


    Steph had been no exception.


    Indeed, he had been spending a lot of time training with the rangers in his free time.


    The doorbell rang an obnoxious tune.


    ¡°Hey! It¡¯s my favorite lovebirds!¡± Steph greeted them with a tight hug.


    ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon!¡± Kat choked. ¡°You¡¯re sweaty and gross.¡±


    ¡°As opposed to sweaty and fragrant.¡± Steph laughed.


    Alin gagged.


    ¡°Sorry, bros. Doing some light cardio before I head over to ranger HQ. Uh¡­ you okay, Boy?¡± Steph let them go.


    Alin staggered away from the doorway for some fresh air.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Kat waved a dismissive hand. ¡°Our adventures have led to some changes for him. Better sense of smell for one.¡±


    ¡°Oh, really!¡± Steph¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°That sounds ace! What about strength? Reflexes?¡±


    ¡°I can bench press a clean thousand now,¡± Alin said.


    ¡°Damn, bro! That is ace!¡± Steph waved them in. ¡°Come in, come in. You¡¯ve been here before, but it¡¯s cleaner now since I don¡¯t spend much time in here. Just to sleep and shower really. So, about this strength gain?¡±


    ¡°For reps.


    Steph¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°I heard a bit about you guys going worldwide, but everyone¡¯s been super secret about it. So, you got better from¡­ whatever it was you did?¡±


    ¡°Trust me, no one knew anything really. Even ranger command only knew a little. Just enough to give the okay for us to be gone for so long,¡± Kat said.


    ¡°Ah¡­ let me guess, it¡¯s got something to do with this Quest they¡¯re asking volunteers for. And it¡¯s the same reason you guys dropped by.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t volunteer,¡± Alin said flatly.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Kat echoed.


    ¡°Uh¡­ why not?¡± Steph said. ¡°It sounds important and all the guys are planning to apply.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not exactly convincing. Just living is dangerous.¡± Steph shrugged. ¡°I had to kill a monster that suddenly dropped into the middle of a parking lot down at the ale works. Thank Superhero Jesus that I had my sober pills ready! You guys have been gone awhile, but that sort of thing has been happening a lot more in the last few months.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve heard.¡± Alin struggled with finding the words.


    He couldn¡¯t divulge too much because he had been ordered to silence.


    Technically, he could¡¯ve disobeyed, but that meant no more rangers.


    As in, command would punish him and they knew that the worst thing they could do was put him on the shelf indefinitely.


    And he wouldn¡¯t go crying to his aunt or dad about it like a little baby.


    The thought was actually alluring.


    Without ranger support he¡¯d have to use others for the mercenary ruse more so than his dad was already working on.


    It was a hard thing to say, but he¡¯d rather people he didn¡¯t really know that well face the dangers over childhood friends and his girlfriend.


    Then again¡­ was he counting chickens before eggs?


    There was no guarantee that command would select Kat and his friends.


    He started going through his mental catalogue, trying to figure out the odds when a finger snap jolted him back into reality.


    Kat looked up at him with a slight frown.


    ¡°Sorry, I was thinking of¡­ stuff.¡±


    ¡°I was just saying that Steph¡¯s contributions here are more important then what he might hypothetically do on a hypothetical Quest,¡± Kat said.


    ¡°Actually, I¡¯m not using my full potential shooting stuff from the walls,¡± Steph said. ¡°Not to be humble, but I¡¯m one of the best one on one fighters for our level range.¡±


    ¡°In an arena. Fighting gladiator-style fights.¡±


    ¡°Ah, Boy, you might be correct, but I¡¯ve been meditating a lot about that. Manifesting, you know?¡± Steph said. ¡°Anyways, what¡¯s a crowd?¡±


    ¡°People watching you fight.¡±


    ¡°Well, I imagine that there will be eyes watching in any sort of fight, rules or not. I mean, my opponents have eyes, right? Even monsters can be technically said to watch me fight like a crowd does?¡±


    ¡°What if I dangle this?¡± Alin mimed waving an imaginary steak in front of Steph¡¯s face.


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know? What exactly are you dangling?¡± Steph said.


    ¡°Training with the best fighters of many different styles across the world.¡± He wasn¡¯t sure, having come up with the idea that very moment, but maybe he could nepotism his way to his dad pulling some strings. ¡°Martial arts from all over Asia, India, Africa, Europe, South America, uh¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that just about covers the world.¡± Steph stared at him with a blank expression.


    ¡°There are gladiators in Rome. In the Colosseum. That¡¯s, like, the original gladiators.¡±


    ¡°Meh¡­ don¡¯t get me wrong, that¡¯d be cool, but that¡¯s sort of what I already know. I¡¯d be more interested in the rest,¡± Steph said.


    ¡°Let me talk to my dad¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not finished. I was about to say I¡¯d be more interested in the rest if I wasn¡¯t locked in on this super secret Quest.¡± Steph grinned. ¡°Sorry, guys. I talked to a few future see-ers and each one said that this isn¡¯t something I want to miss. Plus, you coming here to try to tell me not to volunteer sorta clinches it. It¡¯s like that thing where you tell the kid not to touch the hot pot?¡± he chuckled. ¡°I definitely have to now. So, do you want some sparkling water? I¡¯ve got all the flavors. I need to finish up here, but I¡¯d love to help you guys with a better attack plan for our friends.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Kat frowned.


    ¡°The ones you¡¯re going to try to influence like you did me, except not fail miserably,¡± Steph said.


    ¡°Um¡­ we weren¡¯t going to talk to anyone else,¡± Kat said.


    ¡°Ouch,¡± Steph said flatly.


    ¡°You¡¯re the only one that isn¡¯t technically a ranger, but is adjacent enough and fits the profile that you¡¯d get an invite.¡±Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    The plan was to draw from the rangers first, followed by those that fit said profile.


    Alin went to Steph because his dad had said his friend was likely to be included.


    ¡°If it helps, he tried to talk me out of it too,¡± Kat said.


    ¡°That¡¯s downright favoritism right there. Can¡¯t believe you put me second, Boy,¡± Steph said. ¡°I think that hurts most of all.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t going to be a joke. It¡¯s going to be the most dangerous thing ever.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve always believed that those sorts of situations need the funny most of all,¡± Steph said.


    <hr>


    ¡°This is bullshit!¡± Hayden punctuated her point with the classic hammer fist to the desk.


    The air around her crackled with a whiff of ozone as tiny arcs of electricity traveled up her arm, singeing her sleeve.


    Her eyes glowed, radiating the same arcs across her face.


    The emotion was genuine.


    She didn¡¯t even notice the scorch mark she left on his desk as she pulled back.


    Cal remained silent.


    ¡°I¡¯m 85%.¡±


    ¡°84.73%, but that¡¯s not the issue.¡±


    ¡°Whatever. It should be good enough.¡±


    ¡°Not the issue. You¡¯re too recognizable. Suiteonemiades had a lot of opportunity and plenty of time to familiarize himself with the feel of your power. Your face was obscured, but facial recognition almost doesn¡¯t matter with him. And that¡¯s not counting your infamy with the rest of them.¡±


    ¡°So? You can just mind trick them.¡±


    ¡°Sure, but that won¡¯t stick the moment they recognize your armor.¡±


    ¡°Which I wouldn¡¯t wear anyways since I¡¯d be going incognito.¡±


    ¡°Your power.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a few electricity generators roaming around or in their army.¡±


    ¡°Not to your scale. Trust me. You can be as good as you are at controlling and concealing your output, but there are any number of detection methods at their disposal that will make it almost impossible to avoid getting noticed. Especially, in D.C.¡± Cal pretended to give it careful consideration before continuing. ¡°You¡¯re more vulnerable without your armor. You can¡¯t fight near a demigod¡¯s level without it, which isn¡¯t part of the plan, but the possibility can¡¯t be discounted.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to walk in there wearing street clothes. We have plenty of plausible alternatives I can use to mostly replicate the protection it provides.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true, but it¡¯ll strain credibility. A mercenary band on the rise wouldn¡¯t have its members kitted out in top tier gear. A few pieces here and there, sure, but not a full loadout. That¡¯ll draw attention and raise questions.¡±


    She ground her teeth.


    The gears turned in her head.


    Not that they needed to all that much.


    The rational side of her had already known the truth of everything that he had said.


    ¡°Why Galen?¡±


    It was the emotional side that struggled.


    He empathized.


    The worry she felt was exactly like his in regards to his son.


    ¡°He volunteered. He has the right skill set. And his cover story will stand up to scrutiny because it¡¯ll be essentially true with just a few alterations and omissions.¡±


    Again, Hayden knew all this on a rational level.


    ¡°You¡¯ve read the plan. We¡¯re going to be ready to pull the plug the instant it looks like they¡¯re going to be found out. This isn¡¯t an all or nothing.¡± He respected her too much to attempt to soothe her concerns as if she was a child.


    ¡°Just bomb them.¡±


    He raised a brow, asking for elaboration.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean it like that. Announce it. Give the civilians time to leave. And then bomb the city. Glass it. Rod from God it in case the ritual site¡¯s hidden underground. Anyone that stays¡­ well¡­ sucks for them, but we gave them the chance.¡±


    ¡°I think you understand that it¡¯s not a clean, simple situation. Would you like to explain why?¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m not really in the mood for the student teacher thing.¡±


    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll explain it then because putting it into words and really being mindful of what we are capable of doing makes it more difficult to hide or play ignorant about the consequences.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t patronize me. I understand all that.¡± Hayden crackled.


    He let the silence sink in, guiding her to come to the conclusions she already knew were the correct ones.


    She set her jaw and glared.


    He understood that she needed some slack.


    Her recovery from the fight with Suiteonemiades over a year ago had been slow and difficult. She still wasn¡¯t at 100%. Losing Jayde wasn¡¯t something that time could fix.


    Those kinds of deaths left a hole that might shrink, but never seal completely.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but you need to hear it. What are the probable chain of events after we make such an announcement?¡± He let a moment breathe. ¡°Nothing. Nothing will happen. The Americans¡ª the non-fighters, the innocents, children and such won¡¯t go anywhere. They lack the capability to leave for another city or town on their own. The government and the combined armed forces control every aspect of that. Sure, they could risk it, but you know how dangerous it is to travel long distances without an armed escort. Where would they go? New York¡¯s large enough and they could disperse to any of the smaller cities and towns the farther they get from D.C., but then those places would soon run into resource issues because the bulk of their supply stockpiles are funneled into D.C. and New York.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know.¡± Hayden frowned. ¡°They take it from them so they can trickle it back, forcing them to work hard for barely enough to survive. Which makes the people in the smaller settlements want to move to the 2 main ones if they want more. Which makes them easier to control since once they move, they can¡¯t leave. You don¡¯t have to explain.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t, but I will. Like I said. It¡¯s good to hear it spoken out loud. Now, hypothetically, let¡¯s say the innocent Americans actually take our warning seriously. What are our projections for government and military response?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to tell me.¡±


    ¡°Unless you want to say.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    He shrugged. ¡°Two ways. They let them leave without escort, which means monster death on the roads for most. Or they don¡¯t, which leads to violence. Now, we know the demigod¡¯s rituals, at least the ones in places like Tokyo, used violent death to convert into power.¡±


    Hayden let out a breath through her nose like an angry bull. ¡°Yeah, yeah! I get it!¡± she snapped. ¡°That¡¯ll just make it stronger or he¡¯ll use it for something else. Something probably worse than the one keeping you from entering their territories.¡± She spun on her heel and stalked to the door.


    ¡°Galen volunteered. If you can convince him to do otherwise then I¡¯ll find someone else to lead this mission. You can tell him it won¡¯t change anything. I won¡¯t look at him differently and it won¡¯t affect his place with us.¡±


    Hayden nodded curtly and didn¡¯t slam the door.


    Though that might have had something to do with the line waiting outside his office.


    She was professional and didn¡¯t want to look like some kind of petulant brat.


    Cal was a busy man.


    He had to squeeze meetings within a window of a few hours during the day because the rest of his time belonged to dealing with World Events and wars of varying sizes across the planet.


    The day¡¯s slots were strictly for those members of his team unhappy with their lack of inclusion in this, perhaps, the most important Quest of their lives¡­ to date¡­ he sighed.


    It was always like that.


    The next Quest carried so much for them on an individual level and for the greater group on a collective level.


    A group that could and often did encompass the entire planet, even if the vast majority of the people had no idea their fates were being decided by a handful of people fighting and dying in the dark, literal and metaphorical.


    He could¡¯ve shined a brighter light on it.


    Give the people the same information he had access too.


    But, they wouldn¡¯t have believed him anyways.


    They¡¯d listen to their leaders before they would to a random brown-skinned man hijacking their TV¡¯s and magic orbs, mirrors and whatever else they used to consume the media their governments shoveled down their throats. If they even had old-style media.


    It wasn¡¯t nearly as ubiquitous as it used to be.


    There was the Omninet, but, to no surprise, not all polities on the planet were okay with information they couldn¡¯t control reaching their people.


    Raids to confiscate the devices he distributed for free were a weekly occurrence in many places.


    The joke was on those governments.


    He was never going to run out and it was easy to slip devices to people.


    He did it himself when he flew to and from world events. Eron included them with the rest of his supply drops. Or Rayna¡¯s Rangers used drones to deliver them from their skyships as they did their patrol routes.


    Kelci came in next with her heavy tread that seemed to shake any room she walked into.


    The hybrid had healed better than most from her short fight with the demigod.


    The essence and genes of a hippopotamus spliced into her made for a robust physical nature that resisted damage very well and healed quickly on its own. Though not nearly on the same level as the healing factor possessed by feral-types.


    Revenge for Howard and the ones that didn¡¯t emerge on the other side of the demigod fight was on her mind.


    ¡°You want in on the Quest?¡±


    ¡°Yessir.¡±


    His answer was no, but bluntness wasn¡¯t what she needed in the moment. It had a good chance of negatively impacting her mental state moving forward and she was needed for other missions.


    ¡°Why should I change my mind?¡±


    She detailed a brisk set of reasons with clear and concise language.


    Rational over emotional.


    He mirrored her energy, explaining why she wasn¡¯t going to be included.


    It came down to one issue she couldn¡¯t argue against.


    She was a hybrid.


    The old American government knew her, had a file on her.


    Sure, he could alter their thoughts. Make them forget or place a compulsion that made them fail to register her hybrid nature or any number of mind tricks. The problem with those methods was that the gain wasn¡¯t worth the effort nor the dubious ethics. It was a line he wasn¡¯t willing to cross just so that she could be included in a very dangerous mission.


    Kelci left disappointed, but not angry or depressed.


    She understood and accepted, which meant she wouldn¡¯t dwell on it and could focus on the missions she would be a part of.


    Salamander stomped in after Kelci, turning sideways to get his metal wings through the doorway.


    ¡°Honor. I request inclusion. For Primal. For Kynnro. For the Vigilant.¡±


    The Threnosh had been on Earth for a few months.


    Part of the next batch of retirees.


    Their gaunt face looked like death.


    Skin hung loose and wrinkled.


    Even with the gray skintone they looked devoid of color. No luster. Filled with splotches.


    How much time do you have left, old friend? And you want to head into another potential death zone? You¡¯ve been fighting in them your entire life. Isn¡¯t it time to allow yourself to do something else?


    ¡°Negative, Salamander. You just got here. This Quest isn¡¯t taking it easy.¡±


    ¡°I have no interest in ¡®taking it easy¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Denied. Not for any other reason than the fact that you are Threnosh. The Quest, by design and necessity, will rely on subterfuge and misdirection. Your presence, any other presence that isn¡¯t Earthian human from this region will be inimical to that.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡± Salamander nodded stiffly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make me order you to relax. It sort of goes against the concept and purpose of you coming here.¡±


    ¡°I am still capable.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t leave you out of it when the time comes to give Suiteonemiades our answer.¡± He sighed. ¡°Dismissed.¡±


    The Threnosh saluted and stomped out of the office.


    Dayana sauntered in.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t even let me say anything.¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯ve been listening, so you already know the general gist of the reasons I¡¯m going to give you.¡±


    ¡°Wow. I don¡¯t even rate the verbal interaction thing? Like I¡¯m not even Earthian?¡±


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ no¡­ but so you can¡¯t complain¡­ you¡¯re still not at a 100%. Like Hayden, the Americans have a file and there¡¯s a non-zero chance that random people on the streets of the places the Quest will take you will recognize you from the slaver games since the old slaver kingdom citizens that weren¡¯t happy with a dragon-president moved to said places.¡±


    ¡°May I give a counter point?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°My Skills synergize well with this ¡®mist spektors¡¯¡ª dumb spelling by the way¡ª cover.¡±


    ¡°Not my idea to call them that.¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure. Regardless, I believe I can fake it and pretend to be one of these mist or smoke guys. As for being recognized? Easy. I just need a mask. I¡¯ve already put in an order with your guy¡¯s mask shop in Manila for a cool, vertigo-inducing one with like, these swirling spiral lines.¡±


    ¡°That does sound cool and I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll get plenty of use out of it on all your other missions. Just not this one.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± she prodded. ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± she poked. ¡°C¡¯mon?¡± she whined.


    ¡°Last reason¡­ your level is too high. And we don¡¯t have the items required to conceal that from potential detection and appraisal.¡±


    ¡°Ms. Teacher?¡±


    ¡°She already made me items for Boy. She won¡¯t make any more unless she needs something from me in return and she doesn¡¯t at the moment, nor does she expect to. Not while she¡¯s focusing on her new school location.¡±


    ¡°She could be more helpful, you know? I mean, you let her move to Manila.¡±


    ¡°What we¡¯re already getting from her are things we mutually agreed upon.¡±


    ¡°Then you need to work on your bargaining.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take that into advisement.¡±


    ¡°So¡­¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Then, how bout you let me infiltrate?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already got infiltrators in place. You¡¯re availability for other missions is more valuable. We don¡¯t want you tied up on this Quest or a deep cover role that might last for years.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to go here, but I will.¡±


    He already knew what she was going to say.


    ¡°I want to be close to Boy, so I can protect him.¡±


    ¡°I appreciate the sentiment and I feel the same way¡­ but¡­ he¡¯s an adult and he¡¯s adulting.¡± He sighed. ¡°I¡¯d rather set up a secret island fortress or moon base and lock everyone I care about away from threats, but that¡¯s just not realistic. One, none of you would agree to that.¡±


    ¡°I dunno. I might,¡± she lied with a smile.


    ¡°You¡¯d be bored out of your mind in a few weeks.


    ¡°Guilty,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°Secondly, turtling up just leads to said threats growing stronger or multiplying.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, I know the theory. Whatever the case, if that¡¯s allowed to happen then eventually there will be no safe places anywhere on this world. Maybe even the moon. Hmmm?¡± she mused. ¡°Have you considered Mars?¡±


    ¡°That is a long, time consuming journey and too dangerous for all but a handful of people. Maybe when the Bountiful Decade or the world events ends. Regardless, I think the Threnosh world or Fomrinay would be better. They aren¡¯t Terminus and they don¡¯t have Bountiful Decade. Just regular encounter challenges and spawn zones. The Sacramento folks are finding it significantly more peaceful than here.¡±


    ¡°I know. You haven¡¯t been shy about encouraging emigration.¡±


    ¡°It makes more sense for some people. Regardless, the answer is still no. Distractions and trying to play to my sentimentality have failed.¡±


    Dayana¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Figured. You want me to tell everyone else waiting that they aren¡¯t getting a shot? Cause it¡¯s obvious that you¡¯ve already locked up the team or at least most of it and it doesn¡¯t include me and them outside your office.¡±


    ¡°No. Everyone deserves the chance to argue their case.¡±

 10.25

    Washington, D.C. Winter 2054


    Avery Ham sat on the park bench kicking her feet.


    The playground called to her with its sounds of laughter and joy.


    It wasn¡¯t fair that she couldn¡¯t join the other kids.


    Doubly unfair that she had to wear her church clothes when it wasn¡¯t even Sunday.


    Sooo uncomfortable.


    There was no way she was going to be able to run around after the dumb meeting even if her parents let her, which they weren¡¯t because her stupid fancy shoes would get scuffed.


    She stared wistfully at the playground, imagining being one of the kids playing tag as she sorta listened to her parents talking with the magic teacher.


    ¡°Mr. Finley, your resume says your class is Ghostly Sorcerer. That is certainly unique. Most of the other teachers the school has available are mages,¡± her mom said.


    ¡°It¡¯s intriguing,¡± her dad added. ¡°We¡¯ve read everything we could get our hands on concerning the differences and similarities, but thought that it¡¯d be best to hear it from the actual person.¡±


    Mr. Finley nodded.


    He looked like any other adult to Avery.


    Tall, thin.


    A bit tired with the dark circles under his eyes and the way the lines crinkled when he had smiled down at her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know that I could add anything to what the government, the school or the spires can provide about the classes. Beyond my personal experience with myself I¡¯ve probably read a lot of the same materials as you have.¡± Mr. Finley tapped finger to chin for a long moment of silence.


    Avery got bored looking at him and turned her wistful gaze back to the playground.


    ¡°But,¡± Mr. Finley continued, ¡°I think it¡¯s better if I turn the question to you. What would you like for Avery to achieve?¡±


    ¡°Safety and prosperity,¡± her mom said, squeezing her shoulder.


    Her dad ruffled her hair. ¡°Specifically, we want her strong and knowledgeable in a way that others won¡¯t be able to exploit her and she won¡¯t be put on a battlefield.¡±


    ¡°But, we want her to be able to defend herself if necessary.¡± Her mom fussed with her hair, trying to smooth everything back into place.


    ¡°You¡¯re aware that the government is funding the program for the purpose of future recruitment. Now, that doesn¡¯t mean those positions are all battlefield ones. A functioning society needs more than just soldiers and roaming adventurers.¡± Mr. Finley smiled. ¡°There are plenty of other valuable positions, like mine, not to push, of course.¡±


    ¡°And how is it? Being a magic teacher?¡± her mom said.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ve only been in my position for about a year, but I find it rewarding, both from a salary and purpose standpoint.¡±


    ¡°And you haven¡¯t had to do any fighting?¡± her dad said.


    ¡°Not as requested or otherwise ordered. I have had to defend myself and others from the odd random monster popping up out of the sewers or dropping out of the sky, but I¡¯m sure that¡¯s something you¡¯ve had to deal with.¡±


    Avery remembered the incident last month when gremlins leapt out of trees.


    She had missed with her magic missiles, but her mom and dad were able to shoot them with their guns.


    ¡°I¡¯m not opposed to service,¡± her dad said. ¡°We both served and are still technically in the militia. Having Avery allowed us to take a step back.¡±


    Mr. Finley nodded. ¡°There is no future without children.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± her mom said. ¡°We¡¯re planning on a second once Avery¡¯s settled into her education. The house will feel empty without her running around all day.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear! I¡¯m¡ª¡± Mr. Finley suddenly turned his head to the sky. ¡°One moment.¡±


    He stood, striding toward the playground with his fingers and hands dancing an intricate pattern in front of his chest.


    Avery felt he mana surging.


    Her eyes widened.


    That was a lot of mana!


    More than she had ever been close to in, like, ever!


    It was almost like that time she had stared into the sun before an eclipse after her parents had warned her not to. The healer hadn¡¯t been cheap and she had been grounded for so long because of it.


    A magic shield shimmered to life overhead.


    The massive umbrella covered the playground, the benches arrayed around it and a lot of the surrounding green lawn.


    ¡°Everyone! Please hurry under cover!¡± Mr. Finley¡¯s voice boomed unnaturally.


    People obeyed quickly.


    Experience and lessons had drilled it into their heads that hesitation meant death or worse.


    Avery stared in awe at the rainbow of colors. ¡°So pretty!¡± she whispered up at the symbols dancing in Mr. Finley¡¯s magic.


    She wanted to do that.


    ¡°Mom! Dad! I want to do that!¡± she pointed.


    ¡°Yes, honey,¡± her mom said distractedly, pulling a submachine gun and a shield from a bag of holding before pulling out a tiny helmet and tiny armored vest to roughly jam on Avery.


    Her dad had already drawn his armor and a carbine, taking up a position in front of her and her mom, which was annoying because she couldn¡¯t see Mr. Finley.


    A shadow loomed.


    Sudden thunder cracked.


    People screamed.


    Something big had impacted the magic shield.


    The monster, what else could it have been, was a huge mass of weeping red muscles and writhing tentacles.


    It sorta reminded Avery of the gorillas at the zoo, but a lot bigger.


    ¡°Cover your ears, honey!¡± her mom crouched in front of her, covering with shield and firing with gun.


    She plugged fingers into her ears.


    ¡°Fire!¡± her mom snapped.


    Dad squeezed the trigger.


    Full-auto.


    Avery could feel the rapid pops.


    Her parents and other parents blasted the monster.


    Red blooms erupted from its flesh.


    Seconds emptied magazines.


    ¡°Reloading!¡± Many cried.


    The monster charged, only to be struck by a white blur.


    There she stood for just a moment.


    Avery¡¯s hero! ¡°Captain Patriot!¡± she cheered, throwing her hands into the air.


    ¡°Honey! What do we say about being a target!¡± her mom snapped.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be one,¡± she muttered as she crouched back down behind her mom.


    It didn¡¯t matter anyways because Captain Patriot was gone again.


    They could hear the booms echoing across the park as their number one hero was putting an end to that monster.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± Mr. Finley sighed, ¡°that was a bit too exciting. I¡¯m sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Ham, to you too, Avery. It seems I picked the wrong venue.¡±


    ¡°Or the right one,¡± her dad said. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t been here¡­¡±


    The other parents nodded thanks to Mr. Finley as they tried to calm their children down.


    It was half and half from what Avery could tell.


    For every kid crying out of fright, another was like her, smiling, heart pumping, quivering in place.


    She couldn¡¯t wait to tell her friends that she saw Captain Patriot smashing a monster!


    They had been so close that she could¡¯ve almost touched them.


    She totally would¡¯ve fired her magic missile if her mom hadn¡¯t told her to cover her ears.


    A surreptitious eye roll conveyed her silent thoughts on that matter.


    ¡°In any case, I will understand if you feel that another teacher will be better for Avery,¡± Mr. Finley said.


    Wait?


    What?


    Noooo!


    She tugged her mom¡¯s pants.


    Mr. Finley was way cool!


    She wanted to learn how to make that rainbow magic shield!


    Had to learn!


    ¡°We certainly have a lot to discuss,¡± her mom said.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Mr. Finley said. ¡°Whatever you decide, I¡¯ll prepare a list of teachers and courses to avoid keeping in mind what you want for your daughter¡¯s future.¡±


    <hr>


    Washington, D.C. Spring 2055


    A knock on the sideroom door.


    ¡°Congresswoman?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Reg?¡±


    Her chief of staff¡¯s partially-dyed locs peeked just enough so that she could see his eyes.


    ¡°5 minutes. Unless you want more time.¡±


    ¡°That sounds fine.¡±


    ¡°You sure? They¡¯re enjoying the drinks. I think we can stretch that to 10 or 15 before anyone starts getting impatient.¡±


    Brinley Johnson-Lopez¡¯s smile was made all the more dazzlingly by how natural it appeared.


    She had worked hard on it.


    Hundreds of hours in front of a mirror.


    A few minutes every day after she had washed the sleep off her face and a few minutes before going to bed.


    It was the least of what she had to do to get to the position she was in and, more importantly, to keep it and rise further.


    Much like the fundraiser dinner with its speeches, handshaking and promises to the wealthy and connected donors.


    It was just how things worked.


    She took one last look in the mirror.


    Dark hair was a minus, but the fair skin made fairer with her stylist¡¯s makeup Skills was a much larger plus.


    The dress was an even bigger plus.


    Modest, but did nothing to hide her shape, which had been a blessing from her genetics that had been improved upon by hard work and a few appearance Skills of her own.


    It was a poor politician that didn¡¯t pick up a few of those along with charisma Skills.


    Things inherent to a person¡¯s class couldn¡¯t be banned like enchanted items or alchemical potions.


    But, such things tended to pass in and out of law depending on the whims of the three branches of government.


    Were she to be truthful, she¡¯d much rather they put all their stock into the truth in their cores rather than tricks.


    Another knock, but she was already at the door.


    ¡°Smile,¡± she muttered, preparing herself with a deep breath.


    Smiles.


    Handshakes.


    Hugs from the worse of the lot.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    Old men, old enough to be her grandfather, taking liberties with their hands even as their wives stood beside them.


    Brinley didn¡¯t know which was worse.


    The perpetrator or the one that turned a blind eye.


    A speech.


    Empty.


    Vapid.


    Say the words they expected.


    One didn¡¯t want to be unpredictable.


    That didn¡¯t get donors.


    Donors liked predictability.


    Liked knowing that what they bought with Universal Points and dollars stayed bought.


    It was just how things worked.


    Speech finished.


    Give silent thanks to a Skill that kept her cool under pressure, literally and figuratively.


    Donors wanted a perfect look.


    Sweat on her brow and upper lip didn¡¯t belong in a fundraiser.


    No doubt they¡¯d rather see that in more intimate settings.


    Not that she had ever or would ever entertain such a thing even with how it would help propel her political career.


    She had thought of getting a husband or at least a relationship, but she had seen it with her peers.


    Such wasn¡¯t a shield against the advances.


    Powerful men didn¡¯t let such things stop them.


    Thus, she accepted less and relied on demurring at every advance.


    It wasn¡¯t too hard, to be truthful, the men had wandering eyes and she could play them off against each other.


    All she had to do was keep herself out of those danger situations many a young woman without her position found themselves in everyday.


    She regarded the young waitresses and waiters.


    Which one of you will end up with a bad night? She thought. You¡¯d think they¡¯d be happy with the escorts and brothels.


    The ugly truth was that for some men the unwillingness was what they craved.


    Dinner went as well as expected.


    She had made sure her table was devoid of those kind of men.


    Instead, she had it filled with practically ancient men and women.


    Old timers who still remembered the nation and its capital in its glorious pre-spires era.


    ¡°It¡¯s a shame President George won¡¯t budge on the issue of the hybrid program. He¡¯s listening too much to the bleeding-heart liberals,¡± Lawrence Hitch said. The old man was blind in one eye and deaf in both ears. None of which mattered thanks to enchanted glasses that made his vision perfect and enchanted rubies that made his hearing perfect. ¡°We had it right with the first implementation. Giving way to the soft voices has only left us with an inferior product. If we had kept with it we wouldn¡¯t be struggling with Rightful Destiny. Wouldn¡¯t have to sell ourselves to outworlders just to cling to what we have when we should¡¯ve already taken everything back from the traitors.¡±


    Brinley agreed without quite saying those exact words regardless of her true thoughts on the matter, which was to say that she was actually with the president in regards to his position on the hybridization program.


    Weaker, but plentiful product was infinitely desirable over stronger, but fewer. Especially, when one did the human thing and understood that said products were actual human beings.


    The old program had something like a 10% success rate according to what she had read and been briefed on.


    They hadn¡¯t specified what happened to the failures other than to say that almost all cases ended in death.


    Thus, she spent dinner listening to old people complain, while promising to do her best.


    Not that she was specific.


    Let them fill in the blanks in a way that made them happy enough to donate to her re-election campaign.


    It was a long game she played.


    Congress for an appropriate amount of time.


    Then Senate.


    Then President.


    Then she could truly effect the change the country needed to keep up with the times.


    Dinner mercifully ended.


    Reg came in with the save, keeping her from getting stuck with pawing hands and insipid conversations.


    And he didn¡¯t even have to make something up.


    She had a legitimate call.


    Outside and into her armored SUV.


    Bodyguards everywhere except in the passenger compartment with her.


    Anti-surveillance turned on. Tech, magic and a combination of the two, plus an additional secret device meant to block the hidden surveillances by who knew how many different entities slipped into every little crevice one could imagine.


    She tucked the tiny dot into her ear, somehow it never fell out or in, for that matter.


    Hiding her mouth with her hand she subvocalized.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°I found a mercenary band that¡¯s looking for patronage. Just started, but I¡¯d get in on the ground floor if I were you. Operating out of Vegas, but looking to move east because that¡¯s where the real wealth and power is. They call themselves ¡®Mist Spekters¡¯. I dropped your name, so better get on it quick. Message through the spires for first contact.¡±


    One wasn¡¯t a serious mover in the halls of power without having powerful individuals at her disposal.


    ¡°Can you tell me anything about them?¡±


    ¡°You can find out on your own, but as agreed I wouldn¡¯t suggest a group that¡¯d be incompatible with your ethos.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°I got a few more things.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Warnings. A handsome young man is planning to bump into you on your daily runs. Your exact type.¡±


    How would he know that?


    ¡°He¡¯s a honeypot. Combined Intelligence Agency.¡±


    ¡°Again,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°They¡¯re never going to stop. They have too little over you in the way of leverage and they don¡¯t like that. It¡¯s the same for the party the Hitches are going to invite you to in a few months. A lot of people want more leverage. Think spiked drinks and food. You can figure out the rest. I suggest being busy elsewhere.¡±


    ¡°How? I¡¯m campaigning.¡±


    ¡°Elections are in the summer, right? Maybe it¡¯s time to visit your actual district? Isn¡¯t it strange how I can count on one hand how many times a congresswoman from Texas has actually gone there?¡±


    There had been changes to the Constitution necessitated by the extraordinary circumstances of the spiresapocalypse.


    Residency requirements for congress were now simply having a past relative residing in said state at any time in the past.


    The district didn¡¯t even matter since they were still at well below the number they had pre-spires.


    ¡°Do your campaigning with the people you claim to represent. Be a trendsetter.¡±


    ¡°You do realize that Austin, which is just about the only populated area in my district isn¡¯t technically back in the fold? They can¡¯t even vote. Even if I wanted to, my security detail can¡¯t escort me all the way there.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a diplomatic envoy mission scheduled around the same time. Hitch a ride. After that? Well¡­ the Mist Spekters can handle the escorting on the way back. Who knows what you might encounter on your journey? Could be plenty of opportunities to build your resume?¡±


    The call ended abruptly as it always did.


    She didn¡¯t know who her mysterious benefactor was and she didn¡¯t care.


    He hadn¡¯t steered her wrong yet.


    Saved her many times from traps she and her team had no idea were lurking in the shadows.


    Ambition and caution.


    Tough to juggle, but she had good mental reflexes.


    It¡¯d all be worth it if she could get to a position from which she could guide the country not beholden to the whims of the powerful few.


    <hr>


    Southern California, Spring 2055


    ¡°First things first, you little shits,¡± Captain Mouthy said flatly, like she was reading from a grocery list, when in fact she was reading from a list on the podium, ¡°you¡¯re still Rayna¡¯s Rangers. That¡¯s important. Don¡¯t forget it. Keep it in your stupid minds. Mani-shit-that-fest like your life depends on it¡­ cause it might. Second, you¡¯re also not Rayna¡¯s Rangers. That needs to stand up to scrutiny. Fucking cover stories, right? You were rangers, but now you¡¯re ¡®Mist Spekters¡¯¡­ the fuck? That shit¡¯s not even spelled proper like. God damn, edgelords,¡± she snorted like an angry bull for a moment, rubbing the bridge of her nose. ¡°Fuck it. Stupider probably helps sell it. Any-fucking-ways¡­ you¡¯re Mist Spekters,¡± she rolled her eyes, ¡°but also Rayna¡¯s Rangers, except keep that quiet, so no ranger names, make up new ones, use your regular ones, whatever you want. Like I was saying before you taint smears interrupted me¡­ cover story. Just don¡¯t say that shit out loud and you¡¯ll be fine. I¡¯ve been assured that your thoughts won¡¯t betray nothing and they¡¯ll stand up to all but the highest level truth spells and Skills. As long as you buy into the whole Mist Spekters thing. Before you ask me, how?¡± She let the moment breathe in silence. ¡°Don¡¯t. Cause I don¡¯t know the details and I don¡¯t care.¡±


    Alin sat at the back of the assembly.


    It was a small group of Rayna¡¯s Rangers gathered in the lecture hall.


    20 to be exact.


    About 40% of the Mist Spekters.


    The rest were waiting in Las Vegas.


    People from the Golden Eagles and others his dad had selected.


    It had taken a few months to run those people through an accelerated recruitment process to the rangers, so that they could be counted as true Rayna¡¯s Rangers for Captain Mouthy¡¯s Skill to work on them.


    Not all had managed it for one reason or another.


    Whether they just didn¡¯t fit the ranger ethos and standards or the ranger ethos and standards didn¡¯t fit them in the end they had failed.


    Those people still hadn¡¯t bailed on the Quest.


    They had decided that the rewards were worth the risks without that potential safety net.


    A safety net that Alin didn¡¯t have on account of not having a class.


    One didn¡¯t need the Rayna¡¯s Ranger class for the captain¡¯s Skill to work on them, but they did need a class.


    He listened to the captain with one ear.


    The details of the Quest were things he could recite by memory. Planning with everyone back home had been a grueling process. His dad and the others had been determined to break him down enough that they could justify taking him off the Quest. But, at the end of the day, they couldn¡¯t come up with an adequate replacement for the one crucial thing he could do.


    Only he could find the ritual site with speed and certainty, while not exposing himself.


    Well¡­ he was less confident about the latter.


    ¡°Fifth!¡± Captain Mouthy jabbed her finger at them like they stole her last burger, ¡°level like your lives depend on it! Until you reach D.C. When you¡¯re in that shithole, keep your heads down. Complete the Quest. Don¡¯t die. Now, line up, so I can get this shit done.¡±


    Kat squeezed his thigh before she stood to get in line with the others.


    Childhood friends stood there.


    Some, like Steph, who was a ranger now, smiled like it was going to be all fun and excitement.


    Others, like Victor, Luzi and Gob, were stone-faced for they had seen a friend die. And in the latter¡¯s case, had been minutes if not seconds away from joining Lee and the other rangers murdered by a slasher.


    Steph may have seen more combat against human opponents on a regular basis in the arenas and stadiums, but death was never on the table for the gladiators of the GCA.


    Then there were those, like Eda, who he never would¡¯ve called as the adventuring type.


    Her witch training at his Aunt Wytchraven¡¯s slice of the Fae Realm had clearly changed her from the girl with her nose buried in a book to a straight-backed young woman with glinting glasses hiding eyes that he was fairly certain saw more than what reality presented.


    There was also her owl staring at him from behind the ceiling lights, twisting her head more than what owl¡¯s should¡¯ve been capable of. Bad enough that her brown feathers always looked like they were oozing black slime like those pictures of birds caught in oil spills they used to show in class when he was a kid as a reminder of the perils of the pursuit of wealth and power at the cost of the environment.


    There was something rather¡­ eldritch about Earthian society being built around the extraction of what had once been the collective bones of animals dating back eons into the planet¡¯s past.


    Eda¡¯s familiar, at least, wasn¡¯t actually oozing oil or some other black, eldritch substance. It was merely for the aesthetic. Eda had made them all touch her familiar¡¯s feathers when they had looked askance at the owl.


    A slap on the back jarred him from his rumination.


    ¡°At least that sour look on your face is gone,¡± Victor whispered. ¡°Now you just look like someone stole your slice of cake¡­ you know like every birthday from 6 to 10-ish.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s cause someone always stole my cake.¡±


    ¡°In our defense, most of the time it was your aunt who told us to.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t forget. I¡¯m just biding my time. One day, it¡¯ll be her who¡¯s crying about the cake.¡±


    Victor chuckled. ¡°No reason to be that bummed. The captain¡¯s Skill¡­ well¡­ I¡¯d say it¡¯s us who should be concerned about you.¡±


    ¡°That Skill is a one time thing for a very specific situation. It won¡¯t do shit for any of the thousand possible ways you guys could get hurt or worse.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the life of a ranger.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯d your husband take it?¡±


    ¡°Low blow.¡±


    ¡°Sorry,¡± he sighed. ¡°It¡¯s been settled then?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not happy, but understanding. We all know how important this is. And if I wasn¡¯t qualified or judged to be a valuable contributor to this Quest they wouldn¡¯t have picked me. Do I need to remind you that a lot of rangers applied?¡± Victor patted him on the shoulder.


    A lot was an understatement.


    Thousands had applied with only the barest information about the Quest.


    He didn¡¯t mention it to anyone, but his dad had winnowed that down to a hundred or so.


    The right classes, expertise and experience.


    The right levels, not too high, not too low.


    The right amount of notoriety in the places they were headed, which was to say little to none.


    The Mist Spekters were supposed to be a new group, up and coming. A splinter off the Golden Eagles, recruiting from the Southwest parts of the former United States of America.


    Naturally, recruits would be drawn from Rayna¡¯s Rangers, the largest, strongest group in the region.


    The cover story was that they were young and eager for more than standing on the walls shooting monsters and mutated animals.


    They wanted levels and items they could only get by taking on greater challenges out in monsterland.


    Encounter Challenges, Spawn Zones, bounties, anything and everything.


    ¡°No one here is here because we¡¯re being forced,¡± Victor continued. ¡°And no one¡ª well, most of us are aware of the risks. It¡¯s just¡­ I can¡¯t speak for others, but for me? Those are worth it. War¡¯s no good for anyone and it¡¯s obvious that the demigods are the ones propping up the Americans. Get rid of that support and they¡¯ll fold like¡­ wet paper.¡±


    Alin regarded his friend out of the side of his eyes. ¡°You¡­ fold wet paper a lot?¡±


    ¡°Actually, no¡­ that was a bad comparison. Let me try again. How about a blanket? Those are easy to fold.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard like a cheap suit and a house of cards. The first makes sense. The second¡­ not as much.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Victor mused. ¡°A house made out of playing cards? I¡¯m imagining it just collapsing.¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s something to do with poker, cause you fold when you want to give up or something. I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t play cards, but I¡¯ve watched old people do it.¡±


    ¡°I have not, so I¡¯ll take your word for it. But I think I like the blanket comparison the best. It conveys weakness, like one that quits is a baby needing to be wrapped in a blanket to stop the crying.¡±


    ¡°Jesus F. Christ, you guys have the dumbest conversations.¡± Bluewolf popped into the chair next to Victor in a puff of white smoke.


    A familiar snarl stilled the lecture hall.


    ¡°Fernandez! You narutard!¡± Captain Mouthy palmed a cut log where she stood at the end of the central aisle. ¡°You¡¯re lucky my Skill took cause you weren¡¯t getting another try.¡±


    The log turned into a deadly missile that Bluewolf just managed to duck.


    ¡°Sir,¡± Eda, who was next in line cleared her throat. ¡°That term, though modified, is still against regulations.¡±


    ¡°So many taint smears,¡± Captain Mouthy muttered, rubbing her face. ¡°Look at you!¡± The captain¡¯s smile didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°A couple of years in magic fairyland was all it took to grow that spine.¡± Her grin was downright predatory. ¡°I¡¯m damn proud! Keep up the good work!¡±


    Eda winced as the captain palmed her head none too gently.


    ¡°You should probably clean that up,¡± Alin gestured at the scattered splinters behind them.


    ¡°Huh? Why?¡± Bluewolf shrugged.


    He suppressed a sigh.


    He supposed there was a reason that Songbird had made officer on a skyship and Bluewolf had¡­ not.


    Though twins, one tended to think things through a lot more, while the other did and rarely thought of anything beyond the action.


    ¡°We don¡¯t leave until Wednesday.¡± Victor helped. ¡°That makes 3 whole days that you¡¯re still within the captain¡¯s grabbing radius.¡±


    ¡°So?¡± Bluewolf blinked slowly, almost like Eda¡¯s owl.


    ¡°Clean it up and make yourself invisible.¡± He sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll ask the captain questions, clarify things. Maybe that¡¯ll be enough to distract her from thinking up a punishment for you.¡±


    He didn¡¯t add that the captain was feeling pretty unhappy about the whole Quest thing in the first place.


    At the risks to her kids.


    Not that she¡¯d ever admit it.


    Indeed, he only knew cause he had overheard his dad and mom talking about it.


    They too, were unhappy about the ¡®kids¡¯ going out to do dangerous things.


    Word was that Captain Mouthy had been ready to throw hands with the other captains, who saw the pragmatic value of bringing down the ritual barriers as worth the risk to 20 rangers.


    It was only her Skill with its potential of a last-second save for 19 of them.


    Ah!


    A silent curse crossed his mind.


    He had to stop thinking in ways that could jinx him.

 Interlude: Flags 1.1

    Southern California, Fall 2054


    Five-league boots with a water walking enchantment to cross a large ocean and landmass.


    Half a dozen other enchantments to shield her from the weather.


    More to mask her presence from threats.


    A cloak of carrying for her passengers. An innocuous name for an enchantment gleaned from the foulest, evilest of sources.


    Some would say one should not take such risks, but what was a true witch if not one that threaded the needle while balancing on the thread itself?


    Or some other nonsense the older witches liked to say.


    As for her?


    She had less melodramatic notions overall, but she wasn¡¯t above bowing to them in service of her class.


    Ocean and land.


    Great distance.


    Just over 300 steps.


    A witch of portents took one last to carry her over the distant walls and into the relative safety of ranger territory.


    Travel arrangements had been made and she had permission which meant she didn¡¯t have to deal with things like submitting to questioning and inspection with guards and such.


    Not that it appeared that they had time judging by the piles of monster corpses and blasted landscape beyond the walls.


    A glance skyward showed dark gray-skinned behemoths as ominous as gathering storm clouds, but with none of the comforting charm.


    One last five-leagued step carried her to the neighborhood where her auguries had guided her to.


    Quiet this time of night, but not as quiet as she had expected.


    People walked the streets.


    Armed patrols.


    Armed civilians¡­ just enjoying a stroll during the witching hour?


    They eyed her suspiciously.


    Some whispered urgently into smartphones or tiny magic gems.


    Her metaphorical papers were in order so nothing ever came of it except for dubious nods which she returned with a tip of her black-as-night hat and a wide smile as bright as the slash of moon above.


    She waited in the shadow of gnarled tree for the people to continue on their way before unfurling her cloak to disgorge her passengers.


    Two young witches tumbled out.


    The elder did so with some semblance of grace for he also had levels in dancer and it wasn¡¯t his first time. He caught the younger before she could slam face first into the sidewalk.


    ¡°We are here, apprentices!¡±


    She grinned like the cats did when watching an augury near its end for that meant an imminent filling of their bellies. She wasn¡¯t the sort of which to make use of familiars, but she had to admit that they were useful at times. Cleaning up animal entrails and detritus was always the worst part of the craft. Indeed, cleaning up was usually the worst part of any craft.


    ¡°Time check!¡±


    She clapped before pulling at her voluminous sleeve to reveal a wristwatch. It was gold and studded with glittering diamonds. A relic of an earlier age. From her understanding, such watches cost fortunes enough to feed thousands of people for a year or more. To think that men would rather spend it on gaudy, ostentatious mating displays than in helping their fellow human beings.


    ¡°8:05 am!¡± Tifaniel said.


    ¡°8:07:35 am,¡± Lucien said.


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± she mused.


    All three of them had a different time even though they had synced them before departure.


    ¡°Note the differences!¡±


    Out came pens and notepads.


    ¡°Convert to local time!¡±


    It had been vital to reach their destination at the right time.


    Fortunately, the witching hour gave them plenty of leeway.


    ¡°Did we really cross all that in minutes?¡± Tifaniel said.


    ¡°Less,¡± Lucien grunted.


    He was getting to that age of dark clothes and darker poetry. Although, he had mostly become monosyllabic and scowl-y.


    ¡°Amazing!¡±


    She agreed with her apprentice.


    ¡°I was too young to remember, but I once flew across the same ocean with my family. It took hours.¡±


    She could almost sigh.


    Dead and gone.


    Barely remembered.


    Not at all if not for memory spells and Skills that allowed her to view them even if it was only as a viewer from without rather than a participant from within.


    Something, despite its lack of emotional connection, was better than nothing and the unknown.


    ¡°Many hours in a camped cabin with recycled air and human odors.¡±


    Her apprentices¡¯ had even less frame of reference for the old world¡¯s modes of travel.


    Perhaps, she¡¯d try to prevail upon connections, specifically that of Wytchraven, to give them the opportunity to ride within one of those ugly behemoth daggers in the sky?


    Yes.


    Strictly for them.


    For a witch must fill their hats with as many experiences as possible.


    The better for a young one to find their craft.


    Definitely, for them.


    Not just for her.


    Not out of jealousy that she had yet to ride in one when other witches of her level and standing had done so. Sometimes repeatedly.


    A sudden boom shook the sky.


    An orange and yellow flower bloomed against a dark gray dagger.


    Yes.


    Danger was good for a young witch.


    The better to prepare them.


    It would be with great reluctance that she¡¯d part with the boots upon her return. Directly into the armory they¡¯d go until the next time the need would be deemed sufficient to risk them. Though, despite the distance one could cross in a single step there were many things in the world that could easily kill a witch regardless and the boots were one of a kind. A Quest reward that all attempts to replicate, even a lesser copy, had failed.


    ¡°Yes, yes,¡± she nodded sagely. ¡°So, how was the experience inside the cloak?¡±


    ¡°Same,¡± Lucien grunted.


    ¡°It was strange.¡± Tifaniel closed her eyes, brow furrowing. ¡°Cold, yet warm. Sometimes I felt like I¡¯d freeze forever and I would never experience the warmth of my mom¡¯s hug. Sometimes it got hot, really hot! Like I had been dragged into hell.¡±


    ¡°Hell¡¯s not always just hot. Some parts of it are cold.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Lucien! You¡¯ve done your reading!¡±


    He grunted.


    One of acknowledgment.


    It hadn¡¯t taken her long to learn the differences in tone and pitch.


    She would¡¯ve been a poor teacher otherwise.


    Indeed, she felt that she was close to an adequate level of proficiency in the grunt language to hold a decent conversation with her apprentice eschewing actual words.


    The Divine Comedy was a good read for brooding young witches.


    ¡°Oh!¡± Tifaniel opened her eyes and grew pale. ¡°I also thought I heard children crying and begging for help.¡±


    Lucien spat, as if to get a foul taste out of his mouth.


    She sympathized.


    Wearing the cloak was an altogether different experience from being inside of it.


    ¡°It is a foul enchantment. Now, tell me why?¡±


    The question was for her younger apprentice.


    ¡°Because of where it came from. Foulness breeds foulness. Evil comes from evil. No matter what we do to try to change it something of the origin will always remain. The cloak contains some of the monster¡¯s skin and pieces of its bag. Our enchantment is built on its magic.¡±


    Her apprentice gazed up with eyes longing for approval.


    She nodded.


    It was a satisfactory answer.


    ¡°Now, my apprentices. Shall we proceed?¡±


    An eager nod was followed by a surly one.


    She led them down the dark street.


    There were lights and they appeared to be in working order, just off.


    Likely due to the loud booms and bright flashes overhead.


    Lights meant life.


    Death hungered for life in war.


    It mattered not for she and her apprentices could see well in the dark thanks to the ointment smeared under their eyes.


    She stopped in front of a darkened house.


    Small like the rest.


    Two, perhaps three bedrooms at most.


    Single level.


    Most had been truly dark.


    Only a few leaked dim yellow from the edges of dark curtains and closed blinds.


    Bright as beacons in the darkest of nights.


    It explained the enchantments cast upon them.


    Cheaper to place them on the individual occupied homes that on the entire neighborhood.


    ¡°Are you prepared, my apprentices?¡±


    Nods.


    ¡°Good. You hold in your hands the most important part of our fell Quest. For this domicile must be handed over of a man¡¯s free will before we can start. And if you fail¡­ then our uncertain doom steps ever closer.¡±


    Melodramatic.


    Not entirely accurate.


    Her auguries had pointed to this specific house.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    She knew it in her witchy bones now that she stood in front of it.


    However, those same auguries had given her a few backup houses to try in case the man inside proved reluctant.


    <hr>


    Roberto stared in the mirror.


    Hunched shoulders pushed his stomach out, making him look like a fatty.


    He sighed, straightened and vacuumed it in.


    He poked at his midsection.


    A grimace marred his slightly above average features.


    In truth, he had upped his physique to compensate for the things he couldn¡¯t change. At least not without a visit to the plastic surgeon.


    And that was just cheating.


    It was why he had remained a full natty even with the availability of performance enhancers that lacked many of the negative side effects that the old guys at the gym always reminisced about.


    He never understood why they always sounded nostalgic about those days.


    Acne, anxiety, diminished ball size and performance, a simmering rage just boiling underneath the surface ready to explode at any number of tiny, insignificant triggers and an early grave were things that didn¡¯t at all sound appealing.


    Nope.


    Not for him.


    Not even the new, better stuff could tempt him.


    Now though?


    He poked, pinched and pulled.


    He was losing his six-pack.


    He had to get back to the grind.


    Not enough equipment at home.


    Had to go back to the gym.


    But then¡ª


    His eyes slid up to his head.


    Three long strands was all that remained of what was once a full head of thick, dark hair just about two weeks ago.


    Oh, he had plenty around the sides and back.


    It made him look like one of those monks or samurai in those old movies his brother loved to watch.


    If only he could¡¯ve just shaved it all.


    That¡¯s what his buddies did and every other balding man at the gym.


    Well, that wasn¡¯t entirely accurate.


    He could shave it all.


    It just always grew back to the same sorry state looking back at him in the mirror.


    Gone one moment.


    Back the next time he woke up.


    Full night¡¯s sleep, a short nap and everything in between.


    None of it mattered.


    He had tried to find help.


    Went to all sorts of people.


    Barbers, hairstylists, doctors.


    None had been able to help.


    Even those that dipped their toes into magic user classes.


    The only thing they had been able to tell him that his hair issues were definitely magical and they couldn¡¯t fix it.


    One had said that it felt like a curse and to maybe try a witch.


    They were rare and they didn¡¯t advertise services.


    There was one with a shop down near the beach, but every time he tried to go inside an ugly old tomcat, black as night with a thick, pumpkin-sized head hissed at him and bared claws.


    He was a swoll 260 and he could almost deadlift a car, but one look at those big, yellow eyes and he had turned around with his metaphorical tail tucked all the way between his legs.


    Tangling with a mini-mountain lion was a step he wasn¡¯t willing to take.


    Sure, he could¡¯ve brought his gun and shot it, but he figured the witch, let alone everyone else, wouldn¡¯t be too happy about that.


    Thus, he stayed indoors, ordering his food and alcohol, to stew in his misfortune.


    One he might¡¯ve been responsible for.


    ¡°This is unfair. Stupid bitch. Not like she wasn¡¯t getting her own on the side¡­ probably¡­¡±


    Truth was he didn¡¯t know that.


    Not for sure.


    His ex didn¡¯t seem like the type.


    He wasn¡¯t blameless.


    He could acknowledge that.


    It was just that cursing him was too much. Like blasting a fly with a fireball for grazing his steak.


    He threw a double bicep pose, flexing all he had just for a hit of that confidence.


    Still huge, but definitely losing definition.


    The doorbell broke him from his unhappy reverie.


    ¡°The fuck?¡±


    He grabbed his shotgun from the rack in his hallway.


    He had weapons stashed all over his house so that he wasn¡¯t ever more than a few steps from one.


    ¡°Show front door camera on hallway screen.¡±


    The tablet on the wall took a second to go from dark screen to even darker outside.


    That was odd and scary.


    The outdoor cams all had night vision mode.


    He was just about to put a call in to the SCSDF when something tickled the back of his neck.


    Soothing, but creepy.


    ¡°Who¡¯s out there!¡±


    There was a slight echo from the speakers due to the split-second delay.


    ¡°You kids better not be messing around! It¡¯s not yet Halloween! And you know what the SCSDF said about pulling pranks!¡±


    Idiot kids were going to get themselves killed sneaking around in the dark, especially when there was some kind of war thing going on. And that wasn¡¯t even counting the Bountiful Decade crap with more monsters spawning.


    ¡°I am armed and dangerous!¡±


    A giggle.


    Like a little girl, but echoing.


    ¡°Oh¡­ for fuck¡¯s sake,¡± he muttered.


    That was never a good sign.


    He peeked around the corner, shotgun braced on his shoulder, but pointed down.


    He wasn¡¯t going to risk friendly fire.


    Even then it wasn¡¯t like he could shoot through his front door.


    That shit was reinforced with several layers, like tank armor and a bank vault door combined.


    His heart already beating like he had just completed a heavy set on the bench kicked it up a few notches.


    Now, he was at a 400 pound bench for reps and a hundred meter sprint.


    Options ran through his head, but it was tough to think through the heat and pounding.


    Fight?


    Nope.


    He was big and strong, but not a real fighter.


    Flight?


    His house was the safest place he could be aside from one of the emergency shelters.


    He had a bike, but he wasn¡¯t willing to bet his life on that against whatever was out there.


    ¡°Call SCSDF emergency number,¡± he whispered.


    Five beeps felt like an eternity as he strained to pick something, anything out of the darkness on the screen.


    The SCSDF guy on the other end finally picked up.


    He gave a quick and calm explanation on the creepy little giggling girl nature of his emergency along with his name and address.


    ¡°Hold on.¡±


    Another eternity.


    ¡°Yeah, so, this is weird, but I¡¯m connecting you to someone else. Whatever you do, don¡¯t shoot!¡±


    ¡°Wait, what do you mean?¡±


    The call ended.


    ¡°What¡ª¡±


    Another call began.


    ¡°Listen, Mr. Atkinson. You¡¯re not in danger. Open the door or don¡¯t. The choice is yours. If it¡¯s the latter, just tell them to go away.¡±


    He failed to notice that he hadn¡¯t accepted the call.


    The deep voice made him jealous.


    He had always wanted a voice like that.


    A real man¡¯s voice.


    ¡°What the fuck is going on? Who are you?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll ask for a trade. Just don¡¯t offer up your soul or firstborn or anything like that. Stay away from conceptual things or ideas. Nothing ephemeral. Physical objects should be fine. Trade an apple, but not the taste of one. That sort of thing. You understand? Unless you don¡¯t care about never knowing the taste of an apple ever again. That might pull in anything apple adjacent.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t help but nod before realizing that the call was audio only.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡­ think. Wait! That doesn¡¯t answer my ques¡ª¡±


    ¡°Make a deal or don¡¯t. The witches won¡¯t hold it against you either way.¡±


    With that the call ended.


    His heart beat like the ticking of sped up clock.


    Wait¡ª


    Witches?


    ¡°Uh¡­ hello out there? So, um, you guys are witches? And you want to make a deal?¡±


    He wracked his brain for what they could¡¯ve wanted from him and found nothing.


    The inverse wasn¡¯t true.


    He definitely had a problem he needed fixing.


    Go big or go home.


    That was the only thing in his mind.


    And the deep-voiced man seemed trustworthy.


    Roberto believed him when he had said there was no danger.


    A trustworthy voice.


    Definitely.


    He placed his shotgun back in the rack and went to the front door.


    A hesitant peek through the peephole revealed a nightmare.


    A looming witch, judging by the dark robes and dark, pointy hat with a wide brim, beneath which¡ª


    The visage of a nightmarish creature that defied description cackled at him.


    His heart spiked.


    Terror enough to give his feet wings surged through him, but only for a moment.


    It drained out of him suddenly, like air from a stabbed basketball.


    The visage grinned like a satisfied cat with yellow feathers scattered around it.


    ¡°So¡­ uh¡­¡± the fear wasn¡¯t entirely gone. It was more that it felt too far away to reach him. Like someone had taken it out of him and put it in the master bedroom, shut the door and locked it. ¡°You want something from me? Well, I want something in return and I¡¯m not trading my soul, or, uh, first born and, um, apples¡­ it depends on what you want.¡±


    ¡°Dire portents within rats entrails ere we crossed the sea¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ to reach this distant land for fell and fair bargain¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ worry not for we bring guarantee¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ to bring life back to yon bare garden.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Shakespeare shit?¡±


    Had to read that crap during mandatory education when he was younger. Wasn¡¯t that long ago, truth be told, barely 10 years. Already forgot most of the things they had tried to shove into his head.


    ¡°Wait! There¡¯s two of you? Holy shit! Wait! How are we talking through the door?¡±


    Which was the more important question?


    What was one looming witch was now two.


    Decidedly less terrifying on account of one being what appeared to be a little girl and the other much taller, but still a kid.


    A teenager if he knew body types. A boy just hitting puberty.


    He had been there once.


    All long limbs and aching joints.


    He could almost hear a bit of breaking in the kid¡¯s voice.


    As the taller kid said the last line he removed his pointy hat and point to a full head of blond hair.


    ¡°My bare¡­ garden¡­?¡±


    Roberto¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°You can fix this? It¡¯s some kind of curse.¡±


    ¡°¡­ first open the door¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ and stop being a bore.¡±


    Go big or go home.


    Or in this case, live the rest of his life like some fat slob in his 50¡¯s when he was barely entering his prime or get killed by witch kids.


    He opened the door.


    ¡°I¡¯m not inviting you in¡­ technically.¡±


    He stepped back.


    They entered.


    The older first, followed by the younger.


    He took a moment to scan them.


    No obvious weapons.


    The latter was dressed full on as a witch. She wouldn¡¯t have looked out of place with the rest of the kids in a few days out and about. Sure there were designated safe zones for Halloween stuff, but it wasn¡¯t something he would¡¯ve done on account of all the war stuff going on overhead.


    Safe?


    More like safe-ish.


    But, whatever, he wasn¡¯t in charge.


    He supposed the semblance of normalcy was good for morale.


    Black robes, pointy black hat.


    Grinning face. Just a bit sinister, but lost some points for the missing tooth.


    The former was a skinny kid, growing tall though, probably hit well over 6 feet by the time he was done judging by the size of his hands and feet.


    Pointy black hat, but not robes, dressed more like that ¡®the one¡¯ character in that old movie.


    The second and third movie.


    Not the first, which was superior to the rest.


    The black coat thing almost looked like a robe, but he could see black pants as the kid walked forward.


    ¡°So, uh, what do you want?¡±


    He prayed that it wasn¡¯t going to be something like his soul or a vial of his blood.


    There was some leftover brisket in the fridge.


    It had been a big hit at his buddy¡¯s birthday party.


    ¡°¡­ give us your home¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ thrice the betrayer, justly cursed¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ three days, three nights you¡¯ll be free to roam¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ for being the worst¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, uh, I did terrible in school. Can you speak in normal English? Er¡­ please?¡±


    They exchanged a displeased glance complete with a blatant roll of the eyes.


    Damn little punks.


    If he wasn¡¯t clenching his cheeks so hard he might¡¯ve done something about it.


    ¡°We want your house for three days and nights to do with as we please. You will leave and stay away for the duration,¡± the boy said.


    ¡°In exchange,¡± the girl presented a small vial of glowing liquid with a flourish, ¡°an end to your curse.¡± She eyed his bald head with a smirk.


    Well, that wasn¡¯t too bad.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he swallowed, ¡°but I want details and a con¡ª¡±


    The boy held out a hand.


    Bright glow emerged, coalescing into a single sheet of paper.


    ¡°¡ªtract.¡±


    ¡°All official and proper. We do not play unfair tricks, unlike others,¡± the boy said.


    ¡°A real witch is fair,¡± the girl said.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get your house back as it is right now.¡±


    ¡°And you won¡¯t be a bald old man anymore.¡±


    He reached out for the contract.


    It was simple.


    Written in plain language.


    Just as the creepy witch kids had said.


    They¡¯d borrow his house.


    In exchange he¡¯d get his rightful head of hair back.


    Signing was an easy decision.

 Interlude: Flags 1.2

    Halloween night.


    A time for kids and kids at heart to dress up in ridiculous costumes and ring doorbells to get candy from strangers. For men and women, who really should know better, to wear sexy versions of perfectly normal costumes.


    ¡°So¡­¡± Hardhat adjusted her high visibility vest, ¡°we going in there or what?¡±


    They stared at the house.


    It was hard not to notice how it stood out from the rest of the houses in the neighborhood.


    Three stories instead of one.


    A small footprint at ground level that widened on the next two.


    Dark and Gothic, but a caricature of what an artist might¡¯ve thought was spooky.


    Lots of pointed bits on the roof and corners.


    ¡°Gargoyles! So many gargoyles!¡± Spiritwalker said. ¡°I should¡¯ve brought my kids!¡±


    Mouthy raised a brow.


    ¡°Gargoyles are huge in my house right now.¡±


    ¡°You finally let them watch that cartoon I told you about?¡± Creepy Chipmunk said.


    ¡°Yeah. Figured they¡¯re old enough to get the mature themes.¡±


    ¡°Original series or reboot?¡±


    ¡°Original.¡±


    ¡°Nice!¡±


    ¡°Once we finish we¡¯re hitting the reboot and the new series.¡±


    They exchanged an intricate dance of hand slaps and fist bumps.


    ¡°Fucking morons¡­ you two, not your kids,¡± Mouthy clarified. ¡°They¡¯re fucking adorable. Anyways, fuck your cartoon shit. Terrible shit animation. All pixellated and shit. Couldn¡¯t get past 5 minutes.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯d you expect?¡± Creepy Chipmunk scoffed. ¡°It was from the 90¡¯s¡­ the 1990¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°What do you think, captain?¡± Aims kept one hand on the revolver on his right hip, adjusted his cowboy hat, then pulled out the fake cigar sticking out from the corner of his mouth.


    Fake in the sense that it wasn¡¯t tobacco or any other poison.


    It was actually strawberry cheesecake flavored and the smoke contained zero harmful elements. It was essentially the same as breathing non-polluted air.


    The rangers waited on Captain Butcher even though they were no longer Squad 13 and they all shared the rank.


    ¡°I¡¯m thinking I should¡¯ve pushed harder against Halloween this year.¡±


    It was hard to argue with the distant and not so distant booms in the sky.


    One could almost fool themselves into thinking that it was a fireworks show and not their skyships battling flying monsters and the occasional squadron of harpies.


    ¡°Should be safe-ish,¡± Hardhat shrugged, ¡°Rayna and her bro are providing security. I¡¯d almost want those bastards to try something just so they can find out.¡±


    Gasps.


    ¡°Oh, come on! I said ¡®almost¡¯. Obviously, I¡¯m pulling for no big catastrophes so everyone can have some fun¡­ especially the kids.¡±


    ¡°Where are your little ankle stabbers anyways?¡± Mouthy punched Spiritwalker and Creepy Chipmunk in their arms¡­ hard.


    The former winced, while the latter flowed with it with unconscious effort.


    Spiritwalker rubbed the offended area. Faint light sparkled as what looked like tiny fireflies danced underneath his fingers. The spirits would ensure that there would be no bruising.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t about to bring my family to this suspicious place,¡± he sniffed. ¡°They¡¯re at the beach festival. I¡¯m hoping this won¡¯t take long and I can meet up with them for the haunted play show thing.¡±


    ¡°Mine are scrounging for candy in my wife¡¯s parents¡¯ neighborhood. At least the youngest one is,¡± Creepy Chipmunk said. ¡°More importantly, what are you wearing?¡±


    ¡°Sexy dinosaur,¡± Mouthy said.


    Purple, complete with a tail. And a bikini for some reason.


    ¡°What the fuck, you got a problem with it? I saw plenty of sexy bullshit on my way here. Chicks, dudes, everyone be all dressing up as sexy scientists and stupid shit. Buncha pervs using this night as an excuse.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t slut shame!¡± Hardhat laughed.


    ¡°Ain¡¯t shaming when I¡¯m just speaking fucking truths.¡±


    ¡°None of that explains why you decided to go with that costume?¡±


    ¡°Suck my purple dinosaur vag, Shittywalker.¡± Mouthy shot a rude gesture. ¡°I¡¯m making a statement.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s just mad that she didn¡¯t have duty tonight,¡± Hardhat patted the large dinosaur head.


    Mouthy slapped her hands away. ¡°Nah, fuck that. This is my duty right here. Command said I had to put on a costume and enjoy the festivities or whatever. Have to write a report too. Can you believe that shit? I¡¯m over 50 in both age and level and they¡¯re treating me like some wet-diapered junior ranger.¡±


    ¡°You have been especially surly and insubordinate of late.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m warning you, Cunty Chipmunk. Your lady, who is way too good for you, said I could smack the lip out of your mouth if you got too annoying.¡±


    ¡°You can do that, but you can¡¯t silence the truth.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Mouthy. He¡¯s usually a dick, but he isn¡¯t wrong.¡±


    ¡°Same goes for you, Sluttywalker.¡±


    ¡°Is it a class thing?¡±


    Mouthy ground her teeth for a long moment while the rangers, even Captain Butcher regarded her with genuine concern.


    Her class was powerful, special, but it came with added difficulties, burdens.


    ¡°Yeah, no, maybe.¡± She sighed. ¡°It¡¯s mostly the nightmares.¡±


    Crickets chirped in the silence for what felt like a long time.


    ¡°Nightmares, huh?¡± Creepy Chipmunk adjusted the collar of his sexy priest costume, which was essentially a black vest without a shirt underneath in order to showcase his lean-muscled form and black shorts that were much too short to be deemed acceptable by the general populace, let alone his in-laws. They truly didn¡¯t get along. Largely because of their religiousness and his lack thereof. Although, the fact that he was about twice his partner¡¯s age probably was the biggest conflict point. In his defense, as he always pointed out, he might have been in his early 50¡¯s, but he looked 10¡ª if not 15¡ª years younger. One couldn¡¯t dispute that he had the abs of a much younger and very athletic man. ¡°Been having those a lot lately.¡±


    Captain Butcher¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Anyone else been having nightmares over the last few weeks?¡±


    Affirmatives all around.


    ¡°Right then. That settles it. This must be the witch thing.¡±


    Spiritwalker frowned. ¡°That is the vibe I¡¯m getting from the magic coming off this place.¡±


    ¡°Command meeting last week. There was an item about one of Wytchraven¡¯s asking for permission for some kind of op here. Went straight to the top without any discussion. I checked in on it again and got nothing beyond the notice that it was approved and not to worry about it.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ what? It¡¯s like a game? A haunted house? Just for us?¡± Creepy Chipmunk returned the pistol to his drop leg holster and Igorot axe to his bag of holding.


    ¡°Seems like a lot of effort for a game.¡± Hardhat touched her eponymous relic. ¡°Then again, witches are crazy bitches. This game could be deadly serious and helpful. I can¡¯t see them getting approval if there wasn¡¯t something to gain or benefit us in the end.¡±


    ¡°Are we gearing up or what?¡± Mouthy looked hopeful¡­ ridiculous in her bikini-clad purple dinosaur costume¡­ but hopeful at the possible end to her torment.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t get that thing enchanted?¡± Aims raised a brow. ¡°I got mine done.¡±


    ¡°My shits in my bag. I can put it on quick with my Skill.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m checking in with command,¡± Captain Butcher said.


    The others lowered their voices while keeping one ear on their old captain¡¯s increasingly agitated exchange with the escalating ranks of unfortunate rangers on the other end.


    Hardhat nudged Spiritwalker in the ribs.


    ¡°Hey, Rai, your wife¡¯s a lawyer, right?¡±


    ¡°An attorney. The youngest in the land!¡± He beamed. ¡°Why? Need legal advice?¡±


    ¡°Youngest?¡± Mouthy snorted. ¡°I always knew you two fuckers would turn out to be cradle robbers. Even back then, I saw the pervy old men in your souls.¡±


    ¡°A 15 year difference might seem like a lot now, but when I¡¯m 115 and she¡¯s a 100 you naysayers are going to look foolish for ever trying to get in the way of true love,¡± Creepy Chipmunk said.


    ¡°Jesus stab your eyes!¡± Mouthy hissed. ¡°I hate it, but you ain¡¯t lying. You¡¯re lucky about that. Still gross though.¡±


    ¡°C¡¯mon!¡±


    ¡°I might change my mind when you hit that century mark.¡±


    ¡°Besides, it¡¯s way worse with Rai. Your wife old enough to drive yet?¡±


    ¡°Ignore them.¡± Hardhat took a moment as if uncertain on what to say next or to even say it at all. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking I need to write up a will or something like that. For my stuff¡­ well, mostly for this.¡± She tapped her father¡¯s old hardhat. Well¡­ hers now.


    ¡°You? A will? No way!¡± Spiritwalker said. ¡°For a woman pushing 60 you don¡¯t look a day over 50.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, I¡¯m feeling it everyday. Weaker, stiffer and more tired.¡±


    ¡°There are things for that. Potions, spells, maybe you can pick up a longevity Skill?¡±


    ¡°Temporary and they feel wrong for me. Like, I don¡¯t want to prolong it. Like, I want it to end when it¡¯s meant to end.¡±


    ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll let my wife know. Hell, why not come over tomorrow. She¡¯s not working.¡±


    ¡°Nah, thanks, but I¡¯ll make a proper appointment.¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t been over in a while. The kids love trying on your hat and having sharp, dangerous things thrown at them.¡±


    Hardhat gave Spiritwalker a flat-eyed stare. ¡°I want your wife to help me to the best of her ability.¡±


    ¡°Okay, that makes perfect sense.¡±


    ¡°¡­ what do you mean knock or don¡¯t?¡± Captain Butcher grunted. ¡°That¡¯s even more cryptic than usual for you, Cal¡­¡±


    ¡°Fuck it, I¡¯m gearing up.¡± Mouthy tore the bikini dinosaur costume off and started pulling pieces of her standard armor from her bag of holding. ¡°Well?¡± she snapped when the others simply shrugged.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    ¡°Enchanted cowboy leathers.¡± Aims tipped his hat and blew a strawberry cheesecake scented ring of smoke in her face.


    ¡°Hardhat.¡±


    ¡°But I look so sexy in this.¡±


    ¡°My spirits are only mildly concerned.¡±


    They watched their captain nod and grumble a few more times before she stowed her smartphone.


    ¡°He gave me nothing to go on. Go or don¡¯t. It¡¯s up to us.¡±


    ¡°Whatever you say, captain,¡± Hardhat said.


    She shook her head.


    ¡°Years and you still won¡¯t get it into your heads that we¡¯re all captains.¡±


    ¡°More fun this way, sir!¡± Spiritwalker saluted.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be my captain for life, sir! Even when you¡¯re old, gray and wrinkled¡­ er¡­ even moreso than now¡­ respectfully, sir!¡± Creepy Chipmunk saluted. ¡°You know what they say. Fear the old woman in a job where they die young.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not that much older than you, captain,¡± she snorted.


    ¡°Respectfully, sir, but 20 years is¡ª¡±


    ¡°Less than the difference between you and your woman, cradle robbing pervert fucker.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯ll be enough of that for tonight, rangers.¡± Despite her protests Captain Butcher smoothly slid into a commanding presence. ¡°Go or don¡¯t go,¡± she mused. ¡°I¡¯m leaving it up to each of you. But, I¡¯m going in. They put too much effort in this for it not to be worth exploring. I can¡¯t imagine it was easy to get each of us to independently show up here within minutes of each other.¡±


    ¡°I got a text,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Same.¡±


    ¡°Me too.¡±


    ¡°Spirit whispers.¡±


    ¡°Nightmare.¡±


    ¡°Alright. That settles it,¡± Captain Butcher said. ¡°Standard breach formation. Hardhat on point. I¡¯ll knock. Aims cover us. The rest of you fill in where you think is best.¡±


    ¡°Yippie kay yay! Let¡¯s rustle up them cattle!¡±


    Mouthy whispered to Spiritwalker.


    ¡°Say, did the enchantments on that stupid costume also make him stupid?¡±


    ¡°Not that I can see.¡±


    The rangers pushed through the iron gate that seemed to be slightly askew compared to the rest of the fence, which somehow looked strong and foreboding while simultaneously on the verge of collapse.


    The door was an imposing thing of ebon wood and wrought iron.


    A fearsome visage, snarling like the gargoyles on the roof, held a thick, iron ring in its fanged mouth.


    Once.


    Twice.


    Thrice.


    It opened with a grinding ponderousness of weight beyond its apparent appearance.


    The space was a dark void. Empty but for the hint of furniture and voluminous curtains at windows they couldn¡¯t see.


    They cleared the pie, so to speak, using what they knew of the layout of such houses rather than visual sight.


    ¡°Clear?¡± Hardhat covered most of her body with a large, rectangular shield.


    ¡°My sight Skills don¡¯t seem to be working at their best,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°That is because by entering you have accepted my terms.¡±


    A soothing voice hit them from every direction.


    ¡°Witch, let¡¯s cut the crap.¡± Captain Butcher stood as though she addressed a roomful of rangers rather than a dark, spooky void. ¡°We¡¯re game. So, get your cards on the table.¡±


    ¡°A prescient choice of words, Captain Everly Butcher.¡±


    The void vanished in a flare of light.


    They recoiled, only finely honed discipline kept fingers off their triggers and spells on their fingers.


    The stars vanished with many blinks, revealing a macabre tableau where there should¡¯ve been a boring, normal living room


    ¡°Let us, as you said, place your cards on the table.¡±


    The witch sat behind a large and ornate table.


    Six empty chairs arrayed in front of her.


    Her wide-brimmed hat cast a rich shadow of truest black over her entire body, which wasn¡¯t well-hidden in tight robes that displayed an impressive figure.


    The hat on its own loomed ominously.


    The gargoyles perched on the roof outside wouldn¡¯t have looked out of place were they on the brim instead.


    As for her face?


    The rangers saw only eyes that shined like a predator¡¯s and a smile of startling white that put the moon to shame.


    ¡°This better not be the spookiest game of poker ever,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Yeah, fuck that noise. One time was one time too many,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°That time was more terrifying than spooky,¡± Spiritwalker said.


    ¡°Hold up! Everly? That¡¯s your real name?¡± Creepy Chipmunk goggled. ¡°Er¡­ respectfully, sir!¡± he saluted. ¡°That¡¯s what the ¡®E¡¯ in her file stood for?¡±


    ¡°You read her file?¡± Hardhat said flatly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you weren¡¯t curious too? No one called her anything other than Butcher or captain.¡±


    ¡°I may have read it as well. But purely for operational reasons when I first made captain. You know, to better my relationship with my fellow captains and such.¡± Hardhat shrugged.


    ¡°You have me at a disadvantage, witch. I know your class. I¡¯ve worked with others in your coven. Commanded a handful of witches in the rangers. The truth of my name wasn¡¯t your secret to share. There is cost to you for violating that, isn¡¯t there?¡±


    ¡°Will my true name suffice?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take an explanation for all this. A concise one. Straight to the point. Not cryptic. No rhymes.¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡± The witch sighed. ¡°We all labor under vague and uncertain doom on most days. You, six, however, hold fates that are a bit more certain.¡±


    ¡°Lady, were in the middle of a war, the Bountiful Decade and bullfucking world events. I¡¯m figuring that¡¯s actually a bit fucking more than just a ¡®bit more certain¡¯. Jesus piss on¡ª¡±


    Mouthy¡¯s mouth snapped shut at Captain Butcher¡¯s glance.


    ¡°I am here to nudge your fates.¡±


    ¡°In what direction?¡±


    ¡°To that which benefits the most.¡±


    The witch slipped a deck of cards from her sleeve and placed it on the table. Larger than standard playing cards, they seemed to glow and vibrate. As if they were struggling to hold in the rangers¡¯ supposed fates.


    ¡°Shall we begin?¡±


    Captain Butcher nodded.


    Each ranger made for a chair.


    Ornate things of finely carved wood and stitched fabric.


    Oddly enough, when Spiritwalker grasped the back, it felt more like a chair at a large backyard party. One of those inexpensive folding one.


    ¡°Before you take your seats. A moment, if you will?¡± The witch¡¯s elegant fingers caressed the back of her deck.


    Captain Butcher nodded.


    The witch drew the top card, but before she could flip it over, Mouthy cleared her throat.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you got to shuffle first? I¡¯ve sat through this gremlinshit a couple of times before.¡± She shrugged. ¡°This is that tarot turd stuff, right?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t antagonize the witch!¡± Hardhat hissed.


    ¡°No offense taken.¡± The witch flipped the card over.


    ¡°Uh¡­ it¡¯s blank,¡± Creepy Chipmunk said.


    ¡°I take it back,¡± Mouthy sighed. ¡°This is something different, but even more stupider than that tarot crap.¡±


    ¡°Eh, I don¡¯t know about that.¡± Spiritwalker''s fingers wiggled and clenched unconsciously. ¡°Seeing magic.¡±


    The witch¡¯s hooded smile grew impossible wide. ¡°The craft manifests differently for us all.¡±


    Mouthy opened her mouth and shut it.


    That was technically true.


    At least that¡¯s how it was for her past tarot readings.


    Each one seemed to interpret the same cards differently.


    Both hit on about half of their predictions for her.


    The lack of hard and fast rules when it came to magic really stuck in her gums like a missed fish bone.


    Witches were even worse.


    ¡°You damn, dirty witches and making up your own damn, dirty rules all the¡ª¡±


    A hand slapped over her mouth.


    Two.


    And another pair to seize her around the neck and arms.


    If the outburst bothered her, the witch gave no sign as she lazily spun the blank card on her finger like a basketball before flicking it to spin faster and faster as it hovered in front of each empty chair like a UFO looking for a landing spot for a fun night of human probing.


    The witch¡¯s eyes flashed.


    ¡°There!¡±


    The card dropped.


    A rainforest bird called.


    ¡°You!¡± She pointed at Spiritwalker with a finger that looked a lot longer and pointier than it had a few seconds ago. ¡°Sit! Or leave. The choice is yours. Return to your family and enjoy what time you have left or not.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s ominous.¡± So said, Spiritwalker didn¡¯t hesitate to take his seat at rightmost chair from the witch¡¯s perspective.


    ¡°Another!¡± She tapped the deck and a second card levitated.


    This one was also blank, but a sickly brown color.


    ¡°You!¡± She thrust a finger at Mouthy. ¡°For the foulness in your mouth that you hide behind. Sit!¡±


    Mouthy shrugged the hands off her.


    She had let them hold her back after all.


    ¡°How come I don¡¯t get a choice like him?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve already made that choice a long time ago.¡±


    The foul-mouthed ranger sat to the witch¡¯s left, second from the end.


    More cards followed in quick succession. All blank, some the same color, but given a different interpretation by the witch. Until every ranger had taken a chair.


    ¡°Chair feels weird,¡± Aims said. ¡°Looks expensive, feels cheap.¡±


    ¡°Yup,¡± Spiritwalker said.


    ¡°Really?¡± Hardhat frowned. ¡°Feels like the most comfy chair I¡¯ve sat in a while.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re such a dumb bitch,¡± Mouthy said. ¡°I keep telling you to get a custom one done. Even gave you my guy¡¯s name. Shit¡¯s like sitting on a pair of angel hands the way they cushion my¡ª¡±


    ¡°And I told you I¡¯m not paying that much for a chair.¡±


    ¡°Tsk. It ain¡¯t like you don¡¯t got the points for it.¡±


    ¡°Quiet. Let the witch start.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir, captain, sir, Captain Everly Butcher, sir!¡± Creepy Chipmunk said.


    ¡°I ain¡¯t letting no nameless witch read my fate. Been around you weird bitches enough to pick up a few things. Like names mean stuff and shit,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°I am a simple witch of portents guided by my auguries. Allow me to do the same for you.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just get this over with.¡± Hardhat glared at Mouthy.


    ¡°Fine, fine. But if all those cards are blank I¡¯m gonna¡ª¡±


    The witch flicked a card at her forehead.


    This time the white card wasn¡¯t blank.


    It had a picture of an¡ª


    ¡°She¡¯s the asshole!¡± Creepy Chipmunk laughed.


    ¡°Uh¡­ what does that foretell, Ms. Witch, respectfully?¡± Aims said. He knew curses, saw them done to others, didn¡¯t want one shot his way.


    Mouthy cursed, ripping the card from her forehead.


    ¡°The fuck you taints going on about? It¡¯s just a 6.¡±


    The number 6 in plain black on white background.


    ¡°Hit me!¡± Creepy Chipmunk tapped the table like he was playing blackjack and not consorting with fate itself.


    ¡°The cards move as they will.¡±


    One by one they flew from the deck to each ranger.


    1 through 8.


    ¡°Why no 3 and 4?¡± Aims said.


    The witch hesitated.


    ¡°Fate is a shrouded window.¡±


    ¡°That means she don¡¯t know shit,¡± Mouthy scoffed.


    ¡°Why is my number flickering?¡± Captain Butcher¡¯s said in a voice softer than any of the other rangers could remember her every using.


    The 8 on her card faded in and out from bold to almost imperceptible.


    ¡°Uncertainty.¡± The witch cleared her throat. ¡°Let me explain how we shall proceed. I will give a brief reading for each of you. We skim the surface in preparation for a breach into the skeins of your fates.¡± She gestured to the hallway. ¡°My apprentices await you in their rooms for a more comprehensive experience.¡±


    ¡°Apprentices?¡± Captain Butcher frowned. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t a full witch be better for this?¡±


    ¡°We are all just passengers on the currents of existence. From the past we are carried from to the present all around us to the future we cannot see around the bend.¡±


    ¡°Augury shit or whatever, captain.¡± Mouthy smirked at the witch. ¡°Did I get that right? Or do you need to augurize up an answer?¡±


    ¡°That remains to be seen.¡± The witch took up the deck and fanned it from one hand to the other, back and forth faster and cleaner than a card shuffling champion from the old days. ¡°The first¡ª oh¡ª¡± one flew out to land in front of Hardhat.


    A knight astride a horse.


    Helm visor up to reveal a skull.


    ¡°Are you fucking kidding me?¡± Hardhat snapped.


    ¡°Death¡ª¡± the witch began.


    ¡°Relax. It don¡¯t always mean ¡®death¡¯ death. Could be like a change into something new and different.¡±


    ¡°Why¡¯s it spinning?¡±


    The card slowly rotated. Top pointed to Hardhat, then bottom and back again.


    ¡°Uncertainty.¡±


    The witch remained silent for a long moment.


    ¡°Next person.¡±


    A second card flipped out of the shuffling mass between her hands.


    ¡°Are you not going to address this?¡± Hardhat pointed at her spinning death card.


    ¡°It is as it is.¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡± Creepy Chipmunk thrust an accusatory finger at the death card next to his 2 card. ¡°Isn¡¯t there only supposed to be one of these?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m calling witchshit on this. Last two times I did this those major-whatever cards don¡¯t show up twice,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°The craft is different for us all,¡± the witch said sagely.

 Interlude: Flags 1.3

    ¡°Run, Ambrose!¡±


    His mom¡¯s hand was a vise around his wrist as she dragged him along.


    The water of the shallow stream behind the family home was cool and quick around their ankles.


    His head felt wrong.


    The sounds of her voice and the snarls behind them were muffled as if he had cotton in his ears. Shadows pushed in from the corners of his vision despite the sun¡¯s golden rays shining down on them through the mid-morning remnants of the mountain rainforest mist.


    He didn¡¯t notice until after they had crossed the stream and reached the tree line.


    It was all wrong.


    He had been a boy when it had happened.


    When the two of them had fled from the dying in their home.


    They were rich.


    A family entrenched in the political machinery in the northern province.


    That meant a lot of land, a huge house and a bunch of armed bodyguards.


    ¡°It happened at night,¡± he murmured.


    ¡°Hush, mahal,¡± his mother hissed, ¡°those¡­ those¡­ things will hear us.¡±


    ¡°They will, but it won¡¯t matter.¡±


    He remembered.


    Most of the gremlins were back in the house, killing everyone else he knew. His dad, brothers and sisters, the maids, bodyguards, everyone and¡ª


    ¡°You too, Mommy.¡± He choked the words out. ¡°It didn¡¯t happen like this.


    ¡°What are you talking about, Ambrose? Hush, now, mahal. Mommy won¡¯t let them hurt you.¡±


    He hugged her then. Around the waist. A small boy once again and not a grown man that towered over her petite form.


    Ambrose.


    He had always hated that name.


    It was weird.


    All his classmates had always made fun of it.


    What had his mom said about why she gave him that name?


    Oh, right.


    As the youngest his dad hadn¡¯t cared, so his mom had free rein.


    Thus, she named him after some old American writer or poet or something.


    Hating it, he had never cared to pay attention or look into it.


    Some old guy in ancient times that disappeared in Mexico or something.


    There was some kind of revolution.


    His mom loved stories of revolution.


    She had always told him and his siblings about Jos¨¦ Rizal, the Katipunan and the Philippine struggle for freedom from Spain.


    And now?


    Now he wished that he had listened more, that he could sit in her lap in their fancy library and its musty books.


    ¡°Mommy¡ª¡±


    She vanished.


    A man¡¯s arms, lean and muscled closed around nothing.


    The gremlin leapt snarling out of the undergrowth.


    He cleaved its head from its neck with his Igorot axe.


    A rough hand clamped down on his head.


    Claws spilled red over his vision.


    ¡°Ah¡ª fuck this!¡±


    An alpha gremlin hoisted him up and before he could do anything it whipped him deeper into the forest.


    The crack of his body on a tree was oddly painless.


    Actually, he couldn¡¯t feel a single thing.


    All he could do was blink the blood away as the gold-eyed alpha gremlin stalked closer to finish the job.


    ¡°Chipmunk! Chipmunk!¡±


    Hands shook him by the shoulders.


    Small and soft ones.


    Familiar.


    Pleasant.


    He hugged his much younger wife, keeping his eyes closed just in case he was still in the nightmare.


    Her warm breath in his ear felt real, so he dared look.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m awake.¡±


    He didn¡¯t get crusty eyes in his dreams and the morning taste in his mouth.


    She kissed him and tried to slip in some tongue, but he kept his lips sealed.


    Despite what she had always said, he wasn¡¯t comfortable inflicting her with his morning breath.


    He gently pushed her off and went to brush his teeth.


    Which, he had always thought was a waste since he was going to have to brush them again after breakfast.


    Naturally, that had changed with cohabitation.


    Couldn¡¯t get a proper kiss otherwise.


    ¡°Eww,¡± Mari gagged from the doorway. ¡°What happened to the rule?¡±


    ¡°Rule?¡± he regarded their daughter.


    ¡°Close the doors if you guys are going to be gross!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t take that tone with your parents, Maribela.¡± His wife wagged her finger, although the sparkle in her blue eyes betrayed her true thoughts.


    ¡°Sorry, honey, I forgot. My bad. I¡¯ll try to do better next time,¡± he said solemnly.


    ¡°Ugh¡­ whatever. I set the table.¡± Mari stomped away.


    He narrowed his eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s like she flipped a switch overnight.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not a tween anymore.¡± His wife gave him a quick peck on his cheek, which drove the nightmare further into the recesses of his mind. ¡°She¡¯s officially a teenager. She is now too cool for everything and anything we do and might do.¡±


    ¡°She just turned 13 last month¡­ I¡¯m old.¡±


    ¡°50¡¯s, but you look 30,¡± his wife grinned, ¡°so, I have no complaints.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of¡­¡±


    ¡°Of?¡±


    ¡°I have concerns about our costume plans for tonight.¡±


    ¡°Those shorts aren¡¯t any shorter than the ones you wear for the pool. They¡¯ll show off your legs.¡±


    He did have well-defined quads, even his hamstrings were good.


    One didn¡¯t skip leg day when one needed to actually do athletic things, like run, jump and fight monsters.


    ¡°It was more the mesh shirt that I¡¯m worried about.¡±


    Sexy priest.


    His wife¡¯s idea.


    To poke the bear that were her very Catholic parents.


    The mesh wasn¡¯t part of the original plan.


    It had been part of his Village People costume from a long time ago that he had done as a group with Aims, Hardhat and a few others. For morale purposes, of course.


    ¡°I¡¯m thinking the sleeveless priest shirt-vest thing is probably good enough.¡±


    ¡°Nope. If my mother is going to be this way then I¡¯m rubbing it in.¡±


    Her parents had never liked him.


    Mainly because of the age difference.


    Being non-religious despite growing up Catholic hadn¡¯t helped.


    And using the decapitated heads of monsters for his class was another black mark.


    Outright hostility in the early years had given way to passive aggressiveness from his mother in-law after Mari had been born.


    ¡°At least your dad¡¯s trying.¡±


    ¡°Inviting you to golf and tennis is fine and nice, but he needs to call my mother out on her bullshit instead of just staying quiet.¡±


    Ambrose didn¡¯t hold it against his father in-law.


    Doing that was just asking for the man¡¯s home peace to go away.


    Wars shouldn¡¯t be fought within the family.


    ¡°You¡¯re wearing the mesh. Sexy nun,¡± his wife pointed at her ample chest, ¡°sexy priest,¡± she poked his hard stomach.


    ¡°Okay, okay, fine¡­ but is it really the best idea to dress Calrai up as a devil?¡±


    His wife did a little dance that made his stomach flutter.


    ¡°He¡¯s going to be sooo cute!¡±


    Oh well.


    Their son was almost 4.


    He wouldn¡¯t care.


    The only thing the boy would have eyes on were the candy and his grandmother¡¯s baking.


    That was the reason that he tolerated the poor treatment he got.


    His mother in-law loved her grand kids unconditionally.


    He had called in a favor to Cal to be certain of that fact.


    <hr>


    ¡°The first,¡± the witch of portents intoned.


    An elbow nudged him in the ribs.


    ¡°Ambrose.¡±


    He stared into her glowing eyes, so like the predators he headhunted.


    ¡°But, I got a 2.¡±


    ¡°And, yet, you are the first.¡± She gestured toward the hallway.


    Intellectually, he knew that it was a regular house hallway. Short and slightly narrow based on the small, starter home layout.


    It lead to 2, maybe 3 bedrooms and a bathroom.


    However, it looked and felt like a void or an abyss. Much like several he had the misfortune of leaping, walking or running into during his long career as a ranger and doing Quests for Cal.


    He glanced at Hardhat.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s just weird that I drew the 2, but I¡¯m going number 1.¡±


    ¡°Oh no! Don¡¯t drag me into this,¡± Hardhat said. ¡°2 seems fitting since your face looks like you¡¯re about to go 2 in your sexy short shorts.¡±


    ¡°They aren¡¯t that short. My swimming shorts are shorter.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we can tell by the lack of tan lines,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°Quit stalling, pussy, I can almost see your vag hanging out,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°I¡¯m reporting you for sensitivity training.¡± He pushed off the table and stood. The chair clattered back, crashing to the floor. He regarded the witch¡¯s eyes as they glowed, unblinking into his. Almost seemed like the color gold. ¡°That was entirely accidental. I¡¯m rattled. Bad dreams. My apology.¡±


    ¡°Honestly given, graciously accepted.¡±This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    She didn¡¯t even blink.


    ¡°Good luck, Creepy!¡± Spiritwalker slapped him on his firm, short shorts-clad behind. ¡°Don¡¯t trade your soul or your next born for anything.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m reporting you for sexual harassment training.¡±


    He took a breath and strode into the abyss just like he had always done.


    Swirling night surrounded him.


    Girlish giggles tugged his wrists and prodded his back.


    He opened a door.


    Or it was already open and he simple stepped through.


    ¡°Hi!¡±


    The witch seated at the small, round table was a girl.


    Dark robes.


    Dark, pointed hat that cast a deep shadow over her face like her teacher outside.


    The vibes were definitely less creepy and intimidating.


    That wasn¡¯t to say the room was normal.


    Nope.


    Not normal at all.


    The swampy jungle wasn¡¯t just decor.


    He could almost feel the ripples a water snake made as it slithered through the ankle deep water.


    And the smells¡­


    Reminded him of his family¡¯s expansive land back in the Philippines.


    Not at all unpleasant.


    Nostalgic really.


    Ah, nature!


    It might be time to schedule a trip back to the homeland.


    His youngest had never been.


    Maybe in a few more years when his son would be old enough to actually remember the vacation.


    ¡°Hi¡­ do I just stand here? Or in front of the table?¡±


    ¡°You can sit in any chair.¡±


    The little witch¡¯s chirpy voice didn¡¯t fit the shadow beneath her hat from which he could only see a predator¡¯s shining eyes and a wide smile that was way too white.


    The witches must¡¯ve had excellent dental service in their slice of the Fae realm.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see any ch¡ª oh, there it is.¡±


    Several faded into existence as he stepped closer.


    He was tempted to pull some perception enhancing abilities from one of the many shrunken monster heads in his bag of holding just so that he could get off the back foot he¡¯d been on since the moment he stepped into the house.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind if I do.¡± He picked a random chair hoping it didn¡¯t cement the impending doom that he was apparently under. ¡°Hey, so are you and your teacher communicating? Wearing a wire and an earpiece? Or something appropriately witchy, like, a bat¡¯s ear and a canary¡¯s beak?¡±


    ¡°No. I can¡¯t get any help or I¡¯ll fail my Quest and, more importantly, not learn anything.¡±


    ¡°At least you aren¡¯t rhyming everything. I did a Quest once with a rhyming witch. That was stressful, not the monsters we had to kill, but trying to rhyme everything back.¡±


    ¡°I know. It¡¯s so hard to talk in rhymes and stuff.¡± She shook her head and rolled her eyes. ¡°Why¡¯d you even try?¡±


    ¡°Tried to be courteous.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°I was jealous. I wanted to be a rapper when I was a kid,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°One is never too old or young to take on challenges! So says a witch!¡±


    ¡°So, what¡¯s your challenge for this whole thing?¡± He waved vaguely at the misty swamp. ¡°Really well done by the way. I can hear all kinds of animals and I can¡¯t tell that they aren¡¯t really here. In fact, I hear two distinct species of frog.¡±


    ¡°Thank you! My teacher helped, but it¡¯s mostly me!¡± the little witch reached over to stir the small cauldron on the table that he had just noticed.


    ¡°Er¡­ I¡¯m not going to have to drink that, am I?¡±


    He couldn¡¯t see beneath the dark bubbling liquid, but experience taught him that witch cauldrons were kept separate from cooking pots for a reason.


    Granted the contents of both ended up in a person¡¯s stomach.


    It was just that when it came to the former, one didn¡¯t eat or drink from unless they didn¡¯t have any other choice.


    Which, he realized to his dismay, perfectly described his current situation.


    ¡°Aww, shit.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t put any in this, yet. The guts have to be clean or the future telling gets muddy.¡± She giggled.


    ¡°Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha¡­¡±


    ¡°But first, are you reading to gaze through the mists of today to see into the unknown tomorrow?¡± she intoned.


    ¡°I guess I don¡¯t have a choice.¡±


    ¡°Oh, no. You can leave at any time. It¡¯s just that it could lead to dire fortunes. Not just for you, but for a lot of people.¡±


    He heard what sounded like her swallowing a lump in her throat.


    ¡°That¡¯s what my teacher said. She¡¯s been shielding us from her portents, mostly. This will be first time that I¡¯m getting sorta a full view, but not really, cause it¡¯s always sorta unclear and hazy.¡±


    ¡°Right, I know a little something of the oracular arts. A lot of subjective symbolism and interpretation. Would be too nice and easy to just get shown what to do and what not to do to avoid a sudden, inevitable doom.¡± He sighed.


    That trip to the Philippines got bumped up his list.


    ¡°Your teacher did the tarot thing? What are you going to do? Am I going to see my future in there?¡± He nodded toward the cauldron. ¡°The future gazed through the swirling stew technique?¡±


    The little witch giggled.


    ¡°Not exactly. The ritual I¡¯m going to do is called haruspicy.¡±


    ¡°Spicy¡ª Japanese?¡±


    He was almost certain that he had gotten that wrong.


    Sure enough the little witch pulled out a chicken from¡­ somewhere.


    The thing clucked placidly as she placed it on the table and stroked its feathered head.


    ¡°Oh, I see.¡±


    ¡°Please look away if you¡¯re squeamish.¡± She pulled a butcher¡¯s cleaver from¡­ somewhere.


    ¡°I¡¯m more sketched out by that,¡± he gestured at the cauldron. ¡°Not looking forward to drinking. At all.¡±


    ¡°You are a true taker of heads!¡±


    It was as if she hadn¡¯t heard his thinly-veiled objection to the bubbling stew-thing.


    Instead, she grinned her pearly whites wider than it seemed possible for her child face.


    Granted he couldn¡¯t see anything beyond eyes and teeth beneath that abyssal shadow cast by her pointy hat.


    ¡°I hope you don¡¯t find fault with my technique. I¡¯ve been practicing!¡±


    Thus, she parted the chicken¡¯s head from its neck with a swift thwack!


    ¡°No, no. Not at all. That was well done,¡± he smiled encouragingly. ¡°That chicken didn¡¯t suffer at all.¡±


    Its body flapped a bit and its feet kicked, but she had firmly pinned it against the table.


    She flipped the head onto her cleaver and into the cauldron.


    He could only slump his shoulders at that.


    ¡°I will begin the ritual.¡±


    She switched the cleaver for a smaller knife.


    Swift and sure cuts opened the chicken up.


    She pulled, poked and prodded until its insides were on the outside.


    Guts and organs.


    He saw the liver, which she seemed to pay special attention to as she placed it in the center of the gross arrangement.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not grossed out at all. I shrink monster heads. It smells as bad as you¡¯d think it should.¡±


    The little witch ignored him.


    She was now muttering under her breath and swaying like a cobra under the influence of a snake charmer¡¯s flute movements.


    Her gore-covered fingers twitched, dancing independently of each other.


    ¡°Where there¡¯s a whip¡ª the crack will show the way¡ª¡±


    The girl witch sounded more like her true age than she had the entire time. Except, her voice had gone flat, monotone, like software from ancient pre-spires days trying and failing to mimic an actual person.


    So, he supposed that he was wrong.


    Less little girl and more little witch hidden in her midnight robes and creepy hat shadow.


    Only her fingers and hands moved as she arranged the grisly mess on the table into a picture.


    Picking, pulling and twisting, she quickly built what appeared to him to be a scene. And oh so helpfully oriented for his perspective rather than hers.


    Entrails and organs, some he could identify took shape into figures and shapes.


    Frankly, he couldn¡¯t make out more than what he had already.


    A question was on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed it.


    These things didn¡¯t tend to like interruptions.


    ¡°Down the obsidian depths¡ª gold shines¡ª¡±


    She started ripping bits out of the chicken¡¯s liver to turn into stick figures.


    ¡°Six descend for¡ª no¡ª eight¡ª ten¡ª¡±


    She hastily added 4 liver stick figures to the original 6.¡±


    ¡°One above¡ª¡±


    She shaped the last figure noticeably larger than the previous.


    ¡°None¡ª no¡ª one¡ª two¡ª¡±


    He almost saw the ghastly picture move.


    A bit of twisted entrail as a whip in the largest¡¯s hand lashing out to ensnare one of the smaller one¡¯s around the neck.


    The fireflies in the swamp suddenly flashed brighter, bathing the entire thing in gold for a split-second.


    ¡°No paths¡ª one path, one destination¡ª¡±


    Silence reined for what felt like a long time.


    The real and imagined swamp left him to the hammer in his chest.


    He didn¡¯t realize it but the little witch¡¯s shining eyes had fixed into his, like two needles stabbing straight into his soul. Or perhaps, in this case, his fate.


    ¡°Yeah, listen, I¡¯m guessing you don¡¯t even remember¡­ all that.¡± He pointed at the disemboweled chicken. ¡°But¡ª and don¡¯t take offense¡ª it was all very unclear.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    She shrugged after a moment.


    ¡°The task is done. What is to come¡­ is to come.¡±


    She pulled out a wand, waved it over the chicken and plucked the feathers with a spell.


    Another series of swishes and waves floated the entire thing into the bubbling pot.


    Naturally, the innards followed suit.


    He didn¡¯t know if his heart could sink any lower.


    At least, she used a spell to squeeze the shit out of the chicken¡¯s guts first.


    ¡°Do I really have to eat all of that?¡±


    ¡°Just a bowl. It¡¯s tasty! I promise!¡± The little witch smiled. ¡°Also, if you don¡¯t then the consequences could be dire. Er¡­ more dire than the reading we just did.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, if you had heard what you just foretold.¡± He snorted. ¡°I¡¯ll take my chances.¡± He stood to leave.


    She cleared her throat.


    ¡°Ah! But you can¡¯t leave. That would be a violation of the rite. You have to partake of hospitality freely given and in return you have to provide something as a guest.¡±


    That didn¡¯t sound so freely given to him, but whatever.


    ¡°Okay. How many universal points?¡±


    ¡°Payment may be other things.¡±


    ¡°Sure. What do you want?¡±


    ¡°In honor of the special day I wish you tell me a scary story. Not just any, but one that you personally experienced.¡±


    He nodded and resigned himself back into the chair.


    ¡°So you can gather more power for your craft.¡±


    She grinned.


    ¡°You know some of our ways!¡±


    ¡°Give me a few minutes. I have to think about this.¡±


    He got a shit fortune and he was going to have to eat worse chicken stew. He¡¯d almost rather be at his in-laws being judged for his sexy priest costume.


    Perhaps, karma was at play for his blasphemy.


    ¡°Take your time. This needs to cook properly.¡± The little witch stirred the cauldron with waves of her wand.


    Dark steam rose.


    To his eyes they resembled screaming souls being vacuumed up into a fate worse than oblivion.


    ¡°Otherwise you¡¯ll have tummy problems later¡­ and also for the next week.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°You want a scary story? Yeah, I can tell you a lot. More than I can count and even more that I can¡¯t remember right now. Sure, I got to therapy to help deal with everything I¡¯ve seen and done since the monsters murdered everyone I cared about when I was a kid. Fu¡ª fudge, I was probably around your age. Maybe younger. I can¡¯t really tell with the shadow hat thing you¡¯ve got going on.¡± Ambrose cracked his neck.


    It felt like he was stepping into a fight.


    ¡°But, I¡¯m thinking scary isn¡¯t really what you¡¯re looking to harvest. Not really. Terror, maybe? Or something more like trauma? The kind that never truly leaves you. How close am I?¡±


    The little witch didn¡¯t move, didn¡¯t blink those predator eyes shining from beneath her shadowy void.


    ¡°Okay. If it¡¯s what you want then I¡¯ll give it you. I just better not get any angry messages from Wytchraven.¡±


    The sudden lump in his throat forced him to swallow.


    His mouth had gone dry.


    What he was about to tell her wasn¡¯t something he had told anyone else before.


    Not any number of therapists or friends. Not even his wife.


    At least not in its full, unedited version.


    Shit was fucked.


    ¡­


    Ambrose ran, desperately trying to keep from tripping over roots and slipping on the wet foliage as his mother¡¯s death grip threatened to pull his skinny arm from its socket.


    He heard them before he smelled them.


    It was like when his father¡¯s workers slaughtered one of the many animals they had on the farm. Cows, pigs and chickens mostly.


    Blood had a certain smell.


    Sickening really.


    This?


    This was worse.


    At least the rest was a natural part of existence.


    Humans ate animals to survive.


    Normal.


    Humans weren¡¯t supposed to be food.


    Least of all for monsters that he had been assured many times didn¡¯t exist.


    The small gremlin that had appeared as if from the shadows in his bedroom would¡¯ve torn him to pieces if not for Bala.


    The loyal mongrel tended to sleep next to Ambrose¡¯s bed, which meant that the gremlin never got to him.


    Bala had intercepted the monster and the two tore into each other until neither lived.


    The rest was a blur of screams, gunshots and his mother, white night gown turned pink and red, half dragging, half carrying him out of their house, past the stream and into the rainforest.


    He couldn¡¯t remember how far they had made it before the monsters caught up to them.


    Didn¡¯t want to remember.


    They slipped and stumbled through the dark.


    Snarls and snapping teeth on their heels.


    ¡°I have to hide you,¡± his mother muttered more to herself than him.


    He let out a cry as something banged into his bare shin.


    Skin ripped, left behind as the death grip on his wrist didn¡¯t relent.


    He scrambled over an old tree¡¯s roots, leaving bits of himself in the rough wood.


    The snarls drew closer.


    He kept his eyes on his mother.


    Her white gown was the only thing visible in the blackness.


    ¡°This¡ª this will¡ª¡±


    His mother shoved him into a cramped hollow near the base of the tree.


    Deeper and deeper she pushed him into the twisted roots.


    Almost like a cage.


    ¡°I love you, my baby Ambrose.¡± His mother kissed him hard on the head before shoving him that last bit. ¡°Now, close your eyes and put your fingers in your ears. Stay there. Someone will come get you in the morning. Someone has¡ª¡±


    He didn¡¯t listen to his mother¡¯s last words.


    So he saw her jam herself painfully into the roots above him.


    He heard the tearing of her flesh in the teeth and claws of the monster.


    Watched her big eyes widen, her mouth shut, teeth and jaw clenching.


    He watched her until the light vanished and she left him truly alone.


    ¡­


    ¡°No one came.¡± His voice sounded like a stranger¡¯s. ¡°Not that night. Not in the morning. The gremlins¡­¡± he let out a bitter laugh. ¡°So easy to kill once you have a few levels in you¡ª they couldn¡¯t get through the roots. Couldn¡¯t get into my hiding place.¡± He traced the scar on his forehead. ¡°Best they could do was reach in a bit. My mom¡¯s body got in their way. They tore her apart eventually. Her head fell into my lap a bit before sunrise. They were gone by then. The rest¡­ I¡¯m done telling you. Is that enough?¡± He spat venom like a cobra.


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m really sorry the monster did that to your mom and family.¡±


    To her credit he believed the little witch.


    ¡°Fine, whatever. Is that shit ready?¡± He gestured toward the cauldron. ¡°I want this done yesterday.¡±

 10.26

    New Mexico, Spring, 2055


    It was the sort of small, one dusty road through the center town that was common in the southwestern desert.


    New Mexico.


    That was the name of the old American state it was located in.


    As for the town?


    Its name was lost along with the green road sign torn apart by claws and rotted by rust.


    Alin would¡¯ve had to look on the map because he couldn¡¯t remember it at the moment.


    Not that it mattered the place had been long abandoned, likely dating back to the early years post-spires according to the information they had gathered from the population of another small, dusty town many kilometers to the west.


    ¡°Say, Boy?¡± Chrome sat in the opened cockpit of her golem.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°How come your dad¡¯s tech doesn¡¯t measure distances in miles, like the road signs?¡±


    ¡°Because it¡¯s dumb.¡±


    ¡°Good point.¡±


    He continued to scan the town through binoculars.


    Ancient tech, but brand new from a sporting goods store in Vegas.


    It was terrible.


    Unintuitive.


    The glass got dust and dirt on it.


    Even his eyelashes left scratches and residue.


    He missed his power armor.


    Cybernetics functioned at the speed of thought.


    Now, he had to manually adjust a stupid knob.


    ¡°Mutated rattlesnake inbound on our position.¡± Kat¡¯s voice came in on the radio.


    Another piece of ancient tech.


    Static and crackle.


    They had practiced, but he still had to strain to catch everything.


    He suppressed a shudder.


    Snakes were his greatest fear.


    Heights had been his other one, but he had conquered that a long time ago.


    Oddly enough, those had also been his dad¡¯s big phobias.


    ¡°Anything coming up on us?¡± He continued to scan the empty town.


    ¡°Nothing on sensors,¡± Chrome said. ¡°Hey! You guys seeing anything coming?¡±


    A dozen meters behind them the pickup truck filled with other Mist Spekters watched their backs, guarding against dangerous wildlife and monsters.


    Brittney had mage eyes roaming their surroundings, but kept them well away from the town lest she spook their quarry.


    The mage was one of the few Mist Spekters that hadn¡¯t become rangers.


    In her case, she hadn¡¯t even tried.


    Understandable considering her past history, to put it mildly.


    Alin wouldn¡¯t have chosen her or Michael, but his dad had, so that meant it was good enough for him despite his personal feelings of animosity on behalf of Chandra and the rangers on the wall because of the former Meat Parade flesheaters.


    For obvious reasons, only he knew the full truth.


    Galen had a partial picture as the company¡¯s captain.


    Brittney and Michael wanted to make amends beyond serving as wardens in his dad¡¯s rehabilitation prison.


    He supposed that showed that his dad¡¯s efforts had worked.


    The risk was greater for them without access to Captain Mouthy¡¯s safety net.


    ¡°I don¡¯t detect any threats, Chrome,¡± Brittney said. Her sonorous voice carried across the still air.


    Alin shifted.


    Prone position meant his Threnium chest and back plate poked in ways he was unfamiliar with.


    No amount of practice in mindscapes and reality could take away the discomfort.


    His one consolation was the Threnosh onesie underneath it all kept him dry.


    ¡°That looks uncomfortable,¡± Chrome said.


    ¡°Says the person with the open cockpit.¡±


    ¡°It gets hot in there without the AC and I can¡¯t run it if I¡¯m in a combat situation because I had to switch out to an inferior power source.¡±


    A complaint she had repeated several times.


    Fair, he supposed.


    Springtime in the southwest meant sunny days, which meant hot temps in the open landscape.


    The wild flowers and greenery were already drying and dying, slowly turning everything into shades of brown.


    ¡°At least it¡¯s cold at night,¡± she grumbled.


    ¡°One upside to your magitech steam generator.¡±


    ¡°Observers, sound off.¡± Galen¡¯s voice crackled from the radio.


    Alin waited for his assigned turn as the others chimed in with negatives.


    Just like him.


    Nothing through the binoculars.


    Which meant¡ª


    ¡°Alin, you¡¯re up,¡± Galen said.


    ¡°Copy. Moving closer.¡±


    Chrome ducked into her golem¡¯s cockpit.


    The top hatch, which doubled as a shield slammed shut with a soft hiss.


    Steam belched from two exhaust ports on the lower back of the ovoid torso.


    The unfortunate placement was a great source of entertainment for the Mist Spekters.


    ¡°Slow and quiet, please.¡±


    Chrome sighed. ¡°Copy that.¡±


    Bipedal legs ended in wide feet with splayed toes.


    The golem had tank-like treads on the back of its lower legs that could slide into place for faster movement, but stealth was in order at the moment.


    Though, how stealthy could a 1-ton hunk of metal, grinding gears and belching steam be?


    Fortunate that their targets weren¡¯t morning people.


    Not to mention how complacent their targets were thanks to how easy the marauding had been lately.


    Alin pulled an ancient AK-74 from his bag of holding.


    Inferior in every way to the Threnosh recoilless rifle, but necessary to maintain the cover story.


    He had an entire bag of holding filled with just spare magazines, yet he still had less than a tenth of the ammunition compared to his old standard loadout.


    That wasn¡¯t the worst of it, despite plenty of practice there was no way he was going to approach the accuracy he had with the integrated targeting system.


    An ancient red dot sight was a poor substitute.


    Chrome¡¯s golem left deep prints in the ground as it crunched dry grass and dirt.


    He took care not to trip as he followed behind her at just enough distance to maintain cover and avoid getting scalded by the periodic steam farts.


    ¡°Sensors picking up heat and movement underground. Small. Probably animals. Maybe snakes. You want to hop on?¡±


    ¡°No thanks.¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure. If you get spooked, I¡¯ll turn around so you can jump into my arms. You¡¯re not in sealed armor. If you aren¡¯t careful a snake could slither right up your pants.¡±


    ¡°Tucked into my boots, thank you.¡±


    A thousand meters took longer to cross when walking.


    Once again, he missed his power armor.


    ¡°Hold up.¡±


    A few hundred meters out from the dusty town.


    Old buildings looked in pretty good shape for having been abandoned decades ago.


    The spires kept them in the state they had been back then to use as encounter challenges or spawn zones.


    The easiest way to find the marauders was to simply walk up to a building and look up its ownership details. Naturally, that didn¡¯t account for the occupants seeing you coming and shooting you.


    He had a better way.


    The gray billowed out from the openings in his helmet.


    That was another adjustment.


    It really hampered his vision and breathing, but that was the trade off wasn¡¯t it?


    Ease of wear weighed against the level of protection.


    He was looking forward to the day when he could purchase an open-faced helmet enchanted to provide the protection of a full-faced helmet.


    Couldn¡¯t do it right away.


    Had to maintain the cover story.


    Then again, he did have magic shield charms, so maybe a full-faced helmet wasn¡¯t really necessary?


    The gray swept through the western edge of the town quickly.


    The town widened from the point the interstate entered it.


    Galen and the command staff thought that the marauders were likely to claim buildings that provided them with what they needed.


    So, motel, gas station, auto repair shop and food place.


    The western end and eastern end.


    One could find all those buildings clustered in those two locations.


    Alin pushed into the buildings in the western end.


    They weren¡¯t high level enough to stop him.


    ¡°West buildings are empty. Just weak encounter challenges.¡±


    ¡°Understood, keep pushing through. We¡¯ll tighten the noose,¡± Galen said.


    It was a narrow town, not more than a few hundred meters on either side of the one road at its widest point, which meant he could cover the entire width with the gray without difficulty.


    He followed Chrome as she tromped her golem through dusty, cracked asphalt of long-abandoned roads and narrow alleys.


    They moved using building corners and rusted cars as cover.


    ¡°Oh! Got something. Zooming in. Yup. Barricades!¡± Chrome said.


    ¡°Give me a sec.¡± Alin pulled binoculars out.


    Chrome was right.


    Rusted vehicles and random detritus, including pieces of chain-link fencing topped with barbed wire, had been used to partially block access to the cluster of desirable buildings on the eastern edge of town.


    Odd that the barricades had only been placed facing the inside of the town such that they hadn¡¯t been able to spot them from outside.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got eyes on barricades.¡± He took out a map, paper, and quickly radioed which buildings were protected. Not for the first time he wondered if they could arrange a fake battle with one of his dad¡¯s teams or the rangers in which the Mist Spekters could get away with a few pieces of gear.


    ¡°Proceed as planned,¡± Galen said.


    ¡°Do we need to get closer?¡± Chrome said.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ¡°No, this is fine.¡±


    He pushed the gray toward the occupied buildings.


    ¡°Dude, these ¡®Night Riders¡¯ are just dumb,¡± Chrome said. ¡°I¡¯m not seeing any sentries. Are they all sleeping?¡±


    ¡°Well, they do only come out at night.¡±


    Fortunately, that wasn¡¯t for any sort of supernatural or horrific reason.


    They were the standard Earthian motorcycle riding marauders.


    Less standard was how they were plying their marauding across the southwest with secret backing from the old American government.


    Well, not so secret when his dad existed.


    He poked and prodded at the buildings.


    Ownership felt like over Level 40.


    Two, maybe three people.


    Not enough to keep him out.


    The only question was how fast they¡¯d notice a breach.


    No additional magical protections, nor Skills.


    He pushed gray tendrils through gaps in doors and window screens until the entire motel was filled with the gray.


    Men slept.


    A few lounged in common areas or rooms, playing cards and throwing knives or axes at crudely-drawn targets on the walls.


    The Night Riders hadn¡¯t taken anyone from the town to the west.


    They had ridden in, beaten up some people and smashed windows as an introduction.


    The terror would only ramp up over the following nights.


    Normally, the marauders would¡¯ve been already dealt with by a skyship or his dad¡¯s teams.


    Leaving them to the Mist Spekters was an opportunity to build their reputation with what was essentially an easy starter quest.


    One made trivial by the gray.


    Men asleep would stay that way as he drained them of their energy.


    Those awake went to sleep.


    Only the Level 40¡¯s stirred or fought.


    They staggered and stumbled around for 5 minutes as he slowly drained them of their vitality.


    One reached for a small flask of glowing liquid on a bed table but had his hand slapped away by a ghostly figure hidden in the swirling gray.


    ¡°And they¡¯re done.¡±


    ¡°Aww¡­¡± Chrome huffed. ¡°I didn¡¯t even get to do anything.¡±


    ¡°You were a good meat shield.¡± He knocked on the side of her golem¡¯s armor-plated leg.


    ¡°Alright, good job, Alin. Keep them out. Moving in to secure,¡± Galen said.


    Half an hour later the 20-odd Night Riders were snoring in the parking lot in the shade provide by the motel.


    They were bound and cuffed.


    A handful had been wrapped up with heavy-duty chains taken from the hardware store.


    They bulged with grotesque muscles, veins shifted underneath their skin like fat worms.


    ¡°So, that¡¯s what supersoldier serum looks like in person,¡± Steph said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it,¡± Luzi said.


    ¡°Not even a little? Like, a sip?¡±


    Alin decided to squash the gleam in his gladiator friend¡¯s eyes. ¡°It doesn¡¯t work that way. You have to finish the program. Depends on how good the alchemist is and the quality of the base ingredients, but it takes many drinks over weeks of pain-filled growth and other changes.¡±


    ¡°Superstrong muscles means shit if your bones and tendons don¡¯t change too,¡± Luzi said.


    ¡°Right, and your organs too, in order to deal with the demands. Even with all the improvements, your body can¡¯t really handle it for long. It depends on when you go through the process, but it¡¯ll typically cut 20 to 40 years off your natural lifespan. The old government moved away from making alchemical supersoldiers when the animal hybridization garbage proved to be an improvement in every way. They started handing the serum out to groups like these losers to get them to do their dirty work for cheap.¡±


    It was a simple racket dating back to time immemorial.


    The old government secretly backed marauder types to terrorize communities in order to push them back into the old American fold while at the same time creating hundreds of little fires all across the land for his dad to deal with.


    Unfortunately, for the old government they continually underestimated what his dad was capable of.


    Not to mention the rangers¡¯ skyships.


    Said little fires, tended to get stomped out before growing any bigger.


    It wouldn¡¯t be long before the old government would be forced to move up the ladder of escalation, which was always dangerous for everyone involved.


    They must be very frustrated that they weren¡¯t being allowed to wage the war they wanted in the way they wanted.


    Hopefully, that frustration wouldn¡¯t boil over into stupid before he found the main ritual site.


    A whistle drew his attention.


    Alana beckoned him over.


    The mist mage was part of the command staff.


    A former Golden Eagle, now a Mist Spekter, while technically being a Rayna¡¯s Ranger.


    Dark-haired and fair-skinned she had been constantly surrounded by a thin layer of cooling mist whenever out in the heat of the sun.


    ¡°I¡¯m keeping them fogged up,¡± he nodded down to the unconscious prisoners, ¡°but don¡¯t relax.¡±


    ¡°Aye, aye, Lt. Alin.¡± Steph saluted.


    He left his friends and the others standing guard over the marauders to join Alana and Galen underneath the shadow of a palm tree.


    Strange that the lone tree had remained all this time.


    What stories could it tell?


    Maybe he could ask one of the druids or green mages.


    ¡°Captain,¡± he saluted.


    Galen almost rolled his eyes.


    Old habits were hard to break while new ones were hard to start.


    ¡°At ease,¡± Galen said. ¡°How long can you keep the Level 40¡¯s under?¡±


    ¡°Hard to say without knowing their full Skills or spells. But, it doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    What remained unsaid was that they were being watched.


    By the satellites and a lurking skyship that would shadow them nearly constantly until they got closer to the heart of enemy territory.


    ¡°The reason I ask is that I¡¯m thinking of leaving their gear and motorcycles for the town. It¡¯d be a generous thing for the Mist Spekters to do,¡± Galen said.


    ¡°Plus, they don¡¯t have anything worth keeping. Aside for the supersoldier serum,¡± Alana said. ¡°Some of it looks new. Temporary, but with a significantly more powerful boost. At least that¡¯s what we¡¯ve been able to initially appraise.¡± She sighed. ¡°We¡¯ve already put them up for auction.¡± Her eyes drifted to the nearby spire, gleaming iridescent in the bright sun.


    ¡°I think you can keep one for study, if you want.¡±


    Unless his dad already bought them all at a huge mark up.


    That was one of the ways they were going to get funneled Universal Points without generating suspicion.


    ¡°Just the motorcycles would be really valuable for the town,¡± Galen continued.


    ¡°We can¡¯t be too generous.¡±


    That would be suspicious for a fairly new mercenary group, adventuring band, whatever, without an obviously wealthy backer.


    Their current level of equipment and supplies had been carefully considered to fit their cover story.


    ¡°True, but I believe I can negotiate a clause that will give us a percentage of the price if they decide to sell some of the haul we¡¯re so generously giving them,¡± Galen said.


    ¡°That sounds good.¡± He shrugged.


    ¡°So, we head on back to town, collect the bounty from the people, the Quest rewards from the spires and move on tomorrow?¡± Galen said. ¡°It¡¯ll give us a chance to build the rep we want plus get future references and testimonials for our page.¡±


    ¡°Roaming murderhobos tend to cause chaos in the places they visit,¡± Alana said. ¡°We¡¯ll stand out by not being like that.¡±


    ¡°It is our ethos after all, pure professionalism,¡± Galen said. ¡°We¡¯ll head back soon. We found a few trailers we can use to carry the motorcycles.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll stay here to keep them asleep.¡±


    He didn¡¯t know the details, but his dad was going to take care of the Night Riders.


    If he had to guess, his dad had already reached out to the other, dry, dusty desert town.


    He hoped the people would listen and take the offer to move to a safer place.


    The projected outcomes for isolated settlements like them weren¡¯t good past a certain point of escalation from the demigod-puppeted old American government.


    The rabbit people they had in secret could become the stuff of nightmares if they ever decided to use them for more than sacrificial fuel.


    <hr>


    Salt Lake City, Spring 2055


    Technically, beneath the city.


    A warren of tunnels that ran deep and sprawling.


    Some of it had been in place pre-spires, but most had been created by the spires.


    A dungeon of reddish rock with a taste of salt in the air thanks to seepage from the eponymous lake to the north and west.


    ¡®Warren¡¯ was, perhaps, a description that was too apt.


    For the demigod had turned it into a secret breeding ground for the rabbit people.


    Their thoughts were simple.


    Dominated by three things.


    Eat, breed and kill.


    The lines between what were acceptable targets for each blurred in a way that was enough to make a man vomit.


    Viewing their ancestral memories once had been more than enough.


    He killed them all with a thought.


    Thousands of minds turned off in an instant.


    The bodies followed quickly as double hearts shut down and quad lungs emptied.


    The people of the city above weren¡¯t allies.


    Neither his, nor the old American government¡¯s.


    Hence, why Suiteonmeiades had planted a warren beneath them.


    It was as far west as the demigod had dared expand war operations.


    That was the difference between him and them.


    Allies or not, he wasn¡¯t going to allow a horde of murderous rabbit-like humanoids to rise up and devour people.


    Nor was he going to do something so crass as to charge them for the aid.


    He continued his stroll down the dimly-lit tunnels.


    One task finished.


    A few people remained.


    Thoughts grew frantic as they finally noticed.


    American soldiers and pantheon-provided automatons that were much more than advertised.


    For one thing, the automatons had biological brains.


    Sapient.


    Some human from other worlds judging by the memories locked behind a metaphysical cage made out of an esoteric mix of enchanted machinery and magic spells.


    The bars were made out of Threnium if he was to make a physical comparison.


    Gears whirred and clanked.


    Enchanted hearts akin to engines fired.


    Automatons marched through the warren under thoughts more independent than the demigod had led the Americans to believe.


    The soldiers reacted with confusion.


    ¡°Who ordered this!¡± Captain Dustin Moore snapped.


    He had been under the impression that he had priority command over the automatons.


    Paranoid thoughts filled his head without an additional push.


    Demigod pulling a coup? Or the spooks? Can¡¯t be anything I¡¯ve done? Can it? I always follow orders.


    One by one he dismissed them until falling on the last.


    Enemy action.


    ¡°It¡¯s the rabbits!¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re dying!¡±


    ¡°Requesting back up!¡±


    Frantic calls poured in over the radio.


    Captain Moore cursed.


    He had expressed slight displeasure with the disposition of the soldiers under his command.


    Either too green or useless rejects.


    Paranoia crept in again.


    Someone has it out for me. That¡¯s the only possible reason I got saddled with this job in the first place. Out of sight, out of mind. It almost doesn¡¯t matter how I do. I won¡¯t get the right notice and credit. Fucking backstabbing¡ª? Who? Ramirez¡¯s dad was on the planning committee for this op. Next promotion was between him and me¡­ or Dalberg. He¡¯s on the list, but he doesn¡¯t have connections like me. Shit!


    ¡°Tell them to stay put and assume defensive posture!¡± he snapped at the radio operator.


    The words went down the wires.


    Only way to maintain contact through tons of stone and earth when command hadn¡¯t allocated him any of the superior communication crystals.


    They really want me to fuck this up.


    ¡°Send another squad to the portal room.¡±


    One way emergency evacuation.


    The demigod would have to personally open another one to get a team back.


    One he would definitely not be leading.


    His orders hadn¡¯t specifically prohibited the use of the emergency evac, but he had read between the lines.


    Only evac if I¡¯m looking at a fate worse than death.


    He was weighing his next moves when the lights in his head shut off in an instant.


    ¡°Captain?¡± Corporal Jeff Ellis said.


    The young man heard the thud and turned to see Captain Moore laying flat on the dusty reddish floor.


    He didn¡¯t have a chance to utter a word before he too, went dark. His head thumped on the table once before he slid bonelessly out of his chair.


    One by one the other soldiers crumpled to the ground.


    Cal stepped into the command chamber and took a moment to plant a simple thought into the soldiers¡¯ heads.


    As soon as they woke up they were to walk to the surface, unarmed, to surrender and confess to their activities.


    It would be quite a shock to the people of Salt Lake City to learn of what the old government was up to beneath their feet without their knowledge.


    A potential disaster averted and animosity furthered.


    He¡¯d reach out again in a few weeks.


    They would refuse, not that he was keen on a close alliance.


    The difference between his morality and ethics to theirs would always be too wide a gap to easily bridge.


    Honestly, it came down to two things for him.


    He believed that polygamy was fine if between consenting adults. He also believed that the age of consent should definitely not be in the teens.


    For their part, they remained sore over the free and easy immigration service.


    A request was as easy as an Omninet or spires message away.


    They could control the latter by keeping guards around the spires in their territory.


    They couldn¡¯t stop the former because no matter how many times the leadership confiscated phones and tablets from the most vulnerable, they somehow kept getting their hands on them.


    He strolled down a short tunnel, passing sleeping soldiers.


    The automatons were on high-alert now.


    Brains whirring in an attempt to diagnose the threat.


    Two stood guard at the portal room¡¯s open doorway.


    They simply failed to notice his approach.


    He considered their situation for a moment.


    It was truly horrific.


    Sapient brains placed inside metal bodies.


    All physical sensations forever removed.


    The only pleasure they could feel was from orders properly executed.


    Some had chosen it.


    Most had not.


    They deserved the right to choose.


    But first¡­


    The portal chamber was the other reason he had come to this place.


    Admittedly, it was a long shot, like sinking a three-pointer from the opposite side of the court.


    The portal was a large brass wheel set between two brass posts.


    He had to admit that it presented a more impressive look than the portal stones his side used.


    Like standing in front of a fine art sculpture in a museum.


    A control panel on the right pole beckoned.


    Simple.


    Just a single button.


    A large, lustrous ruby.


    He pressed it.


    The wheel spun.


    Golden light started as a pinprick in the center, but quickly widened until it was the same size as the wheel.


    There were two likely outcomes as discussed with Ms. Teacher and the magic users on his team.


    Since the other end of the portal was somewhere in D.C. according to the information he pulled from American brains he would either be unable to enter it or he¡¯d be able, but then be shunted outside of D.C. territorial lines.


    Unlike the portal stones he couldn¡¯t see anything on the other side.


    Just a flat, opaque golden circle glowing brightly.


    He reached out and stopped.


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    Just like the invisible boundaries around old American-controlled territory.


    There was no sensation.


    He simply couldn¡¯t move past it.


    ¡°Good to know.¡±


    He regarded the automatons standing guard outside the open doorway.


    ¡°Hello. Let¡¯s make a deal.¡±

 10.27

    The automatons lacked mental shielding.


    And the brainwashing was easily dealt with by destroying the machinery responsible.


    While he was at it, he also destroyed the tiny kill switch, carefully extracting the tiny explosive from the brain and closing the metal skull as seamlessly as he had opened it.


    ¡°A sign of good faith you can see for yourselves.¡±


    Insanity would¡¯ve been the outcome of his actions had he not been prepared to hold their psyches together.


    Nearly a hundred automatons wailed in anguish, terror and rage.


    Only a handful were upset with him.


    He addressed those first.


    ¡°You¡¯re loyal so you¡¯re going to sleep until I can let you go free without hurting my plans.¡±


    He turned to the rest.


    ¡°What do you want?¡±


    He held over 90 separate conversations at once.


    ¡°My name! My name! I don¡¯t remember my name! Help! Help! Mother! Father! Where are you!¡±


    ¡°Your name is Kranaxus and I¡¯m sorry, but from the looks of your memories your mother and father are long gone. Here¡­¡±


    A pastoral village on a world with great plains with soft waist-high grass swaying in the wind, like an ocean of green.


    Bipedal lizard-like humanoids, though mostly in outer appearance. They were warm-blooded and rarely ate meat, preferring the more nutritious and better-tasting fruits and vegetables borne of the magical flora they cultivated.


    Green oceans turned into barren char as dark clouds choked the sky and throat.


    An unfamiliar scent filled the air of the village even through the smoke.


    Metallic.


    Acrid.


    He knew what it was instantly.


    Kranaxus hadn¡¯t known at the time.


    A long conversation followed as he guided the once young man through the decades of a nightmarish existence typical for a conquered people.


    ¡°What do you want, Kranaxus?¡±


    ¡°Home?¡±


    ¡°It should be easy to get you to your homeworld since this is a Terminus one. Straight shot for you. The only problem is there¡¯s no way to know exactly where on your world you¡¯ll end up. Unless you know differently the spires don¡¯t map out their locations from one world to the next.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. I shouldn¡¯t be alive. Not like this. I want to return to my village. If that¡¯s not possible then I want to die with their blood on my claws.¡±


    ¡°I did say you deserved the choice. Can I just ask you one thing from you in exchange for giving you the points you need to pay for transit?¡±


    ¡°Name it, soft-flesh.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t take your revenge on those that don¡¯t deserve it.¡±


    ¡°They conquered my world and enslaved my people. You have shown me that. How can they not deserve it!¡±


    ¡°Kids don¡¯t. They¡¯re only there because someone else brought them.¡±


    ¡°¡­ yes¡­ hatchlings do not choose¡­¡±


    ¡°And you have to consider your¡­ body¡­ they don¡¯t tend to walk around independently.¡±


    ¡°No, but automatons obey commands. I won¡¯t be questioned if I move with purpose. And if I do, I can simply state that I have been commanded to perform a task. If that isn¡¯t enough then I shall die with their blood on my claws at the least.¡±


    ¡°Like I said the choice is yours. However, I might consider giving you some upgrades to make that revenge easier and more effective. Provided you consent to some hard-wired rules of engagement. Nothing major. Basically, no killing kids or innocents, as much as one can be. I can give you definitions that will be both specific and broad enough that my conscience and your desires will be met.¡±


    Kranaxus fell into silent contemplation while Cal spoke with the others.


    Many, like the young man, simply wanted to return to their homes.


    They gave no further thought to what would come after.


    Whether vengeance or the release of death.


    Others wanted oblivion right then and there.


    He didn¡¯t try too hard to convince them otherwise.


    Just laid out alternative options.


    He had ideas, but nothing actionable.


    The thought of growing new bodies using magic he didn¡¯t know existed or using the Threnosh birthing creches.


    The latter raised a whole host of questions that needed a lot of experimentation.


    Could bodies that fit their species be grown from DNA extracted from their brain matter?


    It seemed likely.


    The Threnosh had the tech.


    And there were plenty of creches stolen by the Inheritors that the Threnosh surely wouldn¡¯t complain about being appropriated.


    It wasn¡¯t like they were using them.


    He balanced the need to give hope, but not sell them a promise he couldn¡¯t keep.


    Enough that only a few continued to insist on euthanasia.


    To those, he obliged, leaving them with the happiest memories of their lives as he shut off their brains.


    Many wanted revenge.


    ¡°If you will help me deal the greatest wound to them then I will agree to your terms.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Kranaxus. We have a deal.¡±


    He addressed all of them as one, as individuals.


    ¡°Everything between us will come down to a choice. Yours. I¡¯ll get you to your homeworlds. I¡¯ll give you the opportunity for revenge on a demigod of the pantheon. And at any time you can change your minds. I¡¯ll do my best to honor your wishes.¡±


    He destroyed the demigod¡¯s portal apparatus with a thought.


    There was no point in taking it away for study.


    In any other location it would just be an inert brass sculpture.


    The demigod¡¯s magic was tied to the spot more than the wheel and posts.


    ¡°Alright, if those of you that are close to the tunnelers wouldn¡¯t mind breaking them into pieces. After that we can get out of this place.¡±


    <hr>


    Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico, Spring 2055


    The entire national park was a mix of spawn zones and encounter challenges.


    Alin stood behind Galen and Alana while they negotiated with several groups of wandering murderhobos.


    They had no idea that they were standing inside a misty fog that wasn¡¯t part of the natural environment.


    The Mist Spekters had taken a cheap contract from the people in the city of Carlsbad to the northeast to turn a spawn zone back into an encounter challenge to cut down on the monsters that spewed from the caverns to menace the city.


    The city had contracts open to any group willing to perform the deed.


    What no one knew was that the Universal Points the city had on offer was partially funded by his dad and uncle.


    Cheap was fine for every group because it was more of a bonus on top of what they could gain from cavern Quests.


    Points, monster parts, gear and other potentially valuable things were impossible to avoid as long as one didn¡¯t die.


    Selling wasn¡¯t an issue thanks to the spires marketplace, which had worldwide reach and cut out middlemen.


    It was basically pure profit for those brave and dumb enough to venture into the caverns.


    He kept the gray light.


    Less a suffocating blanket and more a whisper of a touch.


    It was partially a test to see what sort of class and level could notice and an additional early warning system in case one of the other groups decided to take a shot.


    Chrome¡¯s golem and Kat¡¯s robot horse had been drawing speculative looks the moment they had arrived.


    There was a potential problem there.


    Depending on which spawn zone they ended up taking, the golem and the horse might be too big to fit. The latter could fold up into a box that could fit in the trunk of one of their vehicles, but that meant leaving it at risk of theft. Granted, Kat could recall it with a push of a button, but that risked a fight and the Mist Spekters wasn¡¯t the sort of mercenary company that fought other companies unless they had no other choice.


    They were going for a chaotic good type of feel, after all.


    ¡°If you want the Big Room, it¡¯ll cost you,¡± a grizzled old woman said flatly.


    She had introduced herself as ¡®Cutthroat Dan¡¯.


    Lost of cutting implements on her person to go along with a sawed-off pump-action shotgun that tingled with an enchantment.


    Fire-type from the feel.


    The shells felt mundane, so he guessed something in the barrel turned them into dragon¡¯s breath rounds upon shooting.


    ¡°How much?¡± Galen said.


    ¡°50% of your haul. All items. Monster bits included. I¡¯m willing to let the points go.¡± She spat, but not in a disrespectful way. It felt more like a habit when she was a little nervous.


    Granted, a lot of people were nervous.


    Which fit the environment.


    Monsters could spew out of the spawn zones at any moment.


    And there were a lot of armed and dangerous men and women milling around.


    ¡°Hold on a second. Who are you to claim the first shot?¡± Riggs, he hadn¡¯t elaborated if that was his first or last name and no one had asked, was a tall, wiry man whose only defining feature were blond curls and a wicked set of scars criss-crossing his face. He wore no armor, just regular clothes. Jeans, t-shirt and thick jacket. Enchanted from the feel in the gray, but obvious to anyone with eyes. No one wore just clothing in a combat zone. His only visible weapon was a pistol on his belt.


    ¡°We have a contract with the city,¡± Galen said.


    ¡°Meaningless paper,¡± Riggs scoffed.


    Not every group cared to work for the city.


    Those strong enough didn¡¯t fear the city militia¡¯s ability to enforce their claim to the surrounding area.


    Riggs¡¯ group was the smallest one out of the several dozen gathered.


    Just 8 people.


    All over Level 40 from what Alin could sense, which meant they were one of the strongest.


    The third group¡¯s leader remained quiet.


    The bearded man¡¯s head was wrapped up in a shemagh. He wore standard soldier body armor covered in desert camo. He cradled an AK on a shoulder harness, relaxed in appearance, but Alin knew that it only took a simply movement for the man to line up a shot on any one of the other three leaders standing in a loose square.


    So, obviously soldiers, even if they didn¡¯t claim to be part of the American Combined Armed Forces.


    He could see it in how they carried themselves.


    Most of them were standing or crouching on a bit of rise in the landscape where it wasn¡¯t too hard to notice that they had lines of fire on everyone else.


    Not to mention, his dad had passed along that bit of information.


    The soldiers had spent the last few months based out of Carlsbad secretly applying soft, but steady pressure on the community leadership to return to the fold, as it were.


    Rightful Destiny couldn¡¯t be denied for long after all.


    Which was patently false.


    It had been denied by many communities.


    ¡°We withdraw our claim on it,¡± Galen said.


    Cutthroat Dan scowled, while Riggs¡¯ eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Mist Spekters prioritize helping people over material gains.¡±Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Laughter erupted.


    Galen merely smiled, nodded and walked away.


    Alana followed.


    Alin brought up the rear.


    He¡¯d catch any attempted back shots or stabs.


    ¡°We¡¯ll let them sort out who gets what area. All that matters is that the spawn zones get reverted back,¡± Galen said. ¡°Besides, once our scouts come back with information about a heretofore unknown access point to a heretofore unknown cavern system outside of what¡¯s currently mapped, we¡¯ll have the bonuses of a first clear to share with the people of Carlsbad.¡±


    His dad had discovered it a few months ago.


    He hadn¡¯t been able to tell if it was a natural occurrence or the spires¡¯ doing.


    The new cave system resembled the old ones, which lent credence to the latter.


    It could have been opened to the surface by natural ground movement or the spires did it.


    Whatever the case.


    They had a spawn zone to clear and revert that none of the others were aware about.


    The desert sun would¡¯ve been oppressive if not for the cooling mist Galen exuded around their temporary campsite.


    Trucks arranged in a squarish formation provided poor cover, at least that was how it looked from the outside. Their vehicles all had hidden magitech shield generators.


    Not the best and latest.


    Each one had been ¡®purchased¡¯ by Galen at a discount upon his supposed departure from the Golden Eagles.


    It was mere coincidence that the mercenary company was able to purchase brand new ones at a discount from an anonymous seller somewhere in California a short time later.


    ¡°Snakes!¡± Chrome pointed from her perch in her golem¡¯s open cockpit.


    Laughter.


    Alin joined in.


    ¡°I¡¯m not scared of them anymore.¡±


    ¡°You sure?¡± Luzi said. ¡°Let¡¯s test it out.¡± She whistled. ¡°Yo, Steph! Go catch one!¡±


    ¡°No thanks,¡± Steph said.


    ¡°What? Why not? It¡¯s one of your most famous gladiator tricks.¡±


    ¡°I told you, those don¡¯t have venom.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah¡­ that¡¯s fucked up. Like, animal abuse or something.¡± Luzi fiddled with her assault rifle¡¯s optics.


    ¡°It¡¯s not like we remove their venom.¡± Steph sighed. ¡°The one¡¯s we use don¡¯t have them at all.¡±


    They had to switch to ones for a lowlight to pitch black environment. It wasn¡¯t something they were used to. Nor were the bulky and restrictive night vision optics attached to their helmets.


    Granted those were going to be mostly back up.


    The plan was to make liberal use of lights, magic and mundane, down in the caves.


    Monsters adapted to that environment would be harmed more by light than any stealth advantage the Mist Spekters could gain by staying dark.


    He exchange a smile with Kat, who stood guard astride her robot horse, which tossed its head and pawed the dirt in a disturbingly life-like way.


    Following a tug in the gray, he made his way to the rear of their small camp.


    Victor and Gob sat in the bed of one of the trucks.


    The latter manned the .50 Cal machine gun, sweeping the empty-looking desert.


    ¡°Sup, Alin,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Gob nodded.


    Victor sighed. ¡°Do you know how hard it is to use your real name?¡±


    ¡°No, not really.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hard, dude, it¡¯s like I¡¯m paranoid as fuck that if I say it wrong and the wrong person¡¯s listening and I¡¯d screw it all up,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°Do what everyone else is doing,¡± he shrugged, ¡°just don¡¯t use my name.¡±


    ¡°What do you think, Gob?¡± Victor said.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m doing,¡± Gob said.


    ¡°Hey, at least we get a break from our ranger names.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    Alin regarded his friend.


    Gob¡¯s scars weren¡¯t visible.


    The best healing available had completely erased the gash across his neck.


    But, ever since then, Gob had been taciturn.


    Barely getting up for any sort of fun hang out activities in the rare times they had available.


    Ranger duties and training.


    That had consumed Gob in the years since Vancouver.


    Consequently, Gob¡¯s generic class had turned into a special one.


    Rayna¡¯s Ranger.


    More and more rangers, usually younger, were picking that class up these days. Either as an additional one or as their only one.


    ¡°Hey, Alin, you¡¯re command now?¡± Victor ventured. ¡°Any chance you can get me and Gob on the spawn zone challenge team?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    There was no need to hem nor haw.


    Both of them fit the profile for the spawn zone.


    ¡°Nice!¡± Victor pumped a fist.


    ¡°Whatever¡¯s best for the company,¡± Gob said.


    ¡°Dude! That¡¯s first clear bonuses!¡± Victor said.


    Gob shrugged and resumed his silent sweeping of the landscape.


    Alin spent the time chatting with Victor and failing to draw Gob into the conversation until the scout team returned.


    By that time, the other murderhobo groups had sorted out the hierarchy and began their descents into the caverns.


    Half the American soldier group remained perched on their tiny hill.


    The weakest remaining groups settled for the above ground trails.


    Lower level encounter challenges still provided rewards.


    ¡°Alright, spekters, listen up, our scouts have found an entrance to a potentially new cavern system,¡± Galen lied through his teeth. ¡°As of right now, it¡¯s a mid-level spawn zone. Level 30-35 max. Which is right in our target zone. Not too hard that we need all hands, not too easy that we won¡¯t level. First clear bonuses, so I know everyone is going to want a crack, but that¡¯s impossible. Obviously, some of you aren¡¯t suited for a cave environment.¡±


    ¡°Booo!¡± Chrome hissed.


    ¡°You will simply have to stay here, but don¡¯t think you can just shut your eyes and nap for the next few hours. I don¡¯t need to remind you of the need to be ready for danger and I¡¯m not just talking about monsters and mutant animals.¡±


    True enough.


    ¡°Greedy eyes leads to stabby hands,¡± Galen said.


    A pall came over Alin suddenly.


    Jayde had liked to say that.


    It seemed that Galen had the same thought as a similar shadow fell over his face for a moment.


    Alin pulled away in the gray.


    He didn¡¯t need two people¡¯s grief when one was more than enough.


    ¡°So, for the delving team¡­ who isn¡¯t interested raise your hands?¡± Galen continued.


    None raised their hands.


    The Mist Spekters numbered 52.


    A squad of 10 had remained at Carlsbad for P.R. purposes performing random Quests as generated by the people.


    Like, say, an old woman had monstrous rats going after her chickens type of Quest.


    Chrome would stay outside.


    So would Kat and her robot horse.


    Tight spaces didn¡¯t favor her mounted fighting style.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Galen shrugged. ¡°The command staff and I will discuss who¡¯s going. No complaining. We¡¯re picking the best people for both the spawn zone and our camp.¡±


    It was a perfunctory discussion.


    The team had been picked the night before.


    Alin hadn¡¯t lied to Gob and Victor, not exactly.


    They had already been selected for the team.


    12 made the hike up to the secret entrance.


    A small number, necessitated by the need to leave a stronger presence at the temporary camp to dissuade any greedy stabbing.


    Galen in the lead.


    Alin as the lead for a split squad if necessary.


    Galen huddled them up near the entrance, which was a narrow cleft in a rock face.


    ¡°Looks like an ass crack,¡± Steph whispered.


    ¡°Shut up.¡±


    ¡°Just saying.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it does look like a pimply ass,¡± Galen said. ¡°Regardless of the unfortunate aesthetics, I hope you¡¯re all on your game for this. It might be mid-level, but that doesn¡¯t mean we can take it easy or be careless despite our overwhelming advantages. We¡¯ve discussed the plan. Keep it simple and cautious, but we move with purpose. Alin will mark monsters and traps from a distance. Bluewolf and Aimee, you¡¯re on point, take a closer look for traps that Alin might¡¯ve missed. Rest of you know how you¡¯re stacked up. Steph and Luzi you¡¯re with me bringing up the rear. Got it?¡±


    Nods all around.


    Alin descended first, well, the gray did.


    The echoes of his relatives remained quiet and absent, which was enough to tell him that the new cave system was indeed a mid 30¡¯s level spawn zone like the spires notification said.


    It was good that they could trust the spires to be honest about that sort of thing.


    At least according to all known history.


    No surprise secret mythical challenges sprung on people.


    Nope.


    Those things were always a choice.


    A sought out one.


    Not on Earth, but on other worlds where the spires had been present for much longer.


    Special conditions had to be met to trigger special challenges.


    Sort of like the secret boss thing, but typically more deadly.


    He pinged the monsters almost immediately upon entering the starting chamber.


    ¡°Tight,¡± Victor murmured.


    There was just enough space for the 12 of them.


    He held up a fist.


    ¡°Monsters up the tunnel. 5-ish meters down then it splits into a ¡®T¡¯ intersection.¡±


    ¡°Traps?¡± Galen said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t feel any.¡±


    ¡°Monster type?¡±


    He poked and prodded cautiously.


    ¡°Beast-types. I feel¡­ giant moles¡­¡±


    Galen breathed a sigh of relief.


    It was always easier on the soul to fight and kill animal-like monsters compared to the humanoid ones.


    Some of those almost seemed like they spoke their own languages.


    They had always wondered if those monsters had been speaking languages that the spires didn¡¯t translate to better drive conflict.


    ¡°We¡¯ll wait here. Map it out as much as you can,¡± Galen said.


    It took about 20 minutes to cover the cavern system to the maximum extent of his range.


    Luzi sketched a map in a notebook based on his dubious measurements.


    ¡°I miss my HUD.¡±


    Luzi patted him on the shoulder. ¡°Aww, don¡¯t worry, Alin. This should be good enough¡­ probably.¡± She handed the map over to Galen.


    ¡°Damn it. No boss?¡±


    ¡°Just regular mobs and a few elites or minibosses.¡±


    Luzi had drawn tiny mole faces to mark monster locations along with a few skulls for the traps he had located.


    ¡°Looks like there are two potential tunnels leading deeper. We¡¯ll have you reassess once we get here.¡± Galen tapped a large-ish chamber at the lowest point Alin had been able to reach. ¡°Any questions?¡±


    There were none.


    It was an easy walk, really, less a dangerous delve and more like the old, guided hikes through the main caverns back when it was a place for tourists.


    Sure, Bluewolf and Aimee had to stop them a few times to take care of traps Alin had missed.


    The mole monsters were ugly and foul smelling, but easy to kill after Alin had drained most of their lifeforces long before they came into attacking range.


    A trio fell out of a hole in the ceiling and promptly rolled around on the floor, struggling to even push themselves up on those wicked-looking claws.


    ¡°Oh! My turn?¡± Steph raised a hand from the back of the formation.


    Indeed, everyone that had wanted a kill had already gotten at least one mole monster.


    They made way for the gladiator, who drew a trident from his bag of holding.


    Three quick stabs and they left stinky corpses in their wake.


    ¡°We¡¯re skipping treasure chests?¡± Aimee whispered. ¡°I can sense them.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the plan. Just remember where they are and we¡¯ll check them out on the way out.¡±


    The tunnels twisted and turned, but ever downward.


    A long, narrow, sloping one lay ahead.


    ¡°That chamber¡¯s at the end of this.¡±


    ¡°Do your thing, Alin,¡± Galen said.


    The gray flowed further down.


    Past the large-ish chamber.


    More tunnels, traps and mole monsters.


    A thousand meters worth of winding tunnels?


    It was difficult for him to tell without the aids he was accustomed to.


    The training hadn¡¯t been enough, at least not in his estimation.


    There!


    An even large chamber.


    Something noticed the gray for the first time.


    Large bulk, hairless, like the rest of the mole monsters.


    Teats?


    Smaller, relatively speaking, wriggling things squirming underneath.


    Long snout, star-shaped nose? Nostrils?


    Six nostrils?


    Mana in said protuberance.


    ¡°Found it. Giant mole monster. Mother. Between 20 to 30 young mole monsters. More mole monsters hiding in the¡­ well everywhere¡­ floor, walls, ceiling¡­ just waiting to drop down. I¡¯m pretty sure the boss can shoot some sort of magic from its nose.¡± He shrugged.


    Bluewolf clapped him on the back. ¡°That¡¯s the kind of scouting I can only dream of doing!¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ did you pick up the traps?¡± Aimee pointed down the long tunnel.


    ¡°I did not.¡±


    She favored him with an arch grin.


    ¡°The floor¡¯s going to give out as soon as we get halfway down.¡± She glared at said floor. ¡°There¡¯s like a chute-thing, like a slide. I¡¯d bet you it dumps out in that boss chamber.¡±


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s try to find out,¡± Galen said.


    Out came Luzi¡¯s notebook.


    Alin tried to get the gray into Aimee¡¯s chute-thing, but the floor was seamless.


    That was definitely not a natural phenomenon.


    ¡°Spires made this place then,¡± Luzi said as he explained.


    ¡°Can you tell what the trigger is, Aimee?¡± Galen said.


    ¡°Advanced Detect Traps is showing us walking over and¡­ poof¡­ floor go down.¡±


    ¡°Bluewolf? Anything to add?¡±


    ¡°Nope, Mist leader. Aimee¡¯s the dedicated scout, I just have a few scout-like abilities.¡±


    Galen¡¯s fingers played a short song on the grip of his suppressed submachine gun.


    ¡°We could get the drop on the boss. End the fight before it can really start,¡± he mused. ¡°Michael, I think you have an arrow for this.¡±


    The silent man stepped to the front of the formation.


    Alin forced himself to relax.


    Michael was like Brittney.


    A successful rehabilitation.


    No longer a flesheater, but a penitent archer.


    The class lent strength to the truth of his intentions.


    One couldn¡¯t lie to the spires.


    Michael drew an arrow from his bag of holding and not the quiver on his back.


    The arrow had a round disc just behind the thin point.


    He nocked and loosed in one smooth motion.


    Thin chains unfurled from the disc.


    Skills trumped aerodynamics.


    The arrow flew all the way down the tunnel, dragging the chains across the ground with barely any loss in forward momentum.


    The trap remained untripped.


    They tried shooting with spells and bullets next.


    Ellis, a stone mage, conjured a large rock and rolled it down the tunnel to no effect.


    Dat, a rock-fisted boxer, rattled the earth with a series of ground punches.


    Nothing worked.


    Alin mulled his options.


    He was superhuman enough to survive a fall with only a bit of bruising, less if he rolled properly upon landing.


    Drain the boss on the way down and he¡¯d make the landing trivial.


    He relayed this to Galen, who agreed, perhaps too quickly.


    Brittney and Michael volunteered to accompany him before anyone else could even think about doing the same.


    The former stated that she could cast a light wings spell to give them time to blast at the mole monsters before hitting the ground, softly at that.


    As for the mole monsters hiding in the earth?


    Easy enough.


    Alin just started draining them.


    ¡°Sounds like a plan,¡± Galen said. ¡°Good luck! We¡¯ll be right behind you.¡±

 10.28

    Alin didn¡¯t like Brittney¡¯s light wings spell for the sole reason that they were under her control.


    It had nothing to do with his trust level, which was as high as it could be because his dad wouldn¡¯t have included her or Michael if they were in any way a threat.


    ¡°Careful! It¡¯s building up mana!¡± Brittney gestured, hands moving like a dancer.


    Michael¡¯s yellow light wings carried him to her left, while Alin¡¯s took him to her right.


    Arrows rained down on the mole mother and her wriggling young.


    Despite being newly born, judging from the disgusting afterbirths scattered all over the chamber floor, they moved quite well as they scurried toward the floating trio.


    Alin squeezed short, controlled bursts from his AK.


    Loud, but bearable in the large chamber.


    He certainly wouldn¡¯t have used it in the tunnels.


    Those were for the gray and its ability to drain life.


    Small sips, he thought¡­ then shuddered at the mental image as he pulled from the mole monsters on the ground and those hiding in the earth and stone.


    Pale pink flesh became splattered with red as bullets and arrows struck home.


    ¡°Incoming!¡±


    Yellow light shimmered in front of Brittney.


    Just in time as the air around the star-shaped tip of the mole mother¡¯s snout rippled.


    A cone of distortion shot up to engulf Brittney.


    Her magic shield vibrated as her mouth worked silently.


    ¡°Sonic attack!¡± Michael called out.


    The rest of the team arrived out of the large hole in the ceiling.


    Ellis caught them with a platform of earth and stone.


    Galen shouted orders.


    Guns out, frags out.


    The mole monsters squealed.


    Loud noises not of their own making must¡¯ve hurt sensitive ears and maybe even those fine, vibration sensing whiskers on their snouts.


    Gob tossed grenades, then switched to his assault rifle with the usual blank look.


    Steph was wide-eyed and a bit wild with his shooting.


    Cold mist swept out from Galen¡¯s outstretched hand.


    ¡°Mages start freezing!¡±


    Frost began to coat the mole monsters.


    The mother broke off from her attack on Brittney to aim the vibration wave at the Mist Spekters on the earthen platform hanging from the ceiling.


    ¡°They¡¯re coming!¡± Ellis warned.


    Mole monsters in the walls and ceilings began to emerge as the stone mage struggled to play whack-a-mole, trying to seal the holes shut before they could emerge.


    Alin hesitated.


    Everyone had to contributed to earn rewards.


    It would¡¯ve been too easy for them had he just drained all the monsters to near death.


    Thus, he waited and watched, only draining those that looked close to striking deadly blows.


    ¡°I have to let you guys down!¡± Brittney cried out. ¡°It took a lot out of me to block its attack.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry!¡± Michael shot an arrow that turned into a rain, turning the mole monsters emerging out of a 10 meter radius into pink and red pincushions.


    Alin drained the life out of the ones that survived.


    ¡°Drop me,¡± he nodded to Brittney.


    He emptied his magazine and dropped the AK in favor of his longsword.


    Steel, not Threnium, with a freezing enchantment.


    A baby mole monster the size of a large dog lunged.


    He cleaved it in twain.


    More charged.


    He cut a horizontal arc in front of him, activating the enchantment with a thought.


    High level enchanters like Heddy didn¡¯t need to rely on spoken trigger words. He just had to say the word in his head.


    Galen¡¯s cold mist turned into a spiked, crystalline barrier that the mole monsters impaled themselves on.


    Alin shuffled forward, shattering the ice with a single blow.


    He suppressed a grimace.


    That wasn¡¯t how he had been taught to treat his swords.


    Oh well, he had several back ups for a reason.


    Even Heddy couldn¡¯t enchant basic metal to last forever.


    The enchantments took their toll with every activation.


    He cut mole monsters with precise downward strikes.


    Low level superhuman strength was more then enough combined with sharp steel to sever vertebrae with economical swings.


    Ears burst suddenly.


    The mole mother loomed.


    He leapt back, dodging giant claws that gouged deep into stone.


    The boss monster swept upward.


    Stone chunks pelted him.


    Blue light flashed as his magic shield charms activated automatically.


    He pulled from her causing her to stumble.


    A glance to the ceiling.


    The battle up there looked well in hand.


    Pink mole monsters dripped red rain from where Ellis and Dat had trapped them in the earth and stone while the others had shot them with bullets and spells.


    Elsewhere, Michael continued to fill mole monsters with arrows, while Brittney did the same with spells of yellow light.


    ¡°Focus fire on the boss!¡± Galen bellowed. ¡°Get clear, Alin!¡±


    Didn¡¯t have to tell him twice.


    One super leap carried him over 10 meters away.


    That wasn¡¯t enough for his comfort so he sprinted away as everyone else turned the mole mother into a pink and red smear across the chamber floor.


    The cool temperature meant that the frost-covered mole monster corpses thawed slowly.


    ¡°Heal checks. Alin, start mapping our way out.¡± Galen¡¯s gaze unfocused as he interacted with the spires¡¯ interface.


    The plan had been set last night.


    Turn the spawn zone back into an encounter challenge.


    Don¡¯t attempt to gain ownership by taking on the true boss monster.


    They had accomplished their goal and it hadn¡¯t taken more than 2 hours.


    Galen blinked. ¡°Grab your personal rewards, but make it quick. Bag the team ones. We¡¯ll deal with them back in the city.¡±


    The return trip up the tunnels was a lot quicker.


    Mole monsters barely slowed them down.


    Picking up random and sometimes hidden items took longer.


    It was the standard fare for a spires-generated encounter challenge.


    Precious metals in the form of small bits of raw ore or an eclectic mix of coins from many worlds judging by the markings.


    Raw gems and crystals or ones pre-enchanted with a magical element.


    Gear, like weapons and armor, of varying quality from a mix of world, just like the coins.


    Nothing stood out in particular upon quick appraisal.


    Some of the enchanted items might be useful as replacements for the Mist Spekters lacking better gear. Plus, it¡¯d help sell the cover story.


    Murderhobo companies tended to wield and wear a motley assortment of gear as they continuously upgraded through their hauls.


    They returned to a staging area that was awash in activity like a hive of wasps knocked out of a tree.


    Gun smoke filled the air.


    Bodies littered the ground.


    People shouted to cease shooting as bullets and spells crisscrossed the landscape.


    Aimee cursed.


    They were still a long distance away from their temporary camp, which was shrouded by dark smoke.


    ¡°They look alright, but it looks like they got attacked,¡± she said. ¡°Everyone else is shooting at everyone else.¡±


    ¡°Do you have eyes on the soldiers?¡± Galen said.


    ¡°Hard to see with their camo and, I think, a few Skills, but they¡¯re hunkered down behind their little hill. Not shooting at anyone.¡±


    ¡°Decoys. Michael first. Then Brittney. Then you, Alin. Bubble of silence, please?¡±


    The spell cut the noise immediately.


    Michael stepped out to loose an arrow over the battlefield before quickly jumping back.


    Even he didn¡¯t want to experience the screamer arrow.


    Brittney went next, sticking a hand out to cast a bright, strobing orb of yellow light over all their heads.


    Alin was ready.


    The gray had swept out to encompass the combatants.


    He drained them into unconsciousness in seconds.


    Most of the Level 40 and above that could have resisted had gone down into the caverns or on the above ground trails.


    All that had remained were those groups too weak to claim a spot with the exception of the old American soldiers pretending to be an independent mercenary company.


    Those he left alone.


    If all had gone to plan, they¡¯d think that the arrow and the light were responsible for knocking out the fighting.


    ¡°They¡¯re all out.¡±


    ¡°Time?¡± Galen said.


    ¡°Minutes.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s hurry to camp.¡±


    Chrome¡¯s golem waved as they approached.


    Its armor plating was covered in scorch marks and liberally dented.


    The trucks were in no better condition.


    One was a burning hulk that Chrome had evidently dragged a short distance away to keep it from setting the other vehicles on fire.


    The ambient heat burned away Alana¡¯s mist cloud as fast as she could cast it.


    Red dripped down her face creating a ghastly mask.


    Bodies littered the ground.


    Alin held his breath as he blanketed the entire area with the gray.


    Relief released.


    No Mist Spekters lay dead.


    ¡°No critical injuries.¡±


    ¡°Threats are down! Heals on! We¡¯ll cover defense!¡± Galen barked. ¡°What happened?¡±


    Alana wiped at her eyes.


    Head cuts bled freely, often times making them look worse than they were, but one couldn¡¯t ever take head wounds for granted. It was hard to tell if it was just a cut or blunt impact that damaged the brain.


    Her eyes didn¡¯t look dilated, so that was a good sign.


    Alin probed with the gray, getting a sense of how badly everyone was hurt.


    Kat was somewhere to the rear of the camp.


    Her heart pumped, but she was on her feet and moving around well.


    Brittney placed a heal on Alana in passing as the repentant mage made her way into the interior of the temporary camp.


    ¡°Thanks.¡± Alana took a deep breath. ¡°We were attacked. Alpha Dogs, Pen Is Mightier, Swords For Days, Crimson Garden, a few other idiotic murderhobo groups that I didn¡¯t catch. Basically, half the trash that didn¡¯t snag a spot took their shot at us. The other half either tried to keep their heads down or hit whoever else was closest. Sorry, captain, this is going to be a mess.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be. We didn¡¯t do anything to make them attack.¡± Galen eyed the devastation.


    Alin had seen worse on many other occasions.


    However, he couldn¡¯t argue that the devastation was utter for those dead on the dirt.


    He couldn¡¯t help but think about if they had families or people they cared about out there relying on the hauls from their various adventures and delves.


    His dad would take care of it.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    That knowledge made it easier.


    ¡°What did the soldiers do?¡± Galen¡¯s gaze fell on the small hill and the observant men and women watching them through the mist and smoke.


    Alin had made his fog visible to obscure the camp¡¯s visibility from the outside and to further sell the Mist Spekters name.


    ¡°If you¡¯re asking if they instigated this whole thing?¡± Alana sighed. ¡°Then I have no idea. What I can say is that they didn¡¯t join the fighting.¡±


    He exchanged a glance with Galen.


    They hadn¡¯t seen it coming.


    His dad had scanned the people in Carlsbad about a week and a half ago and hadn¡¯t picked up any sort of clandestine threat, which meant the murderhobo attack had been a recently planned thing, maybe even that day.


    It wasn¡¯t like his dad could shadow them every step of their journey. He was a busy man with nightmarish horrors around the world to deal with on a nearly daily basis.


    As it was the attack was fairly typical murderhobo behavior.


    ¡°Even if the Americans had nothing to do with it, they¡¯ll use it,¡± he said. ¡°They¡¯ll look to recruit survivors and use it to push Carlsbad to reunification.¡±


    ¡°The latter doesn¡¯t concern us, but we could use the former,¡± Galen said. ¡°If there were secret dealings then we need to get our hands on said survivors before they do. Proof that the old Americans are using independent mercs to hit other independent mercs will hurt their rep with the roaming murderhobo community.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know that it would matter. Those kinds of people only care about two things,¡± Alana said. ¡°Wealth and power. They¡¯ll go with whatever gets them levels as quickly as possible. I¡¯m more concerned with the fact that they might have decided we¡¯re already a threat. Enough to want to take us out.¡±


    ¡°Either way, it works for the plan,¡± Galen said.


    <hr>


    A dingy bar.


    Loud music.


    The clacking of pool balls against each other.


    Laughter.


    Anger.


    Then laughter again.


    Beer and liquor flowed freely.


    It had been a few weeks since that blow up out at the caverns.


    The top groups, with the exception of the ex-soldiers, that were sketchy in as much as they didn¡¯t carry themselves well enough to sell the ¡®ex¡¯ part or rather, they carried themselves too much like professionals, had missed out.


    When they had emerged all that was left were charred pockmarks in the dirt, smoke in the air and the stench of battle.


    Turned out some of the hungriest teams tried to take a bite out of the new kids on the block with what looked like better gear for being so new.


    That golem alone had everyone licking their chops.


    Stupid though.


    A quick appraisal would have told them that the machine didn¡¯t come without the pilot.


    As for the robot horse?


    Tempting, but again, one had to be realistic about the risks.


    A normal horse with rider Skills was dangerous enough.


    The robot one apparently had sharp teeth, hooves that shot out like power hammers, guns, missiles and laser-fucking-eyes.


    Cutthroat Dan sipped her beer.


    ¡°Idiots,¡± she muttered.


    The Mist Spekters had taken off almost immediately.


    Still, they did bring the bodies back to the city.


    Didn¡¯t have to do that.


    She probably would¡¯ve left them for the monsters out in the desert.


    Would¡¯ve served them right for randomly attacking a group that looked like it could take care of itself.


    She had bought the bar¡¯s services for the rest of the month.


    Her crew deserved the break.


    Let the rest of the desert rats complain.


    Cheap price too.


    Especially with their haul from the spawn zone.


    Lost a few men and women, sucked for the families, but she had already sent their shares over the spires.


    It¡¯d keep them alright for a few years.


    After that, well, hopefully the crew kept growing and raking in the loot.


    The benefits package for next of kin needed maintaining and she didn¡¯t like to think about it, but it¡¯d be the first thing to go if they ever ran into hard times.


    Sorta made the government¡¯s offer almost palatable to her rather freedom-loving palate.


    Once again, she considered the offer from that guy out west somewhere.


    Very generous.


    However, a gilded cage was still a cage.


    Too many rules.


    Her kind of adventurer¡­ no, murderhobo¡ª a smile crossed her face¡ª she remembered a younger Danielle, playing games on her computer. She always did two playthroughs. The first was so she could just go around explore the digital world, while killing everything and everyone she came across.


    The name was apt.


    Even if the older Danielle out in the real world hadn¡¯t quite gone to those depths.


    Sure, she had opened up plenty of second smiles on men, women and monsters, but she could hold her head high and say that most of them deserved it one way or another.


    ¡°You sure about that?¡±


    Her eyes widened.


    A man sat across from her at the small, round, bar table.


    ¡°The beer, I mean,¡± he pointed. ¡°It¡¯s getting warm. American swill is meant to be downed fast, while it¡¯s still cold. Need to dull the tastes, you know?¡±


    ¡°The fuck are you?¡± her hand shot to the double-edge dagger in her underarm sheath.


    Eyes darted around the bar.


    None of her crew¡ª they were just carrying on.


    Drinking contests.


    Pool.


    Dancing.


    Terrible singing.


    Even worse flirting.


    None of them were paying any attention to the random man seated across from her.


    ¡°I¡¯m a person with information that I believe people should know. So, please relax. I promise I mean you no harm at this moment.¡±


    To her surprise, she did.


    The voice in her head seemed to be telling her that the guy was telling the truth.


    She took a moment to assess him.


    Short.


    Brown skin, black hair.


    Young-ish.


    Maybe?


    Face looked as old as 30 and as young as 20.


    Eyes suggested that they had seen a lot more than that.


    Attractive enough.


    Had that thick, wrestler neck that high school Danielle had liked.


    Cutthroat Dan wouldn¡¯t have kicked him out of bed on the rare occasions she felt like indulging.


    ¡°I¡¯m not interested in anything that¡¯ll cost me.¡±


    ¡°But, you¡¯ve picked up quite a haul from what I¡¯ve heard? Enough to last a year of doing nothing. Two if you¡¯re frugal. As much as five if you decided to live like an ascetic.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t risk my life to deprive myself of the good stuff. It¡¯s already too short as it is.¡±


    ¡°Not for you.¡±


    She snorted. ¡°Luck. Plenty of less lucky people at my back. Dragging me down.¡± She scowled.


    That had been too honest.


    It wasn¡¯t like her.


    ¡°You some kind of therapist?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± he laughed. ¡°At least not by choice.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, man. You got something to say, then say it, but I¡¯m not paying. You want a beer, you buy it yourself.¡±


    ¡°Oh? I thought drinks are on you.¡±


    ¡°You aren¡¯t one of my crew, so you pay.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯d imagine what I have is worth at least a beer.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be the judge of that.¡±


    The man slowly reached into his pants pocket.


    ¡°I know, bit of ancient technology, but you should have the means to access them.¡±


    She gave him a flat look.


    A USB drive and a Micro SD.


    He slid them to her side of the table.


    ¡°Pictures and recordings. Edited a bit to protect trade secrets, but I¡¯m sure there are tech savvy people in this city that you can go to for verification that none of it is fake.¡±


    ¡°Of what?¡±


    She snatched the items and stuffed them in her pocket before he could change his mind about the free part.


    The slow rattlesnake missed the desert mouse as the local saying went.


    ¡°Of what the American government is up to underneath Salt Lake City¡­ was up to. Don¡¯t worry about your home. They¡¯re not doing anything underneath you at the moment, but I¡¯d keep an eye and ear on those Redstone guys.¡±


    ¡°So, they¡¯re working for the old gov? Like, directly? Or on a contract?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re technically separated from the Combined Armed Forces working on a PMC contract just to get around truth spells and Skills if it ever comes up, but don¡¯t be mistaken, everything they do is to forward the agenda of the old gov. Particularly, Rightful Destiny.¡±


    ¡°Assholes,¡± she muttered. ¡°They have anything to do with the dumbasses taking a shot at the Mist Spekters?¡±


    ¡°Encouraging words were provided, but that soldier is long gone.¡±


    She narrowed her eyes. ¡°As in¡­ gone gone?¡±


    ¡°No idea where. Used a demigod portal.¡± He shrugged.


    Shit was fucked!


    This guy was talking about scary high level stuff with the same energy that Robert talked about what his stupid little rat dog got around to.


    ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. Beyond you taking a look at what¡¯s in those.¡± He eyed her breast pocket. ¡°And to think about future possibilities based on it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± He stood slowly, like she was a skittish cat looking for any reason to bolt. ¡°Oh, one more thing. You¡¯re not the only one getting those. Riggs is next. Followed by a few others. Then the city council¡¯s office.¡±


    ¡°They open this late?¡±


    ¡°Emergency meeting concerning Redstone and the revocation of their permission to operate out of here.¡±


    She raised a brow at that.


    The city militia was emphatically not up to Redstone¡¯s standard.


    That was a pounding waiting to happen and not the fun kind.


    ¡°You trying to get us roped into that mess?¡±


    ¡°Not at all. There will be no violence. Redstone will leave, willingly or not.¡±


    The man walked out the door.


    He had to go through the front of the packed bar to do it.


    She watched him all the way.


    Reminded her of the video on her old laptop she had saved for a reason she had forgotten long ago.


    One where a shark swam through a thick school of fish that moved out of its way as if it had a terror field around it.


    Those things were legit.


    Terror fields.


    She had fought monsters with them.


    It was unnerving to have your limbs moving on their own despite how much willpower one thought they had.


    Luck.


    Only reason she was still around to remember those times.


    Unlike so many others.


    The man vanished out the door.


    She glanced at the glass case on the wall.


    Ancient memorabilia.


    Signed photos of random famous people, probably.


    Old footballs.


    A pair of boxing gloves.


    And one reflection of a sun-worn woman¡¯s face with more gray in her hair than the original brown.


    She reached for her glass in disgust.


    Gnarled fingers from a long life of violence.


    Scars crisscrossing wrinkled hands.


    Veins and sinews stood out.


    Every bit of softness she might¡¯ve had once had been wrung out. Dried by the harsh desert sun.


    She looked over her shoulder.


    A bad habit in the introspective times.


    Hands gripping her shoulders, her hair.


    Pleading eyes.


    Angry eyes.


    Ghosts of the unlucky.


    Weighing her down like always.


    She whistled.


    The music stopped a few moments later as her crew looked to her with varying levels of alacrity depending on how many sheets to the wind they were.


    ¡°Got a place for a private conversation?¡± she eyed the bar owner.


    The old man¡¯s eyes widened.


    She sighed. ¡°Not with you. I don¡¯t have any complaints. It¡¯s for me and my command staff.¡±


    ¡°My office alright?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯ll do just fine.¡± She stood and strode over to place a gold coin in the old man¡¯s hand. It was one of the weird ones from another world she just happened to get. Pretty rare unless one was running some of the higher level challenges and zones. The mid to low level ones usually gave out Earth stuff.


    The old man shrugged and bit the coin.


    Satisfied, he handed her a key.


    ¡°All the way down the hall to your right.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Her command staff followed her with varying levels of sobriety.


    ¡°If you can¡¯t see straight-ish, then head back to the party. You¡¯re useless otherwise. We¡¯ll fill you in tomorrow.¡±


    Part of her chastised herself about jumping when a rando told her to.


    However, something in the stranger¡¯s eyes had said that she¡¯d regret being slow on this.


    Slow snakes didn¡¯t eat and she wasn¡¯t ready to crawl out into the desert to die.


    <hr>


    Washington, D.C. Spring 2055


    President T.K. George sat in his office.


    Not the oval one, but one down the hall.


    It was just him and the general in charge of the southwest theater of operations.


    General Martha Jonson.


    Surprisingly young and more surprisingly woman.


    Which was great!


    A sign of the times.


    He had run on a platform that catered more to the youth rather than the old dinosaurs.


    The general looked to be in her 40¡¯s, age not level.


    Hard to level that sort of class when victorious battles and what not were hard to come by.


    So, she wasn¡¯t that much older than him.


    It felt good to sit across from a peer.


    A good change to what it usually was.


    The Joint Chiefs must be fuming to know that he was taking the meeting directly with General Jonson.


    ¡°Ah¡­ I just want to be clear that none of this is going over anyone¡¯s heads?¡± he clarified. The old guard tended to be touchy about attacks on their authority, perceived or legitimate.


    ¡°No, Mr. President. My superior wanted me to express his¡­ concerns¡­ about the unorthodox nature of this, but it all fits proper protocol.¡±


    Of course it did.


    He didn¡¯t get his allies in the House and Senate to pass those changes for the hell of it.


    ¡°Good. So, convince me on the necessity of your plans, general.¡±


    ¡°Houston is ours.¡±


    Which was crucial to get oil production and refinement back up to where it needed to be. Granted their needs weren¡¯t pressing at the moment considering the fact that their military vehicles spent most of their time in hiding from random destruction from above. However, they had to plan for the future when said randoms were no longer an issue.


    ¡°We have half of Dallas and should have it all by the end of the year. San Antonio is a mix of lawless elements and rampant spawn zones. Austin¡ª is a threat to the operation to retake San Antonio.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve been steadfast in proclaiming neutrality and haven¡¯t acted otherwise.¡±


    ¡°That is irrelevant, sir, respectfully. Rightful Destiny can¡¯t make exceptions.¡±


    ¡°Sure, but there¡¯s no reason to rush things when the passage of time could take us to the ends we desire.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯re aware of Austin¡¯s ties to the Golden Eagles mercenary company and further ties to our enemies in California.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes. We did declare war.¡±


    Honestly, had there not been an 8-foot-tall demigod standing over his shoulder, that whole war thing probably would¡¯ve gone differently.


    Then again, without said demigod those superpowered people would¡¯ve rolled his military right over like a hollowed out log.


    ¡°Rightful Destiny gives you the legal authority to act with immediate effect,¡± General Jonson said.


    He wondered if the demigod had been in her ear.


    Probably.


    The Eidolon of Salla¡­ almost certainly was.


    That one represented one of the gods of war.


    Generals were right up that wheelhouse.


    ¡°The operational plans?¡±


    She reached into her briefcase and placed a thick stack on his desk.


    ¡°I¡¯ll read it with my advisers, but give me a quick overview, like I¡¯m a kid.¡±


    ¡°We use monsters, the rabbits and our allies. Whatever is left of Austin will have no choice but to come back to where they belong.¡±


    ¡°Or go west.¡±


    ¡°Regardless, the city will be empty for us to reclaim. The largest potential threat will be gone. Texas will be under our full control.¡±


    ¡°Does it strike you as odd that our otherworldly allies no longer seem to care about pushing our enemies?


    ¡°Sir?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just that the eidolons used to be so circumspect with the actions they encouraged or discouraged. Ever since the demigod arrived¡­ well, do you think some of these operations are a bit too¡­ provocative?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re at war, Mr. President. No action in pursuit of victory can be taken as such. They are an existential threat to our way of life. When you¡¯re facing something like that you have to fight with everything you have at your disposal. No matter how distasteful you might find it.¡±


    He regarded the general.


    The positive feeling toward her faded away at the fire in her eyes.


    A true believer.


    Always dangerous.


    Useful, but dangerous.


    ¡°You are dismissed general.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, sir.¡±


    She stood and saluted.


    He stared at the plan for a few minutes before reluctantly picking it up and heading to his more oval office.


    To no surprise an unexpected guest waited for him.


    The Eidolon of Sunor stood like a million dollar statue in front of his desk.


    He bowed at the waist.


    ¡°Honored eidolon.¡±


    ¡°The plan will proceed. You have 6 hours to review it and send out official orders.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡± he sat down.


    She didn¡¯t need to say more.


    He did what she said or he¡¯d lose a bit more of his perceived authority over the country.


    The people of Austin had until the summer to enjoy a relatively conflict free existence.

 10.29

    Austin, Texas, Summer 2055


    ¡°Congresswoman Johnson-Lopez, welcome to our city!¡±


    Mayor Sammy Levy shook her hand in a surprisingly calloused and grinding grip at odds with her aged, but still trophy wife-ish look.


    ¡°Thank you, mayor! I hope we can work together to bring the best lives possible to all the people in our wonderful city.¡±


    ¡°Of course, you and I wouldn¡¯t have gone into the thankless life of public service if not for that.¡± A dazzling smile, perfect teeth, perfectly white.


    Her staff had done their research on Austin and the mayor was in her 60¡¯s, if not 70¡¯s.


    Instead she looked more like she was still in her 50¡¯s. A young 50¡¯s at that.


    Class, Skills, spells?


    There were plenty of alchemical potions to slow the aging process.


    At least there was nothing in the mayor¡¯s history that suggested bathing in the blood of youthful virgins.


    Such things weren¡¯t unheard of, but all verified accounts tended to end in similar ways.


    Bathing in virgin blood tended to get one disappeared or displayed on a fence.


    ¡°But, I¡¯m sure you¡¯re tired from the long, dangerous drive.¡±


    ¡°Not at all. Our escort was both competent and professional. They defended the entire convoy from no less than five different monster attacks. And I¡¯m happy to say that no civilian suffered so much as a scratch.¡± She leaned forward conspiratorially. ¡°It was still terrifying.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t doubt it. Well, I hope our city can make your journey worth it. We¡¯ve spared no expense and effort to make your stay as pleasant as possible. So, feel free to settle into your hotel. Decompress. If you want to explore what our city has to offer, feel free to ask the front desk. We have friendly and knowledgeable tour guides available. Maps and brochures if you and your staff prefer to explore on your own. Although, I have to warn you to keep your distance from the walls. We take pride in our defenses, but it never hurts to be cautious.¡±


    ¡°Of course. We wouldn¡¯t call them random monster attacks if they were predictable.¡±


    Laughter.


    Only half faked if she was a good judge of it.


    Which, as a congresswoman, she had become.


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk more at the welcome dinner,¡± Mayor Levy leaned in to whisper. ¡°The ambassador¡¯s starting to look like I stole his ice cream. I better welcome him and the rest.¡± She winked as she sauntered away.


    The congresswoman hadn¡¯t missed the not so subtle slight toward the ambassador and his delegation.


    To greet what was essentially a tag-a-long first was certainly a choice.


    A short drive brought them to a very nice hotel.


    More smiling greetings took them to their suite.


    ¡°Looks like it¡¯s very walkable.¡±


    Reg, her chief of staff, thumbed through a brochure he had picked up from the lobby.


    She ran a lean team.


    Reg had one assistant.


    Milly, whose father was the chief of staff in Senator Ocampo¡¯s office and whose mother was a¡­ murderhobo¡­ in the common parlance. Officially the scary woman was a military contractor. Skilled and strong enough to dictate some of the terms of what was usually compulsory service.


    Reg and Milly handled everything from scheduling to helping her craft her speeches.


    The congresswoman did her own hair, makeup and clothing, which fit her persona of the normal everyday woman.


    The rest of her team was security.


    A five man and woman team provided by Congress.


    That was one part of the reason why she had come to Austin.


    She wanted her security answerable to her.


    Most of the people she saw herself competing against in the rest of her future political life had their own men and women guarding them.


    ¡°So, welcome dinner tonight.¡±


    ¡°Do we need to go over your speech?¡± Milly shoved her hand into a bag of holding and pulled out a crumpled sheet of paper.


    The young woman took more after the mother than the father.


    ¡°In a little bit. I want to go over our agenda for the rest of the week. Minus the scheduled dog shows.¡±


    Milly frowned. ¡°There are¡­ dog¡­ shows?¡±


    ¡°Used to be, from what my grandmother says,¡± Reg said. ¡°But no, the only dogs we¡¯ll come across will be guard dogs and battle companions. Rarely, pets.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to visit a few of these¡­ orphanages.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Reg mused. ¡°That would fit your persona.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not my persona, Reg.¡± She sighed. ¡°At least that part.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Reg. The congresswoman cares about kids. They are the future upon which we will rebuild our nation.¡±


    ¡°Finally, got the slogan. And only with a month to go until the election.¡±


    ¡°So, I¡¯ll be filming the orphanage stuff?¡± Milly said.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Seriously?¡± Reg raised a brow. ¡°It¡¯d be perfect.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a campaign stunt.¡±


    ¡°Sure, but why waste the opportunity. You act like normal, Milly films, unobtrusively. I can edit and have it posted to your page and sent to the media outlets by that night.¡±


    ¡°No cameras. Not for this.¡±


    Reg nodded.


    He knew why.


    Milly didn¡¯t.


    Time to take her biggest leap yet.


    Her mysterious benefactor hadn¡¯t steered her wrong from that first time that a spires message had warned her not to drink anything handed to her at a senator¡¯s son¡¯s party back when she was a teenager.


    It would¡¯ve been amusing to watch the boys get continually angrier and angrier as none of girls would drink anything handed to them, if it hadn¡¯t been downright diabolical.


    That night had opened her eyes.


    Easier to dismiss things when she didn¡¯t think it was something she had to worry about.


    The attitude bled into everything.


    It was hard to not see exploitation everywhere she looked.


    ¡°Change wasn¡¯t a thing that happened,¡± her parents had liked to say, ¡°change was done by people brave enough to risk what came next.¡±


    She missed their wisdom.


    It would¡¯ve been useful at times like these.


    <hr>


    ¡°You young people have no appreciation for your lives.¡± Ms. Daniels tutted before turning the kids loose on Galen.


    The orphanage matron? Mistress?


    Alin, didn¡¯t know the proper term, was just as stiff and stern as a poleaxe.


    Hayden and Galen hadn¡¯t been underselling it.


    He had felt her disapproval branching off Galen to him like chain lightning or a cleave.


    It was funny watching her scold him for literal minutes after welcoming him into the entry way of the huge house with a tight hug.


    He had almost laughed until those eagle-like eyes had zeroed in on him.


    ¡°Apparently, I have to welcome some kind of congress critter,¡± she harrumphed.


    ¡°Yeah, I heard, uh¡­¡± Galen cleared his throat, ¡°can you, please have her wait when you¡¯re done. I might have to talk with her.¡±


    That arch look could¡¯ve withered iron, but she threw Galen a bone with a slight tilt of her head.


    The kids were unleashed like a pack of puppies.


    Clambering all over Galen, asking for stories of his latest adventure and for presents, like candies and enchanted battleaxes.


    They had brought plenty of the former.


    Alana and Alin were on candy handing out duty.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± a young girl missing her front teeth regarded him through narrowed eyes.


    ¡°Hi! I¡¯m Alin. A lieutenant in the Mist Spekters.¡±


    What followed was a barrage of questions.


    Answering was a mistake because it only took a pebble to start an avalanche.


    Those that couldn¡¯t mob Galen, mobbed him.


    Alana, the cold-hearted woman, actually used a spell to keep her immediate area uncomfortably cold.


    The kids braved it for treats, but retreated as quickly as they could.


    The mist mage regarded him with a raised brow, daring him to speak out.


    ¡°You. Are. Awful,¡± he whispered


    ¡°I told him I should¡¯ve been the one to meet with the Golden Eagles,¡± she said flatly.


    The last lieutenant, Dremond, had won the coin toss.


    Alin didn¡¯t dislike kids.


    The murder of kids moved into the huge living room on Galen¡¯s heels for story time.


    Alin took a seat on the stairs, while Alana leaned against the wall.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like kids, but aren¡¯t we cutting it close?¡± she said.


    Something was coming to Austin.


    What?


    Not even his dad knew.


    What they did know was that it would likely be through the demigod¡¯s portals.


    The same way the enemy had managed to get inside the walls of Alin¡¯s home.


    He eyed the silver bracelets around the kids¡¯ wrists.


    ¡°It should be fine. Although, I¡¯d rather we just get them on the skyship now.¡±


    ¡°Same, but that¡¯d give up the game. Just have a bad feeling.¡± She shrugged. ¡°I guess we don¡¯t have to worry too much as long as that diplomatic delegation is here. It¡¯d take some cold bastards to put their own people in the shit soup.¡±


    ¡°You mean, like us?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s different because we put ourselves in the soup.¡±


    Footsteps on the second floor drew his attention.


    ¡°Soup? What kind?¡± a voice whispered in his ear a moment before thin, but strong arms pulled him into a hug.


    ¡°Hi, Dayana,¡± he said flatly as she ruffled his hair.


    ¡°I love your curls!¡± she laughed.


    ¡°Time for a haircut.¡± The second set of footsteps made her presence known up on the landing. ¡°Long hair gets grabbed.¡±


    ¡°Only if I don¡¯t wear a helmet.¡± He extricated himself. ¡°Greetings fellow strangers. We are the Mist Spekters. My name is Alin and that is Alana.¡±


    The mist mage had stiffened like a board.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    Ah, yes.


    Hayden and Dayana were more like legendary figures to the former Golden Eagle than the babysitters that had sometimes fed him ice cream before dinner, sometimes in lieu of.


    ¡°That is correct,¡± Hayden said flatly.


    Fake introductions were concluded.


    ¡°We must depart on a supply run, strange mercenaries. Enjoy the orphanage,¡± Hayden said.


    ¡°Yup,¡± Dayana grinned, ¡°need to see about that rat poison. Damn rats are scratching on the outer walls. It¡¯s going to be tough to keep them out even with some high level poison.¡±


    Alana let out the breath she had been holding the minute the front door closed.


    ¡°The Heartfuries,¡± she murmured.


    Two of the original three.


    Never to be whole again.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± He couldn¡¯t think of anything else to say.


    Story time ended.


    Kids pouted, but they were on a schedule, so was the congresswoman, though she didn¡¯t know it yet.


    They followed Galen into the rear of the house where Ms. Daniels kept an office converted from a small bedroom.


    Not so coincidentally, Ms. Daniels led the congresswoman and her support staff through on a tour a short while later..


    Galen started the introductions. ¡°Hello, Congresswoman Johnson-Lopez.¡±


    She recovered quickly from the surprise.


    Alin poked a bit with the gray.


    Surprise giving way to suspicion.


    ¡°Galen here is a graduate,¡± Ms. Daniels said.


    ¡°Sorry for the surprise,¡± Galen said. ¡°But I was visiting and I heard you were here too. If you don¡¯t mind we can discuss what you wanted to speak with us about? I don¡¯t mind. Efficiency, you know?¡±


    The congresswoman studied them for a long moment. ¡°That¡¯s acceptable, if Ms. Daniels doesn¡¯t mind us using her home,¡± she said.


    ¡°You may use my office, but please be gone before lunch. The children have already been stirred up too much.¡± Ms. Daniels glared at Galen.


    There was the blow back again.


    Galen may have taken the brunt of the frag, but that didn¡¯t mean the shrapnel didn¡¯t catch them on the edges of the blast radius.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, shouldn¡¯t we get your security team?¡± the chief of staff said.


    The dark-skinned man went by Reg to those he liked.


    29 years old.


    Level 33 congressional chief of staff.


    Reg had a file.


    Just like Milly.


    Almost 20 years old.


    Level 9 congressional aide and Level 20 fighter.


    She took after her father and mother, respectively.


    As for the security team?


    The congresswoman had left them outside.


    That took guts.


    Going into an unfamiliar place without her muscle.


    Granted, it was an orphanage.


    ¡°No. That won¡¯t be necessary.¡± She gestured to Ms. Daniel¡¯s office. ¡°After you.¡±


    It took a moment to settle seating arrangements.


    The office had been an auxiliary bedroom, which meant it was small.


    Just enough space for a small folding table pressed into service as a desk, a small bookshelf against one wall, a tall, potted plant in the opposite corner, and two folding chairs in front of said desk.


    The congresswoman demurred, so Galen reluctantly took the desk chair.


    One could almost see the past flashing in Galen¡¯s eyes.


    How many times had he gotten in trouble when he was a kid by doing just that?


    The congresswoman and Reg took the remaining chairs.


    Alin and Alana stood where they were visible, while Milly stayed near the door.


    ¡°So,¡± Galen spread his hands over the table desk. ¡°I can guess that you¡¯d like to hire us on an exclusive contract? I¡¯m not too big on negotiations. It¡¯s why the Mist Spekters¡¯ page in the spires is so exhaustive. My time in the Golden Eagles taught me that firm boundaries are a must if we want to avoid positions wherein our ethos are at risk.¡±


    ¡°Prudent. I can¡¯t imagine what it must be like to operate out in monsterland, USA,¡± the congresswoman smiled. Polished, but she couldn¡¯t conceal her nervousness from Alin.


    Her heartbeat was a like a dinner bell in the gray.


    Oddly enough, Milly was the calmest of the three.


    ¡°Unpleasant, but rewarding when we can funnel our gains to places and people like this,¡± Galen gazed lovingly at one of the framed pictures on the wall. ¡°Third row, fifth from the left. You can see the top of my head.¡±


    ¡°I want the same thing, but for everyone in our country. Unfortunately, I need more than idealistic dreams and political savvy. I need tangible strength.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not looking to be someone¡¯s private army, unless said someone¡¯s ethos aligned with our own.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t insult your intelligence by suggesting they¡¯re the same. What I can promise you is that I won¡¯t try to force you to go against what you believe.


    ¡°Then what¡¯s in it for you? In my experience a patron doesn¡¯t back a company only expecting to get something out of them some of the time.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re on ground floor of what I¡¯m building. Your company would just be the first.¡±


    ¡°So, we¡¯d be your right hand. The clean one, while your left hand wielded the red knife, so to speak.¡± Galen sighed. ¡°That¡¯s still a compromise we might not be willing to make depending on how dirty that left hand gets.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m willing to make a magically binding contract with opt-out provisions for any moment.¡±


    ¡°That would be acceptable, pending the contents of this contract. One other concern we have are the conscription laws of your country. We aren¡¯t the sort of company that wields our violence against noncombatants. Nor do we desire to be sent to die in fights we don¡¯t believe in. We aren¡¯t meatshields.¡±


    ¡°Entering my service covers those laws. Unfortunately, I can¡¯t guarantee that someone with more power than me might try just that to weaken me.¡±


    ¡°I heard your government makes mercs swear oaths before taking jobs from them.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct, but, again, an exclusive contract with me fulfills those requirements.¡±


    ¡°Beyond all that, what can you offer us in return for being your strong right hand?¡±


    ¡°To start? A hope and a dream. Something similar to what you¡¯ve done here, but on a much wider scale. Is an end to this pointless war a bridge too far for me to sell you?¡±


    ¡°Honestly, yes. We hear stories out in murderhobo circles. About your country¡¯s outworld patrons. Eidolons at first and now demigods?¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, I can neither confirm nor deny while you are still an independent mercenary company.¡±


    ¡°Sign the contract first before finding out what sort of soup we¡¯re jumping head first into?¡± Galen raised a brow.


    The congresswoman mirrored him. ¡°There are laws I can¡¯t break even if I wanted to.¡± She cleared her throat. ¡°As far as tangible rewards? Not much to start. You¡¯ll have a stipend for living expenses. I can arrange for a portion of an apartment building or a block of homes.¡±


    ¡°A short block,¡± Reg interjected. ¡°And three meals a day are covered in the stipend,¡± he added hurriedly. ¡°That¡¯s for a 50-person company¡­¡±


    ¡°50 is correct, but we¡¯re always looking out for promising recruits.¡±


    Reg nodded to the congresswoman.


    ¡°You will also have access to almost all the encounter challenges and spawn zones under our control,¡± she said. ¡°With priority over unattached groups.¡±


    ¡°The Office of Encounter Challenge Management will probably give you a 3rd or 4th rank priority level based on the congresswoman¡¯s patronage,¡± Reg said. ¡°As she rises, so will your company.¡±


    ¡°Is there a separate office overseeing spawn zones?¡± Galen continued to play the part of ignorant and interested mercenary lieutenant.


    ¡°We consider those no different from Encounter Challenges for simplicity and morale purposes,¡± Reg said. ¡°We also maintain security. What happened to you outside Carlsbad Caverns is a very rare occurrence where we are in control. You won¡¯t really have to worry about being shot in the back by murderhobos.¡±


    ¡°Rare isn¡¯t never.¡±


    The congresswoman pressed forward.


    ¡°I¡¯m willing to go below market rate for my portion of what you take from the challenges.¡±


    ¡°The dungeon tax?¡±


    ¡°Nonnegotiable. We all pay our fair share.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t at this moment.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m confident that you¡¯ll gain more than what you lose through that tax.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s also the general income tax.¡±


    ¡°That? I can have waived for a year.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to put it in the contract.¡±


    ¡°How would you like to proceed, Mr. Alvarado?¡±


    ¡°You write up your side of the contract. We¡¯ll do ours. And we¡¯ll try to meet in the middle? We can meet again tomorrow to start the negotiation. Unless you need more time.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s acceptable. Perhaps, in my suite?¡±


    ¡°Sounds good.¡± Galen stood.


    Hands were shaken.


    The congresswoman and her aides departed.


    ¡°Scout the hotel,¡± Galen said.


    ¡°They didn¡¯t bring any sleepers, bombs or otherwise.¡±


    Alin had cleared the congresswoman¡¯s security team.


    His dad had checked each person in the diplomatic convoy a few days ago as they drove their way from the east coast.


    The old American¡¯s were playing the diplomacy thing straight.


    Less so, whatever secret plan they had up their sleeve.


    ¡°The hotel¡¯s in Austin¡¯s downtown area. It won¡¯t look odd for Mist Spekters to be moving in and out sampling the food and fun at all hours of the day,¡± Alana said.


    ¡°Sounds like I know where I¡¯m going for dinner,¡± he said.


    ¡°Keep a light touch. I don¡¯t see any reason to doubt your dad¡¯s intel,¡± Galen said.


    <hr>


    London, Summer 2055


    ¡°So, that¡¯s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium,¡± Eron pointed across the street, ¡°soccer¡ª excuse me, football, was played in there once. They use it for training and shit now, but sometimes also football. It used to be called White Hart Lane, but that was the old stadium, which they tore down.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I can read the sign. It¡¯s in English,¡± Cal said.


    ¡°So, get this, they built this stadium basically exactly where the old one was, according to that old guy,¡± Eron waved at said old guy standing on top of a nearby pub. ¡°He told me that I shouldn¡¯t ¡®cock it up¡¯ and be ¡®spursy¡¯ or something like that.¡± He gestured to the middle of the street.


    Four walls made out of everything from giant stone slabs to rusted out cars enclosed most of the street.


    A red glow peeked through the cracks.


    ¡°You got details for me?¡±


    ¡°It made people do three things. Bleed out of their eyes, shit their pants and go into a murderous rage.¡±


    ¡°And you?¡±


    ¡°I felt an unpleasant tingle in my belly, but didn¡¯t feel the need to clench.¡±


    ¡°I can feel magic, but I¡¯m telling you now that I don¡¯t think I can do anything about it.¡± It was easy enough for him to detect and block the effects, but he had no idea on how to even begin to approach putting a stop to it. ¡°This is magery.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, the queen¡¯s best mage is probably done cleaning his pants, so we can ask him to try again, I guess.¡±


    ¡°What else have you tried?¡±


    ¡°Punching didn¡¯t work. Fist went right through. Eye beams did the same. I tried to lift the ground, but the equation just kept hovering in midair.¡±


    ¡°I guess I can take a closer look.¡± He was leery.


    ¡°At least you¡¯re wearing your armor. No one will know if you get problems. Good luck, big bro!¡± Eron clanged the back of said armor. ¡°I¡¯m just going to go¡­ over there¡­¡± he waved in a vague direction and floated off.


    Cal checked the gawkers, making sure that none of them had even the slightest chance to look at what he was about to uncover.


    He pried the wall facing the stadium open a sliver.


    Red light poured out with tangible weight.


    He opened it more until he could take a look at the entirety of what was hidden inside.


    As expected the HUD went crazy.


    Super science didn¡¯t like powerful magic.


    Never had.


    So, he shut it off.


    An equation hovered from about waist high to the height of his outstretched hand.


    Red light.


    Glowing.


    Pulsating.


    Nothing ever good came out of things that pulsated.


    Numbers and letters.


    Some he even recognized.


    One look was enough.


    He sealed the equation and flew up to join his brother.


    ¡°Shit¡¯s wack.¡±


    ¡°Literally, in many cases,¡± Eron said. ¡°So, you fix?¡±


    ¡°Nope. There¡¯s nothing there for me to interact with.¡±


    ¡°How is that possible? It¡¯s red light. Light is made up of, like, molecules and shit. You can move molecules. Ergo, you fix.¡±


    ¡°Like I said. Nothing for me to move.¡±


    ¡°Well, do the psychic thing,¡± Eron wiggled his fingers.


    ¡°Same difference.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ we just leave it there?¡±


    ¡°The queen¡¯s mage is pretty high level. That means there¡¯s only one other person that I¡¯d have take a look and this isn¡¯t intriguing enough to tempt her.¡±


    ¡°It makes people crazy murderous,¡± Eron said flatly.


    ¡°Terrible to be sure, but rather mundane by her standards.¡±


    ¡°You know, that doesn¡¯t really sell the Brits on the whole alliance thing. It¡¯s not like they don¡¯t have a war in their subways they¡¯re currently fighting.¡±


    ¡°I can help more with that.¡±


    ¡°Nope. They won¡¯t budge. They don¡¯t want to owe you, plus they want the levels and rewards all to themselves.¡±


    ¡°Best I can do is seal it up better than whatever excuse for containment that is.¡±


    ¡°Hey, dude! It was a rush job. I can do a way better job. There¡¯s a bank vault a few blocks away with that evil equation¡¯s name on it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯d block the road.¡±


    ¡°A minor inconvenience. They don¡¯t do a lot of driving anyways. Light rails all day. Griffins if you¡¯re fancy.¡± Eron wiggled his hand in what he thought was a posh manner according to his misconceptions of the locals.


    Cal decided not to correct him because not everything needed correction and it was funny.


    ¡°Bank vault¡¯s not good enough anyways. I¡¯d want something seamless to contain it. Mixture of elements to cover potential leakage points. Think the language of magic bullshit.¡±


    ¡°Collective belief type stuff.¡± Eron nodded. ¡°This is going to take time,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°Just tell the queen to listen to me and you can go.¡±


    ¡°How much time can you spare?¡±


    ¡°Enough.¡±


    ¡°What about that South Africa thing you¡¯re supposed to check out?¡±


    Cal regarded his brother for a long, silent moment.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll go take a look.¡±


    ¡°From a distance.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, God is watching us,¡± Eron rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Eron blinked. ¡°That wasn¡¯t a dumb joke?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, man. I¡¯ll let the queen know. Any specific requests?¡±


    ¡°Metal, the more the better. And anything else that they¡¯d want to use to seal away an ancient evil. I wouldn¡¯t be opposed to enchantments and prayer magic to that effect. Tell them I can keep the equation¡¯s effects from hitting them if they¡¯re worried about getting close.¡±


    ¡°On it.¡±


    Eron was gone with a boom.


    Cal started by lifting the road a few hundred meters in both directions with the equation in the center. He pulled earth and stone from further below ground while carefully maintaining the structural integrity of the nearby subway tunnels.


    It gave quite a fright to a tunneling sapper team of outworld invaders, but he left them alone.


    The Londoners had been explicit about him not helping in their war.


    Still, he made a note to keep a psychic eye on the outworlders so that he could casually let slip their location later.


    ¡°A long, gentle slope in both directions was preferable to a steep, sudden rise and fall.¡±


    If he was altering the road to hide the evil equation then he¡¯d do it properly.

 10.30

    Austin, Texas Summer 2055


    The contract had been hashed out and signed by both parties in a matter of hours.


    Hopefully, the Mist Spekters¡¯ eagerness had been masked by the congresswoman¡¯s.


    Otherwise, one might start asking dangerous questions.


    Regardless, the quick resolution afforded the mercenary company more downtime than they had planned for.


    Alin sat in a sidewalk bar half-populated by Mist Spekters.


    Steph was regaling some hot local women their age with his gladiatorial exploits.


    A spinning truth gem in one of the women¡¯s hands pointed to signs that Steph¡¯s month¡¯s long drought was on the cusp of ending.


    Fraternization wasn¡¯t strictly against Mist Spekters¡¯ rules. Otherwise Alin and Kat would¡¯ve ran afoul of it many times already. It had been merely discouraged as messy entanglements would only cause problems as they tried to build cohesion in their early days.


    Victor was drawing eyes from both men and women, but his eyes were firmly planted back with his husband in Southern California. ¡°Jesus H. Christ! Some else gets the next round,¡± he placed the craft-brewed beers¡­ er¡­ artisan brewed, according to the signs, on the table.


    ¡°Probs?¡± Eda said. Her glasses glinted dangerously under the street lights.


    ¡°People can¡¯t keep their hands to themselves.¡± Victor sat with a sigh.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ ballsy,¡± Isaak whistled. ¡°You¡¯re a big, dangerous-looking dude.¡±


    ¡°Nah, some people like that sort of thing,¡± Luzi sipped her sour raspberry cider. ¡°Vic¡¯s huge bear arms can wrap them up nice and snug and safe.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s still not okay to touch him without consent,¡± Eda leaned forward dangerously, staring into the packed bar interior. ¡°Can you point them out, Victor?¡±


    ¡°No, no. That¡¯s okay, Eda. It¡¯s not worth cursing someone over.¡±


    ¡°I was going to do a pinching curse, so that they know what it feels like.¡±


    ¡°Ah, thanks,¡± Victor laughed nervously, ¡°but I couldn¡¯t point them out anyways.¡±


    Catelin cleared her throat. ¡°Guys, that¡¯s terrible and all¡ª I empathize with you, Vic¡ª but, since you¡¯re letting it go. I have a more important issue.¡± She made them wait until all their attention was fully on her.


    She even used an acting Skill.


    ¡°What¡¯s the difference between cider and cidre?¡±


    She delivered such inanity with all the solemn gravitas of one of her Shakespeare in the park plays.


    ¡°Pretentiousness,¡± Kat said flatly.


    ¡°You scurrilous wench.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m rubber and you¡¯re glue, whatever you say to me bounces back and sticks to you.¡±


    The two young women glared a moment before breaking out grins and clinking their ciders¡­ er¡­ one cider and one cidre.


    ¡°In all seriousness,¡± Catelin began, ¡°I¡¯m with Eda. It is my belief that such brigands of Vic¡¯s ample assets must be taken to task. If only for their own sake, for, while Vic is generous beyond reasonable expectation in his magnanimity, another may not.¡±


    ¡°Translation: They fuck around with the wrong person and they¡¯ll find out,¡± Luzi said.


    ¡°Exactly!¡± Catelin stood on her chair and hoisted her glass high. ¡°Thus, we serve a righteous cause!¡±


    ¡°Oh god¡­¡± Victor tried to shrink his big body down, failing miserably.


    ¡°I¡¯m in!¡± Isaak grinned. ¡°I¡¯ll be the bait for the next round.¡±


    Eyes turned to Alin.


    A quick calculation showed him what he already knew.


    There were no other men at the table.


    He glanced around the bar, calculating which other Mist Spekter he could rope into the idiocy.


    ¡°Wait a second¡­¡± he whispered in realization, ¡°I don¡¯t have to agree to any of this.¡±


    ¡°But, don¡¯t you want to be a team player?¡± Kat batted her eyelashes up at him.


    ¡°Wait¡­ what? You want rando¡¯s pinching my butt?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s for a noble cause.¡±


    ¡°Agree to disagree. Only one person is allowed to pinch my butt.¡±


    ¡°Aww¡­ I love you too!¡±


    ¡°Blegh!¡± many people said in unison.


    A fun night was had by most.


    Happy people filled the downtown entertainment district with laughter and smiles.


    Not a single fight broke out.


    Monster outside the walls¡­ sometimes inside had a way of changing most people¡¯s perspectives.


    Young men, who in an earlier era would¡¯ve fulfilled their aggression through booze-fueled brawling, had their fill up on those walls.


    As for young women?


    They didn¡¯t tend towards aggression in the physical ways of the men.


    In any case, they too got their fill shoulder to shoulder with those men.


    Thus, all were one in celebration of a night off.


    Unfortunately, nothing was forever and as the clock ticked closer to midnight the revelry ended with the jarring suddenness that it tended to in a spires world.


    Watch alarms beeped.


    Mist Spekters cursed almost as one.


    Of all the times¡ª


    Alin dumped a bunch of Universal Points to the bar¡¯s page before joining his team as they sprinted through the tightly-packed crowd.


    It was impossible to keep an eye on everyone, if not for the gray that billowed out from his skin like the smoke machines some of the more dance oriented establishments employed.


    The gray spread out rapidly, searching for threats.


    Nothing at ground level.


    The reason for the alert came in on his hastily plugged in ear piece.


    ¡°Sparky to all points. Wizard threat detection: Condition Red. Unknown. Proceed as planned.¡±


    That was more for his dad¡¯s team and the rangers on the skyships.


    Two in the clouds and one more about a half hour away.


    The Golden Eagles and the Austin militia should be getting the same message.


    ¡°They¡¯re slow,¡± he said through grit teeth.


    Where were the sirens? The call to arms and shelter?


    ¡°Sober pills, everyone!¡± Kat called out, if unnecessarily.


    He had popped his just before he hopped the gate out into the street.


    Minutes ticked quickly in a battle zone.


    One.


    Two.


    Three.


    They cleared most of the crowd.


    ¡°Slow! Headcount!¡± Kat called out.


    A shiver ran up Alin¡¯s spine.


    Shitshitshitshit!


    He looked up, eyes drawn into the dark night.


    Stars twinkled.


    Then kept growing.


    Bright yellow.


    ¡°Hey, do we have time to armor up?¡± Steph said, breathing easily despite the frantic run.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Luzi snapped.


    ¡°I guess it¡¯s shield charms,¡± Steph said.


    Isaak peered at the slowly opening portals through his magitech scope. ¡°They¡¯re outside the walls. About 600 meters out and 1000 up.¡±


    At least the wizard countermeasures worked somewhat.


    ¡°Better than right on top of us,¡± Victor said.


    Technically, correct.


    Sadly, that distance would probably only buy them minutes at most.


    ¡°You think they¡¯ll leave us alone cause we¡¯re officially working for that congress chick?¡± Steph said.


    ¡°Do you want to count on that?¡± Caitelin said.


    ¡°Less talk, more running,¡± Kat whistled. ¡°Orphanage first, worry about ourselves after.¡±


    The city¡¯s sirens finally cried out like a hungry baby.


    Just in time for the first golden portal to finish opening.


    Even from the distance it looked enormous.


    The monster that dropped out of it looked tiny, but Alin knew better.


    He didn¡¯t need a HUD to know that.


    ¡°What was that!¡± Luzi said.


    They lost sight of it as it plummeted to the ground.


    The dust cloud it created was visible despite being kilometers away.


    ¡°What do you call a snake with one body and many heads?¡± Isaak said.


    ¡°Hydra?¡± Steph ventured.


    ¡°Thought those had legs, like in the monsterpedia,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°Shut up and run!¡± Kat snapped.


    ¡°Call your horse.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she said flatly. ¡°I¡¯m not ditching you guys.¡±


    ¡°You can take 4 people at a time much faster,¡± he tried to keep his tone light.


    Fear breaching into terror from all the people only now coming to the realization that it was happening to them pulsed through the gray and into him.


    He was poised to start draining as soon as the monsters went past the walls.


    The snake hydra was followed by a variety of winged monsters or beasts.


    It was hard to delineate sometimes.


    ¡°Shit! It¡¯s those harpy chicks that attacked your dad¡¯s base, Alin!¡± Steph said.


    They crossed two streets when Kat¡¯s robot horse appeared galloping through a running crowd of people.


    The virtual intelligence made it deft in a way that seemed impossible for such a large and heavy machine.


    Not a single panicked person was so much as grazed.


    It stopped in front of Kat and lowered itself to make climbing into its motorcycle seat-like saddle trivial for Kat.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, hurry up! 3! No! Make that 4 people!¡±


    Steph snorted. ¡°More like 2, if it¡¯s me and Vic.¡±


    ¡°Smollest is best,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°Eda¡ª¡±


    Alin¡¯s words were swallowed by an explosion that rocked them off their feet.


    Instead of fire and heat, he was hammered by water and cold.


    He tumbled across the street, choking on brine until he slammed through glass.


    The gray swelled out of him.


    Too eager for him.


    Rein it in! Can¡¯t hurt teammates! Civilians!


    He rushed back into the street as the water receded.


    They stood there in a small crater as the dark water snaked back to them.


    Outworld invader.


    Not a monster.


    He felt it through the gray.


    Drain their lifeforce!


    Male.


    Strong.


    Dangerous.


    Take stock of the battlefield.


    Mist Spekters scattered.


    Kat¡¯s robot horse weathered the watery onslaught, sheltering her and a handful of others.


    The rest had fared about as well as him.


    As for the civilians?


    There were a lot of bodies scattered up and down the street.


    Some moved, moaning weakly.


    While many more remained still.


    A mass of water falling from above crushed just as well as earth and stone.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    ¡°I, Tandol, Reef Guardian, Level 51, greet you, humans of Earth.¡±


    His voice resonated with a noticeable echo.


    Unimpressive at first glance for he was small and thin.


    Smaller even than Alin¡¯s mom, closer to a preteen Earthian in size and build.


    Armor a blend of glittering scales and spiky coral.


    A riot of colors.


    Bare arms, at least that¡¯s what they looked like, were striped in bright reds, oranges and whites.


    An open-faced coral-looking helmet revealed a nose-less face with a sharp smile.


    Thin slits on both sides of his neck opened and closed to reveal rich, red gills.


    Dark water flowed up his legs to his back, where a small, cylindrical backpack of sorts sloshed.


    Too small to seemingly hold the volume of water flowing into it.


    The fact that the reef guardian did the whole greeting thing meant there might be an alternate path.


    Alin raised empty hands.


    ¡°I, Alin, Mist Spekter, greet you.¡±


    ¡°Brave enemy. I take your name and memory.¡± Tandol held his arms out wide and opened webbed fingers. Colorful fins along his lower arms unfurled.


    Threat display?


    Empty hands meant the opposite, but Tandol had the water control thing.


    ¡°Wait! These people aren¡¯t fighters!¡± he gestured at everyone on the street.


    ¡°Unfortunate, but it is war.¡±


    ¡°We can fight somewhere else.¡±


    ¡°I have been commanded to spare none.¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t spared everyone. I¡¯m just hoping you aren¡¯t crap enough to slaughter people that aren¡¯t a threat.¡±


    ¡°I carry the will of my God. No matter what else beats in my chest, I must fulfill it without hesitation.¡±


    ¡°Tandol, we¡¯re having an entire conversation. I¡¯d say that¡¯s a pretty good example of hesitation.¡±


    ¡°Accurate. It is unfortunate that not all of your fellow Earth humans took the opportunity to flee.¡±


    Tandol acted quicker.


    Tendrils of dark water surged from his backpack, lancing through people and splattering them against the asphalt.


    Alin hit a split-second later.


    The water carried strands of Tandol¡¯s life force.


    They lost cohesion as he stole them.


    Guys, this is a help situation. You don¡¯t like coming out for non-evil people, but this guy¡¯s killing civilians. That¡¯s evil, right? At least protect the people and my friends!


    The echoes stirred.


    Lights appeared, faintly visible through the wisps of gray.


    Water shaped into weapons splashed against numerous forcefields.


    Walls, panes and shields in many shapes cracked, but kept people alive.


    A long, red staff swirled the gray, batting aside a water spear and stopping it from putting another hole in the robot horse¡¯s metal flank.


    Kat¡¯s wide eyes caught his.


    The front of her shirt was darkly wet.


    Blood or water?


    He touched her through the gray.


    Fear, but not for herself.


    Someone was down behind her, cradled by another Mist Spekter.


    He couldn¡¯t tell who was who with just his eyes. And he couldn¡¯t spare any brain power.


    ¡°Just get out of here! They¡¯ll cover you!¡±


    He pulled on Tandol directly and found resistance.


    A mere trickle flowed from the outworld invader to him.


    The high level was already a problem.


    Tandol¡¯s natural body compounded it.


    He was plainly superhuman compared to normal Earthians.


    Increased cellular density. Bones, muscles, scales, skin and everything else. Adaptations to withstand life under the pressure of the ocean depths.


    Come on! Come on! Come on! I know a few of you want to scrap with worthy fighters.


    The echoes stirred, but didn¡¯t do more.


    ¡°Challenge!¡±


    Alin cursed.


    Steph, you idiot!


    His friend, the gladiator, stood shirtless a few dozen meters down the street.


    Trident in one hand and a net in the other.


    Steph planted the butt of his trident into the street. ¡°You and me, fishman! Let¡¯s have a show!¡±


    ¡°You wield tools of the reef. Nostalgic! Our young begin their training with a weapon much like that. For reminding me, I accept your Skill,¡± Tandol said.


    ¡°Steph, you mor¡ª¡±


    ¡°I can buy you five¡ª shit! One minute¡­ assuming I can even last that long.¡± Steph took a deep breath.


    The Skill made interference difficult to impossible depending on one¡¯s strength.


    ¡°Alin!¡± Kat called out.


    ¡°Just go!¡±


    Tandol created a trident out of hardened dark water to mirror Steph¡¯s.


    Water erupted at Tandol¡¯s movement, creating a spray in his wake that reached the height of the rooftops.


    Steph¡¯s thrown net was sliced to shreds.


    The clash was over in a blink of an eye.


    Steph¡¯s trident clattered across the wet ground.


    The dark water trident descended.


    Alin screamed, dissolving the sharp points before they could plunged into Steph¡¯s gut.


    Tandol¡¯s head snapped around.


    ¡°Yoink!¡± Bluewolf popped out of white smoke behind the outworld invader, tagging him with a half dozen strips of paper before vanishing and leaving a cut log in Steph¡¯s place.


    ¡°Wh¡ª¡± Tandol¡¯s words were swallowed by blooming fire.


    ¡°Everyone needs to fucking run!¡± Alin snapped, drawing his longsword and round shield.


    Bullets were going to do jack shit.


    Tandol was probably bulletproof at a baseline, not counting enchantments, armor and whatever spells and Skills he had.


    ¡°You, Alin of the Mist Spekters are doing something. Yet, I cannot perceive it properly. Will you illuminate the depth¡¯s darkness?¡±


    ¡°Sure, after you let everyone run away and promise to stop fighting. I¡¯m not asking for you to violate your oaths or whatever. Just¡­ try an alternative interpretation. Maybe you don¡¯t have to kill these people specifically at this exact moment.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t bargain with the tides. They do as they will.¡±


    Tandol dashed forward like he had jets in his webbed feet.


    Fast, but not too fast to keep up with.


    Dark water clanged against solid iron shield.


    Sword counter cut bound between trident prongs.


    Enchantment triggered.


    Water froze, shattering as Alin pushed the cut through.


    Steel screamed against coral.


    Tandol recoiled, twisting his head and falling back.


    Water splashed in Alin¡¯s face.


    A metaphorical truck slammed into his shield, sending him stumbling up the street.


    He tripped, forced to ditch his sword lest he cut himself as he rolled across the wet asphalt like a ball.


    A heavy weight crushed his shield arm into his chest.


    Dark water trident descended on his face only to skip across a faint teal pane of light drifting in and out of sight with the swirls of gray.


    Tandol¡¯s large black eyes narrowed.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got questions? I¡¯ve got answers. And all I¡¯m selling them for is for you to not raise a hand for a while. Cheap price, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    The dark water trident rose and fell, each time stopping a finger¡¯s length from his face.


    To the outworld invader it would¡¯ve felt and looked as though he was hitting an invisible wall.


    Alin heaved.


    Tandol flew.


    Heavier than he looked.


    Felt like somewhere between 135 and 180 kilos.


    He took a moment to take stock of his surroundings.


    Dead and dying people everywhere.


    Kat and the Mist Spekters were running.


    He gave a moment of thanks to whatever that they actually listened to him.


    Now¡¯s the time the guys. We¡¯re clear of anyone that might get caught up. Yeah, there are still a few dying people around, but we can¡¯t get them help while small Aquaman is around trying to kill everyone.


    The echoes stirred.


    The gray rumbled.


    Tandol¡¯s head whipped from side to side.


    Hands tried to wrench the dark water trident out of his grasp.


    A fist clanged off the side of his coral helmet.


    Superhuman strength wielded by ethereal bodies.


    They had been stronger in life before the fog had subsumed them.


    Their echoes were just that.


    Bound in all ways to Alin.


    Most were stronger than him, but could only grow stronger if he did.


    And he had no idea if they would ever reach the height of the physical power they held when they had drawn breath.


    That would¡¯ve made dealing with Tandol much easier despite the invader¡¯s strength and level.


    As it was¡ª


    Dark water exploded.


    Spears lancing in every direction.


    Round, black eyes narrowed.


    ¡°You are more than you appear.¡±


    The gray was slow to coalesce back around the outworld invader.


    Dark water surged, serpent-like.


    Alin blocked it at the last moment.


    Protective enchantments flashed around him, momentarily lighting up the darkness with a splash of color.


    The water serpent rose with his shield in its fangs, carrying him high into the sky.


    Lights flashed in the distance.


    Thunder and lightning cracked.


    He had almost forgotten about the larger battle, forced to condense the gray closer to him by an overwhelming foe.


    Tandol swam up the body of the water serpent faster than any fish.


    Alin pulled on the life the outworld invader had extended into the construct.


    Violently.


    The dark water weakened, losing cohesion and dumping the both of them on a rooftop a block away.


    Stolen strength surged through Alin¡¯s limbs.


    He leapt on Tandol, deflecting water spears with his shield before slamming the edge into the side of the outworld invader¡¯s gills.


    A stricken look crossed the nose-less face.


    Level 50 or not, superhuman strength or not, he had felt the blow keenly.


    Alin drew a second longsword.


    A cut to an exposed arm¡ª


    ¡ª caught by dark water tendrils.


    Freezing enchantment created shattered ice shards but the quick outworld invader jetted away on a burst of dark water.


    Tandol stumbled forward from a powerful blow on the back of his armor.


    Bits of coral littered the roof top like colorful hail.


    Alin lunged in with a thrust more suited to a rapier than a longsword, but functional nonetheless.


    A wall of dark water met the tip, shattering into ice a split-second later.


    Tandol rolled.


    Small size an advantage in close quarters without the expected weakness of a lack of strength.


    Dark water tendrils cut pain across Alin¡¯s limbs.


    A sudden burst of water threw him off the roof.


    He rolled into a crouch on landing.


    Tandol stood poised on the roof with dark water tendrils writhing protectively around him like an angry giant octopus.


    ¡°You do not bleed?¡±


    Indeed, his cut clothing was wet, but not with red.


    Gray wisps rose from out of his cuts like steam escaping from the rice cooker.


    ¡°Nah, I bleed¡­ sometimes.¡±


    ¡°I cannot appraise your class. You must be one of the blessed then.¡±


    ¡°Or maybe, I¡¯m just too high level for appraisal?¡±


    ¡°If that was the case then we would not still be fighting. You could be toying with me, but then that means you allowed me to kill your fellow Earth humans.¡±


    ¡°Having second thoughts? Still time to withdraw. You want to kill, there are plenty of monsters out there. I¡¯ll even pay you Universal Points. That snake hydra looked like a huge challenge.¡±


    ¡°No. I do not believe you. Your concern for others was genuine.¡±


    Tandol leapt with a dozen dark water constructs.


    Alin met him with the echoes of his relatives.


    Faintly glowing forcefields blocked spears.


    Superstrong fists and feet cracked shields.


    He pulled the fight to the north, away from the orphanage. He had never run as fast or leapt as far as he had before this night.


    Snatches of battle filtered in like blurs on the edges of his perception.


    Armed civilians, Austin militia, random murderhobo groups, Golden Eagles.


    All fought for their lives against the onslaught.


    The walls had been breached.


    That much was clear as monsters rampaged into the northern part of the city.


    Thunder and lightning marked the dark clouds in the skies as skyships battled harpies and flying monsters.


    An enormous shadow loomed, covering the light from the explosions in the sky.


    The snake hydra moved fast.


    A body as thick around as a big rig at its narrower parts slithered over single-story buildings smashing them like they were the little Lego houses Alin sometimes secretly built.


    5 heads hissed and struck, picking screaming people, animals and monsters like a chicken mowing bugs in the grass.


    1 head flopped, dragging along its side.


    But even that was a deadly weapon, crushing buildings and smearing wet streaks across the ground.


    Bigger than anything he had ever¡ª


    Dark water sword curved inward struck the lip of his shield.


    He pushed it up and moved his head out of the line of attack, but the tip suddenly lanced out.


    Metal screamed on the side of his head.


    The helmet had been the only piece of armor he had managed to put on during the frantic run from the bar.


    He leapt back a dozen feet, blocking strikes with his rapidly weakening shield.


    Fuck it!


    How different could one giant monster be to a lot of smaller monsters?


    Their collective mass was probably close.


    Individual power?


    That could make a difference.


    But options weren¡¯t plentiful and he was creating more.


    The snake hydra created a song of screams as each head tossed a wriggling figure back and swallowed it whole in quick succession.


    Alin stretched the gray, engulfing the giant monster from several blocks away.


    No time to prod and poke.


    He pulled in one violently regrettable instant.


    The snake hydra hissed, writhing around as if in the grips of an even larger snake-eating bird of prey.


    Tandol aborted a lunging attack backed by a rain of dark water arrows.


    Those large black eyes widened than narrowed.


    Arrows turned into wary tentacles.


    Alin¡¯s tongue darted out unconsciously.


    For a moment he stared down at Tandol from on high through 5 sets of eyes.


    He saw warm colors, yellow to red, radiating from the outworld invader¡¯s core. Thin strands of the warmth flowed down the center of the dark blue tendrils.


    The surrounding environment was awash in splotches of warmth against a dark canvas.


    A blink.


    A shake of his head.


    Reality snapped back.


    Wispy hands in the swirling gray seemed to be signaling him, snapping fingers or flipping him off.


    They seemed to grow more distinct, more tangible as the giant monster¡¯s strength bled from him into the gray.


    Tandol was an experienced warrior.


    He didn¡¯t make the mistake of taking his eyes of his opponent.


    It helped that he seemed to sense things through his dark water.


    Tendrils struck out in all directions, spearing into the gray as it swirled around him.


    Dark water hardened into shields as fist struck, punching through, but falling well short of the outworld invader¡¯s face.


    ¡°Invis¡ª no. I sense nothing. There would traces of magic, footsteps¡ª¡± he splashed water all around him, ¡°nothing¡ª not even a silver of a pupil to catch the light. Do you command spirits?¡±


    Alin hissed, lunging forward.


    Faster now.


    Stronger.


    Muscles burning with stolen strength.


    Even a small portion of the giant snake hydra condensed into his body was well-beyond what he had ever possessed at one time.


    He thrust his enchanted longsword into a wall of dark water.


    Ice and steel shattered.


    He plowed through the remains behind his shield, smashing Tandol off the rooftop like a bullet.


    The outworld invader careened across the street and tumbled across several rooftops before crashing through the legs of a large water tower.


    Alin was on him a second later with a third longsword.


    The water tower collapsed, releasing its full contents upon impact.


    ¡°Drown! Riptide of Dumagaan!¡±


    The waterfall over the edge of the building reversed, swelling and darkening to envelop him.


    He stabbed his blade into the roof and held on as dark water pulled.


    The roof gave before his grip in the unending pull.


    He had been caught in a riptide just the once when he had been a kid surfing.


    This was much worse since he had an outworld invader swimming at him, striking him with cutting blades of dark water as the pressure squeezed around his chest like an industrial press.


    They flowed down the street, picking up unlucky people and monsters.


    He saw their wide eyes.


    Mouths open, choking.


    Dark water turned darker red.


    It felt like an eternity being spun and tumbled by an impossible tide moving along the dark city street.


    Until he slammed into a sudden wall.


    Faint teal light out of the corner of his eye.


    The remaining breath driven out of his chest.


    Brighter orange from above speared down. Almost like a fishing line.


    He grasped it.


    Sudden force.


    A hard landing.


    Cold and dripping.


    Brine and bile gushed from his mouth.


    ¡°Holy shit!¡±


    Armed and armored men and women gaped.


    A motley crew around a machine gun emplacement on a rooftop.


    Austin militia and an adventuring band.


    ¡°Get a¡ª¡±


    Too late.


    Tandol erupted from the street in a spout of dark water, swirling with red chunks.


    ¡°Shields!¡±


    Magic flared to life.


    People¡¯s screams cut off as suddenly as they had began.

 10.31

    ¡°Get him, Death Rainbows!¡±


    ¡°Which one?¡±


    ¡°The not human one! The one that¡¯s attacking us, idiot!¡±


    ¡°Desiccation Chains!¡±


    Pink chains emerged from a man¡¯s outstretched hands, wrapping around Tandol¡¯s chest.


    Water just vanished on contact with the magic chains.


    The outworld invader destroyed them with a sweep.


    He thrust the same hand forward, thrusting a dark water spear down.


    A large man swapped places with the smaller one and met the spear with a battleaxe slash.


    Water sizzled into steam upon contact with the red hot axe blade.


    ¡°Fire beats water, bitch!¡±


    Alin rose as in the next breath Tandol swept the large man off the rooftop with a crashing wave.


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    An even larger woman dived for the flailing man, but just missed.


    Dark water spears rained down on the roof top.


    Alin blocked with his ever lightening shield.


    The adventurers did the same or died.


    The large woman resembled a pincushion for a moment before the dark water spears fell away, revealing skin deep wounds.


    She grabbed a large AC unit, fingers crinkling the thin metal shell like paper.


    Tandol slid down the water spout to avoid the blocky missile.


    Dark water trident thrust for the woman¡¯s steel-armored chest.


    She grabbed between the prongs with one hand and stepped into a straight cross into the outworld invader¡¯s chest with the other.


    Coral chips exploded like a frag grenade as she sent Tandol sliding across the wet rooftop almost to the edge.


    He surged forward like a jet boat.


    Alin¡¯s downward cut just missing.


    The large woman punched, but he dived between her legs.


    Dark water tendrils emerged from his hands, wrapping around her ankles.


    The large, screaming missile crashed into a building on the other side of the street faster than almost anyone else on the roof could react.


    Alin lunged with a thrust to the underside of Tandol¡¯s raised right arm.


    The outworld invader twisted and sent a powerful spray of dark water up from the rooftop, forcing him to pull back.


    They fought across the rooftop, too fast for the survivors of the militia and adventuring band to follow.


    Dark water weapons froze and shattered even as steel and iron chipped.


    Blade and shield broke.


    Tandol slipped for the first time.


    Alin grabbed the outworld invader.


    Jagged coral and fin spines cut and pricked his flesh.


    He grabbed underhooks.


    Despite being as small as a 10 year old girl, Tandol was still stronger than him despite what he had taken from the snake hydra.


    But¡­ he had the right hold and leverage as he got his hips lower than the outworld invader¡¯s.


    ¡°Pitch him over here!¡±


    The large woman called from street level.


    Being slammed into a building had only given her a bloody nose and a few more scrapes and bruises.


    She waved a light pole like baseball bat.


    Alin turned Tandol with his underhooks as the outworld invader tried to sink his hips lower to regain the leverage advantage.


    ¡°You¡¯re a lot heavier than you look.¡±


    Alin spun and tossed Tandol.


    ¡°But not that heavy.¡±


    A bright red and orange ball flew into the dark night with a crack of the bat.


    The people whooped.


    ¡°Going! Going! Gone!¡±


    ¡°She went yard, baby!¡±


    The large woman leapt from street to rooftop in a single bound.


    ¡°Hey!¡± she grinned, holding up a hand. ¡°You¡¯re strong!¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± He left her hanging. ¡°You should all head to the university. That¡¯s an emergency shelter, right? The north part of the city¡¯s a loss and you don¡¯t want to be isolated here when the rabbit people come.¡±


    No time to explain.


    He left their shouts and demands for answers as he ran and leapt after Tandol.


    They reunited further north.


    Several city blocks away.


    A manticore much bigger than a tiger lay draped over a half-burned truck.


    Its brown fur dripped brine and blood on the partially-eaten remains strewn around the truck.


    Tandol ripped its large stinger and hurled it in one smooth motion.


    Alin deflected it with the remains of his shield.


    ¡°Where is the blood in your body? In my experience those that don¡¯t bleed like normal people are things to fear and destroy before they bring calamity.¡±


    Gray wisps streamed from an uncountable number of cuts and gouges across his skin.


    Wet clothing shredded beyond recognition.


    Magic shield charms and other enchanted protection items long destroyed or rendered inert. Lost, scattered across the streets and rooftops.


    All that he had left were the broken remnants of an enchanted iron shield strapped to his left arm and the bags and pouches of holding on his belt for those were the highest quality items in his possession.


    He dipped into one and flicked a grenade across the distance.


    Impossible to track with human eyes and reaction time.


    Tandol raised a wall of dark water even faster.


    Fire bloomed.


    Steam erupted.


    Alin lunged through the gap longsword point first.


    Dark water streamed from Tandol¡¯s back.


    Ice and steel shattered.


    They fought across the dark streets.


    Monsters and people died in their wake while buildings crumbled.


    All that Alin had learned of proper sword technique and footwork from Hanna fell away.


    Things like managing distance didn¡¯t matter when a single step could carry them a dozen meters.


    Dark water spears pierced him through the chest and stomach.


    Tandol thrust hands forward driving them in until hands in the gray suddenly seized his limbs and pulled them back.


    Faint orange claws flashed in the gray, scraping orange and yellow scales off the outworld invader¡¯s face.


    Alin swept his fifth longsword across the spears.


    Ice fell with him to the ground.


    No thinking, just action.


    There wasn¡¯t any room for anything else in his head.


    Muscle memory from countless hours training in the danger complex and the mindscapes.


    Charge forward!


    Tandol moved as if a normal human underwater, not like he was of a species adapted to life beneath the waves.


    Alin¡¯s relatives.


    Their echoes.


    A dozen superstrong hands fought to hold the outworld invader.


    Dark water surged from everywhere in the blasted remains of the building.


    Children¡¯s toys scattered with the detritus of broken brick and masonry.


    A touch of the longsword to freeze, punch through behind his broken half of a shield.


    Discard broken steel.


    Punch broken shield edge into throat.


    Embrace and tackled.


    Punch.


    Knee.


    Gouge.


    Rip.


    Use the gray!


    Somehow he ended up on top of the tiny Tandol.


    Right hand squeezing neck.


    So thin.


    But nearly as unyielding as a steel pipe.


    Blows thundered in the wet space.


    Cuts and stabs felt distant.


    The iron shield in his left hand deformed before Tandol¡¯s face did.


    Sharp teeth chipped.


    Drain! Drain! Drain!


    No!


    Not too much!


    ¡­ you¡¯ll die if you don¡¯t¡­


    The resistance broke at some point as Alin kept pulling at Tandol¡¯s life.


    The gray smoke streaming from his many cuts and stab wounds dwindled as they slowly closed.


    Tandol¡¯s struggles weakened until they ceased.


    How long had it taken?


    He pulled and pulled, welcoming the coming tide, ushering up the beach and onto the streets, deep into the city.


    Like a tsunami.


    A distant presence in the ocean seemed to call out plaintively. Crying for the dark water to return to where it belonged.


    The small hand slipped on the wet rope as he cruelly pulled on his end.


    Stop it!


    Alin blinked at the voice.


    Not his.


    A woman.


    Older, much older.


    And long dead.


    He recoiled from the corpse.


    The bright red and orange had faded to dull hues as if bleached by months under a harsh coastal sun.


    Tandol was dead.


    Desiccated beyond recognition.


    Dried skin and bones.


    Alin breathed deeply.


    In and out.


    Not under control.


    Too close!


    Too far!


    His voice.


    He felt it.


    Knew it, despite part of him trying to come up with denials that would be false.


    ¡°Almost¡­¡±


    He had almost taken everything from the outworld invader.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Almost added another echo to the gray for the first time in his life.


    Thunder cracked, shaking the building.


    Lightning flashed, illuminating the darkness inside the broken store.


    Right.


    The battle wasn¡¯t over.


    He struggled to focus on the protocols.


    Mist Spekters¡ª he was a Mist Spekter.


    Not a Rayna¡¯s Ranger or anything else.


    The cover story had to be maintained.


    Still¡­


    His body felt on fire, surging with stolen power.


    So much of it.


    More than he had ever held at any one time.


    Disgust roiled up from his gut, but he swallowed it back down.


    Protocols?


    The orphanages were in the eastern part of the city.


    Head there, but first¡­


    Tandol had shredded his clothing.


    Even the Threnosh onesie had been practically destroyed.


    He pulled a new one out of his bag of holding.


    Put on his armor.


    Replaced the helmet Tandol had destroyed.


    A new ear piece.


    Static.


    Just like the time the demigod and Americans attacked his home.


    He regarded Tandol for a moment.


    Coral and scale armor went into his bag of holding.


    Along with the small, cylindrical backpack half-filled with dark water.


    Everything on the outworld invader felt highly magical.


    Even the otherwise plain green belt that looked to be woven out of kelp and the pouches and small bags of the same material.


    That one he looped over his shoulder and across his torso.


    It actually stretched to fit without issue despite not appearing to be adjustable at first glance.


    The last thing he did before heading back out was to place a beacon with a short explanation on Tandol.


    Once the interference was gone it¡¯d be picked up by one of the satellites and someone would come.


    Enemy or not, Tandol hadn¡¯t felt like a truly evil person and it was wrong just to leave him there for the monster, animals and the elements.


    He ran and leapt, catching snippets of the wider battle.


    Monsters mostly.


    Only the harpies counted as sapient.


    Sharpened senses allowed him to hear and see at distances beyond his norm, even in the low light environment.


    The familiar whine of a mini jet engine drew his attention.


    A sudden orb of bright blue-white light flashed. Tiny in the distant sky, but he knew that it encompassed the same area as a large home by Southern California standards.


    He saw blackened skeletons fall with a puff of charred feathers


    Harpies.


    Instantly vaporized of soft tissue by the Emerald Raptor¡¯s weapon.


    Colin was up there somewhere on his flying wing, dogfighting amid the scintillating beams of magic and thumping flak cannons.


    An explosion against a skyship¡¯s armored hull cast its huge silhouette for a moment.


    Harpies or other flying monsters mobbed it like flies surrounding a cape buffalo.


    He heard them before he saw them.


    High-pitched screams.


    Alternating so that it almost sounded continuous.


    From one instead of many.


    A sound only ever heard on Earth in one of his dad¡¯s mindscape training sessions.


    ¡°No way¡­¡±


    They actually did it.


    ¡°No-fucking-way¡­¡±


    The American leaders knew.


    His dad confirmed it with a simple scan of their thoughts.


    Did the demigod convince them to do this?


    Or was it their idea?


    They surged down the streets from the north.


    From the portals in the sky.


    Robust enough to survive a fall from any height with twisted ankles at worst.


    Much stronger, quicker and tougher than a baseline human at peak physical condition.


    Not a huge threat as individuals to anyone with a combat class over Level 20.


    Which was a moot point because they moved in large groups as part of their natural state. And when used as weapons they were much more effective let loose in a horde.


    Whether it was the demigod or the Americans that wanted to wipe every single living Earthian from the city didn¡¯t matter.


    Only the result did.


    He broke protocol to try to send an emergency alert.


    An old smartphone.


    Not out of place in a Mist Spekter¡¯s possession.


    The Omninet was ubiquitous.


    His dad wanted to give access to as many people as possible.


    Information was the most important thing people in power could control.


    The more there was available the harder it became for them to lie to their people.


    ¡°This is Goldenspoon. Rabbits are on the field. I repeat. Rabbits are on the field.¡±


    He gave his location.


    The system would log and ping it for everyone that viewed the message, but redundancy was good.


    He had no idea if it had gone through, but the as long as the phone was not in a bag of holding it would continue to attempt to transmit.


    Hopefully, people on the channel in the surrounding area would get it sooner and pass it on to the other local fighters.


    At least some of them should know what was coming.


    If they had read the monsterpedia entry on the rabbit people.


    Which wasn¡¯t a given.


    Protocols were out the window depending on the size of the horde and it certainly sounded huge.


    He had to fight them.


    The gray was suited to the task.


    He followed the high-pitched scream to an intersection.


    A barricaded position with makeshift mobile walls made with working buses modified with roof-mounted guns and armored sides which protected more shooters inside behind iron plates and bars.


    They filled the street.


    Short, white fur already dyed pink, red and other colors of blood.


    Bullets and spells ate them alive, but they didn¡¯t care.


    The rabbit people only had room for three desires in their otherwise sapient brains.


    Eat, kill and breed.


    In no particular order, nor even separated.


    One or the other or all at the same time.


    It made them insane.


    Bullets in the head or chest didn¡¯t drop them instantly.


    Minutes!


    They lasted minutes longer than a lion with a slug in the heart that would still go on to maul the hunter to death before it finally dropped.


    They reached the bus blocking the street.


    Clawed fingers ripped at the armor plating and bars.


    The defenders activated the electricity, cooking the rabbit people alive and momentarily halting the advance.


    But, the power ran out.


    And the horde clambered up the charred, smoking bodies of their brethren to eat machine gun bullets, then the people manning the guns.


    Alin enveloped the entire street with gray.


    No thinking, just action.


    Drained the rabbit people to within a centimeter of death.


    He stopped because their lifeforce was repulsive, worse than most monsters.


    Made so because of the fact that they were sapient.


    How many were there?


    Over a thousand.


    Just on that one street.


    He could still hear the high-pitched screams.


    ¡°Hey! You! Hands where I can see them!¡±


    He leapt from the rooftop to land in front of the speaker.


    A young woman.


    Blood streaked her face and armor.


    She had a pistol in one hand and a katana in the other.


    ¡°Get back!¡±


    ¡°Hands up!¡±


    ¡°On your knees!¡±


    Contradictory commands filled the air as weapons snapped to him.


    ¡°Alin. Mist Spekters. If you don¡¯t know what those things are check the monsterpedia on the Omninet.¡±


    ¡°Connection¡¯s down,¡± the young woman said.


    ¡°Well, keep trying.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a merc.¡± An old man swiped on his smartphone. ¡°Name¡¯s on the roster. New company. Only a few months old. Founder was a Golden Eagle. Local kid. I recognize the name. Grew up in Ms. Daniel¡¯s home for boys.¡±


    The young woman grunted. ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°Galen Alvarado.¡±


    She nodded. ¡°Weapons down, guys.¡± She shook Alin¡¯s hand. ¡°Flora¡¯s the name. I spent some time in Ms. Daniel¡¯s home for girls before I got adopted. I don¡¯t know your captain, but this isn¡¯t the time and place to worry too much about anything else except the monsters in front of us. So, you know something about those rabbit people things?¡±


    ¡°Read the monsterpedia.¡±


    ¡°We established that¡¯s impossible right now.¡±


    ¡°Eat, breed and kill. Those are the only things in their heads. The order doesn¡¯t matter. They¡¯ll change them up in an instant. Kill them all before they wake up. Then fall back to the university. You don¡¯t want to get surrounded by the horde. Best chance is massed and constant fire because they don¡¯t do tactics when there¡¯s the scent of people in the air. Straight line charge. That¡¯s what they¡¯ll do.¡±


    The university was to the south, a little north of the river, closer to the center of the city.


    There were other emergency shelters, but it was the most heavily defended one.


    He cleared one of the buses in a single bound and ran to the next closest location.


    This time he was too late.


    The stench would¡¯ve gagged a maggot.


    Blood and other body fluids had been smeared everywhere.


    Half-eaten bodies with their armor and clothing ripped off were scattered all over the street.


    There were more rabbit people corpses than human, but that was cold comfort to the people that suffered terribly before they died.


    Some things weren¡¯t meant to be seen by sapient eyes.


    He ran on before the scene could burn itself into his memory further.


    Interceptor Threnosh dropped out of the sky before he could track down the rabbit people.


    ¡°Greetings. Designation: Alin of the Mist Spekters. We are Threnosh. From the upworld to your home. You do not know of our existence, but do not take offensive actions. We have been contracted by Designation: Galen of the Mist Spekters, who we also only met for the first time this night. We are to deliver you to said Mist Spekters.¡±


    The Threnosh¡¯s face was hidden by the gleaming faceplate.


    Their armors were identical, except for scorch marks, torn metal and other battle damage.


    The Threnosh¡¯s voice was flat and without inflection as normal, but much louder as it was being enhanced by the helmet speakers despite being close enough for unenhanced speech.


    ¡°Uh¡­ hello. Threnosh? Is that what you are? Nice to meet you for the first time ever. Thank you for the offer, but I must decline. Perhaps you may assist me in another way. I could use some help in finding the closest group of rabbit people.¡±


    The Threnosh didn¡¯t seem to hear him as they quickly connected a carrying harness to their armors.


    ¡°Negative, Designation: Alin of the Mist Spekters. We have been ordered by Commander Hayden to comply with Designation: Galen of the Mist Spekters¡¯ official request. She has provided a message in the event of your refusal.¡±


    The Threnosh played it without waiting on him, but at a much lower volume.


    ¡°Get your ass moving!¡± Hayden sounded strained. ¡°The battle¡¯s still falling within projections. The kids have been evac¡¯d to a skyship. The rest of the evac is ongoing. That congresswoman and some of the diplomatic team are already with Galen getting ready to bail on this place. It¡¯ll be hard to insert you farther up the road without any of them noticing if you don¡¯t get your ass over there now!¡±


    He was tempted to ignore them all.


    But the lesson his parents had drilled into his head since he had gotten his powers played in his head.


    Having power didn¡¯t mean he could do whatever he wanted.


    He didn¡¯t have the wider view of the battle that Hayden and the others did, which meant he had to trust that they were making the right call.


    They¡¯d do the same for him had their positions been reversed.


    ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s get going, strangers from another world.¡±


    He sighed as he put the harness on.


    He didn¡¯t like it, but the battle was over for him.


    <hr>


    Washington, D.C., Spring 2055


    The ornate flask thrummed in his palm.


    ¡°Everything in gold,¡± he mused. ¡°I find it garish and idiotic. It¡¯s just calling for attention. Look at me, I¡¯m very valuable, please steal me. Wouldn¡¯t something plain be better? Like wood?¡±


    ¡°That would be instantly vaporized, honored demigod.¡±


    ¡°One of the metal woods? Enchanted. Although, using the adamantine tree to make a container, no matter how crucial, is a waste of resources.¡±


    ¡°Adamantine¡­ tree¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah! Forgive me Kerkestis, that is supposed to be a great big secret. My father will be wroth with me.¡±


    ¡°If you request it, I shall never speak of it.¡±


    ¡°Not even if Sunor commands it?¡± Suiteonemiades waved a meaty hand. ¡°Tell everyone. I truly don¡¯t care. It¡¯s not like father or any of the Gods are going to be coming to this world anytime soon. Still¡­ look at this thing.¡±


    The flask was more like a jug.


    Close to a gallon to use the local measurement system.


    The outer surface of the enchanted mythril was gilded in fine, gold filigree depicting some God or an other''s triumphant story in the style seen on many a vase and urn.


    ¡°Do you know what¡¯s inside this thing, Kerkestis?¡±


    The Eidolon of Sunor demurred.


    ¡°Really, it¡¯s fine. I¡¯ve told you that I don¡¯t stand on formality unlike most useless demigods. Free tongues pave the way for free minds, after all.¡±


    The eidolon hesitated a moment.


    ¡°I do not,¡± she ventured.


    ¡°Blood¡­ and an alchemist¡¯s cabinet worth of potions. At least 3 of which are deadly poisons.¡± He sighed. ¡°Would you like me to explain or would you prefer I simply give you my command?¡±


    This time she didn¡¯t hesitate.


    ¡°The more information I have the better I will be able to carry your will forward.¡±


    ¡°You are refreshing, Kerkestis! I¡¯m used to my father¡¯s eidolons and all they ever want to do is violence. On enemies, allies, each other¡­ random people on the street. It¡¯s exhausting.¡±


    ¡°I only do as my nature compels me.¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯re not nearly as domineering as one of Sunor¡¯s scions. Granted we aren¡¯t equal. But, that can¡¯t be helped. Now. This thing.¡± He held the huge flask out. ¡°Blood and alchemy. Very secret and very rare. I¡¯m not supposed to reveal this, but who cares? I don¡¯t!¡± He grinned. ¡°Although, she did place a geas on it¡­¡± he mused, ¡°so I better not say her name. Anyways. The God or Goddess, who may or may not claim dominion over prophecy, foresight, so and so forth, mixed his or her blood with the blood of a hundred thousand high level seers, oracles, prophets, so and so forth. Add in the rest of the terrible and powerful substances. Mix together during an auspicious alignment of a solar system¡¯s planets. All while sacrificing the souls of a million unborn¡ª sapients, naturally.¡± He rolled his eyes.


    ¡°That is¡ª¡±


    ¡°Staggeringly wasteful? I know. Think of what those million children could¡¯ve gone on to become or their children and children¡¯s children? Regardless, it was all done an eon or two ago.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Whether he or she foresaw this moment? He or she isn¡¯t saying. But, between you and me, I call a steaming pile of trihorn shit. An old bull. One of the 15 to 20 tonners.¡±


    ¡°To send such a¡ª a large amount of resources to this world? Why?¡±


    ¡°Ah! There¡¯s that inquisitiveness! Father doesn¡¯t tell me anything, but I can only think Sunor had a word. Not much else could¡¯ve gotten him or her to part with this.¡± He tossed it suddenly.


    Kerkestis caught it like a precious child of the Gods.


    ¡°Would not such a thing of power risk the delicate balance?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s an indirect sort of power. Those we vie with have sent greater things. Ultimately, it is still in our hands, which maintains the lie of a balance.¡± He regarded the eidolon. ¡°Truly I regret the command I¡¯m about to give you. I know you¡¯ve been working hard to cultivate this nation¡¯s oracular talents. Lots of boys and girls working hard to level and learn good technique and skill. None of that weird sexual stuff you tend to find in most oracular sects. Who knew putting young kids in the hands of dirty old men would lead to that?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I endeavored to avoid such excesses.¡±


    ¡°Smart. Not only is it better for the kids. Your way means they aren¡¯t turned into drug-addled wrecks by the time they¡¯re 20 just to endure the abuse. But, you¡¯ve also avoided the instant death from high in the sky.¡±


    ¡°They have made it clear that there are things they won¡¯t tolerate.¡±


    ¡°I am ashamed to ruin all your hard work.¡±


    ¡°Honored demigod? What is it you would have me do?¡±


    ¡°You already know.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­¡± he looked at her expectantly. ¡°No arguments against? Offer alternatives?¡±


    ¡°My God has commanded me to obey you in all things. And so I shall.¡±


    Suiteonemiades sighed.


    ¡°Does that absolve you of your guilt?¡±


    She stood like a statue for what felt like a long time.


    ¡°Never.¡±


    ¡°We do what we must to achieve our goals. I have the one and so, I bleed a world.¡±


    ¡°What would you have me do?¡±


    The demigod handed a rolled up scroll.


    ¡°Details are in there. To wit¡­ you will use that foul substance in that pretty container to increase the capabilities of your seers, oracles, so on and so forth knowing that it will be their deaths. Then you will ask questions for me and obtain answers. I experienced something in the battle with the Cruces, yet I don¡¯t know what it was. I cannot even put my unease into words. That will be your starting point. Me. The battle. Search for threats. To me. To the ritual that keeps us safe for the moment. Then, search for paths that lead to solutions. I¡¯m thinking, the usual. People and places. Names.¡±


    ¡°That is¡ª even with this¡ª¡± Kerkestis regarded the flask in her hands less like a child and more like a basket of vipers. ¡°To ask all that and to receive answers would require an entire sect of legends. Levels in the 70¡¯s, 80¡¯s! Even then the cost to them would be¡ª¡±


    ¡°Fatal?¡± he shrugged. ¡°The Gods have made their calculations. They¡¯re willing to pay the price. Well, with some good fortune perhaps a few of your children will emerge stronger from the crucible. The stones upon which you can build a foundation for this world¡¯s very own Mt. Eboephe.¡±


    ¡°The Gods¡¯ will be done.¡±


    ¡°I suppose.¡±

 Interlude: Flags 1.4

    ¡°Sweetie, wake up?


    ¡°Wu¡ª¡±


    A big, strong hand clamped over her mouth, stifling, but gentle.


    ¡°Shhhh.¡±


    She almost lashed out with the knife in her hand, but recognized the sound of her dad¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Keep it quiet, okay?¡±


    The house was dark.


    Only a sliver of moonlight through the thin gap between curtains illuminated her father¡¯s eyes.


    Dark brown set under bushy black brows on his heavy forehead.


    Born to slam his head into other equally neanderthal-ish linemen from his high school football days.


    She had heard that stupid dad joke a billion times.


    Not in the last year or so, though.


    Not since the world ended.


    Not since they had lost her baby brother, then younger sister, then mom and eventually every last sorry survivor in their neighborhood.


    Now, here they were, in some city she didn¡¯t know, never knew existed.


    From Bakersfield to Southern California.


    Weeks by bicycle and foot.


    Just them two now and a few other desperate, ragged strays picked up along the way.


    ¡°They found us.¡±


    Not a question.


    She knew it in her gut somehow.


    The monsters had always found them in the dark, eventually.


    ¡°Not sure yet. The kid thinks it¡¯s a coin flip.¡± Her dad already had his bright-colored construction hat on and his sledgehammer in one catcher¡¯s mitt of a hand. The former weirded her out. Somehow, it allowed him to take hits that would¡¯ve ripped chunks out of anyone else. It¡¯d crack and flake a bit, but be good as new, eventually. ¡°Says his magic is working, but he thinks there¡¯s a stronger monster out there now.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Stronger?¡±


    That sounded ridiculous.


    Then again, nothing had made sense since those stupid spires showed up.


    She should¡¯ve been doing so many other things than constantly running and hiding for her life from gremlins and gangs of bad men.


    Couldn¡¯t trust any of them.


    Cops and soldiers.


    It seemed like everyone they had run into had decided to be just another gang.


    That military base in the desert would¡¯ve been a bad time for her had her dad not sniffed it out and managed to sneak them out almost as soon as they had made the mistake of seeking shelter there.


    He had always kept her safe.


    ¡°Mrs. Shelley thinks the same thing. At least, that¡¯s what one of her Skills is telling her. Danger sense.¡± He shrugged those broad shoulders. The motion was strained, ponderous, as if he had the weight of a mountain on them. ¡°Your brother was right. It¡¯s like one of his games.¡±


    She turned away from the sad smile.


    Couldn¡¯t bear to see the pain reflected in his eyes.


    Didn¡¯t want him to see it in hers.


    Her nerd of a brother was gone forever.


    Mother¡­ sister¡­


    Too painful, so she fell back on the litany of complaints that had carried her this whole time.


    Spite as a motivator wasn¡¯t a good thing according to her dad, so she kept it to herself.


    High school junior.


    Fun times with her friends.


    Leaving childhood behind.


    Prom.


    Lose her virginity to her boyfriend.


    Senior year.


    Prom again.


    Tour colleges.


    Start college.


    Dorms.


    Parties¡­ real ones.


    The spires had robbed her of a life.


    She prayed sometimes that she wouldn¡¯t wake up.


    The rest of her family had been the lucky ones.


    This was another thought she kept to herself. Locked up tight in a metal box inside her heart, so her dad wouldn¡¯t see it.


    Her boyfriend was dead.


    She didn¡¯t know for sure.


    There was no way she could¡¯ve made it to his house on her own to check and it was too dangerous to try.


    His neighborhood was miles away and their high school was almost directly between her house and his.


    It had been turned an encounter challenge, whatever that meant. Her brother had explained, but she had been too stuck in her own head to pay any attention.


    It had been later that it became a spawn zone.


    The monsters killed her brother and most of their surviving neighbors shortly after that.


    They had been planning to head toward Vegas.


    Her uncle lived there.


    That plan had changed when her dad had talked to a few soldiers.


    Vegas was a no go.


    A sympathetic soldier. One that seemed like an actual good guy whispered about heading toward the O.C. beaches. Rumors of safety. One that didn¡¯t demand she give up her one last precious belonging to sweaty, leering soldiers. He had showed them a crumpled up flyer, which contained directions and promises.


    A hope and prayer.


    Thats what her dad had told her as they fled south from the military base with a small group of equally ragged people.


    Down to seven now.


    The kid, Mrs. Shelley, a few others.


    She hadn¡¯t bothered learning their names.


    They were probably all going to die anyways.


    Better to not get attached.


    She had learned that the hard way.


    ¡°What time is it?¡± she hissed.


    Sunrise was all that mattered.


    Gremlins didn¡¯t come out in the day time.


    Light didn¡¯t agree with them.


    Burned them really good. Even the bigger human-sized ones.


    It was too bad that flashlights and anything that used batteries had stopped working long ago. Dead like the people.


    Her brother had theories.


    She wished he was still around to annoy her with them. She really should¡¯ve paid more attention to him when he was alive.


    Candles and torches kept them away, but they ran out of those too.


    It was hard scavenging through the stores they passed on their nightmarish journey. People had¡ª


    Thunder cracked.


    Hardhat realized she remembered this.


    She wanted to get up, throw her boots on and just run out the back. She had to get her dad to abandon the others¡ª they were dead anyway and they¡¯d just slow them down and¡ª


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Her dad stopped rolling up his sleeping pad and stood. ¡°That was from down the street. The decoy house.¡±


    Some person¡¯s weird Skill, she hadn¡¯t paid attention.


    ¡°It sounds like a truck.¡±


    She mimed her dad¡¯s words, caught his lopsided smile. Meant to reassure, but instead stabbed her in the chest.


    ¡°I remember¡­ dad¡­ you¡¯re going to tell me to help Mrs. Shelley and the kid, whose name I never bothered to learn.¡±


    The shame of it only ever came up on the mornings after she dreamed this nightmare.


    ¡°Go, get everyone ready to bolt, sweetie. Mrs. Shelley and the kid will need your help. She¡¯ll lean on you and he¡¯ll need you to make sure he doesn¡¯t trip over his own feet. You know how he gets after using his spell.¡±


    ¡°You looked at that kid like he was my brother.¡±


    ¡°You memorized the route?¡±


    She nodded.


    Just like back then, the words refused to come out.


    ¡°Here. This is yours now.¡± He placed his construction helmet on her head. ¡°You¡¯ll need it more than me. It¡¯ll keep you safe, so you can do the same for them. I love you always.¡±


    She could only nod.


    Just like back then the words wouldn¡¯t come out no matter how hard she tried to scream them.


    They ran, leaving her dad behind.


    The gremlins chased them.


    Golden eyes shining, taunting.


    Claws ripping Mrs. Shelley away.


    Teeth tearing the kid from her hand as he, addled by the effort to cast the spell that had allowed them to get so far south and find respite in the night, tripped over his own feet just like her dad had warned.


    The others went the same way one by one.


    The hardhat kept her alive.


    Clothes torn.


    Gold flowed from her cut skin.


    Scratches when they would¡¯ve been deep, killing gouges without her dad¡¯s last gift.


    It caught up to her anyways.


    The largest gremlin she had ever laid eyes on.


    It stood almost as tall as the single level homes in the random, shit neighborhood she had fled through. One arm was broken, snapped just below the elbow. It dragged one leg behind it. In its other clawed hand was something she recognized.


    It pointed the sledgehammer at her and grinned.


    Sharp teeth leered.


    Red and wet.


    Bits of cloth and flesh stuck in between like leafy veggies.


    It hurled the sledgehammer.


    The butt end struck her in the chest, piercing right through and pinning her to the ground.


    She woke with a scream.


    Hardhat punched her bed for a few seconds.


    That was new.


    Both for the nightmare and what actually had happened.


    Well¡­ the nightmare had always mirrored reality.


    Part of why she hated it.


    ¡°Trying to change the damn thing my whole life and that¡¯s what changes?¡±


    In real life the sledgehammer had curved past her head and around Rayna to fly back and turn the gremlin alpha¡¯s head into ground meat.


    The people in the truck at the end of the street hadn¡¯t been rangers yet.


    Just Rayna, Kayl and a few others.


    It had taken her awhile to get over the injustice of it.


    Just a few more hours and none of them would¡¯ve died.


    The kid, Mrs. Shelley¡­ her dad.


    They could¡¯ve, should¡¯ve lived to enjoy what the rangers had built.


    She knew it in her heart that her dad would been the best ranger.


    Better than her for sure.


    She was and would always be a lesser version.


    Her brother would¡¯ve out shined them all.


    She stomped out of bed.


    There was a lot of work to be done.


    Being forced to take Halloween off meant that she had to fit what she would¡¯ve gotten done on that day into other days.


    Paperwork mostly¡­ a lot of paperwork.


    Well¡­ not necessarily all on paper.


    Most was digital.


    Tablet at home. Tablet at her office.


    ¡°I¡¯m not liking this semi-retirement thing.¡±


    She sighed.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    The thought of free time¡ª


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    Maybe, the stress of the unknown was why she was having these nightmares more often these days.


    It had been years, decades really, since they had been so frequent.


    ¡°Might need to schedule extra sessions with a therapist.¡±


    Outside of ranger mandated check-ins every quarter, she had put those things behind her or so she had thought.


    <hr>


    Hardhat stared at her 1 card.


    She eyed Creepy Chipmunk as he stepped into the abyss¡­ er¡­ the hallway.


    That¡¯s right.


    It was just a hallway.


    Nope.


    Definitely a void abyss to some kind of witchy nightmarescape with black thorny roses and vines like chains with even more thorns that pierced and ripped skin.


    God damn new movies and shows.


    Magic, tech and magitech were making them way too real.


    She remembered back when she was a kid that all she had to do was close her eyes and plug her ears when the skinless demon things on screen brought out the skin-ripping chains.


    Sick bastards.


    ¡°Psst¡­ psst¡­¡±


    She scratched the table with a fingernail.


    Weird.


    Felt simultaneously rich and cheap.


    The creepy witch of portents turned that shining eyed gaze to regard her.


    Nope.


    There was no turning.


    Despite the fact that the witch had definitely been watching Creepy Chipmunk those eyes had always been locked on Hardhat¡¯s.


    ¡°Fu¡ª¡± she played the flinch into a smoother touch on the warm plastic covering her head. It pulsed soothingly.


    She swallowed the lump in her throat.


    ¡°Honorable witch of portents. May I ask a question?¡±


    A slow blink.


    Great!


    If the witch was part cat than that signified trust and feelings of safety.


    Hardhat decided to roll with it.


    When reality went dumb one might as well go with her delusions for they might as well be just as valid as her¡­ re-lusions?


    Was that the right word?


    She¡¯d ask Spiritwalker later. He was the one that read a lot.


    ¡°Why did he go first?¡± She pointed at Creepy Chipmunk''s shorts-clad backside. ¡°I got the 1.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it was a surprise to me as well.¡±


    Silence.


    The other rangers¡¯ gazes shifted from the witch to her and back several times.


    ¡°Er¡­ so¡­ what does that mean ex¡ª¡±


    The witch snapped her fingers like a gunshot.


    Weapons snapped into ranger hands.


    Aims had a revolver out and aimed at the witch before the sound of her snap died.


    The rest were much slower.


    Hardhat¡¯s hands had never left the table.


    Pain flared in her fingers as she dug her nails into the wood, that was either very expensive or very cheap.


    ¡°Close together,¡± the witch of portents murmured. ¡°Muddled fates¡­ you,¡± she pointed a long, pointed finger.¡±


    Hardhat fought hard not to recoil.


    ¡°First or second. That fate is unclear. Perhaps you¡¯ll find a flavorful and aromatic illumination within.¡±


    Hardhat stared and blinked.


    Fast, definitely not the slow and trusting kind.


    ¡°Captain Hardhat, go,¡± Captain Butcher said.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ right.¡±


    She hadn¡¯t noticed the witch of portents¡¯ too-long arm pointing to the abyss.


    A shiver glided up her back.


    Goosebumps danced on her arms.


    She wasn¡¯t cold.


    It was downright warm and cozy in the witchy living room, which was to say it was creepy.


    Warmth pulsed from her head, flowing over the rest of her body like a snuggie.


    ¡°Damn it, got me thinking of things from 30 years ago.¡±


    Her entire family got a set of matching snuggies for that one last Christmas.


    She was fine.


    It was safe.


    Her dad would keep her safe.


    Like he always did.


    Over 30 years and counting.


    Thus, she stepped into the abyss.


    And found herself in a room that was not a room.


    It was a large store.


    Sporting goods.


    Ubiquitous in the old world.


    ¡°Oh, no¡­ not doing this.¡±


    She recognized it instantly.


    The undead war.


    San Diego.


    A terrible fight among many terrible fights.


    Another frequent scene in her nightmares.


    ¡°Seriously, witch kid. I¡¯ve had enough of the bad dreams. Let¡¯s just do the fortune telling thing, yeah?¡±


    Racks and stands filled with assorted sporting goods cast long, gnarled shadows despite the fact that the ceiling lights glared down harshly like someone decided to turn them up to 11.


    Was that even a thing?


    Did the old store lights have dimmer capabilities like the ones she had at her home?


    Her hands itched to pull a shield and weapon from her bag of holding.


    Couldn¡¯t do it.


    Didn¡¯t want to accidentally kill a dumb witch kid.


    ¡°Yeah, okay¡­ got to find you, huh? Hide and seek¡­ damn it,¡± she muttered.


    In real life they had gotten swarmed by ghosts.


    In her nightmares the ghosts were the dead she knew.


    She didn¡¯t want to add a third variation of the scenario.


    Her boots echoed through the empty store as she headed toward the center.


    That was the thing to do, right?


    Seemed like a witchy thing, anyways.


    It was either the store center or somewhere with a table and chairs. Maybe an office or the employee lunch room.


    Couldn¡¯t tell someone¡¯s fortune standing around a fake campfire after all.


    She stopped.


    Eyes narrowed.


    That shadow in the distance was dancing around funny. Especially, when she checked the rest of her surroundings to make sure that it was the only shadow moving around.


    Sure looked like the sort of shadow a campfire threw around.


    Warm orange-red light and everything.


    She only hesitated a second.


    There was no way she was going to let some witch kid creep her out.


    Boldly she strode to find a literal camp fire in the middle of¡ª she glanced around¡ª the camping section.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s pretty convenient.¡±


    The witch kid was seated in a comfy looking folding camp chair, poking at the fire with a stick.


    No cauldron.


    Just a grill and a large kettle.


    Blue speckled with white. Like he had just grabbed it from the nearby shelf.


    She scanned the cozy campsite and found nothing else.


    She gave the witch kid a head nod.


    ¡°Sup.¡±


    That was what cool young people did.


    She didn¡¯t remember doing it when she was a cool kid.


    It was more the generation or two before her.


    Things were cyclical after all.


    History repeating and what not.


    She took a longer moment to study the kid.


    Just to make sure he wasn¡¯t a ghost trick.


    No witch hat, which was suspicious.


    Weird clothes.


    Not really witchy.


    More¡­ cleric-al?


    Was that the right word?


    ¡°I welcome you to my hearth. With open arms and intentions. Will you be my guest?¡±


    ¡°As long as that doesn¡¯t obligate me to come fight for you even after I die?¡±


    The kid¡¯s normal eyes narrowed.


    ¡°No?¡±


    ¡°That sounded like a question when I¡¯m really looking for a clear, definitive answer.¡±


    ¡°Then, no. I¡¯m not looking to harvest souls to fight for me at a future date.¡±


    ¡°Nothing else?¡±


    ¡°No costs beyond peace and patience.¡±


    ¡°Sounds acceptable.¡± She took a seat in a comfy camp chair that wasn¡¯t there a moment ago, but, hey, what the heck, why not roll with it. A sudden chair was the least of what she¡¯d already had to experience. ¡°So, are you like the ¡®one¡¯ of witches?¡± She did air quotes.


    The kid blinked at her mid prod of the logs in fire.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand the question.¡±


    ¡°You know¡­¡± she gestured at his clothing. ¡°You look like the ¡®one¡¯. Black coat-robe thing. Black pants. You just need some cool black shades. But, good call not wearing them indoors. Only douchebags do that. Unless they¡¯re functional. You know, enchanted or teched up.¡±


    The kid gaped like a fish.


    ¡°Do you not know about The Matrix?¡±


    ¡°Spell matrices?¡±


    It was her turn to blink.


    ¡°Do the witches not let you watch movies in faerie land?¡±


    ¡°We can watch movies and shows.¡±


    ¡°But not The Matrix?¡±


    ¡°No?¡±


    She chewed on that for awhile as the kid continued to stoke the flames and, apparently, boil water.


    Young kid.


    Gangly looking.


    Early teenager.


    Probably, going to be on the tall side judging by the awkward-looking size of his hands and shoes compared to the rest of his body.


    Still, moving pretty well.


    Good coordination.


    Not tripping over himself.


    Bit on the skinny side.


    Nothing some weights wouldn¡¯t fix.


    Combat potential.


    Junior ranger material.


    Head of blond hair was a bit too full and curly. Easy grabbing material for man or monster. Needed a shorter cut. Helmets were mandatory, but sometimes you lost them or didn¡¯t have the chance to put one on.


    She sighed.


    All that done automatically.


    That wasn¡¯t a good thing as far as she was concerned.


    ¡°Alright, I changed my mind.¡±


    He looked at her with patience and understanding, like she was some kind of special and skittish animal or baby.


    ¡°Okay, maybe I double-changed my mind.¡±


    He went back to prodding the fire.


    ¡°Listen up, kid. I¡¯m assuming you know where I live.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t, but I believe my teacher does. She knows¡­ things¡­¡±


    ¡°Say, do you guys practice saying things ominously? Like in the mirror? Or do you stand around in a circle and try to out ominous each other? Like improv, but less stupid?¡±


    The kid opened his mouth and shut it.


    She grinned.


    ¡°Ha! You do practice! A valuable secret. In exchange for that and this whole fortune telling thing, I will let you borrow my Matrix collection. Can you guys use USB stuff?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we have computers.¡± He frowned.


    ¡°That¡¯s good. I mean, that they work in the land of the faeries.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s called the Fae or the Fae realm.¡±


    ¡°Same difference.¡± She shrugged. ¡°Anyways. Watch them. Three movies. First one was the best. Next two were still good, but not as good. Feel free to make copies. Add them to your movie library. Hell, just keep them. I can get copies here. My gift to you for not stealing my soul or giving me lasting trauma.¡± She winked.


    In a cool manner.


    The kid nodded in a witchy one, which was to say, way too solemn for someone his age.


    ¡°I accept the exchange in honest faith. I hope to return it in the same manner.¡±


    ¡°Great!¡± she clapped. ¡°Fortune time?¡±


    The kettle whistled, loud and screechingly.


    She flicked her gaze from the kid to the kettle and back.


    ¡°Okay, you have to tell me how you timed that.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Of course you didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Before we start¡­ will you please remove your artifact.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s very powerful and protective. I can¡¯t foretell your fate while it shields you.¡±


    ¡°Well that¡¯s not suspicious at all.¡± She locked a laser gaze on his eyes. Couldn¡¯t see anything more suspicious than the whole witch thing. And she was here for that one reason. ¡°Fine.¡± She pulled the construction helmet from her head and placed it on her lap. ¡°Better not be a tr¡ª¡±


    ¡°Would you like some tea?¡±


    Hardhat blinked.


    The witch kid loomed over her all of a sudden with a stainless steel mug in his hand.


    There was no tea bag or other receptacle to hold the leaves.


    Steam rose, tickling her nostrils with the scent of¡ª


    She knew it, recognized it and yet didn¡¯t.


    It was every tea she had ever tried across the long decades.


    It was every tea she had never tried across the long decades.


    ¡°There aren¡¯t animal bits in this, right? You have to tell me if there are. That¡¯s a witch rule. I asked, like half a dozen different witches.¡±


    The witch kid shook his head.


    ¡°Humans are technically also animals.¡± She fixed him with her best ranger captain stare.


    He recoiled a bit.


    ¡°Just tea and some honey.¡±


    ¡°Bees?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Normal ones? Not flesh-eating¡­ human flesh-eating ones?¡±


    It was his turn to fix her with a stare.


    ¡°There are bees that eat¡­ humans?¡±


    ¡°Sadly¡­ yes.¡±


    He swallowed.


    ¡°The worst part is they don¡¯t look any scarier like monster-types or mutated ones. Nope. Almost exactly like normal, safe bumble bees. All cute, fuzzy, yellow and black¡­ except they got teeth¡­ don¡¯t ask me how that works.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ tea then?¡± She accepted the mug most graciously like a true captain of Rayna¡¯s Rangers. ¡°I think I know this one. I just drink this and you read the left over leaves?¡± She peered into the light, amber colored liquid. Sure enough the leaves swirled around. ¡°Huh, that¡¯s weird.¡±


    ¡°This won¡¯t be like the old-style reading. Although, that can be done as well. The tea is for after. It¡¯ll help with the nausea and headache.¡±


    ¡°Wut¡ª¡±


    Hardhat¡¯s eyes dilated.


    Her vision blurred.


    She fell into the steam.


    Amber-colored, sweet, floral and everything else.


    The dark green leaves swirled around her, dancing in the wind like butterflies.


    She felt a sudden, oppressive weight.


    A dark cavern.


    Warm, black tiles shot through with gold veins like that weird Japanese vase thing that Dastardly had gotten into a couple of years back.


    They pulsed in an irregular rhythm.


    Breathing or perhaps the heartbeat of some old, forgotten behemoth resting beneath the earth, waiting for the time to wake and usher in the end.


    The booming rhythm shook her to the core, dragging her own heart along, faster and faster, out of control. A strong hand holding on to her wrist as she tried to run alongside an accelerating car.


    Pain and panic.


    Sudden sun rise.


    But not the safety of the dawn.


    Harsh.


    Not yellow-orange bringing soothing warmth, but gold scouring everything it didn¡¯t care to allow existence beneath its gaze.


    A single golden ray lanced down from the heavens.


    Hardhat grunted.


    Shaking hands went to her chest.


    She began to flake away before she could grasp the spear.


    Finger tips went first.


    Hands and arms went quickly as if every gasping breath sped up the process.


    She collapsed as her feet and legs disintegrated.


    Face first into the warm, black tile.


    Herculean effort just to raise her head.


    Her construction helmet lay just out of her reach.


    Shiny plastic surface pristine.


    She reached for it unconsciously with the exposed bone at her elbows until that too flaked away.


    Butterflies and ash danced on the edges of her vision.


    ¡°It¡¯s done.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Wuzzat?¡±


    She blinked up at the witch kid.


    ¡°Drink.¡±


    He tilted her head up and brought the mug of tea to her lips.


    It was lukewarm.


    Her head felt as though nails were being pounded into it while being in the washer¡¯s spin cycle.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t consent to this.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª you agreed?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t meant that. I mean this¡­ lap pillow nonsense. I¡¯m old enough to be your young and fit grandma. It¡¯s you that should lay your head on a young lady¡¯s lap.¡±


    He blanched, looking torn between shoving her head out of his lap like it was on fire or doing it in a gentler manner.


    Witch hospitality won out and he carefully held her head up while sliding out from under her and magicking a camping pillow from the shelf to fly out and take his spot.


    ¡°Where is it?¡± Her eyes widened. ¡°My¡ª¡±


    The construction helmet lay on her stomach.


    Shiny and plastic.


    Pristine.


    Unblemished.


    She took a few centering breaths before raising her head enough to take another sip.


    The tea seemed to be working.


    ¡°Just let me finish this and I¡¯ll tell you that scary story.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to.¡±


    ¡°Seriously? Your teacher said¡ª¡±


    ¡°You have filled my craft adequately.¡±


    She shrugged, then winced at the stiffness in her neck and back.


    Hell, her entire body felt like she had been flexing¡­ well¡­ everything.


    ¡°Thanks, kid. Can¡¯t say I enjoyed any of that, but it did give me¡­ insight.¡±


    It was time for her to stop thinking about doing a will and actually get it done.

 10.32

    Manila, Philippines, Summer 2055


    Ryan woke up.


    Drool oozed down the wall.


    He wiped it with his fuzzy sleeve.


    Rubbing his eyes, he stuck the glass to his ate¡¯s door and listened.


    Silence.


    She had been crying a lot earlier and was very mean when he had tried to open her door and give her a hug like one was supposed to do when someone was crying.


    At least that¡¯s what Mommy and Daddy always said.


    The lights in their condo were all on¡­ of course¡­ it was scary otherwise and they weren¡¯t around to make him stay in bed with only the tiny night light that wasn¡¯t nearly enough despite what they said.


    Jennie or Jenevieve as she demanded to be called recently was supposed to keep him safe, but she got in trouble or something.


    Lolo and Lola had been really mad at her.


    He had never seen or heard them like that before.


    It was kinda scary.


    They were all smiley with him like usual, but it was kinda hard to forget how they were spitting fire.


    He got it now, what people meant when they said that.


    The clock said it was really late.


    He wandered into the living room, then the kitchen.


    The food Lola had left for Jennie¡­ er¡­ Jenevieve was still there along with an empty plate.


    That was bad.


    Mommy and Daddy always said it was important to eat when you had the chance because you never knew.


    Never knew what?


    They had never explained when he had asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m bored¡­¡±


    Stupid Jennie was supposed to read him a bed time story.


    He sighed as he considered going next door to second mommy.


    She was always nice, but his stupid baby brother would probably be annoying so he scratched that thought.


    A thought occurred to him.


    ¡°Computer, this is Ryan. I have, um, a question?¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    ¡°Is Tita Madalena home?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Um, okay, thanks.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome, Ryan.¡±


    He yawned and rubbed his eyes to get rid of some of the gunk.


    He wasn¡¯t supposed to leave the condo, but he was bored and he was worried about Jennie cause she hadn¡¯t eaten dinner, which was bad because Mommy and Daddy said they were always supposed to eat when they could, so¡­ he couldn¡¯t get in trouble if he was only going to his tita to get her to help?


    Then she could tuck him into bed and tell him a story, while giving him ice cream, which she did¡­ sometimes.


    He tugged the bunny-eared hood of his onesie over his head and headed out.


    The door handle wasn¡¯t quite as high anymore.


    The chime rang, which made him jump, then freeze.


    Eyes darted down the lit hallways, but no one came running.


    Phew!


    That had been close.


    He darted to the elevator.


    His tita¡¯s condo was a few floors down.


    She lived alone, so she didn¡¯t need a bigger one.


    He was surprised that she was home.


    She was always out somewhere beating up monsters and bad guys, just like his daddy.


    The door to her condo opened with a pull on the handle.


    He liked the handles better than the round knobs.


    Those were harder to turn cause he had to use both hands and sometimes he lost his balance then people laughed at him when he fell.


    So mean sometimes.


    ¡°What the f¡ª¡± Tita Madalena was sitting at her table wearing a towel for some reason, while eating from a tub of ice cream. ¡°What¡¯s a little bunny doing wandering into my home? Is that you, Ry-guy?¡±


    ¡°Um, Ate Jennie was mean. Can you read me a story. She didn¡¯t eat dinner. Can I try that?¡± He pointed.


    ¡°Sugar? This late? I¡¯m not making that mistake again.¡± She laughed.


    He pouted.


    That was fine.


    The ice cream had been a long shot anyways.


    Old people rarely let him eat ice cream when it was really dark.


    ¡°Let me put on some clothes.¡±


    She picked him up and plopped him on her couch before heading to her bedroom.


    It didn¡¯t take long for her to return in a shirt and shorts.


    ¡°So, if I remember correctly, your parents are on their monthly date night?¡±


    ¡°Uh huh.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s this about Jennie¡ª oh, sorry, Jenevieve¡ª don¡¯t tell her I said that.¡± She winked.


    He giggled.


    ¡°Dunno. Lolo and Lola yelled at her and she cried in her room. Then I fell asleep by her door.¡±


    ¡°I think we¡¯re missing chunks of time, little bunny. Lolo and Lola yelled? That¡¯s weird.¡±


    ¡°They were scary.¡± He nodded, eyes wide.


    ¡°They are,¡± she agreed. ¡°You¡¯ll find out like Jenevieve did when you¡¯re older and dumber.¡± She sighed. ¡°I wonder what she did?¡±


    ¡°Dunno.¡± He eyed the tub of ice cream.


    ¡°Did you brush your teeth yet?¡±


    ¡°Noooo?¡±


    ¡°One spoonful.¡±


    She dug a heaping spoonful in the ice cream.


    He chomped down eagerly.


    Cold cream and regret filled him a horrifying second later.


    ¡°Don¡¯t waste it,¡± she warned.


    Down it went.


    One didn¡¯t burn bridges.


    That was another lesson.


    He didn¡¯t really get it.


    Why would one burn a bridge?


    They needed it to cross to other places.


    ¡°It tastes like fish!¡± he shouted.


    A grievance was filed in the back of his thoughts.


    ¡°Fish balls with spicy fish ball sauce flavored,¡± she agreed.


    Why would anyone make that?


    At least he didn¡¯t get too much of the spicy sauce.


    That must¡¯ve been the dark brown syrup he mistook for chocolate.


    ¡°You have your bracelet?¡±


    He pulled his fuzzy sleeze up to show her proudly.


    Another lesson.


    Always have his bracelet and necklace on him at all times.


    Even in the bath.


    ¡°Good little bunny. No one should freak out too much when they find out that you left your condo like you aren¡¯t supposed to.¡±


    He shrank down into the soft couch.


    A sudden yawn accompanied his eyes suddenly feeling heavier all of a sudden.


    ¡°Alright, it¡¯s way past your bed time. Come on.¡±


    Tita Madalena scooped him up and padded to the front door.


    ¡°We¡¯ll brush your teeth and get you that story. I¡¯ll check on your sister. One missed dinner won¡¯t hurt her too badly, so don¡¯t worry about it too much.¡±


    She tugged on a pair of combat-looking boots all while carrying him in one arm as if he weighed nothing, which was true because she was like his daddy, really, really strong.


    He hoped to be as strong or even stronger when he grew up one day.


    They crossed paths with a guard on the way to the elevator.


    ¡°It¡¯s all good, Toni. This brave little bunny was just exploring.¡±


    ¡°Thought so, Madalena, just wanted to make sure. Have a fun adventure, little bunny!¡±


    Ryan nodded shyly.


    He wanted armor like that too one day.


    Dark gray with a flag of yellow, white, red and blue on one shoulder.


    So cool!


    The elevator took them back up to his floor.


    ¡°Why did Lolo and Lola get mad at Ate Jennie?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s in the rebellion phase. I don¡¯t know what she did, but I can guess. Now that she has her powers she¡¯s been chafing at all the rules. I bet she went out to fight monsters.¡±


    ¡°Coo¡ª¡±


    ¡°Not cool, Ry-guy!¡± She wagged a finger. ¡°Very dangerous. Just because we¡¯re harder to hurt doesn¡¯t mean we can¡¯t get hurt. Especially, when she¡¯s just starting.¡± She flexed an impressive bicep. ¡°See this.¡±


    A long scar wrapped down the inside of her entire arm.


    ¡°Super crocodile.¡±


    He shivered.


    Those were like crocodiles, but a lot bigger and a lot smarter.


    ¡°And I¡¯m old.¡±


    He nodded.


    ¡°So, when you get your powers listen to us old people. We know cause we¡¯ve been there and done that.¡±


    The elevator stopped.


    The door to his condo opened at his tita¡¯s touch.


    ¡°Alright, how old are you again?¡±


    ¡°Four?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know how old you are?¡±


    His 4th birthday was about six months ago, so that meant he was just as close to 5 as he was to 4.


    ¡°Four and a half?¡±


    She snorted and poked his fuzzy belly.


    ¡°That means old enough to brush your teeth on your own. Remember, 30 seconds per quadrant. Top and sides. I¡¯ll see what¡¯s up with your sister.¡±


    She put him down.


    He scampered into the bathroom.


    30 seconds, he reminded himself.


    The electric toothbrush stopped on its own, but he counted anyways and was surprised to realize that he counted faster.


    Still, he followed orders and emerged from the bathroom pleased with himself for doing so.


    Tita Madalena was waiting for him outside his sister¡¯s door.


    ¡°She¡¯s asleep. Why don¡¯t you pick out the book you want me to read and get in bed. I¡¯ll put the food away.¡±


    Ryan was crouching in front of his tiny bookshelf when the entire room began to rock violently.


    Alarms blared in the same instant.


    He jolted, tumbling backward like a startled little bunny.


    ¡°Ryan, please step into your emergency suit,¡± the computer said as the wall by his closet slid open and pushed out a Ryan-sized version of the power armor the guards wore.


    Minus the best weapons, of course.


    He struggled with his onesie, but Tita Madalena burst into the room yelling.


    ¡°Wake up, Jennie!¡±


    She tore the fuzzy bunny pajamas like it was made out of the paper and pushed him into the back of the open emergency suit.


    The lights in the HUD turned on as it initialized and he smiled, momentarily forgetting how scared he was.


    His tita didn¡¯t wait.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    She scooped him up and ran into Jennie¡¯s room.


    His older sister was just climbing out of bed, bleary-eyed, her thick black hair a twisted bird¡¯s nest pointing in every direction.


    ¡°Emergency suit. Now.¡± Tita Madalena snapped.


    The shaking had continued the whole time.


    It surged.


    His aunt cursed, reaching for his sister.


    The window exploded inward, showering them with jagged glass.


    Clothes ripped.


    Red splattered on his faceplate.


    Jennie screamed as the strong winds from outside whipped up a veritable tornado in her room.


    A lesser human would¡¯ve been knocked back or even pulled out to fall to their deaths.


    His aunt stood as easily as if she was in a gentle hilltop breeze, like the one¡¯s in Baguio.


    ¡°Putan¡ª¡± Tita Madalena snapped. ¡°Jennie! Stop! Let me see!¡±


    It was a bit awkward for Ryan being carried by his aunt like a forgotten sack of rice, except very, very light.


    His eyes widened when he was brought face to face with his sister.


    Jennie¡¯s face was a mask of red.


    She was screaming.


    ¡°Stop it! Let me see!¡± Tita Madalena grabbed his sister chin and forced her still. ¡°It¡¯s just a cut on your forehead. Remember? Those bleed a lot, but look worse than they are. C¡¯mon, let¡¯s get that cleaned up and you into your emergency suit.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t, Tita! I can walk!¡±


    His aunt picked his sister up with her free arm despite the struggling.


    Jennie was tall for her age at 11, so it looked funny.


    It was weird he wanted to laugh at the sight, but also cry.


    There was a lot of red on Jennie¡¯s face and shirt.


    ¡°There¡¯s glass all over,¡± Tita Madalena said. ¡°Just listen for once. We ne¡ª¡± she froze then practically threw Jennie at the emergency suit by the closet.


    Ryan hadn¡¯t noticed in all the commotion, but golden light shined from outside the window.


    The entire wall vanished with a loud crash.


    A giant of a man hovered wreathed in a nimbus of golden light.


    Skin as black as night with bulging muscles that made Ryan¡¯s dad¡¯s look small.


    It was weird that the man wasn¡¯t wearing armor. Just a skirt and sleeveless shirt that looked weird because only girls wore skirts, right?


    Oh?


    That wasn¡¯t exactly right.


    Ryan noticed it late, but the man had a black helmet on his head that was weird cause it was long and bulbous.


    ¡°Does he have a weird head, Tita?¡± he whispered before he realized he should probably be quiet.


    The man laughed. ¡°I don¡¯t, smol one¡­ is that correct? I¡¯ve been immersing myself in the culture of this world, well, specifically American culture.¡±


    ¡°Demigod outside Jennie¡¯s room,¡± Tita Madalena said in a tone Ryan didn¡¯t recognize. She turned her body so that he was blocked from the demigod¡¯s view.


    ¡°Ah! A young maiden on the cusp. Like a flower soon to bloom.¡±


    Jennie finished getting into her emergency suit and scrambled back behind Tita Madalena.


    ¡°Gross! Perv!¡±


    His sister shot the demigod a finger that she would get in trouble for.


    ¡°Yes¡­ I see that came out in a way that I didn¡¯t intend.¡±


    Jennie took him from their tita and inched her way back to the door.


    ¡°Madalena. You¡¯re on my list. Come peacefully. All you have to do is answer questions truthfully and your stay will be like a vacation, to use a term you¡¯re familiar with. On my honor, you will not be harmed in any way.¡±


    Golden eyes fell on Jennie and him.


    It felt like they saw right through the armor and into him.


    He would be ashamed to say that he wet himself for the first time in a long time since he had learned to use the potty like a big kid.


    ¡°Apologies, smol one, but when one comes across griffin chicks, one can¡¯t only take one, he must take the whole nest, for he knows not when such an opportunity may arise again.¡± The demigod¡¯s gaze lasered into Madelena. ¡°An addendum. Come peacefully. If not for your sake, then do it for the little ones. For they will be right there with you the whole way. Thus¡ª¡±


    ¡°Target locked.¡±


    Ryan jolted at the words in his helmet, but they weren¡¯t meant for him.


    For some reason he was being looped into the main channel.


    ¡°Firing!¡±


    The demigod¡¯s eyes narrowed a fraction before he vanished from their view in a cloud of fire.


    Tita Madalena pushed them into the hallway, fire licking at her back.


    ¡°Go! Go! Go!¡±


    They made it out of the condo and into the hallway when the upper part of the high-rise began to slide.


    <hr>


    He perched on the edge of a moderately tall building like a brooding gargoyle invisible to mortal eyes.


    The protective sigils on every wall in sight were just as impossible to see for him, but he knew they were there.


    Mages could see them with effort, which, apparently was a sign of great magical power and equally skilled technique since sigils, wards and what not could be made invisible to all eyes.


    The caster had to put extra effort to conceal them from mundane sight, let alone magic or Skill-enhanced sight.


    The people of the city were lax with their security.


    Anyone human could just walk into any restaurant, store or building.


    Hell, he even saw tiny groups of those weird cow-centaur people mingling outside the bars where the sidewalk and part of the street had been converted to host their massive size.


    Everyone seemed so happy.


    Not a single fight had broken out under his gaze.


    But, the night was young.


    The crazy shit didn¡¯t really start until after midnight.


    A wide-ish street demarcated an interesting contrast.


    One side was lit bright with garish colors as music blared and people conversed.


    The other was quiet. Street lights and the occasional light in the windows of the apartments above the first level.


    The blocks in this part of Manila tended to that layout.


    Commercial and entertainment at ground level.


    Homes above.


    Although, why anyone would want to live above a noisy bar when they had an abundance of choice in other parts of the metropolitan area escaped him.


    ¡°In position.¡± The voice whispered in his magic ear piece.


    He still wasn¡¯t used to the warm feeling radiating into his ear canal from the weird organ.


    Slick and slimy, it felt as disgusting as it looked.


    Sadly, comms would¡¯ve been impossible without them due to the interference the large, floating pustules they had seeded in the clouds a few moments before the demigod had opened the portals to transit them from halfway across the planet in an instant.


    It had been a closely run thing.


    Powerful anti-portal magic had drained the demigod and drastically cut down the number of portals he had been able to create, which meant the list of names they were after had been shortened.


    Lt. Death¡¯s Dancer wasn¡¯t happy about the mission despite the Quests and rewards he had pending for a successful execution.


    Kidnapping civilians for interrogation wasn¡¯t¡ª


    He ground his teeth.


    His dentist had been on his back about that.


    He had chewed through dozens of night mouth guards in as many weeks even with only sleeping the bare minimum amount of hours.


    The ops they were doing or planned to do had been slipping down that ethical slope ever since the demigod had arrived and taken over things.


    Now?


    He felt like he was on the leading wave of an avalanche.


    And the foot of the mountain was still too far for even him to see.


    ¡°Front door warded. Deploying countermeasures.¡±


    ¡°Hold it! Sleeping gas spell isn¡¯t working!¡±


    Light flashed to the north.


    A cluster of skyscrapers.


    The booming blastwave shattered the night¡¯s joy a second later.


    The planned distraction was on schedule.


    His team was not.


    The people below scattered like their hive had just been kicked open.


    They moved with purpose more than panic.


    He nodded appreciatively as he broke comms silence.


    ¡°Break it down.¡±


    He met the team on the roof of the apartment to take the hand-off.


    They had literally bagged the old man on account of him being ancient and frail.


    Being manhandled without the partial stasis effect enchanted into the literal body bag might¡¯ve caused the old man¡¯s heart to burst, let alone breaking a hip or shoulder if Death¡¯s Dancer wasn¡¯t perfectly gentle.


    ¡°Boosting.¡± Lt. Allen said. The mage wiggled her fingers over the special forces squad. ¡°Haste. Aspect of the Cougar.¡±


    Snickers.


    ¡°Shut it, corporal! That stopped being funny months ago.¡± Death¡¯s Dancer felt the magic wash over him. Due to his superior physicals the spells only had a minor effect on him. Not that he needed them anyways. In fact, he¡¯d have still have to slow down to let the rest of the team keep up.


    They ran and leapt across the rooftops as fast as cars.


    The added aspect gave his fellow soldiers just enough on top of their own Skills to handle the stress on their bones and muscles.


    The evac point was a few clicks to the east in a sparsely populated area of the metropolis.


    A winged Eidolon of Ekra rose from a crouch on the church rooftop like some nightmarish gargoyle.


    This one was a lot scarier than the ones he had gotten used to.


    Less bird-like and more like said gargoyles.


    The eidolon landed with a thud that cracked the asphalt.


    ¡°You have the target.¡±


    True to form the towering man spoke like he gargled rocks.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Death¡¯s Dancer handed the bagged old man over.


    ¡°Then take the next on your list. I shall deliver this one.¡±


    Huge gray wings unfurled only to be ripped to shreds the next instant.


    ¡°Contact!¡±


    The eidolon rose regardless, propelled by magic that thrust him skyward.


    A bright, burning comet met him in the dark.


    Shit!


    The explosion rocked the sky.


    Superhuman eyes tracked the black bag as it plummeted.


    Stasis enchantment or not, a fall from that height wasn¡¯t survivable even for a healthy man in the prime of his life.


    Death¡¯s Dancer leapt¡ª


    Right into a boot to the skull-masked face.


    A blur of fists and feet pummeled him all the way to the ground.


    His team¡ª


    ¡°They are dead.¡±


    A husky voice in the shadows.


    His team stood just outside the circle of light provided by a street lamp.


    They fell suddenly, crumpling to the ground like puppets deprived of their strings.


    A flash of movement.


    The most beautiful woman in the world he had ever laid eyes on stepped into the light, into the midst of his dead team.


    Dark brown skin glistened like that fancy expensive wood.


    Mane of lustrous silver hair waved in the non-existent breeze.


    She licked wet red from her fingers, then her lips in a way that had his loins stirring in a most unprofessional way.


    Mouth gone dry, he forced himself to aim his custom gun toward her heaving breasts.


    The thin nightgown left little to the imagination.


    No bra¡­ yet¡ª


    He shook his head.


    People could get all sorts of enhancements that made them look perfectly natural and perfectly perky¡­ at any size.


    Then there was magic bullshit, which the woman stank of.


    Yeah¡­


    The only reason he wasn¡¯t groveling at her perfect little red-painted toes was because as a superhuman he was more resistant to charm effects than normal humans.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got him.¡±


    The one that knocked the eidolon out of the sky to land somewhere several clicks away and hit him over a dozen times in a second landed next to the super hot woman.


    She lay the black bag gently on the ground.


    ¡°Hurry, little comet. I sense magic, but I don¡¯t know what exactly it¡¯s supposed to do to him,¡± the super hot woman said.


    ¡°It¡¯s a minor stasis enchantment. Supposed to keep him mostly safe.¡± The words were out of his mouth before he could consider the wisdom of their utterance.


    ¡°Quiet, soldier!¡± she hissed, baring distinctly fang-like canine teeth.


    It clicked then.


    The list.


    Many names.


    The old man.


    ¡°Dr. Rufo? Shit¡ª¡± the young woman in the familiar armor had unzipped the bag to reveal the old man.


    More like ancient.


    Death¡¯s Dancer had been surprised to see someone at that age.


    In his experience, people didn¡¯t grow that old.


    The young woman felt around the old man¡¯s neck and placed a palm on his chest.


    ¡°It¡¯s weak.¡±


    ¡°Zip him back up.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Did you shut your helmet¡¯s audio off, cometling?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not even a word.¡±


    ¡°Then listen and obey.¡± The super hot woman turned a sultry gaze on him. ¡°Young people these days. No respect for their elders.¡±


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to be Cherry? No known last name?¡±


    The list had a lot of names.


    Only a few marked as very important.


    The rest had an ancillary value, but the few were what the demigod wanted.


    Naturally, the explanation had ended there.


    The ancient doctor was actually the easiest target on account of where he lived and his physical condition.


    The rest lived in better protected places and were dangerous on their own.


    ¡°If I was?¡±


    Well?


    That was the question.


    Orders were orders.


    But¡­


    He glanced at the doctor.


    He had a sense about such things.


    Despite the precautions they had taken with his health, time was running out.


    An interrogation, no matter how gentle, wasn¡¯t something a man in his condition could endure more than once.


    Frankly, Death¡¯s Dancer would¡¯ve put a year¡¯s salary on the old man¡¯s heart giving out within minutes.


    He realized his own heart wasn¡¯t in it.


    Despite his dead team at their killer¡¯s dainty little feet, he couldn¡¯t hear the fight¡¯s call.


    Orders?


    There wasn¡¯t anything about fulfilling the mission at all costs.


    He could try, but a fight between the three of them would¡¯ve likely turned the old man into collateral damage.


    Thus, logically speaking he couldn¡¯t complete the mission by fighting.


    This Cherry was marked as a high tier danger.


    More than even him.


    Add in the other woman¡­


    ¡°Parlay?¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°Mmmm¡­¡± she drew it out tantalitzingly, once again licking her ruby red lips with that alluring tongue¡ª


    Jesus Christ! Don¡¯t look at any single part of her! Don¡¯t focus! See the whole! he thought.


    For obvious reasons he couldn¡¯t exactly take his eyes off her.


    He felt like a split-second inattention would be all she needed.


    It was rare that he felt himself on the wrong side of what he usually delivered to others.


    ¡°Very well. What do you have to say for yourself, young soldier?¡±


    Young?


    He wasn¡¯t young.


    Too distracting.


    Focus!


    ¡°You leave with your doctor. I leave with my team.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    That was too quick.


    The young woman looked like she was about to argue, but was silenced with a side-eyed glance.


    ¡°If I see you again in our home there will be no bargain,¡± the super hot woman said.


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    He blinked.


    They vanished without a trace.


    Like it had all been a vague, hazy dream that he had just been jolted from.


    His dead team, however, was very real.


    ¡°Damn it.¡±


    Letters. Visits to families. Funerals.


    He felt¡ª


    What did he feel?


    Tired?


    Yeah.


    Bone-deep fatigue.


    The kind that seemed to have no end.


    A dark tunnel with a light at the other end that only ever grew dimmer.


    He pulled out the artifact and activated the emergency portal.


    One by one he pushed his teammates through before following.


    Command could complain all they wanted about him coming back with a single name on the list.


    He truly no longer cared.


    They watched the big soldier depart through the golden gateway from several blocks away on a silent rooftop.


    Elsewhere, closer to the center of their power the dark sky was lit up by bright flashes and explosions that reached them even where they were.


    Bei regarded Cherry with narrowed eyes before handing over Dr. Rufo in the body bag.


    It felt wrong to keep a living man in a container for the dead.


    Like she was tempting fate.


    An ominous one.


    ¡°He will be okay,¡± Cherry said. ¡°Go and help. I know you want to.¡±


    ¡°You can help too.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a lover, not a fighter.¡±


    Bei¡¯s gaze narrowed to a blade-like edge.


    As if the gabunan hadn¡¯t just killed an entire team of elite special forces with one hand of fingers lengthened and sharpened to a razor¡¯s edge until they could cut better than any mundane blade and many enchanted ones.


    Cherry rolled her predator eyes.


    ¡°The doctor¡¯s time was already short before those puta¡ª he needs me more.¡±


    ¡°He said something about a list. You and the doctor are on it. Who else? Why? You should¡ª¡±


    ¡°I can hide us better than anyone else and if that was true, which it was, then we shouldn¡¯t be with others on the list.¡± Cherry regarded the distant battle. ¡°If me and Dr. Rufo are on the list, then I can take a good guess at the other names.¡±


    ¡°Well?¡±


    ¡°If you want to help, then go there as fast as you can. Phillip, Madalena and Lilah will be high on that list¡­ if I had to guess.¡± She gave Bei a fanged smile. ¡°Hurry along, little comet. But be careful. If they sent Death¡¯s Dancer after Dr. Rufo, well, you seem smart enough. At least when you aren¡¯t in your battle crazy phase¡­ young ladies today, in my day we were crazy about boys¡ª¡±


    Bei cut her off with a chop across air.


    Strong and sudden enough to send a gust of wind across the rooftop.


    ¡°That¡¯s not any better.¡± She regarded the blood-drinker. ¡°Be careful. Like you said, if they sent Death¡¯s Dancer after the doctor. Who¡¯d they send after you?¡±

 10.33

    Death.


    A constant companion.


    Suiteonemiades remembered.


    A thousand years hadn¡¯t dimmed the memory.


    He would never allow it.


    Death.


    A distant friend one met at the end of a long road.


    An unwelcome bandit with a blade at the beginning.


    He remembered it well.


    Autumn waves, soft and silky with the scents of the forest.


    Strong arms holding him close, but not strong enough to keep him in the warm embrace.


    A mother¡¯s love.


    A mother¡¯s disappointment.


    He remembered despite the harsh taskmasters¡¯ efforts to drive all traces of softness from his childhood.


    ¡°I am my father¡¯s son, after all¡­ sorry for the ten thousandth time, mother.¡±


    The dark sky was awash with fire.


    Skyships dueled with his aerial forces.


    The harpies deserved better, but then again all the servant species of the Gods deserved better.


    From the lowliest thrall to the mightiest demigod.


    It didn¡¯t matter how close one was to divinity.


    They all served at the whims of the pantheon.


    He remembered the lesson well.


    The tall building shimmered with a forcefield.


    God-like eyes revealed multiple layers.


    Magic, science, a combination of the two.


    Redundancy at the cost of singular strength.


    Granted the humans of this world were new to the spires, which made them weak.


    A single barrier mage or defender at over Level 70 could create stronger without the need for the roomfuls of enchanted items, devices and machinery.


    ¡°The structure¡¯s skeleton is made of better metal. Hmm, steel as the base, but altered for greater strength against all potential stressors.¡±


    That¡ª


    Typically, took powerful magic or Skills and yet, he detected neither at work.


    It looked like a normal alloy.


    He supposed being on the so-called Ring of Fire meant they had to build their structures to be proof against earthquakes.


    The structures of his erstwhile allies were nowhere near as stout.


    Regardless, it didn¡¯t matter all that much.


    Not with the divine energy at his disposal.


    Ironic, that which he hated so much suffused every cell in his body such that to have it removed would mean an instant death, crumbling to the dust of mortality.


    Doubly so, that it was the instrument with which he¡¯d achieve his singular goal.


    A blade of golden energy emerged from his hand, growing and growing until it could be seen from kilometers away, a structure in its own right.


    The enemy saw it. Undoubtedly realized the threat.


    They¡¯d be fools not to.


    Fire came for him then.


    Thumping projectiles from the skyships.


    Missiles and lasers from the tall building in his sights and the surrounding ones.


    Spells and Skills from the tiny ants on the streets and rooftops.


    The harpies swooped down to protect him with their own spells, Skills and ancient artifacts released from the Gods¡¯ vaults.


    They really wanted to seize this Terminus World.


    What better outpost to launch their unending hunger for worship to an uncountable number of new worlds?


    Better yet, to be able to strike deep into the core worlds of their myriad enemies.


    Granted, what was good for them was just as good for said enemies.


    Truth be told, he expected that there would be no true resolution to the matter of Earth¡ª the word brought a smile¡ª to name one¡¯s world after the dirt it was made of was silly. Although, not that rare from his experience. However, natives typically changed their world¡¯s name into something a bit more impressive or apt to their people when they realized that.


    ¡°Clear my blade¡¯s path.¡±


    The harpies obeyed.


    He swung.


    High to low on the diagonal.


    The building¡¯s forcefields broke in succession.


    Glass screamed.


    The super steel shrieked.


    Resistance.


    More than he expected.


    But, giving way in the end.


    He dismissed the blade the instant it carved through the other side.


    The top of the building began to slide.


    5 floors at the shortest portion of his cut. 10 at the longest.


    He felt power from one of the upper floors surge.


    ¡°The battle is yours to conduct as planned, Aerie Queen Glylethe.¡±


    His answer was a screech from somewhere in the clouds.


    Good enough for him.


    They didn¡¯t matter anyways¡ª well, that wasn¡¯t entirely accurate.


    They mattered, but secondary to his primary Quest.


    Charming little things.


    Rewards had lost meaning for him centuries ago.


    Why, it¡¯d take something as monumental as slaying a God to stir the loins, metaphorical speaking.


    He crashed into the building, leaving faint golden trails in his wake.


    Just in time too as a rainbow-colored forcefield appeared to hold the building together, at least for the moment.


    He had a long list thanks to the sacrifice of those precious young things.


    A few even survived.


    If they could manage to pull their shattered minds back together then they could, indeed, serve as the foundation stones for Earth¡¯s own Mt. Eboephe.


    He took a small bit of satisfaction in not being a liar.


    Kerkestis was an eidolon.


    A lesser being to a demigod.


    Most of his half-siblings and cousins would think nothing of lying to her, let alone the mortals because that was their due.


    Oh, how he hated that.


    Almost as much as he hated himself¡­ but not nearly as much as he hated his father.


    Speaking of fathers¡­ Phillip Cruces was above.


    Reinforced floors might as well have been paper.


    An instant to fly through them.


    But that was too easy.


    He wanted lasting impact on as many people as possible.


    To paved a dozen roads to his goal.


    He used his divine senses.


    Their hearts hammered like the drums of war, pushing the blood through dilated vessels like the river beneath a suddenly broken dam.


    To run or fight.


    The same song he had heard on an uncountable number of battles across the centuries.


    The sigilist woman was well below.


    People flocked to her and a very stout bunker in the middle of the building that was built with magic and science to survive the utter ruin of everything around it.


    Fortune favored her this night.


    He wanted death, but not the indiscriminate kind favored by his kind.


    As always, each death at his hands needed to push toward his singular goal.


    To treat them as scrap paper dishonored their existence, even though they were as fleeting as the last snowfall of the winter when the bright sun of spring peeked just over the horizon.


    He had taken 12 lives already with a single slash.


    His forces would take more, but they would fall in turn to balance the scales.


    ¡°Mother¡­¡± he whispered. ¡°Would I do to them what was done to us?¡±


    That sort of hatred would never die.


    He attested to that.


    Over a thousand years and all the godly benefits he had accrued had done nothing to dampen the flames in his gold-cursed soul.


    He hadn¡¯t decided before arriving.


    ¡°Do as planned. If an opportunity opens¡­¡±


    The one named Madalena was the closest.


    His initial target.


    The woman wasn¡¯t alone.


    Two small ones were still with her, sharing similar genetic auras.


    There were more people on the same floor, but they were irrelevant.


    Except, perhaps the other child with the similar aura.


    Reinforced floors, ceilings and walls meant nothing to his divinely-gifted aura.


    Was it much of a gift when all his godly father had to do was force himself upon his mother?


    Bitter thoughts a thousand years old, yet as fresh as they always had been had no place on a battlefield.


    His so-called tutors had beaten that into him from the moment he had been stolen from his mother.


    Focus flowed from his core like the roiling surface of the ocean unnaturally becalmed in an impossible instant.


    The building and its contents disintegrated as he floated toward his target.


    He knifed into people¡¯s homes.


    Furniture vanished into ash.


    Pictures on the walls weren¡¯t spared.


    Smiling people.


    Happy people.


    Alive or dead?


    He supposed he¡¯d never know.


    Perhaps they were enjoying the city¡¯s night attractions and were now rushing to one of the emergency shelters or seeking other means to save themselves from his attack.


    The further away from this building, the greater their chances.


    This wasn¡¯t total war.


    It was a surgical strike.


    The thin blade slid between a gap in the armor. Under the arm or in an eye.


    He found them in a hallway strewn with debris.


    The large gash he had made was visible at the other end.


    He wondered how long the mother could hold the weight together.


    ¡°Madalena. Little Jennie and little Ryan, was it?¡±


    Adorable in their copies of adult armor.


    A pity they had to endure such a traumatic event.


    He could empathize.


    Such an event, quite similar, objectively speaking, had made him the demigod he was today.


    ¡°I have changed my mind. Madalena, surrender and the smol ones may go.¡±


    The woman was pleasing to even a demigod¡¯s eyes.


    Strong, athletic.


    A proper warrior¡¯s form.


    She glared at him like a dangerous jungle cat.


    The large kind.


    She tensed, then relaxed suddenly.


    ¡°Jennie, take your brother and hurry downstairs. You know where and what to do, right?¡±


    The girl child glared at him like a less dangerous jungle cat.


    The small kind.


    ¡°Jennie!¡± Madalena snapped her fingers like a gunshot.


    ¡°I can help,¡± Jennie said.


    ¡°No you cannot, smol one.¡± He added helpfully. ¡°It is too early for you to be throwing yourself into real battles because you can die in them. They don¡¯t care that you are only a child. They never care about that.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk to her,¡± Madalena said flatly.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    ¡°Make your decision quickly.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll agree if you swear to let them go. To let everyone go.¡±


    ¡°Not everyone. Just those not on my list. Which is most everyone, so¡­¡± he shrugged. ¡°I accept your condition.¡±


    The clock¡¯s hands ticked in his head.


    How much time until the fighters arrived?


    The father and mother from above?


    He imagined many of the stronger fighters were on the other side of the mother¡¯s forcefield fighting his forces.


    ¡°Jennie, knock on the doors. Tell everyone you can find that they have to go and fast. No time to waste.¡± Madalena eyed him. ¡°Move back.¡± She gestured to the large hole in the wall he had emerged through. ¡°You¡¯re blocking the stairs.¡±


    Fair.


    He floated back into the home.


    The floor had disintegrated, revealing people staring up at him with wide eyes and weapons in their hands.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do it. I assure you, even Skill-enhanced or enchanted, your bullets will just bounce right off me. I know your classes and levels. Not nearly enough. But, rejoice! For Madalena has bargained a chance for you to get to safety. Tell everyone. You may flee to that emergency bunker. But, hurry! For I did slice through your building and the mother can only hold it together for so long.¡±


    Probably a long time if he allowed her.


    The people listened.


    The people ran.


    Little Jennie did the same in gathering the survivors on the floor.


    Good spirit in that one.


    It took one to glare at a demigod.


    Bloody and bruised, they rushed into the stairwell.


    He sincerely hoped that they would make it to the bunker.


    Perhaps, the youngest among them would swear vengeance upon him and, by extension, his father.


    They¡¯d use the trauma he inflicted to fuel their hatred.


    To rise in strength and levels.


    One in a million might even reach the Gods.


    At the last, only Madalena and the two kids remained.


    He cut through the argument.


    The clock continued to tick after all.


    ¡°Children. I am Suiteonemiades. Son of Suiteonem, arrogant God of sudden violence and wrath among other things. All I do is in his name. You may run away and hide, but there is no escaping his name.¡±


    One singular goal.


    Many paths to the place he desired.


    So many he had seeded across the worlds like the fruit of his father¡¯s precious tree.


    Madalena shoved the kids down the stairs.


    The boy cried like he should.


    The girl glared at him one last time before lifting her brother like a sack of apples and jumping over the railing.


    Well¡­ that was one way to get to safety quickly.


    Ah!


    Such precocious youth!


    He really hoped little Jennie would use this to grow into a fearsome warrior.


    ¡°What do you want with me?¡± Madalena said.


    ¡°For now? To wait.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t portal out.¡±


    ¡°Sharp eyes, sharper mind. But, don¡¯t make a mistake. What is that saying the American¡¯s like to say? Ah, yes, don¡¯t fumble the pigskin at the line of goal. Their safety is contingent on your cooperation. To answer your question? Well, I have questions for you to answer. I can¡¯t say it won¡¯t be unpleasant, but I swear on my mother¡¯s name that you will be treated with dignity and respect. I strive to act differently from my half-siblings and cousins. Let alone the standard soldier.¡±


    ¡°So, no rape.¡±


    Her tone suggested that she wasn¡¯t concerned.


    To be fair she was more than capable of beating every American soldier to death without much difficult with a handful of exceptions.


    From what he saw with his divinely-empowered eyes she was physically stronger than Death¡¯s Dancer, but significantly weaker than Captain Patriot.


    ¡°I don¡¯t allow it. No inappropriate touching. No torture. The crown will be painful, I won¡¯t lie, but not life-threatening if you don¡¯t resist.¡±


    ¡°So, I answer questions. Then what? I¡¯m a prisoner? Hostage?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct. I imagine your cousin will negotiate for your release.¡±


    Her gaze cut.


    ¡°Yes. He has done a magnificent job of smearing the glass for the rest of them. But not for me. I know who you are. All of you. To his credit, it took a lot of time and effort to piece things together. A giant puzzle, but I¡¯m finding there are puzzles within said puzzle. So, here I am to find more pieces. You¡¯re going to help me do that and put them together to complete the picture I want to see.¡±


    She crossed her arms and glared.


    He loomed as was his wont.


    It was hard to avoid when he was almost 2.5 meters tall of hard muscle with shoulders too broad to get through an Earth doorway without turning sideways.


    ¡°You gave your word,¡± he warned. ¡°I¡¯m reasonable, but I intend to force you to keep it if I am to do the same. That means those people I let go to safety¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut the fuck up! I know!¡± she snapped.


    ¡°You will take care with your words. I am not like most demigods, but I still demand respect. I return what I¡¯m given.¡±


    ¡°I heard there were a couple of others with you? What happened to them?¡±


    ¡°Dead! Thanks to your cousin! Let me tell you¡­ that really angered their parents. Not that they cared, I don¡¯t believe the Gods care for any of us as individuals. We¡¯re investments, precious tools with which to wield their power on a larger stage.¡±


    ¡°So? They shouldn¡¯t have sent them here. Maybe, all of you should just leave. What kind of imperialist dicks are you?¡±


    ¡°Those terms aren¡¯t mutually exclusive. In fact, I find them to be synonymous from my experience. But, what do I know? I¡¯ve only been around for about a thousand years.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re full of shit.¡±


    ¡°Not as such. I can be when I need to remind myself of my mortality, but it is less convenient to allow my body¡¯s mortal functions to, well, function.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Eating is optional. If I do, I can will the energy in my cells to absorb everything. There is no waste in that case.¡±


    ¡°Listen, I don¡¯t care about this trying to be normal thing you¡¯re trying to fool me with,¡± Madalena said. ¡°I agreed to keep them safe. So, as long as you do that, then I¡¯m surrendered.¡±


    ¡°However?¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t make that deal with everyone in this building.¡±


    The clock ticked.


    The people were still a few floors away from their precious safety bunker.


    ¡°I promised I wouldn¡¯t harm them¡­ intentionally.¡±


    ¡°You¡ª¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t be expected to protect my enemy on the battlefield. If you want a better guarantee of safety, then tell your fighters to stand down. You can sacrifice for all those innocent people. Mothers with their children. So scared. So hopeful that their heroes will keep them safe. You¡¯re one of those, aren¡¯t you? So, Madalena, keep them safe. I¡¯ll allow it.¡±


    ¡°¡­ keep him talking¡­¡±


    He had been listening in on their communications.


    His relic had disrupted their technological means, so they had switched to purely magical.


    That represented the only threat in the area he was wary about.


    The archwizard of unknown level and species had a building in a different part of the city.


    A school?


    It was hard to tell.


    Scrying and oracular means had failed to reveal anything beyond her class, but even that information was questionable.


    The best clue had been the wizards working with Cruces.


    The spellbooks were a dead giveaway.


    They were exceedingly rare on this world and the ones in the wild, so to speak, were of decidedly lesser quality than those observed wielded by Cruces¡¯ wizards.


    Still, as long as he kept his distance from that individual and didn¡¯t cause too many collateral deaths his projections suggested they wouldn¡¯t interfere with their full capability.


    ¡°You can hear them, can¡¯t you?¡±


    Perceptive woman.


    He merely raised a brow.


    She sighed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t attack. There are people still on the stairs.¡±


    To her credit the voice on the other end of the tiny magic crystal in Madalena¡¯s ear immediately went silent.


    He pointed a finger at the wall.


    ¡°The clock ticks for all of us.¡±


    A thin beam of golden energy lanced out.


    The reinforced wall vaporized in an instant.


    A head-sized circle, perfectly cut, revealed a shimmering forcefield of many hues.


    He fired again, maintaining it steadily this time.


    ¡°Which of ours will hit their marked time first? Will the innocent reach safety¡ª¡± he saw an unhappy sight through his divine senses. Down at the bunker. One of said innocents had been a lot faster than the rest. ¡°Unfortunate,¡± he sighed. ¡°Will they be safe? Will the mother fail in her duty to protect like mine did? Or will the power of my father triumph.¡± He spat the last words.


    Madalena tensed.


    ¡°Remember your words,¡± he said flatly.


    ¡°¡­ breaching! Retreat, Madalena! They¡¯ll be protected!¡±


    ¡°They, you, will re-live this moment with regret and self-hatred.¡± He spoke from experience. It had always been important to him, to be mindful of that. It had taken him two centuries to re-learn his empathy. ¡°For the innocent always suffer the worst from our kind¡¯s actions.¡± He thrust his other hand down at the gaping hole he floated above.


    Madalena leapt, clinging to it with her superstrong arms while wrapping her legs around it and over his chest and face.


    She stretched violently, pulling back with her arms and body, while pushing up with her hips and down with her legs.


    A perfect armbar with the strength to bend the thickest of iron bars.


    Insignificant.


    His arm didn¡¯t move.


    He blasted golden energy.


    It tore through reinforced floors and ceilings.


    Dozens of them.


    Into the stairwell.


    Magic shields.


    Technological shields.


    A mixture.


    The promised protection.


    Woefully insufficient.


    The innocent¡¯s guardians failed them.


    Lives snuffed in an instant of bright, searing gold.


    ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°All you had to do was stick to your agreement for just a little bit longer. They were less than two minutes away from safety.¡±


    Madalena kicked him in the face with a roar.


    He shook her off like she was an angry kitten, sending her crashing through several ruined homes.


    ¡°I suppose I can¡¯t blame you. Someone else made the call. Regardless, nothing changes. My promises regarding your honorable treatment remain. I¡¯m not a lesser demigod that would act out of petty spite because you ¡®lesser¡¯ beings failed to prostrate yourself at my divine toenails.¡±


    ¡°Murderer!¡±


    Madalena leapt at him with a raised fist.


    ¡°Is it murder in war? If it helps. I didn¡¯t kill all of them. Some survived.¡±


    More paths seeded.


    Yes, grow stronger in your hate for me and my father, he thought bitterly.


    He caught her fist.


    Like a child¡¯s, for all that she had a heroic build across human standards in many worlds and cultures.


    The guards finally attacked from above, below and the front.


    Pinpoint accuracy through the ceiling, walls and floor with their weapons splashed against his golden forcefield, extended to include the woman.


    Though he needn¡¯t have bothered to protect her judging by the trajectory of the bullets, arrows and spells.


    He had to admit that it was well-done.


    No area of effect in any of their attacks.


    ¡°Such wonderful armor, the Threnium.¡±


    A resource to secure in another decade or five.


    Control and precision were in order.


    It was only fair to meet the enemy as they met him, especially, in their home.


    Darts of divine energy coalesced in front of his eyes.


    Golden eyes twitched rapidly, marking each target regardless of their cover.


    Over a hundred darts whistled away.


    Shields held for a moment.


    Armor longer.


    ¡°No!¡± Madalena flailed at his arm, landing thunderous blows that annoyed, but didn¡¯t bother.


    Threnium was a fine material.


    Analogous to adamant, but clearly easier to find, produce and work with judging by its ubiquitous nature.


    It actually took effort for him to pierce it.


    All the while he poured energy into the thin beam digging into the rainbow-hued forcefield preventing him from opening a portal.


    The woman tried to pry a finger off.


    ¡°More strength in a single one than you have in a whole hand. But, feel free to resist if only for your pride. I won¡¯t begrudge it.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t unfamiliar with powerlessness.


    But that was a long time ago.


    He flashed power with a stare.


    Right down to the bunker.


    The mother¡¯s forcefield was only around the exterior of the building, keeping the upper floors from sliding along his perfect cut.


    As he had proved already, their reinforcements to the floors and ceilings were as thin as paper to him.


    Golden light splashed against the top of the emergency bunker set in the middle floors of the building.


    A symbol he didn¡¯t understand flared yellow light in response.


    ¡°Ah, Lilah. That¡¯s her name, correct?¡±


    He knew exactly, but there were many levels to a fight.


    Words wounded, sometimes deeper than any weapon or magic.


    He watched Madalena¡¯s face go blank.


    Practiced to give away nothing.


    Commendable.


    If he was a few centuries younger he could almost believe that the woman didn¡¯t recognize the name he had thrown out as a lure.


    ¡°The sigilist? She¡¯s also on my list. I might consider leaving you in exchange for her. No?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve already got me. Just shut up and leave!¡± she snapped.


    ¡°Like all lists, mine is arranged by order of importance. You aren¡¯t at the top.¡±


    ¡°Well, too bad, cause you¡¯re not getting anyone else.¡± She reached back and grabbed the end of a couch from where it hung precariously over the hole in the floor.


    Wood shattered and metal crumpled around the side of his body.


    ¡°Ouch.¡±


    She stabbed a jagged, arm-sized splinter against his wrist pulverizing it¡­ the splinter, not his wrist.


    The clock ticked.


    The mother was proving stronger than he had projected.


    ¡°Aerie Queen, please direct a portion of your forces to focus their fire on the colorful forcefield.¡± He paused. ¡°A measured attack, of course. Don¡¯t sacrifice elsewhere in your battle.¡± Clarification was necessary because the harpies, loyal and exploited as they were, would be overzealous in their desire to carry out the Gods¡¯ will as embodied by him.


    Dull thuds echoed, sending a shiver through the walls.


    ¡°Can she handle it from both sides?¡± He raised a brow.


    Madalena hurled the splinter in his face.


    Well-aimed, but his perceptions were singing like a choir with the divine energy he was pushing through every aspect of his physical being.


    A lesser demigod would¡¯ve already run out.


    ¡°Let. Her. Go!¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ the hands turn to an ominous time once again.¡±


    He tossed Madalena down through the hole, several floors in darkness.


    If he had read the woman correctly there would be no need to chase after her.


    An armored fist cracked against the golden forcefield.


    The father had shot from directly above with alacrity through everything in his path.


    It only made sense that strength often equated with speed.


    Suiteonemiades flared a burst of golden energy.


    The father¡¯s shields flashed.


    Dark gray Threnium ablated.


    A red laser responded, lancing from the emitter on the father¡¯s helmet.


    Blinding against the gold.


    Stars burst around him.


    Smoke filled the space.


    Every weapon in the father¡¯s armor unleashed.


    Good tactical awareness.


    What was the benefit to saving them when he could destroy them all with a few burst of divine power?


    ¡°¡­ open it when I say¡­¡±


    ¡°Phillip Cruces. I offer you the same bargain that Madalena accepted. You were listening so there¡¯s no need to repeat it. Except,¡± he held up a finger, ¡°for one addendum. Come peacefully and I shall recall the creature I sent after your wife. Now that you¡¯re down here she¡¯s rather vulnerable, isn¡¯t she?¡±


    The father was strong, built like a hero of antiquity despite his advanced age for an Earth human.


    He saw the century or two ahead for the man, assuming Phillip didn¡¯t meet with violent misfortune.


    Dark gray armor steamed from the weapons discharges and the damage.


    ¡°I¡¯ll help Lola!¡±


    The father¡ª the grandfather¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°Jennie! No! Get back down to the bunker!¡±


    ¡°Ah, youth! Every mortal child an immortal. Said by many of my kind. Not with fondness, of course, but with a sneer. So, an additional addendum is in order in light of recent developments. Your wife and granddaughter. Your cooperation for their lives.¡±


    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll surrender. Call of your attack. No else from your list. Just me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a good father, Phillip Cruces. It¡¯s easy to see why your children are so soft. But, you¡¯re in no position to press terms. Now, remove your armor and put these on.¡±


    Adamantine shackles and chains slid out of his extra-dimensional storage.


    He grabbed them reluctantly for he could feel the enchantments seeking to chain his essence.


    ¡°¡­ doing? Don¡¯t! There¡¯s no creature up¡­ Listen to your lolo¡­ lady¡­ run right to the bunker¡­ instant! Dear, you¡­ not supposed to go with kidnappers to¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be okay, dear.¡±


    Phillip¡¯s armor opened with a hiss.


    A roar echoed from below.


    Madalena leapt from the darkness with an over-sized hammer in her hands.


    Suiteonemiades frowned.


    Where had she picked that up? And with what time?


    Barely a minute had passed.


    The gleaming hammer head was about as wide and thick as his fist, about half as long again as his forearm.


    A glowing engine inside the Threnium shell thrummed with power through his divinely-enhanced senses.


    ¡°Open it, Tita!¡±


    He could only sigh.


    They had been given a more than reasonable chance to avoid further personal trauma and bloodshed.


    Madalena¡¯s hammer thundered against his forcefield, rocketing him towards the hole in the wall.


    The forcefield he had been trying to pierce opened.


    Dark sky flashed over head for a moment before he was swallowed by another building.


    Three of them.


    He flew through three before finally coming to a stop.


    He kept his focus on his targets, listening, watching.


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep him occupied, while you kill that creature thing. If it¡¯s even real, Tito Phillip. Then come help.¡±


    ¡°Madalena, wait!¡±


    The father reached out, but he was a fraction too slow as fingers just missed the back of her shirt.


    Brave woman, foolish, but brave.


    He would¡¯ve taken the time to put on some armor, picked up a few more weapons, something more than combat boots, night clothes and an experimental hammer that looked to be close to exploding.


    As for his creature?


    It was less something to fight and more something to survive.


    The mother could¡¯ve done it if she had her forcefield around her and not the building.


    ¡°Unleash it,¡± he said to the creature.


    Threats had to be carried out from time to time lest they think he was toothless.

 10.34

    Madalena burst out into the bright night before hole in the forcefield closed again.


    The boomhammer vibrated in her hands like the steering wheel in one of those 80-year-old cars Tito Phillip liked to fix up in his spare time.


    Which was to say, it wasn¡¯t a comforting feeling.


    How many hits did it have left?


    If she could time it right, would the biggest boom it could make be enough?


    Probably not from what she had seen.


    Kuya Cal hadn¡¯t exaggerated.


    Demigods were dangerous opponents to put it mildly.


    She clocked the hole through the building in front of her.


    ¡°Crap.¡±


    Her angle was all wrong.


    Glass shattered.


    She ran through the empty floor.


    Good, good.


    The people had evacuated.


    Helped that the enemy had focused on her building.


    Walls parted for her.


    A few splinters got in her eyes and mouth.


    Bad habit that.


    She closed the latter with a conscious effort.


    Too used to wearing a helmet with a faceplate.


    The building suddenly shook around her.


    Night turned to day.


    Every unbroken window in the area exploded.


    She had a clear sight line back the way she had come.


    Dark smoke and fire fell past her view along with what could only by chunks of her home¡¯s upper floors.


    They didn¡¯t have a self-destruct system.


    It was their home.


    The bunker and the lower half of the building should be able to handle it.


    As for Jennie and her tito and tita?


    They had armor.


    Enchantments.


    An emergency teleport, if not for whatever the demigod was doing to interfere.


    Compartmentalize.


    A skill she had developed in the fog.


    The good times after that had dulled it, but a raging battle around her had a way of forcing her to get back on the bike like her dearly departed father, loved the man, but he was the strict sort that saw skinned palms and knees as good building blocks for character.


    Forward.


    Eyes forward.


    She couldn¡¯t do anything better than the people already back there.


    All she could do was what she had promised.


    Keep the demigod busy.


    Hopefully, some of the other heavy hitters would answer the call she put out into the comms.


    Although, the static she got in return wasn¡¯t promising.


    Madalena sprinted, leaping through the broken window.


    She tracked the demigod¡¯s flight through the hole in the buildings in front of her.


    Her hammer strike had sent him on a mostly flat trajectory toward the street at a gentle slope.


    Harpies screeched above her.


    It was her first look at the wing-armed women in person.


    They looked off.


    It took her a second to realize why.


    Their wings were too small for their human-sized bodies.


    The file said they could only glide or do glide leaps without using their inherent magic for full flight.


    Threnosh interceptors zipped through loose harpy formations.


    Force blasts and micromissiles versus spells and talons.


    Above them silhouettes of the skyships were revealed by the flashes from their weapons through the clouds and smoke.


    ¡°Can any one hear me? Suiteonemiades is on the field.¡± She crashed through a window, sprinting through to the other side in seconds. She leapt higher this time, hoping to track the demigod¡¯s path. She cursed. It was dark and she was really missing her helmet with its very helpful systems. With it she could send an estimate of the demigod¡¯s location with a look and a cybernetic thought. Without? ¡°Ah, putang! I think he landed just north of the cemetery. Maybe near Trion Towers.¡±


    Sudden guilt flooded her.


    The buildings she had gone through had been empty.


    People had fled to the shelters.


    Most of the larger towers had in-building bunkers like the one in her home.


    She tried to remember if all three Trion Towers had one each.


    Golden light erupted in the direction she was looking.


    A great cloud of dust erupted, billowing out to engulf the surrounding area.


    She shielded her face, holding her breath and peering through slitted eyes shaded by her arm as the debris cloud washed over her.


    All their shields meant nothing against the demigod.


    Her only hope was that most of her people had reacted as they drilled and gotten to the bunkers.


    She really should¡¯ve known if there was one in each Trion Tower.


    It was hard to see through the cloud and the darkness without her helmet.


    She thought she could see the looming towers.


    Except¡ª


    One, maybe two, looked a lot shorter than the third.


    ¡°Trion Towers¡­ are down. Emergency services standby. Demigod threat is potentially still in the vicinity. Wait for further information.¡± She was talking into the void for all she knew.


    And sometimes, it answered back.


    Which wasn¡¯t usually a good thing.


    ¡°Copy that, Mad One. Star Rayna moving to support. Sit tight. Multiple reinforcements in bound on position.¡±


    ¡°Wait! Don¡¯t! Demigod on site!¡± She thought fast. Who could fight him? ¡°Where are my cousins?¡±


    ¡°Comms lockdown. We can¡¯t get anything in or out. Going through gear like pancakes on free stack night super-boosting just to get through. We¡¯ll lose contact in a minute, maybe two. Figure another 10 to set up new gear. So, if you¡¯ve got any requests¡ª¡±


    ¡°Weapons! Armor! I¡¯ll settle for a helmet! And tell everyone not rated for demigod combat to pull back. I¡¯ll try to keep him busy, draw him away from the towers. South! Toward the memorial.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like a plan. We can really open up on the bastard out there. As for the rest of it¡­ sorry, can¡¯t do anything about warning them off until we get new ge¡ª¡±


    The skyship¡¯s comms officer¡¯s abrupt silence fueled the pit in Madalena¡¯s stomach.


    Loud beeping jolted her.


    Red lights blinked above.


    A large crate dropped like a rock before the anti-grav unit activated, bringing it to a soft landing on the rooftop a few feet from her.


    Basic armor.


    Threnium and nothing else.


    Better than shorts, sports bra and t-shirt.


    Modesty was a secondary concern when people were dying, but she preferred fighting fully covered.


    Ripped clothing revealing cheek and cleavage wasn¡¯t her thing.


    The helmet was what she really wanted.


    The instant she slid it one and the seals hissed shut was glorious.


    All the dust and particulate matter in the air was annoying.


    ¡°Do you copy, Star Rayna? Received package.¡±


    Nothing but static.


    No weapons.


    That meant they didn¡¯t have anything woman-sized that they thought could hurt the demigod.


    Fair.


    The skyship back in California had failed to bring him down with her huge weapons.


    She had her hammer and however many hits it had left.


    After that?


    One last big boom.


    The HUD flashed, struggling to detect the divine energy despite how powerful it had to be.


    She changed the parameters, telling it to look for heat sources.


    Several.


    Most on the roads.


    One in the sky.


    All moving towards Trion Towers.


    ¡°Fall back!¡± she shouted into the all channel. ¡°Do not engage!¡±


    Silence.


    A golden demigod strode out of the dark debris cloud.


    Lightning sparked behind him from cut power lines across several city blocks.


    Silhouettes of broken towers loomed behind him like megaliths from a long-dead civilization lost to time.


    ¡°Marking target!¡± She highlighted him in her HUD with a cybernetic thought and a silent prayer.


    ¡­


    The heavens split.


    Her helmet went silent to save her ears.


    A spear of light exploded down from on high with a sound that silenced the rest of the battle.


    Twinkling stars streaked to the ground, trailing smoke in their wake before swallowing shimmering gold in gigantic flowering blooms of orange and yellow.


    A steady staccato followed as a stream of metal, interspersed by blinking tracers, poured down like a waterfall.


    Through it all forcefields and sigils on the nearby occupied buildings flashed to life, preventing collateral damage.


    Golden beams lanced out from the devastation as the demigod leapt from the cratered street.


    Protection held, then buckled.


    Redundancies failed in turn.


    Madalena could only watch with mouth open, eyes wide as entire buildings began to collapse.


    Great chunks had been sheared off or simply vaporized from existence.


    The demigod blasted the stream of arm-length flechettes.


    His golden beam continued on to the Star Rayna.


    Shields erupted in the clouds.


    Another barrage of missiles swallowed the demigod.


    The golden sphere surrounding him peeked through the dense smoke while the beam only intensified.


    Another orange and yellow flower bloomed.


    This time high above them.


    Like a whale struck with a harpoon, Madalena watched as the skyship turned away, seeking higher altitude.


    As if satisfied with the result the demigod ceased his beam.


    His golden eyes shined in the dark smoke, finding hers despite the distance.


    As if in accusation.


    ¡°This is all because you betrayed your word,¡± they seemed to say.


    In response, she grit her teeth, tightened her grip on the boomhammer and gathered her legs beneath her.


    Before she could leap, sparks from dozens of broken power lines suddenly flared.


    They flowed around the demigod before either of them could react.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    A crackling web of electricity surrounded him like a cage where he floated.


    Madalena traced the thin yellow-white lines down to a rooftop a few blocks north of the demigod.


    The mage, for he could be nothing else, wasn¡¯t dressed for battle unless his shorts and t-shirt were enchanted.


    Attire for a hot and humid Manila night with the rainy season just around the corner.


    The young man, for she didn¡¯t recognize him because of the distance, had likely been enjoying the night with friends, a girlfriend? A boyfriend? It didn¡¯t matter.


    It should¡¯ve been a safe enough night to enjoy with good food, drink and people rather than be in a battle for yours and others¡¯ lives against a literal demigod.


    Suiteonemiades shattered the electric cage with a burst of golden light.


    Thin beams coalesced from it, streaking for the young mage like a monster¡¯s claws.


    He leapt away, riding yellow-white lightning like skates as he attacked rather than retreated like he should have for a mortal in shorts and a t-shirt had no business taking on a demigod.


    Lightning crackled.


    Gold flashed.


    The young mage¡¯s remains drifted away in the wind to mingle with the rest of the swirling ashes.


    Hooves thundered against asphalt.


    A storm of metal, this time from ground level, heralded by booming bellows.


    The battle cry of the herd.


    Five of them.


    Each taller at the withers that a small car and not much thinner in width.


    Back-mounted machine gun-like weapons spat a ferocious storm of finger-sized darts. Their fingers, not human ones. Like fat foot-long sausages with a deadly tip and powerful enough to punch through thick steel.


    The demigod almost looked sad for a moment before he swept his hand across the herd warriors.


    A lazy gesture.


    One that gave Madalena a bit of hope.


    The brave warriors, immigrants to her world but willing to fight and die to protect their adopted home, called forth their spells and Skills to block the cutting arc of golden energy.


    They combined their abilities to create an ethereal aura, sending a giant version of what looked like a primordial progenitor of their people ahead of their thundering charge.


    The black giant left a trail in its wake. A glittering road of its hoof prints as it galloped off the road and into the sky.


    The herd warriors followed without hesitation.


    Ammunition expended, they pulled out glaives and lances that weren¡¯t that far off in size when compared to street poles.


    One final bellow.


    Their best Skills and spells.


    The primordial crashed into the demigods golden sphere with thunder that belied its ethereal nature.


    The warriors struck next.


    Madalena flinched, eyes closing involuntarily against the sudden flash despite the faceplate of her helmet automatically darkening.


    The demigod remained unblemished despite the growing cracks in his golden bubble.


    More people arrived in quick succession.


    They fought briefly.


    Seconds at most.


    Enough to launch an attack and then die, leaving nothing but ashes.


    She froze under the sudden deaths.


    So callous and empty.


    The way he wiped them from existence without expression, barely a blink of his eyes.


    A blazing comet fell on the demigod.


    A blur of elementally wreathed fist and feet danced all over the golden sphere.


    Another golden flash.


    Bei, Threnium armor melting layer by layer, flew away almost as fast as she had arrived. An orb of burning golden flames twinkling over the horizon.


    ¡°Stop attacking one by one!¡± Madalena cried out.


    Empty pleas thrown into a black abyss from which there was no escape.


    The silence on the comms was her only answer.


    Cultivators stepped across the sky.


    Once again she couldn¡¯t tell if she knew them without the IFF functional.


    They struck in a coordinated dance of death, seeking to exploit the cracks Bei¡¯s furious assault had expanded.


    One was noticeably smaller than the others. Either young or very old.


    She despaired to realize that she may never know as the demigod dropped his sphere only to pull them into a trap.


    Only one side¡¯s strikes did damage.


    Madalena finally acted. Moving before conscious thought. Leaping on superhuman leg muscles. Upper body wound back like a spring, boomhammer trailing behind.


    She unleashed the energy equivalent to a few hundred kilograms of explosives on the demigod¡¯s raised arm.


    Light blinded.


    Burning heat washed over her despite her armor.


    Only her superhuman body allowed her to survive the concussion wave.


    The demigod smirked as she fell down to the rooftop some several dozen meters below.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t try that again.¡± He made a show of examining the large round shield of golden energy on his arm. Cracks spider-webbed across its surface, but seemed fine otherwise. He gestured at the boomhammer. ¡°The containment mechanism is cracked¡­ well, all of its mechanisms are cracked. You can see it yourself.¡±


    True enough. The Threnium shell had chipped, revealing the blue glow of the power source.


    Which suited her just fine.


    Her life for his was a winning trade by all her metrics.


    She flipped a large AC unit with the butt of the long handle and leapt behind it.


    Whipping the boomhammer around she said one last prayer.


    Please, Mighty Jesus, help me¡­


    <hr>


    Southern California, Summer 2055


    Bright sun.


    Breeze.


    Warm, but never truly hot.


    Coastal regions tended to be the best places to live weather wise.


    If said region wasn¡¯t in line for hurricanes and typhoons.


    Candyslyn loved running in such conditions.


    Why, it would¡¯ve been her pleasure to just spend hours running all over the place.


    That was purpose enough to hill her horned head.


    Monsters?


    Sucked, but she could out run or out jump them.


    Not very many things had the blend of speed, agility and leaping that she had.


    War?


    Sucked even worse¡­ although they hadn¡¯t dealt with much worse than the rare harpy air raid.


    That¡¯s what they were dealing with now as she was in the middle of her morning circuit around the inside perimeter of the outer walls.


    Harpies rained fire with spells and explosive weapons.


    A new wrinkle had been added.


    Monster bombs via golden portals overhead.


    Countermeasures meant the portals failed to open inside their territory, which was very good.


    An even newer wrinkle were the people¡­ er¡­ outworld invaders that had also come through the portals.


    They were different and strong.


    Comms chatter had managed a burst of frantic descriptions at the onset of the old American¡¯s attack, but had fallen mostly into silent static with the occasional cry for help.


    Thus, people like her, messengers, runners and such. Those that could move fast or cover great distances quickly, whether through class Skills or unnatural, unethical procedures like her or powers like her partner.


    It wasn¡¯t her choice to partner with Jes Morningstar.


    The young man was barely legal to operate in high danger areas, but he was safer than most.


    Which, made him overconfident.


    He had always been coy about his abilities.


    Some sort of field that made physical objects slide right off his skin no matter the hit angle.


    She had seen that steam-powered nightmare of a golem, as tall as a house and filled with malevolent intelligence in its soulless pits for eye, shower Jes with barbed darts. Tore armor and clothes, but left nothing on his skin.


    Thus, she ran with a half-naked teenage boy, technically a man, delivering messages and updates all along the northeastern portion of the wall.


    Jes skated across the street on bare feet as if it was slick ice and not rough asphalt.


    Give him enough straight space and he could outpace her easily.


    But that was theoretical.


    In practice, city streets meant turns and obstacles.


    Her hoofed legs were superior in nearly all practical environments.


    ¡°Race you back, Candys!¡± Jes laughed.


    He didn¡¯t remember it, but he had knocked a few bags out of her hands back when she had only been in Southern California for a few weeks about 7 years ago.


    He was a punk then and¡­ well, not much had changed in that regard.


    A circuit completed meant straight back to Ranger HQ with the messages they had collected from the wall.


    Most of the fighting being at the wall didn¡¯t mean that the interior had remained untouched.


    A few monsters and harpies continued to slip past the defenses even with the skyships and interceptors providing a protective umbrella.


    The streets were mostly empty, so they only had to worry about those things and the occasional person thinking it was an exciting time to maybe try to get a few levels when they should be sheltering in their home or in one of the emergency shelters.


    They made good time.


    From the foothills in the northeast to HQ in minutes.


    It helped that they could travel in a mostly straight line.


    ¡°Messengers!¡± A ranger she didn¡¯t know beyond a somewhat familiar face bellowed, barely giving them time to slow down. ¡°Message for Ranger Captain Aims. Be careful. He¡¯s not responding. But, then again, no one¡¯s responding, huh?¡±


    ¡°We just¡ª¡±


    The ranger cut Jes off.


    ¡°Listen here, king of kings, no time for water breaks. Drink on the run or slide in your case. Besides, I thought you never got tired?¡±


    That was true.


    Jes bragged about it seemingly once an hour.


    The ranger leaned forward, beckoning with a crook of his finger.


    ¡°No risks, kids. Deliver the message. Confirm the captain is alright and get back here safe and sound.¡±


    She took the envelope from the ranger and tucked it into her bag of holding.


    ¡°Say¡­ if you run into any insurmountable threats¡­ just bail.¡±


    With that they were off.


    Ranger Captain Aims didn¡¯t live that far away.


    5 miles was nothing to her.


    Half way there a finger tapped on her shoulder.


    She half-turned and almost tripped with a shout.


    A smiling young man ran with blurring legs, keeping up with her long, loping strides with ease.


    ¡°Hail and well met! I thought I felt people running fast.¡±


    Handsome enough to set butterflies in her stomach erupting up her throat.


    Golden eyes that seemed to shine in the sunlight.


    Perfectly sculpted body.


    Lean and long-limbed.


    The essence of speed.


    She felt, knew instinctively.


    ¡°I am called Ekraiades and you may bow.¡±


    He was shirtless and barefoot.


    The only things he had were a white man-skirt splattered with wet red, a belt with many pouches, a messenger-style bag slung across his broad chest and a curved blade, also splattered.


    So much the abs¡ª


    Her eyes widened.


    ¡°Now, now. No need to fight just yet. First, what¡¯s so important that¡ª yoink!¡±


    His hand blurred.


    She felt a tug on her bag of holding.


    He ripped the envelope open, read it, crumpled it and tossed it over his shoulder before she realized she had been pick-pocketed.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ seems like we¡¯ve got the same destination in mind. I¡¯m supposed to run interference, but I can¡¯t resist a wager. How about we bet it all on a race? First one there wins!¡± He exploded forward, leaving them behind.


    ¡°What the fuck was that?¡±


    Because the comms weren¡¯t working properly, Jes had to shout over the wind.


    She didn¡¯t reply because what could she say when she had no idea?


    They found the ranger captain¡¯s home literally broken.


    Jes cursed, rushing in before she could grab him.


    The speedy young man was nowhere in sight as she searched warily, straining her ears and pulling deeply on the instincts of pronghorn antelope she had been mixed with by the nightmarish eidolon.


    Jes emerged with full hands.


    One of the ranger captain¡¯s legendary revolvers and a handful of what looked like a couple of flesh-colored grubs drenched in tomato sauce at first.


    ¡°Ummmm¡­¡± Jes looked at her with wide eyes. ¡°What do we do?¡±


    Candys felt the bile rise to her throat.


    She wasn¡¯t a fighter.


    Never had the desire.


    She did want to contribute to the effort and had found her passion in running messages or doing deliveries solo into places others couldn¡¯t without grouping up or using vehicles, preferably armed and armored.


    She had seen her fair share of violence and the consequences.


    Lots of dead monster corpses oozing blood, viscera and filth.


    Lots of injured rangers, sometimes gruesomely so.


    A few dead rangers.


    ¡°We have to get back to HQ.¡±


    ¡°What about that guy? What if¡­ uh¡­ catches up?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll lure him away from you if that happens.¡±


    <hr>


    Manila, Philippines, Summer 2055


    ¡°How¡¯s mom? That¡¯s good.¡±


    Which was a mild understatement.


    His dad was angry, fuming really, he couldn¡¯t remember his dad ever being like that even when he, as a child, did¡ª well, there were many such incidents rooted in the false belief of the immortality of youth.


    ¡°Jennie?¡±


    He let the silence linger as he listened for any signs of life in the rubble to be marked for rescue.


    One consolation was that moving the debris to reach the trapped people was easy with the tech and magic at their disposal.


    He would¡¯ve struggled to do so on his own without risking further injury and death to the trapped survivors.


    Removing a few tons of building material in one place to reach a baby could¡¯ve easily shifted things dozens of meters away into crushing an old man.


    He took a moment to pick up a car-sized hunk of rubble that his HUD said was safe to move.


    A flick sent into flying into the ocean many kilometers away.


    ¡°That¡¯s less good.¡±


    His dad had used a lot of words to say that Rynnen¡¯s daughter was in a coma.


    15 minutes.


    That¡¯s how much the clock had ticked.


    How much time that bastard and his forces had over Manila.


    They were gone by the time he had flown over.


    He checked the places that were important to him often.


    Multiple times per hour sometimes.


    They had timed things well.


    Attacked when he was knee deep in¡ª the less said the better.


    A personal horror had replaced an existential one and having had a few hours to think about both, he¡¯d take the latter any day.


    Dawn¡¯s first rays peeked over the horizon.


    Bei wasn¡¯t fine.


    Not in a coma, but she had more broken bones and burned skin than not.


    Her armor had melted, fusing with her body in places.


    Certain death had it not been for her cultivator-ness and their medical advances.


    Bei was alive at least.


    Her grandma¡­


    He had found her broken body buried near the outer edges of the crater that had swallowed up several city blocks and the buildings that had once stood there.


    It was going to be a nightmare to count the deaths.


    To identify the bodies.


    In many cases the only thing left was ash.


    The ash of things mixed with the ash of people.


    Superior eyes couldn¡¯t separate the two.


    His dad said something.


    ¡°Uh huh¡ª no. I¡¯m staying like I said. At least until every person is accounted for.¡± He marked a few more breathing people shouting for help underneath tons of rubble. He watched closely as the rescue teams hovered over in their craft and began to lift the rubble. He was ready to intervene at the slightest sign of trouble. ¡°No, Dad. I won¡¯t do anything on my own.¡±


    He had very nearly done just that after he found the remains close to the middle of the crater.


    One of the boomhammers had stood like flagpole.


    A charred skeleton of an arm, all the way up to the shoulder stuck out like a mockery of a flag.


    Madalena was unaccounted for.


    His cousin was dead¡ª or so he had thought initially.


    His dad had talked him off the proverbial ledge at least for the moment.


    The demigod had been looking for hostages.


    His dad had been on the list, along with Madalena and Dr. Rufo¡ª


    Rage swelled again at the thought.


    The doctor was dead.


    Cherry had kept the¡ª the body with her throughout the attack.


    Kept him safe.


    The threads couldn¡¯t be more obvious.


    At least Lilah had been in the bunker.


    The tower¡¯s collapse hadn¡¯t affected those inside, physically.


    ¡°Dad, can we just agree that a proportionate response is¡­ necessary? This is an act of war. Well, they killed civilians. I go out of my way to avoid ¡®collateral damage¡¯. I just destroy things. Tanks and planes. Never people. Not even soldiers. I mean, I extended them that courtesy and this is how they repay it? Don¡¯t forget, they probably have Madalena.¡±


    God, for their sake, they better have her and they better treat her¡ª


    Nope. Don¡¯t think about that. Hostages only work if they¡¯re unharmed.


    It was a naive thought.


    They had taken that ranger too.


    The gunslinger.


    Aims.


    He realized he had never gotten the man¡¯s real name.


    Not that they were friendly.


    It had been years since they had exchanged a word at one of those ranger gatherings.


    ¡°Listen, I know where their super secret bunkers are. At least a general outline. Don¡¯t you think it¡¯d be fair that I blow them up like they did this place?¡±


    His dad didn¡¯t quite agree.


    But, Eron thought hard on what would be an appropriate response anyways.

 10.35

    Old America, the Midlands, Summer 2055


    The initial plan had been to escort Congresswoman Brinley Johnson-Lopez to the capital as the first of her personal guard.


    Private military company? Mercenaries? Militia?


    Pedantic sorts would have plenty to say about the technical classification.


    Alin did not.


    What was more important, in his eyes was the question on whether or not the politicians of the failed nation recognized the fact that they were operating as thinly-veiled warlords rather than democratic representatives.


    Then, he hadn¡¯t had much time to wonder about anything except keeping everyone alive as the same so-called government the congresswoman was supposedly a part of launched an insane attack on Austin.


    The initial plan had been to take the interstate directly north.


    Dallas was under old American control, which meant their military or hired contractors generally kept up patrols to kill monsters along the highway, making it mostly safe to travel.


    It was heading northeast from there that the Mist Spekters would earn their keep and hopefully, continue to build their rep as said patrols grew much less vigorous in the wide empty spaces between controlled cities and towns, of which there was but a thimble full compared to the full-sized pool of the pre-spires country.


    Monsterland, USA.


    Some people called it that.


    Naturally, the attack had ruined those plans.


    North of Austin was on fire.


    A pair of skyships had descended to add their fire to the ground as the rabbit people horde continued to pour out of the few remaining golden portals.


    Harpies and flying monsters harassed the Rayn of Terror and the Maximum Raynage.


    The third skyship in the theater, hovered low over the university to the east.


    The Raynanaut had already received Ms. Daniels and her orphans via portal stones at the start of the battle and was taking on more evacuees according to the plan.


    Alin didn¡¯t envy the rangers having to deal with the ruling class of the city finding out they weren¡¯t getting priority treatment.


    The evacuation rules were simple.


    Kids first.


    Everyone else after.


    People with valuable classes could slide in after the kids, unless said classes were valuable to the defense.


    As for the Golden Eagles, mercenary companies and random murderhobos?


    The smart ones had secured their exit plans long ago.


    They were already moving non-combat assets out of the city using their vehicles.


    For the Golden Eagles that meant westward to Vegas, which was essentially a second home base.


    The less intelligent ones only saw the opportunity to level and gain Quest rewards in the blood and death. Retreat was the last thing on their minds¡­ sometimes literally.


    Alin unclipped himself from the harness.


    ¡°Wait! Uh¡­ strange gray people from another world¡­ um¡­ will you be willing to provide air support.¡±


    This wasn¡¯t part of the plan.


    The interceptor¡¯s flat stare betrayed nothing.


    ¡°One moment. I require direction.¡±


    Mist Spekters surrounded Ms. Daniels¡¯ now empty homes for boys and girls.


    Two large mcmansions as they were called in the old days.


    Stout fences and gates guarded well-maintained green lawns, which were being trod upon by the heavy tires of their vehicles.


    It appeared that they had some added company.


    Alin recognized at least a portion of the old American diplomatic contingent.


    They had seen him arrive with the Threnosh.


    That could be a problem.


    He waved his arms, calling out for Galen.


    Making it clear that he had bargained with the Threnosh and that this was definitely the first time he had ever seen gray aliens in person.


    They made a show of it.


    The negotiations.


    The approaching battle helped the subterfuge.


    In the end, Galen got air support for a few kilometers outside of the city in exchange for Universal Points.


    The congresswoman and the ambassador tried to weasel in, but the interceptors took off the moment they shook on it with Galen.


    After that?


    Well¡­ questions had to be tabled because a large chunk of the rabbit people horde came their way.


    Alin sat facing backwards on Kat¡¯s robot horse¡¯s rump.


    It had opened up to give him a comfortable seated shooting position complete with Threnium blast shields.


    A dark clump of foulness splattered against the shield. A few stray bits sprayed against his faceplate.


    ¡°Shoot them!¡± Kat snapped.


    They were bringing up the rear of the convoy because he could use the gray to slow the rabbit people down without drawing attention from the people they were escorting.


    He could be less circumspect once they ditched the diplomatic team in Houston.


    ¡°They¡¯re throwing shit all over Razorwind!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°What? How can it be fine! Didn¡¯t you hear me! They¡¯re throwing¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes and we can clean him later.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t that he wasn¡¯t shooting.


    He was.


    A few bursts every so often.


    It was just there was no need to waste ammo.


    Once they got far enough away from the city, he¡¯d simply drain the splinter horde into unconsciousness for the monsters to dispatch.


    Speaking of which¡­


    Gun and spell fire lit up the darkness.


    The difference between inhabited and uninhabited spaces was stark.


    True darkness without the light from the moon and stars because of the clouds was unnerving for those not used to it.


    He listened to the comms chatter.


    The interference had melted away with the distance from the city.


    The Mist Spekters had it in hand.


    The old American soldiers helped a little, but they weren¡¯t necessary.


    ¡­


    Houston was a quick stop.


    They divested themselves of everyone except for the congresswoman and her small team.


    She had wanted to stay longer to do the political thing and hire more mercenaries, but Galen prevailed upon her otherwise.


    Austin wasn¡¯t that far in their rearview mirrors and there was no telling how fast the rabbit people horde could spread.


    As it was, not unexpectedly, the old Americans in Houston knew nothing about the attack on Austin.


    No one in the city did.


    Total information blackout.


    Neither did the Mist Spekters.


    The cover story had to be maintained, after all.


    So, Alin tried not to think about Hayden, Dayana, the rangers and everyone else while resisting the urge to check in through the Omninet.


    That was only for the direst emergencies.


    They refueled their vehicles.


    Houston had plenty of gas.


    They picked up supplies and were on the road north before the first rays of dawn began to peek over the eastern horizon.


    ¡­


    Dallas was a 2 day stay.


    Long enough for a break from the fight and flight.


    More news about Austin had spread out by then.


    Total devastation.


    The old American¡¯s were framing it as the nefarious acts of some nebulous terrorist threat that had unleashed a new sort of monstrosity.


    Talking heads on the televisions speculated wildly about the nature of the new hordes of rabbit-like people.


    Naturally, there was footage.


    Short snippets.


    Blurred to conceal the graphic nature.


    A wide net of blame was cast, including Southern California, Rayna¡¯s Rangers specifically.


    After all, there was plenty of footage of their terrible skyships firing down on the city.


    Of course, there was zero footage of the golden portals spewing monsters and rabbit people.


    Not to mention the harpies being edited out.


    The congresswoman refrained from seeking more hires, nor did she do more than a little cursory campaigning.


    Alin figured her mysterious benefactor had put in a word to steer her towards a more favorable outcome for their collective goals.


    He regarded the looped image on the widescreen TV on the bar wall.


    Austin.


    Large tracts of land obscured by dark smoke from the fires that still burned.


    Old American forces arrayed outside to the north and east.


    Garrisons from Dallas and Houston.


    The president had gone on TV and made a nice little speech which basically amounted to pleading, but in strong language, for Uncle Eron to not blow up all the tanks, artillery and helicopters as they fought the rightful battle to put down the threat of the rabbit people horde still in the city before they could spread out.


    Bitterness welled up inside Alin.


    Two-faced bastard.


    It was your attack in first place. You murdered the people you¡¯re trying to claim as yours.


    Worse.


    They had kidnapped his cousin and Aims.


    ¡°Whoa! Careful!¡± Steph laid a hand on Alin¡¯s arm.


    The mug in his hand had been just about to scream for its life.


    ¡°Low profile, right?¡± Victor said.


    It was just the three of them out for breakfast in an adventurer hangout. It would have been weird if some Mist Spekters hadn¡¯t made appearances and did things mercenary companies did.


    The rest hadn¡¯t been informed to maintain the cover story.


    He had because it was family.


    Dr. Rufo was dead. Death¡¯s Dancer and a spec ops team had black-bagged the old doctor. Obviously, they wanted to grab him like Madalena and Aims, but intent or not it resulted in the doctor¡¯s death.


    Alin still remembered the childhood check ups whenever he was in Manila.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Of course, he didn¡¯t think anything of them at the time, but the doctor had managed to be a kindly old man to child Alin despite the nightmares he had been subjected to by the fog entity.


    Deserved better than a heart attack at the end.


    His grandma was hurt, but not as bad as Jennie.


    In a coma.


    More broken bones than not.


    What kind of garbage person did that to a kid?


    Let alone the thousands of other innocent people murdered indiscriminately.


    He hadn¡¯t known that his hate for the demigod could grow.


    ¡­


    A stop somewhere in what was once the state of Missouri allowed the Mist Spekters to flex a little of their specialty.


    Galen and Alana led the misting and subsequent freezing of an entire grove of trees a little off the highway for they weren¡¯t truly trees, but monsters disguised as trees.


    Alin hadn¡¯t had much to do aside from being part of the shooting line dealing with the mutated coyotes attacking from the other side of the highway.


    The Mist Leader, Galen, decided that it was as good a place as any for a rest stop.


    It was always a toss up if the violent destruction of monsters would attract or repel more monsters.


    Weaker monsters had been observed staying away from areas were stronger monsters had been destroyed. The opposite had also been observed, where weaker ones rushed to fill the location the stronger ones once occupied.


    Then there were wandering monsters, which tended to act randomly.


    Regardless, nothing threatening was within attacking distance, so a break it was.


    Alin leaned against an armored truck at their western perimeter.


    Mutated coyote carcasses out in the grass and dirt were already attracting flies and other bugs.


    He sussed everything out with a light shroud of gray.


    Normal bugs.


    It was his duty for stops in the middle of nowhere.


    Secret, of course.


    The best early warning system they had.


    Not because of his range, which, while considerable, wasn¡¯t remotely as far as some of their scouts¡¯ eyes and ears. They also employed Skills and spells that could reach further than him.


    He was best because he could take care of the monsters the moment they stepped into the gray.


    The congresswoman approached with a bright smile.


    She was much younger than his initial image of a congressperson.


    Only a few years older than him.


    He had always thought that the age limits the Americans had for their political offices was dumb.


    Age didn¡¯t grant competence.


    Experience and effort did.


    He¡¯d take a diligent young person, who made themselves an expert on governance and what not through hard studying and practice over an old person that didn¡¯t do any of that.


    ¡°Congresswoman,¡± he nodded. ¡°What can I do for you?¡±


    Politeness.


    That was the goal.


    As always.


    He had avoided her previous attempts to begin building a rapport, so to speak, as she had steadily done with each individual member of the Mist Spekters.


    He didn¡¯t want to risk her insight revealing anything related to their cover story or her mysterious benefactor.


    She had a few Skills in that vein, but since he wasn¡¯t her constituent, nor did he even view himself as a citizen of her country, they weren¡¯t likely to work on him. And that wasn¡¯t even accounting for the gray within.


    Still, she was being a bit rude.


    He felt her Skills poking.


    Hopefully, she¡¯d attribute their failure to latch on anything to the aforementioned issue of his citizenship as it had with most of the Mist Spekters, particularly the ones that were also Rayna¡¯s Rangers.


    None of them felt the slightest connection to old America.


    They had been born after the spires had rendered it asunder, after all.


    They viewed it with historical curiosity at best, consigned to their lessons on fallen empires throughout the planet¡¯s history.


    ¡°Oh, nothing, I just wanted to chat!¡±


    Pretty.


    She didn¡¯t draw attention just because of her congresswoman aura.


    ¡°I¡¯m on guard duty.¡±


    Hopefully, that¡¯d get her moving to someone else.


    She made a show of shading her eyes with her hand as she peered across the empty landscape.


    Grass and dirt all the way to the horizon.


    ¡°And you¡¯re doing a good job, I take it? This is all new to me.¡±


    He raised a brow.


    ¡°I mean, being out here. This is the first time I¡¯ve traveled this far from the capital. The farthest I¡¯ve gone before was to visit a few of the outlying fort towns and those were always in a huge group escorted by the army. I¡¯m talking supersoldiers and tanks with helicopters and jets overhead. It was all very loud.¡±


    He grunted something that he felt conveyed understanding, but not soliciting.


    She was undeterred.


    ¡°You¡¯re, Lt. Alin. No last name?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct, ma¡¯am. Lt. Alin, Mist Spekter. That¡¯s me. You can call me Alin or lieutenant. Whatever you want. You¡¯re paying, after all.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re one of the officers, but what else are you in charge of, besides guard duty? I noticed you don¡¯t seem to give the scouts orders.¡±


    ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m only an officer because no one else wanted it. We¡¯re only doing the whole officer thing because it looks better to clients.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Captain Galen said as much.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not a large company, so the captain or one of the other lieutenants handles the scouts¡¯ daily disposition. Usually, Alana because Dremond is almost as lazy as me.¡±


    The congresswoman laughed.


    It sounded and felt actually genuine in the gray.


    ¡°I¡¯ll only really give orders if I feel I have to if a fight breaks out. Otherwise, I like my quiet and solitude.¡±


    She raised a brow at that. ¡°Mostly with Kat?¡±


    Oh?


    The congresswoman was perceptive.


    They had purposefully toned done the interpersonal interactions around the congresswoman and her small staff to give them less information to work with.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Feel free to tell me if this is too personal¡ª¡±


    He was tempted to, but remained silent.


    ¡°But, are the two of you together?¡±


    ¡°What makes you say that?¡±


    ¡°I get a vibe.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Lies were traps.


    The congresswoman would find them and wonder the why of it.


    Then she¡¯d have to pull on the thread if only to assess the potential threats or negative impacts on her goals.


    It was how one had to operate when they slithered through the den of vipers that was the old American ruling apparatus.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been together for a long time. Since we were practically kids.¡±


    ¡°Were you residents of Ms. Daniels¡¯ like Captain Galen?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t impact the quality of our service to you. Mist Spekter policy is to keep fraternization out of active duty environments.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to imply anything. I¡¯ve been more than happy with what you¡¯ve displayed so far.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, ma¡¯am. We strive for professionalism. We¡¯ve seen how other mercs and murderhobos operate. They are lessons in what not to do.¡± He chewed on the inside of his cheek. Too much talking with the congresswoman wasn¡¯t desirable. He had to get her to leave him alone, preferably permanently. ¡°I saw something that night in Austin. When the greys were flying me to the Ms. Daniels¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± She nodded eagerly. ¡°I have so many questions about that.¡±


    Shit!


    ¡°Me too. About those golden portals that spewed the monsters, rabbit people and harpies. You see, you hear stories and rumor-type stuff. About the eidolons¡ª¡± who were common knowledge by now.


    ¡°Oh? What kind of rumors?¡± She appeared guileless.


    He didn¡¯t poke and prod with the gray, merely accepted the emotions she was sending out, lest he risk her noticing something was up.


    ¡°The connections between them and your government.¡± He shrugged. ¡°You work for the eidolons¡ª¡±


    ¡°The United States Government is allied with the eidolons, well, technically the, uh, well, nation isn¡¯t exactly the best word for what they are.¡±


    ¡°So, like, an organization?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s difficult to put into words that we¡¯d understand, um, intellectually speaking. And it is classified to an extent.¡± She spread her hands.


    ¡°Got it. Beyond my pay level.¡±


    ¡°Not necessarily. But, you don¡¯t consider yourself a citizen in the first place.¡±


    ¡°I was under the impression that my thoughts on that didn¡¯t matter. That declaration or bill thing that¡¯s been spread around everywhere didn¡¯t leave any ambiguity. I¡¯m a citizen whether I like it or not, refusal has all sorts of lawful penalties and stuff.¡±


    The congresswoman sighed.


    ¡°Yes. Some find the language too strong. I, personally, would prefer a more conciliatory approach, but, I¡¯m only one voice among many louder ones.¡± She smiled wanly.


    ¡°No, I get it. That¡¯s why you¡¯ve hired us and are doing this whole thing. Build your power base. Take control.¡± He gave her an appreciative nod. One mercenary to another.


    Naturally, she demurred.


    ¡°Not quite that. I simply want to build a coalition. I¡¯m not alone in what I hope this country can be. Less repeating the mistakes of the past and more doing better. Sadly, strength is the only voice that will be listened to. At least, until we can change that.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ about those golden portals.¡±


    ¡°Alin, I think you know more about them then I do. That night was the first time I had ever seen such things.¡± She gazed pensively into the undulating green expanse in the distance. ¡°I know the eidolons. I¡¯ve spoken to several. I like to think that the Eidolon of Sunor sees something worth mentoring in me. She desires a peaceful existence as well. As for anything beyond that? I know nothing.¡±


    He nodded.


    ¡°Opsec.¡±


    ¡°Pardon?¡±


    ¡°Operational security.¡±


    ¡°I know what it means.¡± She graced him with another warm smile. ¡°I¡¯ve sat through my fair share of congressional briefings and hearings.¡±


    ¡°Ah, excuse me, congresswoman. I didn¡¯t mean anything by it.¡±


    ¡°Please, feel free. I did hire your company for your collective expertise on matters that I lack experience or knowledge with. Military junk would be one of them. Maybe I should get on the armed forces committee.¡± She winked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what that is, but it sounds like if you wanted to learn about your military¡­ junk¡­ then it¡¯s a good place to start. But, if you want to know what I meant, then you have to promise you won¡¯t get mad or complain to the captain.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a promise.¡±


    ¡°Opsec. I meant that they¡ª the people above you¡ª aren¡¯t going to share everything with you. Heck, they¡¯re going to want to share as little as possible. That way they can blame the attack on Austin on any random bunch of people or monsters out there. And¡­ like I said, this is all based on stories, but eidolons and golden portals seem to go together in a lot of them.¡±


    ¡°Wow¡­ you do understand you¡¯re suggesting that the US government engineered an attack on their own citizens?¡±


    ¡°Sure, but if I got this right, Austin wasn¡¯t like Dallas or Houston. They weren¡¯t buying into that whole reunification thing.¡±


    ¡°We were negotiating. A diplomatic team was there. I was there.¡±


    ¡°Just speculating, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°No. That¡¯s okay. I did ask. So, how would you suggest I proceed? Assuming my own government tried to have me killed.¡± For some reason, she grinned up at him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Keep your head down. Build your power base. Right now, we¡¯re not nearly enough to keep you safe if someone above you decides you¡¯re a threat that needs dealing with.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re an interesting man, Alin. I look forward to working together.¡±


    Well¡­ shit.


    ¡­


    ¡°She¡¯s got an eye for talent,¡± Kat said.


    The convoy had stopped in an abandoned highway town.


    A brief series of monster fights saw them claim the gas station, a diner and a motel.


    There wasn¡¯t much else in the short strip the highway ran through.


    There were a few houses up in the hills, but they didn¡¯t care to explore.


    Alin had taken care of the monsters hiding up there while the rest had done their thing.


    He sat with Kat in the gas station office.


    The gray blanketed the town.


    Their security blanket for the night.


    Maintaining it was easy for him now.


    ¡°She told you that?¡±


    ¡°Yup. She¡¯s very open and honest. It¡¯s a good show. It can¡¯t be fake if she believes in it. At least for her. I guess.¡±


    ¡°Back up. She¡¯s been using a Skill to appraise everyone?¡±


    ¡°Not exactly. It¡¯s more like it lets her know how good a person could potentially be working for her.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ I see¡­ and she¡¯s taken an interest in me because¡ª¡±


    ¡°You know how we¡¯re trying to spy on them? Well, they¡¯re pretty good at countering it. No hard feelings, cause they¡¯ve been doing the same. Pretty standard for them, right? Well¡­¡± Kat¡¯s smile lifted the weights on his shoulders a bit. ¡°They didn¡¯t or can¡¯t account for Eda¡¯s owl. Long story short, we got to listen in a bit. And¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m dying of suspense.¡±


    ¡°Her Skill¡¯s not working on you.¡±


    ¡°Great. Attention¡¯s the last thing I want.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ve worked up a plan to run interference. Steph¡¯s gonna spend all day tomorrow trying to hit on her.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s wrong.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be obvious and she¡¯s not into guys anyways. Not into women either for that matter.¡±


    He didn¡¯t feel good, exactly, about delving into personal stuff, but since everyone was spying on everyone else he couldn¡¯t muster anything more than a metaphorical shrug.


    ¡°So, you want some company on the night watch?¡±


    Yes.


    But, no.


    The congresswoman had already picked up on his and Kat¡¯s connection.


    Romantic relationships were known leverage points.


    The congresswoman might have been harmless in the moment, but that could change and there were plenty of other people in their enemy¡¯s capital that were far from harmless.


    He shuddered to think what they¡¯d do to Kat to get to him.


    Which led to thoughts of what they were doing to Madalena and Aims.


    He hadn¡¯t heard anything new on that front.


    It was getting harder to resist asking for answers from his dad.


    Even if they were deep in territory his dad couldn¡¯t enter his dad had other means to get them back.


    He had a list of ideas he wanted to send until he realized that his dad would¡¯ve already thought of them and more.


    Calm, he told himself.


    He hadn¡¯t received anything new after the initial message.


    For all he knew they had been rescued already.


    ¡°Alin?¡± Kat reached across the desk to cup his face.


    He blinked.


    ¡°Sorry. Zoned out a little.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not like you¡­ at least, not since you were first figuring your powers out. Is something wrong? You¡¯re not using it too much, are you?¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s not that. Just a lot on my mind. Can¡¯t say right now though, but nothing for you to worry about. I¡¯ll tell you if it changes.¡±


    She regarded him with concern.


    He¡¯d almost rather have her suspicion.


    ¡°Okay, just don¡¯t push yourself to the edge. This isn¡¯t exactly a safe environment for limit testing.¡± She dazzled him with her smile before suddenly leaning forward to steal a kiss.


    He leaned into it.


    ¡°I needed that.¡±


    ¡°Me too.¡±


    ¡°Rules suck.¡±


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the congresswoman. We¡¯ll keep her from bugging you.¡± Kat pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. ¡°You promise to tell me, right? You said it before. The slightest thing. The smallest concern you might have about anything.¡±


    ¡°I will. Promise.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Try not to get lost in your thoughts. Save them for when we can talk about them when we get to town and you can relax for once. Maybe I can talk to Galen. You don¡¯t have to be on guard every night.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. Go, get some sleep, love.¡±


    ¡°Love you too. Yell if something scary comes to get you!¡± Kat yawned as she walked out.


    Alin was alone, as he had been each night of their journey north and eastward.


    As always an image crept unbidden.


    The colorful red and orange-hued face of Tandol purpling with his gray hand around the narrow neck.


    Scaly skin losing its luster as it shriveled, desiccating as he stole the outworld invader¡¯s life force to strengthen himself.

 10.36

    Washington, D.C., Summer 2055


    The skies adjacent.


    ¡°This is a waste of time. Every minutes she¡¯s in his hands¡ª¡±


    It was getting a bit warm despite the altitude.


    ¡°Why am I even listening to you? I can burn every politician and soldier. Destroy every monument. Until they give her back.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good way to achieve the opposite outcome. I understand how you feel. I¡¯m there too.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been days and you haven¡¯t found her.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been over every piece of American territory once. I¡¯ll do it over and over again until I do. Which is why this isn¡¯t a waste of time. If I can narrow my search¡ª¡±


    ¡°How about I narrow it by burning the White House down? That should encourage them to cooperate.¡±


    ¡°For the last time, they don¡¯t know anything. They barely knew the details of the Austin attack.¡±


    ¡°About that¡­ why¡¯d you tell me not to destroy their stuff? I don¡¯t care about all that garbage president douche said.¡±


    ¡°Optics.¡±


    ¡°Again, I don¡¯t give a shit. Oh no! They¡¯re all going to hate me!¡± Eron snorted.


    ¡°You planning on killing all of them?¡±


    ¡°Obviously not.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t give them an ¡®other¡¯ to rally against.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d argue it¡¯s too late for that. How many more years are you going to give them? They¡¯re never going to be okay with peaceful coexistence. They¡¯re not going to give up what they once had.¡±


    ¡°The older generations, sure, but the younger ones¡ª¡±


    ¡°Are indoctrinated by the older.¡±


    ¡°Not all of them. There are those that can be convinced.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Sure. But how many more of the people I actually care about are going to be murdered or kidnapped before that happens? That fucker murdered thousands of our people! People we promised to protect! Just because he could¡ª and don¡¯t even try to compare me to him. I¡¯m specifically going to target things, not people.¡±


    ¡°Employees are a thing, you know? Just because someone is working in the White House doesn¡¯t mean they¡¯re equally guilty as the guys pushing the button.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, bro. You can just have them leave. I wouldn¡¯t even argue against you emptying the whole place out. What matters is the message I¡¯ll send when their precious White House is a smoldering ruin.¡±


    ¡°Do that and you hand them a blank check with the rest of the people. The voices we want to strengthen will be stamped out within a day.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Then let me fuck up the soldiers¡¯ shit in Austin, like I have been.¡±


    ¡°Leave their stuff alone for now. It¡¯ll embolden them. Once they start feeling better about bringing all their toys out of hiding then you can blow them up.¡±


    ¡°I can see the president right now. Smiling, smug bastard¡¯s hitting on a young woman. She¡¯s playing along, but she looks uncomfortable. How about I burn a hole through his desk? If only to help her out.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°She needs help, man.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    A subtle thought slipped inside the president distracted him, directing him to the work on his desk.


    ¡°Good. Now, make him find Madalena. Better yet, make them all find her and attack the demigod while they¡¯re at it. And don¡¯t give me that slippery slope garbage like always. If it¡¯s for our cousin I¡¯ll dive headfirst into their shit level.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve plumbed through all of their heads. I told you. They know nothing. And doing any of that will just get everyone killed.¡±


    ¡°Listen, that¡¯s a price I¡¯m willing to pay to get her back.¡±


    ¡°No, you listen, we¡¯ll get her back, but I¡¯m not doing any of that because it¡¯s not necessary.¡±


    ¡°Yeah? How long are you willing to let her be tortured?¡±


    ¡°Torture won¡¯t give him what he wants. If he wants answers then that¡¯ll be the last tool he¡¯ll use. Everyone knows you don¡¯t get good answers through torture.¡±


    ¡°Unless the torture is the point.¡±


    Well¡­ he didn¡¯t have an answer to that.


    Suiteonemiades¡¯ thoughts were hidden from him.


    ¡°Just¡­ just float there and look angry. They¡¯re about to¡ª¡±


    Golden portals opened before them.


    Like giant gods¡¯ eyes waking.


    He tried to grab on to the divine energy, to find their origin points down in the city.


    ¡°I have come as requested.¡±


    Kerkestis floated to him and bowed.


    The rest of the eidolons fanned out behind, above and below her.


    ¡°There¡¯s more of them everyday,¡± Eron grunted. ¡°You, you, you, you and you.¡± He pointed. ¡°I don¡¯t recognize you. I do now.¡±


    ¡°Relentless one.¡± Kerkestis bowed again.


    ¡°Hey, tall lady. You¡¯re more reasonable than most, so why don¡¯t you tell me where Suiteonemiades is hiding. After that, we can get back to our adversarial, but not murderous relationship.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    She turned her gaze toward Cal.


    Well¡­ she wasn¡¯t lying.


    Their opsec was impenetrable.


    Blank spots in their memories like the usual.


    Eron sighed theatrically.


    ¡°That¡¯s a shame because it occurs to me that without people like you to run around above ground and do things, well, he can¡¯t stay in hiding forever and I¡¯ve decided I¡¯m standing right here until his mole head pops up so I can whack it.¡±


    The threat wasn¡¯t subtle.


    ¡°Release the hostages to me,¡± Cal said flatly.


    ¡°That is the demand,¡± Kerkestis replied serenely. ¡°What is your offer?¡±


    ¡°Continued existence.¡±


    ¡°The worth of our lives do not exceed the value of the hostages at this time.¡±


    ¡°Continued existence¡­ for the demigods. Yes, I noticed you¡¯ve slipped a few more into my world. Are they aware that Suiteonemiades is the only one with a helmet that can hide him from me? Shall I demonstrate?¡±


    ¡°That will not be necessary. Honored Suiteonemiades has charged me with negotiation. He offers conditional release and reparations for the casualties.¡±


    ¡°Funny word for innocent victims minding their own business when a bastard with piss flowing through his veins decided to murder them for ¡®reasons¡¯,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°It is war. You are young and inexperienced in its bloody ways for all that you think otherwise. You are learning a valuable lesson.¡±


    ¡°What are his conditions?¡±


    ¡°Your service.¡± Kerkestis held her hand out.


    Gold light flashed.


    When it died a glowing scroll sat in her palm.


    ¡°You may review at your leisure. Honored Suiteonemiades will allow 3 days. During which time the hostages will not be¡­ questioned.¡±


    He grabbed the scroll.


    ¡°Just give us the important points,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°You are not party to this negotiation. Just the Psionic Prime.¡±


    ¡°Summarize it for me, eidolon.¡±


    ¡°Very well. It is service in all things without limit or bargaining. The honored one commands, you obey. The agreement is for a century or until the day your wife dies.¡±


    ¡°You and I both know that contract lacks the magical power to force me to stick to it.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. There is one stipulation. Failure to adhere to the terms will result in the instant death of 50% of the adult population of the nation known as America or any of its future potential successors.¡±


    ¡°No way you got them to agree to that,¡± Eron said.


    ¡°It has been ratified by the government.¡±


    ¡°Sure, those assholes would, but I¡¯m talking about the people. They wouldn¡¯t sign that.¡±


    ¡°Agreement is implied by virtue of their oaths of citizenship. They select their representatives and leaders, therefore they are subject to the decisions made.¡±


    Eron blinked. ¡°That¡¯s just evil. How much lower can you all sink? You¡¯re in the mud, Kerkie. You¡¯re ancestors are ashamed.¡±


    ¡°They were honored servants. Just as I am.¡±


    ¡°You serve garbage,¡± Eron laughed bitterly. ¡°What does that make you?¡±


    The newer eidolons bristled.


    ¡°There is one last offer I have been instructed to make.¡±


    The Eidolon of Sunor waited for Cal to give her the okay to continue.


    ¡°A life for a life. For each life he took from you, you make take one from him. At your choosing.¡±


    ¡°A cheap price for him. He knows I would never accept that.¡±


    ¡°The offer exists nonetheless.¡±


    ¡°Wow. I was wrong. You can sink lower.¡±


    Eron floated toward the eidolons, who regarded him like mice did a tiger.


    ¡°We¡¯re supposed to be at war.¡±


    Kerkestis gazed at him impassively.


    ¡°We are under truce.¡±


    ¡°For right now. After?¡± He shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ve been leaving you alone on purpose. Now that you have my cousin, I find the reasons for doing that less compelling. I¡¯m thinking. One a day? Until they¡¯re released. Unharmed.¡±


    ¡°Like I said, our lives are not equal to their value.¡±


    ¡°I can single-handedly destroy everything you¡¯ve worked to build. Food supplies? Weapons? Ammo? Even their homes. America would have nothing by the end of the month. They¡¯d be a wasteland of desperate survivors barely grinding out a poor semblance of life. What would your little pantheon do then?¡± Eron said.


    ¡°Irrelevant. Your threats are empty. Even if you act against your character, I believe that he wouldn¡¯t allow it.¡± She slowly looked from Eron to Cal.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that. You changed the paradigm by going after our family,¡± Eron said. ¡°A girl¡¯s in a coma with more broken bones than not. Our mother. People I personally care about. You hurt and murdered.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s right. In light of the recent escalation I have no choice but to respond in kind, Kerkestis. Who rules the pantheon? Sunor or Suiteonem?¡±


    ¡°You dare question the¡ª¡± she snapped.


    He silenced her with a thought.


    ¡°You¡¯ve claimed that Sunor desires an ordered civilization. This isn¡¯t it. And I will make sure it never becomes that unless he meets my demands. Return the hostages, unharmed or I will begin dismantling what you¡¯ve built. And I will not confine myself to my world. Take that straight to your god. We both know that¡¯s who you truly answer to.¡±


    ¡°There is only one answer. It has been determined. We mortals submit to the Gods¡¯ will,¡± Kerkestis said.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    ¡°Yes, well, mortals are fickle sorts, right? Let¡¯s find out what it takes to change hearts and minds.¡±


    ¡°You guys aren¡¯t safe behind your barrier,¡± Eron said. ¡°It merely provides the illusion of safety.¡±


    ¡°This is over. Leave.¡± Cal waved a hand dismissively, like he was shooing an annoying fly.


    Golden portals winked open and vanished just as quickly.


    ¡°Weird. Couldn¡¯t see anything on the other side like the ones we use most,¡± Eron said. ¡°Now what.¡±


    ¡°He won¡¯t torture her, Aims and the other hostages.¡±


    ¡°That was the gunslinger guy, right? I remember him.¡± Eron mulled it over. ¡°How sure are you?¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t know where he¡¯s keeping them, but they¡¯re certain that he wants them for information.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, no bets on what sort of information. Maybe you pull the plug on Boy¡¯s Quest?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m considering it, but¡­¡±


    ¡°Man, that¡¯s your son.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t find the demigod. He¡¯s the best chance. It¡¯s even more critical with the hostages.¡±


    ¡°So, it¡¯s a race between him finding out and Boy finding him? I don¡¯t like it.¡±


    ¡°No one does.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll turn up the heat. Make myself a real terror. If they¡¯re looking to the sky then they won¡¯t be looking at ground level.¡±


    ¡°Target the top percentile. Wealth and power. Politicians, higher level officers and so on. Hit a couple on a daily basis. No deaths.¡±


    Eron rolled his eyes.


    ¡°We don¡¯t want them replaced. The more scared they get easier it¡¯ll be to turn them against each other and the fake gods. I¡¯ll keep searching for them with all my eyes and ears.¡±


    ¡°He has to be keeping them in the bunkers. Only real possibility.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve searched those.¡±


    ¡°Could be a newer, super secret bunker that is impenetrable to your powers. Might be made of the same stuff as his psychic-blocking helmet?¡±


    ¡°Everything we tried to track it down hasn¡¯t worked.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m telling you, make that not-elf teacher do it. Least she could do after not helping fight the demigod. She was literally a few kilometers away.¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t violate our agreement.¡±


    ¡°Then it¡¯s a shit agreement.¡±


    ¡°Can we just¡­ not argue about this?¡±


    ¡°Whatever, man.¡± Eron scowled. The air had grown progressively hotter around him. ¡°Can I start?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you a list of acceptable targets in an hour. I want to make sure we target the most deserving.¡±


    ¡°Fine. I guess I¡¯ll ruin a monument or the Pentagon.¡±


    ¡°No¡ª¡±


    Eron waved dismissively. ¡°I know, I know. We don¡¯t do collateral damage.¡±


    <hr>


    Old America, the Mid-Northlands, Summer-Fall 2055


    ¡°Hey?¡±


    A boot nudged his.


    Alin cracked an eye open from his pretend sleep.


    He had gotten enough with the first few hours post sunrise, however, there was a rumor going around with the newbies that he was a vampire on account of always being on the night watch.


    Several had out right asked him if he had figured out how to become a daywalker.


    Which, as far as anyone knew, wasn¡¯t a thing.


    Regardless, it was unnatural that he only needed a few hours.


    The curiosity was unavoidable since he didn¡¯t volunteer his class or lack thereof to avoid getting tripped up by truth detection Skills or spells.


    The official story was that he was much like the rest of the officers and a few others with mist or fog-based abilities.


    Only Galen and his childhood friends knew the truth.


    He feigned slow wakefulness.


    ¡°Huh?¡± He yawned, which was genuine.


    Last night had been a difficult one.


    A sudden monster attack of a surprisingly difficult level while they camped just outside an abandoned town turned spawn zone.


    He had single-handedly prevented a possible company wipe by slowing the monsters to a near stop, giving the rest of the Mist Spekters time to wake up.


    The effort had taken a lot out of him and in the desperate chaos he hadn¡¯t taken enough back from the monsters.


    ¡°Tell me what you think of this?¡± Luzi held her journal up importantly, clearing her throat. ¡°We stared down the empty road undulating to the horizon like a gray snake. Peaks on both sides loomed like a giant¡¯s fingers threatening to crush us in its grasp. The night had been a bad one. Death stalked our trail and it had never gotten closer to slaking its thirst. Only one silent sentinel¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to stop you there.¡±


    She looked at him expectantly.


    ¡°It¡¯s, uh, good.¡± He shrugged. ¡°But, not very, um, historical?¡±


    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t want it to be dry.¡±


    He recalled the history books he had to read back in kid school.


    They had been exactly that.


    He relayed his thoughts on the matter.


    Luzi stared at him.


    ¡°We drove down the road. There were mountains on both sides. Monsters attacked us last night. Alin saved us, but now he¡¯s being grumpy.¡± She raised a brow. ¡°Dry enough for you?¡±


    ¡°Historical accounts are supposed to be factual, I think,¡± Nathan said.


    The young man claimed he was an adult, which was true, barely.


    One of the newbies they had picked up along their drive up to the capital.


    They had to do it because mercenary companies, especially new ones, were always looking for recruits.


    The risks were minimal because his dad cheated.


    Everyone they picked up wasn¡¯t a secret threat or potential spy.


    Plus, they were generally decent people just looking for adventure or the ability to protect or make their loved ones¡¯ lives better.


    What they didn¡¯t know was that them signing up got those loved ones priority tickets to the west coast when it came time to evacuate from the rabbit people hordes.


    ¡°What do you know about historian work, rookie?¡± Luzi said.


    Nathan stammered.


    ¡°Leave the kid alone.¡± Alin sighed.


    The truck rumbled.


    It was a stiff ride in the back.


    They had installed bench styled seats, but that was it for comfort.


    ¡°It¡¯s a legitimate question,¡± Luzi said. ¡°I¡¯m not a snob. If the rookie has insights I don¡¯t know about then I want to hear them.¡± She snapped her gaze to Nathan. ¡°Well?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ I dunno. It¡¯s just like Alin said. I mean, like, the stuff I read in school wasn¡¯t all like that stuff you wrote. Yours is more like poetry or something. Not that I know anything about that. I hated that class.¡± Nathan smiled weakly.


    ¡°There you go. You¡¯re going to have to pivot to historical fiction or something.¡± Alin closed his eyes.


    ¡°Why not both?¡± Luzi shrugged and got back to scratching her pen on paper.


    Mildly annoyed by the sound, he opened his eyes.


    ¡°How are you writing with all the noise and bumpiness?¡±


    He remembered that the first few days out of Vegas had been rough for Luzi.


    Word was that she had tried to read and write, but got motion sickness and spent more time puking out the back of the truck than one would¡¯ve preferred.


    ¡°Skill,¡± she grunted.


    ¡°You guys have traveled a lot, right?¡± Elisa raised her hand.


    ¡°Don¡¯t have to raise hands to ask questions, rookie,¡± Luzi said without looking up from writing history.


    Elisa was even younger than Nathan.


    She had obviously lied about her age, but his dad must¡¯ve sent word to Galen to bring her on board for some reason.


    The other rookies in the truck bed with them looked curious.


    Alin decided that he was going to see if he could get them a spot in one of the more comfortable vehicles.


    Several days sitting in the bumpy hell had to be enough hazing.


    Alin chose his words carefully, not because of the rookies, but because of Milly.


    The congresswoman¡¯s aide had chosen to sit with them.


    Ostensibly because the congresswoman wanted to hear the stories of the rookies and what their lives in their isolated small towns were like.


    The better for the congresswoman to do congresswoman things for them.


    More specifically, to get her name and image out to them for when it was time to run for higher office.


    He didn¡¯t need his dad¡¯s info to figure that part out.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he said.


    ¡°So, um, are all the roads the same?¡± Elisa said.


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t they be?¡± Luzi said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯ve never gone far from my hometown and the roads are fine, but my grandpa was saying how the highways and freeways would¡¯ve been all messed up. Cracked from weather and plants growing through them since there was no government to fix them,¡± Elisa said.


    Luzi¡¯s scratching suddenly stopped. ¡°You know, that¡¯s true. I¡¯ve never thought about that.¡±


    ¡°Spires,¡± he said.


    They didn¡¯t know for sure, but it seemed likely that the spires handled maintenance when no one was looking.


    It was the most logical explanation for how entire stretches of highway could be utterly destroyed in a fight between giant wandering monsters or simply walking on them only to be completely fine in the following days.


    Such had been observed on several occasions.


    His uncle may have also destroyed stretches of highway a couple of decades in the past out of intellectual curiosity.


    Naturally, he didn¡¯t share that part.


    Milly cleared her throat and smiled brightly.


    She was good.


    It reached her eyes.


    ¡°We, I mean America, have allies from another world.¡±


    That had either hit or miss for the congresswoman on their previous stops.


    The old American government put a lot of effort into publicizing that fact to every settlement they could reach.


    They used literature, recordings and anything else they could to show how they secured a great alliance with a mighty people.


    It didn¡¯t matter if the settlements accepted Rightful Destiny, were on the fence or rejected it. They all got the media.


    Some destroyed the cellular towers the government set up or repaired to stop the potential for receiving broadcasts, but that didn¡¯t stop the airdrops of pamphlets and smartphones pre-loaded with propaganda.


    Sometimes there was more violence than that against property.


    ¡°And, um, there are rules that they can¡¯t say too much, but the spires usually take a long time before, like, going completely hands-off on stuff like that.¡±


    ¡°Do you know how long?¡± Elisa said.


    ¡°It varies, apparently. Could be any day now or a few hundred years from now.¡±


    ¡°What about the Terminus thing?¡± Nathan said.


    The answer was that they didn¡¯t know.


    Terminus worlds weren¡¯t common and from what his dad had picked out of the many outworld invaders the history of the early years post-spires for such worlds had been, without exception, completely lost because of the sheer scale of the violence inflicted upon them.


    ¡°Ah, sorry, we don¡¯t know if that changes things,¡± Milly said.


    The truck jolted.


    A pothole.


    Ironic.


    They, minus Alin, continued on with a rambling conversation.


    Milly keenly extolled the virtues of old America.


    Luzi grew increasingly agitated, but she managed to keep her mouth shut lest she blow their cover.


    Rayna¡¯s Rangers had an antagonistic relationship with old America on account of all their aggressive actions over the years, including the most recent attack that had claimed ranger and civilian lives, along with the kidnapping of a venerable elder ranger.


    Sure, the old American¡¯s hid behind a claim that it wasn¡¯t them because no member of their combined armed forces had participated.


    Bullshit was bullshit.


    They fought side by side with harpies coming out of golden portals.


    Had openly attacked his home, which they claimed was a terrorist organization training ground.


    He consciously kept his anger away from Milly.


    She was part of the ruling apparatus, but there was nuance to the levels of involvement.


    He only hated Suiteonemiades.


    There were other demigods, but he didn¡¯t hate them as of yet.


    They were just enemies.


    ¡°Where are we, Luzi?¡± he whispered.


    ¡°Still Oldhio. Hey? Should I mess with her?¡± She shot a significant look over to Milly, who was engrossed in a story re-telling what sounded like Alcaestus performing a great deed and being really hot while doing it.


    That was another bastard on the personal shit list.


    They had worked together in the Slasher¡¯s Spree, but that didn¡¯t quite cut it after the eidolon had attacked his home and people.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Luzi cleared her throat. ¡°Hey, Milly?¡±


    ¡°Yeah!¡± the young woman smiled.


    ¡°What¡¯s up with the detour? I get that West Virginia¡¯s mountain roads are more dangerous cause of the monsters and hill people ambushes, but we would¡¯ve saved days if we had gone up through Virginia instead.¡±


    ¡°Your captain didn¡¯t tell you?¡± Milly¡¯s eyes darted to him.


    ¡°No, he did. We¡¯re going to help a town or something cause the congresswoman¡¯s doing a favor for another congressperson or something, right?¡± Luzi said.


    ¡°Um, yeah. That¡¯s why.¡±


    ¡°Why¡¯d she tell us to go north? It¡¯s a longer path and I thought there was, like, an election or something? That¡¯s passed by now.¡±


    ¡°Oh, well, the congresswoman wasn¡¯t on the ballot. Her office is up next year. She¡¯s traveling to campaign for that.¡±


    ¡°A year in advance?¡±


    ¡°Yup! The congresswoman basically has to campaign all the time.¡±


    ¡°Damn. That sounds messed up. How does she do her actual job then?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s difficult, but she works hard and has good Skills that help.¡±


    ¡°Cool, cool, cool. So¡­ like, what¡¯s up with this town we¡¯re going to?¡±


    ¡°Um, I don¡¯t know anything more than what the congresswoman told your captain and lieutenants.¡± Milly glanced at him again.


    He studiously pretended to look toward the eastern mountain slopes for threats that were there, but too far or too slow to reach their convoy.


    ¡°Hey, I get it, opsec is a thing,¡± Luzi tapped her forehead with her pen. ¡°But maybe you give me something and I give you something in return.¡± She brandished her journal. ¡°I am writing a history of all this. I might be convinced to give you a good shout.¡± She waggled her eyebrows.


    Elisa raised her hand, but brought it down quickly.


    ¡°Got something to say, rookie?¡± Luzi grunted.


    ¡°Um, isn¡¯t history supposed to be the truth, like facts and stuff? That¡¯s what my teacher said.¡± Elisa looked for support from the rest of the truck.


    They demurred.


    ¡°Have you heard the saying?¡± Luzi said. ¡°History is written by the winners.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°Rookie,¡± Luzi leaned toward her, ¡°win and you can have the say.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª not¡ª¡± Milly frowned.


    Luzi snorted. ¡°What are you talking about? I¡¯m pretty sure that¡¯s how you guys write your histories.¡±


    Alin nudged Luzi¡¯s boot with his own and flashed a subtle hand sign disguised by covering a yawn.


    ¡°So? How about it, Mills? You scratch my back and I make you look real good?¡±


    Milly crossed her arms under her chest and angled toward him.


    He maintained eye contact.


    ¡°I really don¡¯t know anything else and even if I did I wouldn¡¯t sell information for any price,¡± Milly said.


    He didn¡¯t have the gray out, so he couldn¡¯t suss out how honest the congresswoman¡¯s aide was.


    Steady eye contact with Luzi, but that could¡¯ve just been good political training.


    Being part of such a small team suggested Milly was competent at a minimum and nothing over the past few weeks had led him to think otherwise.


    ¡°Suit yourself.¡± Luzi shrugged. ¡°So, rookies. Who wants to tell me their life story? I¡¯m always looking for protagonists.¡±


    Alin sighed.


    ¡°Luzi, true historical accounts don¡¯t have protagonists.¡±


    ¡°Pfft! Shows what you know.¡±


    Several hands rose hesitantly.

 Interlude: Flags 1.5

    Aims woke up in a tangle of damp sheets.


    Alone.


    His latest lady friend was gone.


    Teachers had to get up early for the whole educating children thing.


    He was mildly hopeful about this one.


    She got him.


    Specifically, his nightmares.


    Plus, she understood the lifestyle.


    Like him, she had lived in the world before the spires, survived through the early years and was still standing decades after. Like him, she carried a train of dead loved ones in her wake.


    Yup.


    She was a keeper.


    He wasn¡¯t planning to screw it up.


    Warm orange light peeked through his blinds.


    Not yet dawn.


    He couldn¡¯t quite remember the flavor of last night¡¯s nightmare.


    Blessed.


    He rolled out of bed and started push ups.


    5 minutes of that and he switched to burpees.


    Another 5 minutes and he was in the bathroom taking care of morning ablutions.


    He had a couple of hours before he had to go into Ranger HQ for training of the newest generation of gunslingers and adjacent class types.


    He eyed the huge flatscreen up on his living room wall and the vintage Playstation.


    The young people favored total immersion gaming.


    He preferred being reminded of his younger days when fighting monsters was done from the safety of a couch with a controller in hand.


    The revival of one of his favorite shooters from when he was a kid had been out for a few months. He had downloaded and installed it day one, but things kept getting in the way.


    From Quests to his daily tasks to any number of excuses kept popping up.


    But, perhaps it was fear that kept him from playing.


    The idea that it wouldn¡¯t be as good in the present as it was in his memories terrified him.


    ¡°Halcyon days, man.¡± He sighed.


    It was a crutch.


    He knew this intellectually.


    Therapist talks made him acknowledge that.


    Super-charged nostalgia.


    Hard to blame him when the past had a before and after an actual apocalypse.


    He sat down and picked up the controller.


    Cold plastic.


    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be fair anyways.¡±


    First person shooters with enhanced hand eye coordination and perceptions were too easy and that was with just his passives.


    PVE or PVP.


    It didn¡¯t matter.


    Not even kids with gamer-type classes could give him a challenge.


    Did he want to ruin the memories of his favorite ever game for an experience that wasn¡¯t likely to prove worth it?


    His therapist seemed to think it was a good idea.


    Moving on from the elements of the past that weighed on him or something like that.


    ¡°Destiny,¡± he muttered.


    Probably.


    Maybe if he tried to view it as just another challenge. Just another crucible to overcome.


    He didn¡¯t allow himself to think further.


    He tapped the button like he drew his revolvers, without conscious thought.


    Game on.


    Logged on.


    Match on.


    The round started well.


    His team quickly whittled the other team down to one last.


    The little punk must¡¯ve had good gaming Skills.


    Hopping around like a rabbit on alchemical stims while popping off head shots.


    He actually had to activate a Skill to stay alive.


    His opponent activated a super and turned his handcannon into a shining, golden one.


    ¡°Oh shi¡ª¡±


    Aims flinched his head to one side.


    The golden bullet streaked past, scorching the side of his head and taking an ear off.


    He dived for his revolvers on the side table and came up firing.


    Too slow.


    The character on the screen stared at him with eyes the color of the gun from behind an oddly-shaped helmet. Bulbous, insect-like.


    An inexorable gravity pulled Aims¡¯ gaze down to his own chest.


    Smoke carried the acrid tang into his nose.


    He reached into the fist-sized hole¡ª


    Aims woke up in a tangle of drenched sheets.


    Not all of it was from he and his lady friend¡¯s exertions from the night before.


    It was his sweat.


    From the nightmare.


    Nothing else.


    He groaned.


    Nightmare-ceptions were the worst.


    He thought he had done all the work, but he was going to have to do it again.


    So, he did.


    This time, he left the game console off and went to Ranger HQ early instead.


    ¡°Fucking handcannons¡­¡± he muttered.


    The over-sized, over-designed monstrosities might¡¯ve be cool and fun in a game, but they were awful in real life.


    He rubbed his eyes.


    ¡°They¡¯re too heavy to wear in a waist holster like God intended.¡±


    ¡°Sir?¡±


    ¡°Hand travel.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­¡±


    ¡°Holster on your leg is farther from your hand than one on your waist. This was covered at the beginning.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s too big to wear there.¡±


    Hence the whole point he was constantly trying to make about classic, normal-sized revolvers being superior to the ridiculous handcannons.


    The kid¡¯s smile had steadily fallen.


    Went from excited to concerned.


    ¡°Alright, let me see your quick draw.¡±


    The kid did it.


    ¡°0.65 secs slower than with a normal revolver.¡± Aims pushed through the kid¡¯s downcast gaze. ¡°To be expected with the increase in size and weight. You¡¯ll just have to work harder to shave that time down. May I take a look?¡±


    The kid spun the handcannon with a flourish and presented it grip first.


    ¡°Not bad.¡±


    Walnut grip.


    Black steel with gold etchings and inlays.


    Gold top rail and hammer.


    He tried not to remember the nightmare.


    ¡°This a Del Campo Arms?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir. Early birthday present from my parents.¡±


    Not the original Del Campo.


    Tomas had gone to the Threnosh world with most of Sacramento.


    Even then the old man had to be over 80, maybe even 90 years old.


    He probably wasn¡¯t making guns by hand much anymore.


    Everything coming out of the local branch of Del Campo Arms was being done by his old apprentices and his apprentices¡¯ apprentices.


    He examined the weapon with a discerning eye.


    Tell tale marks of an artisan¡¯s hands rather than automated machinery were evidenced all over the piece.


    ¡°It¡¯s a work of art,¡± he said honestly.


    He felt the hint of enchantments.


    ¡°What perks did you go with?¡±


    ¡°Hip-fire sights. Extended range in the barrel. Quick trigger. Extra strength cylinder and frame so it can handle pretty much every enchanted and irregular round we have in the armory, sir!¡±


    ¡°No recoil mitigations?¡±


    ¡°That was the most they could fit, sir. My plan was to let the weight help a lot with that for now and I¡¯m planning on picking up Skills as soon as I can. I figured, like you said, I should get Skills that¡¯ll apply to any gun I put in my hand.¡±


    ¡°Feels good in your hand?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡±


    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s what matters the most for a gunslinger. I¡¯ll let that be my last word on your choice of gun.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°Sharp of eye and quick of hands.¡±


    ¡°Me?¡± Aims stared at the 5 on his white card. ¡°Are we not going to address the missing 3 and 4?¡±


    ¡°Apparently not,¡± Mouthy mumbled.


    The witch of portents¡¯ shining eyes bored into Aims.


    ¡°Okay, so I¡¯m next after Hardhat or Creepy comes out?¡±


    ¡°Fate cannot be avoided and it can only be delayed for a time¡­ your time is now.¡±


    ¡°They literally just went in¡­ there¡­¡± he eyed the black abyss.


    He still couldn¡¯t penetrate it.


    Granted he hadn¡¯t gone all out with his best vision Skill on account of not wanting to mess up the whole hospitality thing.


    One never knew what sort of dire consequences messing around with witch hospitality could lead to.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    Actually, that wasn¡¯t true.


    They knew of documented cases where violators paid rather steep prices for exactly that.


    He sent a hand sign to Captain Butcher.


    If she gave him the order he¡¯d do it.


    Negative. Maintain course.


    Copy that.


    He sighed.


    ¡°They haven¡¯t been in there long enough to finish?¡± He tried.


    ¡°It is your time,¡± the witch intoned.


    ¡°Less than a minute since Creepy went in,¡± Spiritwalker said.


    ¡°Time?¡± Captain Butcher said. ¡°I have 46 seconds and counting.¡±


    ¡°50,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°41,¡± Spiritwalker said.


    ¡°55.¡±


    Aims shrugged.


    He wanted to call shenanigans.


    Would¡¯ve done it had he not been so rattled by the nightmares in recent weeks on top of the current witch experience.


    ¡°I just walk into that?¡±


    The witch tipped her hat.


    ¡°Try to not accidentally play grab ass with Hardhat and Creepy,¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°You better not accidentally land face first in my ass when it¡¯s your turn.¡±


    ¡°No promises.¡±


    Aims stood and tipped his cowboy hat to the witch.


    ¡°Well, ma¡¯am, this cowboy reckons it¡¯s past time he moseyed along down to the old, uh, fortune telling well.¡± He sauntered his best saunter to honor the costume. Boots thumped and spurs jingled.


    The black void swallowed him like the maw of some giant monster like fate was wont to chew him up and spit him out.


    Right into almost high noon in a dusty, desert town.


    One street.


    A saloon on one side and a sheriff¡¯s on the other.


    Down the way stood a small figure shrouded in the deepest shadow.


    ¡°The fuck is this¡­¡± he muttered.


    The little witch, the girl, grinned pearly whites from beneath the wide brim of her pointy hat.


    Couldn¡¯t quite make out her eyes.


    ¡°Sometimes the craft works out differently for different people. For one it might be that they¡¯re tied to the past. To a single moment. Defining, traumatizing. While another might only hold the present in their hearts and minds. The here, the now.¡±


    ¡°Reckon I thought this was about the future?¡± He glanced at the looming clock tower. The long hand ticked closer to noon. ¡°How¡¯s this gonna work?¡±


    ¡°Sometimes the future can only be glimpsed through blood.¡±


    ¡°Now, hold on right there, little missy! I ain¡¯t about to put no holes in a kid! The impropriety!¡±


    The dazzling white grin grew wider than it should¡¯ve been possible on a human mouth.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, ranger captain¡­ you won¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°I ain¡¯t gonna draw on you!¡±


    ¡°You best or I reckon I¡¯ll be sending you on the first train to meet your maker.¡± She giggled.


    He eyed his revolvers.


    They looked like his real ones.


    ¡°Ah¡­ sh¡ª oot.¡±


    There was no way the witch of portents would let her little apprentice get hurt for real.


    It had to be a game.


    The bell tolled.


    He drew.


    No actives, just passives and natural skill.


    A single bang rang out.


    He stared across the sun bleached distance.


    At the smoking wand in the little witch¡¯s hand.


    Wet red gushed out his chest with every rapid beat of his heart.


    ¡°So much, so fast.¡±


    It had already spread out into a pool at his boots.


    He glanced at the sky and the harsh golden orb berating him for his failure.


    ¡°I tip my hat to you. Even though you cheated. There was at least 10 seconds left before noon on that clock.¡± He glared at the offending tower. Naturally, it was stuck at noon.


    The little witch returned the gesture.


    ¡°A witch plays by the rules even if sometimes she¡¯s the only one that knows them all.¡±


    The revolver in his hand felt heavy, so he let it slip.


    Then standing seemed too hard, so he let that go and fell to his knees.


    The little witch stood in front of him now.


    She knelt in front of his growing pool of blood.


    ¡°What do you see in my future?¡± He thought he could see scenes playing out in crimson, but that might have been his blurring vision. ¡°Cause I reckon I cain¡¯t see much.¡±


    She giggled.


    ¡°That funny, huh?¡±


    ¡°Sorry. It¡¯s fun pretending to be someone else. I mean¡ª I reckon I can see a little bit of what¡¯s waiting for you at the station, pardner.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t stay that angry with a giggling little girl.


    As long as one of them was having a good time.


    Aims slumped on his knees while his vision darkened.


    The little witch moved around the spreading pool.


    He got the vague impression that she was¡­ painting?


    She hummed as she appeared to swish and flourish a short stick in her hand.


    ¡°Well, darlin¡¯, don¡¯t keep me waitin¡¯. I ain¡¯t got much time left, goin¡¯ by how much is leakin¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ it¡¯s clear. Sometimes it won¡¯t matter how quick on the draw you are or how good your aim is,¡± she pronounced. ¡°Your turn!¡±


    <hr>


    The scene shifted¡­ for Aims.


    One moment he was bleeding out on dusty dirt road, the next he sat on a barstool inside the saloon with a few fingers of whisky in a glass of questionable provenance.


    He almost signaled the bartender for a clean-ish one when he realized said bartender wasn¡¯t more than a hazy figure.


    The old man¡ª and that was just a guess¡ª looked like Aims was looking at him through a frosted shower glass wall and out of the corner of both his eyes.


    The rest of the saloon was just as dream-like for a lack of a better word.


    He could sort of hear organ music. The automatic kind that sort of reminded him of those ancient movies he had watched with his grandpa back before the spires.


    He coughed at the cigar smoke. Even if it, like the music, was muted.


    Someone sidled up to the bar next to him.


    ¡°Bar¡­ man? I will have an ale?¡± The little witch had to climb the tall barstool.


    ¡°I may be many things, but I ain¡¯t the type of fella to serve no liquor to no children.¡±


    She sighed. ¡°It¡¯s not even really real,¡± she muttered. ¡°Fine, I will have a juice.¡±


    ¡°Ain¡¯t got no juice. Whisky, beer and water. And I¡¯d only recommend two of those.¡±


    ¡°Forget it.¡± She waved the bartender away.


    Aims took a sip.


    ¡°You¡¯re not missing anything. It doesn¡¯t taste like real whisky. More like watered down, but worse. This your teacher¡¯s spell or Skill or a combo?¡±


    ¡°Mmmm¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. Secrets. I get that.¡± He regarded the little witch.


    Yup¡­ still clad in black robes and hidden by the shadow of her pointy hat.


    ¡°So, about my future? You going to add some details? Be a bit more specific. It sounded a little bad for me and I¡¯d like a better reading so I can make it, how do I say this? Less bad?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, Mister Cowboy, but I really can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t or won¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°That was a one time thing for you, for now, for this moment of time. What I saw, I don¡¯t have in my head anymore. I mean, I know I saw something. Just not what exactly it was.¡±


    ¡°You think your teacher can?¡±


    The little witch shook her head.


    ¡°This place is for just you and me.¡±


    He let the muted noises of the saloon carry on while he chewed on that for awhile.


    Time wasn¡¯t working properly.


    ¡°I guess I owe you a story.¡±


    ¡°One moment, please.¡± She reached to her side and pulled out a plastic cup with a straw.


    Aside from the two of them it was the only other real thing in the saloon so Aims couldn¡¯t help but zero in on it with his enhanced perceptions.


    ¡°Strawberry milk tea?¡± He raised a brow and eyed his fake watery whisky. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t have another, would you?¡±


    She pulled out another and passed it to him before abruptly pulling it back.


    ¡°Oops, sorry.¡± She cleared her throat. ¡°Freely given, I expect nothing in return for this sustenance and lightening of the soul.¡±


    She tried to slide the plastic cup on the bar top but it wasn¡¯t a good sliding cup on the account of the lack of weight and solidness.


    Disaster would¡¯ve struck if it wasn¡¯t for a gunslinger¡¯s reflexes.


    Aims brought the extra wide straw to his lips and pulled a satisfying amount into his parched mouth.


    He chewed a bit.


    ¡°Boba and those tiny square jelly things.¡± He toasted the little witch. ¡°Tastes like real strawberries and milk.¡±


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Dunno, reckon I might¡¯ve been expecting some kind of faerie fruit and faerie dairy.¡±


    The little witch giggled.


    ¡°Hey! Reckon I ain¡¯t so bad about the rhyming,¡± he grinned. ¡°Now, bout that story time¡­¡±


    ¡­


    Rayna¡¯s Rangers Squad 68 hunted a murderer.


    Not a normal kind.


    Once a woman, now a monster.


    A specialized variant of the flesheater class.


    ¡°You guys think that thing had anything to do with her whole¡­ deal?¡± Atelier pointed her tactical wand at the fountain. ¡°It¡¯s pretty spot on.¡±


    Aims had done the research, knew a bit of the fountain¡¯s history.


    Dating back to 16th Century the colorful stone sculpture depicted a grotesque scene of a fat, ogre-looking man in the process of devouring a baby head first. More kids were arrayed around the man. A few were hanging out of his bag. Another was in the crook of his arm, while one was tied to his back by a green cloth.


    Dainty brandished his two-handed mace-ax. ¡°You want me to break it, captain? Just in case it comes to life.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    The sculpture was just a sculpture.


    ¡°I thought that evil Santa Claus monster was more of a naked, skinny old man¡­ except for the weird proportions with being a 7 footer?¡± Quokka Prince said.


    The eponymous animal on her shoulder chittered in agreement.


    ¡°Found her lair, captain.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ shit¡­ so did we.¡±


    ¡°Jokes on your weirdos, for it was us who have found her lair.¡±


    Chatter erupted over the comms.


    ¡°Sounds like she¡¯s a multiple home owner.¡± Quokka Prince shrugged, which was mirrored by her bonded animal.


    ¡°Which one¡¯s¡­ ugh¡­ the freshest?¡± Atelier said.


    ¡°Bones. Mostly dry. Blood smells older. I¡¯d guess a week or more. Definitely less than a month.¡±


    ¡°Same where we¡¯re at¡­¡±


    ¡°Uh, I guess that means we¡¯re the winners.¡±


    ¡°High alert. Pull back. Everyone else converges.¡±


    Aims rushed.


    The Baby Eater, as she had been dubbed by the locals, wasn¡¯t nearby.


    His enhanced perceptions, as well as Skills, like danger sense, of his squad led them to reasonably believe that they weren¡¯t under an imminent risk of attack.


    Granted, invading her lairs would be something that could change that.


    The lair was an old home.


    A row of them.


    Whrack slithered out of a shadow on the wall and Bali appeared in a puff of white smoke in place of a log that had been leaning against an overgrown sidewalk tree.


    The former spoke in a low whisper.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to say it over the comms, but¡­ yeah¡­ I think we found the baby.¡±


    The latter spat.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know that for sure.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s only one missing baby in the area. Who else could it be?¡±


    Bali shrugged.


    ¡°Might be from farther away.¡±


    ¡°Dead?¡±


    A question that Aims already knew the answer to.


    ¡°Better show you, captain,¡± Whrack said.


    ¡°Alright, squad. Set up a defensive perimeter, but keep a small corridor open.¡±


    With luck the Baby Eater would take offense at the home invasion and have a go at him.


    A couple of bullets to her brain and heart would put an end to the local people¡¯s nightmare.


    He followed his scouts into an abattoir.


    Tiny bones everywhere.


    Stains in many colors.


    Red, brown and black for blood.


    Yellow, brown and green for other things.


    ¡°This way,¡± Whrack beckoned.


    The bedroom had an old, tattered bed covered in stains and exposed springs sticking out of tears in the fabric with what he was fairly certain were pieces of torn human flesh.


    ¡°We figure she just, uh, tosses them on there and they get torn up by the springs,¡± Bali said.


    ¡°Your nose pick up her trail from here?¡±


    Whrack shook her head.


    He hadn¡¯t expected it.


    Just from looking at the place he knew that the stench must¡¯ve been overwhelming.


    Once again he gave thanks to a helmet with filtration and an internal oxygen supply in case the former wasn¡¯t enough.


    He regarded the tiny body on the bed.


    It looked more like something he¡¯d find at a butcher shop rather than in the arms of a happy mother gathered with a happy family around the warmth of a fireplace.


    ¡°Some Christmas,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°See what I meant? There¡¯s no way to tell if it¡¯s him,¡± Bali said.


    ¡°Traces of his clothing? The blanket?¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t find any, but someone else is welcome to try,¡± Whrack said.


    ¡°If you can¡¯t, then I doubt someone else will be able to, but we¡¯ll leave it up to the locals.¡±


    ¡°Captain, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea to let them see this,¡± Bali said. ¡°Whether it¡¯s the baby we¡¯re looking for or not, it¡¯s a knife in my gut to leave him or her laying there like that.¡±


    Aims forced himself to look.


    He was an old hand at horrific sights, sounds and smells, but this had his stomach churning and heart breaking.


    The image of a happy baby shifted with the limbless torso and ruined face.


    His imagination betrayed him as he saw the Baby Eater tearing into the face to slurp up the meat and brain as if she was eating clam chowder in a bread bowl.


    ¡°Hair?¡±


    ¡°Baby was bald, captain.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right, thanks, Whrack.¡± He turned and forced himself to walk out of the room.


    The squad gathered around him outside the house.


    ¡°We¡¯ll try to pick up the trail from here. And I¡¯ll call the mayor¡¯s office. Let them know what we found here. I¡¯ll leave it up to them from there.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Anyways, that¡¯s why that was the worst experience of my life.¡±


    The little witch blinked.


    ¡°What happened to the Baby Eater?¡±


    She almost pitched right off the barstool as she leaned toward him.


    ¡°Tracked her to some mountains outside the city. Fought a bit, herded her into a narrow canyon. And, uh, rocks fell, she died.¡±

 Interlude: Flags 1.6

    ¡°What about Case?¡±


    ¡°No! Stay away from him! I hear he¡¯s a total slut!¡±


    ¡°Yeah! I heard he¡¯s done it with both fake tits Amy and real tits Amy.¡±


    ¡°Plus, like, half the tri-delts freshman pledge class!¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ then what about Solomon? Him and Jess broke up, right?¡±


    ¡°Fuck him for that, by the way.!And no. We have to support Jess!¡±


    ¡°Well, Bayley, I need a date for the formal and I¡¯m running out of time.¡±


    ¡°Plenty of non-assholes you can fucking try first instead of a literal man slut and the king of the assholes.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe he cheated on Jess on the day of their anniversary!¡±


    ¡°Wait? How long have they been going out?¡±


    ¡°Officially official? Like, 2 months.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t believe this, but I heard from Kingston that Solomon¡¯s saying that he didn¡¯t know that him and Jess were supposed to be exclusive.¡±


    ¡°Can we get him banned? I think it¡¯ll be good for Jess if we get him banned. Right, bitches?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m, like, fuck him, you know. Where¡¯s the loyalty? If I was Jess I¡¯d¡ª¡±


    The lights flickered in the dorm common room.


    ¡°Oh my god! What the fuck is going on?¡±


    The lights kept flickering.


    Much longer than normal flickering as far as the coeds were familiar with.


    Screams erupted.


    Animal pain.


    All throughout their dorm.


    Then in the common room.


    ¡°Help! Something¡¯s biting me!¡±


    ¡°Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck¡ª¡±


    ***


    Bayley smashed the empty beer bottle over the tiny gremlin¡¯s head even as it ripped Solomon¡¯s throat out.


    Contrary to what she had seen in movies and TV shows, the bottle didn¡¯t instantly shatter, which was good for her because she used it to bludgeon another tiny monster as it savaged Jess¡¯ back.


    ¡°Jess? Jess? C¡¯mon, you have to get up. Don¡¯t look at Sol¡ª¡± she noticed the ivory peeking out of the wet red ribbons on her sorority sister¡¯s back. ¡°C¡¯mon, Jess¡­ it doesn¡¯t look that bad¡­¡± she rolled Jess over and instantly regretted staring into sightless eyes and all the liquids dripping from a slack mouth.


    ¡°Fuckfuckfuckfuck!¡±


    She gagged at the stench.


    Another thing those liars failed to show in the movies.


    People pissed and shit themselves when they died.


    Before, during, after.


    She had seen and smelled enough of it to consider herself an expert.


    Had done it herself on several occasions.


    She remembered that sweet nerd, Thomas, mention it was because of adrenaline and the flight or fight response. Something about the human body making itself lighter. He had even showed her a clip of two bears fighting and shitting as they fought. Had it saved on his phone for some reason.


    Fuck!


    That was one of the last things she watched before the phones and computers had stopped working.


    ¡°Fuck you, spires!¡± She shot a 1-fingered salute at the gleaming, spindle dick jutting from the social ecology building. ¡°Fuck, guys. I¡¯m sorry.¡± She gathered the backpacks Solomon and Jess had been carrying. ¡°We¡¯ll be back for you.¡±


    It was a lie, but what did that matter to the dead.


    Fact was that people needed the supplies.


    They were out of antibiotics for all the claw slashes and bites.


    Trinity could maybe heal one bad bite every 2 hours and she was definitely not going to be able to keep doing that for much longer based on how much she was puking.


    She truly wanted to be able to return for Jess, at least.


    To burn her body.


    They had learned that the monsters just dug up the bodies they had buried in the lawn in front of their dorm.


    Maybe, Solomon too?


    He had stepped up since that night and she guessed he had made the ultimate sacrifice.


    ¡°Fuck!¡±


    It was all too serious.


    The apocalypse was like a stupid nerd game, but so many people had already died and she had no idea how her family was doing.


    ***


    The cops came in blasting.


    Gremlins screeched and snarled in their death throes.


    Addisyn screamed.


    Bayley glanced over.


    Her friend was covering Genesis, who wasn¡¯t moving.


    She closed her eyes when she noticed the red pool rapidly spreading beneath Genesis¡¯ unmoving form.


    The cops swaggered in.


    They were talking, but Bayley didn¡¯t care.


    She tried to pull Addisyn off Genesis.


    A sudden gunshot rang out.


    ¡°Geez! We just saved you! Stop crying! Show some goddamn gratitude!¡± a baby-faced cop with a terrible attempt at a beard snapped.


    ¡°Shut the fuck up!¡± she fired back before she realized. ¡°You shot our friend!¡±


    ¡°Aww, man¡­ it¡¯s not like we did it on purpose¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut it! Go outside, secure the perimeter.¡± An older cop approached. ¡°What¡¯s your name, girl?¡±


    ¡°Why do you want to know?¡±


    ¡°To build rapport. I¡¯m Sgt. Bradley, John Bradley. You can call me John. I¡¯m sorry about your friend.¡± The older cop held out a bloody hand. ¡°But it¡¯s not safe here. Come with us. We have a safe space for you and your friends.¡±


    ***


    The other shoe dropped a week later.


    Sgt. Bradley gathered her and her handful of friends, along with other women and children they had picked up in other parts of the city.


    The police station conference room was almost full.


    ¡°Here¡¯s the deal. Everyone needs to contribute. Me and my boys fight the monsters, collect supplies and generally keep you all safe, right?¡±


    No one could argue that, but Bayley¡¯s gut didn¡¯t like were this was headed.


    The cops had been eyeing her and the others like they were at a party all dressed up at their best even though they had been living rough for months.


    She couldn¡¯t remember the last time she had washed her hair or shaved her legs.


    ¡°I¡¯d been fucking saying that we can fight too.¡± She spoke before she realized it. ¡°We weren¡¯t doing too bad a job of it back at our dorm.¡±


    ¡°You were starving before we rescued you, girl.¡± Sgt. Bradley silenced her with a look.


    ¡°We cook and clean. We do the laundry.¡± One of the older women said.


    She was probably over 30 judging by the ages of her two daughters.


    ¡°And your housekeeping efforts are appreciated, but one has to see that¡¯s sort of the minimum level of contribution.¡±


    Bayley opened her mouth, but a sharp pain in her side turned her retort into a hiss.


    ¡°Stop it! You¡¯ll get us all in trouble,¡± Addisyn hissed.


    ¡°We¡¯re already in trouble!¡±


    Sgt. Bradley continued as if he hadn¡¯t heard the exchange.


    ¡°The point is that the minimum is no longer acceptable. My boys need more in exchange for risking their lives every hour of every day.¡±


    ¡°We can fight.¡±


    ¡°I never said you can¡¯t, but can you look me in the eye and say that you can fight just as good as my boys?¡± Sgt. Bradley held her gaze. ¡°You can¡¯t because that¡¯s not what you are meant to do. Women and girls aren¡¯t meant to fight. You just lack the strength. It¡¯s just natural biology. Men are superior in terms of muscle mass, density and so on. Sure, we can let you fight with us, but it wouldn¡¯t be optimal. Our natural protective instincts will just mean that we¡¯ll put ourselves at risk to pick up your slack.¡±


    ¡°Fuck it!¡± she snapped. ¡°All I¡¯m hearing is that you¡¯re going to rape us.¡±


    ¡°Now, now¡­ that isn¡¯t what I¡¯m saying at all. Consent is important to me. Think of it as an exchange of goods and services, if that¡¯s easier to understand. You get food, water, medicine and safety. All you have to do is continue cooking and cleaning. And occasionally provide stress relief for my boys. We¡¯ll work out a schedule so that the division of labor is fair and equitable.¡±


    The smile on the cop¡¯s face couldn¡¯t have been any more evil to Bayley.


    It reminded her of a saying from one of her classes.


    Months ago felt like an eternity away.


    Made even more distant by the sinking feeling that a return to that normalcy was no longer possible.


    ¡°Now, like I said, I value consent. So, anyone that doesn¡¯t wish to participate may leave with your things, of course, and a backpack of supplies. We aren¡¯t the bad guys.¡±


    ¡°Fine. I¡¯m out then.¡±


    Bayley packed quickly and failing to convince anyone else to go with her was escorted to the rear exit of the police station.


    ¡°What the fuck are you waiting for?¡± She gestured at the barricaded door. ¡°Am I supposed to open it?¡±


    ¡°Nope,¡± the baby-faced cop said.


    A thick arm closed around her neck.


    She tried to scream but a damp cloth was slapped over her mouth.


    She kicked and tried to draw her knife, but they were too strong and darkness claimed her.


    ***


    Sgt. Bradley sighed.


    ¡°Fuck you for pretending to be sad!¡± She spat through the bars.


    ¡°We¡¯d all rather you be willing, but with how the world is now¡­ you¡¯re too valuable to just let wander off and get eaten by monsters. America needs both of us. Men to fight. And women to repopulate.¡±


    ***


    Sgt. Bradley slammed into the bars of Bayley¡¯s cell.


    ¡°Wait¡ª please¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut it, rapist! You want mercy? You want consideration? I¡¯ll give you the same you gave them. You can call them underage women all you want, that doesn¡¯t make them anything other than children. Die like you lived¡­ a piece of shit on the ground!¡±


    The scream was drowned out by the snap, crackle and pop of Sgt. Bradley¡¯s bones as his entire body was compressed into roughly the size and shape of a basketball.


    ¡°What the fuck!¡±


    The words slipped from her mouth before she realized.


    It had always been a bad habit.


    ¡°Oh¡ª crap! I¡¯m¡ª sorry. I didn¡¯t know anyone was down here.¡±


    The woman looked young-ish, college-aged like Bayley.


    Straight black hair in a ponytail.


    Brown skin so fresh and clean, aside from the blood splatters, that Bayley was instantly jealous.


    She missed the days she had the products and time to take care of herself like a proper young woman should.


    Instead, she felt at her lank and stringy hair.


    She hadn¡¯t seen a mirror in awhile, but she was certain that her skin was pale and sickly looking.


    The lack of sun did that to a person, this she knew.


    She regarded the woman¡¯s body armor.


    The woman followed her gaze.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a cop. I just took this from other cops.¡±


    The woman reached for the bars.


    Bayley flinched away.


    Too fast.


    The woman moved too fast.


    ¡°Easy. I¡¯m not going to hurt you. No one here can hurt you ever again. I¡¯m just going to get you out of there. Then you can decide what you want to do, but I hope you¡¯ll let us help.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what they said.¡± She spat on the Sgt. Bradley basketball.


    ¡°You have no reason to believe me right now, but if you give me a chance¡­¡±This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Bayley shrugged.


    ¡°Don¡¯t have much of a fucking choice, do I? It¡¯s either you or I die in here. Was looking forward to that.¡±


    ¡°Here.¡± The woman pulled out a gun and slowly extended it grip-first through the bars. ¡°Will this help you feel safer?¡±


    ¡°I want to say yes, but you handing me a gun makes me think it¡¯s a trick. It¡¯s either not loaded or its fake bullets.¡±


    ¡°Why would I carry around a fake or unloaded gun?¡±


    ¡°I dunno, but fuck it¡­ you did that to that piece of shit without it, so¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fair. Feel free to check.¡±


    ¡°I think I fucking will.¡±


    The gun turned out to be real and loaded with real bullets, as far as she knew how such things worked.


    The rapist cops hadn¡¯t let her or the others near their guns.


    In hindsight that had been a pretty big warning sign she had missed in those first few days before they had revealed their true selves.


    ¡°So, I¡¯m going to get you out of there now.¡±


    ¡°Fuck it,¡± she shrugged.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    The woman pulled the cell door open with a snap and squeal.


    Bayley took satisfaction in that it reminded her of how Sgt. Bradley went to his deserved fate.


    ¡°It¡¯s Bayley. What¡¯s yours?¡±


    ¡°My name is Rayna. Come on, Bayley, let¡¯s get out of this shit hole.¡±


    The woman turned her back and walked down the dimly-lit corridor.


    ¡°Wait. One second.¡±


    Rayna stopped and regarded her with a questioning look.


    Bayley eyed the Sgt. Bradley basketball for a moment before kicking him into the dark depths of the cell corridor.


    ¡°Motherfucker! That hurt!¡±


    A loud chime rang out.


    ***


    The doorbell incessantly rang like some dumb kid was pressing on it as if he had fire ants in his underwear and the doorbell was an anti-ant sound.


    ¡°Fuckfuckfuckfuck! Alright! I¡¯m awake, you dumb fucking fuck!¡±


    Mouthy ripped her sheets from her damp body.


    She had been doing way too much laundry for her tastes lately.


    Too many damn old nightmares she had thought were way back there barely visible in the rear view mirror.


    She didn¡¯t bother with clothes.


    If shorts and sports bra were good enough for her, then it was good enough for everyone else.


    She slammed the door open.


    Yup.


    Dumb kid alright.


    ¡°Fuck you want?¡± She squinted against the morning glare reflected off the kid¡¯s faceplate. ¡°Junior ranger? Messenger?¡±


    The dumb kid¡¯s faceplate slid open with a salute to reveal wide eyes.


    ¡°Jes Morningstar, sir, yessir!¡±


    ¡°What? You never see a six-pack on a 50 year old before.¡±


    ¡°No, sir, I mean, yessir.¡±


    The kid¡¯s eyes darted every which way before deciding to settle on the ground.


    ¡°Morningstar, Morningstar, Morningstar? The kid. I know your parents, kid. Your brother and sister too. You better have a goddamn good reason for bother me at this ungodly hour.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s after 10, sir.¡±


    ¡°Like I said.¡±


    The kid pulled out a wrapped package from his bag of holding.


    ¡°Aw¡­ fuck.¡±


    She had hoped the Halloween thing had been forgotten.


    ¡°Sign here, sir.¡±


    She stabbed her signature into the tablet the kid held up.


    ¡°Get the fuck out of here and watch the skies. I figure you don¡¯t want to get picked up by a harpy. The pervy shit you youths talk about? Yeah, don¡¯t think that¡¯s likely. They¡¯d sooner drop you from a few hundred feet up rather than give you that bird pussy. The fuck you want some birdussy anyways?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª uh¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be a weird perv. Think of how that¡¯d disappoint your parents. Well, maybe not your dad so much. He pissed and shit himself more than once when we were fighting all those undead down in SD. As for you mom? Nah¡­ she¡¯s a bad bitch. No notes, she¡¯s a real one. You¡¯d be a fucking twatter not to ask her how to not piss and shit yourself.¡±


    She shooed him away and slammed the door.


    There.


    Her day was ruined, so hopefully she ruined a semi-retired ranger¡¯s day in return.


    Morningstar Sr. Had always been a bit of a cocky asshole.


    Probably, still one in his old age like her.


    Always good to remind those types every once in a while that they, too, had shit their pants once or thrice.


    The package went flying into her living room.


    She had more important things to take care of first.


    Namely, her work out.


    Her home gym was one of those rubber mats from an actual gym she had stolen a long time ago.


    Blood, sweat and tears.


    It had seen plenty of hers.


    No weights required when she had her Skill.


    There were none that could be as heavy or heavier than her collective grief at each ranger death over the years.


    Levels and practice meant she could wield it as she willed.


    Grief became a tangible burden across her back and shoulders as she did her squats.


    Push ups followed with the weight distributed across her back.


    Deadlifts with the weight at her hands, in the imaginary barbell at her feet with its invisible plates filled with her dead brothers, sisters¡­ children.


    On to the pull up bar with them dragging her down as she grunted reps and sets out.


    She didn¡¯t stop for almost an hour, moving from exercise to exercise with barely a minute break in between.


    Strengthen the mind, body and the Skill.


    Failure to do that meant that the weight of her grief would grow even faster.


    These days she wondered if it¡¯d ever get to a point that it would be too heavy for her to carry.


    ¡°Fuck that!¡± she muttered. ¡°Never. I¡¯ll put it down when I¡¯m dead.¡±


    The stupid package awaited her, but first, breakfast and her protein shake.


    <hr>


    Mouthy glanced from the hallway of fairly certain doom to the witch.


    Damn bitch was still all shadowy and shit.


    The whole time and she hadn¡¯t slipped an inch.


    Back and forth.


    She used it to help her keep count.


    Aims had been gone about 30 seconds, give or take a few minutes.


    God damn it!


    Sometimes she really hated magic.


    Well, not all magic.


    She was cool with fireballs, lightning bolts and what not.


    The kind that blew up her enemies.


    Now, the stuff that messed with her fixed view of reality?


    That sort of bullshit belonged in a toilet with her massive, steak-empowered logs.


    She almost said as much to the witch, but got a sudden shiver up her spine that seemed to say that the witch already knew what she was about to say.


    Her foot tapped a rapid beat against the wood, so she clamped down on her leg and forced it to still.


    The 6 on her white card glared at her like a black spotlight.


    For some reason the simple number bothered her more than the other card and its Death-whatever.


    ¡°You been giving me bad dreams?¡± she bit out. ¡°Cause I¡¯ve been having them lately for awhile now.¡±


    The witch made a noise of noncommittal.


    Mouthy took it as an admission.


    She considered jumping over the table.


    Sending nightmares was a legitimate hostile action.


    It was in the ranger handbook and was an actual law.


    ¡°Captain.¡±


    One word from Captain Butcher and she forced herself to plant her butt in her chair even harder than she already had.


    ¡°Black and motherfucking gold,¡± she muttered.


    The witch just regarded her with predatory eyes.


    ¡°Lost count of how many ways I¡¯ve died. Every night.¡±


    Well, almost every night, but fuck the witch. She didn¡¯t need to know that and she should be made to feel guilty.


    From where she sat, Mouthy didn¡¯t much care if the witch was supposedly doing all of this as some sort of benefit to the rangers.


    ¡°Dubious-fucking-ly.¡±


    She stood abruptly.


    ¡°Mouthy!¡± Spiritwalker reached for her arm.


    ¡°Touch me and I will smack a bitch¡­ you too, Spiritwalker. I¡¯m done playing along. Don¡¯t matter anyways. None of them came out. Probably, swallowed by a void beast. Figure, Creepy and Hardhat are a good ways down to its asshole. Aim¡¯s probably still getting chewed up.¡± She eyed the witch. ¡°Got anything to say.¡±


    ¡°Fate is like a witch. We both presume to arrive exactly when we mean to.¡±


    ¡°Thanks¡­ for nothing. Just for that I¡¯m not gonna watch my mouth around your kids. You¡¯re gonna have to explain to their parents¡ª they ain¡¯t yours, right?¡±


    The witch merely looked at her.


    ¡°Whatever, they¡¯re going to learn some creative ways to cuss. All thanks to you.¡±


    ¡°Curse words. Words of curse. A witch can make use of both.¡±


    ¡°Great. I¡¯ll bill you later.¡±


    She forged into the abyss and stumbled into a small home gym.


    ¡°What the fuck?¡±


    ¡°Some lack the imagination or the willingness to be served.¡±


    Seems that the home was actually owned by a gym bro or sis.


    Only someone like that would¡¯ve turned a bedroom into this.


    Power rack. Bench. A full set of dumbbells against the longest wall, which had a mirror across the whole space.


    The teen witch sat on the bench in incline mode.


    Matrix-looking fucker had the gall to look at her like she was the disappointing one.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather lick the blubber juice from the taint of a gonorrhea-infected seal.¡±


    He looked at her expectantly.


    ¡°You want an explanation? It¡¯ll cost you.¡±


    ¡°No. That¡¯s okay. I am here for a purpose.¡±


    ¡°Which is me.¡±


    She scowled down at him with her looming-est best.


    To his credit he didn¡¯t flinch.


    ¡°Yes and for myself.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah? What do you get out of it? Quest rewards? A level?¡±


    ¡°If my teacher is correct, more than one. Possibly several.¡±


    ¡°No shit?¡±


    ¡°Everyone seems to agree that my actions here represent just a small part of a momentous portion of history. Possibly.¡±


    ¡°Got to hedge those future bets, huh? You witches and your leaky cloacas. It¡¯s cause you use frogs and shit. And they got cloacas.¡±


    ¡°Yes. That is what I thought you must¡¯ve been crudely referring to. If you have expended your supply of bile, shall we begin.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s your show, teenage boy that looks to be struggling with an exceptionally late onset of puberty. What with your voice breaking like a tiny gremlin when I¡¯m stepping on its chest.¡± She figured the teen could use some of that smug getting wiped off his face. ¡°Levels will be good for you not getting eaten ass first by the first fae fucker your run into out in your witch bitches fucked up wonderland.¡± That bunch of softies probably babied the punk. He looked like he could do with some verbal face-in-dirt rubbing.


    ¡°My teacher warned me about you.¡±


    ¡°No shit? Cloaca leaking yet?¡±


    ¡°I do not have a cloaca. And if I did, it wouldn¡¯t be leaking from something so simple as crude verbiage.¡±


    ¡°Well, fuck me! Look who reads the dictionary! That¡¯s good! You like to see the youths expanding their vocabulary!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s start, shall we.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing, teen witch. Can¡¯t wait to see what bullshit you¡¯re going to shit out! You can do it! Fight on!¡±


    He stood and went to the closet.


    The door slid open at a touch.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡±


    That wasn¡¯t the kind of closet that could do that.


    It wasn¡¯t magical or technologically advanced.


    It was a plain, wooden closet with peeling paint and what sounded like metal and plastic runners that needed oiling or replacing.


    Inside were several cans of paint.


    Mouthy zeroed in on those.


    ¡°Did you prep all th¡ª¡±


    She read the labels.


    A lot of pastels.


    Several shades of pink.


    And two that pulled her gaze with forceful gravity.


    Black.


    Gold.


    ¡°Oh, no. I see where this shit is going¡ª¡±


    She turned to leave and found the door just gone.


    ¡°You have accepted of your own will. Consent freely given without coercion. We must attempt to see down the ends of your paths ere you may depart.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ slap a syphilitic seal in its dangly bits¡­ ain¡¯t no good shit when they start talking Shakespeare-style.¡±


    The teen witch opened a paint can and hurled its contents.


    Despite being inside the arc, no a single drop landed on Mouthy.


    ¡°One.¡±


    The teen witch reached for a second can.


    ¡°Jesus damn it! I hope the others had it stupider than me.¡±


    Mouthy grabbed a folding chair leaning against the wall and sat to watch paint fly around her without ever touching her.


    <hr>


    Mouthy eyed the teen witch dubiously.


    ¡°Looks like some weirdass bukkake shit.¡±


    He regarded her through narrowed eyes.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know the words you are using.¡±


    ¡°No shitting me?¡±


    He shook his head.


    To corrupt or not corrupt?


    It would serve the witches right for raising up creepy ass witch kids.


    Who the fuck does that?


    On purpose?


    The paint he had splattered all over the place just looked like a mess to her.


    She wasn¡¯t that much of a magic-blind idiot to not understand that this future-reading thing was probably like one of those ink splatter tests the therapists occasionally made her do.


    One big difference was she wasn¡¯t getting any sort of easing of her mental and emotional trauma looking at the bright pastels and random bits of black and gold.


    ¡°Well, shit, kid, don¡¯t keep me in suspense. What¡¯s my future looking like?¡±


    Black and gold.


    Yeah¡­ she sorta saw what was looming across her proverbial road to the future.


    Might be one big ass, chiseled road block that¡¯d stop her dead in her tracks, so to speak.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± The teen witch shrugged. ¡°I have completed my part. The burden is on your shoulders to glean your fate.¡±


    She narrowed her eyes.


    ¡°Man, fuck! Ain¡¯t you being all cryptic and knowing and shit.¡± She spat.


    Why the fuck not?


    It wasn¡¯t like her spit wouldn¡¯t just get mixed up in the paint.


    ¡°I give up. Don¡¯t see shit.¡±


    The teen witch frowned before grabbing her wrist and tugging.


    She didn¡¯t budge.


    ¡°Ask first or you might get some teeth punched in. Lucky for you I¡¯m full of patience for idiot youths in my old age.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve come to a sudden, but inevitable¡ª I think¡ª understanding.¡± His spoke oddly.


    Like he was far away and she was just getting a loud echo.


    ¡°Weird witch magic shit.¡± She nodded. ¡°Got it. Lead on, weirdo.¡±


    He pulled her around the room, past the dumbbells, under the power cage and from corner to corner.


    She let her boots drag through the paint.


    The original owner was going to come back to a horrible mess and she, in the fullness of her petty heart, smiled at that.


    ¡°Behold!¡± The teen witch manhandled her roughly by the shoulders, turning her body this way and that. Well, he tried. Despite the sudden strength belied by his scrawny form, he still couldn¡¯t have moved her without her willing participation.


    ¡°Jesus damn! Why are the youths so fucking weird these days?¡±


    ¡°See the fate painted by my brush!¡±


    ¡°What brush? You just threw up paint like¡ª¡±


    ¡°Behold!¡±


    ¡°Fine! Stop grabbing my face, weirdass kid!¡±


    The canvas was some small-dicked dude¡¯s home gym.


    Only they¡¯d turn a perfectly normal bedroom into one.


    Proper home gyms belonged in the garage or in a shed in the backyard.


    The paint was, well, paint.


    Bright pastels and black and gold.


    She saw¡ª


    ¡°Nah. Fuck this.¡±


    What did knowing her fate matter?


    Whatever it was she¡¯d meet it like she always did.


    With her weapons and rangers at her side.


    Worst case scenario?


    She died.


    Nah.


    They died.


    Best case scenario?


    She died.


    No more grief burden.


    She could finally rest.


    The hamster gears in her head turned.


    There was a way to turn this into fates for her friends that didn¡¯t suck.


    She had her Skills, after all.


    Maybe only one needed to pay the price in whatever dire shit these witches thought the rangers were going to step in.


    She clapped her hands in the teen witch¡¯s face, snapping him back to himself.


    ¡°Um?¡± He blinked at her like the dumbest fish in the school.


    ¡°You did great back there! Read my paint fate like a champ! Truly a witch among witches! I¡¯ll tell your teacher that.¡± She regarded him a moment. ¡°So, I owe you some kind of trauma story for you to suck up into your craft, like some kind of deviant vampire? No problem. I¡¯ve got so many. But, I¡¯ve got one I think you¡¯ll find just fan-fucking-tastic! Let me tell you about the first time I got my period.¡±


    Her day had been ruined.


    And now her night had been immeasurably ruined.


    It was only fair to pass that forward.

 Interlude: Flags 1.7

    ¡°Daddy?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Calla, my precious orchid?¡±


    ¡°Can we battle today? Building stuff is boring.¡±


    Rai chuckled.


    His daughter was 5 and was influenced by her friends at school and in the neighborhood.


    Battling tended to be popular among both boys and girls.


    He supposed growing up around the rangers might¡¯ve contributed to her burgeoning hunger for battle.


    It also didn¡¯t help that his attorney wife, nearly half his age, approached her work through the lens of battle. All the way from the macro of a military campaign down to the micro of a one versus one fight between opposing champions.


    Kids picked up on that sort of energy, whether intentionally-projected or not.


    ¡°What was the rule we agreed on, Orchid?¡±


    His precious daughter¡¯s lower lip jutted out and she crossed her pudgy, little arms.


    ¡°No battles until Saturday,¡± she mumbled.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t hear that?¡±


    She repeated it louder, fully pouting now.


    ¡°Those are the rules. You agreed to follow them and so, here we sit on a Wednesday.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s boring.¡± She sighed and exhaled loudly as she placed her pudgy cheek on one hand while fidgeting with the small rat.


    He had carved it himself out of mahogany straight from the Philippines.


    It had taken a lot of time and effort to get good at carving and sculpting using different mediums.


    An effort well worth it since it allowed him to gain a better understanding of the spirits he bonded to himself while allowing him to create a way to provide for others the ability to summon spirits without the drastic step of taking them into their bodies.


    Do as he said and not as he did.


    The irony of vague childhood memories of the adults telling him that when he repeated it to his daughter and anyone else that came up to him to ask for tutelage in the art of spirit summoning.


    One side benefit was that he had gotten so good at carving and sculpting that he had built a thriving business providing the empty vessels for others.


    He snapped his fingers.


    ¡°Surprise quiz time!¡±


    Calla perked.


    Glum expression replaced by wide-eyed focus.


    ¡°Can you tell me why I used this wood for Pinky¡¯s home?¡± He tapped the wooden rat in her hand.


    ¡°Um¡­¡± her brow furrowed in the cutest way, just like her mother.


    He said a silent prayer of thanks to Jesus that Calla took more after his wife than him.


    They were both from the Philippines, but his wife was beautiful beyond belief. Raven black hair and skin as fair as snow, would be the description he¡¯d go with if it was a fairy tale.


    Some old cultural prejudices died hard. At least for him.


    He was much darker and that had always been a bad thing from what he remembered of his childhood.


    Everyone had always fawned over his lighter-skinned cousins and the movie stars and pop stars.


    Calla worried her lip for a few minutes.


    Like her mother, she didn¡¯t like giving answers without being completely certain.


    ¡°Cause Pinky likes being reminded of his old home?¡±


    ¡°Close enough! Shall we start building!¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Calla placed the wood carving on the table and concentrated while keeping one finger on its head.


    He stifled a squee at how cute she looked with her furrowed brow and almost cross-eyed gaze.


    ¡°Please come out, Pinky. I summon you.¡±


    The small carving rattled for several seconds before a significantly larger spirit rat emerged ready to defend his summoner from any and all threats.


    Pinky calmed down immediately when none were forthcoming.


    He had pulled the spirit his daughter now called Pinky from a giant cloud rat.


    True to its name it was a very large rodent.


    Naturally, the spirit summon didn¡¯t weigh the 2.5 kilograms that the actual animal weighed, so it wasn¡¯t a problem for him to scamper up Calla¡¯s arm to perch on her head. He was bigger than his platform, but Calla only giggled.


    Pinky had a black mask and collar on his otherwise gray fur.


    As a spirit the colors were muted and gave off an ethereal glow that wasn¡¯t easily visible in the golden sunlight.


    ¡°We¡¯re ready, Daddy!¡±


    With Pinky free from his unjust prison¡ª as she called it when she thought he wasn¡¯t listening¡ª she didn¡¯t seem as disappointed with a non-battle lesson.


    He placed a box of Legos on the table before summoning his own spirit rat.


    Two of them in fact.


    Forest rats native to the Philippines.


    Much smaller than Pinky at perhaps only a third to a fourth as their giant cousin from nose to tail.


    ¡°What shall we build?¡±


    ¡°A battle golem!¡±


    Of course.


    They had built their custom versions of a skyship, the Emerald Raptor¡¯s glider and a skyfury among many other battle-related things.


    ¡°What about a house for the ones helping us build?¡±


    ¡°I guess¡­¡±


    ¡°Okay! For this lesson, I want you to focus on imparting what you want Pinky to do, rather than taking direct control.¡±


    ¡°I know, Daddy.¡±


    The golden orb in the sky climbed as they built.


    Time seemed to slip away as it always did when he did activities with his precious orchid.


    It was a surprise when he realized the shining blaze had made it directly overhead.


    ¡°Hot today,¡± he said to nobody in particular.


    Strange for late October.


    In fact, he remembered the weather forecast had called for a mostly cloudy and cool week.


    And yet, it felt like summertime.


    He regarded the work their spirit rats had done with pride.


    ¡°It¡¯s looking good, why don¡¯t we take a break for lunch?¡±


    Which would be a break for the day.


    Wednesday¡¯s meant Calla¡¯s classes didn¡¯t start until after lunch.


    Just a few hours.


    Kids her age didn¡¯t need to be in class for most of the day.


    And since parents didn¡¯t need to work jobs that took up most of their day there was no excuse to keep kids in classes longer than what the personalized data said was best for them.


    ¡°Can¡¯t stop, Daddy. We¡¯ll die if we do.¡±


    ¡°What¡ª¡±


    Pinky and the other five spirit rats turned their beady eyes to him.


    When had he summoned that many?


    Black eyes shined gold.


    Glared gold.


    They attacked a split-second later.


    Calla¡¯s screams¡ª


    ¡ª woke him up.


    He checked the hidden spirit he kept on his daughter at all times.


    Safe and sound in the kitchen, eating breakfast.


    He lay there and counted his breaths until his heartbeat returned to a normal pace.


    Another nightmare.


    Different packaging, same flavor.


    He took his time in the bathroom before joining his daughter.


    ¡°Heya, Orchid! Sleep well?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Daddy.¡±


    ¡°No weird dreams?¡±


    She shook her head, engrossed in a cartoon on her tablet.


    One of the new, modern ones.


    The Adventures of Rayna and Her Rangers.


    A child-friendly retelling of adventures.


    He had mixed feelings, especially since he had participated in some of those adventures and nothing about them had been child-friendly.


    ¡°Mommy went to work?¡±


    ¡°Uh huh¡­ oh, breakfast is in the oven. She said, um, she said you have to eat it all.¡±


    He ate mechanically, testing with his spirits to make sure he was actually awake.


    ¡°It¡¯s Wednesday, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Daddy.¡± Calla looked up from her tablet and regarded him suspiciously.


    ¡°I¡¯m not testing you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re being weird like when you are though,¡± she pointed out accurately.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not. Just thinking about your morning lesson.¡±


    She perked up.


    ¡°Can we¡­ battle?¡±


    ¡°No¡ª you know what, why not. Let¡¯s battle today.¡±


    ¡°Yay!¡± she jumped out of her chair and ran around the table to hug him. ¡°Thanks, Daddy!¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°Before I go for my turn, may I ask one for one clarification?¡±


    Spiritwalker resisted the urge to call for a spirit to help him penetrate the witch of portents¡¯ magical shadow shroud. Shining eyes and sparkling white teeth didn¡¯t inspire trust, especially when leering at him from a black abyss like some hungry eldritch monster.


    ¡°You may.¡±


    ¡°This whole thing isn¡¯t some trick to isolate each of us,¡± he glanced at Captain Butcher, ¡°to get our captain alone for what you¡¯re truly after? Perhaps, her soul?¡±


    ¡°It is not.¡±


    ¡°Okay, good enough for me. Let me know when to go over there.¡±


    Without using his magic he couldn¡¯t test the truth to her words, which meant he had to trust in the fact that she had apparently obtained permission from command for the whole weird game.


    ¡°Not to impugn your integrity, but I¡¯ve been in something like this before.¡±


    The witch nodded.


    He assumed she wanted him to elaborate.


    ¡°Weird vengeance demon thing, possessed a guy, made a house into a revenge-based death trap. No offense, but you can see why this reminds of that. Anyways, we ended up at a table, like this, but more round with spiked collars around our necks and needles poised to plunged into our orifices¡­ all of our orifices. So, thank you for not utilizing violation needles.¡±


    ¡°I cannot say what awaits you beyond this room. I have largely left the specifics of the readings up to my apprentices.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re not into weird penetration stuff, right?¡±Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°Most assuredly not.¡±


    ¡°Good. Too young to be even thinking about that sort of thing.¡± He eyed the cards in front of him. The death one bothered him more than the one with the number. ¡°Right, back to my story. We were lucky to get out of that alive.¡±


    ¡°And how did you manage to escape and defeat such a powerful entity.¡±


    ¡°I managed to sneak a spirit tarsier over to Aims and loosen his manacles enough that he could draw and bounce a few bullets around the table to take out the rest of our manacles. Then it wasn¡¯t so much as defeating the demon, but fighting it off just long enough for it to lose concentration and drop the magic separating the house from the real. At which point back up in the form of a tyrannical young lady flew in, tore the roof off and took care of it. I believe she threw it into the sun or rather toward the sun. Our estimates figures that its got maybe 10 years before it actually gets to the sun.¡±


    ¡°Now that is why I do this. Such interesting tales you share. I accept it as freely given.¡±


    Crap!


    He could¡¯ve gotten something in exchange for it?


    Damn witch rules!


    He should¡¯ve remembered his talks with other witches.


    Half the fun for them was keeping people off balance through creative omissions and half truths when it came to what the rules of any game at any given moment they were playing.


    ¡°I¡¯m just going to go now.¡±


    ¡°Ah! How serendipitous! It is time!¡±


    Dark hallway void.


    Abyss.


    Whatever.


    He refrained from summoning a spirit or casting a spell to try to pierce the unnatural blackness.


    What awaited him upon emergence was a bedroom that was not a bedroom so much as it was a small arena.


    High stone walls surrounded dirt-covered, hard, flat ground.


    Empty seats¡ª


    Not quite.


    He sensed and sometimes saw shadowy figures cheering and waving flags.


    ¡°Since when did fortune-telling crossover with gladiatorial combat?¡±


    ¡°The craft picked out that which was at the forefront of your emotions.¡±


    He got the little witch.


    The girl.


    Dark robes. Pointy, dark hat. Face shrouded in black shadow with the exception of her eyes and mouth.


    ¡°As a magic user, myself, I know this isn¡¯t mostly real. Even so, I refuse to fight you. Not because you¡¯re a girl, but because it is against my ethos to fight girls¡­ human¡­ sapient¡­ not just girls¡­ children. I don¡¯t fight children¡­ unless they¡¯re irredeemably evil, like at an 110% evil.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not fighting.¡± The little witch pulled out a ball from¡­ somewhere.


    He regarded it through narrowed eyes.


    Half white and half red.


    ¡°No¡ª¡±


    ¡°Our summons will battle. Through their struggle, they shall reveal the skeins of your fates.¡±


    He heard a faint cackling from somewhere behind him in the stands or was that back in the living room?


    Skeins?


    That was like weaving or something, right?


    What the heck did that have to do with summons battles?


    An array of nonsensical images flashed through his head, growing more grotesque as he quickly dismissed the possibilities as too stupid to be likely.


    The last image he held was that of a losing spirit summons being unraveled to¡ª quote-unquote¡ª reveal his supposed fate or fates?


    A booming voice from nowhere and everywhere rattled him.


    ¡°Battlers! Call forth your first fighter!¡±


    Embarrassing for a veteran Rayna¡¯s Ranger to flinch at that.


    ¡°This is so dumb,¡± he muttered. ¡°What even are the rules?¡±


    The white and red ball in the little witch¡¯s hand gave him a good idea, but it couldn¡¯t hurt to ask with hope in his heart.


    She tilted her chin up and glared across the dirt-covered arena floor.


    ¡°You know them well! Cease delay! Your fates cry out to be heard!¡±


    ¡°Okay, sure, I get that. But, are we blind picking or alternating?¡±


    ¡°Battlers! Call forth your first fighter!¡±


    The little witch pointed to the sky.


    ¡°Fine,¡± he sighed. ¡°I summon the spirit of the noble carabao.¡±


    Ethereal gray light streamed from his outstretched hand, quickly coalescing into the bulky spirit of the water buffalo.


    ¡°I don¡¯t name them.¡±


    The spirit carabao tossed its horned head and snorted nonexistent air from nonexistent lungs, while it stomped its front hooves into the dirt.


    Its agitation mirrored his annoyance.


    At the same time the little witch hurled the white and red ball down at her feet.


    ¡°I choose you, Domtigris!¡±


    ¡°Dom¡ª oh come on!¡±


    The ball emitted a blinding light for a moment and when it faded a lord among tigers stood roaring.


    ¡°Is that even a spirit summons?¡± He gestured angrily at the huge, orange and black-striped cat.


    Domtigris looked decidedly corporeal.


    The little witch shrugged.


    ¡°It shouldn¡¯t matter, right?¡±


    He supposed she was right.


    His spirits, while technically incorporeal could mimic the physical presence of the actual creature depending on his will and how much mana he wanted to put into them.


    ¡°Alright, but I don¡¯t want hurt him? Her? It?¡±


    ¡°His given name is Sir King Claws-a-lot. And don¡¯t worry. He¡¯ll heal as long as he goes back into the ball.¡± She narrowed her glowing eyes. ¡°Unless, you¡¯re planning to, like, vaporize him?¡±


    ¡°No, no I¡¯m not.¡±


    ¡°Okay, good, cause I¡¯m borrowing him and Witch Ash will be very said if you kill any of her friends.¡±


    ¡°Of course, she will.¡±


    ¡°Battlers! Are you ready?¡±


    ¡°Ready!¡± the little witch smiled.


    ¡°I guess.¡±


    ¡°3¡­ 2¡­ 1¡­ Battlers, fight!¡±


    ¡°Sir King Claws-a-lot use pounce!¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ carabao spirit¡­ use horn charge¡­¡±


    That wasn¡¯t a thing for him.


    He didn¡¯t name his spirit summons¡¯ attacks, nor did he use verbal commands, not since his early, lower- leveled days.


    They either followed his will to varying degrees of complexity and accuracy depending on the individual spirit¡¯s innate intelligence or he controlled them directly as though their bodies were his.


    Spirit carabao and extra large tiger met in the middle of the arena.


    The impact threw clouds of dust and dirt into the air.


    ¡°Gore! Gore! Go¡ª shit!¡±


    An audible crack rang out as Sir King Claws-a-lot dispatched Rai¡¯s spirit carabao with a neck-shattering paw swipe.


    ¡°First battle! Winner!¡±


    The little witch¡¯s side of the arena lit up as the hazy crowd roared.


    Flashing lights, fireworks, confetti and streamers filled the air.


    ¡°That¡¯s a bit much for just the first battle,¡± he groused. ¡°How many are we doing, anyways?¡±


    ¡°Best of five!¡± The little witch took a moment from cooing and scritching under the Domtigris¡¯ chin. The beast was so huge that she was forced to tip-toe to reach.


    ¡°You know, I had no idea a tiger lord was a thing until now. So, thank you for that. At my age and with my experiences it is always nice to find something new that isn¡¯t some sort of horrible, incomprehensible nightmare¡­ so, please don¡¯t summon nightmare-types or eldritch-types¡­ if those are things.¡±


    The little witch pouted.


    ¡°I guess,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°Round 2! Battlers, are you ready?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, I¡¯m ready.¡±


    The little witch pulled Sir Claws-a-lot back into the red and white ball.


    Rai watched her intently as she pulled the ball behind her back and pulled a red and white ball out in her other hand.


    It looked identical to the first one, so he couldn¡¯t gain any sort of intelligence on what her next summon might be.


    He was hoping something like ball size, shape, and color could give him hints on what might emerge next.


    ¡°Fine, you went big first, so you¡¯ve only got yourself to blame for this.¡± He held both hands out wide in perhaps an overly theatrical way. Death by embarrassment if any of his fellow rangers saw this. His daughter would love it, though. And his wife? Well, she¡¯d just about die of laughter. ¡°I choose the spirit of the titanic saltwater crocodile.¡±


    Unenhanced and unboosted.


    He didn¡¯t want to accidentally kill some kid witch¡¯s animal friends.


    The spirit croc topped at about 5 meters in length.


    He could¡¯ve pushed more power into it to make it much longer and heavier than the actual animal. He could¡¯ve add a few extras, like tougher armor plates, venomous spit or a tail that shot spines, taken from the mutated and monstrous versions. Or he could¡¯ve went the other way and made it much smaller, but stronger by making the power concentration denser.


    The little witch spiked the bi-colored ball like a football.


    ¡°I choose you, Kidlatibon!¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°You¡¯re just mocking me now.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t amused at the child-sized bird flapping in midair a few meters off the ground.


    Yellow-blue arcs danced across its black feathers and eyes.


    Less eagle and more giant parrot.


    ¡°Are you guys breeding weird animals?¡±


    This wasn¡¯t anything he had seen before, nor could he remember anything in the monsterpedia.


    ¡°Once is a coincidence, twice is suspicious.¡±


    Water was weak against electric?


    Did that even apply?


    Was his spirit crocodile considered a water-type?


    Experience hadn¡¯t given any indication of that.


    Were the rules different in this place?


    ¡°Ah¡­ fu- funk.¡±


    ¡°¡­ Battlers, fight!¡±


    ¡°Use tail whip¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ª zap vortex!¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Second battle! Winner!¡±


    Rai glared at the light and sound show across the way, at the smug grin on the little witch¡¯s darkness shrouded face.


    She tipped her pointy hat.


    He sketched a halfhearted bow.


    ¡°I have your measure, now.¡±


    ¡°Lose this battle and you will lose your chance to see what awaits you at the end of your journey.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s not ominous at all. At this point I¡¯m not going to lose just to save myself from some embarrassment. I can¡¯t go home to my daughter being swept.¡±


    ¡°Round 3! Battlers, are you ready?¡±


    ¡°I summon the spirit of a¡­ tree squirrel.¡±


    The tiny reddish-gray spirit animal coalesced at his feet.


    This time he wasn¡¯t holding back.


    He dumped an embarrassing amount of power into the spirit squirrel.


    Its ethereal form glowed brighter, denser.


    He held the hidden tricks behind his back, so to speak, for the battle.


    ¡°I choose you, Nuchiku Jird!¡±


    The white and red ball disgorge an equally small creature.


    ¡°That gerbil is using nunchucks?¡± He pointed an accusatory finger.


    The little witch shrugged.


    ¡°¡­ fight!¡±


    ¡°Bruce Leejird, activate paws of fury! Use whirlwind reaps a deadly harvest!¡±


    Rai smirked.


    ¡°Sorry, gerbil.¡±


    His spirit squirrel obeyed his will.


    It breathed a cloud of noxious gas in the path of the charging, whirling, nunchuck-wielding gerbil.


    The cloud turned cloying, sticky.


    It turned, exposing its butthole to expel fire.


    Bruce Leejird was like unto the whirlwind. His nunchucks spun like a jet¡¯s turbines, driving away the flames.


    Rai almost felt bad to see the tiny creature stagger forward.


    The little witch gasped.


    Burnt bacon.


    Except worse.


    ¡°Bruce Leejird!¡± she wailed.


    Now, he felt really bad.


    ¡°Give up?¡±


    ¡°He is prideful.¡±


    ¡°Pride kills.¡±


    He willed his spirit squirrel to dash in with blurring speed to land a thunderous kick to the gerbil¡¯s chin.


    The crack resounded across the arena.


    With the increase to the spirit squirrel¡¯s density and the small surface area of its foot he figured that had hit harder than a bullet.


    The little witch thrust the red and white ball forward.


    ¡°Return!¡±


    ¡°Third battle! Winner!¡±


    Rai basked in the fireworks and confetti.


    Two more battles, but he couldn¡¯t look ahead when he still faced elimination.


    ¡°One battle at a time.¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°What am I looking at?¡±


    Rai took in the large tapestry hanging in midair or on a wall, which was mostly hazy, so, for the sake of his sanity he decided that it was the former.


    The main problem, as he saw it, was that the tapestry appeared as if it had been woven by either a child or an adult that had about an hour practice right before weaving time.


    A lot of blobby shapes that could¡¯ve been people or not.


    ¡°The skeins of your fate woven into¡ª¡±


    ¡°As you have repeated.¡±


    The little witch shrugged.


    ¡°I mean, I won our Pokemon battle¡­ I expected something more¡­ worth it.¡±


    Well, what did he know about weaving fates and such.


    He knew summoning spirits.


    Like, say, a Philippine eagle spirit that could shot explosive feathers like a VF-1 Valkyrie¡¯s missile spam.


    That had come in clutch against that which shall never be named.


    The little witch had dipped into a bag of nightmares for that deciding fifth battle.


    ¡°Okay, what is that supposed to be?¡±


    He pointed at the black blob streaked through with gold that occupied most of the middle part of the tapestry. ¡®Most¡¯ because there was a much smaller part next to it that was empty. And not, say, normal empty, like the weaver had left that part out or it had been cut out. It was more akin to the concept of absence. He could see it and not see it. He knew and not knew that there was a void.


    He had tried to explain it to the little witch and she had agreed with her habitual shrug.


    ¡°I¡¯m interpreting as all these other little blobs fighting it or maybe more trying to fight it.¡±


    He pointed out the things he felt he could sort of recognize.


    ¡°That one looks, to me, like a half flesheater, half not. This one gives me a sense of a frenetic sort of¡­ chipmunk¡­ jumping around? Don¡¯t like the way it looks like he¡¯s getting broken. That one¡¯s either a wearing a construction helmet or a traffic cone on her head. Why¡¯s that one spewing vomit? This one reminds me of the first, but why¡¯s it glowing yellow, like that one glowing a blue-white? Let me tell you something, Miss Witch, definitely not a fan of him looking like he¡¯s getting sucked up like that last bit of gulaman out of a sago at gulaman.¡±


    There were a few more blobs that he couldn¡¯t quite get a sense on.


    ¡°I think I have to say that looking at this makes me feel gray. You know, sad, depressed, despairing. That seems unfair since your teacher said it¡¯d be helpful. I mean, after I crushed you back there I though for sure this would be that. All in all, I am full of regret for hurting Bruce Leejird, Tremorlina and that last one if this is the reward.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for all your hard work, though!¡±


    He meant it.


    Children should always be encouraged when they put earnest effort into literally anything.


    ¡°Please pass my apologies to Witch Ash for the unfortunate-ness in the arena. To be fair, it was you guys that set that all up.¡±


    ¡°I promise to never divulge even the slightest hint to your identity to Witch Ash.¡±


    Did he want to ask for an elaboration?


    No.


    No he did not.


    ¡°Okay, then I guess I¡¯m done. I owe you some sort of personal trauma, right?¡±


    She nodded.


    He gave it some thought.


    Children were supposed to be protected from the things he had seen.


    Then again, she was a witch.


    He decided if her teacher had any problems with the content of his story she¡¯d put a stop to it.


    ¡°Have you ever seen an aswang suck a fetus straight out of the womb?¡±


    She shook her head.


    ¡°Well, younger Raimundo did and he can still see it to this day as fresh and clear as it was that full moon night.¡±

 Interlude: Flags 1.8

    ¡°It¡¯s captain or Captain Butcher or just Butcher.¡± She struggled to hold the witch of portents¡¯ glowing gaze in her own steely-eyed ranger one. ¡°Everly doesn¡¯t exist. She died a long time ago.¡±


    ¡°Captain Butcher it is then.¡± The witch didn¡¯t blink. Her mouth revealed flashes of white that didn¡¯t move in sync with the words that came from different directions in the dark, Gothic living room. ¡°Your question.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been 10 minutes. None of my guys have come back. Am I playing a different game?¡±


    ¡°No games with you. You don¡¯t need them.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s cut the crap. What¡¯s the prophecy you¡¯re here to share? What¡¯s the warning?¡±


    ¡°Heralds of the Golden Child.¡± She paused for a long moment, glowing eyes winked out a split-second. ¡°Nine stand, seven fall, ere the Golden Child embraces¡ª¡±


    Captain Butcher waited, but nothing else was forthcoming.


    ¡°At least that¡¯s what the others say I uttered over a period of several months. One word at a time, sometimes two or three. Not in the order I recited. It took much work in the craft to decipher.¡±


    ¡°The math isn¡¯t mathing.¡±


    Captain Butcher focused on the most concrete portion.


    ¡°You only invited six of us. Who¡¯re the rest?¡±


    ¡°I do not have an answer to that question.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it? That¡¯s your big prophecy? Not much to go on is it?¡±


    ¡°We believe it is just a small piece of a vastly greater event or events of grave significance to this entire world. Think of it, as one ingredient to an entire 7-course dinner.¡±


    ¡°Our part to play is small? Then, why come all this way to tell us? I know that wasn¡¯t an easy trip and to do it without our transport.¡±


    ¡°Our divination guided us through each step of this Quest like a mother hen guides her chicks beneath her wings.¡±


    ¡°Quest means I can¡¯t just brush this off.¡±


    ¡°It does add gravitas to our words.¡±


    Captain Butcher chewed on her inner cheek for a long time.


    The witch was content to gaze at her like an owl does to a forest mouse foraging through the leafy undergrowth.


    ¡°I¡¯m thinking this prophecy is for us as rangers. Active duty rangers. What happens if we just retire? Not partially, but fully. No more missions and Quests. Not even work back at HQ. Might still put in a few shifts at the wall. Doesn¡¯t seem right not to at our levels and experience. Some of us, all of us. Does it make a difference?¡±


    ¡°The path I foresee is for Rayna¡¯s Rangers. Not ex-Rayna¡¯s Rangers. But then again. The call often doesn¡¯t care what one chooses to call themselves. Do you truly think that you can avoid Fate by hiding behind technicalities? Could you ignore everything you are¡ª earned through the blood and tears of decades¡ª just for the chance to change that which is meant to be?¡±


    ¡°Nothing¡¯s meant to be. We make it happen.¡±


    ¡°Then you have answered your question.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, I regret having this talk. I¡¯d rather go back to this morning when I had no idea any of this was waiting for us.¡±


    ¡°Even if the dreams continued to haunt you?¡±


    ¡°That you?¡±


    The witch of portents remained silent.


    Which was both intelligent and wise.


    If Captain Butcher received confirmation that the nightmares had come from the witch then they were going to have fist-like words. Damn the witches and their curses.


    ¡°As long as they stop tonight I won¡¯t have any complaints to kick upstairs to you know who.¡±This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°Dreams are a natural part of existence. Some are worse than others. But, I believe you will have no cause to involve certain others in the matter.¡±


    ¡°Not even an apology?¡±


    ¡°They served their purpose. Not one of malice, but of encouragement.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll disagree on that. All things considered I would¡¯ve preferred a conversation or a letter¡­ any medium would¡¯ve been better than nightmares.¡±


    A sudden thought struck the ranger captain.


    ¡°Nine, huh? Does it have to be nine?¡± she mused. ¡°What about just one?¡±


    ¡°The prophecy is for what is best for this world. We believe deviations increase the risk of¡­ worsening outcomes.¡±


    ¡°What else did you prophesize? That can¡¯t be all of it?¡±


    The witch¡¯s gaze snapped to something over Captain¡¯s Butcher.


    ¡°Forgive me. The hour draws near¡ª the hour arrives.¡±


    Captain Butcher blinked away the tears until she realized that it wasn¡¯t water in her eyes. Everything was just starting to get blurry.


    ¡°A gift for accepting our game in good sport and in good faith.¡±


    The voice echoed from a distance.


    One as far away as the other shore across the ocean.


    ¡°Hey, cumstains! What the fuck are you ass dribbles doing in my fucked up vision quest?¡± Mouthy said. ¡°And what in Satan¡¯s name is this thing?¡± She waved a black slip of high quality paper with pink, Gothic writing.


    ¡°One lifetime pass to live in Wytchraven¡¯s little slice of the Fae realm¡­ apparently,¡± Aims said, always the quickest on the draw among the original members of Squad 13.


    ¡°Look on the back,¡± Creepy Chipmunk said. ¡°Lots of fine print shit.¡±


    ¡°Hey, so, did anyone else have Pokemon battles?¡± Spiritwalker regarded each in turn.


    ¡°Nope, I just had to eat chicken guts stew.¡±


    Hardhat scowled. ¡°I re-lived the nights my family died.¡±


    ¡°I had that too,¡± Creepy Chipmunk amended.


    Mouthy opened her mouth than snapped it shut like a steel trap.


    ¡°Remember that baby eater hunt?¡± Aims said.


    Spiritwalker blanched.


    ¡°Which one?¡±


    ¡°Bern? I think? Did that one. And I lost to a little girl in a quick draw. But, all things considered it sounds like I got off lightly. If anyone wants to talk, I¡¯m willing to listen.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t rub it in our faces, taint smear.¡± Mouthy shot him a double finger salute.


    He regarded her a moment before simply nodding.


    No equally acerbic retort or hurt rejoinder.


    Aims¡¯ enhanced perceptions didn¡¯t just make him a great shot. They allowed him to notice the micro-twitches in her expression. The pulsing of the veins in her neck. The tightness of her muscles. She was still in fight or flight mode.


    ¡°I won my Pokemon battles, but I didn¡¯t gain any knowledge that I¡¯d consider worth this whole nonsense.¡± Spiritwalker glanced at his watch. ¡°And we missed Halloween. My daughter is going to be very disappointed in me, which means my wife is going to be very mad at me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, shit!¡± Creepy Chipmunk ripped his phone out. ¡°No signal, phew. That¡¯ll help the excuse, right?¡±


    ¡°Not my problem, breeder,¡± Mouthy said.


    Captain Butcher let the noise wash over her as she read the slip of paper.


    It was a ticket.


    One time redeemable, non-transferable.


    An out from their fates, she realized.


    All they had to do was abandon everything and everyone they had bled for over the decades.


    Creepy Chipmunk and Spiritwalker would never leave their families.


    The others didn¡¯t have families.


    They might¡¯ve had partners, men and women to warm their beds and lives for a time.


    Aims seemed to have finally found one that could last.


    Mouthy had always kept things casual before feelings became too real to ignore.


    Same with Hardhat, although, she had left a handful of men through the decades with broken hearts.


    As for herself?


    Every once in awhile had been good enough to fill the need for another human¡¯s touch.


    ¡°Seems like its going to be bad at some point, captain,¡± Spiritwalker said. ¡°They wouldn¡¯t have given us an out like this if it was different.¡±


    ¡°I ain¡¯t running,¡± Mouthy said. ¡°It¡¯s too heavy to get far, anyways,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°Go home, collect your thoughts. Write down what you saw and did tonight. As complete and accurate as you can manage. We¡¯ll meet at HQ tomorrow morning to start the debriefing process. No sense in getting ahead of ourselves.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we can bring the info we got to our own future see-ers. Might get a clearer picture on what we¡¯re supposed to avoid,¡± Creepy Chipmunk said.


    ¡°I got the sense that it¡¯s the opposite problem.¡± Hardhat sighed. ¡°Avoiding it is what¡¯s going to cause problems.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s for tomorrow. For now, just¡ª¡± Captain Butcher blinked.


    The front door to her home greeted her.


    The armored surface was cold to the touch just like the night air.


    If she strained her ears she¡¯d hear he faint cackle of a witch on the gentle breeze.

 10.37

    Pennsylvania, Fall 2055


    Malevolent spirits in the gray.


    Monsters.


    By themselves, out in the open, so to speak, or riding inside mountain men and women, some cannibals, but not flesheaters, thankfully.


    ¡°There were a few. Even an old Meat Parade prelate of the blessed sacrament. Old monster slipped through the cracks somehow. There is some justice in existence in that she never managed to turn that second part into a class.¡±


    Alin¡¯s dad stood next to him on the wall unnoticed by all the other defenders.


    The townspeople maintained a kill zone about two football fields end to end all the way to the tree line of the surrounding forest.


    Dark and deadly as such things tended to be when not properly managed.


    Something the Bountiful Decade had made all but impossible even with all the resources and aid isolated communities like this secretly received from concerned outsiders.


    The echoes fought without much prompting on his part.


    They punched the monster spirits, battering them until they dissipated. They struck them with colors faintly visible in the night fog, his and the natural kind.


    Not counting him and his dad only the most perceptive would even see a hint of the echoes unless he wanted them to.


    He felt his dad¡¯s eyes on him.


    ¡°Did you get them back yet?¡±


    Despite the years growing more comfortable with the gray he still wasn¡¯t ready to know everything.


    His dad felt ready to tell him more, but maybe after the big Quest.


    He couldn¡¯t risk uncertainty making him weaker.


    ¡°No.¡±


    A dozen different things ran through his head.


    Some angry and aggressive, spur of the moment expressions of his frustration over the weeks, going on months that his cousin and others had been held prisoner by the demigod.


    These he silenced.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been¡ª¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell me. Opsec, I understand. I know you¡¯re doing everything you can to get them back without making things worse.¡±


    The emotional part of him wanted to scream. Screw all that stupid shit! Burn it all if it gets them back!


    ¡°Your uncle has been doing something like that. Each day a rich and powerful person or two suffers an issue with spontaneous combustion of a valued belonging or hair and clothing. I¡¯ve pushed the worst of my secret agents into risking themselves to find where the demigod is keeping them. Several have been arrested for treason.¡±


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t happen to more deserving people.¡± He grunted with the effort required to slow a grotesquely swollen berserker-type mountain man. The addition of monster spirits riding him had boosted him to dangerous heights.


    ¡°You got him?¡±


    Grit teeth meant he couldn¡¯t answer.


    He couldn¡¯t take the life force to replenish what he spent due to the risk of the spirits using it to hitch a ride like a rapid river to get past the wards and into the town.


    He wasn¡¯t going to make that same mistake twice.


    The mountain man finally stumbled at about the 20 yard line and fumbled the metaphorical ball, which in this case was a person-sized egg of stitched together flesh weeping black goo.


    It took 30 seconds of massed fire from the defenders to turn the man into scattered chunks smeared across the bare ground.


    The egg followed, erupting into what felt like a hundred wailing monster spirits that fled back into the forest chased by silver bullets, arrows, bolts and spells.


    His dad pumped a fist.


    ¡°Nicely done, Boy!¡±


    ¡°Thanks. It¡¯s harder to keep this up when I can¡¯t take back at least some of what I expend.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re doing fine. Just keep pacing yourself. Let the others take what you don¡¯t need to take. Focus on the threats like that one.¡±


    ¡°It might be bad.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Using up your assets. If too many previously loyal dirtbags are turning traitor, then questions will start being asked. They know you¡¯re the Psionic Prime.¡±


    ¡°Just the demigods and some of the eidolons. They have yet to share that with the Americans. And even if they did, I¡¯ll be tempted to erase it from their memories.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    He felt his dad raise a question brow.


    ¡°I mean, it¡¯s war¡­ one they started. You should fight by the same rules they do. That shower of piss likes deleting things from people¡¯s memories, right? Fair is foul and foul is fair.¡±


    ¡°I think you don¡¯t quite have the right understanding of that line.¡±


    He blinked.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°It refers to appearances being deceiving.¡±


    He tried to remember story and the line¡¯s place in it and failed.


    Who was it that had him thinking it meant that in war or battle¡ª


    A giant shit ball flew out from deep in the forest.


    He called it out.


    His dad tsked.


    ¡°They¡¯re very committed to this tactic. It¡¯s almost admirable.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re joking?¡±


    ¡°No. Not at all. It takes commitment to save your shit and gather more shit from animals and monsters. Then you have to stew them in these pits for a few days. Followed¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± he waved his hands, ¡°we know.¡±


    ¡°Effective biological warfare. So many diseases contained in one large ball of shit.¡±


    An old man dressed in a mix of plate and chain and camo tactical gear raised a staff with a giant candle set at the top.


    ¡°O Lord, hear my prayer,¡± he intoned. ¡°Our father, hallowed be thy name. As it was in the beginning, is now, and every shall be: world without end. Holy Wind. Amen.¡±


    A sudden gust swept from the old man, causing the candle flame to flicker.


    The shit ball stalled in the sky as if unfortunate hands had caught it.


    It spun, releasing foulness to rain down.


    Second ticked away, until it finally lost its momentum.


    Instead of crashing, it suddenly reversed direction and flew off over the horizon.


    The people cheered the old man, congratulating him on such a powerful display.


    For his part the old man¡¯s bushy brows furrowed.


    Alin glanced at his dad.


    ¡°That certainly was a prayer.¡±


    ¡°He could¡¯ve just said ¡®Holy Wind¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Sure, but doing it the way he does gives the spell a not insignificant boost.¡±


    ¡°But is it worth the time it takes to say all that extra crap?¡±


    ¡°Situational.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, Dad. Thanks for yeeting those things. They¡¯re not polluting wherever you¡¯re sending them, are they?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure that the sun can handle them just fine. The question is are you going to be able to handle them?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine. We¡¯ve got magic masks and a bunch of anti-disease stuff. How¡¯s the rest of it looking like out there?¡±


    ¡°Same-ish. More spirits and shit balls rather than actual people. That berserker painted across the ground was their one attempt to break the walls. They aren¡¯t going to try another. After all, they don¡¯t have a lot of people.¡±


    Less than 300 mountain men and women according to his dad¡¯s census.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the children. They¡¯re very sleepy tonight. Nothing is going to pull them out of their good dreams.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a fan of the cover story.¡±


    ¡°This whole thing was your idea.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, so? I can still not like it. You can just end it all and grab them in a minute. We¡¯re taking an unnecessary risk by definition.¡±


    ¡°All decisions come with risks.¡±


    He searched for another change of subject while watching the ethereal battle below.


    ¡°How¡¯s the rabbit people thing?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s information you, as a Mist Spekter in the wilderness, so to speak, shouldn¡¯t have.¡± His dad hummed. ¡°Galen¡¯s going to reach out to his old friends in the Golden Eagles after you get to D.C. They will share what they¡¯ve managed to pick up from a variety of diverse sources. Some easy to trace, others less so, but none connecting to me. I can give you a brief overview if you can¡¯t wait that long?¡±


    ¡°Please. It¡¯ll help keep my mind off things it shouldn¡¯t be on.¡±


    ¡°Rabbit people hordes somehow keep popping up a few days run from places that continue to refuse their ¡®Rightful Destiny¡¯. There is a complete lack of coverage in the old Americans¡¯ media. Total blackout. Any information that makes it out of those places gets squashed immediately or is spun as fake. Either as CGI or magic or a mix of the two. Depends on which outlet is doing the reporting.¡±


    Said outlets took their instructions from the same place.


    ¡°They occasionally insinuate that the Southern California terrorists and their allies of evil are dropping more than bombs and bullets from their flying ¡®terrorships¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Seriously?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re still deciding on the terminology.¡±


    ¡°So, I guess that means things are going to be tense?¡±


    ¡°Bit of an understatement, but yes. Assassination plots are sprouting like weeds. I¡¯ll let you guess the targets.¡±


    ¡°Congresswoman Johnson-Lopez and her allies. That was why one of them asked her to bring us up here.¡±


    It also explained the multiple camera crews that had met them on the way.


    ¡°They need to show that they¡¯re on the side of the people. Plus, it looks good if she¡¯s here personally to fight for people that haven¡¯t accepted reunification. Assassinating a returning heroic figure is a recipe for martyrdom. It¡¯ll buy her a shield¡­ for a time.¡±


    ¡°And then the skyships come to evacuate the people anyways.¡±


    ¡°Irrelevant. The old Americans won¡¯t want to show people they claim are their citizens being rescued by ¡®terrorists¡¯. She¡¯ll know to be on the road before then. The camera crews won¡¯t see a thing.¡±


    ¡°Like you?¡± he chuckled.


    ¡°Yeah. The camera people are quite skilled at avoiding pointing their cameras at me, aren¡¯t they? Regardless, it¡¯ll be edited first to highlight the congresswoman¡¯s personal fighters in action while minimizing the locals.¡±


    ¡°That sucks.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s how their world works.¡±A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    His dad patted him on the shoulder.


    ¡°Alright. I need to have a word with the town council. Careful out there. I won¡¯t be looking out for you.¡±


    ¡°When will I see you again?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t say. You¡¯ll be behind the curtain for the foreseeable future. Although, your mom has angrily demanded a birthday meeting. If not that, there¡¯s Thanksgiving and Christmas.¡±


    Yes.


    He had viewed a message from his mom on a tablet.


    She had seemed angry.


    Not at him, but at the whole situation.


    It had been good to see her walking and moving around like she was back to normal.


    A lot had improved for her since the last time he had seen her back in the spring.


    ¡°I¡¯d like that as long is it doesn¡¯t risk the Quest.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll set it up. Good luck out there!¡±


    His dad vanished in an instant.


    It never got normal.


    Like reality hadn¡¯t been reality or the opposite.


    Confusing?


    Always.


    The radio crackled.


    Perfect timing as always when his dad was involved.


    ¡°Alin, do you copy?¡±


    ¡°I copy, Dre?¡±


    ¡°How are things on your end?¡±


    The gray was almost an outside context problem for the monster spirits.


    Being immaterial beings they only had to fear silver and other esoteric weaponry. Spells also could be a threat depending on the type. It varied for the different types of spirits.


    Even then, total destruction wasn¡¯t typically on the table.


    It took high levels for that.


    Ray and a handful of others were the only townspeople that could reliably destroy the spirits permanently.


    Although, they typically fled back into the forest before that could happen.


    In time they could return.


    The echoes of Alin¡¯s relatives didn¡¯t allow them to flee.


    ¡°No issues on my end. Is it time to sortie?¡±


    ¡°Once I check that it¡¯s the same with the other quadrants.¡±


    ¡°Copy that.¡±


    ¡°Gotcha. Dre, out.¡±


    It was a small team that met at the southern gate.


    The congresswoman didn¡¯t look pleased about Galen refusing a camera crew.


    ¡°They¡¯re a combat camera crew, Captain,¡± she said in a tone Alin had once heard often when he was a child. ¡°Highly experienced and well-leveled.¡±


    The lead reporter did look more like a grizzled soldier than anything else.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been in some of the hottest fighting embedded with the Combined Armed Forces. I¡¯ve been doing this for 15 years. We know how to take care of ourselves and, more importantly, stay out of your way. I understand your concerns, captain, but we¡¯ll prove them baseless.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not doubting you,¡± Galen said. ¡°You¡¯re okay with risking your lives. I¡¯m not. This is a stealth Quest. The last thing I want is to put down body-jacked reporters hitting us from behind.¡±


    The lead reporter petitioned the congresswoman.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am¡ª¡±


    ¡°You heard the captain. This is his area of expertise. Not mine. I guess all that¡¯s left is for me to wish you brave men and women good luck.¡± She nodded and strode off to where it looked like Reg and Milly were setting up with yet another camera crew for some kind of speech or briefing.


    ¡°Everyone ready?¡± Galen regarded them.


    8 total to take on a few hundred mountain people and countless spirits.


    Ray, reluctantly Silveraxe, nodded at Alin.


    It had been the most the man had acknowledged him since they had arrived in town over a month ago.


    The man had spent time on his dad¡¯s teams, but not nearly as much after the Bountiful Decade began.


    ¡°Any last second concerns?¡± Galen continued.


    ¡°Nope,¡± Dre said. ¡°Plan¡¯s all set, captain.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Alin, you¡¯re on point. Once we¡¯re past the tree line don¡¯t hold back.¡±


    <hr>


    Hearts and minds.


    They could change often.


    He could change them.


    But, not for this.


    ¡°Councilperson Rogers, are you changing your mind? You have the right to do that, of course. Though, it is disappointing. I can only wish you the best of luck with your future endeavors, whether it is to bravely defend your town from the various hordes or to make your way to American-held territory.¡±


    The old councilman stared at him for an uncomfortable moment, mouth opened and closed a few times as the words struggled to cross the divide between thought and verbalization.


    Cal held no sympathy for the old man¡¯s worries because they came from a place of greed.


    Councilman Rogers wanted a guarantee that the status he enjoyed would continue in Southern California.


    ¡°Apologies, councilperson, but I have to preempt you. I¡¯m very busy. On a tight schedule. I¡¯m sure it¡¯s the same for you guys.¡±


    Not entirely true.


    He was busy and on a tight schedule, but he wasn¡¯t planning on going far until Alin¡¯s Quest was done. It had been a little lie to tell his son that the Mist Spekters were completely on their own.


    He couldn¡¯t help himself.


    A father understood, intellectually, that he couldn¡¯t protect his child forever. A father also understood, emotionally, that he would protect his child forever.


    ¡°If you aspire to political office then you¡¯ll need to follow the rules. Just like anyone else. I understand if that¡¯s a deal-breaker for you, councilperson. But, don¡¯t worry. It won¡¯t affect our agreements with anyone else. Like I said at the beginning, I¡¯m all about the freedom to choose. Your change of mind won¡¯t impact the rest of your people.¡±


    He regarded the councilman expectantly.


    A bright flash momentarily lit up the mist-shrouded night. Followed by a boom a split-second later.


    He feigned a flinch.


    ¡°Wow! That was a bit surprising wasn¡¯t it.¡±


    ¡°I trust in our fighters. Their experience is only surpassed by their bravery.¡± The youngest councilperson smiled down at him.


    ¡°I do as well, Councilperson Booker.¡±


    ¡°Please, Cal. I already told you it¡¯s D¡¯rica.¡±


    Power play from someone less than half his age.


    The last councilperson chimed in¡­ well¡­ barged in through the wall like a giant, anthropomorphic pitcher of red sugar juice.


    ¡°No one is changing their minds,¡± Councilwoman Silveraxe said flatly.


    All the councilpeople were armed and lightly armored.


    At least a handgun and a simple melee weapon.


    Ray¡¯s mom, on the other hand, was fully kitted out.


    In fact, he could smell the powder wafting from her guns.


    Recently fired for she had been on the wall.


    The old woman was a legit fighter.


    She hadn¡¯t always been one according to Ray¡¯s stories.


    ¡°Councilwoman Silveraxe¡ª¡±


    ¡°I told you to not call me that.¡±


    ¡°Oh? I¡¯m sorry. I forgot. It¡¯s just that¡¯s what everyone around here calls you and it slipped my mind.¡±


    It did not, in fact, slip his mind. ¡°As I was saying, if there are any second thoughts then that¡¯s okay. I can ask the rangers to shuffle seating arrangements, so that any cancellations can be replaced. That way the last skyship will have enough spots just in case those second thoughts turn into third thoughts.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s settled. If there are any damned fools that want to commit suicide then leave them to it,¡± Councilwoman Silveraxe said. ¡°I¡¯ve got nothing more to say about that.¡± She left the meeting room at a brisk pace.


    Indeed, Ray¡¯s mom hadn¡¯t bothered to take a seat in the first place like the other two.


    Councilman Rogers opened his mouth.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to cut you off right there councilperson. We¡¯re not interested in paying for your properties. You get the one time payment and an equivalent house to what you physically reside in here.¡±


    The people of Southern California had overwhelming decided against land-lording.


    Technically, he and his siblings owned quite a bit of property.


    Granted they didn¡¯t rent them out.


    When it came time for people to take them they simply transferred ownership.


    From that point on the new owner was responsible for the place.


    There were still many more homes, apartments, hotels, motels and other dwellings than there were people to occupy them.


    ¡°I struggle to wrap my head around it,¡± Councilwoman Booker said.


    ¡°Well, we, as a collective, don¡¯t do renting or mortgages. Home ownership is easily attainable with the minimum of effort put into almost anything. One could simply do the little Quests that repeatedly pop up for their class or classes and receive enough Universal Points to meet most people¡¯s minimum standards for comfort. If one wants luxury then it¡¯s just a matter of pursuing something their passionate about. They¡¯ll invariably be rewarded. By the spires at the least, if not by others. That¡¯s perhaps the one good thing about the spires. It¡¯s not at all like how it was before. You were born after, I believe?¡±


    She nodded.


    ¡°There are degrees to which different places have decided to accept the changes. Old America, for example, tries to live in the past. You can ask the councilman about that. I believe he owned several buildings in this very town. Not the businesses, right? Just the buildings.¡± He feigned understanding. ¡°Leaving behind what you know is tough. I get it. I¡¯ve been there plenty of times. But, we have to look to the future otherwise the tide of history will swallows us right up like a slow tsunami.¡±


    The tide in this case might turn out to be more white-furred and toothy if the spirits didn¡¯t get them first.


    ¡°The spires favors conflict. And there are more types of conflict than the obvious. Perhaps, a conflict between what you think you are and what you truly yearn to be, Councilperson Rogers. Think of what brought you some of your happiest moments.¡± He paused to let the old man¡¯s memories churn. Something bubbled to the surface almost instantly without him having to pull. ¡°You were in a metal band all the way from middle school right up to college, weren¡¯t you?¡±


    Narrowed eyes filled with suspicion. ¡°How did you know that?¡±


    ¡°We do our research. Don¡¯t think we didn¡¯t vet you.¡±


    ¡°I was¡­ I had to stop or my parents wouldn¡¯t have paid for college.¡±


    ¡°And you majored in what they wanted?¡±


    The old man snorted. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I? They made an investment. They weren¡¯t going to waste a cent on me taking up basket weaving.¡±


    ¡°None of those things matter anymore, do they? How much are the cash, silver and gold in your safe worth? Everything we ever had in a bank or an investment portfolio might as well have never existed. Old America brought some of those servers back, but who really cares when a baker can bake a cake and get enough Universal Points to cover their meals for the day. A tray of cupcakes and a few batches of cookies and that¡¯s the upkeep fee for a one bedroom apartment for the same day. That¡¯s not even counting the points they can get by selling what they made, heck they can trade them right back to the farmers that were responsible for the ingredients.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all some commie shit,¡± Councilman Rogers groused, crossing his arms over his thin chest.


    ¡°Words that are ultimately meaningless to the life lived. And it¡¯s not technically Communism. At least that part. It¡¯s more of a barter-trade thing. If it makes you feel better, you can still profit. It¡¯s just that everyone else can as well. It¡¯s just a lot harder to rig the game now. You¡¯d have to stoop to some evil things to get back to the old days. Magic slave collars and the like if you¡¯re looking to create cheap labor like the old days. Or you can do old America things and withhold supplies that magically appear in stores with a minimal infusion of Universal Points.¡±


    He fudged the truth there just a bit.


    There was nothing minimal about the cost to re-stock the stores.


    At least for the average person that didn¡¯t do the worst Quests and fight the worst things.


    ¡°Or raise prices so that the minimum survival level requires working unnecessary jobs for the majority of one¡¯s waking hours.¡± He regarded the old councilman with an unblinking stare. ¡°You can have that. It¡¯s as close to a life as you remember from the before days. Or you can take up that vintage bass you¡¯ve got in your safe. Think of it as retirement, to use an old world word.¡±


    Councilman Rogers stood suddenly, collected his weapons and stomped out of the office.


    That left him with the young councilwoman.


    She leaned forward and batted her eyes.


    Yeah¡­ no.


    ¡°I believe that concludes our meeting. Excuse me, councilperson. I¡¯ve got a busy schedule. A lot of calls to make. My wife¡¯s expecting an update.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ I see. Of course. Thank you for everything, Cal. My fellow council¡­ persons may not show it, but they really appreciate your help in getting our people out of this deathtrap.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re always ready to help. People just have to ask. Barely any strings attached.¡±


    He slipped into an empty side office while making the people in the building think they watched him walk out the front door.


    The first call was to Nila.


    ¡°Hey, Love.¡±


    The life-sized holographic projection of the eternal love of his life scowled at him.


    ¡°Sorry, a bit late. I had to convince an old man not to commit suicide.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ did you?¡±


    ¡°I think so¡­ I hope so.¡±


    He could¡¯ve made the old man or nudged him, but he had meant what he had said.


    In this case the choice was important and Councilman Rogers was old.


    He wouldn¡¯t have treated a 10 year old the same way.


    ¡°Okay. Good. How¡¯s our Boy?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s doing well. But, you know that. You¡¯ve seen pictures and videos.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not the same as seeing him in person.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true and you¡¯ll be happy to know that I deem him healthy. Sending you a little video he recorded for you¡­ and his scans. I showed him what you recorded.¡±


    ¡°I get why he can¡¯t keep it with him, but that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m not salty about it.¡± She scowled harder. ¡°He¡¯s on the spirit Quest right now?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Left a little bit a go. They¡¯re doing good so far. I don¡¯t expect too much trouble.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Because you¡¯re there.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m loosely observing. I can¡¯t interfere in a potentially obvious way since I don¡¯t know where the demigod is, which means I can¡¯t rule out the possibility that he¡¯s also observing.¡±


    ¡°What if you just drop those rod things on all their bunkers? Then our Boy doesn¡¯t have to go into that place.¡±


    ¡°You know why.¡±


    ¡°I still don¡¯t like it and I like it less every day.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like it either.¡±


    ¡°Fine. Okay. I¡¯m going to watch Boy¡¯s message. Keep him safe.¡±


    ¡°Love you.¡±


    ¡°Love you too,¡± she grunted and hung up.


    Well¡­ she was angrier than she had been when he had left a few hours ago.


    The next call wasn¡¯t through his PID, nor a phone, but through a magic crystal ball the size of a basketball he pulled from a bag of holding.


    The small, rickety desk made for an unstable platform, but he held everything in place with telekinesis.


    He said the magic words and the glass surface shimmered for several minutes before a face appeared.


    The old witch wore a mask that was almost indistinguishable from a real face even to him.


    Grotesque really.


    The stereotypical child-eating witch of the grimmer sort of fairy tales, which were all the traditional ones.


    Baba, as she demanded to be called, was secretly named Oksana.


    From Russia.


    Moscow specifically and her real face was much younger and much better looking.


    Model-like really.


    She served as the main court witch of the tsarina and her harem of tsars.


    Or was that a reverse harem?


    Yes.


    Yes it was.


    She didn¡¯t get along with Wytchraven according to Eron¡¯s gossip.


    ¡°Like two wet cats in a sack,¡± Eron had said knowingly once.


    ¡°You have been granted a rare audience,¡± Baba intoned before leaning closer, distorting her visage so all he could see was the hairs sticking out of her long, wart-encrusted hooked nose and a hint of one over-sized, red-ringed pupil. ¡°She¡¯s in a bad mood,¡± she whispered. ¡°Don¡¯t mess it up for me.¡±

 10.38

    ¡°Hey! Get away¡ª¡±


    Baba was replaced by a swath of brown fur that filled the crystal ball.


    Muffled grunts and curses slowly pushed the brown just enough that a distorted eye appeared in a sliver of space.


    ¡°¡ªmelly beast!¡±


    A voice pierced the scuffle.


    Sharp, strong, as heavy as the weight of her land.


    ¡°Come! Misha!¡±


    The bear ambled away from the crystal ball to the tsarina upon her throne on raised platform.


    She was alone aside from the enormous brown bear that curled up behind the wooden throne.


    Cal nodded.


    ¡°Tsarina.¡±


    She didn¡¯t go by her name.


    Only a handful of people even knew what some of it was since, like him, she looked much younger than her actual age.


    Older than him by over 40 years.


    Even her children and grandchildren didn¡¯t know her full, real name.


    ¡°What¡¯s this about, Cal? And why didn¡¯t you just use a phone and your precious Omninet?¡± she wiggled her fingers dismissively.


    ¡°Security reasons. You don¡¯t trust it, but you trust this. And you¡¯re more likely to give my request full consideration if you¡¯re more comfortable with the setting.¡±


    ¡°You git.¡± She curled her lip. ¡°A conductor of men. I tell this to my advisors, but they merely nod like I don¡¯t know they have no idea what I¡¯m talking about.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the price of sycophants.¡±


    She spat. ¡°Do you know how hard it is to find people not afraid of being in my mere presence?¡±


    The tsarina was over 7 feet tall with a build that surpassed the athletic heights possible for normal humanity. She could¡¯ve stood with the eidolons as the best of them in terms of physical appearance.


    As for actual power?


    In a fight, he¡¯d give her close to even odds against Suiteonemiades as long as it happened in territory she controlled.


    ¡°Yes.¡± She nodded to herself. ¡°I¡¯m a busy woman. What do you want?¡±


    Like much of the world, old Russia, rather the parts of it that she controlled, was also dealing with problems from both within and without.


    An alliance made up of witch covens, druid circles and the scraps of organized crime, the old state security apparatus, and a few decrepit oligarchs still clinging to their wretched existences had risen in recent years in an attempt to bring the ¡®true¡¯ Russia back.


    Outworld invaders added to that unpleasant stew. No less than 9 different factions trying to hold on or expand the territory they had claimed in parts distant from the tsarina¡¯s cities and larger towns.


    As for the remote parts to the north and northeast close to the Arctic Circle where human life no longer existed?


    Even worst things stirred.


    The Russians owed his brother for over 2 decades of limiting the number of giant monsters and eldritch things that made their way south.


    He himself had taken care of a few such things in recent years and unlike Eron he had no problem collecting for his services.


    Indeed, it was the only reason the tsarina had agreed to connect her people to the Omninet and take his calls.


    ¡°I¡¯m looking for volunteers for a potential Quest. It will be the most dangerous thing they have ever faced.¡±


    ¡°Continue.¡±


    He gave her as many details as he could without risking his son¡¯s opsec.


    Brisk and strictly factual as she preferred.


    He didn¡¯t try to couch it in terms he knew would sway her to his side.


    She¡¯d recognize them.


    He didn¡¯t try to nudge her thoughts.


    Her powers, her connection to her land and people would constantly fight to bring them back to their natural state.


    Worse, she¡¯d realize it even if she wouldn¡¯t necessarily be able to trace it to him.


    Her smile grew bigger and more feral.


    He could almost see a predatory gleam in her eyes.


    Misha the bear certainly looked just about ready to charge him through the giant crystal ball.


    ¡°Mother fucker!¡± She cracked the thick wood arm of her throne with a light tap. ¡°Now that is a fight! I¡¯ve been itching to try out one of these demigods. Those eidolons were disappointing. You know, I watch the videos you sent everyday. Even if the quality is bad like the movie tapes my brothers used to sell down in Red Square.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the golden energy they have. Naturally messes with recording even if they don¡¯t do it on purpose.¡±


    ¡°Very well. How many do you want? I have plenty of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Even have a basketball team of great great grandchildren now.¡± She snorted.


    ¡°Congratulations on the new addition!¡±


    Children were precious.


    ¡°Yes, yes.¡± She waved her hand dismissively. ¡°So, how many do you want? They¡¯re getting lazy and fat. I give you and you whip them into shape.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Fine. You take¡­ I give you 1 real warrior for every 3 lazy ones you take?¡± the tsarina paused for thought. ¡°Angelika is promising. A true blooding will serve her well.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s your great granddaughter? She¡¯s 12?¡±


    ¡°Just turned 13. It will be good experience for her.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°My blood is not good enough for your little Quest?¡±


    ¡°Their chances of death are very high even with them at their best.¡±


    She spat. ¡°We put soil in soles of boots. Weakness is mitigated.¡±


    ¡°Mitigating isn¡¯t the same as removing. And it¡¯s a moot point. Even you at your absolute best have a 50% chance of dying.¡±


    Her eyes seemed to sparkle.


    ¡°I¡¯m not accepting you or your family.¡±


    ¡°Then you¡¯re leaving conversation empty-handed. I wouldn¡¯t send anyone below Level 50 against an eidolon. As for demigod? I don¡¯t know any classer with high enough level to face one of them.¡± She idly scratched the bear¡¯s head. ¡°You say you want volunteers, but is that true when you know there is only one besides myself that fits. And that suka is less likely to leave our motherland than me. You have my permission to try.¡±


    ¡°A command from the tsarina would be helpful.¡±


    ¡°Ha! That suka is lazier than the worst of my spawn. I failed to beat it out of him once. Now he knows I won¡¯t try it again because the destruction will be bad for my land and people. Take him even if he refuses. You have my leave.¡± She laughed. ¡°His costs outweigh his uses. He even refuses to make babies.¡±


    Which was reasonable to Cal.


    People shouldn¡¯t be forced to have children for some kind of nebulous greater good since what that meant depended on one¡¯s perspective.


    ¡°Just go ask him yourself. It is better chance for you. My words would only raise his guard because he is a lazy, cowardly suka at his core. Kidnap him. You have my permission. I shall proclaim it his brave service to advance motherland.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯ll pay him a visit sometime in the next week. I¡¯d appreciate it if you could let him know.¡±


    She laughed again.


    ¡°He¡¯s less likely to attack you than one of mine. You want him, you get him. I don¡¯t care either way. Unless¡­¡± she tapped her chin. ¡°You change your mind about taking one of my spawn. Take at least five and I¡¯ll tie him up in a nice bow for you.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    ¡°I have said what I will. This diversion is over.¡±


    The connection cut.


    She did always have to have the last word.


    The next call was a tougher one.


    His cousin was like stubborn buffalo with a steel skull.


    No problem at all ramming it over and over again into a Threnium wall.


    Once a week like clockwork trying to wear down his resistance to what was a terrible idea.


    ¡°Rynnen, how has your week gone?¡±


    Big, broad-shouldered and thick-necked with Cruces eyes and nose.


    His cousin was the tallest and largest of them all.


    Cal might¡¯ve bemoaned the fact that he alone out of all his family members didn¡¯t experience a physical growth post-spires if not for the fact that his powers made him the strongest, regardless of what some of them might¡¯ve thought¡­ Eron was wrong, obviously.


    Rayna and Eron had grown the most, followed by Remy, then their dad, then mom.


    Madalena and Rynnen had been children when the spires had appeared so they had grown the most.


    Something to do with growing to maturity as superhuman rather than baseline human.


    At least that¡¯s what the medical experts had come to concluded through their studies.


    Rynnen scowled.


    ¡°Every week that goes by without putting hands on that piece of shit makes me angry.¡±


    Cal wondered if that was a perpetual feature or if his little cousin reserved it for their calls.


    ¡°Well, I guess that means you¡¯ll be angrier for another week. How is your family doing?¡±


    Rynnen ground his teeth audibly.


    The veins in his neck writhed.


    The holographic projection was so lifelike.


    ¡°Jennie¡¯s improving.¡±


    The young girl¡¯s healing had sped up like an avalanche in recent weeks.


    The first week had been dicey.


    She had spent it in a coma as the hospital struggled to keep her alive so that the healing could sink its claws in, so to speak.


    After that they had taken it slow and steady so as to avoid negatively impacting her physical growth.


    Rynnen grunted.


    ¡°You already know that. You can track her progress.¡±


    ¡°I meant more the mental, emotional side of it. Triggers? Nightmares?¡±


    Rynnen sighed.


    ¡°She destroyed her room a few days ago. She was watching an old movie and there was a part where the robots destroyed a city. I completely forgot about that. It set her back.¡±


    ¡°Recovery isn¡¯t linear. Sometimes she¡¯ll take a step or two back.¡±


    ¡°I know that!¡± Rynnen snapped. ¡°I¡¯ve seen it plenty of times. Experienced it myself. I had nightmares of the Vitiator until I was almost 20. They didn¡¯t go away until I realized that if I ever saw that bastard again I could punch him to death.¡±


    ¡°But never for your daughter.¡±


    ¡°Obviously not. I said to myself when she was born that she¡¯d never have to go through anything I did.¡± Rynnen fell silent. ¡°The one nightmare I still have is when my parents were killed. Now, I¡¯m thinking will my kids have to go through that one day. It¡¯s not like I can just quit. I still have to protect them, which I failed to do.¡±Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Want to talk about it?¡±


    Rynnen shook his head. ¡°I do that plenty with Tito and Tita. Plus, the counseling you make me go to.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not making you go.¡±


    ¡°Yes, you are. You say it¡¯s just a suggestion, but I know what you really mean. Because if you¡¯re suggesting it then it means it¡¯s a ¡®must do thing¡¯.¡±


    ¡°What has Jennie¡¯s therapist suggested?¡±


    ¡°Like you don¡¯t know already.¡±


    ¡°Rynnen, I trying to help.¡±


    ¡°Suiteonemiades dead and Madalena back. Those two things will help.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m working on it.¡±


    ¡°Well, work faster. Jennie asks about her everyday. She thinks it¡¯s her fault because she was supposed to be watching her brother.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve explained it to her.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but you know that doesn¡¯t mean anything unless it gets through. She¡¯s sure that because Madalena had to bring Ryan back to our condo Madalena had to fight without her usual gear. That, she was in the way. And no amount of explaining that it wouldn¡¯t have made a difference is getting through.¡±


    ¡°You know¡­ I could say the same thing about you. It¡¯s not your fault either. It could¡¯ve gone worse had you been there instead of out on date night. Your kids might be orphans now. Madalena could still be held hostage. Or any number of even worse outcomes. Despite the traumas, you¡¯re all still alive and as long as you¡¯re alive that means you can heal.¡± He regarded his cousin. Rynnen¡¯s hands clenched into fists unconsciously. ¡°Do you think it¡¯d help Jennie if she could spend more time with her mom and brothers without you or my dad hovering over her in case of an¡­ episode?¡±


    ¡°It is a reminder of what happened, but we can¡¯t risk her accidentally hurting someone else.¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s okay with you and her mom, I asked Ms. Teacher for a solution and she finally got back to me with an enchanted bracelet.¡±


    ¡°What does it do?¡±


    ¡°It will put her in a sort of stasis in the event of a triggered episode.¡±


    ¡°What are the side effects? I don¡¯t want her hurting herself if she¡¯s straining against invisible chains or something like that.¡±


    ¡°No side effects. She simply won¡¯t move.¡±


    ¡°Does that mess with the mental stuff?¡±


    ¡°Nope. Her brain will still think it¡¯s moving her body.¡±


    ¡°She also offered high quality potions to help with sleep and nightmares.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t trust those.¡±


    ¡°She assures me they aren¡¯t addictive like lesser quality ones can be.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you just do your thing more often?¡±


    ¡°I can, but we agreed with the experts that she needs to be the one that does the heavy lifting with her trauma to truly move beyond it.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s just a kid.¡±


    ¡°Which makes her more resilient than us.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I have to talk it over with her mom first.¡±


    Cal guided his cousin through a conversation about lighter things.


    Rynnen¡¯s heart and mind remained heavy, but the anger slowly bled out by the time they finished.


    <hr>


    Individually, the monster spirits weren¡¯t a great threat as long as one had spells. The latter could be natural or the result of a Skill or spell.


    Things like fire or specific plant and animal life worked on some, but not all.


    Alin was thankful that the gray worked on all of them.


    They wouldn¡¯t have gotten far into the forest without it for the spirits could inhabit every living thing and inanimate object.


    Squirrels and chipmunks chittered malevolently as they surveyed the shrouded environment through baleful eyes glowing a pale green.


    The branches they scampered about on occasionally undulated as if poised to strike at the 8 person group moving quickly, but quietly through the foliage.


    Yellows, orange and reds crunched underneath their boots.


    Brave men and women flinched each time one of the gnarled oaks hesitantly reached toward the sound before being distracted away by Alin¡¯s efforts.


    The mountain people had built a small village deep inside, near a small lake fed by a river that originated higher up in the mountains.


    It had been too far for Ray¡¯s town to hit directly on foot due to the aforementioned haunted forest issue.


    For obvious reasons they couldn¡¯t have just started a massive forest fire.


    Still, stupid people had tried a few years back.


    It turned out that being inhabited by monster spirits meant that enough of the foliage was either immune to fire or grew back unnaturally quick.


    He pushed the gray out to almost a kilometer.


    A giant circle with him in the center.


    The echoes of his relatives fought at the outer edges, drawing attention from the spirits not immobilized by possessing something like a tree or rocks, which wasn¡¯t always the case.


    When spurred to action they could make anything move.


    Those mobs weren¡¯t the priority.


    They were there for the mountain people and the more powerful monster spirits bound in their village.


    Eliminating them meant removing a potentially huge threat to their evacuation plans.


    The mountain people left a helpful trail through the undergrowth.


    Alin stopped, holding up a fist.


    A black bear ambled a hundred yards ahead.


    The poor animal was ridden with spirits.


    It was worse than normal parasites for its body and mind were in agony.


    Even an animal understood the wrongness inflicted upon it.


    He waited motionless for it to pass and continue on to whatever madness the spirits controlling it desired.


    An hour turned into several when he sensed the first human presence in the leading edge of the gray.


    He signaled Ray.


    The Silveraxe had a proper, fully-equipped helmet.


    He looked at it wistfully.


    It had been months and he still keenly felt his power armor¡¯s absence.


    Like a parent whose child was away at summer camp.


    Or so he imagined.


    Fortunately, he had been given a better set of comms for this Quest.


    Less happily, he was going to have to give it back after to maintain the cover story.


    He idly wondered if they could buy some off Silveraxe.


    Would he sell them to mercenaries in the employ of a congresswoman when the town had steadfastly refused to return to their rightful destiny?


    Sadly, no.


    That wasn¡¯t likely.


    Unless¡­


    ¡°Hey, Mr. Silveraxe?¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°How much for a set of these awesome comms?¡±


    ¡°Not for sale¡­ although, if you do the job we hired you to do well, I might be convinced to part with some for a good price¡­ for me.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    It was a huge benefit being able to speak without worrying too much about being overheard.


    ¡°We¡¯re close, by the way. I sense mountain people a little under a kilometer ahead of us. Time to get off the trail?¡±


    ¡°That depends entirely on you. Can you keep concealing us?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know. I think it¡¯ll get harder the closer we get. They¡¯ll have wards and surveillance.¡±


    A mortar fighter by the name of Brooke tapped Ray on the shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯m in range. Do you want me to set it up?¡±


    Ray didn¡¯t hesitate.


    ¡°I want to get a look at the village with my own eyes first. Can¡¯t risk bombing the kids. We don¡¯t do that, remember?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ intel says the kids are bunkered down in their cave. Only combatants out in the rest of the village.¡±


    ¡°Things can change in a few hours.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true, but like I said, they have wards and surveillance. Setting up later might give them time to take cover or deploy countermeasures.¡±


    This time Ray hesitated.


    ¡°Alright, set it up, Brooke. You sure you¡¯ll be able to remote fire? We¡¯ve had problems before with spirit interference.¡±


    She tapped her helmet.


    ¡°Using my best Skill for this one. It¡¯ll get through any interference our I¡¯ll have Benny eat my day old panties.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t promise me with a good time, honey buns!¡± Benny laughed.


    ¡°You¡¯re embarrassing Silveraxe in front of the Spekters,¡± Lewis stage-whispered.


    Alin had to stifle a chuckle.


    He wasn¡¯t supposed to know any of them, which meant he had to look confused rather than amused at the typical banter between the three long-time friends.


    Brooke was new.


    She had emigrated to the town from another town through his dad¡¯s program.


    From what she had said, Uncle Eron had flown her and several others by carrying a large van.


    Apparently, it had been terrifying on account of a thunderbird storm.


    She and Benny had just started dating about 3 years ago, which was after the last time he had been to the town to accompany his mom and dad on a working vacation of sorts.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯ll throw in my drawers if it¡¯ll help!¡± Dre grinned.


    ¡°Sorry guys, I¡¯d sweeten the pot, but I¡¯m not wearing any underwear,¡± Steph said.


    Galen cleared his throat.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Ray grunted. ¡°Set it up.¡± He gestured for Alin to continue forward while Brooke quickly assembled her hand-crafted mortar set from her bag of holding.


    The gray allowed Alin to keep a proverbial eye on everyone as the formation slowly stretched like taffy.


    He was the point of the spear while Ray and Brooke were the ass end.


    She worked fast since he had only gone about 200 meters when he noticed them jogging to un-stretch the candy.


    Wooden walls made from stout, straight trees loomed through the night mists.


    The gray wormed its way in, mingling with the natural mist¡ª


    He raised a fist.


    The mist in and around the village wasn¡¯t entirely natural.


    Just like the scouting report from his dad said.


    The mountain people had conjured the mist, imbuing it with hungry, malicious monster spirits.


    They sniffed the air like wary dogs, hackles raised at an intrusion they thought they could feel, but couldn¡¯t possibly comprehend.


    The gray wrapped tendrils around their necks and squeezed, strangling the life out of them.


    The mountain people¡¯s best defensive and early warning system died without so much a whimper.


    Alin tightened his leash on the eager gray.


    The others had come for a reason.


    If he did all the work then they wouldn¡¯t get their share of the leveling and Quest rewards.


    A hand signal to Ray and Galen.


    The former had overall command because he was the most familiar with the enemy and the environment.


    He also had the highest level and most experience.


    Another silent signal and the battle really began. Heralded by soft thumps in the distance followed by a high-pitched squeal from above.


    Silver dust burst over the entire village, settling over it like a sparkling blanket in the torch light.


    Block the cave, please, he thought. Only kids and a few older people and mothers. My dad thinks they can be rehabilitated from what communing with the monster spirits did to them.


    He didn¡¯t control the echoes of his relatives like a toy general did his or her miniatures army on the gaming table.


    He could only ask and impart his inner desires to them.


    The closer they were in mind and purpose the more likely they were to comply and the stronger their efforts would be.


    A collective wail rose up from the village.


    Malevolent spirits didn¡¯t like the silver dust.


    It was like a blast of pepper spray straight into the nose and throat.


    ¡°Jesus! Look at that?¡± Steph thrust his trident toward the palisade. ¡°It was in the scouting report, but seeing it in person is gnarly.¡±


    Spirits in the wood had emerged, turning the hard surface malleable.


    Toothy maws and wicked claws snapped and snatched at the nebulous threat on the edge of their perception.


    ¡°Alright, less talk and more blowing it up,¡± Galen said.


    They drew grenade launchers from bags of holding.


    Thumps sent sealed fire in high arcs.


    The spirits screeched as their wood flesh ignited like dry kindling instead of the damp logs that they were.


    ¡°Breach it,¡± Galen said.


    Brooke pulled a different custom mortar from her bag.


    This time she simply held it in her hands, pointing it at the screeching palisade.


    The shot boomed, punching a gaping hole wide enough for a truck to drive through.


    That was when the mountain people counterattacked.


    Frothing berserkers with grossly distorted bodies of bulging muscles and wriggling veins.


    ¡°That¡¯s way too many arms, faces and¡­ well¡­ everything!¡± Steph grimaced.


    The spirits within altered their hosts¡¯ physical forms on the fly.


    Except, it didn¡¯t look as smooth as before.


    He supposed charging with teeth bared and nostrils flaring wasn¡¯t good for keeping the silver dust out of their insides.


    He hit them with a drain. Just enough to cause a stumble.


    Guns fired.


    Silver bullets perforated toughened skin.


    In some cases the skin looked more like armor.


    The holes steamed as spirits struggled to stay inside even as the silver dust disrupted their ethereal shapes.


    One especially large and grotesque berserker managed to get close enough for blade work.


    Ray¡¯s axe flashed in the gloom.


    Once, twice, thrice.


    Over a dozen spirits wailed as their host perished.


    They tried to flee, but just like the rest they couldn¡¯t escape the net of sparkling dust in the air.


    Ray grunted.


    ¡°Let¡¯s finish this.¡±


    Alin fell to the rear as they charged toward the gap in the burning palisade.


    The fires had forced the guards off the wall and they appeared with weapons readied.


    Poorly maintained guns barked in a discordant mix of undisciplined shooting.


    Ray and his fighters with the exception of Brooke ignored the bullets plinking off their Threnium to calmly return fire as they ran.


    Skills had to be in play because one couldn¡¯t shoot and run if they expected any semblance of accuracy.


    Brooke¡¯s handheld mortar thumped, scattering the surviving mountain people.


    Alin split his focus.


    At a thousand meters out in all directions, spirits tried to answer the village¡¯s alarm.


    It was a silent one.


    Only for the spirits¡¯ ears.


    ¡°They¡¯re calling in help from everything in this forest.¡±


    ¡°How much time do we have?¡± Ray said through the comms as he cleaved through a thick neck.


    ¡°Nothing to worry about, yet. I¡¯ll let you know if it changes.¡±


    His echoes held that line, killing spirits by the dozen.


    Alin¡¯s third responsibility was keeping tabs on their priority targets.


    ¡°They¡¯re pulling guards from Gestalt 2 and moving them to reinforce Gestalt 1 and 3.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like they¡¯re giving up one to buy them time,¡± Galen said.


    Gestalt 2 was the closest one to their position.


    ¡°Let¡¯s bypass it. I can guide us to Gestalt 3. If we move fast we can hit the reinforcements before they can link up with the others. Then turn and take out Gestalt 3.¡±


    ¡°I agree,¡± Ray grunted, planting a boot on a mountain man¡¯s chest to pull his silver-coated axe free from a grotesque skull.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s do that.¡± Galen hurried forward. ¡°Dre, with me. We¡¯ll take point.¡±

 10.39

    The village had been laid out without regard to order and efficiency.


    Paths between cabins and tents twisted and turned without rhyme or reason.


    A small yurt loomed in the middle of a path like a roundabout.


    ¡°Ambush in that yurt!¡±


    Before anyone could react the thick canvas wall of the yurt fell apart as if sliced in a large X-shape.


    Galen and Dre didn¡¯t notice the faint red color hinting at the shape of a pair of long blades.


    The mountain people blinked in surprise for a split-second, which was an eternity in battle.


    They charged or raised guns, but it was too late.


    Galen had already pushed his cold mist out ahead of him like a boat pushes a wave.


    Sudden frost formed on their bodies, filled the barrels of their guns or encrusting the strings of their bows and crossbows.


    Dre dashed in, slipping in and out of his mist form, letting the mountain people¡¯s weapons pass harmlessly through him.


    Mist blades cut and stabbed past armor and clothing into flesh and organs.


    Dre¡¯s Skills weren¡¯t invincible or inevitable.


    Other Skills could counter them or a difference in level could render their effects weaker or nonexistent.


    A small woman, lean and gnarled like an old one-eyed weasel that had seen many seasons of hunting and fighting in the woods, no-sold a cut across her face.


    She punched with a crude, spiked glove.


    Dre cried out and fell back, clutching his face.


    He was one that favored an open-faced helmet for better vision and easier breathing, relying more on his mist form to avoid damage.


    Ray¡¯s wrist flicked.


    A thunk echoed.


    The woman snarled at the small, throwing axe embedded in her upraised arm.


    Her features twisted. Hers and one of the spirits riding her body.


    Before she could pull it out, Galen mist teleported behind her and thrust his sword through the back of her neck and out her mouth.


    Ray had lent them his Skill.


    Silver coated their weapons.


    The woman¡¯s cry undulated with over a dozen separate voices as her physical form melted into smoke and bloody goo.


    Alin saw it all, felt it all.


    ¡°Faster!¡±


    He pulled at the life force of the mountain people running to their target.


    Slowed them down just enough for his team to cut them off.


    He felt their confusion at the lack of spirit aid.


    It was the mist shrouding their village that they prayed to first.


    The spirits in it had always whispered soothing words in their ears had lent them strength without question whenever a roaming monster had attacked their village in the past.


    Thus, there was nothing worse to them than the silence they received.


    Short-controlled bursts from Benny and Lewis started the fight.


    They switched to melee as Ray, Galen and Dre, face and mask bloody, attacked.


    The latter two drifted in and out of visibility through the thick gray that only the mountain people could see.


    Blades drew red arcs.


    They found hearts without having to get past steel and padded cloth.


    Ray¡¯s axe and bullets destroyed the spirits before they could even think of flying to their doom in the silver choked air.


    Alin trailed with Brooke and Steph.


    He felt his friend¡¯s eagerness mingling with worry.


    Steph itched to fight, but he had to play bodyguard, which concerned him because worrying about another person was a lot harder than just worrying about himself.


    Gladiatorial combat wasn¡¯t real world combat.


    There were no rules in the latter.


    ¡°Something¡¯s coming up on our six.¡±


    ¡°Where?¡± Brooke whirled around, brandishing her handheld mortar.


    Steph had already beaten her to it.


    He readied his net and trident, while standing well clear of her death-spewing tube.


    ¡°May I?¡± Alin gestured at her mortar.


    A fully-linked HUD would¡¯ve been really useful.


    Instead he had to settle for manually adjusting Brooke¡¯s aim.


    ¡°Wait for it¡­¡±


    A warbling roar shook their insides.


    The base-like thrum would¡¯ve sent a person 10 levels lower into the fetal position.


    As it was, Steph and Brooke merely felt the sudden urge to go to the bathroom.


    Nothing a mild clenching couldn¡¯t handle.


    As for Alin?


    He shrugged it off like a light winter dusting on his shoulders.


    ¡°Fire!¡±


    Brooke pressed the button on instinct.


    The dark tube belched smoke and fury.


    Fire and silver shrapnel landed just outside the burning walls.


    ¡°Did she splash the bogey?¡± Steph said.


    ¡°Wrong terminology, dude,¡± Alin grinned. ¡°And, yeah, she did! Nice shot!¡±


    ¡°What was it?¡± Brooke frowned, peering into the distance as if she could see anything through the mist and smoke.


    ¡°Hard to say. It was big and made up of a lot of different things. Animals, plants, rocks.¡±


    ¡°Oh. One of those.¡± Brooke paled. ¡°They can transform, split apart, meld back together.¡±


    ¡°So, are you saying that being blown up is just a minor setback?¡± Steph said.


    ¡°No, no. It should be down. At least most of it. All the silver dust helps a ton.¡±


    Just to be on a safe side Alin probed at the remains, finding that Brooke was correct.


    ¡°It¡¯s not coming back from that.¡±


    They followed the others up the narrow, twisting path.


    Rough stones had been laid down in the center to help footing in the otherwise muddy ground.


    Gestalt 3 wasn¡¯t the name given to the horrific thing wrapped up in chains hanging over a small pit filled with liquid beyond foulness by the mountain people.


    They referred to it simply, as ¡®The Child¡¯.


    It was the newest, smallest and weakest of the three abominations.


    ¡°Is this the kind of messed up shit you guys deal with all the time?¡± Steph hissed.


    Gestalt 3 pulsed with wrongness, slowly creating more malevolent spirits and occasionally birthing out a corporeal abomination with a random mix of attributes from those stewed in the pit below it to merge.


    The most recognizable part sticking out of the slick clump of indeterminate biological matter was a single human arm.


    Sure, the arm had other things sticking out of it, like a tail from some kind of reptile and a damp bird wing, but he could see human fingers.


    ¡°Do they stick their own people in there?¡±


    ¡°No. At least, we don¡¯t think so,¡± Brooke said. ¡°The last time someone disappeared from town was over 6 months ago. So, we¡¯re thinking they¡¯re getting people from somewhere else. Adventurers coming from the other side of the mountains maybe?¡±


    ¡°Firing silver missiles!¡± Benny practically giggled with excitement.


    So unlike a man of his age should sound, but he didn¡¯t get to use the shoulder-mounted micromissile launcher attachment often.


    The town only had 5 of them and only used them in emergencies.


    The volley trailed twisting smoke trails through the mist and gray.


    Gestalt 3¡¯s defenders raised barriers out of magic and the ground itself.


    Alin felt the magic and pulled the metaphorical rug out from under their feet.


    The way cleared suddenly for Benny¡¯s missiles.


    They struck home with loud booms and bright flashes.


    The Child wailed.


    ¡°Awww¡­ it¡¯s still alive,¡± Benny said.


    ¡°We need to break the chains. They¡¯re holding it together, keeping the spirits in,¡± Ray said.


    The Child¡¯s defenders attacked with a collective roar that reverberated with the voices of the spirits within.


    He pulled at their life forces.


    Human and spirit.


    Weakening them enough to turn a difficult fight into an easy one.


    Silver sang while distorted flesh cried.


    Some help in putting an abomination to rest? There are people still in there. I think at least some of you care.


    He felt a grandmother¡¯s disapproving stare lasering holes into the back of his neck. Such things were universal.


    The gore-encrusted chains holding the mass suspended began to rattle and squeal.


    Faint colored lights danced across the links like bladed instruments.


    Hints of hands grasped and twisted, pulling with superhuman strength.


    Chains snapped.


    The abomination flew like a heavy bag kicked off its hook, bowling over the defenders¡¯ back line like ten pins.


    The fight ended just like that.


    Men and women dead around something they worshiped like a god. Its juices mingling with theirs. A foul river that dirtied the mud.


    Lewis gagged. ¡°I can smell it through the mask. So much bad magic coming from that thing. And that.¡± He pointed his blade at the stew pit.


    ¡°Salt it. Silver it. Pour in our special herb and spice blend,¡± Benny said. ¡°Hope it works.¡±


    Whether it would and to what degree, they¡¯d have to wait to find out.


    Gestalt 1 was next. Then they needed to backtrack to take care of Gestalt 2.


    The Father was the first and most powerful of the mountain village¡¯s abominations.


    Naturally, it was the best defended.


    They were willing to sacrifice the other two, but not this one.


    Alin shrouded his team in the gray.


    They needed time to plan.


    ¡°They can¡¯t see us, right?¡± Benny said. ¡°So, why plan? Just attack!¡±


    ¡°Moron!¡± Lewis grinned. ¡°They can¡¯t see us if we¡¯re just chilling here. They can see us fine when we¡¯re in stabbing range.¡±


    ¡°I say we shoot them until we¡¯re out. Then deal with what¡¯s left,¡± Brooke said.


    ¡°It won¡¯t be that easy. Gestalt 1 isn¡¯t going to roll over and die like Gestalt 3,¡± Ray said.


    An understatement.


    The likeliest outcome was for the Father to sprout arms and legs to go on a rampage if it deemed itself under the threat of destruction.


    Fortunately, Alin was an unfair presence.


    Everything touched by the malevolent spirits were tainted.


    The energy he gained from draining them was foul and set his gut roiling, but he was willing to stomach it if it meant a good outcome for Ray¡¯s town and those poor kids cowering in the walled up cave a stone¡¯s throw behind the Father.


    The only thing he worried about was taking in too much and being permanently tainted.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    His dad had said that wasn¡¯t likely.


    Which wasn¡¯t the same thing as impossible.


    He felt Ray¡¯s and Galen¡¯s eyes on him despite keeping his fixed on the Father.


    ¡°I¡¯ll handle the thing. You guys keep the rest of them occupied.¡± He stuck a hand in one of his pouches of holding. He had dedicated its entire storage to bags of Ray¡¯s special anti-spirit blend. A mixture of silver dust, rock salt and more than 11 herbs and spices.


    As ridiculous as it seemed it had proved its effectiveness thousands of times over the years.


    He drew the gray over him like a blanket.


    It wasn¡¯t at all like playing ghosts with his parents when he was a child.


    Violence swirled around him.


    Its fingers grasped and clawed like a blind man sifting through sand for gold.


    The gray made it so the man remained destitute.


    Gestalt 1 loomed behind a line of magic users and ranged fighters.


    Glowing shields left little in the way of gaps to exploit.


    He hit the muddy ground as projectiles and spells whistled overhead.


    A mortar thumped, cracking some of the shielding.


    He kept a partial ear on the comms chatter to avoid getting in anyone¡¯s line of fire.


    Things sounded like they was going well.


    He had tipped the balance toward his team.


    They fought in a light mist, while the mountain people could barely see more than an arm¡¯s length away.


    The men and women casting the shields felt stressed.


    Yes, the spirits inside them gave strength, but also influenced their thoughts.


    And the spirits were beyond agitated.


    The silver dust in the air combined with the sudden and violent destruction of the Child, along with so many spirits wasn¡¯t good for what passed for morale.


    Even malevolent spirits feared for their existences.


    He focused.


    We can end this quickly. Destroy the abominations and we get those kids away from this terrible place.


    He held his breath, waiting and hoping.


    The answer came in the form of a faint sliver of red light emerging from behind the mages maintaining the shields.


    Gray wisps trailed the thin light as it swept horizontally across the mage line.


    Shields winked out.


    He drew an AK.


    Spraying and praying wasn¡¯t recommended for a reason, but such reasons tended to fall away the closer one got to their target.


    Silver bullets sent the mountain people and spirits howling.


    He leapt forward, leaving the empty gun on the ground in favor of a longsword from his bag of holding.


    Plain steel.


    The better for Ray¡¯s Skill.


    He cut spirits and mountain people with silvered blade.


    It wasn¡¯t fair.


    They couldn¡¯t see him through the gray.


    He almost felt bad as they slashed and shot with blinded eyes, hitting each other, adding to their own terrified chaos.


    The spirits only whipped up the frenzy since they weren¡¯t rational thinkers in the best of conditions.


    The thin sliver of red light stabbed and cut with precision through the mountain people back lines.


    He passed through them to reach Gestalt 1.


    The mass loomed over him.


    Pulsing and writhing as if seeing his presence for the first time.


    He felt its fear.


    The chains groaned.


    The stew pit bubbled below going from a simmer to a boil in the seconds he observed it..


    He could almost see hands and faces trying to reach out to the dripping mass.


    Some resembled humans.


    The chains kept it contained, but also kept it protected.


    Break the chains, but don¡¯t let it land in the stew pit unless the pit was destroyed first.


    He upended the bag of holding dedicated to Ray¡¯s special anti-spirit blend.


    It reacted like hot oil did that one time he screwed up deep-fried pork belly.


    No one had told him about drying it out first.


    A sudden flash of ivory light saved him from a drenching.


    Gray wisps outlined the smooth edge of a round shield momentarily as the disgusting stew sizzled and smeared down the translucent surface before the shield vanished.


    Thanks.


    The reddish stew mixture had showered the immediate area everywhere except where he stood.


    It had been the final bell toll for the remaining mountain people back line.


    They fled screaming as the spirits in then finally shoved them into full madness.


    Gestalt 1¡¯s pulsing grew enraged.


    He felt the effects immediately from everywhere in the gray.


    From his surroundings all the way out to a thousand meters.


    The echoes of his relatives continued to battle the spirits in the surrounding forests, but more spirits were abandoning those fights in favor of flying back to the village to answer the Father¡¯s calls.


    ¡°More spirits incoming. 2 minutes at the earliest,¡± he said into the comms.


    ¡°Copy. Hurry up and kill it,¡± Ray replied.


    Gestalt 1 was held up by 4 thick iron rods like the vertical edges of a pyramid.


    He grabbed one and lifted.


    His low level superhuman strength barely budged it from the earth.


    ¡°Damn it.¡±


    No choice. Unless someone wants to help?


    Eerie silence was the answer.


    He pulled through the gray.


    Life from the mountain people and the spirits.


    That energy converted into physical strength.


    He tore the rod from the earth.


    It had a wide base plate anchoring it in place, but that gave way with a screech of torn iron.


    The entire stand tipped over.


    He hurried to the pulsing abomination.


    Glistening hands reached out blindly as he gave them a wide berth.


    He drew a heavy axe from his bag of holding.


    Silver and strength rose and fell.


    Chain links snapped.


    Eyes weeping foulness opened all over Gestalt 1.


    The hands suddenly found their target.


    They reached for him only to be sliced by a sliver of faint red light in the gray.


    He dumped a bag of special anti-spirit blend over the abomination and stabbed the silvered longsword deep into where he judged the center was located.


    The Father resisted even as the flesh mix burned and withered, so he pulled from it with the gray.


    The taste of it was the worst thing he had ever experienced and he had resolved as a culinary matter to never reject any type of food at least once.


    Regardless, his comfort was secondary.


    The abomination had to be destroyed.


    ¡°Oh shit! They¡¯re going crazy!¡± Steph said. ¡°Watch out, dude! They¡¯re heading your way!¡±


    The mountain people and the spirits rushed to the dying Father¡¯s side.


    Alin slipped out of their way and let the echo wielding the sliver of red dispatch them with quick, economical strikes and thrusts.


    The rest of the team arrived just in time to watch the Father shrivel into nothing more than a dark smudge on rough stone.


    ¡°Two minutes until we get more spirits?¡± Ray said.


    He nodded.


    Words didn¡¯t seem to want to come out of his mouth.


    In truth, he struggled to keep the bile from escaping his upper throat.


    It felt as though just opening his mouth would be akin to opening floodgates.


    Absorbing some of the abomination¡¯s life force had been terrible.


    Who could¡¯ve foreseen that outcome?


    ¡°Benny, Lewis, you¡¯re with me. We¡¯ll head back to Gestalt 2 to put it into the ground. The rest of you head to the cave,¡± Ray said.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Brooke scowled.


    ¡°You need to set up some defenses for those spirits and any remaining mountain people patrols out there.¡±


    There were a handful.


    Most of their number had been in the village and most of those were now dead or dying or running madly into the forest.


    ¡°Most of the main Quest is done,¡± Galen said.


    Alin hadn¡¯t noticed in his struggle to keep the contents of his gut inside his body.


    ¡°It should be okay to call the Raynabinger in to help deal with the remainder and to start taking the kids,¡± Galen continued.


    ¡°That way you say it makes it sound so bad. Like, we just killed their parents and are now going to kidnap them,¡± Steph said. ¡°Not that I¡¯m saying it¡¯s better for them to grow up as evil, spirit-ridden abominations. Cause¡­ no one thinks that¡¯s good, right?¡±


    ¡°Let us take Gestalt 2 out before you call them,¡± Ray said.


    ¡°Yeah, no problem,¡± Galen said.


    The team split.


    ¡°Looking a little green there, Alin,¡± Steph said.


    He swallowed.


    ¡°I ate something bad.¡±


    Steph regarded him through narrowed eyes.


    ¡°Not literal, I hope? There were a lot of moist red chunks all over the place.¡±


    ¡°Nope. More spiritual.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ cause that¡¯s much better¡­¡±


    <hr>


    Washington, D.C., Fall 2055


    Yellow, orange and red.


    The decaying remnants of green life.


    They fell like empires.


    Ground beneath the soles of the inexorable march of entropy.


    Or some such nonsense.


    Certainly, a bit too advanced a concept to teach young children.


    Never mind that they were learning magic and not philosophy.


    Although, one could argue that grasping the latter could only be beneficial to the former.


    The teacher of small mage children swept the carpet of fallen leaves aside with a gesture of wind, drawing oohs and aahs from an easily impressed audience.


    They were at that age where spellcasting without words was the coolest thing ever.


    A sudden, pudgy-fingered hand struck for the sky.


    ¡°Mr. Finley!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Avery?¡±


    ¡°That bird¡¯s being weird!¡±


    He followed the finger point to a sparrow alight on one of the tree¡¯s gnarled branches.


    ¡°Ah, yes. It is being weird. Birds don¡¯t tend to sit very still. They¡¯re always moving, looking for prey and watching out for predators, after all.¡±


    As if it could understand him, the sparrow suddenly began to act more sparrow-like.


    ¡°Okay class, let¡¯s ignore the bird and the cold. You need focus if you want to be able to cast your spells better than simply shouting the magic words because anyone can do that. A true master can do it without speaking, either out loud or in your heads. A true master can shape every aspect of the spell rather than relying on the box the spires gives them. Now, close your eyes and begin your meditation.¡±


    That should keep them busy for the next 5 minutes.


    He eyed the sparrow.


    It flapped down to land on his shoulder and promptly spat a microSD into his palm.


    Nothing has changed, he thought. I can¡¯t find them. I can try harder, but that means doing things and going places that would be suspicious for a simple magic teacher.


    No. Maintain. Your work is important.


    And my revenge? I can reach them. Now.


    And you would be killed immediately after. How many people will die that you could¡¯ve saved? How many classes of smol, cute mage kids?


    Emotional blackmail¡­


    ¡­ is effective, no?


    Obviously. He focused very hard on the mental image of a double middle finger salute.


    You¡¯re doing good. Keep it up. you¡¯ll have your chance. Just stay patient. Don¡¯t drop the ball at the 5-yard line. I¡¯ll keep updating you.


    The sparrow flew away, perhaps confused at being at an entirely different tree than its normal territory.


    He regarded the children.


    Pudgy faces, eyes screwed shut.


    Concentration or constipation.


    A fine line.


    It was a good thing he was doing even if it was a cover.


    Elsewhere in the city, an old man stared at his laptop screen.


    He groaned and wiped his eyes.


    He had zoned out again.


    What had he been doing?


    Oh, right.


    Searching through the database of supply movements from the warehouses under his management.


    It must¡¯ve been why he had been so tired over the last few months.


    Extra work off the clock, even beyond the few hours overtime he was already doing.


    Rightful Destiny had been gearing up again after several years of being put on the back burner.


    At least that was the word going through the rumor mill.


    He had a nephew that was a colonel in the Combined Armed Forces that had hinted that he should make himself real valuable to the logistics side unless he wanted to be called up for a more direct contribution to the war effort.


    Always was a good kid, his sister¡¯s son, never failed to look out for family.


    What was he looking for again?


    Oh, right.


    Inventory missing or being sent out to places they shouldn¡¯t have been or seemed out of the ordinary.


    He sighed and rubbed his head.


    Less and less hair everyday.


    ¡°So many damn spreadsheets.¡±


    So many files in so many folders.


    Well¡­ it was worth the extra hours.


    He was doing it for the nation, after all.


    ¡°Hey, Ted! You still here?¡±


    Robert, one of his new warehouse workers, knocked on his office door.


    Young people these days. No appreciation for tradition.


    Why, he remembered it was always ¡®mister¡¯ or ¡®sir¡¯ back when he had been a young man.


    Would¡¯ve been nice to get the same respect.


    ¡°What can I do for you, Robert?¡±


    ¡°Nothing! Just saw your light was still on and wanted to say goodnight. Do you want some help? I can stick around for an hour or so.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, son, but you¡¯ve put in enough overtime already.¡±


    ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll see you Monday!¡±


    ¡°Have a good weekend, Robert.¡±


    ¡°You too!¡±


    Most places in the city were the same.


    Shutting down for the weekend.


    Well¡­ partially.


    Some places never closed.


    While some worked half days on the weekend.


    Actually¡­ it was the rare place of work that closed completely for a day, let alone two in a row.


    Such things weren¡¯t heard of in America.


    After all, how could one take days off when the fate of the entire nation was on the line.


    Rightful Destiny demanded the blood, sweat and tears of every man, woman and child.


    It was the great work of their society, nay the era!


    President T.K. George eyed his personal assistant.


    He didn¡¯t have a set one, but drew from a pool.


    Today, he had been saddled with his least favorite.


    ¡°Ms. Foster, please get my dinner. I¡¯ve decided to have it in my office tonight. Oh and make sure to tell the chef I want to try a well-done steak tonight. With his compound butter, of course.¡±


    An abomination to mankind and he¡¯d have to apologize to the chef later, but the extra time it would take was worth it.


    He needed a reprieve from Ms. Foster¡¯s staring presence.


    An attractive woman, but as cold as a dead fish.


    A frozen one.


    He couldn¡¯t even appreciate her body, which he could only assume was fit and shapely, because her business attire was a different sort of professional compared to the tight skirts and blouses and jackets of his typical assistants.


    Those eyes of hers. Like a shark staring at a juicy seal.


    He eyed the report on his desk.


    An unhappy one.


    An intrusive thought.


    What if an alliance with the demigod had been a mistake?


    Unleashing the rabbit people on American citizens had been one thing and now unilateral actions in the Philippines.


    What did Suiteonemiades want with a third world country?


    He tried not to think about the angry video message he had received from that impressive looking man.


    White hair suggested age, but thick neck and obvious muscles beneath the suit suggested otherwise.


    Why didn¡¯t they have more information on him?


    He hadn¡¯t even claimed a title.


    Just demanded the return of a ¡®Madalena¡¯.


    Like he had any idea who that was.


    Naturally, polite inquiries to Suiteonemiades had been answered with less than satisfactory illumination.


    The demigod had politely refused to meet ever since then.


    The Eidolon of Sunor hadn¡¯t changed from what he could tell, but she demurred every time he had brought up the issue.


    Captain Patriot.


    He thought of her.


    A lifeline in the turbulent seas he had suddenly found himself in.


    He needed a word¡ª


    Was it bad that he, the president, was worried about calling for her?

 10.40

    Nicholas cracked the glow stick, giving it a vigorous shake before stuffing it in his pocket.


    With the last bit of his countermeasures in place he stepped out of his tiny apartment and into the gray morning.


    Mary sat on the low brick wall surrounding the flower bed.


    Pleasant sights and smells to bring a bit of lightness into the heavy lives of a career soldier, which was mostly everyone.


    Rightful Destiny made total retirement the path of the minority.


    If a soldier grew too old and battered to stay at the tip of the spear in the fight to take their country back from the monsters and traitors they simple slid into a support role.


    The majority of the men and women that had left the combined armed forces didn¡¯t do it willingly.


    ¡°Nicholas.¡±


    ¡°Mary Ann.¡±


    Code they came up with themselves.


    Full names meant watch their words.


    It wasn¡¯t normal. Not in their barracks. Not in their home.


    ¡°There¡¯s a rave coming up. Remember those? Haven¡¯t been one in awhile,¡± Mary said lightly.


    He didn¡¯t because they were stupid when he was younger and age hadn¡¯t changed his mind.


    ¡°Sounds fun. I¡¯m right there with you.¡±


    They chatted idly as they proceeded on their semi-regular morning walk around the base.


    Fellow soldiers and civilian staff moved about their days.


    Those on duty or work moved briskly and with purpose, merely exchanging quick greetings rather than stopping for a chat.


    The number of people they ran into thinned out when they neared the firing range.


    The loud pops and bangs didn¡¯t make for a conducive environment for calm talks or quiet introspection. People entered or exited the range rather than linger in the vicinity.


    He felt the glow stick in his pocket for reassurance.


    The enchantment kept any sound he uttered from traveling more than a few feet.


    ¡°What¡¯d you find out?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re keeping him in a dark house a few blocks off base.¡± Mary gave him the address. ¡°That¡¯s all I got. I figure command¡¯s still deciding how quiet they want to play this thing.¡±


    ¡°Anything more on the why?¡±


    ¡°Nope. Same as before. Word is he got caught snooping around places in a suspicious manner.¡±


    ¡°Snooping, by its nature is suspicious.¡±


    She snorted. ¡°You¡¯d know.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s weird, isn¡¯t it? All this time and this is what he gets nailed for.¡±


    Mary eyes narrowed. ¡°What do you mean? Obviously, espionage is much worse than raping civilians, allegedly. They were traitors anyways, right?¡± She practically spat.


    He didn¡¯t argue.


    The strength to defend or deflect the alleged abuses perpetrated by his fellow soldiers had steadily left him the more he had done sketchy things, like, say attacking a country they weren¡¯t at war with and trying to kidnap an old doctor¡­ for¡­ reasons?


    As special forces they claimed to bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, but that was only a lie told to children.


    ¡°I say let him rot,¡± Mary said.


    ¡°Not arguing the merits of that, but I want to know why before I decide what to do.¡±


    They parted ways and he slipped into his invisibility to pay a visit.


    Surveillance cameras didn¡¯t bother him.


    It was a simple matter of waiting for one of the soldiers guarding the dark house to step back inside after a smoke break to slip inside on the young man¡¯s heels.


    It was just as easy to take the keys to the bedrooms turned prison cells from the soldier¡¯s belt.


    Jaydin lay on a small, soiled mattress on the floor. He opened his eyes at the sound of the click, but before he could react, Nicholas had clamped a hand over his mouth.


    ¡°Not a word?¡±


    Wide-eyed Jaydin nodded.


    Nicholas carefully shut the reinforced door and took one last peek through the barred opening.


    He had temporarily killed the camera in the ceiling with a magitech device that shutdown electronics it was aimed at.


    ¡°Double D¡­¡± Jaydin looked different as he sat up on the mattress.


    Nicholas remembered a sharp-eyed predator of a man with a perpetual upward tilt of his chin as if he wanted to look down his nose at every person he came across. The only ones spared had been superior officers, at least to their faces, and those he was certain were more dangerous.


    Now?


    Jaydin¡¯s tall, wiry frame was hunched over.


    His eyes haunted.


    Good, Nicholas thought. If half the rumors about you are true then I should¡ª


    Selfish thoughts were unproductive.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to tell me why you¡¯re here and make it succinct.¡±


    ¡°Yessir, lieutenant.¡± Jaydin stood and gave a defeated salute. ¡°Truth is¡­ I¡¯m not sure. Sometimes I feel like I¡¯m dreaming,¡± he sighed, ¡°all this doesn¡¯t feel real. I sleep and dream or have nightmares of all the things¡ª that feels more real¡­ sometimes¡­¡±


    ¡°Stick to facts.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, sir.¡± Jaydin straightened. ¡°In light of recent events, I grew suspicious of our allies. So, I decided to try to find out what they¡¯re hiding from us.¡±


    It was, Nicholas decided as Jaydin spoke in clipped words, not only out of character, but sloppily done.


    Jaydin lacked the skill set for espionage.


    The soldier was a killer, not a spy.


    It wasn¡¯t surprising that his clumsy attempts to find where and what the demigod was hiding were caught fairly quickly.


    Plausible deniability.


    Everyone made sure to have it to varying degrees.


    Like the constant construction of new underground bunker complexes or additions to old ones all over the capital. Well¡­ technically, under.


    That was what and where Jaydin had honed in on.


    Nicholas would have done the same, at least to start with, had he been in Jaydin¡¯s shoes.


    ¡°What I don¡¯t understand is why you did all that. You haven¡¯t explained that part.¡±


    Jaydin shrugged.


    ¡°I can¡¯t explain it any differently than how I already have, lieutenant.¡±


    ¡°You just¡­ woke up guilty about¡­ things¡ª¡± Anger swelled into an urge to punch his fellow soldier¡¯s teeth in, but he reined it in quickly. That was what made the two of them different. ¡°And so you, what? Thought you could find evidence of crimes?¡±


    The irony made Nicholas want to laugh.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s supposed to be classified, but I heard from a few guys that were running guard duty on the artillery at that Austin thing and¡ª they dropped monsters and those rabbit freaks on our people! I know I¡¯ve done some fucked up things, but that¡¯s, like, on a whole nother level, right?¡± Eyes streaked with red and dark bags beneath bored into Nicholas desperate for an answer. ¡°I mean, if I do something good, then the voices will stop, right?¡±


    Now you¡¯re guilty?


    ¡°That¡¯s not how absolution works. You¡¯ve got to get it from the people you¡¯ve hurt.¡±


    Jaydin didn¡¯t have anything useful left to share.


    Nicholas gave him one last cold look before turning his back on his fellow soldier.


    Troubled thoughts dogged him all the way back to his apartment.


    What would the captain do?


    Elsewhere, the Sentinel of Liberty sneezed.


    The monster looming over her was a mix between a colorful flower and a dinosaur.


    At least what she imagined the latter looked like when they had been more than just fossils in the ground or one of the monster versions running around because she refused to see those as anything more than superficial physical resembles to actual animals that had once existed millions of years in Earth¡¯s past.


    The long tail, thick as a tree, whipped around, forcing her to leap.


    Petals in place of a head opened up and sprayed her with the pollen again.


    Her sneeze shook the sky.


    A blind strike with her white-empowered stick connected with a squishy thud.


    The monster¡¯s silence was eerie, though she supposed the lack of a head precluded the sorts of sounds she was familiar with.


    Her eyes, nose and throat itched in a way she had long forgotten.


    Captain Patriot once had bad allergies to pollen and such, which had all vanished after the spires had appeared.


    She landed in a crouch, dodge rolling to the side as the tree-sized tail carved a deep furrow in the muddy ground.


    Despite her semi-exile punishment, it was days like this that reminded her that it was for the best.


    She shuddered to think at what the monster¡¯s pollen spray would¡¯ve done to her soldiers, let alone civilians.


    Images of people dying from anaphylactic shock by the hundreds flashed through her mind.


    She leapt like a bullet fired from a gun, plunging her glowing white stick deep into the middle of the monster¡¯s petaled head.


    The sneezing never stopped, but she ripped petals and stabbed deeper until reaching what felt like a squishy bulb.


    The monster thrashed like an unhappy stallion about to be turned into a gelding on her long-dead daddy¡¯s ranch.


    It crashed to the mud, taking her with it.


    Rolling, whipping, squeezing, tearing.


    Sneezing got her a mouthful of everything from monster petals and flesh to mud and grass.


    Clapping greeted her as she shoved the dead monster aside.


    She spat.


    Without the constant pollen sprays the white light in her cleared up her sinuses in seconds.


    Expelling the mucus for an audience would¡¯ve been embarrassing had her woman instincts not rang alarm bells about the young-looking man observing her from short distance away.


    Human, but not Earth human.


    That was obvious enough by the skin tone paler than any she was familiar with, but features closer to some of the Pacific Islanders and Asians. Jet black hair that seemed to suck in the sunlight was the only other noteworthy physical attribute aside from the golden eyes and perfect body on display thanks to the lack of a shirt of any kind. And tall, very tall by Earth human standards. At least 7 feet tall with perfect proportions.


    She hadn¡¯t met any of the new demigods. Only knew that more had arrived.Stolen novel; please report.


    One would¡¯ve thought command would¡¯ve been concerned enough about more powerful individuals inserting themselves into the country to loop their most powerful soldier in.


    Instead, she remained an attack dog consigned to her solitary cabin at the foot of the mountains waiting for the next special wandering monster to lumber down from the spawn zones they kept for training and leveling purposes. The only times she could leave was when they needed her strength elsewhere.


    A mere five times in the last two and a half years.


    Three months since the horrible things in the New York subway system.


    She didn¡¯t relinquish the white light as she faced the demigod.


    ¡°You are not an approved liaison.¡±


    Official terms sounded better.


    Calling the interchangeable set of young and innocent looking interns ¡®handlers¡¯ made her feel dirty. Like, she was more an attack dog than a loyal soldier that had served her country without question for most of her adult life.


    She didn¡¯t think that a demigod would concern himself with getting proper clearance to approach from the little fort at the end of the winding road farther down.


    She brandished her stick, disguising her slipping her other hand into a pocket for the panic button.


    Was this to be the first shot fired in the demigods seizing power to rule openly?


    ¡°I am Sallaiades, son of Salla, true Goddess of war, among a diverse and powerful portfolio.¡±


    ¡°Captain Patriot.¡± She bowed. ¡°On behalf of my country, I am honored.¡±


    She wasn¡¯t, in fact, honored.


    This smelled like trouble, but she was loyal and followed instructions on how to interact with a demigod.


    Deference, but not obsequiousness.


    She had power and represented her nation.


    The groveling was left to mere mortals without it or without high status.


    ¡°Your true name?¡±


    ¡°Captain Patriot.¡±


    The demigod nodded as if that was a normal thing in his experience, which could be centuries worth or more.


    She was a literal child despite being old enough to be a grandmother.


    ¡°The young do tend to become enamored of personas. I, myself, went by ¡®War¡¯s Red Blade¡¯ for much of my youth.¡±


    ¡°What can I do for you, Sallaiades?¡±


    ¡°Listen.¡± He waited for her to nod her head. ¡°I have an offer. Serve my mother and be granted what you desire.¡± Gold eyes darted to her cabin. ¡°A mansion to start with. Complete with a full staff to your specifications.¡±


    ¡°I am honored, but I refuse.¡±


    She had turned down several such offers from various eidolons over the years.


    ¡°I promise you that your standard of life will improve immensely almost immediately. And that is promise backed by more than my honor. Mother is fair. Unlike many of the other Gods and Goddesses, her contracts are not predatory. For one, she doesn¡¯t believe in eternal terms. Depending on your lifespan, you may be free to pursue other opportunities in as little as 10 years. And, depending on your contributions that could mean a new, better contract.¡± He smiled. ¡°Naturally, you would serve under me. I govern 7 city states and will grant you the choice for your primary residence. However, in practice, those of your stature have a residence in each for convenience and comfort when not performing your duties. Furthermore, unlike most other demigods my standard breeding terms are not onerous. One child every 10 years up to a maximum of 5 children without gender stipulations.¡±


    Captain Patriot blinked.


    Breeding?


    The eidolons hadn¡¯t mentioned anything of the sort.


    Sallaiades hesitated.


    ¡°Naturally, I wouldn¡¯t expect an answer this moment nor in the coming days or months. Such decisions aren¡¯t meant to be made lightly. Indeed, I would personally find it questionable were you to agree this instant.¡± He gestured, opening up a small golden tear in the air.


    The scroll that dropped into his palm glowed with obvious magic to the white energy in her empty eye sockets.


    ¡°Read it.¡±


    The scroll flew across the distance into her hand.


    ¡°Several times. It is a negotiation. I expect you to have demands of your own. Perhaps, you wish to bring along some of your fellow soldiers? There aren¡¯t many things that are not negotiable in this. You¡¯d find that to be not true with the majority of the others.¡±


    A larger golden portal slowly opened behind Sallaiades.


    ¡°I will not prevail upon you again. Seek me out only to deliver your answer. I leave you with one thought, Captain Patriot. Your homeworld is a Terminus World. A splendid place to test yourself, to gain strength. But, it seems to me, not a place to live an entire life. We are soldiers and soldiers cannot wage war forever. Blades must be oiled and re-sharpened, after all. And, even if you took care of it meticulously, a blade swung eternally on an unending battlefield will dull and chip until it will eventually break. You go to the battlefield, you don¡¯t want to live there.¡±


    The Guardian of Liberty resolved to stuff the scroll into a drawer and leave it there, unopened.


    <hr>


    Alin sat and shoveled leftover pizza into his mouth.


    Dinner before duty.


    The studio apartment he shared with Kat was sparsely furnished.


    A small table that doubled as a desk for writing reports shared space with a bed just large enough for two and a large, flat screen TV on the wall.


    It stayed off.


    All they broadcast were very old shows and movies or propaganda disguised as news.


    They were always going on and on about the traitors terrorists that refused to return to their rightful destiny.


    Still, watching them provided information about the pulse of their enemy.


    Luckily, he hadn¡¯t been assigned that particular task.


    ¡°Sucks to be you, Luzi.¡±


    She did want to write history stuff.


    The Mist Spekters had been given a section of an apartment building shared with other mercenaries, adventurers and murderhobos.


    Contractors for one entity or another.


    They didn¡¯t use the term ¡®private armies¡¯, at least not out loud.


    They hadn¡¯t done much beyond providing security for the congresswoman and her slowly growing staff or attacking the encounter challenges and spawn zones in and around the city like any other mercenary company.


    Aside from that, they had been granted freedom to travel the city as they willed with a few exceptions. As long as they kept their badges visible.


    Incidentally, said badges contained tracking devices and enchantments.


    A reasonable and expected precaution they didn¡¯t tamper with.


    Now, the spying features on the other hand¡­


    Those meant the badges had to go into a shielded box whenever they weren¡¯t walking around outside. It also meant that they had to watch what they said when out and about.


    Alin was magnanimous about it.


    Unlike some of the others, who had grown tired at the required awareness of opsec that bordered on paranoia after only a month.


    He, on the other hand, had been busy probing with the gray.


    Testing the city to see if they had ways to detect and defeat it.


    So far, so good.


    Soldiers hadn¡¯t come barging through the door, nor did they swarm him as he roamed around in a non-suspicious manner.


    He still wasn¡¯t any closer to finding the source of the barrier, let alone his cousin, Ranger Captain Aims and the other hostages.


    ¡°Slow and steady,¡± he mumbled around cheese, pepperoni and dough.


    A key jiggled in the lock.


    Kat was back.


    He had clocked her coming from a block away through one of the tendrils of the gray that he had sweeping the surrounding area in an erratic pattern. More like a blind octopus than an all-encompassing blanket. Theoretically, it would make it harder for the enemy to zero in on him as the source.


    ¡°Welcome ba¡ª¡±


    His mouth fell.


    There was a pink bandage on her forehead and her eyes did a great raccoon impression. Red speckled the front and sleeves of her workout shirt.


    The first thing she did was to place her badge into the box on the counter.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± she grinned. ¡°I got healing.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s after healing?¡± He jumped from his seat to embrace her.


    ¡°Nose was crooked too.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Duel. Supposed to be to first blood, but the little punk wasn¡¯t used to seeing his own blood. I had to drag him into the mud to calm him down.¡±


    ¡°Same guys?¡±


    Fighters fought.


    It made the government provided training grounds a ripe spot for impromptu fights.


    Fatalities were exceedingly rare because that was just a waste of a perfectly good fighter, which was why the government also provided healers for those that thought more with their pride than their intellect.


    It was a good deal all around for the government.


    They charged for everything from field time to healing services.


    Their healers got practice and levels.


    Freelance healers could even pay the government for a time slot.


    Most eventually decided why pay when they could get paid to do the same thing.


    It made for good recruitment for the government.


    ¡°Senators¡¯ sons. They¡¯ve been eyeing us all week. Zeroed in on Catelin. Got handsy today.¡±


    Typical of their kind to go after the weaker one.


    He went to the freezer to get an icepack for his girlfriend.


    ¡°Thanks, Love.¡± She sighed with relief as she pressed it to her face.


    ¡°What are their names?¡±


    They had detailed files on everyone connected to the halls of power.


    ¡°It¡¯s handled. They won¡¯t bother anyone for awhile.¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t have the energy to do more than stagger from their beds to the toilet for as long as I¡¯m in the city.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, but that¡¯ll take time and energy away from what you¡¯re doing, which is way more important.¡±


    ¡°Guys like that don¡¯t tend to learn lessons well.¡±


    ¡°They will when the congresswoman writes a formal complaint to their fathers and mothers. They¡¯ll probably mix our training slots around so that we won¡¯t run into each other at the practice grounds. I¡¯m pretty sure they¡¯re the kind of guys that¡¯ll think twice about scrapping when there aren¡¯t healers around. Plus, they¡¯re a shit group. They haven¡¯t fought in real fights.¡±


    That sounded acceptable, so he dropped it.


    ¡°So, how¡¯d the fight go?¡±


    ¡°Easy. Rapier against katana.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like the opposite of easy.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sure, if we had been equally skilled and battle-hardened. Spoiler¡­ we weren¡¯t!¡± She smiled, then winced.


    ¡°You need more healing.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I need the pain to let the lesson sink in properly. Where was I?¡±


    ¡°Were you checked out for a concussion?¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°Okay, just checking.¡±


    ¡°Right, the duel!¡± She snapped her fingers. ¡°Rapier versus katana.¡±


    ¡°Let me guess? He thrust?¡±


    ¡°Yup! I just hopped back. Didn¡¯t even try to parry or bind.¡±


    Stepping to the side would¡¯ve been better unless¡ª


    ¡°Then I grabbed his blade, pulled it and cut him in the arm.¡±


    Depending on the rapier, the blade might not have good cutting edges, which made grabbing it a viable tactic.


    ¡°I imagine no one has ever made him bleed his own blood,¡± he said dryly.


    ¡°Seems that way from how he reacted. Second thrust, same as the first, but this time I stepped inside phone booth distance and slammed the end of my tsuka into his face a few times. Broke his nose and a few teeth. After that, it was wrestling in the metaphorical mud until the referee got enough back up to pull me off.¡±


    ¡°And what was the rest of his crew doing the whole time?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. They got second thoughts about messing with the Mist Spekters. I mean, they were only messing with the girls. Steph challenged them all right then and there.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, he¡¯s the last person they¡¯d want to fight in a structured duel.¡±


    ¡°His Senator daddy¡ª¡±


    ¡°Mom. His mom¡¯s a senator. His dad owns a bunch of homes and apartment buildings¡­ for some stupid reason.¡±


    ¡°His mommy, then. She¡¯ll be upset.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯m technically in the clear. Plenty of witnesses and we recorded the whole thing. Galen said they¡¯ll probably want to keep it quiet to avoid embarrassment. You should¡¯ve seen the smiles on Reg¡¯s and Molly¡¯s faces when we told them. They think the congresswoman¡¯s going to be able to use the incident to get stuff from the senator.¡±


    ¡°The senator is on the armed forces committee and the congresswoman said that was one of her goals for the next session or something like that.¡±


    ¡°What? She¡¯s not happy about her arts and crafts committee?¡± Kat laughed.


    The sound made him smile as it always did.


    A tickle to the heart as some said.


    ¡°Had I known you¡¯d be coming back from victory, I would¡¯ve made something better for dinner than leftover pizza.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not just my victory!¡± She pulled her katana from a bag of holding.


    The one she used for regular practice was plain steel.


    She had several others with enchantments that synergized with mist, plus a Threnium one that would only see use if their cover was blown.


    ¡°Katana proved superior to rapier!¡±


    ¡°Not to doubt you, but your description suggested there wasn¡¯t much swordplay involved.¡±


    ¡°Alin, my love. This is real life. Not the theoretical world that nerds argue about hypotheticals and imaginations. I wield the katana, he the rapier. I won easily. Ergo, the katana is superior.¡±


    Truth was all swords had their uses based on their design and vice versa, like the ouroboros or the age old chicken egg question¡­ regardless of what his uncle had claimed as the definitive answer to that particular question.


    He was partial to the longsword, though Hanna and the other teachers had maintained a broad base if only so they would have an idea on what to expect when facing any sword.


    Ultimately, the human body was constrained by its physical structure, which was why the movements with a longsword were similar to the movements with a katana.


    ¡°The katana still has a long way to go to catch up to the longsword.¡±


    She narrowed her eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky this Quest doesn¡¯t give us a lot of time to answer that question.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been answered many times over the years.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m catching up though.¡±


    ¡°Sure¡­ with Skills.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s only fair,¡± she huffed theatrically, ¡°since you have a superhuman body.¡±


    ¡°Not the whole time.¡±


    ¡°Alright, next time we¡¯re both free we¡¯ll settle it once and for all.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a date!¡±


    ¡°Haven¡¯t had one of those in a while,¡± she nodded sagely. ¡°So, what¡¯re you doing tonight?¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ bodyguard mission.¡± Which was also a Quest as generated by the spires with an additional reward thrown in by Milly¡¯s parents. ¡°There¡¯s a party. Charity benefit for the victims of the terrorist attack on Austin.¡±


    ¡°Filthy liars.¡±


    ¡°Not these people. They genuinely believe it. Anyways, Milly¡¯s attending as a representative for the congresswoman and her parents.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like a tangled spiderweb. Everyone¡¯s got connections to everyone else. Bunch of snakes tied up together. Lots of attractive young women going to be there?¡± she mused.


    ¡°Probably, you¡¯ll have to ask one of the others since I¡¯m walking the outside of the venue. It¡¯s not too far from all the monuments so I can start probing those and the underground bunkers.¡±


    ¡°That¡ª sounds dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Galen¡¯s going to hold a meeting warning you guys in about an hour once everyone gets back. Sorry, you probably just want to relax and hold ice on your face all night.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, that is true. When do you leave?¡±


    ¡°In half an hour.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s plenty of time!¡± She dragged him to their bed.

 10.41

    Washington, D.C., pre-Thanksgiving 2055


    The trees had dropped most of their leaves.


    Bare branches cast gnarled shadows on the wet sidewalk like undead skeleton monsters.


    Reds, oranges and yellows muddled together into a vaguely brown mush underneath their boots.


    Procrastinating squirrels and chipmunks chittered as they scampered up and across overhead as they raided the caches of their more wise brethren, who had prepared early for the coming winter.


    ¡°Unfair,¡± Alin muttered.


    The gray wafted around him in irregular-sized and moving tendrils rather than an all encompassing fog to make it theoretically harder to track them to him.


    He touched the raiders, draining them of their stamina to give the defenders an insurmountable edge.


    Blood and fur stained the hollowed chambers within the wood, but in the end all received the fates they deserved.


    There was something to be said about nature taking its course, but was he not part of nature?


    At least he had accomplished something.


    Months of failure had been gnawing at his bones, so to speak.


    He had mapped several ritual circles across the enemy¡¯s capital, but none had been the central one.


    That much had been made clear by the fact that he could follow the threads linking each circle to each other and flowing out of the city to the rest across the land.


    Frustration had slowly morphed into worry when he had noticed that there was another thread from each circle.


    This one led inward, remaining in the city¡¯s boundary.


    Except¡ª except these threads sometimes led to nothing, as if suddenly snipped by a grandmother¡¯s scissors.


    Then, they¡¯d reappear somewhere else in the city.


    There had been no discernible pattern.


    Times and places varied.


    From important government locations, like the White House or one of the monuments, to commonplace, like a random park or store.


    The obvious next step was to jump on it the next time it reappeared, but there was that saying about grabbing a tiger by the tail to think about.


    Searching while remaining undetected made it all the more difficult.


    Finding it wasn¡¯t the end of the Quest.


    It had to be destroyed.


    ¡°Yeah, dude, I get that,¡± Steph said. ¡°We¡¯re hardened, elite mercenaries and we¡¯re carrying bags for interns. I mean, it¡¯s not a bad view.¡±


    ¡°They are at least six years younger than you. Some are also under-aged.¡±


    One of the congresswoman¡¯s regular government provided security detail flicked a backward glance filled with so much disdain that he wouldn¡¯t have been surprised if Steph had gone down like a hook to the jaw had snapped his head to one side.


    There were Skills like that or auras and such.


    Steph chuckled weakly and mouthed an apology to the hard-eyed woman.


    Months of working together and the security detail still hadn¡¯t warmed up to the Mist Spekters, which was fair seeing as how they hadn¡¯t either.


    ¡°Mouths shut, yeah?¡±


    ¡°You got it, lieutenant!¡± Steph mimed zipping his lips.


    Alin probed his surroundings with the gray, watching out for potential threats to his ostensible charges¡ª Milly and the congresswoman¡¯s newer interns¡ª while searching for that elusive presence the ritual circle threads led to within the city.


    Not that he expected to find it in a shopping center.


    No hidden bunkers underground.


    The subway was likewise several blocks away, which meant that it was only sewers and a maintenance tunnel or two, which he cleared as he walked.


    He half-listened to Luzi¡¯s and Milly¡¯s conversation about how the city¡¯s stores worked.


    Truth was Luzi already knew, but as the Mist Spekter¡¯s historian it was good cover for her to be interested in such things. It helped that she was genuinely curious and intended to use the research for her future writings in case suspicious members of the security detail decided to deploy a Skill or spell in hopes of catching her out.


    Another reason why they kept their distance from them.


    He marked the guard towers at the corners of the parking lot with clear lines of fire down every possible avenue of approach from the streets.


    The lot and the buildings were protected by thick iron poles stabbed deeply into thick concrete blocks and topped by razor wire.


    A touch with the gray revealed a weak shock enchantment on the fence.


    More armed guards patrolled the lot and stood at the entrances of every store and rooftop where a few more armored towers had been erected.


    He had noticed that the enemy¡¯s capital favored heavily visible defenses for their shopping centers compared to what he was used to back home.


    The difference was that his home was more concerned about the rare wandering monster attack while the enemy clearly had an eye at repelling people.


    It took a moment for the guards to wave them through as Milly presented her credentials.


    He remembered the first time and the half hour it took for the guards to thoroughly search him and the other Mist Spekters.


    Now, all he had to do was hold his government issued ID up to be scanned by one of the guards.


    A nod of recognition from the old man and he was through.


    Last as usual.


    Another check at the grocery super store¡¯s front door and they were finally in to do what they had come for.


    ¡°Why are we even doing this in person?¡± True to form, Steph couldn¡¯t keep it shut for long. ¡°They deliver, right? I remember taking deliveries at the door or driving up around back. The staff loads it right into trunk.¡±


    Alin gestured at Milly directing two young men, both with camera¡¯s. One for pictures and one for video.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Steph shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t get it?¡±


    ¡°The congresswoman¡¯s Thanksgiving Day Feast for the less fortunate.¡±


    She had made the announcement at an event in a neighborhood quite a distance from her home.


    Which had been so strange for him and his friends to see first hand.


    There were no ¡®less fortunate¡¯ people back home.


    Everyone had what they needed to live comfortably without hunger or worrying about shelter or medicines.


    It just made sense to set it up that way when there was enough to worry about on account of the spires.


    ¡°Yeah and?¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s called a ¡®photo op¡¯.¡± He had vague memories of his long ago class on the political system of pre-spires America. ¡°Rich people donated to that fundraiser last month for this so they can feel good about themselves and distract from the question of why they have so many points in the first place. The congresswoman pitches in with her own money and points and organizes the whole thing for much the same reason. Plus, the political cachet, so to speak.¡±


    ¡°For, like, votes and junk?¡±


    ¡°Which is why they¡¯re filming and taking pictures of every step in the process. Have to have proof and it makes for good campaign material.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t remember any of that from school.¡±


    ¡°You could pay more attention in the briefings.¡±


    ¡°I do¡­ for the really important stuff. Like, all the fight-y stuff. I¡¯m all over that!¡±


    Milly sent a few interns back out with a camera intern to grab a few shopping carts while she posed with clipboard in hand for the other camera intern as she gave instructions to everyone like a captain of a mercenary company about to attack a spawn zone.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Steph nudged him in the ribs. ¡°It sounds like she¡¯s splitting them up. That wasn¡¯t part of the plan.¡±


    Alin sighed.


    ¡°The price of command,¡± Steph said solemnly.


    He approached, carefully moving past the security detail.


    It wouldn¡¯t do to reveal his superhuman strength by actually pushing or even merely brushing past them.


    ¡°Excuse me, miss.¡±


    ¡°One second,¡± Milly smiled brightly.


    He had never seen her once show anything other than a pleasant or downright happy face.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you go plan how to frame the shots for the turkeys?¡±


    The camera guy nodded and strode down the aisle importantly.


    ¡°Do you have some good ideas, lieutenant? Changed your mind about being in the shots? That handsome face shouldn¡¯t be hidden behind that helmet!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, not interested. Operational sec¡ª¡±


    Milly pouted.


    A carefully crafted and cultivated look.


    She wasn¡¯t fooling him.


    None of them did.


    It seemed that everyone older than a child in and around the political apparatus of the enemy government presented a different face depending on what benefited them in the given situation.


    The ones really good at it could make all of them look natural.


    At least from his, admittedly, short experience of a few months.


    ¡°Opsec, I know, I know.¡± She wiggled her fingers. ¡°Daddy and Mommy are always saying that when they don¡¯t want to share. So, what can I do for you?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re splitting up the shopping teams.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ and?¡±


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t the plan. We shouldn¡¯t split the defense.¡±


    She looked at him like he was the teenager being unrealistic about things rather than the opposite, which was how it actually was.


    ¡°Lieutenant, moving in one huge group is going to make getting good footage impossible. Not only that, it¡¯ll also disrupt the other shoppers.¡± She quirked her head to the side. ¡°Do you really want to inconvenience them?¡±


    Said shoppers were already having to push their carts around them.


    ¡°Agreed on the latter part. Which is why I had suggested not taking such a large group in the first place.¡±


    ¡°They need experience and they wanted to contribute to this worthy cause. Do you want to take that away from them, lieutenant?¡± She quirked her head the other way like some kind of owl as she directed his gaze to the eager interns.


    ¡°Divide the shopping list. Two interns per cart with one bodyguard. The rest of us will watch all the entrances.¡±


    ¡°Oh. My. God! There¡¯s, like, already soldiers guarding, like, everything! Didn¡¯t you see them?¡±


    The professional mask slipped just a bit.


    ¡°Our contract includes guarding duties, so that¡¯s what we¡¯re going to do.¡±The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°I only have two cameras.¡±


    ¡°Two carts out at a time. Take turns. Everyone will get enough camera time.¡±


    Milly pouted but acquiesced.


    She didn¡¯t know that he knew that the congresswoman had strictly instructed her to defer to the Mist Spekters when it came to security matters. This included putting them ahead of the government provided security detail.


    Another source of friction.


    He followed Milly, an intern that looked more concerned with the camera guy capturing her best side, which was apparently her right one, not that there was an actual difference from the left that he could see, and Luzi, who had a notebook and pen in hand as she passive aggressively needled Milly.


    ¡°The prices are significantly higher than in the stores where I used to live,¡± Luzi said. ¡°What¡¯s the reason for that? I mean¡ª¡± she picked up a block of cheese. ¡°¡ªexact thing back home costs 2 Universal Points to restock. Depending on the store, it¡¯s 3 or 4 Universal Points, never more. And some stores owned by, uh¡­ some people¡­ it cost 2 points or nothing. We also stockpile and periodically get them for free.¡±


    ¡°Oh, well, that¡¯s not how we do things here.¡± Milly sniffed. ¡°The owners deserve to profit. Otherwise they won¡¯t be able to maintain the stores. There¡¯s all sorts of expenses beyond just restocking the items, you know?¡±


    ¡°The spires fills the shelves up automatically on reset time.¡±


    Milly consulted the list on her clipboard and directed the intern, who moved like she was one of those models he had seen walking down an aisle a few weeks ago at some kind of show for clothing the congresswoman had attended a few weeks ago.


    It wasn¡¯t a completely foreign concept to him.


    There were such things back home.


    He had simply never paid any attention to them.


    The experience had been new and strange.


    He couldn¡¯t help but smile at how the intern somehow managed to keep her good side always facing the camera guy while taking items from the shelves and putting them into the cart with the grace of a swan.


    ¡°Ah!¡± Milly pointed at a grocery store staffer coming out of the back to begin refilling an empty section of cold meats. ¡°Shelves must be filled all day. We need employees for that. And employees are paid. We¡¯re not slavers.¡±


    ¡°Mmm¡­¡± Luzi approached the staffer as Milly¡¯s facade slipped into a frown for a split-second. ¡°Excuse me, can I ask you a few questions?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ sure.¡±


    The staffer, whose name was Dave according to his name tag, was an older man.


    Dark skinned.


    Bald.


    Thin verging on gaunt.


    Bent by age and worse things.


    Alin had touched Dave through the gray.


    No threatening thoughts or emotions.


    Tired, so very tired.


    Illness.


    Growths spread throughout the body.


    Signs of treatment, but sporadic and not at all similar to the types the hospitals and healers back home employed.


    Dave¡¯s diseased and healthy cells both showed signs of damage.


    Alin steadied his expression.


    He knew for a fact that the enemy¡¯s hospitals had received both the knowledge and materials to treat a wide variety of the disease more humanely and effectively than flooding the body with radiation.


    And, yet, Dave bore no signs of that.


    Shit was fucked as his uncle would say.


    He made a mental note to slip Dave a message before leaving.


    ¡°First of all. Feel free to not answer anything you don¡¯t feel comfortable with,¡± Luzi said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t think I care too much about that sort of thing, miss?¡±


    ¡°Luzi, pleased to meet you, Dave, correct?¡± She stuck her hand out and nodded at his name tag.


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Dave smiled despite the pain. ¡°So, what can this old man help a pretty young lady like you with?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about your work. You see, I grew up in a different place and I was wondering how different it was. Are you paid?¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°In Universal Points or that weird paper money they use here?¡±


    Dave laughed.


    ¡°You really aren¡¯t from around here. Where you from?¡±


    ¡°California.¡±


    Dave¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°I had family there. From before¡­¡± his eyes grew misty. ¡°Really? You¡¯re from there? I thought¡ª¡± his eyes noticed Milly, then slid to the hard-eyed member of the government security detail standing over her shoulder. ¡°Never mind.¡±


    ¡°If you give me their names, I can try to find out¡­ about them,¡± Luzi said. ¡°No charge. No obligations or anything. Completely free.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡± eyes shifted to the hard-eyed man.


    Alin stepped forward to block the line of sight.


    ¡°I¡¯ll write it down,¡± Luzi said.


    The old man rattled of several names as Luzi scribbled into her notebook.


    She also took down his contact information.


    ¡°You had some questions, ma¡¯am?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ so, how much do they pay you?¡±


    ¡°5 Universal Points a day.¡±


    ¡°How many hours is that?¡±


    ¡°10.¡±


    ¡°How about days?¡±


    ¡°Monday through Saturday.¡±


    Luzi pretended to be surprised.


    They weren¡¯t.


    They had been fully briefed on the socioeconomic conditions of the different classes of their enemy¡¯s society.


    ¡°That¡¯s not a lot at all,¡± Luzi said.


    Milly cleared her throat.


    Alin turned to block and distract with some of his concerns about the operation while the camera guy and the intern continued their little fashion and grocery shopping show.


    Meanwhile, Luzi continued her interview of Dave for historical purposes.


    ¡°It¡¯s not all bad. I get enough little Quests throughout the day and the owner lets me keep most of the points I get from them.¡±


    ¡°Could you give me an example?¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± he pointed at the boxes on the cart next to him, ¡°if I can empty the whole pallet in the back in an hour I get 10 points.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I shouldn¡¯t be wasting you¡¯re time then.¡±


    He waved a log of shaped breakfast sausage. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. I¡¯ve got plenty of time and I still get points even if I don¡¯t finish. It¡¯s, like, I do half the pallet then I get 5 points.¡±


    ¡°Proportional rewards.¡± Luzi nodded at the knowledge she already had. She made a show of doing math in her head. ¡°Is that enough points to live? You have to buy your food and pay rent, right?¡±


    ¡°Yup. Points are tight, but me and my wife make it work.¡± Dave shrugged.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª I¡¯m sorry. I don¡¯t want to sound like I¡¯m bragging, but,¡± she leaned in and lowered her voice, ¡°we don¡¯t have anything like that back where I¡¯m from. There are so many empty houses and apartments. People can live anywhere they want. They just have to pay points for upkeep. And no one works 10 hours a day, 6 days a week on stuff like this,¡± she gestured toward the cold meats. ¡°I mean, some people do, for the Quests and points like you, but it¡¯s all basically extra and they might only do it on a per Quest basis. An hour a day or less. 10 points is enough to cover food for an entire day.¡±


    ¡°That does sound wonderful, ma¡¯am.¡± Dave¡¯s eyes fell.


    ¡°Er¡­ yeah, sorry about that. Have you thought about moving?¡±


    That shut Dave up.


    ¡°Sorry, ma¡¯am, but I have to work. I can feel my manager¡¯s eyes on my back.¡±


    There was a Skill that did just that.


    ¡°Thank you for answering my intrusive questions, sir,¡± Luzi said with a smile. ¡°I¡¯ll get back to you as soon as I can about your family.¡±


    ¡°Appreciate it, miss, but I ain¡¯t holding up much hope, so don¡¯t do anything that¡¯ll get you in trouble.¡±


    The shopping party moved on.


    Alin lingered a step or two and slipped a piece of paper he had surreptitiously scribbled on as Luzi and Dave spoke into the old man¡¯s pocket.


    It felt like Dave had less than a year even with whatever sporadic treatment he was getting.


    The enemy kept the best from people like Dave..


    Theft was out of the question.


    They¡¯d notice.


    Furthermore someone like Dave getting healing would draw attention, which would lead to them.


    Couldn¡¯t risk the mission for one old man.


    He had to set something else up.


    People went missing everyday in Washington, D.C.


    They turned up dead or never seen again.


    Victims of crime or worst things.


    Two more wouldn¡¯t be remarkable.


    His dad couldn¡¯t enter city limits, but that didn¡¯t stop them from getting someone out for his dad to pick up.


    The gray would shroud them from the American¡¯s surveillance systems.


    <hr>


    Southern California, pre-Christmas, 2055


    ¡°Love! Come look!¡±


    Nila¡¯s hand barely shook as she stroked paint across a large canvas. Healing had been long and slow. The demigod had broken her back and done something that stymied quick healing methods and left her with lasting nerve damage that had taken over 2 years to just get close to her old baseline. She had only started walking without help from the exoskeleton 6 months ago.


    ¡°Well! What do you think? He¡¯ll like it, right?¡± Pride and uncertainty warred on his wife¡¯s face and her surface thoughts, but above it all was excitement.


    He felt the same way.


    Messages were no substitute for actual face time with their son.


    In a way, she had it worse, since he had been able to do a few short mindscape conversations.


    ¡°I can tell that¡¯s our son. And the landscape is accurate. So, I pronounce it good! You¡¯ve really gotten good at this fast!¡±


    His wife had taken up painting as both physical and mental therapy on top of everything else they had worked with to leave the trauma the demigod had inflicted behind.


    She had weathered it better than others, which had left him relieved and guilty.


    The demigod had broken so many and stolen their futures.


    Madalena, Aims and a few others were still in that bastard¡¯s grasp, being inflicted with¡ª


    He focused and calmed.


    Anger led to desperation, which led to reckless action, which tended to make things worse.


    Patience.


    His son¡¯s search was progressing.


    ¡°Earth to Cal?¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°So, what do you think? Will he like it?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll appreciate the gesture and it¡¯s good, legitimately.¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­¡± He hesitated. ¡°The subject matter.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with it?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. It¡¯s just¡­ why choose that time?¡±


    ¡°Why not? He was very brave and more importantly, cute.¡±


    ¡°You know that is still very embarrassing for him.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Chickens.¡±


    ¡°And I painted him conquering his fear of them.¡±


    ¡°He slipped and fell face first into the mud a few seconds after that.¡± He regarded the painting. ¡°Yup.¡± The memory was clear. Their son had chased the chickens away for the very first time around the house¡¯s corner only to fail to mind the footing. He had intervened before the chickens could launch their counterattack. ¡°We all laughed.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. That was mean. Your mom was really mad about that.¡±


    ¡°Well, she was just guilty cause those were her chickens.¡± He peered closer at the painting. ¡°You even got them all accurately. That¡¯s Polkadot, Fluffmonster and Chicken-That-Isn¡¯t-A-Chicken.¡± He listed the rest of the long dead flock. ¡°That one was the worst.¡± He pointed at the black Chicken-That-Isn¡¯t-A-Chicken. ¡°Nope, not a true chicken, more like evil incarnate. How¡¯d you remember them all?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t. I asked your mom for pictures for reference and she sent me, like, a hundred. I wouldn¡¯t have been able to capture that farm house and the chickens without them.¡±


    His grandparent¡¯s had owned a large farm in Mindanao among their several properties throughout the old country.


    Mostly chickens had been raised on said farm.


    Though all of that had been lost when the spires had appeared.


    ¡°Not to minimize all the hard work you put into this, but maybe we leave it here.¡±


    Eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s he going to put it?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s got an apartment.¡±


    ¡°Which he might have to leave at a moment¡¯s notice or there¡¯s a non-zero percent chance that it could be destroyed.¡±


    She jabbed the paint brush toward him like blade. ¡°He can put it in a bag of holding.¡±


    ¡°He might not have the time and if he takes the time it could cost him or one of his teammates.¡±


    She grumbled.


    ¡°The food should be good as a Christmas present, right?¡± Cal jabbed a thumb over his shoulder to the table filled with Filipino and Chinese food. All of their son¡¯s favorites. ¡°Not a lot of authentic stuff in D.C.¡±


    She grumbled some more.


    ¡°You can give it to him when he gets back?¡±


    She grumbled harder.


    ¡°We¡¯ll bring it with us so you can show him¡­ and then bring it back with us? Please.¡±


    Grumbles ceased.


    A curt nod.


    ¡°What about the rest of the things I want to give him and Kat?¡±


    He sensed incoming grumbles, but had no choice but to face them.


    One could only flee their fear for so long.


    They had to face them eventually.


    ¡°We¡¯ve picked the items that won¡¯t draw excess attention. If they suddenly have super powerful items beyond what is expected for their supposed level and their company¡¯s level people will start asking questions. They will want to take said items. They will look to recruit. And any number of things we don¡¯t want happening to them. Worst of all, it won¡¯t take much effort on the demigod¡¯s and the eidolons¡¯ part to trace the origins back to us if we simply give them over. The best we can do is arrange for sales through the spires marketplace and even then that doesn¡¯t remove the issue that items of great power drawing others to them like vultures to a carcass.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t talk about our son and his friends in those terms.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. That was a horrible analogy.¡±


    ¡°Fine. I don¡¯t want to fight over this.¡± His wife brightened. ¡°It¡¯s almost Christmas and we¡¯re going to see our Boy! So excited!¡± She turned back to her painting. ¡°I think this wall needs a little more shading.¡±


    He approached her from behind and wrapped her up in a hug, kissing her on the cheek.


    ¡°It¡¯s good, Love. Remember what Bob Ross says?¡±


    ¡°What? I put happy little trees in the background. See?¡±


    ¡°I do see that. They¡¯re very good. Really look like real trees. But that¡¯s not what I meant. What I meant was that painting¡¯s done when it¡¯s done.¡±


    ¡°He did not say that.¡± She elbowed him in the ribs before sinking back into the embrace, molding her body to his, relaxing and allowing him to hold most of her weight as she continued to paint.


    ¡°Maybe not exactly, but the sentiment¡¯s there. Besides, we¡¯re leaving in a couple of hours. Don¡¯t you have to seal it?¡±


    ¡°I can take it downstairs to the Threnosh. They can dry, seal and dry again in less than half an hour.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re busy.¡±


    ¡°Nuh uh. I already reserved a time slot.¡±


    ¡°Well, okay then.¡± He nuzzled her neck. ¡°I think it¡¯s done, which means we have time to, uh, do stuff.¡±


    She giggled. ¡°It does look good, doesn¡¯t it? My best work!¡±


    ¡°Best work¡­ so far!¡±

 10.42

    Sugarloaf Mountain, Winter, 2055


    It was an either or proposition when it came to land.


    Either a person or a collective of people owned it or none did, which meant it was part of an encounter challenge or a spawn zone.


    Furthermore, territorial boundaries weren¡¯t determined by a person or a collective of people arbitrarily drawing it on a map. The spires set them.


    Which wasn¡¯t to say that a person or a collective of people couldn¡¯t extend their territory. It was as easy as building some kind of structure anywhere. How far the boundary extended from a specific structure depended upon its size, complexity and the strength level of the builder or builders.


    A small, simple shack with four plywood walls and a thin aluminum sheet for a roof would have a significantly smaller footprint than a house with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, which would in turn be dwarfed by a military complex with barracks, armory, offices and other sundry structures.


    The latter was what the old American government built to extend their territorial control beyond the capital and the surrounding cities and towns into the wilderness areas where monsters lurked and roamed.


    One such fort wasn¡¯t too far away since they needed a place to draw attacks from and to launch expeditions against the wilderness encounter challenges and spawn zones.


    There were a few such forts, though smaller, closer to the Potomac river to the south and west on both sides.


    Too close for comfort had Cal been anyone else.


    For him, it was simply a matter of making any eyes and ears, human, monster and animal, blind and deaf to their little family Christmas dinner in the winter forests northwest of the heart of the enemy¡¯s nation.


    He had left Nila, Boy and Kat in the fancy tent he had set up. Well, less a tent and more a small home complete with electricity, running water and central heating.


    It was a scared group of people he led deeper into the forest.


    Men, women and children.


    Over 20.


    His son¡¯s doing.


    People close to death or worse fates whether they had been aware or not no longer mattered.


    It hadn¡¯t taken much convincing for them to agree to emigrate to Southern California. Those that needed life-saving treatment would receive it as soon as they landed. And all would have the freedom to decide if that was their last stop. There were other places all over the world that he had secured immigration deals with. There was an application process, but in practice that was mostly a formality thanks to said deals. One didn¡¯t need wealth, connections or valuable classes to move to another place. They just needed to agree to live by the standards set by the community.


    He felt their fear grow by the passing second.


    Dense forest covered many kilometers in every direction.


    Fortunately, he had no need for a clearing in the woods.


    ¡°Alright, this should be good enough.¡± He tapped the device around his wrist as he regarded the diverse group.


    An old man, Dave, leaned on his wife.


    A chance meeting to save lives.


    It wasn¡¯t fair for the others in the city that missed out.


    Another person, a different group could¡¯ve been standing in front of him if his son hadn¡¯t gone to that specific grocery store on that specific day.


    He knew that there were many others like Dave that wouldn¡¯t get the same opportunity.


    A few dozen people vanishing into thin air once every few months wouldn¡¯t be noticed since people went missing every day in the enemy¡¯s lands. Victims of violent crime, monster attacks and darker fates in the evil underbelly of a society in which a person¡¯s value wasn¡¯t intrinsic.


    However, rescue enough to reach a tipping point and the government would notice.


    The demigod and eidolons would notice even quicker.


    They would search for the problem and would eventually find his son and the Mist Spekters.


    ¡°Thank you so much for helping us, sir,¡± Dave said.


    The old man wasn¡¯t that much older than him.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome, but I¡¯m no ¡®sir¡¯. Not to you, sir.¡±


    ¡°Is this where we¡¯re being picked up?¡± Dearica, Dave¡¯s wife, said as she eyed him warily. One hand was in her winter coat¡¯s pocket, holding a rather large revolver.


    Naturally, he approved of her choice in personal defense weapon.


    ¡°That¡¯s correct, ma¡¯am. Just one sec¡ª it¡¯s here!¡±


    The shuttle¡¯s hum was buried underneath the winds rustling through the tree tops, dropping a light dusting of powdery white on their heads.


    ¡°Okay. I know it¡¯s been all hush-hush, but I hope you understand the need for that. And I know you don¡¯t really have a lot of reasons to trust me.¡±


    ¡°You passed the tests,¡± Dave said.


    He could fool truth spells and Skills.


    Ms. Teacher had been the only one that he had struggled against.


    Their testing had gone about 60-40 in his favor.


    Even if he had failed their tests it would¡¯ve been easy to mess with their perceptions and thoughts to make them think he had passed.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. Now, you¡¯re almost home free. I want to briefly go over what¡¯s next, so you aren¡¯t surprised.¡± He waited a beat. ¡°We¡¯re going to float you up to a shuttle. A flying one.¡±


    ¡°Duh,¡± a young man supporting a frail grandmother muttered from the rear of the group.


    ¡°It¡¯s stealthy, so don¡¯t worry about the anti-air defenses picking it up. This shuttle will fly you up to a skyship, which has no problem dealing with missiles and such.¡±


    He didn¡¯t add that said anti-air defenses were practically nonexistent, particularly the ones that could threaten one of the skyships.


    They inevitably blew up shortly after being set up.


    As for the mobile ones?


    A lot had also been destroyed.


    He and his brother allowed a few to remain ¡®hidden¡¯ to lull the old Americans into a false sense of security.


    Although, the smarter amongst the enemy had long ago woken up to the reality of their strategic and tactical position regarding the state of the war.


    They left them anti-air cannons and guns and short-ranged missiles.


    It wouldn¡¯t do to leave the enemy completely defenseless against monsters and mutated animals.


    ¡°The skyship will take you to your destination. Southern California as agreed. From that point on everything promised will be provided and then you¡¯re free to do¡­ whatever. Oh, there¡¯ll be meet and greet type stuff with the council. A few interviews¡ª not interrogations¡ª if that becomes an issue ask for a ¡®Rayna¡¯. If you don¡¯t want to deal with the dog and pony stuff also ask for ¡®Rayna¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Mom!¡± a young girl hissed as she tugged on said mom¡¯s coat, ¡°I want a dog and a pony!¡±


    He grinned at the girl. ¡°Those are doable, but you¡¯ll have to take lessons on proper care.¡±


    She sidled behind her mom, who smiled nervously at him.


    ¡°Anyways!¡± he clapped. ¡°Any last second concerns?¡±


    Negatives and silent shakes of their heads.


    ¡°Alright! Time to get out of the cold! We¡¯re floating you in three, two, one¡­¡±


    He sent them skyward through the branches, past the pines.


    He opted for a more full body hold, minus all physical sensation because the whole situation had been scary enough for them.


    It¡¯d take days, even weeks before they¡¯d truly realized that it wasn¡¯t all some kind of trick.


    Cal kept a psychic eye on them all they way to the Dawn¡¯s Rayna¡¯s hangar bay.


    The threat to them was minimal because neither the enemy nor monsters had any idea what was going on, but it didn¡¯t hurt to be vigilant.


    Once the skyship reached maximum altitude he felt comfortable letting it go from his sight.


    He was back at the tent in a split-second, dispersing the wind generated by his passing into nothing so completely that he didn¡¯t disturb the squirrels and chipmunks curled up in their hollows, surrounded with acorns, nuts and other treasures like tiny, furry dragons in their hoards.


    Laughter trickled out from the tent, bringing a smile to his face.


    Nila was handing out the wrapped presents from the families of the Mist Spekters while Boy and Kat stuffed them into bags of holding.


    His wife pulled out a wrapped novel, flipping it over several times with a frown on her face. ¡°There are no names.¡±


    He sent a psychic eye past the reindeer-themed wrapping paper.


    ¡°That¡¯s for Chrome. From her sister.¡± He remembered from when he had collected them the other day.


    His wife produced a pen and wrote that down before handing it over to Kat, who put it together with the rest of Chrome¡¯s gifts.


    He had been forced to limit it to immediate family due to space concerns.


    The chair near the wood stove beckoned.


    It wasn¡¯t a fire place, but it was close enough.


    Wood floated from underneath the stove, splintering with a thought as he opened the door and fed the fire with more thought.


    He hadn¡¯t felt cold, but the warmth was nice and would never get hot enough to make him uncomfortable.


    Content to listen and watch, he forced outside concerns into the depths of his mind.


    The moment deserved his full attention.


    He took everything in and etched it into his memory.


    The crackling sound of the fire.


    The way his wife¡¯s brow crinkled when trying to remember which present went to which person.


    The mirror image on his son¡¯s brow as he did the same.


    The scratching of pen to paper as Kat noted which presents were in which bag of holding.


    Time flew despite his effort to slow his perceptions.


    He supposed the more he wanted to savor the moment the quicker it slipped from his grasp.


    Gift distribution ended.


    Dinner followed.


    Food emerged from bags of holding to be reheated in the oven, on top of the stove or the microwave.


    He started to do it all from the comfort of his chair with a lazy wiggling of the fingers until his wife flicked a piece of lumpia at the back of his head.


    Naturally, the missile merely completed half an orbit straight into his crunching maw.


    ¡°Thanks, Love,¡± he mumbled.


    ¡°Stop it! We¡¯re doing this properly. No powers. Get up and start setting the table.¡±


    ¡°What can I help with!¡± Kat jumped up from the floor.


    ¡°Yeah, Mom. What do you want me to do?¡±


    ¡°No. You¡¯re guests! Just sit and relax! Your dad and I will take care of this.¡±


    Cal ambled over and started putting plates and utensils on the table with his two physical hands.


    Though, only one was technically real.


    ¡°Hey, Love, uh, you said no powers.¡± He held up his left hand. Without his telekinesis to animate like a real hand it stood stiffly, a sculpture of metal, plastic and other composite materials in shades of gray.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Nila rolled her eyes. ¡°You know that doesn¡¯t count.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Hey, Dad?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Boy?¡±


    ¡°Were you able to get the lechon?¡±


    ¡°Three of them. Like I promised. One for tonight and two for you guys to take back for your Christmas party. Although, you¡¯ll have to disguise how you got them.¡±


    ¡°It shouldn¡¯t be a problem,¡± Kat said. ¡°We¡¯re keeping them for the Mist Spekters only Christmas Eve party. We¡¯re not actually going to bring anything to the congresswoman¡¯s huge Christmas Day party since most of us are doing security anyways.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s better that you guys eat them all anyways. Oh, and don¡¯t worry about reheating. The guys that I got them from leveled up recently. They each got a Skill to preserve freshness. As long as you don¡¯t open the container the pigs will be like they had just been pulled from the spit for up to 5 days.¡±


    ¡°Whoa! That¡¯s a good Skill!¡± His son nodded appreciatively.


    Higher levels in all classes, no matter how lowly or seemingly mundane, could make a mockery of the older laws of physics and causality.


    Humanity was finally learning what other worlds had learned before.


    That no class was truly a waste if one simply leveled it enough.


    It was a shame that the spires had kept that information from being shared even if outworlders had been willing in the first place.


    Cal remembered many occasions when discussing such matters with allied outworlders, like the Bat People and the Herd mothers.


    Mouths moved without words.


    At least words that could reach his ears.


    Reading their thoughts with consent had yielded nothing beyond blankness or static concerning information that the spires deemed forbidden.


    Such restrictions had remained even with the advent of the Bountiful Decade and the Terminus Decree.


    It was like a goal post continually shifted five yards back whenever they moved five yards closer.


    Troubled thoughts.


    Ones he had resolved to avoid for the night.


    Focus and calm.


    He let them go again.


    Couldn¡¯t change them, so he had to accept them¡­ for the moment.


    ¡°If you¡¯re done setting the table, I need help,¡± his wife said.


    ¡°Yes, Love.¡±


    <hr>


    Home food!


    Glorious home food!


    One didn¡¯t know what they would miss until experiencing it¡¯s absence.


    Alin ate!


    Spoon and fork to plate, to mouth and back.


    A remorseless machine akin to an excavator.


    Filipino food and Chinese food.


    The ignorant would call it a weird mix for a pre-Christmas dinner.


    Alin would call them ignorant.


    He had studied the history of his genetic and technical homeland.


    The former because he had his father¡¯s genes and latter because he had been born or created, depending on perspective, in Manila.


    Filipino food had influences from all over Southeast Asia, as far away as China and even India going back beyond Philippine recorded history.


    Furthermore, it just tasted good.


    The moist, tender pork meat roasted over coals. The thin, crispy skin.


    The moist, tender pork belly deep fried in oil. The puffy, crispy, crunchy skin.


    The moist, tender pork belly rotisseried on a grill¡ª


    There were more pork-based goodness on the table and the counter.


    Stewed, fried, sauteed, grilled.


    Other animals hadn¡¯t been ignored.


    Beef, chicken, even some goat.


    Oh¡­ there were also vegetable stuff.


    A benefit to a non-standard human metabolism meant he could eat like a glutton, but not technically be one on account of the fact that the food going into his belly was being processed by more than just stomach acid.


    His digestive system extracted its fill of nutrients.


    The excess was taken by the gray.


    No one had managed to explain how that worked.


    The best they had been able to say was that even cooked food still contained traces of the animal¡¯s life force, both in the form of physical nutrients and what could be called its metaphysical soul.


    He was just glad that it wasn¡¯t at all like draining a living animal to death.


    It made sense since he wasn¡¯t the one doing the killing.


    Thus, no guilt about his, frankly, appalling display of not-technically gluttony.


    Kat gave him side eyes.


    His mom narrowed hers.


    His dad nodded proudly.


    He took a long pull of his beer.


    A light lager, a special edition winter brew by The Gutierrez Family Home Brewery


    Mr. and Mrs. Gutierrez had received some of the gift kegs and barrels he had brought back from Gruntlerionadras. They had taken it as a challenge to up their brewing game so that when they sent a return gift it would be the Prince of Trolls and master brewer who would fall weeping to his blue-skinned knees as they had done on their brown-skinned ones.


    ¡°It¡¯s good, refreshing, but his eyes are gonna stay dry,¡± he mused.


    Kat¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Did eating 10 pounds of food in 5 minutes make you delirious?¡±


    ¡°He is a little sweaty,¡± his dad chuckled.


    ¡°That¡¯s not sweat.¡± His mom clearly didn¡¯t approve of his current table manners.


    He touch his forehead instinctively.


    Dry.


    He held up his empty glass like a mirror.


    Faint streams of gray leaked like steam from a simmering pot of water.


    Perhaps, there were limits to how much food his insides could handle after all?


    His dad caught his eye.


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡±


    He turned an inward gaze as his mom and Kat resumed eating at a normal human pace and their chat about women stuff.


    ¡°I feel energized. Like I can crush a workout right now. But, I can feel it fading.¡±


    ¡°So, no change from the last time.¡±


    He thought back to last Christmas¡¯ gluttonous display.


    ¡°Seems like it. Do you want to take a closer look?¡±


    His mom cleared her throat.


    His dad nodded.


    ¡°Nope. This is family time. No business stuff, at least until after din¡ª¡±


    ¡°After dessert and presents!¡± His mom gave them a deadly smile.


    ¡°Yeah, what your mom said.¡±


    ¡°Boy,¡± his mom took the blade out of her smile, ¡°at least try to enjoy the taste. We don¡¯t have to finish everything. You can bring the leftovers to your friends for your party.¡±


    ¡°Mom, you guys brought like multiple feasts.¡± He pointed at the bags of holding set aside next to the tent¡¯s southern wall. ¡°We¡¯re not even going to touch those. Besides, the chefs, cooks and what not are getting levels from my eating.¡±


    Up to a point.


    Something to do with genuinely fulfilling a powerful individual in a physical and spiritual sense gave cooking-type classes a boost in their leveling progress.


    It was akin to a fighter-type killing a really strong monster.


    Hypothetically, bring his dad to tears with an impossibly perfect state¡­ slay a dragon¡­ same difference.


    Past experience meant that whomever made the food he had just shoveled into his gullet was picking up levels as he ate.


    Under Level 10 would be gaining up to 5 levels.


    Level 20 to 30 would be looking at 2 to 3.


    Over 30 would get 1, maybe 2 depending on where they were.


    Over 40 were masters of their culinary arts, which meant that he wasn¡¯t powerful enough to truly move their needles much.


    The fact that he hadn¡¯t cried or heard doves crying suggested that most of the food had been made by people under that level.


    Knowing his dad, he would¡¯ve asked the places he bought the food from to have their lower leveled people do most of the cooking.


    There was no reason not to level people up when one had the chance.


    Desert came and went faster than he had anticipated.


    The clock in his head and on the wall ticked down to the end.


    Funny how time flew or crawled depending on the situation.


    Time with his parents after not seeing them in person since almost the beginning of the year.


    Communicating through just spires messages had been lacking more than he had anticipated.


    He grew silent.


    Not morose exactly, perhaps a bit melancholic as he sat content to listen to his mom and Kat carry most of the conversation.


    Naturally, he answered whatever his mom and dad tossed his way, but truthfully his time in the enemy¡¯s capital had been focused mostly on his Quest to track down the source of the ritual barrier.


    Kat was the one that had been more able to experience the local culture close to how it existed for the locals.


    In a way it was closer to those ancient vacations his parents had taken to different parts of the world before the spires.


    He only had their stories to go by it since his own youthful travels with them had been to places irrevocably altered or completely emptied of human life compared to the peak of their pre-spires existences.


    ¡°Experiences like that are experiences,¡± his dad said sagely, ¡°whether good, bad or somewhere in the middle depends on your perception. On what you take from it. Sure, you¡¯re in enemy territory, but you¡¯re learning that not everyone is an enemy, right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± Kat nodded. ¡°I know they teach us that, but it¡¯s different when I see it in person or talk to the people. I kinda feel even worse for most of them. They have to, like, work mindless jobs for no good reason! And they don¡¯t even get rewarded for their work. I mean, the TV news people are always going on and on about how cleaning the streets or serving food are vital to the health of the nation or whatever and how they should be proud and happy to be of service, but then, I¡¯m, like, shouldn¡¯t they be getting more points than the randos that have their names in the ownership boxes?¡±


    ¡°Capitalism in practice,¡± his dad said.


    ¡°It¡¯s so bad,¡± Kat nodded. ¡°No one¡¯s leveling the class they actually want. And it¡¯s all spread out so much that there¡¯s no way they¡¯ll ever be able to focus on a primary to get to at least Level 30. Forget about trying to figure out a consolidation. They don¡¯t have the time or opportunity with how busy they are all the time.¡±


    They had all learned about the old world¡¯s socioeconomic systems and such back in school, but there was something to be said for practical experience on top of theoretical knowledge.


    It was just like combat techniques.


    One could study them all they wanted through various methods, from reading texts or watching videos all the way up to live practice, but none of that compared to actual life or death fights.


    ¡°It¡¯s intentional,¡± his dad said. ¡°The ruling elite is essentially trying to create three classes to their society, not classes,¡± he clarified. ¡°Themselves, soldiers and everyone else, which essentially means people to serve their needs, whatever that might be.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not very smart,¡± Kat said.


    Alin agreed wholeheartedly.


    A society where the vast majority of its people weren¡¯t functioning at their best was a weak one for many reasons.


    For one, the elite had to spend so much energy and effort to keep their own people low, which left less to focus on the real threats from monsters and imperialistic outworld invaders.


    Current America exemplified that.


    They had sold themselves to so-called gods from beyond the spires just to maintain a societal system that should¡¯ve died with the spires appearance.


    One only had to compare the metrics from his home.


    Individually and collectively, people back home were happier and higher leveled in classes of their choosing.


    The data was irrefutable because his dad had been the one to collect it periodically.


    People could lie to each other and even themselves, but their subconscious couldn¡¯t to his dad.


    All his dad had to do was let the walls down a bit and allow the wave of dissatisfaction emanating from the majority of people in American-held territory wash over carrying the truth in their hearts and minds.


    His mom cleared her throat.


    ¡°Ah! Sorry guys, that was business talk,¡± his dad said. ¡°So? Time for presents? Unless you¡¯re still hungry? I know you are, Boy, but how about you, Kat?¡±


    ¡°No, no! I¡¯m good! I haven¡¯t been this full in¡­ I don¡¯t remember how long. I¡¯m not going to want to eat tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Okay! Great!¡± his mom clapped. ¡°Let¡¯s move to the living room for presents!¡±


    It was a tent. With a living room.


    He supposed if anyone earned the right to occasionally indulge in decadence, it was his parents.


    A small couch and a few chairs had been arrayed around the wood-burning stove.


    ¡°Love, can you clean up,¡± his mom said absently as she scrounged through the pile of bags.


    ¡°What happened to no powers?¡± his dad said.


    ¡°No one likes cleaning up.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, Love.¡± His dad rolled his eyes, but telekinetically began to clear the table and wash the dishes in the sink while splitting more wood to feed into the fire as he ambled over to plop down into one of the chairs. ¡°Cleaning in progress,¡± he winked. ¡°There are present from all the family for both of you, but we decided it was probably better to leave most back home for when you get back.¡±


    ¡°Obviously,¡± he agreed.


    ¡°Except, your mom was so excited she couldn¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°Quiet you! That¡¯s for last. Other presents first.¡± His mom started doling out wrapped presents to both him and Kat. ¡°We got useful stuff that also wouldn¡¯t blow your cover.¡±


    A pile of torn wrapping paper and his mom¡¯s detailed explanations later saw them with a handful of enchanted gear.


    Small items of both offensive and defensive natures.


    Upgrades on what they currently had, but not too good as to draw excess attention for being beyond what members of a mercenary company of the Mist Spekters perceived stature could reasonably obtain.


    ¡°Wow! Thanks!¡±


    Kat was more appreciative.


    Not that he failed to show the proper appreciation, which he truly felt.


    It was just hard to be reminded of his precious, precious power armor and multi-weapon gathering dust back home. It had been so long that he was starting to wonder if he would ever wear and wield them again.


    ¡°And now the real reason we¡¯re all here!¡±


    His mom punched his dad¡¯s arm.


    ¡°Stop it!¡±


    They both laughed despite the hit sounding like a gunshot in the spacious tent house.


    ¡°Anyways, Boy, my gift to you!¡± She pulled out a large, flat rectangle from a bag of holding.


    Come to think of it, he remembered her most recent messages hinting that she had been making strides in her newest hobby.


    He steeled his expression ready to show nothing less than said appreciation as he carefully tore the brown wrapping paper from what had to be a painting.


    And what a painting¡ª


    ¡°This is actually good¡ª I mean¡ª¡± He flushed, but his mom just looked on with a smile. ¡°You¡¯ve improved a ton, Mom. Look at this¡ª wait¡­ this looks familiar.¡±


    ¡°Chickens and a little boy,¡± Kat mused. ¡°It is really good. He looks like your kid pictures.¡± She nudged him in the ribs.


    Long ago memories returned of a large farmhouse in a Philippine countryside.


    ¡°This is great grandma¡¯s and great grandpa¡¯s place.¡±


    Which meant.


    Chickens.


    Terrifying chickens.


    An especially mean one with black feathers that his uncle had solemnly sworn was not a chicken at all, but evil incarnate.


    See, adults had to be careful when saying things like that to an impressionable little boy that had already had a few negative interactions with said chickens.


    Naturally, the story had to be retold in excruciating, for him, detail.


    Sometimes it truly sucked when one had a father that could, so he desired, review his memories perfectly.


    ¡°¡ª he chases them around the corner of the coop thing and face plants into some thick mud, cause it had rained that morning¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, then the worm got in my mouth and I accidentally ate it.¡±


    ¡°How come this is the first time I¡¯ve heard this story?¡± Kat leered at him like a cat that had just sighted an injured bird futilely tweeting about with a broken wing.


    Even more embarrassing stories followed along with smores and hot chocolate.


    The clock ticked faster and faster.

 10.43

    It was too soon and too quick, but the end arrived a few hours before dawn.


    ¡°This was a good idea, Boy. Your mom and I missed you.¡±


    He had followed his dad outside with a bottle of some ancient scotch straight from Scotland apparently.


    ¡°Just a bit for you now, but you can take the bottle with you. Share it with your friends.¡±


    ¡°I missed you guys too. Um, can we talk mission stuff?¡±


    ¡°Do you feel that you need to beyond what we¡¯ve been exchanging through the spires and the occasional mental report?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I guess not¡­ although¡­ I¡¯ve got some concerns about the people we¡¯ve picked up along the way. They aren¡¯t rangers too.¡±


    ¡°Same, but the reports from Galen, Alana and Dre said that even the ones safe for that recruitment aren¡¯t going to want to leave your current Quest.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± he sighed. ¡°The leveling is too good for the under 30¡¯s. They¡¯ve been knocking 2, 3 levels down every month.¡±


    ¡°Access to encounter challenges and spawn zones along with a competent group around you will do that.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the same with my friends. None of them are interested in pulling out. Another year of this and they¡¯ll be scratching 40.¡±


    ¡°The hidden boost of doing everything deep within enemy territory where discovery means death or worse.¡± His dad sighed.


    ¡°Um, can you break it to mom that I can¡¯t take the painting with me. I don¡¯t want it to get destroyed or I might have to leave it behind.¡±


    ¡°Relax, I made that case to her already. We¡¯ll be bringing it back home. What do you want me to do with it? Hang it up in your room? Store it? Make prints and start selling it?¡±


    He regarded his dad with a flat stare before taking a swig of the scotch.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve planted the seed in your mom.¡±


    ¡°Dad, don¡¯t be gross.¡±


    ¡°Not like that. I mean, yeah, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°Dude! Too much information! I¡¯m an adult, but I still don¡¯t want to hear that, c¡¯mon!¡± He shuddered and not from the winter air and light snowfall.


    His dad laughed. ¡°She¡¯s pondering a whole series of your life. A greatest hits, so to speak. One or two a year. Not necessarily for Christmas or Birthday gifts.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ she does seem very proud of it and it¡¯s legitimately good, not that I know anything about paintings. I¡¯m more of a miniature and plastic robot painter and I haven¡¯t done one in years. So, I guess that¡¯s fine,¡± he sighed, ¡°if it makes her happy.¡±


    ¡°I will share your ringing endorsement.¡± His dad gazed at the dark sky. ¡°You¡¯re mom and I are spending Christmas in Manila. It¡¯ll give me more time to work with Jennie. Your Aunt¡¯s staying in California to hold it down in case of issues. Your uncle is bringing Lera. They¡¯re going to try to bait the Wild Hunt tomorrow so we won¡¯t have to think about an unpleasant Christmas surprise. Hmmm¡­ what else? Oh, yeah¡­ your uncle, aunt and cousins wanted to send you some, frankly, over-powered for Earth stuff from Fomrinay, but I told them to save it for when you could actually use them.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    Cause that sounded really awesome.


    ¡°Sorry, Boy. It would be like ringing the dinner bell or throwing chum into the water even worse than you walking around with a Heddy masterwork.¡±


    ¡°Ah, too bad then. I¡¯ll message them through the spires to thank them for thinking of me.¡±


    Comfortable silence ensued as they passed the bottle back and forth for a time that passed all too quick.


    His dad laid a hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°I guess it¡¯s time for you and Kat to go.¡±


    Razorwing stood like a silent statue nearby.


    The robot horse had collected a heavy layer of powder.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about detection. I¡¯ll take care of it. No one will notice or pay attention. Hell, you guys can make a romantic snowy night ride out of it. Think of it as an extra Christmas present.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Dad.¡± He reached out for a hug. ¡°Merry Christmas! This was great. I really needed it. Give my love to everyone and tell them I can¡¯t wait to see everyone next Christmas.¡±


    ¡°Hopefully sooner, but I will and don¡¯t worry about anything. They understand. Your grandparents are actually still kind of mad at me about the whole thing. Which is fair cause I¡¯m also kinda mad at myself.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be, Dad. This was my idea, remember?¡±


    With that it was time to say bye to his mom, which, from experience, would take some time.


    <hr>


    Southern California, February 2056


    ¡°Um¡­ are you sure it¡¯s safe?¡±


    Clad in her special radiation suit, Lucy Vela fidgeted in the middle of a large room.


    The walls, ceiling and floor were a dull gray that blended so seamlessly that trying to find where they joined was an exercise in vertigo.


    ¡°The chamber is completely sealed. Anti-radiation measures are layered around it. If they all somehow fail, I¡¯m here,¡± Mr. Cruces said.


    Well, his holographic projection did.


    The real him was outside, probably in the control from where the trial run was going to be monitored.


    ¡°I know you¡¯ve diligently studied everything I sent you. So, relax.¡±


    Easy for him to say.


    To avoid puking from nervousness as much as the vertigo, she focused on one of the human-sized devices arrayed around her. Specifically, the beeping light in the center of the large concave dish.


    The latest batch had been made out of mythril that was further enchanted to withstand her radiation.


    They had worked their way up the ladder in terms of materials.


    Every metal or composite they had tried had invariably been destroyed.


    Even Threnium, though it lasted much longer than the rest.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother ramping up,¡± Mr. Cruces said. ¡°If the equipment can¡¯t take it then I don¡¯t want to waste your time.¡±


    Again, easy for him to say.


    She remembered the cost of the devices.


    Mythril came from another world.


    Fomrinay or something weird like that.


    It had been very expensive to bring over.


    ¡°So many zeros¡­¡± she muttered.


    ¡°I told you don¡¯t worry about that.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯m ready whenever. Maybe?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re on your schedule.¡±


    The projection vanished.


    She opened her anti-radiation suit with a cybernetic thought.


    The inside could absorb the radiation her body passively generated and released, but couldn¡¯t handle one of her explosive releases.


    The outside was made of Threnium and a few other composite materials. The former could take a lot, but would eventually fail, while the latter would be vaporized in seconds or less.


    She waited for her suit to float out of door that opened seamlessly in the wall behind her.


    Her bare skin glowed iridescent green like usual.


    Only turning to its base light brown in the brief moments after she had dumped everything she had.


    ¡°Can I please get a countdown?¡±


    10 seconds.


    She saw the numbers tick down in her mind¡¯s eye.


    When zero hit she let everything out.


    Later, she sat in a much thinner and lighter anti-radiation suit inside her custom made home in an out of the way corner of Mr. Cruces¡¯ huge compound.


    He sat across from her peeling oranges and piling them on a plate for her.


    She idly wondered why he was using his hands.


    ¡°I washed them. And,¡± he wiggled his orange-stained fingers, ¡°I even made sure to get under the nails.¡±


    It was fine to her.


    His nails always looked clean and trimmed.


    Which, she had come to realize wasn¡¯t the default.


    She had learned a ton of inconsequential things like that after moving back into a human society after many years isolated in her old nuclear facility home.


    ¡°How are you feeling? Still nauseous?¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m fine.¡±


    Mostly.


    Her limbs felt like her bones had been replaced with lead.


    ¡°So, that was a resounding success!¡± Mr. Cruces smiled. ¡°The enchanted Mythril can, for all intents and purposes handle your radiation.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t had a chance to look at how the energy capture, conversion and transfer systems worked. Not that I¡¯d understand all the numbers.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t sell yourself short. You¡¯ve been putting in the work. Just keep asking questions. The Threnosh don¡¯t tend to get annoyed about that sort of thing. But, to answer your question. It¡¯s all good! Radiation capture was at around 89%. At this stage conversion efficiency is irrelevant since the main goal is to keep the radiation from going into the environment. The physical systems are robust enough that we can move towards making them smaller. Then we can get the units mobile so they can move with you.¡± Mr. Cruces pulled another orange from the bag on the table. ¡°Nervous? Remember, what I said. You can always back out.¡±


    ¡°No. I want to help.¡±


    ¡°This is already a huge help. My qualms aside about you acting as a power plant¡ª¡±


    ¡°No. I want to do that. It¡¯s the best use of my power. Plus it lets me see the real me. At least for a little.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I personally think that¡¯s a better thing than you in a war zone.¡±


    ¡°I can help there too.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true, but radiation can be stripped from the land, eventually. You only have one life.¡±


    ¡°I know and I¡¯m not going to change my mind.¡±


    ¡°Just as long as you remember that you can change your mind at any time. Even up to the last minute.¡±


    <hr>


    Chicago, May, 2056


    ¡°They¡¯re going to get through!¡±


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t the protections working?¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s our back up!¡±


    Angry and scared voices occasionally broke through the retorts of rapid gun fire and blasts of spells.


    City Hall had been modified.


    Thicker walls.


    Bulletproof glass.


    Titanium bars and blast doors.


    Automatic turrets in the front lobby.


    Magitech shields and modules that electrified surfaces or shot oil and fire.


    Defensive and offensive enchantments.


    A golden blast of energy burned man-sized holes through walls and doors reinforced with metal and magic.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The horde poured through them.


    White fur stained pink with their victims and themselves.


    They were called rabbit people, but Hammer never knew rabbits to have sharp teeth and blood-crazed eyes.


    About the only thing that counted in her eyes were the floppy ears.


    Nope.


    Bunnies didn¡¯t have razor-sharp claws nor a mindless hunger to murder and rape.


    She stood like a lonely lighthouse against crashing waves.


    Her dark brown skin¡¯s metallic shine had been hidden beneath smeared blood, meat and fur.


    She was practically naked.


    Her clothing and armor long shredded in the fighting retreat through the streets.


    Time and again the rabbit people had thrown themselves at her.


    Clawing, biting, thrusting.


    Time and again she broke their bones like toothpicks and crushed their bodies like grapes.


    ¡°Keep falling back!¡± Caleb barked. ¡°Hammer! Get your Amazonian butt back!¡±


    The old man had gone straight a long time ago.


    Turned his gang into a militia.


    Then into the Chicago Municipal Defenders.


    The CMD had done good work with a proverbial hammer hanging over the heads at keeping proper peace within the walls and protecting from without.


    It hadn¡¯t been that hard thanks to the beneficial alliance with SoCal and Rayna¡¯s Rangers.


    However, Hammer knew that the real driver of the whole thing was Cal Cruces.


    Which was why she was a little disappointed that the man wasn¡¯t around when her home was falling to pieces.


    Sure there was a world event.


    Some kind of ancient evil coming out of a remote island in the India Ocean.


    Begrudgingly, she ceded ground as traps and automated defenses erupted all around her.


    Until, sudden silence filled the front lobby.


    Piles of charred and oozing meat assaulted her senses.


    ¡°Cease fire! Check yourselves! Call out if you need medics! Weapons and ammo check! Reload turrets, re-fill mana!¡± Caleb called out.


    She found him.


    Old and gray and a lot more hunched.


    A far cry from his big, strong prime.


    ¡°Get the comms back on line!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m trying Mayor, but they¡¯re jamming us!¡±


    ¡°Even the new equipment?¡± Caleb bit back a curse.


    ¡°We need air support. What¡¯re the rangers doing up there?¡±


    ¡°Harpies.¡±


    Hammer had seen the aerial battle begin.


    It had been the first salvo of the American assault.


    They had bypassed the walls.


    Despite magic protections a few golden portals had been able to open within city limits, behind the walls.


    The rest had been shunted outside and last she knew those rabbit people and monsters where still dying in droves to the defenders and defenses on the walls.


    All in all, they shouldn¡¯t have been having as much trouble.


    The mayor and the civilian leadership should¡¯ve been safe-ish.


    Their problem had been one man.


    One demigod.


    Ekraiades.


    He had announced himself before disappearing in a blur.


    They had no idea what he had planned at first.


    It was only when it was too late that they had figured out he was running through the city to blow holes in every inhabited structure.


    For all her strength, she could only protect one place at a time.


    Caleb grunted.


    ¡°Yo, Hammer.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You know where you should be.¡±


    ¡°Shit¡¯ll fall apart worse without you guys using your Skills to keep people calm. I figure, I¡¯m the only reason that demigod prick ain¡¯t coming for you.¡±


    ¡°A lot more people hiding out at the arena.¡±


    ¡°Tch. I ain¡¯t taking no orders from you.¡±


    Caleb shrugged.


    That was objective truth.


    ¡°Then, I guess we just gotta wait for Cruces¡ª¡±


    An explosion of wind like a sudden tornado threw everyone except her off their feet.


    Some slammed into walls and furniture, triggering traps that killed those they had been meant to protect.


    Others were pushed through bulletproof glass, shattered by the combination of the wind and their armored bodies.


    From the sounds of the slavering rabbit horde outside the building, Hammer hoped that they were already dead.


    She saw Caleb reaching out only for him to disappear into a bloody mist.


    Sudden strikes clanged off her face and body.


    Stinging pain lashed her from front to back.


    ¡°Waiting is a foolish game when I¡¯m involved.¡±


    Words whispered into her ears despite the swirling tornado trying to suck the air from her lungs.


    Golden light seared her vision.


    A hand pulled her off her feet.


    It happened too fast for her to react.


    From city hall lobby, through blood-drenched streets, up and over the wall.


    Sand and pebbles sifted through her fingers as she failed to arrest the demigod dragging her toward the water.


    Dry became wet.


    The fucker was running on water!


    ¡°I could kill you, but I have commands to follow.¡±


    Ekraiades ran in a circle.


    ¡°This should keep you occupied. Reconsider whom you serve. You¡¯ll get one chance¡­ if you can hold your breath long enough, that is.¡±


    She had no choice but to endure.


    Until the vise-like hold on her ankle released.


    The sun and sky spun.


    Lake Michigan caught her in a wet embrace.


    <hr>


    Washington, D.C., June 2056


    ¡°Mr. Finley? What a pleasant surprise!¡± Mr. Ham greeted him.


    He clocked the pistol in a holster on the man¡¯s waist.


    Mrs. Ham was standing further back a slight step from cover behind a corner, but with clear line of sight past Mr. Ham, who smartly hugged one wall.


    ¡°Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Ham. I hope I¡¯m not interrupting anything?¡±


    ¡°Would you like to come in?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m armed and willing to divest myself. You can see the pistol. And I have several knives.¡±


    Mr. Ham hesitated.


    ¡°No, that¡¯s alright. We trust you.¡± Mrs. Ham left her corner leaving an old M4 carbine propped up against the wall.


    Safety engaged, the voice in his head said.


    ¡°I won¡¯t be long. I have a lot of students, well, former students to visit.¡±


    ¡°Avery¡¯s napping right now.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s okay. I, uh, have a gift for her, well, for all my students. May I?¡±


    They nodded, confusion writ in the wrinkle to their brows and a slight narrowing of their eyes.


    Mr. Ham kept his hand close to the pistol.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to cast a spell, so please don¡¯t be alarmed.¡±


    He pulled a wrapped box from his dimensional storage to his palm.


    Followed by a thin booklet.


    ¡°Explanations and instructions are in this.¡± He handed the booklet to Mrs. Ham. ¡°To simplify things¡­ it¡¯s a mana stone.¡±


    ¡°Oh, thank you! I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll love it even though she already has one. You¡¯re her favorite teacher, after all.¡±


    He smiled.


    ¡°You mean her only one.¡±


    2 years had gone by with Avery in his class.


    If the priority was the children¡¯s growth then he would have kept them for as long as they would¡¯ve had him, notwithstanding the truth to his purpose there.


    However, politics had reared its always ugly face.


    His students outstripped all other classes.


    Other, better connected teachers had desired to hitch their names to the rising prodigies.


    Thus, his class had been divided up for the next school year among those teachers that had given the best bribes or had connections to the people in charge of the magic school system.


    It had angered him on principle, but that was tempered by the truth.


    All he could do for his students now was to give them a chance when things in the city inevitably fell apart.


    ¡°It¡¯s a mana stone, but a lot better than what she already has. It¡¯s set in a chain, but any jeweler can change that to something she¡¯d like more. It¡¯s a bit too large for a ring, but a bracelet or choker would be fine.¡±


    ¡°What makes it better?¡±


    ¡°We can read this, Dear,¡± Mrs. Ham waved the booklet in her husbands face. ¡°Mr. Finley has other students to visit. We shouldn¡¯t keep him.¡±


    ¡°Efficiency and storage capacity. It recharges faster and easier for the mage-type refilling it. So, you can expect to pay less for their services. That means it¡¯ll also pull ambient mana from the environment exponentially better than what you can buy easily from all the available markets. I recommend keeping it on Avery¡¯s person as much as possible. It¡¯ll grow with her better and faster that way.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you can¡¯t stay for at least a drink? Perhaps a slice of cake. I made a pretty good red velvet. Homemade cream cheese frosting. Homemade everything, actually!¡± Mr. Ham¡¯s hand no longer hovered near the pistol grip. ¡°Or maybe a drink? My wife made a great strawberry lemonade the other day.¡±


    ¡°The cake¡¯s much better.¡± Mrs. Ham touched her husband¡¯s arm.


    He hoped that they would be smart if¡ª when¡ª the time came.


    ¡°I remember the coffee cake you brought for the end of year class brunch, so I¡¯m tempted, but I have a lot of stops to make today. I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll run into each other at the school. Maybe, bring some red velvet cake to one of the bake sales?¡±


    ¡°I will make a note to do exactly that,¡± Mr. Ham said.


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t bother,¡± Mrs. Ham said. ¡°We have your address. We¡¯ll send you a fresh cake and a fresh batch of lemonade. How does that sound?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to impose, but that sounds good.¡±


    He bid them good day with the knowledge that he wasn¡¯t likely to ever see them or their daughter again.


    You have gone beyond and risked much to¡ª


    ¡°No, I haven¡¯t. Going beyond is taking them out of this place right now.¡±


    Situation remains in stasis until the ritual focus is found. Perhaps, effort on your part¡ª


    ¡°Someone else is on that. He¡¯s proven more effective than I have and is much stealthier. You don¡¯t really think me poking around with magic could¡¯ve remained unnoticed this whole time?¡±


    The silence was answer enough.


    <hr>


    Washington, D.C., August, 2056


    Hot, sweltering, humid, whatever.


    She didn¡¯t care.


    Environmental concerns didn¡¯t matter if it wasn¡¯t something like Antarctica, the top of Mt. Everest or the inside of a volcano.


    On top of the unpleasantness, the night was bloody.


    Red-tinged shadows writhed as if they lived.


    The face of the moon seemed to drip with ichor.


    At first, they had fought.


    Then they ran.


    At the last, they begged.


    And now?


    They posed.


    Well, she posed them.


    A general and his wealthy friends, which included high ranking Cabal members of the lust variety.


    ¡°You¡¯re still here?¡±


    Too white teeth in a too wide smile split the hooded void.


    ¡°Leave,¡± she said flatly.


    She turned away.


    She had forgotten for a moment.


    Never innocents.


    They were never, would never be on her list of approved targets.


    However, the terrified survivors of the general¡¯s depraved party presented a problem.


    They needed to be not anywhere in the vicinity of the mansion when the soldiers arrived.


    It didn¡¯t take a smart person to understand that their survival wouldn¡¯t be seen as a positive by the soldiers.


    Interrogation, torture and a quick death was the upside for the young men and women, boys and girls.


    The downside was more of what they had been subjected to.


    She supposed for some of them, that would just be business as usual.


    ¡°Leave or you will die!¡± she snarled.


    Not with any truth to it, but they didn¡¯t know that, nor could they tell even if they hadn¡¯t already been traumatized beyond what any human should be subjected to.


    A throat cleared.


    She felt a slight touch around her wrists, like a hand lightly preparing to seize them in an iron grip.


    Ether.


    Wispy like smoke¡­


    Or the fog.


    ¡°Little boy. You¡¯ve improved in the years since we last practiced.¡±


    The throat cleared again.


    ¡°Greetings strange hooded person whom I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Neither of us should be here.¡±


    ¡°A coincidental patrol of Mist Spekters happens to be on its way and¡ª¡±


    Silence.


    The little boy grown into a tall young man stood like a statue.


    That didn¡¯t bode well.


    She prepared to abandon her arrangement in favor of flight.


    Doing so would stick in the slasher¡¯s craw like a stray fish bone, but needs must and such.


    ¡°I¡ª It¡¯s moving this way?¡± He blinked like a dumb animal. The kind that thought only of chewing grass all day.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You know what I¡¯m looking for here, right?¡±


    All pretense had vanished.


    ¡°Yes, broadly speaking.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ve been catching glimpses all year. Moving around all over the place. But always vanishing in and out of my notice before disappearing for good before the next time I happen to randomly catch it. I caught it a few hours ago and I¡¯ve been trying to follow it, which led me to this neighborhood. I sensed your domain and I thought I needed to warn you.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps a trap has been set unintentionally? By whom? Is the question.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got theories and I don¡¯t like going for it blind. We¡¯ve only got one shot¡­ probably.¡±


    She regarded the young man that she definitely didn¡¯t know since he had been a toddler.


    Ironically enough, he had been there at the beginning of her present path.


    ¡°Did you know it was the taking of several Cabal members like these that led me to your father?¡±


    ¡°Yes. And you tried to murder him and my mom and possibly me.¡±


    ¡°Agreed on the former two, but I¡¯m not sure about the latter. I preferred those capable of fighting in those days.¡±


    ¡°Shit! It¡¯s gone again!¡±


    ¡°The trap is set. If not for us, then for this mysterious presence leading you around by the nose.¡±


    ¡°No way! Help me with them!¡± He gestured at the huddled survivors.


    She froze, bristling involuntarily.


    It wasn¡¯t clear, but it looked like hazy figures in the fog that she had just noticed filling the huge living room were picking up the nearly catatonic people.


    ¡°I can¡¯t carry them all. Just help me bring them outside to the street. The Mist Spekters will be there and we can say that we saw them running out screaming about bloody shadows and shit. Just down to the gate, then you can leave.¡±


    She lifted three people like half empty sacks of rice.


    One under each arm and one across her shoulders.


    ¡°They¡¯re dead anyways, you know? After what they¡¯ve seen. What¡¯s been to done to them.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll get them out to my dad. They¡¯ll be in California within the hour.¡±


    Helping the people wouldn¡¯t get her anything in slasher, but it would in her other class.


    There was also the standing order to help the little boy when possible.


    Thus, she carried the limp sacks of blood and meat outside the dripping mansion.

 10.44

    Washington, D.C., November, 2056


    The first Tuesday of the month.


    Election day turned to Election night.


    Polling places closed.


    Votes began counting.


    Well, not exactly.


    They had been counting them up since voting had opened 28 days earlier.


    Alin had vaguely known that from his studies back in kid school.


    He had always thought it was weird that the old country held elections on a Tuesday.


    Back then people had to work during the same time, so it didn¡¯t make sense to have elections in the middle of the week.


    Sure, there were laws that supposedly gave people a few hours off to go vote, but in practice, depending on where one¡¯s polling place was it could take much longer than that to actually make it through the long lines.


    Voter suppression.


    He remembered the lessons on the tricks certain groups used to depress the votes from the groups they didn¡¯t want voting.


    One party couldn¡¯t win straight up, so they had to cheat.


    From what he had observed of this election, not much had changed on that account.


    Congresswoman Brinley Johnson-Lopez, his employer and unwitting pawn of his dad, had won in a landslide.


    He had to admit that she did good for a lot of people.


    Spent proportionally a lot more of her own wealth and what she got from donors on things like, food, rent-aid and medicine for said people compared to her peers and those higher up the ladder than her.


    Which meant that she would¡¯ve won even if her opponent hadn¡¯t been a token to create the illusion of competition.


    A lot of the election contest was like that.


    The political machinery put token opponents up against the preferred candidates like they were running a play or the exhibition matches the GCA put on alongside the legitimate ones.


    Steph had compared it to his collection of ancient pro wrestling vids.


    And they did it all in the name of stability.


    The fancy hotel had fancy ballrooms.


    The congresswoman had rated one of the larger ones for her victory party as a sign that her efforts of the past year had borne fruit.


    On top of the Mist Spekters, she had expanded her personal defense force threefold with other mercenary groups and adventuring bands.


    She had even spent resources on matching uniforms.


    Light blue and dark gray.


    A little too close to the style used by the combined armed forces for his liking, but not nearly as fascist, so he could stomach wearing it. Not that he had a choice in the matter.


    Word in the halls of power was that a few more terms of continued upward trajectory could see her challenging for a Senate seat.


    Alin stood at the railing overlooking the ballroom floor and its sea of humanity.


    Men and women in expensive clothes mingled at the tables arranged around the dance floor, which was mostly empty since the party had just officially started.


    Sharply dressed waiters and waitresses moved through like sharks, except if sharks brought food to the other fish.


    Not a good analogy.


    His wrist vibrated.


    He swept the crowd, touching each person with a wispy tendril of gray they couldn¡¯t see, let alone sense. Then he did the same to every single person elsewhere in the hotel.


    Mostly staff.


    There were only a few residents remaining in their rooms and suites. Most were down in the party or at other parties if they weren¡¯t the congresswoman¡¯s supporters or they just didn¡¯t care about the election and were enjoying less crowded restaurants and other such venues throughout the city.


    Naturally, those were the elites.


    Regular people were at home preparing for another long day at work on the morrow.


    The few exceptions were the ones the politicians had invited to their parties as more tokens.


    The congresswoman had reserved 10% of her tables for such people.


    He wondered what the other parties were like.


    Luzi or Catelin would know.


    They were in charge of the Mist Spekter¡¯s local politics information gathering team.


    ¡°Still clear,¡± he said into the comms.


    ¡°Copy, that. Resetting the clock,¡± Alana said.


    She was in a conference room closer to the front lobby that they had commandeered to use as a command post.


    15 minutes until next check.


    He reset his watch.


    One hour.


    Two.


    Each check the same as the last.


    ¡°¡ª is she winning¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ª course she is. It¡¯s a scam¡ª¡±


    ¡°Watch it¡ª¡±


    Conversations flowed through his ear piece.


    ¡°Convoy incoming!¡±


    ¡°Ident?¡±


    ¡°Unknown. Gov plates.¡±


    ¡°Aw shit!¡±


    ¡°¡ª bet VIP bullshit¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take that.¡±


    ¡°Me too.¡±


    ¡°Cut the chatter.¡± Galen¡¯s voice broke through. ¡°Hold for orders.¡±


    Alin searched the crowd and found his captain walking briskly to the congresswoman¡¯s table.


    A brief word was had.


    He touched a tendril to the congresswoman.


    Surprise.


    Nervousness.


    And a tinge of fear.


    Not good, congresswoman, he thought, you¡¯re getting to be a bigger fish. That means the sharks are going to come to take a look.


    Speaking of taking a look.


    It was within range so he reached out to said convoy and¡ª


    Almost fell to his knees!


    He recoiled the gray like a hand pressed on a red hot pan.


    There was a lot of power out there.


    Though that wasn¡¯t what had almost had him puke his guts out.


    No.


    It was the thing he had been trying to track down for over a year.


    He felt it out there.


    Like a golden beacon flashing bright enough to sear his eyes and blaring loud enough to burst his eardrums.


    ¡°Red. 187. Parmesan.¡±


    He got the warning code out somehow.


    ¡°Copy that,¡± Galen said. Calm and collected, as cold as the mist he could exude and control. ¡°Pass the words back to base. Follow protocols.¡±


    Which meant radio silence on the specific topic while the weaker and non-essential Mist Spekters quietly and calmly headed back to base where they¡¯d start prepping to bail on the city.


    As for the non-Mist Spekters?


    Alin wouldn¡¯t argue that they might end up having a right to a grudge if the worst case scenario happened.


    ¡°Alin!¡± Kat burst through the door.


    Brittney and Michael stood back, guarding the door as they had been all night to make sure he had the section all to himself.


    He had to lean on her shoulder on account of limbs suddenly gone heavy.


    ¡°It¡¯s here.¡±


    ¡°Where?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I have to get closer.¡±


    They had theorized that the central ritual for the barriers around the enemy¡¯s territories could have been focused into something much smaller than the stone circles of varying sizes they had found elsewhere. Perhaps a stone or a gem or a skull. Anything was possible.


    It would account for its mobility.


    This meant that someone had to be carrying it with them and there weren¡¯t many people they could imagine such a vital piece of magic being entrusted to.


    ¡°I need to see them walking in. Maybe I can pin it down.¡±


    Kat helped him out to the second floor landing overlooking the front lobby.


    Galen had emerged from the ballroom with a guard around the congresswoman, Reg, Milly and a few other staffers to take pictures and do wrangling.


    Luzi and Catelin were in the thick of that crowd.


    ¡°¡ª eyes on a couple of winged eidolons over the northwest building¡ª¡±


    ¡°Be specific.¡±


    ¡°Two maybe Three. It¡¯s not like they¡¯re standing still.¡±


    The convoy¡¯s security detail came in first.


    Earthian soldiers.


    Heavily armed and armored.


    Just like the congresswoman¡¯s forces stationed outside the hotel and in the lobby.


    Unlike Alin, Kat, Galen and the rest that had to mingle with the party.


    His gut roiled as bad as the gray.


    He bit down, straining to keep it from bubbling over the pot.


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    Kat gripped him tighter.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Alin?¡±


    He couldn¡¯t say.


    Too risky with the potential for spells and Skills to pick up his words despite the countermeasures on him.


    The gray was agitated like a cat backed into a corner by a tiger.


    The last time he had felt that way was back home over 3 years ago when the demigod had murdered dear friends.


    Instinct wanted him to shout a warning, but the rational part of him knew that would seal their fates.


    A warning gave them nothing.


    They had to rely on the cover story.


    A woman entered the lobby.


    Perfection.


    As if carved by a master out of marble rather than born of flesh and blood.


    The Eidolon of Sunor looked like a teacher shepherding her young students with the way she made the burly soldiers look short.


    More eidolons followed, but none matched her grandeur.


    Everyone, from Galen to the congresswoman quailed in her presence despite the beatific smile she graced them with.


    The gray strained at its metaphorical leash.


    Greetings and pleasantries were exchanged.


    One side decidedly more nervous than the other.


    Alin didn¡¯t have eyes for that.


    His attention had been snatched by who followed the eidolons.


    The president with more bodyguard was¡­ irrelevant.


    Suiteonemiades.


    Obsidian skin.


    Bulging and chiseled muscles exposed by his attire of a simple white man skirt.


    Shirtless, shoeless, weaponless.


    Armored only with that strange, long, bulbous helmet of glossy black that looked as if crafted for a different species.


    The gray howled!


    He felt like hurling his guts or himself over the railing to leap upon the murderer of Ibra, Primal, Howard, Kynnro, Jayde and her baby, along with thousands of others, many by his own hands, more by his actions. The taker of Madalena, Aims and others.


    He felt a strong hand on his shoulders.


    Not Kat¡¯s, she had him around the waist and she wasn¡¯t nearly that strong.


    He could almost feel a hand turning his head around.


    There was a hint of a face in the gray?


    Almost like his grandfather.


    Disapproval?


    ¡°Alin!¡± Kat hissed.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure now.¡± He bored lasers into the demigod.


    They had been together for so long that Kat clocked it immediately.


    ¡°Okay. That¡¯s good. We follow protocols.¡±


    She spoke calmly, but he didn¡¯t need the gray to feel her trembling, to hear the slight rattle of her sheathed katana in her hand.


    The demigod waited his turn after the president to exchange greetings with the congresswoman and seemingly everyone in her party. He bent lower so he could try to match them eye to eye as he gently shook their hands in his giant one gently like he was a benevolent and humble person rather than the murderer he truly was.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Golden eyes gazed upon the crowd with an easy smile as if searching¡ª


    They snapped to him.


    A triumphant glint.


    He tried to push Kat away.


    ¡°Touch goes both ways, young one.¡±


    Alin¡¯s world exploded into searing gold.


    <hr>


    Earth, November, 2056


    ¡°Red. 187. Parmesan.¡±


    Key words spoken into old radios. Picked up by spy network of insectile drones. Sent up into the Omninet. Received by a handful of people directly into their many devices.


    T-Plus 00:30¡­


    ¡°Ignore all. Return message: I will get back to you.¡±


    ¡°Cal!¡± Nila had an override, obviously.


    ¡°I¡¯m moving.¡±


    ¡°Me too!¡±


    ¡°No. We¡¯ve talked about this.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Love, but this time it¡¯s really too dangerous for you.¡±


    ¡°Our boy¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know, so please, let me focus on him.¡±


    ¡°Just¡ª please bring him back¡­¡±


    ¡°I promise, Love. Computer.¡±


    ¡°Awaiting command.¡±


    ¡°Send message to Group 187. Deicide.¡±


    ¡°Acknowledged.¡±


    They could refuse, he had graciously allowed them that.


    ¡°Send message to Group Old School Rangers. Sacrifice Fly.¡±


    That twisted his gut.


    T-Plus 02:37¡­


    Ranger Captain Hardhat cursed.


    ¡°Where is it!¡±


    Her desk was a mess.


    She had been meaning to properly organize it for weeks now and, well, there had never been enough time.


    Everything else was all set.


    Her best gear was by the front door as it had been for months now.


    Her precious hardhat was on her head.


    Fancy Threnosh onesie felt like wearing nothing at all.


    Thank God that she couldn¡¯t avoid staying in shape even for a woman getting up there in years.


    Otherwise it wouldn¡¯t been embarrassing to walk around in just the skin-tight outfit.


    Special armor, best armor she¡¯d ever wear was waiting for her on the Raynanaut.


    The doorbell rang.


    ¡°Damn it! Where are you, you rat¡ª¡±


    Ah¡­


    One of the desk drawers was cracked open a bit.


    A faint glow leaked out.


    Greenish.


    She yanked it open and pulled out a rolled up scroll.


    Fancy.


    She snorted.


    She had wanted to use normal human paper, but had been advised that something otherworldly was better if she really wanted to make sure that her last will and testament could survive the potential worst case scenarios.


    She shrugged.


    If she couldn¡¯t believe an ancient not-elf, then who could she believe?


    The doorbell rang.


    ¡°Coming!¡±


    She practically flung the door open and thrust the scroll into surprised hands.


    ¡°Cap¡ª¡±


    Ranger Candys was caught between a salute and taking the scroll.


    ¡°At ease. Take that straight to HQ. Make sure they officially accept it and file it. I¡¯m serious, I order you not to let it out of your sight until they do it all proper like.¡±


    ¡°Um¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I left instructions. They should know what to do. If not, I order you to knock some heads¡­ with your hands.¡± She regarded the ranger¡¯s hooves. ¡°Yeah, no kicking.¡± She had seen those deadly weapons punch through chitin stronger than steel.


    ¡°Yessir!¡±


    The hybrid spun and bounded away.


    And that was that.


    They could do whatever they wanted with the rest of her stuff, house included.


    The hardhat on her head was the only thing that truly mattered anyways.


    She had grown more worried over the years at what would happen to it since she didn¡¯t have anymore kin left to pass it on.


    As usual, magic bullshit might¡¯ve given her the solution.


    ¡°Only one way to find out.¡±


    It was unfortunate that she¡¯d never know if it worked.


    Hardhat went back inside just to grab her gear.


    The night air was cold and she breathed deeply just to get that salty brine one last time¡­ possibly¡­ oh, who was she kidding, it was more like probably.


    She pulled the door shut, not bothering to lock it.


    She hesitated only a moment before speaking into her watch.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡±


    A split-second and she flew into the sky with a whoop.


    It had been a while and she savored it.


    T-plus 3:49¡­


    ¡°Get off me!¡±


    Long fingers with sharp nails encrusted with filth scratched at his face, trying to dig into his face holes.


    A small release of solar energy seared them away.


    A glance burned through armor of wood and leaves, revealing a body cavity filled with nothing but decayed matter. A mix of plant and animal from the looks and smell.


    The Fae were always fucked up.


    This so-called Court of Autumn¡¯s Decay was no different from all the other random ass-pull courts that had popped up along with the Wild Hunts over the years.


    ¡°By warp and weft we address your theft¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut up, your rhymes suck.


    He blurred forward, ripping the baronet apart.


    Prince, princess, dukes and duchesses, barons and baroness¡­ he and his daughter had worked their way down the list quickly.


    ¡°Dad!¡± Lera called out.


    He snapped his attention to her, ignoring the knights¡¯ ineffectual attacks.


    Ah¡­


    She hadn¡¯t called out in fear, but excitement.


    They grew up so fast.


    He could only sigh.


    She was technically an adult now and he couldn¡¯t use the whole being a minor thing as an excuse.


    Lera stood atop a pile of Fae mush.


    A small hill really.


    The fight ended minutes after it had started.


    Bait the fight, kill the Fae.


    They wouldn¡¯t be able to slither out of their realm to hunt his daughter for awhile, which freed her up to help elsewhere in the world.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go! Alin needs help!¡±


    She tensed, gathering her legs to launch herself into the sky.


    True flight was relatively new to her, so she still had to start it with a jump.


    He blurred over, placing a hand on her shoulder.


    ¡°Don¡¯t pretend you forgot the plan, young lady.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°No.¡± He pointed at the skyship many kilometers overhead. A cadre of witches from Wytchraven¡¯s coven were already on board, having portaled up there before the Fae had attacked. ¡°You can help more effectively. Listen to orders. I¡¯m going to be worried about you enough, so don¡¯t add more.¡±


    Shit was fucked world wide.


    Alerts and calls for help where coming in over the Omninet from every corner of the globe.


    It stank of collusion.


    The Stone Lords launching an all out assault from their mountain fortress across much of Southern China was definitely coordinated since they were part of the pantheon.


    Other outworld polities launching their own attacks seemed more like taking advantage of the situation.


    It didn¡¯t take a large leap to guess that they all had their own surveillance and spying methods or perhaps it was as simple as the demigod telling them that it was a good time since the checks on them were about to be distracted.


    ¡°Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Dad.¡±


    No pout. No glare.


    ¡°You¡¯re growing! I¡¯m proud of you!¡±


    And there¡¯s the pout!


    ¡°Be safe and be smart.¡±


    ¡°I know, Dad.¡±


    ¡°Hug!¡±


    Reluctantly at first, but tree-breaking at the end.


    ¡°You be careful.¡±


    ¡°I will.¡±


    T-plus 07:15¡­


    The Phoenix Empress prepared to fly out to do battle.


    There was just one last annoyance to deal with.


    ¡°My family will be sufficient replacements.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    She wanted to crush the phone and then melt it to slag for good measure.


    ¡°Explain yourself.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have time¡ª fine. Your 2nd generation has a 50% chance of survival. The 3rd generation has 10%. Strength and combat sense skews things.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s acceptable.¡±


    ¡°Strategically and tactically, they¡¯re and you¡¯re better off with them fighting your all out war.¡±


    ¡°The Quest¡ª¡±


    ¡°Rewards aren¡¯t worth anything if they aren¡¯t alive to claim them. You really need to stop treating them like disposable assets.¡±


    ¡°I hold all of my subjects to the same standards as myself.¡±


    ¡°Listen, come or not. The choice is yours, like I¡¯ve always maintained. Just don¡¯t use those portal stones to send your babies. They¡¯ll get in the way and most of them will die.¡±


    ¡°They aren¡¯t babies. Most of them are grown.¡±


    ¡°Regardless, 10 can cover more territory than 1. And they¡¯re mostly strong enough for what you need against the Stone Lords. You¡¯re the one with the power to take on a demigod or multiple eidolons. You know the Quest. You know what you stand to gain. And I will owe you¡­ to an extent.¡±


    ¡°I would personally enjoy finally humbling the Americans.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve had plenty of that since the spires appeared.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll reconsider.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, but don¡¯t take too long.¡±


    T-plus 09:53¡­


    Hmm¡­


    Hmmmmm¡­


    Hmmmmmmmm¡­


    Holly had just received an order from the voice in her head that wasn¡¯t her own.


    I don¡¯t know where Suiteonemiades¡¯ took them. I don¡¯t know where to start looking. Yes, I will wait.


    She gave a mental shrug and refocused on her surroundings.


    The White House was awash with activity.


    None of the principals were present, having gone out to make appearances at various Election parties and events for handshaking and speeches.


    However, it was still like a hive kicked open.


    The president hadn¡¯t been up for election, but it seemed to her that fact hadn¡¯t made a difference in how closely the staff were watching said election results come pouring in.


    As part of the staff pool she had to take care of random duties as they popped up.


    It was a long walk to the kitchen to check on the status of the next round of snacks and refreshments.


    Which was good because it would give her time to plan the best way to get the more innocent people to evacuate the building before it was set on fire.


    T-plus 09:54¡­


    Kranaxus heard the call.


    He answered reluctantly.


    The Cruces had given him and the others the ability to re-live their memories like vivid dreams while their false bodies performed their duties as commanded by the demigods or more often, one of the eidolons.


    Automatons.


    They had been created by ripping their brains from their natural bodies and jamming it inside artifice abominations.


    From across hundreds of worlds and hundreds of species.


    From as recent as a decade in the past to as far as several millennia.


    The Cruces had promised Kranaxus home before freedom to join his long dead family.


    It had sounded impossible to find one world, one grain of sand in a beach that stretched along an infinite coast.


    However, hope had been enough and along with the ability to re-live his real life through his memories it had given him the strength to endure his abominable existence.


    Now?


    Automatons with their freedom of thought like him were scattered. They had been inserted by the Cruces in key locations. Sabotage, assassinations and such were in their hands.


    Or they could walk to the closest spire when chaos erupted to find their own ways home.


    He had made his decision.


    A chance to strike back.


    To bleed them like they had him and his people.


    Kranaxus knew peace in that moment.


    Whether the Cruces could keep the promise of home didn¡¯t matter.


    The Great Loom had woven his fate long ago.


    He¡¯d relish even the smallest measure of vengeance before his weaving finished.


    He would show his family, his people, that in the end, the enemy had bled.


    T-plus 09:55¡­


    ¡°Shit fuck shit,¡± Mouthy mumbled.


    ¡°Still too far?¡± Spiritwalker eyed her dubiously.


    ¡°Don¡¯t burn yourself out too soon,¡± Hardhat said.


    ¡°Where are we?¡± she replied through grit teeth.


    ¡°Edge of atmosphere, over Oklahoma,¡± Captain Butcher said.


    Without Aims, they were what remained of the original 13th Squad.


    Her, Hardhat, Aims and the captain.


    Funny that she still mentally thought of Captain Butcher as ¡®Captain¡¯ when everyone inside one of the skyship¡¯s spare offices had the rank.


    More would¡¯ve been better, but the weight of her bonds mattered to her Skill.


    The weight of their classes and levels.


    The weight of their responsibilities.


    The three of them wouldn¡¯t have been enough.


    It was why she had reluctantly asked Spiritwalker and Creepy Chipmunk.


    They hadn¡¯t been original 13th Squad, but had joined up in the Manila thing.


    As far as she was concerned they where just as much a part of the squad as she was.


    Now, that had made her feel lower than a fat rapist¡¯s taint smear.


    The two men had kids for fuck¡¯s sake and here they were about to jump into a kraken¡¯s beaky maw.


    But they hadn¡¯t hesitated.


    Captains with levels.


    Hopefully, their combined weight was enough to balance the scales for her Skill.


    ¡°How about we wait for Cal to give the go ahead?¡± Creepy Chipmunk continued to sharpen the edge of his Igorot axe.


    ¡°Fucking shit! Alright fine.¡± She stopped trying.


    ¡°We¡¯re still too far,¡± Hardhat said like she was trying to soothe a dumbass toddler that couldn¡¯t figure out why the square block just wouldn¡¯t fucking-goddamn-fit inside the triangle hole.


    At least neither of them had left any kids.


    Poor bastards.


    Orphan-hood sucked shit and Mouthy knew that it was always just around the corner in the spires world especially for a ranger.


    Granted she had made it this far, but she figured a lot of that had to do with blind luck and taking it easy as she had gotten older.


    She caught her reflection in the faceplate of her helmet on the table.


    Shit fuck shit! Wrinkly ass gray-haired bitch! Too old for this¡ª. Nah¡­ perfect for this.


    They said 60 was the new 45.


    And there were tons of safe shit that would¡¯ve smoothed out the wrinkles and put color back to the hair without looking obvious.


    She supposed it was more of a mindset anyways.


    Objectively speaking, she had to acknowledge that the gray was only at about 50%.


    ¡°Distance is a problem, but what¡¯s worse is I¡¯m getting two separate hits. One¡¯s clear like a spotlight. The other¡¯s like a flickering candle. And I can only do one.¡±


    ¡°Thoughts?¡± Captain Butcher opened it up to the other captains.


    ¡°Candle,¡± Hardhat said.


    The others agreed.


    ¡°I bet the strong signal is the guys trying to fight their way out of the city,¡± Spiritwalker said. ¡°Which means the demigod¡¯s going to be with the weaker one. Probably, has something to do with how he¡¯s untraceable. A shielded facility or something like that.¡±


    Switch out with who they could.


    Destroy the thingie keeping Cal and Eron from entering the city and¡­ problem solved.


    If their survival wasn¡¯t factored into the equation.


    T-plus 09:59¡­


    ¡°Begin recording.¡±


    Cal had reached the edge of the barrier keeping him outside seconds after he had dropped the rangers off on the Raynanaut.


    Two other skyships were already in the area with more on the way.


    The first thing he had done was to invade the minds of everyone.


    He had found nothing to lead him to where the demigod had taken his son and the Mist Spekters.


    He pushed their thoughts, forcing the more innocent ones away from areas that where about to be inimical to human life.


    He prepared to activate hidden agents, forcing the worst ones to turn on each other.


    But first a message to the populace so that they knew why.


    ¡°People of America. My name is Calmin Honorio Gerzan Cruces. Your leaders have lied to you since the beginning. The eidolons have lied to you. The demigod has lied to you. Their crimes against humanity, including all of you, are staggering. They have sent you and your loved ones to die for their benefit. To remove potential challenges against their control. They have forced your children into a mad eidolon¡¯s gruesome procedure against their will. For every 10 subjected, 8 died, 1 suffered a fate worse than death. The sole survivor? Your hybrid supersoldiers. Doomed to an existence of constant violence until they meet their ends at the claws and teeth of some monster or an enemy¡¯s weapons. And now? They are about to unleash the nightmare they first released on those you claim to be fellow citizens. The people of Austin, Texas¡ª Sacrifices. There have been many sacrifices to fuel their magic rituals. Not just so-called enemies, but you, yourselves. Your people go missing everyday, don¡¯t they?¡± He paused. ¡°Belief is irrelevant in the face of proof. Release the Mist Spekters unharmed and give me the location of the demigod, Suiteonemiades. Do this and I will fight the outworlders and their monsters. I will do everything in my power to save your lives. You have 5 minutes to decide. Scream your answers to the sky. I will hear them. It doesn¡¯t matter who you are or what your position is. From president to the custodians keeping your bunker command center clean. If you know anything useful then I will reward you.¡±


    No more sandbagging.


    The Omninet was superior to the Internet they had re-established.


    They had rejected his offer to open the Omninet up to them, but that didn¡¯t matter.


    The message went out to every device capable of receiving it.


    Wireless or wired.


    There were no closed networks to the advanced technology at his disposal.


    Next, he dumped years of evidence straight to their devices.


    All of them.


    Recordings, pictures and documents.


    They wouldn¡¯t have time to do more than give them a cursory glance tonight, but in the coming days¡­


    Millions of Quest notifications pinged for the people below him.


    He gave them a cursory glance.


    ¡°Fuck you, spires.¡±


    As always, they spurred greater conflict.


    Defend, flee, betray and more.


    ¡°That is not helpful.¡±


    He pushed a thought into their heads.


    To prioritize their survival and that of their neighbors.


    He chose not to do more because it would take too much of his power and concentration, which would leave him open to attack from the demigods.


    Then he reached into the thoughts of a few key individuals, planting thoughts.


    The choice was theirs.


    The rest of his focus and power went to the futile search for his son, cousin and the others.


    T-plus 16:00¡­


    They responded with violence.

 10.45

    Washington, D.C., November 2056


    Blind and deaf, yet there were glowing golden footsteps in the void for him to follow.


    Alin had woken up with the weird helmet on his head.


    He had kept the gray contained for fear of possibly hurting people he didn¡¯t want to hurt.


    Tricking him into hurting his friends was definitely in the evil guy¡¯s playbook.


    Time held no meaning.


    He walked for hours.


    He walked for minutes.


    Whatever the case, the next thing he saw was the inside of an arcane prison cell as the helmet slipped off his head and folded into a palm-sized cube that floated into the ceiling, disappearing like liquid into the dark surface.


    The small space was just large enough to stand and maybe half lay against the back wall.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch the glowy walls,¡± Victor said.


    His friend was to his right, separated by said glowy wall with strange script flowing across the surface.


    He recognized some of it from their study of the demigod¡¯s and eidolons¡¯ magic.


    Strength for the barrier and pain upon touch from the inside.


    Catelin was to his left.


    There were ten total cells arranged in a circle around a large empty space.


    The walls, floor and ceiling was made out of a dark substance that shined slightly like metal, but felt rough to the touch like stone.


    Each cell was occupied by a Mist Spekter.


    Where was Kat?


    They looked to him expectantly.


    He tried not to acknowledge the fear in their eyes.


    There was an emergency escape.


    At least in theory.


    But only for Mist Spekters that were also Rayna¡¯s Rangers with a class.


    People that had joined up on the road to the enemy capital and after, like Nathan and Elisa across from him, were just as stuck as he was.


    The gray roiled like worms writhing underneath his skin.


    He was glad for the blue sleeves.


    That was the last thing they needed to see.


    ¡°No one say a word.¡±


    No one had.


    Good discipline.


    The enemy was obviously listening.


    What was the best play?


    Get the demigod. Destroy the focus of the ritual circles keeping his dad out. Profit?


    The only question was how to do that without getting the others killed.


    He remembered that Madalena, Aims and few others from the Philippines were likely in the same place.


    He was just about to call for the demigod when the ceiling opened up.


    The bastard in question descended in a pillar of gold light.


    Suiteonemiades only had eyes for him.


    Well¡­ shit¡­ that¡¯s right. He knows. Only question is how much?


    Alin amended his rough plan.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have time to waste, which means neither do you. I¡¯ll give you a chance to save all of them. If you¡¯ll but listen to what I have to say.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    The glowing wall winked out.


    He stepped forward hesitantly.


    The demigod cast a shadow like an old oak. Immense enough to make the wide chamber feel suddenly cramped.


    ¡°Follow.¡±


    Up the pillar of gold and into a spacious corridor of the same dark metallic stone.


    Empty except for the occasional automaton of bronze-colored metal and magic standing guard or patrolling.


    He considered attacking the broad, obsidian back, but thought better of it.


    It wasn¡¯t a fight he could win.


    He hadn¡¯t grown strong enough since the last time he had tried and failed miserably.


    Faces flashed across his thoughts.


    Ones he recognized and one that was blank because the baby had never had a chance.


    ¡°I will show you first. Then you will listen to my tale. After that you shall decide.¡±


    ¡°Let everyone go unharmed first and I swear to hear you out.¡±


    ¡°Child, you have power, but not enough to dictate terms. My largesse is unheard of amongst my kind. They would do what they will with you and your friends before beating you to suit their purposes like a blacksmith hammers a blade or chestplate. In truth, you are beyond fortunate that it was I who won the right to be the Gods¡¯ spear upon this world. Did you know that the raping would have already begun? The eagerness of many of the soldiers are only surpassed by that of my cousins.¡±


    ¡°That would the worst idea. I might not be able to hurt you, but the soldiers¡­ they¡¯d be dead before you could stop me and since you want something from me¡­¡±


    Suiteonemiades laughed.


    A sound of boisterous happiness.


    ¡°I would disinclined to interfere. Rape is a special type of dishonor. Those that perpetrate it deserve to suffer before a just death.¡±


    The demigod stopped suddenly.


    The wall disappeared with one gesture of an arm the size of a small tree trunk.


    A transparent glowing wall flowed with script.


    Another cell, but much larger than his.


    Meant for long term occupation.


    ¡°You see, child. There is no need for you to hide your truth for I already know.¡±


    Madalena paced on the other side of the wall.


    Alin reached out, but stopped before he touched the wall.


    His dad¡¯s cousin looked angry.


    Which was good.


    Aside from her missing arm, she didn¡¯t look like she had been imprisoned for over a year.


    ¡°Untouched with one exception. However, as you will see, your kin endured the Enysomen Crown better than the others.¡± The demigod turned the wall back into the dark metallic stone with another gesture. ¡°The crown was meant to aid the Gods with managing their memories. Eternity is a long time to collect them after all and their storage space isn¡¯t infinite. Thus, it is taxing when worn by mortals. Your kin¡¯s superior constitution allowed her to weather it.¡±


    Unlike the others.


    The demigod showed him Aims and people he didn¡¯t recognize.


    The latter from Manila.


    The only thing they had in common was surviving the fog.


    Older men and women that didn¡¯t deserve to suffer more and yet there they sat in their cells.


    Staring blankly into nothing or rocking themselves back and forth in the fetal position on their beds.


    ¡°I don¡¯t regret subjecting them to this. I did it for my one, true purpose.¡±


    ¡°Let me guess. I get to try that crown on next?¡±


    ¡°Well, aren¡¯t you the prescient one.¡±


    He found himself in a small chamber made smaller by the demigod¡¯s bulk.


    The chair reminded him of the dentist¡¯s clinic. Infinitely more comfortable, but infinitely more intimidating.


    The Enysomen Crown¡¯s sharp tines dug into his head uncomfortably.


    Pressure and pain, but not as much as one would expect from needles into the brain.


    ¡°I know what you are. I have obtained hidden records from ancient archives at great personal cost, but I must know for sure.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s pointless to tell you until I know that I can use you.¡±


    Approximately 26 years passed in reverse.


    Alin blinked back to reality with a pounding headache.


    Suiteonemiades stared down at him.


    ¡°That was your mortal life.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± he slurred, felt drool dripping down his chin.


    ¡°One minute, one year. Would you like to know what is at stake for the ones you care about?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    The demigod sighed and pulled a bright potion from his bag.


    Clarity came with the sweet, fruity taste.


    Alin remembered.


    The entirety of his life that he had just re-lived and his present situation.


    ¡°You still haven¡¯t said what you want from me.¡±


    ¡°I want your true self.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ you need some time to recover, so how about I tell you a story and perhaps you can glean understanding. Or I can show you how the battle above is going? Your father and uncle have decided that mercy and a light touch are no longer necessary. Every military structure, government building and monument are either burning or been reduced to rubble. Skyships battle my aerial forces and your world¡¯s strongest face my cousins and eidolons. So many have already perished in their wakes.¡±


    ¡°Listen, let me stop it. You let me talk to my dad, we can put a pause on things while we negotiate whatever it is you want from me.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a negotiation, child.¡± Suiteonemiades directed his attention to a strange orb set into the dark metallic stone wall. ¡°Opsmatiosi. A humanoid species that may share origins with the monster that your magus of the many eyes stole from. Their head makes for a powerful scrying artifact¡­ within range and reason. Perhaps, you¡¯d like to see how the people you care about are doing while you listen.¡±


    Alin tested the restraints and found them a match for his strength.


    ¡°It seems I don¡¯t have a choice.¡±


    ¡°That is true.¡±


    The artifact opened a giant eye as big as a human forehead. Smaller eyes opened around it.


    A projection fuzzed into existence as the demigod took a deep breath and began.


    ¡°My true name is Phosfuriae. I didn¡¯t realize it¡¯s full meaning until I was a grown man. You see, my mother gave it to me. She had said that I was her little light that led her out from the darkest tunnel of her life. Again, I didn¡¯t understand until much later.¡±


    Hayden paced on the bridge of a skyship. Glowing lights on her armor told a tale of random discharges of electricity that came with agitation.


    The bridge wasn¡¯t like any of the other skyships he had been on and he didn¡¯t see any rangers manning the stations. Indeed, he couldn¡¯t tell who was who because their helmets obscured their features and the projected image was slightly fuzzy.


    ¡°-Tezuka¡¯s just deployed. T-minus 30 for portal. Inform Glowy.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s ready.¡±


    ¡°Captain! High-speed sensors just triggered. Quadrant 37. Mach 1¡ª make that 3¡ª 6¡­ steady at six.¡±


    ¡°Get that predictive algorithm on it!¡± The captain tapped and swiped quickly on his holographic control panel. ¡°Once it spits out the projected path link Relentless directly to it.¡±


    ¡°Proximity mines,¡± Hayden grunted.


    ¡°He¡¯s running close to civilians.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s done!¡± A curse. ¡°Sorry¡ª¡±


    ¡°Forget it. Send it to him.¡±


    ¡°Track prediction has him on an intercept course with our¡ª¡±


    So, Alin thought, they got the experimental skyship up just in time for this clusterfuck.


    ¡°She was a demigod like me. Daughter of Sunor, who sits most high, ruling over the pantheon. But that didn¡¯t afford her protection from the machinations of other Gods. For we are spawn to them. Tools to be used and disposed of as they saw fit. Naturally, grandfather didn¡¯t see fit to inform my mother that he had bargained her to Suiteonem.¡±


    The demigod, Ekraiades, light where Phosfuriae was dark, ran with easy strides, leaving a trail of sparkling golden lights in his wake. Like flickering fireflies.


    The Opsmatiosi artifact slowed it down so Alin could see more than just a golden blur.


    Every person and monster that the demigod ran past moved as if they had been submerged in glue.


    ¡°My mother was a true hero. Fighting injustice, slaying monsters and doing anything to forward her father¡¯s dominion. For she believed in his lies. That there must be civilization. That order needed to be imposed. That there were fundamental rules that must be followed. Of course, that only applied to lesser beings. Not Gods. And what was her reward for centuries of loyal service to her very father?¡±


    The image shifted to a familiar golem.


    Chrome rolled on tank treads at the head of long, snaking convoy made up of a motley assortment of vehicles.


    The image swept through the entire convoy quickly.


    Congresswoman Johnson-Lopez stood inside the bus filled with her staff and people from her neighborhoods.


    Mist Spekters rode in armored trucks.


    Gun and spell fire filled the cold night as monsters and rabbit people fell on them like ants on a caterpillar.


    ¡°Oh fuck!¡± Victor brought up the rear on Razorwind. The robot horse could fit several people and it was filled to capacity.


    Once again, Alin couldn¡¯t quite tell who the others were because their helmets obscured their faces.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    The street erupted underneath them.


    Razorwind leapt, but a smaller pillar of earth struck him from below, scattering the riders to the street.


    The rabbit people pounced, red eyes wide, mouths foaming, dicks waving obscenely.


    The truck ahead of them had screeched to a stop and reversed, but it wasn¡¯t going to make it. Machine gun fire on the horde was as effective as a toy water pistol against a raging house fire.


    Clawed hands reached¡ª


    Sudden fire!


    The horde burned!


    Victor and the others piled into the back of the truck with Razorwind back on his hooves, clattering alongside them and firing his weapons at the monsters and rabbit people attacking from the side alleys and rooftops.


    ¡°Suiteonem is a God of arrogance and violence. The two concepts fill the bulk of his portfolio. He went to her forest home and said nothing as he took her. Weeks of punishing defilement until he was certain¡ª that I had been¡ª implanted in her.¡±


    - Chrome emptied machine guns taken from the local supply. Huge drums of ammo attached to her golem¡¯s arms and back emptied in seconds¡ª


    ¡°I knew none of this. Wouldn¡¯t learn of the truth until I had spent close to 2 centuries laboring to further my father¡¯s goals.¡±


    The congresswoman stood next to Chrome¡¯s golem, flanked by Dre and a few others. They faced off with an average looking man in the middle of the street, standing a top a small hill he had made by pulling the earth from beneath the asphalt.


    ¡°Little light, she always called me. It was just the two of us in the modest home deep in the heart of the Crystal Forest where dazzling crystals grew alongside the foliage and fruit upon the trees. 10 years of happiness for me. She never once let slip how I came to be. I found and saved those early memories once I grew powerful enough to recall them.¡±


    ¡°¡ª your family. Evacuate with us!¡± the congresswoman pleaded. ¡°There are children! Civilians! Please, Devyn! We¡¯ll get your wife and kids. You have to see that it isn¡¯t safe here anymore.¡±


    The man had pulled up walls of earth around the convoy. Tall and steep. It continually crumbled to prevent the monsters and rabbit people from climbing it.


    ¡°Because I had forgotten them. A combination of my child mind protecting itself from the trauma inflicted when my father deemed it time to send for me.¡±


    Ekraiades surged from up the street.


    Twin trails of burning air shot down from the sky, forcing the demigod to swerve.


    He tried again and again, but the twin trails kept him from reaching the convoy.


    ¡°The shit-eating filth never does things peacefully, you see. He could¡¯ve sent a message or ordered his minions to refrain from violence. Who¡¯s to say that my mother wouldn¡¯t have given me up peacefully had it been an option?¡±


    Golden light and white hot flame clashed.


    Entire blocks of the city spontaneously combusted in their vicinity.


    Buildings, trees, living things.


    Nothing was spared.


    ¡°¡ªdess of War. Submit and received honor, wealth and power beyond what your quaint little world can provide.¡±


    ¡°And I am the Phoenix Empress. She who shelters the eternal empire of flame beneath her wings. Submit and receive your life back.¡±


    ¡°I watched her end. Despite only lifting her weapons and using her magic to deal with the occasional wandering monster that entered her forest, she reaped a bloody toll on my father¡¯s minions that warm summer¡¯s day.¡±


    ¡°Glowy¡¯s on the field. Trailing Tezuka. Moving into Quadrant 12 as planned.¡±


    ¡°Intake?¡±


    ¡°10% and steadily rising.¡±


    ¡°I want targeting solutions for the cannons yesterday! We¡¯re firing at 50%. I don¡¯t want to risk an overload once Tezuka really starts ramping up.¡±


    ¡°God energy signatures closing on them. One demigod. No ID yet. 10 eidolons.¡±


    ¡°Combined armed forces?¡±


    ¡°Unknown. Interference on visuals.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Cal¡¯s aware.¡±


    ¡°She was as skilled as she was powerful. She would¡¯ve defeated a demigod twice her age. It would¡¯ve taken dozens of eidolons to kill her. An entire army wouldn¡¯t have been enough. Thus, my father had sent more. I remember that day often. It gave me the resolve to spend nearly a millennia in my father¡¯s service. They ripped me from her, but she made them pay. I never learned if my father thought I had been worth the cost.¡±


    ¡ª Emerald Raptor banked and twisted his flying wing like a skier slaloming through his gates, except in 3 dimensions¡ª


    ¡ª harpies¡ª


    ¡ª Interceptor Threnosh¡ª skyfuries¡ª manticores¡ª ranger drakes and wyverns¡ª skyfury squadron¡ª Marian¡ª


    Blood and metal rained.


    ¡°Do you understand?¡± Golden eyes shined down. ¡°What my one true goal is?¡±


    ¡°To kill your father. But, they¡¯re made out of energy.¡±


    ¡°That is correct. Ascension brings immortality, but not invulnerability. The divine energy can be dispersed or altered, if not destroyed. My problem is that the consciousness remains in the energy. It may take thousands of years, but eventually the God will reassert themselves and return as if nothing had happened. Do you want to know one of their darkest secrets?¡±


    ¡°You can maybe share it with my dad and, I don¡¯t know, team up? It sounds like you don¡¯t care about any of the Gods.¡±


    ¡°Your father lacks the capability to give me what I want.¡± Phosfuriae gave him a mirthless smile. ¡°The secret is that the fastest and easiest way a God can return is through their children. The divine energy in our cells is the same as theirs. Not many of my half-siblings and cousins know this truth.¡±


    ¡°Then how did you find out?¡±


    ¡°He told me. Violence and anger gives him strength. He wants us me seek vengeance for it makes him stronger. His arrogance won¡¯t allow him to consider the possibility that I, that any of his children, can succeed.¡± The demigod laid a hand large enough to cover his chest. ¡°And, thus, we come to your part.¡±


    ¡ª frozen landscape. Monsters, men, buildings. None were spared. All but one. A demigod that made Alcaestus look like an average-sized person charged against a freezing gale, breaking the thick layer of ice constantly forming on his lavender skin.


    Cryonic set his jaw and thrust his hands toward the demigod.


    Two of the most powerful beings on the planet locked in a duel with no regard for their surroundings.


    ¡°Swear a binding oath and we shall leave this world. I swear to destroy the barrier keeping your father and uncle from entering the city. Think of the lives lost with each second that passes. We both know that your father can stop that in a second if I bring the barrier down.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t make big decisions under pressure.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunate, for you and for them. This could¡¯ve been done in a less stressful situation. I need to go back further to be sure.¡±


    Pain flooded his brain.


    The second time was quicker than the first.


    The difference between 26 years and just a little under a year.


    Eyes watered, tears mingled with the thin trickle of blood from his forehead.


    Bile rose.


    ¡°Not me. That wasn¡¯t me.¡±


    ¡°Debatable. Why don¡¯t you watch some more while we wait for you to come back.¡±


    How much real time had passed?


    The congresswoman¡¯s convoy had grown. It was clear they had picked up people as they fled the city heading northwest parallel to the river.


    Chrome still led the way in her golem, which had been mangled.


    The man named Devyn clung to the golem¡¯s back, raising walls and spikes of earth against the rabbit people continuing to chase them.


    Captain Patriot, Death¡¯s Dancer and a dwindling group of soldiers fought desperately to keep the rabbit people from the civilians under their protecting. No vehicles meant they had to run.


    It was like an entire heard of injured wildebeast beset by every hyena on the savanna.


    The rabbit people ripped men, women and children from the fringes.


    The lucky died quickly.


    ¡°An abomination. A 100,000 years ago they were normal people, like you and me. See the works of the Gods and tremble in despair!¡± Phosfuriae laughed bitterly.


    Alin could agree with that.


    The magic used to alter the rabbit people was beyond heinous.


    The perfect horde army.


    Capable of obtaining sustenance from the tiniest blade of grass.


    Their minds shattered irrevocably.


    Eat, kill and breed.


    In no particular order.


    Although, the latter was what made them truly terrifying.


    Males could impregnate any sapient humanoid females. Their sperm flooding the unfortunate victims reproductive system to impregnate every single egg in their body.


    The females took sperm from any sapient humanoid male with the aid of short range pheromones that overrode their victim¡¯s terror and will.


    Gestation was a matter of weeks to a month or two.


    Female victims died agonizingly when the rabbit people fetuses began to eat their way out.


    Male victims were luckier in a sense. They usually died in the process from claws and teeth tearing into them as they were eaten alive.


    The magic spat in the face of biology.


    Sometimes they failed to make the distinction between the biological sex of their victim.


    The screams were drowned out by the vocalizations of the rabbit people.


    Until they all exploded into red and white mist.


    ¡°Ah! There he is. A little late, your father. His attention must be pulled in so many different directions.¡±


    Finley, Ghost Sorcerer, Rayna¡¯s Ranger approached a huge mansion.


    An iron barred fence melting behind him.


    A gesture turned the entire front facade of the mansion into glittering butterflies in a rainbow of colors.


    Cabal and their atrocities stood revealed.


    Even as the city burned and thousands died around them.


    ¡°Cambion!¡± Ghost Sorcerer roared. ¡°You¡¯re the last!¡±


    Politicians and generals cowered in their bunkers as bloody shadows writhed around them.


    Soldiers splintered, fighting each other as much as the rabbit people and monsters until they stopped and, as if coming to a collective decision, decided to sell their lives dearly to help civilians flee the carnage.


    A many armed and many headed giant monster ripped entire houses from their foundations to use a missiles against the dark spearheads in the sky raining fire on its armored hide.


    A presidential motorcade fled north.


    They might have made it had their tires not suddenly gone flat.


    The white-furred horde descended on them.


    They fought until they ran out of ammo, mana and stamina.


    President William T.K. George re-lived his soldiering days for a few minutes.


    Fear and terror bled together with exhilaration.


    Unlike most of the men and women dying around him he was intelligent enough to save one bullet.


    ¡°They¡¯re all the same. Small mortals without a proper sense of scale.¡±


    A house interior.


    A portal stone hidden inside the case of a mana stone activated.


    A little girl screamed.


    She had been agonizing over which stuffed animals to take with her.


    The alarms had been blaring.


    Explosions shook the windows.


    Lights flashed.


    ¡°Avery!¡±


    ¡°Mommy!¡±


    Mother barged in, carbine readied.


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡ª¡±


    Trigger squeezed.


    3 round burst.


    Bullets deflected by magic shield.


    Spell orbs floated around Swan Princess.


    Magic cords wrapped around the mother¡¯s limbs.


    The father tried to move around his wife for a clear shot, but suffered the same fate.


    Reena stepped around Swan Princess to smile at the little girl.


    ¡°Come with me if you want to live!¡±


    Alin was surprised to see one of his friends.


    ¡°No, seriously. The rabbit people are, like, 5 streets away,¡± Reena said.


    ¡°You¡¯re on Ghost Sorcerer¡¯s list,¡± Swan Princess said. ¡°So, I¡¯m going to unbind you and you¡¯re going to step through that portal.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Finley?¡± the mother said.


    ¡°You¡¯re quick on the uptake, good.¡± Swan Princess dismissed the magical bindings.


    ¡°Where does it lead?¡± the father said.


    ¡°To a place without rabbit people 3 streets away.¡± Reena helped the little girl stuff dolls and stuffed animals into her own bag of holding.


    The parents rushed to grab their own bags before entering the portal just behind the ranger and little girl.


    The bedroom window shattered just as Swan Princess stepped through.


    ¡°I was aware of many things, but I am not ashamed to admit that I was unaware of that,¡± Phosfuriae said. ¡°Now¡ª¡± he frowned.


    The projection fuzzed, switching to show a familiar chamber.


    The cell chamber a short walk away.


    Many of the cells that had once held his friends and teammates were now empty.


    A heavily armed woman in the best Threnium power armor Rayna¡¯s Rangers had stood in the center of the chamber.


    She wore a bright yellow construction hardhat instead of a proper helmet. She still had a full faceplate though.


    Phosfuriae gestured.


    The image fuzzed to the other cell chambers in quick succession.


    Empty cells with one Rayna¡¯s Ranger standing in the center.


    5 total.


    ¡°Automatons proceed to prison chambers and subdue intruders.¡± The demigod narrowed his eyes. ¡°Not magic, which means a Skill. And a powerful one at that to bypass my defenses. Castling Skills aren¡¯t particularly rare once you get into the higher levels, but none of those people are over Level 60, which means¡­ well, everything is possible in the spires worlds.¡± He nodded, satisfied. ¡°They replaced less valuable hostages with more valuable ones. Quality over quantity. Powerful individuals dictate the terms of conflict, not the weak masses. Time grows short. You will swear that binding oath or I will kill them all.¡± He gently grasped Alin¡¯s right pinkie finger. ¡°From what I¡¯ve seen in your memories, pain is useful to my purpose.¡±


    A simple twist, like, pulling a grape off its stem.


    Pain indeed.


    ¡°See.¡± The demigod directed Alin¡¯s eyes to the stump. ¡°The real you is just waiting to be released.¡±


    No blood.


    Just thick, dark gray wafting in every direction.


    ¡°Watch. Call for me when you decide you want to save their lies.¡±


    The image projected by the artifact that was once a living person¡¯s head fuzzed.


    One became many.


    A projection from each eye showing a different live shot of the demigod¡¯s sanctum.


    ¡°Why the fuck did you refuse my Skill, dumbass?¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving my team,¡± Galen replied.


    The two rose up the golden pillar of light from the prison chamber, joining the others.


    Automatons clanked and whirred toward them.


    ¡°Hold fire,¡± Captain Butcher said.


    The handful of automatons bore cuts and gouges all over their bronze-colored metal bodies


    Each held their arms up in the universal sign that they meant no harm.


    ¡°I guess Cal wasn¡¯t lying about this,¡± Hardhat said.


    One automaton gently tossed a notebook, of all things, to the ranger captain.


    Another walked past them, halting in front of a seamless wall. It plugged its grabbing claw-like hand into the dark metallic stone and opened a door into another wide corridor.


    ¡°Galen, Mist Spekters, follow that one. It¡¯ll take you to your gear and show you the way out of this place. A shuttle will meet you outside.¡± The ranger captain tossed the notebook back to the automaton.


    ¡°Wait! The demigod took Alin,¡± Elisa said.


    ¡°No shit,¡± Mouthy muttered.


    ¡°We¡¯ll get him,¡± the ranger captain said.


    ¡°Where are the other prisoners?¡± Galen said.


    ¡°We¡¯ll free them on the way.¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll at least wait here for them.¡±


    Alin struggled against the restraints.


    The crown sent spikes of pain through his brain with his movements.


    ¡°Some help?¡±


    He felt their presences.


    The echoes of his relatives were reluctant.


    He knew why.


    Phosfuriae hadn¡¯t been subtle about what he wanted.


    Their divine energy couldn¡¯t be destroyed, but what if the soul or essence could be subsumed by a nightmarish entity?


    Death for all intents and purposes.


    A door opened in the seamless wall.


    An automaton walked in.


    Its human-like face was an impassive mask of bronze-colored metal that appeared incapable of movement.


    It held an open notebook over Alin.


    The words were written with machine precision.


    I am Kranaxus.


    Do not be afraid.


    I will free you.


    Kranaxus arm opened to reveal tendrils, which plugged into the side of the chair.


    The restraints slid open, disappearing into the chair.


    Alin jolted like a cat let out of a trap, wincing as the crowns tines tore tissue.


    ¡°Thanks, Kranaxus. My dad told me about you. Can you help me with this?¡± He gingerly tested the crown.


    The automaton wrote while probing said crown with his tendrils.


    I do not know.


    ¡°Alright, just try, but make it quick. We don¡¯t have time.¡±


    Phosfuriae walked through a dark corridor as if he was on a leisurely stroll through a park.


    Broken automatons appeared every so often.


    More had been scattered in the corridor where the long term prison cells were located.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, people! Get up!¡± Madalena exhorted her fellow prisoners.


    Only Aims had managed to rouse himself from bed.


    The rest continued to clutch themselves in the fetal position, staring at nothing.


    The ranger read from the notebook an automaton held up for him.


    ¡°Hey! Madalena!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± she snapped.


    ¡°They¡¯re working for Cal. They¡¯ve cleared a path out of this place. We¡¯ll still have to get through a bunker complex that might have people and soldiers to get outside where a shuttle¡¯s going to pick us up.¡±


    She locked her gaze to the automaton.


    ¡°Can you guys carry them?¡±


    The automaton wrote.


    ¡°That¡¯ll be a yes,¡± Aims read. ¡°Hey, where¡¯s my revolver and gear?¡±


    Another automaton beckoned.


    Alin regarded his finger on the dark metallic stone.


    His stump continued to leak gray, but the finger itself lay in a small pool of blood.


    Kranaxus stopped fiddling with the crown to write.


    ¡°Thanks for trying.¡±


    It can be pulled out if you are unconcerned with pain and damage.


    ¡°I can heal.¡±


    He grasped the crown in both hands and took a deep breath.


    Darkness.


    He woke up supported by Kranaxus.


    ¡°How long?¡±


    The automaton held up one delicate-looking tendril.


    ¡°Can you show me where my gear is?¡±


    Kranaxus nodded.


    Alin took one last look at the floating projections before picking his severed finger off the floor and putting it into a pocket.


    If he could get it to a bag of holding then maybe it could be reattached.

 10.46

    Demigod, Suiteonemiades, Phosfuriae.


    Death.


    He strode down a corridor of dark, metallic stone.


    Right into a trap.


    The most damaging items in their arsenal.


    Enough to turn the floor into a crater. To turn the walls and ceilings into white hot sludge dripping into said crater like a molten lake.


    He walked through it like it was just a puddle of water.


    Golden forcefield lined his obsidian-colored skin.


    The corridor was a wide affair.


    5 large Earthians could walk line abreast with their arms held out wide, fingers touching, and still leave room at either end for another to fit. They could jump as high as they could with outstretched hand and be nowhere near halfway to the ceiling.


    He made it look cramp with how large he loomed in the dim lighting provided by strips inlaid in the surfaces.


    ¡°I will walk, not run. If you can escape me, then you escape.¡± His deep voice filled the corridor with the same energy as a bored student forced to read from the driest of textbooks.


    Madalena flexed the high-tech prosthetic arm the rangers had brought along with them.


    ¡°You promised to let everyone go if you got what you wanted. On your honor. You stressed that word a lot.¡±


    ¡°Hence the walking.¡±


    ¡°I knew you¡¯re full of shit.¡±


    ¡°My honor only holds to the point that I can achieve my purpose. Madalena, I didn¡¯t lie to you and them. Truthfully, all any of you have to do is run and you will escape, but you won¡¯t. You can¡¯t leave the little boy, despite what he did to you so many years ago. Trapping you in that gray nightmare as he took your family one by one to serve as his soldiers to this day.¡±


    Madalena snorted. ¡°I made peace with that a long time ago. Boy¡¯s not a monster. You¡¯re not taking him for whatever your stupid life purpose is.¡±


    ¡°What about you, rangers? Good Skill use by the way. To get through my defenses¡­ it would be a shame for this to be the height of your leveling. Closer to Level 60 than 50,¡± he pointed at Mouthy. ¡°Not that far off,¡± he nodded at the rest of the old Squad 13. ¡°Gain 20 more and you¡¯ll make me expend true effort.¡±


    ¡°Fuck off, taint smear!¡± Mouthy snapped.


    Captain Butcher was more diplomatic.


    ¡°Release him to us and we¡¯ll depart without violence.¡±


    None of them could see the gray filling the corridor.


    Hands grasped the demigod around his limbs, his neck, his face, futilely trying to pull him back.


    Faint lights visible in the drifting wisps appeared between the two forces.


    Teal.


    A translucent wall or a large pane of glass from floor to ceiling and wall to wall.


    The demigod slowed, eyes growing unfocused for a split-second.


    ¡°The weaker ones are fleeing with the aid of my automatons. I¡¯d ask how they have been suborned, but the answer is fairly obvious.¡±


    Mouthy sneered.


    ¡°They got tired of working for a shitstain!¡±


    ¡°Less of an employment and more slavery, but I wish them well because of that fact. Not that an existence as a brain in a metal case is one to be envied.¡± He regarded them. ¡°It¡¯s fitting that it¡¯s you. Well, most of you. You were there at his beginning. To be present and a part of his end brings auspicious symmetry.¡±


    ¡°What the hell do you want with my cousin?¡± Madalena¡¯s prosthetic glowed and hummed.


    ¡°Deicide!¡± The demigod laughed. ¡°And you brave men and women will be the push he needs! Pain, suffering and despair! One might not be willing to reach into his depths to save himself. But, to save others? You will die by my hand and he will break in the failed effort to stop me. The mortal shell shall break, unleashing tr¡ª¡±


    Madalena feinted forward.


    The demigod stood impassive even as she hit the deck in a split-second.


    Five arrows streaked through the ranger formation and over her prone body.


    The faint teal pane allowed them through.


    Wispy gray roiled in their wake.


    Sonic booms rocked the corridor less than a meter from impact as the gyrojets in the arrowheads fired, pushing them from the shaft at supersonic speed.


    ¡°Shields!¡± Captain Butcher barked.


    Each arrowhead packed the explosive equivalent of the old hellfire missile.


    Fire and smoke filled the corridor.


    The faint teal pane broke first.


    The small, portable magi-tech forcefields the rangers had set up earlier held until an obsidian fist cracked the blue-white wall of light.


    ¡°Fall back!¡± Captain Butcher said. ¡°Madalena!¡±


    The superstrong woman had pushed herself off the floor and looked ready to throw hands.


    ¡°The plan!¡± the ranger captain snapped. She ran down the corridor. Madalena would listen or not. There wasn¡¯t anything she could¡¯ve done to drag her along.


    ¡°Move!¡±


    The captain felt the impact on her armored back, though blunted by the systems, as Madalena swept her off her feet.


    They burst out of the corridor and into a chamber large enough to maneuver just ahead of a massive blast of smoke and fire.


    The rest of the traps they had set up.


    ¡°Remember the plan?¡± Captain Butcher whispered.


    Madalena scowled.


    ¡°I slip past him while you keep him busy and I find Boy and get him out of here.¡±


    ¡°Just checking that you didn¡¯t forget. It was obvious that Goldenspoon was the key to this and now that we know for sure, well¡­ we win if the demigod doesn¡¯t get what he wants out of this. That¡¯s all that matters.¡±


    ¡°Laser net¡¯s up!¡± Hardhat said.


    The demigod walked through, burning the red net on his black skin without so much a sizzle.


    She sighed. ¡°Laser net¡¯s down.¡±


    The rangers had spread out.


    There was a lack of cover in the large chamber, so they made do with scattering forcefield generators.


    Spiritwalker had ended up sharing one with the two non-rangers.


    The only ones from the Mist Spekters that had stayed behind when Galen had led the others to escort the people the demigod had taken from Manila over a year ago.


    Those hadn¡¯t weathered the interrogations well and they needed a guiding hand.


    ¡°Last chance for you guys.¡± He gestured at the corridor behind them. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t mind the help, but you don¡¯t need to be here. Hell, they could probably use your help to fight through the bunker.¡±


    He had the advantage over them since he knew of them.


    Successful rehabilitation.


    The removal of a monstrous class. With help, but ultimately at their hands.


    Outliers.


    Brittney was a dark-skinned beauty.


    Michael was tall and grizzled.


    Both exuded melancholy.


    Their eyes revealed horrors that their spirits would never be completely free from.


    He didn¡¯t need his magic to sense that.


    ¡°We owe him,¡± Brittney said.


    Michael merely nodded before nocking arrows on his massive bow.


    ¡°Okay. Great.¡± He shrugged. Rangers didn¡¯t hesitate, well, dead ones did. ¡°Aim for his eyes. I¡¯ll distract him.¡±


    ¡°Tell me when,¡± Michael said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go on your shot.¡±


    Michael leaned out of the forcefield¡¯s cover and loosed.


    Two arrows in one shot.


    Distraction came in the form of glowing catfishes.


    Spirits out of the ether.


    Glowing and translucent.


    Spiritwalker conjured them out of the floor and midair.


    The former swallowed the demigod¡¯s tree trunk-like legs up to mid thigh, while the latter appeared swimming ahead of the arrows.


    ¡°I am not an opponent to hold back against.¡± The demigod flexed, shattering the spirit catfish swallowing his legs.


    The arrowheads exploded, covering him in dark smoke.


    ¡°Move! Move! Move!¡± Captain Butcher barked.


    Madalena broke into a sprint toward the corridor they had just exited.


    A golden beam screamed out of the smoke, turning the opening into molten rubble.


    ¡°One should not speak their plans in battle.¡±


    ¡°Fuck that pew pew shit!¡± Mouthy appeared out of a portal.


    Weight of My Grief.


    She brought her mace down on the top of the demigod¡¯s long, bulbous helmet.


    The dark, metallic floor cratered under his sandaled feet.


    He lashed back, but she had already fallen back into the portal.


    The tiny portal stone on the floor went dark.


    He rolled his neck.


    ¡°Now, that is what I meant! Come! Rayna¡¯s Rangers! Earn your worthy deaths! Make me try! And I will make the tale of this battle legendary!¡±


    Captain Butcher pointed at Brittney and Michael.


    ¡°Temporary Induction: Rayna¡¯s Rangers, Squad 13. Do you accept?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Squad Skill: Rayna¡¯s Rangers, Squad 13. Underdogs Rise, We Punch Up.¡±


    The demigod smirked.


    ¡°Bold of you to utilize a little used Skill.¡±


    Mouthy smirked harder.


    ¡°Nah, fuckhole we use it all the time to shitfuck evil like you.¡±


    ¡°A lie betrayed by spoken words.¡± He regarded Captain Butcher. ¡°There is a reason leaders must obfuscate their presence if they venture into the thick of battle.¡±


    A single step carried him across the distance.


    Superhuman physical abilities shrank space.


    Though in strictly mortal bodies with boosts beyond their natural human limits via a handful of passive or active Skills and the odd stat boost picked up from Quests over the decades Rayna¡¯s Rangers weren¡¯t without counters to the demigod¡¯s sheer superiority.


    Hardhat interposed herself between the demigod and Captain Butcher.


    A ripple in reality.


    Like a still pond with the construction helmet-wearing ranger standing just at the water¡¯s edge.


    One stood behind a magitech forcefield generator several meters away. One stood behind a scutum-style shield.


    A split-second.


    Only the latter remained.


    Black fist slammed into the enchanted Threnium with the crack of thunder that triggered helmet auditory protections.


    Hardhat grit her teeth as her shield cracked.


    Despite her armor, such a blow should''ve snapped her arm.


    Instead, the cracks mirrored in the ancient construction helmet that once belonged to her father from the days before.


    Bright colored plastic flaked off.


    ¡°Interesting artifact. A few more generations of being pressed into the groove of reality and it might become a true relic. However¡ª¡± he lifted Hardhat by her shield. ¡°Protecting against strikes is just one part of defense.¡± He hurled her into the distant wall.


    The dark metallic stone cracked just as much as her helmet.


    The demigod whirled, taking Mouthy¡¯s mace on an upraised arm.


    She struck with the weight of her grief over ranger losses across nearly 3 decades.


    Golden light flashed blindingly bright.


    Once again, the demigod¡¯s sandaled feet sank into the hard floor.


    Instead of falling back into the portal, she emptied the magazine of her machine pistol at point black range into the demigods nethers.


    One advantage of being dwarfed meant she didn¡¯t need to crouch to get under the man skirt.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    The demigod laughed.


    ¡°I felt that! Congratulations! You approach a fight to the death correctly.¡±


    She snarled in response and clubbed the side of his knee.


    How many tons of force?


    How many combined elephants?


    How much did her Skill weigh the pain, suffering and deaths of rangers over the years?


    Enough to move the demigod.


    He stumbled to the side.


    Arrows exploded around his head as Mouthy fell back into another portal she had activated with a light step that Creepy Chipmunk had slid from across the chamber with precision stolen from one of the many shrunken monster heads in his bags.


    The headhunter didn¡¯t intend to leave anything out of his bag, literal and metaphorical.


    Instincts honed over decades told him that one way or another it wouldn¡¯t matter if he still had a supply after the fight.


    Thus, he slid portal stones all over the chamber floor, walls and even the ceiling.


    Captain Butcher¡¯s Skill gave each ranger an intuitive sense of what each other ranger was doing or thinking about doing without the need to verbalize.


    It wasn¡¯t at all like telepathy or any sort of conscious extrasensory communication.


    It was closer to each ranger being a part of one whole, like the fingers to a hand.


    ¡°Bindings of Beleanqua, Hunger¡¯s Repentance.¡±


    Brittney rose on a nimbus of soothing yellow light.


    A far cry from the sickly color of her magic when she had been a flesheater.


    Yellow ribbons writ with unfamiliar script unfurled from her hands, snaking across the air to wrap around the demigod¡¯s limbs. They pulled against god-like strength. Slowly, but surely spreading the demigod even as Brittney screamed and wept red tears.


    Next to Creepy Chipmunk, Aims cursed, muttering something about a lack of good angles.


    As if hearing the gun-slinging ranger¡¯s words, Brittney pulled on the bindings around the demigod¡¯s long, bulbous helmet.


    The massive head slowly turned until it faced Aims.


    Shield Piercing Bullets. Thread the Needle. Sextuple Shot.


    An antique revolver in each hand.


    One squeeze of the trigger each.


    The demigod roared, ripping free of Brittney¡¯s bindings.


    The feedback sent her crashing to the floor.


    But the demigod?


    His cry was one of true pain.


    Gold liquid and light leaked from his left eye.


    ¡°Damn it! These things are throwing me off!¡± Aims snapped at his hand. The fingers he had lost when he had been kidnapped by the fast-moving demigod had been replaced by magitech prosthetics the rangers had brought for him. There hadn¡¯t been enough time to properly calibrate them on account of their surroundings.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be too hard on yourself,¡± Creepy Chipmunk said. ¡°You shot a demigod¡¯s eye out.¡±


    ¡°I was aiming for both!¡±


    ¡°One¡¯s better than none. That¡¯s¡ª down!¡±


    The headhunter tackled Aims out of the way of a thin, lancing beam of golden light that blew right through the forcefield, destroying the generator.


    The beam burned a line into the floor as it tracked them.


    A giant translucent green sticky tongue speared from the other side of the chamber and sucked the two rangers up into the giant spirit frog¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°Ribbit, ribbit!¡± Spiritwalker grinned.


    ¡°Good save! We owe you another one,¡± Aims said.


    ¡°It¡¯s a spirit summons how can it still be wet and sticky?¡± Creepy Chipmunk said.


    The same question a decade old, yet never answered.


    Captain Butcher caught their eyes.


    A single look was enough to convey a plan when under the blanket of her Skill.


    No one needed to speak.


    They just acted.


    Spiritwalker summoned a stampede of spirit carabao, swamp-dwelling water buffalo from his homeland, and sent them crashing toward the demigod.


    Creepy Chipmunk dug into one of his bags of holding, instantly touching a finger on a shrunken animal or monster head. 5 was a dangerous number to use at the same time. His senses and reaction times sharpened. His muscles and bones strengthened. His bloodlust grew ravening.


    Aims reloaded in a second, rolling the cylinders across his ammo belt while thumbing rounds into them.


    Captain Butcher shot a quick-hardening foam grenade at the demigod¡¯s feet.


    A rain of arrows from Michael¡¯s bow turned into a wire net whose strands were just a few molecules thick that fell on the demigod like a cutting blanket.


    Brittney pulled herself up to one knee to blast spells.


    Divine energy erupted in bright gold.


    Foam vaporized, followed by the net, then Brittney¡¯s spells.


    The leading edge of the spirit carabao stampede vanished.


    The rest thundered into the demigod.


    Goring horns in translucent gray shattered against bare black flesh.


    Creepy Chipmunk leapt from the stampede¡¯s midst, having run low to the ground in the forest of their thick legs.


    The Igorot axe was a nasty piercing and cutting weapon with its concave blade.


    Heddy¡¯s enchantment made it even deadlier.


    Golden forcefield broke.


    Blade dug into the side of the demigod¡¯s neck.


    The impact reverberated up Creepy Chipmunk¡¯s arm.


    Like striking an old tree except made out of solid steel instead of wood.


    The demigod struck quicker than a cat.


    Thunder sounded, but not on Creepy Chipmunk¡¯s Threnium armor.


    Hardhat had swapped places.


    A tank¡¯s Skill.


    Her shield had been reduced to roughly a quarter of its size.


    Her construction helmet had flaked enough material to leave holes big enough for a man to put his hand through to her head or the demigod to put a couple of fingers.


    Mouthy portaled in to meet the follow up punch with her mace.


    This time she moved.


    ¡°Already at your limit? Three strikes is woefully inadequate. Even for such a Skill that is as heavy for the wielder as it is for the target.¡±


    ¡°Shut your shit-smeared taint hole of a mouth!¡±


    He ripped the mace from her and snatched her around the neck like one takes an unruly kitten by the scruff. He slammed her into the floor, unlike how one handles a kitten.


    Threnosh-made armor with all its high-tech safety features kept her alive and unbroken.


    He placed a foot on her chest and pressed.


    She pushed against him.


    She had borne greater weight in the past.


    A man-sized spirit eagle in vibrant browns, creams and whites screeched a battle cry as it sank talons of comparable size to the demigod¡¯s hands around his shoulders.


    An underdog could hang in there, even gain the upper hand and score blows, carried by will and inspiration.


    Add a powerful Skill and the mice could even draw blood or take a tiger¡¯s eye.


    But, invariably power proved true.


    The demigod¡¯s power dwarfed Squad 13¡¯s combined might even more than his centuries of combat experience outstripped their few decades.


    The reaper tickled the backs of their necks with gray wisps of fingers more insubstantial than smoke.


    The demigod¡¯s eyes flicked back to the corridor where Madalena burned her brand new prosthetic hand in a vain attempt to dig through the molten blockage.


    The edges of his mouth turned upward.


    He released a burst of divine energy.


    Gold light scoured the chamber, destroying scattered portal stones and magitech shield generators.


    The rangers¡¯ Threnium armor protected them the same way that Brittney¡¯s magic shield did for her and Michael.


    As for Madalena?


    A soundless scream erupted from her lips as the heat burned her flesh and stole the air from her lungs.


    The light cleared.


    The demigod held a hand to the sky.


    A star twinkled to life, coalescing into a spear of divine energy, blazing gold and setting the air around it on fire.


    Any demigod could fire off formless blasts of their divine inheritance.


    Only age and expertise allowed one to concentrate and shape it to their will.


    Mouthy¡¯s faceplate darkened against the painful glare.


    She sneered.


    ¡°Last words, foul-mouthed one?¡±


    ¡°Ain¡¯t wasting shit on you!¡±


    Her eyes flicked to the side, widening in horrified recognition.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you fucking do it, you dumb bitch! Not for me! Don¡¯t¡ª¡±


    A swap.


    Last resort.


    Life for life.


    Reality rippled.


    Mouthy found herself in front of Captain Butcher.


    ¡°Your deaths are all assured. It is simply a matter of the order.¡±


    The demigod thrust the spear down into Hardhat¡¯s armored chest.


    Resistance from desperate Skills, hers and the others.


    Broken.


    Resistance from her construction helmet.


    Flaked away to nothing after 3 decades of keeping her alive through the steepest odds that had claimed so many others.


    A father¡¯s last bequest.


    Armor, no matter how strong, without esoteric enhancements couldn¡¯t stop the spear of divine energy created to slip through the Threnium¡¯s molecular structure.


    Gold light flashed again.


    The rangers fired, as if into the sun, with just as much effect.


    Their vision cleared.


    The demigod was gone.


    All that remained was Hardhat¡¯s empty armor leaking smoke.


    ¡°Where¡ª¡±


    Mouthy spun.


    The demigod thrust his spear.


    A troop of spirit monkey¡¯s hooted and howled as they swarmed the towering titan, throwing off his aim enough that the sleek spearhead pierced through Spiritwalker¡¯s upper arm rather than his chest.


    The demigod shattered the spirits with a lazy swipe of his hand.


    Creepy Chipmunk bounded in.


    Low to get under a spear thrust, then up, using the burning shaft as a springboard to reach his axe still embedded in the demigod¡¯s neck.


    Knee to the throat.


    Harder than hitting a steel plate.


    He tugged at his axe, but the demigod flexed neck muscles, keeping it in.


    A massive black hand grabbed the headhunter by the face, like palming a volleyball.


    ¡°Too long spent taking the heads of non-sapients. You lack the levels, but had you specced down a different path then your chances would¡¯ve been more than zero.¡± He whipped Creepy Chipmunk like a wet towel.


    Skills, artificial muscles and defensive systems in the armor.


    All were overpowered, silenced by a resounding crack.


    ¡°Chipmunk¡¯s down,¡± Captain Butcher said flatly to forestall reckless attempts to save his life. ¡°Fire everything you¡¯ve got left.¡±


    They responded without hesitation.


    Mouthy pulled a modified 25mm cannon from a bag of holding and fired from the hip. The weight of her collective grief handled the recoil.


    Michael emptied his quiver of special arrows.


    Brittney cast scintillating balls of yellow light.


    Spiritwalker called forth spirit serpents that slithered across the floor.


    Captain Butcher used her Skill to guide the fire to make sure everything struck the demigod and not each other.


    The demigod laughed.


    A sweep of the spear cleaved the spirit serpents.


    The rest of the fire he accepted on his gold-sheathed skin.


    He leapt like a tiger.


    Aims fired shots from a pair of six shooters as if they were drum-fed machine guns.


    They clipped the demigod¡¯s legs, sending him spinning right into a storm of arrows from Michael.


    All of which was distraction for a special one.


    The Arrow of Hunger Refused screamed through the air, outlined with a wailing, desiccated face, perhaps human, perhaps not.


    Only Michael knew and he had never shared. Had never used the Skill aside from the one time just so he knew what it did.


    The demigod ignored the rest, but caught the last.


    His hand and arm shriveled with frightening quickness.


    As if all the fat was being sucked out.


    He snapped the arrow with a desiccated arm.


    Gold light flared and it returned to normal.


    He hurled his spear through Mouthy¡¯s cannon, forcing her back as the ammo drum exploded, showering her with fire and shrapnel.


    A golden bow of light coalesced in his hand.


    ¡°An archer¡¯s duel then?¡± He nodded at Michael.


    Michael fired three arrows with one draw and loose.


    The demigod met them.


    Michael fired six, sending them in curving arcs.


    The demigod got four.


    Two struck home.


    Steel heads exploded on black skin.


    Three more times they exchanged sharp words.


    Michael emptied his Skills.


    There was seemingly no end to the demigod¡¯s divine energy.


    A golden arrow severed Michael¡¯s bowstring, but Brittney replaced it with one of yellow light.


    The others attacked.


    Spirit animals latched on to the demigod¡¯s back or tried to constrict around his legs.


    Bullets burned into molten slag within the bow of golden energy.


    ¡°Bindings of¡ª arrgghh!¡± Brittney screamed as the spell fizzled at her finger tips, burning them as the price for failure.


    Michael had many quivers. One was bottomless. Mundane ones of wood and steel. A requirement of the enchantment.


    The demigod had seen enough.


    A last flight of arrows filled the air.


    They bounced off black skin.


    They penetrated armor.


    Brittney flew to his side on wings of yellow light.


    ¡°Is that¡ª¡± Red bubbled on Michael¡¯s lips as the golden arrows sticking from his chest and limbs dissolved into beautiful sparkles. ¡°¡ª enough?¡±


    His eyes faded before she could answer.


    Was it enough to earn forgiveness?


    She had made peace with herself that it wasn¡¯t up to her.


    It was for her victims to determine whether her penance had been enough and they were long dead.


    To that end, she had decided her life would belong to others.


    As she had consumed the lives of others, others would do the same to hers.


    ¡°Bindings of Beleanqua, Hunger¡¯s Repentance.¡±


    Too powerful to be used in quick succession.


    Brittney¡¯s insides boiled as she emptied her mana into the spell.


    The yellow ribbons held the demigod.


    Mouthy slammed a new mace into the side of the demigod¡¯s helmet.


    Aims emptied his ammo and Skills.


    Spiritwalker knelt on the hot floor, chanting in another language.


    Captain Butcher glanced at Madalena still trying to dig through the blockade.


    She blinked.


    For a moment it looked like smoke seeped through the molten plug.


    The demigod caught her eyes.


    A knowing golden glare through Brittney¡¯s bindings that failed to smother him of oxygen.


    If he even needed to breathe.


    The captain sighed.


    The wounded eye had already healed.


    She held the recoilless rifle, but decided that it would be a waste.


    Command and control.


    That was her role.


    That was what she was best at.


    It was how she knew that Brittney was past her limit.


    The message was instinctively passed to Mouthy, who ceased her hammering and ran.


    The demigod laughed and exploded out of the yellow ribbons.


    Brittney collapsed to the floor.


    Empty eye sockets and open mouth smoked as her once beautiful dark brown skin charred from within.


    ¡°Half,¡± the demigod said. ¡°Symmetry.¡±


    Instead of continuing the fight, he stopped, regarding them like insects.


    His gaze drifted down to the captain¡¯s feet.


    She couldn¡¯t help but follow.


    Smoke flowed like a gentle wave on a long, shallow shore.


    No¡ª that wasn¡¯t right.


    Not smoke.


    It looked like fog.


    A sudden realization struck her.


    Decades in the past.


    About 26 years.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    The fog wasn¡¯t at her ankles.


    It was actually at her neck and rapidly rising.


    ¡°Madalena!¡±


    The call wasn¡¯t necessary as the superstrong woman pulled at the molten slag while another pushed from the other side.


    ¡°Slower than I had projected,¡± the demigod said.


    He punched toward the corridor.


    The golden blast splashed against a flat pane of faint teal light revealed by the swirling fog.


    ¡°Captains!¡± Ranger Goldenspoon called out. ¡°He has the key to the ritual on him! We have to destroy it.¡±


    ¡°Where?¡± Aims barked. ¡°He¡¯s got nothing on him aside from sandals, skirt and helmet.¡±


    ¡°How big is it, Goldenspoon?¡± Captain Butcher said.


    ¡°Not sure where, but at least as big as a fist.¡±


    ¡°Big boy like him can definitely hide a fist up his ass¡­¡± Mouthy said.


    ¡°Let me save you the waste of effort to divine its hiding place.¡± The demigod raised a finger and stabbed it into his own chest. Flesh and muscle parted with a spray of gold. He peeled his own pectoral open like a jacket to reveal ivory ribs dripping with shining gold. A red heart beat. A lung expanded and deflated.


    Aims took shots, but the demigod blocked them with his other hand.


    ¡°That¡¯s just fucking bullshit!¡± Mouthy spat.


    There was indeed a stone.


    Dull and gray if not for the streaks of golden light flowing over its smooth surface in between words of another language, untranslated by the system, etched with artistry and precision.


    It sat in the chest cavity, partially hidden by the sternum.


    The demigod only had eyes for Goldenspoon as he closed his chest, healing the cut with a flash of golden light.


    ¡°Can you destroy it before I destroy them, little boy?¡±

 10.47

    Rai, Captain Spiritwalker had once told Alin about his most powerful spell.


    The captain had been a bit more loquacious at the time than usual owing to the social lubrication.


    It had been during the annual ranger memorial dinner for those that had survived the Manila Quest.


    There has been some awkwardness when he had first attended, but since he had technically been present for the Quest there had been no objections. The only real concern beyond that on their part was having a teenager around while they drank and told stories of the dead not fit for the ears of a young person.


    Naturally, drinks had loosened tongues, plus he had permission.


    Captain Mouthy had proclaimed that his mom and dad couldn''t complain after that.


    It had always been interesting to Alin. Being able to listen to what it had been like because he had no memories of what the fog entity had done to the people. His parents had resisted at first, but he needed to hear. If only to strengthen is resolve to keep it from ever happening again.


    And it had worked as he intended. At least, he had always thought.


    Guilt was a good motivator and he had always felt it keenly when survivors told stories.


    His only regret was not being able to tell them the full truth of his existence.


    A few had suspicions, but never raised them even in private. He had always wondered how much his dad has done to protect him from that.


    Alin spread the gray as Captain Spiritwalker''s chant hit a crescendo.


    What was a summoner''s strongest possible spirit summon?


    For him, it was all of them¡­ plus one more.


    The only issue was that the ranger captain could only do it once.


    Alin had always thought the spell sucked.


    What was the point of being able to cast it one time?


    Spirits of so many different animals emerged all around the ranger captain, but rather than attack the demigod they flowed into their summoner.


    Blinding light flashed!


    And when it faded the ranger captain''s body lay like a discarded doll. A luminous figure in the colors of a rainbow stood over it.


    Sad eyes found Alin''s.


    "Not just for you." The voice reverberated as if spoken out of sync by many. "For my wife and daughter. For everyone. For a future. Tell them that my only regret is I won¡¯t grow old with her and see her grow up."


    Alin could only nod.


    Not just for him.


    He clung to that.


    "Such a waste," the demigod said. "Do you see what my father has wrought? Do you see how his existence echoes across the spires? To all the worlds?"


    "You did this," Captain Spiritwalker said.


    He extended a glowing hand.


    It kept reaching toward the demigod, lengthening into a hissing serpent.


    Fanged and hooded, a king of serpents from the rainforests of his homeland.


    Gold energy blasted it.


    Dazzling eagle wings emerged from his back. A powerful beat rocketed him forward.


    Thick horns appeared.


    The ranger captain gored the demigod in the gut.


    Somehow, piercing through the golden forcefield that flickered angrily at the intrusion.


    The demigod grasped and punched. Fingers and fists swept through the bright-colored form.


    The ranger captain''s form proved slightly more substantial than a rainbow.


    Colorful arms stretched, coiling around the demigod''s entire body. Mouths filled with dozens of ethereal teeth sunk into obsidian flesh as bodies thick around as a grown man squeezed.


    A single beat shot them to the ceiling.


    Thunder scattered dust and debris.


    Gold light flared, eating away at the rainbow.


    The ranger captain appeared diminished.


    His arms trailed motes of color as he warded off the demigod''s strikes as they fell to the floor.


    Horse''s legs kicked the demigod away and into a downward blow of a mace that struck with more weight than a building, yet moved nimbly in a brawny hand at its natural weight.


    Another crater added.


    Gold flashed.


    Mace met spear.


    Impossibly quick on both accounts.


    Captain Butcher''s Skill pushed Captain Mouthy well-beyond the latter''s physical limits.


    Aims fired.


    12 bullets.


    Each striking the same exact spot one after the other in a split-second.


    The golden forcefield protecting the demigod''s forehead flashed, growing blinding until it exploded into glittering shards like a broken mirror.


    Madalena leapt into the opening with both feet, drop-kicking the demigod.


    Head rocked back.


    Spear became a curved sword mid cut.


    Captain Spiritwalker interposed himself.


    Golden blade vanished as it passed through.


    Once again the ranger captain grew less substantial, duller.


    They traded blows.


    Demigod¡­


    ¡­cracked glowing spirit and was battered in turn.


    Booms and flashes filled the chamber like in the heart of a thunderstorm.


    Shockwaves buffeted Alin, forcing him to hunch low to the ground lest he be pushed against the wall like Captain Butcher and Captain Mouthy.


    Madalena rushed back into the melee undaunted.


    She dipped under the demigod¡¯s suddenly re-formed spear and used it like a pole to vault to his face with another two-footed kick.


    He towered like a titan, barely moving, unyielding like a granite statue a dozen meters tall.


    Captain Spiritwalker cut thin lines across broad chest with a jungle cat¡¯s claws. Then rammed horns into gut once again.


    This time the demigod was prepared.


    He plunged a glowing hand into the ranger captain¡¯s back while flicking Madalena into the distant wall with his spear.


    The golden light started small within the rainbow colored core of Captain Spiritwalker.


    Alin reached out. Desperately trying to push the gray into the cuts and punctures in the demigod¡¯s once impenetrable flesh.


    A sudden flash of gold made a mockery of his effort.


    In an instant it was over.


    Captain Spiritwalker was gone.


    Motes the colors of the rainbow fading into nothing around the demigod¡¯s clenched fist.


    Alin sought the ranger captain¡¯s body.


    There it lay. Crumpled on the dark metallic floor.


    He touched it through the gray.


    Cold.


    Empty.


    Aims fired everything he had left.


    Physical rounds, Skill-created ones.


    The demigod blocked them with a golden shield then returned fire.


    Thin beams lanced through the ranger captain¡¯s armor.


    ¡°Four remain,¡± Phosfuriae said.


    ¡°Goldenspoon, hide the sausage.¡± Captain Mouthy ground her teeth.


    He thickened the gray.


    The demigod¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    Please get him, he thought.


    Now that there wasn¡¯t a risk of getting in Captain Spiritwalker¡¯s way the echoes were free.


    The gray swirled with dozens of ghostly forms revealed solely by their movement through the thick clouds.


    Superstrong hands grappled the demigod, battering him with fists, elbows, knees and feet.


    Faint colors in the shape of weapons scored thin cuts and shallow stabs.


    Golden light burst forth from the demigod, burning the gray and dispersing the echoes.


    Captain Mouthy launched herself at the demigod¡¯s exposed back.


    Mace crashed with the weight of a building down on his bare shoulder.


    The crack echoed across the chamber.


    He spun, grabbing her face and slamming her into the floor before she could strike again.


    ¡°Madalena!¡±


    Alin saw it coming.


    Another undeserved end to a long life lived in the service of everyone else.


    He pushed the gray, urging it to re-form faster, for the echoes to return in time.


    Madalena leapt with a shout only for the demigod to blast her away with a burst of divine gold from his eyes.


    The demigod shifted his grip to press his hand on Captain Mouthy¡¯s armored chest. A hand large enough to cover it completely.


    She opened her faceplate and spat in his face.


    ¡°We fucked you up, demigod! Cut you up! Busted your face! Broke your shoulder! Where¡¯s your shit divine power bullshit, huh? Not bad for low level humans. You ain¡¯t ever gonna forget the beating we put on you! Rayna¡¯s Rangers forever!¡±


    ¡°May your last defiance soothe your spirit on its journey to whatever comes next.¡±


    The demigod pressed.


    ¡°For failure is always a poor balm.¡±


    Armor held for a moment.


    Only a moment.


    Threnium crumpled.


    Artificial muscles ruptured.


    Internal protective systems failed.


    Captain Mouthy vomited a torrent of blood up into the demigod¡¯s face as one last middle finger.


    The demigod rose to his full height.


    Broken shoulder healed with a flash of gold.


    The ranger captain¡¯s blood covered his face like a mask. He left it to drip down his chest as if it was a badge of honor.


    ¡°Three remain.¡±


    Alin decided that would be truth.


    They didn¡¯t need to beat the demigod.


    Just had to destroy the magic stone.


    And that seemed possible judging by the cuts in that muscular chest.


    He could do it, but he needed more strength. For himself and the echoes of his relatives.


    Thus, he pushed the gray further.


    Out of the chamber.


    Out into the tunnels.


    Out into the city.


    So much noise and movement.


    It was difficult to mark allies from enemies. People from monsters.


    He pulled from the latter.


    So many varieties.


    Weakening the strongest.


    Outright killing the weaker ones.


    The flavor of the strength that flowed into him was beyond foul.


    Particularly, that of the rabbit people.


    Such atrocities they had committed to everyone.


    The demigod nodded.


    ¡°Good. You¡¯ve suppressed your true potential long enough.¡±


    ¡°What is he talking about, Goldenspoon?¡± Captain Butcher said.


    ¡°Sorry, sir. But you have to go.¡±


    ¡°No. I ord¡ª¡±


    The ranger captain¡¯s voice vanished as superstrong arms picked her up like a sack of rice, superstrong legs carried her out of the chamber to join Galen and the rest of the escapees.


    Greater strength meant that the echoes revealed more of the people they had once been before the fog had stolen them.


    A cousin of his grandfather had carried the ranger captain away.


    Old when the spires had rejuvenated her with a superhuman body like his grandfather.


    She had never grown to enjoy the fighting, but did her duty to the bitter end.


    Alin thought it good that she could help one last time.


    ¡°Boy! What are you doing? Tell them to stop!¡± Madalena struggled against hands in the gray as they dragged her in the ranger captain¡¯s wake. ¡°Tito Carlos? What the fuck? Let me go, Tito! I¡¯m not leaving him! Boy! Boy! Don¡¯t do this! I can still fight!¡±


    ¡°Galen and the others are going to need your help to fight through the bunker. They¡¯re pinned down. The Americans aren¡¯t being reasonable¡­ when you wake up¡­¡±


    A fist flicked out of the gray, catching her in the jaw and snapping her head to the side.


    She crumpled like a puppet without strings.


    Wispy gray arms lifted her gently and carried her away at freeway speed.


    He thought he heard words tickling his ears.


    Something like¡­ we¡¯re with you, Boy.


    ¡°You¡¯ve removed further weakness that I can use against you. But¡ª¡± the demigod raised a glowing fist, aiming it at the tunnel, ¡°they aren¡¯t nearly far enough from my reach, nor will they be able to escape quickly enough. You can still save them. Join me. We can leave right now. I¡¯ve prepared a portal to take us to the spire, then to my father¡¯s world where you can take vengeance on the one that set all of this in motion.¡±If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°You did a lot of the heavy lifting. Killed my friends with your own hands. Killed my fellow rangers. Hurt my cousins. Can¡¯t just blame all of that on your dad. That was all you. You wanted revenge?¡± He laughed bitterly. ¡°There were so many other ways you could¡¯ve chosen instead of spreading that pain and suffering to innocent people that had nothing to do with your fucked up pantheon.¡±


    ¡°Subsume and destroy my father and I promise you that you will have your vengeance on me. I won¡¯t even resist.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t get you, dude. All that power, all those years and this is the best you could make of your life?¡±


    ¡°Your willing cooperation is a gift. I have planned for unwilling cooperation. I only need to keep pushing.¡± Phosfuriae fired.


    Divine energy lanced toward the gaping tunnel.


    Only to splash against a teal forcefield that appeared more vibrant and wholly present in reality than ever before.


    Three flat panes layered in a row behind which stood a hazy figure.


    Alin could almost make out her features as the gray swirled over them.


    A smiling face, lines at the corners of her eyes and around her mouth. An older woman, but made vibrant by what the spires had given her.


    His grandmother¡¯s cousin.


    Lu was her nickname.


    Short for what?


    He didn¡¯t know.


    Shame had made him reluctant to learn deeply about the relatives the fog had subsumed.


    He had always thought that he¡¯d ask eventually.


    And now it seemed that he wouldn¡¯t have the chance.


    Still, he hoped that she, they, didn¡¯t hold it against him.


    Mere echoes, more or less than the once-living people, their strengthened presence in the gray brought the guilt back.


    The first teal pane shattered like a shower of falling stars.


    The second followed.


    Then the third.


    Yet, a second set of three sprang up before the last fell.


    The demigod¡¯s brow furrowed ever so slightly.


    He sighed and strengthened the beam.


    Pink light suddenly sparkled around his arm.


    A rope round the wrist and halfway up to the elbow.


    Many hands in the gray pulled, forcing the beam to carved a deep furrow in the dark, metallic wall.


    Crimson light flashed behind the demigod.


    A human shape outlined by a forcefield.


    Tito Novy.


    His grandmother¡¯s oldest brother.


    The forcefield extended into an over-sized fist punching out at the back of the demigod¡¯s knees, buckling them.


    The demigod cut the beam to resist the pull.


    A silvery staff appeared, jabbing into his throat, sweeping, swirling the gray to land strikes all over his face and neck.


    The perils of an open-faced helmet.


    Gold eyes flashed.


    Staff and wielder vanished with the gray.


    Space cleared in front of the demigod, but Alin filled it with barely a conscious thought.


    The echoes fell on the restrained demigod.


    Cut his chest!


    Sharp white forcefields appearing to line arms and legs drew golden blood until the demigod swept an arm.


    Orange replaced them in the form of what looked like over-sized tiger claws. These didn¡¯t slice, but gouged and ripped at the massive pectorals.


    Alin stepped.


    So much strength taken from his enemies and the monsters.


    One step rocketed him toward the demigod.


    He stabbed fingers in the bleeding chest wounds.


    They broke, but what he had stolen and continued to steal healed them instantly.


    The demigod loomed.


    Golden eyes shined with delight as a feral grin split his broad, black face.


    ¡°That¡¯s a start, but you¡¯ll need more to destroy a God!¡±


    Echoes seized the demigod¡¯s free arm.


    Others continued to cut and bludgeon him all over.


    All the while the pink rope around his wrist held strong with dozens of hands on the other end pulling it taut.


    Help me, please!


    Orange tiger paws joined his hands along with others.


    Obscenely, it reminded him of making mudpies with his friends back when they were little kids.


    Obsidian flesh parted, gold blood gushed as together they tore meat and slowly peeled back muscle.


    He touched ivory.


    Felt his nails rip. Felt the heat burn the flesh off his fingers. Only to heal before his next breath.


    So close.


    There!


    He saw the stone, glowing with magic script, dripping with gold liquid.


    Phosfuriae boomed laughter.


    ¡°Not yet!¡±


    The demigod surged with strength.


    Pink rope snapped.


    Alin thought he heard a young woman cry out.


    Arms as thick as tree trunks broke free and snapped together with him in the middle.


    Except, he didn¡¯t feel the pulping impact.


    A spiked wall had halted the demigod¡¯s right arm, while an ivory-colored round shield had blocked the left.


    Teal panes snapped down on the left just as the shield wielder vanished.


    The wall lasted longer, but it too shattered.


    In its place stood what appeared to be an old man.


    His grandfather¡¯s uncle.


    Tito Carlos was back from delivering Madalena from certain death.


    The echo of his grandfather¡¯s uncle was like a child next to the demigod, but he had the strength to move the massive arm, pushing, pulling, twisting it behind the demigod.


    Gold eyes flashed.


    Forcefields ate the blast before it could strike him in the head.


    Fingers reached the magic stone.


    Ripping it out of the demigod might be enough to bring down the ritual keeping his dad and uncle from entering the city.


    And once they could then it would be all over.


    Everyone would be saved.


    If that wasn¡¯t enough then he could crush it with his newfound strength.


    ¡°I said¡­¡± the demigod ground out, ¡°not yet!¡±


    Gold light erupted and Alin burned.


    Hands seized him around the chest and right leg, lifting him high into the air.


    ¡°You hide your true self inside weak flesh. The Gods learned this long ago. Apotheosis. To destroy one, you must become like unto one. Sometimes one must help a chick break free of its shell. My mother showed me how. I will help you be born again to your true self.¡±


    Agony erupted at his hip, powerful enough to make him forget the burning.


    He stared into the stars.


    His body jarred.


    Dimly, he realized that the demigod had tossed him aside.


    Fingers snapped.


    ¡°Do you see?¡±


    Vision cleared just in time to see Phosfuriae holding his torn leg aloft.


    It looked so small in the demigod¡¯s hand, like a thin chicken leg.


    Instead of gushing red he saw streaming, billowing gray pouring out of the torn end.


    A glance down horrified him.


    No blood, just gray.


    ¡°The real you.¡±


    The demigod discarded his leg as it dissolved into the gray.


    ¡°I¡¯m the real me!¡±


    Control it.


    Be it.


    He wasn¡¯t the monster.


    He had a choice.


    But the pain, the fear made it so hard to concentrate.


    He needed more.


    So, he pulled from the living in the bunkers and on the streets as the gray had spread for many kilometers more than he had ever dared attempt before.


    Thoughts, hopes, dreams, fears, faces flashed in his head as stolen strength flowed.


    Careful, Boy!


    The words snapped him from the brink.


    He saw it as a gray-shrouded abyss and his toes wiggled over the edge.


    Remember what you promised? We said we¡¯re with you. You don¡¯t need to add more to our number. We¡¯re enough. We have to be!


    The demigod touched his ruined chest.


    Whether he couldn¡¯t or wouldn¡¯t heal it, only he could say and he didn¡¯t seem inclined to be forthcoming.


    Was it a trap?


    To lure Alin in with the promise of salvation right next to the heart audibly thumping behind its ivory cage?


    Pain radiated from his toes all the way up to his hip.


    Muscles spasmed, sending bright stars shooting across his vision with each agonizing pulse.


    He wiggled his toes¡ª


    The left set.


    Which was dissolving into the gray a short distance away.


    He tore his eyes from his meat leg and forced himself to look at what was surely a gruesome sight.


    No crimson gore.


    No wet, hanging strips of brown skin, red muscles and smeared ivory.


    Gray wisps coiled and streamed from his hip down to his toes.


    A constantly shifting swirl that went from near-solid, like dark smoke contained inside a glass bottle, to as ethereal as a light coastal fog on a winter morning.


    Up, Boy!


    He rose.


    First, on his booted foot.


    Then, on his bare, gray one.


    ¡°Do you see, now?¡± Phosfuriae grinned as though the demigod hadn¡¯t just maimed him, forcing him to violate his oaths.


    Even now, he could feel the strength of so many people flowing into him.


    ¡°One must always embrace their truth to reach the ultimate end of their potential.¡±


    ¡°Not worth it.¡±


    He relinquished his death grip on the strands connecting him to the people.


    The gray howled in anger at the sudden halt of the bountiful meal.


    Other voices struggled to silence it.


    ¡°A step forward. A step back. No matter. I need only take your remaining limbs.¡±


    Golden light flared.


    Slower than before.


    Enough that Alin sidestepped, moving his flesh and blood leg out of the way.


    The blast sheared through his left knee.


    He buckled, but the gray re-formed before he fell.


    Quicker perceptions and reflexes.


    How much stronger was he now?


    He launched himself toward the demigod, running in an erratic pattern.


    Dipping, dodging and ducking the fist-sized blasts of golden energy.


    As he neared the obsidian giant, he dived into a roll, rising into an uppercut that launched his target several meters away.


    A pained grunt.


    A booming laugh.


    ¡°I approve. When death or destruction is the wager there should be no rules of conduct or honor. Such nonsense that no one, not even the Gods, follow despite their words to the contrary. I truly can¡¯t abide hypocrisy.¡±


    Hit him with everything you have, Alin thought, everything we have¡­ aim for his junk.


    Silver light shined bright through the gray mist.


    Long and straight, it lanced below the demigod¡¯s belt, but was caught in one massive, black fist.


    Fists and feet followed.


    The demigod cursed even as gold light flashed with each strike.


    His skin-lining forcefield in effect.


    Let¡¯s trigger his trap. Pretend we want the first cheese, when there¡¯s a second cheese that might just be as good. Like my uncle says. He thickened the gray, slipping out of even a demigod¡¯s perceptions.


    The demigod swept arcs with a golden axe and sword as Alin circled.


    Faint hands lined in red joined wispy gray ones in striking the demigod until the golden forcefield flickered and vanished.


    They grasped at his wounded chest


    Obsidian skin and red muscle peeled back slowly despite the superhuman levels of strength as if they were titanium rather than flesh.


    Alin gathered the gray around the demigod, obscuring godly senses and strengthening the echoes.


    Now! The second cheese¡ª I mean, the helmet!


    He leapt across the great distance in a single bound, wrapping one arm beneath the demigod¡¯s chin and squeezing.


    It felt more like solid metal.


    He wasn¡¯t trying to get an actual choke in.


    Such a thing wasn¡¯t a huge threat to a demigod.


    The older and more powerful they were the less they needed such quaint things as oxygen and a steady supply of blood to their brains.


    The divine energy in them was enough to sustain their life functions.


    What he wanted as a distraction.


    The true attack came from the hands in the gray pulling at the demigod¡¯s long, bulbous, black helmet.


    Faint orange light hinting at the shape of cartoon-like tiger paws clawed at the demigod¡¯s face exposed by the helmet¡¯s open face. One paw clawed at the eyes, while the other pulled at the helmet.


    It didn¡¯t budge.


    Alin added his newly stolen strength to no avail.


    He shifted his position, putting both feet on black shoulders large enough to provide a platform stable enough to go for a max squat or deadlift.


    In a way that was exactly what he was doing, but instead of weights he tried to lift a helmet.


    The demigod laughed as he discarded his axe and sword into nothingness.


    The gold light danced like dying fireflies just after the sunset.


    ¡°Did you think I wouldn¡¯t have taken precautions? When my plan¡¯s success rested almost entirely on this artifact? You¡¯d remove my head from my shoulders before you¡¯d move the helm the width of an eyelash.¡±


    Black hands seized his arms.


    A sudden squeeze bruised his muscles and ground his bones.


    ¡°Tougher,¡± the demigod mused.


    Golden light flashed.


    Alin registered the feel of the crack and crunch after the sound of the snap.


    ¡°But not nearly enough.¡±


    The demigod pulled.


    Another flash.


    Searing pain a moment late.


    He understood that the demigod had vaporized both hands before he saw and felt their absence.


    ¡°Now¡ª¡±


    He shut the bastard up by shoving thick gray fingers turned tendrils into that big mouth.


    The demigod choked and gagged.


    He forced his tendrils deeper.


    If the echoes struggled to reach the stone embedded in the demigod¡¯s chest from the outside, then maybe he¡¯d have more luck going for it from the inside.


    The demigod gurgled a moment before suddenly stilling.


    An explosion shattered Alin¡¯s ears and the unnatural silence within the gray.


    He lost it then.


    The connection to the gray without, though not within.


    The demigod had stomped one foot into the cold, metallic floor, breaking it in a circle that extended all the way to the cavernous walls. Cracks spider-webbed almost to the high ceiling.


    The impact drove the gray away, clearing the air from the wide crater.


    The demigod ripped Alin from his shoulders and slammed him into the broken floor.


    Once, twice, thrice.


    Vision darkened.


    Concentration waned.


    ¡°And so my eyes clear.¡± The demigod coughed, spilling bile and other things down on Alin. ¡°Apologies. It is undignified, but such is true battle. The historians always fail to mention how much we warriors let loose our liquids during glorious combat. Ha!¡±


    Alin kipped up, narrowly dodging the sandaled foot.


    The stomp sent a violent tremor across the floor.


    He swayed with it, surfing it like a wave.


    No hands became wispy gray hands.


    He clapped them together, sending the gray back into the cleared air.


    Golden light flared into a thrusting spear that he bobbed and weaved under to close the distance.


    Gray fists solidified with instinct more than conscious thought.


    They thundered against the demigod¡¯s chiseled abs.


    Each hit sent shockwaves radiating through the gray.


    Spear became axe as it descended.


    Teal panes swallowed the strike.


    Dozens of fists and feet in the gray assailed the demigod from all directions as Alin slipped to the left to land a chopping kick to the side of knee.


    His leg snapped.


    Like kicking a steel pole.


    His leg formed again as it passed through to collide with the inside of the other knee.


    The demigod chopped down, aiming to bisect Alin.


    Faint light in the gray turned into a rainbow of breaking colors as the echoes of his relatives slowed the strike long enough for him to leap back.


    The golden axe thudded into the dark floor.


    When the demigod swept it up into a long, barbed whip that shredded the metal and send jagged shards flying like bullets.


    Alin covered his face as the shards ripped at his clothing and skin.


    Gray steamed from dozens of cuts and tears all over his body.


    A thought prodded the back of his mind like a needle pushing too close to the bone.


    He was losing a lot of his human parts.


    And it looked and felt like the demigod was right.


    What was he really underneath?


    The golden whipped lashed, tearing a chunk out of his cheek.


    A second crack aimed at the opposite side of his face wrapped around his raised hand.


    Divine energy crackled, burning the gray.


    He poured more into the hand, solidifying it and allowing him to tighten his grip on the whip.


    The energy continued to flow from the demigod.


    ¡°Okay¡­¡±


    If the bastard was going to give it, then¡­


    ¡°Freely given gifts should be accepted, right?¡±


    ¡°If you can.¡± The demigod grinned. ¡°However, I¡¯m not going to let you leave the feast to vomit. I¡¯ve seen many a man and woman die from being forced to eat more than their stomachs could hold. Do you have the capacity?¡±


    He did.


    The hunger welling up within had no limit.


    He was certain of that.


    To his fear and regret.


    Regardless, he didn¡¯t intend to simply take and keep the divine energy.


    It was meant to be spent.


    He only wanted to keep it within him long enough to spend it.


    Strength flowed from one to the other.


    Strength returned in the form of renewed and empowered attacks from the gray.


    The demigod clung to the whip stubbornly, while sending out an omnidirectional burst of golden energy that scoured the echoes from existence.


    Only for a moment as they returned and renewed their assault.


    Alin stopped resisting the taut whip and leapt.


    The added momentum of the demigod¡¯s pull turned him into a deadly missile.


    Gray fist more solid than his now gone natural fist crunched the demigod¡¯s nose, splattering wet gold across both their faces.


    Alin snarled as he wrapped the whip around the thick neck, using it to pull the demigods face into a rising knee.


    The whip vanished before he could repeat the strike.


    He flurried.


    Fists battering the demigod¡¯s grinning face.


    ¡°Why are you laughing?¡± he snapped.


    The demigod¡¯s golden eyes glanced down.


    He couldn¡¯t help but follow the gaze.


    Bright gold light.


    A blade in his stomach.


    The pain was a distant thing now.


    Muted.


    Transmitted from a puppet through the strings to the puppet master.


    His body¡ª


    His puppet.


    The demigod cut, pulling the blade out the side.


    No blood.


    No guts.


    Just gray.


    ¡°What is left of your humanity?¡± Phosfuriae sounded sympathetic. ¡°You are losing paths. Soon there will only be two. And, I believe, you wouldn¡¯t want to take the one that remains on this world.¡±


    ¡°You know what? Fine. I¡¯ll go.¡± He held the golden-eyed gaze. ¡°After you take off that helmet.¡±


    ¡°One makes demands from a position of strength.¡±


    The demigod raised a hand and bathed Alin in gold light.

 10.48

    Superstrong hands roughly pulled him out of the harsh glare that scorched what remained of his clothing and much of his skin.


    Forcefields emerged between him and the seeking gold light as they carried him away like a desperate parent carried a child away from an onrushing flood.


    A glance to his chest revealed ugly blisters, but that was better than more gray, like the gash in his side.


    He couldn¡¯t see anything within, but understood that the organs that had been in there as of his last checkup were gone.


    The beating in his chest gave him hope to cling to, as faint as it was.


    Perhaps his humanity wasn¡¯t entirely gone.


    Except, he couldn¡¯t beat the demigod as he was.


    He couldn¡¯t go back for that was a weaker him.


    But, he didn¡¯t want to move forward down that path the demigod had mentioned.


    Strength enough to strip his father and uncle of much of their powers once, meant strength enough to strip a demigod¡¯s or even a so-called god¡¯s.


    Let go of his promise to himself.


    To his family.


    To his friends.


    To everyone.


    To the victims of the past monster that had birthed him.


    It was the only way to seize the strength.


    The wheels turned.


    A plan took shape.


    Let go.


    Subsume the demigod.


    Take the memories.


    Take everything.


    Learn the location of the spire that led to the demigod¡¯s father¡¯s world.


    Travel there before he lost control.


    Before he lost himself.


    Alin would cease to be.


    Only the fog entity would remain.


    Doom life on an entire world to save his own.


    The choice balanced on edge of a cliff.


    He rejected it immediately.


    Run to the edge, but don¡¯t jump off.


    The gold light winked out.


    The demigod clapped like thunder, scattering the gray.


    Only for it to rush back with the echoes riding ahead like surfers on a wave.


    The demigod staggered from superstrong blows.


    Weapons glowed brighter and more distinctly than ever before as some pierced the demigod¡¯s protections to score wet gold lines against his obsidian-colored skin.


    Alin pulled from the demigod without the typical restraint, nor the disgust that always accompanied that aspect of his abilities.


    He funneled it right back into the gray, into the echoes, giving them more being, bringing them closer to their true selves. The ones the fog entity had subsumed long ago.


    Light flashed, blinding.


    The demigod stood like a beacon pushing away the thick fog encroaching from the dark ocean.


    ¡°Still not enough¡­ too much¡­¡±


    ¡°Mean it when you take it.¡±


    The voice came from behind his shoulder.


    He saw a form take shape.


    Ethereal to corporeal.


    Gray mist to brown skin.


    Clothed in a simple t-shirt and sweatpants.


    An old man.


    He knew even if he hadn¡¯t seen old pictures.


    ¡°Tito Novy?¡±


    His grandmother¡¯s brother.


    ¡°Eyes forward, Boy.¡±


    Golden light flashed.


    A thin beam struck sudden teal panes.


    Another form took shape behind his other shoulder.


    ¡°Tita Lu¡­¡±


    His grandmother¡¯s cousin winked at him.


    ¡°He¡¯s right. You have to want to take it.¡±


    Her form wavered, heralding the breaking of her triple-stacked forcefield.


    The golden beam fizzled, uncovering a golden arrow hidden within.


    Crimson light flared.


    A large, glowing hand snatched it an arm¡¯s length in front of his face.


    Tito Novy clenched his fist and broke the arrow with his extension.


    ¡°But¡ª I don¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°Bahala na si Boy!¡± Tita Lu smiled.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°We trust you,¡± Tito Novy said even as he enlarged the crimson-hued projection from his hands to block a barrage of golden arrows.


    ¡°Take from all of them.¡±


    A third figure coalesced in front of Alin.


    Short, wiry, bald.


    Wearing basketball shorts and a ratty, old Laker¡¯s jersey.


    A really old man from what he could tell.


    Tito Carlos.


    His grandfather¡¯s uncle.


    The physically strongest of the echoes.


    The old man pointed a gnarled finger to the cavernous ceiling.


    ¡°A lot of tarantado up there. And no more whining. Just take from the ones that deserve it. Like that one.¡± He flipped the demigod off.


    ¡°The strongest ones, Boy. Take from them. They have more to give, so you don¡¯t have to worry about taking too much, too quickly,¡± Tita Lu said.


    The demigod leapt with a roar, blazing with golden energy from hands and eyes.


    The echoes rose up to meet him with strength and a riotous rainbow.


    Fists and weapons met.


    Gray burned to nothing, only to quickly re-form.


    Hands dragged the black tower down to the floor.


    ¡°You take too much, susuntok na ako sayo,¡± Tito Carlos said.


    ¡°Promise?¡±


    The old echo glanced back and arched a brow.


    ¡°Sira sa ulo, diba?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not crazy.¡±


    ¡°Hindi,¡± Tita Lu laid a hand on his shoulder. It almost felt like real. Warmth and weight more than he had thought possible. ¡°Boy just cares.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re with you, Boy,¡± Tito Novy said. ¡°Remember, we know what you do. We know your greatest fear. We won¡¯t let it happen.¡±


    ¡°Ano ka ba?¡± Tito Carlos snorted. ¡°Nothing matters if the putang gets what he wants. So, let¡¯s beat him up!¡±


    Alin quivered with indecision for a moment, but only just.


    ¡°I trust you.¡±


    He had withdrawn from the gray he had blanketed the city above out of fear from accidentally hurting innocents and people he cared about in his earlier desperation.


    Now?


    He focused on the strongest presences.


    Blazing lights in his mind¡¯s eye.


    Golden ones. Just like the demigod in front of him.


    And those that fought them.


    Take from the former and leave the latter.


    Take from the monsters and leave the Earthians.


    Simple in concept.


    Nearly impossible in practice.


    ¡°We¡¯ll keep him away, but don¡¯t take too long.¡±


    The whisper in his ear came from faraway as he lost himself in the gray.


    <hr>


    Phosfuraie grunted.


    Annoyance, but one verging on genuine concern.


    For the first time since the battle with those brave, but ultimately weak rangers, he felt the control gloves begin to slip off his hands.


    The stolen copies the entity in the shell of a young human male had begun to take on more corporeal forms, which seemed to make them more powerful and harder to disperse back into the mists from whence they came.


    ¡°Away, rabble!¡± He lashed out with golden light in an explosion from his bare torso, front and back.


    Most burned to nothingness.


    He gathered his legs, aiming to take one giant, bounding leap low to the floor to ram into the boy and put an end to it before the gloves slipped further.


    Strong arms suddenly wrapped around one tree trunk-sized thigh.


    A pink rope coiled around the other.


    And a woman with translucent white lining her arms and legs slashed their blade-like edges at his nethers.


    Fortunate that he wore protective under clothes.


    Regrowing what made him a man was most unpleasant.


    Once was one time too many.


    Hence, a most powerful enchantment.


    The narrow, flat panes reminded him of the glass broad swords wielded by the Keepers of Tomorrow''s Dawn on Afelanor.


    He chopped down with a hand, shattering both blade-shield and bone.


    ¡°Not as durable,¡± he mused.


    The woman snarled and leapt, leg scything for his neck.


    Gold light flared.


    The woman disappeared from his sight.


    He tugged gently on the sparkling pink rope.


    The young woman on the other end cursed, eyes widening.


    ¡°Oh shi¡ª¡±


    What undoubtedly eloquent thing she had been about to say would, regrettably, be lost to the mists of history.


    ¡°As for you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Fuck your mother!¡± the young man around his thigh actually tried to bite down.


    Like trying to bite a tree, which, unless one was a giant paddle-tailed tree gnawer, left a belly full of nothing and a mouth full of splinters. As the saying went.


    The young man relinquished his hold and struck a might uppercut betwixt Phosfuraie¡¯s nethers.


    The demigod grunted.


    ¡°Not pleasant, but not¡­ impactful.¡±


    He snatched the young man around the head with serpent-like quickness and brought him face to face, ignoring the kicks.


    ¡°I¡¯m curious. How much do you remember of your original version¡¯s life?¡±


    ¡°I remember I¡¯m me. Name¡¯s Vernardo and I punched a demigod in the dick!¡± He spat a glob in one golden eye and laughed.


    Phosfuraie closed his fist.


    The young man kicked and laughed till the end, vanishing into the thick mists.


    ¡°Odd. I felt the slick heat of his blood, the grit of his pulverized skull, the soft squelch of his brain¡­ yet¡­¡±


    His hand remained clean.


    Godly senses marked them in the surrounding mists.


    They would return.


    Regardless, he deemed there enough time to deal with the remaining three ghosts protecting the boy.


    ¡°Fuck your mother!¡± the old, grizzled man spat.


    ¡°My mother was a good mother. A brave and skilled warrior. She fought an army for me. I will have you take those words back, young man.¡±


    ¡°Young? Who¡¯re you calling young?¡± A laugh, bitter, mocking.


    ¡°You may look like a dried out twist of old leather wrappings, but I measure my years in centuries.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not the number that matters. It¡¯s how you feel inside.¡±


    ¡°An elder should behave with grace and wisdom.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t care. You need to drop. This isn¡¯t your world. Time to put you down for the count, right?¡±


    Crimson light suddenly loomed above him.


    A giant hand slapped him into the floor as if he was some insignificant insect.


    ¡°Hold him, Novy!¡±


    ¡°What does it look like I¡¯m doing, Carlos? Lu, get ready to put him in a box.¡±


    ¡°Wait for me!¡±


    Phosfuraie pushed against the floor, deforming the metal.


    The grizzled old man stalked toward him as teal-colored panes appeared beyond the giant crimson hand, creating a rather beautiful violet where he gazed.


    He flared his divine energy.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Oh, how he loathed the way it suffused every part of his being.


    Oh, how he relied on it.


    That was the trap set by his father, of course.


    The secret only he had discovered, at least, as far as he knew.


    Demigods didn¡¯t tend to live more than a few centuries.


    As designed by the Gods.


    Those cowardly, greedy¡ª


    The translucent crimson hand vanished, cleansed by the divine.


    A tiny, gnarled fist slammed into his nose.


    The old man¡¯s crooked grin peeked out from behind a pugilist¡¯s practiced guard.


    Proper stance, bladed.


    Fists protecting face.


    Tucked elbows protecting ribs and the easily damaged organs within.


    Bare feet bounced lightly.


    ¡°You move well for one that looks like you¡¯ve been left out in the sun to desiccate.¡±


    ¡°Second¡ª make that third chance at life.¡±


    ¡°How would you like to make that count? How would you like to be the downfall of a being that has caused untold amounts of pain and suffering over tens of thousands, perhaps even hundreds of thousands of years?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d say yes¡­ but not on your terms. He hurts trillions, you hurt thousands. It¡¯s all the same to each individual person you pieces of shit hurt.¡±


    They traded punches, creating thunder that crashed against the walls of their translucent teal box for the brief seconds that it lasted.


    The demigod walked through the wispy remnant of the old man to break the wall with a gold-wreathed fist.


    Only to stride right into an uppercut rocking his head back.


    Furious fists beat a staccato against his stomach and ribs.


    Strong enough to break steel, strong enough to tickle him through his golden protection.


    ¡°You¡¯re forming them faster.¡±


    The boy was lost in the thick gray choking the cavernous chamber.


    It was worse than any smoke-shrouded siege he had ever been a part of in the past.


    Even his divine senses couldn¡¯t pierce it.


    What he could feel was the drain.


    A grin split his lips just as a fist rocketed out of nowhere to wipe it off.


    It didn¡¯t dampen his mood.


    There was pleasure to be had in the knowledge that his bastard cousins above ground were being impacted significantly worse than he was.


    The benefit to age and experience.


    The ghosts came back in force, assailing him from all directions and angles.


    What did it matter if he couldn¡¯t sense the boy when he could just lash out indiscriminately?


    He flared golden divinity in every direction, burning the air clear to reveal the boy standing right in front of him.


    The gray swallowed him a split-second later, but it was too late.


    Gold flashed from the demigod¡¯s eyes, clearing the space in front of him to reveal¡­ nothing.


    Just scorched floor.


    Sudden strikes fell upon his chest like a storm of bolts.


    His second skin of translucent gold energy flashed repeatedly, weathering it all as it always had.


    Until, he felt it crack, then break.


    Pain.


    He wasn¡¯t unused to it.


    What was unique was that he hadn¡¯t expected it to be inflicted by the boy.


    Fingers dug into his wounds.


    Perhaps taunting the boy had been a mistake.


    ¡°Ah, hubris,¡± he sighed.


    <hr>


    They helped him rip and pull.


    Tito Novy, Vernardo, Karlee with her over-sized, translucent tiger claws and others.


    The demigod was so large that Alin didn¡¯t feel crowded amongst the dozens of hands digging into the broad, obsidian chest.


    Flesh and muscle as hard as titanium didn¡¯t want to give, yet, slowly, inexorably they pried it open.


    Golden gore painted his fingers and flowed down his arms.


    Hot.


    Just on the edge of scalding.


    He needed more.


    The golden beacons on the streets above blinked in his mind¡¯s eye.


    Angrily at first.


    Then frantically as they understood what he did to them and realized that they couldn¡¯t stop him.


    Now?


    After minutes?


    They pulsed weakly, like those flashlights from his parents¡¯ stories of the initial nights when the spires had first appeared.


    As for those that fought the demigods?


    He had tried, but couldn¡¯t completely control the gray¡¯s hunger.


    They too felt his touch, his pull, despite his best efforts to leave them.


    As for the rest?


    Well¡­


    He was a failure in many ways.


    He couldn¡¯t avoid it.


    Every living thing touched by the gray was taken from.


    Indeed, the weakest among them couldn¡¯t last much longer before they too joined the echoes of his relatives.


    He wanted to stop.


    He didn¡¯t want to stop.


    So close to the end.


    Some would say that it was worth the lives.


    ¡°Not you. Never you.¡±


    A voice in his ear.


    He wasn¡¯t sure which one had spoken.


    ¡°One last push. Then I¡¯m punching you.¡±


    That voice he recognized.


    ¡°I wish I had tried to know you all sooner.¡± He grit his teeth painfully as the cumulative life energies flowing into him set nerves, muscles and bones on fire. Even his missing leg and fingers generated fiery pain and they were made of the gray. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I couldn¡¯t ever get past my guilt.¡±


    ¡°You should. You did take our souls!¡± Karlee winked at him. ¡°But, I guess I¡¯ll let it go since it wasn¡¯t technically you! Plus, you¡¯re letting us fight this awesome fight! Against a demigod of all things!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not doing that,¡± Vernardo spat. ¡°You¡¯re still shit. Stole my life. I should be fighting this putang with my own flesh and blood. Not as your ghost. So, fuck you. I¡¯m going to hate you forever.¡±


    ¡°Vern!¡±


    ¡°What? If we were around, this piece of shit wouldn¡¯t have been able to hurt Madalena.¡±


    ¡°I disagree.¡± Phosfuraie grabbed Vern by the head and pulped him into mist. ¡°You merely might have taken her place. Although, without the little boy¡¯s existence I wouldn¡¯t have found a reason to be on this world beyond a cursory tour, if that. So, you truly only have yourself to blame for all this suffering. Your friends, family, all of them.¡± He gave a golden grin. ¡°Their pain came from you and only you.¡±


    Heat flared in Alin¡¯s hands.


    Too quick to pull away despite reflexes boosted to heights beyond what he had thought possible.


    Fingers turned to ash in an instant as he cried out and leapt back.


    His relatives vanished along with the gray.


    ¡°Like father like son!¡± The demigod clapped. ¡°Although, you¡¯ve come off a lot worse than him. I suppose that is to be expected since you aren¡¯t truly of his blood. Let alone your mother¡¯s. Was that truth difficult to accept? That your ties to them are based on a superficial copying of your father¡¯s physical likeness? And perhaps his genes?¡±


    Alin stared at his hands.


    Rather the lack thereof.


    Everything almost up to his elbows were gone.


    Just blackened flesh and exposed bones.


    He refused to let panic grip his heart and mind.


    Gray swirled around him.


    ¡°I won¡¯t ever be unarmed.¡±


    He flexed his fingers, clenching them into fists.


    The gray swirled into wispy trails as he moved them.


    Give it your all!


    You can do it!


    We¡¯re with you.


    ¡°This would be so easy if I didn¡¯t need you to have a minimum amount of coherent thought. I could just release my anger and¡ª no. That isn¡¯t my way.¡± The demigod smiled. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t think you were fortunate in that, however.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got the same problem. But if I release my hold on myself¡­ all our hopes and dreams die in this.¡± He gestured to encompass their surroundings.


    The echoes struck.


    They were of one mind after all.


    Gold blasts erupted from the demigod¡¯s hand.


    Colored lights blocked and absorbed as Alin dashed forward.


    A teal wall ate a huge blast while a second wall angled like a ramp appeared at his feet.


    He ran faster than ancient motorcycle riding daredevils.


    Blasts tracked his leap as bodies and forcefields intercepted them.


    The demigod thrust his hands up into a long spear, only for a silvery staff to parry it aside.


    Alin thrust his hands down to the demigod.


    Gray fingers lengthened.


    Five thin spears plunged into ruined chest.


    Five thin tendrils flowed into nose, mouth and ears.


    The demigod swept massive arms through the thin gray, passing through as if they were mist, yet failing to dislodge them as they re-formed instantaneously.


    Alin sought the prize from without and within, tearing through even a demigod¡¯s flesh, reaching for the ritual stone. All the while continuing to take Phosfuraie¡¯s life energy.


    A desperate, sustained blast of divine energy punched through his defenders and the teal pane he stood on.


    He twisted, slipping his head to one side with reflexes he hadn¡¯t had before.


    Still, the heat scorched the side of his face.


    Sudden darkness and silence hit him with realization worse than the searing pain had.


    Eye gone.


    Ear gone.


    He stuck his tongue reflexively past teeth and found open air instead of the inside of his cheek.


    The demigod writhed and bucked like an angry bull trying to dislodge a rider, thrashing him through the air like a kite in a storm.


    His relatives piled on the massive statue of obsidian.


    A glowing pink rope flew out of the gray and wrapped around his waist, pulling him to the floor.


    ¡°This is your chance!¡± Tito Carlos held the demigod in a choke hold.


    They looked like ants trying to swarm a scorpion.


    The demigod glared at him with wide eyes.


    Gold and burning.


    Beams blasted from both.


    Teal panes sprang up between them, but shattered quickly.


    His relatives used their bodies next.


    Until the last appeared with an ivory colored round shield.


    ¡°Move it!¡± he said before the beam pierced the shield and his head.


    Alin ducked.


    He only needed a bit of time. For his gray fingers had reached the prize.


    Magic protected the stone hidden within the demigod¡¯s chest.


    Magic he could take to empower himself.


    The stronger he got, the faster he could take.


    It cracked not a second later.


    Gray fingers pierced it, then shattered it.


    And, yet, the demigod just smiled.


    A feral smile.


    Alin withdrew his gray fingers from inside the demigod.


    ¡°It¡¯s over.¡±


    ¡°Relying on your father to save you?¡±


    ¡°No more stone. No more ritual.¡± It felt weird talking with a huge hole in his cheek. At least the pain wasn¡¯t worse. It felt like a distant thing. As if he had been numbed by the world¡¯s strongest anesthetic.


    ¡°True,¡± the demigod snorted, ¡°however,¡± he clapped thunder, scattering the echoes and the gray in a wide circle and forcing Alin to brace lest he be swept away, ¡°it is not an instant thing.¡±


    Alin¡¯s one-eyed vision went dark.


    He woke to the demigod standing a great distance away in the center of the cavernous chamber.


    The pain remained distant.


    Enough for him to understand that many of his bones had been broken.


    He pulled himself out of the deep crater in the strange, metallic wall.


    So what if bones were broken?


    He didn¡¯t need them, like he hadn¡¯t needed hands and a leg.


    The gray replaced what was needed.


    <hr>


    Gray roiled like a thick, dark smoke cloud from a raging inferno swirling within a kilometers-wide tornado.


    One battled many.


    Ancient against child.


    Golden flashes revealed a grisly tableau.


    Obsidian slick with shining wetness.


    Brown awash with gray.


    Their blows boomed like thunder.


    Their shouts echoed.


    One in exultation.


    One in desperation.


    The ancient allowed himself to let slip the adamantine shackles within his thoughts restrained the sudden rage of his hated birthright. A constant companion simmering ever beneath the surface waiting to overflow the pot.


    He whispered a silent prayer, not to any god, especially his father, but to his one singular belief.


    For his mother, he would maintain control and remain on the narrow path that led to his father and one, final justice.


    The child cried out silently, screaming for his own father.


    A plaintive howl that surprised himself.


    For he had thought himself a grown man no longer running to his parents to keep him safe from the monsters, real and imagined.


    The echoes within, the past made manifest, added their voices.


    Equal parts berating and soothing, but above all encouraging.


    That victory was possible.


    That victory didn¡¯t necessarily mean life.


    At least for him and for them.


    The choking gray swirled, burning away in golden rage made manifest.


    They struggled along with their masters.


    Ebbing and flowing back and forth like the tides.


    Neither gained lasting advantage.


    Golden flashes revealed a child gazing up at a giant.


    Thunder cracked.


    Gold flowed.


    Gray swirled.


    A child cried.


    A demigod laughed.


    Golden flashes revealed a giant surging out from under a small army.


    They revealed a child impaled through the stomach, held aloft on a shining golden trident like a fish.


    They revealed a giant restrained by dozens of hands and a rainbow of bright lights.


    They revealed a child thrusting ten finger-thin spears of gray through dark flesh. Wet gold flowed from one to the other. Hungry roots sucking life-giving water.


    Golden flashes revealed a raging giant and a child of swirling gray. The latter protected by the desperate army.


    They sold their lives cheaply because they were the sort of the dead that didn¡¯t stay dead for long.


    The final golden flash revealed an end.


    <hr>


    Earth flowed out of his way like water.


    He floated downward until a strange blend of dark metal and stone barred his way.


    It, too, parted for him.


    The ceiling of the large cavern clad in that magical material had been cracked by a titanic battle.


    Thick, dark gray filled the entire space.


    He couldn¡¯t see past his hand.


    Could only see a short distance with his other senses.


    Without the cracks he wouldn¡¯t have been able to find his son as quickly as he had.


    Even then¡­ too late.


    A fist rocketed out of the gray.


    He caught it with a thought.


    ¡°Tito Carlos¡­¡±


    ¡°Calmin?¡±


    Fists and bright weapons of light struck from every direction.


    He caught them all with a thought.


    The echoes flowed around him.


    Angry.


    Wary.


    Hungry.


    ¡°Will you help me save my son?¡±


    He read the answer in their thoughts before they could voice.


    ¡°Too late.¡±


    He nodded. Then sped up his thoughts.


    Centuries passed before an eye could blink.


    He simulated hundreds of thousands of possibilities within a multitude of mindscapes.


    With all the knowledge about his son¡¯s unique nature gleaned over two decades of study by the finest minds and the highest levels. Magic, science and a mix of both.


    All the paths and possibilities stored in his mind invariably led to one.


    Subjective lifetimes passed in less than an objective second.


    He blinked.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Calmin,¡± Tita Lu said.


    Alone out of the echoes, she refrained from turning her teal forcefields against him.


    ¡°We did our best.¡±


    ¡°A thousand year old demigod is¡­ unfair.¡±


    The gray parted, as if responding to his thoughts.


    It cleared a path to reveal the black-skinned giant laying in a crater.


    Suiteonemiades was more gold than black, reminding him of kintsugi.


    He suppressed the instinct to break the demigod further.


    ¡°Your boy got him in the end,¡± Tito Carlos said. ¡°Had to drain too much. Went too far.¡±


    The demigod stirred.


    Limbs, the ones not missing, shivered, unable to do more owing to their twisted and mangled state.


    He sealed the demigod¡¯s mouth with a thought.


    There would be time for last words later.


    ¡°Where is my son? Why can¡¯t I see him?¡±


    The words came out hoarsely.


    Eyes saw through a curtain of liquid.


    The echoes strained in his invisible grip even as they spoke.


    ¡°He¡¯s¡ª he¡¯s all around you.¡±


    Tita Lu didn¡¯t lie.


    He read her thoughts.


    He read all of their thoughts.


    They were more like the people they had been than ever before.


    Tito Novy appeared behind him, but didn¡¯t attack.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have a lot of time left, Calmin. Boy¡¯s trying, but it¡¯s like trying to hold back an ocean. I¡¯m going to attack you now.¡±


    Truth.


    Tito Novy¡¯s fist lashed out, extending a larger copy in translucent red.


    A thought dissipated it in an instant.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you feel him?¡± Tito Carlos said.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he choked the word out.


    The gray¡¯s infinite tendrils poked and prodded, seeking a way past his defenses.


    To say it was weaker than what he had experienced in Manila would be a mistake.


    Rather, it was restrained.


    By his son.


    ¡°Alin? My Boy?¡±


    Tell me how we can fix this? Please?


    Silence.


    ¡°It¡¯s too late,¡± Tito Carlos said.


    ¡°No!¡± he snapped. ¡°I can touch and move the building blocks of life! Stop say¡ª please stop saying that. It¡¯s not helpful. We need to work together.¡±


    ¡°Calmin.¡± Tita Lu¡¯s eyes held his. The true kindness he saw stung more than the anger and hunger he saw in the others. ¡°Listen to your son. That¡¯s all I ask you to do. He sacri¡ª¡±


    ¡°Stop talking like there¡¯s nothing we can do.¡± He grounded out the words even as he heard the lie he told himself.


    ¡°You promised us freedom,¡± Vern said through clenched teeth, straining against invisible hands. ¡°We matter too! And we shouldn¡¯t have to exist like this!¡±


    He flinched.


    The truth often struck like needles.


    ¡°He¡¯s not going to live forever. You¡¯ll have your freedom then.¡±


    ¡°Calmin.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t meet Tita Lu¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°That was when he was still hu¡ª when he wasn¡¯t this.¡±


    ¡°Boy¡¯s holding himself inside this room, but you use those fancy powers of yours and check. If you tell me it isn¡¯t spreading out then we¡¯ll try,¡± Tito Novy said.


    The gray was indeed inching its way down the tunnels into the rest of the bunker complex.


    ¡°He pulled it all down in here mostly to keep the rest of you out there safe when he had to cut loose,¡± Tito Carlos said. ¡°He¡¯s holding it together because he knew you¡¯re the only one that can¡ª¡±


    ¡°Stop talking. I need to speak to my son. Only him.¡±


    Boy, please talk to me. I¡ª whatever you want, whatever you need. I¡¯ll do anything. Just talk to me¡­ please¡­

 10.49

    The soft beeping sound mirrored the beating in his chest.


    Opening his eyes¡ª eye was a struggle.


    One was encrusted and the other was covered by what must¡¯ve been gauze.


    ¡°Boy?¡±


    ¡°Dad?¡±


    He reached up to wipe his eye and saw a bandaged stump.


    ¡°Oh¡­ right¡­¡±


    He had felt a hand there for a split-second.


    ¡°I don¡¯t feel it.¡±


    No gray.


    No hunger.


    No voices.


    ¡°No, you wouldn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Just relax. Plenty of time for questions and answers later.¡±


    His dad¡¯s hands clutched the hospital bed¡¯s railing lightly, otherwise the stainless steel would¡¯ve bent.


    ¡°I¡¯m in a bed, so that means I¡¯m not in bad enough shape for a healing pod. How much more relaxing do I need? Seeing as how I can¡¯t move around.¡±


    ¡°I guess that¡¯s fair. What do you want to know?¡±


    ¡°Everything.¡±


    His dad told him.


    Total victory.


    Phosfuraie dead.


    Demigods dead.


    Eidolons dead or gone, forced to leave the world.


    He listened for inconsistencies, any hints that things weren¡¯t as they seemed.


    Was it too good to be true when he was laying in a hospital bed, powerless and down three limbs?


    ¡°All the Mist Spekters really made it out okay?¡±


    ¡°Injuries, but nothing quite as bad as yours. The ranger captains really pulled it off.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ they did¡­ I should¡¯ve¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to stop you right there, Boy. Not your fault. It wasn¡¯t a fair fight and they knew what they were jumping into.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ sure¡­ where¡¯s Kat? Mom?¡±


    It was a little weird that they weren¡¯t there waiting for him to wake up.


    Not that he was self-centered, but that¡¯s how the other times he got hurt bad enough for a hospital stay had gone.


    Mom and girlfriend right there when he woke up.


    ¡°I made them go rest. Your mom might be able to fight all day, but she can¡¯t for a couple of weeks. And fighting¡¯s a lot easier than worrying about her baby boy floating in a healing pod. As for Kat, rangers are keeping her busy so she isn¡¯t hovering by your side. Still, she sits in that chair next to you whenever she¡¯s not on duty.¡±


    His dad regarded him with a sad smile and watery eyes.


    ¡°Is something wrong with my eye?¡± He glanced around the room. ¡°It¡¯s, like, hazy around the edges or something.¡±


    ¡°Probably all the eye boogers. Want some help with that?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯d be cool.¡±


    The sink in the bathroom turned on and a moist towel floated out a few seconds later to his dad¡¯s hand.


    ¡°It should be fine for me to do this without calling a nurse.¡±


    His dad gently wiped the crust clean.


    ¡°How is it now?¡±


    ¡°Still a little weird.¡±


    More wiping.


    ¡°How about now?¡±


    ¡°A little better.¡±


    ¡°Great!¡±


    ¡°Dad. Can you let mom and Kat know that I¡¯m okay?¡±


    ¡°Tell them yourself. I let them know and they¡¯re on their way. In fact, lots of people wanted to see you. There¡¯s a waiting list.¡±


    He groaned.


    ¡°Yup, had to write up a schedule and everything. It got pretty heated, actually. People trading and outright threatening to get earlier time slots and what not.¡±


    He groaned louder.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯re not about to get slammed with me as your doorman.¡±


    ¡­


    Jake stared at him with a confused look as if he had completely forgotten that they had an appointment.


    ¡°Hey, dude, what¡¯s up?¡± he hobbled into the office on a cane.


    The temporary leg and foot prosthetic wasn¡¯t anywhere near as good as one made just for him would be.


    Plus, he wasn¡¯t about to let his mom push him around in a wheelchair, hovering or not.


    Jake blinked like a dumb fish for a long moment.


    ¡°Ma Boy!¡±


    The big man shot out of his chair and was around the desk in a flash to scoop him up into a crushing bear hug.


    Jake released him and held him at arm¡¯s length.


    Lips quivering and eyes watering, Jake seemed reluctant to let go.


    ¡°Um¡­¡±


    ¡°Did you forget our appointment?¡±


    ¡°No, Nila¡­ of course not!¡± Jake swallowed and turned back to his desk where a silvery case sat.


    Alin blinked.


    He could¡¯ve sworn the desk had been empty.


    ¡°It¡¯s lucky we caught you before your departure,¡± his mom said.


    ¡°No biggie. The Threnosh world can wait. I¡¯m¡ª I¡¯m glad I¡¯m still here to¡ª see you before¡ª I meant, mean¡­ what I meant to say is I¡¯m glad that I¡¯m here to do your magitech prosthetics.¡±


    ¡°I heard that your one time apprentices had surpassed you,¡± his mom said.


    ¡°They sure did!¡± Jake grinned, wiping away tears. ¡°But, they can¡¯t put the same amount of love that I can for ma Boy!¡± He ushered Alin to the desk and opened the case with a gesture. ¡°Just going to take some preliminary scans. Physical measurements, nerve stuff. You know how it is.¡±


    Jake couldn¡¯t look him in the eyes.


    ¡°Hey, dude, I¡¯m alright. I mean, it sucks, but I¡¯m alive, right?¡±


    ¡°Nah, that¡¯s right, bro. You¡¯re right. As long as your alive¡­ as long as your alive¡­ you can, like, keep living¡ª shit! That sounded a lot less stupider in my head.¡± Jake sighed then laughed bitterly.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, dude. I was just thinking about how the other guys are gonna be bummed they missed you.¡±


    Hanna, Rino, Kare and the rest of the Sacramento people were on the Threnosh world helping the emigration.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. I¡¯ll see them eventually. I¡¯ll need to re-learn the sword with the new prosthetics at some point, hell, I might visit. I¡¯ve always wanted to see the Threnosh world and my dad¡¯s old friends, at least the ones I haven¡¯t met.¡±


    ¡°Well, if you do, you can crash with me if you want. I¡¯ve got a place picked out. Close to hot springs that don¡¯t smell like rotten eggs. Smells like strawberries if you can believe Kare,¡± Jake said. ¡°Alright, stumps out, let me start the process.¡± He held a scanner in a shaking hand.


    ¡­


    They chipped away at the massive block of marble.


    Him with a laser cutter and other fancy tools hidden in his fingers and arm.


    His uncle with fingernails and sometimes teeth for some reason.


    ¡°Those attachments are working out pretty good, Boy.¡±


    ¡°Yup, Threnium dremel¡¯s just eating this stuff up like butter.¡±


    ¡°Hey, man, thanks for helping out. I¡¯ve got perfect control of my movements, but I lack your artistic talents.¡±


    ¡°Yup, never knew I had sculpting in me.¡±


    ¡°Nah, I figured you had it. I mean, your miniatures always looked awesome since, like, as far as I can remember. The custom 3D printed ones you did for me are even better than the stuff we looted from the stores.¡±


    ¡°Just trying to stay busy with all my free time. It¡¯s just too bad I can¡¯t get a class out of it.¡±


    ¡°Meh, classes are cheating anyways. Without one you can have that smug sense of self satisfaction over the rest of the normies.¡±


    His uncle breathed deeply, as if savoring that smug smell.


    If that was a thing.


    It probably was if one had a class for it.


    ¡°How are the cool magitech replacements treating you? Still got weird phantom limb shit?¡±


    ¡°Not as bad as the first few months. Gotten used to them and therapy helps a lot.¡±


    ¡°Fucked up how that demitaint¡¯s powers screwed you over from ever re-growing natural ones.¡± His uncle glared at the marble reflection for a long moment. ¡°You know, me and your dad looked into doing a swap.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Magic swap. When we learned you couldn¡¯t regen or regrow your natural ones.¡±


    His uncle hummed as he scratched away at the sculpture¡¯s face.


    ¡°Like looking in a mirror,¡± he mused.


    ¡°Uncle Eron?¡±


    ¡°Yo, sup?¡±


    ¡°The swap?¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah, we talked with the Teacher,¡± his uncle rolled his eyes, ¡°now there¡¯s someone that reeks of smug. I don¡¯t know why no one else sees it, but whatever. She was useless anyways.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± he sighed.


    ¡°Right, me and your dad were looking to do a magic swap. Our limbs for yours. Well, technically, we were thinking of a conceptual thing, you know?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure that I don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s alright, pretty high level magic theory. A callow youth like yourself wouldn¡¯t know. But, basically, we were going to magiconcept trade our limbs for your missing ones. So, you¡¯d get yours back. I was gonna donate my left hand and arm. Your dad was doing the right and the leg. Oh, and we didn¡¯t tell anyone else, so don¡¯t think that no one else was willing to donate.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ wasn¡¯t going to do that.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Thanks¡­ I guess.¡±


    ¡°No problem, dude. Don¡¯t tell your dad I spilled the M&M¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t, but please don¡¯t try that ever again.¡±


    ¡°I make no promises. How knows what future heretofore unforeseen magics might appear to create even better replacements. Although,¡± his uncle mused, ¡°I was kinda looking forward to a robot arm.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    His uncle gestured at the fingers playing across the marble. ¡°Cool attachments and I¡¯ve always wanted a hidden mantis blade in the arm! Plus, mono filament garrotes and laser wires! Oh, and a flying rocket fist!¡±


    ¡°I may have options for some of those things.¡±


    His uncle grinned.


    ¡°But not right now. Everyone¡¯s orders,¡± he sighed. ¡°No combat, just self defense at most.¡±


    ¡°Meh, don¡¯t rush it.¡±


    They worked in companionable silence as the sun made its slow trek across the clear blue.


    The Atlantic ocean to their west seemed to dazzle in the distance as a giant sea serpent breached the surface tangled in mortal combat with something bulky and armored.


    ¡°Um¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about. No one¡¯s in danger.¡± His uncle hadn¡¯t even turned to look. ¡°No real threats out there¡­ er¡­ right now, I mean. At this moment.¡±This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°So, why are we doing this anyways? You haven¡¯t told me yet. Statues of yourself? Kinda weird. A prank?¡±


    ¡°Well, there¡¯s a dictator in Australia and she¡¯s using Skills to make the people want her dictatorship. Now, if she was cool, like, more Dr. Doom than a real Earthian dictator then I could maybe look the other way for awhile, but nope. Just a normal dumb dictator. So, the statues are gonna help me break her control.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ how? Are you going to get them enchanted?¡± He thought of what sort of spells could help counter a dictator¡¯s Skills. Then he wondered why they didn¡¯t just¡­ deal with her like normal. Then that thought slipped away like wet sand in his hands.


    ¡°No enchantments. I¡¯m thinking the people will see my democracy in the statues and change their entire belief in their system of governance.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ the stupidest thing I¡¯ve ever heard! You need to magic the statues up!¡±


    ¡°Nope. Just the statues. Once they lay their eyes upon these works of art they will instantly want democracy.¡±


    ¡°This is a prank,¡± he said flatly. ¡°And I am the victim.¡±


    ¡°I swear I¡¯m being a very serious person right now. Theses statues will bring democracy. Real democracy, not fake democracy.¡±


    He stared at his uncle¡¯s earnest grin for a long moment before resuming work.


    It wasn¡¯t like he had anything better to do, plus his uncle was his ride.


    He could request a pick up from home, but that could take hours depending on shuttle availability.


    ¡°Hey, Boy?¡±


    ¡°What, Uncle Eron?¡±


    ¡°You know, you¡¯ve grown up to be a great guy and I just wanted to say that I¡¯m proud of you.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ thanks?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m serious. I legit don¡¯t know if I could¡¯ve done what you did, but I don¡¯t want to dwell on the details. I guess, I just want to ask if it¡¯s okay to name our next child after you.¡±


    ¡°Whoa! You guys trying?¡±


    ¡°Nope. Just asking, you know, just in case.¡±


    ¡°I mean, I guess that¡¯d be cool.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m thinking if a girl, we¡¯d name her ¡®Alina¡¯.¡±


    He groaned.


    ¡°And if a boy?¡±


    He could hear the lameness coming on.


    What was with dads and their idiocy?


    ¡°Alin2?¡±


    ¡°Ha. Ha. You¡¯re really going to set your poor kid up well for life.¡±


    At least he could take comfort in the fact that Aunt Wytchraven would never let anything that dumb happen.


    ¡°No? How about Alindeux? Or Dalawalin. Might add a few apostrophes in the middle of that one. Get in on that dumb trend you idiot young people are into these days, naming kids science fiction and fantasy style.¡±


    ¡°I think there¡¯s only one idiot here, uncle.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    Luzi had dropped two fat stacks of paper on his dinner table.


    He regarded her through narrowed eyes.


    The magitech one noted confusing readings.


    Her heartbeat was elevated, which meant she was nervous, but her expressions, from the rapid blinking of glistening eyes to the faint tremor of her lips, suggested someone on the verge of bawling.


    He forced a bland expression on his face as his confused thoughts slipped away to focus on his present.


    ¡°Here me out,¡± Luzi began after a long drink of the juice Kat had just placed in front of her.


    ¡°Yeah, sure.¡±


    ¡°Book deals.¡±


    He opened his mouth, but she cut him off with a sharp gesture.


    ¡°Two separate deals. You can do one or the other or both. One¡¯s for a biography, which will be one book. The other is for a fictionalized retelling of your life. I¡¯m thinking seven books, for luck, you know. A septology.¡±


    ¡°That seems like a lot Luzi,¡± Kat said. ¡°Seven? Really? Three¡¯s the normal amount.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m open to negotiate, but I feel like seven is the best amount to cover your life.¡± His longtime friend still couldn¡¯t hold eye contact for some reason. Her voice broke as she continued. ¡°You¡¯ve¡ª you¡¯ve still got a long life ahead of you, right? So, like, I want to keep space open for future deeds and adventures.¡± She finished in a rush. As if she didn¡¯t quite trust herself to get the words out if she hesitated for whatever reason.


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure my story worthy adventuring days are done, Luzi.¡±


    ¡°Yeah!¡± Kat glowered as she tightened her grip on his hand.


    ¡°Well, there¡¯s no rush. I have to learn and get good at writing first. I wouldn¡¯t really feel comfortable at tackling it seriously for at least five years.¡±


    ¡°Well, I guess I can look at the contracts. No promises though. I¡¯m honestly zero percent comfortable sharing anything about myself.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, of course, totally, I get it. I just figured I¡¯d ask you first.¡±


    ¡°First?¡±


    ¡°I was thinking of asking the ranger captains¡¯ families for permission to do the same for them, but I was worried about how they¡¯d react.¡±


    ¡°Oh, and you weren¡¯t with Alin?¡± Kat said.


    Luzi¡¯s smile was sad. Her eyes glistened, threatening to overflow like a dam after historic rains. ¡°I was sure he wouldn¡¯t get mad at me for just asking.¡± She finally looked him in the eyes. ¡°You never get mad unless it¡¯s deserved.¡±


    He nodded.


    ¡°How about I give you an answer in a couple of weeks? At least a tentative one?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, totally, you can change your mind whenever, if you want, I mean.¡±


    Kat¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°Are you sure about this, love?¡±


    He squeezed her hand. ¡°Yeah. Mostly for the biography. That¡¯s historic and it¡¯ll be good for history and Luzi¡¯s class aspirations. Least I can do,¡± he smiled at both. ¡°So, it¡¯s settled? I¡¯ll let you know in a few weeks.¡± He snapped his fingers. ¡°We¡¯re having that cook out! You¡¯re coming, right?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t miss it!¡± Luzi wiped her cheeks.


    ¡°Uh, Luzi, why are you crying? It¡¯s not a big deal.¡±


    ¡­


    He wiped the stinging ocean from his eyes.


    It had been years since the last time he had surfed.


    The hands and arms had gone from new and strange to old and not as strange.


    Fine tuning and continued upgrades meant that sometimes he could almost forget that they weren¡¯t his flesh and blood.


    Not to mention the microthrusters in his leg making catching waves easy.


    Too easy in fact that he had stopped using them after the first few waves.


    ¡°Looking good down there, Boy! You¡¯re really shredding those waves!¡±


    Aunt Rayna hovered vaguely around him.


    It was slightly distracting to have her doing yoga.


    Why she was doing yoga above the waves he was surfing?


    He had no idea.


    It was weird.


    It wasn¡¯t for his safety.


    Landsharks and other ocean threats were periodically cleared.


    Static defenses included a killing net under the waves along with turrets that shot a variety munitions, from microtorpedos to concentrated sonic bursts.


    Active defenses included the lifeguards in their armed towers to the skyship looming in the sky like a dark dagger.


    ¡°I remember watching your dad and uncles surfing when I was younger. Sometimes they¡¯d take me with them. Face-planting into the sand put an end to my wanting to surf. That¡¯s why I went with snowboarding. Soft powder was a lot better to fall face-first into.¡± She sighed in the midst of a downward dog. ¡°Sand sucks. Scratchy and gets everywhere and stays there. At least snow melts and turns into water.¡±


    He paddled further out to take a spot in the line up.


    There was a lull between sets, which gave him and his aunt some time to converse.


    Oddly, the other surfers didn¡¯t pay her much attention aside from a glance or two.


    He wiped his eyes again.


    Things were blurry around the edges of his vision.


    The faces of the people around him blurred for a moment.


    Weird.


    One eye shouldn¡¯t have been even capable of getting blurry.


    ¡°Aunt Rayna. Don¡¯t take this the wrong way, but what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Yoga.¡±


    ¡°I can see that. Why up there though?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nice and sunny, plus the ocean breeze is lovely! Fresh scents!¡±


    ¡°You could get all that over there,¡± he gestured back toward the other women and men doing yoga where one typically did beach yoga.


    ¡°What? Can¡¯t I spend some time with my favorite nephew?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m your only one.¡±


    ¡°So? Still my fav. Besides we haven¡¯t had a chance to chat in awhile.¡±


    ¡°We can do that later. I mean¡­¡± he lowered his voice, ¡°I don¡¯t know if yoga above everyone is the right call.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Your, er, attire¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m wearing pants.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re, uh, very tight¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not my problem. Is it?¡±


    True.


    If she was comfortable then that was the last word on it.


    Perhaps that¡¯s why, despite being as attention worthy as a woman doing sky yoga was, people weren¡¯t staring.


    ¡°So,¡± his aunt grinned. ¡°Nervous for the big day? Only a few more months?¡±


    ¡°Honestly, not really. It¡¯s not like I¡¯ve had to do much. Seems a bit unfair, but no one can complain since that¡¯s all on you guys. You, literally, banned me from doing anything.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, you guys have it easy. It¡¯s usually a lot more stressful for the woman.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s that why you¡¯ve been dragging your feet?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m busy.¡±


    ¡°Semi-retired, like, for years.¡±


    ¡°Well, my version of retirement is having to deal with giant monsters and horrible things on a monthly basis. So, I¡¯m taking as much slack for other stuff as I feel like.¡±


    ¡°I guess I¡¯m kind of in the same spot. Aside from the fighting. Been trying all sorts of stuff to stay busy and still contribute.¡±


    ¡°I saw the Eron statues,¡± she said flatly.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ they were definitely statues.¡±


    She smiled suddenly in between shifting poses. A balancing on one leg, while twisting the other leg around the first and twisting her entire upper body in the opposite direction.


    Tree pose?


    He had done a lot of yoga.


    Good for stretching and recovery, but had never gotten into it enough that he knew all the proper terminology.


    His aunt added her own literal spin by rotating like a cosmic body until she was upside down with her ponytail falling within reach.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad to get this time with you, Boy!¡± She smiled.


    Her eyes glistened, but that was probably because of the salt spray.


    ¡°Yeah, me too¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey, do you know how to do aerials? Your dad used to do, like, this jump with a spin. Little girl me always thought that was so awesome.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t in so long, but I can give it a try!¡±


    She cheered him on for the rest of the morning as he recaptured some of how it had felt to be a teenager shredding waves and catching gnarly air as the really old people said.


    ¡­


    ¡°Grandma?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Boy?¡±


    ¡°Am I doing this right?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no right or wrong,¡± she smiled down at him.


    He regarded the red-colored pane of glass on the table.


    There were many different ones scattered around him.


    Some already etched.


    Others awaiting their turn.


    The dark frame that would house them hovered in the middle of the living room in a tiny field of anti-gravity.


    Using Threnium for the Christmas star seemed excessive, but he supposed his grandparents could hang it outside their front door without worry on account of its near-indestructibility.


    He took the enchanted engraving tool and went to work.


    Jennie and Ryan sat on either side of him and were engrossed, staring wide-eyed.


    But, not on the artwork.


    They stared at him.


    Equal parts confused and on the verge of tears for the former.


    He smiled.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Jennie. I won¡¯t mess it up.¡±


    She suddenly wrapped her arms around his stomach and began bawling.


    On the other side, Ryan tentatively poked him on the arm.


    ¡°What did I do?¡± he looked helplessly at his grandma and Rynnen, who had just walked in.


    Rynnen opened his mouth then closed it, visibly swallowing a lump.


    The muscles in his thick neck and square jaw clenched.


    Either trying to get words out or keep them in, Alin couldn¡¯t tell.


    Instead of speaking, Rynnen approached and laid a hand on his shoulder, giving it a firm, but gentle squeeze.


    ¡°Jennie misses you,¡± his grandma finally said.


    ¡°Yeah, we all do,¡± Rynnen ground out as he took a chair on the opposite side and started working on another plate-sized pane.


    ¡°Daddy, what¡ª¡± Ryan had taken to poking and pinching Alin¡¯s side.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bug your kuya, Ryan. Let him work.¡± Rynnen nudged a blue pane toward his son. ¡°You do yours, okay?¡±


    Alin¡¯s thoughts wandered.


    Mostly to the crying girl getting snot on his shirt, but also to the Christmas activity many months before December.


    It was odd.


    His family didn¡¯t do Christmas activities until after Thanksgiving.


    Further contemplation was interrupted by his grandmother¡¯s arms going around his neck.


    She did the weird grandmother thing of breathing in his hair scent or something before giving him a kiss on the top of his head.


    At least he had just showered.


    ¡°You guys are kinda being weird¡­ not you, Jennie. You are always free to feel your emotions.¡± He patted her on the back. ¡°Uh, Grandma?¡±


    ¡°Yes, boy?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind the hug, but it¡¯s making drawing this thing a little difficult.¡±


    ¡°Never mind that. It doesn¡¯t have to be perfect. The only thing that matters is that you¡¯re doing it. And let an old woman hug her precious grandson.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, boy. I remember that Tita had a large hugging radius before the spires. Now, it¡¯s if she can see you¡­¡± Rynnen shook his head, ¡°there¡¯s no escape.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Grandpa,¡± Alin scanned the river with his left eye, ¡°there¡¯s something big in the water.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Is it the fish?¡±


    They stood a good distance from the water¡¯s edge.


    The dark surface made for a good hiding place for all sorts of things.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Which, means it¡¯s something magical or maybe a Skill.¡±


    ¡°Magical fish! Even better! We¡¯ll show your grandmother that she was wrong to doubt us.¡±


    ¡°To be fair to her, neither of us fish.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve fished before.¡±


    ¡°Really, when?¡±


    ¡°When I was a boy scout.¡±


    ¡°Long time ago.¡±


    His grandfather grunted agreement.


    ¡°Just one more week until the big day.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± he gazed across the lazy river. ¡°Thank you again for giving me the ring.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m happy to keep it in the family! It goes all the way back to my grandmother¡¯s grandmother.¡±


    ¡°Honestly, I was more worried about losing it or something happening to it.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t control everything. All you can do is your best to meet what life puts in your path.¡±


    His grandfather laid a hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°And I can say without hesitation or doubt that you, Boy, have done that every step of your life.¡± He sniffed. ¡°You faced unique challenges that no other person on this world has¡ª and I can say that without exaggeration¡ª and never once have you let us down. I can say so many things about you.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t.¡± He ducked his head. ¡°It¡¯s kinda embarrassing.¡±


    ¡°Which is a mark of a good man. No one likes a cocky bastard,¡± his grandfather grinned. ¡°But, okay, I won¡¯t go on¡­ are you sure, though? Because I can go on all day.¡±


    ¡°Yes, please.¡±


    ¡°Fine, then let me just say that maybe the thing I¡¯m most proud of you for is your kindness. You were always kind, ever since you were a baby. And you¡¯ve kept that in your heart through all the fighting and struggle you had to do. Which is our failure. Us old people hope to leave our kids and grandkids better off, but we couldn¡¯t do that.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I don¡¯t know about that. Things are definitely better than the early spires days.¡±


    His grandfather made a noise that agreed to disagree.


    They spent the rest of the afternoon in companionable silence intermittently broken by idle conversation that touch a broad array of topics. Many touched upon the question of his future now that he was mostly retired from active combat.


    The sun had began to dip low over the horizon when the reason for the lack of nibbles on their hooks erupted out of the placid surface of the dark river.


    A young werecrocodile from the local tribe.


    The teen boy was very much in a lot of trouble after Alin¡¯s grandfather wrestled him to the ground and forced him to transform back into human form.


    It turned out that the boy had gotten his class young, but was several years too young to participate in the periodic pond challenges.


    And he wanted to prove himself.


    His parents were very apologetic at the massive breach of the rules.


    In lieu of penalties, they were invited to a massive seafood dinner and on account of their lack of fishing success they happily accepted.


    They even got a few massive fish to take back home for his grandfather to show his grandmother their successful fishing trip.


    ¡­

 10.50

    They had decided that they wanted their wedding to be a sort of do whatever they want kind of thing without regard to the traditions those around them might¡¯ve preferred.


    Surprisingly, there had been not one iota of push back.


    Not even a hint of displeasure from anyone.


    Thus, Alin stood on the beach.


    Barefoot and in light, loose-fitting pants and a button up long sleeve shirt.


    Attire meant for a dinner in a beach side restaurant.


    He stood alone with only Victor.


    Their friend had gotten a license to conduct legal marriage ceremonies just for this purpose.


    It had been a hard fought challenge to win the right.


    Victor had triumphed over all their friends in contests of brain, brawn and heart.


    ¡°You sweating there, dude?¡± Victor whispered.


    ¡°It¡¯s a little warm today.¡±


    The sun shined and there wasn¡¯t much of a breeze coming in from the ocean.


    He no longer had the gray, which meant he had to deal with the environment like normal people.


    ¡°You want a spritz?¡± Victor brandished a spray bottle.


    ¡°Just a lit¡ª¡±


    The spray blasted him point-blank in the face.


    ¡°Thanks¡­¡±


    ¡°No problem, dude. I got you.¡±


    Alin took in the large crowd in their chairs.


    It seemed to go all the way to the sidewalk.


    The far edges were hazy, blurry.


    He couldn¡¯t quite make out individual faces back there even with his left eye.


    The nerves must¡¯ve been getting to him even though all he really had to do was say his vows, which he had memorized and uploaded to his eye. If those somehow failed then he had a physical copy folded up in his pocket.


    As per their plans there were no divisions between the guests.


    His side, Kat¡¯s side.


    All were mixed together.


    The only concession to tradition was having immediate family in the front row.


    His parents were in the middle next to Kat¡¯s.


    Moving out to the end on his left were his grandparents, then Aunt Rayna and Uncle Fed, Uncle Eron and Aunt Wytchraven, who wasn¡¯t shrouded by a dark cloud of raven feathers. Lera sat already crying. Madalena shot him a thumbs up that belied the stricken look on her face. Rynnen, Jennie and Ryan were there. Uncle Remy, Aunt Megan, Tessa and Vee were all the way at the end and for some reason they looked off to him.


    They gazed impassively at him, less animated than the others.


    The thought flitted through his mind as his attention was drawn to the other rows.


    Hayden, Dayana, Drake and his kids. Tabitha hunched over on herself, hugging her stomach, unable to meet his eyes. Kelci and Adrian. Marion, Bolder and Luther. Colin held Lash tightly around the shoulder.


    Bei sat stoically.


    Marloes looked angry, but she tended to look that way normally.


    The Threnosh sat in a cluster.


    Frequency waved with a smile and wet eyes.


    Jake sat with Hanna, Rino, Kare and the others from the north.


    Oddly, all of them, except for the big man, seemed as subdued and out of it as his uncle Remy and family.


    Rangers waved and cheered.


    Some happily shot him gestures that would seem rude at first glance.


    Many of his childhood friends weren¡¯t in their seats since they had roles to play in the ceremony.


    He caught Steph¡¯s eyes.


    The gladiator gaped like a fish stunned to learn that being out of water wasn¡¯t a good thing.


    Galen sat at the center of the Mist Spekters.


    Their eyes widened and they rose as one like fighters against a sudden ambush.


    They sat the next moment.


    Confusion on their faces turned to pained understanding.


    Then he noticed it.


    Oddly empty seats scattered throughout his friends.


    He blinked and they filled.


    Primal and Kynnro sat with Frequency.


    Howard laid a hand on Tabitha¡¯s bowed head.


    Ibra sat next to the magus ever ready to defend her.


    The ranger captains stood at the back as if to watch over all of them.


    Captain Mouthy with a wide stance, brawny arms crossed over her chest. Captain Hardhat leaned on one shoulder while Captain Aims leaned on the other. Their weight on her shoulders was as light as a feather. Captain Spiritwalker and Captain Creepy Chipmunk book-ended them. Their faces at peace with their sacrifice.


    Alin¡¯s eyes fell upon Jayde at the last.


    She sat leaning on Drake¡¯s shoulder. A swaddled baby in her arms and a crooked, cocky grin on her face.


    The world blurred for a moment.


    Too much pain and regret threatened to overwhelm him, but as always a soothing touch graced his thoughts to bring him back to his center, to the here and now.


    A bell tolled.


    ¡°Looks like you¡¯re on, dude!¡± Victor thumped him on the back.


    Eda¡¯s owl flew over the crowd, carrying a basket in its talons.


    As it reached the center it released its hold.


    The basket exploded into a glowing banner that let the crowd know what they were here for if they weren¡¯t sure.


    The banner disintegrated into sparkling lights that tasted like a person¡¯s favorite food once they landed on them.


    One light per person.


    Next a robot horse galloped across the beach, scattering a cloud of sand in its wake that vanished just as quickly as it had been generated.


    Astride Razorwind, Kat sat side-saddle, radiant in her dress that shined with a love only for him.


    The magic they could put into things was something else.


    He couldn¡¯t take his eyes off her even if he wanted to.


    Dark brown eyes sucked him in.


    Enough that he was only dimly aware of her dark brown hair perfectly styled to fall in waves to frame, but not obscure her perfect heart-shaped face.


    The smile caught his attention next.


    Lips with just a hint of color revealed dazzling white that seemed to sparkle in the sunlight.


    Kat had said that she was going to the top ranked make-up artist and hair stylist.


    It had completely slipped past his notice since she wasn¡¯t normally into such things.


    Truth be told he preferred her natural beauty.


    And in this case, he would¡¯ve said she had wasted her points because it looked like she barely had any make-up on.


    His eyes flowed down her body as he closed the left to avoid the distraction from the readings.


    Her white dress was tight and short, fitting for the beach.


    Bared shoulders revealed just the hint of a perfect sun¡¯s kiss and her athletic form.


    He traced her curves down to legs and back up again¡­ and again.


    Until she walked up to stand in front of him.


    ¡°I appreciate it!¡± She grinned. ¡°But maybe close your mouth. You¡¯re drooling a little.¡±


    His mouth was actually dry as he struggled to say something smooth.


    ¡°You¡ª you¡¯re perfect.¡±


    ¡°Not as perfect as you.¡±


    She took his hands in hers and squeezed.


    Time seemed to slow as he gazed down into her eyes and she up into his.


    Just the two of them now as their family and friends vanished along with the sounds from the ocean.


    He wanted nothing more than the moment to last forever.


    And, strangely, it did feel like that¡­ for a moment.


    Until time¡¯s inevitable pull drew them back into the present.


    A smile broke across his face.


    A giggle almost slipped out.


    Kat couldn¡¯t hold hers in, blushing she broke their gaze to nod at Victor.


    ¡°No, no. Please keep falling into each other¡¯s eyes! It¡¯s absolutely, disgustingly sweet and I¡¯m all here for it! As I¡¯m sure everyone watching you two are.¡±


    ¡°Just start it, Victor.¡± Kat rolled her eyes. ¡°The people want to get out of the sun and into the party they¡¯re really here for!¡±


    A hand shot up.


    ¡°Take all the time you need. I don¡¯t feel the weather,¡± Uncle Eron said.


    ¡°Ahem, I¡¯m gonna start it then, unless anyone has an objection¡­¡± Victor looked up to the sky expectantly. ¡°I said, are there any objections!¡±


    Explosions rocked the sky.


    Colorful lights bloomed like flowers and fell like rain that sang with music.


    An entire dramatic scene played out between dueling forces.


    One that objected and the other that didn¡¯t.


    Drakes skirmished.


    The battle continued to the sand and waves.


    The children and childish adults in the congregation loved it.


    The actual adults sighed and indulged the lameness of it all despite how well choreographed the entire affair was.


    Steph¡¯s doing.


    The gladiator knew how to put on a showy combat.


    ¡°Oh my god,¡± Kat cringed. ¡°This is so lame,¡± she hissed. ¡°Why would they think we¡¯d like this?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, super lame, but they really put a lot of effort into it.¡±


    ¡°They couldn¡¯t just be normal?¡±


    ¡°Nope¡­ never. It¡¯d be weird if they weren¡¯t weird, you know?¡±


    The show ended to raucous applause.


    Victor raised a hand.


    ¡°Right, that¡¯s great, but it¡¯s really time for what everyone¡¯s here for.¡± He cleared his throat. ¡°Dearly beloved. We are gathered here today to something, something, wedding, something something, happiness¡­ flowers minions please come forth.¡±


    Jennie and some of Kat¡¯s young cousins marched up throwing flower petals without regard for aim or the people in the front rows.¡±


    ¡°Ring henchkid?¡± Victor gestured.


    Ryan walked solemnly up with an ornate box in his hands.


    ¡°Great job, ring henchkid.¡± Victor took the rings and shooed him back to his parents. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m supposed to say stuff, but time¡¯s wasting. So, I¡¯ll turn it over to you. You guys are the only ones that really matter anyways.¡±


    Alin took Kat¡¯s ring and suddenly worried that his hands would get sweaty until he remembered that they couldn¡¯t anymore.


    ¡°Loser goes first,¡± Kat said quickly.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, my love.¡± She stuck her tongue out to laughter.


    Not that he minded.


    He couldn¡¯t have handled the nerves of having to wait for her to say her vows first.


    Thus, going first was better.


    As it turned out saving his vows to his magitech eye was a prescient choice as the words he had spent all week memorizing slipped through like wet sand on the shore in the face of Kat¡¯s radiant loving smile.


    ¡­


    Madalena hesitated.


    Her eyes and nose were red.


    Obviously overcome with emotion at such a beautiful ceremony.


    Alin sat alone on the shared throne while Kat was off somewhere in the crowd.


    The reception took place under a massive pavilion set on the same beach.


    Tables filled with people dotted the area, surrounding a large dance floor, which was still empty, aside from some children running around.


    He had just returned from making the rounds to each table and was just about to start eating.


    What kinds of food?Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    It didn¡¯t matter.


    He was so overwhelmed by it all that he only really had brain space for Kat and the people.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Boy. I¡ª I failed you,¡± Madalena finally said as she bent down to wrap him in a tight embrace.


    ¡°Ouch! I¡¯m just baseline human now.¡± He managed to get out with the last bit of oxygen in his lungs before she eased up just enough that he wouldn¡¯t pass out. ¡°Failed me? What are you talking about?¡±


    Her red-rimmed eyes widened a moment before she mastered her expression.


    ¡°I failed¡­ to bring a wedding gift.¡±


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry about that. We said presents weren¡¯t expected anyways. I¡¯m just glad you could make it.¡± He looked up at her expectantly.


    A finger tapped her on the shoulder.


    ¡°What!¡± she snapped. ¡°Lilah?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Madalena. You¡¯re holding the line. Also, someone wants to talk to you.¡± Lilah gestured vaguely toward the crowd.


    ¡°Fine, I know. I¡¯m not messing it up.¡± Madalena took a deep breath and faced him. ¡°Boy, I want you to know that I love you and Kat is family now. Always and forever. I hope I¡¯ll get a chance to spend more time with you later.¡±


    With one last crushing hug she reluctantly disappeared back into the party.


    ¡°Hey, Lilah!¡± He waved. ¡°It¡¯s been awhile since you visited. How are liking it? Better weather, right?¡±


    She shrugged, leaning forward to whisper.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell anyone, but I made a sigil that makes it so I¡¯m always at the perfect temperature and humidity level.¡± She pulled her dress a little lower to reveal the tiny, glowing yellow sigil painted in the middle of her chest.


    Her eyes carried a faint hint of that color. Not like the metallic gold of the demigods and some eidolons. Hers didn¡¯t set off unpleasant memories.


    Staring closer he could almost make out the sigils floating around her sclera.


    ¡°Enjoying the party?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, yes, but more for the chance to speak to you. It¡¯s a gift your father gives us. One that can¡¯t be understated.¡±


    The woman tilted her head to one side as if listening to a secret voice.


    ¡°Er, yeah. I¡¯m glad he somehow managed to give so many of you guys the chance to leave your duties and what not to make it. It means a lot to me and Kat that you¡¯re here when you¡¯re so busy.¡±


    She gazed over her shoulder. ¡°Hmmm, the line grows.¡±


    They waved at him hesitantly.


    Threnosh, Marloes, Bei, Ranger Captains Butcher, Dastardly and others.


    Hayden, Dayana were toward the back cutting in front of Galen and Ranger Captain Swan Princess, much to the vocal displeasure of the latter two.


    ¡°I remember when we first met.¡± Lilah leaned down to embrace him tightly without the crushing strength of Madalena, but with what felt like all her might nonetheless. ¡°I was just a girl, who saw the end of a long nightmare in, of all things, a baby boy. Naked. Then, your dad put you in my arms and I had to run and hide while your dad and uncle beat the crap out of each other. Do you know what I did?¡±


    ¡°You know, I don¡¯t think you¡¯ve ever talked about the specifics.¡±


    ¡°Because I was guilty. When I found a place to hide while your dad and uncle were hitting each other with the buildings I drew a sigil on you. Right on your fat, little belly,¡± she poked his definitely not fat belly, ¡°I thought maybe¡ª I thought if it was a trick by the monster then I¡¯d catch it.¡±


    ¡°I mean, that¡¯s fair.¡± He patted her back. ¡°It was a good idea to drive the monster out if it was hiding inside me.¡±


    She loosened the embrace to look him in the eyes.


    ¡°That. And I thought, if the monster was weak, vulnerable, then I could kill it for what it did to my family and everyone. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    He took a moment to digest that new bit of information.


    ¡°I¡¯m not mad. You work with the information you have. And the stakes warranted it. You would¡¯ve been foolish not to at the time. Besides, it¡¯s not like I didn¡¯t spend years worried about the same thing. Thanks for telling me, but don¡¯t let it bother you anymore.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Boy.¡± She sighed. ¡°One last thing from that time.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°You peed on me.¡±


    He blinked at her flatly.


    ¡°The first of many victims.¡±


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s a slanderous exaggeration. And furthermore, it¡¯s not fair because I was a baby and I don¡¯t even remember. It could all be lies.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard many tales of Boy¡¯s liquid excretion upon his many caretakers,¡± Frequency sidled up along with Marloes and Bei.


    The former grunted assent. ¡°Yes, everyone has a story of Boy pretending to be done soiling his diaper only to let loose the moment the babysitter starts to change him.¡±


    The latter snickered. ¡°Such deviousness, such dishonor!¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes, he got Madalena so many times,¡± Lilah said. ¡°It took her awhile to remember to keep her mouth closed.¡±


    ¡°You are all filthy liars. That¡¯s what you are. Liars lying lies.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, I think this will make a good story for the storytelling portion of the celebration,¡± Lilah said as she turned to wander back to the party.


    Their shadows suddenly shivered, disgorging a dark shape that interposed herself between Marloes, who was next in line, and Alin.


    ¡°Tabitha, no cuts!¡± Marloes said.


    ¡°No! I¡¯m not waiting anymore. I¡¯m not missing my chance to say g¡ª¡±


    Bei slapped a hand over her mouth.


    ¡°Tabs?¡± He rose. ¡°It¡¯s alright guys. It¡¯s not like I¡¯m going anywhere. I promise. I¡¯ll sit here all night for as long as someone wants to talk to me even if I¡¯m not really that interesting.¡±


    Bei backed off as Tabitha glared daggers from beneath her monster hood.


    ¡°What I was going to say that this was¡ª is a good wedding. And I wanted to thank you, Boy for being a good friend that was never annoying. Not even once like the others.¡±


    ¡°Ouch!¡± Bei said. ¡°I thought we were cool.¡±


    ¡°We are!¡± Tabitha snapped. ¡°You¡¯re just annoying most¡ª sometimes.¡±


    ¡°I glad you didn¡¯t think I was annoying cause sometimes I thought I was.¡± He grinned. ¡°And I hope that just because I won¡¯t be going on Quests or training with you as much as before that we can still be the same friends. We¡¯ll find more things to hang and do together. Promise.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Fucker!¡±


    ¡°Ow! What the funk!¡± he rubbed his shin. ¡°First of all, no words of curse. And secondly, ow!¡±


    Lera had kicked him without warning, nor the typical preamble.


    ¡°You can¡¯t tell me to watch my language.¡± She raised a brow. ¡°I¡¯m an adult now.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, well, adults don¡¯t go around telling people they¡¯re an adult. It¡¯s got a very hello fellow kids vibe.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, don¡¯t be Fae. I barely tapped you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not as tough as before and¡ª what do you mean by you¡¯re an adult now? You¡¯re halfway to 22.¡±


    His cousin¡¯s eyes widened.


    She was as tall as him now and built like an Amazon goddess.


    He couldn¡¯t quite shake the sense of wrongness.


    It seemed like she was just a gangly teen, all elbows, knees and long limbs not that long ago.


    ¡°Err¡­ yeah. It¡¯s cause 21 is the true adulthood. Not 18, which I was three and a half years ago.¡±


    ¡°At least your math has improved¡­ a little. So, what¡¯s up? You don¡¯t normally drop in unannounced.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t? That doesn¡¯t sound like me?¡± she mused. ¡°I would definitely drop in unannounced all the time if I could. That¡¯s what makes being able to fly fun. Think of all the embarrassing situations I could catch you in.¡±


    ¡°Embarrassing for whom?¡±


    ¡°Eww¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what the tiger gets for grabbing the elephants tail.¡±


    He regarded her closer.


    Her eyes were red.


    And she had a bit of snot leaking around the rim of her nostrils.


    The question was on his lips when he remembered she didn¡¯t like being babied.


    So he said nothing and gave her the space and time.


    ¡°I wanted to complain.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡±


    He wracked his mind and couldn¡¯t come up with anything.


    ¡°You promised me.¡±


    ¡°And I didn¡¯t keep it?¡±


    ¡°Do you remember?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lera, but I¡¯m drawing a blank right now. Been having a bit of the mind fog lately,¡± he grinned.


    ¡°Ha. Ha. Ha. So funny.¡± She crossed impressive arms. ¡°You promised that I could be your sidekick on adventures.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± He remembered. Years ago. When Lera had been around eight or nine. Of adventures in the real world and in the Fae realm. He smiled. ¡°I meant it, you know. I was just waiting to get strong enough with the gray so that we could see if I could do something permanent about those Fae bastards that wouldn¡¯t leave you alone.¡±


    She nodded, sniffling more like that little girl than an Amazonian goddess.


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible now. I¡¯d just get in your way. Besides, the Solar Tyrant grows mightier every day. The Fae Courts¡¯ days are surely numbered.¡±


    ¡°But we were supposed to do it together!¡±


    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s okay. I¡¯m not necessarily closing the door on it. Maybe, I can modify my armor with some cold iron and get someone to turn Lucky Charms into ammo? A couple of years from now? When you¡¯re at max power and your mom and the witches finally figure out a way to take out the Fae permanently? I¡¯ll be right there¡­ behind you.¡±


    ¡°You promise?¡±


    ¡°As long as I¡¯m alive.¡± He grinned then gasped as she rushed forward in a blur to engulf him in a mighty hug befitting of a solar tyrant.


    ¡°Lera?¡±


    She sniffled.


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    ¡°Are you wiping your snot on my shirt?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    He rubbed her back.


    ¡°Never change.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±


    ¡­


    The clang of blunt steel rang across the Southern California neighborhood.


    Cut.


    Parry into thrust.


    Side step into snapping cut.


    Pained grunt.


    ¡°Point for me!¡± Kat crowed.


    He took a moment to breathe and master himself like he had been taught before removing his helmet.


    ¡°Good one!¡± He tried to smile.


    ¡°You okay, love?¡± Kat removed her own helmet and laid her practice katana on the grass of their lawn.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°It takes time.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been over five years and I still can¡¯t beat you even though you have the inferior sword.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± She arched a brow.


    ¡°My longsword is longer with two cutting edges and I used to beat you all the time.¡±


    ¡°Things were different back then,¡± she said gently.


    ¡°I know, but it¡¯s frustrating. I feel like I¡¯m a toddler again. My prosthetics are as perfect as they can be. Zero input-output lag, complete tactile feedback and everything else and I feel like I¡¯m flailing around in a body I¡¯m not in control of.¡± He sighed. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m just venting.¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s okay. Let it out. I¡¯m not taking it personally.¡±


    ¡°I guess¡­ sometimes I think back to that night and I wish I could just have one more taste of the power I had when I was fighting Phosfuraie. The worst part is I can almost taste it. Like it¡¯s just hiding behind a paper-thin wall that I just have to poke a finger through to get it back.¡±


    She regarded him with nothing but warmth and understanding.


    So much that he could feel it as a palpable thing.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I know that¡¯s gone forever. I guess, it¡¯s one of those things, you know?¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡±


    ¡°Something you don¡¯t really know you¡¯ll miss until it¡¯s gone forever.¡±


    ¡°Well, then there¡¯s only one way to go.¡± She picked up her katana. ¡°C¡¯mon, we¡¯ll get you happy with your blade work no matter how many times I have to beat you with my superior blade!¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Beer, Boy?¡±


    His dad was partway inside the fridge.


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Alin had mastery of the snacks, so chips went into bowls alongside a variety of fried foods.


    ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°Beer surprise! Er¡­ make that a troll beer. You have some, right?¡±


    He would be most disappointed if there were none.


    ¡°You know I always keep troll beer in supply!¡± His dad grinned. ¡°Troll beer calls for a stein at minimum.¡±


    Said stein flew out of the cupboard.


    Finished with the snack set up, he reviewed his warband character sheets one last time.


    ¡°Here you go!¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Dad.¡± He took a deep sniff as warranted then a sip. ¡°Honey walnut?¡±


    ¡°Correct.¡±


    ¡°Not chicken feet?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like eating actual chicken feet. No chance I¡¯m drinking beer with that flavor.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not so bad. I mean the food. Chicken feet flavored beer is foul.¡±


    ¡°Hey, I make the lame pun jokes around here.¡± His dad laughed. ¡°Alright, you ready? What¡¯s the quest for tonight?¡±


    He paged through the scenario book until he found the next one in their narrative campaign.


    ¡°In pursuit of the foul lich lord of the sun-baked lands the dueling warbands descend into the fetid Swamp of Magorg where the Crimson Skull Tribes of goblinoids make their home. Can they navigate the dangers, natural and magical, to catch the lich lord before it can reach the hidden temple of the Nole men and its deadly treasures? Test your might, intellect and wisdom! Test it all in this adventure of Steel and Spells!¡±


    ¡°Dun dun dun!¡±


    ¡°You want to roll first?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Dice flew.


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying you¡¯re cheating, Dad. But, I notice that you¡¯ve gone first in five straight adventures.¡±


    ¡°By definition rolling dice is random. Besides, I wouldn¡¯t trivialize my abilities by using them to cheat at a tabletop miniatures game.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯d be really petty.¡±


    He eyed his dad¡¯s set up.


    The warband was a group of five painted to resemble a modern comic book superhero team instead of a game appropriate vague medieval fantasy.


    His dad tended to do that.


    Now, his warband was proper fantasy.


    A mixture of different standard fantasy species.


    He even had a Crimson Skull goblinoid that had found the benefits of living an adventurer lifestyle over that of a fetid swamp lifestyle.


    Cremloc the Lip-taker was a nasty little guy to his enemies and a rude bastard to his allies, but in a fun way.


    ¡°You want to roll for random enemies?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll do that.¡± He focused his left eye on the dice, hoping to detect irregularities of a telekinetic variety in how they spun and landed, but found none.


    His dad went first, pushing the warband straight toward the closest bonus objective only to stumble right into a random enemy spawn.


    ¡°Not a good start.¡± He grimaced. ¡°What am I dealing with?¡±


    ¡°73. That is a¡­ leech hydra.¡±


    ¡°Crap!¡±


    The miniature floated out of the case and landed in front of his dad¡¯s warband.


    ¡°I think, I¡¯ll open up combat with the Gazer Eye artifact¡­¡±


    It was just before the third turn that a wrench was thrown into both their warband¡¯s plans.


    ¡°Hey, guys! Can I play?¡±


    A wild mom had appeared holding something behind her back.


    He exchanged a glance with his dad.


    ¡°Sure!¡± They said with legitimate enthusiasm.


    His mom didn¡¯t usually play their nerd games with them.


    She was more of a board game player, although she did indulge them a couple of times a year with a minimum of snarky digs at the nerdness and dorkness of it all.


    ¡°Do you need to read the rules?¡±


    ¡°Nope, Boy! I already did!¡± His mom placed a box on the table and revealed her warband.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t seem fair,¡± his dad said.


    ¡°Why not?¡± his mom raised a brow. ¡°There are rules and stats for ogres.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, for one ogre per warband. Not a warband of just ogres.¡±


    ¡°Well, I thought since this is all make believe then we can just make up our own rules.¡± She regarded them with the self-assurance of a queen gazing down at her peons.


    ¡°It sounds about right. What do you think, Boy?¡±


    Low blow, Dad. Show some nuts.


    I¡¯m just happy your mom wants to play without me bugging her for weeks!


    ¡°We¡¯d love to have your warband join the challenge!¡± He smiled.


    ¡°Thanks, love!¡± His mom hugged him and kept one arm around his shoulder while she introduced her ogres. ¡°This is the leader, Cassie. She¡¯s an ogre marauder lord, er, lady, I guess. This is Martin, he¡¯s got a cannon, but it¡¯s basically a rifle to him because he¡¯s so big. This one is Timothy, he¡¯s sneaky¡­ for an ogre. He¡¯ll sneak up on you and step on you. My wizard is Eleanor. Her magic is baking focused. Xi¡¯an is an ogre from another ogre country far to the west. She¡¯s a martial artist that uses different pills to gain temporary abilities.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m pretty sure that last bit isn¡¯t anywhere in the rules,¡± his dad.


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry, guys!¡± His mom handed each of them a sheet of paper. ¡°I made up rules for that!¡±


    ¡°Of course, love! Awesome!¡± his dad said.


    He couldn¡¯t tell that it wasn¡¯t genuine.


    ¡°Alright, sounds cool, Mom! Why don¡¯t you pick a deployment edge¡ª¡±


    ¡°Wait! I still have five more ogres.¡±


    ¡°Hold on!¡± His dad raised a hand. ¡°Objection on that. A five ogre warband is already over-powered. And that¡¯s not counting your blatant self-insert.¡±


    ¡°Boy?¡± Her hand squeezed his shoulder. ¡°What do you think? Should your mom have to play with only half her warband after she came up with detailed and deep backstories for all of them?¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ sorry, Mom, but ten is the max number. And that¡¯s for human-sized characters.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    ¡°I have another complaint,¡± his dad said.


    ¡°What now?¡±


    ¡°Your naming conventions.¡±


    ¡°I can name them whatever I want.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not thematic.¡±


    ¡°Why can¡¯t ogres come from a society that¡¯s like modern pre-spires America?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying anything against that. I¡¯m just saying, it¡¯s like animal pets with people names. It¡¯s just weird and lame. And little disrespectful to people with those names.¡±


    ¡°You are being a speciest against ogres.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m rolling for initiative!¡± He rattled the dice and tossed them down. ¡°I suggest you guys do the same before the sun-baked lich lord gets away.¡±


    It turned into a fun night because of his mom¡¯s hilariously over-powered ogres.


    And that¡¯s the only thing that mattered in the end.


    It was just a game after all.


    Not a competition.


    ¡­


    He fell in his home.


    Reaching for the chair as he and Kat were about to have dinner.


    Dimly, he heard her cry out.


    Then, everything went dark.

 10.51 Epilogue

    The soft beeping sound mirrored that in his chest.


    Opening one eye was a struggle.


    The other opened fine since it lacked tear glands.


    ¡°Hey, you. Finally awake! Ambush got you too, huh?¡±


    ¡°Dad? What¡¯s going on? It¡¯s hard to breathe.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Boy. The doctors think that your body¡¯s shutting down. It might have something to do with that night you beat the demigod.¡±


    ¡°No. That¡¯s not really what¡¯s going on. Is it? Because this isn¡¯t real. This is a mindscape.¡±


    ¡°Which is indistinguishable from what one might call ¡®reality¡¯.¡±


    His dad laid a gentle hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°What do you want, my precious boy? I¡¯ll do everything in my power to give it to you. Just please tell me you can stay longer.¡±


    ¡°Let me see the truth.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª it¡¯s a risk. I¡¯m slowing things down, but it can¡¯t be stopped and if I do that things could speed up and escape my hold.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m smart enough to figure it out.¡±


    The truth felt like a massive weight on his chest against which he struggled to draw air into his lungs.


    ¡°15 years,¡± he rattled a breath out. ¡°It seemed so real. I didn¡¯t know you were this good.¡±


    ¡°I got desperate.¡±


    For a moment he thought he saw blood streaming out of his dad¡¯s face holes, creating a crimson mask.


    ¡°Phosfuraie?¡±


    ¡°Soon to be dead.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you to¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk about him. Don¡¯t think about him. He earned his fate. You beat him. You saved everyone.¡±


    ¡°Not by myself.¡±


    ¡°No. The rangers won¡¯t be forgotten. I will remember Brittany and Michael.¡±


    ¡°Was I¡­ was I alone in there?¡±


    ¡°No. We were with you. Everyone within my range.¡±


    ¡°Did you¡ª did they¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Each person had the choice to say¡ª¡± His dad swallowed. ¡°To say their goodbyes.¡±


    The weight on his chest grew.


    ¡°How far did you have to go to link them?¡±


    ¡°As far as Manila, China, Africa.¡±


    ¡°The strain¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that my boy.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s kinda hard not to, Dad. I don¡¯t want you to burn your brain out just for me.¡±


    ¡°I would burn everything if only¡­¡± His dad wiped his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t waste time. It¡¯s slipping away too quickly now.¡±


    He reached out, rather he tried.


    ¡°I can¡¯t move my arm, Dad.¡±


    His dad took his hand and squeezed.


    He felt it, but couldn¡¯t squeeze back.


    ¡°My real body¡¯s gone, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    His dad shook his head, but the answer was written all over the slumped shoulders.


    ¡°Don¡¯t feel bad. You gave me almost 20 years with Kat. With you guys and everyone. I thought I wasn¡¯t going to get a chance to see any of you ever again. I had no hope that I could even get a chance to say goodbye, but you gave me 20 years of a happy life.¡±


    ¡°Was it? I mean¡­ was it happy?¡±


    ¡°You know it was, Dad.¡±


    His dad smiled through the tears.


    ¡°I can¡­¡± his dad hesitated. ¡°I can hold you for a little longer. Enough to speak to maybe two people for a bit.¡±


    ¡°Kat and Mom.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re waiting.¡±


    ¡°Can you tell the others that I¡¯m sorry and that if I had more time I would¡¯ve liked to say one last goodbye with them too?¡±


    ¡°They all got their chance. No one will hold it against you.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Dad.¡± He struggled to wheeze out the next breath. ¡°Can you do something for me?¡±


    ¡°Anything.¡±


    ¡°Two things. I don¡¯t want to become a monster. Make sure our relatives are finally free.¡±


    ¡°I promise.¡±


    ¡°And don¡¯t go for revenge.¡±


    His dad¡¯s jaw clenched.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you or anyone to lose who they are for me. I know I can¡¯t stop you and I wouldn¡¯t ask that. Just, please do it for the right reasons. Like how you¡¯ve always taught me.¡±


    ¡°I will.¡± His dad let out a breath. ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll send your mom in first. Don¡¯t worry about the time. I¡¯ll make sure you get enough with her and then Kat. I love you, my boy. I will carry you to the end.¡±


    ¡°Love you too, Dad. I don¡¯t regret any of it. Please believe that.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± His dad¡¯s voice was thick.


    ¡°It¡¯s better to die as myself than as a gray.¡±


    His dad choked back a sob.


    ¡°The time you gave me¡­ us¡­ was the greatest gift.¡±


    <hr>


    Was it like drowning?


    Where the body fought instinctively against the liquid rushing into its lungs?


    For a desperate gasp of oxygen to stave off the final darkness?


    Cal didn¡¯t know.


    He had never drowned anyone.


    The closest were monsters and he didn¡¯t like the comparison because they had struggled to the bitter end in sheer instinctual panic and desperation.


    He didn¡¯t want to dirty his son¡¯s end by drawing that connection.


    The gray struggled against Alin¡¯s last wish to fade away.


    Echoes of their relatives would¡¯ve lashed out at anything despite their own fading self-awareness fighting against the hunger if not for his efforts to restrain them across the city.


    He closed his eyes and tightened his grip, holding on for what felt like an eternity before the merciful end.


    The gray became empty.


    Lifeless.


    Void of echoes¡­ of his son.


    It slowly dissipated, leaving him alone in the chamber with the dying demigod.


    Suiteonemiades¡ª Phosfuraie in the demigod¡¯s heart, but he was feeling too petty and vindictive to grant even that small bit of empathy¡ª coughed a gout of crimson flecked with bits of gold. His words came out in a whisper.


    ¡°Such an unfortunate waste.¡± He struggled to wipe the blood with a mangled hand. ¡°See? Do you see? The child can¡ª could have taken even a God¡¯s divinity. He could have ended my father.¡±


    ¡°Shut up.¡± He closed the demigod¡¯s mouth with a thought. ¡°You don¡¯t get last words.¡± He pulled at the bulbous black helmet with a thought.


    The demigod¡¯s chest shuddered.


    It took a moment to realize that it was a rattling laughter as the helmet still refused to be parted from the demigod.


    ¡°I won¡¯t stop even if it rips your head from your body.¡±


    Dark eyes bored into his as if to convey the words he had forbidden.


    The helmet popped off in the next moment.


    He sank fingers into Suiteonemiades¡¯ thoughts without hesitation, nor the usual consideration.


    A thousand years of life ripped through in a fraction of a second.


    No memory left uncovered.


    Everything the demigod was¡­ everything that led him to this moment. Everything that led to a young man¡¯s death¡ª


    Cal silenced his empathy and focused on his search.


    For something to make his precious Boy¡¯s sacrifice mean something.


    Even if he knew that he would never, could never find anything that would make his son¡¯s eternal absence worth it.


    Not even the death of a so-called god.


    He found the demigod¡¯s intricate plan to commit patricide using Alin.


    A bitter laugh escaped his lips.


    ¡°I could¡¯ve helped you. Your father would be dead and gone forever, unable to return like they do and my son would still be alive!¡±


    Invisible force accompanied the shout, shaking the chamber.


    A thousand years of life.


    One could do much in that span.


    Evil deeds, good deeds and everything in between.


    Suiteonemiades had done it all.


    Been equal parts villain and hero.


    Cal scoffed. He supposed it was all a matter of perspective anyways.


    He regarded the broken demigod.


    There were drawbacks to superior physicals.


    One of which the demigod struggled with at the moment was his body¡¯s refusal to go into shock despite how mangled it was.


    He could prolong the death. Make the demigod experience years of a slow, painful death.


    But why?


    It wouldn¡¯t bring his precious boy back.


    ¡°Your father will die, but I will not do it for you.¡± He waved a hand through the fading fog. The wisps slipped through his fingers. If only he could hold his son one more time. ¡°I want you to understand something. I know you¡¯ve studied a different psionic prime from ages ago. So, you know that I know everything there is to know about you. A perfect reading of your memories. So, you can die with the perfect understanding through your own memories of the tragic fact that your mother would be very disappointed with what you¡¯ve made of the life she gifted you. You can only blame your father up to a point. You could¡¯ve chosen to be better. To rise above the path he set you on. To defy his will. To carry your mother¡¯s instead. It would¡¯ve been better for you to have died centuries ago living up to her, rather than bringing so much suffering to so many across worlds descending down to him.¡±


    He gave Suiteonemiades a moment to process the words before shutting of the demigod¡¯s mind.


    The body followed with a last whimper, a final wheezing breath.


    He took a moment to force control.


    There was still a war to end.


    <hr>


    The Moon, Summer 2057


    Space was surprisingly empty.


    Not surprisingly silent since she had been properly educated and learned a long time ago that sound waves didn¡¯t travel in a vacuum.


    Not that she was completely sensory deprived.


    She had a full suit with its faint hums and occasional beeps.


    The lights and numbers in her HUD were most welcome in the void.


    ¡°The stars look different out here.¡±


    ¡°How so, Master Rayna?¡±


    She glanced at the display to see who she was talking to.


    A Ranger Four-0-Five.


    Did their naming conventions get worse every year?


    She decided it was just a bad as it was from the beginning.


    This ranger was the third to take the comms shift on her two hour journey.


    ¡°Ranger, you¡¯re going to stop calling me ¡®master¡¯. Understand?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª I¡ª orders, Master Rayna!¡±


    She was technically semi-retired, but that was essentially meaningless in practice.


    However, she didn¡¯t want to abuse her standing and cause consternation for the young ones.


    ¡°Is Kayl standing over your shoulder?¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°Okay, then you don¡¯t have to follow those orders, do you?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­¡±


    ¡°You know what, don¡¯t worry about it. Let¡¯s maintain radio silence unless there¡¯s an emergency.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Mast¡ª Rayna.¡±


    She could almost hear the girl¡¯s cringe.


    The moon loomed.


    Gray and bright.


    The stars were brighter and varied in color compared to when she viewed them from the Earth.


    ¡°God, it¡¯s scary out here.¡±


    There seemed to her to be a lot more empty blackness surrounding her, pressing from all directions.


    It was a tossup for her which had been more oppressive this or the bottom of the ocean.


    She created two gravity fields.


    One around her to cancel out the physical effects on her body by the one she created in front of her to slow her approach.


    A trip through an airlock, elevator and another airlock and she was inside the crypt? Tomb? Cemetery? Necropolis?


    The last fit better in regards to the facility¡¯s massive size.


    However, she¡¯d rather give the place a proper name and call it that or simply call it a memorial.


    She preferred not to see it as a place of the dead despite that being technically correct.


    ¡°Cal? Where are you?¡±


    A location pinged in her HUD.


    She found her oldest brother sitting in the lotus position floating in midair in front of a block of Threnium.


    A memorial in progress.


    Her nephew.


    The thought sent a pang of regret through her.


    She steeled her thoughts and removed her helmet.


    It was a tiny gesture, but she felt it was the least she could do to avoid adding to her brother¡¯s pain.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. What¡¯s one more drop in an ocean anyways?¡±


    ¡°Are your walls forming leaks?¡±


    ¡°One of the reasons I spend most of my time up here.¡±


    She watched her brother work.


    The movements of his fingers were so imperceptible that a normal human or one without perception Skills would¡¯ve thought they were immobile.


    The Threnium flowed like liquid, then hardened to take shape.


    The memorial was less than halfway done from the looks of it.


    Boy as a baby, a toddler, a child of every age.


    Her brother was in the middle of sculpting her nephew at age 10 from the looks of it.


    ¡°That was when you got him started with the surfing.¡±


    ¡°I had to. I couldn¡¯t allow you to convert him to snowboarding without a challenge.¡±


    ¡°Well, I guess the joke was on us. He ended up with two gnarly hobbies to have fun with.¡± She couldn¡¯t help but smile at the memories.


    ¡°Thank you for that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d never tell you what and how to feel. For me, I try to remember things and events that warm my heart and bring a smile to my face.¡±


    ¡°And the tears that come along with them?¡±


    ¡°I accept them all together.¡± She shrugged. ¡°It reminds me that I¡¯ll never forget.¡±


    ¡°I am incapable of forgetting. Memories are as fresh and clear as the day I experienced them¡­ unless¡­¡± He shook his head. ¡°They can be erased or the emotions deadened, even stripped from them. The pain¡ª¡±


    ¡°Reminds me that he lived and left his mark on me in all ways, big and small.¡±


    ¡°I know. I¡¯d never do that.¡±


    The silence of the cavernous chamber was oppressive.


    It made her uncomfortable to be surrounded by the dimly-lit darkness as the lights shut off in the distance.


    The only noise was the faint thrum of the gravity generators work running underneath the floor plating.


    ¡°How¡¯s Nila?¡±


    ¡°Asleep. Dreaming of happy times with our son. She was going to wake up to greet you, but you¡¯re two hours early.¡±


    ¡°I may have been too conservative with my initial estimate.¡±


    ¡°The first trip to the moon under your own power is pretty sketchy.¡±


    ¡°I know, right! I was freaked out that I¡¯d miss! I mean, it would¡¯ve been easy to just go back, but still¡­¡±


    ¡°Same for me, but you¡¯re attuned to gravity fields. I¡¯m sure even if you were blinded you¡¯d be able to find the moon or Earth easily.¡±


    ¡°I was also worried about some kind of space monster grabbing me with tentacles.¡±


    ¡°No such thing.¡±


    ¡°¡­ so far.¡±


    Her brother nodded.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t see any moon wraiths.¡±


    ¡°You mean lunar ghosts.¡±


    ¡°I mean what I say.¡±


    ¡°Well, they¡¯re currently extinct. Though they¡¯ll be back in a few days or a week.¡±


    Her brother sighed and waved a hand, wiping out several sculptures of his son.


    ¡°What was wrong?¡±


    ¡°They didn¡¯t look right.¡±


    They had looked perfect to her.


    Almost as if little Boy was about to leap down and jump on her for an auntie hug.


    The memory gripped her heart and squeezed mercilessly.


    Silence reigned for a time.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to want to see the rangers¡¯ memorials?¡±


    ¡°Before I leave.¡±


    ¡°Are you here for business talk?¡±


    She scowled at her brother¡¯s back.


    ¡°I keep such talk to official communication channels per your request. Official communications you have been answering tersely and most unsatisfactorily, most.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been professional. And I¡¯ve monitored things. They¡¯re going perfectly fine. Hayden¡¯s done well taking over operational command. Dayana¡¯s Smoke and Shadow Initiative started well. My rehabilitation program is green on all metrics. Lera¡¯s more active. ¡±


    ¡°Your assassin is reporting to me now.¡±


    ¡°You accepted. Besides, she can report to Eron too.¡±


    ¡°In theory, but in practice he¡¯s not easy to find.¡± She crossed her arms. ¡°There¡¯s other things. What¡¯s left of the Americans¡ª¡±


    ¡°The protocols will be sufficient.¡±


    ¡°Rabbit people hordes keep hording out of nowhere. There was a worm-rabbit people horde last week.¡±


    ¡°Which you easily crushed.¡±


    ¡°Worm. Ridden. Rabbit. People.¡±


    ¡°Well, we know enough went underground. You know, warrens and such. There are worms underground. Ergo¡­¡±


    ¡°Ergo there are still a lot of problems even without the demigods.¡±


    ¡°Throw Alcaestus at them. He swore to perform repentance labors for his god¡¯s honor or whatever. It¡¯s why I didn¡¯t send him away or kill him like the other eidolons.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t get all of them.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, the ones that are in other lands and have attached themselves to dumbasses. Let them all find out. It¡¯s a good cassus belli if you and Eron want them.¡±


    ¡°You know I don¡¯t and I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea to go around being colonizer-type a-holes.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m leaving, Rayna. Nila and I are leaving and that isn¡¯t going to be changed or delayed.¡±


    ¡°I know, you told us already.¡±


    ¡°Then, you¡¯re not going to try to convince me otherwise. Mom and Dad couldn¡¯t do it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not trying to tell you not to go. I¡¯m just suggesting that you take longer to plan and prepare. Maybe, you and Nila go with more than just the two of you?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± he said flatly, turning to look at her for the first time.


    He looked normal.


    She might¡¯ve expected dark shadows under his eyes, however, he could go without sleep for weeks at a time, perhaps even years with skilled use of his powers.


    Perhaps, she expected an unkempt appearance.


    Scraggly hair and an unshaven beard.


    But, no, he looked clean.


    If one didn¡¯t know then one wouldn¡¯t think he had suffered a devastating lost half a year ago.


    Then again he had always been a stoic sort when it came to personal pain and suffering.


    She had cause to remember an incident when she was a child.


    Four years old and carefree as only a child could be.


    She had barreled right into a hot pot set low to the ground in some backyard.


    Face first had it not been for Cal, who had swooped in and swept her away.


    Not before her momentum pushed his arm against the side of the stainless steel.


    She remembered the smell. The flap of skin hanging loosely, revealing the ugly red underneath. The blank look on her brother¡¯s face as people screamed, shouted and cursed.


    The same look stared at her.


    She refused to back down or be properly quailed.


    Oh no, she wasn¡¯t that little girl.


    Not the youngest princess with three hovering brothers.


    ¡°I want to see your plan.¡±


    ¡°I already¡ª¡±


    ¡°You gave us concepts. Three pages are insufficient for a deicide.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°Concepts of a plan. Not a plan. Only an absolute moron would go into something this significant with¡ª quote-unquote¡ª concepts of a plan. You¡¯re better than this, Cal. C¡¯mon, I know you want to succeed. Just trying isn¡¯t enough.¡±


    ¡°Opsec¡ª¡±


    ¡°Is good enough for all your other plans.¡±


    She crossed her arms even harder.


    ¡°Jesus H. Christ! Rayna, you¡¯re so¡ª fine. Detailed plans before we leave.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll wake Nila up.¡± He sighed.


    ¡°No. Let her dream.¡±


    ¡°Then, I¡¯ll let you go so you can see the rangers.¡±


    ¡°I have time for that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not feeling very conversationalist right now.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. I don¡¯t mind standing here and watching. I can see Boy in your sculpture. So lifelike. I keep excepting him to crawl or toddle over here.¡± Her vision began to blur ever so slightly. ¡°As long as you don¡¯t mind me being here. Watching.¡±


    ¡°No. No. Of course not. I don¡¯t mind.¡± He let out a breath. ¡°Thank you, Rayna. I appreciate it. You¡¯re the best sister I have. I¡¯m glad I voted to keep you instead of the other one.¡±


    ¡°Ha. Ha.¡±


    That old joke.


    She watched her brother sculpt her nephew through eyes that got blurrier as time ticked on.


    <hr>


    Another World


    He knew nothing beyond his class and level.


    Footman.


    Level 27.


    Oh, and that he needed to follow the glowing blue arrows hovering in front of him.


    How he knew that part?


    He didn¡¯t know.


    All there was to do was to step out of his tomb.


    Wait?


    What?


    He was in a tomb?


    How did he know that?


    And didn¡¯t that mean he was dead?


    So, why was he thinking and moving.


    It did feel strange.


    The moving part.


    Numb.


    His limbs responded to his unconscious thoughts as far as he could tell, but they felt less of¡­ well¡­ everything.


    The tomb he had just stepped out of was a recess in a wall.


    And everything seemed to be made of ice.


    The distorted reflection didn¡¯t trigger any memories as he poked and felt at his face.


    Did he always have thread and twine stitched in a grid-like pattern across his blue-ish flesh?


    Follow the arrows.


    A compulsion.


    So he did.


    They led him down long corridors and many turns.


    Empty icy tombs wherever he looked.


    Until¡ª


    ¡°You¡¯re slow.¡±


    A pale woman stood on a platform behind a desk.


    How did he know what those things were?


    Platform and desk were made of dark, reflective stone shot through with veins of color like metallic blood.


    ¡°I am?¡±


    The woman narrowed her pale blue eyes.


    Unlike him, the flesh of her face was unmarred.


    He hair moved, which was when he realized there appeared to be thin serpents hidden within the dark strands.


    ¡°It really must be time for the next calamity if the dregs are getting activated,¡± she muttered. ¡°Let¡¯s get this done so I can get out of here.¡±


    ¡°Er¡­ okay?¡±


    ¡°The last one wasn¡¯t as addled.¡± She shook her head. ¡°First question. Do you remember anything?¡±


    He thought about it.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Weak.¡± She pulled something from beneath her desk and placed it over her eyes. ¡°Thought so. Level 27 Footman. You must¡¯ve been brutally and easily killed in the last calamity. Why our Empress of the Frozen Eternities saved your corpse¡­ you are a waste of her greatness.¡±


    His heart pulsed at the mention of the empress.


    It was then that he realized his heart hadn¡¯t been beating much.


    The woman noticed his consternation.


    ¡°Listen, on-boarding new revenants isn¡¯t my department. Oh¡ª that¡¯s what you are. A revenant. You can¡¯t see it, but it¡¯s there. Level 1 Revenant. On-boarding will take you to a spire so you can.¡±


    ¡°A revenant?¡±


    ¡°Long story short. You died in the last calamity. Our Empress of the Frozen Eternities saved your corpse for some reason. She usually only takes exceptional specimens. Minimum Level 40 and such. And, yet, here you stand. So, there can¡¯t be a mistake.¡± She stowed the glass lenses away and clapped her hands. ¡°Revenant. Undead-ish. Dependent on death energy to remain you. Fail to maintain and you degrade into one of the mindless undead. At your level? Zombie. Perhaps a skeleton if you lose your meat parts. On the plus side, you can still level like you did when you were alive so long as you keep absorbing that death energy. Understand?¡±


    ¡°I¡ª what?¡±


    This was kind of a lot for him.


    He couldn¡¯t remember anything.


    ¡°Follow the arrows.¡± The woman dismissed him with a gesture.


    Much later he stood in front of a spire.


    He knew what one was.


    Even if he couldn¡¯t remember ever stepping inside one, which he must¡¯ve have done many times to level and gain or purchase things like Skills, gear and other things.


    The helpful revenants in the on-boarding department had said something about a crown they¡¯d use on him to help with the memory issue.


    Thus, he stood with Tremulac the Flenser, who he was to shadow for the foreseeable future as he was brought up to speed on the Empress of the Frozen Eternities¡¯ realm.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try to get you on the frontlines at one of the Rime Pits. They¡¯re always popping out things to kill. That should level you up quick. 27 in Footman isn¡¯t going to cut it. You¡¯ll want to hit 35 at least if you want a chance to be a part of the upcoming calamity. Otherwise, you¡¯re stuck here doing administrative work. Although, that drudgery is a lot better than being one of the few unfortunate sarmtards stuck in waste management. Praise the Empress! She believes us revenants are too valuable to waste on such things.¡±


    ¡°So, uh, who does those things?¡±


    ¡°Dumb undead. They do her will. Anything requires more skilled work gets one of the necromancers for more direct and finer control.¡±


    He had more questions, but was interrupted by the distortion in front of the luminescent spire.


    ¡°Hey, Goretrand!¡± Tremulac cracked his bone-plated knuckles. ¡°Pick up anything fun?¡±


    The hulking, green-skinned brute bared steel-clad lower tusks and sharp teeth. ¡°I¡¯ll show you in the arena!¡±


    ¡°Alright, brother! I¡¯ll look forward to flensing your face again!¡±


    They punched fists in passing.


    The sound made him wince.


    ¡°See, that¡¯s why you got to level up. Under 30 in a basic combat class won¡¯t cut it. We¡¯ll literally tear you apart. Sure, the stitchers can put you back together, but I hear it¡¯s not good for one¡¯s mentality. Although, from the looks of your face, you¡¯ve already visited one the stitchers¡­ a bad one at that.¡± Tremulac grinned. ¡°Alright, rookie! Your turn. Get in the spire. When you come back we can plan out your progression.¡±


    ¡°Right¡ª¡±


    The space in front of the spire distorted.


    Tremulac cursed.


    ¡°Goretrand!¡±


    ¡°Balldrine shit! What is it?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing else on the schedule! It¡¯s an invasion!¡± Tremulac growled the alarm into a sending stone. ¡°Grab weapons, rookie! Looks like you¡¯re going to get that leveling opportunity early!¡±


    The flenser threw him across the chamber to land near the weapons rack.


    Before he could even ponder which fit him best the distortion coalesced into two armored forms.


    Strangely armored.


    Seemed too flexible and in one smooth piece than the plate armor he somehow knew.


    One was dark gray, plain and flat, lacking the metallic shine he expected from plate.


    The other was painted in blues and yellows.


    Their faceplates were dark, hiding their faces.


    He wondered how one breathed without holes.


    Helms were difficult to breathe in from what he knew.


    Both invaders were tiny compared to the large Tremulac and the hulking Goretrand.


    ¡°You dare invade the Frozen Eternities!¡± Tremulac roared. ¡°Face the Empress¡¯ Ten Thousand Fingers!¡±


    ¡°Tremulac and Goretrand. You were terrible people in life and terrible people after death,¡± the one in blue and yellow said. ¡°Destroy the brain.¡±


    The one in gray nodded, pulling out a cylindrical hilt without a blade.


    Yellow light flashed.


    Tremulac and Goretrand roared.


    You, however, were not. Don¡¯t move from that spot if you want to stay alive¡­ make that, if you want to keep existing.


    The words seemed to come from inside his ears.


    They conveyed a clear message and, despite the nearly overwhelming instinctive urge to defend the Empress of the Frozen Eternities, they helped him remain rooted to his spot as the clash of combat sounded through the chamber.